Sermons on Divinity Humanity and Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, Sermons on the Passion · Sermon 6
The ſixt Sermon of the Pasſion.
Matthew .xxvii.
27 THen the ſouldiers of the gouernour tooke Ieſus into the common hall, and gathered about him the whole band.
28 And they ſtripped him, and put vponupon him a Scarlet Robe.
29 And platted a crowne of thornes, & put it vponupon his head, and a reede in his right hand, and bowed their knees before him, and mocked him, ſaying, God ſaue thee King of the Iewes.
30 And ſpetted vponupon him, and tooke a reede and ſmote him on the head.
31 Thus, when they had mocked him, they tooke the Robe from him, and put his own raiment on him, and lead him away to crucifie him.
32 And as they came out they founde a man of Cyrene, named Simon, him they compelled to beare his croſſe.
33 And when they came to the place called Golgotha (that is to ſay, the place of dead mens ſculles)
34 They gaue vineger to drinke, mingled with Gall: and when he had taſted thereof, he would not drinke.
35 And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, and did caſt lots, that it might bee fulfilled, which was ſpoken by the Prophet, They deuided my garments among them, and vponupon my veſture they caſt lottes.
36 And they ſate and watched him there.
37 They ſet vp alſo ouer his head the cauſe, written, THIS IS IESVS THE KING OF THE IEWES.
38 And there were two theeues crucified with him, one on the right hand, another on the left.
39 And they that paſſed by, reuiled him, wagging their heads.
40 And ſaying, thou that deſtroyedſt the temple, and builded ſt… in three dayes, ſaue thy ſelfe: If thou bee the ſonne of God come downe from the croſſe.
41 Likewiſe alſo the high Prieſtes mockinge him with the Scribes and Elders, and Phariſees ſaide,
42 Hee ſaued others, but he cannot ſaue himſelfe. If hee bee the King of Iſrael, let him nowe come downe from the croſſe, and wee will beleeue him.
43 Hee truſteth in God, let him deliuer him now, if hee will hauehave him: for he ſaid, I am the ſonne of God.
44 That ſame alſo, the theeues which were crucified with him, caſt in his teeth.
AS concerning the matter which before we hauehave handeled, we muſt yet a great deale better conſider, that the kingdom of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte is not of this worlde. For wée ſée that he was ſhamefully dealt withall and made a very ieſting ſtocke: and in ſtéede of a kingly Diademe, hée had a crowne of thorne: in ſtéede of a Scepter a Réed, and beſides, whatſoeuer ſhame might bée deuiſed againſt a man, it was done to him. And therefore if we ſhal let our ſenſes ſtay vpō the thing which is héere rehearſed it will bée a maruellous obiect of offence as it were, to eſtrange vsus from our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte, and ſo conſequently from all hope of ſaluation. But wée muſt looke vpō the ſpiritual kingdom, wherof mention hath héere before ben made, by faith: and then conclude, That although wée make a ieſt at the kingdome of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte, yet doth God and the Angelles eſtéeme of it according to the worthineſſe thereof. Yea and we are to call to minde, that the ſonne of God was after that ſort entreated, in his owne perſon, to the end hée might take vponupon him all the rebuke & ſhame, which wée iuſtly had deſerued. For, how can wée come before the Maieſtie of God, ſo long as we are defiled with ſinne and iniquitie? But becauſe our Lorde Ieſus was contented to hauehave his face ſpet on, to bée buffetted, and abide all reproche, ſée howe wée at this day are acknowledged and allowed to …e the children of God▪ and herein ſtandeth all our truſt and confidence. We hauehave moreouer continually to conſider, that GOD will cauſe vsus a little better to féele our ſinnes and iniquities, to the end wée might abhorre and dete… them, when as wée ſée, that the Sonne of God muſt repayre and amende them, and ſuffered ſo muche, to purchaſe vsus grace and pardon, and the heauenly father alſo, not to ſpare him, for the doyng of it. Thus, when we ſée that our ſinnes were ſuch as wrought ſo great a confuſion and ſhame to the Sonne of God, we ought to be humbled, and be altogether aſhamed of our ſelues, yet notwithſtanding, we muſt take a good heart vntounto vsus, and be ſo fully aſſured as not once to doubt when we ſhal come before the Maieſtie of God, that our Lord Ieſus Chriſt hath purchaſed our pardon, ſeing he was cōtented, for our cauſe, to be ſo lightly regarded. For by this mean, he hath gottē vsus glory & worſhip euē before God & his Angels. Now it is here ſaid that our Lorde Ieſ…, was … to the place called Golgotha, to wit, a place of dead mens …kulles▪ The Hebrue woorde, from whence this is deriued, ſignifie th… to rowle or bowle: Howebeit they then vſed it ſo, becauſe that whe… any carcaſe is through rotted and turned to duſt, the head is then very drie, and like a round bowle: Wherefore they called the name of this place Golgotha, becauſe that many malefactors … there puniſhed, & there their heades remayned. And here we are to remember the ſaying of the Apoſtle in his Epiſtle to the Hebrues,Heb. 13.11. That our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt was led out of the Towne as the burnt offrings were woont to be, whoſe blood was carries into the Sanctuarie for the wyping away of the ſinnes of the people▪ Now, it was ſaide, that that ſacrifice was as a man w…d ſay, accurſed: and therfore it was méete it ſhould be carried a great way of.
