Sermons on Galatians, Sermon 34
The. 34. Sermon, which is the fourth vponupon the fifth Chapter.
11 My brethren, if I preach ſtill the circumcizion, vvhy ſuffer I yet perſecution? [For] then is the ſtumblingblocke of the croſſe put avvay.
12 I vvould too God that they vvich trouble you vvere cut of.
13 For you, my bretheren, vvere called vntoo libertie: onelyonly make not your libertie an occaſion too the fleſhe, but ſerue yee one another through louelove.
14 For all the lavve is fulfilled in one vvoord, vvhichwhich is this, Thou ſhalt louelove thy neighbour as thy ſelf.
IT is ſeene that men are ſo giuen to their owne profit in all their doings, that alwaies they bow crookedly and ouerthwartly without reſpect of equitie & vprightneſſe. For mens couetouſneſſe, and the reſpect which they hauehave eyther to their profite or too their eaſe, doth ſo blind their eyes, as they can diſcerne nothing. Specially when Gods woord is to bee caried abrode, then if a man forget not himſelf, and ſhet not his eyes agaynſt the things that may turne him away in this world from walking purely before God: ſurely he ſhall neuer hold on his courſe, but bee ſtill ſtarting out, now on the one ſide and now on the other. By meanes whereof Gods doctrine is oftentimes corrupted, bycauſe that they which ought too beare it abrode, are inclyned eyther too hatred or fauour, and are afrayde of purchacing themſelues ſome diſpleaſure, or of prouoking ſome anger againſt them. Therefore it is vnpoſsible too ſerue God purely in our ſtate of calling, vnleſſe wee bee fully reſolued, yea euen with an inuincible conſtancie, not to be greeued if we be driuen to ſuffer for the doctrine which wee beare abrode: but to fight luſtily vnderunder the ſtandard of our Capteyne Ieſus Chriſt, knowing that we cannot come to the glory of his reſurrectiō, but by ſuffering aforehand with him after his example. The faithfull muſt be fayne to faſhion themſelues vntounto that. But the cace of ſuch as ſhould teach and hauehave the office of preaching Gods woord, is more particular: for it is certaine that the Diuell is alwayes practizing too put vsus out of hart, and he ſhall finde furtherers ynough in this worlde, according as there are full many that cannot abyde that Gods woord ſhould bee preached purely and vncorruptly. They will not ſay with open mouth, that Gods name ought to be buried: but yet would they fayne deuyze a faſhion of doctrine too their owne lyking. Now therefore it behoueth vsus too looke ſimply too that which God commaundeth, and to harden our ſelues throughly to it: according alſo as we ſe how Ieremie was willed to fight,Ierem. 1. d. 18. 19. and God promized too giuegive him a forehead of braſſe, to puſh againſt thoſe that ſhould come to aſſayle him. And for that cauſe doth S. Paule ſay now, that if he liſted to preach circū cizion, and to make ſuch a minglemāgle as the deceiuers went about to do: he could rid his hands of al vexation, and make eueryevery man to clap their hands at him, or at leaſtwiſe he could bring too paſſe that no man ſhould perſecute him and trouble him. For the Iewes would eaſly hue graunted that Ieſus Chriſt ſhoulde hauehave bin preached, ſo they might hauehave hild ſtil the ſtate of Elderſhip, and the Ceremonies hauehave bin vſed ſtill, and the Gētiles hauehave bin as little vntimely borne things to come in aray in theyr trayne behind thē. Yee ſee then what the Iewes deſire was. Sainct Paule could hauehave pleaſed them well in ſo doyng, but that he minded too ſerue God faythfully and ſubſtantially. But on the contrary part S. Paule ſheweth, that they whiche labored too ouerthrowe the doctrine that he had preached, ſought more the fauour and frendſhip of men, than too diſcharge their duetie. Nowe then wee ſee what is ment by this ſentence where he ſayeth, My brethren, if I preached Circumcizion ſtill, that is too ſay, if I would agree too make a minglemangle, that Ieſus Chriſte might bee diſguyzed, and eueryevery man hauehave what he woulde aske: no man would be any more offended with mee, I ſhould be welcome euerywhere, and I ſhould hauehave credit by it. But now, is it likely that I will bee at defiance with all the worlde, of purpoſe too bee tormented? You ſee then at a woorde, that I ſeeke not mine owne profite. For what moueth theſe goodly doctors to make ſuch a minglemangle as yee ſee, but that they would fayne pleaſure eueryevery mā, and are loth that any man ſhould trouble …em in any wiſe? Seyng that their ſeeking is for eaſe and commoditie: you ought of good right to ſuſpect them. Now then wee ſee here, on the one ſide the thing that I touched not long ſince: namely that all ſuch as are called of God to the preaching of his woord, ought to be fully determined vponupon this, that although the whole world ſhould ſtep vp againſt them, yet they would not bow, but