because hee serueth him selfe with Princes tyrants and wicked Magistrates and vseth them that hee may by them punishe the vngodlinesse and vnthankefulnesse of his people Wherefore Isaiah speaketh excellently well That our iniquities haue made a diuision or separated betweene God and vs. Isaiah 59.2 And therefore when wee are afflicted and persecuted wee ought to confesse and acknowledge that God by that meane punishe vs as wee indeede haue rightly deserued it Yet all this notwithstanding wee haue to consider and weigh an other cause for which the worlde persecuteth vs whiche ought to be a great comfort vnto vs in the middest of our Crosse and Martyrdome For in the first place the worlde in persecuting vs looketh not to our sinnes but to that religion which wee make profession of which religion indeede the world reiecteth and persecuteth because it knoweth not the authour thereof and because it is altogether contrary to his maners and peruerse and wicked orders of life and conuersation euen as Iesus Christe hath foretolde the same and made his Disciples to see it Ioh. 3.19 20. when he said vnto them This is the condemnatioÌ„ that light is come into the world and men loued darknesse rather then the light because their deedes were euill For euery man that euill doth hateth the light neither commeth to light Iohn 15.20 21. least his deedes should bee reproued Also if they haue persecuted me they will persecute you also But all these thinges will they doe vnto you for my names sake because they haue not knowne him that sent me And againe Iohn 17.14 Father I haue given them thy word the world hath hated them because they are not of the world as I am not of the worlde Hereby we may see that the right and verie cause of the persecutioÌ„s of the church is the plaine profession of the trueth righteousnes worde of God as S. Paul saith That That all they whiche will liue in the feare of God or godly in Christe Iesus 2. Tim. 3.12 shall suffer persecution And also what shoulde bee our consolation and comforte in the middest of the crosse if this point were not Socrates The answere which Socrates made to his wife was very apt and fit for the purpose shee lamented because they put him to death wrongfully but hee beeing somewhat moued answered That it was better for him to die an innocent without cause than if he had offeÌ„ded But how much greater matter and iust cause haue wee of comfort and ioy seeing wee knowe that God of his vnspeakeable gentlenesse goodnesse mercy burying all our sins giueth vs ouer and leaueth vs but for a time to suffer vniust persecutions to the end that we bearing the Crosse with Iesus Christ shoulde communicate also and bee made partakers of glory with him The punishment Saint Augustine hath saide maketh not a Martyre but the cause August And the Diuell hath as well his witnesses and Martyrs as Iesus Christ hath his In former times there were Heretikes whiche bragged much and boasted wonderously vnder the shadow colour that men persecuted them And at this day the Anabaptists do in that behalfe the very selfe same thing yea and that so farre that by this meanes they account them selues blessed and happie But we must marke what the scripture saith Mat. 5.10 Blessed are they thus saieth Iesus Christe whiche suffer persecution for righteousnes sake for theirs is the kingdom of heaueÌ„ Luke 6.22 Blessed are you when men hate you wheÌ„ they separate you reuile you put out your names as euill for the sonne of maÌ„s sake If yee bee railed vpon for the name of Christ saith Saint Peter 1 Pet. 4. 14.15 â—6 Blessed are yee For the spirite of glory and of God resteth vpon you which on their part is euill spoken of but on your part is glorified But let none of you suffer as a murtherer or as a theefe or as an euill dooer or as a couetous person of other mens goods or as a busie bodie in other mens matters But if any man suffer as a Christian let him not bee ashamed but let him glorifie God in this behalfe And this is the marke or badge by which the scripture discerneth the Lordes true Martyres from others that suffer For the wicked men and vngodlye persons doe in deede suffer persecution but in the meane season it so falleth out that they cannot boast theÌ„ selues for all that to bee true Martyres neither by consequent that they are blessed for they suffer not for righteousnesse sake neither to maintaine Gods truth as doe the Martyres and witnesses of Iesus Christ Moreouer wee ought to marke that our good God sheweth vs great grace aduaunceth vs to singular honour when hee vouchsafeth vs meete and worthie to suffer any thing for his names sake when as he might very iustly if he would haue pursued vs with rigour nay if hee woulde haue proceeded against vs by iustice haue punished vs with all kindes and sortes of afflictions sending them to vs and laying the same vpon vs wherein he dealeth with vs as if a king should take from the Gibbet or Gallows some man who had rightly