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^SERMONS 

of  M-IohntDal- 
iiinevpon  theEpiftle 
of  SainftePaule 
totheGala- 
thians. 


^fmprintedat  Lon^ 

don,by  Lucas  Harifon  and 
George  Bifliop. 

1574. 


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TO  THE  RIGHT  HONO^ 

rable  Sir  William  Cecill  knight^Baron 
ofBurkygh^  Lord  high  Treajurer  of  En^ 

gland,  Mayfterof  the  Queenes  MaieftiesCourtesof 

Wardts  and  LiuerksJQiight  ^fthe  mofi  noble  order  of  the 

Garter,and  one  of  hir  highnefle  moft  honorable 

priuic  Goiinrell,continuancc  of  health,  with  pro- 
fpcritic  and  incrcacc  of  honour. 


Our  Lordfliips  great  good- 
neffc  diucrfc  times  fhcvved 
cowards  race  j  abiding  ftill 
frefh  in  my  remembrance^to 
my  no  fmall comfort,  calleth 
vpo  me  continually  to  fhevv 
feme  token  of  thankfulneffc 
for  the  fame.  For  needes  I 
muft  confcffe  that  it  hath  vt- 
teredit  fclfe  manyand  fun- 
drie  vvaycs,  and  that,  ( if  I 
may  with  your  Lordihips 
good  leauefay  as  I  think,)not  without  a  ccrtainefrccndly 
or  rather  fatherly  carcof  my  vvcldoing,fpccially  in  that  log 
cotinued  fute  of  mine  in  the  Exchecqucr,  where  your  iuft 
fauour  (I  meene  inrefped  of  the  iuftcacc,andnot  of  any 
defercofmine)procuringmee  credit  and  hclpe  tothe  fur- 
theranceof  my  matterjiath  bin  the  very  maintenance  and 
fafctie  of  my  right,  which  elfehadbin  croden  vnderfoote 
bythcouerraightinefleofmineaduerfaries.  Andhccre  ic 
behoaeihmeealfotooacknovvlcdge,thcvpnghtadmini- 
ftracionof  I uftice  extended  with  fauour  in  that  fo  intri- 
cate cacc,both  by  the  ludges  and  Chauncelour,and  by  all 
other  the  Queenes  maicfties  officers  of  that  Court.  For 

f.ij.  after 


T^heEpiHleDedicatorie. 

after  many  heerings  of  the  matter  with  great  patience  and 
circumfpedlion,  and  with  fhcvving  of Tuche  recordcs  for 
both  partes^as  were  kno  wen  or  thought  to  make  for  the 
manifefting ofthecace :  at  length  when  the  matter  could 
notgrowe  coofpeedie  end  by  reafon  of  certain  difficulties 
and  incidents  falling  thereinto :  about  the  firftenterance  of 
your  honour  into  the  office  of  high  Trcafurer  J  it  was  by 
content  of  the  Court  put  in  coprimife  to  fuch  perfones  as 
both  parties  are  very  well  contented  with  .  By  meanes 
vvherof  being  difcharged  of  my  former  continuallcares^ 
trauels^expenfesand  troubles  J  had  thefrcer  liberticto  fol- 
lowe  this  mineacGuftomed  exercize  of  tranflacing,  which 
mee  thought  was  too  mcc  a  fingular  benefice.  And  my  rc- 
herfingofthefe  things  is  not  to  diminiili  the  th^nk  which 
I  owe  to  your  honour,  by  interlacing  of  other  mens  da- 
ings :  but  co  fKew  to  how  many  I  am  beholden  through 
your  goodncffe^and  that  I  am  loth  to  be  vnmindfull  of  my 
ductietowardes  you  or  them,  fo  farreas  oportunitie  may 
well  feme  to  witnefle  the  fame.  Now  then,  to  the  intent 
I  might  the  better  accoplifh  this  my  defire  towardes  your 
honour  J  bethought  me  of  the  counfel  of  the  wife  Philo- 
£o^\itx  Smeca  in  his  bookes  of  Benefiting,  theeffed  vvherof 
confifteth  chiefly  inthefethrec  poynts:  namely,  thauhc 
thing  which  is  doneorbcliowedioovtter  thanfcfulnclle 
withall^oughttobevery  good,  very  durable,and  very  ac- 
ceptable to  thepartie  that  istorecciueit.  That  thetwofor- 
mer  poynts  are  in  this  workc,vvhich  Ifvpoiuruftofyaur 
Lordfliips  former  goodneileand  accuftomcd  fauour)da 
take  vpon  mee  to  dedicate  to  your  name,  and  that  the  third 
poyntalfolTiallaccompanieitithe  reafonsthat  perfwade 
meearethefe.Thethingstharoftheirowne  naturercnde 
only  to  the  welfare  and  bcncfiteof  man,mufl:  of  ncccf  sitie 
be  very  good :  and  of  ihe  things  that  are  good^thofe are  al- 

wayes 


'  The  EpistieVedicatorie. 

vvaies  beft^vvhich  may  redound  to  the  comoditic  of  moft 
perfones^and  which  being  once  poffeffed^cannot  betaken 
away  againft  the  will  of  the  poffelTer :  Seing  then  that  the 
foundation  of  this  v  vorke  is  a  parcel)  of  holy  fcripture^and 
ihat(as  fayeth  S.Paule)  all  Scripture  giuen  by  infpiratio  of  j-  » 
God  IS  profitable  toteach^to  reproue^to  amend^and  to  fur-  *  '^' 
nifli  men  with  rightuoufnefle,  that  they  may  beperfcft  ^^^  ^  ^^ 
and foreward  to ai  good  workes :  in  fomuchthacitisthe 
power  ot  God  tending  to  the  welfare  of  alhhatbeleeue, 
both  lewes  and  Gentyle:* :  and  therevvithallconteyneth 
promifes  not  only  of  this  prefent  life, but  alfo  of  the  life  too 
come :  itcanotbut  be  ot  the  felf  fame  nature, properde  and 
operation  that  the  reft  of  thefcriptures  are,bicaufc  (as  fay- 
cth  S.Peter) chekripture  came  not  by  the  will  of  man^but  2.PetA,d, 
holy  men  of  God  fpake  as  they  were  moued  by  the  holie 
Ghoft.  And  herevpon  fpringeth  another  comendacion  to 
the  proofc  of  the  goodneile  of  this  workc, that  the  Autl.or 
therotis  Godihefoueraingoodneffe  ufeUe.andnotman. 
To  be  fhortj  the  fame  reafons  may  ferue  alfo  to  proue  the 
durablcneffe thereof. For  befidcsihat  God  himfelleprotc-  £/^  .^  y^ 
ft edi  that  his  word  ftiall  induie  for  euer^  and  that  the  very  j  j?^;^  j,  ^, 
hcauens  fhai  perifh  before  any  one  iote  of  his  fayings  take 
noteffcitrinafmuchas  chisbookecoteyneth  not  worldly 
vncertaincand  periftiing,butheaucnly,  aifurcd  and  cucr  Li- 
fting benefitcs :  nor  things  auaylable  to  [ewc.but  profita- 
ble to  all  vnlefle  they  thefelucsbeto  blame :  and  moreoucr 
that  God  is  the  A  luhor  thereof :  it  muft  by  all  likely  hood 
needes  continue  with  other  of  the  fame  fort,  at  Icaffwifc 
among  thegodly  ,not for  a  day  or  two.but  fo  long  as  men 
ftiall  haucneede  to  be  edified  and  ftrengthencd  in  Chrift. 
Which  thing  willappecre  yet  more  plainly,  u  bcfides 
thcfe  generalities  which  it  hath  comon  with  ail  the  rcnduc 
ofholyfcripture,weconfiderthe  worke  more  peculiarly 

Ciij.  and 


The  EpiUleDedicdtorie. 

and  needy  in  ic  felf,  which  confifteth  of  t  woo  parres,too 
vvit.of  Texc,and  ofexpofition  of  chcText.The  fubftancc 
of  the  text  of  this  whole  Epiftle  to  the  Galathians,  is  this ; 
that  when  God  hath  oncevoiuchfafcdtoiuhghtcn  men 
with  the  true  knowledge  of  his  gofpell.it  behoueth  them 
to  ftand  ftedfaft  in  the  truth  which  they  haue  imbraced,3>i: 
toihcw  by  their  godly  conuerfation  that  they  be  the  chil- 
dren of  light,  fo  asthcynocher  turne  backe  againeas  rc- 
negates or  as  fwine  to  the  myre,nor  becaried  too  and  fro 
with  eiicry  blaft  of  doftrinclike  wauering  reedcs,  orlikc 
little  children  that  are  fooncweerie  of  the  things  that  they 
haue,and  fond  of  euery  new  thing  that  they  fee.Hcreout- 
of  fpring  other  more  particular  poynts,  concerning  free 
iuftification  by  fayth^concerning  Chriften  libertie,conccr- 
ningthe  abolifhingofCercmonicSj  concerning  the  force 
and  cffeft  of  the  lavv^and  concerning  the  pure  conuerfatio 
of  chrirtian  lyfe.  For  the  order  which  the  writers  of  holy 
Scripture  obferuc  well  neere  in  all  their  Preachings  and 
exhortations,  is  firfl  to  lay  the  foundacion  of  faith  in  our 
Lord^Iefus  Chrift^and  afterward  to  build  vp  the  workcs 
ofcharitieand  true  holincffe  of  life,  without  thewhich^ 
faith  is  not  onely  naked,  but  alfo  dead.  Thus  much  con- 
cerning  theTcxtcand  the  contents  of  the  fame .    The  ex- 
poficion  whereof  being  vctered  in  Sermons  by  that  lear- 
ned and  godly  minifter  of  Chrift  Maifter  Caluin  (whofc 
owne  doings  tending  alwaies  too  the  benefite  of  Gods 
Churche,  may  yecldc  him  farrc  more  credite  than  any 
commendacion  of  mine  can  doo)  containeth  not  any  di- 
Mcrfcor  contrarie  matter,  but  the  fame  things  layde  forth 
iti  more  ample  and  plaine  maner,  applied  to  common  ca- 
pacities euen  of  fuche  as  arc  of  meancft  vnderftanding  : 
by  meanes  whereof  a  greater  number  may  reapcprofire 
and  commoditie  by  them.   In  rcfpedl  whereof  they  bee 

right 


The  EfiUleDedicatorie. 

right  neceffarieroobccfet  before  our  eycs^and  to  be  beaten 
intoo  our  mindcs  at  all  times,  and  chiefly  in  thefe  daycs, 
wherein  it  is  to  be  feene  that  many,  yca,and  which  is  the 
more  pitie,too  manie,being  after  a  Ion  ouerglutted  with 
thelong  continuaunce  of  the  hcauenly  Manna,  begin  too 
loth  the  fvveece  foode  of  their  foules,and  to  long  againc  af- 
ter the  flefhpoctesand  garlike  of  Egtpt.  In  fomuch  that 
fome  thinking  it  ynoughtobebare  hecrers  oridleprofcf- 
fersanddifputersof  the  Gofpell,  without  yeelding  any 
frutc  befeeming  their  profefsion,  verifie  the  faying  of  the 
Prophet  Efay  in  honoring  God  with  their  lippes,  wher- 
astheirhartis  farre  of  from  him^andihewe  thcmfelucs 
to  bee  but  fov  vers  vnto  corruption,  as  fayethS.Paule  in 
this  prefent  Epiftle.  Some  not  profcfsing  onely,  butalfo 
glorying  in  Papiftric^ihe  finke  of  all  finne  and  wicked- 
neffe,  thinke  themfclucs  well  apayd  that  they  may  bcc 
enemies  in  hart  and  religioUgtoo  God  and  all  godli neffe 
and  godly  men :  And  otherfome  being  as  it  were  of  no 
religion,,  andtherefore  imagining  all  things  too  bee  law- 
ful! which  they  like  of,arecaried  hcadlongintooallma- 
ner  ofloocenefle  by  their  blindeandvnbridicd  affedions, 
and  like  brute  beaftes  couldc  finde  in  their  heartes  that 
all  clean  neffe  of  minde  arwl  bodie  (without  whiche,  no- 
man  fhall  eucr  fee  God)  were  fo  vtterly  abolifhcd,  as  the 
veriename  of  it  might  neuer  beeherd  of:  whereas  in  the 
tneanewhflcihofefewevvhomthefeareof  Godandthe 
defire  of  hcauenly  immortalitie  drawcth  too  a  more 
heedefull  wareneffe  of  efchewing  the  things  that  may 
impeache  Gods  glorie  and  the  free  proceeding  of  his 
Gofpell.or  hinder  and  offende  ihcir  neighbour,  are  in  the 
ties  of  fome  perfones  not  onely  defpizedbut  alfo  blamed  ; 
verily  as  who  fhoulde  fay  it  were  a  faulte  too  indc- 
uer  too  bee  faultleffe .   For  afmuche  therefore  as  this 

worke 


T^he  EpiHleT)edicatorie. 

vvoike  (like  as  all  other  of  the  fameainhors)  tendeth  to  the 
benetiteof  the  Chriften  comon  vveale,  by  putting  vs  in  re- 
membrance of  our  duetie  both  to  God  and  man^jthe  conti- 
nuall  rainding  and  praftizing  vvherof  is  theground  of  all 
good  order,  and  the  very  pathway  too  perfcd  felicitie :  I 
doubted  not  but  it  fhould  be  the  better  accepted  of  your  ho- 
rjour,vvhofe  whole  care  and  traucl  is  cotinually  iniployed 
to  the  welfare  of  this  Realme,through  themaintenance  of 
found  Religion  and  theconferuation  of  publike tranquil- 
litie,by  iheproteftionandappoyntment  ofourmoftegra- 
cious  foueraine  Ladie  Queene  Elizabeth,  whom  as  God 
hath  made  the  Moother  of  his  Church  amog  vs,the  com- 
fort of  all  Chriftendome,and  the  very  pillerjife,and  foulc 
of  our  Englilh  common  wealth :  fo  I  befeeche  him  that 
wee  and  our  pofteritie  may  long  inioy  hir  bliffed  reigne. 
To  the  furtherance  of  which  things  I  haue  heere  prefent- 
ly  beftovved  (and  by  Gods  grace  fhall  not  ceafic  hereafter 
to  beftovve)  my  faithfull  trauellj  that  the  wauering  forte 
may  in  all  goodneffe  be  confirmed^the  weaklings  ftreng- 
thened^the  ignorant  inftrufted^the  negligent  warned,  the 
foreward  incoraged,  the  flouthfull pricked  forth,  thecor- 
rigible  amended,  and  the  vvilfuU  and  ftubborne  forte lefte 
vtterly  without  excuce.  And  fo  praying  too  God  forthc 
longand  profperous  continuance  of  your  good  Lordfhip: 
and  of  allother  noble  Counfcllers  and  men  of  Honour,by 
whom  God  aduaunceth  the  glorie  of  his  Gofpell  among 
vs:  I  referre  this  labour  of  mine  with  all  humbleneffctoo 
your  fauourable  acceptation.  Written  at  my  lodging  in 
the  foreftreece  without  Cripplegate  the.14.  of  Nouem- 
bcr.  1574. 

Your  honours  mojl  bumb'e 
aly\payes  too  cotwT^au<iiI, 
./Arthur  Goldi}f£. 


The  Argument  ot  5aint  i^aules 

Epiftie  to  the  Galathfans. 

ft  ls\xel  irisngh  hjid^^ne  in  Svhmt  fart  of  the  lejfsr  ^Ajta  the  Ga^a- 

ihUns  d^elr^and  heSvfarre  their  Countrej  r-' ached ^ hut <is  cancer- 

nifig  their  ori/inall^  and  the  jddce  from  whence  they  came  first ^  the 

Aunc  tent  Authors  are  not  all  of  ant  mind-  They  nil  agree  that  they 

Iverf  Galiesy  yea  and  thereof  they  hare  thHr  name :  far  they  Ivere, 

called  GalgreekpSyofa  ^ord  compounded  of  Gal  and  Gfeeke.Butths 

thing  that  hangeth  in  douhtjis  oHt  of^vhich  quarter  ofGallandthey 

(ame.  The  Geographer  Straba  thmksth  that  thoje  Calles  ivhiche 

S\'ere  called  Teflofiges,  came  sut  of  the  Countrey  of  Pyoutnce^  and 

6therfome  fay  they  came  out  of  Gall  Celtil^e,  ^hich  is  the  commoner 

opnton^H  o^^heeit for  as  much  as  Vlimc  ynxheth  the  people  of,yCmi^ 

tns  to  he  next  neighbours  to  the  Teflofages :  and  all  Authors  Sv«f/- 

neare  agreee  that  the  Toliflohogians  \vere  their  companions  \xhich 

duelled  about  the  I{hyne :  /  take  it  to  he  mofl  likely  that  they  ivere 

cfGall  Belgike^'htch  ii  the  I o\vefl Countrey  ypon  the  riuer  ofl{hyne 

towards  the  English  Sea,  For  the  Toliftohogiam  htlde  the  Countrey 

that  is  no^e  called  cleuelande  and  Brabant.   The  common  errrour 

(in  mine  opinion)  gre^  ypon  this ,  that  a  companie  of  the  TeBofa- 

ges  being  cajl  \)pon  the  Countrey  ofProuince,  tooke  poJ]}fion  of  it, 

and  retcyning  fill  their  oleic  name,  anueycd  ouer  the  fame  to  the 

Countrey  b?hich  they  had  conquered,  ^ndthatisthi  thing  ^hich 

sAufoniue  the  Poet  ofBurdeaux  meeneth  ^hen  hefiyeth,  yntoo  the 

TeHofageSy  ^hich  \\crefr^i  named  Belgians.    For  hee  called  them 

Belgians ,  and  d^oth  ^s  te  *vnderflande  that  they  \)cere  earfl  named 

Te^tofages  in  fed  bfTeHofages.Vvheroi  Cdfarplaceth  them  in  the 

black  Fcrejl,\\hich  tn  thofc  d^yes  Sxas  called  Hercimayor  Fiertf^aldl 

1  beleeue  it  happened  by  ff?ifii»g  of  places,  hycaufe  they  'were  retired 

thither  out  of  their  o^me  Countrey :  Sxhich  thing  may  he  gathered  by- 

C^fars  o'^nefaying^^herehe  maketh  menttm  of  them.  But  ^^e  haue 

J^okenynough  of  their  originallfor  this  time.  Plinie  reporteth  ofths 

Galathians  ^^hich  d^^lt  in  that  part  of^pajivhich  ^as  calleU  after 

their  name,  that  lyh^  ^  they  ^ere  deuided  into  three pr in  cipallpeo- 

±  pies 


The  Argument  vp  on  the 

pies ,  rhat  is  too  "i^hte,  the  TtBofigti ,  Tolifiohegunt ,  dnd  Tnc^ 
mAnnes  :Jo  dfo  they  had  three  head  cities,  No^for  m  much  as  they 
^ere  there  among  neighbours  ofjrmll  frt^ejje ,  and  nothing  ^elt 
trayned  too  the  Carres :  they  J}edde  their  hujinejji  fo  ^ell  in  times 
faH,  that  the  greater  fart  of  the  Itjfer  ^Afia  became  trthntarie  tO(} 
them.    But  in  the  ende  they  grcSve  out  of  kjnde  ,  and  by  little  and 
little  UB  their  courage ,  gi^^^^g  themfelues  iUer  to  fleajures  and 
Vjaritonnefe.    By  meanes  K\hereef  CncuS  Manlius  the  J{omane 
ConftiU  ^tnqni^ed  them  in  battell  Without  any  qreat  adoo,  and 
fuhdaed  them  too  the  Emfyre,\nderthe  ^hicheWey  Jvw-f  in  the 
time  of  Saint  Paule.    A'oSvv  although  he  had  taught  them  the  Gof- 
fell  faithfully :  yet  ere  ft  there  infalft  ^fo  files  in  his  ahfince^^hich 
corruftedhss  good  feede  by  their  falfe  and  "wicked  do^rine:  for  they 
taught  that  the  kpcping  ofCerem  oxiies  Svasjlill  nccejfarie.    It  mighp 
hauefeemed  at  the  fir  fi  bluff^e  too  haue  beene  a  matter  of  nogreate 
importance  :  but  Saint  Vaule  debateth  of  ttheere  as  of  the  cheefg 
article  of  the  chriflenfayth.     sAndgeod  reafon,  for  it  is  no  fmaE 
"^mifcheefe,  "(vhen  the  light  of  the  Gof^ell  is  quenched,  if  hen  mennes 
conjciences  are  cloq-ged^  and  S^'hen  all  difference  is  taken  aSvay  be-* 
t^eene  the  elde  and  ne^ve  Teflament.     Furthermore,  hefiWe  there 
^■>ds  a  ^ick^d  and  mi/cheeuoHS  opinion  interlaced  ^ith  thefe  fr- 
rours:  ^hiche^as,  thatmenne  maye  deferue  Qr  came  rightuoufi 
neffe  :  and  that  is  the  cappfe^hy  hee  contendeth  ^'ithfi  great  ^ehc'* 
mencie  and  force.     FF  heref ore  feeing  \yee  bee  Earned  \fhat  ^ill 
follo'we  S}ppon  the  matter  that  is  treated  ofheere :  let  ^s  reade  it^ith 
dili'rence.    if  a  man  ffjonlde  ludge  the  cace  by  the  Commentaries  of 
Saint  Jerome  and  Origen :  bee  ivoulde  maruell  ^hy  Saint  Panic  ^04 
fo  ^hotefer  any  out^varde  Ceremonies,    But  if  a  man  looke  too  the 
^^elf^rino^,  hee  ^iU  finde  that  the  things  ^^ere  ivell  ^'orthie  too  bee 
handled fi  ff^itrpely.  ^nd  for  as  much  ^  the  Galathians  fuffered 
themfelues  t§o  hee  turned  out  of  the  right  ^ay  through  ouer great 
ftmplicitie  or  light  leleefe,  or  rnther  through  inconjlancie  and  fond- 
neffe :  therefore  dooth  hee  rebuke  them  the  more  f^arpely  .     For 
I  am  not  of  their  mtridei-hichthinke  that  Saint  Taules  rough  hand- 
ling ofthetny  "was  bicauje  thO'  ^^f'*^  naturally  duU  %'itted,  <md  hard 


Epiftle  to  the  Galathfanj, 

tf  *^nderthnd'mg  ,  The  Ejihejiuns  nnd  Coliejlturts  h^d  heene lerhD^- 
ted  04  \xell^i  fhey.No\v  if  r hey  had LgtJtly g.nen  Uace  too  the  trHm- 
ferie  of.  thcfoilfe  Teachers,  as  the  GaUthiam  did,  thlnJ^e  Sxee  that 
SainB  PauU  \youlde  haus  (pared  them  f  xh^n  S^m  it  not  thejfeoples 
naturt  that  made  himfo  bolde  06  too  he  m  thatchafe  Sxirh  them^htit 
rather  the  \>n^oothinelfe  of  the  matter  CjamucUed  hym  toe  doe  Jo  . 
i:o\xe  thatSxee  \)ndcrHande  the  Cauje  \\4)y  thys  Ej^iffle  Svm  ^ritten^ 
let  S)S  come  too  the  order  andmaner  of  proceeding  Svhiche  hc^  kee- 
feth  in  it. 

In  the  t^'ofrf  chapters,  hee  indeu^reth  tomainteyne  the  ati* 
thoritie  of  his  syipofilefl^ippe,  fining  that  to^urdes  the  ende  of  the 
ficmde  chapter ,  hee  entereth  hy  occ^^on  intoo  the  cheefe  poynr, 
that  is  ta^^itte  intoo  the  quefiion  of  iH^iification,  ho^4eeitth4t 
the  peculiar  place  ^4jere  hee  handcleth  that  matter  offette  pur* 
fofe  too  the  full,  is  the  thirde  chapter,  ^nd  although  that  i» 
thoje  fsKoo  chapters,  hee  feeme  too  treate  of  many  things ,  yet 
his  drift  is  but  too  proue  himfelfe  equall  \y>ith  the  greatefi  ^fo-m 
files,  and  that  there  is  not  any  default  in  his  6\>cne  pcrfone  ^hy  hee 
fioulde  not  hee  taken  for  an  ^peftle  ,  and  hee  m  highly  ejleemed 
iti  the  refi»  NeuertheleJJe  ft  is  good  too  \}ttderfiande  too  ^hatpur^ 
fofe  hee  lahoureth  fo  muche  t:io  matnteyne  his  g^ne  reputation^ 
lor  ^hat  matter  maizes  it  thither  hee  hee  greater  or  lejfer  than 
leter,  or  fvhtther  there  hee  no  oddes  at  all  het^ixte  them :  pro^ 
mided  that  lefus  chrifi  reigne,  and  that  his  doBrine  abide  pure 
4nd  interrupted  f  Seeing  that  all  other  muff  hee  diminif^ed  too 
the  ende  that  onely  lefks  chrifl  may  groove :  it  is  in  \>atne  to  flriue 
dhout  the  prerogatiues  of  men.  furthermore  it  may  alfo  he  demaun" 
dedy  ^hyhee  compareth  himfelfe  \>;iththe  refi  of  the  sA po  files  ? 
tor  \)chat  oddes  ^a^  thej^e  hctxvixte  Petr ,  lames ,  and  John  ? 
yyhat  needed  it  thtn  t(hjet  one  agayn ft  another  after  thatmaner, 
^here  therSxasfo  good'Vnitie  and  agreement?!  anfi\er,that  thefal/e 
%ApojHes  ^hich  had  ahufed  the  Galathiansjhadfhro'ivdedthemfelues 
\nder  the  names  of  the  s^fo  files  ,  as  though  they  had  bin  of  their 
fendmg.to  the  intent  to  he  the  better  ^elcom,andro  Sxarke  their  mat- 
$frs  the  e^fyer.  It  ^as  a  trim  ^vay  too  ^inde  themfelues  in ,  and  to^ 

i'i*  pj^rchace- 


The  Argument  vpon  the 

burchaa  authmt'ie,  to  make  them  kdeeue  that  they  refrejent:! 
the  ^po files,  and  that  the  ^fofiUs  Jj^ake  (tsyou  ^voPtldefiy,  by 
their  mouth,    ^nd  info  doing  they  defaced  the  nxme,po^er  and 
authoritie  of  the  ^poflle  Samt  Futile,    For  they  alledged  thathce 
had  not  bin  chofen  by  our  Lorde  for  one  of  the  t^elue^  nor  htn  ac 
l^no^ledg-edfor  fUch  a  one  by  the  reH  of  the  ^po  files, and  that .  hee 
had  not  receyued  his  doSlrine,  not  onely  not  ofJefu4  chrifi  htmfelfe, 
but  alfo  not  of  any  of  his  ^poflles.  By  this  meanes  not  onely  SainB 
Taules  authoritie  ^^^ as  dimmi^^edy  but  alfo  he  htmfelf  efie erne d much 
tnferiour  to  them,  as  one  that^as  no  better  than  one  of  the  common 
fort,     if  the  matter  had  touched  no  more  but  their  perfanes :  it  had 
bin  al  one  'svith  Samt  Paule  to  haue  bin  counted  among  the  leafi  dij^ 
cipli'S-   But  feeing  that  the  doBrine  Sxa^  by  that  meanes  dijcr  edited: 
he  ou^ht  net  to  hold  his  peace,  but  rather  to  crte  out  agaynfl  tt.    Le 
^hat  the  ^'ilinejfe  of  Satan  is  :  ^^hen  he  dares  not  a[fayle  the  doBrme 
openly  ,  hee  laboureth  too  deface  the  Maieflie  of  it  by  ouerth^art 
^^ayes.     Therefore  let  Vv  remember  that  the  tt  uth  of  the  Gejfeli 
ivds  aj/ayled  in  SainB  Panics  perfone^  For  if  hee  hadjujfered  him" 
fclfe  to  haue  bin  bereft  of  the  honour  of  ^pofileship,  it  had  follo» 
\vedthat  he  had  thitherto  taken  more  \>pon  him  than  became  him: 
and  ft,  thatfalfe  bragging  of  his  fl^suldc  alfo  haue  made  him  to  bet 
fujfeBed  in  all  other  things,  ^gaine,  \>ppon  that  Sjerte  poynt  de* 
p ended  the  authoritie  ofh^s  doBrine,forfo  much  as  tt  had  not  bin  re^ 
ceyued  as  a  thmgproceedtngfo  an  ^yfpofle  of  our  Lord  lefm  chrifl^ 
but  asfom  feme  common  difciple.On  the  otherjide  it  had  bin  darken 
ned  and  defaced  by  the  brightnejfe  of  the  names  of  great  perfones-. 
For  the falfe  ^pofUes  glorying  of  the  tytles  of  Peter,  lames,  and 
John,  tooke  ^p^ffolicali  authoritie  too  themfelues  alfo.     No^^e  if 
"Samt  Paule  had  not  %'ithfrcode  fluh  boafiing  earnefily  andfl^utly  : 
tt  had  bin  ayeelding  ^nte  Untruth  ,  and  a  fi<ffering  of  Gods  truth 
to  bee  epprejftdin  his  per/one^  Therefore  hee  firyueth  in  good  ear* 
mfi  to  ff^e^we  both  the  one  and  the  other  :  that  is  too  \vitte,  that  the 
Zcrde  had  ordeyned  him  to  be  an  ^"pcflle,  and  alfo  that  he  ^4S  no  f 
inferior  to  any  of  the  others, but  had  the  like  dignitte  and  authoritie 
that  the  rejl  had, according  to  the  name  Svhich  he  bare  as  ^ell  a^s  they^ 

He 


Epiftle  to  the  Galatliians* 

Bt  tmgy^'ell  hdue  denied  that  thofe  Gallants  ^erejsnt  ef  Peter  and 
hisfell^^'esyor  that  they  had  any  charge  or  conimiRton  f-om  them. 
But  thps  defence  is  of farre greater  height, ^hen  hejayeth  that  he  him- 
felfe  is  of  as  great  e  author  ttie  us  the  S)erie  sAfofiles.  For  if  he  had 
jfoksn  any  L^lier,  it  ^'culd  hauefeemed  that  he  had  not  bin  ivell  df- 
fured  of  his  cace.Ierufalem  Svits  at  that  time  the  moother  of  all  chur^ 
cheSjhicaufe  the  Gejj^ell  feSvedfiom  thence  intoe  all  the  ^orld^and  it 
^ds  a^s  the  chrcfefeate  ofchrifles  kj^gdome.  kAH  they  that  came f  cm 
thence  too  other  churches^  ivere  honorably  recetued,  and  good  reaf:n, 
fio^>:beeit  there  ^'ere  a  number  ^hich  Wre  puffed  S^p  ^ith  fride  bi^ 
caufe  they  had  bcene  ftmiliir  ^nth  the  apostles ,  or  at  leaft- 
^ife  had  beene  trayned  ^j)  in  their  fchoole  :  and  therefore  they 
could a^ay  ^ith  ncthing%xhich  they  hadnotfeene  at  lerUfalem.sAll 
other  nianer  of  dealings  ^^hich  had  nst  bin  S)fed  there,  they  not  cndy 
reteBedJjHt  alfo  boldly  condemned.  Such  ^^ay'^ardmffe  and  peeuifj^* 
neff:  is  a  daungerempL{gi4e,%vhen  ^ee  ^ill  needes  haue  the  cufiom,e  of 
any  one  churche  too  bee  recetued fr  an  yniuerfill  La^7e.  ^nd  that 
froceedethofan  \)naduifcd  \ele^  ivhen  Wee  beefo  affeflionedtefome 
maifier  or  place, that  Without  any  iudgement^'e^ill  hind  all  men  t» 
that  one  mannes  mmde,  or  all  places  too  the  ordinances  of  that  onely 
9neplace,/ts  to  a  common  rulc.Soothly  there  is  alivaies  ambition  min^* 
gled  ^Hth  that  maner  of  dealt  ng^or  to  [peal^e  more  rightly  ^fuche  cuer 
great  'way^'ArdneJfe  is  ablates  full  of^i?.inglorie.  But  too  retnrne  to$ 
thefe  falfe  ^Poffles,  if  their  fadijl^fondneje  had  led  them  no  fur^ 
ther  than  onely  to  affiy  too  bring  m  the  Ipp  of  the  Ceremonies  tuery 
'svhere,  ^hich  they  had  feene  kept  at  ierufdem  :  they  had  dtne  ill  /- 
nough  already :  For  there  ivas  no  reafon  ivhy  they  fj^ouldofacujlome 
mak_i  by  and  by  a  common  rule.  But  there  U*^  yet  a  further  mijchief: 
namely  their  kicked  and  harmefull  doBrine, thereby  they  ment  too 
hind  mennes  confctences,  and  to  ground  rightuoufricffe  in  the  keeping 
§f  Ceremonies.  No^^e  ^^ee  '\^nd^rfiand 'why  S.Paule  J^eaketh  fj  ear-^ 
tieftly  tn  defence  of  his  ^poJllef[dp>  and^'herefore  hefutteth  himfelf 
againfl  the  other  ^pojlles, 

Hepuf'fketh  that  matter  till  t(^ardes  the  latter  end  ofthefeCend 
chapter /inhere  he  openeth  agdp  to  treate  efhit  peculiar  matter  :  that 

•^.iij.  istP 


The  Argument  vpontLe 

if  to  ^/tt^thai  ^vee  he  mfiified  freely  lefere  God.and  not  hy  the  \\or\ei 
rfthe  US^e.  for  the  reafon  ivhcn^cfon  hegroundetb  hhn/tlf^  ts  thk-: 
If  the  Ceremonies  hse  not  Me  too  iuSlijie  a  man^then  ts  not  the  kee* 
fing  ofrhcm  neceffme.No^^Ucityhe  treateth  not  only  of  Ceremonies, 
int  of'wQTkei  ingeneraH  :for  others ifc  it  \xere  butayerj  colde  dij^  ~ 
(otirjc.  Ifany^  man  thinl^e  that  this  a  a  dra^y'n^  aloofifrom  the  mati 
ter :  let  him  conjidert^oo  things.  Firfi  that  the  cjnejiioit  coulde  not 
other^i/e  heerefiluedthan  hy  taliing  that  gen  erall  principle,  that^e 
he  luf  if ed  freely  hy  the  only  grace  of  God:  ^htch  principle  exclude  th 
not  oncly  Ceremonies, hut  alfi  all  other  Sxoorl^es.  ^ndfecondly  that 
S.Patilefioode  nn  fomuch  \)pon  the  Ceremonies  themfelueSi  as  s^pon 
the  kicked  opinion  that  foU^^ed  them :  that  is  to9  ^it^  ofpurchacing 
Jaluation  hy  ^^oorlies.  Therefore  let  S^s  marine  that  the  holy  ^poffle 
dealeth  not  i?7}pertinetly,in  beginning  his  matter  fo  far  re  off, hut  that 
itfoode  him  en  hand  too  touche  the  ^eljpring  of  the  \xhoie  matter, to 
the  end  that  the  readers  might  ^nderfland,  that  the  thing  U^hiche  he 
dealeth  \\tth  heere  is  no  trifle, hut  of  mofl  importance  ahoue  all  others: 
too  ^'tt,  hy  \vh^t  meane  ^ee  ohicymfaluation.  They  then  doo  mtflakp 
their  m!irl;e,^-hich  imagine  that  the  ^rpcfileflandeth  ^opon  the  par-  ■ 
ticular  pant  of  Ceremonies  :for  that  could  not  he  \vcll  delfwuh  alone 
h  '^filf  ^f^ee  hatie  a  lik'  example  in  the  fifth  of  the  ^Pres.  Thir^ 
fella  contention  and deh.ite  ahout  Ceremonies^  tooWit,i\htther  they 
fvere  needefuUto  hee  kfpt  or  no,  Fcr  the  refolumg  oftht^  queftivH,  the 
^poftlesfet  doW?ie  the  "vntolerahleneffe  of  the  yoke  of  the  La\ve,  and 
thef-eeforgtmng  offmnes.  To  ^hatpurpafe  doo  they  that  ^ For  it/eC" 
nteth  too  he  an  impertinent  digrefiion,  And  that  they  leape  out  of  the 
propounded  matter  WithiUt  reafon.  But  it  if  not  ft  :  Ftr  thtparticU'^ 
lar  errour  could  ner  he  liuely  d^J}roued,hut  hy  taking  a  generall  pro^ 
fofiticn,  ^sfor  example :  if  it  hehoued  mee  too  reafon  m  defence  of 
the  eating  offlefr^  :  I  jljmld  not  onely  make  mention  ofmeates,  hut  J 
fjould  alfo  arme  my  f elf  \\ith  thegenerali  doBrine,and  ff^c^  ^'hither 
jnennes  traditions  ought  to  hinde  mennes  confciences:and  hy  and  hy  I 
Syouldtake  thi^ ground.  That  therf  is  hut  §ne  Laixegiuer  ^^hich  hath 
po^ver  toofaue  andtojo  dtflroy.  To  heep^crtS,  Patde  conueyeth  hn  ar» 
^nment  heere  from  the  gcncrall  to  the  partimUr  fiegntiuel^/pfhich  is 


Epiftic  to  the  Galathians* 

4  Vtfry  ordlnarle  mancr  ofreafontng  Cr  mojl  agreeable  to  nature  that 
can  he.  Furthermore  ifivego  ts  the  hodie  of  the  Epfile,  \rce(^alifee 
hjf  U^hat  textes  and  reafons  hefroueth  thisfentence,  that  Svf  he  mhi^ 
fad  hy  the  onely  grace  ofchrtjl.  This  matter  he  handleth  tso  thexnd 
{/fthe  third  chavter. 

In  the  heginning  of  the  fourth,  he  treateth  of  the  right  \}fe  of  C/- 
remeniestandivherfore  they  ^ere  ordeyned:  and  there  he  ff}ei>?eth  alft 
that  they  he  abolijj^ed.  For  it  behouedhim  too preuent  this  abfirditie 
^hich'tvouldhauerun  by  CT  by  in  euery  mans  header o  "what purf  oft 
then  ivere  the  Ceremonies  ordeyned  F  Frere  thty  "utterly  needelejje  f 
did  the  fathers  lofe  their  labour  in  J^eefing  them  f  HeediJ}>atcheth 
both  the  one  and  the  other  infe^e  ^oordes,  faying  that  they  ^ere  not 
fuferfluom  in  their  time^  but  that  they  be  m^  abolt^ed  by  the  csm^ 
ming  of  our  Lord  lefm  chrifl^  bicaufehe  is  the  Very  truth  and  ende 
of  them,  ^nd  therefore  hefffc^eth  that  ^e  mufl  refi  \)fon  htm.^U 
fo  in  that  f  lace  heffjs^^eth  'pf  herein  mrflate  differethfom  the  (late  of 
the  fathers,  rrhere\>pn  it  foUo^^eth  that  the  doBrine  of  the  fal/c 
^pfilss  Pi  le^de  and  daungeroits,  bicnufe  it  dar{encth  the  bright- 
nejfe  of  the  GoJ^elL  \vith  th?  old  forborne  jhadoives.  He  intermedleth 
certaine  exhortations  ^^ith  his  doBrine,  too  moue  mennes  affeSltons  : 
Andto%^ardes  the  en/ of  the  chapter  he  beautifieth  his  difcourfe  ^ith 
a  goodly  ^Allegoric, 

In  the  tfth  chapter  he  exhort eth  them  too  k.eepe  the  fee  dome  ttir^ 
chaced  by  the  bloud  of  lefts  chrift,  too  the  ende  they  fiouldnotyeeld 
their  conferences  in  bondage  tot  mennes  traditions  :  Neuerthelefe  he 
there^'ithall  admontjl^eth  them  alfo  therein  that feedome  conjlfleth^ 
andl^^hich  is  the  true  and  right  \>fe  of  it,  ^nd  toothe  fame  ende  he 
pjfe^vsth  ^^htche  bee  the  true  exercifes  of  chriflenfol'^e,  too  the  intent 
they  p^ouldnot  lofe  their  time  in  mufing  ^ppen  Ceremonies  and  in 
the  m^ans  "f^hile  leaus  the  chiefe  things  "undone, 

FJNJS, 


^  Aneceffarie  Table  to  tliis  prefent  wor/ce 
gathered  by  order  of  the  Alphabet, ^here  note 

that  the  firft  number  fignifyeth  the  Page ,  the  feconde 

the  Lineyarjd the letter(a}figmfieth the  fir fl fide, 
the  lettcr(b)thc  fccoud  fide  of  the  Icafe. 


^Abraham. 
i3k  Braliams  houfe  a  figure  and  Image 
•*•  ^    of  the  Churche.  iiy,  a.  30.  b.5c  iitf. 

ab. 
Ofwhatvalew  Abrahams  vcrtewes  were 

before  God. 115). a. II. 
Abrahams  mariage  with  Agar  was  whor- 
dome.zi^.b.r. 


The  caufe  why  we  oucrcomc  notour  af» 
fedions.z^3.b.i4. 

IF  All.  • 

What  is  mentby  the  woord  All.i^j.b.z, 

f  Allegoric. 
Thepcril  of  feking  Allegories  in  the  fcrip- 

tiue.iu.b  I. 
Ambition.  ILoofee  Vainealorie. 
^Angdl. 


A  djfcription  oft  he  true  children  of  Abra-    VVhat  the  woorde  Angell  betokeneth. 

i05.b.i5. 

VVhat  the  glorie  and  dignitie  of  the  An* 

gelsis.i5.b.33. 

^Antiquitie. 
Gf  following  Amiquitic  and  mensopi- 

ons.i93.b.20. 
The  Papiftes  allcdging  of  Antiquitic.iij; 

b.i4. 

In  what  Wife  tbc  Papiftes  and  their  ad- 
herentes  mainteine  the  traditions  of 
Antiquitie.3i9.a.5?.b. 
fl"Apoftafie. 
Of  Apoftafieor  flyding  back,  and  thepc-' 
rib  thereof.  194.3.  ip.b.  &  in.  317.  b. 
&  ir3.a.b.&ii(J.b.i9,  &.117.  a.  &II5^. 
b.i6r.6c  120. a. b. 
HOOfecmo^cmNewtcr,  Newfangled  and 
Vnconftancic* 

fAptnefle. 
All  our  AptnefTetoo  any  charge  or  office 
and  all  other  giftcs  both  of  body  and 
minde  come  of  Gods  mere  grace^'4i.a* 
ia.b.6c4i.b.4. 

^Atoncrncnt. 
VVeemuft  haue  none  Atonement  witk 
God$  enemies. i5^.a.ii.b.&2j7.a.b. 
^Authoritie. 


ham.  12,3.  a.u.  b.  &  12,4.  a.b.^»  u5.  a 
ti.b. 

f  Abufc. 
All  abufes  as  well  fmall  as  great  arc  to  be 

remooued  vtterly  out  of  the  Cbuchc. 

75.b.x4.&77.a. 
The  bringing  in  of  Abufes  and  other  Su- 

perftitions  into  Baptim  and  into  the 

Lordes  Supper  by  the  Papiftes  ,  and  the 

caufe  therof.iSi.a.i.  &  18  i.b.  is. 
tOf  bearmg.wyth  Aubfes.  i> 3.  b.io. and 

JLoofeemOjein  Bcare  and  flatter. 
.      .     '(TAddc. 
VVeemuft  ncythcr  Addeany  thing  too 

Gods  worde  and  ordinaunces  nor  take 

any  thing  from  them.  248.  b.6.&.i49, 

a,b.&  i5o.a.b.&  151.3. b.6c.i52.a.b. 
They  that  Adde  too  Gods  woorde  accufc 

him  couertly  ^ythcr  of  vnaduizedneile 

orofnigar<if[iip.<?2.b.i3. 
VVhatfoeuer  is  Added  too  the  Gofpellis 

but  vanitic  and  wickcdneflc.ii.a.i, 
ILOOfectnOJCin  Mingle. 

flAduowtric. 
What  is  contcyned  vndcr  the  WOrdc  Ad- 

4iowtrie.i^i>.b.35. 


THE 

t3ur  faith  muft  not  tc^  grounded  vppon 
the  cj  ccUcncie  or  Authoritie  of  rtien, 
but  only  vppoaGod>mrGbri{^  3i.a  13 
b.and  53. a. b. and  34.a.b.and  jK^ 

The  Authoritie  and  maicfticof  th^Hawc 
i5y.b.ii.andi5o.a.b.and  i5r.a  b 

The  Authoritie  and  maicftic  of  rhc  Gof- 
pell  i4.a.ii.an<li7.b.8.b.&  iS.a.b 

Chriftes  Authoritie  and  maicftie  ought 
not  ro  bee  the  IcficcftcemedaiTKingvs 
b}caufcof  his  bodily  abrenfc.5.a.i.5.b 

The  Authoritie  and  reuerence  of  me  muft 
not  prejudice  God  5.b.i8.&  6.h.%% 

No  man  hath  Authoritie  to  appoint  any 
thing  in  the  church, which  is  not  groud 
dcd  in  Godsword  8o.b.r8.&  8i.a  b 

The  inconucniences  that  come  of  our  lea- 
ning to  the  Authoritie  and  credite  of 
men  43  a. 15  .        ^ 

After  what  mancr  the  preachers  may  ftad 
in  defence  of  their  Authoritie  4. and  5. 
and  7.h.3^ 

yiOOUc  mOJ^Cin  Credite  and  Pctfon. 

^Babc. 
TJ/Hobe  little  Babes aTo.b.tf.&2ii.a.b 
'^  ilooUcmojem  Child. 

Backil)  ding.     310QKC  Apoftafic. 

•^Baptim. 
The  right  vfe  and  meaning  of  Baptim.S  4 
b.35  and  Sj.a.and  ii4.b.8.and  140.  b.xi 
The  fignification  frutc and  cfFeft  of  Bap* 
tim  rightly  rectiued.and  what  it  is  o- 
t>c  w'.zei7i  a;ii.b.and  i73.a.b.&  174 
a.b.and  r'75:.a,b 
tjBattell. 
The  continuall  Battcll  bewcnc  theflcfh 
and  the  fpiritc  and  the  meancs  too  get 
the  vpper  hand  i64.b.2.i.and  x^5.a  b. 6c 
x5<?. a. b.and  2^7. a 
|LooKctnO?Ctn  w^arrc. 

^Beare,and  Bearewith. 
incoucniencesthateome  of  Bearing  with 
hwhii  and  ciiors  too  much  or  too 


TABLIE^ 

lor>g75.b.M.and77,a.and7!.a.)ro.b.  & 

79  a.b.andSo.a 
VVho  beboine  before  their  time?  11. a  i.b 
Hew  andwhcnwc  be  borne  in  Chrift. 

xix.a.5 
The  mcane  and  way  to  make  vs  gentel  in 

i^eaung  with  other  mens  oficnccs  187. 

a  1  b.and  x38.4 
j^o  man  is  to  be  Borne  withall  too  the  im  - 

peachment  of  the  Gofpell  73.3.  ii>.b.5c 

74.a.b.and75.a.and76.b.i8 
Of  Bearing  and  forbearing  mens  fauttc* 

and  who  are  to  be  Borne  with '5c  how 

farre forth  75.3.3.  and  183.  a.  27. b.  and 

i84.a.andx85.a.b.andx86.a.b.anda87 

a.b.andi88.a.b;atxd28i;,a 
3Loofecmo?cin  Flatter. 

ifBeleef:---      - 
Thetruepreparatiuctohiakc  vs  Bcleeiie 

in  IefusChrift5)i.b.!0  « 
After    what  maner  Abraham  Bclccuti 

God  114.3.34. b.and  ii5.a«b 
Bclecf.   i^OOfecmOJcmFayth. 

^I'Blyndncire. 
Our  Blindnefle in  our  ownc  vices  and  our 

(harpfightedneflc in  cfpying  other  inc» 

190. b. 23  andi^r.a. 

f  BhfTcd.and  BliffednefTe. 
VVhat  it  is  too  bee  Bliffcd  117.  b.  le.  ar«f 

i28;a-.ip 
How  wee  Gentiles  arc  made  partakers  of 

the  BhflTedncfle  that  was  promifed  too 

Abraham  and  his  reedci30.  a.  10.  and 

143  b  3oandi45.b.i2  and  I4<y.a.b'and 

)  4  7. a. b.and  148. a.b  and  I45>.a.  b  and 

150.3  b.and  151. a. b  and  ifi  a. b 
To  what  purpofes  the  knowing  thereof  fet 

ueth  vs  151.3  25>.b.&  T52.a.b  &  i53.a 
Jlcolse  modern  Happincflc. 

^Banhen. 
VVhat  is  meat  by- the  word  Burthen  2$€, 

a  I 
Euery  man  flial  bearehis'own  Burthen,  & 

how  29$. b  31  &  29<^a.b.&  3j»7.a.h 
The  only  iemcdi€  10  cafe  men  of  the  Bur- 


THE  TAB  LE^ 


(hem  iji/iajob and £p8.a 
C 


^Catechizc.and  Catechizme. 

WHat  the  wordcs  Catechize  and  Ca- 
techizmc  betoken  i95>.b.2.4, 
^jjCall^and  Call  vppon. 
CKrift  Callcth  not  al  men  to  him  without 
exception, and  who  lieCallcth.iSfj.a.x 
Of  lawful!  vocation  or  Calling  4.b.  4  .aiid 

j.aud.^     • 
A  double  Calling,  outward  and  inward 

No  man  ought  to  thruft  hirafdfe  into  the 

minilleric  without  Calling  4. b. 4 
Tlicbcnefites  that  red ownd  of  the  law- 
full  Calling  of  the  minifter  4  i,a.i}.and 
43  a.jj.band  jr.b.y 
The  Apoftlcs  had  a  peculiar  kind  ofCal- 

ling,  immediatly  from  God  6  a  11 
VVc  muft  not  pafle  for  the  allowance  of 
men  in  following  our  vocation  or  Cal- 
ling 48. a.zj.b 
Cod  will  hauc  all  nations  too  Call  vppon 
him  ipo.a.tf.b.and  i^t.a 
^[Ceremonies. 
What  thing  Ceremonies  are  of  them- 
fclues  orOvhcrwifc7i  b.io.  andr^^.a. 
jo.b  and  i cy.a.b  6c ipp-b  &  too. a 
VVhat  Ceremonies  arc  without  warrant 

of  Gods  word  iS  i.bi2,7.and  183.1 
The  Ceremonies  of  the  law  ftfrucd  but  for 

atimeip.a.i? 
Towhatpurpofc  tlie  Ceremonies  ferucd 

the  old  fathers  rjS.a.Ti  b 
VVhy  the  Ceremonies  of  th€  law  are iay4 

to  be  flcflily  ri8.a.ii.b 
VVhat  the  Ceremonies  of  the  Lawc^)c- 

hightvsi^9  a.i 

The  vfc  and  end  of  the  Ceremonies  of  tKc 

law  56.a.t<?.b  5c  70.  b.14  &  7i.a.&  ji, 

a.3i.5c8o  b  1r.6c140.a1  b  5c  i<) 3  a.  11. 

How  men  hauc  ajwayes  abufed  vifibic 

itgnes  or  Ceremonies  iig.a.ii.b 
The  nu  mber  of  Ccicmonics  doo  fo  little 
ikdpc  mens  inflcmities  that  they  rather 


caric  them  quite  away!  from  Chriil  \tu 
b  i9.and  iSi.a.b 
Inconucniencesinfewingrppon  the  kee- 
ping of  Ceremonies  5^.b.  z^.  and  57.3. 
b  and  58.3  b.and  7r.b  8.  and  7i.a.  and 
8o.a  i7.b.and  81  a.b.andSi.a.b 
VVhat  the  intent  of  them  is  which  wouU 
haue  men  to  kcepc  Ceremonies  8o.a  17 
b.and  8r. a. b.and  Si.a.b 
VVhat  the  intentof  tkcmis  which  vrge 
the  keeping  of  Ceremonies,  and  what 
account  they  themfclnes  make  of  them 
318. a  7,b.and  3i^.a.b.and  310. a.b.  and 
3iT,bi  / 

The  keepers  of  Ceremonies  and  traditios 
bereuethcfelues  of  all  benefit  by  Chiift; 
isr.b.zi.and  131.3. b.andi55.a.  b.  and 
i34.a.b.and  235.3. b 
How  we  at  this  day  may  fare  the  better  by 
the  old  forworne  Ceremonies  72. b.  17 
and  73, a 
PopiHi  Ceremonies  and  Ceremonies  dcul 
zed  by  men,  are  lefTe  tolerable  tha  the 
Ceremonies  ofMoyfes  57.  b.!i.  6c  58.ab 
VVheroftheconfuzed  heapc  of  Ceremo- 
mesfpringfirftihat  are  at  this  day  in 
the  Papacie^o.b./ 
VVhat  the  traditionsiand  Ceremonies  of 

the  Papiftes  are  59.b.i^ 
VVhat  the  Ceremonies  of  popery  arc,ancl 

who  is  the  author  of  them  5io.a  31. b 
The  diuclifhnefTe  of  Popes  in  inforcing 
their  owne  Ceremonies  and  tradition* 
%^uh  55.andi3i.a.b 
Now  that  Chrift  is  come  all  Cercmoniea 
and  figures  arc  necdlefle  and  ought  xm 
ceafe  iSi.a.9.b.and  i55>.b.^.  and  140.1 
b.and  ?if.a,i4  b 
Of  theabolifliing  of  Ceremonies  71.3.21. 
b.6c  72. 6c  73. 6c  7 4 •  5c  75. 5c  7^. 78.76c  9 
&  80.6c  ;8t. 6c  81.6c  83»6c  84.6c  8  j.a.b 

llooUcmo?cmLaw. 

^"Chafitie. 
TrucChariticorloueand  howfarreit  ex 
tedctb  ^  towbom257<a«2.b.6c  if^.b.t 
^.li.  ani 


THE 

Our  vntliankcfulncirc  in  Crediting  men 

m  ore  then  God.i^i.b  6.Sc  i4S».a  b 
It  U  no  difcrcditing  of  men  to  abacc  them 


in  rcfpcc 


t  of  Chriftor  forihc  furthc- 


rancc  of  thcGofpcll.ef^.azp.b 
iloofccmojem  Authoritie  and  Fcrfoiu 

^Crollc. 
VVhat    is  n.cnt  by  the  woordc  CrofTc. 

,3i7.ai).  ■ 
VVhatismcntby  Preaching  thcCrouc. 

i53.b3(J.5cx54,ab 
The  Crolfe  doth^Iwayes  accompamc  the 

Gorpei5i7,a  i^b  6c3i8.a. 
Thcfajthfull  arc  blcflcd  though  they  in~ 

dure  ncuer  fo  many  Croffcs  i35>.a  24.b 
JirOOUc  mojetn  Mockc  and  Pcrfccution. 

fl'C.rucifye. 
yVho  be  Crucifycd  too  the  VVorldc 

and  \'vho  bee  ,not  513.  a.  13.  b.  and 

How  the  woridc  is  Crucifycd  tovs  3i4« 

bi. 
VVhat  is  mcnt  by  beeing  Crucified  with 

Chrift  p^.a  ii.b and  ipo.^  b  andioi.  a 

b  and  ici.9 
VVhat  is  mcnt  by  Crucifying  of  the  flcflic 

^Comc. 
VVhat  is  mcnt  by  Comming  vnto  Chrift 

4i.b.?4. 
Kone  cAn  Come^ooChrifl:  till  they  bee 

humbled  ii5.ai8. 
C;iely  Gods  free  goodncs  is  the  originall 

caufeofourComming  too  Chrift  iji, 

bi^. and  173.3  b 
^Curfc 
Aj  men  without  acception  arr  iinfull  and 

lubie£l  to  the  Curfe  of  theia>'ve.i(J3.  b 

35.andi(J4.ab 
Chriithath  fetvs  free  from  the  Cwrfeof 

^helaw  by  becomming  accurfcd  for  vs 

^4i.bitf.  andi4t.  aband  143.  aband 

i<J4  .a  b  and  145. a  b  and  14^. a  b 
V<Vhat  we  ought  to  learne  by  Chrift  bcco* 

jningaccvrfcd  i43.a.8.b 


TABLE, 

VVhat  is  mcnt  by  the  WOOrdc  Cut  of  t^« 

an. 

fDcaie. 
'T^Hecaufc  why  God  Dealcth  fliarpdjf 
^       with  vs  iii.b  31.and1i3.ab 
DefertlLoofecMcrir. 

<j[Dcuotion. 
VVhat  the  Deiiotion  and  diuine  fcruls  of 
the  Papiftes  is.37.a  1. b  and  la^.a iS.and 
197. b  3.and  2,4c.b  r7.and  241. a  b 
ILQOKC  moitin  HoIynes« Merits  and  workf 
andScruis 

^Dl^nitic. 
The  grcatcft  Dignitic  that  men  can  hauc. 
2,23,37. 

^Difcrcdit. 
Itisno  Difcrediting  of  men toabaccthi 
in  rcfpcctofChrift  4  4.bi4 
^Pifcrcetncftc. 
The  DifcrcetncfTe  of  a  Minifter  in  vfing 
meekcncileortoughncffc  iio.aii.and 
lii.a  15. b 

^Difobedicnce. 
VVehauc  lelTc  excufe  of  our  Dirobedi- 
encc  then  had  the  fathers  of  oldc  timc» 
lo.bii.andii.ab 
CDiircmbleand  DilTtmuIation. 
A  patcrne  of  DilTimulation  in   religion 
and  the  hujt  thereof  78.a  lo.band  7^, 
a  band  So. a 
Of  fuchas  cjualificabufcs  and  would  DiA 
fcmblc  with  the  worldeby  playing  oa 
both  handcs  3i5.a  ^.b  and  3i7»a  b 
Of  DifTcmbling  or  ,ouer flipping  other 

mens  vices  184  a  i^.b 
The  inconueniences  thatinfewcd  of DiA 
fimulation  in  Rcligionyi.  azi.  band 
7t.a 

^Diuell. 
The  DiuclUTeih  Gods  name  againftgo<f, 
Chrifts  name  againft  Chrift:*,  the iheyf 
01  thcGofpell  againft  the  Gofpcll,  a ni 


THET 

tlie  countenance  of  Anofllfs  and  godly 

tniuiflersto  ou^rthrow  the  truth  i6.a  17 

^Doa.-ine. 

Chriftians  muft  oce  well  alTurcd  of  the 

Po<flrinc  that  ihcy  profcfle.  14.  a* 34. and 

xS.a^ 


^Eleclion. 
The  manner  of  Gods  free  Election  or  cho- 
aing  of  V5  67.3  10  b  and  68.a 
^tncmie. 
VVho  be  our  deadly  Enemies  2^5.3  j. 

^Entiance. 
All  men  both  lewcs  5c  Gentiles  of al  agcj 
haue  but  one  Entrance  to  GodSctoial- 
«ati687.b  x6.&  88.5c  8p.  5c  5)0.  5c  91. & 
5a.&93.5c?4&^^.6cp5,ab  5ci5o.b33 
^iji.ab  5c  i5i.a b  5c  i77.b  1.6c  178  ab 
&  l7^.and  180  and  18 1 .and  18  i.a  b 
^Enuie. 
Adifcription  of  the  Enuic  and  fpitcfuU 
iiefTc  that  raignetb  iu  tbcfc  dayes. 
51. b  X 


fEpiftlc 
icfTcan    ' 


ThelargcncfTcand  fuhftancialnefle  of  the 
matter  conteiocd  in  this  Epifllc.  m* 
a<^.b 

^Euill. 

He  that  will  none  Euill  doc,muft  doc 
nothing  that  longes  thereto  ,  75.bi8. 
andSo.a 

^"Examination. 

The  due  trial  or  Exaniinatio  of  our  fclues 
a5;5.a  5.b  and  194.  a  b  and  295.  a  b  and 
xyd.aband  25>7.abandii)8.a 
I^Excufe. 

We  can  not  Excuzeour  felues  by  other 
mensmifdoings,  nor  by  fcllowfliippjC 
in  ofFending,nor  bycuftomez5!3  aitf, 
band  2.5^5.  aip.  band  z^^.ai^.baud 
ii>7.ab 

^Exercize. 

The  true  Exercize  of  Chriftianf .  1^0, 
b  ii.and  168.  ai^.  b  and  171.  b  15.  and 


ABLE^ 

i74.bTt.andi7^.bi8.  5c  i7w.aband 
177. 5c  178.5c  2,79.5c  iSo.a  b. 

F 

^fFaiher. 

/^God  is  the  Father  as  wcl  of  our  bodies 

^^     as  of  OUT  foules.iii.a  50. 

Konc  m^y  claime  God  forttheir  Father 
but  fuch  as  ftickc  ftedfaftly  to  his  word 
ii^.ai5>.b  5c  izo.a  5c  111.br5.5c  112. a. 

Wherein  thcftate  of  the  Fathers  .vndcr 
the  olde  law  differed  from  ours  166.  b 
14.5c  157. 5c  i6S.and  i5^.and  i77.b.i<f, 
and  178.  a  b  and  179,  a  b  and  180.  a  \> 
and  i38.a  i. 

VVhat  prerogatiue  we  haue  aboue  the  Fa 
thersoftheoldelavYCiiS.^bio.  5c  115). a 
b5ci79.ax6.b  i5c8o.a  5ci87.b  12.6c 
188. a  b  5c  185. a  b  5c  ipo.a  b  5c  151.  a  b. 

How  and  why  the  Fathers  are  faydc  too 
haue  bene  little  children  17^,  b  (f. 
^Fauor, 

Gods  Fauor  and  merciein  Chriftis  freeljr 
giuen  without  rcfpc^  of  auy  dcfert  of 
ours  cyther  going  before  or  comming 
after13.b33.and  14. 

Gods  Fauor  is  the  fountayneof  all  wel- 
fare,?, b  and  10.  and  n.  and  12.  and  I3» 
and  14. and  15. 

The  onely  meane  to  obtclne  Gods  Fa- 
uor is  Chrif^cs  Sacrifize  ii.a  8.b  and  it» 
and  13. and  14. 

Theworlde  paffeth  not  for  Gods  Fauor 
fo  they  may  haue  his  temporall  benc« 
fitcsio.bi. 

3looltcino;tcmMercie. 

^Fayth^Faythfull.FaythfulnclTc, 
and  Faythletfe 
The  fundry  takinges  oAthelwordeFayth 
orBcleefcand  what  they  import  88.  a 
ao.5c90.ai7.5c  iij.a  T<f.b  5c  117.3  35  5c 
i(f ^.a  3i.b  5c  i(^7.a  b &  I70.b  13.  5c  i7r^ 
a. and  27:?. b  33. and  277. a. and  i88  a. 
Jayth  commeth  of  Gods  mere  gift  5c  not 
of  OurfdiKs  i^^.a  3.and  i^d.a. 


.uir. 


The 


THE  TABLE, 


The  nature  of  Fayth.ioj.b.  6. 

There  can  benofayth  where  there  is  not 

a  promifc  going  before. 127. b.i. 
A  difcriptioii  ot  true  Fayth  114.  b.  8>  5c 

125.  a.  b.  6c  1 4  2.1).  15.  &  15 1,  b.  30.  Sc 

153. a     ; 
We  be  not  luftifyed  by  Fayth  as  by  a  ver« 

tuethatdcrcructh  I7i.a.4 
Fayth  teachcth  vs  to  fccke  all  our  welfare 

inGodi38.b.i8 
Our  Fayth  mufl  reft  ^vholy  vpon  God  and 

his  wordc  and  not  dependc  vpon  man 

6<^  b.14 
The  way  and  meaneto  il)cweour  felucs 

Faythfull  iz,a.3i.b.&  2,4  .a. 34 
The  meanewhcreby  we  take  holde  ofle- 

fus  Chrift  is  onciy  Fayth  14  b.i 
Ohriftes  death  and  palTionarc  theilay  of 

our  Fayth  i   5.b.5>.5cio^.a.b 
Helpes  too  llabiiflie  and  cgnfirmc  Fayth 

Our  Fayth  muft  beeuerlaftingii,a,-^o 
fayth  makes  all  thinos  holy,  and  without 

Fay  th  ail  thinges  are  vnclean.e  i$3.ba;L. 

&  154.3 
Who  bee  the  hounioldcof  Fayth  ,  and 

whatduticwe  owe  to  them  aboue  o- 

thers3ii.b.i5.5c3i2.a. 
Faythfulneflc  betweenc  man  andman, 

i7^.b.33. 6c  277.3 
The  poyntcs  of  Fayth  or  belcefe  whervp- 

pon  all  men  both  learned  and  vnlear- 

ned  muft  be  vnmouably  grounded  and 

jcfolued  iL.b.35 
The  fathers  and  wee  are  faued  all  by  one 

Fayth  I77.b.i.6c  I78.a.b 
In  what  tcfped  our  Fayth  is  fayed  too  be 

greater  then  the  Fayth  of  the  auncient 

fathers  i6S.b.9M  itf^.a.b. 
They  that  boalt  of  the  greatnefle  of  th^ir 

Fayth  haue  no  Fayth  at  all  9z.h.z% 
They  that  continue  in  their  flnncs  doo 

boaft  in    vaine  of  Fayth  which  they 

h.iuenotp2.b.2i.6c  53.3 
The  implicate  Faythof  the  Papiftcs.ij,.  a 


35. &  43.a.t8.&  iij.a.a<r.&  2,13.3.3 
VVhat  thePapifls  meane  by  Fayth  or  bc« 

Iecfe5)0.b.i3.6ci4i.b.tf 
VVhat  accept  the  Papiftcs  make  of  Fayth 

12.8. a. 21. b. 
TheTurkes  and  the  Papiftcs  haue  both 

one  Fayth  in  fubftance  23?. a. 30 
The  diffejfence  bctweene  the  ftaicsofthe 

Faythfull  and  the  Fay  thieve  103.  a.X7»b 
.6c  104. a. b 
The  Faythleffe  haue  Jio  ryght  to  anyc 

thinge  in  this  VVorldc  153.  b.  12.  tz. 

iS4.a. 

fFeare. 
The  feare  of  the  rnbelccuers  20i.a.32.b^ 

^[Flatierie  and  Flattering. 
All  men  both  good  and  bad  arc  natural- 
ly inclined  to  Flatter  themfelucs  30.  b.5 

6c  31.  a  I 

Thehypocrifieof  manin  foothing  him« 

felf  when  he  is  cleare  fro  the  outwardc 

committing  of  grollcoffences.i^i.a.ii 

b.270.a.b 
The  mifchiefe  that  commeth  of  fclffoo* 

thing  301. b.29.5c.30z.a.bi6c303.a 
The  inconueniences  that  come  of  Flatte- 
ring eyther  our  felues  or  other  men  and 

the  meancs  to  remedie  the  fame  31.  a.  7 

b  6c  32.3. 6c  33. a. I 
Flatterie  gettcth  frendesand  truth  gettctk 

hatred  20c>.b.i. 
The  Preachers  muft  not  feeke  too  plcafc 

men  by  Flatterie.30.b.3.;5c  31. a. b 
f Flcflie. 
VVhat  is  mcnt  by  the  woorde  Flefli  2^1.  b 

33.6c  262.a.6c27i.a  3^.b.6c  272.3  b. 
How  the  Papiftes  vndcrftande  thewoord* 

Flefli.27l.a.2  4 
What  is  ment  by  FleflKand  bloud,  and 

why  men  arc  fo  called  44.  bi3^6c  45. a, 
VVhy  the  veric  Apoftlc;*  arc  termed  Flefli 

and  blond  45.3.-) 
What  is  mcnt  by  ending  in  the  Flefli. 

«p.a.2. 

^Forgiuc  6c  Forgiucneftc 


THE  table; 
VVchaue  ncedc  of  cofttinuall  Forojuc.    heard.ua.a.az  b 


ncffc  of  finncs  cucn  after  wc  be  graffcd 
into  Chrift.i6.a  14. 
To  what  cad  God  Porgiucth  our  finncs, 
loi.b  ij. 

flFrccdomc  HooKe  Lihcrtic. 
fl"Frcndfliippe. 
^Oftrcw  Frcndniippe  and  of  worldly  Fred 

fliippci05;.b  I 

HooKe  mojein  a^rccmcnti<oncord^  cha- 

riiic,LouCjana  vnitic. 

^Frcc  will. 

'Man  hatli  no  Frclwil  to  do  good  11^.3^2.4 

Manncs  freewill  vttcrljivnauaiiable  to  fal- 

uation3S  aio  &40  b  28.6c4i.a 
VVhat  our  ownc  free  will  and  workcs 

arc  83.3  5. 
The  freewill  of  the  Papiftcs  iio.a^r.b 
The  fondneffe  of  the  Papiftes  in  ftickingc 
to  their  owne  freewill  and  meritorious 
workes  and  the  caufc  thereof, 5^8.  b  1 8. 
&99.a  &  101. ai. 
JlOOfet  mO?e  in  tncrirtcs  and  workcfs  5c  dc- 
uotion^and  holynelTc. 
^FulneflTc. 
VVhat  is  ment  by  thcFulncflc  oftimc. 
•     183*0  j4.aci84.a 

€ 

W-f  Gaine. 
Hat  gaine  or  profit  and  how  if  i$ 
to  be  looked  for  at  Gods  hand. 


VVithwhathumilitlcormlndGoas 
Gif  tes  arc  to  be  confidcrcd  both  m  oup 
iclues  and  m  other  mcn.^i. b  19.  &  51.4 

Gent^ne.JLooHemcckcndrcandmccia. 


309.3  zo.b 

^GincandGiftcs. 
God  doth  ficclyGiue.and  man  doth  but 

only  receiue. 155.3.4 
All  Gods  gracious  giftcs  come  to  vs  by 

meanes  ofthcGofpcll.rir.  b  35.5c  iii.a 
To  what  end  God  beftoweth  his  Giftcs 

more  vppon  one  man  then  vppon  ano- 

thcr.ig^g.a^i.b 
Thcglory  of  all  geod  Giftcs  and  indow% 

mcntcsmuftbeyecldcd  vnto  God.jr, 

bi^.Sc^i.  a. 
They  to  whom  God  hath  giucn  any  gifts 

to  cdcfic  with  all  rhuft  b^  admitted  and 


fGladncffcJLOO&eloy. 
^  fl"G]ory  and  Giorifie. 

Or  tr^w  Glory,and  wherein  and  how  wc 
oughttoGlory.3ir.bz5.&32i.  a.b  5c 
323-3  b.5c  324.3  b  6c  3iya.b 

Gods  Glory  and  our  Saluntion  go  cucr  ri% 
fj-parably  together  So.a  3  4.b 

TheglorifiingofGodgoeth  in  order  be- 
fore our  Saluation. 80.3.35. b. 

VVherein  thcglorfijngofGodconfiftctb 
H'hi/.Sc.i^.  5:317.330 

VVherm  God  wilbe  difccrncd  from  his 

Creatures. ii;9.b  17. 
God  IS  not  partrall  67.3. 10. b 
God  is  not  variable  though  he  alter  the 
ftjftc of  ihinges in  this  world.  70.bi4,' 
5c  71.  a 
God  admitteih  no  partncrfhip  .  i^4.b.r4 
How  God  is  pcrfcdt  or  ynperfed.  zii.  a  31. 
God  is  alwaics  one,  and  the  bcncfitc  that 
'WC  haue  there  by. its'!,  a  8 

fl^Good  andGoodncflc. 
We  muft  do  good  while  wee  haue  time, 
3op.bi5).5c3io.ab. 


How  to  do  good  and  to  whom  and  why 

and  the  reward  tbcrof.30^.b  zz.Sc  307. 

a  b  5c  308.  a  b  &  309.3  b  5c  310.3  b  5c 

3 11  a  b 
The  degrees  that  areto  be  obferued  in  do 

ing  good  one  to  anothcr.3ii.b  15.5c 

3i2..ab 
The  lettes  that  hinder  vs  to  do  good.  30$^,' 

b  14. 5c  308.3  5c  309. b  33.5c  3'0-3 
All  goodneffcand  good  thinges  come  of 

God. 175.^34. 5c  176.Z  b  6c  191- a  18  b 
VVchaueall  thinges  of  Gods  mere  free 
■  Goodneflc.rfs  well  temporal  as  fpiritu- 

all.i'y3.aai.b.5c  i.54.a  b.5c  ^75.  b  34.5c 


AH  things  put  vs  in  rcmcmttancc of^odt 

soodncllc  towards  v>  15  4.3  3, 
fGofpcil. 
•The  Gofpel!  commctli  ofGod  4^.3  7. 
The  dulncfleof  the  Papiftes  in  vndcrftjtn- 

ding  what  is  mcnt  by  the  woordc  Gof- 

pell.  It. air. 
The  homclincdc  and  paincfuInciTeofthc 

Gofpell  muftnotmakevsto  rcfuzcdc- 

fpizcorforfakcit  s 54. bit. 
Itftandcth  all  Chriftians  on  hande  too 

know  the  fabftancc  and  contents  of 

thcGofpellip.a  4. 
VVhatthc  fubftance  andcontentJofthc 

Gofpcll  arc  ,  which  it  bchoiicth  vs  ro 

know  lo.a  15,6c  x9a  11  b  &  iitS.a  14. b. 
The  full  and  perltdt  (ufFiciencic  of  the  Gof 

pell  inallthingcs34.aio.b 
T'hebcnefitcsthat  Tpring  ofthcGofpcIL 

11. a  17. 
Soothing  is  to  be  mingled  or  added  to  the 

GofpcH.ii-^.ab  z9.dc  n7.a 
■All  thinges  and  all  perfons  muft  (loupe  to 
<;hrtftand  his  GofpelU4.a  rs>.b  &  6^.»b 

&  67.h  1.  and  dS.b  iS.and  6st,i  and  74. 

a8.and7^.35» 
To  fwarue  neucr  Co  little  from  thcGofpcI 

is  the  high  way  to  diftrudion  111.  b  22. 
VVhatis  mentby  another  ,Gofpell  i2.  b 


12u 


TowhatendethcGorpell  is  Preached  ptf, 
aii.b5cii3.a5.6cii7.bz5»&  iiS.ab. 

After  what  mancr  the  Gofpcll  killeth  icd 
ai.  ^ 

^Vhy  the  Diucll  laborcth  byailmcancs 
to  hinder  the  Gofpcli.55.a  i8*b 

a^oohe  moje  in  VVorde. 

^"Gouernementv 
^o  new  Goucrncment  muft  be  ^^rt^ught 

into  thcC  h  urch  fnder  p^retecc  of  mcn$ 

rawncfrci3o.bi.and  iSi.a  b 
"S'hcGoucrnmfntofthc  church  mo  ft  dc» 

pcndonlyvpon  God  &  his  word  6S,fc( 

38.an46p.aandiSo.i>x..nndi8x.ak 


TABLE* 

fCraee." 
What  the  worde  Grace  Hgnificth  iV.  a  j^ 
The  twochccfc  Graces  or  benefites  whicb 

we  rcceauc  by  lESVS  Ghriil^^.  «, 

26.h. 
Gods  Grace  is  not  tycd  to  place  nor  to  ps? 

fon.ii7.bi5:.&j)8.a  b&  zip.ab. 
Komancan  ofhimfelfc  come  vntoGodi 

orrccciuchis  Grace  when  it  is  offered 

ipya 5  band  196.3 
By  what  meancj  God  geaeth  vs  his  Gracf 

and  how  wcmay  acteyncit  157. b.g. 

andi3S.a* 
A^ter  what  roaner  and  with  Yvhat  mind» 

we  ought  to  rcccyae  G©d»  Grace  321, 

ai3.b. 
Bywhatmeancs  wee  may  be  madepar^ 
'  takers  of  all  Gods  Graces  5ix.b  tf,  anxf 

3x1. a  b 
Thc'Popifhe  degrees  of  Grace.  ioS.b34e 

and  I05;.a 
Of  icic^ing  Gods  Grace  207.3  iS.b 

^[GrcfFc. 
How  wee  be  Grcflcd  into  Icfui  Chri/li^i 

^Growe. 
Menlmuft  Glow  in  Chrift  by  icgtcctiip^ 
au. 

// 

^'Hahing* 
'^J^'Hc  remedic  of  fhrinking  8c  Harting  i^. 
•*    lehgionsti.b  25.& 521.3  band  jij» 
aband3i4ab. 
f^Hande. 
What  is  mcnt  by  the  word  Handcijjj.  b 
2^. and  x^o.a 

^Happineffe. 
TheHappincflcofChrjftiansmnft  notl^    ^ 

cftcemed  bythciroutwarcJftatcin  titif 
"  world  io}.ai7  b  &  104.3  B  &  loy.a  k» 
OurchiefcHappincj  Sr  by  what  meanei 
■we attcine thereto  170.  h  15.  &  171,3  b 
«ndx7z.aband273.  abaadi74.4b^ 
)75.abandi7^aab 

f  Hitr4 


THE 

The  Ctufc  of  Hatred  i^i.a  li. 

Of  Hatred  and  difcordc&ihciaconucnl. 

enccs  thrrcof2tfo.bt7.and  iSi.a  b 
the  right  caufc  why  w<  fliould  ccalc  from 

Hatred  a.^1  a  17.3  b 

^Heirc  &  Heritage. 
VVhatif  mcntbytbc  word  Hcrita^cor 

inheritance  iS3.ai8.b 
Only  Chrift  is  the  Heirc  of  all  thiag«j  and 

thconclyftay  foi^  faythtoo  rcftvppofj 

How  wc  inioy  our  inhcritkc  witk  Chrift 
Zi^i.b4. 

fHclI. 
OfChrifles  going  dowiie  into  Hctl  104 
b  iS.and  10^. a  i7.and  141.4  it» 
f  Helpc, 
(aerie  roan  hatk  necde of  others  hefpe 
5io.a23.b 

^Hypocri  fie. 
Jlti  Image  of  Hypocrific  i4i.a  5^.1^^ 

^Holineffc. 
What  is  ment  by  Holines  i58.a  f  • 
The  Holincs  of  Rome  2i8.b  7.&  119. a 
The  Holines  ofPapiftcs  i7j.a13.and  174» 

ai?.ba»dt78.a7. 
ThcfttU  perfedion  of  all  Holities  is  coa* 

teyncd  in  the  law  I34.b  i8. 
Slfofeemo^cfn  Dcuotion.  RighteoufnelTc 
f  ayth,and  workcs  and  vcrtue*. 
f[HoIidayc. 
pfthekeepingof  fcaftes  and  Holidajet* 
l^7.bii>.andi5^.ab 
<^Holy  water. 
VVhat  Holy  water  is  6^.t  6 . 

^^Honorand  Honoring 
Xn  what  tbinge*  the  true  Honoring  f>f 
God  ajid  oi  Chrift  confiftetb  jy.b  ij.Sc 
3^.ab«c45  bii  &4tf.aib. 
There  is  no  Honoring  of  God  without  o. 
bcdicnceto  his  word  45.  b  ix.  and  ^4'^ 
How  we  ougbt  to  be  minded  when  wee 
hearc  Gods  Honor  defaced  by  anye 
mcancj  it5.b  35.  &  117.4  b. 
Xhp.  blindncflc  and  wectchedncfic  of  the 


TABLE 


Papifts  in  honorliigihc  Apoftic5,Wa«- 
tus.and  fainti  dcccalfcd  4y.  b  i 
The  greateft  honor  that  can  bee  too  man. 
zio  b.z^ 

3ia*C modern  Scruc  andSeruij.Aa- 
ihontic.Credit.Rcucrcncc. 
flHope. 
Chriftun  Hope  ig^.a  i^.b 

^THumilitie. 
Triic  Humiliticand  the  mcane  to  attcine 
therto8obi7.&i9iair.5ci9i.ai6bac 

trvu^**  ^  ^  ^^^'  ^  3'-^  ^^7.a  b  &  xj,8,« 
Whereto  Humilitiefcrueth  i03.a  8. 
VVecanneucr  comcvnto  Chrift  till  wee 

bcvtterly  abacedand  confounded  ia 

ourfclucsjg.aij.b. 
f^HireUng, 
Who  be  Hirciingcs  and  how  they  be  td 

be efchewcd  31 4.b  ij.5c  315.  a  b  &  31^^ 

#b&3i7^b. 

Wf  Idolatrl^. 
Hcnwiaolat^fpriodeth  1^3.1  xr.b 

Theprerogatiueof  the  Icwcs  abouethc 
Gcmilcsand  whereto  it  fcrucths^.b  ^* 
and  87.a  b 

f  I  mage  J. 
Which  bee  the  true  Images  piaurcjoc 
paintjnge*  that  lead  ts  to  God  in.b  \u 
andii4.ab  ' 

^Indifferent. 
Indifferent  things  may  and  ought  to  be  r*  " 
ftd  diuerfly  as  opor'tunitie  fcrueth  ^3,  b 
a.8c  ^4.a  &  3i8.b  13.&  3l5^.a 
Of  admitting  ofCcrimonies  and  matters 

Indifferent  into  the  Church  3.3  b. 
To  whom  5c  inwhat  cafes  men  mufl  not 
ycld  in  things  Indifferct  6 5. b  17. &  ^4.31 
Satans  wylioeHcin  fettingthe  Church  at 
debate  about  fraall  triffics  and  mattcrt 
ofIndiffcrcncic3.ai7, 
The  Interim  51. a  17, 
f  loy 
Of  cbriften  Toy  or  gladnes  i7^,b  io« 


THE  TAB 

fifaae. 

How  Ifaac  was  peifecutcdby  IfmacUiitf* 
b.i8.&  127-a 

VVhy  Ifaac  is  fayd  too  bee  borne  by  pro- 
xnifc  and  not  ot  the  fltflic  iij.b.ii 
^Ifraelirej?. 

VVhobethc  true  Ifraclitcs  or  people  of 
God  32,7.b.ii. 

VVhobc  Gods  people  after  the  opinioii 
of  ihe  Papiftcs  3i7.b.'i9  5c  318^ 
^luftice. 

The  orderly  proceeding  ofGodilufticc. 
a97.b.ii.&  2^8.a 

^[luftifycand  luftification. 

VVliatis  mentby  thewordc  luftifieand 
why  ihe  Scripture  vfah  it  Sp.a .  I7.b. 5c 
iZ7.b.25.&7i8.a 

God  hath  double  refppct  inlUrflifyingbf 
vs^^8.b  31  5c  119-3. 

No  man  can  be  luftjfyed  by  the  lawe  8^. 
b.5.&  87.a.b-&  pu  a  7-^-  &  5^-^  i'l. 
&<;4  5c  ^).&i3sa-  b.  &i3^-&i37.5c 
13S.&  139.  5c  140.  5c  141  a  I44.b.i6.& 
J54.  b.14.  5c  15s.  a.  b.  5ci5(J,  5c  157.  5c 
I58.&i5^.a.b 

%!0O^Z  moje  in  Law  a  nd  >  n  w  orkes. 

V  Vhat  is  ment  by  being  luftiFyed  by  faith 
115.3.1. 5c iiS.b.  i.5cii^.  b.9.  5c  138. 
a  34. b. 

Of  free  luftifycatjon   by  f.iyfb  without 

worl<c^.8i.  a. 9   b.5c  81.  5c  85.5c  84.5c 

85.&S4.  5c  87.5c  88.  5c  89.  5c  90.5c  ^l 

<5c9i.5c93-5c5>4.  5c  Pt-  5^  9^  5c  5'7- 5c 

^8. 5c  99.5c "ico.5c  lot.  5c  ici.  5: 1.3  5c 

304.61. 105.5c  106.  5c  107.  5c  108. &  109 

^cTI4.b.3T.  6c  115.  5c  .15. 5c  117.  5c  113 

si-iz  b.  6c  114 .  5c  ll^.  5c  ^^^-  ^  ^^7-  5c 

Si.8.5c  U9.5c  130  5c  131.  &  131. 5c  133.  5c 

«c  r3 4. 5c  135.  5:  135,137.138.141-  b.  10. 

«ci4i.  6i '4<.5ci44   5c  14 -.5c  145.  6c. 

Jci47.6<  148.5C153  a   24.b.5cis4.  5c 

555.5c  155. b  II. 5c  I6f.  5c  157.  5c  »58.  5c 

169.6c  170.  6c  irr.  6.'  I7i.5ci73   S<  174 

&  175.  5c  17^.  5c  114. b  -fp  5c  115  .1.  6c 

a|i.3..  34,  6C133.  a.  b.  5c  234.  5c  ^}\*  U 


LB* 

i35.b.i  .6ci37.8ci38.6ci5^ 
Itisvnpodibl^tobcluftifycd  both  bythe 

law  and  by  the  Gofpcll  S8.  b  20. 6c  89.  a 

6c  9^.h  19  5c  97  a  b  6c  13  4. b  9 
VVccan  not  be  iuftifycd  bv.griicc  vnleflc 

we  vtterly  forlekc  our  ciwnc  woorkcf 

88.a5,b 
The  only  meanes  of  luftificatio  is  Chrifts 

'  Sacrityzcii7.br5 
In  what  mancr  it  bthcueth  vs  to  come  t« 

bcluftifycd  by  IcrusChrift  r9.b  11 
Thenaeanetoklnow  that  wc  can  not  bcc 

luftifyed  by  th^law  but  by  grace  93 

a8. 
He  that  fecketh  to  luftifye  hinafelfe  by  a-. 

nv  part  of  the  law  buideth  himlcifc  to 

the  pcrfourmancc  of  the  w  hole  lawc 

Z3i.b  11.  5c  151.3  b  5c  233 .  a  b  6c  134.  a 

b6ci>5.a 
Such  as  will  Iuftif)'e  themfelucs  by  keepc* 

in^  any  law  eyther  ot  God  or  man  bc« 

rtaue  thfinfflucs  vttfily  of  all  brnefitc 

by  Chrifti35.b8.6c137.ab  6c  238  ab 
After  what  mancr  the  Papiftesdefcant  vp 

ponluftification  hy  fayth  89.  b  31. 5c  5© 

n  6c  108. a  15. b  5c  109. a 
1  h   (launders  which  thePapiflpsraifcvp. 

pen  free  Uiftifycation  by  fayth  ico.b  3, 
|Lccfe.eniC?ein  Fayth.Lawe,  Merits,Rigfe 

icoufnclle,  and  VVorkcs. 

K 

fKryc, 
Hat  is  ment  by  the  wordcKryciJ^ 
bii.  6ci88.ab6ci8^.ab  Scipo.a 

L 

fLadder. 
Hat  was   betokened  by  lacob? 
Ladder  160.334.6 
^Language. 
The  diuerfitie  of  Languages  hindrcth  no2 
the  vnitie  of  fayth  190.  b  19* 
f  Lawc. 
What  is  ceinprchcndcd  vndcr  the  worif* , 

JLaw«-i 


W^ 


vv 


THETABLE 

TKe  law  was  giucn  by  Chrifb  dircdion. 

The^miniftration  and  ferulcc  of  the.  An- 
gels both  in  publifliingGods  la  we  and 
in  feeing  the  fame  executed  159  bii.  & 
i6&.a  b  6c  i(Ji.a  b 

The  law  was  a  kholcmaiftei  1^7. b  50.  & 
168. a 

The  lawe  bringeth  hothing  but  death  ijtf 
b  i9.5<^  157a  b 

TtJn  man  can  be  luftifyed  by  the  lawe  9<^.a 
b  5c  57. a  b  &:  p^.a  b  &  ^9-  a  b  6c  loo.'a 
It3c  loi.a  b  &  101  a  &:  107.  b  3:5*  5c  108. 
a  b  5cii^.bn.5cii<J. a  b  5c  130. a  18.  b 
&:iii.ab  5<  132.3 b  5c  133.  ab  5c  134.  a 
b  6c  2,17.313  b 

The  liiffcrenccbeiweeneih^  lawe  and  the 
Gofpell  and  in  what  cafes  they  be  to  be 
feperatedi)7.a4.b  5c  y^.ab  5c  tpp^a  b5& 
100. a  b  &  Ii^b3i.6cii5.ab6ci38.a7.b 

The  difftrcnccbetwene  being  of  tlic  iaw> 
andbfingoffaythii7.a  8  b 

How  the  ia  w.  is  matched  aoainflfaith.and 


yet  thcr«isnacontrarictie  betwixt  the. 

88.b  10.^  8p^.&  ^.  b  ip..6c>7.  a  b  5c 

JSya  ii.b' 
The  law  ibrpiriti3a!l&  why  it  Isfayd  to  be 

lo  1^59  bi(^.6c  170.  b  34.6c  171,3 
For  how  long  time  the  law  was  to  conti- 
nue 15^.3  I5.b 
How  and  why  lefus  Chrift  became  fiib- 

ie£l  to  the  hw  18^.320. 
What  is  inem  by  keeping^of  the  lawe 

318.315. 
Ko  man  fufilleth  the  law  tborowly  13  o.  a 

13.6:  T 31. a  b  5c  131  a  b5c  i33.-a  b6ci34. 

ab5c  I35.ab5ci^8.bi^.5c3i8.a  18. b 
VVhar  mancr  of  performance  of  the  lawe 

Godreq'iiircthi33.b30.5c  134.3  b  5c  ijj 

ab  5c  135.3  b  5c  737.3  b 
V\'h2tit  is  to  fulfill  Chriftes  l.iwe  and 

how  wee  may  doe  it.  18^.  b  15.  and 

19^  a 
?How  and  when  thclaw  is  aliuc  and whea 


it  is  dead.i?7.bi(f.5c  ^S.  a  b  5c  p9. 
To  what  ende  the  law  was  giuen  5)7.  b/f* 

6c  n5.a  18. 5c  1)6,331. b  5c  i57.a  5c  i55>.b 

4.5c  i<)3.bi5.5ci77.b8. 
The  fond  and  blafphemous  errorof  the 

Papiftes  concerning  Gods  law  135.3  i. 5c 

135.3  b  6c  137.3  b  &  110.3  27. 
How  the  Monks  andfcholc  diuines  hauc 

interpreted  this  faying  .  Thstmen  arc 

not  iuftifyed  by  the  workcs  or  dcedef 

ofthel3w8i.3  14. 
Howthegodlydokeepetbclawc.  jiS.a. 

34. b 
The  fondc  glorifying  of  the  Icwes  in  their 

Lawe  and  Cedmonies  26.    b.5.  and 

8/. a 
How  the  fathers  were^iut  rp  vnder  th« 

lawe  1^7  b  18. 
In  whatwize  wee  bee  deli uered  from  the 

law  185. b  14.5c  186.3  b 
Looke  wliat  lawca  man  layeth  vppon  o- 

thcrs  thefameougbi  he  tokeepehim- 

felfe78.aio. 
VVhat  is  ehc  caufe  of  fo  many  lawes  and , 


fiatutes  among  men  .56.b4. 
•3LWfe^tno;cwFa>th,  luaifye,  luftificati- 
on,Ccrijronies,VVorkes,Gofpcl,Godj- 
word  and  Meiits. 

^1  Lent  or  Lenzon, 
Theiaioyninaof  Lcntiji.a  3. 

^iLibertie. 

What  is  mem  hy.Libcrtie  or  freedomci 

210.325.  b  5c  130.  ab5r  131.3  b  6c  131. 

a  b  5c  1^3.3 

Of  chnft-en  ]ibcriie.5<).b  i'-'.5c  57.3  b  6c  71. 

aii.bsnd  Tr.and73  6c  74   6c75.6c7<S', 

5c77. 5c  73.3  b  6cli";5.b  «.6c  i8<?.-6c  587 

6ci88.5c  i89^5c  iyo.6i  19?. 5c  i;  :'.5c  t93,> 

&  194.6:  195  5iio6  6  197  6c  iy8,5c  f>^ 

5c  10c. 6c  1:5.3  b  £<  iiQ.  a  I6.b  130,5c 

23i.5c  133.5c  1^-1  .a  s .  b  5f  i^y  a  1.  b  6c 

I75.bi{i.  5C276.&  17-  .5:  i7?5.5f  i75).a  b 

The  meantts  to  atuinc  to  rrue  L  iberne  5c 

too  whometle  lame  bclongah  178.  b 

30.and  27;;. a. 


•k* 


iij< 


rh^r 


THETABtl* 
Thcwa)^to  m*yntainc  and  inloy  tbcli-    VVhctismcnt  l>ytk!«gMithcfWIi  t©| 


bertic  ihat  Chi:ift  hath  purchafcd  for  v» 
I84.a.34.b.an(ki58.b.i4. 
The  Golpcll  is  (laundered  by  thcPapiiks 
with  giuingUbcrtic  to  do cuil  177. b.i<J 

andi7S.a. 
The  GofpcU  giueth  not  libcrtic  to  docuiU 

99,b.30«andioo.a.b 
T^c  Libcrtic  of  eouatcrfct  Ctriftians  and 
»cvytcrst78.b.5 

^Liberalititf. 
U'hc  Libcraliiic  of  the  Papiftcs,aBdtfie 
nigardOiip  of  the  Protcllantsinfin- 
diiij^of  their  minirtcrs  j,i;5«a»*'3»^«  Jift^ 
joo^b.  17.  and  301.* 
ijLoue. 
.<3ods  Loue  towards  vs  in  Tcfus  Chrift.xotf 

b.3^.and  io7.a.andiio.a.l  ^ 
<:hri{\cs  great  Loue  towards  vs  li.a.St 
VVhat  it  IS  to  Loue  our  neighbour  as  our 

felfe2<Jo.a.5i  b 
How  God  did  .both  Loue  y$  and  hatcys  al 

itonctimeii.b.25 
The  true  triail  of  our  Louctowardcs  Go4 

z-ji.a.iand  I7d.a.i4'l>  . 

The  true  meane  to  knit  mcA  together  in 

Loue  or  charitie  x53.b.  1 
|LOOfecmo;cmChariticand  Mcrcie* 

^Life,and  Liuing. 
Three  tbiogs  m;thc  JLifc  of  the  godly  i^Z 

b.4 
They  arc  but  Jiypoaitcs  wbofcLifc  it 
not  aunfwcrablc  too  their  profcffion^ 
l79.a.28.b 
The  looce  Life  ofcountcrfct  Chriftians }» 

aflaundcr.to  theGofpcIl  278.b.iS 
'^VUWwhatoiindcswcoughttohauc  ait 
eye  to  out  ewnc  former  cuill  Life  64,z% 

After  wKatiiian^rwcLiuc  by  Fayth  loj. 

a.i7.b.and  104. a.  b.  and  loj.  t.  b.an<4 

?o5.a.b. 
JCow  Chrift  Liueth  in  vs  and  wee  m 

Chrift  ioi.b.7.  and  loj.a-b.  and  104,^. 


ai7  b  6cio4a 
Life,  ^oo^e  mo}C  in  Connerfati^ii* 

^]Luftcs. 
VVhat  flaucric  or  bondage  it  is  for  vf  tod 

bernbieitxoourovrnc  Ludct  and  ]/« 

lyings  2.58.32.4 

M 

f  Man^aad  KanlineHf, 

WHatMaais  of  himfelfeand  inbil 
own  nature^  and  hovr  to  find  is 
iy.a.io.5ci5>.a20.b  5c30.b^.&3i.aty 
&.87.b.7&a67  b5>3c?.^8.a.b&  t6^ 
a.b.&  i70.a.b5ci7ia.b.&x72,.a 
What  15  thegreateft  ManlinefTe  y^.b.if 
VVhat  i*  mcnt  by  the  inward  Man  105.^ 

17 
An  Image  of  Mans  frayttic  in  turn}fi|^a« 

way  from  God  and  from  his  truth  i9j, 

a.2.7,U  Sci^.a.band  to.ab.and^trab* 

aftd  2  j.b  i7.and  14,4; 
^Marke. 
VVKich  be  the  Maries  of  ehjif!,wio  d# 

bcarethem,andwbat  aa  iiOJDOUrit  IC 

xobcarcthcmsiS.b^ 
flMartir. 
The  bloud  of  Martin  J4.a.i# 

flMafTc. 
VVhat  the  Mafle  is  63.zi%> 

flMediator.and  Mediatorfli  ip.' 
Chrifl  was  anxdis  the  continuall  Mediattr 

cucn  before  and  at  the  geuing  of  ^t 

Lawe,  and  alfo  (Incc  i^^*^  3^^  "^nd  itfd 

a.band  i6t.ab 
The  benefit  that  w c hauc  by  Chrifts  Mc* 

diatorfhip  in  the  gcuing  of  llic  Law  i6%i 

fMeckeneffe. 
Fiomwbcnce  Meekencflfcprocccdctli  iS|i 
b3J.andi84.a 

^Mccldn^fle. 
Mcekencflrc  or^cmlcncflc  i77.a.t^ 
The  MceldncflS  tbat  ought  to  be  in  mini- 
,ftc«  attdmagi(lrtU5,aj  wcl  as  in  ?n  o. 

thcf 


THETABIE< 


t^erclriftlansiQ  iu^lnlttJng  themfelucf 
to  rebuke  and  correction  when  they 
haucdonc  amifrc.74.b  2u&  7j.a  5c  7» 

TlioTiimftcrsofGods  wootdemu{k  aCc 
nieecldocs  how  bcitwirhout  flattery 
X7.b^i^i8.a  i^.3c^3aiS. 
^  Mercy, 
Cods  Mercy  ntcrcd  in  CJirirtcs  Jeatfc  u, 

b(J.5ci3 
TKc  meane  to  obtainc  Gods  proraii  of 

Mercy  165.  b  II. 
Oftrcw  mercy  after  the  example  ofGod 

xS(f.ai.b 
SlOOke  tUO^C  in  Fauour  and  loue, 

f^Mcrites] 
Jf  wee  wilbc  iiiftificd  by  Clirift  wc  mufte 
vttcrlygiucouerourowneiacritcjand 
workej  107 .b  if.  5c  1 08. a  b  6c  I05>.  a  b, 
^rhcvttcr  oucrthrow  ofaH  Mcrites  or  dc- 
fcruinges  of  man  be  they  of  the  faith- 
full  or  vnfaithftiil^i.a7,b.&  ^i.ab  Sc 
55.a  b  Sc^^.a  b. 
Cod  difcoucreth  the  hipocrrfic  of  Merit. 

mongers  to  their  fliaaic  py.b  ij 
Hookemci^etn  workcs  and  in  Goo^« 

f  Miniftcr. 
How  it  is  too  be  knowne  whither  Mint* 

fters  be  fcnt  of  God  or  no  <;.  b  3^ 
VVho  arc  to  bee  taken  and  admitted  for 

Gods  Miniftcrs  xi>p.b.32. 5c  5oo.a 
After  what  reancr  the  Minifters  and  prea* 

chers  may  bccaHcdShephcrds.33.a  31 
To  what  end  the  M  inifter  or  'preacher  of 
theGofpellij  appointed  to  that  charge 


GofpcII  t4.b  rp.5c  tj.a  h  &L  icf.  a  &  ?,• 

at.b5c<f8.ai4.b 
The  dcwty  of  the  Mrniderin  calling  back 

lucha8arcgoneailraTiio.ai.b5c  iix 

ab5cx48.b  Z7.5c  24V.a  b 
The  dutie  ofthcMinifter  in  fetring  foorti* 

Gods  word  isr.bii.^c  151.  ab^cijj. 

ab 

After  whatman^r,  how  farre  foorth  and 

to  what  end  the  Minifter  of  Gods  word . 

may  commend  himfcJfc  and  his  doings 

4oaz7.b&tf4.aic,.U 
What  thofe  Minifters  are  which  fecke 

their  owncprofii,prai2c  or  eaac  x<a,^ 

T5.b 
The  maner  ofchuziog Minifterj in  the 

primariue  Church,  b  ^3. 
The  formercuilllifeofthe  conucrtcd  Mi* 

nifter  mull  not  impeach  tiie  credit  of 

his  Doctrine'd^.a  8.b 
i^OOHcmo^Cin  Preacher  and  Teacher. 

^f  Mingle. 
Thcr  miift  notany  thing  be  mingled  wjtli 

the  wordof  God.<fo.a 35. b  5: 147.3 xr 

b&x48.ab 
The  inconneniences  that  come  of  Min<y. 

ling  theGofpcll  with  the  ceremonies  of 

the  Law  or  with  racnncs  inuentions  I J 

b4.6c  I9.a  b  Scxo.a  b  5c  zuah  5c  xt.a 

b  &x3.a  b. 
To  mmghe  any  thing  with  the  Gofpell  ij 
to  oucrthrow  it  18.  b  4.  5c  ly.a  h  6c43, 

f  Miracles, 
ThcvIcofMircIes54.axi 

f  Mocke  and  Mockers. 


TVhat  conHderation  is  to  bee  had  m  gi-    VVho  be  Mockers|yea  and  Mockers  of 


•ing  fufficient  ftipend  to  the  godly  Mi- 
ftiftcf  2$9*  a.  7  b  and  3«o  a.  b  and  301 
a.b. 
A  eooj  example  for  Minirtcrs  how  to  be- 
kauethemfelues  in  dcmaunding  wa- 
ge? and  ftypend  to  hue  by  x9l.b.M.5c 
a95-a.and  3oo.b.6 
^JicImageofafaythfuU  Miniver  of  Ac 


God  and  the  reward  of  the  3cx.a  18,  b 

&  3«>3.»' 
Mockinge,  fcoffing*,  fcorn Ing^  or  ra i  1  iq  g 

is  a  kind  ofpcrfccution  2I6,.  b  iS,  & 

117.  a 
The  fcornej  of  the  wicked  muil  not  driut 
'»•  from  our  faith  104.  b-jO.  5c  joy.* 


TTic  Multitude  or  credit  of  men  muft  not 
barre  ood  of  his  authoritie  in  the  church, 
nor  make  r$  to  fwarue  from  his  vvoord 
3D.a.8.ond  3i.a  ii.band33.  a.  band  34 
a. band  40  a.io.b.and  44.  b.  ij.b.and 
45  a. b 
VVc  muft  not  follow  M altitudes  in  doing 

cuill  193.3. 2.(5  b. and  xpS-a.i^'h 
The  Papiftcsalledging  of  Multitude  or  V- 
niucrfahticii5.b.32.5c  2.2,5.a     , 
^Murther. 
What  is  contayncdvndcr  the  word  Mur- 
thcr.i70.a.i 


'T^Hc  Newfanglencflc  of  men  and  fpe- 
-*       riallv  of  Papiftts  in  adding  their 
owneinuentions  to  Gods;wcM:d  i4^.b. 
14. and  150. a. b 

^Newfangled. 
.Kcwfangledproteftants  zi.a.zS 

^Newtcr,and  Newtrahtie. 
'Of  NcYvters  and  Ncwtralitic  22-3x2.  and 
5f.b.8.and57.b*27  and  6^^i.a.i3.  b.  and 
I47.fa.  8  .and  24 8.a  b.and  x53.b.io 
^Neighbour. 
VVho  be  mcnt  by  the  word  Neighbour 
x^o.a.j 

^Nothing. 
•How  VVC  be  nothing  and  how  wc  be  fom 
thing  ^^i.a.2i.b 

o 

^Obey,Obcdience,Obcdient. 
/^BedienccmuftbceyecldedtoGod 
^^     20. b  5 

111  matters  concernmg  our  Obedience  too 
God  and  his  woord,\vecmufl:  nothcr 
hang  vpon  the  authoritie  of  men,  nor 
dcfpizc  thcvnitic  and  conftnt/ of  our 
brethren  46'.a.20.b.and  47.a.b.and  48 
a.b 


THE  TABLE, 

Of  Chriften  Obedience 38.  b.  f9,^ndii4 
b.i.and  145. a.b. and  i4<^.a  b.and  i47.j| 
band  148. a.b 
VVhat  Obedience  and  how  farrc  forth  it 
is  to  bee  yecidcd  to  men  55>.a53.b  an<i 
tfo.a  and6i.bi2, 
The  Obedience  of  the  Vapiftes  2,30  b  4 
Conftrayncd  Obedience  is  no  Obedience 

atall^BO  a33,b 
God  hath  left  vsvtterly  without  excufc  if 
wcobcy  not  his  wil  313.1 5.banc(3i4.a 
Order.    JLOOfee  Policie. 
pother.      . 
VVhatis  mcnt  by  the  word  Other  2a. a.i^ 

flOthes. 
Othcs  made  by  God  f4.a  10 

^Ouerlodc. 
Who  be  Oucilodcn  285. a.i. 

f  Ouertake, 
VVhat  is  ment  by  the  word  Ouertakc  and 
who  be  oucrtakcn  2  83.b.  2,  and  *S<r.  k 
'2.3. and  2S8.  b  27  and  tSp.a 
^Oucrwccning. 
The  fond  Ouerwecning  that  is  in  maQ. 

29i-b35  and292.a  ban(i4^3.a 
3L00UC  mojC  in  Vaineglory, 

P 


pApift.  ILOO&CPopc. 

^  Patience.  JLoofeGPcrfcucrancc. 
^Paulc. 

VVhat  thingesare  taught  vs  by  S.  Paolce 
conuerfion  J5.b.a9.and  3^.a.b.and  jS.a 
z.and43.b.i.and  44.a.b< 

Of  S.Paulcs  commiffion  to  be  the  Apoftic 
of  the  Gentiles  6p.n.i4 

VVhy  Paule  circumcizcd  Tymothicand 
and  notTitus^2.b.22.&<53.a.b 

Why  S. Paule  communed  not  ofthcgof- 
pell  with  the  reft  of  the  Apoftles.44*« 
U;b 

-  .vv  '       ^Peacc. 

VVhat  is  men  by  the  woord  Pea  ce  to.  a.< 


iOcbdicncc  commcth  not  of  our  fclucs    How  farrc  forth  peace  and  friendfliip  a*c 
ImtofGods  mere  grace  }9.a. 8  :  tober€fpc^cd58.b.7.and.59.a.and6o.# 


Who  be  the  troublcrs  of  pc^cc  ^PZIS 
People  of  God.   JLoob^IfracIitcs. 

f  Pcrfcftion. 
What  mancr  of  perfeftion  is  in  the  faith- 

There  is  no  man  fo  holy  and  perfect  but 
he  may  offend  78.  bai.and  7^  a 
^Pcrfccution. 
<VVhy  God  AifFcrcth  fedUs,  herefies  and 
Perfccutions  torize  m^he  Church  55. b 
X7.andj<f.a 
^iOOUtmo^in  OofTcand  in  mocking, 

^Pcrfeuerance. 

yVhatPerfeuerance,ftoutneire,paticncc, 

orconflancic,  is  req^uircd  inalChri- 

ilians  iii.b  3^.and»iu.b.34.and  ir3.a.b. 

&  ir<J.b.ii>.and  1  i7.a  b  and  n^.b  16.  & 

uo.a.b  and245.b.r7  and  24<J.&  247. 

and  Z4 S.ant^  i49.and  x^o.and  iji.and 

as^-and  j,^3.a  b.3c  307.ax2,.b  30^.3 io.b 

HWUC  mo^m'Conftancic. 

'  "^.  r      fPirrron. 
What  jjment  by  the  .word  Pcrfon  tf4.a. 

ji.and  67,a  10 and  78.3  iz 
KatthePerfon  of  the  Miniftcr  but  th€ 
woard  of  G  O I)  muft  bcerefpeaed. 
4.b  13.  and  S.bS  and  9  a.and  dj>.b.  34. 
and7o.a 
God  rerpe(actb  ;no  mans  Pcrroa(j7.b.3i. 

and  58.3 
Aficr  what  maner  there  is  no  diucrfttic  of 
Perfons  or  degrees  in  Chcift  17c. a  i4.b 
and  175.3  b     . 
Eoofec  mojtin  Authoritie,Credit,and  Mi* 
iiifter,Prcacher,and  Teacher, 
f  Peter. 
Pctcrneucr  came  at  Rome  tf9.  b.itf ' 

^riiifiill- '• 
After  what  maner  the  world  would  hati* 

mcntobePitifulliStf.a.i 
^ '  1[PoIicie, 

auifl  Policid  ?ha  Oraer  is  too  bcckept 


^HE  TAB  ti; 


trPope,Paplft,Popcnc, 

A  defcnptionof  thcPopc  and  his  Clcr <^Jc 
y.a.15  * 

A  defcription  of  the  Papi(>cs  178.3.1 

i8i  b'r'°"  ^^^^"^  ^''^'^'  niauclinges. 

All  Papiftesarc  the  Diucls  bondflaues  arc 
D.a.andiio.a.b 

TKcPapifts  vphold  their  religion  by  ty, 

ranie^andthccaufcwhytfi.a.iy 

•Papiftric  is  the  vttcr  abohfhing  of  aU chi« 

itianitie  I8.b.r7.and..ij> 
f"  Prayer. 
The  Prayers  of  all  men  ought  to  be  macTc 

with  vnderftanding  i9o.b.i 
The  right  vfe.order  and  fruteof  ChriftcR 

Prayer i87.b.ir.and  1 88.a.b.andi85>.a. 

b.and  i<)o.a.b.andi^i.a 
What  bcldncfTe  wee  ought  too  hauc  ia 

Praying  and  calling  vppon  God  i87.b. 

«?  and  188.3. b.andigp.a.b 
Too  what  end  fpcech  and  words  ferue  vs 

in  Praying  r^r.a.i 

The  maner  of  Praying  among  the  Papifb 

ipi.a.ii 
There  is  nother  Prayer  nor  fayth  in  pope 
■rici^i.a.ii  f  r 

fPrayfe. 
The  true  Prayle,and  where, Schow  it  Is  t9 

bee  fought  25>4-a  if.b.andr^y.a.'b 
JteollC  mo^emG  lory  and    Glorying. 

^[Prcach.and  Preacher. 
An  image  or  prefidcnt  of  a  faythfull 
Preacher  19. b  and  30.a.b  and  34.  b  2,0. 
and  35.3.b.and  36.3.b.and  4o.a.i7.b 
The  Hiarkes  and  warrants  of  3  true  Prea- 
'<her  and  of  true  doftrincip.b.27.  and 
3o.a.b 

What  refpe<a  is  to  bee  had  both  too  the 
conucrfation  and  to  the  do<flrine  of  the 
Preachers  3i9.b.6. 5c  310  a. 

The  true  mancr  of  Preaching  the  GofpcK; 
iii.b.r4. 

JlOeltCinCIJC  in  Minifter  and  Teacher. 

•^  .L  J.  • 


mf* 


X4«- 


Tfhe^aplftcs  and  woilcilings  doo  (Taundf r 
ChrillenconrtancicNYitU  the  name  of 
rrccizcnefl'c  and  wilfulneflc  252.  b  lO. 
and  15  3. a 

flPrcdeftination. 

Gods  ctcrnall  purpofc  and  Predeflination 
is  the  only  originall  caufc  of  all  our  E- 
lc£tion,  vocation,  Saluation.and  of  ail 
our  welfare  and.  worldly  indowmcnts 
41  .b.Lc.' 

^Promife. 

TheftcdfartnclTcof  Gods  coueaant  and 
rromifcsi44.ai3.b.&  145,3. b  &148. 
b2,9.&i4p.a.b.&i5i.b3o.&  i^s.a.b 

The  Proinifc  of  Saluatiott  is  frcci44'a-2.i. 
b. 6c  145. a. 

Ihc  Promifc  of  the  Lawcis  coftdicionall 

I44.b.i7. 

VVhv  the  Lawe  was  added  too  the  Pro- 
mi'fei57.b.34.&i58.a.b.&iS9.a  b 

How  the Promife  that  w;is  made  to  Abra- 
ham cxtendcth  to  the  Gentiles  iii^.b.2. 
Xi7.a.b.6ci30.a.i8> 
C'PEofperitie.. 

Howworldly  profperitic  and  goods  are 
too  bee  fought  at  Gods  hand.ia.a.i3.b 
and  ir* 

gioofecmojc  in  Welfare. 
^Protcftants. 

l?rotc{lant«  for  Liuing  and  Lucre  ir.a. 

H* 
llooKc  tnoj^einNcwfangled  and    New- 

ter$. 

^Pridc. 
VVliat  Piid«  is  130.3.17 
ThePridcof  Papiftcsin  eialitng  them* 

feUicsaboueChriftandhiswoord3«.a. 

a5.b.and37.b.ij> 

R 

f  Rebuke. 

nTHcIothncfliofmcnto  Rebukeorto 

^       beRcfeuked.i84'a.2'^-^. 
tKcdmicof  all  Chiiaiant  9n4  .i^ccially 


ofminifters  In  Rebuking  n\(n9  officii* 
ccrand  itir calling  backe  of  fuch  as  aic 
goneaflray  74.a.  i5.b.  ^  100  b  i5,and 
ioi.a.and  101. b  14. and 203. a  andiio 
a. I. b  and  iii.a.b.andi48.b.2,7.&  14^^ 
a.b.ar.d  2?3.a  i7.b.and  284  a.b.&  iSj, 
aJbvandiS<J.a,b.&  187.3. b.&x88.a.b, 
andi89.a.b.&  25o.a 
Two  faultes  to  f bee  efchewcd when  men. 

deferue  to  be  Rebuked  i84.a.zi.b.and 

285. a  b  &■  288.37 
The  dutie  of  all  fuch  iis  are  Rebuked  for 

their  offences  110  a. 35. b.andiii.a.b.  & 

20i.b.32.  &  ici.a.b  and  203.a.3o.b.anti 

204. a  28.and205a 
The  dutie  of  fuch  asare.oucrfliarply  Re- 
buked 285.  a.  13. 
The  caufi:  why  God  fuffereth  men  to  bcc 

ouerfliarply  Rebuked  285.3.13 
To  what  end  GodRcbuketh  &  warncth 

vs  of  our  faultes  by  hisminiftcrs  iii.b 

3.6c  203. b.  22  5c  204. b  13, 
^Redecme. 
To  what  end  wc  bcc  Redeemed  14.3.  lo. 

andij.Scitf 

^Regenerate; 
The  Regenerated  arc  neuer  quite  'voyd  o| 

iinnc2^4.a.i«.b 
^Rcnew; 
After  what  manor  wc  be  Renewed  in  fpi- 
.   mc2;^2.B.^ 

^yRepent,and  Repentance. 
VVhat  i»  imported  by  Repentance  1^5.  K 

18 
The  true  preparatiuc  to  Repentance  lou 

a.io.b 

ffRefurrc^ion* 
The  maieftic  of  ChriftcsRcrurrc^on  f  .a. 

^pR.euerenee. 
In  whatwife  men  are  to  bcRcucrcnccdai 

b.24 
|LOOkemo;teinAuthoritre,  Credit,  and 
,    Counienauncc  &  Pcrfon.  i 

The  Rcucrcacc  that  is  to  be,  giucn  to  tBc 

PxcadifS 


34.&:  205  a.5z.b.&iotf.a.b. 
How  the  mi  miters  muft  bchauc  thcin- 

felucs  to  be  Rcucrcnccd  to^.b.i8 
^  RigoroulncflTe. 
"©f  RigoroufnclTc  in  rebuking  of  other 

mens  oiFcnccs  184.  b.3o.'5c  zSy.a 
The  caufc  of  our  RigoroulnciTc  againft  o- 

•thcr  mens  offences  iS7b-i 
f^RuIc. 
The  Rule  of  God  which  all  men  muft  fo^ 

lowc  3itf.a.3 1 .b.5c  517  a.b. 
VVhercunto  the  Rule  of  God  leadeth  n 

Jt7  b.i 


s 

\f  Sacrament.     , 
\/V^  Hat  the    Sacramettt«  trc\  ant 
why  they  be  added  to  the  word 

To  what  end  Sacraments  were  ordcvned 

i3.b.ji.&84.a.5c  ii8.ai2.b. 
Chriftcs  Sacraments  defy  led  by  Popes  5c 

Poperict40.b.i7.&  i4i.a. 
The  Papiftcsabufe  &  mifapphe  the  name 

of  Sacraments  3io.b.ii 
The  vfc-of  Sacramcntes.  84. b  ly.  and  gy, 

a.b. 


The  reward  of  fuch  as  arealwayei  wiuc-    Theri^ht  applying  of  all  Chriftes  doings 


rmgitnd  wandcrmgfpomtbc  Rule  of 

God327.a.i^ 
The  Rulers  of  Popcricji^.b.  1 1 

^fRightuoufncflrc. 
VVhat  isiictokened  by  the  word  Rightu- 

oufne[re2,3x.b  ip 
All  humane  RighteoufnelTe  before  rcgc- 
♦  Iteration  or  without  faith  isbut  hipocri 

fir  dung  and   filthinerte  before  God 

3().b.z3.and  37.  abjc  jS.a.b. 
lHo  man  can  attaineto  tbe  -perfeft  JRigh- 

tuoufnelTc  which  the  Lawc  requircth 

10©  a. f 
The  differencejbctwcenc  the  Rightuouf- 

ncflTe  of  fayth,  and  the  Rightcoufneflc 
-ofthc  Lawc  ioi.a.ia..b.5ci37.b.x7..5c 

138.^  b 
VVhat  the  Righteoufncflcofthc  Gofpell 

oroffaythis  140.3  ^.b 
y  Vhat  mancr  of  RighteoufneflTe  the  Righ 

tuoufncflc  of  the  Law  is  13  4. a. 7.  b. 
The  Right  iioufneile  of  Chriflians-^y.  b.r, 

&  13!)  a  8.b 
The  parting  RiglKcoufncflc  of  the  Papifts 

154  a  9 
T"hc  lothnclTe  of  worldlinge^  and   hvpo- 

critc^  to  be  bereft  of  their  ownc  Rightu 

oufnefle  9^.a.z<^.b 

S,00fecmo;cminluftific,  and  luftificati- 
on^iu  faith^andin  Law, 


Sufleringcs  and'Sacraments  to  our  be* 

nefitc  and  bchoofe.io^.b  11.  and  I07.a» 
f  &OOKe  m0?ic  in  Ceremonies. 

^Sacrifize. 
ChriftesSacrifizc  and  mediation  happe* 

ned  not  but  by  the  ordinarnce  of  God. 

ii.h.6 
Only  Chriftes  Sacrifizc  tak«th  away  fins. 

II  bzj.and  ii 
The  fufficiencie  of  Chriftcs  Sacrifizc  n» 

a  r. 
The  benefifsof  Chrlftcs  Sacrifizc.19.  bitf 
VVhat  was 'betokened   by  the  Sacrifizef 

0fthelewcs.84.a20 
VVhy  the  Gentiles  and  heathen  men  re- 
tained the  vfcof  Sacf  ifizing  135. a  z8. 
The  trew  Sacrifizes  that  God  re<juircth« 

iSo.a3i.b 

^Saluation. 
Saluation,tlcdion,and  callingcomeal  of 

Gods  only  free  mercy  3  8. a  4.  band  35, 

a  band  40.b  i8  and  4i.aband  42,. 

ab. 
Giir  Sa'.uation  isfully  and  peff.if^lyrcuey- 

led  in  the  Gofpell  144.3  18  b  and  14^. a 
Chriftadmitteth  nopaitncrfhip  in  the 

woorking  and  accomplifliinge  of  out 

Saluation  23^3  25. b  and  154.3  b.^  235 

a  b  and  156  b  r.and  137.3  b, 
YVhofocucrioincth  any  thing  with  T^^lts 
***.ii.  Ghfit 


THE 

^iirlft  In  thewcrk  of  5aluati<m  rcnou- 
ceth  him  zoo. a  S 
Gods  glory  and  our  wcirarc  or  Saluation 
arc  matched  infcparably  togithcr55a 
13. 
YVhy  Saluation  is  faid  to  be  office  gift 

ip.bS 
YVhy  the  promis  of  Saluation  i$  called 

fpirituall  144.3  rx 
How  the  Fathers  obtained  SaluatioiMjg. 

a35.b 
To  whom  the  Jaw  prowafcth  Saluation 

ijg.b.ia 
VVhy  God  promifcth  Saluation  to  fuch 
askcpchislavvi(f5.a33.b: 
^Secular. 
VVho  is  a  Secular  man  among  thcPa* 
piftcs  174. a  <J 

^ScedeandSowe. 
VVhat  is  ment  by  the  woides  Sce^c  and« 

Sowejoj.aii  and  304. b  15? 
Chrift  is  the  only  blelTcd  Sccdc  in  whom^ 
all  other  muft  be  blciled  146  a  5. band 
1473  b 
VVhat  the  woid  Scede  tmporteth  6c  wha 
be  the  trcw,Secdc:of  Abraham  I4^.a  it- 
b5ci47.a 
VVhat  is  ment  by  Sowing  to  the  fpirit  3c 
the  reward  thereof  303-b  9*  and  304.  b 
I. and  30^.3  iz.b  ancf  3c<>;a 
What  is  ment  by  So  wieg  to  the  flefh ,  & 
.   the  fund ry  forts  therofand  the  reward' 
0fit.303.b17.and  304.  a  and  30^ai7.b 
VVhat  it  is  to  So,w«  to  ctcrnali  lyfc  3^4. 

h  16 
What  the  Sowing  of  Gods  Miniflcrs  iy 

304. bit. 
After  whatmancr  al  men  ought  to  Sow<, 
that  is  to  fay,to  trauaile  in  their  fcueral 
trades, craftes  and  TOcations304.b3i. 
and  30^. a 
Such  a?  men  Sowe  fuch  fiiall  they  rcapc 
393.a  7.  b  and  304.a  b  and  305.3  b 
^Serue,Seruant, 


GodlookcthtdbcScrucd  by  all  men 
though  they  beof  neuer  fehigh  degree 
and  calling  1 7^.a  17.  b 
God  will  not  he  fciucd  with  mens  inucn- 

tions^i43.a^. 
Themeanesandwayc  to  yeeldGod  ac-» 
ccptableferuis.i93«b  17. &  243.3  13. b 
and  14^4.3  b  and  145. a  b  and  24<>.a  b 
and'i73.a33j&i74,b  ii,and32,4.  bi2, 
and  5i5.aband  32<J.a  b 
The  chief  SeruihgaRdhonouring  of  God^ 

2.7.3  7-b 
VVhat  the Papiftcs dotermc  Gods  Seruig 
1:1 9.b  18.  and  173.3  I3.and  274.3  i.b  Sc 
3i5-a34.b 
To  what  end  ihcPapiftcs  fcrucGod  316.3' 

18. 
VVhobeGods^trew  S«ruants.5i5.b35.& 

316  a  band  317.3  b 
VVhom  God  imj^loyrth   tojo  his  Seruicc 
they  be  the  more  bound  too  him  for  it. 
110  a.i7.band  iii.ab 
There  is  no  Seruing  or  wcorfliippingof" 

God  without  GhnfVni.a.ii. 
Adefcriprionof  Uich  as  Scrue-  th'etynic^ 
&what  istohcthoughtofthem.315. 
bii.&3i'^.ab.5c  317.3. 
%1XilS^t  moJC  in  Honour  snd  HonouHng, 

^Shame. 
VVemuft  not  rcfuzc  tkc  Shame  of  our 
mifd-cedes  when  God  may  bee  glorified 
bythc  acknowledgment  of  them  fo.a.f 
fl'Sijrift. 
ThcinioyningofShtift  131^2.} 

^Shrinkc. 
Of  fuch  as  Shrinkc  in   Chriftes  quarreH. 
and  their  reward  in  the  end  3 1  ^.a.  i  S.  W> 
and  317.3. 
SoDttcmo^e  in  Di^mulation*  and  in  M 

poftafie. 
Scorne.  ^odHcMockc* 
f  Simplicitie. 
VVhat  is  ment  by  the  Simph'cltic  or  (In* 
glenclTcofoiirLordlerus  ChrifV  6o.l0^ 


THE  TAB  tB. 


f'Smnc,5infuIneirc,Siftner. 
Allpcrfons  both  Icwes  and  Gentiles  are 

Unit  vp  vndcrSinnc93.b  i4.dnd  5>4.a  b 

and  i?5.a  b. 
I«  what  wizc  and  why  Godhath  fhutvp 
'  ail  men  >hdcr  Sinnc  154-.  ai.  \y,  and 

15^. a  b. 
Oncly  Sinnc  is  the caufcof  ^Godsdifplea- 

furc  towaids  v.«  ii.a  30. 
VV^c  ncuer  fee  our  owne  Sinfulncfrc ; tho- 

rowly  till  wclookciato  the  lawc.ijy.a 

tf.band  155. a 
IcfubCbuft  is  nota  Hring^r  inofSinnd, 
•    but  a  bewraycr  of  Sinnc  5>4.  ay;  b  and 

55.3  band  9^.a. 
Whereto  the  manifefl:  appearing,  of olif 

Sinncsmuftlead  vs.171.a10.    . 
'She  caufe  why  men  continue  in  tht-yr 

Sinncs  though  they  know  thcmfclucs 

to  do  amiHc  jai.a  33.  b 
Xii  what  wizc  wee  bee  fet  free  from  Sinnc 
'■'-  I6,bi7. 

.T'hcopmion^f  true  Ghriftians  concer- 
ning Sinne  &iu(liHcation£zo.a35.b 
Thedoltifli  opinion  ofpapiftsconccrnin* 

Sinfuil  thoughtes  and  motions  vntoo 

Sinnc  170. b  3. 
What  is  ment  by  the  wordc  Sinner. 
Who  be  Sinners  87.b  15. 
After  what  maner  and  with  what  mindc 

the  former  mif  bchauiour  of  conucrted 

Sinners  is  to  be  looked  into  €S.aL  &bi^. 
SoweHobeSeede. 

^Spinte  ancfSpirituall; 
What  i$  ment  by  the  woorde  Spiriteirf; 

a  ip.and  ii^.b  I7.and  I44.a^4and  ziu 

az.b 
The  word  Spirite  matched'  agaynftCcrc- 

monics  figures  and  fliadowcs  138.  a 

i^.b 
How  theSpirite  lufteth  agaynft  thcsflefh. 

K^^^bsi.andi^tf.a 
What  is  ment  to  begin  in  the  Spirite  11?; 

b33.andii^.a 
^VJiat  ii  ment  by  Gods  Spirite  i  ii^  %* 


The  fruitcs  of  the  Spirite  271.  bi^.an^ 

■zypb  iS.aiid  i75.ab  and  177. a  b 
How  Gods  Spiriteisgiucnand  by  whom" 
1 114. b  31.  and  115.  a  b  anii  iikJ.  a  b  and 

111.  a  IX. 
Gods  Spirite  is  not  idle  in  menbutHiew- 

cth  It  felfc  by  good  workcs  i75>.  a  18.  b 
The  true  proofc  and  tryall  that  wehauc 

Gods  Spirite  i7^.a  iS.bandiSo.a  and 

iSi.a^'ly     ._      r 
VVho  be  Spirituall  in  the  opinion  ofPa- 

piftsi74ai<f.b 
Stealing  iLOOhe  Theft.- 
StcdfaiVncflTeiLoofee  ConAancie  and  Per- 

ftucrance. 
SiQUtnefTc  ilcoKe  Conftancic  and  Pcrfc» 

ncranc©'. 

^Stumbling  blftcke. 
What  is  ment  by  the  woordcStumlingj;. 

blockei55.a  16. 
©fStumblingblockes  or  offences  andaf- 

tcrwhat  maner  and  how  farre  foortb 

they  art  to  be  cfchcwcd.ijj^an,  b  and^ 

flSucce(Tioil*<  :  f  r    V 
SuccelTion  of  BiOioos  thecKicfe  Hiccldc  oF 

Papifts  and  Papiltric  5.a  34^. 
HOOllC  tnOJ^ttn  Antic^uitic. 

Suffering. 
The  morea  man  hath  Suffered  for  the 
Gofpcll,the  mipre  ihamcitis  fdr  him 
to  fhrinke  from  it  or  to  waxe  coldc  no 
bi7.andiii.a  b 
How  Chriftes  fufFcrrngs  arcaccomplifhcd' 
in  his  members  317.  b  1^. 
^Superftition. 
The 'wel/pring  of  all  SuperftitionJ.  14^0- 
a,X7. 

^Supper, 
The  right  vfe  and  meaning  of  the  Lords 
Supper  or  Communion  S5.ai4,  and 
114. bi4. 

^Slipremacir. 
What  the  Supremacie  of  ihe  Pope  is^nd^ 
nhathc  alleagcthforit.iij.  bi. and? 


-THE 

Thenyall  to  knoWe  whether  wc  bclcar 
nedin  Gods  woordc  or  no  inib'i5. 

ft oOiC  mo;c  \Xi  Aut h oritic ^  C rcdit ,;  and 
(jclptll.  ■   '■ 

ThcA'crje  Angels  muft  ftoupc  tooGod* 
woordc.i6.a  7.b 

fl  V  Voorkc  and  working. 

VVhat  is  ment  by  the  w<)Ordc  W-ooric 
'2.9).^  35. 6c  294^a     •   '''■"■  -'•'     '  ; 

Oijr  woorkcs  though  (Key  Wjete  ne'ucrfo 
perfcft  and  holv  can  not  bindcGod  135 
b  iS.and  ije.ab 

QHow  and  whTercforcour  wookcs  are  ac- 
cepted of  God  iiy.b  11. 

Of  the  vyoorking  of  fayih  by  charitic  a4l« 
ai5.banda43.a        '■■■.'-.,    -  ■ 

Tilt  good  woorkcs  of  thcPapiftsSj.aii* 


TAB  LB, 

.    band  178. a 7J 

ILoofee  mpjc  m  HolynciTc^Deuotloa ,  and 

Vcrtuc. 
Theaccompt  that  the  Papiftes  make  of 

the  woorkcs  of  their  ownc  inueationt. 

ijp.biS. 
VVoorfliip  and  worihipping  ILooll?  te 

Hanoi  and  Scruc,     . 
^  Wrath; 
VVhat  is  mcni  by  the  woordc  VYrath  15^ 

b  ii), 

z 

f  Zcalc  or  Zealourncffc 
OfGHjiAcn  Zcaloufiicfl€j.5tf.  aiL^baai 

i57i.ab 
ThcZcalc  ofa  Chtiftian  Minifter.  53/ 
^    a*i.  .  ' ■  :   •      ', 


FINIS, 


a:- 


■*  '^txik  i.i 


-"-^  ■      -  '  ^ 

fThefyrftSermonvpon-  i 

the  fyrft  Chapter, 

^Aulc  an  Apoftle,  not  from  men,norbymcn,bucby 

'  lefus  Chiiil,  and  by  God  the  father ,  which  hath 
rayfcdhim  from  the  dead, 

.    And  all  the  brethcrn  that  are  with  mc,to  the  Chur- 
ches of  Galatia: 

,    Gracebe  with  you  and  peace  from  God  the  father, 
and  Qfrom]  our  LordelehisChry  ft, 

.  VVhogauehimfelfe  for  our  fins,  to  deli uervs from 
thiseuill  vvorlde,  according  to  the  will  of  God' 
our  father. 

,   TovvhombeglorieforeucrmorCjAmcn. 


.?ff.5.f.8^. 


OT   V\^lTHOVT  caufedotliS. Peter 

fo  eameftly  warne  vs  to  watch  agaiiift  our  eni - 

mie  who  goeth  about  like  a  roriiig  Lyon,  with 

his  mouth  alway  open  to  fwallow  vp  the  pray 

thathefyndeth.  For  although  that  on  the  one  " 

fyde  our  Lord  lefus  Chryilafllire  vs,that  God  lohnAj,  r. 

his  father  hath  giuen  him  the  charge  of  vs,and      12, 


that  the  thyng  which  he  hath  in  his  keeping  fnall  neuer  periflie:  yet 


doth  it  not  follow  diat  we  fhoulde  therfore  fall  afleepe,  and  in  the 
meane  whyle  haue  no  care  to  call  vpon  God,  confidering  the  need 
thatweehauetodofo.  Forfa-^^idoth  in  fuche  wyfe  aflure  vs  of 
Gods  goodnelTe^and  that  the  fame  flial  neuer  fayle  vSjthat  yet  ne- 
uerthelefTe  we  mufl:  haue  an  eye  to  our  o^vne  fraykie,  and  thereby 
beeftirredvptoo  pray  God  to  giue  vsinuincible  conftancie.  It  is 
fayd,  that  faith  fnall  aivvays  get  the  vpper  hand  of  the  whole  world: 
but  yet  It  foloweth  not  that  we  (lull  not  haue  battayle.  Now,on  om* 
owne  fide  we  haue  no  flrength  at  all :  but  we  muft  be  fa^ne  to  bo- 
rowe  it  elfewhere  :  and  that  we  may  fo  do,  it  flandeth  vs  in  hande 
to  pray  vnto  God.  For  as  I  haue  fayde  alreadie,  it  lyeth  vs  vpon  to 

A,  beOir^ 


4^ 


Chap,  i;  fo.CalJirsl  Sermon  ypon 

be  fliiTed  therevnto,  byrcafon  cJT the  great  needc  tlut  wchftuc  of 
it.  And  therefore  here  is  a  myrrour  olf  ercd  vnto  all  the  faythfull, 
whereby  wee  mayefare  much  the  better,  Hmxq  can  put  it  too 
our  vfe.  For  Saint  PauJe  had  preached  through  all  the  countrey  of 
Gaktia/,vhich  is  a  meetly  large  countrey,and  diere  had  reered  ma- 
ny Chui'ches.  If  euer  m^an  were  filled  with  all  the  £,iftes  of  Gods 
fpii-jtc  too  vvinne  men  too  the  Gofpell :  wee  bee  fure  tliat  S.  Paul$ 
excelled  all  odiers,  or  at  leaflwife  all  that  were  of  his  companic. 
And  it  is  cenaine  that  he  difcharged  his  duetie.  Vet  notwithilan- 
ding  he  e  had  fcaixeiy  To  foone  turned  his  backe ,  but  by  and  by  Sa- 
tan gaue  a  pufh  to  cuerthrow  all, and  too  make  a  horrible  hauocke 
.in  tlie  whole  countrey  :  and  hee  wonne  fo  great  a  multitude  thcrc^ 
that  the  Gofpcll  was  as  good  as  quite  abolifhed;  cuen  among  thofe 
tliat  had  bin  taught  fo  faythfully.  Sithwee  fee  fuch  an  example, 
ought  wee  not  too  caft  downe  our  cyeS;,  and  too  conl'ider  that  God 
vvarneth  vs  too  flee  vntoo  him ,  and  to  pray  him  fo  too  pj-engthen 
vs,  as  wee  may  holde  out  too  the  cnde  :'  Which  thing  we  cannot 
doo,  except  wee  bee  vphilde  by  him.    Ye  fee  then  that  the  faultes 

-    which  Saint  PauJe  bewrayetli  heere  in  the  people  of  Galatia,  muft 
ferue  for  our  Icaining.   For  it  is  ajl  one  as  if  God  fhoulde  in  theyr 

.   perfon  fiiewe  what  our  conllancie  woulde  bee ,  if  hee  gaue  vs  it 
not. 

Although  then  that  wee  hauebin  faythfully  inflruded  in  the 
Gofpell :  yet  muft  God  bee  fayne  too  woorke  from  day  too  day,or 
elfc  wee  fnall  bee  fo  fickle  minded,  that  wee  (hall  bee  caryed  away 
by  andby,and  for  euerie  little  occafion.  Furdiermore  (aslhauc 
fayde  alreadie)  Satan  is  a  cireadfuli  enimie.  And  therefore  it  is  not 
for  vs  too  bee  ncghgent,  feeing  hee  lyeth  alwaycs  in  wayte  for  vs, 
feelang  on  all  fides  to  inuade  vs,and  that  ifhee  fpie  neucr  fo  li:tle  a 
hole,  by  and  by  he  taketh  hys  aduauntage  too  enter:  It  fliallnot 
ft  erne  that  there  is  any  ga^^pe  open  for  him ,  and  yet  wee  may  bee 
taken  tardie  before  wee  bee  aware.  V\'herefore  let  vs  markc  well 
the  warning  that  God  giuedi  vs  in  this  text ,  and  let  vs  make  our 
aduauntage  of  it.  And  on  the  od-.erfide  wee  fee  howe  the  Di-^ 
uell  hadi  at  all  tymes  ferucd  his  owne  turne  with  the  name  of 
God^  and  made  thereof  a  falfecloke  toodifguize  the  truth,  atid 

too 


the  Efifijo  the  (jalathians.        % 

too  tumc  it  into  a  lie,or  elfe  too  fo^e  fomc  difcorde ,  that  by  Jktic 
end  little  the  Gofpell  might  quite  fade  away.    Tlie  Apofilcs  (as 
they  that  were  chofen  by  our  Lx)rd§  lefus  Chiifl:  too  beare  abrode 
^  his  GofpelI,andto  preach  it  through  the  whi^le  worlde)  were  well 
woordiie  too  haue  bin  reuerenced  euerie  where,and  to  haue  bin  of 
fuch  renou^me  and  authoritie,  as  the  things  that  proceeded  fro:i> 
them  fliould  haue  bin  Qhrouglily]  rcce\nacd.  For  dieir  calling  was- 
lawfuU  :  it  was  [welQ  knowaie  that  diey  did  not  thruft  in  them- 
felucs  of  their  owne  heades,  but  that  the  fonne  of  God  had  chofen 
and  appoyntcd  them  by  his  owne  mouth,  yea  and  made  them  as  it 
were  new  creatures :  being  fiUie  foules  and  ignorant  folke ,  they 
were  fo  chaunged ,  as  it  appeared  well  that  their  doftrine  came  al- 
togither  of  heauenly  myracle.  For  they  had  not  learned  ought  but 
in  Gods  fchole  :  and  he  had  in  one  inftant  of  time  fo  indued  them 
with  his  grace  and  power,  that  they  became  as  inftiaiments  of  the 
holy  Ghoft.  Yet  notwithflanding,  the  DiucU  mifled  not  too  abufe 
their  name  and  t^'tlc ,  too  bring  ftore  of  troubles  and  ftumbling 
blockes  into  the  Church.For  fuch  as  went  in  their  companie,  made 
their  brags  when  they  came  in  far  country s,  that  tliey  had  bin  fami- 
liarly conuerfant  with  them:and  yet  for  all  that/ume  of  them  were 
ful  of  vainglorie  &  pride,&  fought  notliingbut  their  own  aduance- 
ment.    Otherfome  were  felfwilled ,  and  could  away  with  nothing 
but  that  which  they  had  feene  in  the  Citie  of  lerufalem,  and  in  the 
land  of  Iewrie:and  they  would  haue  had  the  whole  world  fubie<^  ta 
their  lure,and  therwithal  would  haue  turned  al  things  vpfide  down 
as  they  fay.  Others  were  led  yet  with  a  more  wicked  minde,  fo  ts 
they  fought  nothing  elfe  but  to  ouerthrow  all  that  S.Paul  had  buil- 
ded.  And  all  thefe(as  I  fayd  afore)boailed  that  they  had  not  learned 
any  thing  of  him,  but  that  they  had  bin  taught  their  doclrme  by 
the  Apoftles  themfebes.  Thus  yee  fee  howc  Sathan  hath  alwayes 
defaced  Gods  glorie,  euen  vnder  the  fhadow  of  the  gracious  giftcs 
which  hee  had  beflowed  vpon  his  creatures.  And  in  good  footh, 
we  fee  how  that  vnder  the  names  of  tlie  Apoftles^and  of  the  virgin 
Marie, the  Idolatrieis  the  fame  at  this  day  in  the  Popedom, which  it 
was  among  the  Painims  vnder  the  names  of  their  falf  gods:  for  ther 
ks  nothing  changed;but  only  the  names  of  the.  As  for  the  fuperfi-itio^ 

A.ij.  it  is 


Chap.  r.  ^o.CaLjirJl  Sermon  ypon 

it  is  as  filthie  aiid  detcftablc  in  th«  Popedomc,  as  eucr  it  was  amonj 
theHeatlien. 

Heere  therefore  wee  bee  warned  to  bee  wirc,to  the  intent  that 
if  the  Diuell  abufe  Gods  name,  wee  may  bee  able  to  refift  him,  and 
to  difceme  Vhat  authoritie  men  ought  to  haue,and  therewitliall  not 
to  be  ouerhaflie  of  belcefe ,  nor  ouercafie  to  be  mcued  and  fhaken 
widi  euerie  winde.  For  if  wee  haue  not  the  confbncie  to  walke  in 
the  doclrine  that  hath  bin  deliuered  to  vs,  when  wee  bee  once  fully 
refolued  that  it  is  Gods  pure  truth  :  it  will  happen  to  vs  as  it  did  too 
the  people  of  Galatia .  Yee  fee  then  that  the  thing  which  wee  haue 
too  bcare  in  mindc ,  isiaefFe6l,  that  when  God  hath  giuen  vs  tlie 
grace  too  vndci-ftande  his  woorde ,  wee  muftalwayes  go  forward© 
in  it^and  not  be  fliaken  lyke  Reedes,  norcaryed  too  and  fro,  nor  led 
vp  and  down  e  hke  httle  babes  :  but  wee  muft  haue  the  witte  ai:id  dif- 
cretton,  to  iiickc  to  the  thing  which  weeknowe  too  bee  offered  v« 
,  of  God.  Marke  that  for  one  poynt.  But  by  the  way ,  forafmuch  a$ 
^  wee  cannot  haue  fuch  power  in  our  felues  :  let  vs  pray  with  all  low- 

hnefTe  and  earnellnefle  vnto  God,too  reforme  vs  by  his  hoiyfpirit, 
and  too  giue  vs  fuch  ftcdfaflnefTe  as  wee  may  neuer  fwarue  aride,and 
tiiat  when  we  fee  all  things  turned  vpfide  downe  in  this  worlde ,  yet 
not\\'idiilanding,this  foundation  may  abide  fure,  namely  that  foifo- 
much  as  God  which  cannot  Ik  hath  fpol  .?n  to  vs,  and  fhewed  vs  his 
will :  we  may  fafeiy  fbndc  ther\^on  without  turning  any  way  from 
it.  Howbeit  forfonuich  as  the  Diuell  hadi  many  cunning  knacks  too 
thmfl  vs  out  of  the  way, yea  and  that(as  I  haue  earft  fayd)he  will  not 
fticke  to  abule  Gods  name  to  winde  himfelfe  in,and  to  get  fome  ac- 
ccflc  to  vs'.it  bchoucrii  vs  to  vnderfknd  that  our  reuerencmgof  men 
nrafl:  be  in  Rich  wife,as  Ciod  may  in  the  mean  feafon  continue  vnim- 
peachcd,and  that  our  Lord  may  haue  the  whole  mayfti-ie  ouer  vs  to 
himfelfe,as  hce  that  is  the  teacher  of  the  Church:and  tl^iat  our  fayth 
depend  not,ncither  \'pon  mens  lvnowledge,nor  vpon  any  reputation 
that  we  haue  of  their  wirdome,power,orholinefre:but  that  our  Lord 
Icfus  may  alwayes  haue  the  preeminence  for  vs  to  reft  and  fettle  our 
fcjues  \-pon.For  if  our  u)  th  be  not  grounded  \yon  Gods  pure  pTith, 
which  is  vnvariable.-certcinly  it  will  be  but  a  leafing.This  is  the  thing 
that  wee  haue  too  gather  of  tlic  example  that  is  fette  downe  heere 

concer- 


the  Epifi.to  the  (jalathians.  5 

concerning  the  Galathians.  But  by  the  way  a  man  might  thinl<e  it 
fti*aunge,vvhy  Saind  PauJe  fhoulde  de-ale  fo  roughly  with  them  as 
wee  fhall  fee  hereafter,  confidering  that  the  cafe  floode  not  vppon 
the  open  denying  cf  God  and  the  renouncing  of  the  Gofpell,  nor 
yponthebJafphemingof  our  Lord  lefus  Chrilt  or  the  fetting  forth 
of  any  notorious  idolatrie  :  but  vpon  the  ceremonies  of  the  La\w. 
For  they  againfl  whom  fainft  PauJe  ftriueth  in  this  EpiPde,  main-' 
teined  none  other  thing,  but  that  tlie  ceremonies  of  Moyfes  lawe 
were  to  be  kept,  and  that  men  were  bounde  to  them  vnder  peyne 
of  deadly  fmne.  Now,  at  the  firft  blufhe  it  myght  be  fayd  that  their 
cace  was  fauourable  in  that  behalfe.  For  the  cace  ftoode  not  wyth 
them  as  it  doth  with  the  Pope,  who  during  his  t)Tannie  hath  for- 
ged many  Jawes,and  commanded  this  and  that,bringingpoore  fou- 
hs  into  bondage :  but  their  faying  was,  that  inafmuche  as  the  lawe 
was  not  of  men,  but  of  God :  therfore  it  was  to  bee  kept.  Heereby 
it  fhouldfeeme,  that  S.  Paule  had  no  caufe  to  be  fo  moued  aga'^Tift 
that  opinion,  althongh  it  were  not  altogether  found  and  good.  A- 
geyne,  there  is  yet  an  other  reafon :  namely  that  wee  mufte  not 
make  fo  muche  a  doe  about  outward  things,  as  whether  one  day  is 
to  bee  obfemed  more  than  an  other,or  whether  Swines  flefh  be  not 
to  be  eaten  as  wel  as  mutton.For  whether  a  man  obferue  any/cere- 
monieS;Or  whetlier  he  obferue  none,  as  for  example,lf  he  forbeare 
the  eating  of  Swines  flefh,  or  do  any  otlier  like  thing:  is  his  fo  doing 
an  vtttrforfakingofchriftianitie  C"  |  No  ]  Yet  notwithftanding,that 
is  all  the  quarell  that  S.Paule  hath:yea  an(^iervpon  he  crieth  out, 
that  the  Galatliians  are  backfliders,  that  they  haue  forfalie  our  Lord 
lefus  Ghiyft,  and  that  they  are  become  renegates.  Some  man  wold 
fay,  he  vfeth  cuermuche  vehemencie :  but  herein  wee  be  flill  war- 
ned, that  the  diuell  will  now  and  then  finde  fmall  trifles  to  draw  vs 
Irom  the  Gofpell  ere  we  be  aware,  and  therfore  it  behoueth  vs  to 
be  fo  muche  the  better  aduifed :  for  of  our  felues  we  f!ial  not  be  fo, 
but  mud  in  verie  d^tAt  bee  fayne  to  be  gouerned  by  God.  And  not  "^fij  >n,i.z 
without  caufe  alfo  is  the  fpirit  of  wv^fedome  fathered  vpon  him,  to 
the  intent  wee  fliouldfe eke  it  inliim.  Therfore  letvs  refortthy- 
ther :  and  if  any  man  goe  about  to  bring  in  a  thing  that  feemeth  net 
to  bee  of  any  great  importance;  let  vs  bethynke  vs  what  a  ta\lc  it 

A.iij.  i^yg^^t 


chap.r.  foXalfirfi  Sermon  ypon 

myght  drawe  after  it.  And  for  proofe  Keereof,  when  wee  be  once 
turned  from  the  fmiplicitk  of  the  Gofpell,  wee  fhall  become  like 
vvhoorc mongers -..according  as  wee  hauefeene  in  the  lad  Epiftle, 
2»Ca,il.ar  howe  Saint  Paule  fayth  exprefTely,  that  the  Diueli  vfeth  Bawdes 
trickes  and  Ruffian  trickcs,  when  hee  commeth  too  turne  vs  from 
the  do^lrine  of  the  Gofpell.  Hee  will  alwayes  make  fome  goodly 
and  fayre  proteftation,  like  as  when  a  Ruflian  intendeth  to  deceiue 
a  yong  wife  or  a  mayde,  hee  will  not  vfe  any  lewde  termes  or  kna* 
uerie ,  for  hee  knowetli  that  fhee  woulde  abhorre  them ;  but  hee 
wiUmarkeby  little  and  little  howe  hee  may  infe£l  hirwitli  hys 
deadly  poyfon.  Euen  fo  playcth  the  Diueli  in  that  behalfe.  For  if 
he  fhould  (hewe  his  homes  (as  they  fay)  at  the  lirll:  dafh^and  fhewe 
himfelfe  openly  too  bee  Gods  enimie  :  euerie  man  woulde  fhiinne 
him,  and  we  would  abhorre  him.  But  hee  windeth  himfelfe  flily 
in,  and  creepeth  in  at  fmall  cranies,fo  as  wee  fhall  woonder  tlaat  he 
coulde  preuayle  with  vs  in  fundrie  things,  and  wee  fnall  ftill  beare 
our  felues  in  hande,  that  wee  ceafTe  not  to  holde  with  lefus  Chrift 
and  his  Church.  And  yet  for  all  that  wee  fhall  bee  turned  away,and 
in  the  ende  wee  fhall  perceyue  our  felues  too  bee  quite  oitte  off. 
"Therefore  when  we  reade  this  example,  that  the  DiuelLhad  mar- 
red and  corrupted  the  Churches  whereof  mention  is  made  heere, 
[and  that,3vnder  the  fhadowe  of  the  Ceremonies  of  Moyfes  lavye: 
let  vs  bethinlie  our  felues  the  better ,  and  flande  flifFely  without 
turning  afyde  by  any  meanes  from  the  fimplicitie  of  the  Gofpell. 
Furthermore  feeing  hee  hath  flryuedand  difputed about  the  Cere- 
monies of  the  lawe :  let  vslooke  well  aboute  vs  tooprofitc  our 
felues  by  all  that  is  heere  conteyned ,  and  let  vs  flande  continually 
Vpon  our  garde,  that  wee  may  finde  out  the  craftes  and  wyles  of 
Satan.  And  whenfoeuer  hee  fhall  go  about  too.  vndermine  vs,  let 
VS  looke  well  too  our  bufinefTe,  and  flande  alwayes  too  that  which 
wee  haue  learned,  fo  as  we  may  be  out  of  all.doubt,  that  wee  fhall 
not  finde  any  thing  in  the  do6lrine  of  the  Gofpell,  which  is  not  the. 
pure  woorde  of  God.  For  (as  I  fayde)  that  is  the  thing  where  vpoii 
our  fayth  mufl  bee  grounded.  And  if  any  man  will  adde  neuer  fo 
little  too  it,  let  vs  not  one  ly  fufpedit,  but  alfo  abhorre  it :  for 
when  there  is  fuch  a  niingle  mangle  made  with  Gods  pure  truth^, 

itcaa 


the  Epijl.to  the  (jalathians. 


ft  can  beoothing  elfe  but  corruption.  Now  let  vs  come  to  the  or- 
der which  Saint  Paule  keepeth  in  handling  th e  do6trine  which  wee 
(hall  fee  poynt  by  poynt.  That  hee  may  bee  the  better  heard  and 
alfo  receyued,  he  confirmeth  his  owne  authoritie,  which  fome  men 
had  gone  about  too  impeache.  For  beholde,  the  pollicie  of  thofc 
dogges  that  incountered  agaynft  him ,  was  too  alledge  that  the  A- 
poftles'taught  otherwife  than  hee  did.  Nowe  forafmuch  as  Saint 
Paule  had  not  bin  conuerfant  wy th  our  Lorde  I  efus  Chrift  whi le 
hee  lyuedin  this  worlde  :  it  was  fiTppofed  at  tjie  fyrft,  that  the  A- 
poftles  were  a  degree  aboue  him,  and  ought  to  bepreferred  before 
him.  And  on  the  other  fyde  they  inquired  who  had  put  him  ixx 
that  place,  as  though  hee  hadthrufthimfelfe  in,and  had  done  it  ra- 
ther of  rafhneffe  than  otherwife.  Saint  Paule  therefore  was  fayne 
too  fet  himftJfe  agaynft  all  this  geere,  and  too  (hewe  that  hee  was 
truely  fente  of  God.  Furthermore  (as  I  fa^^de  earft)  the  Diuell 
ftirred  vp  others,who  comniing  from  Ierufalem,fayd  that  that  was 
the  mother  Church ,  and  the  holinefle  of  all  Chriftendome  :  and 
they  pretended  too  bee  zeelous  fetters  foorth  of  the  purenefle  oi 
the  Gofpe  I],  By  reafon  whereof,it  behoued  Saint  Paule  too  go  for- 
warde  in  flie v/ing  that  hee  had  not  aduaunced  himfelf e ,  nor  taken 
any  thing  \^pon  him  of  his  owne  heade,  but  had  obeyed  the  calling 
ofGod.iuvdofour  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  who  had  made  him  his  A- 
poftle.  Yeaandheecompareth  himfelfe  with  lohn  and  lames  and  .  .  . 
Peter,  who  were  (as  men  termed  them)  the  pillers  of  the  Church,  y^/.a.tf.^. 
and  fo  talven  to  be  among  all  men ,  (hewing  that  hee  was  no  whitte 
mferiour  to  them.  And  why  {[doth  hee  fo  C\  To  the  ende  his  doc- 
trine might  be  r  ece^oied :  for  that  is  the  marke  that  he  amed  at.  Af- 
terwarde  when  he  hath  prepared  the  Galathians  too  rece^oie  obe- 
ikently  the  warnings  that  he  giueth  them :  the  he  debateth  the  mat- 
ter which  was  at  that  time  in  controuerfie  ,  and  fheweththat  the 
Gofpell  is  beaten  <lowne,if  we  haue  not  the  freedom  which  is  pur- 
chafed  for  vs  b^^  the  bloud  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  :  which  is,that 
the  ceremonies  of  the  law  (hould  not  holde  vs  any  more  in  fubiec- 
tion  or  awe.  For(as  we  fhall  fee  hereafter;  if  fuch  fubie6Hon  fhould 
h£  admitted,  all  the  frute  of  our  redemption  and  of  the  faluation 
Arhich  is  purch^e4  for  vs  by  the  fonne  of  God,fhouU  go  to  wre ck. 