abide all aſſaultes, beyng well aſſured that God will maynteyne them at their neede, and alwayes giuegive them victorie, ſo they followe their vocation in pure ſingleneſſe. For wee cannot doo God any greater wrong and outrage, than too ſubmit our ſelues too mens likings, by turning away from his woord, eyther to the right hand or to the left. Nother is it for vsus to leaue any peece of our duetie vndone, but wee muſt ſtedfaſtly maynteyne the truth of God which is vnchaungeable, and ought not in any wiſe to be altered, though men be neuer ſo variable and vnconſtant. And this is to be marked well, bicauſe that although men hauehave ſome good willingneſſe that God ſhould be knowen, and that his truth ſhould bee preached accordingly: yet the moſt part will commonly bow, when they ſee the ſlaunders that are rayzed of thē, and heere mens grudgings & repinings againſt them, ſpecially whē ſometimes there ſhall bee ſo great broyles, that all is like to go to wrecke. For if we maynteyne Gods quarell as wee ought too do, by and by the ſlaunderers will giuegive it out that we be wilfull. Like as at this day the Papiſts do charge vsus, firſt of all with great raſhneſſe, that we, (who be but a hādfull in compariſon of themſelues whiche are ſo houge a multitude, yea and mē of ſo great experiēce, which hauehave ſeene ſo much, and are had in ſo great eſtimation and reputation,) will take vponupon vsus to controll all the ſtates of the world: and ſecondly that we be to precyze, yea and to malapert, in that wee will hauehave all mens heads vnderunder our girdle, and do ſeeke nothing elſe but to ouermayſter all men, and to make eueryevery man to ſtoupe to our lure. Lo how wee bee wrongfully ſlaundered. Neuertheleſſe we muſt rather ſwallow vp this ſlaunder, than forbeare the doing of any peece of our duetie. For why? in this behalfe it is not for vsus to make any compoſition as it were betwene man and man. For if twoo parties bee at variance for ſome ſumme of Money, or for ſome Lande, an vmper may ſo qualifie the matter on eyther ſide, as peace ſhall ſoone bee made betwixt them. But if we graunt Gods enimies their owne asking, ſpecially to the preiudice of him that will hauehave his owne right throughly maynteyned (as good reaſon is that it ſhoulde bee:) what a thing is that? So much the more then behoueth it vsus too marke well this leſſon, where Saint Paule telleth vsus, that to ſerue God we muſt not ſhun, neither trouble, nor vexation, nor repinings, nor reproches, nor any thing elſe, inſomuch that if it ſtande vponupon the hazarding of our life, we muſt go through with it. And though there be great frailtie in vsus: yet let vsus conſider that God calleth vsus vntounto him, and that he is able to remedie al our weakneſſe, and to giuegive vsus ſufficient ſtrēgth to holde out to the vttermoſt. Howſoeuer the cace ſtande, ſeeing hee imployeth vsus in his ſeruice, (vsus I ſay which are nothing of oure ſelues:) we muſt not diſhonour him ſo much, as to make him ſubiect to mens luſtes. Thus ye ſee what wee hauehave to conſider in the firſt place. Furthermore we bee warned therewithall, to ſuſpectall ſuche as ſeeke their owne aduauntage and profite, and all ſuche as diſguiſe themſelues, rowing betweene two ſtreames, and falſifying Gods pure truthe at euerie turne, too pleaſe men withall. For as I hauehave tolde you alreadie, we muſt prepare our ſelues to many battels, if we minde to ſerue God ſimplie. And we muſt call to minde this ſentence where Saint Paule ſayde,Gal. 1. b. 10 that if his minde were too pleaſe men, hee muſt of neceſsitie forſake the ſeruice of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt his maiſter. For as I hauehave tolde you before, the diuell will not ceaſſe to make warre vppon vsus on all ſydes: and againe, men are naturally diſpoſed therevnto: euerie man coueteth to bee ſoothed and vphilde, and to hauehave all his vyces cloked. To be ſhort, there is none but he deſireth too bee foded and mainteyned in hys rechleſneſſe. And therefore if wee will bee freendes with men too frame our ſelues vntoo their willes and deſires: Ieſus Chriſt can hauehave no more mayſterſhip ouer vsus, and wee ſhall not onelyonly become vnprofitable for him, but alſo vtter peruerters of all. Nowe therefore when wee ſee that theſe which pretende great zealouſneſſe of chriſtian religion, doo ſeeke their owne profite: let vsus hardily conclude, that they deſerue not to hauehave any authoritie. Of which ſort are they whiche nowadayes keepe a barking to mainteyne popiſh abuſes, and ceaſſe not to ſlaunder … doctrine of the Goſpell, but labour to bring it in diſcredite with the blinde and ignorant, and yet notwithſtanding what is it that the moſt part of them doo ſeeke? Some to maintaine themſelues in their eſtate, with their red hattes, horned cappes, and croſſes: Others runne after