Fifty Sermons Containing the Chief Points of the Christian Religion, Sermons 1 · Decade 1 · Sermon 2
Of the worde of God, to whom and to what end it was reuealed, alſo in what maner it is to be hearde, and that it doth fully teache the whole doctrine of godlineſſe.
¶ The ſeconde Sermon.
DEarely beloued, in the laſte Sermon you learned what the worde of God is, from whence it came, by whome it was chiefly reuealed, what procéedings it had, and of what dignitie and certaintie it is. Now am I come againe, and by Gods fauour and the helpe of your prayers, I will declare vntounto you (beloued) to whome and to what ende the worde of God is reuealed: in what manner it is to be hearde, and what the force thereof is or the effect.
Our God is the God of all men and nations, who according to the ſaying …o whom … worde … God is …ealed.of the Apoſtle, woulde hauehave all men to be ſaued, and to come to the knowledge of the trueth: and therfore hath he for the benefite, life and ſaluation of all men, reuealed his worde, that ſo in déede, there might be a rule and certaine waye, to leade men by the pathe of iuſtice into life euerlaſting. God verily, in the olde time did ſhewe him ſelfe to the Iſraelites, his holy and peculiar people, more familiarly then to other nations, as the Prophete ſayth: To Iacob hath he declared his ſtatutes, and his iudgementes to Iſrael: he hath not dealt ſo with any nation, neyther hath he ſhewed them his iudgementes: and yet he hath not altogether bene careleſſe of the Gentiles. For as to the Niniuites he ſent Ionas, ſo Eſaias, Ieremias, Daniell, and the other Prophetes beſtowed muche labour in teaching and admoniſhing the Gentiles. And thoſe moſte auncient Fathers, Noe, Abraham, and the reſt, did not onelyonly inſtruct the Iewiſh people which deſcended of them, but taught their other ſonnes alſo, the iudgementes of God. Our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte verily laying open the whole world before his diſciples, ſayd: Teach all nations: Preache the Goſpell to all creatures. And when as Sainte Peter did not yet fully vnderſtande, that the Gentiles alſo did appertaine to the fellowſhip of the Churche of Chriſte, and that to the Gentiles alſo did belong the preaching of the glad tydings of ſaluation, purchaſed by Chriſte for the faythfull, the Lord doth inſtruct him by a heauenly viſion, by ſpeaking to him out of heauen, and by the meſſage which came from Cornelius, as you knowe (dearely beloued) by the hyſtorie of the Actes of the Apoſtles. Let vsus therfore thinke (my brethren) that the worde of God and the holy Scriptures, are reuealed to all men, to all ages, kindes, degrées, and ſtates, throughout the worlde. For the Apoſtle Paule alſo confirming the ſame, ſayth: Whatſoeuer things are written, are written for our learning, that through patience, and comfort of the Scriptures, we may hauehave hope.
Let none of vsus therefore hereafter ſay, what néede I to care what is written What hauehave I to doe what was written to thē of olde time.to the Iewes in the olde Teſtament, or what the apoſtles hauehave written to the Romanes, to the Corinthians, and to other nations? I am a Chriſtian. The Prophets to the men of their time, and the Apoſtles to thoſe that liued in the ſame age with them, did both preach and write. For if we thinke vprightly of the matter, we ſhall ſée that the Scriptures of the olde and newe Teſtamentes, ought therefore to be receiued of vsus, euen bicauſe we are Chriſtians. For Chriſt our Sauiour and maiſter, did referre vsus to the written bookes of Moſes and the Prophets. Saint Paule the very elect inſtrument of Chriſt, doth apply to vsus the Sacramentes and examples of the olde Fathers, that is to ſay, Circumciſion in baptiſme, Coloſſ. 2. and the Paſchall lambe in the Supper or Sacrament. 1. Cor. 5. In the tenth Chapter of the ſame Epiſtle he applyeth ſundry examples of the Fathers to vsus. And in the fourth to the Romans where he reaſoneth of fayth, whiche iuſtifieth without the helpe of works, and the lawe, he bringeth in the example of Abraham. And therewithall addeth, Neuertheleſſe it is not written for Abraham alone, that fayth was reckoned vntounto him for righteouſneſſe, but alſo for vsus to whome it ſhal be reckoned if we beleeue. &c.
