committed to Peter as others then none of them obtayned the whole whereby he might be called the heade or Lorde of others Neyther coulde Peters authoritie in preaching the Gospell be greater than eyther Iohns or Matthias bicause they all receyued but one and the same commaundement of the Lorde Iesus as is playne Againe they ioyne the names of Ministerie and Apostleship togither both to withstand ambition and to fortifie the worthynesse of the office For where it is a Ministerie that is here entreated of it is foolishnesse and great absurditie vnder colour thereof to seeke reuerence of the people or to exercyse tyrannicall Lordship ouer them But rather it behooueth vs to obserue the rule of Christ Whosoeuer will be great among you let him be your minister and who so will be chiefe among you let him be your seruant And for this cause Paule shoulde be preferred before many of the Apostles bicause he laboured more than all the other in the Church of christ There is a preposterous order in the Church in these dayes where they are counted the first and chiefe that labor least in the ministery of the Church that liue most pompeously of all others vpon the Churches goods and which heape vp treasures to them and their posteritie of the same Agayne least the name of Ministerie might seeme to signify any vile or base condicion that the contemners of the Gospell should take no occasion of vngodlynesse thereby nor the Ministers themselues esteeme euer the worse of their office they make mention also of an Apostleship By the which worde we are taught that they are the Ministers of Christ his Church which are occupied in that ministery For an Apostle signifieth as much as a Legate or one that is sent But he is no Legate that runneth of his owne heade and handleth his owne matters but he that is sent from a more excellent and superiour and is appointed for the intreatie and discussion of publike affayres In so much that Legates are not esteemed with wise men so much for their owne persons sake as they be for his worthynesse from whome they are sent And the Apostles were sent from Iesus Christ as we hearde before who would haue them to be witnesses ouer all the worlde of the redemption and saluation of mankinde which he had purchased by the merite of his incarnation and death Such therefore ought they to be esteemed and not to be contemned bicause of their outwarde port which is vyle and abiect in the sight of the worlde For it is Christes saying If any man receyue whomsoeuer I sende hee receyueth mee And whosoeuer receyueth me receyueth him that sent me And Paule to the same purpose sayth We be messengers in the roume of Christ euen as though God did beseech you thorowe vs. Therefore euen as in the Apostleship the ministery must be considered least the Ministers puft vp with ambicion aspyre to Lordship and bearing of rule so in the ministerie let both the Ministers and hearers remember the Apostleshippe least eyther the hearers contemne the Ministers or the Ministers thinking to slenderly of the ministery forget their dutie and dignitie Now let vs come to the last part of this place wherein is declared how they sought the will and pleasure of God by casting of lottes They gaue out their lottes sayth he and the lot fell on Matthias and he was counted with the eleuen Apostles Here we first haue to speake of lottes For there are places of Scripture not a fewe wherein soothsaying Artes and curiositie of mans wit in searching for secretes and things to come are earnestly condemned See Leuiticus the .ix. and Deuter. viij Chapter And the Prophete Esaye in the .viij. Chapter calleth all men to the law and testimonie as for all other meanes of seeking Gods counsayle he forbiddeth with great authority And Micheas in the fifth Chapter excludeth out of the kingdome of Christ all soothsayers and such lyke rabble of men But we must marke how there is two kindes of lotteries or casting of lottes the one lawfull the other vnlawfull That is vnlawfull when they go about after the curiositie of mans brayne by sciences condemned of God to search out secrets and what is to come the knowledge whereof belongeth not vnto vs This the Astrologers vse which wryte Prognostications of the course and successe of yeres to come according to the Clowdes the Planets and influences of heauen Which kinde of men reigneth nowe a dayes amongest Christian men not without the great shame of christian religion To these may we ioyne those that when they haue the houre of ones Natiuitie looke vppon the Ascendent and according to the position and figure of heauen pronounce of the course of his whole life of the nature condicions and disposition and come to such impietie that they put man the excellentest creature of God yea and Lorde of all the things that God hath created vnder the rule and gouernance of the Planets and starres To these appertaine they which are giuen to the studie of Geomantie and thinke they are able to foretell the successe and effects of all thinges And as manye as by any Art forbidden by God search after secret matters and things to come For where these men of a curious audacitie go about to pierce into Gods secrets their boldnesse must plainly be iudged to be wicked The lawfull kinde of lottery or drawing of lottes is when the successe of a thing lawfull yea necessary and belonging to vs is committed by lottes to the iudgement of god And this is vsed commonly for the more authoritie of thinges in hande and for the auoyding of contentions which men ledde with hatred or priuate lucre vse for to seeke And this kinde of drawing lottes Salomon sheweth vs where he sayth The lot pacifieth variance and parteth the mighty a sunder The vsage of this kind of lottery is very auncient and the very Ethnicks thought it not irreligious or vnlawfull Homere writeth that the Greekes in times past vsed it when they chose any out of the number of the valiaunt Captaynes to fight with Hector demaunding the combate The Romanes vsed the same when they sent forth their Magistrates to beare rule abroad in the Prouinces bicause they shoulde not seeme to take authoritie or beare office without the Gods appoyntment The Israelites also were commaunded to deuyde or distribute the lande of Chanaan by lottes And the vse of lottes in the deuiding of inheritance hath bene vsed amongst vs may be retayned without hurt of Christian religion so it be not corrupted with anye other kinde of superstition Therefore the Apostles in this doing take no vngodlye thing in hande but are onely carefull to vnderstande Gods will and to that ende make their harty and faythfull prayer before And it is plaine by Salomon that men in these dayes also should not offende if they would vse lottes with the lyke godlynesse
Ghost also his open and expresse oracles They muste be like baÌ„ds wherby our wayward striuing flesh must be brought to the obedience of faith that willingly least we fele the mightie hand of god to our great losse calamitie who bringeth theÌ„ which had lefer to folow the seÌ„suality of flesh than to obey his calling euen perforce to that he willeth Thus we read he was angry with Moses refusing the office that he offered him Exod. 4. And vnto Ieremie doing the lyke and alleaging his youthe he sayde in wrathfull wyse Saye not I am to yong For thou shalte go to all that I shall send thee vnto â–ª and whatsoeuer I commaunde thee that shalt thou speake c. Iere. 1. What happened vnto Ionas for refusing the vocation of God is more euident than nedeth rehearsal of wordes So from this matter he commeth by litle litle to his purpose saying I knowe not what shall become of me there nor what the cause is that the spirite so vrgeth me to take this iourney but the same spirite telleth me that euery where afflictions and bands are prepared for me which thing the holie Prophets in euery Church with one consent testifie Yet must I goe thorough all these pykes and daungers yea and through death also considering it so semeth good vnto God who only hath power both vpon my selfe and death This place is very worthye to be consydered bicause it may serue much both for our instruction and consolation For first it declareth the faythfull care of God which vseth to defende and prouide for those that be his For where he loueth entirely he can not chose but consider them and giue them warning in time of all thinges that shall befall them For howe can he neglecte his seruauntes that honoure him seing he foresheweth the paines of the wicked bringeth no calamitie vpon them but he first warneth them thereof by his Prophetes Nexte we see howe God also warneth those that be his Paule vnderstoode that bands afflictions were prepared for him at Hierusalem But what the ende hereof should be the holy Ghoste as yet had not reueled vnto him God therefore after a generall sorte for the most parte admonisheth those that bee his although he declare not the perticulers of euery thing For he reuealeth asmuch vnto them as is needefull for them to know so that they may prepare themselues to beare the Crosse but to leaue all the successe thereof vnto him So we haue generall predictions whereby we are admonished that we shall suffer tribulations and aduersities in the worlde The chiefe vse whereof is that we shoulde prepare our selues to beare them least if they fel on vs vnarmed they would be occasion of greater offence Thirdely it behoueth vs to obserue the counsell of God which he is wont meruellously to shewe towarde his faythfull seruaunts Paule being many times before warned of the brethren eyther by flying saued him selfe or else prudently defeated his ennimies awaytes Nowe is he also admonished of bandes and afflictions but he is so vrged and prycked forwarde by the spirit of God that he vnderstandeth he must wade through the middle of them notwithstanding the brethren greatly dissuade him to the contrarie We reade also that Iesus Chryst sometime auoyded the attemptes and laying wayte of his enimies yet at length he commeth forth to meete them when he perceiued his houre was come and that the eternall decree of his heauenly father so required These thinges teach vs that daungers are not alwayes sufficient occasions for a man to flye For when we are vrged with the sure vocation of God we must not suffer our selues to be reuoked neyther through fire nor sworde nor floudes of the maine Sea as once happened at the redde Sea from doing our duetie wherevnto we perceyue we are called of God. But bycause he woulde not put his friendes and brethren to much in feare he vseth an Apostolyke and Christian consolation saying Howe of None of these things moue me As who should say I woulde not haue you to be greeued for my sake For why should you take any sorrowe for these things that I make no accounte off Why Paule doest thou then contemne the Oracles of the holy Ghost and the louing admonitions of thy brethren No but I therfore little esteeme the present daungers that be at hande bicause I passe little of my life that is to say I esteeme not this temporall lyfe more than my vocation which the Lorde hathe appoynted me vnto Yea I desire to finishe my course ioyfully and to satisfie my office and duetie by publishing the Gospell of the grace of God in all places Therefore where I haue long sithence dedicated my lyfe vnto Chryste imprisonmentes and afflictions can not make me afrayde This example of Paule declareth howe the godly should vse themselues in aduersitie Firste they shoulde not so care for tribulations that for the auoyding of them they shoulde committe any vncomely and vnworthy parte Otherwise God will not haue vs ledde with that Stoikes indolencie but that wee shoulde not haue more consideration of our selfe than of his vocation There can bee no greater comforte in this case than if men oftentimes meditate vppon Gods prouidence which Christ setteth before his Disciples and Dauid maketh this to bee his onely defence and safest Sanctuarie that he beleeueth His fleetings are numbred with God and hys teares putte in his bottell Math. 10. Psalm 56. Nexte let them take heede that they preferre not this temporall lyfe before the eternall Let them rather consider howe God hath lente vs this lyfe to liue vnto him and if neede also so require to dye vnto him And bicause we must once dye we can neuer dye happelier than in Gods vocation For so shall that saying of Dauid be verified on vs Precious in the sighte of the Lorde is the death of his Saincts And if it be vnlawfull to preferre this lyfe before the life euerlasting howe muche lesse oughte we to preferre riches honours pleasures and suche other worldely commodities as these before the same For what aduantageth it a man to get all the worlde and to lose his soule Or what thing is so precious that it can redeeme but one soule Finally the godly muste labour all that in them is to passe all aduersities ioyfully and to accomplishe their course that is the office wherewith they are put in charge prosperously For it suâ—fiseth not to beginne well but to continue still on as wee haue often tymes declared Let all men therefore remember that this lyfe is lyke vnto a race the ende whereof is death which they moste ioyfully take holde of which do their duetie euen vnto the ende But before we go any further let vs see how Paule speaketh of the Gospell and the Ministerie thereof He calleth it the Gospell of the grace of God of the effecte thereof bycause it offereth to vs the grace
