Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 27
The .xxvii. Sermon, which is the seuenth vppon the fourth Chapter.
15. But too the end that follovving truth vvith Charitie, vvee myght grovve in all things in him that is the head, too vvit, Christ,
16. By vvhom the vvhole bodie being knit togither, and ioyned by eueryevery ioynt throughout, vvith furniture according too the operation of eche part in measure, taketh the ful growth of a bodie, too the buylding vp of it self in louelove.
WEe hauehave seene heeretoofore, that wee must keepe the order which God hath set among vsus, that wee maye profite in Gods schoole all the tyme of lyfe. For in asmuch as God hath not ordeyued any superfluous thing: we must conclude, that we shall neuer atteyne too so perfect learning whyle wee lyue in this world, but that wee shall hauehave neede too go further styll, and (which is more) wee shall neuer bee at our wayes end, till wee bee come too the end of our lyfe. For asmuch then as wee knowe that wee hauehave yit but a peere of the thing which wee must hauehave, and that our fayth will alwayes bee weake: let vsus stryue so much the more too bee strengthened, and too drawe neere vntounto God. And then shall wee not bee lyke little children, and such as wauer and flote too and fro with eueryevery wynde, and hauehave no stedinesse in their fayth. For if we be diligent to profite in Gods woord, surely wee shalbee armed and fenced to withstand all the wyles of Satan, and of the wicked men that would beguyle vsus. For although God bring vsus not to perfection o…t of hand, but hold vsus styll in some feeblenesse: yit shall wee neuer bee destitute of good remedie, if wee receyue the things that he offereth vsus, & be not rechlesse in applying thē to our behoofe. The meane to bring which thing to passe is shewed vsus here: namely that wee followe the truth, & louelove one another. As if S. Paule should say, that the knowledge of God, & …he louelove of our neyghbours are twoo things that ought not too bee sep…rated asunder.
And he putteth truth foremest, purposely, bycause our linking toogither would not boote vsus at all, vnlesse Iesus Christ were the bond of our concord, and that God alloweth it, bycause it is grounded vponupon his woord, Saynt Paule then ment heere too put a difference betwixt vsus, and the heathen and vnbeleeuers. For all men will graunt well ynough, that there can be nothing but hauocke among men, when they bee lyke too Dogges and Cattes: and it hath bin knowen for a grounded principle in all ages, in all Countries, and among all people, insomuch that euen the heathen folke, and such as knew not what trewe religion meaneth, hauehave simply commended and esteemed the benefyte of concord and agreement toogither.
But yit they buylded without foundation. And therefore Saynt Paule beginneth at Gods truth: As if he should saye, wee must not only linke in one among our selues: but God must also go before vsus, and wee must obey him, so as wee must bee gathered toogither vnderunder him, and he sit ouer vsus, and wee must leuer chooze too bee at defyance with the whole world, than too slip away from him. Thus yee see that the thing which wee hauehave too marke vppon this text, is that God will not hauehave vsus too bee knit toogither without knowing how or why: but he will hauehave vsus too agree too woorship and serue him, and too put our whole trust in his infinite goodnes, so as Iesus Christ be our head, and we all members of his bodie through the power of fayth. And agein, that when wee once knowe how wee hauehave a father in heauen which hath adopted vsus too bee his children, and that Iesus Christ hath voutsafed too take our flesh and substance vppon him, too the intent that wee should bee flesh of his flesh, and bone of his bone: the same should moue vsus too louelove one another, too bee carefull ech for others saluation, and too helpe one another according too the abilitie that God gyueth vsus. According wheruntoo it is sayd in the Psalme,Psal. 133. …. 