Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 13
The .xiii. Sermon, which is the fift vppon the second Chapter.
13 Novv in Iesus Christ, you that erst vvere farre of, are mad… neere by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, vvhichwhich hath of both …vvayne made one, and broken dovvne the vvall that vvas betvvixt them,
15 That is too vvit, the emnitie, through his flesh, aboolishing the lavve of the comm…undements vvhichwhich vvere in ordinances: too the end he might set them both in himself, to make one nevv man of them.
WEe hauehave see…e heeretoofore howe wee bee all enemies of God by na…ure, bycause we bee gone away from all rightuou…sse, through the sinne of Adam, so as there is nothing in vsus but leawdenesse and rebelliousnesse. And although men soothe and flatter themselues, it is certayne, that they cannot bring any thing before God, which shal not prouoke his … God then must needes disclayme vsus for his … wee must bee fayne too bee guyded by our Lord Iesus Christ: for wee cannot come vntoo God but by that meane. … had some familiaritie with God, bycause he had adopted them: in respect whereof it is sayd, that Abrahams ofspring was holy: not that they had more woorthinesse than the rest of the worlde: but bycause of Gods goodnesse who had voutsafed too chooze them. And therefore before suche tyme as our Lorde Iesus Christ came intoo the world, the one were in comparison neerer, & the other were further of from God. Not that the Iewes were better woorth than the Gentyles, as I sayd afore: but bycause it had pleased God too accounte the… as of his owne house. Yee see then that they were nygh, bycause it was sayd vntoo them, that God …ate among them, and that they were a priestly kingdome, whereof they had also as it were a visible signe by the recordes that were giuen them, as by the Sanctuarie and by all the appurtenances therunto belonging. Now S. Paule framing heere his matter too the Gentyles, sayeth, that they hauehave chaunged their state, bycause that wheras they were farre of from God, they were made neere him by the crosse of Iesus Christ: And that serueth too the magnifying of Gods grace the more. For as I hauehave declared heertoofore, if wee consider not in what plyght God fyndes vsus before he reach vsus his hand too draw vsus too him: wee shall neuer knowe how much wee bee beholden and bound vntoo him, nor how great his mercy is towardes vsus. But when it is shewed vsus, that euen from our birth wee bee cursed, and the diuell holdeth vsus vnderunder his tyranny, and wee bee in thraldom vntoo sin, and God is as it were armed ageinst vsus, too bee our iudge with all extremitie: when this geere is set before our eyes, and it is added further, that God hath drawen vsus out of the dungeon of hell, too aduaunce vsus to the kingdome of heauen, assuring vsus that wee hauehave our inheritance there, which cannot fayle vsus, and also it is shewed vsus, that wee hauehave the certeintie of all these things in Iesus Christ: then must wee needes bee rauished too woonderment, considering that Gods goodnesse surmo…teth all our vnderstanding. This is the thing that S. Paule goeth forward withall heere ane…. And this matter is well woorthie too be often remembered: nother is it too bee feared, that it is but needlesse talke too put vsus in mynd too yeeld God his dew honour, and too hauehave a stedfast setlednesse, so as wee may call vppon him freely, being throughly perswaded and resolued, that he will alwayes bee a father too vsus, and accept vsus as his children, namely if wee bee members of his only sonne, as knitte vntoo him by beleefe of the Gospell. Yee see then that the thing which wee hauehave too marke in the first place, is, that by the meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ, bycause he hath reconcyled vsus too God his father by his death, wee bee now come neere too the kingdome of heauen, from whence wee were farre of, yea and without hope too hauehave any accesse or enterance thither. And although S. Paule hauehave spoken but too duplicate page duplicate page one nation: yit is his matter generall. And so the holie Ghoste exhorteth vsus at this day by the same doctrine, too consider our owne miserie, that wee may be abashed in our selues, and receyue the inestimable benefyte that is offered vsus by the Gospell in the person of Christ.
