Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 36
The .xxxvi. Sermon, which is the fourth vppon the fifth Chapter.
11. HaueHave not too doo vvith the fruitlesse vvoorkes of darkenesse, but rather rebuke them.
12. For (as for) the things vvhichwhich they doo in secret, it is a shame euen too name them.
13. But all thinges are layd open vvhen they bee rebuked by the lyght: for the lyght is it that layes all things open.
14. VVherfore he sayth, awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ vvillinlyghten thee.
WEe hauehave seene this morning, that although there bee many things in the world too turne vsus away from the seruing of God: yit must we not therfore swarue as though that myght serue vsus for an excuce. For there hauehave bin stumbling blockes in the world at all tymes: but the remedie for them is this doctrine, that is too wit, that Gods children must stande vppon their gard, that they corrupt not themselues by companying with the v…beleeuers, bycause God hath sholed them asunder. And it is not ynough for vsus not too bee drunkardes, whoremongers, theeues, or murtherers: but wee must also shun all manner of euill wheresoeuer it bee. In deede wee ought too begin alwayes at our selues:Luke. 6. f. 41. 42. for hipocrites will alwayes spye a mote in their neyghbours eye, and yit beare a great stone in their owne, without feeling it. But if wee will bee ryght and sound Iudges, let eueryevery man examine himself, and begin there in condemning vyces. Let vsus consider well whether wee our selues bee faultie or no, that wee may first and formest make our owne indytement before God, by hating the euyll that is in our selues. Howbeeit wee must also shewe therwithall, that wee louelove God better than the world, and not maynteyne our selues in fauour and freendship of the wicked, by foading them in their faultes, and by flattering them. And for that cause S. Paule addeth, that wee must rather euen rebuke the woorkes which can bring nothing but vtter cursednesse. And this serueth, not onelyonly too shewe the zeale which wee hauehave that God should bee honored: but also too withdrawe sillie soules that are in the way too destruction, and too bring them backe agein intoo the way of saluation. Lo heere twoo causes which ought too moue vsus too reproue euill. The one is, that it must irke vsus too see God offended, and men prouoke his wrath by ouerthrowing the order that he hath set. Seeyng then that God is by that meane despyzed, and his woord troden vnderunder foote: it ought too greeue vsus, according too the Psalme,Psal. 69. b. 8. where it is sayd, that wee ought too receyue too our selues the reproches that are offered too God. Also we ought of dewtie too hauehave a care of those that are redeemed with the blud of our Lord Iesus Christ. If wee see the soules go too damnation which did cost God so deere, and make no reckening of it: it is a scorning of the blud of our Lord Iesus Christ. And euen for that cause also dooth S. Paule tell vsus, that inasmuch as wee bee separated from euill, too the intent wee should not be companions of such as despyze God, nor in any wise bee lyke them: wee must too the vttermost of our power shew, that we hate them, to the end that they beyng by that meanes ashamed of their leaudnesse, may bee touched with repentance. If wee hauehave once profited so farre: it shall bee a great gayne too hauehave drawen backe a wretched soule that was in the way too destruction. And after the same maner speaketh Saint Iames of it, exhorting vsus too doo it, saying: The thing that you shall gayne by it,Iam. 5. d. 20. is, that you shall saue a soule from loozing. And although men bee hardened in their sinnes: yit is it too great purpose for vsus too shew the zeale that we hauehave of honoring God, and that his woord should not bee so impeached, nor the order broken which he hath set, without declaring that the same displeazeth vsus. For if a man will bee knowen too bee a good and faythfull subiect, he will not suffer any man too speake euill of his Prince, without setting of himselfe ageinst him. (Lykewise,) that chylde shall bee taken for vnkynd and vnhonest, which heareth his father wrougfully …lamed and defaced, and maynteyneth not his honour or honestie.
