the flocke The holie Ghost hath made you ouerseers By the verie woorde he putteth them in minde that they be placed as it were in a watche tower that they may watch for the common safetie of all men But Paul standeth principally vpon this that they were not appointed by men but the charge of the Church was committed vnto them by God For which cause they must be the more diligeÌ„t and careful because they must giue a straite account before that high seat of iudgement For the more excellent the dignitie of that Lord maister whom we serue is the more reuerence doe we giue him naturally and the reuerence it selfe doth sharpen our studie and diligence Moreouer though the Lord would haue ministers of the word choseÌ„ from â—he beginning by the voyces of men yet doth he alwaies challeÌ„ge the gouernment of the church to himselfe not onely to the end we may acknowledge him to be the only gouernour thereof but also know that the vncoÌ„parable treasure of saluatioÌ„ doth come from him alone For he is robbed of his glorie if we thinke that the gospel is brought vnto vs either by chance or by the wil of meÌ„ or their industry But this doth Paul attribute peculiarly to the spirit by whoÌ„ God doth gouern his church who is to euery man a secret witnes of his calling in his owne conscience Concerning the word Ouerseer or Bishop wee must briefly note this that Paul calleth al the elders of Ephesus by this name as wel one as other Whence we gather that according to the vse of the scripture Bishops differ nothing froÌ„ Elders But that it came to passe through vice corruption that those who were chief in euery citie began to be called Bishops I cal it corruption not because it is euil that some one man should be chiefe in euery colledge or company but because this boldnes is intollerable when men by wresting the names of the scripture vnto their custome doubt not to change the tongue of the holy ghost To gouerne the Church The Greeke worde Poiemainein doth signifie to feede But by a fitte similitude it is translated vnto euerie kinde of gouernment And wee haue saide that this is the thirde argument drawen from the excellencie of the function as the same Paul telleth Timotheus elswhere that he take heed see how he ought to behaue him selfe in the house of God which is the church of the liuing God the pillar ground of trueth As if he should say that there is no time to be idle in such a weightie calling that those are lesse excusable whoÌ„ God hath made stewards of his family the higher that degree of honor is vnlesse they be correspondent to so great dignity that is vnles they do their duty diligently Now if Bishops or ouerseers be made by the holy ghost to the end they may feede the church the Hierarchy of papistry is ridiculous wherin bishops being proud of their painted sheath vain title do not so much as once meddle with the function of teaching no not for fashions sake Which he hath purchased The 4. reasoÌ„ wherby Paul doth carefully pricke forward the pastors to do their duty diligeÌ„tly bicause the lord hath giueÌ„ no smal pledge of his loue toward the church in shedding his own blood for it Wherby it appeareth how precious it is to him surely ther is nothing which ought more vehemeÌ„tly to vrge pastors to do their duty ioifully then if they consider that the price of the blood of Christ is committed to theÌ„ For herevpoÌ„ it foloweth that vnles they take pains faithfully in the church the lost soules are not only imputed to theÌ„ but they be also guilty of sacriledge bicause they haue profaned the holy blood of the sonne of God haue made the redeÌ„ption gotteÌ„ by him to bee of none effect so much as in them lieth And this is a most cruel offence if through our sluggishnes the death of Christ do not only become vile or base but the fruit therof be also abolished perish and it is said that god hath purchased the church to the end we may know that he wold haue it remaine wholly to himself because it is meet right that he possesse those whoÌ„ he hath redeemed Notwithstanding we must also remember that all mankind are the bondslaues of Satan vntil Christ set vs free from his tyranny gathering vs into the inheritance of his father But because the speech which Paul vseth seemeth to be somewhat hard we must see in what sense he saieth that God purchased the Church with his bloode For nothing is more absurd than to faigne or imagine God to be mortall or to haue a bodie But in this speech he commendeth the vnitie of person in Christ for because there be distinct natures in Christ the scripture doth sometimes recite that apart by it self which is proper to either But when it setteth god before vs made manifest in the flesh it doth not seperate the human nature from the godhead Notwithstanding because againe two natures are so vnited in Christ that they make one person that is vnproperlie translated somtimes vnto the one which doth truly and in deed belong to the other as in this place Paul doth attribute blood to God because the man Iesus Christ who shed his blood for vs was also God This manner of speaking is called of the olde writers communicatio idiomatum because the property of the one nature is applied to the other And I said that by this means is manifestly expressed one person of Christ least we imagine him to be double which Nestorius did in times past attempt and yet for all this we must not imagine a confusion of the two natures which Eutiches went about to bring in or which the Spanish dogge Seruetus hath at this time inuented who maketh the godhead of Christ nothing else but a forme or image of the humain nature which he dreameth to haue alwayes shined in God 29 For I know Paul doth now exhort the Ephesians to watch diligenly by the necessity which is a most sharp pricke For he saith that grieuous wolues are readie to inuade the sheepefold This is a thing alwayes incident to the Church to be hated of wolues Wherefore there is no time to sleepe But the moe and the more hurtfull those be who breake in the more watchful must the Pastors be For God doth somtimes release som part of trouble that the flocke may be fed quietly and peaceably and as when the weather is faire cleare the sheepe are fed more safely in the fields and there is more danger when the aire is cloudy darke so the Church of God hath somtimes some faire weather granted to it after that commeth a troublesome time which is more fit for the subtiltie of the wolues Therefore Paul doth meane that it standeth them vpon to be more watchful than they haue bin hitherto because greater dangers hang ouer their
