teacher Wee ought to haue respect vnto our fore-goer and finisher of our faith remembring that wee suffer not as theeues and euill dooers but for his sake yea and that of the wicked This shall make our aduersitie and crosse the more easie and light when wee feele the comfort of the spirite and beholde how shamefull a death Christ suffered for vs. Therfore should there no feare make vs to shrinke from the confession of Christ and his trueth Wee are not they that speake but it is the spirite of the Father which speaketh in vs. Wee maye not feare those that kill the bodie we may not bee ashamed of him so shall hee also knowledge vs and make vs honourable in his fathers sight The honour of this world should not bee dearer vnto vs than the glorie of God And though wee die for it yet ought we not to shrinke or stirre from the confession of the trueth This ingendreth manie times much heauines and feare in vs that wee consider onely that which is present little regarding that which is to come and euerlasting And because wee thinke that when GOD thrusteth vs into aduersitie he is farre from vs whereas hee then is most of all with vs by his grace comfort and strength and tryeth vs through the crosse standing behinde the wall and looking through the grate vppon our conflict and battaile yea helping vs to fight and to ouercome Therefore must we not alwayes bee children wee must not hang still at the brest seeking milke as children doo but growe to a perfect age learning to knowe Christ the Lord after the spirite as hee now gouerneth and is a mightie king vnder whose banner wee must fight valiantly and indure the crosse vnto the death throwing behind vs all thinges in this worlde and lifting vp our eyes and harts into heauen whence our helpe commeth and into the which Christ is gone to prepare for vs an euerlasting dwelling ANd when the spirit is come he will rebuke the worlde of sinne and of righteousnes and of iudgment Of sin because they beleeue not on me of righteousnesse because I go to my father and ye shall see me no more of iudgment because the prince of this world is iudged alreadie I haue yet many thinges to say vnto you but yee cannot heare them now Howbeit when hee is come which is the spirite of truth he will lead you into all truth For he shall not speake of himselfe but whatsoeuer he shall heare that shall he speake and he will shew you thinges to come Hee shall glorifie mee for he shal receiue of mine and shal shew vnto you All things that the Father hath are mine Therefore said I that he shal take of mine and shew vnto you Doctrine and fruite IN these wordes doth Christ shew vs the office of the holy Ghost and what he worketh by his disciples and by all faithfull beleeuers in the worlde The whole world is sette vpon wickednesse and iniquitie and when that is rebuked it hateth and persecuteth those that rebuke it Whereout it followeth oftentimes that through imbecillitie and weakenesse of the flesh we cease from rebuking of vice and sinne Now when we find it to be thus that the infirmitie of our flesh and the terrible threatening of the world will hinder vs or vtterly drawe vs backe from the free rebuking of vice wee ought to praye vnto God our Father for to giue vs the spirit of his sonne that he may powre out loue into our hearts and expell all feare that with stoute stomacks and wordes we may reprehend the vyces of the world and valiantly resist them This spirit shall teach vs the thing that neither our flesh nor the world is instructed in All we of nature doe erre and euery one wandreth his owne waie that is euery one foloweth his owne purpose and intent and if we beleeue not in Christ we perish in our sinnes And this is the greatest sin of all wherein the world is wrapt afore it receiue the truth Not to beleeue in Christ is a sinne out of the which all vyce and wickednes dooth growâ— How great this sinne is no man is able to knowe onely the spirit of God openeth it therefore the spirite teacheth vs how farre we goe astray And if we come to Christ from this erronius waie of vnbeliefe all sinnes are forgiuen vs through Christ and not imputed vs to our damnation Neither is it enough to knowe that wee haue erred or doe yet erre but wee must know also which is the right waie wherein when error is forsaken wee must walke to attaine vnto godlines and blisse This right waie doth the spirit also shewe to be euen Christ who is our waie our righteousnes and goodnes which waie neuertheles the world will not goe To beleeue in Christ is the true way to attaine vnto righteousnes and saluation who so now departeth not from the erroneous waie of vnbeliefe and vice and will not walke in Christ the way of all vertue and goodnes which all the world alas so abhorreth the same is conuict that the iudgement of eternall paine doth righteously fall vpon him seeing the light is set before him and he will rather abide perish in darknesse But is not this a iust iudgement that the world should perish in sinne and be punished for euer considering that God hath graciously sent vnto them his owne sonne promising euerlasting lyfe and saluation in him who with his bloud hath washed awaie our sinnes mightily ouercome death sin and the prince of this worlde deliuered vs out of his power and heauie yoake and taken possession of the kingdome and glorie with his father And yet they will not know receiue nor honour Christ as theyr chiefe king and Lord but still serue the prince of this world in vice sin not submit themselues vnder the easie yoake of Christ of his loue and vertues O deare children let vs departe out of the kingdome of darknes into the kingdome of Iesus Christ the sonne of God let vs regarde his word with diligence let vs hearken what God speaketh in vs and though there bee many things that as yet we knowe not many that we do not vnderstand and perceiue we will earnestly praie vnto God for his spirite who is the right schoolmaster and teacher Hee shall lead vs into all truth he shall renue vs in the spirite of our minde and teach vs to vnderstand what the good acceptable and perfect will of God is He shall plant and roote vs in loue that we may comprehend with all Saints what is the length the breadth the height and deapth that wee may also knowe the exceeding loue of the knowledge of Christ that we might bee filled in all godly perfectnes Thus the spirite teacheth vs all truth when he poureth loue into our harts This schoolmaster teacheth all beleeuers here in time euerie
