hir forfathers in liuing with a man vncircumcised All which things although she had vnworthely committed yet it is likely that there was remayning in hir some feeling of that pure religion wherein she had bene brought vp from hir tender yeres This seemeth to bee the cause that shee was so desirous to heare Paule preache whose doctrine euery body spake of Which thing she might easily obteyne of Felix hir husbande louing hir so entirely Heere by the way wee may see what remayneth commonly for them which make mariage with wicked persons and boyde of true religion For although they being blinded eyther with the sting of concupiscence or bewitched with the glory of richesse and honour goe about to shake off all sense of religion yet the sting of conscience returneth agayne and the desire of fayth so denied and naughtely forsaken kindleth agayne but commonly dothe them little good bycause they haue so little regarde of God and their owne saluation Wherefore wee muste thinke that it was not without a cause that God by Moyses commaunded his people to abstayne from mariage with Infidels bycause he knew they were hereby like to incurre the present daunger of their saluation For the which cause Paule also willing to confirme the olde lawe forbiddeth vs to beare the yoke with vnbeleeuers Also it behoueth vs to marke the goodnesse of God which suffered the worde of the Gospell whereby lyfe and saluation is offered vnto man to bee preached vnto those that were polluted with suche filthy luste Hee is therefore truely that God which desireth to haue men saued and willeth not the death of a synner but rather that he should repente and lyue Heere vnto belong many examples of the Gospell wherein wee reade that Chryste of a certayne singular fauour and familiaritie offered saluation vnto Publicans and Harlots Which as it serueth for our consolation when we bee troubled with the suggestions of Sathan whereby he calleth the certayntie of our saluation into question so also it admonisheth vs of our dutie that we wickedly despise not the grace of god which he so louingly offereth vnto vs For as the preaching of the gospel is the cause of saluation to them that beleue and repent so they are inexcusable before God which being without repentance wickedly contemne it when it is offered of whose number we shall hereafter heare that Felix was But let vs see Paules Sermon whiche Luke reporteth not worde for word but reciteth only the cheefe pointes wherof may easyly gathered what he said These are three in nūber First Felix heareth him entreate of the fayth in christ Furthermore as Christ is alwayes constant in him selfe is but one yesterday to day for euer so there is alwayes but one trade of faith in Christ which ought not to be changed Wherfore we must thinke Paule spake none other things at this time but such as are conteyned else where both in his Sermons and Epistles The summe of all which is that men are iustifyed and saued freely without the workes of the lawe through faith onely in christ And as he laboured to bring the Iewes vnto Christ from the affiaunce in workes of the lawe so is it like that he entreated much of morall virtues before Felix bycause they little auayle vnto true Iustice in the sight of God but are acceptable vnto God bicause of fayth onely in Christ bicause we haue occasion euery where to speake of these thinges we will nowe tarry the lesse while vppon them This marke how the fayth in Christ must not be preached in corners and where no feare of daunger is but must then be stoutly and freelye confessed when we percyue the worlde offended with vs for the same Therefore they are not to be hearkened to which accompt the confession of faith among things indifferent For so they accuse the Apostles and holy martirs of Christ of madnesse whiche were neuer more feruent in defendyng the fayth than when they sawe it most cruellye assaulted Also the Anabaptistes are confuted by this example of Paule which being apprehended by the Magistrates can scarce be brought at any time to giue an accompt of their faith and many times will neither confirme their owne opinions with anye argumentes nor aunswere to the argumentes made agaynst them Howbeit Peter commaundeth all Christians to be ready to giue a reason of their faith to euery one that asketh them And Paule was so litle ashamed either of his fayth or doctrine that he disdayned not to preache the same being in bands before an heathen tyranne and filthie adultresse Secondly Paule reasoneth of Iustice and Temperance But vnder these two vertues are comprehended the true fruits of the faith that iustifieth Iustice we vnderstand in this place to be that that giueth vnto euery man that is his and therfore comprehendeth vnder hir all vertues Christe commendeth this vertue where he commaundeth to giue vnto God the thinges belonging vnto him and vnto Cesar the thynges that are due vnto him hereunto is to be referred that that Paule writeth in an other place Geue vnto all men that is their due tribute to whom tribute belongeth Custome to whom