Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 40
The .xl. Sermon, which is the eyght vppon the fifth Chapter.
25. Yee husbandes louelove your vvyues, as Christ loued the Church, and gaue himselfe for it.
26. Too sanctify it, clenzing it in the vvashing of vvater through the vvoord.
27. Too make it too himselfe a glorious Church, vvithout spot or vvrincle, or any thing el…e, but that it myght bee holy and vnblamable.
WEe hauehave seene this morning how large matter of glorifying the infinite goodnesse of our God wee hauehave, if wee consider by what meanes he hathe drawen vsus from death, and taken vsus for his children, notwithstanding that wee were cursed afore in Adam. And now Saint Paule setteth foorth how wee bee made parttakers of the grace that is purchaced for vsus by our Lord Iesus Christ: namely by being wafshed and clenzed from our spottes, too the end too bee dedicated too his seruice in all holynesse. Also he addeth the wasshing of water, bycause Baptim is a visible figure and record vntoo vsus, according too our rudenesse and infirmitie, too make vsus the better too perceyue the grace of our God, which passeth all vnderstanding of man. Now first of al there is the woord Sanctify, which importeth that we should bee separated from the world, too bee knit vntoo the sonne of God. And this doctrine is such, as wee can neuer knowe it ynough. For (as I hauehave sayd afore) wee must alwayes compare the state wherein God fyndeth vsus, with the state wheretoo he calleth vsus: For from our moothers womb wee … nothing but vtter wretchednesse, wee bee cursed and detestabl…fore God. Therefore he draweth vsus out of the dungeon of death: from thence dooth he gather vsus vp too himselfe. And by the woord Sanctifie, S. Paule meaneth the chaunge which ought as it were too rauish and too astonish vsus, as oft as wee consider what wee were, and what wee should bee styll if God pitied vsus not.
But let vsus come too the meane that I spake of. He sayeth, that our Lord Iesus Christ hath washed vsus. No dout but this is too bee referred too his death and passion. For how could wee appeere before God as it were with our countenances vpryght, but that our sinnes are done away by the sacrifyze that was offered too set vsus at one with God. Then vntill wee bee wasshed and scoured cleane by the blud of our Lord Iesus Christ, wee bee fowler before God than any leapar: wee bee full of all maner of filth and infection: and too bee short, all that wee can bring shall but prouoke Gods wrath, and the vertewes that men esteeme greatest, shalbee but lothsomnesse. Therfore wee must imbrace the sacrifyce wherby our Lord Iesus Christ hath reconcyled vsus too God his father, and his blud must flowe downe vppon our soules, too clenze vsus from our filthinesse and spots. Neuerthelesse it is not without cause that Saint Paule sets vsus downe baptim heere, not that wee bee made cleane by that: nother was it his meaning too turne vsus asyde from the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ. But forasmuch as wee bee dust and grosse, and vnderstand not the spirituall benefyts so well as were requisyte: therfore Saint Paule conforming him self too our rudenesse and infirmitie, hath shewed vsus here our wasshing by a visible signe. That wee may the better profit our selues by this maner of speeche, let vsus consider too what end baptim was ordeyned, and whertoo it serueth. When our Lord Iesus Christ commaunded vsus too bee baptyzed in his name, ment he too turne away our fayth from his bludshed? Ment he that baptim should take the roome of his death and passion, to performe the office of our saluatiō: No surely. For Baptim is but on Incum and an appendant too the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ: and if it did not direct vsus thither, certeynely it were but a tryfling Ceremony. As much is too bee fayd of the Lords Supper. When wee c…me too … the bread and wyne, which are the pledges of the body and blu… of our Lord Iesus Christ, although that in that supper wee bee truly fed with the meate and drink, wherof mention is … in the sixth of Saint Iohn (that is to wit, that our Lord Iesus Chri… maketh vsus partakers of the truthe of his owne substance, too the end that his lyfe should bee common vntoo vsus): yit notwithstanding if the supper should bee separated from the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ, it were a thing of nothing. And in deede wee see also what the promis conteyneth. This is my bodie (sayeth he) which is giuen for you. Trew it is that is sheweth well what our ordinarie foode is: but therwithall he sendeth vsus also too his death and passion. For had he not made satisfaction for our sinnes, and shed his blud to wash away our spots: what should it boote vsus now too hauehave baptim and his supper ministred and giuen vntoo vsus? Wee see then, that too vse baptim well, and according too the institution of the sonne of God, we must not set our m…nds vppon the corruptible and transitorie element. For what is the water? If it stand but one day, it will corru…pt: and how then can it clenze our soules for euer, and get vsus a purenesse that shall continew after death, though wee our selues doo turne too rottennesse? If this power cannot bee in the water: wee must of necessitie repayre too the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ. And in dede the water also is a figure of his blud and of his holy spirit. Then let vsus mark that our Lord Iesus did then wash vsus, when he shed his blud wherby he clenzed vsus. That is the meane wherby wee may resort vntoo God with full trust that wee shalbee recey…ed as ryghtuous and perfect, bycause he layeth not our sinnes too our charge. Mark that for one poynt.
