Fifty Sermons Containing the Chief Points of the Christian Religion, Sermons 1 · Decade 1 · Sermon 8
Of the latter articles of Chriſtian fayth, conteined in the Apoſtles Creede.
¶ The eight Sermon.
LEt vsus firſte of all pray to our God, yt he wyll vouchſafe to graunt vsus an happie, ſpeedie, and verye fruitefull proceeding in the declaration of the other Articles of Chriſtian beliefe.
The fifte Article of oure beliefe is: The fift article of ou… belief.The thirde daye he roſe againe from the deade. And this article verilie of our beliefe is in a maner the chiefe of all the reſte. Neyther are the Apoſtles ſo buſily occupied in declaring and confirminge the other, as they are in this one. For it had not beene enoughe, if our Lorde had dyed onelyonly, The glorious reſurrection of Chriſte.vnleſſe he had alſo ryſen from ye deade agayne. For if hee had not riſen from the deade, but had remayned ſtill in death, who ſhoulde hauehave perſuaded vsus men, that ſinne was purged by the death of Chriſte, that death was vanquiſhed, Sathan ouercome, and Hell broken vppe for the faythfull by the death of Chriſte? Yea verilye wee hauehave fooliſh fellowes that would neuer ceaſſe to blaſpheme the verye God, to make a mocke of oure hope, and to ſaye: Tuſhe who did euer returne from the deade, to tell vsus whether there be a lyfe in an other worlde after this or no, and what kinde of lyfe it is?
Becauſe therfore wée cannot finde finde that any man did euer returne from the deade, that is to be doubted of which theſe babblers do tattle touchinge the lyfe of the world to come. That the Lorde therefore mighte declare to the whole worlde, that after this life there is an other, and that the Soule dyeth not wyth the bodye, but remayneth aliue, hee returned the thirde daye aliue agayne to hys Diſciples: and at that inſtant ſhewed them that ſinne was purged, death diſarmed, the deuill vanquiſhed, and hell deſtroyed.
For the ſtinge of death is ſinne. Or the reward of ſinne is death. The deuill hath the power of Death, and ſhutteth in Hell for ſinnes. Nowe therefore, in that Chriſte ryſeth aliue againe from the deade, Death coulde hauehave no Dominion ouer him: and becauſe Death by ſufferinge the Lorde to paſſe, is broken, It muſte needes followe that the Deuill, and Hell, are vanquiſhed by Chriſte. And laſtelie that Sinne, the ſtrēgth and power of them all is purelie purged.
It is euident therefore, that the reſurrection of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt doth as it were, certifie and by ſeale aſſure vsus of oure Saluation and Redemption, ſo that nowe wee cannot anye longer doubte of it. Wee confeſſe therefore in this Article, that oure Lorde Ieſus Chriſte is ryſen againe, and that hee is ryſen agayne for oure behoofe, that is to ſaye, that hee hath wipte awaye oure ſinnes, and that for vsus hee hath Conquered death, the deuill and hell, accordinge to the ſaying of the Apoſtle.
God hath ſaued vsus, and hath called vsus with an holie callinge, not according to our woorkes, but according to his owne purpoſe and fauour, which was giuen vntounto vsus through Ieſus Chriſte before all beginninge, but is declared openlie now by the appearing of our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſte, who hath verilie put out death, & brought forth lyfe, lighte, and immortalitie by the Goſpell. There are many more like this in the 4. of his Epiſtle to the Romans, and in the 15. of his firſt to the Corinthians. For the Lord alſo in the Goſpell after S. Iohn ſayth: I am the reſurrection and the life: hee that belieueth in mee althoughe hee be dead ſhall liue: and euerie one that liueth and belieueth in mee ſhall not die for euer.
Nowe alſo let vsus throughlie conſider eueryevery woorde of this article ſeuerallie by it ſelfe. Wée confeſſe ye Lord, What a reſurrection …s.his reſurrection. But a reſurrection is to riſe againe. That riſeth which falleth, The bodie of Chriſt fell, therfore the bodie of Chriſt riſeth, yea it riſeth againe: that is to ſaye, the verie ſame bodie of Chriſte which before it fell did both liue and ſtirre, doth nowe riſe againe, it doth I ſay both liue and ſtirre againe. For trulie ſayde Tertullian of the reſurrectiō of the fleſh, that this word Reſurrectiō is not properly ſpoken of any thing, ſaue of y• which firſt fell. For nothing can riſe againe but y• that fell. For by riſing againe, becauſe it fel, we ſay the reſurrection is made. Becauſe this ſillable, Re, is neuer added, but when a thing is done againe. Wherefore the women in the Goſpell, when they wente to annointe the bodie of the Lord, which honge vppon the Croſſe, did heare the Angell of the Lord ſay. Whie ſeeke yee the liuinge among the dead? hee is not heere but is riſen &c.