custome is due Feare to whom feare aperteyneth Honour to whom honour apperteyneth c. Temperaunce is an impediment or stoppe against vnlawfull desyres and brideleth voluptuousnesse that we be not carried with the entisementes thereof to sinne against God and iustice Therfore whatsoeuer might be sayde touching the exercise of vertues and good woorkes Paule did comprehende it vnder these two kindes namely Iustice and Temperance And these things must of necessitie be subiect to the doctrine of fayth both bycause they be the true fruites as we saide euen nowe by the whiche fayth is knowen and also bicause no man shoulde abuse the pretence of fayth to cloke his carnall libertie against the which many thinges are euery where sayde in the writinges of the Apostles Furthermore Paules prudencie ioyned with his free speache is here to be considered For he reasoneth of suche fruites of true fayth as cheefely were wanting in his hearers For we haue declared before that Felix did many thinges like a tyranne in gouernaunce of the prouince and had more regarde of his priuate aduantage than of publique iustice And Drusilla like a filthie adultresse marryed with an vncircumcised person contrary to the lawe of god Therefore it was meete to set these things before their eyes that they might plainely vnderstand how farre off they were from the way of saluation This example teacheth vs what we ought to preache and after what sorte many men would haue the grace of God and the faith that iustifieth only preached But the wickednesse of this world and of our age wherby we see all men euery where rushe into all kinde of mischeefe requireth a farre other thing Therefore these things must be reproued least we preach the grace of God in vaine to them that yet vnderstande not what
through the power of the holy ghost the affections be bridled that would carye them awry Or what safetye can there be of publike weales which are not led with the spirite of God but with fleshly wisedome Whereas it is manifest that all good successe and felicitie dependeth of God Salomon the wysest of all men well marked this thing who hauing choyse giuen him of God to aske those thinges that are in greatest price amongest men despising all other craued of God the spirite of wisedome and of that true wisedome which he describeth in his booke of Prouerbes whose beginning and roote is the feare of the Lorde And woulde to God they woulde often remember this that are Rulers in the Church and in the common weale For the same woulde both kindle in them an ardent desire to prayer and godlynesse and woulde make them more listen to the worde of God wherevpon coulde not but ensue a true and perfite safetie of the people committed to their charge But before we depart from this place two things remayne to be discussed which may profitably be gathered of the promise of the holye ghost made to the Apostles For first it hereby appereth that the holy ghost was the auctor of the Apostles doctrine and therefore the same ought to be esteemed as proceeding from God and not from man For where they tooke vppon them to preach after they had receyued the holye ghost which according to Christes promise taught them all truth surely all their teaching must be referred to the same spirite So wee must holde the dignitie and authortie thereof as great as Christ maketh it which sending forth his Disciples to preach sayth He that heareth you heareth me and he that despiseth you despiseth me With the which argument Paule seemeth to be encouraged to say If an Angell from heauen teache you anye other Gospell beside that which wee haue preached let him be accursed For how great soeuer the maiestie and the glory of Angels is yet if the same be compared with the holy ghost by whom they were created it is of no value We haue therfore in this place what to aunswere to them which hearing vs reiect and condemne the traditions of men crye out that the Apostles were men likewise and thinke hereby to prooue that eyther the Apostles doctrine must likewyse be reiected or else some place is left in the church for mans traditions And in deede we are not ignorant that the Apostles were men But bicause they spake not as men nor in their teaching declared not the cogitations of men but according as the holy ghost inspired their harts shewed the mysteries of saluation and of the kingdome of heauen therfore their opinions by no meanes must be reckoned amongst the traditions of men Secondly this place teacheth vs that nothing ought to be taught and preached in the Church but that that is deliuered by the holy ghost For the Church is the house of God in which the onely voyce of the goodman of the house is to be hearde and according to his prescript all things ought to be ordered And as the Bryde obeyeth the onely voyce of the Brydegrome and is not iudged chaste if she giue eare to the entysements or promises of shamelesse suters so where the sonne of God hath espoused to himselfe the congregation of the faithfull washed with his owne bloud and hath made vs partakers of all his