Fifty Sermons Containing the Chief Points of the Christian Religion, Sermons 3 · 4 (cont.) · Sermon 7

Fifty Sermons Containing the Chief Points of the Christian Religion · Sermons 3 · 4 (cont.) · Sermon 7

p. 698¶ Of Chriſte King and Prieſte, of his onelyonly and euerlaſting kingdome and Prieſthoode, and of the name of a Chriſtian.

The ſeuenth Sermon.

I HAUEHAVE declared vntounto you (déerely beloued) y^• Chriſt Ieſus our Lorde is verye God and man, whiche will bring more plentiful profite, if we vnderſtand what the fruite of that thing is. Whiche is chiefely knowen by the offices of Chriſte our Lorde. He is King and Prieſte of the people of God, therefore he hath a kingdome and a prieſthoode. Which things if we ſhall ſomwhat more diligentlie conſider, they ſhall declare vntounto vsus the excéedinge greate benefite of the diuinitie and humanitie of Chriſte.

Chriſte Ieſus is a king, therefore hee is Lorde of all, ruler and gouernour of all things, which are in heauen Chriſt is king of al.and in Earth, and ſpecially of the catholique Church it ſelfe, whiche is the communion of Sainctes: and for ſo muche as hee is King and Lorde, truely by his royall or Kingly office he is the deliuerer or preſeruer, the reuenger and defendour, and finallie, the lawgiuer of his electe. For he Gene. 3.Gen 3cruſſhed the Serpentes head, that ſtronge and moſte cruell enimie of Luke. 11.Luke 11Gods people, whome when hee had Coloſ. 1.Col 1conquered, he bound, and ſpoyled.

He deliuered the elect out of the power of darckneſſe, and ſett them into the libertie of the ſonnes of God, that we might bee his peculiar people ſanctified through the bloude 2. Pet. 2.2 Pet 2of our kinge, a purchaſed people, to ſerue him in righteouſneſſe and holineſſe. Hee is humble, louing, and gentle, which the hiſtorie of the Goſpell alſo out of Zacharie rehearſeth of him, Matth. 21. Hee watcheth for vsus, he defendeth and gardeth vsus, hee enricheth vsus with all manner of good thinges, and furniſheth vsus againſt our enimyes with ſpirituall armour, and giueth vsus, aboundantly, power to reſiſt and to ouercome.

Hee hath purged the Temple of God, caſting out the Chanaanites, Matth. 21.Matt 21he hath cancelled vnrighteous lawes, he hath deliuered vsus from them, and now hee ruleth and gouernethe vsus with the ſcepter of his mouthe, exceeding good and moſt iuſt lawes being proclamed. For he is God and man, therefore hee is the onelyonly Monarche, Chriſt is a monarche.the King of kinges, and the Lorde of Lordes, for he hath all the kings and rulers in the worlde ſubiect vntounto him: ſome verily of their owne accorde through faithe being obedient, and other though ſtriuing and rebelling againſte him, made p. 699ſubiect by his power. And therefore ſaith the Prophet Dauid, Be wiſe O ye kings, be learned ye that are Iudges Pſal. 2.Ps 2of the earth, ſerue the Lorde with feare, and reioyce vntounto him with reuerence, kiſſe the ſonne leaſt he be angry and ſo yee periſhe from the right way. For in an other place the ſame Prophet ſaith, The Lord ſaid to my Lord, ſitt thou on my right hand, vntil I make thine enimies thy foteſtole. The Lord wil ſend foorth the rodd of Pſal. 110.Ps 110his power out of Sion, be thou ruler euen in the middes among thine enimies. Eſay alſo bringing in the Lord ſpeaking ſaith, I wil lift vp my hands Eſai. 49.Isa 49vntounto the Gentiles, and ſet vp my ſtandarde to the people, and they ſhall bringe thee their ſonnes vppon their ſhoulders, for kings ſhall be thy nurſing fathers, and Queenes ſhalbe thy nourſing mothers. Whiche thing eccleſiaſticall hiſtories declare more largelie.

Of this King Chriſt, the Prophets prophecying ſaid, And in merciemercy ſhal Iſai. 16.Isa 16the ſeate be prepared, and he ſhall ſitt vponupon it in trueth in the tabernacle of Dauid, iudging and ſeeking iudgement: and making haſte vntounto righteouſnes. And againe, Beholde the time Ierem. 23Jer 23commeth, ſaith the Lorde, that I will raiſe vp the righteous braūche of Dauid, which King ſhall beare rule, & he ſhall proſper with wiſdome, and ſhall ſet vp equitie and righteouſnes againe in the earth. In his time ſhall Iuda be ſaued, and Iſrael ſhall dwell without feare: and this is the name, that they ſhall call him, The Lorde our righteouſneſſe. And becauſe our Lord is a king, therefore be muſt néeds hauehave a Of the kingdome of God.kingdome. As well the realme & dominion ſubiecte to a kinge is called a kingdōe, as principalitie, empire, power, & māner of gouernment it ſelfe. Therefore the church, the communion or fellowſhip of ſaints, béeing obedient & ſubiect to their king Chriſte, is called the kingdōe of God. For Micheas ſaith, And the Lord ſhall reigne Mich. 4.Mic 4ouer them in mount Sion: therfore Sion (which ſignifieth the church) is the kingdome of God. And god is ſaid to reigne, when in the church he ruleth, gouerneth, kéepeth, & defendeth thoſe that be his, and indueth and maketh thē fruitful with diuerſe graces. For Paule ſaith, The kingdome of God is not meate and drink, but righteouſnes, Rom. 24.& peace, & ioy in the holy ghoſt. Moreouer y^e kingdome of god is that eternall glorie & felicitie, which God d…eth communicate to his elect. For the Lord ſaith in the goſpel, Comeye Matth. 25.Matt 25bleſſed of my father, inherit the kingdome which is prepared for you frō the beginning of the world. And the théefe euen at point of death making his pra…er to the Lord who was redy to dye on the croſſe, & deſiring to bee …artaker of this kingdōe ſaith, Lord remember me when thou cōmeſt into Luke. 23.Luke 23thy kingdome▪ Againe ſince y^• goſpel teacheth vsus how God reigneth in vsus in this world, in time to tranſlate vsus vntounto him ſelf into that other, that is, ſince y^e goſpell is y^t thing by which the Lord reareth vp his dominion, it is not vnaduiſedly called of Matthew in his 13. cap. the kingdome of god. In another place for the ſame cauſe it is called the word of the kingdome. To be ſhort, we at this preſēt by y^e kingdome of God, vnderſtand the cōgregation of ſaints it ſelf, the catholique church I meane, and the power or adminiſtratiō of God reigning therein, that is, preſeruing, gouerning, & glorifying the ſame. And this kingdome of god is verily but only one, for ther The king…ome of God which … one, i… …wo wai… ▪ …nfidere….is but one God only, one king Chriſt p. 700only, one church … life …uerlaſting. But his one kingdome of god according to he diſpenſation … two wayes. Firſt acording to y^• om…ipotencie of god. For he … he i… the higheſt & omnipotent, hath & executeth ouer all creatures, viſible & inuiſible, …oſte iuſt rule and equall power… nill they or will they be obedient. Secondly according to his ſpirits, whereby he reigneth in his elect. And ſo y^• kingdōe of God is againe two waies cōſidered. For either it is earthly & is called the kingdome of grace: or elſe it is heauenlye, and is called the kingdome of glorie.

