THE EPISTLE OF THE BLESsed Apostle Saint Paule which he in the time of his trouble and imprisonment sent in writing from ROME to the EPHESIANS FAITHFVLLIE EXPOVNDED BOTH FOR the benefite of the learned and vnlearned by NICHOLAS HEMMING Professor of Diuinitie in the Vniuersitie of Coppenhagen in Denmarke FAMILIARLIE TRANSLATED OVT of Latine into English by ABRAHAM FLEMING HEEREIN ARE HANDLED THE high mysteries of our saluation as maie appeare by the Table of common places necessarilie annexed by the same A. F. Perused and authorised PSAL. 119. 130. The opening of thy words sheweth light and giueth vnderstanding to the simple AT LONDON Printed by Thomas East 1580. THE NAMES of such Authors as in this Commentarie either by way of confirmation or confutation are alledged orderlie placed in a Catalogue 1 AMbrose 2 Athanasius 3 Augustine 4 Ausonius 5 Barnard 6 Chrysostome 7 Cicero 8 Cyprian 9 Dionysius Areopagita 10 Erasmus Roterdamus 11 Eutyches 12 Gregorie Nazianzen 13 Hierome 14 Homer 15 Horace 16 Martine Luther 17 Ouid. 18 Philip Melancthon 19 Pythagoras 20 Stenkfield 21 Xenophon 22 Zeno. TOuching the double Translation of the text which I haue added namelie that of Geneua and the Authors owne Englished by me word for word the reason thereof shall appeare to the Reader in diuers places of this exposition alluding to the matter and therefore for shortnesse sake I passe it ouer with this bare and briefe remembrance As for the faults which are but three they are thus to be amended in all such bookes as neede correction Page 43. naturall 125. haue bene obtained 155. this death for mutuall 12 haue obtained 25 his death 1 Line TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE and vertuous Ladie the Ladie ANNE Countesse of OXENFORD much honour with increase of godlinesse and vertue ₠ALL THE gouernement Right Honorable of the true holie and Catholike Church which hath ben from the creation of the world vntil this present age is comprehended in fiue orders or degrees the first of the Fathers beginning at Adam c the second of the Patriarches beginning at Abraham the third of the Prophets beginning at Samuel the fourth of the high Priests beginning at Iehoshua otherwise called Iesus the fift and last of the Apostles beginning at Saint Iohn Baptist Among all which Apostles none was more wonderfullie called to the preaching of the Gospell than S. Paule who being a bold common blasphemer a bloudie and mercilesse persecuter afflicting the flocke of Christ with most terrible torments was notwithstanding euen in the fire of his furie reclaimed and became the great teacher of the Gentiles deliuering vnto them such heauenlie doctrine as he receiued by diuine inspiration apt to instruct exhort rebuke correct and reforme that the man of God might be made perfect in all good workes This Apostle as before the time of his conuersion which was in the verie yeare of Christs ascension he shed much innocent bloud making hauocke of the members of the Church with the sword of persecution so after the renouncing of his apostaticall tyrannie he saued manie thousand soules by the preaching of the Gospell word of reconciliation For he taught the truth of the eternall God whose minister and vessell of election he was ordeined to set forth his glorie before the face of the mightie instantlie in season and out of season by the space of thirtie sixe yeares to manie nations profoundlie and zealouslie beginning in the nineteenth yeare of Tiberius at Damasco continuing it through out a great part of the world as appeareth by his painfull peregrination and finishing that good worke of his in the thirteenth yeare of Nero whose prisoner he was and at his commandement put to death in Rome for the testimonie of the truth which he sealed with the losse of his life vnto the glorie of the great God This blessed Apostle Saint Paule was founder of the Church of Christ at Ephesus where he preached the Gospell of peace most sincerelie and instructed the Ephesians in the necessarie doctrines of their saluation and in the deepe points of true religion as in predestination and election in faith and iustification in praier and inuocation in grace and adoption in manners and conuersation c. as doth manifestlie appeare in his Epistle written to this people out of bonds and imprisonment The exposition wherof Right Honorable M. Nicholas Hemming a learned godlie excellent Diuine vndertaking accomplishing hath so orderlie plainlie opened al the principal points therin conteined that nothing can seeme doubtfull or difficult no not to the simple and ignorant besides that so briefelie that the memorie of the reader shall be able to carrie awaie both his method and matter Whose worke when I had read and perused I turned familiarlie into our English tong because I sawe it was a booke verie like to be beneficiall vnto euerie priuate person And hauing ended mine honest trauell I remembred among diuers fauourers of learning and louers of godlinesse your good Ladiship whom as I honor for the same respects so finding in your Ladiship among your other vertues a zealous loue to religion and to the sincere seruing of GOD rare things in the multitude what then in the honorable I haue bene thereby induced and thus boldlie haue presumed to prease with this my poore present vnto your Ladiship in waie of dedication and doe praie your fauourable protection of the same Beseeching euen with humblenesse that this my homelie handeled Expositor a straunger borne and newlie araied with course English cloth maie finde such fauour in your Ladiships presence as to be interteined Not doubting but the Author for his excellent learning and profound knowledge vttered therein shall thereby be able to withstand all seditious Scismatikes quarelling Sycophants impudent Papists pestilent Pellagians blasphemous Anabaptists licentious Libertines whose perillous opinions are by him confuted and