Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 15
The .xv. Sermon, which is the seuenth vppon the second Chapter.
19 Then are you no more straungers and forreyners, but fellowe citizens with the Saints, and the household folke of God▪
20 Buylded vppon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets wherof Iesus Christ himselfe is the head corner stone.
21 In vvhom the whole building being knit toogither, groweth intoo a holy Temple too the Lord:
22 In vvhom you also are builded togither, for a dvvelling place of God, in spirit.
WEe hauehave seene here alreadie, how the holy Ghost by the mouth of S. Paule, setteth vsus out a looking glasse wherin too behold the infinite goodnesse of our God, in pulling vsus backe from the d…eons of death, to make vsus his children and heires of the heauenly lyfe. For this cause it is say… ▪ that when we be receyued into the Ch…rch, it is all one as if we were made Citizens, not of some earthly Citie, but euen of heauen, too bee companions … all the … and faythful seruaunts of God, yea and with all the Angels of Paradise. And bycause the Churche is called not onelyonly Gods Citie, but also his house: therefore Paule addeth, that we bee his houshold folke, therby too inhaunce the grace and fauour that God hath vttered towards vsus. For, … gathered intoo Gods house, and too hauehave him neere vntoo vsus, and too hauehave familiar acc…sse continually vntounto him, is much more for vsus than if wee were but generally of some Citie of his. Wee see then, that bicause men doo neuer sufficiently esteeme the spirituall good that wee receyue by our Lord Iesus Christ: S. Paul ment to shew here, how it is good reason that we should make more account of the adoptiō wherby God hath so gathered vsus toogither by meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ, that we may now be familiarly conuersant with him by hope: than by al the whole world.
And he addeth another similitude, which is, that we be builded to be the temple of God. Sometymes the holy Scripture sayth, that eueryevery faithful man is the Tēple of God, bycause he dwelleth in vsus by his holy spirit. But when it is spoken vniuersally of the whole Churche, then are wee as lyuely stones, and the building is so bound and clozed toogither, that eueryevery of vsus serueth too the perfectting therof. Then is not the one contrarie too the other. For eueryevery faythfull bodye alone is the Temple of God, bycause he ought too bee giuen too all holinesse, by the woorking of the holie Ghost, and (as I sayd afore) God abydeth in vsus. Howbeeit for asmuch as wee ought not too bee separated asunder, but rather to bee knit toogither in vnitie by the bond of fayth▪ it agreeth very well also, that wee should be named stones, and that lyke as a building is made of manye stones, wherof there is none but it serueth too some purpose: so wee should suffer our selues too bee ioyned too our Lord Iesus Christ by beleef of the Gospell, that God may dwell in vsus, and bee there purely woorshipped, and wee bee fully assured, that whensoeuer wee call vppon him, wee shall alwayes fynd him at hand too heare vsus, and that when wee bee gathered toogither in his name, wee shall euermore hauehave him among vsus. That is the thing which S. Paule treateth of heere, when he sayeth, that they which had bin heathen men, and cut of from all hope of saluation, were builded vp by the Gospell to bee made a Temple for God.
Now we see better than afore, how God will take vsus for his household: that is too wit, if wee bee taught purely by the doctrine of the Gospell, that God auoweth vsus for his Temples, that he is contented too bee worshipped of vsus, and that he taketh our seruis in good worth. Therfore vntill such tyme as wee hauehave the doctrine of the Gospell too giuegive vsus enterance too that excellent benefyte which is vtterly vnestimable, wee cannot bee called nother Citizens of heauen, nor children of God, nor belongers too his household. And it is added, as well too make vsus percey…e what reuerence the Gospell deserueth, as also too shewe vsus that wee neede not to make farre iourneis too seeke it. For God offereth vsus the prerogatiue of entring into his house, the doore is set open for vsus, at least wyse if wee receyue the promises that he maketh. Wee neede not too go about heauen nor earth: God telleth vsus and assureth vsus, that hee hathe adopted vsus, too the intent wee should leane all wholly vntounto him. And so ye see how wee may bee familiar with him, and he bee ioyned vntounto vsus.