Now, is not God our souerein prince? Yis: and although wee bee but wretched woormes of the earth, and vyle caryons: yit dooeth he the honour vntoo vsus too adopt vsus for his children. Now then, if wicked and heathenish folk deface his maiestie, and darken his ryghtuousnesse, yea and indeuer too plucke his dominion from him, and wee dissemble at it: is it not too excessiue and intollerable a leaudnesse? Therfore let vsus mark well what is told vsus heere. For it standeth vsus so much the more on hand too mark this text, bycause this vyce hath reigned in the world in all ages: namely that according as eueryevery man is more or lesse desyrous too be flatttered, so dothe he the eas…yer beare with other men, not after the maner which wee hauehave seene heertofore, which is that wee ought too hauehave compassion of such as are weake, and too vse pacience towards them: but cleane contrariwyse, that is too wit, that wee bee contented too feede the euill, and too enter continually into a willing confederacie toogither: and too the intent that other men should not sift vsus too narrowly in our vyces, but let vsus alone too doo what wee list, wee giuegive eueryevery man leaue too take lyke libertie too him self. And that is the cause why all things are out of order now adayes in the world. Agein, wee bee loth too prouoke any mans displeazure ageinst vsus, insomuch that we had leuer betray God, and too betray our neyghbours bothe bodie and soule, than too vse the libertie that Gods spirit commaundeth vsus. Wee see a wretched man play the naughtipacke: let him follow his owne swindge, (say wee:) it maks no matter too vsus. And why? for wee wil not discontent him. Agein, we see othersome peruert all order of Iustice, and infect the whole people and countrie. And wee passe it ouer easly without speaking ageinst it. And why? O I will not bring my self in displeasure with a man of authoritie. Let some other bodie leade the daunce, and I will willingly say, Amen too it. And if he were hanged on a Iebet a whyle, he had but his desert. But no Godhamercie too mee in the meane whyle. For why? I will not go put myself in any hazard (for the matter.) Thus are vyces passed ouer nowadayes. But yit will not God giuegive ouer his ryght for all that. For the sayd sentence shall stand inuiolable on his behalf, and according too the same shall wee be condemned as full of treason, that is too wit, wee shalbee hild for companions of the wicked, if wee play the blynd and deaf (beasts) when wee should restreyne naughtinesse by setting of our selues ageinst it, and (as much as in vsus lyeth) doo suffer Gods honour too bee so abaced, as all honestie is ouerthrowen, and wee say nothing too it. Therfore ought wee too bee the more attentyue too this warning too rebuke euill, and (as I sayd afore) by shewing (too the vttermost of our power) that wee mislyke of it, and also by being diligent too let it, if it lye in our power too doo it. If eueryevery man imployed him self after this sort, surely wee should see another maner of soundnesse in the world. For what is the cause that Gods name is so much blasphemed? It is for that the blasphemies are cloked, and eueryevery man had leuer too defyle him self with other mens leaudnesse, than too purchace any disfauour or mislyking, as they say. In lyke cace is it with drunkennesse, lecherie, robberie, and all extorsions and wanton dooings that are committed. But had wee the zele that is commaunded vsus heere by Saint Paule: surely wee should be much more corageous and stout in rebuking such as doo amisse. On the other syde also wee shewe our selues too hauehave no louelove nor kyndnesse among vsus, when wee suffer good men too bee trampled vnderunder foote and misuzed, for wee ought too reache them our hand. Agein, mens s…ules go too destruction, and wee remedie it not, though God hauehave doone vsus the grace, too place vsus in his sted, in that office of sauing the things, that were in the way too bee lost and damned.
Now S. Paule hauing spoken so, addeth to confirme the same doctrine, and too quicken vp the slothfulnesse that is in vsus, that the cause vvhy the vn…eleeuers take libertie too doo such euill, euen as they bee ashamed too speake of, is for that they can hyde themselues (from men.) And why? For they hauehave no feare of God: and therefore they take themselues too bee well hydden. When a theese perceyues no body neere him, he rifleth cubboordes, he breakes open doores, he filcheth, and he catcheth and caryeth away. Uery well, bycause he cannot yit bee conuicted afore a iudge, he beares himselfe on hand, that he is scaped quyte and cleane. If a Robber or a murtherer get intoo some blynd nooke, he thinkes himselfe well hidden, and if he finde a man astray, hee pulles him too hym, and strippes him, and woundeth him, yea and cutes his throte too, if he cannot otherwise mayster hym, and hee thinkes himselfe well escaped, bycause no man sees him. In lyke cace is it with all other deeds: for wee bee more ashamed of men, than afrayd of God. The scripture cryes out, that all our thoughts must come to account, and that not only our wicked deeds shalbe punished,Psal. 32. a. …. but also euen the things that wee thought too hauehave bin buryed. For at the last day the books shalbee layd open, that is too say, nothing shall bee forgotten, except wee hauehave obteyned this grace that is promised in the Psalme, namely that God forgyueth our s…mes. And that is not doone without repentance. But they that are inhardened too all euill, doo but make a mo…ke of it: so they be not put too shame for it before men, let God doo what he will. For they bee growne so brutishe, that they cannot wake, too consider what it is too harden their hartes ageinst the souereine Maiestie of God. Therefore when the vnbeleeuers and despyzers of God, get couert and lurking holes after that sort, there is so vyle lycentiousnesse among them, as a man would bee ashamed too thinke what they doo and say.