Now (as Saint Peter sayeth in his first Epistle) wee be was…hed with the blud of our Lord Iesus Christ, by the holy Ghost. Wee see then that wee hauehave the substance and truthe of our saluation in the person of the sonne of God. And moreouer wee hauehave too note also, that he communicateth him self vntoo vsus, and therby putteth vsus in possession and fruition of all his goods through the power of the holy Ghost. And how happeneth it then that Saint Paule hath made no mention heere, of the blud that clenzeth vsus, and of the woorking of the holy Ghost? It seemeth that hee hath forgotten the cheef thing, and buzieth him self about a thing that is very small. I hauehave told you alredye that he ment not too abridge any thing that belonged too the sonne of God, that wee should not seeke the whole fulnes of our saluation in him alone, and settle our fayth alonly vppon him: nother ment he too dispossesse the holy Ghost of his office, but he had respect of our infirmitie. And that is the cause why he set downe the signe wherby the thing that (of it self) is too hygh and too farre hidden from our vnderstanding, is set before our eyes. That is the pi…h of the thing which we hauehave too beare in mynd.
Now of this declaration wee may receyue a very profitable lesson in generall: that is too wit, that the trew and lawfull vse of Sacraments, is too leade vsus directly too our Lord Iesus Christ, and that otherwyse wee make them but as Idols. And (therfore) in poperie Baptim is but as a Charme, bycause they think there is no saluation but by the water. I let passe the things that they hauehave pu… to it of their owne deuyzing. For they hauehave corrupted and mard the very institution of Iesus Christ, by mingling baptim with the superstitions that are knowen of. But let vsus put the cace they vsed nothing else but the pure water: yit is it diuelish opinion that Baptim is able of it self to saue vsus. For by that meanes our Lord Iesus Christ is as good as thrust away, so as they make none account of him. For they stand poring vppon the visible signe, and are (as yee would say) vtterly doted vppon it. In lyke cace are they with all the rest of their Ceremonies. So much the more therefore dooth it stand vsus on hand too beare this lesson in mynd, That too apply the Sacraments too a ryght vse, and too such vse as God alloweth and ordeyneth: they must guyde vsus too our Lord Iesus Christ: Lyke as in Baptim, wee see but the water: but therby we must be lifted vp hygher to the blud of the sonne of God, assuring our selues that it is not the water that maketh vsus cleane, but that it is only a warrant of the washing that was gotten for vsus, when our Lord Iesus Christ was crucifyed for vsus. In the Supper wee hauehave bread and wyne. Now to hold our selues to that which is set before out eyes, were a withdrawing of our selues from Iesus Christ. Our fayth therfore must bee lifted vp, and conueyed too him in whom all the partes of our saluation are inclozed. Forasmuch then as wee hauehave the whole perfection and fulnesse of all good things in the onelyonly Sonne of God: it is thither that wee must looke vp and labour too atteyne, when the Sacramentes are set afore vsus, for that is the very office of them: or else wee pe…uert all, and it is (as yee would saye) an vnhallowing of the thing that God hath halowed too our benefyte, if our Lord Iesus Christ bee separated from the visible signes.
