Sermons on Deuteronomy, Sermons · Sermon 171
On Tewsday the xxj. of April, 1556. The CLXXI. Sermon which is the third vponupon the thirtith Chapter.
11 For the commaundement which I commaund thee this day, is not hidden from thee, nor farre off from thee.
12 It is not in heauen, that thou mightest say, which of vsus shal go vp into heauen and fetch it vsus, to make vsus heare it that we may doe it?
13 Neither is it beyond the Sea, that thou mightest say, which of vsus shall goe ouer the sea, and bring it vsus, that we may heare it and doe it?
14 For this worde is very nigh thee, euen in thy mouth and in thine heart, to doe it.
HEretofore in the last Chapter, Moses had put a difference betwixt Gods secrets and the law,… saying that if wee bee learned in Gods worde, we shal alwayes find such doctrine as is behouefull for our selues and for our children. And in the same place hee protested, that God speaketh not in such darke manner, as men cannot vnderstand what hee meaneth: but that he expresseth his wil faithfully, to the end they should hauehave good and conuenient instruction to their saluation. Nowe continuing his purpose, he …aith farther, that the Lawe which he had declared, is not a secret doctrine, nor farre distant from the people, so as they might reply, saying: Who is hee that shall passe ouer the sea? or who is hee that shall mount vp aboue the clowdes? No, saith hee, the worde is set downe before thine eyes, thou hast it in thy mouth and in thy heart: and so is there no place at all of excuse through ignorance: wherefore turne that grace to your profite; otherwise there is nought else to be looked for, but dreadfull condemnation before God vponupon all them that continue in their blindnesse; for here is that true light which shoulde guide vsus in all the course of our lyfe. Wee see what Moses meant in this Text; euen to exhort them to whom hee had deliuered the Lawe, to be attentiue to the same. Now for that purpose, he promiseth them that in so doing, they shoulde not spend their time in vaine, but that if they would apply their studie to bee edified in the worde of God, they shoulde finde sufficient for that purpose. On the contrarie side, he pronounceth a terrible threatning against all them that goe about to shielde thēselues with ignorance. For there remaineth no more excuse after that GOD hath spoken. If this were said in the time of the Lawe: howe much more conueniently may it bee sayd to vsus of these dayes? For wee are not ignorant that God hath shewed himselfe vntounto vsus more familiarly, than to them to whom Moses spake: they had onelyonly that which remaineth vntounto vsus to this day. But since that time, God sent his Prophets, which hauehave more largely expounded ye thinges, that were briefely and darkly mentioned in the lawe. After all this, the Lorde Christ our sauiour is come into the worlde, and hath accomplished that which was spoken by the Apostle in the Epistle to the Hebrues:Hebr. 1.…. that God had spoken after diuers manners vntounto our fathers, but nowe lastly, he hath shewed himselfe by the mouth of his onelyonly Sonne, giuing vsus a final conclusion of all Prophesies, and eueryevery maner of doctrine. We heare also how our Lorde Iesus sayth: that many kinges and Prophets had longed to see and to heare that which his disciples sawe and heard,Luke. 10.24▪ and that they found not that fauour. This also is spoken vntounto vsus. So then let vsus marke well that the reproofe which Moses layd to the Iewes whom hee taught, shall turne to our dreadfull condemnation, if we profit not in the schoole of God, whiles he taketh the care and trauaile to teach vsus. Nowe for one point wee hauehave to note what is sayd here: namely, That the word is not hidden nor farre from vsus, so as wee might say: who is hee that shall passe ouer the Sea? who is hee that shall mount vp aboue the Clowdes? By these wordes God sheweth, that when his word is published, it is not in vaine, as it is also sayd by his Prophet Esay.Esa. 45.19. Wee conclude then, that the doctrine of God is not of it selfe so incomprehensible, that woe hauehave not abilitie to conceiue it: but that it is a perfect light whereby wee may beholde the way of saluation, as hereafter shall be shewed. It is such an orderly kinde of teaching, as no body but our selues is to bee blamed, if we be not edifyed as we ought to bee, and so farre forth as is necessarie for vsus. See here then I pray you the Testimonie which God giueth vntounto his worde: namely, how it is not a iarring that cannot bee vnderstoode, but a playne speech, to the end that men might be brought vntounto him, by knowing what is meete and expedient for them, by discerning betwixt the good and the euill. Nowe seeing that God speaketh thus of his worde, wee must not doubt to finde that which hee saith. For otherwise we shoulde make him a lyer: but hee shall be found faithfull, and our selues condemned of Blasphemie. Let vsus marke farther, that the promise which God maketh vsus, is infallible, to the end that wee should stand fast, and not wauer with any doubt or scruple, if wee suffer our selues to be taught by him. Then let vsus but yeelde our selues teachable, and sure it is, that God for his