The sermons of M. Iohn Caluin, vpon the Epistle of S. Paule too the Ephesians. Translated out of French into English by Arthur Golding

The .xvi. Sermon, which is the first vppon the third Chapter.

1. For this cause, I Paule beyng the prisoner of Iesus Christ, am an Ambassadour for you Genty••es.

2. Surely you haue heard the dealing forth of Gods grace, which vvas committed too mee on your behalfe.

3. How that by Reuelation he hath giuen mee knovvledge of the mistery, (as I haue written vntoo you briefely heeretofore.

4. By the reading vvhereof you may vnderstand the knovvledge vvhich I haue in the mystery of Christ,)

5. VVhich vvas not knovven too the children of men in times past, as it is novv discouered too his holy Apostles and Pro∣phetes by the spirit.

6. That is too vvit, That the Gentyles are fellovvheires, and of one selfsame body, and parttakers toogither of his promise in Iesus Christ by the Gospell.

ALthough euery of vs confesse that the doc∣trine of the Gospell brings alwayes trub∣ble and persecution, bycause the world ha∣teth it, and yit for all that, that wee ought not too bee dismayed nor shrinke away: yit notwithstanding it is so hard too put the thing in vre which wee confesse, that there is almost none of vs all which is not vexed, and in maner shaken downe, when Gods e∣nemyes offer any vnquyetnesse, or when wee see the silly faythfull sor•• cruelly vsed at their handes. Neuerthelesse it ought too serue for a strengthening of our fayth, when wee see men which are frayle of their owne nature, not afrayd too hazard their lyues in bearing record of Gods truthe. Seeing then that the power of Gods spirit appeareth most manifestly, if we were not to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blynded with vnthankfulnesse, it ought too assure vs so much the more. But forasmuch as wee ad∣uauntage our selues very euill by it: we haue neede too bee incoraged, as S. Paule also dooth in this text. When wee see the diuell stirre vp his vnderlinges too execute all tyranny ageinst Gods children: let

it not shake our fayth. And specially if the faythfull indure paciently al that can be, for the maynteynance of Gods truth which they knowe, and that they doo also hold out too the end. Without swaruing: that (as I sayd) ought not too bee lost. And for the same cause dooth S. Paule in other places say,* 1.1 he suffereth for the welfare of the Church. Not that he could purchace them forgiuenesse of sinnes, or any grace by his death:* 1.2 but bycause the Gospell is Gods myghty power too the welfare of all that beleeue, and the further that wee go forward in it, the neerer it maketh vs too come vntoo God, and vntoo euerlasting lyfe. S. Paule then suffred for the example of those whō he had taught afore with his owne mouth. For (therby) they knew that his speaking too them had bin in good earnest, seeing he spared not his owne blud and his lyfe, too seale and confirme the doctrine that he had brought them. As much is doone in this text.

For he sayth, he was an Ambassadour for the Gentyles, yea euen though he were the prisoner of Iesus Christ. Surely these twoo things seeme too bee as contrarie as fyre and water. For could not Iesus Christ honour them better whom he sendeth in his name, and which represent him, than too put them too all the shame and reproche of the world?* 1.3 But S. Paule as well heere as in other places, hathe not sticked too glorie in his imprisonment and bands. In deede he was kept in ward as an euill dooer: b••t in the meane while he had record bothe before God and also before man, that he suffred wrongfully, for executing his office, and finally for seruing God faythfully. Therfore let vs not think it strange, that on the one syde he calleth himself priso∣ner, and on the othersyde the Ambassadour or messenger of the Liuing God, euen as representing his person and dignitie. And it is not for nought that he addeth the name of Iesus Christ. For imprizonment generally myght haue bred some euill opinion of him, bycause euill dooers are punished with it by order of Iustis. But the cace putteth a difference betewne euill dooers, and the witnesses of God and of our Lord Iesus Christ. That is the rause why S. Paule calleth not him∣self a prisoner simply and without exception, but also sheweth the cause why: saying, that Iesus Christ auoweth him, as th••ugh he were an hostage (or pledge) for him. So then, by this saying wee bee war∣ned too re••eyue S. Paules doctrine with the greater authoritie, seing hee hath rati••••ed it so well. If he had but onely executed his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••n in preaching, wee ought too haue made acount of the obedience

