A SERMON VPON PART OF THE SEcond chapter of the first epistle of S. Iohn Preached by THOMAS INGMETHORP The summe whereof is briefly comprised in this Hexameter Omne tulit punctum qui 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 miscuit arti He beares the bell awaie that liues as he doth safe Iohn 13.17 If yee knowe these thinges blessed are ye if yee doe them At Oxford printed by IOSEPH BARNES Printer to the Vniversitie 1598. TO THE WORSHIPFVL MASTER THOMAS FLIT one of the head-magistrates of the Citie of Worcester T. I. wisheth increase of all thinges appertaining both to this life and to the life to come SIR being importuned by diverse for the publishing of this Sermon which as they protested not without some fruite they had hearde mee preach I haue condescended at length vnto their desire The rather for that by dedicating the same vnto your worship I might be occasioned as I thought to giue-forth some testimony of my good-will and thankefulnes towardes you to whom I am so deepely beholding so many waies indebted If there were no other thing but this that at the Fonte you vouch-safed to vndertake for me I should over-shoote my selfe far if I did not thinke very dutifully of you but seeing that ever since you haue enameld as it were embroidered that graund-benefite with infinite other kindnesses from time to time as occasion was ministred Surely if I should not lay holde of every opportunity whereby I might reflect any tokeÌ„ of an affectionate minde I were highly to blame yea my own coÌ„science would appeach and vpbraid me of foule ingratitude Such therefore as it is I do here offer present vnto you Desiring you to esteeme of it not according to the simple workemaÌ„ship which hath beene mine but according to the worth value of the stuffe which hath bin all I dare assure you digged-out of the most precious mine of Gods word My trust is the goodnes of the one will bee alwaies able to counter-peise the rudenes of the other God blesse you preserue you that you may long liue to be a principall stay ornament to that worthy Citie my natiue nest Where how sore you will be missed whensoever it shall please the Lord to translate you from it vnto himselfe wee may take a scantling no disparagement to any by the exceeding greate steede you long haue and daily doe stand it in And thus recommending this homely present vnto your good acceptation and you and yours to the most gracious tuition and patronage of the Almighty I take my leaue From Stainton in the streete in the Bishopricke of Durrham the 1. of March 1597. Your VVorships in the Lord THOMAS INGMETHORP TO THE READER HEre hast thou gentle Reader this simple Sermon of mine made at the first for the hearing of few but nowe by request set-forth to the common view For my part Novi quà m sit mihi câ—â—ta supellex truely I never meant it but when frindes be set-on a thing they are importunate and wil not be saide nay Indeede it would better fitte my note-booke then the presse yet if it shall please thee to giue it the reading I doubt neither of thy profiting by it nor of thy well accepting of it It is no seditious pamphlet to raise mutinie nor amarous toye to nourish wantonnesse which the more thou perusest the more thou abusest thy time and the more they affect the the more they infect thee but a sounde and serious discourse of holy Scripture wherein is sounded as with a shrill trumpet a retraite from sinne and men put in minde to ioyne vertue and truth knowledge and practice repentaÌ„ce and faith a Godly life and a good beleefe together vppon which two pointes as vppon two poles the whole skie of Christianitye is turned God giue thee grace to followe the whole some couÌ„sell therein delivered to his glory and thy comfort through Iesus Christ. T. I. It is written in the second chapter of the first epistle of S. Iohn the third fourth sift and sixt verses 3. Hereby we are sure that we knowe him if we keepe his commandements 4. He that saith I knowe him and keepeth not his commandements is a lyer and the truth is not in him 5. But he that keepeth his worde in him is the loue of God perfect indeede hereby wee knowe that wee are in him 6. He that saith he remaineth in him ought even so to walke as he hath walked THis portioÌ„ of Scripture welbeloved in the Lorde consisteth of two partes of a proposition and a confirmation The proposition in effect importeth thus much that the knowledge and faith of Christ if it bee of the right stampe indeede is never solitary but alwaies accompanied with the keeping of Gods coÌ„maÌ„dements whereby as a tree by the fruit it is discerned being conteined in these words Hereby wee are sure that wee knowe him if wee keepe his commaundementes He that saith I knowe him and keepeth not his commandements is a lier and the trueth is not in him The confirmation standeth vpoÌ„ two reasons the one drawne froÌ„ the effectes wher it is said But he that keepeth his word in him is the loue of God perfect indeede Hereby we knowe that we are in him The other