But therwithall hee sheweth also where wee should seeke for his woord. For faythlesse men are so spytefull, that they seeke all maner of krinks too shift themselues from God. And surely wee see, that manie make as though they were willing too serue God, so it myght bee apparant too them, that it is he which speaketh: but therwithall they doubt whether the Lawe came of him or no, and whether the Gospell bee his truth or no. Lo how men would shake of Gods yoke too the vttermost of their power, by their shrinking aside, and by their starting holes and shifting. They make protestation with full mouth, that their intent is too humble themselues vnderunder him: and yit they knowe not, nother can they discerne which is his woord. And why is that? Euen bycause of their malice and vnthankfulnesse. S. Paule therefore too barre all such tryfling excuces, telleth vsus that inasmuch as God hath spoken by Moyses and his Prophets, and finally by his Apostles, wee ought too assure our selues, that al that euer is couteyued in the Lawe, and in the Gospel, is the truthe it self, and that we ought not bee afrayd too bee be guyled or deceyued. Wee shall heare manie Replyes, for eueryevery man imagineth whatsoeuer commeth in his fancie. But God authorized his woord sufficiently, when he published his Law. Agein, he gaue sufficient authoritie too his Prophets: and finally his Gospel was ratified and sealed with miracles ynow. Therfore it is not for vsus too say, wee knowe not whether it bee Gods woord or no: For it is in our mouth, it is neere at hand to vsus, insomuch that God hathe voutsafed to feed vsus lyke littel babes with it, by sending vsus mortall men to speake it too vsus face to face. So then let vsus learne first of all, not to sor… in the ayre, when the receyuing of Gods woord commeth in question. Let vsus bee contented that he hath giuen vsus sufficient record of his wil by his Prophets and Apostles (and so shall wee yeeld him obedience) though it hath pleased him too vse such instrumentes of his holy spirit: for our fayth cannot bee without humilitie, and God taketh a tryall thereof, in making mortall men too bee the meanes wherby he communicateth himselfe vntoo vsus. Take it therefore for a principale, that it must not greeue vsus though God appeere not in visible shape, or though he send vsus not his Angells from heauen. For it ought too suffyze vsus, that wee knowe that the Prophetes and Apostles are sufficient witnesses, chozen and ordeyned too bring vsus the message of saluation. And by the waye Saint Paule sheweth, that there is very good agreement betweene the Lawe, the Prophetes, and the Gospell. In deede wee hauehave seene heretofore, that the vse of the ceremonies is at an ende: but yit for all that, the substance of them continueth still. And when God caused the Gospell too bee preached openly too the woorld, it was not for that he was vnconstant, nor for that he intended too teache men after a new and straunge fashion, wherwith the Lawe was nothing acquaynted: for the Lawe and the Prophetes bare witnesse continually too our Lord Iesus Christ. And therby also are wee put in mynd, too further our selues by all the things that are conteyned in Moyses and in the rest of the Prophetes. For now adayes there are some fantasticall folk, which think that for all doctrine, wee ought too hauehave no more but the new Testament, and that all the rest is superfluous. It is trew indeede,Coloss. 2. a. 3. that al perfection of wisdome is throughly conteyned in the Gospell: but yit dooth it not therfore followe, that wee ought not too bee edifyed by the Lawe and the Prophetes: for wee see that the Apostles themselues confirmed their doctrine by their testimonies. And heere when S. Paule sayeth, that wee must bee builded vppon their foundation, he sheweth sufficiently, that whatsoeuer things our Lord betooke vntoo them in old tyme, is profitable for vsus at this day, and wee must practize it, and put it in vre. Lykewyse S.1. Pet. 1. b. 12. Peter sayeth, that they serued not only for their owne tyme, but also for ours. Trew it is, that they gaue some tast of our Lord Iesus Christ, and of the good things that are imparted to vsus by his meanes: but yit it is wee that are come too the fulnesse of the tyme▪ as sayeth S.Gala. 4. a. 4. Paule in another place. And the same is also a verifying of S. Peters saying, that is too wit, that the doctrine of the Prophetes poynteth at vsus, and wee hauehave more ful fruition and greater fruite of it, than they that heard it spoken. For wee hauehave so great a lyght in Iesus Christ, that the things which were then darke, are now manifestly open and knowen vntoo vsus. So then, let vsus studie the Lawe and the Prophetes, knowing wel that they leade vsus to our Lord Iesus Christ. For he is the marke that is set before vsus, and wherat wee leuell at this day,Rom. 10. a. 4. accordingly as it is said, that Iesus Christ is the end of the Law, and also the patterne that Moyses sawe on the mountain. It is sayd, that the Lawe and the Prophetes beare witnesse of him,Iohn. 5. g. 45. and euen our Lord Iesus Christ himselfe vpbraydeth the Iewes, (telling them) that forasmuch as they boasted of the Lawe, they were so much the more blame woorthie and lesse too bee excuzed afore God, and their offence was so much the more heynous and vnreasonable, bycause they reiected him, to whom the Lawe sendeth vsus, and too whom the Lawe would holde vsus backe.
