Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 25
The .xxv. Sermon, which is the fifth vppon the fourth Chapter.
11. And the very same hath giuen, some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Euangelistes, and some Shepherdes and Teachers.
12. For the reparation of the Sainctes, too the vvoorke of administration, and for the edifying of the body of Christ.
WEe hauehave seene heertoofore how our Lord Iesus Christ hath not withdrawen his power farre from vsus, though he bee exalted aboue the heauens. There is a greate distance betwixt him and vsus, as in respect of the absence of his body out of the world: but yit doo wee finde him alwayes present by the power of his holy spirit, and by that meanes dooth he fill all things. And now S. Paule sheweth, that this maner of filling, is too the intent that eueryevery faythful man, should with al lowlinesse serue his owne turne, with the giftes and grace which it hath pleased our Lord too bestowe vppon those whom he hath set in his Church too gouerne it: and that on the other syde, they that hauehave receyued the larger measure, should not aduaunce themselues for all that, nor drawe alone by themselues, but indeuer too doo seruice too the common benefyte, saluation, and welfare of all Gods children. The summe therfore of that which S. Paule was mynded too say, is, that Iesus Christ hauing all riches in him, hath not delt therof vntoo eueryevery of vsus part and partlyke, at leastwyse so as wee should all bee throughly perfect: (for he ment it not) but that he hath distributed them by measure.1. Cor. 12 b. 11. And in very deede, the order which he hath set in his Church sheweth it. For all are not Prophetes,1. Cor. 12 d. 17. all are not Teachers, all are not Euangelistes. Then dooth it follow, that Christ intendeth too distribute his giftes by certeine measure. And theruppon wee hauehave too conclude, that he which presumeth of himself, and surmizeth that he hath all that is requisite: dooth foully deceyue himself twoo wayes. For there is not that man which hath receyued such perfection, but that he hath neede too profit still with his brethren. That is one poynt. Agein, he that is the excellentest of all others, is most bound too doo good with the things that God hath cōmitted to his charge, or to his trust as a pa…n. On the contrary part, the meaner and the ignorant sort, must not enuye them that go before them in lerning and wisdome, bycause it is Iesus Christes will, too hauehave it so, and so must it bee, seeing he will hauehave his Church gouerned by the meanes of men. Now then wee see wherat the Prophet amed: namely that wee should so suffer our selues too bee filled with the spirituall giftes that belong too our saluation, as none of vsus refuze too bee taught by the meanes of men. Let vsus not belyke these fantasticall persons, who would hauehave God too send them some reuelation from heauen, and that they myght hauehave no neede of preaching or reading. Let vsus not bee caryed away with such foolish ouerweening: but let all of vsus both great and small, submit our selues soberly too the order that our Lord Iesus Christ hath set: which is, that such as hauehave greate skill, and are well seene in thee holy scriptures, and hauehave the gift of teaching, should streyne themselues too serue the whole Church as they bee bound too doo:Iohn. 1… b. 8. for too that end hath God aduaunced them aboue others. And that the meaner sort and the ignorant, bee not enuious for that they see not them selues too hauehave lyke portion: but consider that it is ynough for them that God forgat them not, but that the dealing of his gracious giftes (after that maner,) was too their profit and saluation. It was Gods will that all things should bee made common, and that eueryevery member of the bodie should hauehave his part of them, at leastwyse so the order bee alwayes kept.
Now S. Paule in saying, that our Lord Iesus Christ gaue Apostles, and Prophets, and Euangelistes, and Shepherds, and Teachers, dooth vsus to vnderstand, that the preaching of the Gospell, and the meeting of men toogither too heare the holy Scripture expounded, is not a thing inuented by men: but that God hath so ordeyned it, and our Lord Iesus hath set it downe for a lawe, and wee must keepe it without breaking of it. For in good sooth, were it not set downe by the souereine authoritie of the sonne of God, men are so hygh mynded, that many of them would shake of that yoke. What hauehave I too doo (would eueryevery man say) too bee taught by my fellowe? Seeyng wee hauehave the holy Scripture among vsus, ought wee not too fetch thence whatsoeuer is meete for vsus too know? Why then should any one man bee preferred before the rest of the company? Thus would there bee an horrible disorder in the Churche, so as no man would submit himselfe too bee taught. No man would bee a learner, too hauehave a mayster or teacher ouer him, vnlesse wee were fully perswaded and resolued, that that order was not of mans deuyce, but that it is a gouernment set downe for all the faythfull by the sonne of God,Math. 1… d. 40. who will hauehave them heard, which hauehave the charge of teaching,Luk. 10. c. 16. as men sent by him, telling men that they despyze him, and do him wrong, and rebel ageinst him and his father, if they receyue not his doctrine with all humblenesse, and that whosoeuer will bee taken for a Christian, must also bee a chyld of the Church. And so yee see in effect what wee hauehave too remember, when S. Paul imputeth the hauing of Prophets, Teachers, & …, vntoo the person of Iesus Christ.
