vnto him and after many questions and examinations they hang him vp vpon a crosse Thus the high God is brought low as if he were most vile the almightie is defaced as if he were most weake of all the wisest of all is laughed to scorne as if hee were a naturall foole the most vnguiltie is handled as an euill doer This spectacle ought wee verie diligently to behold for wee are laden with grieuous burdens of all wickednesse and haue for our iniquitie deserued so much that wee are worthie of all rebuke shame and confusion yet are wee vnpatient when wee bee despised Neuerthelesse all such vile intreating doth Christ suffer for our sakes to deliuer vs from eternall 〈◊〉 and confusion which wee iustly haue deâ— O Lord take from vs all wantonnesse and pride 〈…〉 vs thy seruaunts wilfully 〈…〉 our bodies whereas thou Lord king of heauen are scornefully despised in a fooles coate O Lord set thou before our eies and heartes the contempt and derision that was done vnto thee Teach vs to followe thee thorough the contempt and hatred of our selues and to reioyce when wee are despised Let vs neuer set our hope vpon men vpon praise vpon honour vpon power vppon monie but that from the bottome of our harts we may be able to despise all temporall things and loue thereof and firmly and steadfastly to followe after thee O Lord Iesu our welfare that as touching all the rebuke and contempt which thou for vs poore vnworthie sinners hast suffered wee may beare the same in the perpetuall remembraunce of our heart and neuer forget it Amen PIlate called together the high Priests and chiefe rulers with the common people and sayde vnto them Yee haue brought this man vnto mee as one that peruerteth the people And behold I examined him before you finde no fault in this man of those things whereof yee accuse him no nor yet Herode For I sent you to him lo nothing worthie of death is done vnto him So Pilat went againe into the iudgement hall and called Iesus and sayde vnto him Art thou the king of the Iewes Then answered Iesus Speakest thou that 〈…〉 others tolde it thee of me Pilate answered 〈…〉 Iew Thy people and thy high Priestes 〈…〉 vnto me What hast thou done Iesus answered 〈◊〉 â—dome is not of this world if my kingdome were of this world assuredly my ministers would fight for mee that I should not be giuen ouer vnto the Iewes But now is not my kingdome from hence Then sayd Pilate Then art thou a king Iesus aunswered Thou sayest it I am a king For this cause was I borne for this cause came I into the world that I should beare witnesse vnto the truth Who so is of the truth heareth my voyce Then sayde Pilate vnto him What is truth When hee sayde this hee went foorth againe to the Iewes and sayde vnto them I finde no fault in him But ye haue a custome that I shoulde deliuer one vnto you loose at Easter Will ye that I loose vnto you the king of the Iewes Whome will ye that I shall let goe Barrabas or Iesus which is called Christ For he knew that the Priestes had of enuie and hatred deliuered him vp Then cried they all and sayd Not him but Barrabas As for Barrabas he was a murtherer who because of an vproare made in the Citie and for man-slaughter was layde in prison Then spake Pilate farther with them willing to let Iesus loose But they cried Crucifie him crucifie him Then said he vnto them the third time What euill then hath he don I finde no cause in him Therfore will I punish him and let him go Doctrine and fruit FOrasmuch as the deuil knoweth that Christ and his ministers applie all diligence with their doctrine that the kingdome of him who is the Prince of this worlde 〈◊〉 hee destroied and that the kingdome of Iesus Christ the sonne of God the chiefe king of all might prosper hee bringeth to passe that Christ and the Ministers of the word are noted and suâ—pected of sedition wheras they yet seeke nothing lesse than worldly power and dominion Christ flyeth away when they would make him king now is he noted and accused as one that seeketh to bee Emperor Neuertheles Christ is a true king whose kingdome consisteth not in corporall things but in spirit and in power Christ despised all honor riches power and pleasures of this world his Ministers therfore must of all the world bee contemned But Christ ruleth through his spirite and power in their hearts they also shall rule with him in the resurrection Hee is the trueth and giueth witnesse vnto the trueth who so is of the truth heareth his voyce and beareth record also vnto the trueth Heere likewise we learne the vnstedfastnes of the worlde they that afore ranne still after Christ and would haue made him king crying ioyfully Hosanna vnto the Lorde crie now Crucifie him crucifie him So little worthie is the praise and commendation of the world to be regarded They that said afore Praised be he that commeth in the name of the Lorde the same crie nowe Away with him crucifie him and so they chose a murtherer in stead of the Sauiour Their request is that the murtherer may liue as for the Sauiour well of life him they desire to be put to death If we pondered this well in our hearts that our Sauiour Iesus was esteemed worse and more vile than a murtherer there should be nothing that wee would not be glad to suffer for his sake Now when the world is in hande with vs and casteth manie opprobrious wordes vppon vs we must not be ouercome with vnpatiencie the false accusation and threatening of wicked people ought not to make vs shrinke but if we loue Christ with our harts we must remember his patience when he was falsely accused and reuyled for our sakes and so with stopped cares ought wee to lette all sharpe wordes passe yea to pray for them that speake euill of or to vs. When our good workes and meanings are taken in euill part our enterprise resisted our wordes reiected and refused of euerie man wee ought paciently to suffer it For farre inferiouis are wee vnto Christ our Lord ouer whom goeth so horrible and wicked a crie Crucifie him crucifie him Hereof should all faithfull beleeuers bee admonished yea assured if they mind to liue godly in Christ Iesu that they must suffer much persecution that if they wil walke and go forward in the way of God they must beare many hurtfull and noysome things for no man can please GOD that for his sake is not exercised in much aduersitie Therefore saith hee vnto his deare friendes Blessed are yee when men reuyle you and persecute you shall falsely speake all manner of euill against you for my sake Reioice and bee gladde for great is your reward in heauen Math. 5. Wherefore deare children let vs follow our innocent Lord
of any witty man to bee euill because many doe abuse it and is drunken Euen so is holie scripture and other profitable sciences to be esteemed as high giftes although many men puft vp with pride blinded in couetousnes and intangled with other affections haue misused the same scriptures In the Papistry the Vniuersities Colleges cathedrall Churches and Monasteries haue highly exalted the Pope and his false faith and by false interpretation of the scripture brought him so farre that the doctrine of the faith and Christ is vtterly darkened Now whereas lewd learned with false science with wrong vnderstanding of scripture haue broght such high thinges great goodes and plentifull riches to passe drawing so much people vnto themselues we ought not therefore to cease from reading and exercising of the scripture but to take vppon vs to further the true religion and fayth of Christ and to sette it foorth againe with no lesse diligence than they doo theirs If wee will that the true fayth of Christ shall growe continue and increase then wee must bring the same to passe by true vnderstanding of the scripture by pure sounde and wholesome doctrine With the trueth must lyes bee banished with sound doctrine must false bee rooted out with the light must darknesse bee expelled But how can the true vnderstanding of the scripture the vndoubted wholesome and sound doctrine bee had when men doo neyther exercise and imploy themselues nor applye theyr endeuour studie and diligence therein All the charges therefore and expences which heretofore haue been bestowed vpon the vnprofitable and noisome learned men ought now to be conuerted to godly