But Saint Paul addeth, that vvhen they bee rebuked, the mischeef is discouered, and their libertie cut of, bycause it is a brydle too them. Not only bycause they bee blamed afore men, but also bycause they feele themselues too hauehave too doo with the heauenly Iudge, and that it is a dreadfull thing too fall intoo his handes. Too bee short, Saint Paule ment too shewe too what purpoze rebuking may serue, when wee vse it ryghtly and with good zele of charitie. Now I hauehave told you alredie, that wee must not vse any hipocrisie, nor iustifye our selues by condemning other men. But when eueryevery of vsus hath well examined his owne lyfe, and hateth the vyces wheretoo wee bee subiect, and wherein wee bee wrapped: let vsus indeuer too bring our selues home vntoo God, praying him too strengthen vsus so by the power of his holy spirit, as wee may stryue too frame our selues according too his will and ryghtuousnesse. And that doone, let vsus not flatter such as doo amisse, but let vsus tell them freely the thing that may doo them good. The profyt that will come thereof (sayeth Saint Paule) is that God shall not bee so greeuously offended as wee see he is: and moreouer whereas men were past shame afore, they may by that meane bee brought too some honestie, and whereas it seemed too them that they had leaue too doo all manner of euill: they shal repent themselues, and drawe others too repentance with them. But much more ought this (that followeth) too moue vsus. For too say, that wee should line in this world, and inioy the infinite benefytes that God bestowed vppon vsus, and in the meane whyle suffer his authoritie too bee defaced, euen when it may seeme that men would plucke him out of his seate by blaspheming his holy name: when men shall prouoke him too anger, and wee let all slip: must wee not needes bee arrant villeins and traytors? If wee were found at some mans cost, and one should rayle vppon him in his owne house, or practize too murther him, or robbe him of his goods, or defyle his wyfe, or intyce his chyld too naughtinesse: and wee in the meane whyle should sit cramming of our selues, and eate of his bread and drinke of his wyne, and (too bee short) bee fed and maynteyned at his charges, (and yit let all alone, and say nothing too it:) should wee not deserue too bee stoned, and too hauehave all men too spit in our faces? Yis certeynly: for the vyce of vnthankfulnesse shall alwayes bee condemned, euen among men. Now if wee bee so much bound vntoo a mortall man, as too maynteyne his honour and honestie, when wee bee found of his free cost: what ought wee too doo for our God? Are wee not in his house as long as wee liue in this world? HaueHave wee so much as one droppe of water but only of his goodnesse and liberalitie? Behold, God hath a fatherly care of vsus: and yit notwithstanding wee suffer his name too bee blasphemed, his maiestie to be bereft and spoyled of al reuerence, his woord too bee torne in peeces, all order (that he hath commaunded) too bee broken, the Church (which is his wyfe) too bee corrupted and misuzed, and his children too bee intyced too naughtinesse: and in the meane whyle wee play mum bowget. I would fayne knowe of you, whether such silence doo not sufficiently shew, that wee bee not woorthie too eate one bit of bread, nor too bee counted in the number of earth woormes, Lyce, Cimies, and other of the vylest and filthyest things of the world? Therefore let vsus thinke well vppon it, that wee shalbee found giltie of the despyzing of Gods maiestie, (as wee see) bycause wee rebuke not mens vyces. That is a cause why the wicked and heathenish sort waxe the bolder, and thinke the world to runne on wheeles on their syde, and tryumph in their despyzing of God after that fashyon: it commeth partly of our silence. And that is the thing which S. Paule ment too shewe vsus heere.
