LECTƲRE XXIX.

IT remaineth now that we proceed from the description of Christ his humility, vnto the description of his exaltation into glorie after his humiliation here on earth, set downe in these words:

Wherefore God hath also, &c.] In which words the Apostle 1. in gene∣rall setteth downe Christ his exaltation into glory as a consequent, or effect following his humiliati∣on, Page  333 and obedience vnto the death, when he saith, Wherefore •od hath also &c. Him, euen Iesus who was crucified, him •ath God raised vnto life, set him at his right hand, and made •im both Lord, and Christ. 2. The Apostle setteth downe a •ore particular specification, and explication of Christ his ex∣••tation into glorie, 1. when he saith, and giuen him a name, &c. Whereby is meant, that God hauing raised him from the •ead hath giuen him such maiestie, and glorie in the heauenly •aces, that he hath appointed him Lord ouer all things, and •ade him head vnto the Church, which is his body. 2. When •e saith, that at the name, &c. Whereby is meant, that God •ath made all things subiect vnder his feete, and that all crea∣•res shall confesse that Iesus Christ is the Lord vnto the glo∣••e of God the Father. It is then as if the Apostle had thus ••d: Christ when he was God humbled himselfe to be man, •nd being God and man he humbled himselfe, and became o∣•edient vnto the death for vs; therefore God hath highly ex∣•lted him that thus humbled himselfe, and hath crowned him •n the heauenly places with glory and honour farre aboue all •rincipalitie, and power, and might, and domination, and e∣•ery name that is named; so that all creatures now doe, and •hall cast downe their crownes, and fall downe before him, •nd say, praise, and honour, and glorie be vnto him that set∣•eth vpon the throne, and vnto the lambe for euermore. And •et this be spoken touching the order, and the meaning of •hese words in generall. Now let vs a little looke vnto the •enerall scope of them, and see what lessons we may learne •rom them.

Wherefore God hath &c.] The generall scope and drift of •he Apostle in these 3. verses is, by the consequent and good •nto which God giueth vnto humility, further to perswade vs •nto humilitie, and lowlinesse of minde, that so if the exam∣•le of Christ his humiliation cannot preuaile with vs, to moue vs vnto humilitie, yet the excellencie of that dignity where∣•nto he was exalted after, and for his great humility may per∣•wade vs thereunto. Whence I gather these three obseruati∣•ns for our instruction.

1. Hence I note the gracious goodnesse of our mercifull Page  334 God, who seeketh euery way to win vs vnto that which he re∣quireth of vs. Somtimes he threatneth, that so for feare of 〈◊〉 iudgments we may walk in the law that he hath appointed for vs: sometimes he punisheth, for that in our affliction we see•• him diligently as the Prophet Hosea speaketh, & somtimes 〈◊〉 promiseth,* that by his promises we may be partakers of the d•∣uine nature, as Peter speaks. 1. that so we may be drawn from the corruptions which are in the world through lust, as the same Apostle there expoundeth himself. In this place hauing press•• vs with the example of Christ his humiliation vnto humility, he setteth downe the excellencie of that dignitie whereunto Christ was exalted after his humiliation, that so seeing the re∣ward, or at least the consequence which followeth humilitie we may embrace this holy vertue which hee requireth of vs. A man would haue thought that this should haue beene enough to perswade vs, to set before vs the example of Christ Iesus. And we when we haue vsed any reason to such, or such pur∣pose, we thinke we haue done well, and bidde him whom we speake vnto looke to the afterclappes if he hearken not vnto vs. But such is the mercy of our good God, that hee leaues not with a little, but he heapeth reason vpon reason, and ad∣deth motiue vnto motiue, and rather then he will not preuaile with vs, he will doe with vs as we do with little children, by most great and precious promises hee will perswade vs vnto that he requireth of vs. O let vs take heede how we hearke• not vnto the voice of so good and gracious a God!