A.iii;.  But 


Chap.i.  Iq,  Cal.firH  Sermon  ypon 

But  novve  let  vs  come  to  tke  order  that  S.Paule  keepeth  for  th6 
mayntenance  of  his  authoritie.  He  fayth,  thai  he  is  an  /ipo(lle,  not  on 
menmshMfeymrbyman,butbylefm  Clmfie,  and  by  God  the  father^ 
%hich  bath  rayffd  him  from  the  dead,  Fyrfte  of  all,  we  haue  to  marke 
here,  that  Sain£le  Paule,  to  the  intente  too  bee  receyued,  groun- 
deth  hiinfelfe  vppon  the  ordinaunce  and  appoyntment  of  God» 
For  furely  no  man  ought  to  take  vppon  hym  anye  honoure  in  the. 

f£fLj.rf.4«  Churche,  faue  he  that  is  called,  as  I  haue  declared  alreadie.  Befides 
that,  our  fayth  fhould  be  verie  feeble,  if  it  (hould  bee  fettled  vpon 
men,  howe  great  excellencie  or  worthinefle  foeuer  were  in  them: 
yeathoughe  they  were  perfe6ler  than  Angells,  yet  were  that  no- 
thing :  our  fayth  is  fo  precious  a  iewell,  as  it  mufte  reft  altoogether 
vpon  God  and  his  truthe.  Seing  it  is  fo,if  a  man  intend  to  be  heard^ 
it  muft  not  be  alledged,that  he  is  wittie  and  skilfuU,  or  that  he  hath 
feene  and  hearde  muche,  and  is  a  man  of  great  expericnce.althofe 
things  are  butfmoake,  when  itcommeth  too  the  leadyng  ofvs 
too  the  kingdome  of  Heauen.  For  there  the  matter  ftandeth  not 
*  vpon  profounde  witte,and  high  and  exquifite  knowledge:  all  thofe 
tilings  are  but  the  fleyghts  of  Satan :  Ageyne,  wee  laiowe  howe  it 

u0.1.f  .20  is  fayde  generally  of  all  mannes  w^^fedome,  that  it  is  but  ftarkfoU 
lie,yea  and  that  God  laugheth  it  to  fcome,and  abhorreth  it,bicaufe 
it  turneth  vsaway  from  the  obeying  of  him .  Therefore  whenfo- 
cuer  the  cacc  concerneth  the  teachyng  of  vs,  all  thyngs  that  bee- 
long  too  man,  or  too  anye  creature,  mufte  be  layde  awater,  that 
there  maye  bee  a  well  ordered  gouernemente  in  the  Church,  and 
fuche  a  one  as  God  allowej^ .  For  if  men  aduaunce  themfelues 
in  that  cace,  God  is  thereby  plucked  backe,  and  in  the  ende  there 
wyll  bee  nothyngbut  vtter confufioa 

So  muche  the  more  then  behooueth  it  vs  too  marke  well  what 
S.  Faille  fheweth  vsheere,  in  that  hee  doth  not  alleadge  or  bryng 
any  thyng  of  his  ownc  for  the  ftablifhyng  of  his  authoritie,  but 
holdeth  hymCelfe  wholly  too  Gods  callyng.  Marke  that  for  one 
poynt.  And  here  withall  wee  haue  too  note,  that  Sain6l  Paule  boa- 
ftednothymfelfeat  all  aduentures,  as  manyc  harebraynes  doo. 
For  they  coulde  fynd  intheyr  hearts  to  preache  with  Jul  mouth, 
that  God  hath  fente  tliem,  wheaas  notvviiliftandyng  they  bee  but 

fanta- 


the  Epijl.  to  the  (jalathiam.  5 

fantafticall  fellowes,  and  Satans  very  Champion,  feruing  to  ouer- 
throwe  all.  But  by  the  way,S.Paule  in  protefting  his  calling,  mentc 
alfo  to  fhewe  by  whome  ^  he  was  called;,']  as  wee  haue  fecne  here 
before.  And  it  was  fufficiently  knowen,that  he  had  bene  conueited 
by  miracle  to  the  Gofpeljthathe  had  bin  taught  vpon  the  fuddaine, 
that  God  had  by  his  meanes  wrought  after  a  ftraunge  and  vnaccu- 
domed  fafhio,  and  not  only  that  it  had  bin  openly  reueled  vnto  two 
or  three  men  in  the  Citie  of  Antioche  that  S.Paule  was  appoynted 
too  be  the  Apoftle  of  the  Gentiles,  but  alfo  that  he  had  good  war- 
rant of  it  in  all  places  where  he  came,  bycaufe  God  vttered  his 
power  moft  manifeltly  in  him.  So  then  when  as  S.Paule  told  them 
that  he  was  an  Apoftle,  he  prefuppofed  that  it  was  already  fuffici- 
ently iuftified,  that  God  was  the  author  of  that  office  of  his,and  that 
the  thing  which  he  pretended,  was  not  a  falfe  furmize,  after  the  ma- 
ner  of  men,  whome  we  fee  too  much  fubie<B:too  vaunting  of  them- 
feJues.  Therfore  we  mufl  put  a  diiFerence  betweene  S.Paule,  and 
all  fuch  as  falily  boafle  and  brag  themfelues  too  bee  fent  of  God,  as 
the  Pope  dodie,who  too  beguile  the  wretched  world,  and  to  main^ 
taynehimfelfe  in  his  hellifht^Tannie, which  he  hath  vfurped,  fayeth 
and  ouerfayedi  that  he  is  the  vicar  of  lefus  Chrifte,  and  the  fuccef- 
four  of  his  Apoflles.  And  all  die  cankerv/ormes  of  his  Clergie  who 
name  themfelues  Prelates,  togither  with  all  the  horned  beafles 
and  all  the  rable  of  Maskers  in  the  Popedome,wilI  needes  chalenge 
that  honorable  title :  and(if  a  man  lift  too  beleeue  them  vpon  their 
{ingle  worde)  they  bee  all  of  them  defcended  of  the  ApofUes.  But 
yet  for  all  that,  it  behoueth  vs  to'confider  what  lihenelTe  and  agre- 
ablenefle  they  haue  too  the  Apoftles :  and  alfo  it  ftandeth  them  en 
band,  too  fhewe  by  certaine  and  infallible  record,  that  iheir  calling 
is  approued  of  God.In  thcfe  daycs  the  Pope  and  all  his,  are  tv^o  ope  - 
ly  proued  too  haue  falfified  and  cormpted  the  do^lrine  of  tlie  Go- 
fpell,and  that  the  thing  which  they  terme  the  feaiis  of  God,  'S  no- 
thing  but  flarke  abhomination:  and  morecuer,that  there  is  nothing 
among  them,but  outrageous  lies  and  falfehodes,  yea  ani  inchaunt- 
ments  of  Satan.  AH  diis  is  knowen  well  inough.  I3ut  beholde,their 
fhield  wherwith  they  cafl  the  mift  that  couercth  al  their  f. IthinclTe, 
is  diat  there  hath  bin  a  continviall  fuccefsion,  euer  faice  the  tymc 

A.-..  cf 


Chap  I.  fo.CalfirJl  Sermon  ypon 


of  tlic  Apoftles,and  that  they  rcprefent  the  and  arc  the  Churchpand 
ih'^i  fore  thatwhatfoeuer  tliey  put  foorth  muflbee  taken  for  good. 
V\''ell,gotO;  if  they  which  do  nowadayes  take  that  title  \;pon  them 
%vi\l  be  herd :  they  nuift  looke  whither  they  hane  any  refemb lance 
of  the  Apoftles,  and  whither  they  execute  the  duetie  cf  good  and 
faitliful  fhepeherds.  But  feing  they  be  cleane  contrary  to  the  order 
which  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  hath  fet  in  his  Church,what  (hall  men 
fay  to  diem:  Yea(fay  they)but  we  haue  a  continuall  fuccefsion  from 
th  e  ApoftJes.  That  would  be  {hewed  fa^e  of  all.  They  will  aljedge 
fome  reccrdes,  howbeit  very  triflyng  ones.  Yet  notwithftanding,Jt 
may  be  fayd  on  the  cotrary  part,  that  there  were  as  good  fucce^Tors 
in  the  Church  of  Galatia,as  euer  there  was  in  Rome  :  and  not  only 
in  fome  one  Church e,but  in  many;as  wejl  ofEphefus,of  ColofTus, 
and  of  Philippos,as  of  other  places.And  where  is  all  this  fuccefsion 
now  'f  If  any  man  thinke  himfelf  to  haue  any  priuiledge,  and  name 
hinifelf  S.Paules  fucceflbur:  it  were  meetc  he  fhould  go  preach  the 
Gofpell^and  therwithall  fhew  good  euidence  why  he  fhould  be  re^ 
reyued.Therfore  let  vs  marke  well  at  a  worde,that  when  there  are 
men  to  preach  the  Gofpel,and  when  there  are  Shepeherds  and  O- 
uerfeers,  it  is  not  ment  that  they  Hiould  diminifh  the  authoritie  of 
Godjor  preiudice  aught  that  belongeth  to  him, that  is  to  wit,that  he 
alonly  fliould  not  be  honored,  &  that  our  fayth  (hould  not  reft  v^o 
his  word: but  that  by  tlie  meanes  of  men,we  fhould  alwayes  be  hild 
vnder  his  obeyfance.]\Iai'ke  tliat  for  a  fpeciall  poynt.  And  aboue  all 
things  our  Lord  rcferueth  that  right  to  himfelfe :  namely  that  men 
fhould  not  thruft  themfelues  in  through  their  own  prefumption,but 
that  they  fhould  be  raifed  vp  Sc  fentby  him.Now  therfcre(as  Ih-aue 
erft  fayd)there  ought  to  be  caufe  why,  too  the  end  we  may  difceme 
and  not  beleeue  at  all  aduenture,  nor  at  randon.  For  Satans  cham- 
pions can  boaft  and  crake  ynough  and  toomuch,  and  ftand  in  dieir 
owne  conceyt  to  the  vttermoft,to  the  intent  to  wind  themfelues  in 
by  their  prefumptuoufne0e.  But  it  behooueth  vs  to  trie  what  is  in 
them,  that  we  may  be  fure  of  Gods  calling.  And  how  doth  S.Paulc 
fpeake  of  it  heere  c'  2^of  on  the  bihJfe  cfn;en  (fayth  he)  nor  by  men. 
VV'hen  S.Paule  fayeththathe  isan  Apoftle,  not  on  thebehalfe  of 
men;  ip  is  a  general!  po)  nt  which  ought  too  extend  to  all  the  mj- 

niftet'S 


the  Eptjl.to  the  (jalathianr.         6 

Tiillcrs  of  Gods  woord,  and  too  all  Shepeherds  of  the  Churchf .  For 
(as  I  haue  fayd  heretofore)wheras  it  pleafed  God  that  there  fhould 
bee  Prophetes  irr  old  tyme,  and  that  afterward  there  fhoiiide  bee 
{hepeherdes  too  teach  his  people :  he  bereft  not  himfelf  of  his  fo- 
Ueraintie :  but  rather  it  was  too  fbewe,  that  men  muft  not  gouerne 
heere  after  their  owne  luft,  and  in  the  meane  whyle  bee  but  as  Cy- 
phers in  Algorifme  themfelues,  fauing  onely  for  ma^Titeyning  flill 
the  title,  but  that  wee  fhould  all  of  vs  giue  eare  vnto  him,  fo  as  the 
men  whom  he  fetteth  in  office,  fhould  bee  as  inflrumentes  or  vef- 
fels  of  his  holy  fpirite.  Now  then  wee  fee  whereat  S.PauIe  anied, 
when  he  fayd  that  he  was  not  fent  on  the  behalfe  of  men :  for  ther- 
by  he  fheweth  that  he  was  authorized  of  God,  and  that  he  was  his 
feruant.  The  fecondpoynt  where  he  fayeth  that  he  was  not  fent 
by  men,  belongeth  peculiarly  too  the  Apoflles.  For  although  that 
wee  bee  called  of  God,  and  that  he  allow  of  vs  :  yet  are  wee  nc- 
uertheleffe  called  of  men :  and  if  that  maner  of  calling  were  not 
agreeable  too  Gods  will,  S.  Paule  would  not  haue  vfed  it.  V\^ee 
knowe  how  Sain6l  Paule  proceeded  in  that  cace,  namely  hmv  that 
in  euer^'  place  where  he  came,  he  ordeyTied  Miniflers  and  Shepe- 
herdes  by  ele6lion :  and  no  doubte  but  thardoyng  of  his  was  law- 
full.  Then  let  vs  marke  well,  thatS'aindl  Paule  dothe  not  vndiC- 
cretely  heere  condemne  fuch  as  were  called  by  mens  meanes :  but 
onely  ireateth  of  the  thing  that  was  peculiar  too  the  charge  of 
an  Apoflle.  For  that  was  the  difference  betweene  the  Apoftles, 
and  fuch  as  had  charge  of  particular  Churches :  according  whervn- 
to  the  fame  ftateremaynethat  this  day,  and  fhall  remayne  to  the 
worldes  end.  For  the  Apoftles  were  not  chozen  by  ele(5lion  of  men, 
nor  by  the  common  policie  of  the  Church  :  but  by  the  ver^^  m.outh 
of  the  Sonne  of  God.  Infomuch  that  when  it  behoued  die  Apo-  ^^  j  j 
(lies  too  put  another  fuccefTor  in  the  roome  of  ludas,  too  make  vp       *  •   •  -^ 
the  full  number  of  twelue  againe :  although  they  themfe lues  were 
there  prefent,  and  a  greate  multitude  of  Difciples  with  them :  yet 
durfl:  they  not  make  any  ele6lion.  When  there  was  any  choozing 
of  a  Shepeherde  for  the  Churche  of  lerufalem,  or  of  Antioche,  or 
of  any  other  people;,  this  fafhyon  was  vfed:  that  is  too  fay, 
firfte  tliey  prayed  ynto  God,  and  thereyppon  choze  fuchs  a  man 

as  was 


Chap  .1.  lo.CaLfirJl  Sermon  ypon 

as  was  found  meete  and  conuenient  for  that  office.  But  as  for  the 
othcr,they  referred  it  wholly  too  the  will  of  God,  and  cafte  lottes 
for  it,  as  for  a  tiling  thatpafled  their  witte.  T  he  caufe(as  I  fayd)  was, 
for  that  it  bchoued  the  ApofUestoobeechozenby  fpeciall  priui- 
ledge  from  aboue,  bycaufe  they  were  theperfones  by  whome  the 
Gofpe  11  was  too  bee  publifhed  ouer  the  whole  world.  No  we  as  for 
S.Paule,  hewaschozen  afterwardc.  Buthowfoeuer  itwas,hehad 
equallpriuiledge  with  the  refidue,  bycaufe  there  came  a  reuelation 
from  heauen,  too  fhewe  that  he  was  admitted  too  the  executing  of 
2  Cor  1 2.  ^^^^  office  :  he  was  rapted  vp  intoo  the  diird  heauen,  and  wee  haue 
^^2  feene  that  he  was  well  lyked  of  in  all  things.  Finally,  that  it  might 
appeare  too  bee  Gods  will  too  giue  him  a  larger  commifsion,  and 
too  haue  marked  him  out  for  the  Apoftle  of  the  Gentyles  :  he  had 
the  holy  Gholle  immediatly,  whiche  fpake  and  vttered  the  woorde 
from  aboue.  Yee  fee  then  that  ^Paule  was  not  chozen  by  meanes 
of  men.  And  yetnotwithftanding,  this  maner  of  choozing(as  I  fayd 
afore)  is  no  faulte  in  thofe  that  are  Shepeherdes  and  Miniflers  of 
the  Churche.  But  it  was  requifite  that  S.Paule  fliould  bee  priuiled- 
ged,  too  the  intent  he  might  bee  comparable  with  Peter  andlohn, 
and  with  all  thofe  that  had  bin  conuerfant  and  kept  companie  with 
the  fonneof  God,  while  he  dwelled  in  this  worlde^and  was  in  this 
mortal  I  lyfe.  Now  wee  fee  in  effect  whereat  S.Paule  amed.  And 
hereby  wee  bee  taught,  that  the  reuerence  whiche  wee  owe  too 
fuch  as  carie  abrode  Gods  woorde  and  beare  the  name  of  Shepe- 
herdes, ferueth  not  too  barre  God  from  beyng  herd  continually, 
nor  to  barre  our  Lord  lefas  Chrifte  from  being  the  cnely  Schoole- 
mayder  oFthe  Churche.  It  behoueth  vs  too  beare  this  fchoolepcint 
vyeil  in  minde,  or  elfe  our  fayih  will  alwayes  bee  fubie6l  too  many 
varieties, and  he  that  is  ainningeft  among  men,  fhali  euer  go  away 
with  the  gole  :  and  fo  fiiail  wee  haue  nothing  certaine,  but  we  fhall 
be  ftill  chaungyng  from  day  too  day,  yea  euen  euery  minute  of  an 
howre.  V\'herfore  let  vs  marke  vvell,that  if  men  alledge  the  names 
of  the  Churche,  of  Prelates,  or  of  BiHioppes  :  wee  muile  alwayes 
come  backe  too  this  poynt,  that  they  cannot  climbe  any  higher  than 
too  be  the  femants  of  lefus  Chi  i(le,and  to  bee  allowed  of  him.And 
howfliall  we  know  that  they  be  allowed  of  liira  C*  Firil  if  diey  haue 

bin 


; 


the  EpiU.to  the  (jalathians. 


bin  cKozcn  by  law  full  order,  with  calling  \npp^"  the  name  of  God. 
And  fecondiy  if  fuche  be  chozen  as  are  nieete,  that  haue  in  them 
wherewith  to  execute  their  office.  Lo  heere  the  markes  whereby 
we  may  l-jiow  and  be  well  alTured^tliat  they  be  fuche  Shcpcherdes 
as  God  alloweth  and  accepteth.  And  herewithali  it  is  not  ynough 
for  a  man  too  be  called  too  that  vocation :  but  he  mufl  alfo  execute 
the  charge  that  is  committed  too  him,  according  as  S.Paule  fayeth 
not  fingly  that  he  was  ordeyned  |  an  Apoftlej :  but  in  taking  diat 
name  too  him, he  flieweth  that  he  is  fent  to  beare  abroade  the  mef- 
fage  of  faluation,and  too  preache  the  Gofpell  too  the  world.Ther- 
fore  they  tliat  wiibe  taken  for  Bifhops  and  Prelates,muft  teach-.and 
if  they  be  Idolles  and  dumbe  dogges,  it  is  certaine  diat  as  thev  doo 
(hamefully  mocke  Gods  name  and  abufe  his  maieftie,  fo  alio  men 
may  reie6l  them  and  defpize  tliem,  yea  and  that  they  ought  too  be    ^ 
hild  as  accurfed,  bicaufe  they  pretend  Gods  name  failly.  Thus  yee 
fee  what  we  haue  to  niarkc  vpon  this  ftre^Tic.  Now  S.Paule  fayeth 
puipofely,  tb.it  be^XifOi  fent  ofkftvi  Cbrifie,  and  ofGodb'u  father  Ti^ho 
ray:^d  blmfrom  tbe  dead,  V\  hereas  he  fayeth  that  he  was  fente  of 
lefus  Chrifte,  it  is  too  bring  vs  backe  too  the  thing  whiche  I  haue 
touched  already :  that  is  to  wit;  that  if  we  couet  too  obey  God  and 
to  be  fubie<51:  to  him, wee  mude  imbrace  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  and 
giue  eare  vnto  him  as  too  the  only  fchoolemayfter :  and  both  great 
and  fmall  mufl  fubmit  themfelues  to  him  and  too  his  do^rine :  for 
he  that  honoreth  not  die  Sonne,  honoreth  nor  tlic  father,  as  it  is  -  ,        . 
fayd  in  the  fifth  of  lohn.  And  this  is  well  woorthie  too  be  marked :       **^'   * 
for  eueiy  man  will  needes  be  thought  to  honour  God,and  to  defire        ^' 
nothing  fo  muche  as  too  hold  himfelfe  vTider  his  yoke.  But  in  the 
meane  whyie^we  fee  that  the  worlde  fighteth  againft  the  Gofpell, 
and  noman  can  willingly  finde  in  his  hart  to  yeeld  too  it.  When  it 
commcth  to  the  poynt  that  lefus  Chrill:  caileth  vs  to  him,  euery  of 
vs  playes  the  rcbcll :  we  be  fo  wnldc  that  he  cannot  tame  vs:  wher- 
by  our  faythlcfncfTc  is  to  playnly  proued,  and  we  (hewe  ourfeiues 
to  defpize  God,how  goodly  proteftatios  foeucr  we  haue  made  be- 
fore ^or  he  fendeth  vs  back  to  his  Sonne,  &  wiileth  vs  to  floupe  to  !Py'^/.2.^.i2« 
him  to  doo  himhomagc.Yet  notwith{landing,as  wee  fee  and  as  ex- 
pcriaice  flic  we  th  too  much,  eucry  man  would  flirinke  away  from 

lubieCliQU 

/ 


Chap.  I.  ^Q^  CaLfirH  Sermon  ypon 

fubie£lion  too  our  Lord  lefus  Chiidc.  S.PauIe  therefore  fliewcth' 
wHat  a  maieftie  there  is  in  lefus  Chride  :  that  is  too  wit,  that  wee 
©ught  too  tremble  at  his  woorde,  and  to  hold  onr  peace  when  foe- 
iier  he  fpeaketh,and  too  rccc^oie  without  any  gainfaying,  whatfoc* 
tier  he  teachethjor  procedeth  from  him.  And  without  that,it  is  cer- 
taine  tliat  God  reiecleth  all  tlie  proteftations  that  we e  can  make  of 
our  dcfirourneiTe  tooferuc  and  honour  him.  Thus  are  wee  exhor- 
ted in  this  fireyne,  to  giue  our  felues  wholly  ouer  vnto  our  Lordc 
Jefns  Chrid/eyng  he  is  our  [only]  Shepeherd.thereby  to'fhew  that 
wee  be  his  true  fiieepe.and  that  wee  hcrken  too  his  voyce,  and  dii-- 
ceme  it  from  the  voyce  of  ilraungers.  Now  feyng  that  Godfhew- 
cth  himfclf  in  fuche  wife  vnto  vs,  as  wee  know  that  our  Lcrde  le- 
fus Chrifl  calleth  vs  too  him :  let  eucr}^  of  vs  follow  him,  and  fhew^ 
that  wee  be  of  his  Hocke  in  ^it^At.  Thus  yee  fee  what  we  hauc  too 
bearc  inminde.  Howbeit  forafmuchas  tliere  is  fuch  vnthankful- 
nefle  in  agreat  number,  that  they  cannot  findein  tlieirhartes  too 
fubmit  themfelucs  euen  too  the  Sonne  of  God :  Sain6l  Paule  doth 
heere  fet  downe  the  name  of  God  the  father  as  an  Ouerplus.  True 
CoIo/^.i.C.    it  ij  that  the  whole  fulnefle  of  the  Godhead  dwelleth  in  lefus 
sp.e^  2.  b,  Chrifte,  and  curfed  bee  he  that  feekctli  any  other  God.    But  yet 
^,  for  all  that,  for  afmuch  as  our  Lorde  Icfus  Chrifle  appeared  vntoc^ 

vs  in  die  fhape  of  man,and  was  conuerfant  in  this  world,  and  there 
defpizcd  yea  and  abaced  cuen  too  a  moPc  fhamefuU  death,  wherein 
hereceyuedall  thecurfes  that  were  due  vnto  vs  :  therefore  it  is 
fayd  that  if  wee  giue  not  eare  too  the  Sonne  of  God,  the  father  is 
preiudiced  dierby,accordyng  alfo  as  our  Lord  lefus  himfeif  deck- 
jMlie.xo.c,  i"€thinthathefayedi,PIethatdefpizethyoudefp!zedi  mee,andhe- 
l6.         ^^i^t  rcie6leth  mee  reieaeth  the  liuing  God  that  fent  mec.  Marke 
then  whervnto  the  order  tendeth  which  S.Paule  keepeth  :  namely 
that  if  we  do  not  willingly  honour  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,by  accep* 
ting  his  do6lrine  for  certain  and  infallible:  Godis  fet  at  naught, 
and  we  cannot  fay  that  our  intent  is  too  woorfhip  him,  for  he  will 
reie<5l  all  cur  doyngs.  And  why  :'  For  (as  I  fayd  afore)  it  is  ynough 
too  proue  vs  rebelles,  if  wee  feparate  the  Sonne  from  his  Father. 
And  S.Paule  addeth  exjirefly,  that  hfu6  Cbriffe  fl'^  ra^,^d  fiom  tbt 
dud^  too  the  end  that  his  Apoftleftip  fhouU  not  be  the  1  efle  eftee- 

sned^ 


the  E^isi.to  the  (jalathiauf.  8 

mecl,and  alfo  that  mcnfhould  match  him  with  the  number  5c  coni- 

panic  of  the  other  Apoftlcs,  according  alfo  as  he  was  added  too 

them  after  that  lefus  Chrifte  ceaffed  too  bee  any  rriOi'c  vpon  earch. 

For  (as  I  hauc  touched  already)  the  thing  wherwith  the  falfeApo^ 

(lies  which  came  too  ouerthrowe  all^vpbrayded  li!m/.vas  thisiHow 

now  [^faydthey]  -fHe  hath  not  bintlie  Difciple  of  the  Sonne  of 

God  as  Peter  and  lohn  were :  he  is  a  thing  borne  out  offeazon.And 

how  ci  he  fhew  that  he  hath  rece-^iied  his  do6b-ine  of  lefus  Chrill  i 

S.Paule  declareth  that  if  they  will  needes  inquyre  of  tlie  audiori- 

tie  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifle,  his  r^-zing  againe  ought  net  too  hauc 

diminLOicd  it.  Surely  though  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl  were  brought 

lowe  whyie  he  had  the  veyle  of  mans  nature  \Ypon  him,  whereby 

his  glory  was  after  a  forte  hidden :  yet  was  he  not  abaced  in  him- 

feife.  For  wee  knowe  that  theAngelles  acknowledged  him  for  L^/^-s.^ij, 

their  fouerayne  king,  and  although  he  were  Qbonie]  in  a  ftable  and 

layd  vpon  die  ground  as  a  creature  deflitute  of  all  help :  yet  we  fee 

that  the  Starrcs  of  the  side  bare  record  of  him.  To  bee  fhort;  die  Mdt,i,h.U 

maieftie  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte  was  alwayes  fufticiently  auou> 

ched,as  long  as  he  was  in  this  world.  But  yet  for  all  tliat, there  was 

a  muche  exccllenter  glory  in  his  refurrc^on,  accordyiig  as  it  is 

fayd  in  the  firfl:  too  die  Romanes,  that  then  he  was  (hewed  too  bee  %om^  i.  4. 4 

the  Sonne  of  God.  And  wee  alfo  haue  feene  in  die  fecond  Epiflle 

to  the  Corinthians,  that  as  he  fufiPered  vnder  weakenefTe  of  die  i.Cor.^M 

flefhejfohe  was  ra^'zed  againe  through  the  wonderful  1  power  of      i>^, 

Gods  fpirite.    So  then,  S.Paule  fliewcth,  that  although  our  Lorde 

iefus  Chrifl  bee  not  conuerfant  with  vs  nowaday es,  yctmude  not 

his  Maiedie  therefore  bee  diminifhed  nor  defaced,  diat  we  fliould 

not  yeelde  him  his  due  and  dcfcrued  obedience,  and  rece^aie  his 

woorde  reucrently  without  all  gaynefaying.  This  warning  is  ve-» 

rie  behooffuU  for  vs .   For  what  a  number  of  li:^htheaded  per-f 

fones  doo  v.^ee  fee,  which  woulde  haue  lefus  Chrifte  too  be  heerc 

in  vifibi  2  (hape :'  Tlieir  faying  is,  that  diey  would  favue  fee  lefus 

Chrifl  conuerfant  hecrc  beneathe,  and  that  [dien]  they  would  at 

the  firft  puHi  accept  what  foeuer  he  fpake  to  the,  fo  as  chere  fhould 

neede  but  one  woord  of  his  mouth  to  rauifh  them,aiid  there  fiiould 

oeede  none  other  teaching,tior  any  ether  man  to  be  mud  with  vs. 


Chap.T.  fcCaiJirfl  Sermonypon 

yea;kit  the  Sonne  of  God  vv^Iiich  came  downe,  harli  performed  his 
charge  whiche  was  committed  to  him  of  God  his  fatlier :  that  is  to 
(aVjhe  hxatli  preached  the  Gofpell,  and  fuhiciencly  confirmed  i:  hy 
his  death  and  pafsion.  Afterward  beyng  rizen  againe,he  Tent  foorth 
his  ApoiMes.  And  nowe  that  he  hath  all  fouerame  dominion,  fo  as 
the  Angciles  bow  their  knees  before  him,  and  that  he  hath  fuche  a 
mareftie  asfurmounteth  all  glory  both  in  heauen  and  earth  :  ought 
not  all  that  which  he  hath  done,to  fuffize  vs  throughly  c  When  it 
pleafeth  him  too  fend  vs  mortaJl  men;,  and  too  fend  forth  die  mcf- 
lage  and  ineftimable  treafure  of  his  Gcfpeli  in  brittle  vefTclies,  and 
yet  notwithftanding  will  haue  vs  to  receyue  them :  is  it  not  a  moc- 
kerie  to  lay^that  if lefus  Chrifl  were  widi  vs  and  in  our  companie, 
we  would  obey  him  r' For  if  heauen  and  enrth  muflc  bee  fayne  too 
quake  vnder  him,and  hisMaicflicbee  knowen  euen  to  the  Diuels 
of  hell :  and  yet  for  all  that,  wee  continue  blockifh,and  pretend  that 
he  IS  to  iarre  of  trom\'S:yet  notwithftanding  cur  Lord  lefus  fiiew- 
eth  fufiiciently  that  he  hath  not  foi-faken  vs,feing  we  haue  tlie  Go- 
fpell  preached  vnto  vs :  And  that  although  he  dwell  not  with  vS 
here  bylowe  in  vifiblefliape-yet  notwithftanding  we  fliaibee  contir- 
nually  io^Tied  widi  him,  and  that  forafmviche  as  he  is  our  head.hee 
will  goueme  his  bodic,  and  there  flialbe  one  vnCeparabk-  bond  be- 
twixt him  and  vs.  Now  feing  it  is  fo, we' ought  of  right  to  yeeld  him^ 
©bedience,and  his  refurredion  ought  to  touch  vs  to  the  quicke,  Sc 
to  workefuchea  reuerentawefulnefiein  vs,  that  whenfoeuer  the 
name  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifle  is  fpoken  of,  we  may  be  fure  that  it 
tja.6^,c,\6  jg  ^Q  j^^^P  wliereof  the  Prophet  fpeaketh,  wherby  all  men  ought 
to  rvveare,and  \vh  e r  eat  they  ought  to  bow  their  knees.  Thus  ye  fee 
in  effe6l  that  die  thing  which  we  haue  to  beare  m  minde,is,that  we 
fhould  not  meafure  the  Gofpell  after  the  rcfpe^l  and  reputation  of 
thofe  that  {peake  vnto  vs,  for  why,  they  be  frayle  mem  Nother  is 
that  the  thing  whereon  we  ought  to  ftay  :  for  that  were  as  muche 
too  fay,  as  we  fliould  fettle  our  faluation  vpon  the  eredite  of  men, 
which  mightcaufe  vs  too  rell  vpponthe  world :  but  wee  muflvn- 
4?er{land,  that  it  is  lefus  Chrift  which  fpeaketh.  And  howec'Inthe- 
MaiePcie  that  is  giucnhim  by  God  his  father :  for  the  power  of  the 
holy  Ghoft  was  then  (be  wed  too  the  fuil^wheahe  was  rayfed  from 
^  the 


the  EpiH.  to  the  ^alathians.  p 

the  dead.  Then  feyng  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  hath  obteyned  fuch  au- 
.thoritie  when  he  was  lifted  vp  into  heauen,  as  too  haue  fuperioritie 
ouer  all  a*eatures :  let  vs  leame  too  fubmit  our  felues  too  him,  and 
let  the  fame  feme  to  hold  vs  in  awe,  that  his  woord  may  be  recey- 
ued  of  vs,and  we  afTure  ourfelues  that  he  gouemeth  vs,  and  that  it 
bccommeth  vs  too  fuffer  our  felues  too  be  taught  in  his  name,  and 
(^too  vnderilandjthat  although  the  woorde  which  is  preached  vnto 
vs  proceede  out  of  the  mouth  of  men,  yet  notwithftanding  it  is  by 
the  authoritie  of  God,  &  our  faluation  mull  be  grounded  thervpon, 
as  well  as  though  heauen  opened  an  hundred  thoufand  tymes  too 
(hew  vs  the  glor)^  of  God.Lo(fay  I)how  it  behouetli  vs  to  be  taught 
in  tliis  worJci,\Titiil  God  haue  gathered  vs  into  his  euerlafting  heri- 
tage. And  that  is  the  thing  which  we  haue  to  beare  in  niinde,con- 
cernyng  that  the  glorie  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Qhrifie  is  exprefly  fet 
downe  in  this  place. 

Now  let  vs  fal  downe  before  the  MaiefHe  of  our  good  God  with 
acknowledgment  of  our  faultes,  praying  him  to  v^outchfafe  to  make 
vs  too  feele  them,  that  he  may  draw  vs  too  repentance  the  better, 
and  that  we  may  alwayes  hope  that  if  we  be  once  renewed  by  him, 
we  fhall  throughly  perceyue  that  it  is  he  which  ruleth  vs  by  his  ho- 
ly fpirit,  fo  as  hauing  that  record  imprinted  in  our  hartes,  wee  may 
boaft  without  hipocrifie  that  we  be  not  tied  to  this  world  although 
we  bee  in  it,and  that  wee  dwell  in  it  but  as  pilgrims  and  ftraungers, 
bycaufe  we  haue  a  better  dwelling  place  in  heauen,  where  our  heri- 
tage is  throughly  alfured  vnto  vs  by  fayth,  although  wee  poffefle  it 
not  prefently.  That  it  may  pleafe  him  to  graunt  this  grace,  not  only 
to  vs  but  alfo  to  all  people  and  nacions  of  the  earth,  Sec. 

The. z  Sermon  ypon  thejirfl  Chapter. 

3.  Grace  bee  vnto  you  and  peace  from  God  the  father^ 

and[from3  oar  Lord  lefus  Chrifte. 

4.  Who  gauc  himfelfe  for  our  finnes,  to  dcHuer  vs 

fronichis  euillvvorlde  according  too  the  will  of 
Godourfather. 

5.  To  whom  begloricfor  cuermorCj  Amen. 

B.  There 


Ghap.i,  fcCaLfecond  Sermon  ypon 

Kerc  is  no  man  but  he  dcfircth  his  oune  wcl- 
fare,anciwee  beeinclyncd  thereto  by  nature. 
Neucrthcleile  wee  be  very  farre  ouerfeene  ia 
that  behalf, 3c  know  not  which  is  the  fountaine 
from  whence  all  welfare  fpringevh,  and  muchc 
lefTe  what  is  the  true  cauie  of  our  happineffe, 
namely  that  God  loucth  vs,  Sc  that  we  be  fure " 
that  heholdeth  vs  for  his  children^Fcr  without  that^al  the  profperi- 
tie  of  the  worlde  is  nothing,nay  rather  it  fhall alwayes  turne  to  our 
fcarmc;  bicaufe  that  vntill  fuch  time  as  God  receyue  vs  into  his  fa- 
uour,webeaIiofvsaccurfed,andthe  goods  that  we  receyue  at  his 
hand  fhall  cofl  vs  right  deerely :  for  they  belong  not  too  vs,till  wee 
bee  of  the  felowfhip  of  his  children.  Therforewee  muft  abcue  ail 
things  feeke  to  be  in  the  fauour  of  our  God,,  and  too  bee  well  alTu- 
red  in  our  fclues,  that  he  admitteth  vs  too  be  of  his  houfehold  and 
Churche.  And  that  is  the  caufc  why  that  after  the  Prophete  hath 
rebuked  mens  worldly  defires,  intliatcne  would  haue  abundance 
ofwyne,  another  abundance  of  corne,  andeuery  man  hath,  an  eye 
^fJ.^i,  8  to  his  owne  eafe  :  it  is  fayd  in  the  Pfalme^tliat  no  thing  is  better  nor 
more  too  bee  defired,  thm  that  God  fhoulde  fhewe  vs  the  light  of 
his  countenance:  that  is  too  fay,  than  that  wee  might  take  holde 
of  his  fauour,not  doubting  but  he  will  aclcnowiedge  vs  for  his  chil- 
dren, as  I  tolde  you  afore.  And  that  alfo  is  the  caufe,  why  in  the 
hundred  and  fixth  Pfalme  the  Prophete  craueth  aboueali  thinges, 
that  God  fhoukl  bee  mindefuU  of  him  with  the  fauour  that  he  bea* 
reth  towardes  his  people.  Hee  knew  well  ynough  that  he  wanted 
many  tliings :  and  yet  he  ouerpafied  all  the  reil,  bycaufe  his  heart 
caried and  haled  him  the  other  way,  namely  [^  too  defire]  too  bee 
comprehended  in  the  number  of  Gods  chozeii,  and  therefore  hee 
fayethpurj:)ofely  j:ro)Y/rw^  to  the  Lone  \\'hiche  thouheareH  to'^ards  thy 
feoj)le.  True  it  is  that  God  giuedi  oftentimes  fome  (igne  of  his 
loue  too  all  men  in  generall :  but  yet  is  all  Adams  cfspring  cutte 
off  from  him,till  wee  bee  greffed  in  agayiie  by  lefus  Chriil.  Ther- 
fore  there  is  one  kinde  of  loue  whiche  God  beareth  towardes  all 
vnzn,  for  that  h  e  hath  created  them  after  his  ownc  image,  in  which 
refpe^l  he  maketh  die  Sunne  to©-ihyne  vppon  all  men,  nuriifh.ng 
■ii-:S  *'  tlien> 


theEf) 


ifLto  the  (jalatblans.  lo 


Aem'and  hauingacareof  their  life.  But  all  this  isnotliiiig,  in  re- 
fpedofthe  fpeciall  goodnefie  whiche  he  kecpeth  in  ilorefor  his 
diozcn,  and  for  thofe  that  are  of  his  fiocke  :  howbeit  not  for  any 
woorthineffe  which  hee  findeth  in  them,  but  for  bycaufe  it  pleafeth 
him  too  accept  them  for  his  owne.    And  fo  yee  fe  e  why  S  .Paul  e  in 
til  his  Epiftlcs  bringeth  vs  backe  too  the  grace  of  God,  and  too 
the  loue  which  he  bcareth  towardes  tlie  faydifull,  faying,  Grace  and 
.peace  bie  \>ntoo  jow.A'^nder  the  woorde'r^^fi?  (as  I  haue  fayd  here- 
tofore) he  comprehendeth  all  profperitie,  as  if  he  fhould  bcfccch 
God  too  prouide  vs  of  all  things  which  he  knoweth  too  bee  expe- 
dient for  vs,  too  poure  out  his  Riches  Nippon  vs,  and  too  fhewc 
himfelfc  fo  bountiFull  tov/ardcs  vs,  as  we  may  haue  caufe  too  mag- 
nifie  his  goodnefle.    Yet  notwithdanding,  for  afniuche  as  all  the 
goods  of  the  worjde  cannot  but  turne  too  our  harme,  vntill  wee 
be  in  Gods  fauour :  therefore  SainClPaule  keepeth  diis  order,  of 
fetting  downe  continually  Gods  grace  or  free  fauour  before  the 
benefites  which  hebefloweth  vppon  vs.  Although  then  that  wee 
muft  defire  God  to  make  vs  feele  his  goodnefTe  in  all  things  which 
he  knoweth  to  be  meete  for  vs :  yet  muft  wee  not  forget  the  prin- 
cipal! po)Tir,  that  is  too  wit,  that  he  (hould  take  vs  into  his  Church, 
andaniire  vs  in  ourhartes  that  he  beareth  vs  good  will.  \^hen  we 
once  fee  that  light,  let  it  falryze  vs  (as  it  is  fayd  in  the  Pfalnie)  and  f/aL^.  h,f 
let  the  fame  content  vs.  But  yet  for  all  that  although  God  giuc 
vs  leaue  too  wiHie  whatfoeuer  is  good  for  vs :  yet  muile  vvee  bry- 
dle  our  felues  in  fuche  wife,  that  if  he  liflc  too  fm^ae  vs  with  many 
miferies,  we  neuerthekjfTe  mufte  make  fuch  account  of  his  fauour, 
as  too  content  our  felues  with  that  alone,  though  all  the  reil:  be  ta- 
ken quite  and  cleane  from  vs.I  haue  told  you  already,that  although 
wee  liued  at  our  eafe  in  all  pleafures  and  delights, ye';  (hould  we  bee 
V'nhappicjvntill  fuch  time  as  we  be  fully  allured  in  our  confcienccs, 
that  God  louedi  vs,  and  iliat  we  be  in  his  fauour.  Yee  fee  dien  that 
wee  ought  not  too  haue  aminde  too  any  worldly  goodes,  except 
Gods  loue  go  before  the  m.   But  en  the  contrarie  pai-t,iF  God  iouc 
vs,  and  yet  in  the  meanc  whyle  lift*  too  trie  cur  patience  by  fufte- 
rini^  vs  too  hngcr  in  this  worldc,  and  by  }iutt;ng  vs  vnder  many  af- 
'fUctions;  v/ee  mufle  ftili  make  fuclie  accoun:  ofliis  fauour,  as, 

B.i;.  toobenro. 


Chap.i.  fo.Calfecond  Sermon  ypon 

^  bearc  all  things  patiently,not  withftanding  that  they  fecme  to  b* 
Viterly  againft  vs.And  it  Ihndeth  vs  fo  much  the  more  on  hand  too; 
beare  this  lefTon  in  mind,  bycaufe  wee  fee  men  wander  away  after 
their  own  iufles.  For  mofl  men  are  become  fo  brutifh,that  they  de- 
fire  nothing  but  to  haue  the  things  that  nature  teacheth  them  too 
like  of:  lliey  haue  no  regard  at  all  of  God.  One  defires  toeate,  Sc 
another  to  drinke^and  the  third  to  haue  apparell :  and  thefe  are  de- 
fires  that  houer  in  the  ayre.  But  the  poynt  whereat  we  ought  to  be-, 
gin,  is  too  know  that  God  is  the  founder  of  all  our  welFare,and  diat 
all  the  commodities  which  we  haue  in  this  world,  and  all  the  aydes 
which  wee  haue  too  help  vs  with^  are  benefits  proceeding  from  his 
hand.  Then  if  wee  cannot  apply  our  defires  vnto  God,  it  is  too  \tv 
toward,  yea  and  too  beaftly  a  thing :  and  yet  for  all  that,  the  mofle 
part  of  the  world  is  at  that  po^nt.There  are  otlicrfome  which  feeme 
too  take  a  better  way  and  rule :  but  yet  doo  they  alfo  pemert  all. 
They  defire  God  too  fend  them  the  things  which  he  knoweth  toa 
bee  good  Sc  profitable  for  themibut  in  the  meane  whyle  they  looke 
not  to  the  fountayne  wherout  of  they  fhould  draw  their  firft  water, 
that  is  to  wit, too  bee  reconciled  to  God.  For  all  is  one  with  them  fo 
God  fpare  themjand  execute  not  his  rigour  towardes  them.  As  for 
his  loue  or  hatred,  they  paiTe  not  greatly  for  it,  fo  he  handle  them 
after  the  defire  and  appetite  of  their  fleflie.  Now  although  fuch  ma- 
ner  of  men  do  feeke  vnto  God,yet  doo  they  fet  the  Cart  before  the 
horfe.  For  they  ought  to  fet  Gods  loue  in  the  firft  $c  chiefeft  place, 
and  then  to  come  downe  to  the  great  number  of  benefites  which  he 
beftoweth  vpon  vs,&;  wherby  he  witnefleth  his  goodnefTe  towards 
vs.  Alhtit  then  that  many  men  holde  not  themfelues  within  the 
fayd  meafure,but  make  more  vnmly  requeftes  vnto  God  than  one 
man  would  doo  to  another :  fo  as  one  man  craucth  RicheS; another 
Honour,  and  none  is  contented  with  that  whiche  God  fendeth :  yet 
notwithftanding,  though  men  were  well  aduized  in  their  wifhes,& 
precize  in  defiring  nothing  but  that  which  they  haue  neede  of,yet  if 
they  forget  Gods  fauour,therein  they  fiiew  themfelues  not  to  haue 
projRted  at  all.VVherfore  let  vs  marke  how  it  is  not  without  caufe, 
that  S.  Paule  hathheere  fet  downe  twoo  things  ioyntly  togither : 
that  is  too  witte^  that  God.  mufte  firfte  receyue  vs  into  his  lauour, 

fo  as 


theEpifl.to  the  (jalathians.         \\ 

fo  as  we  alfo  may  feele  him  to  be  truely  our  father,and  to  accept  vs 
as  his  children:  and  he  thervppon  afterward  make  vs  tooprolpen 
NoW;fuch  maner  of  profperitie  may  (as  I  haue  fayd  already)be  well 
wifhed  for :  but  yet  in  the  me  ane  while  the  only  goodnefTe  of  God 
muft  be  our  folace :  and  when  we  be  put  too  the  fuffering  of  many 
miferics  in  this  world,  fo  as  things  fall  not  out  z%  wee  woulde  haue 
them,  yet  mud  we  be  contented  with  this,  that  God  accepteth  vs. 
Andthercwithall  he  fetteth  downe  the  name  of  our  Lordelefus 
Chriil,bicaufe  it  is  not  pofsible  that  God  ihould  fauour  vs,  but  for 
Kis  owne  fonnes  fake  in  whom  is  his  whole  delight,  according  as  it 
is  {ayd,as  well  in  the.xv^ij.chapter  of  S.  Mathew,  as  in  the  firfle  too  Ej^hcfA.h,6f 
the  Ephefians.  Then  if  we  had  nothing  elfe  to  fet  before  our  eyes 
but  the  maieftie  of  God,  it  would  make  vs  afrayd,and  we  could  not 
haue  anyacceife  vnto  him,  bicaufc  we  be  frayle  creatures,  yea  and  • 
altogithcr  {infuli,  creeping  here  vppon  the  carrh,and  defevuing  too 
be  fwallowed  into  the  bottom  of  Hell.  Therfore  it  is  very  requifite 
that  Chrifl  fhouid  fhew  himfelf  vnto  vs,  and  that  wee  fhould  looks 
vpon  him, to  tafte  what  Gods  loue  is,  and  to  inioy  all  the  benefites 
which  he  befloweth  vpon  vs :  for  they  belong  not  to  any  other  tlian 
to  his  owne  onely  Sonne,  who  is  the  heyrc  of  all  anngs,as  the  Apo- 
{lie  fpeaketh  of  him  in  the  fi^-ft  chapter  to  the  Hebrcv/es.Seing  then  }iehrA»  d,% 
that  all  the  good  tunics  whiche  God  doeth  vs,  belong  peculiarly 
too  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte  :  it  bchoueth  vs  too  communicate  with 
him.  and  to  be  made  parttakers  of  them  by  his  meaiies.  Therfore  it 
is  not  without  caufe  that  S.Paule  fayeth  hecre,  fr6):n  God  the  father 
mdfrom  ourloyHi  Jefu6  Chnfl.  Yea  and  too  the  intent  too  giue  vs 
the  greater  afllirance  that  God  will  take  vs  into  his  fauour  (if  we 
feeke  him  truely  and  vnFa>iiedly,)  howbeit  by  the  meanes  of  his 
only  Sonne :  he  fayeth  that  lefu^  Cbrifi  gaue  hmfelfe  for  ourfmr^s> 
Now  it  is  certaine  that  nothing  putteth  vs  out  of  Gods  fauour,  but 
our  owne  finfuInefTe.  For  v/e  fee  that  his  merc^^  extendeth  it  felf  e- 
uen  to  the  Sparowes  that  flic  in  the  ayre,  and  vnto  the  bmte  beads. 
For  when  as  God  brin^etli  forth  ^affe  in  the  mountaynes,and  ma- 
keth  other  fodder  too  giow  for  cattell :  it  is  a  token  that  he  hath  a  ^fd,\o^.h. 
care  of  them.Andtraly  they  be  mai'kes  othis  goodneflc,as  it  is  faid  f  4  .er  147* 
in^thePfalmcs.Howtiienfhouidhenot  loue  thofe  whom  he  hath  i^.S. 
.  B.iij.  created 


foXal.fecond  S  ermonlDpon 

created  after  his  ovvne  image,and  which  approche  much  ncerer  too 
him^Sc  to  his  nature,that  is  to  ray,men :'  (  jod  therfore  in  refpe^l  of 
his  creating  of  vs^receiueth  &  auoweth  vs  for  his  owne.But  for  fo- 
much  as  we  be  conuptedand  ournature  is  become  finful,  k  caufeth 
God  too  hate  vs  and  too  take  vs  for  his  enemies,  fo  as  there  is  as  it 
were  a  deadly  foade  betweenc  him  and  vs,  till  he  haue  taken  vs  as- 
gain  into  his  fauourfor  our  Lord  lefus  Chriftes  falvcVVherfore  to 
the  end  we  may  not  haue  any  caufe  to  doubt  of  Gods  louCjS.Paule 
dodi  here  fet  downe  before  vs  the  Sacrifize  whereby  the  remembc- 
rance  of  ourtranfgrefsions  is  blotted  out,  fo  tliatGod  hauingnow 
forgotten  all  our  wretchednefTe^  beholdeth  vs  as  his  owne,  and  as 
thofe  on  whom  he  harii  fet  his  marke,&(to  be  fliort)as  thofe  whom 
he  hath  created  too  be  hi-s  children  andheyres.  And  hereby  wee  be 
wamcdjthat  there  is  none  other  meanes  to  pacifie  our  confciences, 
and  to  make  vs  able  to  call  vpon  God  in  full  libertie,  but  by  apply- 
ing too  ourielues  thefacriiize  offered  by  ourLorde  lefus  Chrift, 
wherein  he  hath  made  full  fatisfaftion  [for  vs],  fo  that  henceforth 
God  receyueth  vs  as  his  owne  children.  And  here  firft  of  all  we  fee 
ilie  force  of  the  death  andpafsionof  our  Lordlcius  Chrift,how  that 
therin  wc  find  attornment  betwene  God  and  vs.fo  that  whereas  we 
were  erft  at  oddes  with  him,andhe  muft  needes  haue  (as  ye  would 
fay)abhorred  vs :  now  he  voutchfafeth  too  take  vs  into  his  faucur. 
And  whyc'  BicauMS  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  hath  madeamendes  for  all 
our  faultes  Sc  mifdeedes,  by  the  obedience  which  he  ye  elded  in  his 
death  &  pafsion,infomuch  that  the  facrifize  which  he  offered  was  a 
[fulQfatisfa6lion  for  [all]  our  finnes,&  his  bloudfhed  became  like- 
wife  our  clenzing,andhath  waflied  vs  cleane  from  ail  the  fpottes  of 
ourfmnes.Thus  ye  fee  how  we  may  before  that  God  receiueth  vs» 
And  how  may  we  haue  the  boldneffe  to  call  vpon  him  and  to  refort 
vnto  himc*  Euen  by  fafteningour  eyes  vpon  the  Sacrifize  which  our 
Lord  lefus  Chrifthath  offeredFor  if  we  haue  not  diat,itis  certayne 
that  we  fhal  alwayes  be  afrayd,when  we  think  vpon  the  maieftie  of 
God.For  feyng  we  be  wretched  offenderS;how  fhould  we  not  be  a- 
frayd  of  our  iudge,  who  is  armed  to  execute  the  vengeance  that  we 
deferue  <  Neuertheleffe  for  afmuch  as  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  hath 
buricdwir  fauItS;  wemay  conie  vutg  God  boldly  and  without  any 


the  EpiU.to  the  (jalathians.        12 

fix>p.Howbcitit  behoucth  vs  to  marke  thcrewithal,that  the  facrifize 
wherby  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  hath  reconciled  vs  to  God  his  father, 
is  fo  fufikientjthat  it  bchoueth  vs  to  lay  vp  all  our  truft  therein,  ^ 
not  to  feeke  any  other  meanes :  according  alfo  as  S.  Paulcs  intent 
heere,istobnngbacketheGaladiianstothe  pure  truthe  from  the 
which  dicy  had  bin  led  away  &  feduced :  not  that  they  had  vtterly 
renounced  lefus  Chrifl:,but  that  they  had  intermingled  tjie  ceremo- 
nies of  die  Lawe,  thereby  to  obta\Tie  forgiueneiTe  of  fuincs,  as  who 
fhould  fay  there  needed  other  helpcs  therevntoiaccording  as  in  pa- 
pifhie  it  wil  well  ynough  be  graunted,that  lefus  Chrift  is  the  redee- 
mer of  the  world,  but  yet  therwithal  euery  man  feeketh  to  copound 
with  God,  &  to  make  amends  by  himfelf.  Now  the  Galathians  had 
already  bin  imbrued  with  the  like  errour.For  this  caufe  Sain6l  Paule 
(heweth  the,  that  {innes  are  none  othcr\vize  wiped  out,  than  by  the 
facriiize  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  to  thintent  that  our  fayth  may  reft 
wholly  there.Therfore  if  we  wilbe,parttakers  of  fo  great  a  benefite, 
we  muft  giue  ouer  a!  our  vaine  hopeSjSc all  the  illufios  that  the  Di- 
uell  puttethin  cur  minde,when  he  tvimeth  vs  afide  fro  our  Lord  le- 
fus Chrift  Sc  fro  his  only  grace,by  making  vs  to  beleeue  that  we  can 
.  come  vnto  God,if  we  bring  fome  amends  with  vs.  To  be  {hort,vn- 
-  till  fuch  time  as  we  be  fure  that  there  is  none  other  waftiing  where- 
with toskoure  out  the  {pottes  of  our  iniquities,but  the  bloud  which 
:  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  hadi  Aed,  &  wherwith  we  be  linced  through 
•  the  holy  ghoft:  it  is  certain  that  we  ca  neuer  corrte  freely  vnto  God, 
nor  reft  vpon  his  fauour  &:  loue,  but  fhall  euer  be  wandering  in  our 
own  imaginacions :  Be  thatfhal  be  a  due  payment  for  our  misbelefe, 
in  that  we  haue  not  yeelded  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  the  honor  tliat  he 
defemed.Thus  ye  fee  in  etfe<Sfc  what  we  haue  to  beare  in  mind  here, 
>  where  S.Paule  fetteth  the  death  &  pafeion  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift 
before  vs, telling  vs  tliat  that  is  the  thing  wherein  we  (hall  finde  the 
:  amends  of  all  our  faultes,  fo  as  they  ftial  not  be  called  any  more  too 
iaccount  before  God.  Andhefayethpurpofely^^^^  Iffm  Chrifigdite 
himfelfe,  too  the  end  wee  ftiould  the  more  boldly  take  holde  of  his 
Loue.  For  wee  fee  heere,  that  when  our  Lord  kfus  Chrift  did  put 
.foorth  himfelfax)o  malce  attonement  betweene  Godandvs,he  fy^ 
.rednot  his  ownc  body -&  foul<?,m  fomudi  that  he  iiidured  extreme 
i.'l  B.UIJ.  angaifli 


Chap.i,  fo^Caificcnd  Sermon  vpon 

«ngui{K  in  his  foule^as  h e  tliat  was  our  bdrrow  in  th  e  fame^and  bar« 
the  wrath  of  God  in  our  behaife.And  in  his  body  aifo  he  indured  all 
reproch  and  fhame,  and  therewithal!  alio  the  horriblefl  tormentes 
that  could  be  deuized.and  al  this(as  1  fayd  afore^fheweth  right  wel, 
that  the  loue  which  he  bare  vs  \vcs  ineflimablejfithheforgate  hira- 
felf  after  that  fort  for  our  fakes.But  yet  notvvithflanding,herev/ith- 
allvS.Paule  bringeth  vs  alwayes  backe  too  the  will  of  God^too  fliew 
that  when  our  Lord  lefus  Chriil  did  in  that  wfZQ  performe  all  that 
belonged  too  our  faluation,  it  was  no  let  but  that  God  in  the  meane 
whyle  vtteredhis  mercy  in  the  fame,  according  as  it  is  fayd  inano- 
ldn.}.h,)6  tJ^er  text,  that  God  fo  loued  the  worlds,  that  he  fpared  not  his  onely 
fonne,  but  deliuered  him  to  death  for  vs.To  the  intent  thevfore  that 
we  fhould  not  think  that  tlie  comming  of  our  Lord  lefas  Chrift  too 
paafie  God  his  father,was  after  fuch  a  fort  that  he  perfuaded  him  to 
alter  his  purpofe,  (as  men  are  inclined  to  fuch  groffe  &  earthly  ima- 
ginacions:)  S.Pauie  (to  fhew  vs  that  God  was  not  reconcyled  vnto 
vs  after  the  manerofmen)telleth  vs  expreily  that  the  caufe  why 
lefus  Chrift  was  deliuered  for  our  iinnes,  was  for  that  God  had  fo 
ordeyned  it.  For  if  a  man  be  angry  with  his  childe,  fo  me  other  man 
may  fteppe  in,too  appeafe  his  wrath,and  fuch  a  one  fhall  fupply  the 
roome  of  a  third  partie.Bnt  the  cace  ftoode  not  fo  with  our  Lord  le- 
fus Chrift  when  he  offered  himfelf  in  Sacriiize  too  do  away  all  our 
finnes,  5c  to  make  vs  way  vnto  God  from  whom  we  were  fhet  out 
before.He  came  not  as  one  that  ftepped  in  of  his  owne  head,and  as 
though  God  had  not  meddled  with  the  matter.  How  then  C'  God(as 
hath  bin  touched  not  long  fince  (did  both  hate  vs  and  loue  vs  before 
the  reconciliation [^was  made.]  And  why  loued  he  vsc'Bicaufe  we  be 
kis  creatures.  And  again,  although  he  faw  we  were  (b  wretched,and 
vtterly  forlorne  cc  damned  folke  by  reafonof  fin :  yet  notwithftan- 
ding  he  had  pitie  vpon  vs,  Sc  would  not  haue  mankind  to  perifh  vt- 
terly. Thus  ye^  fee  how  God  loued  vs,notwithftanc!ing  that  in  the 
perfone  of  Adam  we  were  fallen  away  fro  him  &  vtterly  corrupted. 
Thervyithall  he  didalfo  hate  vs,  euen  bicaufe  he  is  the  welfpring  of 
all  rightuoufnelTe.  1  herfore  he  abhorred  the  naughtineffe  diat  was 
in  vs  by  rcafon  wherof  diere  needed  an  atjonemet  to  be  made  in  the 
bloud  of  our  Lofdlefu^  Chrift^Sc  by  the  facriSze  which  he  offered. 


theEpB.totheQalaihianr.        ir 

But  yet  inuft  not  tkat  benefite  bee  fathered  \^p6n  ^ny  otlierthan 
God.  Yee  fee  then  howe  it  was  Gods  dooing  too  fende  his  onely 
fonne,and  too  giue  him  ouer  vnto  death  for  vs.  And  why :'  To  the 
cnde  that  all  hatred  betweene  him  and  vs  fhoulde  bee  done  away. 
This  in  efFeft  is  the  thing  that  ought  to  be  vnderflood  of  S.  Paules 
WoordeS;,when  he  faith  that  lelus  Chr  id  gaue  himfeife  to  the.de  ath 
foRourfinnes,  and  yet  notwathftanding  that  the  fame  came  not  top 
pafle  without  the  wil  of  God,  who  had  determined  the  fame  afore- 
hande  in  his  owne  euerlafling  purpofe.    Heere  firft  of  all  we  haue 
too  magnifie  the  mercie  that  was  fhewed  vs ,  in  the  perfon  of  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chrifl.  For  if  God  had  |l)Utlproclaymed  a  pardon^and 
tolde  vs  that  he  woulde  take  vs  to  mercie  though  we  were  vnwor- 
thie  of  it :  that  had  bin  verie  much,  yea  and  it  had  bin  impofsible  for 
vs  to  magnifie  fuch  a  gracious  goodneffe  as  it  deferueth.But  feeing 
he  hath  lent  vs  fuch  a  gage  of  his  loue  as  his  owne  forme ,  and  gy- 
ueth  himfeife  to  vs  in  his  perfon,  [thereby]  fhewing  himfeife  to  be 
our  father :  it  fo  farre  pafTeth  all  that  we  haue  fayde ,  that  if  all  our 
•wittes  were impioyed too  woondering  at  fuche  a  goodneffe,  yet 
fhoold  wee  neuer  come  to  the  Rilnefle  thereof.  Thus  ye  fee  what 
we  haue  to  marke  in  the  fuil  place,when  Saint  Paule  fpeaketh  too 
vs  of  Gods  will.  Qiowbeeit]]let  vs  vnderftande,tliat  euen  from  the 
time  that  God  had  iuft  caufe  to  hate  vs,  and  to  abhorre  vs,  yea  and 
Qeuen  from  the  time]  that  we  were  his  enimies  (as  the  Scripture  ^,^,h.  lO. 
fayth)  in  verydeede  1-re  neuer  ceaffed  to  haue  fome  regarde  of  vs, 
and  to  extende  his  pitie  fo  farre  fojcnh,  as  he  would  not  haiie  vs  to 
abyde  inourdeftruftion  :  info  much  that  he  hath  not  thought  it 
ynough  to  declare  the  fame  by  word  of  mouth,  but  alfo  hath  giuen 
vs  fuch  a  pledge  as  wee  fee,  that  is  to  wit/:: r^t  his  owne  fonnc  hath 
anfwered  for  it.  Now  feeing  it  is  fo  that  God  hath  (hewed  himfeife 
fo  gracious  and  merciful!  before  we  were  recoOciicd  to  him :  what 
will  he  do  now  when  we  haue  fo  fure  a  warrant ,  and  that  the  GqC- 
pell  alfo  is  preached  vnto  vs,to  alTure  vs  tliat  we  tfe  knit  vntoo  our 
Lord  lefus  Chrifl:  by  fayth,as  members  of  his  bodie  c'  Shall  we  now 
doubt  of  Gods  loue  towards  vS;  when  we  haue  fogood  a  coniirma- 
don  of  it,as  Saint  Paule  fayth  intlie  fift  Chapter  to  the  Romainesc' 
tf  fo  be  that  lefus  ChriJ[i;.(fay  th  he)  came  to  put  away  ail  our  finne? 

B.v.  at 


chap.r.  fo.CalfecondSermonyfpon 

at  {uch  times  as  there  was  yet  deadly  foad  betwene  god  Be  vs:ought 
not  all  doubting  to  be  troden  vnder  foote,and  we  not  be  afrayde  in 
any  wife  too  call  vpon  our  God,  but  afTurc  our  felues  of  our  owne 
faluation,nowe  when  God  hadi  fo  confirmed  it  vnto  vs,  when  hec 
hath  admitted  vs  into  his  fauour^when  he  calleth  and  allureth  vsas 
gently  as  may  be^and  when  hee  fheweth  and  certefieth  vs  that  hee 
doth  as  it  were  hold  open  his  amies  to  imbrace  vs,  whenfoeuec  we 
will  come  vnto  him  1  Thus  ye  fee  what  we  haue  to  beai-e  in  minde 
in  thisllreyne.Furthermore,let  vs  marke  alfo  the  lone  of  our  Lord 
lefus  ChriA^how  that  feeinghee  hath  giuenhimfelfe  after  that  fort 
-for  our  finnes.he  will  not  fuff er  his  death  and pafsion  to  be  \mpro- 
iitable,nor  the  facrifice  which  he  hath  once  offered,  to  be  v^oyd  and 
ofnonee{fe6l,  without  bringing  fonhfrute  in  vs.  But  as  hee  hath 
offered  himfelfe  once  for  al  I :  fo  alfo  will  he  be  our  continuall  Me- 
diator and  Aduocate,to  the  ende  we  may  be  partakers  of  the  clen- 
nefle  which  he  hath  purchafed  for  vs,  that  beeing  ridde  of  all  our 
*  fowl enelTe  we  may  appeare  [cleane]]  before  God,and  fpeake  vnto 

him  with  open  mouth.  Lo  how  we  ought  to  gather  togithcr  all  the 
tilings  that  are  fliewed  vs  here  for  the  ftablifliing  of  our  faith,&that 
we  may  freely  refort  vnto  our  God,notas  ftraungers  to  him ,  but 
as  his  owTie  children  and  familiar  friendes.  And  herewithall  let  vs 
learnealfo,  tofhake  off  all  the  illufions  and  fancies  of  Satan,  who 
.  feeketh  by  all  nieanes  too  turne  vs  away  from  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chiift,  or  elfe  to  darken  the  grace  which  we  fhoulde  finde  in  him : 
and  when  he  can  not  abolifh  it  vtterly,  he  fnarleth  vs  and  putteth 
[[new]  meanes  into  our  heades  whereby  to  pui'chafe  fauor  at  Gods 
handc.  But  let  vs  cut  off  all  fuch  tilings,  and  fo  faften  all  our  wittes 
Vpon  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  as  he  onely  may  fuffize  vs,  and  we  vt- 
terly mi/lyke  whatfoeuer  fliall  come  in  our  headc  too  purchafc 
grace  and  fauor  withjafTuring  our  felues  that  there  is  not  any  other 
thing  that  may  caufe  God  to  receyue  vs  to  mercic ,  than  the  faery-  " 
fizc  whereby  ali  righteoiifneffe  andclenneffe  was  purchafed  fof 
vs.  Furthermore,  vnder thefe  woordes  of  (jodi y^'iH,  it  behoueth 
vs  too  comprehende  a  free  goodneffe,  too  exclude  all  tliat  men  arc 
woonttoo  malce  themfelues  beleeue  of  their  owne  merits  :  for  ia 
that  fence  aJTo  axe  thofe  wordes  taken  ip  the  holy  5criptuic,  fo  that 


the  EpiB.to  the  QalathianT.       xa 

(as  I  hauctoldeyou  before)  the  thing  which  is  termed  heereby 
the  name  of  WiU,  is  termed  elfev^iere  by  the  name  of  good pleafure. 
Saint  Faille  therefore  not  onelyHieweth  that  the  welfpring  of  our  hic^liA 
Redemption  and  Saluation  confifteth  in  the  ordinance  qikI  euer-        ' 
laHingpurpofe  of  God  the  father :  but  alfo  intendeth  to  beat  down 
all  pryde  and  prefumption,  by  (hewing  that  wee  muft  yeelde  the 
whole  prayfe  of  our  righteoufnefTe  too  the  free  fauour  of  God, 
which  had  no  regarde  at  all  of  our  deferuings.  For  let  vs  examine 
our  felues:  and  what  (hall  God  find  in  vs  but  vtter  wretchedneiTe^* 
Andthatistheverie  caufewhyGod  voutfafeth  his  mercie  vpon 
vs.  SothenletvsafTure  our  felues,  that  hencefoorth  wee  may 
freely  lift  vp  our  eyes  to  heauen,  and  prcfeire  our  prayers  and  fup- 
plications  vnto  God,  bycaufe  he  hathpreuented  vs,  according  as  it  7^l„  ait/? 
h  fayd  in  S.  John, that  he  had  not  taried  till  we  loued  him,  (for  that  * 

was  impofsible  bicaufe  we  be  wholy  bent  \mto  euill,  and  are  vtter- 
ly  giuen  ouer  to  it : )  but  had  loued  vs  euen  though  wee  were  his 
cnimies.  And  fo  ye  fee  that  the  appearing  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift, 
was  too  the  ende  too  reconcile  vs  to  God  his  father ,  asweehaue 
fhewedalreadie.     That  therefore  is  in  e(Fe6l  the  tliir^  that  wee 
hauetobeareinminde.  Nowe  Saint  Faule  addeth  immediately, 
that  it  ytai  to  (ieliuer  y^s  from  this  y^icked  "Oporldf,  Heere  he  (heweth 
why  we  bee  called  too  the  knowledge  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift : 
andalfo  why  lie  hadi  fet  fo  great  (lore  by  vs,as  to  redeeme  vs  as  he 
hath  done :  [namely^  to  the  ende  we  fiioulde  not  abide  in  our  filth 
and  vnclennefTeabut  be  withdrawne  away  from  it  by  him.  In  v erie : 
deed  that  is  not  the  caufe  of  our  faluation,  but  the  ende  and  marke 
wherat  GodlokedQnordeyning  vs  to  faluation.] The  thing  there- 
fore which  it  ftandeth  vs  on  hand  to  haue  an  eie  vnto  when  our  re- 
demption is  fpoke  of,is  that  we  muft  begin  at  the  free  fauor  which 
God  bare  vnto  vs^when  he  determined  in  his  euerlafting  purpofe, 
that  we  fhould  be  brought  backe  againe.vnto  him  by  the  meanes  of 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.And  fo,that  was  the  principall  caufe.  Ano- 
ther caufe  thereof  is  lefus  Chrift,in  whome  we  c  £nde  all  that  is  re-      .   -      - 
quifite  for  our  afTurance.  For  tliere  we  fee  our  finnes  blotted  out,      ' 
inafmuch  as  hee  is  ordeyned  to  be  our  borrow,and  hath  made  fuch 
amcndes  for  vs  ,  as  nothing  can  flop  vs  from  comming  too  God,  , 

That 


Chap.  I.  fo.Cal./econd  Sermon'Vpon 

That  is  tKe  fecondc  poynt  which  wcc  hauc  too  remember  hccrc, 
ISjow  the  meane  whereby  we  be  made  partakers  of  our  Lcrde  lefus 
Ghrift,is  our  imbracing  of  the  promifes  of  the  Gofpel  by  true  faith. 

'  '  For  the  faythlefle  haue  no  profite  at  all  by  the  death  and  pafsion  of 
our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  but  rather  are  fo  much  the  more  damnable, 
bicaufe  they  reie6l  the  meane  that  God  had  orde^ned :  and  theyr 
vmhaiikfulnelTe  fhall  be  fa  much  the  more  grieuoufly  puniHied^bi- 
caufe  they  haue  trodenvnderfoote  the  blond  of  ourLorde  lefus 
Chrifl:, which  was  the  ranfome  for  their  foules.Theifore  it  f^ndeth 
vs  on  hande  to  rece^-ue  the  promifes  of  the  Gofpell  by  fayth,if  we 
defire  that  lefus  Chrift  fhould  communicate  himfelfe  vnto  vs,  and 
that  he  fhould  bring  vs  to  the  poflefsion  and  inioyment  of  the  be- 
rjefites  which  he  hath  purchafed  for  vs  :  fo  as  they  belong  not  too 
any  odi e  r  than  fuch  as  are  membe rs  of  his  bodie ,and  are  graff  ed  in- 
to him,and  r  eceyue  him  by  fayth,acGording  as  it  is  fayd  e  in  the  firft 

hhn»i,h,l2  Chapter  of  Saint  Iohn,that  Godaccepteth  and  auoucheth  thofe  for 
his  children, which  beleeue  in  his  only  fonne.  Thus  ye  fee  what  we 
haue  to  remember  in  the  thirde  placC;,  when  we  come  too  the  fcan- 
ning  of  ourfaluation.  Nowe  remayneth  that  God  bee  glorified  in 
vs,  as  good  reafon  is  that  he  fhoulde  be.  And  in  that  refpeft  alfo, 

/»  .  J  .  Saint  Paule  in  die  thirde  to  the  Roma^Ties  fayih,that  wheras  God 
^  '  '  *  h^th  giuen  vs  the  meanes  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift ,  too  finde  fa- 
uour  at  his  hande  by  the  forgiuenefle  of  our  finnes^and  therewithal 
fent  vs.the  Gofpell  to  put  vs  in  pcfiefsion  of  the  fame  benefit  e:his 
fo  doing  is. to  the  ende  that  he  onely  may  appcare  to  be  righteous, 
and  be  gLoriiied  therefore,fo  as  we  fhouid  yeeld  him  all  prayfe,  and 
acknowledge  our  felues  beholden  to  him  for  all  things.  Neuerthe- 
Jcffethe  glorifying  of  God  confifteth  not  onely  in  our  confefsing 
with  our  mouth  that  he  is  die  authourof  our  faluation,  and  tliat  the 
fajiie  commeth  of  him  alcneiy.and  of  his  mere  goodneffe  and  free 
grace  :  but  alfo  in  becommii^g  newe  men  through  his  holy  fpirite, 
fo  as  his  image  fliineth  forth  in  vs^and  we  indeucr  to  giue  ouer  our 

Go€l  hath  not  called  vs 
eaning  is  too  maJie  vs 
holy  to  himfelfe.  Nowe  then  feeing  the  caceflandeth  fo:  it  is  not 
for  nought  that  Saint  Paule  addeth  lieere,that  lefus  Chrift  hath  de-- 

liuered 


the  Efi^Mthe  ^alathians.       ijf 

Kaercdvs  from  this  wicked  world  by  offering  himrelfe  for  vs^and 
that  he  hath  wyped  out  the  remembrance  of  our  finnes  before  God 
his  father, to  the  cnde  we  fhould  not  he  any  longer  plunged  in  our 
owne  fiith  and  vnclenneffe ,  but  be  as  it  v/ere  (eparated  from  the 
worldjto  the  intent  to  become  the  heritage  of  God,  and  to  difpofe 
our  whole  life  to  fuch  obedience,  as  it  may  be  feenc  that  like  as  hee 
hadi  adopted  vs  to  be  his  children/o  we  aifo  haue  loued  and  hono- 
red hi-n  as  our  father.  And  out  of  all  doubt,  when  as  it  is  fayde  that 
we  muft  be  taken  out  of  this  wicked  world,it  is  a  benefit  which  we 
ought  to  beabafhed  at.For  vnder  the  word  IVorld^s  comprehended 
all  that  belongeth  to  man  in  his  owne  nature.The  worlde  of  it  felfe 
hath  in  it  neither  vice  nor  corruption:  but  al  the  euilneffe  of  it  com- 
mcth  of  the  finne  that  dwellcth  in  vs.So  then,whereas  it  is  faid  that 
die  worlde  is  wicked,  according  alfo  as  S.Iohn  in  his  canonicall  E-  i.lohu^,d, 
piftle  fayth  that  all  the  world  is  faped  and  plunged  in  naughtinefle:       i^. 
that  wickednefTe  is  neither  in  the  Sunne,  nor  in  the  Moone,  nor  in 
the  earth,  nor  in  the  water,nor  in  any  of  all  the  things  that  are  con- 
teined  in  them.but  in  that  we  be  fo  peruerted,that  we  haue  infe6led 
dl  things  heere  bilowe  without  vnclenneffe :  and  that  as  long  as 
men  continue  in  themfelues  and  m  their  owne  nature,thcy  bee  but 
filthinefle,  fo  as  they  muft  of  necefsitie  difpleafe  God.    For  furely 
there  can  be  none  agreement  betweene  righteoufnefle  and  vnrigh- 
teoufnefic .  But  in  vs  there  is  nothing  to  be  found  but  vnrighteouf- 
nefle.  Therefore  we  muft  either  be  withdrawne  from  our  felues, 
©relfewefhailneuerbeablefocomenievnto  God.    VVhatHiali 
then  become  of  all  the  blinde  wretches,  which  beare  themfelues  in 
hand  that  they  be  able  to  worke  wonders  with  their  free  will,theyr 
vertues,their  wifdome,and  I  wote  not  what  elfe  c'  According  as  wc 
fee  that  men  do  always  like  well  of  themfelues,  Sc  although  they  be 
conuifted  to  haue  nothing  but  filthinefle  in  them,&  that  they  be  fo 
lothfome  as  it  is  pitie  to  fee  it^and  they  themfelues  ought  to  be  a- 
fhamed  of  if.yet  they  will  ftill  chalenge  fomwhat  to  themfelues,  & 
tlwayes  deceyue  thefelues  with  their  owne  fond  im'aginations.And 
yet  notwithftanding  when  men  haue  well  tried  themfelues,all  that 
they  can  find  in  them  fhal  be  condemned  vnder  the  terme  obiaugh» 
$inffe\QT  y^kkedne^e-riin^oTmch.  that  it  is  (hewed  therby,that  there 

is  no- 


Chap.  I.         fo.Calfeconcl  Sermon  vpon 

is  nothing  but  corruption  in  vS,  and  that  if  wcc  prefumc  too  preach 
vnto  God  as  we  be  of  our  relues,hee  muft  needes  driue  vs  a  great 
way  of.Therefore  marke  this  for  a  grounde,  that  heere  all  pride  is 
beaten  downe,  too  the  intent  that  menmaylearne  too  leaue  tlieir 
boafting  in  any  thingjfaue  in  the  free  goodnefie  of  God,  and  bee  To 
abafhed  in  confidering  their  owne  (lianie,  that  they  may  condemns 
themfelues  with  their  owne  mouth,and  not  tarie  til  God  giue  fen- 
tence  againfl  them,but  become  their  owne  fudges.  This  is  it  in  ef- 
fect which  we  haue  to  marke.  And  now  we  fee  how  it  behoueth  vs 
to  walke  w^arely  and  carefully,  that  we  may  be  afTured  that  the  death 
and  pafsion  of  our  Lordlefus  Chrift  belongeth  to  vs.  For  i^wc  will 
needes  giue  bridle  too  our  ludes ,  it  is  certaine  that  our  Lordc 
lefus  Chrifl:  will  difclayme  vs.  True  it  is  that  our  Valuation  re- 
ftcth  al wayes  v^^on  the  onely  gocdnelfe  of  G od,  and  that  we  mull: 
pot  intermeddle  our  owne  v/orkes  when  v/e  intende  too  haue  the 
certaintie  of  fayth,  but  rather  renounce  our  felues.  Neuerthelefle 
howfoeuer  the  cacc  {landetli,our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  is  not  come  tQ 
giue  vs  occafion  too  abufe  the  grace  that  he  hath  purchafed  vs ,  for 
that  were  a  mocking  of  him  to  his  face.  If  we  fhoulde  go  wallow  .a- 
gaine  in  our  owne  filthinelTe  after  that  hee  hath  wafhed  vs  in  his 
bloud,were  it  not  a  wilful!  defyling  of  the  thing  that  is  moft  holy, 
yea  and  which  maketh  all  the  whole  world  holy  -f  Now  forafmuch 
as  we  are  all  of  vs  corrupted,  and  the  whole  v/orld  is  fubie^l  to  cur- 
fmgjand  al  1  of  vs  are  condemned:  diere  is  not  any  thing  to  fan6li£c 
vs  ^againe^but  [lonely]  die  bloud  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrill.  And  hovf 
great  and  intollerable  a  trecherie  were  it,if  we  as  much  (as  in  vs  li-- 
eth){liouldfall  to  beraying  of  our  felues  again  in  ourownfiithincs^ 
1  he  let  vs  marke  wel,diat  to  inioy  the  frute  of  the  death  5c  pafsion 
of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.we  muft  not  take  libertie  to  do  euil,nor  to 
liuc  after  our  owne  appetites  and  lullesibutwe  m.uft  alwayes  come 
to  the  feparation  wherof  S.Paul e  fpeketh  here, which  is  to  be  with- 
drawne  from  this  wicked  v/orld, &  not  to  breaJcc  afunder  the  things 
tiiat  are  knit  togidier  with  fo  holy  a  band,  nor  to  difanull  the  order 
of  God.Thc  faytlifali  therefore  mull:  giue  thcm.felues  to  all  pure- 
nelTe  of  iifcjand  conlider  that  die  redeeming  of  them  by  our  Lonl 
le^us  Chriil:,  and  by  die  facrifice  of  his  death  and  pafsion,  k  vppon 
condition  that  they  fhould  foriakethemfelucs,  according  alfo  as  v/c 

hcere 


the  Episluo  the  ^alathians.        i6 

hccrchow  our Lordlefus  ChriflteJletli  vs,  that  thofe  which  wii  be  Hir}^,Z.i* 
his difciplcs^.muft  abace  thefelues  &  folow  him.  What  hauc  we  the       34. 
to^o,ancl  what  ought  to  be  our  trauej  all  the  time  of  our  hfe :'  We 
muft  do  our  indeuer  to  witlidraw  our  felues  from  the  delilcTnentes 
of  this  worldpthat  wc  may  cleaue  vnto  our  God  mpureneUe  of  life* 
True  it  is  that  this  thing  is  notperfe6]:ed  in  vs  vntili  wee  bee  quite 

•  v/ithdrawne  from  the  world.but  yet  that  is  tlie  marke  that  we  muft 

*  ame  at,and  wher\Tito  it  behoueth  vs  to  draw  more  Sc  more.  Then 
hke  as  the  faythfull  refort  continually  to  Gods  mercie^ grounding 
themfelues  therevpon;,.and  are  not  otlierwife  righteous  than  by  the 
forgiueneUe  of  their  firines:  fo  alfo  behoueth  it  them  to  kepe  on  to 
the  end  which  S.Paule  fettethdown  to\s  here,  which  is  to  be  fepa- 
rated  from  the  world. And  thofe  two  tilings  are  well  worthie  to  bee 
marked-Some  fantafticai  peifons  haue  imagined  fuch  a  perfe6tion, 
that  whe  we  be  once  regenerated  in  our  Lordlefus  Chrift,we  haue 
no  more  need  of  the  forgiuenclTe  of  our  finnes.  Infbmuch  that  they 
fay  we  keepe  die  worlde  ftill  to  their  Apfle ,  when  wee  preach  that 
we  cannot  become  righteous  but  by  fayth,nor  come  in  Gods  fauor 
but  by  his  forgiuing  of  our  fms,  and  by  his  couering  of  the  through 
his  owne  goodnefTe.But  that  is  adiuclifh  pride,  and  yet  among  Pa- 
pifls  there  is  no  more  praife  than  that  giuen  vnto  Gods  goodnefTe. 
So  dien  let  vs  abhorrefuch  harebraynes,  and  all  theii*  blafphemies, 
when  they  go  about  to  bewitch  vs  fo  farre,  as  too  make  vs  beleeue 
that  we  haue  no  more  neede  too  be  pitied  of  God,  nor  to  haue  our 
(innes  forgiuen  vs.But  let  vs  truft  vnto  it, that  it  ftandeith  vs  on  had 
to  figh  and  grone  al  our  life  long,  and  that  diere  is  none  other  hope 
to  affure  vs  of  our  faluation ,  but  firfl:  to  yeeld  our  felues  giltie,and 
then  to  be  out  of  all  doubt  that  the  bloud  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chriil 
doth  continually  wafli  vs  pure  and  cleane.Mark  that  for  one  poynt. 
And  thenvithall  let;  our  indeuor  alwayes  be  to  bee  feparated  from 
this  wicked  workie.    And  how  c' Euen  by  praying  vntoo  God  too 
touche  vs  lii-fl  with  his  holy  fpirite,  and  afterwarde  too  iner^afe  his 
^iftes  in  vs,  and  too  mortiiie  the  luftes  of  die  flefhe.     And  fithe 
weefeele  fuch  abattell,  fo  as  we  be  fayne  too  inforce  our  felues,  or 
«lfe  that  wee  do  but  lympe  and  halt  in  going  vntoo  God,  infomuch 
that  we  make  many  a  falTe  fteppe,  and  oltentjanes  happen^to  trippe 

.-      -  and 


Chap.r.  fa.CalJecondSermonypon 

and  ftumblc  :  let  VS  moumc  continually  feeing  wee  faylc  at  all  af- 
fayes.  Thus  ye  fee  howe  wee  may  bee  deliuered  from  this  wicked 
worlde.  [[Namely]  not  by  beeing  fet  vtterly  free  from  (inne ,  like 
as  alfo  when  S.Paulc  faitli  that  God  hath  deiiuered  vs  [[from  cure 
fmnes]  to  the  intent  we  fhould  Hue  perfeftly,  and  vndefiled  before 
him,  it  is  not  for  that  there  can  be  found  any  fuch  purenefle  in  any 
man  fo  long  as  he  is  in  this  worlde  :  for  all  our  thoughts  do  conti- 
nually rebell  aga^  nil  God,yea  and  euen  the  rightecufieft  men  of  ail 
fliall  euermorc  finde  themieiues  behinde  hande,  and  perceyue  that 
they  do  ftiii  dragge  their  legges  after  them.  But  yet  howfoeuer  the ' 
worlde  go,  wee  perceyue  on  the  other  fyde ,  that  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chrift  hath  air eadie  ridded  vs  by  fayth  out  of  the  bondage  of  th^ 
Diuell,and  will  maintaine  vs  agaynft  all  alTaults.  If  we  fall  to  exa- 
niination^and  euery  man  trie  what  is  in  himfelfe,we  fhall  finde  that 
when  on  the  one  {ide  diere  is  any  good  defire  in  vs,  fo  as  wee  feeke 
to  honour  God  :  [[on  the  other  fide]  our  owne  nature  leadeth  vS 
the  contiarie  way,  fo  as  we  would  fayne  keepe  aloofe  from  him : 
infomuch  that  the  faythfuli  muftneedes  feele  both  thofe  two  mo^ 
tions  in  them  felues,  namely  that  when  on  the  onelide  (as  Saint 

uTet,2.4A  Peter  cheereth  vs)  the  holy  Ghoft  counfelleth  vs  too  giuc  our  f<;l- 

ues  to  allholinefle  of  life  :  on  the  other  fide  we  feele  our  felues  to 

be  plucked  backe  by  many  wicked  affe6lions,foas  we  cannot  come 

.  neare  vnto  God  as  we  faine  woulde  do.  And  that  is  the  caufe  why 

AOj.d.i^,  SaintPauleinthe.vii.ChaptertootheRomaynesfighethandcon* 
feflcth  that  he  is  vnhappie,bicaufe  he  cannot  do  the  good  that  he  l$ 
defirous  to  do,nor  vtterly  efche  w  the  euill  that  he  hateth  &  abhor-*- 
reth.  Thus  ye  fee  that  the  thing  which  wee  haue  to  markc  concer- 
ning the  deliuerance  that  is  mencioned  heere,  is  that  our  Lord  le^^ 
fus  Chrifl  hath  not  fo  regenerated  vs  alreadie  by  his  holy  fpirite,  as 
to  fet  vs  in  full  freedome  to  wal4ce  as  we  would  wifh,  and  to  runne 
fo  fwiftly  and  with  fo  cheerfull  a  courage  as  w&tc  requifite.  But  his 
deliuering  of  vs  is  to  make  vs  holde  on.our  way  ftill  towardes  our 
markc,  that  is  to  fay, to  make  vs  yeelde  our  felues  wholy  in  obedi- 
ence vnto  God, and  to  withdraw  our  felues  from  our  corruptions, 
*nd  too  forfake  them  more  and  more ,  \Titill  the  tyme  of  fullper- 
feaion  be  come, which  is, when  our  Lord  God  fhall  haue  throughly 

repayred 


tk  Epifl.to  the  (jalathians.       \  j 

*epayred  his  Image  in  vs.  Now  by  the  way,  although  the  Galathi-' ' 
ans  were  partly  fiipt  away,and  had  giuen  eare  to  the  biizibodies  that 
haddifguized  the  Gofpel^and  made  fuch  a  mingle  mangle  of  ii,that 
lefus  Chiifl:  was  as  good  as  ouerwhelmed  and  biiried:  yet  nouvith- 
landing  S.PauIe  matcheth  them  ftiil  with  the  fay  thfull,  for  whom 
the  facriiize  was  offered,  according  alfoas  hcplaceth  tliemiathc 
Church  of  God.  He  fpeaketh  not  to  the  Rencgates  that  had  forfa* 
ken  lefus  Chrift.  True  it  is,that  he  will  anon  fhew  them  their  fault: 
but  yet  for  all  that.he  mindethnot  to  exclude  them  vtterly  from  the 
hope  of  faluation.For  ther  were  no  caufe  for  him  to  write  to  them, 
if  it  were  not  to  draw  them  backe  againe,and  to  wimie  them  and  to 
bring  them  againe  into  the  good  way.  Forafmuch  then  ^  S.  Paule 
labourethto  bring  backe  the  Galathians  into  the  way  of  faluation 
(as  need  was :)  therefore  he  admitteth  them  dill  to  the  ineftimable 
benefit  that  is  purchafed  for  vs  by  the  fonne  of  God,and  reckeneth 
them  flill  as  feparated  from  the  worlde^knittmg  them  to  the  felow- 
^p  of  thofe  whome  God  accepteth  and  auoweth  for  his  children . 
And'thatis^bicaufe  there  was  yet  fome  feede  of  the  Gofpell  in 
them,  and  although  they  were  fnarledin  fome  errours,  yet  they 
had  nbt  vtterly  forfaken  God,  nor  gone  quite  away  from  the  Gof- 
pell. For  that  confideration  therefore.  Saint  Paule  holdeth  them 
backe, and  reckeneth  them  ftill  in  the  number  of  the  faythfull.  ^nd 
fo  although  we  bee  not  worthie  of  it,  yet  will  God  recken  vs  as  of 
Jiis  houfeholde  for  his  woordes  fake  which  is-  preached  among  vs. 
No  doubt  but  itfhall  bee  to  our  forer  damnation,  if  God  call  vs,and 
wee  anfwcre  him  not.   But  if  wee  haue  any  good  defire  too  come 
vntoo  him,  and  yet  haue  dill  many  vyces  and  infirRiities  in  vs :  he 
accepteth  vs  as  his  owne,  for  his  woordes  fake.  And  wee  bee  called 
his  Churcl^not  for  that  we  be  worthie  of  that  tytle,but  bicaufe  that  Mit.4.a  - 
as  the  Citie  oflerufaiemwas  called  the  holy  Citie  in  refped  of  the  ^  27./!  2  - 
pr6mifes,namely  that  the  Gofpell  fhould  come  from  thence ,  and 
that  the  Redeemer  of  the  worldeflioulde  bemanifefted  there:  fo 
by  liice  reafon  we  be  called  the  faythfull,  and  the  children  of  God,     • 
and  are  muftered  in  the  aray  of  his  Church ,  when  the  Gofpell  is  * 
preached  amoi^  vs,  and  men  confent  therevnto,although  it  be  nor 
iiath  fuchrcuerenceaqdperfe^lnefle  as  were  meete.Neuerthelefle^ 
~*r^^'^  ■  C^  '    howroeucr 


Chap.  I.  .        y©. CaLfecondScrmoji  y>pQn 

how  foeuef"  the  cace  flande,  Saint  Paules  vfing  of  fucH  niildene  ^c 
towardes  the  GalathianSpis  not  to  foad  them  in  their  v}'ceS;nor  toa 
{both  them  \'p  with  fonde  flatterie  after  the  maner  of  many  merit 
whom  we  fee  defiroiis  to  bee  flattered  after  that  fort :  but  we  (hall 
fee  anon  how  he  rebuketh  them  as  fliarply  as  may  bcjinfomuch  that 
he-calleth  them  witlefle.  Andhow  can  thefe  things  agree  togither  ^ 
It  is  fpr  that  on  tlic  one  f.de^  he  intendeth  to  aduaunce  the.  .grace  of 
-Godiwhich  had  bin  opened  in  that  Church  :  and  that  ontlie  other 
fidcjhe  was  faine  to  icoure  away  the  vices  that  were  in  it,  as  ne  ed^ 
vras.VV'c  fee  then  hereby, that  when  God  hath  planted  his  Church 
in  any  place,it  followetli  not  by  and  by  there  fore,  that  all  things  ar« 
to  be  commended  thcrc,and  that  there  is  nothing  but  al'l  godJinefTe 
m  it^as  the  Papifles  imagine ,  who  vnder  the  name  of  the  Chur(J| 
would  faine  cQuer  all  dieir  abhominations,  yea  euenthe  mofthor:* 
rible  and  diuelifhe  abhominations  in  the  whole  worlde.  As  hcwe  1 
iXm.^d,  ^.j^g  Chui-ch^fay  fay]cannot  erre  :lhe  is  the  br^'de  of  Icfqs  Cj^rift..; 
^>*'  fhe  is  the  piiler  of  tmth.Yea^but  in  the  mesne  while  looke  vpon  th^ 

eliiu'ches  of  Galatia;  VV^hat  fayth  the  holy  Cihoft  of  tht  m.  fey  thq 
mouth  of  S.Paule :'  Among  them  there  wereRcncgates  that  had 
renounced  the  GofpcU :  there  were  as  foukand  outregeous^iere- 
fies  among  them  as  could  be,  Then  let  vs  A^ndciftand,  that  we  muft 
neuerbeefotyedtomen,  asnot  to  condemne  their  faujtes  when 
they  come  to  the  fcannjng:but  that  all  things  muft  be  m^de  fubic6^ 
to  Gods  worde,andeueric  thing  be  condemned  that  is  not^gie^bi^ 
tliervnto,fo  as  noticing  may  hinder  God  frpnl  hauinghis  authority 
continualiy,and  from  [utting all  things  vnd'^r  foot  M^iich agree  not 
with  his  word,but  that  men  do  condemne  them^^  vtterly  abhorrc 
thcm.Furthermore^  let  vs  not  ceafie  to  draw  thofe  continually  viv 
to  Go,d, which  hauc  any  enterance  alreadie,  And  aJthough  we  t:^r-j[ 
cerue  thcni  to  be  wcak^  or  ilepped  afideeut  ofthe  wayyet  let  vS  al- 
M^ayes  fct  forth  GoJs  grace,  that  it  may  growe  and  bee  llrcngthncd 
more  and  more  in  thcni,vntiil  we  be  nil  gathered  thither  as  wc  bee 
•    dayly  calicdjthatisto  witjtqpur  LordelefusChrifl:, - 

Now  let  vs  fall  do wne  before  the  Maieflie  of  our  good  Ood,K 
with  acl'Uiowied^pient  ofotkr  ffuUsj  yM'a)  in^  him  to  make  vs  p«r<Pf 
Q€  yue  thijuim^rja  and  «ior€,.^d'that  we  n^y  i>9  fo  to«vhx?d  tojthe" 

.Ci  *  c^uicke, 


th  EpiFi.to  the  (jalathdans.       v8 

^iicke^  as  wc  may  miilyke  of  them;  and  fo  ynbracc  his  grace,  ts  tt-; 
itjay  be  more  and  more  increaCed  in  v%  and\ve  bt:  hflde  vp  andlu-r 
(leyned  inour  wealvnelTe  by  his  hande,vntill  he  haue  brought  vs  to 
the  holy  pcrfcdion  of  the  hcauenly  kingdome,  which  is  purchaTed 
for  vs  by  the  mcanes  of  our  Lord  I  e  fus  Chrift.  Andfo  let  vs  all  fay,; 
Almightie  God  our  heaucnly  fatlier.&c. 


^Fhe.y  Sermon  ypon  thejirfl  Chapter  ^ 

^    1  maruell  that  you  arefo  fodcnly  cari^d  away  fuoni'. 
^""■^  -    h)m  that  had  called  you.throirgh  the  grace  of 

f'\'     Chrift,v^iuoanothcrGofpcHv'  ,      -'  "      ' 

7!  ^Vyhich  is  none  other  thingbijt  ch^t  iherH^arr^^ 
P  :Vvhich  tL*CHiblcyoa,andvYouldoueithrovv  the 
.      Gofpellof  Chrift.  '-r^^itui 

t  -Butif  I  my  felfv  or  an.  Angcll  from  heaivcn  tell  yo\\ 
'-  '■     '  oiheryvtfe  thanihauecqldeyou.^cuifed-bchee^ 

Ee  fee  here  more  openly  the'thing  that  I  hau<J 
touched  alreadie  this  morning :  that  is  to.v/jt^ 
that  Saint  Paulefpareth  not  the  Galathians^al- 
though  he  mind  not  too  fliet  them,  cut  of  the 
gate  of  faluation.Forinafmuchas his  meening 
IS  to  bring  them  backe  to  repentance:  it  is  good 
reafon  that  he  (hould  fet  the  grace  of  God  be- 
fore them^as  a  thing  common  to  them.  But  yet  for  all  that,he  fiat- 
tcreth  them  not; but  rather  rebuketh  them  for  their  f  Aults,and  fpe  - 
daily  for  the  oucrgre at  lightneffe  that  was  in  thcmingiuing'eare 
rd  deceyucrs,  which  came  vnto  tliem  to  difguize  tlie  do6lrtne  of  the 
(jofpell.  And  to  make  them  perceyue  thw  ir  bwnc  vnthankiulnelTe* 
fhe  better :  he  fayth  that  ^c  "^imdcreth  to  fee  them  carycdn'^'tty  fofiont 
andfo  edfilyfrom  tbehe4uenl^  caUiro^,  and  how  it  cometii  to^paile  thAt 
they  could  be  fo  quickly  thrufb  out  of  the  way,  8c  continue  yet  fcil  in 
their  doing,  feingthatthev  had  a!ready.fclt.5<:  tried  Gods  grace  in 
CKir  Lordiefus  Chrift.Fgi;  inalmuch  as  he  labored  to  bring  the  back 

C4  a«;aine, 


Chap.  I.  Jo.CaLthirdeSermonypon 

againe,he  fayth  not  at  the  firft  daih  that  they  had  turned  away  from 
the  Gofpell ,  but  that  they  had  bin  ouercome  by  that  temptation. 
Andafterwarde  he  addeth ,  that  the  fame  was  nothing  eire,but  that 
thofe  buzibodies  intended  to  ouerthrow  the  truth  of  God.  For  ther 
is  but  one  pure  do6lrine  of  the  Gofpell,  like  as  there  is  but  one  le- 
■  fus  Chriftjvpon  whom  the  fame  is  grounded :  fo  as  it  is  not  in  vs  to 
forge  a  newe  Gcfpell ,  butwhenfoeuerany  bodiegoes  about  too 
mingle  any  thing  with  the  pure  feede  which  we  haue  of  our  Lorde 
lefus  Chrift;  it  is  nothing  elfe  but  an  ouerthrowing  of  Gods  buii- 
diiig.  This  ir.  effecl  is  tlie  thing  which  is  conteyned  in  tliis  firft  feA- 
tence  of  S.Paules.  But  here  he  might  Ceeme  to  bee  ouer  fharpe  ani 
rough  in  finding  fault  with  the  feebienefle  of  the  Galathians,  feeing 
they  neuer  ment  to  forfake  the  gofpeI,nor  yet  lefus  Chrift  who  had 
bin  preached  amog  them.  Howbeit  S.PauIe  pafieth  not  for  their  o- 
pinion^buthath  refpedto  the  matter  in  itfelf,which  is^thatas  fonc 
as  men  turneadde  from  Gods  truth,  by  and  by  they  forfake  lefus 
€hrifl,and  make  themfelues  ftrangers  to  him.  Wanymenwoulde 
thinke  this  flrange,  according  as  we  fee  there  arc  many  that  woulde 
faine  mingle  the  light  and  daikneffe  togither.And fpecialiy  the  con- 
fufion  that  is  in  Poperie  is  a  very  notable  example  hereof:  for  ther 
ye  (hall  heare  men.make  wonderfull  proteflations  of  holding  ftiM 
the  ChriPcian  faith  wherin  they  Ijauebin  baptifed.But  yet  for  al  that 
it  is  aj:>parant,  that  al  is  turned  v^pfide  down: tor  al  fuperftitions  reign 
there -.and  befides  that, there  is  too  mariifej[lIdolatry,yea  and  that  as 
groflc  as  eucr  was  any  among  the  heathen.  By  reafon  wherof  al  re- 
uerence  of  God  is  as  good  as  quite  aboliflied  diere,  bicaufe  euerie 
man  n;akes  Kimfelfe  a  Sauiour  in  fteade  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift, 
But  now  will  the  Fapifts  luflily  replie,  that  they  be  no  bacldliders^ 
nor  haue  forfakca  Chrift  Vea^but  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  is  no 
Gkoft;he  cannot  tranfforme  himfeif  after  the  appetites  of  men.  To 
'be  fliort,he  cannot  be  fepafated  from  his  Cliurch.V\^henfoeuer  the 
Papiftes  vttcr  this  faying :  they  robbe  lefus  Chrift  of  all  audioriticj 
For(fay  they)  if  there  were  but  one  Mediator,  whatfhoukle  b^r 
come  of  the  Heefaintcs  which  are  patrones,  and  of  die  Sheefaintes 
\\A\k\\  arc  our  Aduocatesilf  any  mr^n  Jpcake  to  them  of  thefdcyificc 
wKer[)y  our  Lord  lefus  Clirift  hadiouee  pyccM^d  perfea:;nghte- 

oufnefTe 


the  EpiB.  to  the  Qalathianu ]       !p 

©ufncfrefdrallthefaythfull :  VVbat({aytKey)ananiuS:;nutMafre 
be  fayde  euery  clay,and  Chrift  be  offered  vp  ne wcagaine  tlierc,too 
appeaze  Gods  wrath:'  If  a  man  tell  them  of  the  free  torginencirc  of 
flnnes :  and  what  fhaii  become  (fay  they)  of  our  o\yne  laciffa6lions, 
whereby  we  dcferue  to  haue  pitie  at  Gods  hand  c'Againe,  if  anian 
fay  too  them,  that  all  our  goodnefle  commeth  of  our  regeneration 
through  Gods  fpirit,and  that  there  is  nothing  but  fpottinelTc  5c  re* 
beliioufnelTe  in  vs,till  God  haue  changed  vs:how  fo  (anfvver  tliey) 
and  what  fiiall  then  become  of  our  own  free  wilCTo  be  fhortjefus 
Chrid  fhalbe  named  oft  ynough,  and  men  wil  re  feme  vnto  him  the 
title  of  Redemer.  But  in  the  meane  feafon  his  office  fhalbe  parted, 
and  put  too  the  fpoyle,and  euery  man  (hall  catch  a  portion  of  it  too 
himfelfe.  Befides  this^they  imagine  that  the  Saints  and  Angels  of 
heauen  are  as  patrones  to  them^and  finally  they  haue  infiiiit  wayes 
(to  their  owne  feemmg) wherby  to  come  vnto  God.  But  herev^^on 
we  may  well  conclude,  that  the  holy  Ghoft  doth  iuftly  auow  diem 
to  be  backfliders,andto  haue  giuen  ouer  lefus  Chrid,  and  to  be  be- 
come ftrangers  to  him.For  they  falfly  abufe  his  name  .  lefus  Chrid 
isnotvai"iable,accordingas  wcehauefcene  hov/e  S.  Paule  mthe 
feconde  to  the  Corinthians  fay  d,  that  we  fhall  not  findeyea  and  nay 
in  hiili,  but  that  he  will  continue  alwayes  at  one  ftay.  To  be  ffiort, 
v/hatfoeuer  the  Papifts  bable  concerning  Chriilianitie  ,  is  aitogy- 
therhypocrifieand  leafing,  and  they  doo  but  falfifie  the  name  of 
Gods  fonne,  and  abufe  it  wickedly.  For  they  make  a  mumric 
of  it ,  or  rather  an  Idoll.  Yee  fee  then  why  Saint  Paule  blameth 
the  Galathians  for  beeingfo  caryedaway.  Nowe  if  a  mande- 
maunde  thereafon  howe  :  it  was  in  that  fome  woulde  haue  made 
them  to  obferue  the  ceremonies  of  the  lawe  as  things  necefTarie: 
and  yet  had  God  commaundedthem.Vea  vercly^howbeeit  that  was 
but  with  a  temporal  1  ccndicion  for  the  people  of  clde  tyme ,  fo  as 
they  mufle  of  necefsitie  haue  all  ceafTed  at  the  comming  of  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chrifl.  Forafmuch  therefore  as  the  Galatliians  ming- 
led the  olde  figures  and  fhadowes  of  the  lawe,  with  the  clcare  li2;ht 
of  the  Goliiell :  Saint  Paule  being  not  able  too  fuifer  it,  fayth  thift 
they  were  turned  afde  from  God,  yea  and  vttcrly  faineaway  from 
hini^ut  there  isyetaworfe  thing  than  that ;  namely  that,  the  grace- 

Cii;.  of 


Chap. I.  . .      fo.Cal.thirde Sermonypon 

of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  was  thereby  <iifanulled,bicaufc  men  doo 
always  bcare  themfelues  inhand,that  they  deferuc  and  earne  righ- 
teournelTe  before  God,to  be  in  his  fauour  for  their  feruing  of  him: 
and  fo  when  thcfe  deceiuers  had  brought  in  the  faid  error,that  meij 
ought  to  kepe  the  old  forworne  figures:  it  was  all  one  as  if  they  had 
threaped  a  meritorious  feruice  vpon  God  [^whither  hee  woulde  or 
no.]  But  our  faluation  muft  bee  of  free  gift,  or  elfe  lefus  Chrifl  is 
nothing  woorth.  I  terme  it  faluation  of  free  gift,  bicaufe  it  is  giuen 
vs  fimplie  of  God,fo  as  wee  bring  not  any  thing  with  vs  [to  the  at- 
taynment  thereof]  but  onelyan  eager  defire  too  bee  filled  wyth 
the  thing  that  wee  want.  Therefore  it  flandeth  vs  onhande  too 
come  as  poore  beggers  vntoo  God ,  if  wee  mynde  too  bee  iuftificd 
for  our  Lorde  lefus  Chriil:es  fake.    For  if  wee  imagine  neuer  fo 
fmall  a  droppe  of  deferuing  in  our  felues,  it  floppeth  vs  from  com- 
ming  too  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  And  not  without  caufe  dooth 
anauncient  Do6lor  fay,  that  wee  cannot  receyue  the  Saluation 
that  is  offered  vs  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift ,  except  wee  hauc 
iirftdifpatchedthe  mynding  of  our  owne  defertes ,  and  acknow- 
ledged that  there  is  nothing  but  vtter  wretchednefle  in  our  felues. 
Thus  yeefee  why  Sain^lPaule  had  yet  more  iuft  reafon  too  fay, 
that  the  Galathians  were  caryed  away  from  lefus  Chrift  and  from 
his  father.    But  there  was  yet  this  clogge  more  :  naniely  that  they 
were  made  too  beleeue  what  other  men  lyfted,  and  thereby 
brought  in  fubie6lion  too  a  flauifhe  bondage, too  bee  robbed  of  the 
quietnefTe  of  confcience  which  wee  ought  too  haue  in  our  Lorde 
-lefus  Chrift.  For  befydes  diat  wee  bee  reconcyled  by  the  facry- 
fize  of  hys  death  and  pafsion ,  wee  bee  alfo  fet  free  from  the  ry- 
gor  of  the  law,  vn»  er  the  vv'hich  wee  were  hilde  in  bondage.  As  for 
exampTe*(according  as  we  fhal  1  fee  more  fully  hereafter, for  as  nowe 
1  do  but  ouerrunnc  matters  whereof  we  fhall  fee  a  larger  difcourfe 
^ut.ijA*  ^terwarde.)  Ye  know  howe  it  is  fayde  in  the  lawc  >  that  whofoeuer 
25,        performeth  not  al  that  God  commaundeth  to  the  vttermoft  point, 
{liall  be  accurfed.  But  it  is  impofsible  for  vs  to  attaine  too  fuch  pe  r- 
feftion.  Therefore  it  ftoode  vs  vpon  too  haue  frcedome  purcha-* 
fed  for  vs  by  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  that  the  Lorde  might  not  a- 
A^.i^,h.io  ny  more  holde  vs  vnderhis  yoke,  whiche  was  intolkrable  as  it  is 

fayd 


the  EptU.tothe  Qalathiam, 


20 


faydeinthe  fifteenth  of  the  A6les.   Nowewee  fee  in  cfiPe^lwhy 

Saint  Paule  bkmeth  the  GaJathians  for  falling  away  lyke  periured 

perfonstowardesGodjandtowardes  our Lorde lefus  Chrift,  as 

hailing  gyuen  him  the  flippe ,  and  forfaken  the  fayth  whiche  they' 

had  plighted  vntoo  him.    And  by  this  example  wee  bee  warned  to 

holde  vs  to  the  pure  do6lrine  and  finiplicitie  of  the  Gofpcll,  w^th- . 

out  waueringone  way  or  other.  For  it  is  not  ynough  to  haue  the 

name  and  title  of  Chriftians,  no  nor  yet  to  bearethc  marke  of  bap- 

tifme:but  we  muft  continue  ftedfaft  in  the  doctrine  of  the  Gofpcll. 

for  (as  I  haue  fayd  heretofore)  our  Lord  Icfus  Chrifl  cannot  denie 

bimfelfeiand  when  we  haue  dreamed  this  and  that  of  him.yet  muft 

we  bee  fayne  to  knowe  him  for  fuch  a  one  as  he  is  giuen  vs  of  God , 

his  father.  Nowe  the  Gofpell  (heweth  wherefore  he  is  come, what 

his  office  is,  the  benefites  that  wee  receyue  by  him ,  and  what  hys 

power  is  towardes  vs.  And  therefore  if  wee  haue  not  the  pure  and 

(ingle  do^lrine, wherein  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  was  manifefted  vn- 

to  vs  :  furely  wee  haue  nothing  at  all :  and  whenfoeuer  wee  haue 

once  bin  inftru6led  in  it ,  wee  muft  holde  it  ftill  too  the  laftpuflie. 

For  if  we  fwarue  neuer  fo  little  from  it,  there  will  bee  nothing  but 

vnfaythfulnelTe  in  vs.    And  in  good  footh  it  ftandeth  vs  on  hande 

to  bethinke  vs  of  tlie  horrible  fall  wherevnto  we  were  tumbled 

with  others,  when  wee  were  plunged  in  fo  many  crrours,  trum-. 

peryes,  and  Illufions  of  Satan,  that  lefus  Chrifte  was  vtterly  vn- 

knowne  too  vs.  Seeing  that  God  hath  nowe  of  his  owne  irdSnite 

goodneffe  plucked  vs  out  of  fuch  a  botton-Jefle  gulfe :  Ictvs  fettle 

our  felues  too  haue  a  conftant  andfaft  fayth,  that  wee  bee  no  more 

(haken  like  Rcedes  with  euerywinde,  butabydefaftinthe  rootc 

of  the  Gofpell,groundedvpponthe  inuincible  power  of  our  Lorde 

lefus  Chrift.  And  againe,  feeing  thapn him  all  Gods  promifes  arc 

yea,and  Amcn,and  haue  their  truth  inhim,fo  as  they  be  performed  iXo.lJ.i^ 

there  :  let  our  fayth  alfo  abydc  ftedfaft  there .  This  is  it  that  wee 

haue  to  remember  in  this  faying  of  S.Paules.  Furthermore  to  put 

the  Galathiansto  the  greater  (hame,  hee  fettedi  before  them  their 

calling  by  grace.    Thefe  woordes ,  from  blm  that  hatb  (alkd  y9U, 

maye  bee  referred  as  well  too  lefus  Chrift,  as  too  GOD  tho 

Father  ;  for  there  is  no  great  difference  in  the  matter. 

Ciiij.  But 


fo.Cal.thircieSermohypon 

But  in  the  meane  time  we  fee  in  eflPeft  what  iSaint  Paule  mcnt  too 
fay.  Therefore  hee  cafleth  the  Galathians  in  the  teeth  with  theyr 
lewdneire,inthat  they  had  fo  much  the  leffe  excufe  of  their  fhrin* 
king  afide  after  that  fort,  confidering  the  goodnefle  that  God  had 
(hewed  vpon  them.  For  if  God  call  vs,  although  it  were  too  fum- 
mon  vs  too  our  confufion,  yet  ought  wee  too  obey  him,bycaufe  wc 
bee  his  creatures.    It  becommeth  vs  to  bee  fubie6l  too  his  autho- 
ritie,andhowfoeuerhee  difpofe  of  vs,  it  is  alwayes  our  duetie  too 
fay,  beholdc  Lorde  I  am  at  thy  pleafure  :  fo  that  too  vfc  any  fhrin- 
kingaway  when  God  callethvs,  is  an  vtter  peruerting  of  all  or- 
der. Much  more  when  God  not  onely  calleth  vs  vntoo  him,  but 
alfo  fetteth  all'  the  treafures  of  his  goodnefTe  before  vs  in  our  Lord^^ 
lefusChrift,  and  fheweththat  hee  feeketh  nothing  dCz  but  too. 
make  vs  his  owne  by  g^^^iing  himfelfe  fo  wyllingly  vntoo  vs,when 
God  (iray)vfethfuch  bountifulnelTe  towardes  vs  as  ought  tooi 
rauiflie  all  our wittes  vntoo  woondering  :  mufteweetiot  needes 
bee  tootoo  lazie  if  wee  fhrinke  backed'  Moreouer,  if  wee  fortune 
too  wander  too  and  fro  after  wee  bee  once  come  vntoo  him,  wee' 
fliall  haue  fo  much  the  lelTe  exeuce,  and  feele  the  forer  and  horri- 
bier  condemnation,  as  I  haue  touched  alreadie.    Nowe  then  wee 
fee  v/hat  is  imported  in  thys  faying  where  Saint  Paule  maketh 
mention  ofthe  grace  that  the  Galathians  had  bin  called  too.  And 
out  of  doubt  wee  in  thefe  dayesare  m.uche  more  blamcwoorthie 
dian  tJie  fathers  that  hued  vnder  the  lawe,  if  wee  continue  not  in 
tlie  pure  do6lrine  of  the  Gofpell ,  without  turning  afyde  from 
the  things  that  are  contcyned  therein.  For  albeeit  that  God  cal- 
led'the  Fathers  too  faluation  vnderthe  lawcaswell  j^asvsnow:] 
yet  was  not  that  calling  with  foopen  and  abundant  vtteraunce  of 
the  ryches  ofhis  mercie,  as  wee  haue  it  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.; 
Therefore  let  v^s  looke  well  about  vs,  andfeeinsrhee  hath  alreadie 
madevs  too  feele  his  grace  :  let  the  fame  Tbrrc  vsvp  and  inilame; 
Vs  too  bee  the  bolder  too  haue  an  inuincible  courage  top  continue 
iii-fhefame  calling,  vntillweebee  ccmetoo  the  place  whereviv- 
to'o  God  allureih  vs.  So  then,  i^w^es  compare  our  felues  with  the 
grearnumber  of  mi-sbeleeuingand  ignorant  fonles;it  is  certain  that 
our  vnthankRilnefle  wilbe  fo  much  thegreater^^is  Gcds  gi'acfehatli 
.  '  ,  fliewed 


-  the  EpM.toihe^alathians.        ii 

fhewed  it  felfe  larger  and  deepelier  vnto  vs.  V^ee  fhall  Tee  many 
(illic  foules  ftraying  heere  and  diere,  and  yet  ceaffe  they  not  for  all 
that  too  be  fubiefttoo  damnation.  For  he  that  hath  oii  ended  with- 
out lawe,  fliall  perifli  without  Lawe.  Now  for  afmvich  as  God  hath  ^m,2,h,12 
declared  his  will  To  freendly  vnto  vs,  and  that  togithcr  with  tlie  vfe 
of  dikretion  wee  haue  alfo  the  doftrine  of  his  Gofpell,whiclie  (as  I 
haue  fayd  heretofore)  feructh  too  (hew  vs  that  our  damnation  fhail 
be  more  horrible  if  wee  labour  not  too  dedicate  ourfclues  wholly 
vnto  him^by  meanes  whereof  our  bonde  becommieth  fo  muche  the 
ftreighter :  S.Paule  addeth  another  circumdance,  whiche  is  that  it 
came  too  pafTc  vcrv*  haftcly.  For  certefie  it  was  a  horrible  thing,that 
the  Galathians  hauing  bin  taught  by  the  holy  Apoftles  own  mouth, 
fhouidbee  fo  cormpted  as  long  as  he  was  alyue.  Yee  fee  then  how- 
it  was  the  niore  too  their  blame, that  within  three  \j)y  foure]  dayes 
after  their  receyuing  of  the  Go{pell,  they  were  fleeted  away  and 
had  mingled  many  falfe  opinions  with  the  truthe  of  God.  But  al- 
though they  had  continued  in  the  truthe  fome  good  whyle  after 
Paules  deceafe :  yet  dothe  it  not  foUowe  that  their  fo  doyng  might 
haue  bina  fufiicient  difcharge  for  them^  if  they  had  fallen  away  af- 
terward. For  as  the  truth  where\^pon  our  fay threfteth  iscuerla- 
fting,although  bothe  heaueri  and  earth  doo  paffe  away :  fo  muft  our 
faydi  hold  out  too  the  end,  and  not  hang  eyther  vppon  the  lyfe  or 
vpon  the  death  of  any  man,but  hauehir  ankerhold  faftened  in  hea-  Luf^e.iuf* 
uen.  Therfore  if  wee  chaunge  f^at  any  t^^me  J  whither  it  bee  to  day  33, 
or  too  morrow, wee  fhall  bee  the  more  too  blame.and  our  vnthank- 
fidneffe  fhalbe  fo  much  the  fhamefuller.  And  truely  the  thing  that 
S.  Pauie  fettcth  downe  heere  in  the  perfone  of  the  Galathians,  is 
feene  nowe  adayes  too  much.  For  fuch  as  haue  gotten  fome  fmat- 
tering  of  the  Gcfpell,  will  bee  wcarie  of  it  within  a  twoo  or  three 
yeareS;if  diere  come  no  new  chaunge  in  tlie  meane  t^'me.  For  they 
haue  itchyng  eares,  and  wee  fee  many  fantaflicall  perfones  become 
backefliders  :  and  bycaufe  the  truth  of  the  Gofpell  likcth  them  not, 
they  would  alwayes  be  fieeting,&  haue  I  wote  not  what  new  fiufFe 
brought  in,  too  feede  them  in  their  fend  fpeculations.  V\''e  fv-  o- 
dierfome  greeuedjbycaufe  they  pcrceyue  that  the  Gofpeil  aduaun- 
tagethihemnot  too  the  worldward :  yea  and  tliereare  feme  that 

C.v.  tume 


Ch^tp.i.  ^o.QLth'ircIe  Semonypon 

tumc  away,  bicaufe  they  fee  it  is  an  occafion  too  nial^e  them  too  be 
perfecuted,  and  too  purcliace  them  many  enemies,  or  elk  they 
flame  (as  they  thinkt)  whyles  other  men  prolper  and  fare  well. 
Thus  yee  fee  howe  lefus  Chriite  isforfaken  of  many,  howbeitnot 
from  tlie  father  too  the  fcnne,but  by  reafon  that  fuch  as  haue  (liew- 
edhim  a  fayre  countenance,  arc  fuddainely  chaunged  and  fleete  a- 
way  from  him  within  a  rvvoo  or  three  yeai'es,  or  at  leaftwyze  with- 
in haife  a  fcore  yeares  after.  So  muche  the  more  then  ought  wee 
too  marke  well  this  docbine,  bycaufe  it  isfpoken  too  vs :  and  alfo 
too  thinke  vppon  the  reproch e  which  leremie  layd  vnto  the  lewes. 
hrem.i,  c .  Go  your  wayes  intoo  farrc  Countries(fayetli  he)runne  beyond fea> 
xo,  fee  what  other  people  doo :  euery  man  keepes  him  too  his  owne  I- 
dolles,and  yet  there  is  no  Godhead  in  them :  Satan  beguyles  them 
\Tider  colour  of  deuotion,and  they  be  fo  fettled  in  the  fame,as  they 
cannot  by  any  meanes  bee  turned  away  from  it.  Now  at  leaftwyze 
bee  you  as  confrant  as  they,  feyng  that  God  hath  fliewed  himfelfe 
too  you,  and  you  know  his  will  fully  and  certainly.  Let  vs  beware 
that  the  iyke  bee  not  fayd  too  vs  now  adayes :  for  wee  fee  the  ouer- 
cameftnefTe  of  the  Turkes  Qn  their  Religion] .  And  although  the 
Icwes  bee  no  better  than  vncleane  Dogges,  yet  are  they  ftiffe  flill 
in  maynteyning  the  authoritie  of  their  La\ye.  As  for  the  Papifles, 
they  haue  nothyng  but  dotages,  fo  beaftly  as  it  is  horrible  too  fee : 
caen  children  are  able  too  iudge  of  them  :  and  yet  for  all  that,  wee 
fee  howe  they  burne  with  furious  zeale  too  maynteyne  their  trea- 
cheries. But  as  for  vs,  the  Diuell  doth  no  fooner  hoklc  vp  his  fin- 
ger, but  by  and  by  wee  gad  after  him :  it  fhoulde  feeme  that  euery 
of  vs  watcheth  too  fpie  if  there  come  any  ncwc  toy,  and  the  leaft 
occafion  intheworlde  will  by  and  byfhakevs  andfcarevs  out  of 
our  way :  and  thereof  wee  fee  too  many  examples,  euen  here  with- 
out goyr^  any  further.  So  much  the  more  therefore  doth  it  behoue 
vstoomarkc  the  blame  that  is  laydhccreby  the  mouth  ofSaincl 
PauJe,  agaynft  the  vnconftancie  of  fuche  as  turnc  away  from  God, 
fpecially  fo  foone  after  he  had  called  them  to  the  grace  of  our  Lord 
lefus  Chrifte.  And  therevppon  S.  Paule  fayeth,  that  it  is  nothing 
clfe  but  that  there  bee  fome  among  them  which  trouble  them,  and 
would  ouerthrowe  the  Gofpeliof  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte.  Heere 

S.PauU 


the  Epifi.to  the  (jalathians.        1% 

S.PauIe  Hiewetli,  that  what  foeuer  men  bring  befldes  tlie  Gofpell, 
is  euery  whit  of  it  but  fiarke  fmoke,  and  that  in  the  end  it  wili  bee 
perceyued  that  the  Diuell  did  caft  gewgawes  in  their  wayes,  too 
coiizen  filUefooles  that  could  not  reft  wholly  vf-pon  Gods  truth. 
It  is  none  other  thing  (faycth  hee)  hut  that  fame  trouble  you  .  Truely 
this  woord  Other  importeth  that  it  is  nothing  clfe  or  nothing  at  all, 
Neuerthelefle  Sain6l  Paule  dcclareth,  that  the  Galathians  may 
-well  pretend,  that  they  wliiche  came  from  lerufalem  and  from  the 
coumrie  of  lewrie,  had  toide  them  that  they  ought  not  too  fepa^ 
rate  theLawe  from  the  Gofpell.  No,  no,  (fayethhee)  there  is  no 
more  but  one  lefus  Chrifte,  nother  is  there  any  more  than  one  do- 
£lrine  that  leadeth  vs  vntoo  him,and  holdeth  vs  in  the  faith, where 
through  wee  obtayne  faluaticn  by  his  meanes.  So  then  all  fuch  as 
intend  too  cleaue  vntoo  the  pure  knowledge  of  the  Gofpell,and  to 
continue  in  the  fame,  mufle  not  feeke  any  other  perfedion  £  than 
that]  ;  as  for  them  that  go  any  further,they  be  troublers  that  ouer- 
throw  and  diforder  all  things.  And  this  faying  is  well  wooi  thie  too 
bee  marked,  too  the  ende  weemayknowe  that  when  our  Lordc 
hath  done  vs  the  grace  tooteache  vs  in  his  fchoole,  wee  mufte  no 
more  haueawauering  fayth  tooreele  too  and  fro,  but  a  refolute 
iudeement  and  determination  too  fay,this  is  the  thing  wherein  wee 
rnufi:  Hue  and  Ait.  But  ye  fhall  fee  many  that  will  not  fpeake  open- 
ly agaynft  thedo(.%ine  of  the  Gofpell,  but  will  fuffer  the  grace  of 
cur  Lord  lefus  Chnft  too  be  preached.  If  a  man  aske  them  what  it 
is  that  thty  finde  fault  with :  nothing,  fay  they.  But  let  an  Altar  bee 
neuer  fo  foone  fet  vp,and  puppets  vpon  it;?,nd  by  and  by  they  runne 
to  it;tliey  muftneedes  go  heare  Maffe^and  fee  al  the  reft  of  the  Po- 
pifli  t;  afh.they  care  not  which  way  die  world  go,and  when  all  thofc 
difordcrs  are  fet  i^fore  them,they  thinke  not  that  there  is  any  diffe- 
rence at  all.  But  let  vs  marke  that  fuch  beaftlineife  bewiayeth  diat 
there  is  no  faytb  in  them.And  why :'  For,the  thing  wherein  we  may 
fiiewe,  yea  and  (as  in  refpe6l  of  our  felues)  izq-Iq,  whither  wee  bee 
faythfull,is  too  haue  fuchc  skill  of  the  Gofpell,  as  to  conclude  that 
it  is  Gods  infallible  trurhe,  and  that  it  cannot  leade  vs  amiffe  if 
wee  followe  it.  Cotitrar^^vize  the  Papiltes  haue  deuized  an  Ln- 
plicate  fayth  (as  they  terme  it)  and  diat  is  ynough  for  them :  ani 

aitlioug^ 


Chap,  r .  jp^^  Qi^  thkde  Setmon  ypon 

although  the  wretched  foules  wote  not  what  they  mcane  them* 
(thieSyyat  notwitlaftanding,  beholde  (fay  they)I  referre  my  ieife 
too  our  mother  the  holy  Churche,  I  beleeue  ?,s  ihee  beleeueth.  But 
fuch  foJke  fhewe  openly,  that  they  haue  no  fay  th  at  ail^ne  knowe  by 
what  meanes  too  bee  faued.  NeuertlieklTe  it  is  fayd  tliat  wee  ob- 
tayne  rightuoufnefle  and  faluation  by  fayth,  namely  for  that  wee 
imbracc  Chnft  as  the  partie  by  whom  all  good  tilings  are  imparted 
vnto  vs.  Then  if  ourLordlefus  Chrift  bee  vnknowen,it  is  no  lon- 
ger fayth^  but  a  groHe  lUufion  of  Satan,  who  hath  bewitched  the 
JPopifh  do<5lors  too  fpealve  after  that  forte  :  and  thereby  we  fee  that 
they  haue  no  knowledge  of  God,  but  are  vttcrly  giuen  ouer  too  a 
lewdminde.  VVhereforeletvs  markcwell,  that  whereas  S.PauIe 
fayeth  heere,that  there  is  none  other  Gofpell :  it  is  too  hold  vs  (lili 
in  fuch  (ledfaftnefTe^that  after  wc  haue  once  learned  what  our  Lord 
lefus  Chrifl  is,  wee  may  continue  in  him,  and  vtterly  giue  ouer  all 
things  that  are  contrai  12  too  the  dodrine  of  the  Gofpell.  Haue  wee 
oncefuch  skill,  it  will  femevs  too  fight  agaynd  Satan  and  all  die 
diuerfitie  of  opinions  that  are  at  this  day  in  the  worlde,  fo  as  wee 
fhall  not  bee  fhaken  downe  what  trouble  foeuer  happen,  nor  finally 
bee  turned  afide  from  the  certaintie  of  our  fayth.  But  if  wee  wauer 
after  fuch  a  forte  that  wee  become  like  little  children^  who  if  one 
man  offer  them  an  apple  at  one  fide  they  mnne  thither,  and  if  an- 
odier  man  offer  fome  other  pleafant  thing  atotherfide  theyrunrie 
thither  like\vizc,andleauin:;thenrftgotooyeeld  themfelues  toa 
the  fecond.  I  fay  if  wee  bee  fo  fickle  minded,  it  is  a  token  that  there 
'  is  nothing  but  niere  vnbeleefe  in  vs.  Then  let  vs  affiire  our  felues, 

that  there  mufl;  bee  fuch  a  mumall  agreement  betweene  our  fayth 
and  the  Gofpell,  that  wee  muft  giue  our  felues  wholly  therevnto, 
andneuer  bee.plucked  from  it,  and  our  knowing  of  the  things  that 
are  conteyned  in  ir,  n^ulle  bee  too  reR-  our  felues  x^pcn  them,  as  I 
haue  fayd  already  heretofore.  Net  that  all  men  can  bee  teachers  a 
Uke  (for  it  is  very  certaync  that  the  mofl  parte  of  thofe  whom  our 
Lord  lefus  ChriTt  hath  in  his  fiocke,  comprehend  not  the  tenth  part 
of  the  vndcrftanding  of  the  holy  Scripture)  but  that  how  foeuer  the 
world  go,  it  behouedi  vs  all  to  be  grounded  in  thefe  poynts,  name- 
ly that  there  is  but  one  God  ihe  father,  of  whpin  we  haucai  things,. 

and 


and  who  hath  adopted  vs  cf  his  owne  mere  mercie :  That  there  ii 
but  one  onely  leius  Chrifle,  by  whofc  mearicsweebe  made  part-*- 
takers  of  all  rood  things :  And  that  wee  bee  begotten  new  aga'^Tie 
by  the  holy  Ghoft :  And  as  touchyng  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl,  it  ftan- 
deth  vs  on  hand  too  bee  v/cll  allured  that  he  is  our  aduocate,  and 
that  witliout  him  wee  cannot  conic  vnto  God,nor  durft  cnce  open 
our  mouthes  to  call  him  our  father/aue  in  refpeft  diat  we  be  mem- 
bers oFour  Lord  lefus  Chriil,  and  that  he  beaieth  woorde  for  vs  as 
our  fpokefman and  patron,  guyding  vsas  it  were  by, the  hand,  too 
bring  vs  vnto  God  his  father.  If  wee  knowenot  thefe  things,  it  ii 
certayne  that  wee  can  obtayne  no  Saluation.  And  that  is  the  caufe 
wby  S.Paule  blameth  the  Galathians,  for  that  they  confidered  not 
tliat  there  is  but  one  onely  Gofpeli,  whithc  could  not  bee  altered 
without  doyng  of  wong  too  tnv  Lord  lefus  Chrifie,  who  all  onely 
Dughttoohawe  all: audience.  Therewith-all  alfo  he  waineth  vs,  that 
wl-^n  foeucr  there  come  any  bufie  bodies  to  turne  vs  from  the  ptire 
fimplicitie  which  wee  ought  too  hold  vs  too  concernyng  God  and 
our  Lord  lefus  Chnfl :  wee  ought  too  holde  them  accurfed.  For  (as 
fhaii  bee  {'ayd  more  fully  hereafter)' they,  ouer throw  the  Gofpeli  of 
iour  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  And  it  is  a  right  horrible,  thing, that  the  Go-* 
fpell  which  is  the  foundacion  of  our.fayth  and  the  key  too  openv^ 
the  gate  of  Paraoice,  fliculd  bee  ouerthrowen.  For  that  is  all  ou^ 
welfare,that  is  the  kingdome  of  God  from  whence  wc  (after  a  fort) 
are  banillied :  and  wee  can  bv  n^  meanes  come  vntoo  him,vntill  he 
haue  made  vs  way  by  meaner  of  his  Gofpell,to  the  end  wee  may  be 
his  people  and  he  our  kin^^and  wee  bee  guided  and  gcuemed  by  his 
autlioritie.    Vce  fee  then  that  tlieineftLmable  benefites  whiche  are 
comprehended  in  die  Gofpeli,  are  thefe  :  namely  that  men  are  re-^ 
tonciled  vnto  God  :  tliar  the  gate  of  Paradice  is  opened  vntoo  vs : 
and  diat  our  Lord  lefas  Chriil  is  giuen  vs  for  our  heritage,  fo  as  wc 
bee  made  parttal^ers  of  ail  the  benefites  tliat  he  hath  powi'ed  vpoi» 
vs,and  that  he  hath  warranted  our  endieffe  Saluation.  Now,  wei-e  \i 
not  better  that  the  whole  world  Ihiould  finke  and  perifh;  tlian  that 
all  this  fhouldbee  ouerthrowen :  That  therfore  is  tlie  caufe  why  S. 
Paule  telleth  vs,that  all  fuch  as  come  too  fet  troubles  after  we  haue 
binfaithfully  taught,  and  that  all  fuch  as  bring  in  any  curiofities  or 

foyft 


Clup,!, .  f D.Cal J Jdirde  Sermon  ypon 

foy/lin  this-or  that  of  tkeiir  owT.e  biiaynejclo  nTrnc  m(^«  away  from 
thfkingdome  ofGod'  aiM'iVem  his  royal!  feate,  too  the  intent  that 
tLc;y fnoiild not:2iiY  mar6  bs goncnied by hrnij; norths  ,S'ceptcrof 
ourLorcf  Icliis  CHr£l>be  kn^,^ mm- c 'lifted  vpamons;  them  too  their 
falurttion.  jVg vve  if  v/ee.kt  il)muchfibre  by  Gods  honour  as  \Vce 
ougbt  to  do,  or  cfleenie  it  a  precious  tiling  too  bee  parctakers  cr  all 
lieaueniy  beneiites, or it^wee/Hl?iJe: !adcQyLint  of  6«r:a\vne'\velrar.e  : 
CLight  not  eiicryciVs  tod  flibnne  tboietroiiblers,  ami  too. cad  them 
cm  as  -deadly  plagues  of  the  it^orld,- whien  they  come  among  ys  and 
£iIi'tpo;abolil(hing:ofi:he  whole  Maferde  of  Giod>andof  the  p;ace  of 
our  Lord  Mus  C\v:i{}:^-md  confequcndy  of  our  f^uation  alfoc"  1  bus 
yee  fee  in  ciiediy  that  the  thing  whieb  wee  haue  too  inarke  becre,  is 
tliat  wee  muftilickeAvitb  iaearneiia  niindc:tortbe  (j^fpeH,  as  we<? 
may  not  lufter  our  iG^l ties,  too  bee-  thruii  ottt  of  the  .way  by  any 
Bicanes^nor  abide  that  ;any  man- fhoiUd  tconbl'e  mu"  wiiS,by  bringing 
in  any  new  diin^  more  than  was  afore.  Aliho'jgh  the  men  bee  ne* 
iicr  fo  ^kil  ful  I,  iuttie,  ffiarpwitted  and  eloquent :  yetltt  vs  fhalce  it 
©ff  cuerywhit  as  accurfed,  if  it  go  about  to  turne*  V3  from  tbepure-» 
^ei?^e  of  the:  Gofpcll..  That  is  the  thing,  whidie  Sain'R;  Paiile  tea- 
chedxvsbeere.  Aniwlien  hie- bath  fpoken  foodie  addetlx,  thatjfh 
himhlfci  or  miJCngsUcdme  tbof  reach,  anfotkci:  G^}j'pcil  than- thai  M-'hich 
the  CtUthram  bad  hcanl  and  VfiH.^y noo ie,  they  fhouL!e  fJpj{c  tbtm  ojf, 
l()oJd;t]:ie]uas  accurfcd,  excommunicate  them^and  talcethem  too  be 
as  Diuelles.  Hecre  wee  fee  thato.Paule  is(as  yee  \vould  fay)whote 
to  mayntayne  the  fbdfaibieffe  O:  the  fayth,tQ  diie  intent  we  fliould 
not  by  any  meanes  bee  fnaken  fi'om  itjOnd  that  is  not  witlioUt  caufei 
For  we  dec  what  fravJtie  is  in  v^,  and  not 'only  frayitie  but  alfo  fohd- 
ncfle  and  rebeIhoufnei]e,wbich  are  yet  woorfe.  At  the  firfl  bkifiA,  if 
a  rnan  teach  vs  Godo;  woord,  arid  that  weebc  not  touched  with  it  in 
i,Cor,2,  d.  gocdearneft :  we  will  thinke  it  the  fb-aungeft. thing  in  the  worlds  ; 
jix ,         forthe  doclrine  will  alwayes  fcemc  foolirn  too  mannes  wit,  as  wee 
haue fj^^enc herctofore.And  wliat is thereaTonf Euen our  fondnelTe, 
b)'eau{eour  wittesare  wandering  and  rouin?;,  and  wee  bee  n,^tu-. 
rally  bent  and  fore  ward  too  leafing,  and  de{ire  (as  it  were  wilfully), 
t?oo-bee  beguyled.  Now  dien  feyng  tiiat  our  wittes  are  fo  marredj  it 
is  no  niarusibttiough  wee  lyke.not  tbe  woord  of  God^  or  though  jt 
*  ,.'  -  haue. 


theE^i^l.to  the  (jalalhiamis       24, 

tftiie  rio  ehterance  IntX)0  v^s,  foralPoiir  kiflmeffe  is  Ixit  fcfecUiduC- 
■<ie{re,and  whereas  we  tliinke  cur  ftkics  tc  haue  rcifon^we  be  fiark 
blind :  and  to  be  fliort  it  is  not  for  nought  that  the  fcrip^ure  fayefh^ 
<hat  men  arc  nothing  but  vanitie  jmd  leafing  yea  and  rcbclies  toC> 
Crod,fo  as  they  draw  akvaye's  b^teke  from  that  whcrevnto  O^d^cai^ 
4eththcm.  But  put  the  cace  that  God  had  done  fowuch  for  vsal 
too  draw  vs  toohiiii,  and  to  make  vs  tafte  that  his  tiutl>  is  the  thfng 
wherevnto  it  behouei;h  vs  -too  hold  our  fcluc  s^  and  that  we  Av^ere  i(J 
tamed  that  the  re  were  no  more  wilfulnenc  in  v:-^,butthat  wee  Wi&ri 
Veady  to  yceld  him  all  obedience -yet  is  there  fuch  afrah;]ne{re  ainj 
vncondJmde.in  vs.that  die Diiieli  fl^all  eariiyvlmi^vs  ^Gut-of  tli« 
%ay  euery  mii'iutc  of-ah  howre.  -  Amiterecif  w*ee  fee  cxj>einencs^.«i\ 
•iicn  iii  thofe  that  had  bin:as  niirioufsof  hohnefTe,  fo  as  yee  -would 
Sv'onder  to  fee  tliem  fodainly  ( hauged  and  gone  from  the  ri^ht  way. 
And  what  is  the  caufc  of  itC'AsI  fayd  afore,alihou£;h  we  te  in  a  good 
forewsrdncirc^yet  canw€  not  held  our  owne  lGng;butthat  wefhaU 
by  and  by  go  cleane  awrie,  except  God  wbrke  irt  vs  and  amend  ouif 
fraylticrThus  ye  fee  why  ^.Paule  doth  with  fucKmaicHie  rilaiiit^inc 
the  doclrine  of  the  GofpcU  -.  and  the  cfccafion  therof  was  giiien  him 
tytlieGalathians,  for  thfy  wcrethruft  cut  of  the  way,  byrcazott 
that  they  were  borne  in  h.and^  that  it  bchouc<i  them  too  keepe  th« 
ceremonies  of  tlie  lawe.  S.PauJe  rhefefo're  behoklii-^  (iich^  att  dW* 
ample  and  image  of  mens  infirmitie  and  cuei*great  lighmcflej  ffV? 
€t}i  that  die  beleefeofthe  Gofpell  mi&Airol4^ntan-t!^sfe  w^^cati 
ccnceyue^r'and  that  wee  muH  hot  bee  reilVo^idd  from  it,nothe4*l>Y 
the  knowledge;  nor  by  the  great'  cunning,  nor  -b\'.the  eloquence  of 
men,,  in  fomuch  that  euen  though  the  Angeiles  of  iicauen  fhpuid« 
deale  with  vs'in  that  cace,  wee  (kou-ldc  take' them  jtoo bee  but 
Diuellcs.  Buthowe  focuer-the  x^ee^ftandetliji  tii^S'^A^^  y^^Jik 
flraun^e.  VVhat  C-  The  Ang^l(t$/o^"hGaum^cA^.d'l5,ayfler^^'^^'^ 
is  it  tiiat  .Sain A  Paule  fpeaketh  of  c'-His  ownopf^achyrv^^"^  &« 
fayetihnot  finely  the<^rpellof  Chr/ilfe,  but-the-GoTpoil  -vvhiabi 
Kaneprcachcd  vnto  yonl  And  ouglit  thatloO^hauc  pt^hcmin^ncc 
tboue  all  the'Angcilcs  of  heaucn ipiiit  ciid'  f6rmGil;^'s  (^e,  that  it 
io  too  no  puq^nfe  too  magiji^e  tlie  ^do^i^iris  df  t«lic  •  G  Jl]:^€ll  'in  gc- 
ttci-ail^iJ.viwlillin<^  torme*  j^butW<:?l4j4aA$  aikji  iW^^ithaH  bee 
i^.i  lure 


Ch;\p.i.  :  r       fo£al\thtrde  Sermon  ypQrt:.  \ 

fare  which  is  the  fame  doflrine.  To  be  fKon,there  arc  ;many  awng 
vs  that  can  well  ynoui^h  mocke  at  the  fondnelTe  of  the  Papifts :  but 
if  a  man  poze  the  in  the  principles  which  euenyong  children  ought 
too  knowperfe(^ly,  they  can  no  skill  of  tliem :  and  fo  that  one  of 
them  bee  talking  of  one  man  and  another  of  an  other,  all  is  one  too 
ill  em,  they  haue  no  difcretion,  they  make  fuch  a  hotchpotch  of  the 
matter,  as  if  a  man  fliould  iumble  fait  and  water  and  miiftarde  and 
veriewce  all  togither.  Yee  fee  then  that  they  can  well  ynough  con- 
felTe  in  generall  termes  tliat  the  Gofpell  ought  too  bee  preached,, 
but  in' the  meane  whyle  they  know  not  what  the  Gofpell  is.  Nowe 
too  correal  fuch  faults,  S.Paule  fayeth  Namefy  tbt:  CoFptllihat  1  haut 
freafbedvntoyou.  And  hereby  (as  1  fayd)  he  fheweth  v3  that  wee 
ought  too  know>  what  fubflance  is  contaynedin  diedoftrine  that 
is  fe t  foorth  vnto  ys  in  the  name  of  God^to  the  intent  that  our  faith- 
may  bee  fully  fetled  vpon  it,fo  as  wee  may  not  bee  fickle  minded  to^ 
bee  tofled  with  euerywinde,  nor  goat  all  aduerrture  too  alter  our 
purpofe-an  hundred  times  a  day,butthat  wee  may  flcindourtoothe 
end.  This  i$  in  effe^l  tlie  diing  that  wee  hai^e  toobeare-  uvmindcj. 
But  by  the  way,it  ought  too  make  Panics  do6^rine  of .  the  more  aur 
thoritie,  that  he  fpcaketh  fo  boldly  in  the  mayntenance  of  it^  and 
that  not  through  humane  rafhnelle  and  prefumption,  but  in  the 
name  of'  God.  For  in  very  deedQ  h^  ftandeth  not  heere  vppon  the 
prayfing.of  himfel/e  in  his  owne  perfone :  and  that  doth  he  ihewe- 
jright  well  in.that  he  fayeth,.  If  I  myfelf.  He  fetteth  himfelf  formoft^. 
as  if  he  had  fayd,  Let  mee,  cuen  mee  my  felfe  I  fay  bee  taken  for  a 
Diuellpif  I  chaunge  the  dp(rtrine,or  if  you  finde  me  to  havie  fwarued 
in  any  maner  of  wize.  Heere  S.Paule  (heweth  that  he  ment  not  too 
purchace  reputation  too  himfelfe,ne  fought  in  his  owne  quareli,  to- 
haue  it  fayd  of  him  that  he  was  afineheaded  fellow,  or  a  w>tz:e  and 
.txcellent  man  :  no,  but  he  raungeth  himfelf  in  ai-ay  with  the  fayth- 
fiill,  and  fayctli,  let  vs  all  imbrace  thcdodriiie  of  that  May  fie  r  too 
whofe  charge  God  bath  comitted  vs,  and  vnto  whofc  gouernment 
we  ought  too  bee  fubmitted.  For  although  I  bee  he  that  taught  you 
Ae  dodrihe :  yet  is  it  not  niine,  but  Gods  who  is  vnchaungeable  : 
'  and  although  y ce  fbould  fe  e  me  chaunge,  yet  bee  not  you  rcmoued 
oor  abiil\ed.for  ix,\m  efteeioe  m?«  ^  z  Diuell^ iold  itiee  accurfed^ 
-•/.  and 


the  EpiFLto  the  (jalathians.         2,5 

wrA  for  your  own  partes  continue  you  ftil  fettled  in  tiic  truth  wKicK 
you  haue  Ieamed,and  as  for  rnee,cuifeyoa  niee,  and  ban  you  mee, 
yea  and  tlie  very  Angelles  of  heauen  too,  rather  than  too  chaungc 
any  whit  of  the  truthe  of  Gods  Sonne,  or  too  tume  aCde  from  it. 
Heere  wee  fee  well  ynough,that  S.Paule  fought  not  aught  elfe,  but 
that  Gods  truth  might  haue  fuch  reuercnce  among  men  as  it  defer- 
ueth.and  bee  fo  reccyued,as  all  our  wittes,all  our  thoughts,  all  our 
luftes,and  all  our  afFcaions  might  bee  fubdued  and  hilde  pryfoners 
vnder  it,  and  that  it  might  not  be  lawfuU  for  any  liuyng  creature  to 
chauge  aught  therof,but  that  God  only  might  fpeake  by  the  mouth 
of  his  only  Sonne^and  we  hold  him  for  our  Mayfter,yea  and  euery 
ofvs  obeyhim  without  gayiifrvyingThat  is  the  thing  which  S.Paule 
fought.  How  beit  for  afmuch  as  wee  cannot  now  lay  forth  the  reft, 
it  fliall  be  e  refemed  till  the  next  Sunday  if  it  plcafe  God. 

Now  let  vs  fall  down  before  the  Maieftie  of  our  good  God,  with 
acknowledgement  of  our  faults,  praying  him  too  make  vs  perceiuc 
them  more  and  more,and  that  the  feeling  of  them  may  draw  vs  too 
right  repentance,  and  caufe  vs  too  growe  and  increacc  in  fayth,fo  a§ 
wee  may  bee  true  facrifizes  too  him :  that  like  as  our  Lord  lefus  of-* 
fered  himfelf  for  our  redemption,  fo  wee  alfo  may  bethinkc  vs  too 
dedicate  our  felues  wholly  \nnto  him,  and  be  guyded  by  him  in  fuch 
ftedfaftnefle,  that  nothcr  in  lyfe  nor  death  wee  may  not  feeke  any 
other  contentationand  reft,  than  too  apjily  our  felues  too  his  good 
wiIl;norglorie  in  any  other  thing  than  in  tlie  Saluation  that  is  pur* 
chaced  for  vsin  him.  That  it  may  pleafe  him  too  graunt  this  gi-ace, 
not  only  to  vs  but  alfo  too  all  people  and  nations  of  the  earth,§cc 

The.^.Sermon  ypon  theJirU  Chapter. 

S  But  if  I  myfclfe  oranAngell  from  heauen  tell  you 
othei'vvife than  I  haue toldc  you,  curfcd  be  he» 

^  As  I  fayd  afore,  fo  fay  I  yetagayne,  if  any  man 
lellyou  othervvizc  than  you  hau-c  recc)aicd,cur- 
fcdbcehe^&c. 


