Sermons on Divinity Humanity and Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, Sermons on the Passion · Sermon 2
The ſecond Sermon of the Pasſion.
Matthew xxvj.
40 AFter that, he came vntounto his Diſciples, and found them a ſleepe, and ſaid to Peter, What? could ye not watch with me one houre?
41 Watch and pray, that yee enter not into temptation: the ſpirite in deede is ready, but the fleſhe is weake.
42 Againe, he went away the ſecond time, and prayed, ſaying, O my father, if this Cup cannot paſſe away from mee, but that I muſt drinke it, thy will bee doone.
43 And he came and founde them a ſleepe againe, for their eyes were heauie.
44 So hee left them and went againe, and praied the thirde time, ſaying the ſame wordes.
45 The came hee vntounto his Diſciples, and ſaide vntounto them, ſleepe hence foorth and take your reſt, beholde the houre is at hand, and the ſonne of man is giuen into the handes of ſinners.
46 Ariſe, let vsus goe: beholde, he is at hande that betrayeth mee.
47 And while hee yet ſpake, Loe Iudas, one of the twelue came, and with him a great multitude with Swordes and ſtaues, from the high Prieſtes and Elders of the people.
48 But hee that betrayed him, had giuen them a token, ſaying whom ſoeuer that I ſhall kiſſe, that is he, lay hold on him.
49 And foorthwith he came to Ieſus, and ſaid, God ſaue thee Maiſter, and kiſſed him.
50 Then Ieſus ſaide vntounto him, Friende, wherefore commeſt thou? then came they, and laide handes on Ieſus, and tooke him.
WE hauehave this morning ſéene, howe the Sonne of God was ſtrengthened by prayer for the abiding of ſo hard and dangerous a combate, as the appearing before the iudgement ſeat of god his father to receiue ſentence of comdemnation as our pledge or borrowe. For it behooued that mans weakenes ſhould be ſéene in him: and yet was this nothing at all derogatorie from his diuine Maieſtie, although hée was thus made of no reputation for our ſaluation. And wée hauehave héere beſides to note, that he prayed not onelyonly once wherein wée ſée, that hée hath by his example, exhorted vsus not to faint, although we are not hearde ſo ſoone as wée woulde. Wherefore they that are faint hearted, becauſe God, anſwereth them not at the firſt, ſhew that they knowe not what prayer is: For the right rule for vsus to come vntounto God, is to perſeuer and continue. And therefore the chiefeſt exerciſe of our faith is prayer, Yet, faith cannot be without hope. Then there is no queſtion of it that God ſhoulde féede our homours ſo ſoone as wée hauehave once opened our lippes, and framed our petitions? But it is méete that hée ſhoulde delay them, and make vsus oftentimes to languiſhe, that wée might know what it is to pray earneſtly, and without hypocriſie, and that wée might alſo declare that our faith is ſo eſtabliſhed vponupon the worde of God, as that it brideleth, to the ende wée might paciently abide, vntill ſuch time as the fit opportunitie be come, wherein we ſhould be holpen. Let vsus therefore marke that our Lord Ieſus Chriſt did not pray onelyonly once, to God his father, but went alſo againe the ſecond time.
Moreouer, wée are to call to minde the thing before touched, to wit, that our Lord Ieſus Chriſt hath not here framed a light praier, but yet was ſuch an one as if hée were determined to be quite ryd of him ſelfe: yea that hée, who is the power of God his father, and who vpholdeth the whole worlde, yet becauſe he muſt ſhewe him ſelfe a weake man, kéeping our place, and ſetled in our perſon, hath ſhewed, that when hée went againe to pray, that hée did it not to make a ſhewe therof (as many prophane people imagine, that when Ieſus Chriſt appeared, hée ſuffered nothing) but to the ende to teach vsus that wée are no way able to eſcape the hande and puniſhment of God, and his curſe, but by this meane. Nowe, it is hére declared vntounto vsus (as it was this morning) that our Lord Ieſus Chriſt was put to the extremitie, becauſe that the burthen which hée had taken vponupon him was not to be borne, without the inuincible power of the ſpirite of God, had holpen him. Neyther muſt wée thinke this to be any ſuperfluous kinde of ſpéech, when hée repeated theſe wordes.Mat. 6.7. For, that which is ſaid in the other text, That when wée pray vntounto God we muſt not vſe much babble, as they doe who vſe many repetitions, thinking thereby to obteyne verie much, is not meant but that we ſhould continue in prayer: but it is ſpoken to this ende, to finde fault with the hypocriſie and ſuperſtition of thoſe who thinke (as a man would ſay) to rend the eares of God therewith, to make him beléeue, and perſuade him to doe that for them which they deſire: which folly wée hauehave ſéene reigne in the