finallie all the malicious members of Sathan that old serpents synagogue to the preferring of the truth and the increase of Gods glorie vnto whose protection I commend your good Ladiship whose happinesse God graunt maie be such both heere and aboue as your owne heart would wish and as my continuall and dailie praier shalbe Amen Your Honourable Ladiships Most humblie to be commanded Abraham Fleming TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL LEARned godlie and excellent Diuine M. Henrie of Hertoghenbosch of the auncient house of the Bruchoffens Deane of the Chapter of Lunden in Denmarke and his beloued brother in Christ NICHOLAS HEMMING wisheth health and welfare I Heard Right Worshipfull vpon a time at the mouth of that good and godlie man M. Philip Melancthon that There is no worke more excellent than to teach learne the word of God And it maie bée so verie well For without heauenlie doctrine wée proll in most thicke darknesse and ignorance or to vse S. Paules speach We walke in the vanitie of our minde we wander through our owne blinde vnderstanding and are farre off from the life of God because our ignorance
things standeth in need of no mans helpe c. 52. Christ his Godhead proued and ratified 53. Christes manhood and Godhead vnconfounded 110. Christes manhood and Godhead how to be distinguished 110. Christes manhood Godhead with the properties of both 110. Christes glorious names fore-told by prophesie 111. Christian Christian soldier furnished brought to his captaine 233. Christian soldier must be constant valiant 228. Christian soldier and what weapons he must fight withall 223. 224. 225 226. 227. 228. 229. 230. Christians Christians and how they shoulde be like minded c. 148. 149. Christians are the children of light how 174. Christians and what is their peculiar marke 237. Church Church and the proud statelie rule of the papists ouer it disproued 236. Church a married wife compared together 194. 195. Church compared to the bodie and in what cases 141. Church how she is sanctified 188. Church and of three special doctrines vnto her belonging 131. Church maintained and supported by Christ against the diuell c. 133. Church militant triumphant 228. Church why all men are not equall in gifts belonging to the church 131. Church in subiection to Christ 185. Church must be at concord agreement with her selfe 129. Church of Christ his bodie 129. Church a theatre and to what end ordeined 121. Church of god called one man c. 93. Church and howe it is coupled to Christ her head 26. 27. Church of Christ eternall and without end 122. Church and of two weapons wherewith she is assaulted 144. Church and that there is one Lord thereof 130. Church is the bodie of Christ and he her head 50. Church defined what it is and two members thereof 50. 51. Church of what people the building thereof consisteth 97. Church and that Christ is the chiefe corner stone thereof 97. Church and of six notable pointes of doctrine touching the same 98. Church and how the building therof is knit together 99. Church called the holy temple of god wherevpon reade notable pointes of doctrine 99. 100. Church and why it is called the temple of God 100. Church of Christ the glorie of the same 49. Church hath not two heades as the Papistes dreame 49. Church of Christ and how the same is ordered 49. 50. Church mingled with good and bad 190. 191. Church is to be considered after two sortes 191. Church of her state in this life and in the life to come 191. Church and that Christ is her head foure maner of waies 145. 146. Church and what kinde of bodie she is 146. 147. Church and who they be that are out of the church 148. Church and an euident description what she is 148. Church of the neate decent order seemelinesse of the same 148. Church doth not belong to outwarde shewe c. 189. Church denied to be in this life but erroniously 189. Church is not alreadie cleansed and purified c. 190. Church stained two waies during this life 190. Circumcision Circumcision what it is how the Iewes boasted therein 89. Circumcision in the flesh spirit 89 Circumcision of the flesh without the spirit 89. Commandement Commandement of God and his will agree 65. 66. Commandement of God witnesse of his will 66. Confidence Confidence ioined with faith c. 113. Confidence ioined with inuocation or calling vpon God 113. Confidence in Christ forceable against hell gates c. 118. Couetous Couetous persons heauily threatened 168. Couetousnesse Couetousnesse and what damnablenesse it worketh 166. Crosse Crosse of Christ and whereby the same is made knowne 74. Crosse what should be our comfort when we lie groning vnder it 133. Crosse of the godlie not shamefull but glorious 115. Crosse of Christ necessarie to the obteining of peace 94. Custome Custome of the world what it is 81. Custome of sinning must be taken heed of and whie 169. Custome of the world what and that the godlie must take heed therof 114 Custome of sinning and whie it must be put off 154. D. Daie Daie and whie the same is called euill 179. 228. Darknesse Darknesse of sinnes how beneficiall the flieng from the same is 176. 177. Darknesse of the vnfruitfull works of the same 173. Darknesse how wee should rebuke the workes thereof 173. 174. Darknesse and what is ment by that word in Scripture 226. Darknesse and whome Paule called darknesse 171. 172. Death Death of Christ differed from the death of Saints 40. Death of Christ defined to be sanctification 40. Death of Christ the price of redemption 40. Death of Christ a propitiatorie sacrifice 40. Death spirituall what it is 75. 76 Death of Christ and the benefits issuing from the same 94. Death temporall and death eternall 75. 76. Degree Degree and that euerie one ought to liue honestlie in the same 171. Degrees Degrees of preferment allowed in the Church 139. 140. Degrees of preferment in the Church of what things they are tokens 139. Degrees of preferment in the Church impugned answered 139. 