to thinke that thou knowest God the highest goodnes of all if thou hadst not him by whom thou art deliuered from sin and eternall plague Whereas GOD the originall of all goodnesse is knowne and our minde through Christ his Sonne assured of his grace namely that hee is fauourable vnto vs and that hee therefore hath seperated vs out of the world to the intent that by his spirit he might make vs like vnto his sonne righteous and blessed there doth there spring in our hartes a comfortable trust vnto God a loue such ioy as nothing in this world may be compared vnto There also doth arise in vs a diligence to keepe his commandements godly and innocently to liue Thus commeth our health originally out of the grace mercie of our heauenly Father who afore the worlde was created did chuse vs in Christ Iesu his Sonne vnto eternall life and in the booke of life wrote vp our names After the same did the Father graunt vnto vs the Sonne gaue him power ouer all men Nowe that wee are giuen vnto Christ hee openeth vnto vs the name of his Father through the outward worde and through his spirite in the heart When wee beleeue in him which to do cōmeth also of him then increaseth the knowledge of God in vs. Out of that knowledge groweth an assured confidence in God the highest good Of this assured trust commeth loue towards him And when God graunteth vs all this he saueth vs and giueth vs eternall life This is an high worthines and honour of Christ in that the father giueth him all things into his hand that he may giue euerlasting life vnto faithful beleeuers No man can haue life but throgh Christ Who so beleeueth not in Christ remaineth in death and the wrath of God-abideth vppon him But then giueth hee vs eternall life when we receiue his worde and knowe that he came out from God and that the father sent him the Sauiour of the world And when wee thus are become faithfull beleeuers then keepe we his commaundementes for faith studieth and is diligent to please God This honour and dignitie of Christ his power and kingdome are first opened vnto the world after his death and crosse in the resurrection and ascension Of the which honour and glorie wee also in due time shall after our measure bee partakers if we suffer with him For the high Priest who hath prayed for vs is heard of the Father and glorified with eternall honor and glorie Wherefore we may not doubt in the remnant that he praieth for still on our behalfe hee shal be and is for his worthines sake heard and hath his request Of this wee will consider more I Pray for them and pray not for the worlde but for them whome thou hast giuen me for they are thine and al mine are thine and thine are mine I am glorified in them And nowe am I no more in the world but they are in the world and I come to the holy father keep them in thy name whome thou hast giuen me that they may be one as we are When I was with thē in the world I kept them in thy name Those that thou gauest mee haue I kept and none of them is lost but the lost childe that the Scripture might be fulfilled Now come I to thee and these wordes speake I in the world that they might haue my ioy full in them I haue giuen them thy word and the world hath hated them because they are not of the world euen as I am not of the worlde I desire not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou keepe them from euill They are not of the world as I am not of the world Sanctifie them with thy truth thy saying is truth As thou sentest mee into the world so haue I sent them into the worlde and for their sakes I sanctifie my selfe that they also might be sanctified through the truth I pray not for them alone but for those also which shall beleeue on mee through their preaching that they all may bee one as thou Father art in me and I in thee and that they may bee also one in vs that the worlde may beleeue that thou hast sent me And the glorie that thou gauest mee haue I giuen them that they may be one as we are one I in them thou in me that they may bee made perfect in one and that the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loued them as thou hast loued me Doctrine and fruite THIS praier of our high Priest and mediatour Christ Iesus is feruent earnest full of the fire of godly loue ful of great secrets and spirituall instructions Herein may we learne to know what hie honor dignitie and power Christ by his obedience and patience hath obtained with his father wherein consisteth our peace ioy welfare What care and loue Christ beareth towardes those that are his and how he committeth them vnto his father First hee praieth for his Disciples whome hee did choose to publish his truth afterward praieth he for all such as should come to the faith by their preaching vntil the worldes end And for asmuch as the Disciples had a great waightie matter in hand full of danger and aduersitie for they must needs procure to themselues great hatred of the world hee first praieth for them that the Father will strengthen comfort and preserue them thorow his power defend them from all euill In this are we taught diligently chiefly and specially to pray for those vnto whome is committed the preaching of the Gospell for a chargeable and great worke carry they vppon their shoulders by meanes whereof among all others they haue speciall neede of the grace helpe assistance of God But our prayer ought we to frame as Christ hath framed his First we must in our praier to God make speciall mention of his owne grace and mercie whereby hee chusing them to such an office hath giuen them vnto Christ his sonne Forasmuch then as they are the Ministers of him and of his Sonne and seeing the Sonne is so deare worthie beloued vnto the Father our prayer must bee that hee for his Sonnes sake will defende and preserue them as in him and by him they are worthie Secondly considering that for his sake and his word which they declare they are persecuted of the worlde it is requisite that God preserue them in his owne worke For great need haue they of his fatherly protection while they yet liue in the weake feeble flesh and are mortall men Thirdly their office serueth to many mens health and welfare their office is necessary and profitable to the whole world which walketh in blindnesse and darknes for they are the light of the world that thorough doctrine and liuing must shine to manie mens life which without the assistance and helpe of God cannot come passe Thus ought wee to praye for
