O King I sawe in the way a light from heauen aboue the brightnesse of the sunne shine rounde about me and them which iorneyed with me When we were all fallen to the earth I hearde a voyce speaking vnto me and saying in the Hebrue tong Saule Saule why persecutest thou mee It is harde for thee to kicke agaynst the pricke And I sayde who arte thou Lorde And he sayde I am Iesus whom thou persecutest THe Apostle Paule declared yesterday the state of the whole controuersie betweene him the Iewes teaching vs that the contention was about no trifle but about the whole meane of our saluatioÌ„ where he also proued that he neither beleeued nor taught any thing but that which God had promised the fathers in times passed and wherin the onely hope of the Church of Israel had in al ages consisted Where we learne that the fayth of Chryst was the onely and moste aunciente meane thorough which all the fathers in tymes passed were saued Furthermore bycause Paule in the beginning of his narration sayde he was a Pharisie he returneth handsomely to his intermitted narration agayne and declareth the hystorie of his conuersion the onely scope anâ—ende whereof is to put away the accusation of leuitie declaring that he was called by God yea inforced agaynst his will. But to the ende his narration might haue the more weight and authoritie he declareth first how he was affected towards the Christian fayth and that in suche diligent â—orte that he omitteth none of the things that he enterprised agaynst Chryst. For first of all he promiseth the cause saying I was sometime of the minde that mine aduersaries be For I was vtterly perswaded that I ought to do many things agaynst the name of Iesus Chryst. Whence sprang this persuasion verily of a blind and rash zeale of the fleshe which otherwheres he attributeth to all the Iewes Yet â—e maketh not mention hereof to extenuate or excuse his offence therby but to teache vs by his example how greatly men fall onlesse they order their dooings according to the worde of God. For in other places he confesseth that he was a moste haynous sinner and not worthy the name of an Apostle Whereby it appeareth howe muche more greeuously they offende which beeing led with no zeale of God or good intention of the mind as they call it but with their naughtie affections persecute Chryst and his worde In the meane season marke howe the enterprises of the enimies of the Church are but a meare opinion and vayne conceypt of a blinded minde which notwithstanding they seeme at first well to succede yet they neuer haue that ende they looke for For as the Psalmist sayth they trauayle with mischiefe and are conceiued with sorrowe and haue brought foorth vanitie and vngodlynesse This thing Paule confesseth after a sorte of him selfe teaching the hearers by his example what they may looke for if they beginne to take agaynst Chryst or holde on as they haue begonne For which way can they preuayle whose deuises and enterprises God scattereth abroade and laugheth at them out of heauen But least any man might thinke that Paule spake more bostingly than truely he rehearseth also his owne dooings in molesting and afflicting the Churche I put many of the Saincts in prison sayth he beeing aucthorised by the Priestes which authoritie they woulde neuer haue giuen me onlesse they had seene me earnestly bente to aduaunce and set forwarde their proceedings He calleth the Christians Sainctes bycause they were sanctified through the bloud and merite of Chryst. 1. Corinth 5. Also when they were kylled I pronounced sentence of death vppon them and gat the consent of others thervnto Beside this I compelled them when they had bene whipped in the Sinagoges and tormented all maner of wayes to blaspheme that is to say to deny Chryst and to recante those things which they had before spoken both well and godly Whereby it may be gathered that the Church of Chryst was neuer so well established but it had some chaffe also which winnowed with the Fâ—â—â—e of persecution fell away Finally bycause I would spare no kinde of madnesse I began to roue abroade into forren Cities also bycause I would leaue no place for the Christians to be safe in Herein we haue an euident Image both of the persecutours of Chryste and also of the state and condition wherein the godly and faythfull be in this world For commonly these men are enuied and hated of the Potentates of this worlde and chiefly of those which excell in name of Religion and supremacie of the Churche studying vnder this colour and pretence to seeke their priuate glory and gayne onely Then afterwardes these men haue fitte ministers for their mischeuous proceedings who to gratifie their maisters let no occasion escape or slippe whereby they may batter and assaulte the Churche and thereto they spare for no labour Heereof therefore proceede imprisonments condemnations all kindes of torments banishments slaughters blasphemies and infinite suche other things as these cruell Kernes vse to deuise agaynst the godly Whom in the meane season it behoueth to marke better what they do why they persecute the godly for the faythe 's sake Uerily they compell the weaklings to blaspheme whiles they deny their faith contrary to their conscience and confesse they haue erred through vnhappy vngodly feare For this thing Christ numbreth among the sinnes and blasphemie agaynst the holy Ghost Luke 12. And Paule expresly calleth the denying of the true fayth blasphemie whervnto he draue and enforced the faythfull Therefore what other thing remayneth for those persecutors but that horrible woe which Chryst threatneth vnto theÌ„ that giue occasion of offence For what more greeuous and daungerous offence can any man giue than that whereby men are compelled to sinne agaynst the holy Ghost They shal therefore feele the heauy hande of God who nowe a dayes thinke this but a trifling matter Moreouer as in Paules former enterprises there appeareth a portrature of a raging tyran so in the confession of the same may bee seene a very Christian mynde wholly enflamed with the desire of Gods glory For to what other ende dothe â–ª Paule rehearse these hys attemptes but for that he knewe they made to the setting foorth of the glory of God For heereby bothe the authoritie of his mynisterie was defended and the great mercy of God commended wherwith he embraced the greatest offendours that are yea euen his enimies also in Chryst Iesus Reade 1. Timo. 1. And this is the chiefe cause why the godly vse so often to confesse their sinnes as we see in Dauid and in diuerse others Therfore the ambition of those men is very dishonest who for the sauegarde of their owne glory will eyther neuer confesse their sinnes and greeuous errours or at least wise wonderfully extenuate and diminish the same Furthermore he setteth the story of his conuersion against his atteÌ„pts agaynst Chryst that by
faythfull reioyce in the Lorde The wicked also be glad and reioyce and for ioye manye times become madde But this they doe eyther bicause they haue riches and honors and the fruition of the naughtie lustes of the fleshe or else by reason of their wickednesse as Salomon sayth of some But their ioyes are neyther sounde nor sure but are ended in most grieuous sorrow For Christes sentence in the Gospell was long ago pronounced against them woe be to you that nowe laugh for you shall mourne and weepe But the mirth or ioye of the godlye bicause it stayeth vpon the Lorde cannot quayle or be ouerturned For they glorye and reioyce in afflictions bicause that in all thinges they knowe they shall ouercome by him which loued them in Iesus Christ. The seconde fruite of godlynesse is the gladsomnesse of the tongue By this is expressed the greatnesse of the ioye which can not be kept within the minde but breaketh forth by the tongue For this tongue of the godly reioyceth not in light affections and ribauldrie or in wanton talke such as we maye see in the vngodly but in godly giuing of thankes and in setting foorth the name of God and his benefites And surely this is a great glory of the godly that they perceyue themselues euery day bounde vnto God by new and fresh benefites for the which cause they prayse his holy name Many reioyce in the fauour of Princes and thinke it a worthye matter when they haue any iust occasion offred them to prayse and commende the Princes liberality But the glory of a christian man is farre greater which euery day findeth most weightie causes