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This Sermon is yet still vpon the .xvj. and .xvij. verses, and then vpon the text which is added heere.
18 He plucketh backe his soule from the graue, and his life that it should not come to the svvorde.
19 He chastizeth man vvith greefe vpon his bed, and breaketh his bones vvith chastizementes▪
20 So as his soule refuseth bread, and his life the pleasant meate.
21 His fleshe is consumed so as it is seene no more: and his bones also vvhiche are not seene, doe clatter.
22 His soule dravveth to the graue, and his life vnto them that follovve at death.
23 If there be an eloquent messanger (one among a thousande) to shevve a man his rightuousnesse,
24 That God hath pitie of him, and sayth, deliuer him, to the end he go not dovvne into the pitte: I haue found attonement.
25 His fleshe shall come agayne more freshe than a chyldes: and shee shall returne to the dayes of his youth.
WE saw yesterday that God must bee faine too drawe vs by force from our foolishe enterprises: bycause that naturally wee bee so presumptuous, as ther is no∣thing but we would be medling with it. If God should but only warne vs to be myld, and not to thrust forth ourselues ouerhasti∣ly [ 20] it were not inough. For ther is a folish boldnesse in men which can not be held in awe but with great violence, as if a man should tie vp a wild beast with cheynes. God ther∣fore must be faine to deale with vs as is shewed vs in this text: that is, that man wil neuer turne away from his own enterprises, excepte God subdue him by mayne blowes. And what is the cause thereof? Euen pride, as hath bene sayd alreadie. Therfore vntill the pryde which is in mans nature be beaten downe and thrust vnder foote: they will needs be always roisting and starting out on the one side [ 30] or the other, yea & flinging away like wild beasts. And so let vs marke wel, that the chefest thing which we haue to doe in our afflictions, is to learne to humble oure selues, that wee bee not so foolish and ouerbold, as to take more vpon vs than God gyueth vs leaue too doe, but that wee walke vnder his gouernment, asking counsell alwayes at his mouth, holding ourselues stil to that which is cōmaun∣ded, and not chalenging aught at all to our own strength and power. Yee see then a lesson which it behoueth vs to remember earely and late when God afflicteth vs. But [ 40] Eliu expresseth yet more the thing whiche I haue tou∣ched: that is to wit, that God procureth our welfare by the sayde meanes of humbling vs. And how is that? Bycause it is the destruction and vndoing of mē to be so puffed vp, and to exalt themselues more than is lauful for thē. Ther∣fore there is no other meanes to drawe them oute of the ditch, and to kepe them from stumbling into a deadly fal, but that God do hold them back by afflictions. And so ye see that the cause why w••e fall not intoo the graue, is that God afflicteth vs. But therewithall Eliu sheweth vs [ 50] howe harshe this medicine is, in that hee sayeth that it consumeth oure fleshe, so as wee haue no more the shape of man, but are like vntoo deade men that are taken out of the earthe, and oure bones doe clatter without, and wee can not so much as take breathe, but are in continuall tormente, so as wee haue no release, but God persecuteth vs with such extre∣mitie as we can no more. Thus he sheweth that God can not at the first blowe winne that thing at mennes hande, which were to be desired: that is to wit, that they should knowe themselues wretched and full of infirmities, and [ 60] there vpon stoup vnto him, but that they must be faine to be ouercom with strong hand and continual torments, or else they will neuer yeelde and submit them selues vnto him. Behold the two poyntes which wee haue to marke. And as touching the firste, let vs learne to beare our affli∣ctions patiently, sith wee see that they serue vs for medi∣cines and salues. Is it a small thing for vs to bee drawne out of the graue? These wordes concerne not onely the bodily death whiche passeth awaye: but also (by a simili∣tude) the euerlasting damnation is termed heere a graue or a pit. Then are we readie to fall, not to breake our ar∣mes or our legges, no nor only to breake our neckes: but also to perishe for euer, and to be wiped out of the booke of life, and to be cut off from the kingdome of heauen. Lo to what state our pride bringeth vs. For so long as we flic∣ker after