that hee yeelded vntoo God. But he also wrought miracles, he in••u∣red a number of trubbles and incomberances, and finally he suffered imprisonment and death. Now when wee see that for all this he ceas∣sed not too go through stedfastly, and too ouercome all the assaults that Satan and the wicked world were able too stir vp ageinst him: surely wee haue the greater confirmation of the doctrine, which ser∣ueth at this day too our vse.

And therfore when wee bee told of Saint Paule, and of the great number of incounters that he indured: let vs not think it is more than needeth. For it is alwayes a more certayne ratifying of the doctrine, too the end wee myght vnderstand how it is not of the doctrine of any mortall wyght, but the doctrine of the liuing God, who also strengthe∣ned him with inuincible constancie by his holie spirit. Now as this is well spoken of the persons of Saint Paule: so must it also bee exten∣ded further. For God wissed and ordeyned, that the rest of the Apo∣stles should suffer as well as hee. And it is sayd of Saint Peter,* 1.4 that when he was growen old, he should bee girded after another fashion than he had bin woont too bee, so as he should bee tyed in streyt bonds, and bee led whither he would not, at leastwyse as in respect of fleshly infirmitie, though he had a spirituall disposition of mynd to obey God. We see then in effect, how Gods seruants suffered, not a two or three of them, but so as there myght bee as it were a great and thicke cloud of them, as the Apostle sayeth in the twelfth too the Hebrewes. Sith it is so: let vs make our hand of such helpes. For it is certeyne, that God ment too susteyne our feeblenesse, by adding such helpes too his woord (which ought too bee of sufficient authoritie of it self,) too the intent it should no more bee doubted of, nor called in question. Thus yee see how the thing that wee haue too beare in mynd, is that the blud of the Apostles and Martyrs that hath bin shed too confirme the doc∣trine of the Gospell, is as good as a hūdred seales, yea as a whole mi∣lion of seales, too warrant vs all the thinges fully, which are conteyned in the Gospell. Trew it is, that our fayth ought too bee grounded vp∣pon the authoritie of the holy Ghost: and that although God had ne∣uer a Martyr, too shewe that the truth of the Gospell is firme and cer∣teine: yit it ought too suffyze vs, that it is he which speaketh it. Agein, wee haue seene heeretoofore, that the truth shall euer bee doubted of, ••ill the holy Ghost haue sealed it in our hartes. And for that cause is he called our earnestpennye,* 1.5 bycause he insureth vs of the heritage

which wee hope for, according too the promise which hath bin pur∣chaced so deerely for vs with the blud of our Lord Iesus Christ.

