Sermons on Ephesians, Sermons · Sermon 4
¶The fourth Sermon vppon the first Chapter.
God hath accepted vsus in his welbeloued.
7. By vvhose blud vve hauehave redemption, that is too vvit, forgiuenesse of sinnes, according too the richesse of his grace.
8. VVhereof he hath sheaded out abundance vppon vsus in all vvisedome and vnderstanding,
9. By making vsus too knovv the secrete of his vvill, (according too his good pleasure which he purpozed in himself.
10. Too the intent too deale it foorth vvhen the tyme were full come,) that is too vvit, too gather all thinges toogither by Christ, as vvell the things in heauen, as the things on earth, in the selfsame.
I HaueHave declared alredie that wee cannot bee beloued of God, but by the meanes of his onelyonly sonne. For if the Angells of heauen bee not woorthy too bee taken for Gods children, but by the meanes of a head and mediator: what shall become of vsus that ceasse not too prouoke Gods wrath dayly by our wicked dooynges, as folke that doo in deede fyght ageinst him? God then must bee fayne too looke vppon vsus in the person of his onelyonly sonne, or else he must needes hate vsus and abhorre vsus.…sai. 59. …. 2. Too bee short, our sinnes doo set God and vsus so farre at oddes, that wee cannot so soone come towardes him, but by and by wee feele his maiestie vtterly ageinst vsus, and as it were armed too put vsus too vtter confuzion. But now remayneth too see, how God receyueth vsus intoo his fauour by meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ. That is the thing which Saint Paule meaneth in adding, that in him vvee hauehave redemption through his blud, that is too vvit, forgiuenesse of our sinnes, according too the riches of Gods grace Heere wee bee first of all doone too vnderstand, that the enmitie which God beareth vsus, is not in respect of our nature, but in respect of our corruption. I say, it is not in respect of nature: for as in respect that God hath creased vsus, it is certeine that he cannot hate vsus. But inasmuch as mankynd is vtterly marred and gyuen ouer too all naughtiness…, God must needes bee as a mortall enemie too vsus, and as an aduersarie ageinst vsus, till the rememberance of our sinnes bee buryed out of his sight. For wee bee subiect too euerlasting death, till wee bee restored agein: by reason whereof, God being the fountaine of all iustice and right…ousnesse, dooth vtte…ly hate and abhorre the euill that he seeth in vsus. Therefore vntill such tyme as our sinnes bee blotted out, it is vnpossible for vsus too hope that God should eyther fauour or louelove vsus. But let vsus marke heere how S. Paule vseth twoo woordes, too expresse how wee bee reconcyled too God: First, he setteth downe the Raunsom or Redemption, which is all …: and afterward the forgiuenesse of sinnes. Howe commeth it …en too passe that Gods wrath is pacifyed, that wee bee made at one …ith him, yea and that he accepteth and au…weth vsus for his children? …t is by the pardoning of our …umes, sayeth S. Paule. And further…ore, bycause redemption is requisite thereuntoo: he matcheth that …ith it also. Trew it is, that as in respect of vsus, God wypeth away our …mes of his owne free goodnesse, and sheweth himse…fe altoogither …untifull of himselfe, without respect of any recompence for it at our …ndes. And in good soothe what man were able too make amendes … the least fault he hath committed? Then if eueryevery of vsus should im…loy his whole lyfe in making satisfaction for any one fault alone, and … that meanes seeke too winne fauour at Gods hande: it is certeine …at the same dooth farre surmount all our abilities. And therfore God …ust bee fayne too receyue vsus too mercy, without looking for any re…ompence or amendes at our handes. But yit for all this, the attone…ent which is freely bestowed as in respect of vsus, did cost the sonne of God very deere.1. Pet. 1. d. 19. For he found none other payment, than the sheading …f his owne blud, insomuch that he made himselfe our borrowe both in ody and soule, and answered for vsus before Gods iudgement, too get … our discharge. Our Lord Iesus Christ (say I) imployed himselfe holly both body and soule. For it had not bin ynough for him to hauehave …ffered so cruell and slaunderous a death in the syght of men: but it …houed him also too abyde such horrible anguishe in himselfe, as i… God had bin become a iudge too him: for he came too that poynt, that … susteyned the person of all sinners too make full amendes for them …. And so yee see why S. Paule hath matched those twoo woordes …ogither in this streyne.