Wee hauehave also too note, that wee communicate not with Iesus Christ, but by the grace of the holy Ghost. Yit notwithstanding let vsus not hold scorne of the helpes that our Lord hath ordeyned for vsus, bycause he knewe them too bee requisite for our infirmities sake. Why be we not taught simply, that if wee runne too our Lord Iesus Christ, in him wee shall fynde our washing and clenzing? It seemeth that that ought too suffyze vsus, and that the water of Baptim is but a vayle too keepe vsus from comming vntoo Iesus Christ. Yea, but let vsus see a little what our owne …udenesse is. If wee had the myndes of Angels, wee should no more neede this outward Baptim, than the Angels do. But forasmuch as wee bee earthly, and it is hard for vsus too atteyne vntoo God, and the secretes of his heauenly kingdome: it is for our behoofe too bee helped after that fashion. And it is a wonderfull gracious goodnesse of God, that he stoopeth so too our infirmitie, and supplyeth it with mee…e and conuenient remedyes. So little then dooth Baptim hinder vsus from comming too the sonne of God, (so wee bee able too apply it too our behoofe,) or keepe our fayth from amyng at him: that without it wee should bee hild downe still heere, and wauer continually as floting in water. But when wee see how water is cast vppon the chyldes head, there we ought too mynd the blud of our Lord Iesus Christ, and too consider that lyke as water washeth away the filth of the body, so the blud of our Lord Iesus Christ is the very clenzing of our soules.
Now as touching the inwoorking of the holy Ghost, wee knowe it is lykened too water: and that is bycause he maketh vsus parttakers of the benefytes that were purchaced for vsus by our Lord Iesus Christ: and agein, bycause that by his grace and woorking, wee bee renewed, and dye vntoo the world, and all our owne corruption is put away, to the intent wee should come too the newnesse of lyfe which is gotten for vsus by the …esurrection of our Lord Iesus Christ. All this must wee behold in Baptim.
And lykewyse the Supper must serue vsus as a ladder too clymb vp too our Lord Iesus Christ, and too bee throughly confirmed that he dwelleth in vsus, and that wee bee made one with him, so as he quickeneth vsus as the braunches of a tree, which take their strength from the roote, and as the body of man, which draweth his strength from the head. And so the thing that wee hauehave too marke vppon this streyne, is that the Sacramentes doo not turne vsus away from the trust which wee ought too put wholly in our Lord Iesus Christ, nor make vsus too start asyde one way or other, but that being perswaded by them that Iesus Christ suffizeth, wee fynd all our contentation and rest in him, too the end also that all the honour which belongeth too him, bee yeelded vntoo him. For it is not for vsus too abridge him of that which his heauenlye father hath giuen him. Let that serue for one poynt.
And that is also the cause why Saint Paule sayeth, hauing clenzed it. Then yeeldeth he the dignitie of clenzing vsus too our Lord Iesus Christ. True it is, that if he had not bin appoynted too bee the Mediator, he could not hauehave doone it: for it is a woorke altoogither belonging too God: but forasmuch as he was sent too that end, and had that office committed vntoo him, therfore are wee washed by him. And in deede it is not only in his humane nature that wee bee washed by his blud: but wee must also beare in mynd how the Apostle in the Epistle too the Hebrewes,Heb. 9. …. 14. sayth, that he suffered in spirit. How in spirit? That is too say, his death must not bee considered of vsus, as if a man dyed: but wee must vnderstand that he is in such wyse the sonne of God manifested in the flesh, as he hath vttered his euerlasting power. And that when he was so abaced, and emptyed, although there appeered nothing but cursednesse in his death: yit ought wee too vnderstand that he wrought in that behalfe with a woonderfull power, such as surmounteth all our vnderstanding, and all that wee can conceyue. Yee see then that Saint Paule hath very well confirmed the thing that I told you, that is too wit, that all our fayth is but a wauering and vanishing opinion, vntyll it bee so grounded in our Lord Iesus Christ, as it rest wholly there, and nother swarue nor stagger one way nor other. For as soone as wee go about too adde one thing or other too our Lord Iesus Christ: surely he shaketh vsus of, as vnworthie too hauehave any part or portion of his benefytes. Therefore wee must leaue him that which is his owne: that is too wit, that he onelyonly clenzeth vsus: according also as it is of his mere grace, that wee hauehave all ryghtuousnesse before God.
And Saint Paules speaking of Baptim (as I sayd afore) is too the end that wee considering our owne abilitie, should bend our selues too the confirming our fayth by these meanes which are behooffull for vsus. For he that reiecteth Baptim as superfluous, dooth well bewray that he knoweth not him self. Insomuch that when wee hauehave well examined what is in vsus, it is certein that euen the perfecte…t shal fynd themselues inclyned to vnbeleef, and to so many doutings, as ye would maruell. They shall see themselues feeble and weake, and subiect too infinite temptations. So then, it must needs bee that a man is too much blinded in pryde, when he thinketh that baptim can … him in no sted. Considering therfore what neede wee hauehave … too God by certein degrees: let vsus make account of baptim, and of the holy Supper, and let them alwayes bee meanes too guyde vsus … Iesus Christ.