By that meanes, ſay ſome, we ſhal The writings of the old teſtament are alſo giuen to Chriſtians.againe be wrapped in the lawe, we ſhall be inforced to be circumciſed, to ſacrifice fleſhe and bloud of beaſtes, to admit againe the prieſthood of Aaron, together with the temple, and the other ceremonies.
There ſhall againe be allowed the byll of diuorcement, or putting away of a mans wife, together with ſufferaunce to marrie many wiues. To theſe I aunſwere, that in the olde Teſtament we muſte conſider, that ſome thinges there are, whiche are for euer to be obſerued, and ſome thinges whiche are ceremoniall and ſuffered onelyonly till time of amendement. That time of amendment is the time of Chriſte, who fulfilled the lawe, and tooke awaye the curſe of the lawe.
The ſame Chriſte chaunged Circumciſion into Baptiſme. He with his owne only ſacrifice made an end of all ſacrifices, ſo that nowe in ſteade of all ſacrifices, there is lefte to vsus that onelyonly ſacrifice of Chriſte, wherein alſo we learne to offer our own very bodies and prayers together with good déedes, as ſpirituall ſacrifices vntounto God. Chriſt changed the Prieſthood of Aaron for his owne, and the Prieſthoode of al Chriſtians. The Temple of God are we in whom god by his ſpirit doth dwell. All ceremonies did Chriſt make voide, who alſo in the nineteene of Mathewe did abrogate the bill of diuorcement, together with the marriage of many wiues. But althoughe theſe Ceremonies, and ſome externall actions were abrogated and cleane taken away by Chriſt, that we ſhould not be bound vntounto them: yet notwithſtanding, the Scripture whiche was publiſhed touching them, was not taken awaye or elſe made voide by Chriſt. For there muſt for euer be in the Churche of Chriſt a certaine teſtimoniall, wherby we may learne what manner of worſhippings and figures of Chriſt they of the olde time had. Thoſe worſhippīgs & figures of Chriſt muſt we at this day interprete to the Churche ſpiritually, and out of them we muſte no leſſe then out of the writinges of the newe Teſtament preach Chriſt, forgiuenes of ſinnes, and repentance. So then to all Chriſtians are the writinges of the olde Teſtament giuen by God: in like manner as the Apoſtles writ to all Churches thoſe thinges which bore the name or title of ſome particular Congregations.
And to this end is the woord of God To what …nd the …ord of God is ….reuealed to men, that it may teache them what, and what māner one God is towardes men, that he would hauehave them to be ſaued, a…d that by faithe in Chriſt: what Chriſt is, and by what meanes ſaluation commeth: what becommeth the true worſhipers of God, what they ought to flie, and what to enſue. Neither is it ſufficient to know the wil of God, vnleſſe we do the ſame and be ſaued. And for that cauſe ſayde Moſes, Heare Iſraell the ſtatutes and iudgements whiche I teache you, that ye may doe them and liue. And the Lorde in the Goſpell confirming the ſame, cryeth: Bleſſed are they whiche heare the worde of God and keepe it.
And here is to be prayſed the excéeding Gods goodneſſe to be prayſed for teaching vsus.great goodneſſe of God, whiche would hauehave nothing hid frō vsus, whiche maketh any whit to liue rightly, well and holily. The wiſe and learned of this world doe for the moſt part beare enuy or grudge, that other ſhoulde attaine vntounto the true wiſedome. But our Lorde doth gently, and of his own accorde offer to vsus, the whole knowledge of heauenly things, and is deſirous that we goe forward therein, yea and that more is, he doth further our labour, and bring it to an ende. For whoſoeuer hath, ſayth the Lorde him ſelfe in the Goſpell, to him ſhall be giuen, that he may hauehave the more aboundance. And eueryevery one that aſketh receiueth, and he that ſeeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it ſhal be opened. Whervpon S. Iames the Apoſtle ſayth. If any of you lacke wiſdome, let him aske of God, whiche giueth to al men liberally, that is, willingly, not with grudging, neyther caſteth any man in the teeth, and it ſhall be giuen him. Where, by the way, we ſée our dutie, which is in reading and hearing the worde of God, to pray earneſtly and zealouſly, that we may come to that ende, for the whiche the worde of God was giuen and reuealed vntounto vsus. But as touching that matter, we will ſay ſomewhat more, when we come to declare in what maner of ſorte, the worde of God ought to be heard.
