Two Godly Sermons, Sermon 1
Sondaye the .v. of May. 1555. in the forenone.
2. Tim. 1
¶ Be not therfore aſhamed to teſtify our Lord, neither be aſhamed of me which am bounde for his ſake: but be partaker of the afflyctions of the goſpell, through the power of god, who ſaued vsus, and cauled vsus with an holye caulyng, not accordyng to oure dedes, but accordynge to his owne purpoſe and grace, whiche grace was geuen to vsus, throgh Chriſt Ieſus before the world was: but is nowe declared. &c.
ALthoughe that almyghty God hath in his ſonne ſufficientlyeIo. 17. 1. Co. 2. Ephe. 3. manyfeſted his glorye and maieſtye throughe his ſpirite and goſpel, wherethroughe he is of all the worlde to be honored and worſhypped, yet is mannes vnkindeneſſe ſuche, that he nedeth continuall exhortation, to be nothing ſhamed of that goſpel. And why? for though god by his word cauleth all creatures to hym ſelfe, yetMat. 13. Mar. 4. Luke. 8. the more parte rebel, diſpiſe and diſpyte the doctrine wherby he wold be knowen and worſhipped: Seynge then, men are ſoo proude, peruerſe and frowarde,Pſ. 74. as to eleuate theym ſelues agaynſt theyr creatour, let vsus not withſtanding take ſure holde of this place of ſcrypture here declared, that is,Luc. 9. that we be not aſhamed of the goſpel. And why? becauſe it is the teſtimony of our god, whiche we as nyghe as in vsus lyeth,1. Cor. 9. ſhoulde publyſhe and declare, that al may be referred to this ende, that he be knowen and gloryfied as he is worthye. For when the goſpel is not preched, it lyeth as it were buryed. Wherefore he apoyntethAct. 10. wytnes bearers, to teſtifye the ſame vntounto vsus. And therfore let vsus render vntounto hym this honoure, althoughe the whole world went aſtraye,Phil. 3. 2. Ti. 2. that we abyde faſte by this holſome doctryne: for S. Paule ſetteth here forthe hys owne parſon, not for that he careth for our approbation, but to declare, thatMat. 10 1. Teſ. 4 when we ſeperate oure ſelues from goddes ſeruantes, it is a ſufficient teſtymonie, that the maiſter is alſo forſaken and geuen ouer. Some paraduenture wyl thincke, that in forſakyng the myniſter of the word of god beynge tormented, diſquieted and in diſtreſſe, he hath forſaken but a mortall man:Heb. 10, 2 Tim. 4 but god is therwith alſo diſpleaſed, in as muche as the man whiche ſo is troubled, bereth the marke of the goſpell, for goddes cauſe there throughe is declared, as it were betrayed. Saynct Paule therfore conſydering this: ſayth notably to Tymothee,2. Ti. 1. be not aſhamed of me. And to ſay the truthe, as I hauehave alredy declared, one myghte laughe Tymothe to ſcorne, and ſende hym backe to his mayſter, as the wycked can full well ſpye theyr aduauntage at ſuche tymes, when god humbleth hys ſeruauntes, and ſuffereth them to be vniuſtly tormented,2 Pa. 36 Pſal. 35.78.79. for then they aſſaulte and hardely laie at them which hauehave maynteined theyr doctrine. Here by mayſt thou ſee that Tymothe myghte be in doubte what to do, and therfore ſaith Sainct Paul vntounto him, althoughe I be made as it were1. Co. 4. an outcaſt in the face of the worlde, ſo as ſome laugh me to ſkorne, others deteſte and hate me, yet be not thou therfore euer a whit the ſoner moued. For I am (ſayth he)Ep. 3.4. Col. 4. the pryſoner of Ieſus Chryſte, As who wolde ſaye, thoughe the whole worlde wolde laye to my charge all the vyllany that coulde be deuyſed, yet do they it not for myne offences, for my cauſe is auouched in goddes preſence, and trulye the cauſe is his, for I ſuffer not for myne offences, his truethe is alwayes on my ſyde, when I ſuffer perſecution, for thatPhil. 1. I hauehave maynteyned and doo maynteyne the worde of God. Care not for the iudgement of the world, for men are ledGene. 6. Pſa. 94 with frowarde affections. Let it ſuffyce the then, that I be as it were an hoſtage for the ſonne of god, who honoreth myne impryſonment, in ſuch wyſe, that thoughe the worlde thyncke it vyle and deteſtable,Pſ. 116. 