within thy palaces In the second tome is read an homilie concerninge those words of Math. 25 That which ye haue done to one of these little ones ye haue done vnto mee In the thirde tome are expounded in entire Sermons these places out of Iohn 4. The true worshippers shall worship the father in spirite and trueth Out of Iohn 15. Yee are my friends if ye doe whatsoeuer I commaund you which sentence he explaneth in two homilies Out of the i. Cor. xi There must be heresies that the approued might be knowen Out of other writers other examples may be had Howbeit whensoeuer the members of a sentence or any place be in that order which is spoken off expounded and declared it is the parte truely of a wise interpreter to consyder what speciall poyntes bene expedient out of them according to the state of the church and the publike vtilitie or necessitie either largely or compendiouslye to be handeled This thing is also to be vnderstoode that those to whom it apperteyneth to preache of present businesse affaires offered by occasion doe sometimes excerpte some sentence or place out of the scripture and apply it to their purpose somtimes agayne vse no place of scripture at all in the beginninge What time therefore they prefixe to their Sermon any place of Scripture they shall very aptlye haue recourse vnto that forme of interpreting whiche in this presente Chapter we haue indeuoured to shew and commend vnto all men ¶ A simple Theame how it ought to be discussed in the kinde Didascalick Cap. VIII OFt times in this didascalik kind in which we are yet busy hauing one while no reding or sentence of the holy scriptures going before an other while agayne after the somewhat hath bene declared out of the scriptures it behoueth vs to handle simple theames and to entreat somtime more largely somtime more briefely of faith loue hope the law sinne death of the Gospel and such like Luke reporteth Act. 24. that Saint Paule disputed before the president Felix as touching iustice and temperaunce of the iudgement to come Which disputations would god we might haue had they would haue bene no doubt greatly for our commodyty Neuerthelesse we will assay to exhibit a certayne order of examining those theames profytable and easye to be knowne to all men It must bee called to remembraunce that there were two formes or orders of places of inuention once attrybuted of vs vnto this kinde in the former wherof we reherced the diuine places of vs afterwarde termed somewhere generall that is to say doctrine redargution institution correction and consolation in the latter we disposed partly the places which commonlye after the receyued maner they call logicall and reduce them to certayne questions partelye other also taken out of Diuinitie it selfe Now therfore let vs sée howe by the direction and ayde of those places a single theme may and ought to be expounded with the fruite of the hearers But to the intente all this deuise may become the more cléere and euery man the sooner perceiue it wee will comprise in certayne obseruations whatsoeuer conduceth therevnto I It séemeth good by all meanes that he that wyll declare a simple theme doe prescribe to himselfe following the example of the Logicians a certayne order of questions and exactly serch First What it is of which the sacred Sermon is appointed secondly what partes or how many formes be thereof thirdelye what the causes bee fourthly what the duties or effectes fyftely what thinges be of aliaunce therevnto sixtly and lastely what contraries it hath Neither shall any man thinke this order to be dispised séeing it is very much profytable as well for the teacher as also for the learners to haue a certayne method reteined and kept But me thinketh I here some man obiecting vnto me that this forme of entreating which I speake off is more frequented of Aristotle and of his followers the Logicians then of the Diuines And that very seldom or neuer among the prophets or holye fathers are to be founde any sermons simply declared in this method Verily I wyll say that which is trueth To the enserching and drawing forth of the nature of euery thing out of darknesse as many certes as are wisely occupyed in the office of preaching so oft as they wyll entreat of simple theames doe set before them as a rule this order of questions But yet this difference is to be marked betwene a Logician or philosopher and a diuine preacher The Logician truely by his owne proper right as he the vndertaketh and promiseth that he will vtter bring forth whatsoeuer may probably be sayde of euery argument that is offered imagineth the he hath disciples desyrous to bee come philosophers very curiouslye and subtelty pursueth the course of all the saide questions But the Diuine and specially the Preacher whiche professeth himselfe to be the teacher of the whole multitude and in it of a greate number of vnlearned suffereth not his oration to be enclosed in so narrow straightes but as one raunging in a champion fielde choseth those questions onely to be explaned whiche he supposeth to be moste congruent to the vnderstanding of his hearers and also most fyt for the place and time Wherfore albeit be premeditating at home in his studye what thinges are expedyent to bee propounded in the Church haue those questions before his eyes as the moderators of his thoughtes yet after that hee hath some while debated the matter he sticketh faste in the inuestigation onelye of one or two or els of thrée questions at the most Herevpon therfore grew the custome whereby for the most part the pastors of churches do in the first place learnedly discouer what the thing is of whiche they purpose to entreate Where if they be perswaded that the thing is knowen already to the hearers then with good cause pretermit they that question From thence they procéede to an other question whiche they déeme to be most conueniente for the place time and persones and doe alledge somewhat peraduenture of the thirde question whiche is as touching the causes This being accomplished they passe to that whiche is the fourth in number namely concerninge the duties or effectes And in this wise with the explication of two or haply of thrée questions they make account to satisfy their hearers Somtimes and that not seldome there happen thinges which in no cace doe admit all the said questions in Diuinitie As for example there is offered a thing that can be deuided into no parts or formes Why then should there be a question prefixed of diuers partes or formes In lyke maner when there can be giuen no contraryes of a thing doubtles it were very ridiculous to assigne a question to be discussed of contraryes To be short there may happen also such a theame as may easely be conueighed through all the orders of questions yet notwithstandinge the godlye Preacher forasmuche as he enioyeth as I sayde frée
adioyned with them sifted out and brought to light The wise men verily declare their opinion of the Starre the Iewes searche the scriptures and whâ—lest in this sorte as well natural reason as the word of God are with iudgment and dexteritie conferred together a certayne definitiue sentence is gathered out of them both XXII XXIII Institution and Correction Herode asking counsayle of the chiefe priests scribes opportunelye admoniseth vs that in all matters of doubte we shoulde craue aduice of those men that are perfectlye séene in the same It is not without cause commonly spoken abroade Let euery man exercise himselfe in the arte which he knoweth But now adayes a greate number of men doe ouermuche offende in this behalfe They presume to giue sentence touching matters of religion that neuer had any â—aste in the sacred scriptures yea that as well in maners as in opinions are cleane voyde of all godlynesse and pyetie What good shoulde we hope for at their handes And they saide vnto hym At Bethlem in Iury For thus it is written by the Prophet And thou Bethlem in the lande of Iuda art not the least amonge the princes of Iuda For out of the shall there come a captaine that shal gouerne my people Israell XXIIII Doctrine Right excellent is the dignitie of the Scriptures For the scripture alone is vnto vs a certayne and assured rule faythfully shewing the truth as touching Christ and all thinges necessary to saluation Philosophycall proofes flowing out of the riuers of mans reason are of great weight and bringe no small light to things darke obsecure But in cace they be compared with the scriptures they ought to giue place as farre vnmete to match with them Like as truely when the wise men were come to Hierusalem where the scripture had hir place as ye woulde saye hir mansion house the starre whiche they had séene in the East forthwith disappéered and withdrew it selfe XXV and XXVI Doctrine and Institution In Micheas the Prophet cap. 5. it is thus reade worde for word And thou Bethlem Ephrata art little among the thousands of Iuda out of thee shal he comforth vnto me which shal be the gouernour in Israell whose outgoinges haue bene from the beginning and from euerlasting It appeareth therfore that the Euangelist expressed the prophesye so farre onely as was agréeable to his purpose Howbeit in the words of the prophet not onely the humanytie of Christe but also his diuinitie is playnely described and set forth And héere againe lykewise in this place is suggested vnto vs the