The epistle of the blessed apostle Saint Paule which he, in the time of his trouble and imprisonment, sent in writting from Rome to the Ephesians. Faithfully expounded, both for the benefite of the learned and vnlearned, by Nicholas Hemming ... Familiarlie translated out of Latine into English, by Abraham Fleming. Heerein are handled the high mysteries of our saluation, as maie appeare by the table of commonplaces necessarilie annexed by the same A.F. Perused and authorised.

Verse. 13.

13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations, for your sakes vvhich is your glo∣rie.

VVherefore I desire, that you faint not, because of mine afflicti∣ons, for your sakes, which is your praise.

THe second part of the Chapter now followeth, which standeth vpon exhortation. For the Apostle exhorteth the Ephesians that they fall not from the Gospell, because he being their Teacher is persecuted & troubled. Now, this proposition is brought in vpon the former matter, in this sort: Because the mysterie is so excellent, which God hath opened vnto you, concerning the obteining of saluation fréelie giuen, by me, whom God hath called to be your Apostle, I would not wish you to plaie the slow∣backes, or to growe out of heart, for the afflictions and crosses sake which I suffer, and am pressed downe withall.

To this proposition he addeth two reasons: the first, from the cause efficient: the second, from the end of per∣secution, and the fruite of constancie. (For your sakes,) saith the Apostle, that is to saie: For this cause haue the spitefull Iewes deliuered me vp prisoner into the hands of the Romans, because I haue preached the Gospell vn∣to you, therfore I lie bound in prison, not for anie déede

that I haue committed like an offender: but for faithful∣lie discharging my dutie and office, whereto God hath appointed me.

Afterwards, in saieng: (Which is your glorie,) he noteth, that the ende of his persecution is not the shame of the Ephesians, but rather their glorie, sithence they maie see themselues embracers of such a doctrine: as for the truth and excellencie whereof, their teacher is not a∣feard to suffer, euen extreame troubles. Wherefore, it is meete, that they also be constant to mainteine this doc∣trine, and valiant likewise against the sharpe stormes of afflictions. Hetherto we haue declared the Apostles mea∣ning: now let vs gather a fewe specialties to serue our owne vse.

The first, The godlie, knowing the worthinesse and excellencie of the Gospell, shall take héede, that they suf∣fer not themselues to be pulled from the same, either with smooth flatterings, and alluring meanes: or with bitter threats, and sharpe persecutions.

The second, The godlie shall take héede, that they be not deceiued with the iudgement and custome of the world. For, the world is woont to set light by those things, which men of authoritie make no accompt of. Againe, which waie soeuer Fortune turneth her selfe, that waie will the fauour and estimation of men be sure to bend. For present prosperitie, Oh: that is welcome to all. This errour of the world being verie great, as it is dan∣gerous, so it must be auoided of the godlie. For godli∣nesse must not be iudged by the outward appearaunce, but the nature and qualitie of the thing is rather to be looked into, and a deliueraunce patientlie to be waited vp∣on, according to the vndeceiuable promise of God.

The third, Let the ministers of the Gospell learne (by the example of Saint Paule) a godlie and holie careful∣nesse for their flocke, that it maie be kept and continued in sinceritie of doctrine. For, it is not inough to haue

taught aright, vnlesse thou also take héede, with all thine endeuour, that the purenesse of doctrine be not, by anie kinde of occasion, poisoned or infected.

The fourth, The constancie of the ministers of the word, in bearing the crosse, maketh the Gospell more ho∣nourable: & it is confirmed with the bloud of the Saints, as it were with a certeine seale or signet.

The fift, A consolation against the offense of the crosse: wherein this is to be learned, and borne awaie, that the crosse of the godlie is not shamefull before God, but ra∣ther glorious: and then chiefelie, when anie one suffe∣reth for the confession of true doctrine. As Saint Peter also teacheth, who saith, that to suffer for Christs sake, is the great glorie of Christians. For the counsell and purpose of God in this point is to be considered,* 1.1 whose pleasure it is, to make them like to his sonne in this world, whom he determined with himselfe long since to glorifie with him.

The sixt, Héerehence let the ministers of the Gospell peculiarlie learne, not onelie when they are well, and all things safe, stoutlie to doe their dutie, and to followe their office manfullie: but also to shewe themselues vali∣ant hearted, & noble Champions: yea euen then, when the burthen of the Crosse doth bow them, euen till they bend vnder it. A small matter for vs (saith he) which are in health, to giue good counsell to the sicke: A small matter constantlie to teach the Gospell, when all things are in safetie, when there is no shewe of danger toward. But this is the propertie of a right noble heart, in the middest of afflictions, in the middest of the flaming fire, (as Saint Paule and other Saints haue done,) couragi∣ouslie to comfort such as neuer yet tasted the Crosse, a∣gainst sharpe showres and tempests of tribulations to come.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1. Pet. 13. 14. 15. &c,