the same time were also Prophets raysed vp indued with an extraordinarie gift of foretelling things to come as Agabus But because neither the extraordinarie giftes of such Apostles Euangelists and Prophets were alwaies to remaine in the Church neither coulde their persons beeing mortall continue in the Worlde for euer ordinarie messengers or Ministers of the Gospell called both by GOD and man and allotted to one place were by the Apostles them selues created and ordayned in their time who instructed some of them the Church of Lystra some of Iconium some of Antiochia Act. 14.24 some the Churche of Ephesus Reuel 2 3. chap. some the Church of Smyrna some of Corinth some of Phillippi some other congregations Phillip 1.1 This kinde of Preachers of the Word hauing continued from the Apostles times and beeing to remaine to the ende of the Worlde haue spread the fame of the Gospell so farre and neere and so planted and watred it in their Countries and charges as that not onely by the Apostles Ministerie but hence it commeth to passe that there are many Christians in the Worlde at this day many congregations professing the trueth yea many Countries imbracing Christ Iesus as namely Germanie France England Scotland Denmarke with many other renowned in this respect Wherefore the gospel hath been preached not onely in Iudea but among the natiōs as here is saide neither vnto a few nations but what people almost is there vnto some of whom at one time or other the same of Christ Iesus hath not been brought alter some sort or manner at the least In deed euen before the comming of the sonne of God into the world the Iewes had among them those shadowes which couered shining light and those Prophets who spake in their hearing of the Messias to come Moreouer the Gentiles had sometime messengers and Prophets sent vnto them as may appeare in Ionas who preached to the Niniuites but since that Christ Iesus hath beene manifested in the fleshe the Gospell hath both been more plainelie and sullie made knowne to the Israelites than before and generallie in common imparted and communicated vnto other nations For the partition wall hauing been puld downe by him Col. 2.14 that maketh one of two and the bonds of the lawe cancelled by his sufferings who sacrificed himselfe for the whole world al nations were to bee called to the Passeouer which had been slaine and the gerall pardon of forgiuenes of sinnes was to bee offered vnto all sortes of people Well then neither did the Lord suffer the stiffenecked Iewes to be without a great light nor the Gentiles to remaine without the knowledge of Christ Iesus but he caused him to be preached to Iewe and Gentile male and female bond free to shew that he would haue all sorts of people to come vnto repentance and to be saued So that hereby it is euident that the bloud of Iesus Christ speaketh farre more excellent and comfortable things than did the bloud of Abel For what is the voyce thereof but Come vnto me al you which are heauie ladē Mat. 11.28 I wil refresh you Albeit your sinnes were as crimson Esa 1.18 they shall be like to snowe although they were as scarlet they shal be like the wool What intercession maketh it to God the father Ioh. 17.52 but Father forgiue them they knowe not what they doo holie father preserue them in thy name sanctifie them in thy trueth Father it is my will that those whom thou hast giuen me be with me where I am To conclude what things speaketh the bloud of Christ to men but such as are most comfortable and sound to this effect I haue washed away the hainous rebellion and blasphemie of diuers of those Iewes who indeed crucified the King of glorie Act. 2.37 38 but for this bloudie deede vnfainedlie and heartilie repented I haue cleansed and sanctified a whole clowde of penitent sinners among the Gentiles which sometimes worshipped Idols Leui. 18.24 offered their children vnto Molech Deu. 18.11 vsed necromancie followed after southsayers and witches exercised curious Artes Act. 18.19 1. Thes 1.9 were laden with all sorts of impieties and iniquities quite dead in their sinnes Seeing these or such like are the sugred words and promises which the bloud of Christ Iesus speaketh and applieth vnto the heart of his Ierusalem and people how can any distressed and brused soule imagine that the God of mercie will despise the sacrifice of sorowe and mournful supplications which it offereth Who will now adde vnto his other innumerable iniquities this the greatest of all other no to beleeue his Sauiour who hath not onely promised to saue him but confirmed his promise by oth not onelie sworne so to doo but sealed his oth with bloud not only assured in vnder a broad seale but testified it by infinite example To conclude this poynt he which trusteth in the sonne of God 1. Ioh. 5.10 saith Saint Iohn hath that witnes in himselfe he which beleeueth not God maketh him a lier Well if any want faith or the feeling thereof here we see by the Lords ordinance that the preaching of the word is the most principall and most effectuall meanes of ingrafting and nourishing the same For how did so many thousands in the Apostles times come vnto faith Ro. 10.14 but by hearing the glad tidings of the Gospell How did they heare these ioyfull glad tidings but by their teachers preaching among them How did certaine choice messengers and seruants of God preach to the rest and that with so happie successe but by the Lords sending them on his embassage and blessing his owne holy and heauenlie ordinance Priuate persons neither were in auncient times neither now are licensed or permitted by the Lord to bee Prophets Apostles or Pastors to themselues or to another 1. Cor. 12.29 The publique Ministers of the worde are those whom the Lord hath set apart to bee stewards ouer the household of faith 1. Cor. 4.1 his vessells and messengers to carrie and declare the doctrine of faith finallie his vnder-officers to set on the seales of faith Priuate conference priuate prayer priuate reading of the scriptures are indeed verie profitable exercises of faith when they are vsed together with the publike ministerie of the word and continuallie quickened by the same For the preaching of the word is so liuelie and mightie in operation that it is not onely as seede to beget men to saluation but as milke to nourish them in faith and obedience as wine to cheare them in distresse as honie to delight thē as golde to enrich them as a light to direct them but also as a fire to kindle them vnto mutuall conference Luk. 24.32 to earnest praier and to diligent searching of the scriptures But when the publike Ministerie shall bee so seuered from these priuate exercises as the soule is from the bodie and as that it shall wilfullie bee neglected
Luke 7.30 31. refused and contemned by any certainlie such as despise the Lords ordinance the kingdome of GOD against themselues are not to thinke that their paths whether loose or straight either please the almightie or will bring them to happines seeing they leaue the royall and beaten way wherein the faithfull vsuallie walk vnto saluation and which the Lord himselfe hath paued and chalked out vnto that intent and purpose Wherby as the necessitie of the preaching of the word so the excellencie of the mysterie of the Gospel yet further is made manifest vnto vs. The Kings and Princes of this world haue vnder them their deputies and inferious officers in all places of their iurisdiction who determine causes and gouerne those townes and places which are committed vnto their care and charge Euen so Christ Iesus the King of glorie ascending into heauen and leading captiuitie captiue Psal 68.17 gaue gifts vnto men and placed vnder him spirituall Magistrates in his church Indeed the calling of the ciuill Magistrate is not onely such an ordinance of God as both euerie soule ought to be subiect vnto Rom. 13.1 and euerie estate honour and reuerence as the highest and brightest glorie vnder heauen 1 Pet. 