in loue vniformitie for those two things please God wel Christ commeth and appeareth vnro them He openeth himselfe vnto those that longing after him are coupled in loue and vniformitie being assembled doo hold themselues together for where loue is there is God where discord is and diuision there is the deuill O deare brethren let vs regard charitable loue let vs care for our brethren that the brotherhood be not broken and that loue be not spotted for els farewel saith No man needeth to boast himselfe of faith that hath not charitable loue but stirreth vp and seeketh diuision Moreouer we see here that the disciples of Christ stood in great danger of their bodies and life for when the Iewes had no more power to rage agaynst Christ they raged agaynst his disciples Looke what men are partakers of the crosse and passion of Christ they verily shall vnderstand the high mysterie of his resurrection For vndoubtedly God with his owne consolation shall visite and comfort those that suffer anie danger harme for his names sake Forasmuch then as the good disciples of Christ must still bee in conflict and battel with the Iewes the Lord speaketh vnto them with this comfortable worde Peace bee with you as if he shuld saie be of good cheere your matter shal stand in good case in mee yee shal haue peace be safe quiet how hard so euer it go outwardly Feare not be not afraid howsoeuer the Iews doo rage ye shall doo right well This salutation was common among the Iewes therefore doeth Christ also vse it Such a charge gaue hee lykewise vnto his Disciples when hee sent them to preach that entering into an house they should saie Peace be to this house And though the disciples were somewhat amazed and afraide at the first blush yet was theyr gladnesse great when they were throughly instructed that it was the Lorde Now was fulfilled that which Christ had said and promised vnto them afore Io. 16 Yee shall mourne and the world shall reioyce but I will see you againe Your sorrow shall be turned into gladnesse your heart shall reioyce and your ioye shall no man take from you For the ioye of a faythfull beleeuing heart is constant and endureth If the resurrection of Iesus Christ were truely and rightly beleeued and the same ioye comprehended as it ought to bee all sorrowe must needs vanish all hurt and aduersitie must needes bee little regarded For what can bee grieuous vnto a man when by faith hope hee is assured that hee in a glorified immortall bodie shall arise agayne with Christ his head and haue euerlasting ioy with him And this is the cause that Christ appeareth so ofte vnto his disciples instructing them so much and so perfectly of his resurrection euen to make them steadfast in this faith and to assure them of this ioy Therefore sheweth hee them his bodie and giueth it them to handle The palpable bodie certifieth them that it is a true bodie the immortall bodie sheweth that it is glorified and of highest honor the printes of the woundes declare that it is euen the selfe same bodie that it was afore Hee sheweth them the tokens of victorie as a mighty ouercommer of death and so doth hee the woundes that hee had gotten for them in the battell and likewise the side that was opened declaring his great loue His woundes sheweth he to them to heale the wounds of theyr vnbeleefe As if hee would say looke vppon mee and fight manfullie Without a battaile shall no man bee crowned But vnto him that ouercommeth in the conflict will I graunt to eate of the bread of Heauen and will crowne him for euer Where as hee eateth before them it is done for the probation of the true humaine nature and not for the great necessitie of the bodie To them was it verie needfull not vnto Christ Euen so we knowing howe to further our neighboures faith must and ought manie times to doe somewhat and to leaue somewhat vndone that for our selues wee need not O GOD graunt vs true loue and vniformitie Take from vs all Scisme and diuision gather vs togeather through thy holie spirite remooue all discord and variaunce out of thy holie Churche Giue vs patience in aduersitie sende thy godlie comforte and ioye vnto all such as bee in distresse and trouble for thy names sake Strengthen the weake lift vppe the feeble establish the doubtfull and in the battaile helpe those which bee thine owne that they lie not vnder but that in thee they may ouercome all daunger and harme Amen THomas one of the twelue which was called Didimus was not with them when Iesus came The other disciples therefore sayd vnto him We haue seene the Lord. But he said vnto them Except I see in his handes the print of the nailes and put my finger into the print of the nailes thrust my hand into his side I will not beleeue And after eight daies again his disciples were within and Thomas with them Then came Iesus when the doores were shut and stoode in the midst and saide Peace bee vnto you And after that sayd he to Thomas Bring thy finger hether and see my hands and reach hether thy hand thrust it into my side and be not faithles but beleeuing Thomas answered and said vnto him My Lord and my God Iesus saith vnto him Thomas because thou hast seene mee thou hast beleeued Blessed are they that haue not seene and haue beleeued Doctrine and fruit THat which was spoken afore is heere euident and plaine namely that Christ openeth himselfe vnto those which are desirous of him and long after him associating themselues together one with another in true loue and being partakers of the passion crosse Forasmuch then as Thomas is lesse feruent and therefore absent from the rest hee sawe not Christ with the other disciples but when he obtained a desire to see Christ was assotiate and ioyned to the other he became also partaker of the ioye that they had And here we learne the nature and condition of true beleefe which is an illumination of the grace of God yea a verie godly propertie that he maketh others partakers of his holy and glorious ioyes and that through loue which seeketh not her owne profit neither is disdainefull to the intent that the glorie of God may be preferred among all men Therefore the Disciples of the Lord make Thomas their companion partaker of such gladnesse as they had receiued of Christs Resurrection opened vnto them for hee was verie faithlesse and too stiffe in his owne opinion Which vnbeliefe God suffered to happen vnto him and to continue somewhat the longer that his slacknes and lacke of faith might serue to our commoditie that through his vnbeliefe wee might bee prouoked vnto faith for as much as we heare that he so perfectly proouing seeing and feeling the thing came so to an vndoubted faith that wee also might beleeue that the
most perfection to vnderstand his doctrine truth and loue for heere in this time is our knowledge vnperfect yet shuld we consider that the father loueth vs and faithfully ought we to crie and praie vnto him for his spirite that shal teach vs all truth so much as is necessarie and profitable for vs which knowledge from daie to daie shall increase till we shal see him face to face and haue the perfect knowledge of him Our nature is weake and feeble the nature diuine is high and incomprehensible we are full of darknes God is the cleere farre passing light but when our darke mist is taken away then in cleere brightnesse shall the godly light open vnto vs. Some first fruits and beginnings of Gods knowledge haue we receiued alreadie God hath cast and planted a litle seed of knowledge in our harts which through his grace and moisture shall daily grow increase and prosper Of such knowledge as we haue of God we may not presume neither of our weak faith nor yet ascribe too much vnto our own strength He that standeth let him looke that he fall not We think many times that we are verie strong in faith but aduersitie sheweth how feeble we bee and how soone we shrinke Therefore in all trouble and distresse of this world we ought to comfort our selues and trust onely in the grace and strength of Christ In him shal we finde peace and quietnesse in him shall we ouercome all our enemies for his ouercomming is our victorie his power is our strength The world is not able to hurt and plague vs more than of our gracious father is permitted vnto them for our wealth While we liue here we are in miserie affliction distresse but seeing the head hath ouercome the members ought