that sorte in the ayre, and thinke wee haue anye strength of our selues, and build thervpon after our own fancie: I say so long as we be possessed with suche foolishe presumtiō: we are always ready to stumble and to perish. But God hauing pitie on vs, sendeth such remedie as he knoweth to be conuenient: which is, that he afflicteth vs and beateth vs with his roddes. If we grudge and can not be pacient when God doth so chastise vs: Is it not an ex∣treme vnthankfulnesse, not to suffer God to remedie our destruction & to draw vs frō it? So then let vs mark well, that here the holy ghost ment to make gods chasticemēts sweet and amiable to vs, to the end we should beare them▪ quietly when they be sent vs. Marke that for one poynt. Verely this will seeme straunge too fleshely reason. For [oure fleshely reason will saye] coulde God prouide no better meane for oure welfare than by tormenting vs af∣ter that sort? Behoued it him to sende vs to death that he might call vs vnto life? Surely it is an incredible manner of proceeding if a man debate it according too his owne reason: and he will thinke it but a foolishnesse that God shoulde kill vs in pardoning vs. For what are afflictions? Signes of his wrath: and wee knowe that all diseases are the messengers of death, and that all the sorrowes whiche we conceiue are drownings of vs. But our Lord sendeth vs sorrows, sicknesses, and tormentes, and holdeth vs in them as vpon the racke till we can no more, and till wee faynte in suche wise as our life draweth to the graue. For these words concerne not the small afflictions where with we are accustomed: but they concern Gods sending of vs to so great extremitie, as there remayneth no more hope in vs. And how is that? must God cast vs into the bottome of death, to the end to drawe vs out againe? But so wor∣keth he, and we must not pleade against him, for we shall alwayes haue the worse end of the staf. And out of doubt, that is the cause why the holy scripture sayeth, that it is his ordinarie maner to kil before he quicken, and to bring
to the graue before he raise to life. Then let vs vnderstād that God intendeth heere to exercise oure obedience, by trying vs to the vttermost so as wee can indure no more, no nor so much as drawe our breath, but seeme to bee vt∣terly choked. Therefore when our Lorde bringeth vs to that point, it is to the end to know whether we be whol∣ly his, and whether wee can abyde to be gouerned by his hand or no. Howsoeuer the world go▪ when we be temp∣ted in our troubles and greefes, let this sentence come to our mynde to comfort vs withall: behold it is sayde that [ 10] God in bringing men to their graue, intendeth to drawe them out againe: and that in consuming their fleshe hee mindeth to restore it again: and that in tormenting them with extremitie, hee purposeth to comfort them and too bring them to rest. Seeing it is so, let vs take hold of this comfort, and let it suffize vs to assuage all our sorrowes: let vs not be out of hart although it seeme that we be vt∣terly forlorne: let vs alwayes passe further and further in the strength of this doctrine: and let vs learne to raise vp our selues by it, euen when wee bee cast downe into hell. [ 20] Thus ye see what we haue to beare in mynde. And after∣warde when Eliu maketh so long a description of Gods chastizements: it is to shew vs how dreadfull his wrath is. And this also is a very profitable lesson for vs. For which of vs thinketh of the greatnes of Gods wrath as it is spo∣ken of the holy scripture? It is sayd in the song of Moyses, who knoweth the greatnesse of thy wrath? And vndoub∣tedly although Gods wrath bee a fire that consumeth all things: yet notwithstanding we thinke not vpon it, but o∣uerpasse it. It is tolde vs in Sermons, and we reade goodly [ 30] texts of it: but we are not touched with it, nother doth any mā rest vpon it. For as much then as we make no accoūt of Gods iustice, and take it to be but as a sport: we ought to marke wel the counsell that is giuen vs by the holy ghost: like as in this text it is saide tha: God breaketh mens bones: that is to say, vseth so great violence, as there remaineth no strength at al in them vnconsumed. Their flesh wasteth and consumeth away, so as there remaineth but an image of death: and a man is so continually tormented, as he is like a deade man. It is not without cause that all this is [ 40] set afore vs: but it is too the ende to