derived froÌ„ the example of Christ in the clause following He that faith her remaineth in him ought even so to walke as hee hath walked The scope and drift of all is to beare downe the vanitie of those men which professing the name of Christ lived not with staÌ„ding vnchristianly to the manifest flaunder and derogation of the same Wherein as in a glasse or mirrour by waie of reflection we may behold the spots of our owne deformity whose coÌ„versation being compared with our profession is for the most part no more consonaÌ„t therevnto then the harsh iars of discord to the sweet harmony of musique as if they had made a wager which should varie most either froÌ„ other Touthing the vniting of which divisioÌ„ motioÌ„ hath bin made so often so earnestly both heere and elsewhere that it may seeme but a needeles or booteles office to solicite the same agame Howbeit as the Phisition never ceaseth to minister till his sicke pacieÌ„t be wholy recovered even so it behoveth vs the Lordes Phisitions daily to applie the most wholesome medicine of Gods word till the maladie of sin wherwith mens soules are sore diseased be throughly healed and recured But before I come to the particular points let vs praie c. 3. Hereby we are sure that we knowe him if wee keepe his commandements 4. He that saith I knowe him and keepeth not his commandements is a her and the trueth is not in him This is the proposition as I saide is coÌ„trived if ye marke of an excellent Antithesis A figure of speech very familiar with S. John both in his Gospel and Epistles not so much for perspicuitie as vehemencie sake Hereby we are sure that we know him that
is by this argument wee may certainely perswade our selues that we haue the true knowledg faith of Christ if we keepe his commandementes For the Apostle speaketh not heere of a bart historical knowledge Iam. 2.19 which the Divels themselues haue and are never the neerer but of that saving knowledge whereby we are iustified as the Prophet Esay witnesseth Esa 53.11 But this be amplyfieth by setting against it another proposition of the contrarie Hee that saith I knowe him and keepeth not his commandements is a lier the trueth is not in him as if hee had said the keeping of Gods coÌ„mandements is an evident token of the true knowledge and faith of Christ to boast therefore of the one without having apparent testimony of the other is but a Thrasonicall brag a lowde lie voide of trueth Which accordeth with the premisses on this maner whereas I saide before that Christ was given vs of God the father to be the reconciliation for the sins of the whole world 1. Ioh. 2.2 and that we must vse him for our mediatour and advocate with the father let no man gather therevpon vers 1. that it is sufficient to be called a Christian to learne the stories of the Bible by rote neither yet to bee partaker of the holy Sacraments instituted by Christ For besides all this there is an other matter of far greater moment and importance required at our handes namely a liuely knowledge of Iesus Christ which is a worke influence of the holy Ghost It graffeth vs wholy into Christ ravisheth vs with admiration loue of him so as we hunger and thirst after nothing more then to testifie the same to the worlde by our obedience towards him in keeping his commandements This carefulnesse to walke in the waie of Gods commandemeÌ„ts who so feeleth effectualy wrought in him may well ascertaine his conscience to the vnspeakable ioy and iubily of his soule that he is indued with the true knowledge and faith of Christ indeede But otherwise if he find no inclinatioÌ„ no disposition at all but rather a backewardenes and repugnancie in himselfe that waie let him leaue glorying in any such vaine paradise for he doth but he plaie the Hypocrite And this as neere a I can vtter is the true purport and meaning of the Apostles wordes Wherein are wrapped many very good points of doctrine worth the vnfolding as well for comfort as instrucion And first it is not lightly to be passed over that S. Iohn saith not barely we think or we suppose but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by this wee are sure that wee knowe him A cleare evidence and stroÌ„g proofe that we may haue certain knowledge of our salvation For salvation being apprehended by faith as the whole tenor of scripture every where defineth in that the Apostle heere plainely confesseth wee may bee sure of our faith nay setteth downe an infallible note of the certaintie thereof it cannot be the faithfull should be vncertaine or doubtfull of their salvation This doth flatly repeale that dangerous and wicked Cannon of the counsaile of Trent Sess 6. c. 9. whereby men are taught alwaies to stagger and stand in doubt of their salvation as being impossible for any in this life to know of a surety that he in particular shall be saved without by some special priviledge froÌ„ God he be made privie therevnto A faithles doctrine like a shippe in a storme without helme or coÌ„passe betwixt the billowes surges