Sermons on Galatians, Sermon 15
The. 15. Sermon, which is the first vponupon the third Chapter.
O Yee vnwize Galathians, vvho hath bevvitched you that yee ſhould not obey the truth, vntounto vvhom Ieſus Chriſte hath heretofore bin pottrayed out before your eyes, and crucified among you?
2 I vvould knovv but this one thing of you, receyued you the ſpirit by the vvorkes of the Lavve, or by the preaching of fayth?
3 Are yee ſo vnvvize, that vvhen ye hauehave begon in the ſpirit, yee vvill novv end in the fleſh?
WEe ſee how God goeth about to win vsus by gentleneſſe and fayre meanes, till our naughtineſſe and ſtubbornneſſe inforce him to deale roughly with vsus, bicauſe we ſuffer not our ſelues too be hādled ſo gētly by his hand. For throughout the whole doctrine of the Goſpell, God doth as it were ſtretch out his armes to bring vsus in vntounto him and to receyue vsus in his fatherly louelove: or rather (as he likeneth himſelf by Moyſes) he is as a Hen that ſpreadeth out hir wings too gather hir yong chickēs vnderunder them.Exod. 19. a. 4. Ye ſee then that God of his infinite goodneſſe allureth vsus to him,Deut. 32. b. 11. but we be like wild beaſtes, that will not ſuffer themſelues to be guyded by him. And therfore in reſpect of ſuch our frowardneſſe, he had neede to vſe roughneſſe, and to ſhewe vsus our vnthankfulneſſe, too the end wee may learne to be aſhamed of it. And that is the cauſe why S. Paule hauing ſhewed that all our welfare lieth in Ieſus Chriſt, and that if wee will bee partakers of his rightuouſneſſe and of the benefites that he is willing too impart vntoo vsus, we muſt vtterly renounce ourſelues, and acknowledge that there is nothing but ſinne and corruption in vsus: doth now ſharply rebuke ſuch as would mingle their owne deuotions with the grace that is offered them in our Lord Ieſus Chriſt: for they had bin inſtructed faithfully before. If S. Paule had begonne in ſome place where men had neuer heard one woorde of the Goſpell afore, he would not hauehave vſed ſuch roughneſſe: for he would hauehave pitied the blinde and ignorant wretches. But for aſmuche as the Galathians had bin taught faythfully by him, and he had taken paynes to treine them too the Goſpell accordingly, and they therevppon had ſhrunk backe and ſuffered themſelues too bee turmoyled with falſe opinions: therfore is he ſo rough with them, according alſo as he himſelfe ſheweth, that the reaſon thereof was, for that Ieſus Christ had bin crucified among them, and that they hauing ſeene the treaſures of Gods infinite goodneſſe layd foorth after that maner before them, had none excuze to returne againe to their pelting traſh, in hope to bee iuſtified and too purchace ſaluation by the Ceremonies of the Lawe. Thus ye ſee in effect that the thing which wee hauehave to gather vponupon this text, is that if wee deſire too find a pleaſant taſte in Gods woord,Chap. 3. wee on our ſide muſte be teachable and not ſtubborne. For we muſt call too minde howe it is written in the eighttenth Pſalme, that God wil alwayes deale meeldly with ſuch as be of a meeld ſpirite,Pſ. 18. d. 26 and that he will bee rough and ſharp towardes ſuch as vſe ſtubbornneſſe, and cannot abide to ſubmit themſelues vntounto him. Al they then which hauehave a necke of braſſe, and cannot finde in their heartes too ſtoupe vnderunder the obedience of God, ſhall finde themſelues to be matched with too ſtrong an aduerſarie, & that they muſt needes be broozed and broken in peeces if they will not bow. Furthermore let vsus marke that when God correcteth our vyces, wee muſte not chafe and ſtorme as many doo, who do nothing elſe but gnaſh their teeth when they bee rebuked, ſaying that they will not bee handled after ſuch a faſhion, and that their nature requireth to be taught by gentleneſſe: yea verely, but that their ſturdineſſe ſheweth the clean contrarie. For they that ſpeake after that maner, would very fayne bee flattered. And although they ouerſhoote themſelues into all euill, yet will they not abide too hauehave their galled backes rubbed, but rather that men ſhould winke at them and conceale their naughtineſſe. But if their faultes bee layd afore them, by and by they rancle agaynſt the Goſpell: and whereas they ſhewed ſome good ſigne of zeale afore, they vtter ſuche ſpitefulneſſe afterwarde, as a man may perceyue there was nothing but venim and bitterneſſe in their hart, and it is a ſure token that ſuch folke neuer wiſt what it is too profite in Gods ſchoole, at leaſtwize purely, as S. Paule ſayeth in another place.2. Tim. 3. d. 16. Gods woord (ſayeth he) is good, not only to teach, to the end we may know what is for our behoofe, and bee able to diſcerne betwixt good and euill: but alſo to rebuke and correct vsus. For there are many negligent folke, which hauehave neede to be pricked