1. Pet. 1. yet before god and his aungels it is not a lyttel eſtemed and honored. Nowe then, let vsus lerne hereby in noo wyſe to defrawde Ieſus Chryſte of the teſtimonyeEphe. 6. which we ought of beare of him hauyng our mouthe ſhutte, when it ſhall be nedeful toPhil. 1. maynteine his honour and thactoritie of his goſpel: but contrary wyſe when we ſee our bretherne to be afflicted for the name of god,Heb. 13. we be founde redy to be cowpled wyth them, and that we ſtande in defence as much as in vsus is, for the ſame cauſe,Phil. 1. tremblynge or fearynge nothynge at all, for al the ſtormes whiche myghte happen, thoughe the deuyll hauehave the brydell at wyll, and thoughe thynges were neuer ſo far oute of order.1. Co. 15. Colo. 1. Let vsus always abyde ſted faſtly in our determynation, whē we muſt beare wytnes of the ſon of god, ſeyngeRom. 1. Phil. 2. he wyll be ſerued of vsus in a matter of ſuche weight and worthineſſe. But yet, let vsus hauehave a ſpeciall eye, whether they ſuffer for theyr fautes, or for the teſtimonie of goddes truethe, hauynge a ſpecyall regarde1. Co. 16. that we ſet not lyghte of any perſonne whom we ſhall perceaue for ſuch a cauſe to be oppreſſed. ForIoh. 7. Phil. 1. we maye not raſhely iudge in ſuche a caſe, leaſt thiniurie therof touche god hym ſelfe: we muſt therfore make dylygente inquiſition, to know the cauſe why men do ſuffer. If wee perceyue they hauehave walked in an vpright conſcience, and neuertheles blamed, reuiled and tormented, and that for ſeruynge of God, let that ſuffice the to blotte out all the obprobries of the worlde: for that is the reaſon wherfore ſayncte Paule addeth:2. Tim. 1 be thou partaker of the afflyctions of the goſpell: forEphe. 5. naturallye, it is geuen to eueryevery one of vsus to ſpare gladly hym ſelfe: And thoughe we confeſſe, & that without diſſymulation,Phil. 1. that it is a ſyngular grace whiche God geueth when he wyl be ſerued of men for the mayntenaunce of his cauſe, yet is there noone whiche wolde not gladdely exempt hym ſelfe from perſecution. Wee can well prayſe *ſuche, as valiently offer them ſelues to the conflicte, (as the martirs of Ieſus Chriſt)Heb. 11. are worthy to be eſtemed & honoured) yet in the meane whyle,Ephe. 5. there is none whiche wolde not gladly be farre of from the ſtrypes. And whye? becauſe we reſpecte not this admonytion of ſ. Paule,Heb. 12. 2. Ti. 3. that is, that the goſpell bryngeth afflyctions. Iheſus Chryſte hauynge once ſuffered in his owne perſon,Act. 14. wyl nowe alſo hauehave his doctryne coupled and ioyned to many miſeries: He can when it ſhall pleaſe hym, cauſe the goſpell to be receaued wythoute contradiction, but what?Act. 1. Luc. 1. the holy ſcrypture muſt be fulfilled, whiche ſhall be declared amongeſt the middeſt of hys ennemies. Men alſo muſt come vntounto hymEccle. 2. vponupon this condition, to ſuffer many conflyctes, for as much as the wicked when god cauleth them, auaunce them ſelues and rebell agaynſte god,Mar. 10 2. Tim. 3 it is then vnpoſſible for vsus to enioy the goſpel without perſecution. Not for that the cooles are kyndeled and the faggottes alwayes ſet on fier, but whether it be after one ſorte or other, it muſte come to paſſe, thatHeb. 12. we be exerciſed, we muſt nedes (I ſay) fyght vnderunder oure Lorde Ieſus Chryſt. Now then, he whiche wolde gette him ſelfe a farre of from the croſſe of oure Lorde Ieſus Chryſte,2. Ti. 2. renounceth he not his owne ſaluation? where is the hope of lyfe, but in this ſacryfyce of the ſonne of god? for thus ſtandeth the caſe that he wyll be like vntounto vsus, and we muſt be transformed into his ſymilitude. Seynge then that it ſo is, let vsus lerne to walke after that maner, ſeynge we are thervnto cauled, as heretofore wee hauehave ſeene, that ſuche is the pleaſure and wyll of God: we muſte then without farther diſputynge or contradyction,Mat. 11. bowe downe oure ſhoulders, and humble oure ſelues thervnto. Nowe lette vsus farther ſee, what Saynct Paul here ſaythe: for he leadeth vsus by degrees to the matter, in that he2. Tim. 1 wolde not hauehave vsus to be aſhamed of our bretherne, when they be euyll ſpoken of, and rebuked of the worlde, but that we ſhulde be euer vnyted vntounto theym: but howe maye that be? fyrſte he declareth, that the goſpell can not be without perſecution, as tofore is ſayd: it pleaſeth godMat. 