Sermons on Divinity Humanity and Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, Sermons on Pentecost

Sermons on Divinity Humanity and Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ · Sermons on Pentecost

p. 171The firſt Sermon of the deſcending of the holie Ghoſt.

Actes. ſecond.

1 ANd when the day of Pentecoſt or Whitſontide was come, they were all with one accord, in one place.

2 And ſodainly there came a ſounde from heauen, as it had been the comming of a mightie winde, and it filled all the houſe where they were ſitting.

3 And there appeared vntounto them clouen tongues, like as they had been of fyre, and it ſate vponupon each one of them.

4 And they were all filled with the holie Ghoſt, and began to ſpeake with other tongues, as the ſpirite gaue them vtteraunce.

WEe are all, ſo naturally enclined vntounto incredulitie, as that it behoueth vsus to hauehave the trueth of the Lord, Authentically ſealed in our hearts, to the end we might receiue it, & ſtay our ſelues wholly thereon.Ephe. 1.13.Eph 1:13 It is verie true that God ſealeth it in the heartes of all his faythfull ones by the holy Ghoſt: and marke alſo, why it is called the ſeale of the Goſpell: yet they which are to deliuer this doctrine all the worlde ouer, ought firſt of all to be ſealed, and beſides, God muſt ſo gouerne and guide them, as that we might at this day be fully aſſured of the doctrine which they hauehave publiſhed vntounto vsus, and not receiue it from them as from mortall men, but as from God the true Authour thereof. For we know, that our fayth ſhould hauehave a weake foundation, if we ſhould laye it vponupon the authoritie of men. And we ſhoulde then continually wauer and doubt, if we lifted not vp our mindes farre beyonde the worlde, and founded them in, and vponupon God, ſince we know, that this word of ſaluation which is daily preached vntounto vsus, commeth from him. Thus we ſéee, why it is, that this hiſtorie is ſet downe vntounto vsus in writing: to wit, becauſe, that as often as we read, or heare the word of God, we ſhould remember, that whatſoeuer is cōteined in the old and new Teſtament, was not deuiſed by mans brayne, but that God hath teſtified by a viſible ſigne, ſo farfoorth as was néedfull, that men were but the inſtrumentes onelyonly of his holie ſpirite. For, as concerning Moſes and all the reſt of the Prophetes, they approued them ſelues to be ſent of God: Inſomuch, that if we ſhould ſtande in doubt of their doctrine, it were both vnthankfully and wickedly done of vsus.

Now, it is here ſaid, That before the Apoſtles preached the Goſpell throughout the world, God ſent downe his holy ſpirite vponupon them: to the ende we might know, that they deliuered nothing as from them ſelues, but faithfully diſtributed the thing which God had commaunded them. We ſée then to what purpoſe this preſent hiſtorie muſt ſerue our turnes: For if we were not aſſured that the Apoſtles had as it were, become newe men, and that God had giuen them a ſure and certaine token which declared, that he allowed, and authorized them, what ſhould become of our faith? Surely it would be but a running opiniō. For thus we might well enough ſay, I think ſo, or, it ſhould ſéeme ſo: But it were impoſſible for vsus to ſay, that we were rightly and firmely grounded & ſtayed theron. For, what is in man? And therfore becauſe this worlde is nothing but vanitie,Hebr. 6.9.Heb 6:9 it is very méet we ſhould, according to the ſaying of the Apoſtle, take Anker hold in heauen. Here then we ſée, how we may ryde out, all ſtormes & tempeſts: ſo y^t whatſoeuer either the world, or the Deuil deuiſe, yet are they not any way able to hurt vsus: But we ſhall alwayes hauehave a ſure faith which ſhal neuer bend one way or other, whē we ſhal take this for a grounded principle, That it is God that guideth & calleth vsus to himſelf, & that the doctrine which is taught vsus, is his pure & vndoubted trueth. Loe then, to what end we muſt referre y^e whole ſumme & effect of that which we hauehave at this preſent read: Forſooth, euen to this ende & purpoſe, y^t whē God raiſed vp this mighty winde, his meaning was to declare by a viſible ſigne, y^t he had choſen the twelue Apoſtles to carry the glad tydings of ſaluation hither & thither. In very déed, there were at that time but eleuen of them: But yet there remained alwayes a full p. 172and ſetled number, becauſe that Matthias was placed in Iudas ſtead. Thus we ſée, that the number was filled vp which was before ſcattered: howbeit this want, was but for a litle while, as appeareth by the words of Saint Luke in the firſt Chapiter going before.Act. 1.26.Acts 1:26 Here nowe we ſée the full number of the twelue Ambaſſadours of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, whom he had before choſen and marked. Neuertheleſſe, it was méete hée ſhould furniſh them with graces ſufficient and requiſite for ſo high and wonderful a calling. Wherefore it was behoueful they ſhould be faſhioned and framed from aboue, and that God ſhould miraculouſly worke in them far beyond mans reach and capacitie.

Now, as for the ſound of a mightie winde or tempeſt, that, ſhewed that the holy Ghoſt came not downe vponupon the Apoſtles, to make them, onelyonly partakers of his graces, but alſo that the whole world ſhould be ſhaken therwith: For it was ſo ſpoken of by the Prophet Aggeah, in theſe words: After a while, ſaith the Lord,Agge. 2. I will make heauen & earth tremble. Which was in déede fulfilled, in the preaching of the Goſpel. We ſée then, y^t when the holy Ghoſt deſcended, that it was not only for a handful of men, but he came down to fill all the endes and borders of the worlde: For otherwiſe, we ſhoulde hauehave had but a colde pull of it, as we ſay, if we were not throughly perſuaded that God all at one time ſent his holy Ghoſt for vsus alſo, for the eſtabliſhing of our fayth. Moreouer, God could hauehave ſēt the holie Ghoſt after a mylder maner, if he had liſted: But let vsus note, that this ſodeine violent winde was to abate the pride of the fleſh: and againe to waken vsus, becauſe we are ouer ſlow and drouſie. Surely, there are two great faultes in vsus, which hinder our féeling of the power of the ſpirite of God, for the ſubmitting of our ſelues vntounto the Goſpell. The one, is, That wee are proude and verie preſumptuous. Nowe, all this muſt be pulde downe, that both great and ſmal of vsus might humbly learn, ſo to worſhip God, as to abaſe our ſelues altogether, and be contented to liue by him and by his méere fauour & grace. And therfore it is méete that this pryde which is ſo déepely rooted in our nature, ſhould be violently reformed: Becauſe we are ouer much hardened therein. On the other ſide, eueryevery mā féeleth ſuch an heauy earthly burthē in himſelf, as that our mindes are altogether occupied & nuſled in this world. To be ſhort, we are become ſo blockiſh, as it were, as that we can féele no taſte either of God, or of the power of his holie ſpirit, without we be wakened ſpite of our téethes. We ſée then why it is ſaide, that there aroſe a tempeſt, as if it had béen a violent or mightie winde. Nowe, we are to conſider in the firſt place, that the holie Ghoſt deſcended to ſhake, and terrefie the whole worlde, and all mankinde, that we might worſhip God with one accorde, and bée obedient vntounto him. But by the way, we muſt be wakened, becauſe we are too too blockiſh: and we muſt alſo lay aſide all arrogā cie, that wée might be brought to obey his Maieſtie, ſéeing wée right well know that we are moſt miſerable, and no better then duſt and aſhes: yea our ſoules alſo are verie corrupt, vntil it pleaſeth the Lord to renue them. Moreouer, when the holie Ghoſt came downe in ſuch a likeneſſe, to wit, in clouen and firie tongues, that was the more liuely to expreſſe vntounto vsus, howe, God would worke, by the preaching of the Goſpell. If a man ſpeake, his voice vaniſheth away in the ayre,Rom. 1.16.Rom 1:16 and dyeth. Nowe, it is ſaide that the Goſpell is the power of God vntounto ſaluation, to all beléeuers. What? can a ſounde which flyeth in the ayre and vaniſheth, bring vsus to the kingdome of heauen? There is no man liuing that is able of him ſelfe to make the leaſt flye that is: it is ſaide, That the image of God is repaired in vsus,…. Pet. 1.23. and that wee receiue this incorruptible ſéede, whereby we might attaine to this heauenly glorie, be companions with the Angels, be tranſfigured euen into the glory and immortalitie of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, and be partakers, as S. Peter ſaieth,2. Pet. 1.4.2 Pet 1:4 of the diuine nature. And may all this be done by the voice of a man? No ſure: But it is here namely ſaide, that the holie Ghoſt is linked with an inſeparable bonde, vntounto the word preached. For, why tooke hée vponupon him this ſhape of tongues? Surely, there is alwayes ſome likelihood, betwéene the viſible ſignes, and th… trueth which is figured in them.

And therefore we are to conſider, wherefore the holy Ghoſt appeared in the fourme of tongues: forſooth, it was to ſhew, that hée woulde be in the mouthes of the Apoſtles, and woulde giuegive them whatſoeuer was requiſite for the executing of their office and commiſſion: and likewiſe, ſo bleſſe their labour, as that it ſhould not be vnprofitable.

Nowe, we knowe in the firſt place, that the moſt able man p. 173that is to be found, cannot vtter one word, without y^e ſpirit of God gouerneth him. And herein, God ſheweth what we are,1. Cor. 12.3.1 Cor 12:3 ſéeing wée are not able to open our mouthes, to ſpeake one word to his glory, which ſhall turne to any purpoſe, without it come from him.

It muſt therefore néedes fall out, that the ſpirite of God gouerned the Apoſtles, for els, they had become dumbe. We ſée beſides, how groaſe headed they were: For they might hauehave bin more quick and ſharpe witted, but that God meant to ſhew vntounto vsus, as in a glaſſe, by their groaſeneſſe, what we are, vntill ſuch time as he hath enlightned vsus with his grace. In déed, when the Apoſtles kept company with our Lord Ieſus, whō they tooke to be their maiſter, they verie ſoberly obeyed his doctrine: But in the meane while, what was their knowledge? without doubt, we ſée that they were verie beaſtes, inſomuch that when we conſider of them, howe litle they profited in ſo good a Schoole, their ſlackneſſe ſhould make vsus aſhamed. Howbeit this their dealing hath greatly profited vsus: For, behold, they were chaunged in the minute of an houre, whereby the grace of God hath ſhined a great deale the more, becauſe wée ſée they ſpake ſo wonderfull mightely of the ſecretes of God, whereat euerie man was abaſhed, where, before, it was thought to be nothing.

Moreouer, let vsus conſider of their power and conſtancy: ſurely, they all quayled, and it ſhould ſéeme that their fayth was dead and of no force. For, mark how Peter euen one of the chiefeſt of them villainouſly forſooke his Maiſter, and yelded himſelf the bondſlaue of Satan. Wherefore it was God that muſt put too his hand: becauſe it was impoſſible for any man to helpe it. And ſo, let vsus obſerue, that it was not without cauſe that the ſpirite of God appeared in the likeneſſe of tongues, becauſe it was a declaration, that God, by that meane had allowed and ſealed vp the doctrine of the Goſpell, to the ende we might reuerently, and humbly receiue it, and not reaſon from whence it came: ſéeing God hath ſtretched foorth his arme, and declared him ſelfe to be the Authour thereof. And beſides, it is not without cauſe, that they were clouen and fierie tongues. For we know, how mankinde had deuided it ſelfe, by the eſtraunging of it ſelfe from God. And the platforme that was layde for the building vp of the Tower of Babylon,Gen. 11 7.Gen 11:7 was the cauſe that men vnderſtood not one an other, nor yet ſpake one to the other: ſo that they thought, that God of verie anger had deuided them. Howe falleth it out then, that the Apoſtles hauing been alwayes encloſed, as ſimple and vnlearned people, in this corner of Iudea, were able to publiſh the Goſpell throughout the worlde, if God had not accompliſhed that which before hee had promiſed: to wit,Iſaiah. 19.18.Isa 19:18 that all languages and nations ſhould know him? In déede, it was ſaid that all men ſhould ſpeake the Hebrew tongue, that they might agrée together in one true fayth: But it is more manifeſtly ſet foorth when as it is ſaide, that all the faithfull, of what nation ſoeuer they were, ſhould call vponupon God with one accord, and crye Abba,Rom. 8.15.Rom 8:15 Father: notwithſtanding their ſundry languages. Thus we ſée how the ſpirite of God would poure abroad the power of his tongues,Epheſ. 2.14.Eph 2:14 to the end that all men might call vponupon the name of God, that we might all, be made partakers together of this couenant of ſaluation which apperteined onelyonly to the Iewes, vntill the wall was broken downe. And herein we ſée the vnſpeakeable goodneſſe of God, in conuerting of yll into good. For if we ſéeke for the cauſe, why there are ſo many languages in the worlde, we muſt néedes confeſſe it to be the curſe of God, and yet herein appeareth his wonderfull fatherly goodneſſe and mercy, to hauehave the glad tydinges of euerlaſting life to be caried through y^e world in all languages. Thus we ſée howe God hath conuerted euill into good. And therefore we hauehave hereby the more to glorifie and bleſſe his holy name, becauſe wee knowe that the diuerſitie of tongues hauehave not letted him to declare vntounto all the worlde that hée meaneth to receiue all ſuch as had before eſtraunged them ſelues from him, and thruſt them all, as it were into his boſome, vntill ſuche time as hée hath brought them together into the heauenly enheritance. And thus much for this. Howbeit, this were not enough to hauehave the Goſpell preached, and to hauehave God to be knowne all the world ouer, without this doctrine had foorthwith power, liuely to touch mens heartes, that they might be brought to obedience. This then was the cauſe why the fyrie tongues appeared. Yea verely, For in the firſt place, we had néede to be purged, becauſe we are altogether corrupt and defiled. For let our mindes be ſearched, our affections and deſires examined, and they will be founde altogether ſoule and ſtinking. And therefore we muſt be as men new perboyled, that God might purge vsus after a ſtraunge maner.

p. 174Agayne, wée are on the other ſide as colde as may bée. Wherefore wée had néede to bée enflambed with the louelove of GOD: and where wée are wholly geuē to the world, let vsus looke vp into heauē, which muſt bée brought to paſſe by his word. Thus we ſée, to what purpoſe this hiſtorie ſerueth vsus at this day: In the firſt place, it is to the end we might receiue the doctrine of the Goſpel, as a certain and vndoubted truth: becauſe it beareth about with it the marke of God, is ſealed with his holy ſpirite, and is alſo an excellent teſtimonie of our adoption. Wée ſée then how we are brought to obedience, by reaſon that God hath allowed, and confirmed his Goſpel, to the ende our faith ſhoulde not be changeable, and wée become wauering, for the altering of our mynde and opinion: But that wée ſhoulde goe on continually in the right way, vntil ſuch time as we hauehave finiſhed our courſe. Here we ſée howe by the power of the ſpirite of God our faith ſhal ouercome the worlde.Coloſ. 2.23.Col 2:23 For (as wée hauehave already ſaid, and as S. Paule alſo ſaith) if we ſhould buylde vponupon the wiſedome of men, what ſhould become of it? But ſo long as we hauehave the ſpirite of God for our ground woorke, let vsus be ſure neuer to bee ſhaken. In the meane while, wée hauehave to cōſider with our ſelues, becauſe God maketh vsus at this day Partakers of the thing which we hauehave of late declared: that is, let vsus call vponupon him with one accord (although I ſay we are deuided in tongues) & beſides let vsus become new mē through the doctrine which is preached vntounto vsus: in ſuch ſort as y^t we might know, that there is fire in it to change and cleanſe our minds, wits, & hearts, frō al the corruptiōs of this world. For although Gods choſen people are brought home agayne by the meane of y^e Goſpel, yet ſée wée the enemies of y^e truth become more cruel and rebellious, ſo that it is euen ſufficient to ſet all the worlde together by the eares, as by experience at this day may bée ſéene. For during the time that the Goſpel was not preached, all the world liued careleſly and quietly: and there were not many queſtions nor diſputatiōs. And how ſo? Forſooth becauſe the diuel then raigned without gainſaying. But when our Lord Ieſus appeared with the pure doctrine of the Goſpel, what ſkirmiſhing was there foorthwith. Wée ſée alſo at this day, what contentions there are amongſt thoſe which beare the name of Chriſtians.

