Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 14
The .xiiii. Sermon, which is the sixth vppon the second Chapter.
16 Iesus Christ hath reconcyled vsus both in one body, too the end, too knit both the one and the other vntoo God by his crosse, killing the enmitie therby.
17 And being come, be preached peace too you that were farre of, and too them that were nere hand.
18 For by him both twayne of vsus hauehave accesse too the father in one spirit.
19 Therfore yee be no more straungers and forreyners, but fellowe citizens with the Saints, and household folke of God.
WEe hauehave seene this morning, how S. Paul hath told vntoo such as were erst without hope of saluation, that they were so much the more bound vntoo God for his calling of them too bee of the number of his children, seeyng it was not a common and ordinarie thing, nor a thing that was looked for. On the other syde he did also beate downe all pryde, too the intent that the Iewes myght not thinke in themselues, that the priuiledge of adoption was of their owne purchacing, nor vaunt themselues though God had preferred them before all the rest of the world. And now goyng foreward still with the same matter, he sayeth, that wee vvere reconcyled, as vvel the one syde as the other, by the death of Iesus Christ, and that in so dooyng he hath knit vsus toogither intoo one body, putting all enmitie too death by his crosse. This serueth too expresse better the thing that wee hauehave seene already. He had sayd that wee must come vntoo God by the meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ: for without him wee bee all a farre of, as well Iewes as Gentyles, bycause wee bee all sinners, and God in an enemye too vsus, till his wrath bee appeazed towardes vsus. Now S. Paule sheweth, that that is done by his bearing of our sinnes vppon his crosse. For it is by his obedience, that all our iniquities are put awaye, and it is by his sacrifyzce, that our sinnes are washt away.
To bee short, were it not for the death and passion of our Lord I… sus Christ, wee should stand bound still in the hand wryting that is spoken of in the second too the Colossians.Coloss. 2. …. 14. For if wee should come too reckening, who durst open his mouth too excuze himself before God, or (looke too) scape the damnation that all of vsus hauehave deserued? For if wee should go about too alledge but one poynt, there would bee a thousand too stop our mouthes, so as wee should bee driuen too stand still all confounded, till wee came too the remedie, that is too wit, that Iesus Christ hath by his death made so full satisfaction for all our dettes, that wee bee quitted and released. That then is the thing which S. Paule handleth as now, too the end wee myght knowe what maner of accesse it is that he speaketh of. For, too preace intoo Gods presence, in cace as wee bee of our selues, were too great a boldnesse. But when it is told vsus, that God wil not lay our sinnes and misdeeds to our charge, bycause Iesus Christ hath put them all away by his death: then is it no rashnesse at all for vsus too go vntoo God with our heades bolt vpryght, but we hauehave a good foundation, and a boldnesse that God lyketh well of. Therfore as oft as wee hauehave occasion too pray, or too fyght ageinst anie temptations, let vsus learne too knowe that wee hauehave neede too bee incoraged too patience, and too bee asserteyned of the euerlasting lyfe, and too repayre all wholly for refuge too the death and passion of the sonne of God, knowing that vntill such tyme as wee bee dipped in his blud, and washed by the woorking of his holie spirit, wee shall euermore bee lothely, and God will iustly shake vsus of, and bee alwayes a iudge too vsus in sted of being our father. And it is not ynough too knowe that Iesus Christ hath made amendes for vsus, yea and that all things requysyte too our saluation, were fully accomplished and performed by his death and passion: but wee must also therwithall receyue the benefyte thereof in such maner as it is ministred vntoo vsus. For what shall it auayle the Iewes, Turkes, and other lyke, that Gods sonne vndertooke the condemnation that belonged too vsus? They shal rather bee hild dubble giltie, bycause that by their vnthankfulnesse they bereeue themselues of the benefyte wherof they myght hauehave bin parttakers, if they had receyued the promises of the Gospell by fayth. But the Iewes on the one syde blaspheme our Lord Iesus Christ, the Turks on the other syde laughe him too scorne, and count him but as a night ghost. And the Papists labour with tooth and nayle to deface his power, and too rob him of the greatest part of his graces. These therfore shall fynde that the death which the sonne God hath suffered, serueth too increace their cursednesse, and too kindle Gods wrath so much the more ageinst them. Yea and euen they also which neuer heard of the Gospell, are vtterly excluded from this treasure.
