Fruitful Lessons Upon the Passion Burial Resurrection Ascension, passion · Commentary 29
Doctrine and fruit.
FOraſmuch as the deuil knoweth, that Chriſt and his miniſters applie all diligence with their doctrine, that the kingdome of him (who is the Prince of this worlde) … hee deſtroied, and that the kingdome of Ieſus Chriſt the ſonne of God, the chiefe king of all might proſper, hee bringeth to paſſe, that Chriſt and the Miniſters of the word, are noted and ſu…pected of ſedition, wheras they yet ſeeke nothing leſſe than worldly power and dominion. Chriſt flyeth away, when they would make him king: now is he noted and accuſed, as one that ſeeketh to bee Emperor. Neuertheles Chriſt is a true king, whoſe kingdome conſiſteth not in corporall things, but in ſpirit and in power. Chriſt deſpiſed all honor, riches, power, and pleaſures of this world: his Miniſters therfore muſt of all the world bee contemned. But Chriſt ruleth through his ſpirite and power in their hearts, & they alſo ſhall rule with him in the reſurrection. Hee is the trueth, and giueth witneſſe vntounto the trueth: & who ſo is of the truth, heareth his voyce, and beareth record alſo vntounto the trueth.
Heere likewiſe we learne the vnſtedfaſtnes of the worlde: they that afore ranne ſtill after Chriſt, and would hauehave made him king, crying ioyfully Hoſanna vntounto the Lorde, crie now: Crucifie him, crucifie him. So little worthie is the praiſe and commendation of the world to be regarded. They that ſaid afore: Praiſed be he that commeth in the name of the Lorde, the ſame crie nowe: Away with him, crucifie him: and ſo they choſe a murtherer, in ſtead of the Sauiour. Their requeſt is, that the murtherer may liue: as for the Sauiour & well of life, him they deſire to be put to death. If we pondered this well in our hearts, that our Sauiour Ieſus was eſteemed worſe and more vile than a murtherer, there ſhould be nothing that wee would not be glad to ſuffer for his ſake.
Now when the world is in hande with vsus, and caſteth manie opprobrious wordes vppon vsus, we muſt not be ouercome with vnpatiencie: the falſe accuſation and threatening of wicked people, ought not to make vsus ſhrinke: but if we louelove Chriſt with our harts we muſt remember his patience, when he was falſely accuſed and reuyled for our ſakes: and ſo with ſtopped cares ought wee to lette all ſharpe wordes paſſe, yea to pray for them that ſpeake euill of or to vsus.
When our good workes and meanings are taken in euill part, our enterpriſe reſiſted, our wordes reiected and refuſed of euerie man, wee ought paciently to ſuffer it. For farre inferiouis are wee vntounto Chriſt our Lord, ouer whom goeth ſo horrible and wicked a crie; Crucifie him, crucifie him.
Hereof ſhould all faithfull beleeuers bee admoniſhed, yea aſſured, if they mind to liue godly in Chriſt Ieſu, that they muſt ſuffer much perſecution, & that if they wil walke and go forward in the way of God, they muſt beare many hurtfull and noyſome things: for no man can pleaſe GOD, that for his ſake is not exerciſed in much aduerſitie. Therefore ſaith hee vntounto his deare friendes: Bleſſed are yee when men reuyle you, and perſecute you, & ſhall falſely ſpeake all manner of euill againſt you for my ſake. Reioice and bee gladde, for great is your reward in heauen. Math. 5.
Wherefore deare children, let vsus follow our innocent Lord Ieſus: who being refuſed of wicked men vponupon earth, but choſen of God the Father, is crowned with eternall glorie, and godly honour in heauen. No euill ſaying or curſe ought to ouercome vsus, conſidering that for the ſame there is ſo exceeding ioy prepared for vsus of God.
THen Pilate took Ieſus therfore, & ſcourged him, & the ſouldiers wound a crowne of thorns, and put it on his head. And they did on him a purple garment, and came vntounto him, and ſaid: haile king of the Iewes: and they ſmote him on the face. Pilate went foorth againe, and ſaid vntounto them: Behold, I bring him forth to you, that you may know that I finde no fault in him. Then came Ieſus foorth, wearing a crowne of thorne, and a robe of purple. And he ſaieth vntounto them, Beholde the man. When the high Prieſtes therefore and miniſters ſaw him, they cried ſaying: crucifie him, crucifie him. Pilate ſaith vntounto them: Take ye him, and crucifie him, for I finde no cauſe in him. The Iewes aunſwered and ſaid vntounto him: Wee hauehave a lawe, and by our law hee ought to die, becauſe hee made himſelfe the ſonne of GOD. When Pilate heard that ſaying, hee was the more afraid: and went againe into the iudgement hall, and ſayth vntounto Ieſus. Whence art thou? But Ieſus gaue him no aunſwere. Then ſaid Pilate vntounto him: Speakeſt thou not vntounto mee? Knowest thou not, that I hauehave power to crucifie thee, and hauehave power to let thee looſe? Ieſus aunſwered: thou couldest hauehave no power at all against me, except it were giuen thee from aboue. Therefore he that deliuered me vntounto thee, hath the more ſin. And from thence forth ſou…ht Pilate meanes to looſe him, but the Iewes cryed, ſaying: If thou let him go, thou art not the Emperours friend: for whoſoeuer maketh himſelfe king, is against the Emperour.