Sermon on Suffering Persecution, Sermon
A Sermon of the famous and Godly learned man, master Iohn Caluine, chiefe Miniſter and Paſtour of Chriſts church at Geneua, conteining an exhortation to ſuffer perſecution for followinge Ieſus Chriſte and his Goſpell, vppon this Text following.
Heb. 13.13.
Go ye out of the Tents after Christe, bearing his rebuke.
Tranſlated out of French into english,
Imprinted at London by Robert VValdegraue for Edward VVhite. 1581.
A SERMON of the Famous and godly learned man, Maſter Iohn Caluine, Chiefe miniſter and Pastour of Christes Church at Geneua, conteining an exhortation to ſuffer perſecution.
Heb. 13.13.
Go ye out of the Tents after Christ, bearing his rebuke.
ALl exhortations that a man maye make to vsus, of ſuffering patiently for the name of Ieſus Chriſte,A conſtant man in religion is knowne by the certenty of the word whereupon he ſtandeth and for the quarrell of the Goſpell, they ſhall hauehave no place, if we bee not very well aſſured of the cauſe, for the which wee doe contend, for when the queſtion is of yeelding the life, it is requiſit, that we be reſolued and certaine, wherefore it is. And ſuch conſtancie cannot bee in vsus, vnleſſe it bee grounded on the certeinty of fayth. True it is, that a man ſhall finde out ſome that will ſubmit themſelues fooliſhly to death,Stubbornes in opinion beſides the word, is frenſie. For to mainteine certeine fond opinions, & fantaſies, which they ſhall conceiue in their head, but ſuch an earneſtneſſe deſerueth rather to bee counted for frenſie, then for a Chriſtian zeale, like as in deede, there is neither conſtancy neither approued iudgement in ſuch people, who gaue themſelf, ſo to ſtubbornneſſe, Sithen this is ſo, there is nothing but a good cauſe, which maketh that God accepteth vsus for his Martyrs: for death is common to all.A good cauſe maketh a martyr. And the children of God ſhall be condemned to ſuch ſhame and torments as though they were theeues. But God putteth a difference betweene them, in ſo much that he can not deny this verity.the children of God are put to villany in this worlde. Therfore it is requiſit yt on our part we hauehave ſure vndoubted teſtimony of the doctrine, which we doe ſuſtaine. For as much as I hauehave ſayd we can not bee moued, neither touched with a good intention, for any exhortations that any body make to vsus, to ſuffer perſecution for the Goſpel, if ther be not a true certeinty of faith grauen in our hearts,A man can not ſuffer perſecution for the goſpell vnleſſe fayth be grauen in his heart, for to hazard our life it is not naturall but temeritie. for to hazarde our life at all aduenture, that is not natural. And when we ſhal ſo do, that ſhall be but temerity, and no Chriſtian vertue at all, at length God will approue nothing at alll that wee ſhall do vnleſſe we be well peeſuaded, that it is for his ſake, and for his cauſe, that men doe moleſt vsus, and that the world is our enemy Now when I ſpeake of ſuch a certeinty, I do not meane only that we know to deſern betweene true religion, and the abuſes or follies of men.
But alſo that we be well perſuaded of the life celeſtiall, and of the crowne whiche is there promiſed vsus, after that we hauehave ſtriuen here beneath. In the meane while note that both theſe two points be requiſit,VVe muſt be perſuaded of the life celeſtiall and the glory to come. and that no man ought to ſeperate the one from the other, it is meete therefore for vsus to begin at this point, to knowe well what our Chriſtanitye is, what the fayth is which we muſt mayntein and follow, what is the rule that God hath giuen vsus,Too points neceſſary in religion to be knowen. and that we be defended with ſuch inſtruction, that we can boldly condemn all falſe lies, errors and ſuperſtitions, whiche the diuell hath brought in for to corrupt the pure ſimplicity of the doctrine of God: wherefore a man muſt not be amazed if he ſee not at this preſent day,VVhy men commonly refuſe the Croſſe of that. very many perſons yt be diſpoſed for the goſpell to ſuffer, & that the greateſt part of thoſe which name themſelues Chriſtians, knoweth not what it is. For al be in manner negligent, & make no account, neiher to heare, neither to reade, but it is ynough for them that they hauehave had a little taſte of the fayth of Chriſte, beholde then, wherefore there be ſo few of others, but if they be aſſaulted, they wil by and by run away. This ought to ſtirre vsus vp to enquire more diligently of the trueth of God, becauſe we might be certein therof. But yet this is not al,The want of zeale and louelove to the trueth, is the cauſe why men refuſe to ſuffer perſecutiō therfore. God ſpeaketh to vsus in the ſcriptures. that we ſhould be taught wel and hauehave intelligence, for we may ſee, ſuch as ſeeme to be perfect in good doctrine, the which notwithſtanding hauehave neither zeal, neither affection in them, no more then if they had neuer knowen any thing of God, but after ſome fantaſticall will. And wherfore is that, but in as muche they neuer before comprehended the maieſty of the holy ſcripture. And in deede, if we all to gether conſidered well, that it is God which ſpeaketh to vsus, it is moſt certeine that we ſhold be more attentiue to hearken to the ſame, and with a great reuerence, when we in reading the ſcripture doe think that we are at the ſchole of Angelles,The ſcripture is the ſchole of Angelles. we ſhal ſtraite hauehave another care, and deſire to exerciſe vsus in that doctrin which is ſet before vsus, now we ſeeing that it is the meane to prepare vsus to ſuffer for the goſpel, that is, that we hauehave ſo farre profited in the ſchole of God, that wee being aſſured of the true religion and doctrine which we ought to holde, we may auoyd all the craftes and ſubtelties of the Diuel, and all mans inuentions,Note howe a true martyr is known from the falſ as things not onelyonly of no effect, but alſo accurſſed, in as much as they corrupt Chriſtian puritie: and in this point we as true Martyrs of Ieſus Chriſt do differ from theſe bedlems