And for that cause S. Paule addeth, that Iesus Christ hath preached peace to them that vvere neere, and too them that vvere farre of. Wherby he sheweth, that whē the Gospel is preached, we be dayly put in possession of the saluation which was purchaced for vsus by our Lord Iesus Christ, at …eastwyse if wee lay holde on him by trew fayth that hath taken lyuely roote in our hartes, too bring foorth good fruite. Therefore there are twoo things requyred. The one is, that wee know how that the matter and substance of our saluation is in Iesus Christ: and the other is, that the same bee declared too vsus by the Gospell. And too the intent wee may bee the surer of this doctrine: S. Paule sayeth, not that Christ hath sent his Apostles, or set vp a great sort of … too bring vsus such message: but that Christ himselfe is come too bryng tydings of peace too all men. Nowe it is certeyne that our Lord Iesus Christ hath not executed the office of preaching since his Re…urrection, sauing onelyonly among his Disciples, that they myght bee furnished aforehand too preache eueryevery where the doctrine that was committed vntoo them. But S. Paule sayeth, that he preached too such as had erst bin farre of from God. He did not this in his owne person. Then is it certeyne that S. Paule speaketh of that preaching of the Gospell, which was doone by the Ministers that were appoynted by God, and by our Lord Iesus Christ.
And yit notwithstanding he sayeth, that it was Christ himself that preached, namely too the end wee should yeeld the greater reuerence too the Gospell, and hold it as the truthe authorized by God, and euerye of vsus submit himself too it without any geynsaying or replying. For if wee hauehave any doubt of it, let vsus not thinke that Iesus Christ shall boote vsus any thing at all. Therfore wee must assure our selues of it, yea and (as wee hauehave seene in the first Chapter) Gods promises must bee sealed in our harts by the holie Ghost, who for the same cause is called the earnestpennye of the lyfe that wee hope for, and the verye signe, manuell, or seale that God printeth in vsus, too the end, that our fayth should bee in full certeintie. Wee see then wherat S. Paule amed in this text, in saying that Iesus Christ being rayzed from the dead, and hauing performed the charge that was inioyned him by God his father, was our Redeemer, and also the bringer of the same me… sage vntoo vsus, not for once and away, but by continuall preaching of it, insomuch that he will hauehave his mouth still open euen too the end, too witnesse vntounto vsus, that in him wee shall assuredly fynd all that wee can wish too bring vsus too the heauenly lyfe. Now then must wee not bee very blocks, if we be not touched too the quicke, at the hearing of these woords? It is trew that the sonne of God fleeteth not from place too place, nor is conuersant heere beneath among vsus in visible fashion, nother were that requisite. But yit for all that, the doctrine which wee preache in his name, ought too hauehave lyke anthoritie, as if hee spake to vsus himselfe mouth to mouth. And for the same cause also dooth hee say,…. d. 40. Hee that heareth you, heareth mee, and he that receyueth you, receyueth mee:Luke. 10. c. 16. and likewyse, he that reiecteth you, reiecteth mee. And agein,Iohn. 13. c. …0. by this meanes is God my father honored, euen by your beeleeuing of the Gospel. And contrariwise he hath great wrong and reproch doone vntounto him, when the things are douted of that are so wel certifyed there. The Pope & al the rabble of his Clergie alledge this for the mayntenance of their tyrannie. But our Lord Iesus Christes meaning was, too warrant vsus the message that concerneth the forgiuenesse of our sinnes, wherwith our eares are beaten continually. For wee shall alwayes hang in a mamering and doubt, if wee bee not throughly perswaded and resolued, that all thinges conteyned in the Gospell, are hild of Iesus Christ, who is the infallible truth it self. For if wee hauehave an eye too men, wee shall bee euer wauering and doubtfull. And for proofe thereof, what can they bring vsus of their owne growing, but vtter vanitie and leazing? So then, although our Lord Iesus Christ abyde still in his heauenly glory, and wee bee absent from him in body, yea and that it bee a straunge thing to vsus, too say, that he dwelleth in vsus,Math. 18. d. 20. and that wheresoeuer twoo or three bee gathered toogither in his name, he is in the middes of them: yit notwithstanding wee must bee fully assured of this poynt, that when the pure doctrine of the Gospell is preached, it is all one as if he himselfe spake vntoo vsus, and were familiarly conuersant heere among vsus. Then too bee short, our fayth must ame at him, as at the very marke or butte of it, and we must rest vppon him. And seeyng that God his father hath sent him too bee a faythfull witnesse, looke whatsoeuer is …old vsus truly in his name, wee must receyue it without any geynsaying.