fresh occasions to commend and set forth the goodnesse of god And herein consisteth not the least part of our dutie For God will be magnified and extolled of vs and requyreth none other thing of vs for his beneficence bicause he hath no neede of any thing that is ours Call sayth he vpon me in the time of trouble so will I heare thee and thou shalt glorifie me Hereof proceede those vowes of the Saints which promise songs and hymnes vnto the lord Christ in one place in the person of Dauid promiseth this thing to his father saying I will declare thy name vnto my brethren in the middest of the congregation will I prayse thee My prayse is of thee in the great congregation my vowes will I perfourme in the sight of them that feare him And Dauid where he asketh helpe of God speaketh after like maner I will prayse the name of God with a song and magnifie it with thankesgiuing This also shall please the Lord better than a bullocke that hath hornes and hoofes Hereto maye be applied the voyce of the godly spoken of by the Prophete O forgiue vs all our sinnes receyue vs graciously and then will we offer the bullockes of our lippes vnto thee Here by the way may the infelicitie of our dayes be perceyued For where there be very fewe whose tongues reioyce in giuing God thankes and in praysing his holy name therefore is that true ioye also verye rare that is conceyued by faith and holy exercise of obedience By the which argument we maye strongly conclude that the exer I se of fayth and godlynesse is also very rare The thirde fruite of godlynesse is My fleshe shall rest in hope He speaketh of death whiche he promiseth him shall be ioyfull and without all griefe Here in the meanewhile is shadowed out a moste absolute felicitie and blisse which by death as the Poete sayth death is the last ende of all thinges can not be let or hindred By death which for the most part commeth sodainly all things whereby this vnhappye worlde measureth felicitie vse to be disturbed At the mentioning of death rich men are amazed ambicious men quake voluptuous men tremble and the most valiaunt men vse to be afraide But Christ reioyceth herein as in a rest full of great hope So doe all the members of Christe to whome aboue all other men it is giuen to contemne death yea to reioyce in death whose propertie the Prophet in this place most liuely expresseth First he maketh mention only of the fleshe or body shewing that death hath no power vpon the soule which is the chiefe part of man For the soule departing out of the bodye goeth to euerlasting life as otherwheres we haue shewed which was the cause that Paule desired to be loosed and to be with Christ. Then speaking of the flesh or of the body he threatneth it not with destruction but sayth My fleshe shall rest in hope Therfore he promiseth a rest to the flesh which the godlye in death finde to be most sure All the whole race of our lyfe swarmeth with heapes of calamities and daungers Trauell and paines are still at hande Sorrowes and cares spring euery day still a fresh And to be briefe this short life is tossed with the continuall stormes and tempestes of combrances and traueyles so that the Prophete truly sayde The dayes of our age are threescore yeares and tenne and though men be so strong that they come to foure score yeares yet is their strength then but labour and sorowe And in other places the Scripture sayth that man is borne to labour as the birde to flying But in death is rest and he that is deade hath escaped all the toyle of labours and care sickenesse and all other accidents of aduersities And least any man shoulde thinke we had none other rest in death than such as beastes and other liuing creatures haue which haue no life after this he sheweth that our fleshe resteth in hope He meaneth the hope of resurrection which is both certaine and also the only cause of true comfort For God putteth vs in this hope in calling himselfe the God of them which are departed this life as Christ teacheth of Abraham Isaac and Iacob And in the Prophets he constantly promiseth there shal be a resurrection See Ezechiel 37. Dan. 12. Isa. 26. 66. Christ reasoneth oftentimes in the Gospell of the same The tyme shall come sayeth he when all they that bee in their graues shall heare my voyce and shall come foorth c. Looke more touching this matter in Math. 25. Iohn 11. Iob speaking of this hope sayth I knowe that my redeemer liueth and that I shall rise out of the earth in the last day and shall be couered againe with my skinne and shall see God in my flesh yea and I my selfe shall behold him not with other but with the same eyes And doubtlesse the holye Martyrs being emboldened with this hope ouercame all the sorrowes which they susteined with great constancie of minde Therefore it is not without cause that Paule biddeth vs out of these and such like places to take argumentes of comfort in the departure and burials of our friendes Furthermore bicause the Prophet tooke occasion to make mention
rage like the sea being troubled and tossed with the waues and sourges of affections We haue examples hereof euerywhere and in these dayes we see very many For who is ignoraunt howe the light of the Gospell is pierced so farre in our dayes that the very Popes haue many times confessed grieuous abuses in their Church They knowe also that not only the learned but also artificers mariners Carters ploughmen children and women can reason and iudge of religion They see euerywhere how they be reprooued in Sermons by the ministers of the worde howe the common people mocke them howe in publike songes they are nicked and accused and most liuelye set forth and portraytured in all kinde of pictures and payntinges And yet they still chalenge all kinde of iudgement in the Church Still they say they cānot erre forgetting vndoubtedly how they haue oftentimes confessed diuers abuses to be crept into the Church Yet they dare commaunde the Ministers to silence being not ignorant that though they holde their peace the stones will preach as these many yeares they haue prooued and tryed by their Pasquill Yet they still thinke the crakes of their Bulles and their vaine and counterfayte lightnings are of sufficient power to oppresse the truth of Christ now reigning O blinde and foolish people which see not so great light O wicked and deuilishe men which in the sight of all the worlde are not afrayde to striue against God But they shall one day feele howe vnhappy an ende they shall haue who being like vnto Saule will not haue Dauid to reigne ouer them and like vnto the Bishops of the Iewes go about to put Iesus Christ the sonne of Dauid out of his kingdome Furthermore we learne by the example of these men howe daungerous a thing it is to committe the rule and authoritie of the Church to men voyde of religion and the feare of god There can be no wisedome in them bicause the beginning of wisedome as Salomon witnesseth is the feare of the Lorde Therefore they runne beyonde the compasse of all reason into all kinde of licentious affections and then thinke they haue well discharged their office if they can notifye to all men that they are not vnder the checke eyther of Gods lawe or mannes It would therefore be chiefely regarded in all elections aswell of ciuill as ecclesiasticall gouernors that they shoulde haue a speciall care what religion they are of as Iethro counsayled Moyses whose aduise God well liked and approoued And let them which are put in office thinke that they haue not power giuen them to doe what they list but that their authoritie is restrained within the boundes of Gods lawe and religion and that they shall one daye giue an account vnto God who in the Scripture is sette forth for a paterne and president of all true iudgement If Magistrates consider not these things then is their power but in the hande as it were of a madde man and they shall be the destruction as well of their common weale as of themselues where they ought to be the fathers and preseruers of their countrie See the Psalme 94. c. Finally here may we behold as in a glasse the disposition and propertie of the worlde Here are three sorts of men all burning in hatred against the truth and desirous to haue Christes name extinguished The first sort be they which chalenge to themselues the glorye of mans redemption and saluation such as it appeareth the Priestes of the Iewes once were when they had turned the Temple and worship of God into a most filthy