stoutly in spreading abroad the faith of Christ did refuse no paines nor danger did stand stoutly against all assaults vntill at length they gat the victorie there remaineth no excuse for Christian nobles who are of any dignitie seeing God hath furnished them with the sword to defend the kingdome of his sonne vnlesse they bee at least as constant and bold to take vpon them such an honorable office Furthermore it is not my part to declare how faithfully and vprightlie I haue behaued my selfe in interpreting this historie I hope surely my labour shall be fruitfull to all men And as for you most worthie prince I must againe request and beseech you that you doe both priuately addict your selfe wholy vnto Christ his gouernement as you haue of late happily begun and that you woulde also become not onely a faithfull helper but also a most stout valiant standerdbearer in furthering the kingdome of Christ vnto so manie noble men whom not onely the renowme of their stocke and linage but also the excellencie of their vertues doth commend God hath vouchsafed to bestowe vpon the realme of Polonia a singular priuiledge of honor that the better part of the nobility bidding adue to wicked superstitions which are as many corruptions and pollutions of the worship of God should desire with one consent a true forme of godlines and a well framed and reformed order of the Church It is well knowne that these men were not a little aided by your authoritie But there remaine more cumbats both for you and also for them than that like ouerworne souldiers you should giue your selues to idlenesse and rest First although no forraine enimy trouble you you shal haue busines inough to withstande those euils which are at home with you You haue sufficiently tried with how many sleights Sathan is furnished that he may worke some pollicie to ouerthrow that holy concorde amongst brethren wherein consisteth the safetie of the Church That befalleth you which is common euerie where for troublesome men to thrust in themselues when things are out of order who whilest they see a few and those weaklings troubled by a great multitude and that they do with much adoe defend the trueth which is couered with the thicke clouds of false accusations they doe more easilie come vpon them vnawares And by this subtiltie doeth that chiefe worker of all disceite and guile seeke the ruine of the Church not onely by cutting mangling and pulling in pieces the vnitie of the faith but by burdening the name of Christ with false enuie because the companies of the godly amongst whom these wicked knaues mixe themselues seeme to bee certaine receptacles and sinkes of all filthinesse So whilest that Stancharus a man of a troublesome nature doth through that ambition wherewith hee is wholelie set on fire spread abroad amongst you his dotings hereupon brake out that contention which threatneth some scattering abroade and you were laide open vnto the slaunders of many because it was thought that his sect did spreade it selfe farther Beholde on the other side a certaine Phisition called George Brandata worse than Stancarus because his errour is more detestable and because hee hath in his minde more secrete poison For which cause these also are the more worthie to be reprooued at whose hands the vngodlinesse of Seruetus hath found such fauour of such a suddaine For although I am perswaded that they are farre from those peruerse and sacriligious opinions yet they should haue taken better heede and not haue suffered this foxe craftilie to creepe into their companie because such plagues wil neuer be wanting neither will Sathan euer cease to bring abroad into the forefront such champions as haue giuen ouer themselues to serue him that hee may trouble the beginninges of the Gospel it is for you to bee continually in a redinesse and to the ende you may preuent greater euils you must set downe a right and godly manner of gouernment which is the faithfull keeping of holie peace For as it is manifest that puritie of doctrine is the soule of the Church so wee may full well compare Discipline vnto the Sinowes wherewith the bodie being bounde and knitte togither doth maintaine his strength Now on the otherside the vngodlinesse of other enimies ought to sharpen your studdie and earnestnesse I meane the preachers of Antichrist of Rome who to the end they may disceiue the ignorant doe continually with shrill voice sounde out the name of the Church There is no controuersie amongst vs about the Church but all graunt that the authoritie thereof ought to bee reuerenced of all the children of God saue onely that they vnder false colour of honor do make the shadowish name of the Churche subiect to their lustes we do so reuerence the Church from our heart that we account it great wickednesse to prophane the sacred name thereof That I may omitte other godlie ministers of pure and sound doctrine I my selfe haue againe and againe heretofore in manie places handled this question when mention is made of the Church whose heade is the sonne of God and which he who is the fountaine of life eternall doth alwayes quicken by his spirite how ridiculous a thing it is to bring forth a bodie without an heade and secondly a deade carkasse The hireling flatterers of the Pope doe crie out that they haue the Church But we can knowe by no meanes better whither this be true or no than when wee looke vnto the heade As for that it is manifest that it is cut off by their sacrilegious violence For how shall Christ retaine the place of the heade being dispoiled of all his power throwne downe from his gouernment depriued of his dignitie Vppon this condition hath the heauenlie father made him the heade of the Church that he may gouerne all men from the greatest to the least by the doctrine of his Gospel that hee may bee the onely priest to reconcile the father continuallie as hee hath once appeased his wrath by the sacrifice of his death that his death may continuallie purge our sinnes that his blood may be the only washing that his obedience may be a perfect satisfaction that hee may be a continuall and sole intercessour through whose meanes our prayers may be hearde that hee may be a faithfull defendour and tutour that hee may by his aide defende vs that the vices of our fleshe beeing tamed hee may refourme vs vnto righteousnesse and holinesse that hee alone may beginne and finish in vs a blessed life If the Papistes haue left him any of these thinges let them haue the Church on their side But if the Pope oppressing mens consciences with his fearce and more than cruell tyrannie haue disanulled and taken awaie Christ his gouernement if hee haue brought in a forme of gouernement altogither contrarie to the doctrine of the Gospel if hee haue inuented a newe and straunge priesthood that hee may thrust in himselfe being but a mortall man to bee the