Agein, it is not without cause that Saint Paule matcheth the woord and the washing of water toogither. For (as I hauehave touched afore,) too bee so drawen away by visible things, that in sted of … vp aloft, wee bee hild downe belowe: is too common a vyce, and so deeply rooted in vsus, as it is very hard too bee plucked vp. God pitying mans weaknesse, hath at all tymes (as yee would say) … too them: not by chaunging his place, (for his being is infinite, and his maiestie filleth both heauen and earth) but by making him self familiar vntoo them,Ierem. 7. b. 11. & Math. 21. b. 12. & Ma…k. 11. c. 17. & Luke. 19. g. 46. & 1. Chron. 6. g. 41. & Psal. 132. b. 8. c. 14, as if he were conuersant with them. And for that cause did he terme his temple his house, his dwelling place, & his rest, and (sayd) that he dwelt betweene the Cherubins: howeeit, that was not to harden the people in their superstitions. Too what end then? He ment too drawe them to him by little and little, which were vnable to come to him at the first dashe. For where are the wings that wee should stye aboue the clouds withall? But our fayth must stye vp aboue the heauens. So then, God ment too releue mens infirmities, by Ceremonies, Sacramentes, and such other things. But the vyce on the contrary part hath shewed it selfe too much, that is too wit, that men hauehave taken occasion too hold themselues downe, and too intangle themselues in Ceremonies: and wheras they should hauehave lifted them vp, they hauehave abuzed them, by turning them too the cleane contrarie. And that is the cause also why the Prophets were continually occupyed in rebuking the Iewes, for that they thought that God had dwelt in the materiall temple. How now (sayeth Esay?) Hath not the Lord made all these thinges?Esay. 6…. a. 1. Hath he not created both the stones and the wood? And wyll you shet him vp within them? Dooth he not fill all the Heauens? and the earth is not able too conteyne him. And yit notwithstanding yee would locke him vp in some Cabane of your owne buylding. Wherby he sheweth that it is too grosse a folly for men too snarle themselues after that sort in visible figures, Ceremonies, and Sacramentes, and too dwell vppon them, wheras they should bee led vntoo God. Now forasmuch as this hath reigned in all ages, Saint Paule too redresse it, sayth, that wee hauehave our washing warranted in Baptim, vnderunder the figure of water. Yea, but yit must wee hauehave an eye too the woord, sayeth he. For if there were no teaching, too shewe vsus that wee fynd the things in our Lord Iesus Christ, which are represented too vsus in Baptim, and that it is in his person that wee hauehave the full performance and assurednesse of them: certeinly Baptim would turne vsus away from God, and it were better too hauehave none at all. For it were an euill thing, if wee should bee withdrawen from the sonne of God, too giuegive our selues too the corruptible world. Therefore let vsus bee well ware that wee separate not the Sacramentes from the word at any tyme. And hereby wee see what Christianitie there is in a number of folke. For all is well with them, if they bee Baptyzed, nother consider they that the hauing of the signe without the promise added too it, is but a deceyuable & vnprofitable thing. Wherto serueth a seale when it is set but too a peece of Lether, or too bare parchment, paper, or cloth? Surely it were too no purpose: for it ought too confirme and ratifye some Euidence, whether it bee of gift or otherwyse. So is it with the Sacramentes, when they bee not matched with the woord. A man shall see a seale there, howbeeit too no purpose, for he shall see no benefyte come of it. And surely they that continew still doted in their ignorance, bycause they were Baptyzed as soone as they came intoo the world: doo shewe therin too leaud an vnthankfulnesse: for they falsifye Gods truth, as much as they can. If a man should counterfet a Seale, it were felonie, though it were but in a cace of fyue shillings. But they that are so drowned in their ignorance, as they cannot abyde to bee drawen out of it: are falsifyers and forgers in a thing that is more worth than al the world. For heere the cace concerneth the ratifying of the things that hauehave bin purchaced vsus by the death and passion of the sonne of God, as hath bin declared alredy.