2.17 but such a gift of his vnto the Christian Church 1. Tim. 2 2 as that when she enioieth it she enioieth a crown of comfort and assistance when she wanteth it she wanteth a tower of succour and defence Lamen 2.2 Wherefore the eternall wisedome of God touching whō all this while we speak going about in the booke of the Prouerbs to declare what great gifts she hath in her hand to giue to mankind and vseth to bestowe on her Church breaketh out into this speach as on a sodaine By me Kings raigne and Princes decree iustice In the prophesie of Esay Pro. ◠15 the Lord foretelling how bountifullie he would deale with his Church in the last daies Esa 49.23 affirmeth and promiseth that Kings shall bee nursing fathers and Queenes shall bee nursing mothers vnto it But besides the politique gouernment or cruil Magistracie the Lord hath giuen to his Church the order of the Ministerie or state ecclesiasticall that these two callings might be as the two eyes of the world or as the two pearles of the Christian assemblie vppon earth For as this our Apostle testifieth vnto the Ephesians our Sauiour ascending into heauen gaue gifts vnto men to wit as he expoundeth these gifts the callings of Apostles Euangelists Ephe. 4.8 such other ministers of the word The common wealth of Israel then is not without her spirituall Magistrates but she partly hath had partlie hath her gouernours of sundrie sortes as the Apostle declareth Wherein as before hath been affirmed and after shall be made more euident the excellencie of the mysterie of Christ Iesus and also of his ministerie appeareth which is occupied about the soules of men and was cast downe from his treasure house aboue as a most precious Iewell euen then when our Sauiour ascended into heauen But moreouer beholde our heauenlie soueraigne Christ hath sent foorth his embassadors to the Iewes Graecians Scythians Fgyptians Morians Medes Persians yea as here is affirmed vnto all nations among which by thē his name hath been and is proclaymed Nay that which is more the Lords messengers and publishers of his will succeede one another from generation to generatiō remaining in spight of Sathan and of the wicked in all places and ages As for the Monarches or Emperours of this world they vse to send their embassadors not vnto the endes of the worlde or all nations but to some fewe countries and neere vnto thē Their custome is to cause their decrees to be proclaimed only in some Cities or for a fewe daies not from time to time and in all the coasts of the earth But the Lords Legats thus succeeding one another preaching in many countries it commeth to passe that the kingdom of Christ Iesus by the course of the word is hath been and shall be from time to time glorified and inlarged in all places For as further is added in the next argument of the excellencie of the Gospell God hath been beleeued in the world Wherein the mighty power and exceeding bountie of the Lord is further manifested vnto vs. For preaching is a signe of grace offered but faith of grace bestowed of eternall saluation By the gift of faith enemies are made children beggars princes limmes of sathan members of Christ fire-brands of hell Ephe. 3.6 heires of heauen old creatures newe slaues freemen captiues conquerours yea more than conquerours in Christ Iesus Now herein the riches of God mercie further appeare that Christ Iesus is beleeued not in a corner of the world but throughout the world I will make mention saith the Lord by the Prophet of Rahab and Babell among them that knowe me behold the Philistian with him of Tire and the Aethiopian is borne there Psal 87. And of Sion it shall be saide many are borne in her and he euen the most high shall establish her The Lord shall count when he writeth his people this man is borne there Selab This assemblie of the faithful people of all times places and sorts of persons called in the Scripture not Rome but heauenlie Ierusalem is that Catholicke or vniuersall Church which Gal. 4.26 whosoeuer hath not his mother on earth cannot haue GOD his father in heauen Part of this Church is alreadie in the highest heauens triumphing parte of it warfaring heere on the earth belowe parte of it neither in heauen nor on earth as yet but hereafter to bee first in this world secondlie in the world to come The triumphant beleeuers are hidden in the heauens the pilgrim beleeuers beeing mingled as yellowe corne with chaffe on earth are scant discerned the beleeuers to bee borne haue no being saue in the loynes onely of their forefathers Faith is a thing not grounded on sense or reason God is inuisible Christ was a crucified person is withdrawn from vs as concerning his bodilie presence the spirite is secrete the world is wide men are wicked tyrants rage yet GOD hath been beleeued is beleeued and shall be beleeued in the world O depth vnsearchable O glorious mysterie The vse hereof is that euerie one trie whether hee haue that annoynting that seale Ephe. 4.27 2. Co. 1.22 that earnest ponie and that witnes of the spirit in him or no which if he finde he is to bee more thankfull to God for it than if he had receiued the greatest benefite in the world besides If he feele not to sobbe and sigh and pray that God would testifie to his spirit that he is his father and bestow on him this good and heauenlie gift rather than any earthly blessing whatsoeeuer But chieflie he is to forsake his euill course of life Esa 1.16 to walke with God and man in the vprightnes of his heart
THE Excellencie of the mysterie of Christ Jesus Declared in an exposition or meditation vpon the 16. verse of the first Epistle of Saint Paul vnto Timothie Ephes 3.14 c. For this cause I bow my knees vnto the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ 15 Of whome is named the whole familie in Heauen and in earth 16 That he might graunt you according to the riches of his glorie that yee may be strengthened by his Spirit in the inner man 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith that yee being rooted and grounded in loue 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height 19 And to knowe the loue of Christ which passeth knowledge that yee may be filled with all fulnes of God AT LONDON Printed by Thomas Orwin for Raphe Iackson and William Young 1590. To the two right Honorable sisters the Lady Margaret Countesse of Comberland and the Lady Anne Countesse of Warwicke grace mercie and peace be multiplied from God the father and from the Lord Iesus Christ his sonne SVndrie reasons mooued me most Honourable Madames both to publish this simple treatise and to dedicate the same vnto your Ladyships First of al I wished with Iob that my wordes were written Iob. 11.23 yea that they were imprinted in a booke not for that J longed to bring foorth some new discourse into the world which is pestered with infinit vnnecessary pamphlets and treatises but for that I greatly desired to spread that Doctrine farre and nere wherein onely the fountaine of Saluation and the flower of al sounde consolation consisteth Secondly in these days wherin is so much disorder and distractions I deemed it a most necessarie thing eueÌ„ in open street as it were to point again vnto that Lambe of God which taketh avvay the sinnes of the VVorlde that the simple may knowe what to stick vnto where to begin the building of the spirituall house of their professing the word and seruing God aright Thirdly howsoeuer the fixing of such a rude stock as this homely discourse is in the ground of the Lords orchard is indeed a work of no such art or cunning as whereby the learned may be increased in knowledge yet may it bee a meanes to stir vp some Paules or Apolloes hereupon to ingraft more choice and excellent siens and hereafter to set such noble plaÌ„ts of the tree of life out of which most precious fruites may spring to the benefit coÌ„fort of the Church after that once the Lorde hath powred down his blessing on theÌ„ For indeed the Doctrine of the