Colleges and studies to the intent that litle seeds which God hath laid vp in yong wits may fruitfully growe be planted and brought forth If thou seeke wisedome as the golde saith Salomon thou shalt finde it Gold is with great trauaile and labour digged out of the inward and secrete veines of the earth and of the high hilles it raineth not downe vpon mens heads euen so must knowledge wisedome bee gotten with great trauaile and diligence not with loytering and idlenesse But when God giueth vs his giftes wee must looke that we be not vnfaithfull in them but vse and bestow them to his glorie and edifiyng of his Church Where godlinesse commeth to knowledge or where they two are together in one man God is highly to bee thanked for so excellent a gift and grace and greatly is such a gift to bee had in estimation but whereas pride heauines contention greedines and selfe loue is in a learned man there is not a more hurtfull poyson found vpon the earth O God thou that of thy grace and fatherly loue hast giuen so good and excellent giftes with singular light of all sciences graunt vnto such as be learned a heart and mind that in all things they may haue respect onely to thy glorie that in all their readings writings teachings and doctrines they may prefer the same For knowledge puffeth a man vp but loue edifieth O suffer not thy holy and excellent gifts to be stayned defiled and marred with the filthy durt of mens affections Graunt that our studies bee not heathenish but godly and Christian Preserue the tender and good youth from wicked and vngodly schoolmaisters that the pure hartes which thou hast consecrated to be a temple for thee and thy holy spirit be not polluted with vice and filthines To testimoniall amazed and wondered saying one to an◠〈…〉 What meaneth this Other mocked saying 〈…〉 of new minds But Peter stept forth 〈…〉 and lift vp his voice and saide vnto them 〈…〉 and all ye that dwell at Hierusalem be this 〈…〉 you and with your eares heare my wordes for these are not drunken as yee suppose seeing it is but the third 〈◊〉 of the day but this is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel And it shall be in the last daies saith God I will poure out of my spirite in those daies and your sonnes and your daughters shall prophesie and your yong men shall see visions and your olde men shall dreame dreames And on my seruantes and on my hand-maides I will poure out of my spirite in those daies and they shall prophesie and I will shew wonders in heauen aboue and tokens in the earth beneath bloud and fire and the vapor of smoke the sunne shal bee turned into darknesse and the moone into bloud before before that great and notable day of the Lord come And it shall come to passe that whosoeuer calleth on the name of the Lord shall be saued Doctrine and fruite WHen the truth is published in the church of Christ the power of God vttereth it selfe there be alwaies some simple people that of good minde seeke to knowe that which they vnderstand not and therefore they demaund questions vnto those the Lorde dooth gladly open himselfe But again there be others that despise slander mocke and abhorre all holy things as in the old and new Testament we haue many witnesses of the same Ierem. 20.26.32 Iohn 8.10.11 Acts. 17. For the naturall man vnderstandeth not the thinges that appertaine vnto God And thus doe they most of all which beeing puffed vp in the wisedome and science of man haue nor yet attained to the spirite and right kernell of the scripture in the sight of which men the wisedome of God and preaching of the crosse of Iesus Christ is but a derision and foolishnes But blessed are they that in the singlenes of their heart with pure minds in meeknes obedience and in the true feare of God submit themselues vnto his doctrine from them cannot God hide himself but openeth their mindes that they may vnderstand the scriptures For they that of a good mind do here aske the question What meaneth this are afterwardes conuerted by Peters preaching Peter the feruent Disciple of Christ the faithful shepheard of Christs sheepe as soone as he receiueth the spirit is bolde to steppe foorth and to confesse him whom before he had denied But first hee perswadeth that the Disciples were not drunken for if such vice were in the Ministers of Christ they truly conuinced thereof it should bring vnto the Gospell and name of Christ great hinderaunce staine his doctrine make it to be despised and subiect Most diligent therefore ought we to bee in keeping vs from such vices whereby our office mniistration and doctrine might bee suspect and set at naught Yet must we not deferre too long in aunswering such euill reports for more diligence must we apply in setting foorth the name and glorie of GOD than in defending and maintaining our owne estimation Thus the Apostle Peter in answering that obiection concerning drunkennes dooth shortly passe ouer and saith Brethren these are not drunken as ye suppose for why the time doth not permit it is yet too earely in the morning Immediately vppon the same he proceedeth forth to admonish them of the excellent graces and
Fruitfull Lessons VPON THE PASSION BVRIALL RESVRRECTION Ascension and of the sending of the holy Ghost GATHERED OVT OF THE FOVRE Euangelists with a plaine exposition of the same BY MILES COVERDALL IOHN 14.6 I am the waie the truth and the life no man commeth vnto 〈…〉 but by me LONDON Printeâ— bâ— Thomas 〈◊〉 â—593 The Author to the Reader SInce our humane imperfections are such as one sinne driueth out another and the frailtie of our natures is so great as hauing touched the brim of the Ocean thereof we neuer cease till we are ouerwhelmed drowned in the bottome of the same since of our selues wee are but graftes of a corruptious tree children of eternall darknesse infidels who bowe the knee to Baal hauing vncircumcised hearts and lying lippes whose mindes are fixed on the world and fastned on Mammon I thought good Christian Reader considering the self loue in vs which haue conuerted the Angels into deuilles which as Augustine witnesseth hath builded the verie Babylon of contempt of God to leuell out a waie for all men to tread a glasse for all men to see an Adamant wherewith all soules may be drawen to the beholding of their vices the loathing of the same and finally the amendement and hartie conuersion for their misdeeds And for that it most euidently appeareth that the iustest man falleth oftentimes a daie and they that discerne errors in themselues and seeing then that they are in the next step to amendement it behoueth vs to consider the weaknesse which is in vs how farre we are fallen and dâ—o fall from the protection of the iust so that in the end we may in the spring of repentance wash away originall and successive sinnes which haue defiled our soules and cleaning to the 〈◊〉 corner stone wheron our saith should be builded withstand the periâ— of perdition which our ghostly enemie hath raised against vs. And â—â—r that truth is neuer knowen but by his contrarie and our nakednesse is not disclosed vnlesse our eies be opened let vs examine our selues and we shall find that these are inseparable errours in vs from which the iustest are not exempted namely blindnes and corruptnes of iudgement 〈◊〉 spirit mistrust in GOD to be slacke and wearie in Gods seruice defaming of Gods truth not to haue God before the eies surmising vanitie 〈◊〉 heart curiositie and nicenesse grudging in our heartes against the enemie bitternesse desire of vengeance a mans good intent greedines to be seen and praised vainglorie ambition proper election maintaining of our owne and disâ—lainfull false vnfaithfull wicked are and 〈…〉 points and feats wherwith the 〈…〉 the good men that keepe themselues from 〈…〉 These and other innumerable vices shall euery 〈…〉 good so euer he be find in himselfe if he search 〈…〉 vprightly and throughly to the bottome 〈◊〉 then that we finde our selues so vicious altogether 〈◊〉 poisoned and wounded vnto death we ought daie and night without ceasing to complaine and lament before God to watch and pray vnto God for remission of our sins yet should we not despaire of life The true Phisition of our soules came downe from heauen through his passion hath he