Four Sermons Entreating of Matters Very Profitable, Sermon

Four Sermons Entreating of Matters Very Profitable · Sermon

p. 1A Sermon wherein all Chriſtians are exhorted to flie from outward Idolatrie, vponupon the 4. verſe of the 16. Pſalme. I will not co…e with their ſacrifices of blood, and their n…es ſhall not paſſe through my mouth.

WE hauehave here to handle a doctrine cleare and eaſie inough, were it not that the moſt part of thoſe which call them ſelues Chriſtians, ſought, I can not tell what maner of ſubtilties, to cloke their euill withall. The ſumme is, that after we knowe the liuing God to be our father, and Ieſus Chriſt our redeemer, wee ought to dedicate both our body and ſoule vntounto him, who by his infinit goodnes hath adopted vsus for his children, and endeuo…r to do homage vntounto this ſo good a Sauiour, for that it hath coſt him ſo deare. And becauſe we are bound not only to renounce all infidelitie, but alſo too ſeparate our ſelues from all ſuperſtitions, which are contrary as well to the ſeruice of God, as to the honour of his Sonne, & which can not agree with the pure doctrine of the Goſpel, and the true confeſſion of faith: I hauehave ſaide that this doctrine is eaſie ynough of it ſelfe, and that there remaineth nothing but to put the ſame well in practiſe, ſauing that there are a ſort of people that ſeeke certaine ſtarting holes and ſubtill ſhiftes, to the ende they may not ſeeme culpable, in that which is ſo greatly condemned by Gods owne mouth. This cauſe conſtraineth vsus to dwel longer in the declaration of this matter, to the ende that eueryevery one may knowe what is his duetie, and that no man deceiue himſelfe, imagining that hee is eſcaped by couering him ſelfe, as the common ſaying is, vnderunder a wette ſacke.

But becauſe that ſome may thinke that this is a ſuperfluous argument in reſpect of vsus, who hauehave by the grace of God, our churches purged from the infections and the Idolatryes of the Papacie: before wee paſſe any farther, it is good to ſhewe that ſuch people are foulely deceiued. For in the firſt place when it is ſhowed vsus, what an offence it is too defile our ſelues with Idolatries, faigning to conſent or to cleaue too their impieties, we are put in mind to mourne for our former faultes, and to aſke pardon of God for them with all humilitie: and therevpon too acknowledge the ineſtimable benefite that he hath ſhewed vntounto vsus, in pulling vsus out from ſuch filth wherein wee were plunged. For wee can not too much magnifie ſuch an excellent grace. And becauſe we knowe not what may happen vntounto vsus, nor to what end God dooth reſerue vsus, it is good that wee be alwayes armed aforehande and in a readineſſe, to the ende that in what ſo euer place we come, or with what temptation ſo euer we be aſſaulted, we neuer ſwarue from the pure word of God. It may fall out that many in this company which hauehave to trauell into the countries of Papiſtes: they beeing there in the combate hauehave neede to bee armed aforehand. On the other ſide, if GOD giuegive vsus at this day libertie to ſerue him purely, wee knowe not how long it wil indure. Let vsus therefore take the time wherin we be in reſt, not as though it ſhould alwaies p. 2laſt vsus: but as a truce in which god gi…eth vsus leaſure to fortifie our ſelues to the end that being called to make confeſſion of our faith, we be not to ſeeke for not hauing thought vponupon it in time cōuenient. In the meane while, we hauehave alſo to think vponupon our pore brethren, which are kept vnderunder the tyranny of Antichriſt, to the end to hauehave pittie vponupon them, and to beſeech God that he wil fortifie them with ſuch conſtancie, as he requireth by his word. Further alſo we hauehave to ſtir them vp to the end that they ſleepe not & flatter themſelues, but rather that knowing their dutie, they inforce thēſelues to giuegive glory to God. For it is not only for our ſelues that we are taught: but to th'end that eueryevery one according to the meaſure of his faith, imparte to his neighbors of that which hath bin ſhewed him in the ſchole of God. We ſee therfore that it is very profitable, yea neceſſary not only for vsus, but for our brethren, that the memory of this doctrine be oftentimes renewed vntounto vsus, eſpecially ſeeing the text which we hauehave to expoūd leadeth vsus thereto. As in this place, Dauid maketh a great proteſtation, and as it were a ſolemne vowe that he wil neuer be a partaker in the ſacrifices of the Idolaters eſpecially to hauehave the Idolles in ſuch hatred and deteſtation, that he wil abſtaine … name them, as though he ſhoulde defile his mouth in naming them. This is not the particular facte of any meane man: but the example of Dauid a moſt excellent King and Prophet, which ought to be a generall rule to all the children of God.

Notwithſtanding to the end that this may be knowen more cleerely, & that we alſo may be better touched therwith, let vsus mark the reaſon that he addeth, the which is, as it were the ground of the horror that hee hath to mingle him ſelfe amonge the idolaters. The Lorde (ſayeth hee) is mine inheritance. And is not this common to all the faithfull? At the leaſt there is not anie one which dooth not reioyce herein. And in deede it is very certayne, that God being once giuen vntounto vsus in the perſon of his Sonne, doeth dayly inuite vsus, to the ende that we ſhould poſſeſſe him: but there are verie fewe which are ſo affected in this behalf as the matter deſerueth. For we cannot poſſeſſe God but with this condition, that wee alſo be altogither his. It is therefore for good cauſe that Dauid groundeth him ſelfe vppon this theame, ſeeing that God is his inheritance that hee will abſtayne from all pollutions of idols, the which do turne vsus away and eſtraunge vsus from him.