2. Hence I note the dulnesse of our mindes vnto euery good motion of the spirit, vnlesse the Lord doe, as it were draw vs with the cords of loue, and euen force vs by multi∣plying his mercies towards vs. There must be precept vnto precept, line vnto line, reason vnto reason, and after all this promise, or hope of reward, or else bee the motion neuer so good, yet we will not hearken vnto it. Vnto pride and vaine-glory, vnto contention and oppressing one of an other wee runne apace, and neede no spurre to set vs forward, nay not any reason here shall rule vs, but runne we will after our owne vnbridled affections. But to preuaile with vs, to put on ten∣der mercie, kindnesse, meeknesse, humblenesse of minde; to Page  335 perswade vs to be curteous one vnto an other, and to submit ••r selues one vnto an other there must be exhortation vpon ••hortation, the example of Christ Iesus must be proposed ••to vs, and besides all this there must bee certaine hope of ••ory after humility, and well if all this can perswade vs vnto ••mblenesse and lowlinesse of minde: Such is our backward∣••sse, and so slow are wee to hearken vnto the things that be∣•ng vnto our peace. We should loue our God, euen for him∣•••fe, because he is good and goodnesse it selfe; wee should ••epe his commandements, because they are his, and good ••d righteous altogether; we should embrace humilitie, be∣••use we should be conformable to the image of Christ Iesus. •ut to stirre vp our slacknes, and dulnesse vnto these, and the ••e duties he hath giuen vs most great and precious promises, ••d assured vs that the performance of these duties shall not 〈◊〉 in vaine in the Lord. Let vs not still harden our hearts as 〈◊〉 the day of slaughter, let vs not still stoppe our eares at the ••ice of the Charmer charme hee neuer so wisely; but if no∣••ing else will preuaile with vs, yet let his promises perswade • vnto our duties, and let the sure hope of glory stirre vs vp •nto humility.

3. Hence I note, that the high-way to be exalted into glo∣•y, is to decke our selues inwardly with lowlinesse of minde. Which is not only prooued by this example of our Sauiour, ••e consequent of whose humility was an eternall weight of •lory, as here we see, but by many other places of Scripture •oe. Our Sauiour Christ saith, Whosoeuer exalteth himselfe ••all be brought lowe, and whosoeuer humbleth himselfe shall be ex∣•lted. Salomon saith, the reward of humility, and the feare of God,* ••riches, and glorie, and life. And in an other place, the feare of •he Lord, is the instruction of wisedome,* and before honour goeth •umilitie. The reason is giuen by the same Salomon in an other •rouerbe, where hee thus saith,* with the scornefull the Lord •corneth, but he giueth grace vnto the humble: which the Apostles Paul, Peter, and Iames doth thus read, God resisteth the proud, •nd giueth grace to the humble. How humble and lowly min∣••led Dauid, and Salomon were the Scriptures do witnesse, as al∣•o how high the Lord exalted the throne of their glorie. The Page  336 like might be said of many others mentioned in holy Scrip∣tures, which I willingly now passe ouer, because I haue her•∣tofore pressed this point. Only in a word with Saint Iames, • exhort you to cast your selues downe before the Lord, and hee sha•• lift you vp.* The pride of a man shall bring him lowe, but the humble in spirit shall enioy glory. Swell not therefore with pride one a∣gainst an other whatsoeuer blessings you haue of wisedome wealth, or honour one aboue an other. Let nothing be don• among you through contention or vaine-glory, but let euery man in meeknes of mind esteem other better then himselfe: 〈◊〉 the same mind be in you that was in Christ Iesus, & this know for a surety that as here in Christ he was first humbled & ther exalted,* so before glory goeth lowlinesse & humilitie. And le this suffice to be obserued out of the originall scope and dr•• of the Apostle in these words. Now let vs a little more neerly look into them, and see what further vse we may make of them and first of these where the Apostle setteth downe in genera• Christ his exaltation into glory, saying:

Wherefore God hath &c.] In which words I obserue 1. The cause of his exaltation, or rather the sequell of his crosse 2. Who exalted him. 3. In what sense he is said to haue h•• exalted. Touching the first, the word, wherefore, here vsed may either signifie a cause, or a consequence; so that we may vnderstand the Apostle either thus, that because Christ th•• humbled himselfe, and became obedient vnto the death, e∣uen the death of the crosse, therefore God highly exalted him: or thus, that Christ first humbled himselfe, and tasted of the sorrowes of death for vs, and afterwards God highly ex∣alted him. After this latter sort doth the Apostle speake where he saith,* that Christ was made a little inferiour to the An∣gells to the end that he might suffer death, and so was crowned with glory and honour. After this sort also doth Christ himselfe speak vnto the two Disciples which were going toward Emma••, saying,* ought not Christ to haue suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? In both which places, the Apostle, and our Sa∣uiour himselfe speaketh of his crowne of glory and honour as a consequent of his crosse, not as caused by the crosse, as fol∣lowing his crosse, but not as merited by his crosse. And if we Page  337 follow this sense, hence wee may gather this very profitable •sson, that if wee desire to raigne with Christ in glory, then •ust wee be content to beare his crosse in this life, and with •m to suffer affliction in this vale of miserie.* He first drunke the brooke in the way, as the Prophet speaketh, and then hee •t vp his head: first hee had his crosse, and then his crowne; •st hee did weare a crowne of thornes, and then a crowne of •ory. So wee if wee will be made like vnto his image, wee •ust suffer with him, that wee may bee glorified with him; •ee must through our sufferings and crosses be driuen euen shed teares, if wee will haue all teares wiped from our eyes. •e disciple is not aboue his master, nor the seruant aboue his Lord. • hee hath chalked the way, so must we walke, euen through •flictions and troubles, through sorrowes and crosses, vnto •at inheritance immortall and vndefiled, reserued in heauen •r vs.

Let not then thy soule be troubled or cast downe at what∣euer trouble, sorrow, need, sicknesse, crosse or persecution. •et not losse of goods, losse of friends, the reproaches of the •cked, the contempt of the world, the miserie of thy life, or the maner of euill things which can be said or done against •ee for Christ his sake, trouble or dismay thee. Nay in the •iddest of all thy crosses and afflictions, comfort thy selfe •th these things: First, afflictions and troubles are that strait •d narrow way which leadeth vnto life,* for we must through •any afflictions enter into the kingdoms of God. Secondly, by •r sufferings and afflictions we are made like vnto the image Christ, who being the Prince of our saluation, was conse∣•ated through afflictions. Thirdly, by crosses and aduersi∣•s we are brought to acknowledge our sinnes vnto the Lord, •d to reforme the wickednesse of our wayes. And therefore •auid said, It is good for mee that I haue beene in trouble,* that I •ght learne thy statutes: and againe he saith, Before I was trou∣•ed, I went wrong, but now I keepe thy word. And the Lord by •sea saith, In their afflictions they will seeke mee diligently. •urthly, in all our afflictions Christ suffereth with vs: and •erefore Paul calleth his afflictions which he suffered by sea land, of friends or enemies, in body or in spirit, the afflicti∣ons Page  338 of Christ. In euery crosse he suffereth with vs, and euery crosse sealeth his loue vnto vs. Lastly, our afflictions are b•• for a little while, and after them is glory for euer; as it is wr•∣ten, Heauinesse may endure for a night, but ioy commeth in the morning. Why art thou then so sad, O thou distressed soule, and why doe thoughts arise in thine heart? Comfort thy selfe in this, that thine afflictions conforme thee vnto Christ his image, and set thee in the plaine and right way to saluation and glory. Thou art chastised of the Lord, but because th•• shouldest not be condemned with the world; thou lamente• and weepest, but that Christ may wipe all teares from thi•e eyes; thou diest with Christ, but it is that thou maist liue for euer; thou here eatest the bread of teares, and drinkest the water of affliction, but the Lord hath reserued for thee li•• and ioy for euermore:* for it is a true saying, If wee bee de•• with Christ, we shall also liue with him; and if we suffer with Christ wee shall also raigne with him. And let this suffice to be not• from this sense.