Now for the last step, wee must come too the experience that wee haue in these dayes. For the blud of Martirs is shed still at this day, & God could well let that the wicked should not runne so vpon the brydle ageinst the faythfull: he could well chaunge all their mischeeuousnesse and rebellion: and wheras they bee rauening wolues, he could make them as sheepe and Lambes: surely he could doo so. But on the one syde he ordeyneth Satan too driue them and stirre them vp too such rage, and agein he giueth them licence and leaue too trubble the fayth∣full. And why? Too the end that wee should knowe what the power of his holy spirit is, when it pleaseth him too guyde and gouerne vs. For (as I haue declared alredy) the weaknesse of men is such, that there needeth but the falling of a leafe from a tree too make them quake, & a∣geyne wee knowe that death is horrible of it self. Therfore wee must conclude, that God vttereth a wonderfull grace, when he strengthe∣neth his seruantes in such wyse, as they bee not dismayed with any threateninges, nor at the syght of fyre, when the enemyes and tirantes are not contented with single death, but adde thertoo the most tyranni∣call tormentes that can bee deuyzed. Now then when the Martyres perseuer in such constancie, therin men perceyue that God hath put to his hand. Wherfore when wee heare that they bee handled so cruelly for Gods word, and that some, if they scape, are notwithstanding redye too dye, and othersome knowing their death shall bee precious in the eyes of the Lord, offer them selues in sacrifize with a cheerful corage: let vs not suffer their blud too fall too the ground. (I say,) when wee heare of all these things, let vs beware wee suffer not that thing too pe∣rish, which God hath ordeyned for our edifying, and for the better con∣firming of vs in our fayth. For although wee ought too bee (suffici∣ently) instructed by the preaching (alone) yit must it needes be a great strengthening too vs, when Gods word is not onely preached, but al∣so sealed after that fashion. Then is it not too bee called in question, or too be disputed of, as an vncertayne matter: but they to whom God hath graunted the grace, and are led so farre by his holy spirit, as too suffer for his truth: are faythfull wittnesses that their blud serueth too giue a full sealing vp too his word, too the intent that wee should bee the better resolued of it. Thus yee see what wee haue to gather vppo•• this streyne. And although the enemies of the Gospell make a tri∣umphing,

and spit fire, and keepe a great coyle too deface all that belongs too God: yit let not vs ceasse too gloryfie God alwayes, see∣ing that all the battels which are prepared by Satans pollicie ageinst the faythful, are turned of God into Crownes and Garlands, & he ma∣keth them to ouercome all things that seeme to make to their vndoing and destruction. The thing then whiche wee haue yet further too mark, is this in effect, that we must not bee thrust out of the way when we see the wycked sorte, and the despyzers of God, and al worldlynges scorne our simplicitie, at suche tyme as our brethren suffer persecution: but must consyder that the pryzons where they be kept, & the reproche∣full fires are of much more worthinesse and excellencie, than all the seates where those Iudges sit, that are as Satans vnderlings or vp∣holders, and as ranke murtherers: yea & more excellent than al seats of Kings and Princes, though they make neuer so much adoo of their greatnesse.

Now hereuppon S. Paule addeth, you also haue heard the dea∣ling foorth of Gods grace which was committed too mee, as I haue written briefly vnto you, according as he declared the mistery ther∣of vntoo me▪ and you may better vnderstand the knowledge which I haue of the mistery of Iesus Christ. Here S. Paule intendeth too proue, that he was ordeyned an Apostle, not as one that had thrust in himselfe through rashenesse or folly, nor as one that had bin aduaun∣ced by fauour of men, nor as one that had light intoo it by haphazard▪ but as put in by Gods free goodnesse. And it is not here only that he stryueth for the maintenaunce of his calling, that is too wit, to shewe that he was an Apostle sent and allowed of God: but he standeth vp∣on that poynt in many other places.* 1.6 It is trew, that he passed not for his owne person: but the certeynty of the faythfull depended therupon. When wee come too heare the Gospell, if wee bee not throughly perswaded that he is sent of God: surely wee may well conceyue some wandring opinion, but we shall neuer bee sure, nor haue any rest. This then must go first: Namely, that such as teach vs bee allowed, and that wee knowe them too bee imployed of God to our saluation, and that they bee instruments of his holy Ghost. For otherwise a man may say, what is he? for there is nothing in vs by nature, but vanitie and leazing. And on the other side, were a man neuer so well learned and sound, so as there were nothing in him but substantia••nesse and soundnesse, yit should he not bee able too assure vs of the forgiuenesse

of our sinnes: it is too great and high a thing too warrant vs attone∣ment with God, and that he taketh vs intoo his fauour, wheras there had bin nothing but deadly emnitie before. If the Angels of heauen should say it with one mouth, they could not warrant it vs, except they were authorized of God.