Furthermore, as wee hauehave heere wherwith too strengthen vsus in trew constancie of fayth, and too arme vsus ageinst all the assaultes and alarumes that Satan can giuegive vsus: so it is a great shame for vsus when wee bee deafe at the hearing of the Gospell, or let it alone as a thing hanging in the aire, taking it too bee but as a fable or a thing of no valew. And yit for all that, most men now adayes doo eyther despyze the Gospell, or else are so besotted, that they discant of it, as of a tryfle, or else make but a mocke of it. Some hauing heard Sermons, or hauing bin taught at some Lecture, or by some other meanes, will perchaunce say, it is possible that this may bee trew: and as for mee, I wil not say nay to it: but forasmuch as I am no clerk nor diuine, it is al one too mee, I will let it alone still in his ordinarie course. Some other will say, Tush, I will hold mee too the fayth of my forefathers: For it is too daungerous a matter to chaunge. Some agein say thus: How so? It is a new doctrine, that wee neuer heard of before. And othersome being not contented with such scornfulnesse, adde outragious crueltie, and fight openly ageinst it, in so much that they could find in their hartes too plucke God out of his seate, wheruppon they fall to sheading of innocent blud, indeuoring to the vttermost of their power, too wype away the remembrance of the Gospell. But in the meane whyle, let vsus vnderstand, that whensoeuer the message of our saluation is set foorth vntoo vsus, if wee despyze it, wee shalbee giltie not only reiecting a benefite that was brought vsus by a mortall creature, but also of shetting the gate ageinst Gods sonne, when he came too seeke vsus to our saluation. And therfore too quicken vp our slothfulnesse, and too correct the cursed stubbornnesse that myght hinder our full and obedient yeelding too the Gospell: let vsus mark that the preaching therof is not a thing doone by haphazard, nother doo men come of their owne selues, as sayeth S. Paule also too the Romanes:Rom. 10. c. 15. but Gad himself visiteth vsus, and commeth vntoo vsus, and our Lord Iesus Christ performeth still the dewtie of a shepeherd, and calleth vsus too him with his owne voyce, bycause he seeth vsus too bee as sheepe that go astraye. And although wee bee peaked asyde heere and there: yit his mynd is too gather vsus togither agein to be of his flocke. Were this well printed in our hartes, surely wee should bee better disposed, not only to receyue the doctrine of the Gospell with all humilitie, but also too bee inflamed with such a zeale and earnestnesse, that the whole world should be nothing in comparison with vsus. Too bee short, Gods woord would bee as sweete as honnie to vsus, and more precious than all goold and siluer, considering that the sonne of God being in the glory of God his father, doth neuerthelesse make vsus to heare his voyce, and that not as one that speaketh a farre of, or with a sound that vanisheth away in the ayre, or in such wyse as wee hauehave no certeine record of the thinges that he speaketh: but as one that commeth and preacheth too vsus himself. For looke what is done by his authoritie, and according to the commission that he gaue and commited too his Apostles: it becommeth vsus too receyue it for his sake, as I hauehave declared afore.