Furthermore, too the intent wee should bee the more gentle and tractable, and make no sticking too receyue the doctrine that hath bin preched vntoo vsus, and to bee alwayes lerners in the scoole of our Lord Iesus Christ: Saint Paule telleth vsus also, that when wee hauehave good and faythfullteachers, and others that labour too shewe vsus the way of saluation: it is a signe that our Lord Ie…s Christ hath not left vsus, nor forgotten vsus, but that he is present with vsus▪ … watcheth for our saluation and welfare. Therfore let vsus not … men can put them selues foorth of their owne head: for … too speake one woorde too the glorie of Iesus Christe,1. Cor. 12 a. 3. except it … gyuen hym (from aboue) and that the holie Ghoste gouerne his tung▪ And in very deede it is for the same cause that it is sayd,Psal. 119. 99. that the holie … is a wisdome which passeth all wit of man,1. Cor. 2. d. 14. and that the … man vnderstandeth no whit of it, but that God must bee fayne too reuele the things too vsus which else are too hygh and hidden from vsus. Now then, when wee see the holie scripture truely expounded, and applyed ryghtly too our vse: let vsus assure our selues that Gods spirit giueth vsus record that he abydeth among vsus. Wherfore let vsus lerne to receyue so excellent a gift, assuring our selues that it is the homage which our Lord Iesus demaundeth at our hands. And that is a cause also why the Gospell is called the kingdome of heauen.Math. 3 …. 2. For wee beewray ryght well, that wee take not God for our king, nor are willing too honour our Lord Iesus Christ whē he is sent vntounto vsus, if we suffer not our selues too bee gouerned by the meanes that he commaundeth and alloweth, which is, the preaching of the Gospell, wheruntoo wee must yeeld such obedience, as too receyue the doctrine of it without geynsaying, so that he which hath the charge of teaching acquit him self faythfully, and the residew bee not so hygh mynded, as to say, tush, I may forbeare it well ynongh, but receyue the things willingly which are spoken too them, and suffer themselues too bee taught, for feare least they should resist the sonne of God, that wee may continew in them all the tyme of our lyfe, as shall bee declared more at length agein anon.
Now besydes this, Saint Paule by the diuersitie of the offices which he setteth downe, expresseth yit better how greatly forecasting our Lord Iesus Christ hath shewed himself for the saluation of those that are his, in that he hath left nothing behynd, which was requisite & conuenient too bring them too the heritage of saluation▪ Wee must note here concerning these offices which S. Paul reherceth, that some of thē serued but for a tyme, as the office of Apostleship. For they were not chozen of purpose too continew too the worlds end, …ut only too publish abrode the doctrine of the Gospell, vntill it was receyued through the whole world (I meane in all kingdomes and Countries) though eueryevery man shewed not himself obedient vntoo it.Math. 10. a 1. Then was there that speciall reason why our Lord Iesus Christ ordeyned the twelue Apostles,Gala. 2. b. 7. vntoo whom Saint Paule was ioyned afterward to preach among the Gentyles: and it was as an entering intoo the possession of his kingdome. But after that the Gospell was once authorized after that maner, the office of Apostleship ceassed. Yit notwithstanding, they had companions and helpfellowes, who were not of equall degree … in commission with them, too sowe abroad the seede of … them dooth Saint Paule name Euangelists or Gospellers. According wheruntoo,2. Tim. 4. b. 5. wryting vntoo Timothie he sayeth▪ Go through diligently with the woork of an Euangelist, Those twoo Offices then serued but for that tyme.