foreward with hard ſtrokes of the ſpurre: ſome had neede to be imbaced by reaſon of their ouerweening: and otherſome grow altogither paſt… recouerie, if they be not ouermayſtred by ſtrong hand. Thus ye ſee how all of vsus muſt ſuffer patiētly when our Lord vſeth ſuch roughneſſe, acknowledging the ſame to be greatly to our behoof. Howbeit let eueryevery of vsus examine his life well, and there is none of vsus but he ſhall finde that he prouoketh God too vſe ſuche ſharpeneſſe towardes him, as if a father bee as kinde harted as is poſsible to be wiſhed, yet if he hauehave vnruly children, ſo as they be …eude and froward, he ſhall bee prouoked after ſuche a faſhion, that he ſhall as it were chaunge his nature, bycauſe he knoweth not at what end too begin with them, and is fayne after a ſort too transforme himſelfe. Euen ſo is it with vsus. For we hauehave a father which in goodneſſe ſurmounteth all that can bee ſeene among men: but we on our ſide (as I ſayd afore) in ſteede of yeelding obediently vntounto him as we ought to do, and in ſteede of offering our ſelues redily to walke as he commaundeth ſo ſoone as he doth but ſpeake the woord: do nothing but ſtray. VVe hauehave our luſtes alwayes inordinate and boyling, wee hauehave our replies alwayes readie coyned: and although our mouth ſpeake not, yet it appeereth that there is no ſuch calmneſſe in our hartes, as too be contented to ſubmit our ſelues to God as we ought to do. Seyng then that we be conuicted to our faces by experience, that God had neede to be ſo rough and ſharp towardes vsus: let vsus ſuffer him to do whatſoeuer he knoweth too be for our welfare. And no doubt but the Galathians were as nyce as wee, and had as itching eares as wee hauehave: and yet were they fayne too be rebuked ſo ſharply by reaſon of their vnthankfulneſſe. As for S. Paule, we know he indeuered by all humilitie and meeldneſſe, too drawe all ſuch to the obedience of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, as were committed and appoynted too his Apoſtleſhip. He likeneth himſelf (and not without cauſe) too a nurce, which will beare with hir nurſe childe, and not ſpare any thing too ſhew the louelove that ſhee beareth it. VVee ſhall ſee hereafter that he will ſay,Hereafter. 4. b. 12. Be yee as I am, for I am as you bee. I ſeeke nothing but too faſhion my ſelfe vntounto you, and to bring to paſſe that wee may agree in one. And yet notwithſtanding, neceſsitie hath conſtreyned him too crie out as you heare now, Yee vnwize, yee fooles, yee vndiſcreete or witleſſe as beaſts, who hath bewitched you after that ſorte? muſt you not needes bee poſſeſſed with the Diuell? Here are very harde woordes, and no doubt but the Galathians were greeued at them at the firſte ſight. Yet neuertheleſſe it was meete for them to feele, that S. Paule vſed not that maner of ſpeach and language without cauſe. Therefore whenſoeuer we bee rebuked, let vsus blame our owne faultes for it, and yeeld our ſelues giltie: for wee ſhall gayne nothing by checking againe. VVhen we hauehave diſputed what we can, wee may peraduenture iuſtifie our cace afore men: but wee ſhall alwayes be giltie before God. Moreouer it behoueth vsus too marke well the reaſon that is added heere by S. Paule, when he ſayeth, yee muste needes bee bewitched, if yee obey not the truth, ſeyng that our Lorde Ieſus Christe hath bin as it were peynted out liuely before you, yea and euen crucified among you. In ſpeaking after that faſhion, S. Paule ſheweth with what force and effectualneſſe he had preached the Goſpell. Therfore he likneth the doctrine which he had brought, vntounto a picture: & therevnto inlargeth it yet better, ſaying that the matter which hee had preached among the Galathians, ought too auayle aſmuch as if they had ſeene the Sonne of God crucified among them, and his bloud ſheaded out for the ſpirituall waſhing of their ſoules. For ſo much then as they had bin taught ſo faythfully, they could no more excuſe themſelues of their backeſliding. But firſt of all we ſee here whiche is the true maner of preaching the Goſpell: namely to giuegive knowledge of Gods louelove towardes vsus, in that he ſpared not his onelyonly Sonne, but gaue him too the death for vsus: according as in very deede all the treaſures of wiſedome and vnderſtanding are layed vp in our Lord Ieſus Chriſt,Coloſs. 