in this hee doth according to his common custome For he testifieth euery where in the scriptures that the angels are ministers of his goodnes towards vs. Neither is that a vaine speculation For this is a profitable help for our infirmitie that wee knowe that not only god doth care for vs but also that the heauenly spirits do watch for our saftie Againe this was no small pledge of Gods loue towards vs that the creatures of al other most noble are appointed to haue regarde of our saftie The angel openeth the prison in the night because he wold not worke the myracle when the wicked might see him although hee would haue the same being wrought knowen by the euent it selfe 20 Speak in the Temple This is the end of their deliueraunce that they imploy themselues stoutly in preaching the Gospell and prouoke their enemies couragiously vntill they die valiantly For they were put to death at length when the hand of God ceased after that they had finished their course But now the Lord openeth the prison for them that they may be at libertie to fulfill their function That is worth the marking because we see many men who after they haue escaped out of persecution doe afterward keepe silence as if they had done their dutie towarde God and were no more to be troubled othersome also doe scape away by denying Christ But the Lorde doth deliuer his children not to the end they may cease off from the course which they haue begun but rather that they may be the more zealous afterward the apostles might haue obiected It is better to keepe silence for a time for as much as wee cannot speak one word without daunger We are now apprehended for one only sermon how much more shall the furie of our enemies bee inflamed heereafter if they shall see vs make no end of speaking But because they knew that they were to liue and to die to the Lord they doe not refuse to doe that which the Lord commanded So we must alwaies mark what fūction the Lord inioyneth vs. There will many things meete vs oftentimes which may discourage vs vnlesse being content with the commandement of God alone wee doe our duetie committing the successe to him The words of this life A singular commendation of the Gospell Rom. 1.17 that it is a liuely doctrine bringing saluation vnto men For the righteousnesse of God is reuealed vnto vs in it and in it Christ offereth himselfe vnto vs with the sacrifice of his death with the Spirite of regeneration with the earnest of our adoption And this is spoken expresly to the Apostles to the ende they may the more couragiously enter all manner cumbates for the Gospell forasmuch as they heare that they are ministers of eternal saluation The demonstratiue is added for the more certaintie as if the angel did point out life with his finger as assuredly wee need not to seek the same far when we haue the worde in our mouth in our hart vnles peraduenture some man had rather take it by hypallage the wordes of this life for these wordes which I do not reiect yet that former sense me thinks is better For it was a new reuelation of Christe wherein they had life present 21 And when the chief priest came The chiefe Priest calleth all the councell together now least if giuing the honour to his owne sect he omit others be not able to beare the burthen Therfore he is enforced by feare to cal the multitude together notwithstanding they obserue diligently and straitly the forme of law The elders are called who did gouerne that nothing may be done but according to the sentence and authoritie of the councel Who would not haue hoped for a moderate end seeing they began thus And surely they pretende what colour they can least they seeme to oppresse the truth violently and tyrannously But when they heare that the Apostles teache in the temple howesoeuer they know that they came not out by deceit of man but myraculouslye yet they hold on still in their purpose where appeareth togeather with the vngodlines of behauiour contempt of God horrible furie want of reason Therefore the beautifull colours of right and equitie do neuer so couer hypocrites but that they do at length bewray their wickednes They must needes certainly gather by all circumstaunces that it is the work of God that the prison was opened yet they do not dout openly to rage against god These things are also meet for our time We know how proudly the Papists boast of that maxime of theirs That lawfull councels must be obeied because they represent the church Moreouer they call those lawfull councels and they will haue them so accounted wherein nothing is wanting touching the externall fourme And such a councell was this whereof Luke speaketh in this place and yet notwithstanding we know that it was gathered to put out the name of Christe For although the priestes did then creep in vnto honor by subtiltie or by inordinate sute to winne the fauour of men or by other wicked policies or whether they burst in vnto the same by bribery or murther yet the dignitie of the priesthood did continue as yet vntill Christe was reuealed There was in the assembly of the elders a representing of the Churche but whereas the truth of God is not sought all outwarde appearance is nothing els but a meere visure Therefore it is in vaine for the Papistes to couer their abhominations with the shadowe of this buckler Because it is not sufficient for those to bee gathered together who are rulers of the Churche vnlesse they doe this in the name of Christ Otherwise for as muche as it is an vsuall policie of Satan to transfourme himselfe into an angell of light we will graunt him as fit a couert vnder the title of the Church as he can wish He brought them without violence 2. Cor. 11.14 Wee haue spoken somewhat before of the captaine of the Temple For I doe not thinke that it was lawfull for the Iewes to set and appoint whome they would to rule the temple but that the President of the Prouince did appoint one to haue the gouernment of the temple And hee saieth that they were brought without violence that is that they were not drawen violently least any tumult shoulde arise So that whereas they neither feare nor reuerence God they are afraide of men The Apostles also doe shew their modestie in that that whereas they are garded with a great number of men yet doe they suffer themselues to be led away by the officers least they shoulde be authours of any tumult 27 And when they had brought them they set them before the councel and the chief priest asked them 28 Saying Did not we in commaunding commaund you that you shoulde not teach in this name◠And beholde yee haue filled Ierusalem with your doctrine and you will bring the blood of this man vpon vs. 28 The chiefe