10 that men be ſo deuyded: not but that God cauleth al men outwardly to the vnitie of faythe,Luc. 14. and the doctrine of2. Cor. 5 the goſpell is the meſſage of reconſiliation. But yet note that the faythfullRom. 8. are drawen by the hower of hys holye ſpirite,Rom. 11 the vnfaythfull abyde in theyr hardneſſe of harte, as hereafter it ſhal be more at length intreated of.
For as the fyer is kynled, when thūder being ingēdred in the aire bryngeth forthe a greate hurly-burly, ſo is it when the goſpel is preached. Nowe then if perſecution followe the goſpell, and Ieſus Chryſt wolde that to beColo. 1. fyniſhed in his members which he ſuffered in his own perſon, therby to be (as it were) dayly crucifyed,Mat. 10 16. can it be lawfull for vsus to withdrawe our ſelues from that ſtate? Seinge then that in the goſpell conſiſteth all hope of ſaluatiō, and thatColo. 1. theron we ſhuld ſtay our ſelues, let vsus note what Saynct Paul ſayth, who wylleth vsus toRom. 12 Heb. 6. ſtretche forthe oure hande towardes oure bretherne, when we ſee them oppreſſed, troden vnderunder fete, ſpit at, and deſpited, &Heb. 10. that we ſhuld rather deſire to be theyr companyons in ſufferinge all obprobries and vyllanies of the worlde,Heb. 11. then beynge honoured, had in reputation and credyte, to be alienated from thē which ſuffer for the cauſe which is common to eyther of vsus. This hauehave we then to lerne out of this place of ſcrypture, nowe becauſe on our behalfe we be weake, and thyncke we ſhould be ſwalowed vp, as it were throughe perſecutions, as ſone as we ar aſſaulted by the rage of the enemies,Pſ. 74. whiche we ſe to hauehave the ſwynge and power in the worlde. S. Paule addeth, thatHeb. 13. we ſhall not be deſtitute of the aide ſuccour & helpe of oure God, for when he ſendeth vsus to the conflycte, it is not to try our force and ſtrength, but he armeth vsus immediatelye, & geueth vsus an inuincible power to wythſtande, and therefore addeth S. Paule: Accordinge to the power of God, to take awaye all excuſes of dyſcouragement. Euerye man (as I hauehave ſayd) wold hauehave a colour and cloke to withdrawe hym ſelfe from perſecutions, and ſaye. Oh, I wolde to god I had the grace to ſuffer for his names ſake, I acknowledge it to be the greatteſte benefyte that myghte happen to me, eueryevery one (I ſaye) wyll confeſſe this, but they wyll adde, we are weake, we ſhal ſone be ouerthrowen, the tormentes wyll aſtonyſhe vsus, ye ſe the crueltie and rage of thenemyes. Thus wyll eueryevery one, after he hath confeſſed what an excellent thyng it is to ſuffer for the name of god, be neuertheleſſe quit. But S. Paule plucketh from vsus all ſuche excuſes,1. Cor. 10 ſayinge that god ſhall be ready to ſtrengthen vsus, for we may not reſpecte what is in our ſelues: For true it is that beſydes the inuations of our ennemyes, there nedeth but oure owne ſhadowes to fraye vsus: our owne conceyte were ſufficient to put vsus to flyghte. But after we hauehave acknowleged oure weakeneſſe, let vsus come to the remedy: and when we beholde our owne infyrmities, and what a difficultie we hauehave to withſtande our ennemyes,Pſal. 50 let it be an occaſion to induce vsus to call vponupon god with all humbleneſſe for ayde: and acknowledge2. Cor. 3. no maner of habilitie in our ſelues, let vsus humblye caule vponupon hym to ſtretche forth his hande, to thende he fayle vsus not when we be brought to thextremytee. And ſo (beynge at reſt) to acknowledge,2. Co. 11. that wee are more then feable, to thende that oure god prepare vsus