Thus we ſée, that the ſonne of God would take vponupon him this ſtate and condition, that we might in very … to that God hath now fréed and pardoned vsus; For we are woorthie that GOD ſhould geue vsus ouer, and powre vpō vsus his h…rrible …, ſo lōg as he ſéeth what we are. Wherfore, there is now other way for vsus to obtaine pardō, but to come vntounto our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, & receiue al our ſuccor from him, becauſe he diſcharged vsus of a greate burden, whenas hee woulde as it were, be…e accuſed and abhorred for our ſakes that we might finde fauour before God, and ſo obey his holy will. For, although Pylate his Iudge, had oftentimes iuſtified him, yet for al that muſt he take vponupon him in his owne perſon, al whatſoeuer was requiſite for our redemption, for hée was our pledge and ſurety, and therefore muſt wholly anſwers for vsus. So then, whē we hauehave vnderſtood that our Lord Ieſus was thus caſt of, as one not worthy to be accōpted amongſt ye felowſhip of men, yea, euen ſo ſtinking, as that he could not be abidden: whē we ſée al this, I ſay, let vsus learne to follow him, & forſake ye world, as here in this place we are exhorted. And if it ſo fall out, that wée muſt néeds be made ieſting ſtockes, and bée cut of as rotten members, and bée abhorred and deteſted. Let vsus paciently abide al this geare, and not ſée it, vntill ſuch time as that day commeth wherin our ſorowes ſhalbée turned into ioy, & God ſhal wype away the teares from our eyes, and that the thing which is nowe thought to bée, as ſhameful, ſhall then bée wholly turned to honour and glory. For without al doubt, looke whatſoeuer wée ſuffer for the name of Ieſus Chriſt, is more honorable before God, then all the pompes and glittering ſhewes of this worlde. And this is it which wée are to conſider of in this place. Nowe the Euangeliſt goeth on and ſaieth, that they which paſſed by, mocked our Lord Ieſus, but eſpecially the Prieſtes, the Scribes, and ſuch like. And what was the matter I beſéeche you? Forſooth thus they ſaide: If hee bee the Sonne of GOD, let him come downe and ſaue himſelfe for hée hath ſaued others, and if hée bée the king of Iſrael, let him nowe ſhewe himſelfe ſo. Héere wée ſée howe terrible blinde theſe wretched people were, whom Satan had ſo poſſeſſed as that they had neither féeling nor yet diſcretion. Wée ſée alſo the Prieſtes, who ſhoulde hauehave béene the Angels or meſſengers of GOD: for hée had appoynted them for that purpoſe,Malach. to the ende his worde and will, might be knowen from their mouthes. VVee ſée likewiſe the Scribes, who were acquainted with the lawe, and yet by thinking to make our Lorde Ieſus no bodie, declared that they troade vnderunder foote the Holie Scripture, al the Religion whereof they ſo much bragged. For when the Meſſias was ſpoken of vntounto them before,Mat. 2.5. they coulde ſay that hee muſte bee borne in Bethlehem, and they were aduertiſed and informed alſo that the redéemer whiche was promiſed them, muſte ſuffer ſuch a death. And this was no darke thing: The place of Iſaiah alſo was manifeſt, if ſo be there had béene a recitall made of that which our Lorde Ieſus indured. They might therefore, knowe that it was impoſſible to hauehave thoſe thinges better ſet downe in order, then the Prophet had doone, although hee ſpake of it many yéeres before. And beſides, there are many ſayinges both in Zachery, & in Daniell, that God would gather his people together, and thereby reſtore his Churche againe: which is, that the redéemer ſhould ſuffer all the ſhame and curſe of the worlde. Why then are they ſo bent againſt the ſonne of God, when hee diſcharged his office, as hath ſufficiently béen declared by the Prophetes? Surely, wee may ſee that Satan carried them away, whenas they had forgotten all that they knewe before. And therefore, let vsus be wel aduiſed, ſo to walke in the feare of God, as that when we hauehave had a taſte of his worde, we reuerently receiue him, & obey our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte who is there, offered vntounto vsus. For in him it is, that wée muſt finde all perfect bleſſedneſſe: if ſo bee we come humbly vntounto him. For if we thinke to reſt with God, it is reaſon our foole hardineſſe ſhould be paid the ſame wages, that theſe wretched men of whom héere we reade, were, who were ſo violently carried with fury and rage.