deserued to be bound thereto and hanged thereon and yet would set and appoint him among the chiefe Captaines of his orders that he might goe to warre and imploy him for the maintenance and defence of his crowne of his kingdom For who or what are wee Poore wormes of the earth dwelling heere in filthinesse and corruption and infected with so many spottes as nothing more than we yea wee are abhominable sinners who haue rightly deserued not onely by tyrantes in this life to bee persecuted in our goods and bodies but also to bee for euer lost drowned and swallowed vp in the Diuels possession in hell and yet notwithstanding that God hath vouchsaued vs worthie of this honour to vse our life and our death to withstande his enemies and to mainetaine and aduaunce his glorie by our Martirdome If wee had but so muche as one drop of good iudgement and were pushed on forwarde with as little right zeale as may bee to serue our God shoulde not this kindle and inflame vs in a singuler and wonderfull desire to imploy bestow our selues in the maintenance of his honour whatsoeuer assaultes should bee set before vs and to keepe our selues strong and stedfast in the middest of persecutions that we might suffer abide the same couragiously and chearfully for the name of Christ The ninth point What bee the endes which God respecteth and regardeth in the persecutions and afflictions of his Church and of his faithful people wherof wee will marke and put downe eight First that the glorie of God might bee aduaunced For it is said Prou. 16.4 The Lord hath made all thinges for his owne sake and glory yea euen the wicked for the day of euil When the Disciples asked Iesus Christ
Iesus Christ saith Luk. 10. 16. He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent mee And Saint Paule writing to the Corinthians declareth right well in what authority reuerence and account wee ought to haue the ministerie of the worde when he saith That GOD hath committed vnto the Pastors and ministers of the Church 2. Cor. 5.18 the embassage or ministerie of reconciliation And writing to the Thessalonians 1. Thess 2. 13 Wee thanke God without ceasing that when yee receiued of vs the word of the preaching of God yee receiued it not as the word of man but as it is indeede the word of God which also worketh in you that beleeue It is for the verie self same reason that speaking vnto the Romanes of the word preached by the ministers hee saith Rom. 8.18 That the Gospell is the power of God to saluation to all that beleeue And to the Corinthians that Though the worde or preaching of the crosse be to them that perish foolishnesse 1. Cor. 1 1â— yet it ceaseth not to be the power of God to vs which obtaine saluation Nowe the preaching of the word is so called by Saint Paule because it is the powerful and effectuall instrument which GOD vseth to saue vs. And for this cause it is called also by Isaiah Isa 53. 1. The arme of the Lorde In summe wee ought diligently to take heede to and to regard that which S. Paule saith vnto the Corinthians 1. Cor. 3 9â— We together are Gods labourers yee are Gods husbandrie and Gods building in so much that wee alwaies set before vs two things when the question or dispute shal be touching the ministerie that is to say on the one side the minister that shal speake and preach vnto vs and minister the Sacrament vnto vs and on the other side God who worketh inwardly in our hearts and indeed accomplisheth and fulfilleth in vs that which the minister speaketh vnto vs and doth outwardly represent and shew vnto vs. As we haue a notable example thereof in the 16. of the Acts where it is said Act. 16. 14. that as S. Paul preached the word of God to Lydia a seller of purple God was hee alone which opened her heart that shee attained vnto and vnderstoode the things which Paule spake CHAP XI Of the holinesse of the Church VVE haue seene and heard heretofore that the Church is the companie of faithfull people which is also called the communion or fellowship of the Saints holy ones The Church therfore is holy because it is compacted or made of Saints or holy ones But here wee must marke foure points The first is howe and in what sense wee are called Saints or holy ones it is not as the idiots or ignorant people vnderstande it who by Saintes meane none other but those which are alreadie dead and so canonised by the Pope or els the Priestes and Friers clad in white or blacke and girded with a rope But by saints wee vnderstande them who being elected from before all euerlastingnes of time are in their time that is to say in the time which God hath appointed them before the foundations of the worlde were laid sanctified by GOD through Iesus Christ and clothed with true faith Now such are all true Christians and faithfull people The seconde that it is not of our selues that wee are Saintes or holy ones Psa 51.5 c Gen. 8.21 neither of our owne nature for by our owne nature all wee are altogether corrupted and the children