Sermons on Galatians, Sermon 41
The. 41. Sermon, which is the fourth vponupon the ſixth Chapter.
9 Let vsus not bee vveerie of vvell dooyng: for in conuenient ſeaſon vvee ſhall reape vvithout vvearineſſe.
10 Therefore vvhile vve hauehave time let vsus doo good too al men, but cheefly to them that are of the houſehold of faith.
11 Yee ſee hovve large a letter I hauehave vvritten too you vvith mine ovvne hand.
WEe hauehave ſeene the ſimilitude whereby Sainct Paul exhorted vsus to do good, ſo long as God giueth vsus tyme in this world. For whyle wee bee heere, wee ought to apply all Gods giftes too the ſeruice of him and of all his, yea and generally of all men. For after as God beſtoweth any abilitie or gifte vppon any … vsus he byndeth him too ſuche as hauehave neede of him and as he is able too helpe. Therefore wee muſt bee fully reſolued of this, that none of vsus muſt bee ydle or vnprofitable, but hauehave an eye too the meane that God hath gyuen vsus, too the ende that eueryevery of vsus maye make as it were a ſacrifice of it vntoo hym. And herevppon, too gyue vsus the better corage, Sainct Paule ſaythe that in ſo dooyng wee doo ſowe: and God will not ſuffer vsus too bee diſappoynted, when wee ſhall hauehave indeuered too occupie our ſelues about the things that he commaundeth. VVee are of opinion that all is loſte, if eueryevery man ſeeke not his owne profit, and bee giuen wholly too himſelfe. But it is cleane contrarie. For althoughe that he which ſuccoureth his neyghbor forgo the thing that he beſtoweth vppon him: yet he putteth it in good keepyng, as he doth which layeth his ſeede intoo the ground, that is, to reape fruite of it in conuenient ſeaſon. Contrarywiſe there is a way for all to periſhe: namely if we be too gripple of the riches of thys worlde, ſo as wee hauehave no care nor regarde but of our owne profite: wee ſhall gather corruption, that is too ſay, all ſhall periſhe, as in very deede the worlde and the faſhion thereof muſte needes paſſe and vaniſhe awaye. Thus yee ſee what all the treaſure is which they can ſcrape together, that indeuer too make their hand in this worlde. For as their lyfe is flyghtfull and tranſitorie, ſo are all the goods that they ſhall hauehave hoorded vp, and all ſhall go too deſtruction. But if wee can diſcharge our ſelues of earthly cares, and looke vp too the kingdome of God, although we ſeeme too bee diminiſhed and made poore by dooyng good: yet ſhall not our treaſure periſh, but ſhall be well kept in Gods hand till the laſt daye. Howbeit for as muche as the Diuell offereth vsus many occaſions too coole vsus, or too make vsus turne heade backe ageine, Sainct Paule addeth a verye needefull incoragement, which is, that wee ſhoulde not bee weerie of well dooyng. And afterwarde he addeth that wee muſte bee patient, in wayting for the ſeaſonable time of gathering. Therefore where as hee ſayeth that wee muſt not bee weerye, it is bycauſe that ſuche as hauehave any good will or deſyre too doo good, ſhall bee plucked backe by Satans …, and by a numbe… … comberances and lettes whyche he will caſt in theyr way. If a man walke abroade for his owne pleaſure, he needeth not too bee warned that he wearie not himſelfe. And why? For he chozeth ſome faire beaten path, he keepeth a meaſurable pace, and he goeth at his eaſe: for he is not ſtinted to go thus many leagues in a day, but returneth ageine as ſoone as his iourney is not to his mind.