that ſuffer for their fooliſh opinions. Secondarily, that wee being certeine of the good cauſe, be enkendled, as it is conueniente to followe God whereto ſoeuer he calleth vsus, that his word hath ſuch authority with vsus, as it is worthy, and that we being wtdrawn frō the worlde, be in maner rauiſhed to ſeek after the celeſtiall life. But this is a thing very ſtraunge, that the brightneſſe of God ſhineth at this day ſo playnly, as it did neuer more, and yet there be very fewe that hauehave a zeale thereto whiche is lamentable, and if we bee not aſhamed hereof, it is ſo much the worſe for vsus, for wee muſt come ſhortly before the great Iudge, where that euill which we go about to couer, ſhal be ſet before vsus with ſuch reproch, that there wil be found ſufficient cauſe to caſt vsus downe altogether to the pit of hell, For if we bee bounde to render teſtimony to God, alter the meſure of the knowledge which he hath giuen vsus, to what tendeth it I praye you, that we are ſo colde and fearefull,VVe are bound to confeſſe our fayth. for to enter to this combat, ſithen that God is in ſuch ſort reuealed to vsus at this time, that a man may ſay that he hath diſcloſed and opened the great treaſures, of his ſecretes, may it not be well ſayde that we will not hauehave any thing to doe with God, for if wee had any regard of his maieſtie, we woulde not bee ſo bolde as to turne the doctrine which proceedeth out of his mouth into a certeine Phyloſophy or ſpeculation, I can not tel what. To be ſhort, ther is no excuſe but this is to our greate ſhame, and rather to our horrible condemnation that we hauehave had ſo much knowledge of the truth of God & hauehave ſo litle corage to ſtand to the ſame. Ouer al, when wee conſider the martirs in times paſt,Courage to ſtand is requiſit with knowledge. The faith of Martyrs in pime paſt. we may wel abhorre the vilany which is in vsus, for ye moſt part of thē were not much exerciſed in the holy ſcripture, for to hauehave knowledge, to diſpute of all things, they know that there was one God alone, whome men ought to worſhippe and ſerue Alſo that they were redemed by the blood of Ieſus Chriſte to this ende, to put their truſt of ſaluation in him, and in his grace, & that all that which hath bine found out by mē, was not to be eſteemed, & were able therby to cōdemn al idollatry & ſuperſtitiō, & ye ſumme of their diuinitie was this, ther is one onelyonly God, who hath created all the world, & hath declared vsus his wil by Moſes by ye prophets, & laſt of all by Ieſus Chriſte & his Apoſtles, we hauehave one only redeemer who hath redeemed vsus by his bloode, and grace, wherby we truſt to be ſaued. Al ye Idolles of the world be accurſſed & execrable hauing nothing but this, they went frankly either to the fier or els to any other kind of deathe. And this was not done by two or three, but in ſo great multitudes, that the number of thoſe whiche bee dead by the handes of Tyrantes is in manner infinite, we are of our part ſo great Clearks, that none can be more,Now a days much knowledge and litle zeale. (at leaſt ſo we think,) & in deede as concerning the vnderſtanding of the ſcripture, God hath dealt ſo largely with vsus as euer he hath don with any age. Yet not with ſtanding there is ſcarce one drop of zeal. Now to make much of ſuch a feeblenes, it is to no purpoſe, vnles we wil willingly prouoke the vengeaunce of God,Note what is to be done to hauehave a courage to ſuffer. what ſhall we then doe, for to take a good courage. Firſt of al we hauehave to cōſider how this thing is pretious before God, the confeſſion of our faith, for we knowe it ſlenderlye, howe God alloweth the ſame ſince our life, which is verye nothing, is more eſteemed of vsus: In the which we declare a maruelous beſtialitie, for we can not ſpare our life in this cauſe, but wee muſt confeſſe that the ſame is more beloued of vsus then the honor of God, and the ſaluation of our ſoules. A certaine painime could well ſaie, that it was a miſerable thing for a man to put awaie the cauſes wherfore he doth liue to ſaue his life, neuertheles he and ſuch like neuer knew to what ende men were ſet in the worlde, and for what cauſe they liue. It is true that they had good knoweledge to ſay that a man ought to follow vertue, that a man ought to behaue him ſelfe honeſtlie,Our life is to glorifie God. The prolōging of our life beſides Gods wil is malediction and without reproche: but all their vertues were but colours & ſmokes, we know much better, to what our life ought to be imploied: that is to glorifie God, to the end hee might be our glory, without this the woe is ouer vsus, and we can not prolong our life, as much as one minute more of time on the earth, in the which wee doe bring ſo muche the more malediction vponupon our own heads. Notwithſtanding we are not aſhamed, to purchaſe here in this world a certaine few daies, for vsus to lament in, renouncing therby the euerlaſting kingdome, ſeperating our ſelues from him, by whoſe vertue we are maintained in life. If a man demand of the verieſt ignorant perſons, or els of the moſt bruteſt of the world, for what cauſe is it that they liue, they dare not ſimply ſaye that it was, to eate, drinke, and ſleepe,The ende of our life is to honor God, and to bee ruled by his word. for al men do knowe that they were created to a more noble and more excelent end, & what end can we finde els but to honor God, and to ſuffer our ſelues to be ruled by him, as children of a good father, to the intent that after we hauehave ended the viage of this corruptible life, we may be receiued into his eternall inheritaunce, beholde this is the principall cauſe of our life, and the ſelfe ſame altogether, when we make account thereof that we are incarnated to a beaſtly life, the which is worſſe then a thouſande deathes, what may we allege for our expences, for to liue, and not to knowe, wherfore it is againſt nature plainly. And to reiect the cauſes, for the which we liue, vnderunder the pretence of a fooliſhe appetite, for to hauehave a certaine reſpite of three