heauinesse If with their speech they mixe fained sighings Crocodiles teares other legerdemaines deuised by Art amongst the which slanders strange positions doe specially increase their authority As Sebastian the Frenchmā reuiled the teachers and called a great volume of the sayings of the prophets apost which in shew seemed not to agre From whence he gathred that we must not iudge after the letter but as the spirit directs And in their Paradoxes they insert thinges to please people inlarge licentiousnesse Some there are which carry about with them the books of Sibils whence they take such Oracles as best befit theyr affections whom they flatter This kind of Idol priest must be taken heed of that rule is firmely to be held Thy word is a lantern vnto my feet And againe To the Lawe and the testimony And againe The Gospel is the power of God vnto saluation to euery one that beleeueth and those deceiuers are not to be harkened vnto which crye out that inspirations must else-where be sought for without thinking of the holy worde The saying of the sonne of God must bee helde fast whoe commandeth to preach repentance forgiuenes of sins in his name To this end let our teaching be applyed that repentance faith prayer and newe obedience may increase in vs by the meditation of Gods word and let god be praised with true duties according to that saying Fight thou a good fight holding fast faith a good conscience For traps may be laide by men by the aduancing of Inspiratiōs as we haue often seene By this meanes as by an inchantment the people discerned of seducers Therfore the sonne is sent to reueale vnto all creatures the secret and vnknown promise of reconciliation and that it beeing heard faith might be wrought in men and God might communicate himself with vs as Paule saieth Faith is by hearing and hearing by the word of God Wherfore these Idol priests of Cibel which withdraw mens mindes from the written word do reproch the son of God and take away both faith and al the exercise of faith If the writinges of the Prophets and Apostles were taken away so that euery hypocrite might lawfully brotch his counterfait Oracles from his inspirations as from his three footed seate howe great furies would ensue We haue seen example heerof in the Tragedies of Munster elswher Wherefore all holye teachers and hearers with al constancy ought to set themselues against these doting deuises Thy purpose and indeuour therefore O Peter I do commend that thou art an incourager of all the godly vnto reading As Paule saith Be conuersant in reading shewing the way to euery book declaring the arguments of them I woulde to God that our youth were accustomed rather to reading godly praier then to cauilles in disputing for when matters are well opened and no kind of false doctrine approoued there should be an end of disputing and it is a most true saying that to playe the Sycophant is too great diligence And whereas by the wisedome of your noble King and the diligence of godly teachers in your kingdom the studies of your youth are so ordered that no liberty to cauill is permitted vnto them You haue wel prouided for the peace of the church and their wits are accustomed to modesty All things though wel deliuered may be weakened if cauels may be regarded as in time past were those of the Pirchonians and the Academicks Therfore Paule doth strictly charge the Phillippians to hold faste the Canon or the rule of the word Now I beseech the Sonne of God our Lords Iesus Christ to keepe and to gouerne the churches in the kingdome of the Danes and in Germany and to make them to abide for euer one in him Farwell cal Feb. 1557. CONCERNING THE Authority of Gods word and holy Scripture THE authority of Gods worde and holy Scripture ought to be so great with all men that no one should doubt thereof but as we looke vp vnto heauen with our eies so should we thinke that the holy Scripture was brought from Heauen and as he that came from heauen is aboue all so the holy Scripture doth far exceed the doctrine and wisedome of man Christ asked the Pharisies of the doctrine of Iohn the Baptist whether it were from heauen or of men signifying that those two kinds of doctrin did greatly differ one from another the which also Christs disputation with Nichodemus maketh plaine Ioh. 3 The word of God is the holy Scripture of the old and new Testament which is called holy that is seuered from all other writings written by the holy Ghost brought from heauen And Christ deuideth the olde Testament into 3. partes in the last of Luke where hee saith that all thinges must be fulfilled whatsoeuer are written of the sonne of man In the 1 part Moses 2 part The Psal 3 part the Prop. The other partes doe belong to these The new Testament comprehends chiefly Gospels and Epistles which are the seals of the Gospell as I Paule thus subscribe thus I seale the Gospell of Matthewe with my bloud I Peter subscribe I Iohn c. The doctrine of the holy scripture is twoe fold The one The Lawe The other The Gospell But the holy Scripture is commended For the Sufficiencie Truth Profit Authority Dignitie Eternitie thereof 1 Christ shewes the sufficiencie thereof when he saith They haue Moses and the Prophets Againe search the scriptures bicause you thinke in them to hane eternall life And Paule Galat. 1 If any man shall teach any other Gospell let him be accurssed Esa 8 To the lawe and Testymonie you shall not adde neither shall you take from it his Deut 8 and in the 12. cha What I command you doe it thou shalt not adde nor diminish any thing 2 The truth of the scripture is proued by the wordes of Christ Iohn 8 Thy worde is truth Ioh. 2 The old and new Testament is true the true light now shineth Num 23 God is not as man that he should lie 3 The profit of the scripture is shewed by Paule Rom 15 Whatsoeuer things are written they are writtē for our learning that thorow patience comfort of the scripture we might haue hope 2 Tim. 3 all scripture in spired of God is profitable to teach c. 4 The authority thereof is in the laste of Luke all thinges must bee fulfilled which are written of me in Moses in the prophets and in the Psal 2 Pet. 1 Prophesie is not giuen by the will of man but holy men haue spoken as they haue beene mooued by the holy Ghost 5 The dignity thereof appeares Esa 55 as heauen is lifted vp from the earth so are my thoughts differing from your thoughts and Christ sayth giue not holy thinges to dogges neither caste yee pearles amongest swine 6 The eternity thereof as the worde of God abideth for euer And in Luke Heauen and earth shall passe but my word shal not passe Ioh. 16