Furthermore let vsus marke also, that Saint Paule speaketh of the woord that is full of instruction and edifyeth our fayth. For the pron…uncing of some woordes is not ynough: as if a man should say, I Baptize thee in the name of the father, and of the sonne, and of the holy Ghost: and thinke that the vertue and power of Baptim were inclozed in those woordes: it were an abuse, and truly it could not serue vsus but for a charme and inchauntment. But the woord is the promise wherby our Lord Iesus Christ hath told vsus, that he is verily giuen vsus too bee our ryghtuousnesse, too the end that all our sinnes should bee couered and buried in his obedience, and all our spottes washt away by his cleannesse. Therefore when wee once hauehave this promisse, and knowe what things are brought vsus by the only sonne of God, then is the water matched with the woord. And wee ought so much the more too note this,…. Tim. 4. …. 5. bycause wee see how Saint Paule sayeth in another place too Timothie, that not euen our meate and drinke can bee sanctified, but by the woord. Trew it is that bread, wyne, water, and al other things are pure in respect of their creation by God: howbeeit wee cannot vse them without turning them too vncleannesse, and without committing of felonie ageinst God, but by his woord (sayth he) whereby all things are made holy vntoo vsus. And how is that? By teaching vsus that God sheweth himselfe too bee our father, in hauing a care of vsus too maynteyne vsus and feede vsus: and also by telling vsus that all these things are giuen vsus, too the intent that by vsing his liberalitie, first wee should bee prouoked too serue and honour him, and too bee rauished in louelove of him: and secondly bee confirmed in the hope of the heritage that is promised vsus. For seeing he makes vsus feele his gooddesse aforehand in this world: it is certein that when wee come too the glorye whereuntoo he calleth vsus, wee shall then hauehave our fill of the good things, whereof there is but some little tast shewed vsus as yit. Yee see then that all the be…efytes which wee receyue for the body, are made holy by the woord. And what shal bee done then in things concerning the euerlasting saluation of our soules? Is it not much more reason that they should bee sanctifyed by the same woord?
Now then, too bee short, wee see that the Papistes are destitute of the power of the Sacramentes through their owne misbeleef, bycause they hauehave robbed our Lord Iesus Christ of his power and vertew, and conuayed ouer his prerogatiue vntoo corruption and dead things. And therefore God hath so blynded them through his ryghtfull vengeance, that they thinke themselues too hauehave the Sacraments styll, but yit notwithstanding without the woord. As for example, in deede in Baptyzing they mumble ynough, and they make theyr coniurations and charmes, and all in an vnknowen language, but yit is their speaking rather too the diuel, than too the Godfathers and Godmoothers that are there, too answer for the teaching of the child, and for the common instruction of the whole Church. Too bee short, in Popish Baptim there is not the woord, and therefore (as much as in them lye…h) they hauehave abolished Baptim. Yit notwithstanding, God hath not suffered the rememberance of his goodnesse too bee vtterly put away: lyke as in the tyme of the lawe, although the priestes were Ioolaters, and had preached false doctrine, and had imbrewed the simple people with many errours & fals… opiniōs: yit notwithstanding, Circumcision was not chaunged in the tymes of Ezechias and Ios…as, when things were redressed, and Gods seruice set in his ryght state. And why? Bycause it had bin ordeyned of God, and it was not lawfull too hauehave taken the signe of his couenant vtterly away. But it behoued them too forsake all the incomes that had bin put too by Sata…s policie. Euen so say I now, that in the Popedome there is not the woord of God▪ as in respect of those that pretend too minister the Sacramentes: and yit that wee sticke not too receyue the thing that is witnessed vntoo vsus in Baptim, though we… were infected with much …thinesse. But wee must renounce the Creame that was ministred vntoo vsus, and all the other wicked trash, and reteyne the pure institution of our Lord Iesus Christ. And furthermore let vsus vnderstand, that our Baptim as wee receyued it then had bin vnauaylable, nay rather it had bin a cursed treacherie, if wee had gone no further than so. And why? For wee had bin peruerted, and wee had falsifyed the ordinance of our Lord Iesus Christ.