Now, we are to make our profite by theſe blaſphemies, in turning them cleane contrary. For we ſee, that becauſe our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte woulde be our king and head, it coſt him therefore his life, And the enimies of the truth ſaid. …f he be the king of Iſrael, let him ſaue himſelfe: But this muſt he abide in his owne perſon, for the purchaſing of our ſaluation. Whie then would not our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte ſpare himſelfe? Wherefore ſuffered he ſo bitter and ſlaunderous a death, but becauſe it could not be, that we ſhould bée deliuered but only by ſuch a raunſome. And therefore we ought to bend our ſelues againſt all the ſupporters of Satan, & againſt all ſuch villanies as vomite out ſuch blaſphemies as the Euangeliſt ſpeaketh of: and be moſt aſſured, that we hauehave in déed a king, who hath more eſtéemed of our ſaluation, then of his owne life, and abidden whatſoeuer was méet for our redēption, hauing none other reſpect, but to redéeme that which was loſt. For our caſe were deſperate, if the ſonne of God had left vsus in our eſtate & conditiō. But when he ſo hūbled himſelfe vntounto death, by which we are deliuered and abode al this ſo paciently, this is the cauſe why God now ſtretcheth foorth his hande & power, to ſuccour vsus in our neceſſitie. And therfore it was méete ye God ſhould forſake our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, that wée might at this day vnderſtand, that hée is watchfull ouer our ſaluation, and will be redy to helpe our wantes, when we call on him for it. Let vsus alſo learne to arme our ſelues againſt ſuch temptations, whenas the Diuell ſhall goe about to aſſaile vsus, and woulde make vsus beléeue that God hath forſaken vsus, and turned his backe vponupon vsus, thereby to make vsus thinke it, a vaine thing, to put our truſt in him. Wherefore, let vsus euen then vnderſtand, that Ieſus Chriſte is the true defendor of all the faithfull, and hath ſhewed vsus the way what to do: and therfore it is good reaſon that we ſhould follow him in the ſame trace. For, he hath abidden, to hauehave ſuch blaſpemies to bée powred out againſt him, and yet hath ſo conſtantly withſtood, as that he hath obteined heereby victory for vsus. And therefore let vsus valiantly reſiſt whenas the Diuel ſhall come to attempt vsus, to turne our faith vpſide downe, and ſhut the gate againſt vsus, that wée ſhould not hauehave acceſſe to God, as though hée had cléerely forgotten vsus. But let vsus follow our Lord Ieſus Chriſt & waite the good time when god ſtretcheth foorth his arme, to ſhew that he hath cōpaſſion vponupon vsus, and is our father, although hée ſuffereth vsus for a while to be ſo beaten downe. And thus we ſée what ye ieſtes & ſcofs are which were blyrted out againſt our Lord Ieſus Yet had they moe of them, for thus they ſaid, He truſted in God, let him deliuer him now, if he louelove him. This ſaying, was alreadie prefigured in the perſon of Dauid:Pſal. 22.9. For theſe very wordes are recited, when as he complained that his enimies had taken occaſion to ſpeake euill againſt him, and treade him vnderunder foote, reproching him for the truſt and confidence that he had in God. Now, it is certaine, that this is the deadlieſt woūd that Satan can giuegive vsus: For as the life of man conſiſteth in the ſoule, euen ſo the life of the ſoule conſiſteth in faith, & in the refuge which we hauehave vntounto God, being ſtayed vponupon his promiſes. If we be ſpoyled héereof, wée are cleane vndone, & vtterly ſpoiled. And thus we ſée why Satan went about to turne the faith which Ieſus had in God his father vpſide down It is true that Ieſus Chriſte fought with another manner of power thē we are able: for no incredulitie could touch him: But howeuer it was, yet he felt how gréeuous thoſe temptations were. For as the Diuell had before deuiſed ſuch thinges, hée now redoubled them in his ſupporters. For hée had ſaid vntounto him, If thou bee the ſonne of God make theſe ſtones to become bread, that thou maieſt eate: becauſe thou art hunger ſtaruen.Ma.. 4.13. And ſéeſt thou not that thou muſt be tryed whether thou haſt any power or no.
