abuse of Christian liberty and warneth that the weake are to bee forborne rather then be an offence one to another chiefly in outward things As in meates drinkes and apparell and the communion of the sacrament At sometunes bringing himselfe for example at other times bringing moste horrible and fearefull examples out of the olde Testament From the 12. vnto the 15. he first repeateth the excelent guiftes of God in which the Ministrie of the worde is presented vnto the glory of God after that he seteth before their eyes the duties of Charitie Last of all he so comendes the Ministerie of the worde and preaching that he feareth not to preferre the same before all the Sermons and readinges of the Scripture From the 15. vnto the end he shewes most euidentlye and plainely the resurrection of the dead by the example of Christ and after that he shewes the clearnes of their bodies in eternall life to be diuers by many similitudes adioyning the maner of rising the victorie of the Godly Death being swallowed vp Last of all besides that he speaketh very familiarly in the last chapter concerning the helpinges and collections for the Saintes hee adioyning a finall conclusion with a horible threatening that hee which loueth not Iesus Christ our Lord God let him be accursed and condemned to eternall death The latter Epistle to the Corinthians THis Epistle doth differ from the first as oyle from wine or the Gospell frō the Law for in the 2. Epistle Paul comforteth the Corinthians sheweth him selfe very kinde towardes them doth bid that the excommunicated man may be receiued into fauour This Epistle doth consist of fiue thinges 1 Consolations 1 2 3 4. 2 Commendations 5. 3 Exhortations 6 7. 4 Inuectiues 8 9. 5 Comminations 10 11. From the beginning vnto the 6. chap are commendatiōs First whē he shews his loue towards the Corinthians and whatsoeuer he preached whatsoeuer he did and suffered was to their profit The he commends the ministery of the Gospell and as a doctrine most necessary worthier then the ministery of the Law That it is increased also in the beleuers and bred hope in them of eternal glory thorow affliction From the 6. vnto the 10. are exhortations First he exhorts them that they do adorne the worde of GOD with the workes of patience And afterwardes that they do giue their alines to the poore saintes at Ierusalem From the 10. vnto the end there are Inuections and comminations First he inueyeth against false Apostles he very confidently laboureth against them and doth glory in the Lord after this maner 1 of outward things and of other mens affaires 2 of his own sufferings in the body 3 of his owne passions in the soul for the Church 4 of Flying and escaping 5 of Visions reuealations tentations 6 of his fidelity in the ministerie of the worde amongst the Corinthians 7 of his desire to secure the Corinthians 8 of his redinesse 9 of his will to die for the Corinthians 10 of the iustification of a good conscience for that hee did not hurt the Corinthians Afterwardes hee shewes by manye reasons that Paule himselfe alone labored more in the ministery of the worde and suffered more then all amongst the false apostles of the Corinthians to wit in labours in imprisonments in stripes c. chap. 11. Lastly he threatneth the Corinthians in the last chapter who woulde not repent as Augustine saith He writes that hee will come as a iudge to the intent that he do not find whom to condemn Furthermore he saith that hee prayde for the Corinthians that they doe no euill whence Augustine saith it doeth appeare that God doth correct the will of man and doth guide it that he may do good workes Psal 63. The waies of man are directed by the Lord. The Epistle of Paule to the Galathians THis Epistle comes neer to that Epistle which Paule wrote to the Romanes as concerning christian Doctrine Paule defends the article of Iustification against false Apostles and confirmes the righteousnes of faith that a man is not iustified by the workes of the Law but only by faith in Iesus Christ And although there are two principal partes of this epistle the one of the righteousnesse of faith vnto the 5. chap The other of the fruites of faith or of good workes vnto the ende Notwithstanding sithence there are six chapters they may be considered twoe and two togither Paule in the first and second chapter doth extol and commend his vocation that he teacheth the churches by Diuine authority and not by humane and that he proues to be true by many argumēts that is to wit 1 That he Went into Arabia straight vp on his conuersion 2 That he Came into Ierusalem only to see Peter 3 That he Went into the parts of Cilicia and Syria 4 That he Circumcised Titus at Ierusalem 5 That he Receiued nothing from the great Apostles 6 That he Reproued Peter