wonderfull goodnesse of God to be considered and the holy Scripture most highly commended For it pleased God euen immediately at the beginning to open and manyfest his purpose touching the procuringe of the saluation of mankinde by his sonne and to the inient men should become daylye more certaine and sure of so great and worthy a thing and their faith by that meanes be nourished and encreased he vouched safe also to declare long before all the whole maner and the very circumstances how euery thing should betide Hitherto it pertayneth that the prophet Micheas so longe time before shewed as it were with his finger the place where Christ should he borne It is our parte to giue vnto God continuall thanks and perpetually to prayse hym which would haue as well the holy fathers as also our faith by that meanes to bee established And as for the holy scriptures in whiche those premisses and prophesies are contayned and is declared how and after what sort they all at the length were accomplyshed and performed let vs haue them euermore in high estimation reuerence them read and reuolue them without intermission from the iudgement whereof to swarue but a haires breddthe as they saye is to be counted a very wickednesse XXVII Doctrine By the words of the Prophet Christ is described to be a Kinge and Lorde but such a Kinge as whose kingdom is not carnall but in déede spirituall consisting in the hartes of the faithfull and streatchinge so farre as the limites of the catholike and euerlastinge church doe extende This church compriseth all the saintes and electe and is an eternal churche the boundes whereof are contayned partly in heauen and partely in and aboute the whole worlde This honour therfore and title of a kinge we finde attributed to Christ both nowe at his natiuitie of the Gentile wise men and againe at the time of his death of the president Pilte a Gentile also albeit not knowinge what he did But the Iewes both first and laste in such wise employed their diligence that from them the doctrine of saluation was deriued to the Gentiles Nowe what maner of kingedome this is it is of Christ in many places as in the parables wherin he calleth the church the kingedome of heauen likewise when he fléed leaste he shoulde haue bene made a Kinge of the people againe before Pilate c. Playnely and euidently declared XXVIII Redargution The false and trecherous Iewes doe nowe impudently interprete these wordes touching the kingedome and principalitie to concerne Zorobabell of whom mencion is made Esdr 2. Heggeus 1. c. And yet besides that they are conuinced by the authoritie of their owne auncitors into whose head duringe the time that Herode reigned and enquired the truth of the matter no such things euer came it can by no meanes be vnderstanded of Zorobabell which is added of the Prophete namely that his outgoinges haue bene from the beginninge and from euerlastinge This was very well noted of Chrysostom And thus doe the Iawes reiecte the veritie explaned vnto them of their doctors and dayly deuise absurd and false interpretacioÌ„s of the diuine oracles in such sorte that nowe it is euident that they are giuen vp of god into a reprobate sense and that as well the scriptures as euery other thinge besides yet thorough their owne deseruinge is become pernitious vnto them XXIX Institution But goe to let vs by the example of the wise men submitte our selues wholy vnto Christ our kinge and acknowledge the incomparable benefites which we may receyue of him if so be we will beléeue in him with our wholle harte and with such fidelitye and diligence as is méete obeye his commaundementes Where as if wée beléeue an obey him in déede then are we true Israelites and citizens regestred in the kingdome of heauen Not all that are of Israell are Israelites but they that are the children of promise Then Herode when he had priuily called the wise meÌ„ enquired of them diligently what tyme the Starre appered And he sente them to Bethelem and saide Goe and search diligently for the younge childe an when yee haue founde him bringe me worde againe that I may come and worshippe him also xxx Correction The vngodly albeit they haue rightly bene enstructed as touchinge the trueth yet is their conscience neuer in quiet They giue no credite to the Scriptures and therefore they turne themselues to
with all boldnes In the 6. cap. is commended Steuen ful of saith strength or rather power for the worde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is there read and that none coulde resist the wisdom and spyrite which spake in hym Of lyke sorte and effect is it that the Lord sayeth vnto Ieremie Beholde I haue giuen saieth he my wordes into thy mouth beholde I haue appointed thee this daye ouer nations and ouer Kingdomes that thou maiest pluck vp and roote oute subuert and destroye build and plant Many moe places there be whiche do not obscurely make mention of this facultie and power in speaking But it appeareth that the apostle ioyned these thrée thinges together I meane Doctrine Puritie of lyfe and Facultie or Power in teaching in that place where he sayeth vnto Timothy Take a paterne of the wholesome wordes which thou haste harde of mee with faith and loue which is in Christe Iesu The notable thinge giuen thee in charge keepe thorowe the holy ghost which dwelleth in vs. By holsome wordes is playnely and sufficientlye ynough distincted and meante Doctrine by faythe and loue Puritie of lyfe by the excellente thinge giuen in charge and the holy ghost Facultie or the gifte of teachinge And certes so farre foorth is this power and vertue in teachingâ— which me haue touched in the thirdâ— and lâ—ste place requisite in all those that wyl teach the people that albeit they be endued with learning and also with integritie of mâ—ner yet tsâ—e thâ—â— be destitute of thâ—â— one let them neuer lâ—â—â—e to accomplishe any thinge worthy of prase or commendation Wherefore so muche the more muste all meâ—â—e labour the matter that prepare themselues to the function of 〈◊〉 or that haue 〈…〉 vnto that 〈◊〉 lyke as they are furnished with 〈◊〉 and good manners so also adorned with a spyrite and power in teaching they may come forth into the publyke Theatre of the Church Moreouer the spirit or power in teachinge to thintent we may ad this also is geuen freely of God in the first calling but the increasemeÌ„t thereof is obtained of hint thorow often prayer Fynally it is nourished and preserued with a feruent studye of procuringe the health and saluation of the hearers Whereof the fyrste verylye is manyfest For whomsoeuer GOD voucheth safe to choose and selecte to the excellent excellent office of teachinge the people in the Church the same also immediatelye he fréely garnisheth with hys spyrite and giftes necessarye to so weighty a charge A plentifull wytnesse of hymselfe is Ieremye Cap. 1. who when he had sayde that he coulde not speake as one that was a childe heareth the Lorde sayinge vnto hym Thou shalt goe vnto all that I wyll sende thee vnto and all thinges that I wyll giue thee in charge shalte thou speake I haue giuen my wordes into thy mouth c. Christ lykewise is a witnesse of the same matter promysyng to sende and geue to hys Apostles and Disciples the holy ghost that shoulde teach them in all trueth whiche shoulde strengthen and furnishe theyr myndes and in theyr extreame perilâ— euen with Kinges and Princes also minister vnto them in due time what thinges they shoulde speake To bée shorte the Apostle Paule affirmeth that it is GOD that maketh the ministers of the news Testamente méete both to thinck and to speake The seconde pointe béecommeth playne and perspycious by this that Thapostles in the Actes Cap. 4 doe make their petitions vnto GOD that hée woulde graunt vnto his seruaunts That they might speake the woorde with all confidence and lybertye And Paule not onely hymselfe for the same cause sueth vnto GOD with continuall prayers but also requesteth and beséecheth others to doe the same Praye sayeth hee for mee that the woorde may bee giuen vnto mee in the openinge of my mouth with lybertie to the ende I may make manifest the mistery of the Gospel for the which I supply an ambassade in chaines that I may speake therein freely as I ought to speak Agayne in the 2. Thessa. 