The earthly kingdome of grace, is not Gods kingdome of grace in …arth.therefore called earthly, as though it were carnall & earthly: like the kingdome of Babylon, Perſia, Alexander, or Rome: but becauſe it is on earth. For a good parte of the holie churche of God is conuerſant on this earth, beeing partaker of fleſh & bloud while it …eth on the earth: though it liue not an earthly life according to the …eſh: For acording to y^e ſpirit whereby it is ruled, it liueth a heauenly life. Not that the partakers of the kingdome of God ſinne not, For the iuſt man falleth & riſeth ſeuen times Pro. 24.Prov 24in a day. Whervpon it is alſo called the kingdome of grace. For as long as we 1. Sam. 7.1 Sam 7liue in this world, our King & Lord neuer denyeth his grace & merciemercy to vsus that craue pardon. And the faithfull doe Howe Canſt reig…et… on … in …is king…ome.wholie hange vppon the grace of their king, they embrace continuall repentance, and endeuor thē ſelues to things of more perfectneſſe. For they frame all that they do according to the lawes of their king & prince. For he reigneth in his elect by the worde of truth, and by the holie ghoſt. By the word of truethe, hee teacheth what the Saintes ſhould doe, and what they ſhould auoide. By his holie ſpirit he moueth their hartes, …poc. 1.and giueth ſtrength to … euill, and followe that is good. For truely our king reigneth not ſo much for him ſelf The ſpiritual kingdome of God.as for vsus. For he maketh vsus alſo kinges, that we béeing deliuered from the diuell, damnation, ſinne, and the curſe, may be Lords ouer the diuel, damnation, ſinne and the curſſe, yea & ouer all thinges: and ioyn…t-heires with the ſonne of God him ſelf. For theſe cauſes y^e kingdōe of God is called a ſpirituall kingdōe. For the partakers of the kingdome of God, indued with the ſpirite of God, doe bring foorth the fruites of the ſpirit, not the works of the fleſh, and to be ſhort, are gouerned with y^e ſpirit of God. Neither truelie doeth our Lorde reigne after the manner of the kinges of this worlde, ſayinge to Pilate, My kingdome is not of this worlde. Which ſentence ſome abuſe, gathering y^• there is no ou…ward gouernemēt in y^e church of God, vnderunder whiche name they alſo take away y^e office of a Magiſtrate, and ſpeake ſo ſubtilely of the kingdome of God, that a man cannot tell where the kingdome of God is, or who be partakers of this kingdome. They vnderſtand n…t, that the meaning muſt bee gathered vppon the occaſion of that ſaying.

The Iewes accuſing the Lorde before Pilate, laide to his charge that he ambition flye ſought after a kingdome. The lord clering him ſelf of this crime, ſheweth Pilate that his kingdome ſhal not be ſuch a one, whiche after hee had caſt out Tiberius Caeſar ſhould be gotten and kepte with armes, and be gouerned after the manner of this worlde, declaring, that he addeth: If my kingdome were of this world, then would my ſeruaunts ſurely fighte, that Iohn. 18.John 18I ſhould not bee deliuered to the Iewes. Therefore he inferreth, But now is my kingdome not from hence: & therefore p. 701they fight not for me, to place main the throne of the kingdome Tiberius béeing caſt out.

And anon he ſaith, For this cauſe was I borne, and for this cauſe came I into the worlde, that I ſhould beare witneſſe vntounto the truethe, and all that are of the truethe, heare mye voice. As therefore Chriſt by trueth, (not by lyinge, deceipts, and craftie practiſes, like the Princes of this worlde:) prepareth him ſelfe a kingdome, ſo by trueth he doeth bothe reteine & gouerne his kingdome: and whoſoeuer imbrace trueth are partakers of Chriſtes kingdome, whether they be princes or of the cōmonaltie: all theſe obey the voice of their king, and ſerue their higheſt prince.

Héere neuertheleſſe we expreſly add, y^• Kings can no otherwiſe ſerue their Lord and king, than Kings, that is, in doing thoſe thinges whiche Kinges ought to doe, namely, to execute iudgement and iuſtice. For albeit theſe be in the worlde, yet r…le they not after the worlde, becauſe they are now gouerned by the ſpirite of their king Chriſte, and directe all their doings to the preſcripte rule of Gods word, and in all things yéelde them ſelues to be guided by the ſpirite of God: and ſo farre ſurely their kingdome is not of this worlde.

Of theſe things I hauehave elſe where cited much out of S. Auguſtine acording to the ſcripture. And our king Chriſte defendeth his Churche and his miniſters, ſometime by the aide of Princes, ſometimes he preſerueth and ſpreadeth abr…ade the ſame, lying open to perſecutions through infirmitie and weakeneſſe. For it is preſſed downe, but not oppreſſed or kepte vnderunder ſtill, Chriſte the mightieſt Prince alwayes reigning and ouercomming in thoſe that …ee his.

Nowe the bounds of this Earthlie kingdome of Chriſte reache vntounto The …ounds of Chriſtes kingdome …n earth.the vtter-moſte partes of the Earth. For all the kingdomes of the worlde and all nations perteine vntounto the kingdome of Chriſt. Héerevnto belong all y^e teſtimonies of the Prophets touching the calling of the Gentiles, whereof thou maiſt finde verie manis in Eſay and Zacharie, who excellentlye deſcribe the kingdome of Chriſte in Earth. Wherevppon the Iewes tooke occaſion to feigne, I wot not how great & glorious things of the maieſtie and victeryes of the Meſſias, whiche neuertheleſſe long ſince were aboundantlye fulfilled in Chriſte, but more ſpiritually than carnally.

But they, while they dreame of, and looke for carnall things, loathe ſpirituall, and looſe bothe. But the faithfull through the bountifulneſſe and liberalitie of Chriſte their king, moſt aboundauntly obteine thoſe good thinges, whiche the Prophetes promiſed, namely plentifull peace bothe with God and men, and all kinde of felicitie, alwayes to bée bleſſed, alwayes to be ſafe (though they fight continuallie) from all enimyes as well viſible as alſo inuiſible, and to inioy euerlaſting ſaluation. Which things the Prophetes in their writings hauehave ſet foorthe in a moſte large kinde of ſtyle, yet vnderſtandinge nothing elſe, than as euen now we ſaid, that y^e faithfull ſhall be moſte happie, and ſhall poſſeſſe in Chriſte all good gifts bothe of ſoule and bodie, as much indéede as is neceſſarie and healthfull for the Saincts. And this is that kingdome (now we vnderſtand bothe, as well p. 702that of grace, as this of …) which that Ioſeph of Aramathia, iuſt Simeon, and Anna y^• Prophetiſſe, with other Saints awaited and loked for.