This hiſtorie of the Lords reſurrection is ſet forth in ye 24. after Luk, and the 16. after Marke. Peter the Apoſtle alſo in the ſeconde of the Actes affirminge the Lords reſurrection by the teſtimonie of Dauid, doth expreſſlye ſhew that the Lord is verily riſen againe.
After this wée ſay againe, that hée is riſen out of, or from ye dead. Which Out of from the dead.member doth expreſſe the truth, both of his death and reſurrection. For the bodie or fleſh dieth or is deſtroyed: but being dead is rayſed vp again: this body therfore, or fleſh, is raiſed vp again: as thoughe hee that maketh confeſſion of his beliefe ſhould ſay, Our Lord died euen in the very ſame condition of nature that other mortall men doe die in, but hee taried not, nor yet ſtack faſte amonge the dead. For the very ſame mortall fleſhe which hee had taken vntounto him, and by dyinge had layde aſyde, hee nowe taketh againe immortallie. As Dauid had foretolde before ſayinge. Becauſe thou ſhalt not leaue my ſoule in hell, nor ſuffer thy holie one to ſee corruption.
For Chriſte is the firſt begotten of them that riſe againe, in whom as in the heade, there oughte to be declared, He was …rucified dead, tokē downe and laid … his gran… vponupon … Friday, where his body …ay▪ Saturday that is E… …er eue…, and one Sunday which is Eaſter day in the morning he roſe againe frō death to life.in what ſorte the reſurrection of all Chriſt his members, ſhalbe in the day of iudgement.
And wee confeſſe that this reſurrection was made the thirde daye, I meane the thirde day after his death. For vppon the daye of Preparation hee is taken downe from the Croſſe, & caried into a ſepulcher, where his bodie reſteth the whole Sabboth daye, and about the beginning of the firſt day of ſabbothes, which I ſay, is the firſt day of the weeke, and amonge vsus at this day is called Sunday, in the morning hée roſe againe from the dead. Wheras therfore in the twelfth Chap. of the Goſpell after S. Mathewe wee reade that the Lorde ſaide: As Ionas was three dayes and three nightes, in the belly of the Whale: So ſhall the ſonne of man bee in the harte of the earth three dayes, and three nightes: Yet notwithſtandinge in the ſixtenth, and twenteth Chapters expoundinge himſelfe, as hauinge ſpoken that by Synecdoche hee ſayth: I muſt goe to Hieruſalem, and ſuffer many thinges of the Scribes and elders, and be killed, and rayſed vp againe the thirde daye.
The ſixt Article of our fayth is: He The ſixte article of our belief.aſcended into Heauen, and ſitteth at the right hande of God the father Almightie. That bodye which is of the ſame ſubſtaunce with our bodies, taken oute of the Virgine Marie, and taken verilie of the ſubſtaunce of the Virgin, which honge vponupon the Croſſe, and dyed, and was buried, and roſe againe, ye very ſame bodie I ſay, aſcended into the Heauens, & ſitteth at the righte hande of God the father. For after that by the ſpace of 40. dayes our Lord had abundantly enoughe inſtructed his Diſciples touchinge the truth of his reſurrection and the kingdome of God, hee was taken vp into Heauen.
By that aſcenſion of his. hee declareth to ye whole compaſſe of the earth, The glorious aſcenſion of Chriſt.that hee is Lorde of all thinges, and that to him are ſubiecte al things that are in Heauen and in earth, that hee is our ſtrength, the power of the faithfull, and hee of whom they hauehave to boaſt againſte the gates of Hell. For hee aſcendinge into Heauen hath lead Captiuitie captiue, and by ſpoylinge his enimyes hath inriched his people, on whom hee dailye heapeth his ſpirituall giftes. For hee ſitteth aboue, that by powringe his vertue from thence into vsus, hee maye quicken vsus with the ſpirituall lyfe, and decke vsus with ſondrie giftes and graces, and laſtlie defende the Church againſt all euills. For God is our Sauiour, kinge and biſhoppe.
Whereuppon when as once the Capernaites were offended, becauſe the Lord had called himſelfe the bread of life, that came downe from Heauen to giuegive life vntounto the Worlde, Hee ſayth: Doth this offende you? What therefore if you ſhall ſee the ſonne of man aſcende thether where hee was before? As if hee ſhould ſaye, then verilie ye will gather by my quickeninge, reſurrection, and glorious aſcenſion into the Heauens, that I am the breade of Lyfe broughte downe from Heauen, and now againe taken vp into the Heauens, there to remayne the Sauiour, life, and Lord of Heauen and earth.