them like houndes in a chace, and theſe poore ſtoruelings plie them apace that they may hauehave their wages. Beſides this, all that euer is done of theſe pelting hypocrites, and of all the whole ſtinging and ſtinking rable of ſhauelings, (what pretence ſo euer they make) tendeth too none other end, but to hauehave their diſhes alwayes ful, ſo that all their fighting is but for their bellie. Alſo there are a great number of Neuters, which are contented to hauehave the Goſpell preached by halues, but to go too it with ſo great rygour and ſeueritie, ô (ſay they) it is no reaſon at all, for the worlde cannot awaye with it. And why ſhould not men paſſe much for Ceremonies (ſay they?) Although they ſprung of ſuperſtitions and abuſes, yet ſhoulde wee not go too worke ſo roughly: for that were too importunate dealing. All they then which cannot abyde too hauehave the filthie dregges and corruptions of Poperie cutte off to the quicke, do certainly ame at none other marke, than too eſchue perſecution, and too ſhrinke awaye from it. And woulde God that examples of it were not too ryfe. But nowadayes ye ſhall ſee an infinite number of ſuch as would be aſhamed to withſtande the Goſpell in all reſpects, conſent well ynough with vsus to ſay, In deede it is true, but yet many things had neede to be borne withall, and we had neede to go to it with gentleneſſe and modeſtie. And what moueth them to this? VVhat foundation hauehave they? See I pray you what they alledge. O (ſay they) wee ſee fires kindled euerie where: and what a thing were it too moue yet further troubles that ſhoulde make them greater? It ſhould ſeeme that we bee bent of ſet purpoſe to prouoke thoſe that are alreadie enemies to the Goſpell, and hauehave the ſworde in theyr hande, and are able to rende all vp by the roote: were it not better too beare with things awhile, till God had giuen ſome reſt too his Church? It is certaine therefore that ſuch folke as deſire too make truce with thoſe that fight openly againſt our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, are ful of treaſon. And ſo ſee ye the ſecond warning that is to be marked vponupon this text. Furthermore whe… … S. Paule ſayeth, that the ſtumbling blocke of the Croſſe ſhall be done away he meeneth that the world ſhall no more be ſo prouoked to refuſe the doctrine of the Goſpel: for when we preach Ieſus Chriſt crucified ſimply without any mixture, that doth he purpoſely name the preaching of the Croſſe. Now the worlde woulde alwayes fayne hauehave ſolemnities, and firſt of all wee ſee that many mennes eares itche, and they deſire nothing but that men ſhoulde flouriſh in Rhetorike and painted ſpeach, and ſuch other like things. Again we ſee that many are aſhamed of the ſimplicitie of the Goſpell, bicauſe that if the great and ſmall ſhoulde bee coupled togither, it might ſeeme that it tendeth too the pulling downe of all highneſſe. And ſhoulde menne bee ſpoyled and robbed after that maner of all theyr glorie [thinke they?] Manie therefore are aſhamed of that. Nowe for this cauſe Sainct Paule ſayeth, Go too, it is the preaching of a Gibet or Gallowes. It is true: for to the intent to open vntounto vsus the Kingdome of heauen, the ſonne of God was fayne to ſuffer our curſe, and to indure that death which is ſo ſlaunderous before men, yea and to be curſed of Gods owne mouth according to the ſaying of the Lawe, Curſed is hee that hangeth on tree.Deut. 51. d. 23. Then was our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt faine to come to that poynt, that hee might be our borrow. To be ſhort, hee was as good as ouerwhelmed. And we ſee howe the Prophete Eſay ſayth of him,Eſa. 53. a. 2. that he was diſfigured like a poore Lazerman, ſo as men vouchſafed not to looke vppon him, or to count him in the number of men.Pſa. 22. b. 7 Alſo wee ſee howe the .xxij. Pſalme ſayth, I am a worme and not a man,Luc. 23. c. 39 I am a mockingſtocke euen to the raſcalleſt ſort: inſomuch that the theefe did ſcorne him and ſcoffe at him. VVell then, at the firſt ſight this doctrine ſeemeth vnworthie to be receyued.1. Co. 1. c. 21. But wee muſt bethinke vsus what Saint Paule ſayth in another text: that is to wit, that the world knew not God in true wiſedome, and therfore he was fayne to vſe another faſhion of teaching, which is by fooliſhneſſe. For were wee throughly wiſe, as wee woulde bee taken too bee: wee hauehave as good an inſtruction as can bee, in beholding the skies and the earth. VVe ſee there a mirrour wherin god ſheweth vsus his infinit goodneſſe, power, rightuouſneſſe, merciemercy and wiſedome. And ſo wee ſee there the great treaſures of Gods wiſdome, which ought … rauiſh our wittes to wonder at it. But who fareth the better by it? Nay contrarywiſe wee ſee men cobble vp Gods benefites and fill their panches with them, without any thinking vppon