with faith beleeuing that euerie promise Heb. 4.2 and threatning of the word shall surely come to passe After such a forte the people in Nehemiah his time heard the word both read Nch. 8.1 c. opened and applied by Ezra and the Leuits For then whilst the Lawe was in reading the cares of all the people were attent in the time of praier they lifted vp their hands and bowed downe their bodies Finally when the threatnings of the word were applied by Preaching they fel a weeping and when againe they were comforted by their teachers they reioyced But now although our attention and reuerence should exceede theirs Heb. 2.1 as the Apostle sheweth yet it is farre behinde the same Nay what confusion and irreuerence almost in euery congregation it not to be seene amongst vs Doe not vsuallie O irreligious times some talke in the midst of the exercises of Religion some run out of the Church before the Sermon be ended some sleep in their pewes some turne the eyes of all vpon them by their strange and masking appatell Finally almost all shew some signe of neglect or contempt of the word of God or other But to let these passe the true Christian heater will not onely bee carefull to heare the word in a right manner but to resort therunto with an holy intent and affection For as Salomon sheweth Pro. 21.27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination vnto the Lord how much more when he offereth it with an euill mind The Christian then desireth the sincere milke of the Word not to cauill at it no nor to knowe it onelie but to growe thereby This if it were considered 1. Pet. 2.2 as it ought to bee would make those who often resort to the hearing of Sermons not onely talkers Iam. 2.26 but practisers of Religion not onely discerners but haters of sinne Psal 119.104 not onely such as delight in good exercises but performers of holie dueties Psal 119.9 not praisers onelie of their teachers in wordes but commenders of them by their liues and conuersations 2. Cor. 3.1 2 For in deede he is the best hearer which washing his specks and spottes by the Lawe of libertie is by hearing transformed into the image of Christ and hee most commendeth his teacher whose heart and life is written and grauen with the letters of faith and repentance Now to come to the last point or note of the excellencie of the Gospell it is affirmed here to bee great by one assent True it is in deed that a great number of prophane people make no account of the Gospell being either Dogges or Swine Mat. 7.6 despising and abusing pearles and holy things But as concerning the true members of the Churche euerie one of them with heart and hand subscribeth to this Doctrine so that according as Esay notablie expressing this matter hath foretolde This man saieth I am the Lordes Esay 44.5 and this man calleth himselfe by the name of Iaacob another writeth with his hand I am the eternals and nameth himselfe by the name of Israel Euident it is also 1. Tim. 4.1 that manie Heretickes haue oppugned and doo denie the verie articles of our faith But what the instruments of Satan say or gainsay is not to be regarded This is that which here our Apostle would declare namely that al the Lords faithful seruāts messengers haue with one voyce receiued and published and are with their liues and bloud ready to seale the truth of the Gospell To conclude it cannot be denied that there are diuers truthes in the word Ro. 14.1 2. which true Christians with one consent yeeld not alwaies vnto For either they vary one from another in the exposition of some places of Scripture or they differ in iudgement about questions of lawfulnes or vnlawfulnes 1. Cor. 14.31 32 33. of order or disorder 1. Cor. 7 8 9 10 11. chapters or they dissent in some inferiour points of trueth If I maie so speake which yet are not to bee oppugned Mat. 5.19 yea are by all meanes on the contrarie side to be imbraced Exo. 10.26 held fast and preferred before golde or siluer or the whole World But oftentimes it is to be seene that euen those who in interpretations of certaine sentences in the word Act. 15.39 and in opinions touching things lawfull or vnlawfull differ furthest asunder concur and consent together most nerely and fully in the Articles of the faith the principles of the Gospell and all the fundamentall grounds of Christian Religion Whereby it appeareth that the vnitie of the members of the Catholick Church consisteth not in thinking the same things alwaies or liking the same persons but in the generall consent Ephe. 4.13 which is giuen vnto the mysterie of Christ Iesus In deede all are to labour to the vnitie of the spirit to iudge and speake euen al one thing 1. Cor 11.19 but in this world such a perfect knot shall neuer be knit But although Christians disagree sometime in affections or opinions yet there is alwaies among them sound vnitie in deede Ro. 12.4.5 because they maintaine one maine veritie Neither by reason of diuisions which must be and haue been in al ages among beleeuers and professors of the Gospell is there iust cause giuen vnto any to departe from the Church of GOD or to doubt whether there bee at all any certaine sauing trueth or to saye there are such dissentions in the World that a man cannot knowe what to beleeue The Virgin Marie Simeon Luk. 1 2 3. chap. Elizabeth and the Disciples saw the sauing and the certaine trueth when the sinagogue