Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 48
The .xlviii. Sermon, which is the sixth and last vppon the sixth Chapter.
19 Praying also for mee, that in opening my mouth, vtterance may bee giuen mee, with boldnesse too vtter the secret of the Gospel.
20 For the which I am an Ambassadour in cheynes, too the end (I say) that I may speake freely as it becommeth mee too speake.
21 But that yee may also knowe of my state and what I do: Tychicus our deere brother and faythful minister in the Lord, shall shewe you all things:
22 Whom I hauehave sent vntoo you for the same purpose, that you myght knowe my state, and he comfort your hartes.
23 Peace be to the brethren, and charitie, with fayth from God, and from our Lord Iesus Christ.
24 Grace bee with all them which louelove our Lord Iesus Christ in purenesse. Amen.
WEe sawe this morning how wee ought too bee carefull in praying one for anther, and the frute that commeth thereof: namely that eueryevery man which is a member of the Sonne of God, must assure him selfe, that the whole Church laboreth for him, and that generally both Iesus Christ and all his must bee refuzed, if God pitie vsus not. But heerewithal wee hauehave to marke also, that Saint Paule in commending himselfe too the prayers of the Church, is not so myndfull of his bodye, as of the thing that is much excellenter, that is too wit, of the due executing of the charge and office committed vntoo him. If a man bee sicke, or in necessitye in this world, or trubbled by his enemyes, wee bee woont too crye out for helpe and succour, and wee would hauehave eueryevery man too occupye himselfe for vsus. And why? For inasmuch as wee bee fleshly: as soone as wee feele any disease in our bodye, wee bee sorye at the harte: but in the meane whyle wee forget the cheef poynt: that is too wit, the things that concerne the euerlasting saluation of our soules. Agein, when it comes too the seruing of God, eueryevery man thinkes he is sufficient ynough of himselfe too doo it, without helpe of his neyghbours. But Saint Paule sheweth heere, that he thinkes not himselfe sufficient too execute the charge that is committed too him of preaching the Gospell, without help from aboue: and therefore he requyreth the prayers of the Church. And afterward he sheweth therwithall, that he maketh more account therof, than of his lyfe, notwithstanding that he were hild as then in prizon, yea and euen cheyned. Ye see here that Saint Paule is hild in streyt ward, as a sory offender, and looketh dayly for nothing but death: and yit for all that, he careth not so much for his lyfe, as for the aduauncement and preferment of Gods woorde: insomuch that he had leuer dye, than too bee slothfull in dooing the thing that was inioyned him. That is the effect of the thing which wee hauehave too remember vppon this text.
Trew it is that in the Epistle too the Thessalonians,2. Thess. 3. a. 2. he noteth also the reason why he desyred too bee deliuered from the wicked and faythlesse, which ceassed not too lay snares for him. And why? It was lawfull for him too set store by his lyfe: but yit for all that, he did not set the Cart before the horse (as they say:) for wee see by this text,Coloss. 4. a. 3. 4. and also by that which is written too the Colossians, that he had alwayes more regard too discharge his dewtie toowardes God, specially in respect of the Church, by preaching the Gospell faythfully: than too ease himselfe, or too eschew the daunger wherein he sawe he was. Then first of all if our Lord call vsus too any charge whatsoeuer it bee, let vsus learne too vnderstand our owne infirmitie, that wee may bee succored of him as wee neede, and not presume any whit vppon our owne strength or cunning, but consider that God must bee fayne too hold vsus vp by strong hand, and that wee hauehave neede too resort vntoo him, yea and too desyre (after the example of Saint Paule) to bee cōmended to the prayers of al the members of our Lord Iesus Christ, as in deede it is good reason that wee should pray mutually also for them. That is for the first poynt.
Secondly, although it be lawfull for vsus to desire men to pray for vsus when wee bee sicke, or when we bee pinched with any other affliction: yit notwithstanding, lyke as wee must afore all thinges pray for the comming of Gods kingdome, and seeke the aduauncing of his glorie,Math. 6. d. 33. and make but an income of all other things else: So in this cace, wee must learne not too bee so wedded too the world and too this transitorie lyfe, as too cry out for helpe when wee bee pinched with any aduersitie or neede, and in the meane whyle forget the thing that ought too bee preferred before them. Wherefore let vsus learne too bee chare in such wyse of our lyfe, as wee may couet aboue all thinges that God should be glorified in our persons, whether it bee by life or by death, as S. Paule sheweth vsus by his owne example in the Epistle to the Phillippians.Phil. 1. c. 20. And so ye see what we hauehave to remember in the first place.