to thexamynation and trial. For that is the true conſideration of our weakeneſſe: yt is (ſaye I) that we acknowlegynge oure infyrmities,Mar. 9. ſhoulde deſyre god to helpe our weakeneſſe, accordynge to that he knoweth to be meteſte for vsus: for therevnto muſte we hauehave …ſpecte. If this doctrine were imprynted in oure hartes without farther reaſonynge, wee ſhoulde be farre awaye better dyſpoſed to ſuffer then we are. But alas? there are verye fewe whiche remembre this leſſon: naye, it ſeemeth that we wolde rather ſtop oure eares, and ſhutte oure eyes when we are ſpoken vntounto therof, *we make wyſe that we are deſyrous, that god ſhould ſtrenthen vsus: but in effecte we can not induce oure ſelues to beholde this power, wherof S. Paule ſpeaketh, preſumynge that the matter toucheth vsus not.2. Co. 12 But yet dothe our lord teſtifie vntounto vsus, that his power ſhal be alwayes in vsus and that we ſhal therof be poſſeſſed. And therefore let not our … be occatiō to withdraw vsus from the croſſe and perſecutions, ſeyng that god1. Pet. 5. hath taken the care of vsus, to ſupplye that whiche wanteth in vsus, who alſo promyſeth to do it. Nowe S. Paule taketh not heere the power of god, to trifle withall, butPhil. 1. he teſtifyeth to al faythful people, that it ſhall be redye and at hande when we deſyre the ſame, ſo ferforth as we deſyre to be armed & warded therwith to fight when the ſonne of god calleth vsus to the conflycte,2. Cor. 9 farthermore in aſmuche as men hauehave nede to be ſpurred forthe on all ſydes. S. Paule addeth here oone note to make vsus aſhamed, if we be not feruently minded to glorifie Ieſus Chryſte, yea to ſuffer perſecution when it ſhall be ſoo his pleaſure to calle vsus therunto, he ſayth, thatTit. 2.3. god hath ſaued vsus, and hath cauled vsus with an holy vocation, then if God throughe his infynyte goodneſſe hathe ſooPſa. 59. preuēted vsus, is our ingratitude to be excuſed, if we on the other ſyde anſwere him not accordingly? beholde the goodneſſe of our God,Pſa. 86 Oſee. 13 whiche hath drawen vsus out of the goulfe of hell, wherin we were loſte and dampned,Tit. 2. he hath broughte vsus the ſaluation, and hathe further cauled vsus to make vsus partakers therof. whē then god ſheweth hym ſelfe thus lyberall, yf we on oure behalfe turne oure backes and wyll not voucheſafe to receaue the ſaluation which he offereth,Rom. 2. were not that a poynte of malyce to farre out of ſquare? Let vsus then take hede, howe ſayncte Paule goeth aboute to accuſe here, all ſuch as hauehave not byn conſtante and coragyouſe to ſuffer all thaſſaultes, whiche for the goſpelles cauſe were layde on mennes ſhulders. So dothe he without doubte go aboute toRom. 1. Act. 14. confyrme the hope of the faythfull, by openynge that whiche god hath alredy done for them: for when god hath ſhewed vsus any euident token of his kindneſſe, he dothe it to the ende2 Cor. 1. we ſhould hope for the lyke an other tyme at his hande, vntyll he hauehave finiſhed that which he hath begun. If then god hath2. Tim. 1 ſaued vsus, and hath alſo cauled vsus with an holye vocation, thyncke you that he wyll leaue vsus in the middle of the waye? when he hatheAct. 14. opened vntounto vsus the ſaluation, that he hath geuen vsus legges to walke with, that he hath geuen vsus his goſpell, by the whych he leadeth vsus vntounto his kyngdome, that he openeth the gate vntounto vsus: when he hath thus wrought with vsus, ſhal we thynke, that he wyll then leaue vsus there, and ſo mocke vsus, and cauſe his grace to be vnprofitable, fruſtrate & loſt? No, no,1. Cor. 1. Phil. 1. let vsus hope, that he wil brynge his worke to perfection. Therfore let vsus go onHeb. 4.10. boldely: for ſeyng god hath diſplayed one parcell of his power and myght towardes vsus, let vsus not doubt, but he wyll contynue alwayes1. Co. 15. to geue vsus the perfecte victory ouer ſathan and al our ennemies ſo farre as we tary and abide vntyll that Ieſus ChryſtCol. 