him at all, and not onelyonly that, but alſo to kicke agaynſt him that hath pampered them. And when they weene too do God ſeruice, they plucke away the honor that belongeth to him, and ſet vp Idols after their owne fancie. Seing then that the world hath not knowne God in true wiſedome, and by the order of nature: God was fayne to trie another way, as he did. For if we iudge after our naturall wit, it is a kind of ſtarke folly to ſay, that the ſonne of God, the heade of the Angelles, the Lorde of glorie, the welſpring of life, the perſone to whome all maieſtie belongeth, was not onelyonly made a mortall man, and clothed with our ſtate: but alſo vtterly abaſed,Phil. 2. a. 7. (as Sainct Paule ſayth in the ſeconde too the Philippians) yea and became ſubiect too our curſe, and bare the name of ſinne, which is more. VVhen a man ſpeaketh to vsus in ſuch phraze of ſpeech, it muſt needes ſeeme ſtraunge to vsus as it is in deed. But we muſt ſubmit our ſelues with al lowlineſſe, and conſider that foraſmuch as we hauehave not profited by the things that god hath ſhewed vsus from the beginning both in heauen and earth, we muſt bee fayne to come to this other ſchole. Thus much concerning this ſtreyne where Saint Paule ſayth, then is the ſtumblingblocke of the Croſſe put away. But to be ſhort, we muſt gather vponupon this Text, that if there be any abſurditie in the Goſpel according to our vnderſtanding, the ſame muſt not make it out of taſte with vsus, but we muſt cōſider that God intendeth to trie our obedience, by ſending vsus to the death of of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, and that there we ſee as it were the gulfe of hell, ſeeing that the ſonne of God is there to beare our condemnation, and is become our ſuretie there to pay all our dettes. Againe let vsus conſider further, that from death there was a goodly paſſage vntounto glorie, which appeared in his reſurrection. For the Sonne of God hauing ſuffered through infirmitie, (that is to ſay, according to the ordinance of God his father, and according to his owne good will alſo, wherby he conſented to ſubmit himſelfe to ſuch bondage) and hauing ſuffered in ſuch wiſe that hee ouercame death by the power of his holy ſpirite: he obteyned ſuch a victorie, as all knees muſt nowe bow before him, and he hath a name aboue all names, and men muſte knowe that all the Maieſtie of God appeared and ſhone forth in his perſon. Thus yee ſee that wee neede not to bee aſhamed of the Goſpell. And aboue all things let vsus holde faſte that which Saint Paule in the firſt to the Romaines calleth the power of God to the ſaluation of all beleeuers.Ro. 1. b. 16. Then as for the worldlings and ſuch as are ſwolne with pryde and ouerweening like Toades, let them deſpize the Goſpell as much as they liſt, and let them periſh in their owne curſedneſſe: and in the meane while let vsus with all humbleneſſe of fayth imbrace the ſonne of God, who offereth himſelfe to vsus of purpoſe, to lift vsus vp to the glorie of the kingdom of heauen. But heere is yet more: namely that Saint Paule matcheth Stumbling, and the preaching of the Goſpel togither as things inſeparable. It is true that wee muſt eſchue all ſtumblingblockes as much as is poſsible:Mat. 18. a. 7. for wo be to him by whom ſtumblingblockes come. But yet muſte Ieſus Chriſt raigne, and hauehave his full ſcope, though all the whole worlde ſhoulde ſtumble at him. The woorde Stumblingblocke, importeth a ſtoppe, hinderance, or let, as if there were a rough and ſtonie way that had ſome thornes and buſhes, or ſome other comberances in it, the ſame were a meanes too make men ſtumble. Nowe it were to be wiſhed that Ieſus Chriſt might go on freely, and that all the worlde would receyue him, and that nothing might ſtoppe the preaching of the Goſpell from the one ende of the worlde to the other. I ſay we ought to wiſhe it as much as in vsus is. Howbeeit let vsus learne that God intendeth to trye the obedientneſſe of our fayth, by giuing Satan the brydle who caſteth many ſtumblingblockes and cumberances in our wayes.Eſa. 8. c. 14 Too bee ſhort, our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt is not without cauſe called a ſtone to ſtumble at, and a ſtoppe for all men too daſhe agaynſt, and by that meanes too breake their neckes.Luc. 2 e. 34 And in the ende (as it is ſayde in Saint Luke) they muſt be cruſhed by that ſtone, for it is to hard for their ſtubbornneſſe. And this is verie much for our behoofe. For we ſee many men ſo nice, that if men agree not to the Goſpell out of hande, they thinke themſelues quite and cleane diſcharged and ſet free before God, from mainteining the quarel or cace any longer. If all Kings and Princes had cauſed it to be proclaimed by the ſound of a trumpet, that there ſhoulde … no more fighting agaynſt Gods truth: euerie man woulde make