of the Iewes erred euen touching the Messias and was diuided into diuers most pestilent and contrarie sects The Christians in the daies of the auncient Fathers sawe the truth and walked in the right way when the Arrians Eutichians and such other Heretickes spread their poyson throughout the whole world Now then to doubt whether there bee any certaine trueth whē the articles of the faith are receiued by one assent and the Churches of England France Scotland Har. con apolo eccl Angl. and the Lowe Countries subscribe vnto the Doctrine of the Gospell and when manie Martyres haue of late sealed the Doctrine of faith with their bloud yea diuers liuing Martyrs confirme the same by word and deede is to call into question whether there be a Sun in the Skie and to doubt whether it shine in the firmament at noone day Thus wee see the former parte of this sentence laide open before our eyes wherein that excellencie of the Gospell is by sixe wordes plainelie affirmed the which in the second part of this verse is confirmed or prooued effectuallie by sixe forcible reasons All these arguments together with the former words may briefelie be cast after this sort into one frame of proofe whereby the whole matter intreated of in this sentence may yet more
the nations beleâ—â—â—â— in the world and receiued vp in glorie THe drift of the Apostle Paul in this most precious sentence is to moue Timothie to behaue himselfe verie religiouslie and reuerentlie in the church of God as may appeare both in the beginning of the verse immediatlie before set downe in this chapter and in the latter ende of the sixt verse of the next Chapter One argumeÌ„t to this intent and purpose hath bin already brought by him in the last wordes of the former sentence whereof this is the effect seeing the house or Church of God whereof thou art a Minister is not a sinagogue of error or a temple of types figures but a proper pillar of truth thou art as a paâ—â—â—â—â— of thâ— Christian flock to walke verie orderlie religiously and holylie in all respects Another reason tending vnto the selfe same end is contained in this conclusion of the Chapter whereof this is the summe forasmuch as the Gospell is a most excellent mysterie it behooueth thee a steward of such secrets to shew all wisdome and faithfulnes in the course of thy conuersation and in the execution of thy ministerie Now the excellencie of the Gospell is partly affirmed and as it were inlarged by degrees in the sixe first words of this verse being these And that mysteries of godlines is great without doubt partly prooued and confirmed by sixe seuerall reasons in the latter ende of the sentence which reasons are these God hath been manifested in the flesh iustified in the spirit seene by the Angels preached among the nations beleeued in the world and receiued vp in glorie The first note here declaring the excellencie of Christian Religion is the particle or word And the which not onelie as a knot bindeth the former sentence or reason and this together but as an exposition of the last word thereof which was trueth declareth that the maine veritie which the house of God or the Christian Church chiefelie and continuallie vpholdeth is the mysterie of godlines or faith in Christ Iesus It was verie needefull for Paul to expound himselfe after this manner and to insinuate this matter vnto Timothie and in him to all the faithfull Ministers and beleeuers of the Gospell For else they taking through error their markes amisle and thinking the holding of any truth a sufficient proofe or note of this true Church might conclude the Iewish sinagogue or some such like assemblie to bee the house of GOD because therin some truth is kept found or againe they running into another extremitie might rashly condemne some beleeuing and christian churches as the Church at Corinth because cause euen they sometimes erre or dissent about some points of trueth which yet are of lesse importance To the end therefore that all the faithfull may in all times and places and among all persons knowe which is the Lords holy campe resort thereto and remaine therein the Apostle sheweth here that it may alwaies bee discerned by this banner or ensigne of the Mysterie of the Gospell Those congregations then are vndoubtedly the true Churches of God which firmelie hold the articles of faith and soundly acknowledge Christ Iesus to bee the Sonne of God and the onelie foundation of saluation howsoeuer otherwise peraduenture they be farre from spotles perfection Reuel 1.2 3. c. Had not the Churches of Asia much drosse and many cracks Did not the Church of Ephesus somewhat coole and quench the burning lamp of hir former loue Were there not sundry members of the church at Sardis which had names of life on them but wounds of death in them How came it to passe that in the Christian assembly at Pergamus there were such as held the doctrine of Balaam if that the eye therof did not winke or was not fast a sleepe And where was the rodde or shepheards crooke of the pastor of the Congregation at Thyatyra when Iezabel was suffered to deceiue the seruaÌ„ts of the Lord How luke-warme were euen the best waters in all Laodicea when our Sauiour cried out thus against the fountaine of them would to God thou wert either hot or colde These faultes were found in all these Churches yea in the messengers sent vnto them and