Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 5
The fifth Sermon vponupon the first Chapter.
13. You also doo trust in Christ, vppon the hearing of the word of truth, that is too say, of the glad tydings of your saluation, by beleeuing vvhereof you also are sealed vvith the holy spirit of the promise.
14. VVhichWhich is the earnest penny of our inheritance, vntoo the redeeming of the purchaced possession, too the prayse of his glory.
WEe hauehave seene heeretoofore how S. Paule hath declared, that there is none other grounde of our saluation than Gods free goodnesse, and that wee must not seeke any where else for the cause why he choozeth the one and forsaketh the other. For it becommeth vsus too holde our selues contented with his onelyonly will, purpose, & vnchaungeable determination. And whosoeuer goeth any further, must needes stumble intoo such a dimgeon through his owne rashnesse, as he shall feele that such as cannot honour Gods maiestie and euerlasting ordinance with all lowlynesse and reuerence, must eueryevery one of them (say I) come too shame. Therefore whensoeuer we come to the serching of the cause of our saluation, let vsus learne too father it altoogither vppon God. It is trew that too bee Gods children and heires it behoueth vsus too bee of the body of our Lord Iesus Christ, which thing is doone by fayth: but yit can wee not beleeue the Gospell except God drawe vsus theretoo by his holy spirit. Nowe wee see that he dealeth not alyke with all men. For he could very well inlyghten all the world, and bring too passe that there should be no vnbeleeuers at all: but wee see the contrary. Therefore let vsus assure our selues, that be choozeth whom he listeth. For if a man should aske the reason why he dooth it: it were too loftie a presumptuousnesse, and that is the very cause that maketh so many ouerweening folke too breake their owne neckes, for that they cannot fynd in their hartes too graunt, that God gouerneth men according too his owne will, as of good ryght he may full well. Furthermore also S. Paule hath heretofore set the Iewes and Gentyles both on one euen ground, and that is a thing that requyreth yit longer discourse. For seyng that God had chozen Abrahams ofspring, it myght hauehave bin thought that there had bin some woorthinesse in them. Surely if wee hauehave an eye too the specia…l fauour that God shewed too the Iewes, they bee well worthy too bee preferred before all the rest of the world. But if a man take them as they bee of themselues: he shall fynd them voyde of all ryghtuousnesse. For wee must alwayes come backe too this poynt, that God is not bound nor beholden too any man at all: and his receyuing of the Iewes by free adoption, is not for that they were better woorth than other men, or for that they myght make any maner of vaunt at all of themselues. Therefore yee see why S. Paule sayeth expresly, that they which beleeued in Iesus Christ in tymes past, are cōprehended vnderunder Gods election, as well as the others, & that the others cānot boast thē selues too bee more worthy, or too hauehave deserued more than they, but that all must come too this poynt, that as well of the Iewes as of the Gentyles God choze whom he lyked and listed, too the ende that nothing should bee considered in that behalfe but his onelyonly mercy, and that all mouthes myght bee stopped, and no man bee able too alledge that be brought any thing of his owne. Howbeit, when S. Paule entereth intoo this comparison betweene the Iewes and the Gentyles, he sayeth that if a man hauehave an eye too Gods accepting of the Iewes for his owne peculiar heritage, they were a holy linage, and he had giuen them his Lawe and promises, by meanes whereof they were in more excellent and hygh degree, than all the residew whom he had forsaken and shaken of. But if wee hauehave an eye vntounto God, all mannes glory must needes bee layd awater. But S. Paule in that place speaketh alonely of the forgiuing of our sinnes, and of our imbracing of Gods grace by fayth: which things he sheweth cannot bee fathered vppon any other cause, than onelyonly Gods pitying of vsus. Also wee hauehave …eene heretoofore in the Epistle too the Galathians,Gal. …. c. 15. howe S. Paule …ayd vntoo Peter, wee bee Iewes by nature. For inasmuch as it was a common opinion, that the Iewes were a holy lynage, bycause they were descended of Abrahams race: very well (sayeth he), howsoeuer …he cace stande, wee hauehave none other refuge nor assurance of saluation, but too beleeue in Iesus Christ: for he wist well that men are vtterly fordoone and lost in themselues, bycause they bring nothing with them but Gods wrath and curse. Therfore lyke as in those textes S. Paule hath shewed that men beguyle themselues, if they imagin that they hauehave any desert or woorthinesse in them: so now for the better confirmation of the same doctrine, and too take away all disputing, and too beate backe all replyings, he bringeth vsus too this welspring, namely, that God not onelyonly giueth fayth too whom he listeth, but also hath elected and chozen vsus before the making of the world. Yee see then that the thing which wee hauehave too marke in effect, is that all men from the most too the least are indaungered vntoo God, and there is none so holie or excellent, that can exempt himselfe from that generall state of men.