And he sayeth expresly, that Vtterance myght bee giuen him in opening of his mouth. As if he should say, that God myght giuegive him such corage and constancie, as he myght not speake fayntly, but freely preach the Gospell, and not conceale any thing that myght serue too let foorth the grace of our Iord Iesus Christ, and the infinite benefytes that hee hath brought vsus. That is the thing which Saint Paule ment by the opening of his mouth. Now experience sheweth, that he did not without cause desyre of God that his mouth myght bee opened as a gate or doore: for he vseth the same terme in the forealledged place of the fourth too the Colossians. For such as shun death, (that is too wit, the most parte of them that professe the preaching of the Gospell,) will not sticke too say somewhat too the matter: but yit they doo oftentymes so disgyze the ryght, or else speake it so fearfully: as the hearers wot not what they meane by it, their woords shalbee so intangled. Too bee short, whereas they should shewe with loud and shirle voyce, what our Lord Iesus Christ is, what Gods seruice is, what the trew religion is, what fayth and repentance is: they touch them as it were at glaunce: but as for too rip vp matters, and too serch them too the bottom, they cannot away with that. And why? For they see perill hanging ouer their heades, if they should vse such freenesse. Howbeeit, Gods trew seruantes must practize that which Saint Paule sayeth too Timothie:2. Tim. 1. b. 7. namely that they hauehave not a slauish and cowardly hart, but march foorth freely in their vocation, too ouerpasse all the furiousnesse of the world, and to hauehave a brazen forehead,…erem. 1. d. 18. as it is sayd in Ieremie. And although they see many hard battelles, and that they cannot please the world in dooing their dewtie, but that they shall hauehave the enmitie of many men for exalting the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ as they ought too doo: yit let them not ceasse too go foreward, and too ouercome all lettes. Howbeeit forasmuch as wee bee fearfull and feeble, God must bee fayne too woorke in vsus, and too giuegive vsus boldnesse too speake as wee ought too doo.
Then is it not ynough for vsus too bee warned of our dewtie, but wee must also adde this poynt of resorting vntoo God with acknowledgment of our wantes and defaultes. And furthermore let vsus all take notice in generall, that the preaching of the Gospell is too hygh and weyghtie a charge, vnlesse wee bee gouerned by Gods spirit: according also as Saint Paule cryeth out in the second too the Corinthians: Who is sufficent for it?…. Co…. 3. b. 5. When he speaketh of the preaching whereby men should bee reconcyled vntoo God, and certifyed of their saluation, whereby the kingdome of heauen is opened, whereby wee hauehave witnesse of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes, and whereby the blud of our Lord Iesus Christ is giuen foorth too wash vsus from all our steynes: who is of abilitie meete for it (sayeth Saint Paule) except God make vsus able by woorking in vsus? For wee cannot so much as thinke too doo good. Yea wee bee so farre of from hauing power too doo any thing in deede, that wee cannot so much as thinke one good thought, vnlesse God giuegive vsus it. Now then, let such as are called too the office of teaching Gods Church, vnderstand their owne weakenesse, and put themselues wholly intoo Gods hand, too bee made able too discharge themselues, knowing that they shall neuer bring it too passe, no nor the hundreth part of it, vnlesse it bee giuen them from aboue. And therefore let all men pray for those that are so ordeyned too bee teachers and ministers of the woord: for it is a singular gift of God, when wee hauehave such Shepherdes of our soules, as are able too guyde vsus well. Wherfore bee it knowen both too great and small, that too maynteyne the Church in hir perfect state and soundnesse, God must bee fayne too giuegive power and strength too such as should teache, and men must pray for them: for in so doing, eueryevery man procureth his owne welfare and saluation. And if we be negligent therin, it is a token that wee make no reckening, nother of our spiritual life, nor of the common welfare of the Church.