3. Pray for vs brethren that the worde of the Lorde may haue free passage and be gloryfied For whiche cause also there is a custome receiued in all Churches that all Diuine Sermons shall begin with publick inuocation In whiche inuocation it behooueth all men with their whole hartes to pray first that the Teachers may sincerelye and with boldnesse open and explane the woorde of God then that GOD woulde vouchsaue to illustrate the hartes of the hearers to th ende they may rightly vnderstande the doctrine proposed and duly vse and practise the same As touchinge the thirde it is certayne that where the office enioyned of GOD is with zelous and feruent affection executed it cannot bée but that hée of his bountiful goodnes wyll brynge to passe that happye and prosperous successe shall follow and ensue For GOD wyll not suffer the great labours and industry of good men seriouslye séeking hys glorye to become frustrate and voyde of fruite For this cause the doctrine of the word of GOD is not in one place alone resembled vnto séede that bringeth forth much fruite The Apostle also exhorteth Timothy not to neglect the gift giuen vnto hym but to exercise himselfe dylygently to thintent his profiting might be apparaunt in all thinges For if he gaue attendaunce to him selfe and to learning and continued therein it woulde come to passe that hee shoulde both saue himselfe and his hearers And certenly he that doubteth not of his callinge hee that is assured of the verytie of the doctrine which he professeth he that cannot be reprooued of any manifest crime hée that is pryuye in his conscience of hys owne fidelytie and dylligence hee that accounteth nothinge of more weight and imporfauÌ„ce then to sanctifie the name of God on earth and to gayne as many vnto Christ as is possible Vndoutedly hee speaketh boldly and vnbashfully that which God coÌ„maundeth The sharpe and vehement Oration of this man striketh and perceth the hartes of the hearers pea hée doth not onely pricke men forwarde to the amendement of lyfe but playnely forceth and compelleth them Wherefore there is no man but that may perceyue him to bée decked and adorned with a singuler spirite powre in teachinge euen of GOD himselfe But such a study and such godly affections the Apostle very artificially describeth 1. Thess 2. his wordes no doubte are worthy of vs to be remembred and such as all Preachers ought contiunally to haue in a table before their eyes Yee your selues knowe bretheren sayth hee our entrauÌ„ce in vnto you howe that it was not in vayne but after that wee had fuffered before and were shamfully entreated at Philippos as yee well knowe wee behaued our selues boldely in our God to speake vnto you the Gospell of god with much striuing For our exhortacion was not to bring you to errour nor yet to vncleanes neither was it with guile but as we were
vpoÌ„ which produceth a place of constaÌ„cy and fortitude in the confession of fayth this place certes shall worthily so much the more amply bee declared by howe much very fewe are to be founde in these dayes that by reason of publike daungers but especially for the perturbatioÌ„ of the Church dare constaÌ„tely abide by the truth And verily in this selfe same argument shall all the cunning in mouing of affections be seasonably set abroch and men prouoked with great sharpnesse of wordes and sentences to constancy and fortitude in the confession of the truth Somtymes also beside the tractation of common places or explication of the scripture there is mingled either in the beginninge of the Sermon or in the ende or else by digression in the middest some exhortation or obiurgation in which the oration assurgeth euen to the styrringe vp and concitation of affections Examples thou mayst finde not rare in Chrysostom and other ecclesiasticall writers By these things it is euidently to be perceyued in what parte of the Sermon affections ought to be moued Not in confirmation onely but also in the Exordium and conclusion Not onely where the confirmation drawethe to an ende but also wheresoeuer else the consideration of those thinges that are touched will séeme to require shall it bée conuenient to styrre vp the motions of the minde To the Preacher oughte a greater liberty to bee gyuen by all meanes then to the Orator lyke as also the Preacher may doe many other thinges with comlynesse that are not in the meane time to bee attempted of the Rhetoritian For the Preacher chargeth commaundeth sharply rebuketh threateneth pronounceth as one in place of authoritie and as a Iudge the sentence of excommunication But the Rhetoritian supposeth none of these thinges to bée lawfull vnto him but rather he is compelled nowe and then fowly to flatter and fawne vppon the Iudges somtymes also to prostrat himselfe as an humble supplyaunt before the tribunall seate and what not Chrysostom in his Homilie 26. entituled That wee ought to bée vertâ—â—â—sely occupied in the leaste thinges and that wee ought not to sweare forthwyth in the very entry of his Sermon repeateth many things grauely and with a certayne Episcopall dignitie wherby he induceth the hearers to feare the iudgement of God and also the seueritie of ecclesiasticall discipline Howbeit in whatsoeuer exhortations reprehensions or obiurgations it be that place ought chiefely and frequently to bée giuen to the mouinge of affections of myndes it is much better knowen then that it is needefull here to bée admonished the dayely custome of teachers in the Churche not obscurely prouinge and confirminge the same Moreouer with what furniture of arguments or with what kinde of arte the Preacher may conueniently moue and styrre vp the myndes of the hearers wee will eftesoones declare Before all thinges it is very necessary that hée which speaketh doe conceyue such lyke affectioÌ„s in his mynde and rayse them vpp in himselfe yea and after a sorte shews them forth to be séene vnto others as hee coueteth to hée translated into the myndes of his auditors For hée that both in wordes voyce countenaunce and apte gesture declareth himselfe to lamente and bée sory either for the perill of some or for the common misery of all men â—ée alone séemeth forthwyth to prouoke the residewe to pitie and compassion Hee that burneth wholly in himselfe and is altogither inflamed to attempt some notable thinge hée by his oration and as it were by his owne example may incense others to enterprise the lyke Hée that doth vtterly abandon vices himselfe and expresseth the same accordingly by the testimony of his mynde hée vndoubtedly at the length shall trayne others to the hatred and detestation of the same A man may stirre vp affections in himselfe diuers wayes First by the dilligent consideration of the things the are before his eyes as namely wheÌ„ a man very exactly discusseth and ensercheth in his mynde all and euery point annexed to the matter it selfe Which thinge neuerthelesse cannot bée done but of him that knoweth perfectly the nature and kynde of the businesse in hande Secondely by a vehement imagination or fantasy when a man with most atteÌ„tiue cogitatioÌ„ apprehendeth and depaynteth to himselfe the formes and simylitudes of the thinges whereof hée entreateth which afterwarde he so fixeth setleth in his minde as if his owne priuate cause were in handling and as though hee shoulde perpetually muse vppon that thinge alone Thirdly these thinges are furthered yea and increased also if a man shall attentiuely reade and peruse some one place especially in the sacred Scriptures wherein the affections are iudged to be most cunningely and artificially moued in which it shall bée conuenient so longe time to staye as the mynde may fully conceyue those thinges that agrée with the purpose After which sorte certaine Emperours bée reported amonge these also Alexander of Macedony as ofte as they entended to ioyne battaile with their enimies to haue enflamed themselues by the readinge of certayne verses wherein some horrible conflicte coÌ„mitted was of some Poete described set forth Fourthly in cace thou desirest earnestely to be moued and affected thy self it is requisit that thou laboure to obteine that of God who turneth and enforceth the hartes of men at his pleasure and saye wyth the Plalmist Inclyne my hart O God vnto thy testimonies And herevppon is nowe opened vnto vs also the seconde meane wherby a man may mou the mindes of his hearers For it behoueth him in the beginninge of his Sermon to pray vnto God with feruent prayer that it woulde please him by his holy spirit so to frame and direct the hartes of all men that they may both easely perceyue those things that are spoken of the truth and also by all meanes embrace and accomplyshe the same Full well sayde Augustine that all the preachinge of the veritie profiteth a man nothinge at all vnlesse God by his interior grace gouerne and worke in the harte Thirdely it cannot bée dissembled but that the moderate pronunciation of a lyuely voyce togither with a decent and comely gesture of the speaker doth adde greate force and importaunce to the mouinge of affections Which thinge to bee true the very Gentiles also themselues doe testifie Demosthenes beinge oftentymes demaunded what the chiefe and principall poynt was in the wholle kynde of well speakinge woulde alwayes make aunswere that it was gesture and ponunciation Agayne Aeschines his aduersary affirmed that the oration of Demosthenes which hée had with great grace rehearsed woulde deserue incomparable admiration wyth the hearers in cace it myght fortune them to heare Demosthenes himselfe but pronouncing his owne woordes So far forth is one and the self same Oration by diuers men pronounced perceyued to bée one while of more an other while of lesse power and strength Fourthly most effectually of all doe they moue the mindes of men to whom is giuen of God