that the Grecians doe retaine the names of Iapetus Ioue Aeolus and many others not knowing whence they sprong but when the storie of Moses doth shew their kindred we must needes confesse that it is more auncient then the monuments of the Greekes a mightie a famous people was that of the Imerians whose posteritie without all doubt was the Cimbrians but their stocke your Greekes know not which the some of the word doth shew to be Gomer the son of Iaphet Nowe there is a kindered among the Egiptians called in their naturall speech and in the Aâ—rabian tongue Mizrai but bookes doe shew Nizraim to be the son of Cham the first antient among the Greekes were the wars of the Argonians and then of the Troianes but the time course of yeers which the Grecians themselues haue obserued doth shewe that the Troiane warre was not long before Dauid and that Hercules was almost of the same time with Sapson So the names histories of the heathen do testifie that the books of the church are the more auncient which is very necessarie for the studious to consider In the third place wee haue set a kinde of doctrine whereof there are two partes the Law and the Gospell and seeing that the knowledg of the law is graffted in the minds of all men reason in all men is inforced to confesse that it is impossible for any nation to be the people of God which do establish lawes contrary to the law of God but this is the common madnes of all the Gentils to call vpon a multitude of Gods and to deuise monstrous fables of the gods and euen in their lawes to yeeld vnto the filthy confusions of lust Some of them also the murdering of men whordoms and adulteries haue bin thought a good seruing of God Reason therfore enforceth to confesse that in the church the law is taught much better This argument also the olde writers haue vsed in confuting the heathen and howsoeuer the Gospel be not knowne vnto reason yet doth it lay open those things whereof the doctrine of the heathen can speake no certainty and yet it cannot bee denied but that the vnderstanding of theÌ„ is necessary forsomuch as man is the Image of God and is made to knowe and praise the Lorde From whence come so many doubtes in the disagreements of the minde and hart whence is that stubbornnesse of the hart and such a burning desire to sin seeing that yâ— law shineth in yâ— mind Are men made to liue in euerlasting sin mysery what is sin whence comes that vast heap of humane myserye whence are those so manye dissentions about God as whether god doeth heare men or why hee shuld regard them Whether after yâ— bodies are once dead there shal be another life in which shal be a differeÌ„ce betweene good bad What men are Gods temple who he doth heare and helpe Of these so waighty matter what great darknesse is there in all the wisedome of the heathen Howe many furies of the Phylosophers who like the sons of Tytan make war with heauen eyther imagining that there is no prouidence or being God to secondary causes and labour to proue that al sins are of necessity Seeing therfore we must confesse that the doctrine of the causes and remedies of euil is necessary for men and yet the wisdome of the heathen seeth it not truly let vs embrace Gods voice in the church seeing hee hath added great testimony therunto Reason acknowledgeth that the law is no wher purely deliuered but in the church And seeing it is certaine that the voice of God is there let vs heare this doctrin of which the Heathen are inforced to confesse that ther is great ignorance in their religion and doctrine and yet the opening of these questions are necessarye for the knowing of God for the which man was made and for true comfort Therefore that kind of doctrine in the Church is most delightfull to good mindes when the pure fountaines are therof tasted I account not in the Church the Romane tyrants and the Monks their chaÌ„pions who haue dispersed throughout the world their filthy poison for the doctrine of the sonne of God and haue transformed the doctrine of the church into heathenish opinions They pray vnto the dead men they command men to worship their breaden God which they carry about in theyr great solemnity they sel sacrifices for the quicke and dead they make Gods worship stage-like vestures and other delusions and confirme their rouing lusts This wicked rout I cal not the church but them which deliuer the sounde doctrine of God deliuered in the bookes of the Prophets Apostles and in the Creeds Many others also doe corrupt the simple truth and the sleights in disputing are delightful to som as in time past to the Stoicks Epicures Academicks But when wee commende this kind of doctrine we do exclude al corruption and toyes in vaine disputings In the 4. place we account the wonderful preseruation of the church in the midst of the ruines of Empires which although it may be gathered vnder the first testimony that is among myracles yet in this it differs from the former bicause it is a perpetual miracle of the continuall presence of God pertains to that special rule The worde of the Lord abideth for euer and not by the helpe of man as it is written Not in an host nor in strength but in my spirit saith the lord God of boasts In the 5. place is the constancy of Confessors accounted which confirm others 2 waies First bicause it is a mannes myracle wherin God strengthens the weak against fear punishments shews his presents many waies euen in their suffrings Many simple men haue raised the dead and done many wonders 2. Bicause the high minds in such as quietly bear affliction doth shew the gospel is powerfull in them that it is the seed of god as Iohn saith wherby eternal life righteousnes and ioy is begun in them 6 This testimony of the gospel in the faithful doth plainly conuince their minds namely the comfort and ioy which is kindled in theÌ„ by the holy ghost wherof Paul saieth you haue receiued the holy spirit whereby wee cry abbâ— father whereby they see howe in great sorrowe they are comforted which vphold themselues with meditation of the Gospel with prayer as Paule saith The spirit helpeth our infirmity These testimonies must be often thought on especially let vs be careful of the sixt least it be taken from vs by the illusions of mad men as the Anabap. c Steukfeldians boast of false inspirations who setting apart Gods worde pretend their reuellations as I haue found out the lies of many such the examples of Munster shewes the maliciousnes of many Steukfild writeth that God communicates with mens minds without any means from whence he proues the diuine motions are kindled not by meditation of the written doctrin but by a faming of
Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 10 Ieremy A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 11 Sophony A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. 