1. that the freendship of brothers is a leeuesome thing. And afterward the Prophet bringeth vsus too the oyntment that was powred vponupon the Priests: as if he should say, that men hauing no more but euen their moother wit, may perceyue that there is not a more leeuesome thing in the world, than too liue in peace and amitie. Howbeit therewithall he declareth the order of it, after the same maner that it is shewed vsus heere by S. Paule, and …ayth, that the sayd brotherhood must bee con…crated and dedicated to the name of God. For the annoynting of Aaron and his successors, was in such sort, as the oyntment did sheade downe vppon the whole body, and vppon the garment of them. Now therefore let vsus marke, that if wee intend too linke toogither well, wee must drawe vntoo God, and our linking must bee allowed of him. Otherwyse, wee may well hauehave fellowship toogither, but it shalbee but a cursed felowship, and the end of it can neuer bee but vtter confuzion. Wherefore, that wee may rule our lyfe well, let the end that wee begin at, bee too cleaue vntoo the truth. Ryght necessarie is this warning for vsus now adayes. For the Papistes accuse vsus, that wee hauehave trubbled the world, & that the debates that are now adayes, doo spring of our fault: inasmuch as heretoofore all was deade, eueryevery man sayd, Amen, too them, and there was no disputing. In deede there was no great trauell spent in seeking God or the saluation of men. Now then, too cast the Diuell out of the possession that he had gotten, it behoued vsus too vse great vehemencie, according as it is sayd, that he will neuer giuegive ouer his place, except he bee inforced. Therefore it stoode vsus on hand (as yee would say) too thunder and lighten, too waken the world, that was so falne asleepe, and after a sort bewitched. For inasmuch as the vnbeleeuers are extremely stubborne in stryuing ageinst God, and cannot abyde that the truth should take place, but vpholde theyr lyes with diuelishe wilfulnesse: that is the very cause why there is so much trubble and warre in the world now adayes, I meane for Religion. Now the Papistes would laye the blame in our neckes: but let vsus see who is in the fault. For wee desyre that eueryevery man should doo homage vntoo God, and that both great and small should submit themselues too his woorde, and that there should bee one trew vnitie of fayth, so the simplicitie of the Gospell go before it and guyde it. These are the things that wee seeke: and the Papists fynd fault with it.
Yit notwithstanding, there is none other thing too bee found in our doctrine, but that wee would fayne that there should bee a melodie betweene men and Angels too woorship the trew God, and too follow his w…ord, which is our trew rule, to the end there should be no corruption in his seruis. On the contrarie part, the Papistes would maynteyne all their abhominations and errours, and cannot indure that Iesus Christ should hauehave his preheminence. For they hauehave bereft him of all his offices, and made as it it were a bootie of them. They hauehave an infinite warrein of Hee sayncts and Shee sayncts, too whom they giuegive the tytle of their Aduocats: saying, that by their merits they obtein fauour at Gods hand for such as pray vntoo them. Moreouer in all the rest of their doctrine, there is nothing but it is peruerted, yea and falsifyed. And besydes these errours and superstitions, the Papists are also so spytefull, as too bend themselues euen ageinst God, & to spit out their madnesse, yea and to indeue… too wype away the rememberance of Iesus Christ by fyre and swoord. What should wee doo in this cace? There is no compounding with them, but by renouncing of Gods truth. But wee know what order is taught vsus heere by the holie Ghoste. For Saint Paule could well hauehave sayd io one woord, Agree, my freends. But he sawe well hee should hauehave spoken but one half, and that his doctrine also should hauehave bin misconstrewed: and therfore he sayth, Let vsus bee knit toogither in the truthe, and let vsus rather gyue ouer all the frendship of the worlde, and procure the anger of all vnbeleeuers, and of all such as rebell ageinst God, than swar…e one whit from it. But if wee seeke too bee at good agreement in the truthe, and none of bs bee wedded too himself, but rather eueryevery of vsus procure the welfare and saluation of his neyghbours: that is the concord which ought to be among vsus.
The thing then which wee hauehave in effect too remember vppon this streyne, is, that on the one syde we must beware of confederating with Gods enemyes,…om. 12. d. 18. that wee stryke not sayle (as they say) too please them. For although it behoue vsus too seeke too hauehave peace and vnitie with all men, as neere as wee can: yit is Gods truthe alwayes excepted, and wee must make more account of that, than of all the world. And in deede they that will needs gartify creatures, and in the meane season turne away from Gods truth (as much as they can:) shall bee alwayes vnhappie. Wherfore let vsus euermore abyde stedfastly by our God, and hold vsus vnderunder his yoke, and not shrink away in any wyse, but rather defye the whole world, yea though there were no man too hold with vsus. That is one poynt.