Fayer and market place as Christ vpbrayded them more than once Their successors in these dayes be those which say the keyes of the kingdome of heauen belong only vnto them and call sinners to kisse their feete selling to them remission and forgiuenesse of their sinnes saying it is in their power eyther to canonize men for Saints in heauen or else to throw them downe headlong into hell Who while they go about to establishe their owne glorie can by no meanes abide the name of Christ which ouerturneth all their gaine and glory The seconde sort is very like vnto these They will not affirme they can saue others but they thinke they are able to saue themselues and as Paule sayth going about with the Iewes to establishe their owne righteousnesse will not be vnder the righteousnesse of God which he giueth vs in his sonne These men stande to their fastinges holydayes almesses Rosaries lyings on the grounde ▪ Mattens Monkes and Friers Cowles hereclothes shauings pylgrimages and an infinite number of such like wherin they both waste and weare their bodies and spende much money These also are the enimies of christ For they see that if we admit Christ all their righteousnesse falleth to the grounde and that they are to be laughed at which wearie and toyle themselfe with such traueyle and are at so great cost and charge in vaine The thirde sort are openlye wicked and hogges of Epicures hearde which onely professe a name of religion bicause they would not be taken for prophane and godlesse people These men cannot abide the worde of God bicause it reprooueth their sinne and wickednesse as Christ sometime sayde For they perceyue that they must eyther chaunge their maners or else go for naughtie packes amongst all that are godly Yet can all the sort of them craftily dissemble their corrupt nature and will not seeme to wreake their owne quarrell they defame the doctrine of Christ of vprore and sedition saying it is cause of all trouble miserie and calamitie It is well knowne howe Achab sayd that Elias disturbed the whole Realme of Israell It is well knowne howe Amasias the Priest of Bethel said that Amos the Prophete conspired against the king and that the countrie coulde not abide his sermons Wherevnto also may be referred what the Iewes in Egipt charged Ieremy with to his face as we reade in the .xliiij. Chapter of his booke And it shall appeare hereafter that this people had none other pretence in the .v. Chapter Nay woulde God they were content to doe but as the world in time past did and woulde not shewe a worse nature in these dayes It is good for vs to know these things that it seeme no straunge matter vnto vs when we heare how Christes wholesome doctrine is forbidden Let vs follow the constancie of the Apostles whereof shall be spoken in the next Sermon that when we haue ouercome the menaces and attemptes of the worlde we may attaine to true saluation in Iesus Christ to whome be blessing honour power and glory for euer Amen The .xxix. Homelie BVT Peter and Iohn answered and sayde vnto them whether it be right in the sight of God to harken vnto you more than to God iudge you For we cannot but speake that which we haue seene and hearde So threatened they them and let them go and founde nothing howe
euerywhere that Paule afterwarde obserued the same trade and confirmed Churches in euery place He sayth that he toke care for all Churches Therfore the Bishops of Rome go about foolishly and ridiculously to defende their supremacie by this place For first they attribute to Peter onely that which it is euident was also commaunded to the other Apostles Next they impudently chalenge to themselues the office of Peter being altogither vnlike Peter Besides this while they catch vnto themselues the cure ouer all Churches they discharge not the dutie belonging to a faithfull Apostle and shepehearde ouer one Church We are furthermore taught that the Churches haue then most neede of faithfull ouerseers when all things seeme to be at peace and in safetie For as through ydlenesse and ease men easily fall into licentiousnesse of the fleshe so being at ease in peace and quietnesse they be most in daunger of the snares of the deuill as Christ hath taught vs. But by this meanes it came to passe that Peter came to the Saints that is to the faythfull sanctified by the merite of Christ which dwelt at Lidda where he restored one Aeneas a man sicke of the palsie and which had lyue bedrid the space of eyght yeares togither to his health agayne in the name of Iesus christ In this myracle the circumstances of persons are diligently to be considered And in Aeneas certaine things be reported which make for the setting forth of the myracle For he was sicke of the palsie which as it is hardly cured euen at the beginning so being let long to run it becommeth incurable The same is a figure of the corruption of manne For sinne hath brought vs all to be weake so that being bereaued of the strength of our first state at the beginning wee bee not able to thinke well And this sickenesse coulde be cured by no mannes arte or counsayle which being deriued from our first father into vs is conceiued and borne with vs and groweth with vs as Dauid testifieth of himselfe Psal. 51. Wherefore except we be borne agayne from aboue there is no helpe for vs in anye other thing And this Peter plainly teacheth vs in this place whereas being mooued by the holy ghost he commeth to him and wyth great boldenesse sayth Aeneas The Lord Iesus Christ make thee whole Aryse and make thy bedde For he so speaketh these wordes that he manifestly confesseth all the effect and prayse of the myracle is due vnto Christ onely and that to himselfe belongeth only but the ministerie thereof And that the Apostles euerywhere did on this wise is declared before in the restitution of the man that was lame and hault in the third Chapter The faythfull that were at Lydda acknowledged the same who perceiuing that Aeneas was made whole by the name of Iesus Christ by and by were conuerted vnto the Lorde Iesus And this is the vse of all myracles to beare witnesse of the Apostles doctrine and to bring men vnto Iesus Christ by whose power they are done They are therfore pieuish and foolish that so set forth the myracles wrought by the ministerie of the Saintes that they teach the people to runne vnto them worship them But it is plaine that they be false miracles which are done to that ende to establishe the worship of any creature and to call men from God the creator of all things Here might many things more be sayd But bicause the same matter is intreated otherwheres and falleth out oftner to be intreated of we will of purpose nowe be briefe Let it be sufficient to be hereof admonished that Iesus Christ is the onely Phisition both of bodye and soule and the most faythfull defender and protector of hys Church who onely is able to preserue hir amiddes the floudes of persecution and sodeinly to graunt hir rest in hir affliction To him be prayse honor power and glory for euer Amen The .lxix. Homelie THERE was at Ioppa a certaine woman a Disciple named Tabitha which by interpretation is called Dorcas the same was full of good workes and almes deedes which she did And it came to passe in those dayes that she was sicke and dyed Whom when they had washed they layd hir in a Chamber But forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Ioppa and the Disciples had heard that Peter was there they sent vnto him desiring him that he would not bee grieued to come vnto them Peter arose and came with them And when he was come they brought him into the chamber and all the wydowes stoode rounde about him weeping and shewing the coates and garmentes which Dorcas made whyle she was with them And Peter put them all foorth and kneeled downe and prayde and turned him to the body and sayde Tabitha aryse And she opened hir eyes and when she sawe Peter she sate vp And he gaue hir the hande and lift hir vp And when hee had called the Saintes and widdowes he shewed hir alyue And it was knowne thorowe all Ioppa and many beleeued on the lord And it came to passe that he taryed many dayes at Ioppa with one Simon a Tanner AS the sonne of God our Sauiour Iesus Christ sent his Disciples to preach the Gospell so he furnished them with myracles whereby to purchase a credite to their doctrine and to declare the force or fruite of the merite of Iesus christ To this ende must those two myracles principally be referred