12 Ezechi A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. Daniell A little after vnder Manasses the king of Iudah in the year 756 vpoÌ„ the departure of Iuda 663. in the same captiuity of Iudah in the yeare 598. Hagg. Zacha. Mallach After the returne of the people of Babilon 559. Concerning the Booke of Hosea the Prophet OSeas by the Etimologie of his name signifieth Health and therefore he maried his lawfull wife according to Gods comaundement but with such a reproche as that she is called his harlot so comes it to passe that the worlde doth rage against the Ministers of Gods worde Therefore God forbidde that wee shoulde thinke the Prophet to liue in Fornication In the beginning of his Sermons he betrotheth Israel to the Lorde our God in iustice in iudgment in mercy and pittie and reconciles them to Dauid their king and so he calles Christ as being borne of the loynes of Dauid In the end he threatneth the destruction of Death with great feruencie I will saith he be thy Death Oh Death I will be thy Death for euer In the meane time he doth preach most feruently constaÌ„tly against Israell against the Idollatrie of the Princes and Priestes of the people Afterwardes he prophecieth very power-fully concerning the kingdome of Christ These two thinges were the offices duties of all the prophets the one out of the Law the other out of the promises for the which they were brought to their death as heretikes and seditious persons From the beginning to the 14. chap there are prophesies and sermons of reproofe against the kingdome of Israell because for Idolatrie which he calleth spirituall Fornication not onely the people but also Princes and priestes are to be punished of God with corporall eternall captiuitie vnlesse they repent he mittigateth these Comminations with the promises of God that they shoulde not dispâ—ire but conuert vnto god Also in the 2.3.11.12.14 there are prophecies and comfortable sermons concerning the kingdome of Christ the preching of the Gospell and the victories of Christe ouer Death and Hell together with the Eternall captiuitie of the people of Israell their restoring by faith in the mercies of god through Christ The booke of Ioel the Proph. JOEL by the Etimologie of his name signifieth begining or desiring Who hee was of what Tribe in what time or vnder what king he liued it is vncertaine chieflie because he himselfe maketh no mencion of this vnlesse it be for that he is thought to liue with Osea and Amos whilest he preacheth against the kingdome of Israel Hee labours only to shew how punishments plagues hang ouer the earth for innumâ—rable sins greuous wickednes WheÌ„ce S. Peter on the feast of Penticost tooke occasion to preach act 2. And Saint Paul allegeth the saying of Ioel in the 2. chap. euerie one that calleth on the name of the lord shall be saued Rom 10. In the 1. chapt he prophecieth against the kingdome of Israel to weet it woulde come to passe that Israel should be carried away into Syrâ—a He vnderstaÌ„deth the Assâ—â—ians by these 4. kinde of wormes deuouring smite and Corne to weet the Palmer worme The Grasse-hopper The Canker worme and the Caterpiller shewing the vnpeâ—pling and deuastacion by litle litle of the kingdome of Israel In the 2. 3. after he had sore-shewed vnto the king of Assirta his destruction he propheâ—â—eth euen vnto the end of the kingdome of Christ of the holy Ghost and of the celestiall Ierusalem In that he speaketh of the Valley of Iehosophat in the last cha He seemeth not only that it ought to be vnderstoode of the eternall Iudgment but also of the church of Christ as the valley of Achor in Osea in the which the Gentiles were adiudged to bee sinners and are called to repentance by the word of God the holy Ghost reproues the world of sinne The booke of Amos. AMos by the etymology of his name signifieth a burthen or yoke and he answereth more then all the prophets thorow his vehemency to the singularity of his name He reproues the Israelits throughout all his booke and doth inuey against them although a stranger amongst them as one born in the tribe of Iudah nor so much as the sonne of a prophet but a shepheard an ordinary man as he himselfe witnesseth in the 2. chap. But hee liued in the time of Osea and Esay as GOD is of power to call suche by a suddaine or certaine diuine miracle against all wicked powers which they call ordinarie where necessitie requireth Euen so the holy Ghost made A postles of rude and vnlearned Fishers It is thought that Amos was slaine by a wicked priest called Amasia with a Fullers clubbe ¶ The chapters of this booke are ix which are thus to be distinguished From the beginning vnto the 4. chapt he prophecieth agâ—inst the neighbours of the Iewes and of the Israelites who were the kinges of Syria the kinges of Palestina of Tire of Edome of Amon Meab c. saith that it will come to passe that they also should be punished of God againe Afterwardes he prophecieth against the kinges of Israell and Iuda with an admonition that they shoulde not contempne the prophets of God From the 4. chap. to the 7. he prophecieth against the kingdome of Israell threatneth horrible thinge to come vnto them from God 1. Famine 2. Dearth 3. Pestilence 4. Botch 5. the sword and lastly vtter distructioÌ„ by the Assirians in the meane time whilest he reproues their sinnes he exhorteth them to repentance by the deuastation of the Assirians From the 7 chap. to the ende besides 3. visions which he sawe against the King of Israell to weet 1. the Locustes the fire and the Line or rule vpon the Wall hee contendes with the wicked prest Amasiah to whom he promiseth horrible mischiefe Afterwardes he preacheth against the couetousnes of the rich and the oppression of the poore In the ende hee addeth a most excellent place concerning the kingdome of the Mesiah which is cited of Iames the Apostle Act. 15. As also a place is cited of Stephen in the 5. chap Act. 7. But that which he speakes in the 1. chap. of 3. and 4. sinnes he vnderstandeth the greatnes and the multitude of sin the impatiencie and defence thereof 3. and 4. makes 7. which is a Finall or indefinit number in holy Scripture
abuse of Christian liberty and warneth that the weake are to bee forborne rather then be an offence one to another chiefly in outward things As in meates drinkes and apparell and the communion of the sacrament At sometunes bringing himselfe for example at other times bringing moste horrible and fearefull examples out of the olde Testament From the 12. vnto the 15. he first repeateth the excelent guiftes of God in which the Ministrie of the worde is presented vnto the glory of God after that he seteth before their eyes the duties of Charitie Last of all he so comendes the Ministerie of the worde and preaching that he feareth not to preferre the same before all the Sermons and readinges of the Scripture From the 15. vnto the end he shewes most euidentlye and plainely the resurrection of the dead by the example of Christ and after that he shewes the clearnes of their bodies in eternall life to be diuers by many similitudes adioyning the maner of rising the victorie of the Godly Death being swallowed vp Last of all besides that he speaketh very familiarly in the last chapter concerning the helpinges and collections for the Saintes hee adioyning a finall conclusion with a horible threatening that hee which loueth not Iesus Christ our Lord God let him be accursed and condemned to eternall death The latter Epistle to the Corinthians THis Epistle doth differ from the first as oyle from wine or the Gospell frō the Law for in the 2. Epistle Paul comforteth the Corinthians sheweth him selfe very kinde towardes them doth bid that the excommunicated man may be receiued into fauour This Epistle doth consist of fiue thinges 1 Consolations 1 2 3 4. 2 Commendations 5. 3 Exhortations 6 7. 4 Inuectiues 8 9. 