So then, hereuppon wee hauehave too gather, that too profite well in the holy scripture, wee must alwayes resort to our Lord Iesus Christ, and cast our eyes vppon him, without turning away thence at any time. Yee shall see a number of folk that Martir themselues exceedingly in reading the holy scriptures, they doo nothing else but turne ouer the leaues of it: and yit at the end of halfe a score yeares, they are as wel seene in it, as if they had neuer read line of it. And why? Bycause they doo but roue vp & downe, & a…e not at any certeyn end, yea and euen in worldly learning, yee shall see a great sort that take paine ynough, and yit all is to no purpose, bycause they kepe nother order nor measure, nor doo aught else then make a raking toogither on all sides. By meanes wherof they bee euer new too seeke, and can neuer bring any thing too perfection, and although they hauehave gathered togither a number of sentences of al sorts, yit is there no hold at all in thē. Euen so is it with them that labour in reading the holy scripture, and know not which is the poynt that they ought to rest vponupon:Coloss. 2. a. 3. namely how it is our Lord Iesus Christ. For lyke as it is sayd that all our perfection is in the Gospell: so on the other side it is said, that our Lord Iesus Christ is giuen vsus too bee the wisedome of God his father,…. Cor. 1. …. 24. as sayth S. Paule in the first too the Corinthians. And lyke as it is sayd of the Lawe,Iohn. 14. …. This is the waye, walke yee therein: so also it is sayd of our Lord Iesus Christ, that he is the trew way. Agein, as it is sayd,… Lord, thy word is a Lanterne too guide my steppes by: so our Lord Iesus Christ sayeth,Iohn. 8. b. 12. I am the light of the world, he that walketh in mee, cannot go amisse. We see then that all that euer is treated of in the holy scripture, is now verified of our Lord Iesus Christ, to shew vsus how that he is the onelyonly thing that wee hauehave too take hold of.2. Cor. 4. a. 4. And in very deede, it is not for nought that he is called the lyuely image of God his father.Coloss. …. b. 15. For although there bee nothing but light in God: yit shall wee neuer bee able too come too that light, till our Lord Iesus Christ come downe too lift vsus vp thither,1. Tim. 6. d. 16. and giuegive vsus enteraunce intoo the place that was shet fast ageinst vsus afore. Yee see then that the thing which wee hauehave too gather vppon those words of S. Paule, is, that the Prophets & Apostles were chozen and ordeined to bring vsus to God, by meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ: who is his very image, and therefore that the onelyonly thing wheron we must settle all our senses and myndes, is too bee edified in the holy scripture.
And on the contrary part alos, let vsus conclude, that all such as giuegive themselues too vayne curiosities, and will needes bee wyser than God gyues them leaue too bee, must abyde still in confuzion, and in steed of goyng foreward, go more and more backeward, whereof wee see many examples, as I sayd …fore, and it standeth vsus in hand too profit our selues by them. For what is the cause of all the corruptions in the world? what is the cause of the great number of errours, of the great abundance of vngodlynesse, & of the great store of superstitions which raygne eueryevery where, but for that men are ticklish in their owne foolish lu…tes and fleshly lykinges, and can neuer bee contented with the simplenesse of Iesus Christ, as it is set downe in the Gospell? So much the more therefore ought wee too beare well in mynd the thing that is tolde vsus heere: which is, that wee must alwayes set our Lord Iesus Christ before our eyes, and in our sight, if wee purpose too hauehave an infallible resting stocke in the holy scripture, and too further our selues in it. And heerewithall wee see also, that we neede not too seeke heere and there for Gods woord: for wee bee sent too the Prophetes and the Apostles, as if it were told vsus, that they bee our … within the which wee must keepe vsus, and that our fayth hath no leaue too start out on the one side or on the other, but must bee hilde brydled vnderunder the obedience of Gods woord, as it is conteyned in the holy scripture.