daies, to the end to dwel in the world being ſeperate from god, I can not tell how a man ſhall call ſuche a frenſie and rage. But becauſe perſecutions doe not ceaſe, to be grieuous, and bitter vntounto vsus, marke how this commeth to paſſe, & by what meanes Chriſtians might ſtrengthen them ſelues to patience, euen to yeeld cōſtantly their life for Gods verity the text which we hauehave recited,Heb. 13. when it ſhal be vnderunder ſtood, is ſufficient inough for to induce vsus to the ſame, Let vsus go out of the country (ſaith the apoſtle) after the Lorde Ieſus, bearing his reproche, In the firſt parte, he exhorteth vsus, although the ſwords be not redie drawn vppon vsus, nether the fires kindled to burn vsus, that we can not truelie be ioyned to the ſonne of God, whileſt that we be engraffed in this worlde,A perſon of God muſt hauehave his affectiō drawn from the world. wherfore it is requiſite that a chriſtian perſon being him ſelfe at reſt, hath alwayes one foote lift vp to go to battayle, and not onelyonly that, but that hee hath his affection withdrawne from the worlde, albeit the body dwelleth here. Although this ſeemeth to vsus a rude thing, at the firſt looking, yet we ſhoulde bee well contented with this ſaying of S. Paul, 1. Theſ. 3.which is that we are called and appointed to ſuffer, as who woulde ſay, that the condition of our Chriſtianity, is in ſuch ſorte, that we muſt paſſe by this way, if we will follow Ieſus Chriſte, In the meane while for to comfort our infirmitie, and to make ſweete the tediouſneſſe and ſorowfulneſſe,Note our comfort in perſecution. whiche perſecutions might bring vsus, beholde a good recompence, which is, that we in ſuffering for the Goſpell doe follow as it were, ſtep after ſtep, the ſonne of God, and we hauehave him for oure guide, if it had beene ſayde ſimplye of vsus, that for to bee Chriſtians, wee muſt paſſe through the ſhames of the worlde, and muſt come courageouſly vntounto death, as many times, & as often as it ſhall pleaſe God, wee might hauehave (as it ſeemeth) ſome coulers to reply, that this is a thing very ſtraunge to make on ſtray away.VVe muſt be like to the image of Chriſte. But where it is commāded vsus to followe the Lord Ieſus, his conduct is too good and honorable for vsus to refuſe. Now to the end that we might be the better moued, it is not only ſayde, that Ieſus goeth before vsus as our captaine, but alſo that we be made like to his image, as S. Paule ſpeaketh thereof, the eight Chapter to the Romans, Rom. 8.That God hath ordeined all thoſe whom he hath choſen, for his children, for to be made conformable to him, who is the patron and head of vsus al, are we ſo delicate that we will not ſuffer nothing, it behoueth vsus to declare the grace of God, by ye which he hath called vsus vntounto the hope of ſaluation For theſe be two things that can not be ſeperated,Two things neceſſary in a Chriſtian, we may not regard the ſhame of the world in Chriſtes cauſe. for to be the mēber of Ieſus Chriſt and to be exerciſed with many afflictions. Certeinly we ought a great deale more eſteeme ſuch a conformitie with the ſonne of God, then we otherwiſe doe, It is true that after the iudgement of the world, it is ſhame to ſuffer for the Goſpell, but ſithen that wee knowe that the faythleſſe bee blynde, ſhoulde wee not hauehave better eyes then they,Acts. 5. It is ignominy to be afflicted by thē which occupy the ſeat of righteouſneſſe, but Saint Paul ſheweth vsus by his example that wee hauehave to glory in the woundes of Ieſus Chriſt, as in the marks. by the which God acknowledgeth, and alloweth vsus for his. And we know what S. Luke reherſeth of Peter and Iohn, that is, how they reioyced of that they were counted worthy to ſuffer infamy and reproch for the name of the Lorde Ieſus, beholde two contrary things, Ignominy, and dignity:It is a dignity for a Chriſtian man to ſuffer verily for as the world is fooliſh, it iudgeth againſt al reaſon & by this means conuerteth the glory of God, to diſhonour, Then of our part, let vsus not refuſe to be diſpiſed before the worlde, that we may be honored before God, and his angels, We ſee what paine ambitious men do take for to obtain the order of a King, and what triumphes, they make therein. The ſonne of God offereth vsus his order, and euerye body refuſeth it. I pray you in this doing are we worthie to hauehave any thing commen with him? our ſenſualitie can not bite here, but is of ſuche balure that the ſame, be the verye bages of our noblenes, impriſonment, baniſhment & curſſings, do not bring after mans fancies, but all reproche:Looke not in thy trouble what the world iudgeth, but what God iudgeth. but what letteth vsus to beholde that which God iudgeth thereof and pronounceth but onelyonly our infidelity, wherfore is it, that the name of the ſonne of god hath ſuch importance with vsus, as it is worthie to the ende, we ſhould learne to take to honor, that hee printeth in vsus his marks, otherwiſe our vnthankefulnes is not to be borne. If God ſhould puniſhe vsus after our demerits, hath he not daily iuſt occaſion to chaſtiſe vsus in a thouſand ſorts. Moreouer then this, a hundred thouſand deathes were not ſuffitient for a little portion of our miſdoings, yet by his infinite goodnes, he putteth vnderunder foote al our treſpaſſes, and doth them away, and in ſteede of puniſhing vsus according to that we hauehave deſerued, he findeth a wonderfull meanes for to make the afflictions to be turned to our honor, and into a ſpeciall priuelege,By affliction we are made companions with Chriſt. in ſo much that by the ſame we are aſſociate into the companye of his ſonne may it not well bee ſaied when we diſdain ſo bleſſed a condicion, that we hauehave very euill profited in the doctrine of Chriſt, Beholde why ſaint Peter, 2. Peter 4.after he had exhorted vsus ſo holily in the feare of God, that we ſhould not ſuffer as theeues, whoremongers, and murtherers, he addeth howe and in what manner: let vsus ſuffer as Chriſtians that wee might glorifie God for the good which he doth to vsus.To defende the veritie is an honor aboue the Aungels. It is not without cauſe that he ſpeaketh in this wiſe for what are we I pray you, to be witneſſes to the verity of God, & procurers to maynteine his cauſe, Behold here pore wormes of the earthe, creatures full of vanitye alltogether, and yet God willeth vsus, that we defend his verity, which is an honour yt perteineth not to the very aungelles of paradiſe? Ought not this conſideration alone ſo much to enflame vsus to offer our ſelues to God, for that which pleaſeth him to apply vsus to ſo honourable a thing: not withſtanding many can not refrain themſelues to encounter againſt God, or at the leaſt to make their complaintes of this, that God doeth not bear better with their weaknes.An aunſwer to the obiection of of weaklings 1. Peter. 