made vs a plaister for our wounds onely let vs vse it and lay it to the sore The faithfull Samaritane poureth oile and wine into our wounds taketh vs vp to cure and to heale vs onely let vs follow him fashion our selues after his image He is the brasen serpent without sinne whome with the eyes of faith we must behold hanging and lift vp vpon the crosse for vs hee taking our sinnes vppon himselfe giueth vs his owne innocencie If the burthen of sinne now oppresseth and grieueth vs we ought to runne vnto him he shall ease vs giue vs rest for his bloud washeth awaie our sinnes him hath the father giuen vnto vs to be our righteousnesse and redemption Besides this great treasure that God hath giuen vs in Christ he is set foorth vnto vs especially in his passion for a patterne or example whereby we may learne to die from sin and finde a preseruatiue against vices to come For selfeloue and high esteeming of a mans owne selfe is the wel-spring of all vice Consider that Christ was not proude himselfe of his owne highnesse but tooke vpon him the shape of a seruant come to serue vs humbled him most lowly loued not himselfe sought not his owne desired not his honor but the honor of his father all despite and reproch fell vpon him If we ponder this by saith all greedy loue of our selues shall fall away The obedience of Iesu in true beleefe considered expelleth and healeth our disobedience and the idolairie of our owne carnall heart With his obedience couereth he the disobedience of all men so farre as we abide in the obedience of faith that Christ be dearer vnto vs than the whole world for the which cause we freely giue ouer our selues into his obedience suffering all things for his sake Pride and vaine-glorie is healed through Christs humilitie and contempt which he suffered for vs manifolde Learne of me saith he for I am meeke and lowly of heart Why are wee so greadie of temporal things when Christ the Lord of heauen and earth became for vs so poore hanging bare and naked vppon the crosse The chast pure life of Iesus Christ expelleth in vs all vncleannesse of the flesh Also his martirdome anguish and trouble which in his flesh hee suffered for vs quencheth the lust and concupiscence of the flesh O how euill doth it become a beleeuer to be irefull and greedie of vengeance when his fore-runner beeing in most humilitie like vnto a sheepe praied for his enemies Enuie and hatred is highly expelled if we consider the excellent deepe loue of Iesu towards vs. Gluttonie and excesse of life shall fall awaie from vs if we well remember that Christ for vs dranke vineger mixt with gall As it is here shewed in certaine points euen so against all vices and blemishes of the soule there may remedie beâ— sound in the passion of Christ if it bee rightly vsed in the contemplation of faith The old Adam ought we to lay aside to mortifie the members vppon earth and to put on Christ the Lord as the new wedding garment In the crosse ought to be our exercise our ioy comfort and life Herevnto also helpeth vs our heauenly father who vnto vs his children whom he most entirely loueth suffreth manifold passions afflictions troubles and anguishes sicknesse pouertie and persecution to come to keepe vs vppon the crosse least we as negligent people gape for temporall earthie things And if we will needs follow our owne lusts he hedgeth our waie with thornes nourturing and humbling vs through trouble that we being tried and purified as the gold in the fire may crie and call vnto him and that we may giue our earthly things seeing we finde no quietnesse in them He bringeth vs into the land of promise howbeit through the
the world through me publish ye vnto all men though yee must loose your life therefore IF the world hate you yee know that it hated mee before it hated you If yee were of the worlde the world would loue his owne Howbeit because yee are not of the worlde but I haue chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you Remember the word that I said vnto you the seruaunt is not greater than the Lord. If they haue persecuted mee so will they persecute you If they haue kept my sayings they will also keepe yours But all these things will they do vnto you for my names sake because they knowe not him that sent mee If I had not come and spoken vnto them they should not haue had sinne but now haue they nothing to cloake their sinne withall Hee that hateth mee hateth my Father also If I had not doone workes amongst them which none other man did they had not had sinne but nowe haue they seene and haue hated both mee and also my Father euen that the saying might bee fulfilled which is written in theyr owne lawe They haue hated mee without anie cause Doctrine and fruite LIke as Christ in the aforesaid words hath giuen vnto his Disciples and to vs that beleeue in him an excellent consolation in his loue which is infinite great towardes vs so dooth he now comfort vs against such trouble and aduersitie to come as outwardly happeneth vnto vs and against the hate and persecution wherewith the children of the world recompence vs for our loue and well dooing Loue ought wee to haue towards all men such godly loue shall moue vs earnestly to further Gods glorie to bring all men to the knowledge and loue of God and to withdraw them from fleshly lustes and worldly vices When wee now of a godly zeale beginne thus to rebuke vice and to reprehend the carnall lustes of the children of the world then they that are drowned in the shamefull vices of the world and the flesh may not suffer it but hate trouble and vexe vs molest persecute vs and put vs vnto death contemning and despising the worde which wee offer them from GOD whereby they might bee saued and going about by all meanes to roote it out But all this ought not to driue vs backe or discourage vs For in this world must we seeke no high honour nor praise but willingly humble and submit our selues vnder the rebuke and crosse with Christ our head Christ also exhorteth vs to folow his footsteppes and to doe after his example and not to forsake the truth and loue of our neighbour for theyr hatred but constantly to proceed and do our best to guid all men vnto God And if for such our vnfaithfulnes and loue there happen reproach and trouble to vs we ought to reioice that God dooth vs so great honour as to graunt vs to suffer somewhat for his name sake If we liued as do the children of the world wee should not bee hated of them and happily wee needed to feare but little daunger But Christ hath taken vs from the world and chosen and called vs to good works and to innocencie of life Nothing hath he omitted that might serue to our welfare faithfully therefore ought we to follow his vocation not do as the vnthankfull Iewes that despise his doctrine and workes He talketh yet daily with vs prouoketh and calleth vs therefore ought we to cease from sin and not to fashion our selues after the world For if we would liue to please the world to serue it and to hunt after the fauour and praise of it wee should not be faithfull Ministers of Iesus Christ We ought not to look for worldly honor but to haue respect to the eternall glorie which wee shall haue with Christ our head yea so farre as we suffer rebuke and dishonour with him When he liued in this time and practised the truth against the Pharisies hee was reuiled put to shame and death The same happeneth also vnto vs for we are not aboue the Lorde An euill token were it if the world loued vs. Paciently therefore and with ioy ought we to beare such rebuke and shame as happeneth vnto vs for his name sake by those that hate the truth For our honor and reward is great in heauen but after our trouble shall the same be first opened as it happened also vnto Christ our head first after the crosse BVt when the comforter is come whom I will send vnto you from the father euen the spirit of truth which proceedeth of the father he shall testifie of me And yee are witnesses also because ye haue beene with me from the beginning These things haue I saide vnto you that ye should not be offended They shall thrust you out of their synagogues excommunicate you yea the time shall come that whosoeuer killeth you will thinke that he doth seruice vnto God And such