Nowe hereupon S. Paule magnifieth Gods goodnesse, in that the Ephesians were gathered toogither, and made all one with those that were hild and accounted afore for Gods people, and for the housholde folke of his Church. Before the Ephesians beleued the Gospell, there was great diuersitie betweene them, as shalbe declared yit more at large in the second Chapter. But notwithstanding that the beleuyng Iewes which had alredy bin cōuerted to our Lord Iesus Christ, were as brethren too the Angels of heauen, for so muche as they were members of the head that was common too them both, wheras in the meane while the Ephesians were poore wretches, shet out from al hope of saluation, enemyes of God, and plunged in all cursednesse: beholde, God tooke away that diuersitie, and raundged them both in one aray. Gods goodnesse therfore was so much the more manifest, in that he did so … them backe which were drowned in the bottome of hel, to match them with his owne children, and too make them fellowes and heyres of his heauenly kingdome. That therfore is the cause why S. Paul hauing spoken of such as had beleued in Iesus Christ afore, telleth vsus expresly, that God hath gathered and stablished his Churche in such wise, as it wel appeareth that the greatest depend wholy vponupon hym, and hauehave not any other thing to rest vponupon, than his only mercy: and that those which were after a sort caste away, yea and abhorred, hauehave cause to glorifie hym, seeing he hath deliuered them from the confuzion wherein they were. And herewithal S. Paule sheweth, that the thing whiche hee had said afore, is verified vntoo vsus by the effectes of Gods grace. For (as I hauehave said afore) our election is a secret thing, yea and incomprehensible. When men hauehave inquired of it as much as is possible, surely they must needes quaile in their owne imaginations, if they mynde to enter intoo the sayd euerlasting ordinaunce of God. And therefore it is not lawful for vsus too seeke any further than the Scripture guideth vsus, and sheweth vsus the way. Yee see then that Gods choozing of vsus, is hidden in hym selfe: but yit he yeeldeth vsus recordes of it by the gifts of grace which he bestoweth vponupon vsus, as by faith, which is a gyfte of the holy Ghost. Marke that for one poynt.
Nowe, were it but suche a gyft, as when he maketh his Sunne to shyne both vponupon good and bad, or as when he causeth the earth to bring foorth fruit indifferently for all men: the same ought also too bee reckened among the gyftes and benefites of God. But faith is a singular gift, which is not bestowed commonly vppon all men, but is reserued of God as a Iewell for those whom he liketh well of. And what is the cause of it? Wee are all of vsus the chyldren of Adam, and we are all of one mould. Why then inlighteneth hee the one sort, and letteth the other alone in their blyndnesse? There is none other cause but his owne choyse. So then although we can not conceyue nother by wyt nor by reason, howe God hath chozen vsus before the making of the world: yit wee know it by his shewing of it vntoo vsus, and experience it selfe auoucheth it sufficiently, in asmuch as we be inlightened by faith. What is the cause that I receyue the Gospell, and sticke to it, and in the meane whyle others abyde styl in their beastly blockishnesse, or rather beare a spiteful rancour ageynst the doctrine of saluation? If I imagine that it commeth of myne owne towardnesse, I am a traytour too God. For wee must alwayes come backe to that which wee hauehave seene alredy,2. Cor. 4. b. 7. and say, Who is hee that hath made thee to excel others? S. Paule then dooth in that saying pull downe all loftinesse of man, to the end that no man should aduance hymselfe, nor alledge that he hath …ught of his owne. Wee must not thinke (saith he) that wee hauehave any woorthynesse of our selues, but that eueryevery whit of it commeth of God. Therfore in this Text S. Paule sheweth by experience, howe the E…esians had byn chozen of God, & that it behoued them to hauehave their …ole faith grounded thereupon, that is to wyt, vponupon Gods free good…sse. And for proofe thereof (saith he) ye hauehave heard the doctrine of … Gospell, and beleeued it. But how commes that to passe? He she…th that it must needes bee that they were confirmed by the holy Ghost. Now, if they were confirmed, it was of necessitie that the holy ghost must needes hauehave wrought beforehand. And so it is to no purpose, to enter intoo so