goodes whch is the proper ende of mariage we may not follow any other voyce than that whereby Christ the Bridegrome calleth vs vnto him Further for that Christ hath made vs the sheepe of his pasture and hath redeemed vs with the losse of his owne bloude it behooueth vs to follow his voyce and not to harken to the voyce of any straunger or hyreling Neyther is their opinion to be receiued which thinke it an errour worthye of pardon to chaunge and alter somewhat in the doctrine of faith and saluation so that in all things God onely might be worshipped For to graunt that such haue a zeale of God yet bicause they want the knowledge of the truth they can no more please God than did the Iewes in time past which being inflamed with the zeale of God went about to establishe their owne righteousnesse and reiected that righteousnesse which God offreth vs in his sonne to be imbraced by faith And surely if our zeale had bene sufficient in so weighty a matter it had bene but vaine for the Apostles to haue looked for the sending of the holye ghost why did they not therfore steppe forth to preache and according to the godlye intent of their minde teach the people what they thought belonged to the honor of God and glory of Christ But Christes commaundement stopped them who as he elsewhere appointed them to preach the things he taught them so without the conduct of the holye ghost he will they shall not take vppon them to preach least that being beguiled with the counsell of mans wisedome or seduced by corrupt affections of the flesh they should swarue from the right way And we reade that the olde Prophets were bounde by the same commaundement also in whome the Apostle plainely testifieth that the spirite of Christ did speake It is sayde to Hieremie Behold I haue put my words in thy mouth And God sayth to Ezechiel Thou shalt heare woordes from my mouth and shalt warne them from me Therefore it is a wicked and monstrous temeritie of some men which thinke they haue authoritie to coyne newe articles of the faith and to thrust into the Church traditions inuented by mans brayne And who I praye you woulde thinke him a faithfull friende of the Bridegroomes which woulde not feare to intice and inuegle the Bryde to his lure and purpose Let them therefore which teach in the Church receyue all their doctrine at the mouth of god He speaketh vnto vs in the Scriptures by his holye spirite Let them therefore reade them and they shall not erre But let vs returne to Christes wordes from whence we digressed For he going about to render a cause of his commaundement sayth Of whom you haue hearde of mee For Iohn truely baptised with water but you shall be baptised with the holy ghost after not many dayes These words haue a confirmation of promise and consolation very necessary For as there were diuers other things which might make the Apostles carefull in the consideration of their office so there was no little cause to feare them least some incommoditie might arise of the stay and tariaunce of the holy ghost Therefore to take awaye all feare hee repeateth his promises not in the same words that are in the Euangelists but with such as might bring to their remembrance Iohn the Baptistes saying touching this matter which was verye needefull to be done by reason of the great authoritie that Iohn had amongst all men Neyther ought it to seeme an absurde thing
it can not be but God must be angry with the world and therfore it floweth with all kinde of euill For Iohn the Baptist sayth The father loueth the sonne and hath giuen all things into his handes Hee that beleeueth the sonne hath lyfe euerlasting He that beleeueth not the sonne shall not see lyfe but the wrath of God remayneth vpon him Last of all Christ describeth the boundes of his kingdome which they thought extended not beyond Iurie For where he sayth the Apostles should be his witnesses to th ende of the worlde he plainely declareth that his kingdome stretcheth to all nations of the worlde He manifestly and by name rehearseth certaine places that not without a cause For where the Citie of Hierusalem by reason of their great and horrible offence committed agaynst the sonne of God seemed vnworthy the wholesome testimonye of the grace of the Gospell it behooued to name hir also that they might knowe how the beginning of preaching the Gospell should be there where iniquitie most abounded Againe where the Iewes of an olde and ingenerate hatred could not brooke the Samaritanes therfore he maketh expresse mention of Samaria least the Apostles folowing the common opinion of the Iewes should think they ought not to come at them Now how needefull it was to comprehend all other Nations within the boundes of Christes kingdome the example of Peter sufficiently prooueth who when the countrie of Samaria had receiued Christ abstayned from companying with other Nations vntill hee was instructed by a vision from heauen Howbeit Christ appointeth none other limits of his kingdome in this place than the holye ghost long before had described by the Prophetes For it is knowne