thinges shall they doo vnto you because they knowe not the father neither me But these things haue I told you that when the houre is come yee may remember that I tolde you These thinges said I not vnto you at the beginning because I was with you But now I go my way to him that sent me none of you asketh mee Whither goest thou But because I haue said such things vnto you your harts are full of sorrow But I tell you the truth It is expedient for you that I goe awaie For if I go not away that comforter will not come vnto you But if I depart I will send him vnto you Doctrine and fruite FOr as much as it is our bounden duetie to beare witnesse vnto Christ with our mouth and life yet our weake flesh feareth the hatred and resistance of the worlde Christ therefore promiseth vs heere that hee will sende vs strength from heauen namely the holy Ghost first in our harts to bear witnesse vnto Christ and then to open our mouthes that we may testifie the Lord Christ and his trueth manfully and without feare Certaine it is that all they which will liue here godly in Christ Iesu must suffer persecution But seeing that to suffer such aduersitie our flesh is farre too slow colde and feeble God giueth vs the spirit of his son to mooue strengthen and preserue vs in all goodnes This spirit poureth out loue into our hartes expelleth all feare and terror as we see in Peter on Whitsonday maketh vs to ouercome all aduersitie We are braunches in Christ the true vine albeit as yet verie weake and tender soone blowne awaie with the winde or smitten downe other waies but for as much as out of Christ wee receiue yet the sap and vertue of spirite and life wee are in life preserued that wee wither not away Of this now must we bee mindfull in all aduersitie so that without ceasing we pray vnto GOD for his holie spirite who is our instructer comforter and
teacher Wee ought to haue respect vnto our fore-goer and finisher of our faith remembring that wee suffer not as theeues and euill dooers but for his sake yea and that of the wicked This shall make our aduersitie and crosse the more easie and light when wee feele the comfort of the spirite and beholde how shamefull a death Christ suffered for vs. Therfore should there no feare make vs to shrinke from the confession of Christ and his trueth Wee are not they that speake but it is the spirite of the Father which speaketh in vs. Wee maye not feare those that kill the bodie we may not bee ashamed of him so shall hee also knowledge vs and make vs honourable in his fathers sight The honour of this world should not bee dearer vnto vs than the glorie of God And though wee die for it yet ought we not to shrinke or stirre from the confession of the trueth This ingendreth manie times much heauines and feare in vs that wee consider onely that which is present little regarding that which is to come and euerlasting And because wee thinke that when GOD thrusteth vs into aduersitie he is farre from vs whereas hee then is most of all with vs by his grace comfort and strength and tryeth vs through the crosse standing behinde the wall and looking through the grate vppon our conflict and battaile yea helping vs to fight and to ouercome Therefore must we not alwayes bee children wee must not hang still at the brest seeking milke as children doo but growe to a perfect age learning to knowe Christ the Lord after the spirite as hee now gouerneth and is a mightie king vnder whose banner wee must fight valiantly and indure the crosse vnto the death throwing behind vs all thinges in this worlde and lifting vp our eyes and harts into heauen whence our helpe commeth and into the which Christ is gone to prepare for vs an euerlasting dwelling ANd when the spirit is come he will rebuke the worlde of sinne and of righteousnes and of iudgment Of sin because they beleeue not on me of righteousnesse because I go to my father and ye shall see me no more of iudgment because the prince of this world is iudged alreadie I haue yet many thinges to say vnto you but yee cannot heare them now Howbeit when hee is come which is the spirite of truth he will lead you into all truth For he shall not speake of himselfe but whatsoeuer he shall heare that shall he speake and he will shew you thinges to come Hee shall glorifie mee for he shal receiue of mine and shal shew vnto you All things that the Father hath are mine Therefore said I that he shal take of mine and shew vnto you Doctrine and fruite IN these wordes doth Christ shew vs the office of the holy Ghost and what he worketh by his disciples and by all faithfull beleeuers in the worlde The whole world is sette vpon wickednesse and iniquitie and when that is rebuked it hateth and persecuteth those that rebuke it Whereout it followeth oftentimes that through imbecillitie and weakenesse of the flesh we cease from rebuking of vice and sinne Now when we find it to be thus that the infirmitie of our flesh and the terrible threatening of the world will hinder vs or vtterly drawe vs backe from the free rebuking of vice wee ought to praye vnto God our Father for to giue vs the spirit of his sonne that he may powre out loue into our hearts and expell all feare that with stoute stomacks and wordes we may reprehend the vyces of the world and valiantly resist them This spirit shall teach vs the thing that neither our flesh nor the world is instructed in All we of nature doe erre and euery one wandreth his owne waie that is euery one foloweth his owne purpose and intent and if we beleeue not in Christ we perish in our sinnes And this is the greatest sin of all wherein the world is wrapt afore it receiue the truth Not to beleeue in Christ is a sinne out of the which all vyce and wickednes dooth growâ— How great this sinne is no man is able to knowe onely the spirit of God openeth it therefore the spirite teacheth vs how farre we goe astray And if we come to Christ from this erronius waie of vnbeliefe all sinnes are forgiuen vs through Christ and not imputed vs to our damnation Neither is it enough to knowe that wee haue erred or doe yet erre but wee must know also which is the right waie wherein when error is forsaken wee must walke to attaine vnto godlines and blisse This right waie doth the spirit also shewe to be euen Christ who is our waie our righteousnes and goodnes which waie neuertheles the world will not goe To beleeue in Christ is the true way to attaine vnto righteousnes and saluation who so now departeth not from the erroneous waie of vnbeliefe and vice and will not walke in Christ the way of all vertue and goodnes which all the world alas so abhorreth the same is conuict that the iudgement of eternall paine doth righteously fall vpon him seeing the light is set before him and he will rather abide perish in darknesse But is not this a iust iudgement that the world should perish in sinne and be punished for euer considering that God hath graciously sent vnto them his owne sonne promising euerlasting lyfe and saluation in him who with his bloud hath washed awaie our sinnes mightily ouercome death sin and the prince of this worlde deliuered vs out of his power and heauie yoake and taken possession of the kingdome and glorie with his father And yet they will not know receiue nor honour Christ as theyr chiefe king and Lord but still serue the prince of this world in vice sin not submit themselues vnder the easie yoake of Christ of his loue and vertues O deare children let vs departe out of the kingdome of darknes into the kingdome of Iesus Christ the sonne of God let vs regarde his word with diligence let vs hearken what God speaketh in vs and though there bee many things that as yet we knowe not many that we do not vnderstand and perceiue we will earnestly praie vnto God for his spirite who is the right schoolmaster and teacher Hee shall lead vs into all truth he shall renue vs in the spirite of our minde and teach vs to vnderstand what the good acceptable and perfect will of God is He shall plant and roote vs in loue that we may comprehend with all Saints what is the length the breadth the height and deapth that wee may also knowe the exceeding loue of the knowledge of Christ that we might bee filled in all godly perfectnes Thus the spirite teacheth vs all truth when he poureth loue into our harts This schoolmaster teacheth all beleeuers here in time euerie