This warning therefore is for ſuch as hauehave long iourneys to go, and not onelyonly one or two, but continuall trauelings. They ſhall perchaunce hauehave hard paſſages, they ſhall hauehave ſtonie and ſhrubbie wayes, or wayes that are myrie and dirtie, they ſhall hauehave hils and dales. Such hauehave neede too bee quickened forward, that they may bee cheered and plucke vp a good harte, that they tyre not nor quayle not in the middes of their iourney. Euen ſo is it with vsus when God toucheth vsus wyth his holy ſpirit, ſo as wee be diſpoſed to ſerue him and to doo good to ſuch as ſeeke ſuccour at our hand. But on the one ſide wee bee plucked backe by vnbeleefe, bycauſe wee bee afrayde that the earthe wyll fayle vsus: and if any manne bee too bee releeued, wee caſt with our ſelues that the like want and penurie maye befall our ſelues. Thus yee ſee wee bee plucked backe, wee bee ſnarled in that ouercarefulneſſe, and are vnſatiable in our luſtes, and thinke wee ſhall neuer hauehave ynough. Herevppon alſo wee bee tempted too ſeeke excuces. For wee will alledge [on the one ſide] that wee cannot tell whither the partie that complayneth hauehave ſuche neede as he ſpeaketh of, or whither he bee ſo greatly too bee pitied: and on the otherſyde that the worlde is ſo wicked and vngracious, that a man cannot tell too whom too doo good, and that oftentymes the good turne is loſt, and there is ſuche vnthankefulneſſe, that it were better too let thoſe complaynants to endure hunger and thirſt, than to giuegive them occaſion too offende God, in beguyling men after that ſort and in laughing them too ſcorne for their labour. There will alwayes bee founde excuces and ſhiftes ynow too eſcape from weldooyng, as experience ſheweth too muche, ſpecially conſideryng that wee bee ſo lazie and faynt by nature. So muche the more therefore dooth it ſtande vsus in hande too remember thys leſſon which Sainct Paule ſetteth down …ere, which is, too … ſtill without beeyng weerie, yea verily in dooyng good. This matter concerneth the inlarging of our hartes, and of the imploying of our goods (if wee hauehave any) to the releefe of our needie neyghbors. And wee know that Sainct Paule hath begon at the miniſters of Gods woorde. Neuertheleſſe he exhorteth vsus all generally, for ſo much as God hath knit vsus all togither, and ſet vsus in the world with condition that eueryevery of vsus ſhould conſider wherein he may bee able too helpe ſuch as hauehave neede of him. Let vsus apply our lyfe thervntoo, that wee peruert not the order of nature. Furthermore for as much as wee bee ſo lither and colde, and ſhall alſo finde many occaſions too hinder and breake off the zeale that wee hauehave too diſcharge our duetie. Let vsus ouerleape all incomberances, and plucke vp a good harte that wee quayle not. And the more that the worlde is nowe adayes come too the top of inquitie, vnthankfulneſſe, and malice: the more doothe it ſtande vsus in hande too treade downe ſuche temptations, rather hauyng an eye vntoo GOD, than to the vnworthineſſe of the perſons that are too bee ſuccoured. For howe muche lewdneſſe ſoeuer there bee throughout the whole world: yet will God continue alwayes vnchaungeable in his purp…ſe: that is too wit, he will hauehave eueryevery of vsus to conſider his owne abilitie, and the meaſure that is giuen vntounto him, and that wee bee not borne too ourſelues, (for God hath not created vsus to that intent) but he will hauehave eueryevery of vsus to thruſt forth and as it were too conſtreine himſelfe to helpe ſuch as deſire ſuccour of him: and although they craue it not, yet if wee ſee them in neceſsitie, he will hauehave vsus too releeue them by ſuche meanes as he offereth. The verye heathen men had skill ynough too ſpeake ſuche language. Therefore it is dubble ſhame too vsus if wee knowe not wherefore God hath created vsus, and wherfore he ſheweth himſelfe ſo bountifull towardes vsus. Truely he coulde well hauehave diſpoſed the worlde in ſuche wiſe, as no manne ſhoulde hauehave wanted, and eueryevery man might hauehave forborne other. But he offereth vsus matter of pitie and compaſsion, too ſhewe whither there bee any kyndhartedneſſe in vsus or no. Nowe we muſt alſo marke well the promiſe that Sainct Paule addeth: which is, … wee ſhall reape or gat… in ſeaſonable time. True it is that wee were not too bee excuſed, thoughe there were no rewarde at all, but that God ſhoulde ſaye ſimply that he wyll hauehave it ſo… for it is ſufficient that he hath ſet vsus in the world, and fed vsus wyth his bounteouſneſſe, and it requireth at leaſtwiſe that wee ſhoulde bee wholly at his commaundement: howbeit for as muche as he ſeeth our feebleneſſe and ſloweneſſe, he addeth this ouermore too make vsus plucke vp a better harte, ſaying, that none of all our doings ſhall bee loſt. For he dooth as it were take them intoo hys keepyng, and will deliuer vsus them ageyne, yea euen with a greater profite than we coulde hauehave hoped or wiſhed for in the world. He that hathe money in his powche, and ſees a commoditie offered him, wyll lay it out on all ſydes: for he preſuppoſeth that he ſhall loze nothing by it, but that beſides the returne of the principall, he ſhall be much increaſed by the profite that will ryſe to him of it. Truely if a man bee about to lend money, or too put it too ſome traffike, he will looke twyce or thrice too it that it may bee ſure: but finally if he ſpie a riche man that is able too paye and of good credit: he concludeth by and by that he may well truſt him. But thoughe God aſſure vsus as much as may be that whatſoeuer we put intoo his handes ſhall returne ſafe vntoo vsus, and that wee ſhall hauehave greater gayne of it, than of all the things that wee can doo in the worlde: he hath not ſo muche credit among vsus that wee wyll truſt too his woorde: no, wee bee deafe on that ſyde. Firſt of all therefore,Math. 10. d 42. too the ende wee ſhould not bee thruſt out of the way by meannes vnkindneſſe: our Lord ſayth, whatſoeuer yee doo too the leaſt, or to the moſt deſpyſed of theſe, I accept it and acknowledge it as done to my ſelfe. Too bee ſhort I receiue it as of myne owne hand. Lo how God ſpeaketh as in reſpect of the word profite. Alſo he addeth a promiſe, that there is no vſurie nor gayne ſo great, as the profit that is to be hoped for at his hand, ſo wee ſhet our eyes ageynſt worldly things, that they hold vsus not backe, but beſtowe the things that he hath put intoo our handes, and whiche he hath committed to our charge, as he appoynteth by hys woord. But whereas God ſpeaketh after that manner, not once or twyce but manie times, ſo as if there were but one drop of truſt in vsus, ſurely wee ſhoulde bee fully reſolu… …f it: yet notwithſtandyng … ſwade wee bee ſtill faſtened heere bylowe, and cannot beleeue nor perſwade ourſelues, that God ſpeaketh in good earneſt.
