Two Godly Sermons, Sermon 2
Sonday the .v. of Maye. 1555. after dyner.
2. Tim. 1
¶ But be partaker of the afflyctions of the goſpel, through the power of god: who ſaued vsus and cauled vsus with an holy caulyng. Not accordynge to our dedes, but accordyng to his owne purpoſe and grace: whiche grace was geuen to vsus throughe Chryſt Ieſus, before the worlde was. &c.
WE hauehave declared this mornynge accordinge to the texte of Saynct Paule, that to knowe effectually goddes fre grace concernynge our ſaluation, we muſt hauehave recourſe to his eternal coū ſayle, by the whiche he dyddeEphe. 1. choſe vsus before the creation of the worlde: For therein we beholde and ſee, thatRom. 11 Ephe. 2. he hadde no reſpecte to oure perſons, or to any dignitie that was in vsus, nor to any merytes that wee coulde brynge hym. And why? becauſe that yer we were born, we were wrytten vp in his Regeſter, and he had alredyeLuc. 10. Rom. 8. accepted vsus for his chyldren. Therefore let vsus lerne to attrybute the whole to his mercy, acknowledginge and teſtifienge, that on oure behalfe,1. Cor. 4. wee coulde not reioyce of anye thynge that was in vsus, without derogation of the honour due vntounto god. Trewe it is, that accordynge to mannesGene. 6. wycked nature, ſome will cauyll to darken the grace of god: ſayenge, that thoughe god had choſen ſome before the creation of the world, he dyd it accordynge to that which he foreſawe they ſhoulde dyffer from thothers. Neuertheles the ſcripture ſheweth euidently, that Mat. 25god ſtaieth not vntyll they can ſhewe them ſelues whether they be worthye or not, when he choſeth theym: But the ſophiſters think, they can obſcure the grace of god: in ſaienge, that thought he regarded not the merites paſt yet rekeneth he vppon the merites that are to come. For (ſaye they) thoughe Iacob and Eſau his brotherRom. 9. had doone no good nor euyll, yet god dyd choſe the one, and reiected the other: So he foreſawe (asHeb. 4. all thinges are preſente vntounto hym) that Eſau wold be a wicked manne, a contemner of all: and that Iacob wolde be ſuche one, as with the tyme he declared hym ſelfe. In this wiſe do ſuche perſonnes lay theyr foundation: but theſe are vaine imaginations, for they all together belie S. Paule,Eph 1.2 2. Tim. 1 who proueth that God gaue noo rewarde to oure workes when he choſe vsus, in aſmuch as that was decreed and done before the creation of the worlde. And thoughe the Auctoritie of S. Paul were not of force, yet is the matter ſoo euident, that they which thincke to eſcape throughe ſuche ſhyftes, ſhewe them ſelues very beaſtes, and as men to farre ouer ſene (I ſaye) not onelyonly in the vnderſtandinge of the ſcryptures, but alſo to be voyde of al reaſō. For if we wold ſerche to finde out what is in man, what ſhal we find there?Gen. 6. Is not the whole maſſe of mā kynde accurſed?Pſa. 51. What brought we out of oure mothers wombe, but all iniquitie?Eccle. 2. We differ not at al then the one from the other but that it pleaſed god to gather vntounto hym ſelfeIoh. 15. thoſe whom he wolde. And therefore vſeth S. Paule that worde in an other place of ſcripture, when he ſaith, that1. Cor. 4 men hauehave not wherof to reioyce, becauſe none ſhalbe founde to excell his neyghboure, but in that wherin we are dyſcerned of god. Seynge then it is the propre offyce of God to diſcerne vsus from them whiche abyde in their condemnation. Let vsus acknowledge, that all ſhoulde hauehave byn loſte,Rom. 5. e…cepte the remedy hadde come vntounto vsus by an other meanes. So then after we hauehave confeſſed, thatEphe. 1. god choſe vsus before the worlde was made, it foloweth therof, that he then prepared vsus to receaue his grace, whiche he powred into vsus that whiche was not there before: not that he onelyonlyTit. 3. choſe vsus to be inherytours of his kyngdome, but that alſo immediatly heRom. 8. marked vsus, to thende we ſhoulde be iuſtifyed and gouerned by his holi ſpirite. This doctrine oughte to be ſo aſſured and reſolued vponupon amonge Chriſtians, that if any deſpyſe it (as we ſe many at this preſente daye goo aboute to quenche and extinguiſhe the trueth of god) we oughte to acknowledge them toAct. 7. repyne or repugne agaynſte the holy ghoſt: yea to be as bulles and madde beaſtes, which wold vtterly ſet at naught all the holy ſcrypture. For in deede there hath bin more honeſtie in the papyſtes then in them. For the doctryne of the papyſtes in this behalfe is better, holyer, and farre awaye more conformable to the holye ſcrypture, then is that of theſe wycked wretches, whiche this day go about lyke barking dogges and hogges, that with theyr muſſels wold wrote vp al (as we maye ſee) to ouerthrowe and turne vp ſyde downe the election of god, whiche mennes impietie to farre paſſeth meaſure. Wherfore come of it what wyll, let vsus ſticke hard to the doctrine here declared. For ſeynge God had choſen vsusEphe. 