one as much as he can comprehend and kindleth spirituall hearts with greater desire He that nowe increaseth in loue that is who so loueth that whereof God giueth him knowledge and desireth to know that which as yet he knoweth not him doth the spirite leade into al truth For the more that loue groweth the more perfect is knowledge And in this schoole of the loue which the spirit poureth into our hearts the faithfull beleeuer learneth more than all bookes and all men can teach him but the more a man learneth can the more must he acknowledge and confes that he can nothing towards that which we shall know when we shall cleerely and perfectly see God face to face Vnto vs shall it bee inough and sufficient that we in spirit and in the truth knowe Iesus Christ which was crucified that he shine and be glorified in our mortall body in our harts mouth and in our whole life AFter a while ye shall not see me again after a while ye shall see me for I go to the father Then said some of his disciples among themselues What is this that he saith vnto vs After a while ye shal not see me againe after a while ye shal see me that I go to my father They said therfore what is this that he saith after a while We cannot tel what he saith Iesus perceiued that they would aske him and said vnto them This is it that ye enquire off betweene your selues that I said After a while ye shall not see me again after a while ye shal see me Verily verily I say vnto you yee shall weepe and lament but the world shall reioyce yee shall sorrowe but your sorrow shall be turned into ioye A woman when she trauaileth hath sorrow because her houre is come But when she is deliuered of the childe she remembreth no more the anguish for ioye that a man is borne into the world And yee now therefore are in soâ—rowe but I will see you againe and your heart shall reioyce and your ioye shall no man take from you Doctrine and fruite AN excellent comfort doth Christ giue here vnto his Disciples who by reason of his deparparting were in great sorrowe and heauines But like as the Disciples of Christ because of his passion abode for a little season in great combrance feare and trouble and yet receiued great ioye out of the Resurrection when hee shewed himselfe vnto them euen so in aduersity ought not we to be faint-hearted but comfort our selues in this that the Lord doth not long leaue those that are his Though hee hide himselfe for a time he shall shortly shewe vs his gratious countenance againe refresh vs with rich comfort The aduersities of faithful beleeuers are not only short but also they end with vnspeakeable ioy After aduersitie and death foloweth euerlasting ioye and eternall life We are here with Christ our head in trouble and on the crosse where the world laugheth at vs and reioyseth For all this ought not wee to be vnquiet in our selues Very shortly will the matter change and turne vpside downe so that their laughter and ioy shal be altered into weeping and eternall sorrow But our heauinesse shall God shortly end with great fruit and ioye and the same ioy shall no man be able to take from vs when we with Christ our head shall euerlastingly bee gladde and reioyce when all teares shall bee wiped away from our eyes and wee discharged of all trauaile and labour of this time IN that daie shall ye aske me no question Verily verilie I saie vnto you Whatsoeuer yee shall aske the father in my name he will giue it you Hetherto haue ye asked nothing in my name Aske and ye shall receiue that your ioy may be full These things haue I spoken vnto you in Prouerbs but the time will come when I shall no more speak to you in prouerbes but I shall shew you plainly of my father At that day shall ye aske in my name And I saie vnto you that I will praie vnto the father for you for the father himselfe loueth you because ye haue loued mee and haue beleeued that I am come out from God I went out from the father and came into the world I leaue the world againe and goe to the father His disciples said vnto him Lo now spekest thou plainly and thou speakest no prouerbe Now are we sure that thou knowest all things and nedest not that anie man should aske thee anie question Therefore beleeue wee that thou camest from God Iesus answered them Now ye do beleeue beholde the houre draweth nigh and is alreadie come that ye shall be scattered euerie man into his owne and shal leaue me alone yet I am not alone for the father is with me These words haue I spoken vnto you that in mee yee might haue peace In the world shall yee haue tribulation but bee of good cheere I haue ouercome the world Doctrine and fruit MAny times doth Christ promise vs whatsoeuer wee praie to obtaine the same of the father of heauen whereby he may stirre vp our hearts faithfully to crie vnto God the gracious and louing father whose loue towardes vs is exceeding great neither can he saie vs nay that hath giuen and bestowed vppon vs his owne sonne yea not onely hath hee sent downe vnto vs his deare and onely begotten sonne to take the nature of man vppon him and to die for vs but hath also into our hearts giuen his holy spirite with whome hee hath sealed vs and certefied vs of his loue pouring the knowledge and loue of Christ into our heartes How can wee then doubt of his loue and faithfulnesse How is it possible that in all our trouble and heauinesse we should not vnto him onely haue recourse seeking helpe and comfort at his hand The sonne for our sake came forth from the father humbled and made himselfe of no reputation tooke all reproch shame and trouble vppon himselfe for our welfare To the father was he obedient vntil the death of the crosse and after that he through his bloud had washed awaie our sinnes and finished the worke of our saluation he arose againe from death through the power might of his father ouercame death for vs and with his ascension opened heauen and prepared an enterance vnto God carrying vp our nature and flesh vnto the honor and glorie which he had from euerlasting giuing vs therein a hope and sure comfort that wee also shal with him haue euerlasting ioy and glory for euer Seeing then that he came out from the father we ought to hearken vnto him and not to despise his word he is the eternall wisedome of God he is the truth no false teacher can he bee forasmuch as hee commeth from God and is his onely begotten son To contemne so deare an embassadour and messenger of God must needs haue great punishment and though we are not able in
Iesus to kisse him And when he came he stept vnto him and sayd All haile master and with that kissed him Iesus sayd vnto him Friend whereto art thou come Iudas betrayest thou the sonne of man with a kisse Iesus knowing all things that were to come vpon himselfe went forth and sayd vnto them Whom seeke ye They said Iesus of Nazareth Then sayd he vnto them I am he And Iudas that betraied him stood with them Now when Iesus sayd I am hee they went backeward and fell to the ground Then Iesus asked them againe whome seeke ye They said Iesus of Nazareth Then answered Iesus and said I haue tolde you that I am hee If ye seeke me then let these depart that the saying which he spake might bee fulfilled Of them whome thou gauest me I haue lost none Doctrine and fruit CHrist the worthy and strong Captaine when he hath whollie giuen ouer himselfe steppeth forth weaponed going manfully and stedfastlie against the prince of this world and his ministers yeelding and offering himselfe willingly to suffer for vs as Esay saith quia voluit for so was it his will No man had beene able to take him or put him to death if hee had not so willed himselfe for hee had power to leaue his owne life Many times afore did hee giue place to their fury and got himselfe out of the way but when the houre apointed of the father was come he goeth himselfe willingly meeteth death by the way Heere ought we also to learne willingly and stoutly to goe into aduersity if it bee the will of our father if Gods honour and our neighbours welfare so require For like as the father suffreth not his son to die till the houre of death come euen so standeth our life in his hand