Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 18
The .xviii. Sermon, which is the third vppon the third Chapter.
9. The grace vvas giuen too mee, too manifest too all men what the communicating of the mysterie is, vvhichwhich vvas hid from the beginning of all tymes in God, vvho created all things by Iesus Christ.
10. Too the end that Gods vvisdome vvhichwhich is diuers in all sorts, myght bee manifested too principalities and powers in heauenly places by the Church,
11. According to the determination of all tymes, which he made in Iesus Christ our Lord.
12. By vvhom vvee hauehave assurance and accesse in trust, through the fayth which wee hauehave in him.
LIke as I sayd this morning, that all Gods woorkes in generall, deserue well too bee reuerenced at our handes, bycause God hath printed in them some markes of his infinite goodnesse, Iustice, power, and wisdome. So also there are some woorkes more woonderfull than the rest, and woorthie too bee aduaunced aboue the common rate, forsomuch as God oftentymes woorketh after such a sort, that men (euen whether they wil or no) are inforced to bee abashed and astonished at them. Of this sort is the doctrine (of the Byble.) For all that euer is conteyned in the Lawe and the Gospell, is a wisdome which it behoueth vsus too worship, bycause that without that, wee should neuer vnderstande any thing, insomuch that it is sayde, that God will bee the teacher of the little and humble ones.Psal. 1…. b. 8. Yit notwithstanding some part of the thinges that are shewed vsus in the scripture, may well bee vnderstoode euen of the rudest and ignorantest sort. Agein, there are there hygher or deeper matters. And those are they which S. Paule meaneth now, by calling the preaching of the Gospell a Mysterie or secret, in comparison of all the rest. For albeit that God had euermore determined in himselfe too call the whole world too saluation: yit he kept the execution of his purpose secret too himselfe, till the comming of ou… Lord Iesus Christ: & when it was doo…e, the newnesse of i… seemed straunge. That therefore is the thing that wee hauehave too consider, when S. Paule sayth, that he was appoynted an Apostle, too co…municate the secret that had bin hyd…n before in God. And by those woordes hee dooeth vsus too vnderstand, that although too mans sight the publishing of the Gospell was a new and vnwoonted thing: yit God did nothing vppon the suddein nor in hast, but onelyonly shewed then by effect, the thing that he had a…re…dy determined and purpozed vppon afore, euen from the c…eation of the world.
Wherfore when wee looke vppon Gods workes, let vsus learne not too thinke he did the things at abrayd (as men say) which were erst …id from vsus: but let vsus reserue his secret purpose too himself, and when we see the things come too passe, let vsus vnderstand, that it must needes hauehave bin so, bycause God had purpozed vppon it. And this serueth too humble vsus by all meanes: First too make vsus knowe the smalnesse of our capacitie, that we may reuerence the things which passe the reach of ou… wit. And secondly, wee hauehave also wherwith too hold vsus in suspence as concerning the execution of Gods ordinance: for wee cannot gi…e sentence of things too come, without fond rashnesse, and God will laugh vsus too scorne, according as wee see how all such as take vppon them too prophesie (at lestwyse of theyr owne heade, and without Gods calling of them to that office) bewray their owne shamelessenesse, and are worthie too bee mocked of little children. Yee see then that it becommeth vsus too restreyne our iudgmentes, in the things which our Lord hath not disclozed by effect, and that when wee see the thinges come too passe, wee must vnderstand, that therin he dooeth not any thing at aduenture, but had ordeyned it so before. And after the same manner must wee iudge of the chaunge that was seene at the tyme that our Lord Iesus was sent intoo the world. If it bee demaunded why God delayed it so long tyme: men aduaunce themselues too much in such curiositie. If it bee demaunded why the heathen were then matched with the Iewes, and set in equall degree with them, seing t…at God had cut them of from his Church afore: we must also honour this secret ordinance, whereof Saint Paule speaketh heere. And therwithall let vsus vnderstand that God had so determined it afore. Could wee hauehave that sobrietie with vsus, wee should learne too profite our selues much better by Gods woorkes, than doo these hea…henish folke, which barke at them, though they cannot byte them. And now adayes we see that many are stirred vp with diuelish rage, to murmur ageinst all Gods dooings, bycause they conceyue not the reason of his purpose, insomuch that thervppon they spew out their horrible blasphemies, as who should say, it were not free for God too reserue any thing too himself, but must call men too counsell, and make himself their vnderling. Seing then that a number doo so farre ouershoot thē selues through that villanous pryde, to thrust God as it were vnderunder their feete: it standeth vsus the more on hand too put this doctrine in vre, that wee may reuerence Gods secret ordinance, and therwithall receyue the things that are vttered vntounto vsus, without geynsaying, as good and ryghtfull, and doone with such wysdome, as is not too bee founde fault with.