world. And yet euen among vsus, how many are there, which vſe this kinde of ſorcerie, for although they ſay not their Aue Maria, yet when they hauehave ſaide their Pater Noſter, doe thinke that they hauehave obteined verie much, and thinke that God taketh a reckoning of all the words which they hauehave thus repeated in their prayer. Now, I call that, right ſorcerie: for they villainouſly prophane the prayer which our Lord Ieſus Chriſt deliuered vntounto vsus, wherein hée hath commaunded vsus in a ſhort ſummarie, whatſoeuer wée ought and is lawfull for vsus to craue at the handes of God. And yet this is no let, why a man who is ſore gréeued, but that he may oftentimes returne and pray vntounto God: and when hee hath powred out ſome ſighes, hée may alſo begin againe. And therefore when wee goe vntounto him without ambition, and for no glorious ſhewe: and beſides, think not by our ouer much babbling to hauehave gotten any thing, but are driuen by an earneſt affectiō, then is our perſeuerāce right, after ye example of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. Now this point is to bée marked of vsus which wée hauehave touched, to wit, that the chiefeſt point of all our petitions is this, to hauehave God ſo to rule ouer vsus, as that wée agrée with one accord, to ſubmit our ſelues vntounto his good will. And this, I ſay, is a neceſſary point, for vsus. For looke vponupon our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, although all his affections, were iuſt holy, and agréeing vntounto righteouſneſſe, yet becauſe hee was a naturall man, it was méete hee ſhould fight againſt anguiſhe, and ſorrowe, that might any way lay holde on him, and holde him captiue vnderunder the obedience of GOD his father. And therfore how ſhall wée do, in whom is nothing els but wickedneſſe, and rebellion, and ſo corrupt, as that wee are not able to apply our mindes to nothing whatſoeuer, but that God is eft ſoones offended therewith, Since then it is ſo, let vsus, when wée pray vntounto GOD, ſo bridle our ſelues, as that none of vsus followe our owne luſtes as wée are wonted: But let vsus vnderſtand that wée ſhal hauehave greatly profited, whenas wée can ſubdue them, to the ende that God might hauehave maiſtrie ouer vsus, There is alſo a very notable ſaying, Whēas our lord Ieſus Chriſt ſaith vntounto his Diſciples, Watch, and pray, that yee enter not into temptation: for although the ſpirite in deede bee ready, yet is the fleſhe weake. Hée then héere ſheweth that the principalleſt ſpurre to pricke vsus on to call vponupon God is this, That wee muſt fight, and that our enimies are at hand, and very ſtrong, & we not able poſſibly to reſiſt them, except our aide come from aboue, and that God fighteth for vsus. And this wée knowe, that when a man is aſſured of himſelfe, hée deſireth to followe altogether his pleaſures, and to ſléepe at his eaſe: for wee are not willingly carefull nor ſtudious, except neceſſitie driueth vsus thereto. Surely, it is an excellent thing to bée at reſt and quiet: But wee thinke wée ſhall neuer bée at reſt, without wee become as it were like bruite beaſtes. And therefore it is euen ſo, as that neceſſitie muſt driue vsus to bée watchfull. Wherefore it was not cauſeleſſe that our Lorde Ieſus tolde vsus that wée muſt abide many allarmes. For that which hee once ſpake vntounto his Diciples, apperteineth vntounto vsus all in generall: becauſe wée muſt all our life long, bee continually ready to abide many temptations. For the Diuell is our perpetuall enemie, if wée bée the members of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. And therefore there will bée open warre without ende or meaſure. Let vsus alſo ſée with what an enimie wée hauehave to deale withall: it is not with one alone, but the number of them is infinite.
Moreouer, the Diuell hath an excéeding number of waies to caſt vsus downe into the bottome of Hell: one while hée trippeth vsus openly, another while hée playeth vnderunder the boord, and by his craft wyll ſodenly bée vponupon vsus an hundred thouſande times before wee thinke on him. And if there were none other thing in it but euen the ſaying of Saint Paule,Ephe. 6.12. it were ſufficient enough to make vsus to bée carefull and to take héede, for thus hée ſaith, That our enimies are mightie which rule in the aire ouer our heads, and wee héere, lyke vntounto poore wormes of the earth, créeping below. Saint Peter alſo vſeth the like reaſon,1. Pet. 5.8. and ſaith, That our enimie is like vntounto a roring Lion which ſéeketh his play, and neuer reſteth. And héere wée ſée what wée are to obſerue, in that our Lord Ieſus ſaith, That wée muſt ſtande vponupon our garde leaſt wee enter into temptation.