1. who is oure headde and captayne, ſhewe hym ſelfe, thatHeb. 12. all power and ſtrength is geuen him of god his father,Mat. 28 Phil. 2. to comunicate of the ſame vntounto vsus. We ſee nowe then, the meanynge of Sayncte Paule. Wherefore after we hauehave conceued what is the power of God, wherof we hauehave a lyttle before made mention, let vsus immedyately adde this declaration whiche hath ben made. Trewe it is god hath in effecte and by experyence teſtyfyed vntounto vsus,1. Cor. 10 Heb. 13. that he wyll neuer fayle vsus at our nede, and why? for he hath alredy ſaued vsus. Let vsus then ſo depend of hym (ſeynge we are in the way) that he wyll ſurely bryng vsus to ſaluation.2. Tim. 1 He hath cauled vsus with an holye vocation, that is to ſaye,Ioh 15. he hath choſen vsus vntounto hym ſelfe, he hath ſeuered vsus frō the world, wherby he declareth 1. Cor. 11that he wolde not hauehave vsus caſte awaye with the vnyuerſall deſtruction of the worlde. For as muche then as oure lorde hathe thus withdrawen vsus frome the wycked world,Iſa. 40 62 wyl he not ſtill hold vsus vnderunder his mighty arme and conducte vsus vntill the ende? This then is a ſufficient confirmation of the power of god: whiche we ſhall ſtyll fynde redye at hande to helpe vsus,Hebr. 3. ſo farforthe as therein we put our confidence and truſte, callynge to remembraunce how we hauehave alredy felt the ſame: But to make our profyte of this doctryne effectually: fyrſte we muſte vnderſtand, that when god reueled his trueth vntounto vsus,Act. 15. it was an euydent teſtymonye, that weTit. 3. alredye apperteyned to his heauenlye inherytaunce, that he wold avouche for his owne, and to be of his flocke. Nowe then, when we ſhall be hereof well perſwaded, & in our ſelues well reſolued, then nede we not doubte to walke on continually and go forward. ForPſa. 91. we ſhal be vnderunder his protection and defence: for ſeynge he is of ſuche ſtrength to ſurmounte al our ennemyes,Ioh. 10. oure ſaluation can not but be in ſafe kepyng. Lette vsus not then feare when we fele our infyrmitie, butpſal. 37 let vsus ſtay our ſelues vponupon god, who wyll prouyde for vsus, ſeynge he hathIoſu. 1. Heb. 13. promiſed to aſſyſte vsus. This hadde nede to be well borne away. Let vsus therfore applye oure ſtudye, and ſee, that we take good hede to remember that whiche is here ſayde, for he wyll not fayle vsus. Thus after many perſwaſions made for the ſtrengthenynge of vsus agaynſte ſuche temptations, when we ſhal be at a full poynte thatPhil. 1. god wyl finyſhe our ſaluation as he hath begunne,2 Tim. 3. aſſyſtynge vsus in the myddle of perſecutions, in ſuche wyſe that wee ſhall with conſtancie ſurmounte them, and tryumphe ouer our ennemyes, althoughe1. Cor. 4 2 Cor. 4 it ſeemeth to the worlde that we are troden vnderunder feete, yea and vtterly ſwolowed vp, then muſt we come to this declaration which Saynct Paule addeth, towchynge oure ſaluation and holy vocatiō wherof we hauehave ſpoken. He ſaith thatTit. 3. it is not for our deſertes, but accordynge to the purpoſe of God and his grace. Hereby wyll he better admonyſhe vsus, by declarynge, that oure ingratitude is ſo much the more to be condempnedHeb. 6. in that that god hath opened the ineſtimable treaſors of his goodnes toward vsus, for he hath hadRom. 3. Ep…e. 2. no reſpecte to our worckes or dignite, when he called …s to ſaluacion, it proceaded of h…s fre grace. That was the cauſe wh… he drewe vsus to hym ſelfe. A… therefore the leſſe ſhalbe oure e… cuſe when we ſhall falſefye ou… faithe, ſeynge that not onlye w… …eb. 9.hauehave byn purchaſed throug… the bloude of oure Lorde Ie… Chriſt his only begotten ſon, … that he alſo cared for our ſal… cion before the creation of t… worlde.…phe. 1. Let vsus marke wel th… howe S. Paul dothe here co… dempne our ingratitude,…ebr. 3. if w… be found vnfaithful to our god, … ſtande not ſtoute to beare wytneſſe vntounto his goſpell, when he thervnto cauleth vsus. ForTit. 