Chap.i.  fo.Cal.fourthSermonypon 

lEe  haue  fecnc  heretofore  that  we  muft  be  fure 
j  of  the  O'utli  of  the  Goi^^ell,  or  elCe  our  fayth  is 
no  fayth  but  rather  an  opinion,if  we.be  ready  to 
{lagger  too  and  fro.  Now  then  the  very  proofe 
wliich  wco»aght  to  make  of  our  fayth,  k  to  bee 
fully  fetied  and  refelued  in  our  felues  that  God 
hath  taught  vs,  and  that  he  hath  fo  vttered  his 
will  vnto  vs^that  if  we  fw^arus  from  it  one  way  or  other;it  is  all  one 
as  if  wee  did  wilfully  caflour  felues  away.  And  for  this  caufe  wee 
muft  not  only  receyue  Gods  woord  as  good  Sc  holy :  but  alfo  beare 
fuch  honour  too  it,as  to  hate  vvhatfoeuer  is  agaynft  it,  yea  or  which 
agreeth  not  fully  with  it.  For  when  as  S.Pauie  fpeakcth  heere  of  an 
otlier  Gofpell :  his  meanyn^  is,  that  if  men  difguyze  the  pure  fim^ 
plicitie  which  they  haue  learned  of  him,  there  remayneth  nothing 
elfe  but  vntruth  and  corruption.VVherfore  let  vs  leame  to  fet  fuck 
ftorc  by  Gods  do^rine,  that  wee  may  not  only  efleeme  it  in  it  felf, 
but  alfo  rcmd:  as  diueliOi  things,  what  focuer  (hall  be  brought  con- 
trarie  or  repugnant  vntoo  it.  And  truly  Sainft  Paule  thinkcs  it  not 
ynough  too  fpeake  of  men,  but  mounteth  euen  vntoo  the  Angelica 
of  Heauen,  and  fayeth  that  v/ee  mufte  rather  hold  them  accurfed^ 
than  alter  any  whit  of  the  fayth  which  wee  haue  of  the  Gofpell.  He 
dothe  well  too  fpeake  of  himfelf  tirft :  and  he  doeth  that,  too  fhewe 
that  he  had  no  regard  of  his  owne  perfonc,  but  that  he  mcnt  (imply 
too  honour  God,^nd  too  caufe.  his  woord  tobee  rcceyued  of  ail  the 
worlde  without  gaynfaying.  Therefore  it  was  needcfulLthat  Sain<$t 
paule  (hould  vfe  that  proteftation :  for  if  any  man  cxempt.hisowne 
do6b-ine  by  priuiledgc,  he  maketh  the  fame  a  priuate  cacc.  But  he 
that  teacheth,  ought  too  raunge  himfelfc  in  the  common,  aray  and 
too  fubmitte  himfeif  obediently  too  the  Gofpell  of  oim-  Lord  lefus 
Chrifte,foaswecmaynot  haue  any  other  May(lcrin  thisworldc 
of  whom  too  hold  our  fayth,  but  that  the  Sonne  of  God  may  haue 
all  foueraintie  oucr  vs  as  belongcth  vntoo  him.  And  Sain(5t  Paule 
fpeakedi  purpofelyoftheAp^elles,bycaufeth«  falfe  Apoftl'esand. 
decc^'ucrs that  were  comeintoo  the  countrie  of  Galatia,.  preten- 
ded the  name  of  Peterjohn,  and  lames :  and  therefore  he  fetteth  a- 
barrc  ia  their  way,  faying  thatwhen  they  had  all  that  could  bee  on^ 


theEpiU.totkeQalathians.         i6 

theyr  fide,yea  and  that  the  whole  world  tooke  parte  with  them,  all 
that  was  nothing.  Moreouer  thou^  tliey  had  the  very  AngeJles  of 
heaue  with  them,yet  fhovild  God  Geuerthelefle  ouer  iTile  the  by  his 
word,  &  all  ereaturesi>e  thrufl:  downe.  For  if  any  thing  lift  vp  it  lelf 
againftGods  truth,  wherinhis  image  fhincth  forth  and  Ins  maiefHc 
and  glorie  ought  to  be  knowen :  the  fame  ought  alfo  to  be  condem- 
ncd,&  to  behind  as  accurfed.lt  might  perchaunce  feeme  at  thefirft 
blu(h,  that  S.Paulc  vfed  an  excefsiue  fafhion.  For  too  what  purpofe 
brmgeth  he  in  the  Angels,  feyng  wee  know  how  they  be  wholly  2^i* 
ticntoodo  Gods  will :' According  as  it  is  fayde  exprefly  in  tlie.103.  f^faJntAQX, 
Pfalme,and  as  we  fee  moreouer  through  the  whole  holy  Scripture,  ^20. 
that  they  haue  not  any  other  regard,  than  firaply  to  obey  God.  Sc- 
ing  then  that  it  is  impofsible  that  th€  Angelles  ihoulde  faififie  the 
pure  truthciSainflPaulefhouldenot  haue  brought  them  in.  Yea 
It  might  bee  thought  that  he  dooth  them  wrong  and  iniurie,  confi- 
dering  that  God  hath  giuen  them  the  grace  too  abyde  in  his  obe- 
diencc,and  too  walkc  quietly  as  he  hath  appoynted  the m.  But  it  i% 
not  without  caufe  that  SainftPaulefpeakethfo,  for  afinuch  as  the 
Diuell  dothalwayes  indeuer  too  bring  the  things  that  may  bee  well 
liked  of,to  ouerthrowe  the  pure  do<5tnne  withall.  And  wee  fee,how 
that  euen  Gods  name  hath  at  all  times  bin  pretended  by  dcceyucrs, 
and  although  they  brought  nothing  but  illuflons  ^id  mockeries,yet 
not  withftandingthcy  prottfted  with  ful  mouth, that  they  were  fent 
of  God.By  reafon  whcrof,the  Prophets  had  much  ado  in  lighting  a- 
gainU  fuch  as  labored  to  abufe  the  worlde  vnderfuche  couert,  [into 
much  that]  they  were  faine  too  come  to  the  triall,to  know  whithei* 
God  fpake  by  their  mouth  or  no.  And  wee  knowe  alfo  how  Sain6l 
peter  fayeth,  that  JLke  as  among  the  people  of  olde  time  there  were  2,'Tet, 2^4,1 
many  dcce>\ier«  whiche  troubled  the  Churche  and  brought  all 
things  in  a  broyle:  fo  wee  alfo  in  thefe  daycs  mufle  looke  too 
haue  vnderlinges  of  Satans,  whiche  (hall  labour  too  fowe  darnel! 
among  v's,  and  the  Cliurchemufte  dill  bee  fubiecl  too  the  fame  in- 
conucnience,  bycaufe  God  intendeth  too  bewray  and  trie  wliither 
we^  bee  his  in  truthe  or  no.  For  the  Hypocrites  will  focne  bee 
(hidden  downe,when  they  find  occafion  to  chaunge.  Tliey  be  fo  light 
headed  and  fleeting,  that  they  nv,]j(lnecdes  be  trotting  too  and  fro. 

D.ij.  Bu; 


Chap.  I.  y^^  Q I. fourth  Sermon  ypon 

But  Gods  children  which  haue  taken  liuely  and  decpe  roote  in  the 
Golp^ll^will  neuer  be  remoued.  And  therefore  doth  God  alfo  giuc 
bridle  to  Satan,  who  rayzeth  vp  falle  Prophetes  as  it  is  fayd  in  the 
iv«^  13.4.3  thirtenth  chapter  of  Deutcronomie,  bycaufe  God  intendeth  too 
know  by  experience,  whither  wee  loue  him  or  no,  that  is  too  fay, 
whither  we  beare  him  the  honour  that  he  defemethjby  refting  vpo 
him,yea  and  by  refting  vpon  him  with  a  true  and  vnchaungeabie  c5- 
itancie.  Nowe  feing  that  the  Deuiil  hath  in  fuch  wife  troubled  the 
Church;  and  To  fowen  his  errours  as  he  hath  taken  couert  vnder  the 
name  of  God :  it  behoueth  for  the  mayntayning  of  that  point  Sc  ar- 
ticie,that  Gods  woord  abide  in  his  full  and  perfe6l  flate.  For  when 
the  Paynims  worfhipped  their  Idols,  they  alwayes  abufed  the  name 
ofGod,and  all  that  they  did  was  Religion  as  they  termed  it,and  (to 
theyr  owne  feeming)there  was  none  other  holinelTc  in  the  worlde, 
but  the  following  of  their  fond  deuices.  But  contrary  wife  the  holy 
Scripture  telleth  vs^that  all  their  Gods  were  but  Diuels.  And  what 
agreement  is  there  betwene  thofe  two  fayingsc*  Yea^but  for  afmuch 
as  the  thing  that  the  Heathen  men  tooke  in  had,  was  but  a  masking 
to  vnhalowthe  name  of  God,and  to  conuey  it  ouer  to  their  Idolles: 
therfore  it  is  requifite  that  that  fond  opinio  (hould  be  cut  of.And  we 
fee  at  this  day  how  the  Pope  Sc  all  the  filthie  puddle  of  his  ClergiC;, 
do  beare  vs  in  hand  that  they  be  Chrifles  vicares,&  that  they  repre- 
fent  the  Church,and  are  the  fucceffors  of  the  Apoftles.  Ai  this  geere 
mull  be  beaten  downe,or  elfe  wee  fhall  neuer  know  what  fayth  we 
ought  to  fticke  vnto.  Ye  fee  the  after  what  maner  S.Paule  aliedgeth 
here  the  Angels.  As  if  he  (hould  fay,  what  foeuer  authoritie  of  men 
be  alledged;it  canot  in  any  wife  preiudice  God  or  his  word.  For  his 
woord  muft  haue  the  vpper  hand,and  all  high  Sc  excellent  things  in 
this  world  muft  (loupe  &  be  brought  low :  and  not  only  the  mortall 
creaturesjbut  eue  the  Angels  aIfo,in  fomuch  that  if  it  could  come  to 
p(re( which  thing  is  vnpofsible)  that  an  Angel!  (hould  fet  himfelf  a* 
gainfl  God,he  ought  to  be  abhorred. And  let  vs  not  thinlie  that  the 
Angels  are  wronged  herein.  For  what  is  all  their  glorie  and  di^i^ 
tie  <  It  is  too  do  feruis  to  their  Maker,and  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift, 
who  is  their  head  as  well  as  curs.  So  then,if  a  man  make  bold  with 
theyrnametoothe  end  that  lefus Chrifte  bee  glorified;  and  that 

hi5 


theEpiU.tothe(jalathians.        27 

iis  Gofpell  niay  abydc  in  perfect  foundneffe  vnappayred :  thcreitt 
the  Angeiles  are  willing  too  yeelde/o  their  name  feme  to  fuch  vfe, 
for  that  is  their  checfe  defirc.  Thus  yec  fee  why  Sain6l  Paule  ma- 
kcthbold  with  the  name  of  the  Angeiles,  ahhough  he  meenenot 
that  they  can  at  any  time  fhrinke  from  their  obedience  vnto  God, 
And  he  repeteth  the  fame  fentence  agayne,  faying,  that  who feeuer 
Jhallbr'tngany  ne'^  GoFpelly  let  him  hebi/deasaccurfea,  Nowefirfte  of 
all  wee  feeheere,  how  God  intcndeth  too  bee  honored  and  ferued 
at  our  handes  :  namely  not  with  ftraunge  Ceremonies  and  falhions 
as  men  are  woont  too  doo  :  but  our  cheefe  feruis  is  to  herken  vnto 
him,and  as  ye  would  fay  to  brydle  our  felues,  holding  all  our  fenfes     ■ 
prifoners  vnder  his  woord  when  he  fpeaketh  vnto  vs,according  dlfo 
as  he  himfelf  protefleth  in  his  prophet  leremie.  Haue  I(lkyth  he)de-  Urent.y.  f. 
maunded  Sacrifize  of  thy  fathers:'  No,  but  th  e  thing  that  I  required      a2» 
of  tliem,and  which  I  ftil  require  of  you  as  the  homage  that  you  owe 
vnto  me,is  that  you  herken  to  my  voyce.  In  that  text  God  fheweth, 
thatnien  may  well  ouerlabour  thefelues  in  bringing  their  owne  de- 
uotions  to  him  vpon  hope  to  pleafe  him  thereby,  but  all  (hall  be  but 
filthine{re,till  wee  haue  learned  to  herken  to  his  voyce, and  to  obey 
him.  Marke  wel  this  poynt  which  is  very  notable, leaft  we  labour  in 
vayne  as  we  fe  e  the  wretched  Papifts  doo.  For  it  hath  alwayes  bin  a 
common  difeafe  in  the  world, that  men  knowing  wel  that  they  were 
created  to  feme  God,haue  tormeted  thefelues  &  taken  muchpaine 
Qo  do  it,]  Sc  yet  all  hath  bin  vayne  Sc  vnauaylable,bicaufe  they  be-^  • 
gan  not  at  the  right  poynt  of  ruling  their  life  by  the  will  of  God,and 
of  fetling  thefelues  fully  to  taJ^e  nothing  in  hand  but  that  whiche  he 
comaunded  them.  Yec  fee  then  that  the  meancs  too  haue  our  feriiis 
acceptable  vnto  God  at  this  day,is  too  giue  eare  vnto  him, too  fuller 
ourfelues  to  be  taught  by  his  word,  to  be  gouerned  altogither  ther- 
by,and  to  frame  our  life  with  al  our  deedes  &  thoughts  fully  accor- 
ding to  the  fame.  And  herein  we  fee  the  benefite  that  God  hath  gi^ 
Uen  vs  in  calling  vs  to  the  knowledge  of  his  Gofpell.On  the  other- 
fide,  we  fee  (as  I  {ayd^afore)how  thepoore  Papifles  r^'fe  early,  &  bu- 
fie  thefelues  about  this  Sc  that,  without  end  or  ceafsing  of  their  tra- 
iiels:  &  yet  in  the  meane  while,not  only  the  time  is  loft,&  their  la- 
bor is  vaine  Sc  vnprolitable,but  alfo  they  thefelues  are  abhominablc 

•    D.iij.  before 


Chap.r.  fo^CaLfourth  Sermon ypn 

before  God.  Then  feyng  tke  cace  ftandetli  fo :  let  vs  make  account 
of  the  grace  that  God  hath  granted  ys  in  declaring  his  will  vnto  vs^ 
&  let  va  vnderftand  that  wee  mud  not  walke  at  aduenrore,  hut  dis- 
cern e  betwene  good  and  euill,  howbeit  not  after  our  owne  wit  and 
imaginaciopbut  by  goyng  to  Gods  fchoolcpSc  by  learning  the  things 
that  he  allo\yeth,arruring  our  felues  that  nothing  deferueth  too  bee 
efteeqiedj.faue  the  framing  of  our  felues  to  the  luLe  which  he  hath 
giue  vs  by  his  word.  Marke  that  for  a  principle.  And  here  withall  we 
fee  alfo  what  the  mai^flie  of  the  Gofpell  is,&  that  it  is  not  for  vs  to 
bringin  mens  opinions  in  that  cace  to  wrap  our  felues  in  any  doubt 
as  the  Papifls  do  now  adayes,  who  haue  none  other  buckler  agaynft 
VS,but  the  traditions  of  the  Church,Councels,and  Antiquitie. How- 
beit when  they  haue  thronged  all  the  world  togither,will  it  bee  able 
to  counteruayle  the  Angelles  of  heauen  c'  No  certainly.  Now  thea 
we  may  well  mocke  at  their  foolifhneiTe  after  the  exaple  of  S.Paule^ 
and  fay  that  if  the  Pope  and  all  the  rable  of  his  ftinking  Clergie  had 
the  Angelles  on  their  fide,  it  were  nothing  at  all  in  coparifon  of  our 
Lord  I-efus  Ghrifl^who  hath  all  foueraine  power,  and  before  whom 
all  knees  ought  to  bow,not  only  of  mortall  creatures^but  alfo  euen 
of  things  that  are  aloft  in  heauen,according  as  it  is  faid  in  the  Epiftle 
^hi/2.  h,lQ  to  the  Philippians,  where  this  faying  is  applyed  to  his  perfon,in  that 
O^  Efa.Ac,  God  fweareth  that  alknees  Hiall  bow  before  him,&  ail  tunges  con- 
1/,  2«,  fefle  that  he  only  is  to  be  glorified.  Yee  fee  then  that  the  way  for  vs 

to  comend  the  do6lrine  of  the  Gofpel,is  to  abide  vnremoued  by  the 
authoritie  of  men,  &  (when  it  is  told  vs  that  (uch  a  one  is  of  this  opi- 
nion or  that,)  to  aflure  our  felues  that  feyng  God  hath  giuen  vs  the 
grace  to  be  fully  refolued  in  our  minds, it  behoueth  vs  to  hold  vs  al- 
wayes  to  it  without  chaunging,  This  is  in  eflPed  the  thing  that  wcc 
Baue  to  cofider  in  this  fentence.Now  hercvpo  S.Paule  fheweth,ho\v 
it  was  not  without  caufe  that  he  (pake  Co  of  his  Gofpell  that  he  had- 
preached.For  he  fayeth  that  heteachetb  not  after  tke  mmer  cf  inen,  or 
that  he  doihnotfetforth  men,nor  cQmfell\jhcmyiftenhe  Muner  of  men, 
tut  that  he  fetteth forth  Codyandfee^eth  mt  h  pleafe  nie^but  leftn  Chrtfl. 
Afterward  he  addeth,  that  his  Gofpell  is  not  of  mcn,but  that  it  was 
rcueledtohim  fro  aboue,as  I  haue  declared  already.  It  had  not  bia 
ynough  for  S.PauIe  to  haue  fpoke  of  the  Gofpell  ingenerall^excep^ 

be 


the  EpiHitothe^alathians.        28 

he  had  Ihcwed  therewith, that  he  had  Lin  a  taie  5c  faithful  1  miniftcr 
of  it.  For  the  Diuell  ca  well  ynough  nway,  that  the  name  cfthe  Go- 
fpeil  fhoLild  be  of  very  great  efKmacion  among  vs:but  in  the  meane 
while  he  would  not  haue  vs  to  know  what  it  meaneth,  nor  ceaiTe  to 
be  intagled  in  (lore  of  errours,  Sc  to  haue  our  wittes  rouing  here  3c 
there.Then  it  is  not  ynough.that  the  name  of  the  Gofpell  be  hono- 
red in  the  world :  but  we  muft  alfo  know  what  maner  of  thing  the 
Gofpell  island  what  is  contayned  in  it.  And  that  is  the  caufc  why  S. 
Paule  chalendgeth  that  faithfulnelTe  of  teaching  the  Gofpell,  in  fo 
much  that  if  any  whit  of  it  be  chaijged,let  the  fame  be  accurfed.And 
this  yet  againe  is  wdl  woorthy  to  be  noted.  For  when  the  Papiftes 
readc  thisplace,  they  do  nothing  but  skotfe  atitiand  God  alfo  hath 
bulled  them,  {\:)  as  t here  is  1  efie  wit  in  them,  than  in  little  chyidren. 
For  they  vnderfland  it  [  thus :  namely]  that  Paule  ment,  that  if  a 
man  fhould  make  another  Gofpel,  as  if  a  man  fhould  write  abooke, 
and  the  fame  fhoulde  not  bee  the  Gofpell  that  was  written  by  him, 
then  they  fhoulde  \^terly  reieifb  it^  bycaufe  the  Gofpell  was  fuffi- 
cientlyproued  already.  But  in  the  meane  whyle  they  thought  not 
that  all  that  was  contayned  in  Paules  Epiflles  was  euery  whit  of  it 
Gofpell :  but  they  rather  furmyzed,  that  he  had  written  fome  florie 
of  the  Gofpell,  and  that  if  any  other  had  bin  brought  in  vppon  the 
rcfuzail  thereof,  tlie  fame  tliat  had  bin  fo'  brought  in,  fhould  haue 
had  no  credite  nor  reputation.  But  wee  fe  e  that  in  that  cace  thefc 
wretched  beafires'  haue  nother  reafoii  nor  vriderftanding,  nor  any 
tafte  at  all.  So  rriuch  the  more  therefore  dothe  it  Clande  vs  in  hahd 
loomarke,  thatS.Paule  hadgoodcaufe  too  ipeake  of  the  Gofpell 
which  he  had  preached,euen  to  fhewe  as  it  were  with  his  fingar  the 
doctrine  which  it  behoucth  vs  to  be  fully  perfwaded  of  W^ill  we  be 
of  the  flocke  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift^  Then  is  it  not  ynough  for  vs 
loo.accept  what  fo  euer  is  tolde  vis  in  his  nam^  ;  ^ut  Wee  tnuile  put 
that  thing  in  vre  which  is  f^^ken  inthe  teritli  of  SainMohn,  which'  lohnAO,d»c 
is>,  too  bee  able  by  herkening  vnto  his  Voyce,too  difcerne  his  voyce 
■from  the  voyce  of  ftraungers,and  too  bee  alwayes  fully  perfwaded, 
that  there  is  not  any  other  than  he,too  whom  wee  ought  too  yceld. 
Thus  ye  fee  how  the  way  to  be  vnder  the  guiding  of  our  good  fhep- 
iie.fd,4Silia$'i^e  fwaruettLOtoneway  nor  other  when  men  aflaylc  v^, 
ts  'J*  D.iiij.  but 


Gfaap.i.  foXal.fourth  Sermcnlppon 

but  eucry  of  vs  indeucr  to  drawe  home  to  liinifelf,  fo  a3  we  become 
not  like  wauering  reedes,  but  llad  ilcdfafl:  in  the  doftrine  which  we 
(hall  haue  learned  Jnfo  doing  our  Lord  kfus  Chrifl:  will  auow  vs  to 
be  of  the  copanie  and  number  of  his  fiieepe,  and  alwayesdo  the  du- 
tie  of  a  {hepeherd  towards  vs.  But  if  we  play  thofe  men  which  care 
not  which  end  go  foreward^in  fomuch  that  if  a  man  tell  thethat  le- 
fus  Chiiftis  the  only  he  vpon  whom  we  muft  reft  to  haue  any  truft 
of  Saluation :  it  is  well, they  can  Uke  wellynough  of  that  do6lrine : 
and  on  the  contraiy  part  if  a  man  fet  ftore  of  trumperie  before  the, 
and  go  about  too  trouble  their  wittes  with  this  and  that,  [they  can 
well  ynough  aw^y  with  that  too]  and  all  is  one  to  them :  if  there  be 
no  difcretion  in  vs,it  is  a  token  that  we  haue  no  certaintie  of  fayth* 
For  we  muft  be  out  of  all  doubt^,  that  lefus  Chrift  is  the  only  May- 
jfi:er,feyng  tliat  that  charge  is  comitted  to  him  by  God  his  fatherland 
alfo  that  he  hath  fully  performed  the  fame.  If  wee  bee  not  at  that 
poynt,  it  is  certaine  that  wee  fhall  alwayes  bee  caried  away  with  o- 
pinion  and  imaginacion,and  that  there  fhall  be  no  fayth  at  all  in  vs. 
And  that  is,  the  caufe  alfo  why  S.Paule  declareth,  that  the  Gofpeli 
^  which  he  had  preached,  is  the  fame  which  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  co- 
maunded  to  be  preached  and  publifhed,and  wherof  he  is  the  author 
m  the  name  of  God  his  father.Seing  it  is  fo  :  it  behoueth  vs  to  hold 
vs  to  it:  and  fo  confequently  when  S.Paule  fpcakedi  of  another  Go- 
fpell,he  me^ieththeminglemangle  and  corruption  that  might  bee 
put  vnto  it :  as  if  he  fhouldfay,VVhatfoeuer  is  added  or  patched  to 
the  do6lrine  of  the  Gofpeli  by  mans  deuice,  fo  as  they  can  not  con- 
tent themfelues  with  the  fimplenefTe  therof,  but  tliat  they  do  varie 
from  k :  is  euery  whit  of  it  mere  leafing.  And  therfore  let  vs  fhun  it 
as  apoyfon,  forfurely  no  poyfoncan  beefo  deadly  as  afalfe  do- 
ftrine.  And  if  men  doo  naturally  keepe  themfelues  from  the  things 
that  may  hurt  this  tranfitorie  \\£^  :  ought  not  our  foules  to  be  much 
more  precious  too  vs:'  VYhat  care  ought  wee  too  haue  that  they  be 
not  poyfoned  by  any  trumperie  of  men  C  Too  bee  ftiort,lette  vs  bee 
furc  that  as  foonc  as  any  by  matter  is  added  too  the  pure  do<^ine  of 
ourLordIefusChrifte,itisplaynefalfehod.  For  he  will  notonely 
bee  hilde  as  principall,  but  he  mufte  continue  alone  without  any 
eonopanion^and allthofe  that teach^muftft-ftbeconne  bis  fcfiolers, 

&.a« 


the  Eptfi.to  the  Qalathians.        2p 

fo  as  he  thatfpeaketh  in  die  Church  fet  not  do\vne  any  thino  of  his 
own,or  which  hath  bin  coyned  in  the  warehoufes  of  men,  but  fhew 
himfelfe  to  be  the  true  difciple  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chi  ift.and  teach 
vsalibytheauthoritieofhim.Markethat  foronepoynt.  And  for  a 
feconde,it  behoueth  vs  to  knowe  what  is  contey^ned  in  the  GofpelL 
For  if  the  woordeGofpellfhoulde  trottevp  arxldowne  in  euerie 
mans  mouth,and  yet  in  the  meane  while  men  make  vs  beleue  that 
Chalke  is  Cheefe ,  as  they  fay :  what  a  thing  were  that^  W^hat 
fhoulde  wee  bee  the  better  for  giuing  fo  honourable  report  too  the 
Gofpell ,  as  to  fay  it  is  Gods  pure  truth,  wherevntoo  all  creatures 
ought  to  fubmit  themfelues  i  It  flandeth  vs  on  hande  too  knowe 
whatis'the  fubftance  of  it,  fo  as  wee  may  bee  fure  that  the  fonne  of 
God  is  come  downe  hither  to  guide  vs  vntoo  God  his  father ,  too 
the  ende  wee  may  vnderftande  after  what  maner  hee  will  bee  wor- 
shipped at  our  handes,  and  furthermore  bee  made  priuie  too  Gods 
will,  that  wee  may  frame  our  whole  life  thereafter,  and  not  inuent 
afcruice  after  our  owne  luft  and  lyking,butyeelde  him  that  obedi- 
ence which  he  requireth  and  alloweth  aboue  all  things .Againe, wee 
muft[Iearne  too]  knowe  howe  miferableour  ftate  is,  if  wee  intend 
to  feeke  our  faluation  in  our  felues.  For  there  is  nothing  in  vs  but 
ignorance, infirmitie,  weakenefTe,  yea  and  ftubbornefTe  and  wicked 
iuftes:and  to  be  fhort,  we  bee  hilde  in  Satans  bandes,fo  as  he  draw- 
€th  vs  like  filliebeaftes,  euen  as  AlTes  and  Oxen  that  ai*e  folde.and 
if  we  intende  to  be  fet  free  fromfo  horrible  bondage,  and  t^Tannie, 
we  muft  go  too  none  but  God ,  alTuring  our  felues  that  hee  is  the 
fountaine  of  all  welfare.  Furthermore  forafmuch  as  wee  cannot 
come  vntoo  God,but  we  muft  firft  come  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift, 
who  \s>  come  downe  vnto  vs  :  fo  as  wee  muft  feeke  all  that  we  hauc 
ncede ofin his fulnefre,andrepofe our wholetruft  there,  and  not  , 
haue  any  other  preparation,righteoufnefre,holineiTe,  crperfe6lion 
than  him,but  be  vtterly  emptied  in  pur  feiues,and  yet  nctwithftan- 
<iingnot  ceafTe  too  truft  that  hee  will  leade  vs  too  God  his  father : 
We  muft  alfo  vnderftande  by  what  mesnes  we  bee  luibfy  ed,  that 
is  to  wit,  by  the  facriiicc  of  his  death  andpalsicn.Befides  this,  when 
we  come  to  pray  vnt  God  ,.let  vs  refort  vnto  him  as  our  Aduocate,. 
•chat  he  may  beareworde  for  vs.Ye  fee  then  that  the  thing  which  we 

D.v.  -       ought 


ciup.i;         fo.Cal./durth  Scrmonypon 

ougVjttoo  knowc  concerning  the  Gofpellj  is  that  there  isbut  one', 
onely  lavve  whereby  to  rule  our  lyues :  that  we  miifl  haue  but  one 
certaine  beleefcj  fo  as  wee  knowe  the  God  whom  we  ihould  ferue 
and  worlhip  -  that  we  behold  him  in  the  perfon  of  our  Lorde  lelus 
Chrift  who  is  his  verie  Image:  that  we  muflhaue  none  other  thing 
to  reft:  vpon  than  lefus  ChrUV.and  that  all  our  thoughts  muflbe  di^ 
rc<^ed  thither,  afTaring  our  felues  that  in  him  the  father  hath  put  all 
things  requifit  for  our  fakiation,  and  that  he  alfo  doth  by  the  power 
of  his  holy  fpirit,guide  and  gouerne  vs,in  fuch  wife,  that  being  vn- 
der  his  protection, we  be  fare  tliat  the  Diuell  and  all  his  champions^ 
can  do  nothing  againft  vs,  when  we  bee  fo  preferued  by  his  power. 
This  is  the  contempt  of  the  Gofpeil,  which  it  belioueth  vs  to  know, 
or  eife  the  things  that  arefpokenhere  wil  do  vs  no  good  at  al.Fur- 
thermore  S.Paule^to  fliew  that  he  doth  not  without  caufe  preferre 
himfelf  before  thofe  that  went  about  to  difguife  the  do6lrine  of  the 
Gofpel;by  tlirufling  in  fome  mmglings  and  additions :vfeth  two  ar- 
guments .The  one  is, that  he  had  behaued  himfelfe  faithfully  Sc  with 
a  pure  and  right  meening  mind  in  teaching  the  Galathians  and  all  o- 
ther  meThe  other  is,that  he  had  not  fet  forth  any  thing  of  his  own 
head,  but  had  receiued  his  matters  by  heaueniy  reuelation  fro  our 
Lord  lefus  Chrift.Now  it  behoiieth  vs  to  mark  wel  thefc  two  ai:gu- 
ments,  to  the  end  we  mayperceyue,  that  S.Paule  hath  not  without 
caufe  declared  heretofore,  that  this  do£lrine  of  his  ought  too  bee  of 
good  credit,  8c  that  it  was  not  lawful  for  any  lining  creatui*  to  ftriue 
againft:  it.  Hcrv^on  wee  may  gather  a  general  rul e,ho w  wee  ought 
to  be  fure  of  our  faith.  For  the  Angels  ftial  not  come  down  to  fpeak 
to  vs  after  a  vifible  maner,but  we  muft:  be  tau^t  by  the  mouthes  of 
men.  And  yet  for  all  that,  (as  I  haue  fayd  already)we  muft  holde  this 
for  an  infallible  coclu{ion,that  we  haue  thedo6lrine  whervpon  our 
Faydi  is  grounded  and  fetled,  from  God  and  from  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chriil:.And how  fhal  we  perceiue  that C* By  the  two reafons thatarc 
fct  downe  here.Wherof  the  one  is,that  fuch^  teach  vs  haue  a  A6-* 
fire  and  zeale  to  bring  vs  vnto  god,  and  arme  notthefelues  with  tlic 
title  Sc  name  of  men;nonorhaue  any  thingat  allof  man,but  folow 
the  trace  which  God  hath  comaundcdall  his  to  kepe,that  is  to  wit, 
that  they  win  the  world  vnto  the  obedience  of  him.  Let  thatlfstuc 
for  one  point.Secodlyjbefides  theii*  good  zeale^they  mull  alfo  haue 

acer- 


the  BpiH. to  the  Qalathian t.        ^ o 

a  certeintie  [of  do^lrfne]  fo  as  hee  that  fpeaketh  may  not  take  any 
rfiing  vpon  him,nor  pade  his  bounds, but  from  hand  to  hand  deiiuer 
the  thing  that  is  comanded  him,in  iuch  wife  as  lefus  Chrift  may  al- 
ways be  heard,  Sc  fufrered  to  fpeak,  and  al  moutlies  elfe  be  flopped, 
fauingonly  in  way  of  hearkning,that  his  do6lrine  may  bee  knownc 
vnto  vs.Novv  as  touching  the  firft,wher  S.Paul  proteileth  his  good 
mind-.he  faith  that  be  doth  not  coHi€l[or  ^^\{u2.^t}according  to  me, tut 
according  to  Cod.hnA  hereby  he  meneth,that  he  went  not  to  worke 
with  a  worldly  afFediOpbut  had  labored  to  apply  himfelf  (imply  vn- 
to Gcdjfeinghe  had  bin  called  by  him:&  alfo  that  he  had  take  lefus 
Ciirift  for  his  mafl:er,fo  as  he  laide  not  forth  any  thing  but  him,  nor 
toke  any  backfence  of  me^as  thofe  do  which  would  allure  fimple  Sc 
ignorat  folk  vnto  the, who  hunt  for  credit  here  &  there,faying ;  ho, 
fuch  a  man  faith  fo.But  it  is  only  God  that  is  to  be  hearkned  vnto. 
For  diough  al  me  with  one  accord  would  tume  vs  afide  from  him ; 
furelyhe  alone  ought  to  outwey  ten  C.M.worldes,  if  there  were  fo 
many.Thenfeing  the  cace  ftandcth  fo,let  vs  mark  well  the  do6lrine 
that  is  conteinedhere,  where  S.Paule  fetteth  do\vn  his  owne  affec- 
tion, which  fcrueth  to  giue  vs  agf  nerallrule:  according  wherevnto 
he  addeth  immcdiatly,ii&d^  hbad  not  labored  top/eafe  me.  For  fo  fone 
as  folk  fpeai^e  after  the  appetite  of  men,  Gods  truth  mufl  nedes  be 
corrupted.  Alfo  he  addeth,  that  ifhefhouldj^leafe  metijhe  y^ere  not  the 
feruant  ofUfus  ChriJl.But  the  diuell  hath  many  meanes  Sc  flightes  to 
darken  Gods  truth,in  fuch  wife,as  it  may  wcl  feme  vnto  vs  that  we 
be  flil  with  God,&  yet  in  the  mean  while  we  fhalbe  agreat  way  of 
from  him,  vnlefTe  we  haue  wifdome  and  difcretionas  it  is  giuen  vs 
heere.Therefore  let  vs  haue  the  skill  too  oifcerne  God  from  men, 
fo  as  we  may  not  be  abafhed  nor  amazed  when  wee  fee  many  con- 
trarieties, muche  diuerf^tie  cf  opinions,  and  many  incounters  and 
difputations.  Let  none  cf  all  thcfe  things  make  vs  chaunge  our  be- 
leefe.  And  why :'  Let  vs  looke  no  more  but  whether  wee  can  bee 
fure  in  God  :  if  we  haue  that  cnce  Jet  vs  boldcly  defpife  the  whole 
worlde.  But  i£v^'e  bee  not  weii  fettled  in  cur  faytli :  it  is  certaync 
that  eueric  blaflc  of  winde  wyll  ouerthrowc  it ,  or  at  leailwyze 
malie  it  too  flagger  too  and  fro.  Therefore  let  vs  take  iutli  talle, 
as  wee  maye  knowe  that  God  hathe  verily  hai  pi^tis  ofvs,  too 
the  ende  toofhewevs  hys  wyli ;  and  let  vs  looke  well  too  fuch e 

its 


Chap .  I.         fo.Cal. fourth  Sermon  ypon 

as  teach  vs,  \jx\d  marke]  of  what  minde  they  be  led  and  goucmcd, 
whether  they  feeke  to  obey  God  on  their  owne  part,  and  too  leade 
vs  in  the  fame  way  by  their  owne  example.  Furthermore,  when  S; 
Pauie  fayth,that  if  he  (houlde  pleafe  men  hee  were  not  the  feiuant 
of  lefus  Chrift :  that  do6lrine  implyeth  verie  much.  For  we  knowe. 
well  ynough  what  men  are  of  their  owne  nature,  howe  there  is  no- 
thing in  them  but  iiiiquitie  and  flubbomnefTe  agaynfl  God.Then  if 
we  minde  to  pleafure  them :  we  muft  giue  ouer  God  and  haue  no- 
thing to  doo  with  him.  For  men  go  alwaycs  backward  e  if  they  bee 
not  compelled  to  conie  vnto  God,  and  they  kicke  agaynft  him  like 
wilde  beaftes.  Therefore  wee  cannot  pleafe  them  but  by  ftraying 
from  God,and  by  giuing  the  brydle  to  fuch  as  leape  out,  eft  a  tone 
fide,  and  eft  a  toother :  yea  and  euen  the  good  men  coulde  fome- 
tymes  finde  in  their  heartes ,  that  God  fhoulde  applie  himfelfe  too 
their  appetites.  For  although  they  bee  dill  minded  too  ferue  him  ; 
yet  are  they  not  at  all  tymes,  and  in  all  poyntes  fo  well  ruled,  as  to 
haue  giuen  ouer  all  their  owne  opinions,  lykings,  and  defires,  but 
that  fometimes  they  fhall  euerie  one  of  them  be  tempted  to  do  one 
thing  or  other,infomuch  that  if  wee  were  not  hilde  fliort,  and  made 
to  retire  out  of  hande,wee  would  runne  to  our  deftruftion.  To  bee 
fhort,  there  is  none  of  vs  all  but  hee  woulde  bee  plcafed,  infomuch 
that  if  they  which  haue  the  charge  to  buylde  and  teach  the  Church, 
would  pleafe  men  :  they  fhoulde  bee  fa^ne  too  renounce  our  Lorde 
lefus  Chrift.  And  hereby  all  Minifters  of  Gods  worde  are  taught  to 
fhet  their  eyes  when  they  intende  to  difcharge  their  duetie  fayth- 
fuIly,fo  as  they  mufl;  not  looke  afide  too  regarde  men  according  to 
their  difordered  defires  which  they  fee ,  but  fette  afide  all  defire  of 
their  good  lyking  and  fauour.  And  if  they  purpofc  to  lead  thofe  vn- 
too  God  which  woulde  elfe  bee  fkibborne  hearted :  whatfoeucr 
come  of  it  let  them  fo  deale,  that  God  may  haue  his  right,  and  that 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chriflmay  haue  his  authoritie.  For  (as  I  haue  fayd 
alreadie)what  is  too  bee  done  when  we  fpeake  in  his  name  -f  VVee 
mufl  not  onely  generally  condemne  ?.ll  tliat  is  of  our  owne  nature, 
but  alfo  fo  ranfacke  mens  confciences ,  as  euerie  of  them  may  feeic 
that  God  executeth  his  iurifditlion  there,  and  that  the  Gofpell  is 
not  onely  a  launcingyron  to  pricke,  but  alfo  a  fworde  thatpearceth 

to 


the  EpiH.co  the  (jalathiant.       3  r 

totliemaryeof  tliebones,  as  the  Apoflle  faytli  in  thcEpiftle  too 
the  Hebrewes.  There  niuft  then  be  neyther  thought  nor  aff edion,  Hf ^.4.c.i2 
which  the  Gofpcll  muft  not  fearch.  tmeiy  it  cannot  bee  but  that 
they  which  are  fo  wounded,  muft  necdes  grone  and  haue  fome 
greefe  and  hartby ting.  But  yet  muft  wee  fhet  our  eyes  at  all  that, 
and  not  regard  what  men  couet  or  defire^but  palTe  on  ftill  forward. 
Furtliermore,  this  warning  ferueth  not  onely  for  the  Minifters  of 
Gods  worde,  but  for  all  men  ingenerall.  Therefore  if  we  defire  too 
bee  Chriftians,  let  vs  learne  to  do  fo  much  honour  to  the  fonne  of 
God,  that  although  his  woorde  bee  not  verie  well  too  our  lyking, 
nor  we  findc  fauour  in  it  according  to  our  naturall  witte  :  yet  not- 
withftanding  we  may  not  ceafTe  too  receyue  it  obediently.  And  fo 
when  any  man  commeth  to  a  Sermon,  Icttc  him  firft  and  formoft 
malce  his  reckening  to  be  rebuked  as  meete  is,  and  let  him  \mder- 
ftande  that  it  is  for  his  profite  that  hee  is  not  foothed.  And  if  hee 
haue  itching  cares,  let  him  lay  them  away  from  him,  afluring  him- 
felfe  that  elfe  he  is  forclofed/o  as  hee  fhall  neuer  receyue  the  doc- 
trine to  his  profite  and  inftru6lion.  \^hereforc  let  vs  all  fuffer  our 
fores  too  bee  rubbed,  and  our  felues  to  be  condemned,  and  too  bee 
dealt  with  cleane  contrarie  to  our  lyking.  Thus  yee  fee  how  euery 
of  vs  ought  to  be  prepared,  if  wee  purpofe  to  bee  fcholers  too  the 
fonne  of  God,  and  to  yeeld  him  the  mayftrie  which  belongeth  vn- 
to  him.  And  wee  ought  too  endeuer  this  thing  fo  much  the  more, 
forafmuch  as  we  fee  our  nature  driueth  vs  to  the  contrarie  way.For 
we  bee  blinded  with  felfelouc,  and  euery  ofvs  coueteth  too  be  ho- 
noured :  but  honoured  we  cannot  bee,  but  by  flatterfe  and  lying. 
For  who  is  he  among  vs  that  deferueth  to  bee  commended:'  There 
is  nothing  but  filthineffe  and  infection  in  vs  before  God.  For  all 
the  goodly  vertues  which  we  haue  to  outwarde  lhov/e,are  but  cor- 
ruption till  God.haue  reformed  vs.  So  then  it  is  certaine,that  all 
that  cucr  we  haue  of  our  owne  nature  mvjft  be  clenfed,  or  elfe  wee 
fhall  rotte  in  our  owne  wretchedneffe.  And  therefore  forafmuche 
as  there  is  none  other  meane  to  drawe  vs  to  faluation.but  by  clen- 
fing  vs  of  all  our  vyces,  and  the  fame  clenfing  cannot  bee  done  but 
by  violence :  when  we  bee  warned  by  the  do6bin?  of  the  GofpelJ, 
fb  as  our  owne  confciences  rebuke  vs,  alrfiough  we  like  well  tobee 

nowc 


Chap.  I.  Jo.CaLfourtbSermonypon 

nowe  and  then  flattered  and  foothed,  yet  let  vs  fecke  to  be  {pok  -  ti 
vnto  earneftly,and  to  haue  our  faults  told  vs,  and  to  be  made  afh  '.- 
med  of  them,  and  too  haue  our  vnhoncftic  difcouercd,  and  not  dc- 
fire  to  be  pleafed :  for  it  were  the  next  way  to  malte  vs  rotte  in  our 
owne  naughtinefle  if  we  fhould  holde  it  fo  in  fecrete-.and  it  woulde 
coft  vs  dearly  the  fetting  on,if  we  fhould  be  fo  flattered  by  m£n,and 
in  the  meanc  feafon,the  heauenly  ludge  fhould  thunder  downe  vp* 
pon  vs.  Thus  ye  fee  how  euery  of  vs  ought  too  profitc  himfelfe  by 
that  which  S.Paule  fpeakethherc,nameiy  that  if  the  preachers  gra* 
tifieand  pleafe  men,in  fo  doing  they  renounce  God.and  if  they  re- 
nounce him,  what  (hall  become  of  the  reft  of  the  peopled  Whither 
fhali  they  be  led  but  to  the  diuellcTherfore  when  any  man  commes 
to  a  Sermon, let  him  bearc  well  in  minde,  that  he  which  preacheth 
fpeaketh  not  of  his^own  authoritie,but  in  the  behalf  of  our  Lord  Ic*- 
fus  Chi'ift,  who  God  liis  father  hath  appointed  to  be  our  iudge.  And 
to  what  ende  is  lefus  Chrift  our  Iudge  c'  To  the  endc  that  euery  of 
vs  fhould  condemne  himf€lfe,and  that  hauing  fo  paffed  condemna- 
tion,we  fhould  refoit  to  him  to  be  quit.  Now  then  if  a  mortall  man 
couer  my  finnes  for  fome  loue  that  he  beareth  to  me :  will  the  hea- 
uenly lydge  fpare  me  bicaufe  hee  fpareth  me  <  Were  it  not  better 
that  be  which  hath  tlie  charge  to  teach  me/hould  condemne  me,&: 
(hew  me  my  faults, to  the  end  I  might  be  foric  for  diem, and  leamc 
to  miljike  of  the  thing  diat  would  bring  me  to  dertru6lion  c'  Ought 
not  I  to  rake  the  profer,  while  God  hath  his  armes  ftretched  out  to 
receyue  mcc,  and  while  lefus  Chrift  commcth  before  me,  offering 
me  vp  to  God  his  fathcr,as  an  acceptable  facrifice  of  fweete  fauor^ 
And  fo,  muftitziot  needes  be  that  wee  are  as  good  as  mad  and  be- 
witched by  Satan,  if  we  cannot  abide  to  haue  our  fores  rubbed  and 
bewrayed,ihat  we  maybe  brought  to  that  which  is  for  our  welfare^ 
If  a  man  pleafe  a  ficke  bodie,  what  will  become  of  him :'  Shall  hec 
giu^  him  drinke  euerie  minute  of  an  hourec'Shall  he  giue  him  wine 
whereas  hee  ftiouldc  giue  hirn  water  <  Shall  hee  giue  him  Sallets  ^ 
It  were  the  next  way  to  poyfon  him.  Too  bee  fhort,  it  is  certaync 
that  a  man  doth  alwayes  feeke  hys  owne  death,  when  hee  woulde 
haue  men  too  foothe  him.    JBut  nowe  whiche  is  the  better,  cither 
that  he  which  hath  the  ordering  of  aficl^e  man  fhould  yecld  to  al  Hi 

defiles. 


the  EpiH.  to  the  (jalathians.       3  2. 

<kfircS;Or  that  he  fhould  bridle  him  notwitliftandino  that  he  chafe 
at  it  and  gnafh  his  teeth,  and  ftorme  bicaufe  hee  may  not  haue  hys 
©wne  will  in  his  defiresc'But  it  is  certain  thatiFthere  be  inordinate 
defires  infick  folkcs,therc  are  much  more  inordinate  defires  in  vs* 
VVhat  would  become  of  vs  the,if  they  that  haue  the  charge  to  bea? 
abrode  Gods  word,and  ought  to  play  the  phifitions^  had  not  a  care 
to  kepe  vs  fro  the  things  which  they  know  to  be  hurtfull  to  vs,and 
to  minifter  the  things  vnto  vs  which-  they  know  to  be  for  our  wel  - 
fareC'For  furely  if  they  fliould  footh  vs  m  our  affe6lions,it  were  the 
way  to  caft  vs  quite  downe.  This  in  effed  is  the  thing  that  we  haue 
to  confider,whenS.Paulefpeaketh  of  his  alf e<5lion.  NWhe  addeth 
the  fecpnd, argument :  namely  that  hebMnothisgoF^ellofmmJlput  by 
uutktionfrom  heaum^  He  confirmeth  fliil  his  matter,  in  that  hee 
iayth  that  neither  Peter,  nor  lohn,  can  haue  any  fuchreucrence  in 
their  owneperfons,  as  that  mcnfhoulde  be  bounde  to  hearken  toa 
them  as  of  themfelueSjfor  that  is  referued  to  God  alone^and  to  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  and  they  muft  not  haue  any  companion.  Then 
fith  it  is  fo,let  vs  learne  to  loke  vp  when  the  cace  cocerneth  the  cer-* 
teintie  of  our  fayth,and  let  vs  furmount  all  that  is  in  this  world^and 
quite  and  clene  giue  ouf  r  men.  And  though  they  be  neuer  fo  excel- 
lent, yet  let  norour  faith  refVhere  beneath,  nor  vpon  any  creature, 
but  let  it  be  grounded  \^on  God.  The  Papiftes  will  fay,  we  be  full 
of  pride  and  ftatelinefTe,  for  that  wee  will- bee  wyferthan  all  the 
worlde.Truly  if  we  refled  vponourowncwitand  weening,or  \^on 
our  awne  opinion ,  it  were  too  great  a  prydc.  But  forafmuch  as 
wee walke  in hurailitie ,  fhrinking downe frorrt allour  owne rea- 
fon  and  wifedome,  and  acknowlec^ing  that  we  mufle  bee  fooles  in 
thys  worlde  if  wee  will  obtayne  the  wifedome  of  God :  Seeing  (I 
%)  that  wee  haue  fuchc  a  modefHe  andfobemefle  in  vsi  and  at|- 
tempt  not  too  knowe  more  than  is  lawfull  for  vs,  but  in  the  meane 
whyle  doo  fo  magnifie  Gods  do6lrinc,  fo  that  wee  can  defie  all  that 
is  of  the  world:  that  loftinefie  muft  needs  begood,for  it  is  the  thing 
wherin  God  will  be  glorified.Therfore  we  may  defie  the  Groffes  3c 
Myters  &  Gewgaws  of  the  worlde^andall  thehomes<Dfthe  P.opfe 
wherby  he  aduanceth  Kimfelf  againft  God :  I  fay  we  may  delieihcm, 
fcaaiidabhorrcthcm,  as  things  full  of  filtbinefle  and  infe^ion^ 

vhcreby. 


fo,  Cal.fifth  Sermon  ypon 

whereby  ourc  mortall  enimic  Satan  gocth  about  to  poyfon  vs.  A  d 
therewithal!  let  vs  bee  fo  fetled  vpon  Gods  tiuth,  as  wee  may  try-* 
umph  ouer  all  that  is  agaynft  it,  afluring  cur  felues ,  that  our  fa>th 
muft  get  the  vpper  hande  of  all  that  euer  fetteth  it  felfe  agaynft  it  to 
batter  and  bearc  it  downe ;  the  which  thing  to  do,  Satan  neucr  for* 
getteth  too  torment  vs  as  much  as  is  pofsible.  But  if  wee  bee  onco 
ftrengthned  in  our  God,  let  vs  not  feare  that  wee  (hall  bee  vanqui*. 
(bed  by  ail  his  temptations :  for  we  bee  fure  that  as  long  as  God  is 
on  our  fyde,  we  may  efteeme  all  that  fhall  come  of  creatures  to  be 
no  better  than  fmoke . 

Now  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  maieftie  of  our  good  God, 
with  acknowle^ement  of  ourfaultes,  praying  him  too  make  v$ 
feele  them  more  and  more,  till  we  be  vtterly  rid  of  them  ,•  and  that 
fo  long  as  we  haue  to  Hue  in  this  worlde,he  will  beare  vs^vp  in  our 
weak€ne{re,till  hee  haue  remedyed  it,  and  we  bee  throughly  refor* 
med  according  to  the  perfe^lion  of  his  righteoufnefle  wherevnto 
he  calledi  vs .  And  fo  let  vs  ail  fay ,  Almightie  God  our  heauenly 
father.&c; 

T/&^.5.  Sermon  ypon  thefrfl  Chapter. 

B ut  brethren,!  do  you  to  wic,that  the  Gofpel  vhich 

was  preached  by  mc,is  not  of  man. 
For  I  receyiicic  not  of  man,  neither  learned  I  it  buc 

by  thercuelationof  lefus  Chrift,8cc. 

I  Ee  faw  dVisMornitig;lhat  all  fudie  as  Kaue  the 
charge  &  office  to  teach  in  gods  Church,muft 
'forget  all  lyking  andfauour  of  the  worlde: 
for  othervVife  ihey  can  neuer  difcharge  theyr 
due  tie  fay  thlully,  confide  ring  ho  we  men  doo 
alwayes  defire  and  couet  too  be  flattered ,  and 

,_^__^ I  carihot  abide  to  haue  their  faultes  rebuked  as 

diey  ought  to  be.  1  hereupon  I  tolde  you  alfo,that  euery  man  muft 
nd  himfelfe  of  all  flefhly  affcdions,  that  they  maye  become  true 
'  "  difciplcs 


n 


n 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.        33 

difciples  of  our  Lorde  Icfus  Chrift.  For  fo  long  as  wc  niaJlfoIlow 
our  owne  luftcs,the  gate  (hall  bee  fhette  agaynft  vs ,  and  wee  fhall 
neuer  haue  any  enterance  in  vntoo  the  Gofpell.  And  truely  we  fee 
howe  the  Propheic  Efay  fpeaketh  thereof.  Hee  fayth  that  all  fuch  Bfay.'^o.u 
as  will  haue  men  to  preache  pleafurable  things  to  their  lyking,  doo  lo-  u- 
dryue  away  God  as  farre  off  from  them  as  tliey  can.  True  it  is 
that  they  will  not  fpeake  after  that  fort.  For  euenin  the  Coun- 
trey  of  lewrie,  euerie  man  protefted  to  ferue  the  God  that  was  re- 
uealed  too  their  father  Abraham,  and  which  had  publifhed  his  law 
by  Moyfes.  Sacrifyzes  were  offered  in  the  Temple,and  there  were 
fayre  fhewcsynowe  there.  Neuertheleffe  the  Prophete  conclu'^ 
deth  in  one  woorde,  that  men  were  defirous  too  be  e  foothed,  and 
fayre  fpoken  too,  and  by  meanes  thereof  couldc  not  fuffer  God 
too  guide  them ,  nor  giue  him  leaue  too  lay  hys  yoke  vpon  theyr 
necke.  Ye  fee  then  that  the  meanes  for  vs  to  bee  prepared  too  re- 
ceyue  the  dodrine  of  the  Gofpell,  and  to  bee  edified  by  the  fame, 
is  that  wee  bee  not  wedded  too  our  owne  lykings,  but  fuffer  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chrift  to  fpeake  the  things  that  are  expedient  for  our 
inftru6lion.  Howbeeit  befydes  this,  wee  muft  alfo  bee  as  it  were 
wounded  to  the  heart  by  the  worde  that  is  preached  to  vs ,  or  elfe 
wee  (hall  neuer  fare  the  better  for  it.  For  (as  I  declared  this  mor- 
ning) it  is  not  without  caufe  that  the  Gofpell  is  lykened  to  a  fharpc  Hff  .4»</.ia^ 
fwoorde,and  it  behoueth  vs  verely  too  bee  made  true  facrilizes 
by  renouncing  all  ovir  owne  luftes,  and  all  other  things  which  God 
condcmneth,  and  too  indure  the  fame  paciently,too  the  intent  too 
bee  wholly  brought  backe  too  the  obeying  of  his  will.  And  heere- 
withall  we  muft  alfo  call  to  minde  what  hath  bin  treated  of  heerc* 
tofore-.that  is  to  wit,that  all  men  as  wel  great  as  fmall,muft  ftoupe, 
andthefonneof  Godmuftehaue  the  preeminence  and  mayfter- 
hood,  infuch  wife  as  there  may  be  no  mo  Sheepherdes  buthee,and 
wee  all  of  vs  bee  his  fheepe.  True  it  is  that  fuche  as  haue  the 
charge  too  preache  the  Gofpell  may  well  bee  called  Sheepheards : 
howbeeit,  that  is  not  for  that  they  mayedoo  any  thing  in  theyr 
owne  name  and  authoritie ,  or  that  the  fame  fhoulde  impeachc 
the  fuperioritie  of  the  fonne  of  God.  For  as  for  mee  whiche  doo 
fpeake  heere  nowe,  1  mufte  not  bring  ought  of  mine,  nor  ad- 

E.  uaunce 


ch.ip.r.  Jo.CaLJifth Sermonypon  . 

naunce  my  feife  aboue  others :  for  my  Tpeaking  vnto  aJI  this  con- 
panie  is  in  fuch  wife, as  my  do  6lr ine  mull  firft  be  appl icd  to  my  fe  \  f> 
and  [aftcrwarde]  beare  fway  ouer  all  other  men  without  any  ex- 
ception. For  there  is  no  highnelTe  in  the  worlde, which  can  exernpt 
it  kl^Q  from  the  fubie6lion  whiche  all  of  vs  owe  too  the  fonnc 
of  God  :  according  as  wee  haue  feene  heeretofore,  howe  it  is  the; 
propertie  of  the  Gofpcl  to  bring  downe  ?.ll  theglorie  of  the  worldj^ 
fo  as  men  may  not  prefume  too  fet  vp  theyr  brifties ,  nor  too  cha- 
lenge  ought  to  themfelues,  but  that  fuch  as  we ene  themfelues  too 
bee  moft  excellent;,  maye  be  vtterly  abaced  and  made  nothing,anci 
iiW  things  bee  made  captiue  to  the  obedience  of  the  Gofpell.  And 
that  is  the  caufe  why  Saint  Pauie  too  confirme  his  do6lrine,  decla- 
reth  that  it  came  not  of  men,  nor  was  learned  in  their  fcholes  :  but 
that  hee  had  it  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  concerning  whom  the  fa^ 
thergaue  commaundement^that  men  fhoulde  heare  him.  For  that 
^  T  ,  prerogatiue  is  giuen  peculiarly  vnto  him^and  ought  not  to  be  com- 
*  *  ^^  ^•^*  •  municated, neither  to  any  man^nor  to  any  Angell  of  heauen.  Good 
/.Cr.  i/.j"  .j-ggf-Qj^  ^  jg^  ^}-,^|.  j^gj^  vvhich  fpeake  as  inftruments  of  our  Lorde  Icr- 
fus  Chrifl,  (houlde  be  heard :  but  ( as  Itolde  you  before)  that  is  nop 
to  impeach  the  authoritie  which  he  hath  ouer  vs.  But  howfoeuer 
the  cace  ftande,  the  certaine  and  infallible  rule  to  attaine  to  falua^ 
tion,  is  that  our  Lorde  lefus  be  the  onely  mafter  and  teacher^  and 
that  we  be  teachable  to  receyue  his  worde  without  gainefay  or  re- 
.^pJying,.  And  Saint  Pauie  thinkes  it  not  ynough  that  he  holdeth  this 
,  things  of  IcfusChrift  which  he  hath  pubiiihed  :  but  alfohe  vtterly 
.reiecleth  Scexcludeth  men  in  that  behalfe,to  fhew  that  the  autho- 
.ritie  of  them  were  not  fufficient  to  ground  and  fettle  our  fayth  vp-. 
.  pon.  For  wee  fhall  neuer  leaue  daggering  till  we  bee  come  vntoo 
.  Cjod,and  vntoo  that  perfon  whom  hee  hath  ftabliflied  as  heade  and 
•cheefe  teacher  ouer  vs.  Nowe  whereas  Saint  Pauie  fayth  that  hee 
telleth  it  them :  it  is  not  for  that  the  Galathians  and  others  'had 
.-not  heard  die  like  afore  :  but  bicaufe  they  had  bin  vnthankfuli,  fo 
as  they  had  bin  intangled  in  many  errours  and  paltryes.  Therefore 
.hee  bringeth  them  backe  againe  too  the  well  head :  as  if  he  fhould 
fay,  vn:tili  fuch  time  as  men  haue  full  concluded  with  themfelues 
-too/Uiferthfmfelues  too  be  gouerned  fimply  by  die  pure  WQordp 
1    !.  of 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.       3 1 

of  God,  they  Hiall  bee  alwayes  in  a  mamerfng,  and  the  Diuell  Hull 
no  fooner  rayfe  vp  any  trouble  agaynft  them,  but  they  (haii  bee  fo 
difmayed,  as  they  wote  not  which  way  too  turne  them.    For  it  be- 
houethvs  too  bee  firfl  of  all  fure,  that  as  touching  the  doftrine 
where\'ppon  our  fayth  is  fettled,  wee  holdeit  of  God  and  Hot  of 
men.  True  ft  is  that  ail  men  fhall  not  haue  the  like  reuelation  that 
Sain6l  Paule  had  :  but  it  ought  too  iuffize  vs,  tliat  our  Lorde  le- 
fus  Chritl:  hauyng  ratyfied the  Gofpell  wyth his  owne  bloud ,  and 
alfo  commaunded  his  Apoftles  to  publifh  it  abrode,hath  giucn  them 
fuch  proofe,that  tlie  do<5lrine  which  wee  rece^oie  of  them  is  of  full 
amhoritie,  andvtterly  out  of  all  doubt:  this(fay  I)ought  tofuffize  to 
holde  vs  as  it  were  in  prifon,and  too  keepe  vs  from  admitting  anie 
of  all  the  things  that  men  can  alledge.  But  let  vs  alfo  call  to  minde 
what  the  Apoftle  tellethvs  inthefirft  too  the  Hebrewes  :  namely  ^^^^  ^3.^ 
that  God  hath  laftly  fpoken  to  vs  by  the  mouth  of  his  owne  Tonne, 
to  the  intent  we  fhoulde  haue  all  perfedion  of  do6lrine  in  him.  Ye 
fee  then  that  the  thing  which  we  haue  to  beare  away,is  that  the  re- 
uelation whereof  Saint  Paule  fpeaketh  here^fhall  not  bee  common 
to  al  other  men,but  ferueth  to  warrant  the  do<^rine  which  we  haue ' 
receyuedby  his  meanes,  fo  as  wee  fee  it  is  our  Lorde  kfus  Chrift- 
that  hath  fpoken.  And  whereas  hee  excludeth  men  after  that  fort : 
it  is  to  fhewe  vs,that  our  Lorde  lefus  Ghrifl  doth  not  giue  vs  fome 
bare  enterance,  as  if  a  man  fhoulde  teache  a  childe  his  Apcie,  and 
afterwardefende  him  to  abetter  learned  mayfter :  OurLord fpea- 
keth not  fo  by  halues  vntoo  vs,but  in  full  perfe<^on:infomuch  that^ 
both  in  lyfe  and  death,  we  muftalwayes  fland  ftedfafl  in  the  things 
^at  we  receyue  of  him,  and  forfake  whatfoeuer  commeth  of  men : 
for  all  mingling  will  bee  but  corruption,  as  I  tolde  you  thys  mor- 
ning. And  that  alfo  is  the  caufe  why  he  exhortcth  thofe  that  fpeake  •  1  .?^.  4  '^^^  Ji 
in  the  Churche,  too  holde  faft  continually  the  Maieftie  of  God,  • 
and  not  too  bring  in  ought  of  tlieir  owne,  nor  too  put  foorth  any 
thing  whichebreedeth  of  theyr  ownebrayne.    Por  in  whatcace 
fhoulde  wee  bee  ,  ii  men  myghte  intermeddle  iliemfelues  wyth" 
our  Lorde  Icfus  Ghrifl,  and  euery  man  cafle  in  his  morfell  icrvl  eo- 
luppe  (as  they  fay)  and  that  wee  mighte  haue  a  Gofpell  ftuiTcd 
with  mens  dreames  and  fancies 't  It  woulde  bee  nothing  eife  Utt  - 

E.ij.  ahjivibie; 


chap.r.  Jo.CaLfijthScrmonypon 

a  horrible  confufion.  Yee  fee  then  that  our  Lorde  lefus  Chriil: 
hath  not  his  authoritie  among  vs,  vntillmenbeeputdowne,  and 
all  other  creatures  with  them ,  and  that  all  giue  eare  vntoo  him  tro 
the  leafttoo  the  mofte.   This  in  eftedlisthe  matter  which  wee 
haue  to  beare  in  minde.    And  in  deede  wee  fee  howe  that  in  ano- 
i  Co,i,h,6  thcrText  too  the  Corinthians,  Saint  Paule  declareth  that  he  had 
preached  the  perfe6l  wifedome,  when  he  did  fet  foorth  our  Lorde 
leius  Chrift,  and  that  there  a  man  (hall  finde  whatfoeuer  hec 
can  wifhe  for  his  welfare.    And  in  one  other  Text  too  the  Ephe- 
Eth  "  di^  fians  heefayeth,  that  that  is  the  thing  where  vntoo  wee  muft  ap- 
'^'  '     plie  all  our  fludie,  bothe  farre  and  wide ,  To  as  wee  ne.ede  not  too 
bring  any  petie  trafhe,  too  further  the  thing  that  hee  had  fette  out 
afore.  Then  fith  it  isfo,  wee  fee  that  all  fuche  as  intangle  them- 
felues  in  mens  deuices  and  inuentions,haue  a  difguifed  lefus  Chrift, 
and  a  baftarde  Gofpell  whiche  God  difclaymeth,  fo  that  our  Chri- 
ftianitie  can  bee  no  Chriftianitie ,   except  wee  continue  in  the 
things  whiche  wee  haue  learned  of  the  fonnc  of  God ,  who  is  our 
onely  Mafter,and  in  the  things  which  the  Apollles  alfohaue  taught 
vs  in  his  name.    Lo  what  wee  haue  too  remember  in  this  Text. 
Nowe  heerevppon  Saint  Paule  fheweth  his  owne  conuerfation, 
whereby  it  maye  bee  gathered,  that  out  of  doubt  hee  was  as  it 
were  fafhioned  by  the  fpirite  of  God.    For  fo  ftraunge  an  alte- 
ration as  was  feene  in  hys  perfon,  coulde  not  happen,  except 
Godhadputtoohyshandc,  and  wrought  after  a  fecreteand  vn- 
accuftomed  fafliion.    And  fo  yee  fee  in  effed  whereat  hee  amed, 
whenhee  fay eth  that  the  Galathians  knewe  his  conuerfation  or 
maner  of  lyuing.  YWtt  haue  heere  a  good  leflbn.  Howbeeit,  that 
we  may  profite  the  more  by  it,let  vs  marke  howe  Saint  Paule  con- 
tinueth  the  thing  that  hee  had  touched  afore  :  which  is,that  a  man 
fhall  not  find  a  ftedfaft  foundation  in  any  creature  whereon  to  fetle 
fayth,  but  that  God  onely  muft  bee  the  founder  thereof,  and,,  al- 
though men  bee  meane,  and  inftrumentesof  it ,  yet  notwithftan-. 
ding  they  haue  neede  too  bee  autliorifed  of  God,  and  too  haue  it 
knowne  that  hee  hath  fent  them  and  allowed  them,  and  that  they 
bring  not  any  thing  which  they  haue  not  recey  ued  of  him.  Nowe  if 
a  man  haue  an  eye  too  the  venues  that  were  in  Sainft  Paule, 

certainly 


the  Episl.totheQalathianT.         :55 

certainly  hee  deferued  well  too  haue  fome  credite  and  audience  a- 
mong  menne.  Yet  notwithftanding  hee  acknowledgcth  and  con- 
fefreth,that  hee  is  nothing  as  in  refpetl  of  himfelfe,  andthatall 
that  euer  he  hath,is  onely  to  feme  our  Lord  lefus  Chriil,  and  to  fet 
forth  the  things  faythfully  which  he  hath  receyued  of  him.  V\^hat 
fhall  wee  then  fay  too  fuch  as  haue  neither  good  life,  do^rine  or 
ought  elfe  c'  V\'hcreas  they  call  themfeiuesPrektes^andtake  vp- 
ponthem  fome  fttitelinelTe  and  fuperioritie ,  fo  as  their  fayings  go 
for  fawe s  :  are  they  tlierefore  aduaunced  aboue  S.  Paule '/  [Admit 
they  were  :  ^  yet  mufl  all  loftinelTe  of  man  ceaffe,  and  bee  puiled- 
downe,fo  as  nothing  may  hinder  the  exalting  of  lefus  Chriit.   As 
for  example,  although  S.Iohn  Baptiflhad  recorde  borne  vnto  him  ^,fath,  u, 
that  there  was  not  an  excellenter  man  borne  of  woman  :  yet  not-   /.^n, 
withftanding  he  faith  that  both  himfelf  and  others  mufl  be  dimini-  j^/.;,  -,  ^^ 
filed, that  lefus  Chrift  might  grow  and  increafe.  Likewife  S.Paule      >. q  ^ 
fpeaking  of  it  in  another  place,  fayth  that  the  Church  mufl  in  fuch  Bphe.iA, 
wife  be  builded,as  our  head  lefus  Chrifl  may  always  haue  preemi-       20. 
nence.  For  if  we  fhould  fo  aduance  men,  that  lefus  Chrifl  fhould  be  CqL  i.f .  i8«. 
defaced  among  them, that  were  a  terrible  building,and  fuch  a  one  as 
(Kould  bring  nothing  but  ruine  and  confufion.  And  in  good  footh,if 
a  man  fhould  become  as  big  as  a  Piller  of  this  Church,  and  his  head 
of  the  bigncfTe  of  ones  fifl,fo  as  it  fhould  be  hid  betwene  his  fhoul- 
ders ;  He  fhould  be  a  monfler,and  it  were  much  better  for  him  too 
keepe  his  ordinarie  proportion.  But  like  as  die  Church  is  the  bodie 
of  our  Lord  lefus  Chriflifo  mufl  hee  bee  aduaunced  aboue  all  men,  £p^  j  ^  ^^ 
and  euery^  man  mufl  loke  vpon  him,and  flicke  to  him.And  certefTe 
the  Papifls  condemne  themfelues  at  this  day  by  their  own  prouerb, 
in  that  they  fay  a  man  cannot  knowe  God  for  his  Apoilles.  And  irv 
verie  ^t^^t  they  haue  burs^ed  lefus  Chrifl  in  fuch  fort,  that  he  is  as 
good  as  hidden  in  the  worlde.For  they  haue  robbed  him  of  all  that 
belonged  to  him :  infomuch  that  whereas  he  is  called  the  lawgiuer,  ^r^  o:^,^,2i 
the  ludge  and  the  King, to  fhew  that  he  alone ly  ought  to  beare  rule: 
we  fee  how  me  haue  decked  thefelues  with  all  thofe  feathers. Thcr- 
fore  let  vs  kepe  our  felues  from  fuch  confufioniSc  if  we  increafe,  let 
vs  always  abide  in  the  root  Sc  groundwork  of  the  fimplicitie  of  the 
Gofpell.  Let  vs  take  good  heed  that  we  fw^rue  not  a  heare  breadth 

E.iij.  froiiv 


Chap. I.  fo.CaLfifthSermony^on 

from  it.  And  as  touching  that  which  is  reherfed  heerc  concerning 
the  conuerfion  oFS.Pauleiit  tcndeth  frill  to  this  ende^nanicly  to  do 
vs  to  wit:,  that  he  diia  not  thmft  himfelfe  in  of  his  owne  heade,  but 
that  God  reached  him  his  hand,  ^nd  that  the  do6lrine  which  he  had 
preached  was  ^iuen  him  by  reuelation,  fo  as  it  might  fafdy  be  hilde 
as  the  worde  that  proceeded  out  of  the  mouth  of  God,and  []confe- 
quently]as  the  certaine  and  infallible  truth.  I  haue  tolde  you  here- 
tofore, that  if  a  man  feke  to  be  heard  for  his  owne  skil,  for  his  great 
and  deepe  vnderftanding,  for  his  fayre  fpeech,  or  for  his  great  elo- 
quence :  all  thofe  things  are  nothing  but  filthinelTe  and  dung ,  and 
that  God  only  muft  haue  that  authoritie  and  honor  at  our  handcs  : 
and  that  forafmuch  as  it  pleafeth  God  to  fpeake  to  vs  by  the  mouth 
cf  his  only  ibnne  :  only  lefus  Chrifl  muft  haue  the  preeminence  to 
be  the  mafler  and  teacher  of  all  his,  and  wee  likewife  muft  become 
his  flock  to  heare  his  voyce.Lo  how  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  is  to  be 
honored  among  vs  :  namely  by  becomming  his  true  fcholers,  and 
without  feyning.In  the  Popedome  a  man  may  wel  ynough  worfhip 
fome  Marmofet  with  the  honor  of  lefus  Chrift,  whe  as  in  the  meane 
while  the  Gofpell  is  troden  vnder  foote  and  blafphemed ,  and  yet 
notwithftanding  thofe  blind  wretches  thinke  the mfelues  too  haue 
made  a  fayre  hande.  Yea,but[;in  very  deed]  it  is  an  open  fpitting  in 
the  face  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  when  men  renounce  his  woorde 
wherein  they  {houid  beholde  his  glorie  and  maieftie,as  Saint  Paule 
2,Cqa]p»%,  %^^"^  "^  ^^  feconde  to  the  Corinthians.Then  is  it  no  honouring  of 
Chrift,  when  men  make  many  murlimewes  and  ceremonies  :  but 
when  they  fubmit  themfelues  fimplie  to  the  do^rine  wherein  it  is 
his  will  to  be  knowne,and  wherein  hee  (heweth  himfelfe  vnto  vs  as 
it  were  face  to  face.  Thus  ye  fee  in  effe6l  what  wee  haue  too  beare 
away.  And  herewithall  in  this  conuerfion  of  Saint  Paules ,  wee  fee 
perfedly  the  heauenly  power  which  he  minded  to  fliewe  vs  heere : 
that  is  to  wit, that  it  was  not  of  man ,  but  that  G od  had  vttcred  hys 
arme,  to  the  ende  it  might  bee  knowne  that  fuch  chaunge  came  of 
him,and  that  S.Paule  was  become  a  new  creature.  For  furely  it  is  a 
more  excellent  worke  of  God,  when  a  man  is  repayrcd  after  his  I- 
mage,than  when  we  be  borne  into  this  tranfitorie  lyfe.  And  fo  wee 
fee  ho  we  Saint  Paule  was  made  a  newe  man.  And  that  is  the  caufe 

why 


the  Eptsl.to  the  Qalathians.       ^  6 

why  he  fayth  exprefly,that  he  pcrfecuted  the  Church  of  God,  that 
he  made  hauocke  of  all  things,  and  that  he  played  the  cutthrotc  (as 
ye  would  ray,)vntil  God  had  changed  him,and  of  a  rauening  wooif 
made  him  a  me  eke  fheepe ,  and  finally  a  fheepheard  in  his  Church 
vnder  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifl.  Thus  then  we  perceyue,thatS.  Paule 
was  fent  vs  by  the  hand  of  God,  and  that  he  bringeth  a  fure  marke, 
fo  as  we  fee  he  did  not  thruft  himfelf  in,  but  that  it  was  a  workc  of 
the  holy  Ghoft,  and  there  was  nothing  of  his  owne  coyning  in  the 
dodirine  that  he  preached ,  forfomuch  as  it  behoued  him  too  haue 
quite  and  cleane  renounced  himfelfe ,  to  the  end  to  giue  and  applie 
himfelf  to  the  feruice  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl.For  had  S.Paule  bia 
led  with  vainglorie,wee  bee  fure  he  was  honoured  among  his  owne 
countrymen,  and  he  could  haue  wonne  his  fpurres  there.Againe,  if 
he  had  flood  vpo  the  reputation  of  a  holy  life,hc  was  vnblameable. 
On  the  other  fide  he  was  at  his  eafe  &  liued  in  reft.But  it  ftood  him 
on  hand  to  haue  made  no  more  account  of  all  the  things  that  are  to 
be  defired  to  the  worldward,and  which  he  had  highly  eileemed  be- 
fore,than  of  dung  8c  durt,  (as  he  himfelf  protefteth  to  the  Philippi-  i^hih.h.B^ 
ans)and  it  behoued  him  to  cafl  the  al  away  as  things  hurtfull,  foraf- 
much  as  he  faw  well  how  they  were  all  of  them  impeachments  that 
hindered  him  fro  commingto  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  S.Paulc  ther- 
fore  not  onely  gaue  ouer  the  reputation  which  he  had  to  be  a  great 
do6lor,&  therwithal  a  holy  ma,Sc  as  it  were  a  little  Angel:&  more- 
ouer  the  reft,eafe  &  commodities  of  the  worldeibut  alfo  did  before 
god  giue  ouer  all  his  opinion  of  purchafing  eternali  life  by  his  own 
good  workes.All  thefe  things  he  reie6ledas  abhominable,  knowing 
well  that  he  was  blinded  withpride,in  that  he  had  imagined  that  a- 
ny  thing  was  auaylable  before  God,  or  that  he  could  purchafe  any 
feuor  by  that  meane.Itbehoueth  him  (fay  I)  not  only  to  haue  thruft 
all  thefe  things  vnder  foote,  but  alfo  to  haue  abhorred  them,  as  hee 
himfelfe  protefteth.  Forfomuch  then  as  we  fee  this,we  be  fo  much 
the  better  confirmed  in  that  which  he  fayth :  namely  that  in  execu- 
ting his  office  of  Apoftlefhip,he  had  nothing  of  man,  nor  of  himfelf, 
for  he  had  bin  quite  Sc  cleane  ftripped  out  of  all  the  things- which  he 
had  made  great  accout  of  before. For  in  that  he  cofefleth  himfelf  to 
haue  bin  a  perfecuter  of  Gods  Church,  we  fecthat  to  the  entent  to 

Ejiij.  mainteyne 


..-t 


Chap. I.  fo.Calffih  Sermony^on 

mainteyne  ftill  the  honour  of  God,and  the  authoritie  and  maiftcr- 
hod  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  whom  he  ferued,  he  doth  not  in  any 
wife  fpare  himfelfe.  But  behold  alfo  it  behoueth  vs  to  proceede  in 
the  like  cace.If  we  purpofe  to  imploy  our  felues  to  Gods  feruice,  it 
ftandeth  vs  on  hande  to  forget  our  felues,  and  not  to  be  curious  in 
feeking  the  things  that  are  for  our  owne  behoofe ,  or  for  our  owTie 
honour.  \^ntili  fuch  time  then  as  we  bee  come  to  the  vtter  ahafing 
of  our  felues,  wee  can  neuer  giuc  our  felues  to  the  feruice  of  God 
wherevnto  we  bee  called.1  fpeake  purpofely  of  thofe  that  haue  the 
charge  to  preach  the  Gofpell,  whom  it  behoueth  too  bee  abaccd  in 
themfelues,  or  elfe  they  can  neuer  execute  faythfully  the  charge 
that  is  committed  vnto  them.  On  the  other  fide,  we  fee  howe  Saint 
Paule  doth  not  diiguife  any  thing ,  nor  take  any  fhadowe  or  couert 
to  bee  receyued  among  men,  but  had  rather  reape  the  blame  that 
hee  had  deferued,and  to  bee  fhamed  afore  men,  than  to  couer  him- 
felfe with  vaineflartingholes.  Forhefaythhehadperfecutedthe 
Church,bin  a  rouer  and  a  cutthrote,and  had  fhedde  innocent  bloud. 
But  yet  doth  not  this  proue  that  Saint  Paule  had  not  indeuered  to 
*  -  liue  in  hoiinelTe  and  perfeftion :  for  hee  had  bin  a  myrror  of  great 
3  •  vncorruptnelTe.  He  termeth  himfelfe  vnblameable  :  and  not  with- 
out caufe.  For  he  fayth  he  was  fo  blynded,  that  he  thought  himfelfe 
rii^hteous  before  God,  bicaufe  there  was  not  any  fpot  in  him  that 
coulde  bee  condem.ncdby  men.  Truely  there  was  hypocrifie  ifi 
him,  like  as  there  is  in  all  men  that  are  not  renued  by  Gods  fpi-^ 
rite.  \^^hen  they  furmyze  themfelues  to  bee  well  lyked  of  all  the 
worlde:then  isitcertainethatthey  are  nothing  but  corruption, 
till  God  haue  taken  them  into  his  guiding.  And  fo  ye  fee  that  men 
fhall  bee  abuzed,bicaufe  they  fticke  too  theyr  mother  witte  in  iud- 
gins;  what  is  good  and  euill.  But  contrariwife  our  Lorde  lefus 
j4tc,\6J.}<  Chrift  telle  til  vs,  that  all  the  things  which  are  highly  efteemed  a- 
fore  mcn,are  abhominable  before  God.Surely  howfoeuerthe  cacc 
fland,S.Paule  had  indeuored  himfelf  to  liue  holily  and  without  any 
blame  or  reproch.  And  yet  for  al  that, when  he  was  once  conuerted, 
hee  coulde  not  fay  hee  had  done  well,  and  that  his  deuotiqn  was 
woorthietoo  bee  allowed.  But  contrariwize  hee  declareth  that 
he  had  bin  aperfecuter,  and  that  all  this  geere  was  nothing  woorth. 

What 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.        37 

VVHat  is  too  be  fayd  then  of  that  which  now  adayes  is  called  deuo^ 
tion  and  the  feruis  of  Godc'  As  for  example, in poperie  thofe  termes 
mnne  roundly  ynough  in  euery^  mans  mouth  :  al  things  are  done  of 
good  intent,  all  men  (too  their  owne  Teeming)  haue  affedlion  and 
zeale,and  theybeare  themfelues  in  hand  that  God  i$  miuch  behol- 
den and  indetted  too  them  for  the  things  whiche  they  doo.  Yea,  but 
wee  know  that  God  hath  not  commaunded  them  any  of  the  things 
that  tliey  bring  vnto  him, but  euer^^  of  them  behaueth  himfelf  after 
his  owne  fancie.  How  foeuer  the  worlde  go  with  them,  it  is  but  an 
opinion^ that  they  wcene  they  doo  well,and  that  is  all.  One  fayes,it 
feemeth  fo  to  me :  another  fay es,!  learned  it  fo^and  fo  was  I  taught. 
Now  if  God  Oiould  allow  all  thefe  things.he  fhould  haue  great  bur- 
tliens  to  beare.For  the  things  that  men  haue  inuented  of  their  own 
heads;are  but  fBnking  dung  before  him.  And  yet  for  all  this,  euery 
man  al  ledges  this  foolifh  brag^e,  that  he  ment  to  ferue  God.    But 
therefore  it  is  fayd  in  one  woord  by  the  Prophet  Efay,  who  hath  re-  iSfay,} .  c.  n 
quired  thefe  things  at  your  hands  <  Lette  him  that  fet  you  a  woorke 
pay  you.  For  as  for  mee,I  will  neuer  put  this  geere  in  my  reckening 
booke :  I  vtterly  difclayme  it,  bicaufe  I  require  obedience.  NowS. 
Paule  hatli  very  wel  gathered  this  matter.  For  if  he  had  iudged  here 
of  other  men,  it  Hioulde  haue  had  lefle  power  and  force,  than  when 
he  fpeaketh  of  himfelf,and  in  nowife  fpareth  himfelf,but  fayeth  that 
all  the  holinefle  for  which  he  had  bin  commended  among  men, was 
but  a  theeuericjbicaufe  he  had  bin  as  amadbeaft,full  of  ficrcenefie 
and  rebellion  againft  God.  Then  if  S.Paule  make  fuchaplayne  and 
free  confefsion :  mud  not  all  mouthes  bee  {lopped,and  al  of  vs  vn- 
derftand  that  when  wee  thought  too  haue  ferued  God,  wee  were  (as 
yee  would  fay)in  a  maze,and  it  was  but  a  leading  of  vs  too  the  bot- 
tome  of  Hell:' And  in  good  footh,  as  the  wretched  vnbeleeuers  rack 
themfelues, they  doo  but  double  their  owne  condemnacion,  for  the 
Diuell  fnarleth  them  fo  much  the  more  in  their  damnation.  Ther- 
fore  let  vs  acknowledge  that  wee  haue  bm  rebellestoo  God  euer 
fnce  the  time  that  wee  would  needes  ferue  him  io  after  our  owne 
fancie,and  diat  there  was  nothing  in  all  our  whole  lyfe,  but  errour 
too  make  vs  ftray  all  the  world  ouer,and  too  plucke  vs  backe  rather 
than  too  fet  vs  foreward,  and  finally  that  all  thedeuotions  whiche 

E.v.  men 


chap.i.  foXal.Jifth  Sermon  i^pon 

men  dcuyze;are  but  fiightes  and  iiiufions  of  Satan^to  fmicc  vs  dowtt 
too  the  deepeft  dungeons  of  death.  So  then  let  vs  returne  too  this 
obedientntflejand  acknowledge  that  there  is  no  way  for  vstoo  rule 
our  life  wel,butby  being  taught  in  the  fchoole  of  the  Sonne  of  God. 
But  doo  wee  thinke  tliat  the  Superflitions  that  raigne  now  adayes 
in  the  world,and  haue  their  full  fcope  ther€,are  better  than  the  tra- 
ditions that  were  in  the  tyme  of  S.Paule  c'  It  is  true  that  there  were 
many  wicked  corruptions  in  the  Churche  of  the  lewes.  ForSedes 
wer€  fprung  vp,  and  the  Pharifies  (whiche  wGtQ  yet  the  pureft  and 
founded  of  all  the  reft)  had  mingled  many  gewgawes  with  the  fer- 
uis  of  God,  in  fomuche  that  all  was  corrupted  among  them.  Eut 
howfoeuer  they  fared,  yet  Sain6lPaule  had  alwayes  the  laweand 
the  holy  Scripture.  As  for  the  traditions  whereof  he  fpeaketh,  he 
tooke  them  as  appurtenances :  kit  yet  in  the  meane  whyle  his 
mynde  was  too  mayntayne  the  Lawe  of  Moyfes,  whiche  had  Gods 
woorde  in  it,  and  the  vnchaungeable  truthe,  and  whiche  ought  too 
haue  the  fame  reuerence  to  the  worldcs  end.  Yet  notwithftanding 
he  had  but  the  letter  of  the  lawe,  as  wee  haue  feene  heretofore  in 
a.Or.3.L5  the  Epiftlc  too  the  Corinthians.  But  now  adayes  as  for  them  that 
bee  thedeuouteftinthe  Popcdome, what  haue  they  c'VS^hen they 
haue  alledgedall  that  they  can,  it  is  ccrtayne,that  the  holy  Scrip- 
ture is  as  good  as  buryed  among  them,  and  noman  makes  account 
of  it.  They  will  not  fay  that  it  ought  to  be  caft  away,  for  that  were 
too  great  a  blafphemie,and  m  en  would  abhorre  it.  But  what  focuer 
they  pretend,,  the  Gofpell  is  nothing  with  them  in  comparifonof 
that  which  hath  bin  ordeyned  by  their  holy  Councelles,  and  by  out 
moother  holy  Churche.  Yea  and  they  are  not  afhamed  too  fay, that 
the  GofpeliS:  al  the  holy  Scripture  is  as  a  noze  of  waxe,fo  as  there 
is  no  certaintie  in  it,  but  that  it  mufte  bee  interpreted  altogither  by 
men.  Lo  how  lefus  Chrift  is  mocked  and  skorncd.  Thinke  yee  that 
fuch  men  may  make  vs  beleeue  all  their  owne  inucntions,  when  as 
they  be  Co  manifeftly  contrary  to  themfelues.  Then  let  vs  markc, 
thatifS.Paule  did  fo  condemne  himfelfe  with  his  owncmouthepa 
the  tilings  that  he  did]  when  he  followed  not  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift: 
no  excufe  (hal  be  auayleable  nor  go  for  payment  before  God, when 
menCwarue  afide  from  the  fimplidtie  of  the  Gofpell.  This  is  in  ef^ 

^  ^  fed 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.        58 

feci  the  tliing"that  we  haue  to  gather  vponhis  text.But  let  vs  marke 
therewithal!,  that  God  vttered  a  fingular  grace  in  S.  Paule,  too  the 
end  that  by  his  example  we e  might  know,  that  our  calling  too  fal- 
uationhath  binof  hismeereand  vndeferuedgoodncfle.  And  fur- 
thermore,that  if  we  haue  flidde  backe,and  broken  our  promis  made 
in  Baptime  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  yet  how  foeucr  the  osce  ftaiid, 
we  {hall  notfayle  to  be  rece^oied  to  mercie,  To  we  confefle  freely  Sc 
without  h^^pocrifie^that  there  was  nothing  in  vs  but  confufion,  ahd 
that  God  muft  haue  bin  fayne  to  remedie  the  matter  of  his  woder-  ^ 

full  goodnefle.  True  it  is(as  I  haue  touched  afore)  that  S.Paule  was 
talcen  for  a  holy  man,and  it  might  well  haue  bin  fayd,  that  God  had 
accepted  liisdeuotions,  and  that  there  hadbinfome  good  prepara- 
tion in  him  afore  hand :  howbeit,  all  that  was  but  apluckyng  of  him 
backe,  as  I  haue  touched  already  in  the  thirde  too  the  Philippians,  fhihl,  ^.8, 
where  he  fayth  he  could  not  take  hold  of  lefus  Chrifl,  and  of  the  in- 
comprehenfible  benefites  that  are  in  him,vntill  he  had  miflyked  all 
the  things  that  he  had  earft  efteemed  and  had  in  reputation,  as  his 
owne  rightuoufneffe  and  holinefle.  VVee  fee  then  after  what  forte 
God  wrought  in  the  perfone  of  Paule,  in  fomuch  that  in  the  firft  to 
Timothie,he  fetteth  foorth  himfelf  foran  example  &  patteme,fay-  i,Tim,\X» 
ing  that  lefus  Chrifthad  (hewed  in  him^that  he  was  come  to  faue  all       n. 
wretched  {inners,to  the  end  we  fiiould  not  doubt  too  bee  receyued 
when  wekeepe  the  right  way.VVhat  did  Frewill  in  S.Paule  for  the 
bringing  of  him  to  the  obediece  of  the  Gofpelc'  [^no  thing:  ^  but  God 
was  fayne  too  thunder  downe  vpon  him  from  heauen^too  driue  out 
the  pryde  and  prefumption  that  was  in  him.  He  was  not  only  drawe 
by  the  hand,  but  alfo  God  did  cade  fo  thicke  fcales  vppon  his  eyes, 
thit  hce  was  as  a  blynde  wretche.    And  befides  that,  he  was  ftric- 
ken  too  the  ground  and  aftonifhed,  toofhewe  that  the  knowledge 
and  cunning,  whiche  he  thought  himfelfe  too  haue  before,  was  but 
ftarke  blindnefle,  and  that  this  darkeneffe  had  ferued  too  bring  him 
too  a  new  light.  For  if  God  had  lette  him  ftill  alone  in  his  perfe6l 
plight,  furely  there  woulde  alwayes  haue  remayned  fome  foo- 
iifh  felfeweenyngin  him, and  he  would  alwayes  haue  mingled  fome 
tricke  of  his  owne  deuyce  and  braync,with  the  do<5lrine  of  our  Lord 
lefus  Chriil.Sc  therfore  it  behoued  him  to  be  blinded  &  to  abide  fo. 

For 


Chap.  I.  foXal.Jifth  Sermonypon 

For  in  afniuch  as  he  had  earfl  bin  in  great  reputation,ancl  bin  temp-* 
ted  to  hold  his  ftate  ftill :  it  was  requifite  that  he  fliould  be  brought 
downe,  and  lifted  vp  againe,  and  caried  like  a  little  babe,  or  rather 
like  a  carkelTe  or  dead  body.  Thus  yee  fee  how  it  behoued  S.Paule 
too  bee  corre6led  after  a  violent  maner :  whereby  wee  fee  that  no- 
ther  free  will,nordeuotionpnorholynefreltoode  him  in  any  fteedc^ 
but  that  all  ought  too  bee  attributed  to  the  meere  mercy  of  God. 
And  in  very  dcedc  wee  fee  how  he  yeeldeih  a  pure  and  vnconftray- 
ned  confefsion  thereof.  Then  feyng  it  is  fo,  let  vs  marke  alfo,  that 
when  God  calleth  vs  too  him,  it  is  not  for  that  he  fe eth  vs  difpofed 
therevnto,  or  for  that  wee  bee  in  any  good  readineffetoo  it  afore 
hand  :  butbycaufe  it  pleafeth  him  too  drawe  vs  of  his  owne  mcerc 
mercie,as  we  fhall  fee  yet  more  at  large  hereafter.  And  if  we  minde 
too  be  pai'ttakers  of  the  grace  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifle  as  S.Paule 
was, the  way  that  wee  muft  take,  is  to  confefTe  that  there  is  nothing 
at  all  in  vs,but  that  wee  muft  bee  fayne  too  receyue  from  aboue,  all 
the  things  whereof  wee  bee  deftitute,  and  too  hauc  God  woorke  in 
vs  after  fuch  a  forte, as  the  prayfe  of  our  faluation  may  bee  referued 
too  him  alone  without  any  exception.  And  in  that  refpe6l  alfoS^ 
Paule  addeth,  that  tifhen  it  hid  l)lea;^d  God  too  call  him  too  preache  the 
GoJJ/elijhe  did  immediately  fail  in  trayncj  and'^^cyte^not  at  all  for  the  ad" 
nice  of  man,  for  it  was  ynough  for  him  that  God  had  feme  him,  and 
that  he  was  auowed  by  fuch  a  Mayfter.  Where vppon  he  did  not  in 
any  wife  fpare  himfelf,  nor  ft-and  fcannyng  of  the  matter,  but  refol- 
ued  himfelf  fully  to  go  foreward  on  his  v/ay,  and  to  hold  out  in  fuch 
wyfe  as  wee  haue  feene,  which  is  a  fure  record  that  God  gouerned 
him  by  his  holy  fpirite.  This  is  the  thing  which  wee  haue  too  beare 
in  minde.  And  therwithall  we  muft  alfo  marke  well  how  he  fayeth, 
that  Cod  had  prepared  him  from  his  mothers  Ti^ombe,  and  in  the  end  called 
him  toopubhfhhi4  Gojpeli,  Here  S.Paule  fheweththat  his  calling  af- 
ter that  maner,  was  not  for  any  forewardneffe  or  woorthinelTe  that 
was  in  his  owne  perfone :  but  bycaufe  he  had  bin  chozen  of  God,  e- 
uen  before  he  was  borne.  That  is  the  caufe  why  he  purpofely  vfeth 
this  faying  that  from  his  moothers  yi^omhe,  he  had  bin  as  it  were  fepa- 
rated  and  dedicated  vnto  God.  How  then  could  he  bring  anything 
©fhis  own  power:'  For  what  could  lie  do  when  he  was  yet  vnborneC' 

God 


the  EpiFi.to  the  (jalathians.  3  9 

God  therefore  mufl:  neede s  bee  the  woorkcr  in  that  behalfe .  Again, 
he  addeth  that  God  called  him.  True  itis,  that  he  fpeakedi  this  co- 
ceming  his  office :  but  yet  notwithilanding  hee  magnitieth  Gods 
goodns^fle  in  generalI,to  fhevve  that  too  him  oneiy  we  be  beholden 
for  all  that  wee  haue,not  onely  in  refpeol.of  this  flightfuli  lyfe,  but 
fpecially  for  the  euerlafting  faluation  of  our  foules.  This  cannot  be 
layd  out  too  the  full  at  this  timc^and  therefore  wee  will  leaue  a 
peece  of  it  till  the  next  time.  Howbeit  for  a  conclufion,  let  vs  marke 
how  S.Paule  (heweth  vs  as  it  were  in  a  mirrour,  that  our  yee  Iding 
of  our  fc  lues  in  obedience  vnto  God,  happenedi  nut  through  any 
mans  putting  foorth  ofhimfelf,  but  through  Gods  reaching  out  of 
his  hand  from  aboue,  and  through  his  drawyng  of  vs  too  himfelfe, 
cuen  at  fuch  time  as  wee  could  not  feeke  him.  No  doubte  but  men 
will  alv/ayes  imagine  fomewhat  too  commend  themfelues  withall. 
Neuerthelater  all  is  but  illufion :  and  the  Diuell  vftth  that  tricke  to 
make  vs  too  darken  Gods  grace,too  the  intent  wee  might  be  bereft 
of  it.  For  it  is  good  reafon  that  God  fhould  leaue  men  in  fuch  plight 
as  they  bee,  when  they  will  take  vpon  them  that  whiche  belongeth 
vntoohim,  and  not  condemne  themfelues  as  they  bee  woorthi". 
Therefore  let  vs  marke  well,  that  all  the  goodnefle  which  w^ee  per- 
ceyue  in  this  world,proceedeth  of  Gods  meeregrace,andthat  there 
is  not  any  thing  that  can  bee  graunted  too  cur  felues.  And  that  wee 
may  the  better  perceiue  this  free  goodnefle :  let  vs  vnderftand  that 
wee  mud  lay  downe  all  worthinefTe  of  our  ownc  defertes,and  haue 
an  eye,  firft  too  Gods  free  ele(5lion,  and  afterward  too  his  callyng. 
Wherefore  then  are  wee  inlightened  with  the  knowledge  Oi  the 
Gofpell :'  Is  it  for  that  wee  haue  deferued  aught  c'  No :  but  bicaufc 
God  hath  chozen  vs  before  wee  were  borne,  yea  and  euen  before 
the  maldngofthe  world,asit  is  fayd  in  another  place.   Yee  fee  then  Epb.i,a»A.* 
at  whatpoynt  wee  muft  begin,  too  the  end  wee  bee  not  puffed  v^ 
with  vayne  pride  whiche  woulde  make  vs  breake  our  neckes  in  the 
end,but  rather  bethinke  vs  too  walkc  in  lowlineiTe,  remembering 
how  it  is  fayd  in  another  place,  VVho  is  it  that  fholeth  thee  out,  or 
that  maketh  thee  more  excellent  tharfothers  1 1t  is  God(fay th  he,) 
who  hath  done  it  of  his  owne  meere  goodnefle.  VVhen  S.  Paule 
confefTeth  there  that  it  is  God  which  hath  fcparated  orflioled  vs 

out ; 


chap.r.  fo.Cal.fifth  Sermoti  ypon 

out:it  is  to  oit  cfFall  allegations  of  men,beyng  well  alTured  that  no 
man  can  lay  he  is  better  than  hib  fellowes,  faue  onely  bicaufe  God 
hath  chozen  vs,yea  evren  before  we  were  borne.  And  this  choyze  of 
God  is  fecrete,  vntill  he  fhevve  by  effe<^  that  he  calleth  vs  too  him. 
And  how  doth  he  that  •:'  By  his  Gofpell :  and  therein  there  is  a  dou- 
ble grace.  The  one  is  when  the  doctrine  is  preached  too  vs.  For  we 
fee  the  miferable  fl:are  of  the  world;,  how  a  number  of  filiie  foules, 
and  a  number  of  blinde  wretches  wander  there  in  darlinelTe,  with- 
outfuccour  or  ayde,  when  in  the  meane  whyle  our  God  offeietK  v^s. 
foode,yea  and  putteth  it  intoo  our  mouthes  :  and  is  net  that  a  lin- 
gular grace :'  But  yet  further,  God  mufle  bee  fayne  too  call  vs  in-^ 
M^ardely^and  too  touch  vs  in  fuch  wife  by  his  holy  fpirite.  as  his  do- 
fti'ine  may  rightly  hiue  authoritie  with  vs>&  wee  acknowledge  that 
it  comes  of  him,,  and  he  feale  the  fame  in  cur  hartes  by  his  holy 
2,Cor,i»  a,  Ghoft^accordyng  as  he  fpeaketh  of  it  as  well  in  the  fecond  too  the. 
22.         Corinthians, as  alfo  in  the  firft  to  the  Ephefians.  To  be  {hort;,accor- 
r/;&.i.fJ3.  dingasitisfaydbythePropheteEfay,  that  itbehouethvs  tcobee- 
^fy'S"^*  f.  taught  of  God :  Let  vs  vnderfland  that  we  muft  be  throughly  aiTu- 
13*  red  in  our  harte s  by  the  holy  Ghoft,  that  the  do6lrine  whiche  wee 

holdcommeth  not  of  men^but  is  the  infallible  truthe  of  God :  and 
wee  cannot  but  haue  fo  fure  record  of  itjthat  (if  wee  be  not  to  leude 
and  vnthankfulljwee  may  perccyue  by  eye  fight,  that  it  is  the  very 
fame  wherevnto  we  ought  to  (licke  euen  to  the  end,  and  alfo  which, 
will  bryng  vs  into  the  kingdome  of  heauen,when  wee  (hall  haue  fi* 
nifhed  our  courfe  in  this  mortal  I  life. 

But  now  kt  vs  falldowne  before  the  niaieftie  of  ourgood  God 
with  acknowledgement  of  our  faultes,praying'him  to  make  vs  per- 
ceyue  them  more  and  more, to  the  end  that  beyng  humbled  to  mif- 
Jike  of  ourfelues,and  to  renounce  all  our  own  wicked  affedions  &. 
defires,we  may  offer  our  felues  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  and  yeeld- 
him  the  h.onour  that  he  requireth  at  our  hands,  not  crtly  for  fafhion 
fake,but  alfo  in  fuch  wife, that  as  he  hath  his  mouUi  open  too  fhewe 
vs  the  way  of  Saluation,fo  wee  alfo  may  haue  our  eares  attentiue  to 
fubmit  our  felues  quietly  vnto  him,  and  our  hartes  open,  fo  as  there 
may  be  nother  hardnefle  nor  fturdineffe  in  them,  but  that  wee  may 
abide  his  yoke^beyngreadie  too  receyue  tlie  fame^andtoo  dedicate 


the  EpiB.to  the  ^alathians.         4^ 

our  whole  life  too  the  obeying  of  him,  and  too  the  franiing  of  our 
felues  vnto  his  holy  will,that  when  Gods  name  is  lb  glorified  in  vs, 
others  mayalfobc  drawcn  therevnto,and  all  ofvsbe  gathered  into 
his  flocke,to  the  end  wee  may  wooi-fhip  him  with  one  common  ac- 
cord,and  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl  haue  the  due  honour  and  femis  that 
belongeth  vnto  him.  And  for  the  performance  hereof,  it  may  pleafe 
him  to  rayfe.  vp  true  and  faithful!  miniflers  of  his  woord^Scc. 

The.6  .Sermonypon  the firH  Chapter . 

15  Bi]C  when  itpleazed  Godjwho  chozc  mefrom  my 

mothers  vvombjand  called  race  by  his  grace, 

16  To  rciiele  his  Sonne  by  mee^to  theende  I  fhoulds 

preach  him  amongthe  Gentiles:  Ididnottherc- 
vpontakecoimfellofflcfK  and  bloud: 

17  Nother  vveni:  I  bacJcc  againe  to  lerufalem  toothofc 

that  had  bicj  Apoftles  before  mce;  but  went  my 
way  into  Arabic,  8c  returned  again  to  DamafcQ. 
-i8  Aficrward,a  rhreeyceresaftcrj  went  again  to  le- 
rufalem to  vifitPeter^and  abode  with  himfiftenc 
dayes,  &rc, 

Eehaue  feene  whatcace  is  handled  he  ere  by  S. 
Paule  :  that  is  to  wit, that  m  en  ought  not  to  bee 
aduaunced  fo  highe,  as  that  the  glory  of  God 
fhouldbee  defaced  or  diminifhed  in  refpe6lof 
them,or  of  the  reputation  that  we  haue  of  their 
perfons.For  oftentimes  we  be  giuen  to  comend 
creatures  to  much,  fo  as  the  fame  carieth  a  pre- 
iudiceto  Gods  woord.And  although  S.Paul e  copare  himfelfe  heere 
with  the  other  Apoftles :  yet  hath  he  not  regard  of  his  own  perfon, 
but  isdefirous  that  the  gofpel  which  was  comitted  vnto  himfhould 
be  receiued  with  al  reuerece.And  for  the  bringing  therof  to  pafTejhc 
alledgeth  here  Gods  graces  rather  tha  his  own  vertues.  For  he  doth 
not  aJkdgc  or  rcliearce  he  ere  what  he  had  done  as  of  himfelfe,  bixc 

.what 


Chap.  I.  jf^^  Caljixth  Sermon  ypon 

what  he  haih  donne  through  the  chaunge  that  was  happened  vntoo 
hirrij which  men  might  perceiue  to  be  fromheauen,and  not  through 
his  owne  indeuer.  Yea  and  we  fee,  how  he  dcclareth  freely,  that  all 
his  cliaunging  after  that  maner,  ought  too  bee  fathered  vppon  the 
nieere  goodnefTe  of  God :  for  he  vfeth  the  terme  of  good  fleafure, 
-V\ 'herein  he  excludeth,v/hatfbeuer  is  of  man,  to  the  end  it  fhouid 
not  bee  thought  that  he  minded  too  refei  ue  aught  too  himfelfe.  A- 
gaine,  he  fayeth  not  that  he  had  fought  riic  Gofpell,  but  that  he  had 
had  it  by  reuelation.  Thirdly  he  fayeth  it  was  God  that  called  him. 
And  laftlyhe  fayeth  that  it  was  not  for  any  readinefTe  that  was  m 
himfelfe  afore  hand(as  peraduenture  a  man  might  put  one  of  vs  too 
fome  feruis  when  he  findethvs  meete  forathing: )  but  he  fayeth 
that  God  had  feparated  him  aforehand  from  his  mothers  wombe. 
Wee  fee  then  that  S.Paule  intendeth  not  to  exalt  himfelf,but  onl^r 
too  make  lefus  Chrift  knowen  by  his  meanes,  and  to  keepe  the  do- 
^rine  of  the  Gofpell  from  impeachment  vnder  the  colour  that  o- 
ther  men  had  gotten  great  reputation  through  the  whole  worldc. 
And(as  wee  fee)  the  troublers  that  were  come  into  the  Countrie  of 
Galatia,  tooke  a  deceytfull  couert  vnder  the  name  of  the  Apoflles. 
S.Paule  therfore  fheweth,  that  the  thing  which  hee  hild,  he  had  not 
of  men.And  likewife  alfo  he  braggeth  not  that  he  had  conquered  or 
deferued  aught,but  that  at  lead  wyfe  it  was  knowen  how  God  had 
fo  fet  out  his  grace  in  him,  as  the  fame  ferued  to  make  the  do6lrine 
of  more  author  itie  which  he  bare  abrodc.  But  by  the  way,  there  is 
no  doubt,but  that  in  the  perfone  of  S.Paule,wce  haue  heere  a  mir- 
rour  of  Gods  goodnefTe,  in  fuch  foit  as  it  fheweth  it  felfe  towardes 
vs,and  whereof  we  bee  parttakers,to  the  end  that  all  men  from  the 
fmalleft  to  the  greateft,{hould  leame  to  humble  themfelues.  Ther- 
fore when  wee  come  too  the  knowledge  of  the  Gofpell,  although 
wee  haue  no  fuche  reuelations  as  Paule  had :  yet  notwithftanding, 
this  thing  dooth  alwayes  take  place  and  hath  his  continuall  courfe, 
namely  that  it  is  not  of  our  felues,nother  can  men  put  foorth  them- 
felues to  it  of  themfelues,  but  all  proceedeth  of  Gods  meere  good- 
neflcjfor  that  he  hath  fo  ordayned.For  the  woordes  that  S.Paule  v- 
feth,exclude  all  refpe6les  that  can  bee  had,  as  when  one  man  fhall 
doo  another  man  good  for  fome  defert^or  for  fome  other  thing  that 

he 


the  EpiFi.to  the(jalathians.        •  41 

he  findeth  in  his  perfone.  He  dooth  no  more  hcere,  but  fet  downe 
fimply,  that  for  afmuch  as  God  findeth  no  woorthinelTc  in  vs,ther- 
fore  when  it  pleafeth  him  to  accept  vs  for  his  children,  and  to  draw 
VS  too  the  knowledge  of  his  Gofpell,  he  flieweth  that  his  fo  doyng 
proceedethof  his  owne  purpofe  and  will.  Tlius  then  the  tiling  that 
we  bee  taught  heere,is  that  fayth  is  in  tuche  wife  tlie  meere  gifte  of 
God, that  men  cannot  chalendge  too  diemfelues  tlieprayfe  of  their 
comming  too  the  light  of  the  Gofpell,  where  their  happinefTe  and 
welfare  lit,  but  ought  to  gIori6e  God,  bicaufe  he  hath  bound  them 
too  him  by  choozing  diem,  and  calling  them  too  leadc  them  there- 
vnto :  for  as  for  th«  caufe  th€reof,he  feeketh  it  in  himfelf  and  in  his 
owne  meere  merde.As  much  is  too  be  fayd  of  all  the  charges  wher- 
aboutes  God  imployeth  vs.  True  it  is  that  men  chooze  one  another 
according  as  they  fee  abilitie  in  them  to  bee  put  to  fome  buzinefle : 
fo  as  one  is  fet  too  rule  a  countrie,  another  too  preach  Gods  word, 
and  another  too  this  or  tliat.  In  fo  doyng  wee  hauc  an  eye  too  the 
things  that  God  hath  put  into  euery  man,and  it  is  good  reafbn  fo  to 
doo.  But  yet  for  all  that,  how  foeuer  the  cace  ftande,hee  that  is  fo 
chozen,  (what  handfomneffe  and  abilitie  foeuer  he  haue  too  go 
through  with  his  dutie)  muft  vnderftand  that  God  had  marked  him 
out  before, and  that  he  is  not  framed  theretoo  by  his  owne  policic, 
but  that  God  hath  wrought  it  in  him. And  therfore  let  vs  not  thinkc 
that  he  which  hath  a  better  and  more  foreward  wit  than  other  men, 
hath  it  of  himfelf.  For  whereof  is  it  long  that  wee  bee  not  blockifb 
as  many  creamres  are, whom  we  fee  to  be  without  witte  or  reafon^ 
Who  is  it  that  hatli  put  fuche  difference  betweene  men  <  It  is  cer- 
tayne  that  ofneceffitie  God  muft  haue  marked  vs  out,and  appo^Ti- 
ted  what  wee  fhould  bee,  euen  before  wee  were  borne .  And  there- 
fore who  foeuer  hath  eyther  wit  or  any  other  excellent  gifte  aboue 
other  men,  lettehim  aflure  himfelfe  that  God  hath  fafhyoned  him 
therevnto.  Againe,  when  wee  bee  come  too  age,  God  mufte  bee 
fayne  too  thruft  vs  ftill  foreward  and  tooguyde  vs,  howbeit  that 
the  fame  bee  by  a  fecrete  power.  VVe  e  fee  that  the  Pa^Tiims  haue 
fome  care  of  the  bring^^ng  v^p  of  their  children,  and  that  fome  of 
them  haue  a  better  minde  to  their  ftudie  than  others.  But  yet  how 
ibeuerdiey  fare,  it  is  God  that  guydeth  andgouemeth  them  from 

F.  aboue. 


Chap.i,  fo.CalJixth  Sermon  ypon 

aboue/o  as  all  ought  too  bee  attributed  vntoo  him.  And  he  ere  yee 
fee  whyS.Paule hauing faydthat  God  reueled  his fonne  vnto him, 
addcrh  tk\t  as  he  had  called  him  too  preach,  fo  aifo  he  had  erft  fho- 
led  him  outatorehand from  others  :  thatis  too  fay,  he  had  hild  him 
fail  as  he  that  wift  well  too  what  feruis  he  were  beft  too  apply  him. 
Then  feyng  itLs  {b,wce  haue  caufe  too  walke  in  humbleneffe,  affu- 
ring  our  feluesthat  if  there  bee  any  exceilencie  invs,  wee  mufle 
not  euery  man  bragge  of  it  as  of  his  owne,  but  acknowledge  God 
too  bee  the  author  of  all  that  he  hath  beflowed  vppon  vs,  and  that 
his  jmeere  goodneffe  is  the  fountayne  whereout  of  wee  draw.  Now 
if  tliis  extend  too  the  fmallefl  giftes  of  grace  which  wee  rcccyue  of 
him  :  what  dothit  too  the  ineftimable  benefite  which  he  beRowcth 
vppon  vs, when. he  calleth  vstoo  the  knowledge  of  his  Gofpeii, 
when  he  openeth  vs  the  gate  of  Heauen,  too  fhcwe  vs  that  he  hoi- 
deth  vs  all  for  his  children  and  that  he  is  our  father,  and  when  cm* 
Lord  lefus  Chriil  is  fo  knit  vnto  vs,  that  by  his  meanes  wee  bee  al- 
ready made  Cire  of  the  endlelTe  lyfe :"  Can  we  fay  that  we  haue  any 
thing  of  our  owae,when  God  maketh  vs  parttakers  of  fuche  a  trea^ 
fure  :*  Yee  fee  then  that  the  thing  which  wee  haue  too  gather  vppon 
this  flreyne,  is  that  God  hath  fo  referued  too  himfelfe  the  difpo- 
'  zing  of  mans  lyfe,  that  it  is  his  peculiar  ofiice  to  guyde  cur  fteppes  .* 

^nd  he  knoweth  wherevntoo  he  hath  ordeynfd  vs.  And  therefore 
it  becommeth  vs  too  magnifie  his  mercie,  in  that  he  hath  vouohfa- 
fedtooinlightenvsby  beleeuing  his  Gofpell,  too  the  intent  weie 
might  knowe  him  too  bee. our  father,  and  reft  vppon  him,  and  pray 
vnto  him  with  full  truft.  Let  vs  affure  our  felues,that  the  hauing  of 
.  tliis  commedi  not  of  our  owne  freewill,  but  of  his  touchin*>  of  vs 
too  the  quicke  by  his  holy  fpirite.  For  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte  who 
hath  allwifcdome  in  him,  cannot  bee  knowenof  vs  except  he  bee 
reueled,- accordingas  he  himfelfe  auoiicheth  that  noman  commeth 
hhn,6.  e*  ^^^^  ^^"^^  except  the  father  drawe  him.  Beholde,  lefus  Chrift  .was 
^A,  conuevfant  in  the  worlde  at  that  time :  he  preached  the  Gofpell  and 
publidicd  it  with  open  mouth  *.  and  yet  notwithftanding  he  fayeth 
thf.t  noman  (hall  come  vnto  him^  that  is  too  fay,  noman  fhall  frame 
himfelfe  too  his  obedience,  except  the  father  haue  wrought  in  his 
hart  by  thepower  of  his  holy  fpirit.  %w  that  lefus  Chrift  is  fepany- 

ted' 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.         ^% 

ted  from  vs  as  in  refpefl  of  diflance  of  place,and  as  in  rcfpe^l:  of  Ku-   > 
mane  nature,  fo  as  wee  (ee  him  not  lieere  beneath  too  haue  any  vi- 
able knowledge  of  him :  how  fhali  wee  eome  vntoo  him,if  wee  bee 
not  drawen  by  the  grace  that  h  fpoken  of  heere  •:'  And  if  fayth  bee 
a  rpeciall  gifte  of  God,  and  wee  cannot  come  too  our  Lorde  lefiis 
Chrifle  except  we  bee  led  vnto  him  by  the  hande  of  God  his  father: 
howe  can  they  thatfliculd  drawe  others  doo  it  of  their  owneabi- 
htie  ^  Needes  then  mulle  Godvtter  yetafccond  woorking.  And 
that  is  the  caufe  whySaindPaule  fcttethdownebothe  twir>ne  of 
them :  that  is  too  wit,  firile  that  he  had  bin  iiilightened  himfelf,  and 
fe^ondiy  that  he  h^d  bin  ordeyned  and  flablifhed  as  aMayiler  and 
teacher  too  drawe  othermcn,  to  the  good  way  of  Saluation  where- 
in God  had  fet  him.  V'^'^herefore  let  \  s  aiTure  our  felues,that  God 
graunteth.a  fingular  grace  too  fuch  as  haue  charge  too  prcache  die 
Gorpell,when  he  voutchiafcth  too  apply  them  therevnto.  And  that 
is  not  onely  too  the  end  that  wee  which  are  in  that  ftale  and  office, 
fliould  walke  in  the  feare  of  God,  and  not  chalendge  aught  too  our 
Cdkies  :  but  alfo  too  the  intent  that  euery  man  fliould  in  that  behalf 
haue  a  record  of  the  loue  that  God  beareth  too  his  Churche.  If  men 
fliould  thiuftin  thefelues  on  their  owne  heads,it  might  be  fayd  that; 
wee  weje  taught  at  all  aducnture.  But  when  as  we  know  thdt  noma 
is  of  fufficient  abilitie  too  open  his  mouth  to  fpeake  of  lefus  Chrift 
as  he  ought  too  be  fpoken  of,  but  that  it  is  Gods  doyng  to  fend  forth 
thofe  of  whom  it  behoueth  v§  to  be  taught :  thereby  wee  perceyue 
the  care  that  he  hath  of  VjS,S:  finde  much  better  that  he  is  our  father 
and  hath  not  forgotten  vs.  And  rnoreouer  this  fer.ueth  tp  ingraue  the 
truthof  the  Gofpell  in  our  hartes,to  the  end  wee  may.know  hiow  it 
is  not  a  doc%ine  that  proceedeth  of  men,  but  as  of  Gods  fcndyng : 
And  that  although  he  be  feriied  by  his  creatures: yet  notwithftading 
he  maketh  them  as  iaftruments  of  his  fpir!t,and  it  is  he  himfelf  that 
goiwmeth  them.  Yee  feje  in  eiTe6l  how  we  may  make  oiir  profiteiof 
this  do6bine.  Butyct  doo  wee  vnderfbnd, Gojds graoe  the  bettcr,in 
that.it  is  fayd  that  he  hatri  chozen  Vs  and  kept  vsitoo  himfelf,  eueii' 
from  our  moothers  won.ibc.  And  ygt  is  this  no  let, but  that  he  hath 
alio  ;iioreouer  referued  v^  from  before  the  creation  of  the  worlds", 
^ccordvig  .a§  $m^  Pajjikifpcakcth  in  pthe.r  textes'.  howbeeit  it  Eph,\.  4.4. 
^5.>s  F.ij,  \s 


Chap.i.  ^Q^  Cal.Jixth  Sermon  ypon 

IS  ynougli  that  in  this  place  he  cxcludeth  all  that  euer  commcth  of 
men,  VVhen  a  childe  commeth  out  of  his  moothers  wombe,  what 
ljrii;^ethhcwithhim:'V\^hat  woorthinefTe  [hath  he]  :  Surely  he 
is  apoore  carkefle  full  of  iikh  and  vncleanneffe.  Now  then  it  God 
marke  vs  out  at  the  time  when  there  is  nothing  in  vs  woorthie  too 
bee  accepted  of  him,  or  whiche  deferueth  any  loue  or  lyking :  wee 
maypcrccyue  thereby,  that  if  he  i^plyvstoo  any  honorable  feruis 
afterwarde,  it  is  by  reafon  of  his  owne  mercic,  accordingly  as  they 
ivhome  God  gathereth  too  bee  of  his  fiocke,  are  called  irSlrumentS: 
of  his  goodnelTe.     Thus  yee  fee  that  the  caufe  why  Saipr£l  Paule 
^eakerh  puipofely  of  his  birthe,is  too  fhewe  that  there  was  no  pre- 
paration on  his  owne  behalfe  when  Goddrewe  him,  but  that  God 
had  refpeft  too  his  owne  eternall  eleftion,  the  which  he  continued,. 
in  that  it  was  his  will  that  the  fame  creature  (houlde  come  into  the 
worlde,and  had  alwayes  guyded  it  too  that  ende.    Then  let  vs  af- 
fure  ourfelues,  that  when  focuer  God  bcftoweth  any  of  his  be- 
nefites  vppon  vs,  wee  mufte  alwayes  come  backetoo  this  princi- 
ple, namely  too  mount  vp  too  his  euerlaflyng  purpofe.  Not  that 
wee  bee  able  too  comprehende  howeor  why  hec  hath  chozen  vs, 
(forthat  pafTeth  all  capacitie  of  man.)  But  for  thatwee  mufle  con- 
clude, that  Gods  preferring  of  vs  before  thofe  whom  he  leaueth  as> 
©f  caftes,  is  not  for  that  hee  findeth  vs  woorthie  or  capable  of  fuche 
ftbcncnte,  butbycaufeheehad  fo  ordeyned  before  he  had  created 
vs  and  put  vs  intoo  the  worldc,  yea  and  euen  before  there  was  ey- 
ther  heauen  or  carth.And  that  is  the  caufe  why  it  is  fayd  that  it  be- 
houeth  vs  to  be  giuen  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  before  we  can  come 
vnto  him.  And  who  is  it  that  maketh  that  gift  c' It  is  not  euer^^  mans^ 
offering  of  himfelf  of  his  owne  meere  motion.  True  it  is  that  wee 
ought  to  do  fa:  for  our  fayth  importeth  obedience  &  facrifTze,fo  as^ 
it  bec5meth  vs  to  dedicate  our  felues  to  God  willingly,  &  to  make 
aprefent  bothe  of  our  bodies  and  of  our  (bules  vnto  our  Lord  lefus 
ehrift,as  to  him  that  hath  bought  vs.NeuertheIe{re,this(asI  fayd)is- 
JK)t  of  our  owne  meere  motion,  but  God  muftbe  fayne  to  bo  we  v&- 
therevnto.  And  why  fo :' Euen  bycaufe  wee  were  his  afore.  And- 
how  belong  wee  too  him  c'  not  by  inheritance,  nor  by  any  title  that 
wee  can  alicdge  on  our  owne  behalf,  but  only  bycaufe  he  choze  vs^. 

Now 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathiatu.        4.5 

Now  then  wee  fee  what  this  texte  importeth.But  let  vs  come  backe 
toothecheefe  poynt  that  Saind  Paule  treateth  cf  hecre.  For  the 
things  that  Ihaue  difcourfed  hithertoo,  are  but  too  fliewe  that  our 
adoption  ferueth  not  too  bereeue  God  of  his  glorie,  whiche  thing 
tliey'doothat  bragge  of  their  owne  free  will,  vcitues,  and  mcrites. 
Wherefore  lettc  vs  put  avv^ay  all  fuch  pr^'de,  and  confelTe  that  wee 
bee  beholden  too  God  for  all  things.  Howbeitletvs  aifoconfider 
therewithal!;,  that  Sain6l  Paules  rehearfing  of  this  chaunge,  is  too 
affure  vs  throughly,  that  the  dodrine  whiche  he  deliuered  vsinhis 
ly fe,and  which  wee  haue  nowe  ftill  in  wryting,  is  not  of  this  world, 
nor  forged  of  his  owne  brayne,  but  a  thing  wherevnto  he  was  pre- 
pared of  God.  And  w€e  haue  neede  to  bee  grounded  vppon  fuche 
a  certaintie,  for  clfe,  whereas  our  fayth  ought  too  gette  the  vpper 
hande  of  Satan  and  of  all  things  that  are  agaynft  our  Saluation :  it 
(hould  alwayes  ftagger,  yea  and  bee  but  a  wau^r^^ng  opinion.  But 
nowe  let  vs  fee  a  little  what  battelles  wee  haue  too  indure.  If  wee 
leaned  vntoo  men,  what  flioulde  become  of  vs  <  what  fteadinefle 
would  there  bee  in  v  s ':'  Seyng  wee  bee  dayly  aflayled  with  fo  many 
temptations,  that  by  all  lykelihoodweefhould  bee  ouerwhelmed 
and  perifhe :  as  for  example,  in  that  our  nature  is  fo  wholly  incli- 
ned too  diftmft,  too  lying,  too  vanitie,and  too  decey  t :  and  againe, 
in  that  we  haue  fo  many  lufles, which  are  as  ftormes  Sc  whirlwindes 
to  ouerthrow  all  our  fayth  :  were  it  pofsible  for  vs  too  ftand  or  too 
haue  any  conflancie,  if  we  were  not  grounded  vpon  God,andknew 
that  the  doftrine  which  wee  followe  is  the  pure  truth  that  procee- 
deth  out  of  his  mouth.  Then  ftandeth  it  vs  on  hande  too  haue  that 
firft  of  all.  True  it  is  that  among  the  Papifls  men  wil  content  them- 
felues  with  fome  imaginacion.  For  it  is  ynough  with  them,too  be- 
ieeue  as  the  Church  beleeueth,  as  they  fay.  Howbeit  in  the  meane 
whyle  the  Diuell  hoideth  them  in  his  nettes,and  they  be  like  {illie 
beafts  that  are  ftarke  blind.  But  as  for  vs,  wee  mufte  bee  out  of  all 
doubt,that  we  be  taught  of  God,  and  that  the  woord  which  we  fol- 
low is  his.  Therefore  it  behoueth  vs  to  giue  eare  too  the  preaching 
of  the  do61rine  which  was  brought  by  S.Paule,and  therewithall  too 
confider  that  S.Paule  did  not  thruil  himfelf  in  of  his  owne  head,but 
that  God  feruedhis  owne  turne  by  him,  as  by  an  inftrnmentthat 

F.iij.  he  had 


Cfaap.i.  foXalJixthSermon^pon 

lie  had  ordayned  too  that'purpofe.  Thusyee  fee  wherevaitoo  it  be- 
houeth  vs  too  referre  that  which  is  fpoken  heere.  For  had  S.Paulc 
follov/ed  Chriflianitic  from  his  childehood,  or  had  he  learned  it  at 
fchooJc; truly  it  had  bin  a  gift  of  God  :  but  then  had  not  we  had  fuch 
an  open  auouchmet  and  euident'record  as  we  haue  by  his  chaungc, 
in  that  of  a  rauening  woolfe  he  became  not  onely  a  fheepe,  but  aifo 
a  fheepeheard :  and  whereas  he  had  bin  a  deadly  enemy  of  the  Go- 
fpell;now  he  is  become  a  femant  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl:  &  whcr- 
as  erfthe  had  nothing  in  him  but  blafphemie,crueltie,pryde  and  re- 
bellion^wee  fee  he  hath  the  zeale  of  Godsfpirite,  he  hath  allhumi- 
Jitie  and  meekenefie.  Seyng  then  that  wee  perceyue  io  great  and 
fuddayne  a  chaunge,  it  is  as  much  as  if  God  had  vttered  his  power 
of  pui"pofe  that  S.Paul e  fhould  not  be  taken  for  a  mortal!  man.  And 
Axofl.24,  yei-^iy  fQj.  ^Q  fgjYie  caufe  alio  did  God  take  vp  Moyfes  intoo  the 
^*  ^*^*  Moanta\TLe,  and  keepe  him  there  by  the  fpacc  of  fortie  dayes,whea 
he  intended  too  haue  his  lawe  publifhed.  For  had  Moyfes  Qoorth- 
with]  preached  the  things  which  he  knew  by  reuelaiion :  iurely  he 
had  difchar^ed  himfelf  of  his  duetie  as  a  true  feruant  of  God :  but 
the  thing  had  not  bin  knowen  too  be  fo  excellent  as  it  was,  in  that 
God  kept  him  fortie  dayes  vppon  the  Mountayne,  and  afterwarde 
made  him  come  downe  witli,  a  fhyning  face/o  as  me  could  no  more 
abyde  too  looke  vppon  him  without  dazeling  of  their  eyes, than  too 
looke  vpon  the  brightneffe  of  the  Sunne,  but  he  was  fayne  too  put 
a  veyle  before  him.  Therefore  ail  thefc  things  ferue  too  proue,  that 
he  deuifed  not  the  law  of  his  owne  head,  but  was  as  an  Angel  of  hea- 
uen;^  yea  and  muche  more  excellent  than  anAngell,  forfomuchas 
God  had  ordeyned  him  therevntoo.  In  lyke  cace  is  it  with  the  A- 
poftles,  for  lefus  Chrifte  could  well  haue  chozea  fuch  as  had  bin  ex- 
crcyzed  a  long  whyle  aforehand  in  the  Lawe  and  holy  Scriptures, 
and  had  fome  countenance  to  the  worldward,  and  had  already  pur- 
chaced  fome  reputacio  and  degree  among  men :  but  he  chozepoore 
filliefoulcs  and  handy  craftes  men  without  any  learning  at  all,  and 
yet  notwithiianding  made  them  too  fpeake  after  fuch e  a  ftraunge 
fafhion^  that  through  the  eloquence  and  hyghnefFe  of  laiowledge 
whtdi  was  in  them,  they  palTedali  fuche  as  had  bin  efleemed  mofte 
skilful!  and  (harpwitted  iii  the  wprlde.    Wee  fee  tlien  that  by 

Gods 


the  Epifi.to  the  (jalathians.       4.4. 

Goiisforuddayncchaungingof  them,  their  do6b-inewas  made  gF 
fo  much  the  more  authoritie  vntco  vs.  Euen  fo  ftandeth  the  cace 
concerning  SainclPauIe.  That  then  is  a  thing  which  ought  too  con- 
firme  vs,  and  when  foeuer  wee  bee  taught  by  that  whiche  hee  hath 
left  in  wryting,  let  vsafllire  our  fe lues  that  God  fpeaketh  too  vs, 
and  that  he  was  the  infli'umentof  ourLorde  lefus  Chriftc.  He  ad- 
deth  furthermore,  thatht  did  not  then  (ommuneyi^ith  fejh  andbloud, 
that  is  too  fay  with  any  mortal  I  mzn^hut  yjpentJlreyfWayes  into  drdie, 
t^kerebfi  abode  threeycares^md  from  theme  teturrndtos  lerufakmtoo 
feefeterjCndfa^enQt  any  other  of  the  S)i/ciples  than  him  and  hmes. 
Herein  it  might  feeme  at  the  firft  blufhe,  that  S.PauIe  had  to  great- 
ly difJeyned  the  refl  of  the  Apoftles.  For  although  he  had  the 
knowledge  of  the  Gofpeli,  yet  might  he  well  haue  bin  more  con- 
firmed/riiid  the  confent  and  agreement  that  Gods  children  haue  a- 
mong  themfeiueSjdoth  ftrengthen  them  the  more,  as  wee  finde  by 
experience.  It  feemeth  then  that  Sain<ft  Paule  difdayncd  a  meanc 
that  was  fit  for  himfelfe,  and  might  haue  ftoode  the  whole  Churche 
in  good  fteade.  But  there  was  a  fpeciall  reafon  that  drewe  him  the 
other  way :  which  was,thatmen  (hould  not  furmyze  that  it  came  to 
palTe  by  worldly  meanes,  for  it  was  not  yet  fufficiently  knowen^ 
Then  ifhe  had  gone  too  lerufalem,  and  communed  with  the  Apo* 
(lies,  men  woulde  haue  fayde,this  man  is  in  fome  doubt,  and  tliere- 
fore  he  went  thither  too  difpute,  and  in  the  ende  was  ouercome. 
And  fo  it  would  haue  bin  thought  that  it  had  bin  of  mannes  doyng, 
and  theglorie  of  God  had  bin  fo  much  darkened  thereby.  But 
when  as  ^'ainft  Paule  h^d  bin  a  man  full  of  crueltie,  that  fought  no- 
thing but  too  aboliihe  thememoriall  of  the  Gofpeli,  a  fheader  of 
the  bloud  of  the  Martyrs,  a  blafphemer  of  God,  and  an  inforcer 
of  the  poore  weakclings  too  renounce  lefus  Chrifte :  when  as  men 
fawc  him  too  bee  fuch  a  one,  that  is  too  fay,  as  a  man  befides  him- 
fclf  with  fuch  rage,as  he  would neuer  leaue  till  he  had  borne  downe 
the  Gofpeli :  and  yet  notwithftanding  fawe  him  fo  chaunged  in  one 
niinute  of  an  Lower,  and  noman  fpake  to  him  :  yea  and  blinded  iind 
beaten  downe  too  the  earth,  fo  as  he  lay  there  lyke  a  poore  dead 
nian,  and  aftenvarde  w£S  rayzedvp  agayne  as  it  were  out  of  his 
grauc,  and  his  eyes  by  miracle  opened,  fo  as  God  fente  a  man 

F.iiij.  vntQO 


ciup.i.  foXaLjixth  Sermon  ))pon 

vntoo  him  of  no  gre*ate  fame  named  Ananias,  who  baptizecfhim^ 
flrengthenecihim^andmadehimtooreceyuethe  vifibie  tokens  of 
die  holy  Gholl: :  and  that  there  vppon  he  went  his  way  into  Arabic;r 
acountriewhere  lefus  Chrifle  had  neuerbin  fpoken  of  afore,  (for 
although  the  lev/es  had  bin  fomewhat  c^^perfed,  yet  was  the  Go- 
fpell  vtterlyvnknowenOIlay,when  wee  fee  howe  Sainfi:  Paule 
went  that  way  too  woorke  :  who  is  he  that  can  fay  that  he  learned 
aught  of  men,  or  that  he  had  bin  wonne  too  it  by  difputation,  or  by 
reafon,orby  any  other  manerof  [worldly]  meanes  at  all:'  Nay 
radier  wee  fliall  bee  conftrayned  too  graunt,  that  what  foeuer  was 
too  bee  found  in  him,  was  of  Gods  putting  intoo  hin^  That  thea 
was  the  fpeciall  reafon  why  Saind  Paule  communed  not  with  the 
Apoflles.  And  tmelyheerehefpeaketh  of  them  as  k  were  in  way 
of  skorne,  terming  them  flefh  and  bloud.  Howbeit,  it  is  not  a  de- 
facing of  the  giftes  whiche  they  had  receyued  of  God,  when  wee 
make  comprifon  betweene  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrid  and  them.  And 
wee  ought  too  marke  that  well.  For  when  wee  fpeake  of  men, 
furely  they  may  well  bee  called  fle{l\e  and  bloud,  as  wee  fee  they 
lokhy.b,\^  bee  called  in  the  firfte  of  lohn.  Yee  fee  then  that  men  of  their 
owne  nature  are  nothing  but  cormption.  And  for  afmuche  as  they 
would  fayne  prefume  to  much  of  their  owne  wifedome  and  power, 
or  of  their  owne  rightuoufnelTe  and  courage :  therefore  too  put  a- 
way  all  that  pryde  and  fonde  ouerweening,  God  fayeth  What  arc 
Miw.i6,c.  yee :'  fleflie  and  bloud  .  Yea  and  fometymes  by  this  faying  flejh  and 
id.e;'  John,  lloud,  the  holy  Scripture  meancth  this  finfuU  nature  of  ours  whiche 
3.<8.5.  weehaue  fmce  the  fall  of  Adam.  For  wee  hauenomore  thevn- 
corruptnefTe  that  was  in  vs,  but  contrary  wife  wee  bee  vtterly  igno- 
rant or  rather  beaftly,  and  there  is  nothing  but  filthineiTe  in  vs,  fo 
as  wee  be  not  able  too  doo  any  thing  that  is  aught  woorth,  further- 
foorth  than  God  gouerneth  vs.  Lo  in  what  wize  we  be  termed  flefii 
and  bloud.  And  therefore  it  is  fayd,  that  our  beyng  inlightened  in 
the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  commeth  not  to  vs  by  he- 
ritage,nor  is  had  of  flefh  and  bloud,  but  that  we  bee  made  the  chil- 
dren of  God  through  hisl)egetting  of  vsnewe  agayneby  hisholy^ 
fpirite,  yea  eue  i  after  a  fpeciall  maner.  For  wee  woulde  holde 
aixogither  with  the  worlde,  if  he  fhould  let  vs  alone  too  our  felues. 

Againe, 


the  Epi^.to  the  Qalathian  ?.       4.5 

Againc,  in  the  fixtenth  of  Saiiicl  Matliew  it  is  raydejtliat  ntfhc  and 
bloudhad  not  tolde  Peter  and  his  fellowes  that  Iclus  Chrift  was  Ai;it,\^,c, 
the  Tonne  of  God :  but  th  e  hcauenly  father.  '1  hus  ye  fee  how  men      i3^ 
are  called  flefli  and  bloud :  namely  when  they  bee  compared  vntoo 
God,  to  (he  we  that  wee  haue  not  ought  but  cormption  in  vs.  True 
it  is  that  our  foules  are  immortall  :  neuertheleffe  the  Scripture 
fpeaketh  fo  of  vs  in  way  of  contempt ,  to  the  endc  wee  fhoulde  bee 
voyde  of  prefumption.  But  as  for  the  Apoftles,  they  were  alreadie 
regenerated  by  Gods  fpirite  :  and  therefore  there  was  more  in 
them  than  fledie  and  bloud,  as  wee  haue  feene  by  the  Text  laft  al- 
ledged.  Yet  notwithflanding,  whenfoeuer  they  bee  compared  with 
God,then  mull:  al  that  is  of  our  owne  nature  be  comprehended  vn- 
der  the  termes  of  flefhe  and  bloud.  And  why :'  For  elfe  it  fnoulde 
come  in  queilion,  too  knowe  whe  ther  the  Apollles  m.ight  by  their 
owne  woorthinefle  and  excellencie  preiudice  the  Gofpell,  as  the 
forefayde  troublers  pretended  to  fhrowd  themfelueSTwithall.  But 
JSaint  Paule  fheweth,  that  if  God  withdraw  that  which  is  hiS;  there 
(hall  remaine  nothing  either  in  Peter,Iohn,or  lames,  but  that  they 
be  the  fonnes  of  Adam  as  other  men  are ,  fo  as  there  is  nothing  in 
them  but  corruption.    So  then  let  vs  not  abufe  the  gracious  giftes 
that  God  hath  pu:  into  them,to  deface  the  Maiejftie  of  him  and  the 
Gofpell.  Thus  ye  fee  after  what  maner  Saint  Paule  fpeaketh  here 
of  the  Apoftles.  For  wee  haue  heard  howe  hee  fayde  heeretoofore, 
that  if  an  Angell  from  heauen  (hould  gainfay  the  Gofpell,he  ought 
to  bee  hated  and  curfcd  as  if  hee  were  a  Diuell.  And  how  fo '!  Is  it 
meete  that  men  (hould  fpeake  fo  reprochfully  of  the  Angels  which 
are  fo  noble  creatures,  and  which  are  called  the  heauenly  princi- 
palities and  powers  of  God  c'  It  is  no  wrong  at  all  too  doo  fo  too  pi       ♦ 
them,when  it  commeth  to  the  yeelding  of  foueraine  dominion  too    ^ 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrid  who  is  their  heade,for  it  behoueth  them  too 
be  placed  vnder  him.  Therefore  let  vs  not  thinke  wee  haue  anie 
wrongofFered  vs,tliough  we  were  troden  a  hundred  t^^mes  vnder 
foote,  fo  it  bee  to  the  exalting  of  Gods  name,  and  that  our  Lorde 
lefus  Chrid  may  haue  his  dutie  and  fupremacie  referued  vnto  him, 
fo  as  hee  may  bee  heard  both  of  great  and  fmall,  and  all  men  fubmit  . 
tLerafeiues  too  him  in  true  obedience  of  fayth.  Nowe  herevppoa 

F.V*  wc 


chap.i.  fo.CalJixth  Sermon  ypon 

we  may  garner  howcblinde  the  vvretclied  Papiftcsarc  in  honoa- 
1  ing  the  ApoiUes  and  Martyrs  in  luch  wife ,  that  God  is  robbed  of 
his  honour  and  leruice^infomuch  as  it  fhculd  feeme  that  all  that  be- 
iongeth  and  is  referued  to  him  is  put  to  the  fpoile  and  pray  [^among 
them.]  For  what  difference  make  they  betwcene  him  and  hys 
creatures  C'  And  befides  that ,  our  Lordelefus  Chrifl  is  as  good  as 
buryed ,  bycaure  they  plucke  awaye  the  office  from  him  that  was 
giuen  him.  For  in  {led  of  beeing  our  Aduocate  too  giiie  vs  entc- 
rance  vntoo  God  his  father ,  and  tliat  wee  fhoulde  go  right  foorth 
vntoo  him  if  wee  intende  too  haue  our  prayers  and  fupplications 
heard :  they  haue  fette  vp  an  infinite  multitude  of  Aduocates,  Pa- 
t  rones  and  Interce  (Tours,  and  lefus  Chrifl  is  lacke  out  of  office. 
Nowe  when  vee  fee  that  the  creatui'eshaue  obteyned  fuch  honour 
among  men,  that  by  that  meanes  God  is  as  it  were  thrull  backe, 
and  his  worde  borne  downe :  thereby  we  perce^oie  that  the  Diuill 
hath  turned al  1  vpfide  downe.  Therefore  how  foeuer  the  world  go, 
let  our  efteeming  of  men  be  after  fach  a  fort,as  God  may  hold  liill 
that  which  is  his  ownetand  i{\ve  compare  him  with  his  creaturesjlet 
vs  confider  that  all  is  but  vanitic  ,  and  whatfoeuer  commendation 
they  haue  here,  the  fame  is  a  recorde  which  God  giueth  vs  of  hys 
ioue,to  the  ende  we  fhould  keepe  onwards  vntohim,and  he  be  ex- 
alted. Yea  and  let  vs  confider, that  we  cannot  honour  God  as  he  de- 
ferueth,but  by  fubmitting  our  feiues  to  his  worde.  For  all  they  that 
mal\e  many  Ceremonies  to  bcare  men  in  hande  diat  they  defire  to 
feme  God,are  miflyked  of  him^-ntill  fuch  time  as  they  be  fubdued 
to  him,and  alfo  to  his  worde.  And  that  alfo  is  a  caufe  why  S.  Paulc 
ftryueth  for  the  authoritie  of  the  Gofpell.   For  hee  thinkes  it  not 
ynough  too  haue  God  and  Icfus  Chift  talked  of  :  but  hee  will  alfo 
haue  eueric  man  to  receyue  the  dofbine  conteyned  in  the  Gofpel, 
without  gainfaying.  And  heereby  wee  fee,  how  that  nowadayes  ail 
Religion  is  decayed,  and  there  is  nothing  but  hellifhe  confuzion  in 
Poperie.    For  there  is  talkingynougli  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifl, 
but  after  what  fort:"  Knowcthey  his  power  ^  Can  they  tell  too 
what  ende  hee  is  fent  of  God  his  Father,  and  what  benefytes  hee 
bnngeth  vs :'  No  whit  at  all.  He  fliali  be  called  the  Sauiour  of  the 
worlde,  and  in  the  meane  whylc  eucrie  man  feekcth  his  faluation 

in 


the  EpiH.  to  the  (jaiathians.      ^  6 

in  hiinfelfejor  at  fome  Saints  hand  of  his  o\vnc  forging;.  Lo  at  what 
poynttheybe.  And  therefore  To  much  the  more  doth  it  ftande  v5 
vpon^jto  beare  in  minde  the  thing  that  is  fhewed  vs  heere  :which  is, 
liiat  whenfoeuer  God  is  fpokenofj  the  verieSunnc  andlvtoone 
muftneedes  be  darkened  (as  it  is  fayde  in  the  Prophete,)and  there  EQ.6J,i6^ 
is  not  any  that  niuft  not  bee  thruft  vnder  footc ,  too  the  ende  that 
God  may  haue  all  preeminence.  And  forafmuch  as  God  accepteth 
any  honour  or  feruice  that  wee  doo  vntoohim,  vntili  wee  bee 
fubiefttoohiswoorde  :  letvs  receyue  the  whole  do^lrineofthc 
Gofpell  and  let  nothing  plucke  vs  backe  fromyecldingfuch  reue- 
rence  therevnto^as  too  fubmit  cur  felues  too  dl  that  is  conteyned 
therein.  Thisin  cfFed  is  the  thing  that  wee  Kaue  too  gather  vppon 
this  place,  where  the  Apoftles  are  termed  fiefhand  bloud.  Further- 
more whereas  Saint  Paule  addeth,.  that  L?e  yi^cnt  to  lerufahn  too  fee 
Teter  ;it  is  a  fure  recorde  that  his  former  fpcaldng  of  his  going  in- 
to oArabie,  was  not  of  any  pride , or  difdayne,  but  too  thecnde 
that  Gods  grace  might  bee  knowne,  and  that  no  worldly  meanes 
might  bee  made  as  a  veyle  too  keepe  men  from  knowing  that  le- 
fus  Chrift  had  wrought  by  fingular  myracle ,  in  that  a  man  v/hiche 
had  bin  fo  flubborne  before,had  beene  brought  too  the  lure.  Thus 
yeefee  on  the  on  the  onefyde,howe  Saint  Paule  ment  too  referue 
vntoo  God  his  due :  and  on  the  other  fide, that  yet  notwithflanding 
he  ment  to  fliewe  there  was  good  agreement  betwene  him  and  the 
other  ApofI:!  e  s. And  euen  fo  mufl  we  do.For  in  many  men  there  are 
alwayes  two  euill  extremities  too  bee  found  in  that  behalfe.Tliere 
are  fome  fcoffers  which  make  pretence  to  magnific  gods  grace,  and 
in  the  meane  time  are  but  traytors  to  God,  full  of  poyfon  &  pride, 
preferring  their  own  e  dreames  and  dotages  before  himjfa  man  fay 
vntothem,how  now  C' Seeing  that  God  hath  graunted  grace  to  ma- 
ny men,and  they  be  knowen  to  be  men  wel  feene  in  the  holy  fcrip- 
tures,and  they  imploy  themfelues  faithfully  in  preaching  the  Gof- 
pell to  vs :  therefore  why  do  ye  not  agree  with  themc'0(fay  th^y)! 
haue  not  to  do  with  any  man  lining  vpon  earth,  I  ground  my  felfc 
vppon  none  but  God.Thefe  are  the  prowde  and  flately, which  pre- 
tend to  haue  the  holy  Ghofl:  in  their  heades,5c  certaine  reuelations 
efthe  holy  Ghoft,  and  yet  notwithflanding  they  brcakethe  vnitie 

ofthfr 


Chap .  I.  ^Q^  CaLJtxth  Sermon  ypon 

of  the  Church,and  ciifpize  Gods  gracious  giftes.  So  much  the  more 
therefore  doth  it  fiaiide  vs  on  hande  to  keepe  the  meafure  that  we 
fee  heere.For  ahhough  Saint  Paul e  haue  on  the  one  fide  declared, 
that  he  went  ftraight  waycs  into  Arabie  as  foone  as  he  was  conuer- 
ted,  too  the  ende  it  might  be  knowne  that  lefus  Chrift  had  bin  hys 
only  maiiler  and  teacher;,as  indeed  he  only  ought  alwayes  to  haue 
preeminence  ouer  vs  :  yet  neuerthelefle  he  hath  alfo  well  fhevved 
[on  the  other  fyde,]  that  he  ment  to  be  in  vnitie  of  good  concorde 
with  the  rcfl  of  the  Apo{tles,and  was  defirous  too  haue  it  knowne 
to  the  whole  worldc,  that  his  minde  was  too  agree  with  them,  and 
that  they  were  as  inftruments  of  the  holy  Ghoft.For  as  1  haue  (he- 
wed afore,  it  is  no  fmall  helpetoo  the  confirmation  of  our  fayth, 
when  we  be  fo  linked  togither,  8c  that  God  callcth  not  any  one  ma 
alone,but  hath  many  that  fubmitthemfelues  too  him ,  fo  that  it  is 
feene  that  they  be  guided  all  by  one  fpirite,  that  they  bee  all  of  one 
minde,thatthey  ame  all  atone  marke,and  that  they  fiiew  themfel- 
ues  to  be  Gods  children,  by  going  on  forwarde  too  the  heritage  of 
the  heauenly  life.  Tliat  helpe  tlien  is  fit  for  the  confirmation  of  our 
fayth:and  it  was  for  Saint  Paule  too  fliewe  that  hee  was  rightly  lin- 
ked with  the  Apoftles,  and  ment  not  too  feparate  himfelfefrom 
them.VVherfore  let  vs  marke  the  maner  of  dealing  that  is  fhewed 
vs  here,to  the  intent  we  fwarue  not  to  the  one  extremitie  or  the  o- 
ther.But  there  are  fome  fo  lightheaded, that  they  willgiue  ouer  the 
doftnne  of  the  Gofpell  for  right  naught,and  as  foone  as  they  heare 
a  man  fpeake,  by  and  by  they  mufl:  receyue  whatfoeuer  hee  fayth, 
Hov/beeit,if  we  bee  no  better  fettled  than  fo,fhall  we  bee  able  too 
withftande  all  the  alamms  whichethe  Diuell  our  mortall  enimic 
will  giue  vs  :*  Then  muft  we  ftande  fboute  to  their  tackling,  and  all 
of  vs  from  the  mod  too  the  leaft,  muft  fticke  faft  togither  too  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  For  like  as  he  is  our  heade,  fo  muft  he  alfo  bee 
SfaAiXAl  exalted,and  (as  the  Prophete  Efay  fayth)  he  is  the  marke  that  all 
men  muft  looke  at.Sith  it  is  fo,let  vs  learne  to  forbeare  our  refting 
in  fuch  wife  vpon  the  outwarde  appearance  of  men ,  that  the  fame 
fhoulde  impeachc  the  maieftie  of  Gods  Sonne.  Butyet  neuerthe- 
JeflTe,  whenwebe  once  fully  fettled  vpon  thatpoynf.we  muft  all 
of  vs  be  cemented  to  be  taught  of  him  tliat  is  giuen  vs  too  bee  our 

teacher, 


the  Epi^Jo  the  (jalathiam.      47 

teacher,  and  not  be  To  prowdc  as  to  ftandc  eucric  man  in  his  ownc 
conceyt,  (for  fofhall  we  but  make  variance  in  the  Church: )but  de- 
(Ire  to  agree  togitiier,  and  euery  of  vs  put  forth  that  which  is  giuerv 
him,  that  the  vnitie  of  our  fayth  may  be  [as  a  bonde]to  knit  vs  to- 
gither,fo  as  we  may  make  one  Temple  of  God.  For  it  i%  not  fayde 
for  nought,  that  we  be  the  liueJy  ftones  whereof  Gods  Temple  is 
buildcd.  Now  if  euerie  of  vs  (houlde  bee  fundred  from  other,  and 
^  left  alone  by  himfelfe  :  what  woulde become  of  itc*  Shouldc  there 
^jbe  any  buildings'  No :  but  contrariwize  there  woulde  bevtter  de- 
^V)lation.  If  we  couet  to  haue  God  dwell  among  vs,  and  too  bee  of 
fioufeholde  with  vs,  wee  muft  worfhip  him  truely,  and  euery  of  vs 
apply  himfelfe  as  much  as  hec  can  pofsibly  to  his  neighbours.  Not 
that  we  muft  fhrinke  from  God  to  cleaue  to  men  (for  it  were  bet- 
ter that  we  fhoulde  all  of  vs  bee  at  difcorde  one  with  anotlwr,  and 
togither  by  the  cares  as  whot  as  fire  among  our  felues : )  but  when 
wee  bee  knitte  vnto  God>that  is  a  good  harmonie  ;  and  that  is  the 
meane  for  vs  to  holde  the  way  that  Saint  Paule  hilde,  who  woulde 
not  match  himfelfe  with  the  Apoftles  to  darken  Gods  glorie,  or  to 
hinder  the  do6lrine  of  the  Gorpell,and  yet  notwithftanding  fayled 
not  to  come  from  a  ftraunge  countrey  to  feke  them,  yea  euen  with 
great  traucU ,  and  with  the  indoring  of  right  hard  ten^tation :  for 
(as  we  fee)they  charged  him  to  haue  bin  a  perfecuter  of  God  Sc  his 
truth.  Seeing  that  S. Paule  came  after  that  fort  to  (hewe  howe  con- 
formable he  was  with  the  reft  of  the  Apoftles,  and  too  giue  recorde 
thereof  to  the  whole  Church :  therem  wee  fee,  that  the  defirouf- 
nefle  which  he  had  to  ferue  God ,  and  his  ftoutnefTe  too  aduauncc 
Gods  word  aboue  all  crcatures,lettedhim  not  to  be  full  of  curtefie 
and  modeftie  alfo.  And  euen  fo  muft  we  do  too.  That  is  to  fay, we 
muftreceiue  tlie  confent  of  our  brethren,  &  feeke  to  conforme  our 
felues  too  them  in  fuch  wife,  as  we  may  all  be  members  of  one  bo* 
die,and  lefus  Chrift  be  our  heade,and  not  be  fcattcred  a{under,nor 
euery  man  walke  alone  by  himfelfe,  but  feeke  to  communicate  af- 
ter fuch  maner  one  with another^as  euery  man  may  guide  his  ney- 
bour,and  all  go  on  forwarde  to  one  marke,and  eche  of  vs  giue  cou- 
rage to  other,  fo  as  there  may  be  fene  a  good  agreement  among  vs. 
True  it  is  that  wee  cannot  haue  peace  with  all  men :  weefhall  fayle 
""    ^  "  greatly 


Chap.  I.         Jq^  Cal.feuenth  Sermon  ypon 

greatly  of  that.  And  therefore5,Faule  in  another  place  fayth,  t^  at . 
!Sa.  12.^.18  vve  muft  feeke  to  be  at  peace  with  all  men ,  j^  leaflwife  as  much  as  ] 
is  in  vs :  whereby  he  iheweth,that  we  (hall  be  conftreyned  to  bee  at , 
variance  with  many  folkes.  For  the  Diueli  hath  many  vnderJings, 
and  they  be  all  of  them  bent  agaynft  Gods  worde  :and  we  alfo  muft 
fet  onr  felues  agpynfl  thenijif  we  mtende  to  haue  the  pure  dodrine 
of  the  Gofpell  on  our  lyde.  But  howfoeuer  the  cace  ftande,  if  wee 
fe  e  any  man  willing  to  fubmit  himfelfe  too  our  Lorde  lelus  Chrifl, 
let  vs  receyue  him, let  vs  preuent  him,  let  vs  feeke  to  agree  wholy  , 
togither,and  let  vs  not  looke  to  be  honoured  aboue  other  men,  nor  ^ 
fay  how  now:  If  I  (hould  agixe  withfuch  a  man;it  would  feeme  that  \ 
I  am  become  his  vnderling.  \'^o  bee  too  vs  if  we  haue  fuch  pride 
in  vs.  But  let  our  onely  feeking  be<,  to  haue  lefus  Chrifl  to  be  ovir 
heade,and  in  fuch  wife  become  members  of  his  bodie,  as  wee  may . 
aliwoorfhip  him>  and  call  vppon  him  with  one  mouth  in  vnitie  of 
fay  th.  ' 

And  now  1  et  vs  fall  downe  before  the  Maieflie  of  our  good^God 
with  acknowledgement  of  our  faultes,  praying  him  too  make  vs^ 
feele  them  more  and  more,  to  the  ende  we  may.mjilyke  them,  and; 
befeech  him  to  amende  them  by  his  holy  fpirit,  tliat  being  quite  ^iS' 
of  our  fmne  s  and  \vretche4ne{rej  we  may  be  rcnued  after  his  Image, 
fo  as  hee  may  bee  glorified  in  all  our  lyfe ,  and  in  the  meane  whyle 
beare  with  vs  in  bur  frailtie,til  he  haue  brought  vs  to  the  perfei^i- 
on  from  whence  we  be  all  gone  away.  Andfo  let  vs  allfayjAlmigh- 
tie.Godhewenly;father<fe^r  ,-;;.. ■;-;^^.[.,|^., 

7  pe.jjermonypon  the  first  Chapter. 

m^hich  is  affotbejirftvponthfccond  Chapter. 