Therefore it is not without cauſe that S. Paule ſetteth downe the promiſe, that wee ſhall gather or reape, as if he had ſayde, yee wretched men, yee ſtande vponupon thornes when any profite is ſhewed you, and although the iſſue be vncertayne, yet your couetouſneſſe driueth you to it, and eueryevery of you is willing to disburſe your money. Lo heere, God which is true and can not lye, aſſureth vsus oftentimes, yea and warranteth vsus that whatſoeuer wee put into his hande ſhall yeelde vsus ineſtimable gayne: and yet wee can not finde in our hartes to beleeue him for all his promiſes whiche he makes vntounto vsus. And can wee doo him a greater wrong? He for his owne parte oweth vsus nothing: whatſoeuer he promiſeth vsus, is of his owne good will without beeing in any wiſe bound vntounto vsus, and yet can not any thing induce vsus to ſerue him. Therefore marke well what Sainct Paule telleth vsus, to the ende that eueryevery of vsus may indeuer too amende this curſed roote of couetouſneſſe, which is ſo deepely ſetled in our hearts, that wee muſt bee fayne to inforce our ſelues when wee ſhoulde followe whither ſo euer God calleth vsus, and ſpecially when wee ſhould play the faythfull Stewards in dealing foorth the goods which he hath put vsus in truſt with. How be it, let vsus marke the words which he addeth, in conuenient ſeaſon, ſayth he. And this ſerueth to confirme and ſtrengthen vsus in patience. For wee would hauehave God to ſhewe vsus to day or to morrowe, or rather out of hande, what the profite is that he ſpeaketh of. The husbandman will holde him ſelfe quiet when he hath layde his ſeede in the grounde. Afterwarde he ſees froſt and ſnow, winde and rayne, heate and colde: and yet neuertheleſſe he wayteth ſtill for the comming of harueſt. They that occupie the trade of marchaundiſe, put foorth their money, yea and their owne perſons alſo in great daunger: and in the meane whyle theyr ſiluer goes and runnes, and is ſhifted too and fro: and yet notwithſtanding bicauſe they bee accuſtomed to buying and ſelling, they knowe well inough that they ſhall not receyue any profite at the firſt day, but muſt be fayne to wayte till the time come. Howebeeit there … hoping or looking fo… preſent gaine when we hauehave to … with God, and yet notwithſtanding wee muſt thinke our ſelues out of all doubt of it, in ſo muche that the time ought not too ſeeme too long, if wee looke vp to the euerlaſtingneſſe of the kingdome of heauen▪ and yet for all this, no man is pacient. VVe will bee quiet inough ſo long as wee hazarde and aduenture our goods: and is it not a very pitifull cace, that when as God telleth vsus that he will bee a faythfull keeper of the things that are too bee ſpent [in his ſeruice] wee fall into ſorrowe and vnquietneſſe, and beare our ſelues in hande that all is loſt, if wee ſee not the thyng performed out of hande? Yee ſee then that the thing whiche wee hauehave to marke vponupon this ſaying, is that wee muſt bridle our ſelues till the conuenient time be come. For it is not for vsus to appoynte the certayne day: that muſt remayne in the hande of God. Therefore let vsus be contented that he exerciſe our patience, and the time ſhall not be prolonged further than is for our profite. Furthermore S. Paule ment alſo to draw vsus from the world, for we deſire temporall profite. No doubte but wee will bee well contented that God ſhoulde giuegive vsus it: but yet therein wee ſhewe our ſelues too bee altogither earthly. For if a man doo any almoſe deedes, althoughe his intent bee too ſerue God: yet coulde he finde in his heart too receyue by and by for eueryevery pennie a ſhilling, or rather a Crowne, and vnderunder colour of dooing ſome ſmall almoſe deedes, he woulde ſeeke too rake into him ſelfe on eueryevery ſide. For as muche then as wee woulde chaffer ſo with God: Sainct Paule to correct ſuche vyce, ſayth that wee muſt looke whether God calleth vsus, that is too wit, too the great day, at the whiche eueryevery man ſhall hauehave hys wages. So then althoughe all ſeeme to bee loſt as in reſpect of this worlde, and of this preſent life, yet let vsus not ceaſſe too truſt ſtill in God, who