Lorde sayde vnto my Lorde sitte on my right hande If Dauid calleth him Lorde howe is he then his sonne 3 Of the significatioÌ„ of the wordes to the sentence or meaninge of the speaker It behoueth this most chiefely to be obserued in figuratiue spéeches albeit euen where no figures bée at all yet some obscuritie may séeme to lurke Nowe this must bée remoued by searchinge the authors mynde out of the circumstaunces or out of the thinges either antecedent or consequent 4 Of wordes goinge afore and comminge after This also is a helpe in no wyse to be neglected For where it séemeth good out of some place of Scripture to confirme a doctrin or sentence it is requisite forthwith to marke as well the wordes antecedent as consequent and out of them to declare the sentence to bée true which wée proponed 5 Of a generall sentence in Diuinitie Such a one is this Deut. 10. God is no respecter of persons Therfore Peter Act. 10 gathereth herevppon that the Gentiles also in cace they feare God and giue themselues vnto rightuousnesse may bée accepted with God. 6 Of the thinges atributed to god God is true therfore will he performe his promyses proue vs to be liers God is rightuous wherefore of him shall the worlde be iudged 7 Of the signe to the thinge signified We are baptised therefore are we clensed from our sinnes by the bloode of Christ 8 Of one tyme to an other or of the tyme of the lawe to the tyme of the Gospell Rom. â—â— it is shewed how at all tymes some are elected by the grace of God to saluation and therefore that we ought not to cast away all hope touching certayne of the Iewes to be saued and that by this argument out of the â— Reg. 19. Knowe yee not sayth he what the Scripture sayth of Elias Howe he crieth vnto God agaynst Israell sayinge Lorde they haue killed thy prophetes and broken downe thyne altars and I was lefte alone and they lye in awayte for my lyfe But what aunswere maketh God vnto him I haue reserued vnto my selfe seauen thowsande men that haue not bowed their knees to Baall Euen so in this tyme also haue some remayned according to the election of grace 9 Of one tyme to all tymes I will haue compassion on whom I haue compassion and I will haue mercy vpon whome I haue mercy It is knowen that these wordes were thus spoken of God when he threatened destructioÌ„ to the Israelites by reason of their vprore in the absence of Moyses their worshippinge of the golden calfe But the Apostle doubteth not to vsurpe those wordes which God then pronounced in his anger for the cause about-sayde to proue that God at all tymes choseth some and of his mercy when it pleaseth him willingely saueth them 10 Of the head to the members Christ the sonne of God hath receyued an heauenly inheritaunce the same therefore shall those also receyue that beléeue which truly by adoption are the sonnes of God. 11 Of the members to the head Some thinges that bée attributed in the body of the Church to the members are not vnaptely transferred also to Christ the heade of the Church Heb. 4. and 5. The highe Priestes that be chosen of men forsomuch as they are compassed aboute with infirmitie are moued also with the feelinge of other mens infirmities The man Christ therefore beinge made an highe Prieste and tempted in all thinges is moued with the feelinge of our infirmities But in no wyse may humayne matters bee applyed vnto Christe in which is to bee séene the corruption of sinne 12 Of a thinge corporall to a thinge spirituall The promyses made of GOD to our fathers touching temporall benefites caused them to laye holde vppon spirituall and euerlasting benefites Inasmuch as these carnal things are after a sort shadows tiâ—es of things spiritual eternal By faith AbrahaÌ„ departed into the lande of promise as into a strange couÌ„try whan as he dwelled in tabernacles with Isaac and Iacob coheires of the same promise For he loked for a citie hauinge a sure foundation the buylder and founder whereof is God. Of which place this is the summe By fayth Abraham wente out of his owne Couutrey and came to the lande of promise therefore by fayth likewyse must we come to heauen or to the heauenly Citie 13 Of a thinge spirituall to a thinge corporall Esaye Cap. 59. the Lorde sayth My house shal be called the house of prayer amongest all people That mention is there made of the spirituall house of God that is to say of the Church or congregation of the faythfull whom it behoueth continually to worship God a right and truly to call vpon the name of the Lorde it is manifest by other things which in that place doe both goe before and also followe after And certes Christ whilest he throweth the byers and sellers out of the materiall Temple of Hierusalem applieth the same wordes to his purpose and argueth in this sorte In the Church or spirituall house of God it is meete that inuocation of the Lordes name be exercised without ceassinge Ergo therefore in the materiall Temple also it behoueth prayers continually to be made Séest thou not therefore howe that is deduced to a thinge corporall which before was simply spoken of a thinge spirituall 14 Of a thinge earthly to a thinge heauenly The author of the Apocalypes Cap. 7. transferreth the words which Esay the Prophete had vsurped Cap. 49. touchinge the felicitie to followe when the Gospell shoulde bée divulged into all the prouinces of the worlde to celebrate the reste and glory which the Sainctes that dye for the confession of the truth doe obteyne in the lyfe to come in heauen The wordes are these They shall not honger nor thirste any more neither shall the Sunne rise or fall vppon them nor any heate For the Lambe which is in the myddes of the throne as one that pitietâ—e them shall leade them forth to the comfortable springs of water The wordes therefore spoken of these thinges that ought to be done in earth are translated to those that come to pas in heauen This forme of reasoninge doth not much differ from that which a little before we intituled of a thinge corporall to a spirituall 15 Of the threatning of God to the effect thereof Thapostle affirmeth the time to be at hande wherein the Iewes ought to be reiected and excluded from the church of God and the Gentiles to be called and to succéede the Iewes addinge to a grieuous communication published of God in time past touchinge that matter I will prouoke you to enuy by a people which is no people by foolishe nation will I stirre you vnto wrath That which God hath once determined coÌ„cerning the punishment of wicked men muste of necessitie be accomplished except peraduenture some condition be either openly or pryuily adioyned to the threatning 16 Of the promise of God to the effect
the foundation of the truth and the rule that all men ought of necessity to follow Then shalt thou wisely examine also the sentences iudgements of other diuines which in their commentaries doe explane the scriptures and the assertions contayned in thē and shalt with iudgement accommodate and inserte into thy Sermons all the notable pointes comprised therein Which labour shall redounde to thy double commodytie For fyrst thou maist bebolde without bashement or feare of reprehension to determine and defyne vpon all matters albeit thou namest no authors openly Where if it lyketh thée afterward to name the authors themselues thou shalt declare by that meanes the consent of the churches and of the learned men in the same touchinge that assertion With which consent truely it can not be spoken how greatlye the hearers will be moued not so muche with folded armes as they saye to imbrace sounde doctrine as with stiffe and obstinate mindes to defende and mayntaine the same IIII Accordyng to the weight or vtilitie and dignyfie of the thinges digested as well out of the sacred scriptures as also out of the commentaries of learned writers thou shalt take aduice whether it be expedyent briefely to run ouer the sentence or to handle it at large But how soeuer it shall like thée to doe in this behalfe thou must bee sure and certaine of an apt method such a one as the nature of the sentence to be declared admitteth and such as most chiefly agréeth to the times places capacities of the hearers For an other sentence requireth to be handeled in an other method And this séemeth to be that which the Apostle meaneth saying vnto Timothye Study to yeelde thy selfe approued vnto God a woorkman not to be dispised duly deuiding the word of truthe V All good men doe consent that to the establishinge of a principle of christian religion reasons and foundations ought not to be required from any other place then out of those bookes which are ackowledged of all men to be canonicall As touching which matter looke Ireneus lib. 1. Cap. 1. Augustine against Faustus the Maniche Liber 11. cap. 5. De natura et gratia cap. 61. epist. 