mystery of Christ Iesus is such a treasure house of al good things and such a root of true eternal happines that wheresoeuer it is taught with wisdome and with power and receaued with reuereÌ„ce obedieÌ„ce there glory will assuredly dwell and remaine Yea there such prosperity shal abouÌ„d in citie couÌ„try that grace faith shal meet together righteousnes and peace shall kisse each other Psa 85.11.12 faith shall bud out of the earth and righteousnes shal looke dovvn from heauen These were Madames the chiefest of those reasons whereby I was brought at last after long withholding this my meditation from the presse to permit commit it thereunto albeit in mine owne opinion most vnworthy to come vnder it but in the iudgement of certaine special friends of mine vnto whoÌ„ a sight thereof hath bin imparted conuenient yea almost necessarie to be published Now as concerning the causes which made mee be so bold as to dedicate this simple treatise vnto your Ladiships they neither are in number fewer than those which induce me to let it come abroad nor lesse weighty in importaÌ„ce First for asmuch as the Lorde hath cast vpon you all kindes of Honour in a manner so that you seeme to stand amidst the multitude of innumerable Christians or members of the Church among vs as Paragons preferred in degree aboue the rest Countesses of excellent and high account me thinketh if any haue gathered an heape of sweet pleasant flowers out of the Scripture for the vse or comfort of the professors of the gospel that such a garland is first to be proffered vnto your right honorable heads must needs best fit most seemely become your noble temples Againe seeing the fauour which you haue vouchsafed to beare and expresse toward mee hath been speciall J thought it my duety to repay some token of thankefulnes first and especially vnto your Ladiships of whome what remembrance J haue and toward whome what reuerence J beare Finally vnto whom how great prosperity J wish J knowe not by what meanes better to declare or testifie than by dedicating a treatise vnto you to giue you occasion both to knowe Christ Jesus more fully and to growe in him more firmely Last of all whereas albeit your estates are full of the riches of Gods mercie yet they are not so free from all aduersitie but that the Lorde of late hath exercised you with such losses and crosses as the Prophets speake of when they mention the tender mother bewailing hir first borne Zac. 12.10 and the louing yoke-fellowe girding hir selfe with sackcloth for the husband of her youth Ioel. 1.8 it may bee that in the mysterie of Christ Iesus through the blessing of the Lorde you shall finde some cordiall powder which shall driue away your dolefull pensiuenesse in some parte yea if you search it throughlie and make it your owne it will vndoubtedlie giue you an Ornament in place of ashes Esa 61.3 4 an oyntemeÌ„t of ioye in steed of mourning a Garment of praise in lievv of a broken spirit that ye may be called the oakes of righteousnes that as the plants of Iehoua yee may glorie that yee may builde the auncient vvast places that ye may restore the old deserts that yee may renew the desolate cities the deserts of manie generations Accept then Christian Madames from thankefull heart and reuerens hand this little booke concerning the excellencie of Christ Jesus presented vnto your Ladiships not for that J ayme at anie preferment or such by-markes as it 〈◊〉 but onely for the causes before alleadged Vouchsafe to protect it with your fauour to pardon the defects and faults therein escaped to conclude to profit by thee mysterie there in described Being now assured you will doe aboue that which is requested J most huÌ„bly commend your Ladiships to the tuition and heauenly blessing of that good God who hath so loued man in his Sonne Christ Jesus as to prepare for him those thinges which neither eye hath seene nor eare hath heard nor 〈◊〉 conceaued 〈…〉 be all 1. Cor. 2.9 〈…〉 〈…〉 P.M. ⧠The excellencie of the mysterie of Christ Iesus 1. Tim. 3. Chap. 16. ver And that mysterie of godlines is great by one assent God hath been manifested in the flesh iustified in the spirite seene by the Angels preachâ—◠〈◊〉 â—mong
the nations beleâ—â—â—â— in the world and receiued vp in glorie THe drift of the Apostle Paul in this most precious sentence is to moue Timothie to behaue himselfe verie religiouslie and reuerentlie in the church of God as may appeare both in the beginning of the verse immediatlie before set downe in this chapter and in the latter ende of the sixt verse of the next Chapter One argumeÌ„t to this intent and purpose hath bin already brought by him in the last wordes of the former sentence whereof this is the effect seeing the house or Church of God whereof thou art a Minister is not a sinagogue of error or a temple of types figures but a proper pillar of truth thou art as a paâ—â—â—â—â— of thâ— Christian flock to walke verie orderlie religiously and holylie in all respects Another reason tending vnto the selfe same end is contained in this conclusion of the Chapter whereof this is the summe forasmuch as the Gospell is a most excellent mysterie it behooueth thee a steward of such secrets to shew all wisdome and faithfulnes in the course of thy conuersation and in the execution of thy ministerie Now the excellencie of the Gospell is partly affirmed and as it were inlarged by degrees in the sixe first words of this verse being these And that mysteries of godlines is great without doubt partly prooued and confirmed by sixe seuerall reasons in the latter ende of the sentence which reasons are these God hath been manifested in the flesh iustified in the spirit seene by the Angels preached among the nations beleeued in the world and receiued vp in glorie The first note here declaring the excellencie of Christian Religion is the particle or word And the which not onelie as a knot bindeth the former sentence or reason and this together but as an exposition of the last word thereof which was trueth declareth that the maine veritie which the house of God or the Christian Church chiefelie and continuallie vpholdeth is the mysterie of godlines or faith in Christ Iesus It was verie needefull for Paul to expound himselfe after this manner and to insinuate this matter vnto Timothie and in him to all the faithfull Ministers and beleeuers of the Gospell For else they taking through error their markes amisle and thinking the holding of any truth a sufficient proofe or note of this true Church might conclude the Iewish sinagogue or some such like assemblie to bee the house of GOD because therin some truth is kept found or againe they running into another extremitie might rashly condemne some beleeuing and christian churches as the Church at Corinth because cause euen they sometimes erre or dissent about some points of trueth which yet are of lesse importance To the end therefore that all the faithfull may in all times and places and among all persons knowe which is the Lords holy campe resort thereto and remaine therein the Apostle sheweth here that it may alwaies bee discerned by this banner or ensigne of the Mysterie of the Gospell Those congregations then are vndoubtedly the true Churches of God which firmelie hold the articles of faith and soundly acknowledge Christ Iesus to bee the Sonne of God and the onelie foundation of saluation howsoeuer otherwise peraduenture they be farre from spotles perfection Reuel 1.2 3. c. Had not the Churches of Asia much drosse and many cracks Did not the Church of Ephesus somewhat coole and quench the burning lamp of hir former loue Were there not sundry members of the church at Sardis which had names of life on them but wounds of death in them How came it to passe that in the Christian assembly at Pergamus there were such as held the doctrine of Balaam if that the eye therof did not winke or was not fast a sleepe And where was the rodde or shepheards crooke of the pastor of the