The limits that hee hath set vnto vs may we neither preuent nor ouer passe neither lieth it in the power of our enemies to kill vs when they will themselues Christ careth for those that are his the enemies are able to doe vs no harme at all no neither in bodie nor goods till the Father giue them leaue Therfore he sayth Let these go The father according to his greate mercie and gracious will thrusteth vs into aduersitie with Christ his deare beloued sonne in such wise so much and at what time he will himselfe Against his will ought we not to striue but patiently and with obedience submit our selues wholy vnto it Oh what an vnspeakable great loue is heere The shepheard dieth to saue the lyfe of the poore sheepe the Lorde goeth vnto death to the intent that the seruants should not die the creator spareth not himselfe to saue his creature If the sonne of God nowe doeth not abhorre to suffer death for vs why would wee then bee ashamed to suffer and die for hys sake And though he be verie God and sheweth his enemies the brightnes of his godly strength in that he so throweth them to the grounde yet will not he in the same houre vse such his diuine power to deliuer himself albeit he admonisheth them therby to cease from their conceiued mallice for his godly strength casteth them downe his mercie grace lifteth them vp again Out of the which great myracle they shuld haue learned not to laie hande on him malitiously they shoulde haue considered that if it had beene his pleasure hee might well haue escaped their handes so that they had not beene able to holde him but the vnbeleeuing rable are blinded indurate and hardned that neither myracle nor kindnes can moue them Oh the high maiestie of Christ how shall vnbeleeuers be able to stand before him when he shal appeare in the iudgement whereas before his weaknesse and humilitie when hee was now to bee iudged himselfe they were not able to stand If his louing voice wherewith hee speaketh so gentlie vnto them and saith I am hee dooth so feare them and throw them down What wil then the horrible voice of the Iudge doe when hee shall say depart yee cursed into euerlasting fire O how innocently and godly ought we to liue before him who is among vs and in vs heareth all our words seeth all our workes sercheth and looketh thorow all our thoughts howe secret so euer they be Christ at this time withdrew his high power and in weaknes of the flesh and in wonderfull high patience stept he forth to suffer By his ensample must wee learne not to take vs to our high estate but with patience and humblenes of mind to meet the enemie Like patience and gentlenes vseth he also towards his traitour whome hee goeth to meet not speaking rough wordes vnto him brawleth not with him rateth him not as he was well worthy but receiueth him with all softnes of mind and gentlenes whereas yet hee came to deliuer betray him into the hands of the wicked and vnto death Neither dooth the Lorde denie him so much as the kisse the token of friendship but louingly also talketh he with him albeit he also maketh mention of his vnfeined and dissembling friendship telling him of it admonishing him if he had not bene hardened to cease from his conceaued treason Wherefore we also must learne of Christ so far as concerneth our owne person and estimation with all mildnesse softnesse of mind patience and greatest loue to meete those that hate vs and betray vs if peraduenture with such loue and gentlenes of minde wee may bring them away from their malice and wickednes Heere also with great feare dread ought we to consider of the iudgement God in Iudas that he being one of the twelue and elect Disciples dooth betray and sell the Lord Iesus his gratious louing Maister Whereby wee are taught how that amongst all men there is nothing throughly perfect and whole seeing that in so holy and small number there is one man so greatly stuffed with wickednesse Therefore he that standeth let him looke that he fall not Lette couetousnes blind no man let the desire of temporall good possesse and rule no mans heart for out of couetousnes the roote of all vice groweth nothing but treason and despaire No righteousnesse no fidelity no truth no honesty can be in that hart wherin greedie couetousnes hath taken root Iudas for verie greedines of money giueth ouer God all loue and hee that afore was a fellowe and companion of the holy congregation of Gods children is become a mate companion and Captaine of the wicked vnbeleeuers hee that was chosen to the preaching of the Gospell is become an enemie persecutor and traitour against the truth O from how high great honour to what shame dishonestie and vile state falleth Iudas who hauing woluish conditions vnder sheepes cloathing doth vnder the token of loue practise treason against the trueth From Iesus the true health hee seperateth himselfe to the children of the Deuill hee getteth him amongst the bloud-thirstie yea euen he that hitherto in outward appearaunce had
God who giueth strength and power vnto those that are his Item it serueth to our commoditie and profite in that we see a good godly man fall and sinne and afterward rise vp againe and amend least we should saie Alas I am lost I haue done this and I haue done that but forasmuch as wee see that Peter by repentance weeping and conuerting agayne doeth obtaine grace it is meete and conuenient that wee acknowledge our offences vnto GOD desire grace weepe and complayne of our sinnes before GOD. For both are heere set before vs the fall and the repentaunce and this ensample is good and profitable to those that are in the right waie of godlynesse and also vnto sinners The godly iust and righteous learne by this to bee circumspect and not to presume Sinners by occasion of this doo learne immediatly to rise vp againe from theyr fall and not in anie wise to despayre Yea our owne fall learne we to knowe by Peters fal but alasse our fall is much more grieuous greater than Peters Peter sinned through weaknesse many a time doe wee sinne wilfully and aduisedly hee once we daily he was constrained thorow feare we many a time thorowe light occasions fall from the way of truth and righteousnes hee riseth vp againe forth-with we seldome and slowlie he wept bitterly we scarce doe confesse and knowledge the sinne Yea bitterlie wept he which thing al the electought to doe if they haue sinned There should nothing greeue vs more than to haue sinned against GOD than to haue displeased God This doe not wilfull sinners which passe little or nothing vpon sinne and when they come into the deepenes thereof care not for it neither confesse nor acknowledge their sinne vntill afterwarde with dispaire as it is to see in Iudas But Peter bewailing the greeuous fall and wickednesse of his deniall without further falling away into horrible desperation is preserued thorow the goodnes of God in the confidence of gods oft prooued and accustomed mercie is hee lift vp vnto blessed repentance and so healed Christs looke the true Phisitian is vnto him as much as a worde or speech Wherein wee may learne to knowe the vnspeakeable loue of GOD who euen in the middest of sinne forgetteth not his own forsaketh them not but graciously looketh vppon them with the eyes of his mercie admonisheth them speaketh vnto them through the outward and inward worde with the which gratious countenance he diswadeth them froÌ„ sinne and calleth them againe to himselfe prouoking them to sorrowe and mourning lamentation weeping Hee spreadeth out his armes and lappe of his mercie and graciously taketh vs vp againe receiueth vs with the lost sonne Therfore let vs knowledge repent and bitterly bewaile our sinnes let vs wash them away with teares and endeuor our selues with great diligence that negligently we fall not into them againe let vs runne to the bottomlesse well of the mercie of God and pray O merciful God giue vs the wel of blessed teares that from the bottome of our harts we may with Peter bewaâ—le our sinnes O with how great and greeuous sinnes are we laden and entangled O suffer vs not to lie vnder the heauie burden lette vs not sinke downe in heauines and desperation Set thou vs vp againe and conuert vs throughly send grace of thy holie repentaunce into