Moreouer, although wée bée wakefull, and kéepe good watch, yet can wée not bée ſo frée, but yt the Diuel will lyft him ſelf vp againſt vsus, and aſſaile vsus many and ſundry wayes. Neither can wee breake his blowes ſo farre of: but that before wée enter into the fight, wée had néed beware that wée be not tempted ouer head and cares, as wée ſay, And therefore let vsus learne, that although the faithfull and children of God deſire to bée at reſt, yet muſt they not deſire to bée heere at theyr eaſe: but be contented to hauehave God to make perfect his power in their infirmitie: For Saint Paule alſo ſaieth that hée muſt doe the like.…. Cor. 12.9. And this is, ſay I, the ſtate and condition of all the children of GOD, euen to fight in this worlde, becauſe they cannot ſerue God without ſome ſtriuing. For although they bee weake, and may be letted, yea euen oftentimes throwne downe,1. Iohn. 5.4. let it ſuffice them that God helpeth them, and alwayes reſt vponupon this promiſſe, That our faith ſhall continually ouercome the worlde. Neuertheleſſe, the remedie is ſet before vsus, which is, wée muſt fight. True it is that Satan will neuer leaue to beginne againe to aſſayle vsus, but yet Ieſus Chriſte on the otherſide, commaundeth vsus to watch.
Moreouer, he ſheweth that they which preſume vponupon their owne ſtrengthes, that Satan will an hundred thouſand times ſooner ouerthrowe them, then that they ſhall get any one maiſtrie of him. What is it then that wée muſt doe? Forſooth, wée muſt humbly confeſſe that there is nothing in vsus, and therfore muſt runne vntounto our good God. And thus wée ſée what our true armour & weap on is: what it is that putteth from vsus all feare and terror, and what it is that muſt aſſure and reſolue vsus to continue ſafe and ſounde euen vntounto the ende: to wit, whenas we call vponupon the name of god: For as Solomon ſaith, his name is an inuincible ſtrong Tower,Pro. 18.10. and that the righteous which runneth to it, ſhall bée exalted. And that is it which is ſpoken by the Prophet Ioel,Ioel. 2.32. That although the world were turned vpſide down, yet whoſoeuer ſhal call vponupon the name of the lord ſhal be ſaued.Acts. 2.21. Which thing is namely applied vntounto the reigne of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte, to the ende wée might be perſwaded, that although our ſaluation were as it were wauering, and wée as it were ſee a thouſande hazardes, yet that God will protect vsus, and wée féele his power alwayes néere vsus, and ready to helpe vsus, if ſo bée wée wyll ſéeke vntounto him by prayers and ſupplications, which is the very ſumme and effect of that wee are to remember.
Nowe, that wée might bée the better confirmed in this doctrine, let vsus note, that when our Lorde Ieſus prayed, hée did not onelyonly pray for himſelfe, and for his owne behoofe, but hath ſo conſecrated all our petitions and prayers, as that they are ſanctified, and allowed of God according to his heartes deſire, as is ſaide in Iohn,Iohn. 17. Hée was ſanctified, that wée might bée ſanctified in him. And this may alſo bee a very good concluſion for vsus. That hee prayed, becauſe his prayer is auaileable, and ſtrong, euen at this day, by meane whereof wée are all hearde? And this reaſon wée are highly to eſtéeme of, when hée ſaith, that the ſpirite is ready, but the fleſhe, weake: which declareth vntounto vsus, that wée hauehave all néede, of that remedy which hée héere ordeined for his Diſciples. For many thinke, that if they bee neuer ſo little well diſpoſed, that they hauehave gotten all the worlde: and this ſuppoſall in very déede maketh them nothing worth. And héereby they become ſoone after ſo idle, and colde, as that they fall from GOD, and contemne his ayde: which is the cauſe alſo why God many times withdraweth him ſelf & hideth his power. For it is good reaſon that when men truſte too much vntounto them ſelues, they ſhould bée left to their owne willes, that GOD might ſcorne their arrogant and fooliſh imagination. Wherefore, to the end, both great and ſmall, might knowe and vnderſtande that they ought not lightly to paſſe ouer the helpe of God, and the graces which they hauehave receiued of him, hée muſt therefore alwayes continue and increaſe that in them, which hée hath giuen vntounto them, that they might be made ſtrōg. It is ſaid here that the ſpirit is readie, &c. That is to ſay, that although wée féele ſome willingneſſe in our ſelues, and that God hath ſet vsus in the right way, and giuen vsus his hande, ſo that wée may finde by very good proofe that hée guideth vsus by his holy ſpirite: Although I ſay, we hauehave all this, yet muſt we not bée ſlacke in praying. And why ſo? Becauſe if we well conſider the matter, wée are no better then a puft of winde. Now, no doubt of it wée ſhall finde many remnants of infirmities in vsus, & although god hath alredie ſo holpē vsus, as that we are highly to thanke him, and to magnifie his goodneſſe, yet is it good reaſon wée ſhoulde ſtoupe and caſt downe our heads, and ſée in very déed that if hée forſake vsus, wée ſhall ſoone, I ſay, not onelyonly be weakened, but bée vtterly ouerthrowne. To be ſhort, our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte his meaning héere, is to ſhewe, that the moſt perfect, and forewarde of thoſe, vponupon whom God hath enlarged the graces and vertues of his holy ſpirite, muſt notwithſtanding humble themſelues, and carefully and fearefully walke, and call vponupon God eueryevery houre, that they might knowe that it is not enough for him to hauehave begunne, except hée make it perfect: and that all goodneſſe commeth from him: ſo that when hée hath giuen a good minde, hee muſt eftſoones graunt the perfourmance thereof: Forſomuch as, perſeuerance is the moſt ſpeciall and rareſt gift that may be. And thus we ſée whereunto the exhortation of our Lorde Ieſus tendeth.