140. 141. Democracie Democracie a rule against nature 197. 198. Descension Descension of Christ into bell expounded 135. Descension of Christ and what it signifieth 134. Despaire Despaire and the daunger of that sinne 55. Destinie Destinie disproued and how daungerous it is to make reckoning thereof 54. 55. Destinie denied to haue anie share in vs. 56. Destinie hath no thing to do with the end of our life 204. Destinie ouerthrowne by three kinds of testimonies 204. 205. 206. Disobedience Disobedience is the cause of shortening the life 205. 206. Disobedience and threatning against the same 205. Dispensation Dispensation what it signifieth 26. Diuell Diuell and what deuises hee hath to ouercome vs. 222. 223. Diuell and against whom he is terrible and furious 223. Diuell and whie God giueth him leaue so sore to assault mankind 224. Diuell of his sirie darts 230. 231. Diuell and how wee shall gette the victorie ouer him 223. Diuels Diuels called by the names of principalities powers c. 225. 226. Diuels endeuour to deceiue vs signified 227. Diuels and ouer whom they beare rule 225. Diuels haue a right in ruling and why they put it in execution 226. Diuels haue dealing in euill deedes onelie 226. Doctrine Doctrine of predestination election discoursed vpon at large 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. Doctrine of predestination election the ground work of our saluation 54. Doctrine of predestination most comfortable to our consciences 54. Doctrine and that we must take heed of false doctrine 144. 145. Doctrine of this Epistle to the Ephesians 24. Doctrine of the Gospell auncient 3. Doctrine of Christ and of abiding therein 90. 91. Doctrine of the Gospell of great authoritie 9. Domination Domination of Christ stretcheth euē to diuels and wicked men 48. 49. Domination of Christ vniuersall 47. 48. Dronkennes Dronkennes and what damnable inconueniences insue the
same 181. Dronkennes and what a filthie sinne it is 181. Dronkennes to bee detested as the pestilence 182. E. Elect. Elect and by what meanes they are discerned from the reprobate 160. Elect and who be so called 15. Elect are the members of Christ 56. Elect and when wee are said to be such 16. Election Election of God eternall 16. Election and the third vse thereof 70. 71. Election conditionall 16. Election hath two ends and what they be 70. Election and the double vse of the same 70. Election and the matter of the same 14. Election without Christ none 14. Election the end of the same 14. 15. Election free without vs ratified c. 15. Enimies Enimies and that our spirituall enimies are dangerous 226. 227. Enimies and from what place they shall assault vs. 227. Enimies of the Church are mightie and malicious 228. Epistle Epistle to the Ephesians whie it was written 23. Epistle to the Ephesians of two parts 4. 5. 6. 7. Epistle to the Ephesians what it conteineth 4. Euangelists Euangelists companie-keepers with the Apostles 137. Euangelists of a lower degree than the Prophets 137. Euangelists and what their name signifieth 138. Example Example of Paules conuersion calling what it teacheth vs. 106. Example if it bee euill how daungerous 81. Examples Examples of vice wonderfull forceable 167. Examples of Saints c. and what was their delight 81. Examples and what lessons are to be learned by them 77. F. Faith Faith conceiued by the gospell preached 30. Faith the shield of a Christian souldier against Sathan 230. 231. Faith knitteth vs vnto Christ 27. Faith the instrument whereby grace is receiued 12. Faith by what meanes we are called therevnto 19. Faith the instrument whereby we obtaine the glorious inheritance 37. Faith required towards our ingraffing into Christ 56. Faith and what it hath to strengthen it selfe 49. Faith and the ordinarie instrument to obtaine it 66. Faith oftentimes taken for hope 28. Faith and that there is but one faith as but one promise c. 130. Faith what it comprehendeth 33. Faith the meane whereby we receiue the benefits of Christ 112. Faith defined according to the Papists opinion commonly called faith historicall 112. 113. Faith iustifieng and what is the note or marke of the same 113. Faith and three degrees of the same to be marked 132. Faith historicall what it is and that such faith is erronious 118. Faith the meanes whereby Christ dwelleth in vs. 118. Faith and the force thereof in respect of our neighbour 118. Faith the working thereof 9. 10. Faith the leaning staffe to rest by vppon Christ 96. Faith the instrument whereby we receiue saluation 84. Faith the remedie against sinne 81. Faith and of the effects of the same 81. 82. Faith and in what case such bee as lacke it 216. 217. Faith and of the operation or working of the same 144. Faith made effectuall by loue 149. Faith and in what case they bee that haue it not 144. Faith springeth from the knowledge of Christ 142. Faith cleanseth the conscience from all dead workes 72. Faith sincere and what are the warrants of the same 72. Faith hypocriticall and wherein it consisteth 72. Faithfull Faithfull the members of Christes bodie 52. Faithfull comforted and strengthened against death c. 52. Faithfull are Saints 9. Faithfull and a necessarie lesson for their learning 47. Faithfull the members of Christ 41. Faithfull tempted of Sathan diuers and sundrie waies 41. Faithfull called light for two causes 172. Faithfull during this life haue some vncleannesse 190. Fall Fall of man not imputable to god 15. Fall of man the cause of Gods foreknowledge 16. Fathers Fathers and of what things they ought to take heed 211. Feare Feare of God and what is proper therevnto 170. Feare of the wife to the husband and wherein it consisteth 197. Feare of Christ and what it is 183. Feare of Christ and what are the benefites thereof 183. 184. Flesh Flesh what the same signifieth 77. Flesh an enimie to the spirit and how we are tempted thereby 223. 