Moreouer S. Peter the Apoſtle in the Actes ſayth: Let all the houſe of Iſraell knowe for a ſuretie, that God hath made the ſame Ieſus whom yee hauehave Crucifyed Lord and Chriſte.The for… of Chriſt his aſcenſion into heauen.
Furthermore hee did not onelyonly ryſe againe from death, and come to his Diſciples, but alſo aſcended into Heauen as they béehelde and looked on him, to the ende that wee thereby might bee aſſuredlie certified of eternall ſaluation. For by aſcending hee prepared a place for vsus, hee made readie the way, that is, hee opened the verie Heauens to the faithful.
God hath placed in heauen the very humanitie that hee tooke of vsus: which is in deede a liuelye and vnreproueable teſtimonie, that all mankinde ſhall at the laſte be tranſlated into Heauen alſo. For the members muſt needes be made conformable to the heade.
Chriſte oure heade is riſen agayne from the deade: therefore Wée his members ſhall alſo riſe againe. And euen as a cloud tooke away the Lord from the ſighte of his Diſciples: So ſhall wée that belieue be caried in the Cloudes to meete the Lorde, and ſhal whoal…e in Soule and bodie bée, and for euer dwell in Heauen wyth oure head and Lord Chriſte Ieſus.
And this doth Iohn euidently teach him that readeth his fourtenth chapter where the Lord ſayth: I go to prepare a place for you, and will come againe to you, and take you vntounto my ſelfe, that whereſoeuer I am, yee may alſo be.
Paule the Apoſtle alſo witneſſeth and ſayth: Wee that liue and ſhalbe remayninge in the comminge of the Lorde, ſhalbe caryed in the Cloudes together wyth them that are rayſed vp from the deade to meete the Lorde in the ayre. Wee confeſſe therefore in this article, that Ieſus Chriſte being taken vp into Heauen is Lorde of all thinges, the kinge and byſhoppe, the deliuerer and Sauiour of all the faythful in the whoale world. Wée confeſſe that in Chriſte and for Chriſt wee belieue the lyfe euerlaſtinge, which wee ſhall hauehave in this bodie at the ende of the worlde, and in ſoule ſo ſoone as wee are once departed oute of this world.
But nowe by the waye wee muſt weighe the very woords of this article. Hee aſcended, wee ſaye. Who He aſcen…ed into …eauen.aſcended I praye you? Hee that was borne of the Virgine Marie, that was Crucifyed, dead and buried, that roſe againe from the deade: Hee (I ſaye) aſcended verilie both bodie and ſoule. But whether aſcended hee? Into Heauen. Heauen in the Scriptures is not taken alwayes in one ſignification.
Firſt it is put for the Firmament, and that large compaſſe that is ouer our heades, wherein the birds flye too and fro, and in which the Starres are placed, that are called the furniture and hoaſt of Heauen. For ſayth Dauid: God is cloathed with lighte as with a Garmente, hee ſpreadeth forth the Heauens as it were a Courteyne. Hee ſaieth alſo. I ſhall ſee thy Heauens, the worke of thy fingers, and the Moone and Starres which thou haſte layed. And againe: Which couereth the Heauen with cloudes, and prepareth rayne for the earth. And againe: The Heauens declare the glorie of God, and the firmamente ſheweth forth the woorkes of his hands. Then alſo, Heauen is taken for the throne and habitation of God, And laſtlie for the place, ſeate, and receptacle of them that are ſaued, where God géeueth himſelfe to be ſeene and enioyed of them that be his.
For Dauid witneſſinge agayne, ſayth. The Lorde hath prepared his ſeate in Heauen. Wherevppon the Lord in the Goſpel ſayth: Sweare not by Heauen for it is Gods ſeate. And the Apoſtle Paule ſayth: Wee knowe if oure earthly manſion of this tabernacle be deſtroyed, that wee hauehave a dwellinge place for euer in Heauen, builded by God, not made by hands.
And therefore in this ſignification Heauen is called the Kingdome of God, the kingdome of the father, Ioy, Happines and felicitie, Eternall lyfe, Peace and Quietnes.
And although God in deede be not ſhutte vp in any place. For hee ſayth: Heauen is my Seate, and Earth the footeſtoole of my feete. Yet becauſe the glorie of God doth moſt of all ſhine in the Heauens, and becauſe that in Heauen hée giueth himſelf to be ſeene and enioyed of them that are his, accordinge to that ſayinge: Wee ſhall ſee him euen as hee is. And againe. No man ſhall ſee mee ſayth the Lorde and liue, Therefore God is ſayde to dwell in Heauen.