It followeth moreouer, that the wretched soules whom our Lord Iesus Christ hath bought so deerly, that he spared not himself to hauehave saued them, doo perish, and are giuen intoo Satans possession through our sufferance: and in the meane whyle wee make none account at all of it. Now then, doo wee not therein bewray that wee hauehave not so much as one drop of charitie in vsus? Yis: and that is the cause why I sayde, that (in so dooing) wee bee traytours too God and too our neyghbours. For when wee hauehave no better zeale towards Gods name, nor better care of our neyghbours welfare, doth not the world see eueryevery way that wee bee full of crueltie and vnkyndnesse? Of crueltie I meane towardes men, in that wee suffer them too perish, euen knowing it, and looking vppon it: and of vnkyndnesse towardes God, bycause wee yeeld him not such honour as he deserueth, when wee hauehave not the corage too shewe, that at leastwyse wee mislyke that men should so derogate Gods authortie, and the reuerence which they owe too him. Therefore whensoeuer wee bee afrayd too prouoke mens displeazure, or too purchace their ill will, let vsus thinke vppon the thing that is told vsus heere: namely that wee ought at leastwyse too feare the Lord, whose wee bee, and that seeyng wee bee fed at his cost, wee must not abyde too see such leaudnesse committed ageinst him, without shewing (as much as is possible, and too the vttermost of our power and abilitie) that wee doo vtterly abhorre such things: I say, as farre as wee can: for some tymes our mouthes shall bee so shet, as wee shall bee able too doo no more but sigh and lament at such vtter disorder, when men become lyke diuels that are let looce, in flinging out intoo furiousnesse ageinst God, and they that beare the swoord seeke nothing but too make a confuzed medly, too the intent that all goodnesse may be forgottē. For then (as I sayd) we hauehave none other remedie, but too bee sorie for it, according as it is sayd of Loth, that it greeued his hart too bee in Sodome.2. Pot. 1 b. 8. Therefore let vsus not forbeare, but let eueryevery of vsus prouoke himselfe too greefe and sorowe, when wee see things so out of order, and let vsus gyue recorde of it, as farre as it may doo good.
Agein, if there be any hope for vsus to win those that are so vnruly: let vsus continually assay too draw them too repentance, yea, let vsus streyne our selues too it. For many men alledge this prouerbe too lyghtly, that a man must not cast perles among swyne. And they beare them selues on hand, that men are swyne, before they hauehave tryed what they bee. Though they hauehave bin of lyght behauiour, yea, or euen looce and lawlesse, so as the diuell hath after a sort caryed them away: yit must wee labour too win them agein,1. Cor. 13. c. 7. and hauehave good hope of it, according too Saint Paules saying, that Charitie hopeth well of all things. So then, vntill such tyme as men shewe themselues vtterly wilfull in euil, and that their diseases appeere too bee vtterly vncurable, let vsus indeuer too bee good Phisitions too them, by the aduyzements that God shall put intoo our mouth. And so yee see what S. Paule intended, in saying, that the vnbeleeuers thinke themselues too bee hidden, when they bee not perceyued nor rebuked, and that when they bee let go at rouers, they bee as it were in the darke, and theruppon conceyue the more boldnesse too doo wickedly.
But wee bee partly the cause of it, and we cannot wash our handes of it: for God setteth vsus in his roome in that behalfe, and giueth vsus his woord, which hath authoritie too condemne euyll, and yit notwithstanding all is suppressed and thrust vnderunder foote. Marke that for one poynt. But on the contrarie part, when the wickeddest men in the world bee rebuked, then perceyue they their shame, whereas before, they discerned not whyte from blacke. And why? For if a man bee in the darke, he seeth nothing at all, but staggereth and stumbleth: and though he bee neuer so much berayed, yit he perceyueth it not. Therfore when Gods woord is set afore men, and we shewe offenders their faultes with such libertie as is requisite: it is as much as if wee shewed them a glasse, (and sayd too them.) See what thou art, thou art as fowle and filthie as may bee: art thou not ashamed too see thy selfe? go washe thy muzzle. So then, warnings will alwayes win thus much, howbeeit not alyke with all men: for (as I sayde afore) many are hardened, so as Satan possesseth them, and God hath giuen them vp too such a wilfull stubborne mynd, that they bee past all shame. Neuerthelesse whensoeuer any faythfull man dooth his dewtie, it wyll alwayes doo good, and some profit will come of it, insomuch that they which were erst as wood beastes, or as wyld bullockes, will returne, and a man shall see some honestie in them. Therefore let vsus win that poynt, if it bee possible for vsus, or at leastwyse let vsus streyne our selues too win it. And so yee see what we hauehave too gather vponupon those wordes of Saint Paule.