Afterwardes hauing put this principall proposition in the end of the second chapter to wit that a man is not iustified by the workes of the Lawe but by faith in Christ He goes forward to proue the same in the third and fourth chapter First by scriptures Secondly by examples Thirdly by similitudes of Scripture out of Genesis Leuiticus Deuteronomy and Abacuc There are three similitudes besides allegories Therefore we are not iustified by the workes of the Law but by faith in Christ The summe or effect of the argumentes with Christ 1 That He is not the minister of sin 2 That He deliuered himself to deth 3 That He died not in vaine 4 That The holy ghost is giuen thorough faith 5 That Abram is iustified by faith 6 That They that iustifie themselues are vnder the cursse 7 That The iust shall liue by his faith 8 That Christ was made a cursse for vs. 9 That Righteousnesse was before the law 10 That Inheritance comes by promise Last of all hee teacheth in the fifte and sixt chapter a conclusion beeing made concerning the place of iustification the fruites of Faith inforcing the commandementes concerning good workes and manners that the beleuers should walke according to charitye and should maintaine their liberty in Christ and yet after that sort as not abusing the same That Paule was amongest the Galath See Act. 18. The Epistle to the Ephesians THe Epistle to the Ephesians is the amplification of the place of Iustification and reconciliation and the admyrable and profounde commendation of the Gospell and also a long rehearsal of Gods benefites in the cause of our saluation It is deuided into two principall partes to wit the tree and the fruit of the tree that is to say into doctrine of the righteousnesse of faith and of good workes The some of the first part that dooth respect Faith consisteth in these benefits of God giuen vnto vs through Christe As are 1 Spirituall blessing 2 Election 3 Predestination 4 Adoption 5 Good will 6 Glorious grace 7
chap vnto the ende are described the peregrmations nauigations places of any stay or abode sermons Myracles disputations imprisonments stripes of S. Paule from the day in which the holy Ghost sayd Separate for me Paule and Barrabas to the worke which I haue called them Vntil he came to dwel two yeares in a hired house with the souldier that was his keeper In the meane time he faithfully taught both by sea and land 1 The people of Pathmos chap. 13. 2 The people of Antioch chap. 13. 3 The people of Iconium chap. 13. 4 The people of Listra chap. 14. 5 The people of Ierusalem 15 16 6 The people of Philippi 15 16 7 The people of Thessalo 15 16 8 The people of Berea 17. 9 The people of Athens 19. 10 The people of Corinth 19. 11 The people of Ephesus 19. 12 Trans Miletam Tyre Cesaria cha 20. cha 21 13 Trans Miletam Tyre Cesaria cha 20. cha 21 14 Trans Miletam Tyre Cesaria cha 20. cha 21 15 Trans Miletam Tyre Cesaria cha 20. cha 21 At length being wickedly handled imprisoned and very often presented for the space of a whole yeare and more at Ierusalem and Cesarea with his accusers the Iewes vntil he was compelled to appeale vnto Cesar from chap. 20 vnto 28. Last of all Luke doeth descry the Nauigations of Saint Paule after he appealed to Cesar to goe from Iudea towardâ— Rome and the testimony of Paule at RoÌ„me concerning Christ as you may read in the two last chapters Al which testimony in this most excellent booke seemeth plainely to tend to this that we may obtaine remission of sinnes and eternall life by saith onely in Christ Iesus The epistle of Saint Paule and the rest THe Epistles of the apostles as we haue spoken of before are as it were seales and subscriptions euen so are theyr testimonies and illustrations which are written by the Euangelistes as for example I Paule doe thus subscribe to the Gospell of Matthew I Peter doe thus subscribe The Epistle to the Romans THIS Epistle is a method of holy scripture hee briefely comprehends those thinges which do appertain to christian religion To maye very well bee deuided into foure principall partes From the beginning vnto the fift chapter he puts two propositions and he defendes both the one and the other with strong euidence and arguments The one proposition is legal to weet al men are sinners this he proueth shewing that all gentiles are sinners in the first chapter and afterwards that the Iewes are sinners in the second chapter last of all he infers that all men are sinners in the thirde chapter The other proposition is Euangelicall to weet that men are iustified freely thorough the grace of God by the redemption which is in Christ Iesus He proues by many argumentes that this Iustification is by faith chapter 4 first from the example of Abraham secondly from the definition of iustification thirdly by the order of