Saintes companye how profitable it is 879 Saintes how much wee must attribute to them 161 Saintes are tryed with feare 684 Sapphira maketh an impotent and bolde lye 229 Sapphira ignoraunt of hir husbands death for a season and why 232 Sapphiras wickednesse reproued by Peter ibidem Sapphira punished as was hir husbande 237 Satan put men out of the waye of saluation 576 577 Satan can doe nothing against man but by gods permission 410 Satan hath his instrumentes euerye where 576 Satan throwne out by the name of Christ. 629 Satan what traines he vseth to establishe his kingdome among men Pag. 627 Satan howe hee is sayde to fill the heartes of the vngodlye 230 Satan beareth witnesse to the truth Pag. 628.629 Satans â—lightes must be taken heede of 577 Satans effectes in Hypocrites and in the wicked 230 Satans propertie 357 Satans pollicie 576 Saule receyueth a two folde answere of the Lorde 395 Saule persecuting the faythfull persecuteth Christ. 790 Saule an example of a cruel tyraunt Pag. 390.359 Saule truely called a rauening wolfe Pag. 357 Saule set forth for a peculiar example of Gods goodnesse and grace Pag. 394.395 Saule authorised by the Priestes to playe the Tyraunt 390 Saule when he was conuerted 392 Saule how he was conuerted ibideÌ„ Saule a president of tyranny 390 Saules conuerting to Christ historised 392 Saules ende and purpose 391 Saule the persecutor described 390 Saule the persecutors punishment Pag. 394 Saules saluation must be attributed to the grace of God onely 395 S ante C Schisme beginners are the byshops of Rome 194 Schooles foundations 49.84 Schooles needefull 509 Sclaunders wherewith Ministers are charged 467 Sclaunders must Christians put away and defende their good name Pag. 91 Sclaunders maye lawfullye be aunswered to ibidem Sclaunder or offence ibidem Scripture is of it selfe of credyte and auctoritie sufficyent 867 Scripture is enspired of God. 54 Scripture conteyneth al thing needefull for vs to beleue and obserue 7 Scripture of the olde and newe Testamentes pertayneth to all them that loue God. ibdem. Scripture must be expounded 647 Scriptures authoritie and certaynetye 897 Scripture must bee interpreted by conference of places 127 Scripture with what minde men must reade it 62 Scripture must be elucidated wyth interpretations 398 Scripture containeth the knowledge of the true God. 571 S ante E Sectes cause of discention among the Iewes 803 Securitie or carelesnesse must bee auoyded 269 Sedition described 722 Sedition happily ended 653 Sedition ended with ioye 653 Sedicion soone appeased 728 Sedition beginners who 770 In sedicion what christians must do Pag. 725 Seditious persons but fewe in number maye be authors of manifolde euilles 724 Sermons ought to beginne and ende with prayers 754 Seruers of tyrauntes turnes what they may looke for 504 S ante H Shipwrake described and the number of them that were in the shippe Pag. 885 A true sheapeheardes example 764 Shooes putting of what it meaneth Pag. 328 S ante L Sleepinesse or drowsinesse of churchmen 733 Slouthfulnesse of men in our dayes Pag. 272 Slouthfull men reprehended 890 Sluggishnesse and ydlenesse 653 S ante I Signes externe seale the interne and spirituall gyftes of God. 304.305 Signes visible of the presence of the holy ghost 82 Signes that God sheweth must bee dilygently considered 158 Signes externe are not sufficient to saluation 305 Signes called after the names of the things that they signifie 80.290 Signes haue muche lykenesse wyth the thinges that they signifie 80 Signes are diuerse 159 Signes to what vse they serue 359 Signes must not haue to much attributed to them 305 Sticking to signes is the beginning of ydolatrie 158 Simon how he tooke Peters expostulation 374 Simon Magus beleeueth and is baptised 367 Simon Magus an example of an hipocrite and a deceyuour 268 Simon Magus his sinne 370 Simons of our dayes 371 Simplicitie of the fayth 672 S ante O Solomon for his wiues sake that were aliauntes buylded Temples Pag. 340 Solomons wish 20 Sole or single lyfe maintayners 46 Soules of men vnder the protection of God. 119 S ante P Spirites appearing what wee ought to iudge of it 762 Spirite of Christ author of concorde and holynesse 78 Spirite of Christe his efficacy how great it is in men 155 Spirite of Christ in whome it raigneth 90 Spirites of the disseassed walke not Pag. 500 Spirite signified by the blowing of the winde and for what cause 79 Spirite of Christ so delyuereth vs from fearâ— that wee dare boldelye confesse Christ. 86 Spirite of God is from euerlasting Pag. 74 Spirite why it was promised to the Apostles 19 Spirite teacheth vs to reason of Gods doings and to call vpon him for helpe 84 Spirite of God wrought in the Apostles 74 Spirite of God spake by the Apostles 8 Spirite of Christ maketh men bolde in the confession of Christ. 85 Spirite of God altereth and enformeth tongues and for what causes Pag. 84 Spirite is the promise of the father Pag. 18 Spirite when he was sent 75 Spirite what daye he was sent to the Apostles ibi Spirite how he must be receyued 77 Spirite how he is giuen to whom Pag. 94 Spirite how he is sent 78 Spirite in what scence it is sayde to be sent to the Fathers 18.19 Spirite often promised and wherefore 74 Spirite where it was giuen ibidem Spirite sent visibly for what cause Pag. 78 Spirites effect in the Apostles and their hearers 82 Spirites effectes common to all beleeuers 96 Spirite how necessarie and to what vse in men 78 Spirites inuincible power 558 Spirites sending and Christes ascention ioyned togyther 124 Spirites sending called by the name of baptisme 21 Spirite promised Christ confirmeth by an argument taken from baptisme and the argument explicated ib. Spirites operation and giftes 77 Spirites effectuous operation 124 Spirites effectes in these dayes why they be so rare 258 Spirite promysed serueth for our comfort and instruction 19 Spirites power can not be comprehended nor hindred by any man. 80 Spirite howe the Apostles are sayde to haue receyued 74 Spirite must bee receyued of men with great preparation 77 Spirite of Satan what it doth in vncleane persons 85 Spirite of the olde and newe testament is but one 76 S ante T Steuen accused of impietie and stubbornenesse and vpon what occasion 288 Steuen accused of blasphemye against God and his lawe 292 Steuen by slaunders and false witnesse brought in hatred with all the people 287 Steuen instructed by the holy Ghost sheweth himselfe a fine disputer and abolde ibid. Steuen readye to yelde vp his lyfe is comforted by a vision and what that vision teacheth vs. 334 Steuen is without feare though in daunger of death 290 Steuen went not about to abrogate the lawe 351 Steuen prooueth that the cerimoniall lawe is abrogated ibid. Steuen deserued the crowne of martirdome 357 Steuen what he did at his death 355 Steuen no dispiser of Moses 321 Steuen blasphemed not the Temple and holy place nor the outwarde seruise 345
hee be the king of Israell let him nowe come downe from the crosse 269 28. I am with you vntill the ende of the world 879.327.520 28 All power is gyuen too mee in Heauen and in earth 35 28. Teaching them to obserue all things what soeuer I haue commaunded you 335 MArc 8. who so euer shall bee ashamed of mee and of my wordes c. 591 10. No man that forsaketh house c. Pag. 891 16. Goe yee into all the worlde and preache â–ª c. 133. â—10 16. Hee that beleeueth and is baptised shal be saued 458 16. Hee that beleeueth not shall bee dampned 182 16. When the Lord had spoken vnto them hee was receyued into heauen 33 LUc. 1. Hee hath put downe the mightie from their Seates and exalted them of lowe degree Pag. 330 6. Woe vnto you that nowe laughe for you shall wayle and weepe Pag. 115 7. Thy sinnes are forgyuen thee Pag. 181 9. Who so euer will not receyue you when you go out of that citie 549 9. No man that putteth his hande to the plough and looketh back is apt to the kingdome of God. Pag. 549.612 10. Hee that heareth you heareth mee and hee that despyseth you despyseth mee 592.608 10. Into whatsoeuer Citie you enter 549 11. Happie are they that heare the wordes of GOD and keepe it Pag. 351 12. Let your loynes bee gyrte about and your lightes brennyng 8 12. Feare not little flocke for it is your Fathers pleasure to gyue you a kyngdome 50 13. It can not bee that a Prophete perishe any other where then at Hierusalem 16 26. The children of this worlde are wyser then the children of light Pag. 192.657 17. As it chaunced in the dayes of Noe so shall it bee in the dayes of the sonne of man. 661 18. There was a Iudge in a certain Citie 499 21. I will gyue you a mouthe and wysedom agaynst the which c. Pag. 175 22. Yee are they which haue abydden with mee in my temptacions Pag. 171.557 22. I appoint vnto you a kingedome as my father hath appointed vnto mee 538 22. You bee come foorth as vnto a theefe with swordes and stanes Pag. 491 23. To daye thou shalt bee with mee in Paradise 118. 23. Father forgyue them for they wote not what they doe 171 24. Ought not Christ to haue suffered these things c. 27 24. That all must be fulfilled which were written of mee in the lawe of Moyses and in the prophets and in the Psalmes 676 24. Handle mee and see for a spirite hath not fleshe and bone as you see mee haue 10 24. RepentaÌ„ce remission of sinnes muste bee preached in his name among all nations 133 IOan 1. Hee came amongest hys owne 309 1. In him was lyfe 538 1. No man hath seene God at any tyme but the sonne c. 552 1. Beholde the Lambe of GOD. Pag. 544 2. Tho zeale of thyne house hath euen eaten mee 659 3. Hee that beleeueth not the sonne shall not see lyfe 182 3. So GOD loued the world c. Pag. 184 3. The wynde bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest the sounde thereof but knowest not whence it commeth and whether it goeth Pag. 79.138.195 4. Whosoeuer drinketh of the water that I shall gyue him shall neuer be more a thirst 7.665 4. The true worshippers shal worship the Father in spirite and in the truth 328 4. Ye worship you wote not what Pag. 665 5. The woorkes that my Father hath gyuen mee to finishe beare witnes of mee 7 5. Hee that heareth my worde and beleeueth in him that sent mee â–ª is escaped from death vnto lyfe Pag. 563 5. The houre shall come in the which all that are in the graues shall heare his voyce 117 6. No man commeth vnto mee except the Father drawe him 135. and 586.620 6. This is the will of him that sent mee that euery one whiche seeth the Sonne and beleueth on him 12 7. Hee that beleeueth on mee â–ª out of his belly shall flowe ryuers of water of lyfe 19 7. Doth any of the Rulers beleeue on him 45 8. Abraham sawe my day and was glad 122 8. Hee that is of God heareth the worde of God. 181 10. If I doo not the woorkes of my Father beleue me not 7 10 My sheep heare my voice 181.320 No man shal pluck them out of his hande 196.353 10. I haue other sheepe also whiche are not of this folde 554 11. This infirmitie is not vnto death but for the glory of God that the sonne of God might be glorified thereby 165 11. It is expedient for vs that one man dye for the people 633 12. Where I am there shall also my minister bee 12 12. When I am lifte vppe from the earth I will drawe all men vnto mee 2 13. Who so receyueth whom soeuer I sende receyueth mee 9 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you loue one another 223 13. You ought also to washe one anothers feete 328 14. I am the waye the light and the truth 538 14. No man commeth vnto the Father but by mee 107 14. In my Fathers house are many dwelling places â–ª 35 14. I will not leaue you comfortles Pag. 308.327.520 14. I will come agayne and receyue you euen vnto my self 12 24. I will praye the Father and hee shall gyue you an other Comforter â—9 15. Without mee yee can do nothing Pag. 110.270 15. If they haue kept my sayinge they will keepe yours also 550 15. Nowe are you cleane thoroughe the wordes which I haue spoken vnto you 596 16. Yee shall leaue mee alone and yet am I not alone 308.520 16. Nowe yee haue sorrowe but I will see you agayne and your harte shall reioyce 115. and 558 16. In the worlde yee shall haue tribulation 98 17. I haue glorified thee vpon earth Pag. 113 17. Father I will that those whiche thou hast gyuen mee be with me where I am 12.36 17. This is life euerlasting â–ª that they might knowe thee 542.552 18. My kingedome is not of thys worlde 98 19. Wee haue no kynge but Cesar. Pag. 179 19. It is finished 118 20. These things are written that you might beleeue 0 ROman 1. Which was declared to bee the Sonne of GOD with power 540 2. Whosoeuer hath sinned without lawe shall also perishe withoute Law. 675 3. What though some of them dyd not beleeue 17 3. Therefore wee holde that a man is iustified by fayth 595 3. All men haue sinned and are destitute of the glory of God but are iustified freely thorough hys grace 458.544 4. Not in circumcision but in vncircumcision 294.297 5. That where sinne abounded there myght grace also raigne Pag. 512 7. The lawe is spirituall but we be carnall 155 7. O wretched maÌ„ that I am who shall deliuer mee from the body of this death 613 8. If God bee with vs who can be against vs. 13.298 8. You haue not receyued the spirite of bondage to feare anye