countenance too bee of the ſame minde. But nowadayes ye ſhall ſee great crueltie, tyrannie, ſpytefulneſſe, manacing, and ſuch other like things. Again ye ſhall ſee that the moſt part of the enemies are as greedie woolues that deſire to deuour all, and ſeeke to ſhed innocent bloud, to the intent that they may hauehave their goodes. Otherſome hauehave a frentike zeale, inſomuch that they woulde fayne hauehave the name of God cleane wyped out, and the doctrine of the Goſpell vtterly quenched. VVhen men ſee this: ô (ſay they) I will not meddle with it. VVhat? Shall I bring all the world in my toppe? Is it not manifeſt that they which hauehave taſted this doctrine are but a handfull of men, and that all others are enemies too them, or elſe they doo reiect them or laugh them to ſcorne, or at leaſtwyſe beare a poyſoned and malicious heart agaynſt them? Yee ſee then, that verie fewe are ſo ſtrong, as too beare out the ſtumblingblockes of the Goſpell, when they ſee as it were logges caſt in theyr way, and that Ieſus Chriſt is hyndered by Satan, and by the practiſes of his vnderlings. O (ſay they) wee muſte needes backe againe. Yea and what a number are too bee ſeene at thys day, whiche will ſay that this doctrine bringeth ſtore of ſtumblingblockes? Againe, ſee I praye you what diuerſitie of opinions it hathe (ſay they.) Beholde ſuch a one ſpeaketh thus, and ſuch a one thus. Furthermore whē the wicked ſort which ſet their tongues to ſale lyke harlots in a Brothelhouſe, and caſt out blaſphemies agaynſt God and his woorde, finde any cloke eyther too deſpize or too reiect the Goſpell: by and by many wretched folke hauehave theyr tongues fyled to ſay, Alas, we ſee that this doctrine bringeth great ſtumblingblockes with it. Yea and Ieſus Chriſt ſhoulde not bee that whiche the holy Scripture reporteth him too bee, if the Goſpell cauſed not many ſtumblings. But yet muſte wee not bee diſmayed at them: wee muſte rather ouercome them. Thus ye ſee what wee hauehave too gather vppon this ſtreyne, where Saint Paule ſayeth that wee ſhall neuer holde out in the fayth of the Goſpell, except wee bee armed with ſuch conſtancio, as not to turne out of the way, let Satan do what hee can. Verely (as I ſayde afore) wee muſt (as much as wee can) eſchue all ſtumblingblocks, and go on forwarde, and put the… …ſide. VVe hauehave ſeene heretofore how eueryevery of vsus ought to behaue himſelfe, inſomuch that the Prophete Eſay ſpeaking of the preaching of the Goſpell,Eſay. 40. 3. 4. ſayth that the way muſt bee made leuell, and that the thing which was rough and crooked before, muſt now be made ſmooth and ſtreyt. VVell then, we muſt do what we can that it may be ſo. Howbeeit foraſmuch as God wil hauehave vsus to be humbled, and that there muſt needs be ſtumblingblocks and comberances, and it cannot be but that Ieſus Chriſt muſt reigne in the mids of his enemies: let vsus go forward and defie all Satans practizes, and not miſlike of the Goſpell for it, though we ſee neuer ſo many ſtumblings and ſtumblingblockes abrode in the world. Now S. Paul hauing ſayd ſo, addeth, I would to God that al they which trouble you were cut off. It may ſeeme at the firſt bluſh, that S. Paule is moued here with to much choler, when he wiſheth that all thoſe which ſow their darnell and errours abrode to peruert Gods pure doctrine ſhoulde bee diſpatched, that the diuell might poſſeſſe thē, and that they might neuer find mercy at Gods hand. For ſo doth the word Cut off betoken. But we muſt mark, that the zele which we ought to hauehave of Gods glorie, forgetteth all worldly reſpects, when they be put into the balance togither. Howbeeit before we go any further, let vsus firſt note that in this word Cut off, S. Paul hath ſpoken by a ſimilitude. For thoſe raſcals that had corrupted and falſified the doctrine of the Goſpell, ſtroue for Circumcizion. VVell then (ſayth he) pare off and cut off as much as ye liſt, and yet all your ſeeking is but to hauehave other mē buſied about ſuch pelting trifles as wel as your ſelues. But as for me, I would that all ſuch deceyuers were quite and cleane cut off, and that God would ſinke them or root thē out, & ſo caſt thē off and damne thē, as they might not hauehave any hope of ſaluation. Nowe let vsus come to that which I hauehave touched. I tolde you ſhortly, that whē men make war agaynſt God, we muſt become ſuch deadly enemies vntounto them, as we muſt vtterly put out of minde all kinred and friendſhip, and al that elſe is: for otherwiſe we do not our dutie in any wiſe vntounto our God, who, ſeing he beareth the name of our father, and doth vsus the honor to take vsus for his children, ought at the leaſt to hauehave his glorie eſteemed of vsus aboue all things. But wee muſte paſſe on yet further. For what is the Maieſtie of God? Agayne, howe precious ought … truthe too bee vntoo vsus?