So much the rather therefore are wée to beſéech the Lorde, to make vsus féele wherefore the holie Ghoſt deſcended vponupon his Apoſtles, and to beſéech him alſo to graunt vsus that grace, that we may obediently teſtifie that it was to gather vsus together, that where before we were ſeuered, wee might nowe bee conioyned vntounto our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, as members of his bodie, and let him bee our true head.

Moreouer, for the attayning thereto, we are alſo to beſéech him ſo to ſtrēgthen vsus as that our hearts may be ſet on fire, where now they are key colde: and alſo to perboyle vsus▪ that the corruptions of our nature might be ſcoombed of, and to be ſhort, that we might bée ſo renued, as that wee might be quite and cleane ſeparated from the worlde. Wée ſhal oftentimes ſée how the word of God becommeth a fire, but it is after another ſort, euen to cōſume thoſe which ſpeake againſt it: according to that ſaying of the prophet Ieremiah, where he ſheweth that it fared euen ſo with the children of Iſrael, whom the worde of God conſumed like ſtraw and ſtubble for their wickedneſſe and rebellion. And I beſéech you let vsus ſée, how many at this day can pleade not guiltie becauſe they ſtubbornely lifte vp themſelues againſt God, like foming wild beaſts: or els ſome ſcorning, and profane men, who ſet themſelues againſt God, not geuing any authoritie or honour vntounto his holy word? In very déede theſe people ſhal neuer make the worde of GOD vnprofitable, not yet without power, but it will conſume them like a whot conſuming fire, to cender and aſhes. Let vsus therefore make this obſeruation, why it was the wil of God to hauehave the holie Ghoſt appeare in fyery tongues: Surely, it was to this end and purpoſe, that the faithfull might vnderſtande that they had great néede to be ſo touched to the quicke, as that GOD might chaunge and renue them.

Thus wee ſee in ſumme, what wee are to conſider of, for the better applying of this hiſtorie to our vſe. Howbeit, ouer and beſides al this, let vsus marke the twoo principall poyntes of fayth: and then let vsus returne to our ſelues, and vnderſtand what wée woulde doe, if GOD wrought not therein. Firſt of all, there is in faith, knowledge and certayntie, and next of all, is aſſuredneſſe and conſtancie.

Now whē God ſpeaketh, we are euē deaf at his words, bicauſe our p. 175mindes are altogether ſet vponupon this world: and indéed we wil account all the wiſedome that is conteined in the Goſpell to be verie fooliſhneſſe, vntill ſuch time as God hath enlightened vsus.1. Cor. 2.14.1 Cor 2:14 In the firſt place therefore, God muſt open our hearres for the vnderſtanding of this trueth, & for ſticking thereto, otherwiſe we ſhall be both deafe, blockiſh, & without apprehending of this word. Thus much then for this point. Nowe, for the ſecond point, it ſhall ſtand vsus in hand ſtoutly to withſtand all the aſſaultes & attempts wherewith Satan aſſaileth vsus: and to be well armed & appointed for the ſame purpoſe. And how is it poſſible for vsus to be ſo, vntill ſuch time as God hath put to his helping hand? and there is no way to help that but by the onelyonly power of the holy Ghoſt. And therefore, although we be an hundreth times taught the Goſpel, yet forſomuch as wée are light & fickle brained, we ſhould ſoone be pulled from it, if God did not ſtrengthen vsus therin: yea and at this day it is ſo full of perils & threates, as that the ſilly faithfull ſoules can no ſooner open their mouthes to call vponupon God, but that they are foorthwith, at the point, to be put to death: neither can they any ſooner confeſſe their faith, but that the fire is lightned vtterly to aboliſh the memorie of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. Since then it is ſo mightily ſtood aagainſt, as that they who ſhould defend the Chriſtian faith, Satan hath enflamed thē, if it were poſſible, vtterly to ouerthrow al, muſt not God therfore ſhew his power herein? We are then at this day taught by experience, & admoniſhed, what néede we hauehave to put in practiſe the thing cōteined in this hiſtory, & thervpon pray vntounto the Lord, & beſeech him, that as his wil & pleaſure was to teſtifie vntounto vsus the comming of the Goſpel into the world, which was wrought by the power of his holy ſpirit, euen ſo likewiſe that eueryevery of vsus for our part might feele y^e ſame. And, as we ought fully to be perſuaded and reſolued, that the word which is preached to vsus is not of men: Euen ſo alſo ought not the interpretation therof, as S. Peter ſaith,1. Pet. 1. 201 Pet 1:20 he handled according to eueryevery mans fantaſtical head: for he ſetteth down theſe two pointes together, ſaying, Since the ſpirite of God hath ſpoken by his holy Prophets, we for our parts alſo, when wée wold vnderſtand that, which is deliuered vntounto vsus by their doctrine, ought to lay aſide our owne naturall reaſon, & fantaſies, in ſaying, It ſéemeth thus to mée, & I thinke ſo: & ſoberly & diſcréetly, beſéech the Lorde to gouerne, and lead vsus by his holie ſpirite vntounto the vnderſtanding of his word, wherof he him ſelfe is Authour. And thus much for this: now, forſomuch as, at this day we ſee, how the Deuill hath filled the world with a number of Sectes, ſo that there are many heretikes which ceaſe not to trouble and infect the puritie of the Goſpell: and beſides, ſince there are ſuch a ſort of contemners of God, and of Maſtife Curres, in whom is neither fayth nor yet religion: ſo much the rather had we néede, continually to offer our ſelues before the Lord, to the end he might enlighten vsus with his trueth, and we to be ſo vnited vntounto our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, as that nothing may be able to ſeparate vsus from him. And againe, let vsus beſéech him to graunt vsus a ſtout and conſtant minde vntounto the end: Becauſe, that although the enemies of the truth be neuer ſo fierce, yet that we may notwithſtanding perſeuere & cōtinue ſtill therin, that Satan therby might be vāquiſhed. Neither muſt we be careful onelyonly for our ſelues, but alſo, think of others. In déed, it is an eaſie matter for vsus here at this day, to make cōfeſſion of our faith: for we ſée not the bright ſtambing fires before vsus, as our poore brethrē do, neither do we heare y^e terrible threats wherwith they are threatened, nor yet féele we the tempeſts & garboiles that …ight vpō their heads: & yet are we the members of one bodie. Now, what is y^e reaſon why we thus aſſemble our ſelues together, but to the ende wée might be ioyned together in a true brotherhood, ſince God of his infinite goodneſſe hath adopted vsus for his children, & daily witneſſeth vntounto vsus, that he will be our Father? And therfore it is good reaſon that we ſhould be careful for theſe who are as it were, in y^e Wolfes chapes, & daily féele ſtraunge troubles: let vsus hauehave this compaſſion vponupon them at the leaſt, as to beſéech the lord to ſuccour and ſtrengthen them in all their conflicts, ſo farfoorth as ſhall be néedfull: and not ſuffer them to be confounded: So that howſoeuer Satan goeth about to ouerthrow their fayth, yet that it would pleaſe him to giuegive them patience and perſeuerance vntounto the ende. We had néede alſo to be admoniſhed of the thinges that are euen at this day come to paſſe: For, if euer there were any perſecution, at any tyme attempted, it is euen nowe, and eſpecially, in one place the furie of the enemies of God, hath within theſe eight dayes béene ſo ſet on fire, as that they hauehave taken greater occaſion thē euer hath hitherto yet been ſéene, to execute their crueltie againſt the poore faythfull ſoules of God. We ſée alſo howe Satan hath poſſeſſed theſe p. 176curſed Tyrauntes, inſomuch that they are become ſo frantike, as that there is no hope any way of their recouerie. And euen there, are our poore afflicted brethren thruſt out for a pray, being watched and narrowly looked vntounto, and it may very well bée ſéene y^t there is the greateſt preparation for fury and cruelty that may poſſibly bée thought on: ſo that the obſtinacy of the wicked againſt God, is more incorrigible then euer yt was. This then is our benefite, that God in the meane while hath graunted vsus leaſure earneſtly to conſider of it, and to put this hiſtorie in practiſe which here we ſée: to wit, that ſince the holy Ghoſt deſcended vponupon them who were of one accord (as Saint Luke maketh mention) Let vsus learne to aſſemble our ſelues: and although we be far from blows, yet let vsus ioyne our ſelues with them that fight, by ayding them in their conflictes, with our prayers, and ſupplications: and that in ſuch ſort, as that the ſpirit of God may be the guider of the whole, and we for our part, ſo zealouſly enflamed, that in ſtead of our key coldneſſe, that we may feruently and earneſtly call vponupon our God. And as for our brethren who hauehave néede to be confirmed in ſuch aſſaultes wherewith they are attempted, let our good God ſhew that it is he him ſelfe which worketh in them, and guideth and gouerneth them.

Moreouer, we are throughly to conſider of this ſaying, of conſent and accord, that we might be brought backe againe vntounto our head, euen Ieſus Chriſt our lord. For we ſée, how plentifully the Goſpell is at this day preached: but if there were a regiſter kept of y^e faithfull, we ſhould finde a ſmall number of them, & thin ſowne: For there are but a fewe places where the pure doctrine of God is preached: and yet, where there is any Church, there are in it many cō temners of God, and diſſolute and prophane people, who would infect all the reſt, if God by his wonderful power preſerued them not. And beſides, there are ſome which would euen cōtinue ſtil in their beaſtlines. Yea, ther are ſuch a number of them at this day, as that for theſe twenty or two and twenty yeares a man cannot perceiue that they hauehave gone one ſtep forward in the knowledge of God: for they no more know faith, nor worſhip, thē very bruit beaſts. Other ſome there are, who although they hauehave knowledge ſufficient, yet want courage and boldnes, and are altogether drowſie, making no reckoning either of God or of his word ſo that the number of y^e true ſhéepe & Lambes is verie ſmall.

Now, we ſée by the way, what ſcope and elbow roome the Deuill hath all Europe ouer: for there, all his leaſings, deceits, and illuſions are receiued: and the world is ſo bewitched, as that it is impoſſible to bring it againe in frame. We ſée how men doe not onelyonly ſet them ſelues againſt God, & wittingly blaſpheme him, but alſo are furiouſly enflamed, that a man woulde thinke they would pull the Sonne out of heauen, & take his light from him. Now, when we ſée all this geare, we had need ioyne our ſelues againe vntounto our head, Chriſt Ieſus our Lord. For, what is the cauſe of this cōtempt and vngodlines, & of ſo many rebellions & mockeries in the world, but becauſe grace is not graunted to all men to be ledde vnderunder this excellent Shepheard, whom God his father hath appointed for vsus. And we know that they whō he kéepeth, ſhall neuer periſh, as hée himſelf hath ſaid.Iohn. 6.39. & 10.28.John 6:39John 10:28 Wherfore, let vsus ſubmit our ſelues vntounto our lord Ieſus Chriſt, if we will féele the benefite & accompliſhment of the thing which S. Luke here ſpeaketh of, to our ſaluation: to wit, that God doth not onelyonly ſpeake to our eares, & his voice reſounde in the ayre: But his doctrine alſo, pearſeth our heartes, that wée might be ſo enflamed, perboyled, & renued, as that we might caſt away the corruptions of this world: So that, as we would be taken & allowed for his people, we might in trueth call vponupon our God in y^e name of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, vntounto whō we are conioyned, to this end, that he might perfectly vnite vsus vntounto God his father. And therfore behold why this holy Table is at this preſent made readie for vsus. For, as I hauehave before ſaid, we cannot poſſibly be partakers of any of the graces of the holy Ghoſt, but by being the members of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. Now, how can we attain therto, without he offer himſelf vntounto vsus, & biddeth vsus vponupon ſuch a condition, as truely ioyneth vsus vntounto him: and he ſo dwelleth in vsus, as y^t whatſoeuer hée hath, is oures, whereby we might enioy the benefites which were graunted to him in our name:Iſaiah. 11.2.Isa 11:2 It is ſaid in the propheſie of Iſaiah, That the ſpirit of God reſted on him: howbeit, it was not, becauſe he had any néed of the ſame, nor yet for his own priuate vſe: But it was for the benefite of his whole body: to wit, the whole Church. Let vsus then know, that ſince the Supper is at this time offred vntounto vsus, that the meaning of our Lord Ieſus is, that we ſhoulde ſéeke all our felicitie in him. And becauſe we are very farre from him, he of his great goodneſſe commeth neare to vsus.

p. 177In very déed, hée leaueth not his heauenly glory: For we muſt not thinke that hée deſcendeth héere below (as the Papiſts imagine) to beſtowe his body and blood vponupon vsus: But although wée are farre from him, yet ceaſeth hée not to refreſh vsus with his body and blood, neyther let vsus leaue ſo farre foorth as ſhall be néedefull for vsus to bée perfectly vnited to him.