waken vs, and that when God vttereth his iudgementes against vs to make vs feele our sinnes, we should the better be thinke vs that those tormentes are more terrible than can be expressed, According also as wee see howe the holie scripture vseth many comparisons in that behalfe. VVhy doth it likē God to a Lion that breketh and brozeth things with his teeth, and plucketh them in peeces with his pawes? It is not to attribute such a crueltie vnto God as is not cōuenient for him: but to humble vs, bycause we be dull and knowe not [ 50] what it is to feare God, or to stande in awe of the punish∣ments which he sendeth vpon such as lift vp them selues against him. To the ende then that wee may not bee any more possessed with such dulnesse, the holy scripture set∣teth foorth God in the likenesse of a Lion that commeth vpon vs with his teeth and his pawes, to make vs vnder∣stand that when he intendeth to shewe himselfe contrarie vnto men, there is no terrour aboue it nor comparable to it. Yee see then to what vse we ought to apply the things that are sayd here, and that such warnings ought ro serue [ 60] vs aforehand. Also sometimes when we be in trouble and that God falleth so vpon vs: It behoueth vs too put the things in vre that are spoken of heere, to the end we may knowe that we are not the first [which haue bene so delt withal.] Yea and vndoubtedly it is a notable place wher it is sayde that God consumeth ••ll a mans fleshe, that he bruseth and breaketh, that he swalloweth vp, and that hee killeth men. And why? to quicken them. And so although his anger be dreadful vnto vs when he visiteth vs with rigor, and that we be driuen to feele the things that are contei∣ned heere: yet notwithstanding hee cheereth vs with the hope of saluation, which is the only mean to bring vs vn∣to life. VVherefore seeing that our God giueth vs hope, and that we be not the first that haue bene so delt withal, but that hee hath handled his seruantes after that sorte in all tymes: let vs suffer our selues to bee as it were swal∣lowed vp of sorrowe, and to be set there as in a gulfe. And truely wee see that Eliu following that which hath beene shewed in the foresayde song of Moyses, speaketh not so without cause. Marke then howe this sentence ought to serue vs to double vse. The first is, that when we be in rest wee must take time to bethinke vs howe dreadfull Gods wrath is, to the ende wee may walke in feare and careful∣nesse and submit oure selues vnder his hand. And the se∣conde is that we must not be too much afrayd when God visiteth vs so roughly, knowing that he hath delt after the same sort towardes those whose saluation he hath procu∣red. Then let vs not thinke it strange that he should deale so with vs, but let vs learne to fashion ourselues like vnto those, which haue wayted to be fully comforted at Gods hand after they had bin in heauinesse, yea euen after they had bene swalowed vp of sorowe. And therewithall let vs marke also the long continuance of our afflictions, wher∣of Eliu speaketh heere. For hee sayth not that Gods affli∣cting of a man in such wise as hee shall seeme to be vtter∣ly forlorne, shall not be only for one brunt▪ and to releeue him againe byandby after: No, but contrariwise when he layeth his hande vpon those whome hee intendeth to af∣flict, hee maketh it heuier and heuier, in so much that if a poore creature be sore tormented to day, it shall bee dou∣ble to morrowe, and afterward bee so increased, as it shall seeme to haue nother ende nor measure, and it shall con∣tinue so long, that he shal passe through a hūdred dethes, before God shall seeme to releeue him. So litle then shall wee be deliuered from our afflictions immediately when we haue felt them: that they must be increased more and more. For it is the good pleasure of God, that we should fight againste many deathes. Truely this seemeth right harde vnto vs: howebeit let vs marke that a rough horse must haue a rough ryder, and that for as much as wee bee tough wood, it behoueth vs to haue hard wedges & hard strokes with a beetle. True, it is that we think not oursel∣ues to be rebels against God▪ but if we consider the thing as it is, without flattering of ourselues: we shall find that the nourishing of wilful stubbornesse in vs▪ is no smal nor common thing. Some chawe vppon the brydle in suche wise against God, that although their afflictions increase, yet they ceasse not to gnashe their teeth still, and to playe the wild beasts. And an other sort pretend some token of humilitie: but what for that? They bee so fickle, that to day or to morrowe it is quite out of their heads. So long as a man is hild at a baye, he will vndoubtedly say I haue
