in this place called the Citty of God But some would say is not God euery where yea euen among the Turks why theÌ„ is the Church onely that is the congregation of Christians called the Cittie of GOD For Esay the Prophet saieth Cap. 66. Heauen is my seat and the earth is my footstool I answere God is euery wheare by power and essence but not euery whear by grace but in Christians onely whoe beléeue in Christ the Mediator Thereis God saide to dwell in his Church because the Church is that peculier people of God sanctified in the blood of Christ consecrated to God in Baptisme by the holy Ghost that it may be a liuely Temple and Tabernacle of God wherin hée dwelleth whereinto he powreth out his holy spirit with his guitts on which he bestoweth through Christ incorruptibility and eternitie For as touching Christians God specially faith in 26. Leuit. I will set my Tabernacle in the middest of you and my soule shall not loath you I will walk amoÌ„gst you and I wil be your God and you shal be my people vers 11 which place y e holy Apostle S. Paul 2 cor 6. referreth vnto all ChristiaÌ„s which are the people of God the true Church of Christ ver 19 And y e holy Euangelist S. Iohn in reuel cap 11. writeth Behold the tabernacle of god is with meÌ„ he wilbe with theÌ„ they shall be his people and God himselfe shal be their god with theÌ„ And the Prophet Ezechiel saith cap. 37. My tabernacle shall be in theÌ„ and I will be their God they shal be my people vers 27. After this maner doe the Prophets cal Christians the Citty of God As it is in the 46. Psalme The riches of the flood shal make glad the city of god the most highest hath sanctified his Tabernacle God is in the midst of her ther fore she shal not be remooued God will giue help vnto her and that right early And herevpon Aurelius Augustinus that reuerend and most exercised deuine in Scriptures when as he did confute y e Romanes blasphemies by reason of the irruptions of y e Goathes slaundering the way of trueth calleth the Church that is the coÌ„gregation of ChristiaÌ„s because she is predestinate to raign w t God for euer the city of God as in his first booke vnto Marcellinus appeareth for he was persuaded by the sacred Scriptures y t there wer two cities One the church of God which here amongst the vngodly in this world liuing by faith in Christ hath her perigrination or soiourning froÌ„ time to time place to place the other is of this world or pertaineth to the Deuil which hath y â— vngodlie ones not beleeuing in y e gospel of christ vessels of wrath prepared for euerlasting destruction w t the deuill his angels He deriueth y â— City of God as beginning at Abell who was a Soiourner in this worlde by grace predestinate vnto life by grace a Straunger on 〈…〉 The other he bringeth from Cain the murtherer which was first borne a Cittizen of this world of whome it is read that he builded a Cittie But of Abell a Pilgrim in this world we read not that he builded any Cittie This Cittie then of the holie ones is from aboue although it bringeth foorth Cittizens heare in this worlde in whom it liueth Stranger-like vntill the time of her Kingdome come when as she shall gather together all her Cittizens rising againe to life euen in their bodies when the Kingdome promised shall be geuen them where with their Prince the King of all holie ones they shall raigne worlde without end as the saide Augustine diligentlie handleth in Lib 15. Cap. 2. De Ciuitate Dei The Psalmograph therefore here saieth Very excellent things are spoken of thee thou Cittie of God Nowe except wee sleepe all too sluggishly and neglect our benefites to come it shall wel please vs to search out and discerne what glorious thinges these may bee which are spoken off touching or in the Church of 〈…〉 spoken of vâ— which â—e leeue in Christ and confesse Christ First and for most who hath at any time explaned this praise-worthy Title euen by dignity That Christians are called the Cittye of God For in this one Tytle all good thinges are vnderstoode namely y â— she inioyeth very good Lawes a most wise Magistrate faithfull mosts learned Teachers inuintible Warriors a quiet and most obedient People true Peace and Safetie true Holinesse Righteousnes true Joy sure or certain knowledge of speciall things and brieflye true life and Saluation for so is this Citie called because God dwelleth in her as in his owne house his beloued and holye Tabernacle And where God after this manner dwelleth by grace I praye ys what good things may be wanting doth not such a one dwell safelie And the Cittie so safe insulteth with S. Paule against her enemies on this manner If God be on our side who can be against vs. Rom 8. Wherfore if God be King and