might haue righteousnes in in him 2. Cor. 5. Wherupon it foloweth that whatsoeuer satisfactions are inuented by men they tend to rob Christ of his honor In the Law and in Christ signifie as much as by the Lawe and by Christ according to the Hebrew phrase From all things By this member is refuted the wicked inuention of the Papists who teach that only original sin and actuall sins committed before baptism are clearely freely forgiuen by Christ and that other are redeemed by satisfactions But Paul saith plainly that we are iustified frō sins by Christ throughout the whole course of our life For we must remember that the ceremonies of the Law were commited to the Iewes that as wel the profit as the vse thereof might florish daily in the church that is that the Iewes might in deed vnderstand that their sacrifices washings were not continually iterated in vaine If the truth substance of them be found in Christ it followeth that there is no other satisfaction or sacrifice to put away sins but his death otherwise there should be no analogie or proportion betweene this the old figures The Papists cal vs back vnto repentance and the Keyes as if the ceremonies of the Law were not exercises to think vpon repentance and as if the power of the Keyes were not annexed vnto them But the faith of the Godly was holpen by such helps that they might flie vnto the grace of the Mediatour alone Therfore let this remaine sure certaine that the righteousnes which we haue in Christ is not for one day or a moment but it is euerlasting as the sacrifice of his death doth daily reconcile vs to God 39 Euerie one that beleeueth Paul sheweth how men obtaine the righteousnes of Christ to wit when they receiue it by faith and that which faith doth obtaine is not obtained by any merits of workes Wherefore Paul his opinion is plaine That we are iustified by faith alone which notwithstanding the Papists oppugne and striue against no lesse obstinatly than bitterly Neuerthelesse it is requisite that we know what the word beleue doth import which is made vnsauery to the papists through ignorance There be also other benefites of Christ which we reape by faith For when he regenerateth vs by his Spirit he restoreth in vs the image of god after that the old man is crucified he fashioneth vs vnto newnes of life But it was ynough for Luke to expresse this one thing how men returne into fauour with God from whom they be estraunged by sinne because we may easily passe thence vnto the residue 40 Take heede that that come not vpon you Because he had to doe with stiffenecked men or at least there were diuerse in the companie which were stiffenecked as if he ment with a hammer to soften their stubbernes he addeth a chiding vnto doctrine For if the Iewes had bin obedient and willing to obey vndoubtedly he would haue sought sweetly to allure them vnto Christ But it was either their sluggishnes or else their wilfulnesse that caused him to be more angrie Like as all those must be cited to appeare before Gods iudgement seat who contemne the grace of Christ and the horrible iudgement of eternal death must be denounced to those He signifieth in deed that there is yet place left for repentance when he willeth them to take heed yet notwithstanding he telleth them therewithall that vnlesse they beware in time the horrible vengeance of God is not far off Abac. 1.5 Which is said in the Prophets The place which is cited is taken out of the first Chapter of Abacuk but because all prophecies were gathered into one volume or bodie Paul saith that it is written in the prophets 41 And yet he doth not recite word for word the words of Abacuk which go thus Behold the Gentiles and see and wonder and be astonied because a worke shall be done in your dayes which no man shall beleeue when it shall be told him Paul saith Behold yee despicers that the Iewes may know that the vengeance which was once brought vpon their fathers is common to the despicers of the worde as if he should say God doth at this day make no lesse account of his word the contempt whereof he did once punish so sharpely Therefore the Prophet his denunciation doeth appertaine vnto all ages so that the despicers cannot hope that they can escape that vengeance now whereof others haue tasted They boasted of the Temple they vanted that they were the people of God being puffed vp with wicked pride they despised all threatnings Therefore Paul putteth them in minde of that which God by his Prophets doth threaten to the despicers A worke in your dayes The sense is Those who refuse to beleeue the word of God shal feale his hand that being at length with plagues conuict they may know that he spake in earnest It is a common prouerbe that experience is the mistresse of fooles So the Lord doth in deede punish the wicked that being tamed with miseries they may begin to confesse his power And what manner punishment doth he denounce Because you saith he do not beleeue my word I will shew an example among you which no man will beleeue by which words he meaneth that he will punish them so that the world shall be afraid to see it For as rebellion against God is a detestable monster so it is no maruel if of it self it beget monsters of punishments Therefore we must beware least if we cease to giue credence to gods word we feele his hand more mighty than all our senses do comprehend and euen vnto the astonying of all the whole world and least euen we be made astonyed through feare Abacuk prophecieth of the destruction brought vppon them by the Chaldeans but the punishment whereby God reuenged the contempt of his Gospel was more cruell Therefore let vs accustome our selues to feare God and reuerently imbrace his worde least some such things befall vs. 42 And when the Iewes were gone out of the Synagogue the Gentiles exhorted them that they would speake to them words betweene the Sabaoths 43 And when the Synagogue was dissolued many of the Iewes and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas who talking with them perswaded them to continue in the grace of God 44 And when the Sabaoth was come almost all the whole citie was gathered to heare the word of God 45 And when the Iewes saw the multitudes they were filled with indignation and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul contrarying them and blaspheming them 42 When they were gone out of the Synagogue It may be also read out of the Synagogue of the Iewes peraduēture more fitly For it is likely that they wer gone out before the multitude was dispersed that is gathered out of the text because Luke saith shortly after that when the Synagogue was dissolued certain of the Iewes did follow Paul Barnabas Therfore the