Now as touching the woord Rebuke: it signifyeth properly too discouer the thing that was hyd. And he allotteth this office vntoo preaching, according wheruntoo he taunteth the vaynglorie that reigned in the Churche of Corinth,…. Cor. 14. …. 2. for their speaking with straunge tungs too the intent too bee commended, and that men myght say of him, This man is a greate Clerk, this man can speake all languages: and yit in the meane whyle there was no edifying at all. Lykewyse in these dayes, in the popedome the Organes are pyping at one syde, and there is chaunting of fower parts on the other syde, and there is such store of gewgawes, that the simyle people are rauished, but neuer a whit edifyed. But Saint Paule sayeth, that when wee bee come togither in the name of God, wee must indeuer too fare the better by it. And how may that bee? It is (s…yeth he) when good men, and such as are alredy inured too feare & serue God, are edifyed by his woord. And not only that, but also if an vnbeleeuer comes in, which was erst a mocker, and neuer had any remorse of conscience, and heare what is vttered in the name of God, (that is too wit, that wee cannot scape (Gods hand,) but must needs come before the iudgment seate of our Lord Iesus Christ, and how deerly Iesus Christ hath payed for vsus, and what a trayterousnesse it is for vsus too make the sacrifyze of his death and passion vnauaylable:) I say, when an vnbeleeur heares all this, and that wee bee exhorted too feare God, and stirred vp too louelove him for the infinite grace which he vttereth towards vsus: Although he were erst as a brute beast (sayth S. Paul) yit shal he enter into himself & bee rebuked. For he vseth there the same woord which he vseth heere, the meaning wherof is,1. Cor. 14. d. 24. that wheras his cōscience was as good as dead afore, and he in maner brutish: he was inforced too enter into examination of him self, and too bee ashamed, so as he could not but giuegive glorie vntoo God. Not that this befalleth too all indifferently: but wee see that a number of folk which were gone astray, and had forgotten God, and had no regard at all of their owne soule helth, shalbee so touched at one sermon, that they appeere too bee chaunged all their lyfe after. Now looke what is doone in common assembly: the same ought eueryevery man too practyze by him self. For we bee not heere too the intent that eueryevery man should profit him self only: but too the intent wee should also teache one another with mutuall instruction. After that maner must wee rebuke offenders, too the end they may take no more libertie too mocke God after that fashyon, nor to shake of his yoke, and to wander into all naughtinesse. And that is in effect the thing that Saint Paule intended too shewe vsus heere.
Now too confirme this doctrine the better, he addeth yit one other reason: It is the lyght (sayeth he) that layeth all things open. Heretoofore he tolde vsus,Ephe. 5. c. 8. that when wee bee once inlyghtened by Gods spirit and Gospell, wee must bee as lampes too giuegive lyght intoo the world. For wee hauehave the woord of lyfe, which serueth, not only too guyde vsus, but also too drawe them intoo the ryght way, which hauehave gone astray. Going forward herewithall, he sayth, that it is the nature and propertie of lyght too discouer. And therfore when wee suffer naughtinesse to nestle and to grow still deeper and deeper in huththermuthther; we shew well that we be nother lyght, nor children of the lyght, that is too say, that wee belong not awhit▪ nother too God, nor too Iesus Christ. Too be short, Saint Paule meaneth that wee cannot giuegive any proof of our christianitie nor of our fayth, but by hating and abhorring of euill, as much as is possible, that it may not hauehave his full course and sway. But now let vsus think vppon our selues agein. For (as I sayd) there is none of vsus all which is not faultie in fearing men more than God, and in winking at others, to the end that they shoulde wink at vsus, and not bee inquisityue of our dooings. Lo how wee betray one another by our silence. But there is yit another vyce that is woorse and further cut of dsquare: namely that besyos our dissembling, wee doo also help too feede the euill. And so by that meanes whoredome hath his ful scope, bycause eueryevery man and woman playes the baude. Wheras I say, eueryevery one, I meane, that most men & women now adayes doo wink at al maner of leaudnesse and misorder, and stoppe their eares at the things which they myght well heare, and eueryevery man seeks too conceale his fellowes leaudnesse, men of mens, and women of womens. They myght remedie a greate sort of enormities that are committed: but they will rather go and …eray their Gownes and Cotes with other folkes dung and filthinesse, than discouer their vyces. Too bee short, eueryevery body playes the bawd in effect, by concealing his neyghbours vyce, too the end that the other shoulde doo as much for him. In lyke cace is it with all other sinnes. Yit notwithstanding (as I sayd