Agein, if the world may bee wonne too obedience, and wee bee able too doo so much as too drawe one or twoo too consent in one fayth with vsus: then must wee put our indeuer and labour theruntoo. For wee must shun these twoo extremities, namely of offending God, and of turning away from his pure woord, too purchace mens fauor: and also of being so hygh mynded and full of statelinesse, as too trust eueryevery man to himselfe, and to let others alone, and too passe for no man but himselfe: for these are two euill extremities which wee must beware of. But let vsus learne too ioyne these twoo things as inseperable: namely that wee yeeld God trew obedience through fayth, by holding our selues to the pure simplicitie of his word: and agein, that therwithall we despyze not our neyghbours, but indeuer to win them, that they may submit themselues quietly (vntoo God), and by that meanes al… of vsus both greate and small may speake as it were with one mouth, through the holy Ghoste reigning in our harts, and all of vsus hauehave the knowledge that hath bin spoken of, namely that God is so the authour of our saluation, that he hath also shewed himself a father towards vsus, in adopting vsus, and in voutsafing to hauehave vsus to be al of his household: Which cannot bee, except wee liue all in good concord, bycause he is the God of peace. And although wee should bee driuen too fyght ageinst the whole world: yit let vsus bee of good comfort, bycause the Angels of heauen are our companions in cleauing vntounto God. Should wee then in these dayes separate our selues from an infinite multitude of men, which presume vppon their riches, their greatnesse, their pomp, their credit, yea & their wisdome? (Yea: and let vsus esteeme eueryevery whit of it but as trashe, and for our owne parte, although they call vsus Schismatikes, count vsus but as the ofscowrings of the world: let vsus hold vsus contented, in that wee know that the Angels of heauen, the holie Patriarks, the Hrophets, the Apostles, and the Martirs agree with vsus: and too be short, that all Gods chozen people from Abell too his present day, doo beare vsus sufficient companie. And so may wee despyze all that shalbee layd too our reproche, when wee hauehave Gods truthe and the mark wherby wee knowe our selues too bee his children. For inasmuch as God cannot deny himself, he will continew alwayes with his Church, wherof we bee a parcell, if shee sticke vntoo his woord. Let that therfor bee one poynt.
But in the meane while also let vsus not forget to seeke peace to the v… termost of our power, according to the text that I alledged out of the Romanes. Therfore let vsus not wilfully seperate our selues from the world,Rom. 1…. d. 18. but let vsus hauehave (as it were) our armes strected out too take home all such as yeeld themselues willingly too the obedience of God, that wee may hauehave one fayth toogither: and let vsus indeuer too bring it too passe. And the very same also is the cause why Saint Paule telleth vsus heere, that the fayth and obedience which w… yeeld vntoo God, serues not too puffe vp our harts with pryde, so as wee should reiect other men, and eueryevery of vsus louelove himself, and shift for himself: …ut too make vsus followe the example of our heauenly father, who allureth them too him which were farre of, and is readye too be… reconcyled too his enemyes: which thing seing he hath shewed vsus … our Lord Iesus Christ, and giuen vsus so excellent a pledge of it: wee also must hauehave the same doctrine of peace in our thoughts and in our harts, and indeuer as much as is possible, too bring them too the vnion of the Gospell, that are separated from it as yit: so that if they which hauehave bin as it were stark mad ageinst God, doo yeeld themselues as lambes and sheepe of the flocke: wee must bee redye to receyue them. Let vsus then bend our selues too that, and not bee giuen eueryevery man too his owne profite, but assure our selues that sith God hath knit vsus toogither and bound vsus one too another: eueryevery of vsus ought too imploy himself too the vttermoste of his abilitie, and according too his owne measure, too drawe his neyghbours with him, so as we may be ryghtly one bodie, and Iesus Christ reigne ouer vsus.