of wrath But wee are saints Rom. 8.6 c Ephe. 2.3 Ioh. 17.19 because Iesus Christe hath sanctified vs as hee him selfe saith in Saint Iohn For their sakes I sanctifie my selfe that they also may be sanctified through the truth Nowe hee hath sanctified vs by the vertue and power of his holy spirite which by reason of this effecte is called the spirite of sanctification Rom. 1.4 And this is that which Saint Paule meaneth when hee saith Ephe. 5.25.26.27 that Iesus Christe hath redeemed his Church and hath sanctified it that hee might make it vnto him selfe a glorious Church Nowe this sanctification of holinesse is brought to passe first by the imputation or account of Christes righteousnesse vnto vs for hee was giuen vnto vs by the Father 1. Cor. 1. to be our sanctification Secondly by the purging or cleansing of our filthinesses that is to say by the forgiuenesse of our sins in the blood of Iesus Christe as Saint Paule declareth it in the Corinthians when hee saith 1. Cor. 6.5.10.11 Bee not deceiued neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor wantons nor buggerers nor theeues nor couetous nor drunkards nor railers nor extortioners shall inherite the kingdome of God and such were some of you but yee are washed but yee are sanctified but yee are iustified in the name of the Lord Iesus and by the spirite of our God And indeede Saint Paule in an other place sheweth that filthinesse is opposed and set against sanctification and holynesse when he saith to the Romanes Rom. 6.19 As you haue giuen your members seruants to vncleannesse and iniquitie to commit iniquitie so now giue your members seruauntes vnto righteousnesse in holines Also to the Thessalonians 1. Thess 4. â— God hath not called vs vnto vncleannesse but vnto holinesse The thirde pointe is That the holinesse of the Churche is not at any time perfecte so long as shee trauelleth and fighteth in this worlde whiche maior I prooue thus First if the Church were without spot in this world in vaine hath our Sauiour Christ taught it alwayes to pray Mat. 6.12 forgiue vs our trespasses and sinnes But the Lorde Iesus hath not without good cause giuen vs such doctrine and instruction wherefore it followeth that the Churche is not in this worlde without spot yea rather that shee hath continuall need alwaies for to pray vnto God that shee may bee more and more sanctified and obteine the forgiuenesse of all her sinnes Secondly these which are without spot and wrinckle haue nothing to doe with any washing because they haue no neede thereof But the faithfull although they bee washed haue notwithstanding neede yet of washing still as Iesus Christ himselfe declareth it vnto vs Ioh. 13.10 when hee saith Hee that is washed needeth not saue to washe his feet For by the washing of the feete hee meaneth a continuall sanctification It followeth then that the faithful are not in this world without spot 1. Cor. 1.2 Thirdly Saint Paule ceaseth nor to adorne and bewtifie the Corinthians with the title of the Church who notwithstanding greeuously abused the holy supper of the Lorde and had amongest them diuisions and partakings which are not smal faultes yea indeede they were in doubt also touching the resurrection of the dead Gal. 1.2 Also he nameth the assembly of the Galathians the
Wherefore whatsoeuer we shall finde in them conformable and agreeable to the proportion of faith and agreeing with the authoritie of the holy scriptures wee ought to receiue the same without any scruple or doubt But if they propound vnto vs and set out thinges contrarie to that we ought and we may without any difficultie or danger reiect and refuse them as suspected and dangerous doctrines For as Saint Ierome hath sometimes saide HieroÌ„ in 9. cap. Ierem. Wee ought not to followe the errors of our fathers and predecessors but the authoritie of the scriptures and the commandement of God Who teacheth vs. Gerson par 1. de exam doctrin Abbas Panormita Epist de electia one elect potest cap. 5. Whereupon also Gerson and Panormitan haue concluded that in matters which concerne faith the Pope and his Bishops may not determine and decree anye thing against the worde of God and that if a generall councell shoulde come so far as to decline and goe aside either through malice or through ignorance of the Gospell a simple man alleadging in that councell the worde of God ought rather to bee heard and yeelded vnto then all they Let vs enter or come nowe to our aduise and let vs bring foorth and alledge our reasons to prooue that the Churche may erre The first reason is this That great companie of the people of Israel which was in the wildernesse with whome GOD had made a couenant and had made them bounde vnto him by an infinite number of benefites and good turnes had giuen vnto them Sacraments and Ceremonies which were as it were visible signes of his grace that great companie I say was a very goodly and a very excellent Churche But they were vilely deceaued and erred