3. wee be not ſaued accordynge to oure dedes (ſayth he) but according to his owne purpoſe and grace. S. Paule addeth, that that was geuen vsusEphe. 1. before the worlde was, before the worlde had his courſe and begynnynge, but nowe hath it byn manyfeſted (ſayth he) at the commyng of oure lord Ieſus Chriſt. For when that greatTit. 2. ſauyoure appered, the grace which before was hid (yea not to be cō prehended by mans iudgement) was manifeſted and opened. And why? becauſeHeb, 2. the ſonne of god, ſettynge death at naught (ſaythe he) hath alſo brought an immortal life. And we nede not to make long cyrcuytes to ſinde the ſame, Ephe. 3.for the goſpell leadeth and conducteth vsus therunto. When therfore god ſendeth vsus that meſſage of ſaluation, we muſt receaue the inheritaunce promyſed,Rom. 10. we nede not trotte far of for it, for god ſeketh vsus out, by whoſe grace we open our hartes and geue paſſage to this teſtimony of the goſpell & immortalite of the heuenly kingdome to dwell in vsus, althoughe we bePſa. 103. Iob. 17. poore and fraile veſſelles yea thoughe there be but corruption and rottenneſſe in vsus, yet apprehende we out of hand this immortalitie, and hauehave aRom. 8. ſuffyciente teſtimonye acceptynge the grace whiche in the goſpell is offered vntounto vsus. Herein is comprehended the whole proceſſe wherof ſaynct Paule ſpeaketh. Now to vnderſtand better that whiche is here conteined, let vsus note this worde Purpoſe to betoken the euerlaſtyngeEphe. 1. Decree of god, not as thoughe the matters were to be caryed hyther and thyther: for when we ſpeake of the councel of god,Rom. 9. we maye not alwayes diſpute, who hath ſoo induced hym we may not imagyne reaſons, as to ſaye, for this cauſe hath god ſo determyned, or wherfore wolde he ſo do, but contrarye wyſe god wold hauehave vsusRom. 12. 1. Pet. 1. kepte vnderunder this modeſtie to thincke that his onelyonly wyll ſhoulde ſuffyce vsus for reaſon, when he ſayth, god hath ſoo ordeyned. Althoughe the thynge ſeme ſtrange vntounto vsus, or that we coulde perceyue therin no apparante reaſon, yet muſte we conclude, that his only wylRo. 9. Pſa. 92. is iuſt, and not to be reproued. That (ſay I) ſhulde beDeu. 4. al oure wyſedome, to ratifie al that for good, which god ordereth and diſpoſeth, with out ſayenge whye or wherefore. Nowe for as muche as men hauehave always ſuche tyklynge ſpirites, and geue them ſelues ouer much lybertie to theyr curioſities: S. Paule to abate ſuche boldeneſſe, bryngeth vsus backe2. Tim. … to the purpoſe of god, into the whiche wee maye not enter ſo depelye, as to knowe who hath moued him, but alſo to note it as a weyghty matter, and thatPſa. 92. his wyll is iuſte. Hereby then are we admonyſhed that oure ſaluationEphe. 2. dependethe not for the reſpecte of oure merytes, that god inquyred not what we were, nor whereof we were worthy, when he choſe vsus to him ſelf. But he had his purpoſe, that is to ſaye, he ſought not without hym ſelfe the cauſe of oure ſaluation, for ſoo this worde purpoſe ſignifieth Decree. Sainct Paules mynde herein is euydent. but becauſe that men accordynge to theyr arroganſie, can not temper them ſelues except they imagine alwayes ſome dygnytie or worthynes to be proper to theym ſelues, and that theye well deſerue that god ſhoulde ſeke after them. S. Paule ſpecyally the better toRom. 3. exclude all that men can attrybute vntounto them ſelues, ſayth, purpoſe and grace: which importeth as much as though he had ſayde, purpoſe freely. It ſerueth then to abate al our workes, to the ende we be no more ſoo folyſhe and obſtynate as to thyncke, that God hath choſen vsus, for anye thynge that was in vsus. No no, for wee knoweEphe. 1. that god went not out of hym ſelfe when he choſe vsus to ſaluation, for he ſaweRom. 5. there was but dampnation in vsus, he then contented him ſelf with his pure grace & infinite mercy. WhoPſa. 102. beholdynge oure myſeries, woldePſal. 