break out into the flame of contention because satan seeketh nothing else by the fans of dissention but to kindle so many fires But againe seeing we see the primitiue Church on an vprore and the best seruantes of Christ exercised with sedition if the same thing befall vs nowe let vs not feare as in some newe and vnwonted matter but crauing at the Lords handes such an end as he now made let vs passe through tumults with the same tenour of faith Vnlesse yee be Circumcised Luke setteth downe briefly in these words the state of the question to wit that these seducers went about to bind mens consciences with necessitie of keeping the Law Circumcision is in deed mentioned alone in this place but it appeareth by the text that they moued the question about the keeping of the whole lawe And because Circumcision was as it were a solemne entrance and admission into other rites of the lawe therefore by Synecdoche the whole lawe is comprehended vnder one part These enimies of Paul did not denie that Christ was the Messias but though they gaue him their names they retained therewithall the old ceremonies of the Lawe The Error might haue seemed tollerable at the first glimse Why doeth not Paule then dissemble at least for some short time least hee shake the Church with conflict For the disputation was concerning externall matters concerning which Paule himselfe forbiddeth elsewhere to stande and striue too much But there were three weightie causes which enforced him to gainestande For if the keeping of the lawe bee necessarie mans saluation is tyed to workes which must be grounded in the grace of Christ alone that the faith may bee setled and quiet Therefore when Paule sawe the worshippe of the lawe set against the free righteousnes of faith it was vnlawful for him to hold his peace vnlesse he would betraie Christ For seeing the aduersaries did denie that any should be saued saue he which did obserue the Law of Moses by this meanes they did translate vnto workes the glorie of saluation which they tooke from Christ hauing shaken assurance they did vex miserable soules with vnquietnesse againe it was no small thing neither of any smal importance to spoile rob faithful soules of the liberty gotten by Christs blood Though the inward libertie of the Spirit were cōmō to the fathers as wel as to vs yet we know what Paul saith that they were shut vp vnder the childish ward custodie of the Law so that they did not much differ from seruants Gal. 4.13 but we are loose frō the schoolemastership of the law after that Christ was reuealed we haue more liberty the time of our nonage being as it were ended The third vice of this doctrine was because it darkned the light of the Church or at least did put in as it were certaine clouds that Christ the sonne of righteousnes might not giue perfect light In summe Christianitie should shortly haue come to nothing if Paul should haue yeelded to such beginnings Therfore he entreth the cumbate not for the external vncircumcision of the flesh but for the free saluation of men Secondly that he may acquit and set free godly consciences from the cursse of the Lawe and the gilt of eternall death Last of all that after all hinderances are driuen away the brightnes of the grace of Christ may shine as in a pleasant and cleare heauen Moreouer these knaues did great iniurie to the Law when they did wickedly corrupt the right vse thereof This was the naturall and right office of the Law to lead men by the hand like a scholemaster vnto Christ therefore it could not be worse corrupt then when vnder colour of it the power and grace of Christ were diminished After this sort must we looke into the fountaines of all questions least by our silence we betray the truth of God so often as we see satan by his subtiltie aime right at it neither let our mindes be changed and wax faint through any perils or reproches and slanders because we must constantly defend pure religion though heauen and earth must goe togither 2. Tim. 2.24 The seruaunts of Christ must be no fighters therefore if there bee any contention risen they must rather studie to appease and pacifie the same by their moderation than by and by to blow to the assault Secondly they must take good heed of superfluous and vaine conflicts neither shall they handle controuersies of any smal weight but when they see Satan wax so proud that religion cannot any longer continue safe and sound vnlesse he bee preuented they must needs take a good hart to them and rise to resist neither let them feare to enter euen most hatefull cumbates The name of peace is in deed plausible and sweete but cursed is that peace which is purchased with so great losse that we suffer the doctrine of Christ to perish by which alone wee growe togither into godly and holy vnitie The Papists cause vs at this day to be sore hated as if we had beene the causers of deadly tumults wherewith the world is shaken but wee can well defend our selues because the blasphemies which we indeuoured to reproue were more cruell than that it was lawfull for vs to holde our peace Therefore we are not to be blamed because we haue taken vpon vs to enter cumbates in defence of that cause for which we were to fight euen with the verie Angels Let them crie till their throates bee sore Paul his example is sufficient for vs that we must not bee either cold or slacke in defending the doctrine of godlines when the ministers of satan seeke to ouerthrow it with might and maine For their brainsick distemperature ought not to passe the constancie of the seruāts of god When Paul did zealously set himself against the false Apostles sedition began at length by reason of the conflict and yet the Spirit of God doth not therefore reproue him but doth rather with due praises commend that fortitude which he had giuen that holy man They determined c. The Spirit of God put them in minde of this remedie to appease the tumult which might otherwise haue gone farther with doing much hurt Whereby we be also taught that we must alwaies seeke such meanes as be fit for ending discorde because God doeth so highly commende peace let the faithfull shewe that they doe what they can to nourish the peace of the Church The trueth must alwayes be first in order with them in defense whereof they must be afraid of no tumults Yet they must so temper their heat that they refuse no meanes of godly agreement yea let them of their owne accord inuent what wayes so euer they can and let them be wittie in seeking thē out Therfore we must obserue this meane least being carried away through immoderate vehemencie of zeale we be carried beyond the iust boundes For we must bee couragious in defense of true doctrine not stubberne nor rash