This ſame kingdome Philippe the Deacon preached to them of Samaria, and Sainte Paule the Apoſtle to them of Rome: which thinge Luke doeth teſtiffe in the Actes of the Apoſtles, Chapter. 8. and 28.

But the ſeate or throne and palace of our king is Heauen. For hee aſcended The ſeate of our King Chriſte.a conquerour into Heauen, and ſitteth at the right hand of God the father almightie, from thēce … y^• Sunne of righteouſneſſe hee ſhineth to all which liue in his Churche, or in his kingdome: yea and he …h…ſ…th the harts of the faithfull to him ſelfe, wherein he may dwell. Furthermore, that we may vnderſtande ou… King, though not corp…rally preſente in earth, but aſcended into Heauen, not therefore to be abſent from his kingdom, he verily in his word compareth himſelfe to the head, and vsus to the bodie or the mēbers. Now therefore as y^e bodie is neuer without the head: ſo the kingdome of God is not without Chriſt the prince. And as the vitall ſpirite from the harte, and the power or vertue of féeling and mouing frō the head is powred into the bodie: ſo are we quickened or made aliue by our Prince Chriſte: he iuſtifying, preſeruing, comforting, confirming, and defending vsus from all euill. As all the members are ruled by the head: ſo all the faithful, in the kingdome of Chriſte, are gouerned by their King Chriſte. Paule therefore ſaithe, God raiſed Chriſte from the dead, & ſet him on his right hand …. 1.in heauenly places, farr aboue all rule, and power, and might, & eueryevery name that is named, not only in this world, but alſo in the world to cōe. And hath put all things vnderunder his féete, & gaue him to be the head ouer all things, to the Church, which is his bodie, y^• fulneſſe of him that filleth all in all. Of which kinde there are very many other to be found in y^e writings of the Apoſtles: firſt of all, that, Chriſt is the head of the church, and he it is which giueth ſaluation to the body, for he Ephe. 5.Eph 5gaue him ſelfe for the church, to ſanctifie it when he had cleanſed it in the founteine of water in the worde, that he might preſent it vntounto him ſelfe a glorious church, &c. And thus much hetherto of the kingdōe of Chriſt in earth, which is bothe called the kingdome of grace, and the Church militant.

Moreouer the kingdome of God is called the kingdome of heauen and of Gods kingdome of glorie in heauen.glory, for that occaſion, becauſe thoſe whome our Lord & king hath ſanctified on earth, and guided with his ſpirit, yea and alſo iuſtified, béeing deliueied from the fleſhe, and taken out of this world, he glorifieth in heauē, and rec…iueth th… into ioy, & into the fellowſhip both of himſelfe and of all the ſaints. For the ſouls of the faithful, euē as ſoone as they depart out of their bodies, are foorth with receiued into heauē, to reigne with Chriſt the euerlaſting king, & for euer to reioice with all the Saincts. But in the laſte iudgemēt, wherewith we beleue that the quick and dead ſhall be iudged of Chriſte our king, the bodies of the Sainctes ſhall be raiſed vp, clarified, coupled againe to their ſoules, and how many ſoeuer hauehave cleaued vntounto Chriſt their king from the beginning of y^e world, ſhal liue for euer & reigne in glorie together with Chriſte their king and prince. Of this kingdōe of the Saints, the Prophets & Apoſtles p. 703hauehave ſpoken muche, and chiefelye the Apoſtle Sainte Iohn in his Reuelation. Apoc. 21. &. 22.Rev 21Some hauehave called this kingdome the Church triumphant.

This kingdome of GOD or of Chriſte, is an euerlaſting kingdome. The kingdome of Chriſte is in euerlaſtinge kingdomeFor as euen to the worldes end the Church ſhall be on earth, howſoeuer this worlde, and the Prince of the worlde doe rage: ſo the faithfull after iudgement ſhall liue and reigne with Chriſte, happie for euer bothe in bodie and ſoule. For the Lord ſaith Matth. 16Matt 16in the Goſpell, The gates of hell ſhall not preuaile againſt the Church. Alſo Matth. 24Matt 24the laſt times ſhall be as the dayes of Noe were, wherein thoughe the wicked did farre in number excéede the Churche of the faithfull, yet Noe and his were ſaued in the Arke, but the wicked were deſtroyed with the floud, in ſuch ſort ſurely ſhal iniquity by all means preuaile in the end of y^e worlde, but in the meane while thoſe that are elected into y^e kingdome of Chriſte, ſhall be ſaued by Chriſte, whome they ſhall looke for to be their Iudge, and ſhall ſée theire redéemer comming in the cloudes of Heauen.

Daniel alſo in his Prophecie deſcribeth Dan. 7.Dan 7the ryſing and fallinge of all kingdomes, & of Antichriſt alſo, but attributeth no end to the kingdome of the Saincts, or holie people, but witneſſeth y^t it ſhall be euerlaſting.

The ſame doeth the Prophet Zacharie alſo in his 12. chapter. For the Sainctes reigne on the Earthe by Chriſte, and béeing tranſlated from the Earth into Heauen, they ſhall reigne together with theire kinge Chriſte for euer. And the Scripture is woont oftentimes to ſpeake of one of theſe kingdomes onelyonly. Of bothe theſe kingdomes wee vnderſtande many places of Scripture, firſt of all that which is ſpoken by our ſautour, Whē ye pray, ſay, O our father which Matth. 6.Matt 6art in heauen, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdome come. For we pray y^• he would reign in vsus, while we liue on earth, that we alſo may reigne ouer the world, and the Prince of the worlde, and that we be not ruled by Sathan, neither that ſinne reigne in vsus, but rather that we here béeing gouerned by him ſelf, may in time to come reigne with Chriſt in Heauen.

Contrariwiſe, what manner of kingdome, the kingdome of the world is, it appeareth by conſidering The kingdome of the world what mā ner of one it is.the head or the king and prince therof, which is the diuel, the Authour of ſinne, of vncleanneſſe, and of death.

He reigneth in the worlde, the Prince doubtleſſe of the kingdome of darckneſſe. Not that God and his Chriſte is not king of all things: but becauſe vnfaithful apoſtataes thrugh their owne proper malice, reuolting from God to the diuell, doe appoint him for their prince, to whome euen of their owne accorde they ſubmitt and yéelde them ſelues to be gouerned, liueing in all vngodlyneſſe, wickedneſſe, and vncleanneſſe, framing them ſelues like to their head the diuell, with whome they ſhall be puniſhed euerlaſtingly in the worlde to come, as in this worlde they hauehave ſuffered them ſelues to be gouerned of him, doeing his will.

This prince of this worlde, elſe where alſo called, The GOD of this worlde, hath Chriſte the true Kinge and Monarche of the worlde ouercome, Iohn. 12.John 12and hath deſtroyed his kingdome: not that hee ſhould not be, as long as this worlde indureth, but 2. Cor. 4. 1. Iohn. 3.2 Cor 41 John 3that he ſhould not hurt the elect.