And heerin wee see what wee ought too deeme of such as pretend too preache Gods woord in these dayes, and in the meane whyle are so fearefull, that they dare not open their mouth, vntill they hauehave well bethought them, whether the things that they intend too speake, may offend or delyght the eares of him and of hir. What a sort see wee in the Popedome which rowe betweene two streames, and would fayne hauehave it knowen, that they bee such as would fayne hauehave leaue too preache purely? But yit for all that, they doo so beepeynt the doctrine which they vtter: as they play the craftie merchantes, and there is nothing but falshood in them, according also as Saint Paule vseth the same similitude,2. Cor. …. d. 17. & 4. a. 2. in speaking of such as abused Gods woord too purchace the fauour of the world, and too maynteyne it. Now the saying of such men is, that they must stryke sayle, hold with the hare, and hunt with the hound, eschew occasiō of stumbling blocks, and that it is not for a man too stryue ageinst the streame. As who should say, they bee much wyzer than God, …ho speaking by Saint Paule, telleth vsus, that Iesus Cerist must bee preached throughly, and men must not go about too bury him any more: for seeing he is rizen vntoo glorie, he will hauehave the voyce of his Gospell ring loud and shirle, without any dissimulation, as I sayd afore. Moreouer, euen where there is no persecutiō of sword nor fyre, the world sees that they which name themselues ministers of the Gospell, would fayne currye fauell in such wyse, as there should bee no shift but our Lord Iesus Christ must stoope, and wrythe his truthe too and fro at mennes pleasures. Now adayes when the preachers perceyue, that it is no pleasant thing for them too put men vnderunder the yoke of our Lord Iesus Christ: what, say they? Shall wee offend greate men, and such as are in authoritie ouer vsus? Should wee not rather win them by gentlenesse? Yis, but they bee wyld beasts dossing with their hornes ageinst our Lord Iesus Christ, and cannot abyde that there should bee any disciplyne in the Church: and yit for all that, men must preache still too their lyking. What a trayterousnesse and villanie were that? Yit notwithstanding, a man neede not go farre too fynd such preachers of the Gospell, that is too say, of leaud choppers and chaungers, which turne all topsiteruie, knowing not what their dewtie is. The world sees such examples too manifestly before their eyes. Therfore it standeth vsus so much the more on hand to mark well this text, where Saint Paule sheweth that the Gospell is not preached as God hath commaunded it, except men go too it fully and openly, and with full mouth (as they say.)
Now he speaketh of the secret of the Gospell, too magnify this doctrine, which else should be despized of many that wil needs play the suttle & sharp witted fellowes, according as yee shall see a sort of presumptuous fellowes which think thēselues so wyse, that the Gospell is not for them: for there is such a simplicitie in it, as they cannot brucke. They would stye vp and sore aboue the clouds, & hauehave such speculations as myght amaze them, and (nother they themselues) nor any man else vnderstand them. It is very trew that at the first syght, when men reade the Gospell, they shall see that God dooth after a sort play the nurce there (as he him self sayeth) and that bycause he knoweth our rudenesse, how we bee as little children: he lispeth with vsus. But yit for all that, the doctrine therof passeth all the wit of man. For the verie Angels doo woonder at it,Ephe. 3. b. 10. and are inforced too honour it, as it is sayd in another place.…. Pet. 1. …. 12. Then let vsus vnderstand, that in the simplicitie which is seen in the Gospell, there is such wisdome of God as is incomprehensible, vnlesse it please him too reuele it too vsus by his holie spirit. For were we the best learned doctors in the world, yit should wee fasten vpō nothing (there) vnlesse God inlyghtned our vnderstanding, as is sayd of it in the two first chapters of the first Epistle to the Corinthians. That therfore is the cause why S. Paule telleth vsus, that there are great secrets in the Gospel which we vnderstād not, further foorth than God woorketh in vsus: and that no tung of man is able to vtter them, except God guyde both them that heare them, and are too bee taught them, and also those that speake them, so as all bee gouerned, by his holy spirit.
And he addeth, as it becommeth mee too speake. Wherin hee sheweth yit agein, that it is not ynough too preache by rote whatsoeuer comes at the tungs end: but all must bee ruled by Gods woord, so as it may perce mens harts, and win them too his obenience: and that (as is sayd in another place) there bee not only language or speache:1. Cor. …. d. 20. for the kingdome of heauen consisteth not in gay Rhetorik, but in the power of God. Too the end then that there may be such a lyuelinesse, as mē may know that such as teache vsus, are stirred vp of God, to be as his instruments, and too doo him seruis: Saint Paule desyreth men too pay for him. Wherfore let vsus learne, that too step vp into the pulpit, and too expound some text of scripture, is not all that is too bee doone, but there must be a special handsomnesse, which groweth not in the gardens of men, but proceedeth of the extraordinarie goodnesse of God.Rom. 10. c. 15. And herein he sheweth that which he speaketh in another place, namely that noman can performe the dewtie of a good and faythfull teacher, vnlesse he bee sent. Now this sending importeth, that God giueth men that which is requisyte for the executing of their charge, bycause they want it of themselues.