And now Saint Paule thinkes it not ynough to say, that God had his secret purpose hidden in himself: but also sayeth, that his vvill vvas, that this vvisdome vvhichwhich is diuers in many sortes, should be knowen. This tytle deserueth too bee well marked, where he sayth, that Gods wisdome is (as yee would say) of dyuers sortes. Not that God is variable and chaungeable in himself, nor that there is any snarling or intangling in his deuyces: there is no such thing at all in God, nother can there bee: but Saint Paules speaking after that manner, is in respect of our vndersauding. Therfore if wee would comprehend Gods wisdome, wee should bee confounded and dazeled at it, bycause it is infinite: and besydes that, it hath things in it which are able too amaze all our senses, yea and too swallowe them quyte vp, so as wee should neuer discerne anie thing certeynly, too say, Loe, this is it. But this had neede too bee layd out more at length, that wee may vnderstand it, and fare the better by it. Now and then wee see some looking glasses, wherin wee thinke we behold a hundred, yea or rather an infinite number of images before vsus: and when wee see them, wee bee at our wits end. After the same manner hath Saynt Paule spoken heere of Gods wisdome, namely, as giuing vsus warning of the weakenesse and rudensse that is in our vnderstanding, too the intent wee should not bee too inquisitiue in serching the things that passe our capacitie, and the matters that God hath purposed in himselfe. Then if wee will needes so stye vp hygher than is lawfull for vsus, and thrust our selues foreward with foolish presumption, too bee priuie of Gods counsell, and too inquyre particularly what he hath determined: our wittes must needes fayle vsus ere wee come halfe way there, and we shall fynde so many things there, that wee must of necessitie quayle of our selues, and (bee driuen too) confesse that it is not for vsus too reache the bottome of so great and deepe a gulfe.
Therfore if a man demaund here, how then can wee confesse God too bee ryghtuous, wyse, and almyghtie, sith wee bee so daunted at his woorks? for it is said, that it is the wisdome of men too serche out Gods woorks, and too set theyr mynds wholly vppon them:Psal. 119. a. 2. and he hath also ordeyned the world too bee as a stage, wheron too behold his goodnesse, ryghtuousnesse, power and wisdome: and therfore there seemeth too bee some contrarietie (betweene these twoo,) that wee should bee diligent and heedfull in considering Gods woorks, and yit notwithstanding that our wits are dazeled at the thinking vppon them: the answer thertoo is verye easye: which is, that if wee desyre soberly, too knowe but the things which God voutsafeth too reuele vntoo vsus,… and which are for our profite: wee shall hauehave vnderstanding ynough, and wee shall well perceyue that he enuyeth not the teaching of vsus by his woorks, that wee myght come vntoo him, and put our whole trust in him, too knowe how too call vppon him, to discerne betweene good and bad, and too walke according too his will. Then if wee giuegive not head to our foolish and vnordinate lusts, but herken lyke good scollers to the things which our mayster voutsafeth too declare vntoo vsus: wee shall in Gods woorks vnderstand all things that are for the furtherance of our welfare. And that is the cause why it is sayd in the booke of Iob,Iob. …6. that wee shall hauehave done very much, if wee can espye but the vtmost borders of Gods woorks. Then may wee taste of Gods wisdome, ryghtuousenesse, power, and goodnesse, by considering allonly the …sts or vttermost bounds of Gods workes. But if we will needs fall too gaging of them too the bottom, there wee shall fynd the foresayd gulf which is able too swallow vp all our vnderstanding. Too bee short, first it is too bee vnderstoode heere, that as well Gods woord, as his woorks, are vntoo vsus woonderfull secrets, and such as passe all our wit and capacitie. Insomuch that if wee hauehave an eye to his works, there are yit further miracles in them too daunt vsus withall, than the things that wee see eueryevery day, & which are in common vse among vsus. Lykewise in the holy scripture, there are somwhat secreter poynts, & which are not very easye to be vnderstoode. Konwe wee that once wee hauehave first of all to humble our selues, and to pray God to inlyghten vsus by his holie spirit, that wee may profit our selues by all his woorks and woords. And moreouer let vsus lerne the things that he sheweth vsus, and bee contented with the measure that he appoynteth vsus, without coueting too knowe anie more than that which wee may lerne in his schoole. Thus yee see what wee hauehave to beare in mynd.