Nowe, marke why I ſay, perfectly, although in very déede hée maketh vsus go on in ſome meaſure: but yet how euer it is, let not vsus leaue to ioyne our ſelues to him. And let vsus vnderſtand that hee will not deceiue vsus of our hope ſéeing hee hath declared vntounto vsus, that hée is our head, and wée his members: and that if wée ſuffer him to gouerne and guide vsus, wée ſhall finde him to bée a good and ſure guide: and the power of his holy Spirite to bée infinite to defend vsus. In the firſt place then, when wée come to this holy Table, Let vsus vnderſtand that it is a ſecrete, ſurpaſſing our capacities and therefore wee muſt héere giuegive place vntounto faith. And let vsus know, that the thing which wée cannot conceiue and vnderſtand, is notwithſtanding accompliſhed by the ſecret and inuiſible grace of the holy Ghoſt: for, ſée how we are made partakers of the body & blood of our Lord Ieſus Chriſte.

Moreouer, ſince hée dwelleth in vsus, and that wée are truly and in déed his body, let vsus not doubt, but that whatſoeuer Iſaiah ſpeaketh, of the graces of the holy Ghoſte, they belong and are proper vntounto vsus, In very déede, wee receiue not the holy Ghoſte perfectly:Ephe. 4.7.Eph 4:7 becauſe there is a meaſure of the gift (according to the ſaying of Saint Paule) and wée muſt increaſe in it more & more. Beſides, it is not without cauſe that our Lorde Ieſus hath ſo diſtributed it to vsus by certaine and ſure portions and degrées: For, it is néedefull that his power ſhoulde bee made perfect in our weakeneſſe, to the end wée might hang alwayes vponupon him,2. Cor. 12.9.2 Cor 12:9 and carefully call vponupon his holy name: that wée myght alſo bée humbled, becauſe wee know that there are many things in vsus which may be amended. Wée ſee then that wee ſhould vnderſtand, that Ieſus Chriſt dwelleth not in vaine in vsus: becauſe hee will effectually witneſſe vntounto vsus, that his holy Spirite will powre foorth his power to ſtrengthen vsus in him, that we might forſake this world, and come vntounto heauen. It is ſaid in that place of Iſaiah, That the Spirit of wiſedome reſted vponupon him: by which hée meaneth to ſhew, that we are nothing but darkneſſe and miſerable blinde foules: and in ſteed of thinking our ſelues to be both able and ſkilfull, wee ſhal alwaies peruert and falſifie the trueth of God, vntill ſuch time as hée inlightened vsus, and graunted vsus an heauenly cléerenes, which commeth not vntounto vsus either by birth or yet by inheritance. And it is ſaid beſides, that he hath the ſpirite of the feare of God: and al becauſe our deſires are ſo many enimies againſt the will of God, vntill ſuch time as they be refourmed,Rom 8.7.Rom 8:7 and altogether chaunged. Beſides, it is ſaid alſo that he hath the ſpirite of power, to the ende we might vnderſtand our weakeneſſe, ſo that we coulde not chooſe but quaile, if we were not ſtrengthened from aboue, wée ſhoulde then feele al theſe things, whenas we ſhould come to the receiuing of the teſtimonie which is héere ſet downe vntounto vsus: and we ſhould be perſuaded that as mortall men diſtribute the bread and wine, euen ſo will our Lord Ieſus worke therein, becauſe it is done by his authoritie & in his name: & is no deuiſed thing of mans braine, but that Ieſus Chriſte is the Authour thereof. Thus we ſée wherunto we muſt apply this hiſtory.

Moreouer, let vsus bée ſo vnited vntounto this head, as that wee may worſhip our God with one heart and one mouth and in the meane while let vsus ioyne our ſelues together. For it is not ſaid that the apoſtles ioyned with all, in one accord Becauſe al the whole towne of Ieruſalem was an enimie vntounto them: and yet although they were but few in number, and a contemptible people, they ceaſed not to perſiſt, and ioyne themſelues together vnderunder the Enſigne or banner of God, in the name of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. Euen ſo thē ſéeing there are ſuch a number of Curre Dogges barking againſt vsus, and that the Diuell raiſeth vp, ſo diuerſly, many troubles, let vsus ioyne our ſelues together ſo much the more conſtantly: and let not the bond of our concord bée looſed,Rom. 12.18.Rom 12:18 that wée may by that meane be able to ſet our ſelues againſt Satan & all his ſupporters. True it is that we ought generally to ſéeke for peace with all men without exception: For we ſhould louelove thoſe which hate and perſecute vsus, and wiſh them good, although they deſerue it not: and yet wee muſt be their enimies, for otherwiſe we ſhould ſeparate our ſelues from Ieſus Chriſte. And therefore, let vsus ſet our ſelues againſt all the world and let vsus beſides vnderſtand that we muſt forſake our ſelues to be ioined to our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte: and he doth vsus no p. 178hurt nor wrong in rayſing vp the incredulous people againſt vsus, whenas we goe about to make an accord amongſt our ſelues, and to ioyne and vnite our ſelues together in the name of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt: and let vsus alſo vnderſtand that he alloweth and liketh of our accord, and although we are but a handfull of people, yet let vsus boldly contemne the worlde, and all Satans adherents, & gods enimies. And although in reſpect of them wée are nothing, let vsus not doubt but that God alloweth of vsus, and dwelleth amongſt vsus. At what time that S. Luke deſcribed this matter here in this place the Sacrifices were vſed in the Temple as they had béene before time, and the Prieſt was there preſent in all his dignitie and pontificalibus. There was alſo the common order of all their glorious and glittering ſhew, ſo that a man would hauehave thought that God had been tyed to this people.

Now, the holy Ghoſt deſcended, but vponupon one houſe, nay rather but vponupon one chamber, wherein the poore fearefull Diſciples were euen like ſilly lambes cōpaſſed about with wolues. A man would hauehave thought that the ſtate of theſe people was miſerable: and yet ſee, the holy Ghoſt appeared vntounto this little and ſimple company. Euen ſo, although we at this day be contemptible in the worlde, & no great number, yet let vsus not doubt but that the Sonne of God will poure out the power of his holy ſpirite vponupon vsus, and cauſe vsus to féele his graces ſo farre foorth as he ſéeth to bée néedefull: and therfore let vsus be ſo cōtented with this ineſtimable benefit, as that we enuie not the proſperity of the vngodly, & enimies of God: and that hee doth vsus no wrong that the worlde deſp…eth vsus, and bee taken for rotten mēbers: let this bée but as a matter of nothing vntounto vsus, ſo that we remain vnited and ioyned together: I meane in that vnite which we hauehave by the meane of the Goſpell, and of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, who is the fountaine of all goodneſſe and life, and in whom alſo is all perfect ioy.

Now let vsus fall downe before the Maieſtie of our good God, and acknowledge our offences, beſéeching him to forgiue vsus them, to correct vsus for them, & wholy to rid vsus of them. And ſo let vsus al ſay, O Almightie God and heauenly Father. &c.

The ſecond ſermon of the deſcending of the holy Ghoſte.

Actes. 2.

13 OThers mocking, ſaide, Theſe men are full of newe wine.

14 But Peter ſtanding forth with the eleuen, lift vp his voice and ſaid vntounto them, Yee men of Iury, and all yee that dwell at Ieruſalem, be this known vntounto you, and heare my wordes.

15 For theſe are not drunken, as yee ſuppoſe, ſeeing it is but the third houre of the day.

Ioel. 2.28.Joel 2:2816 But this is that which was ſpoken by the Prophete Ioell.

17 And it ſhall come to paſſe in the laſte daies (ſaith God) that I will powre out my ſpirite vponupon all fleſhe: and your ſonnes and daughters ſhall Propheſie, and your young men ſhall ſee viſions, and your olde men ſhall dreame dreames.

THeſe wordes which Saint Luke hath héere ſet down in the beginning of this percell of Scripture, ſerue for a notable example of the wickednes and vnthankefulneſſe of men. For beholde how the Apoſtles, who were very wel knowne to bée plaine countrie men, & of baſe eſtate, ſpake diuers and ſundry forreine tongues and languages, excellently handling the true religion, and declaring the ſaluation which was in Chriſte Ieſus. Nowe, this thing in déede, was ſufficient to hauehave cauſed thē, who heard it ſpoken of many dayes after, to fall into a great admiration: and therefore it could not be choſen, but that they which preſently beholde, & with their owne eares heard them ſpeake, muſt néedes bee ſtirred p. 179vp to bée brought to the true obedience of the worde. Howbeit they would not acknowledge the workes of God, whereby they ought to hauehave magnified and glorified him, but euen made a ieſt at them. Well, this fault was not onelyonly in the worlde at thoſe dayes: but wee may ſée it alſo in this our age. For God worketh ſo mightily and effectually alwaies, as that wee are no way able to comprehend his doings: and yet for all that, wee are no whit moued to thanke him for them, but eſpecially, for that great benefite of calling vsus to the knowledge of his Goſpell, which hée hath largely beſtowed vponupon vsus. But cōtrariwiſe, do we not ſee a rabble of ſcoffers mocke and ieſt at the wordes of the Lorde, and make as great an account of preaching, as if it were an olde wiues tale tolde vntounto them? In which their doing, beare they that reuerence vntounto the worde of God which they ought? without all doubt, no. Notwithſtanding, although there bée a great number of ſuche ſcoffers, as neither profite by the word of God, nor yet by his miracles, (as ſome ſuch there were in y^e cōpany of the Apoſtles) yet let vsus not be any whit offended at them, but continue firme and conſtant, leaſt we fall into the like condemnation, for the contempt of the wonderfull works of God, & for our not honouring of him as hée ought And this is a good obſeruation for vsus in the firſt place. Now, S. Luke ſaith, that Peter in the behalfe of all the Apoſtles ſhewed that the ſcoffers and contemners of God were greatly ouerſhot, to ſcorne and ieſt at ſuch a myracle which they manifeſtly ſaw before their eies, and that they ought not to hauehave attributed it vntounto any. ſuch drunkenneſſe, wherof they accuſed the Apoſtles. For, he ſaith, Yee men of Iewry, and all yee that dwell at Ieruſalem, bee this knowne vntounto you, and heare my wordes: for theſe are not drunken as yee ſuppoſe, ſeeing it is but the thirde houre of the day. We hauehave héere firſt of all to obſerue, that the men in olde time reckoned the houres otherwiſe then we doe: For they made the firſt houre to begin at the riſing of the Sun, and ſo they had alwaies twelue houres from the Sunne riſing vntounto the going downe thereof, and as the daies grew lōger or ſhorter, euen ſo made they their houres. Moreouer, they deuided the day into four quarters, to wit, the firſt quarter beganne at the firſt houre, and continued vntill the third, the ſecond, from the thirde houre, vntounto the ſixte, the thirde, from ſixe to nine, and the fourth, from nine vntounto twelue. So that the ſixt houre was as it were, noone, and the third, was betwixt eight and nine in the morning as wée reckon.

Let vsus now come to the reaſon which S Peter brought, by which hée ſhewed that they were not drunke, as the Iewes thought. For, it is as much as if hée had ſaide, It is nowe about the thirde houre of the day, and that is (as I hauehave alredy ſaide) betwixt eight and nyne in the morning: and therfore it is not likely that men would bée drunke at that time of the day: and ſuch men eſpecially which gaue themſelues to ſerue God, And héerein Saint Peter reprooueth drunkenneſſe, and ſheweth it to bée a very diſhoneſt thing for a man to be drunke in the morning. And yet wée ſhall finde a great many moe then néedeth, that are giuen to bée ſo drunkenne as that they hauehave neither wit, nor reaſon. And ſome of them will not bée drunke with that which they take in the morning, but will be ſo blockiſh with their wine which they gull in the euening, as that a man woulde thinke they had doone nothing els but bybbed from the péepe of the day. Another ſorte there are, who for feare they ſhould not hauehave drinke enough, will beginne ſo early, as that they will bée drunke all day long: and thereupon the wine ſo bereaueth them of their wit and vnderſtanding, as that they can neither goe nor ſtand. And therefore Saint Peter ſaith, That theſe men héere are not drunke: whereby he declareth that God is highly diſpleaſed therewith.

Nowe, wée are in this place to note, that the Iewes ſo abhorred drunkenneſſe, as that when any of them woulde fall to bee drunke, they woulde bée ſure to drinke drunke in the night, becauſe they were aſhamed that any other ſhould ſée thē. And héerein we ſée that men were more ſhamefaſt at thoſe dayes then they are in theſe: becauſe at y^t time they loued to doe it in the night ſeaſon, & now they make no reckoning to be drunk at noone dayes: and then forſooth, they muſt néedes hauehave a nap, & ſo kéepe the liquor warme in the preſſe. And this we are ſure to ſée by them, that they will ſhew themſelues what they are euen at the ſermon time: For yée ſhall not ſee them ſcarſcely an houre at the hearing of the worde of God, but they will foorthwith manifeſt y^e very effect of their drunkenneſſe by their drowſines, ſo that they receiue no benefite in the whole worlde by comming thither. And no maruell: For the wine and the meate being not perfectly digeſted, by reaſon of p. 180the ouer gorging of them ſelues, wherein they excéede the very bruite beaſtes, cauſeth them to be ſo heauie a ſléepe. Yea, and yée ſhall many times ſee them ſléepe at a Sermon in the morning, whenas a man would think they had neither eate nor drunke. But héerein they ſhewe what greate delight they hauehave in the woorde of God: and to this they can make no excuſe, becauſe they come preſently from their reſt. And now to the matter, S. Peter ſpeaketh according to the manner and cuſtome that then was, ſaying, It is not like that theſe men are drunken, ſince it is but the thirde houre of the day.

Hee nowe heere applieth this myracle which was doone vntounto his doctrine. For, the holie Ghoſt was not geuen to the Apoſtles that they ſhould bée ſilent, whenas any thing were mooued which tended to the glorifiyng of the woorkes of GOD: but that they ſhoulde be ſtrong, conſtantly to deliuer out the woorde of God, and publiſhe the Goſpel accordingly as our Lorde Ieſus had graunted them the meane. And therefore wée ſée that God wrought wonderfully, and that the preaching of the Goſpel throughout the whole worlde by ſo ſmall a number, came not from men. Now, S. Peter in his Sermon ſheweth an holy boldneſſe of the ſpirite of God, and geueth them to vnderſtand, who made a mocke at the myracle that was done, and thought not reuerently of it, that Ieſus Chriſt manifeſteth not himſelfe vntounto thoſe which ſcorne and ſcoffe at his woorkes.

Moreouer, when hée ſayeth, And all yee that dwell at Hieruſalem, Hée ſpeaketh vniuerſally to all men, and yet it appertayned not but vntounto thoſe which made a ſcoffe at the myracle. For there were many at that time, who reuerently accompanied the Apoſtles, that greatly woondred at the matter.