There is yit further, that Saint Paule gloryeth of his bearing of the Ambassage of the Gospell, notwithstanding that he bee a poore prisoner, yea and in cheynes, as if a man should now set a man in the stocks, or …etter him. Therfore he vseth the woord Ambashadour, too the intent that his imprizoning should not preiudice the doctrine of God. No, no (sayeth he) God auoweth mee for his Ambassadour. Albeeit that men hold scorne of mee, though I bee thus afflicted, and although men myght lothe mee too looke vppon mee: yit is all this no derogation too the office wherin God hath put mee, that is too say, too my Ambassadourship of preaching the Gospell in his name. And it is not only in this text that Saint Paule dooth so magn…fye the honorable dignitie that was giuen vntoo him, in declaring that men cannot any what diminish it: but (which more is) he glorieth greatly in that he was hild so in yron cheynes and streyt prizon. For surely it serued for a good record that he had preached earnestly, and that men ought to receyue his doctrine quietly & without gey…saying. Trew it is, that if we go through with our charge, & follow Gods calling with a free hart, we shalbe his seruants. But yit for all that, there is not so good proof of vsus as when God sendeth some tryall, so as wee bee one whyle in prizon, another whyle driuen from place too place, and trubbled and vexed dyuers wayes. If wee see that, and agein, that wee bee wrongfully blamed, and torne in peeces, and yit neuerthelesse doo hold out still, without swaruing one way or other for any thing that may befall: then dooth God ratifye and authentikly seale our Calling, and shewe that he hath made vsus his seruants. Now then seeing that Saint Paule was in prizon, and moued too deny him self, and could hauehave gone out if he had would, by forsaking the truthe of the Gospel, and yit hild out stedfastly, so as his lyfe was nothing too him, but his continewall seeking was too magnify the name of our Lord Iesus Christ: when such Constancie was seene in Saint Paule, it myght well bee concluded, that there had bin no counterfetting in him before. For whē a man shall but only preache, and afterward when he commeth but to the aking of the tippe of his finger, he starteth backe, and would plucke his pennie from the stake (as they say:) dooth not the world see that he was but a niggler, and a player of enterludes before? If a man be a great wryter, and as excellent a teacher as can be deuyzed, and yit notwithstanding wil not shed one drop of blud when God calleth him too it? too shewe that the doctrine which hee caryed abrode was not his owne: it appeereth that he was but a mocker, and that he is woorthie too hauehave men spit in his face, and too hauehave more shame and reproche, than if he had bin an ignorant beast. So then, Saint Paule gloryeth of his bands, saying, that although the world made no reckening of him, but disdeyned him, yit neuerthelesse God auoweth him for his Ambassadour.
And heerupon let vsus learne not to bee so scornful as to despize Gods seruantes, when we see them hild in prizon, but let vsus vnderstand, that God dooth then exalt them too much greater dignity and honour, than those that are mounted aloft into pulpites. He then that is in prison, and persīsteth in the pure confession of the Gospel, is in much more honorable degree, than al they that preach at free liberty. Marke that for one poynt.
And agein, in the tyme that God spareth vsus and giueth vsus leyzure, let vsus learne too fence our selues so afore hand with corage and constancie, as wee may bee his Ambassadours whensoeuer it shall please him, both in prizon, and in the middes of the threatenings of enemies, and in all the rages of death that can bee put ageinst vsus. That is the thing which wee hauehave too marke vppon this streyne. And so let vsus not bee dismayed as a number of vnconstant persons are, who when they heare that a great sort are imprizoned in such a place, and such a one was burnt in another place, are by and by out of hart, and the Gospell is no more accounted with them. They that forge too themselues such stumbling blockes, shewe well that they neuer had any liuely roote in fayth. But contrariwyse, when wee see that our Lord Iesus Christ dooth so serue himselfe by those whom he calleth too tryall, by putting them intoo the handes of Tyrantes, and of the enemies of his truth, and yit giueth them inuincible constancie: it is a goodly strengthning of our fayth, and wee hauehave cause too bee the more inflamed. For vnlesse God wrought in them, it is certeyne that there should no such strenght bee seene in any man liuing. Therefore wee must pray God too arme vsus at our neede, and therwithal to shewe vsus that the doctrine of his Gospell which is of sufficient authoritie of it selfe, must bee further authorized by a manner of prouision. But yit must the blud of the Martirs, and of such as God hath sanctified to his glory, serue too that purpose, bycause they bee as it were his Proctors before men.
