Sermons on Galatians, Sermon 27
The .xxvij. Sermon, which is the fourth vponupon the fourth Chapter.
11 I am afrayd of you leaſt I hauehave ſpent my labour in vayne vppon you.
12 Brethren I beſeeche you be ye as I am, for I am as you are. Yee hauehave not hurte me at all.
13 Yee knovve hovv I hauehave earſt preached vntoo you through infirmitie of the fleſh,
14 And yee nother deſpyzed nor hilde skorne of the tryall of mee ſuche as it vvas in my fleſhe: but receyued mee as an Angell of God, yea as Ieſus Chriſt.
I HaueHave declared heeretofore, that although S. Paule at the firſte bluſh bring not any reaſon that ſeemeth to be of great weyght or importance: yetnotwithſtanding it is not for naught that he doubteth leaſt his labour be loſt, and all the frute of his trauell among the Galathians bee periſhed, ſeeyng they obſerued the holy dayes and other Ceremonies of the law. For wee muſt not looke vppon the day itſelfe, or vppon the kynd of meate, or vppon ſuch other like things: but we muſt conſider to what end men forbeare the eating of any kind of meate, or why they keepe certayne dayes, and ſo of other Ceremonies. Now I hauehave tolde you that by that meanes the lyght of the Goſpell is after a ſort damned, or rather vtterly quenched. For the end why al thoſe things were ordeined in old time, was that the fathers might be foded and mainteyned in the hope of the redeemer, who was not yet come amōg thē. But now that our Lord Ieſus Chriſt is come into the worlde, and hath finiſhed and performed all that was requiſite for mans ſaluation, it were an vtter derogation too the full perfectneſſe that is in him, if men ſhould ſtill buzie themſelues with figures. It were all one as if a man ſhoulde drawe a Curtaine before hym that hee myght not bee knowen as he is. Furthermore, there goes a binding with it: and when a thing is commaunded vnderunder peyne of deadly ſinne, mennes conſciences are made ſubiect too ſuche tyrannye, that God forgoeth hys authoritie and dominion ouer vsus, for he will not hauehave vsus to make conſcience of any thyng that is not commaunded by hym. And truly the thing wherein hee will be diſcerned from his creatures, is that hee hauehave all ſouerenitie in ruling our lyfe: that the thing whych he commaundeth be accepted as good and needefull without gaynſaying: that the thinges which he forbiddeth, be omitted, and that men make no reckening nor conſcience of them. But in obſeruing the Ceremonies and in thinking to deſerue at Gods hand for ſo doing, there is yet a further matter: namely that we renounce or giuegive ouer the thing that is purchaced for vsus by the death and paſsion of the ſonne of God our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, wh…e hath diſcharged vsus of all dettes due vntounto God hys father. Not to gyue vsus libertie to do euill, but too the ende wee ſhoulde flee vntounto him alone when wee hauehave done amiſſe. If we find ourſelues to hauehave tranſgreſſed Gods lawe, and that our owne conſcience vpbraydeth vsus: there is none other remedie for vsus but to put ourſelues into the hands of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, that we may bee quit before God, and waſhed from all our ſpottes by the merit of his death and paſsion, and by the ſheading of his bloud. To be ſhort, Sainct Paule ſheweth heere, that men runne aſtray when they ſeeke meanes of ſaluation any where elſe than in Ieſus Chriſt, in ſomuch that they become forlorne and vtterly paſt recouerie. Now then ſeeing that God hath ſette vsus foorth but only one way of ſaluation: they that turne aſide from that, do caſt themſelues wilfully into deſtruction, and Satan reigneth ouer them for their vnthankfulneſſe ſake in deſpiſing the ineſtimable benefyte that God offered them. VVhat a bountifulneſſe is it that God calleth and allureth vsus too hys fauoure and louelove, notwithſtanding that we be his deadly foes? Againe ſeeing he appoynteth not the Angells to bee our mediators, but voutſaueth to ioyne himſelfe vntounto vsus in the perſone of his only ſonne: if we be ſo miſerable that that will not ſuffiſe vsus, but wee will needs of a diueliſh couetouſneſſe ſeeke other meanes: is it not a ſhaking off of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt▪ Then let vsus learne, that too profit well in the Goſpell, wee muſt forſake all that is contrary to the truſt whych we ought to hauehave in our Lord Ieſus Chriſt: and ſticke wholly to his ryghtuouſnſſe, too ſeeke all perfection in hym. Let that ſerue for one poynt.