which Luke reporteth were done by the ministerie of Peter in the ende of the Chapter The first is the restitution of Aeneas who laye bedred eyght yeares of the Palsie but by calling on the name of Christ was healed Wherby we are taught that the strength of our decayed nature is restored by Christ our Phisition and that we which are not able otherwyse to thynke a good thought are able in him to doe all things To this is ioyned another myracle which as it is in deede greater and more woonderfull so it more comforteth vs For Peter rayseth Thabita or Dorcas which was deade to life agayne thereby declaring that Iesus Christ is Lorde also ouer death and therefore that they ought not to feare death which through fayth be grafted in him The consideration hereof shall be very profitable if in order we marke the persons of whome Luke here intreateth He beginneth the description of the myracle with hir on whome the myracle was shewed And although it seeme to be a matter of no great importance by what name she was called yet he thought good to make mention thereof for the more troth of the storie He sayeth that she was called Thabita in the Assirian tongue Dorcas in the Greeke tongue which worde in the Latine tongue is as much to saye as a Kydde But it is more behoofefull to consider the things reported of hir The first is the profession of fayth and religion bicause he writeth shee was a Disciple that is to saye a Christian. For they that
out of their mindes enioy such peace as Paule sayth passeth all vnderstanding For the nearer distresse and aduersitie approcheth the more feeling they haue of Gods present spirit whome Christ hath promised to comfort those that be his These things we ought to haue still in our remembrance that being confirmed in consolation of the spirite â–ª we may be able to beare and ouercome valiantly all daungers for Christes namesake But let vs see the maner of his deliueraunce which is the chiefest part of this place wherfore Luke vseth a marueylous diligence in describing it rehearsing euery thing that came to passe about the same And first he sayth expresselye that God vsed the ministerie of an Aungell so that euen here also it maye appeare howe that is fulfylled which the Scripture promiseth where it sayth that God hath appoynted and prepared the Aungels to serue his elect But the things pertayning to the explication of this place may be supplied of that which was said in a like hystory in the .xxxiiij. homily It shall suffise to adde this one thing that men ought to haue great consideration of their dignitie remembring that the Aungels are present and to giue themselues to innocencie and puritie of maners least they bereaue themselues through their owne default of so holy a succour and safegarde Wherevnto it seemeth Paule had a respect when he gaue warning that if women coulde none otherwise be prouoked to shamefastnesse and comelynesse in their apparell yet for feare of the Aungels which are conuersaunt among the godly they shoulde vse it After this it is sayde a certaine light shyned in the prison being otherwyse darke and horrible which me thinketh serued partly for that it might appeare this was an Aungell of light and partlye that Peter myght see what he had to doe And it is very often seene in Scripture that good Aungels haue appeared in bright and shyning wise as may be gathered by the storie of the resurrection and ascention of christ This place teacheth vs that Christ is able to lighten and giue effectual comfort to those that be his euen in the middest of darkenesse so that he can make those things pleasant and comfortable that otherwise seeme vnto vs fearefull and horrible For he is the light of the world which whosoeuer followeth walketh not in darknesse Thirdly an Aungell puncheth Peter on the side as he sleepeth waketh him and biddeth him aryse quickly whereas he once thinketh not of anye maner of deliuerye This is an argument of the goodnesse of God which alwaye waketh for vs that our cruell enimie deuour vs not And that that here commeth to passe vnto Peter eche one of vs euery daye fyndeth true but such is our blindenesse that we acknowledge not the present goodnesse of god For it is euident that Satan lyeth still in wayte to catch vs wandreth vp and downe like a roaring Lyon seeking whome he maye deuour How then commeth it to passe that in our sleepe he destroyeth vs not when we are not able by prayer to keepe him of nor to doe or thinke any thing for our owne safegard Can there be here any other reason alleaged than that we dwell safe vnder the defence of the most highest and vnder the shadowe of the almighty as the Prophet saith Psal. 91. Wherby we also leearne with what diligence we ought at all times to commend our selues vnto the tuition and protection of god These things may also comfort vs agaynst the terrours of death For where it appeareth that God taketh care for vs in our sleepe which is an ymage or counterfeyte of death we shall thinke that by death we are not excluded from his prouidence Example whereof Christ setteth out in Lazarus whome being deade and lying buried in his graue he doth vouchsafe to call his friende Which is the cause that the Saintes being ready to giue vp their lyfe vse to commende themselues vnto God the father lyke as though they woulde laye themselfe downe to sleepe or to rest Fourthly the chaines fell of from Peters hands at the voice of the Aungell and all things touching his deliuery were done without any difficultie For the souldiours whether they were through Gods power fast on sleepe or whether they were amazed with the brightnesse of the Aungell as we reade came to passe in the resurrection of the Lorde neyther staye Peter araying himselfe nor going out and without any let or stoppe Peter passeth the first and seconde watch being ledde by the Aungell Moreouer the yron gate which alone was able to keepe out and in all persons opened of it owne accorde And the Aungell leaueth not Peter before he had sette him safe out of all daunger It pleased God thus by steppes and degrees to set him at libertie that his benefite might seeme the more notable For otherwise he coulde by some straunge myracle haue set him safe sodeinly in Maries house Here is the inuincible power of God to be considered and howe easie a thing it is for him to set his people at libertie to whom things otherwise inuincible vse to obeye and giue place For it hath not onelye come to passe in Peters deliuerie but also at diuers other times that nature hath bene fayne to yeelde vnto Gods pleasure that a waye of escape might be opened to his elected For hereto maye be referred the passage through the redde sea and the deuiding or parting a sunder of the riuer Iordane Likewise we reade that the fyre touched not Daniels fellowes no not so much as their garments or heare beyonde the course of nature And the Lyons chose rather to laye aside their naturall fiercenesse than to hurt the seruant of God contrary to Gods pleasure Which thing the Ecclesiasticall hystorie reporteth oftentimes to haue come to passe in the Martyrs Herevnto belongeth the falling of the walles of Iericho at the blasting of Trumpettes that the army of the Assyrians were slaine all in one night and diuers other examples are to be seene of them that reade eyther prophane or Ecclesiasticall hystories With these things therefore let vs strength our fayth against the threates of tyrants For it is moste certayne that God is able to deliuer those that be his out of any daunger so it be his good pleasure And if at any time he refuse so to doe it is bicause he knoweth it is so needefull for our saluation In the meane season he remayneth faythfull and suffreth vs not to be tempted further than we be able to beare To conclude the Euangelist sheweth what Peter did in all this meane whyle First he sayth that Peter wyste not whether this geare was done of a truth or not For he thought it was a vision such as was shewed him before in the hystory of Cornelius And this is an argument of mans infirmitie wherewith he is so encombred that he cannot perceyue the manifest works of God specially if they be ouershadowed