things which can not be attayned too nor perceyued by mans reason it becommeth vs with Paule to marueyle with godly confession of our ignorance and to crie out O the depth of the riches and of the wisedome of God how vnsearchable be his iudgementes and his wayes vnfindeable for who hath knowne the minde of the Lorde or who hath bene a counsell with him or who hath first giuen to him and it shall be giuen to him againe For of him and by him and in him c. Nowe let vs see the other part of Christes aunswere wherein he repeateth such thinges of his kingdome as serue for this present purpose Hee so handleth this matter as I sayde before that he both marueylously comforteth the Disciples and admonisheth them of their dutie For he sayth You shall receyue power when the holy ghost shall come vpon you and you shall be witnesses to me not only in Hierusalem but in all Iurie and Samarie and vnto the worldes ende First he repeateth the promyse of the holy ghost wherwith he comforteth the Disciples and describeth the state of his kingdome I woulde not sayth he haue you abashed where you heare you are appointed to the setting forth of my kingdome among the Gentyles For this thing will not bee compassed by mans strength which I perceyue in you to be very small and little regarded Here needeth heauenlye and diuine strength from aboue which I haue often promised you shal not want and now againe I promise you the same For the holy ghost shall come vpon you which shall giue you courage and strength that shall make you able to fulfill your office We are here admonished that Christes kingdome as hee confessed before Pylate is not of this worlde or earthly but spirituall neyther consisteth in the power honour glory triumphes riches and pleasures of this world but in righteousnesse peace and ioy in the holye ghost Wherevpon we gather further that it is not set foorth and defended with carnall weapons and strength of Princes of this worlde but with preaching of the worde wherwith the spirite of God worketh effectuously in the harts of men This teacheth the wordes of Paule where he sayth Though we walke in the fleshe yet warre we not after the flesh For the weapons of our warfare are not carnall but mighty in God to cast downe strong holdes wherewith we ouerthrowe counsayles and euery high thing that exalteth it selfe against the knowledge of God bring into captiuity all imagination to the obedience of Christ. c. Therfore they labour in vaine which go about by mans counsell leagues fight fauour and amitie of Princes and such lyke meanes to set vp the kingdome of god For Christes kingdome is in the mindes of men which by no mans strength can be forced but with the power and operation of the holye ghost It becommeth both Kings and Princes to be the nurses and maintayners of the Church as Esay sayth but they shall neuer with outwarde power and strength set forth the kingdome of christ And the examples of all ages plainely teach vs that whatsoeuer man went about by his counsell and strength that way to bring it to passe neuer happily succeeded Moreouer he expressely teacheth what the Apostles haue to doe in their office in this kingdome You shall be my witnesses sayth hee This shall bee your kingdome your office your dignitie to beare witnesse of my doctrine life myracles passion death buriall resurrection from death and ascention into heauen and briefly of all the things which I haue done and suffred for mans saluation Neyther shall you expounde the hystorie of things by mee done onelye but declare the ende and vse of them that all nations maye acknowledge mee their onelye teacher sauiour and redeemer Christ thought good in this place to vse this worde witnesse as also in Iohn the .xv. to admonish as well the Apostles as the hearers of their dutie For the Apostles and their successors learne by the dutie of a witnesse how to preache the Gospell of Iesus christ In a witnesse the looue of truth is chiefly required and a lying witnesse God hateth Againe it is the part of a witnesse to speake nothing but that he knoweth which he hath so certainly seene and heard that he doubteth nothing of the truth of them Further he must haue no corrupt affections least of hatred feare or fauour he put to hyde or conceale any thing but plainly confesse the thing he knoweth Such witnesses we reade that the Apostles were For whatsoeuer they heard Christ teach or sawe him doe they truely preached it neyther feared they the threates of their enimies as appeareth in all hystories Neyther confirmed they their witnesse of Christ with words onely but with their life with death and with their bloud It becommeth the Ministers of the worde to imitate their truth and constancy who if for fauour of man or feare of daunger they chaunge or at least dissemble any thing in the quarrell of Christ they pollute themselues with an horrible crime and are in daunger of Christes sentence Whosoeuer is ashamed of me in this naughty and adulterous world him will I also be ashamed of when I come wirh the holy angels in the glory of my father Againe the hearers of the Apostles and Apostolicall doctrine are here admonished what an heynous offence it is not to beleeue the holye gospell or to gainesay it For it is not a simple preaching of Christ or an hystoricall and bare narration but a testimonie which the Apostles as sworne witnesses brought into the worlde by the very sonne of God gaue not only before the common people but also before the Bishoppes and Priestes Kinges and their Counsell But he that in the lawe giueth no credite to sworne witnesses and openly denieth their testimony bringeth himselfe in daunger of lyfe What shall we saye then of those â–ª which feare not to speake against the Apostles being Christes witnesses For they accuse not only the Apostles of lying but also Christ himselfe as much as in them lyeth yea they woulde cause God the father to be suspected as though he would bring forth false witnesses and obtaine his sonnes cause with suborned witnesses This sawe that beloued Disciple of Christ when he sayth If we receyue the witnesse of men the witnesse of God is greater For this is the witnesse of God which he bare of his sonne He that beleeueth the sonne of God hath the witnesse in himselfe He that beleeueth not God maketh him a lyer bicause hee beleeueth not the witnesse that God beareth of his sonne c. These things if we consider brethren we shall finde the chiefe cause of the euils of these daies For where we take it for a ieast and pastime to call in question and doubt the things written by the Apostles of Iesus Christ yea many wickedly deny them and persecute that testimony of Iesus Christ with fire and sworde
dwelling of the Saintes sheweth vs Christ saying Our conuersation is in heauen from whence we looke for a Sauiour euen the Lorde Iesus Christ. Doth he not here appoynt the same place vnto Christ into the which our bodies shall once be receiued To this is to be ioyned the describing of the maner and order of the resurrection to come where he sayeth The Lorde himselfe shall come downe from heauen with the noyse and voyce of an Archaungell and trumpe of God and the deade in Christ shall first aryse and then wee that be on lyue which shall remayne shall be taken with them in the Clowdes to meete the Lorde and so shall we alwayes be with him He sayth that Christ the Lorde shall come yea descende from heauen and that it might appeare of what heauen he meaneth he sayth that we shall be taken in the Clowdes to meete Christ in the aire Therfore all these things are to be vnderstanded of some higher place in heauen where both Christ sitteth and raigneth in his body and into the which all the elect shall hereafter be translated Howbeit Luke is most diligent in describing the maner of his ascention Where first he sayth that holding vp his handes into heauen he blessed the Apostles that is bade them farewell and after the common maner of men departing one from another commended them to the tuition and protection of God almightie Afterwarde they looking vpon him he was taken vp into heauen Which one thing conuinceth them of vanitie and errour which saye Christ vanished away inuisibly For if they herein saye true how was he taken vp on high the Disciples looking vpon him Or would he therefore seeme to ascende bicause he woulde haue vs beleeue he were still conuersant on the earth Herevnto is to be added the ministerye or seruice of the Clowde which as it conueyed him from the earth as in a chariot euen so it caried hym higher than mans sight coulde reach to and tooke him out of sight He vsed the Clowde as a chariot according to that saying of the Psalme which makest the Clowds thy Charet For the Clowde was both a token of heauen into the which he should ascende and also bare plaine witnesse of his heauenly and diuine maiestie Wherevnto also is to be referred the appearing of the Aungels which he would not onely haue witnesses but also ministers of his ascention For it was meete that he which vsed the seruice of Angels in his conception natiuitie temptation death and resurrection should now likewyse vse the same ministers when he woulde declare the greatest poynt of his maiestie And it serued for our profit bicause we might know the maiestie of our sauiour and that although he were absent in bodye yet that he would easily protect and defende vs by his holye spirite and ministery of Aungels whose power hath long since bene prooued by many examples to be infinite and inuincible And although these be great tokens of Christes diuine maiestie and power yet maye we receyue more comfort of the causes mouing Christ to ascende into heauen For by them appeareth the great vtilitie that commeth to vs And first it was requisite so to be bicause of our redemption and saluation which otherwise coulde not be accomplished For whereas by reason of sinne the gates of heauen were shut vp and such is the corruption of our nature that Paule sayth fleshe and bloude that is man ledde with corrupt and carnal affections cannot inherite the kingdome of God it was necessarye that the heauens shoulde be opened againe by Christ that wee might take him for our sauiour and Redeemer This did Christ most commodiously by bringing his fleshe which he tooke of the Uirgin into heauen For who perceyueth not there is a waye made for our fleshe into heauen when he heareth that Christes fleshe in all poyntes lyke vnto ours sinne only excepted is resident in heauen To saye nothing in the meane season of the permutation and chaunge here made For as Christ graffeth his spirite in our hartes to th ende it shoulde be to vs in this lyfe the earnest and pledge of our eternall saluation so againe he caried into heauen our fleshe which he tooke of the virgin Marie that we myght be certified as it were by this pledge that we one daye should in our bodyes inherite the kingdome of heauen Wherevnto Paule hauing respect writeth God which is rich in mercy through the great loue wherewith hee loued vs euen when wee were deade by reason of sinne hath quickened vs togither with Christ for by Grace are you saued and hath also raysed vs vp againe and hath also made vs sit with him in heauen And Paule speaketh not these things in vaine but hath Christ the warranter and Auctor of his saying whose Testament as it were these words following are Father I will that where I am these also whome thou hast giuen me may be with me Wherefore that strong and inuincible trust through the consideration of his ascention ought to bee in euerye mans minde that Tertullian speaketh of Be out of care or be of good cheere fleshe and bloude you haue gotten both heauen and the kingdome of God in Christ. Furthermore by Christes ascention into heauen as by a publyke triumphe we are certifyed of the victorie that he hath gotten of the Deuill For as the Princes of this worlde when they haue vanquyshed their enimies returne home agayne with triumph wherin the Captaynes of the enimies are led Captiues and their ensignes displayed all which declare the victory to be verily gotten so the sonne of God after he had made warre against the Deuill the Prince of this worlde and had vtterly subdued him woulde after this solemne pompe in the sight of his friendes go agayne into heauen that we might be assured the Deuils power was vanquished and that we were deliuered from his tiranny And to this ende Paule seemeth to alledge that saying of the .lxviij. Psalme When he was gone vp on high hee ledde captiuitie captiue and gaue giftes vnto men And in another place hee writeth He made an open showe of rule and power and triumphed ouer them in his owne person Therefore as often as the power of Satan sinne and death shall make vs afrayde so often let vs flye to Christes ascention wherein he hath giuen vs an euident signe of victorye gotten of them and hath sealed the affaires of our redemption as it were with publike and solemne triumph Thirdly the reason of Priesthoode required that Christ shoulde enter into heauen wherevnto Dauid witnesseth he was assigned saying The Lorde hath sworne and will not repent him Thou art a Priest for euer after the order of Melchisedech But the high Priest was woont once euerye yeare to enter into the holy place that was wythin the veyle and that not without bloude which bicause it was a figure of things it behooued Christ shoulde enter
vs. And the sonne himselfe bindeth his promise to vs by an othe as often as he repeateth that verilye I saye vnto you so much vsed in the Gospell These things serue much for our comfort and instruction we are taught to make much of Christ and not to despyse the saluation which commeth by his merite and is offered vs by preaching of the Gospell as he commaunded In time passed as Paule sayth they which had transgressed the lawe of Moyses dyed without mercye vnder twoo or three witnesses How much sorer shall he be punished which treadeth vnder foote the sonne of God and counteth the bloude of the newe Testament as an vnholy thing c. And Iohn the Apostle admonisheth vs earnestly hereof saying if wee receyue the witnesse of men the witnesse of God is greater which he testified of his sonne He that beleueth in the sonne of God hath the witnesse in himselfe He that beleeueth not God hath made him a lyer bicause he beleeued not the recorde that God gaue of his sonne c. But what can be more horrible than to accuse God of a lye which is both eternall truth and also may so easily reuenge the contempt of himselfe Furthermore these things comfort vs asmuch in the conflict of temptations Satan many times goeth about to call the certaintie of our saluation into doubt But if we consider howe the same is sealed and confirmed as it were by an othe our fayth can not wauer For God is true and his worde endureth for euer But Peter returneth to Christ and prooueth that in him whatsoeuer things Dauid before times prophecied of the Messias are fulfilled The end of all his sayings is that men shoulde vnderstande howe Iesus of Nazareth was the sauiour of the worlde that was promised And of a manye of things which he might haue alledged he speaketh only of the resurrection and ascention bicause these two sufficed his purpose and serued chiefely for the present cause and controuersie which rose by sending of the holy ghost We shall speake of eche of them in order He reherseth the article of the resurrection to prooue Christ to be the sauior promised which argumēt Paule vseth also Of Peters words we may frame this argument Dauid a great while sithens prophecied of the Messias that neither his soule should long abide with the other soules of them that were departed nor that his bodye should suffer corruption bicause God woulde rayse him from death But this prophecie is fulfilled in Iesus of Nazareth Ergo it is manifest that Iesus of Nazareth is the Messias and sauiour Touching the Maior there is no doubt Therefore Peter laboureth in proouing the Minor the veritie whereof he confirmeth by the common testimonye of the Apostles