5 Comminations 10 11. From the beginning vnto the 6. chap are commendatiōs First whē he shews his loue towards the Corinthians and whatsoeuer he preached whatsoeuer he did and suffered was to their profit The he commends the ministery of the Gospell and as a doctrine most necessary worthier then the ministery of the Law That it is increased also in the beleuers and bred hope in them of eternal glory thorow affliction From the 6. vnto the 10. are exhortations First he exhorts them that they do adorne the worde of GOD with the workes of patience And afterwardes that they do giue their alines to the poore saintes at Ierusalem From the 10. vnto the end there are Inuections and comminations First he inueyeth against false Apostles he very confidently laboureth against them and doth glory in the Lord after this maner 1 of outward things and of other mens affaires 2 of his own sufferings in the body 3 of his owne passions in the soul for the Church 4 of Flying and escaping 5 of Visions reuealations tentations 6 of his fidelity in the ministerie of the worde amongst the Corinthians 7 of his desire to secure the Corinthians 8 of his redinesse 9 of his will to die for the Corinthians 10 of the iustification of a good conscience for that hee did not hurt the Corinthians Afterwardes hee shewes by manye reasons that Paule himselfe alone labored more in the ministery of the worde and suffered more then all amongst the false apostles of the Corinthians to wit in labours in imprisonments in stripes c. chap. 11. Lastly he threatneth the Corinthians in the last chapter who woulde not repent as Augustine saith He writes that hee will come as a iudge to the intent that he do not find whom to condemn Furthermore he saith that hee prayde for the Corinthians that they doe no euill whence Augustine saith it doeth appeare that God doth correct the will of man and doth guide it that he may do good workes Psal 63. The waies of man are directed by the Lord. The Epistle of Paule to the Galathians THis Epistle comes neer to that Epistle which Paule wrote to the Romanes as concerning christian Doctrine Paule defends the article of Iustification against false Apostles and confirmes the righteousnes of faith that a man is not iustified by the workes of the Law but only by faith in Iesus Christ And although there are two principal partes of this epistle the one of the righteousnesse of faith vnto the 5. chap The other of the fruites of faith or of good workes vnto the ende Notwithstanding sithence there are six chapters they may be considered twoe and two togither Paule in the first and second chapter doth extol and commend his vocation that he teacheth the churches by Diuine authority and not by humane and that he proues to be true by many argumēts that is to wit 1 That he Went into Arabia straight vp on his conuersion 2 That he Came into Ierusalem only to see Peter 3 That he Went into the parts of Cilicia and Syria 4 That he Circumcised Titus at Ierusalem 5 That he Receiued nothing from the great Apostles 6 That he Reproued Peter Afterwardes hauing put this principall proposition in the end of the second chapter to wit that a man is not iustified by the workes of the Lawe but by faith in Christ He goes forward to proue the same in the third and fourth chapter First by scriptures Secondly by examples Thirdly by similitudes of Scripture out of Genesis Leuiticus Deuteronomy and Abacuc There are three similitudes besides allegories Therefore we are not iustified by the workes of the Law but by faith in Christ The summe or effect of the argumentes with Christ 1 That He is not the minister of sin 2 That He deliuered himself to deth 3 That He died not in vaine 4 That The holy ghost is giuen thorough faith 5 That Abram is iustified by faith 6 That They that iustifie themselues are vnder the cursse 7 That The iust shall liue by his faith 8 That Christ was made a cursse for vs. 9 That Righteousnesse was before the law 10 That Inheritance comes by promise Last of all hee teacheth in the fifte and sixt chapter a conclusion beeing made concerning the place of iustification the fruites of Faith inforcing the commandementes concerning good workes and manners that the beleuers should walke according to charitye and should maintaine their liberty in Christ and yet after that sort as not abusing the same That Paule was amongest the Galath See Act. 18. The Epistle to the Ephesians THe Epistle to the Ephesians is the amplification of the place of Iustification and reconciliation and the admyrable and profounde commendation of the Gospell and also a long rehearsal of Gods benefites in the cause of our saluation It is deuided into two principall partes to wit the tree and the fruit of the tree that is to say into doctrine of the righteousnesse of faith and of good workes The some of the first part that dooth respect Faith consisteth in these benefits of God giuen vnto vs through Christe As are 1 Spirituall blessing 2 Election 3 Predestination 4 Adoption 5 Good will 6 Glorious grace 7
Redemption 8 The remission of sinnes 9 Vocation 10 The gospel of saluation 11 The spirit of promise 12 Faith 13 Loue. 14 The spirit of wisedome 15 The knowledge of vocation 16 The knowledge of gods power 17 Viuification 18 The calling of the Gentiles 19 The passion of Christ 20 The preaching of peace 21 The church gathered out of the gentiles 22 The minister of the word 23 The loue of Christ 24 The fulnesse of God This is the true and perfect treasure of Christians gathered by the breadth length heigth and depth of the loue of Christ The last part from the 4. chap vnto the end of the Epistle consisteth in these fruites of faith which are 1 Humility 2 Lenity 3 Patience 4 Charity towardes our neighbours in all good guifts 5 Newnesse of life 6 Truth 7 Righteousnesse 8 Benignity 9 Mercy 10 Chastity with coÌ„trary vices which a christian ought to auoid Afterwards giuing of thankes with the information of euery mans estate with a description of a christian souldiour that must fight against spiritual wickednesse through his whole life Whose loynes must be girded with the gyrdle of truth fenced with the brest place of righteousnesse and feet shod with the preparation of the Gospell of peace 〈◊〉 their hands hauing the shielde of faith theyr heades hauing on the helmet of saluation and on their side the sword of the spirit and let his arrowes bee first prayer 2 obsecration 3 Deprecation 4 Carefulnesse 5. Watchfulnes The Epistle to the Philippians THE Epistle to the Philippians written at Rome by Paul being in bondes although it doth not containe the whole disputation as is in the Epistle to the Romanes and Galathians yet it is an excellent horritory Epistle to constancy that the godly may goe forwarde constantly in the righteousnesse of faith Farthermore concerning this Epistle looke for Actes 16. Although Saint Paul first of al giues thankes 2. prayeth 3. admonisheth 4. praiseth 5. comforteth 6. calleth death aduantage 7. desireth to be dissolued 8. exceedingly reioiceth for that he was neare to be offered 9. contendeth euen to the eude 10. boasteth that our Citty is in heauen 11. looketh for the saâ—â—our to come from thence Notwithstâ—nding as there are foure chapters eâ—en so he handleth foure things most chiefly euery one seuerally in a chapter by it selfe In the first Chapter after saluation entrance he setteth himselfe for example and exhortes them to haue patience in afflictions shewing that the afflictions of the godly doe happen