Now had this text bin well vnderstoode, surely the wretched world should not bee in such disorder, as wee see it is. For what is the cause th… men hauehave deuized so manie wayes of saluation, but for that they hauehave not knowen the power of our Lord Iesus Christ, as it is shewed vsus heere? And in good sooth let a man looke vppon all the inuentions of the Papistes, and he shall fynd that there is no end of their superstitiousnesse: and yit in the meane whyle they hauehave as good as forgotten Iesus Christ, or rather buried him in such sort, as they hauehave had no regard of him. And was it not a corrupting and falsifying of Gods truthe, when men knew not whertoo it tended, nor too what end it was giuen, namely how it was giuen too keepe vsus wholly too our Lord Iesus Christ,Math. 11. d. 29. that wee myght cleaue to him, and fynd rest too our soules, as he himselfe sayeth? Agein, on the other syde, whereuppon doo the Papistes ground themselues at this day? Euen vppon their Councels, vppon their decrees, vppon the things that men hauehave inuented of their owne brayne: and yit they would needes beare vsus on hand, that all perfection is too bee had there. For as for the things that Iesus Christ and his Apostles hauehave taught, they be but enterances, saye they: yea and they bee not ashamed too say, that those things are but as an Ap…ie, and that Iesus Christ forbare too speake of the things that were more hygh and excellent, so as the holy scripture is but as a Catechisme for little children, and that too atteyne too the age of perfection, wee must hauehave holy Councels, wherin God reueleth the mystiries that were vnknowen afore. Now seing that the diuell hath so vtterly bewitched and blynded them, that they hauehave labored too thrust Gods woord vnderunder foote, too the end wee should stray and wander heere and there without any good direction: wee hauehave so much the more cause too beare in mynde the thing that S. Paule telleth vsus heere, which is, that wee must mislyke whatsoeuer is added too the holy scripture, assuring our selues that God hath giuen such charge too his Prophetes and Apostles, as he forgat not any thing that was profitable or expedient for our saluation: and that if wee desyre too profit in his schoole, we must not puttoo any morsels or coluppes of our owne, nor fall too borrowing of things heere and there, that are contrarie too that pure doctrine, but must vtterly mislyke all such dealing, yea and abhorre all maner of patching, as leuen that sowreth, and marreth the whole batch of dowe, bycause God condemneth whatsoeuer men take vppon them too adde vntoo the Lawe and the Gospell, from the which wee must not in any wyse turne away: for it is not without cause sayd:Iohn. 14. a. 5. &. 8. c. 12. This is the way, walke in it. And wheras Iesus Christ sayeth, he is the way, and the lyght of the world: it is too the end that wee should abyde in him, without swaruing asyde in any wyse, eyther too the ryght hand or too the left. Another thing which wee hauehave further too consider vppon this text, where Gods doctrine is spoken of, and the Prophetes and Apostles are named the Messengers of it, is this: that wee knowing what their office is, should not consent too bee taught by such as God neuer made priuie of his wyll, and whom he disauoweth, when they go about too adde any one …illable too the things which he will hauehave too bee noted and hild without geynsaying. Trew it is, that the Church cannot indure without the dayly preaching of the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles in it:1. Cor. 3. b. 10. and that all they which are ordeyned too teache, are called Masons, Carpenters (and builders) of Gods house. Therefore in that they bee buylders of the Churche, they bee all one with the Prophets and Apostles. Yit notwithstanding, it followeth not therefore that they may take what they list of the Lawe, or take libertie too preache their owne inuentions: but they must drawe (their matter) out of the pure fountaine that is offered vsus in the holy Scripture, that wee may bee hilde continually too the simplicitie of the Lawe and the Gospell, and not bee atteynted with any wandering opinions in sted of the obedience of fayth, which contenteth it selfe with the meane that God hath set. Agein, wheras S.1. Pet. …. a. 6. Paule sayeth, that Iesus Christ is the foundation and the head corner stone: it is not ment, that it is lawful too mingle any thing with Iesus Christ, as though he shoulde but make some one peece of the buylding, and the rest bee supplyed by others: but it serues too shewe that wee must bee buylded vppon him, according as Saint Paule exhorteth vsus in the thirde Chapter of the first Epistle too the Corinthians, where he sayeth, that no man can lay any other foundation, than that which is layd already, that is too wit, than Iesus Christ. Heereby S. Paule dooeth vsus too vnderstand, that men cannot set forth any thing wheron too ground and settle their saluation: there is (sayth he) none other foundation but Iesus Christ. Agein, wee know his dominion extendeth eueryevery where: and therefore all of vsus from the most too the least must yeeld vntoo him, and not forsake the great number of benefytes which he offereth vsus, and which wee possesse by his meanes.
