Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 19
The .xix. Sermon, which is the fourth vppon the third Chapter.
13. VVherfore I beseech yee faynt not for my trubbles, vvhichwhich I endure for your sake, which is your glory.
14. For the vvhichwhich thing I bovv my knees too the father of our Lord Iesus Christ:
15. (Of vvhom all kinred is named in heauen and in earth.)
15. That according too the riches of his glory, he graunt you too bee strengthened vvith povver by his spirit in the invvarde man.
IT is a woonderfull thing that men hauing so many meanes too come vntoo God, labour too go from him as much as is possible, and eueryevery strawe makes them too turne head: and yit notwithstanding think themselues too hauehave a very reasonable excuce, if they can say, I was letted by this and that (which shalbee nothing at all,) but the least occasion that can bee, wyll serue, bycause their seeking alreadye is too shrinke away from God. And this is too common now adayes. For they that are desyrous too iustifye themselues, bycause they reiect the doctrine of the Gospell, will alwayes fynde fault with the causes of offences. O say thy, this trubbleth mee, this maketh mee too mislyke the doctrine of the Gospell, this maketh mee too forsake it vtterly. All that euer they can alledge shalbee but tryfles, but yit had wee neede too labour so much the more, too ouercome all the lettes and stoppes which the diuell indeuoreth too cast in our way, so as wee may still keepe on our trade and course. And that is the thing whereat S. Paule ameth heere, exhorting the Ephesians not too bee thrust out of the way, but too holde on still truely and constantly in the fayth of the Gospell, notwithstanding that they might be offended too see him a prisoner, and as good as condemned already. Now it is certein, that Saint Paules suffering in mayntenance of the thinges that he had preached, was not too make them swarue from Gods pure truth: but contrariwyse he protesteth, that it was too their glory, so as they myght tryumph aforehand, considering the inuincible constancie that was giuen him. But (as I hauehave sayd already) besydes the thing that I hauehave touched alredy, there is such a naughtinesse rooted in our nature, that wee bee well appayd, if wee can hauehave any outward colour too shrinke away from God, and we beare our selues on hand, that we bee quite and cleane discharged. Howbeit S. Paule spake not this for that one people, but he giueth heere an instruction that ought too serue vsus at this day: which is, that although the most part of the world bee mad at the Gospel, and fight as much as they can, too quench the rememberaunce of our Lord Iesus Christ, and although the faythfull bee persecuted, diffamed and tormēted: Yit must we not swarue aside, nor be out of hart, considering that it ought to confirme our fayth the more in our Lord Iesus Christ, and that wee hauehave wherof to glory, seeing God holdeth vp his Church by strong hand, so as it is not vtterly oppressed and ouercome. If the Gospell were receyued without geinsaying, and with one common accord, surely we should hauehave cause to blisse God for it, and there should bee a melodie betweene heauen and earth, so as both men and Angels might with full mouth magnifie Gods goodnesse so shi…ning foorth vppon all men: But yit the fighting of men ageinst the Gospell, is a sure recorde vntoo vsus, that God is the author of it, inasmuch as they that are imprisoned for it, and drawen euen vntoo death, ceasse not for all that too stand stedfastly in it.2. Kings. 