So then let vs marke well, that S. Paules labouring so much too shewe that he thrust not in hym selfe too bee an Apostle, but that he was sent of God, and had that office at Gods hand, and that in all hys dooyngs he attempted not any thing vppon presumption, or through rashnesse, but according too our Lorde Iesus Christes choozyng of hym, bycause it was his wyll too bee serued of hym after that maner: is not causelesse. That therefore is the grounde that he goeth vppon in this Text.

Now he sayeth also, that the Ephesians ought too haue knowen well the misterie or secret that had bin reueled vntoo him, namely too the end they myght haue bin sure that he was ordeyned and appoyn∣ted too deale foorth Gods grace, and too preach euerlasting saluation of their soules, too such as had erst bin cut of and banished out of the kingdome of heauen. And heere wee haue too marke first of all, that too heare and too vnderstand the things that are preached too vs con∣cerning the Gospell, is not all that wee haue to doo: but that wee must mount vp yit a little hygher: that is too wit, that God would haue vs too bee certifyed of his good will by the record of men. For were it a thing deuyzed heere beneath, it w••re too weake stuffe. And therefore let vs marke, that the preaching of the Gospell and our common mee∣ting toogither too bee taught, is not a policie or order of mans deuy∣zing, nor a fancie, or inuention of man, but an ordinance of God, and an abyding Lawe, where ageinst it is not lawfull for vs too atte••p•• any thing at all. Sith i•• is so, wee ought too come so much the more soberly and aduyzedly thither as too Gods schoole, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as too a mans schoole, too heare the preaching. Trew it is, that wee ••ught too examin the doctrine, and that wee must not receyue all things indif∣ferently that are preached, nor at least wyse bee as bruce ••eastes in that behalf, after the maner of the Papists, who terme it simplicit••e, to be without, any vnderstāding at all: but yit must wee beare such honor too Gods name, that when the doctrine of the holy Scripture is set foorth vntoo vs▪ wee 〈…〉〈…〉 our selue & from the world, and forsake our owne reason, too submit our selues with trew obedience

and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, too the things which wee knowe too haue proceeded of God. When wee come thither with such mynd so prepared, surely God will neuer suffer vs too bee receyued, but he will so guyde vs by his holy Ghost, as wee shalbee certifyed that our fayth con••neth of him, and is grounded vppon his power, a••d tha•• it commeth not of men. Let that serue for one poynt.

Agein, wheras Saint Pau••e sayth, that the calling of the Gentyles too the knowledge of the Gospell, that they myght be ioyned to them that were neere alredye, was a misterie or secret: wee haue too note, that God purpozed to humble the world, and too hold it (as yee would say) brydled, too the end that wee should lerne too honour his proui∣dence, notwithstanding that the reasons thereof bee vnknowen too vs, and the meanes therof hid from vs. God could haue published the Gospell immediatly vppon the creating of the world, or streight after Adams fall: but he did put it off by the space almost of twoo thousand yeeres: and afterwardes agein after the flud, although the world were renewed agein, yit draue he it of agein. So then there passed a six∣teene hundred yeeres or theraboutes before Abraham was called. And when God choze him and all his linage, it was not yit the Gos∣pell. Neuerthelesse God tooke one man in his old age, that was al∣redie passing and halfdead, yea and euen as good as buried, and in the meane whyle letteth the whole world go too destruction. Now after that foure hundred yeeres more were spent, the Law was published, howbeit, that was but too Abrahams linage only. The Gentyles be∣ing the farre greater number, were neuerthelesse excluded. This matter seemeth strange at the first syght, and they that would hold God brydled to their lust, wil fynd matter ynough heere to iangle at, & so doo they in deede. For they would needes haue God bound to call all the world alyke without exception. But that will he not doo. Ag••in, is the Lawe giuen? Then passeth there a long tyme before Iesus Christ come intoo the world. Too bee short, for the space of almost foure thousand yeeres, there passed an infinite number of people, wandering heere and there lyke blynd wretches, and walking in the shadowe of death, and God did let them still alone, as it is sayd i•• the seuenteenth of the Actes.* 1.7 Sodeinly the Trumpet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the wall was broken down••, and God gathered toogither 〈…〉〈…〉 e••st strayed from him, and had despyzed his name. He recey•••••• them too fauour by meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ,* 1.8 in whose person the

souerein dominiō of God is extended ouer al the world. These then are things that could not enter into our conceyt, as I said afore. Therefore it is not without cause that S. Paule nameth that order of dealing, a mysterie that had bin vnknowen to al ages, & was reueled in his time.