Moreouer Chriſte our Lorde touchinge his Diuinitie, is not ſhutte vp in any place: but accordinge to his humanitie once taken, which he drew vp into Heauen, hée is in the verie locall place of Heauen, neyther is he in the meane time heere in earth and eueryevery where bodilie, but being ſeuered from vsus in bodie, remayneth in Heauē. For hee aſcendeth, which leauinge that which is belowe, doth goe to that aboue.
Chriſte therefore leauing the earth, hath placed a ſeate for his bodie aboue all Heauens. Not that hee is caried vp beyonde all Heauens, but becauſe aſcendinge vppe aboue all the Circles into the vtmoſte and higheſt Heauen, hee is taken (I ſaye) into the place appointed for thoſe that are ſaued. For Paule the Apoſtle ſpeakinge plainlie enoughe to be vnderſtoode ſayth: Our conuerſation is in Heauen, from whence wee looke for the Sauiour to come &c.
In the ſame manner alſo Luk the Euangeliſt ſayth: And bleſſing them hee departed from them, and was caried into Heauen.
But whie do I make ſo much adoe He ſitteth at the right hand of God the father Almightyabout expounding that which is moſt euidentlye declared in the verye Creede by that which followeth. For the nexte is: Hee ſitteth at the righte hande of God the father Almightie.
For by this wee vnderſtande what kinde of place Heauen is, and what our Lorde doth in Heauen.
It is not ſurely for our frailtie ouer narrowlie to ſeeke out or diſcuſſe the ſecretes of Heauen, and yet it is not againſte Religion to inquire after that that is taught vsus in ye Scriptures, and ſo perfectlie to remember it as it is taughte vsus. Our Lord is ſimplie ſayde to ſitte, and that too, to ſitte at the righte hande of the Father Almightie.
Let vsus therefore ſee what the right hande of the father is, and what it is to ſitte at the righte hande of the father.
The righte hande of the Father in the Scripture hath two ſignifications. The definition of gods right hand take here for the places name.Firſte the righte hande of God is the place appointed for them that are ſaued, and the euerlaſting felicitie in Heauen.
This did S. Auguſtine ſet downe to be marked, long before vsus, who in the twentie and ſixt Chapter of his booke De Agone Chriſtiano wryteth. That the righte hande of the Father, is the euerlaſtinge felicitie giuen to the Sainctes: euen as alſo the leaft hande is moſte rightlye called the continuall miſerie allotted to the vngodlye: not ſo that by this meanes that I hauehave ſayde the righte or leafte hande is to be vnderſtoode in reſpecte of God himſelfe, but in reſpecte of his Creatures capacitie. And this did S. Auguſtine ſpeake accordinge to the Scriptures. For Dauid ſayth: The path of Life ſhalte thou make knowne to mee, the fulnes of ioyes is in thy ſighte, and at thy right hande is gladneſſe for euer.
What elſe is this than if hee had ſayd, Thou ſhalt bring mee into life, I ſaye into the very Heauens, where I ſhalbe filled wyth ioyes, both by ſeinge and beholdinge thee, and alſo by enioying thee. At thy right hande in eternall bleſſedneſſe are ioyes euerlaſtinge. In the Goſpell alſo we reade, that the Sheepe are placed by the Iudge at the right hand, and the Goates at the left. And when the right hand is taken in this ſenſe, Then To ſitte doth ſignifie to reſte from all labours, To ſit is to be at reſt and enioy felicitie.and to liue quietlie and in happie ſtate. For that ſaying of the Prophet is very well knowen: A man ſhall ſit vnderunder his Vine. As if hee ſhould hauehave ſayd, all thinges ſhalbe at peace, in ſafetie, and at quiet. So then this that I hauehave ſaide, is mente by the righte hande of the father: and where wee confeſſe that the ſonne doth ſitte at the righte hande of the father Almightie, wée do acknowledge that our Lorde beinge deliuered from all trouble and mortall infirmities, doth now in his humanitie, both reſte and reioyce in the verie locall place of Heauen, where wee belieue that both our ſoules and bodies ſhal bee, and liue for euer.
For the Lorde himſelfe in the Goſpell witneſſeth, that in his fathers houſe there are many māſions, which hee goeth to prepare, that they mayè hauehave a place, and although hee did depart, yet that hee woulde retourne to them againe, and take them vntounto him ſelfe, that wher hée is, they alſo might be in the ſame place with him.
Wherefore wee beleeue that Chriſte is at reſt in Heauen, where hee hath prepared a place of reſte for vsus alſo, to remayne in ioyes euerlaſtinge. And for becauſe oure bodies ſhall not be eueryevery where in felicitie, but in the onelyonly appointed place, therefore ſayd S. Auguſtine truly, that Chriſt our Lord accordinge to the meaſure of his very body is in ſome one place of Heauen. And S. Cyprian ſayth: To ſit at the right hande of the father is the myſterie of his fleſhe taken vppe into Heauen.