Eſay. 57.Isa 57This is the cauſe why the Prophet Eſaie when hee had vpbraided the Iewes, that they had giuen themſelues to falſe and ſtraunge gods, whiche they had made vntounto them ſelues, hee addeth, Loe theſe, theſe (I ſay) are thy portion: ſignifying by theſe wordes, that God denieth all couenaunt and felowſhip with idolaters, and diſheriteth and depriueth them of that ſo infinite a benefite, which he would hauehave beſtowed vppon them by giuing him ſelf vntounto them. Some man will replie that he entreateth there, of thoſe which put their truſt in idols, and deceyue them ſelues through vnbeleefe. I confeſſe it: but contrariwiſe I aunſwere, that if they which wholie attribute, the honour of God vntounto idolles, are fully cut off from him: they alſo at the leaſt ſtraye in part from him, who through feare and infirmitie faigne thēſelues to cōſent vntounto ſuperſtitions. For it cānot be, that any mā in what ſorte ſoeuer it be, can draw nere vntounto idols, either in hart, in p. 3geſture, in wil, or in ſhewe, but be muſt recoyle himſelfe ſo much the farther from God. Wherefore let vsus hold this article for reſolute, that they which ſeeke truely and in puritie of heart to poſſeſſe God for their heritage, will hauehave no fellowſhip with Idolles, with whom they hauehave ſuch a diuorce, that hee will that all thoſe that are his, ſhould proclaime & make continual and deadly warre againſt them. And Dauid expreſſely ſetteth forth in this place, that he wil not be a partaker with their offringes, and that their names ſhal not paſſe by his mouth. He might hauehave ſaid, I will not abuſe my ſelfe with the fooliſh deuotions of vnbeleeuers, I will not put my confidence in ſuch abuſes, I will not leaue the trueth of God to followe ſuch lies. He ſpeaketh not ſo: but rather that he will hauehave nothing to do with their ceremonies. He proteſteth then that he will abide continually in the puritie both of body and ſoule, concerning the ſeruice of God. In the firſt place we hauehave hereto ſee, if this be not idolatrie, to ſhewe by outward ſignes that a man agreeth to ſuperſtitions, through which the ſeruice of God is corrupted and peruerted. They who ſwimme (as they ſay) betweene two waters, alledge, that ſeeing God will be worſhipped in ſpirite, that one can not woorſhip idolles, without hauing his truſt in them. But the aunſwere is eaſie: That God will not bee woorſhipped in ſpirite in ſuch ſorte, that hee forſaketh the other parte to witte, the body, as though that pertayned not vntounto him. For hee hath ſpoken enough thereof in other places, of bowing the knees before him, and of lifting vp the handes vntounto heauen: what then? The principall ſeruice that hee demaundeth, is in deede ſpirituall: but the open declaration which the faithfull make, that it is he onelyonly whome they ſerue and honour, followeth immediatly, and muſte ſtraightwaye bee ioyned vntounto it. But the obiection which they make, taking occaſion of one woorde, one onelyonly place ſhall be ſufficient to reprooue them. It is written in the ſeconde Chapter of the Prophet Daniel, that Sidrach, Miſach and Abednego, refuſing too Nabuchodonoſor once too ſeeme to conſent to the ſuperſtition whiche hee had erected, they plainely declare, that they will not woorſhip his gods.

If theſe ſubtil Sophiſters had beene there, they woulde hauehave laughed too skorne the ſimplicitie of theſe three ſeruauntes of GOD. For they woulde hauehave ſayde, Poore ſoules, This is not too woorſhippe them, ſeeing you put no affiance in them: theere is no idolatrie but where there is deuotion. But theſe holy perſonages followed better counſell. And in deede, this aunſwere proceeded not from their owne braine: but it was the holye Ghoſte that enforced their tongues: againſt which if we will not reſiſte, it is meete we take out of this place a true rule and definition, that this is a true kinde of Idolatrie, when any outward acte is done that is contrary to the true ſeruice of God, although that it be done colourably and through hypocriſie. Theſe hypocrites cauill gaily, This no Idolatrie, ſeeing wee hauehave no truſt in them: yet ſhall theſe men continually remayne condemned by this ſentence, that the great iudge hath pronounced therof. But ſuch kinde of people ſtriue about a woorde, pretending onelyonly in parte too leſſen their faulte, whiche they can not altogyther excuſe. They will eaſily graunt and p. 4confeſſe, that this is yll done: but they woulde hauehave men too eſteeme it as a veniall ſinne.

But if a man ſhoulde agree with them concerning the name and yeelde that which they demaunde, yet they hauehave gained nothing thereby. Let vsus put the caſe, that it were not called Idolatrie, too faigne too worſhippe Idolls: yet this ceaſeth not too bee a trayterous acte againſt GOD, an acte repugnaunt to the confeſſion of Faith, a pollution and a ſacriledge. I pray you, when the honour of God is violated, that we falſifie the promiſe that we hauehave made vntounto him, that through cowardiſe and fayntneſſe of ſtomake wee crookedly renounce our Chriſtian profeſſion, that wee are ſo double and defile our ſelues in thinges which GOD hath accurſed: is this ſo lighte a matter, that after wee hauehave doone it, wee ſhoulde onelyonly wipe our mouth, and ſaie that we hauehave committed ſome little faulte? Let vsus therefore put away theſe ſhiftes, ſeeing they ſerue to no other purpoſe but to make vsus boulder in euill, without leſſening our faulte any whit.