Alſo therewithall let vsus looke well to ourſelues: for ſometimes we ſhall thinke we commit but ſome ſmall and light fault in ſwaruing aſyde: but [in the end] we ſhall wonder how God hath giuen vsus head, ſo as wee ſhall bee vtterly ſtrayed from him. And that is the cauſe why ſo feaw holde out to the end. For men doo eaſly beare wyth themſelues, vnderunder the foreſayde pretence, bearing themſelues in hand that it is nothing, and ſo eueryevery man giueth him ſelfe libertie. But God puniſheth ſuch rechleſneſſe, & giueth vsus ouer to it, ſo as Satan carieth vsus away. VVherefore let vsus walke in feare and wareneſſe▪ and when …od hath once gyuen vsus the grace to taſt of his Goſpell, let vsus indeuer too bee confirmed in it day by day: let vsus beware in any wiſe that wee ſtep not aſyde from it, and let eueryevery of vsus bee watchfull in that behalfe, leaſt wee make a deadly fall when we thinke wee do but trippe: finally, let vsus keepe the way that our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte teacheth vsus. It is true that though wee ſwarue aſide, yet he will pitie vsus, as wee ſee by experience. For hee muſt bee fayne too rayſe vsus vp agayne, not three or foure tymes in our whole lyfe: but a hundred tymes eueryevery day. For wee bee fickle and neuer leaue reeling too and fro. Neuertheleſſe let vsus not tempte him, nor ſo harden ourſelues that the Diuell leade vsus away or draw vsus one way or other: but let vsus labour too make the ſeede of lyfe auaylable in vsus, ſeeing that God wyll hauehave vsus too yeelde foorth frute too hys honor in all our thoughtes, wordes, and deedes. Let vsus beware that wee indeuour ourſelues heerevntoo. Nowe heerevpon Sainct Paule addeth, that hee woulde fayne hauehave the Galathians faſhion themſelues lyke vntounto hym, bycauſe that hee on hys ſide laboureth to apply hymſelfe vntoo them. It ſhoulde ſeeme that thys ſaying differeth farre from that whyche wee hearde euen nowe: for it was as a ſtroke of ſome tempeſt or thunderclap when he ſayde. I am afrayde least I hauehave lost my laboure vppon you: I will let you alone like folke paſt amendmente. It greeued hym too ſee that the doctrine whyche hee had preached was ſo ill receiued, and nowe hee vſeth a gentle and freendly manner of ſpeeche. To bryng them backe agayne vntoo hym, hee calleth them breethren, and afterwarde proteſteth that hee deſireth to ioyne wyth them, and too frame hymſelfe to them as much as is poſsible for hym, ſeekyng nothyng but that they ſhoulde yeelde the like vntoo hym.
And heerein we ſee what meaſurableneſſe they ought to keepe which hauehave the charge to preach Gods word: that is to witte, they muſt not foade mens faults by flatterie, but rebuke them ſharply, to the intent that ſuch as are beguiled by Satās illuſiōs, may bee wakened & as it were ſcared at Gods iudgemēts. For whē mē are giuē to any euill, they lye weltering in it ſtill, vnleſſe they be plucked out of it as it were by force. Yea a… it greeueth and ſpiteth them if they be wrung by the eare too hard, or if they bee made to ſcratch where it did not itch, as the cōmon prouerb ſayth. The more then that men beare with themſelues, the leſſe are their faultes to be ſpared, for elſe it were a betraying of them. That is the cauſe why S. Paule vſed ſo great vehemencie, in ſaying that hee was ſore afrayde, leaſt hee had loſt his labour, and there leaueth the Galathians as it were in deſpayre. But yet for all this, hee intendeth to cheere them vp agayne, that they may come to repentaunce. And ſo hee ſeaſoneth hys ſharpeneſſe with ſweeteneſſe, and ſheweth that the gate is ſtill open for them, if they will ſubmitte themſelues vntounto God. Thus yee ſee twoo things that are requiſyte when wee will hauehave our exhortations too bee profitable. The firſt is, that there bee a liuelyneſſe in vsus too pricke foorth ſuche as hauehave done amiſſe, that they may bee throughly touched with the knowledge of theyr ſynnes, and mourne and bee ſorie for them before God: for if they hauehave not that ſoryneſſe, they will neuer yeelde to followe God. True it is, that to outwarde ſyght menne may well alter theyr lewde