deepe a maze as Gods euerlasting ordinaunce. For he sheweth vsus as it were with his finger, how he hath chozen vsus, at least wise if we play not the churles with hym, but acknowledge the good that he hath done vsus, and bee fully perswaded and resolued in our selues, that there is none other cause of it, than for that hee had giuen vsus his marke from before all euerlastingnesse: that is too say, for that he had reserued vsus too hym selfe, as his owne chyldren. Nowe then wee see S. Paules meanyng: and therfore let vsus learne too leaue making of long raunges, when the cace concerneth our imputyng of all things to Gods onelyonly mere mercy. For the faith that we hauehave, dooth shew it wel ynough▪ bycause that (as I ha…e sayd afore) the same commeth not from our owne moother witte, but as a gifte that commeth from aboue, & such a one as God communicateth not too all men without exception, but onelyonly so such as he lysteth.
Furthermore heere are many woords well worth the weying. For on the one syde S. Paule intendeth too magnifie the grace of the holy Ghost, by shewing that wee can hauehave no part nor portion in our Lord Iesus Christ, nor in any of all the benefites that he hath purchased for vsus, except God put vsus in possession of our saluation by his holie spirit. That therfore is one poynt. And yit notwithstanding S. Paule fayleth not too shew therwithall; the ine…timable benyfite that wee hauehave by the Gospell, in that he termeth it the woord of truth, and the glad …ydings of saluation. For first of all he ment too assure vsus, too the in…ent wee myght hauehave an infallible warrant too call vppon God without doubting or grudge of conscience. For so long as wee bee in doubt whether God louelove vsus or hat vsus, it is vnpossible for vsus too praye truly vntoo him. And so by that meanes yee see how our saluation is vtterly defeated, according too that which is sayd by the Prophet Ioell.Ioel. 2. f. 32. And it is a common doctrine in the holy scripture, that wee cannot obteyne saluation, but by fleeing vntoo Gyd with prayer and supplication. But wee should be shet out from that, if wee had not the sayd warrant, as wee shall see more fully in the third chapter. Therfore it stands vsus … too be throughly assured, that God is our father, and that he accepteth vsus for his children. And how shall wee bee warranted that vnlesse the doctrine of the Gospell bee so certeyne in all poynts, as it bee not lawfull for vsus to bring it in question? That therfore is the cause why S. Paule sayeth that it is the word of truth. No doubt but there are other truthes also: for euen when God threatneth vsus, he dooth it not in …est nor yit in vayne: for as well his threatninges as his promises hauehave their execution sure and certeyne. Howbeeit forasmuch as the present cace concerned the correcting of al distrust in vsus, as wherunto we be to much inclined: S. Paule hath termed the Gospell the doctrine of truth: as if he should say, my frendes, God is a faithfull witnesse vntoo you of his owne wyll: for the Gospell is as much as if he laid forth his hart vntoo you: and therefore settle your selues vppon it. Moreouer also he saith, that our saluation lyeth inclosed in the Gospell: and that it is too make vsus too looue it, and esteeme it. For should we be so wirlesse, or rather starke mad, as to holde scorne of our owne welfare? But yit notwithstandyng he saith, that al this commeth of Gods mere mercy, and of his euerlasting electiō, which as in respect of our selues is farre of, and vnknowen too vsus, but we hauehave knowledge of it by the Gospell, which is the meanes and instrument therof. For too what purpose were it that our Lorde Iesus Christ hath offered hym felfe in sacrifice too reconcile the worlde to God his father, vnlesse wee were made partakers of it by faith? Now, faith is not an opinion of mans conceyuyng in his owne brayne: but a setled beleefe, that God cannot lye nor deceyue vsus, and that it is not to be feared, that our hope shall not come too good end, if wee wayt vponupon hym. So then, too be short, S. Paules intent was to shewe, that if we hauehave the skyll to make our profit of the doctrine of the gospell, wee shall no longer stand in a mamering and perplexitie, but shalbe able to call vppon God with open mouth, acknowledgyng our selues so bound and wholly indetted vntoo hym in all things, as wee feare not but that he auoweth vsus for his children, and are accepted at his hande, and that