Now as touching the Office of Prophetes: wee hauehave it not so excellent now adayes (as it was then,) as men see. For God hath abated his giftes, bycause of the vnthankefulnes of the world. Not that he sheweth not him self as liberall as is requisite for our saluation: but bycause that howsoeuer the world go, wee bee vnworthie too hauehave his treasures so largely powred out, as they had them at the first vpspring of the Gospell: therfore dooth he giuegive vsus but a small portion of them▪ Howsoeuer wee fare, the Prophetes serued too bee as it were expounders of Gods will, and had a much hygher vnderstanding in the scriptures, than the common Teachers had, whose office was too instruct.
As for the Shepeherdes which S. Paule speaketh of, they bee the Ministers of the word, which hauehave ordinary charge to teach in some place. As much is too bee sayed of the Teachers, as wee see by example of the Church of Antioche, in the thirteenth of the Actes.… Trew it is, that none can bee a Shepeherd except he teache: but yit for al that, the Teachers hauehave a seueral charge by th… selues: which is to expound the scripture, that there may be alwayes a good & sound vnderstanding of them, & that the same may hauehave his … in the Church, so as …erisies & false opinions … that the fayth may abyde … and sure aboue all things. … the Teachers▪
Therfore wee see by the report of S. Luke, that the Apostles were not tyed to any one certein place, nother did Iesus Christ ordeyn thē to that end.Marke. 16. c. 15. Preach yee the Gospell (sayeth he) too all creatures. And for that cause, according as occasion was giuen them, and as gappes were opened vntoo them for the preaching of the Gospell, they imployed them selues about it, and were not tyed any certein place. And why? For their commission reached further. Yee see then that the Apostles had charge too go too and fro, and had no resting place: that is too say, they had not the charge of any seuerall Church commited vntoo them, so as they myght say, heere will I abyde. As much is too bee sayd of the Euangelistes: for they went about the world too, except it were when they were called particularly too some place. After that maner had Timothie bin chozen for a tyme: howbeeit for as much as he could yll bee forborne in the office of an Euangelist, he was fayne too shift his place,Ti… 1. b. 5. now one where, and now another where. Titus was alloted too the Ile of Candie. Trew it is that he was not yit altoogither settled there: but yit was he fayne to hold him to that church, howbeeit that he was remoued too and fro, according as the present oportunitie and neede requyred. And heerin wee see how these leaud folk which would peruert all order of gounerment, and seeke nothing but confuzion, doo spyte God, in saying that a man must not tary alwayes in one place, but followe the example of the Apostles. But that is a flat mocking of Iesus Christ, as wee see by this text. Yee see then how wee hauehave too marke, that the Apostles were as Trumpets too proclayme the Gospell eueryevery where, and that they had Euangelistes in lyke charge with them, too beare them company. But yit in the meane whyle there were Prophetes also, which were conuersant more in one place than in another, after as it pleased God to distribute his grace. Yit neuerthelesse there were of them in eueryevery Church, according as wee see that in the Epistle too the Corinthians,1. Cor. 13. …. …. that S. Paule standeth myghtyly vppon that poynt, shewing that the gift of prophesying ought too bee preferred before all other giftes, bycause it is more profitable,Act. 14. d. 23. and serueth more too the edifying of the Church. As touching Shepherdes,Tit. 1. b. 5. & …. Tim. …. d. 2…. wee see how S. Paule and his companion Barnabas ordeyned of them eueryevery where, and also how he commaundeth Titus & Timothy to cause the churches to be so prouided, as they myght alwayes hauehave some Shepherd too guyde them: for otherwyse there would bee nothing but disorder. Now then sith wee see that the choyce of Ministers and Shepherdes was made by the authoritie of Iesus Christ, and they had as it were their place appoynted them, too say, Thou must looke about thee heere, as if a man were set in a bulwarke or in some Tower to keepe it, when it were in any daūger: it becommeth eueryevery man to keepe his place, and not to couet too gad heere and there, but too hold him self bound too the place where he is. This (say I) is the thing which wee hauehave too marke, when S. Paule speaketh of such a varietie.