afore) God hath not spoken this in vaine, but wee shall one day feele the execution of the sentence which he speaketh heere by his Apostle, and then will it bee too late too forethinke vsus of that which wee will not knowe now. But let such as feare God learne and remember how it is sayd heere, that Gods inlyghtening of vsus, is too the end that eueryevery of vsus should examine himselfe, and not bee as blynd wretches, groping in the dark, which stūble on the one syde, & runne ageinst things on the other, but that we should know the way of saluation: and moreouer teache other men also, by discouering the euyll that lay hidden, too the end that such as hauehave turned their backes vppon God, and were well appayd too hauehave bin in darkenesse styll, may vnderstand that they must bee fayne too come too the lyght, whatsoeuer come of it. The very way therefore for vsus too shewe in deede and in good earnest, that wee belong too God, and are inlyghtened by his holy spirit and by his woord, is too discouer thinges which should else as it were lye lurking a long tyme, if wee drew them not forth intoo the lyght. Trew it is that Charitie couereth a multitude of sinnes (as sayeth Salomon) and that it behoueth vsus too bee pacient,Prou. 10. b. 12. and too beare with many infirmities. For it is not meete that wee should diffame one another,1. Pet. 4. b. 8. as diuerse do, who in stead of warning those whom they see too offend, fall too sowing abrode of newes, so as the streetes and the market places are all full of them, yea, and they do so inhaunce the matter, that of small scapes they make deadly crymes.
Therefore when Saint Paule biddeth vsus discouer men, it is not ment that wee should defame one another after that manner: but that the wretched man which had his eyes blyndfolded by Satan, should bee made too perceyue his owne miserie and naughtinesse, that he myght bee ashamed of it: and that the woman which had giuen ouer hir self too all vnchastitie, myght bee made too recouer some honestie, and too returne agein intoo the ryght way, by being put too shame in hauing hir faultes and vyces layd afore hir. The manner then of discouering, is not too backebyte one another, or too taunt and vpbrayd one another by this and that, and too play the hipocrytes, who will streyne at a gnat,Math. 2…. c. 24. and swallowe vp and Oxe or a Sheepe at a morsell: that is too say, which will make conscience in very small and lyght matters, and not see a number of great enormities, which they suffer too passe hard by their nozes, without beeing any whit offended at them. Wee must not doo so: but when wee see the mischeef fed and increaced by our vnfaythfulnesse, let vsus prouyde for it. and let eueryevery man bee compelled too thinke better vppon himself and vppon his vyces, that he may amend them. This in effect is the carefullnesse which Saint Paule inioyneth vsus heere: and it is the very meane to rid away the plagues that Satan would hauehave maynteyned still by silence and dissimulation. Therefore whensoeuer wee perceiue any impostume lying hid, let vsus beware that the matter settle not so long within, till the disease become vncurable: but let vsus purge it out of hand, and let admonitions serue as it were for launcers, and letting of blud, and for such other meanes and helpes too take away the rotten matter that myght marre and infect the whole bodye. And so yee see in effect how wee ought too put this doctrine in vre.
Now heeruppon Saint Paule inferreth, that Therfore our Lord Iesus Christ, in all the doctrine of the Gospell, speaketh too them that are falne aslepe in their sinnes, & to such as are as good as dead, too the intent they should vvake and ryze vp: and so shall wee beee inlyghtened by him. Now wee hauehave heere too remember first of all, that Iesus Christ dooth then rayse vsus from the deade, when he calleth vsus too the fayth, and bringeth vsus intoo the hope of saluation. And that is too the intent wee should perceyue our state the better. For wee see how men sooth and glorifye themselues. Although there bee nothing in them but vtter confuzion: yit notwithstanding they will needes put out their hor…es lyke Suayles too vaunt themselues, as it were in despyte of God and nature. Now the Scripture sayeth wee bee dead. Wee may well hauehave some resemblance of lyfe, before wee bee conuerted too the fayth of Iesus Christ: Howbeit, that lyfe is but death before God. And that is the cause why it is sayd in Saint Iohn,Iohn. 5. c. 25. The houre is come that all they which heare the voyce of the sonne of man, shall liue though they bee dead, and shall passe from death too lyfe. Iesus Christ speakes not there of the visible death, nor of the resurrection which we hope for at the latter day. But he sheweth vsus how wee hauehave alredy a preparatyue of the second rising agein, when God reneweth vsus, and giueth vsus a spirituall lyfe. For wee can doo nothing but euill, as hath bin declared heertoofore. And Saint Paule also vseth the same phraze of speeche, namely