toung shall know that that last member When he is read euery Sabboth day in the Synagogues was by mee changed not without cause for auoiding of doubtfulnes 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles Elders with the whole church to send chosen men of them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas Iudas sirnamed Barsabas and Silas chief men among the brethren 23 Sending letters by their hands after this forme The Apostles and Elders and Brethren to those brethren which are at Antioch in Syria and Cilicia which are of the Gentiles greeting 24 Because we haue heard that certaine which went out from vs haue troubled you with wordes subuerting your soules commanding you to be circumcised and to keep the law to whom we gaue no commandement 25 It seemed good to vs being gathered together with one mind to sende chosen men to you with our beloued Barnabas and Paul 26 Men which haue vētured their soules for the name of our Lord Iesus Christ 27 Therfore we haue sent Iudas Silas who shall also tell you the same things by worde of mouth 28 For it seemed good to the holy ghost and vs to lay no greater burthen vppon you then these necessarie things 29 That ye abstaine from those things which are sacrificed to Images and from blood from that which is strangled and from fornication from which things if you shall keep your selues yee shal do wel Fare ye well 22 It pleased the Apostles That tempest was made calme not without the singular grace of god so that after the matter was throughly discussed they did all agree togeather in sounde doctrine Also the modestie of the common people is gathered by this because after that they had referred the matter to the iudgement of the apostles the rest of teachers they do now also subscribe to their decree on the other side the apostles did shew some token of their equitie in that they set downe nothing concerning the common cause of al the godly without admitting the people For assuredly this tyrannie did spring frō the pride of the pastours that those things which appertain vnto the common state of the whol church are subiect the people being excluded to the wil I wil not say lust of a few We know what a hard matter it is to suppresse the slanders of the wicked to satisfie most men who are churlish and froward to keep vnder the light vnskilful to wipe away errors conceiued to heal vp hatred to appease cōtētions to abolish fals reports Peraduēture the enemies of Paul Barnabas might haue said that they had gotten letters by fair and flattering speeches they might haue inuented som new cauill the rude and weake might by and by haue beene troubled But when chiefe men come with the letters that they may grauely dispute the whole matter in presence all sinister suspition is taken away 24 Certain which went out frō vs. We see that there was no respect of persons among these holy men which doth alwayes corrupt sound right iudgements They confes that there wer knaues of their own cōpany yet they do no whit flatter thē or through corrupt fauour incline to couer their error yea rather in condemning them freely they spare not euen thēselues And first they pluck frō their faces that visure which they had abused to deceiue withal They boasted that they were priuie to the meaning of the apostles the apostles reproue them condemn them of for lying in that false pretence when they vtterly denie that they did cōmand any such thing againe they accuse them far more sharply that they trobled the church subuerted souls For by this means thei bring them in contempt detestation with the godly because they cānot be admitted but to their destruction But false teachers are said to subuert soules because the truth of god doth edifie or build them vp and so this speech containeth a general doctrine vnlesse we will willingly haue our soules drawen headlong frō being any longer temples of the holy ghost vnlesse we desire their ruine we must beware of those which go about to lead vs away from the pure gospel That which they say touching the keeping of the law doth only appertain vnto ceremonies thogh we must alwaies remember that they did so intreat of ceremonies that both the saluation and also the righteousnes of men did therein consist For the false apostles did command that they should bee kept as if righteousnes came by the law and saluation did depend vpon workes 25 With our beloued Barnabas Paul They set these praises against the slanders wherwith the false apostles had assayed to bring Paul Barnabas out of credit And first to the end they may remooue the opinion of disagreement which had possessed the minds of many they testifie their consent secondly they commend Paul Barnabas for their feruentnes in zeale most manlike courage that they wer not afraid to venture or lay down their soules for Christs sake And this is an excellent vertue in a minister of the gospel which deserueth no smal praise if he shal not only be stout and couragious to execute the office of teaching but also be readie to enter danger which is offered in defence of his doctrine As the Lorde doth thus trie the faith and constancie of those which bee his so he doth as it were make them noble with the ensignes of vertue that they may excell in his church Therefore Paule holdeth foorth the marks of Christ which he did bear in his body as a buckler to driue back those knaues which did troble his doctrin Gal. 6.17 And thogh it do not so fal out with most stout and couragious teachers preachers of the gospel that they striue for the Gospel vntill they come in danger of life because the matter doth not so require yet is this no let but that Christe may purchase authoritie for his martyrs so often as he bringeth them into worthie renowmed cōflicts Neuertheles let euē those who are not inforced to enter cumbat by any necessity be redy to shead their blood if god see it good at any time that it should be so But the apostles commende the fortitude of Paul Barnabas only in a good cause because if it wer sufficient to enter dangers manfully the martyrs of Christe shoulde nothing differ from troublesome frensie men from cutters and roysters Therefore Paul and Barnabas are commended not because they laid open themselues simply to dangers but because they refuse not to die for Christes sake Peraduenture also the apostles meant to nip those knaues by the way who hauing neuer suffered any thing for Christes sake came out of their roust and dainties to trouble the churches which cost the couragious souldiars of Christ deerely 28 It seemed good to the holy ghost and to vs. Whereas the Apostles and Elders match ioyn themselues with the holy ghost they attribute nothing to
