PAR. 11.
THe Apostles were forbid to be called Rabbi, or Master, and the reason is an∣nexed; For one is your Master, even Christ, Matth. 23.8.
The title Rabbi, is held to be given to them, who tooke their Masters degree, in the Babylonian Academies; and Rabbi, to them, who were declared to be wise men by imposition of hands in Israel. Be not ye called so; Christ forbids not honour to be given to the Magistrate, or to the Doctors, but he would not have them am∣bitious of it, and dislikes ambition. So Beza on the place, assisted by Augustine, and Erasmus; and indeede, he would have his Apostles to be unlike, or rather contra∣ry to the ambitious affection, of worship, and honour, and high places, and titles, which ungraciously reigned in the proud hearts of the Pharisees.
Concerning the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Lord, it hath beene ascribed to men, both in the Old, and New Testament, Exod. 33.22. Let not the anger of my Lord waxe hot, saith Aaron to Moses. And Sarah called Abraham Lord, as is witnessed, 1 Pet. 3.6. Like∣wise in the Testament of Grace, the Grecians said unto Philip, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Joh. 12.21. Lord, we would see Christ. Yet these men not affecting or desiring that great attribute were called so without sinne, and the other did without sinne call them so.
But as the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, signifieth, or expresseth that great, most proper name of God, Iehovah: so may no man give to man; nor man accept from man, the title 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Lord; for God alone is the onely Lord; absolute, perfect, supreame, a Lord paramount, of things that are not, as well as of things that are. Man is no other at his best, than a petty, diminitive Lord; a Lord needing these things, of which hee is Lord; a Lord of a little, or no time, a weake Lord, who cannot command a disease, to goe from his owne body; nor so much as a tree of his to grow. A Lord by com∣munication, partitipation A Lord that must give account as an Vsu-fructuary, to an higher Lord; and so a little Lord in small matters; a great servant to the grea∣test Lord: indeede not so much a Lord, as a slave to his passions. Christ, as hee is God, is Lord; and as God and Lord is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Ioh. 21.15. Lord, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; Thou knowest that I love thee, saith S. Peter; yea, Iudas himselfe questioning, Is it I Lord? tacitely confesseth him to be God, that could search the reynes, and judge truely of the thoughts of men. S. Thomas divinely confesseth both in one, Ioh. 20.28. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, My Lord, and my God; and they all said well herein, for Christ is our Master, our Lord, yea, our Lord God.