the ministers of the word to desire that God throgh his holy name power will defend strength comfort and preserue them in all aduersitie but principally that hee will giue them grace to bee one coupled together in the band of peace loue and vniformitie that they may be of one spirite and of one mind that in one spirite they may further and plant the honour of God that like as Christ neither spake nor did anie thing but that which was acceptable and wel pleasing vnto the father they also in their sayinges and dooinges may haue respect vnto Gods glorie and that they being rooted and fortified in loue bee not vanquished nor ouercome of the pleasures or threateninges of this world Secondly that in all their labour and trauaile in al aduersitie and persecutions hee will put into theyr hartes his owne comfort and spirituall ioy For the worlde hath manifolde mirthes pastimes and pleasures much bragging and wilfulnesse vseth it in the riches and fleshly voluptuousnes thereof But the true Ministers of Christ seeing hee hath seuered them from the worlde must and ought to refraine and absent themselues from all worldly ioy and voluptuousnes yea it is they that ought to diswade the worlde from such wantonnesse and vanitie by meanes of whose faithfull admonition there falleth much hatred and trouble vpon them Neither were it to the furtheraunce of Gods honour and our commoditie to haue them vtterlye taken away out of this worlde Therefore dooth Christ desire and so must wee with him that from euill namely from the Deuill the Prince of this worlde who stirreth the world against them they may of the father in the world be defended and kept Thirdly that he will sanctifie and cleanse them afore other men that they may be holy and pure vessels in the house and temple that is in the Church of God for they are means instruments by whoÌ„ God ministereth his grace and truth vnto men therfore is it also conuenient that they be pure and holy This commeth throgh the truth that God putteth in their mouth and heart by the holy Ghost which inwardly purifieth them But then are they holy when they teach truth and liue godly Into the worlde hath Christ sent theÌ„ as the father sent him into the world The father sent Christ into the world that he should destroy the kingdome of the deuill and of the world that he should declare vnto the world the grace and mercie of God towardes mankinde that he shoulde bring men from sinne and from false idolatrish faith to the true liuing God and to a vertuous conuersation that he with the light of truth should shine vpon those which sate in darknes that he should bring the knowledge of God into the world exhort men to the amendement of life Euen this hath Christ giuen in commission to his Apostles and to all ministers of the worde to doo This is their office this is their ministration vnto this haue they greate neede of the grace power and assistance of God therefore ought we most earnestly to praie for them for if they fail or fal it hurteth the whole Church yea out of the same there groweth slaunder vnto the name of God in the sight of the vnbeleeuers and an occasion of falling to such as are weake of faith Therefore Christ also offered himselfe to the father for them and sanctified them that they might bee pure and holy not in outward apparance but from the heart and in the truth that through their vniformity loue through the word of truth which they preach through the holynes of their doctrine and liuing all men and the whole world might know and vnderstand that God hath sent them yea that God sent his son Christ into the world vnto whome they with mouth and life beare record and who also euery where shineth out of them with wordes and deeds Not onely for them hath Christ praied but also for vs as many as hearken and beleeue the worde of truth preached by them Wherein first wee may perceiue and see the loue faithfulnes and great care of Christ for vs how earnestly the trustie shepheard of our soules committeth his poore sheepe into his fathers protection how faithfully our mediatour and aduocate praieth for vs whereby also he setteth forth a doctrine vnto vs how and what we shal pray of the heauenly father First that he will make vs one by his holy spirite in the truth in the vnitie of faith and in loue vnseparable that we all may be of one mind one body and one spirit in Christ Iesu our head and to keepe the vnitie of the spirit in the bond of peace that we all being illuminated by his spirit may in word and deed yea in our whole life seeke and further the glorie of our heauenly father that we all may bee one among our selues with God whereby all the worlde may spie see and perceiue that we are Gods children and Christs disciples Secondly that of his fatherly goodnes he will defend saue preserue vs his own poore sheep which be in the midst among wolues manifold dangers And seeing we being yet in the world do not liue after the world that it will please him to keepe vs from the euill namely froÌ„ the prince of of this world that thogh the same our enemie doth tempt plague vs he neuer yet haue power to preuaile against vs. Thirdly that inasmuch as we being in sin conceiued and borne haue hetherto liued in sinne seeing that albeit we are cleansed alreadie by his word and faith yet the vncleannes of the flesh and of the world doth daily defile vs it wil please him throgh his truth to purge and sanctifie our bodies our soules and our whole life that wee may become an holy temple of his grace pure cleane holy vessels consecrated sanctified to Gods own vse He hath once purified hallowed vs through the bloud of his son and vnto the father hath Christ sanctified and offered vp himselfe an holy acceptable sacrifice for our sins but the deuill the world and our flesh is euer busie to lead vs away againe from God from true holines Therefore must wee daily pray vnto him that through his holy spirit through his holy truth he wil continually purge clense sanctifie vs that we be not disseÌ„bling hypocrites but godly and vnfained euen from our harts that we be not stained in the filthines of this world but to refraine from all vncleannes thorogh the assistaÌ„ce of his grace that we may also offer vp our bodies an holy acceptable sacrifice to â—od the Lord as he offered vp himselfe vppon the crosse for our sakes FAther I will that they which thou hast giuen me be with me where I am that they may see my glory which thou hast giuen me for thou louedst me before the making of the world O righteous father