free power to vse them whereof I haue spoken be not without exception because there was a diuerse respect to be had of ceremonies For circumcision was not in the same place wherein the sacrifices were which were ordained for the purging of sins Wherfore it was lawful for Paul to circumcise Timotheus it had not bin lawfull for him to offer a sacrifice for sin This is in deed a general thing that all the worship of the Law did cease at the comming of Christ because it was to continue but for a time as touching faith and conscience but concerning the vse wee must knowe this that it is indifferent and left in the libertie of the godly for a short time so far as it was not contrary to the cōfession of faith We must note the shortnes of time whereof I speak to wit vntill the plaine manifestation of the Gospel because some learned men are grossely deceiued in this point who think that circumcision doeth yet take place among the Iewes whereas Paul teacheth that it is superfluous when we are buried with Christ by baptisme It was better and more truly said in the old prouerbe that The synagogue was to be buried with honour Coll. 2.11.12 Now it resteth that we declare how farre forth the vse of circumcision was indifferent That shall easily appeare by the manner of the libertie Because the calling of the Gentiles was not as yet generally knowen Galat. 2.3 it was meete that the Iewes should haue some prerogatiue granted them Therefore vntill it might be better knowen that the adoption was deducted from the lynage kinred of Abraham vnto all the Gentiles it was lawfull so far as edification did require to retaine the signe of difference For seing that Paul would not circumcise Titus and doeth auouch that the same was wel done it followeth that it was not lawful to vse this ceremony alwaies and without choise Therefore they were to haue respect vnto edification and vnto the publike commoditie of the Church Because he could not circumcise Titus vnlesse he would betraie the doctrine of the Gospel and lay himselfe open to the slaunders of the aduersaries he abstained from the free vse of the Ceremonie which he did vse in Timotheus when he sawe that it was profitable for the Church Hereby it doth easily appeare what horrible confusion doth reign in popery There is there an huge heape of Ceremonies and to what end but that they may haue in steede of one veile of the old temple an hundred God did abrogate those ceremonies which he had commanded that the trueth of the Gospel might shine more clearely men durst take vpon them to bring in new and that without keeping any measure After this came in a wicked surmise that all these serue for the worship of God at length followed the diuellish confidence of Merit Now forasmuch as it is euident ynough that such Ceremonies are neither veyles nor sepulchres wherewith Christ is couered but rather stinking dunghils wherein faith and religion are chocked those who make the vse thereof generally free doe ascribe more to the Pope than the Lord graunteth to his Law It is to no end to speake of the Masse and of such filthinesse which containe in themselues manifest idolatrie They all knew this Luke telleth vs that this was Pauls drift to make an entraunce for Timotheus vnto the Iewes least they should abhorre him as a prophane man They knew all saith hee that his father was a Grecian Therefore because the mothers had no power ouer their children they were fully perswaded that he was vncircumcised Let the readers note here by the way how miserable the bondage of the people of God was then Eunicha mother to Timotheus was one of the smal remnaunt which the very Iewes thēselues counted a monster yet beyng married to a man which was an Infidel she durst not consecrate her children to God no she durst not so much as giue thē the external signe of grace and yet she ceased not therfore to instruct her sonne of a child holily in the feare of God and in his true worshippe An example surely worthy to be folowed of womē whō their husbands affray with their tyrannous gouernment from keeping and training vp their children and families chastly in true godlines Grecian is taken in this place for a gētile after the olde and common custome of the scripture 4 They deliuered them the decrees to keepe In these wordes Luke doeth signifie vnto vs howe desirous Paul was of peace The best and strongest bond to keepe and foster peace among the churches was to keepe that which was set downe by the Apostles When Paul taketh great pains about that he taketh greate heede least through his fault there arise any trouble And let vs remember that that continued but for a time because so soone as he seeth the daunger of offence cease hee doeth quite vnburthen the churches and setting apart the decree he maketh that free which the Apostles had there forbidden And yet doth not he cācel or violate by that abrogation that which the Apostles had decreed or contemn the authors themselues because they were not determined to establish a perpetuall law but onely to mitigate for a short time that which might hurt weake consciences as I did more at large declare in the former chapter whereby the folly of the papists is sufficiently refuted who doe grieuously lay to our charge that we be farre vnlike Paule because we wil haue the consciēces of the godlie gouerned by the word of God alone setting light by the decrees of the church as they cal thē and not to be subiect to the wil of men But as I haue alreadie said Paul meant nothing lesse then to insnare mens consciences in the snare of necessitie for he is not contrary to himself when he crieth in other places Tit. 1.15 that all thinges are cleane to the cleane And againe Hee which is cleane eateth all thinges And againe The kingdom of God is not meat and drinke Rom. 14.2.17 And againe Meate doth not commend vs to God Againe Eate al things which are sold in the shambles asking no question for cōscience sake But in one word he reconcileth those things which might otherwise seeme to disagree ◠Cor. 8.8 when he cōmandeth to abstaine frō things sacrificed to idols for another mans cōscience sake Neuertheles he taketh great heed that he bind not godly souls with the lawes of mē Therfore we attempt nothing at this day which is contrary to or disagreeing with Paul But the papistes mocke vs too groslie when they compare their lawes with the decrees of the Apostles The Apostles inuented no new worship of God they had erected no newe spiritual gouernement but for the desire they had to mainteine peace they exhorted the gentiles that they wold yeeld a little to the Iewes Before the pope ca◠excuse his lawes vnder this colour he must first change them wholly And