2. b. 9. as it is ſayd in another place too the Coloſſians. Sith it is ſo, if we bee deſirous to profite well in the Goſpell, lette vsus learne too acknowledge the grace that is purchaced for vsus by our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte: for without that, all that wee hauehave is nothing. Many will brag that they bee well learned in Gods word: but the true triall too knowe whither it bee ſo or no, is if wee perceyue howe greate neede wee hauehave, that God ſhoulde poure out his merciemercy vponupon vsus, too ſuccour vsus by drawing vsus out of the gulf of Hell, and therevpon cōclude that wee cannot be clenzed and waſhed from any of all our ſpottes, but by the bloud of Gods ſonne nor obtayne rightuouſneſſe but by the obedience that he hath yeelded: nor hauehave any ſatisfaction for vsus but by the ſacrifize that he hath offered: nor come in Gods fauour but by his meanes: nor open our mouthes too call vppon him but by his interceſsion. Therefore when wee bee throughly perſuaded of the gracious benefites that are brought vsus by the ſonne of God: then may wee ſay wee hauehave ſome vnderſtanding in the Goſpell: but without that, wee hauehave nothing but imagination and follie. Marke that for one poynt. And therewith let vsus marke, that it is not ynough for vsus too know ſlightly that our Lord Ieſus Chriſt hath bought vsus ſo deerely: but that we muſt continue ſtill in the doctrine of the Goſpell, till it bee throughly printed in our hartes, as though his bloud guſhed downe, too apply the frute that commeth of it too our vſe: and that is too the end to waken vsus out of our drowſineſſe. For we ſhal ſee many that take themſelues too bee very great Clerkes, if they vnderſtande but three or foure woordes of the Goſpell at a glaunce. And yet the ſame ſhall ſoone bee defaced and put out of rememberance, bycauſe that whereas wee ought too ſeeke too bee filled with the benefites that our Lord Ieſus Chriſt hath brought vsus, they holde themſelues contented with a taſt of them. God then puniſheth the vnthankfulneſſe of ſuch folke, and their deſpizing of his goodneſſe. And therfore it ſtandeth vsus ſo much the more on hand, to put forth & apply all our indeuer to be well ſettled in the foreſayd doctrine, that is too wit, of knowing whervnto the death and paſsiō of Gods ſonne, and the ineſtimable benefites which we hauehave receyued, do auayle vsus. Again on the other ſide we be warned, that our ſins are the heynouſer before God, if after wee hauehave bin taught his will, wee turne head backe againe, and ſin, not through ignorāce, but through contempt and wilfulneſſe. For if we ſhake off his yoke, it is a ſure proofe that wee bee loth to be ſubiect to him, and play the wilde beaſts. True it is that euen the ignoranteſt folk in the world are reproued by their own ſinfulneſſe, for aſmuch as hypocriſie reigneth in all men: but yet if cō pariſon bee made betweene thoſe that neuer heard one woord of the truth, and vsus that hauehave our eares beaten with it, and are prouoked without end or ceaſsing to come vntoo God: wee bee muche more faultie than they. Beholde, the Turkes beleeue that they woorſhip the God that made heauen and earth: how beit for aſmuch as they refuze our Lord Ieſus Chriſte, they hauehave but an Idoll. The Papiſtes alſo are deceyued in theyr fond deuotions. And yet for all that, they bee not a whit the leſſe giltie before God. But what for that? If wee that knowe the way of ſaluation, whiche heare Gods voyce ringing continually in our eares, which are inlightened with the ſunne of rightuouſneſſe,Mala…h. 4. a. 2. euen with our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, If wee (I ſay) become as good as brute beaſtes, and diſcerne not betweene good and euill: muſt it not needes bee that we are (as ye would ſay) bewitched? For ſeing that God is ſo gratious vntoo vsus, as too come to vsus and to teach vsus ſo familiarly: ſurely he hath iuſt cauſe to complayne of vsus as he alſo dothe: My people (ſayeth he by his Prophet Micheas) what can I doo more for thee than I hauehave done?Micheas. 6. a. 3. Then if God pleade agaynſt vsus, and charge vsus with all the meanes whiche he hath giuen vsus to make vsus wholly his, that he might inioy vsus without gaynſaying: and we on our ſide caſt a ſtoppe in his way, and are loth to bow downe our neckes to receyue his yoke, or elſe be fickleminded and fleeting too forſake all agayne too day or too morrow, and had leuer too bee beguyled by the craftes and illuſions of Satan, than to bee guyded by the truth which is certaine: muſt it not needes be that we are as monſters, that is to ſay folke, that make vtter defiance too nature? Therfore let vsus learne to looke better vponupon our ſelues heere: for looke what was once ſayd too the Galathians, is ſpoken ſtill at this day vntoo vsus. For it was not for that peoples ſake alone that S. Paule wrate: but the holy Ghoſt quickeneth vsus vp ſtill now, and telleth vsus that if wee hauehave once receyued the doctrine of the Goſpell, and afterward ſtart away from it, ſo as if a man trace vsus he ſhall find no conſtancie nor ſtedineſſe of fayth in vsus: we be ſo much the more damnable, and cannot ſheeld our ſelues with any thing: for when we ſhall hauehave taken all