In lyke cace is it with the Supper. Of a truth there is no supper remayning now adayes in poperie. For that which they call Gods Table, is a flat mockage and reproche too the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ, bycause it is knit in vnseparable bond with the masse, and wee knowe that the masse is an vtter renouncing of the sacrifyze that was made by the sonne of God. But howseuer the cace stand, although they vsed some conuenient resemblance too the institution of our Lord Iesus Christ: yit for all that, they hauehave not the woord. For they mumble betweene the teeth in their consecrating (as they terme it) of the spiritual Sacrament, which they hauehave peruerted. For how doo they vse it? They prattle vppon the bread, and blowe vppon it, too chaunge it intoo the bodie of Iesus Christ, at least too their seeming. Also they chatter ouer the Chalice, and beare themselues on hand that all is chaunged there, and that they hauehave made such an alteration, as though they were able too create a new world. For it is much more too make a peece of bread too become the sonne of God, than too hauehave created a whole world. But Satan hath so bewitched the Papistes, that they beeleeue they doo all that. And by what power? not of Gods woord. Howbeeit (as I sayd) the woord that Saint Paule treateth of heere, is not a bare found, but a teaching that edifyeth our fayth, so as wee receyue the promis that is made vsus there, and apply it too our …se, too the end that in Baptim the water may … as a warrant of our spirituall washyng. Also when wee receyu… the bread and the wyne in the supper, it is an infallible pledge vntoo vsus, that wee bee nurrished with the very substance of the sonne of God, so as his flesh is our meate, and his blud… drink. Ye see then that the woord is ….
As touching the huge and confuzed heape of thinges that the papists hauehave in all their Ceremonies, and specially as touching their fyue Sacaments which they hauehave forged and … of their owne heads: there is no … (of God) at all in them. For what promis hauehave they for their Anealing, as they terme it? No doubt but they … deuise ynough of it: … where shall a man fynd any whit of it in the scripture? In the same plyght are all the rest. As for mariage, it shall be treated of at another tyme, bycause S. Paul maketh mention of it anon after. Howsoeuer the world go, wee … that the … hauehave falsifyed the Sacramentes, & they can as now receyue no profit by them: bycause they hauehave put the things asunder which God had knit togither. So much the more therefore dooth it stand … on hand to remēber the thing that S. Paul telleth vsus here: that is to wit, that wee be wel washed in baptim, accordingly as … sayeth to S. Paule,Actes. 9. c. 18. Wash away thy sinnes. And how? By Baptim. … euen too shewe that the washing of vsus with the water which wee see, is not a vayne or deceyuable figure, but that Iesus Christ dooth in very deede accomplish the thing that is shewed before our faces. Therfore wee must beare that well in mynd: But yit is the woord req…isite therwithall, without the which, all that men can set foorth concerning Ceremonies, is but abuse and deceyt, though it be countenances with the name of God an hundred thousand-tymes.
Furthermore Saint Paule addeth, that our Lord Iesus Christes washing and clenzing of vsus, is too set vsus as excellent and singularly beautifull before his owne face. For the vnderstanding heereof, let vsus note that wee be washed, not only through the forgiuenesse of our sinnes, when they come not too account before God: but also when we bee renewed by the holy Ghost too fyght ageinst all the temptations of the world, and too mortifye the vyces of our flesh, and all the froward affections wheruntoo wee bee too much wedded. Yee see then that it is a dubble grace which wee receyue of our Lord Iesus. That is too wit, bycause he hath satisfyed for vsus and discharged vsus of our dettes: wee come before God as ryghtuous. For our sinnes are not layed too our charge, but wee bee reconcyled freely, at leastwyse as in respect of our selues, howbeit that it is by the raunsome that Iesus Christ hath offered. Yit notwithstanding, it is not ment that God will hauehave vsus let alone styll in our vncleannesse: but that he … (also) too drawe vsus too him by his holy spirit. Therefore it … of necessitie that the foresayd washing s…ould bee matched with regeneration. And that is the cause why Saint Paule …, that Iesus Christ hath washed vsus, too the end wee should excell in beautie, yea and bee vnblamable also b…fore him▪ Now wheras he se…teth vsus foorth too bee Honorable or glorious, (for so dooth the