Nowe, bycauſe I hauehave ſayde, that All points of true godlineſſe …re taught …s in the holy ſcriptures.the worde of God is reuealed, to the intente that it maye fully inſtructe vsus in the wayes of God and our ſaluation, I will in fewe wordes declare vntounto you (dearely beloued) that in the worde of God deliuered to vsus by the Prophetes, and Apoſtles, is aboundantly contained the whole effect of godlyneſſe, and what thinges ſoeuer are auaileable to the leading of oure liues rightly, well, and holyly. For verily, it muſt néedes be, that that doctrine is full and in all pointes perfect, to which nothing ought eyther to be added, or elſe to be taken away. But ſuch a doctrine is the doctrine taught in the worde of God, as witneſſeth Moſes Deuter. 4. &. 12. and Solomon Prouerb. 30. What is he therfore that dothe not confeſſe that all pointes of true pietie, are taught vsus in the ſacred Scriptures. Furthermore, no man can denie that to be a moſt abſolute doctrine, by which a man is ſo fully made perfect, that in this worlde he may be taken for a iuſt man, and in the world to come, be called for euer to the companie of God. But he, that beleeueth the word of God vttered to the world by the Prophetes and Apoſtles, and liueth thereafter, is called a iuſt man, and heire of life euerlaſting. That doctrine therefore is an abſolute doctrine. For Paule alſo declaring more largely and fully the ſame matter, … Tim. 3.ſayth: All Scripture giuen by inſpiratiō of god, is profitable to doctrine, to reproue, to correction, to inſtruction whiche is in righteouſneſſe, that the man of God may be perfect, inſtructed to all good workes. Ye hauehave (brethren) an euident teſtimonie of the fulneſſe of the worde of God. Ye hauehave a doctrine abſolutely perfect in al points Ye hauehave a moſt perfect effect of ye word of God, bicauſe by this doctrine the mā of God, that is the godly and deuoute worſhipper of God, is perfect being inſtructed, not to a certaine fewe good workes, but vntounto all and eueryevery good worke. Wherein therfore cauſt thou finde any want? I do not thinke that any one is ſuche a ſot, as to interprete theſe wordes of Paule, to be ſpoken onelyonly touching the olde Teſtament: ſéeing, it is more manifeſt then the daye light, that Paule applyed them to his ſcholer Timothie, who preached the Goſpell, and was a miniſter of the newe Teſtament. If ſo be then, that the doctrine of the olde Teſtament be of it ſelfe full, by howe much more ſhal it be the fuller, if the volume of the newe Teſtament be added there vntounto? I am not ſo ignoraunt, but that I knowe that the Lorde Ieſus both did The Lord bothſpake & did many things which ar… not writtē.and ſpake many things, whiche were not written by the Apoſtles. But it followeth not therefore that the doctrine of the worde of God, taught by the Apoſtles, is not abſolutely perfect. For Iohn the Apoſtle and Euangeliſt doth freely confeſſe, that the Lord did many other things alſo, whiche were not written in his booke: But immediately he addeth this, and ſayth: But theſe are written that ye might beleue that Ieſus is Chriſte the ſonne of God, and that in beleeuing ye might hauehave life through his name. He affirmeth by this doctrine, whiche he conteined in writing, that faythe is fully taught, and that through fayth there is graunted by God euerlaſting life. But the ende of abſolute doctrine is to be happie and perfectly bleſſed. Since then, that that commeth to man by the written doctrine of the Goſpell, vndoubtedly that doctrine of the Goſpell is moſt abſolutely perfect.