XL    ForlVvas  vnknoyvnebyfacetothe  Churches  of 

levvriethv-icvverciti  Chrift. 
zj    Saueoncly  theyhad  heard  fay  j  hee  that  ercvrvhilej 

pcrfccLued  vs,doth  now  preach  the  faythy vhich 

hehaddeftroyedforatimc,7■^'."^^**~-;"'  'j*"'**  "'  '^ 

-   -  ^  -'^I'i^^r-l  ;■);jjOc:'^■..^: 


^4    Aud  they  glorified  God  in  ffi^C^;,;,.  ^^.^  j,^^  ^ , . , 


m 


the  EpiB.to  the  ^alathians,       48 

ThefecondeCkmer, 
A  Boute  fourteene  yeares  after  ,  I  went  vp  ag^yne 
"^^•too  Icrufalem  with  Barnabas  j  and  tooke  Thus 

yvithmcalfo. 
a  And  rvventvpby  rciielation^andcommtinedvvitli 
them  concerning  the  Gofpelthac  I  preach  among 
the  Gentiles, howbeeitpriuatcly  with  thofethac 
arein  eftirnationjleafl:  I  might  in  any  vviferunnej 
or  haue  runnein  vaine. 

Ee  haue f^ene  Howe  5.  Panic  hath  on  the  one 
fide  publifhed  the  Gofpeli  through  the  whole 
world  without  warrant  of  any  man,  cotenting 
himfelf  in  that  he  was  fure  he  ferued  God/and 
that  his  labour  was  acceptable  to  him  :  and  yet 
notwithftanding  hath  not  forflowed  in  the 
meane  while, to  feeke  brotherhodjand  good  a- 
greement  widi  the  Apoftles.as  a  thing  right  requifite  tofuccour  the 
infirmitie  of  fuche  as  might  haue  bin  thmft  out  of  the  way,  vnlelTe 
God  had  helped  them  in  their  feeblenefle.  So  haue  we  on  the  one 
(Idea  warrant  of  SPaules  do6lrine  :&  on  the  other  fide  we  fee  how 
he  intended  to  gather  togither  gods  children, to  the  end  they  might 
be  ioyned  in  one  band  of  fayth,aiid  glof  ifie'God  asit  were  with  one 
heartjone  minde,&  one  mouth. And  therwithall  we  fee  alfo,  that  S^ 
Paulc  paflednot  to  aske  coufell  whether  he  fhould  go  foreward  of 
backward.For  although  he  were  vnknown  to  fuch  as  had  bin  in  the 
faith  before  himiyet  forflowed  he  not  to  ferue  God,  wherevnto  he 
Had  bin  erft  called.And  this  furely  \s  one  vcrie  notable  po^Tit  more: 
for  it  fheweth  vs  that  he  was  wholy  bent  to  ferue  God,  Sc  loked  not 
for  his  hire  at  mens  hands,  to  the  end  they  lliould  pl^afure  him  Ot 
cfteme  of  him  as  he  defcrued.  VVherfore  let  vs  learn  to  walk  after 
fuch  a  fafhion  in  the  vocation  whenmto  we  be  called,that  although 
men  loke  not  vp5  vs,  yet  we  may  not  ceafTe  to  difcharge  our  duties 
faithfully,contenting  our  felues  in  that  it  pleafed  god  to  allow  of  vs. 
For  they  that  hang  vpome  fliall  always  be  attainted  with  fome  fpice 
of  vainglory^  5;  itSvilbe  impofsible  for  th6  to  walk  purely  3c  foudly. 
*     ^  '     '  Befides. 


Cb.in.  z. 


fo.  CaLfeuenth  Sermon  ypon 


4c{;^^J,26  Befidcs  this,Saint  Luke fiieweth  vs  that  Saint  Paule  muftnee  'eg 
haue  bin  led  with  an  inuincible  conftancie ,  feeing  hce  ftcppcd  not 
out  of  the  way,although  men  made  no  rcckening  at  all  of  his  doo- 
ings.  For  he  fayth  that  the  fay thfuU  had  him  in  fufpition,  and  that 
they  (hunned  him  when  hee  came  too  lerufalem.  Nowcit.wasa 
greeuous  temptation  to  Saint  Paule ,  to  fee  that  he  couldc  not  bee 
receyued  intoo  the  companie  of  the  faythfull ,  confiderirjg  that  hee 
had  fuff ered  fo  much  alreadie.  For  we  knowe  that  at  his  firft  com- 

2 .  Cor  .11  ,£  "^^'&  ^^  Damafco,  the  gates  were  fhet  vpon  him,  (as  we  haue  feene  , 
«^^  heeretofore)  fo  that  he  was  fayne  too  bee  Jet  downe  in  a  Panyer  or' 
Basket.  Ye  fee  then  that  as  foone  as  hee  was  conuerted  to  the  faith, 
of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,hce  was  by  and  by  tofTed  with  great  per- 
fecutions.  After  that,hee  went  intoo  the  Countrey  of  Arabic,  and 
there  trauelled  faythfully.  Andthinkethhee  for  all  that, too  haue 
friendfhip  and  attonement  with  the  faythfiill  C*  The  gate  is  fhettc 
agaynft  him,and  men  fhunne  him  as  a  wilde  beaft.  But  before  Qhee 
was  turned  to  the  fayth,3he  had  bin  honoured,and  in  great  creditc, 
bothe  with  the  enimies  of  the  Gofpell ,  and  in  the  Sinagog  of  the 
lewes.  He  had  renounced  all  thcfe  things,  euen  fo  farre  as  too  fee 
himfelfe  banifhed  out  of  the  place :  and  yet  for  all  that,they  vouch- 
fafed  not  to  admit  him  to  haue  place  in  the  Church.  VVherefore  he 
/night  haue  bin  fo  greeued  at  fuche  vnkindenefTe,  as  it  might  haue 
made  him  to  haue  giuen  ouer  all,if  he  had  had  his  minde  tyed  hero 
bylowe.  Howbeeitforafmuchashehad  giuen  himfelfe  wholly  too 
Gods  feruice,and  was  fully  determined  too  holde  out  to  the  ende 
altliough  men  cunned  him  no  thankefor  his  labour :  therefore  hee 
turned  not  afidc  from  his  right  way.  And  fuch  examples  ought  too 
incourage  vs  at  this  day,  when  wee  fee  there  are  fo  fewe  (yea  euea 
iothe  Church,)thatlilce  well  of  the  thing  that  is  done  of  a  pure  and 
right  meaning  zeal e ,  infomuch  that  fome  backbyte  it  through  en- 
tiie,  others  are  fo  fqueymifh  as  a  man  cannot  by  any  meanes  con- 
tent;, them,  and  other  fome  are  full  of  wicked  flaunderoufncfTe  and. 
lying.  Therefore  forafmucK  as  we  fee  ho  we  men  doo  oftenrymes 
^aufe  vs  to  fwarue  oile  way  or  other :  let  vs  leame  to  giue  our  fel- 
ues  in  fuche  wife  vntoo  God,  as  we  may  ftedfaftly  continue  in  the 
iwiy  which  hee  fhewetli  vs,andnot  excuze  ourfelues  by  our  bwhe 

weakiielft^ 


the  Epifi.  to  the  (jalathians.       49 

weaknefle,  feeing  that  Saint  Paule  goeth  before  vs ,  and  reacheth 
Vs  his  handc.He  was  a  fraile  man  as  we  be,and  yet  did  God  flreng- 
then  him  in  fuch  wife  by  his  holy  fpiritc ,  that  he  ouerpafTed  fuche 
lettes.  V'\^herefore  feeing  wee  perceyuc  our  fclues  to  bee  weake, 
let  vs  befeech  God  to  arme  vs  with  fuch  conftanciej  as  wee  may  not 
^cealfetodifcharge  ourduetietowardeshim,  though  fome  mifre- 
port  vs,fome  blame  vs,  and  otherfome  mocke  vs ,  and  make  none 
account  of  all  our  labour  when  we  indeuer  to  doo  well.  Although 
then  that  our  labour  feeme  to  bee  loft  and  mifpent,  yet  let  it  fuftjce 
^ys  that  God  lyketh  and  alloweth  of  it.  And  fo  yee  fee  what  ^^ec 
iauc  too  gather  vppon  diat  Text.  Aboue  all  things,  let  vs  not  co- 
uet  to  be  renowmed,  and  too  get  great  fame  in  this  worlde :  for  let  V 
vsftreyne  ourfelues  as  mucheas  may  bee  pofsibly,  and  yet  (hall 
wee  neuer  bee  better,  than  Saint  Paule  was.  After  he  had  preached 
the  Gofpellln  fuch  wyfe ,  yea  euenas  a  man  continually  rapt  vp 
intoo  heauen,  infomuche  that  although  the  reuelation  whereof  he 
fpeaketh  in  the  feconde  too  the  Corinthians, was  exhibited  too  him  ^ 
but  for  one  tyme ,  yet  the  frute  of  it  fhewed  it  felfe  all  the  tyme 
of  his  lyfe  :  yet  notvvithftanding  hec  was  vnknowne  in  the  meane 
while:yea  euen  in  all  the  Churches  of  lewrie  .And  fo  it  might  feme 
well  that  hec  had  not  greatly  profyted,  feeing  that  all  his  labour 
was  buryed.  But  it  was  ynough  for  him  that  God  edified  the  fur- 
theft  ftraungers  by  his  meanes.  VVee  fee  then  that  hee  fought  not 
too  bee  muche  renowmed,  nor  toapurchafe  credite  and  authoritie 
among  men.  As  concerning  that  heefayeth,  the  Churches  oflt^^rie 
that  n^ere  in  Chri^:  heeaddeth  that  worde  of  purpofe,bicaufe  there 
was  yet  ftill  fome  fec(;Je  of  God  among  the  lewes,  and  thepro- 
mifes  were  fo  giucn  too  them,as  they  were  not  vtterly  cut  off,  vn- 
till  fuch  time  as  they  renounced  lefus  Chrift  quite  and  cleane,  and 
thereby  were  vtterly  bereft  of  the  inheritance  of  the  life  that  was 
afsigned  vntoo  them.  For  like  as  God  had  chofen  the  lyne  of  A- 
braham :  fo  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  came  krtoo  the  worlde  too  bee 
the  minifter  of  thofe  whome  God  had  fo  adopted,and  to  pcrforme 
the  promife  s  that  had  bin  giucn  to  their  fathers.  Our  Lorde  I  efuf 
Chrift  rcie6led  not  die  lewes  too  whome  the  promifes  belonged 
(according  alfo  as  it  is  faydc  in  the  feconde  of  the  A(^es)  but  the  AH,2.f.'^^ 

Q,  ChurcH 


Chap.  %:  ffo.  CaLfeuenth  Sermon  ypon 

Church  of  God  abode  among  them  flill ,  and  their  Circumc'fiofl 
was  not  a  thing  deuifed  by  man;And  although  they  were  al  growett 
out  of  kinde,  and  many  errours  and  wicked  opinions  were  crept 
in  among  them ,  fo  as  Gods  feruice  was  turmoyled,  and  Religion 
corrupted:  yetnotwithftanding,  that  people  was  acknowledged 
for  Gods  houfeholde  flocke.  The  Sinagoges  therefore  that  had  not 
yet  bewrayed  their  vnbeleefc  by  withdrawing  themfelucs  from  It- 
fus  Chriil,  are  reckenedheere  by  isaint  Paule  for  Churches, how- 
beeit,  not  for  pei  fed  Churches,  for  they  were  not  yet  regenerated; 
in  le.us  Chrid .  For  then  was  the  rcnuing  of  the  w  hole  worlde^ 
whenlefus  Chrift  was  fenttoo  bring horPiC  vntoo  God,  both  thofi^ 
^^h.2  d,\7  ^^^^  ^y^Y^  neare  hande,  and thofe  that  were  farre  off :  neare  hande, 
^  as  the  levvcs  which  had  the  lawc  ftill ;  and  a  farrc  off,  as  ihe  hca^ 

then  men  who  had  no  likelihood  of  the  heauenly  kingdom  e,bicaurc 
God  had  left  them  likepoore  wilde  beaftes,  and  they  were  {Irayed 
away  in  their  owne  fuperftitions  and  Idolatries.   But  lefus  Chril]: 
came  to  gather  all  togither,and  to  knit  ail  things  togither  again  that 
were  fcattered  afore.  And  thereby  we  fee  how  the  law  ought  to  haue 
l^d  the  levves  to  theGofpeli,  as  it  is  fayde  throughout  all  the  holy 
Scripture.And  it  is  very  needfull  for  vs  £to  knowe  the  fame,]  leaft 
wee  furmize  that  none  of  all  the  things  that  are  conteyned  in  the 
la\v,can  Hand  vs  in  any  (lead  in  thefe  dayes.  For  it  is  certain e,  tiiat 
although  the  Ceremonies  be  no  more  in  vfe,yet  the  truth  aud  fub- 
ftance  of  them  remainealwaycs  vntoo  vs,fo  as  wee  cannot  eucn  at 
this  day  be  faythfull,but  we  muft  alfo  be  the  children  of  Abraham, 
and  the  difciples  of  Moyfes.  Not  tliat  we  muft  be  hiide  ftiil  vnder 
the  oldefhadowes  :  but  that  wee  muft  match  things  togither  which 
cannot  be  putafunder :  tha^  is  to  wit,  the  Law  and  the  Gofpell.But 
yet  further,  let  vs  vnderftande,  that  we  cannot  at  this  day  be  coun- 
ted for  the  Church  before  God, (that  is  to  fay,  all  the  companies  of 
men  in  the  worlde  cannot  obteyne  that  honourable  tytle)  except 
we  bee  in  lefus  Chrift.  For  that  head  muft  knitte  vs  vnto  God  his 
father,  and  by  that  meanes  muft  we  haue  enterance  into  th^  king- 
dome  ofheauen.  And  therefore  as  for  all  them  that  know!?  not  le- 
fus Chrift,  although  they  bee  marked  with  baptifme,  and  bcare  the 
Ciame  of  Chriftians :  yet  arc  they  but  as  lOtten  memberv  vt^^^^y  c^^t 

off, 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.       50 

6if ,  notwithftanding  that  they  pretende  too  bee  of  the  troupe  and 
number  of  Gods  children.  Thus  yee  fee  ftill  what  wee  hauc  too 
marke  \^pon  this  Text.  Furthermore  Saint  Paule  addeth ,  that  the 
cowmon  report  "^s ,  that  bee  tiphicb  bid  €4rjl  perfecntedthefaytb ,  dyd. 
frejcb  the/t-me,  and  that  God  tl^as glorified  by  that  meanes.  Heerc  once 
agayne  wee  fee  that  Saint  Paule  prcacheth  not  his  owne  prayfes, 
for  hee  condemneth  himfelfe  too  hauc  beene  an  enimie  and  perfe- 
cuter  of  the  Church.  True  it  isthatheefpeaketh  of  the  common 
report :  but  yet  doth  hee  rehearce  the  verie  thing  as  it  was  done  in 
"yeede.  So  then  hee  clokethnot  the  thing  that  was  too  hys  ownc- 
reproche  and  fhame.  A.man  might  haue  cad  him  in  the  teeth,  that 
hee  had  perfecuted  the  poore  faythfuli  ones ,  that  hee  had  too  the 
vttermoil:  of  hii  power  (hed  innocent  bloud,  yea  and  that  hee  had 
compelled  the  weaklings  to  blafpheme.But  yet  for  al  this,he  gran- 
teth  to  this  inditement  of  his  owne  accord,and  fpeaketh  not  as  moft 
men  do,  who  make  as  it  were  a  glorie  of  it,  that  they  haue  bin  eni- 
mics  of  the  Gofpell.  It  is  certainc  that  Saint  Paule  in  making  fuche 
reherfalljwas  touched  with  earnefl  forinefle  for  that  misbehauiouf 
cf  his,  according  as  in  another  Text  hee  fayth ,  that  hee  is  not  wor- 
thic  to  bee  called  an  Apoftle.  Nowe  then,  yee  may  bee  fure  he  felt  ^'^^*^S*^'9 
alwayes  fome  pricldng  in  his  heart,for  tliat  hee  had  earft  fo  rebelled 
dgaynft  God,  and  binfo  euiil  mynded,yeaandaltogidier  fpitefull  a- 
gaynft  the  Gofpell.  Neuerthelefle  howfoeuer  the  world  went  with 
feini>he  hadleuerto  acknowledge  his  fault  withal  humilitie,than  to 
leaue  the  thing  vnfought  that  mi^^iit  be  to  Gods  glorie.  So  then  let 
vs  learne  with  him^too  acknowledge  fimply  the  offences  that  wee 
haue  committed,  when  it  ftandethvpon  the  honouring  of  God  and 
let  vs  not  be  loth  to  receiue  fome  fhacme  before  men.For  that  is  the 
way  for  vs  alfo  too  haue  our  finnes  buryed  before  God,  fo  as  they 
may  neuer  come  to  account,  nor  to  remembrance  more :  that  is  to 
wit,if  we  be  contented  too  fuil:eyne  fome  marke  of  infamie  before 
men  if  neede  be,  that  God  may  haue  his  due.  This  therefore  is  the 
thing  whiche  wee  haue  too  remember  in  that  it  is  fayde,  that  the 
common  reportewente  that  hee  had  earft  deftroyed  the  fayth,  zi 
hee  had  done  in  deedc.    Truely  the  faytli  of  tlie  Gofpell  fhall 
«uenuc>regctthe  vpper  hande  of  all  ihealTaukes  of  Sathan,  and 
^'     '^  ~  ~         G4  of  all 


chap.z.         fo.CaLfeuenthSermonypon 

of  all  the  wicked  :  Therefore  it  lay  not  in  Saint  Paulcs  power  'co 
abolifhe  the  fayth  nor  too  ouenhrowc  it ,  at  luch  tymc  as  hee  was 
caiyed  with  fuch  furic  as  wee  haue  fccne.  For  the  fayth  is  groun- 
ded vppon  Gods  truth  whiche  is  inuincible,  it  is  not  fubied:  too  the 
opinions  of  men.  But  Saint  Paule  had  refped  heere  too  the  in- 
firmitie  of  the  fimple  fort  whome  hee  had  caft  downc  as  muche  as 
AH*26,CA\  ^^y^"  ^^"^'  ^^^  ^^  ^^  faydeinthe  A6les,  that  hee  did  not  onely 
perfecute  the  Chriibans ,  but  alfo  made  fome  of  them  too  recant. 
Lyke  as  nowadayes  when  any  great  number  is  perfecutcd ,  fomc/' 
fpare  neyther  theyr  bloud  nor  theyr  lyues  for  the  confefsingof  the/ 
name  of  our  Lordc  lefus  Chrift.  Otherfome  redeeme  this  wret- 
ched and  flightfull  lyfe  by  recanting,fo  that  they  banifh  themfelues 
from  the  Kingdome  of  heauenas  muche  as  they  can,  caft  themfel- 
ues intoo  Satans  fnare  s,and  throw  the  mfelues  headlong  into  end- 
lefle  death,  and  all  too  efcape  the  handes  of  Tyrantes  and  of  theyr 
enimies.  Therefore  Saint  Paulescrueltie  is  purpofeiy  condemned 
by  the  holy  Ghoft,for  that  he  not  onely  was  full  of  pryde  and  ftub- 
bornnefTe  agaynft  God,  but  alfo  had  inforced  many  too  recant  and 
giue  ouer  the  fayth  of  the  Gofpell.  Yee  fee  then howe  hee  beha- 
ued  himfelfe :  and  that  mufl  feme  for  our  learning.  For  although 
the  worde  abide  ftill  in  his  full  ftate,  and  wee  preiudice  it  not  at  all 
by  our  weaknefle :  yet  not^^'ithflanding  the  fayth  is  caft  downe  \xi 
our  peifons.  For  if  I  fwarue  too  pleafe  Gods  enimies,  or  if  I  dif- 
guyze  the  truth,  or  by  any  meanes  difscmble:  then  is  my  fayth 
defaced. 

True  it  is  (as  I  haue  fayde  alreadie)  that  Gods  worde  (hall  al- 
wayes  holde  his  owne  :  and  yet  oftentimes  the  fall  of  one  man  fhal 
draw  a  great  hauocke  after  it.If  men  fee  fome  one  perfon  recant,  at 
whofe  hande  great  conftancie  was  looked  for:  then  are  many  poore 
foules  (haken,and  they  wote  not  what  too  fay.  True  it  is  that  wee 
ought  not  to  reft  vppon  men  :  but  yet  for  all  that,  (as  wee  fhall  de- 
clare agayne  anon)  there  are  many  that  haueneede  too  be  e  con- 
firmed by  good  example.  Noweifaman  caft  a  ftumbling  blocke 
in  their  way,they  bee  as  good  as  vtterly  ouerthrowne,  or  elfe  they 
be  fo  hartfhaken  as  they  wote  not  where  to  become.W^herfore  let 
vs  lerne  tp  comit  our  felues  vnto  god:&:  feing  that  the  di^ucl  hath  fo 

many 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathiam.        51 

jnany  vnderlings  whiche  fceke  nothing  but  too  brin£>  all  too  con- 
fufion,  and  iniploy  themfelues  vvholy  to  oucrwhelme  the  Chriftian 
fayth  :  let  vs  pray  God  to  ftrengthen  vs  with  fuch  conftancic,a5  oiir 
eniiniesmaybeeputtoo  fhame  though  we  bee  aflayjed  ncerelycf 
than  we  bee .  And  let  vs  not  onely  care  cucry  man  for  himfclfe,but 
alio  for  the  great  number  of  poore  foules  whom  wee  fee  as  it  were 
in  the  Wooiues  mouth  :  fur  they  (liall  bee  tormented  and  threat- 
ned,  and  finally  laboured  by  flatteryes  and  allurements  too  recant. 
Therefore  when  wee  fee  fuchaflaultes  g^aientoo  our  brothers: 
rt  at  leaftwize  let  vshaue  the  heart  too  pray  God  too  ayde  them  at 
theyr  neede,  fo  as  theyr  fayth  maye  continue  flill  inuincible,  and 
get  the  vpper  liande,  and  that  they  may  neuer  fwanie,  for  all  that 
euer  Satan  and  all  his  broode  can  praftize.  So  muche  the  more 
thenbehoueth  it  vs  to  marke  this  Text,  where  it  is  faydc  that  Saint 
Paule  did  call  downe  and  deftroy  the  fayth.    For  although  God 
will  alwayes  maintaine  his  truth  :  yet  doo  not  men  cealTe  too  go 
too  deftruttion ,  bycaufe  theyr  fayth  is  fhalven  by  fwaruing  and 
fteppingafydc  from  the  right  way.  Furthermore,  weehaue  where- 
with too  eonfirme  oure  feiues ,  fo  that  althoughe  men  continue 
not  in  fuch  conftancie  as  were  requifyte,  and  too  bee  w^'fhed ,  yet 
let  vs  not  bee  too  muche  abafhed  at  it,  feeyngitisa  thing  that 
hathe  beene  common  in  all  ages  .    VS^as  Sain6l  Paules  prea- 
ching of  the  lefTe  credite,  bycaufe  there  were  manye  renegates, 
thatintheende  fhewed  themfelues  too  bee  Hypocrites  and  full 
ofvnfaythfulneflec'    Euen  fome  of  hys  owne  companions  that 
had  beene  linked  wyth  him  as  twoo  fingers  of  one  hande,  gauc 
him  qiiyte  ouer  in  the  ende.    And  yet  mufce  not  Sain£l  Paules 
do6lrine  bee  reiefted  for  all  that.  Alfo  when  hee  nerfecuted  the 
Chriflians  before  hee  wasconuerted,  althoughe  that  manye  had 
renounced  the  faluation  whiche  they  fhoulde  haue  accepted  as 
ft  was  offered  them  in  lefus  Chriftc  :  yet  ought  not  the  fayth 
too  bee  defaced  therefore.    Likewy^fe  in  thefe  dayes  when  wee 
feemanie  wretched  folke  quayle  and  giue  ouer  all,  and  other- 
fome  agayne  holdc  oute  at  whofe  handes  wee  wouide  not  haue 
looked  for  any  greate  conilancie :  let  vs  profite  our  feiues  there- 
by, and  bee  cute  of  all  doubt  that  although  the  whole  worlde  go 

G.iij.  too 


chap.i.  .       fQ.Cal./euenth Sermonypon 

tooriJyne,  yet  wee  haue  a  good  and  fure  foundation,  ifwcc  reft 
vppon  our  God.   Nowc  whereas  Saint  Paule  addeth,  thai  thcfaitht 
full  glorify  ed  Godjn  him  :  it  is  too  fhewe  the  better,  (foas  men 
might  perceyue  it  cuen  by  eyfight)  tliat  the  chaunge  whichc  was 
made  in  him,  proceeded  oftlie  onely  hande  of  God.  And  all  of  it 
commeth  too  this  poynt,  namely  that  hee  had  not  thrufthimfelfe 
in,  and  that  it  coulde  not  bee  layde  too  his  charge  that  he  had  prea- 
ched at  all  aduenture,  nor  that  there  was  any  raflinefle  or  prefump- 
tioninhim,  or  that  hee  wasdr^^uen  wyth  any  worldly  refpeft, 
but  that  God  had  gouerned  and  guydedhim.    For  whereas  the 
faythfull  had  glorifyed  God  in  him :  it  was  by  acknowledging  that 
the  renuing  of  fuche  aman  after  thatfafhion,  and  the  making  of  a 
rauening  VVoolfe  toobecome  aShcepe,yeaanda  Shecphcarde, 
was  his  woorke,  and  a  verie  miracle  that  proceeded  from  hym. 
Marke  that  for  a  fpeciall  po^Tit.  And  he  ere  by  wee  fee  briefly,  that 
they  on  whome  God  hath  bellowed  giftes  of  grace,  fo  as  they 
excell  and  are  farre  aboue  all  others ,  mud  not  therefore  aduaunce 
themfelues,  butfinde  meanes  that  the  prayfe  may  bee  yeelded  too 
him  that  hatli  right  too  it,  and  which  hath  dcferued  it .    Where- 
fore let  vs  keepe  this  rule  of  humilitie,  whichc  is ,  that  wee  feekc 
not  our  owne  eftimation ,  nor  too  preferre  our  felues  aboue  cure 
neighbours ,  for  any  of  the  gyftes  that  God  hath  beftowed  vppon 
vs,  but  that  God  may  alwayes  haue  his  preeminence ,  and  eueric 
ofvs  learnetooglorifiehymfor  it,  when  wee  fee  any  of  hys  gra- 
cious gyftes  in  any  man.    And  that  is  verie  needefull :  for  there 
hath  alwayes  be enefuchfpytefulneffe  among  men,  that  euerye 
man  enuyeth  his  companycn,  bycaufe  all  men  defire  to  be  greateft. 
Andvntiil  God  haue  well  tamed  vs,  and  we  be  learned  to  obey 
meekely :  it  is  certayne  that  there  is  none  of  vjlall ,  but  he  wouldc 
fayne  ouerreachehisfellowe.    Noweout  onthis  ambition  fpring 
alwayes  enuie  and  ftrifc ,  togyther  with  difdayne,  grudging,  back- 
byting,  and  fuche  other  iyke  things.     But  contrariwyfe ,  when 
wee  haue  well  digefted  theaije  that  isgyucn  vs  heere  ,  by  and 
by  wee  leaine  too  c^lorifie  God  as  oft  as  v/ee  fee  any  tokens  that 
come  from  him.    For  when  wee  enuye  thofe  whome  God  woitidc 
haue  honoured ,  and  go  aboute  too  deface  his  giftes  whiche  wee 

perceyue 


the  EpiH.  to  the  (^alathiam.       ^z 

perceyue  in  them,  and  all  excellencie  :  rnrelywcc  doonotoncly 
offer  wrong  too  monall  creatures ,  but  alfotoo  God, who  is  the 
Authour  of  the  gy ftes  in  them.  [  As  for  example :  ]  I  fee  a  man 
that  is  able  too  ediiie  the  Churchc,  and  God  hath  indued  him  with 
fuche  gyftes,  that  his  labour  mayc  doo  good  :  nowe  I  fearing  lead 
heefliouldebee  aduauncedtoo  muche,  and  I  bee  plucked  backe 
by  It ,  doo  go  aboutc  by  my  flaunders  and  ouerthwart  meanes> 
too  deface  and  diminiil^  the  thing  that  God  hathe  putte  in  hym. 
Itisalloneasifhecwouldehyde  all  Gods  gyftes ,  and  bring  tliem 
in  contempt. 

And  whereof  commeth  this,  but  of  the  airfed  ambition  that 
I  fpake  of  afore:'  Nowem  fuche heauing at  men,  there  will  al- 
wayes  bee  fomc  ftrife  and  hartburning :  and  too  bee  fhort,  all  muft 
needes  go  too  wracke ,  bycaufe  God  is  offended  at  it .    For  at 
whome  doo  thefe  wrongs  ame  '^  True  it  is  that  I  doo  wrong  too 
my  neighbour  whom e  I  difgrace  after  that  forte  :  but  therewith- 
all  I  dooalfo  blafpheme  God  :  foas  wee  cannot  deface  the  giftes 
and  vertues  that  are  in  anye  man  ,  but  that  our  dooyng  is  foorth- 
with  matched  wythblafphemie,  wherethrough  God  is  greeuouf- 
ly  offended.  And  why:'  For  God  will  bee  acknowledged  in  all 
his  giftes,  and  when  heeoffereth  himfelfc  vntoovs,  it  is  good 
reafon  that  wee  fhoulde  honour  him.    Therefore  whcnfoeuer 
wee  fee  any  tokens  of  the  holy  Ghoft  in  anye  man,  if  wee  treade 
fhemvnder foote,  or  holdefcorneof  them,  and  miflyke  them: 
is  it  not  a  defacii^  of  Gods  Maieflie  too  the  vttermoftc  of  oure 
power :'  Truely  wee  will  not  confeffe  k ,  but  yet  is  it  fo  in  verye 
deede.   And  therefore  mufte  wee  take  fo  muche  the  better  heede 
ofthatwhiche  isfookenheere  :  namely  that  the  faythfnll  glori- 
fyedGOD  intheperfon  ofSain6l  Paule,  when  they  fawe  liee 
had  wrought  after  that  manner  in  hym :  and  that  by  that  meanes 
wee  bee  put  in  mynde  that  wee  bee  boundetooyeelde  God  hys 
^ew  honour,  whenfoeuer  hee  offereth  or  (Keweth  vs  anye  of 
his  gyftes.    For  the  reproche  or  wrong  is  not  done  too  the  crea- 
ture :  but  it  is  G  O  D  that  is  vnregarded  in  fo  dooyng  ,  by- 
caufe hee  is  defrauded  and  robbed  of  the  right  that  belongedi  vn- 
toohim. 

G.iiij.  And 


Chap  .1.         ^0^  Cal.feuenth  Sermon  ypon 

And  To  much  the  more  doth  it  ftandc  vs  on  handc  to  remember 
this  le flbn^bycaurc  we  fee  this  naughtinefle  too  bt c as  gicat  nowa- 
dayes,  as  euer  it  was.  Howe  many  arc  there  that  commende  the 
giftes  of  God  that  are  profitable  for  the  common  edifying,  and  for 
the  welfare  of  the  whole  Church  <  Nay  rather,  the  Diuell  bearetk 
fuchafway,  thateuery  man  through  his  ownc  vnthankfulnelTc, 
hinderethhimfelfe  too  receyue  the  frute  of  Gods  giftes,  where- 
of hee  might  bee  pantaker.    So  then  if  wee  had  honeft  and  weU 
meening  heartes,  furely  wee  fhoulde  alwayes  fare  the  better  whea 
wee  fawe  any  good  example :  and  where  any  man  is  indued  with 
Gods  giftes,  wee  flioulde  applie  the  fame  too  our  owne  profite : 
but  wee  fhette  our  felues  out  of  the  doores  through  our  owne  can* 
kerhartednefTe ,  fo  as  wee  cannot  inioy  the  benefite  that  is  offe- 
red vs.   Againe,  wee  fee  there  are  fome  fo  fpitefull ,  that  of  verie 
malice  they  woulde  fayne  make  men  beleeue  that  the  Sunne  (hy- 
neth  not :  yee  fhaJl  fee  them  fo  diueli{he,that  it  fpyteth  them  at  the 
heart  too  fee  Gods  name  glorifyed  by  another  mans  meanes. 
Mufte  that  fellowe  haue  the  honour  fay  they  c*  Verely  as  who 
fhoulde  fay,that  euerie  man  ought  not  too  haue  an  eye  too  the  aba- 
ting of  himfelfe;  that  God  might  bee  honoured  as  h^  deferueth,  in 
the  giftes  that  he  giueth  men  as  hee  himfelfe  lifteth.  But  there  arc 
fome  fo  cankerheaited ,  that  they  coulde  foide  in  theyr  heartes  too 
plucke  God  out  of  his  feate ,  rather  than  too  abyde  thofc  paciently 
whomc  hee  harh  indued  with  his  giftes ,  and  which  imploy  them- 
felues  to  the  edifying  of  his  Church ,  or  that  m*en  fhoulde  receyue 
them  and  acknowledge  that  God  will  be  honoured  inthem.Seeing 
then  that  men  are  nowaday  es  fo  full  of  malice  and  venim :  we  haue 
the  more  nccde  too  beare  in  minde  what  is  fhewed  vs  heere :  that 
is  too  witte,  that  God  muft  bee  glorifyed  in  all  hys  benefites  that 
are  fecne  of  vs,  alfuring  our  felues  that  they  come  all  of  his  mere 
hberalitie,  and  that  hee  is  the  Authour  of  all  good  qualities ,  fo  as 
there  is  not  that  commendable  thing  in  any  creature,  which  ought 
nortoo  bee  fathered  vppon  him.    \^herefore  let  vs  ieame  too 
glorifie  God  in  all  poyntcs  and  all  rcfpe6lcs.. 

Nowe  hcrevpon  he  addeth,  that  yet  once  agaim  hee  made  a  iourm) 
to  Urnfalem,  and  comntoned  ypithjuib  a$  bate  the  to  htite^iame  and  had  mojl 

AuthoYUie^ 


the  EpiU.to  the  ^alathians.        55 

mthoritie,tooth€  end  he  mighthtot  IJmtnQ  too^  baue  mnne  m  \>ayne 
heretofore,mr runne  in  \fayne  hereafter.  Here  wee  fee  howe  S.  Paulc 
wasneucr  fatistieci  in  feeking  all  that  might  bee  too  the  aduaunce- 
ment  of  the  kingdomeof  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  and  too  the  talving 
away  of  lettes,too  the  intent  that  the  Gofpell  might  haue  his  free 
courfe  and  full  fcope,yea  Sc  that  he  was  not  led  there vnto  by  vaine 
prefumptuoufiiefiejasweefawe  this  morning  :  but  confxlered  that 
the  wicked  forte  would  lay  to  his  charge,  that  yet  at  length  he  came 
too  fubmit  himfelfe  too  the  Apoftles,  too  learne  fomewhat  at  their 
handes .  He  confidcrcd  that  this  might  well  bee  fayd  vnto  him :  but 
liap  what  hap  would,he  intended  not  too  forflowe  his  duetie  in  fee- 
king  agreement  with  the  [other]  Apoftles.  I  fay  not  that  he  fought 
a  worldly  matter  at  worldly  mens  handes  :  but  too  make  his  do- 
ings well  allowed  in  all  poynts.  For  it  is  certaine  that  S.  Paules  go- 
ing too  lerufalem,  was  not  too  skan  who  had  taught  beft :  but  too 
make  a  mutuall  declaration  among  themfelues,  that  eucry  one  of 
them  had  femed  God  and  preached  the  Gofpell  faithfully.  That  is 
thccaufe  why  KS.Paule  went  thither.  Therefore  wee  fee  hccre  his 
mildenefle,  in  that  he  fpareth  not  himfelfe  at  all,  fo  the  Church  may 
receyue  any  frute  or  confirmation  of  fayth  by  it,  and  men  may  bee 
wel  afTured  that  the  Apoftles  reckencd  him  as  one  of  their  aray  and 
companie.  Againe,  befides  his  mildenefTe,  wee  fee  alfo  his  zcale.  It 
hadbinynoughforhim  too  haue  runne  into  many  countries:  hee 
had  bin  in  Arabie  and  gone  about  all  that  land :  he  had  bin  in  Cilicia 
where  he  was  borne,and  alfo  in  Syria :  and  afterward  hauing  firfte 
gone  about  the  whole  lande  of  lewr ie,  he  returned  too  lerufalem. 
Seynghe  made  all  thefe  voyages,  and  tooke  none  eafe  at  all :  it  was 
a  token  that  he  would  leuer  haue  bin  dead  than  aliue,  fo  the  king- 
dome  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte  might  haue  bin  furthered  by  it,and 
the  Churche  haue  receyued  any  profite  by  his  trauell,  as  1  fayde  a- 
fore.  When  we  fee  fnch  examples,let  vs  on  the  one  fide  learne  to 
cutofFouro\vneflouthfulne(re,and  to  be  more  hartie  in  praying 
vntooGod,  not  too  fuffer  vs  too  lie  weltering alwayes  in  our  vices 
when  wee  bee  ouer  cold,  but  too  waken  vs  v^y  and  too  graunt  vs 
the  grace  too  fpende  our  felues  in  his  fei-uis,  fpecially  at  neede  and 
when  necefsitie  requireth  it ;  and  therewithal!  too  ftrengthen  vs  in 

Ga'.  the 


Cfc 


fo.  CaLfeuenthSermon  ypon 

'  iKe  doctrine  that  S.Paule  bringeth,  feyng  that  his  feruing  too  the 
gloiy  of  God  and  too  our  welfare,  was  in  good  earneft.  For  had  he 
doneitfaynedly,  it  is  certaine  that  he  could  haue  gone  too  woorke 
after  die  maner  of  worldly  folke.  But  now  feyng  he  came  wkhout 
fetching,and  fought  frendfhip  &  concord  widi  the  faithful  although 
he  were  reie6led,andfparednothinrifeife  though  the  paynes  and  la- 
bours that  he  tooke  were  not  knowen  of :  it  is  a  flgne  that  he  wal- 
ked as  before  God,  and  diat  the  holy  Ghoft  guyded  him  in  all  re- 
fpe<fts.Furthermore  whereas  he  fayeth  that  he  comoned  with  thofc 
that  were  eftecmed  and  had  in  reputation,  to  the  end  he  might  not 
[feeme  to^haue  ranne  in  vaync^or  runne  in  vayne  [liereafterQhe 
meeneth  not  that  he  had  loft  his  labour,  if  noman  liuing  had  al- 
lowed of  his  doings :  but  he  had  ati  eye  too  many  weaklings  which 
(hould  haue  bin  indoubte,  if  God  fhoulde  not  by  that  meanes  haue 
drawen  them  too  the  full  knowledge  and  certaintie  of  the  GofpelL 
I  toide  you  not  long  firoce,  that  our  fayth  mufte  needes  bee  ouer- 
throwen,(howbeit  not  in  refpe6l  of  it  felf,  but  in  refpe6l  of  our  in- 
firmitie,)  when  wee  quayle.  Euen  fo  die  labour  of  thofe  that  preach 
and  publifhe  the  Gofpell  is  vayne  and  frutelefle,  bycaufe  wee  pro- 
fite  not  as  were  too  bee  wiflied,  except  God  blifle  the  labour  and 
giue  it  increaccment.  Whereas  Sain6l  Paule  fayeth,  to  the  end  it 
nny  not  feeme  that  be  had  rmned  in  Vayne :  k  h  not  to  be  vnderftood 
thatfuche  aspreachctheGofpelldoolofc  their  labour  andauaylc 
not  at  all  except  God  blifTe  their  doyngs  by  his  togither  woorking: 
for  the  preachyng  of  the  Gofpell  fhall  alwayes  bee  an  acceptable 
facrifize  vnto  God,  although  the  world  receyue  nothing  but  death 
and  damnation  by  it,  according  as  we  haue  feene  how  Sain6l  Paule 
in  the  fecond  too  the  Corinthians  fayeth, wee  be  a  good  fauour  vn- 
to God.  Although  tlie  vnbeleeners  bee  po^'zoned  by  the  Gofpell 
through  they  r  ownc  leudnefTe,  and  itfeemetoo  them  that  diere  is 
nothing  elfe  but  filthinefTe  in  it :  yet  wii  God  alwayes  take  in  good 
woorth  the  facrifize  that  wee  offer  vntoo  him.  So  then,  in  this  text 
Sainft  Paule  ment  not  to  fay  that  he  had  runne  in  vayne,  as  though 
God  had  bin  mocked  by  him,and  that  his  preachyng  had  bin  too  no 
purpofe  :  but  he  had  an  eye  too  thofe  whom  he  had  taught,  and  too 
thofe  alfo  whom  he  intended  too  teach  too  the  end,  howe  that  they 

'■  '     "'  .were 


the  EpiU.tothe^alathians.       i^ 

vcre  not  edified  when  they  perce^ued  not  fome  good  agreement 
betwixt  him  &the  other  Apoftles, which  were  knowen  to  be  ordet- 
ned  by  our  Lord  lefus  Clii  ift.  Here  a  man  might  cafte  fome  doubt e, 
whither  thofe  pcrfoncs  were  faithfull  or  no,  m  afmuch  as  they  had 
not  beleeued  the  Gofpeli,  except  they  had  bin  aydcd  by  men.  Tl-.e 
anfwer  is  eafie:  namely  that  the  only  woord  of  God  ought  to  fuEfize 
for  our  fayth.  If  it  be  demaunded  whereupon  our  fayth  is  grounded, 
and  how  it  comedi  to  full  perfection  :  it  is  by  Gods  woord.How  fo^ 
Are  not  the  Sacramentcs  added  to  the  woordc'  Yes^as  helpes  bicaufc 
we  be  ouerweake :  yea  &  there  is  an  Othe  alfo;in  fomuch  that  God 
fweareth  :  all  which  things  are  ouer  and  befides  the  woord,  yea  and 
as  anouerplus.But  he  inrendeth  too  \ihws  vp  againe  when  he  Teeth 
vs  ftumble  :  and  when  we  bee  fo  weake  that  wee  truft  not  fo  cer- 
tainly to  his  power  as  wee  fliould  do,hegiueth  vs  fuche  helpes.  For 
whenwee  fee  good  agreement  betwceneGods  feruants,  furely  it 
helpeth  vs  much,and  it  is  agood  warrat  vnto  vs.Likewife  the  bloud 
of  Martyrs  ought  furely  to  bee  a  great  furtherance  of  cur  faluation, 
and  wee  mufVbee  confirmed  by  it,as  though  it  were  fome  feale  too 
make  Gods  dodrine  of  the  more  authoritie  among  vs.  Tlien  arc 
they  helpes  too  drawe  vs  to  the  fayth,and  too  mayntayne  and" con- 
firme  vs  in  the  fame.  As  much  is  too  be  fayd  of  myracles.  Mii'acles 
do  notgiue  vs  beleef  of  Gods  woord,but  prepare  vs  to  it.  For  God 
vttereth  his  power  in  them,too  the  end  we  fiiould  be  the  better  wa- 
kened,and  his  woord  haue  the  more  reucrence  amog  vs,  and  finally 
they  fcrue  vs  for  feales.  For  when  we  beleeue  the  Gofpell,andthat 
our  beleefe  is  not  vtterly  out  of  all  doubt :  God  addeth  that  confir- 
matio.  Eue  fo  is  it  with  the  thing  that  S.Paule  treateth  of  prefently. 
For  what  a  thing  had  it  bin,  if  mtn  had  feeneany  difagreement  or. 
trouble  betwixt  fuch  as  were  of  great  authoritie :"  What  might  the 
fillie  foules  hau:r  thought,  but  that  they  mufte  haue  bin  amazed,  at 
it  and  fayd,  Alas^ what  meaneth  this  i  Wee  wote  not  on  which  fide 
too  turne  vs.  Seing  there  is  fuch  variance  betweene  thofe  whiche 
fiiould  (hew  vs  the  way, that  one  drawcs  cleane  cOnti  arie  and  backe 
too  other:  alas howe may  wee  nowe  bee  ailuicd':'  Thus  ycefee, 
that  manic  fimple  folke  had  bin  fore  fhaken.  Andthat  is  it  whiche' 
Saind  Paule  mcnte  by  faying,  that  hee  intended  too  common. 

with 


Chap.i.         j^^^  CaLfeuenth  Sermon  ypon . 

^yitll  Peter  and  lohn  and  lames^  for  a  witnefle  through  the  whole 
world;  that  they  allowed  of  his  doings,  and  that  the  Golpell  vvhiche 
he  preached  was  noftraunge  doftrine,  but  the  very  fame  Gofpeil 
that  lefus  Chriil  had  taught  his  difciples,  and  which e  he  had  com- 
maunded  them  too  publifh  ouer  all  the  worlde^and  whereof  he  had 
commiited  the  charge  vnto  them.  And  hereby  wee  be  done  too  \'n- 
deriland  agayne,  that  befide  S.Paules  zeaie,  mildenefie,  iloutneflcj 
and  conilancie  :  God  forefaw  eucn  then,  that  this  agreement  which 
he  vttered  betwLxt  him  arid  the  other  Apoftles^would  ferue  to  con- 
firme  vs  alfo  euen  at  this  day  by  reafon  of  our  weakenefTe.  For  af- 
much  therefore  as  wee  bee  rawe  and  weake,  let  vs  apply  to  our  vfe 
all  the  helpes  that  God  giueth  vs,  and  let  vs  alfo  for  our  pane  inde- 
uer  too  agree  in  fuch  wyze  with  the  children  of  God,  as  euery  of  vs 
may  bee  a  help  too  his  neighbour,  and  not  imbattcll  our  felues  a- 
gaynftanother.For  wo  be  to  him  that  (hall  fow  fuch  Darnell,as  the 
ignorant  and  weake  fort  fhall  bee  hindered  by  it.  And  therewithal! 
let  vs  confider  the  mifchiefe  that  may  happen,  when  fuche  as  hauc 
the  charge  too  preachc  the  Gofpell,are  fo  disfamed  by  flaunderSjOr 
cICq  fo  brought  in  fufpicion,as  a  man  cannot  tell  whither  he  may  be- 
leeue  them  or  no,  as  though  God  had  not  ordeyned  them  too  ad* 
uaunce  the  kingdome  of  his  Sonne,  and  too  publifh  the  Gofpeil  in 
many  Countries,  or  at  leaftwife  among  many  folke  that  fhould  bee 
edified  by  them.  Curfed  be  he  therefore  that  fhall  cafl:  fuch  a  fhim- 
blingblocke  in  their  wayes.  So  then,  let  vs  by  all  meanes  indeuer 
too  agree  witli  thofe  that  feme  God,  and  too  help  iiich  as  liaue  the 
gifteandabilitie  too  iedifie  the  Churche,and  are  put  in  office.  Let  vs 
lende  them  our  hand, that  their  labour  may  bee  profitable  bothe  for 
our  felues  and  for  all  our  neighbours,  that  by  that  meanes  God  may 
bee  glorified,  and  wee  more  and  more  with  one  hart  and  one  mouth 
callVppon  him  as  our  father.  ■ 

*.  And  now  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  Maieftie  of  our  good  God 
VP'itk  acknowledgement  of  our  faulteS;  praying  him  too  irmke  vs  fo' 
to  feele  thcm,'as  it  may  drawe  vs  to  right  repentance,  and  malie  vs 
befeeche  him. too  vfe  his  infinite  mercic  towardes  vs,\'ntill  hehaue 
fo  rid  vs  of  all  our  rmpcrfe(R:ions,that  wee  may  behold  him  face  to 
face  as  he  island  ^ttayne  tgo  the  perfe<^^i<}a  y/herevntoo  he  calletb 


the  Epi^.to  the  Qalathians.  ")") 

VS  now  by  his  woord,and  whcrevnto  it  bchoueth  vs  to  go  forcM'ard 
all  our  lyfe  long,  bcyng  well  aflured  that  wee  cannot  come  too  it, 
till  wee  bee  rid  of  our  fie(!h,and  taken  out  of  this  pryfon  wherein  we 
bee  now  hilde  vnder  the  bondage  of  finne.  That  it  may  pkafe  him 
too  graunt  this  grace  not  onely  too  vS;  but  alfo  too  all  people  and 
nacions  of  the  earth,  5cc. 

TThe.Z.  Sermon  xt^hich  isthefeconde 

Vpon  thefeiond  Chapter^ 

3  And  Ticusalfovvho  was  with  mec,  although  he 

wercaGrceke,  was  not  compelled  too  bee  cir^ 
cumcizcd. 

4  Bycaufe  of  the  falfc  brethren  that  were  priuily  crept 

in^tofpic  out  our  libenie  which  wehauein  Ic* 
fus  Chnft,totheendtobringvsintobondage. 

5  Towhoni  weeyeeldcdnotinyvay  offubicftion, 

cucn  for  an  houre,to  the  intent  that  the  truthe  of 
the  Gofpcil  might  continue  in  you. 

Ee  finde  well  ynough  what  an  enemi^  of  our 
welfare  the  Diuell  is>fitH  he  ceaficth  not  to  la- 
bour by  all  meanes  too  flop  the  eourfe  of  the 
Gofpell.  And  thercift  wee  perccyue  airo,'that 
God  hath  fet  al  our  welfare,ioy,and  happinelTe, 
in  beyng  taught  by  his  wodrde.  For  the  Diuc  11 
K  would  not  be  fo  haftie  to  trouble  that  do6lrine, 
vnkfTe  he  knew  that  the  whole  welfare  of  nicn  lyeththerHn.  True 
it  is  that  he  laborethfore  and  ftreyncth  hinifelfe  too  deface  Gods 
glory  :  but  they  bee  things  that  go  togither!  For  God  of  his  gra- 
cious goodneiTe  hath  appoynted  that  too  bee  the  meanc  too  rcignc 
among  vS;and  to  gather  vs  ATito  himfelf  r  and  all  our  welfare  is  too 
cleaue  vnrohimand  too  ioyne  with  him.  Now  therfore  the  Diuell 
not  only  ftirreth  vp  many  enemies  to  inake  w^wreagaynft  the  Go- 

fpvU 


Chap.:,,  ^o.CiLeJghtSermonypon 

fpcil  oFour  Lord-  lefus  Ghrift :  but  alfo  iaboreth  too  ftirrc  vp  much 
fayle  among  oui-  felues,and  too  maice  vs  enemies  one  too  another, 
and  that  hath  bin  his  pracliie  at  all  times,  as  wee  fee  by  example  in 
the  things  that  SaindPaule  reherceth  too  vs  hecre.  VVee  knowe 
what  aiiiams  were  giuen  hijn  euen/wherC;,  and  what  a  number  of 
battelies  and  plundges  he  was  put  vntoo,  by  rdafon  tliat  the  Hca* 
then  and  tlie  vnbeleuers  did  (to  the  vttermofl  of  their  power)with- 
{land  the  preaching  oFGpd5  woord :  and  yet  ,ouer  and  befides  this, 
he  fheweth  how  there  were  dcce^oiers  aUo, which  wound  thefelues 
in  fly  ly,  and  entered  in  as  it  were  by  (leakh.  For  the  Greeke  wocrd 
that  he  vfeth^importeth  io  much,and  it  cannot  wel  be  expre{red  [hy 
anyone  woord]  in  our  [French]  tunge.  His  meening  then  is  that 
there  were  Coui'iners  which  jntcrmedlcd  diefeiues  vndermyningly 
with  the  Faythfui],and  yet  ail  was  no  niore  but  to  caufe  the  truthc 
oFthe  GoFpf^U  to  be  corrupted.  And  let  vs  marke,  that  thofe  dogges 
pretended  not  to  reiedvtterly  the  whole  docbine  of  our  Lord  le- 
its  Chrifi::  but  rather  bsre  the  name  and  title  of  Chi'iflianitie.How- 
beit  in  the  mc ane  while  their  intent  was  to  haue  a  halffafte  Gofpel, 
\^hich  fhould  bee  hpther  fifhe  nor  flefhe  (as  they  fay)  but  a  med ly  of 
their  owne  deuice :  like  as  at  this  day  there  are  ftill  too  many  fuchc 
folke  in  the  wory>who  would  fayne  forge  and  builde  a  kind  of  Re* 
jigion  after  their  owne  fafhion, taking  a  peece  of  the  pure  truth,  and 
niinglingmanyliesanddreameswithit.  Lohowe  there  haue  bin 
^^cuit(^rs ,ei»en)from  S.I?aules itime  hither.  And  now  he  fayeth,  that 
heyeclddnot  too  thm  Jo  much  as  one  minute  in  f^ay  of  fubiefiion,  too 
the  end  that  the  liher  tie  of  tUQo^ell  might  continue  in  his  full  force. 
That  is  in  cfFe^lthe  thing  that  is  rehearced  heerc.  And  firfte  of  all 
wee  haue  too  arme  our  feiufes  aga^^nft  the  houfhold  enemies,  which 
labour  too  uirmoyle  and  trouble  the  do6b*ine  of  the  GoFpell  in  Fuch 
wyfe, asitmay  become lyke a  mifliapen thing,  and. men  may  not 
0lccmc  any  more  ofit.  iBut  kttc  vs  not  bee  abafhed  when  it  hap- 
pencthfo :  fosit  is  no  npuejtie atalli  VYherefbrc  lette  vs  vnder- 
ftandjthatas  it  was  Gods  will  too  trie  the  conilancie  of  the  fayth- 
full  in  S.Paules  time :  fo  it  is  good  reaCon  that  wee  alFo  fhould  bee 
t.CorAiJ,  tried  in  thefedaye^,  according  as  it  is  fayd,  that  it  is  neceffariethat 
!<?.        tlaerp fliould  be^fc^^siaadherieries,  tgo  thcintent  that  they  which 


the  E^i^.tothe(^alathtans.        ^6 

hauc  taken  deepc  rootc  might  bee  knowen  by  continuyng  in  their 
obedience  to  Godward,and  beare  their  niarke  that  men  may  ki^ow 
them  to  haue  piolited  truly  in  the  fchoole  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrill, 
for  that  they  haue  not  fuffered  themfelues  too  be  mifledde  or  thruft 
out  of  the  way.  Ihat  therefore  is  the  caufc  why  our  Lorde  doodi 
jilwaycs  full  er  fome  troublers  to  fowe  darnel  I  feede,  and  too  labour 
too  tumt  the  pure  dotone  vpfide  d^Avnc.  He  coulde  well  letce  it 
if  bethought  good  :  but  he  giueth  Satan  th(^  brydle,  that  our  faytk 
may  bee  the  better  tryed.  Although  weefce  occafions  before  our 
eyes,  yet  iette  vs  not  fwaruc  one  way  nor  other,  but  keepe  onftill 
in  the  way  that  is  fhewcd  vs,  affurin^  our  ft  lues  diat  wee  cannot 
doo  amifie  in  refting  wholly  vppon  Gods  woord.  Then  if  we  (land 
too  that,  it  is  a  good  trysail  of  our  fayth.  Furthermore  let  vs  tight 
agaynft  fuche  d  )gges,  knowyng  that  they  bee  deadly  plagues,  and 
doo  much  mere  hai  me  th  in  they  that  leape  (]uyte  out  of  their  loc- 
kets, and  fhewe  themfelues  m.anifeftly  too  bee  defpyzers  of  the 
Gofpell.  Iliofe  the n  that  are  i  teimedied  among  vs  ai€  the  wor- 
fer  lorte,  ?nd  it  Tcandcth  vs  on  hand  too  refift  them  manfully.  For 
if  wee  fhrinke  fiomthcm  in  the  battell,  furely  wee  (Kali  haue  fo 
much  the  greater  ccnfuficn,  and  men  fhall  not  bee  able  any  more 
too  pot  a  dilfercnce  bctwcene  whytc  and  blacke. 

7  bus  ycc  ftchoweitbehouetlivs  toobehaueourfelucs.  And 
nowelctte  vsmarke  what  kindeof  menne SainiSl  Paule  hath  no- 
*  ted  here.  Hefayeth  ihat  they  yi?ere  crei't  in  as  it  "U^eit  byjh4lth,i09 
Jpiu  outthedteitie  ^.^huhe  Ti>te  h*ue  in  our  Lorde  le/iis  ChnJfe.  liiC 
libertie  that  hecfpeaketh  of  hcerc,  concerned  Ceremonies.  For 
(as  we  haue  touched  aireadie^,  and  fhall  more  fully  fie  a^^a^ne  here- 
after) God  hadordeyned  many  figures  vnder  the  Lawe,  too  holde 
tlie  Fathers  in  hope  of  cure  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte  ,  till  hee  Vv^ere 
come  and  fliewed  too  the  worlde.  The  Sacrilizes  therefore  with 
a' I  th eir  appendants  and  appurtenances,  and  the  San6luane  with  all 
thatwasinit,  ferued  bycaufe  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifie  who  isthcr 
truthe  and  fubftance  of  thofe  things,  had  not  yet  fiiewed  him- 
felfvi.  It  was  for  die  fathers  too  bee  led  and  guyded'vnder  fuche 
flaiowes.  And  that  is  the  caufe  why  Saincl  Paule  will  vie  the  fi-  GJ.J^.  a,K 
mijitude  of  yong  children  that  are  vnder  Tutors  and  goueiners. 


Chop.  I.  ^Q^  CaLeight  Sermon  ypon 

The  auneient  fathers  therefore  tooke  profite  by  keeping  the  Cere- 
monies of  the  Lawe:  for  thereby  they  were  alwayes  confirmed  in 
the  things  that  were  promyfed  concerning  the  Redeemer.  And  for 
that  caufe  alfo  it  is  fayd,that  the  San6luarie  was  made  according  too 
the  Patteme  that  Moyfe s  had  feene in  the  Mount.  Now,  that  Pat- 
terne  wasfpirittu]l,that  is  too  wit,  [it  was]  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte 
with  his  grace,  which  is  vttered  too  vs  by  his  meanes  now  adayes  in- 
his  Gofpell.  For  in  afmuch  as  our  Lord  lefus  Chnfte  is  come  intoo 
the  worlde,he  hath  made  an  end  of  thofe  fhadowes  and  figares.And 
M^th,2j,   therefore  alfo  the  veyle  of  the  Temple  rent  afunder  at  his  deatli, 
/•5i«       too  fhew  how  it  was  Gods  will  too  haue  the  faythfull  come  more 
familiarly  vnto  him.  S.Paule  faycth  now,  that  wee  haue  libertie  in 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift :  and  that  is,  bycaufe  wee  bee  no  more  fub- 
icdi  too  the  bondage  diat  lafted  in  the  time  of  the  Lawe,  according 
as  he  will  hereafter  take  example  of  circumcifion,  and  as  he  treateth 
Cd/o/.a.f,  of  it  in  another  place  alfo  too  the  Colofsians.  Wee  therrare  cir- 
13,  cumcyzed,  not  by  the  hand  of  man,  but  by  the  woorking  of  lefus 

Chrift  in  vs  through  the  power  of  his  holyfpirite.   Andinfteedeof 
the  circumcifion  that  was  ordeyned  for  the  lewes,  wee  haue  Bap- 
time,  which  witnefTeth  the  fame  thing  vntoo  vs :  namely  that  wee 
muft  become  new  creatures  too  dedicate  our  felues  wholly  too  the 
feniis  of  God.  And  fo  wee  fee  that  the  libertie  or  freedome  whiche 
is  purchaced  too  vs  by  our  Loi*d  lefus  Chrifte,  is  that  the  Ceremo- 
nies of  the  lawe  are  layd  away,  fo  as  wee  bee  no  more  fubie6l  nor 
bound  vntoo  them.  Now  at  the  firlt  blufli  a  man  would  thinke  thi«- 
were  no  great  thing.  For  what  harme  were  it  if  we  were  firftbapti- 
zed,and  by  and  by  after  circumcyzed  <  Or  if  we  knew  that  our  Lord 
lefus  Chrifte  only  is  the  whole  perfection  and  accomplifhment,an(l 
yet  had  the  figures  thereof  ftill  <  Fiift  if  men  fhould  keepe  ftill  the 
ceremonies  as  in  the  time  of  the  lawe :  the  glorie  of  our  Lord  le- 
fus Chrift  fhould  be  diminifhed  for  it,according  as  it  is  fayd'that  the 
law  was  giuenby  Moyfes,  but  truth  and  grace  were  vttered  too  vs 
lohn.  1 .  h,    iJ^  01-^1*  Lorde  lefus  Chrift :  for  fo  it  is  fayd  in  the  firfte  cliapter  of  SV 
17,         John.  Therefore  he  fhould  be  bereft  of  his  honour,  if  wee  Oioulde 
not  haue  the  hbertic  that  he  hath  brought  vs.  And  it  behoueth  vs  to- 
vnderftand,that  our  ftate  is  better  and  more  excellent  now  adayes^ 

thaRSr 


the  Spi^JotheGalathians.       57 

■th«i  was  the  flateofthe  old  Fathers,  bicaufe  our  Lordlcfus  Chrift 
is  giuen  yntoo  vs,  and  ih  him  we  haue  all  thnt  was  figured  at  that 
tyme.Sp  then , men  do  wrong  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chriily  in  keeping 
fiill  the  ceremohics  of  die  La  we.  1  hat  is  one  poynt.Againc,for  as        - 
ijiuch  as  he  is  named  the  ^onne  or  rightuoiiiiieiTe,  we  muft  not  be  ^  ^  ^  4«  "^ 
Jed  ftiil  as  diough  there  were  but  a  iparlce  of  light:  but  wee  Muft 
fallen  our  eyes  v^pon  the  do6hine  wherein  our  Lord  leflis  Chrift? 
i^  fhewed  vntoo  is.,  and  vi'herein  Wee  may  alfo  behold  him  face  to 
face^to  come  euen  vnto  God  his  father,  as  hath  ben  fnewed  in  the     f   ^  i  n 
fecond  too  the  Corinthians.   Moreouer,  if  the  ceremonies  of  the  ^•^''•3   '^^ 
Lawe  bee  confidei'ed  without  our  Lord  leiiis  Chnft,  that  is  to  fay, 
if  they  be  feparatedfrom  him:  they  bring  as  it  were  a  binding  with 
them,and;a  recorde  of  condemnation  and  death  ^pon  men.    And 
thereupon -doth  iS.  Paulc  ftand  m  the  feconde  too  the  Golofsians,  ^  <^'^»2.r.i4 
wliere  he  fayth  that  our  Lorde  lefusChrifte  hath  vpon  his  CrolTe, 
tome  afu  der  and  blotted  out  the  obligation  or  handwriting  that 
was  againft  vs.For  if  the  Saciifces  floode  in  force  at  this  day,  wee 
(hould  fee  there  that  we  be  all  in  daunger  of  eternall  death  before 
God.  And  why  foc'The  fleaing  of  the  poore  beads  was  not  for  that 
tlieyiiiemfelueshad  deferued  it,  but  to  fhewe  vnto  rrien  as  it  were 
m  arliueiy  piclure,diat  they  were  all  worthy  to  periHie.!  hen  if  the 
fame  continued  yet  at  this  day,  we  fhouid  fall  (land  boundc  vnder 
the  fame  obliganon  of  deatli.  But  we  be  difcharg^d  of  it,  by  oure 
LordleRis  Chr\'ft.And  that  was  the  tiTumph  of  his  death,as  Saint  Colo, 2  c,!^, 
Paule  fayth.  Thirdly  the  aunci^rrt  fathers  knewe  that  althou^  the' 
Lawc  was  duen  thein,  yet  they  obtained  Rich  fauour  offreedome 
at  Gods  liand,that  aJl  thrir  faults  were  for£;iuen  them.  'But  if  men' 
fhoulde  novv'adayes  be  put  to  the  necefsitie  of  keeping;  all  the  ce-' 
remonies  :  it  woulde  bean  intolerable  yoke,as  it  is  fayd  in  the.xv. 
of  the  A61es :  Por  the  eace  would  not  only  concerhe  ceremonies,  AH  i^Jwo 
but  alfo  the  drowninp;  of  vs  in  difpaiie.  For  is  it  J>ofsibletorTnen 
to  do  the  things  wliicii;  God  comiaatlndeth  all  iiK-n  t<i  do  \vithdut' 
any  exception'or  releafe  :  No.-For  the  thing  that  God  requireth' 
and  demaundethjpalVcth  all  ourabilitie :  and  if  we  fayle  but  in  any' 
onepoinf,we(hould  be  oterwhelmed  vnder  the  buithen.  There- 
fore for  dbat  caufe^this  libertie  is-  of  (iKh  importance^as  we  cannot 
^  v^:  H.         •  bee 


Chjp.i.  fo.CaLeight  Sermdnypon 

bee  fure  of  our  faluation,  nor  freely  call  vppon  God>  excepte  we<J 
knowe  that  we  be  no  more  hilde  vnder  the  yoke  and  bondage  of 
the  Lawe.There  is  yet  one  poynt  more  which  (hall  bee  layd  out  at 
length :  which  is,that  fuch  as  would  needs  n^ake  the  faythRiIl  lub- 
ie(5le  to  the  keeping  of  ceremonies,  had  therewithal!  a  wicked  anil 
vnto warde  imagination,  that  men  were  iuftifyed and  did  purchacc 
grace  at  Gods  hand  by  fuch  meanes.  And  that  was  an  vtter  aboli- 
shing of  the  force  of  the  deatli  Sc  pafsion  of  our  Lord  Ielii&  Chrift. 
\  Now  then,we  fee  it  was  not  caufelefle  that  S.  Paul  ftroue  fo  ftout- 

^ '  ly  agaynft  the  ceremonies  of  tlie  lawe,to  the  ende  they  fhould  not 

be  fo  brought  m  vfe  agayne,  that  the  faythfull  fliould  be  hilde  in 

;  *  bondage  vnder  them.  And  we  haue  neecle  to  be  warned  thereof: 

for  in  thefe  dayes  we  haue  the  like  encounter  agaynft  the  Papifts. 
True  it  is  that  the  Papifts  haue  lefle  colour  than  had  the  decey- 
uers  of  whom  S.  Paule  fpeaketh.  For  although  they  were  Satans 
vnderlings,  and  fought  nothing  but  to  pemert  the  tmtlie  of  the 
Gofpell;,  yet  had  they  at  leaft  wile  this  colour,  that  they  broughtc 
not  in  their  owne  dreames  and  traditions,  but  alleaged  the  autho- 
ritie  of  God,  howe  that  the  lawe  ought  to  be  kepte,  and  that  was  a 
meetely  apparant  excufe.  But  the  Papifts  haue  no  fuche  founda- 

«  tion :  For  all  their  Ceremonies  arc  forgeries  of  mans  brayne.  It 
is  true  that  they  haue  mingled  IcwifhnelTe  with  them,  and  made 
(uche  a  galimaufrey  as  a  man  can  not  tell  of  whome  they  haue  bo- 
rowed  mofte.  But  howfoeuer  the  world  go,  yet  are  the  Ceremo- 
nies ofmensfettingvp,  which  are  at  this  day  in  tlie  Popedome. 
Nowe  wh^n  we  ftriue  to  abolifhe  them,  they  fay  wee  trouble  the 
worlde  for  nothing.  And  then  fteppe  in  thefe  Neuters,  whichc 
woulde  fayne  plcafe  bothe  parties,  and  make  a  Baftarde  Gofpell. 
Thofe  fellowes  cafte  vs  in  the  teeth,  that  wee  bee  fcditious ,  and 
that  throughe  oure  prccifenefle  wee  fet  muche  trouble  in  the 
worlde.  Andforproofcthereof(fayethey)is  it  meete  that  there 
fhouldebee  fuche  ftryuing  aboute  Ceremonies,  feeing  they  bee 
things  indiffcrente  <  Yea  forfoothc :  For  if  God  woulde  haue  the 
Ceremonies  of  the  lawe  (which  yet  notwithftanding  came  of  him 
and  by  his  exprefle  commaundenient)  too  come  too  an  ende  in 
©ur  Lwdc  lefus  Chrift ;  what  fliall  wee  do  when  men  will  of  their 
'^ '" -■ ^^"     ^'  '"    '     owne 


the  Spifi.totheGalathhm]       58 

^ownc  foolifhe  raflinefle  fet  vp  others  in  their  (lead :'  Seeing  that 
'  God  would  haue  his  ovvne  abolifhed,'why  fhould  men  ftep  foortW 
,thcrevpon,and  bring  in  their  ownc  deuicc,and  make  God  beleeuc 
tliat  he  was  not  well  aduifcd  c'  See  yee  not  a  curfed  blafphemie  't 
Nowe  we  knowe  that  the  caafe  why  God  would  haue  the  Cere- 
monies of  his  lawe  abolifhed  in  thefe  dayes^was  to  the  intent  that 
the  grace  of  our  Lor^eletus  Chrift  (hould  be  the  more  lightfomc 
and  better  knowen.Forhe  is  the  dayfunne  of  righteoufnefle.Ther-  j^Jjg^j^ 
fore  ail  thofc  fhado  wes  muft  ceafe,and  it  is  he  in  who  we  haue  the 
body  and  fubftance  of  them/aythS.Paulc.  Seeing  then  that  God  (;^72»<'.i7. 
had  that  relpe6l  and  reafon-r  the  figures^  'mufl:  pafTc  and  vanifhe  a- 
way.Butnow  what  reafon  wil  the  Papifls  bring,when  as  men  per- 
ceyueby  eyefight,  tliat  all  their  Ceremonies  are  a  burying  of  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  andyet  that  tliey  binde  men  to  the  keeping  of 
them  vndcr  pay  ne  of  deadly  fmnc  c' And  furthermore  when  as  in 
all  their  Ceremonies,theyhaue  a  ceitcyn  opinion, that  Baptifme  is 
not  inough  for  them^but  that  they  muft  haue  holi  water  to  chriften 
or  baptife  men  euening  and  morning :  and  jfinailyjthat  when  they 
liaue  brought  in  all  their  pelting  tra(h,and  al  their  gewgawes,there 
niuft  aiwayes  be  fomewhat  in  the  to  dravv  poore  foules  into  bon- 
cdage :  is  it  to  be  borne  withall :'  On  the  other  fide, we  fee  there  is 
fo  ftrei^ht  a  yoke,as  it  is  able  to  ftrangle  the  poore  wretches.  For 
the  feeiie  foules  are  bereft  of  the  freedomc  tliat  was  purchafed  for 
liiem  by  the  dicath  Sc  pafsion  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  We  fee  the 
how  it  is  not  without  urgent  caufe^yea  Sc  extreme  necefsitie^  that 
we  ftf  iueagainft  the  Popifh  tyrannie  about  ceremonies,c6{idcring 
that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  hath  not  his  defcrucd  prehcminence,fo 
long  as  men  bufic  their  wits  about  thofc  fmal  trifles,  8c  that  more- 
ouer  their  wretched  confcicnces  are  aiwayes  in  vnquicmefle  with- 
out ende  or  ceafsing :  and  finally, that  on  the  other  fide  the  Papifts 
thinkc  to  deferuc  grace  by  the  things  which  they  terme  Gods  fer- 
uice,  bearing  themfelues  in  hande,  that  that  is  the  meane  whereby 
men  ftiuJd  become  righteous  to  obteine  faluatio.So  the  we  fee  that 
S.Paui  in  his  time  was  dnue  to  fufteyn  that  ftrife.And  forafmuch  as 
our  cafe  is  altogither  like  at  this  day,  fo  as  we  canot  hold  our  peace 
except  wc  wil  betray  both  god  3;  ma;  we  muft:  fight  fliQUjiy  agaynft 

H.ij.  ^^^. 


thit  helUrh  tyrannie,  andi^ainft  diofe  pelting  traffi  tS\impierie  and 
illufions  of  Satllan,  whereby  hee  would  faync  eythei*  quite  deface 
-theGoipell,  oreiie  fo  turmoyle  it  asr»  mmfliould^notknowe 
which  is  the  pure  truth.  .  This  in  effe6l  is.  the  thing  that  wee  hauc 
to  beai-e  in  mynde.  AndwhereaSi  ^.Paule  fayth.that  he  yelded  not 
one  iote  too  f\\<;\\  men  i-it  is  too  confirrtie  vs.  fo-muche  die  better 
■,on  tlie  thing  th^^t  I  tovtAecl  eiiiien ,  ns)  vve^  ;  R^ace  and  friendijiippc 
.ai'e  an  amiable  thing  among  hie^i.-  They  bee  lb  indeede;  and  wee 
"  '  ought  torejefethemtQthevttermpftof  ourpower.  But  yet  for 
,   ,^   all  that>  w^jpuft  f^  fech  ftof  0  by  Gods  truth,  tliat  if  all  the  world 

'\  "  •"  ihould  ,h6e;ff$;Oin  fyr fe  for  the:niaynt€':^2tunce  thereof,  weeihculde 
.not  ftivke>at  it^s  nuich  as.  we<£.  ea^fofsifclyjlet  vSfpurohafe-^eace : 
andif  the  nititter  cpncerne  fcut  our^Pwne  perloris  or  goodes, 
'let  vs  endeui>urjt!09^ compound  with  our:^duerfaries,  letvs  beare 
f^itl)  tjiem,  a«id  let  vs  labosur  to  ouercome  them  by  our  patience: 
Lo  in  what  maner  wee  ought  to  buy  peace.  But  yet  in.  the  meanc 
^  while  Jet  HottQodstrutliibeid^xiiininxed,  nor  iliflein  any  harme  or 
■preiui^Ci  ./Fq^i*  jthie,  peace  that  niien  feeke  among  themfelue s  (haW 
euefmore  beaecurfed, ,  ifOoidbe  not  therewidiall  aaknowiedged 
^?d  magnified  as  he  ought  to  be,  and  his  word  alfo  continue  vn* 
in>peachedjfor  that  is  the  knot  of  our  bonde :  and  if  we  intend  to 
haue  it  acceptable  to  God,and  the  end  of  it  to  be  good  and  for  out* 
w^ifare/uvely  God  miiil  knit  vs  to^^^ither.  And  hee' hath  giuen  vs 

Mi>h  2C  \A  5^^^0'^"^A<''^^'i5  ^^11^^  Qur  peacejtoo  the  end  wis  fhould  all  of  v* 
*  *  '  ^  fell  iijordervnderhim.-T'hen  if  we  mindetahaiie  good  and  hoitfc 
peace,  let  vs  amc  \'S  at  this  marke  of  yeeidirig  our  felues  vnder  the 
obeyfance  of  Gods  lonne;that  he  may  be  our  head  and  we  his  bo- 
dy,iike  as  there  is  but  one  Church.  But  if  any  man  goe  about  too 
witlidraw  vs  fro m  our  L  ord  leius  Ghrill:  kt  vs  rather  beare  al  1  th c 
hatred,  outrages,  and  madnelFe'  of  the  wor  hi,  than  to  feek<?  fuch  a- 
greement.  And  let  vs  nor  be  afraide  of  all  thereproch  that  can  bee 
done  vnto  vs  according  as  no  wadayes  v/e  /halbe  falily  flaundered 
asftirrers  vp  ot  many  ftrifes.  Yea  verily,bur  what  can  wee  do  with 
it^*  For  it  behoueth  vs  to  abide  Pdll  in  the  truth  of  the  Gofpell,  or 
elfe  wo^  bee  vntoo  vs..  If  tlie  Papiilps  will  not  ioi-eewitlivs,  but 
bee  vttedy  wilfull  m  the  iliibboraaeffe  that  is  ie^e  too  bee  in 
. :.,  '  theru: 


the  EpiB.  to  the  ^alathians.      ^p 

item :  wee  muft  bee  contented  to  be  at  defiance  with  men/ecing 
tliey  piirpofe  too  turne  vs  from  the  peace  which  wee  fhouJd  haue 
witli  God  by  tlie  means  of  his  Sonne,  wlio  not  without  caufe  bea- 
reth  tliat  title  as  I  told  you  before.  Therefore  when  they  crye  out 
V'pon  vs,  wee  muflbe  fenced  with  diis  anfwere  of  Elias  which  hee 
made  vnto  Achab.  Art  not  thou  he(fayd  Achab)diat  troubleft  Ifra- 
ellc'  For  the  Prophet  was  accufed  (as  we  be  nowadayes)bicauie  he  '^  jrtn<fs, 
labored  to  bring  the  people  backe  againe  too  the  purenefle  of  the  i8.f .  17, ' 
Lawc,and  fought  agamft  the  fuperfticions  and  Idolatries  that  had 
bin  deuifed:  [hy  reafon  wherof  J  the  king  thought  verily  that  Elias 
had  bene  come  to  make  trouble  fedition,and  vprores,accordingas 
die  princes  of  this  world  could  find  m  their  haits  always  to  welter 
in  their  own  filth,  &  paiTe  not  of  the  feaiing  &  honoring  of  God, 
but  al  is  one  to  them  [[what  come  of  it^fo  they  may  be  m?.ynteined 
in  their  ftate.But  the  Prophet  anfwered  him,raying :  [It  is  not  I,  ] 
but  it  is  thou  and  thy  fadiers  houfe.For  they  that  wil  not  a<^ree  vn- 
to God,  nor  hold  themfelues  to  his  ieruice  in  fuch  wife  as  he  hath 
apomted  it  in  his  word-.they  [fay  I]  are  the  troublers  of  the  world, 
and  die  paities  that  ought  to  be  blamed  for  all  tlie  vprores, varian- 
ces, and  debates  that  happen. For(as  I  haue  fhewed  alreadie)it  is  no 
reafon  that  God  fhould  be  robbed  of  his  right,  when  men  feeke  to 
knit  thefelues  togither. Ye  fe  e  dien  in  effect  what  we  haue  to  think 
vpon,  when  S.  Paule  fayth  that  he  would  not  yeeld  one  minute  as 
in  way  of  lubiedion,to  fuch  as  wownd  in  themfelues  after  that  1^^ 
fhion  vnder  faife  coloures,to  make  a  baftarde  Gofpell  full  of  min- 
glemangles  and  corruptions :  for  Gods  trueth  is  die  thyngthat 
was  to  be  knowne  fiirfl  of  all.  Furthermore  [tt  vs  not  be  afrayde  of 
the  flaunder  that  is  layd  vpon  vs  [in  telling  vs]  that  ft  is  pryde  & 
prefumprion  when  wee  will  not  fubmit  our  felues  :  like  as  nowa- 
dayes  the  thing  that  the  Papifts  alledge  againft  vs,is  that  we  feeme 
to  take  vpon  vs  to  be  wifer  than  all  the  world,and  that  it  is  a  oreat 
pryde  in  vs,  that  wee  cannot  f\'nde  in  our  heartes  too  fubmit  oure 
felues  too  the  common  fafhyon.   Tnie  it  isthat  the  title  of  obedi- 
ence IS  amiable,  lyke  as  I  (ayde  euen  no  we  of  peace  :  but  yet  mufl 
God  bee  obeyed  fyrfte  of  all.  Forifwee  will  openly  fpyte  God, 
end  playe  mockehoiyday  with  hiin  too  the  intent  too  futmitte 

Hi:j.  oui^     - 


Chap.i.  Jq^  Cal.eightfermon  '\>^on 

our  fellies  vnto  men,  and  bowe  downe  our  necke  too  beare  tlieir 
yoke,and  in  the  meane  while  ^iae  no dudience  vnto  God :  what 
(hall  become  of  it  <  Surely  we  can  not  frame  our  felues  to  the  Pa- 
pifts  in  way  of  fubicclion  or  yeeiding  to  them,but  God  mufte  bee 
thruft  out  of  doorcs,  and  his  word  as  it  were  troden  vnder  foote, 
fo  as  it  fliall  haue  nother  authoriiie  nor  reuerence  amongeft  vs. 
^^  Vhat  is  it  that  the  Papiils  would  haue  vs  to  do  i  That  we  fhould 
leaue  Gods  worde,and  giue  ouer  our  Lord  leilis  Chrift,  and  yet  in 
the  meane  while  receiue  all  that  eucr  they  haue  deuifcd.  They  will 
not  fay  in  flat  tenr^es  that  God  iliali  be  fpoyled  of  his  honour^nor 
rhatlefus  Chrilt  (hall  haue  no  more  authoritie  among  them^  they 
will  not  fpeake  fo  with  open  mouth,but  yet  it  is  fo  in  deede.  Lilv:c 
as  thele  deceyuers  agayni'i:  whom  S.Paule  fli-oue,made  fayre  pro- 
teflations  inow  that  they  menc  to  be  Chriflians,but  yet  for  all  that 
he  was  fayne  to  come  to  the  touchftone,  and  to  examine  all  things 
throughly.  Now  would  the  Papids  haue  their  traditions  receiued: 
and  what  maner  of  things  are  they :  We  fee  that  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chriil  is  as  good  as  buried  there,as  I  haue  (h^wQ^.  alreadie.Againe, 
there  is  nothing  but  corruption  in  tliem  :  the  things  that  are  cotei- 
ned  vnder  them  are  vtter  illufions  of  Satan,  tending  al  to  this  end;, 
that  there  may  bee  no  more  any  certentie,  nor  any  man  knowe 
wherunto  to  flicke.Seeing  it  is  fo,it  is  not  tor  vs  to  make  warre  a- 
gaynft  God,that  men  might  be  obeyed.  And  therefore  let  vs  haue 
as  it  were  a  foreheatl  of  brafTe  to  refifl:  them  in  that  behalfe.For  the 
greated  manlinelTe  that  can  be,i5  to  keepe  our  felues  fro  fwarumg 
afide  for  mens  falies,  what  colour  or  fayre  (hew  foeticr  be  fet  vpon 
the  matter,  and  to  deipife  euery  whir  of  it  as  dung  and  filth,  when 
it  Ihndeth  vpon  referuing  Gods  fouereintie  vnto  him,  and  vpon 
gluing  care  to  our  Lords  Icfus  Chrift;to  tlie  ende  that  he  may  bee 
our  hea:l,and  gouerne  vs,  and  ail  of  vs  from  the  moil;  to  the  lead 
cotinue  vnder  his  giaiding,  ^  do  notliing  ^\it  but  iiniply  giue  eare 
vnto  him,and  receiue  the  things  that  arc  for  our  maintenace  in  the 
fayth  of  the  Gofpell.  Yee  fee  then  what  wee  haue  too  remember 
hecre  concerning  S.Paule.  Surely  if  yee  feeke  a  meeld  and  meeke- 
fpirited  man,  S.  Paule  was  he,yeaand  he  was  euen  as  a  myrrour 
«»f^icuiteii^aadgentlen.e:Te.  A^apie^  ifyc<?  deflre  alowelvna* 


the  EfiU.  to  the  Qalathunf.      60 

turCjwhat  greater  loweiynefle  can  there  bee  founde  thaiTwasin 
S.Pauie,  who  abaced  him  felfe  btneadi  all  men.  And  yet  notwith- 
ftanding  wee  fee  howe  he  jflroue  for  the  pure  doeli  ine  of  the  Gof- 
Y'QW,  and  paded  not  to  prouoke  the  wrathc  of  ail  the  n:en  in  the 
vvorlde  a^^aynit  him  felfe ,:  in  ^o  muche  that  it  was  call  in  his  teeth, 
-that  ail  the troubleswl-iiche happened  in  the  Chiirche  of  Galatia, 
and  elie  where>  came  of  Jiim,  I  faye  hee  feared  .'not  tl:e  reproche 
wherewith  men  ccu!d,charge  him,that  he  was  a  rebell  and  had  too 
muche  piefuiriptuoufnefle  in  him.  Euen  fo  njiifle  wee  do  in  thefe 
dayes.  Let  vs  be  peaceable  as  neere  as  wee  can:'  Jet  vs  relent  of 
our  owne  tight :  ietys  not 0iiue  for  thefe  wo'tldjy  goods,honor,v 
and  reputation  :  Jet  vs  beare  all  wrangs  and  outrages,  rather 
than  bee  moued  to  any  debate  through  our  ownefaulte.Bvit  in  the 
ineane  while,  jet  ^'S  iight  for  Gods  truthe Avith  toodie  and nayle. 
Agayne,if  any  body  defpife  vs,  fo  as  one  fteppeth  vp  malicioufly 
agaynft  vs,  and  another  goes  about  to  deface  vs :  let  vs  not  mal^e 
any  quai  eil  at  all  for  that..But  if  any.  man.wiH  drawe  vs  from  the 
obeying  of  our  Gcd,to  make  vs  Roiipe  to  the  tirannie  of  men-Let 
vs  hold  our  owne  in  that  cafejet  vs  withflande  him  ftoutly  to  the 
vtterfnoll^and  let  vs  dcfie  ail  the  IpftinelTe  of  the  world,to  the  end 
that  our  lord  leiiis  Chi  ift  be  not  diminifhed,but  may  alwais  lei-^e 
ouer  vs,and  we  be  fubie^^:  vnto  him.  T  hus  y ee  fee  in  cKttl  how  we 
ou^ht  to  put  this  text  in  pradife,arid  alfo  how  the  necefsitie  of  the 
time  oughte  to  (line  vs  therevnto.  Fo,r  nowe  a  dayes  wee  bee  not 
onlyperfecuted,fo  as  wee  fee  the  fyresJvin died  too  murther  the 
pciore  feraants  of  God  :  but  alfo  are  fayne  to  be  accufed  and  con- 
demned asfcditious  perfons,  by  thcfe  flaues  that  are  in  wages 
with  Antichrill: ,  to  ouerthrowe  the  truthe  of  the  Gofpell.  More- 
ouer  they  iay  there  is  nothing  but  pride  in  vs,  bicaufe  wee  will  not 
receyue  their  traditions.  Well  then,  doo  they  flander  vs  fo  fu- 
rioufly :'  Let  vs  beare  it  patiently,  and  let  them  rayle  their  fill  (as 
S.  Paule  fa^-th)  fo  our  quarell  bee  alwayes  to  ilande  for  our  paite 
in  the  pure  trutlie  of tlie  Gofpelljand  to  withflande  the  Creatures 
that  will  not  fuft'er  Chiifle  alone  too  reigne,  and  all  Imcestoo 
bow  before  him,  and  all  men  to  doo  him  homage.  Nowe  as  tou- 
ching that  whiche  S.  Paule  fpealatli  of  the  tmthe  of  the  Gofpell, 

H.iiij,  it  is 


ciup,  u  ^Q^  [;^l  eight fermon  ypon 

it  a  veiy  notable  faying,  and  which  import eth  a  very  profitable  da* 
ftrine.For  he  might  well  huie  fayd  fimply,to  the  end  that  the  goC- 
pell  might  abyde  among  you,  I  would  not  giue  place  too  them  fo 
much  as  one  minute.  But  he  fpeaketh  of  the  truth  of  the  Gofpell : 
Howbeit,  not  that  there  is  one  tme,  and  another  falfe  :  but  when 
he  fa)ah  that  the  Gofpell  fhuld  continue  true,  he  fpeaketh  it  in  ref- 
pe<?l  of  men.  And  why  fo  c*  For  although  men  make  a  fayre  fhewe 
to  be  ChrifHans :  yet  do  they  alwayes  labour  to  haue  fome  medly, 
according  as  we  fee  many  geerifh  heads  m  this  world, who  cannot 
abyde  that  God  alone  fliould  gouerne  vs,  but  euery  man  wouldc 
caft  in  his  owne  coilop  or  morfel,  and  thereof  came  the  confufioa 
that  i s  at  this  day  in  the  papacie. A  n>an  woul d  wonder  how  fo  ma- 
ny pelting  gewgaws,  fooles  bables,yea  and  alfo  grofle  abhomina- 
tions  could  be  gathered  togither.  But  that  is  come  to  pafiTe  bicaufe 
that  men  were  not  contented  to  obey  God,but  would  needs  adde 
this  and  that  of  their  owne  fancie.  So  then,  S.Paule  fpeaketh  here 
purpofeLy  of  the  trueth  of  th^  Golpell,  as  he  fpeaketh  of  the  fim- 
^  plicitie  of  ourLordlefosinthefecondtotheCorintliians.    And 

what  is  ment  by  the  fimplicitie  £or  finglenefle]  of  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chrifl  c*  It  is  matched  againft  all  the  minglings  tliat  men  make.For 
(as  I  haue  fayde  already )  they  haue  a  foolifh  fancie  of  letting  forth 
things  deuifed  of  their  owne  brayne.  Nowe  when  men  doe  fo  put 
too  things  of  their  owne :  it  is  biit  corruptnefTe  and  ftarke  abhomi- 
nation.And  thatisthe  caufe  why  S-Paulefayth^  that  we  rauft  holde 
ftill  the  finglenefle  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  Therfor^  when  vnder 
colour  of  handling  the  Gofpell,men  go  about  to  make  apatched  Sc 
pydecoted  or  motley  religi6(as  a  ma  might  term  Jt:)it  is  no  more  a 
true  religion,but  ther  is  much  falfhod  mingled  with  it.  Then  let  vs 
mark  wel,that  wheras  S.  Paule  vfeth  here  fuch  fpeech,he(or  rather 
the  holyghofl:  by  his  mouth)  warn  eth  vs  that  it  is  not  inough  for  vS 
to  bear  the  name  of  Chriftias,  Scto  make  fomc  fair  (hew  of  ckauing 
to  Gods  word  and  to  the  dodrine  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifbibut  that 
we  muft  ftick  to  it  throughly,  and  take  heed  that  we  nodier  mingle 
.  nor  foyft  in  any  thing  to  it,  but  confider  that  lyke  as  a  litle  leuen  is 
able  to  fower  a  gret  deale  of  dow,fo  al  wil  be  marred,as  fone  as  we 
giue  any  enn-ace  to  the  things  that  n\en  hauedeuized  of  their  own 

heads* 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians,       6i 

heads.Tobe  fliort,the  meaner  to  kepe  the  doclrine  of  the  Gofpel 
pure,  is  that  men  adde  not  any  thyng  at  all  to  it,  nor  bee  fo  bolde 
and  licentious,  as  too  laye  one  thing  or  other  vppon  it,  but  too 
content  themfelues  with  the  things  that  om*  lord  lefus  Chriil  hath 
(hewed  vs,  fo  as  we  become  his  tme  dilciples,  and  be  not  fo  bardie 
as  too  reph'e  ageinft  him,  but  that  all  moudies  may  be  fnet,  and  no 
man  lifte  vp  his  neb  too  fay,  this  is  my  opinion,  this  thinke  I  to  be 
good,  but  euery  one  of  vs  receyue  fimply  that  whiche  is  taught  vs 
by  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  who  hath  all  dominion  of  reigning  ouer 
our  foules  .  Lo  how  we  may  haue  the  truthe  of  the  Gofpell:  And  it 
beehoueth  vs  fo  muche  the  more  too  praftyfe  this  do6b-ine,  of  S. 
PauleSjbycaufe  wee  fee  that  nowadayesmanie  men  feeke  nothing 
but  to  mingle  one  widi  an  other,fo  as  they  care  not  of  what  religi- 
on they  be, fo  the  fame  be  moft  tolerable  and  eailyeft  receyued  of 
the  worlde.  True  it  is  that  among  the  Papiftes  many  be  fo  wilfully 
as  they  will  neuer  abyde  that  a  man  fhould varye  one  poynt  from 
them.  For  they  fee  well,  that  if  there  be  neuer  fo  little  a  breache 
made,  by  and  by  al  their  t^Tannie  decayeth  and  falles  downe  to  the 
ground.  For  what  holde  haue  they  but  by  tyrannic  and  violence, 
too  tell  vs  that  wee  mufte  neyther  will  nor  choofe,  but  take  it  for 
gbodcThofe  therfore  that  are  flatly  on  the  popes  fide,  would  haue 
men  too  holde  through  out,  all  the  filthinefTc  and  abhominations 
which  they  haue  had  hithertoo .  But  there  are  a  forte  of  fantafticall 
heads, which  would  haue  a  Reformation,  wherin  the  Pope  and  Ma- 
humet  and  lefus  Ghrifte  fhoulde  bee  mingled  toogither,  fo  as  men 
myght  no  moredifceme  whiche  is  whiche  ;for  all  is  one  to  themfo 
the  world  be  agreed  vppon  it:  They  bear  no  reucrence  at  all  vntoo 
God,and  that  is  the  caufe  why  all  thinges  haue  bene  fo  turmoyled 
and  confounded  in  our  dayes^and  the  verie  foundation,  when^pon 
the  Imerirh  (as  they  terme  it)was  grounded.  For  feing  that  many  e 
men  coulde  not  fynde  in  their  hearts  to  confent  to  Papiftrie :  they 
thought  it  good  too  haue  a  reformation  betweene  both.  And  euen 
at  this  day  agreate  fort  inclyne  ftill  to  the  lyke  reformation.  It  is 
true  (fay  they)  that  there  are  abufes,  and  it  were  meet  they  fliould 
bee  mended.  Yea,  but  their  meening  is  but  too  plucke  away  fcmic 
leafe  or  little  braunche^  and  too  lette  the  reft  alone,  that  the  root« 


chap.z.*  fo.CaLetght/ermonypon 

rootemyghtgrowe  ftill :  that  is  too  fay,  that  the  Gof^elP  of  God: 
myghte  be  detaced  with  al  mr.ner  of  fuperftitions  that  reigne  in  the 
Popedcme.  But  what  for  that:"  heere  the  holy  Ghoft  conaemneth 
.  ail  fuch  neuters,  and  fhevveth  that  theyr  dooings  are  but  craftes  ok 
Satan,  yea  and  mere  iiiufions  and  mockeries  to  ieade  Tiiiie  foules, 
to  dePcruilion,  and  moreouer  aifo  adefaang  of  die  glorie  of  ouf; 
Lorde  lefus  Chryft.  And  why  C'  For  wc  haue  not  the  Goipei  at  all, 
except  we  haue  the  pure  truthe,  wherevnto  it  maye  not  be  lawfull. 
for  men  to  adde  any  thing,  but  all  of  vs  to  holde  our  felues  to  that 
vvhiche  is  fhewed  vs  by  our  mayller.  Ye  fee  then,how  that  in  thefe. 
dayes  we  be  inforced  by  the  necefsitie  of  the  tyme,  to  put  this  do-; 
^'incinvre.  And  therfore  v/hen  Gods  enimies  vpbrayde  ys  that- 
wee  will  not  a^*ee  with  them,  let  vs  alwaves.alled^e  for  oure  e^- 
cufe,  that  our  agreement  is  to  be  knit  together  in  our  Lorde  leius 
Chryft,  and  to  be  ail  obedient  too  his  woord  and  do6trine.  If  they, 
aliedge  that  it  is  a  pr^^de  in  vs  to  reie6l  fo  the  things  that  are  com- 
manded by  fuch  men  as  terme  themfelues  fuperiors.  Let  vs  anfwisr, 
tliat  we  muft  firft  obey  God,  and  thatlefus  Chryft  muft  not  be  be-j 
reft  of  his  riglit,and  men  fet  vp  in  his  place.  If  they  aske  why  fo  ^ 
Were  it  not  better  to  haue  fome  meane  way,  and  that  euery  man 
(hould  file  vv  howe  he  intendeth  not  too  feparate  himfelfe  from  the 
reft,  than  to  ftriue  after  that  fa(hion,  and  to  caufe  chriftendome  to 
bee  as  it  were  fcattcred  <  Let  vs  aunfwere  tJiat  the  matter  ftandeth 
not  vpon  kno'^ng  who  (hall  get  the  vpper  hande,  or  who  fhali  be' 
muifter  ouer  his  fell  owes  :  but  Gods  word  muft  continue  alwayes 
vnimpeached,  or  otherwyfc  all  the  pretence  of  concorde.that  men 
can  make,  (hall  be  but  abhomination  before  God.  And  whyc'  For  it; 
were  better  that  all  things  fhouid  goe  to  hauocke  and  confufion  in 
the  world; than  to  abyde  that  Gods  woord  (being  fo  precious  and 
holyath:ngasitis)f]-iouldin  any  wife  be  pemerted:  yea  it  were, 
better  diat  heauen  and  eartli  ftiould  be  confounded  together^than 
that  that  fticuld  bee  fuffered.] 

So  then  lette  vs  confyder  well  this  do6lrine,  howe  it  maye 
feme  our  turne  and  doe  vs  good,  not  onely  to  beate  backe  all  the 
aifaultes  that  ftiall  bee  put  toovsby  the  enimies  of  Gods  truth, 
but  aifo  toQ  frame  vs  tQo  all  lowlyneffe  and  modefljie^-fo  as  oure 

whole 


the  EpiH.to the  (Jalathians.       6z 

whole  defire  maye  bee  too  bee  guydedand  gone  me  d  by  Gods 
woorde,  and  by  the  doclrine  of  our  Lorde  lelus  Chryile.  How- 
beeit,  thercwithdl,  kttevs  beeio  floute  hearted,  as  not  to  bee 
turned  avvaye  by  men,  neyther  fortheyr  credite  and  authoritie, 
nor  for  their  threatenyngs,  nor  for  all  the  pryde  and  ftatelinefie 
of  the  worlde,  but  that  wee  maye  alwayesflickeftedfaftly  toour 
Lorde  lefus  Chi-^^e.  And  if  any  bodie  come  and  lay e  any  newc 
thing  afore  vs,  lette  vs  euermore  haue  a  good  eye  too  the  ende 
wherevntootheywouldeleadevs^  and  [confydcr]  that  lyke  as 
Satan  hathe  many  wiles  and  policies,  fo  alfo  haue  his  vnderlinp^s 
too.  CAnd  thei-fore]  let  vs  on  our  fide  haue  the  skil  to  loke  to  our 
felues  in  fuch  w^'fe  as  we  may  always  know  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift, 
and  be  guyded  diither,  fo  as  he  may  be  our  only  marke  and  fhoote 
anker,  and  we  vnderftande  that  hee  hath  all  fulnefle  of  welfare  in 
him,  to  the  ende  that  wee  fhould  feeke  our  wantes  in  him; and  all 
things  be  put  away  that  might  hinder  vs  fi  om  comming  vnto  him. 
Andnowe  lette  vs  fall  downe  before  the  maieflie  of  ourgocd 
God  with  acknowledgementc  of  oure  faultes  ,  praying  him  too 
ma^ke  vs  feele  them  in  fuche  wife  ,  as  wee  may  craue  forgiue- 
nefle  of  them  at  hys  hande  uyth  true  repentance,  and  profyte 
afr^r  fUche  forte  more  and  more  in  hys  worde ,  as  it  may  make 
vs  too  forfake  oure  felues,  and  leane  vntoo  hym  and  hys  po- 
wer, that  he  may  hold  vs  vp  in  our  frayleneflejtill  he  haue  brought 
vsto  the  perfe<^ion  wherevnto  hecallethvs  at  thysdaye.  And 
fo  let  vs  all  fay,  Almighty  God  our  heauenly  fathcr.&c. 

T^he  ninth  Sermon  which  is  the 

third  ifp  on  thfccond  Chapter. 

6^  But  as  for  tliofe  tliat  arc  in  cflimation,(I  paffe  trot 
what  they  haue  bin  in  time  pad :  for  God  regar- 
deth  not  the  outward  apparanccof  man)  furely 
thofe  that  were  in  cftimation  didaddcnothyng 
vnrome. 

7  But  cotraiywifc  vvhc ihcy  favv  thatthc prcacb-ng 
"^ "  '  orihe 


chap.i,  ^o.Calnynthfermon  ypon 

ofthcGofpell  to  the  vncircumcifed  was  comittcd 
vnco  me, as  the  preaching  to  the  circumcy  fed  was 
committed  vnto  Peter: 
8  (For  he  that  was  of  power  in  Peters  Apoftleiihip  to- 
vvardcstheCircumcizion^^j^asofpovverin  mce 
alfo  towardcs  the  Gentiles. j 

E  faw  this  morning, that  when  me  mingle  their 

owne  fancies  with  Gods  tmth,  ther  is  nothing 

but  corruption,ancl  by  that  meanes  the  Gpfpei 

is  falfified.VVhich  thing  ought  to  holde  vs  in 

fuch  awe,as  no  man  fhoulde  prefume  to  adde 

aught  at  all  to  the  things  that  we  haue  from  a- 

boue.For  God  hath  taught  vs  fo  perfedJy,  as 

^ve  can  not  put  too  any  thing  without  great  bkCphemie^  forafmuch 

-as  it  wtre  a  couert  accufing  of  him  of  vnaduifcdncfle,  or  els  of  ni- 

gardf]iip,as  who  flwJd  fay  he  were  loth  too  beftow  things  vpon  vS 

Avh'ch  would  be  for  our  welfare.  Seeing  then  that  die  do6lrine  of 

the  Gofpel  is  fufiicient  for  vs,let  vs  abide  in  it.  And  if  any  man  ftep 

vp  to  bring  in  fome  addition  of  his  own,Iet  vs  abhor  it,yea  though 

tlis  thing  feme  to  haue  neuer  fo  great  reafon  in  it^as  oftentimes  the 

diuell  vfeth  to  {hroude  himfelf  vnder  this  couert,  that  we  mu/l  not 

ftick  at  ii^ht  5c  flender  points.But  [furely]God  muft  be  hearkned 

too  in  al  points  and  al  refpects, according  as  it  is  to  be  demed  by  S. 

Paules  dooing,  who  could  eafyly  haue  let  flip  the  circumcizing  of 

Tims  as  a  (mal  thing, &  yetnotwithllanding  would  not  bed  in  that 

behalf:  the  reafon  wherof  was,leaft  the  Gentiles  fiioulde  be  made 

{ubie61  to  fuch  necelTitie  as  was  intended  to  be  layde  vpon  the.Yet 

we  read  that  he  flicked  not  to  circumcife  Timothic.  Neuerthelefle 

the  matter  fcemed  to  be  all  one,  and  that  S.Paule  vfed  inconftan-i 

cieandvariablenefieinthat  behalfe.Beholde,  there  were  twoo 

Heathen  men  which  had  not  bin  nouriihed  and  in{lru6led  in^c 

jaw  of  Moyfes  from  their  birdi.  And  the  lewes  wotild  neuer  haue 

receyaied  any  man  that  had  not  ben  circumcized.  For  they  deemed 

all  men  to  be  vncleane  wliiche  bare  not  that  warrant  about  them. 

Nowe 


the  Episl.tothe(jalathians.       63 

»1(Ndw  S.  Paule  circumcyfeth  the  ope,  and  will  not  doe  thelyke  i^.i  5.^.3 
-tothe  other,  who  will  thinke  that hekept an  euen hande :" If  wee 
confider  all  thyngs  wtW,  wee  fiiall  fee  why  he  refuzed  to  circum- 
cyfe  Titus,  and  yet  had  circumcyfed  Timothie.  Circiimcifion  was 
at  that  t^^me  lawfull  of  it  felfe.  It  was  not  lyke  the  Idolatries  that 
-are  in  Papiftrie  nowadaycs.  If  ye  aske  what  holywater  is,  it  is  an 
rvnhali owing  of  baptifme.  Forinbaptimweehauea  wafliingthat 
ought  to  fuflrce  vs  bodi  in  lyfe  and  death,  and  God  will  not  haue 
vs  too  haue  anie  other  warrant  of  the  fpirituall  clenzing  that  was 
obteyned  for  vs  by  the  blud  of  our  Lord  lefas  Chrift,  but  we  mufl: 
be  contented  with  it,But  as  for  the  Holywater  of  the  Papi{ls,vvhat 
elfe  is  it  thanan  endleflebaptyfing  of  our  felues  :'.  As  touching  the 
Mafle,it  isTo:vilanous  and  outrageous  a  trecherie.,that  noman  can 
c'ofhe  at  itjbut  he  mufl:  defyle  himfelf  by  renouncing  the  death  of 
our  Lord  Icfus  ChriftBut  Circumcifion  floode  not  in  the  \W^q  cafe: 
fori-:  was  profitable  for  die  Vfmt  that  it  lafted .  Tme  itisdiatit 
Was  aboiifhed  at  the  comming  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chnfl::but  yet  for 
^li  that,the  lewes  myght  keepe  it  ftill  till  they  were  fully  inflaic- 
ted  m  the  iibertie  of  the  Gofpel.  Saint  Paule  therfore  had  circum- 
cifed  Tirfiothie  :and  the  reafon  why,  was  for  that  hee  fawe  manye 
'weaklings,  which e  woulde  haue  bene  offended  bycaufe  diey  were 
not  yet  thrxjughly  confirmed  intlie  knowledge;  of  the  Gofpell, 
but  tliought  that  it  behoued  them  to  keepe  ftill  the  ceremonies  of 
^the  Lawe.  And  it  is,fayd,  that  wee  muft  yeeld  one  to  an  other,  for 
charitie  byndetH  vs  thervnto.Euery  man  mufl:  not  do  what  he  him 
felf  thinks  good,  to  the  trubbling  of  his  neyboursibut  we  mufl  fo 
fafhyon  ourfeluesonetooanotherjasnone maye  bee  offended 
through  our  fauke.SPauIethen  forbare  inhsuing  refpecltoothc 
poore  Ignorant  vv-eaklings,  who  not  widiftanding  myghte  bee 
brought  to  knowledge  in  tyme.And  as  concerning  the  perfone  of 
TituSjhe  fawe  how  nien  went  about  to  lay  a  yoke  of  bondage  vp- 
on  the  Gcntiles,and  that  the  fame  wold  be  a  holding  of  the  Icwes 
laJwaves  vnderthe  Lawe,  whiche  was  dien  but  fuperftition.  For  it 
'  was  for  them  to  hiue  Imown  that  the  law  had  femed  out  his  time, 
■  and  that  the  ceremonioj  fliould  not  continue  for  cuer.  If  tlrv  s  had 
not  bin  made  plaias,  the  l,e\>^cs  had  ben  iuriiediti.a.7,xrong>opini- 


Chap,  i,         Jo£aLnynth  Sermon  y^on 

on,and  the  Gentiles  had  receiued  a  yoke  of  bondage:  and  therfore 
Paule  made  refinance  agaynft  it.  And  To  we  fee  it  is  not  only  law- 
fiilljbut  alfo  needful!  to  vfe  tilings  dyaierfly  which  are  nother  good 
nor  bad  of  their  owne  nature.  As  for  example,  if  we  fee  a  man  dra- 
wen  back  from  c5ming  to  the  Gofpel^ or  troubled, bicaufe  he  is  not 
yet  well  ftrengthened :  it  becommeth  vs  to  forbeare  the  thing  that 
clfe  were  lawful!  for  vs,  according  as  we  haue  feene  heeretofore, 
that  we  muft  always  haue  regarde  what  is  expedient  and  fit  for  e- 
uery  mans  faluation.  But  if  we  fee  that  vndcr  colour  thatathyng 
is  neyther  good  nor  badde,  men  goe  about  to  interlace  fome  ho- 
lynefTe  with  it,  and  to  bynde  mennes  confciences  by  conftrainyng 
them  to  keepe  it :  there  we  mull  withfland  them  to  the  vttermoft. 
As  for  example,  To  eate  flefhe  or  fyfhe  is  a  thyng  indifferent,  is 
they  terme  it,  for  it  is  neyther  forbidden  nor  bidden  of  God  too 
eate  flefhe.  Nowe  if  fome  ignorant  perfon  be  offended  at  the  ea- 
ting therof,  and  th^nk  it  to  be  deadly  fmne,  bicaufe  he  loioweth 
not  whether  [^thc  forbearing  of]  it  bee  a  tradition  of  the  Pope, 
or  a  commaundement  of  God,  till  he  be  taught  it  •  we  muft  efchuc 
offence.  Yea  and  when  wee  haue  to  do  with  any  lewes,  which  are 
not  acqua^^nted  with  our  cuftomes,and  that  we  go  about  to  winne 
them  and  draw  them  to  the  obedience  of  the  Gofpel:  we  muft  for  a 
t\^me(in  being  couerfant  with  them)  abftein  from  the  things  which 
they  think  to  be  forefendcd.  For  inafmuche  as  they  are  anned  with 
the  authoritie  of  God,  they  would  thinke  they  had  fome  rcafon  to 
condemne  vs,if  it  were  not  fhewed  them  before,  how  and  by  what 
warrant  we  might  eate  of  all  meates  indifferentlyjand  without  ex- 
ception. But  contrary^wife,  if  tlie  Papiftes  woulde  bring  vs  to  this 
poynt,  that  wee  flioulde  continually  forbeare  the  eating  of  flefhe 
vppon  Frydays  and  Saterdays,  and  in  Lentfeafon,  and  vpon  other 
dayes  of  their  appoynting :  whiche  foeuer  of  vs  fhoulde  agree  too 
that,  he  were  a  traytour  too  the  Gofpell.and  we  fhould  rather  die 
a  hundred  tymes.  For  why  c' wee  mufte  keepe  the  libertic  thatis 
purchafedforvsbyourLorde  lefusChryfte.  If  it  bee  fay de,  and 
howe  fo  <  Ought  a  man  too  trouble  the  whole  worlde,  and  too  l>c 
io  w)  Ifull  for  a  little  liquorouTneffc  of  eatyng  flefhc'  The  queftion 
is  tot  whether  a  man  fhoulde  eate  flefhe  gr  no.;  but  whether  God 

ought 


the  Epift.  to  the  (jalathiaus.       6  4. 

otaghtc  too  bee  obeyed  and  the  thing  vfed  which  he  pei-mitteth,  or 
whether  we  fhould  reft  vpon  the  fancies  of  men. 

Now  if  a  thing  be  lawful  for  me  by  Gods  woord,  is  it  to  be  con- 
demned bycaufe  men  iudge  of  it  after  their  own  fafliion  and  gLiizec* 
But  wee  fee  that  Gods  authoritie  is  blemiflied  when  rliC  right  that 
belongeth  to  him,  and  is  referued  onely  to  himfelfe,  is  giuen  too 
mortail  creatures.  Againe,  there  is  a  clog  layde  vppon  mens  con- 
fciences,infomuche  that  our  Lordelefus  Chiyfte  is  defrauded  ot 
his  due  honour.For  if  he  haue  purchafed  vs  fuch  libertie  as  to  fette 
vs  free  from  the  ceremonies  of  the  Jawe  :  it  is  muche  more  reafon 
(as  I  told  you  this  moming)that  the  things  which  men  haue  dcui- 
fed  fhould  be  layd  away,and  abolifhed.VVherfore  let  vs  mark  wel 
that  in  all  indifferent  things  we  muft  haue  regarde  to  edifying,  and 
although  it  be  lawfiill  for  vs  eyther  too  vfe  or  to  forbeare  a  thing : 
yet  Charitie  byndeth  vs  one  to  an  other.  It  is  a  willing  feruifabie- 
neffe  when  for  the  edifying  of  our  neyghboures  we  abfteyn  from 
the  thing  which  is  free  for  vs  to  doo.  But  yet  in  the  meane  whyle, 
we  muft  not  vmder  the  fhadowe  of  peace  and  concord  betray  Gods 
truth,and  make  a  myngle  mangle  of  it,  fo  as  men  maye  not  knowe 
who  ought  too  rule  the  roaft  here  beneath,  nor  what  lawe  fs  too 
bee  followed,  but  wee  muft  vtterly  mainteyne  the  libertie  where- 
of Sain  ftePaulefpeaketh  heere.  Loe  what  wee  haue  in  cffc<ftto 
tolde  vs  too. 

Now  he  adedth  immediatly,that  the  Apoftles  yi^hich  y»ere  in  great 
tlfitnation,  hrougbie  nothyng  Wtoo  hym,  (And  hee  vppencth  heere 
Peter,  Iohn,and  lames,  who  were  had  in  great  reputation  aboue 
the  refte,  as  pillers,)  but  onely  tooke  in  good  v/oorthe,  and  allo- 
wed the  do6lrine  whyche  hee  hadde  taughte  theretoofore. 
And  therewythall  hee  addeth ,  That  hee  fajfed  not  "^hat  oftnym 
ynenne  had  of  Teter,  lohn,  and  lames,  for  as  muche  as  (^odregardethnot 
Ofiye  rnnnnes  per/one,  That  is  too  faye,  his  outwarde  fhewe  or  e- 
ftimation  too  the  worldewarde. 

It  fhould  feeme  here  at  the  firft  blufhe,  that  S.  Paule  ftriueth  for 
himfelf,and  for  his  own  authoritie  and  credit.  Ther  were  dogs  tliat 
barked  againft  him  in  times  paft,&  fpecially  the  bakfliders  that  had 
tafted  of  the  Gofpehwho  to  preted  fom  color  of  their  backflidmg 


ckip.2.  ^o.CaLn^nthSermonypon 

and  of  their  renouncing  of  Chryft,  alledged  thus  for  themfeluef;' 
Tufhc  it  is  wel  inough  known,  that  the  Apofties  ftroue  to  wit  who' 
fhould  be  greateil,  which  was  an  vnfemely  thing,  and  (hewed  well 
that  they  had  ill  borne  away  tlieir  mayfters  doftrine,  who  ccman- 
ded  them  to  hunible  themfelues  in  fuch  wyfe,  that  euery  of  therri 
(Iiould  make  hinifeife  lead,  although  he  were  the  greateft.  But  wee 
haue  to  markc  here,  that  S.Paule  had  no  controucifie  with  tlie  A- 
poflles,  as  he  himfeife  alfo  declareth.  1  herfore  there  is  fome'fpei^ 
ciall  caufe  why  he  magniiieth  himfeife  fo  much  :  whiche  is,for  that 
thofe  dodges  which  labored  to  fet  debate  betvvene  the  Apoftles,&: 
thenvithall  to  airmoyle  and  falfilie  the  Gofpell;  pretended  always 
too  bee  the  difciples  of  the  Apofrles  and  lamiliar  with  them,  lyke 
as  ill  thefe  dayes  we  fee  manie  fuviitmes  and  fliameleffe  ft'llowes; 
which  abufe  the  names  of  Gods  femants/and  pafle  not  to  lie  withi 
open  throte,faying :  Oho,  I  lemed  it  of  fuche  a  man.  And  yet  rhey 
fpealve  of  a  matter  that  was  neuer  heard  of,  yea  and  their  fhamelef- 
nes  oueifhooteth  it  felf  fo  far  as  to  name  the  verie  cities,,  when  as 
notv.athfl:auding;if  a  man  examin  them  throughly,he  (hall  iind  the 
cleane  contrarie.  So  then  it  was  for  S.  Paule  to  (hewe  that  theau^ 
thoritie  of  men  is  not  fuflicient  to  deface  the  foueraione  authori- 
tie  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chryft,  nor  the  reuerence  that  men  4vight  to 
beare  to  his  worde.  Therfore  we  fee  fyrft  of  all,  that  Paule  ftroue 
not  here  againft  PcterJames,or  Iohn,for  he  agreed  verie  wel  with 
them.  And  fecondly  that  he  regarded  not  his  owne  perfon,  but 
ment  to  maynteine  Gods  cace :  that  is  too  wit,  that  he  was  ordei- 
ned  and  eftabliflied  in  the  ftate  of  an  Apoftle.  Marke  for  one  point 
that  he  did  not  thrafte  himfeife  in  vpon  a  brauerie  nor  at  adiierj-* 
ture,  but  tliat  God  had  chofen  him  thervnto,  and  that  theiTppon, 
he  had  fo  borne  abroade  the  doftrine  that  was  betaken  vnto  him 
asthepuretrurhof  God,  and  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Ghi^fte.  ^^ '».•.■{ 
V\  "herfore  if  we  condder  wherat  S.Paule  arned,  we  flial  n6t  bit- 
ly  haue  wherewith  to  ftpppe  the  mouthes  of  all  mfffpeakers,  but 
dfo  be  the  more  confirmed  in  the  fayth  which  we  hold  by  his  tea- 
ching. And  although  there  be  not  nowadayes  any  fuch  (hameleiTe 
perfons  that  labor  to  deface  hirn,or  to  abolifh  the  authdritie  of  his 
Apoftie(hip :  yet  doth  not  that  do6lrine  celTe  to  be'fer  our  j^rofit. 


the  Ef^ul.to  the  (jalathians.  6^ 

As  how:'  V^'^cehauefeene  already  Howe  Sain«5l  Paule  hath  fayde, 
that  if  the  Angelles  of  Heauen  fliould  fteppe  vp  too  preache  a  Go-- 
fpcll  contrarie  to  the  Gofpell  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chriile  :  vve  fliould 
hold  them  accurfed.  And  cuen  at  this  day  the  fame  is  good  for  vs. 
For  wee  may  defie  Satan^andall  the  misbeleefe  andwylinefle  of 
menne,  and  all  the  trafhe  and  fubtileties  which  they  haue  to  thruft 
vs  from  the  finglenelTe  of  our  faythilfay  wee  may  defie  euery* 
whit  of  it.    And  why  c"  For  Gods  woorde  hath  fuchc  a  Maieflie  in 
it  feife,  that  all  things  that  can  bee  let  vp  agaynft  it,  are  butfmoke, 
leazing,  and  filthinelTe.    Nowe  then  it  wee  take  it  for  a  generall 
rule,  that  nother  Peter  nor  lohn  may  diminifhe  the  Maieftie  of  the 
Gofpell :  it  will  ferue  vs  for  a  buckler  too  warde  all  things  that 
can  bee  alledged  in  thefe  dayes  too  fhake  vs  withall :  according  al- 
foaswee  fee,  that  diuerfe  vveakelings  are  thruft  out  of  the  way 
by  that  it  is  fayde  vntoo  them,  howe  nowe  C*  wee  fee  that  the  wy- 
zeft  menne  of  the  worlde,  the  men  of  greatefl  skill,  the  Prelates 
and:fuche  as  haue. the  gouernement of  the  Churche,  toogither  with- 
the  Kings  and  Princes,  fticke  too  the  fayth  that  hath  bin  receyued 
of  long  tyme,and  too  the  olde  accuilomed  maner  of  liuyng.  Thus 
the  poorer  foi  te  haue  their  eyes  bleared,  and  their  wittes  vtterly 
dulled,  and  their  hartes  difcouragcd,  by  meanes  whereof  Gods 
trutheis  forfaken,  fo  as  it  hath  nother  credite  nor  reuerence  a- 
mong  them,  and  in  the  meane  feafon  thefe  maskers  gette  the  vp- 
per  hande,  and  flaunt  it,  as  who  woulde  fay,  that  men  fhoulde  make 
Idolles  of  them,and  woorfhip  them  in  defpyte  of  God.    Then  (ith 
it  is  fo,  wee  fee  it  flandeth  vs  on  hande  in  thefe  dayes,  too  bee  ar> 
med  with  the  do6>rine  that  is  conta^Tied  heere  in  Sainft  Paule : 
which  is,  that  God  will  haue  vstoo  recc^oiehis  woorde  without 
gaynefaying  :  and  that  when  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte  came  downe 
intoo  the  world,  he  was  ordeyned  too  bee  our  Mayftcr,  with  con- 
dicion  that  euery  of  vs  fhoulde  herken  too  him,  andflicke  too  the 
things  that  he  fpeaketh,  without  adding  aught  too,  or  diminiffiing 
aught  trom  that  whiche  it  pleafed  him  too  fhewe,  bycaufe  the  full 
perfeclicn  of  all  wifcdome  is  in  him.  When  wee  once  knowe 
this,  wee  may  defpyte  all  the  gewgawcs  that  menne  can  lay  before 
V6.  And  if  menne  tell  vsthat  d-;e  greateft  men,  the  wvzcG:  men, 

I.  '  the 


Chap,  z,  Jq^  CaLmnth  Sermon  ypon 

•the  n'cheft  meti;  and  the  men  of  authoririe  of  this  worlde  doo  Hue 
foor  fo:  [wee  may  anf\vcr,3yea  marie,  but  when  all  comes  too 
ait  what  are  they  in  comparifon  of  God :'  When  creatures  come 
before  htm  they  muile  all  vanifhe  away  :  for  when  foeuer  there  is 
that  Maieftie  giuen  too  Gods  woorde,.  whereby  he  intcndeth  too 
trie  whither  wee  honour  him  or  no :  it  is  certayne  that  wee  will  re- 
ee^Aie  all  that  proceedeth  out  of  his  hioly  moudie.    Nowe,  that 
woorde  is  conteyncd  in  the  Goipellpin  To  much  that  when  we  haue 
oncegraunted  that  God  is  too  bee  obeyed,  wee  mufte  no  more 
runne  ouer  fea  or  lande  too  feeke  what  his  will  is  :  for  wee  haue  a 
fureand  infallible  warrant  of  it  in  the  Lawc,  PropheteS;  and  Go- 
fpell.  Sith  the  cace  ftandeth  fo,  wee  fee  it  is  not  without  caufe  tliat 
the  holy  Ghofk  woulde  haue  this  dodlrine  too  continue  too  the 
worldes  cnde.  And  furthermore  wee  bee  warned  therewithal!,  too 
reflevyponGodwidioutwaueringat  euery  blaft  of  winde,  accor- 
ding as  wee  fee  how  the  Diuell  llirreth  vp  much  varietie  of  opinio 
ons,  whiche  ai-e  as  whirlewindes  and  tempcftes  too  dryaie  vs  too 
and  fro. 

But  let  vs  learne  too  bee  fettled  vppon  God,  and  then  fhall  wee 
flande  out  too  the  laile  brunt.  For  if  wee  hilde  our  fa^ah  oflohnj 
or  Peter,  it  wouide  bee  but  a  leane  faythj  bycaufe  they  were  frayle 
creatures,  and  wee  knowe  that  man  is  fubie(Sl  too  leafmgs  and  va- 
nitie.  Therefore  it  flandeth  vs  on  hand,  too  banc  a  much  fubflan- 
tialler  and  fiu*er  gro^miwoorke  and  foundation,  than  all  diat  is  too 
bee  found  in  this  worlde.   And  [o,  for  afmuch  as  wee  knowe  that 
God  hath  taught  vs  in  the  perfone  of  our  Lorde  Icfus  Chrifte,  and 
that  men  haue  bin  no  more  but  theinftrumets  thereof:  it  behouedi 
vs  too  mount  vp  vnto  God,  That  is  the  way  for  vs  too  apply  this 
do6lrine  too  our  owne  inftruftion,  where  Sainfl  Paule  fayeth  diat 
the  Apoflles  added  not  any  thing  vntoo  him.  Neuerthe later,  it  is 
not  ment  that  hedefpyzeth  them,  or  that  he  intended  not  to  profite 
with  them:  for  he  hked  very  well  of  that,  yea  and  imployed  him- 
felfe  by  all  meanes  therevnto,and  hild  no  skorne  too  bee  taught  e- 
uenof  the  raeaneft  fort,  as  wee  haue  feene.  But  his  intent  was  that 
Gods  woorde  which  he  had  preached  fhould  abyde  firme:and  ther- 
vponheputteth  the  wifeflmen  in  fubie^on  tooit,  and  the  menoF 

g^reateft. 


the  EpiH.to  the  ^alathtans.  66 

gfeateftcovmteoance  in  the  world,  and  fuch  as  bare  greateft  fKewc 

and  reputation  in  theChurchc,  to  the  end  that  lefus  Chnfte  fliould 

keepc  his  preheminence  ftiil,  and  men  haue  an  eye  vntoo  him,  and 

not  vnto  men,but  ground  themfelucs  altogither  vpon  one  feifiame 

fayth,and  fay  that  for  afmuch  as  the  Sonne  of  God  is  fent  v^nto  vs  to 

fhewe  vs  the  will  of  God  his  father :  it  is  not  lawful!  for  vs  in  any 

wyze  too  doubt  of  the  things  which  wee  rcceyue  oFhim.  Thus  ycc 

fee  what  wee  haue  too  doo  at  this  day.  And  whereas  Sain6c  Panic 

fayeth,  thjthepaffetbnot  MfUt  the  ApoHIesV^^ere,  hycaufe  God  regir^ 

deth  not  mmnes  ferfoms :  thereby  he  (he weth  that  he  ought  not  too 

bee  counted  inferiour  too  lohn  or  Peter,  for  tliat  he  had  bin  an  in- 

fideli,and  not  beleeued  in  lefus  Chrift,  at  fuch  time  as  the  otber  A- 

poftlcs  did  already  preach  the  Gofpell.  For  the  maner  cf  the  world 

is,  that  tliey  which  come  firfle,  fliould  bee  iirft  femed.  Saintl  Panic 

therefore  perceyuing  diat  the  fame  might  bee  fomepreiudice  too 

his  doclrine,fayeth  that  men  muft  not  looke  what  a  one  he  had  bin 

ftfore,  or  what  the  other  had  bin  afore.  And  yet  his  meening  is  not, 

that  he  ought  not  too  looke  backe  too  humble  himfelfe  continual- 

Jy^or  that  the  giftes  of  grace  which  God  had  beftowed  vppon  lohn 

and  Peter,  fliould  notbeeefteemed  and  commended  as  they  were 

pray fc  woorthie  :  for  we  fee  that  in  other  places  he  termeth  himfelf  j^r^;- j^.  g^ 

a  poore  thing  borne  out  of  time,and  confefleth  himfelf  too  bee  vn-     g  g, 

woorthie  to  be  counted  in  the  number  of  the  AjX)fllcs.Sain6l  Paule 

then  did  not  asatiumber  of  hypocrites  or  rather  fliamelcffe  per- 

fones  do, who  til  their  lyfe  long  haue  bin  eyther  whoremongers,  or 

drunliardes,  or  looce  liuers,and  of  a  beaftly  couerfation,  and  yet  for 

all  that  doo  but  wring  their  mouth  at  it  and  fay,  tufli,  men  m/afl:  not 

inquyrc  what  I  haue  bin.   But  furely  men  mufl:  not  looke  too  haue 

any  other  iudges  [^agaynfl:  them  than  themfelues.'J  For  euery  of  vs 

ought  too  condemne  himfelfe,  as  S.Paule  exhorteth  vs :  and  fpeci-  ir^y^n  f 

ally  when  we  confider  how  we  haue  bin  wretched  vnbeleeuers,and      ^o 

as  good  as  beaftes,  wee  ought  too  bee  afhamed  of  our  outie  leud- 

neffe,   Sain£t Paule  therefore  wifl:ewell  there  had  bincauje  for 

him  too  rrjfiyke  of  himfelfe,  andtoobee  afliamedofhisilriuing 

agaynilthe  Gofpell,and  therewithall  difde^Tied  not  the  goodneffG 

that  hai  bin  in  lohn  and  lames.  At  fuche  tyme  as  Peter  and  lohn 

'•  I.ij.  wcr^^ 


Chap.z,  ]^^        fo.Ql.nwth Sermonypon 

were  ftiirged  and  whipped- for  the  GofpeljSaindl  Paule  was  a  mur^ 
•  tlicrer,  and  palTed  not  too  fay  that  they  were  rightly  dealt  withail, 
and  tliat  it  made  no  matter.  But  yet  for  all  that,  hee  ameth  at  the 
marke  which  I  [pake  of  afore  :  namely  that  for  afmiich  as  G  od  had 
fo  aduaimced  him  within  a  little  whyle,  his  former  niisbehauiour  in 
tymes  pafte  ou^ht  not  to  hinder  the  rcce-^niing  of  the  gracious  gifts 
th?it  were  in  him^that  they  might  not  profite  too  the  common  edi- 
•fying  of  the  Churche. 

I  hus  yee  fee  in  effect,  that  the  thing  which  wee  haue  too  beare 
inminje^  is  that  if  it  bee  late  ere  wee  bee  called  too  the  Gofpcll, 
wee  mude  bee  forie  that  wee  haue  fpent  our  tyme  fo  ill;  and  fpeci- 
ally  that  we  e  haue  liued  like  wretched  bmte  beafts,  without  know- 
ing wlio  is  our  father  too  whom  wee  ought  toodoo  homage,  bothc 
for  our  lire  and  for  all  the  goodes  which  we  haue  receyued  of  him. 
Therefore  wee  ought  too  bee  forie  for  that.  Againe,when  wee  fee  z 
man  returne  that  was  gone  aflray,  wee  muRe  acknowledge  fuche 
chnunge  too  bee  a  miracle  of  God.  For  if  a  man  haue  binawildc 
Jjead,  and  pad  all  hope  of  beyng  brought  vnto  God,  and  yet  after- 
ward becommeth  as  a  fheepe,and  rubmineth  himfelfe  willingly  too 
the  obedience  of  our  Lordlefus  Chriflc  :  it  cannot  bee  but  that  the 
hand  ot  God  hath  pafled  vppon  him.  There  fore  it  behoue  th  vs  too^ 
know  what  all  men  haue  bin  aforetime s,  and  euery  man  ought  too 
bee  his  owne  iudge  in  that  behalfe :  but  yet  for  all  that,  when  a  man 
Jiath  bin  flowe  in  comming  vntoo  God,  if  God  woorke  in  him  with 
fuche  power  as  it  is  feenethat  hemindethtob  fethim  forewarder 
•in  one  day,  thanfome  other  men  in  ten  yeeres :  his  fo  doyng  muftc 
not  caiife  vs  too  plucke  backe  him  that  was  able  too  edifie,  as  men 
ibmetim  es  doo,  faying,  what  was  fuch  a  one  a  twoo  or  three  yeeres 
ago:"  fuche  fayings  are  nought  woorth.  Lette.  vs  rather  vndcr- 
ftand,  that  our  Lorde  hath  Oiewed  himfc  Ife  To  much  the  more,  too 
the  end  too  be  honored.  And  therewithall,for  afmuch  as  Gods  gifti 
ought  not  too  bee  vnprofitable :  let  vs  fuffer  them  too  bee  applyed 
to  the  profite  and  welfare  of  the  faytnfull.Yee  f-^e  then  that  our  loo- 
kmg  what  men  haue  binaforetirnes,  mufl:  not  bee  to  defpyze  therri 
ftili:  for  it  may  bee  that  God  gauc  hym  the  brydle  for  a  tymc 
too  the  intent  toobrynghym  dawne,  fo  as  he  becanie  an  vnthf  rft^ 


the^EpiHMthe^alathiam.       6j 

or  liuecj  in  ignorance;and  knew  not  goodnefle,  or  had  not  any  ex- 
cellent or  commendable  qualitie  in  him :  and  yet  for  all  that,  Ood 
wilirette  him  as  it  were  vppon  the  fcafFold,  and  fhewe  byeffed 
that  he  intendeth  too  bee  ferued  by  him.  Therefore  it  behoueth 
vs  too  take  in  good  woorth,  the  thing  that  God  giueth  and  ofFe- 
reth  vntoo  vs  in  that  wyze . 

Thus  yee  fee  what  wee  haue  to  beare  in  minde,  and  how  necdc- 
full  it  is  that  wee  fhould  fo  doo :  for  there  is  not  any  thing  contay- 
ned  heere,  whereof  wee  haue  not  the  experience  nowe  adayes. 
As  touchyng  the  woordes  where  S'ainft  Paule  fayeth  that  God  at» 
(epteth  not  any  wannes  perfenc:  it  is  all  oncas  jf  hee  had  fayde,  that 
God  is  not  tied  too  the  things  that  arc  feene  of  vs,  or  whiche  wee 
haue  in  estimation,  but  that  he  is  free  too  beftowe  his  giftes  on 
whom  he  liileth,  and  how  he  lifteth.  Many  men,  when  they  he  ere 
thfs  woorde  Pf^/owfpoken  of,  doo  beguyle  themfelues,  and  wreft 
it  agaynfl:  the  meening  of  the  holy  Ghofte.  And  therev^pon  ma- 
ny men  fuppoze  that  God  accepteth  not  any  one  man  more  than 
another, for  then  []  thinke  they]  he  fhould  be  partial!.  But  fee  how 
they  darken  Gods  free  Eledion  :  as  who  flioulde  fay  hee  were  be- 
holden too  men,  and  that  if  he  choze  any  of  them,  the  fame  ought 
•  too  bee  general!  without  exception,  in  fo  muche  that  (too  their 
feemyng)  Gods  grace  flieth  in  the  ayre  lyke  a  Tennisball,  and  it  is 
in  our  power  and  free  will  too  reache  out  our  hande  too  catche  it, 
and  too  apply  it  too  our  vfe.  Thus  are  diuerfe  befotted,  yea  euen 
with  too  groile  ignorance,  bycaufe  they  vnderftande  not  what  is 
ment  by  the  woorde  perfone.  But  the  holy  Scripture  telleth  vs, 
that  Godin  voutchfa&igtoo  chooze  menne,  and  too  fet  them  in  a 
more  excellent  (late,  and  too  beftowe  the  giftes  of  his  holie  Spi- 
ritc  vppon  them,  ftayeth  not  vppon  any  tiling  at  all  in  the  partie, 
ne  pafTeth  whither  he  bee  whyte  or  bkcke,  oide  or  yong,  noble  or 
vnnoble,  riche  or  poore,  beioued  or  bchated  of  menne,  fayre  cr 
foule.  God  thinketh  not  vppon  any  of  tliefe  fmall  tryfles :  forif  he 
(houlde  delay  too  louevs  till  he  found  fomc  good  thmg  in  vs :  hee 
ihouldelettevs  alone  flill  in  fuche  plight  as  wee  bee.  That  there- 
fore is  the  caufc  why  SzinCt  PavJc  %cth  cxprefiy,  that  God  regar- 
dethnot  anymannes  perfone.  And  lo  wee  fee  novv  what  wee  haue 

I.iij.  too 


Cfaapi.  ..       foXaLninthSermonypon 

too  gather  vppon  that  Text.  Firft  of  atl(as  I  haue  faydd  already)  let 
vs  learne  too  receyuc  Gods  giftes,  and  too  make  our  owne  profits 
of  them  when  they  bee  offered  vs,  and  let  vs  not  take  occafion  too 
refuzc  them  as  many  men  doo,  whiche  labour  too  cloke  their  vft- 
kindnefle  by  alledging  one  thing  or  othenBut  whither  they  ailedge 
antiquitf  e^or  what  foeuer  thing  elfe,  lette  it  not  hinder  vs  too  take 
profite  by  thofewhom  God  fendeth  too  vs  :  for  though  they  bee 
not  paft  three  dayes  old,nor  can  magniiie  themfelues  among  men, 
nor  haue  done  many  exploytes  and  valeant  enterpiyzes :  yet  is  it 
no  matter  too  vs,  fo  wee  perceyue  that  our  Lord  hath  giuen  them 
fuch  giftes  as  may  bee  auayleahle  too  our  edification^  and  therefore 
let  euery  of  vs  floupe  and  become  teachable,  afluring  our  felues  that 
if  wee  refuze  the  good  that  is  offered  vs  by  man,  wee  do  not  wrong 

*  -  too  the  man,  but  for  afmuch  as  God  is  die  author  thereof,  and  wee 

^  hold  skome  too  reccyue  that  which  commeth  of  him,  we  be  woor- 

thie  too  bee  vtterly  bereft  of  the  thyng  that  he  is  mynded  too  be- 
itowe  vppon  vs,and  of  the  benefites  which  he  hath  after  a  forte  put 

^ '  intoo  our  hand.    Lo  what  wee  haue  too  beare  away.  Furthermore 

lette  vs  learne  alfo,  not  too  bring  any  imaginacion  of  felfe  value 
when  wee  come  vntoo  God.  But  let  him  that  is  noble,  mightie^ 
or  riche  too  the  worldwarde,  lay  away  all  felfe  eftimatton,  and  ac- 
knowledge it  too  bee  vtterly  nothing  before  God :  and  lette  him 
that  is  poore  and  miferable,  affure  himfelfe  that  he  is  not  quite  fha- 
ken  off,  though  men  defpyze  him.  Alfo  let  vs  pra6byze  that  which 
is  (hewed  vs  by  S.Iames,  which  is,  that  tlic  brother  which  is  greate 
and  noble  {houlde  glorie  in  his  fmalneffe,  knowingthathe  hath  all 
things  of  Gods  onely  meere  goodneffe :  and  that  the  brother  which 
is  poore  and  of  lowe  and  meane  degree,  fhould  glorie  in  that  God 
hath  adopted  him,  and  giuen  him  fuche  a  ftate  as  pafledi  all  the 
kingdomes  of  the  worlde,  feyng  k  picafeth  him  too  auow  vs  after 
that  fafhion  for  his  children^  True  it  is  that  where  as  men  gaze 
-Vppon  the  outward  apparance  and  fay  re  fhewe  of  things :  God  ac- 
ceptethagoodconfcience,  Godlooketh  at  the  vnconuptneffe  of 
the  hart.  But  yet  mufthe  be  fayne  tooput  the  fame  before  into  it : 
for  at  the  firft  he  fhall  not  finde  it  in  vs.  Let  God  looke  vppon  all 

^.I4.^.j..  the  chiidrcu  of  Adam,  and  (as  it  is  faydc  in  the  Ffalme)  hee  fhdl 

.1;  -  ^  -:..  g^^ 


theEpiTl.tothe(jaIathians.       6% 

Cude  nothing  but  vtter  corriiptioa  They  bee  ftarkc  rotten  in  their 
wickednefl'e.  See  what  our  nature  is.  Then  is  there  not  any  thing 
thatcouJde  moue  God  too  accept  vs,and  too  preferre  vs  betureo- 
thers  :  butvvee  mufte  become  veflelles  of  his  goodnefle,  and  ac- 
knowledge diat  his  accepting  of  vs,  is  not  for  our  ownc  woorthi* 
neile  :  hut  that  when  he  choze  vs  too  himfelfe,  and  fet  vs  intoo  the 
way  by  his  holy  fpiiite,  euen  then  he  knew  what  foundnefi^  was  in 
vs.  Not  that  wee  haue  any  at  all  of  our  ownc :  but  bycaufc  he  doth 
as  it  wer^  bcholde  liimfclfe  in  vs.-  For  iooke  howe  many  good 
things  there  are  in  the  faythful VfQ  many  recordes  arc  there  of 
Godsgoodnefle  in  that  he  hath, flawed  himfelfe  bountifull  to-» 
wardes  them.  T  hat  i^  the  caufe  why  that  in  the  tenth  of  the  Aftes  d^.  iO.e.34 
and  in  other  places,; this  accepting^  of  perfones  is  put  for  the  dec- 
kings and  vizors  whicheai"€  as  falfe  ijluzions  :  of  whiche  forte  are 
riches,  credite,  dignit^e,  nobiiitie  arid  fudie  other  things,  whiche 
feme  too  make  menne  too  fet  ilore  by  themfclues,  and  too  {lande 
in  their  owneconceytes.  But  it  is  fayde  that  God  doothe  looke  \,San.\lS^ 
into  mennes  h3ites,and  not  gaze  vppoii  the  outfide  of  them^fo  they     hAJ^ 
fubmit  themfelues  too  him  obediently,  as  I  haue  declared  klreadie. 
Thib  IS  in  effecl  the  thing  that  wee  haue  too  beare  in  minde.    Now 
S.Pauleaddethimmediatly,^^^rf^  tbe/ipoHksaua'^eJbim  too  be  their 
felLx^e  .ndgaue  him  theirhande^as  it  were  too  warrant  that  the  Go- 
fpell  which  he  had  preached, was  in  all  poynts  conformable  to  the  ir 
do<5b-ine,  3<  that  all  of  them  had  ferued  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  Here- 
vmoS.Pauleaddeth,  ()f7^//5»^  n^ki  by  common  lonjcnt  reie^ued  m  the 
4fOille  of  the  CentylesjXhz.t  is  too  fay,of  fuch  as  had  not  bin  brought 
vpynderthe,lawe,norwereIewesbybinhe  and  auncitrie.  Heerc 
wee  fee  thatS.Paules  (Iryuingwas  not  with  the  Apoftles :  for  they 
auowedhimtoo  bee  their  fellowe  mother  did  he  difdayne  them: 
for  we  e  hai)e  feene  before,  that  although  his  comming  to  lerufalem 
was  widiaflTured  knowledge- that  God  had  appoynted  him,  and  vp- 
pcn  fure  and  infallible  reuelation,  after  he  had  bin  caught  vp  intoo 
the  thirde  Heauet^;.  yet  notWithftanding  hee  was  not  caried  with 
pryde,nojher  vndertooke  he  that  iourney  to  lerufalem,  to  common 
with  the  Apoftles  for  feare  leaft  hp  had  already  or  (hould thereafter* 
ruifnc  in  vapc.  For  his  defire  was  too  haue  ail  menne  laiowe,  that- 
■   '^      '  Uiij.  he  , 


ciup.i,  foXaLmnth  Sermonypon 

he  chalendged  not  ahy  fpeciall  thing  too  hinifelf,  but  that  hisone- 
ly  feeking  was,  that  tli€  Sonne  of  God  might  bee  publifhed  all  the 
worlde  ouer,  and  that  menne  jfhoulde  woorfhippe  him  and  reft  vp- 
pon  him,  fo  as  he  brought  not  a  newe  lefiis  Chrifte,  but  was  con- 
formable inallpoyntes  too. Peter  and  iohn,and  too  all  their  feU 
lowes.  If  Saind  Paule  had  flirunke  afide  by  himfelfe,  it  woulde 
haue  bene  fayde,  that  his meening  was  not  too  haue  any  confent  of 
doclrine  with  the  reft  of  the  Apoftles.  But  nowe^feynghe  com- 
meth  after  tliat  forte  too  agre  e  with  them :  he  fhe^.veththat-he  was 
notcaried  awaywith  any  pryde  or  prefumptuoufneflfe  :  and  that  is 
it  whichehe  meencthby  (ayiftg^llewe  agayrie,  that  the  Apoftles a^ 
uowed  him  too  be  e  their  itW^^^j  Then  dbthe  he  not  take  vppor* 
him  too  bee  aboue  them  t  but  will  Hlue  ntenknowe  that  the  Apo- 
ftles ferued  our  Lordlefus  Clirift,  Be  thathc  was  one  of  their  num- 
ber,andthat  the  Gofpell  which  he  had  preached  mufte  not  bee  ta- 
ken as  a  doubtfull  thing,  but  [as  certaine]  as  if  Peter  or  lohn  had 
fpoken  it,  in  fomuch  tliat  when  Sain6l  Paule  treateth  thereof,  hee- 
fayeth  not,it  is  I,  but  he  fayeth  it  is  kdis  Ghrifte,  VVhither  it  beer 
Peter,I6hn,or  lames  that  fpeaketh,  let  vs  looke  that  the  Sonne  of 
God  haue  euer  the  mayfterhood  aboue  vs,  and  lette  the  thing  that 
commeth  of  him  bee  receyued,  whitherit  bee  by  mee  or  by  an  o- 
ther.  Sain^ft  Paule  will  not  haue  men  too  gaze  after  him,any  more 
than  after  the  leaft  man  in  the  worlde.  The  thing  which  wee  haue 
in  eif  eft  too  remember  in  this  teXte  of  Sainft  Paules,  is  that  he  had 
no  n-iinde  at  all  of  himfelfe,  ne  fought  any  whit  of  his  owne,  but 
was  contented  that  lefus  Ghriftefhoulde  haue  theprayfe  that  he 
deferued,and  that  his  woord  (hould  bereceyued  with  all  reucrence, 
and  as  for  all  other  thingS;,  he  cared  not  what  became  of  them.  As 
touching  the  other  poynt,  that  he  was  accepted  fof  the  Apoftle  of 
MK\^*a»2,  the  Gentiles :  it  is  agreeable  too  that  whiche  SainftLuke  alfo  re- 
hearceth :  namely  tliat  Paule  and  Barnabas  were  ordayned  Apo-' 
ftles,  bycaufe  God  had  fholed  them  out  fbr  the  {amepurpofe,  too 
preache  the  Gofpell  nmong  the  Gentyles.  Then  dyd  not  that  mat-' 
ter  come  of  menne :  but  God  had  pronounced  his  vnreuocabie 
fentence  of  it :  and  Sainft  Paules  treating  after  that  forte  of  him- 
felf;  dooth  no  whitduninifhthecOnruTiirsiongf  the  other  Apoftle>- 


p.,« 


the  EptfLtothe  (jalathiam.       ^9 

But  feeing  he  was  fentof  God  in  d^td,  and  riiat  his  calhng  Wvis  noD. 
grounded  Vpo  men^nor  he  had  preaced  in  vnmearurably,nor  thruft 
himfelfe  in  vpon  a  geefifhnefle,  but  was  chofen  thereunto  of  God  ; 
the  Apoftles  (hewed  that  they  woulde  not  in  any  wife  fpeake  a- 
gaynftfuch  acallingjbicaufe  it  was  offufficient  author itie,  as  com- 
niing  from  God.  And  heere  we  fee  yetbettcr,howe  all  men  ought 
to  frame  themfelues  to  obedienceptoo  the  intent  that  nothing  may 
Jet  tlie  worde  oi  God  to  bee  a  brydle  and  yoke,  too  holde  vs  fo  in 
awe,  as  none  of  vs  may  follow  his  owne  fancies,  luftes  and  affe6li- 
onsjbut  fuffer  our  felues  to  be  guided  and  gouerned  by  the  hand  of 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  Nowe  if  it  were  not  lawfuU  for  the  Apo  - 
ftles  to  refuze  Saint  Paule,  bicaufehe  was  fent  fromheauen :  what 
fliaJl  we  do  1  Shall  it  not  bee  a  di\idlifh  pryde,  if  wee  cannot  indurc 
that  thegouemmentand  order  whiche  God  hath  ftablifiied  in  hys 
Church,  fhoulde  continue  vnimpeached ,  but  would  chaunge  cal- 
lings at  our  owne  pleafure,  to  fet  vp  and  pull  downe  according  too 
thedeuice  of  our  owne  foolifh  brayne  c'  Then  if  wee  go  about  too 
make  fueh  trouble  in  the  Church,  is  it  not  all  one  as  if  wee  woulde 
placke  theSunneoutoftheskieto  fpite  God  withall.  Therefore 
ye  fee  heere,that  the  thing  which  wc  haue  to  beare  in  minde,is  that 
the  gouemmentof  the  Church  is  ordeyned  of  God,  and  that  they 
which  go  about  to  chaunge  any  thing  in  it,are  full  of  diuelifh  pride, 
and  muftin  the  ende  fall  downe  for  aduauncing  themfelues  in  fuch 
wife.  Nowe  as  touching  that  Sairit  Paule  was  fent  among  the  Gen* 
t)lc^  :  it  was  not  an  altering  of  that  which  had  bin  vttered  alreadie 
by  the  mouth  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  when  he  fayde,  gopreache  *^^'"^:>^•'• 
ye  the  Gofpell  through  the  whole  worldc.   It  might  feeme  at  the       ^^* 
firft  fight,  that  heere  was  fome  chaunge  and  contrarietie,  in  that  S. 
Paule  was  fent  an  die  one  fydcjand  Saint  Peter  on  the  other.  Ne- 
uerthelelTejboth  of  them  do  ftande  verie  well  togither,  forfomuch 
as  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  fpake  not  feuerally  to  any  one  of  the  A- 
poftles,  Thou  p€ter  fhak  go  ouer  all  the  world e,  thou  (halt  go  a- 
bout  the  whole  earth  to  preach  my  Gofpell,  or  thoulohn  flialt  do 
the  lyke^andfoconf^^quentlytothe  others:  buthefayeth,  All  you 
wh*^ »m  I  haue  ortieyrieti^o  fpread  abrode  my  Gofpr  1 1  euet-y  where. 
And  hisgiuin^  of  Cbrmmlsicin  after  t'lat  fort  in  eensrall  tc!  incs  is 
^'''  Lv,     '^  no 


chap.i.  fe.CaLninth  Sermon  ypon 

no  let  but  that  one  might  go  one  way,  and  another  anothe r,  and  e* 
uerie  of  iheni  imploy  himfelfe  wherefoeuer  God  niade  hini  way, 
orgauehimenterance,  according  alfo  as  they  laboured  to  fpende 
thcmfeiues  thereaboutes ,  as  well  in  death  as  in  lyfe .  But  befydcs 
this,  there  was  a  fpeciall  commifsion  giuen  to  Saint  Paule  to  go  in- 
to Countreys  furtht r  off, where  there  was  not  fuch  a  multitude  of 
iewes.  True  it  is  that  wherefoeuer  Paule  came,  hee  did  put  foonb 
the  do(?lrine  of  the  Gofpell  throughout  all  the  Sinagoges  of  the 
Iewes,  fo  as  he  was  rightly  their  Apoftle  alio.  Hcwbeeit,  this  let- 
ted him  not  to  be  ordeyned  for  the  Gentiles,  and  to  carie  abrodc 
the  Gofpell  throughethe  whole  worlde,  euen  where  God  had 
not  bin  knowne  afore,  and  where  there  had  not  beenc  any  light  of 
good  dc<5lrinc,any  lawe,or  any  Religion.   S.  Paule  then  was  feme 
cheefly  vnto  tiiem.And  feeing  it  is  fo :  what  tytk  of  fuprcmacic  can 
the  Pope  now  pretendc,  vnder  colour  that  S.Peter  (as  he  himfelfe 
fayth)  was  Bifliop  of  Rome  c'  Surely  the  faying  that  Peter  was  at 
Rome,and  lyued  as  Bifhop  there,is  Isut  a  fable  and  fiatte  mockerie. 
But  let  vs  put  the  cace  it  were  fo.Yet  according  to  that  vyhichl  ha^uc 
fayde  alreadie  ,  Peters  calling  was  fpeciallyfor  the  Iewes.    A}^, 
therefore  if  the  Pope  pretende  too  bee  Saint  Peters  fucceflour,hee 
mull  bee  the  Bifhop  of  the  Iewes,  and  his  fupremacie  mufl  (Iretch 
no  further  than  too  them.  For  as  for  Saint  Paule ,  it  is  verie  cer- 
taine  that  he  was  neuer  Bifiiop  of  Rome,  nor  ncuer  was  there,  fa- 
uing  when  hee  was  brought  prifoner  thither:  and  it  is  not  kiiownc 
whither  he  continued  there  or  no,howbeeit  it  is  verie  likely  that  he 
anfwered  for  his  life.  The  Pope  then  cannot  braggc  that  he  fucce  - 
deth  Saint  Paule  therin.  And  what  warrant  hath  tlie  Citie  of  Rome, 
or  what  worthinefle  can  it  pretende  to  fay  that  the  Apoftles  of  our 
Lordelefus  Chrift  were  tliere :  but  that  it  is  adenne  of  theeues,and 
that  Gods  feruants  haue  bin  murthered  there  c"  So  then'let  v?  mark 
well  this  Text ,  where  Saint  Paule.fheweth ,  that  Saint  Peter  was. 
appoynted  for  the  Iewes,  and  himfelfe  fcnt  too  the  Gentiles :  for 
in  as  muche  as  this  leflbn  feaieth  expreflely  for  our  tume ,  wee 
ought  too  bee  the  more  moued  too  profite  by  it.  True  it  is  that  the 
doftrine  of  the  other  Apoftles  beiongeth  to  vs  as  well  as  this,  for 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifl  will  be  heaid  when  hee  fpeaketh  to  vs, whi- 
ther 


the  EptU.to the  (jaUthiam.       70 

ther  it  be  by  the  mouth  of  Peter  ^  or  by  the  mouth  of  John,  for  all 
are  inftrumentsof  his  fpirite,  and  wee  miift  not  make  a  difference 
betwixt  perfons.  Buthowfoei^er  the  cace  ftande,  for  as  much  as  S. 
Paules  do6lrine  concemeth  vs,  it  ought  too  ferue  vs  as  a  fpurre  to 
pricke  vs  to  the  quicke.  And  forafmuch  as  God  choze  him  to  bring 
the  wretched  Gentiles  vnto  him^making  him  the  meane  to  draws 
thofe  vntoo  him  which  had  bin  cut  off  from  his  Church  :  furely  it 
ought  to  giue  vs  the  more  courage ,  feeing  he  did  his  indeuour  to 
drawe  the  wretched  vnbeleeuers  out  of  the  darknefTe  of  ignorance 
wherein  tliey  were, (making  that  his  onely  marke  to  fhoote  at)that 
is  too  witjvs  that  come  not  of  the  race  of  the  I  ewes  as  concerning 
the  flefh.NeuerthelefTe^letvs  cofidertherewirhall.thatlefus  Chrift 
will  bee  heard  of  vs  in  fuch  wife,  as  wee  muft  not  regarde  eyther 
Peter  or  Paule,  or  lames  or  John,  or  anye  thing  elfe  but  him.  Let 
vs  holde  vs  contented  with  the  maifter  that  is  giuen  vs  of  G  od  the 
father  too  bring  vs  too  all  perfeftion  and  wifedome,  and  let  vs  alfo 
(uffer  our  felues  too  be  e  taught  by  fuch  meanes  as  hee  lyfleth^and 
let  the  things  that  Saint  Paule  hath  written  ferue  vs,  andlikewyfe 
,  the  wrytings  of  lohn  and  of  lames,  and  of  the  reft  of  the  Apoftles  : 
fo  they  leade  vs  too  lefus  Chrift,  let  vs  receyuc  whatfoeuer  is 
brought  vs  by  them,  and  let  vs  fhet  our  eies  at  all  other  things.and 
not  haue  any  other  confideration,  than  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  cal- 
leth  vs  by  thcyr  meanes.  And  although  wee  followe  the  guiding 
of  the  do6lrine  of  Peter,  lohn,  lames,  and  Paule :  yet  let  pur 
(hooteanker  alwayes  bee  too  bee  ioyned  and  vnited  too  oure 
Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  inwhome  wee  (hall  £nde  the  fulnefle  of  all 
welfare  and  ioy ,  fo  as  wee  fhall  haue  whereof  too  glorie  through- 
ly in  him. 