diſpoſitions: but howe ſoeuer they pretende, they ſhall ſtyll bee full of ſtubbornneſſe and malice, till they be aſhamed of themſelues and feele what they hauehave deſerued. So then the true preparatiue too repentaunce, is to be pricked ſo neerely as wee may feele the euill that is in vsus, and condemne our ſelues for it: yea and that wee bee full of anguiſhe, finding no reſt till God hauehave receyued vsus to merciemercy. But yet muſt wee not lye ſtyll in ſuche perplexitie: for that woulde make vsus too ſhunne Gods preſence, and to go aboute too eſtraunge our ſelues from him for euer, inſomuch that wee woulde fayne hauehave him plucked out of his ſeate, that he might no more bee our iudge, if wee were not well perſuaded that hee will bee pityfull to vsus, and that wee ſhall not bee diſappoynted of our expectation in ſeeking of him: according as it is ſayde in the Pſalme, that there muſte bee merciemercy in God too drawe men vntoo him,Pſal. 130. a. 4. or elſe they will neuer bee brought too ſtande in awe of him. For as for all the feare of the vnbeleeuers, it is but a terrour that diſmayeth them, making them too gnaſhe theyr teeth agaynſt God, and to frette and chafe and play the madde men. And ſuche inforced feare hathe no reuerence at all in … But when wee hauehave once taſted the goodneſſe of oure God, and ſee howe all his ſeeking is too bee at one wyth vsus, and too hauehave vsus come vntounto him wythout feyning, yea and that his touching of our heartes is too the intent wee ſhoulde conceyue ſure confidence, and therevppon offer our ſelues too his Maieſtie, aſſuring our ſelues that wee ought not too bee afrayed of it, ſeeing it is the thing wherevntoo hee calleth vsus: I ſay, when wee bee thus aſſured, namely that our ſinnes are wyped out: then maye wee bee bolde too preace vntoo oure God, and that is the order which Saint Paule keepeth heere, and which it behoueth vsus too keepe in all our rebukings. In that place then hee did beate downe the Galathians, bycauſe they exalted themſelues, and did as it were ſette vppe theyr bryſtles agaynſt God, through theyr luſtyneſſe. And nowe hee reacheth them his hande, and lyfteth them vppe agayne, and telleth them that after they hauehave once felt and perceyued their faultes, they muſte not yet for all that thinke themſelues vtterly ſhette oute from God, and from all hope of ſaluation. But this cannot bee done except wee hauehave a carefulneſſe too drawe ſinners too ſaluation. For many menne will bee vehement ynoughe, and they ſhall hauehave iuſt cauſe ſo too doo: but yet in the meane whyle theyr rygorouſneſſe will bee ſo exceſsiue, as it ſhall ſhette vppe mennes heartes, and make them take ſuche ſtomacke agaynſt the bytterneſſe that is vſed towardes them, that they ſhall caſt themſelues vtterly out of order, yea and conceyue a hatred agaynſt God and his woorde. Howbeeit, they that are ſo ouerſharpe will ſay they hauehave iuſt cauſe. Yea, but yet for all that, they whiche rebuke ſinne in the name of God, muſte alwayes hauehave a care and deſire too bring thoſe too ſaluation, which were in the high way too deſtruction. VVhen they bee ſo minded, no doubt but they wil labour to winne ſuch as were out of the right way, and to make them perceyue that they ſeeke their welfare, and that although their rebukings bee greeuous, yet they fayle not too bee for their behoofe. Neuertheleſſe, on the other ſyde, let ſuch as are handeled ſo ſharpely, vnderſtande that they hauehave neede of ſuch medicines: for what ſhall they winne by ranckling agaynſt God? But yet wee ſee many which can well ynough make countenance too bee great Proteſtantes, and too burne in zeale of the Goſpell, which yet notwithſtanding will not abide to bee touched. So long as they be borne withall, they will confeſſe what ſoeuerye will hauehave them and all that is ſpoken to them, yea and more too. Ye woulde thinke that the Goſpell was made euen for their turne: but if a man find fault with them, then they beginne to play the woode beaſtes. And what gayne they by it, ſauing that firſt they bewray their hypocriſie before men, and ſecondly ſet themſelues in battell agaynſt God.