Hereuppon he addeth, that hee is our peace, making both one, yea euen those that were farre of, as well as them that were neere. Lyke as in the forerehearced sentence S. Paule ment too humble the Gentiles, and shewed howe muche they were indetted vntoo God: so heere he addeth a warning for the Iewes, to pull downe their pryde, that they myght not think themselues too bee better than other men, bicause God had chozen them. For acording as men are alwayes giuen to auaunce themselus beyond measure, that people abused Gods grace, and bare thēselues in hand that the linage of Abraham was as a linage of Angels. Too bee short, when it was told them, that the Church should bee vnited togither both of Iewes and Gentyles without exception: they thought that God did them great wrong and iniurie. In somuch that it was oftentymes told them, that Gods choozing of them, was nother for their vertue, nor for their nobilitie, nor for any thing else that he found in their persons: but bicause he had loued their fathers without any desert of theirs. Often tymes therfore were they warned by Moyses and the Prophets, too chalenge nothing at al too them selues, but too goe too Gods free goodnesse, too spye out them selues there, too the ende they myght confesse, that if they had any prerogatiue aboue others, that was not of themselues, nor for their own sakes, but bicause it was Gods good pleasure too keepe them to himself for his owne heritage. And yit for all that, S. Paule sheweth heere, that the Iewes renounce their own saluation, if they match not with the Gentiles in true brotherhood. For why: Although the Iewes were neere God alredye, and had witnesse that he hild them for his children: yit notwithstanding, the matter hung in suspence til the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. Then behoued it them too bee knit to God by the mediator, or else they should hauehave had no peace in their consciences. For when men examin themselues, they must needs conclude by and by that God is iustly their enemye. And for proof therof, what hauehave wee in our thoughts, in our lusts, in our soules, and in our bodies, but vtter corruption? Therfore it ought to make vsus to quake as oft as wee thinke what wee bee. But the Iewes had the Ceremonies and shadowes of the Law, which were assurances of Gods grace vntoo them. Yea, but if they had stayed there, what a thing had that bin? For the blud of brute beasts could not scoure away their spottes, nor set them in Gods fauour. Therefore it stoode them on hand too resort too Iesus Christ. And that is the cause why S. Paule sheweth, that the Iewes ought not too too bee so puffed vp with pryde, as too shet the heathen out of the doores, as though they were not woorthie too bee of Gods Church. For Iesus Christ is the mediator as well of the one as of the other, vntoo God his father. In so much, that without him, all of vsus are shet out from the hope of saluation. No man then ought too despyze his neyghbour in this cace, nor too looke ouer the shoulder at him, as the prouerb sayeth. But wee ought too imbrace one another in …rew vnitie of fayth and louelove, knowyng that euerychone of vsus from the greatest too the least, should ryghtfully bee cutte of from Gods Church, but that he of his owne mere goodnesse gathereth vsus too him. After the same maner dooth S. Iames exhort the great men of this world too glory in their smalnesse,Iames …. b. 8. … bycause God hath taken away the blyndfolding that letted them too know their owne wretchednesse. For wee knowe that men doo wilfully abuse their greatnesse, and beleeue them selues too bee marueylous wyghtes, tyll they come too knowe God. Therefore the great men of this worlde hauehave their eyes blyndfolded, and that deceyueth them, and maketh them too take leaue too doo what they liste. Now Saint Iames sayeth, that they hauehave cause too glorye of their smalnesse, for that our Lorde discouereth them too bee creatures out of all hope, as of themselues, and yit neuerthelesse taketh them intoo his fauour of his owne mercy. And let the little ones (sayeth he) reioyce in their nobilitie, bycause God hath exalted them: in somuch that whereas they were but as wretched woormes, and had nothing but reproche in them, God hath taken them vp, and made them new creatures. Yee see then that the meanes too vnite vsus as wee ought too bee, is, that euerye of vsus in his degree acknowledge himselfe too bee in a wretched and miserable plyght: an… that when he hath yeelded all too Gods mere mercy, he acknowledge that the same is spred ouer all at this day, and that it is not for vsus too stint or too brydle him, but in asmuch as he hath chozen vsus, it is our dew…ie too receyue those intoo our fellowship, whom he hath set in the same aray and company with vsus. That (say I) is the thing that Saint Paule amed at, in saying that our Lord Iesus Christ is the peace of all men, yea euen as well of them that were mere afore, as of them that were yit farre of. But yit (as I tolde yee afore) he had an eye too the foolishe ouerweening of the Iewes, which woulde hauehave driuen away the G…ntyles from the kingdome of God. And he telleth vsus, that if wee mynd too hauehave Iesus Christ too bee our mediator, too giuegive vsus enterance too God his father, and too guyde vsus thither, and that all this should bee grounded vppon Gods mere mercy: let vsus not bee so folish as too clayme aught too our selues, as who should say, wee were better than other men, or ought too bee preferred before them: but let eueryevery of vsus acknowledge that all of vsus had neede of Gods infinite mercye,Rom. 2. …6 b. 9. & Gala. 3. d. 22. bycause all of vsus were shet vp vnderunder sinne, as S. Paule sayeth in another place.