But first and formest wee must resolue a question that myght bee put heere, bycause the Patriarkes were not vtterly ignorant what should insew, and the prophets bare record of it. For when there is any speaking, that the Gentyles should bee matched with the people whom God had chozen and adopted before: it is said, that Moyses fore∣told and vttered,* 1.9 and that all the Prophets sayd, that the straungers should come too woorship God, and too honour his maiestie. Then was it not a thing vtterly vnknowen at that tyme, as Saint Paule speaketh of it: but yit let vs marke that all those prophesies ceas∣sed not too bee darke, bycause the meanes were hidden. It is true that the hope of the faythfull was, that God woulde one day gather toogither the world that was scattered after so horrible manner as we haue seene: but as touching the knowledge of the tyme, that Circum∣cision, and the figures of the Lawe should bee abolished, that God should bee serued after another better knowen fashyon, that Iesus Christ should bee as the daysimne of ryghtuousenesse, that men should content themselues with him, that there should be no mo visible signes but Baptim and the Lords Supper, too confirme vs withall in all the ghostly gifts which wee obteyne at this day:* 1.10 all this (say I) was vn∣knowen. Yea & euen the very Apostles thēselues continued still in that grosse ignorance, notwithstāding that our Lord Iesus Christ warned thē of the things that were at hand.* 1.11 In deede whē he sent them abrode into the Country of Iewrye, he sayd vnto them, Speake not yit too the Gentiles. But that was bycause the cōuenient tyme was not yit come.

When he drew towards his death,* 1.12 I haue other sheepe (sayd he) that are not of this fold, which must bee gathered toogither. Ther•• he sheweth that manie were chozen of God his father, who neuerthe∣lesse were not compryzed in the nation of the Iewes. And when he was rizen agein from the dead,* 1.13 he sayd, Go preache the Gospell too all creatu••es. Heere then is commaundement first gyuen them too preache the hope of saluation too such as were vtter straungers too it before. Now when S. Peter was aduertized that God would send him too a heathen man,* 1.14 he was so amazed at it, that the heares stoode vp vppon his head. And how is that possible? God was fayne t••o

send him a vision from heauen, too make him go too a man whom he tooke too bee vncleane.

So then it is not without cause, that S. Paule speakyng heere of so high and great a secret, saith, it was vnknowen too the Patriarkes and Prophetes. They had in deede some incklyng of it: howebeit, that was but accordyng too theyr measure, and vnder shadowes and figures. There was not then any certayne knowledge, tyll God had vttered the thing in effect, which he had kept in his owne determinati∣on. And soothly S. Paule thought it good too repeate the woord My∣sterie, or Secrete, too the intent that one of vs should not prouoke ano∣ther too bee wylful in opinion, as we bee woont too bee. For if a thing bee hard, one wyll say, this passes myne vnderstandyng, and another makes none account at all of it. And by that meanes men turne away from obeying God, and cast as it were a stumbling blocke in folkes wayes, so as their way and passage is stopped vp, and none comes neere Gods truth, which would be euident ynough, so men woulde giue eare vntoo it. But wee bee forepossessed with this opinion, that it is too hygh and profound a matter, and theruppon it seemes too vs that God speakes it not for vs. And that is a cause which maketh vs too hold scorne of his woord, & to let it alone as a thing that belongs not at all vntoo vs: yea and the boldnesse and lewdnesse of men is such, that they condemne all things that mislike them. Here S. Paule too amend that fault, sayth, that the thing which is vnknowen to vs, is neuerthelesse full of Maiestie before God. For shall wee take vppon vs to measure Gods secrets by our imagination? What a presump∣tuousnesse were that?* 1.15 It is sayd, that his iudgements and dooings are so deepe a gulf, as is able too swallowe vs vp a hundred thousand times. Therfore let vs learne so to magnifie Gods wisdome, as though his meaning bee darksome vntoo vs, yi•• wee may not therfore shake it of, but honour it with all humilitie. Trewly euen the things tha•• seeme most common, ought too bee ••eceyued in such wise of vs, as too vnderstand that God giueth vs but a taste of them, and that wee haue not the perfect knowledge of them: I meane the whole doc••rine of the Gospell. There is not any poynt there which seemeth to bee of so small importaunce, which passeth not all our vnderstanding. And there are some other matters, wherein God reserueth the reason to himself, meaning therby too hold vs short, too make vs confesse that all his dooings are rightfull, although wee cannot agree too it of our owne