But  let  vs  offer  our  felues  before  the  maieftie  of  our  good  God, 
with  acknowledging  of  our  faults,praying  him  to  make  vs  feelc  die 
more  and  more,  that  wee  may  bee  forie  for  them ,  and  aske  hym 
forgiuenefle  with  true  repentance,  and  fight  agaynftour  luftesall 
the  dayes  of  oure  lyfe ,  tyll  wee  bee  throughly  ridde  of  them. 
And  for  as  muche  as  wee  bee  fo  wretched  wyghtcs ,  that  wee  can 
noi  bee  quite  and  cleane  difcharged  of  them :  let  vs  befeech  him 
lOQbeare  w)th.vs  till  hee  haue  buryed  all  our  finnes,  too  clothe  vs 


chap.i.         fo.Cal.tenth  Sermonypon 

all  ouer  againe  with  hisowne  righieoufnefTe.  That  it  maypleafe 
him  to  graunt  this  grace,  not  oncly  to  vs,but  alfo  to  all  pe  ople.  Sec. 

T'be.  1  o, Sermon  vphich  is  the  fourth 

\>^on  the fecond  chapter, 

11  And  when  Peter  came  too  Antioch,  Ivvithftoodc 
him  to  his  face^bycaufe  he  was  to  be  blamed. 

li  For  before  that  certaine  came  from  lames,  heeeatc 
vviththeGentiles  :  but  when  they  yvcrecomc^ 
heewichdreweand  fcparated  himfelfe ,  fearing 
ihofethat  vvereoftheCircumcifion. 

13  And  the  other  levves  alfo  diffembled  with  him,  ia 
fomuche  that  Barnabasalfo  was  brought  intoo 
their  difsimulation. 

Ee  haue  Teene  heretofore  whereaboutes  the 
doiSrine  of  Saint  Paule  fti'oue  :  that  is  to  wit, 
about  his  abolifhing  of  the  Ceremonies  of  the 
lawe.  Now,  they  that  ftroue  agaynft  him  had 
colour  fayre  ynough,  faying  that  the  lawe  was 
giuen  of  Giod,and  that  it  was  not  lawfull  to  al- 
ter any  part  of  it,feeing  that  God  was  the  Au- 
thour  of  it.  But  they  iTioulde  haue  confidered  to  what  ende  the  Ce- 
remonies were  giuen  to  the  people  ofolde  time.True  it  is  that  like 
as  God  is  vnchaungeable,  fo  his  worde  alfo  indureth  ftedfaflfor  e- 
uer :  but  yet  doth  it  not  follow  thercvpon,that  God  fhould  not  ap- 
poynt  men  the  things  which  he  knoweth  to  be  meete  for  the.Ther- 
fore  the  Ceremonies  were  ordeyned  for  a  tyme,  too  feme  the  nc- 
cefsitieofthelewes.  Alfo  there  was  this  refpe6l  which  I  haue  tou- 
ched :  that  before  the  commingof  lefus  Chrift,  it  was  requifite  that 
there  fhoulde  bee  certaine  fhadowes  too  bring  the  faythfuU  more 
further  forwarde,  that  is, that  they  might  be  confirmed  in  the  hope 
of  the  redeemer  that  was  promifcd  them.  And  therevpon  wee  jnay 
well  gather ,  that  Gods  inioyningof  the  Ceremonies^  was  not  too 

the 


^ 


the  EpiH.to  the  Cjalathians.       71 

the  ende  they  (houlde  continue  foreuer,  andftandcalwayes  in 
theyr  full  and  perfe6l  ftate  :  but  to  the  intent  they  fhould  continue 
for  a  time,  to  feme  to  keepe  thatpeople  in  the  hope  that  was  giuen 
them  of  the  things  which  wee  now  haue  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chnft, 
Avho  is  the  veric  bodie  and  fubftance  of  the  fhadowes  that  were  in 
thety^meof  the  lawe.Ye  fee  then  to  what  poynt  we  mufl:  come  .And 
•yet  cannot  a  man  argue ,  that  God  is  variable  as  fome  fantafticali 
perfons  do,  who  haue  alledged  the  fame  reafon.  For  fhalJ  wee  fay 
that  Godchaungeth  hispurpofe,  bycaufe  hee  maketh  Sommer  and 
\^\'inter  <  Wee  fee  the  fundrie  feafons  of  the  yeare,  wee  fee  the 
earth  wexe  greene,  and  the  trees  bud  tloures,  and  afterward  bring 
foorthfrute,  and  we  fee  all  things  as  good  as  dead  in  the  Winter 
time  :  Ail  this  varietie  commethfurely  of  God :  but  yet  doth  it  not 
therefore  follow,  that  he  chaungeth  his  nature.  So  likewyfe(asl 
fayde  afore)  he  gaue  his  lawe  for  mans  behoofe  ,  and  it  was  requi- 
fite  that  the  lewes  (who  had  not  yet  fuch  manifeft  knowledge  as  is 
giuen  vs  by  the  Gofpell)  fhould  be  helped  by  another  meane  ,  that 
is  to  wit,by  the  Ceremonies  which  nowadayes  fhould  be  neediefle, 
forafmuch  as  we  haue  the  performance  of  the  things  that  God  (he- 
wed them  then  a  farre  off,  and  our  ftate  is  in  that  refpc<El  better 
than  the  ftate  of  the  lewes.  But  nowe  Saint  Paule  ,  to  {hewe  that 
\\\.h  preaching  of  fuch  libertie,  and  tliat  the  law  which  God  had  layd 
Vpon  the  necks  of  the  auncient  fathers, was  taken  away  at  the  com- 
ming  of  oi;r  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  was  not  without  caufe  ideclareth 
that  he  rebuked  Peter  for  the  fame  matter.  Nowe  if  the  Chrifti- 
ans  ought  to  haue  bin  hilde  in  like  bondage  as  the  lewes  had  bin : 
furely  Peter  would  e  haue  mainteyned  the  quarell  to  the  vttermoft. 
But  hee  fuffered  himfelfe  to  bee  reproued,  and  conieffed  his  fault. 
Seeingwc  haue  fuch  a  prefident  in  the  perfon  of  Peter :  it  foloweth 
that  our  cace  is  good,  and  that  the  Apoftles  knewe  that  all  the  cldc 
fhadowes  and  figures  ought  to  cealfe ,  and  bee  vtterly  abolifhed  by 
the  coming  of  our  Lordelefus  Chrift.Thus  the  thing  thatS. Paule 
fctteth  downe  heere^  is  that  he  rebuked  Peter  in  the  Citie  of  Anti- 
oche  for  beeing  conuerfant  with  the  Gentiles,  not  with  the  vnbe- 
leeuing  fort,  but  with  fuch  as  had  bin  conuerted  to  the  tmowl edge 
oftlie  Gofpell.  He  liued  familiarly  with  them,  accounting  them  as 

naember* 


Chap.z:          fo.Caljenth  Sermotivpon 

members  of  the  Church.  Buthcholdc,  aflbone  as  ccrtamc  lewes 
came  from  lerufalem  fent  of  lames :  Peter  fearing  leaft  fome  mif- 
report  might  bee  rayzed  of  him,  (hrunke  away,  and  made  counte- 
nance as  though  hee  had  no  famiiiaritie  nor  acquaintance  with  the 
Gentiies,and  notwithftanding  that  they  had  the  fame  fayth  of  the 
Gofpell  which  he  had,  yet  did  he  vfe  them  as  ftraungers,  bicaufe  it 
wastalien  to  be  a  kinde  ofdcfyling,  to  bee  in  companic  with  them. 
Sec  here  a  wicked  madnefTe  :  for  by  that  meanes  there  was  a  diui- 
Bph2,CA4  ^o""^^'^^^"  the  Church.  For  (as  it  is  fayde  in  another  place)  the 
waJi  was  broken  downe  when  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  was  appointed 
to  be  a  light  from  God,not  only  for  the  lewes  ,  but  alfo  for  the  fal- 
uation  of  the  whole  world.  Wherfore  if  it  bchoued  thoff  that  ha4 
erft  bin  feparatcd  Sc  eftraunged  from  the  Church,  to  be  called  into 
one  flocke  :  then  doth  Peter  difanuU  Gods  grace,whereas  yet  not^ 
withftanding  we  know  there  is  not  a  more  precious  thing  than  the 
vnion  of  the  Church.  Therefore  he  that  varieth  from  it,  cannot  by 
any  meanes  be  excufed.  But  beholde,the  fault  of  Peter  was^that  he 
braJce  this  bonde  of  concord  by  feparating  the  lewes  from  the  Gen- 
tiIes,notwithflanding  that  all  belonged  too  the  bodie  of  our  Lorde 
lefus  Chrift,  and  were  the  verie  children  of  God.  Againe  tliey  had 
all  one  fclfefame  head,and  one  felfcfame  redeemer :  and  therefore 
his  deed  was  a  diminifhing  of  Gods  houfe,  forfomuch  as  we  be  all 
gathered  togither  in  his  name,  and  do  become  his  houfhold  folkc, 
cuen  till  we  bee  gathered  vp  into  the  heritage  of  heauen.  But  there 
was  yet  one  other  fault  '•  which  is  that  the  grace  of  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chrift  was  darkncd.For  what  fare  we  the  better  by  his  coming,  vn- 
JefTe  we  know  that  in  him  we  haue  the  fulnelTe  and  performance  of 
the  things  tliat  were  figured  to  vs  in  old  time^If  we  {hould  offer  fa- 
criiize  nowadayes  as  they  did  in  the  time  of  the  law  :  we  (liould  not 
know  that  we  were  clenzed  by  the  bloudof  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift, 
ind  that  the  fame  was  a  fufficient  payment  for  the  fatiffaflion  of  all 
our  finnesjand  that  we  haue  there  a  perfe6l  righteoufneflc  purcha- 
fed  for  vs.\^^e  (hould  know  none  of  thefe  things.Therforc  S.Peter 
offended  grofly  itUunging  Vp  that  veyle  againe,which  was  as  much 
as  to  ftop  Chrift  from  being  knowne  as  he  ought  to  be.  Morcouer, 
there  was  alfo  a  third  fault,  which  was, that  [rherby^tlae  lewes  were 
hardncd  in  their  error  .True  it  is  that  we  ought  to  beare  with  the  ig- 
norant 


the  EpiB.  to  the  (jalathians.       y  i 

norant  5c  weak  ones,&  not  gricue  the  oucr  much:  &  although  they 
ouerfhoot  themfelues,  yet  muft  they  be  brought  back  again  by  lit)  e 
&  JittIe,rarherthanto  break  either  bone  or  griftle  of  thc,as  the  pro* 
uerb  fayth:  but  yet  as  for  to  nurrifli  their  ignorance  by  foothingthe 
in  it,  or  by  giuing  any  toke  of  alowancc  or  well  iking,  that  is  naught. 
And  Peter  by  withdrawing  himfclt  from  the  Gentiles  to  plcafe  his 
own  Countrimen^brought  topafle  that  the  lewes  might  the  better 
make  their  brags, that  they  had  won  their  fpurs,forfomuch  as  Peter 
had  gmen  an  inchng  that  the  Gentiles  were  vnclcan  &  vTiholy  peo- 
ple,and  fo  his  deed  was  an  augmenting  of  the  eurli  that  was  to  great 
alreadie.ln  refpe^  wherof  S.  Paule  fayd,^^j/  fetertifas  blamei»erthy. 
And  it  behoueth  vs  to  markc  this  thing  well  and  diligently,  bicaufe 
fome  haue  thought  in  t)^mes  paft,  that  it  was  done  by  agf  eemet  by- 
twixt  them,  &  that  S.Peter  was  forie  that  fome  of  his  Countrimen 
were  to  hard  to  be  pleafed,&:  therfore  had  told  S.Paul  fecretlyjthat 
he  was  cotented  to  be  rebuked  of  him.But  all  this  is  but  a  flimflam. 
For  S.Paule  fayth  exprefly,that  Peter  was  worthie  of  blanie,&  that 
thervpon  he  had  ftepped  vp  when  he  faw  he  walked  not  aright.  We 
fee  then  that  there  was  not  a  fecrete  agreement  or  packing  in  this 
cace -.but Tather  that  S.Paule  vfed  the  libertie  that  was  giue  him  j^of 
God]&:  rebuked  Peter,&  wouldnot  bear  with  him  in  that  cacc,aU 
though  he  rcuerenced  him  as  the  Apoftle  of  lefus  Chrift.  And  now 
vfo  this  text  wc  hauc  to  gather  for  our  ownc  infl:ru6lion,how  pre- 
cious this  libertie  is  as  I  hauc  declared  heretofore.Forhere  the  cace 
ftandethnbt  vpon  the  onely  vfe  of  things  :  but  vpon  the  hauing  of 
our  confciences  quiet  before  God.   If  the  debate  had  bin,  whither 
it  were  lawful  to  eate  fwines  flefh  or  no, which  was  a  thing  compre- 
hended vnder  the  ceremonies  of  the  law:  it  had  bin  a  trifling  matter, 
and  it  might  weli  haue  bin  pafled  ouer,  like  as  it  may  be  nowadayes 
when  the  like  Ceremonies  are  talked  of.  But  it  behoued  them  too 
come  to  the  wel  head,as  I  haue  dedared  heretofore.  For  the  figures 
feraed  to  holde  the  people  of  olde  time  as  it  were  in  wardfhip,  lykc 
yong  children-which  are  vnder  gouemours ,  and  danotyetinioy 
thctr  libertie.  But  at  the  comming  of  our  Lordc  lefus  Chrift,Iike  as 
fayth  grew  great,fo  it  was  meet  that  fuch  maner  of  teaching  fhould 
no  more  take  place  among  the  lewes.  Then  was  not  Saint  Paulcs 

ftryuxng 


Chap.  z.         Jq^  CaLfeuenth  Sermonypon 

ftryuingjonel^'' about  the  outvi'ardevre  of  things,  (for  hec wxuld^ 
willingly  haue  forborne  that:)  but  to  the  ende  it  might  be  known^ 
to  what  purpbfe  the  Ceremonies  of  the  lavve  had  ferued :  namely 
how  it  was  not  a  bondage  that  fhould  indure  for  euer,  but  that  they 
had  ftood  in  force,  only  to  the  commingof  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift. 
And  herevpon  it  may  be  gathered,  that  when  the  lewcs  forbare  the 
eating  of  S  wines  flefli,  or  obferued  any  holy  day, or  did  this  thing  or 
that :  they  did  not  a  fcruice  to  God  that  was  of  necefsitie  in  it  felfe, 
but  vfed  it  for  the  continuall  exercifing  of  themfelues  in  the  fayth 
of  lefus  Chrift.  Whereby  wee  fee  ,  that  the  Ceremonies  had  no 
vertue  of  themfelues :  but  that  when  they  were  referred  too  tlieir 
due  ende  and  fpirituall  pateme,  then  it  was  perceyued  that  God 
hadnot  oi^eyned  them,  but  to  the  benefite  of  the  Church.Then  let 
lefus  Chrift  be  feparated  from  the  Ceremonies,and  they  fhalbe  but 
tryfles  for  little  children  to  play  with.  Biit  if  the  end  be  confidered 
wherevnto  they  ought  too  lead  the  faythfull,  then  will  it  be  found 
that  they  were  profitable.  Yea  and  euen  we  at  this  day  may  fare  the 
better  by  them.  Although  the  vfe  of  them  beaboli{hed,yet  may  we 
,    by  them  gather  the  things  that  are  ftiewedvs  in  the  Gofpe.lI.    As 
•  S'^'^   howe  1 1t  was  fayde  that  the  Prieft  fhoulde  enter  alone  in^po  the 
*  °*         San^bjarie,  and  not  without  facrifice.  Well  then,the'reVppon  wee 
/^«.io.4.2.  j^^^g  to  gather,  that  there  is  neyther  man  nor  Angell  worthie  top 
come  vhto  God,  but  that  we  fhoulde  bee  all  of  vs  (lietout>  if  there 
w-ere  not  a  way  opened  for  vs  inthepeifonof  our  lord  lefus  Chrift, 
Markfe  that  for  one  poynt.  Agayne  we  haue  alfo  to  beare  in  minde, 
that  we  can  haue  none  attohement  with  God ,  nor  boldenefle  and 
libertie  to  call  vponhim ,  except  bloud  go  with  it :  that  is  too  fay, 
except  the  dckith  and  pafsion  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  [go  with  vs] 
to  get  vs  grace  and  fauour.  And  all  our  prayers  muft  be  offered  vp 
by  that  nieahe,  or  elfc  they  fhall  be  refufed  at  Gods  hade.  Moreo^ 
£xo.24.r.8  uer  it  is  fayde,that  the  booke  of  the  law  was  fprinckled  with  bloud 
Hel;,p.c,ip  as  well  ias  the  Sahaiiarie.  We  fee  then  that  all  things  (hbulde  bee 
vi^h'<51y,if  they  were  not  haliowedby  the  bloud  of  our  Lord  lefus 
Chrift  on  all  fydes  :  and  alfo  that  We  fhoulde  haue  no  afluredneiTe 
of  Godspromii^s,nor  be  able  to  apply  them  to  our  welfai-e,vnlefle 
thl^y  had  feales  continually  at  them.  Befides  this,  when  as  it  is  fayd 
^''^V-  that 


theEpi^Jothe  (jalathians. 


that  God  is  our  fatherland  that  our  (innes  are  forgiuen  vs  and  wee 
accepted  of  him  as  righteous  and  gi  Itieffe  :  none  of  thefe  promifes 
fhould  be  of  any  force,  neither  could  they  boot  vs  at  ^ll,  except  the 
bloud  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  went  before  our  eyes ,  fo  as  all  the 
word  of  God  were(after  afort)written  vnto  vsinred  letters  of  the 
bloud  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  Thus  ye  fee  how  we  fhould  profite 
our  felues  by  the  Ceremonies  of  the  law.  But  howfoeuer  we  fare, 
the  vfe  of  them  is  abolifhed;and  if  they  continued  fliil,  wee  fhoulde 
Tiot  haue  fo  good  teaching  by  them  as  we  haue ,  for  we  fhoulde  refl 
vpon  thefe  bace  and  corruptible  diings.  But  in  as  much  as  we  haue 
the  heauenly  pattern  that  was  fpoken  of  vnto  Mofes,  according  alfo  ^     i       , 
-as  the  Apoftleinthe  Epiflle  too  the  Hebrewes,  and  Saint  Steuen  ^^^^-^S-^- 
in  the  Ads  do  fhew  right  well:  now  we  vnderfland  wherefore  God       ^'^' 
ordeyned  fuch  Ceremonies.    The  thing  then  which  wee  haue^too     If    r'^' 
marke  for  one  poynt,  is  that  we  mufl  vnderfland,  howe  here  is  no  ^''^'7  J  44^ 
fpeaking  of  matters  of  fmall  importance^but  in  knowing  wherin  the 
Ceremonies  profited  the  fathers  of  old  t)'me,  and  why  it  was  Gods 
will  to  haue  them  abolifhed  at  the  coming  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl. 
And  herewithal  we  fee  alfo, that  Saint  Paul  fpared  not  Peter  though 
iie  were  his  fellowe,  and  were  in  as  worthie  and  excellent  an  office 
as  he  was^and  feemed  that  of  dutie  he  fhould  haue  bin  borne  with- 
all.  Howfoeuer  the  cace  flood  with  him,he  rebuked  him  fharply  for 
that  matter.  We  may  much  better  deeme,  that  if  it  were  afmal  dc 
L'ght  thingjS.  Paule  woulde  not  haue  .moued  fuch  debate  and  flrife 
for  it.  Needes  therefore  mufl  it  bee  a  matter  of  great  importaunce. 
But  by  the  way  we  be  warned,  that  whenfoeuer  Gods  truth  is  de- 
faced,or  that  any  mantumeth  away  from  the  pure  fimplicity  of  the 
Gofpell,we  mufl  not  in  any  \wik  fparehim,  but  although  the  whole 
worlde  fhoulde  fet  it  felfe  agaynfl  vs,  yet  mu^  wc  mainteyne  the 
cace  with  inuincible  conflancie,  without  bending  for  any  cre^iture. 
For  if  any  man  ought  to  be  borne  with,  the  fame  v/as  Peter:and  fee- 
ing that  our  Lorde  lef^js  Chrifl  had  bcflowed  fuch  <^if:es  of  grace- 
vpon him,as  to giue  him  that  name,  Saint  Paiile  fhould  haue  yt el- 
ded fome what  vnto  him :  yea,  but  tliat  matter  ^yas  not  te  bee  corns 
with.  Then  ye  fee  heer  j  aaexample,  which  fhswedi  vti  th^t  v/hen 
the  authoritic  gf  men  tendetli  to  the  defacing  of  tlic  tmtli-  of  tlie" 


Chap.  I.  Jo.  Cal.  tenth  Sermon  ypon 

Gofpell,  wee  mud  fall  too  ftryuingand  not  regarde  any  creature. 
And  this  is  greatly  for  our  profite  nowadayes.  For  there  .re  many 
that  woulde  fayne  rowe  betweenc  twoo  ftreames ,  and  althoughe 
they  perceyue  the  abufes  and  corruptions,yet  would  they  beare  on 
both  fydes,  and  all  to  purchace  peace  as  they  themfelues  fayjwher- 
..    as  in  the  ende  there  muft  needes  follbwe  great  confuzion  when 
men  doo  fo  heaue  one  at  another.    Therefore  too  appeafe  all  dif- 
corde,  they  woulde  fayne  haue  a  parting  of  flakes  and  a  mingle- 
inangle  made,  ^nd  that  euery  man  flioulde  bowe  on  his  fyde.  But 
inthenieape  while,  will  God  gyueouer  his  right  at  the  pleafure  of 
men  'f  Or  may  wee  confederate  our  felues  too  his  preiudice :'  So 
then,  feeing  that  wee  nowadayes  haue  too  incounter  agaynft  the 
wilfull  PapifteSjwho  haue  peruerted,corrupted,  and  faJHfied  all  the 
truth  of  the  Gofpell :  although  they  face  vs  with  thefe  honourable 
tytlcs  of  holy  Catholike  Churche,  holy  Sea  Apoftolike ,  Prelacie, 
Chriftcndomc ,  and  holy  Supremacie  ( which  yet  notwithflanding 
are  but  vizors  in  verie  deede: )  let  vs  not  be  abaflied  awhit  at  them. 
For  why:*  wee  haue  God  on  our  fide  :  and  befides  that  the  truth 
of  the  Gofpell  is  fo  precious  in  his  fight,  as  heewill  not  haue  any 
creature  to  bee  Ipared  for  it :  according  as  we  haue  feene  how  Saint 
Paule  himfclfe  teJieth  vs,  that  if  it  were  pofsible  for  the  Angelles 
to  turne  vs  away  from  the  pure  do6lrine,  wee  fhoulde  holde  them 
accurfed,  and  refuze  and  abhorre  them.  And  why  then  (hall  wee 
feeke  too  pleafe  mortal  1  men,  when  they  woulde  difguize  the  pure* 
nefTe  ofdie  Gofpell,  and  mir^le  their  owne  inuentions  wyth  it, 
and  in  fo  dooing  make  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  their  vnderling,that 
theymighte  ftiilkeepc  pofTefsion  of  theyr  erroursc'  Is  it  meete 
that  wee  fiiouldeyeeldevp  our  places  to  theme'  Amifchicfe  light 
vpon  fuch  Concorde  :  for  it  fhall  alwayes  be  curfcd  of  God.  Wher- 
fore  let  vs  haue  fuch  ftoutneflc  and  conflancie  of  minde,that  when 
we  be  once  fure  that  the  quarell  which  we  mainteyne  is  Gods, wee 
dagger  not  for  any  greatnefle  or  loftineflc  of  the  worlde.  Thus  ye 
fee  in  effe6lwhat  we  haue  to  beare  in  minde.  And  heerewithall  we 
fee  alfo  what  the  fondnefle  of  the  Papiftcs  is,  and  howc  fhamelefle 
that  vilaHeQthe  Pope^liathbm  in  exemptinghimfelfe  from  all  cor- 
re^on.  When  the  Pope  intendcth  to  magnific  himfelfgreatlyjlie 

1,-ailetk 


the  Epifi.  to  the  (jalathians.      y^ 

calleth  himfelfe  the  Succcflbr  ofPcter:and  yet  in  the  meane  while, 
hee  will  by  no  mcanes  fubmit  himfelfe  too  any  chaftizcments.  Hee 
fayth  that  it  belongeth  to  him  to  corred:  all  the  world,  and  that  it  is 
not  lawfull  for  any  man  to  meddle  with  him.And  whence  commeth 
that  exemptionc'For  if  he  pretend  to  hold  the  place  of  Peter,  we  fee 
here  the  contrarie.  Peter  was  rebuked  and  bare  it,  yea  and  hee  wrl- 
h'ngly  graiinted  hitnfclf  to  be  giltie  when  he  faw  he  was  ouercomc. 
Seeing  it  is  fo,  wee  mufl  needes  conclude  that  there  is  no  dignitie 
in  this  worlde  (how  much  fo  euer  men  colour  it)which  fhoulde  not 
alwayes  bee  fubie6l  too  Gods  worde.  For  what  a  thing  were  it  if  it 
were  otherwife,  fo  asourLorde  lefus  Chrift  fhoulde  haue  fette  vp 
dunibe  Idols  in  his  Church  vnder  the  title  and  fhadow  of  fhepherds, 
and  that  it  (hould  be  lawfull  for  them  to  finde  fault  :;nd  rebuke,  yea" 
and  too  marre  andfalfifie  all  things,and  in  the  meane  while  no  man 
(houlde  open  his  lyppes  agaynft:  them  :*  Gods  Churche  fhoulde  be- 
come as  it  were  a  Swynes  ftye,  infe6led  with  all  filthinefle,  and 
there  fhoulde  bee  no  remedie  to  helpe  it.  Let  vs  marke  well  then, 
that  God  will  not  haue  any  fuch  preeminence  to  be  e  in  his  Churchy " 
as  flioulde  hinder  the  continuall  courfe  of  his  worde,  fo  as  it  fhould 
not  be  able  to  bridle  all  (uch  as  are  in  any  fuperioritre  abouc  others. 
For  it  behoueth  vs  to  giue  eare  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifl,  and  hee 
mufl  haue  the  mayflerfeip  that  is  gyuen  him  of  God  his  father,  fa 
as  euery  man  mufl  yeelde  himfelfe  therevntoo,  and  noneof  vs  pre-^ 
tend  to  haue  any  exe mption.That  is  the  thing  which  is  (licwedvs  in 
the  perfon  of  Saint  Peter.  On  the  other  part,  we  fee  alfo  after  what 
fort  the  faultcs  that  are  committed  ought  to  be  rebuked :  that  is  to 
fay,  openly  before  all  men,  and  not  only  in  fecrete  :  which  thing  is 
wellworthie  too  bee  marked.  For  there  are  many  that  canfyndc 
in  theyr  heartes  too  giue  caufe  of  offence,  who  after  they  haue  fet 
all  in  a  broile,woulde  haue  a  man  do  no  more  to  them,but  tel  them 
foftiy  in  their  care  that  they  haue  done  amilfe.  For  the  common  di- 
uinitie  is  this.  What  Ipray  you  c'  Is  it  not  fayde  that  eche  fhoulde  A^/^.  iS^»- 
reprouc  other  fecrctely  :*  Is  it  meete  that  a  man  fhoulde  bee  fo  dif*       ^S* 
famed  whenhee  hath  done  amiffe^  No  verily,  if  hee  haue  not  of- 
fended in  fuchc  wize  ,  as  hys  faulte  ingcndereth  trouble  in  the 
whole  Church.  For  cucn  our  Lordc Icfus  Chrift  dodi  cxprcflely  fee 

K.ij,  downc- 


Chap.  z.  ^Q^  Cal.tenth  Sermon  'Vpon 

downe  thefame  differece/o  thatifany  man  haue  done  am.'iTe  and  I 

knowe  it,  I  muft  rebuke  him  betwixt  him  and  me.    But  if  ihe  fault 

be  notorious  and  open,  and  an  occafion  too  bring  in  euill  example, 

if  hee  were  not  toldc  of  it  :  then  muft  I  not  any  more  keepe  that 

order  of  rowning  him  fecretely  in  the  eare  ,  but  condemne  th^ 

fault  as  it  deferueth,  that  others  may  take  warning  by  it .  And  this 

is  ment ,  not  onely  of  priuate  perfons ,  but  alfo  of  fuche  as  are  in 

higheft degree:  foritbecommeth  them  too  leade  the  waye,  ac- 

i.r/?M.5.i  cording  alfo  as  in  another  place  too  Timothic,  Paule  commaun- 

20.        deth  expreflely ,  that  fuche  as  haue  done  amylTe  (thoughe  they 

bee  the  Sheepeheardes  whichehaue  the  charge  too  tcache  and  go- 

uerne  the  flocke  )  (houlde  bee  rebuked  openly  .   The  fame  thing 

hath  hee  putprefently  in  pra6lize  in  the  perfon  of  Peter.    For  in 

as  muche  as  the  fault  was  ouergreate ,  and  too  farre  out  of  fquare^ 

and  might  ingender  greater  trouble  in  the  Churche,  bicaufe  it 

was  (as  yee  woulde  fay)  an  ouerthrowing  of  the  Gofpell)  for  that 

there  was  as  yet  fomeinfirmitie  in  maniemen:  Saint  Paule  fawe 

well  it  was  requifyte  that  Peter  fhoulde  bee  rebuked,  and  there- 

vppon  did  it. 

That  therfore  is  the  thing  which  we  haue  to  remember  concer- 
ning that  procefle.  On  the  otherfide  we  fee  alfo  the  mildnes  of  Pe- 
ter. It  had  bin  faid  vnto  him  by  the  mouth  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift, 
,  that  befides  his  ordinarie  name  of  Simon,he  fhould  be  called  Peter 

Mat  .10, c,  forthfifteddinefleofhisfayth.  He  was  excellent  among  the  reft  of 
^^*         the  Apoftles  :  and  yet  neuerthelefte  he  ftoupeth  with  his  head,  and 
boweth  downe  his  necke  when  he  feeth  that  he  hath  done  amifTe, 
and  maketh  no  buckler  of  the  honourable  ftate  wherein  he  was,but 
onely  confidereth,  that  fith  Gods  worde  is  giuen  vs  too  correal  vs, 
itbecommeth  vs  to  fubmit  our  felues  too  it,  except  we  will  bee  re- 
bels againft  him,  who  in  the  ende  will  beate  downe  all  the  pride  of 
the  world.  Therefore  S.Peter  perceyuing  that  nothing  is  better  for 
a  man,  than  to  receiue  chaftizements  when  hee  hath  done  amilTe : 
yeeldeth  to  that  which  was  told  him  by  S.  Paule.  Now  if  we  confi- 
derall  thefe  things  well:  wee  haue  heere  a  verie  profitable  ftoric. 
For  on  the  one  fyde  wee  fee  howe  euerie  man  defyreth  too  holdc 
in  with  the  worlde :  and  that  is  an  occafion  too  biiiide  vs  continu- 
ally 


the  EpiH.  to  the  Qalathiam.       y 5 

ally  in  our  mifdoings.  For  there  is  nothing  with  vs  but  flattering, 
and  (to  our  feeming)we  cannot  be  friends,except  euery  of  vs  beare 
with  his  fellowe.  Surely  there  is  a  manerof  bearing  widi  things, 
which  is  commendable,as  I  haue  faid  alreadie: which  is, to  be  gentle 
in  rebuking  fuch  as  haue  done  amilTe,  fo  as  we  labour  to  win  them, 
and  drawe  them  backe  againe  by  freendlineffe,  and  bee  not  too  fu^ 
mifhe  and  haftie  with  them.  For  there  are  faults  that  may  be  borne 
with,and  which  are  not  to  be  fearched  to  the  bottom,for  itdbth  but 
fharpen  men  when  they  fee  an  ouereagemefle  of  fault  fyndingjac- 
cording  asyee  fhallfeediuerswhichekeepeas  it  were  continual] 
watche,  too  fee  if  they  can  fynde  anye  thing  too  carpe  at  in  fome 
man  or  other  :  all  theyr  holynefle  confifteth  in  taunting  of  one 
man,  and  in  rayling  vppon  an  other :  and  too  bee  (hort ,  jthey  bee 
the  greateft  Correders  of  the  worlde.    But  our  defyre  [of  rebu- 
king] muft  be  fo  brydeled,as  wee  feeke  not  to  finde  fault  with  men. 
And  yet  on  the  other  fide, the  flattering  that  reigneth  nowaday es  to 
much  in  the  worlde,is  a  vice  which  we  ought  to  fhunne  as  a  deadly 
plague.  Therefore  according  as  cuerie  of  vs  loueth  his  neighbour, 
fo  let  him  lerne  to  vfe  the  freenefle  of  fpeach  wHich'S.Paule  fhew- 
ethvsheere.  And  fpecially  when  Gods  truthe  is  in  hande ,  let  no 
man  be  {pared,let  the  zeale  of  God  get  the  vpper  hande  in  vs,  and 
althou^  we  fhoulde  purchafe  difpleafure ,  and  runne  in  daunger 
of  many  flaunders  andbackbytings,yet  ought  wee  neuerthelefle  to 
vndertake  the  chalenge.    For  there  is  no  excufe  for  vs  if  wee  play 
thetraytours,bydiiremblingwhen  the  truthe  of  the  Gofpell  is 
falfified.  V\^ereforewee  muft  followe  the  thiiag  that  Saint  Paulc 
fheweth  vs  heere :  and  the  deedc  which  hee  did  too  his  fellow  Pe- 
ter, mufte  feme  vs  for  a  lawe  and  rule ,  fo  as  wee  may  fhewe  that  ^ 
wee  defyre  nothing  more,  than  that  God  fhoulde  bee  hearde,  that 
his  truth  fhoulde  not  bee  turned  intoo  a  lye ,  and  that  there  fliould 
ftotbe  any  thing  (huffled  too  it,  noranyLeuen  or  Darnell  ming- 
led with  it,  but  that  it  fhoulde  continue  aUvayes  in  hys  owne  pure 
finglenefle.    And  on  the  other  fyde,  the  greate  ones  are  warned 
heere,toofubmitthemfelucs  meekely,  and  too  yeeldethemfe lues 
plyable  too  the  corre6lion  that  is  offered  them,  knowing  that  God 
furrender  ed  not  his  owne  right  when  hee  aduaunced  them  too  that 

K.iij.  ftatc, 


Chap  .a.  fo.Caltenth  Sermon  ypon 

flate,  tut  mufle  {{ill  keepe  his  foueraignc  dominion,  execute 
hys  iurifdi^lion  by  hys  woordc ,  in  fuche  vvyfe  as  they  whichc 
are  mofle  highly  aduaunced ,  mufte  bowe  downe  theyr  neckes, 
and  vnderftande  that  it  were  a  diueliflie  confuzion  too  pretende 
a  priuiiedge  too  receyue  no  chaftizement.    For  by  that  meanes 
Gods  vvoorde  fhoulde  bee  as  good  as  thruil  out  of  door  eS;  and  hee 
bee  bereft  of  the  foueraintie  which  he  hath  ouer  vs  :  and  therefore 
after  that  maner  muft  wee  put  that  do6lrine  in  vre.   And  fpecialiy 
nowadayes  when  wee  fee  men  fo  bolde  too  bende  themfelues  af- 
ter that  fafhion  agaynft  God,  let  vs  bee  fenced  aforehandc  agaynft 
them,  and  let  nothing  abafh  vs,feeing  we  knowc  what  the  quarell  is 
wherein  we  fight  agaynft  them :  but  let  vs  hardily  defie  all  that  fil- 
thie  dungeon,  that  is  to  wit,  the  Pope  and  his  Cleargic,  and  let  vs 
Xiot  pafle  a  vyhit  for  thefe  (linking  vermin,  when  we  fee  them  bend 
their  homes  at  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  and  that  vnder  his  fhadowc 
and  by  pretending  his  name ,  they  go  about  too  thruft  his  Gofpell 
vnder  foote,  yea  and  too  burie  it  vtterly,  or  elfc  too  make  fuche  a 
confuzed  mingling  of  it,  as  men  may  not  knowe  who  is  mayfter. 
Then  fithe  wee  fee  that  the  Diuell  pofTefleth  them  after  that  fort, 
let  vs  not  llicke  too  arme  our  felues  too  the  battell,  and  too  ftandc 
out  agaynflthem  too  the  vttermoft :  fpecialiy  feeing  that  among  o- 
ther  things,  the  quarell  is  more  fauourable  too  vs  in  thefe  dayes, 
than  it  cpulde  feeme  to  bee  in  the  tyme  that  Saint  Paule  maintey^, 
ned  it.  True  it  is  that  the  reafon  is  alyke ,  and  fpringeth  all  out  of 
one  fountaine  :  but  yet  was  Saint  Paule  faine  too  fight  agaynflthe 
'  Ceremonyes  that  God  had  commaunded  by  his  owne  mouth.  And 
why  did  hee  fo  c*  Bycaufe  that  thereby  the  Gofpell  was  darkened, 
the  grace  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  was  after  a  fort  beaten  downe, 
mennes  merites  were  flablinied,and  finally  men  kne\ve  not  where- 
at God  had  amed  in  his  lawe .    And  nowadayes  the  felfe  fame  rea- 
♦      fons  moue  vs,  to  ^ht  agaynfl  all  the  abhominations  that  haue  biii 
fet  vp  in  the  Popedome.  But  we  haue  this  for  an  aduantage ,  that 
all  thefe  things  were  forged  in  the  fhoppes  of  Sathan  and  of  men. 
Nowe  wee  knowe  there  is  nothing  but  vanitie  in  men,  fo  long  as 
they  bee  ruled  by  their  owne  fancie,andfubmitnot  tjienifclaes  too 
the  obeying  of  God.Fcr  as  much  as  the  cace  ftandeth  .fo,Iet  vs  fight 


;the  EpiH.to the  Qalathian?.       y6 

fo  much  the  more  manfully,  feeing  that  our  Lo'rde  doth  in  all  rc- 
fpe^lsgiue  vs  wherewith  tokeepe  vs  from  being  difmaycd  at  th« 
titles  that  are  fet  afore  vs  to  outface  vs  with,  which  are  nought  elfe 
but  iJIufions  of  Sata.Ye  fee  in  effe6l  what  we  haue  tobeare  in  mind. 
But  it  behoueth  vs  alfo  too  marke  well  howc  Saint  Paule  addeih 
that  hU  rshukjng  offeter  "^as  hycaufe  hee  and  his  company  ons  Xi^all^d  mt 
the  right  "^ay  in  the  truthe  of  the  Co^ell:  and  befides  that,  his  rebu- 
king of  them  was,  bycaufc  hee  fawe  that  the  mifchiefe  was  alreadie 
fpread  farre  and  vvyde,  and  that  if  he  had  forborne  any  longer ,  d^s 
remedie  woulde  haue  comeoutof  feafon.  Beholde  here  twoo  rea- 
fons  which  it  ftandeth  vs  on  hande  too  marke  well .    As  toucliing 
the  truth  of  the  Gofpell,  I  haue  fhewed  you  alreadie  howe  it  is  die 
pureneffe  which  it  behoueth  vs  to  fticke  vnto.  He  might  well  haue 
faydjthat  they  walke  not  the  right  way  in  the  Gofpell :  but  hefpea- 
keth  of  the  truth  []of  the  Gofpell,]  according  as  hee  had  vfed  the 
fame  worde  once  afore.  The  reafon  why  he  doth  fo,is  for  that  men 
v/ouidehaue  a  halfe  faced  Gofpell,  and  beare  themfelues  in  hande, 
that  dicy  bee  difcharged  before  God,  fo  the  name  of  Chriflianitie 
runne  roundly  in  theyr  mouthes.   Like  as  at  this  day  the  woordc 
Cojpe/lis  taken  to  bee  meetely  honourable  among  the  Papifts :  but 
yet  the  Gofpel  which  they  haue  is  but  a  baftardgofpell,bicaufe  they 
haue  put  their  owne  coUups  and  gobbets  to  it.  They  haue  turkined 
all  things  after  their  owne  pleafure  y  and  they  haue  taken  fuchc  a 
fcope,  that  lefus  Chrift  is  but  an  vnderling  in  comparifon  of  them. 
For  they  haue  giuen  determinate  fentence  as  it  were  from  Hea- 
Uca    And  in  good  footh  they  haue  not  beene  afhamed  too  fay^ 
that  the  Contentes  of  the  Gofpell  are  but  asanApfieof  theChri- 
ftians,  orasitwerean  introdu6lion  :  and  that  the  greate  Myfle- 
ryesand  principall  matters,  haue  beene  reueakd  too  them  fince, 
fo  as  they  mufte  come  from  Councels,. and  from  the  Sea  of  Rome. 
Thus  is  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte  mocked ,  as  thoughe  they  had  ta- 
ken in'  hande  too  crucifie  him  newe  agayne.  For  men  coulde  not 
deuyze  too  offer  hyra  a  greater  viilanye,  than  too  faye  that  he  was 
but  as  anVflier  of  aSchooIe  to  teach  folke  theyr  Ap(ie,and  that  the 
Pope  is  come  m  aboue  hym,  to  bring  intlieftate  of  perfection :  and 
Jctnotwithftadingitisfene  how  the  Pope  maketh  a  minglemangle 

K.iiijt  or 


Chap  .i .  fo.Caltenth  Sermon  ypon 

or  hotchpotch(as  men  terme  it)of  al  things.Then  is  the  word  Gof- 
pell  villanoufly  vnhalowed  among  the  Papiftes,  and  thefe  flicklers 
which  would  haue  men  to  agree  vnto  many  fuperftitions,  and  too 
content  themfelues  with  a  little  of  the  Goipell ,  and  in  the  meane 
while  let  many  abufes  and  errors  continue  ftill :  do  like  wife  darken 
the  pure  do6lrine  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.That  is  the  caufe  why  S, 
Paule  fpeaketh  exprefly  of  the  truth  of  the  GofpelUo  (hew  that  we 
muft  go  to  it  roundiy,and  not  by  halues,  and  that  there  muft  be  no 
adding  nor  diminifhingof  the  things  which  the  forme  of  Gcd  hath 
taught  vs.but  that  euery  man  mufl  be  cotented  to  heare  him  fpeak, 
and  too  let  him  haue  his  mouth  open.  Let  v^s  on  our  fide  open  our 
cares  and  be  heedfull  to  receiue  whatfoeuer  hee  fayth :  and  let  no 
man  prefumc  to  haue  an  ore  in  that  boat, to  fay  this  would  be  good, 
or  this  or  that  fliould  be  done.  VVhcrefore  let  vs  fo  reuerence  the 
pure  do6lrine  of  the  Gofpell ,  as  none  of  vs  prefume  too  chaunge 
ought  of  it,  but  all  ofvs  yeeldto  it  without  exception.  Thus  much 
concerning  the  firfl  rcafon  that  is  fet  downe  heere.  So  (to  be  fhort) 
let  vs  keepe  our  felues  true  fchollers  vnto  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift, 
and  i^  any  jnan  go  about  to  make  vs  fwarue  neuer  fo  little  fro  him, 
or  to  gad  after  the  do6lrines  8c  inuentions  of  men:letvs  withftande 
themftoutly.  And  why  :*  For  Saint  Paule  had  none  other  refped, 
but  that  the  Gofpell  might  abide  in  his  pure  &  vncorrupted  found* 
neffe.  VYherefore  let  vs  followe  him  in  the  fame  nowadayes,  and 
we  can  neuer  do  amifle.Marke  that  for  one  poynt.  Another  is,that 
we  muft  alfo  marke  well,  that  if  an  inconuenience  (hould  increafe, 
and  fpread  abrode  by  our  filence  and  forbearing,  wee  muft  prouide 
for  it  aforehande.  For  it  were  to  late  to  fhet  the  ftiable  doorc  when 
the  Steed  is  ftolne.  Therefore  when  we  fee  that  fuch  as  labour  too 
intangle  Gods  truth,  or  too  mingle  their  owne  fancies  with  it  doo 
drawe  folke  to  them,and  begin  too  haue  fomc  trainc  and  tayle  fol-- 
lowing  them:then  is  it  high  time  for  vs  too  beefirie  infighting.  F9r 
if  we  beare  it :  it  is  certaine  that  wee  bee  guiltie  of  the  decay  of  th.c 
Church,that  fhali  come  vpon  it,  and  whereas  we  thinke  too  (hiffit 
off,  God  will  not  graunt  vs  that  grace,for  as  much  as  wee  haue  bin 
too  colde  and  retchlefTe.  Therfore  when  the  mifcheefe  increafeth, 
and  thjit  there  breedeth  any  infection  of  it;  (thait:is  tojjiy^whe^n  one 

beginnes 


the  EpiTi.to  the  (jalathians.      77 

bcginnes  too  marre  another,)  let  vs  bethinke  vs  too  fet  our  felues 
luftely  agayiifl  it,  and  not  fuffer  thefhrewdweedes  too  grovve  fo 
Jarre  as  to  choke  the  come,but  let  vs  plucke  them  vp  bytiines.  And 
this  is  too  bee  done,  not  onely  in  the  erroursthat  marre  the  pure 
dodrine  of  the  GolpeJl,  but  alfo  in  all  vices  and  corruptions  [[  of 
manners],  Truely  if  there  bee  anyHerefies  and  wicked  opinions 
which  might  fet  all  things  in  a  broy  le,  it  is  all  one  as  if  a  man  (houid 
haue  aflroke  with  a  fwoord  or  a  dagger  in  his  breft  or  in  his  throte. 
For  wherein  is  the  lyfe  and  welfare  of  the  Churche,but  in  the  pure- 
neffe  of  Gods  woord :'  If  a  man  would  come  and  put  poyfon  in  our 
meate  whereof  wee  fhould  take  nurrifhment,{hould  wee  holde  our 
peace  at  it :  No :  but  wee  fliould  rather  ftormc  at  it '!  Now  the  felf- 
fame  reafon  holdeth  in  the  do^lrine  of  the  Gofpell,  and  wee  mufte 
haue  our  handes  alwayes  lift  vp  too  maynteyne  the  pure  do6lrine, 
and  notfuffer  it  in  any  w>fe  to  be  corrupted.  Alfo  whe  we  fee  vices 
reygne,wee  muftprouide  for  them  and  redreffe  them  in  due  feafcn. 
For  if  wee  beare  with  it  and  doo  as  mod  men  doo,  v/hiche  doo  but 
laugh  at  it  and  prouide  for  it  at  leyzure  :  wee  (hall  afterward  bee  at 
our  wittes  end,  too  fee  how  God  hath  fliet  the  gate,  and  how  Satan 
hath  wonne  the  goale  out  of  all  krie.  And  fure  it  is  a  iuft  reward  of 
our  rechlefnefle  and  coldne{re,when  wee  bee  notheedefuU  to  cure 
the  difeafes  as  foone  as  wee  fee  them  infe6l  and  marre  the  bodie  of 
the  Churche  after  that  fort.  Thus  yee  fee  what  wee  haue  in  effcft 
too  remember  heere :  namely  that  wee  muft  not  bee  fo  foolifh  and 
lightminded,  as  too  receyue  the  things  that  thefe  Newtcrs  or  dub- 
blehanded  men  doo  put  vnto  vs,  as  who  fhould  fay,  that  if  the  great 
abufes  bee  amended,  it  ought  to  fufFyze  vs.  But  let  vs  neuer  leaue 
till  the  Gofpell  bee  fetagayne  in  his  pure  foundneffe,  and  that  wee 
haue  it  in  the  felffame  wyze  which  our  Lord  lefus  Chriil  deliucred 
it  too  vs,  without  any  mingling  put  thereto  by  men.  And  fccondly 
agaync,  thereafter  as  wee  fee  the  mifchiefe  preuayle,  let  vs  bryng 
thele  baeke  vnto  God  which  are  gone  aflray,and  labour  too  floppe 
thofe  that  leade  their  neighbours  after  that  fafhion  too  deflmdion, 
and  feeke  nothing  but  too  tume  all  vpfide  downe :  let  fuch  men  be 
-reprefied^and  let  euery  one  that  hath  the  zealc  cf  God  fhewe  him- 
felfe  their  deadly  enemie,brcaking  afunder  what  foeucr  may  hoi  Je 

K.V.  vs 


chap.z.  fo.CaLtentbSermon))pon 

vs  backe :  and  whither  there  bee  frendfhip  or  kinred  betwixte  vs, 
or  any  other  of  the  ftreyghtefl  bondes  in  the  vvorlde :  lette  vs  buric 
cuerywhit  of  it  inforgetfulneffe^when  wee  fee  the  foules  that  were 
bought  vWth  the  bloud  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  fo  led  to  ruine  and 
deftru6lion :  or  when  wee  fee  things  that  were  well  fettled;  ouer- 
throwen,  and  nothing  elfe  fought  but  confufion^  fo  as  menne  might 
not  knovv^an^niore  v\3iat  lefus  Chrift  is,  and  that  by  little  and  little 
the  Diuell  getteth  full  fcope,  and  carieth  vs  away  headlong,  as 
though  the  brydle  were  layd  looce  in  our  necke.  When  wee  fee 
the  mifchiefe  tende  too  thispoynt :  let  euery  of  vs  fti'eyne  himfelf 
too  ftop  it,and  fhewe  that  wee  had  leuer  too  haue  deadly  foode  for 
the  feruing  of  God,  than  too  haue  all  the  friendlhip  in  the  worlde 
for  pleafing  and  pleafuring  of  mortall  creatures.  V  Vherfore  let  vs 
not  play  the  blind  men  or  blinkardes  when  wee  fee  God  offended, 
but  let  vs  fetfo  muche  ftore  by  his  truthe  and  glorie,  that  all  other 
things  may  be  nothing  too  vs  in  comparifon  thereof.  Tlius  ye  fee  in 
effedl  how  we  ought  to  put  this  do<^ine  in  vreThe  reCdue  fhall  be 
referued  till  the  afternoone. 

Then  let  vs  nowe  fall  downe  before  the  Maieftie  of  our  good 
God  with  acknowledgement  of  our  faultes,praying  him  to  make  vs 
feele  them  more  and  more,  and  that  therewithal  for  afmuch  as  hee 
will  haue  vs  to  come  to  him  with  true  repetance,  it  may  pleafe  him 
to  draw  vs  by  his  holy  fpirite,  and  to  beare  with  our  infirmities  tili 
he  haue  quyte  and  cleane  purged' and  rid  vs  of  them,and  brought  vs 
to  the  perfection  wherevnto  he  calleth  and  incourageth  vs.  And  fo 
let  vs  all  fay,  Almightie  God  our  hcauenly  fathcr.Scc. 

TheM.  Sermon^rphicB  is  the  fifth 

^on  the  ficond  chapter, 

14  But  vvrhen  I  fav  ve  that  they  walked  not  rightly  after 
thctruth  of  theGofpellj  I  faydetoo  Peter  afore 
them  all,  ifthoiibeyiigalevvHueft  aiftcrthcma. 
ner  of  the  Gentiles  and  not  as  the  Ievvcs,yvhf 
cofflpellcfl:  thou  the  Gentiles  to  play  chelcvves  i 


theEpiHjothe^alathians.       78 

15  Wee  bee  levves  by  nature,  and  not  finners  of  ihc 

Gentiles. 

16  And  yet  forafmuch  as  vveeknovve  that  a  man  is 

notiuftified  by  the  vvoorkes  of  the  Lavvc,but 
by  beleefein lefus Chrift,vvcalfo  bauebeleeucd 
in  lefus  Chriflc,  that  wee  might  bee  iuftified  by 
the  fayth  of  lefus  Chrift^and  not  by  the  vvorkes 
of  the  Lavvcifornofle/hiliall  bee  iuftified  by  the 
yvorke5  of  the  Lavve. 

T  hath  alwayes  bin  a  comon  faying,  that  looke 
what  Law  a  man  layeth  vpon  others,  he  ought 
too  kecpe  the  fame  himfelfe.  For  it  is  nother 
right  nor  reafon,  that  a  man  fhould  go  fcotfrec 
himfe]f,and  lay  the  burthen  vpon  other  folkes 
fhould ers.  And  for  that  caufe  doth  our  Lorde 
lefus  Clirift  vpbrayd  the  Scribes  and  Pharifies,  j\^alh,2i, 
that  they  pafTcd  not  to  lay  heauy  burthens  vpon  the  poore  people,&  ^^^ 
in  the  meane  while  tooke  leaue  to  do  what  they  lifted  themfelues. 
And  commonly  it  fall eth  out  through  hipocrifie,  that  he  which  is 
rough  Be  extreme  in  all  rigour  towards  his  neybours, would  haue  o- 
ther  men  to  forbeare  him  and  to  difpence  with  him.  But  if  wee  will 
needes  prefTe  our  neighbours  to  do  their  duetie,tlie  true  Sc  naturall 
order  require th, that  euery  of  vs  (hould  firlVbegin  at  himfelf.  Ve  fee 
tlien  how  it  is  a  moft  manifeft  hipocrifie,  when  a  ma  will  not  a  wte 
beare  with  his  neibours^  but  chalegeth  their  dutie  to  the  vttermoft, 
Sc  in  the  meane  while  offendeth  grofly  himfelf,5c  will  not  fufPer  a- 
ny  corre6lio.  Yea  Scfomtimes  alloitfalleth  out,that  we  would  play 
tlie  good  fellowes  at  other  mens  coft.  Euen  fo  fell  it  out  heere  in  S, 
Peter.Forhisinforcingofthe  Gentyles  tokeepe  the  Ceremoniall 
kwe,  csme  not  of  the  forefayde  hipocrifie  of  taking  leaue  too  doo 
what  he  lifted,  and  of  defiringtoogo  quite  and  cleere- before  God 
for  his  confti'cyning  of  other  menne  too  fuch  apoynt :  but  of  dub- 
blenefte,  for  that  hcc  was  too  defiroufe  too  pleafure  his  owne. 
4;ountiymen.  He  had  already  taken  leaue  too  hue  after  the  maner 

of 


ciup.z.         Jq^  CaLekuenth  Sermon  ))pon 

of  th  e  Gcntyles,  that  is  to  fay,  too  giae  ouer  the  vfmg  of  the  Cere- 
monies of  the  Lawe.  For  (as  I  haue  earft  touched)  S.Paule  fpeaketh 
riot  heere  of  the  vnbeleeuers,  nor  of  the  defpyzers  of  God :  but  of 
thofe  Gentyles  that  had  binconuerted  too  the  knowledge  of  the 
GofpelI;and  were  defirous  to  feme  God,  yea  euen  without  the  old 
Ceremonies.  Now  S.Peter  had  fafhioned  himfelf  to  their  common 
trade,  and  yet  notwithftanding  he  was  a  lewe :  andtherfore  he  did 
the  Gentyles  too  much  wrong,to  put  aftreyter  brydle  vpon  them, 
than  he  receyued  to  himfelf,  as  I  fayd  afore.  He  did  it  not  in  refpeft 
of  himfclfe,  butpkydeon  bothhandes,  astheydoo  whiche  would 
feyne  keepe  fauour  with  all  parties,  and  are  loth  too  miflike  any 
man.  So  wee  fee  there  was  rightfuU  reafon  to  rebuke  him, and  too 
fhame  him  before  all  the  Church.  Now  remayneth  that  he  acknow- 
ledged his  faulte,  by  which  example  wee  mufte  learne  mildenefie. 
That  is  to  fay,  for  afmuch  as  there  is  none  of  vs  all  but  he  may  flep 
awry,as  tliey  that  haue  not  fuch  perfeft  wifedome  but  that  we  may 
fall  euen  into  grofle  faultes :  and  although  we  perceyue  it  not,  yet 
now  and  then  we  happen  to  fwarue  through  infirmitie :  at  leaftwyze 
let  vs  not  ieere  at  it  when  we  be  reformed,  as  many  proude  &  ftub- 
borne  folkc  do,  who  eyther  fpew  out  their  poyfon,or  elfe  rancle  in- 
wardly in  their  hartes  when  they  bee  rebuked.    Letvs  learne  firfl 
©fall  by  S.Peters  example,  that  there  is  none  of  vsallfo  farre  fore- 
ward  in  hoIinefTe^wifcdome  and  vertue, which  may  not  ouerfhootc 
himfelf  And  therfore  let  vs  patiently  heare  what  is  tolde  vs,  that 
wee  may  fare  the  better  by  it :  and  let  vs  not  bee  afhamcd  too  cafte 
downe  our  heades  when  we  fee  our  felues  iuflly  accuzed  and  con- 
demned. Thus yee  fee  what  we  haue  to  remember  vppon  the  firft 
part  ofthis  Text.  Truely  we  haue  feene  already  this  mornyng,how- 
S.Peter  had  this  honorable  title, to  be  called  a  chi^fe  piller  in  Gods 
Churche,and  in  the  fpirituall  Temple  that  was  too  bee  buylded.  He 
was  honored,he  and  his  fellowes  had  receyued  the  holy  Ghoft,  and 
although  he  had  flumbled  once  afore,  yet  had  lefus  Chriile  fet  him 
vp  againe,and  wiped  away  the  remembrance  of  that  fall,  in  faying  to 
hh,22,c,    hirn,  feede  my  Sheepe,  haue  a  care  of  my  Lambes.  And  yet  for  aJI 
ij.         this,he  walketh  not  the  right  way,but  fteppeth  aftde.    VVherefore 
it  behoueth  vs  too  bee  fo  much  the  warer  that  noman  deceyue  vs, 

as. 


the  EpisfJo  the  (jalathians.  19 

as  though  wee  had  profited  To  well  in  Gods  fchoole,  that  we-e  were 
no  more  in  daunger  of  do)Tig  amifTe.  Let  vs  beware  of  fuche  cuer- 
\veening,and  keepe  continual!  watch,  that  wee  bee  not  mifiedde  by 
thewyles  andtraynes  of  Satan  :  yea  let  it  bee  a  fufpicious  matter 
with  vs  too  defire  too  pleafe  men,  ieyng  that  S.Peter  fell  intoo  that 
extremitie.  True  it  is  that  his  meening  was  too  the  contrarie,  and 
that  his  intent  was  too  imploy  himfelf  wholly  too  the  glorifying  of 
Gods  name.  Hehadftoutly  withftoodeit  when  he  was  forbidden 
too  preache  any  more  in  the  name  of  lefus  Chrifl.  It  was  the  voyce 
of  an  Angelicall  ftoutneffe  when  he  anfwered,God  muft  be  obeyed  Atl,^J,  19 
and  not  men.  For  he  {d^wt  there  the  rulers  of  his  countrie,  he  fawe  cir  5.  f.  2<? . 
them  aflT^mbled  with  their  pompe,  and  there  was  theftatelinelTe  of 
Magiftrates,  which  had  bin  able  too  amaze  apoore  man  of  no  cre- 
dite.as  he  and  his  fellow  loJhn  were.  But  not  withflanding  his  (lout 
snfwering that  he  woulde  obey  God  maugre  all  thafe  that  preten- 
ded too  haue  preheminence  ouer  him,  yet  he  was  deccyued  in  this 
cace  whereof  mention  is  madeheere.  Therefore  whenfoeuer  men 
doo  the  thing  that  may  thruft  vs  out  of  the  way,and  wee  haue  fomc 
fayre  cloke,  fo  as  it  fhall  feeme  too  vs  that  wee  doo  not  amide  too 
pleafe  them :  Let  vsLethinke  vs  of  this  example,  that  is  fet  vs  down 
heere,and  which  is  tolde  vs  too  make  vs  euery  of  vs  looke  aboutc 
him  what  his  Q'Si^A\x\^  will  beare,and  what  God  com maundeth, with- 
out calling  of  our  eye  afide  too  purchace  fauour  in  the  worlde.  Let 
vs  fhet  our  eyes  agaynft  all  that  is  about  vs,  and  look^  onely  at  this 
niarke,that  wee  mufl  in  all  caces  and  all  refpeftes  fafhion  our  felues 
too  the  will  of  God.  And  when  wee  fhall  haue  looked  rightfoorth 
too  Gods  ordinances,  and  asked  counfell  at  his  mouth,  and  prayed 
Kimtooguyde  and  gouei'nevs  by  his  holy  fpiritc,  and  finally  well 
confidered  the  boundes  of  our  vocation,  fo  as  wee  attempt  not  any 
thing otherwife  than becommeth  vs:  then  fnall  wee  bee  able  too 
efchewthe  flightesand  allurementes  of  Satan  and  the  worlde,fo  as 
wee  fhall  not  pafTe  too  pleafure  creatures  ouermuch.  But  without 
that,v/ee  fliall  bee  beguylcd  at  eucry  tume  as  it  happened  vnto  Pe- 
ter. For  if  wee  compare  cur  felues  with  him :  it  is  certaine  that  hec 
was  much  better  able  too  keepc  himfelf  than  wee  bee.  Neuerthe- 
kfle  he  was  cafl  downe  afterward,too  the  end  diat  his  doyng  might 

krii? 


Chap.  2,         fa.CaLekuenth  Sermon  ypon 

feme  foF  our  lecn-ning,  and  wee  bee  rid  of  all  pryde,ro  as  wee  miglit 
not  thruft  foonh  our  owne  opinions  to  bee  ouerwyze  in  our  owne 
brayne  and  fancie^but  that  all  our  vvifedome  might  bee  too  rule  our 
feluts  according  to  Gods  pure  woord.  But  now  let  vs  come  to  that 
which  S.  Paule  addeth.  He  entereth  further  intoo  the  matter  and 
layethpTQjff  bte  It^^es  by  nature  and  not  fmners  (that  is  too  fay,damnable 
men ,  defiled,  and  miferabk  wretches  >  of  the  Genty!fs.     Jnd  yH 
mfAutbffanding  for  a/tnmh  as  y^e  J^noy^  that  TQ?re?  cannot  bee  iufiifien  by 
the  dtedes  of  the  to^and  that  there  is  none  other  meancs  to  make  vs 
acceptable  to  God,than  by  comming  too  him  with  the  grace  of  our 
Lord  lefus  Chriite :  wee  haue  renounced  the  rightuoufnefleof  the 
iawe^and  afflired  our  felues,that  Gods  accepting  of  vs  mufte  bee  of 
his  owne  free  goodnefTe  forhisfonnes  fake.  Seyng  then  that  v/ee 
leweshaue  renounced  our  owne  worthinefle,  what  (hall  the  Gen- 
tyles  now  do :'  mufl  not  all  be  reconciled  to  Gcd>  through  his  owne 
nieere  goodnefTe  without  bringing  any  thing  of  their  owne,  and' 
without  pretending  to  haue  any  maner  of  defertor  worthinefTe  of 
ihemfelues  c"  Pleere  (as  I  haue  touched  afore)  S.Paule  entereth  into 
the  principal  1  poynt  of  his  difputationj  agaynft  fuche  as  mingled  the 
Ceremonies  of  the  lawe  wkh  the  Gofpell.  Howbeit  S.Peter  was 
none  of  that  number.  For  it  is  certayne  that  he  knew  well  ynough, 
that  there  was  none  other  meane  too  come  vntoo  God,  than  by  his 
mercie  as  it  is  fhewed  vs  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  Saind  Paule  had'  ^ 
communed fufficiently  with  him^afore  of  that  matter>  as  wee  haue 
feene.  He  agreed  fully  with  S.  Paule  as  touching  doctrine .  Then? 
was  not  Sainft  Peter  wrapped  in  that  errour.for  it  had  bin  a  fuper- 
(lition  that  had  vtterly  defaced  the  death  and  pafsion  of  our  Lordc 
lefus  Chrifle.  Therefore  S.Peter  would  havie  abhorred  that.  But 
the  difsimulationthat  I  treated  of  this  morning,  was  an  occaficn  to 
harden  the  lewes  in  the  fond  dotage  which  they  had  conceyuedof 
their  owne  meritorious  woorkes.  Not  that  he  intended  it :  nother 
is  it  a  fufficient  excufe  for  vs  though  wee  protefl  a  hundred  t^^mes, 
tliat  wee  meenc  not  too  mayntayne  euiil  :but  if  wee  make  any 
countenance  at  all  of  it,  furely  wee  are  alwayes  woorthie  too  bee 
condemned  bothc  before  God  and  the  worlde.  Sain6l  Peter  thea 
agreed  very  well  with  Sain6l  Paule  as  concerning  do6lrinC;  namely- 

thit 


the  EpiH.to  the  ^alathiam.         So 

that  there  is  none  other  meane  too  come  before  Gjod  too  obtayiic 
grace,than  by  renouncing  all  creatures^nd  by  confeiaingthat  there 
is  nothing  but  curfedndTe  in  vs,  and  that  God  mufte  receyue  vsof 
his  owne  meere  merci e  for  our  Lorde  lefus  Chriftes  fake.   S.Peter 
Imew  this,and  taught  it  without  any  ga^Tiefaying.And  moreouer  he 
VJi{^  well  it  was  lawfull  for  him  to  giue  ouer  the  vfe  of  Ceremonies. 
For  he  would  not  haue  giraunted  too  any  fuche  libertie,  vnJefTe  he 
had  kno wen  that  the  fame  load  bin  purchaced  for  vs  by  the  death 
and  pafsion  of  the  Sonne  of  God.  Neuerthelefle  he  fwamed  a  lit- 
tle too  mucli,  too  the  intent  too  keepe  ftill  his  owne  Countriemen, 
bicaufe  he  knew  that  the  lewes  were  fomewhat  too  wilfull  &  way- 
ward;and  thcrforehe  ment  no  more  but  to  beare  with  their  nature, 
ButS.PaLile  rcfpe6leth  not  the  perfon  of  his  fellow  S.Peter,nothcr 
reafoneth  he  with  him,  as  if  he  fhouldefay,  thou  arte  an  abuzer  of 
men,rhou  knoweft  not  what  the  Gofpell  meeneth ,  but  hee  faye th 
vntoo  him,  bethinke  thee  well  what  is  like  too  befall  of  tliy  doyng, 
and  what  inconuenience  it  will  draw  with  it.  For  whereat  ame  ihey 
that  would  haue  men  too  keepe  the  Ceremonies  of  the  Lawe :'  e- 
ucn  too  get  fome  holynelfe  by  them,  or  to  binde  men  fo  too  tliem, 
as  they  (hould  vfe  them  vpon  necefsitie  of  faluation,  and  to  dcferue 
fauour  by  them  at  Gods  hand  and  finally  to  obtayne  forgiueneOeoF 
finnes  by  keeping  of  circumcifion  and  all  other  fuch  things.  But  in 
fo  doing  they  be  hild  downe  in  this  errour,  that  they  renounce  the 
death  and  pafsion  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl,  and  vet  notwithftanding 
thou  ini^ndeft  too  ^tQ^t  them  in  that  fondneffe,  and  what  a  tiling 
were  that  ^ 

Therfore  let  vs  marke  wel  how  S.Paule  pfTeth  not  what  Peters 
opinio  is  in  this  behalf,  but  dealeth  with  th^  matter  it  felf,to  the  end 
that  all  cloking  might  be  taken  away  fro  fuch  as  did  fhet  the  Gofpel 
out,Df  dores,beridcs  that  they  d\^  aifo  rende  the  Church  afunder  as 
we  faw  this  morning.Kowbeit  for  afmuch  as  it  is  a  matter  that  canot 
be[tulIy](iifcourfcd  in  a  day  Qor  twayne,'Jno  nor  in  fpwer:we  mtft. 
take  the  things  in  order  as  they  lie,to  the  end  we  may  know  why  S, 
Pviule  ftroue  fo  fharply  for  the  abolifhing  of  Ceremonies.  For  the 
cace  ccncerneth  the  faluation  of  our  Soules,and  it  is  the  chief  point 
ihat  we  mufl  learne  in  gods  fcholc,  next  after  rhe  glorifying  of  him. 

For 


Chu 


P'  ^^         fo.Calekuenth  Sermon  ypon 

For  if  wee  fall  too  comparifons,  it  is  ccrtaine  that  the  feming  of 
God  doothalwayes  go  iii  order  and  degree  before  the  faluationof 
ourfoules.    True  it  is  that  they  bee  things  infeparable  :  for  God 
fheweth  his  infinite  loue  which  he  beareth  vs,inthis  that  neuerany 
thin^  fcrueth  too  his  glorie,  but  that  the  fame  is  immediatly  fitte 
and  profitable  for  our  faluation.  Howbeit  for  afmuch  as  Gcd  hath 
loued  vs  fo  grcately,  and  continuethftillhis  fauourtowarde^^s  : 
wee  on  cur  (ide  are  bound  vntoo  him,  bothe  too  forget  our  feJues 
^nd  to  giue  our  felues  wholly  vnto  him.  But  how  foeuer  we  fare, 
wee  fee  heere  the  twoo  groundes  of  all  our  Religion :  namely  too 
know  how  God  ought  too  be  honored  and  fcrued,  and  alfo  how  we 
may  fo  oiFer  our  felues  before  him,  as  he  may  accept  vs  and  auow 
vs  for  his  children,  and  wee  hoide  him  for  our  father,  and  by  that 
meanes  be  fully  aHiired  of  our  faluation.  Andthefe  twoopoynts 
are  contayned  in  the  difcourfe  that  S.Paule  handleth  heere.  For  the 
cace  is,after  what  maner  God  wil  be  ferued :  according  as  the  chetf 
facrifizethat  he  dcmaundeth;  is  the  confefsion  of  humilitie  :  I  fay 
humilitie  : not  by  making  demure  countenances,  but  by  beyng 
touched  with  fuch  remorfe,as  wee  fuffer  our  felues  too  bee  vtterly 
condemned  before  God, and  all  the  truftof  our  ovvne  woorkes  and 
nierites  be  thruft  vnder  foote.  Marke  that  for  one  poynt.And  more 
ouer, when  God  commaunded  t}ie  Ceremonies,  it  was  not  for  that 
he  pafTed  vponthefe  outward  things :  but  for  that  he  amed  at  ano- 
riier  end :  which  was, that  [on  the  one  fide]  the  lewes  {hould  be  in- 
ured to  ptience,by  continuall  perceyuing  of  their  owne^wantes  and 
miferies,and  therevp5  rid  themfelues  fro  al  corruptions  of  the  flefh: 
and  on  the  other  fide  be  led  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrid,  to  repofe  their 
trufl  in  him,&  to  reft  wholly  there.  So  then,  as  touching  thofe  that 
would  haue  the  ceremonies  of  the  Law  kept,as  if  it  were  of  necefsi- 
tie  that  me  (hould  be  precifely  bound  to  the  Vponpainc  of  [deadly]^ 
finne  as  they  terme  it :  it  is  certaync  that  their  meening  was  to  fet 
vp  a  feruis  of  G  od  contrarie  too  his  will  and  meening,  and  that  they 
were  as  good  as  Coufiners  :  for  why,  they  peruerted  the  natural!' 
meening  of  the  Law.  Marke  that  for  one  fchoole  poynt.  Another  is, 
that  they  taught  men  to  fet  vp  their  briftles,  8c  to  glory  in  thefclues, 
&  that  was  an  abolifhin?  of  Gods  glory  :for  we  canot  chaledge  aught 

(te«: 


theEpi^Mthe  QalathiansV      8 


(be  itncu^r  fo  little)to  ourfeluesi  but  we  rob'and  rende  away  thaf*'" 
which  belongeth  Vnto  him.  Ye  fee  then  how  it  is  a  diuelifh  trayte-  >  ' 
roufneffe  when  men  prefume  vpon  their  owne  power,  as  though 
they  had  any  fparke  of  righreoufnefle  in  themf^-lues.  And-befydes  ^ 
that,  it  is  an  entering  into  the  gulfe  of  hell,  when-weweene  togec-^ 
TaJaation  by  our  owne  workes.  FiE)r-  we  renounce  the  deatli  an^i  '"^ 
pafeionof pur Loitl lefos Chryfte,  where  we fhould  {eeke all  our  -  * 
ri^iteoufneffe.Agayne  the  DiucU  makcth  vs  to  beleeue  wonders- 1--^ 
bo  vvbeit,  it  is  but  to  make  vs  to  fall  into  de{lru6tion.  Wherefore '  * 
letVs  rh^rke  \vell,that  S.Paiile  treateth  heere  of  the  manner  of  iu-'  ^ 
(ItQcation  before  God,that  is  to  fay,  of  the  meane  whereby  we  bee^  * 
brought  into' his  fauour,  bycaiifeit  is  the  prineipall  poynt  whiche'/i 
we  ought  to  leame,  and  witliout  that,  all  the  religion [^or  deuoti^  *^ 
on"3that  can  be  named,is  but  fmoke  and  leazings.  And  it  is  not  for    ^ 
naught  that  5a:nft  Paule  entereth  into  that  queflion.  For  manye 
me'n  make  this  allegationrHow  nowC'The  cace  concerned  the  Ce-  '^ 
remonies  of  tlie  law.and  why  then  dodi  Sain6l  Paule(as  ye  would  - 
faye)iling  himfelfe  ouerthwart  the  f eclds :"  V V%  fpeaketh  bee  of  -^ 
right2pufneire,x)f  irtins  faluatiori,of  the  forgiuenefl%  of  iinnes,anci-  ^ 
fy^\lily  of  air  the  whole  lawe  <  Nowe  on  the  one  part,it  behoued 
hymtoo  deaie  \v7th  ril  thofe  thynges  ;  as  for  example,  when 
we  in  thefe  dayes  teac^^e ,  that  men  muft  not  keepe  the  fuperfti-*-" 
tions  of  the  Papifls,  nor  anyofthethyngs  that  haue  bin  fo  deui- 
fed  by  die  witte  of  man :  v/ee  fhall  not  only  debate  whither  fleflid  - 
miy  be  eaten  vppohfr}Mayes,  orwhytherfuchea  wake,vigil,  or  ' 
Sairt(?les  euen  bee  too  be  kept  ,  Or'whyther  thys  thyng  or  that  * 
thingbetobedone  t  but  we  fhall  treate  generally  whither  it  bee 
la<vfull  for  a  mortall  man  to  make  law^es  to  bring  mennes  corifci-  ' ' 
ences  into  tyiannicall  bondage.  For  God  hathe  referuedto  him-  Bfa.^}  J^22 
feffe  alone  the  autlioritie  and  prerogatiue  to  be  called  the  lawma-  -^ 
kci*,to  the  intent  that  no  man  fhotild  V'fur^:)  any  fuch  prehemincnce  / 
inthe  Church.Thcn-feeing  that  the  fpirimall  gouemement  ofour  ■* 
fo\iles  ought  to  be  taken  out  of  Gods  pure  word:  we  may  coclud^,'^' 
tliat  nother  Pope,nor'any  other  man  of  what  calling  foeuer  he  be,'  ' 
hath  power  to  burthen  vs  with  any  lawe.s,  or  ought  to  attempt  any 
thing  that  is  againft  the  do<5lrincwhiche  we  haueofGod.  Iherti. 

L.  may 


Chap.z:        ^o.Cal.eleuenthfermon  ypon 

may  we  well  enter  into  that  generall  cSfcouife :  and  that  is  bycaufc 
chc  reafon  of  tliem  is  alike  in  all  points.  If  we  (hould  difpute  onely 
about  the  eating  of  ii{h  or  flefh,  it  would  be  but  a  fond  difputation. 
For  euery  man  muft  eate  according  as  is  for  his  health ,  or  as  hec 
can  get :  and  therefore  fuch  difputation  fhoulde  not  conceme  the 
health  of  mens  foules,or  the  matter  that  were  requiiite  for  tliem  to 
reft  their  conlciencevpon.  But  when  we  take  in  hand  too  fhcwe 
riiat  it  is  not  for  any  lining  creature  to  aduancc  himfelfe  fo  hygh, 
as  to  lay  lawes  vppon  mennes  necks.the  other  difputation  is  ful- 
ly refoiued  and  difpatched.  Againewhen  as  men  fay,  that  in  bab- 
bling patemofters  to  buy  out  their  finnes,  and  in  gadding  on  pil- 
grimage to  get  there  the  things  which  in  poperie  are  tearmed  the 
workes  of  fupererogation  (that  is  to  ^ye,workes  of  ouerplus  that 
men  do  more  than  God  commaundcth  them)  they  raunfome  the- 
felucs  and  make  him  fome  recompence  for  the  faultes  that  they 
haue  committed  :  If  we  fpeake  fimply  of  pilgrimages,  and  go  not 
to  the  ground  and  welfpring  of  the  mattenit  will  be  a  cold  and  fle- 
der  difcourfe.  But  if  we  declare  how  all  our  fatisfaclton  is  in  the 
things  that  are  purchaced  for  vs  by  the  death  and  pafsion  of  oure 
Lord  Icfus  Chrift,  and  therewithal!  that  God  vtterly  miiliketh  all 
that  is  of  our  owne  inuenrion,  and  that  he  will  be  ferucd  with  obe- 
diencerthen  do  we  lay  foorthe  the  cace  as  it  ought  to  be,  and  may 
bring  it  to  a  fure  and  certaine  conclufion.  After  that  manner  did  5. 
Paule.For  he  regarded  not  only  what  the lewes  fayd^  how  it beho- 
tted  them  to  forbeare  the  eating  of  fwines  flefh,and  to  keepe  fiiche 
a  feaft  or  fuch  a  feaft,and  all  the  reHdue  of  the  Ceremonies  :but  he 
marked  to  what  end  they  faid  itinamcly  how  they  went  about  too 
ihew,that  the  keeping  of  the  law  was  of  necefsitie  of  faluation-and 
tliat  was  a  yoke  of  bondage  vpon  mens  confciences,that  could  not 
be  bome.Againe  he  fawhowthe  libertie  that  w&s  purchaced  vs  by 
our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  was  talien  away,  and  that  was  another  point 
that  compelled  him  to  enter  into  that  diiconrfe.  But  thecheefe 
point  that  he  treateth  of  he  ere,  is  diat  fuch  as  would  haueliad  men 
to  keepe  the  Ceremonies,had  a  fecret  meening  that  the  fame  was 
an  acceptable  feruis  vnto  God,and  of  fuch  importance  as  me  fhuld 
^urchace  r ighieoufneiTe  and foulehealdh  by  it,  and(co  beniort)that 

itwas 


theEpiHjo  the  (jalathiani.       2z 

it  was  a  meritorious  thing.But  SPauIe  flieweth,  that  it  is  impofsi- 
ble  for  me  to  purchace  righteoufnefle  before  God  by  their  works. 
Now  therefore  we  fee  for  what  caiife  S.PauIe  treated  generally  of 
our  iuflification,  when  as  notwithflanding  hys  aduerfaries  preten- 
ded no  more,  but  tlie  keepmg  of  the  CercmonialJ  lawe,  and  the 
continuing  thereof  ftill  as  before  the  comming  of  our  Lordclefus 
Chrift,  fo  as  men  fhould  ftiil  offer  facriiifc,  and  do  the  reft  of  tlic 
{hadowes  and  auncient  figures.Aiid  heereby  we  fee  alfo  what  a  fol- 
lit  it  is  for  the  Papifts  to  thinke  themfelucs  efcaped,  in  faying  that 
S.PauIe  fpealieth  heere  but  of  the  works  of  the  Ja\v,and  not  of  die 
morall  works.  True  it  is  that  they  b*i  not  the  firft  founders  of  that 
dotage.Fcr  the  Diuell  hath  always  had  his  minifters  to  coufin  the 
people.But  we  muft  not  reft  vpon  the  authoritie  of  men,  fpecially 
of  fuch  as  haue  nother  religio  nor  feare  of  God  in  dicm.  Although 
that  many  of  the  Monkes  haue  bin  reported  to  be  men  of  grcatc 
skill :  yet  notwithftanding  they  haue  bin  but  fantafticali  fellowcs, 
and  neucr  had  any  taft  of  the  feare  of  God.  Euen  thofe  that  were 
called  tlie  auncient  do6tors,haue  peruertcd  the  kindly  fenfe  of  the 
holy  fcripture,  and  were  as  vtterly  bewitched  by  Satan,  and  yet 
the  wretched  world  hath  bin  fo  blynde,  that  it  could  not  perccyue 
it.  Thefekinde  of  men  haue  expounded  this  faying,  that  wee  bee 
not  iuftafyed  by  the  deedes  of  the  law,  to  import  that  wee  bee  not 
iuftifyed  by  the  deedes  of  the  law, to  import  that  we  be  not  iufti- 
fyed  by  circumcifion,  or  by  abfteyning  from  any  certaine  k)T.ds  of 
TneateSjOr  by  keeping  fuch  a  holy  day  or  fuch  a  feaft,  whereas  not- 
withftanding S.PauIe  treateth  of  none  of  all  thofe  things.  He  mat- 
cheth  Gods  grace  againft  all  our  workes,  and  finally  (hewerh  that 
we  cannot  bring  aught  vnto  God,  but  that  we  muft  be  faine  to  be 
admitted  freely  of  him..  That  is  S.Paulcs  drift  j\nd  if  we  fiiould  not 
fet  the  fame  marke  before  our  eyes,  furely  all  the  do6lrine  that  is 
conteined  in  this  Epiftle,would  be  but  fond  matter.  Furdiermore 
let  vs  marke,that  S.  Paule  doth  oftentimes  fay  fimply  and  without  ^m.3,<{.a> 
addition ,  that  wee  bee  iuftified  without  workes :  like  as  in  the 
thirde  Chapter  too  the  Romanes ,  hefayth  we  haue  a  cleerc  and 
fure  proofe  of  our  righteoufnefle-,  namely  that  we  bee  rightu- 
ous  before  God  through  the  remifsion  of  our  finnes,  and  not  by 
4Wr  workes.  Heefaythe  not  there,  by  the  workes  of  tlielawe, 

L.ij,  ^ 


Chap.z:        foXaLeleuentbfermonypon 

- :  but  he  fttteth  it  down^  fingk[;witlxOut  ad<iitioa  Jto  tke  ead.e  that 

.   all  mouthes  fliould  be  floppedpaud  all  ilai:tinghoks  be  take  away. 

Yet  is  it  not  without,  cauie  that  he  fpeaketh  of  the  workes  of  the 

law,  to  bring  to  nothing  all  the  feruiccsthat  men  can  all  edge  too 

bind  God  withall;  as  though  they  were  able  to  become  righteoufe. 

of  themfelues .  For  as  we  fhall  fee  hereafter,  although  we  were  as 

perfect  as  Angells^yet  couJd  not  that  bind  God  at  all,if  it  were  not 

for  that  heof  hisowne  goodwill  hath  made  thispromis  inhys 

ZeHLi2.a,<  ^^^^'  ^^  ^^^^^  ^^^^  ^^^^^^  thinges  fliall  Hue  in  them.Then  if  we  go  a- 

^  bout  to  get  fauour  at  Gods  hand  for  our  owne  works  fakes ,  we 

muft  not  difpute  philofopherlike,  that  God  oweth  vs  any  wages 

or  recompence  for  the  feruis  that  we  liaue  done  him:for  we  be  his, 

and  we  cannot  bind  him  by  aught  that ;  we  can  do.  How  then.may 

our  works  be  recompenced  as  though  they  were  auaylable  before 

Godc'Euen  bycaufe  he  hatKpromifedfotodo.  It  is  thecouenant 

r  whiche  he  hath  made  with  -vs  in  faying,  he  that  doth  thefe  thynge s 

• '  fhal  Jiue  in  them.So  then,if  we  could  performe  the  law  to  the  full, 

'^  furely  we  fliould be  righteous  before  God.and  deferue  faluation : 

howbeit  not  for  any  worthinefle  thatfliould  be  in  ourfelues,  but 

^  -  by  reafon  of  the  couenant  that  God  hatkmade  with  vs.For  we  fee 

ihat  all  the  defert  which  can  be  alledged  on  mannes  behalfe,  depe- 

deth  whol ly  vpon  the  faid  promis.And  that  is  the  caufe  why  kind: 

Paule  faith  always,the  works  of  the  law,.the  works  of  the  Jaw.  For 

^-  there  are  none  odier  workes  that  defeme  to  be  accepted  of  God 

*    and  to  haue  any  recompence.     Therefore  let  that  feme  for  one 

-     point.  And  we.fhall  fee  heereafter,  how  we  be  vtterly  excluded  fro 

that  righteoufnefTe,  bycaufe  we  comefhort  of  it :  and  that  Goddes 

tellmg  of  vs  that  we  fhalJ  befaued  by  -keeping  of  the  lawe^  is  all 

'    one  as  if  hee  had  fayde,  that  we  be  all  of  vs  damned.   And  why  f 

For  there  is  not  any  manne  that  difchargeth  hinifelfe  of  it  j  but 

all  of  vs  are  ti*anfo;reirers .  Ve  fee  then ;  that  •  the  lawe  can  bryng 

^.V^r.t>  vs  nothyng.  but  deathe ,.  by  rekfon  of  our  iniihnitie.  But  thys 

fhall  bee  Jay de  fooithmore  at  Jengdi  in;his  order.    Itisynough 

for  thys  tyme  that  we  loiowe  how  Sain^l  Eaulesiettingdo\vnc 

of  thys  do6lrine,  isagaynft  the  lewes  which  boafted  themfelues 

Wid  were  puffed  vp  widi  pride^as  though  Giodhad/bincb^^^^ 


t^iL»{j;]33li  .J3i'iev/  fij(Vnto 


the  EpiH.to  theQalathians.       S^ 

vnto  them  for  their  obfeming  of  the  Ceremonies  ofthelawc.  No 
no,  (faith  he)  it  is  nothing  worth  :  and  we  fhalJ  fee  the  reafon  of  it 
aftervvarde.Furthermore  S.PauIes  debating  of  the  cafe  of  Ceremo- 
nies, is  bycaufe  thcfe  hypocrites  which  tooke  vpon  them  to  match 
themfekies  with  God^andtoo  haue  the  praife  of  their  faluation 
themfelues,  did  always  buzie  their  heads  aboutfmalltnfles,  and 
came  not  to  the  cheefe  point,  which  is  to  enter  mto  their  owne  c5- 
fciences.Like  as  at  this  day  in  the  Popedome,they  that  do  fo  much 
preach  their  cwne  m€rites,and  fay  that  we  mufl:  purchace  Paradice 
by  our  owTie  works,  and  that  although  we  be  finners,  yet  we  hauC 
a  way  to  difcharge  ourfelues  to  Godward  by  fatifta6lions:what  al- 
ledge  they :'  When  thofe  great  Rabines  go  about  to  fet  men  after 
that  maner  vpon  the  flage  to  be  honored  as  Idol  Is,  and  when  they 
haue  made  their  great  prefaces  of  free  will^,  of  their  owne  vertues, 
of  their  fatisfadions,and  of  their  merites  or  defemingsiwhat  bring 
they  'i  Exhort  they  men  to  liue  chaftly,  without  doing  other  men 
wrong ,  or  without  any  couetous  defire,  fo  as  euery  of  vs  lliouldc 
content  hymfelfe  with  that  he  hath ,  be  patient  in  aduerfitie,  bearc 
wrongs  and  reproches,  and  in  all  thynges  (hewe  ourfelues  to  bee 
theDifcipies  ofourLorde  lefus  Chnfte  by  forfaking  ourfelues  ^ 
There  is  not  one  word  with  them  of  thefe  things.  But  the  good 
workes  which  they  fet  afore  vs  arc, that  we  muftgo  deuoutely  too 
piaffe,  take  holywater  before  we  enter  into  the  Church,  becrolTc 
ourfelues, kneele  downe  before  a  flocke,wor{hip  a  puppet ,  gad  on 
pilgrimages ,  keepe  fuche  a  feaftfuU  daye,  found  aTrentall,  deale 
doales  for  the  dead,  and  do  this  and  that.  So  then,  all  thefe  hipo  - 
crites  which  will  needes  become  righteous  by  their  owne  workes, 
haue  nothing  but  gewgawcs  and.dotagesiand  yet  for  all  that,  they 
thinke  tliemfelues  fo  holy  and  perfect ,  that  nothing  is  amifle  vex 
them.  They  thinke  tliat  God  ought  to  content  himfelfe  wyth  the 
gre?.t  number  of  murlimcwes  and  countenances  which  they  make. 
But  that  is  not  the  co^iie  wherewith  he  muft  be  paied.for  his  lawe 
is  fpirituail.He  looketh  not  vpon  the  outward  g;efture,nor  vpo  tlid 
things  that  carric  a  faire  glofle  before  men,  in  fomuch  that  if  men 
fet  their  minds  too  much  vpon  his  owne  Ceremonies,  he  reie6leth 
k  vtterly :  And  that  is  a  tiling  well  worthy  th«  njariing .  Fo^ 

Loij,  mci| 


ciupr^.      Jo.Cai  eleventh  Sermonypon 

men  feeke  ftill  fome  fiartingliok,  that  they  might  not  yceldi  them* 
felues  to  the  obeying  ofGod:  and  they  beare  themlelues  in  hand, 
that  when  they  haue  once  diipatched  their  fond  deuotions,  then 
they  be  well  difcharged^and  all  the  reft  of  their  finnes  muft  be  for- 
gotten, bycaufe  tliey  raunfome  them  by  that  mcanes.  Thethyng 
therefore  whiche  we  haue  to  marke  heere ,  is  that  Samd  Pauic 
ftroue  heere  againft  fuche  men,  as  neuer  will  what  it  was  too  fcrue 
God  in  good  eameft,  nor  neuer  entered  into  their  owne  confcien- 
ces.Andeuen  fuch  are  thefe  Shauelings  in  the  Popedome,and  thofe 
tiaughtipacks  that  haue  their  full  fcope  there:I  meene  not  only  the 
Cardinalls  and  rhcfe  homed  beafls  the  Byfliops,  (for  men  knowe 
that  they  be  the  filthinelle  whiche  infecteth  tlie  whole  world)but  I 
fpeake  alfo  of  thofe  that  are  called  doctors,  the  vpholders  of  their 
Catholike  faith.  Itisceitaine  tliat  they  be  but  mockers  of  God, 
they  neuer  entered  into  their  confcicnces  to  cxamin  themfelue$ 
cameflJy,notherhad  they  euer  any  remorfe  of  confcience.  Surely 
all  their  ftudy  hath  binto  holde  folke  as  it  were  vppon  the  racl:^ 
and  to  put  many  liartgripes  into  them,  to  the  intent  they  myghte 
feeme  to  be  fhai*pwitted.But  as  for  themfelues,they  neuer  felt  any 
thing. And  that  is  the  caufe  why  they  prate  To  much  at  their  eafe 
concerning  merites,  andyet  inthemeane  while  haue  no  rcgardc 
of  them  themfelues.Only  they  do  fome  fmall  trifles,  like  rittlerat- 
ties  that  men  giue  to  little  children,  wherewith  the/  beare  them- 
jelues  in  hande  that  they  can  appeafe  God.  Now  for  thys  caufc 
Sain6l  Paule  difputeth  of  the  Ceranonies  of  the  lawe.,  as  they 
were  put  vntoo  hym  :  andyet  dotke  hee  neuerthelefle  cut  home 
to  the  bottome ,  that  is  too  witte,  [laee  prooueth]  that  men  are 
ftripped  ftarke  naked  from  all  righteoufnefie ,  and  cannot  biy^ng 
any  thyng  vntoo  GOD  ,.but  muft  beg  at  hys  hande  ,  con- 
fefsing  that  there  is  nothyng  in  them  but  vtter  beggerie  and 
penurie.  And  furthermore  let  vs  marke  alio ,  that  thelewes  did 
alwayesperuert  tlie  nature  andvfe  of  the  Sacramentes,  in  that 
''.  they  made  meritorious  workes  ot  them,and  that  was  cleane  con- 
trary to  the  vfe  that  they  fhould  hau€  put  them  too.  For  God  or- 
deyned  not  the  Sacramentes  to  the  end  that  by  indeuoring  to  ob- 
ferue  them^men  (hguldpurchacc  any  yeitue  that  might  bcimputed 
~  '■  ta 


theEpi?Ltothe(jalathians.       84. 

to  them  for  rightcoufncifeibutratlier  to  teach  tKem  thatitftoode 
them  in  hand  to  feeke  all  at  Gods  hand.  As  for  example,  when  the 
Icwes  were  cirGumcifed,  thereby  God  fl^ewed  to  the  eye,  that  all 
that  euercommeth  of  man  is  but  cormption,  and  that  it  fladeth  v$ 
on  hand  to  haue  it  cut  away.  So,the  thing  which  the  lewes  had  too 
confider  in  that  viTible  Sacrament, was  that  mans  namre  was  cur- 
fed  before  God,  and  that  we  may  well  feeke  but  neuerfy^nde  fo 
much  as  one  drop  of  cleanneffe  in  it.  And  on  the  other  fyde  they 
had  a  token  and  recorde,  that  God  neuerthelefle  woulde  fuccour 
them  by  meanes  of  the  Redeemer,  which  fhould  come  of  the  race 
of  menifor  he  was  borne  of  the  linage  of  Dauid.God  dierfore  (he- 
wed that  thing  vifibly.  And  fo  the  lewes  were  caft  downe  in  them- 
felues,and  ought  to  haue  confidered  that  there  was  nothing  but 
curfednefTe  in  them, and  therevpon  fhould  haue  come  to  feeke  the 
thing  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  whiche  wanted  in  thtmfelues.  As 
much  is  to  be  thought  of  their  wafliings.As  oft  as  the  lewes  wa(hed 
riiemfelues,itwasaputtmgofthemin  minde,  that  there  was  no^ 
riling  but  vnclcnnefle  in  theiruAnd  wherein  was  that  wafhing  c'  was 
it  in  the  water  c'  No  :  but  m  the  bloud  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte. 
When  the  brute  beafts  were  flayne,  there  they  behild  that  they 
had  defcrued  death .  The  beaftes  were  giltlefTe,  and  yet  they  were 
faaififed  for  mennes  fakeSjto  beare  their  finnes.  Thus  ye  fee  a  mir- 
ror which  fheweth  that  all  men  are  curfedofGod.  And  yet  info 
doing  men  humbled  themfelues,calling  vpon  God,  and  protefling 
diat  they  were  redeemed  by  the  facrifife  :  Howbeit  not  by  thofe 
(hadowingfacriiifes,butby  the  true  facrifife  whiche  was  not  yet 
come  into  the  world.  But  what  did  the  lewes  <  When  they  were 
once  circumcifed,  they  thought  that  God  was  bound  vnto  dicm 
for  it. And  when  they  had  offered  facrifife,  they  thought  there  was 
great  holineflc  info  doing,  and  made  their  boaft  thereof.  But  the 
Prophets  rebuked  thofe  hipocritcs  dubbie.For  firft  they  told  then^ 
that  when  they  had  kept  ai  the  Ceremonies  of  the  lawe,  their  do-f 
ihgs  werenothing,all  was  but  vanitie.For  behold,  God  faith,  I  wil  0/ee.6.h,6p 
haue  mercy  and  not  facrifice:and  again,  I  wil  (hew  thee  o  man  how 
thou  (halt  pleafe  God:be  thou  hubled  truly,  &  imagin  not  to  bring 
him  many  (heepc  Sc  Oxen,for  that  is  nothing-.but  deaLe  thgu  iuftly  ^^i(bf4i4y 

L.iii).  ^  ^«^j 


Chap.z.      ^o.CaLeleuenthSermonypon 

and  vprightly,  and  when  thou  Iiaflrvvor{Kippedhiin,  liue  honcflly 
and  vncormptiy  with  thy  neighbours.  Alfo  we  Tec  what  oure  Lord 
ler, 7, e, 22,  ^^^^^  ^"  leremy.  Did  I  Ipeake  to  your  fathers  (faith  he)  of  offering 
*  Tacrifice  vnto  mec'No>(fayth  he>but  I  willed  them  to  obey  me,  and 
to  herken  to  my  voyce,and  to  feaie  me  with  a  found  hart.  Agayne 
Irr.i  t  2'^   ^"^  another  place  it  is  faid.  Lord  tliou  loueft  faithfulnefle.  Thus  wc 
*  '  '  ^  fee  how  the  prophets  rebuke  the  Hypocrites  for  being  hildbacke 
by  the  Ceremonies,  which  are  nothing  of  themfelues,  except  men 
walke  in  a  cleere  confcience  towards  God, and  in  faithfuineffe  to- 
wardes  men.  And  after  that  tlie  Prophets  haue  fpoken  fotthey  adde 
fecondly  that  when  men  haue  done  all  that  they  can,  yet  ceaffe 
Iff  .31/.34  *hey  not  to  be  flil  in  Goddes  dette,and  that  the  Ceremonies  ferae 
to  bring  them  ftill  neerer,  that  is  to  witte,  to  make  them  acknow- 
ledge that  God  calleth  them  to  him^promifing  them  to  (hew  them 
mercie,  and  too  forget  and  burie  all  their  mifdeedes,  howbeit  by 
meane  of  tlie  Redeemer  that  was  promifed  them.  But  now  Samd 
Paule  leaueth  the  firft  point,  namely  that  the  Ceremonies  are  no- 
thing without  the  principall,  which  is  that  we  walke  without  do- 
ing any  man  wrong,and  without  doing  any  hurt  or  harme  to  other 
men, that  we  liue  chad  and  pure, and  that  we  haue  a  clcane  and  vp- 
right  confcience.S.Paule  letteth  th^t  difcourfe  alone:and  whyC'For 
it  would  not  feme  the  purpofe.  And  therefore  he  fheweth  that  the 
(hadowes  of  the  law  were  nother  profitable  nor  needefull,  bicaufe 
they  were  nothing  if  a  man  looked  vpon  them  in  their  owne  na-. 
ture,but  that  the  end  of  them  was  to  be  confidered,  which  was  that 
for  afmuche  as  they  were  a  witneffe  of  the  grace  that  is  giuen  vs 
now  finally  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chriil::it  behoued  tliem  to  reft  who- 
ly  therevpon.  And  the  fame  ought  to  be  well  printed  at  this  dayc 
both  in  our  hart  and  in  our  remembrance.  For  wee  Oiall  haue 
profited  greatly ,  if  we  once  know  how  to  apply  to  oure  vfe  the 
Sacramentes  that  are  ordeyned  by  our  Lord  lefus  Cbrift/pecially 
forafmuch  as  we  haue  to  receiue  the  Lords  fupper  the  next  Sun- 
day. For  although  we  ought  to  haue  bin  exhorted  this  day  to  put 
ourfelues  in  a  rcddines  to  it,yet  was  it  not  touched  this  morning. 
But  let  vsbeireweli  inmind,thatifwethinketo  bemaderygh- 
teous  by  baptim^  we  defyle  the  thine  yhidi  God  hath  apointed  to 


the  Spi^Uo  the  Galathians.       Z^ 

our  faluation.  And  why  ^  Baptifme  dothc  but  teachc  v$  that  there 
is  nothing  but  filthe  and  vndcanneiTc  in  vs.  For  wherefore  do  wee 
wa/he  our  handes,fa:es,and  bodies,  but  to  make  them  cleane  from 
the  fpottes  that  are  in  them  <  Nowe  it  is  fayde  that  Baptifme  Is  a 
wafhing  of  vs :  and  therefore  it  followeth  that  when  wee  come  to 
Baptifme,or  when  any  of  vs  bringeth  his  children  [to  be  baptized] 
we  declare  that  the  children  are  alreadie  damned  and  forlorne  eue 
from  their  mothers  w^mbe,  and  that  they  be  a  curfed  feede,  fo  as 
they  muft  be  fayne  to  breake  clenne{re,not  by  their  own  purchace, 
but  by  receyumg  it ,  for  as  muche  as  it  is  oifred  them  in  our  Lorde 
Icfus  Chnft.  Nowe  if  children  be  alreadie  full  of  infeaions  at  their 
comming  into  the  world :  what  are  we  who  neuer  ceaiTe  to  offend  lob.i^.h.id 
our  God ,  and  do  drinke  wickednefle  as  a  fidie  diinketh  water ,  as 
it  is  fayde  in  the  booke  of  lob  C"  Agayne,  when  wee  come  too  the 
Lordifupper,  what  come  we  to  dooc'  Come  we  to  get  anything 
of  God  by  our  owne  defert  C'  No  :  but  to  confefle  that  we  be  like 
wretched  deadmen,  which  come  to  feeke  our  life  out  of  our  felues, 
and  therefore  muftbe  fayne  to  haue  the  i\c(\\Q  of  our  Loidc  lelus 
Chrift  for  our  meate,  arid  his  bloud  for  our  drinke,  and  all  things 
in  him  which  we  want  in  our  felues.  Yee  fee  then  that  the  Sacra- 
iTients  feme  not  to  puffe  vs  vp  with  any  prefum prion, but  to  malvC 
vs  walke  in  humblene(re,to  the  ende  that  beemg  voyde  of  all  feiic- 
tmlt,  our  whole  feeking  may  be  to  be  fuccoured  by  Gods  infiriire 
goodncfle,  and  by  his  pouring  out  of  the  trealures  of  his  grace 
vpon  vs  according  to  our  neede.  And  our  comming  to  them  is, 
that  God  fhould  wame  vs  of  our  finnes,  to  be  touched  with  tiiem 
in  good  eameft.  And  wee  mufte  not  acknov/ledge  our  felues  fm- 
ners  with  the  mouth  oncly,  or  (lightly  and  by  way  of  ceremonies  : 
but  wee  muft  haue  our  hartes  wounded  inwardly  with  griefe  that 
wee  haue  offended,  and  feele  howe  dreadRill  Gods  wrath  is,  too 
the  ende  wee  may  be  forie  in  our  felues ,  and  not  haue  any  reil  till 
he  haue  fhewed  vs.  where  wee  fhall  finde  u^rhat  is  too  wit  m  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chrifl.  And  when  we  come  to  tliis  holy  table, let  euer , 
of  vs  looke  well  that  he  be  f  :>  grounded  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift, 
as  that  he  hawing  forfaken  all  the  fonde  ilkifions  of  iSatan,  and  all 
the  deceiptes  dial  he  fetteth  afore  vs  too  turne  vs  away  from  the 

L.v.  '         ^race 


Chap.i.         fo.Calekuenth  Sermon*ppon 

grace  ofGpd,  and  may  imbrace  our  Lorde  leiiis  Chriftc  v'ith  the 
merites  of  his  death  and  pafsion,  afliinng  our  fdues  that  it  is  he  in 
whom  we  haue  the  full  performance  of  rightcoufneire  and  falua- 
Cion.  Moreouer  forafmuche  as  our  Lorde  lefus  Chnft  hath  called 
V'S  to  be  members  of  his  body>lct  vs  knit  our  felues  togither,inde- 
uouring  to  glorifie  God  as  it  were  with  one  hcait  and  one  mouth, 
and  therwithall  to  Hue  in  true  vnitic  with  our  neighbours,  lyke  as 
the  hande  ferueth  bothe  the  foote  and  the  eye.  So  then  let  vs  haue 
the  fayde  brodierlynefTe  in  fuche  eftimation ,  as  wee  maye  fhewe 
that  we  intende  not  to  feparate  our  (elues  afunder,  as  it  were  too 
teare  lefus  Chrift  in  peeces :  but  that  our  defire  is  that  he  fhouldc 
fo  knitte  vs  togither,  that  not  onely  he  may  Hue  in  vs,  and  wee  in 
him :  but  aJfo  that  he  may  fo  rule  vs  by  his  holy  fpirite,  as  eucry  of 

^         vs  may  indeuer  to  ferue  and  honour  him  firfl  of  all,  and  afterward 
to  employ  him  felfc  in  theferuing  of  his  neighbcurs,according  tQ 

X        the  abilitie  which  he  iliall  haue^ 

And  now  let  vs  fall  downe  before  die  maieftie  of  our  good  God 
with  acknowledgement  of  our  faultcs,  praying  him  too  make  vs 
feele  them  more  and  more, that  the  fame  may  alwayes  ftirre  vs  vp 
to  better  r^pemancc,and  caufe  vs  to  continue  therin  to  the  ende, 
and  alfo  make  vs  to  grow  in  fay th  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  fo  as 
we  may  giue  our  felues  wholly  vnto  him,and  in  his  name  cal  vpon 
God  his  father,  to  the  ende  that  he  may  heere  vs,and  continue  his 
gratious  goodnelTe  towards  vs,till  he  haue  drawen  vs  wholly  too 
him  felfe,to  make  vs  feele  perfeftiy  the  bcnefite  which  is  purcha^ 
fed  for  vs  by  his  death  and  pafsion.  That  it  may  pleafc  him  to  graut 
this  grace  not  only  to  vS;but  alfo  to  all  people.  3cc« 

Thetia^elfth  Sermon  which  Uthe 

fixth  V^on  thsfccond  Chapter, 

1 J    Wee  bee  Icvvcsby  nature,  and  not  finncrs  of  the 

Gentiles, 
i6    And  yet  for  as  much  as  we  know  that  a  man  is  not 

iuftificdbythe  works  of  thelaw,  but  by  bdcefc 

in 


the  SpiflJotheGalathians.       %6 

inlefus  Chrifte,  wee  alfo  haue  bclccued  in  lefus 
Chrift,th3tvvc  niightbeiuftificdby  the  faith  of  Ic- 
fus  Chrift,  &:  not  by  the  works  of  the  law ;  for  no 
flelh  fhal  be  iuftificd  by  the  vvorkes  of  the  iavve. 

E  haue  feene  alredic  and  declared  heretofore, 
why  S.Paule  hauing  to  create  of  the  Ceremo- 
nies and  fliadowcs  that  were  before  the  conv 
ming  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  cocluded  ge- 
nerally that  men  could  not  attaine  righteouf- 
nefTe  before  G  od  to  ftand  in  his  fAuour,but  by 
keeping  the  whole  lawe.  Nowe  a  man  mighte 
deeme  at  the  firfl:  fight, that  thefe  were  diners  matters.  Howbcit  (as 
Iliauefayde  afore)  it  behoued  Pauie  to  come  to  the  pure  vfe  [of 
ceremonies]  to  (hew  that  men  do  but  beguyle  them  felues,  when 
ihey  thinke  to  obteine  fauour  at  Gods  hand  by  their  own  merites. 
Secpndly,alfo  I  declared  why  S.Paul  doth  exprefly  adde  the  word 
Law.  For  although  it  haue  alwayes  bin  a  common  opinion  in  die 
world; that  by  liuing  well  men  might  binde  God  to  be  good  vnto 
them,  yet  did  they  fowUy  deceyue  them  felues  therein.  For  doo 
what  we  can,  God  iTiallnotbeany  whitat  all  beholden  vnto  vs, 
bicaufe  wee  owe  vnto  him  what  foeuer  wee  be  able  to  doo.  Therj 
is  there  not  any  deferte  (if  there  might  bee  any  deferuin^  at  all) 
but  by  the  couenant  which  God  hadi  niade,in  fayiiig,that  ne  which  £f  j^  jg;  ^.|^. 
fulfilleth  the  kw  fhail  obteine  life  and  faluation.  For  as  m  uche  as 
God  hathfpoken  that  wordc,  nadoubtbut  he  accepredi  the  obe- 
dience  that  is  yeelded  vnto  him ,  as  if  it  deferued  faluation :  but 
yet  is  not  that  as  muchc  too  fay  as  that  wee  can  deferae  oughte. 
For  there  is  none  of  vs  all  that  dilchargeth  hys  duetie,  as  wee 
fhall.  Cse  heereaftcr.  Tliatpromife  woulde  bee  too  no  purpofe, 
or  at  leaft  w^fc  it  woulde  bse  vnauaylable,  fo  as  it  fhoulde  ne- 
wer take  effeftcjvnlefle  God  gaue  vs  another  rcmedie,  that  is 
too  witte,  vnlefiehee  forgaue  oitt  offences,  and  accepted  vs  for 
righteous,  althoughe  wee  bee  not  fo.  But  howefo  euer  die  cacc 
flande,  when  S.Paule  fayth  that  wee  bee  not  iuftifyed  by  tlie 
workes  of  the  Lawe  ^  hys  m^anyng  is,  that  if  wee  iniende  too 


Chap. 2,4 


Jo.  Caltvpelfth  Sermonypofi 

clayme  fauour  and  faluation,  bicaufe  God  hath  promifcd  that  fuch 
as  keepe  his  lawe  lliall  be  righteous,  and  fo  taJven  to  bee  :  that  will 
not  iVrue  our  turne,bicaufe  none  of  vs  fulfiUeth  the  Lawe,but  wee 
are  all  of  vs  gyltie  before  God,and  mufl  receyue  fentence  of  dam- 
nation vpon  our  heads.  And  for  the  better  exprefsing  heereof  he 
maketh  a  coparifon  betweene  the  lewes  &  the  Gentiles.  Mthougb 
(fayth  he)  that  "^e  be  le\>es  by  nature ^  and  not  Heathen  mm :  yet  doo 
we  knowe  that  we  fhall  not  otherwife  obteyne  Gods  fauour,than 
by  beleeuing  in  our  Lorde  Icfus  Chrift.  Nowe  it  maye  peraduen- 
ture  feenie,  that  although  men  beeingxorrupted  in  Adam  can  not 
defeme  ought :  yet  notwitliftanding  the  lewes  had  a  ipeciall  priui- 
Iedge,bicaufe  God  had  adopted  them  as  it  were  for  his  owne  chil- 
dren, and  accompted  them  to  bee  as  his  houfhoide.  And  that  was 
the  thing  wherein  the  lewes  deceyued  them  felues.  For  when  the 
Scripture  fpeaketli  of  vncircumcifion ,  it  meaneth  the  vnclennefTe 
wherewith  wee  be  compalTed  about  in  Adam,  m  fo  muche  as  there 
is  not  any  man  which  is  not  damned  alreadie  from  his  mothers 
wombe.But  the  lewes  thought  that  God  had  fet  them  free  from 
that  comon  curfe,  and  they  made  their  boafl:  therof  Surely  Gods 
chofing  of  them  after  that  fort  for  his  own  people  Sc  heritage,  was 
a  great  dignitie,  and  worthy  too  bee  efteemed  abouc  all  worldly 
goodes.  But  yet  neuerthelefle  it  became  them  to  haue  acknowled- 
ged with  all  humblenefle ,  that  there  was  not  any  excellencie  at 
all  in  their  owne  perfons.  For  according  to  our  wonted  maner  of 
drawing  Gods  gracious  ^ifies  too  muche  to  vayne  ouerweening^ 
the  lewes  did  commonly  ouerfhoote  themfelues,by  bearing  them 
felues  m  hand  that  they  were  aboue  all  the  reft  of  the  worlde :  Ve- 
rily as  who  (hould  fay,  that  God  had  founde  any  thing  in  them, 
why  he  Hiould  preferre  them  before  thofe  whom  he  had  forfaken. 
Therefore  that  dooing  of  theirs  was  a  great  pride,  whiche  caried 
with  it  a  fhamefull  thanklefne{re,in  that  they  imputed  not  to  Gods 
meere  goodnefle,  the  things  which  they  had  of  his  free  gifte ,  but 
were  puffed  vp  with  ouerweening,  as  thoughe  God  had  knownc 
them  to  be  better  or  worthy er  of  euerlafting  faluation,  than  the 
Gentiles,  But  nowe  S.Paule  to  difpatche  all  ouerweening,  fayth : 
Go  too,  wee  be  leaves  by  najt^f,  As  if  he  had  fayde.  It  is  true  thnt 


the  EpiUJothe  Ualathians .      8  7 

^.^jee  haue  Tome  fauour aboue  the  Gent.iles,  wKome  Godhath  not 
^  youchfafed  to  receiue  into  his  Church.  VV^^^^  he  fpeaketh  after 

-  thatfafhion,  it  is  nottogiuethelewesoccafionto  waxe  proude  f 
4.  but  ;o  lay  before  them  the  things  which  they  had  receiued  frely  of 
•J  JGod;,  wherin  they  had  no  caufe  at  all  to  brag  of  them  felues,accor- 

-  dingas  \ye  fee  how  that  in  the  Epiftle  to  die.RomaneS;he  vttereth 
. .  two  fayingSjwhiche  at  tlie  firfl  hluflie  niight  feeme  .contrarie.  For 
„  on  the  pne  fide ,  Haue  wee  then  (fayth  Kee)  no  priuiledge  abouc 

the  Gentiles  c'  Yes  verily^  for  God  hath  chofen  vs  for  hys  people, 
■    he  hathe  giuen  vs  the  feale  of  Circumcifion  too  (hewe  that  hee  a- 

uowethvsforhis  children,  hee  hathe  alyed  himfelfe  vntoo  vs, 
:    hee  hathe  pjomifed  vs  the  JR^edeemer  of  the  worlde ,  and  (too  bee 

.fhortq)  he  hath  fan  6lified  ys  in  fuche  wyfe ,  that  if  wee  confider  the 

fauour  whiche, he  hathe  vttcred  towards  vs,  there  hath  beene  \YeIl 
.  whenvitli  to  aduance  and  exalte  vs  aboue  the  refidue  of  the  whole 
•..worlde.  Thus  on  the  one  fide,  Paule  dothe  there  magnifiethe 
,.  goodnelTe  of  God :  and  afterwarde  he  fallethtooqueftioninga- 
.  gayne,  and  asketh,  what  aduauntage  haue  wee  then  •:"  None  at  all 
, ,  (fayd^  he)  for  all  men  are  (hutte  vp  vnder  Gods  airfe.  If  the  G  en- 
1.  tiles  be^, top  bee  condernned,  weebeetppbee  condemned  dou- 
I  ble-:  for  ilierie. may  be  yet  fomq  likelyhoode  that  ignorance  fliall 
;•  <  fcme.tO  excufer  them.  But  yet  can  they  rnake  no  defence  of  tliac 
..  before,  Gody.  but  (hall  periHiealthoughethey  neuer  had  any  in- 
t'  firu^ion  9;^  ^^ching. ,  ,Nee des  then  muil  wee  bee  condemned  by 
t:,the Imp.if^yihhf) ftpi^gthat ^odha,the  taughte vs, and  yet  for 
L  .dttthat,wefece^enottoO;fmiie{Hil,  his  com- 

•  m^nd^ni'ents^in  fo  muche  that  we  be  plunged  in  greater  and  dce- 
-  . pQrirurfedneiTejthan  the  Heathen  folk  ar^d  vnbeleeuer s.Now  then 
. .  be  fayxh  that  tlie  levves  ^re  in  d^QdiO,  feparated  after  a  fort  from  the 
L  Gentjlt^,tio.t  that  theilewesav^^of  more  ^v^orthinefTe,  or  that  they 
-I  .ba^e  ^ny  ji^ht-ep\Jifi:ie{Iie,iii  then^felt^  .fe^^e  Gpd  of  his 

:•:  Gvvn  meere.^podueCe  jVoutliife4  tochofe  ther^i :  lilce  as  at  this  day 
:J-  the  children  thataqe  borne  pf  beleeuingpai-ets,are  not  better  than 
V   the  childr ai  that  ave  borne.of Paynims  Sc  Tm;kes,  if aJii^n  cofider 

them  both  in  thc.ii"  owpe  nature;.  For  v/ebe  all  of  a  cormpted  and 
•  -curfed.  lumpe.^i and:Qp4tej;li|e.fQ  -  coude^pjied  vs^  as  i^p  roan  caa* 


t:iup.i.         foXaliftfpelfth  fermon  ypon 

nijflly  fct  vp  His  briftlcs,  to  thinke  him  felfe  of  more  value  ttan  his 
%Xor.  7.  <.  feJiowes.  But  yet  neucftkelefTe^S.Paulc  fhcweth  that  they  be  ranc- 
id, tified,  and  that  they  be  not  vncleane,  as  thofe  are  which  are  borne 
of  vnbeleeuers  or  Heathen  folkc.  Heere  fljoulde  feeme  to  be  fome 
contrarietie :  neuerthelefle ,  all  agreetli  very  well  togithcn  For 
there  is  nodiin^  but  vncleaiineiTe  and  filthinclTe  in  vs  all  without 
exception,  and  that  commeth  of  namre.Howbeit,  there  is  afuper- 
naturailgiftCjthatistofay^aremediethatGodgiueth:  whicheis, 
that  the  children  of  the  faythfull  ai*e  dedicated  vnto  him ,  and  he 
acknowledged!  &  auoweth  them  for  his.  Then  like  as  now  a  dayes 
the  children  that  arc  borne  of  the  Churche,  aie  reckned  too  bee  of 
the  number  of  Gods  people,  and  of  the  companie  of  the  chofen  t 
cuenfovnder  the  lawe,thelewes  were  feparated  from  the  reft  of 
the  world.  And  that  is  the  caufe  why  S.Paule  fayth ,  Wee  bee  It'^es^ 
Andmtfmnersof  the  GmtUes,  VVhereas  he  fpeaketh  of  Sinners^ 
he  meaiiedi  fuche  as  continue  in  their  filthynefle ,  and  are  not 
clenfed  by  the  grace  of  God.  For  Circumcifion  was  a  token  and 
wimefTe  that  God  accepted  Abrahams  iiTuc  and  offpring  for  hy» 
owne  houfholde  and  peoiliar  people.  The  thing  then  whereia 
the  Icwes differed  inoidetymefromthe  vnbeleeuers,  was  that 
althoughe  they  were  all  of  one  fute,  for  as  muche  as  they  wero 
all  indifferently  the  children  of  Adami  yet  notwythftandyng 
God  had  chofen  the  one  fort,  and  left  the  other  fort  ftill  ftraun- 
gcrs  from  his  houfe.  If  a  man  aske  why  he  dyd  fo :  there  was  none 
other  caufe  than  his  owne  meere  grace,and  yet  were  not  the  leweg 
inthemeanewhyle  the  more  excellent.  But  nowe  let  vs  followe 
the  matter  that  S.Paule  handleth  heere,  Wee  knot^e  (fa'jth  he)  that 
Tifee  can  not  bee  iuffified  by  the  cieedes  of  the  Lafi^e ,  but  by  beleefe  in  /f- 
fus  Chi  ift.  In  fo  faying  he  (heweth,that  the  lewcs  tlicm  felues  (what 
grace  foeuer  they  had  reccyued)  couldcnot  grounde  them  felues 
vpon  other  men,  nor  vpon  them  felues,  as  thoughe  they  had  'de- 
femed  aught  at  Gods  hande,  but  muft  bee  fayne  to  flee  to  his  free 
goodneffe,  acknowledging  that  there  is  no  faluation  but  in  lefus 
ChrifLC,who  ii  come  to  finde  out  the  thing  that  was  alreadie  lofte. 
And  herem  is  Rilfilled  that  which  he  fayth  in  another  place,  Howe 
M^k^J.i^  that  afwel  they  which  were  nere  hande^as  they  that  were  fairejoff, 

-  -•  ■  ■  -  "  '"  ■'    wert 


the  EpiB.tothe  (jaUthiani.      88 

^ttt  all  gathered  togither  into  one  lefus  Chrift  is  the  peacemaker 
to  cauTe  God  to  loue  vs,  and  to  receyue  vs  too  mercy :  not  onely 
thofe  that  were  earft  farre  of, as  the  Gentiles :  but  alfo  the  childrea 
of  Abraham,  what  ncblenefTe  or  dignitie  foeuer  were  m  them,  for 
that  came  not  of  their  owne  nature.  And  let  vs  marke ,  that  when 
S.Paule  raythe,that  die  lewes  whiche  were  conuerted  to  the 
Chriflen  fayth,  knewe  they  couldc  not  bee  iuftifiedby  the  works 
of  the  lawe,  but  by  beletfe  in  Icfus  Chrift :  he  maketh  a  compari- 
fon  betweene  fayth  and  the  Lawe,  to  fliewe  that  v/ce  can  not  bee 
iuftified  by  grace ,  excepte  wee  forfake  all  our  owne  merites :  and 
that  is  a  tiling  well  wordiy  too  bee  marked,  tor  the  Papiftes  will 
well  inoughe  confefTc  that  wee  bee  iuftifycd  by  faythc ,  howebc- 
it  th«y  adde  that  it  is  but  partely.  But  that  glofe  marreth  all  For 
heereitis  proued  that  wee  cannot  beefounde  righteous  before 
God,  but  by  the  meanesofourLordekfusChriftc,  and  by  re- 
fting  vpon  the  falvuvtio-ii  wrlnirli  \\t-  KM-Ke  purchafed  for  vs.Tl'ie  Pa-^ 
pifts  fee  jhis  well  inough :  and  therefore  for  fafhion  fake,  they  fay 
we  be  iuilified  by  fayth,  but  not  by  fayth  onely :  they  will  none  of 
that.  That  is  the  thing  that  they  jfighte  agaynft :  arid  it  is  the  chiefe 
poynte  that  is  in  controuerTie  bcrwtxte  diem  and  vs.  But  S.  Paule 
bewrayeth  hcere  their  beaftlynefle,when  hefliyth,  but  by  beleefc. 
For  that  word  betokeneth  that  all  that  euer  men  prefume  to  bring 
vnto  God  to  winne  his  fauour  with,  is  quite  cut  olF.  Yee  fee  dien 
that  the  doore  is  (hut  agaynft  all  defeming ,  when  S.  Paule  auou- 
cheth,  that  there  is  none  other  meane  than  by  fayth.  V\^ee  (hall 
fee  more  playnly  hereafter  why  fayth  is  fo  compared  with  the  law, 
as  a  thing  fuU but  agaynft  it.  For  the  lawe  prefuppofcth  that  if  wee 
hauc  once  fulfilled  Gods  commaundements,  we  (hall  betaken  for 
good  feruants,andthat  he  wil  pay  vsthe  wages  which  he  hath  pro- 
iiiifed'.and  faith  prefuppofcth  vs  to  be  wretch ed,daned,  8c  forlome 
folke,and  that  wt  rauft  be  fayne  to  feeke  the  things  that  we  wante 
in  lefus  Chrift.As  for  example.  There  are  two  men  that  defirc  ta 
bee  boorded  and  lodged :  whereof  the  one  bringethmoney  witk 
bim,and  lookes  to  be  wcl  interteined  for  his  wcl paying:  and  both 
of  them  require  meate  &  dnnke  howfoeuerthe  cace  ftandeth,  but 
the  fecond  raanis  poorc^3c  hath  neither  penny  nor  pennies  worth, 

and 


.2: 


and  lie  defireth  almesl  ThtiS^do  botli  't\\^ayhe  of  therti  riiatche  iufte  -  '■' 
in  one  poynt/or  they  deffre  foo'de  as'fhe  tiling  whereof  they 'hauc  ' 
bothe  neede.  But  the  firft  hath  money  to  content  his  hoft,and  lyke 
as  he  fhall  haue  fared  well,  and'bin  well  atid  curteoufly  intertey- 
ned :  Co  fhall  his  hoft'e  receyue  moneyof  him,  and  holde  him  felfe 
contented  vvithit,andhct'  thlniC^hi§"'giie!fl:^belt^  • 

vnto-him  :  For  why^he  is,recbrBpfertced'.  yea^d'h^'h?^^^  • 

by  hiin.But  as  for  the  poof  e  man  that  craueth'aknes^he  thinks  him  '  • 
felfe  beholdenfor  his  \ih  to  him  tliat  fedde  him,  and  lodged  him : '  • 
for  he  bringeth  jiini  ribthirig  biit  a  ch*ii^\^.'  So  then,  if  wee  will' bee '  ' 
iuftified  before  God  by  tfie  Lawe,  \ve'muft  defemeit/o  as  he  may 
receyue  ofvV^rid  we^fjilm^i^ridtp^^^             a^  ItXVei'cininter-    ; 
chaunge  betwixte  vs/'An^^^^                                  aswdsfhall  fee-  '; 
more  atlarge  heereafte;r.  TheixTore  wee'niufficoitda     ,  that  wee  ••  • 
bee^  excluded  from  therightcoufnefle  of  the  La\v'e,and  that  if  wee   - 
thinke  to  bring  any  thing  to  brisat*  Gvj- vviilwll ,  we  doo  but  pro-    • 
iiolf e  his  wrath.  Then  is  there  none  other  fhifte,  but  to  go'fe  hym 
like^^bpre  beggers,'andfo"td  be  iuflifiea  by  fayth :  notasbya-ver-    ' 
tue  that  IS  of  our  felues,'b'ut  bicauTe  We  c^OnfefTe  with' ail  lo^lindnTe,  ■ 
that  we  can  not  obteyne  faluatibn  but  by  his  free  gifte.  Thtis  yee 
fee  ho  we  the  lawe  is  fet  heere  full  but  agaynfl'  fayth, 'as  if  S.  Paule-  ^- 
fliould  tell  vSp  that  all  they  which  go  about  to  winne  Gods  fauaur   - 
by  their  o  vvne  merites,forlake  the  gra^ce  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift^ 
as  fliall  be  declared  niorVatteng'th                 Btitnowif  any  man-  ' 
fay,  that  t;h6  lawe  was  giuenif  God;  fo  ^'s'it-(diri'hbft  haue'ahy  con-i'  •  -^ 
trarietie  agayn{lfayth,.whereof  God  is  thb" author  ain>- :  the  an--  - 
fwere  therevnto  is  eafie.For  God  made  bothe  day  aind  nighte,  fire^-  - 
and  water,  colde  and  heate.  Now  it  is  certayne  that  the  day  is  not 
contrarie  to  the  night :  but  ,we  fee  the  wonderfull  order  of  Gbds '  : 
goodnefle  an4  wifdome,  in  that  men  haue  the  lighte  of  the  funne  / 
to  aoo  their  wbrke  iiihy  day,1iiid',[the  dai'l^neffe^  as  it  were'ax:o>"| 
uert  to  reft  in  by  night.  So  then,  although 'the  day  differ  fr  6m 'the '' 
night :  yet  is  there  no  contrai'ietie  betwixte'theiti^,  neither  i^  th^re ' ' 
any  betweene  fire  and  water,  fo  eche  creature  bee  put  to  his  owne 
proper  vfe  :  but  wee  fee  that  God  hathe  veiy  well  agreed  tliefire 
aiad^^ie  water,  and  yet  ngtwitflftaridins  if  a  man  beholden  them^ 
^ ^ ^hting 


^-^  the  Epi^l.to  the  (jalathians.         8p 

fighting  togitIier,then  is  there  greate  contrarietie.  Euen  To  is  it  be- 
tweene  tlie  lawe  and  the  Gofpell.  And  if  any  bodie  will  haue  a  man 
to  be  iuftified  bothe  by  the  la\ve  and  by  the  Gofpell  to,  he  doth  but 
turmoyle  and  mingle  things  togither,  and  it  is  all  one  as  if  he  fhould 
fet  heauen  and  earth  togither  by  the  eares.To  befhortjit  were  much 
cafier  too  mingle  fire  and  water  togither,  than  too  fay  that  wee  can 
purchace  any  grace  at  Gods  hand  by  our  own  deferuings,  and  ther- 
withajl  alfohaue  ncede  to  bee  fuccored  by  our  Lord  lefus  Chriflc. 
But  if  a  man  confider  what  the  lawe  is,  and  too  wliat  purpofe  xt  was 
giuen  :  he  fliaJl  find  that  it  is  no  whit  at  all  repugnant  too  the  Go- 
fpell, nor  confequently  vntoo  fayth,  but  that  they  agree  very  well. 
Thus  ye  fee  howtliis  difficultie  is  dilpatched :  fo  that  if  it  be  alled- 
ged, that  fayth  commeth  of  God  as  well  as  the  Law :  it  is  taie.  Ne- 
uertheleiTe  it  is  to  be  confidered  (as  we-e  fhall  fay  hei^eafter)to  what 
end  God  gaue  as  well  the  one  as  the  other.  But  let  vs  returne  too 
that  which  S.Paule  fayeth.  He  fayeth  that  Hrf  Uewot  iuHiJiedbut; 
by  the  fayth  fif  our  Lordlefwi  Chr'ijle.  VVhen  he  fpcakcth  of  beyng 
iuftified,  lette  vs  marke  that  it  is  alj  one  with  beyng  rcckened  or 
taken  for  rightuous  before  God.  And  that  woorde  had  neede  too 
bee  well  vnderftoode  :  for  the  cace  ftandeth  vppon  knowing  after 
whatmaner  wee  bee  faucd.  But  arc  wee  not  wretched  caytifes,  if 
after  wee  haue  liued  long  in  the  world,  a  man  aske  vs  whiche  is  the 
meanc  too  bee  faued,and  wee  cannot  tell  himc'  VVee  fhall  fee  ma- 
ny beaflly  wretches,  whiche  haue  deuoured  Gods  breade,  and  yet 
not  witliftanding  cannottellhowc  theyfhoulde  cfflFer  themfelues 
before  him.  And  therefore  it  behoueth  vs  to  take  fo  much  the  bet- 
ter heede  to  the  things  which  arc  taught  vs  here  by  S.Paule. He  fay- 
eth that  we  be  iuftified :  and  how  <  Is  it  that  wee  bee  rightuous,and 
that  there  is  nothing  amifle  in  vs :'  No  :  but  it  is  for  that  God  acce- 
pteth  vs.  Then  is  the  woorde  %ightuoufn?jfe  put  for  the  fauour 
whiche  God  (Kewethvs,  in  that  he  voutchfafeth  too  bee  our  fa- 
ther and  too  take  vs  for  his  children.  If  a  man  demaunde  why  the 
Scripture  vfeth  the  woorde  /tt)^//;>,fith  itfeemethtoo  make  no- 
thing to  the  purpofe :  for  it  might  well  be  fayd,God  loueth  vs,God 
pitieth  vs,God  vouchfafeth  to  become  our  father  andSauiour:  [and 
therforc]  why  fhould  not  men  rather  vfe  thatmaner  offpeach,than 

M.  fay 


Chap.  X,  ^Q^  Calm  elf  th  Sermon  ypon 

fay  that  he  vouchfafeth  to  mflifie  vs  c'  Q  ar>fwer,]  it  is  not  without 
caufe  that  the  fcripturefpeaketh  fo.  For  if  we  take  the  woord  Salua- 
//w?  rawly,  &  fay  []no  more  but^that  we  be  faued  by  the  grace  of  our 
Lordlefus  Chrifl :  we  fhallnot  well  perceyuc  what  our  owne  ftat^ 
is, nor  how  wretched  it  is,nor  alfo  the  remedie  wbich  wee  muft  ap- 
ply too  it.  For  to  the  intent  we  may  put  our  truil  in  our  Lord  lefug 
Chriftjwee  muft  vnderftand  that  wee  be  vttcrly  fcrlome  as  well  by 
reafonof  the  finne  of  Adam,  as  by  rcalon  of  the  infinite  number  of 
iniquities  wherein  we  be  faped :  yea  and  wee  muft  fully  belceue  it. 
But  we  fliould  neuer  perceyue  that  our  finncs  condemne  vs  8c  curfc 
vs  before  God,except  wee  knew  that  wee  haue  neede  of  rightuouf- 
nefle.  And  on  the  otherfide  wee  fhould  not  know  Gods  rightuouf*. 
nelTejif  we  fhould  fmgly  fay  that  we  be  faued  by  faith  and  by  grace. 
For  God  cannot  once  renounce  himfelf,  bycaufe  he  is  the  foueraine 
ri?;htuoufneffe,  and  there  is  nothing  in  him  but  purenefle  and  per- 
fe6lion,  by  reafon  whereof  he  muft  needes  hate  euill.  Now  it  is  fo 
that  wee  be  full  of  corruption,  there  is  nothing  but  euill  in  vs :  and 
therefore  God  muft  needes  hate  vs.  And  if  he  hate  vs,  wo  woorth 
vs :  for  then  af  e  we  damned.Then  ftandedi  it  vs  on  hand  to  be  made 
rightuous,  before  we  can  be  in  Gods  fauour.  That  is  to  fay,itbcho- 
ucth  vs  to  be  purged  of  our  faults  and  raifdecdes,for  elfe  (as  I  fayd) 
wee  fhall  neuer  be  able  to  conceyue^that  God  intendeth  too  (hewe 
vs  mercie.  But  in  acknowledging  our  felues  too  be  finners,  wee 
perceyue  by^^nd  by  that  God  mufte  needes  hate  finne,  and  that  al- 
though he  hate  finne,  yet  not  withftading  he  findeth  meancs  to  faue 
vs, which  is  by  forgetting  our  offences,  and  by  clen2:ing  and  purging 
them  with  thebloudof  our  Lord  Icfus  Chrift,  who  is  our  fpirituali 
wafhing.God  then  purgeth  vs  in  that  wize,too  the  ende  wee  fhould 
bee  receyued  of  him,and  being  made  parttakers  of  his  loue,  bee  af- 
fured  of  our  faluation^   Thus  yce  fee  why  the  Scripture  vfeth  the 
woorde  luHifie.  But  the  Papiftes  dcfcant  vppon  it  like  blinde  buz- 
zardes .   VVhat ,  fay  they  <  fhoulde  wee  bee  iuftified  by  fayth  t 
Fayth  is  no  fuch  vertue  as  maketh  men  perfect :  and  how  then  fhall- 
k  make  vs  rightuous  'f  They  confider  not  that  this  righuioufnefle 
whereof  the  Scripture  fpeakcth,  is  Gods  coueringof  our  finnes  (as 
Ideclaied  afore)  and  his  ukiogof  them  quyte  and  clcane  away  for 

the 


the  Epist.to  the  (jalathians.         p  o 

the  Take  jind  by  the  mtane  cf  our  Lord  Icfus  Chrifte,  and  by  tli« 
vcrtuc  of  the  5acrifize  of  his  deadi  and  Pafsion.    How  foeuer  tlue 
cace  ftandeth,  it  is  fayd  that  wee  be  counted  rightuous  before  God, 
bycaufehe  releafethandforgiucth  ourfinnes.  And  after  the  fame 
maner  doth  Sain(5l  Paule  fpeake  of  it  in  the  fourth  to  the  Romanes,  ^«w.4.4.^. 
where  h«  fayeth  that  Dauid  hath  well  declared  in  effect,  howe  wee 
bee  iuftified  by  fayth,  when  he  fayeth.  ^\)S^zdL  is  the  man  whofe  mi-  ffalyiA.u 
quities  God  hath  forgotten,and  whofe  finnes  he  hath  couered.  And 
in  another  pkce  he  fayeth,  that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifle  who  knewe  t.CQr.t^,  </, 
no  rinne,nor  had  any  fpot  in  him,  was  made  finne  for  vs :  tliat  is  too      21. 
(ay,  receyued  all  the  condemnation  of  our  fauJtes,  too  the  end  that 
^vee  fhouid  become  Gods  rightuoufneffe  in  him,  that  is  too  fay,too 
the  end  that  being  greffed  into  his  perfone,andmade  one  body  with 
him,  wee  might  be  taken  for  rightuous,bycaufe  there  was  fuch  per- 
fedlneffe  in  his  obedience,that  our  finnes  were  buried  and  rid  quite 
and  cleane  away  .Thus  much  concerning  the  woord  lufli/ie.  Now  as 
touching  the  woord  Fayth[or  keleefe,'}  S.  Paulc  addcth  for  a  decla- 
tion,  ihatthty  had  beleeued  in  Ufus  ChriTt.  If  a  man  askc  an  vnleamed 
perfone  what  Fayth  is :  he  will  perchauncc  anfwere  that  it  is  too  /'e- 
leeue:  but  lie  fhall  not  be  able  too  tell  what  is  ment  or  imported  by 
any  of  them  both.  Will  wee  then  haue  the  vndcrftandingof  them 
according  too  tlie  rawe  capacitie  of  the  vnskilfulleft  forte :"  \^^ee 
mufl  alwayes  marke,that  our  Lord  lefus  Cl^rifte  is  fet  too  bee  the 
butte  of  our  fayth  and  beleefe.  Do  wee  obtayne  faiuation  by  fayth  'f 
It  is  afmuchc  too  fay,  as  wee  beleeue  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte.  But 
J  e  t  vs  now  c5rider  why  our  Lord  lefus  Chri/l  is  fet  before  oui*  eyes 
for  our  fayth  too  ame  at,  and  too  refte  wholly  vppon.  It  is  bycaufc 
wee  fballlinde  in  him  what  foeuer  belongethtoo  the  making  of  vs 
rightuous.  I  haue  tolde  you  already,  that  wee  bee  talcen  for  rigli- 
tuous  before  God  when  he  forgiueth  our  rinnes,and  calleth  the  not 
too  account  any  more.  And  how  fhall  wee  obtayne  that,  but  by  the 
bloud  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  which  was  fhed  to  wafli  vs  withall^ 
For  in  afmuch  as  he  hath  made  full  amendes  for  vs  by  his  death  and 
pafsion:  therefore  God  is  appeazed  towardes  vs,  condicionally  that 
we  feeke  not  to  pay  him  with  any  other  thing, than  with  ths  facrifizc 
that  was  offered  vp  to  him  by  his  only  forme  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift, 

M.ij.  whg 


Chap.  2,         fo.Caltmlfth  Sermon  ypon 

A'fatkyJ,    wf»o  is  called  Gods  welbelouedfonne^too  the  ende  that  wee  fhould 
J  J,         be  bcloued  in  him:  ^nd  the  rightuous,to  the  end  we  fliould  be  made 
Efay.c-i,  d,  parttakers  of  his  rightuoufnefle-.and  the  holy,too  the  end  we  fhould 
11,  be  made  holie  in  him.  Thus  then  yee  fee  why  wee  mufte  haue  an 

■luf;e.  1 J^     eye  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  when  we e  intend  too  know  what  the 
qc,  woorde  Kajy//?  irr^orteth.  But  the  Papiftes  ftande  wilfully  in  their 

owne  conceyt,  bycaufe  they  neuer  tafted  what  it  is  to  beleeuc  :  and 
that  do  they  fhew  well  ynough  by  their  allegacions.  How  is  it  pof- 
fible  (fay  they)  that  a  man  fhould  bee  iuftiiied  bybeleeuing,  feyng 
^  that  the  very  Diuels  doo  beleeue  C'  It  is  true,andS.  lames  vfeth  the 
fame  reafon.  Howbeit  in  that  place  he  mockethat  fuche  as  pre- 
tend a  vayne  and  fonde  cloke  of  Chriftianitie  and  fayth,  and  in  the 
meane  whyle  fhewe  no  fnites  at  all  of  it.  But  the  Papiftes  beguylc 
themfelues  yet  much  more  grofly,  in  faying  that  Vayth  is  too  be- 
leeue in  God,  and  that  God  is  the  marke  that  fayth  ameth  at,  fo  aS' 
it  feemeth  too  them,  that  too  make  vp  beleefe,  there  needeth  no 
more  but  to  imagine  that  there  is  fome  one  certayne  God  that  made 
the  worlde,and  which  gouerneth  all  things.  And  fo  they  fall  fafte  a- 
fleepe  in  their  ignorance,  and  yet  ceafle  not  too  take  themfelues  for 
good  ChriftiansandCatholikes(as  they  themfelues  bable)  although 
they  be  altogither  dulled  in  deede.  But  it  is  no  woonder  that  they 
fight  fo  agaynft  thedo6lrine  of  the  holy  Scriptme,  and  with  fuche 
vnamendable  wilfulnelTe  denie  that  a  man  can  bee  faued  by  fayth^ 
feyng  they  haue  nother  difcretion  nor  vnderftading :  for  they  wote 
not  what  the  matter  meenedi.  Somuche  the  more  therefore  doth 
it  flande  vs  vppon,  too  marke  well  what  Sain6l  Paule  telleth  vs 
heere  :  that  is  too  witte,  that  if  wee  looke  not  vntoo  lefus  Chrifte, 
weeknowe  not  what  fayth  is.  And  the  reafon  thereof  is,  for  that 
we  know  not  what  it  is  too  haue  forgiuencfle  of  finnes,  to  come  vn- 
to  God;, to  be  able  to  put  our  truft  in  him,and  to  call  vpon  him :  no- 
ther do  we  know  any  more  what  it  is  to  haue  our  confciences  quiet, 
and  tohope  for  the  euerlafting  life.  All  thefe  things  we  want  till  le- 
fus Chrift  be  fet  afore  vs,and  till  wee  haue  caft  our  looke  vpon  him, 
fo  as  all  our  fenfes  be  fettled  vppon  him,and  as  it  were  fhet  vp  there, 
Yee  fee  then  that  the  fayth  whereby  wee  obtayne  grace,  is  that  after 
we  once  know  our  felues  to  be  wretched  creatures,and  that  there  is 

nothing 


the  Epift.tothe^alathtans.       pr 

Nothing  butlothfomnefle  in  vs,  wee  feeke  the  remedic  of  it  in  our 
Lx)rdlelus  Chrift,  and  vnderftand  that  he  was  offered  vp  for  v^s  too 
rcdecmc  vs  from  the  curfc  wherein  we  were  plundged^that  he  hath 
made  vs  cleanc  by  his  bloud,that  by  his  obedience  he  hatli  put  away 
all  our  offences,  and  that  for  the  fame  we  bee  affured  that  God  ac- 
cepteth  and  receiuedi  vs  for  his  children.  Thus  ye  fee  how  this  text 
is  to  be  vndcrftoode.  And  whereas  S.Paule  fayeth,d^t  he  himfelfc 
and  all  thelewes  that  were  conuerted  vnto  Chriftianitie^^did  looke 
too  bee  faued  by  the  fa)ih  of  cur  Lord  lefus  Chrifl :  he  addeth  aifo 
the  rcaCbnwhy :  n:imc\y,hyczu{c no fiep  fhall be  iuHifeuby  tbeyiofj^ 
cftbe  La'^e,  He  had  well  vied  that  woord,  if  he  had  applied  it  but  to 
his  owne  countrymen :  but  heere  he  fpeaketh  of  all  men  in  gene- 
ral!. And  whereas  he  C^ycth no fitjhc  at  all :  fufl  he  betokeneth  that 
thelewes  differ  nothing  at  all  from  the  Gentyles  in  the  meane  of 
pbtayning faluation.  VVherfore  although  thelewes beyng  drcum- 
c^'zed,  were  taken  as  it  were  for  Gods  heritage,  and  fanftifled  vnto 
him :  yet  not  withfiading  they  could  not  haue  any  hope  of  faluatio, 
but  by  his  mere  grace.  Lo  how  they^  be  matched  with  the  Gervtyles 
and  raunged  in  like  degree  with  diem.Again,S.Paule  ment  heere  to 
deface  vtterly  ail  the  cuerweeningdiat  men  conceyuc  of  their  own 
vcrtues.  There  are  many  which  joiow  they  haue  ouerfhot  thefelucs 
fc  farrc,  that  they  cannot  chalendge  any  gloric  too  them  as  though 
they  had  deferued  aught  at  Gods  hand.  V\^retched  drunkardes,  vn- 
thriftcs,and  (uchas  haue  giuen  themfelues  cuer  to  all  naughtinefie, 
will  be  afhamed  to  auaunce  themfelues,  and  too  brag  that  they  can 
bind  God  by  their  defeits  and  well  doings,for  euen  before  me  they 
be  fayne  too  hide  themfelues  bicaufe  of  their  leudneffe.  But  as  for 
thofe  that  haue  feme  cloke  of  hipocrifie,and  fhew  fome  figne  of  ho- 
Unefle  before  men.they  by  Sc  by  become  drunken  with  it;5c  fo  har- 
den then-ifelues,  that  they  belecue  they  deferue  Paradyfe,  and  that 
God  is  greatly  bound  vnto  them.Of  which  fute  are  thefe  Popeholy 
ones, who  although  they  be  ful  of  al  fJthincffe/o  as  there  is  nothing 
in  diem  but  ambition,  couetoufncffe,  crueltie,  and  fuche  other  like 
things  :  yet  how  foeuer  the  world  go,  forafmuch  as  they  haue  good 
ftore  of  their  Churchftuffe  &  other  counterfettings,they  beare  the- 
felucs in  hand  that  God  feeth  not  a  whit  intoo  their  leudneffe,  but 

M.iij.  perfwadc 


ciup.i.        foXaLtmlfthSermonypon 

f  erfwade  themrelues  that  God  ought  to  accept  them  for  thek  ownc 
merites  falies.  Alfoyfuch  as  heare  MafTe  deuoutly,  fuch  as  rune  from 
'  th  e  Tauerne  [or  from  the  Alehoufe]  to  the  Chappe  11,  fp e  cially  fuch 
as  buy  pardons  and  fuch  other  Uke  ftutf  e;,and  iuch  as  keepe  fading- 
daycs  and  holydayes,  wil  be  puffed  vp  with  fuch  an  ouerweening^as 
to  thinke  they  haue  bound  God  vntothem.  But  S.Paule,in  naming 
all  flcfhp  (liewethtliatmen  mud  notffiole  outthenifcluesafunder, 
as  though  one  were  righteous,  though  another  were  not  fo  :  but 
muft  all  ftoupe  and  humble  themfeiues  and  palTe  condcmnation^af- 
furing  tliemfelues  that  all  their  vertueSj(yea  euc  of  die  excelienteft 
men  of  all)  are  but  filthineffe  before  God.  For  although  a  man  bee 
perfectly  rightuoas  to  our  opinion/o  as  he  doth  noman  harme,  but 
hath  fledfaftnefle  in  himfelf  to  wirhftarxl  all  vices,  and  is  chafte  and 
fobre,and(to  be  fhort)is  taken  and  efleemed  to  be  as  an  Angell :  yet 
net  wkhftanding  he  hath  nothing  inhim  but  corruptio n.  And  how 
eanr  lat  bee :'  Bycaufe  wee  may  not  refte  vppon  the  outward  appa- 
rance,  for  (as  the  Prouerbe  fayeth)  all  is  not  golde  that  gliflereth* 
It  is  not  for  vs  to  iudge  >j^at  is  vice,and  what  is  veitue,  except  wee 
could  enter  into  a  man.For  if  a  manyeeld'not  vnto  God  that  which 
belongeth  vnto  him,  what  is  to  be  fayd  of  it :'  He  robbeth  not  men^ 
but  he  robbeth  God  of  his  honour.  Aga^-ne  though  men  giue  him 
neuer  fo  great  prayfe  Sc  clap  their  hads  at  him :  yet  fhall  he  but  burfl 
for  vaynglor-ie  and  pride,and  nothing  fbalbe able  too  frame  him  too 
humilitie/aue  the  knowing  of  our  Lord  lefus  Clirifl.  So  then,  they 
which  make  a  goodly  outward  ihow  in  their  Ufe^fhall  neuerthelefle 
be  flill  condened  beforeGod.This  is  die  thing  whereby  S.Paulc  in- 
teded  to  foreftailall  che  vainc  truft  that  men  can  coceyue  or  nurrifh 
coceming their  own  deferuings.  But  there  is  yet  more.For  he  fpea- 
keth  not  only  of  fuch  men  as  were  after  a  fort  forfakcn  of  God>  and 
were  not  renewed  by  his  holy  fpirit:  but  when  he  fayeth  Alifr/h,h& 
copreliendeth  thefaichfrll  alfo.For  although  Gods  holy  fpirit  dwell 
in  vs  after  he  haiie  drawen  vs  to  the  knowledge  of  his  Gofpell  and 
greffed  vs  into  the  bodic  of  our  Lord  leKis  Chrift :  although  ({ay  I> 
that  Gods  Ipiritdwellin  vs :  yet  arc  we  al  comprehended  vnder  the 
woorde  f /f/^,in  refpeiSl  of  that  which  we  haue  of  our  owne:  S.PauIe 
^n  giuedi  fentcnce  heere,  diatno  flelli  (hall  bee  iuTiified,  bycaufe 

A* 


theEpiU.tothetjalathians.       pi 

the  faythlefle  arc  condemned  in  Adam,  and  abide  in  tlieir  condem- 
nation,and  the  faidifull  are  alwayes  vnperfeft/o  as  "they  haue  many 
vices  and  blemifhes^:  by  mcanes  whereof  they  bee  condemned  as 
W€ll  as  the  oiher,and  To  this  condenation  is  gcnerall,  That  he  which 
will  bee  iultified  by  the  woorkes  of  the  lawe,  (hall  alwayes  be  found 
giltie,yea  euen  the  holieft  men  that  euer  were.  Let  vs  take  Abra- 
ham who  was  a  mii  rour  of  all  perfe6lion :  let  vs  take  Dauid  who 
excelled  in  all  veitue :  Let  vs  take  Noe,  lob,  and  Daniell  who  are  ^^sch.  i^, 
reckened  vp  for  three  rightuous  men  by  the  Prophete  Ezechiell :  ^- 14» 
and  letvs  take  fuch  other  like :  and  yet  neuerthelefle,  euen  they  al- 
fo  are  raunged  in  the  fame  aray,  d:iat  is  too  wit,  that  they  could  not 
obtayne  rjohtuouihefrc  before  God,  but  by  Grace.  Nowe  then  I 
pray  you  what  fhall  wee  doo :' muilc  not  the  Diuell  ncedes  driue 
them  headlong  intoo  terrible  pryde,whichat  this  day  doo  (lay  dill, 
that  they  may  bee  iuflificd  by  their  ownedefertes  or  meritorious 
woorkes  as  tlicy  tcrme  them  <  For  who  is  hee  that  can  matche  ey* 
ther  Dauid,  Noe,  AlM-aham,  or  Danielle"  Had  not  men  neede  too 
haueprofited  well  in  Gods  fchoole,  and  to  bee  inflamed  with  a  true 
jele  of  giuing  tliemfclues  wholly  vntoo  him,  that  they  may  bee  vt- 
terly  conuifted,tliat  they  bee  yet  very  fai're  of  from  beyng  come  to 
the  poynt  whiche  wee  fee  Dauid,Noe,and  Daniell  too  haue  bin  at 't 
For  afmuch  tlien  as  wee  knowe  tl-iis :  lette  vs  marke,  that  heere  the 
holy  Ghofte  beateth  downe  fuchc  as  mount  vp  too  highe,  too  the 
6nde  wee  fhould  bee  the  more  afliamed  that  wee  haue  not  one  drop 
of  deferte  of  glorie  :  and  feeke  all  that  pertayneth  too  eur  falua- 
tion,in  the  meere  grace  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte.  Thus  yee  fee 
that  this  faying  where  Sain6l  Paule  auoweththat  no  flefhe  fhall  bee 
iuftiiied,  ought  too  bee  vnderftoode  as  though  hee  had  fayde,  If 
men  looke  vppon  themfclues  in  their  owne  nature,  they  fhall  fmde 
nothing  buteuill,  notwithftanding  all  the  fayre  (hewes  that  they 
can  haue.  They  may  well  bee  highly  prayfed  andefteemed  in  tlie 
worlde,  andthcy  may  well  beguyle  themfclues  by  vayne  fclfe  foo- 
things :  but  vntill  fuche  time  as  God  h^ue  wrought  in  them  too 
chaunge  them,it  is  cenaine  that  there  {hall  bee  nothing  in  them  but 
filthineffcjiv:  al  the  vertues  that  men  make  account  of,fhaIbe  (larke 
vice;tooleade  them  too  deftruftion  and  too  plundge  them  in  Hell. 