Too bee short, let vsus learne that our Lord Iesus knewe whatsoeuer was profitable for the welfare of his church, and that he shewed it in hauing a care that the faythfull myght not want anie thing, but that they myght hauehave sufficient and conuenient meanes too draw them too the kingdome of heauen. Now a dayes wee hauehave no more the office of Apostleship (as I told you before:) nother hauehave wee anie ordinarie Euangelistes: but yit for all that, God dooth neuerthelesse drawe vsus vntounto him, and giuegive vsus all helpes that are meete for vsus. In deede he chastyzeth our vnthankefulness, and bycause he sees his word despyzed, he giues vsus the things with a wet finger (as they say,) which wee should hauehave more fully, if wee had such zele to them as were requisyte. Yit notwithstanding let vsus not thinke our state too bee the worse, bycause wee hauehave none Apostles now adayes: for it were more than needeth. It was ryght necessarye, considering the confuzion and disorder of the popedome, that God should stirre vp men which were not chozen according to the order of the Church: but yit he gaue them grace, and they serued his turne. But now that there is order set both heere and elswhere where the Gospell is preached: wee must come backe too the thing before alledged, namely that when God giueth vsus such Shepherdes as labour too guyde vsus faythfully, and thervntoo wee hauehave Teachers also, which are able too mayntaine the purenesse of the doctrine among vsus, and too strengthen vsus in the pure truth of the Gospell, and too withstand all sectes and errours: wee must vnderstande that that grace ought too bee so esteemed, wee must not grudge ageinst God. Moreouer it is very certeyne, that if the Gospell were receyued with such reuerence and earnestnesse, as it deserueth: God also would bee more bountifull on his syde. Wheras wee see now so fewe good Preachers, yea & that there step vp a sort of dirtdaubers woorse than naught, and farre leauder than the Moonkes in the poppedome, which are as redie to preache Mahomets Alcoran, as Christes Gospell, so they may keepe their liuings styll: and when besydes those, wee see also a sort of drunkardes that hauehave no more zeale than Swyne, but are as mastiues that barke not, ne neuer open their lipes but too confound lyght and darknesse toogither, that all things myght be put out of order: Let vsus vnderstand that God executeth iust vengeance vppon the despyzing of his Gospell. For let vsus see a little what the humilitie and submission is which men yeeld vntoo God for all their hearing of the sound of this doctrine, and for all his setting vp of the scepter of his Gospell, to shew that he is mynded too reigne ouer vsus. Wee see that most men could fynd in their hartes to hauehave no religion at al. Agein, they that make fayrest countenance, would yit full fayne that the Gospell were styll but a shadowing place of Ceremonies. And howsoeuer the world go, they bee loth too beare anie yoke, they cannot abyde too bee rebuked for their vyces, but they would hauehave a beastly licenciousnesse: condicionally that they myght doo what they list, they would bee contented that the Gospell should bee preached, as who should say, they would graunt it vntoo Iesus Christ by composition and couenant. But in the meane whyle, all is but hipocrisie, and they cannot so conceale their counterfetting, but that the world dooth well see that they bee as shamelesse as harlots. For doubtlesse, a man shall find more religion and feare of God in the popedome, than among those that are in the places where the Gospell is preached. But the mischeef of all mischeeues is, that a sort of these naughtipackes step vp intoo the chayre of truth, of whom some are drunkardes, some whoremongers, and some blasphemers: and too bee short, there is such wickednesse among them, as is horrible to see▪ Sith wee knowe this, let vsus cast downe our eyes, and condemne the vnthankfulnesse and rebelliousnesse that is in vsus, as the cause of all the disorder that wee see. But howsoeuer the world go with vsus, yit if our Lord bee so benificiall too vsus still, as too hauehave his doctrine preached too vsus: therin wee hauehave a sure and infallible token, that he is neere at hand with vsus, and that he seeketh our saluation, by calling vsus vntounto him, as though he spake with open mouth, and that wee sawe him personally before vsus. Then can we not fayle nor bee deceyued, in assuring our selues that Iesus Christ calleth vsus too him, and that he holdeth out his armes open too receyue vsus, as oft as the Gospell is preached vntoo vsus. And wee neede not too seeke reuelations from heauen,Deut. 32. c. …4. nor too wander abroade: for seeing that the woord is in our harte and mouth, what would wee more? Who shall flye vp aboue the cloudes?Rom. 10. b. 8. Who shall go down into the deepes? let vsus assure our selues that God offereth himself vntoo vsus in the person of his only sonne, when he sendeth vsus preachers and teachers.