There are yet ſome others which are more impudente: For not onelyonly they labour too wreſte the worde, making men beleeue that it is not ſo great & enormious a ſinne: but they moſt plainely and flatly maintaine that it is no ſinne at all. It is ſufficient, ſay they, that GOD bee ſerued with the hearte: verie well, if the heart were not double. For where there is an integritie and ſoundneſſe, there the body ſhal neuer be drawne into a contrary pa…. I would knowe of them what it is that carryeth their feete too the Church, when they goe to heare Maſſe. Their legges would neuer ſturre of their owne motion.

They muſt therefore needes confeſſe that they hauehave ſome manner of affection to ſerue the idolles: yea in that they deſire too beholde them with the enimies of the trueth, and that their life is more precious vntounto them then the honour of God. But albeit their impudencie be too too ſhameful: in ſuch ſorte, that I am aſhamed to diſpute againſt it, as though they had ſome colour of reaſon: yet neuertheleſſe it behoueth to doo it foraſmuch as they pleaſe them ſelues ſo much therein, & are as it were ſo drunken therwith. It is inough as they thinke, if God bee worſhipped in ſpirite. But whereto then ſhal the body ſerue?2. Cor. 6.20.2 Cor 6:20 Saint Paule exhorteth vsus to ſerue the Lord with both: becauſe they belong vntounto him. God hath created the body, and ſhal it be permitted therewith to do homage to the Diuell? It were much better that they ſhewed them ſelues to be flat Manichees, denying that God were the creator of the whole man. If they had the leaſt taſte in the world of the Goſpel, they would neuer burſt out into ſuch licentious libertie: For they ſhew that they know not what it is to hauehave bin bought by the bloud of the ſonne of God. And if it be ſo, howe ſhould wee hope for the reſurrection of the fleſhe, vnleſſe it were for that Ieſus Chriſt is the Redeemer both of our bodies and ſoules. Saint Paule in the firſte Epiſtle to the Corinthians, and the 7. Chapter, giueth vsus warning, that wee ought not too bee the ſeruauntes of men, ſeeing that wee were bought ſo dearely. Hee therefore that giues himſelfe too the ſeruice of Idolles, treadeth he not the blood of Ieſus Chriſte vnderunder his feete, which is the price of the immortall glory that we wait for in our bodyes? And to what reaſon is it, that our bodyes ſhould be defyled and prophaned before p. 5Idols, ſeeing that the crowne of life is promiſed vntounto thē in heauen? Is this the meane to enter into the heauenly kingdome of God, to wallow our ſelues in Sathans ſtewes? Moreouer it is not ſaid in vaine, that our bodyes are the temples of the holy ghoſt. Wherfore they who knowe not that they ought too keepe them in all holynes, they ſufficiently declare that they neuer vnderſtoode any thing of the Goſpel: they ſhew alſo that they knowe not what belongeth too Ieſus Chriſt not to his grace. For when it is ſayd, that wee are bones of his bones, and fleſh of his fleſh, this plainly ſheweth that we are ioyned to him, bothe in body and ſoule. And therefore a man can no ſooner defile his body with any ſuperſtition, but he depriueth himſelfe of that holy vnion through which we are made members of the ſonne of God: Let theſe ſubtile doctours anſwere me if they hauehave receiued baptiſme only in their ſoules, hath not God ordayned that this ſigne ſhould be ingrauen in our fleſhe? Should therefore the body in which the marke of Ieſus Chriſte is engrauen, be defiled with contrarie Abhominations. Is the Supper onelyonly receyued of the ſoule, and not alſo with the handes and with the mouth? GOD hath put the Armes and Badges of his Sonne vpō our bodyes, and ſhoulde wee beray them with dutie and dounge? It is not lawefull too imprinte twoo Coynes vponupon one peece of Golde: or to ſet two contrary ſeales one vponupon another to a publike inſtrument and writing: and ſhall a mortall man take vponupon him to falſifie baptiſme & the holy Supper of Ieſus Chriſte and ſay, there is no euill in it? Such men truely are worthy that their ſeruants ſhould make them beleeue that they were well minded to ſerue them, in ſleeping and ſporting themſelues, and yet not moouing a finger to doe any thing. If they alledge that it is not all one, for aſmuch as wee hauehave neede of their ſeruice that are vnderunder vsus: I anſwere, that ſeeing God without hauing any neede, will imploy vsus to his honor, that it is a great ſhame for vsus, that in doing all things quite contrary to his wil, would be quite rid of him: and yet a greater ſhame that a worme of the earth, & a ſtincking carrion would hauehave more preheminence, then his creator. It behoueth a man yet too ſpeake more groſely to ſuch beaſts. They ſay that it is lawfull for them to diſſemble amongſt Papiſtes. Who is it then that giueth them the breade they eate there? And who is it that maketh the earth to bring foorth fruite? If they cannot deny but that God nouriſheth them as others,, wherfore doe they homage to the deuill with their bodyes? If they were Chriſtians, I would vſe more waightie reaſons, to witte, in demaunding of them, to what end we liue heere beneath: but it is pitie, that they who wil through their ſubtleties ſo dally and ieſt with God, ſhould become ſo brutiſh that they muſt be handled as men voyde of common ſenſe. It ſeemeth to them that they hauehave ſaid ſufficiently to th… mater, when they ſay they doe nonothing in this behalf but for feare. But if this collour may take place, then it muſt be ſaid that Ioſeph ſhould hauehave don no euil, to hauehave committed whordom with his maiſtreſſe, not ſeeking the fulfilling of his pleaſure: but only to yeelde to the violence which ſhee offred him. This had then bin foliſhly don of him to ſuffer ſo much, and to lay himſelf open to ſuch infamie, ſeeing he had the meane to eſcape it. But it rather becōmeth vsus to hold vsus to the teſtimonie of the holy ghoſt, who p. 6praiſeth this conſtancie of his. If men doe no euill in playing the idolaters, to auoid the rage of Papiſts: He that ſhall bee his maiſters bande, ſhall not offende. A man ſhalbe excuſed when he poyſoneth his neighbor, or when he committeth any treaſon for feare of offending him to whom he is ſubiect. This article is much ſtoode vponupon, but as I hauehave ſaid, there is no hardnes or doubt in it: but it is good to ſee into what confuſion they fall, who imagine by their cunning ſleights to eſcape the iudgement of god. There are diuers which at this day vſe another ſtarting hole: for cofeſſing that it is a deteſtable thing to mingle themſelues with the Idolatries of the Painims, they wil not that this extend it ſelfe to the ſuperſtitions of the Papacie: as though all the impieties of the Panims had not bin the corruptions of the true ſeruice of God, Frō whence I pray you drew the Panims al their ceremonies, but from the holy fathers? The miſchief was that they corrupted that which was wel inſtituted of God. And yet all the abhominations that euer were in the worlde, had this goodly cloke of the name of God & of Religion: but this made them not therfore iuſtifiable, neither might the faithful communicate with them. Let vsus procede farther. Although that I agre he… … with thē that ther was a difference betwixt the ido… …eof Papiſts, and that of the Painims in times paſt, yet they cānot deny but that God as ſtraightly forbad his olde people the Idolatrie of Bethel, as the Idolatrie of ſtraunge contries. When the Calues were ſet vp in Dan and Bethel, it was doone vnderunder the name of God: yea, of him which broughte his people out of Egypt. But, foraſmuche as the Seruice there eſtabliſhed, was contrarie too the doctrine of the Lawe, God condemned all thoſe that went thither to defile them ſelues. And truely theſe thinges, the Supper of Ieſus Chriſt, and the Popiſh Maſſe, are thinges no leſſe repugnaunt and contrary one to the other, then the ſacrifices of Moyſes & Ieroboham. Wherfore, whence came that diſpenſation to goe to the Maſſe, vnderunder coulour, that it is but an altering or diſguiſing of the Supper of Ieſus Chriſte? Contrarywiſe I ſay, that they whiche truely feare God oughte too hauehave it in a double deteſtation, for aſmuch as it more manifeſtly prophaneth the holy ordinance of the ſonne of God, then if it had not beene ſo contrary and repugnant vntounto it. Let vsus then briefely holde this rule, that all the inuentions of men, which are ſet vp to corrupte the ſimple puritie of the word of God, and to ouerthrowe the ſeruice which he demaundeth and alloweth, they are very ſacriledges, wherewith a Chriſtian man may not communicate, without blaſpheming of God: that is to ſay, without treading his honor vnderunder his feete. I knowe very wel that this rigour wil ſeeme harde and intollerable to them that would hauehave a man to handle them according to their appetite. But what woulde they that I ſhould d… heerein, knowing them to be ſo delicate? I would …re them if it were poſible for me. But yet muſt bo… I and they ſuffer condemnation, when God once ſpeaketh: They ſay they finde no man more ſeuere herein then I am. But I would them to vnderſtand, that hitherto I hauehave handled them but too gentlely, which beeing ſo, they cannot be exempted from that which the Prophet Ieremie requireth of the Iewes,Iere. 10.2.Jer 10:2 who were Captiues in Babylon. It was not onelyonly forbidden them to goe to the abhominations of the Chaldeans, or to make ſhew to conſent vntounto p. 7them: but an expreſſe commaundemente is giuen them, to ſhewe that they ſhould count it a moſte vile and filthie ſauour. His words are theſe: You ſhall ſay vntounto them. The Gods which hauehave not made Heauen and earth, ſhall periſhe from the earth, and from vnderunder the Heauen. There is one circumſtance woorthy to bee well marked, that the Prophete hauing written his Booke in Hebrewe coucheth this verſe in greate Calda…y letters: as though he had preſſed the Iewes to chaunge their language, to the ende to ſhewe more playnly the diſagrement they had with the idolaters.