his sake to beare vile buffets and all vngentlenes for all this suffreth he for the truthes sake Euen he whome the Angels â—oe worship is blasphemed of vnthrifts hee that giueth true answere is named a blasphemer the righteous Iudge is condemned of the vnrighteous and pronounced to be worthie of death But the gracious Lord is quietly content to keepe silence and dooth suffer and therefore the more humble hee is and submitteth him selfe to bee mis-intreated the more glorious is his victorie With many wicked euill words is he defaced and scorned sore beaten and mishandled That gracious face which the Angels delight to beholde is blinde-folded spitted vpon and buffeted the head the face and necke beaten with many sore strokes Christ is become a straunger vnto all his friends forsaken of al his acquaintance and kinsfolkes a mocking and ieasting stocke vnto all men Euen as if it were a dizard foole is hee laughed to scorne that is wisest of all vppon whom the cruell dogs all the night long practise their vnsatiable malice and pleasure with mocking nipping pulling buffeting spitting and reuiling of him In all this doth his swiftnes of mind and excellent patience abide still constant and vnmoueable wherby we may iustly learne to bee ashamed of our presumptuous brags in our pompe and pride which we vse in our soft and costly apparell where as Christ for our sakes became most poore and vilely reputed Verie euill beseemeth it vs yea a shame it is for vs which of Christ are called Christians and will bee his disciples to seeke bodily pleasure and earthy ioy and sensualitie in all thinges wheras the Lord Iesus our head dooth beare and suffer all that is contrarie therunto O how vnlike are we to our head forgoer How farare wee froÌ„ right true humilitie when for the least wrong and vnaduised word we bee displeased with our brethren and whereas we should giue thanks for being rebuked to our profite we are vnpacient and miscontent O Lord Iesus Christ graunt vs so to consider thy holy passion that it bring fruite in vs make vs pacient when hurt and displeasure is done vnto vs teach vs after thine owne liuing example not to feare the rayling wordes and persecution of wicked people neither to be discouraged for any wrongfull accusation that happeneth vppon vs. Teach vs to see our owne vilenesse how iustly we are of the people reuiled and despised for our sinnes Haue mercie ô lord vpon our vnperfectnes thou wast reuiled that thou mightst take from vs euerlasting shame beaten thou wasâ— that from the stripes which we with our sinnes haue deserued thou mightest deliuer vs spitted vppon and mocked to bring vs from euerlasting confusion to euerlasting honour Wherefore strengthen our minds ô Lord that in lowly shamefastnes wee may paciently suffer and beare the hard wordes and checkes that other folkes giue vs for our sinnes and offences for many mo falser accusations and rebukes hast thou borne with highest patience for vs vile sinners O let the hard strokes and knockes of thy head be vnto vs a swaging of all our bodily paines lette that scornfull blindfolding of thine eyes bee vnto vs a restraint and keeping in of our sight from all wantonnes vanitie lightnes of eies let the vile spitting vpon thy holy face expell out of vs all carnall lustes and teach vs not to regard the outward appearance but to holde and keepe in honour the vertues of the soule That carrying about and scornefull derision which happened vnto thee vndeserued driue froÌ„ vs all dissolute manners and wanton gestures Let that refusing of thy worthines quench in vs all desires of temporall honor let it moue vs vnto things that of the worlde are contemned and in small estimation Giue vs ô Lorde a strong victorie in all patience that from our heart rootes wee may acknowledge and confesse our selues to be most worthie of al contempt and slaunder of all rebuke shame and punishment Amen EArlie in the morning at the break of the day went the chiefe Priests and Elders of the people to counsail 〈◊〉 they might destroy Iesus And they brought him to their Counsaile and said If thou bee Christ tell vs Then said Iesus vnto them if I tell you ye will not beleeue me if I aske you a question you will giue me no aunswere neither let me go But from this time forth shal the sonne of man sitte at the right hand of the power of God Then said they all Art thou then the sonne of God Then said hee Ye say it I am They said What need we any more witnesse We haue heard it our selues out of his own mouth Then arose the whole multitude as many as were there and bound Iesus and led him from Caiphas to Pilate into the iudgement hall And it was earely in the morning They went not into the iudgement hall least they shuld be defiled but that they might eat Passah Then went Pilate forth vnto them and they broght Iesus bound and deliuered him vnto Pontius Pilate the deputie Doctrine and fruite SAthan sleepeth not but watcheth and is diligent to driue his houshold together to destroy Iesus Christ to make him sure and to bring him to his end For they thought if they might haue Iesus once deade then had they rooted out the doctrine of the trueth But foolish and vaine is their deuise for the truth is immortall the more it is opprest the more it breaketh forth againe when men vndertake for to quench it then doth the shine and brightnes therof appeare more glorious Shame therfore and rebuke yea eternall punishment bring all they vppon themselues that withstanding the trueth take it prisoner bind it and deliuer it to the Iudge They thinke they bind the truth but the truth and worde of God cannot be bound for it maketh all thinges free and such as are tangled and wrapt in the snares of sinne those it deliuereth Who so goeth about to bind the truth dooth knitte and snare himselfe with vnlowsable bands and casteth from him the band of loue wherwith God offereth to draw him vnto himselfe and to binde him vnder his yoke Wherefore let vs be obedient vnto the truth and not striue against it for if we vndertake to condemne it it shall so appeare againe in high Maiestie that through the beautifull faire and cleare brightnesse thereof wee shall all perish and be blinded WHen Iudas which had betraied him sawe that Iesus was condemned hee repented so that hee tooke the money the thirtie siluer pence and brought them to the high Priestes and to the Elders of the people and saide I haue sinned in betraying that innocent bloud They said What haue we to do withall Looke thou to that So he cast the money from him in the temple went his way and hanged himselfe in a snare But the high Priestes tooke the money saide It is not lawfull to put it into the treasurie for it is the price of bloud And
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