Now must we apply this well too our owne behoofe. For some thinke that men are aduaunced the rather, bycause some of them hauehave bin of an honest and vnblamable conuersation to the worldward: some borne of honorable houses, and othersome indewed with ex…llent vertewes, or with some skill and cunning. Too be short, eueryevery man sercheth and seeketh as much as is possible, too alledge some thing why God hath accepted him rather than his neyghbours. But let vsus lerne, that although wee were neere God in outward appeerance, yit notwithstanding, the only way too bee in his fauour, and too bee able too call vppn him, and too hope that he will hold vsus in his fatherly louelove euen too the end, is, that Iesus Christ bee our head. And how may that bee?Luke. 19. b. 10. 12. It is certeyne that he is come to saue that which was lost. And agein, (as it is sayd in another place) it is a sure and infallible saying,M…k. 9. b. 13. that our Lord Iesus Christ came too call agein too saluation, the sinners that were in damnation.Luke. 5. f. …2. Sith it is so, let vsus learne too humble our selues with all modestie, and not only too shrinke in our hornes,1. T…. 1. c. 15. but also too bee vtterly abaced and brought vnderunder foote, that God may bee glorified as he is worthie, and that one of vsus perke not aboue another, but make all one bodie, for that is the condicion wher…ppon wee bee called.
Furthermore, the tytle that S. Paule giueth vntoo our Lord Iesus Christ, namely that he is our peace, ought too bee well considered: for without that wee should alwayes be as a straught, or as blocks, for they that hauehave any feeling of theyr sinnes, cannot bee in rest without feeling of sore …orinentes, but are so out of quyet, as it were better for them too bee sunken vnderunder the earth, than to see thēselues so cyted before Gods iudgment seate eueryevery minute of an houre, and too bee distressed in such sorte. Then if wee hauehave not Iesus Christ for our peace, surely the … kening vp of our consciences must needes daunt vsus, and hold vsus as it were vppon the Racke, by making vsus too …eele that God settes himself ageinst vsus as an enemy, or else it m…st needes vtterly …, vsus, and make vsus brute beastes, so as we shal not only fal… … but also bee so bewitched by the diuell, as wee shall feele no more gre…f nor remorse for them. And so this lesson, where it is sayd, that Iesus Christ is our peace, cannot bee …. For first it warneth vsus to bee touched to the quicke with out …, so … sory for them, considering that Gods … accordingly as he calleth none vntounto him, but such as are … … tyred. Agein, when we once know that: wee may ouerleape all distrust & doubting, bycause that wheras we hauehave prouoked Gods wrath: i… is appeased ageyn by our Lord Iesus Christ: wheras we hauehave … with God, and kept continuall warre ag…yn… him: Iesus Christ … made agreement betwixt vsus: and wher as God … vsus for our sinnes, and for our naughty and froward nature: Iesus Christ putteth all that away, too the ende that God may take vsus, not onelyonly as his creatures fashyoned after his owne image, but also as his deere children, whom he hath adopted too bee heires of his kingdome. And so yee see what wee hauehave too gather vppon that ….