Now, if they who call themſelues ſpirituall, to wit, who hauehave a feruent zeale to ſerue GOD, and ſtill hauehave recourſe vntounto his Maieſtie with Prayers and ſupplications, are yet ſo weake, as that they may bee ouerthrowne, euen in the minute of an houre, except they continually call vponupon GOD: Howe ſhall they then doe, who are ſo earthly and heauie as is lamentable, inſomuch as they are not able to traile their legges after them and hauehave ſcarſely any good motion, or yet one good thought: howe greatly ought theſe men, I ſay, in reſpect of the reſt inforce themſelues? Let eueryevery man therefore examine himſelfe, and wée ſhall finde our ſelues to bée ſo cold and blockiſhe, as when any queſtion ſhall bée mooued of praying vntounto God, wee goe to it, ſometimes more for a faſhion, then for any affection and louelove we hauehave thereto, when we ſee this to be in vsus, let vsus learne to bée diſpleaſed with ſuch a vice, and with ſuch a coldneſſe: yea & let vsus deteſt ſuch a corruption, and doe our beſt to call vponupon God, and lift vp our mindes vntounto heauen, and ſéeke for the remedie which is héere ſet before vsus Thus wee ſee in effect what it is that we muſt remember. For where it is ſaide that the Diſciples were a ſléepe the thirde time, yea although they were ſo liuely ſtirred vp (ouer and beſides that which we hauehave this morning ſpoken of, to wit, that we right well ſee that our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte choſe vntounto him no companion for the helping of him to finiſhe the worke of our ſaluation) Let vsus alſo behold our dulneſſe: for it is moſt certaine, that wée hauehave no more ablenes then theſe thrée of whō mention is héere made: and yet were they the moſt notable men of all the company, and thoſe whom Ieſus Chriſte had marked as it were to bee the very floure of the twelue, for the publiſhig of the Goſpell throughout the worlde. And although héere was already neuer ſo good a beginning, yet for all that, wée ſée howe weake they were. And this is ſet downe to this ende, that we ſhould altogether hauehave recourſe vntounto the Sonne of God, and ſeeke for our want, in him: and not to bee faint hearted, whenas we ſhall féele ſuche weakneſſe in our ſelues. In very déede, the example of the Apoſtles muſt not giuegive vsus occaſion to flatter ourſelues (as, many there are which wil ſay that they may very well ſléepe, becauſe that Peter, Iohn and Iames ſtept) But let vsus be angrie with our ſelues for our ſinnes and know that our Lorde Ieſus is ready to receiue vsus, if that wée will come vntounto him.
Moreouer, this hath alwayes béene the moſt ſpeciall reaſon which wee hauehave declared this morning. That what ſoeuer is in men, muſt néedes bée weake, to the ende wee might knowe that in him is the accompliſhment of our ſaluation, whom God had appointed to bée our Mediator. And beſides, wée are to note, that the néerer wée come vntounto our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte, wée ought then to bée moſt watchfull. For, the worldlinges, and ſuch as God hath cut of as rotten members, and forſaketh thē, neuer hauehave any great conflict: Becauſe the Diuell hath alreadie dominion ouer them. And therefore wée ſee that they may ſléepe at pleaſure. But as our Lorde Ieſus ſheweth vsus this fauour, to call vsus vntounto himſelfe, and familiarly to come néere vsus, euen ſo likewiſe doeth Satan prepare combates for vsus, becauſe hée woulde retire vsus from the obedience of the ſonne of God. And therefore, I ſay, when hée ſéeth vsus in any good towardneſſe, then doeth hée moſt roughly aſſaile vsus. Wherefore let eueryevery man make readie himſelfe, knowing whereunto God hath called him, and what his charge is. This then is the ſumme of that we are to kéepe in minde.
Moreouer, where it is ſaid, Sleepe hence foorth and take your reſt, behold, the houre is at hande: this is as muche as if hée had ſaide that they ſhoulde bée ſoone ſodainely ſet vponupon, except God watched ouer them, And yet by the way, hée checked them, ſaying, What? Doe you ſée in what ſtate you ſtande? Beholde the Diuell bendeth all his power for the diſtruction of mankinde, and it muſt come paſſe that in mée the kingdome of God muſt bée recouered, or els all creatures muſt periſhe: and yet you ſtill ſléepe héere. Nowe this admonition ſerued for the preſent: But in the ende, the Diſciples knewe that they muſt yéelde all the prayſe of ſaluatiō vntounto God: yea conſidering their vnthankefulnes, which appeared in ſo beaſtly blockiſhnes. And ſo, wée are not admoniſhed (as I hauehave already ſaid) that the ſonne of God muſt ſhew him ſelfe to bée our redéemer, euen himſelfe alone, without any companion.