Secondarily the right hand of God is put for the vertue, kingdome, protection, Gods right hand the name of his power; and in this ſignification to ſit is to reigndeliueraunce, and power of God. For Dauid ſayth: The Lords right hande is high, the Lords righte hand doth mightie things. And Moſes ſaide: Thy right hand (O Lord) is magnified in power, thy righte hand (O Lord) hath broken the enimie. And when the righte Hande is put in this ſenſe, then To ſit doth ſignifie to reigne, to deliuer, to vſe power, and do the office of a Prince.
For ſayth Dauid: The Lorde ſaide to my Lorde, ſitte thou at my righte hande, till I make thine enimies thy footeſtoole. And the Prophete Zacharie ſayth: Beholde the man, that is called the braunche, hee ſhal budde oute of his place, and build the Temple of the Lorde, and ſitte and rule vppon his Throne, and be a prieſte vppon his ſeate. In this ſenſe the right hand of God is infinite and conteined in no meaſure of place: & wheras wée confeſſe that our Lorde doth ſitte at the righte hande of the father, wee doe profeſſe that the ſonne is exalted aboue all thinges, hauinge all thinges ſubiecte vnderunder himſelfe, as Paule in his firſt Chapter to the Epheſians ſayth: and finallye that the ſonne being ſo exalted cā do al thinge, doth reigne in the vniuerſall Church, doth deliuer them that are his, doth make interceſſion to ye father in heauē, and in the power of his Godheade is preſent in all places. For therfore did the Créede adde almightineſſe to this ſetting of his, where it is ſayde, He ſitteth at the right hande of the father almightie. And in Saint Mathew the Lorde ſayth, To me is giuen al might in heauen, and in earth, goe therefore and bring all nations vntounto me.
So then I ſuppoſe that briefly thus I hauehave well declared what manner of place heauen is, to wit, a place of quietneſſe, ioye, and euerlaſting felicitie, wherin the ſonne of God doth ſit, doth dwell, and is in his humanitie, as we alſo, that are the members of Chriſte, ſhal be in the very ſame place without all dolour and griefe in ioye for euermore. And although our Lorde be deliuered from all grieuous buſineſſe, yet we meane not that he ſitteth idlely leaning on his elbowes. For he is a King, a Prieſte, and very God in the very temple of God: he can not chooſe therefore of his natural propertie and office but work ſaluation in the elect, and do all things, that lye God, a king, and Prieſte in hande to doe. So then nowe we all knowe what our Lorde doth as he ſitteth in heauen. Neither is it any trouble to him at all to do and worke that which he doth, for he worketh not of compulſion, but naturally and of his owne accord.
Thus and no otherwiſe did the ancient Saint Hierom of the …ight hād of the fa…her.interpreters of the holy Scriptures handle this Article of our belief. Some of whoſe teſtimonies I will here alledge. Saint Hierome in his expoſition of Paules firſt Chapter to the Epheſians, ſayth: He hath declared the power of God by the ſimilitude of a man: not bycauſe a ſeate is placed and God the father ſitteth ther on, hauing his ſonne ſitting ther with him: but bycauſe we can not otherwiſe conceiue howe the ſonne dothe iudge and reigne, but by ſuch wordes applyed to our capacitie. As therfore to be next to God, or to depart farre from him is not to be vnderſtood according to the diſtance of places, but after mens merites, bycauſe the Saints are heard by him, but the ſinners (of whome the Prophete ſayth, Beholde they that get them ſelues from thee ſhal periſh) are remoued farre inough for comming neare him at all. Euen ſo likewiſe to be eyther at the right or lefte hande of God is to be taken ſo, that the Saints are at his right hand & ſinners at his left. As our Sauioure him ſelfe alſo in the Goſpel affirming the ſame dothe ſay, that at the right hande are the ſheepe, and the goates at the left. Moreouer, this very word (to Sit,) dothe argue the power of a kingdome, by which God is beneficiall to them on whom he doth vouchſafe to ſit, in ſo much as verily he doth rule them, and hath them alwayes in his guiding, and dothe turne to his owne becke or gouernment, the necks of them that before ranne out of the way at randon, and at libertie.Saint Auguſtine of the right hand of … father.