of this thing sayth he wee bee all witnesses Neyther might these witnesses in whome there were such euident tokens of the holy ghost and of Gods working be easily reiected or contemned of men in their right wittes The Apostles vse oftentimes to prooue Christ to be our sauiour by his resurrection bicause Satan through death which happened by reason of sinne had the rule and Lordship ouer vs Neyther coulde we safely acknowledge Christ to be our sauiour except we were certaine that he had subdued the force of death In the meane season we must diligently consider the loyaltie and trustynesse of Peter and the other Apostles The Lorde chose them to be his witnesses as we sayde in the first Chapter They therefore perfourme the dutie of witnesses faithfully and boldly without all feare of any perill For in the citie of Ierusalem before a great assembly of people they testifie that Iesus is risen againe from the deade by the power of God yet was there a farre other rumor spred abrode in that citie For the souldiers as is declared in the last of Mathew being bribed with money by the Priests bare witnesse that the Disciples by night had stollen the body of Iesus awaye What a daungerous matter it was openly to gainesay these men euerye one may easily iudge seeing they had the authoritie of the Priests and of Pylate the Romaine President to defende them But the Apostles by faith in Christ ouercame all feare of daunger and left all men an example to follow which haue the testimonie of Iesus Christ committed vnto them The other argument whereby he prooueth Iesus to be the Messias promised he taketh of Christes ascention And this argument it seemeth hee vseth chiefely bicause of them which might thinke it a ridiculous matter to preach him to be a sauiour which coulde be seene no where amongst men Which also is the error of thē in these dayes who thinke him not a sauiour vnlesse he will shew himselfe bodily vnto them But Peter speaketh on this maner He being exalted by the right hande of God and hauing receyued of the father the promise of the holy ghost hath shed foorth this gift which you see and heare This saying seemeth the obscurer bicause for the breuitie thereof it cannot be perceyued wherevnto it is to be referred But the obscuritie is easily put awaye if we ioyne therewith the Oracle which Dauid vttered touching Christes ascention For of this Oracle and those thinges that Peter sayth we may frame an whole argument after this sort Dauid prophecied that Christ shoulde not only rise againe from the deade but also taught vs that he shoulde ascende into heauen For so he sayth Thou art gone vp on high thou hast led captiuitie captiue and hast giuen giftes vnto men This thing as also the other before is fulfilled in christ For he after he was risen againe being exalted by the mighty right hande of God ascended vp into heauen we looking on and poured vppon vs the spirite which he obteyned of God the father which spirit hath wrought in vs these giftes of tongues which you doe see and heare Therefore it is manifest that this is the Messias Further no man must be offended for that he saith Christ receyued the spirite of his father as though he were not of lyke power with the father For Peter speaketh this of Christs humanity wherin Christ confesseth that his father is greater than he Although in an other place againe he saith his father and he bee both one that is to say in respect of his diuinitie And Christ himselfe very trimly looseth this knot speaking of the sending of the holy ghost in this wise He shall glorifie me for he shall receyue of mine and shall shewe vnto you All thinges whatsoeuer the father hath are mine Therefore sayde I vnto you that he shall take of mine and shew vnto you c. When the comforter is come whom I will sende vnto you from the father euen the spirite of truth which proceedeth of the father hee shall testifie of me c. But least any man might suppose that the things spoken of Christes ascention were to be vnderstanded of Dauid or would call
was the author of this myracle and to shew all the vse therof Yet first he preacheth the resurrection of Christ both for that the reason of our saluation purchased by Christ consisteth in it and also for that it commodiously doth away the offence or slaunder of the crosse You sayth he killed the authour of lyfe but God hath raysed him from death whereof wee are witnesses It was needefull that these things shoulde be ioyned to the premisses least anye man might thinke the wicked had ouer much power permitted them For these things teach that their crueltie and iniquitie coulde derogate nothing from Christ as who being raysed from death doth nowe liue and raigne in heauen Herof we may take a generall comfort For as the crueltie and tirannie of the Iewes could nothing hinder or let Christ so whosoeuer doth imitate the Iewes impietie and tirannie cannot hurt the members of christ In deede the Princes of the worlde ioyne togither and desire to ouerthrowe the kingdome of christ But the Lord from high laugheth at their deuises whose counsayle shall stande for euer Looke the Psalmes .ij. and .xxxiij. Let no man therefore be afrayde of men who though they rage neuer so much haue no power but on our goods and body which otherwise is mortall and shall perishe Yea neyther haue they power theron farther than God permitteth who hath all the heares of our heade numbred But the soule being out of all daunger and hazarde trusteth in Christ hir redeemer and shall neuer be deceyued of hir hope But let vs see how Peter setteth forth the order of the myracle His name through the faith of his name hath made this man whole whome you see and knowe It seemeth a darke kinde of speache except a man marke the order of the wordes And it deceyueth manye bicause they thinke nomen this worde name is put in the accusatiue case whereas all the order of construction plainly prooueth it to be the nominatiue Thus must it be set in order and construed The name of Iesus Christ hath strengthned and made whole this man whome ye see present and that through the beliefe which hee hath in the name of Christ. And for the more playne vnderstanding he addeth by waye of exposition The faith which is by him hath giuen to him this health in the presence of you all The sense of all togither is that Iesus Christ through his name that is by his vertue power and merite hath giuen helth and safetie to this lame man bicause he hath beleeued in him He repeateth the name of Christ and faith of Christ the oftner to the intent the glory of Christ might seeme the greater in setting forth whereof the Apostles thought they had neuer done ynough as appeareth euerye where in their writings and sermons These wordes surely are not lightlye to be passed ouer For where we sayde that in this lame man was set forth to vs a figure of all mankinde in the healing of him we may beholde all the order of our saluation Here therefore is declared who is the true author of our saluation then the meane whereby we receyue saluation and the ende wherevnto all these things serue and tende As concerning the author of saluation Peter alleageth the name of Iesus Christ whome a little before he called the author and Lorde of life That this worde name is taken for power rule or merite it is more euident than needeth with many wordes to be declared And where at first he excluded all power and holynesse of men from this businesse and nowe maketh mention of Christ onely by whose meane and power all this matter is brought to passe it easily appeareth that the origen and beginning of our saluation is to be referred to Christ only For by his merite we are deliuered from sinne and redeemed from death and the tirannie of the deuill And himselfe in the Prophete testifyeth there is none other redeemer but he only But we shall haue occasion to speake more hereof in the fourth Chapter where Peter testifieth there is none other name vnder heauen giuen vnto man by the which he may be saued c. Howbeit it is not ynoughe to knowe that all saluation is contayned in Christ vnlesse we vnderstande howe to attaine and take holde of the saluation in him But Peter sheweth that also where he sayeth this man was made sounde and whole by faith that is bicause of his fayth in the name of Iesus Christ. Againe The faith which is by him hath giuen to him this health Therefore we take holde of saluation by faith and beside fayth there is nothing in vs whereby to take holde of it bicause wee bee graffed in Christe none other waye than by fayth Hee that eateth my fleshe and drinketh my bloude dwelleth in mee and I in him For where he is departed from vs in bodye and dwelleth in vs by his Spirite and liueth and reygneth in vs by his Spirite it is onelye a worke of fayth whereby we apprehende him and the saluation in him For the which cause oftentimes fayth is sayd to saue and to iustifie So Christ sayth to the woman which was sicke of the bloudy fluxe Thy fayth hath made thee whole And he promiseth saluation to Marie Magdalen by the same wordes Christ onely in deede saueth and iustifyeth For in him is life and he is made vnto vs of God the father wisedome righteousnesse satisfaction sanctification and redemption But bicause faith grafteth vs in Christ and maketh vs partakers of the goodnesse that is in him therfore saluation and iustification is not without a cause attributed thereto Marke now the definition of faith which Peter compriseth in these wordes where he sayth The fayth of hys name and the fayth that is by him For by these wordes he declareth that he speaketh of such a faith as stayeth vpon Christ and which acknowledgeth and beleeueth Christ to be such an one as he is described in name to be The name of the sonne of God incarnate is Iesus Christ. He receyued the name of IESVS of the Aungell before he was borne but in his Circumcision he tooke it againe after the solemne vsage of the people of Iewes which signifyeth a sauiour or Redeemer as sayeth the Aungell Thou shalt call his name IESVS for he shall saue his people from their sinnes This worde Christ with the Latines is asmuch to saye as annoynted and signifyeth the maner of our saluation and redemption For Kings and Priests in the old time were annointed and for that cause were called Meschijm and Christi that is to saye annointed So it behooued the Sauiour that was promised shoulde be called bicause he is that true King whome God hath set ouer his holy hill of Sion and whose kingdome is stretched ouer all the world See the Psalmes ij lxxij Zach. 9. For he like a faithfull king hath deliuered his people from the tyrannye of the deuill he ruleth
of God suffred themselues to be seduced with the lying Oracles of the deuill that they whome it became to haue worshipped God onely worshipped woode and stone and did abhominable sacrifice vnto Deuils And for bicause fewe acknowledged the great tyrannie of the deuill God suffred also that many were corporallye possessed of him and raged aswell agaynst themselues as agaynst others as we may learne in the hystorie of the Gospell But for all these maladies Iesus Christ is gyuen to be our Phisition who according to the promyse made in the beginning shoulde breake the Serpents heade and as the Apostle sayeth destroye the workes of the Deuill This thing he abundantly declareth he was both able and willing to doe whyle by his worde he healeth them whych were scourged with the horrible whippes of sicknesses while he draue forth of men deuils and vncleane spirites and would not suffer them which before seemed Lordes ouer all thinges once to hysse Heereto are to be referred whatsoeuer myracles of lyke sort the Euangelistes write whereby is declared vnto vs that that strong man is come which hath entred the Deuils house that is to saye the worlde hath bounde him and taken awaye all his armor harnesse as Christ teacheth vs in the Gospell Peter testifyeth that all these things were done by the power of God to aunswere the Scribes which sayde that he cast forth Deuils by the helpe of Belzebub There are examples in hystories which declare that the kingdome of the Deuill is destroyed by the power of christ For it is euident that all Oracles ceassed and kept silence when Christ died And Constantinus wryteth that when Dioclesian reygned the Deuill complayned out of Apollos caue or denne that the Christians whome he called iust did let that he could not gyue true Oracles as before he vsed Howbeit we shall a little hereafter see more euident proofes of Christes victorie agaynst the Deuill where Peter disputeth of his death and resurrection In the meane whyle it becommeth vs to remember our dutie which is that being taken from the power of darkenesse into the kingdome of the sonne of God we defende our libertie and fight continually agaynst Satan our common enimye that we be not at any time founde vnthankefull to Iesus Christ our deliuerer to whome be prayse honour power and glory for euer Amen The .lxxvj. Homelie AND wee are witnesse of all thinges which hee did in the lande of the Iewes and at Ierusalem whome they slewe and hanged on tree Him God raysed vp the thirde day and shewed him openly not to all the people but vnto vs witnesses chosen before of God for the same intent which did eate and drinke with him after he arose from death And hee commaunded vs to preache vnto the people and to testifie that it is hee which was ordeyned of God to be the iudge of quicke and deade To him giue all the Prophets witnesse that through his name whosoeuer beleeueth in hm shall receyue remission of sinnes THe Apostle Peter hath taught Cornelius the Centurion being appoynted therevnto of God in such wyse that he hath also set out before all men a generall and most absolute doctrine of saluation For he preacheth vnto him Iesus Christ the onely sauiour of mankinde in whome all the Scripture testifyeth that all the meane of our saluation is conteyned And hereof in the discourse before â—oâ—e he sayd two things First that God annoynted him that is ordeyned him to be the King and Priest of his people Wherevpon we gather that all those which appoynt to themselues any other mediatours or patrones of saluation doe sinne agaynst the eternall purpose of god Next