is a faythfull keeper of our pawnes and gages, & will doo muche more for vsus than wee can hope for, ſo that wee on our ſide hauehave patience. Heerevppon he concludeth, that whyle wee hauehave tyme and leyſure, wee must doo good too all men, and ſpecially to the houſholde of fayth. Nowe in ſaying that wee muſt labour to doo good while wee hauehave leyſure: he ſetteth before vsus the ſhortneſſe of our lyfe. And wee ſee an vngracious maladie ſtill in vsus in that behalfe: for eueryevery day ſeemeth as a ye… too vsus. VVyll there … bee no ende, ſay wee? Muſte wee ſtill continue in this plight? … wee euer bee newe to beginne? Lo howe eueryevery of vsus thinketh the tyme to bee ouerlong that is ſpent in well dooing. And therevpon, O (ſay wee) I ſhall come ſoone inoughe: for if I ſpende my ſelfe to day, and one come to craue of mee to morrowe, I ſhall wante wherewith, and therefore I were better to ſpare my ſelfe. Nowe theſe delayes are ſuche as a man ſhall neuer finde time to do good. For eueryevery man would preferre his fellow before him, not of purpoſe to folowe him in dooing good, but to holde him ſelfe ſtill at a ſtay. But contrariwyſe Sainct Paule telleth vsus, that if wee conſider the matter aduiſedly as it is in deede, we ſhall finde our ſelues too hauehave no great leyſure of all the tyme of our lyfe. For although wee dyd neuer ceaſſe, but eueryevery man inforced him ſelfe as muche as were poſsible, too ſpende him ſelfe in the ſeruing of hys neighbours: yet were it neuer a whit too muche. VVee ſee that as long as wee bee in this worlde, wee muſte ſtyll bee in charge. VVee ſee wee muſte bee fedde and clothed whyle wee bee children, at whiche tyme wee can not earne the value of a pinne, and other folkes muſt bee fayne too trauell for vsus. Very well: are wee come too yeeres of diſcretion? Yet hauehave wee neede too bee oftentimes helped and ſuccoured, I meane euen the rycheſt ſorte of vsus. For there wyll come ſome ſickneſſe, or other aduerſitie, that ſhall pull downe them whyche thynke them ſelues too bee luſtyeſt and ſtrongeſt. Agayne wee ſhall hauehave neede of ſo many things and bee ſo combered for our owne ſelues, as wee ſhall ſcarſly bee able too imparte the hundreth parte of our duetie, too thoſe whome wee owe it too by Gods appoyntment. They (I ſaye) whiche are riche and hauehave ſtore of goods, euen they hauing alſo a good wyll, (doo what they can, and trauell they neuer ſo much without ceaſſing) ſhall hardly or neuer bee able too diſcharge the hundredth part of their duetie towardes thoſe whom they bee bounde vntoo. Therefore when all is well conſidered, wee ſhall fynde that wee hauehave no greate leyſure too doo good too oure neyghbours. For when wee come too olde age, it is a returning agayne too a ſeconde childehoode, ſo as wee ſerue too no more purpoſe than little babes, ſauing that … bee more chargeable, byc… wee bee waywarde and vneaſie too content: eueryevery body muſt be combered with dooing ſeruice to vsus, and when all is done, wee bee vtterly vnprofitable. Heereby then wee ſee that wee hauehave no great leyſure to doo well: and therefore it behoueth vsus too ſtreyne our ſelues ſo muche the more, whyle God giueth vsus conuenient time. VVhen a husbandman ſees fayre wether, Ply it ſirs, ply it (ſayth he) wee can not tell whither it will rayne or no: wee muſte go dig our vynes, wee muſt go tyll our grounde, wee muſt ſowe our ſeede, wee muſt doo one thing or other whyle the wether ſerueth, for wee can not tell howe long it will laſt. Likewyſe dooth the marchantman when he hath a vyage too make, and likewiſe doo all other men. And nowe commeth that trauell or labour in queſtion which God calles vsus too. The cace concerneth ſowing, yea euen to the ſpirite, and to the incorruptible lyfe: and yet for all that wee ſay wee bee none of the haſtings: wee maye well delay it yet a yeere hence, yea two or three yeeres hence, that is too ſay, from hencefoorth for euermore: ſuche is our negligence and coldneſſe. Therefore let vsus learne too practiſe this warning that is giuen vsus heere by the holy Ghoſt: namely too doo well whyle wee hauehave leyſure, for wee ſhall not