Moreouer S. Paules intent here, is to prouoke vsus too receyue the Gospell with all obedience, not onelyonly for the worthinesse of the person of our Lord Iesus Christ: but also for the things that are conteyned in the Gospell it self: for it is the message of peace, sayth he. Let vsus consider what it is to hauehave warre with him that made vsus and fashioned vsus. If wee hauehave an enemy in this world, although he be but a frayle man, and hauehave no very great credit: Yit will wee bee afrayd least he shonld practize some pollicie or spight ageinst vsus, or reuenge himself by force. Too bee short, wee would euer bee vnquiet, so long as we had any enemies in this world. Must we not then needes be tootoo brutish, seeing wee fall a sleepe when God sheweth himself too bee ageinst vsus, and that he is armed too take vengeance vppon vsus? If we considered well what it is too hauehave warre with God, (as in deede our sinnes ceasse not to prouoke him to displeasure) we should finde on the contrary part, what a benefite it is too hauehave peace and attonement with him. Now seeing that this is brought vsus by the Gospell, wherby wee enter possession of the attonement that was made by Iesus Christ, whe… he offered himselfe in sacrifize by his death: it is a thing that ought too inflame vsus in such wise, as too make vsus imbrace the Gospell with earnest zeale, and too giuegive ouer our whole minde thereuntoo. So then considering the coldenesse and lazinesse that is in vsus, let vsus so much the more thinke vppon this saying, and applye the same too our vse, namely, first too knowe that the sonne of God refuzeth not too teache vsus, and too be o…r scholemaster, so wee bee contented too bee his schollers: and secondly that wee shall hauehave a doctrine which is more too bee desired, than all the pleasures, honour, and goods of the world: that is too wit, that wee bee at peace with God, and that being sure of his fauour towards vsus, wee may hauehave recourse and accesse vntoo him, and bee receyued as his children at his hand. Well ought wee too note that: for S. Paule ment too shewe which is the trew peace, bycause many men thinke themselues well at ease, which notwithstanding hauehave no peace with God. For some are puffed vp with diuelish self weening, as the Monks and Fryers in the popedome, who perswade themselues that they hauehave deserued so well at Gods hand, as there can no fault bee found in them. They then which ground themselues after that manner vppon their owne vertues and good deedes, thinke that God is bound vntoo them, and they may well bee luld asleepe, bycause Satan besotteth them with the foolish self trust which they hauehave conceyued: and that is bycause they ame not at God, but hauehave forged an Idoll in their owne head. And in good fayth, what are the things that they would content God withal, but gewgawes and baggagely trifles, as if they would still babes with them? The Papists must take a sprinkling of holy water, they must all too be crosse themselues, they must fast this wake, and that wake, they must gad on pilgrimage, they must forbeare eating of flesh vponupon such a day, they must babble thus many Paternusters, they must set vp a candle to such a saynt, they must here thus many masses, they must say thus many meaculpaze. Too bee short, when a man hath raked them all on a heape, it is certeyne that they be but the scrapings and offals of all filthinesse. And yit to their seeming, God is wel payd with them, as who should say, he were an Idol, or a little babe, as I sayd afore. Wee see then that none of all those hipocrits that are so puffed vp with presumption, can hauehave any peace with God. But forasmuch as they fetch such windlasses and looke not at God, but askewe, and though they make countenaunce of approching vntounto God, yit their offring themselues vntoo him is it not with si…glenesse and substanciall soundenesse of hart: they do but beguile them selues with their fond flatterings. Also there are a sort of these scoffers, which doo but nod their heads when men speake too them of their saluation, saying, it is ynough, if wee may giuegive but one good sigh, but let vsus not ceasse in the meane whyle too make frolicke chere, for what a thing were it too passe all the tyme of our life in such dumpishnesse? That would doo vsus no good, & therfore let vsus play the good fellowes. Hereupon they fall to vnthriftinesse, some after one fashion, & some after another. They hauehave a thousand wayes too destruction, and all confederate themselues ageinst God as much as is possible. Therefore for bycause there hauehave alwayes bin so many, yea and to many, that bring their owne consciences a fleepe: S. Paule in this place (lyke as also in the …ft too the RomanesRom. 5. …) setteth downe the tr…w peace: which is, that when wee come vntoo God, and must present our selues before his Maiestie, wee bee sure that he will pitie vsus, and not lay our sinnes to our chage, but receyue vsus as his owne children. Then if we intend to enoye this spirituall peace, which passeth all the goods of the world: let vsus …earne too hauehave warre with our selues. And how is that? It is, first too knowe that wee bee damned and forlorne, and that there is no hope of remedie for vsus, wherby too get out of the pit of destruction agein, except wee bee recouered by meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ. When wee bee so bereft of all vntoward selftrust in our own deserts, and knowe that wee bee emptie and starke naked: let vsus repayre as poore beggers vntoo God: that is the thing that is requisite for the atteynment of trew peace. And by the way also let vsus not thinke too gayne any thing by being blockishe▪ so wee should fall… sleepe in this world: bnt let vsus vnderstand, that forasmuch as wee hauehave no certeyne tyme (appoynted vsus,) it is our duetye to summon our selues euening and morning before God, and too examine our sinnes throughly, and too bee both sorie and ashamed of them. When wee hauehave once learned too make warre thus ageinst our owne vyces, and too plye it throughly without Hipocrisie and counterfetting: then are wee in the hygh way too the peace which our Lord Iesus Christ dooth publish and preache vntoo vsus eueryevery day by the Gospell. And that is the very cause why S. Paule sayeth expresly, that by him wee hauehave enterance in vntoo the father. As if he should say, that no vnbeleeuers, no heathenish worldlinges, no mockers of God, no dullardes which thinke not of their euerlasting saluation, can by any meanes taste of what valew the peace is, which wee obteyne by the Gospell, or (conceyue) how precious and amyable it is. And why? For they put too many scarfes before their faces, too keepe them from beyng abashed at Gods Iustice, and from beyng striken with terrour of their sinnes. Too bee shorte, they make themselues wilfully drunken, that they myght hauehave a senslesse conscience, and they bere…ue themselues of all vnderstanding, as though they were brute beastes. But when wee consider that all our welfare consisteth in beyng able too hauehave all our recourse vntoo God, and that our comming too him is certeine also, yea and that the way is open for vsus too go thither familiarly: surely then will wee forget all other things, and long too bee made parttakers of our Lord Iesus Christ, and too bee vnited intoo his body, too the ende that God may receyue vsus, and wee call vppon him with full trust in our necessitie, and settle our selues vppon the louelove that he beareth vsus, not doubting but that whatsoeuer is offered vsus in the Gospell, is all one as if God vttered his hart among vsus.