Why doeth S. Peter then attribute it to all thoſe that ieſted thereat? Forſooth hée did it to this ende and purpoſe, that by the reproouing of this their faulte, hee meant too doe good too all the companie, and by that occaſion confirme ſo muche the rather the heartes of all ſuche as were abaſhed, and make them in an admiration and reuerence of the woorkes of GOD, by vtterlye refuſing the fooliſhe and fantaſticall opinion of all theſe, and ſuche like Gybers. And euen ſo woulde wée likewiſe at this day doe: For if there were any ſcoffers amongeſt vsus, and that we meant to reprooue this fault, we would crie out againſt all, although the whole companie were not to bée charged therewith. And yet no doubt of it, all they whoſe conſciences were guilty, would ſurely condemne themſelues: for their owne wickedneſſe would ſufficiently witneſſe againſt them, without béeing charged therewith, or yet the matter by péecemeale layde open. Neuertheleſſe, it is méete that men ſometimes ſhoulde ſomewhat bée narrowly preſſed, and found fault with, as it were, by name, and to bée remembred, and poynted at with the finger for their offences: becauſe they woulde then, bée more aſhamed, then if they were generally reprooued.

Howbeit it is a wonder to ſée, that ſome men can in no wiſe abide to be rebuked of their faultes, although it bee generally done: for thus they would couer it, why ſay they, although there are a great many guiltie of the vice which is ſpoken of, yet are there ſome, innocent thereof. And ſo, we ſhall heare them murmure, ſaying, why crieth he out thus againſt al mē? For, if ther be any ſuch, muſt hée therfore reproue al the reſt, and ſpeake it ſo generally. Thus wée ſée howe al of vsus continually murmure againſt doctrine, and yet we ſée, that although there are but a very fewe which made a ieſt at this myracle here ſpoken of, yet S. Peter deliuereth his ſpéeche vntounto all men, when he ſaieth, All yee that dwell in Hieruſalem, be this known vntounto you that theſe are not drunke as yee thinke. And therfore when we ſée that S Peter ſpake after this maner, let not vsus be wiſer then the holy Ghoſt, and when there ſhal bee a faulte which is not in all men, yet let not vsus for al that ceaſe to tel al men of it, and although there may be ſome which are not guiltie thereof, yet let them by this example take héede they murmure not, becauſe they knowe themſelues to be voyde of ſuch a vice, and yet if they ſhould be more narrowly looked into (it may be) they woulde be found guiltie of a thouſand other as great. Let vsus now ſee what Saint Peter meaneth by the making of this Sermon: Forſooth, his intent is, to bring the people to the knowledge of Ieſus Chriſt: and this was indeed the end why the tongues were geuen to the Apoſtles. For the diuerſitie of tongues did euen ſhut vp the gate againſt the Goſpel, ſo that without the knowledge of them, it ſeemed impoſſible to hauehave the Goſpel to bee preached throughout p. 181the worlde. And therefore Saint Peter ſaith, If yée remember the propheſie of the Prophet Ioel, the promiſe therein conteined, is accompliſhed by the comming of Ieſus Chriſte. For, after the threatnings of the Prophet, hée ſetteth downe this promiſe, That God woulde powre out his Spirite vponupon all fleſhe. Wherein hée ſheweth, that when God will puniſhe the iniquitie of y^e world, it is not to make his choſen people diſpaire, but to confirme them by the exerciſe of the troubles in this world, which are rather laide vponupon the choſen then vponupon the reprobate.

Wée ſée then, how y^t our Lord is not ſo redy to powre out his vengeance, but that he pardoneth al thoſe which hauehave recourſe vntounto his goodneſſe and mercy. For hée is alwayes néere vntounto thē,Pſal. 145.18.Ps 145:18 which truly call vponupon him. Now this hath continually béen the common vaine of the Prophetes, that when they woulde comfort poore ſinners, they would bring them to the knowledge of Ieſus Chriſte. And it was not without cauſe: for take vsus from Ieſus Chriſt, and then, what ſhall wée finde in God? Surely we ſhall finde ſuche an excellencie and highneſſe in him, as ſhall throwe downe all creatures into the bottomeles depth: becauſe that when we are come to the knowledge of our ſelues, wée ſhall finde nothing in vsus, ſaue ſinne and iniquitie: to preſent our ſelues before the maieſtie of ſo great and mightie a Iudge, wée can by no meanes poſſible looke for any other thing, then the iuſtice and rigour of his vengeance, prepared for vsus by reaſon of our iniquities. And I beſéeche you, which of vsus in déed ſhall bée able to exempt him ſelf from out of the number of ſinners, that hée may bée bolde to ſay, hée had not néede hauehave recourſe vntounto the knowledge of Ieſus Chriſte? And yet wée ſée howe careleſſe wée are in this behalfe. In déede there is no man that will openly ſay, that he woulde not know Ieſus Chriſt: howbeit there are but a fewe which will trauell to ſéeke for him as hée ought to bée ſought for. And therefore it is no maruell though the Prophetes ſtoode alwaies vponupon this point to bring vsus to the knowledge of Ieſus Chriſte: for that is the only meane by which wée muſt bée reconciled vntounto God, and wheron we muſt be grounded.

Wée ſée then that when the holy Ghoſt came downe ſo abundantly, that it was to none other end, but that al ſuch as were eſtraunged from the knowledge of Ieſus Chriſte, might bee called and we al be brought together to be the people of God, & ſo receiue him. But for the better vnderſtanding of this place, we muſt lay open the ſaying of the Prophet, It will come to paſſe (ſaith hée) in the latter dayes that I will powre my ſpirite vponupon all fl…ſhe: and your ſonnes and daughters ſhall propheſie: and your young men ſhall ſee viſions, and your old men ſhall dreame dreames. Heerein is to bee obſerued, that although the Prophet ſaith that the holy ghoſte ſhall bée powred out vponupon all fleſhe, yet that all men ſhall not receiue him: becauſe we ſée that a great many are bereaued thereof. Neuertheles, God calleth vsus all, but we vnthankefully and wickedly withſtand him. And this is alwayes a true ſaying, That none commeth to him, but ſuch as the holy Ghoſt draweth. By this alſo wee are let to vnderſtande, that if wee come vntounto Ieſus Chriſte by faith, and ſo, humbly holde vsus there, we ſhal receiue the graces of the holy Ghoſte ſo abundantly, as that we may bee able to communicate them vntounto our neighbours. And thus we ſee, that Ieſus Chriſte calleth vsus all in generall: howbeit it is very farre of, that all doe come vntounto him, becauſe we refuſe the benefit that is offered vsus. And how ſo? Forſooth by reaſon we make our ſelues not worthie thereof, alwaies deſiring rather to giuegive our ſelues vntounto our vanities, then vntounto the feare of God.

Wherefore, ſince it is ſo that many receiue not the graces which are offered them, although they are all called: heere might a queſtion be aſked, why the Prophet then ſpeaketh after this maner. In very deede, the Prophet his meaning is to vſe this generall kinde of ſpeech, to ſhew that God wil bring ſome of all eſtates and ages to knowe him: and alſo becauſe he maketh now no difference betweene the Iewe and the Gentile: For the power of the holy Ghoſte worketh eueryevery where. We ſee that the people of the Iewes, were euen the very firſt amongſt all other nations, who knew the true God: and although the beléeuing Iewes were few in number, yet was the holy G…ſt offered vntounto them all. In like caſe were the Gentiles alſo inſtructed by y^e preaching of the Goſp…l. Thus we ſée it to be no wonder in the ſaying of the Prophet, that God hath powred out his ſpirite vponupon all fleſh.

Nowe the doctrine which at y^e beginning was ſet foorth by y^e preaching of the Goſpell came firſt of all to the Iewes, to the ende p. 182that the ſaying of Ezechiel might be fulfilled, that from the fountaine of Hieruſalem, the riuers ſhould ouerflowe euen vntounto the vttermoſt partes of the earth. Wherein, the meaning of the Prophet is, that the diuerſitie of tongues had neuer byn ſpread abroade, if y^e holy Ghoſt had not byn ſent vntounto the Apoſtles, to hauehave diſperſed their doctrine throughout al the world. And therefore let vsus rightly cōſider, how God by his incōprehēſible wiſedom hath woonderfully wrought to hauehave y^e goſpel to be publiſhed: for although Ieſus Chriſt had very ſufficiently inſtructed the Apoſtles: yet were they but groſſe headed, vntill ſuch time as they had receiued the holye Ghoſt: But after they had receiued him, ſée howe they became of ſimple ſoules, ſuch great and learned Clarkes, as that they vnderſtood the diuerſitie of tongues, the want of which (as I hauehave alreadie ſaid) was an hinderance to the publiſhing of the Goſpel. And therefore, it was not without cauſe that the Prophete Ioel ſaide, that God had powred out his ſpirite, vponupon al fleſh.

Moreouer, wee are to obſerue héere in this place, this ſaying, That the olde men and young men ſhoulde propheſie. Whereby hee declareth that both olde and young ſhoulde bee partakers of the grace of the holie Ghoſt, And therefore, it is not now néedful for vsus to ſéeke for any gloſe, to vnderſtand the meaning of the prophet in this ſpéech, All fleſhe▪ becauſe the very Texte, ſufficiently ſheweth his meaning. Nowe, when hée ſaieth, That the young men ſhould propheſie, Hée ſpake then according to the manner of the time in thoſe dayes: becauſe GOD vſed theſe two kindes of meanes with his ſeruantes, either in viſion, or els in dreame, according to that which is ſet downe in the booke of Numbers,Num. 12.6.Num 12:6 that God would ſhew himſelf vntounto his Prophets by viſiōs, & ſpeake vntounto them in dreames: But it is ſaid, that he would ſpeake with his ſeruant Moſes, mouth to mouth. Howbeit it might bee alleadged, y^t the doctrine of the law & the doctrine of the Goſpel is not like: & y^t although God manifeſted himſelfe vntounto the Prophetes in the olde Teſtament, yet will hée not ſhewe himſelfe vntounto vsus after that ſort. To anſwere this, it is to bée conſidered, that although the prophet vſeth theſe tearmes, yet doeth he it, only to fit himſelf vntounto the time wherin he was, becauſe we ſhuld not ſay, but y^t we hauehave a greater meaſure of knowledge. For to ſay truely, GOD neuer ſhewed himſelfe ſo manifeſtly in the olde Teſtament, as hée hath nowe doone to vsus by Ieſus Chriſte. For where God had appointed the offerings to bée ſacrificed in the old Lawe, which were but figures and ſhadowes to bée oftentimes vſed, that it might bée ſéene that men could not come néere vntounto God, but by the meane of a Mediator: wée hauehave at this preſent the perſonall preſence of the Mediator himſelf, who once for all hath fulfilled eueryevery thing, by his alone Sacrifice. And therefore there is nowe no Sacrifice to bée doone for the purging and ſanctifiyng of ſinnes,Mala. 1.11Mal 1:11 but onelyonly the Sacrifice of thankeſgiuing vntounto our GOD: who therewith is well pleaſed through our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte. And although it is ſaid in the Scripture, that at the comming of our Lord Ieſus Chriſte, Altars ſhoulde bée ſet vp throughout the whole worlde, to Sacrifice vntounto the Lorde our God, yet muſt wée leaue the figure, and reſt in the trueth. For, inaſmuch as the Altar was a ſigne of the worſhip of God, becauſe it is ſaide that Sacrifice ſhould bée doone all the worlde through, the meaning is, that God ſhoulde vniuerſally bee worſhipped. No doubt of it, the Pope, with all his Colledge of Cardinalls, and all other his deare friendes the Romaniſtes, wyll conclude vppon this place, that there muſt néedes bée Sacrifices had. And therefore, when they woulde hauehave their Maſſe allowed, they bring in this teſtimony of y^e Scripture. Howbeit if it were ſo, as they make themſelues beléeue, Surely, ſurely they muſte néedes conclude that Ieſus Chriſte hath not yet appeared, nor that his kingdome is yet come. Neuertheleſſe, wée ſée the contrary. And therefore, ſéeing the Prophets hauehave thus ſaid, it is not only to ſhew that God ſhould be vniuerſally worſhipped in ſpirite & trueth, and not in figures:

Moreouer, héere is to bée noted, that the ſaying of Propheſie, is not meant by the Prophet, to tell of things to come, as in the olde time it was taken: but the meaning is, that whoſoeuer ſhal hauehave the gift of Propheſie, ſhoulde bée able to teache and apply doctrine, to the ende wee might bée brought to the knowledge of the trueth and profite therby, And ſo, the promiſe that was made vntounto vsus of the cōming of Ieſus Chriſt, conteyneth thus much y^t we ſhould be more déeply ſéene in heauēly things, then heretofore we hauehave béen. For we ſée in very déede y^t S. Paul calleth it the wiſdome of God:…. Cor. 2. p. 183vnderunder which all things ſhould be ſubiect. Wée are nowe therefore, briefly to conclude vponupon all things: That as our Lord in ſending Ieſus Chriſte his ſonne into the worlde, to make vntounto vsus a more liuely aſſurance of our ſaluation: Euen ſo, by ſending vntounto vsus his holy ſpirite, hée hath made vsus greater partakers of his graces, then euer hée did before. The Prophet Ioel ſoone after ſetteth downe in this place, That God will doe wonderful things in heauen aboue, and ſignes in the earth belowe, blood, fire, and vapour of ſmoke: that the Sunne ſhall bee turned into darkenes, and the Moone into blood. Theſe wordes ſhewe, that greate and maruellous things muſt come to paſſe, whenas Ieſus Chriſt ſhall manifeſt himſelfe. And why ſo? Forſooth, becauſe the the worlde ſhall then bée changed. For they which woulde followe Ieſus Chriſte, muſt wholy alter their nature. And therefore is the comming of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte called the latter dayes.

Moreouer, this is not ſpoken for a day, or for a monethmonth: But the Prophet referreth all that is héere ſpoken, vntounto the whole time frō the comming of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte, vntill the day of iudgement: ſo that wée muſt incloſe the wonders which ſhall bée doone at the comming of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte, from the time of his comming, vntounto the laſt day. And to ſay truely, the forwarder wee goe, the greater thinges will hée doe, as wee dayly finde by experience. Nowe, that we vnderſtand the meaning of the Prophete, let vsus apply the ſame to our owne vſe. For where it is ſaid in the firſt place, that God will powre out his ſpirite vponupon all fleſh, we are to conſider, that the greateſt benefite which we can poſſibly hauehave, is to bée partakers of the graces of his holy ſpirite. And this is the moſt excellent gift which God beſtoweth vponupon vsus, in reſpect wherof, all the worldly liberalitie which he rendreth vntounto vsus is nothing For, whenſoeuer wée are bereaued of this gift, Ieſus Chriſte is taken from vsus, and vntill ſuche time as wée are clothed with him, all whatſoeuer wée doe, tendeth to our condemnation. Wherefore, God ſaith, that we cannot be his children, without wee bee bedeawed and ſprinkled with his holy ſpirite.