Nowe it is certaine that in fighting againſt ſuche an aduerſarie, they ſhall not be the ſtronger partie. Therefore let vsus ſuffer our ſelues too bee rebuked ſharply when neede ſhall require. And if wee wiſt not of the euill that was in vsus, wee ought too miſtruſt our ſelues ſo much the more, and not ſeeke ſtartingholes to defende our ſelues withall, but rather enter into examination of our ſelues, and euerie of vsus become his owne iudge, that by meanes thereof wee may not enter intoo account with our God, nor hee bee compelled to cite vsus too heere the ſentence of damnation. Thus yee ſee howe we ought to receyue the chaſtizements, that are put to vsus, and that wee muſt not be too much greeued at them, bycauſe they prepare and diſpoſe vsus too humilitie, but let vsus in the meane while wayte for the comming of the ſweete that followeth afterwarde. For the thing that keepeth many men from receiuing the warnings that are giuen them, is that they bee fully reſolued of the matter aforehande: ſo that if a man ſpeake a woorde too them that miſlyketh them, they ſtoppe their eares at it, or elſe their hearts are ſo hardened and dulled, as they cannot by any meanes afterwarde conceiue what is put too them for their welfare and profite. A man maye talke to them of Gods merciemercy, and proteſt to them well ynoughe: and a man may well ynough (as ye woulde ſay) ſhew them with his finger that his ſeeking is nothing elſe but to bring them to ſaluation, but they be vtterly deafe: and that is bycauſe they bee fully bente of themſelues too reiect Gods woorde. Therefore let vsus bee patient and modeſt, when men ſteppe too vsus vppon the ſodaine, too aſſayle vsus roughly by ſhewing vsus our faultes: let vsus be quiet at it, and tarie till hee hauehave ſpoken the laſt woorde. And ſo let vsus interlace and knitte theſe twoo things togither: that is too witte, the rygour which we muſt take holde of that wee may hauehave a true and liuely feeling of our ſinnes, to bee ſorie for them, and to aske God forgiueneſſe, and to be abaſhed in our ſelues: and then let vsus aſſure our ſelues that God will alwayes bee mercifull to vsus: and when wee hauehave ſo indyted our ſelues, let vsus alſo hope too bee quitted at his hande, and that the more he condemneth vsus by his worde, the more he intendeth to beare vsus vp, to the ende he be not inforced to come agaynſt vsus with armed hande, and with his ſworde in his fiſt. Thus ye ſee in effect what we hauehave to remember in this text, where we ſee Saint Paule on the one ſyde ſo ſharpe and vehement, and by and by afterwarde too call the Galathians his brethren, and too praye them that there may bee good conformitie betweene him and them, and one accorde and tunable conſent among them. Nowe as touching that he ſayth, I beſeeche you bee like vntounto mee, for I alſo do applie my ſelfe vntounto you: as wee hauehave ſeene alreadie, it is not too ſoothe them in their vyces, nor too cloke theyr filthineſſe, nor too vſe any flattering of them: but too trie all the wayes too the woodde to winne them vntounto God, according as wee ſhall ſee hereafter howe hee will vſe the ſimilitude of a woman with chylde, which longeth to ſee hir childe borne into the worlde, and although ſhee indure paine, yet will not wreake hir ſelfe vppon hir babe by ſtrangling it, but bee more chare of it than of hir owne lyfe. Saint Paule will vſe the ſayde ſimilitude. So then hee meeneth not here too ſtryke ſayle (as they ſay) too pleaſe ſuche as had neede too bee rebuked: but rather aduaunced him ſelfe as farre as hee coulde to winne them, according alſo as hee will ſay, that hee hathe pratled with them as a Nurſe dooth with hir childe: and that might well bee done wythout hardening menne in theyr ſinnes. Not that they ſhoulde bee too much borne withall: for when a Nurſe ſtoupeth too teache hir yong childe too go, whome ſhee holdeth by the hande, hir intent is not too make hym too tumble, nor too teache hym too haulte, nor too make hym ſuche a Cockney: that hee ſhoulde not bee able too go when hee commeth too mannes age: but contrarywyſe, when ſhee intendeth too ſtaye the childes arme, ſhee will take him by the hande, or by ſome other part of him.
So then we ſee after what maner we muſt faſhion our ſelues to ſuch as are weake. It is not too harden them in their naughtineſſe, but rather to amende them: neuertheleſſe we muſt go by meaſure, hauing alwayes an eie to our owne abilitie. And truely it is not for naught that S. Paule in another text exhorteth the ſtronger ſort,Ro. 14. a. 1. and the forwarder ſort,Gal. 6 a. 1. to applie themſelues to ſuch as are yet rawe and weake. For if a man had neuer ſo great and excellent vertues, that he were as an Angell: yet ſurely if hee bee ſo rigorous that hee will hauehave euerie man too bee as perfect as himſelfe, all his vertues will bee but ſmoke. VVhy ſo? For the meeldeneſſe and gentleneſſe which God commandeth vsus, ſerue to giuegive as it were a taſte and ſauour to all vertues. And the better that a man knowes himſelfe, the more will he be thinke hym of the vyces that are in him, which hauehave neede to bee borne withall, and therefore that hee muſt alſo beare with others. Againe hee will conſider too what ende God hath aduaunced hym, namely to ſhewe other menne the way, and finally he will beare with himſelfe leaſt of all men. And heereby may a man hauehave