Now S. Paule hauing spoken of the preaching of the Gospell, addeth purposely, In one Spirit. He had sayd afore, that wee bee all knit toogither in the flesh of our Lord Iesus Christ, namely▪ for that he tooke our nature vponupon him, & by that meanes abolished and tooke away the cursednesse that was in Adam. Neuerthelesse, the dooing therof in the person of the sonne of God were not ynough, if the Gospell wer not as a meane to him. Now therfore for a third poynt, S. Paule addeth, that wee must communicate all of one spirit. For although the Gospell bee preached, yit are there manie stubborne persons, and others so be…narled in this world, that they thinke no more of the heauenly lyfe, than doggs and Swyne doo. Othersome agein are so saped in their hipocrisie, that although God doo call vsus all and allure vsus sweetly too him in the person of his sonne, the number of them that come vntoo God is verye small. For this cause S. Paule sayth, that wee must hauehave Gods spirit. For it is certein, that by nature wee bee variable, and not only eueryevery one of vsus will needs hauehave his opinion by himselfe, but also wee change eueryevery minute of an houre, by meanes whereof, wee bee so farre of from beeing all of one accorde, that none of vsus abydeth setled in his opinion, from morning to nyght, except he bee gouerned of God. It standeth vsus then on hand, when wee heare the Gospell preached, too hauehave Gods spirit to guyde and gouerne vsus, soo as wee may throughly imbrace our Lord Iesus Christ, and by him hauehave accesse too the father. Now therfore wee must beare in mynd, first that when our Lord Iesus Christ exhorteth vsus by his ministers (according also as S. Paule sayeth in the second too the Corinthians:) wee ought too bee well dispozed too come vntounto him,2. Cor. 3. …. 4. yea and to runne vntoo him, euen with inforcing our selues aboue all power of man. For (when wee hauehave doone what wee can) yit shall wee hauehave none accesse vntoo him, but all our indeuer shall rather bee a retyring backe, than a going foreward, vnlesse his spirit guyde vsus. So much the more then doth it stand vsus on hand too pray God too touch vsus with his holy spirit, & to cause him to make vsus way vntounto him, as is sayd in the eyght to the Romans,Rom. 8. c. 15. and as we hauehave seene also lykewyse too the Galathians. For there S. Paule putteth a difference betwixt Gods children,Gala. 4. …. 6. and the Reprobats. Wee (sayeth he) hauehave the spirit of adoption, wherby wee crye, Abba father. Wee should not knowe him of our selnes (sayeth he) bycause there is nothing in vsus but infirmitie: and it were too great a rashnesse in vsus, too call God our father. But when God hath once sealed the truth of his Gospell in vsus by his holie spirit, and inlyghtened vsus inwardly, so as wee know it is he that speaketh: and thertoo hath assured vsus of his goodnesse and merciemercy: then may wee freely and with open mouth crye out, that he is our father. And soo yee see in effect what wee hauehave too beare in mynd, too the intent that none of vsus trust too his owne brayne, when the Gospell is preached vntounto him, but that in cosideration of the rudenesse and weaknesse that is in vsus, wee suffer our selues too bee gouerned by Gods spirit, which is the chefe kye wherby the gate of paradise is opened vntounto vsus. And for that cause also is it sayd, that wee must be besprinckled with the blud of our Lord Iesus Christ,… as S. Peter termeth it in his first Epistle. For the same cause also the Apostle in the Epistle to the Hebrewes sayth,Heb. 9. d. 14. that Iesus Christ was offred vp in spirit: meaning that his sacrifyze wherby he purchaced vsus ryghtuousnes, should still be as a vayne thing to vsus, if the holie Ghost wrought not in it by his powre. And S. Paul going forward with the matter that hath bin declared hertofore, addeth also, that as vvell they that vvere farre of, as they that vvere neere hand, had heard the sayd message, & that the same is set afore vsus also