6. c. 16. God then vttereth there a wounderfull power, and it appereth, that for all that euer Satan can doo, wee neuerthelesse hauehave proofe that God is on our side, and fighteth for vsus, and vpholdeth vsus by his power. Not that he exempteth vsus from affliction, but he will alwayes giuegive vsus victory, and that ought to suffize vsus. Thus the thing which wee hauehave too remember vppon this Text of S. Paules, is, that wee must bee readie too receyue all the alarums that Satan shall make vppon vsus, and that although wee see the doctrine of the Gospell ill receyued of the world, so as it is not only despyzed and disdeyned, but also hated, and the vnbeleeuers are inflamed with a diuelish rage too destroy it: Yit notwithstanding we must not beare it the lesse reuerence, for wee must not measure Gods maiestie by the opinions of mē. Put the cace that God were eueryevery where despyzed, according as most men are in deede so churlish and vnthankfull, that they bee as monsters shaped ageinst kind, yit must not God loze the right that wee owe him. For notwithstanding the rebelliousnesse of such as would wrap God with them in their iniquities, wee ought too honour him with all humilitie. Euen so is it also with the pure doctrine of the Gospell. Although then that the world set themselues ageinst it, & many men trample it vnderfoote, so as some mocke at it, some gnashe their teeth at it, and fires are kindled for it: Yit let vsus still quietly and obediently receyue the things which wee knowe to come from our God. Thus then yee see how our fayth ought always too keepe on his way, and that although many practizes and enterprizes bee attempted ageinst the faythfull, and a man shal eueryevery where heare of nothing but confederacies, threatenings, outrages, and such other things: yit wee must not ceasse too fight stoutly vnderunder Christs banner,Luke. 21. d. 19. & to possesse our soules in pacience. And heereunto ought this saying of S. Paules to serue, that it is our glory: for our fayth should bee as good as dead, if God tryed it not. Neuerthelesse when wee see the faythfull so examined, wee hauehave alwayes so much the better warrant of the doctrine that is giuen vsus of God. Trew it is, that it ought too bee grounded in heauen, that is too say, vppon the aucthoritie of God alone, without hauing respect too any creatures. For the very Angels of heauen were not able too authorize the Gospell: Gods maiestie must bee fayne too come foorth for vsus too leane vntoo, and then shall wee neuer bee shaken downe. Notwithstanding, when the Martirs sticke not to giuegive their liues in the witnessing of Gods truth: then (as I sayd afore) wee bee, or ought too bee the more stirred vp too receyue the doctrine, and it is as it were sealed vp in our harts. Forasmuch then as persecutions serue too confirme the doctrine the better: therfore S. Paule sayeth, it is our glory, and that wee ought too triumph at it, seeing that God dooth so mainteyne and strengthen them whom he sendeth intoo that battell.
For it is certeine, that in respect of the frayltie of the fleshe, they shoulde quayle by and by. But that they get the vpper hand, let vsus mark, that it is Gods dooing, who woorketh after so manifest a fashion, as wee hauehave cause too glorifie him for it. Now if when wee bee trubbled, wee bee tempted too shrink, and too giuegive ouer at eueryevery brunt that is put too vsus: it is a token that wee hauehave not the skill too profit our selues by the meanes that God giueth vsus, too drawe vsus to him, and to make vsus sticke too him with trew stedfastnesse. Therfore let vsus fyght ageinst our own weaknesse, and ageinst the naughtinesse of our nature, that when wee see how the diuell practyzeth too ouerthrowe the Gospell in maner eueryevery where, wee may consider, that God forgetteth not those that are his, but strengtheneth them in such wyze with his power, that their fayth getteth the vpper hand, to the end that we shold hope for the lyke, and that when wee bee at ease and rest, wee should not ceasse too prepare our selues after their example, that when it shall please God too reach out his hand vppon vsus, and too make vsus take our turne and course, wee may bee fenced a long whyle aforehand, and not bee possessed with such imagination as some bee, which beare themselues on hand, that they shal neuer feele any greefe or trubble: but that wee may alwayes be redy armed to fyght. Herewithal S. Paule sheweth, that it is not ynough for vsus to be only taught: for we should not ceasse for all that, to be alwayes fretting, and to be as men more than half out of their wittes, vntill God made his doctrine too take such place, as wee were touched too the quicke with it.