he teacheth howe diligently and faythfully Iesus Christ vsed himselfe in his office For he sayeth he went about and of his exceeding liberalitie offred the benefite of saluation to them that sought it not And this was the ende and purpose of all his doyng to bring all those that were oppressed of the deuill into the kingdome and liberty of the sonnes of god which deliuery he declared and shewed by myracles thorowe the which he most faythfully releeued those that were vexed and troubled as well wyth incurable diseases as wyth rage of deuils by the wholesome helpe and power of his worde Now vnto these things Peter in thys place addeth that which perfyteth and maketh vp the doctrine of saluation For first he declareth the order and maner that Christ vsed in the redeeming of mankynde then he sheweth what vtilitye and profite commeth to vs thereby Therefore this place is worthye to be considered of vs verye diligently Before he declareth the order and maner of mannes redemption he confirmeth his doctrine by witnesses saying And wee are witnesses of all the thinges which he did in the lande of the Iewes and at Hierusalem And it ought to seeme no absurde or straunge thing to any man that Peter so boldlye produceth himselfe among his fellowes as witnesses of his sayinges For we haue already oftentimes hearde howe Christ appoynted them to that charge and a little hereafter it shall be declared that they were chosen of God to beare witnesse of Iesus Christ and of those things that he did concerning our saluation These things teach vs howe grieuously they offende which disdayne to beleeue the Gospell For where the narration of the thyngs that Christ did is not bare and emptye but hath the testimonie of God it easily appeareth that this contumely or reproch must needes redounde vnto God as hath bene otherwhere at large declared Howbeit as concerning the maner of our redemption which we sayde is chiefly intreated of in this place there are three thinges sayde of Christ in the which all those thinges are contayned that was needefull to be done in this behalfe Among which the first is the death of Christ the which he toucheth but briefly bicause it was well knowne He saith he was by the Iewes hanged on a tree and killed He maketh mention of a tree not so muche bicause he would expresse his cruell and horrible kinde of death as to put the hearers in remembraunce of the mistery of that sacrifice that Christ offred when he dyed for our sinnes For it appeareth that sacrifices were woont to be offered and burned vpon bundels of woode And thus doth Peter himself see me to interpretate this place where as in the second chapiter of his first epistle he writeth that Christ bare our sinnes in his body on the tree that is purged them by the sacrifice of his body vpon the altare of the crosse Christ teacheth vs the very same where he sayth that he will giue his flesh for the lyfe of the world which it is playne he did no where but on the crosse Esaias the Prophete is a copious expositor of these things who sayth Chap. liij He was wounded for our offences and smitten for our wickednesse For the chastisement of our peace was layde vpon him and with
his stripes are we healed We haue all gone astraye like sheepe euery one hath turned his owne way But the Lorde hath heaped togither vpon hm the iniquitie of vs all c. All this pertayned vnto the Priesthoode of Christ whome it behooued after thys sort as Paule sayth to enter into heauen not by the bloude of Oxen and Gotes but by his owne bloude and offring vp himselfe to put sinne to flight and to take awaye the sinnes of manye And of him it behooued our redemption should take beginning forasmuch as God being angry with vs bicause of our sinnes it was not lawfull for vs to come before his presence And this is that profitable consideration of Christes death if we thinke vpon the sacrifice of his body which he offred for our sinnes In the meane season let vs not thinke it in vayne that where Peter might haue made mention of his death only he sayth also he was sâ—ayne of the Iewes For herein he accuseth the great vnkindnesse of his Nation especially seeing a little before he had made so diligent a mention of Christes benefites Let vs therefore consider the continuall ingratitude of the worlde that we offende not in woondering at the afflictions and persecutions of the godly wherewith the doctrine of the Gospell is assaulted The seconde thing in the order of our redemption is the glorious resurrection of Christ of the which Peter entreateth the more diligentlye bicause it is the chiefe foundation of our religion For these sayings of Paule are well knowne If Christ bee not risen agayne our preaching is in vayne and your fayth is in vayne You bee yet in your sinnes and they are perished which are fallen a slepe in Christ. For that we might be sure of our saluation it was needefull that death which hitherto had power ouer vs by reason of sinne shoulde be vanquished and ouercome Which if it shoulde haue held Christ as fast as other men then no man could haue had any hope that his saluation had bene obteyned Wherefore as Christ before that had declared himselfe to be the Lord both of life and death by raysing agayne Lazarus and certayne others euen so when he had suffered death himselfe and had bene buryed the thirde daye lyke a valiaunt Conquerour hee burst in peeces the bandes of death and breaking open the gates of hell returned into lyfe agayne And this was an euident and infallible argument that both sinne and death was vanquished And for bicause the Iewes did denye and cauill at the resurrection of Christ and to that ende as Mathew sayth had brybed the souldiers with mony therefore Peter constantly nowe defendeth the same God sayth he raysed Iesus the third daye and shewed him openly not to all the people For they were vnworthy to whome Christ whome they deadly hated shoulde so familierly declare himselfe but vnto vs witnesses chosen of God before for the same intent which did eate and drinke with him after he arose from death And whereas he might haue alledged diuers other arguments of his true resurrection he is content with that whereby Christ himselfe declared chiefely the truth thereof that is howe he did once or twyse eate such meate as the disciples offered him in their sight This is a great gentlenesse and goodnesse of Christ who to confirme vs in his resurrection whose dulnesse he was well acquaynted with woulde abase himselfe so lowe as to eate meate also whereof his glorified body had no neede bicause no man hereafter should doubt but that he was risen agayne in the same true and naturall bodye which he went in vppon the earth before Whereby their improbitie and wickednesse is the greater which yet cease not scoffingly to deride the resurrection of the deade who bicause they are lyke vnto the Iewes shall also be iudged vnworthy to haue saluation by Christes resurrection Furthermore although Iesus Christ the sonne of God by his death and resurrection wherin may also be included his ascention into heauen hath accomplished our whole redemption and saluation and therewithall hath purged our sinne and taken awaye all the power of hell yet Peter ioyneth a thirde thing herevnto that is to say his last comming when he shall returne to iudge the quicke and the deade For in this article he declareth a very euident argument of Christes diuinitie of his kingdome For as it is the office of a king to giue iudgemeÌ„t euen so Christ by this argument proueth his godhead bicause he testifyeth that all iudgement is giuen him of his father The consideration of this article is very profytable necessary For if a man consider the course of thinges in this world he shall happen vpon many thinges which may perswade him that Iesus Christ taketh no care for this world For we see the true worshippers of Christ vexed with diuers afflictions to be in neede to toyle and traueile and to be in subiection to the wicked Agayne the wicked enioy all kinde of prosperitie and vse crueltie toward others without comptrolment Which thing of what force it is to kyll fayth the examples of the Prophetes declare whome we reade haue bene sometyme so mooued that they haue thought they haue had iust occasion to complayne of god And surely who should acknowledge Christ to be a king if he consider somtymes the vncertayne vnworthy varietie and alteracion of worldly things But here let vs remember that our king and reuenger Iesus Christ sleepeth not and that there shall be one day a daye of generall iudgement in which they that are aliue as wel as they that are dead must come before the iudgement seate of Christ to receiue in their bodies according as they haue done whether it he good or badde For as Paule teacheth vs when the Archangell soundeth the Trompe the dead shall rise agayne and they that be then alyue shall be chaunged in a moment And Peter confesseth that the Apostles were straightly commaunded to preache this article He commaunded vs sayth he that we shoulde preach vnto the people and testifie that it is he that was ordeyned of God to be the iudge both of the quicke and of the deade For to let passe that which was sayde erewhyle of the diuinitie and kingdome of Christ the consideration of this article serueth much both for the instruction of lyfe and comfort of the godlye For whereas we see diuers for this cause chieflye entysed to sinne bicause they haue perswaded themselues that death maketh an ende of all thinges and that there is no iudgement after this lyfe or else thinke lyttle thereof it can not be but a moste sharpe spurre vnto all vertue if a man consider how he shall once be called to iudgement before Christ how he shall there giue an account of all his sayings and doings Surely the thinking hereof doth most effectuously keepe vnder the affections of wanton fleshe and entycements of the worlde Agayne there can be no
may also be applied to his members They haue many and cruell enimies Yet howsoeuer they rage they haue no power vppon the bodies no not so much as vpon the heare of the faithfull vnlesse God permit it Yea although they haue power to take awaye our liues yet haue they no power to take away the glorious resurrection of our bodies nor the fruition of heauenly lyfe which Christ hath prepared for those that be his Let vs therefore in times of persecution comfort our selues oftentimes with these meditations Moreouer where Paule is come to the resurrection of Iesus Christ he maketh a diligent assertion and proofe of the same bycause thereby the deuine Maiestie of Christ is most euidently of all others declared and in the same as sayth the same Apostle 1. Cor. 15. consisteth the chiefe hope of our redemption and saluation And for bicause he knewe many denied the same therefore he alleageth dyuers wytnesses thereof Hee was seene sayth he many dayes of them which came with him from Galyley to Ierusalem who are his witnesses vnto the people He speaketh of those which the Euaungelistes say accompanyed Christ in his last iourney of whome it appeareth there was no small number bicause Christ appointed seuentie of them to prepare the waye for him by preaching What if we thinke that they were of those fiue hundred vnto whome Paule sayth Christ appeared after his resurrection Uerily whosoeuer they were their fayth is worthy to be praysed in that they were bolde to beare Christ wytnesse agaynst so many of his enimies And he produceth these men before the Apostles not that their dignitie so deserued but bicause their credite was lesse suspected with the Infidelles and for that they shoulde not thinke but Christ had more wytnesses of his resurrection than the Apostles Then straight way he alleageth the testimonie of the Apostles with great grauitie whervnto he also ioyneth the Oracles of the Prophets wherof shall be spoken in the Sermon following In the meane whyle it becommeth vs to acknowledge the goodnesse and truth of God which would haue the thinges wherein our saluation chiefely consisteth so certaine and vndoubted Let vs therefore imbrace our sauiour with constant fayth who rose agayne from death conquered the tyrannie of death hath restored vs to the libertie of the sonnes of God which is the onely begotten sonne of God Iesus Christ the true and euerlyuing God to whome be prayse honor power and glory for euer Amen The lxxxxij Homelie AND we declare vnto you how that the promise which was made vnto the fathers God hath fulfilled vnto their children euen vnto vs in that he raysed vp Iesus againe euen as it is written in the first Psalme Thou art my sonne this daye haue I begotten thee As concerning that he raysed hym vp from death nowe no more to returne to corruption he sayde on this wyse The holy promyses made to Dauid will I giue faythfully to you Wherfore he sayth also in an other place Thou shalt not suffer thyne holy one to see corruption for Dauid after he had in his tyme fulfilled the wyll of God fell on sleepe and was layde vnto his fathers and sawe corruption But he whom God raysed againe sawe no corruption PAule in the second part of his Sermon which he made in the Synagoge at Antioche teacheth that Iesus whome the Apostles preached was the true sonne of god and that sauiour of mankinde that was promysed for whose sake God so benifyted the fathers Bicause of the Iewes he handleth this matter verie grauelye and prooueth with firme and strong argumentes that which he goeth about to teach For he declareth both the stock of Iesus Christ and the maner of his co mming is agreeable with the Oracles of the olde Prophetes Then he alleageth the testimony of Iohn who was of such authoritie with the Iewes that it was not lawfull to speake against him But where he knew the crosse of Christ was their greatest stumbling stocke he sheweth that the Prophetes foretolde therof and that it was no derogation to Christ bicause he rose againe from death despight of his enimies Moreouer when he commeth to speake of the resurrection he defendeth the same most diligentlye and at large both bicause the same is a most euident argument of Iesus Christs true diuinitie and also bicause the chiefe hope of our resurrection dependeth thereon And first bicause it should not