Now if wee follow the other sense, and vnderstand the Apostle thus, that because Christ humbled himselfe, and bec••• obedient vnto the death, euen the death of the Crosse, therefore God hath highly exalted him, then wee are further hence 〈◊〉 note, that Christ his exaltation into glory for vs, was not only a consequent of his death and passion, but his death and p••∣sion was a cause of his exaltation into glory for vs; so that by his death and passion he deserued exaltation into glory. I do• not here dispute the question, which commonly hence is mo∣ued, whether Christ by his death and passion deserued this ex∣altation into glory for himselfe, or onely for vs. The whol• tenor of the Scripture running thus, that Christ became m•• for vs, fulfilled the Law for vs, was tempted for vs, was clothe• with infirmities for vs, tasted of sorrowes for vs, made hi• soule an offering for vs, died for vs, rose againe for vs, an• whatsoeuer he did, did all for vs; I vnderstand the Apostl• thus, that by his death and passion hee merited and deser•e• exaltation into glory for vs. My obseruation then hence i•, that by the merits of Christ his death and passion is purcha∣sed saluation and glory to all them that obey him: for by 〈◊〉Page  339 bloud hath hee obtained eternall redemption for vs,* and entred in •ce into the holy place, that is, into heauen for vs. Yea euen by •he merits of his death doe wee pleade and sue for that inheri∣••nce, immortall and vndefiled, reserued in heauen for vs. A •riuiledge only proper vnto Christ, that by his sufferings hee •ould merit at all, either for himselfe, or for others. For of all •ur afflictions and sufferings, that is to be said which Paul saith •f his afflictions:* I account (saith hee) that the afflictions of this •resent time are not worthy of the glory which shall be shewed vnto •. Where the Apostle plainly renounceth all merit of life •nd glory vnto his sufferings and afflictions. And our Sauiour •hrist likewise plainly telleth vs, that when wee haue done all •hat wee can, euen all that is commanded vs, wee must say, •ee are vnprofitable seruants,* wee haue done onely that which •as our dutie to doe. If when wee haue done all that we can, •ee are vnprofitable seruants, if when wee haue done all that commanded vs, wee haue only done our dutie, then what •aime can wee make by merit or desert? Nay if wee looke •nto our merits, wee shall finde that eternall life is the gift of •od through Iesus Christ, and that wee haue onely deserued •eath and euerlasting condemnation.* For whosoeuer keepeth •e whole Law, and yet faileth in one point, he is guiltie of all, and •f the condemnation due to the breach of them all. Now cer∣•ine it is, that in many things wee offend all, and that our best ••ghteousnesse is but as the menstruous clothes of a woman, •uen the best thing that wee doe is stained with sinne, and full •f vnrighteousnesse: so that if wee stand vpon our owne me∣•ts, wee see wee must needs perish all. Wee must then flie •rom our selues, and renouncing our owne merits, rest our •elues wholly & only on the merits of Christ Iesus, by whose •eath and passion wee haue an entrance into glory. For his •assion being the passion of the Sonne of God, was both a •ll satisfaction vnto Gods iustice for vs, and worthily deser∣•ed the glory which hee hath purchased for vs, and giuen •nto vs. And let this bee spoken touching the sequele of Christ his passion, or the cause of his exaltation into glory. •t followeth:

Wherefore God &c.] The second thing which hence I ob∣serued, Page  340 was, who exalted him, and that is here set downe, when it is said, God hath highly exalted him. Christ then ha∣uing humbled himselfe, and beene obedient euen vnto the death, God euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ raised him from the dead, and set him at his right hand in the hea∣uenly places.* So Dauid had said long before, saying, Th•• shalt not leaue my soule in graue, neither shalt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption. Which Peter auoucheth to be spoken of God raising vp Iesus from the dead: To this likewise giue all the Scriptures witnesse, that God raised vp Iesus our Lord from the dead: the Father by the Sonne, and the Sonne by the eternall Spirit that was within him. Here then is our comfort, that he who hath loosed the sorrowes of Christ his death, and raised him vp by his power, will also giue a good end vnto all our troubles, and raise vs vp also by Iesus, and set vs with him Many are the troubles of the righteous,* but the Lord deliuereth him out of all. And if it be so, that thou see not the fruit of this promise in this life, but goest to thy graue in mourning vnde• the crosse, yet know this, that hee which hath raised vp the Lord Iesus, shall raise thee vp also by Iesus, and set thee with him, and there wipe all teares from thine eyes, and couer thee with the garment of gladnesse. But withall let mee giue you this caueat;* Let none of you suffer as a murtherer, or as a theefe, or as an euill do•r, or as a busie body in other mens matters: But if any man suffer as a Christian, pouertie, sicknesse, persecution, imprisonment, or what crosse else soeuer, let him not be ashame•, but let him glorifie God in this behalfe. For Christ hath also suf∣fered once for sinnes, the iust for the vniust, that hee might bring vs vnto God, and God for our momentanie and light afflictions in that day will giue vs an eternall weight of glory. Wherefore, as the Apostle doth, so I exhort you, Let him that suffereth,* what crosse soeuer it be, according to the will of God, commit his soule to God in well-doing, as vnto a faithfull Creator, and hee that loosed the sorrowes of death from Christ, shall giue in his good time a good end to all his troubles. And thus much touching the second point, to wit, who exalted him. It followeth:

Wherefore God hath also highly exalted him.] Where wee are Page  341 to see in what sense Christ is said to haue beene exalted, and not onely so, but highly exalted, which was the third thing which I proposed hence to be obserued. 1. Therefore Christ was exalted, when he was raised from the dead, when his bo∣die which was sowen in dishonor was raised vp in glory. 2. He was highly exalted, when ascending into heauen he was set in the heauenly places, farre aboue all principalitie and power, and might, and domination, and euery name that is named, not in this world onely, but also in that that is to come. Thus God exalted •nd highly exalted Christ Iesus whom the Iewes had crucified. Here then first we haue the testimonie of the Apostle for that •oint of our faith, the resurrection of Christ Iesus. He made his graue with the wicked, as the Prophet had prophesied. He was buried, and the pit had shut her mouth vpon him,* euen the •ombe of the earth had enclosed him in: but God the third day ex∣•lted him, raising him from the dead, and not suffering his body to •ee corruption. If I thought it needfull further to proue the re∣surrection of Christ Iesus vnto you, his sundry appearances •fter he rose againe from the dead, first vnto Marie Magdalen, •hen vnto the two Disciples that went to Emmaus, then to Pe∣•er, then to all the Disciples together, saue Thomas, then to all •he Disciples, then to moe then fiue hundreth brethren at •nce; these I say his manifold appearances, and many other •estimonies of holy scripture might at large proue the same •nto you. But my desire rather now is to lesson you in such •hings, as Christ his resurrection may teach vs.