the cause and the effect the 4. by the cause of the promise From the fift chapter vnto the ninth he deuideth both propositions into their parts and disputeth seuerally of them In the first what sinne is what the lawe is what grace is and by the way he showeth that grace in and thorough Christ had more force effect then sinne in and thorough Adam and her condemneth them that thinke sin to increase through the proaching of grace shewing to the contrarie that no condemnation is to them that are grafted in christ who walk-not after the flesh where hee bringeth chapter 8. for the afflicted and such as liue vnder the crosse froÌ„ that place the afflicted of this life are not woorthye c. vnto the ende of the Chapter 8. excellent consolations 1 Concerning the Manifestation of glory to come 2 Concerning the Like suffering of al creature with vs. 3 Concerning the Sighing of all the ministers of the word 4 Concerning the Hope of eternall life 5 Concerning the Person of the holy ghost 6 Concerning the Doctrine of predestination 7 Concerning the Person of God the father 8 Concerning the Person of the sonne From the 9. chap. vnto the 12. he handleth the place of predestination repeating the question that was put in the beginning of the thirde chapter that is to wit what if certaine of them haue not beleeued shall their vnbeleefe make the faith of GOD of none effect God forbid whence as hauing occasion he first of all disputes of election that we may know to whom this grace doeth appertaine and that also in the 9. cha And after that in the 10. chap. he defines and expoundes the righteousnesse of fayth Last of all he teacheth that no maÌ„ ought to take offence at the name of Predestination that they are alwaies deceiued that letting passe iustification by faith seeke to begin their saluation from predestination From the 12. chap. vnto the end of the Epistle he sets downe certaine admonitions concerning good works First generally towards euery mans neighbour where he sets downe the endes of good workes as are the workes of confession vocation loue afterwards towards magistrates or superious chap. 13. Last of all towards inferiors that is to say the weake chap 14 15. The last chapter containes salutations or vowes and Euangelical sermons And salutation is not to be thought the least duty of humanity The first Epistle to the Corinthians HOw long Paule did remain at Corinth what he didde there c. looke Act. cha 18 Paule doth most sharply rebuke the Corinthians in this Epistle whom he knew to be attainted with many vices It therfore most chiefly appertames to the lawe for it is a reprehending or rebuking epistle commanding the Corinthians to decline from euil and do good Directly against 1 Sectaries chap. 1 2 3 4. 2 Incestious persons 3 Fomicators 6. 4 Adulterers 7 5 coÌ„tentious persons 8 9 10 11 6 conteÌ„ners of the weak 8 12 13 7 The proud 14. 8 Arrogant persons 15. 9 Them that deny the resurrection from the dead 16. 10 Couetous persons It is deuided very conueniently into fiue principall parts From the beginning vnto the 5. chap he laboureth in the first table of the commandements condemning the wisdome of the world as thinges pernâ—ious and hurtful to the saluation of mankind for it breeds sectes and schismes in Christian religion and the contempt of the Ministers of the Gospell for their pride whoe are pussed vp with mans wisedome From the 5. chap. vnto the 8 hee passeth to the second table and pursues certaine vices First of al hee commandes the incestuous man to be excomunicated and to be auoided After that he reprehends wronges contentions and heresies shewing that iniuries are to be suffered or to be arbitrated rather then to bee adiudged by vnrighteous Iudges By and by he numbreth heapes of vices and particularlye inueighes against the filthy affections of lust highly commending mariage chirst life and virginity From the 8. vnto the 12. he reprehends the
preacheth by saint Paule not onely to Tymothye but to all the gouernors and teachers of the Church who had receiued the true doctrine of the Gospell Wherefore this Epistle ought to be most deare of very good account and speciall reckoning to the Ministers of the Gospell There are 4. chapters which are thus to be deuided In the first chapter after gratulation he warneth Tymothy First for the stirring vp of the grace of God 2 That he be not ashamed of the gospell of the bondes of Paule 3. To suffer affliction 4 For the retaining of the forme of whol some doctrine 5. to keepe that good which was committed vnto him hee inserteth also an excellent and most Euangelicall saying He that hath sowed vs c. which makes against Iustification by the works for the only grace of God and also commending his office and the house of Onismus against the falling away