togither And his humanitie is the more notable for that being a ruler a rich man he yet disdained not strangers in such manyfold afflictiōs as rich men for the most part vse to do which think other mens mishaps appertayne nothing vnto them Then next for that he receiueth them al togither which could not be without some trouble very great cost For we heard how there were in that ship two hundred three score sixtene persons and al escaped safe vnto lande Let riche men they that be in authoritie lerne here their duetie not to thinke that God hath giuen to the◠alone so great gifts but let them remēber that they are appoynted but stewards Wherfore let them be liberal vnto those that haue neede so that their plenty may releue the others scarcity And doubtlesse this is a great offence of them which forgetting their dutie haue cōpassion on no body but passe ouer the cry of the poore with deaf eares who at lēgth according to the saying of Salomon shal find the eares of god shut to their praiers yea at the latter day they shal haue Christ to accuse them Furthermore the people of Malta receiue a notable recōpense amends for their hospitalitie and that by the ministery of Paule So that we may learne there is no man so vyle but may procure vnto vs great vtilitie so that we shew our selues curteous liberal vnto him For God can requite vs by any man their reward vseth not to be lost that for gods sake or for Chrystes vse to benefite any body In this present place are declared two rewardes which these men receyued of Paule him selfe Fyrste the father of Publius receyued who beeing sicke of a Feuer and of a bloudy Fluxe a disease vtterly vncurable was restored to healthe by Paules meane That this was a great benefite and pleasure if wee consyder but the body onely no man can denie althoughe wee say nothing howe by this occasion he was broughte vnto the fayth Where we muste marke howe in thys cure Paule obserued the manner and order prescribed of Chryste For bothe he vseth prayer and layde hys handes vppon the sicke body Wherby we are taught that this miracle was not wrought ▪ through the power of Paule but of God which after this sort woulde set forth his sonne Iesus Chryst as Peter and Iohn haue before declared For the Apostles wrought their miracles farre otherwise than Chryst which vsing his absolute power by hys worde onely pronounced draue away deuils and diseases But the Apostles and other holy seruauntes of Chryste did the same by calling on the name of Chryste Here is the errour of those men confuted which bycause of the Miracles that holy men wrought thinke they ought to be inuocated and do not regarde how God is the author of them whose honour and glory the Sainctes chiefly sought See more concerning this matter in the thirde and fourtenth Chapters The seconde rewarde extended vnto more men For the same of Publius father beeing healed stirred vp other men also so that they lykewise were deliuered from diuers diseases The ende and vse of all these things was that they shoulde vnderstande Paule was the Minister of Chryst which deliuereth vs from infirmitie both of body and soule and that we should therefore seeke all saluation in his merite But bycause we haue intreated hereof oftentimes in other places let it nowe suffise briefly to haue touched these things But let vs see the people of Malta who Luke sayth requited with great thankfulnesse suche great benefites For they also both greatly honoured them and when they should departe gaue them whatsoeuer things were needefull vnto their voyage These are manyfest fruites of fayth by the which we are also taughte what we owe vnto them by whose meane Chryst and the light of the Gospell shineth vnto vs For where we ought to esteeme them as our parents bicause we are regenerated through their ministerie they deserue to be honoured yet not with godly honour but with such as we owe to our parents and with such as it is mete for man to receyue of man And surely Paule writeth that the Elders which gouerne well are worthy of double honour 1. Timoth. 5. Marke then I pray you and God will what ieoly gospellers they be that thinke them selues trim men when they can steyne the good name of Ministers with scoffes and quippes And as children owe vnto their parentes not onely honour but also necessaries whereby to liue so is it necessarie that the hearers prouide the ministers of the same This God commaunded in tymes paste in the olde Testamente as may be seene in the eightenth Chapter of the booke of Numbers and in the fiue twentith chapter of Deut. And Chryst forbiddeth his Apostles to cary money or any other prouision with them bicause they should liue of the ministery of the gospel like other laborers And if it had not bene right and lawfull so to haue done then shoulde the Apostles haue offended which receiued these things But see more touching this matter in the first to the Corinth the ninth Chapter Therfore great is the vnthankfulnesse of those men in these dayes to say no worse who giuing nothing them selues vnto the ministers enuie and craftily beguyle them of the things that other in times past haue giuen vnto them But after the ende of three Monethes they returne to their voyage agayne by sea the course wherof let them seeke in the Geographers Tables that desire to haue further instruction in euery suche poynt We haue herein two things to obserue The one is that Paule and his company go on bord into a shippe of Alexandria which after the errour of the Gentiles was thought to be vnder the patronage and defence of Castor and Pollux Through which example many men counte imagerie and superstition among indifferent things as thoughe a Christian man touching the outward conuersation mighte vse them without offending of god But wee must likewise consider that Paule did not this of his owne accorde but of constraint neither also consented vnto wicked superstition either winked at any thing for fauoure of men Therefore the example of Paule maketh not for the defence of those dastardes that vse to dissemble in matters of religion to serue the time The other is howe after they had fette a long compasse about by the sea they arriued at length from Syracusa a Citie of Cicile in Italie And at Putesti they finde brethren or christians with whom at their entreatie they taried seuen dayes Where also may be seene the charitie of those brethren which did vouchsafe at their great charges to chearishe and make much of straungers so long a while and also the curtesie of the captaine and souldioures which for a prisonners sake would stay so many dayes Heere appeareth also the might and power of God which maketh his seruauntes to be accepted and fauoured and the
Iudges must follow the goodnes bountifulnes of god 234.235 Iudges what their dutie is 851 Rashe Iudgements ende 645 Iuliane the Apostata forsaketh the fayth 301 Iuliane hys last wordes 218 Iulius Maximinus and hys sonne raging agaynst the Churche were destroyed of their souldiours by the iust iudgement of god 300.301 Iustification of man through fayth in Iesus Christ proued by notable examples in the Actes of the Apostles 3 Iustification of fayth taught by the Prophetes 459 Iustifications order 463 Iustifications reason 595 Iustification attributed to woorkes is a greeuous offence 596 Iustice and temperance are fruites of fayth 829 Iustice of man can not stande in the Iudgement seate of god 801 Iustice commeth not of merites of workes but of fayth as Steuen teacheth through out his oracion 298 K ante Y Kyngs that are proude ambitiouse ruled manye tymes by their bondemen 504 Kyngdome of Christ eternall and inuincible 381 Kyngedome of Christe is not of the earth 24 Kyngdome of Christ by preaching of the gospell spred in all places 3 Kyngdom of Christ spred to the borders aboute Iurie and howe it mikht further be spred 242 Kyngdome of Christ what it is 126 Kyngdome of Christe is spirituall Pag. 30 Kyngedome of Christe enlarged by preaching ibidem Kyngdome of god 710 Kyngdome of god by his appointement â—aryed to the Gentyles 509. and 510 Kyngdome of god declared and for what cause 14 Kyngdom of god preached by Paule Pag. 916 Kyngdome of god when it should be preached ibid. Kyngdome of christ and of his word howe they differ 381 Kyngdome of Christes beginninge successe and increase in thys world Pag. 2 Kyngdome of Christes power maiestie 126 Kyngdome of Christes enlargement Pag. 506 Kingdome of Christe is peaceable Pag. 98 Kingdome of Christ bounded by the Prophetes 32 Kingdome of God comprehendeth in it our saluation and redemption Pag. 13 Kingdome of the Iewes conferred vpon Dauid 528 Kingdome of Christes estate 30 Of Goddes Kingdome and heauenly glory howe we are made partakers 286 L ante A LAbourers that are faythful must be holpen Pag. 579 Last dayes estate what it shall bee 174 Last daye searchers 29 Last dayes feare and remembraunce what it causeth 174.175 Laste daye Deriders and Iesters Pag. 100 Later dayes troublesome estate 98 Lawes ceremoniall not necessary too saluation 293 Lawfull defence permitted to the godly 644 Lawe leadeth vs by the hande vnto Christ. 