And for the same cause also dooth he adde, that wee should grovve in all things in him that is our head, that is too vvit, in Iesus Christ. Now by this woord Growe, Saynt Paule continueth the matter that wee hauehave seene heeretoofore, which is, that wee must not stand so much in our owne conceytes, as too thinke our selues too bee come alredye to the marke wee go too. For (as I told you) our lyfe is a iorney: and therfore wee must go on styll: for he that lingereth by the way, dooth well shew that he neuer wist wherat he amed. Therefore although wee must not bee as little children, yit are wee not yit come to full age, nother hauehave wee gotten yit such strength as were requisyte. Wherfore let vsus growe, that is too say, let eueryevery of vsus looke well too his owne infirmitie, and when he sees his owne weakenesse▪ let him theruppon take harte, and thrust foorth himself: let him preace vntoo God, and let all our myndes bee continually bent that waye. For it is not ynough for vsus too hauehave begunne, nor yit too hauehave gone on … good way, vnlesse it bee printed in our hartes, that wee must profi…e still, euen too our dying day. Otherwyse it is certeyne that wee shall be but dazeled with our owne pryde, & that will make all Gods gif…es too vanish away, which wee had receyued afore. Wherfore let vsus not imagin that wee hauehave such power, or such vnderstanding in all the things that are requisyte for our saluation, as that wee should not consider how it is not for nought that the holy Ghost exhorteth vsus heere … growe. And heere yee see also, how lowelinesse ought alwayes too ma…ch with fayth: according too this saying,Psal. 19. b. 8. that Gods woord serueth too instruct the small and lowelye ones. The greater then that a man would make himself too bee, surely the more dooth he shet the doore ageinst himself, so as he can hauehave no enterance intoo the schoole of God, and of our Lord Iesus Christ. Therfore let vsus looke well … our owne slendernesse, that wee may bee so meeke, as nothing may… hinder vsus from hoping continually more and more in our God. And the same ought also too quicken vsus, and prouoke vsus to serue him, and to confirme our selues continually the more in his woord. For what is the cause of so greate sloth and coldnesse as is seene in manye men, but that they thinke themselues too bee clerkes greate ynough alredy? And therin they deceyue themselues, by reason that the diuell hath dimmed their eyes through their owne fond ouerweening. Seeing it is so: let vsus continew little ones still, not in vnderstanding, but in naughtinesse (as hath bin sayd afore:) and sith wee knowe that wee had neede too profit, let vsus indeuer so too doo. Howbeeit, let vsus also hauehave an eye to the meane that is shewed vsus heere, which is, too resort to him that is our head.
Tr…ly Saint Paule addeth theruntoo, all things: too shewe than v…en a Christen man hath examined throughly what is in him: he shal… fynd that if he hauehave anie vertew, there shalbee vyces mingled with it, and that in all his vertewes there is euer some blemish or mayme. Wherfore let all of vsus cast downe our heads, and let the excellentest men in the world vnderstand, that God hath still reserued some peece of grace too himself, which he hath not giuen too them, too the intent wee should not bee puffed vp with fond ouerweening, too think our selues too bee that which wee bee not.
But let vsus come too the heade that is spoken of heere. For Saint Paule telleth vsus, that our only shooteanker must bee too knowe Iesus Christ (as hath bin declared afore) how that all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge are layd vp in him.Coloss. 2. a. 3. For else many would raundge farre in Gods woord: and that should bee but too bee alwayes learning, and neuer to knowe any thing, as it is sayd in another text. But S. Paule telleth vsus,2. Tim. 3. b. 7. that in Iesus Christ wee shall fynd all that is requisyte for out saluation, & that he also must hauehave the preheminence, as the head appeereth aboue all the rest of the b…dy. For it we grew in such wise, as the shoulders should get vp half a … the h…ad: what a growing were that? Were such a growing too bee well lyked? It were better that a member were starke dead, tha… that it shoulde so disfigure the body. For so muche then as the head ought too bee vppermost, Saint Paule telleth vsus expresly, that it is not ynough for vsus too growe, but that wee must alwayes growe vnderunder our Lord Iesus Christ, so as he may stand ouer vsus, and all of vsus both great and small submyt our selues vntounto hym.