And herwithall let vsus still hauehave an eye too that which I sayd afore: which is, that they too whom God giueth most of his grace, must consider that by that meanes they be the more bound to imploy them selues in the place that our Lord hath assigned them too, and wheruntoo it is his pleasure too appropriate them. He then that hath knowledge, must not exalt himself for it, but consider that he is a better too the whole bodie,Rom. 2. b. 14. and (theruppon) examin well how he may serue too the glory of God, with the things that he hath put him in trust withall, and make the gift which he hath receyued profitable,Math. 25. b. 20. assuring him self that the vse therof is common too all men, and that although God hauehave committed it too his custody, and will hauehave him too bee the keeper of it: yit must he not hold it as a treasure, locked vp in a hutch: but impart it abroade to such as want it, and hauehave neede of it. Herwithal also let vsus keepe vsus frō enuying of those whom it is Gods will to honour after that fashion, that there bee no spytefulnesse in vsus too say, Why, and is it meete that such a one should bee preferred before mee? For in so dooing wee spyte God. And therfore let eueryevery of vsus knowe his owne state and degree, and not stand in contention with our God, assuring our selues that the thyngs which he hath ordeyned in his Churhe, are doone by vnreuocable iudgment. Wherfore let vsus abhorre these madbraynes, that would take away the order which wee see too bee grounded vppon the authoritie of the sonne of God. There are, that thinke the preaching of the Gospell too bee a needelesse thing, and that it serueth as it were but for little children, and that they them selues hauehave the holy Ghoste (at commaundement,) too reuele things too them from heauen eueryevery minute of an houre. But it is certeyne that the Diuell blyndeth them in that ouerweening, and men knowe that he had wonne the goale, if the meane of our saluation were abolished and taken away. For lyke as S. Paule sayeth, that the preaching of the Gospell must serue too make the Church perfect,1. Cor. 1. c. 21. that wee may bee brought too the kingdome of heauen: so on the contrary part, when there is no more any doctrine or Shepherd, the diuell must needes so ouermayster vsus, as wee shalbee scattered asunder, and nothing shall remayne but ruine and destruction. Seeing then that this order is not of men, let vsus learne too submit our selues vntoo it, and let all of vsus both great and small without geynsaying, suffer God too guyde vsus … that meane, seeing it hath pleased him too appoynt it. Also wee see how Gods children are called the children of the Church. And S. Paule sheweth that our Lord Iesus will reigne ouer vsus,Rom. 10. b. 8. with condition that his woord bee alwayes in mens mouthes. He sayeth not, that the Angels shall come to reuele vntoo vsus the things that God will hauehave vsus too knowe: but he sayth, that wee must vnderstand Gods will by their meanes which hauehave the charge and office too tell it vsus. For lyke as in the tyme of the Lawe, it was sayd,Mal. 2. b. 7. that the Priestes were Gods Angels, and that men ought too inquyre at their mouth: so now also God will not hauehave vsus too flitter in the ayre after our owne fancies, but too go too the fountayne which is open for vsus when wee list too drinke. If a man would go seeke the head and welspring of a fountayne (I meane as it is hidden in the earth) and would hold scorne too drinke vntill he had found it: would not men take him for stark mad and besyde him self? Yis that would they. But behold, God hath prouyded for our infirmytie, in that he will not hauehave vsus too make to long wyndlasses too be taught his woord faythfully. For he maketh the welspring too come home too vsus, which was hidden and farre of from vsus, I say, he maketh it to come home too vsus as it were by Cundites, so as we neede doo no more but open our mouthes too receyue it. Lyke as when there are fayre Cundites that runne with continewall water abundantly, men will come too drawe at them for their needes: so was it our Lordes will that his woord should bee set foorth vntoo vsus, by his ordeyning of men too bee the instrumentes of his holy spirit. Then seeing it is so, let vsus learne too hold vsus too it: and if wee will bee taught of God, let vsus receyue the doctrine that is preached to vsus by the mouthes of men. This say I, is the thing that we hauehave too remember vppon this text, too the intent wee bee not so foolish as too say, Why hath not God giuen mee such grace or gift? Why is it his will too vse such meane? Let vsus content our selues with this, namely, that his ordinance ought too suffize vsus, and that if wee will needes fall too reasoning of the matter, wee