Nowe, if wee bée not his children, wée ſhall neuer be partakers in the communitie of Ieſus Chriſte. For although God offereth vntounto vsus his graces, yet is Ieſus Chriſt nothing vntounto vsus vntill ſuch time as wée hauehave receiued the holy Ghoſte. Let vsus then conclude héereupon, that vntounto the time that wee are partakers of the holy Ghoſt, wée are reprobate, and the children of perdition: becauſe it is hée which ſanctifieth and maketh vsus holy in the ſight of God. So then, vntil ſuch time we be as called by y^e knowledg of y^e holy ſcripture (which wée can no way hauehave, but by the gift of the holy ghoſt) to lift vp our mindes on high, wée are faſt tyed to the earth, as if it were in Hell. And héereupon it is that Saint Paule ſpeaketh, when he ſaith,Rom. 8.14.Rom 8:14 That they which hauehave receiued the holy Ghoſt, guiding themſelues according to the will of God declared in his word are I ſay, the children of God: and they, without all doubt are the children of the Diuell, who following their carnall affections giuegive themſelues ouer to their pleaſure and delight. Thus we ſée how neceſſary a thing it is for all thoſe that would bee acccounted the children of GOD, to hauehave the knowledge of Gods trueth.

Moreouer, wée cannot excuſe our ſelues, if wée receiue not his graces: becauſe hée offereth them vntounto al: but wée are ſo accurſed as that we forſake the benefite which hée would beſtowe vponupon vsus. And héerein is knowne the goodneſſe of God to vsus warde, that although wée ſtriue alwaies againſt his will, yet ceaſeth hée not for all that, to offer himſelfe vntounto all: as it is héere ſaid by the Prophet That young, and olde, men and women, ſhal all receiue of one and the ſelfe ſame ſpirite. And it is to this end, that no man might bée able truely ſay, O Sir, I am vtterly vnlearned: and therefore it is impoſſible for one to vnderſtand the Scriptures, whereby I might receiue the holy ghoſt. Why, I beſéech you, hath God promiſed vntounto the learned alone, the grace of his holy ſpirite, & to none other? Nowe, ſurely this is a very ſtrange kinde of excuſe. And therefore, when wée ſée that God ſo liberally dealeth, as that hée will neither exclude age nor ſexe from receiuing of the holy ghoſte, are not wée very accurſed to withdraw ourſelues from him, when as hée is deſirous to come néere vsus? And to ſay the truth, the propheſie that is héere ſpoken of, is to be accompliſhed at the comming of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte. Wherfore ſince he at this day hath all power and dominion, it muſt néedes bée manifeſted, & wée muſt alſo vnderſtand, that the thing which was foretolde, is moſt true. And therfore ſince the thing that was ſpoken of, hath ſo manifeſtly appeared, curſed are we, if wée doe not our beſt to walke in the p. 184feare of the Lorde, and receiue the graces whiche hee offereth vsus. Wée hauehave alredye ſaide, that hée taketh exceptions too none: Howbeit wée are ſo wicked, as that wée cannot take in good part the thing offered vntounto vsus. What is the cauſe thereof? ſurely, ſurely, our infidelitie. Wherefore neither young nor old can excuſe themſelues of this fault, in not ſubmitting themſelues vntounto the obedience of God, ſéeing hée hath called all thereto. Neither is it to be wondered at, although they ſo little profit in this doctrine For if we marke it, the elder ſort will growe ſo obſtinate, and ouer growne in wickedneſſe, as that no exhortation will doe them good. And the younger ſort are as diſſolute as Diuels: For if they bée exhorted, they waxe ſo madde as that to any mans thinking they would tread vnderunder foote, both God, and his worde, and as many as deliuer it.

Now, Ieſus Chriſte, who is the wiſedome, mildeneſſe, and méekeneſſe of the Father, wyl hauehave nothing to doe with ſuch foxes and Lions. And if they be told, that they muſt humble themſelues vnderunder the mightie hand of God, to the ende they might vnderſtand that they hauehave a Father in heauen, who will not care onelyonly for their bodily nurriture, but will alſo entertaine and gouerne them by his holy ſpirite, they paſſe not an hawe of al this, but take leaue to doe what wickedneſſe ſoeuer they luſt.

Now, becauſe the time will not ſerue, to procéede any further héerein, we will reſerue the handeling of the reſidue vntil Sunday next. And ſith we cannot be acceptable in the ſight of the Lord our God, but by the meane of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, let vsus fall downe before his maieſtie in his name, and beſéech him ſo to inſtruct vsus by his holy ſpirite, as that wée may vnderſtande that the Prophetes ſpake by him for our inſtruction, and that we alſo might learne to benefite our ſelues, ſo that it might turne to the glory and praiſe of his holy name, and the edifying of our neighbours. And ſo let vsus moſt humbly ſay, O Almighty God and heauenly father. &c.

The third Sermon of the deſcending of the holie Ghoſt.

Actes. ſecond.

18 ANd ſurely, in thoſe dayes, I wil powre out of my ſpirit vponupon my ſeruants & vponupon my handmaides, and they ſhall propheſie.

19 And I will ſhewe wonders in heauen aboue, and tokens in the earth beneath, blood, and fire, and the vapour of moke.

20 The Sunne ſhalbe turned into darkneſſe, and the Moone into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come.

21 And it ſhall come to paſſe, that whoſoeuer ſhall call vponupon the name of the Lorde ſhall bee ſaued.

VPONUPON Sunday laſt paſt, we declared vntounto you, howe that at the comming of Ieſus Chriſte, God ſo powred out his great treaſures in the worlde, as that both men & women, young and olde, were partakers of his grace. Now, the riches which the Lord God of his bountifull goodneſſe ſo liberally beſtowed, were no earthly riches, which could periſh & come to naught. But euen the holy Ghoſte himſelfe, from whom commeth all the riches and treaſure of ſaluation. And beſides, wée hauehave ſhewed that God hath not doone it only for a time, but is alſo redy to continue the ſame which hée hath ſpoken: yea and at this day he inricheth vsus with his graces if the fault be not ours. But wee bée ſo accurſed, as that wée are voyd of them by reaſon of our vnthankefulneſſe: For his liberalitie, is as great at this day as euer it was in the time of the Apoſtles (whenas hée ſent downe vntounto them p. 185the holie Ghoſt) euen to make vsus partakers of the ſelf ſame grace, which hée liberally beſtowed vponupon them: howbeit, wée are ſo incredulous and faythleſſe, as that we ſtoppe that way vponupon him, by which he would come vntounto vsus. For when hée calleth vsus by his worde, to make vsus partakers of his holie ſpirite, wée drawe arſewarde: ſo that a man would thinke, wée had conſpired to ſet our ſelues againſt him. And where, both olde, and young, men, and women, are called to be partakers of this grace, and ought to endeuour them ſelues by all meanes poſſible to receiue the holie Ghoſt, and more and more to perſeuere and continue in receiuing of the ſame, we ſée the elder ſort to be more hard hearted and obſtinate then the reſt: and the younger people to be giuen ouer to all kinde of lewdneſſe: ſo that, if they, be tolde of their diſſoluteneſſe, they wax ſo madde and furious, as that it ſhould ſéeme they would marre all. And when men ſhould be manlyke, and ſharpe witted, to giuegive diligent héede vntounto the word of God, they are become as blockiſh as bruit beaſtes. And where the women alſo ſhoulde be humble, and walke ſoberly, and honeſtly, they are extreame diſſolute, and too too gallaunt, and full of all ſuperfluous vaine vanities.

And therefore, if nowe we ſée not men enioy the graces of the holie Ghoſt, which God here ſpeaketh of, that hée will poure out vponupon his ſeruantes, and handmaydes, it is not becauſe hée hath chaunged any whit his determination and purpoſe, but by reaſon we will not ſuffer him to do vsus good: For, when he commeth neare vsus, we drawe backward. Wherefore, hée is not the let, why we doe not all receiue his graces. For, the Prophet ſaieth (as wée hauehave heretofore ſaide) That God will poure out his holie ſpirite vponupon all fleſh. Hée namely ſayeth, vponupon all fleſh, which is, vponupon all people without exception.

True it is, that Ieſus Chriſt was ſent vntounto the Iewes, not onelyonly to pull them from out of the bondage of the Deuill, but to make them partakers alſo of the giftes of the holie Ghoſt. Howbeit, wée are at this preſent, gathered altogether into one Church, and therfore there remaineth nothing but to ſhewe the effect of our Chriſtianitie, and of the graces which God hath beſtowed on vsus: and thē let vsus not doubt, but that we ſhall receiue the giftes of the holie Ghoſt, ſince it is ſaide, that God hath not poured them out vponupon one or two, but generally vponupon all men. Wherefore, it is not enough for vsus to boaſt that we are Chriſtians, without we ſhew the effect thereof, that it may be knowne, that we vainly take not vponupon vsus this name of Chriſtianitie. For, we muſt not doe as many of the Papiſts doe, who neither care for God nor his worde, but content them ſelues onelyonly with this bare name of a Chriſtian: and ſo they may be called by that name, they care for no more. Nowe, if they be aſked, and if they be Chriſtians, I pray you, what anſwer will they make? Surely, they think they hauehave great wrong offred them, to hauehave this queſtion demaunded. What? I beſéech you good Syr, will they ſay, are we not Chriſtians, hauehave we not béene baptized? Yea ywis, I graunt it: But what faith hauehave you for all this? Verely, they will ſay, that they beléeue as the Church beléeueth. And ſo by this meane they hauehave aſwadled fayth, wherin their teachers hauehave inſtructed them, in ſaying, That it is ſufficiēt for them to beléeue as the Church beléeueth. Let them alſo be aſked, how God is to be ſerued and worſhipped, why, they thinke that queſtion is ſoone anſwered. And thus doeth God iuſtly puniſh the iniquitie of men, when we ſée ſimple ſoules guided by ſuch inſtructers of Satan, to bring them tumbling headlonges together into the bottomleſſe pyt of hell with them ſelues. Thus we ſée howe this Romiſh Idoll hath licoured Chriſtendome with all kinde of lying, and falſe doctrine. And howe ſo? Forſooth, becauſe men hauehave ſtopped vp the way againſt the word of God, and are contented to be lycoured, with leaſing. But by the way, let vsus come home to our ſelues, and let vsus neither condemne the Papiſtes, nor yet any others, but eftſoones apply this doctrine vntounto our owne vſe. Firſt of all, we hauehave the Goſpell, the doctrine of all wiſedome, and yet how deafe and blockiſh are wée? we are daily preached vntounto: But what inſtruction receiue we thereby for all that? Surely, ſurely, it is wel enough perceiued, and the fruit that commeth by it. Without all doubt, it is truely ſayde, That wée hauehave the Goſpell: But if we liue not in all obedience therevnto, what teſtimony ſhall wée hauehave, that wée are the ſeruants of God. For (according to that which wée handled on Sunday laſt) we cannot be the ſeruants of God, without wee be partakers of his holie ſpirite, who is not without cauſe called the ſpirite of wiſedome: For, by this we are ſhewed, that we cannot hauehave ſo ſmall a portion of the holy Ghoſt, p. 186if we will continue it, but that God wil more and more augment it in vsus. In verie déede, euerie man cannot hauehave the lyke meaſure thereof: howbeit, that is no let why we ſhoulde not encreaſe our ſmall Talent. For although a man hath the gift of tongues, yet may he not hauehave one ſome grace which an other man hath? And héerevpon is that ſaying of Saint Paule verefied,Rom. 12.3. Epheſ. 4.7.Rom 12:3Eph 4:7 That God will giuegive of his graces to euerie man according to ſuch meaſure as wée are the members of Ieſus Chriſt. As we ſée, that the members of one bodie, hauehave not all one office: For the féete will doe y^t which the handes cannot doe: the eyes are put to an other maner of vſe then the eares are: and ſo conſequently, are all the parts of the bodie. Euen ſo, our Lord will beſtow his holie ſpirite vponupon ſome, after an other ſort, then hée will vponupon other ſome: and yet it is all one and the ſelfe ſame ſpirit, and therfore if we would be knowne to be Chriſtiās, we muſt hauehave the knowledge of that which is ſpoken of: and that it is God which guideth vsus by his holie ſpirite, to the ende we ſhould not be like vntounto thoſe blinde ones which walke in infidelitie. And thus much for this ſaying, That God wil poure out of his holie ſpirite vponupon all fleſh.

Moreouer, where it is ſaide, That they ſhall propheſie, herein the meaning of the Prophet is to ſignifie vntounto vsus, That when God will inſtruct vsus, hée will doe it ſo perfectly, as that the doctrine ſhall not onelyonly profite our ſelues, but that we ſhall alſo be able to teach others. And in déede, whoſoeuer ſhall receiue greater graces from God then the reſt, is ſo much the more bounde to inſtruct the baſe and ſimple ones, and giuegive him ſelfe to teach his neighbors. Wherefore, let vsus vnderſtande, that after God hath inſtructed vsus, that it is our duetie to labour to bring others vntounto the knowledge of him. And hereupon it is that Iſaiah ſpeaketh, ſaying,Iſaiah. 2.2. Mich. 4.1.Isa 2:2Mic 4:1 Let euerie man take his neighbour by the hand, and lead him vp vntounto the holy hill. And this is one of the moſt principall pointes, whereby God alloweth our Chriſtianitie, whē as we ſo louelove our neighbours, as to inſtruct them in the word of God. Now, this is done by the doctrine which we hauehave receiued of him at the handes of the Apoſtles, which came out (as we ſaid laſt Sunday) of the fountaine of Ieruſalem, whoſe riuers ſo ouerflowed the whole world, as that eueryevery man might not onelyonly receiue it for his owne behoofe, but alſo diſtribute it vntounto our neighbours.