hauehave it euer. And it is a ſpeciall fauour that God graunteth vsus, when he putteth into our hands wherewith to ſuccour our neybours. And in ſo dooing he giueth vsus ſome token afore hande that he auoweth vsus for his children, and if wee can finde in our harts to impart his giftes to ſuche as hauehave neede of them, it is a marke of his image that he putteth into vsus. Nowe then if wee bee willing to ſerue their turnes which craue our helpe, when wee hauehave meanes wherewith, and opportunitie to doo it: ſurely God dooth vsus great honor in it. And wee wote not whether that leyſure ſhall laſte with vsus ſtill or no: For wee ſee how he plucketh away his goods from theſe Cormorants, and from ſuche as are like Seagulfes: wee ſee howe he ſtrippeth them miſerably, ſo as they bee driuen to ſeeke ſuccour themſelues, and are not regarded, bicauſe they hauehave bin ſo full of crueltie, that they had no compaſsion vponupon ſuche as ſoughte their releefe. Seeing it is ſo then: Let vsus marke that our life is but ſhorte, and paſſeth away ſwiftly, and that occa…s of weldoing ſlip away … And therefore let vsus ply it according as our Lorde giueth vsus …, yea euen towards all men (ſayth S. Paule) but cheefly towardes the houſholde of fayth. Nowe when he ſayth too all men, it is to ſhewe vsus that although men diſcourage vsus to doo them good, yet wee muſt not ceaſſe to do ſtill as God commaundeth vsus. For (as I hauehave touched alreadie) wee muſt not looke what eueryevery man is, nor what he deſerueth: but wee muſt mount vp higher and conſider that God hath ſet vsus in this worlde too the ende wee ſhoulde bee vnited and knit togither: and that for as much as he hath imprinted his image in vsus, and wee hauehave all one common nature: the ſame ought too moue vsus too ſuccour one another. For he that will exempt him ſelfe from releeuing his neybours, muſt get him a new ſhape, and ſhewe that he intendeth too bee no more a man: for ſo long as wee bee of mankinde, wee can not but beholde our owne face as it were in a glaſſe, in the perſon that is poore and deſpiſed, whiche is not able too holde out any longer, but lyeth gronyng vnderunder his burthen, yea though he were the furtheſt ſtraunger in the worlde. Let a Moore or a Barbarian come among vsus, and yet in as muche as he is a man, he bringeth with him a looking glaſſe, wherein wee may ſee that he is our brother and neighbour. For wee can not aboliſhe the order of nature, whiche God hath ſet to bee inuiolable. So then wee bee bounde too all men without difference, bicauſe wee be all one fleſh, as the Prophet Eſay auoweth, ſaying:Eſ. 58. b. 7 Thou ſhalt not diſpiſe thine owne fleſhe. As if he ſhould ſay, they that are nigardly and pinching, and ſhrinke away when they ſhould doo good, doo not onelyonly deſpiſe God, and reiect his worde: but alſo are vgly monſters, bicauſe they conſider not that there ought too bee a communitie among all men. Thus yee ſee why S. Paule ſayth expreſly, that wee muſt indeuer to doo good to all men, yea euen to ſuche as are vnworthy, euen though they were our deadly enimies. Truly this is harde, and contrarie to our inclination: but yet therein God tryeth vsus ſo muche the better. For if wee doo good to ſuche as deſerue it, or to ſuche as are able to recompence it: it is no declaration or proofe that wee bee willing to ſerue God:Mat. 5. g. 46. for it may be that wee had reſpect to our owne …ofite. And as our Lord Ieſus Chriſt telleth vsus, the Heathen men, and the worſt men in the world doo as muche as that comes too. How ſo? They conſider with them ſelues, I hauehave neede of helpe, I muſt winne mee ſome freende. Then if wee ſnole out ſuche as are worthy to hauehave good done vntounto them, and ſuche as are able to requite like for like: it is no right proofe nor certayne triall that wee be willing to imploy our ſelues as God cōmaundeth vsus. But when wee winke at mens vnthankfulneſſe, and are inclined to pitie, onelyonly in reſpect of their pouertie and miſerie: then doo wee ſurely ſerue God. And if wee bee once at that poynt, certaynely (as I tolde you before) wee ſhall indeuer too doo good to all men, ſo as