1. This is meruelous ſay they, ſince that God hath choſen vsus for his children, how can he abide it that we bee thus defiled and tormented with the wicked, I aunſweare, although it doth not appear to vsus, wherefore he doth it, yet it ſhould hauehave this authority with vsus to make vsus walke after his pleaſure. But when we looke in our patern Ieſus Chriſte, ought not wee to iudge it a great felicity, for to be made like vntounto him without any further queſtion, Notwithſtanding God ſheweth vsus cauſes very euident, for the which he willeth vsus to be perſecuted.
1. Peter. 1.If ther were none other reaſon but that S. Peter maketh, we were very co… if wee woulde not bee content therewith, that is, ſince that gold and ſiluer, which be not but corruptible mettalles bee purged and examined by the fire,It is the will of God vve ſhould ſuffer perſecution. it is good reaſon that our fayth which ſurmounteth all the riches of the worlde be proued. God might hauehave crouned vsus as at the firſte brunte without making vsus to ſuſtain any conflict: but hee willeth that Ieſus Chriſte doth rayn in the middeſt of his enemies, ſo hee willeth that we being iugled in the middes of them, ſhould ſuffer their oppreſſions and violences, vntill that he deliuer vsus from the ſame. I knowe wel that the fleſh reigneth when we goe aboute to bring it to this poynte, but it is requiſit,It is naturall for vsus to flee the Croſſe but vve muſt ſubdue that affection. that the will of God hauehave the vpper hand. If we feele any contradiction in vsus, we muſt not be amaſed thereat, for this is a right naturall thing to flee the croſſe, neuertheleſſe, we may not goe anye further, knowing that God doth accept our obedience, ſo that we do ſubdue and mortifie our ſences and deſires for to make them ſubiect vntounto him: for the Apoſtles and prophets went not in ſuch wiſe to death, that they felt not in themſelues,Iohn. 21. a certeine will to go back, another man ſhal lead thee whether thou wouldest not (ſayde Lorde Ieſus Chriſt to Peter, The battell of a criſtian man.) Likewiſe when ſuch fear of death doth pricke vsus, it is a gaine for vsus to heauenward, or rather God winneth vsus thereby, or in the mean time let vsus be aſſured, that this is a Sacrifice prayſing him: that we doe reſiſt and make force agaynſt our affections, for to bee altogether at his commaundement, and this is the principal battell in the which God willeth that his people doe employ themſelues, which is, that they endeuour to beate downe all that lifteth it ſelfe vp in their ſences and ſpirits, for to turne them oute of the way, whiche he ſheweth them, and with all this, the conſolations be ſo great that it muſt needs be ſayd, that we are more then cowards when we do faint. In old time an infinite number of people, for the deſire of a ſimple crowne of leaues, they refuſed not any trauell, trouble or payne for the ſame, they counted it nothing to dye,The crowne of immortality is prepared for ſuch as do ſuffer. notwithſtanding there was none of them, but did fyght at al aduenturs not knowing whether he ſhould winne the price or not, God hath ſette before vsus the Crowne of immortality, by the which wee are made partakers of his glory, he intendeth not that we ſhoulde fight at all aduenture,2. Tim. 2. but promiſeth vsus all ye price that hauehave a deſire thereof, what occaſion hauehave wee to come to heauen, do we think that it is ſpokē in vain,Math. 5. that if we dye with Ieſus Chriſt, wee ſhall liue alſo with him. The triumph is prepared, and wee flee the Combat as much as lyeth in vsus. This is a doctrine repugnant to mans iudgement, I do confeſſe the ſame, and alſo when Ieſus pronounceth that thoſe which ſuffer for righteouſneſſe be bleſſed, hee proponeth not a ſentence whiche is eaſie to bee receiued of the worlde. Contrariwiſe hee willeth vsus to repute that for felicity which the world and our ſences iudgeth vnhappy.VVhom the vvorldlye counteth miſerable are moſt happie. It ſeemeth vsus that we are miſerable when God permitteth vsus to bee deſtroyed by the Tyranny and cruelty of our enemies, but the faulte is, yt we hauehave no regard at all to the promiſes of God, the which do certefie vsus that all ſhall be turned to our good, we are diſcouraged to ſee the wicked to bee ſtronger, and to hold their foote vponupon our throte. but ſuch a confuſion (as ſaith Saint Paule) ought rather to lift vsus vp on high,Note vvhy the euill do proſper and the good troubled. for in as much we are giuen of our ſelues too much to muſe vponupon the thinges preſent. God in permitting the good folke, to bee euill intreated, and the wicked to hauehave there will, he teacheth vsus by manifeſt tokens that one day will come, in the which all that is now confuſed ſhalbe reformed. If the time ſeeme long vntounto vsus, let vsus runne to the remedie, and not flatter our ſelues in our vice: for it is certeine, that we hauehave no fayth at all, vnleſſe we lift vp the eyes of our ſoules to the comming of our ſauiour Ieſus Chriſt,our eie muſt be fixed vponupon the comming of Chriſt. Nowe God to the end he mighte leaue no meane vnattempted, which might be fyt to driue vsus forward, he ſetteth before vsus the promiſes on the one ſide, and his threatnings