not to doubt of the victorie Let vs with stedfast beleefe looke vnto Christ the fountaine of life our foregoer and finisher of our faith let vs stoutly step forth after him let vs go the waie that he is gone and hath troden made before Afflictions shall serue vs vnto high honor as they serued Christ the Lord vnto glorie In Christ we finde the peace rest of our consciences and soules in him we knowe and find the goodnes loue of God the father out of him receiue we power strength comfort eternall life only let vs loke that we turne not the eies of our heart faith away from him Our welfare consisteth in the stedfast beleefe and loue of Iesus Christ the sonne of God Though we many times stumble fall and be proued by sundry temptations and afflictions yet is the same good and profitable for vs that we may the better learn to know our own weaknes and againe the strength and grace of God If it were not profitable for vs Christ had not suffered his Disciples to fall so greeuously But in all distresse he putteth his hand vnder vs and in aduersitie he leaueth vs not alone as hee also left not his owne Sonne alone Though all men flie away from vs yet haue we God with vs. THese wordes spake Iesus and lift vp his eyes to heauen and said Father the houre is come glorifie thy Sonne that thy Sonne also may glorifie thee as thou hast giuen him power ouer all flesh that he should giue eternall life to as manie as thou hast giuen him This is life eternall that they know thee the onely very true God whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ I haue glorified thee on the earth I haue finished the worke which thou gauest me to doo And now glorifie me thou Father with thine owne selfe with the glorie which I had with thee ere the worlde was I haue declared thy name vnto the men which thou gauest me out of the world Thine they were and thou gauest them mee and they haue kept thy sayings Now they knowe that all thinges whatsoeuer thou hast giuen me are of thee for I haue giuen vnto them the words which thou gauest me and they haue receiued them and know surely that I came out from thee do beleeue that thou didst send me Doctrine and fruite CHrist the true onely chiefe Priest who now would offer vp himselfe to the father vpon the crosse for our sins after that hee had loued his owne vnto the end comforting and strengthening them turneth nowe himselfe in an earnest and feruent praier vnto his heauenly father for an ensample and doctrine to his Disciples and all faithfull beleeuers that they in all temptations and afflictions should with an earnest and feruent praier haue recourse vnto the Father of heauen That he taught afore in wordes the same declareth hee nowe in the deede shewing not onely what but also how and after what sort wee ought to pray not onely for our selues but also for those that are giuen and committed vnto vs of God and whom we haue comforted and exhorted Our eyes and handes ought we to lift vp vnto heauen from whence our helpe commeth which doing is a token of a deuout humble lowly mind Yea the eyes not onely of the body but also of the hart and beleefe But vnto this ende principally ought all our prayers to be directed that the heauenly father may bee glorified The deuil the prince of this world throgh his adherents causeth the name and trueth of Christ his doctrine and knowledge to be rooted out despised Seeing then that wee are Gods children wee should in nothing bee so earnest as in sauing the honour of our father in furthering his glory Which thing commeth to passe when we notifie to men vpon earth his grace faithfulnes loue great mercy which he by his only begotten deare son hath declared shewed vnto mankind when we lead men vnto God from earthly vices false Gods seruice when we direct al things to his glorie Thus is Christ also honored and glorified by vs when wee through the Gospell doe publish vnto all men his power and goodnes his honor and glorie when we know that he is our sauiour our righteousnes and sanctifiing when we know that the father hath giuen all things into his power that to those whom the father hath granted to him hee may giue euerlasting life Which life euerlasting consisteth in this that wee knowe the liuing God his sonne Iesus Christ whom he sent into this world For God the father cānot be known without Christ Iesus his sonne neither is there any mo Gods but only one on whom wee hope trust The way to God is Christ whom God therfore sent downe that by him the mercie and grace of the Father might be opened and appeare vnto vs. Wherefore if we wil haue eternal life that is the knowledge of God we must beleeue in Christ and knowe him and by him as the way and mediator we must know God the father Who so refuseth Christ cannot haue the Father What should it helpe thee
these things and so to enter into his glorie And hee began at Moses and all the Prophets and interpreted vnto them in all Scriptures which were written of him And they drewe nigh to the towne that they went vnto and he made as though he would haue gone further And they constrained him saying Abide with vs for it draweth toward night and the day is far passed and he went in to tarrie with them And it came to passe as he sate at meate with them he tooke bread and blessed it and brake and gaue to them and their eyes were opened and they knew him and he vanished out of their sight And they said betweene themselues did not our heartes burne within vs while he talked with vs by the way and opened to vs the scriptures And they rose vp the same houre and returned againe to Hierusalem and found the eleuen gathered together and them that were with them saying The Lorde is risen indeed and hath appeared vnto Simon And they told what things were done in the way and how they knewe him in breaking of bread Doctrine and fruite CHRIST sayth Iohn 5. Search the Scriptures 〈◊〉 they testifie of mee Also If yee beleeued Moses ye should beleeue me for he hath written of me Christ therefore willing to strengthen the weake and to teach the vnlearned expoundeth vnto them the Scriptures beginning at Moses and so thorough out all the Prophets For whatsoeuer is written in the Scripture concerning the mercie goodnes and wisedome of God the washing awaie of sinne and satisfieng for the same it belongeth properly to Christ For so worthily and euidently haue they described the passion glory of Christ that one would thinke them not to write of a matter which were to come but done alreadie as it is plaine in the Psalmes and Prophets Psa 22. Esa 53. 