Nowe let them hardly goe and complayne of me, as though I were too exceſſiue. And yet I neuer required half ſo much of them as the Prophet doth. But whether I ſpeake of it, or holde my peace, wee ceale not to be all bound to that Law which GOD hath laid vponupon vsus. And indeed it is not without cauſe, that God ſpeaking vntounto his faithfull, he layeth vntounto them. Yee are my witneſſes, and m… ſer… … choſen. Eſay. 44.2.Isa 44:2Whoſoeuer will approue himſelfe to be a member of Ieſus Chriſte, muſt ſhewe that this title agreeth vntounto him, ſo that they that through their f…ſe diſſembling and hypocriſie bury this teſti… of the t…th, can in no wiſe be excuſed. And what … them, I pray you, who all their lif… … …err it, a… they do, who not only hid their chr… profeſſiō, … the end they may ſhew no ſigne therof before men: but do commit acts altogither cōtrary to it? There remaineth nothing then to the Children of God, that are i… the midſt of ſuch pollutions, but to afflict their ſo… by the example of good Lott: yea to ſpeake againſte euill, according as GOD ſhall giuegive them the meane and opportunitie. Nowe let vsus come too ſpeake of thoſe Idolaters which at this day beare the ſway. I hauehave already ſomewhat touched the Maſſe. Now although this bee a blaſphemie ſo foule and ſhamefull, as nothing can bee more, yet notwithſtanding there are yet found aduocates of ſo ill a cauſe, who in this behalfe ſlinke backe: and yet will they nill they, they are conſtrayned to confeſſe that which I ſay: that is, that the Maſſe in it ſelfe is a renouncing of the death of Ieſus Chriſt, and a ſacriledge forged by Sathan, vtterly to aboliſh the Sacrament of the ſupper. They cannot likewiſe denie but that the Prayers made vntounto Saintes, and ſuffrages that are made for the deade, are wicked abuſes, whereby the inuocation of the name of God (which aboue all others is moſte holy) is prophaned: notwithſtanding medling them ſelues withſuch filthineſſes amongſt the Papiſtes, they think that they are not faultie. What ſhould we doe heerein ſay they? It is not lawfull for vsus to reforme theſe thinges which we knowe to be euill: For we are priuate men, and they who hauehave publique authoritie maintaine them: wherefore it behoueth vsus to goe thorow that way: I graunt them all that they ſay: but this is nothing to the p…. It is not their parts, to reforme the common … …f the people: and no man requireth it of the… … man may admoniſh them to reforme them ſe…: the which belongeth to their duetie. It is not ſayd vntounto them, that they ſhould purge the Churches or the ſtreetes: but that euerye one ſhoulde keepe his owne bodie and ſoule in puritie, and labour by all meanes, that GOD may be honoured in his owne houſe.