Sathan doeth liue and ſhall liue for euer, how be it in miſerie, which p. 704life in very …e…e is death) but he hath no power againſt them y^• be redéemed by Chriſt the prince. He hath and ſhal hauehave a kingdome euen vntounto th'end of the world, but in the children of vnbelief: this kingdōe alſo in this world is in decaying, & as it were momētany & for a ſhort time. For the world paſſeth away, & all worldly things periſh, but all the elect of God are very ſtraūgers frō this kingdōe, yea they are as it were ſworn enimies of this kingdome. Neither can the prince of darcknes by his power, pul away the partakers of the kingdome of Chriſt, into his kingdome of iniquitie. Truly he goeth about this diligently and with diuerſe tentations vexeth the elect: but thoſe ouercōe through him, which in time paſt vanquiſhed y^e falſe King & prince of théeues, and taught vsus, that deſpiſing this filthy prince, & the world, and the luſtes of the world, giuing our mindes to innocencie, we ſhuld yéeld our ſelues to y^e good ſpirit to be gouerned Theſe things hauehave I thus far declared, as briefly as I culd touching the king Chriſt, & his onelyonly and euerlaſting kingdome. And now Chriſt Ie…us the …gh prieſ▪Chriſt our Lord is a Prieſte, yea that chiefeſt, only, and euerlaſting prieſt, whom the high prieſtes of y^e olde people did prefigure & ſhadowe out. For Dauid in his ſong altogether diuine ſaith, The Lord ſware & will not repent Pſal 110.Ps 110him, thou art a Prieſt for euer, after the order of Melchizedek. Which words the bleſſed Apoſtle alledging and expounding in his Epiſtle to the Heb. 6.Heb 6Hebrues hath left theſe words written, The forerunner (ſaith he) is for vsus entred into heauen, after the order Hebr. 7. Gen. 14.Heb 7Gen 14of Melchizedek made a Prieſte foreuer. For this Melchizedek, Kinge of Salē, prieſt of the moſt high god, who met Abraham cōming frō the ſlaughter or kings, & bleſſed him, to whome alſo Abraham gaue the tenthes of all things, who firſt indeed is caled by interpretation the king of righteouſnes, thē alſo king of Salem, whiche is king of peace, of an vnknowen father, of an vnknowen mother, of vnknowē kin, neither hauing beginning of dayes, nor end of life: but likened to the ſōne of God, remaineth a prieſte for euer.

Surely our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, is both a righteous and peaceable king, and the righteouſneſſe and peace of the faithfull: and he is that euerlaſting Prieſte, who according to his humanitie is beléeued to be borne of the virgin without ſéede of man, & therefore of an vnknowen father: and according to his diuinitie begotten of the father, & therefore of an vnknowen mother: and vnſpeakably begotten from euerlaſting, and therefore of vnknowen kin, hauing neither beginning nor end of life. For albeit according to his humanity he was dead and buried, yet according to his diuinitie, he remaineth God immortall & euerlaſting. The ſelfe ſame which is a king is alſo acknowledged a prieſt, not according to y^e order of Aarō, but according to y^e order of Melchizedek. For as the ſcripture remēbreth this one a prieſt: ſo one Chriſt remaineth prieſt for euer, hauing an euerlaſting prieſthood. But high prieſtes in time paſt were caled & annointed, they did not thruſt thē ſelues into ſuch an office by force or deceipt. Wherevpon y^e Apoſtle ſaid, No man taketh the honor Hebr. 5.Heb 5to him ſelf, but he that is called of god, as was Aaron: ſo alſo Chriſt took not glorie to himſelf to be made high Prieſt, but is made & cōfirmed of him who ſaid vntounto him, thou art my ſonne this day hauehave I begotten thee.

As he ſaith alſo in another place, p. 705Pſal. …Thou art a prieſt foreuer, after the order of Melchizedech. But y^u doeſt no where read that that our Prieſt was annointed with viſible oile: for hée Chriſt is ā noynted.was annointed with inuiſible oile, namely with the fulneſſe of the holie Ghoſt, as y^e prophet witneſſeth, Thy god hath annointed thee with the oile of gladnes aboue thy fellowes. And againe, The ſpirite of the Lord vppon Pſal. 45.Ps 45me: for the Lord hath annointed me, & ſent me to preach good tidings vntounto Eſai. 61.Isa 61the poore. Furthermore, whē we read that the office of Prieſts in times paſt was to ſerue in the tabernacle, to teach the people, to make interceſſion betwene God & men, to pray for the people and to bleſſe them, to ſacrifice alſo, and to cōſecrate or ſanctifie, & that now it is manifeſt that Ieſus Chriſt is y^e lawful prieſt, it is certeine y^• he is tied to y^e ſelf ſame offices, but indede to ſo much more excellēt thā theſe, by how much he hath obteined a more excellent prieſthood. Thoſe prieſtes after the order of Aaron Howe Chriſt our prieſt doth the offices of a prieſt.ſerued in y^e corruptible & figuratiue tabernacle: but our Lord béeing takē vp into the true tabernacle heauen it ſelfe, miniſtreth to all y^e ſaincts of God. For Heauen & the church of Sainctes is the true tabernacle and temple of our high prieſt. Chriſte our prieſt is the onlie and euerlaſting Chriſt the teacher of the churchteacher & maiſter of his vniuerſall Church. For not onelyonly that age hath ſo taught, whiche liued in the dayes of his fleſhe, but the ſpirite of Chriſt was in y^e Prophets, by whom now alſo he ruleth all the ſeates of his catholique church. Chriſt himſelf as yet ſpeaketh vntounto vsus, and will ſpeake euen vntounto y^e end of the world, by the mouth or writings of the holy Apoſtles and all teachers preaching the doctrine of the Apoſtles.

And this doctrine is ſufficient for the catholique Church. For it comprehendeth all thoſe thinges fullie, which perteine to a holie and happie life. Chriſte our high prieſt maketh interceſſion for all the Sainctes in Chriſt maketh interceſſion.his owne Temple. For hee béeing the only aduocate and patrone of all the faithful, prayeth to the father for vsus on the right hand of God. For he aſcended vntounto the right hand of God the father, that he ſhould alwaies appeare there in the preſence of God, to followe all our ſuites faithfully.

Of whiche thinge I hauehave ſpoken more at large in my laſte Sermon, where I intreated of Inuocation, and Interceſſiō. The ſame our Lord onlie bleſſeth vsus. For he was made a Chriſt bleſſeth.malediction and curſſe for vsus, y^t we might be bleſſed in him, according to that notable and aunciente Prophecie, In thy ſeede ſhall all the nations of the worlde be bleſſed. Moreouer Chriſte our Lorde ſacrificeth for vsus. Chriſt ſacrificethFor hee offereth incenſe when hée maketh ſupplication for vsus, and appeareth on y^e right hand of God. And he offereth a ſacrifice for ſinnes vntounto y^e liuing god, not a ſacrifice of a beaſt, but him ſelfe, alwayes an effectuall ſacrifice, to make ſatiſfaction for all the ſinnes of the people. Whereof, ſince I hauehave entreated aboundantlie in the treatiſe of Ceremonies, héere of purpoſe I am the bréefer.