1. before the world had his courſe, let vsus attribute the cauſe of our ſaluation to hys free goodneſſe. We ought to confeſſe, thatEphe. 2. we ar not adopted by him accordinge to oure demerytes: for we hadde nothyng, nor coulde bringe any thyng at all of oure owne vntounto him. We muſte therefore aſcrybe theEbre. 5. cauſe and ofſpringe of oure ſaluation to remayne in hym alone, and theron to grounde oure ſelues, for other wiſe al that euer we ſhal builde, wyll runne to ruine. But yet we muſte well note that which S. Paule here addethe: Fyrſte the grace of Ieſus Chryſt with the eternall counſayle of god his father. And then how he bryngeth vsus to oure vocation: to the ende we myghte be aſſured of goddes goodneſſe and good wylColo. 1. which had byn hyd from vsus, excepte he had geuen vsus a teſtimonie thereof. For the fyrſt poynte then S. Paule ſayth, that the grace whiche dependeth of the onelyonly purpoſe of god and therein compryſed, is geuen vsus in oure lord Ieſus Chryſt. As though he wold ſaye: For as muche asRom. 5. we deſerue to be reiected and hated as mortall ennemies of god, it was of neceſſitie, thatIoh. 15. we ſhoulde be graffed as it wer in Ieſus chriſt: to thende that god might recogniſe and aduouche vsus for his children. For when god reſpecteth vsus,Pſal. 30 he can not but deteſt vsus, for that he findeth vsus ful of pouerte, full of ſynne, and as it were ſtuffed vppe with all iniquitie. God who is the ſoueraygne Iuſtyce,Iſa. 59. can not entre into any maner of league or appointment with vsus, whiles he beholdeth our nature. Where as he then wold choſe vsus before the creation of the world, it was of neceſſitie,1. Ti. 2. that Ieſus Chriſte ſhoulde be there betwene bothe: to thende we myght be elected in his perſone, for he was the wel be loued ſonne: and whē god coupleth vsus vntounto him,Ephe. 1. then are we acceptable in his ſyghte. Let vsus lerne then to be fully certified of the election of god, therof to make oure profyte, and dyr…ctly to come to Ieſus Chryſte: for he is the2. Co. 4. Colo. 1. true glaſſe, wherin we may beholde oure election. If Ieſus Chriſte be take away, then remayneth God a iudge for ſynners, at whoſe handes we can not hope for fauour or good thing but rather wait for al vēgeance. His maieſtie alſo wyl be alwais terrible vntounto vsusIoh. 15. without Ieſus Chryſt. If any talke vntounto vsus of his eternall purpoſe, we ſhall be ſo aſtonyed, as thoughe he were in full redineſſe to caſt vsus downe into hell. But when we ſhall acknowledge, thatIohn. 1. in Chryſte reſteth all grace, then maye we aſſure oure ſelues, that god hathe loued vsus, although we were not worthye therof. Let this ſerue for one ſpeciall poynte, touchyng that wherof S. Paul here ſpeaketh. Secondarely that he here ſpeaketh not ſymplye of the election of god (for that could not ſufficientely reſolue vsus, but rather bryng vsus into a greater perplexitie of mynde) But S. Paul addeth the worde Vocation, by the which, god hath2 Cor. 2. 1. Pet. 1. manifeſted his counſayle, that before was vnknowne, and wherevnto we els coulde neuer aſpyre. Howe ſhall we then knowe, that we are elected of god, to thende we myghte reioyſe in hym, and glorye ouer the goodneſſe whiche he hath reueled vntounto vsus? Some ſpeake of the election of god at auentures, leauyng the goſpel, leauing all that god layeth before vsus, to brynge vsus vntounto hym ſelfe: yea al the meanes which he hath ordeined, and knoweth to be meete for vsus to put in vre. But we may not ſo procede: For we muſt (2. Tim. 1 Rom. 8.accordynge to S. Paules rule) couple the vocation with the eternal election. Nowe this worde (Vocation) ſignifyeth as muche as a caullynge. Trewe it is that the worde is taken out of the latine: yet ſuch as vnderſtand no latine, ought to knowe what the worde importeth. Now then it is ſaid, that we are cauled, which is the ſeconde worde. God then cauleth vsus: But how? When it pleaſeth hym1. Co. 2. to certifie vsus of oure election, whiche otherwiſe we ſhoulde neuer hauehave attayned vntounto. For who euer entred into the councel of God?Iſa. 40 Rom. 11. as the prophete Iſaie & S. Paule alſo dothe ſay. But when it pleaſeth god to communicate hym ſelfe fyrſte of all vntounto vsus, then hauehave we that which ſurmounteth all the reaſon of man. For we hauehave a good witnes bearar and a faythefull: that is to ſaye,Rom. 8. 