seeme that none knew and testifyed hereof but the Apostles he produceth Galyleyans for wytnesses who also sawe Christ after he was risen agayne from death And nowe he ioyneth to their testimonie the Oracles of the Prophetes and Apostles He alleageth the testimonie of the Apostles speaking as in the name of all the Apostles We preach vnto you sayth he the promise made vnto the fathers hoâ— God hath perfourmed the same vnto their children that is to say to vs in that he raysed vp Iesus againe c. And no man must take such a graue saying of the Apostle as insolent and arrogant both bicause Paule vseth it and Christ ordeyned the Apostles to be his wytnesses and also for that he and Barnabas tooke this present ambassage in hande by the speciall commaundement of the holy ghost as was declared in the beginning of the chapter Therefore he setteth forth the commaundements of the Apostleship committed vnto him plainely and with worthie grauitie whereof this is the summe howe God gaue vnto their posteritie all that before times he promised vnto the fathers After which sense and meaning in the seconde Epistle to the Corinthians the first chapter he sayth for all the promises of God by Iesus Christ are yea and are in him Amen that is to say are by him fulfilled So that it appeareth they are greatly deceyued which glorie in the promises and grace of God and yet reiect Christ in whom onely they are ratifyed vnto vs For whatsoeuer things appertaine to the saluation of mankinde they are giuen vnto vs in him For in him is that righteousnesse which defendeth vs before the iudgement seate of god He is made vnto vs of God wisedome satisfaction redemption and sanctification In him is lyfe He is the way the truth and the light In him is giuen vs the spirite of adoption by whome we cry Abba father By him we are made heyres and partakers of the kingdome of heauen as he sayth himselfe I appoint vnto you a kingdome as my father hath appointed vnto me c. Againe Father I will that they which thou hast giuen mee be with me where I am And although these things for the most part were accomplished vppon the aultar of the crosse euen when Christ being ready to yeelde vp the ghost sayde it is finished yet in his resurrection chiefely appeareth the effect of them For thereby he testifyeth that the sting of death is made blunt and broken and that therefore death is spoyled and disarmed as Paule teacheth at large Therefore the
Concerning their calling no man can doubte seeing there are so many testimonies thereof extant in the Scriptures Therfore they are not to be accused of vanitie that haue beleeued them Let vs rather constantly stande by the fayth which they haue taughte vs as the which onely is sufficient to saue vs. Furthermore when Paule had described the person of Ananias he reherseth also by word what he said bicause euery thing therin made very much for the matter he had in hande For bothe he teacheth that God was the onely author of all this busynesse and declareth the ende wherfore he was called and last of al exhorteth him to be baptised Touching the first poynt he sayth The God of our fathers hath ordeyned thee before Hereby verily was Paule so certaine of his vocation that afterwarde he was bolde to say that he was ordeyned euen from hys mothers wombe to preache the Gospell He calleth him expressely the God of the fathers to declare that he swarued not from the righte worshipping of god Howebeit as these things excuse Paules turning from the Iewes religion and proue his doctrine to be true so they shewe that he was called through no deserte of his but onely of the meere grace of god For what was there in Paule beeing a cruell enimie of Chryst and imbrued with the bloud of Steuen the first Martyr wherefore he should be called He him selfe truely sayth he is the greatest sinner of all others and confesseth it was the benefite of Gods meere bountie and goodnesse that he was made the Minister and Apostle of Chryste And that wee speake of Paule is to bee verified of all Ministers For wee are all of lyke sorte so that if God preuented vs not with hys goodnesse we were not able to thinke one good thought Hereof we haue elsewhere entreated more at large Nowe let vs heare to what ende God prepared Paule Firste to know his wyll Hee beginneth with thys for bycause Ministers muste heerewith beginne who if they vnderstande not the will of God them selues can neuer be able to teache it to others For although Paule was brought vp of a childe in the lawe of God yet was he hitherto ignoraunt of the will of God which was wrapped and folded vp in the Lawe For hee thoughte that men were iustified and saued by the Lawe beeing vtterly ignoraunte of Gods will which is that euery one that seeth the sonne and beleeueth in him that sente him shoulde not perishe in his sinnes but beeing iustified by the merite of the sonne should haue lyfe euerlasting Therefore it was necessarie that this wyll should bee reuealed vnto him â–ª to the intent that he should not wander vp and downe in the shadowes of the lawe beeing vncertayne of his saluation Furthermore where the wholsome will of God is onely contayned and learned in Chryste Ananias by and by addeth howe he shoulde knowe hym saying that Paule was ordeyned to the ende to see that iuste So he calleth Chryste both for that he is him selfe iuste and faultlesse and also for that he maketh all those iust that beleeue in him In so muche that the Prophete sayde long agone that shoulde be his name The Lord our righteousnesse But where it was the worke of God that Paule knew Chryst it is euident that none commeth to the knowledge of him except God vouchsafe to reueale him vnto him For euen by Chrystes testimonie None seeth the sonne but the father and he to whom the father doth vouâ—hsafe to reueale him Wherby agayne it appeareth that our saluation proceedeth of Gods free mercy Thirdly he sayth he was ordeined to heare the voyce of his mouth and so should be taught of God otherwise than by his ordinary meanes which things otherwheres Paule cheefly vrgeth agaynst them which went about to eleuate and diminishe the authoritie of his Ministerie This is verily a maruellous benefite of God and so shall it appeare in deede to be if wee consider that Paule was the enimie of God and yet God doth voutsafe friendly and familiarly to talk with him Let vs also acknowledge the goodnesse of God which doth voutsafe euery day to speake vnto those whom he mighte of right repute as his enimies and iustly persecute them In the meane season heere are all Ministers admonished of their duetie namely to fetche their doctrine from the mouth of God that is to say from the scriptures and not to thinke it is lawefull for them at their pleasure to charge the Churche with newe decrees and ordinaunces See what we haue sayd elsewhere touching this poynte Last of all he declareth the office whervnto he was called of God saying that the will of God the knowledge of Chryst and hys worde was therefore declared vnto him bycause he should be a witnesse of Chryst whom he had both heard and seene vnto all men Thus it appeareth he was matched with the other Apostles bicause they had none other thing inioyned them but to beare witnesse of Chrystes lyfe and death of his doctrine and miracles and laste of all of his resurrection and ascention This name witnesse comprehendeth in it the whole duetie of an Apostle and Minister as we declared in the first Chapter where you may looke for those obseruations which here for breuities sake are omitted He maketh mention expresly of al men to answere them which thought it an vnmeete thing for him to preach the Gospel of Christ to vncircumcised people Also here may be taken out a generall doctrine which admonisheth al such of their duties as God hath illuminated with the knowledge of his sonne and of his will. That is to spreade the same knowledge abroade euery where and to beare witnesse in all places of Gods mercy and grace This thing partely the rule of thankfulnesse requireth that they should set foorth the glory of God who haue felte of hys healthfull hande and mercy and partely brotherly charitie whereby wee shoulde be as carefull of others saluation as of our owne With the which reasons as also with the expresse commaundement of God it appeareth Paule was moued in suche wise that he could not intermitte hys duetie though the Iewes disdayned him neuer so muche Now remayneth the laste parte of Ananias oration where he exhorteth him to be baptised that he should openly professe the name of Christ and be grafted into his Church according to Christes coÌ„mandement And this he vrgeth with great grauitie weight Why lingerest thou saith he not for that Paule ment to defer or shift off the matter but to pricke hym forwarde the more earnestly being dismayed with feare and trembling in conscience Wherfore he addeth this saying Arise and bee baptised and washe away thy sinnes in calling on the name of the Lorde Here we haue to obserue his maner of speaking of the Sacrament which declareth the reason and dignitie of baptisme For Ananias meaning was not that he thought sinnes were washed away by water
which the Scripture euery where teacheth are clensed purged by the onely bloud of Chryste But bycause that washing which is made by the bloud of Chryst is outwardly shadowed and expressed by Baptisme it commeth to passe that by reason of suche phrase of Scripture synnes are sayde to bee washed away by baptisme And bycause Paule shoulde not thinke it a straunge or harde kynde of saying he addeth thereto by calling on the name of the Lorde For by these words he is sent vnto Chryst which being taken hold of and called vpon by faith bestoweth such gifts of saluation vpon vs as the sacraments vse to figure and shadow out vnto vs And as we must in vsing of the Sacraments haue a respecte vnto Chryste if wee will haue them to profite vs so agayne wee are taught that they muste not be condemned nor thought superfluous by any meanes For God hath ordeined nothing without gret coÌ„sideration whose intent is not to haue his church ouercharged or clogged by any means Therfore Philip baptised the Eunuch also after he had confessed his fayth And Peter thought it good to baptise Cornelius houshold wheÌ„ they had receiued the holy ghost Yea Paul whoÌ„ the holy ghost secretly coÌ„mendeth is here earnestly moued to receiue baptisme These examples reproue the despisers of SacrameÌ„ts which while they will seeme too spiritual do wickedly set light the ordinances of God. Buâ— chiefly wee haue to marke Paule to followe hys example and in Religion not to deale rashly or vnconstantly but beeing rightly instructed in the truth to labour diligently to keepe and holde fast the same For so by labours and perils we shall come to the inheritaunce of eternal life which God the father of mercy hath appoynted vs from euerlasting in his sonne Iâ—sus Chryste to whome be prayse honour power and glory for euer Amen The Cxlv. Homelie ANd it fortuned when I was come agayne to Hierusalem and prayed in the Temple I was in a traunce and sawe him saying vnto mee make haste and get thee quickely out of Hierusalem for they will not receyue thy witnesse that thou bearest of mee And I sayde Lorde they know that I prisoned and bet in euery Synagoge them that beleeued on thee And when the bloud of thy witnesse Steuen was shedde I also stoode by and consented vnto his death and kept the rayment of them that slue him And he sayde vnto me departe for I will sende thee a farre hence vnto the Gentiles They gaue him audience vnto this worde and then lifte vp their voyces and sayde away with suche a fellowe from the earth For it is not reason that he should lyue PAule the Apostle as hath nowe oftentimes bene declared goeth about in this diligent and long discourse of his dooings to put away the wrongful suspitions and reproches wherewith hys enimies burthened him There were two thinges chiefly which incensed the mindes of the people agaynst him namely his turning from the Iewes religion vnto the fayth of Chryst and that in preaching the Gospell of saluation vnto the vncircumcised Gentiles he seemed to match them with the Iewes For by these things they gathered that he was the very enimie of the people of God a prophane and wicked contemner of the lawe and of the Leuiticall seruice To the first poynt he hath hitherto answered alleaging still this one thing that he had done nothing rashly or of his owne head but all things according to Gods commaundement and calling So teaching vs by his example what wee also haue to doo in altering or defending our religion And now he proceedeth to the seconde poynte alleaging the same argument declaring that he was called foorth of God to preach vnto the Gentiles and neuerthelesse yet ceassed not to loue his Countreymen which thing shall moste playnely appeare by all the partes of that Hystorie which he here rehearseth For first he sayth he returned to Ierusalem verily to bestowe hys labour vpon them of whom he was borne and of whom he was brought vp and instructed For he maketh mentioÌ„ of this iourney for none other cause but to proue and declare that the faulte was not in him that he preached not the message of saluation vnto his own nation Furthermore we declared before out of the ninth chap. of his Epistle to the Galathians that this iorney of his was in the fourth yere after he was conuerted Wherefore to let passe the supputation of the time let vs consider the example of Paule which teacheth Ministers that although they be detters vnto al men yet ought they to haue a speciall care of their owne countrey and nation For this is the lawe of nature that we be bounde vnto those aboue others amongst whom we haue bene borne and brought vp from our childhoode This rule Chryst obserued also when he offered the doctrine of saluation euen at the beginning to those of Nazareth whose vnkindnesse yet he was not ignoraunt of And that that is sayd vnto the Ministers the same must all men obserue most to esteme their own natiue soyle countrey Wherin it behoueth them to folow Moses which chose rather to forsake the riches and delytes of the Court than his brethren oppressed with tyrannie Let thâ—m here learne their wickednesse which are growen to such impudencie that they can find in their heart to sel the libertie of their countrey lawes and priuileges and all other things so they may get any priuate gayne and aduauntage thereby But let vs returne vnto Paule who after he was come againe into the Citie went into the Temple to pray And of the Temple he maketh mention partly bicause none should say he lay lurking in a corner partely to put away the suspition of polluting the Temple which opinion he knewe many had of him What he desired in his praier may easily be gathered out of the tenth to the Romanes where he saith he praied oftentimes for the Iewes that they might obteine saluatioÌ„ And that this was the very end of his prayer we shal playnly see by the communication folowing which he had with Chryst touching the Iewes Agayne Ministers are here admonished of their duetie that is with continuall prayers to helpe procure anâ— further the saluation of the people For as the rule of faith charitie wherby they are bound to the flock committed vnto them commaundeth the same so necessitie also requireth it bicause it is euident that their labours are but in vayne onlesse God giue the encrease This the auncient Prophets likewise sawe in whose writings are extant many prayers for the people This must Magistrates also obserue forasmuche as they are able to do dothing without the ayde and assistance of God by whose spirit it is nedeful that they be ruled and led They haue also to imitate the examples of Moses Dauid Salomon Ezechias beside infinite others Now at length Paule expoundeth the Oracle wherby he was coÌ„maunded to go vnto the Gentiles He saith he was in