parte, will not suffer vsus to dwell in suspence, nor our mindes to wander, and to goe on groping like blinde folke. There is full certainetie of knowledge, if wee become good scholers to God, and resist him not as robbers. And here a man may see the froward vnthankfulnesse of the Papistes, which would make men beleeue, that they should not venture to reade the holy scripture, nor once be so hardy as to looke into it, because it is so high and so deep a thing, yt men shal be forthwith caryed away into many errors and many fancies. It is very true that men doe abuse the trueth of God: and we our selues doe see, howe they turne the trueth into lyes: But yet to impute the same vntounto Gods word; it were a diuelish blasphemie. And therefore let vsus learn that we must settle our selues wholy vppon that which is shewed vntounto vsus here. For God himselfe dooth assure vsus that in his worde we shall finde the right vnderstanding of all thinges that are expedient for our saluation. Thinke we that our good God will deceiue vsus? Let vsus therefoee abhorre the excuse which the Papistes doe holde, of purpose to dwel, to nestle, yea and altogether to rotte in their ignorance, But contrariwise, let vsus trust and wholy rest vponupon this promise, knowing that God doth vsus an inestimable good turn, whensoeuer it pleaseth him to set his worde before our eyes; and to deliuer it to bee preached in our eares. Now then, whensoeuer God giueth vsus his knowledge, let vsus vnderstand that he will not hauehave such a treasure to be lost or to perish: but that we should receiue it, and turne it to our cōmoditie. But herewithal we hauehave to mark also, that vntill God hauehave spoken and taught vsus in his schoole, we hauehave neither learning not wit, but are as stray cattell, and at a worde vtterly forlorne. It is not therefore without cause that Moses saith: The commaundement which I giuegive thee, is not hidden from thee, nor farre off, so as thou mightest say: Who shall goe vp to heauen? Who shall passe ouer the Sea? or who shall goe downe into the deepe? Hereby he giueth vsus to vnderstand that if God doe pluck back his word, so as we know not what hee requireth of vsus, nor hauehave any testimony of his will: then may wee well seeke about lyke people in perplexitie, crying alas, what shall we doe? Who is hee that shal goe vp aboue the clowdes; who is hee that shall goe downe into the deepe? Who is hee that shall passe the Sea? To what end? There is no other instruction at all, whereby God giueth vsus any certaine, and infallibe direction. When we bee thus destitute, wee bee as lost people, hauing neither way nor path to leade vsus, we can discerne nothing. Howe much soeuer men doe attribute to their owne wisedome, supposing themselues discreete enough to rule themselues all their lyfe long: yet are they but wretched beastes, vntill God hauehave shewed them his will. Thus much for one poynt.
Nowe it is farther to bee vnderstood, that if GOD come not first to vsus, wee hauehave no meane to come at him. Who is he that can giuegive vsus winges to mount vp to heauen? Or howe shall wee be able to passe ouer the deepe? Although we had the knowledge of all secrets of nature: well might we trauell all the worlde from place to place, and well might we mount aloft vntounto the very skyes: and yet in the meane while wee shoulde want the cheefest thing of all, which is to vnderstand the trueth of God; for that surmounteth al the wit of man. Let vsus learne therefore, that God in his infinite goodnesse, perceauing that we hauehave no meane to approch vntounto him: giueth vsus an easie accesse thither. Yea and hee commeth downe vntounto vsus, to fashion himselfe to our rudenesse and infirmitie. We see how he dooth (as ye would say) stammer with vsus: for hee speaketh not in such loftinesse, as might well seeme agreeable to his infinite glory & maiestie; but the phrase of holy scripture is grosse and rude; by the which God speaketh to vsus in such plaine manner, as there remaineth no excuse for vsus, if we vnderstand him not plainely. Seeing it is so, let vsus vse this maruailous goodnesse which God hath bestowed on vsus, and let vsus holde vsus to the same: and therewithall let vsus also acknowledge our owne ignorance, that wee may humble our selues: for the very cause why so fewe folke doe profite in the holy scripture; is their owne ouerweening, in that they be forepossessed with an imagination of their owne wisedome and sharpnesse of wit: and so being drunken with their owne conceite, they alwayes despise the worde of GOD. Let vsus therefore humble ourselues, for wee knowe that God nameth himselfe the teacher of the lowly and of litle ones,Psal. 19.… Psal. 11….… to the ende wee shoulde not come to the hearing of his worde, as people puffed vp with our owne greatnesse, fondly surmising our selues to bee men of great abilitie to discerne: but that our whole wisedome should consist in obeying him, in considering that seeing hee hath stooped so lowe vntounto vsus, it is not for any of vsus to aduaunce himselfe. And seeing wee hauehave no winges to mount vp aloft, let vsus take heede that wee attempt it not: for so may wee fall and breake our neckes, mount wee neuer so little.