vnto them for their good In the second Chapter he exhorteth them to concorde and vnity least they should do any thing through contempt but that they shoulde serue one another thorough humilitye after the example of Christe who humbleth himselfe c. Farthermore he commendes Timothye vnto them and Epaphraditus faithfull ministers of Gods word In the third he exhorteth them that they auoide false teachers of circumcision or mans merites and that they doe followe onely that doctrine which is concerning the righteousnesse of faith in CHRIST againe hee putteth himselfe for an example for them to followe In the fourth he exhorteth them that they doe consist remâ—ine and continue in the same certaine godly and firme doctrine receiued with ioy and peace Furthermore he giues thanks vnto them for theyr guifts faithfully sent according to the rule of his ministery in the worde of God The Epistle to the Collossians THis Epistle is almoste the same with the Epistle to the Ephesians but it is shorter And as the Epistle to the Galathians is a method of the Epistle to the Romans euen so this Epistle is a method of the Epistle to the Ephesians or a certaine compendious order The summe of this Epistle is that nothing is so contrary to faith and our saluation as when we begin to value weigh or prize by mans reason those thinges which are Gods It is deuided into two principall partes euen as the Epistle to the Romans Galathians and Ephesians to wit into the tree and the fruit or into doctrine of faith and Charity The first 2. chap conteyneth not only that the wisdome to know Christe is the difinition of the Gospell and of faith to wit that hee is our Lord our redeemer our God and reconciliator but also setting downe a graue exhortation to this doctrine of the Gospell and a dehoâ—tation from false doctrine which he pursueth most sharpely setting forth like a true Prophet the Pope and his Munkes in their religion concerning Angels and such like against whose traditions he opposeth onely Christ the conqueror and triumpher ouer death sinne and the Deuill The other two chapters containe Admonitions concerning the maners of Christians that they liue a life worthie their profession that they putting off the olde man may put on the new by charitie and the obseruation of Gods word and they conteyne informations of euery thing in housholde matters and of persons in familiar maner in which hee requireth obedience of women of Children and of seruants and Loue Gentlenes and Iustice of youngmen of oldmen and of gouernours Lastly the studdie of praying and certaine familiar thinges as commendations salutations singular precepts of Paule according to his fashion The first Epistle to the Thessalonians AS in the Actes chap. 17. the diligence of the Thessalonians is commended in the searching of the scriptures euen so Paule in this Epistle doth commend their faith and constancy and doth exhort them to perseuerance It is diuided into two principal partes In the first three chapters he is busied in a certaine continuall narration in which he doth not onely commend the Thessalonians First for the receiuing of the Gospel Secondly for the constancy of Faith Thirdly for their patience in persecution Fourthly for the example of Imitation 5 For the publishing of Gods word 6 For the celebration of Faith but also he remembreth or repeateth his labours studies perils striuings conuersations desire or longing carefulnesse prayers to them for example of perseuerance In summe hee reciteth how he behaued himselfe towards them and what hee didde abide and suffer for their example In the two other chapters he first of all dehortes them from vice and doeth exhort them vnto the exercise of good workes Afterwardes he confirms them concerning the resurrection laying theÌ„ downe foure arguments First of death that it is a sleep 2 of the resurrection of Christ 3 the order of the resurrection Fourthly the life euerlasting By which argumentes they may comfort themselues Last of al he speakes of the sodaine comming of the last day in which he exhorteth them to watch adding in the ende an heape of good workes and of good orders by the which a christian life is gouerned The last Epistle to the Thessalonians THis second Epistle is a correction of the sentence or meaning of the first Epistle concerning the last day that is to say we that liue and remaine c. Likewise the day of the Lord is like a theese c.
the ThessalonioÌ„s were terrified with these wordes of Saint Paul whence they gathered that the last day should be in their â—ime or age Therfore Saint Paul correcteth himselfe and denieth the last day to be at the dores or at hand prophecying concerning the king dome of Antichrist and of his horrible fâ—lling from the Gospell going before the day of Iudgment what Paul respected in this prophesie and what hee did forsee in spirit for to come as in the first of â—imothie 4. or from the effect and euent of the latter seeing it is a manifest matter all the saithfull doe knowe that he prophecied of the Pope of Rome In the first chapt Paul commendes in the Thessalonians 1 Faith 2. Loue 3. perseuerance in the Crosse shewing a difference betwixte the rewarde of the Godly and the paines of the wicked that the wicked so soone as they giue ouer their impietie and persecuting of the godlye that they goe forwarde constantly and so runne that they may receiue their rewarde 1. Corinth 9. In the 2. chap. is interpreted the sentence or meaning of the first epistle concerning the last day by the prophesie of the desolation of the Romane empire together and of the kingdome of Antichrist that he should reigne in the church before the last day of Iudgment also should bring to passe that his commandemeÌ„ts should be kept aboue or before Gods commaundements by whose tyranie men being oppressed shoulde fall from the saith giue themselues ouer to mans traditions Furthermore vnto the ende of the prophesie he reioyceth as well for the eternall election as the vocation of the Thesalonians in Christ and by the way hee commendes his owne offiâ—e vnto them In the thirde chapter he apointeth certaine admonitions chiefly against anidle life that men should not learn to do ill as they that by doing nothing but that euery man should eate his bread in the sweat of his browes In the ende he puts the finall cause togither and the manner of exhorting that the excommunicated person may be shamed when he sâ—es himselfe shunned of all men For he may learne to acknowledge his fault and in the meane time he bee corrected as a brother that by no meanes hee bee accounted as an enemy The first Epistle to Tymothy THis first Epistle to Tymothy although it preacheth to all men yet notwithstanding it must be moste familiarly knowne to the ministers of the gospel For Tymothy was a bishop a faith full minister of Gods word For Paule after he had circumcised him and called him to the ministery of the worde He had him sometimes as his companion sometimes as his messenger in his apostolicall office vntil he was placed ruler ouer the churches of the Ephesians in the word of God Therefore Paule did instruct him being yet a young manne in those thinges which did truely and properly