Theſe twoo things are diuerſe enough, too aboliſh p. 8the maſſe out of any Countrie, are not to bee fou…e there, when he cannot let the vſe of it. But yet they eftſoones returne to the foote of their ſonge: that is that they renounce not the death & paſſion of Ieſus Chriſt, becauſe they hauehave no ſuch intent. But I aſke of them what it is that a Chriſtian man confeſſeth, with his mouthe, but that ſame that hee beleeueth with his heart? That the acte which they commit is altogither contrary too Chriſtian profeſſion, is notorious enoughe. So that, (aſmuche as lyeth in them) they renounce and forſake that which is of pure faith. I will ſpeake yet more familiarly. The maſſe is a ſacrifice, wherein the Papiſts will offer vppe Chriſt, to bee reconciled too God. If this were true, Ieſus Chriſte by his death and paſſion had not purchaſed righteouſneſſe not euerlaſting ſaluatio… for vsus, let a man goe aboute the buſhe as farre as he will, yet hee muſt come to this poynt. All they that goe to Maſſe vnderunder the title of deuotion, proteſſe too conſente heerein. So that, aſmuch as lyeth in them, they ſhewe that they holde not their redemption perfecte by the death of Ieſus Chriſte. A… there bee ſome which bounde them ſelues a li… … narrowlye: that is, that they reſerue but … …iſt or highe Maſſe, in which it ſeemeth to th… … …re is more conformitie with the ſupper of Ie… Chriſte.