a good incling too diſcerne whether the admonitions proceede of pure louelove, or whether they proceede of too muche ſternneſſe. For if in rebuking other menne, a man take not heede to himſelfe, and flatter not himſelf, ne caſt forth his choler to finde fault with this man or that mannes vyce, but in the meane while is vtterly ſteyned himſelfe, and woulde fayne bee plundged in it ouer head and eares: it is certaine that all is but hipocriſie. But when a man reyneth himſelfe ſhort, and deſyreth not to bee more borne withall than his neighbours: if therewithall he be rigorous, it is to be acknowledged that he hath the zeale of God, and of his holy ſpirit in him, and that he procureth the welfare of al men. Thus ye ſee in effect why Saint Paule ſayeth here, that he intended to faſhion himſelfe to the Galathians. Nowe hee addeth further, that they had not hurt or offended him in any thing, meaning thereby that hee vndertooke not any priuate quarell agaynſt them. For the verie things that marre all when doctrine and Admonitions come to bee put foorth, are that eyther wee bee of opinion that the partie which ſpeaketh is not woorthie too bee heard, or that wee beare ſome hatred or pritch towardes him …ure heartes. For it is impoſsible that we ſhoulde take any thing in good part at his hande, whē we ſhal hauehave cōceyued any ſuch opinion or fancie of him. I ſee a man that ſpeakes as an Angell: nowe if I ſurmyze that hee hates mee, and ſeekes too byte mee, or that hee goes aboute too diſcouer my ſhame, ſurely I ſhall not take any profite by heering of him. But this cannot excuze vsus: for it is a lewde fault: and althoughe it were true that a man hated vsus, and that hee rebuked vsus vppon malice and ſpyte: yet ought wee too learne too bee conformable. The verie Heathen men coulde well ynough ſay, that our foes did vsus ſometymes more good than our freendes. For why, they that louelove one another will winke at many things, and ouerpaſſe all without thinking amiſſe. But their enimies keepe watch to take aduauntage of them whome they miſlyke,Pro. 26. d. 24. and when they ſpie any fault, they miſſe not to blaze it abrode, as ſayth Salomon: yea and ſometymes when they woulde fayne fall out with a man, they gyrde at him vnderunder pretence of giuing him warning. Neuertheleſſe when our enimyes doo ſo, ſurely God giueth vsus a meane too bring vsus backe againe: for the Diuell may nowe and then ſerue the turne of a Phiſition towardes vsus, according as we hauehave ſeene howe Saint Paule ſayeth that hee was buffeted by the ſame Meſſenger, that is too witte,2. Cor. 12. b. 7. of Satan, which thing was done to beate downe all pride in him. Therefore when our enimies come too ſyft vsus after that faſhion, and ſeeke nothing elſe but too finde faultes with vsus: God dooth by that meanes waken vsus, bycauſe we were aſleepe before in our owne flatteryes: and if wee were wiſe and well aduiſed, ſurely our enimies ſhould oftentymes do vsus more good than our friends, as I ſayde afore, and as the Heathen men knewe well ynough. And it is a great ſhame for vsus, that the blinde wretches which were plunged in darkeneſſe, ſhoulde ſee more clearely than wee that hauehave the light of ſaluation, and that wee ſhoulde not knowe the thing which thoſe ſillie deccyued ſoules perceyued. And yet notwithſtanding it is as (yee woulde ſa) a peece of our nature, and menne make an ordinarie rule of it, that if they hauehave once taken any lewde conceyte that a man hateth them, they bee ſo eagre and forepoſſeſſed with it, that they cannot abyde too receyue any correction at his hande. For this conſ…ration Saint Paule proteſteth heere, that in reprouing the Galathians, hee dealeth not with any cace or quarell of his owne. VVee (ſayeth hee) hauehave bin freendes heeretofore: I might perchaunce be diſpyzed too the worldewarde, my comming vntounto you was not with any great pompe, I was no paynted fellowe: but I brought you the pure doctrine of the Goſpell. And althoughe I was a man withoute any great gayneſſe, ſo as I was not accounted of too the worldewarde: yet notwithſtanding, you receyued mee as an Angell of God, yea euen as Ieſus Chriſt himſelfe: and whereof commeth nowe this alteration? I holde on ſtyll in doyng my duetie: and why then are you ſo alienated from mee? See if yee can alledge any other thing, than that you hate Gods truth and cannot abyde it. And what a ſhame is it that yee ſhoulde ſo hate Gods truth, that yee ſhoulde diſdeyne it in my perſone bycauſe I am the Miniſter of it? Nowe then wee hauehave to gather vponupon thys Text, firſt that ſuch as hauehave the charge to teache and too carie abrode the doctrine of th… Goſpell, muſte aboue all things eſchue quarelles and contentions, (at leaſtwyſe if they intende to hauehave theyr preaching to preuayle and bee profitable) I ſay quarelles and contentions for theyr owne peculiar matters. And ſo yee ſee howe wee muſt abſtayne from all quar…lles, leaſt the gate bee ſhette agaynſt vsus, and wee bee disbarred of all libertie of rebuking men when neede ſhall requyre, that wee may proteſt with Saint Paule that we deale not wyth them for any deſire of reuenge, enmitie, or euill will, but onelyonly for deſyre of theyr welfare, let vsus bee ſure of that, too the intente it maye open vsus a gappe, and giuegive vsus a waye too all maner of rebukings. Marke that for one poynt.