First therefore the resurrection of Christ Iesus may put vs •n minde of this dutie, that as he was raised againe from the •raue wherein he lay dead vnto life, so we ought to rise from •he graues of sinne wherein we lie dead vnto newnesse and •olinesse of life. If yee be risen with Christ, saith the Apostle,* •hen seeke those things which are aboue: as if he should haue •id; Christ is risen from the dead, if yee be risen with him, •nd lie not still dead in your sinnes, then seeke those things •hich are aboue. Where yee see how the Apostle putteth •hem in minde of Christ his resurrection, so to awaken them •rom the dead sleepe of sinne vnto holinesse of life. More •laine to this purpose is that of the same Apostle, where he Page  342 thus saith;* We are buried with Christ by baptisme into his death, that like as Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also should walke in newnesse of life. In which words most plainely ye may see, how the Apostle presseth the similitude of Christ his resurrection to proue that we ought to walke in newnesse of life. But in this place most worthy our consideration it is, how the Apostle maketh Baptisme a resemblance of Christ his death, and resurrection, and so by an argument from our Baptisme proueth, that we ought to walke in newnesse of life. By baptisme, saith the Apostle, we are buried with Christ into his death, that at he died for sinne, so we by the power of his death should die vnto sinne: againe, in bap∣tisme we are baptized into Christ his resurrection, that as he was raised againe from death vnto life, so we should rise from sinne wherein we are dead vnto newnesse and holinesse of life. Want yee then motiues to perswade you vnto newnesse of life? Behold Christ is risen againe, behold we are baptized into Christ his death, and resurrection, therefore we ought to walke in newnesse of life. Art thou then a Christian, and y•• wantest thou proofe that thou oughtest to walke in newnesse of life? Looke backe into thy Baptisme. Wast thou not there visibly receiued into the Church of Christ, and commu∣nion of Gods saints? Wast thou not there sacramentally a∣dopted into the number of the sonnes of God? Was not there thy name registred amongst the children of the most high? Diddest thou not there receiue presse money to fight vnder the banner of Christ Iesus? Diddest thou not there promise vnto the Lord thy God in the congregation of his Saints to forsake the world, the flesh, the Deuill? Did not thy God there make a couenant with thee, that he would be thy God, and thou againe with him that thou wouldest be his childe? Wast thou not there sacramentally borne againe of water and of the spirit, as at the first thou wast naturally borne of flesh and of bloud? In a word, wast thou not baptized in∣to Christ Iesus, euen into Christ Iesus dead, and risen againe from the dead? Wast thou not baptized into Christ his death that thou mightest die vnto sinne? Wast thou not baptize• into his resurrection, that thou mightest liue vnto God? Ye• Page  343 men and brethren, if you looke backe into your baptisme yee •hall finde euery of these things true in euery one of you. And •herefore we bring litle children to be baptized, that here they may receiue the seale of that great couenant whereby God is •heir God, and they his people, that here they may be visibly •eceiued into the Church, adopted into the sonnes of God, •egistred amongst his children, and receiue as it were presse-money to fight vnder the banner of Christ Iesus against the world, the flesh, and the Deuill; that here they may be bapti∣•ed into Christ Iesus, euen into the death and resurrection of Christ Iesus. And want we yet a sufficient reason to perswade •s vnto newnesse and holinesse of life? Surely we want no •ufficient reason to perswade vs, but yet this reason is not suffi∣•ient to perswade vs and preuaile with vs. The Ministers of God may lift vp their voices, and cry daily,* Awake thou that •eepest, and stand vp from the dead, and Christ shall giue thee life: They may cry till their hearts bleede within their bodies; nay •hey may cry till the breath goe out of their bodies, Know yee •ot that all yee that are baptized are baptized into Christ his death, and into Christ his resurrection, that yee might die vnto sinne •nd liue vnto God? But who doth heare? Whose hearts are •o pricked that they cry, Men and brethren what shall we doe? Sound a trumpet in a dead mans eares, he moues not, he •eares not. And surely so dead are we in our sinnes, that how •owde and often soeuer the trumpet of Gods voice sound vnto vs a retrait from sinne and wickednes vnto newnesse and •olinesse of life, yet we heare it not, we are not at all moued •herewith. O my brethren, the very meditation of our bap∣•isme with our selues, and the seeing of the same administred vnto others, should sufficiently preach vnto vs mortification •rom dead workes, and sanctification in holinesse of life: •specially baptisme being so notable a resemblance of Christ •is death and resurrection, as that it doth most liuely repre∣•ent vnto vs, 1. our remission of sins by the death of Christ, •n that our soules are so clensed by the spirit from the filthines •f sinne, euen as the filth of the bodie is washed with water. •. our regeneration and new birth by the power of his resur∣•ection, in that after the washing by the spirit wee rise againe Page  344 cleansed by the same spirit. Let these things, men and bre∣thren, sinke deepe into your soules. Let the meditation of your baptisme call to your remembrance the death, and re∣surrection of Christ, and let all these stirre you vp vnto ne•∣nesse and holinesse of life, that as he was exalted rising from death vnto life, so yee may be exalted rising out of your s••• to liue in righteousnes and true holinesse.

The second thing which Christ his resurrection may teach vs, is that our bodies also howsoeuer they be turned into du••, torne of beasts, or deuoured of fishes, yet shall rise againe at that day. For his resurrection is a most certaine and sure pledge of our resurrection; and therefore is he called, the first fruits of them that sleepe: because as in the first fruits which were offered by the law,* all the rest of the corne was sanctified so in Christ his resurrection we haue a most sure pledge of our resurrection. But yet this withall thou must note, that vnlesse thou haue part in the first resurrection, thou shalt neuer haue part in the second, .i. vnlesse thou first in this life rise from sinne in newnesse of life, thou shalt neuer rise againe after this life into glory, but onely vnto euerlasting condemnation which is called the second death. Vnto you therefore I say, as Paul spake to the Romanes, If the spirit of Christ that raised vp Iesus from the dead dwell in you,* then he that raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortall bodies. And by this yet know that the spirit of Christ dwelleth in you, if yee mortifie the deeds of the flesh by the spirit, and walke after the spirit i• newnesse and holinesse of life. O striue to haue your second resurrection into glory assured vnto you by your first resurre∣ction in newnesse of life. Blessed and holy is he that hath p•• in the first resurrection;* for on such the second death hath no pow••, such enter not into condemnation, but haue their part in the second resurrection.