at this day, to the end we myght bee confirmed in it more and more. And (as I hauehave sayd alredy) by those that were neere, he meaneth the Iewes who had had some familiaritie with God theretoofore, bycause he had acquaynted himselfe with them, by giuing them his Lawe, telling them that he receyued theyr linage too be the protector thereof. Howbeeit, that was not too knit them throughly vntoo him, till he had pardoned their sinnes, which was doone by the meanes of Iesus Christ. For the Lawe could yeeld them nothing but terrour and anguish of mynd, & curse them throughout, and sink them downe too the bottom of hell, as S. Paule sayeth in the third too the Romans,Rom. 3. 2. Cor. 3. b. 7. and specially in the third Chapter of the second Epistle too the Corinthians. Therfore it was requisite that the Gospell should bee added thereuntoo. Now it is certein that Dauid & the other holy Prophetes, and lykewyse all the kings and the faythfull that liued vnderunder the old Testament, had not the Gospel so manifestly as we hauehave: but yit in very substance God declared vntounto thē, that he of his owne free goodnesse receyued them too merciemercy, for the redeemers sake in whom they trusted. If the Lawe bee separated from the Gospell, it not only profiteth them not at all which rest vppon it: but also serueth too beate them downe, and too thunder vponupon them, and too shewe them how dreadfull Gods maiestie is. It is in the Gospell then that wee hauehave peace: and therefore it stoode the Iewes in hand too bee made partakers of that doctrine. And as for vsus that come of the Gentyles, wee ought (as I sayd this morning) too acknowledge so much the better, the dubble recognisance wherin wee stand bound vntounto God, for that he hath voutsafed too make vsus fellowes (with his peculiar people,) vsus (I say) that were as things borne out of tyme, and too put vsus in the companie of those whom he had chozen and adopted afore, in such wyse as the recordes of the Prophets are now fulfilled, wherin it is sayd,Esay. 24. c. 15. yee Gentyles and Nations, glorifye yee God with his owne people: wherby the holie Ghost foreshewed that there should be such a melodie, that all men should sing Gods prayses, euen as well the Gentyles as the Iewes, when they were once knit toogither, and gathered from out of the scattering wherin all of vsus are, as is sayd alredie, and as wee hauehave seene afore.
Wee see then wherat S. Paule amed, in saying that the Gospell was preached too all men, as well them that were farre of, as them that were neere.Rom. 10. …. 15. And that is it which he treateth of in the tenth too the Romans. For there he sheweth that wee should euer bee scanning, and neuer resolued of our fayth, if wee knew not that the preaching of the Gospel proceeded of Gods authoritie, & of his vnchaungeable ordinance. It is not for men (sayeth he) too put foorth them…elues, except God send them. And God hath begunne too teache the worlde at all tymes heeretofore,Rom. 1. c. 20. though not by preaching or wryting, yit by the onelyonly sight of the world it sel…e. No maruell therefore (sayeth he) though God hauehave voutsafed at this time too extend his grace too all Nations, by making them too knowe that he would bee their father. Now then, lyke as on the one side, it stoode the Iewes on hand too knowe howe great neede they had too bee reconcyled too God by Iesus Christ, and not too bee deceyued by trusting too theyr birthryght, or too their Circumcision, or too any of all these shadowes of the Law, but that it behoued them too flee too the onelyonly meanes that I hauehave treated of, namely, that God receyued them too mercy, for the eternall sacrifyzes sake which Iesus Christ offered: so let vsus on our syde learne too magnify Gods goodnesse, seeyng he hath voutsafed too cast vsus too bee of his houshold and Church, notwithstanding that wee were cut of and banished from it before. And therefore let vsus looke too our selues, that wee let not this benefite vanish away, ne be depryued