Therefore wee hauehave too marke first of all, that wee can obteyne no … at Gods hand, nor be receyued of him, till our sinnes bee …yped …, and the rememberance of them cleane put away. The reason …hereof is (as I sayd afore) that God must needes hate sinne wher…euer he seeze it. So then, as long as he considereth vsus as sinners, he …ust needes abhorre vsus: for there is not any thing in our selues, nor in … owne nature, but al maner of naughtinesse & confuzion. Then are … enemies and aduersaryes vntoo him, till wee come too the reme…ie that S. Paule sheweth vsus heere, which is, too hauehave our sinnes forgiuen. Heereby wee see that no man can bee loued of God for any …oorthinesse that is in himselfe. For wherein lyeth the louelove that God beareth vsus: I hauehave tolde you already, that he must bee fayne too cast his eye vponupon out Lord Iesus Christ, & not too looke a whit at vsus. But yit therewithall it is declared further, that God dooth neuer lyke well of vsus, till he hauehave released vsus o…r dettes, and adopted vsus too bee his children, notwithstanding that wee bee woorthy of death before him. Thus yee see that the assurance of our saluation (as is sayd in the song of zacharie) is that God bee mercifull too vsus and forgiue vsus our sinnes whereby wee were become his enemies.…uke. 1. 77. Howbeit, let vsus also beare in mynd, that the cleere release of our sinnes through Gods free goodnesse, is not doone without the raunsome that was payd by our Lord Iesus Christ,1. Pet. 1. d. 18. not in golde nor siluer (as sayeth S. Peter in his first Epistle) but in such wyse that he which was the vnspotted Lambe, was fayne too serue that turne his owne selfe. Wherefore whensoeuer wee intend too seeke Gods fauour and mercy, let vsus fasten all our wittes vponupon the death & passion of our Lord Iesus Christ, that we may there fynd wherwith too appease Gods wrath. And furthermore seyng that our sinnes are done away by such payment and satisfaction: let vsus vnderstand that wee cannot bring aught of our owne, for the which wee should bee reconcyled vntoo God. Wherin wee see how the diuell hath by his s…yghtes cut of all hope of saluation from the world, by bearing men in hand that they must eueryevery man raunsome himself, and make his owne attonement with God. And that is the very thing which men …all good woorkes, merites, and vertewes in Papistrie. For too what ende tend all the inuentions which they hauehave forged? Why martir they themselues after so many fashions, so as men neuer make an end day nor night, but are euer still making of new wyndlasses and courses: The marke that all these things ame at, is too pacifie God. And so all the good woorkes which are so counted in Papistrie, are nothing else but meanes whereby too make amendes for sinne. Howbeit that is but a defacing of the raunsome whereof S. Paule speaketh heere. For there is (as yee would say) an inseparable bond betweene these twoo things, namely that God putteth our sinnes out of his rememberance, and drowneth them in the bottom of the sea: and moreouer receiueth the payment that was offered him in the person of his only sonne. Therefore wee cannot atteyne the one without the other. Wherforeif wee intend too hauehave Gods fauour, let vsus consider that wee bee his enemyes till he hauehave pardoned all our sinnes of his owne free goodnesse: and yit notwithstanding, that our Lord Iesus Christ must bee fayne too step in betweene him and vsus. For the sacrifyze of his death serueth too purchase vsus an euerlasting attonement, so as wee must alwayes flee thither for refuge. Trew it is that the whole lyfe but of Lord Iesus Christ is become our raunsome▪ for the obedience which he yeelded too God his father in this world, was too make amends for Adams offence, and for all the iniquities wherthrough wee bee ronne in arrerages. Howbeit S. Paule speaketh heere purposely of his blud, bycause it behoueth vsus too resort too his death and passion, as too the sacrifyze which is of power too blot out all our sinnes. And for that cause hath God represented in figures vnderunder the lawe, that men could not bee reconcyled vntoo him but only by that meane. Now it is trew that Iesus Christ did not only shed his blud, namely at his death: but also feele the feare and terrour which ought too hauehave lyghted vponupon vsus. But S. Paule dooth heere vnderunder one parrell comprehend the whole after the ordinarie maner of the holy scripture. Too bee short, let vsus repose all our right…usnesse in Gods shewing of himselfe mercifull towardes vsus of his owne free goodnesse: and let vsus not presume too face him with any vertew of our owne, thereby too bynd him vntoo vsus: but let it suffize vsus that he receyueth vsus intoo his fauour, freely without any desert of ours, onelyonly bycause the rememberance of our sinnes is buryed out of his sight. And agein, let vsus vnderstand, that the same canno bee doone but by the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ, and that that is the thing wheruppon wee must wholly rest.