Now heereuppon Paule addeth, that he hath sent Tychicus too Ephesus, too the intent that the Ephesians myght knowe in what state he was. This also is sayd too the common edifying of the Church. For whereas Saint Paule speaketh of his state and dooings, he meaneth not the things that concerne his bodie or his health, nor any thing else that belongeth too this present lyfe: but he referreth it specially too the confession of the fayth, and his free maynteyning of the Gospell. Wee know that if a man bee in prison, specially a man of renowme: folke will bee in some care of him, (saying) Alas, will God giuegive him constancie? And agein▪ the diuell sleepeth not at that tyme. There shall neuer any man of credit which hath edifyed Gods Church, bee cast in prison, or impeached: but there shall some thing or other bee sowed abrode, too disgrace him, and too bring him as it were intoo a slaunder, and all is too deface the things that God hath doone by his meane, and too ouerthrowe that which he hath builded. That is one of Satans policies. And therefore Saint Paule knowing that men myght sowe abrode many lyes, and say, ho, see yee, I warrant yee he should not bee so long borne with at Rome, specially hauing the Emperour and all the Court ageinst him: except he did yeeld: it may well bee sayd, that his cace is not cleere. And others, Tush, men make no account of him, they see he is but a doting foole. And others: some one thing, and some another, eueryevery man after his owne fancie: Saint Paule (I say) perceyuing that many poore we akelings myght be hindered by him, and cast intoo perpleritie, and that othersome myght bee kept backe from comming too the Gospell: will hauehave his state knowen, and the diuell with all his slaunders put too the foyle, and the mouthes of all backebyters stopped, and lykewyse of all Colcaryers which seeke nothing but too set trubble in the Church. Also for feare least they that had begun too profit in the Gospell, myght bee hindered, and the same an occasion too shet the gate ageinst such as were not yit come in: Saint Paule intending too preuent all those respectes, sayeth, that he hath sent Tychicus.
And wee see yit better in this text, what care he had alwayes too make the Churches continewe in goodnesse. For he could hauehave alledged that he was letted ynough for himselfe, and that he was ouermatched with enemyes: & he could hauehave made thē beleeue, that he had had no leyzure too thinke of other folkes, and that for his owne part, it was ynough for him too doo his dewtie at Rome, without sending here and there ouer the sea, too confirme the Churches: for there were a great sort of others besydes him. Agein, forasmuch as God had shet him vp: it had bin ynough (as a man would hauehave iudged in common opinion) that he swarued not a syde euen too the death. But he contenteth not him self with his only being of a faythfull witnesse and martir of our Lord Iesus Christ: but he thinketh therwithall, that it became him too preuent all stumbling blocks which the diuell stirred vp one way or other, too defame the Gospell withall, and he imployeth himself therto, as wee see heere by example. Now then let vsus learne to serue God in such wyze, euen too the laste gaspe of our lyfe, as wee may hauehave a care of our neyghbours also, and procure their welare as much as wee can, accordingly as God hath bound vsus thertoo.
And to the intent that Tychicus should be receyued, he calleth him brother and faythfull minister in Christ: and that is too giuegive him credit, that men myght receyue his record. And in very deede, wee must iudeuer too the vttermost of our power, that such as can serue the Church, may bee aduaunced, and men knowe what they bee, and that they may hauehave as it were their mark, so as they may hauehave authoritie as is requisite. That is the example which Saint Paule sheweth vsus: For it was not for any vaynglorie or fauor of men, that he commended Tychicus after that maner: but his desyre was, that men should know Christs faythfull minister too their owne benefyte, so as he myght hauehave accesse too them, and not be reiected as one woorth nothing, but that his woord myght be receyned as it deserued.