Congregation at Thyatyra when Iezabel was suffered to deceiue the seruaÌ„ts of the Lord How luke-warme were euen the best waters in all Laodicea when our Sauiour cried out thus against the fountaine of them would to God thou wert either hot or colde These faultes were found in all these Churches yea in the messengers sent vnto them and therefore in the members of them And yet what are these Churches in his account who walked in the middest of them but golden candlesticks What names dooth the giue to the messengers of these congregations but Starres so called by him in regarde of their places and the shining of those graces which were somewhat dimmed but not quite quenched Finallie what promises maketh he or what speeches vseth he to the members of those beleeuing assemblies but that vpon condition that they repented and continued in well doing they should eate of the tree of life feede on the hidden manna rule ouer the Nations and stand as pillars in the Temple of GOD for euer Hee dooth not aduise them to forsake their mutuall fellowship he dooth not denie them to bee members of his bodie because they did not rent themselues from the bodies of their Congregations so diseased and infected he willeth them not to disclaime the eyes which directed them no better he affirmeth not that their teachers are none of his Ministers their Sacraments no Sacraments vnto him because his order was not obserued or executed and because certaine Balaams and Iezabels were mingled in the assembly with his seruants Yea on the contrarie side notwithstanding all these wants neglects disorders offences and blemishes whatsoeuer he alloweth and accepteth the good things which were in any professors and calleth these assemblies golden candlesticks as before hath been shewed concluding that whosoeuer hath an eare is to heare what the spirit speaketh vnto the Churches so that look what iudgement our sauiour Christ Iesus gaue touching the Churches of Asia the same are all Christians to haue of the Churches of Europe not one of which is without some spot or wrinckle Wherefore let euery one take heede how hee leaueth our assemblies and Christian congregations in this 〈…〉 â—ast going about to be more 〈…〉 than the rule more bright than the sunne more right handed than the right hand it selfe to conclude more perfect 〈◊〉 the word of God whilest he â—â—â—â—â—efull and endeuoreth to auoide one extremetie through ignorance or blinde zeale hee runne into another Now if those reuolters which so wander on the right hand as that they condemne our Christian Congregations which receiue and acknowledge the great mysterie of Christ Iesus here spoken of cannot be excused neither are to be iustified in regarde of their error or rash separation notwithstanding that they neither denie any of the Articles of faith nor fall downe before stockes or stones what is to be said of those recusants on the contrarie side and as it 〈…〉 â—he left hand which art such 〈…〉 to Christ Iesus that Antichrist is vnto them all in all and that they embrace the mysâ—â—â—â—â— of all iniquitie and blasphemâ—â— euen the abominable and
execrable heresie of poperie These Enemies of the grace of GOD affirme and vaunt that the Church of Rome is the house of God and the pillar of trueth whereas rather it is indeede a denne of theeues and a sea of al impietie and diuelish apostacie or backsliding from the faith But as for the church of England it pleaseth them not and therefore they either come not at all to our assemblies because indeed they haue sworne obedience to the sinagogue of Antichrist or if anie resort now theÌ„ vnto our church it is for that the Machiuell in their head hath for the time gotten the vpper hand of the Pope in their belly They say they beleeue in Christ yea and in the holy Trinity but seeing they lay another foundation of saluation besides the sonne of God to wit the abominable idoll of the masse they cannot be the true worshippers of GOD yea they must needes be most vile idolaters They talke much of good workes but seeing thereby they professe to be saued as for the same deseruing the fauour of God and eternall life the very Publicans and sinners repenting and confessing their sinnes shal be taken vp into heauen when they with all their merits shall be cast into hel They worship a paltrie pope and fall downe daily before grauen images and idols in the meane season they make no conscience to rise vp in armes against Christian Princes and to hatch the egges of Asps against Gods people They call theÌ„selues Catholiques as if forsooth they were of the company of true beleeuers or the right worshippers of God but in trueth they are a generation of vipers which from time to time haue persecuted tormented and put to death the seruants of God and daily thirst after long to suck their bloud It is no maruell then if the fruites of Antichrist hate the assemblies of Christ Iesus or refuse to ioyne with vs in the word and the Sacraments but rather it is to bee wondered at that the worshippers of the true God detest not with a perfect hatred such malitious idolaters as those Papists are which wish for a day who haue attempted so many treasons and beare a false heart against their natiue countrey besides a bloudy rage against the Religion Now as there are such recusants as vtterly refusing to come to the assemblies wherein the mysterie of godlinesse is acknowledged and beleeued do dangerously keepe out the Arke and house of God marked with the bloud of the Lambe Christ Iesus so there are a great number of prophane professors who imagine themselues to be in the bosome of the Church when they are indeede in the very bottome of the wrath of God and who very seldome and sparingly resorting vnto the preaching of the word and the Sacraments amongst vs make as it were an open profession of vngodlines and impietie Whose heart would not rue to thinke vppon or beholde this kinde of people in whom raigneth an vntolerable neglect contempt of holy things These on the Sabaoth in the forenoone peraduenture will be at Church but in the afternoone at the alehouse Once in a tweluemonth as at Easter they wil come to the Communion but after the receauing of it it is their custome to runne into all excesse of riot gadding and madding after their pleasures and vanities They acknowledge Baptisme to be a Sacrament and bring their Children to Church to bee Baptized but when the Minister commeth to administer it to any infant they depart from the assembly no more accounting of this sacred seale of the new couenant than as of some common or prophane washing They wil not refuse to pray some times but they wil continually sweare and blaspheme They deny not altogether to heare Sermons or preaching of the word but they like better of gaming dising carding dancing fensing drincking and feasting than of that They doo not condemne the Gospell nor the exercises of Religion as reading the Word singing praier or such like But their onelie life is to be occupied rather in gossiping in prating and resorting vnto playes and places of all disorder Yet those are in their owne eyes and also in common account of the most the onelie or best professors of the word whose waies yet are so impious whose prophanenes so apparaÌ„t But let them take heede Heb. 10.24 so to conclude this point how they tread the soÌ„ne of GOD vnder foote and doo accompt the bloud of the couenant common whereby they are sanctified or be iniurious to the spirite of grace for we know him that hath saide Venegeance is mine and I will repaie it saieth the Lord. The second word here to be considered is the Article That shewing in this place that the mysterie spoken of hath in it some speciall dignitie Iohn 1.29 and excellencie Iohn thâ— Baptist pointing to our Sauiour vsed the same worde or Article to the same effect when he saide Beholdâ— That Lambe the same Euangelist Iohn also going about to put a difference betweene the Messias and other Iohn 1.8 