19. ad Hieronymum VI Dilligent heede must be taken lest any proofes or resons appeare to be hardly wrested or ouer farre fet For where as the hearers doe perceiue but euen one of these there they lesse estéeme of the rest and begin foorthwith to suspect the Preacher yea and to accuse him priuily eyther of deceit or ignoraunce VII That proofe shall alwayes be of most importaunce which is drawne out of the simple meaninge and singnyfycation of the wordes For the truth is delighted with playnnes and simplicitie and more simplicytie canne not be vsed then where all tropes and figures layd aparte wordes are taken in their natiue and proper sence By this meanes all thinges shall be sounde certayne and to the purpose wherwith the assertion shal be proued VIII Herevpon it followeth that similitudes oughte scarcely and sparingly tipes and allegories verye séeldome or neuer to be vsed in confirmation of assertions as out of which arguments are deriued by the opinion of all men scarce firme and effectuall Neither is it in déede méete for euery artificer to shape allegories wherefore to a younge practicioner that he should much comber himselfe in deuising hereof I would not become the author Of whiche thing we haue admonished the studious younge men in the second booke and fiue and thirtye Chapter of our worke de Theologo Where if thou thinkest good notwithstanding to practise any part of this kinde be it so trulye but with this condition whilest other argumentes hauinge more pith and strength in them doe procéede as wee may sée the Apostle Paule Galathians 4. at the ende of his disputation to vse an allegory or rather a type of two brethren whiche he sayth to signyfye two Testaments IX Moreouer due regarde must be had least we interlace any thing in any place that by reason of the difficultye or obscuritie therof or by reasō of the indirect maner of speaking may be drawen by the wicked sorte simple vnlearned or other what soeuer to the establishement of a false opinion or to the defence of mischife and impietie After which sort Saint Peter sayde there were some vnlearned and inconstant men that wrested certayne thinges to their owne perdicion whiche Paule the Apostle had faithfully and sincerely taught in his epistles So far forth doe men rauishe euen those thinges also that are very well spoken of most excellent and holy writers to an other ende then they wrote them for And surely it can not be denyed but that the Preachers themselues doe oft times giue occasion of euill speakinge How commonly I pray you are complaints heard in these dayes of a nūber which taught in déede doctrin both profitable necessary but that the hearers did not eft soones allow it and receiue it the Preachers themselues were the cause whilest they vsed suche formes of speakynge as all menne for the most parte abandoned as foolishe and prophane I was my selfe on a time present in a companye assembled at a sermon where one entreated in suche wise of good workes as if he had bene resolued to disswade his hearers from them hee coulde not haue done it more conueniently any other way Howbeit this inconuenience for the most parte may be remedied two maner of wayes The one is if thou endeuorest thy selfe to speake alwayes aduisedly and properlye and doest with dilligence premeditate euery thing at home But the surest waye when there is daunger in the formes of speakinge is to sticke faste in the phrases of holy scripture it selfe The other is that when thou priuily suspectest that any thing may maliciously be obiected the exhibit in time certaine preoccupations whereby the occasion of sinister interpretation and detraction may be preuented and taken away Which thing we may perceyue to be studioufly and euery where obserued of the Apostle Paule X After a sentence either briefely or more at large declared let admonitions neuer at any time be neglected touchinge the true vse therof as well publiekly perteyninge to the whole Church as also priuatly to bée referred to euery mannes conscience Of the doctrine whose vse lieth hidd the knowledge is vayne and in a manner superfluous For so S. Paule to the arguments wherby he had proued that all those which bée baptised are dead vnto sinne and ought afterward to liue onely vnto rightuousenes addeth an exhortation wherein he admonissheth that they would dilligently endeuoure to doe that thinge Let not sinne therfore sayeth he raigne in your mortall bodies c. In some part of the 4. chapter and also of the fyft to the Galathians the apostle techeth how they that are graffed in christ through baptisme are deliuered from the law neither ought they to looke to bee iustified thereby and by and by he addeth that whiche declareth the righte vse of the same doctrine saying
Yee were called into libertie my brethren onely that yee should not giue libertie by occasion to the fleshe but serue yee one an other through loue XI Neither is this truely to be pretermitted It falleth out somtimes that the teacher of the people in the explication of some one sentence doth erre somwhat from the scope of truth and exhibiteth for things certayne and true things vncertayne and false For what if he that entreth the sacred Pulpit be not as yet sufficioutlye exercised hymselfe in the contemplation and tractation of diuine affayrers Or followeth peraduenturs some one onely writer which he hath redd hauing not heard the iudgemeÌ„tes of other or to be short whiles certayne questions sometyme in the Church especially such as are called in controuersy be in processe of tyme more fully manifestly discussed then to fore they were what if he coulde not as yet come to the sight of the later and sounder opinions And who is able to rehearce al the causes and occasions of error Therefore let not him whome it shall fortune by any meanes to fayle in his teachinge be ashamed to confesse and acknowledge in tyme conuenient that hée was of late intangeled in error and the offence which he committed by not teachinge of sounde doctrine or by vnaduised speakinge hée will nowe make amendes for by bringinge a more sounde interpretation That hee hath since that tyme somdeale profited as one daye teacheth an other and the later cogitations accordinge to the prouerbe are wonte to be wiser then the first Hée that became a guyde vnto others whereby they fell into the ditche the same shall worthily shewe the waye howe they may againe recouer and escape Neither ought the hearers to bée offended greatly in this behalfe For it behoueth all men to remember that they are men which are placed in the ecclesiasticall function therefore that nothinge humayne is estraunged from them And it is the propertie of mannes nature to errre Of malyce or madnesse to persist in error but of the singuler goodnesse and grace of God after the fall to be againe erected Wherefore if any of the hearers doe stomacke the matter and disdayne that they were a littell before seduced it is méete the same doe now againe reioyce and as ye woulde say congratulate both with themselues and their teacher and especially to giue vnto God most harty thankes wheÌ„ they perceyue themselues to bée brought agayne out of the darkenesse of error into the lighte of truth As touchinge this Cantion Augusine hath somwhat in his boke de Catechizandis Rudibus cap. 11. in his boke de verbis Apostoli sermon 22. But many moe thinges that may make the Preachers wise circumspect in this behalfe erperieÌ„ce it selfe will teach and the longe exercise of preachinge Neither is it possible that all thinges shoulde bée comprehended in rules and preceptes And at all tymes lightly there chaunceth some thinge vnloked for which compelleth digression to bée made from the order of preceptes and purposed aduertisementes Nowe it is requisite that wée put forth some examples of Sermons of the kynde didascalick It is alwayes méete and in déede for many causes expedient that all men with sharpe and intentiue mynde looke vppon the notable examples of Sermons which the Prophetes Christ and Apostles haue had For to followe and imitate these in all poyntes so far as may bée as it is a thing most semely so is it also most sure Next whome it may bée lawfull to commende the more famous Preachers and especially the auncient fathers which to haue excelled in the giftes of the holy Ghoste there is no man that knoweth not Wherfore that all good things doe happen vnto men by the onely goodnesse of God Moyses teacheth in a iuste Sermon Deut. 9. and 10. almoste throughout Esay Cap. 1. briefely declareth that eternall worshipping without the affectioÌ„ of the hart integritie of lyfe is vnprofitable The sane Cap. 25.26.27 preacheth of the rewardes of the godly and of the punishement of the wicked Agayne Cap. 66. of the true worshippinge of god Christ Math. 5. preacheth of the true blessednes of the right vse of the lawe Cap. 6. of confidence in God or if thou wilt of the prouidence of GOD cap. 11. of the punishement of those the dispise the gospell cap. 13. of the dilligent hearinge of the worde of God of theffectes of the worde cap. 16. of the confession of fayth and of the knowen truth Cap. 17 of obedience and honor due vnto Magistrates Cap. 19. hée teacheth what greate rewarde remayneth for them that constantely cleaue vnto the Gospell Cap. 20. how it commeth to passe by the frée mercy of God alone that the beléeuers are called iustified and glorified Cap. 24. and 25. of the ende and consummation of the worlde and of the comminge of Christ vnto iudgement Ioan. 14.15.16 of fortitude and pacience in persecution for religious sake of Charitie and perfect loue c. Act. 13. Sainct Paule declareth what the gospell is In his epistle to the Ro. the one disputatioÌ„ touching iustificatioÌ„ by faith without the workes of the law the other likewise cap. 9.10.11 as coÌ„cerning the reiection of the Iewes and callinge of the Gentiles mighte bée propounded in steade of examples but that they are written rather after the Scolasticall maner of teachinge then after the popular albeit the laste doe approch most néere vnto the popular The same is to bée iudged of the disputation to the Galath 3. which in all poyntes agréeth with the former to the Romaynes aforesayde excepte that it serueth more for the people But moste fitte and proper to this presente busynesse is the assertion of the reâ—urrection of the dead 1. Corinth 15 Also to the Heb. 1. and 2. touchinge the two natures in Christ Againe cap. 5.6.7.8.9.10 of the abrogatioÌ„ of the Leuiticall priesthood legal sacrifices and of the succession of ths eternall priesthod and the onely sacrifice of Christe In Chrisostome are extant many Sermons of this kinde especially in his enarratioÌ„ of the Gospels of Mathew and Iohn Notable is the Homily 60. vpon Mathew where hée disputeth of the cause of sinne Likewyse in his fift Tome Homilye 48 touchinge the fearefull iudgenent of god Homilye 71. that fastinge profiteth nothinge if innocency of lyfe bee away Homily 77. that a sinner after his fall ougthe not to dispayre Lastely his 6. Sermons and 3. bookes of the prouidence of GOD For these also to bee written popularly no man denieth ¶ Whensoeuer any parte of the holy Scripture is to be expounded in the Kinde didascalik that many and diuerse common places may be noted therein out of which it shall bee conuenient ot chose and declare some more exactely and at large Cap. III. ALbeit ther cannot a more absolute order of Preachinge be set forth to be followed then that which shyneth in the examples of Sermons which partely the Prophetes Apostles and Christe himselfe and partely certayne of the