Lord in her there must ueedes be in her absolute felicitie by al meanes that is to say Righteousnesse and euerlasting saluatioÌ„ Christ the king of glorie with al his good graces dwel in the Church by good right then doth Paul first a persecutor and afterwardes a builder and defender of the Church call her glorious as in Ephes 5. And what are these Glorious thinges which are spoken of in or touching this Church The Church is called The holy and beloued spouse of Christ Ephes 5. whom as Oseas saith Christ the king of glory hath maried vnto himselfe for euer in righteousnes in iudgemeÌ„t and in mercy and coÌ„passioÌ„ faith that she may know how he is the Lord. cap 2. vers 19 20. The Church is thus diuersly also called The City of the liuing God Heb 13. Esa 60. The city of the great king a beautifull place and the ioy of all the whole earth Psal 47 vers 2. The people that dwell therin shall haue their iniquity forgeuen Esay 33. vers 24. The body of Christ 1 cor 12. Ephes cap 1. The piller and grouÌ„d of truth 1 Tim. 3. Mount Sion the heauenlye Ierusalem Heb. 12. vers 22. The hill of the Lord the holy hill Esay â— 63. The Temple of God 1 Cor. 3. vers 17. The Horne of saluation exalted in the house of Dauid the seruaÌ„t of God Luk. 1 The house of God Heb 3. 1 Tim. 3. The house of Iacob the seat of Dauid Esay 9. Luk. 1. A City sought out and not forsaken Esay 62. vers 12. Of this Ierusalem it is said Psal 147 Thy God hath made the Barres of thy Gates strong he hath blessed thy Children in thee He setteth peace in thy borders and satisfieth thee with the flower of wheat verses 13. and 14. The Queene on the right hand of God in a vesture of golde of Ophyr wrought with needle worke Psal 45. The King shall
all creatures in respect of their excellency The Prophet saith heere That those singers in SION are like vnto them which dance for ioy who for the immoderate ioyes y â— they haue conceiued by the preaching of y â— Gospel do euen leape dance for ioy But he speaketh of a spirituall ioy which issueth out of faith in Christ whiles wée are perswaded of the holy Ghost that our sins are abolished by the death of Christ that wee are so reconcyled vnto God the Father by his sonne incarnate suffering for vs and rysen from death to life that he would vouchsafe to be our Father for euer and euer This grace or benefite of adoption so chéerefully comforteth Christians that they despise all worldly ioyes in respect of the syncere ioy of the Spirit And doe estâ—eme them as no other thing else then lamentation and sorow Which thing it selfe Spiritual persons wil testiâ—â—e who haue felt sometimes in their consciences both the wrath of God and also his mercye in Christ promised and haue fasted the sweete worde of God and the vertues and effects of the world to come Wherfore he saith not only The singers but he addeth there are also Trompeters that hee may more clearely expresse the greatnesse of that spiritual Joy And where as he addeth Al my fresh springes shalbe in thee he speaketh of the manifolde diuerse graces or gifts of the holy Ghost which the father for his sons â—ake most aboundantly powreth out vpon his Church neither in déede doe those Welsprings flow elsewhere without his Church although the most gratious God doth euen power out also vpon the Gentiles diuerse giftes of body and soule yet the welspring of Christs grace iustifying the Welspring of grace of knowledging our sinnes and of acknowledging gods goodnes The welspring of spiritual peace and true Joy The welspring of thankes of prayers thanksgiuing the welspring of the gift of daily praising the Lord that welspring most largely opening to y â— â—â—â—te of Charitye and the residew of the Welsprings of the gifts of the holy Ghost flow not nor gush not out in the wildernesse of the vngodly ones but in the enclosed and most pleasant garden of the Church concerning which welspringes euery where we reade many things in the Scriptures as in the 68. Psal He is gon vp on high he hath led captiuitie captiue and giuen gifts vnto men vers 18. In elder dayes before the fulnesse of time had appeared when as yet the elect ones looked for the Messias sauiour and that w t doubtful desires to come in y â— flesh those welsprings of Graces then flowed in SION and in the Synagogue of the people For In Iury was God knowne and his name was great in Israel The Gentiles were an horrible and drye Desart without knowledge how to glorifie God as in Rom. 1. Concerning whom is said in the Psal Powre out thy wrath vpon the Gentiles which haue not knowne thee In the Synagogue or Congregation was the sacred Scripture therin was the true vnderstanding of the Prophecies concerning Christe which should come yea the