woord which he vseth import:) he hath an eye backe too the thinges which he treated of before, concerning men and their wyues. For now he goeth foreward in treating of the spirituall wedlocke that is betweene the sonne of God and vsus, wherof he will speake yit more a… length hereafter. Therfore lyke as a man will louelove his wyfe when shee is too his lyking: So Saint Paule telleth vsus in this text, that the sonne of God wyll lyke well of vsus, if wee weare the badges that he giueth vsus: that is too say, first if vppon the knowledge of our owne wretchednesse, wee humble our selues too seeke the pardon that he hath purchaced vsus, too the end that beyng quit at Gods hand, wee may call vppon him with full trust. That is one poynt. Also that wee bee renewed by his power, so as wee followe not our worldly lustes, nor giuegive libertie too our wicked affections, but rather fyght ageinst our selues, and labour too put away more and more the things that wee hauehave of our selues, that God may reigne and lyue in vsus, and wee bee gouerned by his holy spirit, so as our lyfe may bee nothing else but a yeelding of obedience too his holy wyll. Yee see then, what beautie wyll make vsus acceptable too the sonne of God: namely, not (the beautie that is adorned) with corruptible deckings: but (the beautie which commeth) by beyng clenzed of all our staynes through fayth, and by beyng so sanctifyed by the holy Ghost, as wee may lyue continually as newe creatures. That in effect is the thing that wee hauehave too beare in mynde. For where it is sayd, that Iesus Christ is giuen vsus to be our redemption: Saint Paule declareth therwithall how it is doone, namely, bycause (sayeth he) he is giuen vsus too bee our wisedome,1. Cor. 1. d. 30. ryghtuousnesse, and holynesse. And why too bee our wisedome? That all our wyttes myght rest vppon him, and not wander from him one way nor other. Agein, he is giuen vsus too bee our ryghtuousnesse, too the intent there should not bee any spot or wrinckle in vsus, when wee should appeere before the face of our God, but that the blud of Iesus Christ should bee sufficient vncorruptnesse for vsus. Also he is giuen vsus for our Sanctification or Holinesse, too the intent that wee should bee renewed by his holy spirit. And whosoeuer separateth these things one from another, intendeth too rend Iesus Christ in peeces, as much as lyeth in him. Now then, would wee bee parttakers of the spirituall washing, wherof Saint Paule treateth heere? Let vsus looke that wee bee holy, and that wee walke in pure conuersation before God. Not that it can bee doone by our owne power or cunning: but all is attributed heere to Iesus Christ, and Saint Paul sheweth, that it is his office to make vsus so excellent. For it is certein, that when men will needes come too it with presumptuousnesse, they may well inforce themselues, (… yit they shall bee neuer the neerer:) but as for vsus, wee must only suffer our Lord Iesus Christ too woorke in vsus by his holy spirit. And by that meanes shall wee bee passyng beautifull, that he may hauehave delyght in vsus.
And for the same cause also doth he say, that he may present vntounto himself a beawtifull and glorious Church. In saying so, he declareth that al the outward shewe and gay glistering which wee can hauehave to the worldward, is but smoke: and that wee must hauehave a purenesse of hart. He could hauehave sayd, Our Lord Iesus hath clensed his Churche, too the intent it should be pure and ryghtuous: but he intended too expresse, that our purenenesse or cleannesse, is not too please the syght of the world, that wee may be prayzed and commended heere belowe, as hipocrits are, whom men gape and gaze at a great way of, clapping their hands at them, and esteeming them holyer than the Angels: but that it is much better for a man not too bee so precyze, but too walk playnly, and if there bee imperfections in him, too let them be knowen, and yit too hold on his full pace still, hauing the feare of God vnfeynedly in him all the whyle. Wherfore folowing this instruction of Saint Paules, let vsus learne too set our selues in the presence of the sonne of God: and when it commeth too the ordering of our lyfe, let vsus looke at him, knowing that eyther wee must bee allowed there, or else wee gayne nothing by being exalted and commended heere beneathe: though men hauehave neuer so maruelous opinion of vsus, all (say I) shalbee but mere vanitie and leazing, till wee hauehave ruled and framed our lyfe in such wyse, as if wee walked before the face of the sonne of God, howbeeit that in very deede nothing can bee hidden from him. This is it that wee hauehave too remember further.