suffer them vntill the haruest when the Lorde shall purge and cleanse his stoore Besides this wee ought not to cease with warning and aduertisement with correction doctrine that they may leaue off from their obstinate wickednes And when the congregation of God through his grace is quite of such euill people and discharged of such wicked blemishes God must bee thanked and diligence applyed that no wicked thing breede therein againe But aboue all things must we regard that principall and new commaundement which Christ giueth vs namely vpon the loue that he after a new sorte hath declared and performed by the which loue he reneweth those that are his and plentifully indueth them through the holy Ghost whome hee giueth in their hartes Loue comprehendeth and fulfilleth all lawes therefore Christ leaueth all other commaundements and admonisheth vs onely of loue Loue hath he himselfe shewed vs afore-hand of him must we learne to loue Loue is the assured and vnfailing euidence of the children of God Who so hath not it though he had all other vertues yet hath he nothing neither is it profitable to him that hee hath If he haue loue then hath he all thinges that are necessary for his health saluation Therfore ought we to regard nothing so much as loue There is nothing more acceptable nothing more perfect nothing better in heauen and earth than loue for it is of God and may rest no where else but in God Onlie loue maketh vs godly and shapeth vs likest vnto God namely that loue which springeth and groweth out of a pure heart out of a good conscience and of an vnfeined faith Neuertheles wee must loue one another not with wordes onely and with tongues but with the deede and in the trueth euen with our whole harts as Christ loued vs. IESVS said vnto his Disciples Let not your hartes bee troubled If ye beleeue in God beleeue in mee In my Fathers house are many mansions If it were not so I would haue told you I go to prepare a place for you And if I go to prepare a place for you I will come againe and receiue you euen vnto my selfe that where I am ye may be also and whither I go ye know and the way ye know Then said Thomas Lord we wote not whither thou goest and how is it possible for vs to know the way Then said Iesus I am the way the truth and the veritie No man commeth vnto the Father but by me If ye had knowne me yee had knowne my Father also And now ye know him and haue seene him Philip said vnto him Lord shew vs the Father and it sufficeth vs. Iesus said vnto him Haue I beene so long time with you yet hast thou not knowne me Philip he that hath seene me hath seene the Father And how saiest thou then Shew vs the Father Beleeuest thou not that I am in the Father the Father in me The words that I speake vnto you I speak not of my selfe but the Father that dwelleth in me is he that doth the workes Beleeue me that I am in the Father the Father in me At least beleeue me for the verie workes sake Verely verely I say vnto you he that beleeueth on mee the workes that I do the same shall he do also and greater works than these shall he do because I go vnto my Father And whatsoeuer ye aske in my name that will I doo that the Father may be glorified by the Sonne If ye shall aske any thing in my name I will do it Doctrine and fruite WHen the Disciples of Christ heard of his death and departing what trouble should fall vpon them and what should happen vnto them through the weakenes of the flesh they were verie heauie and dismayed for they had great loue vnto the Lorde and loath were they to departe from him and yet might they not followe him at this time Therfore louingly doth the Lord comfort and strengthen them saying Be not afraide let not your heart be troubled This comfort is spoken vnto vs all for while wee liue heere wee must looke for much trouble and aduersitie whereof springeth many times heauines feare and vnpatiencie in our flesh Therefore Christ who corporally is absent frō vs but present among vs with his grace speaketh vnto vs inwardly by his spirit in our hearts or outwardly by his word and exhortation comfortably strengthening and mightily comforting our feeblenes giuing vs gladnesse also in sorrow To be without aduersitie if it please God otherwise is not good for vs to be rash and heady is hurtfull Therefore bringeth he vs in betweene feare hope that we should turne neither to the right hand nor to the left Much aduersitie suffereth he to come vnto vs so that oft times fearefulnes and sorrow falleth on vs but this keepeth vs in his awe cutteth our combe bringeth downe our pride and humbleth vs. Out of this wee learne that if any humane infirmitie and feeblenes fall vppon vs as it did vpon the Disciples in the Lordes passion wee shall not vtterly despaire nor fall away through fearfulnes but remember that in this time it happeneth so of course that wee must suffer and beare much trouble and aduersitie to the intent that the glorie and power of GOD may bee opened in our weakenesse and yet in all aduersitie must wee bee manly and stout valiauntly fighting for his names sake And though of weaknesse we bee fallen in the field yet will he haue compassion vpon vs and graciously forgiue our fall For who would not bee afraide to fall when the earnest and feruent Apostle Peter fell so sore and all the other Disciples fledde from the Lorde If this chaunced to the beloued Disciples no man need to thinke the contrary but the like may happen vnto him Hee that standeth let him stande fast in the feare of God and looke that he fall not Christ vnto his owne that stande in this conflict and daungerous battaile giueth the shield or target of faith which they cast vp and receiue all strokes shotte therein Beleeue ye in mee saith he Who so beleeueth in Christ beleeueth in God for Christ is God This faith giueth strength and ouercommeth all aduersitie As if Christ would say Bee not afraide by reason of my bodily absence Thogh ye see me no more frō henceforth with bodily eyes yet with my grace and comfort will not I forsake you but be with you vntill the end of the world I wil alway remaine with you Onely looke that ye beleeue in mee continuing and cleauing fast vnto mee with the beleefe of the hart so will I defend deliuer and saue you for euer Be not afraid for anie aduersitie put your confidence in mee After your trouble there is prepared for you an excellent great ioy and an exceeding vnspeakeable reward For in my Fathers house are many dwellings which from euerlasting haue been prepared for all the
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