Moreouer, let vsus eft ſoones learne, that it is néedefull that God ſhoulde watche ouer vsus, ſo long as wée our ſelues doe ſléepe. For, how often ſhall it come to paſſe that the Diuell will oppreſſe vsus an hundred thouſande times: and what way hauehave wée to reſiſt him, except God hath compaſſion on vsus, although hee ſéeth vsus therein to bée as it were like bruite beaſtes? But yet muſt not this giuegive vsus occaſion to goe aſtray, and to leaue our prayers and ſupplications. But wée muſt rather continually call to minde this ſaying of the Pſalme, hée that watcheth ouer Iſrael neither ſléepeth nor ſlumbereth. And therefore, let vsus for our parts bée watchful, according to that exhortation which wée hauehave heard made vntounto vsus. And yet let vsus vnderſtande thus much, that how euer wée watch, yet muſt God kéepe a good watche, or els our enimies woulde ſoone hauehave great aduantage of vsus. It followeth that Ieſus Chriſte ſaide vntounto his Diſciples, Ariſe, let vsus goe, beholde, hee is at hand, which betrayeth vsus. Hée would not hauehave them to goe with him (as hath béene before ſaid) but becauſe hee would hauehave them ſée, howe that hee ſpared not himſelfe for them, nor yet for all mankinde, for hée offered himſelfe to receiue all the blowes, to frée them: that this ſaying might bée accompliſhed, That hee had loſt no whit of all that which his heauenly Father had giuen him, and committed vntounto his charge and protection. Howbeit, hée ſheweth héereby that hee went willingly to death according to that which wée hauehave this morning handeled, that the Sacrifice of obedience muſt anſwere the blotting out of all our rebellions. For if our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte had not willingly offered vp himſelf to appeaſe the wrath of God his Father, his death and paſſion had ſerued vsus to no purpoſe: But hée came to this point, and declared howe hee had taken vponupon him our nature, becauſe hée would accompliſhe our redemption, and when he was in the principall action, hée meant not to giuegive ouer his office. For it is ſaide in the Story, That Iudas had giuen them a token, that whomſoeuer hee kiſſed, the ſame was Ieſus, and ſhould lay handes on him, and when hee was come neere him, he kiſſed him, and ſaid vntounto him, All Haile, or God ſaue thee Maiſter. Nowe let vsus note, that this was the manner of ſaluting, As wée ſee, that in ſome Countries they imbrace one another, and other ſome ſhake handes. And the maner of the Iewes was altogether to kiſſe one another, as wée ſée by the holy Scripture. Moreouer, a man would thinke it very ſtrange, that Iudas being gone form the cō pany of Ieſus Chriſt but a while before, to wit, euen the ſelfeſame night before, returned and kiſſed him, as if hée had come from ſome farre iourney. But he vſed this maner of curteſie becauſe hée came lyke a man halfe afraide. And marke, why it is ſaid in the other Goſpel, That he ſaid, Maiſter, God ſaue thée, or all haile Maiſter, hée ſéemed at that time to be very angrie, that his Maiſter was thus dealt with: and when he ſaw ſuch a company come to take him, hée drew néere and kiſſed Ieſus Chriſte, as who ſhoulde ſay, O my good Maiſter, They ſéeke for thée, ſee howe thine enimies compaſſe thée, ſéeking to take away thy life, and to cut thée of, from amongſt men if they once lay hold on the. Nowe this ſeemed to bée a ſigne of great compaſſion in Iudas. But it is ſaid ſoone after that Ieſus Chriſte rebuked him, ſaying, Friende, Wherefore art thou come? Which is aſmuch as if he had ſaide, Thou wicked man which haſt ſitte at my Table with mée, and waſt as one of my owne body, when wee were vnited together as the children of God (for as I was your head, euen ſo did I acknowledge you to bée as my members) and nowe thou commeſt be betray mée, yea euen with a kiſſe. And héerevpon wee hauehave to note, that the Sonne of God muſt néedes bee marked, that the Scripture might bée the better thought of and beléeued, and wée might knowe, that GOD had choſen him to bée our redéemer. For all this was prefigured in the perſon of Dauid, who was as it were a Mirrour and image of the Sonne of God. And againe, hee ſaieth they were no ſtrangers that ſhewed themſelues his open enimies:Pſal. 41.9. But it was (ſaieth hee (euen my famyliar friende whome I truſted, who eate of my bread, that trayterouſly lifted vp the heele againſt mee, it is hee euen hee, that hath circumuented mee, and falſly betrayed mée. Yea, euen the very ſelfe ſame man (as it is ſaide in another place) which accompanied mee to goe into the houſe of the Lorde together.Pſal. 55.14. As if hee he ſhoulde hauehave ſaide, it was not onelyonly a familiar and gentle kinde of friendſhip, as ſhoulde bee betweene men that liue in common one with another: But alſo an holy brotherhoode conſecrated vntounto the name of the Lorde. And thus wee ſee what the meaning of the holy Ghoſte is to ſhewe vsus, that is, that nothing came to paſſe vntounto the Sonne of GOD, which was not both ſpoken of and figured before, to the end we might be ſo much the more confirmed, that is hee whom GOD had alwayes eſtabliſhed, ſince hee carried with him ſuch, and ſo infallible markes.