wee can not finde in our harts to breake the indiſſoluble bonde whereby God hath knit and vnited vsus togither. Therefore the furtheſt ſtraungers in the worlde are neighbours neere inough vntoo vsus, though they bee neyther our parents, our kinsfolke, nor our acquayntaunce. And why? For wee bee all of one fleſhe, and wee beare all one marke, which ought too perſuade vsus too doo what wee can poſsible one for another. But how ſoeuer the cace ſtande, Sainct Paule commendeth vntounto vsus cheefly the houſholde folke of fayth. And he vſeth the worde Houſholde folke, too touche vsus more to the quicke by that ſimilitude. For although nature teache vsus that wee oughte too ſuccour ſuche as are in neceſsitie▪ yet notwithſtanding they that are of one houſholde are more inclined and willing to doo good one to another. Yee ſee heere what degrees are among men, how all knowe that there is a certayne mutuall bonde, ſo as if they forſake euen the furtheſt ſtraungers of the worlde, therein they forget them ſelues: yet notwithſtanding foraſmuche as it is harde for a man to reache out him ſelfe ſo farre and wide: therefore men are not ſo muche inclined to doo good to vnknowen perſons, except it be in extreme neceſsitie. For then howe hard harted ſo euer wee bee, eueryevery of vsus is moued to put to his helping hande to ſuccour a man, when we ſee him in imminent daunger. Yea and this pitifulneſſe is ſo ingrauen in vsus, that it wyll extende it ſelfe euen to the brute beaſtes: and therefore muche more reaſon it is that it ſhoulde extende to thoſe that are created after Gods image as well as our ſelues. But as I ſayde, if a man be in extreme neceſsitie, then are we … more earneſt to helpe … neede. And when wee be of one countrey and language, then wee ſee our ſelues ſomewhat neerer one another, and that increaſeth the affection whiche otherwiſe in generall woulde bee but colde. But when there befalleth any freendlyneſſe and familiaritie of neiborhood, that is yet more: according as wee ſee that they whiche bee of one Countrey will ſay, Seeing that God hath broughte vsus thus neere togither, let vsus at leaſtwiſe indeuer too ſerue one anothers turne. Agayne wee ſee that the neighbours whiche dwell in one ſelfe ſame ſtreete, and communicate familiarly togither, are as kinsfolke and neere of alyance. Nowe then it is muche more reaſon that they whiche are all of one houſe, and are gathered as it were into one little corporation or bodie, ſhoulde bee hilde as it were faſte linked togither by God: and that he ſhoulde imbrace them as if a father ſhoulde holde all his children about him. For as muche then as wee oughte too bee ſo muche the more moued too imploy our ſelues with the better courage, ſeeing that God hathe ſo knitte vsus togither, and brought vsus ſo familiarly neere one another: Sainct Paule ſayth that all the faythfull, & all thoſe that profeſſe the ſame Goſpell which wee doo, are as houſholde folke of one ſelfe ſame houſe.1. Tim. 3. …. 15. And in very deede the Church is called Gods houſe, and hee ſitteth ouer in the middeſt of vsus. VVhen the Scripture ſpeaketh ſo, it meaneth not that our vniting togither muſte bee in ſuche a materiall Churche or Temple as thys is: but that althoughe eueryevery man bee at home in hys owne houſe, yet God hathe in ſuche wyfe gathered vsus togither too him ſelfe, that wee bee as it were houſholde fellowes one with another, and wee bee not onelyonly Countreymen of one Realme or kingdome, but there is yet a certayne neerer alyance, whiche oughte to holde vsus more cloſe togither. Too bee ſhorte, when as it is ſayde that ſuche as intende too bee Gods children muſte dwell all togither in one houſe: it is too ſhewe that there is as it were one common brotherhood among vsus. And althoughe earthly brethren go aſunder one from another, and eueryevery man gettes him away by him ſelfe: yet muſt wee alwayes continue in the vnitie whiche God hathe ſet among vsus. Sithe wee heere this, muſte wee not … bee worſſe than …, and crueller than the brute and wilde beaſtes, if wee bee not moued too beſtowe Gods giftes too the releefe of our neighbours, I meane of the faythfull?