And wee see by experience, that this was not spoken for nothyng. For what a number are there which carrye a great countenance and shewe of knowledge, and yit doo nothing but set all thyngs in a broyle and vprore, through theyr vayne glory? There are a great sort which could fynd in theyr harts too hauehave our Lord Iesus Christ buryed, that they them selues myght perke vp, and hauehave all the world gaze vppon them, and bee had in estimation, and reioyst at. And many wretches come so farre, that they passe not what come of it, so they may keepe them selues in reputation. Ageyn, othersome myngle our Lord Iesus Christ with so many superstitions, that he is vtterly ouershadowe… with them. Wee see what is happened in Poperie. For they verifie their owne prouerb throughly, that the sonne of God cannot be… knowen from his Apostles. And why? Bycause they hauehave fleeced him, and robbed him of the honour that belongeth too him, and made as it were a bootie of it, dealing too eueryevery man his share and portion of it. Thus are the Papists well growen, howbeeit that is but in ignorance and superstition, bycause Iesus Christ hath not his preheminence among them, nother is hee their shooteanker. Yea and euen among vsus also yee shall see some so desyrous too get renoune among men, that Iesus Christ shalbee as nothing with them. So much the more therfore dooth it stand vsus on hand too mynd well this lesson of Saint Paules, that our growing must bee in our Lord Iesus Christ,Iohn. 3. d. 30. according to this saying of Saint Iohn Baptist, I must diminish, and he increace. Let vsus followe that example, namly that the excellencie which is in the Church should abyde v…appayred, and yit in the mean… whyle Iesus Christ bee the shooteanker of all men. For although the Starres hauehave their bryghtnesse: yit must the Sunne shyne aboue them, and men must knowe that it is he by whome wee hauehave the trew lyght in deede. And therfore let our Lord Iesus, who is the dayso…e of rygh…ousenesse, be so regarded, as nothing may impeach him, nor bleare our eyes that wee should not look… at him, and our fayth … leuelled alonely at him. That then is the cause why Saint Paule addeth expressely, that Iesus Christ must bee our head, and wee growe in him, and resort vntoo him, and set ou… whole studye and mynd vppon him.
Too expresse this the better, he addeth, that it is he by vvhom the …hole body is knit and ioyned toogither by his ioyntes, and that it is he which furnisheth it with substance and lyfe, according too the measure and portion of eueryevery member: & that when this is done, thē the body is well proportioned: howbeit that louelove must reigne among vsus, or else there shall be nothing but confuzion: insomuch that if there bee greatnesse, it will bee ouer huge, so as it shall not bee a naturall body, but rather a monster. Nowe in saying that wee receyue our growing of Iesus Christ, that it is he of whom the knitting of the body proceedeth, and that it is he also by whom wee bee maynteyned in life: he sheweth vsus our vnthankfulnesse, in that wee yeeld him not the honor which he deserueth. For must it not needes be that we are tootoo leaud, when the sonne of God giueth vsus all things, and yit wee will bereeue him the honor which he requireth, for shewing himself so bountifull towards vsus? He desyreth not that we should yeeld him any recompence, nother can we, nother is it needfull: but yit he will be glorifyed. Now then seeyng wee bee so inriched by him, and wee notwithstanding doo fall too robbing him of his honor, so as he is defrauded and bereft of it: must it not needes bee that wee bee woorse than diuelish? Wherfore let vsus mark well wherat S. Paule amed: for he intended heere too reproue the worlde of too leaud an vnthankfulnesse, for not yeelding our Lord Iesus Christ his dew honour, in somuch as he is not exalted among vsus, nother doo wee thinke vppon him, nother doo wee place him in chiefe souereintie, that all men myght doo him homage. And therwithall he sheweth also, that wee bee almost out of our wittes when wee honor not Iesus Christ, ne exalt him as wee ought to doo. For there is not that man which dooth not naturally …ouet his owne profit. Now then, in forsaking of Iesus Christ, we seeme to hauehave conspyred & sworne our owne confuzion, that we might be bereft of all his grace, & be as rotten members without strength. For he is as the head of a mans body, & as the roote of a …ree: it is he from whom all our life & sustenance proceedeth. Now then if the hands, the feete, the belly, the stomacke, the legs, & all the rest of the members should conspire togither to say, let vsus forsake the hea…: What should …hey win by it? Or if they should conspyre toogither too put the head downe, an… to thrust it into the belly, that men myght not see it: what profit should the whole body hauehave by it? Euen so standeth the cace with all such as would diminish the glory and maiestie of Gods sonne, and lessen his power, and not acknowledge to what end he was sent of God his father, namely, that they should seeke all their welfare, and all the partes of their saluation in him: for it is as much as if they would put downe their head. But S. Paule telleth vsus, that there must bee no knitting in the body, but that which commeth of the head. For whence cōmeth all? Beholde, the veynes conuey nourrishment eueryevery where through the whole body, and the senewes hold the bones togither, and giuegive thē mouing: but yit must all these thinges hauehave their roote in the head. So then, if we will needs despyze God in diminishing the glory of his only sonne, surely all will turne to our confuzion. Iesus Christ can wel ynough forbeare vsus: but we must needs perish wretchedly like rottē carions, if he giuegive vsus not whatsoeuer belongeth to our life. Thus yee see what S. Paule ment too shewe vsus.