the couerts in the world, we ſhall abide conuicted of ſuch leudneſſe, as in the end we muſt needes hauehave our mouthes ſtopped, and God muſte ſet vsus foorth as an example of all vnthankfulneſſe, in ſomuch that wee ſhall become odious both too men and Angels,Math. 13. c. 19. bicauſe we made no better account of the doctrine of ſaluation, which is ſo precious a ſeede as wee ſee that the Scripture ſpeaketh of it. Yee ſee then that the thing which we hauehave too beare in minde, is not that the onelyonly Galathians are rebuked heere by S. Paule, but that we be taught in their perſones, to walke in feare and awe when God ſhall hauehave bin ſo gracious too vsus, as too call vsus vntounto him, and too ſhewe vsus what his will is. And it is not for nought that he vſeth ſo ſharp and rigorous woordes, as too call them fooles and witleſſe, and conſequently too ſay, who hath bewitched you? But we heare how that in the fourth too the Epheſians,Eph. 4. c. 14 concerning the vſing of the Goſpell, he ſayeth that when wee hauehave once bin taught it, we muſt not be as little babes that are led too and fro, and made to beleeue that the Crow is white: but we muſt be ſo ſettled in it, that although the Diuell ſtirre vp neuer ſo many troubles, falſe opinions and lies, yet we may ſtill hold our owne, and keepe on our pace, aſſuring ourſelues that Gods truth is infallible. Thus ye ſee that the end whereto the Goſpell ought to ſerue vsus, is not only to ſhew vsus what is good for vsus, but alſo to arme and fence vsus agaynſt all incounters, and againſt all Satans ſlights, ſo that if there riſe vp any hereſies or other corruptions, we may ſtill mainteine the battel valiantly, and get the vpper hand by our faith, and not be pyped any more into the fowlers ſnare, according to the ſimilitude whych S. Paule vſeth. Now then ſeing it is ſo: it muſt needes be that we be bewitched and poſſeſſed with the Diuell, if ſuche a remedie ſuffiſe vsus not, after that God hath manifeſted himſelfe vntounto vsus, and wee knowe (yea euen fully and aſſuredly) that it is he which ſpeaketh. If we be not moued by his authoritie, what will become of it? Againe, whereas we hauehave our Lord Ieſus Chriſt ſhyning vponupon vsus as it were at high none days: muſt it not needes be that we are at defyance with nature as I ſayde afore, if wee ſeeke heere and there for by ways, when the right way is layd before our eyes? So then it is not without cauſe that Sainct Paule ſpeaketh ſo roughly too that people, which had chaunged the doctrine, after that God had granted them the grace to hauehave his truth ſhewd vntounto them. But we muſt call to mind alſo, how God vpbraideth his people of olde tyme by hys Prophet Ieremy.Iere. 2. c. 10. Go your wayes ouer the ſea (ſaythe hee) and into the Iles, and into farre countries, and ye ſhall ſee eueryevery nation worſhip his owne Idolls without chaunging. And wherefore then are you ſo variable? As for thoſe, they know not wherevppon they be grounded. They hauehave but a certayne opinion, which carieth them away and beguileth them: and yet notwithſtanding they hold on ſtill without turning aſide, and ſticke wholly to it: and why then ſhould you which know what God ye obey, be ſo fleeting? Nowe therfore let vsus marke well, that if we be lightly turned and thruſt aſide from the doctrine of the Goſpel: there ſhall neede none other witneſſe againſt vsus at the laſt day, than the wretched vnbeleeuers which follow their owne ſuperſtitions: for we ſee they be wedded to them. Looke vponupon the Turkes and Painims, looke vpō the Iewes and Papiſts. They wote not what God they worſhip, they hauehave but a weening in ſted of fayth: and yet not withſtanding a mā cannot plucke them from theyr falſe fancies, and they bee ſo giuen vntounto them as a man can neuer remoue thē. Then if wee on our ſide knowing that it is the liuing God which calleth & teacheth vsus dayly, and that the thing which is vttered by men commeth of him and of his holy ſpirit, and hauing record of the law & the Goſpel which cannot fayle, if we (I ſay) hauing ſuch a reſting ſtock for our faith, be afterward vnconſtāt, ſo as our eares itch to receiue eueryevery new toy, and men make vsus to alter our mind in leſſe than the turning of a hand, what elſe betokeneth it, but that we wilfully refuſe Goddes grace, as if we wold ſhet the gate againſt him that he might not com in vntounto vsus? Or elſe, if after we hauehave once knowen, that he offereth vsus ſo in eſtimable a benefite in his Goſpell, wee caſt it downe and trample it vnderunder our feete: thinke we that God wil ſuffer his grace too be ſo lightly eſteemed and hild skorne of? No. For wee cannot deſpiſe the doctrine of the Goſpel, but we muſt vnhalow the bloud of Gods ſonne, which he did ſhead for our redemption: for the one