therefore in the members of them And yet what are these Churches in his account who walked in the middest of them but golden candlesticks What names dooth the giue to the messengers of these congregations but Starres so called by him in regarde of their places and the shining of those graces which were somewhat dimmed but not quite quenched Finallie what promises maketh he or what speeches vseth he to the members of those beleeuing assemblies but that vpon condition that they repented and continued in well doing they should eate of the tree of life feede on the hidden manna rule ouer the Nations and stand as pillars in the Temple of GOD for euer Hee dooth not aduise them to forsake their mutuall fellowship he dooth not denie them to bee members of his bodie because they did not rent themselues from the bodies of their Congregations so diseased and infected he willeth them not to disclaime the eyes which directed them no better he affirmeth not that their teachers are none of his Ministers their Sacraments no Sacraments vnto him because his order was not obserued or executed and because certaine Balaams and Iezabels were mingled in the assembly with his seruants Yea on the contrarie side notwithstanding all these wants neglects disorders offences and blemishes whatsoeuer he alloweth and accepteth the good things which were in any professors and calleth these assemblies golden candlesticks as before hath been shewed concluding that whosoeuer hath an eare is to heare what the spirit speaketh vnto the Churches so that look what iudgement our sauiour Christ Iesus gaue touching the Churches of Asia the same are all Christians to haue of the Churches of Europe not one of which is without some spot or wrinckle Wherefore let euery one take heede how hee leaueth our assemblies and Christian congregations in this 〈…〉 â—ast going about to be more 〈…〉 than the rule more bright than the sunne more right handed than the right hand it selfe to conclude more perfect 〈◊〉 the word of God whilest he â—â—â—â—â—efull and endeuoreth to auoide one extremetie through ignorance or blinde zeale hee runne into another Now if those reuolters which so wander on the right hand as that they condemne our Christian Congregations which receiue and acknowledge the great mysterie of Christ Iesus here spoken of cannot be excused neither are to be iustified in regarde of their error or rash separation notwithstanding that they neither denie any of the Articles of faith nor fall downe before stockes or stones what is to be said of those recusants on the contrarie side and as it 〈…〉 â—he left hand which art such 〈…〉 to Christ Iesus that Antichrist is vnto them all in all and that they embrace the mysâ—â—â—â—â— of all iniquitie and blasphemâ—â— euen the abominable and
euidently be declared and more fully concluded That trueth wherein is showed and whereby is prooued that God hath been manifested in the flesh iustified in the spirit seene of Angels preached among the nations beleeued in the world and receiued vp in glorie is great by one assent and without all coutrouersie The mysterie of godlynes is that truth wherein al these things are shewed and whereby they are demonstrated The mysterie of godlynes therefore is great by one assent and without all controuersie The last part of this reason hath in the beginning of this sentence been set down which ought not to seeme strange vnto any namelie that the conclusion is set in the first or second place seeing this is an vsuall thing both in the Scriptures and in all good Writers The middle part of the proofe is contained and expressed in the conclusion of this sentence which now we are to proceede vnto and consider The first part of the sillogisme is included in the last words of the verse going before wherein was affirmed that the whole Church of God vpholdeth this excellent truth Now although the Apostle had not insinuated any such matter as that the trueth which testifieth or proclaimeth such wonderfull and profitable things as here are set down is great by one assent or without controuersie yet this is so cleare a a point that it seemeth to bee written with the beames of the sunne not to neede any further speach or proofe To the end then we may not goe about to light a candle where it shineth clearely brightly but be led forward as it were to perfection and to the ende wee may the better vnderstand this chiefe principle of Christian Religion God hath beene manifested in the flesh let vs a while consider the nature of the heauenly godhead As cōcerning the power wisdō Rom. 1.19 Maiesty of the godhead it is in some part or sort made known vnto vs by the creatures and especially by the Scriptures Wherefore whosoeuer shall say with Pharaoh Exod. 5.2 I knowe not God shall shew himselfe herein a lier or a prophane person But as touching the nature or form of the Lords being 1. Tim. 6.16 it is a thing so incomprehensible in it selfe that men are by no meanes able fullie to vnderstand it yea without Christ they cannot saue onelie in small measure darke manner conceiue what it is For that knowledge of God which is conueighed into mē onelie by certaine titles giuen him or by the creatures is bur such a cōceauing of his Maiestie as the patternes of things in this world Rom. ◠20 leade the minde vnto and ingender As for example when the Lord is called the Lord of Hosts in