Nowe then wee ſee that Sainct Paules meaning in effecte is, that ſeeing God hathe bounde vsus too doo good too all men, becauſe they bee our owne fleſhe: no malice oughte too hinder any of vsus from indeuering too diſcharge him ſelfe generally towardes all ſuche as God offereth too him, and in whome it is hys wyll too trye our kindneſſe. And yet notwithſtanding that for as muche as he hathe gathered vsus into his flocke, and knit vsus togither in hys name, and wee call vppon him as our father wyth one mouthe: it behoueth vsus of dutie too bee as brothers one too another. So that if wee minde that he ſhoulde allowe vsus for his children, wee muſt ſo aduaunce the adoption whereby he hath choſen vsus, as wee maye declare vnfaynedly by oure dooings, that wee mynde too ſhewe that wee take them for our brothers, whome God hath ſo gathered into his houſe and Churche. Thus yee ſee what we hauehave too remember vponupon this Texte. VVherefore let vsus no more vſe theſe fonde excuſes too ſay, I wote not who he is, I know him not. But he is not knowen of God? yes: and yet notwithſtanding thou diſdayneſt too open thine eyes to looke vppon him that is thine owne image, yea and whom God taketh for one of his children. Thou knoweſt not him, and yet beholde how God voutſafeth to caſt his eye vponupon vsus which are moſt miſerable, yea euen he whiche hath ſo high and terrible a maieſtie, that the very Angels of heauen doo tremble before him with all humilitie. Yee ſee then that God our ſoueraigne Lorde looketh downe vponupon vsus that are but wretched wormes of the earth & filthineſſe: yea and he not only voutſafeth to ſay, I know you: but alſo proteſteth, I hauehave adopted you for my children, yee be my workmanſhip, yee be mine heires, yee be after a ſorte my members. God voutſafeth too ſpeake after that faſhion: and wee be ſo full of pride and ſtatelyneſſe, that wee deſpiſe ſuche as are as good as our ſelues, and moſte commonly muche better. So then who can beare with ſuch pride? To be ſhort, they that are ſo ſtraunge in withdrawing them ſelues from their brethren, and will not in ony wiſe cōmunicate with them, deſerue well to bee wiped out of the boo… …f life, ſo as God ſhoulde …we and ſcrape them quite out, and deliuer them into the poſſeſsio… of the Diuell who is their ſire, for he was a murtherer and full of crueltie from the beginning. Thus yee ſee in effect what wee hauehave too beare in minde, and how it behoueth vsus too practize this leſſon, wherein the houſehold folke of faith are chiefly commended vntoo vsus. And ſo, ſeing that God hath vouchſafed too call vsus too him, let vsus ſhewe our ſelues too ſet more by that grace and honour, than by all the goodes in the worlde. And in proofe thereof, let vsus ſhewe alſo that wee hauehave a brotherly affection too doo good too ſuch as hauehave neede of vsus, according to ſuch oportunitie as God ſhall giuegive vsus, and according too the meaſure of our abilitie. Nowe herevppon Sainct Paule ſayeth, that the Galathians ought too conſider, that he hath written them a large letter with his owne hande. And this ſerues too make them the more attentiue, when they ſee what care he hath of their ſaluation. For his commending of the largeneſſe of his letter, was not too bee payed for it by the pounde (as they ſay) but too the end that the Galathians might knowe, that he ment too open his hart vntounto them, and that for aſmuch as he ſawe them thruſt out of the way into a wrong trade, and was lothe that they ſhoulde periſh, therfore he had not only warned them in a woord or twaine, but alſo cōfirmed his doctrine, ſo as they might perceyue themſelues to hauehave bin miſledde before. Lo in effect whereat Sainct Paule amed. And by this text we ought all to take warning, to confirme our ſelues the more, according too the meanes and helpes whiche our Lorde giueth vsus to come to him withall. If God had but incled his minde vntoo vsus in one woord, yet had there bin no excuce for vsus if we could not beleeue him, to ſubmit our ſelues with ſuch obedience as becommeth vsus. But when wee ſee that beſides his giuing of the Lawe, he hath alſo added an expoſition of it, and moreouer ſent his Prophets too the ende that the doctrine ſhould alwayes bee of the more authoritie, & the things be made cleere which elſe would hauehave bin darkeſome: and after his Prophetes, ſent his onelyonly Sonne who hath brought vsus the full perfection of all wiſedome: and finally his Apoſtles: ſo that he thought it not ynough too giuegive the Lawe, but alſo willed the Goſpell too bee publiſhed, and that the ſame ſhoulde continue to the end, and ſtirreth fit men ſtill to inſtruct vsus: ſith … (I ſay) that God doth ſo much for vsus, and that he hath ſuch a care of our welfare, quickening vsus vp continually without ende or ceaſsing: muſt we not needes be ſo much the more blameworthie, if wee be negligent and all this ſtande vsus in no ſtead? Therefore let vsus not looke at Sainct Paule here, how the Galathians