Prophecyes Faith Hope other free giftes according to the reason of that time Nowe when Christ the saluation of God was sent into the world not a fewe little â—iding streames and small well-springs of the giftes of the Holy Ghost but the wide windowes of heauen being opened great floods and seas of free gifts plentifully flowed foorth in the Churches of Christ And the predictions of the Prophets were in deede fulfilled as touching the most ample effusion of the spirite of the Messias glorified in and vppon his Chuâ—ch as in the foresaid 68. Psalm He hath giuen gifts vnto men ver 18. And as in Esay 12. vers 3. You shal draw out waters with ioy out of the fountaines of the Sauiour And as in the 32. Chap. vers 15. Vntill the Spirite bee powred vppon vs from aboue and the wildernesse become Carmel or a fruitful field and the plentious fielde be counted as a Forest ver 17. And the worke of Iustice shall be peace euen the worke of Iustice and quietnesse and assurance for euer vers 18. And my people shall dwell in the tabernacle of peace and in sure dwellings and in safe resting places And as it is said in the 44. Cap. vers 3. And I will powre out water vpon the thirsty and floodes vppon the drie grounde I will powre out my spirite vppon thy seede and my blessing on thy buddes And they shall growe as among the grasse and as the Willowes by the ryuers of water vers 4. And againe in the 35. Chap. vers 6. 7. thus In the wildernes shall waters breake out and ryuers in the Dezart And the drie ground shalbe as a Poole and the thirsty as Springs of water Also as the Prophet Ezechiel in his 36. Chap. saith vers 25. Then wil I powre cleane water vpon you and yee shall bee cleane yea from al your filthines from all your Idols will I cleanse you A newe heart also will I giue you and a new spirite will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your body I wil giue you an heart of flesh ver 26. There speaketh hâ—e of Baptisme and of the holy Ghost which in Baptisme is bestowed vppon vs. Moreouer in the Prophecy of Ioel Chap. 2. as it is said And it shall come to passe that after this I will power out my Spirit vpon al flesh ver 28 And in Acts 2. appeareth Finally as in the Prophecy of Zachary and 13. Chapter is written And in that day there shalbe a fountaine opened to the house of Dauid and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem to wash away their sins filthines ver 1. This Fountaine is Baptisme and the holy Spirit with his gifts whereby also commeth the washing away of spirituall vncleanenesse and the knowledge of the Scriptures to the edifying of the Church Unto this fountain of water of life flowing out to life euerlasting are wee called by Christ in the 7. of S. Iohns Gospel If any man thirst let him come vnto mee and drinke Who so beleeueth in me as the Scripture saith out of his body shal flowe euen fountaines of liuely water Which thing he spake as concerning the Spirit which true beleeuers in him were to receiue and enioy To be briefe in Sion that is in the Church God himselfe dwelleth as in his spirituall Temple what meruaile is it then if in the Church onely liuely fountaines or welsprings of al gracesdâ— burst foorth and water this Paradise vnto fructifying in this Spirituall SION We do héere finde assuredly the word of God in a Catholique sence the spirit of Christ faith true righteousnes remission of sins peace of Conscience Joy of the Spirite Loue and fulfilling of the law and what soeuer spirituall benefites may bée Because wée finde the neuer failing fountaine of all benefites God himselfe who is the
wâ—ek of the yeares which Daniell declareth Cap 9. vers 27. but imagine themselues another Sauiour or Sacrifice offered I know not whom it is impossible for them to vnderstande the sacred misteries of the Gaspell in the Prophets which are not vnderstoode but by the gouernment and guide of y e spirit of Christ who speaketh in the Prophets And none haue the spirit of Christ but they which beleeue in Iesus Christ Wherefore also in this Psalme as yet still pleasantly dreame they of that same auncient Cittye of Sion in time past ouerthrowne and laide waste by the 〈…〉 â— as Daniell also witnesseth neuer to be restoryd againe But the Church of Christe which hath the holye Ghost and thereby also true vnderstanding of the Scripture knoweth indeede that Ierusalem and Sion was in time past beloued of God For at Ierusalem was the Priesthoode of the Leuites the Sanctuarie propiciatorie a place dedicated for religion or true worshipping of God that same notable treasure of sacred Scriptures the Law and the Prophets wherein is the Gospell of eternall saluation And in Ierusalem was the Kings royall Throane vpon the