JVI.ii^j.  For 


ciup.i.        fo.Cai.welfth  Sermon  ypon 

For  altliaugli  tliat  they  which  are  renewed  by  Gods  grace  and  haue 
already  protited  in  his  obediece,haue  fome  vcrtues  which  he  Joueth 
and  efteemeth :  yet  are  they  not  able  to  bring  aught  that  may  pafTe 
account  before  him :  for  they  (hall  alwayes  findc  themfciues  in  ar- 
re  rages.  And  that  goodnefle  whiche  is  in  them,  they  haue  it  of  him, 
and  yet  is  that  goodncflc  alfo  corrupted  with  their  finnes  and  in- 
firmities :  byreafon  whereof  they  are  vtterly  berf  ft  of  all  tvuft  in 
their  owne  rightuoufnefTe :  and  fo  if  wee  now  feeke  our  rightuouf- 
nefTe  in  the  law, we  be  begiry'iedjwee  flmll  not  find  it  there,  we  be  al 
©f  vs  condemned  from  the  greated  too  the  leafl.  But  hcerc  wee  fee 
much  be  Iter  that  which  I  touched  afore  :  namely  that  when  we  per- 
ceyue  and  Mndby  experience,that  we  want  all  that  euer  pertayneth 
to  the  hfe  of  our  foules :  we  muftrefortto  lefus  Chrift  as  to  our  re-r- 
fuge,fo  that  the  true  prcparatiue  to  make  vs  bcleue  in  lefus  ChrilV^ 
is  to  be  touched  with  a  liuely  coceyt  and  tceling  of  our  own  finnes^ 
Afath.  n.d.  And  for  the  fame  caufe  alfo  he  fay  etK,  Come  vnto  me  allye  that  k- 
28.  hour  and  are  heauie  loden  Sc  I  will  refrefh  you^and  you  fhal  find  reft 

E/ai,6i^.2  to  your  foules.  Again  it  is  fayd  exprefly,that  he  is  fent  to  preach  th« 
meffage  of  gladnefife  to  the  poore,to  fet  free  fuch  as  are  in  prifon,Sc 
to  cofortfuchas  are  vtterly  opprcdedand  as  it  were  oucrwhelmed; 
Thofe  tlicn  which  take  pleafure  in  their  finnes,  will  neuer  come  at 
our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.Trac  it  is  that  they  wil  boaflynough  of  faith, 
according  as  many  skorners  of  God  do  vnhallowthat  worde  as  ho- 
lie  ai  it  is.  Euery  man  will  be  counted  a  Chri(lian,and  they  that  bee 
furtheftout  of  fquare  in  all  wickedneHc,  will  fay  they  beleeue  as 
much  as  any  other  man.  But  when  a  man  fpeaketh  after  that  ma- 
ner,it  is  a  token  that  he  hath  nor  one  droppe  of  faytli.  For  the  faith- 
full  will  furely  fay^,!  beleeuc,  howbeit  witk  fo  greate  weakeneffc, 
that  I  fee  well  if  my  God  fhould  not  pitie  mee,  that  little  wliichc  I 
haue  would  foonf  vanifn  away  vtterly .Therforc  they  that  vaut  witl2> 
foil  mouth  that  they  haue  a  perfe6l  faytli,  are  but  dogges  and  fwiac' 
which  neuer  tafted  what  the  feare  of  God  or  what  religion  is.  But 
howfoeuer  the  world  go, the  name  of  faythfhall  be  (hamefully  de- 
filed by  thofe  dogges, which  doo  nothing  elfc  but  mocke  God.  For 
they  haue  no  skill  too  difcerne  betweenegood  and  euilL  They" 
fee  e  fa  blockifh;.that  they  doo  as  it  were  welter  in  tlieir  fiJthineflTe  r 

icu 


the  Eptfl.to  the  Qnlathiant^        p? 

infomDcIi  that  a  groITc  dninkarde  that  \%  pafl^U  fKamc ,  and  thcrcr 
withallhathpucrglutted  hinifelfcalfo/woulJc  faine  continue  ftili 
inhisdifordinatencire.  BcfydeWnis,  the  whoremongers,  the  per- 
jurers, the  blafphemers^and  fucli  other  like  will  proteil  welynough 
that  they  haue  fayth.butyet  for  all  that,it  is  ccrtaine  that  they  were 
iieuer  in  an^'towardncfle  to  come  to  our  Lorde  kfo  Ghrift.  ,jAjid 
^hy  fo :"  For  they  haue  not  confidered  that  they  ciaunot  be  iuflified 
but  by  grace.Howbck  let  vs  marJiCjthat-to  be  througWy  pefwad^d^ 
that  we  cannot  be  iullified  by  the  lawe,  wc  muftiet  Godbcfoirc  V5 
in  his  iudgement  feate,  and  euery  of  vs  fummon  our  felucs  before 
liini,  and  morning  and  euening  bethinke  vs  that  wc  muft  ye^ldc  vp 
an  account  of  our  whole  lifeTherevpon  let  vs  vnderflandc,that  we 
ihouJde  be  ouerwhelmed  a  hundred  thoiifand  tymeSjif  God  fliould 
notpitrc  VS,  ar^i.  beare  withvs  ofhrs  inHnite  mercie.    That  is  th« 
way  for  vsto  knowe  diat  wee  cannot  bee  iuflified  by  the  kwe  :  for 
we  bee  as  good  as  damned,  fo  oft  as  we  appeare  brforc  God.    It  is 
meete  for  vs  to  be  put  in  fuch  feare ,  as  wee  may  haue  ncyther  rc- 
leace  nor  reftj  till  onr  Lorde  lefus  Chriil  haue  fuccoured  vs.  Ye  fee 
then  ho\Ve  h  behoueth  vs  to  be  loden  and  fortrauellcd ,  that  is  too 
fay,to  miflyke  of  oui  (innes,  and  to  bee  grecucd  with  fuch  anguifh, 
as  we  may  be  pinched  with  the  forrowes  of  deaths  to  the  ende  wee 
may  feeke  all  our  eafe  in  God^t^uring  our  Telues  that  wee  cannot 
otherwife  obtaine  faluation,neyther  whole  nor  inpait,  but  muft  be 
faine  to  haue  it  giuen  vs.  For  S.  Paule  dotli  not  fet  down  any  mcane 
way  heere,  as  though  he  fayde  that  we  flioulde  finde  tliat  which  we 
want,in  Icfus  Chrift,  and  be  able  to  haue  the  reft  of  our  felues.  But 
he  fayth  that  forafmuch  as  we  knowe  once  that  wee  cannot  bee  ta- 
ken as  righteous  for  our  owne  defcrtes;  nor  for  our  owne  workes^ 
onely  fayth  muft  content  and  fuffize  vs.  VVhercforc  ktvs  vndcr- 
ftande ,  that  there  is  not  one  whltte  of  our  faluation  out  of  lefua 
Chritl,but  diat  we  haue  there  both  the  beginning  and  the  end  of  it,- 
that  is  to  fay  euery  whit  of  it  :  and  lervs  abyde  continually  in  that 
towlinefle,  knowing  that  we  bring  nothing  witlrvs  but  damnation, 
and  that  all  that  euer  pcrteyneth  to  our  faluation  muft  be  recey'ued 
of  Gods  onely  free  mercie,  fo  as  we  may  fay  that  it  is  by  fayth  that 
we  be  faued^that  is  too  fay,  bycaufe  God  the  father  hath  appoynted 

TvLv..  bis 


chap.i- :  • ;      fo.CaLxiij.  Sermon  ypon 

his  fonne  our  Lordc  lefus  Chrift  for  vs  to  reft  vpon ,  that  Kc  might 
both  begin  and  finifhe  our  faluatiort,  in  fuch  wife  as  the  whole  muft 
be  fathered  vpott  him,and  w  e  1  e  ame  to  re  nounce  our  fc  lues,and  to 
giue  our  felues  fully  and  wholy  vnto  him. 

And  now  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  maieftie  of  our  good  God 
vnxh  acknowledgement  of  our  finnes ,  praying  him  too  make  vs  (a 
tofeele  them,as  we  may  miflikc  more  Sc  more  of  them,  and  grow 
and  go  forwarde  in  the  amendment  wherein  wee  ought  too  fpendc 
bur  whole  life,  and  learne  too  magnifie  his  goodnefTe  in  fuch  wife, 
^s  it  hath  bin  fhewed  to  vs  in  cur  Lordc  lefus  Chrift,  fo  as  wee  may 
be  wholy  rauifhed  with  it:  and  that  the  fame  may  be,  nota  glorying 
of  it  witli  our  mouth  cnely,but  a  putting  of  our  whole  truft  in  him, 
fo  as  we  may  be  fettled  in  it  more  and  more,  till  we  be  gathered  vp 
intoo  the  euerlafting  life,  where  wefhall  haue  the  rewardeof  our 
fayth.  That  it  may  pleafe  him  to  graunt  this  grace,  not  onely  to  ys, 
but  alfo  to  all  people.Scc, 

.    ^he.iy  Sermon yV^hich  kthefiuentB 

17    But  if  vvcc  that  feekc  to  bee  iuftified  by  Chrift,  bee 
foundc  to  bee  finncrs ;  is  Chrift  therefore  the  rai- 
^  -    ;  nifterotfinne?  Nonotfo, 
18',  For  if  I  build  vpthe  things  again  which  I  had  caft 
'  downe,  I  make  my  fclfe  an  offender, 

Ee  haue  feene  alreadic,  that  to  bcatc  downe  all 
the  pryde  and  felftmft  which  men  put  in  their 
owne  workes  and  merites,Paule  alledged  that 
rlic  lewes  who  had  great  preferment  aboue  0- 
ther  men,  could  not  for  all  that  come  in  Gods 
fiiuour,  othenvifcthanby  beleeuing  the  Gof- 
pell.  Yet  notwithftanding  it  was  a  good  likely* 
hood  that  the  Icwcs  iiad  fome  rightecufnefte  in  themfelues  wher- 
Mi;h  too  wmnc  Gods  fauour,  bicaufe  the  lawe  wasgiucn  to  them, 

with 


the  EptHAothe  Qaiathiam.       p^- 

with promife  that  whofocuer performed thofc  things. fhouldliu^ in  £^«.ig.^  a 
them.  Thcreforcamanvv'ouldhaqqiudged;  that  the  leweseucivia 
rerpe6lof  themfelues  aioiie  without  Chrift,  might  after  aToTt.haue 
bin  iudified  be  fore  God :  otherwile  it  flioulde  leeme.  that  the  iawe         >        - 
was  fuperfluovis.  But  vvhta  they  come  too  our  LordelefusChriftj.    ' 
^herethey  perceyue  ihemfiiues  to  bee  wrctdiedfinners,  forlQn3,ej| 
and  damned.  It  fnould  feeme  then, that  lefus  Chrill  bringeth  fume : 
for  before  his  comming ,  the  levves  wqre  reckoned  for  Gods  chil- 
drenThey  bare  the  badge  ofholiiiefle  in  their  bodies,  &mareouer  ^    7  ^  /?, 
it  was  fayd  vnto  them, that  they  were  the  holy  and  chofen  people  of 
their  God.Now  then  feeing  they  become  fellowlike  with  wretched 
(inners,  and  there  is  nothing  but  curfednefle  to  bee  found  in  them, 
fo  as  they  be  fainc  toflee  forrefuge  to  the  mere  graceof  our  Lord        *<•  *  •  »* 
lefus  Chrifl: :  it  feemeth  that  lefus  Chrift  brought  finne  intoo  ^c 
worlde.   Tmly  fo  will  men  iudge  of  him  after  their  owne  op.inion, 
howbeeit  fooiifhly.  For  it  behoueth  vs  to  marke,that  our  j^ord  le* 
fus  Chrifl  doth  not  bring  finne,but bewray  finne.  For  although  the 
lewes  exercifed  themfelues  in  the  keeping  of  the  law :  yet  did  that 
feme  but  to  proue  vnto  thcnri  flill  more  and  rnore,  that^God  \yovil4 
ncuerfliewe  them  mercie,  but  by  the  meane  of  the  R.edeni^T.  ^Jp 
doubt  but  that  in  lining  chafdy  3c  foberly,&  therwithall  in  ^vaikipg 
in  obedience  togod,they  hadfome  (how  of  righteoufneffe-.bttt  that 
came  wholy  of  grace,  and  we  muftfiot  father  that  thing  vpon  m^n, 
which  belongeth  vnto  God,  for  by  that  rneanes  God  fhould  be  de- 
frauded ofhis  honour.  Then  if  thejewes  being  gouerned  by  Gods 
{pirite^had  fome  willingneffe  and  defire  to  lead  a  holy  life :  it  muft 
hot  come  in  account,as  who  fhould  fay,that  God  were  beholden  to 
them  for  it :  for  contrariwife  they  be  fo  much  the  more  bound  vn- 
to God.  But  on  the  otherfide,  wee  haue  too  marke  (as  wee  fhall  fee 
more  fully  in  due  time  and  place)that  tliere  was  neuer  yet  any  .man- 
foperfeft,but  there  v/as  alwai^^es  much  to  be  blamed  in  hkn.  Their- 
fore  we  haue  to  conclude,that  the  lewes  could  not  be  To  well  taken, 
and  accepted  at  Gods  hand,  but  that  they  had  neede  ofhis  mercie,  "*■ 

and  that  their  fakiation  muft  needes  be  grounded  wholy  vpon  the 
forgmeneflc  of  their  fmnes.  Alfo  as  in  refpeft  of  Ceremony  es/they 
bare  themfelues  on  hande  tliat  there  was  great  holineffe  in  them, 

as. 


chap.i.  fo.CaLxiij.  Sermonypon 

-    as  whereof  hypocrites  haue  alwayes  made  their  cloke.  But  howfo- 
cucr  they  fared,  it  is  ccrtainc  that  the  lewes  were  more  damnable 
than  all  other  men.  And  why  c'  For  (as  Saint  Paulc  fayth)  without 
iSfl-S.^*  ij-  ^^^  ^^^^  ^^""^  ^^^^  "°^  x'pbraydemen  :  infomuch  that  men  fall  a- 
^  flcepe  and  flatter  themfelues  in  their  vices, when  rhey  haue  not  that 
Sumner  to  cyte  them  before  Gods  iudgement  feate.  Then  whereas 
the  wretched  G  entiles  might  haue  fome  defence  and  excure,at  leaft 
wife  that  they  bee  not  To  giltie  before  God :  the  lewes  in  offering 
their  facrifizes  had  it  witnelTed  too  their  face,  that  rJl  of  them  were 
worthie  of  eternal  death,and  To  confcqucntly  double  giltie  in  com- 
parifon  of  the  Gentiles.  And  therefore  in  the  fecond  to  the  Collof- 
^  J  fians  S.  Paule  vfeth  this  fimilitude^that  the  Ceremonies  of  the  laMr 

tc/.2.f*  H-  ^^,^^g  ^^  euidenccs  to  binde  a  man  the  more.  Truly  like  as  although 
X  detter  be  not  cqdemned  by  order  of  Iaw,nor  haue  bound  himfelFc 
before  a  notarie  nor  giuen  aflurance  in  writing  vnder  his  hande  and 
fealc  :  y^t  ceafleth  he  not  for  all  that,  to  be  bonnde  [m  confcience] 
too  pay  his  debt :  euenfo  although  the  Gent)des  had  not  any  au- 
thenticall  matter  of  recorde  whereby  to  bee  condemned :  yet  ceaT- 
fed  they  not  too  bee  ftiil  worthie  of  deadi.  But  as  for  the  man  tliat 
hathpciircd  bondcs  by  order  of  iawe ,  and  entered  his  debt  in  die 
cbnimdiiVccordes :  what  (hall  he  fay  more :'  There  is  no  fhift  for 
him :  he  mud  be  fayne  too  anfwcre  Qhe  debt]  out  ofhandc.  Now 
the  lewes  were  in  the  Mkz  pligbt.  For  their  walliing  of  themfelues 
when  they  went  intoo  the  Temple ,  and  in  their  owne  houfes,  and 
eucry  where  clfe,  was  a  confefsing  that  there  was  nothing  but  vn- 
cleanaeffe  in  tlieni  Againe,whcn  they  killed  the  beaftes,  and  fawc 
them  flain  before  the,furely  the  fame  was  as  a  liuely  picture  of  their 
owne  death  And  curfed  ftate.   And  yet  coulde  not  the  brute  beaftes 
nor  the  fheddingof  their  bloudfet  them  cleare :  nor  likewife  the 
water, which  is  a  cormptible  elemcnt,and  cannot  come  at  the  foulc. 
So  then,tlie  wafhmg  which  they  v^td  had  bin  a  fonde  thing,if  it  had 
not  dire6led  them  to  the  fpiritnall  wafhing  which  wee  haue  in  our 
Lorde  Icfus  Chrift.  LilcevVife  inbaptifmeat  thefedayes,if  we  think 
our  felues  to  be  made  cleaneby  the  water :  what  an  abufe  h  ii<  AM 
thefe  things  mufl  feme  to  leadc  vs  to  the  bloud  of  our  Lorde  lefus 
Cjirifl.  V\1ier^fore  1  conclude-,  that  whereas  the  Ie\res  wereexer- 

cyfed 


the  EpiHuo  the  ^alathians.       pj 

c^M  in  the  Jawe,  the  fame  was  a  greater  euidcncc  agaynft  them, 
and  bounde  them  ftraightlier  to  fubiedion vnto  Gods  iudgcment, 
and  eternall  death,  than  the  Gentiles  were.  And  fo  wee  fee  howe 
lefus  Chrift  was  not  a  bringer  in  of  finne,  but  a  difcouerer  of  finne. 
For  the  lewes  thought  themfelues  well  fhrowded  vnder  the  Cere- 
monies,and  made  afheeldeof  themto  fence  themfelues  from  gods 
difpleafure,  efteeming  all  other  Nations  vnholy,  vpon  opinion  that 
there  was  nothing  but  vncleannefle  inall  the  worlde  befydes,  and 
that  all  holinelTe  was  in  themfelues.    Lo  what  their  brauerie  was. 
Vea,  but  when  lefug  Chrift  came  and  put  them  in  order: he  (hewed 
them  that  they  flioulde  be  fainc  too  fhew  other  men  by  their  owne 
example,  that  their  faluation  was  too  bee  fought  elfe  where  than  in- 
their  owne  merites,  and  that  it  behoued  them  to  come  to  him  with 
fuch  humilitie,as  too  confefle  that  they  on  their  part  brought  no- 
thing with  them  but  vtter  curfednelTe.  And  by  that  meanes  oure 
Lord  Icfus  Chrift  difcouered  the  mifchief  that  had  bin  hidde  before, 
like  asdifeafed  perfons  fhall  oftentimes  not  perceyue  the  feftcring 
of  fome  fore  that  will  breede  fomc  deadly  difeafe,  till  the  Surgeon 
finde  it  out,  who  cannot  do  his  dutie  in  curing  it,  till  hee  hauc  {car- 
chcd  the  fore  to  the  bottome  which  was  vnknowne  before.  Euen 
fo  was  our  Lorde  Icfus  Chrift  fayne  too  bewray  the  wretchednefle 
that  was  in  the  lewes, to  the  intent  they  flioulde  returne  vnto  him, 
and  confefle  that  they  had  not  any  thing  in  them  worthie  of  Gods 
fauour,  nor  any  other  refuge  than  vnto  his  mere  mercie.  Thus  ye 
fee  in  effect  what  wee  hauc  to  confider  for  the  folution  of  the  que- 
flion  and  doubt  which  Saint  Paule  putteth  forth  hcere.Likewife  in 
thefe  dayes,  if  a  man  fpeake  of  the  Gofpell  too  fuch  as  thinke  they 
feme  God,and  hope  to  winne  heauen  by  their  owne  defcrtes  :  they 
be  greeued  at  it,bicaufe  that  that  gate  is  fliet  agaynft  them  by  the 
prefumptuoufnefle  which  they  haue  conceyued  afore  hande,faying: 
What  I  pray  *".  Shall  I  haue  lofl:  my  time  when  I  haue  bin  fo  de- 
uout  all  my  life  long  <  As  for  the  man  that  fliall  haue  heard  aMaflc 
or  twaine,or  mumbled  vp  a  fort  of  prayers,  or  gone  on  pilgrimage, 
or  laflied  out  his  money  and  fubftance  (without  fparing)  vpon  par- 
dons, indulgences,  and  fuch  other  things  :  if  one  tell  him  that  wee 
bee  all  wretched^Mid  that  there  is  none  other  thing  for  vs  too  leane 

vnto» 


Chap.  x.  ^Q^  CaL  xiij.  Sermon  ypon 

\aito  but  the  mere  grace  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  and  diat  all  that 
euer  we  are  able  to  bring  '»Tito  God  is  but  filthic  and  lothly,  he  will 
ftorme  and  replie,  Is  it  pofsible  that  God  (hould  hauc  no  regardc  of 
fo  greate  paynes  as  I  take  to  feme  him  '^  Muflc  not  all  of  it  palTc 
in  myne  accounte ,  and  bee  allowed  mee  too  my  faluation  ^  They 
woulde  faine  accuze  God,  yea  and  wee  (hall  fee  many  that  will  not 
fticke  to  raylc  vpon  him  with  open  mouth ,  bycaufe  they  bee  lothe 
to  lofe  that  which  they  haue  done.  Although  the  Hypoaites  per- 
ceyue  much  lewdneflc  in  themfclucs  :  yet  woulde  they  fayne  hydc 
all  vnder  theyr  cowlcs.  For  they  breake  out  after  this  maner.  One 
fayes  I  haue  gone  woolwarde :  another,  I  haue  rifen  at  midnight  to 
ferue  God :  the  thirde ,  I  haue  forborne  the  eating  of  fiefhe  :  and 
another,  I  haue  bin  fliette  vp  in  a  Cloyfter  as  in  a  pryfon,  and  final- 
ly I  haue  bin  dead  to  the  worldwarde,  and  fhall  all  this  be  vnprofi- 
table  too  mee,  fo  as  God  will  hauc  no  rcgarde  of  it  ^  Such  murmu- 
rings  as  thefc  we  fhall  hearc  dayly.  But  let  vs  fee  if  they  can  tmkc 
their  cace  the  better  for  all  their  replying  <  For  when  they  haue  wcl 
examined  what  is  in  them, they  (hall  finde  that  all  their  doings  are 
but  as  a  paynting  to  ouercaft  things  withall ,  like  as  a  man  that  in^ 
intendethnottoo  rej>ayre  his  houfe,  leaueth  the  holes  vnmended 
within,  and  doth  but  dawb  them  oucr  on  theoutfide  tootheendc 
they  be  not  feene,  and  afterwardc  whytelymes  them,  fo  that  final- 
ly it  is  nothing  elfe  but  a  pargetting  or  whitelyming,according  alfb 
as  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  vfeth  the  fame  fimilitude  agaynft  the  hy- 

Math.22,    pocrites  that  did  no  more  but  blaunche  things.  Howbccit  in  the 
C.27.       nicane  while  God  regardetk  not  the  outwarde  appearance ,  as  it  is 

I.Sam,  iC,  faydcinthefirftofSamuell,  but fearcheth  mens  heartesand  the 
^.7  •        truth,  and  [layeth  open]  the  things  that  were  hidden  afore,  accor- 

ltr€m,^.4,'^  ding  alfo  as  it  isfayd  in  leremie.  Sith  it  is  fo:then  all  fiKh  as  allcdgc 
or  fct  foorth  their  owne  deuotions,  may  peraduenture  haue  fome 
fayre  (hew  before  mcnibut  furely,before  God  all  is  but  leafing. And 
aflbone  as  God  doth  but  blowe  vppon  their  painting  and  ftarchc,  it 
(hall  fcale  off  lyke  the  painting  of  harlots  that  take  great  paine  too 
ftarch  their  faces,  and  yet  the  Sunnedothno  fooner  (hine  vppon 
them,but  a  man  fhall  fee  the  filthie  fcales  fal  ofF,and  their  foulne(rc 
is  difcouered  to  their  fhame.  In  like  taking  are  all  hypocrites  when 

they 


the  EpiH.to  the  (^alathians.      p6 

they  will  needes  colour  things  after  that  maner  before  God :  their 
fhamefuil  leudnelTe  mud  nccdes  bee  brought  too  light.   VA^hei-c- 
fore  let  vs  markc,  that  our  Lorde  lefus  Chryfte  in  condemning  the 
whole  worlde ,  by  fliewing  that  none  can  bee  faued  but  by  the  free 
goodnefle  of  God  his  father,  the  which  hee  ofrereth  and  impartetb 
vntoo  vs  :  bringeth  not  rinnej(for  wee  hauc  that  alreadie  in  vs,)but 
vttereth and bewrayeth  it,  too  the  cnde  wee  (Tiould  bee  conuifted 
of  it,  and  all  the  pryde  wherewith  wee  were  made  drunken  afore  be 
layde  downe,  and  nothing  rcmayne  in  vs  but  lowlyncfle  too  con- 
feffevnfeynedly  that  wee  bee  vndoone,  and  that  there  is  none  o^ 
therfhiftc  forvs,  but  that  God  vtter  the  infinite  treafures  ofhys 
mercy  vpon  vs.Yee  fee  then  that  all  mouthes  (hall  bee  flopped,  and 
men  muft  not  beguile  thenifelues  any  more  by  furmyzing  to  find 
any  rightuoufnefTe  in  thcmfelues.  And  furthermore  S.Paulc  vfeth 
hcerca^dubble  anfwerc,too  (hew  that  it  is  nothing  fo.  Howbeit  be- 
fore he  anfwer,he  fctteth  downe  aprec)^e  woord,  faying :  Godforfi 
hid.  As  if  he  fhould  fay,  it  is  an  horrible  blafphcmie  too  intend  to  lay 
the  blame  of  our  finnes  vpon  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  For(fayeth  he) 
ifl  pull  (ioytme  the  thing  that  I  baue  buyUed  "^p, there  fhal  he  contrarietie 
[in  mee.]  And  in  fpeaking  fo,he  bringeth  vs  backc  to  the  common 
do6h-ine  of  the  Gofpell.  For  our  preaching  of  the  end  wherevnto 
God  hath  fent  his  onely  fonne,is  too  fliew  that  he  hath  brought  vs 
rightuoufnefre,and  is  come  tot)  put  away  finne,  which  holds  vs  as  it 
were  vnder  Tyrannic, till  wee  bee  deliuered  and  fet  free  from  it  by 
the  grace  whiche  was  purchaced  for  vs  in  the  death  and  pafsion  of 
the  Sonne  of  God.  Now  then  feing  it  is  fo,  wee  fee  that  our  Lord 
lefus  Chrift  is  not  the  bringer  in  of  finne,  but  is  com&too  deftroy 
finne(as  S.Iohn fayethin his Canonicall  Epiftle)  and  we alfo  do  fee  ^•^^^^•3# 
it  to  bee  fo.  For  what  elfe  dothe  the  Gofpell  teach  vs,but.that  wee     ^'^* 
bee  full  of  all  wickedtiefTe,  and  muft  bee  fayne  to  bee  made  cleane 
by  him  that  is  made  the  Lambe  without  fpot,  and  alfo  that  he  hath 
brought  vs  the  fpirit  of  holineflec'For  afmuch  then  as  me,fo  long  as 
they  be  cut  off  fro  Chiift,  haue  nothing  in  the  but  curfedne{re,fo  as 
they  be  vtcerly  rotte  3c  faped  in  the  ir  fins,&  that  lefus  Chrift  is  the 
partie  that  maketh  the  pure  and  cleane  by  the  (heading  of  his  bloud 
to.wa(h  the  withall,and  by  bringing  vsthefpirit  [of  regeneration]] 

rgrenue 


Chap.  I.  Jo^  CaL  xiij.  Sermon  ypon 

to  renuc  vswith,  that  we  might  giue  our  felucs  too  the  fc ruing  of 
Godjhaue  his  Image  repayred  m  vs ,  and  walkein  truth  and  vp- 
rightnefTe  :  forarmuch(ray  I)as  it  is  fayde  To  :  we  fee  tliat  our  Lordc 
lefus  Chrift  is  not  the  bringer  in  of  finne .  And  why  fo  :*  For  let  vs 
confider  what  we  bee,and  wee  fhall  findc  that  there  is  a  gulfc  of  all 
maner  of  wickedneffe  in  eucry  one  of  vs,and  in  all  maiikinde.    But 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  commcth  to  remedie  it.  Ye  fee  then  that  the 
finne  was  in  vs  before :  but  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  is  faine  to  vnco- 
uer  it.  What  harme  doth  a  Phifition  by  letting  bloud  c'  Beholde,  a 
wretched  man  hath  adifeafe  that  is  not  perccyued  .  his  bloud  is  al- 
togither  corrupted,  and  yet  it  is  not  feene  to  be  fo  as  long  as  it  lieth 
within  the  vcyncs.  But  be  he  once  let  bloud,  it  will  appeare  that  it 
was  no  bloud,  but  filthie  corrupt  matter.    Againe  what  filthint  (Te 
voydeth  out  of  a  mans  bodie  when  hee  i^  purged  for  fome  difeafe  C* 
Now  fhall  the  Phifition  be  blamed  for  it,  or  the  medicine  that  was 
giuen  him  C*  It  is  well  knownc  that  the  purgation  ferueth  to  deliuer 
the  bodie  that  was  halfe  rotten  afore.   So  then  if  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chriftdoby  the  light  of  his  Gofpell  bewray  the  fpirituall  difeafes 
that  were  in  vs,  and  the  filthie  vnclenneflc  which  is  lothly  before 
God,  and  ftiamefull  before  men,  and  do  purge  vs  quite  and  cleane 
thereof:  ought  he  to  be  charged  with  any  blame  or  reproch  for  his 
labour:'  VVhatanvnthankfuInefle were  that:'  therefore  heereis 
a  fufficientanfwere  to  beate  backe  the  blafphemies  and  grudgings 
of  the  enimies  of  the  Gofpell,  which  burft  for  pride  and  cannot  in- 
dure  to  be  tamed.  Let  them  alledge  what  they  can  too  proue  that 
they  haue  fome  righteoufnefle  and  holinefle  :  and  yet  fhall  it  aU 
wayes  bee  founde  that  there  is  nothing  but  vncleannefle  in  them, 
which  they  wyft  notof,and  yet  it  (heweth  it  felfe  cotinually.Markc 
that  for  one  poynt.  And  fecondly  Saint  Paule  addeth  a  more  large 
and  eafie  declaration, when  hee  fayth,  that  be  is  dead  too  the  la'^'t^arde 
hy  the  la^e  it  felfe :  and  that  he  "ft^j  j  crucifed  t^ith  lefus  Chrifl.to  Hue  l?m 
to  (jod.  Nowe  when  as  he  fayth  that  he  was  dead  to  the  lawwarde 
by  the  lawe  :  it  is  in  way  of  mocking  fuche  as  pretende  too  bee 
iuftified  by  ke  eping  o f  the  lawe .  For  I  haue  told  you  alreadie  how 
all  his  difputing  and  ftiyuing  was  agaynft  fuch  kinde  of  folke.  They 
were  but  deceyucrs  which  went  about  to  mingle  lefus  Chrift  with 
^^  "  '  the 


the  EpiH.  to  the  ^alathians.      p  7 


'■^■ 


the  Ia\ve  of  MoyfeSjyea  euen  too  get  righteoufnelTe.  For  it  is  cer- 
tayne  that  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  is  not  conti-arie  too  the  law,  but 
ratherhisGofpelltaketh  witneffe  of  the  lawe ,  as  it  is  fhewed  in 
the  firft  chapter  too  the  Romanes.  Neuertheleffe,  when  the  mat-  %om,  },4.U 
ter  concemeth  luftification,  that  is  too  fay,  when  men  come  too 
fcanning,tooknowehowe  and  by  what  meanes  God  taketh  and 
accepteth  them  for  innocent,  pure,  and  without  fpotte^then  muft 
the  lawe  bee  feparated  from  lefus  Chrift.  And  why  c'  For  the  lawe 
bringeth  nothing  in  it  but  curfing :  and  lefus  Chrille  bringeth  the 
remedie  of  it.  Therefore  the  enimies  of  the  Gofpell  agaynft  whom 
S.  Paule  dothe  nowe  difpute, would  haue  mingled  the  law  with  it, 
and  haue  made  men  beleeue,thatalthoughe  they  were  iuilified  by 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  yet  notwithftanding  they  fhoulde  mingle 
the  Ceremonies  with  him  as  a  parte  of  their  faluation,  and  that  by 
meanes  of  them  they  fhould  purchafe  grace  Sc  fauour  before  God. 
But  S.Pauie  cutteth  off  all  this  geare,andfayth  that  there  is  non^ 
but  onely  lefus  Chrift  [that  can  do  that]  and  that  men  muft  feeke 
none  other  helpes  in  that  cace  eyther  one  way  or  other,  but  fim- 
ply  content  them  felues  with  his  grace^  and  not  gyue  the  lawe  any 
roome  in  that  behaife.  For  he  faythe,as  for  meelamnotdeade 
through  the  Gofpell.  As  if  he  fhould  fay,  will  yeemake  mee  be- 
Jeeue  that  I  can  get  Gods  fauour  by  meanes  of  the  law  C'  Nay,I  tell 
you  contrariwyfe,  thac  it  is  not  the  Gofpell  whiche  hath  condem- 
ned mee,  it  is  not  the  Gofpell  that  hath  (hewed  me  my  filthinefle, 
to  make  me  afliamed  of  it :  it  is  not  the  Gofpell  that  hath  berefte 
me  of  all  hope  of  faluation :  but  it  is  the  Lawe,  which  hath  (hewed 
me  that  I  am  fl^rke  dead,  that  I  am  dampnable  before  God ,  that 
I  am  vndone  and  damned :  This  commeth  not  fro  elfewhere  than 
from  the  lawe.  And  would  yee  haue  mee  too  feeke  righteoufneflTe 
there  <  It  is  all  one  as  if  yec  would  giue  mee  a  poyfon  to  eate,  to 
the  ende  I  flioulde  take  nourifhment  of  it.  Howbeit  (to  fay  truth  c) 
tliat  inconuenienee  is  not  to  be  w^ted  vpon  the  Law,for  it  fhould 
redoundetothedifhonourofGodjtrom  whom  the  Lawe  came. 
But  howfoeuerthe  cafe  fl^nde,con{idcring  the  corRiption  that  is 
in  \  s,the  Lawe  can  not  but  kill  vs,as  wee  haue  fcene  in  the  fecond  2.0>'.3.^.;^ 
too  die  Corinthians,  and  as  3.  Paiiie  dechreth  more  fully  in  the  ^m.7.h.^ 

N.  feuuith 


Chap.^:  fo.Cal.xtij.fermonypon 

feuenth  to  the  Romane s.For  he  r^ytk^that  when  men  beleue  them 
felues  too  haue  lyfe :  that  is  too  faye ,  when  they  beleeue  them- 
felues  to  be  n'ghteous,and  to  flande  m  the  grace  3c  fauour  of  God: 
it  is  a  figne  that  the  lawe  is  dead  to  them, that  is  ro  fay e, that  it  hath 
not  the  power  and  Ibength  to  flievv  them  that  which  elfe  it  fhould 
do.For  to  what  endc  was  the  law  giuen  ^  Too  fet  the  rule  of  good 
life  before  our  eyes,  Sc  that  aile  is  called  the  righteoufneffe  which 
God  alloweth.  Marke  that  for  one  poyitt,Secondly  the  law  ought 
to  be  as  a  looking  g^^e  to  vs,  wherein  too  behoide  our  owne  de- 
formities, blemimes,  fouleneire/llthineire,and  iniquities,  fofarre 
out  of  all  order,  as  wee  may  bee  as  it  were  fwalowedvp  indif- 
payre  at  the  fighte  of  them.  Nowe  before  wee  haue  the  lawe, wee 
fee  none  of  all  thefe  things :  that  is  too  fay,  wee  knowe  not  what 
maner  of  ones  we  bee,  nor  what  euill  is  in  vs.  Bur  when  God  fet- 
teth  his  demaundes  before  vs,and  we  perceyue  the  fame  through- 
ly :  then  are  wee  at  our  wittes  ende,and  vttei-ly  out  of  hope.  The 
Lawe  then  is  dead :  that  is  to  fay,it  is  as  it  were  thruft  vnder  foote 
and  as  good  as  buryed,fo  long  as  wee  thinke  our  felues  to  be  aliue> 
and  conceyue  any  foolifhe  imagination  of  beeing  righteous,and  of 
obteyning  heauen  by  our  owne  good  workes.  But  when  the  lawe 
iiueth :  that  is  too  fay, when  God  giueth  it  povrer  to  touch  vs, then 
are  wee  dead,then  is  it  as  a  fworde  to  thraft  vs  too  the  hart.  Ther- 
fore  wee  muft  needes  receyue  a  deadly  wounde ,  fo  foone  as  wee 
haue  perceyued  what  the  Lawe  conteyneth .  After  that  maner 
Ipeaketh  S.Paulein  thetexte  whrche  I  haue  alleaged.  And  nowe 
following  the  fame  matter,  he  fayth ,  that  be  u  dead  too  the  Lt^^e  by 
the  Lat^e  :  as  if  he  had  iayde.  Come  not  hyther  too  fl'aunder  the 
Gofpell,  as  thoughe  it  were  the  caufe  of  our  damnation,  or  an  en- 
terance  vnto  vs  too  bee  curfed  before  God,  too  haue  the  know- 
ledge of  the  grace  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  in  vs.  No  no.  But  it 
is  certayne  that  the  Lawe  (when  it  dooth  his  office ,  and  wee  reade 
it  in  fuche  \vyfe  as  becommeth  vs)  dooth  alwayes  kill  \'S,  and  wee 
lye  as  it  were  plunged  indilpayre,  t)dl  oure  Lorde  leRis  Chrifte 
haue  reached  vs  his  hande  too  liftevsont  of  it.  Thus  then-  am  I 
dead  vnto  the  lawe,  that  is  too  fay,  I  can  haue  no  lyfe,  I  can  haue 
ng  affur^Ke  of  foule  healthy  I  can  haue  no  comforte^rcfl  nor  con*- 
"        tentation^> 


theEpifl.to  the  (jalathians.      p8 

mentation,  5c  to  be  fhort,there  is  nothing  in  the  law  wherby  I  may 
come  vnto  God:  but  cleanc  contrariwifcpit  fliaketli  me  ofF,it  thm- 
(leth  me  backe,  it  banifhcth  me  from  the  kingdome  of  heauen,  it 
cutteth  me  quite  off  from  the  hope  of  faJuation,  it  makcth  me  a 
poore.curfedpand  wretched  creature,  and  to  be  fliorte,  it  fendeth 
me  to  the  bottome  of  hell.  Yee  fee  then  what  I  haue  wonne  by  a- 
byding  in  the  lawe.  And  S.Paule  fpeal^eth  of  him  felfe  i-ather  them 
of  any  other  body,  to  tlie  ende  that  the  things  which  he  fpeaketh, 
may  bee  die  better  receyued,  as  of  a  man  of  experience.  And  it  is 
after  the  fame  maner  thathefpeaketh  in  the  fore  alleagedfeuenth 
Chapter  too  the  Romanes.  For  there  he  fetteth  notfoorth  thys  '^m,7,k^ 
man  or  that  man  for  an  example,  but  faythe,  I  my  k\k  was  fom.e- 
tymes  alyue :  that  is  too  fayc,  at  fuche  time  as  he  w^s  a  Pharifie, 
and  accounted  an  holy  man ,  yea  euen  for  one  of  the  excellenteft 
in  all  lewr}',  in  fo  muche  diat  he  was  a  myrrour  of  ail  perfedion, 
and  as  a  lyttle  Angell :  then  (faythe  he)  I  was  alyue ,  howebeeit 
but  by  hypocrifie.  For  he  made  him  kl^e^  too  beleeue  wonders, 
and  he  was  fo  puffed  vp  with  pride,  that  he  hilde  fcome  of  lefus 
Chriile.Lo  in  what  blindnefle  Saind  Paule  acknowledgeth  hym  JJJom./i.S 
felfe  too  haue  beene.  And  he  addeth  anone  after,that  he  \v7fl  not 
what  was  Jiient  by.  Thou  fliaite  not  couet.  It  might  bee  thoughte 
firaunge  that  a  man  whiche  had  not  onely  bin  at  fchoole,  Lut  alfo 
bin  a  great  teacher  of  others, and  tliereto  a  very  zelous  man  as  he 
him  felfe  affirmeth,fIiould  bee  fo  dulled  as  not  to  knowe  his  owne 
faultes.  But  S.Paule  fheweth  the  reafon  of  it.  For  (faydi  he)  I  loo- 
ked no  further  than  to  the  outwarde  honeftie,  that  there  might  no 
faulte  bee  founde  in  me  before  the  worlde,nor  any  man  know  any 
euill  by  me.  But  when  I  vnderftoode  what  this  faying.  Thou  fhalt 
not  lufle  ment,  and  perceyued  that  God  condemneth  all  the  af- 
fe£lions  8c  thoughts  of  men :  then  I  perceyued  that  the  worll  was 
behind,as  the  common  Prouerbe  fayth :  for  it  is  die  lafl:  c5mande- 
mcnt  of  die  law,wherin  God  maketh  fo  liuely  and  deepe  a  fearche 
as  nothing  can  be  excepted  from  it.V  Vheras  it  is  fayd  m  the  lawe, 
Thou  fliaJte  not  haue  any  ftraunge  goddes :  Thou  flialt  not  make  fxo.  20.4.3 
any  image  too  worfliip  it  ■■  Thou  fhalte  not  take  the  name  of  the 
Lorde  thy  God  in  vayne ;  Thou  fhalt  keepe  holy  the  day  of  reft : 

N.ij.  Thou 


Chap.z:  Jq^  Cal.xiij.fermon  ypon 

Tliou  fhalt  honor  thy  fatner  &  mother :  Thou  (halt  not  kil:Thoit 
(halte  not  commit  aduoutrie :  Thou  fhalte  not  (leak :  All  this  is 
well  (will  we  thinke)  we  muft  abfleyne  from  all  vvhordome,  vio- 
lence and  extoition :  we  muft  abfteyne  from  deceipt  and  robberie: 
we  muft  hue  foberly.HeretoO;  we  muft  abfteyne  from  blafphemie, 
and  we  muft  honor  God.  All  this  will  eafily  be  graunted.But  there 
is  a  backenooke  that  we  perceyued  not,  whiche  is,  Thou  fhalt  not 
couet  or  lufte :  that  is  a  priuie  nipper.  Truely  it  feemeth  not  too 
bee  very  bigge  or  greate  :  but  yet  for  all  that,  it  is  ftiche  a  ftinger, 
as  pafTeth  ail  the  reft  in  byting.  For  by  the  ende  and  wynding  vp 
of  hys  Lawe,God  fearcheth  out  all  that  euer  is  in  man.  Hee  fet- 
teth  dovvne  that  commaundement,  too  trie  out  the  tilings  that 
were  hidden :  and  when  he  fayth,thou  fhalte  not  couet,  it  is  a  per- 
cing  euen  into  the  marie  of  mens  bones.  So  then  S.  Paule  con- 
fefleth  that  he  knewenot  what  finne  mente,  till  hevnderftoode 
what  was  mente  by  the  commaundement  that  forbiddeth  men  too 
couet  or  lufte.  And  therfore  in  this  texte  he  chargeth  not  the  Gof- 
pell,but  the  Lawe  with  it.  Wherefore  let  vs  remember  vpon  this 
text,  that  all  they  whiche  deceyue  them  felues  by  any  opinion  of 
their  owne  merites.neuer  tafted  what  the  Law  of  God  is,nor  what 
it  meaneth  :  I  ipeake  of  the  greateft  doctors  that  are  in  mofte  efti- 
mation ,  as  (in  good  fayth)  it  is  too  bee  feene  in  the  Popedome* 
For  euen  thofe  that  are  taken  too  bee  the  pillers  of  the  Churche, 
(notwithitanding  that  they  profefle  Diuinitie )  knowe  not  one 
worde  of  Gods  lawe,  too  apply  the  fame  too  his  true  and  natu- 
ral! vfe.  For  they  haue  nothing  in  tliem  but  hypocrifie,  and  they 
beare  them  felues  in  hande ,  that  they  (hall  pleafe  God  with  a  rat- 
tle^as  if  he  were  a  little  babe.  They  doo  but  toye  with  him,and  yet 
yee  fhall  fee  them  ftande  fo  niuche  in  their  owne  conceites,as  they 
can  not  abide  to  be  condemned.  And  if  a  man  tell  them  that  wee 
muft  feeke  our  faluation  in  leliis  Chrift :  yea  foy  they  c'  and  what 
(hall  become  then  of  our  freewill  C'  what  (houlde  become  of  our 
owne  merites  and  fatisfa6lions :'  Too  their  feeming  it  were  much 
better  too  plucke  the  funne  out  of  the  sky,  yea  and  God  out  of  his 
feate  too,  than  too  bereeue  man  of  that  prerogatiue,or  of  the  thing 
ihat  he  can  bring  of  lijin  felfe  to  copound  with  God; and  yet  for  all 
■     '        ■  -,  that^ 


the  Epift.to  the  Qalathians.      99 

iliat,it  is  certayne  that  there  is  nothing  in  the  but  flarkc  filthineflc. 
For  men  fee  that  tliere  is  neyther  feare  of  God,  nor  vprightnefle, 
nor  equitie,  nor  ought  elfe  [that  good  is]  in  their  lyfe.  They  be  fo 
TuU  of  pride  that  they  be  readie  to  burft  agayne,and  they  be  full  of 
enuy,  rancour,  and  all  maner  of  loocenefle.  And  yet  for  all  this, 
they  will  needes  holde  God  bound  vnto  them :  but  that  is  bicaufe 
they  neuer  knewe  the  law.  So  then,  when  our  Lorde  teacheth  vs, 
and  fheweth  vs  how  we  ought  to  walke  in  this  world,let  vs  leai'ne 
to  lay  the  do6lrine  that  he  fetteth  foorth  and  our  life  togither,and 
there  we  fhall  finde  the  right  perfedion  of  the  law,and  that  in  our 
felues  there  is  nothing  but  horrible  confufion :  wee  fhall  fee  hell 
readie  prepared  for  vs.  By  that  meanes  it  will  be  eafie  for  vs  to 
giueouerallthedeferuing  whiche  wee  fhall  haue  fancied  in  our 
lelues,fo  as  itfliall  be  foone  beaten  downe,and  ourmouthes  (lop- 
ped, and  we  become  lil<:e  poore  dead  folke  without  any  breath,  bi- 
caufe we  fhall  perceyue  well  inough,  that  we  can  nor'come  vnto 
God,  but  God  mull  needes  thunder  agaynft  vs ,  if  wee  bring  any 
foolifhe  imagination  of  our  owne  deferuings.  Lo  howe  the  lawe 
fleaeth  vs.  But  when  wee  haue  pafled  through  fuche  death ,  that  is 
to  fay, when  we  be  alreadie  rightly  humbled  and  vtterly  difmayde: 
then  here  is  a  remedie,  which  S.Paule  fetteth  downe,faying  :  i  "^M 
irucified  yvith  lefm  Chriji.eue  to  line  Vnto  GodjSiow  he  fheweth  here 
that  our  Lorde  Icfus  Chrifl:  not  only  bringeth  vs  remifsion  of  our 
(innes,  but  alfo  fan<^ifieth  and  regenerateth  vs  by  his  holy  fpirite, 
in  fo  muche  that  whereas  there  was  nothing  but  fkibbomeire  in  vs 
before,now  we  be  giuen  to  ferue  God,  and  to  pleafe  him.  And  for 
the  better  vnderflanding  of  that  whiche  S.Pauletelletlivs,  let  vs 
mai'ke  that  we  receyue  two  principall  graces  of  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chrift :  The  one  is  the  forgiueneffe  of  our  finnes,  whereby  we  are 
afTured  of  our  faluation,  and  haue  our  confciences  quieted ,  and 
wherevpon  it  behoueth  vs  to  be  grounded,fo  as  we  cal  vpon  God 
as  our  father. VVho  giueth  vs  the  boldnefle  to  lift  vp  our  heads  to 
!ieauen,and  to  call  God  our  father  <  Agayne,  what  maketh  vs  fo 
bolde  as  to  glory  that  we  be  companions  and  brothers  to  the  An- 
gels:'It  is  bicaufe  our  fmnes  come  not  to  account :  for  we  mufl  al- 
wayes  haue  recourfe  tQ  the  wafhing  of  them  away,  which  was  done 

N.iij.   '  by 


Chap.a,  Jq^  CaLxiij.  Sermon  ypon 

by  tKe  deatlic  and  pafsion  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  Yce  fee  then 
that  our  righteoufnefle  is  that  God  accepteth  vs,  howebeit  not  in 
refpecle  of  our  owne  worthyneffe^  but  in  refpecl  of  the  obedience 
of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chvift;  whereby  all  our  inifdooings  are  vvyped 
out.  That  is  the  £r{l  beneiitc  which  wee  haue  by  our  Lorde  leiiis 
Chriflc.  The  feconde  is,  that  whereas  wee  bee  frowarde  of  our 
owne  nature,  and  al  that  the  Papifts  terme  by  the  name  of  freewill 
is  but  frenzie,  and  that  howe  great  accompte  Co  euer  men  make 
of  them  felues,  all  is  but  naughtineiTe ,  and  wee  bee  full  of  \7ce 
and  cormption  :  in  fteade  of  beeingfo,our  Lorde  lefus  Chriftgi- 
ueth  vs  the  grace  to  befor\^  for  our  imnes,^  to  labour  to  do  good: 
for  fo  long  as  we  abide  in  our  owne  nature,  euer^^  of  vs  footheth 
and  flattereth  him  felFe  in  his  euill.  But  when  we  haue  once  tafled 
the  ineftimable  loue  of  our  God,  and  perce\aied  what  our  Lorde 
lefus  Chrift  is :  then  v/e  be  fo  touched  by  his  holy  fpirite,  that  wee 
condemne  the  euill,  and  defire  to  drawe  neere  vmto  God,  and  too 
frame  our  felues  to  his  holy  will.  Wee  be  fure  of  that  once,  and* 
although  wee  go  halting ,  yet  doo  v/ee  continually  figh  to  fee  our 
owne  imperfe6lJons  and  infirmities,  and  perceyue  full  well  how  it 
is  the  fpirite  of  God  that  moueth  vs  thervnto,when  our  chiefe  de- 
fire  is  to  forfake  the  rmRilneiTe  that  is  in  vs,and  commeth  of  our 
fiefhe,fo  as  we  wifhe  nothing  elfe  but  that  God  fhould  be  glorified 
in  all  our  lyfe,  and  faythfully  obeyed  in  all  things.  That  is  the  fe- 
conde beneiite  which  our  Lord  lefus  Chrirr  bringeth  vs :  and  they 
be  two  things  knit  togitherby  vnfeparablebande,  fothat  like  as 
the  light  of  the  funne  can  not  be  feparated  from  his  heate :  fo  thefe 
two  graces  (that  is  to  wit  our  righteoufnelTejand  the  remifsion  of 
our  fmnes)  are  vnfeparably  matched  with  our  renewment ,  which 
is  done  by  the  fpirit  of  fan6lification.  Thus  ye  fee  two  graces  in- 
fcparable :  and  lilce  as  when  wc  fay  that  the  Sunne  is  whotjt  ceaf- 
fcth  not  to  (l^ne  alfo,&  yet  notwithftandingthe  light  of  the  funne 
is  not  heate :  fo  when  we  fay  that  wee  be  iuftiHed  by  the  remifsion 
of  our  fmnesjit  is  not  mcnt  that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  doth  thece- 
foorth  fuif  er  him  felfe  too  bee  mocked  and  defpifed,  but  that  wee 
haue  necde  to  be  throughly  clenfed,  fo  as  wee  may  leame  too  re- 
uguncc  die  worldj  aad  qmx  klu^hlQO  the  ende  xq  ftide  vnto  him 
'    * '  vvitb 


the  SpiHjothe^alathians.      loo 

With  tme  obedience.  Howfoeuer  the  worlde  go,the  thing  that  S. 
Paule  fpeaketh  in  this  text,  fhall  alwayes  be  founde  taie,  namely 
that  he  was  crucified  with  lefus  Chrift,  to  Hue  vnto  God.  Then  if 
any  man  accufe  the  Gofpcll  that  it  giueth  hbertie  to  doo  euill  and 
too  (innc :  wee  may  alwayes  anfwere;  howe  fo  <  By  the  lawe  w-e 
bee  alwayes  dead^  for  there  wee  fee  our  owne  curfednelTe  whichc 
will  leaue  vs  difmaydein  difpayre.  But  in  the  Gofpell,  although 
wee  bee  ci-ucified,  that  istoofaye,  althoughe  tliere  bee  a  fpice  of 
death  in  the  Gofpell ,  yet  is  that  death  a  quickening  deathe,  and 
thecauleoflyfe.  For  fo  long  asmenlyuetoo  themfclues,  they 
bee  dead  vnto  God :  they  bee  wretched  carkafTes  full  of  rotten - 
ncflc.  But  when  they  dye  in  them  felues ,  they  l^aie  vntoo  G od. 
And  for  thatcaufe  Sain6l  Paule  in  the  twelfth  too  the  Rom.anes  ^mAlut,\ 
calleth  vs  lyuingfacriiiccs ,  where  hee  telleth  vs  that  wee  muPce 
beetranfformed,  and  vtterly  gyue  ouer  our  owne  reafon  and 
our  owne  wyll,  too  yeelde  God  fuche  fcruice  as  is  meete  for  him 
toohaue.  Ke  faythe.  Offer  vp  your  felues  aslyuing  facrifices. 
So  then,  in  the  Lawe  there  mufte  needes  bee  a  deadly  deathe ,  a 
deathe  that  Icaueth  vs  vtterly  ouerwhelmed  and  funken  euen 
downe  intoo  hell .  But  in  the  Gofpell  there  is  a  quickening 
deathe .  And  why  <  Foi'  wee  bee  cmciiied  w^th  lefus  Chrift,  too 
Jyucv^ntoGod,  thatistoo  faye,  our  olde  man  (as  Sam6l  Paule  (^m,6.(t.j^ 
tenneth  it  in  the  fLXth  too  the  Romanes)  and  that  whiche  wee 
haueofour  owne  nature,  is  doone  awaye,  howebeeit  not  at 
the  firfte  daye ,  but  by  little  and  little.  But  howe  foeuer  the  cacc 
(lande,  wee  fhallperceyuethat  ourLorde  lefus  Chrifte  morti- 
Heth  all  that  was  in  v^s  of  our  owne ,  or  of  the  worlde  j  fo  as  wee 
bee  not  fo  greatly  giuen  too  neftle  heere  bylowe,  bycaufe  wee 
fee  it  is  a  myfc  table  fbtetoo  lyi;e  heere,  and  oure  very  gar  e  is 
too  Rycke  vntoo  God.  Thus  yeefee  howe  wee  may  bee  cru- 
cified with  our  Lorde  lefus  Chiyfte.  But  what  is  mentc  by  that 
cmcifymg :  Verily  it  is  a  certa^ne  k)  nde  of  deathe .  Howebeeit, 
that  deathebryngcth  vstoo  lyfe,  whiche  thing  the  death  whiche 
tlie  Lawe  biingeth  dooth  not.  Ncwe  then  \\-ee  fee  the  veiy  ,in- 
tcntc  of  Saintl  Paule,  and  the  natur^ll  meanyng  of  tliis 
texte.   Therefore  nowe  a  dayes  when  the  eri.r.ieu  of  the  tiiuhe 

I:,iiij.  blafphcme 


Chap.z .  ^Q^  CaLxiij.  Sermon  ypon 

blafpheme  the  Gofpell ,  we  haue  heere  an  anfwere  to  (loppe  tlietr 
mouthes.Andiftheyhokle  on  (lill ,  let  them  barke  lyke  dogges, 
but  they  fhall  not  bee  able  too  byte ,  doo  what  they  can.  See  heere 
what  the  Papiftes  tiufhe  foorth  when  wee  preache  that  men  are 
iuftified  throughe  Gods  free  goodneiTe.  O  (lay  they)  are  they  fo^ 
That  were  the  nexte  waye  to  giue  eueiy  man  the  br^'dle  too  lyne 
after  his  owne  lyking,  and  too  caufe  that  there  mighte  be  no  more 
remorfe  nor  fcruple  of  confcience  ,  fo  as  euery  man  myghte 
haue  leaue  too  doo  what  he  lyfted.  That  is  the  common  blafphe- 
mie  of  the  Papiftes.  Agayne  when  wee  fhewe  them  that  they  can 
not  bynde  vs  by  their  traditions,  and  that  it  is  but  a  tyrannic 
whiche  they  haue  vfurped  in  robbing  God  of  his  righte ,  and  that 
the  libeitie  was  purchafed  for  vs  by  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift ,  to  the 
cndc  that  wee  fhoulde  not  bee  tyde  too  the  things  whiche  men 
woulde  lay  vpon  vs  of  lawe  and  necefsitie  in  matters  concerning 
the  fpirituall  gouemmentofour  foules.  O  (faye  they)  fee  what 
,  comes  of  it :  their  defireis  nothing  elfe  but  too  wallowe  in  all 
plealure ,  and  too  leade  a  loofe  lyfe.  Surely  wee  maye  eafily  an- 
fwere too  all  this.  For  the  do^lrine  that  wee  bring ,  feraeth  not  to 
flirre  vp  mens  luftes,  nor  to  giue  them  too  greate  and  lawlefle  a 
Jibertie :  but  too  the  cleane  contrarie.  But  howfoeuer  the  cace 
ftande,  it  oughte  too  Riffice  vs,  that  if  wee  iTiouIde  abyde  in  the 
quamyre  of  the  Papilles ,  furely  there  woulde  bee  nothyng  but 
deathe  for  vs.  For  were  they  not  too  fafte  afleepe  and  vtterly 
dulled,  vndoubtedly  they  fhoulde  bee  tofled  w\'thfuche  vnqui- 
ctnefle  and  hartebytings,  as  they  iliould  needes  fee  that  that  is  not 
the  thing  wherevpon  wee  mufte  rede.  But  beholde,  they  bee  fo 
rotted  in  their  ignoraunce,  that  they  haue  not  anye  feelyng  of 
Godsiuftice  at  all.  But  as  foroure  partes,  for  asmuchcas  wce^ 
knowe  wee  haue  fuche  a  freedome  purchafed  vs  by  our  Lorde  le- 
fus Chrift,  and  are  fure  of  our  faluation  bicaufe  God  dothe  freely 
forgiueallourfaultes,  anddoo  feele  alreadie  by  the  working  of 
Gods  holy  fpinte,that  he  draweth  vs  to  him,and  are  mortifyed  to 
liue  vnto  him :  Let  vs  go  forwarde  with  a  cheareRill  heart.  And 
althoughe  there  bee  neuer  fo  many  infirmities  in  our  nature ,  yet 
notwithftanding  kt  vsnotdpubt  but  Gad  acceptedh  vs^  for  all 

our- 


.^,1W^,«tt._, 


the  Epifi.  to  the  (jalatmans.       i o  i 

OUf  imperfe6lions.  But  the  Papifts  cannot4iaue  fo  muche  as  one 
good  pui-pofe  to  feme  God,  failing  that  il^ey  be  vtterly  bewitched 
[]to  beleeue  fo]through  vayne  felftrufl.And  why:'For  they  ground 
themfelues  vpon their  owne  merites,  and(to  their  fceming)that  is 
the  meane  to  purchace  grace.  But  now  what  is  it  that  they  can  do  't 
Put  the  cace  that  they  brought  a  hundved  times  more  v/ith  them 
than  they  haue  to  bring,and  that  God  gouerned  them  by  his  holy 
fpiritjfo  as  they  had  fome  manner  of  feeling  of  the  Gofpel;  though 
it  were  but  halfe  a  feehng:yet  fhould  they  come  farre  fhort  of  dif- 
charging  their  dutie,  yea  or  ofthe  hundred  parte  of  it  to  wardes 
God.  But  in  the  meane  feafon,  it  is  well  knowen  that  all  that  euer 
they  do  is  but  pelting  trafhiand  as  for  the  law  of  God,  it  is  nought 
worth  with  them,  and  yet  in  the  meane  while  tliey  bufie  theyr 
heads  about  their  owne  inuentions.  Howbeit  let  vs  flill  put  the 
cace  that  they  indeuored  to  walke  in  the  feare  of  God,  and  that 
they  had  learned  aright  to  do  the  things  that  God  commaundetk 
them  ryet  for  all  that,  they  coulde  not  make  their  boaft  that  they 
were  come  to  the  perfe6lion  of  that  righteoufneffe  which  God  re  - 
quireth  of  vs.  And  when  they  had  tormented  themfelues  neuer  fa 
much,how  fhould  they  be  able  to  feme  God  with  a  cheerelul  cou- 
rage, vnlefTe  they  knew  themfelues  to  be  in  his  fauour,notwithfla- 
ding  that  they  be  fo  blameworthy  before  himc'But  as  for  vs,we  on 
our  fide  are  able  to  ferae  God  witii  a  free  hart,  nouvithftanding 
that  our  conf9iences  findfault  with  vs,  and  we  know  that  there  ara 
many  fmnes  in  vs.  And  whycFor  we  ground  not  ovirfelues  vppon 
our  owne  merites,  but  vpon  Goddes  meere  mercie  :  and  thereby 
we  be  taught,  that  God  receiuethourworkes  though  there  bee 
muche  faultinefle  in  them,  and  that  we  be  in  his  fauoure  although 
there  be  many  vices  and  blemifhes  in  v  s.  And  diat  is  the  caufe  why 
he  faith  by  his  prophet,  that  he  will  accept  the  femis  which  we  do  Mai^^hk^ 
vnto  him,as  afather  accepteth  the  feruis  of  his  child.  Yee  fee  that 
a  child  is  willing  to  obey  his  father:and  when  his  father  fayth  too 
him,do  this-.his  father  taketh  his  doing  in  good  worth,  though  the 
child  know  not  what  he  doth,yea  and  fometimes  though  he  marre 
a  thing,yet  his  father  is  contented  to  lofe  the  thing  when  he  feedi. 
that  the  child  was  willing  and  defirous  to  feme  him.  But  if  a  n-an 


Chap.  2.. 


fo.CaLxiiij.  Sermon  ypon 

take  a  feruant  for  wages,Iiee  will  locke  to  haue  him  do  his  taske. 
And  why :'  For  he  looketh  for  his  wages:  and  a  man  will  not  abide 
to  haue  him  marre  the  worke  that  is  put  into  his  hands  :  yea  and  if 
jt  be  not  w^ell  done,he  wil  not  be  contented  with  it.Now  our  Lord 
fpealdng  of  the  grace  of  the  Gofpell/aythhe  wil  receiue  our  {crai- 
ces/as  a  father  receiueth  tlie  obedience  of  his  child,  though  all  that 
cuer  he  dotli  be  nothing  worth :that  is  to  fay,  he  pafTeth  not  awhit 
for  the  perfection  that  is  in  them,for  he  fhall  find  none  at  all  in  die: 
but  he  bearethwithvsofhisgoodnefle.  Hefheweth  himfeife  fo 
kind  and  freeharted  towards  vs,  that  whatfoeuer  we  do,  he  taketh 
it  in  good  part;although  it  be  not  worthy,  ne  do  defeme  it.  Ye  fee 
then  that  the  way  for  vs  to  haue  a  free  courage  to  feme  God,is  too 
afTure  ourfelues  that  he  blifletli  all  our  works,byc:aufe  that  whatfo- 
euer fpottinelTc  is  inthem,  isclenzed  away  by  the  bloudofourc 
Lordlefus  Chrift,  To  be  iTiort,  whereas  God  fheweth  himfeife 
pitifuU  towards  vs,  and  vfeth  iueftimabJe  mercieilet  vs  vnderfland 
that  he  doth  it  not  to  the  end  that  euery  of  vs  fhould  runne  a  fco- 
terloping,and  take  the  bridle  in  his  teeth,  and  play  the  horfe  that  is 
broke  looce:no  no, but  contrariwife  itis  to  the  end,  that  the  fword 
of  Gods  wordflioulde  ftrike  vs  to  the  hart,  and  make  fuch  a  ferch 
there,  as  we  might  be  rightly  humbled  to  craue  pardon  at  Goddes 
hand.  Not  that  we  fhould  haue  the  hartbitingwhiche  the  Papifts 
haue,  which  would  plucke  vs  backe  and  hinder  vs  from  comming 
vntoGod,makingvs  to  fay, wretched  creature  what  dofl  thou  ^ 
What  canft  thou  tell  whither  God  loue  thee  or  no :'  Let  vs  haue 
no  fach  nippes,  but  letvsbe  fully  refolued  that  God  beholdeth 
vs  with  pitie,and  taketh  our  works  in  good  woorth :  not  for  any 
-defeit  or  worthinelfe  that  he  findeth  in  them ,  but  bycaufe  we  bee 
ioyned  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.Now  therefore  we  fee  u  hat  Saint 
Paule  meant  to  fay.  Alio  we  fee  how  that  do6lrine  ferued  not  for 
that  tyme  only  :  but  that  the  fame  is  as  profitable  and  needefull 
for  vs  at  this  day,  aseuerit  was  [for  any  heeretofore.^Forinaf- 
much  as  Gods  enimiesfi-ght  againftthe  Gofpell,and  fpew  out 
their  bl.fphemies:it  flandeth  vs  on  hand  to  haue  wherewith  to  re- 
f.ft  them  aid  not  only  them,but  aifo  Sat:.n,  who  hath  at  ail  rymes 
had  the  flight  to  make  vs  beleeue  men^  that  they  coulde  liue  of 

tlicmfelues 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jahthians.       \o% 

thcmfelues  and  by  their  owne  dereriiings:but  that  is  but  toIuJle 
vs  adeepe  in  death. And  therefore  let  vs  afllire  ourfelues,  that  it  is 
better  for  vs  to  ^\&  to  the  law,  than  to  liuc  to  it :  that  is  to  fay,  let 
vs  alTure  ourfelues,that  if  God  fliould  enter  into  account  with  vs, 
we  fiiould  be  vtterly  vndone  and  damned.And  being  fo  difmayed, 
let  vs  fuffer  ourfelues  to  be  crucifyed  with  our  Lord  lefas  Chvift  : 
and  fith  we  know  that  he  hath  reconcyled  vs  to  God  his  father  by 
the  facrifife  which  he  offered,  let  vs  alfo  fuffer  ourfelues  to  be  go- 
uemed  by  his  holy  fpirit,  and  to  be  renued  by  him  in  fuch  wife,  as 
being  dead  in  ourfelues  we  may  liue  tmly  vnto  God,  giuing  ouer 
all  ouerweening  of  our  owne  righteoufneffe,  and  fighting  agaynft 
all  the  luftsof  our  flefh  ,  and  withdrawing  ourfelues  from  the 
world. 

And  now  let  vs  cad  ourfelues  downe  before  the  maieftfe  of  our 
good  God  with  acknowledgement  of  our  finnes,  praying  him  too 
make  vs  fo  to  feele  them,as  it  may  be  to  plucke  vs  backe  from  the 
filthineffe  wherein  we  be  plunged,  and  to  ioyne  vs  fo  vnto  oure 
Lord  lefus  Chrift,  as  he  may  draw  vs  to  God  his  father ,  and  mal-ce 
vs  come  ftill  neerer  and  neercr  vnto  him,  till  we  bee  fully  ioyned 
vntoo  him.  And  fo  let  vs  all  fay,  Almightye  God  heaueniy  fa- 
ther. 3cc. 

IThe.xiiij.  Sermon  which  is  the 

€y^t  Iff  on  thefaond  ChapUr. 

io.  So,Iliue:[yeclnotInavve,bucChnft  lyueth  fa 
nic.and  whereas  I  hue  now  in  thcfleih ,  Ilyue 
by  the  faith  of  the  fonncof  GodjVvholouecl  mee 
and  gaiie  himfclfefor  me. 

lu  I  refufe  not  die  grace  of  God  :  forif  ifeghceoufncfTc 
come  by  thelavv^then  Chrift  died  in  vayne. 

We 


1p^ 

w 

1 

Chap.i.  fo.Calxnij.  Sermon  ypon 

E  haue  feene  this  morning  to  what  end  we  be 
ofi-'eredvp  in  Saciifife  vnto  God;  when  oure 
Lordlefus  Chrift  knitteth  vstogither  inhys 
body.  It  is  not  to  the  end e  we  fhould  lye  ftiil 
in  death,  wherein  we  bee  plunged  already  by 
nature  :  but  radier  to  make  vs  partakers  of  the 
heauenly  lyfe.  Nowe  the  Apoftle  hauing  fpo- 
lien  after  that  niannerjmagnifyeth  Gods  grace ,  laying  that  he  hjima 
feifc  hjueth  not  any  moreMit  lefm  ChriH  in  /;/Vwrwhich  is  afmuch  as  if 
3ie  had  fay  d^tliat  all  of  v  s  by  nature  haue  nothing  in  vs  but  curfed- 
x\t{'i'Q,  and  therefore  that  looke  what  good  foeuer  (jrod  beftoweth 
vponvS;itbecommeth  vsto  acknowledge  and  confefle  the  fame 
to  come  ofhim,  and  to  do  him  femis  for  it.  For  faith  bringeth  al- 
wayes  this  humiiitie  with  it,  tliat  men  imbace  themfelues  too  gy'ue 
;:ill  prayfe  vnto  Cjod,  But  by  the  way  it  may  feeme  .ftraunge,  that  a 
faithfuil  man  fnould  boafl  that  lefus  Chrifl  liueth  in  him ,  and  yet 
bemortallftill.Solongas  weliueinthis  world, we  be  flibie(fttoo 
many  infirmities :  and  therefore  this  faying  fhoulde  feeme  to  bee  a 
vayne  fpeculation  orQantafticall  conceit,] that  lefus  Chrifl  liueth 
in  vs.But  S.Paule  bringeth  vs  backe  to  faith, and  telleth  vs  that  al- 
though our  life  be  corruptible  to  outward  apparance,  and  we  fub- 
ie61  to  all  the  aduerfities  of  the  world  :yet  doth  faith  quicken  vs,  fo 
as  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl  ceaffeth  not  to  make  vs  partakers  of  his 
lieauenly  life,yea  and  in  very  deede  we  pofleffe  it,  in  fomuch  as  we 
mufl  no  more  confider  the  ftate  of  the  faithfuil  according  too  that 
which  may  be  iudged  of  it  by  our  naturall  wit,  but  mount  vp  high- 
er.For  the  life  which  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl  imparteth  vnto  vs,is  a 
hidden  treafure  which  we  attaine  not  too  but  by  faith  which  moun- 
teth  aboue  the  whole  world.  Now  it  behoueth  vs  to  hope  for  the 
things  which  we  fee  not,and  which  are  hidden  from  vs:and  God  is 
then  highly  honored  of  vs,  when  we  make  fuche  account  of  hys 
wordc  and  promifes,  as  that  all  the  thinges  whiche  we  fee  in  the 
worlde,  cannot  hold  vs  backe  from  feeking  him  continually ,  and 
from  going  to  him,  and  from  imploying  all  our  wits  about  hym. 
Now  then,  firfl  we  haue  to  gather  vpon  this  text,  that  a  man  hathe 
neuer profited  well  in  the  Gofpell,till  he  father  all  his  welfare  vp- 

pon 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.      lo^' 

poft  6ur  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  For  if  we  referue  neuer  fo  little  to  our 
felues^we  be  vnthaniifull  to  God  out  of  hand:  and  his  grace  cannot 
be  darkned  by  vs,but  that  we  be  bereft  of  it  as  we  are  woithy.  And 
therein  it  appeereth,  that  all  fuch  as  truft  in  their  owne  merits,  are 
ftili  full  of  pride,and  as  it  were  mortall  enimies  to  Gods  glory  .It  is 
true  that  they  will  not  profeffe  it  with  their  mouthes :  but  yet  for 
all  that,the  hypocrites  which  hope  to  be  righteous  by  their  owne 
worthinelTe^do  decke  themielues  with  Gods  fethers.  Humilitie  is 
the  principall  vertue  among  all  others.  For  what  are  all  their  me- 
ritesc'Contrariwife.when  the  faithfull  humble  themfelues,  it  is  not 
to  puixhace  grace  in  Gods  fight  as  though  they  were  worthy  of  it: 
but  to  confefle  as  truth  is,  that  they  haue  not  aught  whereof  too 
boaft,  but  muft  receiue  all  things  of  Gods  meere  liberalitie.  At 
leaftwife  it  ferueth  to  make  vs  acknowledge  how  greatly  wee  bee 
bound  vnto  him,  feing  he  hath  fhewed  himfeif  fo  kind  towards  vs, 
as  to  fpare  nothing  from  vs.That  therefore  is  tlie  thing  that  Sain6l 
Paule  fheweth  vs  heere.And  it  behoueth  vs  to  wey  well  the  fecond 
point  where  he  iaith,^^.^/  TCl^e  hue  in  the  flefh,  ho'^beit  by  the  faith  of 
our  Lord  lefus  ChriJl.This  word  liue  in  thcflejh,  doth  in  this  text  fig- 
nifie  as  much  as  to  be  a  wayfarer  heere  vpon  earth,  and  too  pafTe 
through  this  tranfitorie  \i^q.  For  when  he  fpcakethof  liuing  in  the  ^m.Z.CA"^ 
fiefliin  the  eight  to  the  Romanes,  he  meeneth  to  be  giuen  to  wic- 
ked lufl:s,as  they  be  which  haue  no  feare  of  God^  who  giue  them- 
felues  to  do  what  they  lift.  Therefore  fucheas  follow  their  owne 
fwindge  like  brute  beafl:s,do  Hue  in  the  flefh.  But  in  this  place  faint 
Paule  compareth  this  outward  life  with  the  heauenly  life  which  we 
pofTeffe  by  faith.For  hovv^  fhal  a  man  put  a  difference  betwecne  the 
faithfulIandthefaithlefTec'Aswell  the  one  fort  as  the  other  do 
eate  and  drinke.Surely  the  faithfull  do  eate  and  drinke  foberly.Vea 
and  ye  fhall  fee  of  the  faithlelTe  fort  very  well  flayed,  and  not  g^'- 
uentoany  drunkenneffe  or  cxcefTe.  Buthowfoeuerthey  fare,  a 
man  would  deeme  at  the  firft  fi^ht,  that  this  life  is  common  to  all 
men.NeuerthelefTe^the  faithfull  do  oftentimes  drag  their  wmgs  af- 
ter theiri,and  nothing  eli'e  but  droope  in  this  world,and  finally  dye 
as  well  as  all  other  men.  Then  i^  a  man  looke  but  vppon  the  out- 
ward ihew,  there  i^  no  diuerfitie  betwixt  them.To  be  fhort ,  a  maa 


n;i^ 


cbap.z.  fo.CaLxwj./ermonyfpon 

might  fay  it  is  but  loft  labour  to  bekeuc  in  lefus  Chrift.For  we  rc- 
ceiue  not  heere  the  reward  of  our  faitli :  and  although  God  call  vs 
to  a  further  thing,yet  haue  we  all  one  common  and  like  life,  in  re- 
fpe6l  that  all  of  vs  muft  come  to  death.How  then  doth  lefus  Chrift 
Hue  in  vsc'For  his  liuing  is  hidden.  S.Paule  bringeth  vs  backe  vnto 
faith.  Now  remayneth  to  jmow  what  the  nature  of  faith  is:It  is  to 
behold  the  things  that  are  incomprehenfible  to  our  fenfes-.to  for- 
fake  the  worlde^and  to  feeke  the  kingdome  of  God :  and  to  holde 
ourfelues  to  the  pure  &rimple  word  that  proceedeth  out  of  Gods 
mouth,  without  refpecl  of  any  thing  that  we  canperceiue  heere.  If 
we  haue  not  this  groundworke,v/e  (hall  neuer  vnderftand  what  S. 
Paule  telleth  vs  in  this  text.  For  when  men  haue  red  it  a  hundred 
times,  yet /hall  they  not  know  what  difference  there  is  betweene 
liuing  m  the  flefh,  and  liuing  in  the  faith  of  our  Lord  fefus  Chryft. 
Then  is  there  an  outward  ftate.in  refpecl  whereof  S.  Paule  dodie 
(vnder  that  faying)comprehend  all  things  that  conceme  this  tran- 
sitory life.  There  is  alfo  an  inward  ftate  whiche  is  hidden  from  vs, 
that  is  to  wit, the  ftate  which  is  promifed  vs,and  which  we  wait  for 
{^by  hope.]  For  the  outward  man  muft  needes  be  defaced,and  de- 
cay by  little  and  little,til  it  be  vtterly  done  away  .According  wher- 

S^fa  iO'\a<  vnto,although  it  be  promifed  to  Gods  children  that  God  wil  giue 
them  new  liuelinefTe,  and  make  them  as  it  were  to  caft  their  fe-^ 
thers:yet  notwithftanding  ye  fhall  diuers  times  fee  them  fo  difea- 
fed  as  it  is  pitie,  and  the  ftrongeft  men  of  the  world  waxe  old  and 
come  to  death.  Seeing  it  is  fo  :  what  preferment  haue  they  aboue 
the  vnbeleeuers:'[^Great:]howbeit  that  the  fame  cannot  be  per- 
ceiued  by  eyfight.For  v/e  haue  an  inv/ard  man  whiche  lies  hidden 
within  vs  :and  what  ment  Sain6l  Paule  by  that  c'  he  ment  that  God 
worketh  in  fuch  wife  in  vs  by  his  holy  fpirit,  as  we  be  always  aflii- 
jed  of  the  heauenly  life  that  is  prepared  for  vs,  and  that  although 
1  ^^'^  do  but  glide  away  here  below,  and  be  as  ftraungers,yet  there  is 

^ '  ^   *^*  '  an  euerlafting  heritage  which  canot  fayle  vs.  According  as  the  out^ 

^'^'  ward  man  decayeth(faith  S.Paule)fo  the  inward  man  renueth.  For 

the  more  that  the  faithfull  fee  themfelues  decay,the  more  are  they 

warned  and  prouoked  to  looke  vpward.For  we  know  that  fuch  as 

.are  ftiong  and  luftj^^do  befot  and  forget  themfelues^  and  therefore 

""■  our 


the  Epift.tothe  (jalathians.      lo^ 

our  Lorae  is  faine  to  tanie  vs  in  fuch  wife,  as  we  may  rcnue  by  de- 
caying:! lay  in  fuch  wife  as  we  may  bc(as  ye  wold  fay)new  caft  in  a 
mould  again,  to  the  end  that  die  hope  of  the  heaueniy  JiCc  may  be 
ftabliftied  in  vs,  and  we  haue  our  fight  cleeredto  behold  the  thyng 
which  otherwife  would  be  wrapped  vp  fro  vs.Marke  how  gold  and 
filuer  do  greatly  wift  when  men  make  them  to  palTe  the  furnace. 
Whe  it  is  caft  into  the  fire,it  is  a  great  maffe  of  metall  •.  but  whe  it 
is  take  out  again,ther  is  but  a  fmall  quantitie  of  it.And  yet  the  gold 
(if  it  were  not  fo  fined) would  neuer  ferue  to  any  purpofe,no  more 
would  filuer  nother.  Euen  fo  is  it  with  vsiwe  could  neuer  be  renu- 
ed  to  come  to  the  kingdome  of  heauen.excepr  we  dyed  firft.  VVe^ 
muil:  euergo  forward  to  that  vtter  defacement,  and  nor  reft  by  the 
way  vpon  any  thing  that  we  fee  with  our  eyes.  For  this  earthly  life 
IS  but  a  iliadow,and  afmoke  that  flideth  and  vanifheth  away:&  yet 
neuertheleffe  we  be  renued  thereby  within.  Not  that  all  men  haue 
that  benefit :  For  the  faithlefle  do  well  ynough  finde  their  owne 
weaknefTe^and  are  inforcedto  feele  the  fummonings  of  death/pe^ 
dally  when  diey  be  gro wen  old,  for  then  they  percei\ie  that  any 
little  blaft  is  ynough  to  caft  the  downe:and  therevpon  they  fail  to* 
ftomiing,  and  could  find  in  their  harts  to  fall  out  with  God  &  na- 
turcHowfoeuer  tlie  world  go,  though  they  rotte,yet  are  they  nor 
renued.  For  one  grameofcome  may  well  rotte,  and  yet  not  take  ^oh}i,t2»(k>- 
roote  to  fpring  againe  and  to  bring  foorth  fmte  :and  another  grain     24. 
(hal  rot  likewife,hovvbeitfor  afmuch  as  it  is  in  good  earth,  &  hathe 
take  roote,it  will  bring  foorth  fmte  in  feafonable  time.  So  the  the 
faithful  come  to  decay,and  therewithal  are  renued  and  gather  new 
force:and  whyc'For  diey  rot  in  this  world^to  the  end  to  be  reftored 
and  renued  againe  in  the  heauely  heritage  .The  faithlefle  alfo  do  go 
away  to, they  rot  likewife,they  flip  afide,5c  they  vanifli  quite  away: 
but  they  haue  no  vauntage  by  it,  bycaufe  they  be  not  relioredto  e  - 
ternall  life.So  then  let  vs  marke  wcllpthat  whereas  S.Paul  fayth  ws 
liue  by  the  faith  of  lefus  Chiifttit  is  to  walce  vs  fo  as  nothing  in  the 
world  may  keepe  vs  from  reftin^  cotinually  vpon  Gods  promifes^ 
VVhen  we  looke  vpon  al  the  things  that  are  about  vs,there  is  no- 
thing  but  death.But  what  for  tharc'Cjod  hath  giue  vs  his  word,th:t 
Icing  dead  in  our  own  nature^  we  haue  our  life-elfe\vher^^n^imely  i:% 

0Uff 


Chap.i,  ^o.CaLxiiij./ermonypon 

our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  in  afmuch  as  he  was  purpofely  fent  to  brings 
vs  from  death  to  hfe.Seing  then  that  we  haue  that  prorufe  of  god, 
ye  fee  how  he  may  be  honored  at  our  hands.  And  for  afmuch  as 
the  cace  flandeth  fo,that  only  faying  ought  to  fuffife  vs.  And  if  wee 
UhtJAJA'}  ^ct:le  and  refolue  ourfelues  fully  therevpon:it  is  a  token  that  we  fet 
our  handes  to  Gods  truth  as  faithfuU  w  itneffes  thereof,  as  fayeth 
Sain6l  lohn.  Contrariwife  when  we  doubt  or  be  in  a  mamering, 
then  harh  Gods  word  no  authoritie  nor  reuerence  among  vs.  For 
if  we  looke  no  further  than  to  the  things  that  are  before  vs,  and 
to  the  things  that  are  neare  at  hand  :  we  cannot  acknowldge  that 
God  is  faithful  1,  and  that  the  things  which  God  hath  vttered  wry'th 
his  owne  mouth  are  vnfallible.  Moreouer,in  fo  doing  we  tume  a- 
way  from  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl,  who  notwithftading  is  the  pledge 
of  all  that  is  contemed  in  Gods  word.  Seeing  we  haue  the  worde, 
^eUAO  c  12  ^^^  "^^^  "^  more  aske  (as  Mofes  faith)  who  (hall  climb  vp  abouc 
^0  io  a  6  ^^^  Cloudesc'or  who  /hall  go  downe  into  the  deepe  c'  or  who  (hall 
*  *  '  go  ouer  the  Sea  C'  The  word  (fayth  he)  is  in  thy  mouth,  and  in  thy 
hart:and  we  muft  content  ourfelues  with  it.  And  moreouer  feeing 
that  we  haue  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift' for  a  larger  confirmation  ;  we 
know  that  he  went  downe  into  the  hells,  that  is  to  faye ,  bare  the 
curfe  that  was  due  to  vs  for  our  (innes,and  anfwered  as  our  pledge 
and  furetie  before  the  judgement  feate  of  his  father: and  afterward 
went  vp  into  he  auen,  and  in  our  behalfe  tooke  poflefsion  of  the 
heritage  that  he  had  purchaced  for  vs.For  he  was  exalted  vp  in  our 
flefh  and  nature.  Seeing  that  we  haue  fuch  an  affurance ,  muft  wee 
not  needes  be  tootoo  wretched,  if  we  cannot  held  ourfelues  too 
r  Ad  i^^^^g^V"^?  ^^^^  matter  willeth  vs  to  looke  ftill  backe  to  that  whych 
*  jj  *  hath  bin  faid :  namely, that  we  hope,not  for  thinges  that  are  open 
andmanifeft,  but  for  the  thinges  that  are  vnknowen  to  worldly 
perceiuerance.  Then  fith  it  is  fo,let  vs  leame  to  Hue  by  the  faith  of 
lefus  Chrift:that  is  to  (ay,  aldieugh  we  be  miferable  in  this  worlde 
and  be  faine  to  indure  neuer  fo  many  hartbitings ,  gi'eefes ,  angui- 
(hcs,troubles,  and  diftrelTes  :  yet  notwithftanding  let  vs  continue 
in  this  conftancie,  of  beieeuing  that  there  is  nothing  but  fingular 
happinefle  in  all  our  miferies,  bycaufe  God  blifleth  and  halloweth 
4hem  for  our  Lord  Jcfus  Chriib  fake,  and  all  is  turned  tg  our  helpe 


theEpi^.tothe(^alathians.      105 

and  welfare  as  it  is  faid  in  rhc.viij.to  the  Rom.Therfore  as  wc  haue  (2^.S.f  .27. 
feene  in  another  text,<3od  muil  vtter  the  perfedlnefle  of  his  ftregth  2.Co.\i.(.^ 
in  our  wcaJvcnefle,  and  wc  futfer  him  to  make  vs  to  {loupe,in  fuch 
fort  as  this  world  may  liot  keepe  vs  backe  from  hauing  the  promi- 
fes  of  the  Gofpell  throughly  printed  in  our  heartes^nor  hinder  vs  to 
be  glad  and  cheer  full  in  the  mids  of  our  miferies  and  affli6lions,nor 
boldly  too  difpyze  all  the  flaunderings  and  mockages  of  the  fayth- 
leflcpwhen  they  offer  vs  reproch,faying:GodeS;you  filly  wretches, 
thinke  your  felues  to  be  princes  when  you  beleeue  the  Gofp'ell.Bac 
alack poore  foules, where  is  the  ioy  and  happinefie  which  you  fay  is 
promifed  you  of  God: Where  is  the  ineftimable  benefit  which  yoa 
make  fo  great  account  ofcTor  ye  haue  no  more  than  thofe  wh5  you 
call  Gods  cnimies,reprobates,  and  curfed  kaytifs.  But  (as  I  fayde) 
all  this  geere  muft  not  thruft  vs  out  of  the  way :  for  wc  muft  come 
backe  vntoo  fayth.  Although  then  that  heere  beneath  we  perceiue 
not  the  things  that  are  promifed  vs  in  the  Gofpell:  yet  let  vs  affure 
our  felues  of  them  out  of  all  doubt.  For(as  fayth  S.Paule)our  life  is 
hidden,  and  the  time  of  the  difcouerie  thereof  is  not  yet  come.  And  rQf  9  ^3 
where  is  our  life  but  in  our  Lorde  lefus  ChriftrNow  the  kingdomc 
of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  is  apparant  inough:howbeeit,  that  is  but  ia 
parf.we  haue  but  a  taft  of  if.and  things  are  fo  troubled  &  difordered 
in  this  world,  that  if  we  will  iudge  of  our  fahiation  by  the  outwarde 
apparance,what  would  become  of  it  C'  Therfore  let  vs  fuffcr  our  life 
to  be  hkl  till  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl  come,and  then  fhall  we  perceiue 
tliat  we  haue  not  bin  beguiled  in  putting  our  truft  in  him,and  in  ad- 
mitting the  do^lrine  of  his  Gofpell.  Vee  fee  then  after  whatmancr 
we  muft  liue  by  fayth  :  that  is  to  fay,  wee  muft  not  be  fo  nyce  as  ta 
feeke  a  quiet  life  heere,  and  too  haue  all  our  commodities  and  cafe 
here.  For  in  fo  doing  we  ftiould  forgo  the  thing  that  God  hath  pro- 
mifed vs,we  (houlde  forget  h  im,  and  it  woulde  be  an  vtter  deftruc- 
tion  of  our  fayth.  But  let  vs  take  the  myrrour  of  Gods  worde ,  and- 
there  lookevpon  the  things  that  furmount  all  our  wit^  and  arc  fet 
far  out  of  this  world,and  are  vtterly  inuifible  :  and  let  vs  lift  vp  our 
eies  thither,not  fo  far  forth  as  our  own  reafon  &  skill  fhalbe  able  to 
guide  vs,(for  that  is  not  inough)but  fo  as  we  may  climbe  aboue  the 
world^and  forlkke  the  prefeht  things^to  the  end  to  holde  our  felues 


e« 


Chap,  a;  y^.  Cal.  xtiij.  Sermon  ypon 

fail  in  G  ods  promifcs,  and  to  be  pacient  in  all  affli£Hons  and  mid 
ries  wherby  we  dial  be  exercized, and  againft  which  we  ir.uft  be  fain 
to  fight, till  we  receyuc  the  frute  of  our  vidorie,whe  we  be  coueyed 
vp  into  the  reft  oflieauen.Thusye  fee  what  hauc  we  to  gather  vpdn 
this  faying  of  S.Paul  c,  which  might  feme  darke  at  tlie  firft  fight :  but 
whe  we  haue  on  the  one  fide  marked  wel  what  our  ftate  is  while  wc 
bee  in  this  worlde ,  and  on  the  other  fide  confldered  what  the  na- 
ture of  fayth  is,  we  fhall  eafily  perceyue  that  there  is  nodarkneflc 
at  all  in  it.  And  now  Saint  Paule  addeth  expreflely,  tba  t  Itfui  Chn[l 
loued  him,  andgaue  bimfelfe  to  the  death  for  him.  This  is  an  cxpofition 
of  that  which  we  fawe  erewhiles.  For  men  do  oftentimes  mifcon- 
fter  the  woorde  Vaytb ,  bycaufe  they  confider  not  what  the  pithe  of 
of  it  is.  And  in  deede  cuerie  man  will  bee  called  faythfull,  and  yet 
cuen  among  thofe  that  make  profefsion  of  Chriftianiiie  ,  yee  fhall 
fcarce  finde  one  of  a  hundred  that  hathe  To  muche  as  one  droppc 
of  fayth.  For  (as  I  fayde  afore )  it  is  neuer  fought  what  is  ment 
byfayth.  The  worde  is  vcrie  fhort ,  butitdrawetha  long  tayle  af- 
ter it,  as  wee  fee  by  the  addition  that  is  fet  downe  heere.  For  Saint 
Paule  declareth  that  hee  liueth  by  fayth ,  bycaufe  lelus  Chrift  had 
louedhim,  and  deliueredhimfelfe  to  death  forhim.As  much  muft 
we  do.  For  inafmuch  as  wee  fee  that  the  Sonne  of  God,  the  Lord© 
of  giorie,  the  heade  of  the  Angels ,  hee  by  whome  all  things  were 
made,  and  by  whome  all  things  are  ftill  mainteyned,  yeeldeth  him- 
felfe  to  death,  yea  and  too  fo  vile  a  death,  that  hee  tooke  our  curfe 
%>cu,2i4.2^  vpponhim,  and  not  on ely  was  hanged  vpon  a  GrofTe,  which  was 
an  yrkfome  thing  to  all  the  worlde, but  alfo  was  pronounced  accur- 
fed  by  Gods  owne  mouth :  feeing  (fay  I)  that  wee  haue  fuch  a  price 
to  raunfome  vs  from  death,and  too  purchafe  vs  life  and  faluation  : 
haue  we  not  caufe  (i(wc  thinke  well  vppon  it)  to  ouerleape  all  the 
lettes  that  Satan  can  caft  in  our  wayes  to  make  vs  tui  ne  head  or  to 
retyre  backe,  that  wee  might  not  continue  in  the  certaintie  of  out 
fayth ^  Surely  the  vi6torie  will  bee  eafie  ynough  for  vs  agaynft  all 
temptations,  if  we  can  confider  of  what  value  the  death  and  pafsi- 
on  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chnft  is,  and  what  it  importeth.  So  then  5. 
Paule  armetli  vs  hccre,too  the  ende  wee  mi<;ht  holde  out  wythin- 
uincible  conftanciejagaynit  all  the  ftoppes  that  Satan  iaboureth  too 

lay 


the  EpiH.  to  the  ^alathians.     i  o  6 

lay  afore  vs,  to  Hinder  vs  from  keeping  on  our  courfe.  WHen  the 

faythfull  are  pinched  with  hunger  or  thiril,  they  be  e  troubled  with 

looking  heere  and  there  for  the  promife  that  they  fhall  beheyres 

of  the  worlde,  and  in  the  meanc  while  do  well  neare  ftarue  for  fa* 

min  and  pcnurie.  But  if  they  looke  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifl,  that 

"V^iW  difpatche  them  of  all  their  trouble ,  and  fweeten  all  the  bitter- 

nefle  that  might  haueplit  the  promifes  of  faluation  out  of  taft  with 

them.  Therefore  whenfocuer  the  faythfull  are  in  any  pcrill,  or  bee 

pcrfecuted,  fo  as  they  haue  many  wrongs  and  iniuries  done  them, 

and  yet  are  not  fnccoured  of  all  that  while  :  they  might  thinkc  tlius  ^^q  i-Jjt 

with  themfelues :  VVhere  is  God  <  Hee  hath  promifed  to  dwell  in  ffaii'y  ^  Q 

vSpto  kecpc  vs  as  the  Apple  of  his  eie,  and  to  be  our  fheeld  and  for- 

trefTe :  and  yet  in  the  meane  while  wee  bee  caft  vp  too  the  fpoyle^ 

wherefore  it  is  certain e  that  we  fhall  be  vndone  at  euery  blow.  But 

when  we  come  to  the  deatli  and  pafsion  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift, 

wee  muft  conclude  that  the  Sonne  of  God  was  not  offered  vp  in 

vaine.  Seeing  then  that  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  fpared  not  himfelf, 

but  abaced  himfelfc  fo  farreastoo  fufFcr  fo  flaunderous,  yea  and 

curfcd  a  death ,  and  afterwarde  alfo  the  paynes  of  Hell,  howbeeit 

but  for  a  while,too  the  ende  too  fet  vs  free  and  cleare,and  too  pur- 

chace  vs  grace  before  the  ludgement  feate  of  God  his  father  :{houid 

that  dooing  of  his  bee  vnauaylable  c*  Is  it  pofsiblc  that  it  fhoulde 

t>ee  c'  No :  For  if  Heauen  and  earth  were  turned  vpfyde  downe, 

it  were  not  fo  great  a  confuficn  ,  as  too  imagine  that  the  Sonne  of 

God  hathfuifered  in  vaine.    Then  fee  wee  nowe  why  Saint  Paule 

teilethvs  that  hee  lined  by  fayth.  For  it  behouethvsto  be  fettled 

Vppon  the  death  and  pafsion  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift ,  afluring 

our  fe  lues  that  it  is  able  ynough  too  drawe  vs  out  of  the  dungeons 

©fdeath. 

And  furthermore  it  behoucth  vs  too  lookc  vppon  our  Lord  e  le- 
fiiS  Chrift,  not  onely  as  deade  in  the  infirmitie  of  his  fleftie,  but  alfo 
as  r^'zen  againe  thi'oughhis  diuine  and  heauenly  power,  as  is  faide 
of  him  in  anodier  Text.  And  therefore  when  there  is  any  fpeaking  A?^«i-'^*  4 
of  the  death  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  it  ftandeth  vs  on  hande  too 
confider  what  the  fame  importedi :  that  is  too  wit,that  it  is  a  facr)'- 
£cc  to  make  an  attonement  of  Recociliation  betwenc  God  dc  man> 


Chap.  i.  ^Q^  CaL  xiiij.  Sermon  ypo?t 

an  obedience  too  couer  all  the  naughtineffe  that  is  in  vs,  anda  wa*. 
filing  too  fcoure  away  all  our  Amclennefle  and  filthineffe.  For  aC- 
much  then  as  wee  knowe  that  there  is  fuch  power  in  the  death  and 
pafsion  of  the  Tonne  of  God ,  and  that  there  vpon  wee  marclie  fur^ 
c  ther,  that  is  to  wit,  too  the  glorie  wherevntoo  it  leadeth  vs  •.  let  vz 
not  any  more  imagine,that  man  ought  hereafter  to  continue  flill  in 
hys  owne  nature  ,  but  that  hee  ought  too  iiue  inthefayth  of  the 
Gofpell,  alTuring  himfelfe  that  he  fhall  not  be  difappoynted  in  re- 
fting  vppon  the  promifes  that  are  conteyned  there.  Thus  ye  fee  in 
€ffe<^  wherevnto  we  fhould  referre  this  faying,  where  Saint  Pauie 
telleth  vs  expreflely,  that  the  Sonne  of  God  gaue  himfelfe.  And 
heecontenteth  not  himfelfe  too  fay,  that  Chriflgaue  himfelfe  for 
the  worlde  in  common,  for  that  had  bin  but  a  (lender  faying :  but 
|[fheweththat]euerieofvs  muft  applie  too  himfelfe  particularly, 
the  vertue  of  the  death  and  paf^on  ofoure  Lordelefus  Chrift. 
V^hereas  it  is  fayde  that  the  Sonne  of  God  was  crucified,  we  muft 
not  onely  thinke  that  the  fame  was  done  for  the  Redemption  of 
the  worlde  :  but  alfo  euerie  of  vs  muftonhisowne  behaifeioyne 
himfelfe  tpo  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  and  conclude,It  is  for  me  that 
hee  hath  fufFered .  Likewife  when  wee  bee  baptized ,  as  it  is  not 
for  any  one  man  alone,fo  is  not  the  water  fprinckled  vppon  all  men 
in  common :  but  euerie  man  is  babtized  feue rally  in  his  owne  be- 
halfe,  too  the  ende  that  euerie  of  vs  may  applie  it  particularly  too 
himfelfe,  too  faye  that  wee  bee  ail  membersof  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chrift.  Alfo  when  wee  receyue  the  holy  Supper,  euery  man  ta* 
keth  his  owne  portion,  too  fhewe  vs  that  oure  Lorde  lefus  Chrift 
is  communicated  vntoo  vs,  yea  euen  to  euerie  one  ofvs^  S.Paule 
therefore  dooth  purjiofely  vfe  that  maner  of  fpeech ,  too  the  ende 
wee  fhoulde  not  hauc  any  colde  imagination,  after  the  maner  of  di-» 
uerfe  ignorant  perfons,  which  take  themfelues  too  be e  Chriftians, 
and  yet  in  the  meane  while  are  as  wretched  bcaftes.  But  wb^M^^ 
once  knowe  that  the  thing  which  was  done  for  the  redemption  of 
the  whole  worlde,perteyneth  to  euery  of  vs  feuerally :  it  behouetb 
euery  of  vs  to  fay  alfo  on  his  owne  behalf e,Thc  fonne  of  God  hatb 
loued  me  fo  deerly,  that  he  hath  giuen  himfeif  to  death  for  me.Fur-* 
tbermore  the  worde  Loue  is  not  fuperfluous  here :  for  Saint  Pauley 

intent 


the  EptH.to  the  Qalathians.       107 

.fntcnt  is  too  magnifie  the  gracious  goodneffe  of  our  Lordc  Icfus 
Oirift :  as  if  he  (houlde  fay,  that  we  be  vcrie  wretches  if  we  accept 
■ot  fuch  a  bcnefitc  when  it  is  offered  vs/ceing  that  God  in  fending 
vs  his  fonne,  had  none  other  rcfpe<ft  but  to  our  miferies  which  hce 
^intended  too  relieuc.Alfoour  Lord  lefus  Chrifl  did  fo  negleft  him- 
felfe,  that  he  fpared  not  his  life  for  our  wel  fare.  And  what  was  the 
caufe  of  it  C'  The  loue  that  he  bare  vs.  Seeing  it  is  fo :  muft  wee  not 
needes  be  worfe  than  out  of  our  wittes,if  we  accept  not  fuch  a  be- 
nefite:'  But  it  is  a  verie  common  do£lrinc  in  the  holy  Scripture,that  j^^  \l\K 
God  fo  loucd  the  worlde,  that  hee  fpared  not  his  oncly  fonne,  but 
gaue  him  too  death  for  vs  :  and  alfo  that  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifl ,  at 
iuch  time  as  wee  were  his  deadly  enimies  as  fayth  iSaintPaule,did  ^0^^^^^^  » 
cx)nfirme  a  maruellous  loue  towardes  vs,in  that  he  offered  himfelf 
in  facrifice  to  make  attonement  betweene  God  and  vs,  and  too  doo 
\  away  all  our  fmncsjfo  as  they  might  no  more  come  to  account.  Lo 
heerc  a  warrant  of  our  faluation,  fo  as  wee  ought  to  thinkc  our  fcl- 
ues  throughly  afTured  of  it.  Howbeit  S.Paule  mem  purpofely  here, 
.  too  rtbuke  mens  vnthankefulncffe,  in  that  they  accept  not  the  be- 
j^.nef5te  which  God  graunteth  them  fo  bountifully,  yea  andof  hys 
,  owne  free  goodnefte.   For  it  behoucth  vs  too  call  to  minde,  howe     .  ,        , 
Saint  lohn  in  his  Canonicall  Epiftle  fayeth,  that  we  loued  not  God  **  ^    *^'** 
firft :  {as  if  hee  fhouldc  fayc ,  wee  did  not  preuent  him ,  as  thofe       ^^* 
.  thinke  they  doo  which  fay,  1  haue  done  him  fuche  feruice  and  fuch. 
-  For  a]as  what  is  it  that  wee  can  ^o  too  him  1 )  but  that  h  e  loue  d  vs,         ' '    ' 
.,  fyea  cuenj  at  fuch  time  as  we  were  his  deadly  enimies,  )  and  canrje 
,euenthentofeekevsout  in  the  verie  deepeft  of  thebottomleffe 
.  £)ungeons.    And  therevppon  Saint  Paule  addeth,  that  hee  dooth  not 
iiJpi^KS  or  ^ke  off  the  grace  of  God,  Thi§  Js  the  knitting  vppe  of 
the  things  that  wee  haue  liythertoo  feene.  For  heere  he  ment  too 
^,rhewe,  that  th^  Diuell  muft  needes  poficfT^  thofe  that  make  none 
j^ccounte  of  Gods  .mercie,that  is  vttcred.in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift^ 
^d  day ly  offered  vs  in  his  Gofpell.  For  looke  hpwe  oft  the  death 
and  pafsion  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  is  preached  vntoo  vs^  and  tlie 
jnfinire  goqdncffe.of  our  God  talked  of :  (o  oft  is  this  nieffa'ge  r?- 
nued  vntoo  vs,  that  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  calleth  vs  vntoo  hym, 
.to  the  ende  we  fhould.forfdie  the  worlde  and  being  out  of  all  hope 

-  O.lij.     -     ^    -      '-  ID 


Chap.*.  fo.CaLxiiij.Sermonypon 

'  '  in  our  felueSjfaflen  and  fettle  our  whole  truft  in  }iim.Sith  it  is  To  t  it 
is  good  rcafon  that  wc  fhould  not  re ie 61  the  grace  of  God.  And  S, 
Pauleinfayingfo,mcnttocallbackefuche  as  had  gone  aflraybe* 
fore,  and  too  (hewc  them  the  way,  as  if  he  had  fayde ,  whereas  the 
poorc  ignorant  foules  tliat  ncuer  heard  wordcof  the  Gofpel  might 
be  excuzed:  we  niuft  ncedes  be  worfe  than  damnable,feeing  wc  re- 
fiize  the  grace  of  God  when  it  ^s  offered  vs :  for  it  fmelleth  offuch 
an  vnthankefulnelTe,  as  can  by  no  meanes  be  ckcufed.  Saint  Paule 
therefore  dooth  heere  make  mention  of  thofe  whome  our  Lords 
Icfus  Chrift  calleth  too  the  hope  of  faluation  by  his  Gofpell ,  and 
yet  doo  ftill  welter  in  their  owne  wretchedncfle,  and  become  bru- 
tifhe,not  knowing  whither  there  bee  a  better  lyfc  or  no  :  or  eife  of 
fuche  as  are  fufficiently  tormented  wyth  inwardc  heart byting,  and 
yet  feckc  no  rcmedie  nor  cofort.  Yet  notwithftanding,all  they  too 
whome  ourLorde  lefus  Chrift  hath  not  preached  his  Gofpeli,(hali 
not  fayle  to  periihe  without  mercic ,  They  cannot  defendc  them- 
felues  by  ignorance  :  I  fay  that  all  the  heathen  folke  and  Idolaters 
that  euer  werCpmufthaue  their  mouthes  ftoppcd.Artd'what  (hal  be- 
come of  vs  then,  which  haue  had  our  eares  beaten  dayly  vi'ith  the 
meflage  that  God  fendeth  vs  :  which  is  that  hee  reqiiiref  h  notFitig 
but  that  we  fhould  be  drawne  vnto  him^whereynto  he  incouragedi, 
yea  andbefeechetli  vs,as  wchauefeene 'in  the  recbnd  tVthe  Cbrin- 
a.Cor.5.  d.  thians^  Is  it  not  a  great  fhame  for  irSyilizt  God  (hould  fo  farre  ahace 
20 ,        himfelfe  in  the  perfonof  hisonely  fonhe/that  he.fhoald  befeeeh'v$^ 
Let  ys  fallto  attortcrnent,fayth  he.  And  what  hath  he  done'onhys 
;'fide^  What  hath  hee  off  ended.  vsC'  Nay  cbntr^rf  wife;  i\'ee'  ceafre 
not  to  prouoke  him  dayly  agaynft  vs ,  and'yethc  conimeth  tb^o  lay 
vnto  vSjI  will  fall  too  attonement  withYou,  Vvhcr^aS  not<vithftaft- 
[  ding  there  is  nothing  butfpiteFillneffe  ixi  vs,^^c  be Jike  little  feencjs, 
'jind  tpbe  fhort,  we  bee  lidnned  dnd  FQr!biVii;'an^yet  ciomm'eth  he 
"  to  feeke  v'htovs,ari4d'^^^^^^K^<>'^f*i%hiiiihb]iap^ 
[  made.  After  that  maner  fpeaketh  Saint  Paule  vv^cord^^Tor  wbqrdfc. 
But  nowe  what  will  become  of  vs ,  if  wee  reie^  fuch  grace/ fei'itg 
'  that  God  oRereth  it  vs  fo  Freely  ^  This  is  it  which  is  mcntby'th'at 
faying.-  And'therevpponhe^  concludeth  inthe.jende^,  Ih'JiF'^^c 
/ed:£  iigUuoufneJjt  in  the  laW,  Ufm  flryp  dyedH'uyfit,  -  A^  ff  ho^e 
,    •'  fhouldc 


tbeEpiU.totbe^akthianr.       io8 

(houlde  fay,diat  if  \vcc  ititende  to  inioy  the  grace  that  h  conteyned 
intheGofpelJ,weemu{levttcdygyueouerthe  fonde  opinion  of 
our  owne  mcrites.For  men  arc  deceyued  by  bearing  themfelues  in 
]iarid,that  there  is  eucr  fomwhat  of  value  in  them  :  and  to  be  fhort, 
•  they  cannot  finde  in  tlieir  heartes  to  come  as  poorc  bcggcrs  before 
God,  but  wyll  alwayes  bring  fome  prefent  with  them.    And 
yctnotwithftanding  all  that  euer  wcc  thinke  ourfelucs  too  hauc,is 
<  tut  abhomination .    Therefore  Saint  Paule  fheweth  vs,  that  there 
is  none  other  mcanes  for  ys  too  reccyuc  lyfc  at  our  Ldrde  lefus 
Chriftes  hande,and  too  bee  made  partakers  of  his  death  and  rcfur- 
re^Hon,  and  fo  to  attaine  too  the  heritage  of  hcauen  by  his  meanes, 
ihaniobevtterlyvoydcd  of  all  the  foolifhe  ouerwcenings,  which 
the  chijklren  of  this  world  conccyue,when  they  imagin  with  them- 
felues, 6  as  for  mee,  I  haue  fome  ver  aie  in  mee,  I  haue  fome  to- 
wardnefTe ;  and  to  ]a.y  it  ail  downe  and  cafl  it  quite  away.  For  vn- 
till  wee  haue  forgotten  our  owne  defertes ,  furely  wee  fhall  neuer 
be  able  to  conceyue  the  grace  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifl.  Do  wee 
then  come  vntoohim  i  Let  vs  come  vtterly  emptie .  For  if  wee 
maiceany  countenauncc  of  hauing  augjit,  it  is  nothing  elfe  but 
winde,  Truely  whenfoeuer  men  are  puffed  vpwithpryde  :  they 
become  fo  full  that  they  are  readie  too  burft,  howbeeit  all  of  it  is 
butwynde.    But  yet  howefo  euer  wee  fare,  that  wynde  holdeth 
vs  backe  from  receyuing  the  benefites  that  are  purchaced  and 
brought  vnioo  vs  by  the  Sonne  of  God,and  which  he  communica- 
leth  to  vs  by  his  Gofpell.  Thus  ye  fee  whercvnto  the  conclufion 
tendetli  which  Saint  Paule  maketh  heerc.    Now  the  Papiftes  will 
graunt  well  inough  that  wee  bee  not  able  to  purchafe  {aliiation,  ex* 
cept  we  bee  helped  by  our  Lorde  lefus  Chnfl :  liowbeeit  they  ima-. 
gin  that  men  may  halfe  faue  themfelues,  and  that  lookc  what  wan- 
teth  is  fuppli^d  by  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Icfus  Chri{l,5c  fo  tliey  fup- 
pofe  thefel«e$-to  haue  a  good  &  auailable  {lartinghcl.*.   But  in  fay- 
jng{b,tliey  fhcw  thefelues  deadly  cnimies  of  the  grace  of  our  Lord 
lefus  Chri£l,andVphoIders  of  the  cace  and  quarell  ofthe  ^alfe  Apo- 
fdes  and  "deceyiiers  that  had  corrupted,  defloured,  and  falfified  the 
pure  truth  in  the  Church  of  Galatia.  For  thofe  fort  of  men  coulde 
W^liinpuglicoafeire  that  Jcfus  Chrift  was  the  Sauior  Cif  tlic  world. 


Chap.*.  fo.Cal.xiiij.Sermonypon 

and  they  would  hauc  bin  afliamcd  too  fay  that  fcfus  Chrift  xns  no- 
thing, nay  rather  they  profefled  Chriflianitic.  And  what  deemed 
they  of  lefus  Chrift  c'  1  hat  he  came  too  help  mens  infinnities,  by- 
giufe  they  were  not  able  to  difchargc  the  lawe  too  the  fuil,and  that 
for  afmuch  as  they  could  not  haue  fo  great  and  large  pcrfe6hon  as 
was  rcquifite,  therefore  it  behouedthem  too  bee  helped  bylcfus 
Chrift  :  and  euen  as  much  doo  the  Papiftes  fay  at  this  day.  But  Sp 
Paule  concludeth  on  the  contrarie  part,  that  then  lefus  Chrift  ha4 
died  in  vaync.  If  any  man  replie,  no  not  fo  :  for  there  fhould  come 
fome  frate  of  his  death  and  pafsion,  by  helping  vs  too  the  forgiuc- 
nefle  ofour  finnes :  and  although  we  haue  meancs  to  fatisfie  God 
withall^yct  would  not  the  famefuffyze,vnle{re  lefus  Chrift  Should 
workc  therewith.  Ifayifany  manmakefuch  rcplic:  letvsmarkc 
that  S.  Paule  hildthis  foraccrtaine  and  vndeccyuable  principle, 
that  doo  die  beft  we  can,  there  is  nothing  but  curfedneflc  in  vs,  till 
God  haue  reccyued  vs  of  his  meere  grace.  Lo  wherein  the  Papifts 
beguile  themfclues,  and  not  they  onely :  for  it  hath  bin  a  com  mop 
crrour  among  the  Turkes  and  among  all  the  Heathen  men  that  c'- 
uerwcrc.  Tlic  Turkes  can  confeffewell  ynough  that  they  hau« 
neede  of  Gods  mcrcic^Sc  that  hath  alwayes  bin  an  opinion  throug^U 
the  whole  world :  but  they  haue  intermingled  their  ownfatisfafti- 
ons  with  Gods  gracc,as  if  they  (hould  fay,  although  God  be  pitifull 
towardes  vs,yet  muftc  we  procure  fauour  in  his  fight  by  our  owne 
^eferuings.  After  that  maner  were  the  Heathen  folke  woont  too 
fpeake.  And  what  fay  the  Papiftes  now  adayes  ^  All  one  thing.  For 
after  they  haue  once  grauntcd  themfelues  too  be  wretched  finncrs, 
and  to  haue  neede  to  be  fuccored  by  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,and  that 
his  death  and  pafsion  are  auayleablerto  make  them  way  vnto  God : 
they  interlace  their  cwne  freewill,and  their preparations,and  ther- 
vnto  fay  that  they  deferue  on  their  fide,  and  that  although  lefus 
Chrift  help  them,  yet  he  dooth  not  all  himfelfe.  Andin  ycry  deede 
that  is  the  fiat  do6li  inc  of  the  Papiftes  woord  for  woord.  For  they 
fay  wee  cannot  de ferae  aught  except  lefus  Chrift  go  before  vs  ana 
fiiewevsthcwty,  for  they  fay  that  he  hath  purchacedvsthefirfte 
grace,and  that  it  lieth  in  vs  to  follow  on  and  too  attayne  to  the  fc- 
cond.  And  if  a  man  aske  them  what  is  ment  by  that  fiift  grace:  they 

fay 


theEpiU.to  thetjakthians^      lop 

fey  it  is  the  occafi5  of  merking'or  deferuingtror  that  is  their  terming^ 
ofit,and  their  mane#of(peache.And  diis  otcafionof  merkingis  no- 
thing clfe  with  thcni,  but  that  men  arc  able  of  themfelues  toobind^' 
God  too  them  by  their  ownc  fatisfa6Hons.  But S.  Paulc  telleth  vs' 
diat  it  is  to  outrageous,  yea  andtooDiuelifh  a  trayteroufnefle^oo' 
haue  fuch  pride :  and  therfore  he  cocludcth  that  lefus  Chrift  fliould 
fiauc  died  in  vayne^  if  wCe  fhould  feeke  rightuoufnefle  in  the  lawc. 
VVill  wee  then  pofifefTe  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  :"  It  beboueth  vstoo 
know  wherefore  wee  come  vnto  him :  namely  bycaufe  that  by  the 
Lawc  vve  arc  already  condemned,  curfed  of  God,  cut  off  from  hop« 
pf  life,and  full  of  all  cc.rruption,fo  as  God  muft  be  fayne  too  denzc 
y%  by  his  holy  rpirit,andfor  afmuch  as  there  are  many  infirmities  in 
vs,we  muft  alwayes  come  to  cur  Lord  lefus  Chri{le,and  to  ccnfeflc 
that  there  is  nothing  in  vs  but  all  curlednefle  and  miferie :  wee 
muftneedcs  come  too  this  concliifion  ofS.Paules,  that  Chrift  had 
died  in  vaine,if  it  behoued  vs  to  obtayne  rightuoufne iTe  by  the  law, 
whither  it  were  wholly  or  partly.  VVce  muft  nccdcs  confefle  that, 
and  the  verieft  idiotes  are  able  to  perccyue  it,  in  fo  much  that  if  we 
rcceyuc  not  lefus  Chrift  with  that  condicion,  it  is  certayne  that  his 
comitiingfhall  prbfite  vs  nothing  at  all .  It  will  be  but  as  a  \Vindc  to 
Blow  vs  away  togeiher,fo  as  wee  fhall  be  no  more  able  to  take  hold 
of  Gods  mcrcie  that  \s  offered  vs  in  lefus  Chrift.  Now  feyHg  it  is  fo: 
let  vs  leame  to  Icauc  fuch  maner  of  mingling>and  acknowledge  our 
felucs  beholden  too  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte  for  all  things :  for  when 
we  go  about  too  interlace  our  owncimerites  with  the  free  remifsion 
of  our  finnes,it  is  but  a  falfifying  of  Gods  truth.  Befides  this,  when 
we  haue  learned  to  reft  our  felues  after  that  maner  vppcn  him  :  let 
vs  bee  taken  in  louc  with  the  fpirituall  benefites  which  he  bringett 
vs.and  let  not  the  afflictions  and  aduerfities  of  this. world  hinder  vs 
from  holding  on  our  cov3rfc,and  from  the  ouer  comming  cf  all  tem- 
ptations arid  diftrcfics,  but  that  we  may  haue  full  ioy  in  the  midde? 
of  all  our  foi7o\vesandtroubles,a(ruring  our  felues  that  al  that  euer 
wee  can  fuffer  in  this  world, is  nothing  in  comparifon  of  that  which 
is  prepared  for  vs  in  ^hc  kingdome  of  heauen.  And  that  is  the  thing 
whervnto  S.Paule  leadcth  vs.Forfirft  of  al  he  exhorteth  vs  to  a  ho^i 
ly  and  well  ruled  Iyfe,and  to  be  lowly  as  becommeth  vs,  to  giueour 

O.v.  felues 


felues  wholly  to  9ixr,  Lord  lerusClirift.  And  fecondly  he  cxhortcth 
vs  to  ariue  our  feluesjvyith  patien{:e,  that  w^  n^^y  cuercome  all  the 
^  aflaultes  and  diftrefTes  that  come  vpon  ys,  aiid  walkc  in  ilich  wife  itt. 

this  world^as  we  may  ahvayes  go  foreward  to  the  heavily  heritage^* 
wliich  we  fee  not^iid  which  padTcth  all  oijr  vnderftanding,nQt  eeaf- 
fing  for  all  that  to  alTure  our  felues  of  itjfith  wc  haue  fo  good  a  pro- 
mis  of  it  made  vmo  vs.  And  funher  fe^  we  haue  the  earnefipenie 
and  pledge  of  it  giuen  vnto  ys  in,our  Lordlefus  Chrift :  let  the  fame 
feme  vs  ior  a  full  afTurancCy  to  fhcw  vs  that  wee  neede  not  runne  at 
randon, but  haue  a  perfetl  fay th  5c  a  firme  and  fubflantiall  hope,  for 
afmuch  as  wee  haue  ah;eady  in  the  pei  fone  of  the  Sonne  of  God,  a 
full  performance  of  all  things  that  we  can  wifK 

But  now  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  maieftie  of  our  good  God, 
with  acknou'Iedgernent  of  our  finncs,  praying  him  to  make  vs  fcele 
them  more  and  more,  and  to  touch  vs  in  fuch  wi£Q  with  true  repen- 
tance,as  the  fame  may  prouoke  vs  more  and  more  to  feeke  for^iue- 
nefTe  and  mercie  at  Gods  liand,  &  therewithall  alfo  to  befeech  him 
to  gouemc  vs  fo  by  his  holy  fpirit,  as  we  may  be  incoraged  more  8c 
more  to  forfake  all  the  luftes  of  our  owne  flcfhpand  all  that  is  9f  our 
old  Adam, till  we  be  come  to  the  perfection  wherevnto  he  ^Uji^rctH 
vs,Scfrom  wliich  we  be  fo  farre  off  as  yet.That  it  may  pleafe  him  19 
graunt  this  grace  not  only  to  vs,but  alfo  to  all  people  5cc^ 

The.i^.  Sermon^  which  is  thefrH 

y^pon  the  third  Chapter, 

^^  Ycc  vnwizc  Galadiians,  who  hath  bewitched  you 
^-^     tharycc  fhould  not  obey  the  truth,  vnto  whom 

lefus  Chriflc  bath  heretofore  bin  portrayed  out 

beforcyour  eyes,and  crucified  amongyou  > 
%     I  vvould  know  but  this  one  thing  of  you,  receyued 

yon  the  fpiric  by  the  wotkes  of  the  LavvCjOr  by 

the  preaching  of  fayth? 
I     Areyeefovnvvize,that  when  yeKaoebcgon  in  the 

fpirit^yecwiUnow  end  in  iheflcflii 


the  EpiB.to  the  Galdthians.       lio 

I  Ee  fee  how  Ciod  gotth  atont  to  win  vs  by  gen- 
I  tlenefTe  and  fayrc  meanes.till  our  nauohtinefTc 
and  fLii'obornneiTe  infcrc?  hinn  tO  deale  rough- 
ly with  vs,  bicaufe  we  fufi^r  not  our  felues  too 
be  hadied  fo  getly  by  bis  hand.  Fcr  thrcughoilit 
the  whole  doctrine  ofthe  Goff^eil^Gcd  doth  as  ^, 
itxvere  ftrctch  out  his  armcs  to  bripg  vs  in  vnto 
him  and  to  rece^-ue  vs  in  his  fatherly  loue:  ot  rathet-(a5  he  iiiienetli 
hiinlclfbyMoyres;heis  as,  a  Hen  tha^  Ipreadeth  cut  hir  Vvingsr  too  BxQd.igj, 
gather  hir  yon^  chickes  vndertHem.  Y^  fee  then  thit  God  of  his  iii-       4* 
tinitc  goo(^refte  ailkirethvs  tOhi!Ti,but  \ye  be'iike  wilH  bea{les,thk  1>euP.  32.  b, 
will  tiot  fuiFet  themf^lues  to  Isiguyded  l^y'hinti^nd  rherfore  in  r^-      ". 
(pe6l  of  luch  oiu''fr<i^ardnefle,  be  hadneede  to  vTc  rotTghriefTe,  and 
to  (hewe  vs  our  vnthankfuln^fTc,  too  the  end,  Veerniy  leaf ne  to  be 
aThamed  of  it.  And  that  is  the  caufc  why  J.PauJe  hauing  (h^wed  that 
all  our  welfai-e  Heth  m  Icfus  Chrift,  and  that  if  wee  will  bee  pai'ta-. 
kers  of  his  rightuOufnefIc  anA  of  th-e  benefltes  that  he  is  willing  tc^o 
impart  vntoo  v$AV^Tn\ifl; vtteHy  renounce  our  fclue  s^and  ic^^noVV- 
'ledgcthat  ih'.-re  is  hothn:i8;but'finne  and  corruption  in  vs^y^tH  tibw 
flrifply  rf  cu!:e  fuch  as  would  mingle  their  owne  deuotidns  \vith  the 
griape^tnat  is  ofi^cred  tlreni  in  oiar  Lord  lefus  Chrifl: :  fot"  they  haB  bin 
intfa/ired'faitHfully  before.  If  5,I^aule  had  begolfrie  inTome'place 
vh<^re  men  had  neucr  'hearc!  one  woorde  of  the  ^oTp^lF  ^fdre,  he 
Vcui'l'nothaiK  iTeB  fucit  f-dughneffe-.  fcr  he  wiould  Hifutpiti^  the 
*i)\lnd^4nc^  igiiori;.nti^Ter^^^^  ;         ■ 

^haJcfb'in^taiigln  riythfijlly  6y"^hlil^/j.i^d;he'had  to  tt-aine 

.tiie'nVtob^thp  Gofpell  accotdingl^.^iMdthey  therev^-ppdnhadihrunlc 
iD^ck'ti^ndfttfFei^dilVbVhMi(es'W  fal(e  opi- 

■■-■'■■■■■ "  -     ■--'     ^fc^inl- 

fffhjd 

God^'  infinft|egd(rdf^e{rfe^fuiBooiiii-a:fei-thi^^  before  them, 

had  hone  exdtize  to  rrturrtc  a^ainc  to  th t  ir pe'lting;  trafli/in  hope  to 
bse  iuftiti'^d' and  tocrjiurchace.ialaatioitby  tile  Cef-empries  of  the 
Lawe.Thusfe  fee  in  effc»^^  that  the  thiiSg  wliich  wee  h^ie  to  gather 
■yJ>Q^  tHs'  tixt;  iitet  if  wee  dcfire  too  find-apleaf^it  toftcm  Crods 

woorde, 


wo©rd,wee  on  our  (ide  mufte  be  teachable  and  not  ftubbomc.  For 
we  muft  call  too  mindc  howe  it  is  written  in  the  eighttenth  Pfalmc, 
^/,iS,fi,26  that  God  \vil  alwayes  deale  meeldly  with  fuch  as  be  of  a  meeld  fpi- 
rite,and  that  he  will  bee  rough  and  fharp  towardes  fuch  as  vfe  ftiib- 
bornne(re,and  cannot  abide  to  fubmit  themfelues  vnto  him.-  Al  they 
then  which  haue  a  necke  of  brafle,  and  cannot  iinde  in  their  heartes 
,  tooftoupe  vnderthe  obedience  of  God,  fliall  fndc  themfelues  t« 
be  matched  with  too  ftrong  anaduerfaric,  8c  that  they  muft  ncedes 
be  broozed  and  broken  in  peeces  if  they  will  not  bow.  Furthermore 
letvs  marke  that  when  God  corre^lteth  our  vyces,  wee  mufte  not 
'  chafe  and  ftorme  as  many  doo,  \yho  do  nothing  el fe  .but  gnafh  their 
teeth  when  they  bee  rebuked,  faying[that  they  will  not  bee  handled 
r  after  fuch  a  fafhion^and  that  their  nature,  requireth  to  be  taught  by 
.  gentlenefle :  yea  vcrely,but  that  their  fturdinelTe  fheweth  the  clean 
^contrarie.  For  they  thatfpeake  after  that  maner,  would  veiy  fayne 
bee  flattered.  And  although  diey  ouerflioote  themfelues  into  all  e- 
^uill, yet  will  they  not  abide  too  haue  d^(?ir  galled  backes  rubbed,  but 
rathejr,  that  men  fho^uld  vvinke  at  them  and  conceale  their  naughti- 
.nelie.Biit  if  their  faultes  bee  layd  afore  them,by  and  by  they  rancle 
.agaynft  the  Gofpell :  and  whereas  they  fhe\yed  fome  good  figne  of 
2eale  afore,  ^ey  vtter  fuche  fpitcfiflncffe  aftervvarde,  as  a  man  may 
perceyqe  rh,ere  was  nothing  but  venim  and  bitternefle  in  theii-  hart, 
..gnd  it  is  a  fure^  token  that  fuch  folke  neucr  wift  what  it  is  too  profite 
ifiGods  fch6ple,,fi^lea{Wize  purely,,as3.Paule  fayeth  in  another 
t,Tsm, "  d^V^^^^-  Gods  woora(rayeth,hc)is  good,not  only  to  teach,to  the  end 
i6i  w,e  may  know  wjiat  is  for  our  bchoofe,  and  bee  abJe  to  difceme  bc- 

.twixt  good  and  euill :  but  alfo  to  rebuke  and  correal  vs.  For  there 
arc^rpany  negligent  folke, whidi  haue  necde  to-be  pricked  foreward 
with  hard  ftrokes  of  the  jfpurre :  fonte  had  necde  to  be  imbaccd  by 
reafon  pf  their  ouervvecning :  and  ofterfomc  growaltogitherpafle 
recouerie,ifthey.beno;  ouei"mayftredtiy-ih'onghand.  Thus  ye  fee 
-  how  all.qf.  ys  muii fuiTer  patietLy  \yhcaouj",LOjrd yfeth  fuch  rougK- 
,  iieinre,acknowledging  the  fame  to  be  greatly  to  our  behoof.Howbe- 
itleteuery^ofvs  examincfu3  life  .we  il,;^  .there  i^.npne  of  vsbut 
he  fhall  finde  that  he  prouoketli  God  too  vfe  fuche  fharpencfTe  to- 
wardes  him,as  if  a  fa^.er-bep.i^^  kipds  halted  as  isj^ofsiblq^g  be  wi- 


the  EpiB.to  the  ^alathians.  1 1 1 

fhcd,yet  if  he  haue  vnruly  children/o  as  they  be  leude  and  froward, 
he  fliall  bee  prouoked  after  fuche  a  fafhion,  that  he  fliall  as  it  were 
chaunge  his  nature, by caiife  he  knoweth  not  at  what  end  too  begin 
with  them,and  is  fayne  after  a  fort  too  transfornie  himfelfe.  Euen 
fo  is  it  with  vs.  For  we  hauc  a  father  which  in  goodnefle  furmoun- 
teth  all  that  can  bee  feene  among  men :  but  we  on  our  fide  (as  I  fayd 
afore)in  fteede  of  yeelding  obediently  vnto  him  as  we  ought  to  do, 
and  in  fleede  of  offering  our  felues  redily  to  walke  as  he  commaun- 
deth  fo  foone  as  he  doth  but  fpeake  the  woord:do  nothing  but  ftray. 
VVe  haue  our  luftes  alwayes  inordinate  and  boyHng,wee  haue  our 
replies  alwayes  readie  coyned  :  and  although  our  mouth  fpeake  not, 
yet  it  appeereth  that  there  is  no  fuch  calmnefle  in  our  hartes,  as  too 
be  contented  to  fubmit  our  felues  to  God  as  we  ought  to  do.  Seyng 
then  that  we  be  conui«5led  to  our  faces  by  experience,  that  God  had 
neede  to  be  fo  rough  and  fharp  towardes  vs  :  let  vs  fuffer  him  to  do 
whatfoeuer  he  knoweth  too  be  for  our  welfare.  And  no  doubt  but 
the  Gaiathians  were  as  nyce  as  wee,and  had  as  itching  eares  as  wee 
haue  :  and  yet  were  they  fayne  too  be  rebuked  fo  (harply  by  reafon 
of  their  vnthankfuInefTc.  As  for  S.Paule,we  know  he  indeuered  by 
all  humiliiie  and  meeldnefle,too  drawe  all  fuch  to  the  obedience  of 
our  Lord  lefus  Chrif):,as  were  committed  and  appoynted  too  his  A- 
poftlefhip.  He  jikeneth  himfelf  (and  not  without  caufe)  too  a  nurce, 
which  will  beare  with  hir  nurfechilde,  and  not  fpare  any  thing  too 
(hew  the  loue  that  fhee  bearedi  it.  Wee  (hall  fee  hereafter  that  he 
will  fay,  Be  yee  as  I  am,  for  I  am  as  you  bee.  I  feeke  nothing  but  too  J^ereaftei', 
fafhion  my  fel fe  vnto  you,  and  to  bring  to  pafle  that  wee  may  agre e     4,^,12. 
in  one.  And  yet  notwidiftanding,  necefsitie  hath  conllreyned  him 
too  crie  out  as  you  hcarc  now,  Tee  Vn')Viz.e,  yee  fooles^yee  \ndifcreete 
or  witlefle  as  beafls,  y^ho  hath  h^^itihedyon  rfter  that  forte '!  muflyou 
notveeJes  kepaffeffedyifith  the^iuelH  Here  are  ver^diardc  woordes, 
and  no  doubtbut  the  Gaiathians  were  grceued  at  them  at  the  firlle 
fight.  Yet  neuerthel-elTe  it  was  meete  for  them  to  feele,  that  S.Paule 
\lQd  not  that  mancr  of  fpeach  and  language  without  caufe.  There-' 
fore  whenfoeuer  we  bee  rebuked, let  vs  blame  our owne  faultes  for 
it,and  yeeld  our  felues  giliie  :  for  wee  (hall  pynt  nothin'g^by  chec- 
king>agtfiner  VMieti  we  haue  difputed  what  we  can, Wee  may  per^d- 

ucnturc 


Chap.j-  fo.Cal.xy.Sermonypon 

uenture  iuftifie  our  cace  afore  men :  but  wee  fliali  alwayes  be  giltie 
before  God.  Moreouer  it  belioueth  vs  too  markc  vveli  the  reafon 
that  is  added  heere  by  S.Paule,  when  he  rayeth,3'ff  mufie  ucedes  bee 
heyi'ittbed,  ifyee  ohey  not  the  truthyfeyng  that  our  Lords  Uftvs  Cbrific 
hath  bin  ai  it  'ttere  feynted  cut  liuely  before  you,  yea  and  euen  crucified  ai 
mong  you.  In  fpealdng  after  that  fafhion,  S.Paule  (heweth  viitK 
what  force  and  effe^biahiefle  he  had  preached  die  Gofpell.  Ther- 
fore  he  likneth  the  do6lrine  which  he  had  brought, vnto  a  pi£lure:  & 
therevnto  inlargeth  it  yet  better,  faying  that  the  matter  which  hee 
had  preached  among  the  Galathians,  ought  too  auayle  afmuch  as  if 
they  hadfcenethe  Sonne  of  God  crucified  among  them,  and  his 
bloud  (headed  out  for  the  fpirituall  wafhing  of  their  foules.  Forfo 
much  then  as  they  had  bin  taught  fo  faythfuily,  they  could  no  more 
excufe  theinfelues  of  their  backcfliding.  But  firft  of  all  we  fee  here 
whiche  is  the  true  manerof  preaching  the  Gofpell :  namely  to  giue 
knowledge  of  Gods  loue  towardes  vs,in  that  he  fpared  not  his  one- 
iy  Sonne,  but  gaue  him  too  the  death  for  vs :  according  as  m  very 
A^t^Q  all  the  treafures  of  wifedome  and  vnderftanding  are  layed  vp 
in  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,as  it  is  fayd  in  another  place  too  the  Colof- 
fians.  Sith  it  is  fo,if  we  bee  defirous  to  profite  well  in  the  Gofpell, 
lettc  vs  learnc  too  acknowledge  the  grace  that  is  purchaced  for  vs 
byourLorde  lefus  Chrifte  :for  without  that,  all  that  wee  haue  is 
nothing.  Many  will  brag  that  they  bee  well  learned  in  Gods  word: 
but  the  true  triill  too  knowc  whither  it  bee  foor  no,  is  if  wee  per- 
ce^aie  howe  greate  needc  wee  haue,  that  God  fhoulde  poure  out 
his  mercie  vpon  vs,too  fuccour  vs  by  drawing  vs  out  of  the  gulf  of 
Hcll,and  therevpon  coclude  that  wee  cannot  be  clcnzed  and  wafhed 
from  any  of  all  our  fpottes,butby  thebloud  of  Gods  fonne;nor  ob- 
tayne  rightuoufneflc  but  by  the  obedience  that  he  hath  yeelded: nor 
haue  any  fatisfa6lion  for  vs  but  by  the  facrifize  that  he  hath  offered: 
nor  come  in  Gods  fauour  but  by  his  mcancs.nor  open  our  mouthes 
too  call  \^pon  him  but  by  his  intercefsion.  Therefore  when  wee 
bee  throughly  perfuadedof  the  gracious  benefites  that  arc  brought 
vs  by  the  fonne  of  God :  then  may  wee  fay  wee  haue  fome  vndcr* 
jftanding  in  the  Gofpell :  but  without  that,  wee  haue  nothing  but 
imagination  and  follie.  Marke  tliat  for  one  poynt,  And  ikerewitK 

let 


the  EpiB.to  the  (jalathians.         in 

let  vs  marke,that  it  is  not  ynoughfor  vs  too  know  flightly  that  our 
Lord  IcfviS  Chrift  hath  bought  vs  fo  deereiy :  but  that  we  muft  con- 
tinue ftill  in  the  do6lrine  of  the  GofpeiJ,  till  it  bee  throughly  prin- 
ted in  our  harteSjas  though  his  bloud  giifhcd  dcwne,  too  apply  the 
frute  that  commeth  of  it  too  our  vfe :  and  that  is  too  the  end  to  wa- 
ken vs  out  of  our  drowfinefTe.For  we  dial  fee  many  that  take  them- 
feluestoobee  very  great  Clerkes,  if  they  vnderftande  but  three 
orfoure  woordesof  the  Goipell  at  a  glaunce.  And  yet  the  fame 
(hall  foone  bee  defaced  and  put  out  of  rememberance,  bycaufe  that 
whereas  wee  ought  too  feeke  too  bee  filled  with  the  benefitcs  that 
our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  hath  brought  vs,  they  holde  themfelues  con- 
tented with  a  taft  of  them.  God  then  punifheth  the  vnthankfulnefTe 
of  fuch  folke,and  their  defpizing  of  his  goodnefle.   And  therfore  it     ^ 
flandeth  vs  fo  much  the  more  on  hand,  to  put  forth  Sc  apply  all  our    ■ 
indcuer  to  be  wtW  fettled  in  the  forcfayd  do6lrine,that  is  too  wit,of 
knowing  whervnto  the  death  and  pafsio  of  Gods  fonne,  and  the  in- 
cflimable  benefites  which  we  haue  receyued,do  auayle  vs.Again  en 
the  other  fide  v/e  be  warned,  tharour  fms  are  the  heynoufer  before 
God;  ifafter  wee  haue  bin  taught  his  will,  wee  turne  head  backe  a- 
gaine,and  fin,not  through  ignorace,but  through  contempt  and  wil- 
fulneflc.For  if  we  (hake  ofi'his  yoke,it  is  a  fure  proofe  that  wee  bee 
loth  to  be  fubicd  to  him,and  play  the  wilde  beaffcs.True  it  is  that  e- 
uen  the  ignoranteft  folk  in  the  world  arc  rcproucd  by  their  own  fin- 
fulnelTe.for  afn:uch  as  hypocrifie  reigneth  in  all  men  :  but  yet  ifco- 
pai  ifon  bee  made  betwcene'  thofe  that  neucr  heard  one  woord  of  the 
truth,  and  vs  that  haue  our  eares  beaten  with  it,  and  are  prcuoked 
without  end  oi'  ceafsing  to  come  vntoo  God :  wee  bee  muche  more 
faultie  than  they.  Beholde,  the  Turkes  beleeue  that  they  woor- 
(hip  the  God  that  made  heauen  and  earth :  howbeit  for  afmuch  as 
they  rcfuze  our  Lord  lefus  Cl-irifl:e,they  haue  but  an  Idoll.  7  he  Pa- 
piftesalfo  are  deceyued  in  theyr  fond  deuotions.  And  yet  for  all 
that,theybecnotawbitthele{regiltie  before  God.  But  what  for 
that :"  If  wee  that  knowe  the  way  of  faluation,  whiche  heare  Gods 
voyce  ringing  continually  imour  eares,  which  are  inlf<^htened  with 
the  funne  ohightuoufne(re,euen  with  our  Lord  lefus  Chnfl-Jf  wee  Ma-aih, 
(Ifay)  b;;come  as^ood  as  brute  bcailes,  and  difcetnc  not  betweene      tf.2. 

good 


Chap.j.  fo.Cal.x'v.  Sermon  ypon 

good  and  euill :  mud  it  not  needes  be  e  that  we  are  (as  ye  would  lay) 
bewitched  \  For  feing  that  God  is  fo  gratious  vntoo  vs^as  too  come 
to  vs  and  to  teach  vs  fo  familiarly :  furely  he  hath  iufl  caufe  to  com- 
pJayne  of  vs  as  he  alfo  dothe :  My  people  (fayetli  he  by  his  Prophet 

Mkheas  6  ^^^^^^s)  what  can  I  doo  more  for  thee  than  I  haue  done :  Then  if 
.  ^  '  *  God  pleade  agaynft  vs,and  charge  vs  with  all  the  meanes  whiche  he 
hath  giuen  vs  to  malie  vs  wholly  his,  that  he  might  inioy  vs  without 
gaynfaying :  and  we  on  our  fide  call  a  ftoppe  in  his  way,and  are  lotb 
to  bow  downe  our  neckes  to  receyue  his  yoke^or  elfe  oe  ficklemiii- 
tied  and  fleeting  too  forfake  all  aga^Tie  too  day  or  too  morrow,  and 
had  leuer  too  bee  beguyled  by  the  craftes  and  ilJufions  of  Satan,  than 
to  beeguyded  by  the  truth  which  is  certaine :  muft  it  not  needes  be 
that  we  are -as  monfters,that  is  to  fay  folke,that  make  vtter  defiance 
too  nature :'  Therfore  let  vs  learne  to  looke  better  vpon  our  felues 
heere :  for  looke  what  was  once  fayd  too  the  Galathians,  is  fpoken: 
ftill  at  this  day  vntoo  vs.  For  it  was  not  for  that  peoples  lake  alone 
that  S.Paule  wrate  :  but  the  holy  Ghoft  quickeneth  vs  vp  ftill  now, 
andtclleth  vsthat  if  wee  haue  once  receyued  the  do6lrine  of  the 
Gofpell,  and  afterward  ftait  away  from  it,  fo  as  if  a  man  trace  vs  he- 
(hall  find  no  conftancie  nor  ftedinefle  of  fayth  in  vs  :  we  be  fo  much 
the  more  damnable,and  cannot  fhceld  our  felues  with  any  thing: for 
when  we  fhall  haue  taken  all  the  coucrts  in  the  world,  we  fliall  abide 
conuifted  of  fuch  leudne{re,as  in  the  end  we  muft  needes  haue  our 
mouthes  ftopped,and  God  mufte  fet  vs  foorth  as  an  example  of  all 
vnthankfulnefte,  in  fomuch  that  wee  ftiall  become  odious  both  too 

Mi^b,  tj.f.  j^^gj^  ^j^j  Angei5,bicaufe  we  made  no  better  account  of  the  doctrine 
*^*  of  faluation,  which  is  fo  precious  a  feede  as  we  e  fee  that  th  e  Scrip- 

ture fpeakcth  of  it.  Yce  fee  then  that  the  thing  which  we  haue  too 
beare  in  minde,is  not  that  the  onely  Galathians  are  rebuked  heere 
by  S.Paule,but  that  we  be  taught  in  their  perfones,to  walke  in  feare 
and  awe  when  God  (hall  Iiaue  bin  fo  gracious  too  vs,  as  too  call  v$ 
vnto  him,and  too  fhewe  vs  what  his  will  is.  And  it  is  not  for  nought 
that  he  vfeth  fo  (harp  and  rigorous  woordes,  as  too  call  thtm  fooles 
and  yvitlejffe,  and  consequently  too  fay,  y)>ho  hath  he^^itcbedyou  i  But 