that wee bee dead too Godward. Following the same matter heere, he sheweth vsus that the whole drift of the Gospell is, that we should ryze from the dead. For as long as wee bee straungers too God, who is the welspring of lyfe: where are wee but in such a dungeon, as it had bin better for vsus neuer too hauehave bin borne? But wee must wake: for one part of our death is this blockishnesse wherin wee bee, according as I declared heeretoofore, that wee bee so corrupted afore hand euen from our moothers womb, as wee can fynd no sauour in well dooing, and that wee bee starke blynded in our wicked lustes, & the diuell dryueth vsus and thrusteth vsus foreward in such wyze, that as long as God giueth vsus the brydle, wee can doo nothing but grub downe too the bottom of hell, too sinke our selues the deeper in it. Now bee wee once come too that poynt, there is no more sorinesse (as S. Paule sayd afore,Ephe. 4. …. 19.) there is nothing but such stubbornnesse, as God is nothing with vsus, nother hauehave wee any more feeling or perceyuerance of our sinnes. That is the cause why he sayeth heere, that wee must wake, bycause wee be in a deadly sleepe, vntyll God stirre vsus vp, and make vsus perceyue what wee bee, that wee may abhorre our sinnes and returne vntoo him. So then, the enterance of lyfe and saluation, is, that God visiteth vsus with his grace, wheras wee were as dead wretches, and had nothing in vsus but vtter corruption. Mark that for one poynt.
Secondly let vsus marke, that besydes the naughtinesse which is in vsus, there is also so great a hardnesse and wilfulnesse, as God must bee fayne too wake vsus as it were by force, that wee may hauehave some feeling of our vyces too mislyke them. Trew it is that this is doone cheefely when God calleth vsus, and pulleth vsus out of the confuzion wherin wee were. But yit must eueryevery Christian continew therin all the tyme of his lyfe. For wee shall neuer bee so throughly awake, but that wee shall hauehave neede of Gods stirring vp of vsus still: according as yee shall see some folke so heauie asleepe, that euen when their clothes are on, and when they bee vp vppon their feete, they go reeling styll, and bee as it were halfe in a slumber, v…tyll they stretch foorth themselues and set their handes too some buzinesse, and they bee so heauie and dumpishe, that they still slumber euen waking. Euen so is it with vsus: for although our Lord Iesus Christ hauehave doone vsus the grace too draw vsus backe from death, and too quicken vsus by his holy spirit and by his woord: yit shall wee still feele our selues slothfull and sluggish, so as he must bee fayne too waken vsus styll. And therefore wee hauehave neede too bee exhorted eueryevery day, yea and too hauehave our eares beaten early and late, as though Iesus Christ cryed out shrill and loud vntoo vsus, what doo yee yee wretched soules? Wherat looke yee? Though wee heard such warnings without ceassing: yit should wee not bee so throughly awake as were needefull. Now then wee see what S. Paule ment to declare in this streyne: namely that looke what wee feele through Gods goodnesse in our selues, wee should put the same in vre towards our neyghbours. Now, our Lord Iesus Christ hath rayzed vsus from the dead, and he wakeneth vsus dayly from the dead sleepe wherthrough wee bee so drowzie: and that is too the end that wee should afterward wake vp others that one asleepe, and indeuer too drawe those too lyfe, which are as poore dead men.
Furthermore wheras he sayeth, And Iesus Christ will inlyghten thee: It is not ment that wee can ryze vp and awake of our owne power, & that our Lord Iesus Christ dooth afterward adde his grace. Hee meaneth nothing so. But the effect of his intent is, that wee shalbee inlyghtened by Iesus Christ. And after what maner? Not only as though we were but in some dark place (sayth S. Paul) & had neede of a Candle as in the nyght time: For though a mā see not very cleere, yit if he hauehave but some glimring of lyght, whether it bee of moone, or of starres, or of any thing else: he will hauehave an ame too say, heere is such a doore or gate, and heere is such a path or way: And a mans eyes are not vtterly vnprofitable when he goes by nyght, how dark so euer it bee:) But our Lorde Iesus Christe inlyghteneth vsus after a muche more woonderous maner. For wee bee not only in the dark, but also stark blynd. The remedie therfore which the sonne of God bringeth vsus by teaching vsus the doctrine of the Gospell, is that hee giueth vsus our syght agein. For our eyes are pikt out by the sin of our first father A…am, who would …eeds see too cleere▪ Uaynglor iousnesse did so cary him away, that he would needs discerne betweene good and euill, more than was lawfull for him. But in sted of hauing greater lyght, he became brutish, and wee with him, insomuch that all of vsus continew blynd. Now therfore wee had neede too hauehave our eyes restored vsus agein, and too hauehave Gods spirit too serue vsus in sted of eyes. Mark that for one poynt.