I knowe, that the Lord in the Goſpell ſayde, I hauehave many things to tell you: but at this time you can not beare them: But therwithal I know to, that he immediatly added this ſaying, But when the ſpirite of trueth ſhall come, he ſhall leade you into all trueth. I knowe furthermore, that the ſpirite of trueth did come vponupon his diſciples, and therefore I beléeue, that they according to the true promiſe of Chriſt, were led into all trueth, ſo that it is moſt aſſuredly certaine, that nothing was wanting in them.
But ſome there are, whiche when The Apoſtles ſet downe in writing the whole doctrin, of godlineſſethey can not deny this, do turne them ſelues and ſaye, that the Apoſtles in déede knewe all things, but yet taught them not but by word of mouth only, not ſetting downe in writing al thoſe things, whiche doe appertaine to true godlineſſe. As though it were likely that Chriſt his moſt faithful Apoſtles, would vponupon ſpite, hauehave kept back any thing from their poſteritie. As though in deede, he had lyed which ſayd, Theſe things are written, that in beleeuing, ye might hauehave life euerlaſting. Iohn therefore did let paſſe nothing whiche belongeth to oure full inſtructing in the fayth. Luke did omit nothing. Neyther did the reſt of the Apoſtles and diſciples of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt ſuffer any thing to ouerſlip them. Paule alſo wrote fourtéene ſundry Epiſtles: but yet the moſt of them cō tained one and the ſelfe ſame matter. Whereby we may very well coniecture, that in them is wholy comprehended the abſolute doctrine of godlyneſſe. For he would not hauehave repeated one and the ſelfe ſame thing ſo often, to ſo many ſundry men, if there had yet bene any thing elſe neceſſarie, more fully to be taught, for the obtaining of ſaluatiō. Thoſe things vndoubtedly woulde he hauehave taught, and not hauehave rehearſed one and the ſame thing ſo many times. Verily in the thirde chapter of his Epiſtle to the Epheſians he dothe affirme, that in the two firſte chapters of the ſame his Epiſtle, he did declare his knowledge in the Goſpel of Chriſt. God (ſaith he) by reuelation ſhewed the myſterie vntounto me as I wrote before in fewe wordes, whereby when ye reade, ye may vnderſtand my knowledge in the miſterie of Chriſte. And this ſpake he touching that one and onelyonly Epiſtle, yea and that too touching the two firſte chapters of that one Epiſtle. Whervnto when the moſte large and lightſome Letters or Epiſtles of Sainte Paule him ſelfe, and alſo of the other Apoſtles are added, who I praye you, vnleſſe he be altogether without ſenſe will once thinke that the Apoſtles hauehave left in writing to vsus their poſteritie, a doctrine not abſolutely perfect.
As for thoſe whiche doe earneſtly Againſt the liuely and fai… traditio… of the Apoſtles.affirme, that all pointes of godlyneſſe were taught by the Apoſtles, to the poſteritie by worde of mouth, and not by writing, their purpoſe is to ſet to ſale their owne, that is, mens ordinaunces in ſteade of the worde of God.
But againſt this poyſon (my brethren) take this vntounto you for a medicine to expell it. Conferre the things, whiche theſe fellowes ſet to ſale, vnderunder the colour of the Apoſtles traditions, taught by worde of mouthe, and not by writing, with the manifeſt writings of the Apoſtles, and if in any place you ſhall perceiue thoſe traditions to diſagrée with the ſcriptures, then gather by and by, that it is the forged inuention of men, and not the Apoſtles tradition. For they, which had one and the ſame ſpirite of trueth, lefte not vntounto vsus one thing in writing, and taught an other thing by worde of mouthe.
Furthermore, we muſte diligently ſearch, whether thoſe traditions do ſet forward the glory of God, rather then of men, or the ſafetie of the faythfull, rather then the priuate aduauntage of the Prieſtes. And we muſte take héede of mens traditions, eſpecially ſince the Lorde ſayth, In vaine doe they worſhip me, teaching doctrines the precepts of men: So that nowe, the ſureſt way is to cleaue to the word of the Lorde lefte to vsus in the Scriptures, whiche teacheth aboundantly all thinges that belong to true godlyneſſe.