Saint Auguſtine in his booke De Fide et Symbolo ſayth. We beleeue that he ſitteth at the right hande of God the Father. Yet not ſo therefore as though we ſhoulde thinke that God the Father is comprehended within the limites of a mans bodye: ſo that they that thinke of him ſhoulde imagine that he hath bothe a right and a left ſide: And whereas it is ſayde that the Father ſitteth, we muſte not ſuppoſe that he doth ſitte with bended hammes, leaſte peraduenture we fall into the ſame ſacrilege for whiche the Apoſtle accurſeth them that hauehave chaunged the glory of the incorruptible God, into the ſimilitude of a corruptible man. For a deteſtable thing it is to place God in ſuche a likeneſſe in a Chriſtian Churche: and muche more wicked is it to place it in the heart, where the temple of God is verily and in deede, if it be cleanſed from earthly deſires and errour. We muſt therfore vnderſtand, that at the right hande is as muche to ſay as in greateſt happineſſe, where righteouſneſſe and peace and gladneſſe is: euē as alſo the Goates are placed at the lefte hande, that is in miſerie for their iniquities to their peine and torment. Whereas God therefore is ſayde to ſit, thereby is not ment the placing of his limms, but his iudiciall power, whiche his maieſtie neuer wanteth in beſtowing worthy rewardes on thoſe that are worthy of them. And ſo foorth.
The bleſſed Biſhop Fulgentius in …int Fulgentius. His humanitie i… l… cal, that is, …teined i… ſpace of …lace, but …s Godhead incō prehēſible as that that is eueryevery where, … not … in any place. Saint vigilius.his ſeconde Booke to King Traſimundus, ſayth: The Lorde, to ſhewe that his humanitie is locall, ſayeth to his Diſciples, I aſcende to my father and to your father, my God and your God. And by and by after declaring the in comprehenſibilitie of his Godhead, he ſayth to his Diſciples: Behold I am with you alwayes euen vntounto the ende of the wold.
The bleſſed Martyr and Biſhop of Trent Vigilius in his firſt booke againſt hereſies, ſayth: This was to go to the Father, and to depart from vsus, to take away out of this world the nature whiche he tooke of vsus. Thou ſeeſt therefore that it was proper to the ſame nature to be taken away, and to departe from vsus, according to the wordes of the Angels whiche ſayde, This Ieſus who is taken vp from you, ſhall come againe euen as ye ſee him goe into heauen. For ſee the myracle, See the myſterie of both his properties: The Sonne of God in his humanitie is departed from vsus: according to his diuinitie he ſaith to vsus, Beholde I am with you alwayes euen vntounto the ende of the world. If he be with vsus howe ſayth he? The time ſhall come when ye ſhall deſire to ſee one of the dayes of the ſonne of man and ye ſhal not ſee it. But both he is with vsus, and not with vsus. Bycauſe them, whome he hath left and departed from in his Godhead, he hath not lefte nor forſaken in his manhoode. This ſayth he.
The ſeuenth Article of our faith is this. From thence he ſhall come to The ſeuenth Article. Chriſt a Iudge.iudge the quicke and the deade. In the former Articles there is ſet foorth and confeſſed the diuine goodneſſe, bountifulneſſe and grace in Chriſte: nowe alſo ſhall be declared the diuine iuſtice, ſeueritie and vengeaunce that is in him. For there are two cōmings of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte. Firſt he came baſely in the fleſhe to be the redéemer and ſauiour of the worlde. At the ſecond time he ſhal come gloriouſly to iudgement to be a iudge and reuenger that will not be intreated againſt all vnrepentaunt ſinners and wicked doers. And he ſhal come out of heauen from the right hand of the Father in his viſible and very humane body, to be ſéene of all fleſhe, with the incomprehenſible power of his Godhead, and being attended on by all the Angels. For the Lord him ſelfe in the Goſpel ſayth: They ſhall ſee the ſonne of man cōming in the cloudes of heauen with great power and glory, and he ſhall ſend his angels with the great ſoūd of a trūp. &c. But now to iudge To Iudg… what it …is to ſit in the tribunall ſeate, to heare and diſcuſſe matters, to take vp ſtrifes to determine and giuegive ſentence, & laſtly to defend & deliuer, & againe to chaſtiſe & puniſh, & by that means to kéepe vnderunder & ſuppreſſe iniurie and malice. We beléeue therefore that our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt in that day ſhall deliuer all the godly, & deſtroy all the wicked: according to the words of the Apoſtle who ſaith, Our Lord ſhall be reuealed frō heauen with the Angels of his power, with a burning flame, and ſhall lay vengeance on them that hauehave not knowne God: And againe, the ſame iuſt iudge ſhall giuegive a crowne of righteouſneſſe