testifieth of these things wrote these things and we know that his testimony is true There are also many other things that Iesus did which if they should bee waitten euerie one I suppose the world could not contain the bookes that should be written Doctrine and fruite THE former wordes which Christ spake vnto Peter Follow me were spoken vnto him in this meaning that he should followe the foot-steps and passion of Christ namely with worde and deed to goe the waie that Christ had gone But in asmuch as Peter is a figure of the Church Christ spake those wordes not onely vnto him but vnto all faithful beleeuers For the Church of Christ while shee dwelleth heere temporally in many troubles and afflictions she foloweth Christ her spouse and head who also deliuereth her from all aduersitie Shee loueth Christ and in the behalfe of his truth she striueth vntill the death for seeing Christ dyed for all it is meet that they which are his doo follow his foot-steppes To followe Christ is nothing else than stoutly to suffer and ouercome despite and pouertie in this world for his sake And God truly euen in his wrath which wee with our sinnes deserue cannot forget his mercie Ouer and besides the manifolde comfort and helpe which he otherwise declareth vnto vs he hath giuen vs his own sonne to be our mediator by whom if we put our trust in him we should be saued deliuered from eternall death that we liuing from hence forth still in faith hope and charitable loue as pilgrimes in this world and beeing in all troubles aduersities preserued by the corporall and spirituall comfort of God might walke innocently before his sight in him who is become our way vnto God It is no vile thing to suffer to be put to death for Christ and his truths sake yea a man cannot die a more honorable death than when for the truth innocently he suffereth with a good conscience and with an vpright minde No man in deede ought to put himselfe in daunger arrogantly wilfully or for vaine-glorie Wheras Peter asketh a question concerning the disciple whom the Lord loued what he should doo it is a nicenesse and vnprofitable curiositie that serueth nothing to edification and therefore it pleaseth not the Lord. Whatsoeuer edifieth not that ought not we to desire of Christ Let euery man looke to himselfe waiting vpon his owne businesse and office and not to be curious in another mans matter whatsoeuer is not committed vnto his charge and belongeth not vnto him let him not meddle withal Peter loued Christ so did he them also therefore asked he what should become of him and whether he should remayne styll ot die for hee was verie loth and vnwilling to departe from him And so he passed more vpon Iohn than vppon the precept and commission of Iesus Christ Such curious backe looking doth the Lord rebuke Wee many and sundrie times doo regarde and esteeme more the thing that wee loue than that which God commaundeth and biddeth vs. But such loue is verie hurtfull and especially in those that should be soul shepherds Christs wil is that they haue respect to his worke and commandement and with a feruent loue to perfourme the same not medling with other busines not needfull To enquire curiously of other mens matters bringeth not alway profit but much rather vnquietnes Therefore Christ remoouing Peter from such curious questions draweth his mind vnto a better thing namely to follow him As for that which he desireth to know Christ telleth him that it is no point of his charge as if Christ would say what hast thou to doo with other folkes busines Thou hast heard what I haue commanded thee look that thou faithfully do the same What inquirest thou after other mens matters Thus looking diligently and faithfully to our own charge and expelling the affection of the flesh wee should neither desire curiously to aske any thing beyond the will of God neither to looke vpon any other men but vprightly to follow the Lord. Here also we learne that in the commission and final departure of the faithfull there be manifold differēces Some rest in the Lord blessedly without any speciall heauy affliction but some it pleaseth God to bring through sore trauaile and exceeding trouble laying the greater burthen vpon him according as it was tolde Peter afore hand that he should be crucified but not Iohn They now that are admitted to feede Christ his sheepe prepare themselues and bee alwaies readie without any curiosity to follow the will of God Whereas Iohn in the conclusion of his booke refuteth the erroneous opinion of some it is an euidence of his meeknesse and sinceritie It was not so spoken of the Lorde saith hee that the same Disciple should not die whereby Iohn confessed that he himselfe also was mortall His writing wil he haue credited for he hath written nothing saue onely the truth wherof he may well testifie that which he hath seene Yet saith he hath not written all but only that whereby we may obtaine eternall life as wee haue heard sufficiently afore THE eleuen Disciples went away into Galilee into a mountaine whereas Iesus had appointed them And when they saw him they worshipped him but some doubted And Iesus saide These are the wordes which I spake vnto you while I was yet with you that all must needs be fulfilled which were written of me in the lawe of Moses and in the Prophets and in the Psalmes Then opened hee their wittes that they might vnderstand the Scriptures and saide vnto them Thus is it written and thus it behooued Christ to suffer and to rise againe from death the third day and that repentance and remission of sinne should be preached in his name among all nations and must begin at Hierusalem And ye are witnesses of these thinges And behold I will send the promise of my Father vppon you But tarrie ye in the Cittie of Hierusalem till ye be endewed with power from on high Doctrine and fruite THE Lorde minding to make his Disciples assured of his Resurrection instructeth them first well in his passion which hee declareth out of the Scripture and printeth it in their hearts He teacheth them that it was necessarie that Christ should suffer and die yea euen thus to die namely vppon a crosse vpon a tree On the tree was the transgression committed vpon the tree behooued it the restitution to bee made vpon the tree was death fetched vpon the tree was life giuen vpon the tree must satisfaction bee made for the lustes of the flesh which on the tree were first conceiued And would God that we rightly knew the passion and crosse of our Lorde Iesu Christ then shoulde the glorie of the resurrection be well knowne and loued of vs. O Iesu graunt vs grace right to consider what wherefore and with what loue and feruentnes thou hast suffered for vs then shall our heart feele profitably enioy the sweete fruite of thy