of the sea but no marvaile though the Papistes do thus lesson their schollers alwaies to doubt of their salvation the ground the matter and forme as it were of whose doctrine is their owne lucre and gaine For once let this trueth be admitted off that Christians be by the worde and spirite of Christ assured of their salvation by him then may they streight poore men bid adue singe a perpetuall requieÌ„ for the soule of their priesthood their pardoÌ„s their trentals their dirgies their chauntries their censing their singing their ringinge their masses and praiers for the dead with whatsoever mercenary trumperie els of like stampe For bar them of their profit the onely butte the onely white they aime at and all these I warrant you will quickly lie in the dust if that common proverb be not wroÌ„gly fathered on them no pennie no pater noster Againe in that they looke to bee saved by their owne workes which alas they cannot but see in their giltie coÌ„scieÌ„ces howsoever they hoodwinke blindfold their eys against the light of the truth to be spotted vnpetfect such as ar not able to abide the touch of Gods iustice how caÌ„ they staÌ„d resolute meÌ„ but needs must remaine scrupulous and suspicious of salvation as not knowing whether they haue desartes enough to serue their turne or no Thus doth the spirit of giddines wherewith the malignant Church is intoxicate and governed Like the Rat prodiâ— seipse Sâ—rez bewraie it selfe eveÌ„ by his owne doctrine Secondly commeth to be marked the certaine marke wherby to discerne the true Christian from the counterfeit Hypocrite True it is that faith maketh a ChristiaÌ„ howbeit because it doth many times lie hid and we caÌ„not readily iudge of other mens mindes wherein faith hath her seat and mansion therefore the Apostle sheweth how the faithfull may be descried by an outward marke that is the keeping of Gods commandements Whereby is meant not that perfect and continuall abiding in all thinges commended and commanded in the lawe to which condition Levit. 18.5 doe this and liue is annexed a burthen to heavie for any wordly wight to beare so long as we are invironed on every side with the infirmities of the flesh Gal. 3.12 but only that careful studie indevour wherewith the faithfull soule is inflamed and set one fire towardes the commandements of God to fulfill them in some good measure as God shall enable him whereunto nevertheles by reason of the corruptioÌ„ of our nature much imperfection will cleaue will he nill hee when hee hath done the best he caÌ„ Neither did S. Iohn faine this marke of his owne head but learned it of his master Christ Ioh. 14.23 For he saith hee that hath my wordes and keepeth them is he that loveth me vers 24. And againe as it were doubling his blowe he that loveth me not keepeth not my word in another where ye are my frieÌ„ds if ye doe whatsoever I coÌ„mand you So wheÌ„ God the father had made solemne proclamatioÌ„ from heaven Mat. 17.5 this is my beloved sonne in whome I am well pleased to admonish vs of our dutie withall hee adioyneth heare him signifying thereby not the hearing of those thinges which Christ should giue in charge in his word with our outward eares only but the expressing practising of the same in our liues and conversation for they onely are pronounced blessed of him Luc. 11.28 which heare the
to be the whole and sole saviour of the worlde So that they doe violate and breake the chiefe commandement of Christ who beleeue otherwise either of his person or of his office then he hath disclosed and taught in his worde They likewise offend that professe they carry such an opinion of Christ in those respects as the trueth requireth but not contenting themselues with him alone doe ascribe part of their salvation to their owne workes or other creatures as if he without them were insufficient to worke the feate For as there is but one God who will be worshiped by him selfe alone so is there but one mediatour betweene God and man 1. Tim. 2.5 evē Iesus Christ our true Immanuel who is so ielous of his glory Esai 42.8 that he cannot brooke that any other person or thing whatsoever should be ioyned patent with him in the same And thus much of the first ranke or band of Christs commandements The second ranke is of those which belong to the service of God or externall religion For albeit the true service of God be spirituall and standeth principally in the Canons rules of faith before specified yet God like a merciful father tendring the infirmity of vs his children aloweth certaine outward rites for the better exercising of our inward religiō faith And therein he hath set vs boundes limites which wee may not passe least following the current the tide streame of our owne wisedome we should devise any kinde of worshippe in the serving of him which though it seeme never so devout and holy in our owne eies as we are givē over-much to be enamoured with our owne inventions and good intentions Est quique sibi Suffenus◠Catul Cacus amor sui Horat. Ovid. Met. lib. 