of the people of Asia from the gospell In the 2. chapter after the commendation of the doctrine chiefely hee exhorteth him to suffer afflictions bringing forth excellent arguments from the reward then hee is exhorted from the contentions and vaine ianglings of men shewing that it is no maruell if the good and euill be together in the church when as in a ritche mans house there are vessels appointed some to honour some to dishonour Last of all in this chapter is chiefelye handled that hee would haue him to deuide rightly the word of trueth least he should confound the lawe and the Gospell in the handling thereof But to vrge the law against the euill the wicked and obstinate that they may be deliuered to the magistrate to be punished or to be excommunicated and to comfort the afflicted and godly with the Gospell In the end of the chapter he sheweth that repentance is the gift of God In the the third chapter to the first perils to weet the falling away of the people of Asia and of others from the gospell of Christ he addeth another perill and setteth foorth false teachers verye largely whom he foretels that shoulde come in the latter daies against whome he exhorteth Tymothie by his constancy he might be profitable also to all his posterity Furthermore as in the former Epistle euen so Paule in this place by the light of Gods spirit foreseeth the impiety of the Bishoppe of Rome and those thinges which haue been done in Rome these 900. yeares In the ende he commendeth the sacred scripture then which commendation nothing can bee more excellently spoken From the fourth chapter he concludeth the Epistle by protestations in which he doth most earnestly charge Tymothie to the worke of an Euangelist shewing that the time of his dissolution was at hand that he had fought a good fight then with some fewe pointes of curtesie he endeth the Epistle he wrote this Epistle out of doubt a little before his martyrdome The Epistle to Tytus ALbeit this Epistle is not such a method as is the Epistle to the Romans yet notwithstanding it containeth the summe briefely of all christian religion in which he first instructeth and informeth teachers so that these three chapt might be deuided according to three principall states to weet Religion Pollicy and Domesticall gouernment or rule of an houshold The last of which he placeth in the middest because for the preseruing thereof God ordained the other two Very fitly was annexed to this information the place of Iustification Againe and again that to the same as to a marke all things might be directed aymed and referred In the first chapter he discerneth Religion and as in the Epistle to Tymothy euen so here hee describeth vnder the name of a Bishop all the ministers of the Gospell what manner of people they ought for to be in life doctrine Now for the faithfull themselues at an other time by reason of false teachers which he paintes out vnto the end of the chapter he sets foorth to beholde their impiety as it were in a glasse in which our Papistes may the more rightly looke into themselues In the second chapter he drawes a table as it were of household manners and he reformeth the life of euery state concerning houshold affaires where vnder the name of Young he admonisheth Tytus himselfe that he should shewe himselfe in all thinges an example of good workes then he sheweth the reason to weet the appearaunce of the grace of God in this that CHRIST gaue himselfe for vs that we should liue in him modestly iustly and godly In the third chapter he giues preceptes concerning pollicy and of obedience to be giuen towards magistrates He teacheth that all subiects are to bee warned by Titus adding therunto great causes out of the Lawe and Gospell to wit that we are all debters to the same Againe bringing in that most excellent place of Iustification wherein he takes away saluation by workes and doth ascribe it to the only mercy of God thorough our mediatour Christ Where he shewes very euidently the forme maner of our redemption That whosoeuer coueteth to bee a new man it is necessarie for him to beleeue and to bee baptized In the end he dehorts to good workes and to auoide foolish and heretical questions The Epistle of Paule to Philemon THis Epistle shewes the wonderfull loue of Paule towardes his neighbour in this that he studied to reconcile Onisemus to his maister Phylemon with great humility of minde and with sweet wordes first he commends Philemons faith and charity Afterwards he puts forth his petition for Onesimus being conuerted to the faith Last of al with sweete affections hee takes vppon himselfe the faulte of Onisemus doeth reconcile him to his maister not now as a seruant but as a deare beloued brother in Christ a great example of charity and study of concord in Paule The Epistle to the Hebrues ALthough it bee doubtfull whether this bee the Epistle of saint Paule because of some places in the 9 10 and 12 chapters Out of the which it is prooued by some that it was not Paule that wrote it Yes neuer thelesse the Epistle hath the authoritye of the holye Ghost as appeares by the scope therof He deliuers plainly christ to be true God and true manne yea our onely sâ—â—â—our and redeemer and the greater part of the Epistle stands on comparison by which it conuinceth the Lord of all namely Christ the naturall and euerlasting sonne of God He compares Christ 1 with the Angels chap. 1 2. 