appertain to the office of a bishop and wisheth particularlye vnto him besides grace and peace mercy also as bishops and pastourâ— haue neede of more comfort then other in that they suffer beyond all others Therefore let the faithful preachers of the worde esteeme of this epistle as most especiallye vnto them There are sixe chapters in this booke which are thus to be discerned In the first chap after Paule had detested fables and wicked doctrine hee shewes or deliuereth a breefe rule for the vse and effect of the Law and of the Gospell setting himselfe for an example that he might warne and admonish Tymothy concerning the sum of christian doctrine which a Byshop ought to professe In the second chapter he willeth chiefly that men and specially women bee warned by Timothy In which worde Men hee comprehendeth the whole house that they doe pray for all men in general for the Magistrate more particularly whom God saith He would all men to be saued by christ the mediator Last of all that they do pray in al places or wheresoeuer the place or occasion of praier shall be And that women doe adorne and decke themselues not with sumptuous and gorgeous apparell with precious stones or with golde but with vertue and good works that the habite may testifie the integrity and shamefastnesse of their life And afterwardes hee takes away from them the office of teaching and authority ouer the husbands Lastly he commends their offices and comforteth them In the third chapter he shewes what kind of men the ministers of gods word ought to bee and also their wiues At somtimes approuing those things which ought to be at other times disallowing of those things which ought not to bee He requireth in a Bishop or Deacon vnder which hee comprehendes the ministers of Gods word Besides integrity of life and Mariage 1 Sobriety 2 Modesty 3 Chastity 4 Hospitality 5 Dexterity in teaching 6 Equity 7 Houshold care 8 A good testimony And on the contrary he condemnes in them 1 Drunkennesse 2 Much babling 3 Desire of filthy lucre 4 Fighting or quarrelling 5 Couetousnesse 6 Pride In the Wiues of Ministers are required 1 Shamefastnesse towardes hir Husband 2 Taciturnity towardes hir Neighbours 3 So briety towardes her selfe 4 Piety towardes God In the end of the chapter he describs the guift of God adioyning thereunto the ministery of the Gospell of Christ according to his humanity In the fourth chapter he warneth all godly men to beware of false doctrine with their signes and markes to wit for bidding mariage and meates which like a prophet he foretels and appoints forth so liuely as if he liued in the middest of popery There are in Popery first the spirit of errour Secondly the doctrine of Deuils Thirdly hypocrisie Fourthly seared consciences Fiftlye forbidding mariage Sixtly forbidding meats On the contrary Paule willeth Tymothie to exercise himselfe and to performe his office diligently towardes his neighbour thorough the workes of godlinesse In the fift chapter châ—efely he reckoneth three sortes of widdowes the ritch hee would haue to gouerne their owne houses the poore he would haue to bee nourished at the chardge of the Church and the younger he would haue to mary in the Lord afterwardes he would that honour should be ministred and giuen to the ministers of the word of god He warneth Tymothie of al things faithfully In the sixt chapter after the instruction of seruants he concludeth the Epistle with a graue exhortation from false doctrine and from couetousnesse faithfully admonishing Tymothie that he do remaine in the true doctrine and in true temperance following godlinesse faith and charity hee would haue ritch men to be forbidden of these three thinges First pride Secondly confidence in ritches Thirdly abuse of ritches And he would haue Tymothie to be a straunger from idle disputations The last Epistle to Tymothy PAule proceedes forwarde euen out of the prison to warne Tymothy that hee doe keepe the true pute doctrine of the Gospell with a good conscience as it were a treasure of hie price committed to his charge Furthermore the Holy ghost
preacheth by saint Paule not onely to Tymothye but to all the gouernors and teachers of the Church who had receiued the true doctrine of the Gospell Wherefore this Epistle ought to be most deare of very good account and speciall reckoning to the Ministers of the Gospell There are 4. chapters which are thus to be deuided In the first chapter after gratulation he warneth Tymothy First for the stirring vp of the grace of God 2 That he be not ashamed of the gospell of the bondes of Paule 3. To suffer affliction 4 For the retaining of the forme of whol some doctrine 5. to keepe that good which was committed vnto him hee inserteth also an excellent and most Euangelicall saying He that hath sowed vs c. which makes against Iustification by the works for the only grace of God and also commending his office and the house of Onismus against the falling away of the people of Asia from the gospell In the 2. chapter after the commendation of the doctrine chiefely hee exhorteth him to suffer afflictions bringing forth excellent arguments from the reward then hee is exhorted from the contentions and vaine ianglings of men shewing that it is no maruell if the good and euill be together in the church when as in a ritche mans house there are vessels appointed some to honour some to dishonour Last of all in this chapter is chiefelye handled that hee would haue him to deuide rightly the word of trueth least he should confound the lawe and the Gospell in the handling thereof But to vrge the law against the euill the wicked and obstinate that they may be deliuered to the magistrate to be punished or to be excommunicated and to comfort the afflicted and godly with the Gospell In the end of the chapter he sheweth that repentance is the gift of God In the the third chapter to the first perils to weet the falling away of the people of Asia and of others from the gospell of Christ he addeth another perill and setteth foorth false teachers verye largely whom he foretels that shoulde come in the latter daies against whome he exhorteth Tymothie by his constancy he might be profitable also to all his posterity Furthermore as in the former Epistle euen so Paule in this place by the light of Gods spirit foreseeth the impiety of the Bishoppe of Rome and those thinges which haue been done in Rome these 900. yeares In the ende he commendeth the sacred scripture then which commendation nothing can bee more excellently spoken From the fourth chapter he concludeth the Epistle by protestations in which he doth most earnestly charge Tymothie to the worke of an Euangelist shewing that the time of his dissolution was at hand that he had fought a good fight then with some fewe pointes of curtesie he endeth the Epistle he wrote this Epistle out of doubt a little before his martyrdome The Epistle to Tytus ALbeit this Epistle is not such a method as is the Epistle to the Romans yet notwithstanding it containeth the summe briefely of all christian religion in which he first instructeth and informeth teachers so that these three chapt might be deuided according to three principall states to weet Religion Pollicy