Now then, hauing exhorted the Ephesians, he sayeth, I bowe my knees before the father of our Lord Iesus Christ. If exhorting too the end that eueryevery man myght be of courage, had bin ynough: S. Paul would not hauehave added that which he speaketh heere of prayer. But to the intent too shewe what the Ephesians had too doo: he falleth intoo the way before them too giuegive them an example. And therfore let vsus marke, that when wee shall hauehave had our eares beaten with Gods woord, to shewe vsus our dewtie, and thertoo not only bin instructed, but also exhorted and spurred forward: yit will there alwayes bee some sloth, coldnesse and rechlesnesse in vsus, so as the doctrine shal stand vsus in smal stead, vntill God touch vsus with his holy spirit. And this serueth too beate downe al pryde in vsus. For a number thinke themselues able too woork woonders, who feele themselues beguyled, when they come too the pinch. Wee see what happened too Peter. He promised, yea euen vnfeynedly,Math. 26. g. 35. that he would not shrinke from his Mayster, though he should dye for it. Yee see how Peter made a stout brag. Surely he made it not but of a zeale, which a man would say, is good and holy, and he ment too hauehave had the same intent so settled, as too hauehave shewed it at the neede: and yit notwithstanding, the stout wordes of a sillye wenche made him too deny Christ, and he was redy too hauehave denyed him a hundred tymes, insomuch that he fell to cursing & banning. Seeing wee hauehave such a looking glasse, let vsus acknowledge our owne weaknesse in Peters person, and (as S. Paule sheweth vsus heere) let vsus resort too him that hath all power in him. For it is not ynough for vsus too knowe our disease, vnlesse wee seeke the remedie of it. First of all then, let vsus rid our selues of al foolish opinions, wherwith the world is imbrewed, as that a man may bee able too ouercome all temptations by his owne free will: and rather let vsus learne too abace our selues vtterly, knowing that when as God is so gracious to vsus, as too teache vsus by his woord, the same is not too inable vsus too doo it, but onelyonly too hold vsus the more giltie and conuicted therof, too the end wee should not make a sheeld of ignorance. Let that bee one poynt.
Yit notwithstanding, let vsus not stay there: but for asmuch as we be weake of our selues, and Godhath all strength in him: let vsus repayre vntoo him. For it is certein, that he calleth and allureth vsus vntoo him. And therfore let vsus not thinke that wee shalbe disapoynted, when we cast our selues downe so as half dead, or rather as starke dead at his feete, not doubting but that he will lift vsus vp agein. And so Saint Paule speaking of his praying too God heere, was not alonly too protest that he discharged his dewtie: but too the intent that the same should serue for an example too all the faythfull, that vppon the knowing of their wantes: they myght resort only vntoo God, knowing that he holdeth vsus vp continually by strong hand, and that after he hath once giuen vsus fayth, he addeth also such inuincible constancie, that wee stand out too the end. This is it in effect which wee hauehave too beare in mynd. And therfore let vsus take warning, not too trust too our owne wit, nor too presume anie whit vppon our own power and strength, when wee come too heare Gods woord: but too desyre our God, that lyke as he hath voutsafed too hauehave his woord preached vntoo vsus by the mouth of a man, so he will also speake vntoo vsus inwardly, and in secret by his holy Ghost, that by that meanes the doctrine which wee hauehave heard, may take roote, and bring forth profit and fruite. And moreouer, sith wee see by experience, that God requyreth more of vsus than our power and abilitie can auoord: let vsus desyre him too supply our wantes, according too the example that I hauehave set downe alredye, which is, that it is cleane contrarie too our fleshly reason, that wee should go too death if neede bee, and forsake the world and our owne lyfe. This is not too bee found in man, if he followe still his owne reason and will. God therfore must bee fayne too woorke in this cace, and too remedie our infirmitie. But although that too suffer for the Gospell, and too go too death as it were with blyndfolded eyes, and not too bee turned away, nor striken downe for anye thing, bee verye hard things, and such as passe all abilitie of man: yit will God stand by vsus in such sort, as wee shall ouercome all distresses, if wee arme our selues with the weapons that he giueth vsus: that is too say, if vponupon the knowing of his will, wee being vnable too walke as he commaundeth vsus, doo pray him too giuegive vsus legges, and too strengthen vsus in such wyse as wee may ouercome all. This doone, a man cannot say, that this doctrine is vnprofitable. For why is it that our Lord giueth vsus those things by his holy spirit, which we hauehave not by nature? Euen too make the doctrine auaylable, so as it may not disappoynt vsus. They then which doo slaunderously say, that if wee cannot followe God of our owne freewill, it were better too forbeare preaching, bycause it is but lost labour: they (say I) wote not what order God keepeth too assure vsus too himself. And experience sheweth well ynough, that the preaching of the word is but an instrumēt wherby God worketh in secret. If wee bee fully resolued of that, then shall wee verye