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
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
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
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
himselfe in his epistle to the Philippians who saw no doubt into this mysterie as farre as any mortall man hee professeth that he had not yet attained this knowledge neither was perfited Phil 3.12 but that he did follow after the same to apprehend it The wise Agur also intreating of this matter not onely confesseth that hee had not learned this wisdome or knowledge of holie things but demaundeth the question Who hath ascended into Heauen Pro 30.1.2 c. and descended thence Who can gather the winde in his fist Who can binde the Waters in his garment Who can establish the borders of the earth What is the name of such a one and what is his sonnes name In the which words as it seemeth that great clarke or Prophet intendeth to shew not onely that none knoweth the father but the sonne and he to whom the sonne will reueale him but that none perfectlie knoweth either of thē both as may appeare in that he saieth there is not any which can measure or rule these great creatures or elements namely the earth the waters and the ayre in that he asketh what the name of the Father and of the Sonne is Seeing now the mistery of the gospel is so great yea in alrespects so excellēt it behoueth the dispēsers therof with great care conscience to execute that holy ministery whervnto they are set apart For how els shall they bee able to answer in any respect vnto that honorable functiō whereunto they are called Yea how can they but staine and pollute the peerlesse pearle committed to their trust to keepe and carrie It behooueth them therefore first of all as wise builders 1. Cor. 3.10 chiefelie and especially to lay the foundatiō Christ Iesus and to declare vnto their people the articles of faith which are the maine and principall pillers as it were of the spirituall building Secondly as the foundation is noble so vpon the same not the wood hay or straw of Rhetoricall Philosophicall or humaine skill or eloquence but the golde siluer and precious stones of a simple graue and spirituall maner of teaching is to be laid Thirdly the affection iudgement of the interpreter of the word ought alwaies so to be sanctified vpright as that in as much as hee dealeth with the Lords oracles he mangle not nor wryth or wrest the Scripture 1. Tim. 2.15 but cut it aright as the priests vnder the law did the things which were offered and sacrificed To conclude seeing an euill ende dooth make the best actions that may be abominable if the Gospell be taught of enuie of vaine glory of flattery Phil. 1.15 or misapplied by such sinister intents or purposes then it is not handled according to the nature or dignitie of so heauenly a doctrine but abused and polluted by mans corruption Likewise as the teachers of the Gospell ought by so much the more faithfully and watchfully deale in the Lords oracles by how much the mysterie of Christian Religion excelleth the pollicie of the Iewes so the hearers of the doctrine of christ Iesus ought by so much the more attentiuely hearken vnto Heb. 2.1 and reuerently receiue the message of their Ministers by how much greater grace is offered vnto them now than was in olde time to the Israelites For if euery transgression and breach of the Law receiued a iust recompence of rewarde how shall they then escape if they neglect so great saluation as is offered in the Gospell They are therefore to know that they are not to heare such as teach any false Christs or denie the foundation of Christian Religion either expressely or by consequence For they are not so much as to goe out vnto them they are not to bid them God speed not to receiue them to house 2 Ioh. 1.10 neither yet to thinke them otherwise than accursed Gal. 8 Secondly they are to heare all those who truely teach Christ Iesus crucified without preferring of persons for outward respects or holding on Paul Cephas or Apollos But especially they are to heare 1. Cor. 3.12 reuerence and ordinarilie to resort vnto those ordinary sufficiēt preachers which the Lord in his prouidence hath placed ouer them Obey saieth the Apostle to the Hebrewes your guides Heb. 13.7 and submit your selues vnto them for they watch for your soules that they may doo this with ioy and not with sorrowe for that is vnprofitable for you But how doo they obey their ordinarie watchfull teachers who do not so much as vse to heare them scant once in a month nay in a twelue moneth We beseech you bretheren saieth Paul to the Thessalonians acknowledge those who trauellamong you 1. Thes 5.12 rule ouer you in the Lord and admonish you and esteeme them more than most exceedinglie as deare vnto you for their work sake Let therfore all so account of their ordinary teachers as Paul aduised the Thessalonians to esteeme those Pastors or Preachers which laboured among them and as the Philippians stood affected toward Epaphroditus their peculiar shepheard whome the Apostle made hast to send back vnto them that they at the very sight of him might reioyce For what Is the Minister bound trowe we Phil. 2.28 and commanded by God ordinarily to teach and to expound the word and is the hearer priuiledged from resorting vnto his sermons diligently Heb. 10.25 and ioyning with him in publique praiers Shall the bloud of the flock be required at the shepheards hands if he bee dumbe or slothfull and hangeth there no woe ouer the head of the sheepe Ezech. 33.9 if they stray out of the folde or refuse to heare the voyce of their shepheard Dooth the louing Wife preferre her Husband in loue before all other how beautifull soeuer Dooth the souldiour waite vpon his Captaine although other in the host be stronger than he Dooth the seruant attend on his Master albeit others are more honorable Finally doth the Child keepe in and like best of his fathers house notwithstanding that there be many which keepe better tables And wil not Christians like best of their ordinarie teachers and cleaue vnto their peculiar and alotted Ministers albeit they perceiue in them some wants or infirmities or see greater graces or giftes shine in the candles or starres of other Churches But moreouer it is not sufficient for a professor of the Gospell to heare vsuallie his true and faithfull shepheard and to proceede no further but he must take heede also what hee heareth as our Sauiour exhorteth Col. 3.16 Yea and after what manner he heareth both him and other hee must heare the Word not foolishlie but wisely applying euerie good Doctrine and exhortation to himselfe not careleslie 1. Thes 2 13 bu◠reuerentie as the Worde of GOD and not of man not senseleslie but with feeling taking a delight therein 2. Cor 7.7 8 9 10 11. and following with affection euerie tune thereof Finally not doubtingly but