fowly when forsaking the commaundement they made vnto themselues a golden calfe offering and giuing vnto it that honor which was due to God alone yea and Aaron himselfe the high priest did not so constantly and boldly withstande them as he ought but rather consented thereto indeede wherefore it followeth that the church may erre and be deceiued The second reason The Church in olde time did offer and giue the holy Supper to little infants staying and grounding themselues vpon the place of Saint Iohn Except yee eate the fleshe of the sonne of Man Iohn 9.15 drinke his blood yee haue no life in you And this custome was in vse in the time of pope Innocent Saint Cyprian and Saint Augustine as it appeareth by their writinges But nowe this is not any more vsed for children whiche can not prooue and examine them selues are not at this day receiued to the partaking of the Sacrament Wherefore the Churche in olde time hath erred or els it erreth now But if we would answere that the Churche hath power and authoritie to chaunge suche customes and manners I replie to the contrarie for now the question is not heere of a thing indifferent in the vse but of the worde of God which is alwayes constant and not subiect to any change as to say that to day it hath one sense and vnderstanding to morrow another wherefore if the place of S. Iohn commaunde to giue the supper to little infants of necessitie as the forenamed ancient fathers haue vnderstood and expounded the same the Church hath â—one well in time heretofore to follow that commandement and at this time it erreth in not following it any longer Or els if the said place be not to be referred properly vnto the holy Supper neither commaundeth to distribute and giue the sacrament to infants but it is of necessitie required that he to whom wee must administer the saide sacrament haue knowledge to trie and examine himselfe according to Saint Paules doctrine 1. Cor. 1.2 as indeede this is the pure and only truth it followeth then that the Churche hath in former time erred to admit little infants to the holy supper and that at this day it doth well to practise the contrary The third reason If the Churche coulde not erre Saint Paule had without cause feared 1. Cor. 11.28 least the Corinthians whome he calleth a Church shoulde through the subtiltie of the serpent bee corrupted 2. Cor. 11.3 and turned away from the simplicitie that is in Christ And indeede in vaine shoulde hee haue called the assemblies of the Corinthians and Galathians Gala. 1.2 Churches which yet notwithstanding erred in doctrine in faith in manners and in life But Saint Paule did nothing of all this without cause or in vaine otherwise Saint Paule himselfe should haue beene deceiued wherefore it followeth that the Churche may erre The fourth reason Those that cannot erre haue no neede of the forgiuenesse of sinnes but the Churche hath neede of the forgiuenes of sinnes for Iesus Christ giuing it a forme of praier hath commanded it to demaund and aske of God Mat. 6.12 forgiuenesse of their sinnes Wherefore it followeth that the Church may erre The fift reason The Church which was in olde time in Ierusalem was oftentimes reproued of error by the Prophetes which thing declareth that the Church is not in this worlde without will and deed to erre But to the end I may not be ouerlong in recyting by peecemeale and as it were one by one all the sentences which make mention of the falles of the Churche let men reade that whiche is written thereof in these places Touching the corruption of the church see Isaiah 1. verse 21. to the 24. verse Isaiah Isaiah 3. ver 8.9 Isaiah 5.13 Isaiah 30. verse 9. to the 13. ver Isaiah 59. ver 2. vnto the 17. ver Isai 64. ver 6.7 Iere. 2 ver 5. Ieremiah to the end of the Chap. Iere. 3. ver 2.3.20 Iere. 4. ver 22. Ieremiah 5. ver 1. vnto the 15. ver and afterwards from the 19. ver to the end of the Chapter Iere. 6. ver 7. vnto the 11. ver Ieremiah 8. ver 4. vnto the 11. ver Ieremiah 9. ver 3. vnto the 17. ver Ieremiah 13. verse 10. vnto the 15. verse Ieremiah 22. euen vnto the end Ieremiah 16. ver 11.12 Ieremiah 18. ver 13. vnto the 18. ver Ezechiel 5. ver 6. vnto the 12. Ezechiel ver Ezechiel 22. ver 3. vnto the end of the Chapter Ezechiel 33. ver 24. vnto the 30. Deutro ver Deuteronomie 32. ver 5.6.32.33 Touching the ingratitude and vnthankfulnesse of the Church see Isaiah 1. ver 2.5 Isaiah Isaiah 5.47 Isaiah 43. ver 21. vnto the end of the chapter Isaiah 17. ver 10.11 Ieremiah Ezechiel Zachariah Deuteron Hosea Isaiah 63. ver 9.10 Ierem. 2. ver 6.9.21.22 Ieremiah 12. ver â— Ezechiel 16. ver 15. vnto the 24. ver Zachariah 11. ver 8. vnto the ende of the Chapter Deuteronomie 32. ver 15.18.23 Hosea 12. ver 1.9 Hosea 13. ver 6. Malachie 1. ver 2.8 Touching the obstinacie and rebellion of the Church Isaiah see Isaiah 1. ver 5. vnto the 7. ver Isaiah â— ver