But let vsus marke moreouer, that his promise dooth importe also a condemnation to them that hauehave their eares continually beaten with the worde of GOD, and yet remaine hardhearted still, and receiue no profite thereof at all. In deede the Gospell (wherein the Law of righteousnesse is conteyned) is preached continually: and if wee be of that sorte which S. Paul speaketh of,… 7. which are alwayes learning and neuer come to the knowledge of the trueth; thinke we that wee bee excusable before God? Surely no. It will come to passe that whatsoeuer we hauehave at any time heard of the worde of God, the same must come to reckoning and we shall be reproued of vnthankfulnesse, because great treasure shall hauehave perished without any benefite vntounto vsus. Wee shall not hauehave heard that Sermon in all our lyfe, which God will not lay to our charge at the latter day: as how? How hauehave you profited by it? Wee hauehave not heard one lecture, that shall not bee recited vntounto vsus. Let vsus therefore bee well aduised, and whilest the Lorde is willing to teach vsus, giuing vsus faithfull expounders of his worde, and dealing so familiarly with vsus: let vsus for our parte bee diligent to receiue it, and embracing the doctrine that is deliuered vntounto vsus, let vsus shewe our selues more and more conformable to the same: not alledging the obscuritie and depth of it therefore, as the Papistes doe, which goe about to shield them with their ignorance, saying that the holy Scripture is too high and ouer deepe to bee conceiued. It is true that the holy scripture is too high and too deepe: but that is in respect that wee be wrapped in mistie darkenesse. But it is the office of GOD to inlighten vsus; as wee shall see hereafter. Howsoeuer the matter standeth; let vsus assure ourselues of this, that if wee yeelde our sel…es pliable to Gods direction, he will instruct vsus faithfully in his worde, so as wee shall feele it to bee neere vntounto vsus. But yet is this neuer accomplished in vsus, vntill our Lorde instruct vsus by his holy spirit, together with the preaching of his worde by the mouthes of men. And that is the cause why Saint Paul in the x. Chapter to the Romans sayth, that this sentence is to bee applyed to the Gospel.… At the first sight, it woulde seeme that S. Paul tooke it contrary to the meaning of Moses. And for proofe thereof, doth not Moses in this place speake of the Law? Hee saith: The commaundement which I ordayne for thee this day. In saying, this day, hee speaketh of his office. Nowe his office was to bring the Lawe and to publish it. It is sayd in the first of Iohn, that the Lawe was giuen by Moses,… but grace and trueth were giuen by Iesus Christ: It seemeth not then that this can in any way agree with the Gospell. But if we marke it well; wee shall finde it good reason, that Saint Paul saith, that this poynt is not verifyed, vntill wee come throughly to Christ. And why? Let vsus take Moses to witnesse without going any further. Wee hauehave seene here afore, that in fourtie yeeres space after the setting forth of the Lawe, the people had profited nothing in it. The reason thereof is this: For thy God hath not giuen thee an vnderstanding heart,… …3.4. euen to this day. Wee hauehave the Lawe beaten into our eares, and yet in the meane while wee are still dulheadded, and conceiue not the meaning of Gods speach. This (as I hauehave sayd afore) proceedeth not of any faulte yt is in the Law; but of our owne wretched blindnesse: As the Sunne is as bright to the blinde, as to all other men: but yet they bee not able to receiue lyke benefit by the light thereof: Euen so standeth the case with vsus. (Thus much for one poynt.) Insomuch that as long as God speaketh to vsus but onelyonly by the mouthes of men: It is but losse of time. And wherefore? Because wee are deafe, wee are blinde: wee are dulheaded; neither is it sufficient for vsus that the commaundement bee layd directly before our eyes: that wee neede not…punc; to mount aboue the clowdes; and that wee neede not to discend into the deepe to seeke for it: for it must bee in our mouth and in our heart. But how shall we hauehave it in our mouth and in our heart? Soothly euen by Gods putting of it there by the grace of his holy spirit. Saint Paul therefore presupposeth this grace to proceede from God peculiarly toward his elect; that he not onelyonly offereth himselfe freely vntounto them, (which manner of speach Moses also did vse when he sayd, God sheweth vsus his goodnes after a special maner:)Deut. 4.7. but also imprinteth it in our hartes, making vsus to vnderstand what he sayth, by giuing vsus the spirit of knowledge and discretion: for vntill God hath so wrought with vsus, his word lyeth still hidden from vsus. And we heare what he saith by the Prophet Esay:Esa. 28 11. & 29.11.12. I wil (saith God) speake vntounto this people in a straunge and vnknowen language: And when I send forth my Prophets, eueryevery man shall bee astonished saying; What is this? What