Now in this, Ieſus Chriſte felt no more, then when they héere reproched him for putting his truſt in God. And although we hauehave not the like power ſo to reſiſt, without falling: yet ought we to be ſtrengthened by him, becauſe wée knowe that hée vanquiſhed and ouercame all theſe temptations for vsus, and for our commoditie. And this is alſo another thing which they ſaid, That hee had ſaued others, and could not ſaue himſelfe. Héere wée ſée again, that they were giuen ouer into a reprobate ſenſe. For, in that hée ſaued others, was not this a ſure and an infallible token of his heauenly power? Ieſus Chriſte rayſed the dead, which they knewe well enough, hée gaue the blinde their ſight, hée healed the ſicke of the palſie, reſtored the lame, and caſt out the Diuels themſelues. And thus wée ſée that Ieſus Chriſte powred foorth the great treaſures of his goodneſſe, and power in all his myracles: and yet they reproched him with them for all that. Wée therefore héere ſée that theſe miſerable bewitched people, without conſtraint of any man, are their owne Iudges, to take away all excuſe from themſelues: ſo that when they ſhall appeare before the iudgement ſeat of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte, they ſhal neuer bée able to alleadge any thing to ſaue themſelues: for beholde their owne mouthes condemne them. For if our Lorde Ieſus ſaued other, without doubt hée was able to ſaue hymſelfe, but that he preferred others before him ſelfe. What other thing can héere bée ſeene, ſaue onelyonly a wonderfull goodnes, in that he would bée throwne downe as men thought to drawe vsus out of the bottomeles depthes: that he woulde ſuffer all that wée deſerued, to the end he might acquite vsus thereof: to be ſhort, hée forſooke all temporall welfare: that is to ſay, hée cared not for his life, hée ſpared not his owne perſon, that wee might bee aſſured of our euerlaſting ſaluation, and hauehave ſuch a pawne and payment for it. So much the more therefore ought our faith to bée ſtrengthened: and when wée ſée, that al whatſoeuer the diuel hath deuiſed to trouble and hinder vsus from going to our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, ought to ſerue for our furtherance, that we might be thereof aſſured and profite our ſelues thereby. Now, this is certaine, that the Diuell bendeth all his force to hinder vsus in this behalfe. For hée knowing wherein our ſaluation lyeth, hath ſet himſelfe altogether againſt it, that hée might ſpoyle vsus thereof. For hée knoweth, that if hée can bring vsus to bée offended at the perſon of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte, that wée are all vndoone by it: and wée hauehave too too much experience thereof.
Moreouer, all the offences which the Diuell rayſeth againſt vsus, and ſetteth before our eyes, to withdrawe vsus from the ſonne of God, ſhould be things to confirme vsus. For (as alredy hath béene declared) when it is ſaide that Ieſus Chriſte ſaued others, and not himſelfe: it is a ſpeache which in our iudgement ſhoulde cauſe vsus to conceiue a diſdaine againſt the perſon of the ſonne of God euen to refuſe him, and not to truſte in him. But let vsus cleane contrary vnderſtand, that when the ſonne of God had no regard to himſelfe nor cared for his owne life, it was, becauſe hée eſtéemed the ſaluation of ſoules to bée ſo deare and precious, as that he would beſtow all hée had thereon. And therefore, ſince it is ſo, wée ſhoulde bée ſo fully minded, as to call on him, and be throughly certified, that he ſuffered not on vaine for vsus.