what is contayned in the Psalmes whereof I made mention before Moreouer Zacharie speaking of Christ in the ninth Chapter His kingdome shall reach from sea to sea and from the riuer vnto the worldes ende But that saying is most euident of all other that Esay hath in the .xlix. Chapter It is but a small thing that thou art my seruant to set vp the kinredes of Iacob and to restore the destruction of Israel for I haue made thee the light of the Gentyles that thou mayst be my helth vnto the ende of the worlde There are diuers other testimonies as is to be seene euerye where of them that reade the Prophetes This is full of all comfort that we see Iesus Christ is the common Sauiour of all Nations in whome as Paule and Peter sayth there is neyther Iewe nor Gentyle Barbarous nor Scythian bonde nor free man nor woman but in euery nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousnesse is accepted of him They also are here admonished of their office and dutie whom Christ hath appointed to be Preachers of the Gospell that they seeke not the saluation of one nation onely but that as much as in them is they sowe the knowledge of Christ Iesu and of saluation as well by teaching as writing as we reade the Apostles did thorowout the whole worlde And it belongeth to all men to imbrace Christes goodnesse which so liberally offreth vnto al the saluation purchased by his bloud Let vs receiue therfore with thankfull mindes this kingdome of saluation that hereafter we maye reigne with Christ in heauen to whom be blessing honour glory and power for euer Amen The fift Homelie AND when he had spoken these things whyle they behelde he was taken vp on high and a Clowde receyued him vp out of their sightes And whyle they looked stedfastly vp towarde heauen as he went beholde two men stoode by them in white apparell which also sayd ye men of Galiley why stand you gasing vp into heauen This same Iesus which is taken vp from you into heauen shall so come euen as you haue seene him go into heauen BIcause LVKE mooued by the holy ghost purposeth to intreat of the Actes of the Apostles he beginneth very aptly to tell of those things which our Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christ now being readye to leaue the earth did with the Apostles For thereby it may euidently be gathered that the Apostles did nothing of their priuate authoritie or vnaduisedly but that they were executors of the things enioyned them by Christ and therfore their doctrine was not to be taken for mans doctrine but to be acknowledged and receyued as Christes Nowe at length followeth Christes departure from earth into heauen which Luke describeth with great diligence and wee ought to consider the same with as much earnestnesse bicause in the description therof two notable articles of our Christian faith are comprehended in the which the chiefe hope of all Christians is grounded That is to say Christes ascention into heauen and his returne which shall be in the ende of the worlde when he shall come in the clowdes to iudge both the quicke and the deade It shall behooue vs to consider euery thing in such order as Luke describeth it In this place he briefly dispatcheth the hystory of Christes ascention For when hee had thus sayde sayth he he was taken vp on high they looking on and a clowde receyued him out of their sight The cause of this breuitie maye seeme to be both for that afterwarde he reporteth the sayinges of the Aungels which more expressely declare all the matter and also for that himself about the ende of his Gospell had more at large set forth the same For there he sayth Iesus ledde his Disciples forth into Bethany and lyfting vp his handes on high he blessed them And it chaunced that as hee blessed them hee was taken from them and caried into heauen To the which let vs ioyne the things that are written in this wise The Lord after he had talked with them was taken vp into heauen is set downe on the right hand of God. The summe of all is that Iesus Christ which hytherto liued on the earth hath taken his body out of this worlde and hath placed it on the right hande of God his father according to the saying of Dauid The Lorde sayde vnto my Lorde sit thou on my right hande vntill I make thyne enimies thy footestoole Although such is the playnesse of this Hystorie that it is put euen in the same wordes almost in the articles of our Christian faith or Apostles Creede wherein our forefathers would all things should be so plaine that it shoulde be perceyued and vnderstanded of verye children yet let vs discusse diligently euery circumstaunce thereof for their sakes which in these dayes dare extenuate the same while of his ascention they make but a disparition or vanishing out of sight and leaue vs nothing but a vaine and bare fantasie or imagination therof which men are gone so farre that they appoint a locall and substantiall presence of Christes body in the breade of the Lorde But being led and bewitched with the desire of contention they marke not how they leaue him no place in