offended my God, it behoueth mee to turne a newe leaf: and hee will not onely make countenaunce afore men thorough hypocrisie that he is willing to amende: but he will also thinke himself to be vtterly chaunged, and that there is no more any wicked affection in him. But what? if God deliuer him to morrow morning, he will become worse than hee was, or at least wise as bad. See in what plight we be. And therfore let vs not think it strange that God should so increase his strypes. If he see that wee can not be wonne, but that there is such a sturdinesse in vs as [ 10] he must be fayne to correct vs a long while, it behoueth him to worke more roughly. Like as when a disease is rooted peraduenture the diseased person will thinke him selfe to be rid of it, as soone as he hath taken but some si∣rup, or some pill, or hath bin let bloud: I say it will seeme vnto him that he is throughly whole: but the roote of the disease is not yet plucked vp, and therfore he must be fain too take some verie harshe and bitter medicines, and bee kepte too a diet, and abyde vnder the Phisitions hande a moneth or twaine, yea or a whole yeare. Euen after the same maner must God purge vs by diuerse remedies, and [ 20] make it long ere hee cure vs, bycause this vice of pryde is rooted ouerdeepely in vs, and is entered euen intoo the maree of our bones, so that all is infected, and there is no soundnesse in vs, but al is corrupted till God renewe it a∣gaine. Thus yee see why here is mention made of the long continuing of our afflictions till we can no more: yea and that God must be faine to vse diuerse remedies, not affli∣cting vs alwayes after one fashion, but sending vs some times one kynde and sometimes another, which thing let vs assure ourselues that he doth not without great cause: [ 30] for he taketh no pleasure in the tormenting of his poore creatures. VVe knowe it is his nature to make vs feele his goodnesse: howbeit in the meane whyle, forasmuch as he seeth that we are not fitte to receiue it: it is good reason that hee should chaunge, and after a sorte transfigure him self, to the end to conforme him selfe vnto that which he seeth fit for vs. And that is the cause why it is sayd that he chastizeth man with greef vpon his bed. VVhen Eliu speketh so, it is to shew vs that if God punishe vs in good earnest, [ 40] there is nother release nor truce at al. For his meening is, that though we seeke rest we shall finde none, if God bee our enemie, that is to say, if we take hold of his wrath. For when the Scripture sayth that God is our enemie, and is angrie with vs: it meeneth not that he is so in deede, but that he pretendeth to be so bycause we haue neede to be put in feare, that we may be sorie for our sinnes. So then let vs marke well, that when a man is so tormented, hee is forced to haue warre without end, and if he seeke to haue rest, he shall find none. For the hand of God is to long: we shall not be able to scape from it, till we bee reconciled to [ 50] him. This is the thing that ought to bee vnderstoode in this sentence. And if God giue vs any release, let vs assure ourselues that he bereth with our infirmitie: and the same ought to serue to our singular comfort. For although god examine vs roughly, and bring vs euen to the pits brim: yet notwithstanding hee giueth vs still some taste of his goodnesse with it, that wee may take breathe againe. It is sayde heere that hee hath not graunted this grace vntoo all men, but that he persecuted some in such sorte as they [ 60] had no rest at all. And what meeneth he by saying so? He speketh not of the reprobates only, but of those whom he had chosen, and whose saluation he had procured and fur∣thered by that meanes. So then let vs vnderstande, that when God suffereth vs not to be afflicted ouersore, but giueth vs only some litle stripes: he hath a respect to our feblenesse, bycause he seeth we are too weake. Further∣more, when hee sayeth that a man forsaketh his meate, in so much that he findeth no tast in pleasaunt meates, and woulde fayne be out of the world: It is to shewe vs that when we be touched with the feeling of Gods wrathe, and haue conceyued it too the quicke: wee can find no tast in any thing. VVhat is it then that giueth vs tast of all the benefits that wee receyued at Gos hand in this worlde? It is his grace. True it is that the heathenishe sort, and the despysers of God whiche are saped in their sinnes, and are become vtterly brutishe, and feele no more sting of greef: doo finde taste ynough in their plea∣sures: yea euen in their beastly pleasures: For they haue not yet conceyued the wrathe of God. But as for those that feele God against them, they must needes mislike al things that are desirable of their owne nature, yea and vtterly lothe them. And why▪ For they cannot take plea∣sure, euen to liue. Although this life bee full of much wretchednesse, and is as it were a Sea of all miseries: yet must we set store by it, bycause God hath set vs in it, and preserueth vs in it, to the intent wee shoulde knowe him to bee our Creator and father, according as in deede the end why we were created, and why we be mainteyned in this transitorie life: is that we should know how it is God that interteyneth vs here, and that we should feele his fa∣therly goodnesse, in that it pleaseth him to haue a care of vs and to gouerne vs. So then our life ought to be deare vnto vs in that respect: and when he sheweth himself an∣gry, our life must needs be bitter. For it is impossible that a man should not desire too bee fordon when he feeleth that: according as it is wri••ten that they shall say too the mountaynes, couer vs. Thus ye see to what point wee are come. And therfore let vs learne to find tast, first of all, in the goodnesse of our God, to the end that the rest of his benefits may be pleasant vnto vs, and that wee may finde sauor in them. I say let vs learne to tast the goodnesse of God: that is to say let vs not be so giuē to worldly things, as that our cheef marke should not be to say, let vs seeke to obey our God, and to submit our selues quietly vnder his hand. Yee see then, what we must desire. Haue wee so do one? whensoeuer we inioy the benefits that he giueth vs, whither it be in eating and drincking, or in the rest of our life: let our reioycing be in suche wise, as it may bee wholly referred too the acknowledging of the fatherly goodnesse of our God, too say, behold God doeth well shewe the care which he hath of our welfare, seing he voutsafeth to feede our wretched bodies. Behold, they be but deade carkases, and yet God voutsafeth to nourishe them. Yee see then that it behoueth vs to eate and drinck in such sorte, as wee may thinke continually vpon the goodnesse of our God. Furthermore when all things be out of tast with vs, and that we be so ouerpressed with an∣guishe as our very life is hatefull too vs: let vs consider from whence the same proceedeth. And that is bycause God hath hidden his cōtenaunce from vs, & we feele no more his fatherly goodnesse which should make vs too
sinde tast and sauoure in all his benefites. So then if wee mourne and bee in perplexitie and anguishe, let vs praye God to make vs feele his goodnesse whiche as yet is vn∣knowne to vs. And when we feele that, let it serue vs not only to take breth by, and to set vs in rest: but also to re∣store vs in such wise, that wheras we were vtterly disma∣yed afore, we may gather newe courage and come againe to the floure of our age, according at it it sayde heere by∣andby after. Thus ye see what we haue to beare in mynd. To be short, it is sayd that the flesh of a man shall waste a∣waye, [ 10] so as it can not bee sayde any more that he is aliue. Now if it be so that we must be brought as it were to no∣thing, and that God doth vtterly disfigure vs: let vs loke to arme oureselues with pacience, and not enter into dis∣putation, although we come to the sayde extrametie. And why? For it is sayd that God hādleth the chosen after that sort. Here is no speaking of those whom he intendeth to ouerthrowe and destroy, but of those whome he hath or∣deyned to saluation, which are in his hand, and whome he guideth. Euen those doth hee disfigure in suche wise, as a [ 20] man would take them to be vtterly forlorn. Seing it is so, let vs pray him, that although we become like as dead mē, yethe wil kepe our life hiddē in his hand. And very need∣full it is that he should do so. For although all men be not afflicted so roughly as Eliu speaketh of here, and that God vse not such rigour but wher he listeth: yet notwithstand∣ding generally it behoueth our life