which should sit that same true King of Israell the Messias which was to be born of the seede of Dauid but all this should come to passe in a certaine other order then other Kinges had their gouernment In this Sion were glorious thinges begun For the same Ruler ouer Israell Iesus Christ came into this Sion and into his holy Temple Malachy 3 Therin preached he the vnsearcheable Riches of his grace Therein beganne he that mighty Kingdome of his by the woorde of his Gospell and by his spirite which was miraculously powred vpon his Apostles in Sion The Law and the Prophets were in that place accomplished For Iesus of Nazareth the sonne of Dauid after the flesh the true Messias came into Sion riding vhon an Asses Colte the true and eternall King of Sion and in the same Cittie celebrated the true feast of Passouer and néer vnto the same offered vppe himselfe to GOD his Father the full accomplishment of all figuratiue sacrifices the sacrifice of true redemption and the verye immaculate Lambe died he at the feast of Easter for the sinnes of all the worlde and all this did he the alone high Prieste who with one onely oblation purchased euerlasting redemption vnto Israell Out of Sion afterwards plentifully issued the Gospell of Gods grace into the worlde by the Apostles And the Primitiue Church which at the firste was but very small in number wente out of Sion and disperst her selfe into the four partes of the world that the Scriptures might be fulfilled Concerning the calling of the Gentiles vnto the grace of the Gospell The Church I say knewe eâ—â—n the earthly Sion to â—ee for a season beloued preserued of God vntill Siloh that is the promised Sauiour came into her and out of her by the remnants of Israll saued should Sion the true Church of Christ come foorth into all the worlde as the mother of all true beléeuers in Christe And shee also knewe euen that same Sion in Canaan to haue ben a figure of the true Sion the Church of God dispearsed throughout the world which is the heauenly Ierusalem As it is also saide by S. Paule 13. Hebr. Ye are come vnto the hil of Sion and to the Cittye of the liuing God the heauenly Ierualem c. Although therefore the Holy Ghoste fore-prophested these things touching the earthly Ierusalem and the earthly Sion as by a Type or Figure yet he intituled this Psalme especiallye of the true Sion the Church of Christ which is to be gathered from among the Iewes and Gentiles also neither had he respect only vnto the earthly Cittie her walles of stone but vnto the spirituall Cittye and her spirituall Scituacions and vnto farre greater matters then the faithlesse Jewes could conceiue of The holye Ghost chieflye recorded this touching The holy Cittie the newe Ierusalem descended from Heauen prepared as a Bride trimmed for her Husbande Apoc. 21. vers 2. And as S. Paul saith in the former Epistle and 11. Cap. Heb. Hauing the foundations of the Cittie whose Builder and maker is not man alone but GOD himselfe made man verse 10 The holy Ghost premeditated this as concerning the true foundation of Sion The liuely stone of men indeed refused but of God chosen and had in reputation Mat 21. He foresignified the liuely stones also builded vpon the approoued corner stone chosen precious and liuely as that spirituall house the Tabernacle and Temple of the liuing God Yea he prefigureth The Mountaine of the house of the Lord prepared in the toppe of the Mountaines exalted aboue the Hilles wherunto the People shal ronne and many nations shal make haste as it were vnto a Fort of refuge to learne the waies of the Lorde and to walke in his pathes Micheas 4. vers 1 and 2. He in whome and for whome God hath promised true and assured benefites vnto his elect is King not of this world or an earthly person but is spirituall heauenly and eternall Wherefore the elect ones of GOD are not to looke after the benefites of this worlde for the which we neither were baptized nor haue beleeued But we must seeke for the assured good things vncorrupt and eternall Undoubtedly Augustine saieth verie godlily writing vpon the 91. Psalme We are not ChristiaÌ„s but for the world to come Let no man hope for the good things in this life let no maÌ„ promise him selfe the prosperity of the world because be is a Christian No Cittie vpon earth which shal soone perish must we look for but the true Cittie whose walle and fouÌ„dation God himselfe is vpon whom all the praiers of the godly ones do rest of whome in the exilement of this life they are continually mindfull as of the true Cuntrey To the possession wherof they refer and wholy bend all the deteminations and deedes of their life For they seeke after true glory honour and blessed immortalitie which they