dreame Heerevpon therefore wee haue to vnderstande what great prudence and dexterytie is required in them that take vppon them to teache or by reason of their office ought to teache others Certes it is very requisite that they accommodate themselues in all that they may to the capacitie of their hearers and make also their proofes and reasoÌ„s of thinges vsuall familyar and wel knowne For so Paule the apostle preachinge of Christ the true God to the Athenienses taketh occasion of speaking of a thing manifest to all men to wit of the altar dedicate to the vnknowne God Afterwarde he procéedeth vnto reasons prouing the power and goodnesse of GOD playnly perceyued of all by the onely instinction of nature And we are come to worship him XIII and XIIII Doctrine and Institution They which sée the Starre that is to say that haue teathers and guides of whom they may by the woorde bee rightly instructed in the exercises of Godlynesse in their mindes faith springeth and withall they are stirred vp to the true worshipping and pure inuocation of God and vnto other thinges adioyned herevnto But they that haue not teachers of the worde or refuse to heare suche as they haue doubtlesse it can not be that they shoulde laye a right the foundations of faith or otherwise profytte therein For faith commeth of hearing and hearinge by the worde of God. Let vs all therefore praye vnto God that if the trueth hath not as yet shined vnto vs he woulde sende those that might enforme vs by hearinge of whom we may also conceiue true faith in Christ But if the truth hath now already bene reuealed vnto vs then that we may rightly vse it and direct the knowledge whiche wee haue gotten to the true inuocation of Christ through a lyuely fayth and sanctimony of lyfe XV. Doctrine The wise men whilest they professe themselues to bee come to worshippe Christe doe not obscurely testify and declare his diuine nature For it is the Lord that ought to be worshipped When Herode the Kinge had heard these thinges he was troubled and all the citie of Hierusalem with him XVI Correction Wonderfull is the difference betwéen the Gospell and men following the worlde and the things that are in it Assoone as by the grace of God the trueth of the gospell waxeth cléere Princes and a great number of people séeke meanes to stop the course thereof For the diuell without ceassing moueth by his champions suche as are described Actes 16.17.18.19.21.23 c. bloody broyles and tragidies soweth battels seditions and tumults trusting he thal bring to passe by this meanes that sounde doctrine shall be euill spoken of suspected and become hatefull so by little and little be vtterly explosed and abandoned of al men And the world now adaies nourisheth euery where an huge heard of Sathans bondeâ—laues whiche at all times goe about craftely to take away the truth and to hinder the studies of the holy scriptures But they labour in vaine as it is manisest that Herode also with his conspiratours attempted all thinges in vaine The trueth may for a time bee assaulted and hidden but expugned and vttery abolyshed it can not be So also the vngodlye may accomplishe some thing after their owne desyre but in the meane time the misers and blinde bussardes doe not perceiue that the victorye whiche they haue of the poore ministers of the worde wyll turne to their owne destruction For suche is this kinde of conflicte that whosoeuer haue the vpper hande in it are in deede miserablye vanquisshed and put to the foyle And victorye in this respect is nothynge els then a token of GODS wrath and vengeaunce whiche bursteth foorth eyther vpon the children nephewes or vppon the posterytie to come XVII Institution Whiche of vs soeuer will declare our selues to bee the children of the light if at any time wee perceyue the Starre of trueth to shine anywhere vnto vs let vs not with wicked Herode and his adherentes be troubled and kéepe a sturre but rather as ioyful and glad let vs runne to méete it imbrace it with both our armes and giue thankes vnto God for it XVIII Doctrine Herode through ambition ritches auarice and ingratitude towardes god was driuen to resiste He feared least a newe kinge rising vp he should be put from his kingedom The vnthankeful multitude alwaies proue to the worste willingly ioyneth it selfe to the will of princes especially in euill matters It is euident therefore that men of haughtye minde proud puffed vp vaineglorious dronke thorough pleasaunt fortune couetous vnthankefull to god warde craftye vnstable and such as in a moment apply themselues vnto all thinges thorough a certaine carnal wisdom they haue doo not lightly imbrace the Gospell and doo very hardly enter into the kingdom of heauen As touching which thing Christ Math. 8.19 Luc. 18. and the Apostles also els where doe preache And when he had gathered all the chiefe priestes and Scribes of the people togither he demaunded of them where Christ shoulde be borne XIX Correction The vngodly being prouoked with the maiesty of the truth appearinge séeke diuers and sondrye wayes to oppresse it They apoint commissions they call counsels and sinodes and pretermitte no â—ote of those thinges which they suppose will bee profitable to the furtheraunce of their mischiefe The men of Anathoth goe craftelye about to intrappe Ieremy XX Doctrine Out of the mischeuous endeuours of men the Lorde oft times draweth that which is good The consultations and mandates of the wicked Kinge touching the enserchinge of the trueth were the cause that the trueth which before laye hidden was out of the monuments of the prophets brought into light Except this dilligent inquisition had bene made by the kinges commaundement neither the Persian wise men nether the Iewes yea nor yet we at this day shoulde haue so certaine knowledge of the place wherein Christe was borne Beholde after what sort God wonderfully prouideth for his church and how in it men profyte goe forwarde in the knowledge of thinges spirituall There sprang vp heresies cruell and barbarous persecutions against the professors of the trueth in the meane season the church standeth stedfast and is encreased not onely for that it profiteth in the doctrine of faith but also forasmuch as it becommeth more ware and prouident in auoyding or enduringe of daungers in humilitie modestie patience and other vertues exerciseth it selfe not without great gayne and aduantage For so truely it pleaseth GOD to delude the enterprises of the wicked and to bring to passe that to the godly al things turne to the best XXI Institution It is to be obserued in this presente place that the colloquies and assemblies of learned men touching matters perteyninge to religion and the state of the Church are oft times ordayned to a very goodende and purpose And albeit there be commonly in such assemblies some hypocrits or other yet is the trueth by them or by the godly
as it were certayne steppes and degrées whereby the godly are brought vnto true and perfect knowlege Which thinge how it may with ease be accomplyshed I will in few words rehearce and as ye would saye with certayne poyntes added declare They talked together I The first degrée to come to an absolute knowledge of the trueth as touching Christ and the will of God is constituted in holy and godly meditations and in a feruente desyre of perceiuing the trueth Whiche desyre or study GOD hymselfe other whiles graffeth in the mindes of men ministringe of hys owne accord occasion of godly meditations like as those thinges that were done at Hierusalem gaue cause to the disciples to talk and common of Christ And Iesus himselfe drew neere II Assoone as any doe earnestly begin to applye theyr minde to thatteynement of diuine knowledge God hymselfe vouchsafeth to be present with them and to fauour their godly desyres Wherefore they easely perceyue their mindes to be wonderfully and in a certaine secrete maner inflamed their counsayls to vs directed and a meane wherby they may profyt to be opened By meanes whereof we may learne that the second step or degrée whereby the way is laide open to the knowledge of thinges diuine consisteth in the sincere callinge vppon the name of GOD and in the present aide and helpe of the same There is no cause why any maÌ„ should perswade himself that he can happily attempte the study of holy thinges