Now, for that they ſaid, Behold him which deſtroyeth the temple, and buildeth it again it three dayes, this was too too villanous a malice to faine that Ieſus Chriſte ſaide, that he woulde deſtroy the Temple.Iohn. 2.19. But he ſaid, deſtroy yée this Temple, and in the ende of thrée dayes I will builde it againe. Now, hée had none other meaning, but that his enimies ſhould be the deſtructiō of the temple which he ſpake of. And when they had crucified him, might they not thē hauehave vnderſtood yt the thing was alreadie begun to be accompliſhed? For they were not ignorant that Ieſus Chriſte ſhewed himſelfe to be the true Temple of God, as touching his humane body:…. Tim. 3.16. for ſéeing his Godhead was manifeſted in the fleſhe, and his diuine being, was vnited vntounto our nature, ſince I ſay, all the fulneſſe of the Godhead dwelleth in him, it is out of all doubt, that his Body was more worthie to bée called a Temple, then the Temple of Ieruſalem, yea, more worthie then all the heauens. Now, they deſtroyed it, as much as lay in them, and hee built it againe in the ende of thrée dayes. Neither had they forgotten it: for they knewe,Mat. 27.63. that they had ſoone after tolde as muche to Pylate. But héerein we ſée, that when the Deuill hath taken poſſeſſion of vsus, hee maketh vsus ſo blockiſh, as that there is no wit in vsus to diſcerne betwéene good and euil: and wée grow ſo ful of madneſſe, as that wée will clearely caſt God out at the Cartes arſe, as wée ſay, euen as though fully, and of ſet purpoſe we meant to diſtruſt him. Now, when we ſée this, let vsus be admoniſhed to walke ſo much the rather in the feare of God, when we knowe howe hée hath wrought by his wonderfull power, to declare that Ieſus Chriſt ſpake not theſe wordes out of his owne mouth in vayne, Deſtroy this Temple, and in thrée dayes I will build it agayne. For, to the outwarde ſhewe, and according to our reaſon, we ſée nothing els in his death, but ſhame and confuſion: howbeit Ieſus Chriſt amended all in his reſurrection. And therefore, ſince it is ſo, our faith ought to be ſo much the rather confirmed, and wée to ſet our ſelues againſt Satan, and againſt all that hée is able to imagine and deuiſe for the ſhaking of our faith, and making of vsus to doubt. As concerning that which is ſaide, That they gaue our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt vineger, mingeled with Gall and Myrrhe, to drinke, It is to be preſumed that they did it, according to the cuſtome that was in thoſe dayes, to ſhorten the life of malefactors. Howbéeit our Lorde Ieſus, when hée had taſted of it, woulde not drinke it, becauſe hée knew that his houre was not yet come. They had then a cuſtome, that before the malefactors were vponupon the top of the Gallowes, to giuegive them this drinke, that it might trouble the blood, and ſo they ſhould yéeld vp the ghoſt the ſooner. For this kinde of death was verie cruell, and therefore they had néed of theſe helpes. And in déede, wée ſhall hereafter ſée, that the théeues had their bones cruſhed and broken, to the end they might féele no more payne. But howeuer it was, our Lord Ieſus would not drinke this drinke, becauſe hée would ſhew that hée was readie, obediently to receiue the ſtate and condition, which God his Father had committed vntounto him. In déede, this was a verie ſharpe kinde of death: For (as we hauehave before heard) ouer and beſide the terribleneſſe of it, there were in it ſpirituall torments, whereof by Gods leaue we will ſpeake to morrow. All which, were to cauſe our Lord Ieſus to haſten his death as much as was poſſible: but his will was, to ſubmit him ſelfe, moſt obediently to abide what puniſhment ſoeuer, vntill hée were deliuered without the helpe of man. And this is it which here we hauehave to conſider of. But as for the parting of his garments, and the caſting of lots on them, theſe thinges were done,Pſal. 22.19. that the ſcipture might be fulfilled. For Dauid being a figure of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt maketh the like complaintes. True it is that this was ſpoken but by way of a ſimilitude, when it is ſaide, that vineger and gall were mixt together in his drink,Pſal. 69.22. and that there was a deuiſe made to ſpoile him, and that hée ſhould be more and more greeued in his afflictions: euen as cruell and ſauage people will adde more affliction vntounto miſerable ſoules, whē they hauehave done the worſt they can. And this ſimilitude Dauid vſed, when it is ſaid that hée was made a pray, euen for the ſpoile. For he ſpake it in reſpect of his wife, his houſe, and of all his goods and ſtate of life. Howbeit, it muſt néedes be, that this muſt be openly ſéene in the perſon of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. And therefore, vineger & gall was giuen him, that it might be knowne that Dauid was but a figure of him in déed, & that hée was the true Redéemer, promiſed from the beginning. For, why was the kingdom aduaunced in the houſe of Dauid, except it had béen promiſed that it ſhould longer continue, then the Sunne and Moone? And