and Domesticall gouernment or rule of an houshold The last of which he placeth in the middest because for the preseruing thereof God ordained the other two Very fitly was annexed to this information the place of Iustification Againe and again that to the same as to a marke all things might be directed aymed and referred In the first chapter he discerneth Religion and as in the Epistle to Tymothy euen so here hee describeth vnder the name of a Bishop all the ministers of the Gospell what manner of people they ought for to be in life doctrine Now for the faithfull themselues at an other time by reason of false teachers which he paintes out vnto the end of the chapter he sets foorth to beholde their impiety as it were in a glasse in which our Papistes may the more rightly looke into themselues In the second chapter he drawes a table as it were of household manners and he reformeth the life of euery state concerning houshold affaires where vnder the name of Young he admonisheth Tytus himselfe that he should shewe himselfe in all thinges an example of good workes then he sheweth the reason to weet the appearaunce of the grace of God in this that CHRIST gaue himselfe for vs that we should liue in him modestly iustly and godly In the third chapter he giues preceptes concerning pollicy and of obedience to be giuen towards magistrates He teacheth that all subiects are to bee warned by Titus adding therunto great causes out of the Lawe and Gospell to wit that we are all debters to the same Againe bringing in that most excellent place of Iustification wherein he takes away saluation by workes and doth ascribe it to the only mercy of God thorough our mediatour Christ Where he shewes very euidently the forme maner of our redemption That whosoeuer coueteth to bee a new man it is necessarie for him to beleeue and to bee baptized In the end he dehorts to good workes and to auoide foolish and heretical questions The Epistle of Paule to Philemon THis Epistle shewes the wonderfull loue of Paule towardes his neighbour in this that he studied to reconcile Onisemus to his maister Phylemon with great humility of minde and with sweet wordes first he commends Philemons faith and charity Afterwards he puts forth his petition for Onesimus being conuerted to the faith Last of al with sweete affections hee takes vppon himselfe the faulte of Onisemus doeth reconcile him to his maister not now as a seruant but as a deare beloued brother in Christ a great example of charity and study of concord in Paule The Epistle to the Hebrues ALthough it bee doubtfull whether this bee the Epistle of saint Paule because of some places in the 9 10 and 12 chapters Out of the which it is prooued by some that it was not Paule that wrote it Yes neuer thelesse the Epistle hath the authoritye of the holye Ghost as appeares by the scope therof He deliuers plainly christ to be true God and true manne yea our onely sâ—â—â—our and redeemer and the greater part of the Epistle stands on comparison by which it conuinceth the Lord of all namely Christ the naturall and euerlasting sonne of God He compares Christ 1 with the Angels chap. 1 2. 2 with the Moses chap. 3 and 4. 3 with the Aron chap. 5. 4 with the Melchisedeth chap. 6 and 7. 5 with the Sacrifices of the law 8.9 10. It hath 13. chapters which for the better declaration of them though not altogither exactly may be thus deuided In the first two chapters after his entrance wherein he briefly describeth the diuinity and humanitye of Christ and shewes him to be much more excellent then the Angels by nine argumentes in which he preached Christ to
be God the euerlasting Creator and preferring his Gospell before the preaching of the Law moke away the obiections that are made This is the principall proposition of this Epistle and all tend vnto this end that the Iewes to whom he writes leaning Iudaisme should put their hope assuredly in Christ In the third and fourth chapters hee preacheth Christ to be much more excel lent than Moses by making comparison By and by he applyeth the time of the Gospell vnto that which is in the ninth Psalme called to day with an horrible threatning by their example whoe for their incredulity perished in the wildernesse being shut out from the rest in the land of Canaan In the fift sixt and seuenth he begins to describe Christ to be a priest by comparing him with Aron and with Melchisedech In the ende of the fift chapter for the slothfulnesse and dulnesse of the Iewes a dangerous dissession whose description he seemeth willingly to passe In the sixt chapter it seemeth that a place of repentance is denied to an offender to strike a terror into the obstinate In the seuenth chapter he describeth commendeth Melchisedech in which he extolleth the priesthood of Christ In the eight nine and ten he shewes by many graue arguments Christ to be the onely priest and the onely sacrifice for our sinnes which he prefers before al Legal sacrifices calling it the newe Testament out of the 13. chapter of Ieremy Afterwardes he reckoneth the part◠of the Tabernacle chapter 9. that is to wit The gate or portch the holy place and the holy of holiest with their significations In which figures he applies the bloud of Christ purifying the consciences He cals Christ the Mediator of the New testament signifieng the bloud of Christ to be powred out in the new Testament for the remission of sinnes Last of all by repetition hee amplifyeth the same that is to wit The sacrifices of Christe with the sacrifices Leuiticall Psal 39 and 31. chapt At length hee concludes this whole place by an exhortation to settle confidence in the bloud of Christe and performes the duties of mutuall loue by good workes making preparation to the chap. following In the 11 12 and 13 he commendes by examples the faith of the Patriarkes and of other saintes of the old testamant Then hee ioyneth an exhortation for the fruits of Faith patience discipline peace sanctification true repentance obediēce towards the word of the Gospel not only bringing the example of Christ but also threateninges out of the olde Testament In the last chap he reckoneth a heape of good workes with an exhortation to auoide false doctrine and with an exhortation to confesse the true doctrine of Iesus Christ to giue thankes The Epistle of Iames. SOme men thinke that this Epistle is not written by Iames the Apostle which was slaine by Herod not onely because of that place cited out of Genesis concerning Abraham for the Iustification of works contrary to the analogie of Faith but also for other places taken out of the epistle of Peter and Paule and of this Epistle mixed heere and there It is not a methodical epistle as other saye neyther doth it containe one certaine matter but as a man may say dissolued or vnloynted scopes that is to say Sentences not agreeing in order amongst themselues And the summe is that hee vrgeth the Law and good workes against secure carelesse men and boasters of faith with our good workes There are fiue chapters which are thus to be discerned In the first chapt he proponeth parcicularly these 8. sentences 1 Patience is to be shewed in aduersity 2 Diuine wisedome to bee desired of God 3 Wee muste beleeue