well perceyue, that God agreeth very wel with himself, in that he will hauehave the Gospell preached too vsus, and yit telleth vsus, that it should stand vsus in no stead, except it pleazed him too woorke in our hartes by his holie spirit. Now in saying that the Gospell is an instrument, it is all one as if a man should say, that a plowman with his Plowgh … and all other things,1. Cor. 3. b. 7. were an instrument, and yit not therfore the cause why the earth bringeth … fruites.Math. 6. b. 11. And why? For God keepes that too himself: and in that respect doo wee aske him our dayly bread. For wee must vnderst…d, that as a father hath care of his children, and as yee would say, puts the meate intoo their mouthes: so will God hauehave vsus too receyue our sustenance at his handes. And for that cause he sayeth, that when the people should bee come intoo the land of Canaan,Deut. 9. a. 4. although they should till and manure the ground, yit should they not say, this hauehave I gotten with my owne hand, but all acknowledge that they were may…teyned by the woord that proceedeth out of Gods mouth,Deu. …. a. 3. that is too say, by the inward grace which God giueth too his creatures, so as wee bee fed therby. For all the labour of man can nothing auayle, vnlesse God blisse it. And what then shall wee saye of the thing that is much more excellent? For is not the foode of our soules much preciouser than that which serueth but for our bodies? therfore let vsus not thinke, that it is ynough for vsus to come to a sermon, or too reade (Gods woord) eueryevery man by himself: but wee must also resort vntounto God, that he may giuegive vsus increace. And for the same cause dooth Saint Paule set downe this similitude,1. Cor. 3. b. 6. that he which planteth, is nothing, nor yit he that watereth, but that it is God that giueth the increace from aboue. And he speaketh not there of the laborers of the ground, but of the sowers of Gods woord, and of such as manure his Church with continuall exhortations. Albeit then that wee take neuer so great payne: yit shall wee doo no good at all with our labour, except God woorke with it by his holy spirit. But when he woorketh with vsus, then is our labour auaylable, and then it is sayd,Rom. 1. b. 16. that the Gospell is the power of God too the saluation of all that beleeue. For God dooth so vtter the power of his holy spirit, that the preaching of the Gospell, and the secret and inwarde woorking of the holy Ghost, are things so ioyned toogither, as they cannot bee separated. And so yee see in effect what wee hauehave too remember vppon that saying of S. Paule.
Now hauing spoken of praying, he sayeth, That yee may be strengthened in the inward man, by the power of his holy spirit. Here he sheweth vsus the weaknesse that I spake of afore: for if we perceyue not our owne neede, we will neuer voutsafe too resort vntoo God lyke poore beggets. We know that man being left to himself, will neuer acknowledge his owne pouertie, except it bee proued too his face. To the end therfore that wee should come vntoo him vnfeynedly, and with trew lowelinesse: it is for our behof too feele by experience, that we can doo nothing at all, and that wee bee vnprofitable in respect of all goodnesse, vntill our Lord hauehave renewed vsus. That is the thing which Saint Paule intended too make vsus too vnderstand. For though all the world generally doo seeke help at Gods hand, yit is there scarce one too bee fonnd among a hundred, that dooth it truely and without hipocrisie. For if a man could serch what is in some, he should fynd them redye too burst lyke Toads, with pryde and filthinesse, and that they presume woonderously vppon themselues. They will go seeke succour at Gods hand, and yit thinke they hauehave their seeking in themselues. Surely it is too excessiue a leaudnesse, but yit is it a vyce that reygneth too much. Howsoeuer wee fare, if wee desir God too reache out his hand too succour vsus: let vsus lerne first of all too abace our selues, and let vsus know, that wee hauehave not sufficient strength of our owne nature, but that the same must bee fayne too come from aboue, and from his holie spirit, as S. Paule hath expressed heere. That yee may bee strengthened (sayth he) by the power of his holy spirit. No doubt but he maketh comparison here of things cleane contrarie. For so long as a man can doo ought of himself, Gods spirit needeth not to supply the roome. But forasmuch as all power proceedeth of Gods free goodnesse: therin it is shewed vsus, that wee can doo nothing of our selues, and that all the strength which wee surmyze our selues too hauehave, is but smoke that vanisheth away, and a starke illuzion of Satan, who seeketh too holde vsus fast in some fond selfweening, too the intent wee should not repayre too our God, and so be left vtterly destitute. And besides this, Saint Paule sheweth further, that it is a free bestowed benefyte, that is too saye, a benefyte that proceedeth of Gods onelyonly free gifte, too the intent wee should not imagin, that when God succoreth vsus, he hath an eye too any thing else than our wretchednesse, or that he dooth it for any good disposition that he sawe should bee in vsus. And that is the cause why he succoreth vsus in all our needes. And therfore Saint Paule sayeth heere, that it standeth vsus on hande too bee strengthened by the power of his holy spirit, and that the same is a free gifte.