finde not in Citties and transitorie benefites of this Countrey but in the heauenlie Kingdome or Cittie of God Herehence hath this Psalme that same his abroptâ— beginning for it saieth Her foundations when as not withstanding there is not any one word goeth â—efore in the verse concerning the same Cittie Wherfore the Pronoune Relatiue Her is to bee referred vnto the Church of God which hee nowe not as a Guest or inhabitant but as a felow Citizen of the Saintes and housholde Seruants of God by the spirite reueiling sawe with the eyes of Faith and sore sighed after with moste seruent prayers as he which knew that there is no rest peace life nor saluation without the Limittes of this Cittie of God Such cogitations Christians haue whose conuersations are in heauen as Paule saieth Philip. 3. Who when they are risen from the death of sinne seeke for and are carefull after heaueÌ„ly things and
not earthly thinges Colos 3. Whoe also â—ay with S. Paul Now liue I not but Christ liueth in me The world is to me crucified through Christ and so am I to the world Galat. 6 Therefore this same Citizen of the heauenly Ierusalem meditating many things with himselfe of the blessed Citty of the holy ones being full of the holye Ghoste bursteth out into the wordes of this Psalme which Psalme is a continuall testimony of the godly cogitations of that man concerning the Article of the faith I beleeue the holy Catholike Church the Communion of Saintes For what thing we loue from our hart of this we thinke continually and wee kéepe it not in secret but we afâ—ewards spare no speach euen vnto the full publishing thereof according to that saying Out of the aboundance of the heart the mouth speaketh Math. 12. vers 34. Dauid therefore saith Her foundations vnderstand of the Citty which I loue with most earnest minde wherein but vnknowne to me I am yet made safe or preserued by hope wherein for euer the Sauiour of the world so vouchsafeing I shall still remaine are in the hill of Holinesse for so saith the Iewe we shoulde say in the holy Hilles Citties of this mortall life bee they fenced or defended with how strong so euer muniments or Bulwarkes are yet not withstanding builded vpon the sand For whatsoeuer mans hand buildeth the same can it also cast downe Therefore Citizens of earthly Citties cannot dwell in sufficient safetie all their Ritches yea life and finally whatsoeuer they haue are laid open to their enemies Wherefore we rightly then say that no earthly Cittie hath her foundation in the Hilles For although no enemies assault the same yet time is the consumer of thinges and corruption at length wasteth those thinges which haue bene in this world most strong but the foundations of this Cittie are sound firme and perpetuall because they are in the Hilles What then are not earthly Citties also in the hilles is the Citty safe which is scituate on the hilles Why then saith the Lord by his Prophet Abdias To the Hilles of Seyr and the dwellers thereon The pride of thy heart puffed thee vp because thon dwelst in the clefts of the Rockes whose habitation is hie thoâ— sayest in thine hart who shall bring me vnto the ground The Lord maketh answere to the bragging of the Edomites If thou exalt thy selfe as the Eagle and make thy nest among the starres thence will I bring thee downe saith the Lord And surelye though Ierusalem were in the olde time builded in the mount Sion and the little hilles yet notwithstanding it was easie to be assaulted and beaten downe of their enemies the Chaldeans and the Romans All earthly buildings be they neuer so strong and stablished in the hilles and Rockes are yet builded vpon the sand Because they shal in time fal to y â— grouÌ„d and perish Wherefore the Prophet here speaketh of other hilles as the Hebrue â—oun declareth which signifieth holines Therefore those foundations are in the hilles of holinesse that is not in earthlie hils but in the Heauens For y â— fouÌ„datioÌ„ which this citty hath Is that immouable Rocke Mat. 16. whereupon the Church is builded and standes to the vtmost against the gates of hell Whereof the Apostle mentioneth No man can lay any other foundation then that which is laid euen Christ Iesus 1 Cor 3. Wherfore the Apostle when he speaketh of that blessed Cittie sheweth openly this foundation and saieth Those Cittizens that is Chistians are builded vpon that foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Christ Iesus himselfe being the Head corner stone in whom what building soeuer is coupled together groweth vnto à n holy Temple in the Lord In whome ye also are built together to be the Habitation of God by the Spirite The Cittie is holye firme and eternal it hath Cittizens eueÌ„ the holy