£ph.^.€,     wehearehowthatinthe  fourth  too  the  Ephefians,  concerning  the 
H         vfing  of  tlie  Gofpell,he  fayeth  that  when  wee  haue  once  bin  taught 


the  EpiU.  to  the  Qalathiam. ,     115 

hiwt  mud  not  be  as  little  babes  that  are  led  too  and  rro,and  made 
to  beleeue  that  the  Crow  is  white :  but  we  muftbe  fo  fettled  in  it^ 
that  although  the  Diuell  ftirre  vp  neuer  To  many  troubles,  falfe  o- 
pinions  and  lies,yet  we  may  ftiil  hold  our  owne,  and  kecpc  on  our 
pace,  afluringourfelues  that  Gods  truth  is  infallible.  1  hus  ye  fee 
that  the  end  whereto  the  Gofpell  ought  to  feme  vs,  is  not  only  to 
(hew  vs  what  is  good  for  vs,but  alfo  to  arme  and  fence  vs  agaynfl 
all  incountcrs,andagainfl  all  Satans  flights,  fo  that  if  there  rife  vp 
any  herefies  or  other  corruptions,  we  may  flill  mainteine  the  battel 
valiantly,and  get  the  vpperhand  by  our  faith,  and  not  be  pypeda- 
ny  more  into  the  fowlers  fnare.^  according  to  the  fimiiitude  whych 
S.Paule  v  feth.  Now  then  femg  it  is  fo:it  muft  needes  be  that  we  be 
bewitched  and  poflefTcd  with  the  Diuell,  if  fuche  a  remedie  fuffife 
vs  not,after  that  God  hath  manifefted  himfelfe  vnto  vs,  and  wee 
knowe  (yea  euen  fully  and  alTuredly)  that  it  is  he  which  fpeaketh. 
If  we  be  not  moued  by  his  authoritie,  what  will  become  of  it  i  A- 
gaine,  whereas  we  haue  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  fhyning  vpon  vs  as 
it  were  at  high  nonedaysimufl  it  not  needes  be  that  we  are  at  defy- 
ancewitli  nature  as  I  fay  de  afore,  if  wee  feeke  heereand  therefor 
byways,  when  the  right  way  is  layd  before  oui*  eyes  <f  So  then  it  is 
t\ot  without  caufe  that  SainCl  Paul e  fpeaketh  fo  roughly  too  that 
people,  which  had  chaunged  the  do6lrine,after  that  God  had  gran- 
ted them  the  grace  to  haue  his  truth  fhewd  vnto  them.But  we  muft 
call  to  mind  alfo,  how  God  vpbraideth  his  people  of  olde  tyme 
by  hys  Prophet  leremy.  Go  your  wayes  ouer  the  fea  (faythe  hee)  Urc.i^cAo 
and  into  the  Iles,and  into  farre  countries,and  ye  fhall  fee  euer^^  na- 
tion worfhip  his  owne  Idolls  without  chaunging.  And  wherefore 
then  are  you  fo  variablec'As  for  thofe,they  know  not  wherevppon 
they  be  grounded.They  haue  but  a  certayne  opinion, which  carieth 
them  away  and  beguileth  them:and  yetnotwithftandin^  they  hold 
on  flill  without  turning  afide,and  (licke  wholly  to  if.and  why  daen 
(hould  you  which  know  what  God  ye  obey,  be  fo  fleeting  c'  Nowe 
therfore  let  vs  marke  well,that  if  we  be  lightly  turned  and  thi-uft 
afide  from,  the  do6hine  of  the  Gofpel :  there  (hall  neede  none  o- 
ther  wimeffe  againft  vs  at  the  laft  day,  than  the  wretched  vnbelee- 
uers  which  follow  their  owne  fuperfiitions:for  we  fee  they  be  wed- 

P.  ded 


chap.j:  ^o.Cal.xy.fermon  ypcn 

cled  to  them.Looke  vpon  the  Turkes  and  Painims,  looke  vpo  the 
lewes  and  Papifts.  They  wore  not  what  God  they  worfhip ,  they 
haue  but  a  weening  in  (led  of  fayth:and  yet  not  withflanding  a  ma 
cannot  plucke  them  from  theyr  falfe  fancies,  and  they  bee  Co  giuen 
vnto  them  as  a  man  can  neuer  remoue  the.  Then  if  wee  on  our  Tide 
knowing  that  it  is  the  Huing  God  which  calleth  $c  teachetli  vs  day 
ly,and  that  the  thing  which  is  vttered  by  men  commeth  of  him  and 
of  his  holy  fpirit,and  hauing  record  of  the  law  Sc  the  Gofpel  which 
cannot  fayle^if  we(I  fay)hauing  fuch  a  reftingftock  for  our  faith,be 
afterward  vnconftat,fo  as  our  eares  itch  to  receiue  euery  new  toy, 
and  men  mak-e  vs  to  alter  our  mind  in  leife  than  the  turning  of  a 
hand;  what  elfe  betokeneth  it,  but  that  we  wilfoUy  refufe  Goddes 
grace,as  if  we  wold  fhet  the  gate  againft  him  that  he  might  not  com 
in  vnto  v:s  "^  Or  eife,if  after  we  haue  once  knowen,that  he  offereth 
vsfoineftimableabenefiteinhis  Gofpell,  wee  caftit  downe  and 
trample  it  vnder  our  feete-.thinke  we  that  God  wil  (uffer  his  grace 
too  be  fo  lightly  eftcemed  and  hild  skome  oPNo-For  wee  cannot 
defpife  the  doftriiie  of  the  Gofpeljbut  we  mufl  vnhalow  the  bloud 
of  Gods  fonne,  which  he  did  (head  for  our  redemption.for  the  one 
cannot  bee  feparated  from  the  other. V\'henroeuer  and  how  often 
foeuer  God  fpeaketh  to  vs,  and  offereth  vs  forgiuenefie  of  oui'e 
rmnes.fhevving  himfelfe  readie  to  receiue  vs  to  mercie :  fo  often  is 
the  bloud  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrille  fprinkled  vpon  vs.  All  the  tea- 
ching in  the  world  cannot  do  vs  any  good,  except  our  Lord  lefus 
Chrill  be  with  it,to  apply  the  (heading  of  his  bloudvnto  vs.  And  if 
we  defpife  the  do6lrine  of  the  Gofpel,it  is  all  one  as  if  wee  did  fpit 
at  the  holy  bloud  of  Goddes  fonne  ,  which  thing  is  an  intolerable 
trayteroufnelTe.Therfore  let  vs  looke  narowlier  t-S  our  felues,  and 
wey  wel  this  text,  to  the  intent  we  fland  ftedfaftiand  for  afmuch  as 
God  hath  called  vs  to  Co  great  a  good  turne,  and  we  do  now  know 
that  is  not  by  haphazard  that  the  Gofpel  hath  bin  preached,  but  by*- 
caufe  it  was  Gods  will  to  vtter  the  infinite  riches  of  his  <?oodnefie 
towardes  vs :  let  vs  ftand  in  it,and  fo  il:icke  too  it,  as  nothing  may 
thruft  vs  from  it,nor  by  any  meanes  euer  fhake  vs  down.  Lo  in  ef- 
fect what  w^  haue  to  beare  away  in  this  text.Moreouer  we  be  war^ 
ned  alTo;  which  ai'e  die  ti*uepi4tocs  or  peiiiungs  tgieade  vs  too 


theEpiB.tothe^alathlans.      lii, 

God.TIie  Papifts  fay  we  mnfl  haue  rememberances  to  teache  \rs, 
and  that  images  are  the  bookes  of  the  vnleamed  which  are  not  apt 
toconceiuehigherdo6trine:but  hath  Sain6l  Paule  fpoken  hecre 
but  to  three  or  four  folke:No:It  is  generaliy,and  to  all  Chriftians 
without  exception, as  well  to  great  as  fmall,  that  he  fayth  that  who 
the  Gofpell  is  preached, then  lefus  Chrifl  is  peinted  out  liuely,and 
we  muft  looke  vpon  him,not  with  the  fleflily  eyes  of  our  bodyes, 
but  with  the  fpintuall  eyes  of  our  faith.Then  feeing  it  is  fo ,  let  vs 
learne  that  we  haue  no  neede  of  Images  and  puppets  to  teach  vs 
whatisnecelTarieforourraluation,  nother  neede  wee  a  peece  of 
woodjftone  or  other  fuche  pelting  fluff e ,  too  put  vsin  remem- 
berance  of  God,(for.in  all  thofe  things  there  is  nothing  but  vani- 
tie  and  leafing:  )but  we  haue  neede  to  haue  Gods  word  preached, 
and  to  indeuer  and  trauell  to  make  the  fame  familiar  too  vs,  that 
wee  may  there  beholde  God  in  his  liuely  image,  that  is  to  faye  in 
the  perfon  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl  his  only  fonne,  according  alfo  2.0r.4, 
asSaindPauie  fayethin  thefecond  too  the  Corinthians,  where  4,0, 
he  protefleth  that  the  doctrine  which  he  brought  vntoo  them,  was 
not  hidden  from  anie  butthe  vnbeleeuers,  fuche  as  perifli,  whome 
the  Diueil  pofTelTeth,  and  which  haue  their  eyes  fealed  vp.  And  no 
wonder  though  they  fee  not  awhit  in  the  open  light.But  yet  in  the 
meane  while  the  dodrine  is  fo  manifefl  vntoo  vs,  as  we  may  eafly 
perceyue  Gods  will. For  he  ffieweth  vs  it  familiarly  ynough  as  oft 
as  the  Gofpell  is  preached,infomuch  that  wee  neede  not  to  make 
much  running  vp  and  downe,  not  too  fetch  farre  \v7ndlafres :  wee  (^eute,  ^o^ 
neede  no  more  to  fay,  who  fhal  1  flie  vp  aboue  the  Cloudes :  who  ^  ^2, 
fhall  go  beyond  fea :'  who  fhall  go  downe  intoo  the  deepe :"  Haue 
we  Gods  word  :*  at  leaflwife  haue  wee  it  preached  purely :'  Then 
is  lefus  Chrill  as  it  it  were  in  the  middes  of  vs,and  fheweth  himfelf 
as  it  were  hanging' vppon  the  CrofTe,  witnefsing  what  hee  dyd 
for  vs,when  he  futfered  death  to  reconcyle  vs  to  God  his  father. 
There  hee  fetteth  vs  downe  a  fure  and  vndeceyuable  pledge 
or  warrant,  and  let  vs  content  our  felues  with  it.  For  when  we 
haue  pleaded  neuer  fo  muche ,  it  will  not  exaife  vs  :  oure  cace 
vryW  alwayesgo  againfle  vs,  if  wee  bee  not  well  afTured  in  oure 
confciences  ,  that  wee  haue  whoUye  leaned  vnt<?g  Goddes 

P.ij,  worde^ 


Chap:^:  ^o.Cal.xy.fermonypon 

word, which  (as  I  fayd)  bringeth  vs  fo  neere  vnto  God ,  that  it  is 
the  very  vnion  itfelfe,  whiche  we  haue  with  him  in  the  perfon  of 
our  Lord  lefus  Chriil.  And  in  good  footh^we  fee  how  God  dothe 
as  it  were  ftoup  to  our  rudenefle  and  infirmitie.  For  doth  he  fpealc 
in  fo  loftie  and  darke  a  ftile  as  we  can  vnderftand  nothingc'No'.but 
contrariwife  he  abaceth  hymfelfe,  and  therto  thinkes  it  not  ynough 
to  haue  fpoken,but  alfo  addeth  Sacramentes  to  his  worde,whyche 
are  the  true  pi6hires  that  we  ought  to  haue.  Like  as  when  we  fee 
the  water  of  baptim^it  is  a  pidure  which  fheweth  vs  tliat  we  be  full 
of  filth  aud  vncleanncfle,  till  we  be  wafhed :  and  by  whome  ^  VVc 
muft  feeke  our  wafhing  from  aboue.Befides  this^it  fheweth  vs  that 
we  muft  be  renued  by  the  holy  Ghoft  of  God.  That  then  is  a  good 
pidure.  And  whyc'Bycaufe  it  beareth  Gods  marke,  and  is  matched 
wythhysworde.  As  much  is  to  bee  fayde  of  the  Lordes  fupper. 
When  we  fee  the  morfells  of  bread  and  the  droppes  of  wyne. 
Very  well,  they  bee  the  Creatures  whereof  wee  haue  bin  wont 
100  take  nurrifhmeute  and  fuftenaunce  for  our  bodies  :  but  the 
fame  do  leade  vs  to  the  lyfe  of  our  foules,  and  gyue  vs  to  vnder- 
ftand, that  we  haue  no  lyfe  but  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chryfte.  And 
the  caufe  why  the  wyne  is  added,  is  to  fhew  that  he  hath  fuch  ver- 
tue  in  him,as  we  neede  not  to  feeke  any  part  of  the  thynges  that 
we  want,  any  otherwhere  :  but  that  he  ferueth  vs  for  meate  and 
drinke  and  all.Thefe(Ifay)are  the  good  images  that  God  hath  fct 
afore  vs:and  now  if  we  bee  ftill  foring  in  the  aire,  and  gadding  after 
our  owne  lufts,to  fay  I  would  fayne  haue  more :  it  is  a.  difdeyning 
©f  the  grace  that  is  offered  vs.  So  much  the  more  therefore  doth  it 
ftandevs  on  hand  to  marke  well  this  ftreine,  where  Sain6lPaulc 
by  the  power  and  in  the  name  of  God  condemneth,  yea  and  with 
the  poewr  of  the  holy  Ghoft  thundereth,  againft  all  fuche  as  haue 
bin  taught  the  Gofpell  faithfully,  and  afterward  do  turne  afide  and 
(lip  away  from  it.And  therevpon  he  addeth,  that  he  woulde  fayne 
haue  it  knowen  by  what  meane  the  holy  Ghoft  is  receyued.  For  if 
they  had  receiuedthe  holy  Ghoft  by  the  works  of  the  law :  Sain6t 
Paule  would  haue  graunted  that  there  was  fome  righteoufncffc 
to  be  had  by  it.  But  forafmuch  as  they  had  receiued  him  by  the 
Oolpcll :  ii  muft  nccdes  be  concluded^  that  they  ought  to  haue 

'  rcftcd 


the  SpifiJo  the'^datUdns.      115 

retted  vppanthe  record' that  G6d  gaue  them foapfarah^-Afjri 
1  for  the  better  vnderftaiiding  of  the  tKihg  thatlie  meant'tbb^^^^^ 
^heer^•.let^vs  marke  that  Gods fpirit  i^^^iuWt' m 
faithfully forfomuch  as  theybe  regenerated  and  ■fiiade'  ricwitfr^d- 
.tureS:B^ides  this, there  are  fpiritual  gifts,  which  God  deftributeth 
.according  to  luchmeafure  and  portion  as  hee  thinketh  g'obd,  but 
i«f©t  th€>^'j>ddfeKind  alt  t6^6  c6inm6h  weifarb'^bftHe  CM?cH;;  IfVe 
'*ee;Chftfti^ris]  Ve^niuft  iieedes  h^ Gbcfeiplrft:,  as  w^8  THifl^fe 
•fiecreafter;  For' *e^ '  is  cirife:d  ^tHe'  fe^Ti^eftperitiy  ,;ai^  ^^1' ^^^^ - fO^;t.<t 
of  the  heritage  thatrs  prbmifedvs,  and  \i-hyche Av^ee-MtSkc  for.     22. 
•Yee^fec  then  that'Godsipirit  muft  dwell  in  vs/if  vy^9  feejhys  chif-  E^hX(.\4^ 
drcn.  But  befid^s  this,  there  are'  alfo  gracious  giftes  ^vas  for  ex- 
^ample  tbefe  was^in-oldetime'the'  gifttbfTungs,  tH^ gyfire t)f prd- 
'phdfy<ng;tk6  gift  of  heMihg/  knd^ filch 8 "Other  I^'ife;  AM'^^eh 
ttiil*  at  thyi  %  V  God:(he\\^eth;\v:dHfai^        iiith^hot^Vtteii- 
ly  forfakenhys  Ghiirchv'tbraWbiigh  vifible^^ft^s/reygrie  trot 
now  as  they  did  then  :  yet  hotwithftanding  we  may  fee,  ftill  ?  that 
God  doth  by  fome  meane  or  other  vtter  his  operation  among  v$. 
Fvi4=thei"more  Sainft Paulcfpeaketh hcere  to  all mfcti.  And  there- 
fore (according  to  the  common  and  ordinarre  meeting  of  it)  vvee 
wii  take-this  word  Spirit,  for  tlie  reneWrbet  Which  God  worketh  ih 
his  children,  as  it  is  fayd  i'ntlie  third  Chapter  0fSain6ilbhn.  For  Uhn,^.4,6, 
'in  afmuch  as  we  be  borne  of  flefh,  there  is  nothing  in,  vs  but  vtter 
corruption,  and  we  tend  always  towards  the  earth.  No  doubt  but 
men  glory  in  their  oWn6  wifdome,  aitdiiiorebuer  thihkfe  that  they 
haue  afree  choyce  and  will  of  their  ISwn'e/totakethfey good  a^ 
'£leaue]the  euil,  but  thofe  are  but  dreaiii^s!  For  it  is  (iaft^yne  that 
So  lorig  as  we  bee  let  ak)ne  in  Our  owtie  nature, ,  wee  tendis 
■^uermore vntoo  euill,and  the i^cripture  alfo  condemi^eth  vs  pf 
it,  faying  that  there  is  not  any  thought  cohceyu'ed  in  mannes  ^     ^ 
mynde ,  'but  the  fame  is  leaw^ ,  and  all .  our  affeaiohs '  are  .ene-     ^^^   '  ^*y 
inic  s  and  rebel  is  againft  God.  Werefote "  let  vsniot  beguile  our-  \    '  '  '^ 
fellies  any  more  wftli  vayne  flatteries,  hy&  ^ckrio<vledge  ourfelues 
•too  be  vtterly  marred  in  Adam,  fq  as  there  is  nbtjijng  but  finful- 
^efle  in  vs.  Notwithftanding,  God  prouidetlr  for  that  mifcheefe, 
^hen  hetoucheth  vs  toothe^uicke  by  hy$hi6iyfpirite,  and  (b 

P.iij.  purgetli 


Chap.3-  ^ ;      ^:f(f:^kxy^Semony^on\ 

i|»irgeiiii-our  harts-;  ^s  we  defire  ^  obey  him,  and  although  we  bee 
.nptXo  ^^f^A  as^yere  rec[uifite;yct  we  fight  againft  ourfclues ,  and 
.go  ■&)i;Yf^*^  ^i^-i^.  g9P*^P^fl^*^*  A"<^  %cjy  when  Gods  fpirit  is  as.a 
bridle,  to  vs  to  hold  vs  backe  in  his  olDediece,  it  is  a  fure  token  that 
-God  dwelleth  in  vs,and  gouej neth  vs  as  his  fiocke,  and  holdeth 
■■  vs  ^i;  his  children.For  we  cannot  bee  counted  Chriftians, without 
.^th^s  record,  tha^,.God  warranteth  himfeJfe  p  bee  our  father ,  ar\d 
riiat;  hi?  holy  fpirit  is^s  a  feale;  thereof,  according  afrl  haue  alrea<% 
£piAAA.  ^^'^^S^^  ^e  jrecord  of  5aii?i^  Pauie>  out  of  the  firftto  tlie  Epbefv 
ans.Andnowhefaytli,^/?<j(  the  Galaibians  hadreceyued  tkjpiritc  of 
,   -     .    Qod  by  the  pftaching  of  the  CoJ}elL  Then  feeing  it^is  fo,it  was  for  to,<> 
be  concluded,  that  the  workes  of  the  law  could  not  iuftifye  them. 
.  ^nd  whyC'For  we  muft  always  come  backe  to  thys  princif  le  which 
,wehaue  treated  of,namely  that  in  the-Gofpell  we  be  vtterly itrip- 
j)ed  out  of  all  the  goodnelTe  and  vertue  whiche  we  thought  our- 
4elues  to  haue,  and  that  God  doth  vs  fuch  ihame,  as  we  be  fayne 
to  come  to  him  as  quite  confounded.  For  although  God  fet  ourc 
curfednefle  afore  vs  in  the  law:yet  we  perceiue  it  not  fo  well  there, 
as  in  the  Gfofpell.  And  we  fee  how  the  hipocrites  do  always  flatter 
-themfelue^j.and  thinke  tooperforme  thethynges  thatar^  com- 
maunded  them.But  in  the  Goipell  there  arc  two  things.  For  God 
(hewetb  that  there  is  nothing  in  vs  but  poueitie,  fo  as  we  muft  bee 
fayne  to  come  to  begge  his  grace,  with  vtter  acknowledgement  of 
our  bacenefTe,  how  that  we  haue  done  amilfe,  and  haue  not  one 
fparke  of  vejtue  in  vs  woorthy  of  commendation.  Now  then,  fee- 
ing it  is  ro,Sain6lPaule  dpth  not  without  caufe  tell  vs  heere,tha£ 
fuch  as  receiue  G  ods  fpirit  by  the  preaching  of  the  Gofpell>  muft 
be  voyd  of  all  truft  in  their  ownemerites,and  acknowledge  them- 
felues  beholden  all  wholly  to  Gods  meere  apd  free  mercie  for 
their  whole  faluation.And  why  foC'For  they  be  thinges  that  can  no 
more  match  togither  than  fyre  and  water,  that  we  fhould  be  iufti- 
fyed  by  the  Gofpell,.  and  alio  iuftifyed  jjy  the  law.  What  thenc'Is 
the  Gofpell  contrary  to  the  lawC'No  :ior(as  I  haue  declared  alrea** 
dy)Godis  author  as  well  oftheoneas  of  the  other,  and  there  is 
nocontrariworkingin  hym,  but  the  (peftion  hcere  cpncemcth 
she  cace  of  our  falwign.  Ggd  kthgyuenm«^>  hys  Javve  too 


thSpB.tothe  (^alathiaris.      u6 

fhcwe  them.' the  way  too  lyuc  well,  arid  therety  intended  to  britig 
themtofuche  condemnation,  as  if  hce  fhoulde  prcferrean  in- 
ditementagaynftthem,  and  put  ahalter^bouttheyfneckes.  For 
truly  in  the  law  we  fee  nothing  but  Hell  gaping  open  vpponvs, 
that  Gods  vengeance  is  ready  afore  hand  to  ineounter  vs^and  that 
he  is  armed  againft  vs  as  our  enimie.Thofe  are  the  thyftges  whych 
tiic  lawfetteth  afore  vs.But  now  is  the  GofpelJ  gyuen  vs  for  a  re- 
medy,to  the  end  that  when  we  be  fo  in  defpaire,  we  fhould  flee  to 
the  graee  that  is  offered  vs  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte,  and  vnder- 
ftand  that  there  is  none  other  way  [to  do  vs  good]  than  the  for- 
giuenefle  of  our  fmnes^  whereby  God  dothfoput  away  and  wype 
out  our  offences,  as  they  come  no  more  to  account  before  him. 
The  thing  then  wherein  our  right eoufhefleconfifletb,  is  that  hee 
burdencth  vs  not  any  more  with  the  euil  that  is  in  vs. And  althogh 
we  fee  Gods  intent  ^nd  determination  to  be  fuch,  both  in  the  law 
and  in  the  Gofpelhyet  are  we  fure  that  there  is  na  eontrarietie  iix 
it.  Befydes  this  alfo,  if  we  be  not  iuftifyed  by  tlie  jGofpell,  howc 
can  wee  attayne  faluation  by  the  iawec'Itis  true  that  the  lawci 
is  a  preparatiue  too  bryng  vs  to  the  Gofpell :  for  fo  long  !as  men 
bee  puffed  vp  wytli  pryde,  Gods  grace  hath  no  enterance  intoo 
them.  If  a  veffeJi  be  full  of  wind,  let  a  man  labour  to  put  what  li- 
quor hee  will  into  it,  andhe  (hall  notget  it  in,  bycaufe  the  wynde  - 
bcateth  it  backe,  and  hindereth  t  he  putting  of  itin.  And  we  may 
perceyue  it  eucn  in  mannes  body:for  we  muff  bee  faytie  too  take 
limilitudes  of  worldly  things  too  leade  vs  to  higher  thinges.  If  a 
man  be  hungrie,  and  yet  notwithftanding  haue  hysffoniacke  fo. 
puffed  vp  as  it  cannot  abide  any  th)Tig:hee  may  well  bee  full :  but 
what  for  thatc'AU  is  but  wind,  he  hath  neuer  the  more  nurrifhmcnt 
within  for  all  idiat,but  rather  the;  wind  hindereth  the  entering  in  of 
any  good  fuftenance  to  nurriOiandmainteitie  him.  Euen  To  is  it 
with  the  foolifh  prcfiimpteoufneffethat  is  in  vs.  We  beare  our- 
feluesinhand,thatwebewellfumiihedwithall  thinges  that  wee. 
haue  neede  ofihowh^iti  that  is but  wind  howfoeuer  we  fare,  and 
tliat  wynd(hetteth  out  Gods  grace  fro  entering  inBut  by  the  Gofs 
pel  pur  Lord  bringeth  V.s  low  A  fl?ewcth  vs,  our  wretchednes.  And 
therefore  it  behoiiethv$.tQcomp  to  it  with  a  wnfidcratio  that  our' 
:;  P.iiij.  Lor<i 


~Lord:IefiJ3?Chi>ift!is  fefoot^th  viit<D;Vsd>^re,to  the  end  thatwe  re-* 
ing  that  there  is  not  one  drop  of  gopdniefle  in  vs,fhouId  feeke  it  in 
him,yea  euen  al  wholy  and  not  by  pceces.  Thus  then  ye  fee  why 
S,Paule  reaTopethjthat/or  afmuch  as  we  haue  receiued  Gods  fpi-* 
rit.by  meaneis  ^fithe  GofpelI,it  behonethi\^s  to  hold  vs  therevntOjr 
and  notgq  to  tbe  Cerenionic  s  of  the  Jaw,  nor  to  any  other  thyng 
one  or  6tKer,buthfe  contented  with  that  perfeftion;,  Ceing  it  is  gy- 
uen  vs  and  we  may  enioy  it  without  geinfaying.  For  although  thys 
matter  v/as  written  to  the  Galathians :  yet  is  it  common  to  vs  alfof 
at  this  day,a9^Vieli  as  to  them.  Lctvsmarke(I  ray)how  our  Lorde 
lefus  Chrill  wrought  in  vs.And  fii-ft  of  allletvs  pra6lirethat  whicli 
2XorA.ii  i^  ftxewed  .vs  -in  theieeond  to  the  Corinthians: wliiche  is, that  it  be- 
j3^  houeth  t^s  tft  be  wholly  nevvfafhioned  againe,and  to  haiie  Goddes 
fpirit  dwelling  in  vs.So  then  the  true  marke  whereby  we  maydif- 
cerne  whither  we  bee  Gods  children  or  no,  is  Gods  fpirit.  But 
bring  we  that  fpirit  with  vsfrom  our  mothers  wombc'Alas  no.No- 
thercbrometh  it  any  whit  tliei^more  by  bur  owne  deferuings ,  as  I 
haue  toldyoit  already-butibycaufe  it  pleaferh  God  of  his  gracioufc 
goodnelTe  to  ^e  vs  it, thereby  to  drawvs  to'  him:  If  we  haue  any 
defire  or  willingnefTe  to  walkeinthefeareof  oiir  God,  or  if  wee 
would  fayne  be  able  to  call  vpon  him  with  a  pure  confcience:it  is  a" 
token  that  Gods  fpirit  dwell eth  in  vs.  We  neede  not  to  feeke  any 
other  witntefTe,  noirtd-  i-pake  apy:  Hfoiiger  {canning  of  the  matter^ 
But  nowe  y  haue  wee  gotten-and  obteyned  this  fpirit  by  our  owne 
meritesc'Nofurely.Then  mud  we  needes  conclude,  that  feeyng 
wee  haue  it  of  gyft,  it  was  gyufcn  vs  by  meanes  of  the  Gofpell. 
For  in  the.  Gol'pell  God  vttereth  hys  myghtye  powerand  wor- 
king too  the  faluation  of  men  -y  as  it  is  fayde  in  the  firfte  too 
(^  f  ^  theRomanes./NbwiftherrGbfpell  baethe  inftnlmente  whei^by^ 
-*•  **  *  we  receyueGoddes  fpirite  filial  li  we  go- ffeeke  other  meanesrs^ 
VVere  notthat  A  renouncing  of  the  power whycheJisapparanily 
knowen  too  vs Vlt  is  all  one  as  if  ^V^e  would'  wilfally  leaue  tHe' 
way  that  is  fhewed  vs  of  our  God  ,  too  fefeke  byvvayes  Jafref^ 
our  owne  fancie.  And -if  the  Galathians  were' withoiit^e-^t'ftce 
for  theyr  turning. away  from'th^  Gofpell  tba;Chei  ^i^'^VyvHdit. 
fhall  wee  bee  in  &efe  dsycd^^if  \v«e  wiii  -ni^es  W^  w^^P^tl 
'  '  '^       "         ,di-  r  inthc- 


the  EpiH,  to  the  (jalathians.       1 1 7 

iri^Jie  fupei-ftitions  that  men  haue  forged  in  their  owne  Hioppes  < 
Asforexample,thePapi{lesthinketoobeeiuflified,  not  by  the 
Ceremonies  that  God  had  commaunded  in  olde  time ,  but  by  the 
dotages  and  gewgawes  that  they  them  felues  haue  deuifed.  For  as 
for  the  thing  whiche  they  doo  nowe  a  dayes  terme  Gods  feruice, 
whatelfeisitthanacertaynehotchpotche,  whereinto  eueiy  man 
kathcail  his  owne  peece  and  collopc'  Seeing  then  that  the  cace 
ftandeth  fo^it  is  not  a  dcfpiflng  of  God,  and  a  withdrawing  of  our 
felues  from  him^by  reie<51:ing  of  his  grace,  too  the  ende  he  fhouJde 
not  haue  any  accefle  at  all  vnto  vs ,  when  wee  will  needes  mingle 
mens  inuenttons  with  die  purenefTe  of  the  Gofpell  c'  Muft  we  nor 
needes  be  vvorfe  than  mad  in  fo  dooing  c'  Then  let  vs  know  at  one 
worde,  that  wee  can  not  bee  Chriflians,  but  die  hoJy  Ghoft  mufle 
holde  vs  in  fuch  humilitie,  as  to  make  vs  confeiTejthat  ai  our  weU. 
fare  commeth  of  Gods  meere  grace,and  fo  cleaue  to  our  Lorde  le- 
fus  Chrift,  as  wee  not  onely  take  him  for  a  peece  or  portion  of  our 
truft,  but  bee  fully  (atiffied  with  him  as  hauing  drawne  of  his  ful- 
neflcjaffuring  our  felues  that  he  is  the  full  perfe(?lionjnot  only  of 
all  wifedome,  but  alfo  of  all  righteoufneffe  and  happineile,  &  that 
in  him  licth  and  confifleth  all  our  welfare,  which  welfare  wee  pof- 
felfe  when  wee  haue  the  Gofpell  and  the  preaching  of  faythe, 
and  when  wee  be  caft  downe  in  our  felues/and  vtterly  bereft  of  all 
prefumpteoufneife, which  keepeth  vs  backe  from  comming  vnto 
God,Furthermore  let  vs  be  fo  rauifhed,feeing  tliat  our  Lord  lefus 
Chrift  hath  fo  bountifully  giuen  vs  all  that  was  requifite  for  our 
faluation,  I  fay  let  vs  bee*  fo  rauifbed  with  it ,  as  all  things  eife  that 
can  be  layde  before  vs,  may  be  but  as  fmoke  too  vs,  and  we  vtter- 
ly defpife  and  abhorre  thcm,too  fhewe  how  well  we  haue  profited 
i#i  the  Goft)ell,and'therewithall  bee  fo  conftant^nd  ftedf^ll:  in  our 
ftru€S,^5helcier  to  bee^tliruft  out  of  the  way,  whatfoeuer  the  diueil 
whifpei*  ^ih'  bure  eare.  And  moreouer ,  for  as  muche  as  wee  bee 
foAveakejgrofTe  and  heauie,that  although  God  doo  daily  prouoke 
0uery  of  vs  to  come  vnto  hinvwee  come  but  as  it  were  hailing  and 
crfeeping :  let  vs  inforce  our  felues  mare  and  more  to  befeech  God 
tooftrengthen  vs  with  his  holy  fpirite,  and  too  make  vs  profte 
i3^fef&rfd<marcii^the<knowlcdgeof  his  Gofpell.  And  let  vs  not 


doo'as  thofe  doo  vvHidi  imagine  them  felues  too  bee  come  to  full' 
perfe6lion  at  the  firft  day  t  but  let  vs  labour  to  go  forwarde  more 
and  more  in  the  hope  of  the  heaucnly  life,  8c  to  gather  fuch  ftregth 
as  our  fayth  may  grow  from  day  to  day, till  we  come  to  the  blefled 
lEph.JLX*U  ftop,wherof  S.Paul  fpeaketh  in  the  fourth  to  the  Ephefians'.which 
iC; that  we  clcaue  fully  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift. 

Nowe  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  maieftie  of  our  good  God, 
with  acknowledgement  of  our  faultes,  praying  him  to  make  vs  fa 
to  feele  them  more  and  more,  as  the  fame  may  caufe  vs  bpthe  too 
tniflike  them,  and  alfo  too  aske  forgiuenefle  of  them  at  liis  hande, 
that  by  that  meanes  he  may  bee  glorified  by  vs,  and  wee  fo  confir- 
med by  his  holy  fpirite,as  we  may  not  doubt  hut  that  he  dwelleth: 
in-vs,  and  that  as  he  hath  once  adopted  vs  for  his  cliildreti ,  fo  he 
will  holde  vs  flill  for  tlie  fame,  i\nd  fo  let  vs  all  faye,  Almightic 
God  heaucnly  father.&c. 

The.7<npj\Sermonii>htchi5the 

fecatid  \fpon  the  third  chapter, 
5    Arcyce  fo  vnvvife^that when  yee  hancbcgonncby; 
the  fpirite,novv  yee  ende  in  the  flc^  ? 

4  Haue yee  ftaffered  fo  muchc  in  vaync  >  At  Icaftvvifc 

ifitbceinvaync. 

5  Hctherforethatgiiiechyou  the  rpintc,ancl  vvorketh 

mightily  in  yon :  doth  he  it  by  the  works  of  the 
lavv,or  by  the  preaching  of  the  fayth  > 

Ec  know  that  all  the  do^Strine  of  the  Gofpell , 
tendeth  to  draw  vS  out  of  this  worlde,and  to) 
make  vs  come  vnto  God.  But  that r is  impof-- 
fible ,  vnlelTe  wee  bee  lifted  vp  continually 
more  and  more.  Therfore  if  wee  intende  too , 
profite  in  Gods  fchoole,  wee  mufte  fo  labour 
to  correft  the  infirmities  that  are  in  our,  nar 
ture,  as  i^wQQ  were  alwayes  at  tlie  poynt  tOQ  bee  tak^  <?VU  i^f  ^h^ : 

world. 


the  Epifl.to  the  (jalathians.       ii  8 

Vofld.  True  it  is  that  God  of  hi^  goodnefle  ftoopeth  downe  vmo 
VS,  but  that  is  not  too  holde  vs  heere  beneath :  Likewife  when  he 
fendcth  vs  mortall  men  too  bee  as  his  mefTangers,  and  exhortetli 
VS  to  come  vnto  hrm  by  fuch  meanes  as  arc  fittefl  for  vs,and  tlier- 
togiucth  vs  his  Sacraments, which  are  earthly  arid  vifible  llgnes: 
therein  wee  fee  howe  he  voutfafeth  right  well  (as  yec  would  fay) 
too  make  him  felfe  lowe,  too  the  ende  wee  iTioulde  not  haue  any 
cxcufc ,  to  fay  wee  were  not  able  to  mount  vp  to  fuche  a  h eighth • 
But  howe  foeuer  the  cace  ftande,  if  wee.looke  ^oW  vpon  the  Gof- 
pell,  wee  fhall  finde  that  the  marke  whereat  it  ameth,  is  to  bereeuc 
vs  of  ourfelues,and  of  all  that  belongeth  too  our  flefh,to  the  endc 
wee  Hiouldcome  vnto  him.  But  on  the  contrarie  fide,  men  abufe 
the  fauour  that  God  flieweth  them  in  fetting  fuche  vifible  fignes  a-  ; 
forcthem,by  bearif^  them  felues  in  hande,  that  the  whole  perfec-  j 
lion  of  their  holynefTe  is  to  bee  founde  there ,  and  that  that  is  the  | 
riling  whervnto  they  muft  hold  them.  And  the  fame  is  notavyce 
of  two  dayes  or  yefterdays  breeding :  but  it  hath  reigned  from  the 
beginning  of  the  world,  and  continuethyet  ftill,and  (which,  worfe 
is)  men  t&nke  it  not  inougl^  to  oucrthrow  the  thing  that  God  had 
fet  vp  to  draw  them  vnto  him :  but  they  doo  alfo  forge  and  frame 
many  hinderanccs  to  keepe  thefelues  aloofe  from  him.This  would 
be  darkeifit  were  hot  declared  by  example.  God  had  in  his  1  awe 
ordeyned  Sacrifices,  fliadowes,  and  figures  for  a  time  :  yet  did  he 
it  not  for  any  pleafure  that  he  had  in  thofe  bare  things :  but  by  rea- 
fon  of  the  rudeneffe  of  the  people  (who  were  as  then  like  little 
children)  whom  he  ment  to  trayne  ftiil  forwarde  too  a  fpirituall 
feraice,by  meanes  agreeable  too  tKeir  rawnefle.  That  is  the  caufe 
why  the  Ceremonies  of  the  Lawc  are  faide  to  be  as  it  were  flefhly- 
For  why  <  God  intended  too  teachc  his  people* grofly  too  come 
thither  as  they  ought  to  doo.But  howe  Ix^uer  they  fared,  the  pat- 
teme  that  was  (hewed vnto.  Moyfes  in  the  mount  was  heauenly. 
Then  were  there  two  things*in  all  the  Ceremonies  of  the  Lawe> 
For  when  men  wafhed  them  felues  at  their  entring  into  the  Tem- 
ple, when  they  offered  the  Sacrifices,  when  they  vfed  lightesand 
perfumes,  and  when  the  Prieft  clothed  him  felfe  with  his  fpeciall 
apparel! ;  all  thofe. things  (as  in  refpe^^eof  the  outwarde  dievvc> 


'% 


c!up.3.  fo.CaLxyj.  Sermon  ypon 

inight  well  bee  called  fleYhly  and  tenijJorall :  but  (as  itiref^^Bxof 
their  eiade)  they  wei-e  fpirituali^  Butwhat  did  thcilewcs:"  They  gar* 
zed  vpon  the  figures,  without  confidering  whcrfore  Godiiad>or> 
deyned  tliem,and  bare  them  felues  in  hand,that  they  hadvery  well 
difchargcd  their  duetie>in  eomming  to  Churche,and  in  dooingthe 
things  that  were  commaunded  them  outwardly.  But  truely.  they 
difguifed  G od  after  their  owne  fancie ,  as  be  himi  {e\£6  -macfceth 

fC  f^  A\  diem  for  it  by  his  ProphetS)  faying  that  he  dwelleth^btin.h'oufes 
made  with  mens  hands,  and  that  the  very  heauen  is  not  abld  tofi 
comprchende  his  maieftie,  which  is  infinite.  Furthermore  the  Paf 
pifts  at  this  day,  thinking  it  not  inough  to  abufe  the  things  that  are 
conteynedinGods  lawe,  haue  foputtoo  peece  afterpeece  ,-as 
there  is  none  end  af  al  of  their  fdHi^^and  yet  notwithflandtng  they 
intitle  them  to  bee  the  feruice  of  God.  Boat  wi^atfoeuer  thcyf  fayei 
they  bee  not:hing  elfe  than  iugling  triekes  and  masking  toy^s. 
But  nowe  let  vs  come  to  that  which  is  fp<>ken  heere.S.Paule  com^ 
pareth  the  fpirite  with  the  flefhe.What  meaneth  he  by  thefpiritef 
All  the  do6bine  which  God  fetteth  foorth  toov^  in  his  Gofpell. 
For  there  is  a  fpirituall  guy  ding,  fo  as  wee  be  rto^more  hilde  vnder 
theoldefl^adowes  as  the  leweswere.  ¥ee  fee  thetrthat  God  in 
thefe  dayes  reuealeth  him  felfe  fully  vntovs,  andhauing  beaten 
downe  and  difanulled  all  the  fhadowes  of  the  Lawe ,  fheweth  vs 
that  he  will  hauevs  to  come  right  foorth  vnto  him,  and  not  haue 
any  thing  remayne  to  hold  vs  backe  heere  beneath  any  more.  Vn- 
der the  lawe  onely  the  Prieft  preaced  neere  vnto  God,and  all  the 
people  kepte  them  felues  a  farre  off.  Butweehaue  ourLordele- 
fus  Chrift,  who  is  our  Prieft,  by  whome  the  >yaye  is  -opened:vs  vci 
his  bloud,  to  make  vs  to  come  vnto  God  his  father,as  the  Apoftlc 

Helf,p,  CM  fj^eaketh  of  him  in  the  Epiftleto  the  Hebrues.  Then  if  wee  receiue 
the  Gofpell  as  it  beconimeth  vs,  God  will  deale  with  vs  after  fuch 
forte,  as  if  wee  were  meeteto'come  neere  vnto  him,and  will  leaue 
nil  the  diings  whiche  he  had  ordeyned  inolde  time  for  fliche  ais 
were  more  rude  andgrolTe.  Thusyee  fee  why  S.  Paule  vpbray^ 
deth  the  Galaihians  with  their  beginning  in  the  fpinte,  that  is  too 
fay,  for  that  tliey  had  had  the  do6lrine  of  the  Gofpell,  whiche  had 
flawed  them  the  things  that  had  bin  hidden  from  the  le wes,  or  at 

leaft- 


the  EpiH.to  the  (^alathians.       119 

leaftwifehad  bin  fhewedthembutaloofe  vnder  darke  fhadowes* 
Therevpon  he  vpbraydeth  them,  that  they  intended  too  ende  in 
the  flefhe,that  is  too  fay,  with  thefe  lower  things.  And  it  is  all  one 
as  if  he  had  fayde,  God  hath  beene  fo  gracious  too  you, as  to  haue 
taught  you  his  will  out  of  handc,and  you  will  needes  be  hilde  ftill 
in  your  Apfie,  and  in  your  firft  principles.  He  hathe  giuenyoua 
higheandperfe6l  knowledge ,  whereby  yee  haue  perceyued  the 
ineftimable  loue  which  he  beareth  you  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift : 
and  will  you  nowe  retume  agayne  too  your  Apfie^and  forget  the 
things  that  haue  bin  taught  youc*  VVere  not  that  aperuerting  of 
all  order,and  a  putting  away  of  the  grace  that  he  had  offered  you^ 
But  we  know  that  naturally  when  men  intend  to  leame  any  thing 
they  begin  at  the  fnialleft  poynts,  and  afterwarde  in  all  crafts  and 
all  trades,  proceede  by  little  and  little  through  experience.  For  if 
a  man  fhould  teache  a  childe  highe  fciences,  without  teadikig  him 
firft  his  Apfie,and  to  write  and  reade,  and  afterwarde  his  grammer 
to  guide  him  foorthe  by  degrees :  what  a  thing  were  it  1  Agayne> 
when  a  childe  is  well  forwarde,  and  come  to  mans  age,if  he  fliould 
bee  fetbacke  agayne  too  his  Apfie  after  he  hathe  well  profited :  it 
would  bee  a  playne  mockerie.  In  like  wyfe  is  it  with  handicraftes* 
For  it  is  well  knowen,that  he  which  commeth  newly  mto  a  (bop^ 
fliall  not  bee  of  skill  too  vnderftand  as  much  at  the  firft  day,  as  he 
fiiall  bee  at  the  ende  of  a  yecre  or  tvv^ayne :  but  firft  he  muft  bee- 
taught  his  principles,  and  afterwarde  growe  more  and  more  in 
cunning.  But  if  that  he  which  hath  learned  hiscrafte,  dooatthc 
foure  yeares  ende  tume  backe  agekie  too  that  which  he  ought  too* 
haue  )knowen  the  firft  day :  in  fo  dooyng  he  ft^all  Ihewe  him  felfe? 
to  bee  abeaft,  and  that  he  hath  loft  his  tyme.  But  nowe  let  vs  ap- 
ply this  lelTon  too  our  felues.  Truely  for  as  muche  as  we  bee  hca.- 
uie  and  earthy,  wee  had  neede  to  haue  the  things  chawed  vnto  vs,. 
which  wee  bee  not  able  too  digeft  :  yet  notwithftanding  G  od  is  fa^ 
gracious  and  charie  too  vs,  as  too  teache  vs  fpirituaJly :  that  is  toa 
?ay,after  a  higher  and  excellenter  maner  than  he  taught  the  fathers^ 
vnder  the  Lawe.  We  fee  that  Abraham  had  not  this  priuiledg^ 
and  yctneuertheleffe  he  is  the  father  of  the  faythRill,  and  it  beho^ 
Ucth  vs  to  be  faftuoned  like  vnto  him,  as  we  fhalL  fee  awhile  after. 

VVcft 


Chap.j,  fo.Cal.xyj.fermonypori 

yVcQ  fee  that  bauid  was  an  excellent  King  and  PropW,  and  yet 
notwithflaridinghe  {awe  not  the  things  whiche  wee  fee  nowe,  but 
onely  in  a  fhadowc.  As  muche  is  to  bee  iayde  of  all  thole  whome 
God  giiided  vnder  the  auncient  figures.  And  for  that  caufe  oure 
M  th,n.h  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte  fayth,  that  the  eyes  are  happie  whiche  fee  the 
1(5^  things  that  we  fee  fince  his  fhewing  of  him  felfe  to  the  worlde,and 
that  the  eares  are  happie  which  hear^the  do^triiie  of  the  Gofpel  a$ 
it  is  preached  vnto  vs.  Seeing  then  diat  Gdd  commeth  after  that 
fort  vnto  vs ,  and  becornmeth  fo  familiar  with  vs :  if  wee  fhrinkc 
backe,and  takeCercmoni-es  and  figures  in  fteade  of  tK«  good  doc- 
trine,as  though  we  might  not  come  at  hirn:  is  it  not  a  kicking  a- 
•gaynft  him  as  it  were  in  fpite  of  him  C"  And  dooth  not  diat  rcbelk-r 
oufnede  (hewe  vs  to  bee  vnwiliing  that  God  fhould  bee  mercyfull 
and  bountifuil  towards  vs,  as  he  fheweth  hiitiielfe  to  bee  C*  No  we 
then  we  may  eafily  vndeii^andfi  what  S.PauLe  meaneth  heere.  For 
he  vpbraydeth  the  Galathians  with  their  going  backward  like  Sea- 
crabbes,  in  that  whereas  they  had  bin  trayned  in  the  fpirituall  doc- 
trine of  the  Gofpelljthcy  turned  backe  agayne  to  the  (hadowes  of 
the  Lawe.  Likewife  if  wee  in  oure  time,  after  wee  haueonceac- 
^uaynted  our  felues  with  fuche  order  as  is  according  too  the  GoC- 
pell,and  be  inured  with  fuch  feruice  of  God  as  is  ruled  by  his  pure 
worde,  would  needcs  afterward  be  mingling  of  fancies  with  it,  and 
fayjit  will  be  good  to  doo  thus  and  thus  yet :  it  were  a  turning 
backe  agayne  to  the  flefh,  that  is  to  fay,  wheras  God  hath  aduaun- 
ced  vs  on  high,  wee  woulde  drawe  downe :  and  that  is  a  manyfeft 
fighting  agaynft  him.  Wherefore  let  vs  learne  to  apply  this  doc- 
trine to  our  owne  profite,  and  for  as  muche  as  God  hath  giuen  vS 
his  worde  purely  preached  among  vs,if  we  once  know  how  he  wil 
be  honored  and  femed,  let  vs  not  fwarue  from  it,  neyther  too  the 
right  hand  nor  to  the  left,  but  let  vs  fo  profite  in  the  worde  that  is 
preached  faythfolly  vnto  vs  in  the  name  of  God,as  it  may  appeare 
that  we  defire  to  make  it  auaylable.  And  furely  the  further  forward 
that  wee  fhall  haue  bin  in  it,  the  lefle  excuce  (hall  wee  haue  if  wee 
turne  backe  aft£rwarde,as  wee  fee  many  doo,whiche  waxe  cold  or 
-clfe  wouWe  fayne  rowe  betweene  two  flreames ,  and  whereas  it 
were  to  be  locked  for  tbat  they  Aottld  haue  gone  continually  ^or- 
■  varde. 


theEpiU.totheCjalaihians.      120 

iirard,  and  haue  come  neerer  &  neerer  vnto  God,  they  be  ftfJ  mu- 

fmg  vpon  a  forte  of  feely  toyes.  And  now  a  dayes  they  that  would 

fhun  perfecution,finde  fuche  fhifts  as  thefe :  They  difguife  and  faU 

fifie  Gods  worde  by  mingling  and  turmoyling  mens  inuentions 

with  it.  So  much  the  more  therfore  doth  it  behoue  vs  to  talce  heed 

to  this  doctrine,  where  S.  Paule  telleth  vs',  that  if  God  haue  once 

fet  vs  forwarde,we  muft  no  more  retume  backe  to  our  Apfie  lyke 

little  babes.  For  it  is  a  fhame  for  vs,when  we  haue  once  profited  in 

the  Gofpell,  or  at  leaftwife  haue  had  leafure  long  inoughe  for  too 

profite,and  yet  notwithftanding  it  fljall  feeme  that  wee  neuer  herd 

one  worde  of  it,  accordmg  as  the  Apoftle  in  the  Epiftle  to  the  He-  Ue,cJ,n, 

braes  vpbraydeth  the  Iewes,faying :  Yee  ought  all  of  you  too  bee 

teachers  in  refpe6l  of  the  time  that  you  haue  bin  taughte ,  and  yet 

notwithftanding  you  bee  ftill  like  yong  beginners.  Thus  ye  fee  the 

lirft  poynt  that  we  haue  to  marke  vpon  this  text.  Nowe  he  addeth 

cot^Qo^^wiVj , Haue  yee  fuf red fo  many  things  in  Vayne  i  ]fat  leaHVife 

it  he  in  y>4yne.  Here  he  wakeneth  vp  the  Galathians,by  telling  them 

tliat  Godhad  done  them  the  honor  to  make  them  as  witneffes  of 

Ills  Gofpell,  and  yet  notwithftanding  that  aftcrwarde  they  had 

fwarued  from  it.  And  this  is  a  thing  well  worth  the  marking.  For 

fometimes  God  doth  vs  fo  great  honor  as  to  feme  his  turne  by  vs, 

fo  diat  his  worde  is  by  our  meanes  maynteined  before  men.Nowe 

if  therevpon  we  fwanie  afide,  and  holde  not  out  to  the  end  in  fuch 

conftancie  as  appeared  to  be  in  vs,  it  is  a  double  fiiame,  and  alfo  it 

is  to  be  taken  for  the  greater  crime,  bicaufe  the  occaTion  of  offence 

is  double;  and  moreouer  it  is  a  vilanous  vnthankfulnefle  if  wee 

continue  not  in  the  feruing  of  oure  God ,  when  he  hathe  reached 

vs  hyshande after  that  m.aner.  And  this  is  fo  muche  the  more  too 

bee  noted,bicatife  wee  fee  many  men  bragge  and  boaft  them  feiues 

too  haue  wrought  wonders,  if  oureLordelefus  Chrift  haue  fer- 

uedhisjturne  by  diem  ih  any  thing.  \^^ hat;  fay e  they :"  haue  not 

I  do  one  this  and  that  C'  They  W/il  all  edge  their  ^wne  abihties :  in 

fo  muche  that  (if  yee  beleeue  them)  God  is  greatly  bounde  vnto 

them.  But  puttlie  cace  they  had  doonc  a  hundredfold  more  than 

they  fpeake  of:  yet  are  they  eucn  therfore  fomuche  the  more  be- 

hgldeata  God  Uor  it  cam«  apt  gf  their  owne  good  towardneffe, 

'^'-  "~" '" ""'     "*     '       ■  bm 


Chapj.  fo.CaLxyj.fermonypon 

but  of  God  who  gouerncd  them  by  his  holy  fpirite :  andifth^y 
ouerfhoote  them  fducs  aftcrwarde,  their  faulte  and  offence  is  fa 
muche  theworfe.  And  whysCo  c'  Bicaufe  they  oughte  too  go  for- 
warde,and  they  go  backwarde.  And  moreouer  they  caufe  many 
mo  too  ftumble,  than  they  fhouldhaue  done  if  they  had  not  bin 
fet  fooith  too  the  vewe.  For  when  God  lifted  them  vp  as  it  were 
vpon  the  ftage,  it  was  too  haue  them  feene  a  farre  off.  By  meanes 
whereof  they  trouble  an  mfinite  multitude  of  people,  and  there- 
fore their  faulte  is  fo  much  the  haynoufer.  But  yet  is  that  vice  too 
common.  For  nowe  a  dayes,  fuche  as  thinke  them  felues  too  hauc 
done  any  thing  for  the  Gofpell ,  will  needes  bee  exempted  from 
all  lawe  and  rule :  in  fo  muche  that  if  a  man  blame  them  for  doo- 
ing  amiffe^what  (fay  theyO  ought  I  not  to  bee  borne  withall  C'  For 
i  haue  do  one  this  and  that.  To  bee  fhort,  men  will  difpence  with 
them  felues  after  that  maner,  and  (which  is  worfe)  they  aduauncc 
them  felues  proudly  agaynft  God ,  when  he  dooth  them  die  ho- 
nour too  imploy  them  about  his  feruice.  But  let  vs  marke  howe 
S.  Paule  fayth  heere,  Baueyeg/uferedfo  muche  in  l^ayne  .^  He  taketh 
occafion  too  blame  the  Galathians  fo  muche  tlie  forer,  bicaufe 
they  had  alreadie  fuffered  for  the  Gofpels  fake,  and  beene  perfe- 
cuted,  and  indured  many  troubles  bothe  in  tlieir  goodes  and  in 
their  perfons.  Howenowe  (faythe  he :" )  what  is  to  beefaydc  of  all 
that  you  haue  fuffered  c*  Is  it  not  a  recorde  that  God  had  called 
you  too  the  magnifying  of  hys  name :'  For  in  good  faythe  the 
things  that  wee  fuffer  for  the  Gofpels  lake ,  oughte  too  feme  vS 
for  a  badge,  as  if  God  did  fet  vs  in  fome  honorable  office.  The 
greatejft  honor  that  wee  can  haue,  is  too  bee  witnefTes  of  Gods 
truthe ,  fo  that  althoughe  we  be  fubie£l  to  lying,yet  notwithflan- 
ding  he  iuftifieth  his  etemal  truthe  which  proceedeth  fro  him  felfe, 
cue  by  vs  which  are  wretched  creamres,which  are  but  wind,fmoke 
fhadowes  ,and  1  elTe  than  nothing.  Seeing  then  that  God  appoyn- 
teth  and  ordeineth  vs  to  be  lawful  wimefTes  for  the  aduancing  8c 
inlarging  of  his  Gofpel  by  vs:  hath  he  not  iufl  caufe  to  complayne, 
if  wee  fwarue  afide  from  it  after  wee  haue  fuffered  for  itf 
Therefore  let  all  fuche  looke  narrowly  to  them  felues,as  haue  had 
any  good  beginnin2.And  thjre  is  ngt  any  warning  better. worthie 

coo 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.         12 1 

too  bee  taken  hecdc  vnto,  than  this.  For  feyng  that  the  ieaflof  the 
Church  haue  ynough  too  bind  them  to  God  ward  for  his  chozingof 
them  from  out  of  the  vvorId,&  for  his  direChng  of  his  Gofpeli  vnto 
the,in  fomuch  that  he  hath  left  the  great  ones  &  fuch  as  tal^e  highly 
vpon  thcfelucs  by  reafon  of  their  great  excellencie,  &  preferred  the 
lefier  fort  &  dich  as  are  defpized  too  the  worldward^andHiall  furely. 
haue  the  harder  accoutto  make,if  they  fhrink  away  aftc r ward :v.- hat 
(hall  become  of  thofe  whom  God  vouchiafed  to  haue  to  be  his  ftan- 
der-ub?crcrs,and  whom  he  preferred  in  fuch  wize^asthey  ought  too 
h.iue  bin  an  cxaplc  and  lookingglaile  tor  others  c'  what  excule  fnail  ^ 
there  be  for  the,if  they  giue  the  flip  1  And  fpecially  if  they  that  haue 
futTered  for.  the  name  of  Icfus  Chrift,  Sc  for  the  dodrine  of  his  Go- 
fpeli, fo  farrc  forth  as  to  haue  bin  kcpte  in  pryfon  and  too  haue  bin 
tormetcd,yeaand  to  haue  bin  brought  euen  vnto  deaths  dore,do  af- 
terv/ard  ilart  afidc-.is  it  not  an  abolishing  of  Gods  grace  fo  far  forth 
as  in  them  liethc' So  little  then  ought  any  mans  fuffcring  for  the 
Gofpell,ferue  to  cxcuze  him  or  caufe  him  to  be  borne  withall :  that 
fuch  as  haue  fuffercd  mod  ought  too  brydle  themfelues  fhorteft, 
knowinc"  that  the  honour  which  God  doth  them,  holdeth  them  fo 
much  the  more  bound  vnto  him,  and  that  it  bchoueth  them  to  bee 
tbemore  watchfull  and  warer,  that  they  giue  none  occaf^o  of  ftum- 
biing  to  any  bodie.  For  when  folkc  (hail  ray,how  commeth  this  too 
paile  :"  fuch  a  one  fhould  haue  bin  a  Martir  of  God,  he  hath  indurcd 
much  for  the  mayntcnancc  of  the  truth,  and  nowbeholde  he  is  be- 
come a  rcncgatc  :  it  is aputtingof  the  Gofpell  to  fhame  &:  reproch, 
and  what  a  thing  is  that :  By  that  meanes  the  name  of  God  fnall  be 
gi-eatly  mifreportcd.  And  therfore  let  vs  marke  well,that  if  we  haue' 
fora  time  ferued  God,  and  he  hath  made  our  labour  frutei'ull,  fo  as 
the  Church  hath  bin  profited  and  edified  by  it :  wee  muflie  walke  \vL 
the  greater  careRiIndle,  and  take  good  heede  that  wee  play  not  the 
i}Trc\vd  Cow,,  that  giucs  a  good  deale  of  milk-e,  and  when  (bee  hath 
done,{lrikes  downe  the  payle  and  fpiiles  it.  For  if  wedoo  a  hundred 
times  more  harme  than  wee  did  good  :  what  can  we  alled^^e  for  our 
defence :'  how  can  wee  fay  that  wee  haue  fuflPered  for  the  Gofpell  < 
W'lierfore  ifwc  purpofe  that  God  fhoulde  allow  of  our  feruis,  1  :t 
Y5  leame  to  be  conftant,firme  and  faft  fettled,that  we  neuer  fwarue 

C^  afide 


^^'^P'  3 .  ^0.  CaLxyj.  Sermonypon 

afidc  from  our  callyng,but  continue  and  go  foresaid  in  it  more. and 
more.Howbeit  for  afmuch  as  this  vpbrayding  was  veiy  rigorous,  S. 
Paule  mitigateth  it,  faying :  If  at  UaH'fioi:^  it  be  m  )>aytw.  \' Vherin  he 
■    giueth  the  Galaihians  an  incling,that  he  hopeth  much  better  of  the, 
and  that  although  they  were  ftart  afide  for  a  tyme,yet  it  would  not 
indore  long,but  that  vpon  warning  and  exliortation  they  would  re- 
turne  againe  into  the  right  way.  And  in  this  text  wee  fee, that  when 
wee  bee  rebuked  by  Gods  fpirit,it  is  not  too  make  vs  fumifh^nor  to 
driue  vs  too  fucha  defpcratenefle  that  wee  fhoulde  take  the  br)^dle 
in  our  teeth  and  fall  too  chafing :  but  rather  too  drawe  vs  to  repen- 
tance. God  then  intendeth  not  to  make  vs  fo  difmayed,as  too  leaue 
vs  in  the  byers :  but  after  he  hath  fhewed  vs  our  faultes,  he  calleth 
vs  alwayes  home  againe  too  him,and  calleth  vs  too  repentance, and 
(heweth  vs  that  he  is  readie  too  receyue  and  take  vs  too  mercie,  as 
oft  as  wee  bee  touched  with  true  lowlineffe  to  be  forie  for  our  fins, 
and  too  acknowledge  them  vnifaynedly  and  freely.  Sith  itisfo,let  vs 
on  our  fide  be  well  aduized.that  when  we  be  told  of  the  faultes  that 
wee  haue  done,  wee  play  not  the  mad  Bedlems,nor  go  about  to  win 
any  thing  by  ftarting  afide  or  dragging  backe :  but  yeeld  our  felues 
giltie,  and  bee  fo  meeke  and  patient  minded,  as  too  fuffer  our  fe lues 
too  bee  blamed  after  as  wee  haue  neede.  And  when  rebukings  fhall 
feeme  fomewhat  with  the  fharpeft  3c  pricking  to  vs  :  let  vs  alwayes 
beare  in  minde,too  confider  too  what  end  they  tend,and  whatfrute 
folio weth  them,and  that  although  God  rebuke  vs  throughly,yet  he 
is  readie  too  forget  all  our  faultes  afterward.  Yee  fee  then  what  wee 
haue  to  remember  :  asifS.Paule  {houldfay,that  although  we  to  the 
vttermofl  of  our  power  haue  aboliflied  the  grace  of  God  :  yet  not 
withftanding  he  on  his  part  is  loth  they  fliould  perifh  &  would  faine 
make  them  to  profper.  And  therevnto  he  rebuketh  vs,  to  the  intent 
we  fhould  not  cotinue  vnamendable.Thcrfore  whenfoeuer  we  fiiall 
haue  bin  fo  far  ouerfeene  as  to  ftray  fron\the  right  way  :  yet  let  vs 
know  that  our  Lord  calleth  vs  backe  too  him,and  giueth  vs  a  meane  , 
to  returne  againe,if  our  fault  be  not  matched  with  wilfuInelTe.  Now 
after  that  S.Paule  hath  fpokenfo,  he  addeth  againe,  that  God  had 
delt  foorth  the  giftes  of  his  holy  fpirit  among  the  Galathians,yea  Sc 
tliat  by  mcanes  of  tlie  gofpel^in  fomuch  that  the  fame  ought  to  haue 

bia 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathlam.         12  ^ 

bmynough  to  hold  them  to  the  do(5lnne  which  they  had  reccyucd, 
without  turning  afide  or  wandering  away  fro  it.  Whereas  he  fpea- 
keth  here  of  Gods  fpiritjhe  meeneth  not  the  grace  that  was  treated 
of  this  morning,  which  is  common  to  all  the  faythfull :  butvTeth  an 
other  kinde  ofreafoning(as  wc  flvall  fee  by  the  fequele:)namely  that 
befides  Ciods  fhewing  of  himfelfe  generally  too  all  the  GalathiAns, 
that  he  had  adopted  them  for  his  children  :  he  had  alfo  ordeyned 
Prophetes  among  them^  and  men  indewed,  fome  with  the  gifte  of 
TungeSjfon.ie  with  the  gift  of  healing,  &;  otherfome  with  fuch  other 
like.  But  all  this  came  to  them  by  meanes  of  the  Gofpelhand  there- 
fore their  turning  backe  againe  to  the  Ceremonies  of  the  law,  was  a 
burying  of  all  the  operacions  of  Gods  fpirit.  Ihaue  told  you  already 
how  we  muft  bearein  minde^that  God  comunicatethhis  fpirit  to  all 
[]hisj :  for  without  that;;'  we  could  not  be  Chriftians,  bicaufe  there  is 
nothing  but  euill  in  our  nature.God  muft  be  fayne  to  reforme  vs  &: 
bring  vs  backe  to  himfelf,  fo  as  we  may  become  as  it  were  new  crea- 
tures. Ye  e  fee  then  that  God  doth  make  vs  generally  all  parttakers 
of  his  holy  fpirit,by  meanes  wherof  we  be  touched  with  the  feare  of 
him,inlightened  with  fayth  to  feeke  our  faluatio  in  lefus  Chrifl,and 
cheered  vp  to  refort  vnto  God,to  cal  vp6  him,Sc  to  ye  eld  our  felucs 
obediently  to  his  will:  &  to  be  fhort,fo  ye  fee  that  Gods  fpirit  is  co- 
inon  to  all  the  faithfull,3c  to  all  his  chiidren.But  yet  doth  he  graunt 
vs  other  fpeciall  graces  befideSjas  when  he  giueth  vs  men  that  teach 
vs  his  woord  faythfully,or  thatgoueme  the  common  welth  wifely, 
or  whiche  haue  other  giftes :  lor  in  fo  doing  he  giueth  vs  certayne 
tokens  that  he  dwelleth  among  vs,  and  thereby  alfo  he  bmdethvs 
fo  much  the  more  vntoo  him.  Let  vs  marke  the  reafon  that  S.Paulc 
fettethdowne  heere.  He  blameth  the  vnthankfulnefle  of  the  Gala- 
thians,for  that  they  conf^dered  not  how  it  came  vnto  them  by  the 
preachyn2  of  the  Gofpell.    And  he  fayeth  itpurpofely,  bicaufe  men 
will  alwayes  make  fayre  protedationi  ynow,  that  they  meene  not 
to  reie<ft  Gods  grace,andyet  doo  (hew  the  cleane  contrarie  in  thcii' 
dooyngs.  As  howe  <  Thiey  that  are  loth  too  fuiTer  themfelues  too 
be  taught.and  would  driue  away  all  the  minifters  of  Gods  woord  if 
they  could,&they  which  through  enuie  Scfpitefulnefle,  could  find 
in  their  harts  to  aboliftitlie  remebrancc  of  al  thofe  whom  God  hath 

Qj.  ftabliflicd 


Chap .  3 .  fo.Calx^j.  Sermcn  ypon 

flabliiTied  too  maynteyne  the  welfare  of  his  peoplc,they  (fay  I)  doo 
fhcw  well  ynough,  that  they  would  haue  God  too  hokie  hinifclfe  a 
farre  off  from  them :  and  that  they  bee  loth  to  come  at  him.  For  he 
fetteth  before  them  the  meanes  to  come  too  liim,  and  they  voutch- 
fafe  not  too  take  it^but  do  thruft  it  from  them.  So  then, whereas  S. 
Panic  findeth  fault  with  the  Gakthias,  it  was  not  for  that  they  pro- 
tefted  openly  with  full  mouth  that  they  woulde  none  of  C^ods  fpi- 
rit,  or  that  they  hiid  skorne  ot  his  giltes :  but  too  fliewe  them  that 
they  had  veiy  ill  regarded  Gods  vttering  of  the  giftes  of  his  fpirite 
in  their  Churche.  What  ought  wee  then  too  gather  vppon  this 
Texi.  That  if  God  giue  vs  meanes  too  come  vntoo  him,  wee  muft 
take  them  awoorth,euen  by  faihioning  of  our  felues  vnto  them.For 
if  the  Gofpell  bee  preached  among  vs,and  wee  wilfully  forget  what 
is  told  vs  :  it  is  all  one  as  if  wee  reie6led  God,  and  turned  om-  backe 
vppon  him,of  purpofe  too  fbray  away  from  him.VVherefore  if  wee 
intend  that  God  flvould  continue  his  grace  towardes  vs  :  let  vs  hold 
vs  too  the  meanes  that  he  hath  ordeyned  for  vs  ;  that  is  to  fay,let  vs 
fufFer  ourfelues  to  be  taught  by  fuch  as  he  fendeth  vnto  vs,let  eue- 
ry  of  vs  exercyze  himfelf  alone  alfo  in  reading  the  holy  fcripture,lct 
fuch  as  haue  done  good  in  edifying  the  Church  haue  roome  &  place 
among  vs,and  let  vs  not  fhet  the  gate  againft  the  holy  Ghoft.  This 
in  effc6l  is  the  thing  that  wee  haue  to  bearj  in  mindc.  Furthermore 
forafmuch  as  S.Paules  intent  here,  is  to  bring  backe  the  faithfull  to 
the  Gofpell :  let  vs  allure  our  felues  that  if  we  fwarue  neuer  fo  litle 
from  it^we  be  ftreyght  in  the  high  way  to  deflra^tion.  And  fo  there 
is  none  other  knitting  of  God  vnto  me,  than  by  meanes  of  the  Go- 
fpell which  muflgo  as  a  cliayne  that  cannot  bee  broken  betwixt  the. 
And  Paule  doth  purpofely  once  againe  call  it  the  preaching  of  faith, 
to  fhevve  vs  how  great  neede  wee  haue  that  God  fhculd  preucnt  vs. 
For  vntil  fuch  time  as  he  haue  reached  vs  his  hand  in  our  Lord  lefus 
Chrifte,  and  drawne  vs  out  of  the  gulfe  of  confufion  wherein  wee 
bee  by  nature,  what  are  weeC'Moreouerwee  feehowe  bountifult 
he  fheweth  himfelfe  towardes  vs,  in  that  he  ^iueth  himfelfe  fully 
to  vs  in  the  perfone  of  his  only  Sonne  :  furely  it  is  much  more  thar*- 
if  he  gaue  vs  heaucn  and  earth,  and  all  the  goodes  that  are  in  ihem, 
For  wliat  are  all  other  things  in  coparifon  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chj  ift  Y 

Vrv^herefort 


the  EpiH.  to  the  (jalathians.       \  1 5 

VVlicrfore  let  vs  nnarke,that  feing  that  God  hauing  declared  vntoo 
VS  that  wee  bee  vtteriy  vnfurnifhed  of  all  goodnede,  addeth  that  he 
will  not  kcepe  backe  any  thing  from  vs,  nor  fhe  w  himfelfe  a  nigafd 
towards  vs,  if  wee  feeke  too  him  for  all  things  that  wee  want :  wee 
muft  be  contented  with  it,and  if  wee  fwarue  neuer  fo  little  one  way 
or  other,we  defciue  well  to  bee  vtteriy  bereft  and  difpolTefledjeuen 
of  that  which  wee  haue  rcceyucd  aireadie.  And  therevpDon  S.Paule 
bringeth  vs  backe  too  the  example  of  Abraham,bycaufe  he  is  the  fa- 
ther of  all  tlie  faythfull,  and  moreouer  bycaufe  that  in  his  perion  it 
picazed  god  to  fliew  how  we  may  become  rightuous  to  be  faued.for 
there  is  none  other  way  to  bring  vs  to  the  kingdome  of  hpauen.than 
the  fame  that  he  went.  There  is  but  onely  one  way,  and  that  is  fet 
foorth  too  vs  :n  the  example  of  AbraFiam.  S.  Paule  therefore  fayeth 
that  Ai  ahs.m  belecuui  Co  1,  c-nil  tkejame  ti'>a6  recktned  too  him  for  righ  - 
iuoufhcjfe '  and  therefore  that  if  we  will  be  Abrahams  children,  wee 
muft  belvieue.  Hecre  we  haue  too  call  too  rememberance  the  thing 
tha:  hath  bin  declared  aireadie  heretofore :  that  is  too  fay, what  this 
woordt  fay  th  or  hc.ee  fc  iniporteth.  It  is  not  a  Tingle  beleeuing  that 
tliere  is  but  one  God  which  gouerneth  the  worlde  :  but  an  afTuring 
O'  our  feiues  that  he  taketh  vs  for  his  children,  and  that  wee  may 
fully  and  freely  call  vppon  him  as  our  father,  bycaufe  he  accepteth 
vs  for  c  ar  Lord  Icfus  Chriftes  fake.  Then  if  wee  bee  fure  of  the  fa- 
uour  and  fatherly  loue  of  our  God,  and  take  fuche  warrantize  of  it 
by  his  promifes,  that  wee  haue  our  looke  wholly  faftened  vppon 
our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte,in  whom  weefinde  mcanes  too  come  vnto 
God,and  too  go  freely  vntoo  him  :  that  is  the  very  thing  whiche  S. 
Paule  mcnt  by  that  woord  Fcyih.  And  fo,  when  he  fayeth  that  too 
bee  Abrahams  children  wee  mud  bee  faythfull :  it  is  all  one  as  if  he 
fayd,  that  wee  cannot  bee  faythfull  Chriftians  nor  members  of  the 
Church,but  by  fayth :  that  is  to  fay,except  we  be  bereft  of  all  opinio 
of  our  owne  deferuingSjSc  moreouer  fo  beaten  downe  and  difmayed 
in  our  felues,as  we  m*ay  not  wote  where  too  become,  nor  leeke  any 
other  meanes  of  faluatio,  than  in  the  free  goodneflc  which  God  of- 
fereth  vSjwhen  he  telleth  vs  that  wee  be  fordone  2<  damned  in  our 
finnes^andyct  notwithftanding,  that  we  mvil  notceafle  to  haue  full 
hope  and  trufk  of  faluation,  in  lefus  Chrift. 

Q^ij.  Thus 


Ch. 


'p'^'  foXal.xyj. Sermon  ^pon 

Thus  yee  fee  what  it  is  foi:  a  man  to  bee  a  Chriftian :  that  is  too 
wit,to  be  vtterly  out  of  hart  in  himfelf,  in  cofideracion  that  he  briii- 
geth  nothing  with  him  but  fin  and  curfeunefleiand  yet  vpon  the  fee- 
ling of  himfelf  to  be  fo  vtterly  voyde  of  all  well  deferuing :  to  come 
vnto  God  to  be  clothed  with  the  grace  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chriil.For 
it  is  not  ynough  for  vs  to  be  out  of  hart  in  our  felues,  as  we  fee  that 
Cain  was, who  beyng  as  it  were  vpon  the  racke  confcfTeth  his  fault: 
(howbeitjthat  was  but  through  defpayre,  and  fo  confequently  there 
was  nothing  in  him  but  murmuring  and  blafphemie  againd  God:  Sc 
in  like  cace  is  it  with  all  reprobates  or  caft  awayes)  but  wee  muftfo 
tafte  of  the  loueof  ourGod^as  wee  may  be  able  to  fettle  cur  felues 
vponit,and  be  out  of  all  doabt  that  he  will  receyue  vs  if  we  come  to 
the  Gofpell,at  leaftwize  if  wee  comeinfuchewifeas  our  hope  bee 
grounded;not  vpon  our  owne  felfweening  or  imaginacion^but  vpon 
Gods  pr-3m!s,^<  for  that  we  cannot  bee  difap^oynted  in  wayting  vpo 
him  and  in  holding  our  felues  alTured  of  his  woord.  Thus  ye  fee  in 
eife6t  what  it  is  too  be  faithfull :  for  wee  mud  alwayes  haue  an  eye 
to  the  difputation  that  S  .Paule  vndeitaketh.  He  firiueth  agaynft 
fuch  as  pretended  too  purchace  rightuoufnePre  before  God  by  the 
workes  of  the  Lawe.  If  there  were  no  more  but  this  faying  too  bee  of 
the  fay  th,  without  cofidering  what  rhatter  S.Paule  trcateth  of  here: 
thatmaner  offpeache  were  but  darke,  But  when  wee  fee  howS. 
Paule  declareth  exprefly,that  all  fuch  as  go  aboute  too  puichace  fa- 
uourat  Gods  hand  by  their  owne  deferuinges,  are  puffed  vp  with 
pryde,  and  that  their  prefumptuoufneffe  fhetteth  the  gate  of  Para- 
dife  agaynlt  them,and  that  God  vouchfafeth  noc  to  heare  them,  by- 
caufe  they  defraude  him  of  his  due  honour,  and  woulde  fayne  as  it 
wcvQ  decke  themfelues  with  his  fethers,and  that  they  be  traytors  in 
robbing  him  of  his  rightuoufnetTe :  for  afmuch  as  S.  Paule  handleth 
that  poynt :  there  is  now  no  doubt  but  he  takech  all  tliofe  too  bee  of 
the  faythjwhichdiftmfl  themfelues,  and  are  vtterly  out  of  ail  hope 
in  themrelues,and  yet  notwithftading  do  returne  vnto  lefus  Chrifl*, 
reftingjleanyng^and  trufling  wholly  vnto  him.  Thofe  therefore  are 
the  true  children  of  Abraham.  But  now  let  vs  fee  how  few  Cliri- 
flians  there  are  intheworlde.  True  it  is  that  the  woorde  ChnHian 
runneth  roundly  m  euery  mannes  mouth :  but  in  the  meane  while 


theEpiH.to  theQalathiafU.      124. 

it  is  fouly  delUed,  and  God  muft  needes  difclaymc  all  fachc  as  pre- 
tend after  that  fafliion  too  bee  his  :  Jike  as  in  the  Popedome  euery 
man  groundeth  hinifclf  vjipon  his  baptifme  or  chriitcndome.  And 
fuixly  in  baptifme  wee  haue  on  Gods  behalf  an  infaiiibie pledge  of 
our  fakiation.  But  what  for  that ':'  they  take  but  the  vifibie  fignCpand 
feparate  it  from  cur  Lord  Icfus  Chrift.   And  in  very  (jecde  the  Pa- 
piiles  know  nought  at  ail  of  that  which  is  told  vs  heere  by  S.Pauie  : 
but( which  worfe  is)they  haue  their  freewiil^their  merites,and  their 
farisfattions:  in  fteedc  of  Gods  feruis,  which  they  thrull  vnder  foote 
and  falfiiiej  they  haue  gcwgawes  yea  and  abhominations  of  the  Di- 
uels  owne  forging :  ard  therefore  they  be  fufficiently  conuifted  too 
haue  no  ciiriftfanitie  in  them.  Andforourpart^altliough  wee  haue 
not  the  Idolatries  and  fuperftitions  that  reygnc  among  the  Papifles: 
yet  are  we  not  fo  grounded  in  the  Gofpeli,  that  euery  cf  vs  can  of- 
fer himfelfe  frankly  vnto  God,  and  fully  and  freely  call  vpponhim, 
quietly  fuffering  him  too  guyde  vs :  but  wee  fhall  fee  many  tliat  are 
but  wretched  bealles.  True  it  is  that  they  will  well  ynoughproteft 
thcmifelues  too  hold  nothing  at  all  of  the  Popes  abufes  and  fuperfli- 
tions :  but  if  a  man  talke  too  tliem  of  the  groundes  and  principles  of 
the  gofpell;,they  wote  not  what  thing  it  is.Otherfome  which  weene 
themfeiucs  too  bee  great  Clerkes,  when  it  commeth  too  the  tr^'all, 
doo  fihew  that  all  was  but  a  countenance,and  diat  they  did  but  prate 
lyke  py  es  in  a  Cage.  So  much  the  more  therefore  dooth  it  behoue 
vs  too  beare  well  in  minde^howe  Sain6l  Paule  telleth  vs  heere,  that 
wee  cannot  bee  Abrahams  children  nor  members  of  the  Cliurche, 
except  wee  come  thidier  with  beleefeof  the  Gofpell,  fo  as  euery  of 
vs  renounce  his  foreconceyued  opinions  of  his  owne  merites^^and 
allure  cur  felues  that  wee  bee  vtterly  damned  and  drowned  in  de- 
fpayre,and  therevppon  refort  too  the  meere  grace  of  God,  and  too 
the  mercie  which  he  oifcreth  vs  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte^fo  as  wcc- 
fall  too  dipping  of  our  felues  in  the  bloud  whiche  he  hath  fhed  too 
clenzc  vs  withall,  afiuring  our  felues  that  there  allourdettes  are 
rekafed,and  Gods  wrath  and  vengeance  fo  appeazed^as  wee  cannot 
fayle  but  too  finde  him  fauourable.  Howbeeit  for  the  better  vn-f 
derftandpg  hereof,  lette  vs  marke  alfo after  what  maner  Abra- 
ham belec  vied  .God.  And  it  behoue  thvs  too  haue  the  definition  of 
.:.  Q;[iij.  'this 


Ch^P'i.  foXaLxyj. Sermon  "i^pon 

this  woord  Fayih :  for  without  that^all  this  do«?lrine  would  bee  to  no 
purpofe.  I  haue  told  you  already  that  whereas  the  P^piftes  ftriue  a- 
gainft  vs:they  know  nothcr  why  nor  wherfore  they  do  it,nor  w^her- 
at  they  bend  themlelues^but  rufh  forth  ouerthvv^art,awry,  and  at  all 
adaeture.For  they  neuer  will  what  faith  mem,  Sc  that  do  they  (hew 
wellynoughj  meeneeuenthe  greateftdo6lorsofthem,forailthat 
they  will  lay  is  that  faith  is  to  beieeue  in  Godiand  if  they  beleeue  in 
Godjfo  doo  the  Diuels  too.  But  when  as  S.Paule  fpeaketh  heere  of 
fayth,  heme  eneth  not  that  wee  ifhould  haue  butonely  fomegeire 
that  there  is  a  God  which  reigneth  in  heaue :  but  that  we  mult  take 
him  to  be  our  father^afluring  our  felues  throughly  of  it  by  the  pro- 
mifes  which  he  giueth  vs,and  To  linke  our  felues  too  our  Lord  lefus 
Chrift,as  wee  doubt  not  but  that  all  that  euer  he  hath  is  proper  and 
belonging  to  vs,bycaufe  we  be  members  of  his  bodie.But  when  the 
Papifts  talke  of  faith,they  fay  it  is  a  confuzed  thing,  and  that  it  fer- 
ueth  not  to  make  vs  good  men  fo  as  we  might  bee  fauedby  it.  VVc 
fee  then  that  the  Papifts  go  brutifhly  to  worke^as  folke  vtterly  dul- 
led by  Satan.  And  it  is  a  iuft  punifhment  of  God  vpon  their  pryde, 
bicaufe  they  cannot  finde  in  their  hartes  too  humble  themfelues,  by 
confefsing  thefelues  to  owe  all  vnto  God,  and  that  there  is  nothing 
in  them  woorthie  to  be  accepted  at  his  hand,  but  that  they  muft  beef 
fa^Tie  to  receyue  the  meere  grace  that  is  offered  them.  T  hus  ye  fee 
after  what  maner  wee  mufte  take  the  woord  Faytb.  But  heere  is  yet 
one  poynt  more  which  ferueth  greatly  too  that  purpofe :  which  is* 
too  know  after  what  maner  Abraliam  beleeued  God,  and  that  fhall 
bee  the  conclufion.  If  Abraham  had  beleeued  no  more  but  that 
there  was  a  God  in  heauen :  that  woulde  not  haue  ferued  too  haut 
iuftified  him,for  the  Heathenfolke  beleeued  as  much.  Againe,  if  A- 
braham  had  beleeued  that  God  was  iudge  of  the  world  :  that  would 
not  haue  ferued  his  turne  nodier.  But  when  as  God  fayeth  vntoo 
-en.i^.a.i,  ]^{^l^^■^^  thy  plentifull  reward,and  I  will  bee  thy  God  and  the  God 
^7*^-7'  of  thy  feede  after  thee,  and  moreouer  all  nacions  fhall  bee  blilTed 
in  thee  :  by  accepting  fuch  promifes  wherein  God  acquainted  him- 
felfe  with  him,and  witnefled  too  him  that  he  tooke  him  for  one  of 
his  houfehold  and  as  his  owne  childe,  and  became  his  father :  Abra- 
ham \7as  iuftified  by  accepting  tliat  promis,  iXad  why  i  For  as  foone 


the  Epifl.to  the  (^alathians.        125 

as  God  offered  him  his  goodnefle  and  grace,he  belecucd  the  word 
and  receyued  it :  and  then  was  he  full  fure  of  his  faluarion.  Nowe 
may  we  much  better  iudgc  what  it  is  to  be  iuftified  by  faith-.namcly 
that  it  is  not  a  confufed  opinion  of  beleeuing  that  there  is  a  God, 
but  a  holding  of  him  for  our  father  and  Sauiour,  and  that  bicaufe  he 
(heweth  himfelfe  to  be  fo  by  his  worde,  and  alfo  giueth  vs  a  good 
pledge  and  earned pennie  of  it  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  infomuch  \ 

that  there  he  fhewethhimfelf  to  be  ioyned  and  vnited  with  vs,and 
that  although  we  be  wretched  creatures  and  hane  nothing  in  vs  but 
all  mifchetfe,  yet  he  fayleth  not  too  take  vsfor  his  owne,  and  too, 
admit  vs  into  his  fauour :  the  reafon  whereof  is,  bycaufe  our  Lorde 
lefus  Chrift  is  the  meane  betwixt  him  and' vs.Therefore  when  wee 
haue  thatpromife,  and  reft  wholy  vppon  it ,  and  doubt  not  but  that 
God  doth  and  will  fhewe  himfelfe  gracious  to  vs  vnto  the  ende^and- 
therewithall  call  vpon  him  and  refor t  onely  vnto  him,  giuing  ouer 
this  worlde,  and  continuing  in  the  hope  of  the  heauenly  life  :  then 
bee  we  fure  that  we  haue  fayth ,  and  are  iuftified :  and  that  was  the 
maner  o  four  father  Abraliams  beleeuing:  and  without  that,  let  vs 
tflureourfeluesthereisno  Chriftianitieatallinvs.  For  (as  Saint 
Paule  fayth  in  the  tenth  to  the  Romaimes)  vntill  wee  knowe  what  ^ 
theGofpeliis,  wee  cannot  call  God  our  father.  VVee  cannot  call  A.'^®'^''4 
vpon  God(fayth  he)  except  wee  knewe  him,  and  beleeuedinhim.  ^ 
And  ho  we  is  it  pofsible  for  vs  to  knowe  him,  till  hee  bee  reuealed  A?*  ^^'^'^7 
vntovsc'  Therefore  fayth  mufte  ncedes  go  before.  And  whereof 
commeth  fayth :'  Of  hearing,  fayth  Saint  Paule.  Then  muft  wee 
bee  trayned  in  the  Gofpell,  or  elfe  we  can  haue  no  fayth.And  here- 
by we  fee  yet  better, that  all  that  euer  is  termed  fayth  in  Poperic,  is 
but  ftarke  dotage.  And  why  fo  <  For  there  Gods  worde  is  hidden, 
and  the  greateft  brutifhnelTe  that  can  bee ,  is  taken  for  greateft  de- 
Ootion.  \^hen  men  babble  they  wote  not  what, when  they  gad  on 
pilgrimage  and  neuercomeat  God,  when  they  bufie  their  heades 
about  fonde  Ceremonies  and  heare  not  fo  much  as  one  woorde  of 
good  doctrine :  6,  that  is  great  deuotion  and  holinefle.  Butwee  fee 
howe  there  is  no  Chriftianitie  without  fayth ,  nor  fayth  without 
teaching  of  the  Gofpell :  and  fo  consequently  we  cannot  bee  Chri- 
ftJans^tiU  God  haue  giuen  vs  the  grace  to  taite  of  his  goodnelfe  and 

Qa^.  mercic^ 


Chap .3 .  '  n     fo.  CaLxyj.  Sermon  ypon 


.::*  0 


iYiercie,as  it  is  dayly  fet  afore  vs  in  the  GofpcH :  dfliirmg  our  Mues 
tliat  he  acccpteth  vs  in  the  number  of  his  children;  fo  as  we  maybe 
bolde  too  call  vpponhim,  and  continue  therein  too  theende,  at 
leaftvvife  in  wayting  for  the  full  performance  of  the  things  which 
bee  reuealedi  vntoo  vs  nowe  by  hys  mouth,  that  is  to  (ay  by  hys 
vrporde. 

But  nowe  let  vsfall  downe  before  the  maieflie  of  our  good 
God  with  acknowledgement  of  our  fmnes^praying  him  to  make  vs 
feele  them  more  and  more,and  that  the  fame  feeling  of  them  may 
drawe  vs  vnto  him  with  tme  repentance/fo  as  wee  may  not  onely 
aske  him  forgiuenefle  of them,but  alfo  fo  reforme  and  chaunge  our 
felues,  as  we  may  truely  beare  the  marke  of  his  children,when  wee 
fhall  appeare  before  his  iudgement  feat ,  and  as  oureLorde  Icfus 
Ghrift  alfo  may  repayre  the  Image  of  his  father  in  vs ,  in  fuch  wife 
as  he e  may  acknowl edge  vs  for  his  members.  And  in  the  meane 
while,  let  vs  befeech  him  to  beare  with  our  infirmities,  till  he  hausf 
vtterly  clenzed  vs  of  them.  That  it  may  pleafe  him  too  ^raunt  this 
grace  not  onely  to  vs^butalfo  to  all  people,  ^c. 


^he.ij.  Sermon^  n^bich  />  the  third 


.fc 


i.^^l  j,, !  y^pon  the  third  Ch^ifter, 

7  Knovveyce  therefore  that  they  which  are  offaith 

are  the  children  of  Abraham. 

8  And  the  Scripture  forefeeingthat  God  would  iufti- 

.fie  the  Gentiles  byfaiih  ,  fhevved  glad  tidings  a- 
forehande  vntoo  Abraham^  faying.  Inthcernall 
all  nations  be  blefTed. 
p     Thofe  then  whiche  are  of  faith  >  are  blefTed  with 
faidifuU  Abraham. 

Ifwe 


the  Ept^h  to  the  ^alathiam» ;      1 2  6 

F  we  \vere  fuch  as  we  woulu  be  takert  to  bee, 
txhat  is  to  witjiFwe  were  Chriftians:  w£  (Louid 
Jewell  acquainted  with  this  maner  of  fpeech 
of  being  iuftiljed  by  faith..  But  there  ^re  verif 
few  to  be  fQundi^uen  among  thofethat  boaft 
themfelues  tOQ  haue  profited  in  theGofpell, 
J  vhich  knc w^  what  is;  ment:  by  the  rightuouf- 
nqlie  wiier^oFthc  Scripture  fpeakcth  fo  much.Howfoeuer  the  cace 
ftande,  either  we  mud  haue  skill  of  that  articlcjor  elle  we  canneuer 
haue  any  afiurance  of  our  (aluation ,  nor  refort  vntoo  God  at  our 
neeJe  to  call  freely  vppon  him.  AM  that  is  the  cauf^  wl^y  S.  Paule 
ftandeth  fo  much  vppon  that  matter.    The  lad . Sunday  wee  fawe 
ihoweAbraliam  was  counted  rig^iteous  bycaufe  hee  had  beleeued 
•God :  and  I  tolde  you  that  thereby  is  (hewed  vs,  that  no  man  can 
bring  any  woorthineffe  of  his  owne,  wherewith  to  winne  Gods  fa- 
uour,but  that  we  mufl  bee  fayne  to  receyue  it[;of  his  free  gift.] For 
the  woorde  belecuing,  hatha  refpe^ltoo  thepromife,  infomuche 
that  Gods  free  offering  of  himfelfe  vntop  Abraham,  was  the  caufe 
that  Abraham  was  counted  rigjiteous,  bycaufe  hee  accepted  the 
faucur  that  was  offered  him  of  free  g^'ft,  beeing  well  alfured 
tliat  of  hymfslFe  hee  had  nothing  but  all  iniquitie  and  curfed- 
neffe.   And  rherevppon  Saint  Paule  concludeth,  that  fmh  as  are  of 
fapb  are  the  Mdren  of  Abraham.  It  is  certayne  that  Abraham  is  the 
father  of  all  the  faythfull,  and  of  all  Gods  children :  and  therefore 
it  follov/eth,  thateyther  wee  made  bee  fafhioned  after  hys  ex- 
ample, or  elfe  the  gate  of  hfeand  faluationis  fiaette  agaynd  vs, 
and  wee  bee  quite  andcleane  banifhedoute  of  Gods  kingdome. 
Heere  Saint  Paule  fheweth  vs  the  waye :  For  wee  come  not  of  A- 
braham  as  concerning  the  fle(he,  neither  belong  wee  aught  at  all 
yntoo  him :  and  yet  notwithdanding  it  behoueth  v^s  too  bee  of  hi^ 
race  :  theonely  way  whereof,  is  to  be  partners  of  the  promife  that 
was  giuen  vnto  him,  and  to  receyue  it  as  he  did,  (heere  ye  fee  what 
it  is  too  bee  of fayth)  fo  that  when  wee  once  knowe  and  fynde  by 
proofc  that  we  cannot  deferue  any  fauour  at  Gods  hande,  nor  bee 
allowed  for  our  owne  workes  &  merits,  we  repoze  our  whole  trufl 
inhisgoodaeffe^Sc  apply  this  prpmifetoourfeiues^wliich  is  that  he 

adopts  th; 


Chap. 3.  fo.Cal.xlPJ.  Sermon  J)pon 

adoptcthvs  for  his  children.  Thusyc  fee  Saint  Paules  Tcxt'maJc 
plaine  ynough.  Hovvbeit  he  addeth,that  that  Q)romife]ferued  not 
for  the  lewes  alone,but  rather  that  all  men  ingenerall  arc  compre- 
hended in  it.  For  without  that  addition,  the  do6b*ine  that  wee  haue 
treated  of  would  feme  vs  to  no  purpofe.  God  choze  Abraha  and  hii 
offpring :  So  then,  are  wee  (hct  out  from  the  hope  of  faluation ;  for 
his  choozing  importeth  a  forfaking  of  all  thofe  whom  he  choozeth 
nor :  but  he  hath  chofen  the  linage  of  Abraham,and  fo  by  that  mea- 
nes  itfeemeththat  all  of  vs  are  forfaken.  But  the  promife  which 
Saint  Paule  rehearfeth  confifteth  of  two  partes.  The  one  is,that 
God  woulde  be  theprotedor  of  Abrahams  lynagc,and  fhole  it  out 
^  from  the  reft  of  the  worlde.  The  other  is,  that  all  nations  (houlde 

^    *    *  *^  bee  blefTed  in  Abraham  and  in  his  feede.  No  we  if  God  had  placed 
his  Church  in  the  oncly  houfeholde  of  Abraham,  then  fhoulde  wee 
at  this  day  bee  miferable.  But  for  afmuch  as  in  the  feconde  pan  we 
alfo  are  ioyned  in  it,  and  God  inlargeth  his  goodnefle  and  mercie 
Further,  which  hee  had  appoynted  too  one  certaine  linage  :  by  that 
meaneswe  become  parttakers  of  faluation  ;  And  that  is  the  thing 
which  Saint  Paule  trcateth  of  heere-  (^when  he  telleth  vs  ]]  that  the 
Scripture  forefeeing  that  God  not  onely  iuftilieth  the  lewes,  but 
alfo  vfeth  the  lyke  mercie  towardes  the  Gentiles ,  v/hiche  were  as 
good  as  cut  off  from  the  houfe,  fayth.  All  Nations  fhall  bee  blefTed 
in  thee.Then  is  there  no  fpeaking  here  of  feme  handfull  of  men,  or 
offome  certaine  people :  but  without  any  exception,  God  openeth 
the  gate  to  all  fuch  as  had  earft  bin  quite  and  cleanepafthOj?e.  And 
therevpon  alfo  Saint  Paule  concludeth,  ^/^^r  they  Mmb  are  off  y  iff 
Jhallbe  bleljedtaith  faythfull  Jbrah^m   As  if  hee  (houlde  fay,  when 
God  iuftificd  Abraham,he  had  not  refpe6l  neither  to  Circumcifion, 
mbr  to  any  thing  that  he  had  wherewith  too  winne  fauour  after  the 
opinion  of  men :  but  receyued  him  in  anodier  kew,  that  is  to  wit^as 
abeleeuingman.    God  therefore  contented  himfelfe  with  Abra- 
hams fayth  onely.  And  in  that  rerpe6lalfo  it  was  his  will  too  malce 
him  the  father  of  the  whole  Church.  Seeing  then  that  God  made 
6*^.  17.^.4  none  account  of  any  thing  elfe  in  Abraham  but  of  his  fayth :  let  vs 
roncliidc  that  Ciiod  doth  nowe  ftill  rece^ue  vs  to  hini  in  likevvife,if 
wchatie  the  like  fayth  that  Abraham  had ,  though  not  in  like  mca- 
'.  -^  Ji  (ure. 


the  EpiTi.  to  the  (jalathhns.      izj 

(nrCf  and  that  God  taktth  it  in  good  wortli,  though  we  Jo  bur  fol- 
low him  aloofe  .    T hen  belongeth  not  tliis  ble(sing  to  Abrahair.g 
^cfhly  offpring  onely ,  but  alfo  too  thofe  that  v/ere  ftraungers  too 
him ,  fo  there  bee  the  like  fubftaunce  and  fafiiion  of  fayth  in  ihem, 
Howbeeittoothe  ende  wee  take  profile  by  this  dodnnc,  let  vs  rc-r 
member  what  1  haue  touched  aircadie,  that  is  to  wit,  what  it  is  too 
be  of  faith -.namely  that  it  is  a  repodng  ofour  felues  wholy  in  God$ 
mere  mcrcie.  But  Saint  Pauie  fetteth  downa  comparifon  of  things 
contraric^and  which  can  no  more  agree  than  fire  and  water  :  that  is 
to  wit,  of  beeing  of  the  lawe,and  of  beeingof  fayth.  Yet  followeth 
it  not  that  the  lawe  commeth  not  of  God :  infornuch  that  '\'i\^'^  re- 
ie6l  it,  at  whom  doth  fuch  contempt  poynt :'  Is  not  Gods  authori- 
tie  impeached  thereby  C'  But  in  rhefe  wordes  of  Lt'^'e  and  fayth,  S. 
Paule  refpefteth  not  fimplie  the  do(5trine  of  eyther  of  them,but  the 
hope  of  faluation  that  men  may  conceyue  of  them.  For  the  rightu- 
oufneffe  of  fayth  hath  his  recorde  of  the  lawe  and  the  Prophetes, 
as  Saint  Paule  fayth  in  the  third  to  the  Romanes.  They  be  not  con-  m^^^  ->£  21 
trarie  things  :  but  the  diuerfitic  of  tliem  is  in  tliis,  tl-iat  fuch  as  mif-         '*^  * 
knowe  themfelues,and  are  blinded  with  hypocrifle,thinkc  too  pur- 
chaze  fauour  in  Gods  fight  by  keeping  the  Lawe,  whiche  thing  is 
impofsible  .    Thofe  therefore  are  of  the  lawe,  whiche  holde  of 
the  Lawe,  as  though  they  were  able  too  carne  the  heritage  of  the 
hcaucnly  life  at  Gods  hande.  On  the  contraric  part ,  they  that  are 
needie,  yea  or  irathcr  vtterly  emptie  ofthemfelues,  acknowledging 
that  they  haue  not  fo  muehe  as  one  droppe  of  grace  in  them  :  they 
are  of  fayth.    For  why,  they  forfake  themfelues,  and  feeke  theyr 
rightuoufnelTe  elfewhere.  They  come  and  offer  them  felues  lyke 
popre  bcggers  vnto  God,  to  the  ende  he  fhoulde  fill  them,  where- 
as they  were  vtterly  cmptie  before .Thcrfore  marke  it  for  a  fchole- 
poyntjthat  by  the  force  of  fayth  we  mufi:  be  quite  ridde  of  all  felfe- 
truft,andofall  ouerweening  of  our  ownc  merites,  and  haue  oure 
whole  refuge  to  Gods  mere  goodnelTe.  But  taily  we  cannot  come 
right  forth  vnto  God, without  fome  meane :  our  Lordc  lefus  Chrift 
muftbe  faine  too  make  vs  way  thither :  and  all  this  is  comprehen- 
ded vnder  the  worde  fayth.For  fayth  is  not  an  imagination  of  mens 
o\vne  forging :  it  is  an  aflurcdnelTe  which  wee  conceyue  of  Gods 

good- 


Chnp.  3.  ^0^  CaL  xVij.  Sermon  ypon 

V\'hen  wc  fay  wc  be  iuftiFied  by  faytli,  it  is  not  mcnt  that  theft 
is  any  worthineflc  or  defert  in  our  fayth,  as  who  flioulde  fay ,  that 
God  were  bounde  vnro  vs ,  and  therefore  receyued  vs  for  it :  but 
that  bicaufe  God  hathfhewed  himfelfe  merciful!  towardes  vs,  and 
promifedto  bee  our  Sauiour,  wee  beeingfirft  bereft  of  alltruft  in 
our  vertueSjdoo  come  vnto  him  by  fayth,  knowing  well  that  if  hec 
confider  vs  in  our  felues,  he  muft  necdes  curfe  and  abhorre  vs.  Se- 
ing  dien  that  fayth  bringeth  not  any  thing  on  mans  behalfc,  but  r^- 
ceyueth  all  things  of  Gods  mere  and  free  goodncffc :  there  is  no 
queftioning  what  woorthinefTc  is  in  vs.  And  fo  wee  fee  that  faytK 
not  onely  helpeth  vs  too  the  attainment  of  our  faluation,  but  alfo 
bringeth  vs  all  pcrfccHon.  Nowc  after  that  Saint  Paulc  hath  fayde, 
that  all  the  heathen  are  blelTed  in  Abraham :  he  addcth  that  it  is  to- 
gither  with  the  faythfuU  Abraham.  As  if  he  (houid  ray,tlicrc  is  none 
other  meanes  to  malce  vs  findc  fauour  in  Gods  fight,  than  onely 
fayth.  There  is  no  feeking  of  hclpe  elfe  where  in  that  behalfe.  For 
that  is  yet  too  grofTe  an  error  wherewith  the  Papifts  are  intan^led. 
For  although  they  wotc  not  what  fayth  mcaneth ,  nor  wfiat  it  is  to 
be  iuftified  ;  yet  are  they  inforccd  to  fay  that  fayth  helpeth  io  falua<^ 
tio !  Howbeit  they  adde.that  it  is  but  partJy,and  that  charitiejailciial 
other  vertues  worke  together  with  it,and  tliat  if  men  purpofe  to  bg 
allowed  of  God,  they  mutVc  defemc  well  at  his  haiid,  fo  that  all  i* 
noiTght  worth,  without  obedience  and  holmelTe  oflyfe.  It  is  true 
diat  fayth  cannot  be  feparated  from  the  feare  of  God :  but  the  mat- 
ter hccre  is  nothing  elfe  but  too  knowe  by  what  meanes  God  ac- 

■^  fenowledgeth  vs  for  his  children.  But  if  hee  haue  refpecl  too  oure 

woorkeSjWO  bee  to  vs.  Therefore  he  muft  bee  fayne  to  turne  away 

his  countenance  from  the  confidering  of  our  perfons,and  to  receiuc 

vs  alonely  in  our  Lordelefus  Chrift,or  clfe(in  his  looking  vpon  vs); 

V  to  markc  nothing  but  our  miferies,  that  h e  may  be  moiied  and  pro-' 

'  ^^^  uoked  to  mercie.  Ye  fee  th en  that  God  hath  adouble  refpc^l in  iu-> 

ftif\  ing  vs.llic  one  is  that  he  btholdeth  owr  mifcnes:  for  in  afmuch , 
as  he  feeth  vs  fo  plunged  in  all  confufi6,he  is  moued  to  pitie.Again, 
to  the  intent  he  may  no  more  be  an  enimie  an  J  take  part  agaynft  v$ 
which  are  finners,  he  muft  be  faine  to  looke  vpon  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chril^and  vpon  his  rightuoufneiTejthat  tlie  fame  may  doo  .away  »11 , 
.    '  gur 


our  offences.  NQwS.Paule  fayth  he<?rejthat  we  can  not.be  blefled 
but  with  faythfuli  Abraliarrt.  As  if  he  fhouide  faye  that  Abraham 
though  he  were  neuer  fo  holy  a  nian^brought  nothing  of  his  ownc 
with  him  when  he  obteyned  righteoiifnefle  before  God.  Fayth  (as 
I  haue  faide  alreadie)  doth  vtterly  bereeue  a  man  of  all  the  worthi- 
nefle  which  he  fuppofethhimfcif  to  haue.Seeing  that  Abraliam  had 
none  otlier  helpe  than  fayth :  it.followeth  that  he  renounced  al  his 
own  works,as  which  in  vciy  deede  were  riothing  worth..Then  fith , 
it  is  fo,let  vs  learne  to  leaue fuch  mingHng,which  bringeth  nothing 
but  cormption  before  God :  and  let  vs  be  contented  that  we  be  aU 
lowedat  Gods  hand  if  he  finde  vs  faythfull.  If  a  man  poze  vs,  and 
fay,had  Abrahams  vertues  no  fauour  in, Gods  fight  C"  It  is  eafie  too 
aniwere,that  Abraham  of  his  owne  nature  had  nothing  but  all  ma- 
ner  of  iniquitie.  He  had  bin  a  caftaway ,  if  God  had  not  plucked 
him  out  of  the  dungeon  wherein  he  was  funlcen ,  according  as  he 
himfelfe  flieweth  inthelaft  chapter  of  lofua.  Coniyer  (fayth  he  lofH,l2,4*l 
to  the  lewes)  from  whence  I  tooke  your  father  Abraham.  Did  not 
his  fathers  ferue  Idols :"  Then  dyd  I  plucke  him  out  of  the  bot- 
tome  of  hell.  So,  Abraham  had  not  aughte  whereof  to  boaft.  For 
he  coulde  not  haue  done  any  goodjif  God  had  not  preuented  him 
with  his  grace.  Butnowe  after  that  Godhadgiuen  Abraham  fo 
great  and  excellent  vertues,  that  he  is  become  as  a  patteme  of  all 
holynefle :  yet  were  not  thofe  vertues  able  too  iuftifie  him ,  for 
there  was  aiwayes  fome  faulte  too  be  founde  in  him ,  eyther  more 
or  lefle.  Lef^a man  inforce  himfelfe  as  mucheas  is  pofsible  too 
obey  God :  atid  yet  (ball  he  always  go  limping.  Now  there  can  not 
be  fo  little  a  fault  nor  fo  finall  a  blemifh  in  our  works,but  the  fame 
is  inoughe  to  make  them  foule  and  lothfome  before  God.  Thus 
all  Abrahams  vertues,  if  they  had  bin  examined  ftrayghtly,  coulde 
not  haue  brought  him  ought  but  damnation.  As  muche  is  too  bee 
fay  de  of  Dauid,and  of  all  others.  Befides  this,  when  wee  fall  too 
fcanning  whether  God  loue  vs ,  and  acknowledge  vs  for  his  chil- 
dren :  it  muft  not  bee  thought  he  dooth  it  for  two  or  three  eood 
deedeSjbut  for  fuch  a  perfe<^l:  obedience  as  we  faile  not  in  any  one 
iotcBut  furely  although  Abraham  had  fome  perfection  in  parte  of  , 
his  life;yet  could  he  not  be  iuftiiied  by  it.For  he  was  continually,a 

R.  man 


Chap.j:  Jo.CaLxVtj.fermonypon 

mail; that  is  to  fay, a  finner  •.  and  God  hild  him  fo  at  the  ftaues  end, 
too  the  intent  too  humble  him^as  he  doth  all  the  reft  of  the  faith- 
full.  Then  could  not  Abraliam  bring  aught  of  him  felfe,  for  lookc 
what  goodneiTefo  euerhehad,  he  hild  it  of  God  and  of  hys  free 
goodnefle.  And  moreouer,  the  fame  was  yet  ftill  vnfufticienttoo 
faue  him  :  for  by  nature  he  was  vtterly  loft  and  damned,  as  all  the 
reft  of  Adams  lyne  is.  Therefore  it  ftoode  hym  in  hand,  that  God 
(houldereceyue  him  through  pardoning  of  his  fmnes,  and  looke 
Vpon  himfmgly  in  his  fay  the.  But  let  vsmarkealfo,  that  Gods 
iuftifying  of  vs  is  by  fayth,  that  is  to  fay ,  by  his  owne  meere  and 
alonely  goodnefle,  and  that  thervpon  it  behoueth  vs  to  reft  in  his 
promife,  by  the  vertue  wherof  he  alloweth  and  accepteth  vs ,  yea 
and  our  works  alfo  :  not  in  refped  that  they  come  of  our  felues, 
but  for  that  we  do  the  by  the  grace  of  his  holy  fpirite :  and  therfore 
dooth  he  accept  them  and  allowe  them  as  righteous,  yea  euen  fo 
farre  foorth  as  to  rewarde  then\as  the  whole  fcripture  doth  plen- 
tifully witnefle.  And  yet  dooth  all  this  alfo  proceede  of  fayth.  For 
when  wee  bee  iuftified,  that  istoofay,acceptedfor  righteous  be- 
fore God :  then  alfo  are  ourlworks  iuftiiied;that  is  to  fay,God  ac- 
cepteth them  for  rightfull, although  there  be  not  any  worthinefle 
in  them,nor  any  caufe  at  al  why  he  (hojld  receiue  them.  Then  like 
as  wee  our  felues  are  iuftified  by  Gods  onely  free  goodnefle, when 
wee  reccyue  his  promifes  by  fayth :  euen  fo  bee  our  workes  iufti- 
fied by  the  felfe  fame  meane.  After  that  maner  was  Abraliam  iufti- 
fied in  his  perfon :  and  then  likewife  were  his  workes  alfo  iuftified 
before  God.  But  howfoeuer  the  world  go,  if  yee  confider  the  ori- 
ginal] caufe  and  welipring  of  all :  yee  mufte  needes  conclude  that 
nothing  t\(Q  was  made  account  of  but  onely  fayth.  For  had  God 
lifted  to  fife  Abrahams  life,  he  had  bin  codemned  as  all  other  mor- 
tall  men  are.  But  his  intent  was  to  take  him  for  his  owne,  and  no- 
thing perfwaded  or  moued  him  thervnto  but  his  ovm  mere  mercy. 
Alfo,  Abraham  had  his  eyesfliut  agaynft  all  vayne  truftes  where- 
with men  deceyue  them  felues  :  he  knewe  there  was  nothing  able 
bring  him  too  lyfe,  faue  the  oneiy  mercy  of  God :  To  bee  fhorte, 
like  as  Abraham  had  no  regarde  but  of  Gods  meere  mercie :  fo 
.God  had  no  regarde  but  onely  of  Abrahajms  fayth:  and  by  th.at 
/. .  /  .      ~"  "  "        meanes 


the  Epi^.  to  the  ^alathians.      15  o 

meaties  was  he  iuftified.  So  then  let  vs  leaue  all  things  that  men 
imagine  to  bring  them  felues  in  fauour  with  God  by  mingling  this 
and  that  with  fayth  ;  for  they  are  all  but  falHiods  and  iliufions  of 
Satan :  and  let  fayth  haue  fuch  foundation  as  this :  that  is  too  wit, 
that  with  al  humilitie  we  acknowledge  our  felues  to  bee  then  righ- 
teous, when  God  forgiueth  vs  our  finnes ,  and  thar  by  the  fame 
mcanes  our  works  alfo  are  reclined  for  good  and  righteous,bicaufe 
God  lifteth  not  to  fifte  them  narrowly,  but  taketh  them  in  good 
worth  of  his  fatherly  goodnclTe.  Thusyee  fee  what  wee  haue  tocj 
gather  vpon  that  text.  Now,  tliat  the  bleffednefle  of  Abraham  be- 
longeth  vnto  vs,and  is  ment  vnto  vs,,  it  appeareth  by  that  which  I 
haue  touched  alreadie^  and  by  that  S.Paule  auoucheth,^W  allnati^ 
arts  Jhould  be  bleffed  in  Abraham.  And  nowe  remayneth  too  fee  the 
reafon  that  S.  Paule  addeth  on  the  contrarie  part.For  men  by  theic 
good  wils  can  neuer  finde  in  their  harts  too  giue  ouer  the  opinion 
which  they  haue  of  their  owne  righteoufnefTe ,  excepte  they  bee 
compelled  and  inforced  too  it.  For  althoughe  wee  bee  faped  in  fci 
many  vices  as  is  ougly  to  beholde :  yet  the  worft  and  deepeft  roo- 
ted vice  in  our  nature  is  pride  orprefumptuoufneiTe,  whicheisa 
felfewilled  weening  that  there  is  fomewhat  in  vsiin  fo  muche  that 
although  God  tell  vs  that  we  be  right  nought; and  that  there  is  no- 
thing in  vs  but  Ieaudnefre,filthineire,andvnclenneire,and  that  all 
the  vertue  which  we  dreamc  vpon  is  but  vanitie  &  leafing :  yet  can 
he  not  compafTe  to  humble  vs,til  we  our  felues  perceiue  our  owne 
neede,and  haue  it  proued  to  our  faces.And  therfore  it  behoueth  vs 
to  marke  well  the  reafon  which  S.Paule  addeth  hcere  to  drawe  vs 
to  the  pure  fayth,and  to  tume  vs  away  from  ^11  the  vayne  tmftes 
which  we  can  haue  in  our  owne  deferuings.  All  they  (fayth  he)  that 
dre  of  the  to  areaccurfed,  J:or  itii  ^nttmjCurfed  be  he  that  ccntinueth 
not  in  all  the  things  that  areytnttenandconttyned  in  this  b(ioJ{e,too  do9 
them.yVhtii  as  S.Paule  fayth  that  all  they  which  are  of  the  lawe 
are  curfed :  he  meaneth  that  fo  long  as  men  reft  and  mufe  vpon 
their  owne  works,and  thinke  to  obte^-ne  grace  by  that  meane  be- 
fore God :  they  be  airfed.For(as  I  haue  declared  heeretofore)  like 
as  he  that  forfaketh  liim  feife,and  renounced!  al  that  he  hath  of  his 
^wne,andgroundcthhin)felfe  vf  on  the  only  mercy  of  God,is  qf 

R.ij.  fayth; 


^yth  :*fo 'contrariwyfe ,  hee  that  tliinketfi  too  t>rmg  Any  feruicc 
wherewith  too  bin de  God  vnto  him,  or  imagiiqethto  recompence 
him  with  his  merites,  is  of  the  Lawe.  But  fain^l  Paul  e  lay  the  that 
fuche  are  curfed.  And  why  C'He  alleageth  the  faying  of  Moyfes : 

^cU.27,d.  ^^^M  ^^^  hesthat  ferfourmeth  not  ail  that  'i6  y^ritten  heere.  It  had 
2^^         beene  fayde  afore,  Gurfed  bee  he  diat  feruedi  ftraunge  Gods  : 

rp^  27,f  .K  Curied  bee  he  that  biafphenieth  God ;  Gurfed  be  he  that  breaketb 
the  Sabboth  day :  Gurfed  bee  he  that  is  ftubborne  agaynft  his  fa- 
ther and  mother :  Gurfed  bee  he  that  defileth  another  mans  wyfe. 
After  the  rehearfing  of  all  thcfe  Curfes,  and  after  the  folemne  vt- 
tering  of  them ,  it  behoued  the  people  too  anfwere  Amen,  A- 
men,  as  if  there  had  pafled  fome  couenaunt,  and  that  God  on  hys 
fide  had  made  demaunde,  faying :  ■  I  wyll  haue  you  too  ferue  mee 
after thysmaner, yea euen  without  fayling  in  any  poynte,and 
in  fuche  wife  as  yee  keepe  touche  wyth  mee  through  ftitche  in  all 
things  that  I  commaunde  you  :  and  the  people  on  theyr  fide 
flioulde  anfwere>  Amen,  yea  Lord  we  be  contented  to  be  all  dam- 
ned if  w^feinie  thee  not  :  and  then  aftfervvard  God  fhould  come 
and  conclude,  Gurfed  b^e  he  that  peiformeth  not  all  that  etier  is 
cor«:eyned  ill  this  booke, that  is'  too  fay ,  which  milfeth  in  any  olie 
poynt,and  the  people  fhould  anfwere  agaync,fobeit.  No  we  feeing 
that  the  lawe  curfeth  all  fviche  as  performe  it  not  to  the  full :  let  vs 
fee  if  there  bee^ny  one  that  dooth  it.'  It  is  certayne  that  al  men  fro 
the^greateft  foo  the  leaft^re  gyltie.  For  why  c'  let  vs  confider 
the'iumm^  of the'Lawe^ Avhich  i5,that  wee-fhonld  loue  God  -vvyth 
all  our  hart; with  all  our  minde,with  all  our  power;and  with  al  our 
ftrength,andour  neighbour  as  our  felf  and  then  let  euery  of  vs  try 
his  own  life,&  he  fiial  neede  none  other  iudge  than  him  felf  to  co- 
demnehim.For  although  we  loued  God  with  an  vncorrupted  and 
fotinde  hart  vnfaynedly :  yet  can  it  not  bee,  but  that  wee  mufl  bee 
yrawen  diuerfly  ^ith  niany  vanities.  Y'e'aput  riie  cace  that  a  man 
were  as  perfeft  as  aii  Angell ;  yet  touldc  he  not  loue  God  as  he 
ought  to  doo,  for  it  would  behoue  all  ournvits  tobe  imploycd  in 
the  loue  ofhim.  But  now  let  vs  marke  if  wee  caft  not  many  v^ayne 
lookes  when  wee  open  our  eyes,  or  if  that  when  wee  open  oure 
-caiTeS|,Sycebee  nbf ^irfen  too  th^'r  hiucH'  fondc  t^k^that  tehdeidi 


not 


the  SpifljotheQalathians.       155 

not  to  the  honor  of  God,or  which  is  Hot  vtterly  voyde  of  finne  if 
at  leaftwyfe  it  bee  not  wicked.  But  howefoeuer  thecace  flande, 
wee  fhoulde  fo  dedicate  ourwittes  wholly  vnto  God,  as  that  wee 
fhouid  not  thinke  vpon  any  thing  wherein  he  (hould  not  bec  glo- 
riHed.And wherd fhall  one befounde tliat  dooth fo ':'  [No  wh^re] 
but  (whiche  worfe  is)  hefides  that  wee  haue  our  witter  farre  haled 
and  diawen  away  from  the  loue  of  God  -.  wee  fee  that  they  :.t^k 
vs  dayly  vnto  naughtinefTe,  and  tliat  wee  doo  not  fo  foone  ftiiTe^ 
hande.but  it  is  to  put  it  too  many  things  of  no  value*  As  muche  \s 
to  bee  fayd  of  our  feete,of  pur  eyes,and  of  our  eares.  Agayne,what 
a  dungeon  is  there  in  mans  hart  <  what  a  number  of  croaked  lufts 
ai-e  there^fo  fnarled  ©n^  within  another,  as  there  is  nothing  to  bee 
founde  among  them  but  cOnfufionC'  In  fo  muche  that  it  is  vpon 
verygoodcaufethat  leremie  criediout;  O  what  a  maze  is  the  UrAji*^ 
heart  of  man ,  wherein  there  is  neyther  ende  nor  meafure-to  bee 
feene/o  that  although  a  man  fhould-founde  and  gage  him  felfe  ne- 
Her  fa  deepe,  yet  it  is  not  pofsible  that  he  fhoulde  attaync  too  the 
knowledge  of  the  hundreth  part  of  his  naughtinefTe.There  is  none 
\m  onely  God  that  can  bee  iudge  of  it.  So  then,let  vs  marke  well, 
that  although  God  haue  begotten  vs  agayn  by  his  holy  fpirite,and 
that  we  ftrayne  our  felues  to  the  vttermoft  to  feme  Sc  honor  him : 
yet  muft  we  needes  come  farre  (hort  of  tlie  ende,  and  bee  ftill  but 
on  our  way  thithei-wardejyea  and  go  alwayes  haltingAnd  moreo- 
uer  befide  oiire  flownefle,  wee  mecte  with  many  falles,  and  many 
(hrewde  rufhes,we  iimpe  on  the  one  foote,  and  ftumble  on  the  o- 
lher,and  diuers  times  we  tumble  ouer  and  ouer.  Lo  what  our  lyfe 
is.  Therefore  by  the  Lawe  we  fee  we  be  all  of  vs  accurfed,yea  euen 
when  there  is  no  manyfeft  Tinne  in  vs.  For  (as  I  haue  declared  ai- 
re adie)  if  there  were  no  more  but  this ,  that  no  man  difchargeth 
him  felfe  of  the  full  performance  of  the  Lawe  :  it  were  too  be  con- 
cluded thi^«Ypon,,thatajl  of  vs  are  condemned  by  the  Lawe,  and 
therforethstitftandeth  vs  in  hand  to  fecke  our  rightuoufnefle  elfe 
.  whei  e,tha^  is  to  wit,in  the  mere  mercie  of  God.Now  then  wee  fee 
howe  S.Paufe  Ihewedi  vs,  thatallfuchas  haue  any  vaine  truft  in 
their  owne  meritejSj  are  raiike  traytors  too  God,  and  make  warre 
igaynft  hym.  Forbe  dgotb  asil  were  di^e  thein  foorth  by  the 

R.iij.  '      heare 


Chap.3 .    :         ^q.  CaJ.xyij.  Sermon  ypon 

heare  of  their  heads,and  fhewe  them  the  didrdTc  vvherin  they  be, 
and  what  ^.ftabbomefle  is  it  if  they  will  not  come  vnto  him:'  Muft 
not  the  diuell  needes  haue  dulled  theme'  VVee  Tee  then  that  S. 
Paules  meaning  heere,was  too  driue  men  too  feeke  their  rightu- 
;  oufnefre  and  faiuation  in  the  only  grace  of  our  Lordlefus  Chrift : 
'  for  without  thatj  the  other  (hould  neuer  befall  vs,  bicaufe  wee  al- 
\vay€S  funnize  Tome  vaiew  tobe  in  our  felucs,  and  that  felfeftima- 
ti6n  or  ouerweening  doth  fo  blind  vs, that  we  can  not  glorifie  God 
in  his  rightuoufnefre  by  keeping  our  owne  mouthes  fhet  till  wee 
beeconuicled,  as  wee  fee  in  this  text.  Furthermore  let  vsmarke, 
that  S.Paule  hath  taken  heere  a  principle  which  th«  Papiftes  can- 
not finde  in  their  hartes  too  agree  vnto.  For  among  other  things, 
rfiey  fayj  curfed  and  banned  bee  he  which  fhall  fay  that  God  hath 
commaunded  vs  more  than  wee  are  able  to  doa  They  excommu- 
nicate and  accurfe  all  fuch  as  are  of  opinion,that  the  rightuovifnelTe 
t)f  the  Lawe  ouerreacheth  all  the  abilitie  of  man.  For  it  feemeth  to 
;them,that  God  ought  not  too  commaund  vs  any  impofsibilitie,  5c 
that  eyther  wee  muft  haue  wherewith  too  performe  the  Lawe,  or 
dfe  the  Lawe  fbould  bee  too  no  purpofe.  So  doo  they  thinke,  and 
fo  doo  they  fay :  but  the  holy  Ghoft  faythe  the  flat  contrarie :  for 
God  is  not  bound  tofafhion  himfelfc  to  our  abilitie.lt  becommeth 
vs  to  regard  what  we  our  Telues  ought  to  do.  VVho  is  he  that  dare 
ftep  vp,and  fay  that  he  ought  not  to  loue  God  with  al  his  hartc'For 
feeing  that  wee  bee  his,is  it  not  reafon  that  wee  fhould  bee  wholly 
dedicated  vntoo  hiniC'  Vee  feethen  that  we  bee  indetted  vnto  him 
©f  the  perfe»5l  loue  which  he  requireth.  Ageine,  if  wee  talke  of  oitr 
owne  ftrength,it  is  not  too  bee  fayd  tliat  wee  bee  able  todifcharge 
our  felues  of  our  dutie,as  in  refpe6l  of  the  loue  which  we  owe  vn- 
to our  God.  As  for  example,  If  a  manhaue  wafted  all  his  goods  in 
ryotj  and  haue  not  aught  lefte  ^wherwith  too  pay  his  ci^ditors,fhaI 
that  difchai^e  him  of  his  dettes  C*  If  any  man  fay;  it  is>ftot  through 
our  owne  default :  Yes  fui'ely  is  it.  For  m  as  much  as  wee  bee  cor' 
nipted  in  Adam,  originallfinneholdeth  vs  fufficiently  conui<fted 
andgiltie  before  God,  foasitisnoexcuretoofayjtamweiJfe'or 
rathervtterly  vntoward,  andl  can  not  fo  much6  as  thinke  orfe 
t.&.3.i.  J  good thoiight;^  accordyng  as  Sainft  Fade  dedareili.  Itife  tni? that 

'".  •.  .  weaq,' 


the  Spi^Uotheijalathians.      154. 

weecannotthinkcfo  muchc  as  one  good  diought,  and  that  out 

harts  are  foil  of  fturdineflc  and  malice/o  that  al  our  aff edions  arc 

enemies  vntoo  God.  Sofpeaketh  the  Scripture  :  buthowfoeuer 

theworidego,  weeceaflenot  too  bee  ftill  bound  too  our  duetic. 

Wherefore  let  vs  mark€,  that  the  Law  is  commaunded  vs,though 

it  be  impofsible  for  vs  to  fulfill  and  performe  it.  And  if  it  were  not  (^m.^.a,%. 

fQ,S.Paule  would  not  haue  fayd  in  the  eyght  too  die  Romans,  that 

God  performed  that  thing  by  the  nieanes  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift, 

which  was  impoisibk  too  the  Lawe.  In  faying  fo  he  fheweth  well 

that  wee  bee  notable  to  performe  all  that  God  commaundeth  vs. 

For  if  wee  could  bring  that  to  pafle,  fur-ely  wee  (hould  be  luJftified 

by  It.  For  itisfa^^dethatallfuclie  as  fulfill  the  Lawe- (hall  lyue 

tlierein.  If  any  man  coulde  bee  founde  tliat  had  perfoumied  it ,  he  j^^,  iS,^.^* 

(Iiould  liue.  But  S.  Paule  taketh  the  fame  reafon  afterwarde  too 

(liewe^that  it  is  a  ioWit  to  thinke  to  get  righteoufnelTe  by  keeping 

cf  the  Lawe  :  for  no  man  can  bring  it  to  pafle  as  is  required.  IVow 

then  as  touching  this  text,let  vs  vnderftande  that  S.Pauleprefiip- 

pofeth  that  no  man  is  able  too  perfoui-me  the  Lawe,  thoughe  he 

&raynehimiclfe  neuer  fo  much :  infomuch  that  although  he  be  go- 

uerned  by  die  holy  Ghoft,yet  fliall  he  neuer  be  able  to  bring  it  too 

pafle  during  this  fiightfull  life,  bicaufe  God  giueth  vs  his  grace  by 

meafure.  It  is  true  that  he  could  giue  vs  fuch  perfe6lton  as  nothing 

(hould  be  amiilc  in  all  our  \ik,  but  that  wee  fhould  haue  a  full  and 

more  than  angelical!  conformitie  too  all  his  commaundemcntes*. 

Howbeit,  although  he  holde  vs  in  awe,  although  he  chaunge  vs 

and  fafhion  vsTieweagayn€,althoughe  he  i-eyne'V'sbacketothQ 

obedience  of  his  will :  yet  is  there  no  Rill  peiiedion  in  vs.  And 

why  <  For  he  intendeth  to  holde  vs  ftill  vnder  the  bridle  of  humi- 

litie,hc  wil  haUe  vs  to  know  our  owne  weakneffe,  and  to  grone  for 

it  before  liim :  and  he  will  haue  vs  to  pafle  iudgement,and  to  know 

thatweebealwayesindetted  vntohim.  ForafmuchethenasGod 

<}oth  n  Dt  in  this  pfefent  lifegiue  vsfuch  perfe^ion  as  were  requifit 

to  the  ful  jperformance  of  his  whole  law :  therfore  we  can  neuer  do 

throughly  the  things. that  he  comadeih  v s.And  forafmuch  as  we  be 

Hot  able  to  performe  thie:  therfore  this  iudgement  is  thudred  down 

vpon  our  hcads^diat  he'is^curfed  which  folfilleth  not  al  die  things. 

.  ..'^4,  R.iiii»  U 


Chap.j.  fo.'Cal.xytj.Sermonypori 

It  beholieth  vs  to  marke  well  that  faying :  for  it  is  not  CzydyCmCed 
bee  he  that  reie£leth  the-Lawe,  or  which  keepeth  no  poyiit  at  all 
cxf  it :  but,Curfed  be  he  that  difchargeth  not  hiiiifelfe  of  it  poynt  by 
poynt,and  through  ftitche,as  1  fayd  afore.  And  for  that  caufe  alfo 

Um»2,h,\o  S.Iames  (too-thc  ende  too  beate  downe  mens  pride)  fayth  that  he 
which  fayleth  in  any  one  poynt,  is  giltie  of  the  whale.VVee  will 
think  this  to  be  very  rough  dealing  at  the  firft  fight. VVhat/ay  we!f 
will  God  forget  al  the  good  that  a  man  hath  done/or  the  comrnit- 
tihg  of  fome  one  onely  fault  c'  That  would  be  counted  crueltie  a- 
mong  men.  Yea, but  S. lames  addeth  a  reafon,  faying :  He  that  for- 
bad to  murther,forbad  alfo  to  comit  whordome :  and  he  that  for- 
bad to  fteale,forbad  al  the  refidue  too.  Then  if  I  thinke  my  felfe  to 
Kaue  fatiffied  God  in  forbearing  thefte,and  in  the  meane  while  am 

,  a  whor  cmafter :  haue  1  not  offended  the  maieftic  of  God  '^  And 

therforc  wee  muft  leaue  all  thefe  peecings :  for  if  wee  bring  God 
fome  one  peece,&  let  all  the  reft  alone,  what  a  dealing  wil  that  be^ 
VVe  fee  that  one  man  is  giuento  one  vice,  &  another  to  another, 
and  fo  euery  man  would  bee  priuiledged  and  difpenft  with  vnder 
colour  that  he  had  done  this  or  that,notwithftading  that  he  mifled 
in  fome  other  poynt.But  God  hathe  not  feparated  his  commaun- 
dements  afunder.  He  hath  not  fayde  too^ne  man,thou  fhalte  not 
fteale,and  to  another,Thou  ihalte  not  commit  aduoutry :  but  he 
fayth  to  al  men  without  exception,  Abfteyne  yce  from  whordome, 
abfteyne  ye  from  theft,abfteyneyee  from  murther.Therefore  wee 
n\uft  examine  our  Iife,qot  by  any  one  commaundement  alone,but 
by  all  the  whole  Jawtogither.But  jjow  kt  vs  fee  if  we  can  find  any 
man  that  is  faultleife.  Y ee  fee  then  that  wee  muft  needes bee  con- 
founded/o  long  as  we  fl:ande  to  be  iudged  by  the  law.For  if  Abra- 
harn,who  was  the  excellenteft  that  euer  could  be  picked  oi^t  amog 
roen,fhouId  b^  driuen  to  enter  into  account  by  that :  it  is  certayne 
that  he  :fhoulde  not  mifle  too  bee  damned.  Seeing  it  is  fo,  let  vs 
bear  e  well  in  minde  that  itis  not  for  vs  too  difpute  anymore  :  iot 
when  the  Papi[tes  fpeake  of  die  righteoufneife  of  faythe ,  tfcey* 
^00  but  dally  and  skofFe  with  God ,  as  if  he  were  a  lyttle  babe. 
Let  vs  keepe  our  felues  from  fuche  fcornfulneflTe :  ab d  when  God 
prwouaccih  idiis  horrible  fcmcnc  e^that  all  they  bee  c\jift4  which 


the  EpiHjo  the  (jalathians.      135 

fulfill  not  ail  that  is  written,  let  vs  conceiue  fuch  a  terrour  of  it,  as 
we  may  quake  before  his  maieftie,  yea  and  euery  of  vs  become  his 
owne  iuclge,and  willingly  yeeld  hinifelfe  ^Xviz^  and  beeing  fo  con- 
dialed  of  our  wretchednelTe  bewayle  our  vtter  fayling  in  ail  things, 
and  therevpon  imbrace  the  rightuoufnefle  that  is  offered  vs  in  our 
Lord  lefus  Chrift,taking  all  our  contentment  and  reft  there. 

Now  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  maieftie  of  our  good  God 
tvith  acknowledgement  of  onr  faults,praying  liimto  make  vs  fo  to 
feele  them, as  we  may  not  only  aske  him  forgiueneffe  with  true  rc- 
pentance,but  alfo  pray  him  to  hold  vs  vp  all  the  tyme  of  our  lyfe, 
till  he  haue  taken  vs  hence  into  his  owne  kingdome ,  and  in  the 
meane  while  to  reforme  vs  more  and  more  by  his  holy  fpirit,to  thei 
end  we  may  haue  fure  record  that  we  be  of  the  number  of  his  chil- 
dren,by  goueming  ourfelues  after  that  manner  in  feare,  and  feeke 
nothing  elfe  but  to  giue  ourfelues  wholly  vnto  him.  And  fo  let  vs 
all  fay,Almighty  God  heauenly  father.&c, 

The  aZ  ^Sermon  rphich  is  the  fourth 

Vfontkihird  Chapter. 

n.  Thacnomanisiuftifyedbyihe]avvebeforcGod,it 
is  manifeftifortherightuousfhallliue  by  faith. 

tz,  Andthclavvcis  notoffaithibutthe  man  that  doeth 
thofcthingSjfliall  line  in  them. 

y*  Chrifthathraunfomed  vsfrothccurfeofthelawe, 
/ih  that  hebecame  accurfed  for  vs,  (for  it  is  vvriue, 
curfed  is  hethat  hangeth  on  tree.) 

742  iThat  the blifledneffe of  Abraham  myghtcomcvp- 

■r  r  \      pon  thcGentils  through  lefus  Chrift,  to  the  end 

I      '  -that vvcmyghtreceyuc the promis  of  thefpiritc 

'•  '\-n^fayth. 


-••I  i 


R.V.  VV« 


Chap.  3. 


^o.4.f.ij. 


fo.CaLxyiij.Sermonypon 

E  haue  feene  that  if  men  be  not  worfe  th^ 
mad, they  muft  needes  (for  all  that  euerthey 
haue)reeke  their  faluation  in  our  Lordlefus 
Chrift,  For  if  they  fticke  to  the  law, they  fhall 
lind  nothing  there  bixt  damnation ,  as  hathe 
bin  rhcw:ed  sh'eadye  :  and  that  doth  euery 
man  fyndfe  fufiiciemly  by  hys  owne  experi- 
ence./Vnd  certefTe  when  as  Sain6l  Paule  goeth  about  in  the  Epiftie 
to  the  Romanes,  to  fhew  that  men  beguile  themfelues  too  grofly 
by  trufting  in  their  owne  merites :  he  fayth  diat  the  law  can  worke 
notliing  but  Gads  wrath  and  vengeance.  For  although  wee  bee  al- 
ready fufficiently  condeinned  ere  God  open  his  mouth  togyuc 
Sentence  againfte  vs :  yet  notwithflanding ,  our  naughtinefle is  yet 
deeper  ingrauen  by  the  law,  when  he  faith  that  ii'xs^SQ  itranfgrefle 
but  fome  any  one  point,  we  become  enimies  to  God,and  his  wrath 
murt  needes  be  kindled ^gainft  vs.  What  (hall  we  gaine  by  difpu- 
ting,  whenthe  determmate  fentence  is  pronounced  by  the  hea* 
wenly  iudgecThereis  notber  appeale  nor  pleading  that  will  ftande 
vs  in  fled.So  then,  let  vs  vnderftand,  that  to  haue  the  tme  know- 
ledge of  the  GofpclJ,  we  muft  hold  vs  wholly  to  our  Lorde  Icfus 
Chrifle,  that  we  put  not  our  hope  of  faluation  in  any  other  thyng 
tlian  in  his  only  mercieiand  for  the  performance  thereof,  let  euery 
of  vs  haue  an  eye  to  his  owne  life.  Forif  men  fift  themfelues  tho- 
roughly without  hipocrifie  or  feyning,  furely  all  caufe  of  pleading 
v/ill  fo  one  be  rid  away.  The  Papifles  will  not  in  any  wife  graunte 
that  only  fayth  fiiould  make  vs  acceptable  to  God,and  that  is  by- 
caufe  they  neuer  felt  throughly  what  it  is  to  come  before  Goddes 
judgement  feate,  but  haue  alwayes  as  it  were  pjayed  with  the  {ha- 
dow  of  it.  And  therefore  no  maruell  though  tliey  pardon  them- 
felues in  all  things.  But  the  ver^'way  tobringvsto  thetmthand 
tathe  pure  and  right  religion,  is  for  euery  of  vs  to  lookeinto  hys 
owne  lyfe,what  it  is.Now  if  there  were  but  one  myt^(^s.5?e  would 
fay)amifre,  itiscertainethatwe  were  fooitliwith;in  daunjer  ofe- 
temail  death.  But  furely  euery  of  vs  fhall  finde  hymlelfe  a  finner, 
nptin  Come  one  poytjt  alone,  but  in  a  hundred  thoufande :  not  in 
fome  one  fault,  but  in  infinite  fortes  gffaultes,  And  when  wee 

Cull 


the  EpifLto  the  (jalathians^       134* 

fhallhaui  perceiued  neiier  fa  many  mireries  in  ouifelues,  God 

knoweth  yet  many  mo  without  comparison  than  we  can :  for  hee 

feeth  much  cleerer  than  we  (loy  as  fayth  $ain6l  lohn  in  his  canoni-  \,lohn.lM 

call  Epiftle.Thus  then  is  our  pleading  vtterly  voyd  Thus  is  fen-  20, 

tenee  gyuen  that  we  cannot  be  iuftifyed  by  the  lawe,  but  by  fayth 

only. 