hee heareth vsus in all the prayers that wee make vntoo hym. Thus much concernyng the first poynt. Therfore according to S. Paules exhortation▪ let vsus learne to rest in suche wise vppon the doctrine of the gospell, that it may bee as much too vsus, as if God shewed hymselfe, visibly vntoo vsus, and that the heauens were opened vntoo vsus:Math. 16. c. 19. and let vsus alwayes beare in mynde, howe it is anouched by the mouth of our Lord Iesus Christ hymselfe,Iohn. 20. c. 23. that when soeuer sinnes are … by the preaching of the gospell, the same is out of hand ratified in heauen. Thus ye see what certintie we ought to hauehave, that wee bee no more doubtfull whether God wyll heare vsus, or no. But lyke as the gospell teacheth vsus to beleeue, so also S. Paule sheweth vsus that we ought too esteeme it as an incomparable treasure, for so much as it is the power of God, tendyng to the saluation, of all that beleeue, as hee speaketh of it in the first Chapter too the Romanes.Rom. 1. b. 16. Seeing then that wee bee forlorne and vndone of our selues, and there is none other meanes too call, vsus backe ageyn too God, but by the gospell: let vsus set store by that treasure, and bee well aduized too make our profite of it. And in so doing let vsus hardily despize both the Diuell hymselfe, and all his temptations which he practizeth ageinst vsus, seeing that God calleth vsus, and hath given vsus a sufficient record of hys fatherly louelove and good wyll towardes vsus.
But let vsus come too the second part which I glaunced at. For S. Paule sheweth that besyds Gods voutsafing no hauehave the Gospell preached vntoo vsus, it behoueth him also too wooke by his holie spirit and by a speciall grace. And in very deede wee shall find many that will well ynough graunt that God was not moued to send vsus his Gospell vppon any other cause than his owne, mere free goodnesse. But therwithall they surmyze, that the cause why some receyue it and some receiue it not, is for that their owne free wils do… rule the roste… and by that meanes Gods grace is diminished. For God offreth vsus not his grace, as a man shoulde offer an apple too litle … so as hee that could ronne best, should come and hauehave it. If God should cast it out so, it is certaine that the greatest parte of our saluation shoulde proceede of our owne power and policie, and the commendation therof should redound too our selues. Now then, after S. Paul hath shewed that God hath called, and dayly dooth call vsus too the inheritance of his heauenly kingdome, and that his so dooing proceedeth of his own mere free goodnesse. He addeth further, that it behoueth vsus of necessitie to be touched with his holy spirite. In deede he setteth downe but the one part of the grace of the holy ghost: & that is bycause he had set downe the other part before: for he hath not in this discourse forgotten aught that belonged to his matter: but he began with Gods free goodnesse wherewith wee bee all filled, and shewed that fayth springeth out of the said fountaine of free election. And nowe for the second part he addeth, that Gods inlightening of vsus by his holy spirit, so that wheras we were blynd, he hath printed his grace in our hartes, and bowed and bent them to the obeying of hym, is not ynough for vsus: but that moreouer he muste bee fayne to confirme vsus, and strengthen our fayth, by geuyng vsus an inuincible constancie too holde out too the end. Yee see then that the thing wheretoo S. Paule bringeth vsus, is, that besides our receiuyng of fayth at the hand of the holy Ghost, and besides his inlightenyng of vsus by his grace, wherof I hauehave spoken alredy: he dooth also stay vsus in such wise, as wee fal not away. For the better vnderstanding hereof, wee must first call to mynd the thing that hath bin treated more at length alredy: that is too wit, that so long as God letteth vsus alone in our owne state and plight, wee bee blind wretches wandring in darkenesse, and what soeuer is preached or spoken vntoo vsus, wee abide styll as blockes in our brutishnes. For the sensual man shall neuer vnderstand any thing that belongs to God,1. Cor. …. d. 14. or too hys owne saluation. Yee see then howe wee bee vtterly barred and excluded from the heauenly light, tyll God pitie vsus, and giuegive vsus the spirit of light and insight. Marke that for the first poynt. Howbeit, for asmuch as that poynt hath bin discussed heretofore: it suffizeth to doo no more but too put you in mynd of it.