is it that God sayth? For I will speake to them in high Dutch, of purpose that they shall not vnderstand one iotte, and so shall all the prophesies be vntounto them, as a sealed booke: which if you offer to a learned man, hee will answere: I would read in it, but the booke is close and sealed vp: therefore let it be opened and I will see what matter is in it: Againe it shall bee a booke layd open, yea but as a booke offered to the vnlearned, and to little children; and they shall say, I see heere is a booke, a man may well perceaue the letters, but I hauehave not bin at schoole, I am not learned: I see well the letters, but I knowe not what they meane. Wee see that our Lorde speaketh, and yet notwithstanding, he is not vnderstoode. Therefore let vsus marke that Moses presupposed God to hauehave giuen vnderstanding to the people. Now his giuing of it was by the meane of Iesus Christ our Lord, and that not through the Lawe, but through the Gospel. The Lawe of it selfe bringeth nothing but condemnation, conuerting men before God,Rom. 4.15. & 7.7. making forth their proces, and finding them guiltie: as wee hauehave heretofore alledged: The case beeing so: there is but onelyonly one meane, whereby to bee inlightened from God, so as wee may attaine to the knowledge of his holy will for our saluation: And that is to acknowledge the grace which is offered vntounto vsus in his Gospell through our Sauiour Christ.
It is not therefore without cause that Saint Paul addeth this title vntounto the worde:Rom. 10.…. It is (saith he) the word of faith that wee preach vntounto you. He calleth it the worde of faith, when wee not onelyonly knowe whereto we be bound, and vnderstand what God exacteth and requireth of vsus, and what hee commandeth vsus: but also, when wee come to him as destitute of all goodnesse, beseeching him to vouchsafe to take pitie of our want and needinesse, and to enrich vsus with his graces. When wee seeke God in this maner, and aske of him that which wee want: then hauehave wee the worde of faith, and not the word of the Lawe. For the worde of the Law sayth, Doe this and doe that, and beware of such a thing, which if thou transgresse, beholde the curse is prepared for thee. By the worde of the Lawe wee see whereunto wee are bound, but wee bee not able to discharge it; but wee stand all confounded and damned. It behooueth vsus therefore to hauehave the worde of faith, that is to say, to taste of Gods promises, whereby hee sheweth himselfe so bountifull towarde vsus through our Lorde Iesus Christ. When we receiue this as it is offred vntounto vsus in the Gospel; then is that fulfilled which is spoken here; to wit, that the worde is not aboue the clowdes, that it is not in the bottome of the deepe, nor on the other side of the Sea: but in our mouth and in our heart. Wee hauehave therefore to consider first of all, that God holdeth men sufficiently guiltie, after hee hath once taught them. For as soone as the worde is preached, there is present condemnation to all them that cannot profite thereby, and there is no way for them to scape. And why? For God hath called vsus, and wee hauehave not aunswered him: he hath shewed vsus the way, and we hauehave not vouchsafed to enter therein: to bee shorte, wee see that when Gods worde hath bin preached vntounto vsus, there is matter sufficient to reprooue vsus, and wee cannot reply vntounto it. But herewithall let vsus marke also, that as touching our parte, the worde of GOD is at it were aloft aboue the skyes, or as if it were in the bottome of the deepe, notwithstanding that wee hauehave our eares continually beaten therewith. Herein wee see the wretchednesse of our nature, that though God speake vntounto vsus with open mouth, and teach vsus neuer so faithfully, yet doe wee continue still as we were, so as no amendment at all is perceiued in vsus, for all the long schooling that God hath bestowed on vsus. What is to be done then? That GOD hauing spoken by the mouth of men, and by the holy scripture, doe also gather vsus vntounto him, and make vsus to feele his goodnesse towarde vsus. For it is not sufficient for vsus to vnderstand the thinges that are shewed vsus in the holy scripture: but wee must also bee touched to the quicke with them in our heartes, that wee may bee well assured of Gods fatherly louelove towardes vsus. Whē wee are once at that poynt, there is no more hyding, then is there no more darkenesse in the holy scripture: but it is a sufficient instruction, insomuch as it is good and expedient for vsus. For this cause dooth Saint Paul sende vsus to our Lorde Iesus Christ, saying. That if we beleeue with our heart to Iustification,Rom. 10.6. and confesse with our mouth to saluation that Christ dyed, and that GOD raysed him againe, then are wee in that perfection which Moses speaketh of here. Nowe it is true that Saint Paul dooth vse in this place, the worde Hell, for the worde Deepe: which hee dooth for the fitter applying of that sentence to his owne purpose, which