established at Rome Corne. Tacitus lib. 10. And Cornelius Tacitus declareth that the occasiō which Nero toke to persecute the Church for was this that he cōmanded secretly to set on fire the citie of Rome that hee might see some forme or image as it were which might represent set out vnto him the fire of Troy And so the fire continued in the Citie sixe dayes space which made such a destruction that he became hereby very odious among the people And seeing that hee could not put out this hatred and waiting of him to doe him some mischiefe for all the good turnes which hee could do to the people he found out this deuise to sowe abrode this bruite rumor and report that it was the Christians who had been the blowers of that fire and the authours of that destruction and from that time forward he began to persecute them and to put them to death both because they were as hee said the blowers of that fyre and also because they were enemies of all mankinde by reason of that confession which they made of the name of Christ And to make them to die his vpholder put vpon their backes the skinnes of wild beasts that they might be torne and rent if it were possible in peeces with dogges where also they crucified them and burned them all aliue and although the day failed them yet they burned thē that they might therby giue light to the night This first persecution began about the yeere of Christe 66. the x. yere of Nero his raigne lasted 4. yeeres somwhat more vntill the death of that tyrant Some say Eusebius amongest those reciteth it that this Nero about the end of his dayes or reigne caused S. Peter and Saint Paule to be put to death The 2. persecution was vnder Domitian the 12. Emperour who was appointed Emperour in the yeere of Christe 83. and reigned 15. yeers and 6. monethes Hee was so lifed vp in crueltie and pride that he would haue his subiects call him God and Lord and caused images of his owne person to bee made of gold and siluer Hee ordeined as his father Vespasian had doone before him that inquirie shoulde bee made against the race of Dauid and that they which were founde to bee thereof shoulde bee put to death for hee feared the comming of Christe and about the fourteenth yeere of his reigne and the yeere of Christe 97. hee caused by an edict to bee published and proclaimed a cruel persecution against the Christians insomuch that the Churche was miserably and a long time tormented vnder him The third persecution was in the dayes of Traian the fourteenth Emperour who was appointed Emperour about the yeere of Christe 100. who gouerned the Empire nineteene yeeres sixe monethes and fifteene dayes Hee is greatly praised of the Historiographers as a courteous and gentle Prince and some say that hee was so renowmed and famous by reason of his iustice and curtesie that euer after so often as any was created Emperour the people yeelded this blessed exclamation outcrie and consent Bee hee more happy then Augustus and better then Traian yet notwithstanding hee persecuted the Churche and marke the occasion that he tooke so to doe Hee was brought vp from his infancie in the Paganish and Heathenishe superstitions by reason whereof hee disdained and despised christian religion because that it was contrarie to these superstitions Besides that hee had about him certaine courtiers which were blowers of that fire in him augmented that disdaine and disspite in him insomuch that diuers Historiographers recorde that he was not so much of his owne nature inclined to shed blood as deceiued and stirred vp thereto by his councellers and principally by the Pagane Priestes Freculph lib. 2. cap. 20. who as Freculphus witnesseth gaue good store of siluer to the gouernours and bribed freely to the ende that they would put the christians to death as their deadly enemies Some adde that the number of Christians was very muche increased whereupon many inconueniences myght come to the Romane Empire if the danger were not preuented which also was a cause that Traian was the more inflamed and kindled against them as also Sabellicus writeth Sabellicus that the greate number of Christians were more suspected of this Emperour then the religion After this sort then did they accuse the Christians of sedition and blasphemie and for these causes they were cruelly persecuted insomuch as it appeareth by that which Plinie the second hath written Plinius secūd That publike commandements were sent from the Emperour to the gouernours of all the Prouinces by which euery gouernour was inforced too persecute and so the persecution was spread abroade throughout all the places of the Romane Empyre whiche at that time conteined not only Europe but also a great parte of Asia and Affrica And the saide persecution indured about foureteene yeeres but yet in such order that in the beginning of the reigne of Traian it was somwhat lesse sharpe but afterwards it flamed out and burst foorth more and more Tertul. Apologi cap. 2. Nowe the saide Plinie the second had at that time the gouernement of a ceataine Prouince to wit of Bethinia and as