Againe, let vsus alſo be well aduized, that if our vices be touched, wee caſt not a blocke in the way by conceyuing and ſurmiſing this falſe opinion in our heades, that it is done of hatred: for that is the pollicie of Satan. Although men be inclinable to thinke that other men do bite them and nip them of hatred: yet let vsus not thinke that they doo it of their owne mere motion, but by the Diuels meanes, who ſnarleth them after that faſhion. If we bee rebuked when wee hauehave done amyſſe, whence ſoeuer the ſame commeth, ſurely it is a meſſage ſente of God, bycauſe hee will not hauehave vsus too periſhe, but would hauehave vsus to returne vntounto the right way, notwithſtanding that the partie which findeth fault with vsus doo it not of a good and pure affection, but ſeeketh onelyonly to ſpite vsus, or to wreake his teene vppon vsus: for yet doth God neuertheleſſe reache vsus his hande, too the ende we ſhould not periſh. But beholde, Satan on the contrarie parte ſtoppeth vsus from receyuing of the medicine, and putteth vsus in the heade, that the rebuking of our faults commeth not of good will, but that there is a pad in the ſtraw, ſo as we be either too much ſifted, or too ſore bitten, or elſe that there is ſome other ſecrete grudge lurking vnſeene. All theſe imaginations doth Satan mingle with mennes admonitions, to the intent we ſhould bee out of louelove with them, and refuze them, and by that meanes rebell agaynſt God. VVherefore let vsus beare well in minde what is ſayde heere, to the ende that when we be warned of our faultes, we may conſider, that God, to the intent he would not be our iudge himſelfe, appoynteth as it were attourneyes & ſolliciters in his name, to come and charge vsus with our offences. VVhen a mortal man rebuketh me for my miſdoings, it is Gods will he ſhoulde do ſo, and he hath appoynted him in his place. And too what ende? That we ſhould not come before his Maieſtie to yeelde an account of them▪ for it were better for vsus too bee drowned a hundred thouſande tymes. Gop then dooth pitie vsus, when hee ſendeth vsus mortall men to bee our iudges, yea euen to bee oure iudges to put vsus too ſome ſhame, and thereby to ſtyrre vsus vppe afterward to returne againe into the right way. Therefore whenſoeuer God is ſo mercifull vntoo vsus: let vsus profite our ſelues by ſuch grace, and beware that we inuenim not our ſelues with opinions that come incontinently in our heads, as that the partie hateth vsus, that hee ſeeketh vsus, that there is ſome hartburning, that there is ſome enmitie, and that there is I wote not what. Let all this geere bee troden vnderunder foote, and let vsus accept their warnings if they be true. To bee ſhort, if any man blame vsus, we cannot do better, than to conſider what our owne conſcience telleth vsus of it. Marke this for a ſpeciall poynt, that wee muſt not looke what the perſone is that ſpeaketh, nor paſſe whither there bee any grudge or enmitie in him: but onelyonly what our owne conſcience iudgeth of the matter and then muſt we needes conclude, I am rightly reproued. It is a maruelous thing, that they which do ſo chafe and ſtorme and grind their teeth whē they be rebuked, ſhould neuertheleſſe condemne thēſelues continually whither they would or no, if they entered into their owne conſciences, and yet had much leuer to play the mad bedlems againſt God, and too ſpite him by all meanes poſsible, than to humble themſelues in acknowledging their offences. Yee ſee then that the way which we hauehave to keepe when we be found fault with, is too herken vntounto ſuch as may make vsus too enter into account, and ſpecially too hauehave an eye too that which is in vsus. And where ſhall wee finde that? Euen written and ingrauen in our conſciences. And although wee perceyue it not throughly: yet let vsus miſtruſt our ſelues, for noman is a cōpetent iudge in his owne cace as they ſay. True it is that God doth already make vsus iudges in part: but yet muſt wee rather receyue the condemnation whiche wee perceyue not, than carpe agaynſt it before wee hauehave well and throughly weyed whither wee bee faultie or no. But there are a number that are well apayde to ſhet vp, or rather too ſeele vp their eyes, that they might not ſee their own ſhame: when a man comes to prouoke them to amendment, they fall to skirmiſhing at the firſt puſh, with, did they ouerſhoote themſelues ſo? And then all is diſpatcht, they wil heare no further of the matter, let a hundred things bee proued againſt them, and all is nothing with them. They do but wring their mouth awrie at it. For they would alwaies cleere themſelues, and although they bee a laughing ſtocke euen too little children, they paſſe not for it, but glory ſtill of the hardening of themſelues in their owne leudneſſe and filthineſſe. Therfore let vsus keepe our ſelues from falling into ſuch wilfull ſtubbornneſſe: and in iudging vnfeynedly of our vices according to truth, let vsus alſo be lowlyminded