Againe, ſince our lord Ieſus Chriſt Chriſt ſan… …ifieth.is y^• holy of holieſt, doubtleſſe he ſanctifieth & conſecrateth his catholique church, annointing it with the oile of the holie ghoſt, that we may be made both holie, & prieſts to offer ſpirituall ſacrifices to God. For we read y^• that holy ointmēt, powred on Aarons hed, ran down to his beard, & euen to the ſkirts of his clothing. For Chriſt the p. 706highe prieſt of his vniuerſall Churche powreth his ſpirit as wel vponupon them that are verie farre off, as vponupon them that are neare at hande. For hée crieth in the Goſpell, If any man thirſt, Iohn. 7.John 7let him come vntounto mee and drinke. He that beleeueth on me, as the ſcripture hath ſaide, out of his bellie ſhall flowe riuers of water of life. And againe, For their ſakes ſanctifie I my Iohn. 17.John 17ſelfe, that they alſo might be ſanctified in trueth.

To be ſhort, when we ſay and confeſſe that Ieſus Chriſt is the prieſt or biſhop of the faithfull people, we ſay this, that Chriſt is our choſen and appointed teacher and maiſter, to gouerne and teach his vniuerſal church, to make interceſſion for vsus, & to plead all our ſuites faithfully, before the Father in heauen, which is the onelyonly patrone, mediatour, and aduocate of the faithfull with God, who by the ſacrifice of his bodie is the perpetuall & only ſatiſfaction, abſolution, and iuſtification of all ſinners throughout the whole worlde, who conſecrateth into prieſtes thoſe that beléeue, that that they alſo might offer to God the Father through Ieſus Chriſt acceptable ſacrifices, & might be the houſe and tabernacle of God.

Out of this it ſhalbe eaſie to iudge, what manner of prieſthoode Chriſts Of Chriſts prieſthoodis, who is our highe prieſte and Biſhop. His prieſthood is the verie office or verie function and working of the prieſt, whereby Chriſt the prieſt him ſelfe executeth all thinges in heauen and in the Catholique Churche, whiche beelong to his prieſtly office. Wherefore, it muſt néedes bee, that this Prieſthoode of Chriſte our highe Biſhop, is not viſible and corporall, but altogether ſpirituall. For verie well ſayth Paule, Chriſte were no Heb. 8.Heb 8prieſt if he were on the earth: where they that are of the tribe of Leuie do miniſter in the tabernacle or temple: where there is a temple or tabernacle with manyfolde holie garmentes and veſſels. But Chriſte our Lorde is of the tribe of Iuda, borne I ſay of a royall tribe: albeit we are not ignoraunt in the meane while, that the royall tribe, that is, the tribe of Iuda, and the prieſtly tribe, that is, the tribe of Leuie, were mingled together. For we reade that Elizabeth which was of y^e daughters of Aaron, was Couſen to y^e virgin the mother of God, ſhe being of the line of Dauid. Neither is our Lord read at any time to hauehave vſed the temple, or the holy veſſels in his miniſterie.

For although ſometime he taught in the temple, yet he taught not onelyonly in the ſame. He neuer ſacrificed in the temple at the holy altars either of incenſe or of burnt offerings. He neuer vſed prieſtly garments whiche were figuratiue. Wherof I ſpake when I expounded the ceremonial lawes.

Therefore, when he woulde ſacrifice for the ſatiſfaction of the ſinnes of the whole worlde, he ſuffered without Heb. 13.Heb 13the gate, & offered himſelfe a liuely and moſt holy ſacrifice: according as the ſhadows, or types, prophecies and figures foreſhewed in the law of Moſes, wherof in like maner I hauehave entreated in the diſcourſe of the ceremoniall lawes. And when hee had offered the ſacrifice of his bodie, he aſcended into heauen, and ſitteth at the right hand of the father, that from thence he may giuegive light vntounto his Church, and there appeare alwayes for vsus in the preſence of God the Father. And therefore he doth not now corporally execute his prieſtly office on earth, in like ſort teaching vsus now p. 707as in the dayes of his fleſhe he taught the men of his age. For nowe he doeth illuminate with his ſpirite the mindes of his, and daily repaireth or renueth the Euangelicall doctrine of the Apoſtles, and yet for all that hée himſelfe ſpeaketh by the mouth of thē that teache and preache the Goſpell. He bleſſeth vsus from heauen, that is to ſay, he inricheth vsus with all heauenly bleſſing. Of him the Apoſtle ſpeaking ſaith, And the annoynting, which ye hauehave receiued of him, dwelleth in you: and ye neede not that any 1. Iohn. 2.1 John 2man teache you, but as the ſame annoynting teacheth you of all thinges, and it is true, and not lying, and as it hath taught you, ye ſhall abide in it. Of him the diuine Prophet ſpeaking ſayth, I wil powre water vppon the Eſai. 4 4.Isa 4:4thirſtie, and floudes vppon the drie ground: I wil powre my ſpirit vponupon thy ſeede, and my bleſſing vppon thy ſtocke (or buddes:) They ſhall growe together like as the graſſe, and as the willowes by the waters ſide. By whiche words we learne that Chriſt our high prieſt hath no néede of a biſhop, ſuffragane, or vicar, in his Churche. For he himſelfe is preſent with his Church, and gouerneth it by his ſpirit. The ſelfe ſame Chriſt at the right hand of the father in heauen, doeth not ſo oftentimes humbly fal downe on his knées, and make interceſſion for vsus, as we doe ſinne. In the dayes of his fleſh when he did offer vp praiers Heb…. 5.& ſupplications, with ſtrong crying and teares, hee was once heard in that which he feared. For nowe he alwayes appeareth for vsus in the preſence of God. Al our matters are manifeſt in his ſight, & the father beeholdeth the face of his Chriſte, for whoſe ſake he is pleaſed with all his members, hearing them, and giuing them whatſoeuer healthful things they require, according to that ſaying of our ſauiour: Verily, verily, I ſay vntounto you, Whatſoeuer ye ſhall aſke the Father Iohn. 16.John 16in my name, he ſhal giuegive it you. Therfore here wee muſt imagine no turmoyles, no moleſtation, no labour wherwith he ſhuld be wearied, which is the interceſſour, aduocate, & prieſt of al, before God the father in heauē. Whereof alſo I put you in minde in my laſt ſermō, where I entreated of inuocation, and interceſſion. Wherfore our prieſt executing his office before God in heauen, hathe néede of no altar of incēſe, no cenſer, no holy veſſelles, or garments: muche leſſe hath he néede of y^e altar of burnt offerings. For on the croſſe, which was his altar, he offered vp him ſelfe but once for al. Neither was there any mortal man worthie to offer to y^e liuing god the liuing ſonne of God. And that only ſacrifice is alwayes effectuall to make ſatiſfaction for all the ſinnes of all men in the whole world.