Theruppon, too end and knit vp his Epistle withall, Saint Paule prayeth, that the brethren myght hauehave peace, louelove, and Fayth from God, and from our Lord Iesus Christ. Now this woord Peace is commonly taken in Saint Paule, for all welfare and prosperitie. In deede it signifyeth properly concord: but the Apostles being accustomed too the Hebrew tung, hauehave vsed the word that importeth both. And when Saint Paule sayeth, Grace and peace bee giuen vntoo you: by the first he wisheth Gods fauour and merciemercy, and by the other, that he should prosper vsus in all goodnesse and good things. Therfore in this text he sheweth, that all the prosperitie of the godly commeth of Gods mere goodnesse, and not from elswhere. Therunto he addeth also, fayth and charitie. Wherin wee see that God reserueth too him self the office, not only of sending vsus these outward goods which wee want, but also and specially of giuing vsus the spiritual gifts, wherof wee bee vtterly voyd and destitute. Howbeit, it is hard too make men beleeue it, bicause they be alwayes drunkē with this pryde, of imagining themselues too hauehave some abilitie of mynd too beleeue the Gospell, and too discerne betweene good and euill, insomuch that too their seeming, it is a needlesse thing to pray God too inlyghten them. But yit must wee needs bee punished for our ouerweening, if wee think wee hauehave eyther fayth or charitie of our selues. So then let vsus conclude, that bothe of them bee the singular gifts of God, and let vsus confesse, that both of them come of him, and that on the other side he must bee fayme …: for wee bee blynd … wee hauehave the woord pre… ched too vsus, and as it were chawed too vsus, so as there remayneth no more for vsus too doo, but too swallowe it downe. Yit shall wee continew dull lyke blocks of timber, if God doo not inlyghten vsus by hys holie spirit, and bow our harts too his obedience. Then if God woork not so, it is certein that when our eares shal hauehave bin beaten with good doctrine all the tyme of our lyfe, it shalbee but lost labour. And it is not only in this text that it is sayd so: but a man shall scarsly fynd any leaf in the holie Scripture, wherin God reserueth not too him selfe the giuing of fayth. And in good fayth wee our selues see well, that the holie scripture inlyghteneth vsus, and how vtterly wee bee destitute of Gods spirit. If wee compare our selues with fayth, and with the things that it bringeth vsus: wee shall well see that there is iust cause why God should will vsus too doo him homage for so great and so excellent a fift.Psal. 14. …. 2. For it is sayd, that God looked downe vppon men, and that he found them eueryevery chone giuen ouer too all euill, and saped in their filthinesse, so as there is not one that seeketh after goodnesse. Agein, when there is any speaking of our reason and wisdome,1. Cor. 3. d. 16. it is sayd to be stark ignorance, and that we bee vtterly brutish, and that wee must become fooles in our selues, if wee will profit in Gods schoole. And … for our harts: what are they? They bee full of naughtinesse and … bornnesse euē from our chyldhood, as the holie scripture reporteth eueryevery where of them. Forasmuch then as wee be blynd in our vnderstanding, and froward in wil: let vsus come now and see what fayth is. It is a cōprehending of Gods secrets, so as we know the fatherly louelove that he beareth vsus, & assure our selues of it, & take hold of the heauenly lyfe, which neuerthelesse is incomprehensible too mans vnderstanding: & to be short,Ephe. 3. d. 13. are acquaynted with the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, which extendeth hygh & lowe, and deepe and wyde, as wee hauehave seene herteoofore. Now then if on the one syde we consider what fayth is, & on the other syde enter intoo our selues, and examin our selues in such sort, as we fynd our selues vtterly destitute of all goodnesse: it is good reason wee should confesse, that vntill God giuegive vsus fayth, wee hauehave no fayth at all. That is the thing which wee hauehave too mark vppon this text.