without wauering 4 We must vse riches rightly 5 And suffer tentations which do rise from concupiscence 6 To heare the heauenlye worde diligently 7 And do good workes being the effect of the word 8 To liue in true religion In the second chapter he handleth onely two thinges the one that poore Christians be not contemned seeing that faith in Iesus Christ dooth not suffer the exception of persons the other concerning good workes by the which faith towards God and our neighbour is shewed as this place is a collation betwixt man and man not betwixt God man where faith only iustifieth whe he faith shew me thy faith by thy works If any do not thus vnderstand Iames. but wil wrest this his sentence to Iustification which auailes before God hee takes away the analogye of faith And the Epistle of Paule to the Romanes which seeing it is absurd the sentence of Iames may admit a profitable interpretation and the analogie of Faith Otherwise places or examples out of Genesis or of the booke of Ioshua concerning iustification might bee cited directly against natural sence of scripture concerning Iustification In the thirde chapter are also twoe places wel handled of the which one is the restraint of the toung that he teach not false doctrine which is to arrogate and vsurpe to himselfe magistracye in the holy scriptures aboue the holy ghost the true teacher and maister whose disciples are all true teachers in the church The other place is concerning the diuine wisdome which is in the doctrine Lawe and Gospel the very light of faith in our mindes and the beginner of obedience agreeing with the law of god according to this saying Thy worde is a lanterne vnto my feet In the fourth chapter there are forewarninges concerning vertues in euery commandement of the Tables as in one knot or heape bound together 1 Concerning the auoiding of contention 2 Of pleasures or desires 3 Concerning prayer 4 The auoiding of adultery 5 Of pride and humility 6 Concerning obedience towardes God and so forth vnto the end of the chapter In the fift chapter he chiefly inueyeth against those that doe abuse their riches I hen hee exhorteth the godly to patience and sufferance and hee dehorts them from the custome of swearinge Then hee perswadeth to haue a care of the weake and to pray one for another Last of all he exhortes to prayer and he commends it by the example of Elias In the end he shewes the true effect of conuersion The first Epistle of PETER THis Epistle is truely Apostolicall as of him which being asked of Christ who he was answered Thou art Christ the son of God Mathew 16. Againe to whom shal we goe thou hast the words of eternall lyfe Iohn 6. For it hath a sweet sauour of the same confession with constancy and sincerity in Faith For he confesseth Christ syncetely taking away saluation from our merits and deliuering the true knoledge of Christ in which he would haue al the Gentiles that are conuerted vnto whom he writes to goe forwarde constantly and to increase from day to day so as they may answer in their liues maners and conuersations to the Gospell of what state soeuer they bee as those whom he numbreth 1 The Subiects 2 The Seruants 3 The Women 4 The
And againe after the death of Domitian whē he returned from the I le of Pathmos to Ephesus to haue written his Gospell against the Heretikes Marcio Ebon and Cerunhus This booke vnder the name of Reuelation conteyneth prophesie concerning euent fortune matters and of the deriued church that is to say the church deriued from the Primitiue church and thence to be deriued vnto the end of the world It may very well be deuided 1 Into Seales 2 Into Trumpets 3 Into Vials The 7. seales signifies the persecution of the church which is vnder Tyrantes to wit Domitian Traianus c. which truly began in the primitiue church in the time of the Apost and continued thence the space of 300. yeares vnto the time of Constantine it is described in this book chap. 4 5 6 7. The Trumpets signifieth heresies as the Arians c. From the time of Constantine vnto Theodosius for other 300. yeares yea vnto Mahomet and the pope This is described chap. 8 vnto 18. The Vials signifie the plagues of Antichrist for these 900. yeares from the time of Bonif. y◠pope vnto this our time of the which thou mayest read from the 17. chap vnto the end of the booke It may otherwise bee deuided to wit into seauen visions that is to saye into figures most wonderfully shewing to the minde and cies of all men The first vision of the seuen churches of Asia the lesse The second vision concerning Christ his church being exalted The thirde vision concerning the dilligence of the disciples of Christ The fourth concerning the affliction of the church The fist concerning the last persecution vnder Antichrist The sixt concerning the day of Iudgement The seuenth concerning the victory of Christ and the church Briefly he describes 1 The Kingdome of Christ 2 The comfort of the godly afflicted 3 The Threats of Tyrants 4 The priesthood of Christ 5 The Prayers of the Saints 6 The Histories of the newe Testament is reueiled The chapters are thus to be discerned From the 1. chap. vnto the 4. chap. is the preface in which first of all it containeth the commendation of these reuelations from the efficient cause to weet from God Then it containeth the admonition to the seuen bishoppes of the Churches of Asia the lesse which hee calles Angels Candlesticks starres c. For the ministery of the word From the fourth chapter vnto the 8. is the first part of the booke with the 7. seales Where first he would haue to bee vnderstood by Elders the Prophets Secondly by beasts the Euangelistes 3 By birds Doctrine 4 By the Lamb Christ himselfe 5. By Angels the ministers of the word 6 By Seales Persecutions 7 by Horses Tyrants 8. by sealed the elect the Iewes 9 by the multitude the elect of the Gentiles 10 by the booke the ministery of Reuelations From the 8. chapter vnto the 15. cha is the second part of the booke of Trumpets by which he vnderstandeth Heresies 2. by stars Heretikes 3 By the angell the ministery of the word 4. by the the Gospell 5 By the measuring of the Temple Religion 6 By the holy Citty the Church 7 By the two witnesses the Prophets and Apostles 8 By the woman the Church 9. By the 12. starres the 12. Tribes 10 By the wars the preaching of the Gospel 11 by Mychaell Christ Iesus 12 By the Beastes the Romaine Monarchy 13 By the lamb Christ 14 By the voice of thundring the word of the Gospel 15 By the new Song the Gospel 16 By the women Idolatrie 17 By Virgins sincere Christians From the 16 vnto the end is the third part of this booke First by the beastes he would vnderstand the Romaine Monarchy 2 By the Harlot the Idolatry of Antichrist 3 By the golden people hipocrisie 4. By Characters a perfect sign of Antichrist 5 By vials the plagues of Antichrist 6 By the mariage of the lamb the humanity of Christ 7 By the name written the Diuinity of Christ 8 By new heauen and new earth the Image of euerlasting life To the which place hee shal bring vs whoe hath signed this his holy scriptures with his owne pretious bloud euen Iesus Christ our Lorde who with the Father and the holy Ghost bee praised for euer and euer Amen FINIS