our heart wash away all our sinnes and negligence graunt vs the light of newe graces and giftes let not the soules perish for whom thou diddest submit thy selfe into so many paines rebukes and at the last diddest suffer the terrible bitter death of the crosse Amen THE high Priest asked Iesus of his Disciples and of his doctrine Iesus answered him I haue openly spoken vnto the world I haue alwaies taught in the Synagogue and in the temple there as all the Iewes resort together in corners haue I taught nothing Why askest thou me Aske them that heard me what I said vnto them Behold they can tell what I said When he had thus spoken one of the ministers that stood by smote Iesus vpon his cheek said Answerest thou the high Priest so Then Iesus answered him said If I haue spoken euil then bear record of the euil but if I haue well spoken why smitest thou me Doctrine and fruite HEere in the high Priest wee see an example of those malicious persons that take in hand to ouerthrow and condemne the truth afore they heare it Great is the arrogancie of man who dare presume to make him selfe a Iudge of Gods trueth whereas of more right the truth and woorde of God should iudge our words and workes The vnderstanding of man of the flesh perceiueth not the thing that concerneth God and therefore hee refuseth it and iudgeth it vnright and so giueth sentence afore he know what the matter is This the more pitie do al they that seeke their own profit and estimation and not the honour of God Nowe in such a false and temerarious sentence gaue him buffets vpon the chocke and 〈…〉 and then asked him Areaâ— who hath smitten thee And the seruants stroke him vpon the face and did him 〈◊〉 â—ther villany Doctrine and fruit O How vniust people come togither against the fountaine of righteousnes What false witnesse and sentence goeth against the truâ—th And yet all their shifting is that their malice and hatred may haue an appearance of iustice They preuent him with false witnes they presse him with perlous and subtill questions and go about to vndermine and supplant the eternall wisedome The enemies are accusers witnesses and Iudges And whereas they reuile and blaspheme Gods sonne to the vttermost they will be seene to be the men that are sorie and displeased when God is dishonoured But as much as they seeke in the innocent lambe yet finde they nothing no not so much as any suspicion of euill so pure and sincere is all his life so true and constant are his words This example ought all faithfull beleeuers to set before their eies learning thereby so to direct their life that the enemies not onely find no vice in them but also no suspicion of euill that vnto the euill speaker there be giuen no occasion nor cause to slander and that the name of Christ thorow them be not blasphemed But whereas the honour of God so requireth wee must openly speake and confesse the truth before the vngodly although they bee angry and offended according as in this place we hear of Christ who telleth them of his glorious comming in Maiestie and power although they take it for a blasphemie Heere ought wee also diligently and deuoutlie to consider what Christ suffereth for vs what ignominie and reproch hee taketh vpon himselfe for our sakes how vilelie he is reputed and how shamefullie in his bodie and in all the parts thereof he is beaten And yet in all this how blessedly hee behaueth and sheweth him selfe to the intent that it should not greeue vs for
life for his sheepe Such perrill doth Christ promise vnto Peter namely that hee must die and with what death Afore-time when hee was young he sought that which pertained to the flesh he might not away with the crosse but nowe after the receiuing of the holy ghost he is stout and dieth for Christs sake and for his sheepe Beholde such an end had Peter that of loue he dieth for him with whome to die he rashlie promised afore But necessarie it was that Christ should first die for Peters health and that Peter afterward should suffer death for his names sake The presumption and headines of man would haue set the cart before the horse but the euerlasting truth hath appointed this order Peter thought he would haue ieoperded his life for Christ haue redeemed the redeemer but Christ came to giue his life for his sheepe of whom Peter was one Now after that Christ died for those that bee his there is strength giuen in the hearts of such shepheards and sheepe as be faithful to suffer death for Christs sake Death is not now so to be feared of vs that we wold therefore goe backe from the truth for by death do not wee lose life yea Christ hath made death to bee the way vnto life And by his Resurrection he hath set forth vnto vs an example of another life which is immortall Peter was first afraide and feared death and would haue dissuaded Christ that he should not die but now that the precious treasure of Christes bloud is shed hee followeth his redeemer yea euen vnto the death of the crosse goeth hee after him therefore is hee nowe no more a satan but a Peter But from whence commeth such strength into a feeble man Euen from God who dwelleth in the hearts of the faithfull for else is the nature and flesh of man impotent and weake beeing afraid of death which feare naturall heate being abated is the greater in them that are olde And though we all wish to to be with Christ and be desirous of eternall life yet would we faine haue it without any griefe of death if it might be Thus came the conflict of death euen vpon Christ whereby hee declared himselfe verie man but the wil of God had the mastry aboue mans in the wrastling Peter also went not with his wil to death but with his will he both suffered it and ouercame it Christ likewise to comfort vs was heauie who neuertheles came vpon earth that he wold die neither was it necessitie that moued him to die but his owne good will and loue for hee had power to giue his soule and take it agayne Now though the feare of death be great in nature yet is it ouercome through the strength and greatnesse of the loue which wee beare vnto him who is our life euen Iesus Christ And albeit he was the life it selfe yet pleased it him to suffer death for vs. Seeing then that hee alone dyed for vs wee ought not to be ashamed neither should it grieue vs to die also for him specially considering that the publishing of so excellent grace is committed vnto vs. When the shepheard dyeth for the sheepe it is no great matter if the sheepe die for the shepheards sake Forasmuch now as the faithfull shepheard with his loue directeth and encourageth many of the sheepe to die for his names sake how much more meete is it that the shepheards bee the first which ieoparde theyr liues striuing for the truth and euen vnto bloud to resiste sinne when Christ hath put them in trust to feed his sheepe This is now the occasion why our Sauiour Christ telleth Peter of his death afore hande and strengtheneth and incourageth him therevnto for though the will bee constaunt in the saints yet is the flesh feeble and weake No man dieth without paine and griefe which thing is appointed vnto vs by the wisedome of God to the intent no man should kill himselfe For seeing the deuill doth now and then perswade som to murther themselues how should it go if the soule were not so loth to depart frō the body With these words therefore thought nor Christ to make Peter afraid or to discourage him but to furnish him and make him ripe For Peter had a good desire to suffer somewhat for Christs sake neuerthelesse beeing yet young hee could not follow but when he was olde he followed him therefore will Christ perfourme his desire As if Christ would say Peter thou hast hitheto bin weake fearful but I wil strengthen thee so that hence forth thou shalt deny mee no more but manfully die for mee Thou hast bene tender in that thou wast afraid at one womans voyce but now shalt thou stretch forth thy hand to the crosse to be bound For by the stretching out of the handes hee vnderstandeth and signifieth with what death hee should die namely vpon the crosse Which death afore time was most shamefull but after that Christ was hanged vpon the crosse it is now an honorable and glorious death with the which the faithfull doe glorifie