1. Pet. 1. c. Thus out of the Scripture we learne partlie the testimonies of the passion and resurrection of Christ partly by what waie Christ came to so high honour and glorie of his father that wee first beleeuing that Chriâ—t dyed for our sinnes and rose againe for our righteousnesse might by his resurrection be sure of a good conscience and consolation of the lyfe to come Secondly that wee in patience and obedience might learne to be obedient to our heauenly father to take vp our crosse and to follow our Lord IESVS Christ if wee will haue ioy with him wee must also suffer and trauaile with him Our head goeth to eternall ioy through aduersitie and trouble and will we enter into it through the pleasure of the worlde and lust of the flesh It passeth the boundes of all â—nitie and comlynesse and honestie for 〈…〉 to bee sluggish and slouthfull when the 〈◊〉 â—keth vppon him such trauell and paine 〈…〉 narrowe gate that wee must enter in at for thorough many tribulations vexations and miseryes must wee come into the euerlasting kingdome of heauen and all they that will liue godly in Christ Iesu must suffer persecution in this world He that will possesse an inheritance must beare and suffer all the charges belonging to the same The eternall inheritance is appointed vs of our heauenly father thorough Christ but with this addition that we receiue the possession of it in such sort as the son hath done namely with and through the crosse and trouble Blessed are they whome God the father maketh partakers of the passion of his onely begotten sonne for who so is a companion with him in suffering shall haue his eternal fellowship in heauen and inioy with him euerlasting blisse and rest Hee that vnderstandeth not this is a foole and slowe of heart to beleeue the Scriptures let that man beseech God to open the Scripture vnto him and to make him vnderstand it Where that commeth to passe ignoraunce vanisheth awaie and the heart is feruent and receiueth vnderstanding for the Lorde is the right and perfect schoole-master that toucheth the hart and pearceth it through with the arrowes of his words and ardent loue In breaking of the bread they knowe the Lorde 〈…〉 life time when he nowe woulde goe 〈…〉 and death tooke bread rendered 〈…〉 it and gaue it them admonishing 〈…〉 â—bit as they dyd the same they shoulde 〈…〉 remembrance of him Whereby they now â—hinâ—â—ng on the same wordes and beeing admonished of the act remember that it is hee Thus the breaking of the bread before our eyes in the supper is an admonishing token that Christs body was broken and dyed for vs on the crosse and the drinke an admonishing token that his bloud was shedde for the washing awaie of our sinnes And so when wee breake the bread and drinke the drinke wee ought thereby to knowe the Lorde thanking him for his death which is our life being mindfull of him and following his great loue wherein hee dyed for our sinnes AS they thus spake it was verie late the same daie which was the first daie in the weeke and where the disciples assembled together the doores were shut for feare of the Iewes Iesus came while they sate at the table and stoode in the middest among them and sayde vnto them Peace bee with you But the disciples were afraid thinking that they had seene a spirite Then sayde Iesus vnto them Why are yee troubled And why doo thoughts arise in your head And hee sayde yet agayne vnto them Peace bee with you And with that shewed he them his hands feet and side and said Behold my hands and feete that it is euen I my selfe handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me haue The 〈…〉 when they had seene the Lord. And 〈…〉 â—â—leeued not for ioy and wondered he sayd 〈…〉 ye anie thing to eate So they offered him a 〈…〉 fish and an honie combe The same hee took◠〈…〉 before them casting in their teeth their vnbeleefe 〈◊〉 â—nes of heart because they beleeued not them which 〈…〉 that he was risen againe from the dead Doctrine and fruite IN that the Euangelists describe the true resurrection of Christ they declare withal vnto whom such a high mystery was opened and shewed For when we heare how the disciples were minded and behaued themselues we learne therby what becommeth vs that we also may beleeue that Christ is truly risen againe yea not only to acknowledge the same with the mouth but also to proue and feele it in the tast of the spirite So haue wee heard afore what the desire ardent loue which God stirred vp in Mary Magdalene dyd bring to passe and what good came of the feruentnesse and diligence of Peter This we see now here for God hath a plesure to stir vp our desire when hee will open himselfe vnto vs. And therefore all the same daie from morning early vntill nyght were the disciples still more and more endued with new ioy that the desire to see Christ might be kindled more and more in them And as they were assembled
Mary is the annointed king and high Priest the sauior of the world promised of God spoken of afore by the Prophets And euen hee it is who being of the heauenly father annointed king euerlasting was to come after Dauid to raigne for euer This king is the redeemer and sauiour of mankind the very true sonne of God If we beleeue in Christ we beleeue in the true God one onely God we honor one onely God we worship Seeing now that we honor worship Christ we worship God for only God is to be worshipped Forasmuch now as we worship the sonne no lesse than the father it is certaine that Christ is of one nature with the father yea this ought we to beleeue that he came downe into this world to die for vs to wash and wipe away our sins to kill sin in our mortal flesh when he maketh vs partakers of his passion mightily worketh in vs by his spirite in mortifieng our carnall desires We must also beleeue that he by his godly power arose againe from death to a new glorious immortall life For if we thought that hee died beleeued not that he were risen againe to life wee should haue no life in him For vs he died for our sakes hee rose againe for our welfare reigneth he for euer A newe godly blessed life worketh hee in vs with his resurrection and after this life haue we in him life euerlasting AFterward did Iesus shew himselfe againe at the sea of Tiberias And on this wise shewed he himselfe There were together Simon Peter and Thomas which is called Didâ—â—us and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee the sons of Zebedee and two other of his disciples Simon Peter saith vnto them I will go a fishing They say vnto him We also will go with thee They went their way and entred into a shippe immediately and that night caught they nothing But when the morning was now come Iesus stoode on the shâ—â—e but the Disciples knewe not that it was Iesus Iesus saith vnto them Children haue ye any meat They answered him no. And he saith vnto them Cast out the net on the right side of the ship and ye shal find They cast out therfore and anone they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes Then said the Disciple whom Iesus loued to Peter It is the Lord. When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord he girt his coate vnto him for he was naked and sprang into the sea The other Disciples came by shippe for they were not farre from lande but as it were two hundred cubites and they drew the nette with fishes As soone then as they were come to land they sawe hote coales and fish layde thereon and bread Iesus saith vnto them Bring of the fish that yee now haue caught Simon Peter went vp and drew the net to the land full of great fishes an hundred and three and fiftie And for all there were so many yet was not the net broken Iesus saith vnto them Come and dine And none of the disciples durst aske him What art thou For they knew that it was the Lord Iesus then came tooke breade and gaue them and fish likewise This is now the third time that Iesus appeared to his Disciples after that he was risen againe from death Doctrine and fruite WE read in the holy Euangelists that at the first Christ called his disciples namelie Peter and the others from fishing which they also left and came to Christ who told them that he would make them fishers of men Now when hee wil send them out to that office depart from them he appeareth againe vnto them at their fishing And like as he did