to al them that louelove his cō ming. The manner of this iudgemēt The pic…ure of …he laſte …dgemēt.the writings of the Euangeliſtes & Apoſtles doe tell vsus, ſhall be in this ſort. When once the wickedneſſe of this world ſhal come to the full, & that Antichriſt ſhall hauehave deceiued the world, ſo that there is but little faith remaining, & that the wicked ſhall ſay peace & quietneſſe, then ſhall a ſoudaine deſtructiō come. For our Lord the iudge ſhall ſend his Archangell, to blowe the trūp & to gather together frō ye foure windes all fleſh to iudgement: by and by after ſhall the iudge him ſelfe our Lord Ieſus Chriſt follow with all the hoaſt of heauen: & he ſhall deſcend out of heauen into the cloudes: and ſitting aloft in the cloudes as in a iudgement ſeate, ſhalbe eaſily ſéene of al fleſh. For they that ſhall be then liuing at the day of iudgement ſhall in a very prick of time be changed, & ſtande before the iudge: and all the deade ſhall in a moment riſe vp againe. Then ſhall the iudge diuide the ſhéepe from the goats: and according to iuſtice ſhal giuegive iudgemēt with the ſhéep & againſt the goats ſaying: Come ye bleſſed. &c. And, Goe ye curſed. &c. Preſently after ſhal follow execution. For the ſhéepe ſhall by and by be caught vp into the clouds to méete ye Lord in the ayre, & ſhal aſcend with him ioyfully into heauen to the right hande of God the father, there to liue for euer in glory & gladneſſe. The bottome of the earth ſhall gape for the wicked, & ſhall ſucke them all vp horribly, and ſend them down to hel, there to be tormented for euer with Sathā and his Angels. All this ſhall be done not by any long, troubleſom, or change able proceſſe, as is vſed in our Courts of lawe, but euen in the twinckling of an eye. For then ſhall all mens hearts be layd open & eueryevery mans owne conſcience ſhall accuſe him ſelfe. This is more at large ſet out in Math. 24. &. 25 Wiſ. 3. &. 5. 1. Cor. 15. 2. Cor. 5. 1. The. 4 5. Rom. 2. 2. Pet. 3. &c. Nowe we doe The quick and dead are iudgedſimply confeſſe that the quick and the dead ſhalbe iudged. This do ſome expound of the godly & vngodly. But the Symbole or Creede, was ordeined for the moſt ſimple of vnderſtanding. And ſimple things are fitteſt for to teache ſimple men. Therfore we ſay ſimply yt the dead are al they, that from the beginning of the worlde euen vntill the laſt day are departed out of this mortal life. And the liuing are they, which at that day ſhal be aliue in this world. For the apoſtle ſaith, Behold I tel you a myſterie, we ſhall not all ſleepe, but we ſhall all be chaunged by the laſt trump in a moment of time and in the twinckling of an eye. For the trumpe ſhall ſound, and the dead ſhall riſe againe incorruptible, and we ſhall be chaunged.
And again in another place the ſame Apoſtle ſaith. This I ſay vntounto you in the word of the Lord, that we, which ſhall liue and be remaining at the cō ming of the Lorde, ſhall not preuent them which are a ſleepe. Bycauſe the Lorde him ſelfe ſhal come downe out of heauen with a great noyſe, and the voice of an Archangel and the trump of God, and firſte ſhall the deade in Chriſte riſe vp againe, then ſhall we which ſhall be a liue & be remaining, be caught vp together with them in the cloudes into the ayre to meete the Lorde: and ſo ſhall we be with the Lord for euermore.
We confeſſe therefore in this ſeuenth The reward and puniſhment is moſte certaine.Article that we beléeue there ſhall be an ende of all thinges in this world, and that the felicitie of the wicked ſhall not indure for euer. For we beleue that God is a iuſt God who hathe giuen all iudgement vntounto his Son, to repay to eueryevery one in that day according to his workes, paines to the wicked that neuer ſhall be ended, and to the godly ioyes euerlaſting. And ſo in this Article we profeſſe that we looke for a deliuerance, a ceaſing from troubles, and the rewarde of life euerlaſting. For howe ſhould he deſtroye them that beléeue in him, his people, and his ſeruauntes, who in the moſte true Goſpell ſayth. Verily I ſay vntounto you that ye▪ which hane followed me in the regeneration, when the Sonne of man ſhall ſit on the ſeate of his maieſtie, ye alſo ſhall ſit vponupon twelue ſeates iudging the twelue tribes of Iſraell. There are moſte certaine rewardes and penalties appointed for the godly and vngodly in the worde of trueth. He can not lye that ſayd to Eſay, Say to the righteous that it ſhall goe well with him, for he ſhall inioye the fruite of his ſtudie. But woe be to the wicked, it ſhall be euill with him, for he ſhall be rewarded according to the workes of his owne handes. And thus muche touching the ſeconde part of the Créede. Nowe are we come to the thirde part.