Hereunto he addeth, that there is a certein measure in eueryevery member, & that the furnishment therof cōmeth of the head, so as it sheadeth through the whole body, howbeit (sayth he) that is in measure. When he sayth, it is in measure, he doth vsus to wit, that al the excellencie which we can see heere, is no derogation to the perfectnesse that is in Iesus Christ. For there are twoo reasons too bee marked. The one is, that all that is in man is vnperfect, & therfore that we must resort to our Lord Iesus Christ, that he alonly may abyde vnimpeached, & not bee mingled with other creatures. The other is, that the measure & portiō which is in eueryevery member, is not there as hauing his peculiar seat there. For what could the hand doo, if it were not continually nurrished & maynteyned by the head? The bond that holdeth altogither must needes bee maynteyned from thence. Also the naturall heate & mouing must come from thence, insomuch that the hand shoulde wither eueryevery minute of an houre, & rotte away, if the head wrought not continually. The like respect is betweene Christ & his Church. For if wee consider well what is in men: though we admitted one too bee like an Angell: yit hath he but his measure still. And why? To the intent that Iesus Christ should not be bereft of the honor that belongeth vntounto him. Seeing then that eueryevery of vsus hath his portiō (as hath bin shewed afore:) it is good reason also that eueryevery of vsus should stoope, & not lift vp our hornes too take any thing vpō vsus, which God reserueth to his only sonne. That is one point.
Agein, let vsus vnderstand, that the same measure cōmeth of free gift, as hath bin shewed alredy: & yit is it not without cause that S. Paule repeteth it heere agein. For wee see the foolish presumptuousnes of men, how eueryevery man would be a lord: & we would faine rod God of his right, to the end to be aduaunced & esteemed our selues. Therefore to abate that loftinesse, and to clenze vsus of such vyce, S. Paule putteth vsus in mynd once agein,1. Cor. 4. b. 7. that we hauehave nothing which is not giuen vsus. And therfore we must resort too this which he sayeth in the first too the Corinthians: Who art thou? Haste thou made thy selfe so excellent by thyne owne cunnyng? Hast thou any thing which thou canst chalendge as thine owne? No: it is God that hath aduaunced thee so: and therfore humble thy self. His meaning then is, that all the whole knitting & all the whole furnishing cōmeth of the head. For it is not ynough for vsus that wee were once created & shaped, but it standeth vsus on hand to hauehave our members still mainteyned in their plyght. That therefore is the cause why S. Paul addeth the word furniture, or sheading down, as if God should shead downe his inworking vppon the head, and the head shead fo…rth the same inwoorking throughout all the members. And that is it which S. Paul ment, in saying that Iesus Christ is our spirituall head, who hath receyued all fulnesse of grace, according too the first chapter of S. Iohn, where it is sayd, that it was giuē him not for himself alone: but for vsus also which are his brethren. Seeyng it is so, let vsus vnderstand that al the grace which we hauehave receyued of God, is creeped into vsus by the meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ, and that wee hauehave the full furnishing of it throughout also by him. Trew it is that the sayd strength or inwoorking passeth through eueryevery member, and in comming from the head, it shal be in the shoulder, before it bee in the arme, and afterward in the arme, before it be in the hand: but yit for all that, shall the arme therfore glory in it selfe, and giuegive the hand no part with it? No: but his receyuing is to impart it vntoo the residew of the limbes, and all cōmeth of the head. Agein, shal not the hand on the one syde, giuegive of his power backe agein too the arme (on the other syde? Yis:) for eueryevery member knowes his owne office, that is too say, eueryevery member hath naturally an inclination too serue all the rest of the bodye, as though God had giuen them discretion and wisedome too say, thus it must bee. They be bound vntoo it, and knowe the neede that eche of them hath of others helpe.
Trew it is, that my hand cannot iudge any thing, but yit hath God put such an indowment & disposition into it, that it desireth nothing rather than too imploy it self to the seruice of all the rest of the body. Also the foote doth his dewtie without intreating or bydding, as though God had imprinted such a discretion in them (as to consider) that all of them receiue their power from heauen, and that the things which they hauehave receyued, must be fitted thervntoo.