afore at their vocatioÌ„ he doth before them a great miracle in the which hee admonisheth them of their office and chargeth them diligently to care for his sheepe committed vnto them But first he proueth his resurrection to stablish and confirme their weake faith therby commaunding them afterward to bring other folks also thereto This historie in it selfe is euident enough therefore ought wee first to consider it after the letter for the letter also teacheth for it self Christ like as he appeared vnto those that were sorrowful mourned so doth he heere appeare vnto those that labour and trauaile Christ gaue his disciples authoritie out of the Gospell that they preach to take a competent honest liuing as foode and necessaries of the bodieâ— and yet did not hee restrayne them that they should not or might not labour when occasion serueth Therefore Paule also vsed not that liberty at certaine times but labored with his owne hands and wan his meate So did the Disciples of Christ exercise themselues in their labour For when they were come into Galelee from the feast of Easter which they had kept at Hierusalem afore the holy ghost was giuen them they would not goe idle and thereby become a burthen vnto other men for he that goeth idle lieth vpon other folkes eating that theirs is and ouerchargeth them but vndertake to get their owne lyuing with their handy worke which they had vsed afore Whereby wee must learne to apply our selues vnto labour and not to bee idle for idlenes is the mother of many and great vices Euery man ought to haue an honest traiuaile to bee exercised either with the body or with the minde Who so laboureth not must not eat Man was created to labour as the bird to flie Therfore ought euery father to bring vp his children in honest exercise from their youth vp that the deuill get no place in their hearts which yet commeth to passe if he finde them idle The first commaundement giuen to our forefather Adam after the fall was this In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread Now when we in true faith and confidence vnto God doe take in hand the worke that he hath committed vnto our charge we ought not to doubt God shal prosper it and giue vs his rich and gracious blessing in it as it is written Prouer. 3. In althy waies remember the Lord and hee shall direct and order thy doings Eccles 5.9 Heere is also to bee considered how Christ vttereth his godly power before his disciples in the great miracle that hee did in their sight to confirme our faith in him For out of the appearing of Christ groweth faith Psal 85. And his true resurrection will hee print in them in that he appeareth vnto them eateth with them Heere wee see the ardent desire of Peter which leapeth into the sea as soone as he heareth that it is the Lord he that afore had denied him maketh now speedie hast againe vnto him Though wee of mans feeblenesse and feare doo fall into sinne yet alwaies wheÌ„ we heare God in his word we ought forth with to turne againe vnto him and so shall hee with the lost sonne graciously receiue and embrace is agayne In that
they might not think What should we poore simple bodies doe against so many learned wise men Who wil arme vs against those that are so mightie Therfore he breatheth vpon them saith Receyue the holie Ghost whome hee there giueth them and therewith strengtheneth them inwardly but with much more power and might vpon Whitsonday whereupon he commandeth them to wait at Hietusalem where he will send them the promise of the Father cloathing the weake with heauenlie strength as with a garment and arming them as with a shield What good thing then can hee lacke or what euill thing can hurt him which is his messenger that hath all power in heauen and in earth and with whome such a king is euer abiding But when Christ would send out his disciples he saith vnto them As my father hath sent me so send I you Whereunto did the father send his sonne into the world Euen that hee should open the glorie of the father vnto the world that he should declare the will of the heauenly Father that hee shoulde offer health vnto the worlde This to doe Christ also sent foorth his Disciples He sent them not to seeke after vaine-glorie after power and riches after bodilie pleasure and worldly pompe but to do as he himself did Christ sought the lost sheepe brought men vnto the knowledge and loue of the true liuing GOD taught them to lead a vertuous and honest life Hee was a Phisition went to the sicke helped them and healed them he was not come to do his owne will but the will of his Father hee was not come to condemne the world but to saue it In all this ought the ministers of the worde to followe Christ and to do as he did Vnto this new heauenly and godlie life and worke Christ giueth them the holie Ghost For like as hee himselfe was risen into a newe life Euen so through his holie spirite will hee graunt and giue a newe life vnto those that are his Therefore breatheth hee vppon them to declare that it is hee who at the beginning made man and nowe by his death had quickened him and renewed him and that euen he is the fountaine and giuer of the spirite Thus vnto his Disciples he gaue the firstlinges of the promised spirite and with it a taste of more and greater perfection as an earnest pennie All this declareth what belongeth to true Apostles and Ministers of the worde which are sent of Christ for no man sendeth himselfe what their office is and that they which seeke the pleasures of the bodie honor praise and riches are not followers of Christ and successors of the Apostles Wherefore most diligently ought wee to pray vnto GOD that he will giue vs faithfull Ministers of the worde which looking truelie to the worke of Christ maye leade vs vnto God But forasmuch as without the holy Ghost nothing can be fruitfully done we must neuerthelesse praie for his holy spirite who may in vs stirre vp holy thoughts and deuout desires directing and mouing our will and so giuing power and strength to accomplish the works of God and steadfastly therin to continue and that the same holy spirit may illuminate and kindle our minds and prouoke them vnto all good and godly works Considering then that the keies which were promised vnto Peter in him to the whole Church Matthew 16. are heere giuen of Christ wee will also intreate somewhat thereof These keyes are nothing else than the Gospell Christ now deduceth his oration from the common custome of men Like as things corporal are shut and opened with the key so be the consciences of men shut or bound with the Gospell Thus are these the keies which Christ giueth vnto the Apostles vnburdening of consciences and souls And that commeth to passe when the holy Ghost illuminateth the mind that it vnderstandeth the misteries of Christ committeth it selfe therevnto To bee discharged or vnbound is when the minde that hath despaired of health or saluation is lifte vp to an assured and vndoubted hope To binde is to leaue the obstinate vnbeleeuing minde vnto it selfe Iesus therefore sendeth foorth his disciples to publish this health vnto the whole world and to exclude separate no man from this grace But first he giueth them the holy Ghost as Iohn sayth that is he openeth their mindes that they may vnderstand the Scriptures as Luke saith for what is it else to open the vnderstanding but to giue the holy Ghost Meete is it also and conuenient that they which by