Tertullian saith he was appointed to persecute the Christians about the yeere of Christe 112. and of Traian the fourteenth yeere Wherefore hee beeing astonished with the great number of martyrs which were euery day put to death did write a letter to the aforesaid Emperour to aduertise him or to giue him to vnderstande of that whiche was done in his Prouince and to haue his aduise and counsell touching that whiche hee was to doe in time to come to whom the Emperour made aunswere by an other letter declaring vnto him and making him to vnderstande his intente and purpose And because that in these letters wee may see on the one side the innocencie of the faithfull people and on the otherside the iniustice of tyrants and because they do liuely set out vnto vs the estate of the Christians at this day and the manners and customes of those which persecute them and may by this meane stande the age wherein wee liue in verie good fleed for instruction both of the one and the other it shall bee good and expedient that wee in regester them and put them downe Heere now foloweth Plinie his letter which he sent to the Emperor Traian euen as it is written in his owne booke Syr Plinie the secōd his letter to Traian I am accustomed to declare vnto your Maiestie all the affaires and matters whereof I am in doubt For who can better correct my dulnesse or instruct mine ignorance I was neuer yet present at the tryals of Christians and proceedinges against them and therefore I knowe not what informations they put in against thē or for what cause they punish them And I haue beene in great doubt to wit whether there bee any difference to bee made of ages or
first and formost because our sinnes are the cause thereof Isaia 59 1. 2. Behold saith the prophet the Lords hand is not shortened that it cannot saue neither his eare heauie that it cannot heare But your iniquities haue separated betweene you and your God and your sinnes haue hidden his face from you that hee will not heare Secondly because that serueth for the aduauncement of God his glory and for the augmenting and increase of our faith as appeareth by that whiche is written touching the sicknesse and death of Lazarus the brother of Martha and Marie Iohn 11.14 15. This sicknesse saith Iesus Christe is not to death but for the glory of God that the sonne of God might bee glorified thereby and afterwardes Lazarus is dead saith he and I am glad for your sake that I was not there that yee may beleeue And to this last point is referred that which S. Paul saith Wee receiued the sentence of death in our selues 2. Cor. 1.9 because we should not trust in our selues but in God which raiseth the dead The fift point that afflictions and dangers increase euen then when the deliuerance is nigh examples heereof are set out vnto vs in the Scripture The Israelites were meruellously tormented in Egypt all the while that they were kept captiues and prisoners there Exod. 14. throughout but they neuer had so great an occasion to feate neither were they at any time so pressed yea oppressed as when God brought them out of their captiuitie and bondage to make them passe thorow the redde Sea and to guide them in the wildernesse as we may see in the foureteeneth Chapter of Exodus Dauid before he came to the enioying of the kingdom which was promised him by God 1. Sam. 27. 1 c. was constrained to depart out of the Countrie and to seeke a place of refuge and comforte amongest the Philistines his enemis yea in the Courte of king Achish Isaih 37. throughout Where hee founde himselfe in extreeme danger yea more great then at any time before hee had escaped Then was the angel of the Lorde sent from him to remoue the siege of Zennacherib from beefore the Citie of Ierusalem and so by that meanes to deliuer king Ezekias and the people whiche were within when for the great oppression thereof they were held kept in so narrowly short that they were at the point or very nighe to see the Citie rendred and deliuered to the Assyrians pitie Mark 6.47 c. and mercie Iesus Christe did very wel behold that his Disciples were in great danger in the shippe which was tossed to and fro with the outrage or violence of the windes and tempestes but yet notwithstanding hee came not vnto them to succour them but about the fourth watch of the night Wherefore let vs not loose our courage and stomacke in the midst of the greatest persecutions and afflictions which can come For when all the meanes of help and ayde on mens side or in respect of thē do faile vs and that it seemeth that all were done with vs and that the Church shoulde bee altogether worne out consumed and beaten down euen then will God perform his owne worke hee alone succouring vs to the end that vnto him alone also the glory of our deliuerance may be wholy and absolutely referred The sixt point that God through his power keepeth and defendeth his Church against the violences assaults of tyrants and persecutors and deliuereth the same out of their hands when time is therefore Thereto tend and belong these promises The Lorde knoweth to deliuer the godly out of temptation 2. Pet. 2.9 to reserue the vniust vntill the day of iudgement to bee punished For the oppression of the needie Psal 12. 