Heeruppon S. Paule addeth, that all is done according too the richesse of Gods grace. No… without cause dooth he heere magnifye Gods merciemercy which he vttereth in receyuing vsus too fauour. For wee see on the one syde how men doo wilfully ouershoote themselues through their foolish ouerweening: For most men hauehave alwayes imagined, that they myght make their attonement with God by their owne satisfactions, and I wote not what shiftes besydes. Seeing then that men are so farre ouerseene in their owne imaginations, S. Paule too exclude all such dealing, sayth that wee must bee rauished in louelove with the richenesse of Gods goodnesse. He could hauehave sayd simply that God dooth all according too his grace: but he setteh downe heere his greate treasures, too the intent that men should not bee so fond, as too bring as it were but a farthing, for the discharge of ten hundred thousand crownes. And truly when the Papists prattle of their satisfactions, they say not that they bee able too doo it throughly in all poyntes: but they are of opinion that with the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ, they also are able too bring somewhat of their owne, and too doo so much by patches and peeces, that God shalbee satisfied and contented. Thus yee see what a diuelish opinion reigneth in papistrie, for they will needes found masses, they will needs bable many prayers, they will needs gad on pilgrimage, they will needs keepe this feast and that feast, they will needs performe I wot not what deuotiōs, they wil needs weare sack cloth next their skin: and all too help foorth the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ: as who should say, it were not sufficiēt ynough of it self. But S. Paule telleth vsus that Gods goodnesse as it is shewed vsus in Iesus Christ, is so greate a treasure, that all other things must needs giuegive ouer and be thrust vnderunder fo…te. And seing that God vseth so greate bountifulnesse as wee ought too bee wholy rauished at it: is it not too outrageouse a presumptuousnesse, when wee will needs bring our owne pelting trash, as though our going on pilgrimage, & our dooing of some other deuotions were of any valew or estimation? Is it not al one, as though the blud of Iesus Christ were not a sufficient pryce, I say a sufficient pryce and raunsome for our saluation? Yee see then on the one syde, how S. Paule ment heere too cut of all occasions of the fond imaginations that men conceyue in surmizing themselues able too pacifye Gods wrath by their owne satisfactions and paymentes: and on the other syde how he purpozed too succour our feeblenesse. For although wee bee giuen too beleeue wonderous well of our owne vertuosusnesse, and too beare ourselues in hand that God is greatly beholden vntoo vsus: yit notwithstanding, when it commeth too the calling vppon God in good earnest, and too the putting of our trust in him: then if Satan egge vsus too despayre, and that wee bee tossed with trubbles and temptations: we be so dismayed, that all the promises of the holy scripture, and all that is said vntoo vsus of the death and passion of our Lord Iesus Christ, cannot make vsus too hauehave any hope. S. Paule therfore too remedie this vyce of vnbeleefe which is too deepely rooted in vsus, doth heere set before vsus the greate treasures of Gods goodnesse, too the end that all the distruste which wee can conceyue, may bee as it were swallowed vp, seing that God voutsafeth too vse so greate bounteousnes towards vsus.
And heeruppon he addeth, that he hath made the same grace too abound towards vsus in all wisdom and vnderstanding. By these …ords he doth vsus too wit by what meanes wee come by the thing that he had specifyed afore. Behold, all our happinesse and all our souerein velfare consisteth in being at one with God, so as he may take vsus for h…s children, and it may bee lawfull for vsus too call vppon him as our father with full libertie. But how shall wee obteyne that thing, from which we be so farre wyde? It is sayde, that although wee bee naught w…orth, ne naught can doo: yit wee shall finde all thinges in Iesus Christ which are wanting in our selues, and that his death & passion will bee a sufficient sacrifyze, too put away the rememberance of all our misdeedes. Howbeit dooth it followe therefore, that all men are parttakers of this benefite which is purchaced for vsus by our Lord Iesus Christ? No: for the vnbeleeuers hauehave nother part nor portion in it. Then is it a speciall priuiledge for those whom God gathereth too himselfe.Gal. 5. a. 4. Also S. Paule sheweth, that eyther wee must hauehave fayth, or else Christ shall not boote vsus at all. Although then that Christ bee generally the redeemer of the whole world, yit dooth his death and passion aduauntage none but such as receiue the thing that S. Paule sheweth heere. And so wee see that when wee once know the benefites that are brought vsus by Christ, and which he offereth vsus dayly by his Gospell: we muste also bee knyt vntoo hym by faith. For the Turkes, Iewes, and Papistes, and all other lyke are cut of and estranged from Christ, & rot away in theyr owne filth, bycause they presume to worke wonders of themselues. For it is a common principle among the papistes, Iewes, Turkes, and all the Heathen men that euer were, that they must appease Gods wrath. And how? By a great sort of meanes of their owne deuising, and of eueryevery mans imaginyng in his owne brayne. Such men therfore hauehave no part in Christ. Wherfore if faith be the key that openeth vsus the doore to inioy the treasure whereof S. Paule spake euen now: then is that the next way too make vsus riche, so farre forth as shalbe requisite for our saluation, so as we shal not want any thyng, if wee bee knyt vntounto Christ by fayth.