the Gospell should beare Christ throughout the whole world should receiue the holy ghost For if they should preach Christ it was necessarie they had Christs spirit seeing that Christ they had one manner of thing in hand as Christ was sent of God so were they sent of Christ Without fruit verily should the ministers of the word preach the gospel if they were not endued illuminated and inspired with the holy Ghost Preach saith he the gospel that is the key wherewith the gate of heauen is opened Who so beleeueth the Gospell when hee heareth it preached and vnderstandeth it feeleth comfort in his conscience that he is deliuered from sinne Now doth the Gospell set before vs not onely the grace of God by Christ throgh the which grace our sinnes are forgiuen vs but also it teacheth and requireth a new life Neyther doth anie man begin a new life vnles he first be ashamed of the former old and wicked life Therefore saith Luke that Christ opened the mindes and vnderstanding of the disciples that they might perceiue the Scriptures namely that he might thus and thus suffer and rise again and that in his name that is in his commandement and power conuersion of life and forgiuenesse of sinnes should bee preached and declared among all people Therefore when the poore sinner through the preaching of the holy Ghost heareth his wicked and sinfull life for the holy gospel rebuketh the world of sinne he beginneth to knowe himselfe a sinner and to be displeased repentant and sorrie for his sinnes he considereth also that he is well worthie of eternal punishment and damnation By meanes whereof through the multitude and greatnesse of his sinnes he vtterly dispaireth in his owne power and righteousnesse and eternall saluation But therewithall he heareth also that Christ by reason of his sins came downe from heauen and dyed for him vppon the crosse washed away al his sinnes with his bloud hath reconciled him with God made him Gods child an eternall inheritour of his kingdome And this he stedfastly beleeueth I pray you doth not such a mans heart leape for ioy when hee heareth that thorough Christ he is discharged of all the sinnes that so sore pressed him The keies therefore are the pure word of God which teacheth men to know themselues and to put their trust in God through Christ With that word with those keies do the ministers of the worde open
For they that so are taught instructed by the word of God that they put all their confidence in God through Christ those verily are loosed and discharged of their sins But he that either wil not heare or when he heareth will not receiue and beleeue this grace declared to the world through Christ offred vnto him by the ministers of the word him doo the ministers bind that is they leaue him stil in his error according as Christ commandeth his disciples Mat. 10. that from such as will not receiue and heare their word they shal depart shake off the dust from their shooes vpon them Thus dyd Paul binde Act. 13.18 To bind then with the word is nothing else but when the word of the grace of God is preached not receiued to leaue such impenitent people and to haue no fellowship neyther ought to do with the despisers of the truth and grace For in the daie of iudgement it shall bee easier vnto Sodome and Gomorrha than vnto such Now although the word that the Apostles preach is not theyr own but Gods no man may cleanse vnbinde and discharge from sinne but onely God yet Christ of his grace and according to the propertie of the Scripture ascribeth such vnto the Apostles For the gracious father of his aboundant loue and kindnesse and by reason of the couenant that he hath made with vs doeth oft ascribe vnto vs many things which can properly belong vnto none saue onely to himselfe Neither is this any maruell seeing he hath giuen vs his onely begotten and most deare sonne to be our owne for how cannot he geue vs al things with him Notwithstanding we ought not by reason hereof to be high minded and proud and to ascribe vnto our selues that which onely is Gods but much rather to be thankfull for his grace and diligent in our vocation faythfully to employ and bestow the high treasure gifts of God and not to abuse them This thing therefore extendeth not so farre as that euerie one man properly to speake doth of his owne power and authoritie forgiue sinne But forasmuch as the Apostles and ministers of the word doo publish and declare remission of sinne they bring the keyes and forgiue sinnes ministerially and as ministers Neuerthelesse if here withal the spirit of God do not worke in the hearer to beleeue the word when it is prached then is not the sinne forgiuen All the power therefore and working is Gods Thus the Apostles may damne no man but vndoubtedly they may by the word declare damnation to the vnbeleeuers Where an assured promise of grace is declared there sinnes are forgiuen Nowe when the Apostles shew vnto sinners remission of sinne they doo it out of the holy Ghost and are not deceiued for they preach that our sinnes are pardoned vs through Christ who hath made satisfaction for them If this faith vpon Christ bee liuely in vs so that we abhorre sinne and bee desirous of heauenly things then are our sinnes forgiuen vs through the holy Ghost for no man can say that Iesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost The key there extendeth to this end that the minister declare remission of sinnes thorough Christe Who so now beleeueth the Gospell preached shall be saued hee that beleeueth not shall bee condemned And seeing that faith is an inwarde thing in the soul inspired of God the minister cannot know who in the sight of God beleeueth or beleeueth not for God onely knoweth the heart Howbeit by the outward confession which is done with the mouth by receiuing of the preaching and by the fruits the minister may iudge For who so receiueth the word openly confessing Christ and doeth not outwardlie defile himselfe with vile deedes to such the minister openeth with the key and dischargeth them that is he taketh them into the Church of Christ numbereth them among the people of God and receiueth thē into the kingdom of heauen As for those that wil not heare the worde preached or that when they heare it doo refuse it not confessing Christ or vttering theyr vnbeleefe with foule grosse and open vices those the minister bindeth that is hee shutteth them out of the Church and banisheth them out of the realme of heauen To him that is in the Church is forgiuenesse of sinnes promised who so despiseth charitable loue hath not faith vpon such one remaineth sinne still and the wrath of God Now what the Apostles Ministers of the word doo that doo they not in theyr owne name not in their own power but as they which are sent of God and that declare his word the holy gospell out of the power of God euen out of the holy Ghost who being giuen vnto them doth speak and work by them What these binde is bound before God and in heauen for out of God is it that they iudge and what they vnbinde is vnbound before God for God wyll ratifie and allowe what they doo that beeing sent of him keepe themselues in exercise and meddle within his word and commission As for him that is not sent of God and declareth not his worde and Gospell but of his owne proper power will binde one man and vnbinde another set this man in heauen that man in hell is it any maruell if such one do many times misse and be