It remayneth nowe for me, to tell Howe the worde of God is to …e hearde.in what manner of ſorte, this perfecte doctrine of godlyneſſe and ſaluation, I meane, the very word of God ought to be hearde of the faythfull, to the intent it may be hearde with ſome fruit to profite them aboundantly. I will in fewe wordes containe it. Let the worde of God be hearde with greate reuerence, whiche of right is due to God him ſelfe and godly things. Let it be hearde very attentiuely: with continuall prayers betwéene and earneſt requeſtes. Let it be hearde ſoberly to our profite, that by it we may become the better, that God by vsus maye be gloryfied, and not that we go curiouſly about to ſearch out the hidden counſelles of God, or deſire to be counted ſkilfull and experte in many matters.
Let true fayth, the glory of God, and our ſaluation be appointed as the meaſure and certaine ende of oure hearing and reading. For, In Exodus Moſes the holy ſeruaunt of God is commaunded to ſanctifie the people, and make them in a readineſſe to heare the ſacred Sermon whiche God him ſelfe did mynd to make the next daye after. Moſes therefore commeth, and demaundeth of the whole people due obedience to be ſhewed as well to God, as to his Miniſters.
Then commaundeth he them to waſhe their garmentes, to abſtaine from their wiues. After that he appointeeh certaine limites, beyonde whiche it was not lawful vponupon paine of death for them to paſſe.
By this we plainely learne, that the Lorde doth require ſuche to be his Diſciples to heare him, as doe eſpecially ſhewe obedience and reuerence to God in all thinges. For he being God ſpeaketh to vsus men, all we men owe vntounto God honoure and feare. A man, vnleſſe he become lowly, humble, and obedient to God, is altogether godleſſe. Then is it required at the handes of thoſe whiche are méete hearers of the worde of God, that they lay aparte worldly affaires, whiche are ſignified by the garments: to treade vnderunder foote all filthyneſſe and vncleanneſſe of ſoule and bodye: to refraine for a ſeaſon, euen from thoſe pleaſures whiche are lawfull vntounto vsus. The holy Ghoſt dothe louelove the myndes that are purely cleanſed, whiche yet notwithſtanding are not cleanſed but by the ſpirite of God. Néedefull it is to hauehave a ſincere beliefe in God, and a ready good will and deſire to liue according to that whiche is commaunded in the word of God. Moreouer, we muſte be wiſe to ſobrietie. Ouer curious queſtions muſt be ſet aſide. Let things profitable to ſaluation only be learned.
Laſt of all, let eſpecial héede be takē in hearing and learning. For ſaythe Solomon, If thou wilt ſeeke after wiſdome as after golde, thou ſhalte obteine it. Againe he ſayth, The ſearcher out of Gods maieſtie ſhall be ouerwhelmed by his wonderfull glory. And againe he ſayth, Seeke not things too highe for thee, neyther goe about to ſearche out things aboue thy ſtrengthe: but what God hath commaunded thee, that thinke thou always on: and be not ouer curious to knowe his infinite workes, for it is not expedient for thee to ſee his hidden ſecrets with thine eyes. Wherevpon the Apoſtle Paul ſayth, Let no man thinke arrogantly of him ſelfe, but ſo thinke that he may be modeſt and ſober, according as God to eueryevery one hath giuen the meaſure of fayth. And hereto belongeth that which the ſame Apoſtle ſaythe, Knowledge puffeth vp, but charitie doth edifie.