ones as the Apostle euery where calleth them For although they be sinners born yet in that Cittie they are regenerate of water of the spirite yea They are iustified by faith and sanctified by the name of Iesus and by the spirite of our God And all things which are without this Cittie are prophane and abhominable before God In this Cittie onely is true holinesse as the Phophete Abdias saieth vers 17 But vpon mount Sion shall bee delierance and it shall bee holye And the Prophete Esay declareth Cap. 4 Then hee that shall bee left in SION â—nd hee that shall be lefte in Ierusalem shall be called holie and euerie one shall bee written among the liuing in Ierusalem when the LORD shall wash the filthinesse of the daughters of Sion verses 3. 4. The Lordeloueth the Gates of Sion c. Pars. 2 THis latter parte of the first verse sheweth how fatherly the Lord loueth vs for Christs sake the foundation of this Cittie vpon whome we are builded as a spirituall house The Lord saieth he loueth the Gates of Sion that is the Church of Christe For we are beloued of God for his sons sake Through whom we haue obtained reconciliation when as before we were not yet reconciled through the death of his sonne we were the enemies of God Ephes 1. Rom. 5. And he loueth vs aboue all the Tabernacles of IACOB So much as to the figure or outward shewe pertaineth wee know out of the Law of Moises howe the Gates of the earthlyâ— SION or the Cittie Ierusalem was so ordained for the worshipping of GOD in the olde age That it should not bee lawfull for any to offer sacrfice but with in the sanctuary of the Cittie Deut. 12. 2. Par. 6. Wherfore although there were many Sinagogues in Canaan and many places wherevnto the people resorted by companies yet not withstanding Ierusalem alone had the Temple and Pallace royall of Dauid and was called the holy Cittie as the Prophet Esay sheweth cap 52. Put on thy Garments of beautie O Ierusalem thou holie Cittie for henceforth there shal no more come into thee the vncircumcised and the vnclean ver 1 And in his 26. Cap. he saieth The Cittizens of that Cittie are called an holye people redeemed of the Lord. verse 12. And this Prophet Dauid in his 78. Psal singeth The LORD hath chosen the tribe of IVDA the hill of SION whom he loued vers 69. Al those things which are spoken of the earthlye Ierusalem in figure are to be referred vnto Christs Catholike Church which spirituall Cittie the Lord loueth aboue al the dwelling places of Iacob which long â—goe wer shadowes and figurers things temporall by which notwithstanding the heauenly Cittie of Christians euer during was here shadowed verse 2 Verye excellent thinges are spoken of thee thou Cittie of God alwaies IF we learne this verse aright we shal moreouer recite y â— Article of the Catholike Church in the Simbole of our Créede daily not vainely and without faith For the Church is
most liuely blessednesse But the Gretians doe reade this verse thus The dwelling in thee is as it were of all them that doe reioyce The Prophet Dauid héere speaketh of a Spirituall Joy which true beleeuers onely in Christe doe possesse Concerning which S. Peter in 1. Epist Chapt. 1 saith Whom yee haue not seene and yet loue him in whom nowe though yee see him not yet do you beleeue and reioyce with ioy vnspeakable and glorious ver 8 Receiuing the end of your faith euen the saluation of your soules vers 9. True ioy cannot be but where the sorowfull person is deliuered from all euils The greatest mischiefes are to be cast away from god to remaine in sinne to suffer the tyranny of death and to bee reserued to eternall damnation For al the euils of this world being compared to these horrible and eternall euils are euen scracely shadowes of Euils But true deliuerance from vndoubted and greatest Euils may no where else be found but in SION as it is said by the Prophet Ioel. 2. Chap. Euery one which shall call vpon the name of the Lord shal shall bee saued For in Mount Sion and Ierusalem shalbe deliuerance as the Lord hath said and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call vers 32. No where else then but in the Church the true SION can there bee true ioye Wherefore the dwelling or habitation of al them which truely reioyce by reason their sins are forgiuen theÌ„ through Christ and saluation by him restored vnto them is in SION alone They that are with out Sion are in their sinnes therfore they are the bondslaues of death and the deuil When as therefore they lye in most gréeuous eternall paines enthralled what place of true ioy may be ther yea though they fully wholly possesse in the meane time euen al the pleasures of this world Marke also that he saith Of all them that reioyce is to vnderstand not onelie that the Iewes but also the Gentiles are to bee admitted to the true Joy of SION by the promise of God which thing the Scripture euery where witnesseth In y e 46. Psal The Gentiles are called by name vnto this heauenly ioye O clappe your hands together all yee people O sing vnto God with the voyce of melody Hee is the great King ouer all the earth vers 1. 