Moreouer, ſeeing that he doth ſo ioyne his glorie with our welfare, as we cannot procure the one without the other: yea and that we can neyther profite him nor diſprofite him, though we were neuer ſo zealous to mainteyne his quarell, for he hath no neede of vsus, neither needeth hee to borow our helping hand, but yet he maketh vsus his deputies or agents, too none other ende but that euerie of vsus ſhoulde ſeeke his owne profite, howbeeit not of this worlde, nor in theſe corruptible things, but in the euerlaſting ſaluation of oure ſoules: ſeeing (I ſay) that God imployeth vsus after ſuch ſort, and we notwithſtanding bee ſtill retchleſſe and colde: is this treacherie of ours excuſable? Nay wee muſt come to that which is ſayde in the Pſalme,Pſal. 69. b. 10. The zeale of thine houſe hath eaten mee vp, and the raylings of them that rayled on thee, I hauehave taken to my ſelfe. Certes, this was fully accompliſhed in the perſon of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt, as in the heade of the Church. And Saint Paule ſheweth that wee muſt be faſhioned like vntounto him as our patterne, ſo that whenſoeuer we ſee Gods honour defaced by men, euerie of vsus muſt ſet himſelfe manfully agaynſt it. Thus yee ſee breefly that the rule which wee muſt gather heere, is that wee muſt preferre Gods honour before all things, yea euen before a whole million of liues if we had them. Then is it not for vsus to ſpare men, when they ſtreyne themſelues to the vttermoſt of their power to trample Gods name vnderunder foot, to turmoyl the doctrine of ſaluation, to bring to paſſe that we might no more knowe what religion to ſticke vntoo, and to driue away all peace vtterly out of the Church. Therefore if wee ſee men applie their indeuers that way, is it not reaſon that we ſhould bee their aduerſaries?Ro. 12. d. 18 Truly if it bee poſsible, wee muſt procure freendſhip and agreement with all men, yea on our owne behalfe, and ſo farre forth as lyeth in vsus, ſayth Saint Paule to the Romanes. But when wee ſee theſe naughtipackes aduaunce themſelues agaynſt God, and thruſt forth their hornes too doſſe at him: it is good reaſon that eueryevery of vsus ſhould ſteppe forwarde, and ſhewe in deed that wee bee no more our owne men, but that for as much as our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt hath bought and payde for vsus ſo deerely, hee ought of right to be Lorde both of our life, and of our death. Ye ſee then why Saint Paule maketh heere ſo ſharpe a wiſhe, na…ly that they which had troubled the Galathians might bee vtterly alienated from God, and drowned in the gulfe of damnation. Now if it be obiected that this wiſh is agaynſt the rule of charitie: the anſwere is eaſie inough. For we bee bound to louelove our enimies, yea though they perſecute & vexe vsus: and although they ſeeke nothing but our deſtruction, yet muſt we procure their welfare & ſaluatiō to the vttermoſt of our power, and we muſt hauehave pitie & compaſsion of them to ſee thē ſo giuen ouer vntounto Satan. Thus ye ſee what charitie importeth. But yet for al this, God muſt be aboue all, as I hauehave declared already. Therfore Charitie is betweene man and man. VVhen any man ſhall hauehave done me wrong, I muſt forget it. Though he beare me malice, yet muſt I procure his welfare. But when it commeth to the maynteyning of Gods quarel, there mē muſt be eſteemed leſſe than nothing as I hauehave ſayd already. Yet notwithſtanding we doo cleane contrarie. For what elſe is the cōmon practiſe, than to ſtoupe and ſtryke ſayle when God is miſdeltwith? And yet in the meane while eueryevery man will follow his owne right to the vttermoſt. As for example: There is a man that hath committed a very haynous crime, he deſerueth to be puniſhed: and if he be not corrected there is an euill gap opened to bring in corruption. There is ſome mā of authoritie, and (to go no further) they that ought to ſhew the way of ſaluation, they that preach the worde of God, euen they I ſay are ſeene to liue wickedly, they be ribauds and lewd folke that ſerue to no purpoſe but to make confuſion and debate. And yet for all this, they muſt not be cut off, they muſt not be handled roughly will ſome ſay. A drunkard, a whoremonger, a varlet ſhall be maynteyned. To be ſhort, there ſhall be nothing but contempt of God, & the Goſpell ſhall be vnregarded eueryevery where, and yet muſt all of it be ſuffered vnderunder colour that there muſt