therefore it was the euerlaſting kingdome, which was eſtabliſhed in ye perſon of the Redéemer. For it was méete, that theſe thinges which were ſhadowed and figured in the perſon of Dauid, ſhould be made perfect in Ieſus Chriſt, as here we ſée. Moreouer, as for that which the Euāgeliſt ſpeaketh of, for the théeues that were with our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, who mocked him, that is ſet downe as a thing by it ſelfe:Luke. 23.39. as appeareth by S. Luke, who hath declared theſe thinges more at large. Howbeit, this is a common maner of ſpéech: as if a man ſhould ſay, This is ſpoken as if it were to yong children, for if there were but one, yet it would bee taken in the plurall number. It was méete alſo that there ſhould be ſome women amongſt. And yet there was but one. And therfore, after this maner it is ſaid, yt al men ſet thēſelues againſt him, & mocked & blaſphemed him, euen the théeues themſelues. For when a man is hanged betwéene two théeues, it is to the end, the more to aggrauate this ſhameful death. In déed, this was ye place, where they were wonted to execute malefactors. And yet they were not contented that they had put him to this foyle: But it muſt néedes be, that he muſt be eſtéemed to be worſe then the arrandeſt and ſtrongeſt théeues of the world, when as they were both hanged, one each ſide one, to the end it might bée ſaid, that hée was the maiſter théefe amongſt them all. And heerein (as S. Marke ſaith) the ſaying of the Prophet was verified,Mar. 15.28. that he was accounted amongſt the wicked. Now, and if he had not béen thus accounted of, in what caſe ſhould we at this day ſtand before the Lord? For we could not obteine grace without iuſtice. It is méet that God ſhould hate & reiect vsus, vntill ſuch time as we were made righteous, and cleanſed of all our ſinnes and offences in his ſight. And that it might be ſo, could God deny himſelfe? Could he be robbed of his holineſſe, righteouſneſſe, & puritie? And therfore whē ſoeuer we ſhal come before him all filthy and beſmeared, hée muſt néedes abhorre vsus. How ſhould we then be iuſtified before God, except our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt had béen accounted amongſt malefactors. Wherefore we are exempt out of this ranke, & God receiueth vsus, and taketh vsus as me according vntounto his hearts deſire, as if we were altogether cleane & innocent, becauſe our Lord Ieſus Chriſt ſuffred ſuch ſhame and ſlander before men. And this is it which in ſumme we are to conſider of touching théeues. But to make a full concluſion, we muſt ſet down the words of S. Luke, which is, that one of the théeues, rebuked his companiō, when as he ſée him ſo obſtinate. What ſaith he, it wil be hie time for thée now, or els neuer, to ſtoupe & humble thy ſelf. For behold, the cōdemnation & puniſhment which thou ſuffreſt for thy miſdéeds & faults: thou art a man plunged ouer head and eares in all curſes: & although thou haſt bin ſo beaſtly, as to delight thy ſelfe all thy life long in thy wickednes, yet ſhouldeſt thou now begin to ſigh and grone. For, the moſt diſſolute man that is, although he wantonly paſſe his time all his life long and neuer thinketh to come to a reckoning, & ſcorneth iuſtice, and ſetteth himſelf againſt it, becauſe he thinketh he ſhal eſcape vnpuniſhed, yet whē he is laid hold on, words wil not ſerue his turn. Behold (ſaith he) in what great torments thou art: and thou ſeeſt that both God & men do bring thée to an account: & thy cōſcience alſo telleth thée, yt it is for thy ſins that thou ſuffreſt this: & wilt thou for all this, ſet thy ſelfe againſt God. Thus we ſée, yt this ſaying verie well declareth, that this théefe was taught by the ſpirit of God. And although we ſhal, out of all cry (as we ſay) ſée this verie often: yet may we iudge by this ſaying, what a good ſchoolemaſter ye ſpirit of God is, when as he ſo well inſtructeth thoſe who hauehave erred, and hauehave become like bruite beaſts: that they hauehave not onelyonly acknowledged their offences, and ſubmitted them ſelues for the obteining of grace: but alſo hauehave béen able eftſoones to talke lyke Doctours, and like men which had long time béene acquainted with the holy Scriptures. For, can we make a better and ſounder exhortation to a man that is growne ſo hard hearted, and which neuer ceaſeth to ſtorme againſt God, when as hée ſhould yéeld, and come to repentaunce, then ſuch a one, as this wretched théefe hath here made. But how euer it is, this kind of admonitiō did him no good, whom Satan in ſuch ſort had poſſeſſed, but to make him without excuſe. And although it did him no good to whom it was made, yet let it auayle vsus at this day. And albeit God ſpareth vsus, yet let vsus learne to feare him: But chiefly and aboue all, if hée ſcourgeth vsus, and will hauehave vsus féele that hée is angrie with vsus, Let vsus then bée the rather touched to groane, and conſtantly and patiently ſuffer our afflictions, as wée ſée the poore théefe to hauehave done: and not proudly and outragiouſly lift vp our ſelues as the other did.