regarded For that duiers signes and woonders aswell true as false be wrought amongest men we are taught by the holye Scriptures They are called true myracles when that thing is truly done that is sayd to be done and which beareth witnesse to the doctrine of truth such as were sometimes the myraculous workes of the Apostles done by Christes institution They are called false which deceyue vs by some lying shew as Charmers and Iuglers vse or which call men from God and from the faith and doctrine of the truth Such as sometimes Iannes and Iambres shewed before Pharao And such as are ascribed to Antichrist and to the deceyuers in the later dayes And God suffreth them otherwhiles to be done in the sight of his people that in the elect he may trye the constancie of their faith as Moses testifyeth Deut. 13. and in the reprobate he maye exercise the seueritie of his iudgement bicause through the efficacie of errour as Paule sayeth they are seduced which woulde not admit the loue of the truth Therefore myracles are neu er so to be taken that we must cleaâ—e onelye to them or to their doctrine that worke them but we must examine them after the rule of Gods worde that in those which beare witnesse to the truth and teach vs to trust in god we may acknowledge God to be the author and reiect all other as false by whose baytes Satan vseth to lye in wayte against our faith and saluation If this thing be not obserued we shall through our owne default be deceyued not onely by false myracles but also by true whereof God is the author whyle we heeding the persons regarde not the ende wherfore they are done Whereof this place giueth vs an euident example and another hereafter is written of the people of Lystra which tooke occasion to commit ydolatrie of a myracle done by Paule as in his place shall appeare But let vs consider Peter which of the peoples amazednesse taketh occasion to preach Thinke you he abuseth the ignoraunce and errour of the people Goeth he about by this meane to get himselfe and his fellowes authoritie which he might easily haue done No verily Naye he beginneth to preach Christ and defendeth his honour and glorye There are fower members or principall pointes of his sermon First he correcteth the ignorance of the people sheweth them that there is nothing here done through â—he power and vertue or holynesse of men Secondly he declareth God to be the author of the myracle who hath wrought the same by his sonne where he also admonisheth them of their heynous offence committed against the sonne of god Thirdly he requireth of them repentaunce Last of all bicause the Christian religion did seeme to repugne with Moses and the Prophets he teacheth them that they did set forth Christ and that they must of necessitie beleeue Christ vnlesse they will seeme grieuouslye to offende against Moses and the Prophetes And therewithall he also teacheth that Christ which was promised to the fathers belonged also to them least they should be drowned in dispaire through the conscience of their sinnes But at this present we will speake but of the first part onely purposing to intreate of the reast in theiâ— place and time First he goeth about to remooue ignorance and error out of their minds This is the right and most commodious waye of teaching the truth For mans propertie and condicion is like to the earth whereof he was made The earth yeeldeth thornes and bryers of it owne accorde neyther bringeth it forth good seede with any increase vnlesse it be diligently clensed and ridde of them So the minde of man corrupt with originall sinne bringeth forth errors of it selfe â–ª which except they be strongly repulsed it neyther can suffer the doctrine of truth nor receyue any fruite or commoditie thereby Wherefore the Lorde commaundeth the Prophete to breake downe and roote vp before he builde or set And Peter is not colde in this behalfe as though he â—hunned honour for ciuilitie and modestie sake as ambicious folke vse which hunt for glorye euen then when they feyne to be contemners thereof But framing his talke by an interrogatiue point maketh it the more vehement saying Ye men of Israell why marueyle yee at this or why looke you so on vs as though by our owne power and strength wee had made this man to go These wordes sauour of some reprehension I pray you sayth he what cause hath mooued you to conceyue such abashment of this myracle wheras not long sithens many such were wrought by Christ howe commeth it to passe you remember not them And then it should easily appeare who is the author of this Surely in vaine you looke vpon vs yea your errour is so great that it may not be winked at For our power or holinesse hath herein done nothing But it is anothers woorke who must haue all the prayse of that is done Let vs obserue in this place the modestye and truth of the Apostles whereby they so challenge vnto Christ all honor and glorie that they reserue nothing to themselfe of that is due to him This is the propertie of all the Saintes For they acknowledge Christes voyce saying by the Prophete I am the Lorde this is my name And my