In déed, all men are not Doctors to teach: howbeit if we be Chriſtians, we hauehave ſufficient wherewith to exhort our neighbours. Let vsus now come to the other part of the propheſie of the Prophet Ioell, where it is ſaide,

That God will ſend terrible and wonderous ſignes, blood, and fyre, and the vapoure of ſmoke. The Sunne ſhall be turned into darkneſſe, and the Moone into blood. Wherein (as wée hauehave briefly ſaide) the Prophet meant to ſhewe, that when God would viſite his people at the comming of Ieſus Chriſt, although great felicitie and bleſſing was promiſed, yet the meaning was not for all that, but that we ſhould ſée horrible and merueylous thinges. And therefore it was verie néedfull that we ſhould be told of it, to the ende we might vnderſtande, that the comming of Ieſus Chriſt was not to place vsus in this world as in a Paradiſe, and to liue in it at our eaſe and pleaſure: But that Ieſus Chriſt was ſent to an other ende: to wit, that wee might be drawne from theſe earthly things, and be lifted vp vntounto heauenly matters. And to ſay truely, there were neuer ſo horrible and wonderfull thinges, as were at the comming of Ieſus Chriſt.

Nowe, if it be aſked why ſuch thinges came to paſſe, after that Ieſus Chriſt was manifeſted: it is becauſe we were ſo curſed, as that we would not receiue the graces which hée would hauehave beſtowed vponupon vsus. And therefore, when our Lorde offreth him ſelfe vntounto vsus, and we refuſe him, muſt hée not then of neceſſitie ſo lift vp his hande, as to thunder and ſtorme, that we might be afearde of that our ſo great vnthankfulneſſe. We ſée therefore why it is ſaide, that when God had poured out his holie ſpirit, that we muſt néedes ſée wonderfull troubles, and whē we hauehave looked vntounto heauen aboue, and vponupon the earth beneath, we ſhall ſée in them both, ſuch great trouble and feare, as that a man woulde think heauen and earth ſhould euen goe together: ſo that the Sunne ſhoulde bée darkened, the Moone be turned to blood, the Starres fall from heauen, and other wonderfull ſignes appeare. In verie déede, there are ſome which reſtraine this vntounto the latter day: howbeit, the Prophet meaneth to ſpeake of all the reigne and dominion of Ieſus Chriſt, vntill his comming at the laſt day to iudge the world. And therefore we muſt apply all the ſignes whereof the Prophet here ſpeaketh, vntounto our time. For if we conſidered of the thinges p. 187which are come to paſſe, euen ſince the Goſpell hath béen preached in theſe dayes, yet could not be poſſible but that the verie thinking of them would make the haires of our head ſtand vpright. Surely, if we had ſéene the thinges that were done at the comming of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, we ſhould hauehave been verie blockiſh if wée had not been afeard: For if we did but rightly conſider of the thinges that are continually done euen at this day, we ſhould hauehave matter enough to wonder at.

And therefore it was not the meaning of the Prophet, to ſignifie for a ſeaſon, the ſignes that ſhould here appeare at the comming of Ieſus Chriſt: For, although at his comming, hée poured out his great treaſures, to diſperſe them abroad vponupon all men, yet for all that we ſhall ſée merueylous iudgements, by reaſon of the vnthākfulneſſe of men, who will not receiue the thing that is offred them. And to the ſelfe ſame purpoſe ſerueth that ſaying of Ieſus Chriſt, when hée ſpake of the deſtruction of the Temple. For marke,Mat. 24.3.Matt 24:3 the Diſciples aſked him, when all theſe thinges ſhould come to paſſe, and what ſigne there ſhould be of his comming, & of the deſtruction of the worlde: for they thought as fondly as the Iewes, that the Temple ſhould cōtinue euen vntounto conſummatiō of the world, and that they in y^e mean while ſhould reigne peaceably like earthly Princes. Thus we ſée what the queſtion was that they aſked, notwithſtanding, that Ieſus Chriſt had no ſpéech of the laſt day. Now, hée anſwered them thus, you ſhall ſée (ſaieth hée) merueylous terrible thinges: For, you make this reckoning, that yée ſhal dwell héere on earth peaceably, and rule at your pleaſure: howbeit yée ſhall finde it cleane contrarie, becauſe there will ſodeinely come deceiuers: and beſides, the Deuil will do all hée can, to ſpread falſe doctrine in euerie place: There ſhal be peſtilence, warres, and famine, ſo that a man would thinke that the world ſhould be turned vpſide downe. And when you ſhall ſée all theſe thinges, yet is not the ende come: For, Ieruſalem ſhall be deſtroyed. Wherby hée ſheweth, that it is ſo farre of, that the Iewes ſhould hauehave any peaceable life here in this world, as that it cannot be choſen but that they muſt féele the iudgementes of God come vponupon them for their vnthankfulneſſe: which ſhal ſoone after be diſperſed throughout the face of the whole world. And conſequently, hée goeth on and ſaieth, That after the troubles in thoſe dayes, The Sunne ſhould be darkened, and the Moone loſe her light, that the Starres ſhould fall from heauen, and all the powers of the heauens be moued. Which wordes agrée iuſt with the ſaying of the Prophet: as if hée ſhould hauehave ſaid, That great troubles ſhall not onelyonly be ſéene here below, but alſo, if a man did looke vp vntounto heauen, hée ſhould ſée a generall confuſion. And yet muſt we not for all that but come fort our ſelues: For although we ſée both in heauen and earth, many troubles, and breaches, ſo that if we went all the world ouer, we ſhould ſée nothing els but all accurſed, yet muſt we take pleaſure and delight in the maker of all theſe thinges. This then is the ſumme and effect of the meaning of the Prophet. And this is at this preſent ſpoken euen vntounto vsus: For although God viſiteth vsus, and beſtoweth his Goſpell vponupon vsus, yet doeth hée not it to this end that we ſhould in ſuch ſort liue heere, as it pleaſeth our ſelues, in all eaſe and delight, and be voyde of warre, famine, and peſtilence: But wée are aduiſedly to conſider, that when ſuch thinges come to paſſe, and that we ſée ſo great and generall a confuſion, ſo that we cannot tell which way to turne vsus: wee muſt euen then, I ſay, prepare our heartes, paciently to abide thoſe afflictions, and not thinke them ſtraunge: becauſe they light vponupon vsus for our vnthankfulneſſe. For, the meaning of our good God is, to ſhew him ſelfe a gentle and louing Father: and if we paciently ſuffer theſe thinges at his handes, it will appeare, that hée calleth not vsus his good Sonnes for nothing: But if we be ſo rude and vnmannerlie, as that we will not take, and acknowledge him for our Father, is it not méete that hée ſhould correct vsus for ſuch a contempt. For, let vsus vnderſtande, that hée hath as great authoritie ouer vsus, as any father hath ouer his childe. Howbeit, he is a Father for euer: and therefore, when as hée afflicteth vsus (be it neuer ſo gréeuouſly) yet muſt we not diſpaire for all that: But wée muſt vnderſtande that hée doeth it becauſe we are vnthankfull.

Wée ſee then in ſumme, howe we are to conſider, of the iudgementes of God, and that whatſoeuer the Prophets hauehave foretold, is fulfilled euen before our faces. And nowe, let vsus come vntounto the comfort which the Prophet ſetteth downe herevpon: which is, That whoſoeuer calleth vponupon the name of God, ſhall bee ſaued.

p. 188If hée had ſaide no more, but that which went before, wée might then in déede, hauehave béene meruellouſly aſtoniſhed: becauſe, it were altogether to diſcomfort vsus: but hée ſetteth downe eftſoones a comfort withall, That if we call vponupon the name of God, we ſhall bée ſaued, euen amiddeſt the greateſt troubles and diſſentions that may bée: yea, for although hell were readie to ſwallow vsus vp, yet hauehave wée this aſſured refuge, that if we truſt in our God and call vponupon him, wée are out of doubt to be ſaued. When any man is gréeued and troubled, then this is the comming of Satan, to make him diſtruſt, to the ende hée might not come vntounto God, and call vponupon him. Howbéeit héere is a great comforte which wée ought to laye holde on, to the contrarie, in that God appointeth vsus no ſet time to call vponupon him: ſo that whenſoeuer wée are caſt downe, as it were, into the bottomleſſe pyt of hell, yet may we euen then call boldly vponupon him. For, as the Propet ſayeth, That hée which ſhal call vponupon the name of God, ſhall be ſaued: euen ſo contrariwiſe, he that calleth not vponupon him ſhal be damned: yea, although he were as in a Paradiſe. For, if the verie Angelles did not call on him, God might reiect them: which is impoſſible to be done. Nowe, we may hereby ſée, that it is impoſſible for vsus to continue here in this world, one minute of an houre, without we did call vponupon the name of God.

And therefore, we ought to call this leſſon oftentimes to mynde: For the Prophet pronounceth iudgement againſt all thoſe which call not vponupon the name of God, in ſaying, That whoſoeuer calleth vponupon the name of God, ſhall be ſaued: and thereupon neceſſarily enſueth, That hée which calleth not vponupon him, ſhall be damned. And forſomuch as we are ſo colde and ſo eaſily withdrawne from the calling vponupon the name of God, The Prophet (by the ſaying going before) his meaning was to declare, that we muſt not leaue of calling vponupon his Maieſtie, no not when we are in the mydſt of all the greateſt troubles which may come vntounto vsus: For, although heauen and earth ſhould conſpire againſt vsus, yet muſt we euen then call vponupon the Maieſtie of our God, both with heart & mouth, and with all power and ſtrength. Howbeit, it is not enough that we ſay with open mouth, a Pater noſter, in Latin, or els, Our Father which art in heauen in our mother tongue, except it bée ſaide with the right affection of the heart grounded vponupon faith. For otherwiſe, we may ſay ouer this prayer, tenne, twentie, and thirtie times: and yet they ſhall be but wordes wherewith to beat the ayre. I will not ſpeake of the entermedling of the Aue Maria amongſt, thinking by ſuch ſilly gawdes, that they truely call vponupon the name of God as hée requireth. For ſurely, ſuch kinde of people are farre from the true calling vponupon the name of God: but are euen like Witches, and Sorcerers, who can not forget their olde Deuiliſh ſuperſtitions. And therefore we muſt not meruayle ouermuch at ſuch relikes of Satan:Rom. 10.14.Rom 10:14 becauſe they neuer had, nor yet hauehave, any fayth in Ieſus Chriſt. For how ſhall they (as Saint Paule ſaieth) call vponupon him whom they hauehave not beléeued? And this place is worthie the noting: Becauſe Saint Paule telleth vsus, that when the calling vponupon the name of God is ſpoken of, that wée muſt ſéeke after him as after our Father: ſince we knowe that all the benefites which we hauehave come from him, and that hée is redie to receiue vsus, ſo ſoone as we turne vntounto him. For els, what courage might we hauehave to craue any thing at his handes, if wee were not ſure of this? And therefore, let vsus be fully perſuaded, that when we in trueth, call vponupon the Lorde our God, that hée will receiue vsus.

Wée ſée then by this, what a fantaſticall imagination the Papiſticall fondlinges hauehave. For, thus they ſay, That we muſt in no wiſe preſume that God will heare vsus when we call vponupon him: and their reaſon forſooth is this, forſomuch as we knowe not whether we be in the ſtate of grace or not: For this, ſay they, were too too great preſumption to thinke. Why, what is then to be done? Forſooth, They tell vsus that we muſt pray doubtfully: and that it is ſufficient, if wée remit all to their mother holy Church: to wyt, that wée muſt hauehave this anſwere alwayes readie in our mouthes, I beléeue as the holie Church beléeueth. Thus we ſée howe, that they would hauehave our fayth to be doubtfull and vncertaine. Now, Saint Paule telleth vsus, that God lyketh not of this geare: For, hée ſayeth, That the Goſpell is not preached vntounto vsus, to make vsus ſtande in doubt, but to aſſure vsus of our ſaluation. And therefore we may eaſily iudge what Popiſh fayth is, wherein we were nuſled in the time of ignoraunce.

Wherefore, let vsus vnderſtande, that God hath beſtowed a ſingular p. 189grace vponupon vsus, in pulling vsus out of that darkneſſe of errour and ſuperſtition wherein we were, and hath giuen vsus his Goſpell to bring vsus into the way of ſaluation. When we then ſhall conſider of all theſe thinges, we ought to ſigh and grone, ſéeing that God of his great goodneſſe, hath choſen vsus amongſt all the reſt of the nations, to beſtow the knowledge of his moſt holy and bleſſed worde. Now, this is the miſchiefe that is in Popery (as hath béen alredie ſaide) when as they ſay that we may not in full aſſuraunce call vponupon God, for that, ſay they, is preſumption, and therefore that hée is to be called vponupon, doubtfully. Neither are they the ſimpler and common ſort of people which doe mainteine this: But euen the greateſt and chiefeſt Doctours, and ſuch as are thought to hauehave all the holie ſcriptures imprinted in their heartes. In déede they will not be ouer earneſt, in defending of their Mawmets: although, to ſay truely, they take verie great paine to maintein them: But when any occaſion is giuen vntounto them, to vomyt out theyr blaſphemies, they will be ſo ſtout, as that a man woulde thinke they were Bedlem lyke. And why ſo? Forſooth, becauſe the Deuill woulde hauehave them hinder vsus, from calling of the name of God as we ſhould. Euen ſo then, as many as pray vntounto God as the Papiſtes doe, let them be aſſured, that God miſliketh of them. For (as hath alredie béen ſaide) we muſt not pray vntounto God after this maner, as to ſay, repeate, and oftentymes mumble vp, the Lordes prayer. Becauſe all they that ſo doe, are no better then Sorcerers and Witches. It is true in déede that we ſhoulde not, from the heart, make ouer long prayers: For when we doe pray, wée ſhould forſake our ſelues, and forget our owne nature, the Deuil, and all his entiſementes, to the ende wée might the more readelier come vntounto our Lorde God. And after this ſort it is that we muſt deale.

Moreouer, let vsus be well aſſured of this, that if we knowe not rightly to call vponupon the name of God, we hauehave nothing. Let vsus therefore throughly conſider of this ſaying, That we are all damned, as many as call not vponupon God. For, it is written in Geneſis, ſpeaking of the curſed lyne of Cayne,Gene. 4.26.Gen 4:26 That they builded them ſelues houſes, & ſtrong Towers, and yet for all y^t they had not the true calling vponupon the name of God: But, it is ſaide, That after Adam had begotten Seth, that the name of God was a freſh called vponupon. And therefore, God at that time was worſhipped and honored: For after that Seth, had béen once taught the worſhip of God, hée himſelf alſo ſoone after taught his children to doe the like. Now, we ſée, that about the worſhip of God it is onelyonly ſaide, That the name of God was called vponupon. This then is the moſt principall pointe that we ought to holde. For, although this name of Chriſtian, flyeth about amongſt vsus, yet doe we but abuſe it, if wée call not vponupon the name of God. Neither can we (as Saint Paul ſaith, and as it hath béen héeretofore touched) call vponupon him without wée hauehave firſt, beléeued in him.