1. Cor. 11 the holy ghoſte, which lifteth vsus vp aboue the world, and leadeth vsus into the marueylous ſecretes of god. wherfore we mai not without great delyberation ſpeake of the election of god (as to ſaye, that we are predeſtynated) neither maye we (to be well aſſured of oure ſaluation) ſearche in the ayre, or at all aduentures, whether God accompteth vsus of the numbre of hys or not. What then?2 Co. 4. we muſt loke vntounto the goſpell whiche is opened and ſet before vsus: for there doth god manifeſte hym ſelfe to be oure father, and that he hath2 Cor. 1. ſealed vsus, to leade vsus to the inherytaunce of life. And this knoweledge is a ſeale of the holy ghoſt in our hartes, and a ſure teſtimonye of oure ſaluation, ſo farre as we receaue hym by fayth. For the goſpell is preached to many, which neuertheleſſe are reprobates: nay god dothe vtter and declare, that he hath curſed them, that they hauehave no part nor portion in his kyngdome, becauſe they do reſyſte the goſpel, andRom. 2. refuſe the grace that is offered vntounto them. But when we receaue in obedyence of fayth the doctryne of god, and reſt vpō his promiſes, accepting the offer which he hath madeGala. 4 Ephe. 1. to hold vsus for his chyldren, this (ſay I) is a trew2. Pet. 1 certificate of our election. yet hauehave we to note, that whē we knowe this oure ſaluation throughe this callynge, and that god hath illumynated vsus in the faythe of his goſpell, it is not to adnichylate the euerlaſtyng predeſtination whiche wente before. For at this daye, a man ſhall ſee manye that wyll ſaye, who are they whom god hath choſen, ſauynge the faythfull? I graunte. But lyke beaſts as they are they make an euill conſequence: that is to ſaye, that faythe ſhoulde be the cauſe of our ſaluation, yea the fyrſt cauſe. It is trewe in it ſelf, if they caule it the meane. For the ſcrypture ſayth,Act. 15. Ephe. 2. that we be ſaued throughe faythe: But we muſt aſcende higher. For if they attribute faythe to the free wyll of men, they wickedly blaſpheme agaynſt god, robbe god of his honour, & are in this behalfe worſe then the papyſtes, as I hauehave alredye ſayde. Wherfore we muſte otherwyſe talke of the matter,1. Pet. 4. ſo farre as the ſcrypture geueth vsus leaue: that is to ſaye, when god geueth vsus fayth, it lyeth not in oure power to receaue the goſpel, but as he diſpoſeth it through his holy ſpyrite. For it ſuffyſeth vsus not to hauehave oure eares beaten at with the voyce of a man. It ſhall be but a ſounde, whiche wil vanyſhe awaye with the wynde,1. Cor. 2. excepte God worke inwardely, and ſpeake vntounto vsus after a more ſecrete maner throughe his holy ſpiryte. Note then, that frome thence procedeth the fayth. But who is the cauſe? Why is faythe geuen to one ſooner then to an other?Act. 13. S. Luke hath declared, ſayinge, that they whiche were ordeyned to ſaluation, beleued the ſermon of Sayncte Paule. There were many hearers, and yet but ſome of them receued the promeſſe of ſaluation. But who were they? Suche as were ordeyned to ſaluation, ſaith ſaincte Luke. What nedeth longer diſputation? And agayne Saynct Paule in the fyrſt chapter to the EpheſiansEphe. 1. treateth hereof ſo at lengthe, that the ennemyes of goddes predeſtination muſte nedes be vtterly voide of ſence, and that the deuyll hath torne theyr eyes in ſondre, and be withoute vnderſtandyng. Yea whollyGala. 3. bewitched, when they ſe not more in a matter ſo euydent. For S. Paule ſayth, that god hath cauled vsus, and hath made vsus partakars of greate treaſures and infynite rycheſſe opteyned for vsus through oure lord Ieſus Chriſt. But howe? According (ſaith he) to that that he dyd chooſe vsus before the creation of the worlde. Sayncte Paule intreatinge of fayth, bryngeth vsus backe to his prynciple, to leade vsus hygher, to leade vsus to the fyrſte cauſe, and to the fountayne of oure ſaluation. This is that fre grace, wherof we hauehave ſo often made mentiō. When then we ſay, that weRom. 8. are cauled to ſaluation, and aſſured thereof, in as muche as god hath geuen vsus the faythe, there is yet a cauſe hygher to be conſydered, that is, the election eternal. And who ſo wyl not aſcende thyther, derogateth from god his honour ſeing he can not diſcerne betwene man and man, otherwiſe then by theyr merytes and dyſpoſition that he ſeith in them. Thus muſt we then knytte together the ſentences or wordes, which ſaincte Paule here reherſeth, whiche is alſo to be ſeene throughoute the whole holy ſcrypture.