Furthermore when wee once hauehave such meeldnesse, surely our Lord will giuegive vsus a sure resting poynt: and although his priuities bee incomprehensible, and the doctrine of the Lawe and the Gospell bee secrets aboue the the reache of the world: yit shall wee bee taught by them too our welfare and saluation. And so there is no mingling, no confuzednesse, no intangling for vsus, bycause God will guyde vsus by his holie Ghoste, and giuegive vsus wisdome and discretion too knowe whatsoeuer he seeth too bee for our behoof. Mark that for one poynt. But if wee bee vnteachable or vnruly, and will needs play the looce colts too serche further than wee hauehave leaue: surely Gods wisdome wil bee alwayes variable vntoo vsus: that is to say, there wil be such diuersitie of things, and so manie stoppes in it, as wil make vsus at our wits end, and wee shall abyde as vtterly confounded. Yea and euen the faythfull shall well perceiue the thing that Saint Paule sayeth heere, that they may euer bee put in mynd too walke in awe and feare, and not giuegive themselues the brydle too much, nor take too much leaue to know more than our Lord will hauehave them too knowe. Now then, the dout which myght hauehave bin cast, namely how God wil hauehave vsus too bee abashed at his works, is remoued. And yit will he not hauehave vsus too bee abasshed at them, so wee suffer our selues too bee taught by him.
Theruppon wee may gather also, that it is a diuelish statelinesse when these Ruffians take so highly vppon them,Not…. as too reiect whatsoeuer they cannot conceyue the reason of. If a man tell them that God dispozeth al things by his secret ordinance, and that the things which wee terme fortune, chaunce, …azard, casualtie, happe, aduenture, and such lyke, are al determined before the making of the world, insomuch that euen the heares of our heads are numbered,Math. 10. c. 30. and one litle bird shal not light vppon the ground,Luke. 12. a. 7. without Gods prouidence: they step forth and obiect, how can that bee? And whereas God telleth vsus in his Lawe, that he will hauehave this and that done, shall wee say, that he hath mo wils than one? Then should he bee vnconstant, and that were too make God chaungeable, and so should he seeme subiect too all manner of lightnesse lyke a mortall creature. But (as I sayd afore) such men do ill knowe their owne abilitie. For they imagine that if God bynd not himself in all poynts too the things which he hath reueled to vsus by his word, he is contrarye too himself, and hath a dubble will, and that moueth them too gabble after that fashion. But too bee short, Gods will is alwayes one, and single, and agreable in it self: howbeit that to our seeming it bee diuers, and hauehave many kinds of it, as if wee sawe a hundred sundry shapes which dazeled our eye sight or vtterly dimmed it. Whereas S. Paule sayth, that Gods wisdome is diuers in many sorts: it is as if a picture had a thousand coloures in it, so as a man could not distinctly discerne one from another. Neuerthelesse, S. Paul in saying so, ment not that Gods wisdome is so wrythed in it self, that there is any contrarietie or stryfe there. No: but he sheweth, that although God hauehave alwayes one euen meaning, & keepe on still in one trace and in one rate,Iames. 1. c. 17. although there bee no chaunge nor variablenesse in him, and although there bee but one light wherein there is no dimnesse at all: yit notwithstanding when men will needes preace vntoo him, their wits are alwayes as it were astray and dazeled, and if they go foreward, and step foorth still with too great boldenesse, they must needes bee confounded in the end, and God must vtterly ouerwhelme …. After that manner therefore must wee take the things that are spoken in the holy scripture concerning Gods prouidence.