was at this time among the people of the Iewes seeing men durste declare so wicked an enterprise vnto the Priestes and Elders who they knewe vndoubtedly would ioyne with them in their doing Therefore they were all worthy miserably to perishe togyther Which thing let all them looke for like wise which in these dayes labour to gratifie Antichrystes Priestes with sheading of innocent bloud and banishing of the godly And yet howe vayne moste tymes their enterprises are this Hystorie following declareth For a nephew of Paules beeing but a yong strippling yet meete inough to interrupte their deuise chaunceth through the ordinaunce of God to vnderstande their purpose He declareth all the matter vnto Paule who sendeth hym vnto the Captayne and by his diligence and industrie this bloudy attempte as wee shall heare hereafter was quite dashed and defeated Thus God thought good to ratifie his late promise teaching vs all howe easie it is for hym to ouerthrowe the deuises of the wicked For what are wicked enimies able to doo agaynst him which seeth all thing and can arme and set foorth weakenesse agaynst them so he destroyed the wicked tyrannie of Pharao by Moyses that was throwen away in his infancie So he deliuered Sisara and Holoâ—ernes moste skilfull and valiaunt Captaynes to women to be killed So by the wisedome of Daniell beeing but a childe he reproueth the filthy luste of the Elders and Senatours and defendeth the honest and vertuous lyfe of Susanna And here in this place by the meanes of a yong springal he defeateth such a counsell and deuice as seemed scarse possible to be disappoynted by any meanes bycause it was taken in hande by moste desperate men confirmed with the holynesse of an othe or vowe and corroborated with the authoritie of the Priestes and Elders Lyke kinde of examples are in all Hystories By them it behoueth vs to learne the power of God in whom let vs truste and wee shall lesse feare the tyrannie of the wicked and beeing bolde in the quarell of truthe let vs put all our hope and confidence in God onely through Iesus Chryste our Lorde To whome bee blessing honour power and glory for euer and euer Amen The Cl. Homelie AND Paule called one of the vnder Captaynes to him and sayd bring this young man vnto the highe Captayne for he hath a certayne thing to shewe him And he tooke him and brought him vnto the high Captaine and sayde Paule the prisoner called mee vnto him and prayed mee to bring this young man vnto thee which hath a certayne matter to shewe thee The highe Captayne tooke him by the hande and went with him out of the way and asked him what is it that thou haste to tell me And he sayde The Iewes are determined to desire thee that thou wouldest bring foorth Paule to morrowe to the Councell as though they woulde enqâ—â—â—e somewhat of hym more perfectly but followe not thou theyâ— myndes for there lye in wayte for him of them more than fortie men which haue bounde them selues with a vowe that they wyll neyther eate nor drynke tyll they haue kylled hym And nowe are they ready and looke that thou shouldest promyse The vpper Captayne then let the young man departe and charged hym saying See thou tell it out to no man that thou haste shewed thys thing to mee And hee called vnto him two vnder Capitaynes saying Make ready two hundred Souldiours to goe to Caesarea and horsemen threescore and tenne and speare men two hundred at the thirde houre of the nyghte and delyuer them beastes that they may sette Paule on and bryng hym safe vnto Felix the hyghe Deputie ALthough God neuer forsaketh hys electe but according to hys promises is at hande wyth them alwayes and in all places yet hee mixeth many tymes aduersitie wyth prosperitie bycause it is very profitable so to haue them kepte in dooing their duetie and to exercyse their fayth that they may learne to depende onely vppon hym and to ascribe all prosperitie vnto hym alone Many examples heereof are euery where But chiefely in the Hystories of Moyses Dauid and others wherevnto thys example tolde heere of Paule may worthely bee referred For wee haue hearde howe God appeared vnto him beeing greuously and many wayes tempted and effectuously comforted him promising hym that he shoulde not onely escape the handes of the Iewes but also shoulde beare witnesse of hym at Rome But lo or euer it was scarse day forty men conspire hys death and taking the Priestes and Elders to counsell with them so deuise the matter that it seemeth impossible for him to escape This appeared vtterly to be contrary to the promise of God yet bicause Paule is not ignoraunt of Gods vsage and custome he is neyther feared with the mention of sodayne daunger nor God fayleth not of hys promises yea where he least hoped for it God sendeth hym ayde and assistaunce as wee shall nowe see The vse of all these things is that wee should confirme our fayth heereby and not caste off our hope when wee see the successe of thynges not agreable vnto Gods promises For although the Lorde linger and tarry yet can he not forget vs continually But that we may receiue the more vtilitie hereby we muste diligently consider euery person First of all commeth Paule foorthe who althoughe he were confirmed wyth the Oracle yet hee boasteth not foolishely of Gods promyse and prouidence and setteth not all daungers lyghte but prudently taketh holde of that one meane that remayned in man and which hee myghte safely vse wythout breache of Relygion and Christian faythe hauing a care how to make the Captayne vnderstande all the matter by his Nephew that he beeing admonished of his duetie might conuey him from the bloudy handes of these conspiratours And bycause the matter might seeme of more importance and not bee suspected by reason of the age of the strippling he ioyneth a Centurion with him to be his spokesman intercessor By which example we are first taught howe we should vse the prouidence and promises of God in aduersitie For we muste not doubte but God by his eternal prouidence and counsell ruleth al things and the same can be stopped or hindred by no endeuour of any enimies For he vseth to scatter the counsell of Nations but his counsell as Dauid sayth endureth for euer Agayne he promiseth to bee with his people and to assiste them in all aduersities whose promises wee muste assuredly beleeue In the meane season the remedies and meanes which both are lawefull of them selfe and offered of God muste by no meanes bee despised or neglected least by putting our selues ouer rashely in daunger wee seeme to tempt god For the same muste be obserued in al our dooings that is vsed intillage and husbandrie For although all the encrease thereof commeth of God yet no man ought to neglecte husbandry without the great contempt of god Thus we read Dauid vsed somtimes to flie and somtimes other meanes which God
witnesse of Christe at Rome also before the Emperoure hee woulde also perfourme his promisses whose counselles seeing no subtilitie of manne is able to preuente it was easie for him to disappointe the enterprise of the Iewes And where he hathe power ouer the hearts of menne also hee nowe planteth suche a will in Festus that hee prouideth rather for Paules commoditie than for the Iewes And afterward when he would haue gratified the Iewes he stoppeth him by an other meane from dooing the same Heere may we take singular consolation considering we see that wicked men and such as daunce after the worldes pipe are subiect vnto the commaundement of God so that he hath full power and aucthoritie both vpon their bodies and minds Why therfore are we afraid of their councels and deuises why feare we their power why put we not our trust rather in God which is able to putte in their hearts new willes or else mightily to binde their handes But lette vs returne vnto the Iewes who according to the Presidentes commaundement goe againe vnto Caesarea and make a greeuous complaint and accusation against Paule in the description whereof Luke is the shorter for that they were for the most part such things as had bene many times before obiected vnto him Heere we haue to consider the Iewes the complainants who first stande round about Paule being brought into the place of iudgement which was a thing contrary to the common order in iudgements euen to dismaye him with their outwarde shewe and with their aucthoritie to moue Festus This done they bring out againe the olde pointes of their former accusation as may appeare by Paules answere But it seemeth they cheefely vrged the crime of sedition as though therby he had committed treason against Caesar. But although they lay many things to his charge they were yet able to proue nothing Paule so pleading his cause that it appeared manifestly to all men that he had offended in nothing either against the law of God either against the Temple and seruice either against Caesar. And what arguments were brought on bothe sides any man may easily gather by the accusations aforesaide Heere may we see what impudencie and boldnesse is in the ennimies of truthe For what could they more impudently haue done than againe to lay to Paules charge without profe or testimonie those things whervnto Paule before had oftentimes answered Yet where they wanted both argumentes and witnesses they compasse Paule about so boldly as if their aucthoritie only ought to haue preuailed in a matter of life death This is the guise of the wicked that they will be satisfied with no kinde of answeres but alwayes recourse to their olde slaunders This we finde true in these dayes where our aduersaries being conuinced with so many arguments yea now with so many yeares experience yet they impudently lay to our charge the crimes of seduction seditiō blasphemie and infinite suche like For why should they be ashamed to lie before men who are not ashamed to speake against God but in Paules answere this is worthy to be obserued that he denieth he hathe any wayes offended against Caesar yet preached he that Christe was God and procured the people vnder the Romaine Empire to take vnto them a new faith which thing Tertullian declareth was vnlawfull for any man to do by the Romaine lawes How can Paule therfore say he offended not against Caesar Heere we must know O brethren that religion is subiect neither to Caesar nor yet to any other Magistrate so that they at their pleasure may decree what they will therin For it belōgeth vnto God and according to his word and appointment it must be ordered And as Christ commaundeth to giue vnto Caesar that thing that belongeth vnto him so wil he haue reserued for God also that that is due vnto him Wherfore he offendeth not against the Magistrate which without purpose of raising any tumult defendeth the true honor of God although the Magistrate forbiddeth the same For when such Magistrates passe their bounds and wil encroche vpon Gods kingdome they are not to be hearde But rather Peters rule muste take place which teacheth vs that God be must be obeyed rather than men Heere hast thou what to answere to those which crye out that we seditiously bring vp many things contrary to the proclamations of Emperours and say that in matters of religion we must simplie obey our Princes Whose saying if it may preuaile then not we only but also all the Prophets and Christ and his Apostles with them shal be condemned who it is euident preached the word of God beat downe superstition and planted true faith contrary to the commaundements of Magistrates and rulers There is no cause therfore why we should regard these slaunders but let vs rather with a cleare conscience holde on in the true faithe and with a pure minde serue our sauioure Iesus Christ To whom be praise honoure power and glory for euer Amen The Clvij Homelie FEstus willing to do the Iewes a pleasure answered Paule and saide wilt thou goe vp to Hierusalem and there be iudged of these things before me Then saide Paule I stande at Caesars iudgement seat where I ought to be iudged To the Iewes haue I no harme done as thou very wel knowest If I haue hurt them or committed any thing worthy of deathe I refuse not to die If none of these things are wherof they accuse me no man may deliuer me to them I appeale vnto Caesar. Then spake Festus with deliberation Thou hast appealed vnto Caesar vnto Caesar shalt thou goe WHere Paule the Apostle speaking of his afflictions vnto the Corinthians saithe he was made a gasing stocke vnto the world and vnto angels and vnto men that same may cheefely be perceiued by the things which chaunced vnto him in his last captiuitie or imprisonment For now had he bene foure times presented in iudgement to pleade for his life First before the people at Ierusalem vpon the staires going vp to the castle secondly before the coūsel of the priests And thirdly before Felix the President After which foloweth this newe arainment before Festus the new President Euery one of them were notable by reason of the great dāgers that fel out in them as we haue seene in their places all which dangers he yet escaped through the help of god These things teach vs what power God suffereth the wicked to haue vpon his elect whom he yet deliuereth with a mightie hand out of all their tribulations bicause of their faith Wherefore we must not be offended if we haue the like happen vnto vs also And this is the chefe vse of this place where we are taught how Paule escaped this new daunger where of the President himselfe was the author bicause no man should thinke that hee was heeretofore deliuered rather by the benefite of men and power of the Presidentes than by the fauor of god Let vs therfore consider eche thing in