But yit shall wee neuer vnderstand how Iesus Christ is our only foundation,1. Cor. …. c. 24. except wee knowe too what end he was sent, according too the forealleged text, where S. Paule sayeth, that he was giuen vsus too bee our wisdome. And not only that, but also he addeth further, that he was giuen vsus too be our rightuousenesse, redemption, and holinesse. As if he should say, that Iesus Christ is our wisdome, wheruntoo wee mu…t wholy hold our selues, bycause wee may there see, that he is the welspring of all welfare, & hath in him whatsoeuer is requisite to our saluation. Then if we once know to what end Iesus Christ was giuen, and the infinite benefites wherof he will make vsus partakers: wee will forsake all other foode: that is to say, all that euer man setteth afore vsus, shalbee too vsus but as vanitie, yea and euen as dung and filth, bycause wee shalbee fully satisfied with our Lord Iesus Christ. Now then, that wee may conceyue how he is the foundation of the Church, and that wee ought too bee settled vppon him: let vsus marke that it is bycause God hath reueled himself fully vntoo vsus by his only sonne, and put all thinges intoo his hand which are requisite too our saluation, or worthie to be desired, to the end that wee myght drawe of his fulnesse, as is sayd of him in the first Chapter of S. Iohn. And this in effect is the maner how wee ought too put this text in vre, where it is sayd, that our Lord Iesus Christ is in such wyse the cheef stone, that he beareth vp all the whole (building) in the corner: and we knowe that the greatest weyght of a building lyeth vponupon the corner.
But by the way, let vsus marke also, that S. Paule ment not too set Christ alone in a rowe by himself, and to couch other stones with him, that should hauehave maystership and authoritie as well as he: but simply too shew, that there is no more diuersitie betweene the Lawe and the Gospell, as touching the substance of them, but that our Lord Iesus Christ is the end of all, and that wee bee so ioyned and knit togither by his meanes, that all of vsus are made the Temple of God, and belong by vnitie of fayth too the spirituall building, wherin God intendeth too dwell. Yit notwithstanding, if our fayth rest not wholy vppon our Lord Iesus Christ, it is certeyne, that wee cannot bee builded vppon this foundation. For whereas the Papistes inuent Patrones and Aduocates too get them fauour at Gods hand, and heape vp a number of meanes too merit withall: it is all one as if they made themselues straungers too Iesus Christ. Now whosoeuer turneth away from him, and it bee but a finger bredth, must needes fall intoo destruction. for▪ it is the propertie of a foundation too beare vp the whole building. Now if the buildig bee too wyde, and ouerhang it, it must needes fall downe. Euen so goeth it with vsus. If wee bee not builded vppon Iesus Christ, so as our fayth bee lined and leueled vntoo him, and wee sticke too him without adding of one thing or other: he must needes disauow vsus for any of his, and cast vsus quyte away. And in good fayth, the Papists & their lyke doo well be wray their greate vnthankfulnes, by their wandring here and there, and by their adding of new meanes at their owne pleasure. This wrong and outrage which they doo too our Lord Iesus Christ, deserue wel that we should tumble them downe and cut them quite off from Gods Church. Therfore if wee mynd too inioy the benefite that S. Paule setteth foorth to vsus heere, let vsus beware that our fayth bee so framed too the Lawe and the Gospell, as too reiect whatsoeuer thinges man shall hauehave inuented, assuring our selues that it is the next way too drawe vsus too destruction, and that wee cannot bee grounded vppon Iesus Christ too stand fast vponupon him for euer, vnlesse wee addmit all the thinges that are spoken and witnessed of him in the Lawe and the Gospell, without making of it Lawfull for men too adde any thing at all too it. Yee see then in effect, that the thing which wee bee warned of in these woordes of S. Paule, is, that wee belong not too our Lord Iesus Christ, ne can bee of Gods Church, except it be by following the pure doctrine of the Lawe and the Gospell, and by forsaking (as yee would say) all the filth and abhomination that men hauehave deuyzed by their owne dreames and dotages, how fayre colour of wisdome soeuer they beare. For they will fynd store ynough of fyne pedlery, too make folke beleeue that their adding of so many gewgawes, is not without cause. But howsoeuer they fare, if wee couet too bee ioyned and vnited too Iesus Christ, we must so abyde in him, as too make none account of any other thing.