Moreouer, we ſée theſe two, to be as it were the mirrours of all mankinde: becauſe we ſée in what miſeries we are wrapped. For this life is euen an hell of all miſeries, euen the verie fruite of our ſinnes, becauſe we were depriued of the bleſſing of God by the fall of Adam. And yet this is true, that God of his ineſtimable goodneſſe hath ſurpaſſed this curſe, when as hée continually hath ſhewed him ſelfe ſundrie wayes: a Father, making vsus to féele the gentleneſſe, and louelove which hee beareth vsus, and the care alſo which hée hath ouer vsus. Howbeit we hauehave many ſignes and tokens of our ſinnes, by which we may perceiue that God curſeth vsus both in heauen and in earth: becauſe that death is common to vsus all. For when we hauehave languiſhed in this world, and hauehave béene ſubiect to many diſeaſes, to heate and colde, and hauehave béen gréeued and tormented diuers manner of wayes: to be ſhort, that we hauehave ſuffered infinite miſeries, what will be the end of all? Surely euen this, That we muſt turne into rottenneſſe and duſt. Now, we ſée ſome, whom God ſo toucheth, as that the afflictions which they endure ſerue them for their benefite, and are good helpes vntounto them according to that ſaying of S. Paule.Rom. 8.28. And others we ſée to waxe worſe: and in ſteade of humblinge them ſelues, and to bee repentaunt, are ſo much the more infected and poyſoned: prouokinge eftſoones the wrath of God, and driuing him into an hoat burning flame, to conſume them therin: and all this we ſée. And therefore let vsus looke vponupon theſe two théeues, as the mirrors of all the worlde: for from hte hyeſt to the loweſt, wee are all gultye before the Lorde. Yea and yf we all ſuffered this together, what is hee that might bragge of his innocencye: or who is hee that coulde purchaſe his pardon? Wherefore ſéeinge wee are ouer head and eares in condemnation, wee iuſtly ſuffer for our ſinnes: and yet we wyll not all alyke graunt it: becauſe there are ſome (as we hauehave ſaid) which waxe rather worſe, and there rebellion agaynſt God is openlye ſéene: For they gnaſhe their téeth, ſpewe out their rage and crueltie, and will neuer agrée to this condemnation: or els they take the bit in their mouthes, and ſhewe them ſelues ſo ſtubborne, as that they wyll not ſtick to ſaye, that God ſhall winne nothing by it, nor yet hauehave the maſterie of them.
Now, let vsus conclude, that when miſerable ſinners acknowledge their ſinnes, and be humbled, and confeſſe the debt, giuinge glory to God, declaring alſo that he handleth thē iuſtlye and rightlye, and yt it is good reaſon they ſhould be ſo chaſtiſed: when I ſay, wretched ſinners be drawne to this reaſon, let vsus vnderſtand, that God hath put to his hande, and touched them with his holy ſpirit, that we may ſée his wonderful infynit goodnes, whēas he pulleth thoſe out of deſtruction, and hell, whoſe caſe before, was as it were deſperat.
In ſūme, we ſée in the perſon of this miſerable théefe, ſo excellent an example of faith as neuer was ſéene. And therfore we ſhould be ſo much the rather rauiſhed with ſuch a miracle as thē God wrought for in what ſtate ſtoode he? Beholde he was nie his death: hée ſuffered horrible tormentes: he looked to hauehave his bones to be cruſhed and broken, and to be diſmembered: whiche was ſo ſharppe and terrible a torment, as that it was euen enough to hauehave made him hauehave loſt both ſence and memorye: hee ſawe alſo our Lorde Ieſus who moſt flaunderouſlye was to be hanged there, as well as him ſelfe: and yet ſée what wordes he vſed? for he doth not onelyonly acknowledge his ſinnes for the humblinge him ſelfe before God, he doth not onelyonly vſe the office of a teacher to bring home his companyon, and to ſet him in the right way, but maketh ſuche a confeſſion as is more worth then all the reſt, if we conſider well the circumſtances. I beſeeche thee (ſaieth hée) remember mee whenas thou commeſt into thy kingdome. How was it poſſible that he could conceiue that Ieſus Chriſt had a kingdome? for hee was hanged on trée, and curſed of God and men. For, this ſayinge of the lawe, was ſpoken by the mouth of God: curſed is hee that hangeth on tree.Deut. 21.23. Galat. 3.13. Neither dyd this come to paſſe by chaunce (as we commonly ſay) that God put his onelyonly ſonne to it. And therefore, when he ſée Ieſus Chriſt to be there accurſed both before God, and men, yea as one throwne downe into a deſperat caſe, as farre as mans reaſon could reach vntounto, hee had not ſuch a ſtayed brayne to ſay that Ieſus Chriſt was a Kinge, without hee had ſpoken it in faith and in ſpirit. For, he ſaw ſuch thinges as might hauehave made him decline from ye ſon of God, & to hauehave made him thus conclude, yt it was but an abuſe & mockery to truſt in him: and yet he called him king, whē he ſée him ready to dye. I beſeeche thee (ſayeth hee) ſaue mee, and graunt mée lyfe: For it thou wilt remember mée, that, is all the bleſſedneſſe that I deſyre.