Trewe it is, that wee hauehave our lesson, where God telleth vsus, that he will not hauehave any man too trouble his neighbour, nor too …ommit robbery, extortion, couetuousnesse, deceyt, or any manner of naughtinesse: he telleth vsus those things, and therewithall commaundeth vsus too liue chastly, and too absteyne from all violence. Now when warres are moued in the world, when blud is shed, when infinite ra…shments and robberies are committed; shall wee say, that such things are don, without Gods forcasting in his mind what was good? Thinke wee that he suffereth fortune too rule the roste here beneath, as though he himself were asleepe in heauen, or repozed himselfe there in his pleasures? What a blasphemie were that? Wee would make God as an Idoll. Agein, what would become of vsus, if it were so?… for Satan is as a roring Lion, seeking to deuoure vsus as his pray, and wee should bee continually as it were in his pawes and betweene his teeth. Then if God ordered not all things in this world, nehild Satan and all the wicked brydled: surely wee should bee a hundred … forlorne, and perish eueryevery minute of an houre. Agein, if we knew not that warres, and such other lyke things are Gods iudgementes, wherby he chastizeth our sinnes: it is certein, that we would neuer bee drawen to repentaunce. Now then, let vsus learne the thing that is told vsus here, I meane according too our small abilitie: that is to wit, that God hath but one will, & that the same is certeyn & throughly agreeing with it self, and hath no lightnesse nor inconstancie in it: and yit neuerthelesse, that we must therwithall reuerence his secret determinations, which are as now so high and profound, as wee cannot reache vntoo them. And if wee cannot resolue our selues of al the doubts which the diuell will cast in our wayes (making vsus too thinke) How is it possible that God should be cleare from sinne, and not be the author of euill,1. Kings. 2…. d. 22. seeing he serueth his turne both by Satan and by all the wicked, and imployeth them too aduaunce them selues one ageinst another? how is it possible that he should bee blamelesse? When any of these fancies come in our heads, or if any of those dogges which belke out their blasphemies in that wyse ageinst God, assault vsus: let vsus bee armed with sobernesse, knowing how it is sayd here, that Gods wisdome is diuers in many sorts, and that although his will also be diuers in many respects, yit notwithstanding it is alwayes one still. That is in effect, the thing that wee hauehave too beare in mynd vppon this streyne.
Now therupon S. Paule applyeth the ground which he handleth, vntoo the matter which he hath spoken here in generall: that is too wit, that God created all things by our Lord Iesus Christ, too the end, that this wisdome should bee knowne to the powers and principalities in the heauenly places, by the Church. In sayng that God created all things by Iesus Christ, he bringeth vsus backe agein to the beginning of the world, where he speaketh of the renewment that was made, when God repayred the things that were decayed and scattered by Adams sinne, according as wee hauehave seene heretofore, how it was Christs office to gather toogither all things that were scattered afore. For Adam had peruerted and marred all order by his fall, so as there was nothing but confuzion both in heauen and earth,Rom. …. d. 21. till al was mended agein by Iesus Christ. Now then, the restitution that was made by our Lord Iesus Christ, may well bee referred too this second creation, as though that at his comming God had set the world in his former state agein, which had bin as it were crazed afore. Howsoeuer the cace stand, both …wayne of them were doone by Iesus Christ, that is too wit, as well the first creation as the second. And the conueyance is not amisse, in that S. Paule leadeth vsus from the one too the other, by the similitude which he setteth downe heere. Let vsus marke well therefore that all thinges were created in Iesus Christ, when he was ordeyned too bee head of Angels and men:Heb. 1. a. 2. yea and that although wee had had no neede of a redeemer, yit had our Lord Iesus Christ neuerthelesse bin stablished for our head.Colos. 2. b. 10. There remayned no more too doo, but too clothe himselfe with our nature, and too offer himselfe in sacrifyce for the redemption of sinners: but yit for all that, he fayled not too beare the office already of reconcyling men vntoo God, and of ioyning them with the Angels of heauen. After that manner then were all things created in our Lord Iesus Christ. But heere S. Paule ment purposely too leade vsus too the restorement, which was made at such tyme as Iesus Christ was giuen vsus too bee our redeemer. For although the world ceassed not too hauehave some shape still, so as the sunne and Moone shone bryght, and the earth brought foorth hir fruites: yit notwithstanding, wee knowe, that (as S. Paule sayeth in the eyght too the Romanes) all creatures grone, and are as a woman traueyling of child, bycause they see themselues subiect to corruption through Adams offence,Gene. 3. … ▪ 17. for the which he was accursed.