Nowe then to make a bryefe cōcluſion: let vsus take hede what ordre we oughte to obſerue in ſerchyng out for our ſaluation. We may not begynne at this pointe, as to ſaye, are we elected or not? No, no,Rom. 11. For we ſhall neuer aſcēde nor aproche ſo nere the coū ſaile of god, but that we ſhall bePro. 25. in daunger to be confounded an hundreth thouſande tymes, and to be vtterly depryued of all our ſenſes. Howe ſhall we then proceade?Hebr. 2. Let vsus geue eare to that whiche is ſpoken vntounto vsus in the goſpell, howe that god hath geuen vsus the grace to receaue the promes whiche he offreth vsus, knowynge that it ſtandeth vsus in as muche ſtede, as if he had opened his hearte and inrolled oure election in our conſciences, Note therfore howe we muſte be certifyed,Rom. 8. that god hath adopted vsus for his chyldren, and that1. Pet. 1. the inheritaunce of the kyngdome of heauen is vnfaynedly oures: in that (I ſaye) that wee be cauled in Ieſus Chryſte. Howe ſhal we knowe it? Howe ſhal we be ſtaied vponupon the doctryne whiche god layeth before our eyes? We muſt immediately (for the better magnifyenge of the grace of God)Dan. 9. acknowledge, that wee canne brynge nothyng on our part, but ſo to abaſe vsus, withoute chalengynge ſo muche as one droppe of prayſe towardes our ſelues, that wee acknowledge2. Teſ. 2 god to hauehave cauled vsus nowe to the goſpel, accordyng to that he dydEphe. 1. choſe vsus before the creation of the world. Nowe trewe it is, that this election of God is as it were clooſe letters: yea to vsus, for that it conſiſteth in it ſelfe, and in his owne nature. But therin may we rede becauſe that god geueth a teſtymony vntounto vsus,Rom. 8. when he cauleth vsus vntounto hym ſelfe throughe the knowledge of the goſpell, and throughe faythe. Then hauehave we therbyDeut. 17 a double or copie geuen vsus. For like as the Origynal or pryncipall Regeſter derogateth nothyng from the copie or inſtrumente whiche ſhall be redde, but is rather an approbation of the ſame: and none wyll ſearche out for the oryginall, when he hathe the copie autentique:2 Pet. 1. Euen ſoo muſte we be aſſured of our election. For when god certifieth vsus by his goſpell,Rom. 8. that he accompteth vsus for his chyldrē, they are letters autentique, ſignedHebr. 9. with the bloudde of oure lorde Ieſus Chryſt, and2. Cor. 1. ſealed with his holy ſpyrite. When we hauehave that, hauehave we not ſuffyciently wherewith to be contented? Now then as I hauehave ſayde, ſo farre wide is the election of god from contraryeng this poynte, that it rather ratifyeth and confyrmeth the teſtimonie whiche we hauehave in the goſpell. Not that we hauehave neede to loke into the orygynall or regeſter of god, as thoughe there were ſome doubte. We hauehave the inſtrumente which can not faile: what wolde we more?Rom. 9. Shall it not be ouer great raſhnes who wyll demaund more? Who wyll aſcendeRom. 10. vp aboue the clowdes, when we hauehave the worde in our mouthe and in oure hearteDeu. 30. as Moſes ſaithe? Trewe it is, that if we thoughte the inſtrumente wer not taken out of the true Regeſter & Orygynall, then might a man cal it in queſtion or doubt. But when the thynge is playne and certayne, what wolde wee more? So fareth it with vsus, that we nede no more to doubte, but thatLuc. 10. god hath inrolled vsus in the numbre of his elect and childrenEphe. 1. before the creatiō of the world.Colo. 1. But he kepte the matter ſecrete vntounto hym ſelfe: Yet hauehave wee in the meane time letters patentes of oure ſaluation.2. Pet. 1. We hauehave an inſtrumēt ſure inough as I hauehave declared alredye. But yet muſte we alwaiesMat. 13. reſorte to oure lord Ieſus Chryſte, when there is queſtion of oure election. ForIo. 10.14. without hym (as I hauehave ſhewed) we can not approche neere vntounto god. And agayne, when we ſhal ſpeake of his decree, we ſhal be aſtonyed as coulpable of deth. But hauynge Ieſus Chryſte for oure guyde,Ro.. 5.8. we maye boldelye reioyce, knowyng howe that he hathHeb. 3. Ap. 4.5. dignitie and worthyneſſe inoughe in hym ſelfe, to make all his membres acceptable to god his father. It ſuffiſeth, that we beEphe. 4 graffed in his body, and vnited vntounto hym. Nowe ſe ye, howe we oughte to meditate this doctryne, if we lyſte to do therwith oure profyte, accordynge to that whiche is here declared vntounto vsus by ſayncte Paule,2. Tim. 1 Who ſaythe, that this grace was geuen vsus. And howe before al tymes ſaith he. We muſte aſcende aboue the courſe of nature, when we wyll go aboute to knowe howe we be ſaued, and for what cauſe, and whence it ſhuld procede. And farder we muſte vnderſtande, that god wold not leaue vsus in ſuſpēceMat. 11. Ioh. 17. nor yet wolde he hide his counſayle frome vsus, to brynge vsus in doubte of oure ſaluation. But he hathEphe. 1. cauled vsus to hym ſelfe: not onelyonly by preaching of the goſpel, (for that had not ben ſuffyciente) but2. Cor. 1. he ſealed in oure heartes the teſtymonie of his goodneſſe and fatherly louelove. So then whē we hauehave ſuche a certaynetie, let vsus fyrſte of allRom. 15. gloryfie god, for that he hath cauled vsus throughe his free mercye. And farder wee muſte ſtaye oure ſelues vponupon our lorde Ieſus Chryſte, acknowlegynge, that he deceaued vsus not of oure expectation, when he cauſed to be publyſhed, that heGala. 1. gaue hym ſelfe to vsus, teſtyfienge alſo the ſame vntounto vsusRom. …. by the holye ghoſte. For fayth is to vsus (as I hauehave alredye ſayde) an infallible marke, that1. Ioh. 3. god rekeneth vsus for his chyldren, beynge conducted thence to the eternall election. And wherfore? God hath cauled vsus (ſaythe ſayncte Paule in the fyrſte chapiter to the Epheſians)Ephe. 1. according to that he forechoſe vsus He ſaythe not that god choſe vsus becauſe we harde the goſpel: but contrary wiſe he geueth faythe, whiche for this ſpeciall cauſe is geuen vsus, to declare, thatRom 5. God reſerued vsus to ſaue vsus when we were loſte and caſte awaye in Adam. Farder we hauehave to note, that ſaincte Paule ſpeaketh not here of others then the faythful. But ſome blocke heades ther be, whiche to blynde the eyes of the ignoraunte and ſuch as they are, wyll here cauyll, that the grace of ſaluation was geuen vsus, becauſe god had ordeyned, that his ſonne ſhuld be the redemer of mā kynde, and that the ſame was commen and indifferent vntounto al. But ſaincte Paule hath ſo vttered his ſpeche, that his doctryne can not with ſuche chyldiſhe gloſes be corrupted. For notably2. Tim. 1 Tit. 3. he ſayde before, that god hath ſaued vsus. Is that referred indifferently to al without exception?1. Ti. 4. No, no: he ſpeketh but of the faythefull. Cauled he all the worlde? SomeMa. 22. Luc. 14. were cauled by the preachyng, but yet they ſhewed themſelues vnworthy of that ſaluation whiche was offerid them and therfore wer reproued.Rom. 1. Others ſome god lefte in theyr incredulitie, who neuer hearde ſo muche as one worde of the goſpel preached. So then ſainct Paule doth ſpecially adreſſe hym ſelfe to thē whom god had choſen and reſerued to hym ſelfe.