Moses did vse after a general manner. Moses speaketh after the common custome of men. O what is hee that can dig down into the bottome of the deepe? Who is he that can mount vp aloft aboue the skyes? Saint Paul minding to apply this to our Sauiour Christ, sayth, that we need not to alledge either heauen or hell, or aught else that can bee imagined in this worlde; God dooth sufficiently shewe himselfe vntounto vsus, in that wee hauehave witnesse that Iesus Christ dyed and is risen againe. For wee knowe that by the vertue of that worde, Hell is bereft of all power ouer vsus; and heauen is set open for vsus. True it is that wee must beginne with this simplicitie that Moses speaketh of. When hee saith that the worde is in our mouth, and in our heart; his meaning is that the being thereof in our mouth, is to the end wee shoulde talke of it, and so become learned: and that the being thereof in our heart, is to the ende wee shoulde vnderstand it. But Saint Paul goeth yet farther: not that hee wresteth and wringeth the Testimonie of Moses: but hee sheweth that the same is in very deed fulfille…: to wit, that wee hauehave power to speake the worde of GOD as wee ought, and that we hauehave it also imprinted in our hearts. He sayth then, first that wee must come vntounto our Lorde Iesus Christ, according to this saying, which is set downe in another place, namely, that Iesus Christ is the ende of the Lawe,Rom. 10.4. and also that hee is the lyfe of it. Then we see that if wee meane to profite by the holy Scripture, wee must hye vsus to our Lorde Iesus Christ; for hee is the liuely Image of God;Col. 1.15. & 2.3. it is he in whome are comprehended al the treasures of wisedome and vnderstanding. Thus much concerning that poynt.
Are wee nowe come vntounto Iesus Christ? It behooueth vsus to knowe the principall thing that is giuen vsus in him, to wit, that wee bee redeemed by his death and passion; for he hath suffered the paynes that were due vntounto vsus, and hath borne that dreadfull vengeance of God, which belonged vntounto vsus, and hath thereby made vsus free. That then is the benefite which wee reape by the death and passion of our Lorde Iesus Christ: and by his resurrection hee hath purchased righteousnesse and lyfe for vsus: and hath also opened vntounto vsus the kingdome of heauen, from the which wee were earst banished. Nowe first of all, when wee call to minde the death, and passion of our Lorde Iesus Christ, wee must needes bee deliuered from all anguishe and distresse of minde. For hee telleth vsus (as it is sayd here) that it is not for vsus to alledge any more; Who shall goe downe into hell? (as we hauehave beene woont to doe.) Howe nowe? If all sinners must be condemned before God: seeing that wee bee sinners; surely wee bee all vndone. And who is he that can assure mee that hell shall hauehave no power ouer me? I feele the sinne which doth accuse mee, and that is all one as if I shoulde beholde the gulfe open readie to swallowe mee vp; Sathan hath gotten the maisterie ouer me. See how men are dismayed and plunged in continuall griefe and trouble of minde, vntill they hauehave receiued knowledge of the benefite that commeth by the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ. But we knowe that our Lorde Iesus suffered the sorrowes of hell, and yet was not holden prisoner of the same (as Sainct Peter sheweth in the Actes:)… whereby wee be well assured, that the bandes of death are broken, and that hell hath no more power to swallow vsus. And why? Because the Lorde Iesus hath purchased vsus freedome. But howe know we that? By the Gospell. But if I still stande in doubt whether I bee deliuered from the curse of God; it is as much as if I shoulde drawe Christ againe from death: for hee is not deade in vaine. To what ende is it? Let vsus consider a little wherefore the onelyonly sonne of God yeelded himselfe to such shame; as to be hanged on tree, and to be as it were accursed before God his father, (according as wee hauehave seene euen in the one and twentith Chapter of this booke,) and to bee beaten by the hande of God,… …1.23 ….2. vntill hee seemed as vile as a Leper, as the Prophet Esay saith in the 53. Chapter, that hee bare the burden of all our offences: as if he had beene a miserable sinner; and was enuironed with such extreme sorowe, that hee wist not what to say, but to crie out:… …7.…6. My God my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And thinke wee that the sonne of God dalyed when he was so humbled, yea and not onelyonly was made vtterly of no reputation, as Sainct Paul saieth: but also fought with the pangues and sorrowes of death?