But chiefly we muſte beware of thoſe plagues, which choake the ſéede The diſea…es and plagues of the hearers of gods wordof the worde of God, and quenche it without any fruite at all in the hearts of the hearers. Thoſe plagues and diſeaſes hath the Lorde rehcarſed or reckoned vp in the parable of the ſower. For firſt of all, wanton and vaine cogitations whiche alwaies lye wide open to the inſpirations of Satan, and talke of naughtie men, are plagues to the word of God. Alſo voluptuous and deintie louers of this world, who can not abide to ſuffer any affliction for Chriſt and his Goſpell, do without any fruite at all heare Gods worde, although they ſeeme to giuegive eare vntounto it very ioyfully. Furthermore, the care of this worlde, and the deceit of riches, are moſte peſtilent diſeaſes in the hearers of the worde of God. For they doe not onelyonly hinder the ſéede that it can not bring ſoorthe fruite in their heartes, but alſo they doe ſtirre vp and egge men forwarde to gayneſay the worde of God, and to afflict the earneſt deſirers of Gods worde. Here therefore we muſte take héede diligently, leaſte being infected with theſe diſeaſes, we become vaine and vnthankfull hearers of the worde of God. We muſt praye continually, that the bountifull and liberall Lorde will vouchſafe to beſtowe on vsus his ſpirit, that by it the ſéed of Gods word may be quickned in our heartes, and that we, as holy and right hearers of his worde may beare fruite aboundantly to the glory of God, and the euerlaſting ſaluation of oure owne ſoules.
For what will it auayle to heare the worde of God without fayth, and What the power and effect of Gods word is.without the holy ſpirite of God to worke or ſtir inwardly in our hearts? The Apoſtle Paule ſayth, He whiche watreth is nothing, nor he whiche planteth, but it is God whiche giueth increaſe. We hauehave néede therefore of Gods watering, that the word of God may growe to a perfect age, may receiue increaſe, yea, and may come alſo to the bringing foorthe of ripe fruite within our mindes. The ſame Apoſ…le Paule ſaythe, To vsus alſo is the worde of God declared, euen as vntounto our fathers. But it auayled them nothing to heare the worde, bycauſe it was not ioyned with Fayth in them that hearde it: For they dyed in the deſarte. And immediately after, he ſayth: Let vsus therefore doe our beſt to enter into that reſte, ſo that no man dye in the ſame example of vnbeliefe. If therefore, that the worde of God doe ſounde in oure eares, and therewithall the ſpirite of God doe ſhewe foorth his power in our harts, and that we in fayth doe truly receiue the word of God, then hath the worde of God a mighty ſorce and wonderful effect in vsus. For it driueth away the miſty darkneſſe of errors, it openeth our eyes, it conuerteth and inlighteneth our mindes, and inſtructeth vsus moſt fully and abſolutely in truth and godlines. For the Prophet Dauid in his Pſalmes beareth witnes, & ſayth: The law of the Lord is perfect conuerting the ſoule, the teſtimony of God is true and geueth wiſedome vn to the ſimple: The commaundement of the Lord is pure, and geueth light vntounto the eies. Furthermore, the word of God doth féede, ſtrengthen, confirm and comfort our ſoules, it doth regenerate, clenſe, make ioyfull and ioyne vsus to god, yea and obtaineth al things for vsus at Gods handes, ſetting vsus in a moſt happy ſtate, in ſo much that no goods or treaſure of the whole worlde are to be compared with the worde of God. And thus much do we attribute to the worde of God, not without the teſtimony of Gods worde. For, the Lord by the prophet Amos doth threa ten hunger & thirſt, not to eate bread and to drinke water, but to heare the worde of God. For in the olde & new teſtaments it is ſayd, that man doth not liue by bread onelyonly, but by eueryevery worde that proceedeth out of the mouth of god. And the Apoſtle Paul ſaith: that all things in the ſcriptures are written for our learning, that by patiēce and comfort of the ſcriptures we might hauehave hope. Alſo Peter ſaith ye are born a new, not of corruptible ſeede, but of incorruptible, by the word of god which liueth & laſteth for euer. And this is the worde which by the goſpell was preached vntounto you. The Lorde alſo in the goſpell beareth witneſſe to the ſame, and ſayth: Now are ye cleane by