glorye will I giue to none other There are examples of this endeuour not only in this place but also otherwheares The Baptist when hee was asked whether hee were Messias the sauiour he giueth all that prayse to Christ onely whose forerunner onely he confesseth himselfe to be The same before his Disciples which of a carnall zeale enuied Christ testifyed that Christ was the bridegroome of the Church to whome all men must be brought and sheweth that all power and glorye was giuen vnto him from God the father and sendeth his Disciples vnto him And Paule had rather to be stoned than he woulde receyue any godly honor when they of Lystra offred it him of their owne free motion and will. Of this minde it is plaine also the Angels are For where Iohn being rauished with the excellencie of reuelations would haue worshipped an Aungell he sayde vnto him See thou doe it not for I am thy fellow seruant and of thy brethren the Prophetes and of them which keepe the wordes of the prophecie of this booke Worship thou God. Wherevpon Augustine in his .xlix. Epistle disputing of the honour due to God only writeth of the Aungels whom he calleth the spirituall creatures on this wise Howe much more godly it is and in subiection to God so muche lesse it doth vouchsafe it selfe of such honour as it knoweth belongeth but to God. And a little afterwarde comparing the euill aungels who sayth he ioy and are delighted in the errors of men with the good he addeth wherefore euen as wicked pryde whether it bee of men â–ª or of Spirites commaundeth or desireth these diuine honours to be
gathered a generall rule whereby we are taught that we must simply obey God and not take our reason to counsell when we haue hearde the expresse commaundement of god For as God hath this authoritie ouer vs to commaunde vs what it pleaseth him so is it the propertie of fayth as it were to captiuate all reasons vnderstanding and to subdue it vnto the word of God not to suffer it to reason against the manifest commaundementes of god For that is an ouer wicked audacitie to go about to make the authoritie of Gods preceptes to gyue place to our reasons Therfore that that the olde Testament sheweth that Abraham sometime did who neyther doubted of Gods promise although he sawe it to be agaynst the course of nature nor disobedientlye gaynesayde his commaundements though absurde and vnreasonable to see to the same doth the holye ghost in this place require of Peter We are admonished also that it ought to suffise vs when we vnderstande that God hath appoynted or spoken any thing forasmuch as it is euident he ordreth all things both wisely and for our saluation And this is that wrastling of fayth wherein all such ought to be exercised as will be taken for the true and faithfull worshippers of god In the which if nowe a dayes we were more obediently and diligently occupied we should be much lesse troubled than we be and finde better successe in our doings But let vs see the obedience of Peter which he declared when he had hearde the commaundement of the holy ghost First without all delaye he went downe to them and did nothing mutter as the wayward doe vse eyther that he was interrupted of his prayers or let from his dinner Then when he sawe the messengers whome by their apparell he might easilye iudge were Gentyles and souldiers he friendly telleth them that it is he they seeke for and asketh them what the cause of their comming is And streightway the messengers courteously aunswere him and faithfullye declare vnto him all that their maister had commaunded them For both they singulerly commende their maister and diligently report the Oracle vttered by the Aungell to the intent they might the easilier obteyne the purpose for the which they came And by the waye maye be seene with what diligence and trust Christian seruauntes ought to go about their maisters businesse that they onely serue them not in their sight as Paule sayth but as much as in them is labor when they are absent to set forth their honestie to worke for their commoditie Ephe. 6. By and by as Peter had heard their message he vnderstoode the mysterie and secret of the vision and perceyued that the Gentyles were signified by the vncleane beastes whome God woulde nowe haue brought by preaching of the Gospell into the fellowship of Christ and to saluation Wherefore he bringeth them into the house and the next day goeth with them being accompanied by certayne brethren of Ioppa who both woulde this waye declare their good affection vnto Peter also were chosen of God to be witnesses of so weighty a matter Moreouer as in all these things there appeareth a faithfull obedience such as erewhyle we hearde the spirite of God commaunded vnto Peter so Peter is a notable example of hospitalitie which as it is in all men a thing most commendable so it most becommeth Bishops and Ministers of the worde that whyle herein they giue others good ensample they cause their doctrine to be the better spoken of which is the cause that among the properties of a Bishop Paule thinketh this also worthy to