The hyghe Priestes accusation agaynst the Apostles 1 Disobedience Deut â–ª 17. Nu. 16. c. Iohn 1.2.18 Math. 21. 2 False doctrine Deut. 13. 3 Sedition The pryde of Antichristian Bishops What crymes are wâ—nt to be layde to the ministers 1. Reg. 18.21 1. Reg. 22. Amoz 7. Iere. 38.44 2 The aunswere of the Apostles The true trade of obedience 1. Peter 2. The doctrine of the Apostles is not newe 1. Peter 2. The Apostles be not seditious Luc. 1. Phil. 2. Math. 28. Iohn 10. The waye of saluation Math. 18. Luke 7. 2. Cor. 5. Luc. 24. The Apostles and holy ghost be witnesses of the Gospell Iohn 15. Actes 1. Math. 25. Iohn 14. 1 Death deuised against the Apostles The ende of Christes enimies attemptes Mat. 10. c. 2 Gamaliel deliuereth the Apostles from death Iohn 12. Iohn 7. Gene. 37. 1. Sam. 23. Exodus 2. 3 Gamaliel his counsell Iacob 1. Erasmus among the Apothegmes or wittie sayings of Augustus Saint Ambrose vpon occasion of a great slaughter commytted by Theodosius coÌ„maundement at Thessalonica enioyned him from thence forth â–ª that sentence of death or banishment pronounced by him should not be executed till after .xxx. dayes following that if wrath or furie had pronounced any thing vniustlye reason in the meane whyle might expende and redresse the same See Theodor in the Tripartite ix booke 30. chapter Concerning Theudas and Iudas Galilaeus See Iosephus booke of the Iewishe â—ntiquities the .18 booke 1. chapter And seconde booke of the Iewes wars or else Eusebius in the hystorie of the Churche 1. booke 3. chapter Iohn 5. 2. Thess. 2. A Dilemmas is a kinde of argument coÌ„sisting of two propositions or partes eyther of which whosoeuer graunteth â–ª shall be catched in a trip The counsels or purposes of God can not be letted Esay 40. Psal. 33. Psal. 2. Psal. 110. 1. Cor. 3. Math. 16. Irenaeus in his v. booke agaynst heresies And Eusebius in his ecclesiasticall historie .v. booke and viij chap. The Apostles are beaten with rods Luc. 23. No manne must be offended at the afflictions of the vngodlye as straunge Iohn 16. Math. 16. Iohn 15. They are deceâ—ued that iudge of religion and doctrine according to the afflictions Math· 27. The causes of afflictions We must beware of carelesnesse The decree which forbad Christ to be preached is renewed Iohn 15. Phil. 2. 1. Cor. 4. The Apostles reioyce in the reproches they suffer Luc. 22. Rom. 5. 2. Tim. 2. The perseueraunce of the Apostles in teaching 1. Cor. 14. Psal. 50. 1 The cause why Deacons were ordeyned The primitiue Church not voyde of faultes Gallat 3. Colloss 3. 1. Cor. 10. Iohn 17. 1. Iohn 2. Grutch in the multitude Iohn 12. 2 The Apostles speedily consult of the redresse 1. Peter 5. Math. 26. 3 The Apostles oration concerning the ordeyning of Deacons The dignitie of the gospel Galat. 2. Math. 6. Luc. 11. Luc. 10. 1. Cor. 1. Math. 20. Luc. 22. 1. Tim. 3. Ezec. 3.33 Math. 24. What maner of men must be chosen to be Deacons 1. Tim. 3. 1. Tim. 5. The duties of Ministers of the church 1. Tim. 4. 1. Cor. 3. 1 The congregation choseth Deacons Iohn 10. 2 A scroll of the Deacons names Reade what Eusebius wryteth of him in the thirde booke of hys storie and .29 chapter citing Clemens Alexandria in his thirde booke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for the same Math. 13. Iohn 6. 1. Cor. 11. 1. Cor. 10. 1. Peter 5. Prouer. 24. 2. Thess. 2. Math. 24. 3 The Deacons are publikely authorized Ephes. 6. 4 The profite ensuing of the errour corrected The description of Steuen 1. Tim. 3. Math. 25. Steuens aduersaries Libertie were such as had somtime bene bondmen â–ª and after â—â—â—ding fauor in their Lordes sight were made free and aduaunced to great dignity Steuen is set on by disputation Iohn 14. Luke 21. 1. Cor. 1. Coloss. 2. 1. Iohn 4. False witnesses are brought against Steuen Talio is when the doer suffreth such lyke damage and hurt himselfe as he doth to an other Looke the place Deuter. 19. Steuen is oppressed with sedition and taken Actes 14. Steuen is accused of impietie and obstinacie Hierem. 26. Psalm 34. Math. 5. Steuen in the daunger of death is not afrayde A notable historie manye wayes to comfort the persecuted for religion How the wicked suffer Christes cause to bee entreated of in Councels The argument of Steuens oration The getting of attention and good wil. Gallat 3. Col. 3. c. Rom. 12. Abraham pleased God without the ceremonies of the lawe God calleth vnto saluation In the beginning of hys first booke against heresies Rom. 4. Ephes. 1. 1. Cor. 4. Ephe. 2. 1. Cor. 2. Esay 64. Heb. 2. Abraham an example of the obedience of fayth 2. Cor. 10. Rom. 1. 16. Iohn 3. Luke 14. Abrahams faith is set forth Rom. 4. Gene. 15. God exerciseth the fayth and pacience of those that be his Roma 4. Psalm 89. Psal. 2.33 Math. 16. Roma 8. The place Gene. 15. The Church is as a Pylgryme in this worlde and afflicted Iohn 7. Rom. 9. Luc. 12. Iohn 17. Iohn 14. Phil. 3. 1. Tim. 6. Zach. 12. 1. Pet. 4. The Church is defended by God. Psal. 94. Zach. 2. The ten persecutions in the Church Cornelius Tacitus in his xv booke The Romaine Legions brought into subiection Histor. Trip. lib. 6. cap. 47 Deut. 32. Math. 7. Esay 33. Abacuc 2. The deliuered serue God. Psalme 50. Iohn 5. He beateth downe the affyaunce in circumcision Genesis 17. Of Sacramentes and sacramentall kindes of speech Deut. 10. Iere. 4. Iere. 31. Third booke and .ix. chap. Isay. 29. Math. 15. Roma 10. He beateth downe theyr affiaunce in the fathers Gene. 17. Gene. 4. Exodus 21. The glory is vayne that is sought in the vertue of auÌ„cestrye Math. 3. Iohn 8. Ioseph also is of fauour saued God aydeth his people when they be afflicted Psal. 34. Psal. 27. Iohn 16. Iohn 14. Math. 28. Psal. 56. Whatsoeuer we haue that is good is of Gods gyft 1. Cor. 2. Genes 8. 1. Cor. 4. Ioseph is a figure of Christ. Iohn 1. Phil. 2. 1 The cause of the going into Egypt Gen. 12.26 Gene. 15. Gene. 45. The wisedome and thankfulnesse of Pharao Iosua 7. Iosephs loue tempered with iustice Math. 5. 2 The comming of the children of Israel into Egypt Roma 8. The Patryarches dye in Egypt Gene. 50. Exodus 13. Iosua 24. Apoca. 14. Iohn 5. Apoca. 20. 1 The people were preserued and multiplyed in Egypt by the grace and fauour of God. Num. 1. The prouydence of God comprehendeth al times Genes 15. Math. 10.6 Acteâ— 1. Psal. 27. Num. 11. Psal. 78. Iudith 8. Abacuc 2. God mixeth aduersitie among prosperitie Nehem. 4. Small is the remembrance of benefites receyued with Princes Psal. 146. Psalm 118. Hester 6. The wylynes of tyraunts Moses saued and brought to dignitie by the goodnesse of God. Of the tyme. Esay 28. Esay 11. Of the cause efficient moouing his Parentes
and order of Peters sermon The doctrine of saluation belongeth to the Gentyles also Ephes. 2. The holye men are ignoraunt of some things God regardeth no mans person Deut. 1. Exod. 23. Psal. 82. The studies and exercises of them that please God. Iohn 14. The proposition Christ is god Iohn 1.3 and .5 Iohn 17. Christ incarnate Galat. 4. Christ is the authour of peace betwene God and man. Rom. 1. Rom. 5. Math. 3.17 Iohn 3. When and where Christ began to bee knowne Iohn 1.3 The Gospell beganne to be preached by Iohn Doctrine must be ioyned vnto the sacraments 1. Cor. 1. Iesus is annoynted of God. 1. Sam. 2. Daniel 9. Psal. 94. Math. 16. Luke 9. Psal. 44. Esay 61. Iohn 1.3 See Eusebius in his Ecclesiasticall hystorye lib. 1. cap. 1. Apoc. 1. Math. 28. Psal. 110 Ephes. 1. Ephe. 4. Heb. 9.10 Heb. 2.4 Esay 42. How Christ accomplyshed the office of a King priest Christ goeth about doing good Marc. 1. Luke 4. Math. 11. Esay 55. Christ healeth those that are oppressed of the Deuill 1. Iohn 3. Luke 11. See Eusebius in the lyfe of Constantine lib. 2. See also a lyke aunswere of the Deuill in the coniurers coÌ„spiring against Athanasius in Ruffinus .x. booke of the Eccles. history 33. ca The Apostles are witnesses of Christ. 1 The maner howe mankinde was redeemed i. Our sinnes are purged by the sacrifyce of Christ Iohn 6. Heb. 9.10 ij. Death is ouercome by the resurrectioÌ„ of Christ. 1. Cor. 15. Luke 24 Iohn 21. iii. Christ iudgeth both the quicke and the dead Iohn 5. 2. Cor. 5. 1. Cor. 15. 1. Thes. 4. Luke 21. Phil. 3. 1. Thes. 4. 2 How we be made partakers of christ and of saluation Remission of sinnes is in the name of Christ. Rom. 3. 2. Cor. 5. Iohn 14. Remission of sinnes is taken holde of by fayth Marc. 16. Math. 15. Math. 9. The Prophetes teach the iustification of fayth Gene. 15. Gene. 22. Iohn 8. Rom. 4. Esay 53. Ierem. 23. Math. 15. 1 Peters doctrine is confirmed by the sending of the holy ghost Gala. 3. The dignitie and efficacie of the gospel Rom. 1. 2. Cor. 3. Eusebius in the hystorie Ecclesiastical v. booke and vij chap. Looke â—raeneus his owne words in his second booke agaynst heresâ—es cap. 57. Rom. 8. The exercyses of the faythfull Hos. 14. Psa. 116. Psa. 69. 2 How the beholders were affected with the myracle of sending the holy ghost Euen in the faythfull sometime are errors to be founde 1. Cor. 11. Actes 1. 2. Tim. 4. Peter vnderstandeth the ende of the myracle The reason of baptisme Contemners of sacrameÌ„ts Anabaptists Marc. 10. Papistes Rom. 4. The order of saluation Ephes. 1. 3 Cornelius is an example of a kinde and thankful hearer Iohn 8. 1 Howe the Church iudgeth of Peters deede What it is to receyue the word of God. 1. Thes. 2. 1. Thes. 1. 1. Iohn 2. Peter is repreheâ—ded for his well doing No man can please all parties 1. Cor. 23. Prouer. 10. 1. Pet. 4. The apology or defence of Peter 1. Pet. 3. Galat. 1. Eusebius in the storye of the Church v. booke chap. 24.25 26. Distinct. 40. Cap. If the Pope c. i. The visâ—on of the sheete Ephes. 2. ij. The commaundement of God. iij. The appearing of the Aungell Psal. 107. 2. Cor. 5. Ierem. 44. iiij. The sending of the holy ghost How the brethren did accâ—pt Peters Apologie The godly yeelde vnto reason 2. Cor. 10. Rom. 1.16 We must reioyce in the saluation of other Rom. 9.10 How God giueth repentance 2. Cor. 5. Ezech. 18. 1. Reg. 21. Esay 1. Psal. 103. The spreading of Christes kingdom vnto the GeÌ„tyles The occasion of the spreading of the Church arose by reason of the persecution The Ministers be they neuer so godly doe sometime disagree 1. Cor. 11. Phaenicia Cyprus Antioch are illuminated with the Gospell 1. Cor. 1. Iesus Christ is the theme and argumeÌ„t of the Apostles doctrine The successe of the gospel 1 The good will of the Church at Ierusalem towarde the Church at Antioch 2 Of Barnabas Barnabas is a good man. Prou. 26. Barnabas reioyceth at other mennes profite Barnabas exhorteth to perseuerance Luke 9. 2. Tim. 4. Barnabas bringeth Paule to Antioch Iohn 5. Math. 9. 3 The successe of godly studye and zeale Manye are brought vnto the Lorde Luc. 8. Esay 55. Math. 16. Math. 23. Math. 28. The Disciples are callâ—d Christiâ—ns Esay 62. Apoc. 1. The vse of this name Christian. See Eusebius ecclesiasticall hystory first booke and first chap. 1 The dearth in the dayes of Claudius Amos. 3. Math. 6.10 1. Cor. 10. In the .ix. booke of the Ecclesiastical history viij ch 2 God prouideth for his Church by Prophetes Amos. 3. In his .vij. booke and .xij chap. of the warres of the Iewes The holye ghost is author of prophecie 3 What the Antiochians did before the dearth came Luc. 19. The Antiochianes prepare themselues to prouide for the poore 1. Cor. 9. The maneâ— of contributing to the poore 2. Cor. 9. Luc. 16. 2. Cor. 8. Marc. 12. 1 Persecution râ—geth in time of derth Gene. 12. Gene. 26. Gene. 37.39 Gene. 47. Math. 24. Luke 21. 1. Pet. 4. 1. Cor. 11. 2 Herodes Agrippa is author of thys persecuâ—ion A Tetrarchy is one part of a kingdome or prouince deuided in fower parts Psal. 2. c. 3 The causes of thys persecution i. Schisme 1. Reg. 13. 1. Mach. 1. ij. Desire to please the people Psal. 72. 4 What Herode did in persecuting the Church i. Iames is killed with the sworde Marc. 3. Math. 5. Rom. 5. Rom. 8. 2. Tim. 2. ij. Peter is apprehâ—nded Luc. 22. 5 What the congregation did during the persecution â—eb 13. Roma 12. 1. Cor. 12. 1 The time when Peter was deliuered Esay 37. Marc. 4. 2 How Peter was affected in his minde being in prison Psalm 2. Phil. 4. Iohn 14. 3 The maner of his deliuery i. The ministerye of an Aungell 1. Cor. 11. ij. A lyght shyneth Iohn 8.12 iij. The Angell awaketh him Iohn 11. iiij. The impediments of deliuery are castly taken awaye Daniel 6. 1. Cor. 18. 4 what Peter doth after he is deliuered Luke 9. Psal. 50. Psal. 107. 2. Tim. 4. Psal. 34. Math. 10. 1 Peter desireth to be ioâ—ned 〈…〉 gaâ—e 2 The exercises of the Primitiue Church Plinie the yonger in his Epistle to Tâ—â—iane the Emperour See what the 〈◊〉 repoâ—â—â—â— of these assembles in Tertullians Apology cap. Leuit. 23. Math. 18. Tertullian in his Apology cap. 39. Luke 18. See Tertullian in his Apology ca. â—9 Esay 9. Amos. 4. 3 Howe the faythful weâ—e affected at Peters coÌ„ming Heb. 2. The prayers of the godlye are not in vaine The apparitions of aungels Gen. 28.32 2. Reg. 6. Peter will haue Gods benefite to be declared Peter prouydeth for himselfe by flying Math. 10. 4 Howe Herode tooke the myracle of God. Math. 28. Psalm 7. Psal. 105. Zach. 2. Herode is offended with those