on ye other.VVe muſt hauehave both the promiſes and threatnings of god before our eies in our troubles. Math. 10. Luke 12. Do we think yt the promiſes hauehave not power enogh in vsus? let vsus ioin the threatnings for to ſtrengthen them. It is very true, that wee muſt be ſo muche the more peruerſe and froward, not to adioyne more fayth then we doe to the promiſes of God, when the Lorde Ieſus ſayth, that he will auow and acknowledge vsus before his father, ſo that we confeſſe him before men. and what is there that ought to let vsus, that we ſhould not yeld him that confeſſion that he requireth. When men ſhall hauehave done their vttermoſt, they can doe no worſe but murther vsus. And what ſhall eternall life be in comparſon thereof? I heape not vp here al the promiſes conteined in the ſcriptures whiche tende to one and the ſame end: yet (foraſmuch as they are ſo oftē times repeted) wee ought wholy to ſtay vppon them. But if when the plague hang ouer our heades, if three or foure bee not ynough, one whole hundred will not ſerue to make vsus to ouercome all aduerſity and contrarye temptations. But if God can drawe vsus vntounto himſelfe thorough gentleneſſe, muſte wee not bee more then beetle blockkiſh heades, when his ſeuere threatnings can doe no more therein? Ieſus Chriſte citeth all thoſe before his father,Chriſt doeth ſommon all them that denie his trueth. Math 10. Math. 10. who ſhall through fear of bodily death deny the truth: and ſayth, that both the body and ſoule, ſhal be throwne to perdition, And in another place he ſayth, that he will deny all thoſe that ſhal deny him before men, vnleſſe that we be to much bereued of al vnderſtanding theſe wordes ought to make our hair ſtand vpright vponupon our heads, Howſoeuer it be, when we ſhall not be moued therewith as were meet, there remaineth nothing for vsus but an horrible confuſion: For in that,VVhen neither the promiſes nor threatnings do moue confuſion remaineth. that all the wordes of Ieſus Chriſt doe ſo little profite vsus, we are conuinced of too greate infidelitie. We ſhal hauehave alledged too godly purpoſe that there is ſome pitty in vsus, foraſmuch as our nature is ſo brittie: For it ſayde contrariwiſe that Moſes looking vntounto God through fayth, was ſtrengthened not to bowe vnderunder any tentation.Heb. 11. An anſwere to the obiection of fraielnes of nature. Wherefore when we are ſo ſoft and flexible yea, that ther is no zeal & conſtancie in vsus, it is a ſigne that we are vtterly ignorannt both of God and his kingdome. When it is ſhewed vsus yt we ought to be ioined to our hed, we think that we hauehave a goodly couler to exempt ourſelues from it, by ſaying that we are men. But they which hauehave gone before vsus, who were they? It is true that whē we ſhall not hauehave the pure doctrine, all the excuſes that we can bring forth ſhalbe vain: but hauing ſo many examples which ought to ſerue for the greater approbation, ſo muche the more are we to bee condemned. But heere we hauehave two pointes to be conſidered.The church of Chriſt is continually ſubiect to afflictions. Pſal. 129. The firſt is, that all the body of the Church generally, was and ſhal be always ſubiect till the ende, to bee afflicted by the wicked: as it is ſayd in the Pſalme. They hauehave vexed me from my youth vp, they hauehave drawne the Plow vponupon me from one ende to an other. The holy Ghoſte bringeth in the old Church ſpeaking, to the end that we, after we hauehave knowen the afflictions therof, we ſhould not finde it ſtraunge or troubleſome if the like at this day be done vntounto vsus. S. Paule alſo drawing this place from another Pſalme where it is ſayd,Rom. 8. Pſal. 44. We hauehave bene as Sheepe that are led to the ſlaughter, ſheweth yt this was not for one age alone: but that it is and ſhall be ordinarily and vſuall in the Church. Seeing the Church of God to be at this day troaden vnderunder, by the pride of worldlinges, that one barketh,The ordinance of the Church. another byteth, that men torment it, and alwayes miſchieuouſly deuiſe againſt it, that without ceaſing it is aſſayled of mad dogs and ſauadge beaſtes: let vsus remember that this was done vntounto it of olde time. It is true that God may well giuegive it ſometimes certeine truces and releaſements. And this is it that is ſayde in the Pſalme before alleaged,The end of afflictions is bliſſe. be cutteth aſunder the Cords of the wicked. And in another place, that he will breake their ſtuffe, for feare that the good doth not ouermuch vexe themſelues, being too much oppreſſed. But God woulde alwayes that his Church ſhould be toſſed in this worlde, and be as it were in a continuall conflict, reſeruing reſt for it aboue in the heauens, Notwithſtanding that yet the iſſue of theſe afflictions was alwaies bleſſed, and at the leaſt God broughte to paſſe, that being oppreſſed with many euilles, it was neuer vtterly oppreſſed, as it is ſayde that the wicked with all their forces neuer attayned to that which they immagined:Pſal. 7. S. Paul alſo reioyceth himſelfe of the like to ſhewe, that this is a continuall grace of God: We (ſayth he) endure tribulations, 2. Cor 4.but we are not therewith distreſſed, we are pore but we are not destitute: we are perſecuted but we are not forſaken: we are cast downe but we periſh not, eueryevery where bering about in our bodies the dying of our Lorde Ieſus, to the end that his life may be made manifest in our mortal bodies, Such iſſue as wee ſee that God hath giuen at al times in the perſecutions of his Church, ought well to encourage vsus, knowing that our fathers, who were brickle men as we are, had alwayes the victory ouer their enimies: in as much as they remayned ſtedfaſt in patience. But I do but touch this point briefly to yt ende I may come to ye ſecond,Secondarily vvee muſt looke vponupon the particuler examples of martirs vvhichwhich hauehave bene before vsus. Heb. 12. yt which more agreeth to our purpoſe: that it is to make our profite of thoſe particular examples of the Martyrs, which hauehave gone before vsus.