be rehearsed Therfore by Peters example the waywardnesse of them is reproued who for that they will be taken to be of authoritie beare themselfe verye straunge and will shewe no maner of friendly familiaritie eyther to straungers or those of their owne house Whome if the example of Peter cannot yet the authoritie of Christ ought to mooue who euen then as Marke writeth did friendlye receyue all men when by reason of the peoples importunitie preasing vpon him he had scarce leysure to eate his meate After these things Luke declareth the meeting of Cornelius and Peter And of Cornelius he telleth two things First that he called togither hys kinsfolke and alliance and all other which he was acquaynted with who all wayted for Peters comming These thinges expresse the propertie of a true fayth For where fayth stayeth onely vpon the worde of God she seeketh and wayteth carefully for the same Agayne where it burneth in desire of Gods glory and loue of hir neighbour she is desirous to communicate saluation also vnto many others Both these properties doth Cornelius performe and that not without his great perill For we haue alreadye oftentimes declared that it was a daungerous matter among the Romaynes to alter or chaunge religion Therefore it coulde not be but daungerous to haue so many witnesses therof But that fayth standeth in no feare of daunger as well the Scriptures as many other examples euerywhere declare Let vs followe this endeuour and desire least whyle we make prouision for our selues we betraye the glory of God and neglect the saluation of them which ought to be most deare vnto vs according to the law of nature But Cornelius doth yet another thing For assoone as he seeth Peter the Apostle by and by he runneth to meete him falleth downe at hys feete and worshippeth him These are tokens of a deuout minde and that hath a very good opinion of the worde of God and his minister Yet Cornelius exceedeth herein and offendeth in ouermuch veneration whyles as may be gathered of Peters words he attributeth more vnto him than belongeth to a man This many times cometh to passe when we vse the vnaduised zeale of our reason in reuerencing Gods Ministers And of none other beginning sprong that superstitious worshipping of Saintes pilgrimages for deuotion sake kissing of reliques and infinite other such lyke things then bicause men being beguyled with an inconsiderate zeale of religion thought there was some sparke of godheade in them whome God had vsed sometime to the enlargement of his glorye and the saluation of others It behooueth vs therefore to lift vp our eyes to God himselfe least whyle we will seeme to be to religious we defraude God of his due honor To this purpose belongeth the answere of Peter who doth not dissemble Cornelius error but friendly reprehendeth him saying Arise for I also am a man as though he shoulde saye I perceyue you haue an opinion of me farre aboue that I am And bicause you thinke there is in me some godheade therefore you doe vouchsafe to giue me this honor but you are farre deceyued For although the grace of God hath made me an Apostle yet as touching my essence and nature I am nothing but a man that is to saye mortall frayle and sinfull which had neede my selfe also of Gods grace and Christes merite Therefore giue me no diuine
the spirite and worde of God came with great chearefulnesse vnto the kingdome of Christ. Howbeit bicause the Apostles woulde seeme to doe nothing rashlye and of their owne heades they alleage the Oracle of God out of the .xlix. Chapter of Esay whereby they teache that God long agoe decreed that the Gentyles also shoulde knowe howe they had saluation in Christ and that the same shoulde no longer be deferred seeing the Iewes vnto whom the same was fyrst to be preached despised it Here therefore is the calling of the Gentyles prooued whereof we haue heretofore oftentimes spoken Moreouer the place of Esay teacheth vs what is giuen to vs in christ First and foremost a light which worketh in vs the true knowledge of God and saluation which the industrie of mans reason cannot attaine vnto for no man hath seene God at any time the onely begotten sonne which is in the bosome of the father he hath declared him Uerily saluation followeth this light For this is life euerlasting that wee knowe God the father and Iesus Christ whome he hath sent This is a woonderfull bountie and goodnesse of God which woulde in so short and briefe a summe set out vnto vs all that belongeth to our saluation Let vs therfore walke in this light that darkenesse do not ouerwhelme vs that we may attaine to saluation in this light that is in Iesus Christ to whome be praise honor power and glory for euer Amen The lxxxxv Homelie WHEN the Gentyles hearde this they were gladde and glorifyed the worde of the Lorde and beleeued euen as many as were ordeyned vnto eternall lyfe And the worde of the Lorde was published throughout all the region But the Iewes mooued the deuout and honest women and the chiefe of the Citie and raysed persecution against Paule and Barnabas and