too humble our ſelues and to beate downe all pryde in vsus, too the end that nothing may let vsus from acknowledging freely that wee hauehave done amiſſe. This is the effect of that which wee hauehave to remember vppon this text. Now a man might thinke it ſtraunge that S. Paule ſhould ſay, that the Galathians had receyued him as an Angell of God, yea or rather as Ieſus Christ. For what perfection of holineſſe ſo euer was in him, yet could he not match with the Angelles, as wee ſee how he ſpeaketh in the ſeuenth … the Romanes, where he acknowledgeth himſelf too bee wretched, and ſheweth that he is as a poore captiue and ſlaue of the world vnderunder the bondage of ſinne. Although S. Paule had an earneſt deſire too ſerue God: yet notwithſtanding he knew he did but drag his legges after him, and that hee had many infirmities to plucke him backe. And heere he ſayeth that he was receyued as an Angell: yea and he ſtayeth not there, but addeth further, as Ieſus Chriſt, who (as we know) is the very Sonne of God, and higheſt King, whiche hath ſouerain power ouer all creatures. But heere the cace concerneth not Sainct Paules life, nor any worthineſſe that he pretendeth in himſelf. He hath an eye onelyonly to the doctrine. It is ſayd firſte, that he was receyued as an Angell of God.Mal. 2. b. 7. And why not? For the ſame title hath bin giuen too all ſuch as hauehave had chardge too beare abrode the doctrine of the Lawe, and of much more reaſon ought too bee giuen to the publiſhers of the Goſpell: for there God vttereth his maieſtie and power, muche more than he did in olde time vnderunder the Lawe. For aſmuch then as God appoynteth mortall men to ſpeake in his name and authoritie: it is requiſite that they ſhould be acknowledged to be his Angelles, that is to ſay, Meſſengers or Ambaſſadors, for the woord Angell betokeneth none other thing. And in good ſooth too what purpoſe were the doctrine which wee heere, if it came not of God? It were much better that we [preachers] were dumbe and ſpeechleſſe, and that the heerers were deafe and blind, than to ſtand herkening to a man that were not ſent of God. For the chief honour that God requireth at our hands, is that we ſhould be whiſt and herken to his woord, yeelding him all authoritie, and holding our ſelues bridled and captiue as vnderunder the royall ſcepter wherevnto he will hauehave vsus too ſubmit our ſelues. Now if a mortall creature ſhould vſurpe this to himſelf: what a thing were it? So then let vsus marke well that S. Paule doth iuſtly compare himſelfe with an Angell, as in reſpect of his doctrine. And why? For he knewe well inough he had not forged it of his owne brayne, but had receyued it of God. And that alſo is the cauſe why he addeth, as Ieſus Christ. For ſurely our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte will hauehave vsus too receyue ſuch as he ordeyneth too bee his miniſters, as if he himſelf were heere in viſible ſhape among vsus.Luke. 10. c. 16. He that he ereth you (ſayeth he) heereth mee. … neuertheleſſe it is certaine that he ment not too make idolles when he ordeyned his Apoſtles and ſuch as ſhould bee miniſters of his woord. He ment not that they ſhould bee woorſhipped in his ſteed: for out of all doubte, that preheminence is not to be giuen to the very Angelles of heauen: and what ſhall bee done too vsus then, whiche are but dung and rottenneſſe? Howbeit, our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt regarded not what maner of ones men are, but ment too aduaunce his owne woorde, too the end that all men ſhould ſubmit themſelues too it. Although then that wee bee but as brittle earthen pottes, or rather already broken, ſo as wee bee nothing woorth: yet muſte not the treaſure of the Goſpell which wee beare abrode bee therefore deſpyzed. For when Gods woorde is preached purely vntoo vsus, it is all one as if he dwelte among vsus, and appeered perſonally vntoo vsus, and it behoueth vsus too giuegive a proofe of our feare, louelove and obedience towardes him, by receyuing his woorde though it come out of a mortall mans mouth. And furthermore if wee holde skorne of the Goſpell, vnderunder colour and pretence that they which ſpeake vntoo vsus are nother Kings nor Princes ouer vsus: let vsus aſſure our ſelues that that rebelliouſneſſe of oures heaueth at our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte. He that deſpyzeth you (ſayth he) deſpyzeth mee: and he that reiecteth you reiecteth mee. And this is well woorth the marking. For wee ſee now adayes that Gods woord ſhall bee ſo lightly eſteemed vnderunder pretence of mens perſones, as it is dreadfull too behold. And all ſuche as are loth too bee rebuked, will by and by hauehave this anſwere in their mouth: who are you Sir? who made you my Prince? As who ſhoulde ſay, that God had not ſuperioritie ouer vsus, nor might ſpeake too vsus by the mouth of his ſeruaunts. A Prince may well ynough ſende his officer or ſome ſuch man as he