And therwithall wee see also, that too bee taken for Gods children, wee must giuegive our wynds too trew concord. For S. Paule setteth downe bothe twayne of them heere: and in verye deede, they be things inseparable, that Christians being taught Gods word purely, should with one hart and one mynd receiue the things that are so set forth vntounto them, and hauehave brotherly concord among them, too speake as it were with one mouth, and too make one pure and simple confession. Then lyke as hithertoo wee hauehave seene that we must be builded vppon Gods pure woord alone: so it is shewed vsus heere, that wee must not eueryevery of vsus bee bent too his owne opinion, but frame our selues too the vnitie of fayth, accordingly as S. Paule speaketh therof in the third too the Philippians, saying▪ if ye intend too bee perfect, ame yee all at one mark, and be yee knit truly toogither in one. For wee know how ambition tickleth vsus continually, and eueryevery man would fayne hauehave somewhat by himself, too set out his owne estimation withall. For the very cause wherof came al the heresies that euer were, is this pryde so depely rooted in mennes harts, that wheras all of vsus ought too bee lerners, eueryevery of vsus will needs bee teachers. And in verye deede he that is to teach other folks, must not set foorth any thing of his owne, but purely impart vntoo them the things that he hath learned of our Lord Iesus Christ. And soo bycause men are so froward, that they couet alwayes too knowe more than is lawfull for them: therefore they misbehaue them selues, and eueryevery man would keepe a schoole, too make a showe of hym selfe. But it is said (heere) that in stead of this dealyng, wee must bee knyt toogither, that wee may speake all as it were with one mouth, and confesse that wee hauehave but one God, and one Father, by shewing our selues too hauehave no mo maysters, but onelyonly Iesus Christe. Neuerthelesse, it is true that such a concord would not bee ynough: but I hauehave told you already, at what ende wee must begynne: that is too wit, at the pure instruction which wee receyue of the Prophetes and Apostles. The Papistes brag too too much of theyr agreement: and so may they do ful wel, for the diuel possesseth thē in such wise, that they be wholly sotted in it. In deede there is ianglyng & iarryng ynough among thē, & they snatch one at another lyke Curdogs, when they bee in theyr own Synagogues: but yit they sticke toogither lyke Burres, in the mayntenance of all vngodlynesse. We see their diuelish madnesse & wilful stubbornnes when they reason for the mayntenance of their own lies ageinst gods truth. But S. Paul sheweth vsus after what maner we ought to agree▪ namely not in dreames & dotages, nor in the things that men hauehave put foorth of their own store: but in the doctrine of the Prophets & Apostles. Now seing that the Papists hauehave banished the holy scripture, & although they make coūtenance to receyue it, doo neuerthelesse deface it, yea & vtterly falsifie & corrupt it by their own inuētions: therby we see they be farre of frō their reckening, in that they vant thē selues with open mouth to bee Gods Church: for seeing they hauehave not the doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles, they hauehave no marke … the church at al. Although men were redie to receyue al things that are in the holy scripture, euē without geinsaying: yit if they fal to mingling of their own fancies therwithall: Christianitie is therby alredy corrupted & cōfo…ded. Now, they not only intangle Gods truth with their own inuentions: but also vtterly ouerthrow al: in somuch that Gods seruice is vtterly corrupted by thē, poore soules are harried to & fro, & our Lord Iesus Christ is robbed, so as they make but a fantastical cōceit of him, & attribute his offices to this man & that mā, as it were the dealing of some pray or bootie. Forasmuch thē as we see the papists so malapertly & madly turne Gods word vpsyde downe after that fashion: we may well conclude, that although they boast thēselues neuer so much to bee the Church, yit God disauoweth them, yea & vtterly abhorreth them: & that if a mā get him not out of that den of theeues, it is impossible for him to be ioyned to our Lord Iesus Christ. Thus yee see that the thing which we hauehave to beare in mynd, is, that to be ioyned to God by meanes of his only sonne, & to be companions with the Angels of heauen, & brethren of the Patriarks, holie kings, and Prophets, wee must be banished out of the Hellish Sinagogs that are in the popedome, where it is apparant that Antichrist reigneth, and that Iesus Christ is vtterly dispossessed of his right and souereintie. And veryly we see their cursed presumption, in that they hauehave bin so bolde as too say that the See of Rome is the foundation of the Churche. For they abuse these woordes of our Lord Iesus Christ in the sixteenth Chapter of S. Mathew: Thou art Peter, and vponupon this Stone will I buyld my Church.Math. 16. c. 18. Now seeyng that Iesus Christ sayeth, that Peter shall bee buylded vppon himselfe (that is too say, vppon Iesus Christ:) he meaneth not too resigne his offyce eyther too him or too any other