And in deede a man might ſaye that the Maſſes whiche are ſaide aſwell by thoſe hedge Preiſtes as whiche by thoſe Chanons and Chaplaynes, and all thoſe are founded vppon ſome particular deuotion, whiche they ſette out eueryevery day to ſale, are as Harlotes of the Stewes. The Pariſhe Prieſtes Maſſe is as a ſtumpet, that ſhroudeth her ſelfe vnderunder the name of her huſbande, to keepe her ſelfe in the reputation of an honeſt woman. Although the ſimilitude bee not altogither fitte: For a married whore, will alwayes yet hauehave ſome ſhame from giuing ouer her ſelfe too all commers: but that ſame Parriſhe Prieſtes Maſſe, is the moſte common idolatrie of all others. So farre is it off, that they that paint her out with this coulour, keepe here yet any trace of the ſupper of Ieſus Chriſt: yea as if a theefe were euer the better, when hee ſhall be apparelled with the ſpoyle of him, whoſe throte hee hath cutte, and ſhall bee mounted vp vponupon his Horſe. Wee ſeeke (ſay they) the ſupper of Ieſus Chriſte. Seeing we cannot hauehave it pure, in the tyranny in which we liue, we muſt content our ſelues too take that which is lefte, waytinge when God will put to his hand. Forſooth a goodly excuſe. Foraſmuch as they hauehave no right and ſounde vſe of the Supper, by way of prouiſion, they proteſt, that they account not Ieſus Chriſt for their onelyonly euerlaſting Sauiour, and they ſeeke eueryevery morning a newe ſacrifice to blot out their ſinnes. For all this is in the Parriſh Prieſtes Maſſe, aſwell as in that of S. Nicholas, or in thoſe that are ſaid for the dead. They faigne to worſhip an Idoll, and yet boaſte themſelues to ſeeke Ieſus Chriſt. And to the end, they may not fight againſt God without a ſwoorde and a Buckler. they bring foorth the authoritie of this man here, and of that man there. As if the abſolution of a man could exempt them, from beeing condemned of God. I ſpare to ſay that they notably belie them, whom they bring for their aduocates. But admit it were ſo, that a holy man for a time thought it not ſo greate an euill too p. 9goe to an high Maſſe: yet yf afterwardes he knew the errour wherein he was, his latter iudgement is ſo much the more to be beleeued, for the condemnation thereof, foraſmuch as men may ſee, that the power of God hath compelled him therevnto, and he is plainly found to be ouercome in that thing, which before he did holde and alowe of. But what a blundering and ſtirre keepe they heere? Imagine they too reſtraine God by the opinion or ſaying of a mortall man? We know that there is nothing but the onelyonly trueth that ſhall raigne in his iudgement, without acception of perſons. Now the fact is this, that the pariſh maſſe is inſtituted for to ſacrifice Ieſus Chriſt, and to make an attonement with God, aſwel for the quicke as the deade and that a peece of bread is woorſhipped there, as if it were the ſo…e of God. I doe not ſcanne eueryevery thing by peecemeale: there are a thouſande other infections: but I onelyonly take the groffeſt. Let them which ſeeme to agree h…, wa… theyr handes, as much as they wyll, in the ende they ſhal bee no more iuſt then Pilate was. But this is marueilous that theſe good pariſhioners, when Eaſter comes they goe to ſeeke ſome Chappell in a corner, or ſome Fryer neyther hot nor colde, that he may deliuer vntounto them a counterfaite and baſtarde ſupper. If the pariſh Maſſe, as they ſay, be ſo like the ſupper of Ieſus Chriſt, why doo they not obſerue it and keepe them ſelues to it? But nowe after they ſhal hauehave beene at high Maſſe eueryevery Sunday throughout the yeere, that they may ſeeme to communicate aright in the ſacrament of the Supper, they ſodenly re…nce it: although we muſt not greatly woonder at ſuche inconſtancie: For it is the … payment and iuſte puniſhmente of all thoſe which are not grounded vponupon the trueth of God: and God reuengeth him ſelfe vponupon them, making them alwayes to be ſhaken, and to contrary thēſelues in that which they take in hand. Touching ſuch a paynted Supper, I knowe that in their fantaſie, a man ſhall doe them great wrong to reproue it. But how can we doe otherwiſe, ſeeing it agreeth not to the rule of our maiſter? I doe not condemne them, becauſe they doe it in ſecret. For I knowe that the holy Supper was neuer better Miniſtred, nor more holyly, then when the diſciples were withdrawne to doe it in ſecrete, becauſe of the tyranny of their enemyes. But heerein there are two intollerable faults: one is that they which patch vp ſuch a Pageant of the Supper, faigne that they hauehave their maſſe there, & would that it ſhuld be ſo thought: the ſeconde, is, that their goodly father of whom they receiue it, giueth it thē not as a Chriſtian paſtor, but in the condition of a popiſh prieſt. They think that they hauehave goodly bucklers and defences, in ſaying, that the ſinger of their Maſſe hath no intention to make them worſhip the bread or the wine, that hee omitteth the Canon, wherein are the greateſt impieties, and that he giueth the ſacrament to all the company vnderunder bothe kinds. But when this ſhal come before the great iudg, they ſhall feele what they hauehave gotten by ſuch goodly gloſing pretextes: yea they ought already to feele thē, and I reporte me to the prickes & ſtingings they hauehave in their conſciences: And this is the place where this matter muſt be decided: For without making any longer enquiryes, they knowe what they pretende to ſhewe, aſwell to the enemyes of GOD, as to all the common people. It muſt needes be that God denye himſelfe, if he allow an act of ſuch a profeſſion. Whē p. 9all the men of the world ſ…all hauehave conſpired togither to iuſtifie thē. yet ſhal not the hableſt of them be euer ſo abſolued, that he ſhal not halt downe right on both ſides. Now God hath declared by his prophet, that no ſuch halting ſhal euer be found good. Concerning the man whome they take to be the miniſter of their Supper, it is a very mockery to goe about to make him capable of any ſuch office, yea, but (ſay they) the woorthyneſſe of the ſacramentes doe not depend vponupon the worthyneſſe of the perſons. I graunt it, and I ſay farther, that if a Deuil ſhould miniſter the Supper, it were not the worſe: and contrarywiſe, if an Angell ſhould ſing Maſſe, it were not a poynt the better. But we are nowe in hand with another queſtion: to witte, whether the orders of the Pope giuen too a Munke or a Fryer, make him fit to execute the office of a Paſtor. If they reply that they meane not that hee ſhould doe any thing therin, and that they chooſe him not in any ſuch condition: the thing ſheweth the contrary. But let vsus put the caſe that concerning them, they hauehave no ſuch regarde, yet hauehave I alwayes to ſtande vppon the outwarde profeſſion which they make. Nowe it is manifeſt that they couer themſelues vnderunder the vizard of a prieſt. For the dew celebratiō of the Lords ſupper, it wer meete for them, to ſeperate themſelues from the ranke of Idolaters, becauſe they hauehave nothing heerein common with them. In ſteade of dooing this they goe as it were to be matriculated and incorporated amongſt them, and faigne themſelues to be members of the ſame body. And heerevpon they would make vsus to be lyke thoſe ancient heretiques who condemned the vſe of the ſacramēts for the vices of men: as though we looked vntounto mens particular vices, and not rather to their cōmon ſtate and condition. I paſſ ouer this briefly, but as little as I hauehave touched therof is more then enough to conuince ſo villanous an impudency. Notwithſtanding if they bee ſo blockyſhe, that they will vnderſtand nothing thereof, the worde of God ought to ſuffice vsus. As when the Lorde ſaithe by Ieremie,Iere. 4.1.Jer 4:1 O Iſrael if thou returne, returne vntounto me. The which wordes ſhew in what ſimplicitie we ought to walke before God, without turnyng backe agayne to any thing not allowed of him.Actes. 14.15Acts 14:15 And this is the cauſe why ſaint Paule proteſteth, that he was ſent too conuerte the vnbeleeuers from their vanities to the liuing God: as if hee ſhoulde hauehave ſaide, that it was nothing to make men to chaunge an yll cuſtome, with other hypocriſies: but they muſt roundly aboliſh ſuperſtitions, to the ende that true religion maye bee eſtabliſhed in her owne puritie and holynes: For without this, men cannot come directly to God: but they ſtagger & reele, not knowing which way to turne thē ſelues. There are others who are come ſo farre to forſake the maſſe: but they would retaine certaine patches of that which they call the ſeruice of God: to the ende not to be accounted (as they ſay) altogeather for prophane people. And it may be, that there are which go that waies of a good affection: at the leaſte I am content to beleeue ſo: but whatſoeuer purpoſe they hauehave, yet this may we not ſay, that they therfore keep a ſtreight rule, & a good meſure therin. Some wil ſay, we can wel go to their baptiſmes: For therein there is no manifeſt Idolatry. As though the Sacrament were not there defiled diuerſe waies, ſo that it ſhould ſeeme that Ieſus Chriſt were yet in Pilats houſe, to be boxed on the eare, & abuſed with all reproche and villanie. p. 11To conclude, whereas they ſay, that it is to ſhewe that they are a people not without religiō, if they ſhould be demaūded vpō theyr cōſciences why they do it, they would anſwere that it were to pleaſe the Papiſtes, and to make a ſhew to the end to ſhun perſecution. Otherſome ſpye out theyr time not to come while maſſe is a ſaying: and yet they come to Churche, to the end men might thinke they were there. Others onelyonly for theyr part keepe themſelues to euenſong; but I would faine knowe of them, whether they thinke it nothing to cenſe their Idolles, and that a ſolempne praier bee grounded vppon the interceſſion and merites of any Saint: whē they ſing Salueregine, a thing ſo ſtuffed with execrable and diuiliſh blaſphemies. I paſſe ouer that the ſinging it ſelfe in an vnknowen tongue, is a manyfeſt prophanation of the holy Scripture, and of the prayſes of God: as ſaint Paule doth admoniſhe in the 14. of the firſte to the Corinthians. But admit, that this laſt fault be pardoned them, if they come to euen ſong to geue ſome teſtimonie of their Chriſtianitie, this ſhoulde eſpecially be done at their great feaſtes They wil make there a ſolempne incenſing of theyr chiefe Idols: which is a kinde of Sacrifice as the ſcripture ſheweth: and likewiſe this was a common faſhion that the Heathen had too make thoſe that were weake to renounce God. And this is the ſpeciall quarrell for which the greateſt parte of Martyres hauehave ſuffered death: to wit, becauſe they would not make perfumes and burne incenſe too Idolles. When theſe men bee come thus farre that they receiue in theyr noſes the ſauour of the Cenſours, they infecte them ſelues with the pollution which is there cōmitted: and they thought that this ſo great wickedneſſe muſte bee hid and couered. But I pray theſe in the name of God, that they will marke well that which is ſaid here that the Idols ought to be in ſo great deteſtation to a faithfull man, that they ſhould not bee taken in his mouth for feare of defiling him. This onelyonly woorde vndoubtedly ought rather to pul vsus backe from al that might entangle vsus amiddeſt the pollutions of Idolaters.