And therfore let vsus holde thys pryncyple, that the goodneſſe of god ſhall neuer be perfectely and worthelye honoured as it deſerueth, except we knowe thatAct 17. Gala. 1. god wolde vsus not to abyde & remaine in the commen deſtruction of the worlde, wherein he hathe lefte them whiche were like vntounto vsus, and from whom we dyffered in nothynge,Ephe. 2. beynge of nature no better then they were: ButLuc. 12. ſuch was his good wyl and pleaſure. WherforeRom. 3 let all men ſtop their mouthes herat, and no man preſume to attrybute any thynge to hym ſelfe: geuynge in the meane tyme god the prayſe with open mouthe,Dani. 9. confeſſyng, that to him we owe all that concerneth oure ſaluation. This is the ſumme of all that whiche wee hauehave to reteyne and kepe in memory. But in the meane while, let vsus note well the other wordes whyche S. Paule vſeth here. Trewe it is, that in effecte he vnderſtandeth the ſame that we hauehave alredie declared, that the election of God ſhoulde not profyte vsus nor come vntounto vsus, excepte we hadde knowne it, whiche by meanes of the goſpell is made knowne vntounto vsus. For this cauſeMat. 11. wold god hauehave that manyfeſted vntounto vsus,Colo. 1. which he kept as it were ſecret to hym ſelfe before al times. But (for the better expreſſynge of his minde) he enterlaceth as it were by the way, to declare, thatTit. 2. this grace was now reueled vntounto vsus. And howe? In the apperyng of oure Lorde Ieſus Chryſte. He ſheweth, that we ſhal be to farre vnkynde, vnleſſe that herewith we can be contented and at reſte. When the ſonne of GodEphe. 5. Gala, 1. geueth hym ſelfe vntounto vsus, what can we deſyre more? Thoughe we could mounte vp aboue the clowdes, and coulde entre into the mooſte depe ſecretes of god, what ſhall be the ende thereof? Is it not to knowe, that we are his chyldrē and heyres? That nowe is ſufficientlye manifeſted and declared in Chryſte Ieſu, for it is ſayde, thatIoh. 1. all they whiche beleue in hym, ſhall enioye this priuilege, to be made the chyldren of God. Wee maye not therefore declyne (the leaſt thing that can be) from Ieſus Chryſte, if we wyll be ful certifyed of our election. Trewe it is, that ſaynct Paule hath already declared, that we were neuer beloued nor choſē of god,Ephe. 1. Colo, 1. except in the perſon of Ieſus chriſt his onelyonly ſonne. But he now maketh a more ample declaration, when he ſayth, that Ieſus chriſt after he appered, hathe1. Ioh. 1. opened vntounto vsus the life which otherwiſe ſhuld hauehave ben vnknowne to vsus. He hath preſented vsus the grace of god,Ephe. 2. from the which we were otherwiſe farre of. He hath made vsus ſo familiar with god, that we knowe what is his euerlaſtyng counſayle, withoutEccle. 3. Rom. 12. ſerchyng aboue oure reache, that whiche is not laufull for vsus to enquyre of. For when god wyll inſtructe vsus by his owne propre mouthe, we maye not preſume to wade ſo far as they whiche walke not vnderunder obedience: For it is a preſumption to ſeke to know more thē god wyll permytte. But1. Pe. when we walke ſoberly and with reuerēce vnderunder the obedience of our God, geuinge audyence & receaue that whiche he vttereth in holy ſcripture, as I hauehave alredy ſayd,Pſal. 25. the waye ſhall be made meete for vsus to wade throughe withall.