And were this poynt throughly … worlde should not flote so continually, nor … so as it dooth. … most men now adayes are caryed est one & est another, & doo nothing else but wander. The Papistes on the one syde hauehave their pryde too keepe them from contining ryghtfoorth vntoo God: they will … hauehave their freewill, and their … what the grace of Iesus Christ … themselues frō it as much as they ran: And God in the meane season payeth then as they bee woorthie. For as for thē that are so fore possessed with that diuelish selfmeening, that they can dispose their lyfe in such wyse, as too bee able and came vntounto God, and too deserue somewhat at his hand, and again, hauehave their … with him, when they hauehave done …: when they hauehave such things too themselues, all slippeth away lyke wynd, & they … vntounto the other extremitie, saying show shall wee bee … if wee hauehave not … And so are they … wherof Iesus Christ is all the whyle vnregarded: they make them bywayes, and go not too Iesus Christ who is the trew way. For asmuch then as they leaue the ryght way which cannot mislea…e them: they must ne…des wander now … one syde, and now on the other, and after long tyring of themselues, breake both their armes and leggs, and in the end fynd that the further they proceede, the further they go back from God. So much the more therfore dooth it stand vsus on hand too wey these woordes of S. Paule, where wee bee warranted that wee shalbee receyued louingly at the hand of our God, if wee hauehave Iesus Christ for our peace, and rest wholly theruppon. And for the same cause … ioyne thertoo the … of the text, by mee alredie alledged, namely,Math. 11. …. 29. you shall fynde rest too your foules. Wherby our Lord Iesus Christ dooth vsus too vnderstand, that all such as separate themselues from him, and are not contented too hauehave hi… for theyr mediator, shall euer be… …nquie…, and although they assure themse…es, and beare themselues in hand with this and that, yit neuerthelesse they are afterward afrayd, and find no resting place too stay their foote on, nother hauehave they any safe harborough wherin too eschew the storme. Therfore it standeth vsus vppon too go too our Lord Iesus Christ, and too hee throughly resolued that he is our peace, if we intend too cal vppon God freely and without anie doubting. Finally all men … exception must come thither, as wel they that are neere God, as those that are farre of. If there bee any that think there is any valour or worthinesse in themselues, surely they will neuer repayre too our Lord Iesus Christ, till they hauehave layde that imagination vnderunder, foote. Agein on the other …yde, though wee bee a thousand tymes past hope in outward apperance, yit let vsus assure our selues, that our Lord Iesus Christ is of sufficient abil…tie too wype away the rememberance of all our iniquities, so as God shal receyue vsus into his fauour▪ accordingly as S. Paule hauing sayd, that Iesus Christ came too saue wretched sinners,1. Tim. 1. a. 15. addeth, that he himself is an example therof: in somuch that …e which had bin a persecuter of the Church, an enemy of the …, yea and a sheader of giltlesse blud, was neuerthelesse receyued, not only intoo the common aray, but for an Apostle, too beare abrode and too publishe through the whole world, the message of saluation, from the which he had erst bin out of. Seeyng then that God hath vttered foorth the treasures of his goodnesse vppon him: wee may well assure our selues that if wee trust in our Lord Iesus Christ, and seeke too bee at one with God his father, by …ea…es of his death and passion … wee were in teh bottom of hell, yit should wee bee or aswen from thence, and Jesus Christ would shew in deed … that that …y…le was not … him by imagination. And so yee see what wee has too gather more vppon chose wordes of S. Paule.
Now he …eth, that Iesus Christ hath broken dovvne the vvall that vvas betvveene them. And he vseth that …, too declare that the Ceremonyes and figures are abolished, so as there is now …o let but that wee may bee knit together in concord and brotherly louelove. And anon after he compareth the Ceremonies of the …a…e too … emnitie. For lyke as we now … dayes hauehave Baptim, which separateth vsus from the heathē: so when God choze the Iewes, he gaue them Circumcision. Now then, when we bee one … baptized, we beare the marke wherby God will hauehave vsus knowen too bee of his Church, and of the flocke of his sonne Iesus Christ. The lyke be… and vse had Circumcision in the tyme of the lame. The Sacrifizes witnessed … them, that God forgaue them their sinnes. Forasmuch … vsus … priuiledge was not giuen too any … to Abrahams linage … sayth, it was as a wall … …; lyke as if some ground were paled about too keepe sheepe in, or as if some stable were made to kepe cattell in. Euen so was it then. For God (as is shewed in the song of Noyses) had stretched out his lines too hold the linage of Abraham separated from the rest of the world. There …en was Gods pathe, and the Ceremonies were as walles or pa…s too hold in that people vnderunder the keping and the protection of God. And what were the …e… …yles? They went on at aduenture, yea and euen in destruction, according as it is sayd, that God had not voutsafed them the fa… too manifest his rightuousnesse vntoo them. And S. Paule also sheweth … pre…y, that God had suffered them too walke on in the … and that they had bin as wretched beasts in taht behalf. Now wee … S. Paules meāing when he speaketh of the Ceremonies, how they were as a wa… too deuyde the Iewes from the Gentiles. But now are they all broken downe, bycause that Iesus Christ … is the trueth & verie substance of them, is come too put away all those shaddowes. For the giuing of the ceremonial la… was not to the … … the people shouuld … themselues wholly about that, and put their … in it, as hypocrits doo, which peruert Gods meaning, that …oo the intent they should …pply the absence of … … Iesus Christ, as S. Paul speaketh of them in the second too the Colossians. The Iewes had not yit the pledge that is giuen vsus in our Lord Iesus Christ, and therefore it was needefull that they should bee vphild in good hope, till he were shewed to the world. Wherefore not without cause were all those things cast downe by his comming: for he is now vntoo vsus as the day sonne of rightuousnesse. And therefore it is no reason that wee should …ee led any more as it were by darke shaddowes. For by that meanes the emnitie is done away, bycause that at this day we bee ioyned too that linage which God had dedicated too himself, and there is no more diuersitie at all. Forasmuch then as wee bee made the children of Abraham by fayth, there is but one spirituall ki…red among vsus.