this title we rather see his works than him or if wee see him in any measure it is by the helpe of earthlie creatures by comparison as it were not simply by himselfe Againe when we conceiue him as perfectly wise iust mercyfull Act. 14.16 17. wee rather rife to the knowledge of his effects than of his being by the consideration of these vertues which being in men by measure are properties and qualities onelie howsoeuer being in GOD without measure they are things essentiall Exod. 3.14 Now as touching the great titles of Iehoua the eternal I am or I will bee and such like whereby God in scripture is often called they shew by those creatures which are substances mouing and subsisting in the World Reu. 1.4 that the Lord hath a being by himselfe and for himselfe but that he is a perpetuall infinite vnchangeable glorious essence cannot so well be gathered by the sight of fraile 1. Per. 1.24 mutable and base creatures as is manifested by Christ Iesus The gospel of Iohn 1 18 Heb. 13.8 both God and man who is the same to day and to morrowe and for euer and in whome the whole Godhead dwelleth bodily Neither in deed ariseth vnto man any sparke of sound comfort at all Ephe. 4.18 out of the beholding of the nature of the godhead alone Rom. 2.1 as it is seuerally or confusedly considered by it selfe without Christ but rather so glistering a light and flame is able to cause the most strong and piercing eye in the world to dazle and the most hardie and valiant hear to quake for horror Wherefore we are alwaies when wee turne our fight toward the Godhead with a certaine reuerent and discerning spirit to looke vpon three persons hauing their being therein as vpon three Sunnes in one Mat. 2.19 it I may so speake with that profound diuine Nazianzen who oft most singularly writeth of this matter all of the same nature glorie eternitie and perfection The first of these persons is the father Mat. 3.17 who as he is without all beginning so this person caused from eternitie the two other persons Heb. 1.3 and this father worketh from himselfe by his sonne and by his spirit The second person is the sonne who as he was eternally begotten by the person of the Father only Ioh. 3.16 Heb. 1.3 so from him as the fountaine being himselfe as the streame hee worketh by the holy Ghost as the conduit pipe if that I may so speak and by earthly things in some rude sort shadoweth out these heauenly which nothing in the World can fully or in all respects represent or expresse Ioh. 15.26 The holy Ghost is the third person in trinitie proceeding from the Father and the sonne working from them both immediatlie by himself in such sort as that not onely he quickeneth the whole worlde but sanctifieth the whole Church For he euen he replenisheth with graces the Angels he inspireth the Prophets hee teacheth the Lawgiuers wisedom Basil ho. mil. de side he sanctifieth the Ministers of the word he maketh Captaines valiant he absolueth the innocent hee aduaunceth those that are modest hee worketh gifts of healing hee reuiueth the dead hee looseth the captiues hee maketh strangers children by adoption It he finde a beleeuing Publican he maketh him an Euangelist If he be in a Fisher man he frameth him to be a Diuine If he get a repentant persecutor hee appoynteth and fashioneth him to bee an Apostle of the Gentiles a preacher of the Gospell an elect vessell By him the weake are made strong the poore rich the ignorant and those which are void of eloquence become euen wiser than the wisest Al the which workes with infinite more are also wrought by the Father the Son 1. Ioh. 5.17 and not onely by the holie Ghost but as these three persons are distinct in properties which cannot be communicated to each other as the Father in that he is vnbegotten the Sonne begotten the holy Ghost proceeding so they differ in the manner or order of their workes which in common they put into execution 1. Cor. 8.6 seeing the Father beginneth the worke from himselfe the Sonne worketh it from the
the same time were also Prophets raysed vp indued with an extraordinarie gift of foretelling things to come as Agabus But because neither the extraordinarie giftes of such Apostles Euangelists and Prophets were alwaies to remaine in the Church neither coulde their persons beeing mortall continue in the Worlde for euer ordinarie messengers or Ministers of the Gospell called both by GOD and man and allotted to one place were by the Apostles them selues created and ordayned in their time who instructed some of them the Church of Lystra some of Iconium some of Antiochia Act. 14.24 some the Churche of Ephesus Reuel 2 3. chap. some the Church of Smyrna some of Corinth some of Phillippi some other congregations Phillip 1.1 This kinde of Preachers of the Word hauing continued from the Apostles times and beeing to remaine to the ende of the Worlde haue spread the fame of the Gospell so farre and neere and so planted and watred it in their Countries and charges as that not onely by the Apostles Ministerie but hence it commeth to passe that there are many Christians in the Worlde at this day many congregations professing the trueth yea many Countries imbracing Christ Iesus as namely Germanie France England Scotland Denmarke with many other renowned in this respect Wherefore the gospel hath been preached not onely in Iudea but among the natiōs as here is saide