Now there are not onelyonly two or three of them, but a thicke and great cloude, as the Apoſtle ſayth in the epiſtle to the Hebr. Whereby he ſignifieth that the number is ſo great, yt it ought as it were euen to ſtop vp our eyes. And that I be not to tedious, I will take onelyonly the example of the Iewes which were perſecuted for true religion, as well vnderunder the Tyranny of Antiocbus the King, as alſo a little after his death. We cannot alleage that it was a ſmal number of people: for there were then as it wer a great army of martyrs. Wee cannot ſay that it was of Prophets, whome God had ſeperated from the common people: for the women and yong infants were of this company. We cannot ſay that they were let go for any pryſe: for they were tormented as cruelly as was poſſible. We hear alſo that which the Apoſtle ſheweth vsus of.
Some (ſayth he) were hanged vp like belles and racked, Heb. 11.making no account to be deliuered, to the ende they might receiue a better reſurrection. Others were tried by mockings and ſcourgings: yea by bondes and priſonment: others were stoned or hewen aſunder: A compariſon betweene the faithfull in the olde law and vsus.other wandred vp and down hither and thither, in Wildernes by mountains and Caues. Let vsus nowe enter to make compariſon of them with vsus. If they ſuffered for the truth of God, whiche was yet ſo darke at that time, what ought wee to doe in this greate lighte that ſhineth nowe? God hath ſpoken vntounto vsus as it were with a full mouth, the great Gate of the kingdome of heauen is opened, Ieſus Chriſte hath called vsus vntounto him, beeing come down vntounto vsus, to the end that we ſhoulde hauehave him as it were preſent before our eies. And what a ſhame ſhal it be vntounto vsus to hauehave leſſe zeale to ſuffer for the Goſpel then they had, which onelyonly ſaluted and behelde the promiſes of God, as it were a farre off? Whiche had but a little Wicket open to come to the kingdome of heauen? which had nothing but a certeine remembrance and figure of Ieſus Chriſte? Theſe thinges cannot bee expreſſed with mouth as they are woorthy: wherefore I leaue them for eueryevery one to meditate vppon.
VVe ought to prepare our ſelues to the Croſſe although we be in no daunger thereof.Now this doctrine as it is generall, ſo ought it to be put in practiſe of all Chriſtians: But eueryevery one ought to apply it to his owne vſe as neceſſity ſhall require. I ſpeak this to the ende that they which ſee themſelues in no apparant daunger, ſhoulde not thinke that it is ſuperfluous vntounto them. They are not at this time in the handes of Tyrantes: but what knowe they how God will deale with them hereafter Wherefore we ought to be ſo armed afore hand, that if any perſecution, which we hauehave not thoght vponupon, ſhall come vponupon vsus, we be not taken at vnwares and vnprouided.Howe he ought to be hauehave him ſelf that is vnderunder perſecution. But I feare me that there are a great ſort of deafe ears to heare this worde. So farre off is it, that they which are nice and liue at their eaſe, prepare them ſelues to ſuffer death when need ſhal be, that they hauehave no care to ſerue God whiles they liue. And yet neuertheles this ought to be our ordinary and continuall ſtudy, and ſpecially in this time wherein we liue. In the meane time they whome God hath called to ſuffer for the teſtimonye of his name, ought to ſhew in very deede that they were prepared long before, too ſtande thereto conſtantly. And then they ought to cal into their remembrance al the exhortations that they hauehave hard in times paſt: as if a ſouldier ſhoulde take armes when the Trumpet doeth ſound. But what there is no queſtion of ſeeking ſtarting holes to eſcape:Perſecution is the touchſtone wherby god doth diſcouer his people. I ſpeake in reſpect of the greateſt parte: For perſecution is a true touchſtone whereby God diſcouereth and trieth who are his. So farre of is it, that he ſhoulde many times finde who is faythfull vntounto him, vntill that they franckly offer themſelues to death. But this is as it were an incredible thing, that people whiche boaſt of ſome little knowledge of the Goſpell,Cauilations of the weaklings. Mar. 8. VVe muſt confeſſe Chriſt is truth before the wicked. VVe muſt commit our life to the handes of God. dare open their mouth to vſe ſuch cauilations. For one ſort ſay, what ſhall wee game to confeſſe our faith to obſtinate people, and to ſuche who hauehave determined to fight agaynſt God? Is not this to caſt precious ſtones before ſwine, As though Ieſus Chriſt had not expreſly declared that he will yt men confeſſe him amongſt the moſte peruerſe & wickedſt men. If they be not therby edefied, yet at ye leaſt they remain cō founded: of ſuch a ſweet ſmelling ſauour is ye confeſſiō before god, how deadly ſoeuer it be to ye reprobate. Others alſo may be foūd who ſay, what ſhall our death profit? It rather