Now he sayeth, acording too the richenesse of his glory. Wherfore is it, that he magnifieth the riches of Gods goodnesse so much, but to beate downe all the fond opinions wherwith men besotte them selues, in weening too bring, I wote not what, of their owne, and by that meane too make themselues haylefellowe with God? Therfore it behoueth vsus to beare this thing wel in mind. For S. Paul speakes too such as had shewed great strength already: but yit was it meete that God should alwayes hauehave the prayse of it. They were in great forwardnesse, and had fought already for the Gospell: and yit Saint Paule wisheth, that they might bee strengthened. Heerein wee see that wee bee so farre vnable too begin too doo good, that euen when God hath set vsus in the way, when he hath reached vsus his hand, yea and when he hath continu…d his grace in vsus from day too day:Phil. …. b. 13. Yit if he do but turne away his hand one minute, wee bee quite quayled. And so wee be warned (as wee hauehave seene afore) that as God is the beginner of our saluation, so is he the worker of it throughout, and there is nostedfa…nesse in vsus, furtherfoorth than wee bee vphild by him, and by his holy spirit. And therfore wee ought too bee prouoked too pray dayly all the tyme of our life. For they that forget themselues, and fall as…eepe, shall soone f…ele themselues bereft of Gods grace. And why? They bee not worthy of it, bycause they seeke it not with continuall care. Therefore too waken vsus throughly both from our slouthfulnesse and from our rechelesnesse, wee must beare in mind, that seeing God hath called vsus into his Church, and touched vsus to the quicke, to receyue his Gospel with trew obedience: the same ought to strengthen vsus so much the more too the end. Let that serue for one poynt. Agein, let vsus vnderstand, that God must needs shewe the riches of his glory, when he increaseth so his holy spirit in vsus by degrees. For must there not needes bee an infinite treasure of his goodnesse, when he draweth vsus so to him at the first sight? In what plight we are when God chozeth vsus and taketh vsus too him? He draweth vsus not onelyonly out of a stinking puddle, but out of the bottom of hell. For behold, the thing that we bring with vsus by inheritaunce from our mothers womb, is cursednesse, and to be as enemies to God, and too hauehave nothing but starke malice and rebelliousnesse in us, and too be blynd wretches, and (at a word) too bee giuen too all euill, so as Satan reigneth ouer vsus, and wee bee his bond slaues, and are hild downe vnderunder the tyranny of sinne. Now then seeing that God hath pitied vsus, in respect that we were so miserable creatures: Needes must it be, that he vttered the great riches of his goodnesse in that behalfe, and meete it is that he should bee glorified for the same. And (as I hauehave sayd already) wee ought too be the better touched therwith, that like as he hath adopted vsus for his children, so wee may shewe our selues willing too take him for our father. But howsoeuer wee fare, although he hauehave reformed his image in vsus, yit must he bee fayne too vtter the riches of his goodnesse, and too increace his gifts in vsus, and too make vsus too go on still with our course. And it standeth vsus so much the more on hand to beare this doctrine in mind, bycause wee see the worlde hath bin beguiled with these toyes and opinions, that eueryevery man myght well put foorth himselfe through his owne freewill, or at leastwyse prepare himselfe too come vntoo God. And agein, that Gods ad…ing of grace vppon grace, is, bycause men hauehave vsed well the grace that he had giuen and bestowed vppon them before. Now as touching the first poynt, how is it possible that wee should bring aught of our selues too win Gods fauour withall? seeyng wee bee lyke poore dead men, and as …otten carkesses, what preparation can wee make too purchase fauour at Gods ha…: Must not men need as bee woorse than be witched, when they conceyue such …yes? Wherefore let vsus learne too father the beginning, continuance, and end of our saluation vppon God, and too shim all those diuelish illusions, (which seeme to maynteyne) that God in adding of grace vntoo grace, hath a regarde how eueryevery of vsus hath deserued it. For contrariwyse S. Paule telleth vsus, that in this care we must hauehave nothing before our eyes, but Gods goodnesse in shewing himself so liberall towardes vsus, that he neuer ceasseth too doo vsus good. He is not lyke mortall men, which will say, I hauehave doone thee good ynough already, content thy self: but lyke as he hath shed out the gifts of his holy spirit intoo vsus, so he is moued too increace the measure of them, till wee bee come too the full heyght of them, that is too wit, too full perfection.