And though in the diſcourſe of the ceremoniall lawes I hauehave alleadged many teſtimonies touching theſe things, yet I cā not ſtay my ſelf here, but muſt cite vntounto you ſome that be notable. For this matter wherin the fruite of Chriſtes diuinitie & humanitie, to be ſhort, al our ſaluation conſiſteth, cannot worthily and diligently ynough be printed in mens harts. Paule vntounto the Hebrues ſpeaking of the prieſtes of the olde Teſtamente, and comparing Chriſt our high prieſt with them, yea by all meanes preferring him, ſayth, And among them many were made prieſts, becauſe they were not ſuffered to indure by reaſon of death. But Chriſt becauſe he indureth for euer, hathe an euerlaſting (or vnchangeable) prieſthod, for that it p. 708doth not palle ouer to another by ſucceſſion. Wherfore he is able alſo perfectly to ſaue them, that come vntounto God by him, ſeeing hee euer liueth to make interceſſion for them. For ſuch an high prieſte it became vsus to hauehave, (which is) holy, harmeleſſe, vndefiled, ſeparate from ſinnes, & made higher than the Heauens: which needed not daily, as thoſe high prieſts, to offer vp ſacrifice, firſt for his owne ſinnes, & then for the peoples: for that did hee once, when he offred vp himſelf. And Heb. 9.Heb 9againe he ſayth, Chriſt is not entred into the holy places made with hands whiche are the ſimilitudes of the true ſanctuarie, but into heauen it ſelfe, to appeare nowe in the ſight of God for vsus. Not that he ſhould offer himſelfe often, as the highe prieſtes entred into the holie places euerie yere in ſtrange (or with other) bloud. For thē mu…t he hauehave often ſuffered ſince the foundation of the world. But now in the end of the worlde hath he appeared once, to put away ſinne by the ſacrifice of himſelf. And as it is appointed vntounto men that they ſhall once die, and after that cōmeth the iudgement: Euen ſo Chriſt once offered to take away the ſins of many, the ſecond time ſhalbe ſeene without ſinne of them, whiche waite for him vntounto ſaluation.Heb. 10.Heb 10

And againe the ſame Paule ſaith, Euerie prieſt appeareth daily miniſtring, and oftentimes offereth one manner of offering, which can neuer take away ſinnes: but this ma after he had offered one ſacrifice fo… ſinns, ſitteth for euer at the right hand of God, and from hencefoorth tarrieth til his enimies be made his footſtoole. For with one offering hath he made perfect (or conſecrated) for euer, thē that are ſanctified. All theſe ſayinges hitherto are the Apoſtle Paules. And I think that theſe teſtimonies are not to be made manifeſt and agréeable to our purpoſe by a larger interpretation. For they are all euen without any expoſition of ours moſt euident, and verie aptly agrée to the matter which we hauehave in hand. For they doe plainely ſet forth and lay before our eyes to beholde, the whole prieſthood of Chriſt, ſpecially that which belongeth to the interceſſion and the onelyonly and euerlaſting ſacrifice or ſatiſfaction for ſinnes. It belongeth alſo to the ſame prieſthoode to conſecrate prieſtes vntounto God, all the faithfull: not that we ſhould offer for the ſatiſfaction of ſinnes, but that we ſhoulde offer our prayers, thankeſgiuinges, and our ſelues, and the dueties of Godlineſſe, as it were euerie momente. For Saint Iohn the Apoſtle and Euangeliſte ſayeth, Ieſus Apoc. 1.Rev 1Chriſte, prince of the Kinges of the earth loued vsus, and waſhed vsus from our ſinnes in his owne bloud, & made vsus kinges and prieſtes vntounto God and his father. We may finde the ſame ſentence alſo in the Epiſtle of Saint Peter. So that in theſe we may 1. Pet. 2.1 Pet 2ſée what fruite riſeth and floweth vntounto vsus, from the diuinitie and humanitie of Chriſte oure king and highe prieſt. For he coulde not be prince of kings & highe prieſt, vnleſſe he were God and man.

Here this place requireth to ſpeak Of the name of a Chriſtian.ſomewhat of the name of a Chriſtian, and of the dueties of a Chriſtian man. We hauehave the name of Chriſtians of Chriſt, to whome being vnſeparably knitte, we are the members of that bodye, whereof he is head. And Chriſte is not his proper name, (for he is called Ieſus) but a name of office, deriued from the p. 709Gréeke word foreign, whiche ſignifieth annoynting, ſo Chriſt ſignifieth aſmuch as annointed. Therfore Tertullian ſaith, it is not a proper name, but a name attributed. And hee addeth, Annointed is no more a name, than cloathed, or apparelled, a thing accident to the name. But the kinges & high prieſtes were annointed with oyle, therefore Chriſt ſignifieth vntounto vsus him that is king, high prieſt, or Biſhop. And becauſe we are named Chriſtians, of Chriſte, who hath annointed vsus with the holy ghoſt, truely Chriſtians are kinge and prieſtswe alſo are kings & prieſtes. Where you may ſée how great a benefite we hauehave receiued of Chriſte God & man, for he hath made vsus kings & prieſtes.

We ſée what the dutie of chriſtians is, namely to mainteine this dignitie euen to the laſt gaſpe, leſt it be taken from vsus againe by ſathan. Furthermore, if we be kings, we are Lordes ouer thinges and are frée, ruling, not Chriſtians are kingeruled or in ſubiection. Frée I ſay frō ſinne and euerlaſting death, and from all vncleanneſſe: Lords ouer ſathan, prince of this worlde, and ouer the world it ſelfe. For we rule the world and the fleſhe: wee are not ruled by them. Herevnto belong thoſe wordes Rom. 6.Rom 6of the Apoſtle: Let not ſinne reigne in your mortall bodie, that ye ſhoulde therunto obey by the luſtes of it. Neither giuegive ye your members as inſtruments (or weapons) of vnrighteouſneſſe vntounto ſinne: but giuegive your ſelues vntounto God, as they that are aliue from the dead, & your members as inſtrumentes (or weapons) of righteouſnes vntounto god. For ſinne ſhal not hauehave power (or dominion) ouer you. And therefore when y^e prince of this world yea and the world it ſelf and the fleſh, and ſinne, the wicked affection therof, doe what they can to drawe vsus againe out of freedome and bondage, we muſt (becauſe we are kings) valiantly reſiſt them, and continuing in conflict vanquiſhe and ouer come thē by the vertue of Chriſte reigning in vsus. For Saint Iohn the Apoſtle ſaith, All that is borne of God ouercōmeth the world. And this is the victorie I. Iohn. 5.1 John 5which hath ouercome the world euen our faith. Hitherto belongeth the doctrine of fréedome and bondage, whereof I intreated in the former Decade.

By al theſe we gather that the principall duetie of Chriſtians is always to ſtand in battell array, and to kéepe their place, to watche and endeuour by all force and meanes, leaſt at any time being ouercome of their enimie ſathan, they, be ſpoiled of their royal or kingly dignitie, and be hailed downe into the bondage of hell. Truly if we ouercome in Chriſt, and with Chriſt, wee ſhall reigne together with him, that is, we ſhal liue with him and all the ſaints in glorie for euer and euer. And thus are we kinges in Chriſte. Thus are we Chriſtians.