Now there is yit another poynt, which is that when wee hauehave once imbraced Gods grace by fayth, so as wee knowe that our Lord Iesus Christ is he in whom wee fynd all that is requisite too make vsus perfectly happie: it standeth vsus on hand too be stablished in the same. For why? let vsus marke how wauering men are. He that is best dispozed too followe God, shall by and by fall, bycause wee be so frayle that the diuell will ouerthrowe vsus eueryevery minute of an houre, if God hild vsus n…t vp by strong hand. And for that cause is it sayd that God vttereth his power in mainteyning vsus, when he hath chozen vsus, and giuen vsus too our Lord Iesus Christ. For if he fought not for vsus, alas what woulde become of vsus? wee should bee confounded out of hand, and we shou…d not take one or twoo falles, but infinite falles, as I sayde afore. As soone then as we were in the way of saluation, by & by should we surely bee tu…ned out of it by our owne frayltie, lyghtnesse and vnconstancie, vnlesse wee were hild backe, and that God wrought so in vsus, as wee might by his holy spirit ouercome all the assaultes of the diuell and the world. Thus dooth Gods spirit woorke dubble in vsus as in respect of fayth. For he inlyghteneth vsus to make vsus vnderstād the things that else should bee hidden from vsus, and too receyue Gods promises with all obedience. That is the first woorking. The second is, that the same spirit is fayne too continue in vsus, and too giuegive vsus perseuerance, that wee quayle not in the middes of our way. That then is the thing …hat S. Paule treateth of as now. As if he should say, my friendes, yee hauehave knowen Gods grace, and yee hauehave had experience of it, and that he hath drawen you too the obeying of his Gospell: For you had neuer rome vntoo it, if he had not shewed himselfe pitifull towardes you. But yit assure your selues, that he dubbleth his grace, in that he giueth you power too hold out in the same. For had ye continued but two or three dayes, or two or three yeeres, yea or more: needes must it bee that God had helped you therein, for else yee should alwayes hauehave bin in a mamering, yea, and as poore wretches at your wittes ende, without any certeintie at all, but that God hath promised too hauehave a care of you, and too guyde you continually till you bee come too your wayes end, and hauehave accomplished your course. That therefore is the cause why he sayeth heere, that they were sealed or signed by the holy Ghost. Now it behoueth vsus to marke well the similitude that S. Paule vseth. For wee know that euidences are made authentik by s…ales: and that hath bin in all tymes. Trew it is that men did not set them too in such maner as they doo now adayes. But yit notwithstanding in stead of signing them with their owne handes, they deliuered their seale or a ring, and that was the maner of the publication of Testamentes, and of other euidence, and of all bargaynes and couenants. In this respect S. Paule sayeth that wee must bee sealed in our hartes. Trew it is, that too speake properly, he should hauehave sayd that the Gospell was sealed. Howbeit, too the end too doo vsus too vnderstand that the fault commeth and springeth from our selues, and that the Gospell is a doctrine of sufficient authoritie of it selfe, he mynded too shewe vsus, that Gods sealing of his truth is in respect of our hard hartednesse, and vnconstancie, for that we be shaken with eueryevery wynd lyke wouering reedes, vntill such time as he hauehave strengthened vsus. But howsoeuer the cace stand, let vsus marke that the holy Ghost is as it were the scale wherewith he ratifyeth and warranteth his truth vntoo vsus. Nowe I hauehave told you alredy how greatly wee stand in neede thereof. For although wee graunt that Gods word deserueth to be admitted without geyns…ying or reply: yit ceasse wee not too doubt of it, and that doo wee fynd well ynough by experience. For whensoeuer any trubble or vexation commeth, wee …e as folke dismayd, wheras