But nowe to ſpeake more freely of all thoſe that woulde keepe a meane betwixt God and the Deuill, they are double faced hypocrites: and I can finde no better compariſon too painte them out liuely in their colours, then that of Eſau: For when he ſawe that Iſaack his father ſent Iacob into Meſopotamia to take him a wife, for aſmuche as thoſe of the Countrey of Canaan diſpleaſed both him and Rebecca his wife, ſo farre foorth as they hated them deadly, to ſatiſfie his parentes in parte, he tooke him a newe wife: but hee forſooke not her whō he had alredy. He kept the euil then whereof Iſaack complayned: but to botch vp the matter in ſome ſort, he huddled vp a newe marriage. So, they who are ſo wrapped in the world that they cannot follow that which GOD commaundeth, they make many medlayes, and hotchpotches of ſundry ſortes, that in ſome ſorte they maye conforme themſelues too Goddes wyll: but they ceaſe not for all that, alwayes too retaine ſome corruption, ſo as all that they doo, is neither pure nor ſincere. I know very well that there are many poore ſoules in great perplexitie, who without hypocriſie deſire to walke the ryght way, and yet notwithſtanding they can not ridde them ſelues from many doubtes: wherat p. 12I doe not much wo…nder, conſidering the horrible confuſion that is in the Papacy. In very deede I much pitie theyr caſe, who ſeeke the meanes that they may to ſerue GOD, keeping them ſelues if it were poſſible, amongeſt the enimies of the faith. But what? I know not what elſe to do either to the one or to the other, but to ſhewe them wherein they hauehave faulted, to the ende they may amend it.

If any will come and demaunde this or that particularly, I will ſende ſuche enquirers to that generall rule of GOD which I holde. I ſpeake this, becauſe there are ſome ſo importune, that a man ſhall neuer hauehave doone, if he would anſwere all theyr doubtes. Such people may rightly be compared to them who after they hauehave hearde a Sermon, wherein they are exhorted without ſuperfluitie & pompe ſoberly to hearken vntounto it, would rather hauehave the preacher to make theyr Hoſe and ſewe their ſhooes. Well, what muſte we doo then? wee hauehave in all this a certaine marke whereunto we muſt aime: that is, that the zeale of Gods houſe do euen eate vp our hearte, and ſo moue vsus that we take vppon our ſelues all the diſhonours and opprobries which are doone vntoo vsus for his name.