ſome clemēcie be vſed: yea mary, and in the meane while Gods honor muſt bee lefte at randon. But if ye doo neuer ſo little touche theſe men that are ſo gentle, or at leaſtwiſe pretende to be ſo: by and by they fall out into deadly defiance, ſaying: why not? ſuche a man hathe doone mee ſuche a wrong. They fight it out to the vttermoſt. VVell then, they indure all things that can be at the har… of Satans vnderlings,2. Cor 11. c. 20. yea euen too bee buffeted and boxed about the eares by them with ſhame inough, as Sainct Paule ſayth in the ſeconde to the Corinthians: and yet in the meane while they can not abide that God ſhould be auenged of the diſhonour that is doone vntounto him. Nowe then wee ſee that S. Paules zele was well ruled, and if any man had doone him wrong in his owne perſon, wee knowe he woulde hauehave beene pacient in that behalfe. But now that he ſeeth Gods Goſpell comming to ſuche an afterdeele: he can not abyde that: but ſetteth him ſelfe agaynſt it, wiſhing that ſuche men were damned. Yea verily: for he had no regarde of him ſelfe, but (as I ſayde afore) preferred Gods honor before all the whole worlde. Thus ye ſee how we may be ſafe frō ſtraying: namely if we looke ſimply vntounto God, and giuegive not heede to our owne affections, but bee gouerned by the ſpirite of vprightneſſe and diſcretion, ſo as God make vsus too diſcerne how farre foorth wee muſt fight, and how farre foorth we muſt reſiſt. Then if wee once hauehave ſuch diſcretion, and bee gouerned by the holy Ghoſt,Gal. 1 b. 8. we may with S. Paule, with Dauid, & with the reſidue of the holy Prophets defie men, when they go about to turne vsus away from the pureneſſe of the knowen doctrine: yea and wee might curſe the very Angels if neede were, according as Sainct Paule hath ſayde heeretofore, where he defyed the Angels of heauen, if they ſhoulde ſet them ſelues agaynſt the doctrine of the Goſpell that he had preached. Not that the Angels doo euer ſet them ſelues agaynſt it: but that if it were poſsible for them to doo ſo. As if he ſhould ſay, put the cace that an Angell ſhoulde go about to ouerthrow your fayth: yet ſhould ye rather ſende him to hell, and holde him for a feende, and curſe him, than be turned aſide from the right way by him. Yee ſee then that wee muſt in all reſpects reſt wholly vponupon God: and moreouer let vsus bee afrayde of that ſaying, as though we heard it thunder from heauen agaynſt all ſuche as trouble the Churche. For thoughe it bee but Paule that hath ſpoken it, yet dyd the holy Ghoſt guyde and gouerne hys tung. For aſmuche then as he was the inſtrument of God to vtter the ſayd ſentence: it is as much as if vnrepealable iudgement were alreadie giuen agaynſt all ſuche as go about to breake the vnion of fayth, and the agreement of brotherhood that ought to be among all Gods children, and to ſowe errours and hereſies to falſifie the pure truthe. Furthermore God ſheweth how deerely he loueth vsus, (as hath bin declared this morning) wherein he giueth vsus a warrant of the fatherly care which he hath of our ſaluation, in that he taketh ſuche vengeance on all ſuche as would diſappoynt the ſame. And finally he ſayth, Brethren, yee bee called too freedome: onelyonly make it not an occaſion of fleſhlyneſſe, but ſerue yee one another in louelove, bicauſe it is the true fulfilling of the Lawe, and the very ſquire alſo whereby wee muſt rule all our works. Heere Sainct Paule ſheweth, firſt that his ſtriuing is not too bring too paſſe that men might lyue at their owne eaſe, and eueryevery body ſport as they liſt themſelues: but that wee might bee free before God. And that is well woorth the marking. For as ſoone as this worde freedome or libertie is ſpoken of, eueryevery of vsus is ſo inclined to his fleſhly luſtes, that by and by wee thinke with our ſelues, very well, then may I do what I liſt, I am no more reſtrayned, I neede not any more to thinke my ſelfe ſo much bounde, nor to make ſo great ſcruple of conſcience as I hauehave done. Thus yee ſee howe that vnderunder the pretence of libertie, eueryevery of vsus makes him ſelfe thrall to his owne affections. For it is a pollicie of the Diuels, to deceyue and beguyle vsus in the things that ſeeme to bee good, yea and to turne them to the cleane contrarie. For (as I hauehave declared heeretofore) it is certayne that al ſuch as couet to liue after their owne liking, become wretched bondſlaues, and are hild in ſtrayter