Againe, becauſe we are chriſtians, that is to ſay, annointed, ſurely wee Chriſtians are prieſts.are prieſtes alſo, and therefore according to our prieſtly office, we teache, we admoniſhe, we exhorte, and comfort all our brethren, and al men that are …ōmitted to our charge. Where notwithſtanding we doe neceſſarily make a difference betwéene y^e chriſtian prieſthood, and the Eccleſiaſticall miniſterie. All Chriſtians truly as well men as women are prieſtes, but we are not al miniſters of the church. For we can not all one with another preach publiquely, adminiſter the ſacramentes, and execute other dueties of paſtors, vnleſſe we be lawfully called and ordeined thervnto. This our p. 710prieſthood common to all, is ſpiritual, and is occupied in common duties of godlineſſe not in publique and lawful miniſteries of the church. Whervpon one may and ought to inſtructe and admoniſh another priuately, and while he ſo doth, he executeth a prieſtly office: as when the goodman of the houſe inſtructeth his childrē at home in godlineſſe: when the goodwife of the houſe teacheth and correcteth her daughters: to be ſhorte, when eueryevery one of vsus exhort euerie neighbour of ours to the deſire and ſtudie of godlineſſe. For the Apoſtle Paule ſayeth, Exhorte ye one another daily, while it is called, to day: leaſt any of you be Heb. 3.Heb 3hardened through the deceipt fulneſſe of ſinne. Moreouer ſince we be prieſtes, we muſt offer ſacrifices worthie of our God. And we hauehave ſufficiently teſtified that after Chriſt our highe and onelyonly prieſt or biſhop in all ages & in all the whole worlde, none doeth offer a ſatiſfactorie ſacrifice to take a way ſinne. For when he offered vp himſelf, he offred a ſacrifice but once, howbeit alwayes effectual to cleanſe the ſinnes of all. Therefore we offer vntounto him thankeſgiuing & praiſe, celebrating the memorie of that one only ſacrifice: we offer prayers: wée offer our ſelues, that is to ſay our bodies, a liuely and a reaſonable ſacrifice to God, together with all kinde of godlineſſe, and well doing. For Paule ſayth, By Chriſte we offer the Heb. 13.Heb 13ſacrifice of praiſe alwayes vntounto God, that is, the fruite of lippes confeſſing his name. To do good, & to diſtribute forget not, for with ſuch ſacrifice God is wel pleaſed. But touching theſe ſacrifices, I hauehave ſpokē more in my former ſermō, wherin I entreated what the true ſeruice of God is. But ſince all ſanctification is & riſeth from one highe prieſt Chriſte Ieſus, wée can ſanctifie our ſelues no otherwiſe, than with honeſt and pure conuerſation of life, which thing is required at our handes, namely that we be holy, and that we ſanctifie the name of our God with an innocent life, that it bée not euill ſpoken off throughe vsus by men, but that they may ſée the good workes of the faithfull, & glorifie the Father which is in heauen. There is none but may ſée, that all the duties of a Chriſtian man are comprehēded in theſe pointes, wherein vnleſſe we exerciſe ourſelues earneſtly, I do not ſée y^t we are worthie of ſo excellent a name. That this moſt holy name was The name of a Chriſtian moſte auncient.firſt giuen to the faithfull at Antioch in Syria, Luke is witneſſe: which yet let no man ſo vnderſtande, as if that name afore had béene altogether vnknowen to all men. For now it is become moſte common, in time paſt it was the name only of moſt excellent and holy men, and of ſuche as rather were ſo in déede, than ſo ac…ounted, thoughe alſo by name they were in ſome manner ſo acknowledged. For Euſebius in his Eccleſiaſtical hiſtory maketh mention, y^e y^• ancient fathers Adam, Seth, Noe, Abraham & other like vntounto theſe were all Chriſtians, & therefore Chriſtian religion to be the verie pureſt perfecteſt and the auncienteſt. The wordes of Euſebius if any require are theſe. The nation of the Hebrues is not new, but vntounto all men in antiquitie famous, and knowne to all. Their bookes and writings do cō teine auncient fathers, of whome they make report before the floude, rare indeede & fewe in number, howbeit in godlineſſe & righteouſnes, and in all kinde of vertues moſt excellent: & after the floud of other of the ſonnes & nephues of Noe, as of Tharam & AAbraham, p. 711of whō as their capteine & progenitour, the poſteritie of the Hebrues do boaſt. So that if any man ſhal ſay that all theſe from Abraham him ſelf euen to the firſt man being beutified with the teſtimonie of righteouſnes, through their works, though not in name, were Chriſtians, truely hee ſhould not ſtray farre from the truth. For a Chriſtian ſignifieth a man, whiche excelleth other in the knowledge and doctrine of Chriſt, with moderation of mind, and righteouſneſſe and continencie of life, and through fortitude of vertue & confeſsiō of Godlineſſe, toward the one and only God of all creatures. And this name thoſe auncient fathers did no leſſe eſteeme than we doe.