3 fab 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Naz. as Narcissus fel in loue with his owne shadowe yet can it not stand with the nature glory of God The Iewes they had many many ceremonies prescribed them well for the more diversely the promised Messias was decyfered and figured out vnto them the better it was for them both to kindle their devotion and to confirme their faith But nowe since the body it selfe is come in place which was the end of the lawe all those heapes of ceremonies are vanished and of right abrogated abolished and all thinges whereby either our faith is to be holpen or our devotion to be furthered doe consist in a fewe chiefe pointes Amongst which we may afforde Church assemblies the first roome vy vertue of Christs promise Mat. 18 2◠where two or three be gathered togither in my nāe there am I in the midst of them But it skilleth not howe oft we flocke flowe togither except the thinges be donne when we meete for which we ought to assemble togither in the name of Christ for otherwise goates vse to hearde togither as well as sheepe Here then commeth in the ministerie of the worde which Christ would haue both sincerely preached attentiuely heard with faith insomuch that he maketh the hearinge of the woorde aspeciall badge and cognisance Joh. 8.47 to knowe his servants by Luc. 10.42 and highly commendeth Marye for that whiles Martha cumbred her selfe aboute much serving she sate at Iesus feete hard him preach To this study of the worde wee must ioyne fervent and heartye prayer For the heavenly wisedome is given to none but such Jac. 1.5 as seeke sue for the same at the hāds of the father of lights by faithful praier We must make our petitions then vnto God not vnto creatures and that in a liuely faith which banisheth all misdoubte of Gods good will towards vs assureth vs of his presence These praiers whether they be private or publique how sweete a savour howe fragrant a smell they yeelde in the nose-thrilles of the Lord wee may esteeme by his vehemente and often callinge on vs Psal 50.14 to vse them protesting hee setteth more by the invocation of his name then by all other externall service what soever And for our better direction in praying wee must learne as to subiect submit our selues in all things to the wil pleasure of God so to craue to be heard in all that we aske only in the nāe by the mediatiō of Jesus Christ For being of our selues by nature corrupt and sinners wee are not in case to prescribe vnto God what he should do for vs no nor without our mediator Christ Jesus so much as to dare to present or prostrate our selues before the throne of his divine maiesty as Christ himself giveth to vnderstād informing vs Ioh. 16.23 both to pray in his name Math. 6.10 in our praiers to say thy will be don in earth as it is in heavē These things at attēded and waited-on with the right vse administratiō of the sacramēts to wit Baptisme the Lords supper where we must be wōderfull circusispecte that they be neither profaned through irreverence or contempt nor polluted with superstition remembringe howe carefull Saint Paul was to reforme such abuses 1. Cor. 11.23 as had crept into them amonge the Corinthians according to the precise patterne of Christes originall institution not daring for his life to swarue one heares breadth from it These these bee the pointes wherein the outwarde service of God doth in a manner consist viz. holye and Christian assemblies the preaching of the woord prayers and sacramentes All which as they were at first simply ordayned by CHRIST so were they duetifully receaved and faithfullye observed of the primatiue Church without alteration or depravation They that diligētly addict giue themselues vnto these things bee they that followe the commandementes of Christ and by their so dooinge evidentlye declare that they haue the true knoweledge and faith of Christ in them But such as setting them aside broach newe ceremonies of their owne brueing abandon the Church 01 contemne the worde of God embrace the inventions of men direct their prayers vnto creatures or in them vse the mediation of others to the father besides Christ pervert the right vse of the Sacraments and to all these adde images aulters newe consecrations yea and coyne newe Sacraments too these cannot iustly be saide to keepe the commandementes of Christe in asmuch as the thinges which they vse were never authorised by Christ being indeede but birdes as the saying is of their owne hatching fancies of their owne devising without ground and warrant of the worde the onely authenticall rule of our religion and infallible pole-starre for our direcion in the service of God The thirde ranke of Christes commandementes compriseth all those which serue for managing of our behaviour manners These may be extended as farre as our whole life and every action thereof doth streach but Saint John in the thirde chapter following reduceth them all vnto three generall heades where hee attributeth to the children of God purification