to be as it were a kind and shape of deathe as Sainct paule sayth. And as wee see that in winter time the trees haue nother floures nor leaues, nor any freshnesse in them, but their life is drawne [ 30] into them. Euen so must our life bee hidden in the hande of God. And when we haue done him the honour to put him in trust with it, we shall finde in the end, that he hath bene a good and faythfull keeper of it. And therefore if it please him to bring vs to such an afterdeale for a time, as we shall perceiue no token of his fauour, but shall seeme to be quite alienated from him: let vs tary his leysure, and mourne til he giue vs again the cherefulnesse that is spo∣ken of here. Now after that Eliu hath treated of the affli∣ctions whiche God sendeth to the faythfull, and shewed [ 40] that they must first bee cast downe before God set them vp: hee addeth that when God intendeth to make them feele his goodnesse and fauor, he vseth his word towards them. Heere yee see the meane whereby God quickneth those which bee as it were alienated from him: that is to wit, he sendeth them such a messenger as is hardly to be foūd amongest a thousande, and he shall bring him a message of rightuousnesse, [that is to wit] he bringeth him word that God iustifieth the sinner, & receiueth and accepteth him into his fauor Yee see then after what sort we be restored [ 50] when we haue bin as good as dead. And here is a goodly and excellent sentence, too shewe vs that when God sen∣deth vs tydings of his goodnesse, and that his promises are declared vnto vs: it is al one if he reached vs his hand to drawe vs out of our graue. VVhat would we more? So then let vs marke well howe it is sayde heere, that a man shall gather newe strength if he haue assurance of Gods goodnesse. And howe so? For as I haue sayde alreadie, our Lorde hath giuen that propertie to his Gospell, that by giuing eare too the promises that are conteyned in it, [ 60] wee take comforte in him, and are assured that hee cal∣leth vs to him. Truely this is hard for men to do: For of all the battels that wee haue to fyght againste the temp∣tations of ourflesh, the greatest battell is against vnbeleef: and specially when we feele any of Gods chastizementes, then bee wee as it were in darknesse, in so much that oure sorowe dimmeth our eyes, and although Gods promises be set afore vs, yet notwithstanding we can not apply thē to our vse, but there seemeth alwayes to be somewhat be∣twixt vs and them, and that they belong not to vs. Lo in what plight we be: and euery of vs ought to feele it by his owne experience. Vndoubtedly Sathan commeth to in∣termedle himselfe in that cace. True it is that we will not denie Gods promises: but wee will stande as it were in a mammering and say, I heare well this promise, which is so goodly a one as it ought to cheere vp a whole world. But what for that? I linger still in vayne, bycause I perceiue not that the same ought to pertayne vnto mee. So much the more therfore ought we to marke well what is sayde here: namely that when god sendeth vs a man which cer∣tifieth vs of his goodnesse, it is all one as if hee reached vs his hand and sayde vnto vs. Lo here I am, hitherto I haue afflicted you: and although the same hath bin with great rigoure, yet haue I not done it as a iudge that intended to punish your misdeeds according as you deserued, but as a Phisition too heale you. True it is that you felte it not at the first, I was fayne to vse searing, corzying, searching of the bones, and other verie violent remedies: but in the meane whyle I procured your health by it: and therfore consider you of this my goodnesse. Thus yeesee that when so euer God giueth vs the holie Scripture into our hande, and we finde there any promise of his mercie, or if hee sende vs a man that is able to warrant vs the forgiue∣nesse of our sinnes: it behoueth vs to conclude thus: how soeuer the word go, my God will pitie mee, and indeede he sheweth it by sending me this recorde, and specially by this benefite, that the Gospell is preached vnto vs. For we knowe that the vse of preaching is to vnbind vs vpon the earth to the intent we should be vnbound in heauen. The chief ende for which God will haue his worde ministred vnto vs, is that for as much as we are hild prisoners vnder euerlasting damnation: those that are ordeyned too bee ministers of Gods worde, should vnbinde vs and release oure sinnes, that is to