neither vnto a few nations but what people almost is there vnto some of whom at one time or other the same of Christ Iesus hath not been brought alter some sort or manner at the least In deed euen before the comming of the sonne of God into the world the Iewes had among them those shadowes which couered shining light and those Prophets who spake in their hearing of the Messias to come Moreouer the Gentiles had sometime messengers and Prophets sent vnto them as may appeare in Ionas who preached to the Niniuites but since that Christ Iesus hath beene manifested in the fleshe the Gospell hath both been more plainelie and sullie made knowne to the Israelites than before and generallie in common imparted and communicated vnto other nations For the partition wall hauing been puld downe by him Col. 2.14 that maketh one of two and the bonds of the lawe cancelled by his sufferings who sacrificed himselfe for the whole world al nations were to bee called to the Passeouer which had been slaine and the gerall pardon of forgiuenes of sinnes was to bee offered vnto all sortes of people Well then neither did the Lord suffer the stiffenecked Iewes to be without a great light nor the Gentiles to remaine without the knowledge of Christ Iesus but he caused him to be preached to Iewe and Gentile male and female bond free to shew that he would haue all sorts of people to come vnto repentance and to be saued So that hereby it is euident that the bloud of Iesus Christ speaketh farre more excellent and comfortable things than did the bloud of Abel For what is the voyce thereof but Come vnto me al you which are heauie ladē Mat. 11.28 I wil refresh you Albeit your sinnes were as crimson Esa 1.18 they shall be like to snowe although they were as scarlet they shal be like the wool What intercession maketh it to God the father Ioh. 17.52 but Father forgiue them they knowe not what they doo holie father preserue them in thy name sanctifie them in thy trueth Father it is my will that those whom thou hast giuen me be with me where I am To conclude what things speaketh the bloud of Christ to men but such as are most comfortable and sound to this effect I haue washed away the hainous rebellion and blasphemie of diuers of those Iewes who indeed crucified the King of glorie Act. 2.37 38 but for this bloudie deede vnfainedlie and heartilie repented I haue cleansed and sanctified a whole clowde of penitent sinners among the Gentiles which sometimes worshipped Idols Leui. 18.24 offered their children vnto Molech Deu. 18.11 vsed necromancie followed after southsayers and witches exercised curious Artes Act. 18.19 1. Thes 1.9 were laden with all sorts of impieties and iniquities quite dead in their sinnes Seeing these or such like are the sugred words and promises which the bloud of Christ Iesus speaketh and applieth vnto the heart of his Ierusalem and people how can any distressed and brused soule imagine that the God of mercie will despise the sacrifice of sorowe and mournful supplications which it offereth Who will now adde vnto his other innumerable iniquities this the greatest of all other no to beleeue his Sauiour who hath not onely promised to saue him but confirmed his promise by oth not onelie sworne so to doo but sealed his oth with bloud not only assured in vnder a broad seale but testified it by infinite example To conclude this poynt he which trusteth in the sonne of God 1. Ioh. 5.10 saith Saint Iohn hath that witnes in himselfe he which beleeueth not God maketh him a lier Well if any want faith or the feeling thereof here we see by the Lords ordinance that the preaching of the word is the most principall and most effectuall meanes of ingrafting and nourishing the same For how did so many thousands in the Apostles times come vnto faith Ro. 10.14 but by hearing the glad tidings of the Gospell How did they heare these ioyfull glad tidings but by their teachers preaching among them How did certaine choice messengers and seruants of God preach to the rest and that with so happie successe but by the Lords sending them on his embassage and blessing his owne holy and heauenlie ordinance Priuate persons neither were in auncient times neither now are licensed or permitted by the Lord to bee Prophets Apostles or Pastors to themselues or to another 1. Cor. 12.29 The publique Ministers of the worde are those whom the Lord hath set apart to bee stewards ouer the household of faith 1. Cor. 4.1 his vessells and messengers to carrie and declare the doctrine of faith finallie his vnder-officers to set on the seales of faith Priuate conference priuate prayer priuate reading of the scriptures are indeed verie profitable exercises of faith when they are vsed together with the publike ministerie of the word and continuallie quickened by the same For the preaching of the word is so liuelie and mightie in operation that it is not onely as seede to beget men to saluation but as milke to nourish them in faith and obedience as wine to cheare them in distresse as honie to delight thē as golde to enrich them as a light to direct them but also as a fire to kindle them vnto mutuall conference Luk. 24.32 to earnest praier and to diligent searching of the scriptures But when the publike Ministerie shall bee so seuered from these priuate exercises as the soule is from the bodie and as that it shall wilfullie bee neglected