Too bee short, wheras God had shewed himself our enemye, he be…ame our father: and wheras the things that were created too our vse, had vin turned away by Adams sinne: all was restored agein at the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. So then, by that meanes he gathered all things toogither agein,…sai. 65. c. 17. & 2. Pet. 3. c. 13. & Apo. 21. a. 1. that had bin scattered asunder before, and then was the world after a sort chaunged, as the Prophets had spoken of it afore. For although they ment not too incloze the said renewment within any certeyne tyme: yit notwithstanding when they preached of the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ, and of the grace that sh…uld bee giuen to the Church at that tyme, they vsed such speech as this: Behold, I make the heauens new, and the earth new. After that maner dooth God speake by the Prophet Esay: and it is not only once, but it is, as yee would say, a common speech among al the prophets. Nowe then, Saint Paule following the common phraze of the Scripture, sayth, that all things were created new agein in Iesus Christ: howbeeit that is in respect of the Church. The world it self was not renewed: but as in respect of vsus, wee bee parttakers alredye of the re…rement that is promised vsus. For by our Lord Iesus Christ wee inioy Gods creatures wherof wee were depryued afore. Wheras the sunne and moone shyne vppon vsus, and wee be nurrished by the sustenance of the earth: wee knowe that those things belong vntoo vsus, bycause wee bee Gods children. And how is that? Euen bycause he hath adopted vsus in Iesus Christ. For the matter which wee hauehave sung in the Psalme concerning man,Psal. 8. a. 5. must bee applyed to the person of Gods sonne, as sayeth Saint Paule himself, who is a faythfull expounder. Not that he restreyneth it too him alone:1. Cor. 1… ▪ d. 27. but forasmuch as the things which he speaketh concerning the vncorruptnesse of mankynd, is not too bee found in it now, but all is marred and corrupted: therfore wee must bee fayne too repayre too our head, by whom wee bee set in good plyght agein. So then, wee could not bee blissed of God, nother in our mea…e nor in our drinke, nor in the inioying of any of all his creatures, were it not for the restorement that is made by our Lord Iesus Christ, and that he hath caused the world too bee giuen vsus hensforth in heritage, too the end wee myght with a good and cleere consclence, inioy all the gifts which hee hath bestowed vppon vsus. And so yee see, that the creating of al things in Iesus Christ, is Gods reforming of his Churche, and our parttaking of the purchaced heritage, for his sake and by his meanes.
Now hauing sayde, that wee bee so created agein in the person of Gods sonne, and that he is our head, inasmuch as wee bee knit vntoo him by fayth: he addeth, that it is a vvisdome vvhichwhich the very Angels hauehave not knovven, insomuch that they fare the better by our saluation, and hauehave cause too honour God for preferring them so too the thing that was after a sort buryed from them before. Some thinking this too bee straunge stuffe, hauehave bin of opinion, that S. Paule spake of the diuels. But he speaketh expresly of the heauenly places, and meaneth too put a difference betwixt the chozen Angels, & the castawayes. And ageyn, too what purpose were it for the diuells, too knowe Gods wisdome i… our saluation? It were too no purpose at all. There are others, which beyng not able too rid themselues of this text of Saint Paules: hauehave thought that the Angels are heere among vsus, too bee as schollers, and to heare the preaching of Gods woord. But that is too fond and chyldish an imagination: for wee know, that as well the doctrine, as the vse of the Sacramentes, are allotted peculiarly vntoo vsus of God, bycause of our rawnesse. The Angels of heauen hauehave nothing too doo, nother with Baptim nor with the Lordes Supper. And why? For the Angels bee altoogither spirituall. But forasmuch as wee creepe heere beneath, therefore wee hauehave neede of such meanes as are conuenient for our infirmitie, too make vsus come by little and little vntoo God. Therefore the doctrine that is preached among vsus, serueth not for the instruction of the Angels. How then shoulde it bee vnderstoode, that the Angels were taught by the things which they see presently in the Church? Let vsus marke first of all, that although the Angels behold the face of God:Math. 18. …. 10. yit is it not ment that they bee come too the perfection which is promised vsus: for that is reserued too the latter day, when all things shall bee fulfilled.