Now, when wee ſhall well conſider of theſe circumſtances, without all doubte, the faith of this théefe was ſo excellent and great, as that neuer any man that euer lyued, had the lyke. And therefore, let not vsus be a ſhamed to be his diſciples: for, to ſay the trueth, the death of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt wyll neuer ſtande vsus in any ſtead except we condemne our ſelues, that we might be ſaued through him: neither will God euer pardon vsus, without wee confeſſe our ſelues to be moſt wicked & filthy. Since then it is ſo that we are guiltie before God, and that our owne cōſciences doo iudge and condemne vsus, let vsus not be a ſhamed to folow this théefe his ſteps, ſéeing he may be a good Scholemaſter vntounto vsus. And becauſe our Lord Ieſus is aſcended now into heauen, and hath taken poſſeſſion of the glory which God his father hath giuen him,Phil. 2.10. to ye end eueryevery knée might bow vntounto him, let vsus not doubt to put our ſelues wholy into his cuſtody, & cōclude & ſay, loe wherin lieth our felicity to wit ye Ieſus Chriſt is mindful of vsus, & gouerneth vsus: & becauſe he was ordayned to be our ſhepheard, he wil be watchful ouer our ſaluation, yt we might be ſafe & ſure vnderunder his hand and protection.
Moreouer, let vsus learne, paciently to beare the miſeries of this preſent life, ſo that it maketh not vsus decline from comming vntounto our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. For we ſée here, that the théefe was heard: and yet was hee faine to abide and harde and terrible death. Let vsus therefore ſo eſtéeme of the ſpirituall grace which is giuen vsus by our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and which is dayly offred vntounto vsus by the preaching of the Goſpell, as that it may make vsus ouercome all the anguiſhes, griefes, domages, troubles and temptations, which any way may come vntounto vsus, ſo that all our afflictions might be mitigated: becauſe we know that they ſhal all turne to our benefit and welfare, through the grace of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. And this is it which we are here to obſerue. And beſides, let vsus here to ioyne the the anſwere of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, when he promiſed that hée ſhould be that day with him in Paradiſe. For, although our Lord Ieſus was not as yet riſen from death, nor had not accompliſhed all that was requiſit for our redemption, and ſaluation, yet had hée alreadie powred abroad the power & fruit of his death and paſſion. True it is, that the fulfilling of all, reſted in the reſurrection: But ſince it is conioyned with his death and paſſion, and that we know he ſuffred in the weakneſſe of his fleſh, euen ſo is he riſen again by the vertue of his ſpirit: and as he ſuffred for our ſinnes, that wée might be made frée before God: ſo likewiſe roſe he againe for our iuſtification: Nowe, when we knowe all this, I ſay, let vsus with ſo much the more bold courage, come frankly vntounto him: & not doubt, but that whē he pleaſeth to remember vsus, and hide vsus vnderunder ye ſhadow of his winges, that we may be able to ſtande againſt Satan, death, and al miſeries, & glory in our weakneſſe. And although we be in the ſight of the world, but miſerable wretched ca…tifes, yet let vsus not for all that ceaſe to reioyce in God, by reaſon of ye taſt which he giueth vsus by faith, of the heauenly glory & enheritance which hée hath ſo dearely purchaſed for vsus, from the which we cannot be put if we hope for it.
Let vsus now fall downe before the maieſtie of our good God, and acknowledge our offēces, beſéeching him to make vsus more & more, to féele the gréeuouſnes of them, & to be ſo touched with thē, as that our repentance might continually, be mightiller cōfirmed, that we might grone for them and ſo walk in the feare of our God, as that, he might be glorified by vsus: to the end we might ſhew wherfore hée hath redéemed vsus, and learne to conſecrate our ſelues in all puritie to him, and to this great Sauiour, who hath ſanctified him ſelfe, that we might alſo be pertakers of his holineſſe. And that it would pleaſe him to poure the graces of his holie ſpirite vponupon vsus, that by the ſame meanes wée might be cleanſed of all the infirmities and corruptions of our fleſh. That hée would not onelyonly graunt vsus, this grace, but vntounto all people, &c.