of it through our owne vnthankfulnesse. For what excuce will there bee for vsus, if when God calleth vsus too heauen in the person of his onelyonly sonne, so as Iesus Christ telleth vsus, that it is he himselfe which commeth too seeke vsus, as oft as it is tolde vsus, that God will be mercifull to vsus for his sake: wee runne not apace vntoo him, both hot in zeale, and earnest in carefulnesse, too shewe howe wee knowe that all our welfare, ioye, happinesse, and glory, consist in beyng ioyned too our God? which cannot bee but through his free goodnesse. Agein, when wee refuze too receyue this peace, let vsus bee afrayde that Iesus Christ will chaunge his voyce: for it is certeine that the Gospell dooth alwayes behyght dan… nation too such as frame not themselues too Gods will. And it is not for nought that the scripture speaketh of binding, as wel as of loozing… for our Lord Iesus Christ ment too shewe vsus,Math. 16. c. 19. that it is the very nature and dewtie of the Gospell, too plucke vsus out of the bondage and prison wherin wee bee hild, vntill he hath set vsus free: and so is it his owne office also,Iohn. 8. c. 36. as he himselfe sayeth in the eyght of S. Iohn, where he declareth the same thing, howbeeit, he addeth, that there are bondes also prepared for those that take him not for their redeemer, ne suffer themselues too bee set free by him. And that is it which he meaneth in S. Iohn,Iohn. 20. e. 23. when he sayeth, whose sinnes soeuer yee release, they bee released vntoo them, and whose soeuer yee withhold, they be withhild. Then dooth he shewe, that when wee preache the Gospell, wee must first of all declare the message of Reconciliation, which thing is spoken of in the first too the Corinthians, in the place by mee before alledged. Thus yee see that the thing which wee hauehave too doo continually, is too shewe that God hath bin so kynd vntoo vsus, as too bee at one with vsus in the person of his sonne, yea and too receyue vsus too bee himselfe, that we myght washed and scoured from all our filthinesse, and bee accepted for ryghtuous before him.Math. …. c. 16. Lo how wretched soules are vnbound, lo how poore captiues are let out of prison, Lo how they that erst were plundged in darkenesse of death, are brought out ageyn too the lyght of lyfe. But on the other syde, wee hauehave also commission too withhold sinnes, by threatening the despyzers of Gods woorde with Gods horrible wrath, (and by telling them) that when they hauehave shaken their eares, and thinke themselues too be scaped, the doctrine that they hauehave heard, must bee as ropes and fetters too bynd them withall. According wheruntoo S.2. …or. 10. b. 6. Paule sayeth expresly in another place, that wee hauehave vengeance ready for all such as …et themselues ageinst our doctrine. Yea though they bee the hyghest in the world, yit if they set vp their bristles ageinst God, and de…pyze him, they shall not scape the damnation that is threatened them, at leastwyse when the faythfull hauehave once performed their obedience. And in deede when an enemie summoneth a people, there is trembling for feare, least they shall fynde no mercy, if reasonable conditions should bee refuzed: and what then shalbe doone, when God commeth, not onelyonly too will vsus too yeeld our selues vntoo him, but also too offer himselfe too vsus, and will hauehave vsus too possesse him and all his goods in the person of Iesus Christ? What shall become of vsus, if wee refuze such grace, when he vseth such kyndnesse towardes vsus? Must not horrible damnation lyght vppon so villanous pryde and scornfulnesse, when men voutsafe not too receyue him, euen him which not only procureth their saluation, but also created them, and by whom they bee mainteyned? Then let vsus learne too marke well this doctrine wherein peace is spoken of, too the ende wee prouoke not God any more, ne turne our bread intoo bane, and our meate intoo mortall poyson: but that wee may bee quickened truely by the grace which God offereth vsus dayly.