The Angels then knowe not things yit but in part. Trew it is that they must not bee mustered in our state and taking: for lyke as they bee neerer God than wee, so bee they taught more familiarly. But howsoeuer they fa…, yit must they bee fayne too hyde their eyes, as is shewed vsus in the sixth Chapter of Esay, in the vision that is giuen him there. Albeit then that the Angels be heauenly spirites, and be familiarly conuersant with God, as houshold seruants of his kingdome: yit hauehave they their eyes couered, too shewe that they vnderstand not all things as yit, and that their knowing is but in part. For God must shewe them that they bee but creatures, that they myght therby bee hild in continuall awe, too humble themselues before him, and to keepe themselues in their degree. According heeruntoo, it is sayed, that the Angels of heauen knowe not when the last day shalbee:Math. 24. …. 36. that is hid from them. And why? Too the intent that men should humble themselues the more, and not be ashamed to be ignorant of the things which God hath not reueled vntoo vsus. Too the end therfore that it may not greeue vsus that God concealeth many things from vsus: the very Angels are set afore vsus, as not knowing all things as yit. Then is it not without cause sayd, that they knewe not what should befall and come too passe at the comming of the sonne of God, that is too wit, that all people without exception should bee called too the truth of the Gospell, and bee all adopted of God,…. 3. …. 7. too bee made the spirituall children of Abraham. Trew it is, that the Angels knewe well that Iesus Christ was the head of all mankind: but how that should bee doone, or at what tyme, or by what meane, that was hidden from them. That is the maner wherin S. Paule sayth, that they profited, namely by beholding our Lord Iesus Christ too shed foorth his grace in that wyse. For it was not ynough too say, that men should woonder at such a miracle as …hat God should take those intoo his house, that were strayed away before, and alye himself with those that were erst his mortall enemyes, & allure them to him, whom he before abhorred. If it had bin sayd, that men ought too bee astonished at it: that had not bin ynough. But when as S. Paule sayeth, that euen the Angels fynde it straunge, and are fayne too maruell at it, seeing how God vttereth so great treasures: it serueth well too shewe vsus, that whensoeuer there is any speache of our calling, that is too say, of the merciemercy that God hath shewed vsus in forgetting what wee were, and in fashioning vsus anew after his owne image, insomuch, that wheras we were lost, and forlorne, yea and vtterly drowned in the bottome of hell by Adam, he hath set vsus vp ageyn, and taken vsus vp too the kingdome of heauen, and is not contented too shewe vsus his bounteousenesse in this world only, but also intendeth too make vsus partakers of his endlesse glory, and too giuegive vsus the crowne of lyfe in his kingdome: it is a thing for vsus too lerne too woonder at, too the end wee may receyue so great, so hygh, so excellent, and so worthie benefites, with such reuerence as they deserue.
And Saint Paule not onelyonly heere,Colo…. … ▪ b. 16. but also in other places calleth the Angels, Principalities, too shewe vsus, that wee cannot deuyze any thing so hygh and noble, which is not inferiour too Iesus Christ, as is declared more fully in the first too the Colossians. For in asmuch as many men did euen at that tyme magnifye the Angels, too deface the maiestie of our Lord Iesus Christ: S. Paule sheweth, that although the Angels bee as it were Gods powers or vertewes,Psal. 10…. d. 21. and his armes wherwith he executeth his woorkes: and although they bee dominions and powers: yit notwithstanding Iesus Christ ceasseth not too hauehave all preheminence and authoritie ouer them: but lyke as the sunne darkeneth the lyght of the Starres, so must all the dignitie of the Angels bee layd downe, that it hinder not Iesus Christ too bee looked at of all men, and to bee the onelyonly Loadestar, and too bee knowen that it is only he in whom lyeth the fulnesse of all good things: and so is he in deede, as is sayd in the same text. And it is a poynt well woorthie too bee marked still. For wee see how it is ynough now adayes among the Papistes, too alledge the vertewes of the Apostles, or of the Uirgin Marie, or of the Sayntes, too make ydols of them. And it seemeth too them on the contrarie part also, that if men doo not woorship them, and pray vntoo them, and yeeld them the seruis which belongeth alonly vntoo God: they bee vtterly vndoone. For thus doo they alledge: How now? Why should not the Uirg… Marie bee our aduocate, seing shee liued so holy a lyfe, that shee was as a mirrour of all perfection, and so hyghly in Gods fauour? Ue…ily as who should say, that the excellencie which God hath put intoo his creatures, should serue too bereeue Iesus Christ in such wyse, that he should bee put backe therfore. So then let vsus vnderstand, that whatsoeuer can bee sayd or preached of the vertewes and woorthinesse of the Uirgin Marie, of the Apostles, and of all othe men, yea and of the Angells of heauen, serueth not too diminish the maiestie of our Lord Iesus Christ, nor too turne vsus away from him, nor too cause his offices too bee delt away too this man and too that man. Wheretoo then? Too doo vsus too wit, that vertewes are so distributed to al Gods children,Iohn. 7. f. 37. as there is none other fountayne of all goodnesse, but Iesus Christ, who is the (only) party too whom wee must resort, and that the creatures are neuer the more impayred, though Iesus Christ ouerpeere them as their head. That then is in effect the thing which wee hauehave too marke vppon Saint Paules woordes, where he taunteeh such as would needs exalt the Angels without end or ceassing. For he sayth: very wel, I graunt they be powers, vertues, & principalities: but yit is our Lord Iesus Christ still their head, and they bee so grounded vppon him, that they fare the better by our saluation. Now then, what an vngraciousnesse were it, if wee should leaue Iesus Christ, and go seeke too the Angels, seeing that euen they doo woonder at the riches which God hath vttered in knitting vsus intoo the bodie of his sonne, and consequently in calling vsus too him too bee his owne children by that meanes? Thus yee see how the woondering of the Angells at our saluation, ought too frame vsus the better too our Lord Iesus Christ, & make vsus to sticke fast vntounto him, without swar…ing from him any manner of way. And for that cause is it added in the end, that by him vvee hauehave boldnesse and enteraunce in hope, through the beleefe vvhichwhich is in him.