if wee were throughly perswaded of Gods goodnesse in such wyse as he assureth vsus of it, it is certeyne that wee should not bee in any such feare. All the tempta…ons then which shake vsus, doo shewe well ynough that wee profit not as wee ought too doo in the Gospell. And therefore God is fayne too warran… it on his behalfe by his holy spirit, and too print it so surely in our hartes, as wee may bee stedfast, and as the same stedfastnesse may not bee beaten downe by all that euer the diuell can woorke or deuise too ouerth…owe …. But wee shall vnderstand this thing yit better, by making continually such examination of our owne weakenesse, as I hauehave spoken of before. For take wee all the reasons of the world, and yit shall wee neuer bee certifyed so fully and perfectly as is requisite, that God will bee mercifull too vsus and defend vsus in the middes of all the perills of this world. For wee bee heere as it were in a sea, the wyndes and stormes assayle vsus eueryevery minute, and wee be still in daunger of swallowing vp. How then may wee despise Sathan, b…ing as wretched shéepe vnprouided both of armour, weapon, and all other meanes of helpe? How can wee be merye both in life and death, knowing that Satan might doo any things ageinst vsus: if wee were not wel sealed, and after an authentical manner. So then, besides that in this te…te wee bee warned too rid our selues of all presumption and ouerweening, that onelyonly God may bee prayzed and magnified: wee may also gather therwith vppon S. Paules woords, that wee hauehave armor and weapon wherwith too incounter and fight well, and that although our enemy bee mighty and sturdie, yit he shal neuer ouercome vsus, so wee take the aduauntage of that which is sayd heere, namely that Gods spirite seale…h the truthe, and the certeyntie of the promises of the Gospell in vsus.
And S. Paule addeth yit one similitude more, saying that Gods spirit is as an earnest pe…ny. And let vsus not thinke it straunge that S. Paule hath so myghtily confirmed this doctrine, forasmuch as the diuell hath neuer ceassed frō the beginning of the world, to puffe vp men continually with some fond opinion of their owne wisdome & vertew. The cause of Adams fall, was that he would needes aduaunce himself hygher than was lawfull for him, and be wyser than God: which thing God gaue him not leaue to doo. Euen so standeth the cace with vsus, & the diuell pursueth his chalendge still. For behold he ouerthrew mankynd by that sleyght, and all his indeuour yit still is to make vsus beleue that wee be able too doo this and that. Therfore it stoode S. Paule on hand too rid men of that false and cursed opinion of their owne …reewill and selfuertew, and too shewe them that they are beholden too the holy Ghost for all. Mark that for one poynt.
Secondly, we be so grosse and earthly, that we had neede too hauehave the doctrine chawed vntoo vsus, and wee cannot conceyue any more of Gods gratious giftes which are inuisible, than we see with our eyes, and touche with our hands. Therfore it was requisite that S. Paule should by similitudes declare how it is Gods holie spirit that putteth vsus in possession of the Gospell, and of all the benefits conteyned therin, and which holdeth vsus in them vntoo the end. Now wee knowe that bargaynes are confirmed by giuing of an earnest penny, which men doo cōmonly call a Gods penny. For asmuch then as in buying eyther Lands, houses, inheritaunces, or wares, although a mans bare word ought to suffyze, yit notwithstanding mē are so yll dispozed, that if they perceyue any disaduauntage to themselues in the matter, they will not bee ashamed too eate their woord: therfore was this ceremonie of giuing an earnest penny, added: and it is all one as if the payment were fully performed, so as the bargayne were vtterly past calling backe ageyne. S. Paule then meaneth heere, that Gods spirit serueth to warrant our saluation too the full. And too what end? For your inheritaunce (sayeth he) too the day of your redemption. It is trew that we be Gods heyres euen in that wee bee his children. But wee must note how it is sayd in the eyght too the Romanes,Rom. 8. c. 24. that our saluation …s shet vp vnderunder hope. So then, wee cannot see it, nor inioy it as now, according too the third of the Colossians,Coloss. 