… He offered himselfe in the person of vsus, as a wretched sinner to beare that vengeance of God which was due vntounto vsus, so as (to bee short) he knewe that God was bent against him, to thunder downe vppon him for our sakes. Forasmuch then as we know that Iesus Christ abode such incounters for our redemption: stande wee yet still scanning and replying, as who woulde say, O I cannot tell, and howe can I bee sure of it? Surely that were euen as much as to deny the death and passion of our Lorde Iesus Christ. For it is a plaine scorning of all that hee hath endured and suffered for our saluation, when wee acknowledge not the fruite that doeth growe vntounto vsus thereby. So then the first point is, that hauing the Gospel, wee hauehave whereuppon to rest, so as wee neede not to alledge: What is he that shall goe downe into hel? For Iesus Christ hath beene there, to the end that wee shoulde not come there at all: and at this day hee giueth vsus witnesse of the same by the Gospel, to the intent wee shoulde knowe that his death hath alwayes present power and operation for all such as flee vntounto it for refuge.
Also there is on the otherside, that wee hauehave no more cause to replie, Who is hee that shall mount vp to the heauens? Why? That is asmuch (saieth Sainct Paul) as to plucke downe Christ from the heauenly glorie, whereunto hee is exalted. Wee say in an article of our faith, that Christ descended into hell. In so saying wee ought to assure our selues, that we bee nowe out of daunger, for hee entred thither to the ende that wee should be free from it. We adde thereunto, that hee is also ascended into heauen. And why? To the ende that wee might knowe that the gate thereof standeth open for vsus. We heare also how hee tolde his disciples: In my fathers house are many mansions:Iohn. 14.2. signifying therby that heauen was not onelyonly for himselfe, but that it is a common heritage for all the faithfull, and that hee hath taken possession thereof, as it were in our behalfe. Nowe then, we protest in the article of our beliefe, that the heauens at this time stand open for vsus: and that wee ought to assure our selues to come thither, because our Lorde Iesus Christ, our heade, is gone vp thither and will not bee separated from the members of his bodie. Notwithstanding that wee hauehave confessed this: yet wee stand scanning still, and are full of wauering fancies: Ah, say wee, I know not for all that, what shall become of mee, I cannot tell whether God doth recken me to be one of his children: who is he that hath bin in heauen, who is he that hath come thence againe to bring vsus newes? See these diuelish blasphemies. This is not onelyonly to stande in doubt of the trueth of the Gospel, but also to teare Christ Iesus in peeces, asmuch as we can. O horrible outrage against the sonne of God: for hee that doubteth of his saluation, sheweth himselfe to beleeue no whit of that which wee confesse, namely that Iesus Christ hath soueraigne dominion both in heauen & in earth: that God gouerneth the world by him, yt he maketh al creatures to kneel down to do him homage:Phil. 2.10. to be short, wee acknowledge not that the Lorde Iesus Christ is risen againe from the deade: but to the vttermost of our power, we go about to deface and to abolish the power of the holy Ghost, which shewed it selfe in his resurrection. See nowe in what case wee be, if we receiue not the Testimonie of the Gospell, to assure vsus, that wee bee as it were, rapted vp into heauen, euen to enter directly into the possession of all those goods which ly hidden from vsus, and are not visible; as the Prophet Esay saieth:Esa. 64.4. 2. Cor. 2.9. such as the heart of man is not able to conceiue. If wee see not an open gappe euen vntounto hell; to spyte Sathan, to defie death, and to triumph ouer all thinges that may impeach our saluation: well, let vsus on the one side consider howe sainct Paul saieth, that when wee hauehave receiued the Gospell through faith, wee bee foorthwith set downe in the heauenly places:Eph. 2.6. we bee (as yee would say) enthronished with the Angels of Paradise, as alreadie raised vp thither by God. It is true that heere beneath, wee be as wretched wormes creeping vppon the grounde; but when wee hauehave once the doctrine of faith,…. Pet. 1.3.4.5. we hauehave the earnest penny of our saluation; according as saint Peter saieth; that through faith wee may put our selues into the handes of God in such manner, that lifting vp our eyes & minds into heauē, we be brought in thither, because that Iesus Christ our heade is there before in our behalfe, and hath there prepared the heritage which he will hold in cō mon with vsus. Thus ye see how we must practise this point, following the exhortation of S. Paul. Moreouer wee must likewise marke howe hee saith; that wee must beleeue with the heart to iustification, and confesse with the mouth to saluation. I hauehave heretofore shewed you briefly the substance of our faith; howe it must rest wholly vppon the death and resurrection of our Lorde Iesus Christ: I say vppon his death, because that hee by his obedience, hath put away all our iniquities and transgressions: hee hath suffered the punishment that was due vntounto vsus, to discharge vsus of the same, he hath also dispatched away the curse which lay vppon vsus. So much concerning the first point.