But let vsus marke that Baptim, and the Lords Supper (which are the Sacraments that Christ hath ordeyned) are not a diuision lyke too the figures of the lawe. For although wee bee separated from the vnbelee…s, and from such as neuer came yit within in Gods Church: yit is there not any one certeyne nation of the world, which … accepteth peculiarly by it self, but he will hauehave his grace spred … ouer all. There is not then any such distin…ion as there was before, that it can bee sayd, wee come of the linage of Abraham, wee bee they whom God voutsafed too adopt. None can say so: for there is now nother Iewe nor Gentill any more, as it is sayd in many places of the scirpture. Therefore whosoeuer calleth vppon Gods name purely, of what nation so euer he bee, the same is well lyked and accepted of him, as sayeth S. Peter in the sixtenth of the Acts, and also in his first Epistle. And Baptim and the Lords Supper serue now a dayes too vnite the whole world. For let the barbarousest sort that can be, come, and God will receyue them: Baptim shalbee ministred vntoo them, bycause it belongeth to all such as are kni… togither intoo the body of the onelyonly sonne of God.
Now herewithall let vsus looke too applye this Text too our …dif… cation. And first of all let vsus vnderstand, that the abolishing of the Ceremonies, namely as touching the vsing of them, was the very key to open vsus the kingdome of heauen. For the accomplishment of them was fully shewed in our Lord Iesus Christ, so as it is knowen better than euer it was, that they were no trifles nor vnprofitable …: but yit for all that, it is not for vsus to vse them, seeing wee hauehave the full perfection of them all in Iesus Christ. And by that meanes wee see how God hath powred out his goodnesse vppon those whom he had shaken of afore. That is the meanes whereby we belong too him at this day. In that respect is the Gospell published indifferently too all the world, so as our foref…thers, which were heathen men, were receyued intoo the Churche, and wee bee succeeded in their roomes. For although it bee seene that the world hath bin vtterly forlorne, and that there hath bin an horrible desolation in it: Yit hath God made the thing effectuall which is spoken in his Lawe,Exod. 2…. b. 6. namely that he contineweth his mercy too a thousand generations. Thus yee see what wee hauehave too remember in the first place.
Secondly although baptim serue not peculiarly for any one people, Citie or Countrie: yit are wee as yee would say, marked out by God, when he giueth vsus the vse of his Sacraments, to assure vsus of his adoption, and too nurrish the hope that he hathe giuen vsus by his Gospell. It is trew that they which shrink away from our Lord Iesus Christ, doo after a sort make theyr baptim vayne: but that shall cost them ryght deere, because the pledge and earnestpenny which God gi…eth vsus, too shewe that wee bee ioyned too our Lord Iesus Christ, and are clothed with him (as it is sayd in the xii. Chapter of the first too the Corinthians) is too precious a thing (too bee so misused.) And therfore all they that inhonour themselues with the name of the Church, and yit notwithstanding are disordered and dissolute persons, shall one day feele what a trayter …nesse it is too hauehave so vnhallowed their baptim, which God had ordeyned for their saluation. But let vsus on our syde …ake heede, that wee walk as folks sholed out from the filth of the world:… for (as sayeth S. Peter) the verye cause why our Lord Iesus Christ hath gathered vsus vntoo him, is, that wee should glorifye him for deliuering of vsus out of the darknesse of this world and of the diuell, intoo his owne lyght. And wee hauehave seene heertoofore in the Epistle too the Galathians, how Iesus Christ will hauehave his death serue, too drawe vsus from all the vnclennesse and filthinesse of the world. Lykewyse in the first too the Thessalonians S.1. Thess. …. b. 7. Paule sayeth, that wee bee not called too vnclennesse, but that wee ought too bee pure, and too dedicate our selues too our God in purenesse, so as wee may shewe in deede, that wee intende too honour him with all that euer he hath giuen vsus. The thing then which wee hauehave to gather vppon those words of S. Paule, is, that wee must not runne astray lyke wyld and mad beasts, nor yit kicke ageinst him, but quietly beare the yoke of our God, and approch vntounto him with true obedience, and moreouer … our owne wandering lusts, too the end wee may walk lyke holie people, lyke people that are dedicated too God, & finally as his heritage. Thus yee see how this text is too bee prac…sed of vsus at this day.