bondage than ſuch as are ſet in the ſtocks or manacles. And why? Let vsus conſider a little what tyrannie there is in our luſts & paſsions. If a man follow his owne luſts, ſurely he muſt needes ſhake off al ſhame, & forget himſelf, & become a very beaſt. Lo here the goodly libertie that all men ſeeke cōmonly by nature. But I hauehave tolde you that the libertie whervnto S. Paule exhorteth vsus, is another maner of thing. It is not that we ſhould runne a… rouers, and hauehave no bridle to holde vsus in awe: but that we ſhoulde conſider what God requireth of vsus, and be ruled by his holy word, & none of vsus become ſo lordly as to ſay, this or that muſt be done. For when men take vponupon them to rule vsus by lawes and ordinances of their owne making, it is certayne that they doo but (as yee woulde ſay) make infinite cor…s to ſtrangle poore ſoules withall. S. Paule then ſheweth that the libertie which he preached, & for the mayntenance wherof he ſtoode ſo ſtoutly agaynſt the deceiuers, is not that men ſhould ouerſhote thēſelues & take leaue to do what they liſt, but that they might freely ſerue god, & be no more racked and tormented with vnquietneſſe, as we ſee poore ignorant ſoules to be, who beeing hild faſt in ſuperſtition, are euermore in doubte and grudge of conſcience, making queſtions of eueryevery thing, & neuer beeing reſolued of any one poynt. Of which ſort alſo are the Papiſts, who hauehave an infinite number of doubts among them. And no maruell at all: for they knowe not too what maſter they muſt yeeld their account. EueryEvery of them talkes according to the diſpoſition of his owne brayne: [one ſayes] to my ſeeming ſuch a thing would be good: [another ſayes] Lo this my deuotion telleth me: [and the third ſays] it were good yet that this or that were doone more. Now when they be once entred into ſuche a maze, at length they fall to doubting whether they may kembe their heades or no, and make a ſcrupulouſneſſe with whiche finger they ſhoulde feede themſelues, and of eueryevery thing elſe. To bee ſhort, there is neyther ende nor meaſure of their fondneſſe.Cal. 2. d. 21. VVhen S. Paule intendeth to ſhew what it is to be wrapped in mens traditions: he ſaith that whē they hauehave once forbidden too eate fleſh, anone after they forbid to taſt it: and when they hauehave forbiddē to taſt it, ſoone after they forbid to touch it. Yee ſee then that the way for vsus to maynteyne the libertie that is purchaſed for vsus by the death & paſsion of our lord Ieſus Chriſt, is firſt too knowe in what wiſe God will bee ſerued and honored, to the ende wee be not toſſed with ſo many ſcruples of conſcience for want of diſcerning what is good or euill, but determine fully and certenly with our ſelues, to follow Gods word, aſſuring our ſelues alſo, that in ſo dooing wee can not doo amiſſe. And ſecondly to ſerue one anothers turne, that none of vsus bee ſo addicted to his owne ſelfe as to ouermate his fellowes, but bee ſo gentle & kindharted as eueryevery of vsus hauehave an eye wherin he may aduauntage or ſuccor his neybour: abſteyning frō all offence giuing ſo as it be not ſayd, I care not for ſuche a one or for ſuche a one, I paſſe not whether he ſinke or ſwim: but that (for as much as our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt hath linked vsus …gither too bee members of his Churche) wee holde faſt the ſayde doctrine, that is too witte, firſt that God be honored and ſerued among vsus as he commaundeth, and ſecondly that wee agree in ſuche wiſe togither, as wee labour through meekneſſe to matche our ſelues one with another, and to ſerue one anothers turne, notwithſtanding that wee be free ſtill to Godwarde as in reſpect of our conſciences.
And now let vsus fall down before the maieſtie of our good God with acknowledgement of our ſinnes, praying him to make vsus ſo too feele them, as it may humble vsus before hym, and drawe vsus too true repentance, and wee go forwarde therin more and more, groning continually vnderunder the burthen of our ſinne, till wee be quite clenſed and vtterly ridded of it: And that it may pleaſe the ſame good God to beare with vsus, and not to handle vsus ſo rigorouſly as he could doo, but to guide vsus in ſuche wiſe by his holy ſpirite, as he may both forgiue and forget our ſinnes, till we be fully clenſed frō them. That it may pleaſe him to graunt this grace, not only to vsus, but alſo to all people and Nations of the earth. &c.