75.76 Lawe cannot iustifie 544 Law gyuen for them that came after also 335 Lawe wherein it is abrogated Pag. 334 Lawe howe it was published ibid. Lawe is a mirroure or glasse 544 Lawe sheweth vs the true way to attayne vnto lyfe 334 Lawe howe it is called the lyuely woorde ibid. Lawes preuayle not onles they bee executed 618 Lawe and ceremonies vse and ende Pag. 292 Lawe in Christ is ended 76 Lawe begonne in the daye of Pentecost ibid. Lawe can not truly bee vnderstanded but by the Spirit of Chryst. Pag. ibid. Lawe wherto it serueth 545 Lawes publike are profitable to bee kepte 797 Lawes auctoritie wherein it dependeth ibid. L ante E Leuitie or gentlenes of God excuseth not our sinne 525 Leuitie or lightnes in religion muste be auoyded 789 Leâ—ites or Priestes offended wyth Christ. 227 Leuitie of commones may bee seene in the Samaritanes 362.363 L ante I Liberalitie to the poore commended Pag. 144 Liberalitie in releeuing the poore Pag. 224 Liberalitie is a commendable thinge Pag. 760 Liberalities examples 154 Liberalitie of God. 155 Libertie and free speeche in reprehending of sinnes 110 Libertie abused what hurt it procureth to the people 816 Libertie who can vse best 426 Libertie of Christ muste bee kept inuiolable 602 Libertines Colledge the greatest enemies of Steuen 286 Lightes whereto they serued in the Church 734 Lighte gyuen vs in Chryst. 553 Lighte shyneth where Peter is in prison 494 Licinius Ualerianus a persecutoure of Christes Church taken by Sapores king of the Persians is fain to serue for a footeblocke for Sapores to gette on horse backe by Pag. 301 L ante O Long sufferance of God exemplified Pag. 234 Looking in what the woord conteyneth in it 219 Lottery of twoo kyndes 71 Lot is a part or porcion 70 Lottes are in subiection to Gods prouidence 72 Lottes which bee lawfull and which not 71.72 Lotterye vnlawefull and who abuse lawfull lottes ibid. Lottes are an auncient vsage 72 Lottes vsed in diuidinge of inheritaunce ibidem Lottes Matthias is choosen by Pag. 71 Lottes lawfull to vse 72 L ante V Lucius septimus Seuerus persecuting the Church was kylled in his flourishing estate 300 Lucre sought in religion is not allowed of God. 720 Luke inspired of the holy ghost writeth the story of the gospel diligeÌ„tly Pag. 2 Luke wrate of all thinges in what sence 5.6 L ante Y Lyfe of man lyke a Pylgrimage Pag. 299 Lyfe eternall 119 Lyfe eternall estate moost happye Pag. ibid. Lyfe of manne of what estate condicion it is 871 Lydia is an example of true conuersion 624 Lydia causeth hir houshoâ—d to be baptised 626 Lydia howe and after what manner shee was conuerted 625 Lystra dwellers how they were affected at Paules myracle 890 M ante A MAgistrates muste beware of brybes Pag. 831 Magistrates offended at the Apostles 556 Magistrates by the sworde muste keepe vnder blasphemers deceyuers and false teachers 233 Magistrates duetie too enquire oute matters diligently 848 Magistrates must be carefull for the fayth and for religion 849 Magistrates wycked 643 Magistrates must bee diligent in the defence of God. 816 Magistrates must do no euill for fauour of men 835 Magistrates must not hasten iudgement for mens fauour 828 Magistrates muste not be defrauded of their honour 119 Magistrates dutie 32 Magistrate must ayde the godly requiring it 812 Magistrates opprssinge innocentes howe they muste bee punished Pag. 801 Magistrates muste bee instructed with the power of the holy ghoste Pag. 20 Magistrates howe farre they muste bee obeyed 274 Magistrate curteouse is a beautifying of his office 816 Magistrates auctoritie howe it is preserued 801 Magistrates wicked their manners Pag. 799 Magistrates must heare causes with diligence 821 Magistrates inferioure muste bee simplye obeyed without lookynge for further aucthoritie of Superioâ—r 426 Maiestie and truthe of Chrystes Kingdome declared in the story of the Apostles 2 Malta is the place where the Knights of Saint Iohns order keepe their residence 887 Malta people are an example of hospitalitie ibidem Malta men an Example of humanitie 888 Malta menne take Paule for a god Pag. 889 Malta mennes kyndnes 892 Mannes ende teacheth vs the woorshipping of one God. 671 Mannes nature and condicion as he is naturall 396 Manne goyng about to deceyue vs vnder pretence of Religion howe wâ—e muste iudge and esteeme him Pag. 229 Manne what hee oweth vnto God. Pag. 2â—0 Manne how hee must prepare himselfe to receyue the Holy Ghoste Pag. 77 Manne how hee is called the vessell and instrument of God. 399 Mannes enterprises wee muste not passe
much vppon but study to please God onely 818 Mannes power is nothing agaynst God. 875 Manne must haue a regarde of hys dignitie 481 Mannes corruption may be knowen by the faultines in the Sainctes Pag. 26 Menne of three sortes burningâ— in hatred agaynst the truth 208 Mannes infirmitie set forth in the example of Ananias 402 Mannes redemption figured 566 Mannes traditions can not saue vs. Pag. 353 Mannes counsell or deuyse can not quayle Christes kingdome 30 Mannes traditions and godly intentions are daungerous to bee thrust into the Church 21 Mannes origene and beginning teacheth vs to worshippe one God. Pag. 358 Manne for hys behoofe may eate all meates created of God. 406 Mannes naturall dulnes 437 Menne of base degree and rascalles called in this world embrace and receyue the Gospel 624 Menne are all sinners 543 Manne destitute of the knowledge of God soone corrupted 837 Maynteyners of free will confuted Pag. 790 Maynteyners of Popish merites coÌ„futed 428 Manaes a noble man and a Courtier 509 Manasses a wicked Idolater 340 Mary the moother of Christe committed to the tuicion of Iohn Pag. 46 Mary the virgin mother of Chryste Pag. ibidem Mariages with the wicked prosper euill 828 Maryners vnbeleefe and falsehoode Pag. 880 Martyres punishmentes muste bee weighed by Sainct Steuens Example 351 Mathew had a wyfe as appeareth by the house hee kept 45 Matthias chosen to bee an Apostle Pag. 72 Matthie the Apostle hys election Pag. 66 Matthie chosen into the rowme of Iudas 44 Matthias auctoritie of vocation 58 M ante E Meanes ordeyned of God must not bee rashly neglected 814 Meane and indifferent things when they cease to be indifferent 616 Meanes lawfully vsed 882 Meanes vnlawfull must none bee vsed to come by commoditie 870 Meates choyse or difference 434 and 435 Mercie of God towarde Synners Pag. 790 Mercy in what sence it is vsed of S. Paule 540 Merites of men how muche is to bee attributed to them 429 M ante I Ministery of Christe comprehended in two wordes 6 Ministers are not polluted by mariage 765 Ministers to be taken into the church what manner of men they shoulde bee 63 Ministery outward is profitable too be duely administred 399 Ministery of the woorde to bee profitable proued by Examples Pag. 400 Ministery Ecclesiasticall commended 429 Ministery Ecclesiasticalles partes Pag. 279 Ministery Ecclesiasticalles reason Pag. 508 Ministeries dignitie 179 Minister of Christes woorde be hee neuer so sclender and base must not bee contempned 397 Minister of the Churche muste bee apt and fit to teache 63.64 Minister of the Church muste haue a sounde and sure knowledge of Christ. 