In verie déede, the farther from blowes, the bolder we are. For we ſhall ſée a number of Scoffers (when they are vponupon their Ale Bench) that will be then, as good Chriſtians as any in the world: and a man would thinke them to be the true Champions of Ieſus Chriſt, and had gotten at his handes whatſoeuer was poſſible to be had of him. And beſides, ſome of them would promiſe to worke wonders, whenſoeuer the time ſhould come: and (to heare them ſpeake) a man would ſuppoſe, that if Chriſtianitie were vtterly loſt, it ſhould be founde in them: But if they be narrowly ſifted, and the bottome of their heartes ſearched, we ſhall finde nothing leſſe in them, then that they promiſed, and would be the firſt that would forſake God. And why ſo? Forſooth, becauſe they hauehave not this conſideration with them ſelues, to thinke what they are: For, whenſoeuer euerie man ſhall looke well vntounto him ſelfe, hée ſhall finde a ſea of ſinnes, whereof hée can no way be ryd, without by ſighing and groning we runne vntounto God, and call vponupon him in our neceſſitie.

Moreouer, we are to vnderſtand, that the Sermon, which S. Peter made in the Citie of Ieruſalem, is at this preſent made vntounto vsus, to the end we might profite our ſelues thereby: and let vsus alſo note, that hée brought not in the place of the Prophet Ioell for naught. And therefore, let vsus be ſure to truſt vntounto this promiſe, That whoſoeuer calleth vponupon the name of God, ſhall be ſaued.

And according to this holie doctrine, Let vsus fall downe before the Maieſtie of our good God, and acknowledge our offences, beſéeching him ſo to bleſſe vsus with his grace, as that we may ſo confidently call vponupon him, as that our prayers may be acceptable in his ſight, ſo that wée, being deliuered from all ſuperſtition and p. 190idolatrie, might truely worſhip him, to the ende wee might take him for our Father and Sauiour, and he likewiſe at laſt acknowledge vsus for his children. And ſo let vsus all ſay, O Almightie God, and heauenly Father, &c.

The fourth ſermon of the deſcending of the holy Ghoſte.

Actes. ſecond.

22 YEe men of Iſrael, heare theſe wordes, Ieſus of Nazareth, a man approued of God amongſt you with myracles, wonders, and ſignes, which God did by him in the midſt of you, as yee your ſelues alſo know.

23 Him, after you had taken by wicked handes, beeing deliuered by the determinate counſell & foreknowledge of God, hauehave yee crucified and ſlaine.

24 Whom God hath rayſed vp, hauing looſed the ſorrowes of death, becauſe it was imposſible that he ſhould be holden of it.

AFter that Saint Peter had in his Sermon declared, that the promiſe conteined in the Propheſie of the Prophete Ioel was accompliſhed, by the deſcending of the holie Ghoſt vponupon him, and vponupon his companiōs the Apoſtles, for a teſtimony, and as a pledge which the Lord God meant to communicate vntounto his Church, and vntounto eueryevery faithfull member therof: and yet that there muſt néedes fall out great troubles, and that the fayth of the Chriſtians might be proued and tried: After all theſe thinges, I ſay, hée bringeth the Iewes to Ieſus Chriſt. For fith the holy Ghoſt was giuen, they could not chooſe but acknowledge y^e comming of Ieſus Chriſt: Becauſe it was ſaide, That the Propheſie of Ioel ſhould not be accompliſhed vntill the latter dayes. And therefore, when as we ſée the holie Ghoſt thus poured out, it is a ſure token that God hath ſent Ieſus Chriſt, to the ende hée might make an ende of our ſaluation. Now, this is an excellent maner, and a verie conueent order of teaching, which we are here to note, to wit, That, looke how many graces of his holy ſpirit, God giueth vsus, are euen ſo many meanes to bring and guide vsus to Ieſus Chriſt, whereby wée might learne all wiſedome of him: For he is the verie fountayne, out of whom we muſt all drawe the ſame. And to ſay truely, Firſt of all, forſomuch as he was the worde of God from the beginning, hée is alſo the life and light of men. And becauſe hee hath receyued moſt perfectly,Iohn. 1.4. Iohn. 1.16.John 1:4John 1:16 all the graces of the holie Ghoſt, forſomuch as hée was made man, we are to receiue from out of his fulneſſe, grace, for grace. Wherefore, by him it is, that wee muſt hauehave fauoure before God: For if we would drawe neare vntounto his Maieſtie without this meane, we were neuer able to hauehave acceſſe vntounto him. And therefore muſt we goe the direct way vntounto Ieſus Chriſt, For, ſince we know that he hath moſt perfectly receiued the graces of the holy Ghoſt, wée muſt be all partakers of them by him and through him. And ſo, Saint Peter vſeth here a verie good reaſon, to admoniſh the Iewes, that the Redéemer was come, to wit, that in as much as the holie Ghoſt was poured out, that it was in the latter dayes. And beſides, hée ſaieth, Ye men of Iſrael, heare theſe words: Ieſus of Nazareth, a man approued of God, amongſt you, with wonders, myracles, & ſignes, which God did by him in the midſt of you, as you your ſelues alſo know: him, I ſay, being deliuered by the determined counſell and prouidence of God, you hauehave by wicked handes crucified and ſlaine. This is euen hée, by whom God hath wholely giuen him ſelfe vntounto you, and yet hauehave yée put him to death. And yet notwithſtanding yée muſt néedes confeſſe that it is the verie ſelfe ſame man which was promiſed you in the lawe. Hée came to be your Sauiour and Redéemer: and this you can neither will nor chooſe but acknowledge, becauſe he remained not in death: For God gaue him victorie ouer death, and hée ouercame it. Thus we ſée in the firſt place, what it is that Saint Peter telleth vntounto the Iewes, that he might bring them to y^e knowledge of Ieſus Chriſt.

p. 191And it is to be noted, that hée ſpeaketh of nothing here, but of the death, and reſurrection of Ieſus Chriſt. For firſt of all, it can not be otherwiſe, but that the Iewes muſt néedes vnderſtand that Ieſus Chriſt was the Sonne of God. And this is it whereby Saint Peter meaneth to proue it, in that which hée héere propoundeth. Nowe, there are two thinges, which we are to vnderſtand of Ieſus Chriſt.

The firſt is, That we muſt néedes beléeue, that he is the Meſſias, to wit, the annointed of the Lord, promiſed in the lawe, and the verie ſame, of whom the Prophets hauehave written: and that it is he who ſuffred death for our redemption: and yet was not ouercome of it, but gloriouſly roſe againe, tryumphing ouer all his enemies. And thus much for the firſt point. Nowe, for the ſeconde, when as wée know that Ieſus Chriſt dyed for vsus, we muſt néedes acknowledge what hée is, and the benefit which we are to receiue by him: Here are then two thinges throughly to be conſidered of vsus: For, if wée hauehave to deale with a Iewe, wée muſt begin to inſtruct him in the principles of Chriſtianitie, and tell him that Ieſus Chriſt was borne of the Virgine Mary, and that it was hée whom God had promiſed them, and whom in verie déede his predeceſſours had put to death: and that he appointed them the verie time when hée ſhould come into the world. And beſides, that he had giuen him a teſtimony that he was his Sonne, by approuing it with the ſignes and myracles which he did in the middeſt of them: and likewyſe, that after he was aſcended into heauen, he ſent the holy Ghoſt, according to the ſaying which long ere that, was foretolde. Thus muſt we deale with a Iewe, to bring him to the knowledge of Ieſus Chriſt.

Moreouer, we muſt let him vnderſtand, that when the kingdome of the Meſſiah is ſpoken of in the ſcripture, that it is a ſpirituall kingdome, to the ende hée ſhould not be deceiued, to thinke him to be an earthly King, as all the Iewes imagined. And this is it which cauſed them to refuſe Ieſus Chriſt, forſomuch as he reigned not ouer the people, as they thought hée ſhoulde hauehave done. Nowe, for the firſt point, wée hauehave nothing wherefore to ſtande againſt the Papiſtes, but for the ſecond. For they graunt vntounto vsus that Ieſus Chriſt is the Sonne of God, and the ſame that was promiſed in the law: and that hée was put to death, and roſe agayne. And héerein we eaſily agrée. But they are to be taught to what end hee came: For they doe not acknowledge him to be the ſame man in déede that hée is. Wée knowe, that we muſt beléeue, that our ſaluation commeth by Ieſus Chriſt alone, & by his death and paſſion. And the Papiſtes, cleane contrary, attribute it vntounto their workes, and merittes, and other their inuentions: and thinke, by that meane to be ſanctified. Wherefore, they ſéeke in their workes the thing, which can no way be founde, but in Ieſus Chriſt. Thus we ſee that it is not néedefull for vsus to teach the Papiſtes any thing as concerning the perſon of Ieſus Chriſt, but onelyonly to ſhewe them what his power and vertue is, wherefore hée came, and what benefite we may reape thereby. Nowe, Saint Peter hath héere taken vponupon him, to ſet foorth theſe two pointes: For the Iewes, knewe not that Ieſus Chriſt was the Meſſiah ſent from God, and therefore much leſſe knew they his power, and why he came. And therefore hée telleth them that he ſhewed himſelfe to be the Sonne of God amongſt them, in as much as he roſe againe: ſo▪ that by his reſurrection they might know him to be the verie ſame, becauſe hée was deliuered from death and ouercame it: and therefore, that life and ſaluation, muſt be had in him and by him. And this is it which Saint Peter meaneth to declare in this firſt place: he will alſo ſhewe vsus what fruit we hauehave by his reſurrection, which wée meane to declare hereafter, as it commeth in order to be handled. Nowe, ſéeing we at this preſent, vnderſtand the purpoſe of Saint Peter, and the order of his Sermon, let vsus follow it: and learne to acknowledge, that ſo ſoone as God beſtoweth any benefite vponupon vsus, that it is, becauſe we are the members of Ieſus Chriſt, and not for our workes, nor yet for any other thing that we are any way able to offer vntounto him. And therefore let vsus hauehave no more theſe royling imaginations in our heades, as to be perſuaded this way and that, but let vsus come to the acknowledging of our ſinnes, and be ſory for them: as we ſée Saint Peter goeth about to bring the Iewes theretoo, héere in this place, when as hée ſpeaketh of the death of Ieſus Chriſt. For, in the firſt place hée accuſeth them, ſaying, Yee hauehave ſlaine him.

Nowe, we may verie well ſée, that hée meaneth not by this ſpéech to flatter them.

p. 192And indéede S. Peter did caſt this in their diſh, as we ſay, to the end he might pricke their hearts, and wound them to the quicke: as hereafter we ſhal ſée, that it ſo ſtuck, & grieued thē at the hearts, as that they were therewith conuerted. Thus and by this meane muſt men be wonne to come to be humbled, and brought to the acknowledging of their offences. For, if we continually preach vntounto them pleaſant and delightfull things, they will doe nothing els but toy and tryfle, and be Gods fellowes, and play with him euen as they would doe with a mortall man. We ſée how it fared with the woman of Samaria, when ſhe ſpake vntounto Ieſus Chriſt, and that he told her of the water of lyfe, whereof (he ſaid) if ſhe drunke,Iohn. 4.11.John 4:11 that ſhe ſhoulde neuer thirſt, ſhe mocked him like a naughtie packe as ſhe was. But after he had once brought her to the acknowledging of her ſinne, and tolde her that ſhe went to ſeeke her huſbande, and remembred her of her wicked life paſt, ſhe was more milde in her ſpeech then ſhe was at the firſt. For when he ſimplye and plainely layde before her, the graces of God, ſhe laughed him to ſkorne, and ſayd, why, where ſhall we hauehave a Bucket wherewith to draw the water, ſéeing the well is ſo very deepe? but when hée had ſaide vntounto her, Thou art an harlot: thou haſt had fiue huſbandes, and he whom thou now haſt is not thy huſband, ſhe then acknowledged her ſinne, and ſayde that Ieſus Chriſt was an holy Prophet. And therefore vntill ſuch time as we tremble at the horror of our ſinnes, we will neuer giuegive place vntounto the woord of God, And that was the cauſe that made Saint Peter accuſe the Iewes of the ſlaying of Chriſt, not that he tooke any pleaſure in thus reproouing of them, but to the ende they might vnderſtande that their condemnation was at hande for their ſinnes: and on the other ſide, that they had forgiuenes of them by Ieſus Chriſt, if they woulde acknowledge him and come vntounto him. Nowe, héere in this place hauehave the miniſters of God a rule ſet downe vntounto them, to witte, that they muſt touch men to the quick, and tell them of their ſinnes, that they might vnderſtand that God is their Iudge, and will not leaue their obſtinate ſinning vnpuniſhed: and by that meane be brought backe vntounto him by repentance: which they wil neuer doe except they be reprooued and roughly handled. And therefore let vsus ſuffer GOD too rule and condemne vsus, to the end he might pardon vsus. We ſhal finde a greate number of men that would be very glad the Goſpel ſhould bee preached, ſo that it might be for their gaine, & ſerue their carnall deſires, and be as it were a cloake for their villanies. Now, this muſt not bee the end of our preaching: For our Lord Ieſus Chriſt ſaide, That when the holy Ghoſt ſhould come, that he ſhould rebuke the world of ſinne: that hée ſhoulde ſit as a Iudge in the place of iuſtice, and iudge the world.Iohn. 16.8.John 16:8 And therfore wée ſhal neuer bée able to deale faithfully with the Goſpel, without the worlde bée brought to this condemnation, and that eueryevery man may know what it is, for euerie of vsus to rebuke himſelfe.