Now when as Saint Paule sayeth, too the end that the Church should bee without spot or w…in…le, and vnrebukable in holinesse: he meaneth not that this is accomplshed and performed in vsus alredie, nor that it can bee as long as wee bee compassed ab…ut with this bodie: … it is as a prizon, and a bondage▪ and wee dragge our shackles after vsus continually whyle wee bee heere beneathe: and although wee hauehave profited well in the feare of God, yit must wee bee fayne too say alwayes with Saint Paule,Rom. 7. d. 23. that wee be hild in a miserable bondage, and cannot serue God but by halues, as ye would say. Howbeeit, S. Paule ment also too shewe simply whertoo wee bee called, too the intent w…e should hye vsus thitherward all the tyme of our lyfe. Now then what is the end of our Redemption? wherfore are wee reconcyled too God? Wherfore are we made cleane by the blud of our Lord Iesus Christ? Wherfore also are wee sanctifyed and regenerated? It is too the intent we myght in the end be vnblamable before God. And what in this world? There will euer bee much too bee blamed and to bee found fault with: but let vsus bee contented that our sinnes shal not bee layd too our charge. And this is well woorth the noting, bycause there were a sort of malicious and leaud heads in old tyme, which surmyzed an Angelicall perfection in their brayne, as though men myght atteyne too a full and perfect ryghtuousnesse in this world, and that was euen an abolishing of the couenant that God hath made with vsus, wherin consisteth our saluation. For therin are twoo inseperable poynts: that is too wit, the forgiuenesse of sinnes, and the newbirth, as it is sayd in the seuen and thirtith of Ezechiell, in the thirteenth of Ieremie, and in effect eueryevery where. These things then cannot bee put asunder, namely that God dooth so receyue and adopt vsus, as wee neede still too hauehave our sinnes forgiuen vsus, till wee bee ridde quyte and cleane of al earthly corruption: and agein, that wee must go foreward dayly in newnesse of lyfe. But there are yit still of those diuells incarnate, which would abolish the remission of sinnes, insomuch that they dare slaunder vsus so farre, as to say, that wee hold men stil to their Apcie, whē we make thē beleeue that they must needs be sinners still▪ Neuerthelesse, it is certein, that whosoeuer wil bee a Christian, must needes be a sinner. This is straunge at the first sight, but yit is it moued so as by the holy Gost.1. Iohn. 1. c. …. It is Saint Iohn that speaketh it, but the doctrine is Gods. If wee say (sayeth he) that wee hauehave no sin, wee make God a lyer, and his truth is not in vsus. Then if wee imagin our selues too bee so holy, that wee hauehave no more sin in vsus: shall God bee a lyer for our fancies sake? Also, if wee wil bee Christians, ought wee not too bee Christes disciples? And if wee bee desyrous too learne in his schoole, is not the maner of praying vntoo God his father, the principall poynt which he teacheth vsus?Math. 6. b. 1…. And what doth he shew vsus there? For giuegive vsus our offences. Wee beseech God dayly too forgiue vsus the greate …. Now if any man intend too raze out this petition of crauing forgiuenesse of our faultes: the same forsaketh the schoole of Iesus Christ. Then let vsus vnderstand, that in this world wee cannot bee without spot or wri… kle, but wee must bee clenzed by little and little, and the vyces whertoo wee bee giuen, must bee corrected by peecemeale, vntyll wee come too the perfection that is spoken of in the first Chapter. Too bee short, as long as wee bee in this worlde, forasmuch as wee hauehave so many sinnes and vyces in vsus, let vsus bee heedfull in praying vntoo God too shewe himselfe alwayes mercifull towardes vsus, and in bearing with vsus by forgiuing our misdeedes. And yit notwithstanding let vsus therwithall take hart too fight ageinst all our vyces, and too yeeld our selues obedient too our God, and let vsus vse force and violence too subdew all our passions and lustes, vntyll wee hauehave gotten the vpper ha…d of euill, though wee ceasse not too commit it. Although sinne dwell in vsus, yit let it not reigne in vsus. Thus yee see how wee must day by day continew this exercyze of presenting our selues before God with all humilitie, in beseeching him too pardon our offences: and yit notwithstanding profite more and more in the renewment that is spoken of heere, tyll wee bee wholly fashyoned lyke too the ryghtuousnesse and glory of our God.
Now let vsus fall downe before the Maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgment of our faultes, praying him too make vsus feele them more and more, that wee may bee sorie for them, and so streyne our selues too followe his seruice, as wee may shewe by our deedes, all our lyfe long, that he hath not redeemed vsus in vayne from the tyrannye of Satan, and set vsus at libertie, euen too serue him with a free will, and too giuegive our selues wholly too the glorifying of his holy name. And therwithall (let vsus beseeche him) also too graunt vsus the grace, so too taste the benefytes which he bestoweth vppon vsus, as they may prouoke vsus more and more too glorify him, and that it may bee our continuall exercyze and study too sing and preach his prayses alwayes, and too acknowledge how greatly wee bee bound and i…detted vntoo him, that by that meanes our Lord Iesus may so reigne ouer vsus, as wee may bee linked too him in vnseparable …, vntyll wee come too the ringdome that he hath bought so deerly for vsus. That it may please him to graunt this grace not only to vsus, but also to all people. &c.