droue them out of their coastes But they shooke off the dust of their feete against them and came vnto Iconium And the Disciples were filled with ioye and with the holy ghost ALthough God gaue vnto his Sonne Iesus Christ a kingdome and all maner of power yet the scriptures euerywhere testify that he should haue many enimies in the worlde and Christ himselfe oftentimes admonished his Disciples thereof least they shoulde hope for a temporall felicitie and kingdome and so be offended with the crosse and aduersitie This present hystorie sheweth vs an euident example of such things as Christ sayde shoulde come to passe Paule after he had conuerted Cyprus and Pamphilia came to Antioch in Pisidia and there according to his custome preached Christ in the Sinagoge of the Iewes By and by he hath both Iewes and Gentyles to embrace the doctrine of fayth yea the whole Citie almost beganne to listen and giue eare to the gospell so that the matter seemed to be brought to passe euen as he woulde haue it But sodeinly the Iewes stande vp and openly speake against the Apostles in their sermons refrayne not from rayling In the which contention the constancie and boldenesse of the Apostles is specially to be noted whereby they did not only resist their wicked enimies but also pronounced the horrible iudgement of God against them declaring howe God woulde forsake them and transferre his kingdome vnto the Gentyles yet coulde not this contention be so appeased but more grieuous matters yet ensued of the which Luke intreateth in this place For he teacheth vs howe the doctrine of the Gospell was most faithfully published euen in the middle of the enimies After this he sheweth a newe persecution by meanes whereof the Apostles were driuen out of Pisidia and came to Lycaonia The ende of this Tragedie at length is declared to haue bene prosperous and ioyfull to the godly but very horrible and miserable for the vngodly To the fyrst part of this place appertaineth this saying when the Gentyles hearde this they were glad and glorified the worde of the Lorde and beleeued euen as many as were ordeyned vnto eternall life And the worde of the Lorde was published throughout all the Region The Gentyles which hearde Paules wordes reioyced not bicause the Iewes were forsaken for that had bene vnsitting both for their faith and Christian charitie but for that they hearde that saluation belonged to them also and that Christ was the sauiour not onely of the Iewes but also of the Gentyles according to the Oracles of the Prophetes Therefore with thankefull mindes they embrace the worde of God and worthily commende it And this saluation is not contayned within the walles of the Citie onely but is caried and spred abrode by preaching of the worde ouer all the Countrie of Pisidia There are in these things certaine poyntes worthy of diligent consideration of all which we will intreate orderly And first it is to be considered what these men were of whome these thinges are reported verily such as were ordeyned vnto eternall life And Luke so describeth them that it is manifest what the cause is that men beleeue the Gospell when the same is impugned of many and cruell enimies Surely it is the free election of God who ordeyneth those vnto lyfe whom it pleaseth him and likewise leaueth them in destruction and eternall damnation whome it seemeth him good For if we consider man as he is of nature we shall see it is not in his will or power to beleeue the Gospell and to take holde of Christ. For the naturall man perceyueth not the things belonging vnto the spirite of God. And wee bee not able of our selues so much as to thinke a good thought Our sauiour Christ teacheth vs the very same where he sayth it is needefull that we be borne againe from aboue and that none cōmeth vnto him but whome his father draweth He sayde likewise vnto Peter making confession of his faith Happy or blessed art thou Simon the sonne of Ionas For flesh and bloude hath not opened that vnto thee but my father which is in heauen Of the which sayings we may easily gather that faith belongeth to them onely whome God hath chosen and predestinate vnto life euerlasting And it is plaine that this election was made from euerlasting and before the beginning of the worlde and that in Christ who was ordeyned to be our sauiour and Redeemer before this world was made Therefore our election is free and of Gods mercie Furthermore those whome he chose in Christ the same when he seeth good he calleth by preaching of the Gospell and draweth effectuously by his spirite that being graffed in Christ through faith they may be iustifyed by his merite and made partakers with him of the heauenly glorye according to that saying of Paule Those which he knewe before he also ordeyned before that they shoulde bee like fashioned vnto the shape of his sonne Moreouer whome he appointed before them also he called And whome he hath called them also he iustified and whome he iustified them he also glorified And as many as be of this number
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