224. Flesh hath sundrie significations in scripture 78. Flesh taken for fleshie substance of liuing creatures 78. Flesh signifieth the whole man 79. Flesh taken for soft and tender 79. Flesh contrarie to the spirit 79. Following Following of God and what sinnes withstand the same 166. Following of God and wherein it consisteth 164. Following which God requireth what it is 164. 165. Forgiuenesse Forgiuenesse of sinnes not denied the repentant 168. 169. Fornication Fornication a sinne which fighteth with true holinesse 166. Fornication a wandering fleshlie lust 166. Fortune-tellers Fortune-tellers and their profession defaced 206. 207. 208. 209. 210. Free-vvill Free-will confuted by Paules doctrine 151. 152. Fulnesse Fulnesse of God what it is 119. 120 G. Gift Gift of God and what the same is in vs. 222. Gift of god must not be quenched 222 Gifts Gifts giuen to the Church and to what end 133. Gifts and that Christ is the Author of them 132. Gifts of the Church and to what end they were giuen 141. Gifts wherewith Christ beautifieth his Church rehearsed 136. Gifts belonging to the Church why vnequallie distributed 131. Gifts and how Christ doth destowe them 132. Gifts that no man shuld brag in the multitude or excellencie of gifts 132. Gifts and how we must be content with them and vse them 132. Glorie Glorie of God the end of our saluation c. 32. Glorie of God the end of our sanctification 32. Glorie and in what place the same is to be giuen vnto God 121. Glorie of God the end of our redemption 120. Glorie and by what meane it ought to be giuen vnto God 121. Glorie of god and how long the same must last 122. Glorie and not shame to suffer for the doctrine of the Gospell 125. God God called the father of glorie and whie 35. God and what sundry titles are ascribed vnto him 35. 36. Godlie Godlie are set in a verie hot skirmish 222. Godlie and what armour they must weare 220. 221. 222. 223. 224. 225. 226. 227. 228. 229. 230. Godlinesse Godlinesse by what things it might be iudged 114. Godlinesse and what things are of force to turne vs from it 180. Goodnesse Goodnesse of God and whie wee are bound to extell the same 14. Goodnesse of God in raising profit by the Gospell 33. Goodnesse of God towards the hearers of the Gospell preached 33. Good-pleasure Good-pleasure of God and what it is 24. 25. Good-pleasure of God the cause of the reuelation of the mysterie of the Gospell 25. Good-pleasure of God and when it was reuealed 25. 26. God-pleasure of God and the end whie it was reuealed 26. Gospell Gospell and of them that refuse to heare it preached 68. Gospell preached and how effectuall it is 66. Gospell and the effect of the same in the hearers 23. Gospell offereth saluation 30. Gospell guideth vs to the knowledge of Christ
hath place 80. Lust of the flesh and what it is 77. M. Maisters Maisters taught to humble themselues and whie 220 Maisters and of two things required of them for their seruants 218. Maisters must not threaten their seruants 218. 219. Maisters must not triumph in their maistership 219. Man Mans estate and condition without Christ 78. Mans estate before grace and vnder grace 73. Mans naughtie nature and the two parts thereof 77. Manners Manners and from what manners we must absteine 149. Marriage Marriage against such as esteemed it for a prophane thing 186. Marriage compared to the coupling of Christ and his Church 186. Marriage a mysterie 194. 195. Marriage and to what end it was instituted and ordeined 195. Marriage and of what secret it is a signe 195. Marriage and the excellencie thereof 194. Matrimonie Matrimonie no Sacrament as the Papists make it 195. 196. Matrimonie called a mysterie or sacrament 196. Matrimonie no sacrament of the new testament and whie 196. Meeknesse Meeknesse flatte against desire of reuengment 128. Meeknesse the child of humblenes 127 Meeknesse described what it is 127. Meeknesse and what bee the contraries therevnto 127. Mercie Mercie of God the fountaine from whence all good things doe flowe 1â—7 Mercie and forceable persuasions therevnto 161. 162. Mercie of God chiefe cause of our recouerie after our fall 82. Mercie of God and the fruits of the same 83. Mercie of God the Father aboue all his workes 119. Merites Merites of men make nothing for their saluation 20. Merites of men excluded from the worke of our saluation 83. Merites of men ouerthrowne 11. Might Might of Christ and what it betokeneth 47. Might of Christ ouer-maistereth all other mightes 47. Mind Mind the vanitie of the same described 150. 151. Mind in man what it is by definition 149. 150. Ministerie Ministerie of the word and the end of the same 16. Ministers Ministers of the Church and their dignitie c. 49. 50. Ministers and how bold they should be in their ministerie 234. Ministers and what reuerence is required of them in preaching the word 235. Ministers of the word and how they must behaue themselues in their calling 108. Ministers of the Gospel and of their excellencie 95. Ministers comforted against such as slaunder their doctrine 109. 110. Ministers flacke negligent in their calling reproued 109. Ministers of the Gospell and what care they ought to haue for their flocke 114. 115. Ministers of the word and their dutie 93. Ministers of the word what they must looke for in this world 103. Ministers of the Gospel and a lesson touching the crosse for their learning 124. 125. Ministers of the word and how they must behaue themselues in afflictions 115. Ministers of the certeintie of their calling 103. 104. Ministers of the Gospell must haue three things in them 106. 107. Monkes Monkes holinesse confuted 10. Mysterie Mysterie of the Gospell and why so called 104. Mysterie of the Gospell and how it is reuealed 105. Mysterie of saluation wonderfull how 111. Mysterie and Sacrament haue no difference 196. Mysterie and what it is by definition 195. N. Natiuitie-casters Natiuitie-casters and their profession disgraced 206. 