called a wolfe and not a shepheard seeing his proceedings commeth not of God Heere also we learne with what desire and thankfulnesse wee ought to receiue the ministers of God that bring vs his holy word and comfort of our conscience how wee ought to esteeme them that haue the holy Ghost who speaketh vnto vs by them For if we despise them we despise God himselfe S. Paul therefore exhorteth vs to be obedient vnto them to haue them in worthie estimation that shew vs the word of God Worthie they be of double honour partly for that through them God speaketh whose ministers and ambassadors they bee for the highest king of all sendeth them out vnto vs with his commission partly for that they be charged with so dangerous and heauie an office and trauell For though as concerning themselues they liue iustly well and blamelesse yet if they regarde not the life of theyr sheepe but neglect them they must looke for greate and sore punishment Not only for themselues must they giue account but for al the soules that are committed vnto them if one of them perish throgh their negligence Wee should not therefore haue respect to the infirmitie or basenesse of the ministerie but vnto him that sent him and whose commission hee executeth When a Prince or king sendeth out a meane seruant with a commission and charge who will despise him without the wrath and indignation of the prince How can we then contemne the ministers of the high eternall king without plague and punishment This be spoken not that vnworthie and vnmeet men should be placed in so high an
right hand of God is exalted and hath receiued of the Father the promise of the holie Ghost he hath shed foorth this gift which yee now see and heare For Dauid is not ascended into heauen but he saith The Lorde saide to my Lorde Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy foot stoole Doctrine and fruite WE beleeue that Iesus Christ our king and Sauiour is not onely risen againe from death to life but also is ascended vp into heauen sitteth at the right hand of God and raigneth for euer For though hee heere a season was despised and refused as the stone of the builders yet hath the strong hand of God exalted him and mightily wrought in him Which thing may well bee perceiued by this as Saint Peter heere valiantly concludeth that hee sendeth downe from on high such an excellent gift of the holy Ghost vpon those that are his This is a sure euidence that he mightily raigneth at the right hand of God and hath all things in his hand seeing he hath power of the spirite of God whom he poureth into the hearts of his and that sometime in visible manner For the glorious triumpher ascending vp to heauen with great victorie did after the custome of great kings and let fall his giftes downe vppon vs and parted them among vs namely the gifts of the holy Ghost whom he as man receiued of the Father but after the godhead he had him alwaie for of the father and of the sonne there is one onely spirite Neither may this bee applied vnto Dauid for though hee as a iust friend of GOD bee saued and come to heauen yet did not hee immediatly after death ascend into heauen with bodie and soule that he might be reported to sit at the right hand of God for his wordes speake of another whome he calleth his Lord namely in the hundreth and ninth Psalme he saith God the Father sayd vnto my Lorde euen the Sonne Sit thou on my right hand So therefore let all the house of Ierusalem know for a suretie that God hath made this Iesus whom ye haue crucified Tord and Messias Doctrine and fruit WIth these wordes doth Peter conclude his Oration exhorting them not to doubt Iesus Christ to be the same annointed sauiour and king who of God the father was first promised then giuen for the deliuerance of the people of the Iewes and of all nations In this conclusion is comprehended the summe of the whole Christian faith namely that wee beleeue that Iesus who was borne of the virgine Marie and crucified of the Iewes is the true Christ that is to saie Messias euen the king that was ordained annointed of God to raigne foreuer ouer all faithful beleeuers Lorde of the whole world and sauiour of all such as put their trust in him This hath God the Father opened and set forth vnto vs by myracles by the resurrection by the ascension by the power of the holy Ghost that wee might beleeue it and not doubt thereof Therefore saith Iohn Who so beleeueth that Iesus is Christ the same is borne of God WHen they heard this they were prickt in their hearts and said vnto Peter and to the other Apostles Ye men and brethren what shall we doe Peter said vnto them Repent of your sinnes and be baptised euerie one of you in the name of Iesus Christ for the remission of sinners and yee shall receiue the gifte of the holy Ghost For the promise was made vnto you to your children and to all that are a farre off euen as many as the Lord our God shall call And with many other words bare he witnesse and exhorted them saying Saue your selues from this vntoward generation Then they that gladly receiued his preaching were baptised And the same daie there were added vnto them about three thousand soules Doctrine and fruite THis is the fruit and end which followeth out of the preaching of the worde of God that they whose heartes God toucheth are so sorrie for theyr sinnes that it euen pearceth them for Gods word is euen a sharpe two edged sword and entreth through to the depth Blessed are all they which so reade and heare the word of God that they begin to be ashamed of their sinnes and wickednesse beeing repentant and sorrie therefore A blessed and wholsome sorrow is that which riseth and groweth out of the truth which is opened vnto the heart by the holy Ghost Which spirite in the heart giueth hope vpon the mercie of God and driueth awaie all despaire Then beginneth a man to aske What shall I doo Then enquireth he after the will of God and such a man that so asketh is easie to be helped soone is he healed that knowing his disease would faine be made whole Vnto such a man doth the faithfull Minister of Christ giue counsell out of the Scripture and sheweth him the fruit of Christ preached and knowen He doth not bid him bestow monie on solemnities and Diriges on Images Monisteries or coâ—les inâ—â—â—ying of pardons He doth not will to runne vnto Rome or to Lawret but requireth of him the best and most profitable thing of all namely amendement conuersion of life Our mindes our workes and maners must be altered if we will please God Who so saith with his heart that he beleeueth in Christ holding Christ for his sauiour and king must forsake his euil waie eschuing euill and doing good Iere. 7.11 Isa 1 Niniue stood still vpright when they tooke vppon them true conuersion and amendement As for Hierusalem though they offered many sacrifices fasted much it helped not because there was no true reformation and forsaking of sinne needs must they be destroied and miserablie perish To botch or patch the matter it will not helpe there is no remedie wee must become godly and vertuous of life it auaileth not to dissemble God looketh into the heart which he will haue pure and vnfained Forasmuch then as we through baptisme in the faith of Christ haue receiued Christ and are marked out for him hauing once forgiuenesse of sinnes through the grace and gift of Christ let vs be of a vertuous lfe walking innocently and in the feare of God Let vs die therefore to the innocencie which is restored vnto vs againe through Christ let vs daily remember to harken follow the admonishment of the spirit which teacheth vs all good things We are they vnto whom God hath promised his grace of the spirite yea and vnto our children also so farre as we abide in his couenants Let vs thankfully receiue such excellent grace deare brethren being ware that we stain not the temple of Iesus Christ and of his holy spirit with filthinesse of the worlde that wee neuer make our selues partakers in the iniquitie of wicked and faithlesse men but to leade here a pure and cleane conuersation with a good conscience before GOD our most louing father and alwaie lift vp our minds vnto