Notwithstanding, it is not for nought that S. Paule hath heere set downe this twoo wordes of wisdom and vnderstanding. For they doo vsus too wit, that the lerning of the Gospell is ynough too bring vsus to all perfection, and that whatsoeuer is added moreouer, is but dung, filth, and rottēnesse. Too be short, S. Paules intytling of the Gospell with those twoo honorable termes, is too the ende that eueryevery man should quietly giuegive eare to the things that God teacheth him by the meanes of his only sonne, and that wee should yeeld our selues s… teachable vntoo him, as not too take vponupon vsus to know aught, than tha… which commeth out of his mouth, but simply receyue whatsoeuer he speaketh, and continew in the same to the end, though the whole word despyze vsus, and all men set themselues ageynst vsus, and not passe for … the sieyghts of the world, as many men doo, who hauehave …tching ear…s and are alwayes desirous too heere somme new thing. Too the end therfore that wee bee not so wauering, nor ouerled by foolish desyre of knowing more than is lawfull for vsus too knowe: let vsus marke well how S. Paule sayeth here, that if we hauehave once profited throughly in the Gospel, we shall find there all wisdome to the full, so as we may reiect all other things, not only as needlesse, but also as noysome, bycause that by them wee shalbee turned from the pure doctrine, wherby it is his will too hauehave vsus knit vntoo him. Too bee short, S. Paule ment to shew heere, that God dooeth vsus an inestimable good turne, when he voutsafeth to call vsus too the knowledge of our Lord Iesus Christ his only sonne, and that when we hauehave him, wee must dispyze all other things, and not bee trubbled with a foolish desire of knowing this or that, bycause that (as I hauehave sayd alredy) the full perfection of all our knowledge is there, that is to wit, in our Lord Iesus Christ. And here yee see also why it is sayd to the Colossians,Coloss. 1. d. 25. that he had bin a faithfull teacher, yea euen too bring men too the perfection of wisdome.2. Cor. 11. b. 6. Indeede he confesseth that he was rude and homely of speech, and that he had nother the wisdom nor the eloquence that was hyghly commended in the world: but yit he declareth, that if his doctrine were receyued, there should bee found a full substance in it for the full …rrishment of mens soules, and that there needeth not any more too be added vntoo it. When we heere these things now adayes, we must take warning to brydle our selues, & to represse the f…nd ouer curiousnesse that is rooted too deeply in vsus, that wee may hold vsus too the pure doctrine of the Gospell, & rest wholy therupon. Thus yee see in effect what wee hauehave too gather vppon that streyne.
Heerewithall let vsus marke the thing that I hauehave touched alredye: namely that as oft as the Gospell is preached, so oft is Gods grace spred out vponupon vsus. If we acknowledge his goodnesse and liberalitie, which he maketh vsus too perceyue by his moystening of the earth, too the end it should yeeld vsus fruits too the sustenance of our bodies: much more may wee vnderstand, that when God sendeth vsus the woord of saluation, he not only watereth vsus too the welfare of our soules, but also giueth vsus so largely therof too drink, as wee may bee throughly satisfyed therwith. For S. Paule thinkes it not ynough too say, that wheras wee bee barren wee hauehave some refresshing by the Gospell: but he sayeth, that it is as if God should poure downe al undance of water vppon vsus, and that wee myght bee so watered and refreshed with it, as wee myght gather substance and lustinesse of it too hold out to the end. And so yee see in what wyse we ought to esteeme of Gods goodnesse, when he voutsafeth too drawe vsus too him by meanes of his Gospell, and that therwithall wee enter into possession of the benefites that hauehave bin purchased for vsus by our Lord Iesus Christ, according as he offereth them too vsus by his woord, and will hauehave vsus also to receyue them by fayth.