207. 208. 209. 210. Nature Nature is not to be forced 213. Nature and of the two partes of the same 77. New-man New-man how he is put on 155. New-man his qualitie 155. New-man of sundrie members to him belonging 157. 158. 159. 160. O. Obedience Obedience wherein the same consisteth 20. 21. Obedience and the rewardes of the same 209. Obedience is the cause of the lengthening of life 205. 206. Obedience of seruants to their maisters 214. Obedience and what this word compriseth 200. Obedience to our parents and how far it must stretch 200. 201. Obedience of children how and in whom it must be done 200. Olde man Olde man and what it signifieth 154. Olde man and when he is said to bee put off 154. Olde man of sundrie members vnto him belonging 157. 158. 159. 160. P. Parents Parents and how they ought to order their children 211. Parents and what they are bound to doe to their children by nature 211. Parents and what they should consider in their children 213. Parents and how farre forth they are to be obeied 201. Parents and in what respects they are to be forsaken 201. Pastours Pastours and whie they were appointed 138. Pastours office and function not temporall and whie 138. Peace Peace what it is and from whence it doth proceede 236. Peace the fruit of the Gospell 230. Peace and what is the foundation of the same 11. Peace of God what it signifieth 10. 11. Peace and from whom it proceedeth 11. Peace with God set foorth by description 1â—2 Peace made betweene the Iewes and the Gentiles and whie 73. Peace with God and peace with men 94. Perfection Perfection the fulnesse of God 119. 120. Perfection and that Christians must alwaies be dooing to come by it 120. Perfection and how the same must be sought and obteined 142. 143. Perfection and what kinde of perfection is required of vs. 165. Perfection in Christ is not one daies worke 142. Povver Power of Christ and what it betokeneth 47. Power whereby Christ was raised from the dead 44. Power of God and his will goe together 120. 121. Power of God and what it should first of all worke in vs. 121. Power of God not of flesh or bloud but of the spirit and faith 121. Power of God and that without it wee are vtterlie weake 221. Power of God signified by his name 181. Power of God cannot bee ouercome 38. Power of God declared in Christ 38. Power of God and against what wee must set the same 38. Power of God and the working of the same 39. Power of the Lordes death and how it is to bee distinguished 39. 40. Praier Praier of Paule for the Ephesians and the circumstaunces of the same 34. Praier and what order we must keepe therein 35. 36. Praier and that faith is required therin 117. Praier and of three circumstaunces therevpon depending 116. 117. Praier must followe thanksgiuing 33. Praier and what we must desire therin 33. Praier the meanes to bring vs to Christ 233. Praier and what kinde of praier is required of vs. 233. Praier made in spirit and what it is 233. Praier made in the flesh and what it is 233. Praier and for whome principallie it must bee made 233. Praier must be made continuallie for the ministers of the word 233. Praise Praise of Gods glorie wherein it consisteth 31. Predestination Predestination and the meane manner of the same 55. 56. Predestination and how we ought to iudge thereof 58. Predestination a mysterie commended vnto vs in the word of God 55. Predestination and who is the matter of the same 19. Predestination and the manner therof 19. Predestination hath two ends what they be 70. Predestination and the double vse of the same 70. Predestination and the
faith wee will laie it downe in partes and diuide this conclusion into seuen partes or members then will wée shew and that brieflie what our faith may gather out of them seuerally The first member is declared in these words When he raised him from the dead that is to saie God in raising his sonne from the dead shewed the working of his excéeding power Of this first member there are thrée points The first of the Lordes death The second of his resurrection The third of the power whereby he was raised Of these thrée pointes wée will giue you a verie short admonition The historie of the Lords death is well knowne by y e writings of the Prophets y e Apostles the Creeds But y e power working therof is diligentlie to be distinguished sundered frō the passions or sufferings the deaths of other Saints or holie men For the passions or sufferings and the deaths of other Saints were either martyrdoms or trials of their faith and confession or els as for example in the théefe certaine punishments for offences But the death and passion of Christ is farre otherwise to be considered which Christ himselfe defineth to be sanctification that is to saie an offering vp of himself for many And he defineth the same 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for he saith thus The sonne of man came not to be ministred vnto but to minister and to giue his life 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a redemption for many Nowe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not redemption as the olde intrepreter hath translated it but the price of redemption For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Gréeke signifieth whatsoeuer is paid downe for their redemption which are kept in captiuitie which Homer in his Iliads calleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say the price of redemption The passion and death of Christ therefore is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the price downe paid for the redemption of men who were held captiues and prisoners vnder the power of the deuill which price was paid to God by whose iust iudgment we were captiues This price hath his infinit estimation vncountable value from the wonderfull vnion or knitting of Gods nature and mans in one person Wherevpon Saint Paule doubteth