Neither had they care of the corporall circumciſion, as we alſo hauehave not: neither of keeping the Sabbaoth day, as we alſo hauehave not: nor of abſteining from meates, nor other differences: whiche thinges afterwardes Moſes firſt of al ordeined, and figuratiuely deliuered them to be perfourmed: as ſuche thinges alſo euen at this day perteine not to Chriſtians. But they ſawe plainly the Chriſt or annoynted of God. As alſo it is declared alreadie before, that hee both appeared vntounto Abraham, and gaue aunſwer vntounto Iſaac, and Iſrael, and ſpake to Moſes, and after him to the prophetes. Wherby thou ſhalt finde that theſe godly men alſo obteined the name of Chriſt, according to that ſaying ſpoken of them: to wit, Touche not my Chriſtes (or mine annointed) and do my prophets no harme. Therfore it is manifeſt that this godly inuentiō of thoſe men who liued holily in the time of Abraham, which of late by the doctrine of Chriſte is preached to all nations, is the firſt, moſte auncient and eldeſt of a…. Thus much Euſebius. Furthermore if we behold our ſelues in this looking-glaſſe of a Chriſtian There are but fewe Chriſtiansname, we ſhal ſee that very few at this day are worthie of this name. Truly all of vsus are commonly ſo called, & we will be all named chriſtians, but fewe of vsus liue a life worthie of our profeſſion. We are named chriſtians of holy annointing. The holy annointing is the holy ghoſt himſelf. VponUpon whom ſhal my ſpirit reſt, ſaith the Lorde? Euen vppon him that is poore and of a lowly troubled ſpirite, Eſa. 66.Isa 66and ſtandeth in awe of my wordes. But we ſet light by the word of God, we hauehave very troubleſome heades, we are corrupt with euil affections, and lewde luſts, we ſwel with pride, & therfore we want the oyntment of holy oyle, or are voide of y^e holy ghoſt. Who therefore can ſay that we bée Chriſtians? We are all of vsus in maner ruled by wicked deſires, by the fleſh, the world, and the prince of this worlde, fewe of vsus rule the world, & the fleſh, and thoſe thinges which are in them. Therefore not the ſpirite of God, but the ſpirite of the world and the fleſhe beareth rule in vsus. The diuel, the world, and the fleſhe hauehave dominion ouer vsus, for in them wee liue and them we doe obey, wherevppon being eſtranged and let looſe frō all righteouſneſſe and holines, we are beecome flaues, ſeruing a moſt vile & filthie ſlauerie. For we not deſiring to be deliuered, do neither ſéeke a redéemer, nor being impatient of their tyrannie, riſe & rebell againſt them: but like faint-harted cowardes wée yéeld our ſelues to be brought in ſubiection, and to be kept vnderunder their tyrannie: nay it repenteth and yrcketh vsus of our labours, watchinges, prayers, & of all duties of Godlines, & béeing p. 712careleſſe, wee lie lurking as in a place of volu…tuouſneſſe. But who would … …uch ſwine the moſt holy name of a Chriſtian, but he that is bothe exceeding fooliſh and wicked? No maruel thē i… ſuch be thruſt down into hell there eternally to burne, and there eternally to be yoked vntounto him whom they hauehave moſte wickedly choſen to themſelues to follow. And now what one of vsus is there y^• doth teach, admoniſh, & exhort thoſe that boaſt & brag of this Chriſtian name? I ſpeak nothing heere concerning the Doctors, or teachers of y^e Church, but my talke doth touche the office & dutie of a chriſtian man. Truly the moſt part of vsus are ſlowe in inſtructing our families and felowe-brethren. For either it grieueth vsus to take the paine, or elſe we feare daunger. Therefore we turne the office of admoniſhing & inſtructing vponupon the publique miniſters of the church, as though nothing at all of this matter were required of vsus. For this cauſe ſpeaches in a maner vnſéemly to be ſpoken, are heard vttered of men: I hauehave not the office of a miniſter, I am no (P…aff) prieſt, why therefore ſhould I … ▪ why ſhould I admoniſhe? And theſe care not howe blaſphemous and filthie things be ſpoken either at home or abroade. For they liue to themſelues, and thinke that the glorie of God and the ſoules-healthe of their neighbour belongeth nothing vntounto them. But what ſacrifices offer wee worthie of God and our name? where are prayers and thankſgiuings? where is the mortification of our fleſhe, and the denying of this world? where is compaſſion, or well-doing? where is an holy and harmeleſſe life? The contrarie (if néede ſo required) I coulde reckon vppe in a long bead-rowe: but to what ende were it, to make a large diſcourſe of thoſe thinges that are manifeſt vntounto all men? For who I pray you doth denie, that the life of this preſente age (of men, I meane, whiche bragge and boaſte of their Chriſtian name) is filthie, ſtincking, and peſtilent? Whiche thinges ſince they bee too too true and euident, I hauehave nothing done amiſſe in ſaying a litle before, that at this day there are fewe Chriſtians. They that are wiſe, and deſire to bee according to their name, let them heare our Sauiour ſpeaking in the Goſpel of Matthew, Striue to enter in at the ſtreight Matth. 7.Matt 7gate, for wide is the gate and broade is the waye that leadeth to deſtruction and many there be whiche goe in thereat. Becauſe ſtreight is the gate, and narrowe is the way, whiche leadeth vntounto life, and fewe there be A gainſte falſe Chriſtians.that finde it. Furthermore they (whiche thing ought firſt of al to hauehave béen ſpoken) doe verie greatly offende againſt religion, and Chriſtian profeſſion, whiche as they doe not ſincerely acknowledge the prieſthoode, & kingdome of Chriſt ſo they boaſt thēſelues to be chiefly praiſe worthie, cōmendable & catholike, becauſe they cōmit thoſe things, which by al meanes obſcure & darken the kingdome & prieſt hood of Chriſt. Chriſtians being content with this only title & name, doe not ambitiouſly ſéeke after or admit another name: But theſe men, as thogh y^e name of a chriſtiā were but a light & trifling name, neuer reſt, vntil they be alſo called by other names, as though they were babtiſed into y^e name of Briō, Benet, Robert or Fraū cis. Chriſtians cleauing only to their lawgiuer, maiſter, & teacher Chriſt, do not acknowlege the voice of ſtraū gers, neither goe a ſtrawes breadth from the diuine ſcriptures.

p. 713But theſe men charge thée with hereſie, vnleſſe thou receiue and woorſhip for heauenly Oracles al kinde of conſtitutions of the Romiſh Church, though they be flat contrarie to the wordes & teaching of Chriſt. Chriſtians acknowlege themſelues to hauehave one king, one deliuerer, one ſauiour, & one head in heauen: Theſe men worſhip his vicar in earth, and attribute ſaluation not onelyonly to tri…ing things, but to verie ſtinking & loathſome thinges. Chriſtians put all their truſt in God, to whome they offer all their vowes and prayers by Ieſus Chriſt, whome they beléeue to be the only highe prieſt, and moſt faithfull patrone and aduocate of all that beléeue: They make their prayers to creatures, and mens imaginations, and chooſe to themſelues ſo many patrones and interceſſours, as there doe liue ſaintes in heauen. Chriſtians know that the ſacrifice of Chriſt once offered is alwayes effectuall to make ſatiſfaction for all the ſins of al men in the whole worlde, and of all men of al ages: But theſe men with often outcries, ſay, that it is flatte hereſie, not to confeſſe that Chriſt is daily offered of ſacrificeing prieſts, conſecrated to y^e purpoſe. Therfore the name of a chriſtian is common to al, but y^e thing ſignified & ment by the name is common to the faithfull only, who cleaue vntounto one Chriſt.

Nowe I conclude my whole diſcourſe of Chriſt, a king and a prieſt, with theſe words of ſaint Auguſtine. The concluſion.The ſonne of God whiche made vsus, is made among vsus, and beeing our king ruleth vsus: & therfore we are Chriſtians, becauſe he is Chriſte. He is called Chriſt a Chriſmate, that is to ſay, of annointing. Kinges alſo and prieſtes were annointed, & he was annointed king and prieſt. Beeing a king, hee fought for vsus. Beeing a prieſt he offered himſelfe for vsus.: When he fought for vsus, he was as it were ouercome, yet by right hee hathe ouercome in verie deede. For he was crucified, and on his croſſe whereon he was nailed he ſlewe the diuell, and then was hee our king. But wherfore is he a prieſt? becauſe he hath offred himſelfe for vsus. Let a prieſt hauehave ſomewhat to offer. What could man finde to giuegive? A cleane ſacrifice? what ſacifice? what cleane thing can a ſinner offer? O wicked ſinner! O vngodly wretch! What ſo euer thou ſhalt bring it is vncleane. Seeke within thy ſelfe what to offer, thou ſhalt find nothing. Seeke out of thy ſelfe what to offer, hee is not delighted in rammes, or goates, or bullockes. They are all his, though thou offer them not. Hee found nothing cleane among men, whiche he might offer for men: therfore he offered himſelfe a cleane offering, an vndefiled ſacrifice. Therfore he did not offer that whiche we gaue vntounto him, but that which he tooke of vsus, and that he offered pure & cleane. He tooke fleſhe in the wombe of the virgin, that hee might offer pure and cleane fleſh for vsus that were vncleane. He is a king, he is a prieſt. In him let vsus reioyce. To him be glorie for euer and euer, Amen.