12. ſuccour and helpe vsus, although we were not worthy therof. And for more ample confyrmatiō herof. Sayncte Paule ſaythe that this grace was geuen vsusEphe. 1. before all tymes. And herby ſe we, how men areEccle. 16. depriued of their ſenſes when they wyl boſt them ſelues, and ſtand in theyr owne conceyt, that they bee the cauſe of theyr owne ſaluation, & that they hauehave anticipated or preuented goddes goodneſſe: Nowe then, doth not oure ſaluation depend of the eternal election?Ephe. 1. God choſe vsus before we were, what could we then do, were we then apt veſſelles? were we then well diſpoſed to come to God? we ſe then that oure ſaluation beginneth not from the time we had knowledge and diſcretion, ſithens we were well diſpoſed or mynded, oure ſaluation (I ſaye) beginneth not thens, but it is grounded vppon the eternall election of god whiche was before the world was made. What coulde we then do? Had we the meanes to promote our ſelues? coulde we moue god to caule vsus to hym ſelfe? and to ſeparate vsus from the world? is there not thē in vsus a greate blyndneſſe,Rom. 10. Phil. 3. as to thyncke in our ſelues ſome worthyneſſe, to exalte oure merytes to the obſcuryng and darkening of goddes grace, and that we can prepare our ſelues to hauehave acceſſe vntounto him throughe our merites? wel then for what purpoſe hath ſayncte Paule ſet here the election of god, ſayeng, that the grace of god hath byn geuen vsus before al tymes? but that ther through we are ſuffycientely admonyſed, that they whiche thyncke to abolyſhe the doctryne of the election of god, do adnichylate (as much as in them is) the ſaluatiō of the worlde, and blot out by ſuche deueliſhe ſuppoſtes and pillars, the vertue of the bloudde of our lord Ieſus Chryſte: to put all to confuſion,Gala. 1. to ouerthrow the goſpel, yea, and vtterly to quenche and brynge out of memory the goodneſſe of god, the deuyll hath noo meter proppes then ſuch as fight agaynſte predeſtination, whicheAct. 13. 1. Teſſ. 2. can not ſuffer in theyr deueliſhe rage, that the ſame be ſpoken of, and that this meſſage be publyſhed as it ought. If we deteſt the papyſtes beynge moſt execrable, becauſe they hauehave prophamed al the holy ſcrypture, becauſe they hauehave peruerted and corrupted the trueth of the goſpell and ſeruyce of god, by infectynge al the worlde with ſuperſtition and idolatrye, thothers are muche more deteſtable whiche go about to ſet at naught the ſprite of grace and election of god, and wold by croked & peruerſe wayesHe. 10.29 1. Teſ. 2. indeuour to ſtoppe the mouthes of ſuch as wold clerely and openly publiſhe this doctrine, as the worthynes thereof requyreth. For wherin conſyſtethe the ſaluation of the faithfull,Rom. 11. but in the free electyon of god? ſhould we not preache and declare, that god hathe choſen hys, throughe his free mercy withoute reſpecte of any thynge that is? ſhall we not ſuffer thys myſtery (hyghe though it be, incomprehenſible thoughe it be) to be declared,2. Tim. 1 when as god wold hauehave it to be reueled? Truely it is an euydence, that we conſpyre with ſathan, to declare that Ieſus Chriſt hath ſuffered in vaine and that the paſſion which he ſuffered profytethe the worlde nothinge, and that all wente to the deuyll and to deſtruction. This then is the fyrſte poynte whiche wee hauehave herein to obſerue and marke, that when we adnychylate the election of god, the goſpel can not be preached: for withoute it, it is a baſtarde goſpell and a prophane: it is a doctryne of machomyte, there can be noo more churche nor chryſtyanitie, what ſhall then be ſayde?Luke. 12 when we ſhal belie the holy ghoſt whiche here ſpeketh: when we go aboute to refuſe this doctryne. And therfore on our behalfe lette vsus determynePhil. 