As much is too bee sayd of charitie. For is it not apparant that eueryevery man is wedded too the louelove of him self▪ and that … affections …arye vsus away, so as wee seeke … owne profit continually with the hinderance of other men? And yit this lust and … wee cannot louelove our neyghbours, but would rather oppresse them. So then, we must needs hauehave Charitie from elswhere, and God must breake the cursed inclinatiō that is in vsus, namely the ouer excessiue louing of our selues. And moreo…er when wee hauehave so renounced our selues, wee must vnderstand that wee bee so indetted too our neyghbours, as wee must indeuer too doo our dewtie towards them. And so yee see that fayth and charitie are iustly called the speciall gift of God, and that Saint Paule dooth iustly in this text say: Charitie and Fayth bee vntoo you frow God our father. It is certeyne that his wish was not made feynedly, but that in saying so, he doth vsus to vnderstand that wee must hauehave it at Gods hand. Wherfore let vsus lay downe all foolish ouerweening, and let vsus vnderstand that all the spirituall benefyts which wee hauehave, are the free gifts of God, wherby hee sheweth and declareth his liberalitie effectually towards vsus. And it is certeyne that all the perfection of Christians consisteth in faythe and charitie. Wherfore let vsus conclude, that whatsoeuer belongeth to the saluation of our soules, or is woorthie too bee esteemed and commended, wee hauehave none of it of our owne growing, but it commeth too vsus from aboue.Math. 16. c. 17. Accordingly as it is sayd of the confessing of our fayth, that nother flesh nor blud doo shewe vsus that Iesus Christ is the sonne of God,Math. 11. d. 25. but the father reuealeth it too vsus. And lykewyse also our Lord Iesus Christ sayeth,Luke. 10. d. 21. Father, I thank thee that thou haste hidden these things from the wyse, and reueled them too the little ones. Therfore let vsus learne to bee little ones, that we may bee Gods schollers, and too bee fooles in our selues, that wee may bee filled with his wisdome, and yeeld him honor, according too the measure of the gifts which wee shall hauehave receyued of him, and not bee soo wicked as too chalendge the prayse vntoo vsus, which he dooth iustly and ryghtly reserue too him self.
Howbeeit, Saint Paule matcheth our Lord Iesus Christ with God the father, too doo vsus vnderstand, that wee can obteyne nothing but by the meanes of him, which hath reconcyled vsus vntoo God. For what is the cause that wee bee so corrupted in our nature, as wee bee voyd of all goodnesse, and full fraught with all vyces, and too be short, that we be altogither abhominable: but for that we be vtterly estraunged from our Lord Iesus Christ,Iohn. 1. b. 14. &. Coloss. 1. c. 19. &. 2. b. 9. who is the fountayne of al goodnesse? And for the same cause was he indewed with all fulnesse of grace, according as it is sayd, that the father hath not giuen hym (the spirit in) some certein portion,… but in such wyse as all of vsus may so drawe out of him, as wee can not want any thing, for he is the fountayne that can neuer bee drawen drye. Then can wee not hauehave one drop of spirituall gifts, but by flowing downe vppon vsus through our Lord Iesus Christ, who is the only cundi…pype of them. And our Lord Iesus Christ not only hath the office of giuing vsus at his owne pleasure whatsoeuer i… requisyte and necessarie for our welfare, in respect that he is our mediator (as wee hauehave seene in the .iiii. Chapter:) but also Saint Paule yeeldeth him here moreouer, that he giueth vsus faith and charitie by his owne authoritie and power: for he setteth him in equall degree with his father. Now then let vsus vnderstand, that our Lord Iesus Christes office of inlyghtening vsus by fayth, and of reforming our harts, not only belongeth too him as now in respect that he is our mediator & Gods minister: but also that it is his owne: for this maner of speeche of S. Paules would not otherwyse agree.
But heere by the way a man myght aske a question. For Saint Paule prayeth not God too giuegive fayth too the faythlesse, and charitie too them that are fleshly: but vntoo the brethren, that is too say, too the bodie of the Church. Now if they be of the Church, they bee Gods children alredye, they bee begotten agein by the holie Ghoste, and by that meane they hauehave both fayth and charitie. But herin Saint Paule sheweth vsus, that it is not ynough for that God begin fayth in vsus, vnlesse he continew in it too the end: and that lyke as wee call fayth the gift of God, so must he also make it too growe and increace day by day.Phil. …. d. 29. And that is it which is ment by this saying, that it is giuen vntoo vsus not only too beleeue in Iesus Christ, but also too suffer for him. Therfore Gods giuing of fayth vntoo vsus, is not in such wyse, as that he dooth but only prepare vsus, that wee myght beleeue the Gospell, if we listed, and that afterward we should bring a consent of our owne, & go foreward of our selues by our own power: No: but when God hath once dispozed vsus too beleeue, he must also giuegive vsus such an affection, as may touche vsus too the quicke, and afterward driue vsus forewarde, and giuegive vsus abilitie too perseuer, so as we may profit, & go foreward, & be confirmed euen to the end. That is the cause why S. Paule speaking heere of the faythfull which were brought alredie intoo the good way, and to whom the grace of God was manifested, sayeth neuerthelesse, that God must bee fayne too further them & giuegive them the gift to hold out, euen by growing more and more as wel in fayth as in louelove.