64 Ministers ought to bee suche as are lyke too perseuer and contyneue Pag. ibid. Minister what thinges is requisite for him ibid. Ministers are ordeyned of GOD. Pag. 750 Ministers must bee desirous of humilitie and agreement 91 Ministers where they must preache Christ his name 403 Ministers of the Church are a benefite of God. 49 Ministers of Christ must bee at vnitie 147 Ministers of the Church are Apostles 70 Ministers of the Churche muste bee admitted to the ouersight of ecclesiasticall goods ibid. Ministers of the Church muste not bee money gatherers 756 Ministers of the Churche whether they may take stypend and wages Pag. 679 Ministers muste further and procure the Saluation of all menne Pag. 740 Ministers of the Gospell muste obeye Goâ—des commaundementes Pag. 19 Ministers must bee lawfully elected Pag. 66 Ministers must be referred and leaft vnto God. 68 Ministers of the Gospell are neyther robbers of goods honor nor blasphemers 727 Ministers what armour they muste do on agaynst the assaultes of this world 211 Ministers haue neede of Gods holy spirit 19 Ministers dutie consisteth chiefly in teaching 64 Ministers vnmeete muste not beâ—â—â—ken into the Church 〈…〉 Ministers 〈…〉 tyll they 〈◊〉 lawfully called 58 Ministers who bee lawfull and who vnlawfull 510 Ministers muste speake and not holde their peace 683 Ministers must not ouer hastely forsake the Church 683 Ministers muste doo their dutie although they profit lyttle 746 Ministers howe they are not culpable of other meâ—nes faultes Pag. 682 Ministers must fight but with scriptures 703 Ministers must be from the crime of sedition 825 Ministers muste haue knowledge in Gods will that will teache other the same 794 Ministers must haue an earnest care to their churches 150 Ministers muste haue a speciall care for their owne Nacion and Country after the Apostle Paules ensample 795 Ministers maye sometymes secke to escape by flying 411 Ministers are not blameable for beating downe superstitioÌ„ and aâ—â—iance in woorkes 896 Ministers must praye for the saluation of the people 793 Ministers what they must teache Pag. 794 Ministers howe vehemently they must rebuke those that deface the glory of God by seeking filthy lucre 373 Ministers muste not seditiously disturbe euerye common weales Pag. 823 Ministers must be stout yet gentle to be spoken too 405 Ministers admonished of their dutie by Paules example 402 Ministers are men and therfore subiect to mans infirmitie 55 Ministers must reproue as well secrete as manifest faultes committed agaynst the truth 230 Ministers faithfull haue diuerse and sundry chaunces folowing them as may be seene in Paule 410. Ministers at variaunce must not offend vs. 612.613 Ministers in the Churche that haue bene couetouse what they haue don Pag. 7â—6 Ministers true praise what it is 474 Ministers described that are false ibideÌ„ Ministers lawfully called a behofefull thing 753. Ministers of the church whence they haue their auctoritie 330. Ministers of the woorde must paint out false teachers in theyr colours and note them by theyr names 136 Ministers muste accuse notorious wyckednes with bold speech 109 Ministers faults must make no man 〈◊〉 bâ—cke 55. Ministers ought lawâ—â—lly to be called 789 Ministers of the woord must bee zelous 375. Ministers how much we are bounde vnto them 895 Ministers may lawfully declare vnto theyr churches what the enemies entend against Christ and his flock Pag. 215. Ministers haue neede of good bringing vp 14. Ministers muste boldly rebuke men Pag. 204. Ministers must be innocent harmeles 838. Ministers must be kindly and thankfully vsed 441. Minisâ—ers must not be so cleued vnto that if god take theÌ„ away we must thinke religion shall quayle 387. Ministers how they should be ordeyned 282. Ministers must haue a regarde who heareth them 678 Miracle of the Apostles 239. Miracle of the lame man healed 565. Miracle of the tounges what it ment Pag. 80. Miracle of the redde Sea. 332. Miracles of the Apostles were the woorkes of Christ. 161 Miracles of Christ and the Apostles were perfect 155. Miracles why Christ wrought 157. Miracles of Moses in Egypte 517. New miracles must not be deuised Pag. 563. Miracles of Moses in the wildernes Pag. 332. Miracles done by Philip. 361. Miracles repugnant to gods woord no miracles 563 Miracles which be true 139. Miracles taught by the Apostles do serue for two endes the cause efficient of
Passeouer Luke in the seconde Chapter following sayth the holy ghost was sent In the meane season they abode with one consent in prayers and supplication And although the argument or matter of the prayers which they made be not expressed yet of the circumstances it may easily be gathered what they prayed For what else should they praye for which knewe their owne weakenesse and sawe such a burthen layde on their shoulders then that God woulde hasten the sending of his holy spirite and vouchsafe to defende them from falling For they had learned by their first sliding back how vaine and of no value mans strength is in Gods affayres except we be vpholden by the present ayde of his diuine grace Let vs here obserue how Luke sayth they were continually occupied in prayer and supplication which otherwyse were furnished with most large promises and were endued with great fayth For if we reade in Iohn what Christ did with his Disciples a little before his death we shall see the holye ghost so often promised that it was almost tedious And being risen from death againe he put them diuers times in remembrance of the same And that they beleeued the promises of Christ it appeareth plainely by their returne into the Citie For vnlesse they had beleeued that Christ would be as good as his promise they would neuer haue gone backe againe into so bloudy a Citie and where such daunger was Therefore faith is no let why we should not perseuer and abyde continually in prayers and good workes I know there are diuers that cauill about the thinges spoken of fayth which only iustifieth and saueth as though it made prayer vnprofitable and extinguished or at least much hindered good workes But these men so farre swarue from the truth that there is no more effectuous prouocation to good workes than that that springeth in our mindes of fayth Naye if we be not furnished with fayth wee can neyther praye profitablye nor be feruent in good workes For howe shall they call vpon him in whom they beleeue not sayth Paule And how shall God accept our prayers except we conceyue sure confidence of his good will towardes vs Last of all where as we naturally abhorre from good workes it cannot be that we shoulde gyue our selues wholy therevnto vnlesse we be sure that they please God the father for Iesus Christes sake To saye nothing howe it is impossible to please God without fayth and howe whatsoeuer is not of faith is sinne The Apostles and they that be with them ioyne two thinges to their prayers without the which our prayer is of no force or auayle before God that is to saye vnanimitie and perseuerance Unanimitie or agreement is needefull bicause wee be the children of one father as we professe in the Lordes prayer saying Our father which art in heauen c. But what father is so retchlesse and carelesse to suffer his children to be at discorde among themselues And the law of nature teacheth vs that they that be one mans children and of one inheritance should looue and agree togither But as many as by faith are grafted in Christ are borne of the same seede to saye the incorruptible and immortall seede of Gods worde to be the children of God and heyres of his kingdome in heauen yea to saye more they are made members of one body and acknowledge one heade and are quickened with one and the same spirite Is it possible therefore that such can be voyde of loue â–ª concorde among themselues Doe they not through hatred and enmitie seperate themselues from the body of Christ and commit horrible hypocrisie while they dare lyke true children of GOD at common prayer appeare in the sight of GOD Therefore in our prayers ought that thing chieflye to haue place that Christ requyreth of them which come to doe sacrifice saying If thou offer thy gyft at the aultare and there remember that thy brother hath ought agaynst thee leaue there thy gyft before the aultare and go and bee reconcyled vnto thy brother and then come and offer thy gift For if we must take heede that our brother haue no cause of hatred against vs how much more must we beware that we swell not in hatred agaynst our brother We must haue no lesse consideration of perseuering or continuance in prayer forasmuch as God manye times deferreth long the helpe he promiseth vs and almost seemeth to haue no care at all of vs which thing caused the holyest men to burst forth into these sayings How long wilt thou forget me O Lorde for euer Howe long wilt thou hyde thy face from me how long shall I crye and thou wilt not heare But in such cogitations we must remember that God cannot forget vs nor cease to care for such as he hath vouchsafed to redeeme with the bloud of his sonne For he sayth in the Prophete Can the mother forget hir yong Infant so that she will not haue pittie vpon the babe of hir owne body but admit they be forgetfull yet will not I forget thee Behold I haue grauen thee in both my hands And Dauid sayth Thou tellest my flittings and puttest my teares