cannot bee ſeparated from the other. VVhenſoeuer and how often ſoeuer God ſpeaketh to vsus, and offereth vsus forgiueneſſe of oure ſinnes, ſhewing himſelfe readie to receiue vsus to merciemercy: ſo often is the bloud of our Lord Ieſus Chriſte ſprinkled vponupon vsus. All the teaching in the world cannot do vsus any good, except our Lord Ieſus Chriſt be with it, to apply the ſheading of his bloud vntounto vsus. And if we deſpiſe the doctrine of the Goſpel, it is all one as if wee did ſpit at the holy bloud of Goddes ſonne, which thing is an intolerable trayterouſneſſe. Therfore let vsus looke narowlier to our ſelues, and wey wel this text, to the intent we ſtand ſtedfaſt: and for aſmuch as God hath called vsus to ſo great a good turne, and we do now know that is not by haphazard that the Goſpel hath bin preached, but bycauſe it was Gods will to vtter the infinite riches of his goodneſſe towardes vsus: let vsus ſtand in it, and ſo ſticke too it, as nothing may thruſt vsus from it, nor by any meanes euer ſhake vsus down. Lo in effect what we hauehave to beare away in this text. Moreouer we be warned alſo, which are the true pictures or peintings to leade vsus too God. The Papiſts ſay we muſt hauehave rememberances to teache vsus, and that images are the bookes of the vnlearned which are not apt to conceiue higher doctrine: but hath Sainct Paule ſpoken heere but to three or four folke? No: It is generally, and to all Chriſtians without exception, as well to great as ſmall, that he ſayth that whē the Goſpell is preached, then Ieſus Chriſt is peinted out liuely, and we muſt looke vponupon him, not with the fleſhly eyes of our bodyes, but with the ſpirituall eyes of our faith. Then ſeeing it is ſo, let vsus learne that we hauehave no neede of Images and puppets to teach vsus what is neceſſarie for our ſaluation, nother neede wee a peece of wood, ſtone or other ſuche pelting ſtuffe, too put vsus in rememberance of God, (for in all thoſe things there is nothing but vanitie and leaſing:) but we hauehave neede to hauehave Gods word preached, and to indeuer and trauell to make the ſame familiar too vsus, that wee may there beholde God in his liuely image, that is to ſaye in the perſon of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt his only ſonne,2. Cor. 4. a. 3. according alſo as Sainct Paule ſayeth in the ſecond too the Corinthians, where he proteſteth that the doctrine which he brought vntoo them, was not hidden from anie but the vnbeleeuers, ſuche as periſh, whome the Diuell poſſeſſeth, and which hauehave their eyes ſealed vp. And no wonder though they ſee not awhit in the open light. But yet in the meane while the doctrine is ſo manifeſt vntoo vsus, as we may eaſly perceyue Gods will. For he ſheweth vsus it familiarly ynough as oft as the Goſpell is preached, in ſomuch that wee neede not to make much running vp and downe,Deute. 30. c. 12. not too fetch farre wyndlaſſes: wee neede no more to ſay, who ſhall ſtie vp aboue the Cloudes? who ſhall go beyond ſea? who ſhall go downe intoo the deepe? HaueHave we Gods word? at leaſtwiſe hauehave wee it preached purely? Then is Ieſus Chriſt as it it were in the middes of vsus, and ſheweth himſelf as it were hanging vppon the Croſſe, witneſsing what hee dyd for vsus, when he ſuffered death to reconcyle vsus to God his father. There hee ſetteth vsus downe a ſure and vndeceyuable pledge or warrant, and let vsus content our ſelues with it. For when we hauehave pleaded neuer ſo muche, it will not excuſe vsus: oure cace wyll alwayes go againſte vsus, if wee bee not well aſſured in oure conſciences, that wee hauehave whollye leaned vntoo Goddes word, which (as I ſayd) bringeth vsus ſo neere vntounto God, that it is the very vnion itſelfe, whiche we hauehave with him in the perſon of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. And in good ſooth, we ſee how God dothe as it were ſtoup to our rudeneſſe and infirmitie. For doth he ſpeak in ſo loftie and darke a ſtile as we can vnderſtand nothing? No: but contrariwiſe he abaceth hymſelfe, and therto thinkes it not ynough to hauehave ſpoken, but alſo addeth Sacramentes to his worde, whyche are the true pictures that we ought to hauehave. Like as when we ſee the water of baptim, it is a picture which ſheweth vsus that we be …ull of filth and vncleanneſſe, till we be waſhed: and by whome? VVe muſt ſeeke our waſhing from aboue. Beſides this, it ſheweth vsus that we muſt be renued by the holy Ghoſt of God. That then is a good picture. And why? Bycauſe it beareth Gods marke, and is matched wyth hys worde. As much is to bee ſayde of the Lordes ſupper. VVhen we ſee the morſells of bread and the droppes of wyne. Very well, they bee the Creatures whereof wee hauehave bin wont too take nurriſhmeute and ſuſtenaunce for our bodies: but the