God and therefore saith the Euangelist that the Lord would thereby signifie with what death Peter should glorifie God For in Gods quarrell and for Christs sake to die is the highest honour whereof no man ought to be ashamed This ought all soule shepheards to ponder and consider that they faithfully and constantly following Christ the Lord go not from that they haue taken in hand but proceed and bring their course to an honourable ende keeping fidelitie and trust with their Lord and being fully appointed in themselues to die for the sheepe of Christ Therfore should they consider afore hand what things they must suffer for the truth least they destroy that which they haue of long time builded and taught O gracious father strengthen thou vs in thy worke and in thy truth that in the thing which thou hast begun in vs we may steadfastly continue to the end Expell out of vs the feare of death stablish vs thorow thy holy spirite that wee manfully may despise ieoperd this life for the life eternall Grant O God to the shepheards of thy sheepe a feruent loue to the truth and thy glory strengthen them with thy spirit that they valiantly standing by the flocke may euen with their death confirme thy people in the truth PEter turned about and saw the disciple whom Iesus loued following which also leaned on his breast at Supper said Lord who is he that betraieth thee when Peter therefore saw him he said to Iesus Lord what shal he heere doe Iesus saith vnto him If I will haue him to tarrie till I come what is that to thee Follow thou me Then went this saying abroade among the brethren that that Disciple should not die Yet Iesus said not to him he shall not die but if I wil that he tarry til I come what is that to thee the same disciple is he which
most perfection to vnderstand his doctrine truth and loue for heere in this time is our knowledge vnperfect yet shuld we consider that the father loueth vs and faithfully ought we to crie and praie vnto him for his spirite that shal teach vs all truth so much as is necessarie and profitable for vs which knowledge from daie to daie shall increase till we shal see him face to face and haue the perfect knowledge of him Our nature is weake and feeble the nature diuine is high and incomprehensible we are full of darknes God is the cleere farre passing light but when our darke mist is taken away then in cleere brightnesse shall the godly light open vnto vs. Some first fruits and beginnings of Gods knowledge haue we receiued alreadie God hath cast and planted a litle seed of knowledge in our harts which through his grace and moisture shall daily grow increase and prosper Of such knowledge as we haue of God we may not presume neither of our weak faith nor yet ascribe too much vnto our own strength He that standeth let him looke that he fall not We think many times that we are verie strong in faith but aduersitie sheweth how feeble we bee and how soone we shrinke Therefore in all trouble and distresse of this world we ought to comfort our selues and trust onely in the grace and strength of Christ In him shal we finde peace and quietnesse in him shall we ouercome all our enemies for his ouercomming is our victorie his power is our strength The world is not able to hurt and plague vs more than of our gracious father is permitted vnto them for our wealth While we liue here we are in miserie affliction distresse but seeing the head hath ouercome the members ought not to doubt of the victorie Let vs with stedfast beleefe looke vnto Christ the fountaine of life our foregoer and finisher of our faith let vs stoutly step forth after him let vs go the waie that he is gone and hath troden made before Afflictions shall serue vs vnto high honor as they serued Christ the Lord vnto glorie In Christ we finde the peace rest of our consciences and soules in him we knowe and find the goodnes loue of God the father out of him receiue we power strength comfort eternall life only let vs loke that we turne not the eies of our heart faith away from him Our welfare consisteth in the stedfast beleefe and loue of Iesus Christ the sonne of God Though we many times stumble fall and be proued by sundry temptations and afflictions yet is the same good and profitable for vs that we may the better learn to know our own weaknes and againe the strength and grace of God If it were not profitable for vs Christ had not suffered his Disciples to fall so greeuously But in all distresse he putteth his hand vnder vs and in aduersitie he leaueth vs not alone as hee also left not his owne Sonne alone Though all men flie away from vs yet haue we God with vs. THese wordes spake Iesus and lift vp his eyes to heauen and said Father the houre is come glorifie thy Sonne that thy Sonne also may glorifie thee as thou hast giuen him power ouer all flesh that he should giue eternall life to as manie as thou hast giuen him This is life eternall that they know thee the onely very true God whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ I haue glorified thee on the earth I haue finished the worke which thou gauest me to doo And now glorifie me thou Father with thine owne selfe with the glorie which I had with thee ere the worlde was I haue declared thy name vnto the men which thou gauest me out of the world Thine they were and thou gauest them mee and they haue kept thy sayings Now they knowe that all thinges whatsoeuer thou hast giuen me are of thee for I haue giuen vnto them the words which thou gauest me and they haue receiued them and know surely that I came out from thee do beleeue that thou didst send me Doctrine and fruite CHrist the true onely chiefe Priest who now would offer vp himselfe to the father vpon the crosse for our sins after that hee had loued his owne vnto the end comforting and strengthening them turneth nowe himselfe in an earnest and feruent praier vnto his heauenly father for an ensample and doctrine to his Disciples and all faithfull beleeuers that they in all temptations and afflictions should with an earnest and feruent praier haue recourse vnto the Father of heauen That he taught afore in wordes the same declareth hee nowe in the deede shewing not onely what but also how and after what sort wee ought to pray not onely for our selues but also for those that are giuen and committed vnto vs of God and whom we haue comforted and exhorted Our eyes and handes ought we to lift vp vnto heauen from whence our helpe commeth which doing is a token of a deuout humble lowly mind Yea the eyes not onely of the body but also of the hart and beleefe But vnto this ende principally ought all our prayers to be directed that the heauenly father may bee glorified The deuil the prince of this world throgh his adherents causeth the name and trueth of Christ his doctrine and knowledge to be rooted out despised Seeing then that wee are Gods children wee should in nothing bee so earnest as in sauing the honour of our father in furthering his glory Which thing commeth to passe when we notifie to men vpon earth his grace faithfulnes loue great mercy which he by his only begotten deare son hath declared shewed vnto mankind when we lead men vnto God from earthly vices false Gods seruice when we direct al things to his glorie Thus is Christ also honored and glorified by vs when wee through the Gospell doe publish vnto all men his power and goodnes his honor and glorie when we know that he is our sauiour our righteousnes and sanctifiing when we know that the father hath giuen all things into his power that to those whom the father hath granted to him hee may giue euerlasting life Which life euerlasting consisteth in this that wee knowe the liuing God his sonne Iesus Christ whom he sent into this world For God the father cānot be known without Christ Iesus his sonne neither is there any mo Gods but only one on whom wee hope trust The way to God is Christ whom God therfore sent downe that by him the mercie and grace of the Father might be opened and appeare vnto vs. Wherefore if we wil haue eternal life that is the knowledge of God we must beleeue in Christ and knowe him and by him as the way and mediator we must know God the father Who so refuseth Christ cannot haue the Father What should it helpe thee