2 with the Moses chap. 3 and 4. 3 with the Aron chap. 5. 4 with the Melchisedeth chap. 6 and 7. 5 with the Sacrifices of the law 8.9 10. It hath 13. chapters which for the better declaration of them though not altogither exactly may be thus deuided In the first two chapters after his entrance wherein he briefly describeth the diuinity and humanitye of Christ and shewes him to be much more excellent then the Angels by nine argumentes in which he preached Christ to
Men. 5 The Priestes 6 The Youngmen There are fiue chapters which art thus to be discerned The first chapter is deuided into twoe partes In the first which is begun from the induction or entrance he puts down the true reason of saluation where all these things are to bee considered in dus order 1 The great mercy of God 2 Regeneration by a liuely faith 3 The resurrection of Christ 4 Heauenly inheritance 5 The power of God 6 Faith 7 Triall of Faith 8 Ioy and gladnesse 9 The writinges of the prophets 10 The Gospel 11 Grace 12 Glory In the other part he puts the consequence of this antecedent or that which followeth it and doth exhort the beleeuers to newnesse of life as for example 1 Sobriety 2 Hope of offered Grace as newnesse of life followes faith 3 Obedience 4 Holinesse 5 Inuocation 6 Feare 7 Loue. He ioyneth sets vnto this discourse the most excellent cause of this regeneration to wit that we are redeemed by the pretious bloud of Iesus Christ renewed by the word of God The second chapter is deuided into two partes for in the one hee goes forwarde to exhort the beleeuers to offer spirituall sacrifices and to haue good conuersation to the edification of the faith full And he addes a reason because saieth he all beleeuers are priests and called vnto holinesse of life In the other he appointes the reformation of diuers states in the which he laboureth to the end of this chap. First the subiects to obedience towardes the Magistrates the seruantes to obedience towardes their maysters as hee putteth Christ himselfe for example whoe suffered a greater wrong In the thirde chapter hee first of all speakes concerning the obedience of wiues concerning the modest apparell of wiues and the forbearance of the husband towards his wife Then he warns all menne in generall to exercise themselues in the vertues of true charity and in patience and also in true confession togither with the righteousnes of a good conscience bringing againe the example of charity and patience in Christ Last of all hee sets downe a most excellent place concerning Noes Arke that it was a signe of Baptisme But what he meaneth by the preaching of Christ to certain spirits not beleeuing in the daies of Noah wee are not ignorant and we iudge the true interpretation of this place it to be reserued to the maister himselfe to wit to the Holye Ghost In the fourth chap. he goes forward at one time to exhort al godly men to sobriety to watchfulnesse to modesty to praier to mutuall charity At another time to other fruites of Faith according to the variety of guiftes with patience and ioy in afflictions by dooing good to all men for Christs sake In the 5. chap he insonneth instructeth Ecclesiasticall persons vnder the natures of Priestes sometimes to feede their flocks and at another time to liue wel After that he exhorts youth to obedience and in general he would haue all men to be humbled to trust in God to be sober to watch againste the â—â—â—ersarie the diuel and to resist him in saith Lastly he concludes the Epistle with exceeding consolat oÌ„ that they might know themselues to be confirmed strengthned of God vnto faith The last Epistle of Peter THere are only 3. chapters The first against hypocrisie The 2 against Antichr The 3. against Epicures Peter in the first Chapter woulde haue faith and the vocation of faith to be shewed as moste certaine by good workes least that faith be as a vain dreame without vertue without knowledge continency c. seeing that it is not by the hearing of fables but of the Gospel In the 2. chap he sets forth the same as Christ himself did when he said Mat. 7. take heed of of false prophets Paul act to take heed to your selues c. Also phil 