ſame do leade vsus to the lyfe of our ſoules, and gyue vsus to vnderſtand, that we hauehave no lyfe but in our Lorde Ieſus Chryſte. And the cauſe why the wyne is added, is to ſhew that he hath ſuch vertue in him, as we neede not to ſeeke any part of the thynges that we want, any otherwhere: but that he ſerueth vsus for meate and drinke and all. Theſe (I ſay) are the good images that God hath ſet afore vsus: and now if we bee ſtill ſoring in the aire, and gadding after our owne luſts, to ſay I would fayne hauehave more: it is a diſdeyning of the grace that is offered vsus. So much the more therefore doth it ſtande vsus on hand to marke well this ſtreine, where Sainct Paule by the poewr and in the name of God condemneth, yea and with the power of the holy Ghoſt thundereth, againſt all ſuche as hauehave bin taught the Goſpell faithfully, and afterward do turne aſide and ſlip away from it. And therevpon he addeth, that he woulde fayne hauehave it knowen by what meane the holy Ghoſt is receyued. For if they had receiued the holy Ghoſt by the works of the law: Sainct Paule would hauehave graunted that there was ſome righteouſneſſe to be had by it. But foraſmuch as they had receiued him by the Goſpell: it muſt needes be concluded, that they ought to hauehave reſted vppon the record that God gaue them ſo apparantly. And for the better vnderſtanding of the thing that he meant too ſaye heere: let vsus marke that Gods ſpirit is giuen in common to all the faithfull, for ſomuch as they be regenerated and made new creatures. Beſides this▪ there are ſpiritual gifts, which God deſtributeth according to ſuch meaſure and portion as hee thinketh good, but yet they redound all to the common welfare of the Church. If we bee Chriſtians, we muſt needes hauehave Gods ſpirit, as wee ſhall ſee heereafter.2. Cor. 1. d. 22. For hee is called the earneſtpenny, and the Seale of the heritage that is promiſed vsus,Eph. 1. c. 14 and whyche wee looke for. Yee ſee then that Gods ſpirit muſt dwell in vsus, if wee bee hys children. But beſides this, there are alſo gracious giftes: as for example there was in olde time the gift of Tungs, the gyfte of propheſying, the gift of healing, and ſuche other lyke. And euen ſtill at thys day, God ſheweth well that hee hath not vtterly forſaken hys Church. For although viſible gyftes reygne not now as they did then: yet notwithſtanding we may ſee ſtill, that God doth by ſome meane or other vtter his operation among vsus. Furthermore Sainct Paule ſpeaketh heere to all men. And therefore (according to the common and ordinarie meening of it) wee wil take this word Spirit, for the renewmēt which God worketh in his children,Iohn. 3. a. 6. as it is ſayd in the third Chapter of Sainct Iohn. For in aſmuch as we be borne of fleſh, there is nothing in vsus but vtter corruption, and we tend always towards the earth. No doubt but men glory in their owne wiſdome, and moreouer thinke that they hauehave a free choyce and will of their owne, to take the good and [leaue] the euil, but thoſe are but dreames. For it is certayne that ſo long as we bee let alone in our owne nature, wee tende euermore vntoo euill, and the ſcripture alſo condemneth vsus of it,Gen. 6. a. 5. ſaying that there is not any thought conceyued in mannes mynde,Rom. 8. b. 7 but the ſame is leawd, and all our affections are enemies and rebells againſt God. Therefore let vsus not beguile ourſelues any more with vayne flatteries, but acknowledge ourſelues too be vtterly marred in Adam, ſo as there is nothing but ſinfulneſſe in vsus. Notwithſtanding, God prouideth for that miſcheefe, when he toucheth vsus too the quicke by hys holy ſpirite, and ſo purgeth our harts as we deſire to obey him, and although we bee not ſo perfect as were requiſite, yet we fight againſt ourſelues, and go forward ſtill to goodneſſe. And ſurely when Gods ſpirit is as a bridle to vsus to hold vsus backe in his obediēce, it is a ſure token that God dwelleth in vsus, and gouerneth vsus as his flocke, and holdeth vsus for his children. For we cannot bee counted Chriſtians, without this record, that God warranteth himſelfe to bee our father, and that his holy ſpirit is as a ſeale thereof, according as I hauehave already alledged the record of Sainct Paule,Eph. 1. 