shall euer bee put too shame, bycause there is is no wisdome but only his good will. Also let vsus mark that which is sayd immediatly in this text: namely that it is Gods will that there should be order of ministery or Seruice. As if it were sayd, God could well bring vsus too perfection by him self, without any other meane or helpe: Howbeeit for as much as he will bee serued by men, and he applyeth them too such vse, as he maketh them ministers, so as mē perceyue that the prayse of our saluation is alwayes dew to him, & that all goodnesse cōmeth of him: it behoueth men to submit thēselues therto. But here it might be thought straunge why Saint Paule in sted of speaking of the giftes of the holy Ghost, bringeth vsus vntoo Offices. For he began with this matter, namely that our Lord Iesus Christ gaue giftes according too the measure which he knoweth to be fit for vsus, and that in dyuers maners, by meanes wherof he filleth all things. Now to confirme this he sayeth, that there are Apostles, Shepherdes, Teachers and Euangelists. It should seeme that S. Paule dooth not well continew …he processe of the matter that he treated of. But heere wee hauehave too note, (as wee see also more largely in the first too the Corinthians,1. Cor. 12. a. 4. &. 13. a. 2. that for as much as our Lord Iesus hath stablished the order that wee hauehave spoken of alredye, and contineweth the same still in his Church, so as it is his will that there should bee Shepherdes, Prophetes, and Thechers: he dooth also furnish them out of hand with the things that are requisite for the executing of their office. For he dealeth not after the maner of men. Wee for our part may chooze one man to bee in office of Magistrate, and another too bee a Preacher: but in the meane whyle wee cannot giuegive them that which is requysite for them. For wee cannot make a new man of him that is aduaunced too honour: but he must abyde still the same that he was for all vsus. Also when it commeth too the election, eueryevery man giues his voyce. Uery well, he that is chozen shalbee officer: but yit in the meane while, he shall continew still the same he was before. In lyke cace is it with Shepherdes. Wee may well chooze a man, and he shall perchaunce proue a beast. For wee cannot cause him too bee qualified as he ought too be. But when men are of Gods owne choozing, so as he beareth the whole sway: then are the giftes ioyned inseperably with their charge.Math. 4. c. 18. Whē our Lord Iesus choze his Apostles, he choze sillie fishermē, & such as were vnlearned, & yit did he serue his turne with them for the publishing his of Gospel: howbeeit not too teach as yit, but too go abroade as his herawltes, too giuegive warning that the King was come. But when he intended too send them foorth too their office for adoo, he sent them the holy Ghost,Actes. …. a. 4. shewing therby (as is sayd in many other textes,) that all things requisite for the welfare of the Church, must needs come of his free gift, bycause it is well kn…wen that all things proceed of him, too the end that all prayse should be giuen vntoo him. Then is it no maruell that S. Paule speaking heere of the diuersitie of giftes, and of the measure that it hath pleased God too deale too eueryevery man, dooth send vsus purposely too the offices. As if he should say, It is not without cause that God distributeth not his giftes in alyke too all. For he will not hauehave all men Shepherdes, or Prophetes, or Teachers, or Apostles, or Euangelistes: but he calleth whom he thinkes good, and therin tryeth our humilitie, and therfore if wee bee willing too bee subiect too him, let vsus not sticke to take al authority in good woorth, which is grounded in him, and vppon his ordinance. Now it is so, God letteth many men alone in priute state, and in the meane whyle choozeth whome hee thinkes good too preache his woord. Therfore men must hold them there.
Furthermore let vsus mark, that if men proceede too their elections with the feare of God, and seeke too obey him: surely he also will shewe by effect, that they whom he hath called too teache, and to whom the charge of ruling the flocke is committed, shall not bee destitute of his power, but that he will furnish them with all things requisite, as experie…nce sheweth wel ynough, and it is witnessed vntoo vsus, that if wee meete toogither in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ,Math. 18. c. 20. (so it bee truely and vnfeynedly) he will be in the mids of vsus. Thus yee se… what wee hauehave too beare in mynd. Yit notwithstanding wee see that the papacie hath so contryued men and framed them too their owne Lure, as they bee vtterly gone away from the order of our Lord Iesus Christ, and from the maner of gouerning the Churche, which was knowen of the Apostles.