3. a. 2. where it is sayd, that wee be lyke dead men that are departed out of this world, and that our lyfe is hidden with God in Christ. Therfore although wee be Gods children, yit hauehave wee not the full inioyment of it as yit. And it is all one with that which S. Iohn sayeth in his cannonicall Epistle.1. Iohn. 3. a. 2. Wee …nowe (sayeth he:) wherby he sheweth that our fayth is not doubtfull: but yit he addeth that it is not yit seene, (or it dooth not yit appeere,) but wee must wayt for the day wherin wee shalbee lyke vntoo God, & thē we shal hauehave lyght to see the thing perfectly, which we doo but beleeue as now. Ageyne, wee hauehave seene how S. Paule sayd in the second too the Corinthians,2. Cor. 5. b. 6. that as long as wee bee in this earthly pilgrimage, wee bee (after a sort) absent from God. For why? wee walk (sayeth he) but in hope, and wee see not the thing as if it were present, but wee see it by fayth.Iohn. 5. …. 24. Too bee short, although wee bee passed from death too lyfe (as is sayde in the fift of Iohn:) yit do we fyght ageinst an infinite number of deathes, bycause wee be beseeged by them. And S. Paule dooth well match bothe toogither in this text. For on the one syde he sayeth wee bee not yit come too our redemption and herytage: and yit therwithal he sheweth, that we bee neuerthelesse sure of it for all that, and that nothing but our owne vnthankfulnesse letteth vsus too glory fu…ly in God, and too say with full mouth, that wee doubt not of our comming too the heauenly lyfe, forasmuch as wee hauehave an earnest penny therof by the holy Ghoste, and are so knyt too our Lord Iesus Christ, that all the goodes which he hath, doo belong vntoo vsus, and are made common to vsus by fayth. Therfore let vsus mark well what is conteyned in these words of S. Paules. He sayeth that the holy ghost is our earnest penny. Seing it is so: wee must needs be sure of our redemption, wherof we shall hauehave the possession at the last day, yea euen to the full: & that doth the thing of it s…lf shew sufficiently. For we be but sillie wormes of the earth, wee bee compassed aboute with rottennesse and corruption, wee bee beset with so many miseries as is pitie to see, the world rayleth vponupon vsus, and mocketh vsus and our simplicitie, we bee fayne too indure hunger and thirst, it seemeth often tymes that God hath forsaken vsus, and after a sort cut vsus of, yea, and that he vou… safeth not too pitie vsus, as the most despyzed creatures of the worlde. Lo at what poynt wee bee too outward appeerance. And therefore it standeth vsus on hand too hauehave a remedie, too warrant our selues withall in the middes of so many perplexities and hartgriefes. That is the cause why S. Paule sayeth purposely, that the holy Ghost is our earnest penny. Although then that the world hauehave the brydle looce to trample vsus vnderunder his feete, as they say: although our Lord keepe vsus occupyed with many temptations: although he humble vsus in such wyse, as it may seeme that wee bee as sheepe appoynted too the slaughter, so as death bee continually betweene our teeth: yit are wee not vnpurueyed of good remedie. For why? Seyng that the holy Ghost reygneth in our hartes, wee hauehave whereof too boast euen in the middes of all our temptations, according as it is sayd in the viii.Rom. 8. c. 15. too the Romanes, that being once assured that God taketh vsus for his children, wee may not only call vppon him, but also although wee bee afflicted and tormented, yit wee ceasse not too bee alwayes fully and infallibly resolued that he is our father, too leade vsus too the glory of heauen: for euen that also is … meane whereby our hope is tryed.