And for that cause Saint Paule concludeth, that they which are so touched with Gods spirit, to obey the Gospell simply and substancially, are no more straungers, but rather fellovvcit…zens vvith the Sayncts, and Gods houshold folk. And this tendeth still too the end that I hauehave noted afore: that is too wit, that Gods name should bee glorified as it deserueth, and that wee should not step lyghtly too him as wee bee woont too doo. For wee thinke too discharge our selues with one woord, by saying that Iesus Christ is our redeemer. But let vsus alwayes call to remembrance what wee hauehave bin, and in what taking we were, til Iesus Christ drew vsus out of the dungeons of death. For the worde straungers, importeth that which wee hauehave seene heertoofore: namely that before the Gospell was preached, the Gentyles were without hope of saluation, cut of from Gods fauour, without promises, without God in the world: insomuch that although they liued heere, although they were fed and susteyned by the good thinges that God gaue them, although they inioyed the lyght of the sunne: yit neuerthelesse they were without God. And at the same poynt are all vnbeleeuers. So then, S. Paules rehercing what our redemption was when Iesus Christ came too find vsus, & reached vsus his hand to guide vsus too God his father, is too the end that wee should learne to… yeeld hym the whole prayse of our saluation. Heeruppon he sayeth, that wee bee citizens of heauen, companions with the Angelles of Paradise, and fellowes with the holy kings and Prophets. When there is any talke of the Prophetes and Apostles, or of any of the Saynctes and Martyrs, wee hauehave them in admiration, and good reason wee should so: but in the meane whyle wee regard not wherfore the holy Ghoste setteth them before vsus. The Papistes make Idolles of them, and (too theyr seeming) they hauehave honored S. Paule and S. Peter well, when they hauehave decked them with Gods fethers. But contrarywyse it is sayd h…ere, that when God setteth foorth the grace that he gaue vntoo them, it is too the ende that wee shoulde bethinke vsus of the benefite that he bestoweth vppon vsus, in that he mustereth vsus in their band. According wherunto the Apostle in theHebr. 12. a. 1. .xii. to the Hebrewes, sayth, that they might to be vntounto vsus as a great & thicke cloud of witnesses, that we myght followe their example the more cherefully, and walke on in the way that they shewe vsus. Agein, when God hath made vsus too perceyue the inestimable good which he doth vsus, in matching vsus with the Prophetes, Apostles, Martyrs, and all the faythfull, let vsus go yit further, (and consider) that he hath made vsus fellowcitizens with the Angelles of heauen. A man would take great labour for a citizenship, Freedenizonship, or Burgesship of this world, and yit notwithstanding they be but incoms of this lyfe: And what is this lyfe of ours? A flyghtfull shadow which fleeteth away out of hand. Behold, God calleth vsus, not only to soiorne in his Church as straungers, but also too assure vsus that he admitteth and accepteth vsus for his children, so as wee may with trew trust, and as it were with one mouth boldly call vppon him as our father, and keepe one tune and melodie with all the Saints. That therfore is the thing which we hauehave to remember vponupon this streyne: which order the Apostle vseth also in the end of the Epistle too the Hebrewes,Hebr. 12. c. 18. saying, that we be no more vnderunder the law, which could do nothing but fray vsus, bycause there was nothing too bee heard there, but thunderings, and lyghteninges, which were terrible signes of Gods anger. But wee (sayeth he) are come too mount Syon, where wee heare the sweete voyce of God our father, who matcheth vsus with his holy spirites, with his Angelles, and with the soules of his faythfull ones, so as wee bee now of their crew, and may speake vntoo God as it were all with one mouth, bycause wee hauehave one common head. This is in effect, the thing that wee must beare in mynd. And although wee inioy it not as yit: yit notwithstanding wee bee sure, that by the meanes of fayth wee may walke through this present lyfe as straungers too the world, and that God will not fayle too auow vsus for his children and heyres: and that although wee bee yit wrapped heere in many vyces and imperfections, yit notwithstanding, all the Saincts of Paradyse doo acknowledge vsus for their brethren, and imbrace vsus for our Lorde Iesus Christes sake.
Now let vsus cast our selues downe before the Maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgment of our faults, praying him too make vsus so to feele them, as we may mislike them more & more, & on the other side set our whole mind too the considering of the infinite grace which he extendeth toowards vsus, in calling vsus vntoo him, too the intent we may not be so spitefull, nor yit so witlesse and blind, as not to hearken when he speaketh, but rather that wee may obediently through fayth yeelde vntoo the doctrine which he setteth foorth vntoo vsus, wherein lyeth all our welfare and saluation: and that the same may plucke vsus backe from all the leaud lusts of the world, and from all the froward affections that thrust vsus aside, & turne vsus away from him, so as we may grow more and more in his feare and louelove, too be fashioned lyke his image, vntill we bee come too his heauenly glory, wheruntoo he calleth vsus. That it may please him too graunt this grace, not only too vsus, but also too all people. &c.