Moreouer wée ſée in the perſon of Iudas, that the Church of God ſhall continually be ſubiect to much treaſon. True it is, that it is verie much to hauehave Satan and all his furniture againſt vsus, and all that which wée hauehave before ſpoken of, and beſides, to hauehave them alſo our enemies who openly fight againſt God, and ſéeke altogether the ouerthrow of his Church. This, I tell you, is verie much that wée hauehave to deale againſt ſuche enemies: But yet it pleaſeth the Lord to proue our patience herein, that is, that there ſhould bee alwayes amiddeſt vsus home enemies, who ſhould be full of treaſon and diſloialtie. And although this be an horrible peſtilence, yet ſhal the Church neuer be without it, nor cleane rid thereof. In déed wée ought to looke well vntounto it, and kéepe vsus from it, and it is the dutie of euerie man as much as lyeth in him, to roote and blot out this filthy infection: and yet when we hauehave all done, God will hauehave a number of Iudaſſes continually to be in it. For ſince, it was figured in Dauid, and perfourmed in our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, it is méet that wée ſhould be made like vntounto him (according to that ſaying of Saint Paule) for he beare as it were the enſignes,Rom. 8.29. and badges of the houſe of God, being the firſt born of all the faithful. And therfore our eſtate ought to be like vntounto his. But we may here ſée, that this is ſpoken of a troubled cōſcience, when as God ſendeth a troubled, frantike, or blockiſhe minde, whereof he oftentimes ſpeaketh by his Prophetes. Wherefore, let vsus here looke vponupon Iudas, who ſheweth the rewarde of thoſe which wittingly fight againſt God, that they muſt néedes become ſo deſperate, as that there is in them neyther ſenſe nor reaſon: and yet notwithſtanding, altogether goe about hypocritically to hide it, vntill ſuch time as God ſpyte of their téethes draweth, and bringeth them vntounto their laſt condemnation. It ſhoulde ſéeme at the firſt ſight, that theſe two thinges ſhoulde bée contrarie the one to the other, that a man ſhoulde runne his head againſt God, lyke a wylde Bull, and ſo forget him as to doe nothing elſe but ſpit at the Sonne, and be angrie with nature, and yet notwithſtanding goeth about to hyde him ſelfe with ſubtlenes, and thinketh to hauehave gotten ſomething through his hypocriſie. It may be ſaide, that theſe two thinges agrée not verie well together: But we ſée them agrée well enough in Iudas For he had founde by good proofe the heauenly power of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt: & for his owne part, had both ſéene, and done a number of myracles in his name. And although he knewe, the Sonne of God, to be Lord both of life and death, yet betrayeth hée him, and biddeth them wiſely to kéepe him, for otherwiſe (ſaith hée) hée will ſoone be gone and eſcape from you. We ſée héere then that Iudas, was altogether without ſence and reaſon, and as it were like a frantike or madde man: and yet by his kiſſe, and faire wordes, in ſaying, Alas good Maiſter, hée thought by theſe ſhiftes honeſtly to diſcharge him ſelfe. But ſée howe Satan bleareth their eyes whom hée holdeth within his nettes.
Let vsus therefore learne in the firſt place to humble our ſelues, to the ende none of vsus ſpurne againſt this ſo hard a ſtone: to wit, that we make not warre againſt our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt. And therefore let vsus beware howe wée lift vp our ſelues in ſo deuiliſhe a rage, as to fight againſt the trueth, and ſo ſkirmiſhe agaynſt our conſciences, as wittingly to prouoke the wrath of God againſt vsus, as if wée woulde ſtande at defiaunce with him. Let vsus, I ſay, take héde of this thing: and in the meane while, let vsus not ſo flatter our ſelues in our hypocriſie, and fonde deuiſes, leaſt in the ende wée deceiue and beguile our ſelues. For wee ſée howe it fell out with Iudas (as the ſtorie telleth vsus) he néeded no iudge to condemne him, nor yet to bée enforced to vnſay that hée had ſaide: But hée confeſſed that hée had ſolde and betrayed innocent blood. And yet craued hée not pardon for his miſdéed: but went, and deſperately hung him ſelfe, and therewithall his bowelles burſt out.