not to speake thus Ecclesiam c. The Church of God which he hath purchased with his owne bloud Héerevnto we will adde a fuller definition for declaration sake The passion and death of our Lord Iesus Christ God and man is a propitiatorie sacrifice or sacrifice of attonement wherein the eternall son of the eternall God béeing made man offered himselfe by the eternall spirit vnto his father that by this his oblation obedience he might both purge the sinnes of the world and appease the wrath of God to the ende that all such as beléeue might be sanctified vnto life euerlasting through him As by this definition our vnderstanding and iudgement is rightly informed and taught concerning the passion and death of Christ so our faith must be stirred vp and stedfastlie resolued that sinne is so washed awaie by the death of Christ as that God doth remember it no more Moreouer wee must and ought with continuall thankfulnsse and innocencie of life to aduaunce and extoll this great benefit The second point of this first member is of the Lordes resurrection wherof wée will shew brieflie what is to be thought faithfullie and godlie First of all we must holde fast the testimonies of his resurrection which are of thrée sortes as commonlie I make them touching these the Catechisme and the historie of Christs resurrection set foorth in the Gospell must bée looked vpon and considered The definition of the Lordes resurrection must bée maintained to wit that the resurrection of Christ from the dead is Christs victorie and his triumph ouer sinne death hell and ouer the whole kingdome of Sathan For Christ by his resurrection fulfilled the promise Semen mulieris c. The seede of the woman shall bruse the Serpents head that is to saie as Saint Iohn the Lords Apostle expoundeth it Christus apparuit c. Christ appeared that hee might destorie the workes of the diuell Christ therefore rising againe is conquerour ouer Sathan which Sathan lieth conquered and crushed vnder the féete of Christ the conquerour that hée is no more able to drawe the faithfull that is to saie the members of Christ into death and destruction although he beare full swaie ouer the reprobate and obstinate and vseth manie and sundrie guilefull sleights to prouoke the faithfull to tast the forbidden fruite and so to be cast againe out of the Lordes Paradise that is to saie hée goeth about with corrupt doctrine and lewde manners to infect and poison the faithfull that the holie Ghost might be driuen out of them and so they through the losse of faith might bée shut out of Gods housholde and so become castawaies In the third place the fruites of the Lords resurrection must bée gathered which the godlie alone enioie the first wherof is remission of sinnes Si Christus c. If Christ bee not risen ye are yet in your sinnes Héerevnto serueth that saieng of the Prophet Daniel Auferetur c. Wickednesse shall be finished sinnes shall be sealed vp and iniquitie reconciled And although the reconcilement of iniquitie bée most properlie appertaining to Christs passion and death as before is declared yet notwithstanding it is also verie well applied to his resurrection bicause this is the accomplishment of all Christs benefits The second is our iustification Resurrexit c. Christ is risen againe for our iustification And Daniel saith Adducetur c. Euerlasting righteousnesse shall be brought in Doth not Saint Paule likewise define the obedience of Christ to bée our righteousnesse Both are true For whatsoeuer is giuen to one action or déede of Christ the same is rightlie giuen to them all by reason of the ordinarie appointment and ordinance common to all his works and actions The third is the giuing of the spirit Nisi c. Except I goe my waie that comforter shall not come And Paule saith Emisit c. He hath sent the spirit of his sonne into your hearts which crieth Abba Pater Abba Father The fourth is the confirming of the couenant of grace or an assurance and certaine warrant of a good conscience before God For so saith S. Peter Habentes c. Hauing a good conscience And In that a good conscience maketh request vnto God The words at large lie in this order Cui respondens c. To the which also the figure that now saueth vs euen Baptisme agreeth not the putting awaie of the filth of the flesh but in that a good conscience maketh request vnto GOD by the resurrection of Iesus Christ The fift is the renewing of our selues which is after two sortes to wit of our soules and of our bodies Of our soules according to that saieng of
the Apostle Resurrexit c. Christ was raised vp from the dead by the glorie of his Father that wee also should walke in newnesse of life Of our bodies according to the wordes of the Apostle Christus resurrexit c. Christ is risen from the dead and was made the first fruites of them that slept For since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead For as in Adam all die euen so in Christ all shall be made aliue The sixt is the bonde of mutuall fraternitie and brotherhoode For so the Lorde himselfe rising from the dead speaketh to the women by Ascendo c. I go vp to my Father and to your Father my God and your God If therefore wée all haue but one Father in common to vs all if wée all are brothers and sisters in Christ it is méete that like brothers and sisters wée bée all of one minde and tender one an other with brotherlie affection and loue The seuenth is a generall remedie against all calamities against all woundes or sores of the soule of the bodie of our name and fame Heerevnto serueth the saieng of the Apostle to Timothie Memento c. Remember that Iesus Christ is risen from the dead as if he should haue said In this thy ministerie and office thou shalt féele manie distresses thou shalt suffer manie temptatious of the Diuell and of men but in all these take vnto thée for thy succour saftie this notable Treacle namelie the meditating of the Lordes resurrection which