When ſuch zeale ſhall be well kindled in our heartes, and ſhall not be like ſtubble ſet on fyer, and quickly quenched, but ſhall burne continually therewith: a man ſhall bee ſo farre of, from makyng ſhewe too approue the abhominations wherewith GOD is diſhonoured, that it ſhall bee impoſſible for vsus too holde our peace, and too diſſemble when we ſee them.

And let vsus marke well that it is ſaide: The zeale of Gods houſe: to the ende we ſhoulde knowe that this is too be referred to the outward order which is in the church, to the end wee ſhoulde exerciſe our ſelues in the confeſſion of our faith. I way not thoſe mockers, who ſay that I can talke trimly of theſe matters, liuing at mine own eaſe: for they hauehave no great adoe with me, foraſmuche as it is well knowen that I hauehave no land heere. And as muche ſay I of all theſe philoſophers who geue ſentence thereof, without knowledge of the cauſe. For ſeeing that they will not hearken vntounto God, who ſpeaketh vntounto them, to teache them, I cite them too appeare before his iudgemente ſeate, where they ſhall heare their ſentence, againſt which there ſhalbe no more queſtion of replie. Seeing they will not now heare him as their maiſter, they ſhal then vnderſtande him too bee theyr iudge in ſpite of their teethe. The beſt able and craftieſt ſhall there find thēſelues ouerreached & deceiued in their accoūt. Let thē be as wel exerciſed and trained as can bee, to ouerthrowe or to darken the trueth: yet their Miniuer hoodes and badges wherin they are woont ſo proudly to vaunt them ſelues, and in highly eſteeming them ſelues to deceiue them ſelues, ſhall not geue them the victory. I ſpeake this becauſe my Lordes the Counſellours, Iudges, and Aduocates not onelyonly enterpriſe too pleade againſt GOD too hauehave a priuiledge to mocke him: but in reiecting the holy Scripture they ſpewe out their blaſpemies, as Soueraigne and vnreuocable determinations and ſentences. And ſuche manner of Idolles wyll bee ſo prowde that when they hauehave once ſpoken a woorde, they cannot abide that reaſon or trueth hauehave anye place. But p. 13yet this I ſhew them by the way that it were much better for them to think what an horrible vengeance is prepared for all thoſe that turne the trueth of God into a lye. Let not theſe chamber and carpet Doctors take heere any higher eſtate vponupon them then is fit for them. For this were to chatter againſte our heauenly maiſter, to whome it is meete that all we giuegive audience. Theſe goodly titles auaile nothing heere too exempt any man from iudgement: except it bee that the Lord Abbots, Pryors, Deanes, and Archdeacons be conſtrained to lead the dance in this greeuous condemnation that God ſhall pronounce. Now although my Lordes the Courtiers were woont too pleaſe men with their holie Water, yet they ſhall not ſo pleaſe God. To conclude, let all theſe trifling Spendthriftes Ieſters and Praters holde their tongue, and not caſte foorth their accuſtomed cauills, vnleſſe they wil feele his mightie hande, at whoſe woorde they ought too tremble. This is a foule errour to make men beleeue, that in taking me to be their aduerſarie they ſhall not hauehave God any more to be their Iudge. Let them then blot my name out of their papers in this matter, I pretende therein nothing but that God may be hearde & obayed, and not to gouerne mens conſciences according to my appetite, not to lay any neceſſitie or lawe vponupon them. Concerning others, that reiect not Gods word in ſuch pride and outrage, and yet notwithſtanding are ſo weake and ſluggiſh, that one cannot make them once to wag, I exhorte them that they take better heede unto themſelues, not to flatter themſelues, as they hauehave doone hetherto. But that they open their eyes, & awaken, to ſee and to feele their wretchedne… and miſerie. I knowe the difficulties and ſtraight… wherein they are, neyther doe I ſpeake vntounto them of ſeruing GOD purely among Idolaters, as of an eaſie matter: but if they want ſtrength, let them flye vntoo GOD, too the ende hee may fortifie them, and they may learne to preferre his glory before all the thinges in the worlde. I deſire al the poore faithfull ones that are in the Papacie that they wyll mark this, as the Prophet Ieremie beyng in Ieruſalem, ſente the ſame leſſon too the people that were kept in captiuitie at Babylon. If the tyrrannie of the Pope and of his bee ſo harde and cruell, the Iewes of that time had their parte thereof: And yet notwithſtandyng they were commaunded too deteſt and abhorre the Idolatrie of Chaldea, euen in the very boſome of the Countrey: For it is no reaſon that the tyrrannye of men ſhoulde empayre or diminiſh the due honor that wee owe vntounto GOD. There is here no exception or priuiledge, for great or ſmall, rych or poore. Let all men therefore bowe downe theyr neckes, let the poore feare, leaſt he ſaying for feare I knowe not what to do, GOD aunſweare, neyther knowe I what too make of thee. Let not the ryche be drunken with theyr eaſe, as it were lying vppon theyr Bedde? But rather let them learne by the Apoſtle Sainte Paule his example too accounte all but Dung and loſſe, which may turne or hynder them from Chriſtian life.

In the meane tyme, let not vsus forget for our parte, that which I touched in the beginning: that is, too applie this to our inſtruction, too bee alwayes ready into what coaſt of the world ſo euer wee ſhall be carried, or what thing ſoeuer happen vntounto vsus, too continue p. 14ſtedfaſte in the ſincere confeſſion of our faith, deteſtyng all ſuperſtitions, and Idolatries and abuſes which are contrary too the trueth of GOD, darken his honour, and ouerthrowe his ſeruice.