Nowe concerning the seconde; wee must vnderstande, that by his rising againe he hath purchased righteousnesse vntounto vsus, and therby shewed himselfe a conquerour ouer sinne and death: and his resurrection doeth also import that hee is ascended into heauen, of purpose to take the possession of that inheritance, which hee will make common vntounto vsus, and of the which hee will make vsus partakers with himselfe. This is the substance of our faith. Nowe it behooueth to hauehave this faith both in our heart and in our mouth. Truely it were to small purpose if wee did but talke of the graces and blessings which our Lorde Iesus Christ hath brought vntounto vsus; as wee see a great number of bablers doe; they talke much thereof, but what are they the better for it, sauing that it increaseth their condemnation? It is no great matter then to hauehave the confession of faith on the tippe of the tongue before men: for it must be rooted in the heart, we must (say I) hauehave ye vertue of the death and resurrection of our Lorde Iesus Christ imprinted within vsus, and sainct Paul saieth, that that serueth vsus for righteousnesse. And why? Because wee knowe that wee bee reconciled to GOD, insomuch that Christ hath taken our burden vppon him, so as wee being thereof discharged are become acceptable vntounto God, so yt he will no more impute our sinnes vntounto vsus. And why? For Christ should hauehave suffered in vain for vsus, if we should nowe be called to reckening for our sins. Thus then wee stand acquited through the satisfaction made for vsus by Christ Iesus: and that is the righteousnesse whereof Sainct Paul speaketh. For when wee receiue Iesus Christ, it is certaine, that hee reneweth vsus by his holy Spirit. And wee bee not onelyonly adopted to bee the children of God by his meanes: but also wee receiue therewith the warrant of our Election, which is that wee bee reserued for the inheritage of God. So then let vsus vnderstande, that there is none other meane whereby wee may attaine to righteousnesse, but by beleeuing with the heart.
Nowe this worde Beleeuing importeth that wee shoulde seeke in Iesus Christ, for that which wee want in our selues. For if wee rest vppon the Lawe, for as much as it commaundeth vsus to doe that which wee ought to doe, it is nothing woorth. But if wee repaire vntounto God, knowing that hee is readie to releeue our wants: that is the thing which is meant by the worde Beleeue, according to the meaning of Sainct Paul. And of a trueth, when wee doe so beleeue, and are so iustified: the same sufficeth for our saluation: For iustification doeth of it selfe import life euerlasting. Neuerthelesse Sainct Paul doeth put ouer saluation to the confession, doing vsus to vnderstande, that the children of GOD ought not to bee tongue tyed, but to magnifie the goodnesse whereof they hauehave had triall, and euerie man to edifie his neighbour as much as in him lyeth.