as in the Lorde himselfe it was the victorie ouer all temptations and afflictions so likewise in vs it shall bée the same victorie when we shall be raised vp from the dead by the power of Christs resurrection The eight is a perfect hope or assured persuasion of our glorious state and immortalitie Saint Peter saith Regenuit nos c. Hee hath begotten vs againe vnto a liuelie hope by the resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead The third point of this first member is of the power whereby the Lord was raised from the dead Christ saith Potestatem habeo c. I haue power to put away my life from me and to take it againe Now in this place God the Father is said to haue raised him vp In these words there is no contrarietie of speach Christ in déed raised vp himselfe as God that is to saie hée raised vp the nature of his manhood by the power of his Godhead and the Father raised him vp as man To bée short because the essence or béeing of the Father the Sonne and the holie Ghost is all one and the selfe same as touching their diuinitie or Godhead their works are vnseparable Let these things suffice to be briefly spoken concerning the first member of this point whereof in generall there is a double vse to wit that wée should be confirmed and established in the knowledge of Christs death and resurrection and that we should proue and trie in our selues a liuelie and quicke féeling of the same In which sense S. Paule speaketh to the Romanes where he ascribeth mortification viuification or for the better vnderstanding of the words the making of vs dead the making of vs aliue that is to saie newnesse of life vnto the Lords death and resurrection The second member now followeth wherof the Apostle speaketh saieng And hath set him at his right hand in the heauenlie places This member conteineth two Articles of our beliefe the first is The Lords ascending into Heauen the second is his sitting at the right hand of God For his ascending thether went before his sitting there Nowe this ascending of the Lord was done visible For hée was carried vp into heauen in a bodilie and naturall manner from the sight of his Disciples For so it is saide in the Actes Cernentibus ipsis c. While they beheld hee was taken vp for a clowde tooke him vp out of their sight And from thence was he caried aboue al heauens placed in heauenlie places at the right hand of God his Father as Saint Paule sheweth in this place and in the fourth Chapter following The Article therefore of the Lords ascending ought to be vnderstood of Christs true and verie bodie and of the naturall placing thereof in heauen least we should thinke that Christs manhood was swallowed vp of his Godhead as Stenkfield dreamed or that it was extended spread throughout all places with his Godhead as the heretike Eutyches doted For both their opinions doth take away the truth of his humanitie or manhood The saieng therefore of Saint Cyprian is to be allowed in these words Ascendit in coelis c. He ascended into heauen not where God the word was not before but where the word being made flesh sate not before to wit in a bodilie place The sitting at the right hand of God his Father belongeth to the power of ruling wherein the sonne being equall with his Father doth as it were part stakes and possesseth equall rule and regiment with him For the right hand of the Father betokeneth a diuine power maiestie and dominion Wherfore to sit at the right hand of the Father is to be equall with the Father in diuine power maiestie and dominion And because the Apostle maketh mention of The right hand of the Father in heauenlie places he therefore giueth vs to note by the right hand of the Father the place of blessednesse happinesse and euerlasting rest and quietnesse promised to all faithfull beléeuers which place the bodie of Christ alreadie possesseth But this is not against the saieng of Christ Ero vobiscum c. I wil be with you euerie where euen to the end of the world neither doth it take away the truth of the Lords bodie and bloud in the holie Supper For Christ is all whole wheresoeuer it is his will to be More of this matter and that verie learned and godlie is to be read in the Commentaries of Philip Melancthon vpon the first Chapter to the Colossians Furthermore the fruite of either article namelie of the Lords ascending and of his sitting at the right hand of the Father is declared at large in the fourth Chapter folowing where y e Apostle expoundeth this saieng of the Psalmist Ascendit in altum c. He ascended vp on high he lead captiuitie captiue gaue gifts vnto men The third member is an exposition of the second Farre aboue all principalitie power and might and domination and euerie name that is named not in this world onelie but also in that which is to come For in these words the Apostle sheweth verie notablie what Christ sitting at the right hand of his Father in heauenlie places is For by these words the Apostle meaneth nothing else than to signifie Christs rule which is noted to be excéeding great as the Article of his sitting at his Fathers right hand importeth and that he hath no