naturall wit, nor conceyue in our minde the reason why it should bee so. Now if euer this doctrine were too bee put in vre, it hath neede too bee put in vre nowe a dayes. For wee see how the wretched vnbe∣leeuers doo generally shet them selues out of doores from comming vntoo God. What is the cause that the wretched scules in the pope∣dome doo welter in their owne ignoraunce, and for any thing that is told them, do shewe still that they be as it were bewitched by Satan? They say, that Gods word is too high a thing. Yea, but dooth it fol∣lowe therefore that wee haue iust cause too reiect it? Wee should ra∣ther consider how it is sayd,* 1.16 that Gods wisdome is comprehended a∣lonly by humilitie. And seeyng that God voutsafeth too teache the lowely and little ones, all pryde ought too bee beaten downe in vs, and then should wee fynd that our Lord gaue not his woord in vayne. Now then, seeyng that in these dayes wee see a number that fynde no taste in the Gospell, bycause it is as a straunge language vntoo them: Let S. Paules saying and declaration moue vs too receyue modestly whatso∣euer God ••••lleth vs, yea though the same bee too hygh for vs: and let vs pray him who hath all lyght in him, too giue vs therof as he know∣eth too bee for our behoofe. For lyke as God speaketh too vs, and maketh his doctrine too ring in our eares: so also dooth he woorke in∣wardly in our hartes by his holy Ghost. Wherfore let vs submit our selues too him, and bee ready too receyue whatsoeuer is taught vs tru∣ly in his name. Thus yee see what wee haue too remember vnder the woord Mysterie, or secrete.

Now therfore when wee fynd any thing in the Gospell that shall seeme hard and vneasie too brucke, let vs not doo as a number of mad¦folks doo, which reiect whatsoeuer is not too their owne lyking: but (as I sayd) let vs reuerence the thing that is hid from vs as yit, way∣ting till God further vs, and come familiarly too vs, and increa••e the measure of our fayth. And so ye se how that in reading of the holie scrip∣••ure, wee must haue the modestie too hold our selues in awe, (and too say thus:) I vnderstand not such a text: but yit is it not for mee too giue it ouer so, as though it were too no purpose: and therfore I will pray God too beare with myne ignorance, and too open mee the gate when he sees ••it tyme, and that he which hath the kye of all knowledge and vnderstanding, will shew mee so much as he thinkes meete, and as may bee for my benefite. Agein, lykewise when wee come too a Ser∣mon, if wee vnderst••nde not all th•••• is spoken too vs, let vs stay our