calleth Christ that light As therefore the sun comming foorth like a bridegroom out of his chamber shineth more clearely than al the Starres in the firmament beside so euen among the other doctrines of the Scripture this excelleth wherein the glory of the Heauenly Bridegroome Christ Iesus is presented vnto our view Furthermore as a pearle far surpasseth pibble stones so this trueth all the precepts of philosophers all the sciences and artes set downe in bookes and studied by men Seeing then this mysterie is so peerles a pearle what wise christian marchant is there who would not sell his pleasures profits yea life and all to buie it Againe who is there so depriued of vnderstanding who once hauing gotten some sight of it or right in it would sell such a iewell for sinne for honour for gaine or for the whole world The counsaile then of Salomon touching this matter is alway to bee remembred by euery Christian Pro. 23.23 Buie the trueth but sell it not euen wisdome instruction and vnderstanding Now the trueth and wisdome which the wise King meaneth is that mystery here spoken of which Philosophie seeketh but diuinitie findeth and godlines possesseth Againe hereupon it followeth that there is a certaine dignitie and preheminence of the dispensers of the mysteries of the Gospell euen aboue the ministers of the law inasmuch as the mysterie of Christianitie hath in it such a special excellencie and prerogatiue For as our Apostle reasoneth elsewhere 2. Cor. 3.9 if the ministery of coÌ„demnatioÌ„ were glorious much more doth the ministerie of righteousnes exceede in glorie Our Sauiour also affirmeth in the Gospell Luc. 7.28 not onely that Iohn was more then a Prophet but that he which is least in the Kingdome of Heauen is greater than he For euen as a peece of an oken boord albeit little worth as of it selfe yet when it hath in the pâ—â—â—ure of the Prince most flourishingly and
liuelie painted is more worth more to be esteemed for that cause than a boord of Cedar which wanteth the same image or hath it but darkely and rudely purtrayed and drawne out so the ministery of the Gospell representing our Heauenly Soueraigne Christ Iesus most plainelie and clerely is therefore to be preferred and in deede more honorable than the Ministerie of the Lawe Wherefore their condemnation sleepeth not who in these daies are so farre of from esteeming or reuerencing the messengers of the word that they reiect them as the doung and ofscouring of the earth For if a mortall Prince cannot abide that his Ambassadours should be despised or abused much more wil the Lord reuenge the contempt wâ—â—ch is shewed against those whome hee sendeth on his message yea on this glorious and most famous ambassage of the gospell For he hath saide in his word Touch not mine annoynted and doo my Prophets no harme Zach. 2.8 Hee that toucheth you toucheth the apple of mine eye He that despiseth you despiseth me The third point in this commendation of the Gospell by vs to bee obserued is that it is a mysterie The which word in the Greeke tongue dooth signifie a secret or an hidden matter it is also vsually applyed to note out those precepts things which are sacred and chiefelie to bee regarded But albeit the Gospell is here termed a mysterie yet the apostles meaning is not that it is such a secret as ought not to be communicated to the common multitude For the Lord enioining his Disciples to teach all Nations and to preach the Gospell vnto euery creature Mar. 16.15 whether Male or Female learned or vnlearned young or old in them willeth and warranteth all his Ministers to impart this Doctrine to all sortes of people Neither is the Doctrine of the new Testament in any such sorte here tearmed a mysterie as if it were after a more dark manner set down deliuered vnto vs than the book of the Law or the olde couenant For in former ages saieth this our Apostle elsewhere this secret was not so manifested vnto the sonnes of meÌ„ Ephe. 3.5 as now it hath been reuealed to the saintes and Prophets by the spirit For as one saith verie well the old Testament is the new inclosed in obscuritie and the new is the old vnfolded in the light These two couenants differ in circumstance and manner but they are the same and agree in substance and effect But first the power of the Gospell is a mysterie to all the reprobate whose eyes the GOD of this World hath so blinded that they cannot see the trueth vnto Saluation neither doo they soundlie and continually feele that they are in Gods fouour yea because Christ Iesus the root of mortification and sanctificatioÌ„ is not planted in them they are vnable and vnfit to euerie good worke Secondly Tit. 1.16 the very matter of the Gospell it selfe is mysticall and secret the beginnings or first principles whereof as the naturall man by any light within him 1. Cor. 2.14 or sight of the creatures without him cannot perceiue so neither can the spiritual man although taught by the word and lightned by grace reache or sound the full deapth or bottome For howsoeuer euery true Christian borne againe by the spirite alwaies seeth so much of this mysterie as is sufficient for his saluation yet none hath attained or can come to the perfect vnderstanding thereof There is in deede no skill or trade although neuer so hard or full of curious points which some persons of pregnant wittes or very quick conceites are not able soone to learne or at least by much labour and endeuour so to attaine that at last they come to the perfection thereof and excell therein But as concerning the sauing and bottomlesse knowledge of Christ Iesus which is in deede the onlie arte or peece of cunning in the world it so farre passeth the reach not onely of men but of Angels that no creature is able fully to conceiue it neither dooth any comprehend it If any mortal wight euer saw the depth of this secret was it any other beside this our Paul who being taken vp into the third Heauens heard words which cannot be vttered contrary to his custome magnifieth his knowledge in this mysterie No other out of doubt than the beholder of Paradise the schoolefellowe of the Angels the Preacher of the Gentiles finallie hee who wished himselfe accursed for his countriemen the Iewes Neuerthelesse euen this great Apostle affirmeth of himselfe 1. Co. 13.11 that hee knoweth but in part and of vs that wee see but as in a glasse darkelie As for the heauenly Angels why dooth the Apostle Peeter say 1. Pet. 1.22 that euen they desire throughly to view the mysterie here spoken of if they vnderstand it perfectlie and exactly And now then seeing this secret is hidden from the reprobate seeing as it is the power of God vnto saluation to the elect so euen to them it is as a treasure hid in a great part in the ground seeing the Angels prie into the riches of Gods wisdome herein with great delight concerneth it not euery Christian to exercise himselfe verie diligently in the knowledge feeling and practise of this mysterie Certainelie whosoeuer shall not know God as he is made knowne in Iesus Christ as aliens or strangers from the common wealth of Israel shal at the day of iudgement feele the fire of vengeance fal vpon them 2. The 1.8 Againe whosoeuer hauing knowne this trueth in some measure shall careleslie contemptuously willingly wholy finally fall from all knowledge feeling working and practise of it Heb. 6.4 can no more bee renued to repentance by any good meanes tending thereunto than any fruite which hath fallen from the tree can so be set on the bough againe as that it shall grow theron or thaÌ„ a dead man can be recouered to life by Phisick or an earthen vessell broken to peeces or to powder bee ioyned together firmelie by the potters skill For when the whole lampe of good workes shall quite bee quenched when all the drops of faith shall bee cast or spurted out when shipwrack shall be made of the maine stocke of Gods gracious spirite when the nourishing foode of the word shall bee loathed and reiected when the strength of hope concerning a blessed estate at the resurrection shall vtterly be consumed what repentance can there be the life whereof is faith the strength whereof is hope the food wherof is the word the fountaine whereof is the spirite the fruites whereof are good workes Nay in that these prophane backsliders willinglie push from them all godlines and the Gospell what doo they herein but crucifie the sonne of God vnto themselues as if he were a vile person or an cuill dooer piercing him through albeit not with nayles yet with most grieuous and innumerable sinnes yea making a gazing or mocking stock of him albeit not by putting