falleth out to an offence, as if God had left to their choiſe to die when they thinke good, and when they ſhall ſee a fit time. But contrariwiſe wee approue oure obedience, leauing the profit into his hand that ſhall come of our death. Wherefore in the firſt place, it behoueth that a chriſtian man, in what country ſoeuer he be, notwithſtanding daungers and threatninges, that hee fully determine to walke in ſimplicity, as God hath commaunded, Let him keep him ſelfe aſmuch as he can from the rage of the Wolues: ſo that the ſame be not done thorough the crafte of the fleſh. Aboue all let him reſign his life into Gods hands. Hath he done this? If it fall out that hee fall into the handes of enemies, let him thinke that God hath brought him into that place,He that is once caught for religion hath no means to go backe. It is neceſſary that we aunſwere to all that the wicked demand of vsus. & will hauehave him to be one of the witneſſes of his ſonne, and therefore that there is no way to draw backe, vnleſſe it be in denying our fayth to him, to whom we hauehave promiſed all duety: both to liue and to dye, and to whome wee are and belong, although wee had promiſed nothing vntounto him. Hereby I doe not binde all men of neceſſitye to make a full and entire confeſſion of all that they beleeue, admit yt they were therto required, S. Paul in this point hath vſed a good moderation, who was as ready as any other freely to mainteine the cauſe of the goſpel, as he ought. And alſo it was not without cauſe that our Lorde Ieſus promiſed that in ſuche a caſe hee will giuegive vsus a mouth & Wiſedome: as if he ſhould ſay, that the office of the holy ghoſt is not only to ſtrengthen vsus to be bold and valiant: but alſo to giuegive vntounto vsus Wiſdome and diſcretion, to know howe it becommeth vsus to rule and gouerne our ſelues in ſo great and harde a matter.why Chriſte ſometime helde his peace. It is the rule of chriſtians to confeſſe his faith being required. Chriſt neuer diſſembled to ſaue his life. Roſſe his examination which he wrote is here anſwered. The teſtimony of the verity ought more to bee regarded of vsus then our life. VVee maye not regarde what other men do, but what they ought to do. Iohn 21. The ſumme is, that they which are in ſuch diſtreſſe, ſhould aſk and receiue ſuch Wiſdome from aboue, not following their carnall counſell to ſeeke a waye to eſcape, (as they ſay) by any croſſe or bypathes. There are alſo whiche reply that our Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt himſelfe, aunſwered not to them that aſked of him. But I ſay firſte of all, that this ſerueth not to aboliſhe the rule which hee hath giuen vsus, to make confeſſion of our fayth, when we are thereto required Secondly I ſay, that he neuer diſſē bled to ſaue his life. Thirdly that he neuer gaue anſwer ſo doubtful, yt it did not import ſufficient witneſſe of that which he had ſpoken: or rather, that hee had not ſatiſfied them already which came to aſke him further, as it were laying nettes to catch him. Wherefore let this point remaine reſolute amongſt all Chriſtians: that is, that they ought not to account their liues more dear then the teſtimony of the trueth, inaſmuche as God will be glorified in it. Is it in vain that hee calleth all thoſe witneſſes (for the word Martyrs ſignifith the ſame) that hauehave anſwered to the enemies of the fayth? Is it not becauſe he would hauehave them ſerue to ſuch purpoſe? And here eueryevery one muſt not looke to his fellow and companion: for God doth not ſhew this honour to al to cal them thereto. And foraſmuch as we are giuen to marke others,VVe muſt arme our ſelues with the promiſes of God in our afflictions. the more we ought to take heed thereof. Peter hauing hard at the mouth of our Lord Ieſus Chriſte, that hee ſhold be led in his old age whither he wold not, aſketh what ſhould become of Iohn his companion. There is none of vsus but hee would willingly make ſuch a reply. For this we imagine by and by: Why do I rather ſuffer then others? But contrariwiſe Ieſus Chriſte exhorteth all in generall, and eueryevery one in particular, alwayes to be ready, to the end that as he ſhal call hither one or other, eueryevery man may march forth in his ranke and order. I hauehave ſhewed before that we ſhall be ill appointed to ſuffer Martyrdome, vnleſſe that we be armed with Gods promiſes. It remayneth now that we laye out a little more fully wherto they tend, not to ſpecifie al by piecemeale & exactly, but to ſhew the principal things, that God would hauehave vsus to hope for, to the end to cōfort vsus in oure afflictions. Nowe theſe are briefly three thinges.three things ſpecially to be conſidered of a perſon vnderunder the croſſe. The firſt is, that foraſmuche as our life and death are in his hande, that he will in ſuch fort preſerue vsus by his power that not one hayre of our heads ſhall fal but by his licence.