Let vsus looke backe agein to the thing that Saint Paule treateth of heere. His meaning is too bring vsus too the vnitie afore mentioned. Therfore he will hauehave vsus too bee of one accord, too link toogither like brethren, and too shoote all at one mark, as hauing but one head which knitteth vsus all toogither, so as there bee nother enuy, nor ill will, nor sects, nor aught else that may deuyde vsus. Now too bring vsus heruntoo, he sayeth, that there is (but) one God, and one Lord, too whom all Souereintie is giuen, 1. Tim. 2. b. 5.and that there is but one Baptime, and one Fayth, and that vvee bee called al too one inheritance. After the saying of this, hee addeth that Iesus Christ (for the better ratifying of that vnitie) would that one man alone shold teach the rest, & that the companie should giuegive eare too him, and therwithall that all of vsus as well he that speaketh, as they that heare him, should hauehave one selfsame fayth. For asmuch then as all of vsus cannot bee Apostles, Teachers, and Prophets: he hath chozen some of vsus too bee in that state and office, to the end wee myght bee brought too the sayd vnitie, and Iesus Christ bee aknowledged for our head, and all of vsus bee gathered toogither vnderunder him. Lo how S. Paule speaketh of it.
But now if there had bin anie cheeftie or supremacie, so as it had bin Gods mynd too hauehave assigned a seate in this world, the Bishop wherof shoulde hauehave had superioritie ouer all the Churche, and his Commission hauehave reached so farre, that his souereintie must hauehave taken place eueryevery where: surely Saint Paule would not hauehave forgottē it, or else if he had, it had bin a very fowle fault. Spake he by the holy Ghoste, and yit left he out the principall and most conuenient poynt of his matter? (No:) and therfore if there were no more but this only text, surely it were ynough too confound the shamelesnesse of the Papists, when they say, there must needs bee an vnderhead in this wrold, and that bycause Iesus Christ is gone out of this world, therfore hee must needs hauehave a Uicar. But it is certeine that Saint Paule ment too shewe the thing which wee hauehave seene in other texts: which is, that Saint Peters Apostleship extended not vntoo vsus. For he was appoynted peculyarly too the Iewes,Gala. …. b. 8. as is declared in the second too the Galathians. But howsoeuer the cace stand, wee see heere the continewall order, which wee must keepe, and wheruntoo wee must hold vsus, if wee mynd too be subiect too our Lord Iesus Christ. And that is not to hauehave a Pope: but that euerye Churche hauehave his Shepherds and Teathers, according too their neede, acording too the number of the people, and according as the place requyreth: that when wee bee so knit intoo one bodie of a Churche, wee may hauehave a lawfull gouernment, which it is vnpossible for vsus too forbeare, by reason of our rawenesse and the weaknesse of our fayth, in respect wherof it standeth vsus on hand too hauehave the remedye which our Lord Iesus Christ hath giuen vsus, that men may hold themselues too his saying and authoritie. That is it in effect which wee hauehave too mark vppon this streyne.
Agein, Saint Paule procedeth afterward too shewe vsus the inestimable benefyte which wee hauehave by such order, and the fruite that wee reape of it. For (as I hauehave touched afore) men are so hygh mynded, that eueryevery one would bee a Lord. Therfore there is nothing better than too knowe that God woorketh our welfare by ordeyning this order of gouernment, namely that there should bee Shepherds to teache vsus. For it is as a fyghting ageinst our owne saluation, whē wee play the stubborne fooles, and will not lyke of the thing that God hath ordeyned for our souerein welfare. Truely if there were no more but this, namely that God hath so willed. Wo woorth him that dares checke ageinst the maiestite of his maker. Yit notwithstanding the worlde seeth our naugtinesse: and although wee graunt it too bee good reason that wee should obey God, yit can wee not fynd in our harts too do… it willingly and with a free hart, except wee see immediatly before our eyes, that it is for our profit too doo so, and that Gods intent was not alonly too humble vsus vnderunder him, but also too aduaunce vsus therwithall, by willing this order too bee kept. And so yee see wherat Saint Paule amed heere. For it is not ynough for vsus too reuerence the thing that God commaundeth, or too tremble at it, too the end too doo it half perforce, and half of good will: but wee must go too it with an earnest desyre. And how may that bee doone? By knowing that it is for our profit. Now sith wee knowe it is so, and specially that it standeth vppon our saluation▪ Wee ought well too apply all our wits vntoo it: Or else our vnthankfulnesse wil bee the lesse tolerable, when wee fall too thrusting away of the thing that God affereth vsus, not so much for any respect of himself, as for our profit. That then is the thing which Saint Paul intended, in saying, that the preaching of the Gospell and the appoynting of men expresly too that purpose,Phil. 2. b. 14. is too linke vsus toogither, that there myght bee no dissension among vsus.