The eight Article of our beliefe is this, I beleeue in the holy Ghoſt. This the eighth article of our faith.thirde parte of the Créede containeth the propertie of the third perſon in the reuerend Trinitie. And we doe rightly beléeue in the holy Ghoſt, as wel as in the father and the ſonne. For the holy Ghoſte is one God with the Father and the Sonne: and rightly is faith in the holy Ghoſte ioyned to faith in the Father and the Sonne. For by him the fruite of Gods ſaluation fulfilled in the Sonne is ſealed to vsus, and oure ſanctification and cleanſing is beſtowed on vsus, and deriued from him to vsus by the holy Ghoſte. For the Apoſtle ſayth. God which anoynted vsus, is he alſo which hath ſealed vsus, and hath giuen the earneſt of the ſpirite in our hearts. And againe, Ye were in deede defiled with naughtineſſe but nowe ye are cleanſed and ſanctified, and laſtely iuſtified throughe the name of the Lorde Ieſus, and by the ſpirite of our God. The Father in déede doth ſanctifie too, but by the bloud of Ieſus Chriſte, and poureth the ſame ſanctification out of him into vsus by the holy Ghoſt: ſo that it is as it were the propertie of the holy Ghoſte to ſanctifie, wherevpon he is called Holy or the ſanctifier. Therefore ſo often as we heare the holy Ghoſt named, we muſt by and by think of the power in working, which the Scripture attributeth to him, and we muſt looke after the benefites that from him doe flowe to vsus. For the power, operation, or action of the ſpirite is that, what ſo euer the grace of God doth work in vsus through the Sonne: ſo that of neceſſitie we muſt beléeue in the holy Ghoſt. And in this eight Article we doe profeſſe, that we doe verily beléeue that all the faithfull are cleanſed, waſhed, regenerated, ſanctified, inlightned, and inriched of God with diuers gifts of grace for Chriſt his ſake, but yet through the holy Ghoſt. For without him there is no true ſanctification: wherefore we ought not to attribute theſe giftes of grace to any other meanes: this glory belongeth to the holy Ghoſt onelyonly. Of whome I will more largely and fully diſcourſe in my other Sermons.
The houre is ſpent which warneth me to wrappe vp briefly and make an The father in Chriſt hath fully giuen vsus all heauenly treaſures.ende, therefore I exhort you al to hauehave your faithe religiouſly bent vponupon the Lorde Ieſus: for him hath the heauē ly father ſente to vsus, in him hath he wholy expreſſed and ſhewed him ſelfe to vsus, and him doth the holy Ghoſte printe in our heartes and kéepe in our mindes. And in Chriſt is all mans ſaluation and eueryevery part thereof contained: wherefore we muſt beware that we deriue it not from any thing elſe. It pleaſed the father (ſaith the Apoſtle) that all fulneſſe ſhoulde dwell in the Sonne, and in him to recapitulate and as it were to bring into a ſumme all points of ſaluation, that in him all the faithfull may be fulfilled. For if ſaluation be ſought, then euen by his very name are we taught that ſaluation is in his power. For he is called Ieſus, that is a ſauiour. If we deſire the holy ſpirit of God and his ſundry gifts, we ſhal finde them alſo in the annointing of Chriſt. For he is called Chriſt, the annoynted I ſaye, the holye of holies, and the ſanctifier, or elſe the annoynter of vsus with his ſpirite. If any man hauehave néede of ſtrength and might, of power and deliueraunce, well he hath to looke for it in Chriſte his dominion. For Chriſte is Lorde of all. In the ſame Chriſt we finde redemption. For he hath redéemed vsus that were ſolde vnderunder Sathans yoake. In his conception we hauehave puritie, in his natiuitie we hauehave ſufferance. For he became like to vsus, that he might ſuffer griefe as well as we. For in his paſſion we hauehave forgiuneſſe of ſinnes, in his condemnation we hauehave abſolution, ſatiſfaction in his offering or cleanſing ſacrifice, cleanſing in his bloude, and an vniuerſall reconciliation in his deſcending into hell. In his buriall we hauehave the mortificatiō of our fleſh, the newneſſe of life, yea rather the immortalitie of the ſoule, and reſurrection of our bodyes in his glorious reſurrection. We hauehave alſo the inheritance of the heauenly kingdome, with the aſſured ſealing thereof in his aſcenſion and ſitting at the right hand of the father. And there is he our mediatour, prieſt and king, our ſafegarde and our heade, oure defender and moſte ſure reſt.
From thence he poureth into vsus his holye ſpirite, the fulneſſe of all good thinges: and dothe communicate him ſelfe wholy to vsus, ioyning vsus vntounto him ſelfe with an indiſſoluble knot. From thence we doe with confidence and ioy looke for him to be our iudge, to be I ſay our patrone and deliuerer, whiche ſhall condemne and ſende downe hedlong into hell all our enimies with ſathan: but ſhal take vsus and al the faith full of eueryevery age vp into heauen with him ſelf, there to ſing a newe ſong, and to reioyce in him for euer and euer. To him be glory for euer. Amen.