bodie of Christ which was hanged vpon the crosse for our sinnes was of the Father raysed againe vnto life For if wee beleeue in our heart and confesse with our mouth that God hath raysed him vp from the dead we shal be saued Yea beleeue we must that Christ according to his wordes afore hath through his godly power erected vp againe from death the temple of his bodie Therefore thorow the doubting of Thomas wee learne the mysterie of the resurrection of our own bodies For Christ hath sufficiently proued and Thomas hath confessed that the bodie of Christ which was hanged vpon the crosse is verely risen againe from death Wherin our faith is confirmed to beleeue that our bodies also shall truely and liuely rise againe to eternall life When Thomas is with the other disciples Christ sheweth himselfe vnto him For they that in the vnitie of faith and of vndiuided loue doe not associate and accompanie themselues with other faithfull beleeuers in the Church shall not be partakers of heauenly ioyes Truth it is that to beleeue with the hart iustifieth but the confession that is made with the mouth belongeth vnto health serueth vnto loue and vnitie of the Church and congregation of God without the which there can bee no hope of health He that saith he beleeueth and doth not ioyne himselfe vnto other Christians his faith is vaine and of none effect And therefore did Christ for his church institute the sacraments that is to say exterior signes of his grace that his people might be associate together in the vnitie of faith The Church of God is it that preserueth vs poore ones as did the Arke of Noe afore time in the floud and bringeth vs thorough this raging sea vnto the hauen of eternall saluation Not that the grace and health is therefore to bee ascribed to the elements and outwarde thinges but that it may appeare how effectuous fayth is and what it woorketh through charitable loue in the Church Christ maketh mention of the wordes which Thomas had spoken afore to the Disciples in his absence Namely Except I see in his handes the print c. Therefore sayth Christ Thomas bring thy finger hither and see c. Whereby it is euidently prooued that Christ is God and euen so doth Thomas vnderstand and confesse The woundes are shewed of Christ specially to this intent that his passion might be printed and sealed in mens mindes For a verie deepe and high mysterie is it that Christes side is opened out of the which floweth bloud and water whereby the spirituall and faithfull beleeuing mindes may well perceiue Christes good louing will towardes mankind Now when we looke vpon his handes touching his side inwardly with our desire of inward fayth and considering why and with what loue Christ suffered for vs it shall be no hard thing vnto vs to beleeue his resurrection If Christ were deade but euen as an other pure man or Prophet we could haue no hope of the resurrection Who so beleeueth it commeth soone to this knowledge that immortall life is giuen vnto vs. Now where there is hope of an immortall life there is the Lorde serued with great diligence For if God hath not spared his sonne but giuen him for vs all what good thing then may wee not looke for at his hand If wee bee onely true beleeuers with Thomas then shall God faithfully performe that hee hath promised vs. Christ desireth no more of vs weake feeble ones than that we be not faithlesse but stedfast beleeuers Thomas is immediately obedient vnto the voice of Christ and becommeth foorth with a newe man The Pharisies could by no doctrine by no myracles bee brought to giue credence vnto Christ and to beleeue in him although they sawe Lazarus raysed againe from death malice and hatred did so hinder them But Thomas acknowledgeth him freely to be his Lord and God He seeth and handleth man he confesseth God whom he saw not Hee acknowledged that he whom he saw was his God Lord. Through the same faith was his vnbeleefe and sinne forgiuen him O mercifull God graunt vs loue that we seek not our owne commoditie nor honour but the profit of our neighbours and thy glorie in all thinges Expell out of vs all disdaine greedines vngentlenes headines and flattering of our selues Preserue vs from discord diuision binde vs together in vniforme loue that wee may bee one bodie and of one minde Stablish also our faith that our minds may alwayes bee comforted in the resurrection of thy sonne and immortall life purchased by him Amen ANd many other signes trulie did Iesus in the presence of his Disciples which are not written in this booke These are written that ye might beleeue that Iesus is Christ the sonne of God that ye so beleeuing might haue life through his name Doctrine and fruite LIke as Christ while hee yet liued did miracles before his death to declare his godly power euen so after his rising again from death he worketh manie tokens in the presence of his Disciples to proue his resurrection in the flesh Some of the same are described of the Euangelists not of anie curiositie or for vaine glorie but to confirme our sayth therewith To write all Iohn thought it not needful for who could haue written all Or who could haue fastened and borne them all in minde Who so will not beleeue these few that are written shall neuer beleeue a greater multitude A faithfull beleeuer is well satisfied with these For these that be written of him are therefore written that wee should beleeue that Iesus is Christ the Sonne of GOD and that we through his fayth might haue eternall life Seeing then that all thinges which are written doo extende and serue to this ende that wee might beleeue in him and bee saued by him what lacke wee then Or what can we desire more So that hereby we learne with great diligence to reade to consider and to applie into our owne lyfe whatsoeuer the Euangelistes haue written of Christ as they haue written nothing but that which is altogether excellent deare holie and godlie and such thinges as doe liuely describe sette foorth and print Christ vnto vs that our fayth hope loue patience meeknesse and all good thinges might growe with blessed fruite that wee in our life might become thankfull for such an excellent grace and in no wise to contemne or despise it A scornefull thing is it and the euidence of a greate vnbeleefe whereas some thinke by these wordes to prooue that for as much as all thinges are not written in the booke it is lawfull for certayne men to adde the rest and to deuise and ordayne what they will For in these thinges that are written doth Iohn comprehend the whole sum of fayth which consisteth in this that Iesus is the son of the liuing God who for our saluation came downe from heauen died rose againe purchased for vs eternal life Iesus the son of