saye, warrant and beare witnesse vn∣to vs of it. VVee knowe it is the peculiar office of God to forgiue sinnes: It belongeth not to men: but our Lord Iesus Christe ment to expresse the power and workeful∣nesse that is in preaching, by saying that therethroughe our sinnes are forgiuen vs, yea euen by mortall men. And that is the cause why Saincte Paule sayeth expresly that the message whiche is committed vnto vs is the message of attonement or reconciliation. Then if we be in a Chri∣stian church, and the Gospel be preached there purely: let vs bee sure that God hath committed the keeping of the keyes of the heauenly kingdome, vnto the men that doe so beare abroade his word. And to what purpose? To the end to open vs the gate of saluation. Let vs assure our sel∣ues that hee hath giuen them authoritie too breake oure bands according as it was foretold by the Prophete Esay, that lesus Christ should bee sent to preache deliueraunce to poore prisoners. Hee hath not done this in his owne person onely accomplishing the sayde promise: but hee
doeth it still also dayly by his ministers. True it is that Ie∣sns Christe is the partie that hathe let vs looce from the bondage of sinne and euerlasting damnation, wherein we were by nature: But yet hath hee committed the same charge to all she peherdes of his Church. Ye see then that the thing whiche wee haue to beare in mynde when Eliu sheweth vs the meane wherby God restored those whom hee had sent as it were vnto hell, and which were as good as drowned: is that he sendeth them a messanger that is a∣ble to warrant them rightuousnesse. And he speaketh pur∣posely [ 10] of ryghtuousnesse, not bycause those whiche ought to comforte vs shoulde vse flatteries too make vs beleeue that wee bee ryghtuous, and preache vnto vs oure owne vertues and merites: no: but the rightuousnesse which he speaketh of heere, is that God is made at one with vs, And howe is that? Bycause he imputeth not oure sinnes any more vnto vs. Then are we rightuous, not in our sel∣ues nor through our owne vertues, but bicause it pleaseth God to forgiue vs. And it is a poynt which wee ought to marke well. For when the world seeketh ryghtuousnesse, [ 20] it is by bringing mens own deserts vnto God, and it ima∣gineth that although they haue done amisse, yet they are able to make him some amendes. Behold thee common vse or rather abuse wherewith men deceyue themselues. For if they bee combered with any heartgreefe, by fee∣ling the vengeance of God, they fall to considering with them selues: Howe nowe? Haue I not liued well? Haue I not serued God as I ought to doe? And though I haue committed some fault: is ther not some meanes to recō∣pence it withall? Yes. And I haue done this and that. Be∣hold [ 30] I say howe men would euer put some barre in Gods way, to the end he should haue no vantage of them. Thus seeke they their rightuousnesse in their owne merits. But when God intendeth to giue vs a rightuousnesse where∣by we may stande before him, he vseth a contrarie kynde of speach, which is: that he admitteth vs and accepteth vs for ryghtuouse by couering oure sinnes. VVhere on then shall our ryghtuousnesse rest? On the free mercie of our God, bycause that when hee hath once scoured awaye oure spots with the bloud of his sonne, and discharged vs [ 40] from death and damnation by the raunsome which oure Lord Iesus Christ payde vpon the Crosse, he wipeth oute our sinnes, and layeth not oure offences to oure charge. Thus the ryghtuousnesse which is preached vntoo vs by Gods messengers, is that wee be iustified or accepted for ryghtuous. And it is not without cause that the holye scripture vseth continually the word iustifie. It might wel sayd that we finde fauour or grace when God pardoneth vs, according also as it is often said so: but the holieghoste thought it not ynough to vse such words. And why? For [ 50] so long as wee bee sinners, God muste needes hate vs: wee knowe that hee is the welspring of ryghtuousnesse, and there is no agreeument betwene him and vnryghtu∣ousnesse. Therefore so long as we be sinners, we be lothly in Gods sight, and hee must needes reiect vs: and (to bee short) we haue no enteraunce vnto God, till wee bee iust and ryghtuous. Nowe then, howe become we rightuous? It is bycause God regardeth not oure sinnes, but buryeth them and hydeth them, and clenseth vs from them. So then our sinnes are wiped out in the death and passion of [ 60] our