And on the contrarie part Saint Paule declareth also, that all fantasticall persons which reiect common order, and would bee so spirituall, as if they were rauished aboue the Clouds: are separated from the bodie of the Churche, a…d therwithall renounce God, by reason wherof they ought to be euen abhorred, and shumed as deadly plages, bycause they set dissension in the Churche. For bee wee neuer so desyrous of vnitie, yit shall all that wee can doo bee in vayne, if wee hold vsus not too the thing that Saint Paule speaketh heere, that is too say, that our Lord Iesus intended to knit the knot fast and sure in his owne bodie. And therfore if any man say, he wil withdrawe himself from the obedience of the Churche: it is all one as if he would cut asunder the senewes of a bodie. I pretend peraduenture too louelove some bodie, & yit notwithstanding cut asunder the senewes of it euerywhere, so as the whole bodie being disioynted and dismembered, falleth in a swond, and finally rotteth quite away. Euen so standeth the cace with vsus. For wee should link toogither, and God hath prouyded verye well for it. As how? By giuing vsus Prophets, Teachers, Shepherds, and Euangelists. Now if wee reiect them, what else is too bee sayd, but that wee bee mynded too breake asunder al the vnitie which our Lord had appoynted too bee among vsus? To bee short, Saint Paule sheweth heere, that all such as doo not submit themselues too the doctrine of the Gospell, and yeeld reuerence too the minister therof, are deadly enemyes of Gods people, and seekers of their owne confusion, & therfore that men ought too shun them as woolues, bycause they bee vtterly intolerable, inasmuch as they procure the ouerthrowe of the Churche, despyze God in the things that were well ruled, and forsake the perfection of all good things.
Too bee shorte, Saint Paule addeth immediatly after, that it is the edifying (or building vp of the bodie of Christ. And this serues also to make those yit more abhorred, which wil not yeeld themselues to this spirituall gouernment that our Lord Iesus hath allowed of. For the bodie of our Lord Iesus ought too bee precious vntoo vsus. In deede it had bin ynough if he had sayd, the Church. But by vsing this honorable tytle, Saint Paule sheweth vsus, that it is too beynous treason, for vsus too seeke too rend the bodie of our Lord Iesus Christ in peeces. Now it is so, that it cannot be builded vp, that is too say, it cannot bee brought to perfection, nor continew in good plyght, but by meane of the preaching of Gods woord. So then if wee bee willing that God should be honored and serued, & that our Lord should quietly hauehave his royal seat among vsus, to reigne in the mids of vsus: if we be willing to be his people, & to liue vnderunder his protection: if we couet too bee builded vp in the him, & to be ioyned vntounto him, & to continue in him vntounto the end: to be short, if we desyre our saluation: we must learne to be humble schoollers in receyuing the doctrine of the Gospel, & in herkening to the shepherds that are sent vsus, as if Iesus Christ spake too vsus himself in his own person, assuring our selues that he wil allow of the obedience & submission of our fayth, whē we herken to the mortal men vntounto whō he giueth that charge. Therfore let vsus shew the desyre which wee hauehave that God should be honored, & also the desire and care which we hauehave of our owne saluation, & of the common welfare and edefying of the Churche: which thing will then come too passe, when all of vsus both great and small doo giuegive our consentes, that Iesus Christ shall hauehave his instruments wherby too speake vntoo vsus, and drawe vsus vntoo him. Which order if wee obserue, he will so blisse vsus therby, as wee shall hauehave cause too glorifie him, for that wee shall see how it hath alwayes bin his will too procure the saluation of our soules, and that he is euer at hand with vsus, and will so woork, as wee shal not want any thing that is for our behoofe or profit.
Now let vsus fal downe before the maiesty of our good God, with acknowledgment of our faults, praying him to make vsus so to feele them, as we may be cast down in our selues, & seeke nothing else but to be set vp agein by him, & that our Lord Iesus may hauehave such preheminence ouer vsus, as we may honour him as he deserueth, that wee beeing vnderunder him in his keeping, may bee so guyded by his holie spi…i…, as his woord may profit more and more in vsus, and shewe foorth his strength, and he so beare with our infirmities, as he may neuer ceasse too take vsus for his owne, so long as wee liue in his world, vntill wee bee all gathered vp toogither intoo his kingdome. That it may please him too graunt his grace, not only too vsus, but also too all. &c.