Wherefore the faythfull ought to holde themſelues aſſured into whoſe handes ſoeuer they ſhall come, that God hath not caſt of the ſafegarde whiche hee hath of their perſonnes, If ſuch a perſwaſion were well imprinted in our hearts, we ſhould be deliuered from the moſt part of doubts and perplexities that torment and hinder vsus from doing our duety. We ſee that Tyrants are let loſe: and hereupon it ſeemeth to vsus that God hath no further meane to ſaue vsus: For this cauſe wee are tempted to prouide for our ſelues, as though there were no more wayting vponupon him. But contrariwiſe his prouidence which he hath declared vntounto vsus is ſuch, as ought to be vntounto vsus an inuinſible fortreſſe.Our bodies be in the handes of him who hath created them. Let vsus therefore labour to learne this ſhorte ſentence, that our bodies are in his hands who hath created them. For this cauſe hee hath ſometimes deliuered his owne after a miraculous manner, and beyonde all hope of men, as Sidrach-Miſach and Abednago, from the fiery furnace, Daniel from the Lyons denne, Peter from Herods priſon, where he was enchained, fettered & kept ſo ſtraightly. By theſe examples he would teſtifie vntounto vsus,God giueth our enemies power ouer vsus. that he holdeth our enimies bridled, though it ſeem not ſo, and hath power to drawe vsus out, euen from the mouth and middeſt of death when he will. Not becauſe he always doth it: but by keeping vntounto himſelfe the aucthority of diſpoſing of vsus both in life & death, he wold hauehave vsus fully reſolued that he hath vsus in his keeping: in ſuche ſort that whither ſoeuer Tyrantes looke, or with what fury ſoeuer they ruſh vppon vsus, that it is from him onelyonly who is the orderer of oure life. If he ſuffer Tyrants to kil vsus,Our life i… deare in the ſight of God it is not becauſe our liues are not deare vntounto him, and in greater recommendation an hundred folde then it is worthy, ſeeing it is ſo, that hee hath pronounced by the mouth of Dauid,Pſal. 116. Eſai. 16. our enemie ſhall render accompt of our blood. That the death of his ſaints is precious before him, and ſayth hee alſo by the mouth of Eſay: That the earth ſhal diſcloſe the blood which ſeemed to be bidden. Let the enemies therefore of the Goſpel, be as prodigal in ſhedding the blood of his martyrs, as they will, yet ſhall they render a terrible account euen to the laſt and vttermoſt drop. They doe ſcornfully mock at this day when they burne the faythful,The power of Gods ſpirite is ſtronger then mā. and after they hauehave bathed them ſelues in their bloode, they are ſo drunken therewith, that they care nothing at al what murders they commit. But if we hauehave patience to wait, God will ſhew in the ende that it is not in vayne that he hath ſet ſuche an high price vponupon our life,The conſtancy of martirs is the worke of God. In the mean time, if he doth vsus no euil, yt it ſerueth to ratifie his goſpel, which in worthineſſe ſurmounteth heauen and earth. And the better to aſſure vsus that God leaueth vsus not in the handes of Tyrants, as hauing forſaken vsus, let vsus call to minde the ſentence of Ieſus Chriſte, where he ſayth, that it is he whome they perſecute in his members.
God had well ſayde before by Zacharie, He that toucheth you, toucheth the ayple of mine eye. A notable example.But this is yet more plaine, that if we ſuffer for the Goſpell, it is as if the Sonne of God were there in his own perſon. Wherefore let vsus knowe that Ieſus Chriſt muſt forget himſelfe, if he ſhould not thinke of vsus when wee are in priſon, or in danger of death for his cauſe: And let vsus knowe that God taketh to his owne heart all the outrages that Tyrantes doe vntounto vsus, as if they were faſtened to his owne ſonne.
Let vsus come to the ſecond pointe that God in his promiſes hath ſet forth vntounto vsus for our conſolation: that is, that he will ſo ſuſteine vsus by the power of his holy ſpirite that our enemies whatſoeuer they doe, or Satan their head, yet ſhal they not get the vpper hand ouer vsus. And in deede we ſee howe hee diſplaieth his graces in ſuche a neede. For ſuch inuincible conſtancie as is in ye true martyrs, is a ſufficient ſhew that God worketh mightily in them. There are two grieuous things to the fleſh in perſecutions: too wit, the one the rebukes and ſhame of men, and the other the tormentes that the body endureth. But God promiſeth vsus, ſuche aſſiſtannce that through patience wee ſhall ouercome both the one and the other. And hee perfourmeth in deede that which hee hath promiſed vntounto vsus. Let vsus therefore take this buckler too repulſe and put backe all feares, wherwith we are aſſailed, and let vsus not reſtrain the power of Gods ſpirite to ſo narrowe a ſcantling, that wee thinke not, but that hee will eaſily ouercome all mens cruelties. And hereof amongſt others we had an notable example in our time not to be forgotten.
A certeine yong man who dwelt heere with vsus being taken in the citie of Tournay was condemned to bee but beheaded if hee recanted: and to be burned aliue, if he continued in his opinion. When he was aſked what he woulde doe, he aunſwered ſimply: He that ſhal giuegive me grace to dye patiently for his name, he will giuegive mee grace to endure the fire. We ought to eſteeme this ſentence not as the ſentence of a mortall man: but as a ſentence of the holy ghoſte, to the end to aſſure our ſelues that God is as able to ſtrengthen vsus, and to make vsus to ouercome all torments, as to mooue vsus to take any other kinde of meeker death in good part. Which is more, wee ſee often times, what conſtancy hee giueth to poore malefactors who ſuffer for theire offences. I ſpeake not of the obſtinate: but of thoſe which comfort themſelues in ye grace of Ieſus Chriſt, and by this mean receiue with peaceable hearte the moſte grieuous puniſhment that can bee done vntounto them: As we may ſee a notable example thereof in the theefe who was conuerted at the death of Chriſt. God who ſo mightely aſſiſteth poore offenders, being worthily puniſhed for their miſdeedes, will hee faile his who fighte for his cauſe, that hee will not giuegive them an inuincible power? The thirde poynt concerning the promiſes that God hath made to his martirs, is of the fruite that they ought to hope for of their ſufferings: and in the end if neede be of death it ſelfe. Now this fruite is after that he hath glorified his name, and edified his Church through their conſtancie,The fruite of our death when they ſhalbe gathered with the Lorde Ieſus Chriſte into his immortall glory. But becauſe wee hauehave ſpoken more fully of it before, it is ynough nowe to bring it in our remembraunce.
Wherefore let the faythfull learne too lifte vp their heades on highe to this Crowne of Immortalitye and Glorye, whereunto GOD doth call them: to the ende that he doe them no hurte in making them to forſake their preſent life for ſuch a reward: and to be aſſured of this ineſtimable benefite, let them alwayes hauehave before their eyes the cōformity which they hauehave with our Lorde Ieſus, to beholde life in the middeſt of death, as he by the opprobrye and ſhame of the Croſſe, came to that glorious reſurrection in which conſiſteth all our felicity, ioy, and Triumph.