Now if a man shoulde demaunde, Is eueryevery man then alyke and equall in the Church? Saint Paule, in speaking of portion and measure, meaneth not that God hath distributed lyke portion too euerye member. For the legge is not the eye: and yit …euerthelesse, the leg, according too his qualitie, hath that which it needeth. And for the same cause also Saint Paule sayeth, that the members should bee so knit togither, as they myght make vp one whole body through louelove, and by that meane hauehave euerye one wherewith too bee contented. There are then twoo things which wee must marke: namely that Gods gifts are diuers, and that some are much more excellent than other. For the Eye is an excellenter member than the foote, and wee see also how it is had in honour: and the mouth is more than the leg. Marke it then for one poynt, that there is such diuersitie, that our Lord exalteth and honoreth whom he listeth more than others. There are both great and small in the Church, and all must not bee teachers and Prophets. But yit this diuersitie letteth not, but that eueryevery member hath his desyre, and that which is meete for it, so as the foote enuyeth not the hand, nor the hand the foote, no more than any of them both enuyeth the eyes. Too what purpose should it serue the hand too hauehave syght? It were a thing which not only could doo it no good, but also should doo it harme. If eueryevery member had al offices in it self, surely the bodie should be confounded and come to nought. So then the hand hath his perfection in that which belongeth vntoo him, I meane in his degree: and lykewyse the foote. Howbeit S. Paules meaning is, that it ought too suffyze vsus, that the Church bee edifyed in common▪ For if our neyghboures bee inriched with Gods giftes: the same redoundeth partly vntoo vsus. And on the other syde, if wee hauehave receyued a larger measure of grace: wee bee the more bound too imparte the same too such as hauehave neede of it. That therefore is the thing which Saynt Paule meaneth too set downe in this text, saying, that if the knittyng bee after that manner, the bodye shall bee well buylded and made vp.
And heere wee see how he contineweth his matter, which is, that wee must be so linked toogither according too the doctri…e of the Gospell, as Iesus Christ may reigne ouer vsus, and wee knowe that the heauenly father hath giuen vsus him, with condition that wee should all linke toogither vnderunder him, and maynteyne a brotherly vnitie among vsus. But yit afore all things, wee must bee subiect too him that hath all souereine dominion, and consider that for asmuch as the heauenly father hath set him in that degree, wee must all ame at him, and continew in his obedience vntoo the end. And therwithall let vsus vnderstand, that that cannot bee doone, without louelove, that is too say, vnlesse eueryevery of vsus rid himself of the cursed affection of seeking too much our owne profit. For in deede it is easye too perceyue, that that affection dooth so blynd vsus, that it makes vsus too despyze our neyghboures. So much the more therfore dooth it behoue eueryevery of vsus too indeuer too giuegive ouer his owne ryght, and too knowe that God hath not so distributed his giftes, that eueryevery man may bee a world or a Church of himself, but that for asmuch as eueryevery man hath neede of his neyghboures, the same is the very meane wherby he will hold vsus toogither. And that ought also too prouoke vsus so much the more too doo what wee can one for another. Although then that there bee but one fountayne from whence wee drawe all spirituall giftes, namely euen our Lord Iesus Christ: yit notwithstanding, God maketh the fulnesse of the grace which he hath put in Iesus Christ, too flowe foorth as it were by chanelles, that wee may receyue euerye man his portion, as is expedient for vsus. And so yee see in effect what wee hauehave too remember heere.