liſteth to chooze, and although the perſone bee of no countenance, yet will he hauehave him receyued without doubting, and men do ſo. And when God who hath ſoueraine dominion! ouer vsus, and ſole preheminence ouer all the kingdomes and principalities of the world, ſendeth vsus his ſeruāts whom he auoweth, and will hauehave vsus too giuegive them the heering: if wee neuertheleſſe do diſdayne thē, and in reſpect of their perſones make none account of the meſſage that he ſendeth vsus by them, and therewithall alledge, how now, is this fellowe a …: what a preſumptuouſneſſe were that? If a man carie abrode Gods woorde▪ faythfully, and tell men that whoſoeuer deſpizeth it ſetteth and aduaunceth himſelfe agaynſt God: what (ſay they)? this fellow makes himſelfe God. As who ſhould ſay, that God might not ſpeake by thoſe whom he hath appointed to be his inſtruments: for as I hauehave ſayd heretofore, curſed mought we be if wee bring our owne inuentions. It were muche better that wee were drowned a hundred times, than that euer wee ſhould go vp into the pulpet, if we ſhould not vtter Gods will faithfully, and ſticke too that which he commaundeth vsus, and draw it out of the cleere fountayne of his holy woord. Should not theſe things be declared? Thinke we that God can be bereft of the thing that is peculiar too him, that is too wit of his truth? No: he and his truthe can neuer bee ſeparated. So then let vsus abhorre the blaſphemies of theſe naughtipackes which ſay, ô, he that ſpeaketh will make himſelf a God. If he require men too heere him without gainſaying, namely when he is ſure in himſelf that he bringeth not any thing whiche is not of God, it is good reaſon that he ſhould commend the authoritie of his mayſter. So then let vsus not hauehave any acquayntance with theſe worldlings: but let vsus yeeld ſuch reuerēce to our God, that although ſuche as ſpeake in his name bee of no eſtimation, yet wee may not ceaſſe to obey the things that they ſet foorth, with a true and lowly fayth. Yet neuertheleſſe, we muſt alſo diſcerne betweene thoſe that pretend Gods name falſly, and make a vayne cloke of it, and thoſe that be faythfull dealers of his woord which he hath committed vntounto them. Looke me vponupon the Pope with his whole kenell, who are not aſhamed to ſay that whoſoeuer heereth them heereth Chriſt, & that he which reiecteth them reiecteth Chriſt: for they alledge that ſaying of Chriſtes, he that heereth you heereth mee &c. too authorize themſelues withall. But they that will bee receyued as Angels, muſt doo the duetie of Angelles, that is too ſay, they muſte bee true meſſengers of God in the name of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt who hath ſent them, and they muſt hold all of him, ſo as they ſerue him truly, and ſeeke not ſoueraintie too themſelues, but that he may alwayes bee the ſhepeherd of the Churche, and that the ſheepe of his flocke may heere his voyce, and follow him whither ſoeuer he calleth thē. And as for them that be falſe: …, peruerting the truth, and vſurping ſuperioritie too deface Gods woorde: it is meete that they ſhould be taken for ſuch as they be in deede: & this hath bin ſhewed by that which I ſayde at the beginning: that is too wit, that whereas our Lord Ieſus Chriſte hath tolde vsus that he will hauehave vsus too heere thoſe that come in his name, as if he ſpake in his owne perſone: he ment not thereby too make them idolles among men, too the ende that ſuch as hauehave charge to ſpeake in his name, ſhould be exalted too hauehave any tirannie: but he ment that his woord ſhould be receyued reuerently and without gaynſaying. And whereas S. Paule ſayeth heere that he was receyued as an Angell, or rather as Ieſus Chriſt: it is as much to ſay as he came not in his owne name, but indeuered too preach Gods grace purely, and too make men too followe Ieſus Chriſt, & to frame themſelues wholly vntounto him, that he might hauehave his due preheminence, that the Goſpell might be receyued without gaynſaying, and that it might bring foorth ſuch frute as it ought too doo:Rom. 1. b. 16. that is to wit, that it might be the power of God too the ſaluation of all beleeuers, as it is ſayd in the beginning of the Epiſtle too the Romanes.
Now 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, as we may be moued more and more to amendment, and that it may pleaſe him to beare with our infirmities, till he hauehave ridde vsus quite and cleane of all, and ſo renewed vsus according too his owne image, ſo as all may bee pure and cleane in vsus, and his glory ſhewe it ſelf there, and we more and more fight in ſuch wiſe agaynſt our own ſinfulneſſe, as it may bee vtterly emptied out of vsus, and he ſo fill vsus with the grace of his holy ſpirit, as we may draw others therevnto, ſo as all of vsus may with one common conſent indeuer to ſerue to his glory, and giuegive ouer our ſelues wholly therevnto. And ſo let vsus all ſay, Almightie God heauenly father, &c.