Furthermore wee bee warned also too walk in pacience, and that seing God hath giuen vsus his holie spirit for an earnest pennye, wee must not bee so hastie and impaciente as wee hauehave bin woont too bee. For if God handle vsus roughly, by and by wee fall too grudging, and are very loth too suffer any thing: for wee see how tender and nyce we bee of nature. But wee must indure paciently, bycause God will not hauehave vsus too come too his kingdome at one leape, as they say, but will hauehave vsus too passe by this world through the midds of thornes and breers, so as wee shall hauehave much a doo to get through, and wee shalbee in greate distresse. Seing that he will hauehave vsus led such a way, and yit notwitstanding giueth vsus so good a remedie as ought to suffyze vsus, which is that he strengtheneth vsus in inuincible constancie by his holie spirit: let vsus stand in a redinesse too fyght till the tyme of victorie bee fully come. It is trew that our fayth doth euen now alredy get the vpper hand: but wee receyue not yit the fruite… of it, nother doo wee fully inioy it. Therfore wee must determine with our selues too sygh and grone continually, and yit therwithall too reioyce also. For (why? too reioyce in our hartes, and also) too cry with S. Paule, alas wretched wyght that I am, who shal deliuer me from this prison of my bodie, are things that may match verye well toogither. Therfore let eueryevery of vsus moorne, yea and bee greeued at the hart, for that wee bee still so much giuen too our wicked lusts, and too the number of vices that are in vsus. And yit notwithstanding let vsus ceasse also …oo say that wee thank God, and too bee contented with his giuing of such portion v…to vsus as ought too suffyze vsus, and too tary his leyzure till he accomplish and performe the thing that he hath begunne, seing wee hauehave his holie spirit so dwelling in vsus, with a promis that wee shall, neuer bee destitute of him vntoo the end. Thus yee see how wee bee heere incoraged too take hart of grace, and too walk in such constancie, as all the miseries of the world may not stop vsus of …, till wee bee …me to our races end. And that is the cause why S. Paule speaketh purposely of redemption. It is trew that wee bee redeemed by our Lord Iesus Christ,1. Cor. 1. d. 30. &c. and he is giuen vsus for our redemption or raunsome, as is sayd in another text: yit notwithstanding wee hauehave not the effect and full fruition of it as yit.1. Tim. 2. b. 6. Then is there a dubble redemption: one which was accomplished in the person of our Lorde Iesus Christ, and anoother which wee wayte for, and which shalbee shewed vppon vsus at his comming ageine.Rom. 8. c. 23. According wheruntoo S. Paule sayth in the viii. too the Romanes, that although wee grone and bee hild downe in anguish, yit wee must not bee dismayed at it, nor think it straunge: bycause all creatures (sayth he) doo beare vsus companie, yea and bee as a woman that trauelleth of child. For wee see that all the world is subiect too corruption through the sin of Adam. Seing then it is so: let vsus not quayle in our gronings, but let vsus so measure our affections as too hold vsus contented in that we hauehave our redemption purchaced in the person of our Lord Iesus Christ, and thereuppon trust that he will accomplishe the same thing in vsus and in our persons, which he hath brought vsus in his owne. The thing therefore that S. Paule ment too say, is that Gods spirit is our earnest penny duryng the tyme that wee wayte too be taken out of this transitorie lyfe, and too bee set free from all miseries, specially from the bondage of sinne, which is the heauyest burthen that can bee. Untill such tyme then as wee bee deliuered from all those thinges, wee must rest vppon this, that Gods spirit dwelleth in vsus.
And as touching the redemption of purchace: it may well bee taken for purchaced redemption: for it is a very ryfe maner of speech: lyke as when it is sayd, the spirit of promis, it is ment, the spirit that assureth or warranteth al the promises: The spirit of the feare of God, bycause it is he that maketh vsus obedient too his rightuousnesse. So lykewise when he speaketh of the Redemption of purchace, it may well bee sayd that it is the redemption which was purchaced for vsus, too shewe that if wee feele the effect of it in our selues, so as wee be out of all doubt of the things that Iesus Christ hath doone for vsus, we must not mistrust that he hath suffered in vayne. For surely his suffering were too no purpose at all towardes vsus, vnlesse it came vntoo vsus, so as it myght redound too our profit, and wee inioy it. That therefore is the thing that is purchaced in the person of our Lord Iesus Christ. And yit in the meane season, as in respect of our selues he reyneth vsus short, …oo the ende wee should not through our owne vnthankfulnesse refuze the benefite that God offereth vsus, that is too wit, our reioycing in our afflictions, bycause wee knowe that our saluation is sure, nor repyne ageinst God and blaspheme him, but walke on quietly till wee bee deliuered from this prison wherein wee bee, and till wee bee fully set free by beyng gathered togither in our Lord Iesus Christ.
Now let vsus cast our selues downe before the maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgment of our faultes, praying him too make vsus feele them more and more, yea euen so farre as too bring vsus too vtter mislyking of the wretchednesse that is in our selues, so as wee fynding that there is nothing in vsus but a dungeon of all naughtinesse, may learne too resort too his righteousnesse, and to seeke it at the well head, and too acknowledge that he hath shewed himselfe a mercifull father towardes vsus, not doubting but that thereby he ment too assure vsus also that he had adopted vsus before the beginning of the worlde, too the intent wee should continue in calling vppon him with trew stedfastnesse and neuer giuegive ouer. And so let vsus all say, Almightie God heauenly father. &c.