if he first implore not humbly the diuine ayde and féele the same to be present with hym And for this cause doth Iames cap 1. grauely admonish vs that we should aske spirituall wisdom of him that giueth it namely god c. One of them aunswered whose name was Cleopas III The third degrée of profyting in thinges spiritual is the diligent conferrence with others especiallye with the learneder sorte And God is wont alwayes to those that with all their harte long after the knowledge of heauenlye thinges to minister apt helps and instruments of all sortes For the holy ghoste commaundeth Phillip to approche more néere to the chariot wherin the Eunuche quéene Candaces chief gouernour was caryed to the intent he might cléerely interpret the scriptures read but not vnderstanded God by an angell willeth Cornelius the Centurion to send spéedily to Ioppa for SimoÌ„ Peter of whom he mighte be instructed in the doctrine of true religyon And héere in this place Christ himselfe commeth forth in this owne person rather then those his disciples shoulde be destitute of a faithfull instructor What that a place very profytable to the commendation of the heauenly doctrine falleth in where it is sayde That Iesus of Nazreth was a prophete mightye in deede and in worde before God and all the people Truely very notable effects of the celestiall doctrine are héere set forth before our eyes Yea and certaine women amonge vs. IIII They that couet to profyt in sound holy doctrine what time they haue diligently conferred as touchinge the trueth with other godly menne of all sortes and degrees in the forrth place they shal exactly weigh and perpende all mens opinions sayings interpretations disputations yea they shall marke also visions reuelations dreames of whiche the Prophete Ioell speaketh capi 2. signes and wonders and of al these thinges so farre forth as in them lyeth they shall prudently shewe their iudgement Finally they shall trie all thinges as the Apostle sayth 1. thess. 5. and holde that which is good But that all sorts of men ought worthily to employ their endeuor to the doctrine of piety it is plaine and euident forasmuche as we sée the care and dutie euen of women also toward Christ crucifyed dead and buryed to be héere vehemently praysed and set forth They found it euen so as the women had saide There is good hope that the godlye may there verye well profyt and goe forwarde where as consent and agréement is founde in sounde doctrine which alone is of great importance to the establishing of Gods church and to the amplyfying therof And he saide vnto them O yee fooles V Ater the opinions of other men heard and prudently weighed there remayneth an other marke or fyft step whiche the disciples must climbe That is that the iudgement of the Scriptures themselues which is most perfect and aboue all other may alwayes be harkened vnto For vnto these must of necessitie be referred whatsoeuer is at any time produced as touchinge the doctryne of trueth We sée how Christ and the Apostles doe fortyfye all their assertions with the testimonies of the lawe the prophets how much more méete is it therefore that we stick fast for the authorytie of the lawe 〈◊〉 thee 〈◊〉 be set Christ and Apostles vpon this foundation whatsoeuer is builts that shal be certaine sound and stable in the churh and he shall be iudged to haue more profyted others whosoeuer shal build in this sort Againe it can nothe chosen but that it muste néedefull whatsoeuer is taken from any at 〈◊〉 and obtruded for sound 〈◊〉 And they drew 〈◊〉 to the towne VI 〈…〉 all times the thankfulnes their 〈…〉 God that distributeth to euery 〈◊〉 hys gift◠〈◊〉 measure as pleaseth hym as also to 〈…〉 by which they know and confesse themselues to be holpen for 〈…〉 For to those that are thankfull and doe rightlye vse the gifts graunted vnto them â–ª God willinglye 〈◊〉 more and committeth vnto them as it were new tallents But from the vnthankfull and those that either knowe not or wyll not vse them aright are taken a waye agayne such those that they haue already gotten And their eyes were opened Truely they that are thankfull do féelâ— in themselues manifest increasements of knowledge God vndoubtedly augmenting and be wâ—ifying his gifts in them And in this behalfe we sée the Apostle Paule praying with great effect to God the father that the loue of all his heaters might yet more and more abounde in knowledge and in all spirituall vnderstanding c. And they rose vp the same howre and returned VII Moreouer when a man is come to the exact knowledge iudge of the 〈…〉 shall 〈…〉 â—â—ught to 〈◊〉 but shall indeâ—â—◠〈…〉 all 〈◊〉 possible to bring others also to 〈…〉 Therfore we shall fréely and â–ª but a 〈…〉 confesse the knowen trueth he shall labour to 〈…〉 other both priuate and publickly 〈…〉 forth as oportunitie will serue 〈…〉 and friendly confer with other learned men moued not so much with desyr of teaching as of learning and fynally in al his actions hee shall set before his eyes both the edyfying of his hearers and increasement of the church For to thèse â—â—des most thief 〈…〉 God giueth to the faithful the 〈…〉 of thinges spirituall with these â—â—tion the 〈…〉 good will towardes God and men by this 〈…〉 concorde and agréement in doctrine in nourished in all Churches and to be shorte by such diligence is the Church of God confirmed encreased
our necessitye enforceth vs. Except ye see signes and wonders III. A weake and wauering faith in men displeaseth God yet God according to his mercye voucheth safe to make the same more stronge and perfect Faith is the gift of God and he encreaseth it being giuen Wherefore wée ought with the Apostles to praye ofte times vnto God and saye Lorde encrease in vs our faith There be very many places of the scripture which testifie that there ought to be distinguished certaine degées as it were and encreasements of faith and one while an infirme weake vnperfect an other while a stronge stedfaste and perfecte fayth to be noted Lorde goe downe before he dyeth IIII. Faith being somwhat encreased by the grace of god proceadeth more franckly to entreat and call vpon god Through pure and earnest inuocation all things are obteyned at Gods hande Goe thy waye thy sonne liueth V. The faith as yet not fully perfect God mercifully looketh vppon rendereth vnto it according as it desireth And through faith men obtaine of God most ample benefites like as spirituall so also corporall The man beleeued the worde VI. Fayth by the worde and promises of God is erected receyueth strength and is made perfect Nowe as hee was goinge downe VII Man becommeth dayely more stronge in faith that after the erample of Abraham he may euen without hope beléeue vnder hope whylest namely the certaintie of gode promises doe alwaies more and more appere and god neuer ceasseth with new benefites to bewtify adorne the godly And he beleeued and all his householde VIII The incomparable force and effecte as well of the worde of God as of Fayth For both the certaintie and truth of Gods worde beinge made manifest doth stirre vp faith in a greate number and also the notable fayth of one man beinge put forth for an example vnto others inuyteth euen these also after a sorte to beléeue In respecte whereof wée may sée the eramples of the faith of the holy Saintes in the Scriptures worthy of imitation to be set before our eyes Thou séeste therefore howe aptely it is declared throughout the whole narratio Ì„ by what meanes faith is ingendered at the lenght becoÌ„meth perfit One example more if wée shall add wée will so make and ende That shall be taken out of Marke 16. After that he appeared to the eleuen as they sat together reproued them of their vnbeliefe and hardenes of harte bicause they beleeued not them that had seene him beinge risen vp againe And he sayd vnto them Goe yee into all the worlde and preach the Gospell to euery creature Hee that shall beleeue and bee baptized shal be saued but hee that will not beleeue shal be damned And these tokens shall followe them that beleeue In my name they shall cast out diuells and shall speake with newe tongue and shall driue awaye serpentes and if they shall drincke any deadly thinge it shall not hurt them they shal laye their hands on the sikle and they shall recouer So after the lorde had spoken vnto them he was receyued into heauen and sate on the right hand of god And they went forth and preched euery where and the lord wrought with them and confirmed the worde with signes that followed Séest thou not howe Christ vpbraideth his sluggish disciples with their incredulitye hardenesse of hart Therefore least we at any time be reproued for the like wée must take diligent héede that after we haue harde beléeued ad imbraced the Gospell we cleaue constantlye to the same Wherfore let the state of this reading be that the Gospell is constantly and fréely to be cleaued vnto As for those thinges that folow in the texte they shall aptely be taken in stead of arguments or reasons confirminge the same Neither truely shall it be a hard matter so to axplane all the partes thereof as that they may be agreable to our purpose Bycause they beleeued not them that had seene him being risen agayne I The first reason We ought to sticke fast vnto the Gospell of Christ for the authorities sake and testimony of those men that haue séene hard and declared the same vnto vs For thus