5. and for the sighes of the poore I will vp saith the Lorde and will set at liberty him whom the wicked hath snared The Angel of the Lord pitcheth round about them Psal 34.7.17 19.20.22 that feare him and deliuereth them The righteous crie and the Lord heareth them deliuereth them out of al their troubles Great are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord deliuereth him out of them all He keepeth al his bones not one of them is broken The Lord redeemeth the soules of his seruants and none that trust in him shall perish Call vpon mee saith the Lorde in the day of trouble Psal 50. 15. Psal 9 14.15 so will I deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie me And againe because he hath loued me therefore will I deliuer him I will exalt him because he hath knowne my name Hee shall call vpon me and I will heare him I will be with him in trouble I will deliuer him and glorifie him Psal 125.2 As the mountaines are about Ierusalem so is the Lord about his people from hence foorth and for euer Mat. 16.18 Thou art Peter and vpon this rocke I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shal not ouercome it Luke 12.32 Feare not litle flock for it is your fathers pleasure to giue you the kingdome Exod. 14. throughout Dan. 3. Daniel 6. throughout Isaiah 37. throughout Acts. 12.7 Actes 5.19 And wee haue many examples heerof in the Scripture as when God brought the Israelites out of Egypt by the Ministerie of Moses when he deliuered Daniel out of the Lions denne and Shadtach Meshach Abednego out of the burning flame and ouen when hee deliuered from death Susanna already condemned when he set Ierusalem at libertie when hee brought Saint Peter out of prison and the other Apostles by the ministerie of an angel And at this day although we see not angels visibly rounde about vs yet for all that wee ceasse not by experience to feele Gods aide and succour and that after many sortes yea extraordinarie Wee know also that which is spoken in Zacharias Zacha. 2.8 to wit Hee that toucheth you shal touch the apple of mine eie saith the Lorde For indeed Iesus Christ accounteth the persecutions which men bende againste his Churche as bente againste his verie owne person which appeareth by the reproofe that hee gaue Saint Paule saying Saule Saule Acts. 4.9 wherefore doest thou persecute mee who would euer haue looked for such assistance and helpe as God hath bestowed vpon his Church in our time were there at any time more furious and raging persecutions was the pride of the enemies of gods Churche euer greater They spare not wisdome nor counsell nor power nor diligence nor men nor money to the end that the poore Church might be altogether cast downe and made ruinous But behold the prudencie the counsell the might and the wisdome of God is farre aboue all that which setteth it selfe against his greatnesse yea hee worketh myraculously by hidden close and secrete meanes insomuch that all the height of the worlde is confounded ouerthrowne For as the wise man sayeth There is no wisedome neither
vnderstanding Pro. 21.30 nor counsell against the Lorde And in an other place it is said Psal 33.10 Iob. 5.13 13 The Lord breaketh the counsell of the Heathen and bringeth to naught the deuises of the people the counsell of the Lorde shall stande for euer and the thoughtes of his hearte thorowe out all ages To bee short wee see that the Church hath in time heeretofore beene very aptlye and fitly represented Gene. 15. 17. by a lampe or firebrande shinyng in the middest of darke or smoking Furnace euen as the vision thereof was giuen and shewed to Abraham whereof the reason is assigned and shewed beecause God woulde not suffer that his people shoulde bee put out in the middest of darkenesse Exod. 3.2 Also by the burning bushe which yet consumed not as Moses also saw the vision therof For as the bush was kept safe and sound in the midst of the flame so the Church hath alwayes beene preserued by and thorowe the presence of God although the tyrantes wicked men haue sought to set it on fire and vtterly to destroy it The seuenth pointe That the Church increaseth in the middest of persecutions This is seene from the time wherein vnder the Emperours the Churche was persecuted For looke by howe muche they inforced themselues vtterly to extinguishe and put out the trueth by so much the faithfull ones were readie and prepared to defende and maintaine the same In the Actes it is saide Acts. 4.3.4 That when the persecutors laide handes vpon the Apostles and had put them in prison many of them that had hearde the woorde at their mouth left not of for all that to beleeue but that the number of beleeuers was increased till it came to bee about fiue thousande persons Also that they whiche were scattered abroade because of the affliction that arose about Steeuen Acts. 11.19.20.21 walked throughout till they came vnto Phenice and Cyprus and Antiochia and that some of them which were men of Cyprus and Cyrene when they were come into Antiochia spake vnto the Grecians and preached the Lorde Iesus and that the hande of the Lorde was with them so that a great number beleeued and turned vnto the Lorde Saint Paule speaketh after this manner vnto the Philippians I woulde yee vnderstood brethren that the things which haue come vnto mee Philip. 