And therby we hauehave warning to pray God to increase & strengthen our fayth, and to inflame vsus with charitie, and therwithall to make vsus knowe our imperfections, so as although wee see a number that come not neere vsus, yit wee conceyue not any pryde too stand in our owne conceits, as though wee were come too fayth already. Wherefore let vsus assure our selues, that we be but in our way as long as we bee in this worlde, and therefore let vsus inforce our selues foreward. For what perfection of fayth so euer wee can fynd among men: it is certeyne that God will fynd much amisse in it, and how farre foreward soeuer wee bee, and how well so euer wee hauehave profited in charitie, a man shall come farre short, of fynding that any of vsus hath forgotten him self, and thrust couetousnesse and ambition vnderunder foote, with all other things that may … vsus frō seeking the benefyte of our neyghbour, and the imploying of our selues too doo them seruis. Sith it is so, let vsus learne (as I sayd) too knowe our owne imperfections in such wyse, as wee may mislyke of our selues for them, and bee induced therby too doo better than wee hauehave done hithertoo. And although men prayse and commend vsus, yit let vsus learne too confesse with all humblenesse and meeknesse, that wee bee yit farre short of atteyning too our mark.
Now hereuppon Saint Paule addeth agein, Grace bee too all them that louelove our Lord Iesus Christ vncorruptly. Wherin he sheweth who bee the brethren that …e … of euen now. Not all they that professe themselues too liue after the Gospel, but such as louelove our Lord Iesus Christ, yea (sayth he) with such soundnesse, as it bee not an affection that corrupteth and banisheth away out of hand. And not without cause is this sayd. For wee see how fewe there are which louelove Iesus Christ ryghtly and soundly. The multitude of them that pretend too holdwith the Godspell, is greate ynough: but what a number are there which renounce God in their works, when they hauehave confessed him so in their words? Agein, if a man examin them narrowly, which hauehave yit some good tokens, and liue orderly ynough and without blame, so as it myght bee sayd, that there is no hipocrisie in them: he shall see them ouershoote themselues in the turning of a hand. As for example, wee see how the persecutions now adayes discouer such as hauehave not a lyuely roote, and so doo temptations lykewyse, insomuch that they which hauehave liued in good reputation, doo afterward tur…e asyde and go astray. And what is the cause therof? Some new blocke that Satan casteth in their way, or some other stumbling stocke too make them turne out of the good way. Therfore when all is throughly reckened, a man shall fynd verye fewe, that louelove Iesus Christ vncorruptly, that is too say, which hauehave at rew stedfastnesse or stoutnesse, so as if they bee tempted eyther with feare of death, or with pouertie, yit notwithstanding they a…ter not, but continew stil in theyr calling, & shew that the holie Ghost reigneth so in them, as he possesseth the bottomes of their harts, euen vntill they bee quyte rid of all the imperfections of their flesh. No dout but the perfectest hauehave store of them. And lyke as it may well bee, that a tree shall seeme vtterly withered, as farre as can be discerned outwardly by his braunches, & yit if the roote continue still in his force, the tree shal be safe: so that although some superfluous boughes be cut of, yit will he spring againe: and it will appeere playnly, that it was still alyue within: euen so wee from day to day cut of the corrputions of our flesh, which are yit in vsus, vntil wee bee come too the fulnesse of the incomprehensible perfection, wheruntooo wee labour as now too atteyne.
Now let vsus fall downe before the maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgment of our faults, praying him too voutsafe too open our eyes more and more, that wee may consider the infirmities and vyces that are in vsus, yea and those also vntoo which wee should bee giuen, if God had not deliuered vsus from them, and should not drawe vsus away from them day by day. And theruppon let vsus moorne before him, acknowledging our selues too bee wretched offenders, that are well woorthie too bee condemned, if he pitied vsus not: And let vsus so profit in his woord, as it may bee too the amendment of the things that are yit amisse in vsus: and for the bringing therof too passe, let vsus call vppon the grace of his holie spirit, bycause wee knowe how needfull it is for vsus, in respect of the rechlesnesse, yea or rather rebelliousnesse that is in vsus. And yit for all that let vsus not ceasse too go on still too the heauenly perfection wheruntoo he calleth vsus. That it may please him to graun… this grace not only too vsus, but also too all people and nations of the earth. &c.
FINIS.
All glorie, honor, and prayse, bee alonly vntoo God, and too our Lord Iesus Christ. Amen.
End of the text · John Calvin, Sermons on Ephesians (1577)