Now he addeth purposely, that Iesus Christ hath doone it in the flesh, meaning in our nature, too the end that wee myght bee sure that in his personne wee bee a…owed too bee Gods children. For lyke as in Adam wee bee all lost: so by our Lord Iesus Christ the second Adam, wee bee restored too the hope of saluation. And in deede after the selfsame maner dooth the Apostle shewe vsus, that wee may boldly trust that God will alwayes bee o…r father for his fake.Hebr. 2. d. 16. For he hath not taken on him the nature of the Angells (sayeth he) but the seede of Abraham. And although Mathew in the Genealogie of Iesus Christ, beging at the person of Abraham, as at the welspring & roote: yit doth S. Luke leade vsus further, and telleth vsus, that Iesus Christ appeared not alonly for the Iewes. Truely S. Mathew dooth it vppon very good reason, namely too shewe that Iesus Christ came specially too performe the promises that had bin made of old tyme. But S. Luke sheweth the same thing that S. Paule declareth heere: namely that when wee hauehave gone vp as farre as to …ur first father Adam, wee shall fynd, that our Lord Iesus Christ was yit stil before him. Trew it is, that he was conceyued by the secret and woonderfull power of the holye Ghoste, in the womb of his mother: but yit for all that, he ceassed not too bee the trew linage of Abraham, and of Dauid, and also of Adam, and there is no doubt but that wee bee ioyned too God by … meane, seing he is our trew brother, and wee neede not to seeke farre, bycause wee bee bone of his bone, and flesh of his fleshe, as wee shall see hereafter in the fift Chapter. Thus yee see in effect what S. Paule ment by adding this saying, that the fulfilling or performing of all these things was doone in the flesh of Iesus Christ. For if wee should consider nothing else in Iesus Christ, but his heauen…ly glorie and diuine maiestie, what would come of it? Wee would bee abasshed, and wee myght say, he were too farre of for vsus too come vntoo him. But now seeing he hathe of the same flesh that wee hauehave,… and is become very man, lyke vntoo vsus in all things, sauing only sin, so as he vndert…ke our passions or sufferings,…. and our wants and wretche…nesse, … hauehave pitie of vsus, as the Apostle sayth: wee may assure our selues, th… when wee offer our selues vntoo God, wee shalbee ioyned vntoo him in the person of his only sonne. For lyke as he is verye God, so on the other syde he is a kin too vsus, bycause hee came downe hither, & refuzed not too bee in this state of bondage, too the intent that wee myght bee glorified by his meanes for lyke as he not only abaced him self … also emptyed himself vtterly: so will he also lift vsus vp intoo his heauenly glorie. And for that cause also is he called our brother: This only one saying ought too breake off all distrust, when wee bee in dout and perplexitie whether God will accept vsus or no. For seeing wee hauehave this record, that Iesus Christ is our brother: what would wee hauehave more? So then wee may wel conceyue out of what filth and defylements, yea and out of what a gulf God hath drawen vsus, seing he hathe assured vsus of his fatherly louelove, wheruppon our saluation is grounded, yea and that in the person of Iesus Christ. For wee see how the wretched papists wote not too which Saint too vow themselues: yea and too barre themselues of all excuce, so as there may neede none other processe too condēmne them: they make a common proueth of it. For euen in that one saying that they wote not too which Saint too bow themselues, they shewe themselues too bee faythlesse and destitute of all aduyce and stay of themselues, and too bee as stray beastes. For they hauehave such a multitude of theyr Sainctes, that they hauehave made whole warreines of them. It is trew, that all of them hauehave the Uirgin Mary for their aduocate: they catch holde of Saint Michaell, or of Saint Peter, for their patrone, or of some other Saint, after as their superstitious mynd leades them heere and there. Howbeeit, all that they doo is with vnquietnesse of mynd, and they shall neuer fynde rest, bycause they hauehave no woord of God too stay vppon. And when they fynde themselues hampered in any perplexitie, they bee lyke wretched forlorne caytifes, that are vtterly at their wittes end, bycause they see well ynough that they fynde no ease