Agein, in this world there is nothing but dull darknesse, yea and that so thicke, as wee wote not how too step one pace without stumbling, or without straying out of our way. Therfore it standeth vsus on hande too bee guyded, and that our Lord Iesus Christ shewe vsus the way. This is it that Saint Paule declareth too vsus heere, and how our Lord Iesus inlyghteneth vsus: namely, not only that wee bee dimsyghted, and that he helpeth vsus, and supplyeth the want that is in vsus: but also that wee bee stark blynd, yea and dead, and finally euen in the pit of hell, lyke as when a Coarse is layd in the graue, men may well bring Candels and Torches too it, but it seeth neuer the more for all that. So then our Lord Iesus imparteth his lyght vntoo vsus, not too make vsus see more cleerly than wee did afore: but to giuegive vsus our whole …ysyght new agein, bycause we bee stark blynd. Now then seeing that Iesus Christ speaketh after this maner, and contineweth day by day in wakening vsus, and in making vsus too see cleerer and cleeres: ought wee not too followe his example, and too hold backe our neyghbours as much as wee can, when wee see them straying too their destruction? This is the pith of the things … shewed vsus heere.
Now seeing that our Lord Iesus setteth, … forth for an example and patterne: needs must we be too barbarous and sauage, if we be not touched with it. And how? The sonne of God hath not only voutsafed too doo his office in inlyghtening vsus, and too shewe vsus the way of saluation, and to waken vsus from the deadly sleepe wherwith wee were ouerwhelmed: but also, when he hath inlyghtened vsus, he will hauehave vsus too serue as Lampes for others too followe, that wee may shewe them the way, so as he will hauehave vsus (after a sort) too execute the one half of his office. Seeing then that the sonne of God hath doone vsus such honour: if wee for all this, doo thrust this lyght vuder foote, and nother doo good too our selues nor too other men with it: is it not too heynous a treacherie? Agein, if wee imagin our selues too bee discharged of our dewtie, when eueryevery of vsus dooth for his owne part refreynes … dooyng euill, and in the meane tyme let others go too destruction, … as wee hauehave nother care nor willingnesse to remedie the matter, when wee see the Diuell hale them after him too euerlasting death: must we not needes perceyue therin that wee doo God great wrong and iniurie, in holding his lyght choked after that fashion, and in betraying our neyghbours, by suppressing so the benefyte which should serue too the euerlasting saluation of their soules? Yee see then that wee shall bee alwayes blame woorthie both before God and man, vnlesse wee followe the thing that is shewed vsus heere by our Lord Iesus Christ, and beare this doctrine alwayes in our hartes too put it in vre: namely that they which call themselues Christians, and will bee so taken, must therwithall bee as trumpetters too waken such as are asleepe, and as guydes too direct such as go astray, and too bring them intoo the ryght way, which were wandered out afore. After that manner (say I) must wee all deale, and continew in so dooyng, vntyll wee bee come too the happie meeting, when our Lord Iesus Christ shall call vsus all too him, too put vsus in possession of the heritance which he hath purchaced for vsus.
Now let vsus fall downe before the Maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgment of our faultes, praying him too make vsus perceyue them more and more, and in any wise not too suffer vsus too fall asleepe lyke wretched infidels, but that forasmuch as it is his will that our lyfe should bee as one continuall day, wherein he gyueth vsus not the Sunne too inlyghten vsus onelyonly for a tyme, so as nyght shoulde afterward come vppon vsus, but guydeth and gouerneth vsus himselfe … nyght and day: wee may take such profit thereby, as he suffer vsus not too returne too darknesse agein, after he hath so inlyghtened vsus, but keepe vsus styll waking, too go through in the holy calling wherto he hath called vsus, and too follow the way which he sheweth vsus, so as wee may call others too vsus, too runne all toogither vntoo him, as he calleth vsus, vntill wee bee fully come thither. That it may please him too graunt this grace, not onelyonly too vsus, but also to all people and Nations of the earth. &c.