Marke then ſaincte Paule whiche ſayth, that the ſonne of God,2. Tim. 1. by his apperance in the world, opened oure eyes, to the ende we ſhoulde knowe the graceMat. 25. prepared for vsus before the begynnyng of the worlde: As to be receaued for chyldren of God, to be made acceptable vntounto hym, andEphe. 1. 2. Cor. 5. to be accompted as iuſte, in ſuch wiſe, that we nede not to doubte, the…. Pet. 1. inheritaunce is made ready for vsus in the kyngedome of heauen.…. 11. …. 2. Not that we hauehave it for any merytes of ours, but for that Ieſus Chryſt had the right title, wherof he hath made vsus participante.
And where as it is here ſpokē of the appering of Ieſus Chriſt,1. Cor. … we muſt referre that to the goſpell, becauſe ſayncte Paule concludeth herewith that throughe the goſpell he broughte lyfe and immortalitie to light. For howe appered Ieſus Chryſt vntounto vsus? As he appereth eueryevery daye. But yet ſaynct Paule wolde not darken thoſe thynges that the ſcripture ſetteth forth for the aſſurāce of our ſaluation whiche is layde vppe in Ieſus Chriſte. It is not ſayde in one worde, that Ieſus Chryſte is oure ſauyoure, that he was ſente as the lieutenaunte of god his father. No? no? It is ſayde, that he was ſente as theRom. 3. Hebr. 9. mediatoure, which hath reconcyled vsus by the ſacryfyce of hys deathe: He was ſent vsus,1. Pet. 1. as the lambe without ſpotte, to pourge and make ſatisfaction for al our dettes: He is oure pledge, to delyuer vsusRom. 5. from the condempnation of deathe, wherin we were: He is1. Io. 2. our iuſtice, our aduocate, which maketh interceſſion in our name:Ioh. 14. whiche wyll brynge to paſſe, that oure prayers ſhall be hearde of god: which is the band of concorde betwene god and vsus: which hath opteyned for vsus, that whiche apperteyned not vntounto vsus by nature. For all theſe qualyties muſt we attrybute to Ieſus Chryſte, if we wyll effectuallye knowe howe he appeared. For if we ſhoulde but ſymplye take the goſpell, and not hauehave regarde to the ſubſtance therein conteyned: that were inoughe to ouerthrow all, and in effect, we ſhould make of Ieſus Chryſte but as it were a ſhadowe. For if we ſaye, that Ieſus Chryſte hath appeared to be oure ſauiour, without mention makynge of that whiche he ſuffered for our ſaluation, and declare not howe we hauehave benRom. 5. reconcyled into the fauoure of god his father throughe and by hys meanes: that weHeb. 9. hauehave ben clenſed from our filthynes and ſpots: that we hauehave ben redemedColo. 2. from the oblygation of euerlaſtynge death. If we hauehave not that with all, what auayleth it? If wee knowe notHeb. 7.9. that Ieſus Chryſte is oure aduocate, and that he caryeth our prayers whē we praie to god, to thende we ſhoulde not be repulſed, what ſhal become of vsus? What truſt were there to cal vponupon the name of god, whiche isPro. 18. the fortreſſe of ſaluation, as the ſcripture ſayth? Let vsus note wel then, that ſayncte Paule ſaythe that Ieſus Chryſt hathHebr. 9. appeared, that he meaneth chiefly, that he hathe accomplyſhed all thynges that were requiſite for the redemption of mankinde. But by the waye he ſettethe forthe the1. Cor. 15. vertue of this bryghtneſſe whiche hath appeared vntounto vsus in his reſurrection: to thende we ſhulde be partakers of ſoo great a benefite, and ſo to enioye the ſame.
Nowe if the goſpell were taken awaye, what coulde the bytter deathe whiche the ſonne of God ſuffered, and his ryſynge againe on the thyrde daye, auayle vsus? All ſhulde be vnprofytable vntounto vsus.1. Co. 4.15 Ephe. 3. The goſpell then puttethe vsus in poſſeſſion of thoſe rycheſſe, whiche Ieſus Chryſte hath opteyned and procured for vsus. Agayne,Colo. 3. thoughe he be nowe abſente in body, and is not here in this earth conuerſaunt with vsus, let vsus thynke oure ſtate therfore neuer a whit the worſe. ForMat. 28 he hath not ſo withdrawne him ſelf that we ſhoulde ſeeke hym, and not fynde hym. For the Sonne whiche ſhyneth, doth not ſo clerely gyue lyghte to the worlde, asIo. 14. Ieſus Chryſte doth manyfeſtly ſhewe hym ſelfe to theym whiche hauehave the eyes of fayth to beholde him, when the goſpel is preched. And that is the reaſon wherfore ſaynct Paule (beſides this word appearynge) ſaythe, that Ieſus hath brought to lyght that lyfe, yea the lyfe euerlaſtyng. But to the ende we may fynde in the very wordes of ſayncte Paule, all that I hauehave ſayde, let vsus marke well and followe that whiche is conteyned in this place of ſcrypture. He ſaythe, that the ſonne of god hathHeb. 2. deſtroyed deathe: but howe deſtroyed he it? If he had not offered the euerlaſtyng ſacrifice for theRom. 5. appeaſynge of godds wrathe: If he had not deſcendedEph. 4. downe to the loweſte place, to drawe vsus out from thence: If he had not takenGala. 3. our curſe vpō him for the dyſchargynge of vsus, and had not taken awayAct. 