1.12.13.14 are turned rather to the furtherance of the Gospell so that my bandes in Christe are famous throughout all the iudgement hall and in all other places Insomuch that many of the brethren in the Lorde are boldened thorowe my bandes and dare more frankly speake the worde And this is that which Dauid hath prophesied touching Christe when hee saide Bee thou ruler in the middest of thine enemies The state of the Church of God Psal 110.20 The Church compared to a Palme tree to Roses and to Lilies is like vnto the state of the Palme tree and like to the condition of Roses and Lilies For euen as the Palme tree the more it is laden and pressed downe the more it groweth and stretcheth out or spreadeth his boughs in length and breadth so the Church the more she is persecuted and afflicted the more force courage and liuelinesse shee taketh to her selfe Also as Roses and Lilies are accustomed to florish among thornes so this is a common thing to the Church to florish and to increase in the middest of persecutions Iustinus compareth the church also to a vine or vineyard The Church compared to a Vine or Vineyard Iustin Martyr de verita te christianae religio tom 2. pag. 224. lin 14. when hee speaketh thus in the speech with Tryphon They euery day perceiue saith he that we which beleeue in christ cannot bee astonished or amazed by any man or any maner of way let them cut of our heades let them crucifie vs let them caste vs to wilde beastes let them torment vs with fire fagot and any other torments the more they doe tormente vs the more doth the number of Christians growe and increase no otherwise than whē men prune and dresse a Vine or Vineyard they doe it to make it more fruitefull and plentifull For the Vine or Vineyard which God hath planted and our Sauiour Iesus Christe is his owne people These are in that place almost Iustinus his owne wordes And verily wee learne by our owne experience that so many cruell persecutions murthers and slaughters of the Martyrs haue beene as it were so many seales in our heartes to seale therein the holy Gospel of Christe so that a good Doctor hath very rightly saide That the blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the Church The eight point What is the cause for which the Church is afflicted and persecuted of the wicked Wee may very well say and rightly confesse that wee doe iustly deserue by reason of the sinnes we haue committed to be afflicted by God and persecuted of the worlde Leuit. 26.14.15 c. For wee reade in Leuiticus how God threateneth his people to send vpon them warre plague pestilence famine and other his roddes if they yeelde not them selues obedient vnto his commaundements And in Isaiah Isaiah 5.2 ◠c. hee speaketh after this maner Yee inhabitaunts of Ierusalem saith hee and yee men of Iudah iudge I pray you betweene mee and my Vineyarde What could I haue done any more to my Vineyarde that I haue not done vnto it I haue hedged it and gathered out the stones of it and haue planted it with the best plantes and builte a Tower in the middest thereof and made a Wine presse therein looking that it shoulde bring foorth Grapes but in steede of Grapes it bringeth foorth wilde Grapes And nowe I will tell you what I will doe to my Vineyarde I will take away the hedge thereof and it shall bee eaten vp I will breake the wall thereof and it shall bee troden downe and I will laie it wast Isaiah 24.3 4.5 c. And againe The earth shall bee cleane emptied vtterly spoyled the earth shal lament and vade away for the inhabitaunts thereof haue transgressed the lawes they haue chaunged the ordinaunces and haue broken the euerlasting couenant Therfore the curse shall deuour the earth for the inhabitantes thereof haue done wickedly And therefore shall the inhabitantes of the earth burne and fewe men shall bee left therein Iere. 25. 8.9 c. Also in Ieremiah Because yee haue not hearde my woordes beholde I will sende and take to mee all the families of the North and Nabuchadnezzar the King of Babell my seruant and I will bring them against this lande and against the inhabitantes thereof and against all these nations round about and I will destroy them and make them an astonishment an hyssing and a continuall desolation In this place the Lorde calleth Nabuchadnezzar his seruaunt as in an other place hee calleth Sanecherib Isaiah 10.5 or Ashur The rod of his wrath