For they that so are taught instructed by the word of God that they put all their confidence in God through Christ those verily are loosed and discharged of their sins But he that either wil not heare or when he heareth will not receiue and beleeue this grace declared to the world through Christ offred vnto him by the ministers of the word him doo the ministers bind that is they leaue him stil in his error according as Christ commandeth his disciples Mat. 10. that from such as will not receiue and heare their word they shal depart shake off the dust from their shooes vpon them Thus dyd Paul binde Act. 13.18 To bind then with the word is nothing else but when the word of the grace of God is preached not receiued to leaue such impenitent people and to haue no fellowship neyther ought to do with the despisers of the truth and grace For in the daie of iudgement it shall bee easier vnto Sodome and Gomorrha than vnto such Now although the word that the Apostles preach is not theyr own but Gods no man may cleanse vnbinde and discharge from sinne but onely God yet Christ of his grace and according to the propertie of the Scripture ascribeth such vnto the Apostles For the gracious father of his aboundant loue and kindnesse and by reason of the couenant that he hath made with vs doeth oft ascribe vnto vs many things which can properly belong vnto none saue onely to himselfe Neither is this any maruell seeing he hath giuen vs his onely begotten and most deare sonne to be our owne for how cannot he geue vs al things with him Notwithstanding we ought not by reason hereof to be high minded and proud and to ascribe vnto our selues that which onely is Gods but much rather to be thankfull for his grace and diligent in our vocation faythfully to employ and bestow the high treasure gifts of God and not to abuse them This thing therefore extendeth not so farre as that euerie one man properly to speake doth of his owne power and authoritie forgiue sinne But forasmuch as the Apostles and ministers of the word doo publish and declare remission of sinne they bring the keyes and forgiue sinnes ministerially and as ministers Neuerthelesse if here withal the spirit of God do not worke in the hearer to beleeue the word when it is prached then is not the sinne forgiuen All the power therefore and working is Gods Thus the Apostles may damne no man but vndoubtedly they may by the word declare damnation to the vnbeleeuers Where an assured promise of grace is declared there sinnes are forgiuen Nowe when the Apostles shew vnto sinners remission of sinne they doo it out of the holy Ghost and are not deceiued for they preach that our sinnes are pardoned vs through Christ who hath made satisfaction for them If this faith vpon Christ bee liuely in vs so that we abhorre sinne and bee desirous of heauenly things then are our sinnes forgiuen vs through the holy Ghost for no man can say that Iesus is the Lord but by the holy Ghost The key there extendeth to this end that the minister declare remission of sinnes thorough Christe Who so now beleeueth the Gospell preached shall be saued hee that beleeueth not shall bee condemned And seeing that faith is an inwarde thing in the soul inspired of God the minister cannot know who in the sight of God beleeueth or beleeueth not for God onely knoweth the heart Howbeit by the outward confession which is done with the mouth by receiuing of the preaching and by the fruits the minister may iudge For who so receiueth the word openly confessing Christ and doeth not outwardlie defile himselfe with vile deedes to such the minister openeth with the key and dischargeth them that is he taketh them into the Church of Christ numbereth them among the people of God and receiueth thē into the kingdom of heauen As for those that wil not heare the worde preached or that when they heare it doo refuse it not confessing Christ or vttering theyr vnbeleefe with foule grosse and open vices those the minister bindeth that is hee shutteth them out of the Church and banisheth them out of the realme of heauen To him that is in the Church is forgiuenesse of sinnes promised who so despiseth charitable loue hath not faith vpon such one remaineth sinne still and the wrath of God Now what the Apostles Ministers of the word doo that doo they not in theyr owne name not in their own power but as they which are sent of God and that declare his word the holy gospell out of the power of God euen out of the holy Ghost who being giuen vnto them doth speak and work by them What these binde is bound before God and in heauen for out of God is it that they iudge and what they vnbinde is vnbound before God for God wyll ratifie and allowe what they doo that beeing sent of him keepe themselues in exercise and meddle within his word and commission As for him that is not sent of God and declareth not his worde and Gospell but of his owne proper power will binde one man and vnbinde another set this man in heauen that man in hell is it any maruell if such one do many times misse and be called a wolfe and not a shepheard seeing his proceedings commeth not of God Heere also we learne with what desire and thankfulnesse wee ought to receiue the ministers of God that bring vs his holy word and comfort of our conscience how wee ought to esteeme them that haue the holy Ghost who speaketh vnto vs by them For if we despise them we despise God himselfe S. Paul therefore exhorteth vs to be obedient vnto them to haue them in worthie estimation that shew vs the word of God Worthie they be of double honour partly for that through them God speaketh whose ministers and ambassadors they bee for the highest king of all sendeth them out vnto vs with his commission partly for that they be charged with so dangerous and heauie an office and trauell For though as concerning themselues they liue iustly well and blamelesse yet if they regarde not the life of theyr sheepe but neglect them they must looke for greate and sore punishment Not only for themselues must they giue account but for al the soules that are committed vnto them if one of them perish throgh their negligence Wee should not therefore haue respect to the infirmitie or basenesse of the ministerie but vnto him that sent him and whose commission hee executeth When a Prince or king sendeth out a meane seruant with a commission and charge who will despise him without the wrath and indignation of the prince How can we then contemne the ministers of the high eternall king without plague and punishment This be spoken not that vnworthie and vnmeet men should be placed in so high an