15. the burthen vnderunder the whiche we beganne to ſyncke. What had it byn? Shuld deathe hauehave ben deſtroyed? No: death had had the dominion ouer vsus, deathe had raygned immediately ouer vsus. And truely if eueryevery one of vsus wold enter into him ſelfe, we ſhal fynde, thatEbre. 2. we are of nature the ſlaues of Sathan, who is the prince of deth. Thus had we ben ſhut vp in this myſerable bondage, excepteOſe. 13. that god had deſtroyed the deuil, ſyn, and deathe. And that is doone: But howe? In that that through the bloud of our lorde Ieſus Chryſt,Colo. 2. he hath blotted out all our ſpottes. Nowe thoughe we be poore ſynners, and in daunger of the iudgemente of god, yet canRom. 8. not ſynne hurte vsus: becauſe the ſting where the poiſon lay, is ſo thruſt away,1. Cor. 15. that it can not pricke vsus, for nowe hath Chryſt the vyctorye: for he ſuffered not in vayne, the ſheddynge of his bloudde fell not on the earthe, nor at all aduentures: but it hath ben a lauatory wherwith we hauehave ben ſprikeled by the holy ghoſt, as ſainct Peter hath declared.1. Pet. 1. Soo then we ſee well, that ſayncte Paule intreatyng of the goſpell, wherin Ieſus Chryſte hath appeared, and dayly dothe appeare vntounto vsus putteth not in forgetfulneſſe hys deathe and paſſion, nor any thing elles apperteynyng to the ſaluation of mankynde. We muſt therfore note theſe two thynges: that is, that in the perſonne of Ieſus ChryſteRom. 8. we hauehave (all the ſorte of vsus) that which we can deſire. We hauehave a ful & an aſſured truſte of the goodneſſe of god, and of the louelove whiche he bare vntounto vsus:
And howe? Se we not, how ourIſa. 59. ſynnes hauehave ſeparated vsus from god, and that they are the cauſe of continual warre and enmitie? ButRom 3 we hauehave the attonemente in oure lorde Ieſus Chryſte: forHeb. 9. he hath ſhed his bloud to waſhe vsus from all oure fylthyneſſe. He hath offered a ſacryfyce, by the whiche God is at one wyth vsus:Pſa. 68. He hathe payed al oure dettes: To be ſhorte, he hathGala. 3. adnychylated the curſe, to the ende wee ſhoulde be bleſſed of god. And farther, he hathHeb. 2. vanquyſed death, and triumphed ouer her, to the ende we might be deliuered from the tyranny whiche was in readyneſſe, wholly to ſwalowe vsus vp: he hath ſtrength to ſurmoūt all. By this then we ſee all the thinges which apperteine to our ſaluation, to hauehave benColo. 2. accompliſhed in oure Ieſus Chryſte, and that there throughe we enter into the poſſeſſion of al his goodes. Let vsus note, that dayely he appeareth vntounto vsus through his goſpel. Trewe it is, thatPhil. 2. he dwelleth in his heauenly glorye: we ſhall not ſe him here in this earth viſiblye, butMat. 28 yet wyll he not be farre of from vsus, neyther neede we make longe compaſes to ſeke hym. Lette vsus open the eyes of faythe, and we ſhall ſe hym manyfeſtynge hym ſelfe vntounto vsus.
Thus hauehave we learned out of the texte of ſaynct Paule, al that which I hauehave touched. And therfore let vsus lerne, not to ſeperate that whiche the holy ghoſt hath conioyned. Furthermore let vsus note, that ſayncte Paule here by the waye of comparyſon, wolde amplifie the grace whiche God hath ſhewed to the world ſithens the commynge of our lord Ieſus Chryſt. As though he wold ſay, thatLuke. 10 the aunciente fathers had not this aduantage, for that Ieſus Chryſte appeared not vntounto theym as vntounto vsus. Trewe it is,1. Co. 10. they had the ſame fayth, and the inherytance of heauen was commen to them as vntounto vsus, in that god reueled vntounto them his grace, as wel as vntounto vsus, but not ī ſuch meaſure. ForHeb. 11. they ſawe Chryſt afarre of, and as it were in a ſhadowe, as ſayncte Paule ſaythe, vnderunder the fygures of the lawe. There was the vaile of the temple, which was ſo ſtretched forth that2. Cor. 3. the Iewes coulde not approche to the materyall ſaynctuarye. But now that the vaile of the temple is broken, we maye approche to the maieſtie of oure god We come vntounto heauen with full pryuylege, and then immediately we hauehave the lyuely ymage of god, wherein dwelleth all the perfection of glorye. To be ſhort:Colo. 2. we hauehave the body, where as the fathers had but the ſhadowe onelyonly, as ſayncte Paule ſpeaketh to the Coloſſians. Nowe then wee are therby warned, that if the fathers of olde had ſuche conſtancie and inuyncible zeale, toHeb. 11. endure and abyde in the afflyctions of the ſonne of god, beynge as yet not reueled to the worlde as at this daye, ſhall we not be of to fainte a courage, if we be not inflamed with a more feruēt zeale? The aunciente fathers dyd fully reſolue them ſelues, to beare the afflyctions of Ieſus Chryſt, as it is ſayde in the eleuenth chapyter to the Hebrewes. For it is not ſayde, that Moiſes bare the rebuke of Abraham his father, but of Ieſus Chryſt. Note then that the auncient fathers, althoughe1. Co. 10. they lyued vnderunder the darke ſhadowes of the lawe, yet preſented they them ſelues vntounto god in ſacryfice, toHeb. 