so that they ceasse vtterlie and altogether leaue off to bée sorrie for their sinnes A certaine inclination to all Wantonnesse followeth this senslesse duinesse or blockishnesse yea rather a certaine vnbrideled desire to sinne which the Apostle tearmeth heere by the name of Wantonnesse This gréedie lust bursteth out into all kinde of villanies and abhominable misbehauiours which are héere noted vnder the word Vncleanesse all which are increased made more by Greedinesse the vtter aduersarie to contentation or temperance vntill it throwe a man downe headlong into the bottomlesse gulfe of damnation For 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is an vnmeasurable lust or desire which hauing neuer inough is alwais séeking to haue more In this place is first to be marked what a wretched creature man is without the grace of regeneration or new birth after the fall of our first parents to wit Vaine of mind blind of vnderstanding hard in hart wherby we may easilie perceiue what manner of frée will that is which the Sophisters Schoolmen haue in such count so highlie praise euen in such as are not regenerate or new borne If therefore according to the doctrine of S. Paule our intents our procéedings and our verie dooings are faultie and sinfull what sounde thing is remaining Tell mée that And although the Apostle doth not take from man his naturall abilities yet notwithstanding hée proueth that they were corrupt after his fall Moreouer we haue héere to marke that Saint Paule speaketh not of actions naturall or ciuill which are ruled gouerned by the mouing and gesture of the bodie For in these remaineth some libertie in such as are not yet regenerate or borne a new but he speaketh onelie of the actions which concerne Gods worship and seruice of which actions there are thrée causes The first is the word which instructeth the minde and frameth the iudgment The second is the holie Ghost which is effectuall in the word to the inlightening of the minde and the inclination or bending of the will The third is the will of man resting in the worde and giuing place to the holie Ghost of whom it is both instructed and moued Verses 20. 21. 20 But ye haue not so learned Christ 21 If so be ye haue heard him and haue bene taught by him as the truth is in Iesu But ye haue not so learned Christ if so bee that yee haue heard of him and are taught in him euen as the truth is in Iesus THe Apostle sheweth the cause whie the Ephesians ought not as other hethernish Gentiles doe to liue in the ignorance of the Gospell of Christ to wit bicause they haue learned Christ For as a little before he rehearsed the causes of manie fowle sinnes in the Gentiles which causes are these namelie The vanitie of their minde the blindnesse of their vnderstanding and the hardnesse of their heart so in this place he setteth flatlie against all these the knowledge of Christ aloue and further auoucheth that the same is the cause of leading a godlie and an honest life This knowledge therefore of Christ ought to bréed in vs an other manner of liuing than is in the Gentiles which are not yet to this daie turned vnto God by and through the preaching of the Gospell For this effectuall forceable knowledge of Christ what doth it Forsooth it reformeth the minde it inlighteneth the vnderstanding and if softeneth the heart to be short it reneweth the whole man by the spirit of God that now he beginneth to liue The life of God And this is that which the Apostle saith As the truth is in Iesus that is to saie the true waie to liue well set foorth vnto vs in an excellent and notable example For in Christ appeared no kinde of marke or token of the olde man because he bare the verie image of the Father and béeing full of the holie Ghost obeied his Father in all things The word Truth therefore doth signifie not onelie the assent of trueth but also the action which followeth the assent by the figure Synecdoche much vsed in Hebrew This place therefore is diligentlie to be marked which teacheth that the knowledge of Christ or of the Gospell is but vaine vnlesse wée haue ioined therewithall such manners as are worthie of Christ and the Gospell For the knowledge of the Gospell standeth not vpon a naked contemplation or gazing at things not in idle disputations c but in the single knoweledge of Christ in faith and in harmelessenesse of life or as Saint Paule saith else-where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to saie In knowledge and vnderstanding Verses 22. 23. 24. 22 That is that ye cast off concerning the conuersation in time past the olde man which is corrupt through the deceiuable lusts 23 And be renevved in the spirit of your minde 24 And put on the nevv man vvhich after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse That ye should cast off or laie 〈◊〉 from you after the former conuersation the olde man which is corrupt thorough the concupiscenses of error and should be renewed in the spirit of your minde and put on the new man which after God is shaped in righteousnesse and holinesse of truth THe Apostle declareth in a short rehearsall but yet full and pithie what it is to haue learned Christ trulie what truth is in Iesus and what manner of life the life of a Christian ought to bée Of this rehearsall there are thrée partes to wit To put off the olde man to be renewed in the spirit and to put on the new man The first part therefore is the putting off of the olde man The Olde man signifieth not the substance but the qualitie namelie vice and corruption all custome of sinning according to the conuersation of old This custome of sinning S. Paule would haue all Christians to put off that the rule and gouernement of the spirit might be effectuall and full of which thing he sheweth the cause Which is corrupt through the concupiscences of errour that is to saie whome deceiuable lustes do corrupt whiles they drawe men into corruption and destruction Whosoeuer therefore desireth to escape destruction and vtter vndooing let him put off the Olde man Now the Olde man is then said to be put off when the bodie of sinne is weakened and brought vnder that wée should serue sinne no more For so the Apostle expoundeth his owne words saieng Hoc scientes c. Knowing this that our old man is crucified with him that the bodie of sin might be destroied that henceforth we should not serue sinne In this speach of Saint Paule the word Crucified must be considered For by that is signified the efficacie and working of Christs crosse and this death in vs to the crucifieng and mortifieng of the Olde man To this serueth the exhortation of the Apostle Neigitur c. Let not sinne therefore reigne in your mortall bodie that ye should obeie it in the lustes