are in popery whot are quiet only so long as they ioine hand in hand to oppresse the Gospell For which cause the disciples of Christ must be more couragious to foster nourish trueth that being ioyned together they may the better resist Also we gather by this what manner of peace the Scripture commendeth vnto vs. Christ saith that the peace makers are the childreÌ„ of God this is true that they must do what they can Mat. 5.9 to bring all meÌ„ that they may grow together vnder the Lord. Yet this doth not hinder but that we may fighting vnder the banner of the same Lorde as it were with the sound of the trumpet stirre vp the wicked that they may like Madianites one slea another so that both simplicity of zeale Iud. 7.22 the wisedom of the spirit direct vs hither One part were Sadduces We see here again as in a glasse how deformed and confused the ruine of the Church was at that day Faith is the soule of the Church nothing is more proper to faith then agreement nothing more contrary then sects And this thing must needes followe when euery man setting aside the worde of God did draw his disciples vnto his owne inuentions For there is no other holy bond of vnity then the naturall and plaine truth of God So sone as men depart from that no maruell if they bee despearsed and drawne hither and thither like members pulled a sunder Therfore the beginning of sects among the Iewes was the corruption of the law like as the Lord did reueÌ„ge the profanatioÌ„ of his word which was corrupt with diuers inuentions of men with like punishment in popery Wherfore we must the more fear least horrible more lamentable scatterings hang ouer our heads then was that which was in time of popery whereof there appeare some tokens And no maruell seeing we prouoke the Lord to wrath so many wayes with our vnthankefulnesse But though the face of the church be blotted and blurred with manie spottes and blottes and what manner of deformitie soeuer fall out heereafter let vs comfort our selues with this that as God was carefull then to deliuer the church wonderfully from destruction so thorow his grace there shall alwayes some seede continue It cannot bee in deede but that godly mindes will somewhat despaire when they see thinges so farre out of order but let vs learne streightway to holde vp that buckler that the Lorde who in such a thick mist of errours in such an heape of superstitions in the vnbridled licenciousnes of sectes did preserue his Church among the Iewes will neuer suffer the same to bee quite put out wholly in the world The same thing did likewise happen in poperie For when as the worship of God was ouerthrowne there the doctrin of saluation was oppressed the kingdome of Christ was thrown downe and vngodlinesse did openly reigne yet God did saue certaine hidden remnants and there was alwaies some wheat in the chaffe It is very profitable to conferre these examples togither When as wee inueigh at this day against popery the hyred patrons thereof crie out on the otherside that nothing is more absurd thaÌ„ that we should imagine that the Church of God was extinguished during many ages as if wee did imagine that God had no people left when those had forsaken him who ought to haue maintained his pure worshippe Yea we complaine that those tyrants did corrupt the church that the temple was by them profaned so that it did not greatly differ from an hogstie that the flock of Christ was scattered abroad and his sheepfold broken downe Finally that the church was hidden from the eyes of men yet so that the Lorde knew his elect though they were dispearsed and did browd them vnder his wings And by this it appeareth how foolishly the Papists brag and boast of the titles of honour in that not the coÌ„mon sort or any priuate men but the priestes them selues did in times past diuide the Iewishe church by deadly dissention Wherefore there is no cause why we should be afraid stoutly to resist the pride of the Pope and of all his adherents with whom we haue the same cumbate which the prophetes and apostles had with the priestes of their time And as the reuerence of the church did not keep back holie men but that they did molest the tyranny of the wicked priestes so we must not be terrified with vaine visures vnder which the Papists doe vainly boast seeing they haue notwithstanding cast from them the doctrine of godlines It is certaine that the people were then diuided into three sects but Luke doth only make mention of the pharisies and Sadduces omitting the Essenes because it was most fit for his purpose thus to do And though this be the coÌ„mon opinion concerning their names that the former took their name of separating because they withdrew themselues from the company of other men by reason of their feigned holines and that the second sort took their name of righteousnes as if they were called Zeduchim notwithstanding for mine owne part as I haue said elswhere I am rather of their mind who sâ—y that the pharisies took their name of interpreting For Phrus signifieth exposition wherevpon also interpreters are called phruschim we know that the pharisies being not content with the natural doctrine of the law prophets did put in many inuentioÌ„s which they said they receiued of the fathers 8 The Sadduces say Though Luke maketh mention of 3. points wherein these sects did dissent yet shortly after he bringeth them to 2. because there is like respect to be had of spirits of Angels Therefore he saith that the Pharisees did confesse both to wit that the dead shall rise againe and that humane and angelicall spirites are immortall And here Luke declareth in what sense the Apostle professed himselfe to bee a Pharisee not because he did subscribe to all their inuentions but only in the resurrection of the dead We know howe sharply Christe reproueth their errours therefore it had been good that some exception had byn added least any man might thinke that Paul was one with them in all thinges Now though the Saduces did denie the resurrection yet may we not thinke that they were altogether like to the Epicures Mat. 22.29 For they did confesse that the world is gouerned by the prouidence of God and that euery man is rewarded for his workes In this point they wer sounder then the Epicures But they did dote too grosly when they included the rewards of righteousnesse the punishments of wickednes in this life For that I may omit the scripture experience doeth teach that as well the godlie as the vngodly are either punished with many miseries or els gently dealt withall and that the wicked doe oftentimes liue in wealth and pleasures when as the worshippers of God are oftentimes miserably tormented as it is Psalm 73. Psal 73.4 Therefore whosoeuer esteemeth the