Now were this doctrine well put in vre: surely all the trubbles that are now adayes in the world, would soone bee appeased, and there would no more bee so many bickerings and disputings: but wee should easly agree all toogither. For Ambition or Uaynglorye is the moother of all heresyes, for whē men will needes exalt thēselues, they must needes therby thrust downe Christ if they could. Agein, whence spring Superstitions, but of this, that men knowe not the inestimable benefytes that are brought vsus by our Lord Iesus Christ, and are dayly offered vntoo vsus in him by the Gospell? This hath made the world alwayes wanton and wandering after his owne lusts: this hath made men too forge so many patrons and aduocates: this hath made men too aduaunce their owne deseruings: this hath made folke too deuyze so manye satisfactions, so many meanes wherwith too please God, and so many new seruices: namely for that they were not contented with Iesus Christ, and all for want of knowing what manner a one he is, and that when wee once hauehave him, he ought too suffyze vsus, and wee too hold our selues too him, bycause the father hath so gloryfyed him, as wee ought of duetie too doo him homage, and too honour him as our souereyne King. For asmuch then as wee see the wretched vnbeleeuers to be scattered here & there, by reason that they turne away from Iesus Christ: we hauehave so much the more neede to be warned to hold vsus simply to his obedience, & to know that all our welfare commeth of him, & (therfore) that we ought to returne to him to yeeld him his dew honour, & therwithall put our whole trust in him, & that too the intent we may so doo, we must consider that there is nothing but …lth in vsus, & that we hold our spi…itual lyfe of him, & that not for once & away, but in such wyse as he woorketh continewally in vsus, sttengthning & furthering vsus euen vntill he hauehave brought bs to his perfection, that is to say, to the perfection which we hope for by him. And for this cause was the holy Supper left vsus, as a remēberance that our Lord Iesus Christ is he in whom we must wholly seeke all things belonging to the lyfe of our soules. For (there) we professe, that he is our nurrishment, euen to satisfye vsus to the full. And therfore the cause why wee come (thither) to eate & drinke, is to put vsus in mynd that we hauehave… Iesus Christ, not the halfe of our lyfe only, but the whole of it: & that when wee bee fed with him, we must content our selues with him, & not seeke one droppe nor myte (as they say) elsewhere. After this maner then must wee now come to the holy table: that is to wit, after the examining of our owne sinnes, when we once know that wee bee nothing: wee must seeke by what meanes God calleth vsus to him, and how we may keepe our way thither, euen tyll we be perfectly knit vntounto him: namely (by knowing) that Iesus Christ is giuen vsus, and that in him we hauehave all that is behooffull and wanting in our selues. And therfore let vsus so esteeme our Lord Iesus Christ, as wee may take him for our very sustenance, and as our fayth (as I hauehave touched afore) be not haled away to roue heere and there, and finally to vanish quyte away, but may so rest vponupon him, as we may know that there is nother rightuousnesse, nor holinesse, nor merit, nor power, nor aught else in our selues, but that wee shall fynde all in him, & that we cannot be parttakers of him, but wee must also be parttakers of all the goods that he hath receiued of God his father. Seeing then that all the good thinges which God hath put intoo our head, are communicated vntounto vsus by his meanes: let vsus learne to humble our selues, & not to clymb in such wise, as he should be defrauded of his honor, but confesse simply and without feyning, that looke whatsoeuer is giuen vsus through his free goodnesse, he mainteyneth & preserueth it, & moreouer increaceth and stablisheth it in vsus more and more. Furthermore let vsus marke, that wee cannot possesse the goods of our Lord Iesus Christ to take any profit by thē, except we first inioy him. And that is the cause why he giueth himself vntounto vsus. And thinkes it not ynough to giuegive vsus some part and portion of his rightuousnesse, of his desertes by the sacrifyce of his death and passion, of the obedience that he yeelded vntounto God his father, & of all the giftes which he receiued fully of God his father, (I say, he thinkes it not ynough to giuegive vsus some part and portion of them) in his Sacraments: but he sayth, I am yours, possesse yee mee. Then is it not ynough for vsus too go seeke our wants at his hand, that he may impart them to vsus: but (wee must also consider,) first of all, how he offereth himself vntoo vsus, and sayeth, Lo heere my body which is deliuered for you, lo heere my blud which shal be shed for the remission of your sinnes. And this is doone, too the ende that wee should know, that he dwelleth in vsus truly by his holy spirit, & that wee liue by his owne substance, & that it is not sayd heere without cause, that the knitting of the bodye commeth of hym, and that he is the furniture thereof, and that forasmuch as wee want the grace and giftes that belong too our spirituall lyfe, wee must drawe them out of that fountayne. And if we resort to him with perseuerance in the fayth of the Gospell, wee shall feele our selues more and more strengthened and stablished in all grace, euen till he hauehave rid vsus of all our imperfections & infirmities, too make vsus inioy his heauenly glory with him.
Now let vsus fall downe before the Maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgment of our faultes, praying him too make vsus so too feele them, as wee may be sory for them: and therwithall too worke so in vsus hereafter, as wee may from day too day bee clenzed of all our imperfections and vyces, more and more, and that our Lord Iesus Christ, who is the welspring of all purenesse, may so shed foorth the grace of his holy spirit, as wee may bee made newe creatures therby, too doo our souerein king the honour that belongeth too him. And so let vsus all say, Almighty God heauenly father▪ &c.