Nowe for a larger openyng of the matter, he addeth immediately, That his so dooyng is, bycause he hath vttered the secrete of his vvyll vntoo vsus, euen accordyng to his ovvne good pleasure vvhichwhich he had purposed afore in hym selfe. Loe heere an other thing which ought to aduance the dignitie of the Gospell yit more: whiche is, that there we hauehave the secretes which were hydden heretofore in God. And it is not here onelyonly that S. Paule speaketh after this maner: but wee shall see yit a larger discourse of it in the second chapter.Rom. 16. d. 25. And not only in this Epistle,…. Cor. 2. b. 7. &. 4. a. 1. but also euerywhere els, he sheweth howe wee ought to bee as it were rauished at the preaching of the Gospell, bycause God dooth there open the things that were incomprehensible to all men before,Eph. 6. d. 19. and which no man would neuer hauehave beleeued, or once thought of. For he seemed too hauehave chosen the onelyonly lyne of Abraham,Coloss. 1. d. 29. in such wise as if he had cast away all the world besides. Therefore it was a wonderful thyng when he poured out his grace in commō vponupon al nations. Yit notwithstanding wee knowe, that at suche tyme as Iesus Christe came intoo the worlde, the very selfe same people were growen out of kynde, and Gods doctrine was so corrupted, that there was nothing but superstition among the Iewes. It seemed then that all had bin past hope of recouerie, when sodenly beyond the opinion of al men, behold, saluation was offered too all nations. Beholde, Christe which had erst byn hidden in deepe darknesse, yea, and in so deepe darkenesse, as there was not any hope that euer he shoulde hauehave comme out of it, rose vp as the Daysimne of rightuousnesse,Es…i. 4. a. 2. to giuegive light to the worlde. For this cause therfore dooth S. Paul say, that in the Gospell wee bee made priuie too the secrets of Gods wyll. Trewe it is, that at the first sight there seemeth to bee nothyng but simple stuffe in the Gospel. And that is a cause also why many scoffers thinke that the things which are conteyned in the Gospell, doo serue but for idiots: and they beare themselues in hande, that they are able too deuize many wyttier thynges in theyr owne dreames and dotages, than all the doctrine is that concerneth Iesus Christe. But such folke are vnworthy to taste of the thyng that is shewed vsus heere: for theyr pride dooth vtterly blynde them, and make them starke doltes. Notwithstandyng, how s…euer they fare, yit the faythfull perceyue f…ll wel, that there is a diuine maiestie in the doctrine of …he Gospell. And for that cause S. Paule doeth giuegive vsus to wyt in this same text, that our commyng thyther must not bee to learne any common thyng, but too lyft vp our selues aboue the world. For we shall neuer bee good scollers to Godward, nor neuer be in any towardnesse to pro…it in his schoole, except we mount aboue the world, and reuerence the things that God speaketh with his owne holy mouth. To be short, the beginnyng and entrance of our fayth, is lowlynesse. But how can men wel humble thēselues, vnlesse they know that the thinges which God telleth them, doo farre surmount theyr owne wyt and capacitie? Ye see then that the thyng whereat S. Paul amed, is, that wee should reuerence the Gospell, assuring our selues, that it is not for vsus to iudge whether God hauehave spoken well, or yll. For it becommeth vsus too be fully resolued, that all that euer commeth from hym, is infinite wisedome, yea and such wisedome as is vtterly faultlesse. To the end therfore that all glorying may be beaten downe in our selues, & wee learne to reuerence soberly and modestly the doctrine that is preached too vsus in Gods name: S. Paule hath purposely set downe this secret.
And too the end wee should knowe how much wee be bounde vntoo God, he repeteth this woord, According to his good pleasure, which he had set downe before. And that is doone too put awaye, and too shet out all opinion which men might conceiue of their owne woorthinesse. For Gods good pleasure can hauehave no place, vnlesse men be barred from al deseruyng, and repayre to hym vtterly empty. For so soone as wee presume too bring any thyng at all vntoo God, surely it is an aduauncyng of our selues too the defacing of Gods grace, so as it may hauehave no more beautie nor preheminence among vsus, as it ought too hauehave. Too the end therfore that men should forbeare such presumptuousnesse, S. Paule sendeth vsus styll backe too Gods good pleasure: as if he should say, that there was none other cause of the preaching of the Gospell too the world, than the only franke and free goodnesse of God. Yit notwithstanding, too represse all ouerboldnesse of men, he addeth, that God had purposed the said ordinaunce, and the said high incomprehensible determination of his wyll aforehand in hymselfe. For what is the cause that men take so great libertie of questionyng, disputing, and going to lawe with God, but for that (to their seemyng) they treate of matters which ought to be open & manifest vntoo them? So then, S. Paule perceiuyng vsus too bee so foolishe and rashe, as to presume ouer boldly to be inquisitiue of Gods purpose, saith it is a sealed letter, and that God hath his purpose in hymselfe, and that it is not lawfull for creatures too mount so high, and