selues, and in the meane whyle honour our God, and reuerence him in the things that are too hygh for our wit too reache vntoo. And heerein wee see, that such as would stoppe the mouthes of all Gods trew ser∣uantes, that they should not speake of the thinges that seeme too hygh for them, are very diuells incarnate. For what a madnesse is it, that bycause wee vnderstand not why God hath chozen some, and forsaken othersome, how God gouerneth the world, that the diuell himself can∣not doo any thing without leaue, that the wicked are the instrumentes of Gods Iustice: wee woormes of the earth, and stinking caryons should take such authoritie vppon vs, as too say, that the thing ought too bee rased out of the holy Scripture, which not onely was reuealed too vs by the holy Ghost, but also sealed with the blud of Gods sonne? Must it not needes bee that they are wholly possessed of the diuel, when they presume so farre? Therfore let vs abhorre such monsters, & pray God too lay his hand vppon them, and too shewe that they bee no bet∣ter than lyce, fleas, punices, and other the most vyle and despyzed things of the worlde, when they fall too iustling so ageinst God, euen with tyrannicall and passing barbarous furie. But as for our part, let vs vnderstand that the honour which wee owe too our God, is this: that whensoeuer wee heare any of the secretes of Gods woord, which can∣not bee knowen or vnderstoode of man, except it bee by the reuelation of Gods spirit: wee must wayt paciently till God increace the know∣ledge that he hath giuen vs. Agein, when one man hath a greater mea∣sure of fayth, and more vnderstanding than other men, let him frame himselfe too the lesser sort, and beare with them, and labour too further them more and more: and let the lesser sort on their side haue the mo∣destie too hold themselues within their compasse, and not passe theyr boundes,* 1.17 but put in vre this saying of S. Paule in another place: If yee thinke otherwise, tary till God shewe it you, & in the meane while liue in concord, and let there bee no trubble among yee. And so yee see what wee haue too gather vppon that streyne.

Herewithall let vs mark, that God by that meanes intended too set the greater glory vppon his mercie: for when in the end he publyshed the doctrine of his Gospell, then did he vtter the infinite riches of his goodnesse towardes vs. And although wee knowe not all the reasons that God had in his mynd, when he deferred and put off the publishing of his Gospell so long tyme: yit notwithsta••••ing it is very eazie for vs too iudge, that he intended too open our eyes, and too waken vs, and

too quicken vp all our wits, too the end that euery of vs should apply himself the better, too knowe how much wee bee beholden and bound vntoo him. For are wee better than our fathers? Or when the Gos∣pell was published through the worlde, were the Gentyles more teachable than before? No: but it seemed that wickednesse was then come too his full measure, so as there was nothing but contempt of God. Now when the world was so diuelish throughout, then came Iesus Christ, then was the message of saluation brought too all men. Yea and when S. Paule (speaking to the Corinthians) had told them that Murtherers,* 1.18 whormoongers, drunkardes, Theeues, forswearers, and such like folke, yea which had committed yit more heinous crimes, should not inherit the kingdome of heauen: he sayth vntoo them, you also haue bin lyke them: too shewe that the Gospell was not preached at Corinth, for any vertues that were there, nor for that the inhabiters had bin more giuen vntoo God, or deserued aught at all: but all pro∣ceeded of Gods only free goodnesse. Thus yee see that the secret which S. Paule speaketh of, is too bee applyed after this maner: namely that it was Gods will that there should be sin in al men with∣out exception, the remedie wherof he hath sent by his grace. Lykewyse also wee in our tyme cannot say, that wee bee better then our forefa∣thers, as I tolde you before. For if yee haue an eye too the common state, there was more faythfulnesse among men a fiftie yeeres ago, than is now: there was more modest conuersation: there was lesse ex∣cesse and superfluitie of pomp: and too bee short, men were not lyke Dogges and Cattes, as they bee now adayes. It is trew, that they had alwayes a smatch of their owne nature, which is nothing woorth: but yit Satan seemed too bee then cheyned vp. But within these thirtie yeeres, things haue gone from wooorse too woorse, and so farre out of square, as is horrible too see. And theruppon, behold, Gods grace is preached, forguienesse of sinnes is vttered, God calleth those that were a hundred thousand tymes forlorne. Now what can bee sayd too it, but that Gods will was too giue the greater beautie too his grace and mercye by such an after deele? Wherfore let vs consider, that the way too aduauntage our selues by Gods woonderfull secretes, is too reue∣rence the thing that wee know not, and too receyue the things that God vou••safeth too shew vs, and too admit the things without geyn∣saying, which wee knowe too come of him: and specially too haue regard that our fayth bee edifyed, and too consider whether wee ought