1. conſtantly to defende it, for it is the grounde of our ſaluatiō. How can we builde and maynteyne the buyldynge, when the foundation ſhalbe ouerthrowen? Sayncte Paule cauleth vsus hereunto when he wil go about to ſhew bi what power we hauehave to fyghte, howe we ſhall aſpyre to this inherytaunce which hath ben ſo1. Pet. 1. derely bought for vsus howe we enter into the glorye of god,Luc. 14. howe we ſhall fyniſhe this buyldynge. He ſayth, my frendes you muſte be founded vppon this grace whiche is not of to daye or yeſterdaye, but before the creation of the world. True it is, that at this preſente god cauleth vsus, butRom. 8. the electiō goth before: yea god elected vsus beyng not moued thervnto throughe our deſertes, afore we coulde hauehave layd before hym any thyng at al, for we owe him al, he hath drawen vsuszach. 5. from the goulfe of deſtruction wherein we were drowned lyke poore deſperate creatures. It is then good reaſon1 Pet. 9. that we ſubmit our ſelues wholy vntounto hym, accountyng our ſelfeRom. 3. al together boūd to his goodneſſe, wherewith we ſhoulde be wholy rauyſhed. In this wiſe ſpeketh ſainct Paule. And ſo let vsus hold faſt this foundation (as I hauehave ſayde) excepte we wold that our ſaluatiō ſhould runne into decaye and deſtructiō. And to conclude, let vsus note alſo that this doctryne is more then profytable, when it is well applyed for oure vſage. They whiche wolde we ſhoulde ſpeake nothyng at al of the election of god, wyl ſaye. Oh what, it is not neceſſary. But ſuche perſons neuer taſted of the goodneſſe of god, nor of the hope whiche we oughte to hauehave: lyttle knowe they what it is, not to goo to our lorde Ieſus Chryſte. For if wee knowe not, that we be ſaued for that it hathe pleaſed godEphe. 1. to chooſe vsus before the creation of the worlde, howe ſhoulde we knowe that, whyche Sayncte Paule here reherſethe vntounto vsus, whiche is,Ephe. 2. that we be dedicated to God,1. Pet. 2. for to be made apte and diſpoſed to lyue and dye in his ſeruice? Howe can we magnifie his holye name? howe can we confeſſe that oure ſaluation proceadeth of hym alone? & that he is the begynnynge? and that we hauehave not aſſyſted him therin? well we maye ſaye it with oure tongue, but it ſhalbe hypocritically ſpoken, excepte we be reſolued vpō this doctrin, as it is here ſet forth and declared. Let vsus lerne therfore that this doctrine of the election of god, and by the whyche we be taughte that he hathe predeſtinated vsus before the creation of the worlde, that this doctryne (I ſaye)2. Tim. 3 ought to be preached boldely and playnely in deſpite of all the world which wold withſtand the ſame. And not only, that, but we knowe that it is an article more then profytable: for without that, wee can not effectually apprehende the infinite goodneſſe of oure god, vntyll we be brought ſo far: for a man ſhall but ſhadowe alwais the mercies of god, if we hauehave not this ſure prynciple and grounde, that he choſe vsusEphe. 1. before we were borne, or could otherwyſe preuent him. And whye? thoughe men wolde ſay, we hauehave ben redemed by the bloudde of our lord Ieſus Chriſt and that we were vnworthye of his ſo gret mercy ſhewed vsus, yet whoo is it (wyll they ſaye) that hath his parte and portion in ſuche redemption whiche god hath purchaſed in the perſon of his ſon but ſuche as wyl hauehave it, ſuch as ſeeke after god, ſuche as doo ſubiecte them ſelues, ſuche as be not too ſtubburne, ſuch as are of good inclynation and diſpoſition, they whiche hauehave ſome good deuotiō? but when they ſhall meddle with the matter after ſuch a ſorte, and preſume to be cauled vntounto god & to his grace throughe any thyng procedynge of theym ſelues, or thyncke that they brought ſome gobet of their owne to part ſtake with god concernynge their ſaluation,1. Co. 4. it weare as much as to obſcure, yea to teare (as it were) in peces the grace of god, which is a ſacrilege not to be born with and therfore hauehave I ſayde, that the goodneſſe of god ſhal neuer be knowen at the full as it oughte, vntyl ſuche tyme as the election be layde before vsus,1 Pet. 1. teſtyfiynge that we are at this inſtante cauled,