Wherfore, let all ſuch as flatter themſelues, groane and bée hartily ſory: and let al ſuch as take their pleaſures, be afeard and tremble: and let all thoſe who perſwade themſelues to bée righteous, looke more narrowly vntounto themſelues, to the ende wée might all bee brought to this acknowledging of our ſinnes, by which wée ſhall grow to be penitent, & ſo cōſequently come into the fauour of God. Thus wée ſée why it is that S. Peter vſeth ſuch a bitter reprehenſion vntounto the Iewes, whenas hée ſaith:

That they had crucified and ſlayne Ieſus Chriſt. And afterwarde ſaith, being deliuered by the determined Counſell and foreknowledge of God. As if hée ſhould hauehave ſaid, Although hée was deliuered by wicked handes, and that you hauehave put him to death, yet was it not done without the wil of God. Now, it is not for naught that S. Peter added this ſaying, by the determined Counſel & foreknowledge of God: For the Iewes might hauehave replied and ſayd, If it be ſo that the ſame Chriſt Ieſus of whom thou ſo much ſpeakeſt of, be the Meſſias, why hath hée ſuffred himſelfe to be thus tormented and put to death? And this is a thing that will hardly perſwade them: For wée ſée euen at this day how they mocke & ſcorne at it, ſaying, If Ieſus Chriſt had béen the Sonne of GOD, how is it poſſible that hée would abide the ſhamefull death of the croſſe? And thus doe the wicked vomite out this blaſphemie, by reaſon of the obiect of the croſſe, becauſe they think to be a thing derogatorie from the Maieſtie of the ſonne of God. And therefore S Peter preuēteth theſe fātaſies, which might be a let vntounto y^e Iewes to beléeue his doctrine. And telleth them that none of all this geare came by fortune (as might hauehave béene iudged) but euen by the will of God. p. 193Now if wée rightly conſidered of the power of God, wée ſhoulde be cleane voyde of al theſe fond imaginations. For, wee know, that God is not without wit, and reaſon, and that whatſoeuer hée did, hée did it méerely for the ſaluation of mankinde. His reſurrection alſo, is diligently to bee obſerued of vsus, for as the death of Ieſus Chriſt might giuegive vsus occaſion of offence, if wée conſidered of it onelie by it ſelfe, euen ſo, in his reſurrection we ſée the woonderful power & glory of God, which might make vsus not to bée offended whatſoeuer troubles and fantaſies ariſe. And therfore S. Peter ſaid, not without cauſe, that that which Ieſus Chriſt ſuffred, was doone by the foreknowledge of God. For it muſt néedes come to paſſe, that Ieſus Chriſt muſt bée the offred vp ſacrifice, vntounto God his Father, to blot out the ſinnes of the worlde. Wherefore, when wee ſée the Counſell of God tend to ſuch an end, let vsus vnderſtand, that whatſoeuer is done, is done for our benefit, & neuer enquire why Ieſus Chriſt ſuffred, becauſe we ſée therin, the infinite goodnes of God: we ſée (as S. Paul ſaith) y^e louelove which appeareth vntounto vsus:Tit. 3.4.Titus 3:4 in y^t he ſpared not his onelyonly begottē ſonne, but deliuered him to death for our ſakes. On y^e other ſide, we ſée how obediēt Ieſus Chriſt was to god his father: let vsus not therfore be ſo preſumptuous, as to enter into theſe fooliſh thoughts, and ſay, why doth God this, or that? For, wée know that whatſoeuer hée hath ordeyned, is grounded vpō the fatherly louelove which he beareth vsus. And ſo, whē wée looke at this, we thē ſée why it is, y^t Chriſt Ieſus ſuffred. This therfore, is the reaſō, wherfore S. Peter ſaith, y^e God had decréed this in his vnchāgeable counſel. Moreouer, he was cōtēted y^t this ſhould be done by the hād of the wicked & vngodly. Wherin we ſée, that it is in the wicked, to hurt the godly: but that they cā doe nothing w^tout the ſufferance of God: neither can we hauehave a more excellent ſpectacle héerin, thē the very perſon of Ieſus Chriſt. For we cānot chooſe but know, that whatſoeuer he ſuffred, was long agoe foretold by the Prophets. It is ſaid, that he was nayled on the Croſſe, becauſe it was ſo foretold. Thus we ſée how theſe théeuiſh Romaniſts crucify him (to wit, the ſouldiers vntounto whō the executiō was cōmitted) becauſe it was ſo propheſied. They gaue him very ſharpe & bitter drinke, to drinke:Iohn. 19.24.28.John 19:24John 19:28 they parted his garmēts: & al this they did, becauſe it was ſo writtē. To be ſhort, there was nothing done in this, but that which God had before ordeined. Thus we ſée that the wicked can doe nothing without God giuegive them leaue. For we ſée, that theſe vngodly ones could goe no farther then God had licenſed them. And therefore whatſoeuer is ſaid of Ieſus Chriſt is to be applied to our vſe, for he himſelfe hath ſayd, that the little ſparrowes ſhall not fall on the ground without his ordenance. If ſo be then that the prouidence of God extendeth it ſelfe vntounto theſe ſmall foules,Mat. 10.29Matt 10:29 it muſt needes folowe, that nothing commeth to paſſe without his appointment, he ſayeth after that, that the hayres of our head are numbred, wherein, he ſheweth the fatherly care which he hath ouer vsus, and beſides, becauſe we are the members of Ieſus Chriſt, and touch him very neere, he would hauehave vsus vnderſtand, that he taketh vsus for his children. For although the world be as it were the houſe of God, and he the Goodman of the houſhold, yet doeth hee ſingulerly reuerence and like his Church, and hath a ſpeciall care thereof. And therefore wee ſee, what wee are to thinke of the prouidence of god, to wit, y^t S. Peter would hauehave no fantaſtical things ſet down, nor yet hauehave vsus ſerch after ſubtilties, w^t edifie not. His meaning then, is not to procéede after any ſuch ſort: but ſheweth that God hath ſo well prouided for our ſaluation, as that we neede not ſéeke for any other meane, but that onelyonly which he hath appointed. And beſids, he would hauehave vsus vnderſtād, y^t we are ſo ſure vnderunder y^e hand of God & his protection, as that nothing can be done againſt vsus, but that which he hath determined, For if it were not ſo, what ſhould become of vsus, if we were guided by fortune (as mad men think we are) ſurely our eſtate were more accurſed then the eſtate of brute beaſts. But whēas we vnderſtād y^t god is y^e gouernour of al things this ought greatly to comfort vsus, & we might theron very well ſtay our ſelues. Wherfore we ſée it to be a neceſſary vertue to know y^e prouidēce of god. And therfore we are to cōſider, y^t as Ieſus Chriſt ſuffred nothing, but by Gods permiſſion, euen ſo, whatſoeuer ſhal betide vsus cōmeth frō God, this then is it w^t we are to obſerue here in this place. Yea, & we are throughly to cōſider of this word counſel Indéed there are ſome men which wil ſpeake of the prouidence of God, but it ſhalbe but a fooliſh imaginatiō therof, for they thinke that he himſelfe taketh his eaſe in heauē aboue, & giueth fortune or nature leaue to rule here below. Now, we are contrariwiſe here told, y^e God ordeyneth al things, & diſpoſeth eueryevery thing at his will & pleaſure. True it is that the ſame is vnknown to vsus, neither can we comprehende it: but we muſt be onelyonly contented to vnderſtād p. 194that hee is the Gouernour thereof: neither muſt wee as I hauehave already ſaid) doe as ſome fooliſhe felowes doe, who ſay. And if God knoweth what ſhal come to paſſe: it is not for vsus to ſet downe any order, and therefore to what ende ſhould we vſe counſell & aduiſe? Thus wee ſée what reaſon theſe fantaſtical felowes woulde yéelde vntounto their follies, which are ouer greate arrogancies, for God to leaue vnpuniſhed. For, although god calleth vsus not into his ſecret counſel to declare vntounto vsus his wil, & determinatiō, yet let vsus know y^t he gouerneth vsus by his hand, & that the wicked can doe nothing againſt vsus, except the Lorde geueth them leaue. And yet there remayneth a certayne order in nature: & the meaning therof is not, but y^t we muſt vſe aduiſe: for God hath ſaide vntounto vsus, y^t he woulde hauehave vsus liue by the bread which he giueth vsus to eate, & that our diſeaſes ſhould be healed by phiſick. Wherfore, it were ouer great arrogancie for vsus, to refuſe the meanes, which God giueth vsus, to cure & helpe our infirmities, And he that thinketh to get honour by this meane, ſhal bring himſelf to vtter deſtruction. For when wée ſay, that the prouidence of God prouideth for al things, yet muſt wée not refuſe the meane which he hath appoynted. Saint Peter ſaith a little after this, that it was impoſſible for the fleſhe of the bodie of Ieſus Chriſt to turne to corruption. And why ſo? becauſe that God only had ſo ordained it: and not that it could doe naturally ſo. For when he was conceiued in the wombe of the Virgin Mary, he tooke vponupon him our nature, and was made like vntounto vsus, ſinne excepted. And by that reaſon, his fleſhe was ſubiect to corruption euen as ours is, if God had not in that ſort preuented it.Heb. 4.15.Heb 4:15 If a mā had ſéen the bones of our lord Ieſus Chriſt, they might wel enough hauehave béen bruiſed & broken: & yet we ſée y^t it was impoſſible for thē to be ſo, becauſe that God had in ſuch ſort appoynted it, & that they were not naturally ſo: here we ſée, what we hauehave to note, cōcerning that which might be alledged out of this place: not that wee are to deale in ſpeculatiōs, & to inuent a thouſand ſophiſticall or brabling queſtiōs, wherin the papiſts are cunning: but let vsus in al hūblenes conſideratly ſtay our ſelues vponupon this, that GOD doeth not onelyonly foreſée all thinges, but deſpoſeth them alſo at his will and pleaſure. And therefore, let vsus learne to commende our ſelues vntounto him,Iohn. 12.31.John 12:31 whenas we abide the grieuous aſſaults of the diuel & of the world, whereof he is ſaide to be the Prince: and when wée thinke that it cannot be choſen but that the wicked wil oppreſſe vsus,Iohn. 12.31.John 12:31 let vsus ſhroud our ſelues vnderunder the wings of our good God, that he might giuegive vsus wherewith to reſiſt them: and ſo, being armed with his power, wée may bee able to put by all the temptations that may come vntounto vsus. For, although all the Diuels, & wicked ones would ryſe vp againſt vsus, hee knoweth well enough how to bridle them, and hold them faſt bounde, ſo that wee (as wee hauehave before ſaide) runne vntounto him, and reſt vnderunder his protection. Thus wée ſée that we muſt looke vponupon the prouidence of God by faith, and not after our owne reaſon.

Now, in that we hauehave ſaide, that the wicked doe nothing but that which God ordeineth: a number might reply and ſay, what good ſir, and if it bée thus, it might bée ſaid, that God ſhoulde bée the cauſe of the euill, and the wicked were to bée excuſed. For anſwere hereof, we muſt in the firſt place vnderſtand, what the will of god is, yea & that he ſetteth downe vntounto vsus in his law. We know that he hath forbidden ſtealing. If then I goe & ſteale, What? Doe I then his will? Surely, when the wicked goe about to doe any miſchiefe, they goe not to doe y^e wil of God, for they know wel enough that God vtterly miſliketh al wicked dealing. And therefore when they doe any euill, they withſtand the will of God.

Wherefore, it followeth that God would not hauehave them doe any euill: but ſuffereth them to doe it: & for y^e cauſe they are in excuſeable, forſomuch as they doe contrary to his commaundement. And therefore we muſt not ſay that God is the cauſe of euill: for he committeth not the faultes which wée commit. For wée ſée, that he giueth the Diuell leaue to puniſh ſuch are worthie thereof. The Diuell committeth euill, and hath none other regard but to doe miſchiefe, and yet God maketh him to ſerue him to another cleane contrary end. God ſuffereth a Théefe to robbe a true man of his goods.Iohn. 1.21.John 1:21 And why doeth he ſo? Forſooth to prooue his pacience, that it might be knowne. We ſée what Iob ſaith in all his troubles, The Lorde hath giuen, and the Lorde hath taken, bleſſed be the name of the Lord. And yet théeues robbed and ſpoyled him. What meaneth hée then hereby? Doth Iob accuſe God of theft? No forſooth, you muſt not ſo take it: for hée knewe that théeues were wicked, and that they came not thither but againſt the will of God, and to the intent to doe miſchiefe: howbeit he had a further reach, and conſidered p. 195that it was not done without the prouidence of God.

And therefore Iob attributed not the wicked déede vntounto God: but hée knew what men were in their kind. Hée ſaw that the Chaldeans and Sabeans, were the ſcourges of God, They robbed, and reaued, they killed his ſeruants, and draue away his Cattel, to bée ſhort, they impoueriſhed him and lefte him nothing: and yet hée continually prayſed God, becauſe hée right wel knew, that it was not done without his ordinaunce. And euen ſo muſt wée doe: For if the wicked trouble vsus, wée muſt not looke vntounto them, but our faith muſt aſcend a great deale higher, to wit, wée muſt vnderſtād that the prouidence of God is aboue them al. After this ſort then muſt wée iudge, and not enter into vaine ſpeculations. Wée ſée now at this preſent, that the vngodly crucified Ieſus Chriſt, and yet was it not done without the ordinance of God. Howbéeit God wrought it to another ende. It was the will of the wicked to bring Ieſus Chriſt to naught: and it was the will of God, that his blood and death ſhould bée an euerlaſting Sacrifice, and our redemption to bée made, and accompliſhed thereby.

And therefore when wée behold this, wée hauehave occaſion to glorifie GOD: and hée that doth not ſo, his owne conſcience reprooueth him. Nowe, S. Peter ſaieth, that Ieſus Chriſt roſe agayne, wherby to ſhew (as we hauehave already ſaid) that wée muſt alwaies ioyne his reſurrection with his death: For if wée looke into his death onelyonly, wée ſhall ſée him altogether full of all ſhame and reproche, and diſfigured like a Leper. But when wée come vntounto his reſurrection, wée ſée how mightily the hand of God exalted him, giuing him al power both in heauen and earth, Wherefore,Mat. 28.18.Matt 28:18 ſo ſoone as wée hauehave ſaide that Ieſus died: let vsus by and by vnderſtande, that hée roſe againe. He died according to the weakneſſe of his fleſh but in that hée roſe againe, he ſhewed himſelfe to bée the very ſonne of God.

Thus we ſée the meaning of Saint Peter his woords when hée ſaieth, Whom God raiſed vp, being deliuered to death. Now,2. Cor. 13.4.2 Cor 13:4 in that hée ſaieth, The ſorrowes of death, hée meaneth not the ſorrowes of the bodily death, which Ieſus Chriſt ſuffered, but the horrible anguiſhes wherein hée was becauſe he was to bée our pledge, & beare the puniſhment of all our ſinnes. Wherefore, hée ſuffered not only in body: but alſo in ſpirit: and yet was hée not for al that ouercome: But becauſe we cannot at this preſent, go on with the declaration of the ſorrowes of his death, as is very behouefull: wée therefore will reſerue it vntill the next time.

According to this doctrine, let vsus fall downe before the maieſtie of our good God, and acknowledge our offences, beſéeching him ſo to touch vsus with the confeſſing of them, as that although we hauehave héeretofore giuen the reine to our affections, yet y^t it woulde pleaſe him to hold vsus in, that wée might bée obedient vntounto his worde: and ſo in pardoning of our offences paſt, not rigorouſly iudge vsus, but accept thoſe graces and thankſgiuing which wée yéelde vntounto him, for all the benefites which he hath beſtowed vponupon vsus. And ſo let vsus all ſay, O Almightie God and heauenly Father. &c.