Acts. 18.Let vsus therefore be well aduiſed how wée ſuffer Satan to hauehave any ſuch entraunce into vsus, leaſt hée cleane put out our eyes, when as wée ſhall lye ſléeping in our ſinnes: and thinke by ſuch meanes to eſcape the hande of God:Pſal. 2.12. and let vsus put farre from vsus this hypocriſie. And beſides, let vsus knowe, that wée are commaunded to kiſſe the Sonne of God: But to this ende, to reuerence him as our King, and as the ſouereigne Lorde ouer all creatures. For this ſaying, to kiſſe, importeth nothing elſe, but a reuerence, and ſolemne proteſtation that wée are his: as hée ſayeth: yée call mée Maiſter, and therein you doe well. But let vsus, when we come vntounto him, bée well aduiſed, not to call him Maiſter at the tongues ende, and in the meane while are no better then his enemies: and make an hypocriticall kinde of reuerence,Iohn. 13.13. and kicke againſt him with the héele: That is to ſay, Let vsus not become like Rebelles, and diſloyall Roges, but ſhewe our ſelues to hauehave ſought none other meanes then to kéepe vsus within his Church, to the ende wée might ſerue our God. Let vsus then take héede vntounto all this. Moreouer, although the wordes of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, did not at the firſt, ſhewe their effect in Iudas, yet in the ende, by the vertue of the ſame wordes, yet it fell out that hée hung him ſelfe,Ioh. 18.6. without looking for any other condemnation. And in verie déede S. Iohn telleth vsus how our Lord Ieſus Chriſt hath thundred, although hée vſeth but few wordes, againſt them who came to ſéeke him, ſaying, I am hee. Beholde, what a bande Pylate the Gouernour of the countrie ſent: and what a number of people the Prieſtes had gotten together, and ſent them out furniſhed with Clubs, ſwords, and ſtaues: and Ieſus Chriſt is him ſelfe alone:Iſaiah. 53.7. and (as Iſaiah ſayeth of him) lyke a Lambe brought to the ſhambles. And what were the wordes hee ſpake: forſooth euen this, I am hee. And by and by they all went backe, and fell foorthwith to the grounde. Wherevpon came this falling? Herein we ſée, that although our Lord Ieſus Chriſt humbled him ſelf for a time, yea and was made of no reputation, yet kept he with him, when he thought good, his heauenly power, that he might throw downe headlong all his enemies, whenſoeuer it pleaſed him. Let vsus nowe compare our time, with the time that was then. It fell out, that Ieſus Chriſt was tied and faſt nayled (as hereafter we ſhall ſee) and muſt ceaſe to bee Lord ouer his enemies: For Satan had let goe the raynes to puſh them on into all furie and crueltie.Luke. 22.53. And this is it wherof S. Luke ſpeaketh. This is the power of darkneſſe. But how euer it was, in thus ſaying, I am he, it ſo fell out that the enemies were confounded and aſhamed. What will he then doe, when he commeth in Maieſtie with all his Angels? When he ſhall make a footeſtoole of all thoſe that hauehave reſiſted him? When he commeth with a terrible countenance, & incomprehenſible wrath? According to the ſaying of Paul to the Theſſalonians.Theſſ. 2.…. How then ſhall the wicked and contemners of the Maieſtie of God, & of the word of our lord Ieſus Chriſt ſtand before his face, when as he ſo ouerthrew his enemies, euen then when hée was readie to ſuffer, and vſe none other defence then the ſame, which God his Father vſed: for as he ſaide, hée could hauehave called to hauehave had a million of Angelles to bée ſent him, but he would not, and yet his meaning was to ſhew, that hée could, if it pleaſed him, euen with the breath of his mouth ouerthrow whatſoeuer ſtood againſt him. By this we hauehave to learne, to feare the wordes of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt: and although he is not here conuerſant amongſt vsus, after a viſible ſort, neuertheles, ſince the Goſpel is preached by his authoritie, & that he ſaith, he that heareth you,Luk. 8.16. heareth mée: Let vsus learne moſt reuerently to receiue whatſoeuer is preached in his name, & ſubmit our ſelues thereto: and we ſhal finde yt this ſaying which thus made the ſouldiers, and thoſe that were ſent againſt him, too fall, muſt be our onelyonly foundation, & ſtay. For what is all our ioy & comfort without the ſonne of God, appeareth vntounto vsus, & that we ſée him nigh vsus, & ſheweth vsus what a one he is, & wherefore it was that God his Father ſent him vntounto vsus? And ſo, let vsus vnderſtand, by this ſaying, I am hee, That when it ſhal pleaſe our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt to manifeſt him ſelfe, as he doth to all his faithful, that he therin declareth vntounto vsus, why he calleth vsus vntounto him ſelfe, why he is come downe vntounto vsus, & why he dwelleth in vsus, by the power of his holie ſpirite, and thus we ſée wherein all our felicitie and quietneſſe reſteth. But if we will become rebellious, and contemne the worde of God, as a number of prophane men doe, wheron we ought to build our ſaluation let vsus be aſſured that it will be a lightening to throw vsus all downe headlong into the pit of hell. And ſo let vsus feare, and although