Now hereunto Saint Paule addeth expresly, the inward man: for wee would fayne that God should alwayes strengthen and increace vsus in this world, but in the meane whyle the heaue…y lyfe is as nothing with vsus. For some would shewe themselues valiant, and they bee so rauished in their owne conceyt, that they weene themsel…es too bee as Angels, so as men may speake of their deeds of prowesse, and that they may bee taken for proper men, and purchace themselues reputation. That is one kynd of strength that men desire. Others desyre too increace their substance by merchandyse, or too get riches and possessions by any meanes howsoeuer it bee. Othersome couet too bee in credit and authoritie. Too be short, the meanes wherby wee would hauehave God too shewe himselfe bountifull towards vsus, is in pleasing our sensualitie and earthly lusts. But on the contrarie part, Saint Paule bringeth vsus too the inward man, that is too say, too the spirituall lyfe, which is vnseene of vsus, sauing that wee hauehave record of it. For after the same maner dooth he speake of the inward man lykewyse too the Corinthians,2. Cor. 4. d. 16. saying, that the outward man corrupteth, but yit the inward man is renewed. What is it then that Saint Paule meaneth by the outward man? Riches, bodily health, honour, credit, authoritie, and (at a woord) all that wee couet of our owne nature. Those are the things that are ment by the outward man. Now (as I sayd afore) wee would fayne bee strengthened in those things, but in the meane whyle we despyze the inward man, that is too say, the things that belong too the heauenly lyfe. And why? For wee see them not, bycause wee bee grosse witted, and intangled in this world. Therfore Saint Paule sheweth vsus heere, that if God list too diminish vsus too the worldward, wee must be are it patiently, and he sayeth the lyke in the Text which I am about to alledge. For when the faythlesse and heathenish sort which hauehave their treasure in this world, doo see themselues go too decay: they sygh and say, alas, where are the armes that I had in time past? where bee the leggs? & therupon they fall too repyning ageinst God. Agein, if a man that was riche bee diminished, and God cut of the things that he possessed: he is in horrible vnquietnesse, and hee had leuer too bee alredye buryed, than too see his wings clipped after that fashyon. Agein, they that are led with ambition, and seeke nothing but honour & estimation in the world, if they be once out of their accustomed credit, they thinke all is lost: But on the contrarie part, Gods children, which shet their eyes willingly at all the things which hauehave a fayre glosse here beneath, and behold the heritage of heauen by fayth, are not so vexed when they see themselues diminished euen in eysyght, & that God maketh them to drop away by little & little: they take al in good worth.2. Cor. 1. a. 5. And why? For they hauehave an eye to the chaunge: which is, that by that meane God reneweth them, too giuegive them the thing that is vnseene, and too make them take corage agein, as though the kingdome of heauen were hard at hand. So then, the thing that Saint Paul sheweth vsus now, is, that looke as eueryevery of vsus is caryed away with his owne foolish lusts, so would hee hauehave God too yeelo to his fondnesse. And contrariwyse, by his praying bnto God to strengthen vsus, he sheweth vsus, that it must not greeue vsus, though wee decaye as in respect of our bodyes, so wee hauehave the spirituall cheerelynesse that maye make vsus too drawe neerer and neerer vntoo our God, and too looke still too the kingdome of heauen, which cannot fayle vsus, assuring our selues, that the bringing of vsus lowe, is too the end wee should bee exalted on hygh,2. Cor. 5. a. 1. and that although we must go downe into the graue, yit it is not too perish there altoogither, but too bee renewed agein. Wherfore let vsus suffer our selues too bee so abaced, that wee may bee set vp agein by the power of our God. And although wee be poore despyred creature… in this world, let vsus suffer it patiently, and therwithall let vsus not ceasse too warrant our selues that God will woork in vsus as he promiseth.