2. And Paul in 15. Rom. Praise the lord all ye Gentiles and laud yee him all people together vers 11. And the Prophet Esay Chap. 11. The Gentiles shall put their trust in him according to the translation of the 70. Interpreters And this Prophet Dauid singeth in his 63. Psalm The righteous shal reioyce in the Lord put his trust in him and all they that are true of heart shalbe glad vers 10. Beholde he saith not the lewe onely shall reioyce in the Lord but the iust is no man iust then but the Iew Aske of Paul who in Rom. 3. teacheth That the Iew is not iustified by the workes of the Lawe but by faith in Christ the righteous and onely iustifier And by and by hee after that saieth Is hee the God of the Iewes onely Is hee not also the God of the Gentiles verses 29 30. Yes of the Gentiles is he also God which iustifieth Circumcision by faith and vncircumfition through faith And in the 9. Rom. ver 30. he saith What shal wee say then That the Gentiles which followed not righteousnes haue attained vnto righteousnes euen the righteousnes which is of faith Heere the Scripture openly teacheth so farre as vnto iustification pertaineth that there is no difference betweene the Iew and the Gentile all haue sinned and haue neede of the glory of God but by the alone grace of Christ they are iustified And as S. Peter in Acts 15. confesseth god so much as to iustification belongeth made no difference betweene the Iewes and the Gentiles vers 9. If hee made no difference betwéene them if he also iustifie the Gentiles by faith in Christ euen then againe shall the Gentiles be founde iust by Christ If they be iust then also do they reioyce in the Lorde they reioyce in SION They haue aswel their dwelling place as the Iewes the flesh of Abraham haue in SION out of which citie no man is excluded but by that incredulitie which with the vnfaithfull Iewes he reiecteth because they embraced not Iesus Christ the king of SION Whome the Father himselfe as Dauid saith appointed ruler ouer Syon his holy hill And placed him as the head of the Gentiles Therefore the dwelling place of all which truely reioyce that is to say of Christians is in SION namely the Church of Christe concerning which ioy of y â— Christians the Prophet Esay thus Prophecyeth in the 51. Chapiter Ioye and gladnesse shal be founde in SION thanksgiuing the voice of praise ver 3. And the redeemed of the Lorde shall returne and come with ioy vnto Sion and â—uerlasting ioy shall be vpon their heades they shall obtaine ioy and gladnesse and sorrow and mourning shal flee away ver 11. I euen I am he that comfort you Who art thou that thou shouldest feare a mortall man and the son of man which shall be as withered grasse ver 12. Which true and perfite ioy neuer to bee taken away from vs. Ioh. 16. Christ our Lord God who be blessed for euer vouchsafe to giue vs heereby true faith in him and in the world to come by the cleare and manifest beholding of him Amen They that impugne our Catholique faith which we haue confessed sixe yéeres agone in a very great assembly before y â— Emperour States of the Romane Empyre at Augusta will haue themselues accounted onely Catholique doe tye the Church to the Seuenhilled Babilon and so describe her that she may be seene and pâ—rceiued with our very eyes as if indeede shée were a worldly Monarchy wherein a visible heade and Uicar generall might beare rule They I say with their finger point at that Spirituall SION But the Scripture both heere in this place and elsewhere often ynough teacheth that the Head the builder and King of that Sion is Spiritual and the City Spirituall not earthly also the Citizens of that glorious Citie to bée newe creatures in Christ reioysing singing and leaping for ioy not openly ryding on stately stéedes in kings Pallaces al prodigalitie of this world but in the Spirit for being saued through hope as S. Peter saith with inward ioy they looke for that blessed hope and appearance of the glorie of the great God and our Sauiour Iesus Christ in the day of our ful redemption But in the meane time they wéepe lament in this world Contrariwise the world reioyceth and is glad And as Christ saith in the worlde they Finde affliction but in themselues peace through Christ the ouercommer of the worlde For if a man beholde the Church according to her outward shewe shée shall not beséeme