3. Beware of dogs take heed of wicked doers Peter doth warne the godly concerning false teachers and of the comming of Antichrist of whome hee prophesied S. Paule 1 Tim. 4. shewes their damnation by bringing 3. excellent examples 1 of Angels 2 of them that were lost in the floud 3 Of the Sodomites and then he paintes them out in theyr couloures for because they walke after the flesh in concupiscence and vncleannesse Lastly he puts forth a most horrible sentence or iudgement of such in twoe prouerbes of a dogge and a Sowe by the which he expresseth the which hee expresseth that the latter ends of such is worse then the beginning In the third chapter hee warneth the godly that they should beware of Epicures that is to saye of prophane men walking according to their owne concupiscence who onely do regarde this life and not the life to come They haue alwaies in their mouthes Let vs eate and drinke to morrow we shall die After death there is no pleasure Againe that which is aboue vs doth nothing concern vs. Against whom Peter affirmeth with out doubt the last day shall come vnto which both heauen and earth are shal quickly perish in their appointed time reserued for fire Wherfore he affirms that euery one of the godly shoulde studie die to liue in that state as beeing called out of the world he might die boldly confidently The first Epistle of Iohn SAint Iohn the Apostle an Euangelist who wrote this Epistle and leaned at supper time vpon the breast of Iesus Christ and didde draw sweet water out of the well of our Sauiour euen so here he breathed meer loue both of God towards vs and our loue towards our neighbor Gods loue that the same beeing apprchended by faith wee might be iustified freely by grace without workes and obtain euerlasting life Then our loue next that our faith be not idle but that it should work by charity otherwise it is not true faith but onely fained who haue these three signes First not to striue against sinne Secondly not to beware of false doctrin Thirdly to hate our neighbour There are fiue chapters which doeth so agree in one and selfe-same matter as hardly they can be decided one from an other All thinges therein dooth agree with his Gospel chiefly with these two commandements of Christ ye beleeue in God beleeue also in mee Againe I giue you a new commandement that ye loue another which two commanundementes Iohn doth ioyne after this manner in the thirde chapter and this is his commandement that wee beleeue the name of his sonne Iesus Christ and loue one another as he gaue vs commaundement The summe of the Epistle is concerning faith and charity the chapters after a sort are thus to be diuided In the first chapter hauing gotten the good will of the Auditory he puts this exposition of the whole Epistle that we being made clean by the bloud of christ and remaining in the society of Saintes ought not to walke in darknesses that is to say without good workes but in the light that is to say in the exercise
the wing of good workes togither with the true confession of sinnes In the second chapter after the cumgelicall common place of Christ the aduocate and our propitiator First he reproues them of lying who doth boast of faith and doeth no good and affirmes that those that are to be reproued as yet do lacke faith Afterwards he warneth euery age that they woulde remaine in those things which they had receiued of God Lastly he commandeth that they eschew false opinions and the vnrighteous desires of the world and Antichrist By annointing he vnderstandeth the holy ghost He cals Antichrist false Apostles who were then and afterwardes he speakes of others as of Heretikes of whom some haue denied the Diuinitie and some the humanity of Christ Furthermore vpoÌ„ this excellent place He that saith himselfe to be and remaine in Christ he ought to walke as he walked I am not ashamed to write S. Augustines most excellent exposition out of his booke of the life of a Christian cha 14 who saith as followeth 1 He is a Christian who Shewes mercy to all 2 He is a Christian who Is moued with the iniurye of all 3 He is a Christian who Suffereth not a poore man to be oppressed hee being in place 4 He is a Christian who Helpes the miserable 5 He is a Christian who Succoureth often the needy 6 He is a Christian who weepes with them that weep 7 He is a Christian who Feeles the griefe of another as his owne 8 He is a Christian who Is prouoked to weep by the weeping of another 9 He is a Christian who whose house is common to all men 10 He is a Christian who Whose gate is shut againste no man 11 He is a Christian who whose talke no poore man is ignorant of 12 He is a Christian who In whose house bread is offered to al men 13 He is a Christian who Whose goodnesse all menne knowes 14 He is a Christian who