right hand of God is exalted and hath receiued of the Father the promise of the holie Ghost he hath shed foorth this gift which yee now see and heare For Dauid is not ascended into heauen but he saith The Lorde saide to my Lorde Sit thou on my right hand till I make thine enemies thy foot stoole Doctrine and fruite WE beleeue that Iesus Christ our king and Sauiour is not onely risen againe from death to life but also is ascended vp into heauen sitteth at the right hand of God and raigneth for euer For though hee heere a season was despised and refused as the stone of the builders yet hath the strong hand of God exalted him and mightily wrought in him Which thing may well bee perceiued by this as Saint Peter heere valiantly concludeth that hee sendeth downe from on high such an excellent gift of the holy Ghost vpon those that are his This is a sure euidence that he mightily raigneth at the right hand of God and hath all things in his hand seeing he hath power of the spirite of God whom he poureth into the hearts of his and that sometime in visible manner For the glorious triumpher ascending vp to heauen with great victorie did after the custome of great kings and let fall his giftes downe vppon vs and parted them among vs namely the gifts of the holy Ghost whom he as man receiued of the Father but after the godhead he had him alwaie for of the father and of the sonne there is one onely spirite Neither may this bee applied vnto Dauid for though hee as a iust friend of GOD bee saued and come to heauen yet did not hee immediatly after death ascend into heauen with bodie and soule that he might be reported to sit at the right hand of God for his wordes speake of another whome he calleth his Lord namely in the hundreth and ninth Psalme he saith God the Father sayd vnto my Lorde euen the Sonne Sit thou on my right hand So therefore let all the house of Ierusalem know for a suretie that God hath made this Iesus whom ye haue crucified Tord and Messias Doctrine and fruit WIth these wordes doth Peter conclude his Oration exhorting them not to doubt Iesus Christ to be the same annointed sauiour and king who of God the father was first promised then giuen for the deliuerance of the people of the Iewes and of all nations In this conclusion is comprehended the summe of the whole Christian faith namely that wee beleeue that Iesus who was borne of the virgine Marie and crucified of the Iewes is the true Christ that is to saie Messias euen the king that was ordained annointed of God to raigne foreuer ouer all faithful beleeuers Lorde of the whole world and sauiour of all such as put their trust in him This hath God the Father opened and set forth vnto vs by myracles by the resurrection by the ascension by the power of the holy Ghost that wee might beleeue it and not doubt thereof Therefore saith Iohn Who so beleeueth that Iesus is Christ the same is borne of God WHen they heard this they were prickt in their hearts and said vnto Peter and to the other Apostles Ye men and brethren what shall we doe Peter said vnto them Repent of your sinnes and be baptised euerie one of you in the name of Iesus Christ for the remission of sinners and yee shall receiue the gifte of the holy Ghost For the promise was made vnto you to your children and to all that are a farre off euen as many as the Lord our God shall call And with many other words bare he witnesse and exhorted them saying Saue your selues from this vntoward generation Then they that gladly receiued his preaching were baptised And the same daie there were added vnto them about three thousand soules Doctrine and fruite THis is the fruit and end which followeth out of the preaching of the worde of God that they whose heartes God toucheth are so sorrie for theyr sinnes that it euen pearceth them for Gods word is euen a sharpe two edged sword and entreth through to the depth Blessed are all they which so reade and heare the word of God that they begin to be ashamed of their sinnes and wickednesse beeing repentant and sorrie therefore A blessed and wholsome sorrow is that which riseth and groweth out of the truth which is opened vnto the heart by the holy Ghost Which spirite in the heart giueth hope vpon the mercie of God and driueth awaie all despaire Then beginneth a man to aske What shall I doo Then enquireth he after the will of God and such a man that so asketh is easie to be helped soone is he healed that knowing his disease would faine be made whole Vnto such a man doth the faithfull Minister of Christ giue counsell out of the Scripture and sheweth him the fruit of Christ preached and knowen He doth not bid him bestow monie on solemnities and Diriges on Images Monisteries or coâ—les inâ—â—â—ying of pardons He doth not will to runne vnto Rome or to Lawret but requireth of him the best and most profitable thing of all namely amendement conuersion of life Our mindes our workes and maners must be altered if we will please God Who so saith with his heart that he beleeueth in Christ holding Christ for his sauiour and king must forsake his euil waie eschuing euill and doing good Iere. 7.11 Isa 1 Niniue stood still vpright when they tooke vppon them true conuersion and amendement As for Hierusalem though they offered many sacrifices fasted much it helped not because there was no true reformation and forsaking of sinne needs must they be destroied and miserablie perish To botch or patch the matter it will not helpe there is no remedie wee must become godly and vertuous of life it auaileth not to dissemble God looketh into the heart which he will haue pure and vnfained Forasmuch then as we through baptisme in the faith of Christ haue receiued Christ and are marked out for him hauing once forgiuenesse of sinnes through the grace and gift of Christ let vs be of a vertuous lfe walking innocently and in the feare of God Let vs die therefore to the innocencie which is restored vnto vs againe through Christ let vs daily remember to harken follow the admonishment of the spirit which teacheth vs all good things We are they vnto whom God hath promised his grace of the spirite yea and vnto our children also so farre as we abide in his couenants Let vs thankfully receiue such excellent grace deare brethren being ware that we stain not the temple of Iesus Christ and of his holy spirit with filthinesse of the worlde that wee neuer make our selues partakers in the iniquitie of wicked and faithlesse men but to leade here a pure and cleane conuersation with a good conscience before GOD our most louing father and alwaie lift vp our minds vnto