that if they doo so, it is the next way too cast them downe, and too breake their neckes. Trewe it is, that wee may well apply our whole indeuer too knowe Gods wyll: howbeit, that must bee no further than he hath vttered in his woord: for his woord is our light. But if God doo once holde his peace, he will hauehave vsus too brydle and as it were too imprison our selues, and not too start out any further, for if wee woulde needes knowe more than is graunted vsus, that is too say, more than wee ought too know, & more than is imparted too vsus by his woord: it were but an entering further and further intoo a maze, or rather intoo the bottome of hell. Therfore let vsus marke well, howe S. Paules meaning in this text, is that whē soeuer God keepeth his purpose to himself, it becommeth vsus to stoope, and too holde our selues contented too bee ignorant of it. For it is a cursed wisdome, and such a wisdome as sendeth vsus too the pit of hell, when wee take leaue too knowe more than God hath taught vsus. And contrariwise wee bee wyzer in our ignorance than all the wyze men of the world, when wee take not vppon vsus too knowe any thing further than Gods woord guydeth and gouerneth vsus. Trew it is that there is not any mo than onelyonly one single will in God. Neuerthelesse he vttereth the same vntoo vsus according too our capacitie, and so farre foorth as is expedient and profitable for vsus. As for example, wee hauehave seene that the forgiuenesse of sinnes is a poynt that wee cannot ouerpasse nor forbeare: and therefore zacharie calles it the knowledge of saluation. Agein, it standeth vsus on hand too knowe where the forgiuenesse of our sinnes is too bee sought for. For if wee hauehave not Iesus Christ,Luke. 1. g. 77. wee continue still enemyes vntoo God, wee hauehave no agreement nor rest in our selues, and Gods iustice must needes pursue vsus: but Iesus Christ is our peace. Furthermore, whē we know the things that are witnessed to vsus by Gods woord, wee must therwithall reuerence the misteries that are hidden from vsus, as hath bin sayd alredy, and must hereafter be said agein, when wee come too Gods election. And S. Paule dooth yit agein set downe heere the woord of foreordeyning or forepurpozing, to …hewe that God had predestinated vsus before the making of the world, and yit that the same was hidden. Yea verily: but nowe is the same discouered vntoo vsus, sayeth he. Thus yee see in effect, that the thing which wee hauehave too beare in mynde, is that wee bee not called too the knowledge of the Gospell by our owne towardnesse, nor for that any of vsus putteth foorth himself too it of his owne accord, nor for that wee hauehave bound God vntoo vsus by any vertue of ours: but for that God of his owne infinite goodnesse listed too inlyghten vsus. And he hath not doone it bycause it came sodeinly in his mynde too doo it, as men are woont too doo, who are caryed with sodeine braydes: but bycause he had determined the same in his owne purpose, euen from before all tyme. And if our wittes bee ticklish and prouoke vsus too bee inquisitiue and too say, How so? Had God chozen vsus aforehand? And why then did he not vtter it vntoo vsus sooner? How happeneth it that it was not perceyued ere this? too the ende wee should not so ouershoote our selues, S. Paule sayeth that this purpose was after a sort locked vp in God, till it was vttered vntoo vsus. And so, too bee short, it is not lawfull for vsus too knowe any more than is vttered vntoo vsus in the Gospell: and looke what is shewed vsus there, it behoueth vsus too reuerence it. And for the same cause it is added, that his so dooyng vvas too set foorth the same in the fulnesse of tyme.
Now heerin he sheweth, that men may wel vexe themselues, but yit shall they come short of their purpose, and all their witts & imaginations shall fayle them, if they go about too knowe more than God hath giuen them leaue to know. For if any man demaund why God hasted no rather too do it: therin he sheweth that he would be wiser thā God. And is not that a diuelish pride? Is the creature woorthie to go vponupon the groūd, when it aduaūceth it self so hygh? For this cause S. Paule sayeth, that the appoynting therof belongeth vntounto God. For if a man may set order after this maner, in his owne house & say: I will hauehave my folke to fare thus, I will hauehave them to drinke such drinke, I will hauehave them too eat that kynd of bread, I will hauehave them lodged after this maner: how much more ought we too let God doo so? why should he hauehave lesse priuiledge than woormes of the earth? Therfore let vsus giuegive God leaue to dispose of his church, & of the welfare of his chozen, as lyketh best himself. And as for the tyme, let vsus take that for the full tyme which it shall please him too shewe vsus. For it is not for vsus too be eyther iudges or vmpers in this cace, too measure the tymes, yeares, …oonethes, or dayes: but it ought too content vsus, that God listeth too …aue it so. Some man will argew the cace and say: what, I pray you? Behold, fower thousand yeeres passed betweene the fall of Adam and …he commyng of Christ: and could not God hauehave remedyed the matter …y sending the redeemer of the world sooner? See what a number of …retched folke wandered away in darknesse: behold the