had little regarde of him: but let vsus conſider that God had rayſed him vp, and ment too ſhewe how deere we be vntounto him, and how great ſtore he ſetteth by our ſoules, in that he would hauehave his doctrine ſo confirmed. True it is that there are not paſt a ſixe or ſeuen leaues in this Epiſtle, and at the firſt, it ſhould not ſeeme to be ſo great a letter. But if wee marke the ſubſtance and contents of it, ſurely wee ſhall finde heere wherewith to confound the Diuell, and all the wyles that he can bring with him, ſo as Gods truth (whiche is our ſaluation) ſhall hauehave the vpper hand. In ſomuch that if we had no more but this Epiſtle, we might be [ſufficiently] fenced and armed, to fight againſt all the lies, deceytes & abuſes which the Diuell can alledge to bleare our eyes with. But we hauehave not this Epiſtle alone: but we hauehave alſo ſo many other of Gods teſtimonies, as are ſufficient (as yee would ſay) to put out our eyes, if we liſt not to looke vponupon them. And therwithall wee hauehave ſo many confirmations to help vsus: that although we were the ſtubborneſt & wildeſt creatures in the world, yet might wee be drawen too ſome knowledge, ſeing that God trieth ſo many wayes to winne vsus to him. To be ſhort, he maketh vsus too come vntounto him though wee would not come by our good will. And if wee go backe wheras we ſhould come forward: muſt not the rebelliouſneſſe that is in vsus bee tootoo intolerable? So then, whenſoeuer and as oft as wee reade this text, although it ſeeme not to touche vsus, but too hauehave bin ſpoken only to the Galathians: yet let vsus vnderſtand that god caſteth vsus in the teeth, that his labour ſhould be loſt as vnauaylable among vsus, except we were furthered cōtinually by the doctrine more & more confirmed. Howbeit he had much leuer that we came with a cheerefull corage. For he intendeth not to blame vsus nor too go to law with vsus, cōdicionally that we be ſo well aduized as to ſay, Go too, I ſee now that my God deſerueth well that I ſhould hie me to him, if he did but becken too mee a farre off. But he calleth mee wonderous familiarly, and is no… …tented with opening his mouth once for all and away: but he hath alſo ſent Moyſes and all the … phetes, he hath ſent teachers without number, he hath ſent his Apoſtles, yea & his owne only ſonne which is his euerlaſting wiſedome & woord. Seing then that God is ſo friendly to me, yea and aduaunceth me to excellent dignitie, & ſeing that by all meanes poſsible he ſheweth mee his wiſedome, wherby he ſeeketh to win mee to himſelf, & cōtinueth in the ſame without end or ceaſsing, early and late: ſhould I lie ſtil as aſleepe, without any more vnderſtāding or feeling than if I were a blocke? So much the more then doth it ſtand vsus on hand to take a better taſt of Gods woord, & to apply all our indeuer therevnto. And ſeing there is nothing ſuperfluous in it, and that wee hauehave neede to bee prouoked to giuegive ourſelues to it: Let eueryevery of vsus be moued too apply our ſelues thereto, & not ſay that the repeating of one ſelfſame thing is needleſſe: but let vsus vnderſtād, that although men bring vsus no noueltie, yet muſt we cōtinually beate vpō the ſelfſame leſſon: namely that in aſmuch as God hath ſent Moyſes, the Prophets & Apoſtles, & ouermore vouchſafed to hauehave his doctrine put in writing: all this was done for our inſtructiō: and that whē our Lord Ieſus Chriſt was ſent at the full time, he vttered all that is requiſite for our ſaluation, and moreouer rayſed vp men to bee the inſtruments of his ſpirit, to ſhewe vsus his will and too bring vsus the tydings of ſaluation, (as he doth ſtill at this day) who are witneſſes too vsus of the things which otherwiſe ſhould hauehave bin vnknowen too vsus. For aſmuch therefore as it is ſo: let eueryevery of vsus agree therevnto, and whither wee reade it eueryevery man alone by himſelfe, or whither wee be taught it publikely: let vsus bee ſtabliſhed in the woord which it hath pleaſed God too beſtowe vppon vsus. Thus yee ſee in effect what wee hauehave too beare in minde, too the ende wee may hauehave ſo much the greater good will too giuegive our ſelues wholly too this holy woord, and that it may be receyued with the greater reuerence, according alſo as it is well woorthie too bee.
But now let vsus fall downe before the Maieſtie of our good God and father, acknowledging him as our iudge except he burie our faults through his infinite merciemercy, and let vsus pray him too take vsus to merciemercy for our Lorde Ieſus Chriſtes ſake, and in the meane whyle too graunt vsus the grace too walke in ſuche wyſe, as wee may …de a true proofe that we … his children, and that his calling of vsus hath not bin in vayne: and alſo to cauſe the ſame grace too auayle in ſuch wiſe in our hartes, that wee may growe in it, and bee ſtrengthened more and more too ſerue and worſhip him all our lyfe long, in true obedience to his holy woord. And ſo let vsus all ſay, Almightie God heauenly father &c.