the place where Christ our Lord and king raignneth at the right hand of God from whence he shall come and take vs vnto himselfe At all times therefore ought we to watch and wait for his comming that we may ioyfully receiue him and bee partakers with him in eternall blisse Heere also we learne how faithfull beleeuers vse themselues in the outward Sacraments They that being moued by the inspiration of the holy Ghost in theyr hearts doo heare the eternall word preached giuing credite vnto it gladly receiuing it these doo not afterward despise the outward Sacraments which GOD hath instituted for the welfare of his Church but vse the same with all obedience good will and reuerence To vse the Sacraments without faith profiteth not but rather hurteth to be loth to vse them declareth a compulsion and vnbeleefe For though the water in baptisme be an outward thing and cannot cleanse the soule from sinne yet the faithfull doo know right well that Christ the eternall wisedome in whom they beleeue did not institute it in vaine and therefore will not they contemne or leaue vnexercised the ordinance of theyr head to whome they as members are incorporated by faith For they knowe that Christ with these outwarde tokens thought to couple and knit together the members of his holy Church in obedience and loue one towards another whereby they knowing one another among themselues might by such exteriour things stirre and prouoke one another to loue and godlynesse They know also that the sacraments are euidences of the promise grace of God which they after a visible and palpable manner do set forth declare and represent vnto vs. These tokens of grace doth no man vse more deuoutly and with more reuerence than he that in himselfe is certified and assured of the gracious fauour of God as we see in Cornelius in Paul and in Queene Candaces chamberlaine What fruite followeth the preaching of the Gospell it is heere euidently seene for in one daie at Peters preaching by the working of the holy Ghost there came three thousand men to the Church of God God suffereth not his word to passe voide and vnfruitfull Verie earnest therefore diligent ought we to be and to spare no trauell cost and labor that the pure and sincere Gospell the word of truth may euerie where be preached by good and faithful men not doubting God wil giue blessed successe thereto that the seed sowen by the minister shall bring forth fruit AND they continued in the Apostles doctrine in the fellowship in the breaking of bread and in praiers Doctrine and fruite TO indure crowneth and rewardeth all workes who so indureth vnto the end shall bee saued without continuance may no good thing bee brought to end and fruit Therefore is it now declared how the word preached in the Church of God bringeth fruit and what the same fruites be wherein faithfull beleeuers do exercise themselues Saint Luke mencioneth foure thinges that proceed out of the faith in Christ for faith is not voide nor idle but worketh without ceasing in them that beleeue Therefore here we finde a patterne myrrour how it ought to goe in the Church of Christ for where these foure things bee there is Christes Church First the Church of Christ which is the felowship of all Saintes and faithfull beleeuers indureth abideth and continueth in the doctrine of the Apostles for euerie thing is preserued with that out of the which it is borne now is the Church of God borne first of the word of truth therfore in the word of truth also must it indure and be kept daily must it be planted nourished and watered with the worde and doctrine the successe the increase doth God giue The doctrine of the Apostles is nothing else but the boly Gospell which the sonne of God committed vnto them which they receued of him which also the Prophets before Christ spake of by the holy Ghost What Gospel was preached by the Apostles it is easie to perceiue by the aforesayd Sermon of Peter and of others in the Acts by the Euangelists and Epistles of the Apostles namely that God so loued the world that he gaue his only begotten Sonne for it that whosoeuer beleeueth on him should not perish but haue eternall life Also he dyed for vs rose agayne from death ascended vp to heauen and sitteth there at the right hand of God being king and high Priest for euer in whose name all knees must bow without whom there is none other name giuen vnto men in whome wee must bee saued than the onely name of Iesus whose bloud washeth awaie our sins and he is the onely perpetuall mediation betweene God and vs. In this doctrine continueth the Church beeing builded vpon the sure rocke Iesus Christ and is not moued or driuen awaie by euerie winde of strange and inconstant doctrine Shee hearkneth not to the voice of anie other but of Iesus her shepheard In the doctrine of the Apostles there is no deceit no guile no poison And in this doctrine is found none of those things which certayne yeres after the Apostles were brought in by Romish Bishops as Masses Diriges Cloisters worshipping of Idols setting vp of Images buying of pardons forbidding of this or that meate First now doth faith in Christ bring forth this fruit in the Church namely in faithfull beleeuers that it draweth them to the doctrine of the truth by the which they became beleeuers and in the same it maketh them to continue that they neyther hearken nor giue credite to anie false errronious doctrine for they do verie assuredly know that such doctrines are not wholesome but venimous and hurtfull But in the Gospell of our sauiour Iesus Christ and in the doctrine of the holie Apostles they are sure to finde the truth which nourisheth and preserueth them vnto eternall lyfe The Church of God abhorreth all vntruth for she knoweth it is of the deuill but of the trueth is she desirous for she knoweth that the same commeth of God and bringeth vnto GOD againe This Euangelicall truth and doctrine of the Apostles in the which the Church of God and all the members of Christ must continue hath beene of long time euen from the beginning comprehended in certayne Articles which wee call the Creede whereof there is sufficient mention made in the Catechisme Among the true children and seruauntes of God also there is no schisme doubt nor diuision concerning the head and chiefe Articles in the which they are well and firmely established fully perswaded and of one minde and consent And whereas there be some men which ouer-reach and goe beyond this marke willing other men and compelling Christians as farre as in them lyeth thereto teaching those to bee heretikes and damned that cleaue to the onely doctrine of the Apostles The same commeth and proceedeth of the presumptuous arrogancie of flesh who esteemeth his owne inuention more than that which God speaketh As when they saie