body: but therby it appeereth, that among the Papists there hath not bin any reuerence of the holy scripture, nor any desyre too bee taught, but that all was one too them, so they myght set vp a tyrannye too oppresse the kingdome of our Lord Iesus Christ, and too make cleane riddance of it, if it were possible, and that they hauehave made no conscience of manifest blasphemie, insomuch that euen little children ought too hauehave spit in their faces, considering the grosse beastlinesse that is, and hath bin among them. And herein also it is too bee seene, howe the diuell hath raigned in full darkenesse, that Gods woord was buryed, yea and vtterly defaced, and the wretched world quite and cleane be…eft of it for a tyme, notwithstanding that it was their ordinary foode. So then, let vsus abhorre all those blasphemies, assuring our selues that wee cannot bee grounded in but our Lord Iesus Christ, and that when wee bee once faythfully instructed in him, wee neede not too borrow elsewhere, bycause he hath brought vsus whatso…uer is requisite for our saluation. And it is not meete that wee should doo him so great dishonour, as too seeke any supply one where or other: but that wee should hold our selues all wholly vntoo him. That therfore is the meaning of the things that S. Paule speaketh heere.
Theruppon he addeth, that it behoueth vsus all too bee buylded, and too growe intoo a spirituall building, euen too God, and in the spirit. First, whereas he sayeth, that wee must bee builded: it is to stirre vsus vp so much the better to growe dayly more and more in faith. He vseth also the word Growe: and he meaneth in effect twoo things. The one is, that wee must not thinke our selues too bee so perfect as neede were that wee should bee, as some fantasticall heads d…o, whom yee shall see so puffed vp with ouerweening, that they imagine themselues too be wize ynough, and disdeyne too looke vppon Gods word, or too giuegive eare vntoo it to be taught by it. But wo worth such pryde: for wee cannot bee disciples of our Lord Iesus Christ, but by knowing that it behoueth vsus too bee grounded in him, and too profite in him al the tyme of our life.… For Gods word is of such height, bredth, and length, that if a man should forbeare eating, drinking, and sleeping, and buzie himselfe all wholly about that: yit should he neuer knowe all. So then wee ought too trauell in it al our life long, knowing that God intendeth as now but onelyonly to set vsus in the way, and that wee must go foreward by little and little, and bee hi…d continually in humblenesse and modestie.
Agein, S. Paule sheweth vsus, that too bee se…tled in our Lord Iesus Christ, and too bee furthered in all the good things that are giuen vsus by him: wee must hauehave his word, that wee may bee builded vpp… it, and growe vppon it more and more: and that too bring the same too passe, wee must bee teachable: and from day …oo day labour too seeke new helpe there too strenghthen our fayth withall, which shal neuer be perfect in this world, as we fynde sufficiently by experience. Thus yee see what S. Paule ment by that▪ which he sayeth here, concerning our growing and going forward in the sayd building, howbeit vntoo the Lord, sayeth he: shewing therby that too hauehave a goodly show, is not all (that is re…uired at our hands) but that the cheife point is, that God like well of vsus, and that wee bee wholly giuen vntoo him, so as he hauehave place and roome in vsus, and dwel in vsus as in his Temple. For the Papists wil make a farre greater showe then wee on the … side: they hauehave great multitudes, wherwith they bee p…ffed vp … the vttermost. A…d theruppon they despyze vsus, bycause wee bee but a handfull of men (in comparison of them.) What, (say they) dooth not Christendome extende through all Europe, Greece, and Affricke? And yit see how these rascals that hauehave nother authoritie nor credit, nor any thing else in them, will needes be counted the Chruch. Yee see then that the Papists shake vsus of with diuelish pride & malapertnesse, bycause they hauehave on their syde great pomp, and all manner of riches, insomuch that if a man go intoo their temples, he is rauished at them, as if he were in an earthly paradice. But al is not gold that glistereth. And although their pompe bee able too bleare the eyes of poore ignorant soules, whom we see too bee caryed away in deede with such things: Yit are they all no better but abhomination before God. And so S. Paule sheweth vsus that wee must not spite the Papistes, though they be very many in number, and greatly multiplyed: for they bee but a head without a body, or rather but a bumbasted and counterfet body. Too bee short, that which the Papists terme their Church, is a very monster. For it hath no head, bycause Iesus Christ hath not preheminence ouer it, no nor any part or portion in it. Too the end therefore that wee might knowe how wee should growe: it is sayd vntoo vsus, that wee must grow vntoo the Lord, and in Spirit, sayth S. Paule. Heere he draweth vsus backe from all worldly superstitions, dooyng vsus too vnderstand, that they bee but pelting trashe, yea and very dung before God, who abhorreth them.