in thy bottâ—ll Are not these things noted in thy booke Therefore when God deferreth the help we looke for he doth it for this only cause to try our faith pacience and yet as I sayd before hee suffreth vs not to be tempted aboue our strength Wherefore euen then must we chiefly bende all the force of our faith call for his helpe praying continually And of what force this perseuerance or importunitie is before God Iesus Christ hath taught vs in very fitte parables therfore let vs diligently doe that the Apostles did whyle they wayted for the holy ghost For we also haue neede of the holy ghost to bridle the desires of the fleshe and to strengthen vs in hope and faith Let vs make our selues ready to receyue him with obedience vnanimitie and perseuerance in prayer that being quickened and illuminate with him in this present worlde we may leade a lyfe acceptable to his diuine Maiestie and at length lyue in heauen with Iesus Christ our Sauiour to whom be blessing honour glory and power for euer Amen The seuenth Homelie IN those dayes Peter stoode vp in the middes of the Disciples and sayde the number of names that were togither were about an hundred and twentie ye men and brethren this Scripture must needes haue bene fulfilled which the holy ghost through the mouth of Dauid spake before of Iudas which was guyde to them that tooke Iesus For he was numbred with vs and had obtayned fellowship in this ministration And the same hath nowe possessed a plot of grounde with the rewarde of iniquitie and when he was hanged hee burst a sunder in the middest and all his bowels gushed out And it is knowne to all the inhabiters of Hierusalem insomuch that the same fielde is called
in their mother tongue Acheldama that is to say the bloudy fielde SAint LVKE hitherto hath declared what the Apostles did in their owne priuate case after Christ departed from the earth attributing to them true obedience vnitie of mindes and continuance in prayer And these verily are wholesome exercises wherewith we must prepare our selues duely to receyue the holye ghost who entreth not into a frowarde soule and whome the worlde cannot receyue but contemneth and derideth such cogitations and studies Nowe in this place he beginneth to declare what the Apostles first did how they settled themselues to the publike ministery of the Church which was committed vnto them And this was the substitution of Matthye in the place of Iudas the traytour and reprobate For where Christ would haue the Apostles to be twelue in number whom hee ordayned to be Iudges of the twelue Trybes of Israel it was requisite the same number should be fulfilled least the falshoode of Iudas should any way hinder the ordinaunce of Christ. In the meane season the example of the Apostles admonisheth vs that the chiefe care of the Church ought to be in prouiding to haue fitte meete ministers For how shal they beleeue in him sayth Paule of whom they haue not hearde howe shall they heare without a Preacher howe shall they preach except they be sent And the same Apostle in another place sayth that himselfe Apollo and Cephas were the ministers of God by whome the Corinthians beleeued For although it belonge onely to God to giue fayth and hee worketh the same in the mindes of men by the vertue of his holy spirite for which cause the worshippers of Christ are called by the Prophet the taught of God yet for our sakes he witteth safe to vse the outwarde ministerie of the worde the vse and dignitie whereof must be defended and retayned in the Church Which thing is the cause why the Prophetes account fitte teachers among the chiefe benefites of God and Christ teacheth his Apostles to praye vnto God to sende worthy and faithfull workmen into his vineyarde And Paule in another place sheweth the maiesty and great care of Christ for his Church by this one argument chiefly that he sendeth from high giftes of his holy spirite and giueth some Apostles some Prophetes some Euaungelists some Pastors and teachers to the increase of the Saintes in the woorke of administration and to the building vp of his bodye They ought well to remember this that take vppon them in these dayes authoritie ouer the Church of Christ whether they be Bishops or secular Magistrates that they fayle not in this most necessary poynt to see to the Church but that they order euery thing in such sort that they maye leaue to their posteritie presidents of sounde and true doctrine Whervnto chiefly belongeth the appointing of schooles and bringing vp of youth which the Prophetes in the olde Testament had a great care of and after that the Christian Emperours likewyse Which things whosoeuer eyther through negligence or wasting of the Church goodes consume they ought to be taken for the greatest enimies of the Church and shall one daye buy such their heynous offences full deere at Christes hande But to addresse vs to the declaration of this present place Luke with great diligence rehearseth this hystorie declaring how the chiefe vse thereof is for vs to learne by example of the Apostles what to obserue and followe in choosing and appoynting ministers of the Church He beginneth with the description of the Church that was at that time In those dayes sayth he when they being gathered togither with one accorde looked for the comming of the holy ghost Peter stoode vp in the midst of the Disciples and proposed a matter which indifferently appertained to them all The number of them that beleeued when they were rehearsed by name was about an hundred and twentie Here both the small number of beleeuers in the Primitiue Church and Peter the Apostle are diligently to be considered For touching the number of them that professed Christ I thinke there is no man but marueyleth that there was no more founde in so famous and populous a Citie that professed and followed christ For what had Christ left vnassayde in that Citie For to omit the teaching aduertisements exhortation of the Prophets if a man consider but the things done in that Citie from the time that Christ came among them he shall perceyue an incredible hardnesse of heart and frowardnesse in that nation Iohn the Baptist went before Christ by reason of the plainnesse of his doctrine and straightnesse of his lyfe had bene able to haue mooued anye kinde of men But howe smally he profited the proofe very well declared Then by and by vpon followed Christ who to his doctrine which he framed and prepaced all maner of wayes to winne them with added myracles of such force and efficacie that they were able to make the verye enimies to confesse the truth Uerily Nicodemus confessed that no man but he that was sent of God coulde doe such things as they sawe him doe euery daye And manye openlye sayde Shall Christ when hee commeth worke more myracles than this man hath done I let passe the signes and woonders which partlye went before Christes death and partly followed which were able to mollifie the harts of the most cruell souldiers And yet after all these thinges there are no more but sixe score persons reckened among all that beleeued by Lukes testimonie who was a most faithfull and true witnesse In this appeareth the great power of Iesus Christ which of this smal remnant as the Prophets afore times tolde was able to multiplie and encrease his Church that in fewe yeares it was spred ouer all the worlde Wee maye learne also the vntowardnesse of mans nature and acknowledge almost an incurable naughtinesse in him and not to be offended though we see but fewe in these dayes that beleeue the doctrine of the Gospell For this did Esaias long ago foresee therfore minding to preach of the redemption that should be made by Christ crieth out who hath beleeued our preaching to whom is the arme of the Lorde declared And Christ speaking to his flocke sayth feare not little flocke for it hath pleased my father to giue you a kingdome And himselfe speaking of the last times declareth that such shall be the fashion and condicion of the worlde when he commeth that he shall finde no faith or truth vpon the earth Therfore great is the errour of those which iudge of faith and doctrine according to the multitude or fewnesse of them that followe it which is a common thing nowe a dayes For such was the state of the Church euen in the verye beginning that the smallest number embraced the doctrine of truth Noah only with his familie in that auncient worlde followed a diuers faith and religion from the residue of