not too bee the more inflamed with the loue of God, for that he hath voutsafed too sende the Gospell abrode now adayes as it were out of a deepe dungeon: and for that after wee had strayed heere and there lyke wretched wandering beastes, and had bin plunged in superstition & idolatrie, so as wee scarse had any more vnderstanding of religion: he hath appeered vntoo vs agein, not in person, but by his doctrine which is preached too vs at this day, which had bin vtterly buried.

Let vs then haue regard of that: And although the world perceyue not at the first dashe why God woorketh after so straunge a fashion: let not vs ceasse therefore too profit our selues by it, nother let vs passe for our owne state too bee assured of the will of our God: but let vs resort too the head, that is to wit, to our Lord Iesus Christ, and vnderstand, that sith wee bee knit vntoo him agein by the Gospell, God dooth al∣wayes auow vs for his children: and although wee haue bin the wret∣cheddest in the world, and bee yit still at this day woorthie too bee ba∣nished from his house, and cut of from his Church, yit notwithstanding let vs not ceasse to hope still that he will call vs too the heritage which he hath promised vs from tyme to tyme. Therefore it ought too suffyze vs, that God will gather vs intoo his bodye, yit notwithstanding that wee haue bin scattered heertoofore, and that he will performe his pur∣pose towardes vs, if wee suffer our selues too bee gouerned by our Lord Iesus Christ. And forasmuch as he is ordeyned too bee our King: let vs doo him homage willingly, submitting our selues to him with trew obedience of fayth, not doubting but that he will reueale vn∣too vs the things that were hid afore, so as wee may perceyue how it is not causelesse that Saint Paule sayeth in the second too the Corinthi∣ans, that although God haue his secret purpose, wheruntoo wee can∣not atteyne: yit notwithstanding he declareth such things in his Gos∣pell, as are incomprehensible too all men, vttering there his harte vn∣too vs, and reueling his will fully vntoo vs, till wee may come too the full inioying of the things which wee doo now hope for.

And now let vs fall downe before the maiestie of our good God, with acknowledgment of our sinnes, praying him too make vs profit more & more in his holy word, & that the same may serue, not too puffe vs vp with presumption and ouerweenig, but to drawe vs stil more and more to him in trew humilitie, that we forsaking all that is of our own brayne, and which wee bee able too bringfoorth of our owne deuyzing, may desyre nothing but too lerne the things that are shewed vs by his

woord, and to•• admit the same without geynsaying, and too stoope and s••bmit our selues obediently and simply too the Gospell, that Iesus Christ may bee honored, and so throughly heard among vs, as we may neuer start from him: and that wee may bee so beaten downe in our selues, as wee may neuer seeke too bee exalted but by his hand. That it may please him too graunt this grace, not only too vs, but also too al people. &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Colos. 1. d. 24.
• * 1.2

  Rom. 1. b. 16.
• * 1.3

  ••. Cor. 11. c. 23.
• * 1.4

  ••ohn. 1••. c. 18.
• * 1.5

  2. Cor. 1▪ d. 22.
• * 1.6

  Gala 1. a. 1. &. Titus. 1. a. 3.
• * 1.7

  Actes. 17. g. 30.
• * 1.8

  Psal. 2. b. ••.
• * 1.9

  Rom. 10. c. 19. 20.
• * 1.10

  Actes. 11. a. ••.
• * 1.11

  Math. 10. a. 5.
• * 1.12

  Iohn. 10. c. 16.
• * 1.13

  Mark. 16. c. 15.
• * 1.14

  Actes. 10
• * 1.15

  Psal. 3••. b. 6.
• * 1.16

  Psal. 18. b. 8. &. 1••9. 30.
• * 1.17

  Phil. 3. ••. 15.
• * 1.18

  1. Cor. 6. b. 9. 10.