And furthermore let vsus mark wel, what S. Paule setteth downe heere: for he vseth not the single name of God, but sayeth, The father of our Lorde Iesus Christ, of whom all kinred is named in heauen and in earth. Now hereby hee sheweth vsus first of all, how familiarly wee may go vntoo God, as hath bin touched alredye. And the last sunday this text was declared sufficiently,Ephe. 3. c. 12. where he shewed vsus, how we may come vntounto God. But there he did set fayth in the first place. Seeing then that wee hauehave assurance that the gate is opened for vsus, wee may bee bolde too go in vntoo God. And this fayth ingendereth trust in our hartes, and trust giueth boldnesse. These are the three steppes that Saint Paule did set downe there. And heere he sheweth vsus how wee obteyne that priuiledge: that is too wit, bycause God hath not only his heauenly Maiestie too bee worshipped of vsus: (for although wee ought too honour him in that respect, yit would it so astonishe vsus, as too make vsus shun his presence as much as wee possibly could:) but also addeth the tytle of father, and sayeth, that he taketh vsus for his children, by meanes whereof wee hee no more afrayde of him, but may come fa…l…arly too him whensoeuer occasion serueth, forasmuch as he hath his armes open too receyue vsus. This is an article well woorthy too bee mynded. For if wee cannot call vppon God, what will become of vsus? in what plyght shall wee bee? It is sayd, that all our welfare lyeth in hauing our recourse vntoo God. Now if wee thinke that God wil heare vsus,Iames. …. a. 6. when wee pray doubtingly and debatingly: wee beguile our selues, as sayeth S. Iames. Therfore wee must n…t bee as reedes that are shaken with eueryevery wynde, or lyke the waues of the sea. But wee must bee well and throughly assured, that God which calleth vsus too him will not disappoynt vsus. Wherfore when wee pray vntounto God, it must be with trust, that wee shall not loze our labour. But how may we come by that? For behold, God hath … incōprehensible …, & what a distance is there betweene him & vsus? Though we could … aboue the cloudes, yit could wee not come nygh God, by reason of the infinite hyghnesse that is in him, for the heauens comprehend it not.
Then should wee bee as folke forlorne and vainshed away,1. Kings. 8. c. 27. if Iesus Christ were not there as a meane to make vsus way. And that is it which S. Paule meaneth heere, when he sayeth, that he prayeth too the father of our Lord Iesus Christ, too the end wee might …, that he is not farre from vsus, if wee hold the way that he sheweth vsus, that is too wit, if wee make Iesus Christ our aduocate, to beare word for vsus,Hebr. 9. d. 24. and speake as it were by his mouth. For he is entred intoo the Sanctuary of the heauens, too present himselfe there on our behalf, that it might he all one, as if he bare vsus vppon his shoulders, and bo…h wee and our prayers bee accepted and allowed of God, and wee bee sure that they vanish not away intoo the ayre, but that God … them as well as if he were hard by vsus, according to his promise made in the Psalme, which is, that he wilbe neere at hand to all such as call vponupon him in truth.Psal. 145. d. 18. Had this bin well considered, the wretched world had not troubled it self so much, in seeking too Hee Saints and She Saints, too bee their patrons and aduocats. As for example, when the wretched Papists say, that they must hauehave the Uirgin Mary & S. Michaell for their intercessors, and other Saints, whom they hauehave deuyzed of their owne brayne: ho (say they) wee bee not woorthy too come in Gods presence. It is very trew: but his vnworthinesse of ours ought also to make vsus too seeke the remedye which God hath appoynted for vsus, that is wit, too repayre too our Lord Iesus Christ, who is the way that leadeth vsus too his father, according too this saying of his, I am the way,Iohn. 14. …. 6. the truthe and the lyfe: and whatsouer yee ask of Go… my father in my name, shalbe graunted you. There our Lord Iesus promiseth, that whatsoeuer we ask of God his father in his name, shalbee doone vntounto vsus: and therby he warranteth this doctrine. Therfore let vsus mark at a woord, that in asmuch as our Lord Iesus offereth and putteth foorth himself too bee the way too lead vsus vntounto God his father, wee must not go raunging vp and downe, but if wee will needs seeke any other way, wee shall but stray, and neuer bee at any certeinetie to come vntoo God. Furthermore, too the intent wee may bee contented with Iesus Christ alone: let vsus beare well in mynd how he sayeth, that all our requests shalbe heard, if they bee grounded vppon his …. Yee see then, that the thing which Saint Paule ment too shewe … first place, is, that as oft as wee pray vntoo God, wee must assure … selues, that although wee bee vnworthy too come vntoo him, yit notwithstanding he ceasseth not too accept vsus, and our prayers are a sacrifyze of good and acceptable sent vntoo him, when we acknowledge him too bee the father of our Lord Iesus Christ.Iohn. 17 …. …1. But yit must … also adde, that which the Gospell sheweth vsus, that is too wit, that … bee members of his only sonnes bodie. For had wee no allyance … Iesus Christ, we should gayne nothing by knowing him too bee the sonne of God. But forasmuch as wee bee made one with him, and he boutsafeth too communicate all his goods vntoo vsus: therfore wee may well call God our father. And for that cause also did he saye … disciples, I go my way too my God and your God, too my father and your father.Iohn. 20. c. 17. Thus much concerning the first poynt.