at all, when they hauehave …ossed and turmoyled neuer so much. But now, seeyng that wee bee sure of the hope which wee ought too hauehave, bycause … Lord Iesus Christ is our yeare, and is … vsus, too vnite vsus too God his father: let vsus vnderunder stande that the same is an inestimable benefyte, for the which wee ought not too bee afrayd too suffer ten hundred thousand deathes, if neede were. And S. Paule saith consequently, that the Law consisted in ordinaunces and Decrees, too shewe that God abolished not the lawe of good and holy conuersation, when he mynded too call the Gentyles …oo saluation: but that he …: away only the ceremonies that serued peculiarly for the present tyme, and were not giuen but only too the linage of Abraham. Yee see then what was abolished. And therefore let vsus leaue the figures of the Lawe, as Circumcizion, Sacrifizing, feastfull dayes, as they were kept then, the difference of meates, Lyghtes, Perfumes, and all that is set downe in wryting by Moyses: for all those thinges must bee vanished away at the comming of Christ: and yit for all that, let vsus hold still the Lawe that God hath giuen vsus, which is inuiolable: that is too wit, let vsus woorship him purely, let vsus call vpō him, let vsus put our trust in him, let vsus do him homage for all the benefites that he hath bestowed vppon vsus, and let vsus hallowe his name. Agein, let vsus aduyze our selues too walke in purenesse of lyfe, and with such conscience towardes our neyghbours, as we may doo no man wrong or harme: and finally let vsus withdrawe our selues from all the defilements of the world. Heere yee see that the Lawe which God hath giuen vsus too rule our lyfe by, must continew still: for that is not abolished, but only that which consisted in traditions, and in the figures that serued but for the tyme, and were too hauehave an end by Iesus Christ. Now seing it behoueth vsus too giuegive ouer the shadowes that were vsed, and had their full scope in the tyme of Moyses and the Prophetes: it is much more reason that the Christian Church should not now adayes bee burdened with mens inuentions. According wherunto S. Paule …elleth vsus, that we must content our selues with Gods Lawe, which serueth too shewe vsus how wee may be vnblamable, that is too wit, by walking in ryghtuousenesse, Iustice, faythfulnesse, and mercy, and specially by calling vppon God purely, and after a spirituall manner. Marke that for one poynt.
Agein, he sayth that the shadowes of the Law should in these dayes, not only be superfluous, but also as a curtaine to keepe vsus still in darknesse, and too let vsus from seeing our Lord Iesus Christ, as wee ought too doo, in the mirror of his Gospell. Therfore let vsus conclude, that the ryghtuousenesse which God requyreth at our handes, is another maner of one, than that which the papistes hauehave imagined: for all the thinges which they terme Gods seruice, are but starke gewgawes. Yea and wheretoo serue they all, but onelyonly too deface the peculiar operation of our Lord Iesus Christ? For the poore ignorant soules are hilde fast too them, and stand poring altoogither vppon them. When I speake of ignorant soules, I meane the ablest sort of them, euen thos… that thinke themselues too …ee of greatest capacitie: for they are all intangled lyke wre…chd beastes. And therefore let vsus learne too holde vsus too the singlenesse of the Gospell, and too looke vppon our Lord Iesus Christ there, lyke as he also … familiarly vntoo vsus, too the intent wee myght bee aduaunced by him, and boldly call God our father, and flee too him for refuge, not doubting but that he wil bee neere vsus, whensoeuer wee cal vppon him in truth.
Now let vsus cast our selues downe before the Maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgement of our faults, praying him that his making of vsus too feele them more and more, may cause vsus too forsake them by true repentaunce, and too walke continually aright, and too giuegive our selues too holy conuersation. And that forasmuch as wee bee so weake, that there will alwayes …ee manie vices in vsus: it may please him too hold vsus vp till he hauehave taken vsus out of he world, and throughly fashioned vsus lyke too his owne image, according too the ground worke which he hath begun in vsus. And so let vsus all say, Almighty God heauenly father. &c.