14. out of the firſt to the Epheſians. And now he ſayth, that the Galathians had receyued the ſpirite of God by the preaching of the Goſpell. Then ſeeing it is ſo, it was for too be concluded, that the workes of the law could not iuſtifye them. And why? For we muſt always come backe to thys principle which we hauehave treated of, namely that in the Goſpell we be vtterly ſtripped out of all the goodneſſe and vertue whiche we thought ourſelues to hauehave, and that God doth vsus ſuch ſhame, as we be fayne to come to him as quite confounded. For although God ſet oure curſedneſſe afore vsus in the law: yet we perceiue it not ſo well there, as in the Goſpell. And we ſee how the hipocrites do always flatter themſelues, and thinke too performe the thynges that are commaunded them. But in the Goſpell there are two things. For God ſheweth that there is nothing in vsus but pouertie, ſo as we muſt bee fayne to come to begge his grace, with vtter acknowledgement of our baceneſſe, how that we hauehave done amiſſe, and hauehave not one ſparke of vertue in vsus woorthy of commendation. Now then, ſeeing it is ſo, Sainct Paule doth not without cauſe tell vsus heere, that ſuch as receiue Gods ſpirit by the preaching of the Goſpell, muſt be voyd of all truſt in their owne merites, and acknowledge themſelues beholden all wholly to Gods meere and free merciemercy for their whole ſaluation. And why ſo? For they be thinges that can no more match togither than fyre and water, that we ſhould be iuſtifyed by the Goſpell, and alſo iuſtifyed by the law. VVhat then? Is the Goſpell contrary to the law? No: for (as I hauehave declared already) God is author as well of the one as of the other, and there is no contrariworking in hym, but the queſtion heere concerneth the cace of our ſaluation. God hath gyuen men hys lawe too ſhewe them the way too lyue well, and thereby intended to bring them to ſuche condemnation, as if hee ſhoulde preferre an inditement agaynſt them, and put a halter about theyr neckes: For truly in the law we ſee nothing but▪ Hell gaping open vppon vsus, that Gods vengeance is ready afore hand to incounter vsus, and that he is armed againſt vsus as our enimie. Thoſe are the thynges whych the law ſetteth afore vsus. But now is the Goſpell gyuen vsus for a remedy, to the end that when we be ſo in deſpaire, we ſhould flee to the grace that is offered vsus in our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte, and vnderſtand that there is none other way [to do vsus good] than the forgiueneſſe of our ſinnes, whereby God doth ſo put away and wype out our offences, as they come no more to account before him. The thing then wherein our righteouſneſſe conſiſteth, is that hee burdeneth vsus not any more with the euil that is in vsus. And althogh we ſee Gods intent and determination to be ſuch, both in the law and in the Goſpell: yet are we ſure that there is no contrarietie in it. Beſydes this alſo, if we be not iuſtifyed by the Goſpell, howe can wee attayne ſaluation by the lawe? It is true that the lawe is a preparatiue too bryng vsus to the Goſpell: for ſo long as men bee puffed vp wyth pryde, Gods grace hath no enterance intoo them. If a veſſell be full of wind, let a man labour to put what liquor hee will into it, and he ſhall not get it in, bycauſe the wynde beateth it backe, and hindereth the putting of it in. And we may perceyue it euen in mannes body: for we muſt bee fayne too take ſimilitudes of worldly things too leade vsus to higher thinges. If a man be hungrie, and yet notwithſtanding hauehave hys ſtomacke ſo puffed vp as it cannot abide any thyng: hee may well bee full: but what for that? All is but wind, he hath neuer the more nurriſhment within for all that, but rather the wind hindereth the entering in of any, good ſuſtenance to nurriſh and mainteine him. Euen ſo is it with the fooliſh preſumpteouſneſſe that is in vsus. VVe beare ourſelues in hand, that we be well furniſhed with all thinges that wee hauehave neede of: howbeit, that is but wind howſoeuer we fare, and that wynd ſhetteth out Gods grace frō entering in. But by the Goſpel our Lord bringeth vsus low, & ſheweth vsus our wretchednes. And therefore it behoueth vsus to come to it with a conſideratiō that our Lord Ieſus Chriſt is ſet foorth vntounto vsus there, to the end that we ſeing that there is not one drop of goodneſſe in vsus, ſhould ſeeke it in him, yea euen al wholy and not by peeces. Thus then ye ſee why S. Paule reaſoneth, that for aſmuch as we hauehave receiued Gods ſpirit by meanes of the Goſpell, it behoueth vsus to hold vsus therevnto, and not go to the Ceremonies of the law, nor to any other thyng one or other, but be contented with that perfection, ſeing it is gyuen vsus and we may enioy it without geinſaying. For although thys matter was written to the Galathians: yet is it common to vsus alſo at this day, as well as to them. Let vsus marke (I ſay) how our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt wrought in vsus. And firſt of all let vsus practiſe that which is ſhewed vsus in the ſecond to the Corinthians:2. Cor. 3. d. 18. whiche is, that it behoueth vsus to be wholly new faſhioned againe, and to hauehave Goddes ſpirit dwelling in vsus. So then the true marke whereby we may diſcerne whither we bee Gods children or no, is Gods ſpirit. But bring we that ſpirit