vinegar to his nostrels or thrusting his heart through with a speare yet by vexing his spirit and not esteeming or trusting in his bloud as if it had no price or vertue in it but were like vnto the bloud of beasts or of mortall men This is the fearefull estate of backsliders from the Gospell not of those in whome many good things are yea or one sparke of faith or obedience to Gods lawes is founde and abiding So wretched is the condition of those who only haue the braunches of the spirit not of those who haue in them the roote of this mysterie Christ Iesus For as concerning the right Christians they are not lampes quicklie quenched for want of oyle but lightes alway shining in good works Phil. 2.15 they are not like cookes or tasters which let not their meates or drinkes goe downe but such which keep faith in a good conscience so that it turneth into their spirituall nourishment 1. Tim. 3.9 they are not partners of the holy spirit for a yeare or two nor bankrupt Marchants which breake vpon a sodaine but such as abound dayly more and more 1. Cor. 1.5 1. Tim. 6.18 and waxe wealthie in spiritual giftes they are not day labourers or hired seruants which for a short time onely sit vnder the Lords roofe or eate at his table but as Children of adoption they feede dayly on the word and remaine in the house of God for euer Psal 23.5.6 they are not such diseased or bedred persons who faint with weaknes die for want of breath but being strengthened by hope in the inner man Ephe. 3.16 they more than con quer like valiant Captaines getting the victorie ouer sinne satan and all temptations Rom. 8 37. Now this happie estate they attaine vnto by the seeing of the height depth length breadth and that knowledge of the loue of Christ which surpasseth all knowledge Ephe. 3.18 Wherefore I am 1.25 whosoeuer shall looke into this glasse of the Gospel so reuerently earnestly and continuallie that he shall be transformed into the image of Christ 2. Cor. 3 18 from glorie to glorie as by the spirite of the Lord he shall be by so much farre of from the miserie of reuolters by how much hee profiteth in this mysterie 2. Pet. 1.8 and by so much nearer vnto heauēly happines by how much more carefully and happilie he walketh in this way leading thereunto Wherefore also euery one ought to be Heb. 5.11.12 13 14. 15. not a rude or young schollet but well learned in this secret not a childe or babe but a strong and olde man in the mysterie of Christ both as concerning the knowledge feeling and practise thereof In the fourth place it is to be obserued that Christian Religion is not onely here called a secret but a mysterie of godlines or of the right worship of God The Ministerie of the leuiticall Priesthoode and the whole seruice of God vsed by the Iewish people was a patterne of godlines For first there was among the Israelites ouer them an high Priest Exod. 29.7 consecrated with sundrie solemne ceremonies as namely anoynting of him with oyle Leuit. 8.23 putting the bloud of the Sacrifice on the lap of his right eare vpon the thumb of his right hand vpon the great toe of his right foote to conclude clothing him with most pretious and glorious garments Exod. 29. ◠Now his office was Heb 9.7 once a yeare to enter into the most holy place and to offer vp giftes sacrifice vnto the Lord Heb. 8.3 Leuit. 24.3 1. Sa. 2.28 as also to dresse the lampes and to set them before the Lorde and to burne incense before him and to weare before him an Ephod Secondly there were inferiour Priests of the sonnes of Aaron also whose seruice was Num. 4.16 to teach to pray to sacrifice continually to offer incense to preserue the oyle Mat. 2.7 to looke vnto the holy vessels and to doo other such workes Thirdly the rest of the Leuites which descended not from Aaron but from Greshom and Merari 1. Cron. 1.13 were appointed to sundrie offices some to play vpon instruments of musick in the temple some to sing Rom. 2.17.11.27 some to keepe the doores some to other seruices Last of all the Iewish people being all first circumcised brought their beastes to sacrifice and their other giftes to offer receiued the Passcouer and walked in those ordinances and statutes which the Lord had prescribed vnto them All these were worshippers not of idols but of the true God Luk. 1.6 following and performing in their seruices not the inuentions of men but the prescript and ordinances of the liuing Lord. Wherefore this pollicie of the Iewes I say was a patterne of godlines but the substance of it is onely to be found in the gospell and in the Christian Church For first of all ouer the Christian assembly of the faithful Heb 7.26 there is not a sinful but an holy and perfect high Priest who hauing been anoynted with the oyle of gladnes aboue his fellowes Luk. 24 39 and consecrated by afflictions and bloud in his hands and feete hath not onely offered praiers and teares to God Heb 5.7 but sacrificed his owne soule and body which hauing rightly done in all respects now he maketh intercesiō in such sort to his father Rom. 8.34 that he cannot but grant to euery one of the faithfull whatsoeuer is needefull for him Moreouer al Christians by him are made as it were princely priests vnto the Lord 2. Pet. 2.5 leuites to laud him and Iewes in the spirit to worship him Ephe. 5.19 so that euery belecuer practiseth godlines in a mystery Rom. 2.29 and performeth the right seruice of God in an excellent manner Rom. 12.1 Dooth not the Christian of what calling soeuer as a Priest spirituall not onely offer vp his heart but his whole bodie as an holy liuelie and acceptable sacrifice to God Approacheth he not by faith vnto the throne of grace Dooth not he pray for himselfe and others with grones which cannot be expressed Rom. 8.26 Dooth he not take heed 1. Thes 5.19 that hee quench not the Spirit Singeth he not Psalmes and hymnes with spirituall songs in his heart vnto the Lord Col. 3.16 Laboureth hee not to keepe the doores of his lippes from corrupt speach Psal 141.3 Is not he circumcised inwardly or dooth not the Spirite write the lawes of GOD in his heart 2. Cor. 3.3 Certainely let Christ Iesus once dwel in the heart of any by faith and he will foorthwith make that man to walk in performing sincerely though not perfectly euevey one of the commandements of the Law Rom. 8.10 Jam. 2.11.12 For first of all the Christian cannot but know the father Joh. 14.9 whose sonne dwelleth in him neither can he but trust in his Sauiour who