the worde which I hauehave ſpoken vntounto you. Againe in the goſpell he crieth, ſaying: If any man loueth me, he will keepe my ſaying, and my father will louelove him, and we will come into him and make our dwelling place in him. Ieremie ſaith alſo, Thy word became my comfort. And the Prophet Dauid ſaith, The ſtatutes of the Lorde are right and reioyce the hart, Wherunto adde that ſaying of the Lordes in the goſpell, If ye remaine in me, and my wordes remaine in you, aske what ye will, and it ſhalbe done for you. In an other place alſo the Prophet crieth, ſaying: If ye be willing and will hearken, ye ſhall eate the good of the land, but if ye wil not heare my word, the ſword ſhall deuoure you. Moreouer Moſes doth very often and largely reckon vp the good thinges that ſhall happen to them which obey the worde of God, Leuiticus. 26. Deutero. 28. Wherefore Dauid durſt boldly preferre the word of God before all the pleaſures and treaſures of this world. The feare of the Lorde is cleane and endureth for euer, the iudgementes of the Lord are true and righteous altogether: more to be deſired are they thē gold, yea then much fine golde: ſweeter alſo then hony and the dropping hony combes. For by them thy ſeruaunt is plainely taught, and in keeping of them there is great aduantage. Therfore is the lawe of thy mouth more precious vntounto me, then thouſands of ſiluer and golde. Vnleſſe my delight had been in thy lawe, I had periſhed in my miſerie. To this now doth appertaine that parable in the goſpell of him which bought ye precious pearle: and of him alſo which ſolde all that he had, and bought the grounde wherin he knewe that treaſure was hidde. For, that precious pearle, and that treaſure are the goſpell or worde of God: which for the excellencie of it is in the ſcriptures called a light, a fire, a Sworde, a Maule which breaketh ſtones, a Buckler, and by many other names like vntounto theſe.
Dearely beloued, this howre ye hauehave heard our bountifull Lorde and God, who would hauehave all men ſaued and to come to the knowledge of the truth, how he hath reuealed his word to al men throughout ye whole world, to the intent that all men in al places, of what kinde, age, or degrée ſo euer they be, may know the trueth, and be inſtructed in the true ſaluation, and may learne a perfect way how to liue rightly, well and holily, ſo that the mā of God may be perfect, inſtructed to all good workes. For the Lorde in the worde of trueth hath deliuered to his Church all that is requiſite to true godlineſſe and ſaluation. Whatſoeuer thinges are neceſſary to be knowne touching God, the works, iudgments, will and commaundements of God, touching Chriſte, our faith in Chriſte, and the duties of an holy life, all thoſe thinges I ſay, are fully taught in the worde of God. Neither néedeth the Church to craue of any other, or elſe with mens ſupplies to patch vp that which ſeemeth to be wantinge in the worde of the Lorde. For the Lord did not onelyonly, by the liuely expreſſed voice of the Apoſtles, teach our fathers the whole ſumme of godlineſſe and ſaluation, but did prouide alſo, that it by the meanes of the ſame Apoſtles, ſhoulde be ſet down in writing. And that doth manifeſtly appéere, that it was done for the poſterities ſake, that is, for vsus and our ſucceſſours, to the intent that none of vsus nor ours ſhould be ſeduced, nor that falſe traditiōs ſhould be popt into any of our mouthes in ſtéede of the truth. We muſt all therfore beware, we muſt all watch and ſticke faſt vntounto the worde of God, which is left to vsus in the ſcriptures by the Prophetes and Apoſtles. Finally let our care be wholy bent, with faith and profite to heare whatſoeuer the Lord declareth vntounto vsus. Let vsus caſt out and treade vnderunder foote whatſoeuer by our fleſh, the world or the deuill, is obiected to be a let to godlines. We know what the diſeaſes & plagues of ye ſéede of Gods worde ſowed in the hartes of the faithful are. We know how great the power of Gods worde is in them which heare it deuoutly. Let vsus therfore beſéech our Lorde God to powre into our mindes his holy ſpirite, by whoſe vertue the ſéede of Gods word may be quickened in our harts, to the bringing forth of much fruite to the ſaluation of our ſoules, and the glory of God our father. To whom be glory for euer.