faith Christ Act. 1. to his apostles Ye shal be my witnesses not onely at Hierusalem but also in al Iury Samaria euen to the worldes end Peter like wise Act. 2. saith This Iesus hath god raised vp wherof we are all witnesses And Iohn in his first epist. cap. 1. That which was froÌ„ the begining which we haue heard which we haue sene with our eyes which we haue loked vpon our hands haue handeled of the worde of lyfe and shewe vnto you that eternal life God will haue therfore the testimony of such men to be accounted of most great weight and importaunce amongest all men Goe into the whole world and preache II. The second reason of the â—dicte or coÌ„maundement of Christ Christ gaue in charge to his apostles that they should publishe the gospell to all nations By the same diligence no doubte it is commaunded also vnto vs that we should with all our endeuour imbrace and reteyne the same Hee that beleeueth and is pabtized III. The thirde reason of the promise and threateninge which are annexed to the commaundemente of God. In like maner we sée promises and comminations adioyned to the preceptes of the Decaloge And these tokens shall folowe them that beleeue IIII. The fourth reason of the manifolde giftes whereby God vnto this end and purpose garnisheth and illustrateth his Church that the certaintie and excellency of the Euangelical doctrine might be approued So the Lorde after hee had spoken V. The fift reason Whatsoeuer thinges haue bene hitherto spoken are established and confyrmed by the ascention of Christ himselfe into the heauens and by his syttinge at the right hande of the father For by these two signes or markes he signified vnto all men how great his power and dignitie were And vndoubtedly to ascende by his owne proper power into heauen and to sitte at the right hand of the father are most assured argumentes of his deuine nature in respecte whereof he is in all pointes coequall with his father And they went forth and preached euery where VI. The sixt reason of the effectes that folowed The apostles like as they were commaunded published the Gospell They preached also euery where Wherefore the knowledge of the Gospell hath of necessitie come euen vnto vs also and to ours No signes and wonders neither the wonderfull power of the holy Ghost ne yet any thinge els was lackinge All these things therefore doe conuince yea and euen compell vs that wee should ascribe all glory vnto the gospell and vnto God the author of the gospell that wée should coÌ„stantly cleaue vnto the same For héere vndoubtedly are remembred those thinges by which men of all former ages haue bene most chiefely perswaded to imbrace and highly estéeme the holesome doctrine of
receyued by the Lawe Of which thing he rendreth also in the causes For where the lawe is there imediately followeth transgression for such is our imbecilitie and weakenes that wee can neuer exactely fulfyll the lawe And where transgression is what I beseech you is to bee loked for but the wrath of god By the lawe therfore or by workes wee can by no meanes atteyne vnto rightuousnes But to the intent he might the more easyly perswade the same thinge he inserteth two inconueniences which if rightuousnes were not to be loked for but by the lawe should of necessytie follow If rightuousnes or the inheritaunce of spirituall benefytes shoulde then onely be receiued when the law were of vs throughly fulfilled our faith no doubt should be void the promise of god of none effect But that it is a very absurde matter in cace any should auouch it thus to be euery man perceyueth For GOD vndoubtedly performeth that which he promiseth as he that neuer ceasseth to be true and iust of his worde And where as is the certaine fyrme infallible promise of God ther our faith ought in no wise to wauer or doubt Let these thinges therfore he taken in steade of the eight argument But nowe againe the Apostle stayeth somewhat at this that the holy scripture testyfieth that the promises belong not onely vnto Abraham but also vnto an his séede In which consideration beinge occupyed he remembreth that in the olde Testament the Gentiles also are conteined in the séede of Abraham For it was saide vnto Abraham Gen. 17. I haue appointed thee to be the father of many nations Wherfore herevpon also he produceth an other argument which is framed in this sort The promised spirituall benefyts shal redound also to the seede of Abraham But the Gentiles are knowen to be the seede of Abraham Ergo the promised benefits shal come in like maner to the Gentiles though destitute of the lawe and voide of good works Be this therfore the ninth argument taken of the proper signification of the worde Gentiles or Nations and it belongeth to the places of inuention of whiche mention was made in the fift obseruation X The tenth argument is added to deriued of the nature of the things themselues which kind of proofes we shewed to be méete and requysyte in the fourth obseruation Abraham saieth he aboue hope beleeued vnder hope that hee shoulde be the father of many nations according to that which was spokeÌ„ to him So shal thy seede be And he not weake in the faith considered not his owne body c. The apostle in déede describeth the nature force of the faith which is imputed for rightuousnes and sheweth that it was very excellent in AbrahaÌ„ and far greater then any man could beléeue He saith the true and perfect faith doth assuredly vndoubtedly lay hold vpon those things that excéede mans reason the by no menes are iudged to be hoped for besids that it neglecteth dispiseth vtterly remoueth al things that are thought to be a let or hindraunce vnto it For it alwaies leaneth vpon God to when nothinge is impossible to be done Such and so great a faith therefore seeinge it shined forth in AbrahaÌ„ it pleased god with merciful eyes to behold it before al other works to impute it for rightuousnes XI Last of all the holy Apostle going about to bring his explanation to all end auoucheth that the same meane or way that Abraham was iustified by ought also to be applyed vnto vs for therefore were those thinges writen of Abraham to the ende we might know that we in like maner by the example of Abraham shoulde without workes be iustified by faith And thus much touching the interpretation of one short sentence The seconde example being no lesse notable then the first is extant Galat. 3. where euery word of the most knowen promise made vnto Abraham Gene. 22. In thee all nations shall bee blessed is so expounded and declared that it likewise teacheth that men are iustified before God not by the workes of the law but by faith sBut yet far away surmounteth the third example which occurreth Heb. 5. 7. where euery member of the fourth verse of the Psalm 110 The Lorde hath sworne and will not repent thou art a priest for euer after the order of Melchisedec is with such great arte industrye grace opened and explaned that I néede not doubt to affirme that no mans wit without the speciall direction of the holy ghost is able to immitate the like For truely the apostle with many diuers proofes takeÌ„ out of the one testimony of scripture plainly teacheth in the same chapter in the thrée following first that Christ is the true priest after the order of Melchisedec and the the said prophesie of the Psal. 110. doth most chifely agrée vnto him secondly that the priesthod of Christ is far more excelent theÌ„ the priesthod of the law which was after the order of Aaron or Leuiticall thirdly that by the priesthod of Christ appointed established through the patefaction of the Gospell the priesthode of Aaron is abolished fourthly that by the priesthod of Christe once constituted and confyrmed the olde ceremonies and sacrifices yea and the law it selfe take an ende What man would haue thought that out of one verse or clause might haue bene drawen matter of so many weighty poyntes of Christian doctrine and so diuers and sâ—ndry proofes for euery poynte But thus it is to whom the holy ghost becommeth a scholemaster vnto those all things are easye playne penetrable and ready The thing it selfe speaketh that all that are placed in the Ecclesiasticall ministerye are not so far for the enstructed of the holy ghost that they may be counted equal with the Apostles or other pillers of the Church wherfore it is very requisite that the study diligence of immitation should appéere and shine forth in them and when they perceyue themselues not able to atteine the vertue and maiesty of the Apostolike phrase of speaking then let them diligentlye next after the Apostles follow the steppes of the holy fathers whiche we know with great laude and fruite in the kinde didascalick to haue explaned sentences or single places of scripture in the Church Chrisostom in his first Tome learnedly expoundeth in a iust homilie those words of Gene. 3. I will put enmitie betwixt thee and the woman betweene thy seede and hyr seede c. There is also an homilie as touchinge these words of the Psalm 9. I will declare all thy wonderous works Another of the words out of the Psalm 25. Leade mee in thy trueth and teache mee Agayne of the wordes out of the Psalm 27. The Lorde is my light and my saluation whom then shall I feare Moreouer of these wordes out of the Psal. 85. Be not angry with vs O Lord for euer Item out of the Psalm 122. Peace be within thy walles and plentiousnesse