our Lord Ieſus Chriſt openeth vntounto vsus the gate, and ſaieth after an other manner, beholde mée, which hée hath not done to thoſe who were his profeſſed enemies, let vsus come vntounto him. Moreouer, let vsus alſo learne, ſo patiently to beare the treaſons which wée ſée to bée at this day in the Church, as that we yet abhorre and deteſt them, and ſo ſhewe our ſelues truely and in déede to cleaue faſt vntounto the Sonne of God, becauſe he is our head: and ſince we hauehave his truth, let vsus liue ſo together one with an other, as that we may be vnited together in true & brotherly cōcord. And this is it that wée are to remember. But howe euer it be, let vsus learne this principall point for our inſtruction, which we muſt gather out of this Text, to wit, That the Sonne of God became fully and wholy obedient, that he might repaire our tranſgreſſions. It is verie true (as I hauehave alreadie ſaide) that all the members of God muſt be ruled after his example: and it is great reaſon, ſince hee who is Lorde and maiſter ouer all, ſo humbled him ſelf, that we ſhould be readie both in life and death to obey our God: But yet let vsus vnderſtand, yt this is an eſpeciall obedience which our Lord Ieſus Chriſt ſhewed in this behalfe, to wit, by reaſon of the fruit & effect which came thereby. The Apoſtle tooke the death of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt for an example, verie wel, for it ſtrengthened them when as they were to abide the combat for the teſtimony of the Goſpel: then ſlept they not: for we ſée their watchfulneſſe, and readineſſe in the following of their calling: neither feared they the torments of death, but offered them ſelues when God called them thereto for the glorifying of his name, and the confeſſing of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt: But they chiefly ſtood vponupon this, that all our ſpottes are waſhed and cleanſed by the ſheading of the blood of our Redéemer, that he fully ſatiſfied God his father for all our debtes for which we were bound, and hath obteined for vsus perfect righteouſneſſe. And therefore wée muſt vnderſtand the difference that is betwéene the head and the members: & learne, that by nature we are wholy giuen to doe euil, and although God hath partly regenerated vsus, yet doeth our fleſhe ſtil reſiſt againſt his maieſtie notwithſtanding through the power & vertue of ye obediēce which we ſée to be in our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, let vsus not leaue of to do thoſe things which may pleaſe our God according to his heartes deſire. And although we cannot doe the good we would, but do the euill we would not, and oftentimes ſlip, or els are too too ſlack, let vsus looke vntounto that which the Sonne of God hath ſuffered for the amending of all our offences. and behold that he hath ſo combatted, as that he was not againſt it, when as our ſinnes & offences were layd vntounto him, as this morning hath more at large béen ſpoken. Seeing then that our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, hath fully & wholy made ſatiſfactiō, & that although we at this day hauehave done our beſt to obey God, & cannot come to yt perfection we ought, but continually traile our legges after vsus, & hauehave many thinges in vsus which may be amēded, yet let vsus know yt we ſhal not but pleaſe God, & our imperfections be continually aboliſhed through the obedience of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, ſo yt they ſhal neuer come in account againſt vsus before his maieſtie. And beſides, let euerie one according to the meaſure of the faith, & grace which he hath receiued, ſtriue to fight, vntil the time we attaine vntounto the heauenly reſt. And although we ſée our weaknes to be ſo great, & conuinced that wée are not able once to thinke a good thought, and being caſt downe, not able to riſe againe, except God reach vsus his hand, and ſtrengthneth vsus euerie minute, Let vsus beſéeche him to augment in vsus the graces of his holie ſpirite, as he hath promiſed vsus, and hath ſet Ieſus Chriſt before vsus to be our head and Captaine, to the ende wée might get that victorie which hee hath obteined for vsus, the fruite whereof we alreadie féele, and then ſhall perfectly and throughly féele.
Let vsus nowe fall downe before the Maieſtie of our good God, in ſuch acknowledgement of our offences, as that it may rightly humble vsus before him, and bring vsus to true repentance: and more and more labour to make voide whatſoeuer is againſt his righteouſneſſe. And becauſe we cannot be without conflicts and enemies, that it would pleaſe him to powre vponupon his, the ſuccour which hée hath promiſed: and make vsus ſo to féele it, as that we may reſiſt vntounto the end, all temptations: and learne alſo to thanke him for all our victories, without attributing any of them vntounto our ſelues, to the end we prouoke not his wrath through arrogancy, but beſéeching him to continue his graces continually in vsus, and proſecute more and more the thing which he hath done and begunne in vsus. That hée will not onelyonly beſtowe this grace, &c.