Nowe then like as wee hauehave our heartes set vppon God to receiue his worde which is offered vntounto vsus: so must wee hauehave our mouth open to glorifie him, by acknowledging howe much wee are beholding vntounto him. They therefore which hauehave through faith embrased the benefites of the death and resurrection of our Lorde Iesus Christ, ought to indeuour to set the same foorth, saying. Our GOD hath so powred out the inestimable treasures of his goodnesse towardes vsus, as it is good reason that all our whole life shoulde bee spent in glorifying him, and yeelding him praise and thanksgiuing: according also as Sainct Peter in his first Epistle saieth:…. Pet. ….1…. that the same is the verie ende why we were brought out of the horrible darkenesse of death, to bee conueied into the kingdome of Gods light, and into the kingdome of life. S. Paul then doeth expresly match the confession of the mouth with saluation, not that faith being right and true is not sufficient of it selfe: nor that wee doe purchase Saluation by speaking: but to shewe that faith cannot bee without confession. Whereby wee see that they which nowadayes doe renounce God by holding their peace, or keepe the knowledge of the Gospell, as it were, buried within them; doe defraude GOD of the honour that is due vntounto him, and neuer knewe what faith meant. O say they, I keepe my faith to my selfe. Yea? Then doest thou make the holy Ghost a lyer. As for those that bee of the Popedome, communicating with ydolaters in al their abhominations, and being readie to turne with euerie winde: if a man tell them that it is a kinde of renouncing God, and a forsaking of him that redeemed them from death. O (say they) I holde my faith in my heart. It is vnpossible that there shoulde bee faith in the heart, but that confession with the mouth shoulde presently followe: or else were the holie Ghost a lyer, as witnesseth Sainct Paul. And that is the thing which hee meant in saying; that when we hauehave beleeued with the heart to iustification, wee must then also confesse with our mouth, that wee hauehave a redeemer which hath deliuered vsus from death, and opened vntounto vsus the kingdome of heauen, to the intent it shoulde nowe bee our inheritance. To bee short, we see howe sainct Paul agreeth very well with Moses. For albeit that Moses intended heere to reprooue such as had hearde the lawe, and to conuict them of vnthankfulnesse: yet hath hee shewed afore, that it is not ynough for vsus to hauehave our eares beaten with the literall worde, vnlesse that God doe also giuegive vsus vnderstanding thereof: and that doeth hee giuegive vsus by our Lorde Iesus Christ. It followeth then, that vnlesse the lawe bee matched with the Gospel; it is not neere vntounto vsus: For although that wee for our part bee dayly taught it, and that the worde doe dwell amongst vsus; yet shall we wander farre from it, and receiue no taste of that which is vttered vntounto vsus. That then is the meaning of Moses. And Sainct Paul doeth verie well agree therewith, in that he telleth vsus that we must resort to Iesus Christ, and acknowledge what profite wee receiue by him, and to what ende hee was sent vntounto vsus from God his father. And moreouer let vsus acknowledge it in such sort, as wee may rest wholly vppon his Gospell, and stande contented when God hath spoken vntounto vsus; and not go about to fetch downe Iesus Christ from aboue, as folke that woulde crucifie him newe againe. Let it suffice vsus, that hee hath fully redeemed vsus by that one sacrifice wherewith hee hath made perfect satisfaction for all. Let it suffice vsus that hee is ascended into heauen, to the ende to drawe vsus vntounto him. And sith we hauehave receiued y• knowledge heereof by the Gospell; let vsus make our profite of it, and beseech God that this doctrine may first of all be printed in our hearts, to the ende that being iustified by his free goodnesse, wee may stande fully assured vppon the redemption and satisfaction which our Lord Iesus Christ hath purchased for vsus, because wee hauehave no righteousnesse in vsus. And thereupon let eueryevery of vsus endeuour to glorifie God, knowing that hee hath adopted vsus to the ende that he might be magnified in all our whole life, according as it is saide in the Prophet Esay,Esa. 43.7. & 21. The people which I hauehave created shall shewe forth my praises.
Nowe let vsus fall downe the maiestie of our good God with acknowledgement of our sins, beseeching him to make vsus to feele them better than heretofore wee hauehave done, and that wee may attaine to the remedie; that is to say, the forgiuenesse of them in our Lorde Iesus Christ. And that forasmuch as our God ceaseth not daily to instruct and to edifie vsus in his word, it may please him not to suffer vsus to bee deafe hearers of him, but rather to pearce our eares, to the ende wee may become throughly obedient vntounto him, and holde vsus therein, and to shew forth the vertue of his holy spirite, to the ende, that the thing which is saide heere may bee accomplished in vsus: And that when we hauehave belieued with our heart, we may also confesse his holy name with our mouth, and our whole life may bee agreeable to the same confession. That it may please him to deale so graciously not with vsus onelyonly, but also with all Nations and people vponupon earth, &c.