with faith beleeuing that euerie promise Heb. 4.2 and threatning of the word shall surely come to passe After such a forte the people in Nehemiah his time heard the word both read Nch. 8.1 c. opened and applied by Ezra and the Leuits For then whilst the Lawe was in reading the cares of all the people were attent in the time of praier they lifted vp their hands and bowed downe their bodies Finally when the threatnings of the word were applied by Preaching they fel a weeping and when againe they were comforted by their teachers they reioyced But now although our attention and reuerence should exceede theirs Heb. 2.1 as the Apostle sheweth yet it is farre behinde the same Nay what confusion and irreuerence almost in euery congregation it not to be seene amongst vs Doe not vsuallie O irreligious times some talke in the midst of the exercises of Religion some run out of the Church before the Sermon be ended some sleep in their pewes some turne the eyes of all vpon them by their strange and masking appatell Finally almost all shew some signe of neglect or contempt of the word of God or other But to let these passe the true Christian heater will not onely bee carefull to heare the word in a right manner but to resort therunto with an holy intent and affection For as Salomon sheweth Pro. 21.27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination vnto the Lord how much more when he offereth it with an euill mind The Christian then desireth the sincere milke of the Word not to cauill at it no nor to knowe it onelie but to growe thereby This if it were considered 1. Pet. 2.2 as it ought to bee would make those who often resort to the hearing of Sermons not onely talkers Iam. 2.26 but practisers of Religion not onely discerners but haters of sinne Psal 119.104 not onely such as delight in good exercises but performers of holie dueties Psal 119.9 not praisers onelie of their teachers in wordes but commenders of them by their liues and conuersations 2. Cor. 3.1 2 For in deede he is the best hearer which washing his specks and spottes by the Lawe of libertie is by hearing transformed into the image of Christ and hee most commendeth his teacher whose heart and life is written and grauen with the letters of faith and repentance Now to come to the last point or note of the excellencie of the Gospell it is affirmed here to bee great by one assent True it is in deed that a great number of prophane people make no account of the Gospell being either Dogges or Swine Mat. 7.6 despising and abusing pearles and holy things But as concerning the true members of the Churche euerie one of them with heart and hand subscribeth to this Doctrine so that according as Esay notablie expressing this matter hath foretolde This man saieth I am the Lordes Esay 44.5 and this man calleth himselfe by the name of Iaacob another writeth with his hand I am the eternals and nameth himselfe by the name of Israel Euident it is also 1. Tim. 4.1 that manie Heretickes haue oppugned and doo denie the verie articles of our faith But what the instruments of Satan say or gainsay is not to be regarded This is that which here our Apostle would declare namely that al the Lords faithful seruāts messengers haue with one voyce receiued and published and are with their liues and bloud ready to seale the truth of the Gospell To conclude it cannot be denied that there are diuers truthes in the word Ro. 14.1 2. which true Christians with one consent yeeld not alwaies vnto For either they vary one from another in the exposition of some places of Scripture or they differ in iudgement about questions of lawfulnes or vnlawfulnes 1. Cor. 14.31 32 33. of order or disorder 1. Cor. 7 8 9 10 11. chapters or they dissent in some inferiour points of trueth If I maie so speake which yet are not to bee oppugned Mat. 5.19 yea are by all meanes on the contrarie side to be imbraced Exo. 10.26 held fast and preferred before golde or siluer or the whole World But oftentimes it is to be seene that euen those who in interpretations of certaine sentences in the word Act. 15.39 and in opinions touching things lawfull or vnlawfull differ furthest asunder concur and consent together most nerely and fully in the Articles of the faith the principles of the Gospell and all the fundamentall grounds of Christian Religion Whereby it appeareth that the vnitie of the members of the Catholick Church consisteth not in thinking the same things alwaies or liking the same persons but in the generall consent Ephe. 4.13 which is giuen vnto the mysterie of Christ Iesus In deede all are to labour to the vnitie of the spirit to iudge and speake euen al one thing 1. Cor 11.19 but in this world such a perfect knot shall neuer be knit But although Christians disagree sometime in affections or opinions yet there is alwaies among them sound vnitie in deede Ro. 12.4.5 because they maintaine one maine veritie Neither by reason of diuisions which must be and haue been in al ages among beleeuers and professors of the Gospell is there iust cause giuen vnto any to departe from the Church of GOD or to doubt whether there bee at all any certaine sauing trueth or to saye there are such dissentions in the World that a man cannot knowe what to beleeue The Virgin Marie Simeon Luk. 1 2 3. chap. Elizabeth and the Disciples saw the sauing and the certaine trueth when the sinagogue of the Iewes erred euen touching the Messias and was diuided into diuers most pestilent and contrarie sects The Christians in the daies of the auncient Fathers sawe the truth and walked in the right way when the Arrians Eutichians and such other Heretickes spread their poyson throughout the whole world Now then to doubt whether there bee any certaine trueth whē the articles of the faith are receiued by one assent and the Churches of England France Scotland Har. con apolo eccl Angl. and the Lowe Countries subscribe vnto the Doctrine of the Gospell and when manie Martyres haue of late sealed the Doctrine of faith with their bloud yea diuers liuing Martyrs confirme the same by word and deede is to call into question whether there be a Sun in the Skie and to doubt whether it shine in the firmament at noone day Thus wee see the former parte of this sentence laide open before our eyes wherein that excellencie of the Gospell is by sixe wordes plainelie affirmed the which in the second part of this verse is confirmed or prooued effectuallie by sixe forcible reasons All these arguments together with the former words may briefelie be cast after this sort into one frame of proofe whereby the whole matter intreated of in this sentence may yet more
did cast abroad the indignation of his wrath vppon his enemies and infinitly surpassing Sampson in strength ouercame the gates of hell hee became that iust one which iustifieth many and that perfect redeemer who hauing been a faithful mediator on earth raigneth now as a glorious high Priest Heb. 1.3 king and Prophet in Heauen as exalted for these iniuries done vnto him and iustified also by the glory bestowed on him The third poynt of this mysterie is that God manifested in the flesh and iustified in the Spirit hath been also seene of Angels It appeareth by the sacred storie that euen the damned Angels or vncleane spirits saw the sonne of God manifested in the flesh Mat. 4.1 For we reade that not only satan their head tempted him in the wildernes but that a whole legion of foule feends acknowledged him to be the sonne of God Luk. 8.28 and iudge of the World Wherefore euen the euill Angels sawe Iesus our Lord as the seede of the Woman who should breake the head of the Serpent as a Champion to wrestle or incounter with them last of all as a conquerour by his power and strength to ouercome them But either only or chiefely Saint Paul meaneth here that the Elect Angels saw Christ as visible GOD or as both GOD and man These heauenly spirites from the very beginning of their creation enioyed in deede the presence of the second person in the Trinitie Esa 6 3. yea and they worshipped him as their GOD and King neuerthelesse they wanted the visible spectacle of the glorie here spoken of vntill the time of the Lords incarnation and manifestation to the World and iustification by the Spirit But when once the Father brought his first begotten into the World and presented him in the flesh as a mirrour of all wisdome mercie iustice and perfect excellencie then the Angels in the sonne whose person godhead from the beginning of their creation they beheld continuallie saw that humaine nature and glory Ephe. 3.10 which before was neuer subiect vnto their view Heb. 1.6 For they saw now the inuisible word to become visible God they perceiued also the world to be made subiect not vnto them but vnto man Heb. 2.5 6 7 8 9. euen the mediator between God and man that