destruction …f mankynd as awaterflud that swalowed vp all thyngs: and yit in … meane whyle Iesus Christ was hiddē. Bysids this, a small nūber …f men tasted of him, alonly by figures & shadowes. For none but the …ewes wayted for the redeemer, to obteyne saluation by his meanes: … yit euen they were faine to vse calues & sheepe & other brut beasts, to asserteyne them selues of the forgiuenes of their sinnes, and that God was mercifull to them. If a mā aske how this cōmeth to passe: let vsus repayre too that which is sayd here in one word: namely that the time was not yit fully come. And why? Bycause God had so appoynted it. And this is the very selfsame thing that we hauehave seene alredy in the Epistle to the Galathians, wher S. Paule repressed all the foolish ga…ings,Gal. 4. a. 4. wherthrough men wander away in mounting vp hygher than is lawfull for them to do. Therfore let vsus conclude, that it is Gods peculiar office too appoynt tymes and seasons, and that wee must not think any other too be the dew, than that which he appoynteth. For albeit that winter and sommer bee ordinarye with vsus eueryevery yeere: yit if sommer come ouer late, wee must brydle our selues, and not grudge ageinst God. Wee may well say, alas, if it pleased God too send vsus heate, it should bee well welcome. But yit in the meane while wee must fully resolue our selues thus: It belongeth too God too gouerne, and all souereintie and authoritie perteyne too him. If wee ought too behaue our selues so modestly as in respect of the order of nature which is common among vsus, and wherein God shewes himselfe familiarly vntoo vsus: what ought wee too doo when wee come too the scanning of …he heauenly secretes, as of the euerlasting saluation of our soules, and of this hygh misterie that the sonne of God is come too set the thinges …n their state agein which were lost and perished? Doth it not become vsus too stoope in that cace, and humbly too take in good woorth whatsoeuer God telleth vsus, and too lyke of that which he lyketh? Thus ye… see why S. Paule spake heere expresly of the fulnesse of tyme, as if he should say, that wee can neuer profit in the Gospell, till wee yeeld God so much honour, as too hold our selues contented with his onelyonly will, so as wee step not foorth too reply ageinst him, nor face him with our iangling, but glorify him by acknowledging his will too bee the rule of all wisdome, of all ryght, and of all equitie.
And for the better declaration hereof, he addeth immediatly, that it vvas too gather all thinges toogither, as vvell in heauen as in earth, by Iesus Christ, in himselfe. As touching this woord gather, S. Paule ment too shewe vsus thereby how wee bee all of vsus horribly scattered, till such time as our Lord Iesus Christ set vsus in aray agein: and this is verifyed not onelyonly of vsus, but also of all other creatures. Too bee short, it is all one as if he had sayd, that the whole order of nature is as good as defaced, and all thinges decayed and disordered in the sinne of Adam, till wee bee repayred ageyne in the person of our Lord Iesus Christ. For although wee beholde Gods woonderfull wisdome, power, goodnesse, iustice, and rightuousnesse in all creatures: yit notwithstanding there are markes of sinne both aboue and beneath, and all creatures are subiect too corruption, and all is disordered by reason that God hateth and reiecteth vsus.Rom …. Needes therefore must a restorement bee made by Iesus Christ. And that is the thing that is ment by the gathering toogither that S. Paule speaketh of heere, too the ende wee would learne too mislyke of our selues, and too bee ashamed of the disorder that is in our selues, and wherwith the whole world is fylled through our sinfull lyfe: and moreouer learne also too magnify Gods goodnesse so much the more. Then on the one side the holy Ghost warneth vsus in this text, that not onelyonly wee our selues are out of order, but also that wee hauehave brought the whole world too the same poynt, and doo keepe it still at the same stay dayly by our sinnes, and that there is none other remedy thereof, but that Iesus Christ must bee fayne too amend all agein, and make such a gathering and vnion, as wee may bee knit agein too our God. And so yee see the first poynt that wee hauehave too marke vppon this text. Truly this thing is spoken in fewe words: but it had neede too bee muzed vppon more at length. For it is the thing wheraboutes wee ought too occupie our selues both earely and late, that when wee looke intoo our selues, wee myght bethinke vsus in this wise: who art thou o wretched creature? for thou seest thou art separated from thy God euen from thy birth: behold, thou art his enemy and inheritour of his wrath: and on the other side there is nothing in thy selfe which tendeth not too naughtinesse and frowardnesse: & thou oughtest not onelyonly too feele this disorder in thine owne person, but also too perceyue that all thinges else are out of order through the whole world by reason of thy frowardnesse. Therefore let vsus sink downe and bee ashamed of it, and therwithall confesse how much wee bee indetted vntoo God, for his voutsafyng too gather vsus toogether in the person of his onelyonly sonne, euen vsus that hauehave so torne a sunder the thinges that he had set in so goodly order.