Lord Iesus Christ, in so much that wee bee taken for ryghtuous, and God findeth no more fault with vs, when he accepteth vs after that sort for his sonnes sake. This is the ryghtuhusnesse that is spoken of in this strayne. Fur∣thermore, whereas it is sayde expresly, that the messenger which recomforteth vs, is one among a thousande: It is to make vs set the more store by the benefyte, whereof wee sildome make account: that is to wit, of the meane of our attonement or reconciliation. Then is it declared, that the same is no base nor common thing. It can not at all times be stumbled vpon that we should haue a man sente of God to warrant our saluation, or to bee the meane of oure attonement with him: and therefore it is no suche thing that wee shoulde cast it vnder our feete. And that is the cause, why the Prophete Esay sayth: how beutifull are the feete of them that bring glad tydings of peace? Nowe by the feete the Prophet meeneth their comming and presence, as if hee shoulde say, if the worlde knewe what a benefite it is when God declareth his mercie vnto it, it would loue and esteeme those that preache the Gos∣pell, and it would acknowledge that God hath commit∣ted suche a treasure vntoo them, as surmounteth all the goods that we can wishe. Sainct Paule also alledging the same text, applyeth it to shewe that the preaching of the Gospell is a singular gifte of God. Then let vs not thinke that the same commeth of men: but let vs be fully assu∣red and resolued, that God seeketh vs when his Gospell is preached vnto vs. God must bee the builder thereof, such goodnesse must proceed from him: and therefore if wee father it vpon men, it is too great an vnkyndnesse. VVherefore let vs beware that wee deface not the good∣nesse of God: and when the Church is in such order that we haue preaching and all other things: let vs assure our selues, that it is all one, as if God came to seke vs, to bring vs to saluation. And there withall let vs knowe, that hee granteth not that grace and priuiledge to al men. In good soth ther are countries which we esteeme, and also (to the worldward) are to be more esteemed than we: which yet notwithstanding haue not the message of saluation. Let a man go through the whole world, let him serch al natiōs, yea euen those which haue bene most excellent in times past, let them go seeke in Greece where al sciences of the world were inclosed, as it seemed: let him go into Italie, into Fraunce which now is in some estimation, or let him go into Spaine: And what shall hee finde, but vtter deso∣lation? For there, not onely those which ought to be the messengers of saluation are vtterly dumme, but (whiche worse is) yee shall heare mastie dogges barking oute blas∣phemies againste God, and yee shall see wretched soules led too destruction, and the Diuell hunting euerie where after his praye. For vndoubtedly looke howe manye preachers goe vp into their Pulpits, so many dogges are there to hunt and fetche in the game, and too bring it in∣to Sathans toyles, that the wretched soules maye goe to damnation. But heere wee haue Gods promises prea∣ched vnto vs, to leade vs to saluation. Therefore wee see it is not without cause sayde, that a faythfull messenger of Gods grace, is an odde man among a thousande, and so rare a benefite, as wee ought too esteeme hyghly. Howe be it this is not sayde to make vs esteeme the per∣sons, but to make vs to receyue the benefite which is mi∣nistered vntoo vs by them with the greater reuerence,
that is to say to make vs receyue the grace of God, for so much as it pleaseth him to drawe vs to him, and to iustifie vs of his fatherly loue, shewing vs that although wee bee wretched and miserable, and that there bee nothing in vs but deathe and damnation, yet hee will not leaue vs there, but deliuer vs by the meane of oure Lorde Iesus Christe.
Nowe let vs fall downe before the face of oure good God, praying him so to make vs feele our faultes, as wee may mortifie all our lustes more and more, and bee with∣drawn from the corruptions of this world, and frame our selues to seeke vnto him: and that for as much as in this mortal life we be subiect to much wretch ednesse and mi∣serie: It may please him to reach vs his hand from aboue too deliuer vs from them, after hee hath once taken vs from the gulfe of death. That it may please him to graunt this grace not onely to vs, but also to all people and naci∣ons of the earth, &c.