Therfore wee must growe in spirit. And verily wee see that the shadowes of the Lawe …assed immediatly as soone as wee had the accomplishment and substance of the body, that is too wit, our Lord Iesus Christ. And now that he is come, wee must not gaze any longer vppon those figures. Sith it is so, wee ought much rather too giuegive o…er the things that men bring in. How hygh and excellent so euer they be, let vsus cast them from vsus, as filthinesse, & hold our selues cōtent with this, that our Lord Iesus Christ wil hauehave vsus to build in him after a spirituall manner. And so yee see how his doctrine ought too bee sweete and amiable too vsus, yea and too rauish vsus all wholly in louelove with it, so as wee may giuegive vp the world with a free harte, and giuegive our selues too our Lord Iesus Christ. But on the other syde also let vsus beware, that the iudgment which he threatneth vntounto such as cast asyde this stone, lyght not vppon our heades, according too this saying, Behold,1. Pet. …. a. 6. I lay a precious stone in Sion. Seing then that Iesus Christ is giuen vsus too bee our foundation, wee hauehave there a precious stone, whervppon if wee bee builded, wee may bee sure of our saluation. And wee neede not bee afrayd that he is not strong ynough too vphold vsus, so as he will neuer fayle vsus. But if wee fall to iustling ageinst that stone, it is cer…ein that wee shall not bee able too stand ageinst it, but wee shall sink downe vnderneath it, and in the end it shall brooze vsus, and beate vsus all too peeces. Therfore let vsus take heede that our Lord Iesus Christ turne not intoo a stone too stumple at, after the manner of the world which now adayes maliceth him, insomuch that eueryevery man settes vp his bristles proudly and rebelliously, too come russhing ageinst him: but let vsus bethink our selues well, and be meekely dispozed too yeeld our seruice too him, that he may maynteyne vsus vntoo the end.
And although wee see Iesus Christ too bee reiected of the world, and it may seeme straunge vntoo vsus that men should fyght so ageinst him, and that he should bee as a whyte to shoote at: yit let vsus not ceasse too take him still for a precious stone, as Saint Peter counselleth vsus in the second Chapter of his first Epistle.Luke. 2. …. 34. Yee see then that when wee heare these promises which Saint Paule telleth vsus of, wee ought on the one syde too bee drawen too our Lord Iesus Christ, too giuegive our selues wholly vntoo him, and too forge… all the things that seeme most excellent in the world: and on the other syde too beware that our vnthankfulnesse bee not punished for disdeyning too receyue him as a precious stone, sith that God telleth vsus that all our welfare lyeth in this, that is too wit, that wee bee his Temple, and that he bee called vppon at our handes. Therefore let vsus profit our selues by so great and inestimable a benefite, and let vsus still growe and increase therin more and more, vntill wee come too the heauenly heritage, where wee shall hauehave full frui…ion of all the good things which he maketh vsus …oo feele as yit but by fayth.
And now let vsus fall downe before the Maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgement of our sinnes, praying him too voutsafe too wy…e out the rememberance of them, so as they may not come too account before him: and that therwithall he so correct vsus, as wee may cleaue fully vntoo him, and he so beare with our infirmities, as wee may not ceasse too resort vntoo him freely at al tymes, though wee bee not woorthy of it. And so let vsus all say, Almighty God heauenly fafather▪ &c.