second Adam Iesus Christ After this manner at the last in fulnes of time the sonne of God being presented vnto the view of the Elect Angels they saw him as their ioye as may appeare in that they sang at his birth Luk. 2.13 they saw him as their Lord vppon whom they ascended Ioh. 1.25 descended they saw him as the head of the bodie of the Church Heb. 1.14 whose members they serue last of all they saw him as the mercy seate toward which they turne their faces continuallie Exo. 25.17 18. And who is there now which remembring that solemne day of Christ his incarnation beholding the Pageant as I may say of his humaine nature whereat the very Angels gaze and assemble to conclude considering the progresse as it were of the Lord from Heauen to earth together with his returne from earth to Heauen where the Angels continually behold his face and now enioy his bodily presence would not skip for ioy with Iohn the Baptist crie out with Elizabeth inlarge his tongue with Zacharie magnifie the Lord with the Virgin Marie desire to bee dissolued with Simeon and prouoke not onelie his owne soule but the Angels to praise GOD with Dauid for presenting such a spectacle to the view of his creatures and reuealing his sonne both vnto men and spirites When as the common people of any countrey or kingdome first vnderstanding the kings intēt to make some progresse or to solace and shew himself abroad afterward vpon this occasion resort or flock to the place where hee passeth by or may best be seen there doo see his Maiesties face or heare him vtter a few words herein they thinke a great part of their happines to consist and hereof they boast full oft one to another not without iust cause For certainely the very countenance and presence of the gracious soueraigne carieth with it the Maiestie of God himselfe the honour of an Angell the glorie of the sunne the comelines of the moone the brightnes of a Start the blessing of the dew the fruit of a tree of life and to speake in one Word the price of a peerlesse pearle Now thē when as the immortall king the ruler of all princes presented himselfe to the view of shepheards wise mē Galileans inhabitants of Ierusalem diuers other of his meaner sorte of subiects albeit they saw his face but for a little time or heard his words but for a short season this was a iust cause to them of singular comfort and a great signe of his fauour yea as a day or time of high solemnitie But doth not then the magnificence of the Lord on the one side and the happines of the Angels on the other much more appeare herein that since they as peeres of the heauēly kingdom were first assēbled drawn vnto their prince Christ Iesus putting on him the nature of man and comming into the world they haue not ceased to beholde and enioy his corporall presence and now sitting as it were in court or Parliament with him continuallie see his royaltie and heare him speake such speeches as no eare of man hath heard nor heart can conceiue Yes happie sure are all Christians which are subiects to Christ Iesus see him by the eye of faith though not of the body more happie are the Angels which stand euer before him and heare his wisdome Most blessed bee the Lorde God the father which so loued his sonne as to set him one the throne of Israel because the Lord loued Israel for euer and made him king to doo equitie and righteousnes From this loue of GOD it hath proceeded also that Christ Iesus hath beene preached among the Nations The Angels of whome wee sake a little before were not onely beholders of Christ Iesus but Heralds who blazed abroad his armes and proclaymed the mysteries of his conception birth resurrection and ascention Next after Iohn the baptist the Lord himselfe the Angels succeeded the Apostles and seuentie disciples who all were immediately called by our sauiour himself to preach the word to work miracles Luk. 9.1 Luk. 10.1 were sent not to one place or congregation onely but the 12. Apostles to many natiōs the 70. disciples to many cities as our sauiours commaundement and their practise testifieth After these seuentie and besides the twelue Apostles the Lorde extraordinarilie raysed vp and added in mercy to the forenamed labourers in his haruest Euangelists and these againe were of two sorts for some of them penned stories of the gospell Act. 21.8 1 Tim. 4.5 Act. 11.28 as Luke and Marke some onely published the gospell by preaching as Timothie and Phillip At
precious bloud for you will he or can he pronounce a bloudie sentence against you Is it credible that the head which laide it selfe down for the body wil adiudge his members vnto torment Should the spouse bought with a price aboue gold orsiluer and loued more entirely than any treasure be afraid to see hir most amiable husbands face Is there no more fauour or tender affection in an elder brother than to deale with boanes of his boanes flesh of his flesh rigorously Will a gracious King rather cruelly slay his subiects crauing pardon than shew his mercy in sauing and aduancing them to honour Was the Sonne of GOD sometimes so carefull a shepheard as to seeke that which was lost and will hee not preserue that which he hath found To conclude therefore he was first manifested in the flesh and after receiued vp in glorie that whosoeuer beleeue in him should not perish but haue life euerlasting and bee made Kings and Priests with him for euer obeying the Lorde without resistance seruing him without corruption gouerned by him as by a glorified priest and Prophet without such temporall meanes as now are in vse yea as are very necessarie and profitable for the faithful warfaring heere on earth But at that time shall tongues cease and prophesie be abolished 1. Cor. 13.1 and Christ Iesus shall deliuer vp to his Father the temporall part of his rule 1. Cor. 15.24 which now he exerciseth not onely in the world but in the Church For now he instructeth his people by the Ministerie of men then they shall not need any such teachers now he feedeth them by outward Sacraments but then hee shall bee the onely Lambe and bread of life now he fighteth against or resisteth satan but then he shall so breake his head that hee shall fully conquer him Finally now hee is to come to iudge the world and to raise vp the dead but hereafter hee shall cease from these workes Neuerthelesse still he shall remaine the light glorie Reuel 21.22 23. and flower of the temple gouerning both Angels and men immediatlie by his person and his spirit Thus Elect creatures shall as members be vnited vnto God and God shall bee all in all euen the Father to whom with the Sonne and the Spirite three persons and one heauenly Maiestie bee all praise and glory both now and euer Amen Amen Rom. 11.33 O ther deepenes of the riches both of the wisdome and knowledge of God how vnsearchable are his iudgements and his waies past finding out FINIS A request to the Chri stian Reader GEntle Reader I have herein onelie drawne the picture of Christ Iesus after a rude and simple manner as it were with a peece of chalke or with a coale But if thou shalt seeke him in the Ministerie or preaching of the worde and the Lord withall shall cause the day starre to arise in thine heart thou shalt see him so liuelie painted before thine eyes beholde him so clerelie as in a Cristall glasse that thou shalt be transformed into his image from glorie to glorie not continuing in sinne because grace dooth abound for thou hast not so learned Christ but putting off the olde man Ephes 4. and putting on the new man which is created according to God in righteousnes and true holines No more vnto thee whosoeuer thou art which louest Christ Iesus at this present saue onely thus much let him be the treasure of â—hine heart Manie say oh if one would cause vs to see good oh Iehoua lift thou vp the light of thy countenance on vs. Psalm 4.7 Then shalt thou put greater ioye into our heart than of the time wherein their corne and new wine have beene increased Farewell