Heere S. Paule ment shortly to blame the vnthankfulnesse of such as are not contented with the hauing of Iesus Christ, but thinke that he should hauehave some helpes added too him. Therefore he sayeth, what desire wee more than too bee knit vntoo God? Is not our full happinesse there?… Now it is so, that by beeleeuing in Iesus Christ, we hau… confidence that wee may …reace vntoo God: the accesse is giuen … And whereas trust or confidence is not ynough, wee hauehave also bol…nesse too come vntoo him with our heads vpright, not as pre…uming any whit of our selues, nor yit too come thither rechlesly, but we must alwayes practize this saying of the Psalme,Psal. …. b. 8. that although we rest vppon Gods goodnesse, yit must we euermore worship him with feare. Notwithstanding, we may alwayes come boldly vntoo Gods throne, assuring our selues that his Maiestie shall no more bee terrible to vsus, seeing he sheweth himself a father toowards vsus in the person of his onelyonly sonne. Wee see then how S. Paules meaning is, too hold vsus fast too Iesus Christ. And therein wee see also what our frowardnes is. For it is certeyn, that the care and zeale which S. Paule had too make vsus cleaue fast too the sonne of God, came of the wisdome of the holy Ghost, who knew our frailtie and vnstedfastnesse. Had we (as yee would say) but one drop of settled wit, it were ynough too doo vsus too vnderstand, that by the Gospell we may possesse Gods sonne, who giueth himself vntoo vsus, and that hauing him, we hauehave all that euer we can wish.Rom. …. f. 32. It were ynough too hauehave spoken this in one word, as S. Paule hath shewed already: but wee see how he dubbleth and confirmeth his saying, as though it were a hard thing too bee beleeued. And of a truth, it is verye hard, bycause wee bee too much giuen too distrust and vnbeleefe. Agein, too beleeue for one day, is not all that wee hauehave too doo: it is required that wee should hold on still, which is a verye rare thing too bee found in this world, bycause wee bee alwayes …isking. By meanes whereof, men doo as it were wylfully bereue themselues of the thing that was giuen them. Furthe…more, forasmuch as all the world is at the poynt, and wee cannot bee wonne or perswaded but with great peyne, too come too our Lord Iesus Christ, and too rest vppon him, let vsus vse the remedie that Saint Paule setteth vsus downe heere.
And first of all wee must marke well,Iohn. 10. b. 9. & Math. 27. f. 51. that Iesus Christ is the doore too open heauen vntoo vsus: for wee knowe that at his death the v…yle of the Temple was rent asunder, and that in such wyse, that wee may now enter familiarly intoo the Sanctuarie of God, not of such a materiall Temple, as was then: but (euen of heauen,) so as wee may preace intoo the presence of our God, and resort vntoo him for refuge, as if a child should cast himself into the lap of his father or mother: for it is certain, that God surmounteth all the fathers and mothers of the world, in all kyndnesse and fauour. Seeyng then that wee know that: what cou…t wee more? Woulde wee hauehave some better or excellenter thing than God? Then must wee go seeke it in the bottom of hell. For when wee hauehave made our vagaries as much as wee list, wee shall alwayes fynde, that there is nothing in any of all the creatures eyther aboue or beneath,…. 44. …. 7. that is woorth a strawe, in comparision of God, as sayeth the Prophet Esay. So then, seeyng that God hath giuen himselfe vntounto vsus in the person of our Lord Iesus Christ, and that the whole fulnesse of the Godhead dwelleth in that great Sanctuary,Hebr. 9. c. 9. which was figured by the visible Sanctuarie of the Lawe: ought wee not too bee fully satisfyed when wee hauehave that, and too rest our selues wholy thereuppon? And although our wittes & our affections bee fickle, yit ought they too bee hild in awe as prisoners, so as we may say, Let vsus cleaue, let vsus cleaue too our God,Psal. 73. …. 28. according too this saying of Dauid, behold, all my felicitie, and all my ioy is too be ioyned too my God. Likewise he sayeth in another place,Psal. 36. c. 9. he is the welspring of lyfe and lyght. Agein, wee hauehave s…ng this morning,Psal. 16. …. 6. he is my portion, I cannot hauehave a better lotte, I must needes take all my delight in him. Thus yee see what w… hauehave too remember in the first place.