11. endure with much pacience the afflyctions of Chriſte. But nowe1. Co. 15 that Chryſte is ryſen agayne from the deadde, and hath made open this life vntounto vsus what ſhall be ſayd of vsus, if we be ſo delycate, that we can not beare the afflyctions of the goſpel? Are we not worthy to be raſed out of the Regeſter of god, and not to be auowed of hym. And therfore let vsus loke vntounto it: forHeb. 12. we ought to be ſoo encouraged with ſuche conſtancie of faythe, as to endure for the name of Ieſus Chryſte, what ſo euer pleaſeth god to laye vponupon vsus, ſeyng that lyfe is made manyfeſte before oure eyes, and that we hauehave aLuk. 10. better and more familiar knowledge therof, then had the auncyente fathers. Wherof the Apoſtle in his Epyſtle to the Hebrues ſpeakethe,Heb. 11. where we reade that the auncyente fathers neuer ſhronke, but had ſuche a marueilous conſtācie, that the hearyng therof were inough to aſtonyſhe vsus. For wee knowe howe they were tormented by tirantes and ennemyes of the truthe, and yet conſtantely ſuffered the ſame. The ſtate of the church is at this preſent daie no harder, nor more trobleſome, thē it was than. And ſeynge it ſo is, ſhal we make it more ſtrange, to followe after Chryſte Ieſus, who hathe ſhewed vsus the waye? But to the ende we be not to fearefull nor ouer cold, let vsus marke wel howe2. Tim. 1 he ſaythe, that Ieſus Chryſte hath made manyfeſt the life and immortalytie throughe the goſpell, for that that as often as the grace of god is preched vntounto vsus, it is as much as if the kyngdom of heauen were opened vntounto vsus, as if god ſtretched forth his hād and certyfyed vsus, that the life is at hande, and that he wyl participate vntounto vsus of his heauenly in herytaunce. For that is ſpoken vntounto vsus, to the ende that vntyll we hauehave ſene Ieſus Chryſte lyftynge vsus vp with hym, and bringyng vsus vntounto a lyfe certayne, we ſhoulde contente our ſelues with this preſent lyfe. We wold gladly remayne here in this worlde, Hebr. 9.but by force muſt we be drawen hence. But when we ſhal behold the lyfe whiche our lorde Ieſus Chryſt hath opteyned for vsus, wePhil. 3. ſhall ſette but lyttle by all that myghte reteyne vsus here, conſyderyng we hauehave to aſcende vp to heauen. Soo then let vsus not be wyllyngely blynde, when Ieſus Chryſte ſetteth dayly before our eyes the lyfe and immortalytie, whiche we hauehave ſpoken of. But let vsus note wel, that when ſainct Paule ſpeaketh of the lyfe, and addeth the worde immortalitie, that it betokeneth as muche, as if he ſayde: We entre euen nowe into the kyngedome of god thoroughe faythe. For thoughe we be as1. Pet. 2 ſtraungers here in thys earthe, and that it ſeemeth there is but deathe and maledyction in vsus, yet wyll the lyfe and grace, wherof we are made partakers throughe our lord Ieſus Chriſt, brynge forthe his fruyte in hys conuenient tyme: that is to ſay, when he ſhall beMat. 25 ſent agayne of god his Father, to ſhewe vsus the effect of ſuch thinges as are dayly preached vntounto vsus, and which hauehave ben accompliſhed in his perſon, when he was clothed wyth oure nature.
Nowe to ende, lette vsuspſal. 95 proſtrate oure ſelues before the face of our good God, acknowlegyng our faultes, deſyryng him that it wolde pleaſe hym, ſo to cauſe vsusMat. 5. feele our pouerties, that we neuer be ſo preſumptuouſe, asDan. 9. to attrybute any glorye vntounto oure ſelues: but that weGen. 18. acknoweledge oure ſelues, to be ſtinking and deteſtable in oure nature before hym, to the ende we maye ſearche the whole cauſe of our ſaluation in his purpoſe and in that counſayle whiche hath ben reueled, through theColo. 1. knoweledge of the grace by hym opteined, when he cauled vsus to his goſpell: And that alſo he wolde voucheſafe to graunt vsus this benefite, that we maye adreſſe oure ſelues to oure lorde Ieſus Chryſt, and wholly to ſtay and reſte our ſelues vponupon hym and the redemption whiche he purchaſed for vsus: to the ende we maye be auowed for the childrē of god, to be made partakers of the inherytaunce of lyfe, after we hauehave foughte in this worlde. And for as muche as it pleaſeth hym, that we ſhould be aſſaulted of Sathan and of ſo many ennemies, as wel domeſtical as ſtrangers,1. Co. 10. Eph. 6. That he wolde geue vsus power to withſtand their aſſaultes: ſo as we be neuer left of him vntyll we hauehave ended our courſe. And that we be come to that reſt, vntounto the whiche we are daylye conducted. And that this Grace be not onelyonly ſhewed vntounto vsus, but to all people and nations of the earthe. &c.
❧ Imprynted at London by VVyllyam Séres dvvelling at the vveſt ende of Paules churche at the ſygne of the hedgehogge.
Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum ſolum.
End of the text · John Calvin, Two Godly Sermons (1560)