And heerewithall wee must marke well also, how S. Paule addeth for a larger declaration, that all kinred both in heauen and earth is named of him. In saying so, first he sheweth that the Iewes ought to be ioyned vntounto the Gentyles, and that for asmuch as the Trumpet of the Gospell is blowen, Gods grace must bee preached abrode eueryevery where, that men of all Countries and Nations may call vppon God: And therby also it is shewed vsus, that although wee come of the heathen which were erst cut of from the kingdome of God:Ephe. 2. d. 19. yit wee bee now made his household folke, and registred among the Citizens of heauen, and God auoweth vsus too bee so. And so yee see that by the father of our Lord Iesus Christ, an also bycause Iesus Christ is made our head, and hath receyued vsus for his body: yee see (I say) that all kinred is named of him, bycause God voutsafeth too take vsus too him, yea euen vsus poore wretched creatures, which are not woorthie too bee of the number of the woormes of the earth, yit notwithstanding he not only voutsafeth too admit vsus intoo the companie of the Iewes,Exod. 19. a. 6. which were a holy linage, the chozen people of God, and his owne inheritaunce:1. Pet. 2. b. 9. but also hath taken vsus intoo the fellowship of the Angels of heauen.Apo…. 5. c. 10. For Saint Paule is not contented heere with setting downe a kinred among men, too shew that he meane…t of the faythfull is matched with Abraham, Dauid, Peter, and Paule: but he sheweth, that he is matched euen with the Angels (of heauen too.) And soothly we may well hauehave that digniti… seeing that Iesus Christ himselfe voutsafeth too bee our brother, and hath knit himself to vsus in the bond of brotherhood. Thus yee see how wee should bee guyded in praying vntoo God, that wee may coine vntoo him in feare and reuerence, considering his maiestie which is infinite, and more… uer not too bee abashed at it, ne too turne away, but vnderstand that inasmuch as God hath voutsafed too take vsus for his children, and our Lord Iesus Christ is ordeyned our mediator, too the intent wee … come vntoo him▪ wee may come with full trust before … of grace, and not sticke too cal God our father with open mouth, …cause he hath shewed,Hebr. 4. d. 16. that he taketh vsus for his children, and wee hauehave Iesus Christ for our brother by adoption,Rom. 8. c. 15. and wee neede not too doubt but that all the Angels of heauen acknowledge and auow vsus for their brethren, when wee come too God so ioyned too our Lord Iesus Christ: lyke as on the contrarie part also if we swerue from that marke, wee must needes bee cast of, and the Angels must beecome our enemyes and aduersaries, and set themselues ageinst all the prayers that wee can make.
Now let vsus fall downe before the maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgment of our faultes, praying him too voutsafe too reforme our lyfe in such wyse, as wee may shewe by our deedes, that wee hauehave not lost our tyme in going too his schoole, and indeuer and inforce our selues too please him in all things: and that forasmuch as wee bee not able too serue him alwayes in perfection, he will voutsafe too beare with our infirmities, & to beare them vp in the meane whyle, so as wee may not ceasse too resort still vntoo him, seeing the neede and necessitie wherwith wee bee pinched. And so let vsus all say, Almyghtie God heauenly father. &c.