Secondly, let vsus mark well the degrees that Saint Paule setteth downe here: wherof the first is, that we must hauehave fayth. For although Iesus Christ hauehave opened the way and passage by his blud,Hebr. 10. c. 19. too make vsus enterance vntoo God his father: yit is not the gap opened for all men:Apo…. 3. b. 7. for the vnbeleuers cannot inioy that benefite, whereof he is the kye. Trew it is, that the doore is neere hand, and the opening therof is easye, when we hauehave the kye: that is to say, if wee receyue the Gospell in trew obedience of fayth. And soo yee se why Saint Paule telleth vsus, that it is not ynough for vsus that Iesus Christ hath layd foorth the tresures of the infinite goodnesse & merciemercy of God his father: but that it standeth vsus on hand on our syde, to receyue the same by fayth. Not that wee dan doo it of our owne power, nor yit that wee can come vntoo Iesus Christ, or bee partakers of the benefits which he offereth vsus by the Gospel, except wee hauehave fayth in him. And from beleef we must procede too trust, that is too say, wee must bee fully perswaded, that God will alwayes receyue vsus, and that wee shall fynd fauour at his hand, and that although wee bee wretched sinners, and vnwoorthie too liue vppon the earth: yit neuerthelesse wee shall fynd him still fauorable too vsus when wee come too heauen. Lo how fayth is linked with trust. And therof springeth this stoutnesse of mynd or boldnesse, which is as it were the hyghest step, soo that although wee must needs. bee as it were dis…ayed, when wee consider what we bee of our selues: yit we ceasse not to offer our selues vntounto God with our heads vpryght. And why so? Bycause he looketh vppon vsus in the person of his only sonne.Math. 17. a. 5. &. 2. Pet. 1. d. 17. And therfore it is sayd, that he is his welbeloued, howbeeit, not for himselfe (onelyonly), …ut (also) for our sakes that are members of his bodie. Ye see then how we hauehave too gather vppon this text, that by receyuing the doctrine of the Gospell with trew obedience of faith, wee possesse our Lord Iesus Christ, and by his meanes shalbee led vntoo God his father, too come too the perfection of lyfe, lyght, and all goodnesse. And by the way wee bee warned too go foreward in fayth, till wee be throughly perswaded, that in fyghting ageinst all the temptations that can assayle vsus, we shall get the vpper hand by the meanes of fayth,Rom. 8. g. 35. and finally that wee may brag (specially as S. Paule dooth in the eyght too the Romanes) both ageinst lyfe, and ageinst death, and ageinst all powers both aboue & beneath, & despyze all distresses, knowing full well that nothing is able too disappoynt vsus of the louelove that Iesus Christ hath shewed vsus, and which God his father also hath vttered towardes vsus in his person. And theruppon also dooth it come, that our prayers must bee grounded vppon full certeintie. For (as sayeth S. Iames)Iames. … a. 6. he that th…nketh too obteyne any thing by doubting, deceyueth himselfe. Therefore wee must assure our selues by the promises of the Gospell, that God is readye too receiue vsus too mercy, whensoeuer wee come vntoo him. And thereby wee perceyue, that S. Paule sayd not for naught, that if wee hauehave fayth, wee must not seeke any thing more than Iesus Christ, but he must bee all our treasure, bycause that in him wee hauehave all things that are requisite too our ioy and contentation.
Now let vsus fall downe before the maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgment of our sinnes, praying him to make vsus so too feele them, as wee may myslyke them more and more, and yit notwithstanding not ceasse too bee glad, in that he hath shewed him self so pitifull towardes vsus in the person of his only sonne, that he hath voutsafed too drawe vsus out of the gulfe of hell, too giuegive vsus enterance intoo his kingdome: and also too graunt vsus the grace too come theruntoo with trew fayth, and too withdrawe our selues from all worldly intycementes, which serue too turne vsus away from him, so as wee may forsake all vaynglory, & for as much as we be voyde of all goodnesse in our selues, seeke all our wantes in him, which is the trew fountayne of all goodnesse, that can neuer be drawen dry. That it may please him too graunt this grace, not only too vsus, but also too all people. &c.