And for the same cause S. Paule speaketh heere, not only of men, (which were estraunged from God afore by reason of sin): but also of all things that are in heauen and earth: Coloss. … c. 20.wherin he comprehendeth euen the verye Angells. For although Gods glorie shyne foorth in them, and that they were neuer yit separated from him: yit neuerthelesse it stoode them on hand too be… gathered toogither by our Lord Iesus Christ, and that after twoo sorts. For albeeit that they neuer swarued asyde, ne fell from that they were at the first, and that Gods ryghtuousnesse doo alwayes shewe it self in them, insomuch that they bee as it were mirrours and paternes of it: yit notwithstanding, if God li…ted too looke vppon them with rigour, they should fynd themselues farre short of the perfection of ryghtuousnesse that is in him, as it is sayd in the booke of Iob.Iob. 4. d. …8. Furthermore, there is yit one other reason too bee matched with this: which is, that the Aungells should not hane such constancie and stedinesse as were requisyte, vnlesse Iesus Christ had so stablished them as they myght neuer fall. Thus yee see one way how they were gathered togither. But this gathering wherof S. Paule speaketh heere, is in respect of their vniting agein vntoo vsus. For wee knowe that inasmuch as wee were banished out of Gods kingdome, wee were cut of from all hope of saluation, so as the Angells were by and by fayne too become our enemies, and should bee so still, were it not for the attonement which wee hauehave with them agein, by meanes of the head which is common too vsus both. And heere yee see also why that in the ladder that was shewed vntoo Iacob,Gen. 28. c. 12. it is said that God stood vppon the toppe of it, and touched both heauen and earth, and that the Angells went vp and downe on it. Now our Lord Iesus Christ is the trew liuing and euerlasting God which touched both heauen▪ and earth, bycause that in his persone God hath knit his owne diuine being (or substance) and the nature of man toogither. Thus therefore yee see that heauen is open, so as the Angells begin too acquaynt themselues with vsus,Hebr. 1. d. 14. yea and too become our seruants, as is sayd in the Epistle too the Hebrewes, bycause the care of our soules is committed vntoo them, and they (as is sayd in the thirtie and foure Psalme) incamp about vsus,Psal. 34. …. 8. and watch vsus, and are our keepers. Yee see then how wee bee vnited agein too the Angells of heauen by our Lord Iesus Christ.…uke. 21. …. 27. And that is the cause also why he sayd, from hensfoorth yee shall see the heauens open, and the sonne of man comming downe in his maiestie with his Angells. Whereby he doeth vsus too wit, that heauen was shet ageinst vsus, and that wee also were vnwoorthie too fynd any fauour at Gods hand, & that yit notwithstanding, now that he is come too bee our head, and hath made the attonement betweene his father and vsus,Coloss. 2. …. 10. and taken vppon him the office of mediator, & is become the head, not only of the faythfull, but also of the Angells: he hath gathered all toogither agein in such wyse, that wheras the diuells make warre ageinst vsus and practize our destruction without ceassing: the Angells are armed with infinite power too maynteyne vsus. And although wee see them not with our eyes: yit must wee certeynly beleeue that they watch for our welfare. Otherwyse what a thing were it? For wee knowe that the diuell is as a roring Lion,1. Pet. 5. …. 8. and seeketh nothing else but too deuoure vsus. Wee see what a number of …yghts he hath too wynd about vsus with. Needes then must the Angells hauehave an infinite power too defend vsus withall. Also it must needes bee, that wee bee preserued vnderunder the protection of our Lorde Iesus Christ, who is both their head and ours too. Thus yee see briefly that the thing which S. Paule ment too tell vsus in this Text, where he saith that we are gathered togither agein, is, that wee were scattered asunder before, & that wee bee not onelyonly reconciled to God by the death and Passion of our Lord Iesus Christ, but also now henceforth knyt ageyn vntoo the Angelles, so as they are become our brethren and fellowes, and God hath giuen them charge too guide and mainteyne vsus in all our wayes, and to watche ouer vsus,Psal. 90. …. and to be in continuall battell for the withstandyng of all the enemyes that make warre ageynst vsus, tyll wee be gathered all together intoo the rest of heauen.
Now let vsus cast our selues downe before the maiestie of our good God with acknowledgment of our faultes, praying him too make vsus so too feele them, as it may drawe vsus too trew repentance, and make vsus to continue the same all the tyme of our lyfe, and that yit notwithstanding wee may not ceasse too trust in him, and too offer our selues boldly in his sight, forasmuch as our sinnes are scoured out by the blud that was shed for the washing of them: and that wee may so frame our selues too this doctrine, as wee may all the tyme of our lyfe acknowledge, that seyng he hath purchaced vsus so deerely, wee ought too giuegive our selues wholy too his seruice: and that seyng he hath shewed himselfe so good a redeemer towardes vsus, wee may not doubt but he wyll continue his goodnesse from day too day, too the full finishing of the thing that he hath begunne, and strengthen vsus in all assaultes, tyll he hauehave deliuered vsus from the crueltie of Satan and of all his vpholders, yea, and quyte and cleane taken vsus out of the world, too make vsus parttakers of the happie blissednesse whereuntoo he calleth vsus. That it may please him too graunt this grace not onelyonly too vsus, but also too all people and nacions. &c.