with vsus from our mothers womb? Alas no. Nother commeth it any whit the more by our owne deſeruings, as I hauehave told you already: but bycauſe it pleaſeth God of his graciouſe goodneſſe to giuegive vsus it, thereby to draw vsus to him. If we hauehave any deſire or willingneſſe to walke in the feare of our God, or if wee would fayne be able to call vponupon him with a pure conſcience: it is a token that Gods ſpirit dwelleth in vsus. VVe neede not to ſeeke any other witneſſe, nor to make any longer ſcanning of the matter. But nowe, hauehave wee gotten and obteyned this ſpirit by our owne merites? No ſurely. Then muſt we needes conclude, that ſeeyng wee hauehave it of gyft, it was gyuen vsus by meanes of the Goſpell. For in the Goſpell God vttereth hys myghtye power and working too the ſaluation of men, as it is ſayde in the firſte too the Romanes.Rom. 1. b. 16 Now if the Goſpell bee the inſtrumente whereby we receyue Goddes ſpirite, ſhall we go ſeeke other meanes? VVere not that a renouncing of the power whyche is apparantly knowen too vsus? It is all one as if we would wilfully leaue the way that is ſhewed vsus of our God, too ſeeke bywayes after our owne fancie. And if the Galathians were without excuce for theyr turning away from the Goſpell too the lawe: what ſhall wee bee in theſe dayes, if wee will needes bee wrapped in the ſuperſtitions that men hauehave forged in their owne ſhoppes? As for example, the Papiſtes thinke too bee iuſtified, not by the Ceremonies that God had commaunded in olde time, but by the dotages and gewgawes that they them ſelues hauehave deuiſed. For as for the thing whiche they doo nowe a dayes terme Gods ſeruice, what elſe is it than a certayne hotchpotche, whereinto eueryevery man hath caſt his owne peece and collop? Seeing then that the ca…e ſtandeth ſo, it is not a deſpiſing of God, and a withdrawing of our ſelues from him, by reiecting of his grace, too the ende he ſhoulde not hauehave any acceſſe at all vntounto vsus, when wee will needes mingle mens inuentions with the pureneſſe of the Goſpell? Muſt we not needes be worſe than mad in ſo dooing? Then let vsus know at one worde, that wee can not bee Chriſtians, but the holy Ghoſt muſte holde vsus in ſuch humilitie, as to make vsus confeſſe, that al our welfare commeth of Gods meere grace, and ſo cleaue to our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, as wee not onelyonly take him for a peece or portion of our truſt, but bee fully ſatiſfied with him as hauing drawne of his fulneſſe, aſſuring our ſelues that he is the full perfection, not only of all wiſedome, but alſo of all righteouſneſſe and happineſſe, & that in him lieth and conſiſteth all our welfare, which welfare wee poſſeſſe when wee hauehave the Goſpell and the preaching of faythe, and when wee be caſt downe in our ſelues, and vtterly bereft of all preſumpteouſneſſe, which keepeth vsus backe from comming vntounto God. Furthermore let vsus be ſo rauiſhed, ſeeing that our Lord Ieſus Chriſt hath ſo bountifully giuen vsus all that was requiſite for our ſaluation, I ſay let vsus bee ſo rauiſhed with it, as all things elſe that can be layde before vsus, may be but as ſmoke too vsus, and we vtterly deſpiſe and abhorre them, too ſhewe how well we hauehave profited in the Goſpell, and therewithall bee ſo conſtant and ſtedfaſt in our ſelues, as neuer to bee thruſt out of the way, whatſoeuer the diuell whiſper in oure care. And moreouer, for as muche as wee bee ſo weake, groſſe and heauie, that although God doo daily prouoke eueryevery of vsus to come vntounto him, wee come but as it were halting and creeping: let vsus inforce our ſelues more and more to beſeech God too ſtrengthen vsus with his holy ſpirite, and too make vsus profite more and more in the knowledge of his Goſpell. And let vsus not doo as thoſe doo which imagine them ſelues too bee come to full perfection at the firſt day▪ but let vsus labour to go forwarde more and more in the hope of the heauenly life, & to gather ſuch ſtrēgth as our fayth may grow from day to day, till we come to the bleſſed ſtop,Eph. 4. c. 15 wherof S. Paul ſpeaketh in the fourth to the Epheſians: which i…, that we cleaue fully to our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt.
Nowe let vsus fall downe before the maieſtie of our good God, with acknowledgement of our faultes, praying him to make vsus ſo to feele them more and more, as the ſame may cauſe vsus bothe too miſlike them, and alſo too aske forgiueneſſe of them at his hande, that by that meanes he may bee glorified by vsus, and wee ſo confirmed by his holy ſpirite, as we may not doubt but that he dwelleth in vsus, and that as he hath once adopted vsus for his children, ſo he will holde vsus ſtill for the ſame. And ſo let vsus all ſaye, Almightie God heauenly father. &c.