euidently be declared and more fully concluded That trueth wherein is showed and whereby is prooued that God hath been manifested in the flesh iustified in the spirit seene of Angels preached among the nations beleeued in the world and receiued vp in glorie is great by one assent and without all coutrouersie The mysterie of godlynes is that truth wherein al these things are shewed and whereby they are demonstrated The mysterie of godlynes therefore is great by one assent and without all controuersie The last part of this reason hath in the beginning of this sentence been set down which ought not to seeme strange vnto any namelie that the conclusion is set in the first or second place seeing this is an vsuall thing both in the Scriptures and in all good Writers The middle part of the proofe is contained and expressed in the conclusion of this sentence which now we are to proceede vnto and consider The first part of the sillogisme is included in the last words of the verse going before wherein was affirmed that the whole Church of God vpholdeth this excellent truth Now although the Apostle had not insinuated any such matter as that the trueth which testifieth or proclaimeth such wonderfull and profitable things as here are set down is great by one assent or without controuersie yet this is so cleare a a point that it seemeth to bee written with the beames of the sunne not to neede any further speach or proofe To the end then we may not goe about to light a candle where it shineth clearely brightly but be led forward as it were to perfection and to the ende wee may the better vnderstand this chiefe principle of Christian Religion God hath beene manifested in the flesh let vs a while consider the nature of the heauenly godhead As cōcerning the power wisdō Rom. 1.19 Maiesty of the godhead it is in some part or sort made known vnto vs by the creatures and especially by the Scriptures Wherefore whosoeuer shall say with Pharaoh Exod. 5.2 I knowe not God shall shew himselfe herein a lier or a prophane person But as touching the nature or form of the Lords being 1. Tim. 6.16 it is a thing so incomprehensible in it selfe that men are by no meanes able fullie to vnderstand it yea without Christ they cannot saue onelie in small measure darke manner conceiue what it is For that knowledge of God which is conueighed into mē onelie by certaine titles giuen him or by the creatures is bur such a cōceauing of his Maiestie as the patternes of things in this world Rom. ◠20 leade the minde vnto and ingender As for example when the Lord is called the Lord of Hosts in this title we rather see his works than him or if wee see him in any measure it is by the helpe of earthlie creatures by comparison as it were not simply by himselfe Againe when we conceiue him as perfectly wise iust mercyfull Act. 14.16 17. wee rather rife to the knowledge of his effects than of his being by the consideration of these vertues which being in men by measure are properties and qualities onelie howsoeuer being in GOD without measure they are things essentiall Exod. 3.14 Now as touching the great titles of Iehoua the eternal I am or I will bee and such like whereby God in scripture is often called they shew by those creatures which are substances mouing and subsisting in the World Reu. 1.4 that the Lord hath a being by himselfe and for himselfe but that he is a perpetuall infinite vnchangeable glorious essence cannot so well be gathered by the sight of fraile 1. Per. 1.24 mutable and base creatures as is manifested by Christ Iesus The gospel of Iohn 1 18 Heb. 13.8 both God and man who is the same to day and to morrowe and for euer and in whome the whole Godhead dwelleth bodily Neither in deed ariseth vnto man any sparke of sound comfort at all Ephe. 4.18 out of the beholding of the nature of the godhead alone Rom. 2.1 as it is seuerally or confusedly considered by it selfe without Christ but rather so glistering a light and flame is able to cause the most strong and piercing eye in the world to dazle and the most hardie and valiant hear to quake for horror Wherefore we are alwaies when wee turne our fight toward the Godhead with a certaine reuerent and discerning spirit to looke vpon three persons hauing their being therein as vpon three Sunnes in one Mat. 2.19 it I may so speake with that profound diuine Nazianzen who oft most singularly writeth of this matter all of the same nature glorie eternitie and perfection The first of these persons is the father Mat. 3.17 who as he is without all beginning so this person caused from eternitie the two other persons Heb. 1.3 and this father worketh from himselfe by his sonne and by his spirit The second person is the sonne who as he was eternally begotten by the person of the Father only Ioh. 3.16 Heb. 1.3 so from him as the fountaine being himselfe as the streame hee worketh by the holy Ghost as the conduit pipe if that I may so speak and by earthly things in some rude sort shadoweth out these heauenly which nothing in the World can fully or in all respects represent or expresse Ioh. 15.26 The holy Ghost is the third person in trinitie proceeding from the Father and the sonne working from them both immediatlie by himself in such sort as that not onely he quickeneth the whole worlde but sanctifieth the whole Church For he euen he replenisheth with graces the Angels he inspireth the Prophets hee teacheth the Lawgiuers wisedom Basil ho. mil. de side he sanctifieth the Ministers of the word he maketh Captaines valiant he absolueth the innocent hee aduaunceth those that are modest hee worketh gifts of healing hee reuiueth the dead hee looseth the captiues hee maketh strangers children by adoption It he finde a beleeuing Publican he maketh him an Euangelist If he be in a Fisher man he frameth him to be a Diuine If he get a repentant persecutor hee appoynteth and fashioneth him to bee an Apostle of the Gentiles a preacher of the Gospell an elect vessell By him the weake are made strong the poore rich the ignorant and those which are void of eloquence become euen wiser than the wisest Al the which workes with infinite more are also wrought by the Father the Son 1. Ioh. 5.17 and not onely by the holie Ghost but as these three persons are distinct in properties which cannot be communicated to each other as the Father in that he is vnbegotten the Sonne begotten the holy Ghost proceeding so they differ in the manner or order of their workes which in common they put into execution 1. Cor. 8.6 seeing the Father beginneth the worke from himselfe the Sonne worketh it from the