Of whom no man feels wroÌ„g 15 He is a Christian who Serues God day and night 16 He is a Christian who continually do meditate and thinke vpon gods commandements 17 He is a Christian who Is made poore in the world that he may be ritch with God 18 He is a Christian who With men is counted ignominious that hee may appeare glorious with God and his Angels 19 He is a Christian who Hath nothing fayned in his hart 20 He is a Christian who whose minde is simple immaculate 21 He is a Christian who Whose conscience is faithfull and pure 22 He is a Christian who Whos 's whole mind is in god 23 He is a Christian who whose whol hope is in christ 24 He is a Christian who Desires heauenly thinges rather then earthly 25 He is a Christian who doth despise humane things that he may posses diuine Thus farre S. Augustine In the 2. chapter he continueth an exhortation concerning newnesse of life by many arguments taken first from the loue of God towards vs. 2 From the hope of eternall life 3 From the offices of Christ which are to take awaye sinnes Fourthly to dissolue the workes of the diuell 5. From the efficient cause of righteousnesse to witte from God 6. From the vprightnesse of a good conscience 7 From the promise and commandement 8 From the loue of Christ towardes vs. In the fourth chapter he exhortes to take heed of the doctrine of Antichrist and to confesse the doctrine of Christe Afterwardes he goes forward vnto the end of the chapter to admonishe them concerning charity hauing once made a sweet comparison betwixt the loue of God towards vs and our loue towards God and our neighbour as betwixt the efficient cause and the effect In the fift chapter hee followeth after faith whence proceeds al good workes to whom victory is ascribed which hee sheweth must be confirmed by three testimonies to wit the spirit water and bloudâ— that is to save by the worde of God and the two sacramentes Afterwardes he makes them more certaine of life euerlasting togither with the hearing of the word Last of al he discerneth sinne not to be vnto death from the consideration of that sinne that is committed against the holy ghost pardonable from vnpardonable But they are sinnes against the sonne which proceed through the weaknesse of the flesh from them that beleeue in the sonne of God and doth repent And sinnes which are done by yâ— wicked against the holy ghost are first the resistance of the knowne truth 2 Repining at the good guifts of our brethreâ— 5 final impenitency The second Epistle of Iohn IN this one chap. of this Epistle of Iohn first he cals himselfe an Elder because he was a priest the chief Apostle now being olde for he liued in the time of Traâ—â—ne the Emperour vnder whom he died as it is â—â—unde in the histories in the yeare of Christ 101. and of his owne age ninety Afterwardes he exhorteth his elect Lady excellent both for her byrth and also for her vertue First to loue then to perseuerance in the doctrine of Christe Lastly he warneth to excommunicat the haters of Christ The third Epistle of Iohn IN this one chapt of this Epistle Iohn names three men of the which first he names Gaius to whom he writes and calles him his sonne commending him for the trueth or word of God next for loue lastlye for his hospitality The other was Diotrephus a wicked Bishop not onely as an inuector and backbiter but also being no houskeeper and an hater of christian brethren and also an excommunicater he sharply reproues him and rebukes him The third was Demetrius whom hee commendeth sometimes by the testimony of others and sometimes by his own profe testimony for the truth that is to say for his knowledge and obedience toward the word of God The Epistle of Iude. THis Iudas was surnamed Thaddeus the sonne of Alpheus brother to Iames the younger as men call him and of Simon and this Apostle wrote this one chap onely of this in which throughout he answereth to the second chapter of the second epistle of Peter First he threatneth horrible punishmentes to heretikes and false teachers bringing forth the example first of the Egyptians 2 Of the Angels 3 Of the Sodomites 4. Of Caine. 5 Of Balaam 6. Of Chore he sets them forth in their colours Afterwards he describes what manner of people they are as Peter did in which description whom it concerns in our time it is not hard to iudge Lastly he exhortes all godly menne to perseuerance First in faith 2 in the holy ghost Thirdly in prayer Fourthly in Loue. Fiftly in looking for Gods mercy 6 In compassion 7 In newnes of life In the end he woulde haue the godly to keepe the faith and to beware of false doctrine The Reuellation of S. Iohn THe Ecclesiasticall historie shewes how Iohn being vnder the Emperour Domitian was banished into the Hand of Pathmos there wrote this Apocalyps or Reuelation