And  nowe  the  Apoftle  going  forward  with  his  matter,  vfeth 
another  reafon,  whiche  is,  that  if  wee  feeke  righteoufneffe  in  the 
law, the  fame  will  be  a  cleane  contrary  one  to  the  rightuoufnelTc 
which  Gods  children  and  chofen  people  obteyne  by  fayth.  For 
what  manner  of  one  is  the  rightuoufnefle  of  the  law  fayth  hee  ^ 
[This  it  is:]He  that  doth  thofe  things fhall  liue  in  them:that  is  to 
fay,whofoeuer  obeyeth  God  and  doth  his  commaundements,  fhall 
haue  faluation  for  his  labour.  Lo  heereafayre  promis:but  what 
good  will  it  doe  vsc'Ifwee  will  aflay  to  do  the  things  thoroughly 
which  are  commaunded  vs,  wee  (hall  euery  one  of  vs  fee  that  God ' 
(heweth  vs  our  condemnation  fo  much  the  greeuoufer,asif  he  had 
fet  it  downe  before  vs.VV^at  would  become  of  our  faluation,if  wc 
fhould  feeke  it  in  ourfclues,and  befayne  to  eame  itc'Now  therfore, 
when  we  heere  that  God  is  ready  to  recompence  all  luche  as  fhall 
haue  ferued  and  honored  him  by  keeping  of  his  law :  it  feemeth  to 
vs  before  we  gCany  Rirther,  that  we  haue  gotte  a  maruellous  van- 
tage,Tufh(faywe:)beholde,  Godbyndeth  hymfclfe  too  vs,  and 
w^rrantethvs  the  heritage  of  heauen  if  wee  ferue  him  and  fulfill 
his  will.  [Yea:] but  v/hen  wee  haue  compared  ourlyfetoo  hys 
doftrine,  we  fhall  fynd  that  his  (hewing  of  himfelfefo  liberall  and 
bountifull  towards  vs ,  too  bind  himfelfe  to  vsfor  our  feruing  of 
him  and  for  our  keeping  of  his  law^e ,  is  a  plunging  of  vs  muche 
■deeper  into  the  gulfe  wherein  wee  were  before.  VVhat  fhall 
wedothenc'VVemuO:  refort  to  the  remedie  which  the  Apoftle 
fetteth  downe  heere  before  vs  by  the  mouth  of  Abacucke  :  whychs 
is  that  the  rightmufe  fhall  Hue  by  faith,  Tlierefore  let  vs  reRife  the      y.  , 

promis  of  the  law  bicaufe  it  is  not  for  oiw  behoof,&  take  tke  free-  «^^'^^"\;^ 
giue  goodnes  of  our  god,  who  reacheth  out  his  annes  to  receiue  vs,  ^"^* 
fo  we  be  cleere  rid  of  alfelfweening.  1  hat  is  the  thing  which  is  fet 
down«  vnco  vs-here^by  S.  Paule.  And  it  13  a  reafon  thathoLdeth  of 
'  ••<  conxianea 


Chap.  3.,         fo.CaLxyj.  Sermon  ypon 

contraries  as  they  tearme  it.As  for  example,  if  a  man  fhoulde  fay 
that  fire  heateth:  and  another  wilfull  body  (houlde  holde  the 
contrarie-it  myght  be  fayd  vnto  him,  fee  if  yce  or  froft  do  heate  or 
no:doth  it  not  appeere  that  they  be  things  dyuerfe,  repugnant,and 
vnmatchable:'Agayne,if  it  fhould  be.  demaunded  whither  the  heate 
of  the  Sunne  is  behoofFullfor  this  lyfe  or  no  :  what  a  thing  wa*e  it 
if  there  were  no  Sunne  in  the  world  C'  we  (houlde  all  of  vs  be  cho- 
ked with  the  filthinefle  of  tlie  aircj  all  the  corruption  whereof  is 
clenzed  away  by  the  fhyning  of  the  Sunne.  Then  like  as  men 
may  reafon  vppon  contraries  in  the  order  of  nature  :  fo  the 
Apoftle  fayeth  that  wee  cannot  bee  iuftified  both  by  the  law,and 
by  thefreefauourofGod:  thatistoo  fay,  if  we  bee  welLlyked 
at  Gods  hand,  our  comming  into  hisfauourmuft  be  through  his 
cwne  freebeftowed  goodneife  ,  bycaufe  hee  louethvs  in  oure 
Lord  IefusGhrift,and  not  for  any  worthynefle  that  can  be  inouif 
ielues.  Howbeit,  for  the  better  vnderftanding  o£  this  do6bine. 
Let  vs  mark  well  how  it  is  told  vs  heere,that  the  ryghteoufnefle  of 
the  law  is  the  fulfilling  of  Goddes  commaundementes.  And  heere- 
by  it  myght  feeme  to  vs  that  the  dodrine  of  the  law  were  fufficient 
to  faue  vs,  for  afmuch  as  God  hauing  reherfed  the  teji  commaun- 
dements  that  are  conteyned  in  the  law,  hath  finally  tolde  vs  that 
that  is  the  thing  whereby  we  fhoulde  liue,  the  thing  whereby  wee 
fhoulde  dired  our  lyfe,  the  infallible  rule,  and  that  wee  muft  not 
feeke  anie  other  perfe6lion  of  righteoufnefle  than  that.  And  that  is 
the  very  matter  wherein  we  ftryue  fo  muche  againft  the  Papiftes, 
bycaufe  that  whereas  God  requireth  obedience,  they  thinke  to  do 
him  as  good  feruis  with  the  things  that  are  of  their  owne  deuizing. 
Wherefore  let  vsmarke  that  the  full  perfe6liOn  of  all  holineffc 
is  conteyned  in  the  Lawe.  Yea  verely  as  in  refpe^l  of  do6hine. 
For  it  is  not  iawfuil  to  adde  any  thyng  to  it ,  and  men  tdo  but 
ouerlabo^iirthemfeluesinvayne,  when  they  bryngin  Iwotetigt 
what  deuotious  of  their  owne  deuyzing.  But  it  is  not  ynough  for 
vs  that  the  do6lrine  of  the  lawe  dothe  fufficientlye  fhewe  vs 
what  ryghtuoufenetfe  is :  wee  come  too  thys  poynt  alfo ,  narpe* 
ly  whither  wee  be  able  to  do  the  thynges  that  God  hathe  enioy* 
tied  vs.  I  tgide  you  thys  morning,  that  wee  come  faire.ftorx  of 

thats 


the  EpiU.to  the  (jalathians.       1^5 

Aat '.  And  (o  the  promis  of  thelaw  is  nothing  to  our  behoofe,  ^nd 
die  Papifts  do  fowUyouerfhootethefelues  in  that  behalfe.Forthcy 
hold  ftill  this  fantafficall  opinion,  that  God  hath  not  commaun- 
ded  any  thing  which  w-e  be  not  able  to  perfbrme.  But  we  fee  the 
cleane  contrary  by  Sain6l  Paule.To  confirme  theyr  error ,  they  aU 
iedge,that  then  God  mocketh  men,'ui  teJhng  them  that  he  which 
doeth  thofe  things  iVH  Hue  in  them.  But  this  knot  is  eafye  too  be 
vntyed.For  if  God  gaue  men  no  remedye,  it  is  certeine  that  they 
(hoiild  be  vtterly  abafhed  when  he  fay th, that  he  whych  doth  thefe 
things  fhall  lyue  m  them,that  is  to  fay,no  man  fhal  Jiue.At  the  Mk 
blufh(as  I  fayd)we  may  feeme  to  haue  wonne  the  goale,  feing  that 
God  hath  told  vs^that  by  keeping  his  law  we  fhill  obteine  hys  fa- 
uour,andthatthereisacrowne  of glorie  prepared  forvs  whei'of 
if^i  canot  fayle:but  when  we  haue  caft  our  cardes,  we  muft  be  fayn 
to  come  to  this  poynt,that  no  man  can  atteyne  to  lyfe  by  his  owne 
purchace  or  earning:for  why,no  man  performeth  the  law.  It  is  not 
fayd,  he  that  doeth  but  fome  one  part  or  other  of  the  lawe,  fliall 
liueibut  he  that  doeth  all  that  is  conteyned  in  it.  VV'hat  manner  of 
thing  theri  is  the  rightuoufeneffe  of  theiawe:'It  is  a  hil  and  perfect 
feeeping  of  it,  without  mifsing  or  fayiing  in  any  point  at  al.But  fuch 
.  a  one  is  riot  to  be  found  among  men ,  and.  therefore  it  followeth 
that  all  ofvs  are  difappointed,  and  fhut  out  from  the  promis  that 
is  giuen  vs  in  the  lawe.  Yet  is  it  not  to  be  layd  that  God  mocketh 
vs,when  he  hoideth  vs  at  the  ftaues  ende,  bycaufe  men  deceyue 
themfelues  through  their  owne  prydey  by  boafling  of  their  dwne 
deferuings.He  hath  good  reafan  to  hold  them  fo  at  the  ftauea  end: 
and  if  thefe  were  no  kw  nor  any  fuclvpromis,what  would  come  oi 
it^We  know  that  the  heathen  men  would  alwayes  needes  bee  in 
Gods  fauour  for  their  owne  vertuesfake  :  and  yet  inthemeane 
while  they  knewe  there  were  many  faultes  in  them,  and  for  that 
■  cauCe  they reteynedthe vfe  of facrififingit is ttueithat they rnder- 
ftobd  not  the  er^d  ofthem:yet  neuertheltlTejthcirfacrififrngiAras  a 
plaync  confefsion  that  they  were  indaungeredvnto  God,  aiid  had 
neede  to  be  admitted  into  his  fauour.  Likewife  the  Papiftes  do  at 
this  day  packe  togither  a  great  deale  of  pelrmg  trafh ,  to  make  at- 
jQfiement  with  God.  And  fo  ye  fe^that-the  heiathmi  men  did at  all 

times 


Ghap.3.  fo.CalxViij.fermon  y^pon 

times  keepe  the  fame  trade  which  the  Papiftes  keepe  at  this  <ky» 
But  howfoeuer  they  fared,  their  intent  was  to  bee  faued  at  Gods 
hand  for  their  owne  defemings.Howbeit  God  telleth  vs  that  if  we 
thinkc  he  oweth  vs  any  thing  of  duetie,we  deceyue  ourreluesinot-" 
with  (landing,  he  promiieth  of  his  owne  free  goodnefle ,  that  if  we 
keepe  the  law  we  fhall  be  reckened  for  rightuous  before  him.  But 
iiow.do  we  keepe  itc'No,  we  come  farrie  (hort  of  it,  in  fomuch  that 
if  we  confider  how  much  we  fayie  of  it,  we  muft  needs  be  abafhed 
at  it.Yee  fee  then  how  it  is  not  without  caple  that  God  hath  giuen 
vs  that  promis^  though  we  reape  no  profit  nor  aduauntage  by  it. 
For  it  hath  a  refpecl  to  the  correcting  of  the  pryde  wherewith  we 
be  fo  fore  infe6led,  that  wee  muft  be  clenzed  of  it  by  forae  violent 
remedie,  or  elfe  we  Avail  burft.  And  what  remedie  is  that  c'  Behold, 
Godtalketh  to  ys  tlius:Goto,  yee  murmur  at  me,  if  I  handle  you 
tiot  after  your  own  lykirig:b,ut  I  tell  you,tliat  I  will  not  pnly  poure 
■out  my  gracioufe  giftes  and  benefits  vpon  you  in  this  wprlde :  but 
alfo  do  lay  vp  an  euerlafting  heritage  in  (lore  for  you,  fo  yee  ferue 
me.Seme  me,  and  make  me  a  good  account,  and  then  fhall  you  be 
fare  that  I  will  recompence  you,  both  in  this  life  and  in  fheiyfe  ta 
come.Godsfpeaking  after  thatmanneris  to  none  other  ende,but 
'to  floppe  mennes  mouthes,  and  to  make  them  acknowledge,  that 
if  God  punifh  tliem  and  fend  them  ncuer  fo  many  afflidlions ,  it  is 
ryghtly  done  in  fomuch  that  all  fuch  as  fhall  haue  well  fifted  their 
owne  iiues,flial  be  driuen  to  confeffcjyea  euen  vnfeynedly,  Alas,  if 
we  be  not  worthie  to  eate  bread  for  the  fufteiiance  of  this  tranfito- 
rie  life  vpon  earth,how  can  we  by  our  own  deferts  getthe  heritage 
of  heauen,whiche  is  a  glory  that  belongeth  only  vnto  God  C*  How 
can  we  atteyne  to  it  by  our  owne  flrengthc'Yee  fee  then  that  mens 
combes  are  quite  cut,by  Gods  giuing  of  this  fo  large  and  liberall 
promis  vnto  them.  And  there\nthall  wee  haue  too  note,  that  the 
lame  promis  is  free  of  itfelfe ,  and  yet  fare  wee  neuer  awhit  the 
better  for  any  peecc  of  it,  till  we  haue  vtterly  let  go  our  bold  of 
it.  '1  his  would  be  darke  if  it  fhoulde  not  bee  layde  foorthe  more 
at  large.  1  he  heathenmen(as  I  haue  fayde  alreadie)did  fully  per-* 
fwade  themfelues  that  they  fhould  be  recompenced  at  Gods  hand, 
«f  they  Jiued  after  an  hgneftandvublamable  fafhign  araong  men, 
\  "  ^  '^"       Bun 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians,      15  S 

But  that  was  great  folliej  or  rather  fhrkemadiiefTcForhowe  can  Jjiaj^cao 
God  become  indetted  vntoo  vs,  as  itistolde  vs  inthefeuen- 
teenthofSain6lLuke:'Though  men  could  do  better  than  theAn- 
gelles  of  heauen,coulde  they  bynd  God  too  them  by  it :'  No  :  for 
they  bee  his  aforehandby  nature :  accordingly  alfo  as  our  Lords 
lefus  Chrifle  alledgeth  the  fimilitude  of  a  feruant,  not  of  luche 
feruants  as  are  now  adayes,  but  fuch  flaues  or  bondmen  as  were  in 
thofcs  dayes .  If  a  bondflaue  had  bin  flayne  a  hundred  tymes  for 
his  mafter,  yet  was  it  at  his  mayfters  \vill  whither  hee  fhoulde 
liue  or  dye  ftdh  Th^rfore  our  Lorde  leius  Chrifl:  maketh  his  al- 
legation in  this  wyfe.  Goto,  ye  bee  but  poore  mortail  creatures 
yourfelues :  and  yet  if  any  of  you  haue  a  bondilaue,hee  will  holds 
him  as  an  AlTe  or  an  Oxe :  and  when  the  feruant  after  fore  trauell 
and  labour  with  great  payne  all  the  day  long,  returneth  home 
Btnightjhis  mafter  will  not  make  him  too  fitdowne  at  the  table 
with  him: for  he  hath  done  no  more  than  his  duetie  and  that  which 
he  was  bound  to  do.  Now  then,fhall  God  be  of  lefle  authoritie  or 
in  worfc  cace  than  mortail  mec'For  fomucli  as  you  are  his,al  though 
you  indeuer  to  walke  in  his  obedience,  yet  can  he  not  be  any  \»  hit 
beholden  to  you.  And  fo(as  I  haue  declared  alreadie)wheras  God 
hathe  fayd  in  his  law,that  he  which  doth  thefe  things  (hall  lyue  in 
them: what  moued  him  to  fuch  bountifulneflc  as  to  promis  vs  euer- 
lafting  lyfec'It  was  not  for  that  he  owed  vs  any  tiling.  Kill  we  our^ 
felues  a  hundred  thoufand  tymes  to  feme  hini,yet  cannot  that  bind 
him  too  yeeld  vs  any  recompence.  Howbcit,  of  his  owne  fupera- 
bundant  goodnelTe  he  commeth  and  fayth.  Although  I  owe  ye  n  ot 
any  thing  at  all,  nor  you  be  able  to  bring  au^ht  that  may  deferue 
any  recompence,  (for  you  be  bound  vnto.  mee  in  all  poynts  and  all 
refpc6ls:)yet  will  I  revvarde  you  foryour  labour.Goto  therfore,fet- 
tle  yourfelues  to  your  duetie,  and  do  the  things  that  I  coramaund 
you,and  youfhall  not  be  difapointed  of  your  paiment.  Tlius  ye  fee 
in  elfe6l  whatue«?  haue  too  remember  ,  as  I  muft  tell  you  yet 
once  agayne  hereafter.  Now  the  Papiftes  will  welynough  graunt 
this  in  part,but  not  commonly.  For  the  mod  part(I  meene  of  thofe 
that  are  the  Popes  right  champions)can  no  skil  of  thofe  principles: 
at  this  day  .Yet  wil  fome  gf  the  gravmt,that  wheras  God  hath  in  his 
•  "^  ^  ■      -    '  [jjjf- 


law  promifed  die  reward  of  lyfe  to  fiich  as  ferae  him:it  is  to  fhewC 
tlvAt  works  are  not  of  fnch  value  as  to  deferue  euerlafting  life,, but 
by  reafon  o f  the  promis .But  prefuppofe  that  God  hath  bound  him- 
felfe  as  he  hath  done:and  then  they  thmke  that  wee  deferue:  and 
whyc'For  elfe(faY  they)G  bdspromifing  that  he  whiche-  doth  thofe 
thiii'^s  Hiall  Hue  in  theni^is  in  vayne.  But  they  liJ^e  wretched  beaftes 
(as  1  fayd  afor^Ocpnfider  not  that  God  fayeth  it  not .  to  (hew  that 
men  .are  able  tO  purchace  faluation  by  their  owne  deferts  :  but  ra- 
ther to  hold  them  conuifted,  and  to  bririg'them  to  tme  humiiitie, 
which  they  fhunne  continually  thirough  their  foolifh  ouerweening 
and  vainglorioufnefTe.  Now  then  we  fee  that  Paulcs  meening  is  in  - 
leiTe^l,  that  if  we  go  about  to  be  iuffefied  by  the  law  and  by.  our  own 
works>we  mud  not  leaue  any  thing  behynd  nor  forget  any  thing : 
for  it  is  fayd,  he  that  doth  all  thofe  diings  fliali  hue  in  them.  Biit 
now  where  is  that  ma  which  is  fo  forward;,  that  he  can  boaft  of  the 
full  difcharging  of  his  dutie  towards  God  c'  None  but  hipocrites 
that  are  befotted  in  their  owne  diiielifh  pride,  or  heathenifhfolke 
that  skome  Gpd  and  neuer  were  itioued  to  true  repentance ,  but 
haue alway^l^d their confciences  afleepeor  rather  bewitched: 
none(fayj||ii&:'fuch  folks  do  thinke  themfelues  to  deferue  aught, 
and  they  beguyle  diemfelues.  Then  Teing  that  the  righteoufnefTe  of 
the  law  is  flvat  away  from  vs,  and  we  be  vtterly  barred  from  it :  it 
behoueth  vs  to  go  to  another  ryghtuoufeneffe, which  is,  that  God 
take  vs  into  his  fauour  of  his  owne  free  goodnelTe,  and  in  fled  of 
receyuing  any  thing  of  our  bnnging,giue  vs  that  thing  for  our  pai- 
ment  which  is  none  of  ours,  that  is  to  wit,  the  obedience  of  oure 
Lord  lefus  Chri{l,by  deliuering  vs  from  the  condemnation  where- 
in we  were  plunged, that  is  to  wit  by  putting  away  all  our  offences 
and  finnes.As  much  is  faid  of  it  in  anotlier  plaice,  where  Sain6l  Paul 
^m,y.  19  treateth  excellently  well  of  the  do6b'ine  which  we  haue  heere.  tor 
he  doth  alfo  fet  downe  the  righteoufneffe  of  the  lawe.  And  it  is  a 
wonder  that  the  Papifts  haue  bin  and  yet  flill  are  fo  dulled ,  that 
they  cofider  not  the  warning  that  S.Paul  giueth  here,  being  fo  faire 
rjid  cleere  as  it  is.For  it  is  always  at  their  tungs  end  to  fay,  what 't 
that  were  a  mocking  out  of  al  that  God  hath  promifed,concerning 
rtie  recopence  that  he  wil  yeld  to  good  works.And  feing  he  hath  fo 

often 


the  EfiH.  to  the  (jalathians.      13  7 

often  fayd  that  w?  Hialbe  recopenfcd:  muflrhe  net  needes  diTcJiar^e 
his  promife  <  For  elfc  men  miglit  accufe  him  of  vntruth.  But  Snint 
Pauletelleth  them  alwayes  thus:my  freendcs,if  we  thinkc  to  ftand 
m  Gods  fauour  for  our  owne  defertes :  let  vs  confider  the  promife 
that  is  giuen  vs.For  when  there  is  any  controuerfie  among  men, ci- 
ther for  hying  or  felling  or  for  any  other  like  thing:  they  will  fay 
here  is  the  Indenture,let  it  bee  looked  vpon,  I  report  me  too  that 
which  is  conteyned  in  it.  As  foone  as  the  deed  is  read,  the  cace  ap* 
peareth  plaine:and  the  feller  will  fay,the  owncrfhip[of  this  thingj 
is  thine,  but  yet  vpon  condition  that  thou  haue  payed  for  \t.  If  thou 
haue  not  payd,  thou  haft  nothing  to  do  with  it.Ve  fee  then  that  whe 
\vc  fall  to  fcanning  for  the  inheritance  of  faluation,  we  muft  refort 
to  the  cheefe  and  originall  A^tdi  or  Indenture,  that  God  made  be- 
tweene  himfelfe  and  vs.  Nowe,that  deed  or  Indenture  is  the  Law. 
Therefore  if  men  will  needes  bee  payed  theyr  wages  accordin?  too 
their  feruice,they  (hall  finde  themielues  rather  to  be  banifhed  from 
the  euerlafting  life,  dian  to  come  any  thing  ncere  it.  God  may  fay 
to  them  that  if  they  performe  al  that  is  commaunded  them,  the  he- 
ritage of  faluation  is  readie  for  them.  But  no  we  rema^Tieth  to  bee 
feene  whether  any  man  can  performe  all  or  no.  I  haue  (hewed  you 
alreadie  that  no  man  is  able  to  doo  it :  and  fo  are  wee  eucrie  one  of 
vs  fhet  quite  out  of  the  doores.  The  Papifts  confider  not  that :  but 
when  they  hearc  it  fayde  that  hee  which  doth  thofe  things  flial  Hue 
in  them  :  they  beare  themfelues  in  hand,  that  that  there  is  no  more 
doubt  of  the  doing  thereof:  it  \s  ynough  that  God  faith  the  worde. 
In  deede  God  fpeaketh  the  worde,  but  hee  requireth  the  perfor- 
mance of  it  at  our  handes.  After  the  fame  maner  alfo  do  they  take  ^        , 
this  text  of  Saint  Paules  where  he  fayth,not  the  hearers  of  the  law,  ^^^"^'^'^3^ 
but  the  doers  of  it  (halbe  iuftiiied.  The  Papifts  alledge  that  faying, 
howbeit  butto  picke  out  their  owne  eies  withall.  For  S.Paule  pro- 
ueth  thereby  that  we  cannot  be  iuftiiied  but  by  performinc»  all  that 
is  commanded  vs.  The  lewes  boafted  that  the  Lawe  was  giuen  vn- 
to  them,faying :  Tu(he,  wee  haue  the  Lawe  whereby  it  is  tolde  vs 
that  we  be  Gods  people.Yea,  but  it  is  with  condition.  And  Vv'here  is 
[the  performance  ofjthat  condition:'  Will  it  be  found  in  youc'No. 
But  S.  Paule  faidi  that  wee  become  not  righteous  by  hearing  of  the- 


Chap.  3.  Jo.CaL  xrpiij.  Sermon  ypon 

Law.  For  it  were  a  fonde  matter  if  we  fhouldc  come  to  CKurch  too 
here  what  is  tolde  vs,  and  euery  man  retume  home  to  do  what  hcc 
lifteth  himfelf.It  behoueth  vs  to  pcrforme  whatfoeuer  God  coman- 
derh  vs-.butnone  of  vs  performeth  it,8<:  therfore  all  of  vs  are  dam- 
ned,fayth  he.  The  Papiftes  confider  not  this  confequence,but  take 
onely  this  faying  broken  off  from  the  reft,  namely  thatfuch  as  per-r 
forme  the  law  fliall  be  iuftified.  Yea  verely,  if  there  were  any  fuch, 

^om  S  4.".  ^^^  where  are  theyc'  Alfo  in  the  fame  Epiftle  to  the  Romans  he  de- 
clareth  afterward  that  Gods  promifing  of  vs  eternall  life  vpon  con- 
dition that  we  performe  the  Law,ftandeth  vs  in  no  fteed  at  all,  by- 
f  aufe  we  fhall  neuer  bring  it  to  paiTe,  forafmuch  as  by  nature  we  be 
yrterly  contrary  to  his  rightuoufncfTe,  and  afterward  when  he  hath 
begotten  vs  again  by  his  holy  fpirit,we  be  fo  much  the  more  bound 
vnto  him :  wee  haue  receyued  all  our  gcodnefie  at  his  hande  :  and 
he  (hall  but  crowne  his  owne  giftes  in  vs.  Are  thefe  then  merits  or 
deferuings  C'  [No.]  Howbeeit  wee  muft  pafleyet  funher,  namely 
that  although  our  Lorde  vourchfafe  to  crowne  our  woorkes  when 
they  be  good,yet  they  be  but  partly  good,  and  there  will  alwayes  be 
matter  ynough  founde  to  condcmne  vs  with.  So  then  we  bee  quite 
and  cleane  bereft  of  all  truft  in  our  owne  righteoufneffe,  not  onely 
bycaufe  our  workes  are  not  of  fufficient  worthinefle  before  God : 
but  alfo  bicaufe  they  be  to  be  vtterly  miflyked  if  we  fhoulde  f?JJ  to 
entering  into  account,and  that  God  lifted  to  iudge  according  to  the 
fayde  fentence,  He  that  doth  tlaefe  things  (hall  Hue  in  them:  for  it  is 
all  one  as  if  he  fhould  fay,  you  are  all  of  you  dead,damned  andpaft 
recouerie.  For  why,  none  of  you  performeth  the  things  that  I  re- 
quire of  him,  and  yet  you  owe  them  to  me  .  And  that  is  the  caufe 
why  I  fayd  that  m'c  muft  go  to  the  feconde  remedie,that  is  to  wit,to 
liue  by  fayth.  And  S.Pauic  in  the  text  by  me  euen  now  alledged,in 

^m,)X,  )2  j[};ed  of  rehercing  the  faying  of  Abacucke  which  he  had  fet  downe  in 
the.xvij.verfe  of  the  firft  chapter,  fayeth  that  the  rightuoufnefTe  of 
fayth  hath  good  recorde  in  the  Law.  For  the  rightuoufnefie  of  the 
Lawe,  tlrat  is  too  fay,  the  rule  that  God  giueth  vs  in  his  Lawe  too 
iuftifie  vs  with  all,  is  that  wee  fhoulde  keepe  and  performe  all  hys 
commaundems nts.  But  the  rightuoufne (Te  of  faytli  fpe^kedi  ano- 
ther maner  of  language.  For  it  &yth  that  it  is  not  for  men  too  feeke 

in 


the  EpiH.to  the  ^alathians.     138 

fn  thcmfelues  the  nieanes  too  make  theyr  lyfe  allowable  before 
God,  and  fo  to  rcceyuc  the  hyre  or  crowne  ol  it  but  that  they  muft 
reft  wholly  vppon  Gods  woordcjCoas  it  maybe  both  in  their  heart 
and  in  their  mouth.  Forhee  thatbeleeueth  with  his  heart  that  our 
Lord  lefus  Chrifldyed,  and  confelTeth  with  his  mouth  that  he  is  ri-  %QAO>b.^ 
zen  again e,rhall  by  that  meanes  obteyn  ri^htuoufnefle  before  God, 
VV^e  fee  then  that  Saint  Paule  vttereth  himfelfe  the  more  at  large^ 
to  the  intent  that  we  fhould  vnderftande,  that  his  feparating  of  the 
rightuoufnefTeof  theLawe  from  the  rightuoufnefie  offayth,  is  too 
fhe  we  that  they  bee  vnmatchable,  and  can  no  more  bee  ioyned  to- 
gither  than  f)Te  and  water.    True  it  is  that  there  is  no  contrarietie 
betwixttheLaweandtheGofpell,  aslhaue  fayde  afore  :for  wee 
knowe  that  both  twaine  of  themdoo  come  of  God.  But  heere  it 
behoueth  vs  too  take  Gods  meening  it?  fuch  wife  as  he  declareth  it 
to  vs :  which  is,  that  by  fetting  the  rightiioufnelTe  of  the  Law  before 
vs,he  ihtendeth  to  humble  vs  and  to  make  vs  condemne  our  felucs 
when  we  come  before  him,  which  thing  wee  woulde  neuer  do,if  he 
fhould  not  bewray  our  wretchednefTe.Therfore  when  he  fayth  that 
wee  fhali  be  iuftifyed  by  keeping  of  the  Lawc :  it  is  all  one  as  if  hee 
fiiouH  lay,  wretched  wightes,  what  woorthinefle  or  valure  weene 
yoti  rohc  m  your  ielues :'  VVey  my  commaundements,  and  confi- 
derwhat  they  import ,  and  therewithall  bethinke  your  felues  how 
cuery  of  you  hath  liucd:  and  ye  fhall  be  as  good  as  drowned  in  def- 
payre.VVhen  God  hath  faydfo,he  addeth  the  remedie:Come(faith 
he)to  the  do6lrine  of  the  Gofpell.  And  what  a  maner  a  one  is  that^ 
,  Saint  Paule  alledgeth  heere  the  faying  of  Abacucke,  how  that  the-   ^t 
rightuousJhM/Uiui  by  fayth.  And  in  the  fame  place  which  I  hauc  al-         *  *^"^ 
Icdged  he  openeth  himfelfe,  howe  that  it  behoueth  to  refort  wholy 
to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  For  the  worde  that  ought  too  bee  in  our 
mouth,andin  our  heart,  to  bring  vs  vnto  God,and  too  openvs  the 
kingdome  of  heanen,is  not  a  v/orde  that  ferueth  to  holde  vs  downe 
heere  beneath,  nor  too  make  men  bcleeue  that  God  willallowe 
of  our  owne  defeites,  nor  too  puff e  vs  v^  with  pryde  :  no,  but  too 
Kolde  vs  fafl  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  Therefore  when  we  knowe 
that  oiir  finnes  are  wTped  out  by  the  death  and  pafsion  of  our  Lord 
lefos  Chrift  ;  and  tlut  by  his  refurredion  fuche  ri^htuoufnslTe 
•      '  S.ij.  » 


Chap.  3.  ^0^  Cal.  xyiij.  Sermon  y^pon 

is  purchafed  for  vs,  that  in  (lead  of  beeing  damned  too  the  gulfe  of 
hell,  which  is  the  heritage  tliat  belongeth  to  vs,and  whereof  we  be 
wortliie,we  be  made  hcyres  of  the  kingdome  of  heauen :  and  when 
we  know  that  in  lefus  Chrift  we  recoucr  all  that  we  had  iofl  in  A- 
dam,  and  the  curfednefle  wherein  we  be  wrapped  is  taken  from  vs, 
and  God  hathc  fette  vs  free  :  that  is  Gods  iuftifying  of  vs  by 
fayth.  And  in  good  fayth,  when  wee  haue  well  confidered  the 
circumflance  of  the  text  that  Saint  Paule  allcdgeth  out  of  the  Pro- 
phcte  Abacucke  :  wee  (hall  fee  plainly  that  that  is  the  thing  where- 
vnto  the  holy  G hod  leadeth  vs.  For  the  Prophetehnd  fpoken  of 
the  chaftizements  and  corredions  which  God  would  fend  \^on  the 
people -.fo  as(to  looke  vnto)all  fhouide  feeme  too  bee  confounded. 
Now  therevpon  hee  fayth,that  the  wicked  (hall  butfwell  more  and 
more  in  their  pi  ide,howbeit  that  they  (hall  haue  no  furc  footing,buc 
(hdl  ftuble  with  all  their  fway,Sc  bicaufe  they  wil  nedes  exalt  them- 
feluesjtliey  (hall  the  more  cad  thefelues  down, with  fo  much  the  fo- 
rer  8c  fouler  fal.That  the  is  the  thing  which  the  prophet  vttereth  a- 
gainft  the  wicked.  And  he  addeth  on  the  cotrarie  ^^rtyhut  the  rightut 
cu4/hal  liuebyfdith.Now  wheras  he  faith  that  the  rightuous  fhal  liue 
it  is  all  one  as  if  he  had  faid,that  gods  children  (hal  not  find  their  life 
neere  at  hand  in  themfelucs,but  that  euen  when  they  (hall  haue  tra* 
ueled  ouer  all  the  world, vp  &down,itihalfeme  to  the  that  there  is 
nowhere  any  thing  elfe  thathe  very  dungeons  of  death,  &:yet  not"* 
withftading  that  mifsing  of  a  prefet  life,  they  (hal  find  a  life  to  come, 
when  they  (hall  haue  nurri(hed  it  in  their  harts  Sc  mindes  by  fayth, 
Wc  fe  e  the  that  the  Prophets  intent  is  to  draw  Gods  chofen  both 
from  the  world  and  fro  thefelues, to  the  end  they  may  cieaue  who- 
ly  vnto  him,and  not  feke  any  other  meancs  to  be  faued,  than  by  his 
only  grace.  But  S.  Paule  hath  fpoken  more  breefly  here,bycaufe  he 
was  fully  refolued  of  all  that  I  haue  declared  heretofore,  and  which 
hee  himfelfe  hath  difcourfed,  that  is  to  witte.  That  fayth  teacheth 
vs  too  feeke  all  ourc  welfare  in  God.  But  the  Lawe  teacheth  vs 
the  contrarie.  I  fay  it  teacheth  vs  it ,  to  the  ende  too  (he we  vs  that 
to  feeke  it  throughly,  wee  muft  acknowledge  that  there  is  not  Co 
much  as  one  drop  of  lyfe  in  vs.  The  Lawe  then  fayth  vnto  vs.goto, 
take  yee  paynes,  and  do  yec  fo  much  as  ye  may  winne  heauen  by  it. 

And 


the  EpiU.  to  the  (jalathUns.        i^  9 

'  And  why  doth  the  Lawe  f^y  fo  <  Not  too  feedt  men  \x\  their  vaine 
fejftruftjof  weening  ftil]  tliat  they  can  deferue  well  at  Gods  had,ic 
is  not  for  that :  but  to  prepare  the  to  receyue  the  grace  of  our  Lord 
Icfus  Chrift  with  low  line  fle.  For  (asl  haue  fayd  alreadie)  when  we 
keepe  our  felucs  aloof  from  God,and  euery  man  beares  hin»fe&c  in 
hand  that  he  is  well  worthieto  be  accepted  of  him :  our  Lordewill 
furely  be  acjuenged  offueh  prcrumptuoufnefre,andfayth,Go  to,  let 
me  fee  what  ye  haue  donercome  on,and  let  vs  fall  to  reckening:and 
let  him  that  owcth  aught  to  other  pay  it.  Ye  fhal  not  be  difappointed 
by  me:I  haue  your  wages  in  my  hand  e,  it  is  readie  for  you,and  if  ye 
fhall  haue  done  all  that  I  haue  commaunded  you,  feare  not  but  you 
fhall  be  well  payde  for  your  labor.  Therefore  hie  you  apace,and  let 
me  fee  how  you  will  ferue  me.But  (as  I  fayd)our  Lord  in  faying  fo, 
prepareth  and  difpozeth  vs  to  know  in  what  plight  we  be  .For  when 
we  once  perceiue  our  owneneede,  then  will  wee  feeke  our  wantes 
at  his  hand.  Thus  ye  fee  how  the  Lawe  leadeth  vs  to  fayth :  but  it  \% 
aftraunge  kinde  of  leading.  Howfoeuer  the  cace  (land, there  is  al- 
waies  this  cotrarietie  which  S.Paulefetteth  down  here,namely  that 
we  cartnot  be  luftifie'd  by  fayth,  except  we  haue  firft  knowne  and  ac- 
knowledged vnfeynediy,  that  we  be  damned  in  our  felues,  and  that  ^ 
the  groud  of  our  welfare  is  to  know  that  there  is  nothing  but  dam- 
nation in  vs.Now  at  the  firflfight  it  might  be  fayd  that  S.Paule  hath 
ftretched  this  faying  of  Abacucks  too  farre,  feinghe  fpake  there  but 
of  the  affli($tions  of  thistranfitorie  life.The  rightuous  fhall  liue,that 
is  to  fay,he  flial  holde  out,  and  although  God  affli6l  him  &  fcourge 
him,yet  fhall  he  not  quay  le  if  he  ground  himfelfe  vpon  Gods  pro- 
mifes.  And  here  the  cace  concemeth  not  G  cds  comforting  and  de- 
liueringof  vs  from  the  miferies  v^there\'mo  wee  bee  fubie^t  in  this 
world  :  but  it  concemeth  our  euerla{ling  faluation,  which  farre  paf- 
feth  all  theftate  of  this  tranfitorie  life.  It  feemeth  therefore  that  S. 
Paule  applyeth  not  this  Text  of  the  Prophetc  ari^^ht.  Kowbeeitlet 
vs  marke,  that  if  the  Prophet  had  looked  no  further  than  too  thys 
worlde,that  faying  of  his  had  bin  very  vaine,  feeing  that  arfli6lions 
are  common  both  to  good  and  bad.  Againe,howe  is  it  that  we  lyue 
by  fayth:*  Seeingwe  bee  continually  fubictl  to  fail  in*-o  the  fame 
daun^er  whercoutof  God  ha;h  dciiuered  me  once^  twice^  or  thi  ice  . 

S-iii-  before, 


Chap  .3 .         ^Q^  Cal.xyiij.  Sermon  ypon 

beforehand  tnat  if  God  h^ue  pitied  me  in  fome  afHiflion  to  day,  Co 
as  1  liaue  felt  his  fauor,  he  afflideth  me  to  morow  with  fome  other 
affliction :  what  were  my  life  if  I  refled  vpon  the  wcrlde  :'  So  then, 
the  Prophet  met  to  declare,that  although  the  faithful  be  miferable 
and  do  but  pyne  away  in  this  worlde,  yet  notwithilanding  they  be 
.  bkflVd  of  Ciod  euen  in  this  worlde ,  and  all  the  miferie  which  they 
indure  here  (hall  turne  to  theii- welfare:for  why  they  reft  thcmfel- 
.  ucs  vpon  their  Qod.  V\^herforc  we  muft  vnderftand  that  there  is  a 
better  heritage  than  this,and  that  we  feeke  the  tme  and  euerlafting 
-^happines,  fo  as  we  may  haue  a  ftedfaft  continuance  of  our  ftatc.Eut 
the  woorde  ^ghtuoufieffeyOU^ht  alfo  to  be  well  marked.  For  if  A- 
bacucke  had  fayde,  the  wretched  Tinners  fhall  Hue  by  fayth:it  would 
. haue  feemed  that  hce  had  fpoken  but  to  a  fe we  folke.For  it  wil  \y e)l 
ynough  be  e  graunted  that  wretched  Tinners  fhoulde  flee  for  refuge 
"  vnto  G od :  but  as  for  thofe  that  excell  in  vertiie,  ought  they  not  to 

be  exempted  from  the  common  aray,and  to  be  exalted  too  a  higher 
-degree  at  Gods  hande,  and  finally  too  bee  iuftified  by  prerogatiue  ^ 
:  Accordingly  as  we  fee  nowadaye s  that  although  there  bee  nothing 
.but  al  maner  of  filth  iin  thePopifh  Ceremonies  andClergie  as  they 
tearmeit,  fo  as  they  ought  to  be  abhorred  bothpf  God  and,man : 
yet  notwithftanding ,  vnder  colour  of  their  Coules,  and  all  other 
their  trumperie,they  ceafle  not  to  chalenge  God  too  bee  greatly  in 
their  dct.  And  befides  this,  when  thefe  dotardes  haue  made  muchc- 
babling,and  trotted  and  fcudded  \'p  and  downc  from  altar  too  altar, 
and  from  Chappell  to  Chappeli^and  gadded  on  pilgrimage  :  to  their 
Teeming,  God  ought  not  to  forget  any  of  thefe  doings,  but  all  of  it 
ought  to  pafie  for  good  payment  in  their  account,  beTides  an  hun- 
dred thoufande  ptherlteai^ which  they  haue  too  Tet  dpwne  before 
him. And  that  is  the  caufe  why  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  fay th.that  the 
J!^ath,2i.c,  ^yi-ej;(^}^ed  loce  liuers,yea  euen  the  verie  whooremongtrs  fliall  mucli 
3**         Tooner  come  too  the  kingdome  of  heauen,  than  any  any  of  all  thefe 
foule  toades  that  are  fo  puffed  vp  with  the  vaine  ti  uft  of  their  own 
'defertSjthat  although  their  whole  life  berwicked,and  they  thefelucs 
-are  full  of  all  lothibmnefle,  yet  they  willnedes  bind  God  vnto  the, 
vnder  the  fliadow  of  dieir  hypocifie.  Now  to  the  cntet  to  cut  off  all 
•  occaTion  of  fudi  imaginations;  the  Prophet  faith  purpoTely?  that  the 

'rightuoui 


the  EptU. to  the  Qalathiant.        14.0 

rightuous  fhall  line  by  faith.  At  the  fii-fl  fight  there  flionid  fceme  to ' 
be  fome  contrarietie  in  thcfc  two  fayings.  How  To :'  Muft  we  to  the 
intet  to  be  rightuous  line  by  faith:  [yeafj  tor  i{ we  line  not  by  h ith, 
we  be  not  rightuous.For  what  is  the  rightuoufnefle  of  the  Gofpclic' 
It  is  Gods  free  giuing  vs  a  couenientremedic  whereby  to  come  vn- 
to  him, and  to  be  in  his  faiior  through  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  bicaufc 
we  cannot  obteyne  rightuonfneil'e  by  the  law.  7  heiifore  whofocucr 
liueth  by  fa^T:h  is  out  of  doubt  not  riglituous  of  himfelfc.  But  the 
Prophet  faith,  that  thofe  notwithftanding  are  rightuous,  wliich  are 
faued  by  Gods  only  and  free  mercie.  Therfore  it  is  as  much  as  if  he 
had  fayd,  that  although  God  gine  vs  the  grace  to  imploy  our  felues 
to  his  feruice,and  haue  by  his  holy  fpirit  imprinted  in  our  harts  the 
tfue  feareand  honor  which  we  owe  vnto  him,fo  as  we  fight  againfl: 
the  lufls  of  ourflefh  to  the  vttermoft  of  our  power,  &  (Iriue  againll 
the  fin  that  is  in  vs,and  in  our  nature :  yet  muft  we  fhet  our  eies  at 
all  the  things  which  we  e  woulde  fayne  find  in  our  felues  too  pleafe 
God  with,and  reft  wholy  vpon  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  If  the  rightu- 
ous miift  be  faine  to  be  iuftified  by  fayth  :  who  (hall  bee  iuftified  by 
his  owne  deferuings  <  None  will  take  vpon  them,  but  Diuels,  wic- 
ked wightes,  and  enimies  of  God.  Ye  fee  then  that  the  Papiftes  e- 
wen  at  this  day  coulde  not  deuize  to  fhewe  betterthat  they  intende 
not  to  be  rightuous,  than  by  tlieyr  ftryuing  for  the  rightuoufnefle 
of  their  owne  woorkes  and  defertes,  as  they  doo.  For  it  is  an  vttcr 
fighting  euen  with  a  fpyte  agaynft  God  and  nature.  You  [Papifts] 
fay  you,feeke  too  bee  righmous :  and  howe  <  euen  by  your  felues, 
and  by  your  owne  work  e  sand  deferuings.  V^Vell?ietvs  confider 
what  the  Prophete  fayth :  he  fayth  not  that  the  rightuous  fliall  iiue 
by  their  workes,  but  that  they  fhall.bec  faued  by  the  onely  grace  of 
God.  Now  if  the  righteous  giue  ouer  all  felfctaift 'of  their  owne 
itierites,as  of  force  they  muft  necdes  do :  it  is  certaine  that  fuch  as 
thinkc  to  make  God  indettcd.vnto  the,  by  bringing  any  vertue  of 
their  own  vnto  him,do  v/ipe  &raze  thefelues  quite  &  cieane  out  of 
the  regilter  of  righmoufneffe.  Thus  ye  fee  that  the  Papifts,fo  long 
as  they  dwell  intheyr  errour,are  reic6led  of  God^  according  to  .the  ^ 
fentence  which  hee  gyueth  vpon  them  heere  by  his  Prophete.  And 
vndoubtedly  when  as  Saint  Paule  allcdgcth  tlii&  faying  of  Dauid,. 

S.iiij.  happic 


chap.5.         fo.Cal.xyiij.Sermonypon 

fyo.  4.4. 6,  Happie  is  he  to  whome  God  imputeth  nothisfinncs :  hcc  (IiewetK 
ffahi.a.w  well  tlierbyjthatthofe  men  are  mod  righteous  which  do  mod  con- 
demne  themfelues,and  are  mod  ftrikcn  downe^yea  and  are  vttcrly 
out  of  all  hope  of  themfelues,  till  God  haue  fuccoured  them  by  his 
goodne(rc.Now,when  Dauid  cr^'ed  out,happie  is  the  man  to  whom 
God  imputeth  not  his  {innes:hc  was  not  a  naughripacke,nor  an  vn- 
thrifte;nor  a  difpifer  of  God,  that  had  neuer  tafted  what  it  was  too 
enter  into  his  owne  confcienccjand  too  ranfacke  his  finnes  too  the 
ouicke :  but  contrariwife  God  had  chofen  him,  and  annoynted  him 
by  Samuelljhe  was  an  excellent  Prophetc,his  reigne  was  a  figure  of 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,and  finally  God  wrought  fo  in  him,  that  he 
was  as  an  Angell  dwelling  among  men.  And  yet  for  all  this,he  con- 
feffeth  and  acknowlcdgeth  his  finncs,  and  in  confefsing  of  the  doth 
forrow  and  moume,  and  is  in  fuch  vnquietnefTc  as  if  hec  were  tor- 
mented vpon  a  racke  or  torture,  till  God  was  fo  gracious  to  him  as 
to  make  him  tafte  of  his  goodnclTe ,  and  he  knewc  no  eafe  till  God 
had  reccyued  him  to  mercic.  Then  if  God  vouchfafc  too  forbcarc 
the  examining  of  our  workes,  that  is  all  our  happinefle ;  the  onely 
way  for  vs  to  become  happie,is  to  haue  our  finnes  coucrcd,and  too 
be  in  Gods  fauour,  howbc  eit  not  in  refpeft  of  aught  that  is  in  our 
felues,  but  by  his  turning  away  of  his  countenance  fro  vs  damned 
wretches,ro  as  he  confider  vs  not  as  of  our  felues,  but  accept  vs  for, 
his  onely  fonnes  fake,accordingly  as  wee  fee  howe  Dauid  Ipcakevh 
?/!i43.4.2.  of  it  in  anoth  cr  text,  faying :  Lorde  enter  not  intoo  iudgemcnt  with 
thy  feruant,for  I  knowe  that  no  man  liuing  (hall  bee  found  righte* 
ous  in  thy  fight.  VVherefore  let  vs  marke  well,  that  according  as 
eche  man  fhall  haue  profited  in  the  feare  of  God,  fo  alfo  will  he  be 
the  more  abafhed  at  his  (innes ,  not  for  three  or  fourc  monethes;, 
but  fo  as  hec  (hail  abhorrc  them  all  his  life  long,  forfomudi  as  hee 
feeth  that  hell  is  alvvayes  readie  to  fwallow  him  vp  at  one  chop ,  if 
God  fupplyed  nothiswantes,anddrewehimnotasit  were  out  of 
the  gul  fc  of  death.  And  therefore  it  is  faydc  diat  th  e  righteous  ihall 
Hue  by  faythjto  the  chde  that  the  fame  fhould  feme  as  a  lefTon^  not 
for  a  three  or  foure  monethes  onely,  nor  for  thofe  onely  whiihe, 
arc  not  of  fo  perfc6l  life  as  other  men:  but  as  a  leflon  that  God: 
Ipeaketh,  cuen  to  kick  as  are  die  moil  excellent.  And  fureiy^  thft£> 


the  EpiH.to  the  ^alathidns.      14.1 

alfo  \s  the  tiling  where vnto  wee  muft  rcferre  the  woordLiwe,  fo  as 
wcc  may  liue  not  for  a  h'tle  while,nor  for  t  day,nor  for  two  or  three 
monethcSjbutcotinually  in  Gods  free  goodnefle,  &  feeke  the  lame 
from  day  too  day,euen  to  the  end.  And  although  our  life  be  hidden 
in  this  world  (as  S.Paule  fay  eth)  and  wee  fee  nothing  but  death  be-  Co!cJ!.7.d.} 
fore  vs :  yet  let  vs  not  ceaiTe  too  rcpofe  our  fel.ues  vpj^on  this  pro- 
mis,  that  our  life  is  fure  for  afmuch  as  God  hath  talcen  it  intoo  liis 
cuftodie,and  will  keepe  it  fafely,  and  therevnto  hath  left  vs  fo  good 
apledgcofit,thatis  tcowit,our  Lord  IefusChiifte,who  died  and  is  l^tuto^o.  Oi 
rizen  cgaine  for  vs,  and  therefore  wee  (hall  not  needs  too  fay  any  i2,O''Jt\0>n, 
more, who  fliali  go  vp  into  heauen,or  who  (hall go  downe  intco  the  to .4.6* 
deepe,or  who  flial  pafTe  ouer  the  feac'For  the  woord  is  in  our  mouth 
and  in  cur  hart,  in  afmuch  as  wee  know  that  our  Lord  Icfus  Chiill^ 
went  downe  too  heli,that  is  too  fay  (as  wee  fhall  fee  in  the  next  fer-* 
mon  by  Gods  leaue)  that  he  became  accurfed  for  vs,  whiche  is  the 
thin^that  mufte  content  vs :  andaftei-ward;W$nt  v}i  intoo  heauen, 
whereof  the  gate  is  opened  vnto  vs,  euer  (ince  he  entred  in  thither 
in  our  behalfe.  Therefore  let  vs  take  all  our  hold  there,  and  fuffer 
ourfelues  too  be  as  poore  dead  men  in  this  woride,  wayting  for  the 
dilcouerieof  thelyfe  that  ispromifed  vs :  for  no  doubte  but  God 
will  in  due  tyme  difcouer  it  and  manifeftly  fhewe  it  vnioo  vs,  in 
fuch  \\7ze  as  wee  fliall  fully  inioy  it  as  it  is  preaclied  too  vs  by  his 
Gofpeli. 

And  now  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  maieftie  of  our  good  God 
with  acknowledgement  of  out  faults,  praying  him  to  make  vs  feefc 
them  more  and  more,and  that  wee  may  bee  fo  touched  wiih  them, 
as  it  may  beate  vs  flat  downe  before  him,  8c  make  vs  figh  and  grone 
vnder  the  bunhen  of  our  infirmities  and  vices  wherewith  we  be  he- 
med  in,till  he  haue  clenzed  vs  throughly  of  them :  and  prayinj^  him 
alfo  too  beare  with  vs  during  this  mortal  I  lyfe,till  he  haue  fully  de- 
liuered  vs  from  the  bondage  of  (inne,  and  from  the  bondes  of  ^atan 
wherein  wee  bee  hildas  nowc,till  he  haue  fet  vs  vttcrly  free  from 
them.  That  it  may  pleafe  kim  too  graunt  this  grace,  not  onciy  to  vs, 
btit  alfo  to  ail  people  &c, 

S.V.  7U 


Chap.3 


13  ChriPi  hath  redeemed  vs  from  ihecurfe  of  thcLivve 

in  that  he  was  made  accurfed  ior  vs;  (for  it  is 
written,  Ciufcd  is'euery  one  that  hageth  on  tree)' 

14  To  the  end  that  thebliffedneffeof  Abraham  fhonld 

comevpo  the  Gemiies  through  lefus  Chrift,  that 
-vc  might  receiii£  the  promts  of  the  fpirit  by  faith* 

Eehaue  fecne  alreadie,that  if  wee  hope  not  to 
bee  faued  by  fome  other  meanes  thon  by  dif- 
charging  our  duetie,we  fhould  all  of  vs  be  ac- 
curfed, bycaufe  wee  bee  all  giitie  before  God 
Qiftthat  wee  are  found]  too  haue  tranfgrefled 
and  done  amiire  many  wayes.  For  tliere  was 
neueryetany  of  the  holieft  men  fo  perfe^l, 
but  that  there  was  al  wayes  fome  blemifh,  yea  and  ftore  of  infirmi- 
ties h  him. :  Therefore  it  is  to  be  concluded,  that  if  God  fhould  call 
vs  too  account, wee  fliould  bee  all  damned  and  forlorne.  Lo  in  what 
plight  men  bee,  though  they  fet  neuer  fo  much  ftcre  by  themfelues. 
But  now  it  flandeth  vs  en  hand,  too  haue  fome  meanes  too  fcapc 
this  curfednefTe.  Elfe  what  fhali  it  auayle  vs  to  haue  oiir  eares  bca- 
tendayly  with  Gods  woord :'  For  his  will  (hall  feme  but  to  plundge 
vs  ftili  deeper  in  eternall  death.  To  the  ende  therefore  that  Gods 
woord  may  bee  profitable  too  vs  and  auaylable  to  our  faiuaticn :  it 
Jieth  vs  vpon  to  get  vs  out  of  the  fayd  fentence  of  damnation,  which 
is  giuen  and  proclaymed  vppon  all  mankinde.  And  SzinS:  Paule. 
fheweiih  vs  here  the  m€ane,namely  ^j5?4f  CimH  hath  redtemed  ')Js,cHcn 
hybecomming  accurfed  for  Vs.  He  fhewethvs  that  our  Lorde  lefus: 
Chrift  was  not  hanged  vppon  tree  in  vayne :  for  he  was  fayne  too 
beare  the  curTcdneflc  of  all  fuche  as  v/cre  too  bee  called  too  falua- 
tion.  Yee  fee  wee  are  all  acairfed,  as  I  haue  .declared  ah-eadie  :  and 
therefore  w^as  our  Lorde  fayne  too  receyue  in  his  perfone,the  thing 
that  v/as  due  vntoo  vs.  Now  it  was  written  in  the  Law  of  Moyfes 

Cwfd 


the  Epifi.tothe^alaihians.      \\z 

^Curfcd  fhallh  bss  thit  hangetb  on  tree,  VVHen  our  LorJ  commauiv  ^tut.ii.  d. 

.deth  the  bodie  too  Lee  taken  downe,  he  addeth  that  it  is  a  curfcd      ^3* 
fight  too  beholde  a  man  To  disfigured,  [^and  there  forej  let  it  bte  ta- 
kfn  downc,  faycth  lie.  And  atfuchc  tyme  as  God  proncuhccd  the 
fayde  ientence^that  he  which  fi^ould  bee  handed  on  tree  fliould  bee  , 

;  as  it  were  accurfed  and  banned  :  he  knew  well  yncy^h  what  he  had 
determined  of  his  owne  ontly  Sonne.  For  cur  Lorde  lefus  Chi  ii'sC 
fuffercd  not  that  kinde  of  death  by  chaunce,  nor  at  mannes  pieafurjC    , 
or  appoyntment.  It  is  true  that  the  vnbeleeuers  crucified  him :  but  y^^LiJ.2} 
that  was  bycaufe  God  had  foorde\-ned  it  by  his  cwne  purpofejac-  &  4f-2S, 

•  cording  as  it  is  layd,that  God  To  loued  the  world^that  he  fpared  nqt  lohn.^  b.  i6 
his  onely  begotten  Sonne,  but  deliuered  him  too  death  for  vs.  Ai^l 

;  in  good  Tooth,  if  onely  ludafsis  betraying  of  our  Lorde.  Icfus  Chrift 

.  had  bin  the  caufe  of  his  deatli,  and  that  he  had  bin  haled  to  that  kind 
of  death  by  onely  violence :  it  could  not  bee  the  foundacionof  our 

:  welfare.  It  behoueth  vs  to  note,  that  God  had  appoynted  the  mat- 
ter afjccrthat  forte  aforehand :  according  alio  as  Samel  Peter  trea.- 
tcth  thereof  more  fully  in  the  fouith  chapter  of  the  Aftes,  where  ^cLa,  d, 
hq  faycth  that  our  Lord  le fyis  w^as  fo  ci^ucilied  by  the  wicked,as  they       2 '", 
atte mptcd  not  any  thing,  but  tliat  which:  had  bin  determined  afosre- 
hand  in  Cicds  purpofe. 

,  Nowc  tiien,  whereas  it  \s  fayde  that  our  Lorde  lefus  ChriH:  was 
crucified,  wee  muflie  come  too  this  poynt,  that  all  was  done  for  our 
faluation,  bycaufe  it  was  Gods  will  too  rcconcyle  vs  too  himfelfe 
by  that  njie.inc:  and  that  when  he  pronounced  this  fentence,  cur- 

_fed  '^  he  that  hangeth  pn  trce,fo  as  it  was  his pleafure  to  haue  it  re- 

•giftrcd  in  the  lawe  of  Moyfes  :  he  was  not  ignorant  what  fhoulde 
happen  afterwardc:  for  he  hadalreadie  determined  and  ordeyned 
it.  Then  mufle  wee  match  thefe  twoo  things  tcogither :  that  is  too 

Avitte,that  God  with  his  owne  mouth  fayd  determinatclythat  who 
(bcuer  king  vppcn  tree  (liould  be  accurfed :  and  yc  t  for  all  that, that 
it  washi;i  will  therewithal!,  that  his  owne  Sonne  fliculd  bee  hanged 
on  tree.  And  why  fo:'  Too  the  end  he  flioulde  beare  our  burthen, 
according  as  he  is  our  pledge,&  ordeyned  to  be  the  principal!  detter 
in  our  hchalf.l'o  the  end  then  tliat  v/ee  midn  bee  fct  free  from  tl 


^' 


c 


curfe  of  the  Lawe,  lefus  Chritk  became  accurfed.  No  we  at  the  fii  tl: 


Chap.  3, 


foXaLxix. Sermon  vpon 


fight  it  miglir  feeme  hard  and  flraungc  that  the  Lord  of  ^!orie,  he 
that  hath  ail  rouerainedominion/and  before  whofe  maicftie  the  ve- 
rie  Angellesof  heauen  do  tremble  and  are  abafhedjilioulJ  Lefubie^t 
too  curfing.  But  wee  mufte  go  backe  too  that  whiehe  S.Paule  hath 
i.Cor,  i.(.  treated  of  in  theiirdto  the  CorinthianS;naniely  that  the  dodrine  of 
i^,^  23,    •  the  Gofpell is  fooiifhnerre  too  mankind,  yea  euen  too  the  w^zeft  of 
them -.and  that  it  was  Gods  will  too  humble  vs  after  that  mancr, 
•     bycaufe  of  our  vnthankfulneiTe.  For  we  fliould  haue  a  good  inftru- 
ftion  to  leade  vs  vnto  God,  yea  euen  in  wifedome,  if  v/e  could  pro- 
file oui*  felues  by  the  things  that  are  (Viewed  vs  in  the  whole  order 
of  hcauen  &  earth.  But  for  afmuch  as  men  are  blinde  and  (het  their 
eyes  agaynft  this  wifedojUe  that  God  fetteth  afore  them :  therfore 
he  is  fayne  too  take  a  new  way  to  the  woode^and  too  draw  them  to 
him  as  it  were  by  folic.  So  then  let  vs  not  iudge  after  our  owne  mo* 
ther  svit,of  the  thing  that  is  declared  heere,which  is, that  the  fonne 
of  God  was  put  vnder  the  curfe :  but  rather  let  vs  bee  rauifhed  at 
fuch  a  fecrete,  and  giuethe  glorie  vntoo  our  God,  feyng  he  hath  fo 
louedourfoules,astoopayfo  ineftimable  apryce  for  the  raunfo- 
ming  of  them.  And  fo  little  ought  this  thing  to  imbace  the  maieftic 
of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl,or  to  deface  that  which  isgiuen  him  in  the 
holy  Scripture :  as  wee  rather  haue  caufe  too  glorifie  him  the  more 
SPM.3.4.6.  for  it.  And  for  proofe  thereof,  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte  (as  faycth  S» 
Paule)  committed  no  robberie  when  he  fhewed  himfelfe  in  his  in- 
finite glorie.  And  yet  notwithftanding  he  abaced  himfelfe  willingly, 
and  not  onely  clothed  himfelf  with  our  nature,  and  became  a  pafsi- 
ble  ma :  but  alfo  fubmitted  himfelf  to  a  death  that  was  both  fliame- 
full  before  mtn,yca  and  accurfed  before  God.  Then  muft  it  needes 
bee  that  we  were  very  decre  vnto  him,feinghe  yeelded  himfelf  too 
fuch  extrem-itie  for  cur  redemption.  If  wee  could  tafte  the  meening 
hereof:  furely  wee  would  giue  our  felues  wholly  too  the  magnify- 
ing of  that  grace,  which  canot  be  fufficicntly  cxprefTed  by  woordes, 
and  furpr^fleth  ail  wtfedome  of  man.Seyng  therefore  that  wee  com- 
prehend it  not,nor  can  vttcr  the  hundredth  part  of  it :  let  vs  ye  t  ht 
as  it  were  aftonifhed  at  it  in  Confidering  fo  much  of  it  as  we  be  able 
too  comprehend.  But  heere  wc  fee  ftiil  the  leudneffs  and  froward- 
ni£Q  of  men,  in  tha;  whereas  S.  Paule  fayeth  that  oui*  Lorde  lefus 

Chriil 


the  EpiB.to  the  (jalathians.         14.5 

(^rifl;  became  accurfedfor  vs,  it  pafleth  and  flippetli  away  from  vs. 
Vcaand  diere  are  fonie  fo  leud,  that  they  tal^e  occafio  of  (Itimbling 
and  cf  flinging  out  of  the  way,  and  of  eftraunging  themfelues  quite 
and  cl  cane  from  the  Churche,  when  they  heare  this  maner  of  our 
reedeming  fet  afore  vs. What(fay  they)was  it  of  necefsitie  that  the 
fonne  of  God  who  is  the  fountayne  of  all  goodnefle  and  ought  too 
make  vs  all  holy,fhould  be  curfed  c'  It  feemeth  too  them  that  God 
in  fo  doyng  ment  too  peruert  all  order  and  reafon.  But(as  1  hauc  de- 
clared alreadie)  it  is  certaine  that  God  condemneth  mens  vnkind- 
nelTe;by  bringing  them  to  fuch  a  kindc  of  fooliihnefle,  bycaufe  they 
came  not  too  him  by  wifedome  when  he  fhewed  them  that  way. 
Neuerthe later  howibeuer  the  cace  ftande,  needes  mufte  our  wittes 
ffinnke  and  our  reafon  bee  vtterly  confounded,  fo  as  wee  may  ho- 
nour Gods  fecretes  and  wonder  at  them  though  they  bee  hidden 
from  vs.  And  a[;aine,  whenfoeuer  it  is  fayd  vnto  vs  that  the  fonne  of 
God  became  accurfed  for  vs :  it  would  become  vs  to  enter  into  the 
examinacion  of  our  iinnes.  In  fo  doing  we  fliail  perceyue  how  loth- 
ly  wee  be  before  God,till  our  fmnes  and  offences  bee  w^ifhed  away 
by  the  bloud  of  our  Lord  Itfus  Chrift.  Had  all  the  Angelles  of  hca- 
uen  vndertaken  for  vs,it  had  bin  no  fufiicient  bayle.Then  was  there 
none  other  fatisfaflion  than  the  perfone  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte. 
And  he  came  not  into  the  world  too  difcharge  vs  of  the  bonde  of  c- 
uerlafling  death  wherein  we  were  bound,by  his  diuine  and  heauen- 
ly  power.  Howthenc'By  weakeneffe.  And  not  onely  fo :  but  alfo  he 
was  fayne  to  bee  counted  accurfed,  or  tKt  we  fhould  haue  lien  ftill 
oucrwhelmed  with  the  burthen,  and  haue  periDied  all  of  vs  in  that 
gulf.  Therefore  when  wee  fee  that  the  fonne  of  God  who  not  only 
ts  the  vTifpotted  Lambe,and  the  mirrour  of  all  righmoufneffe,  holi- 
ncfTe  and  perfedion,  but  alfo  the  very  welfpring  thereof,  was  hildc 
tccurfed  for  vs :  ought  wee  not  at  the  fight  thereof  to  conceyue  fuch 
a  terrour  for  our  finnes,  that  wee  fhould  be  as  good  as  fwaliowed  vp 
with  defpayre,  till  we  be  plucked  backe  againc  by  the  infinite  grace 
nn  J  goodnefle  of  our  God  <  So  then  let  vs  marke  well,  that  when  it 
istoldevs  that  wee  were  raunfomed  from  the  cui  fe  of  the  Lawe, 
God  intendeth  thereby  to  bi^ngvs  to  true  humiliric.  But  that  can- 
not bee,  valcfle  men  be  vtterly  cofounded  in  themfelues^  fo  as  they 

bee 


Ch^p.'is  fo.Calxixr  Sermon  ypon 

be  affismed  too  loke  vpon  themfelueSjanci  therewithal]  ajfo  afray^ 
and  diTmayed,  knowing  that  Gods  wrath  wayteth  readie  for  them, 
till  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte  dooremedie  the  matter.  Thus  yee  fee 
that  all  our  whole  iyfe  is  lothfomc  before  God,  and  there  is  no  way 
for  vs  too  come  too  attonement  with  him, till  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift 
talce  vpon  him  the  curfednefle  that  is  in  vs,  and  beare  it  in  his  owne 
perfone.  And  therefore  as  oft  as  wee  reade  this  text,  let  euery  of 
vs  awake  and  fet  himfelfe  before  Gods  iudgement  ftate,  that  wee 
may  feele  there  as  it  were  a  gulf  to  fwallow  vs  vp  quyte  and  cieane, 
and  thereat  bee  abafhed  for  very  fhame  of  our  fcfkies :  and  [on  the 
other  fide3  fo  much  the  mere  magnifie  the  grace  that  is  purchaced 
forvs  in  the  perfone  of  thefonne  of  God,  and  keepe  our  felues 
warely  from  diminifhing  his  dignitic,  in  that  he  is  fayd  to  be  accur- 
fed :  and  rather  thereby  be  the  more  prouoked  to  yeeid  him  his  due 
and  deferued  prayfe,for  that  he  hath  (hewed  himfelf  to  efteeme  our 
welfare  fo  highly.Furthermore  let  vs  make  our  profit  of  that  pledge 
of  our  faluation  and  of  the  loue  that  God  beareth  vs,  fo  as  we  doubt 
not  but  that  God  liketh  well  of  vs  when  we  come  to  him,  feyng  he 
.IrfM.f.ia  i^^jj^  bought  vs  fo  deere,  that  (as  S.Petcr  telleth  vs  in  his  firft  cano- 
nical! Epiftle)  it  was  nother  gdlde  nor  filuer  nor  any  corruptible 
thingjbut  it  was  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  himfelf  that  was  payd  for  our 
raunfome.  Therefore  let  vs  not  doubt  but  that  mercie  is  readie  for 
vs,as  oft  as  we  feeke  it  in  his  name, for  if  we  fhould  come  with  any 
opinion  of  our  owne  deferuings,what  were  thatwoonh :'  But  when 
we  know  how  deerely  the  Sonne  t6  beloued  of  the  father,  and  how 
precious  his  death  was :  that  is  the  thing  wherein  we  haue  full  cer- 
taintie  that  God  will  alwayes  heare  vs,and  that  wee  fhall  finde  him. 
merciful!  and  fauorablc  towards  vs,  namely  if  wee  reft  wholly  vpoit 
that  which  is  tolde  vs  here :  which  is,that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  for- 
bare  not  euen  to  become  accurfedfor  our  fakes.  Here  withal!  let  vs 
niarkehowS.Paule  fayeth,  that:  by  thai;  meanesthe  promts  ofibejpirit 
came  l^ntoo  the  Gentyies,  as  it;  had  bin  giuen  Vntoo  jfbraham .   Nowe  by 
namingAbrahamheere,hefheweth  that  the  prOmis belonged  fiiflr 
and  forme  ft  too  thofc  tliat  came  of  his  race .  For  the  le  wcs  had  as  it 
were  a  peculiar  intcreft  in  the  heritage  of  faluation,  till  fuche  tyme 
as  Godopaied  tlae  gate  too  the  whole  worlde,  and  publi/hcd  his 

Gofpeli 


the  Episl.to  the  (jalathians.        14.4. 

Gorpell  too  the  end  that  all  men  fhould  bee  made  partti^kers  of  the 
redemption  that  was  purchaced  by  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte.  Now 
then,  although  the  faydpromis  belonged  too  the  Iewes,and  was  af- 
ter a  fort  peculiar  too  them  :  yet  was  it  after  them  made  common 
too  the  whole  world .  And  why  c'  For  it  confifteth  in  fpirite,  and 
not  in  Ceremonies.  By  this  woorde  Spirite  Sain6l  Paiile  ment  too 
deface  all  the  falfc  opinion  of  thofe  deccyuers,  whiche  mingled  the 
Lawe  and  the  Gofpell  toogither.  He  flieweth  that  all  thefe  things, 
namely  the  Sacrifices,  Circumcifion,  and  fuch  other  things  are  now 
fuperfluous.  Not  that  there  is  noprofite  forvs  too  gather  by  the 
Ceremonies  in  reading  the  Lawe  :  but  bycaufe  the  vfe  of  them  is  a- 
boIiHied.  Yeciec  then  that  the  caufe  why  thepromis  is  at  this  day 
called  fpirituall,  is  for  that  wee  haue  no  more  neede  of  the  old  (ha- 
dowes  and  figures,  but  are  flmply  called  and  guyded  to  our  God,  fo 
as  wee  may  call  vppon  him  with  full  tmft,  and  beyng  fo  adopted  by 
him  reft  wholly  v'j'jon  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,as  the  only  fcvindacion 
of  the  Gofpell,andfccke  all  our  wantes  in  him.  That  in  efFe6l  is  the 
thing  that  S.Paule  ment  too  fay  in  this  text.  And  hcrevpon  he  vfeth 
another  reafon,toofIicwe  that  wee  haue  our  faluation perfectly  re- 
ueled  in  the  Gofpell,  and  neede  not  any  other  do<^rinc  than  that, 
and  zllo  that  we  bee  iuflified  by  the  free  micrcie  of  our  God.For  the 
Lawe  (faycthhe)  yvas  giuenfoure  bumiie(ir,)2d  thutie  yeeres  <fter  the 
pi'owii  olhuuation.Ko'w  when  any  couenant  is  made,tIsOugh  it  be  but 
betv/eene  men,  yet  ought  it  too  bee  kepte,  if  it  bee  once  through- 
ly agreed  \^pcn.  Therefore  itfolov/eth,  thatthe  Lawe  was  not 
giuentoo  difannll  the  couenant  that  God  had  made  with  Abraham, 
ohicfly  in  the  behaife  of  his  linage,  and  finally  in  the  behalfe  of  the 
whole  woilde.  True  it  is  that  at  the  firfte  biuOithis  argument  of 
Saincl  Paules  may  fecmc  very  weakc :  for  wee  knowe  that  fecond 
ccuenantes  do  aivvayes  repcale  former  couenantes  :  in  fo  much  that 
although  men  haue  made  any  bargayne,yet  they  may  adu^^e  tJiem- 
felues  better;anathcrevppon  chaunge  their  mindes,  and  fo  the  firft 
barg^ine  fliall  be  as  good  as  buried.  As  much  is  to  bee  fayd  of  Lawes 
and  otautes.  For  a  former  Lawe  may  well  bee  repealed  and  difa-. 
nulled  by  a  feccnd  Lawe.  ButSainccPauIe  prefuppofeth  thethino' 
that  IS  too  be  c^^iifidercd  in  diis  matter :  whiche  is;that  when  a  m.aa 

bath 


Chsp.j.  fo.CaLxix.  Sermon  ypon 

hath  once  promifedjyea  an^  folemnly  bound  himrelf.he  will  not  gd. 
backe  againe,  but  bee  as  good  as  his  woord.  Howbeit  li  bothe  the 
parties  agree  too  chaunge  the  thing  that  they  had  confented  on,  and 
i>e  bothe  of  one  minde :  then  may  it  be  fo.  But  it  were  no  fit  fimili- 
tude  too  take  men  that  are  ficklemindcd  and  chaungeable  through 
lightneifejOr  by  better  aduice :  but  S.Paule  prefuppoleth  acoucnant 
too  be  made  by  a  man  that  will  ftand  to  it^and  not  fall  too  skanning 
aften^'ard  how  to  fhift  it  off  by  any  meanes  at  all.  For  if  any  of  the 
parties  (hould  doo  agaynft  the  former  couenant^  it  were  a  faifehood 
that  were  not  to  bee  borne  with  among  menjbicaufe  the  things  that 
are  inregiftred  fo  folemnly ,  ought  to  bee  flood  too  and  performed 
"without  any  gaynfaying.  Now  then  fhall  there  be  leiTc  ftedfaftnefTe 
in  God^  than  in  men  which  are  nothing  but  vanitie :'  The  Gofpell 
therefore  mufte  continue  v^nimpeached,  jiotwithftanding  that  the 
lawe  came  in  after  the  making  of  the  free  promis.  This  would  bee 
jflill  darke  if  it  (hould  not  be  declared  in  order.  I  haue  fhe wed  here- 
tofore what  comparifon  S.  Paule  maketh  betweene  the  Lawe  and 
the  Gofpell.  For  whereas  God  promifeth  faluation  in  his  Lawe :  it 
is  vpon  condition  that  men  feme  him  and  doo  their  duetie  towards 
him.  But  that  is  not  done :  and  therefore  are  wee  (het  out  from  all 
hope  of  faluation  as  in  refped^of  the  Law,not  that  God  is  not  faith- 
ful! on  his  fide,  but  bycaufe  wee  keepe  not  touche  with  him  in  per- 
forming that  which  he  requireth.  It  is  all  one  as  if  a  man  fhould  fay, 
1  am  ready  to  fell  you  this  thing,fo  you  bring  mee  monie.  Now  if  a 
n^an  bring  nother  monie  nor  moneys  woorth,  he  can  not  bee  put  m 
poiTefsion  of  the  thing  [^that  he  would  haue'j:  for  the  condition  is 
that  he  mud  firft  pay  for  it.  So  then,  God  promifeth  vs  the  heritage 
of  faluation,  when  wee  fhall  haue  ferued  him :  but  wee  be  neuer  the 
better  for  it,bycaufe  it  is  but  vpon  condicion  that  we  performe  that 
which  he  requireth  ofvs,  and  wee  bee  fraughted  with  all  iniquitie, 
and  haue  not  any  thing  in  vs  but  vncleanncflTe  and  filth,  in  fomuche 
that  wee  bee  luftly  odious  vnto  him.  And  fo  are  wee  all  condemn#d 
in  the  hwt :  howbeit  God  receyu:th  vs  of  his  free  goodnelTe  in  our 
LordlefusChriil;,  in  whom  he  oifereth  vs  the  forgiucncfle  of  our 
finnesjand  will  haue  vs  fo  too  inibracehis  offered  goodnerre,as  wee 
ftiould  hold  our  fclues  wholly  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl;  and  \  tterly 

renounce 


the  EpiHrtothe  (jalathians.      14.5 

renounce  ourfelues.But  no\v(%th  Sain(5l  Paul)Ict  vs  fee  whither 
went  before  other  in  antiquitie:the  free  promis  of  faluation,  or  the 
law.We  know  the  diuerfitie  tliat  is  betwixt  them.  Then  if  the  law 
were  the  auncienter,it  might  feeme  that  that  ought  to  be  flicked 
toOjbycaufe  God  doth  neuer  vnfay  his  wordes  nother  is  variable. 
But  if  the  free  promis  were  the  elder,  and  were  made  before  the 
law  was  publiflied  :  it  is  to  be  concluded ,  that  God  repented  hym 
not,ne. called  backe  his  promis  at  that  time,  ne  ment  to  difanul  the 
fay d  couenanf.for  it  were  too  great  a  diminifhing  of  his  bountie 
and  mercie,  i^\wt  fhould  fay  that  he  had  firft  bound  himleife  of  hys 
owne  free  goodneile,  and  promifed  men  faluation  without  theyr 
defert:and  afterward  intended  to  reftreyne  ii ,  as  though  he  meant 
to  inrich  himfelfe  with  our  good  works.  It  were  an  auk  thing  too 
talke  after  that  fafhion.  For  ^'ain6l  Paul  Hieweth  that  the  free  pro- 
mis was  giuen  afore  the  law  :  and  therefore  it  followeth  that  the 
law  came  not  in  to  diminifh  or  alter  any  whit  of  it,  but  that  it  con- 
tinueth  ftill  in  his  owne  fulneffe, nature, and  force.   Tme  it  is  that 
our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  had  not  yet  fhewed  himfelfe  to  the  worlde, 
when  the  free  promis  was  made  to  our  father  Abrahammeuerthe- 
lefle  it  fuffifeth  that  he  was  ordeyned  to  be  our  mediator,  tliat  by 
hys  meanes  men  might  be  reconciled  to  God.  Now  if  any  man  ai- 
Uds^Q,  that  it  fhould  feeme  then  that  the  law  was  more  than  nee- 
ded,or  elfe  that  there  was  fome  change  and  variablenefTc  in  Gc.-ds 
parpofe,feeing  the  law  came  in:Sain6l  Paule  difculTeth  the  fame  in 
place  conuenient ,  and  wee  mult  not  huddle  vp  thynges  togy- 
tlier,  for  all  cannot  be  vttered  at  once ,  nother  in  an  houre  nor  in 
a  day.  Therefore  it  is  ynough  for  vs  at  this  t)TOe  too  haue  thys 
poynt  made  "playne  and  cleere,  that  the  promis  whereby  God 
hath  chofen  vsintoo  the  number  of  his  chyldren  ,  wa-  before 
the  lawe :  and  alfo  that  the  fame  promis  had  not  any  rcfpecl  to 
onr  deferuings,nortoo  any  woorthinelfe  that  was  in  our  per- 
fons :  but  too  Gods  meere  goodneffe  and  mercie ,  whych  moued 
hym  therevnto  without  looking  for  anything;  in  vs,  bycaufe  hee 
faw  welynough  there  was  nothyng  in  vs  but  ^•tter  miferie : 
And  finally e  that  tlie  fayde  promis  was  grounded'in  our  Lorde 
Iz^  Chryfte,  whg  had  aii-eadye  done  the  office  of  a  mediator  to 

T.  make 


Chapj;  fo.Cal.xix.fermcn  ypon 

make  vs  way  vnto  God  his  father.  This  being  grauntcd,\vcc  muft 
needes  conclude  that  the  promis  hath  abidden  and  Ihall  abyde  for 
euer^euen  to  the  worlds  end.  And  that  is  fayd  exprefly  bycanfe  the 
fewes  gloried  of  their  auncetrie.  ButSain<5l  Paule  tellcththem 
that  their  father  Abraliam  had  not  the  la  we ,,  but  was  contented 
though  lie  vfed  facrififes  and  fuch  other  like  thinges.  And  although 
he  was  circumciTed  in  the  end :  yet  when  he  receiued  the  promist 
there  was  not  as  yet  the  any  law  writte,no  nor  any  circumcifion  at 
all  .For  Abraham  was  vncircumcifed  when  he  receiued  the  promis, 
and  yet  neuerthelelfe  was  luftifyed  before  he  was  circumcifed,  and 
all  that  was  by  fayth.  Sain6l  Paule  therefore  (heweth  that  the 
iewes  were  greatly  ouerfeene^too  fliolc  out  themfelues  after  that 
manner  from  the  reft  of  the  whole  world,  and  to  reft  continually 
vpon  the  figures  of  the  law,  feeing  that  Abraham  their  father  and 
the  cheefe  patriarch  of  the  Church  was  iuftifyed  the  feffame  way 
that  we  muft  be  at  this  day,  that  is  to  faye,by  Gods  meere  mercie, 
^  bycaufe  hec  knew  himfelfe  to  be  a  wretched  finncr,  and  therefore 

accurfed  and  damned  in  Adam,  and  that  there  was  no  bliffedneflc 
to  be  hoped  for,  other  than  that  which  was  promifed  hym  for  our 
Lord  leTus  Ghrifts  fake.  Thus  yee  fee  what  wee  haue  too  beare  in 
mind.And  for  the  fame  caufe  Sain6l  Paule  exhorteth  vs  hccre  too 
wey  well  thefe  words  when  it  was  fayd  vnto  Abraham,  that  all  na- 

^Sf».  12.4.3.  tions  of  the  earth  fhould  be  blilTed  in  his  feede.  Now  there  arc 
heere  two  principall  poyntes.  The  one  is,  that  the  blifiednefte  is 
promifcd.not  only  to  Abrahams  fiefhly  offpiing(as  I  haue  told  yon 
already)but  alfo  to  all  the  world  in  generall.  VVe  therefore  arc 
made  partakers  thereof,wee  I  fay  that  arc  iffued  of  the  Gentiles, 

,'  that  is  to  fay,of  fuche  as  were  heathenfolke  and  banifhed  from  the 

kingdome  of  heauen.  Although  then  that  we  were  not  of  that  holy 
linage  whiche  God  had  chofen  at  the  beginning.yet  notwithftan- 

\  •  ding  it  behoued  faluation  to  be  extended  vnto  vs.  And  why  fo  "f 

"  For  it  had  hin  promifed  before,that  all  Nations  fhoulde  be  blilTed* 
Seeing  it  is  fo,  fhal  1  we  fay  that  God  hath  cut  off  the  greateft  parte 
of  his  bounteoufnefle ,  and  will  haue  no  more  but  the  fayde  li- 
nage of  Abiaham ,  confidering  that  hce  hath  alreadye  tolde  vS 
that  hewouldebee  thefaviiourof  the  whole  wodde^  andfliewe 

'      himfclf© 


theEftfUo  the  (jalathians.      10 

himfelfe  a  father  in  time  conucnient :'  Vce  fee  then  howe  the  firfte 
poynt  i*s,that  the  making  of  the  fayde  promis  vnto  Abraham,  was 
not  for  his  Hnage  aIone,but  for  all  men :  howbeit  that  it  were  not 
fulfilled  at  the  firfl:  dafh.  For  the  time  of  fulnefle  was  not  yet  come 
as  we  fhall  fee  in  the  Chapter  following.  The  fecond  point  is,  that 
the  bliiTednefTe  which  was  promifed  to  Abraham  was  for  his  feedes 
fake.  For  Sainft  Paule  fayth  that  God  (pake  not  of  feedes  in  the 
plurall  number  as  of  mo  than  oneibut  of  one  oncly  feede  :  whiche 
mufl  be  concluded  to  be  lefus  Chrift.  Heere  it  myght  be  fuppofed 
that  Saind  Paule  buzied  his  head  about  a  needelefle  matter.  For 
the  word  Seede  importeth  a  linage  or  offpring,  that  is  to  witte,  not 
fome  one  man  or  ten,or  fortie,  but  a  whole  people.  Therefore  the 
Seede  of  Abraham  is  the  people  that  came  of  hym,  whyche  were 
(b  many  in  number,  that  it  was  iuftly  fayde  of  them  ,  that  they 
(houlde  bee  as  it  were  twelue  Nations.    For  when  mention  is 
made  of  a  people :  it  will  bee  thought  ynough  to  haue  a  hundred 
thoufand  of  them  togitheriand  there  were  many  mo  in  the  onely 
tribe  of  luda.  So  then  itfhould  feeme  that  Sainct  Paule  dyd  not 
fufficiently  confider  what  God  meant  by  the  word  feede ,  whea 
he  fjyd  that  it  is  but  one  only  man.    But  wee  muftwey  well  the 
thyngs  that  Saincl  Paule  prefuppofeth  hecreas  fully  certain e  and 
refolute  :  and  then  fhall  wee  perce^oie  his  argumentcs  to  be  vtterly 
infallible.  Abraham  had  not  one  lonne  alone  :  but  after  Ifiiiaeil,he 
had  Ifaac  alfo.    And  what  became  of  his  eldeftJonne::'Hee  was  cut 
off  from  hys  houfe,  as  we  fhall  fee  within  a  whyle,  that  is  to  fay  in 
the  Chapter  following.  Beholde  then  ,  Ifmaell  whiche  had  the 
birthright  in  Abrahams  houfe ,  is  neuertheleflfe  put  out  and  made 
an  vtterftraunger,  yea  and  as  a  rotten  member,  infomuch  that  it 
is  fayd  of  hym.  Cad  out  the  fonne  of  the  handfemante ,  forhee  (j€*iuaAO» 
fhall  not  inherit  in  my  houfe.  Afterwarde  Abraham  had  other  G^i.2^,a,u 
children  :  but  eucry  of  them  had  tlieir  portions  giuen  vnto  them, 
and  were  fent  away.  Thus  was  onely  Ifaac  left  at  home  vntoo 
hym.  Anon  after,  Ifaac  had  a  cupple  of  children,  and  they  were  ^^^•'^S'C*22 
twinnes  of  one  wombe.   Efau  the  firftbome,  whiche  ought  too     23, 
haue  hadde  the  prefermente  ,  was  lykewife  caft  off  ,fo  ashee 
was  not  counted  for  the  linage  of  Abraham ,  nor  yet  was  made 

T.ij.  partaker 


Chap.3.  Jo.  Cell. XIX.  fermon  ypon 

partalcer  of  the  promifed  blifsing.  There  was  no  mo  left  but  Jacob. 

Cc  27  f.'ir  ^ca  and  although  the  father  bhlted  his  fonne  lacob  through  ignp- 
*  ranee  and  miftaking :  yet  he  declareth  that  it  was  not  in  him  to  re- 
uoke,  or  chaungc  the  thing  that  hee  had  vttered  with  his  mouth, 
bycaufe  he  was  the  inflmment  of  the  holy  Ghoft.  Now  then  if  we 
take  the  feede  of  Abraham  for  all  thofe  that  came  of  his  race :  The 
Ifmaelites  or  Agarenes(as  they  be  called)and  fuch  other  lyke,and 
-  moreouer  the  Edomites  alfo  fhould  be  of  his  houfhold.  But  the 
heritage  is  taken  quite  and  cleane  from  them.  Therefore  the  (ccdQ 
of  Abraham  muft  be  confidered  after  a  peculiar  fafliion.  Let  vs  go 
forward  with  the  whole  procefie.  VVe  fee  that  without  faith  there 
fliould  be  no  bond  to  knit  any  Church  togither,  nor  any  alTurance 
whereby  to  know  which  is  the  feede  of  Abraham,  or  to  difceme  it 
from  the  reft  of  the  world,  but  by  refoiting  to  the  head,  that  is  too 
wit  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  Ye  fee  then  that  the  vnion  of  the  bo- 
dy dependeth  vpon  the  head,  that  is  to  wit  vppon  the  Redeemer. 
Seeing  it  doth  fo,  not  without  caufe  doth  Sain6l  Paule  fay  that  it 
wasnotfpokenofmanyfeedes,  but  that  wee  muft  come  too  one 
man,  if  we^ill  haue  the  fpirituall  people:that  is  to  fay,  if  wee  will 
haue  the  Churche  of  God,  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  muft  bee  the 
marke  that  we  muft  begin  to  looke  at ,  and  wee  muft  bee  gathered 
vnto  him:  and  thofe  that  are  of  his  body  and  cleaue  vntoo  him  by 
fayth  are  the  folke  that  are  reckened  for  Gods  children  and  houf- 
hold, and  are  verily  the  ^cedQ  of  Abraham ,  as  he  difcourfeth  more 

%W  p.^.  6  at  large  in  the  Epiftle  to  the  Romanes, where  he  fayth  that  all  they 
which  come  of  the  feede  of  Ifra&ll  after  the  flefh,  are  not  therefore 
Ifraelites.And  whyc'For  there  was  but  one  promifed  chylde,  which 

2.Coy.2.h,   -vvas  Ifaac.  So  then  wee  muft  come  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte,  irv 

^9'  whome  ail  Gods  promifes  are  Yea  and  Amen,  and  in  whom.e  they 

haue  theyr  fubftance.    For  with  out  him  there  is  nothing  elfe  but 

fcattering  And  therefor^  it  is  faid  in  the  firft  Chapter  to  the  Colof- 

CoiofAX*     fians,  that  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifts  office  is,  to  gather  togither  all 

29»  things  that  were  fcattered,  as  well  in  heauen  as  in  earthe,  and  that 

without  him  al  fhould  go  to  wi^ecke.  But  now  we  fee  more  cleerely 

howSainx^Paulesmeeningis,  that  before  the  law  waspubiifhed 

to  the  world;  (whcrevntg  was  j>ut  and  added  tliis  condition,  that 

'     '        '  "^  " " ~"  itbe^ 


theEpiH.tothe^alathians.      1^7 

it  bchoued  vs  to  fuIfiJI  all  that  is  conteined  therein)God  had  yeel- 
ded  a  record  of  his  will  before  hand:whiche  was,  that  bycaufe  hee 
faw  mankind  danined  and  forlome,  he  inteded  to  draw  out  a  cho- 
fen  fort  to  hymfelfe,and  to  be  mercifull  to  tliem.  And  that  was  not 
for  one  linage  alone,but  for  al  1  nation s  as  the  fcrip uire  exprelTeth.    ' 
And  there  ofthe  foundation  was  layd  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.For 
afmuch  then  as  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte  was  already  in  the  tyme  of 
Abraham, ordeyned  to  be  a  mediator  to  malce  attonemet  betweene 
God  and  vs,fo  that  if  we  go  in  his  name  to  feeke  fauour,it  is  ready 
for  vs,and  we  cannot  be  difappointed  of  our  hope :  feeing  it  is  fo 
(lablifhed,there  is  no  chaunge,but  wee  muft  aflure  ourfelues  that 
God  accepteth  vs  at  this  day,fo  we  reft  wholly  vpo  our  Lord  lefus 
Chrift,kno  wing  that  it  was  no  vncerteine  couenant  whichc  was  fa 
ratifyed  in  his  name,but  that  it  (hall  endure  for  euer,and  be  always 
of  force.  Ye  fee  then  that  we  may  come  freely  before  G  od  and  call 
vpon  him  as  our  father,bycaufe  he  hath  adopted  vs  for  his  chidre, 
whiche  thing  he  hath  not  done  in  refpeftofany  worthinefle  that 
was  in  vs,but  of  his  owne  meere  mcrcie,  and  bycaufe  we  bee  made 
©ne  with  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  by  faith.And  by  the  way,likc  as  we 
muft  reic6l  all  opinion  and  imagination  of  obteyning  fauour  at 
Gods  hand  by  our  owne  defemings,  and  of  afluring  our  owne  faU 
nation-.fo  muft  we  looke  wel  to  that  which  is  told  vs  heere,  name- 
ly that  we  cannot  be  partakers  of  fuch  a  benefite  but  by  faith.  Now' 
(as  I  haue  fa^^d  afore)faith  importeth  an  imbracing  of  Gods  mercy, 
whiche  thing  cannot  bee  done  except  wee  bee  touched  earneftly 
with  our  own  wretchednefleifor  it  is  not  for  naught  that  our  Lord 
lefus  Chrift  fetteth  our  curfcdnelTe  before  vs  as  it  were  in  a  glafle, 
by  taking  vpon  him  to  be  accurfed  for  vs.    Faith  therefore  cannot 
be  without  repentance,  for  it  is  vnpofsible  that  wefhoulde  feeke 
our  welfare  in  God,  or  defire  mercie  at  his  hand,till  miferie  touch 
vs  to  the  quicke,  and  make  vs  to  miflike  of  it.And  fo  thefe  skofFers 
whichc  mocke  God ,  weltring  ftill  in  their  vyce?,  and  beeing  as  it 
were  fotted  in  them,  muft  not  looke  that  euer  lefus  Chrift  fhoulde 
recken  them  in  the  number  of  hys,  for  they  cannot  by  any  meares 
come  at  him,nother  doth  he  call  any  other,  than  fuche  as  are  fo  o-  M-t\  \\  A 
uerlodeiiandforweeryed  asthey  can  no  longer  hold  out;  and     28. 
:   '  T.ijji  "        lye 


Chap.3-  fo.CaLxix.  Sermon  y^pon 

lye  gironing  vnder  the  burthen  of  tlieir  fmnes.  Thus  ye  fee  how  it 
behoueth  vs  to  rcfort  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte,  ^d  that  although 
we  cannot  bring  any  defert  vnto  him,  and  that  all  the  Ceremonies 
of  the  iaw,and  all  the  profers  that  we  can  make  vnto  him,  do  no- 
thing at  all  furtlier  our  faluation:yet  we  muft  be  prepared  to  fuche 
lowlme{re,as  we  may  perceiue  our  ftate  to  be  right  miferable ,  till 
Cod  haue  taken  vs  to  his  merc^^iand  we  muft  be  To  beaten  downc 
in  ourrelues,as  wee  may  £eele  the  curfe  that  fhould  light  vpon  vs, 
if  we  were  not  raunfomed  with  fo  liigli  and  excellent  a  price  ,  as  I 
haue  declared  heeretofore.  Yee  fee  then  that  by  faythe  wee  re^ 
jceiue  the  projnis  of  the  fpirite.,  andtliereby  are  linked  to  oure 
Lord  lefos  Chrift ,  and  too  the  fpirituaH  feede  of  Abraham.  For 
although  we  be  not  borne  of  his  linage :  yet  is  it  ynough  that  wc^ 
be  made  atone  witli  him  by  faith.  For  then  are  wee  begotten  a- 
i  ^.ii  i  gaine  of  that  incorruptible  feed  wherof  S.  Peter  fpeaketh,thar  is  to 
wit  of  Gods  word  fuch  as  it  is  conteyned  in  the  GofpelJ.  And  bee- 
ing  fo  begotten  agapae,  we  know  that  God  auoweth  vs  too  be  of 
the  body  of  his  only  fonne.  And  although  wee  come  of  the  Gen- 
tiles:yet  fayle  we  not  for  all  that  to  be  ioyned  to  the  Church, wher- 
vntoo  there  needeth  no  more  but  only  faydi :  and  as  for  all  me* 
rites  and  vertues  of  men,  they  muft  vtterly  ceafle  in  that  behalfe, 
and  men  muft  acknowledge  that  they  cannot  bring  any  thing  but 
€onfufion,fo  as  they  muft  be  faine  to  f^eke  ail  at  Gods  hande,  and 
v-that  by  the  meanes  whiche  hee  hymfelfe  hath  appointed.  Now  fitb 
it  is  fo,let  vs  learne  to  leaue  our  wandering  heere  and  ther€  as  we 
fee  lightheaded  men  do,  whiche  are  neuer  contented  with  tliat 
which  God  telleth  them,  but  areeuer  adding  fomewhat  of  theyr 
owne  deuice.  Let  vs  beware  of  fuch  mingling  as  fhall  be  treated  of 
more  at  large  after  dinner  by  Gods  will.  And  let  lefus  Chryftc 
alone  fuffife  vs.,  feeyng  that  our  welfare  dcpendeth  wholly  vp- 
pon  hym  alone ,  and  wee  (hall  want  notliing  if  wee  bee  parta- 
kers of  hym ,  as  we  fee  howSainflPaule  bringeth  vs  backetoo 
that  poynte .  Furthermore  let  vs  learne  alfo  too  holde  vs  too 
Gods  truth,  afturingourielues  that  hce  cannot  abyde  too  haue 
^ny  adding  vntoo  it ,  bycaufe  that  were  a  marring  ,  reuerfing, 
acidfalfifying  of  his  couenant ,  wherein  oure  welfare  confifteth. 

But 


the  Epi^.to  the  ^alathians.      14.5 

Butwiicn  we  haue  once  imbraced  our  Lordc  lefus  CHrift,  Jet  v$ 
abyde  faftinhini,  and  let  hym  fuffifevs  for  ail :  and  diehmaye 
wee  call  vppon  GOD  with  full  nioutli  ,  knowing  well  that 
although  wee  bee  of  the  race  of  curfed  Adam  ,  yet  notwith- 
ftandingforafmuch  as  wee  bee  bliffed  agayne  in  lefus  Chryfle, 
tee  acknowledgeth  vs  alwayes  for  his  Children  ,  bycaufe  wee  be 
grounded  vppon  the  free  adoption ,  whiche  not  without  caufc 
he  willed  too  bee  publifhed  through  the  whole  worlde,  to  the  in- 
tent we  might  haue  the  gate  opened  and  the  way  made  eafie  for  vs 
to  come  vnto  hini; 

But  now  let  vs  fal  downe  before  the  maieftie  of  our  good  God 
with  acknowledgement  of  our  faultes,praying  him  to  mice  vs  per- 
ceiue  them  more  and  more,  that  we  may  in  fuche  wife  miflike  of 
them,as  we  may  labour  and  indeuer  ourfelues  to  honor  and  ferue 
him  in  true  obedience  all  our  life  long :  and  whereas  we  cannot  do 
it  to  the  full(for  that  is  vnpofsible  confidering  our  frailtie)that  hec 
will  hold  vs  vp  till  he  haue  rid  vs  of  ai  the  corruptions  of  our  fleflv 
and  clothed  vs  againe  with  his  owne  rightuoufnefTe,  the  whiche  he 
beginneth  in  vs  already  as  now,  and  giueth  vs  certayne  firftfrutcs 
of  it,  to  alTure  vs  that  he  will  performe  the  thing  that  he  hathe  be** 
gonncAnd fo  let  vs  all  fay,  Almightie  God  heauenly  father.&c 

The.xx.Sermon^Ti^hich  is  the 

r  fatb  l^^on  the  third  Chapter. 

15.  BrethreJ  fpeake  after  the  mancr  of  men.  Although 
it  be  biita  mansTeftamenCjCyec]  ifk  be  proiicdy 
no  man  breakethit^or  pimethl^aughGto  it. 

iS:  .  Novvthe  promifcs  vvcrcfpoken  to  Abraham  ancj 
his  fcede.  He  fay  th  nor,  and  to  the  feedes  as  fpea-; 
king  of  manic,  but  as  of  one,  and  in  thy  fcedc> 
vvhichc  is Chrifte.  i..    ...  . 

17,     This  is  it  that  I  fay,as  rouchingthc  coueriant  that 

"vvas^ confirmed  before  by  God  in  Cbnfte :  the: 

"  ""  ■"   ^     T.iiii,      '  " 1^^ 


Chap.  J.  fo.Cal.xx.Sermonypon 

law  which  came  fourc  hundred  and  thirticyccrcs 
after* can  not  impeach  or  abolifti  the  promis, 
w.  For  if  the  inheritace  come  by  thclaw,  then  commcch 
n  not  of  promis ;  butGod  gauc  it  to  Abraham  by 
promis. 

T  were  great  iTiame  for  vs  if  God  (Lould  beare 
no  more  fvvay  with  vs  than  mortaJl  creatures. 
For  what  comparifon  is  there  betwixt  his  ma- 
ieftie,and  die  ftate  of  men  which  are  but  a  fa- 
ding fliadow  c"  And  yet  notwithftanding  it  is  an 
ordinarie  matter  with  men  too  preferre  them- 
felues  before  God :  which  is  fo  ougly  a  thyng, 
f  hat  if  the  Sunne  were  matched  with  the  darknefTe  of  heil,  it  were 
not  fo  great  a  confulion^as  to  exalt  men  aboue  him  to  whome  all 
honor  belongeth.    But  howfoeuer  the  cace  ftande,  it  is  a  vice(as  I 
faydVhich  hath  euermore  reigned  and  flil  reignedi  at  this  day  too 
much  in  the  world.For  looke  what  man  fpeaketh,  it  (hall  ftrayght- 
*vays  be  beleeued :  and  iffolke  be  loth  to  do  it  of  their  ownegood 
wil],y€t  muft  they  be  fayneto  hold  them  to  it  in  all  matters  that 
are  allowed  by  law.Behold,God fpeaketh,  yea  and  that  right  fub- 
ftantially/o  as  he  ouerflippeth  not  any  thing  that  may  giue  credite 
^nd  aflurednefle  to  his  word :and  yet  notwithftanding  we  beeal* 
ways  in  a  mamering^  or  elfe  we  fall  to  flat  reafoning  againft  hym. 
Muft  it  not  needes  be  then  that  we  be  out  of  our  wittes,  when  wee 
diminifh  Gods  authoritie  after  that  falhion,  and  yeeld  more  credit 
to  creatures  than  to  him  that  made  both  heauen  and  earth  wyth 
Jiis  only  word,  and  mainteyneth  all  things  by  the  famecThat  is  the 
caufe  why  S.  Paule  in  this  text  vfeth  this  preface:! j^f^/;?  (fayth  he) 
after  the  manner  of  mm  .  For  if  heehad  fayd  no  rnore  butthys: 
Couenantes  fhall  bee  kept  heere  bylow  without  breaking  or  re- 
pealing ,  and  therefore  needes  muft  Gods  promis  beeeuerla- 
fting;thathadbintrue,butyethadhefpokentoo  coldly  of  Gods 
jnaieftie ,  in  raunging  him  fo  in  aray  among  earthly  creatures. 
But  whereas  hee  fayth  that'  hce  fpeaketh  after  the  manner  of 
•  ;.  '"  men: 


the  SplflJo  the  ^alathians.      14.9 

men :  it  is  all  one  as  if  he  had  fayd  that  he  vfeth  not  fuch  maner  of 
ftile  and  fpeech  as  might  befeeme  to  treate  of  the  maicftic  of  God. 
For  both  the  Sunne  and  Moone, ought  too  forgo  their  brightnefle 
when  Gods  glory  coniineth  in  prefence.  All  of  it  muft  needes  bee 
darkened :  what  (liall  then  become  of  thofe  that  are  but  as  fiyes  &: 
frogges  crauling  vpon  the  earth  <  For  make  men  neuer  fo  much  of 
their  painted  flieath,  yet  are  diey  lefTe  than  naught  worthe  before 
God.  Now  when  wee  heere  this, wee  (houldbee  the  more  reftrey- 
,ned,that  wee  vfe  no  replying,  but  with  all  reuerence  take  in  good 
worth  the  thing  that  is  tolde  vs  heere  :  that  is  too  wit,  that  if  God 
haue  voutiafed  too  giue  them  full  afliirednelTe  of  their  faluation, 
which  receiue  the  promife  that  is  preached  vntoo  them :  wee  mud 
not  take  vpon  vs  to  reafon  againft  him.For  when  a  deede  is  palTed 
among  men,  if  it  bee  entered  of  record,it  fhall  be  rece^oied  and  go 
for  good  euidence :  and  what  then  fhall  bee  done  when  God  {hall 
haue  opened  his  holy  mouth  to  beare  vs  recorde  of  his  good  will^ 
Is  there  any  folemnitie  among  men  that  commeth  neere  too  the 
glory  of  God,  who  will  haue  vs  too  (licke  too  that  which  he  hath 
(pokcn  and  vttered  c' True  it  is  (as  I  haue  itouched  alreadie)  that 
we  ought  to  fight  agaynft  the  lewdnelTe  which  is  rooted  in  vs,  too 
yeelde  credite  vnto"  God :  for  wee  bee  fo  bent  to  miftmftfulnefle 
that  not  one  worde  ofthe  thingjs  whiche  God  hathe  vttcred  fhall 
€uer  haue  fetling  in  our  harts,  except  wee  haue  fought  agaynft  the 
vice  wherein  wee  bee  foTore  intangled.  So  then,euery  ot  vs  when 
he  commeth  too  bee  taught  in  Gods  worde ,  muft  examine  what 
is  in  himfelfe. :  and  when  he  feeth  him  felfe  fubie<El  ftill  too  many 
diftruftes  and  doubts,  he  muft  miflike  of  it;and  pray  God  to  touch 
all  his  fenfes  m  fuche  wife  too  the  quicke ,  that  he  may  reft  wholly 
vpon  the  thing  which  he  heareth  £at  his  hande]  according  alfo  as 
it  IS  the  office  ofthe  holy  Ghoft,  to  feale  in  our  hearts  the  truthe 
which  i^  certayne  inough  of  it  felfie,  howbeeit  that  it  beenotcer- 
tayne  vnto  vs,  till  it  be  afturedtoo  vs  from  aboue.  For  if  wee  were 
ofourowne  mouing  inclined  to  beleeue  God:  the  holy  Ghofte  i.Cor.xJ^ 
fhould  not  neede  to  worke  in  that  behalfe.  But  it  is  fayde,  that  he  2  2. 
is  the  very  Scale  wherewith  God  marketh  vs,  and  whereby  he  im-  Ef^A^C,  13 
printeth  and  ingraucth  m  our  harts  the  things  whiche  elic  (hould 

T.v*  neuer 


Chap.5.  fo.CaLxx.Sermonypon 

neuerbereceyned.Yeaandweemuftalfo  marke  well,  that  Sain^ 
Paule  fetreth  downe  heere  two  wordes,  namely  that  no  man  </i- 
wini/Jjeih  or  difanuileth  the  thing  that  is  authorized  among  meiTk 
by  lawfail  and  orderly  meanes,  nor  alfo  addeth  any  thing  too  it. 
For  altlioughe  wee  bee  not  alwayes  vtter  rebels,  yet  are  our 
wittes  fill  tickling  vs  too  make  fome  additions  and  glofes  to  Gods 
worde,and  we  can  not  abide  to  holde  vs  to  the  fimplicitie  that  is 
conteyned  there.  Then  if  wee  confider  well  what  wee  bee  without 
felfe  footliing,  eaer)'  of  vs  (hall  finde  two  vices  in  vs.  The  one  iSf 
that  when  God  hath  fpoken  vnto  vs,  wee  can  not  throughly  con- 
fent  to  fay  Amen  vnfaynedly ,  or  to  accept  his  promifes,  or  to  bee 
moued  at  his  threatnings.  Men  will  alwayes  vfe  fhiftes ,  and  wee 
necdc  not  to  feeke  farre  for  example  thereof :  for  (as  I  fayde)  wee 
haue  experience  of  it  in  our  felues.  The  other  is, that  although  we 
yeelde  God  his  due  honor  in  beleeuing  his  worde  too  bee  true 
and  infallible :  yet  wee  will  alwayes  bee  adding  vnto  it ,  and  that 
doo  wee  fee  too  muche  in  the  Papacie.  W^hereof  commeth  that 
confufion  or  mazeworke  whiche  wee  fee  too  bee  in  the  feruing  of 
God,  the  great  number  and  diueiTitie  of  fafhions  ,  and  the  great 
(lore  of  abufes  and  falfehoods,  but  of  that  men  haue  not  yeelded 
too  the  things  which  Godfheweth  them,but  hcaie  made  additions 
and  confuTed  medlies  of  things  that  came  of  their  owne  brayne  ^ 
In  what  maner  doo  the  Papiftes  indeuer  them  felues  too  feme 
God  c' Euery  man  hathe  his  feuerall  deuotionby  him  felfe,  and 
therewithal!  an  infinite  number  of  gewgawes.  Theyr  faying  is, that 
the  Churche  hath  commaunded  all :  but  what  foeuer  it  bee^it  is  all 
ofmansinuenting.  And  what  a  thing  is  that  C*  Dyd  not  God  fuf^ 
ficiently  forefee  what  he  wouldelykeofc'  He  telleth  vs  thatirt 
j.54.ij.e.    ^i^g  Lawe  wee  haue  all  perfe6lion,and  that  he  will  not  haue  vs  too 
^^'          holde  any  other  rule.  Agayne  he  addeth  that  he  had  1  eCier  hane  o- 
O/ee.S.h.o .  bedientnefTe  than  all  the  facriiices  in  the  world.  K[is  minde  is  too 
ikfa/.9.^.    lioldc  men  in  awe,  that  they  fhoulde  n^r-pi"efuma  to  mingle  any" 
13 .  C?*.i  2 .  -ijiing  of  their  owne  brayne  and  imaginatiorL  But  what  and  if  God 
^•7«  '        haue  fayde  fo  c'  Yet  will  men  beare  him  downe  that  this  and  that 
were  good,and  they  will  needcs  adde  a  hundred  times  more  thaa 
he  had  ?J"demeAyea  and(which  worie  is)  ;hejr  hglde  fcomc'of  that 
"    "^  ■  wtidai 


the  Bpi^.to  the  (jalathians.      150 

Which  he  requireth,  and  exaaeth  mod  ftraightly,an<l  in  the  mcane 
while  magnifie  fond  toyes  and  pelting  trafh, which  not  only  are  of 
no  value  before  him,but  alfo  lothfome  to  him,  bicaufe  he  difallo- 
ureth  all  things  that  men  thmft  vpon  him  after  thatfafhion  to  fpitc 
him  with.  Now  then  we  fee  hereby  how  eager  and  prefumptuous 
alfo  men  haue  always  bin,in  thrufting  themfelues  forward  to  feme 
God  after  their  ONvnlildng:  howbeit  that  was  but  a  peruerting  of 
all^the  holy  fcripture.Forbeholde,wheras  God  telieth  vs  that  the 
cheefe  facrifice  which  he  demaundcth  of  vs^is  that  we  (hould  refort 
I'nto  him^and  offer  vp  our  requefts  after  the  maner  which  he  hath 
appoynted  to  be  the  mcane  for  vs  to  come  familiarly  and  boldly 
vnto  him, that  is  to  wit, by  making  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  our  ad- 
uocate :  Men  will  needes  haue  vs  pray  vnto  Sain^ls  deceafred,and 
to  make  them  our  patrons  and  aduocates  to  be  a  meane  betweenc 
God  and  vs,when  wee  go  about  too  feeke  his  fauour.  As  muche  is 
tobefaydeofallthereftoftheir  do^rine.  God  hathe  commaun- 
ded  vs  too  pray  one  for  another :  and  they  fay  wee  mud  pray  for 
the  wretched  foules  that  are  in  Purgatorie.  And  who  hathe  com- 
maunded  all  this :'  Men  haue  furmifed  that  fo  it  fhould  be,  and  ac- 
cording to  their  furmifingXo  it  mufl  bee.  Lo  what  their  raflmefTc 
is.Godhathordeynedhisfacramentsfor  vs  tooaflure  vs  of  his 
promifes  by  their  meanes ,  and  he  will  haue  them  to  bee  as  Seales 
of  ouermeafure,  that  our  infirmitie  may  bee  the  better  fuccoured. 
VVee  haue  Baptifme,  whereby  God  dooth  vs  to  wit,that  wee  bee 
walhed  and  clenfed  from  all  our  fpottes  by  the  bloudfhedof  hys 
only  fonne,8c  that  therewithal!  he  accepteth  vs  as  his  members  of 
his  body,&  bringeth  vs  into  his  Church. No  we,  the  Papifts  are  not 
contented  with  this  fimplicitie,  but  will  needes  haue  fpittle,and 
taper  lighte,  and  other  gewgawcs  that  are  irkefome  to  thinke  ot 
And  whence  come  fuche  additions,  but  of  this  diuelifl-i  boldnefle, 
that  when  God  had  ftablifhed  all  that  was  meetc  and  conuenietit 
forthe  tume,and  in  fuch  wife  as  nothing  was  to  be  mifliked,  men 
coulde  not  finde  in  their  hearts  too  take  it  in  good  worth,  but  (as 
[  fayde  afore)  were  inflamed  with  fuch  an  ouereagernefle  and  out- 
rage,as  they  muft  needes  bee  adding,mingling ,  chaunging,  inter* 
lacing,  and  turmoyling  without  ende  or  mcafure.  So  muche  the 


Chap.5.  fo.Cal.xx.Sermony^on 

more  thef  efore  doth  it  (land  vs  vpon,  to  hold  faft  that  which  God 
fheweth  vs  by  S.PauJe :  namely  that  for  as  muche  as  God  hath  au- 
thorized his  worde^it  is  not  lawfull  for  men  to  addc  any  thing  too 
it,but  that  all  our  wifdome  is  to  ioyne  with  him,  and  too  receyue 
without  fcanning  whatfoeuercommeth  outofhis  mouth.  And  if 
this  be  verified  ofthepromife  that  wa$  made  vnto  Abraham:much 
more  reafon  is  it  that  we  now  a  dayes  fhould  keepe  the  fame  mo- 
deftie, feeing  we  haue  much  fuller  inllru^lion  in  the  GofpeLTrue- 
ly  the  fubftance  of  the  thing  that  is  preached  vnto  vs  now  a  dayes, 
difFereth  not  from  that  which  Abraha  heard  of  Gods  owne  moutlu 
But  what  foeuer  it  be,  we  haue  now  a  much  more  familiar  mancr 
of  teaching,  bicaufe  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  who  is  the  dayfunae  of 
righteoufneffe,  is  manyfefled  vnto  vs.  Seeing  then  that  there  is 
no  hardnelTe  at  all  vnto  vs,  if  we  lift  to  giue  eare :  is  it  not  an  in- 
tollerable  tray teroufncfle,if  our  lufts  be  ftill  itching  too  adde  one 
thing  or  other  c'  Howfoeuer  wee  fare,  let  vs  learne  to  holde  vs  ta 
that  which  God  hath  taught  vs.  For  we  may  not  deale  otherwife 
than  with  fuch  modeftie  in  that  behalfe,  bicaufe  that  if  we  fwarue 
neuer  fo  little  afide  from  that  rule,  by  and  by  wee  bee  in  Satans. 
fnares,  readie  to  be  caried  one  way  or  other  to  all  confafion.  But 
let.vs  bee  well  aduifed:and  feeing  that  S.Paule  faythe  heere,. 
that  the  lawe  could  not  any  whit  impeache  the  promife  which  was 
made  before  :  what  ihall  become  of  vs  in  thefe  dayes ,  if  wee  wyll 
needes  haue  the  inuentions  of  mens  foolifhe  heades,  to  impeache 
the  purenefle  of  the  Gofpell,  fo  as  it  may  not  bee  perceyued  whi- 
ther God  or  his  creatures  bee  more  mafter^  Tliusyee  fee  what 
ought  to  holde  vs  in  awe,  that  wee  pafTe  not  our  bounds,  but  that 
our  fayth  bee  alwayes  wholly  ruled  and  dire6led  by  tlic  fingle 
worde  of  God,  and  that  wee  reieft  what  foeuer  is  added  by  man. 
And  that  is  in  effect  the  thing  whiche  wee  haue  too  gather  heere, 
Nowe  as  touching  that  S.  Paule  fayth ,  that  the  couenant  Tft>/«  eUahlU 
fhed  of  Cod  to'^arde  hfus  ChrtHfo  tire  hundred,  yeeres  be  fore  the  Lat^* 
Heerein  wee  fee  the  fame  thing  whiche  I  touched  this  morning: 
namely  that  when  God  vttered  him  felfe  to  be  a  father, whether  it 
were  towards  Abraham,or  towards  Noe,or  towards  any  otlier ,  it 
wainot  bvjt  by  tb^m^aneagf  PUT  Lorde  lefus  Civift.  For  there  is 
.'  '     "■  '      ■"■  "•      - -       -r  '  ■     "-  as 


the  EpiHjo  the  (jalathians.       151 

as  It  were  a  deadly  foade  betweene  God  and  man,  in  refpe^e  that 

they  be  corrupted  by  originall  finne ,  in  fo  much  that  if  God  let  yS 

alone  in  our  natural  plight/urely  al  our  thoughts  are  curfedjal  ou^ 

affections  are  crooked,fro\varde,and  full  of  ftubborneflc,&  al  ou^^ 

wittes  are  beftiyned  with  vices,  fo  that  wee  haue  not  one  founde 

and  vninfecled  place  in  vs,from  the  crownc  of  our  head  to  the  fole 

of  our  foote.And  for  as  much  as  we  be  fo  contrarie  to  God,a  nd  to 

his  will :  it  mull  needes  be  that  wee  are  his  enimies,  for  he  can  not 

be  vnlilve  him  felfe.  Then  if  God  be  our  enimie,  we  can  not  come 

to  him  to  hope  for  any  fauour  or  grace  at  his  hande,  excepte  lefus 

Chrift  be  as  a  meane  to  reconcile  vs  agayne.  Thus  yee  fee  that  the 

fadiersofallagespreaced  not  vnto  God,  but  by  the  guydingof 

the  mediator.  And  that  is  the  caufe  why  S.  Paule  in  this  texte 

fayth,  that  die  couenant  was  made  too  lefus  ChriRe.  Tmely  lefus 

Chrift  had  no  neede  of  any  of  the  promifes  that  were  made  to  the 

fathers  of  olde  time,  and  are  continued  ftill  by  God  euen  vnto 

this  day  towards  vs  :  but  yet  did  he  receyue  them  as  head  of  the 

Churche.  So  wee  fee  that  God  had  not  an  eye  fimply  vnto  Abra- 

ham^  nor  too  the  worthineffe  that  was  in  him,  but  that  Abraham'  • 

was  a  member  of  the  Churche ,  whereof  lefus  Chrift  was  alwayes 

the  head.  Alfowhen  Godchofe  Dauid  too  bee  King ,  and  tolde  (prn 

him  that  hisfeate  fhoulde  endure  as  Jong  as  the  Sunne  and  the    ■'''''  '^'' 

Moonc  in  the  skye  :  it  was  not  for  any  woorthineffe  that  was  in 

Dauidsowneperfon,but  it  was  all  done  in  refped  of  our  Lorde 

lefus  Chrift.  And  likewife  at  this  day,  when  God  telleth  vs  that  he 

will  be  fauorable  too  vs  if  wee  feeke  him,  yea  and  that  he  will  haue 

vs  come  boldely  vnto  him :  it  is  not  in  any  other  refpe6l  than  for 

that  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  hath  gathered  vs  togidier  to  bee  of  his 

body.  And  this  ferueth  vs  too  two  purpofes.  The  one  is  too  bring 

vs  to  humilitie.  For  if  euery  of  vs  marke  well  what  he  is :  wee  bee 

Gods  enimies.  By  reafon  whereof  the  gate  is  fhutteagaynftvs, 

fo  as  wee  can  not  hope  for  any  fauour  at  his  hande ,  but  rather 

feele  and  conceyue  him  too  bee  our  iudgc ,  alwayes  readie  too 

thunder  downe  vpon  our  heades,  and  too  ouerwhelme  vs.  Tlier- 

fore  whereas  it  is  fayde  that  the  promifes  are  made  vnto  vs  by  the 

meanes  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift;  we  muft  fhiink  down  our  heads. 


ch^fh  fo.Calxx.fermon  ypon 

and  acknowledge  that  Gods  only  begotten  Tonne  is  his  only  dcr- 
ling, and  that  the  fauour  which  we  haue  is  only  in  him  [and  for  his 
fake.]  Let  that  ferue  for  the  one  poynt.  The  other  is,that  the  pro- 
miles  haue  fo  much  the  more  certentie  in  that  refpe^l.  For  if  fuche 
troubles  as  thefe  doo  come  in  our  minds  [fo  as  we  think  with  our 
felues]  what  art  thou  C'  thinkeft  thou  that  God  voutfafeth  too 
ftoupi  downe  vnto  thee  ^  Thou  art  but  a  worme  of  the  earth, duft, 
pnder,and  rottennelfcMoreouer  thou  haft  a  Sea  of  vices  in  thee, 
and  therfore  what  a  prefumptuoufnefle  were  it  for  thee  to  thinke 
thy  felfe  to  be  one  of  Gods  chiidren,till  he  come  to  kekt  theef  If 
wee  bee  tempted  after  this  maner  to  difti-uft,  Jet  vs  bethinke  vs  of 
that  which  is  fpoken  to  vs  in  this  text :  that  is  to  wit,  that  the  pro- 
mife  was  made  on  the  behalfe  of  lefus  Chrift.  Although  then  that 
there  be  nothing  in  vs  but  all  wrctchednefTe^yet  it  ought  to  fuffife 
vs  that  there  is  worthineffe^power^and  righteoufncfle  inoughe  in 
the  fonne  of  God^and  that  he  alfo  is  the  perfon  in  whome  wee  rc- 
ceiue  the  promifes.  Nowe  remayneth  for  vs  too  knowe,  by  what 
meanes  wee  come  vnto  God :  namely  by  the  [promifed]  feede, 
which  is  but  only  one,as  SPaule  addetli :  For  if  men  tume  neuer 
fo  little  from  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  by  and  by  they  be  cut  off  fro 
the  kingdome  of  heauen.  And  if  this  was  fpoken  too  beate  downe 
the  pi  ide  and  falfe  prefumption  that  was  among  the  flefhly , chil- 
4i'en  of  Abraliam  :  what  is  to  be  fayde  to  vs ,  whiche  are  but  after- 
birthes  borne  out  of  time  in  comparifon  of  tliem,  as  S.  Paule  ter- 
meth  vs  in  the  tenth  to  the  Romanes  C*  Wherefore  let  vs  vndcr- 
ftande  that  all  fuch  as  content  not  them  felues  with  our  Lorde  le- 
fus Chrift,do  vtjerly  renounce  al  hope  of  their  faluation.For  there 
are  not  two  or  three,  but  onely  one  Mediator  (fayth  S.PauIe)  like 
as  it  is  not  fayde^that  there  is  any  more  than  one  feede.  I  haue  told 
you  alreadic;  that  many  come  of  Abrahams  linage,  which  yet  not- 
withftanding  were  not  hcires  of  the  promife^  Then  if  we  come  not 
%o  lefus  Chrift  to  be  gathered  vnto  him :  fuj-cly  God  difclaymeth 
vSj  and  telleth  vs  that  wee  bee  none  of  his,and  that  he  will  haue 
none  acquayntance  at  all  with  vs.Therfore  although  tlie  world  go 
aftray  to  be  tofled  too  aadfro,according  as  we  fee  how  on  the  one 
fide  the  Papifts  haue  infinite  meanes  to  come  vnto  God;  &  lyke- 

wife 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathtam^       151 

HviC?  on  the  other  fide  the  Turfccs  and  the  lewes,  all  whichc  hauc 
quite  foifaken  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift :  yet  Jet  vs  leanc  wholly  vnto 
him,and  afTure  our  felucs  that  if  we  be  once  ingrefFed  into  his  bo- 
dy by  fayth,and  made  one  with  him, the  promifes  belong  vnto  vs. 
VVhy  fo :"  For  they  were  giuen  vnto  him,not  for  his  o  wne  como- 
ditie,as  I  haue  (ayd  alrcadic  (for  he  had  no  neede  of  them)  but  for 
our  bchoofe  that  we  might  be  made  partakers  of  them.  T  hus  yec 
fee  in  cfFe<5l  how  wee  ought  to  make  our  profite  of  this  texte.  But 
wee  haue  too  marke  airo,conceming  the  antiquitie  which  S.Paulc 
treat eth  of  heere,that  the  doftrine  of  the  Gofpell  is  no  new  deui- 
fed  thing ,  nor  a  thing  that  had  bin  vnknowen  of  before :  but  that 
God  hathe  continually  euer  (ince  Abrahams  tyme  vnto  this  day^ 
called  vs  to  be  his  adopted  children,  &  proued  him  i€i^t  to  be  our 
father.  Truely  it  was  euen  before  Abraham  was  borne :  neuerthe- 
lefle  it  muft  fuffice  vs,that  as  then  there  was  made  fo  full  difcoue- 
ric  of  it,  as  wee  knowe  that  God  did  then  beginnc  to  publilhe  the 
things  that  are  conteyned  in  the  Gofpell  at  this  day,  and  that  the 
fathers  had  none  other  way  wherby  to  come  to  faluation,  than  the 
fame  that  is  fhe wed  vs  at  this  day»  And  this  is  veryneedefull  for 
vs.  For  many  bufic  bodies  doo  now  vnskilfully  imagine,  that  the 
Gofpell  was  neuer  heard  of  before :  yea  &c  there  are  of  thefe  fcor-* 
ncrs  of God,and  heathenifhe  felowes,who  to  imbrace  the  autho- 
ritie  of  God,  5c  of  his  Goipell,fay  it  came  vp  within  thefe  fixteene 
hundred  yeres,and  that  it  was  neuer  heai*d  of  in  the  world  before. 
VVhat  (fay  they):*  had  God  forfaken  the  world  quite  and  cleane  ^ 
As  who  fliould  fay, we  faw  not  with  our  eyes,and  might  not  feele 
with  our  fingers,that  God  neuer  varied,but  that  euen  at  fuch  time 
as  itpleafed  him  to  adopt  Abraham, then  were  we  alfo  included  in 
him,and  the  gate  of  faluation  was  opened  vnto  vs ,  howebeit  that 
fhe  accomplifhment  therof  came  not  till  the  full  time  wcs  expired, 
fis  I  haue  declared  this  morning,  and  (hall  declare  more  at  lengthe 
in  time  conuenient.  And  heere  yec  fee  u  hy  S.  Paule  faythe  that 
the  preaching  of  the  G  ofpe  1 1  was  a  fecrete  that  had  bin  kepte  hid-  ^/'^O  ^•?* 
den  from  the  beginning  of  the  worlde.  But  yet  had  God  deter- 
mined it  before,  and  made  fufticient promife  of  it,  as  wee  haue 
feene.  Hccre  yee  fee  alfo  why  wee  bee  called  Abraliams  oflpring. 


C!jap.3.  fo.Cal.xx./ermonypon 

For  wee  belong  no  whit  At  all  to  him  in  rerpe<5te  of  the  flefhe.  But 
iayth  is  a  fufricient  bonde  too  knit  vs  v^nto  him.  Furthermore  wee 
fee  that  our  Lorde  Icfus  Chrift^  who  is  the  pledge  of  mens  wel- 
fare^ is  nosve  reuealed  vnto  vs ,  too  the  ende  that  wee  fhoulde 
haue  the  better  aflurance  that  wee  bee  hys ,  and  that  hee  wyll 
holde  \^s  for  the  members  of  hys  body.  And  that  is  the  caufe  why 
Chrift  fayde  that  Abraham  fawe  his  daye,  and  was  glad  of  it.  The 
lewes  alledged  the  worthinefTe  of  the  Patriarke :  yea  (faith  Chrift) 

Ub,2£.<6  ^s  though  your  father  Abraham  had  not  refted  vpon  the  things 
that  were  (poken  too  him  concerning  mee.  Therefore  he  fawe  my 
day,and  it  was  the  thing  wherein  he  tooke  all  his  comforte ,  in  fo 
inuche  that  he  had  not  any  other  hope  of  faluation ,  than  by  the 

N  beleefe  which  he  had  in  tlie  doctrine  which  is  preached  vnto  you 

at  this  day  by  the  Gofpell.  That  alfo  is  the  very  fame  thing  that  is 

Mal4  h  6  fy^^^^  of  John  Baptift  by  the  Prophet  Malachie,  namely  that  he 
*  was  fent  to  knit  the  hearts  and  mindes  of  the  fathers  to  the  chil- 
dren.And  this  is  not  fpoken  only  of  the  perfon  of  lohn  Baptift,but 
it  belongeth  alfo  to  the  do6lrine  of  the  Gofpell.  Vee  fee  then  that 
the  thing  wherevnto  our  Lorde  calleth  vs,  is  that  although  Abraha 
be  rotten  in  the  earth  fo  long  tyme  ago :  yet  wee  may  aflure  ouf 
felues,  that  there  is  none  other  promile  than  that  for  vs  too  truft 
vnto^fo  wee  be  knit  v^nto  him  by  fayth,  and  doo  fo  agree  togither 
as  wee  can  call  vpon  God  with  the  fame  minde  wherewith  he  was 
gouemed, according  as  in  very  deede  he  had  his  minde  fixed  vpon 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  Novve  then  for  fo  muche  as  wee  bee  vnited 
vnto  Abraham,let  vs  tende  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chiift,  and  let  him 
be  our  aming  marke,and  our  fhoote  anker, till  wee  be  all  aftembled 
togither, and  gathered  vp  into  the  heauenly  kingdome.  Lo  what 
wee  haue  to  confider  when  mehtion  is  made  of  the  promife  tliat 
was  made  before  the  lawe.Yea  and  wee  ought  to  bee  greatly  pro- 
noked  to  conftancie,when  wee  perceyue  that  our  father  Abraham 
did  alwayes  wayte  for  our  Lorde  lefus  Chi'ift ,  althoughe  it  were 
fo  long  ere  he  fhould  be  difcouered  to  the  world,  and  it  was  tolde 
hvm  that  hys  ieede  flioulde  bee  hilde  prifoners  in  a  ftraunge 
lande.  After  that  God  had  tolde  hini  that  all  the  worlde  fhould  bee 
JbJiflid  in  his  feede ;  he  addetli;  and  yetfor  aU  that,thinke  not  that 

this 


the  EpiB.to  the  (jalathians.         153 

this  fliall  bee  performed  within  theft  twoo  or  three  dayes,or  a  hun- 
dred yeeres  hence :  for  thou  thy  felfe  niulk  firft  die,  thou  thyfelfc 
mude  firftc  bee  conueyed  hence  intoo  a  ftraungc  countrie,  where 
thyne  offprin^fhall  bee  opprelTed  witli  all  tyrannie  and  crueltic.Af- 
fure  thy  {t\{^  I  will  be  reuendged  of  it,but  yet  muft  thy  feedc  fmart 
in  the  meane  while.  Abraham  herdeall  this :  Againe  after  that  the 
lawe  wasgiiien,  there  paffed  other  twoo  thoufand  yeeres  more  ere 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte  came.  Nowc  coulde  Abraham  neuer  haue 
trufted  too  that  which  was  fpoken  too  him,  if  he  had  not  bin  armed 
withheauenly  power,  for  he  himfelfe  could  not  inioy  thebenefite 
that  was  offered  him,  nother  fhould  his  children  inioy  it  that  were 
too  come.  Yee  fee  then  that  two  thoufand  and  foure  hundred  yeeres 
were  then  to  pafle,  and  yet  notwithftanding  Abraliam  repented  him  Hf^r  ii.^. 
not  that  he  had  forfaken  his  fathers  houfe,  (as  the  Apoftle  declaretli       \%^ 
in  the  eleuenth  too  the  Hebrewes)  buthilde  on  his  race  ftill,  albeit 
that  God  intended  too  trie  his  patience  too  the  vttermofte.  Of 
much  more  reafon  ought  wee  now  adayes  too  go  on  fledfadiy  whi- 
ther foeucr  God  callcth  vs,and  too  hold  vp  our  heades  till  we  come 
too  the  crowne  of  glorie,  not  withftandyng  that  as  now  it  bee  hid- 
den from  vs,  and  that  wee  muft  bee  fayne  too  bcleeue  and  hope  for 
things  that  furmount  all  our  capacitie  and  which  wee  cannot  per- 
ceyue.  Thus  yee  fee  how  wee  ought  too  put  this  text  in  vre.No  we 
herevpon  S.Paule  concludetli,  that  if  the  wherUame  come  hy  the  Ly^Cp 
itlhalimtcomehyfaytb.  But  God  gaue  Abraham  all  things  in  re- 
fpeclof  fayth  :  and  therefore  it  is  too  bee  concluded,  thatdic  Lav/c 
muftneedes  ccaiTe  when  men  go  about  to  get  fauour  at  Gods  hand, 
and  the  prayfe  of  cur  faluation  mufte  bee  yeelded  all  wholly  vntoo 
him.  S.Paule  in  fpeaking  here  of  inheritance,meeneth  two  things. 
The  one  is  that  v/hat  foeuer  God  hath  at  any  time  promifcd  vs,is  of 
his  owne  meere  free  goodneffe :  for  an  inheritance  is  not  a  wages 
or  hyrc.  True  it  is  that  a  father  in  giuinghis  children  their  heri- 
tage may  well  fay,  Sec  howl  rake  naynes  foryou.Marke  whatfhail 
come  of  it.    Vee  fhalj  haue  my  ^oodes  among  you.  But  yet  howc 
foeuer  the  father  deale  with  thi  in,  he  hath  none  other  refpe6t  than 
too  his  owne  kinfliip.  He  laboreth  and  taketh  great  paynes  too  pro- 
uidc  t-or  fuch  as  are  fo  alied  vnto  hiim.  Scing  then  that  heritages  arc 

W  '^thin^S 


Chap.  j.  fo.CaLxx.  Sermon  ypon 

tl^mgs  of  free  grfte  among  men :  wee  muft  not  take  cternall  lyfe  as 
a  deicrued  wages  or  hyre  vit  Gods  hand.  For  why,  it  is  an  heritage. 
Marke  it  for  a  (lire  grounde,  fhat  heereall  woorthinefTe  of  men  is 
excluded.  For  when  a  man  makes  his  children  his  heires,  he  palFeth 
not  whither  they  haue  done  any  grelte  woorke  or  no,  or  whither 
they  bee  fayre  or  fouie,  or  whither  they  bee  one  thing  or  other : 
but  it  is  ynough  for  hun  that  they  bee  his  children,  and  that  his 
minde  is  too  prouide  for  them.  Another  poynt  is,  that  Sain6l  Paul© 
in  lo  laying,  giueth  vs  an  inclingthat  wee  bee  all  of  vs  vtterlyre- 
ietted  of  God,  fo  as  wee  cannot  (no  not  euen  in  this  tranfitoric 
lyfe)  inioy  awy  thing  at  all,  but  by  the  onely  meere  grace  of  God. 
True  it  is  that  the  Sunne  (hyneth  as  well  yppon  the  faythklTe  as 
vppon  the  faithfull,  and  all  men  are  nurnfhed  alike  with  the  things 
tliat  God  giueth  and  graunteth  vnto  them:  but  yet  how^foeuer  they 
fare,  the  vnbeleeuers  polTefle  not  any.thing  by  iuft  ty tie.  They  are 
but  theeues,  and  mufte  yeelde  account  of  the  benefites  and  goodes 
whiche  they  haue  reccyued  of  God,  euen  too  the  laft  droppe  of  wa- 
ter, bycaufe  they  were  not  fanclified,  but  defiled  them  afmuche  as 
'in  them  lay,  bycaufe  they  had  no  fayth,  whiclie  (as  {ayeth  Sain6l 

*         4'^*  Paule)isthe  thing  whereby  the  benefites  that  God  giueth  vntoo 
^ *  vs  are  made  cleane.  That  is  the  way  for  vs  too  vfe  them  lawfully : 

but  lette  fayth  bee  away,  and  there  (liall  be  nothing  elfe  but  vnclen- 
nelTe.  For  why,  if  my  harides  be  foule,  and  I  handle  the  precioufeft 
things  in  the  wo  ride  with  them,  they  fhall  bee  rayed  with  the  fil- 
thinefTeof  my  handes.  Euenfo  is  it  whenweeabufe  Gods  bene- 
fites. The  vnbehefe  that  isinvs  defileth  alF.and  in  the  ende,  all 
creatures  mufte  crie  out  for  vengeance  vppon  vs,  bycaufe  wee  ab- 
ufed  them  if  we  poiTeiTed  them  not  with  faith. 

Yee  fee  then  that  wee  cannot  inioy  any  thing  at  all,  vnlefle  wee 
bee  Gods  children.  And  for  the  fame  caufe  alfo,  Saini^  Paule  in 

^m.^.c.  the  fouith  too  the  Romanes,  thinkes  it  not  ynough  'too  fet  downc 
^>  the  heauenly  lyfe  and  euerlafling  fakation ;  but  alfo  nameth  the 
heritage  of  the  worlde,  and  fayeth  that  Abraham  was  made  heire  of 
the  v\'orlde,  and  that  the  fame  was  not  for  that  man  alone,  but  for 
all  m,enne  in  generall.Therefore  whereas  God  adopteth  vs  and  tel- 
kth  vs  that  ke  will  be  gracious  vntoo  vs,  it  is  too  the  end  that  while 

wee 


theE^isLtothe^alathians.        154. 

wee  Hue  heere  beneath,wee  fhould  bee  fedde  by  his  b2nd,and  be  m 
giuing  vs  foode  make  vs  too  tafte  aforchand  of  the  icue  wbiche  he 
beareth  vs,  and  of  the  care  that  he  hath  ouer  vs.   Too  bee  flioi  te, 
wee  may  and  ought  alfo  too  beholde  Gods  fatherly  goodnefie  in 
all  his  creatures.   Doo  wee  open  our  eyes  and  looke  vpon  the  light 
of  the  Sunne :  Euen  there'dooth  God  fhewe  himfelfe  a  father  to-i^ 
wardcs  vs .  When  wee  eate  and  receyue  our  fiiftenance,  God 
reaclieth  out  his  haivdc  too  fhewe,  that  wee  bcealreadie  i^^do,  by 
him  as  his  owne  children.  Too  bee  fhorte,  in  all  things, and  by  all 
meanes  he  maketh  vs  too  tafte  his  fatherly  loue  aforehand,  too  the 
inttnt  wee  fliouide  bee  confirmed  in  the  things  that  he  (heweth.VS 
in  the  Gofpell :  that  is  too  wit,  that  he  hath  referued  a  better  heri- 
tage for  vs,  as  for  his  children  whom  he  hath  adopted.  Then  m.uft 
all  creatures  dire<5lvsvntoo  heauenward.  But  fur.ely  wee  doo  the 
cleane  contraric :  for  wee  apply  Gods  creatures  to  our  owne  iuftes, 
fo  as  wee  be  hilde  downe  ftill  by  them  heere.  To  bee  fnorte,  looke 
how  many  helpcs  God  hath  giucn  vs  too  drawe  vs  too  him  :  fo  ma- 
ny letteshaue  wee  too  holdevsbacke  intheworlde.  For  wee  ne- 
tier  paffe  too  knowe  hov/e  weeihould  bee  reckoned  for  Gods  chil- 
dren,fo-wee  msy  liue  at  cur  eafe  in  this  woilde :  that  is  ynough  for 
vs.    But  yet  for  all  tbat,  it  ftan  Jcth  vs  greatly  on  hande  too  per- 
ceyue,  that  God  doothalreadie  inthisworldefliewe  himfelfe  a  fa- 
ther towardes  vs,  and  intendcth  too  doo  vs  too  wit  Vvhat  a  care  he 
hath  of  vs,  too  the  ende  wcefhoulde  learne  too  referre  our  felues 
wholly  vnroo  him,  and  there  too  refte.    Yee  fee  then,  that  by  this 
woorde  Heritage  or  Inheiitmce,  God  niewcth,firrre  that  whaifoeuer 
he  oflfercth  vs  is  of  Lis  owne  meere  free  bounteoufnefle :  and  {^^ 
condly  that  wee  bee  fo  curfed,  that  wee  haue  no  rightc  too  any 
tbin^,  nonet  euen  too  a  droppe  of  water:  exceptcGod  make  vs 
his  hey  re  5,  and  that  mufte  btve  done  all  onely  for  cur  Lorde  lefus 
Chriftes  falce.    And  therefore  we  n-vufl:  once  againe  call  to  remcnl- 
berance  how  wee  haue  heretofore  feene,  that  the  prcmiis  was  made 
too  leius  Chrilte.  Then  is  not  Abraham  theftay  and  flioote  anker 
thereof.  And  for  that  caufe  alfo  is  our  Lord  Icius  named  the  heyre  ^ich»i,4.2, 
of  all  things:  and  looke  what  he  hath  peculiar. too  himfelfe, that 
doothe  he  communicate  too  vs,  as  too  the  members  of  his  bodie. 

\'.^.  la 


Chap.5.  Jo.CaLxx.  Sermonypon 

i.Cor,  \cjL  -f"  ^^af  refpe^l  ialfo  doth  S.Paule  fay,  that  the  faying  whiche  is  vvrit- 
2y,      '  ten  in  the  feuenth  verle  of  the  eyght  Pfahne,  (whiche  is^  that  he  is 
made  Lord  of  ail  things)  ought  too  bee  appHed  firft  of  ail  to  his  per- 
fone.  True  it  is  that  tlie  fayd  text  is  fpoken  of  all  men,  according  as 
wee  fee  how  God  hath  put  all  beaftes  of  the  earth  in  fubie^lion  to 
man.fo  as  they  bee  faynetoodie  too  giue  vs  fufte nance,  and  too 
clothe  vs  and  keepe  vs  warnie.  Againe,  we  fee  how  the  earth  yeel- 
deth  vs  frutes.  Therefore  the  lordfliip  of  the  worlde  is  giuen  vntoa 
vS;  how  beit,that  isbut  by  the  meanes  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte. 
For  (as  I  haue  touched  alreadie)  if  wee  bee  feparated  from  him,  wee 
bee  foorthwith  fo  cut  of  from  Gods  houfe,  that  the  inheritance  of 
them  belongeth  no  more  vntoo  vs,  tlian  too  the  furtheil  flraungers 
in  the  warlde.    But  nowe  let  vs  come  too  the  chiefe  poynt  that  is 
conta3ned  hcerc.  S.Paule  faycth,^/?^^  thi6  heritage  commctb  not  of  the 
La^e,bnt  e/'iv«>'/^.  Whereas  he  vfeth  thefe  twoo  fpeaches,  and  cup- 
pleth  them;  toogither :  they  bee  things  flat  contrarie  as  I  haue  toide 
you  heretofore.  Not  that  the  lawe  is  contrarie  too  fayth :  but  by- 
cauf^  that  too  be  e  iuftiti  ed  before  God,  and  too  obtay ne  f auour  and 
mercie  at  his  hand,  cannot  come  too  pad  e  by  the  La  WQ.  The  Lawe 
was  not  giuen  too  that  end,  (as  we  (hall  fee  in  the  next  Sermon)  but 
too  the  cicane  contrarie.  So  thenjfeyng  that  the  heritage  commetb 
by  fayth  :  v/e  muft  conclude  that  our  woorkes  can  doo  nothing,  and 
that  wee  mud  bee  feyne  too  come  to  God  vtterly  emptie,  as  poorc 
bef^gers  too  craue  too  bee  filled  by  him,  bicaufe  wee  haue  not  one 
drop  of goodnefTe  in  our  felues.    Yee  fee  thenwhereat  S.  Paule  a- 
mcth,when  he  fayeth  that  the  inheritance  c5meth  of  fayth  and  not 
©f  the  lawe,according  alfo  as  God  gaue  it  vntoo  Abraham  in  refpe^ 
of  fayth.  And  let  vs  mar]ie,that  if  wee  bee  not  able  too  deferue  any 
nurrifhment  in  this  worlde :  v/liat  fhallv/ee  bee  able  too  doo  to- 
wardes  the  polTefsing  of  the  kingdome  of  heauen  <  VVhen  there  is 
any  talking  of  corruptible  fafti^nancey  it  is  nothing  in  comparifon 
iXerA^.d.  of  tj^ic  heauenly  glorie.  For  it  is  fayde  that  wee  fhall  bee  made 
^8»         paittakcrs  of  the  glorre  of  our  God,  and  that  then  wee  (hall  bee 
all  in  all  things.  But  as  now  wee  cannot  deferue  fo  much  as  one  bit 
of  bread :  for  the  inheritance  cometh  of  fayth :  that  is  to  fay,  ail  that 
cuer  God  hath  promifed  mentis  of  his  owne  meere  fi'ce  goodneffe* 

And 


the  EpiH.  to  the  ^ a  lath  tans.      155 

Andhowe  can  wee  then  purchace  the  Reahne  of  Paradice  'f  what  a 
pryde  is  it  for  men  to  prefume  to  come  to  it  by  their  own  ftrength  CT 
miift  it  not  ncedes  be  that  they  are  caried  away  with  a  terrible  rage^ 
Moreouer,in  faying  that  God  gauc  aJl  things  to  our  father  Abraham 
in  refpe6l  of  his  fayth,  S.Paule  doth  yet  better  expreiTe  and  flicwe 
that  which  I  haue  told  you  alreadie  -.  namely  that  man  is  able  to  de- 
ferue  nothing  of  himfclf,  and  that  he  muftbce  fayne  too  haue  all  of 
free  gift.  He  had  fayd  afore, (as  we  haue  feene  already)  that  the  pro- 
mifes  were  made  and  vttered  .  but  here  he  vfeththe  woord  Ciuing, 
As  if  he  fhould  fayjherc  is  not  abargayne  betweene  partie  &  partie, 
too  fay  I  will  do  this,and  thGufhalt  do  that :  I  wil  fell,and  thou  (halt 
buy :  but  God  doth  freely  giue,and  man  doth  but  onely  receiue.Se- 
ing  then  that  we  muftcomc  vnto  God  to  rcceyue  that  which  he  of- 
fereth  vs,and  that  we  haue  not  any  other  title  to  the  tilings  that  we 
looke  for  at  his  hand^thanonly  by  freegift:let  vs  forget  all  the  wor- 
thineflc  which  we  imagine  to  be  in  our  felueS;and  acknowledge  that 
wjc  be  nothing.  And  furely  S.Paule  vfeth  one  other  maner  of  fpeach, 
which  ferueth  to  exprefle  better  the  thing  that  is  ment  here :  which 
is,that  if  the  heritage  came  by  the  Law,  the  promis  were  difanulled, 
and  fo  confequently  faith.  T  herfore  to  be  fure  of  the  promis,  the  he  - 
ritagemud:  needes  come  by  faith  And  my  alledging  herofjis  bicaufe 
the  thing  thu  isfpokenin  this  text,  might  feeme  darlifomeby  rea- 
fon  of  the  iliortneiTe  of  it :  namely  that  the  heritage  of  faluation,yea 
and  all  the  benefits  that  God  beftoweth  vpon  vs  in  this  world,muft 
proceede  or  our  fayth ;  that  is  too  fay,  without  bringing  any  thing  at 
all  of  our  owne,but  onely  by  receyuing  all  things  ol^  Gods  free  gift. 
For  why :' Put  the  cace  that  wee  fhoulde  hope  too  receyue  accor- 
ding too  our  woorkes,according  to  our  owne  woorthincffejand  ac- 
cording too  our  defertes  towardes  God;  how  might  wee  bee  fure 
of  the  promifes :  Truely  wee  fhould  hang  alwayes  in  a  mamering : 
for  it  would  behoue  vs  ftill  too  confider  thus,  verie  well,  how  hafte 
tho^difdiarged  diy  felfeC'what  hafte  thou  done:' And  fofliouldc 
fayth  bee  vtterly  dafhed.But  fayth  ought  too  afliire  vs  fully  of  Gods 
good  will  towardes  vs :  whiche  thing  it  fhoulde  not  doo,  but  wee 
(liouldhang  ftill  indoubte,  and  it  ftiould  bee  but  a  bare  opinion^  and 
tliat  oj.>inionft\ouldbee  but  aniilufion  of  Satan.  For  all  they  which 

V«iij.  thmlifi 


thi'nke  too  haue  any  thing  by  their  ovvne  power^muft  nccdes  be  be- 
w:  -ched  by  the  Diuell.  Yee  fee  then  how  it  is  tco  grofle  a  mocke- 
rie,  when  wee  thinke  too  deferue  aught  at  Gods  hand.  But  howfo- 
euer  we  go  to  woorke,  though  our  eyes  be  Teeled  vp  wrdihypocri- 
fie;and  we  take  our  fclues  too  be  wonderful!  fellowes :  yet  can  wee 
not  haue  any  certaintie  in  vs  without  fayth.  For  bee  that  once  done 
away,by  and  by  th.  proniifes  fall  to  the  ground :  we  can  haue  none 
alTurance  of  them.  Therefore  v\ree  mud  conclude  that  the  heritage 
comnieth  by  faith,  too  the  end  wee  may  haue  no  more  pride  in  vs : 
that  is  to  wit,  too  the  end  wee  hope  not  any  more  that  wee  can  bee 
able  toodo  aught  of  our  felues,or  that  we  haue  any  freewill  to  take 
or  refuze  the  grace  that  is  offered  vs.VVe  mud  forget  all  the  things 
which  men  are  woont  to  chalendge  to  themfelues  :  all  muO:  be  layd 
vnderfoote :  we  muR'comevoideofallpower,emptie,andhungrie, 
and  feeke  at  Gods  hand  the  things  that  we  want,  and  not  doubt  but 
that  he  hath  ynough  in  himfelf  to  fuccour  vs  with,  and  that  h e  hath 
alfo  put  into  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  ail  things  that  wee  can  wifh,  and 
all  that  he  knowethto  be  for  our  behoofe  and  profite.  Thus  yee  fee 
Lowe  wee  may  inioy  the  heritage  that  hath  bin  promifed  vs  in  all 
age3,and  which  God  offereth  yet  ftiil  at  this  day  by  the  do6lrine  o£ 
ihe  Gofpeilv 

And  now  let  vs  caft  oui'  felues  downe  before  the  Maieftie  of  our 
good  God  with  acknowledgement  of  our  finnes,  praying  him  too 
make  vs  perceyue  the  more  and  more,  that  it  may  caufe  vs  to  vvalke 
in  fuch  wife  in  his  feare,  as  we  may  feeke  nothing  but  too  dedicate 
our  felues  wholly  v^nto  him^and  that  according  as  he  feeth  vs  wrap- 
ped in  feeblenelTe  and  corruption,  it  maypleafe  him  too  clenzevs 
thereof  by  his  holy  fpirit,and  to  beare  with  vs  too  the  end.  That  it 
may  pleafe  him  to  graunt  this  grace,not  onely  to  vs,  but  aifo  too  alt 
people  and  nacions  of  the  earth  Sec* 

T/:w. 2  \, Sermon^  which  is  thefeuenth 

]>pon  the  ihird  chapter^ 

i^»    VVhcreroo  then  feriietli  tlie  Lavve  >  It  was  added 
bycaufcof  traofgrefsion^tillthe  fecdecame  too 

whom. 


10. 


the  EpiU.to  the  (^alathtans.      1^6 

whom  the  promts  was  made :  and  it  was  ordcy- 
ncd  by  Angdlesin  thehandot  a  Mediator. 
Now  a  Mediator  is  not  of  on  e^  but  God  is  one. 


1^^ 

M 

^^s 

B 

w 

K 

fa 

^M 

Ecliane  feene  heretofore,  tliat  before  the  gl- 
uing of  the  Lawe,Gocl  had  aheadie  fhewed  his 
goodneffe,  yea  euen  his  free  goodneffe  in  the 
linage  of  AbraIiam;too  the  end  that  the  lewes 
(hould  not  haue  any  other  leaningftocke  for 
their  faJuation,  than  the  fayd  promis  that  God 
would  hauepiiie  vppon  them  and  (hewe  them 


mercie,  in  fending  th^ma  Redeemer,by  whom  they  (hould  obtaine 
forgiuenefle  of  their  finnes.  HerevpponS.Paulc  inferreth,that  the 
lawe  which  came  after  the  promis,mu{l  not  difanul  that  which  God 
had  already  ordeyned  and  concluded :  howbeit  that  in  the  meane 
while  it  might  feeme  that  the  lawe  was  added  too  help  the  promis, 
as  though  the  promis  had  bin  weakc  of  it  felfe.   For  after  the  fame 
mancr  doth  the  Apoftle  reafon  in  the  Epiflle  to  the  Hebrewes :  and  Hchr.ZJtv 
bycaufe  ir  is  fayd  by  the  Prophet  leremie,  that  God  ^^-ill  giue  a  new       -r. 
lawe,diatis  too  wit  the  Gofpell :  the  Apoftie  inferreth,  that  then  it 
muft  needes  followe  that  the  lawe  which  was  giuen  by  Moyfes  was 
weike  and  had  no  fnch  perfe<5iion  in  it  as  a  man  might  truft  vntoo. 
It  may  well  feeme  at  the  firfle  blu{h,that  a  man  might  fay  as  mvich 
on  the  contrarie  parte  :  namely  that  for  afmuch  as  the  lawe  was  gi- 
uen after  the  promis,it  was  done  for  fome  accomplifhmenr  byc^.ufe 
the  promis  was  not  fufficient  of  it  felf,  vnleiTe  it  borowed  perfe6lica 
elfe  where,  for  otherw^'fe  the  lawe  mi^ht  feeme  too  be  needelefle. 
But  it  were  againft  all  reafon  that  God  Hioulde  haue  giuen  a  neede- 
leffe  dodrine.    Therefore  it  ftandeth  vs  on  hande  too  knowe  too 
what  pui-pofe  the  lawe  ferueth,  and  too  what  ende  it  was  giuen,  or 
clfe  wee  (hall  alwayes  bee  of  opinion  that  the  prcniis  was  vnfuflici- 
ent,and  could  not  faue  vs  but  in  parte  Here^'^  6  S.Paule  dcclareth, 
that  God  in  giuing  of  his  lawe  had  a  farrc  otljer  meenyng  and  in- 
tent, than  they  imagine  whiche  feeke  their  rii  liLucufnelTe  in  ir,  and 
IRake  It  the  mcancs  of  their  ialuation.  For  it  was  giuen  (fayctli  he) 

V'.iiij.  bycr.uie 


Chap.3-  foXaLxxj.Sermonypon 

bicaufe  of  tranlgrefsion  :not  for  that  there  needed  a  bridle  bicaufe 
the  vv'orld  was  wicked  and  froward :  for  we  know  there  were  iawes 
and  flatutes  made  among  menne,  according  too  the  vyces  that  had 
neede  too  bee  redrefTed.  If  all  men  were  Angelles,  fo  as  there  were 
nothing  out  of  fquarc,  but  euery  man  behaued  himfelFe  well  of  his 
o  vvne  accord,fo  as  there  needed  no  amendment :  then  were  Lavves 
too  no  purpofe  at  all.  VYhat  is  the  caufe  then  that  we  haue  ne  ede 
of  Co  many  lawes  and  ftamtes  c'The  naughtinefTe  of  men,  bycaufe 
they  cea{re  not  too  rufh  out  intoo  all  euill,  and  therefore  remcdie  is 
fayne  to  bee  prouided  for  it :  like  as  if  there  were  no  difeafes,  there 
fhould  neede  no  phifike :  but  mens  vnrulinelTe  caufeth  difeafes,  and 
therefore  remedies  muftneedes  bee  prouided.  Sothenfeyng  that 
men  haue  neede  to  be  bridled  and  as  it  were  reftreyned,  it  is  a  fure 
record  that  they  are  bent  too  all  eulU,  and  vtterly  frowarde  of  their 
owne  nature.  But  S.Paule  ment  not  after  that  fort  in  his  foremen- 
tioned  faying :  He  intended  too  paffe  further :  namely  that  God 
purpofed  too  bewray  mennes  wickedneffe  by  meanes  of  the  Lawe. 
And  this  reafon  is  peremptorie,  too  fhewe  that  wee  bee  not  able  ta 
purchace  rightuoufnefle :  for  heate  and  cold  come  not  bothe  out  of 
©ne  fpring.  If  a  fountayne  bee  fweetc,  there  is  no  feeking  of  bitter- 
nefle  in  it :  but  cleanecontrarywife,if  a  fountaine  be  bitter  or  brac- 
kifh/weete  water  muft  be  fought  for  in  another  fpring.Euen  fo  is  it 
with  tlie  Law.  And  wherefore  was  it  giucn :'  To  proue  men  double 
giltie  before  God, that  th e ir  hypocrifie  might  not  ftand  them  in  any^ 
more  (lead,  nor  they  haue  occafion  to  flatter  themfelues  any  more, 
or  too  fhrowde  themfelues  vnder  their  vayne  excuces  as  they  haue 
bin  wont  too  doo.  And  that  is  the  caufe  why  S.  Paule  in  the  fourth 
^Gffj,A,c,\c  too  the  Romanes,  rcafoneth  that  a  man  cannot  bee  iuTtjfied  by  the 
Law.  For  (fayeth  he)  the  Lawe  bringeth  nothing  but  wrath.  And  hy 
the  woord  wrath  he  meeneth  Gods  vengeance.Lyfe  and  death  can- 
not come  both  of  the  Lawe,  but  in  fundry  refpe6les.  Now  the  Lawe 
is  deathfull  vmtoo  all  of  vs,fo  that  it  condemneth  vs  and  flieweth  vs 
that  wee  bee  all  curfed  and  abhominable  before  God :  and  therfore 
what  a  fodnefle  is  it  to  feeke  rightuoufnefle  by  it,  as  who  fhould  fay 
that  God  ought  to  take  vs  into  his  fauour  for  the  keepin<^  of  it:' But 
he  declai-eth  this  mater  more  familiarly  in  the.  vij.  to  the  Romanes, 

whe» 


the  EptH.to  the  (jalathiam.        157 

when  hee  fayth  that  by  the  Lawe  iinne  becommeth  out  of  meafnrc  rp^^  -  ^  • 
finfull.For  there  is  ynough  to  condemnevs  though  there  were  no 
lawe  at  all,  according  as  it  is  fayde,  that  they  which  fmne  without 
lawe,  (hall  perifh  without  lawe,thatis  to  wit,  although  the  heathen  m^  ^i  ^ 
folke  had  no  inftru6lion  whereby  to  be  rebuked :  yet  had  they  a  re-    ^  '  '  ' 
corde  ingi-auen  in  their  confciences^which  did  find  them  guiitie.  Ye 
fee  then  that  men  are  fufficiently  worthy  to  be  condemned  though 
-God  go  not  vp  into  his  iudgement  reate,nor  cyte  them,nor  examin 
them,howbeeit  that  fuch  as  iinne  and  ofFende  agaynflGod,  charge 
not  themfelues  with  their  fauIts.For  we  be  fo  giue  to  felffoothing, 
that  euerieof  vs  weltereth  andfleepeth  in  his  owne  filth,  infomuch 
that  tiii  the  lawe  touch  vs  too  the  quicke,our  confciences  are  as  it 
were  benummed,  and  to  be  ihort,  euerie  man  difpenfcth  with  him- 
felfe^and  taketh  leaue  too  doo  euill.  But  wh«n  the  Lawe  fteppeth 
forth,  then  is  finne  knowne,  and  euerie  manfpite  of  his  teeth,mufl: 
be  faine  to  ftoupe  before  God,  or  elfe  gnafhe  his  teeth  at  him  as  a 
rebell.  Ncuerthelefle  God  gatherethvstoohimby  thekwe,  by 
bringing  vs  to  the  knowledge  of  our  curfednefTe.  To  be  fhortjit  is  al 
one  as  if  a  man  had  his  face  all  berayed :  euery  man  might  mocke  at 
him;  but  he  himfelfe  fhould  not  fee  it.  But  if  one  bring  him  a  glafle, 
he  is  afhamed  of  himfelfe„and  hydes  his  face,  and  goes  his  way  too 
wafhhis  face  when  hee  fees  it  fo  diffigured  with  filthineflc.  Or  if  a 
man  be  fo  yll  fauoured  that  he  maketh  folke  afrayd  with  his  looke  : 
he  thinketh  not  that  that  fault  commeth  of  his  owne  perfon,  till  he 
haue  a  looking  glaffe  fet  before  him .    Euen  fo  is  it  with  vs.  For 
though  all  of  vs  be  faped  in  wickedneffe  and  finne ,  infomuch  that 
heauen  and  earth  are  afhamed  of  vs,  and  God  prepareth  horrible 
condemnation  for  vs  :  yet  ceafle  we  not  too  keepe  on  our  race  and 
to  be  retchleffe  flill.  And  why  fo  C'  For  our  finfulnefTe  is  vnknowne 
to  vs,andhypocrifiedothfo  blindfoldc  our  eyes,  that  we  perceyuc 
not  our  owne  curfednefTe.  But  the  Lawe  fliewcthvs  whatwebt'e, 
and  therewithal!  fetteth  Gods  iudgcmet  before  vs.  For  on  the  one 
fide  it  fayth,ye  fhail  do  all  thcfc  things  vnder  payn;2  of  curfing.  And   - 
what  maner  of  things  are  they  c'  it  is  not  ynough  for  vs  to  abfteync 
onely  in  refpe6lof  our  feete,handes,  eyes,  and  eares  :  but  we  muft 
l>e  pure  and  clere  from  all  lufting-.there  muft  be  fucli  an  vncorrupt- 

V-v.  neir« 


Chap.3.  fo.Cal.xxj.Sermonypon 

nefTc  in  vSjthat  all  our  fenfes, thoughts,  and  affe6lions  mud  ame  at 
God/o  as  no  inticements  of  this  worlde  may  holde  vs  backe.  And 
where  is  this  to  be  founds  c'  Befydes  thys ,  beholde,  God  beeing 
fette  as  aludge  in  his  feate,  hathe  alreadie  g^'uen  fentence  of  cur- 
fednefle  vppon  vs  as  foone  as  wee  bee  founde  too  bee  tran^reC* 
fers  as  wee  bee .    Vee  fee  then  that  mankynde  is  in  miferobie  ta- 
king. And  that  is  it  that  Saint  Paulement  in  this  T<?xt,  when  hee 
faydethatth^Lawe  was  added  for  tranfgrefsion,  It  is  true  that 
the  Law€  ferueth  too  other  purpofes  ajfo  :  namely,  firft  of  all,  too 
fhewe  vs  the  waye  too  feme  God .    But  wee  knowe  that  hee  will 
bee  honoured  vvyth  obedience,  and  not  haueeuery  ofvstoo  bcr 
haue  himfeife  after  his  owne  lyking.  The  Lawe  therefore  gyueth 
vs  the  difference  betweene  good  and  euill.For  what  is  the  reafona^ 
ble  feruice  which  wee  owe  vnto  God  c'  It  is  too  fubmit  our  felues 
^     9^1^°^  ^^^  wylijfayeth  SaindPaule.  Seeing  it  is  fo,  yee  pcrceyue  that 
^  *    *  *  *   the  Lawe  ferueth  to  excellent  good  purpofe  :  namely  that  where- 
as wee  labour  in  vayne  too  ferue  God  after  our  owne  imaginati- 
on, it  (heweth  vs  the  waye  in  fuche  wyfe  as  wee  cannot  myfle ,  and 
gyueth  vs  the  rule  whiche  wee  ought  too  keepe  by.  Furthermore, 
when  Sain6l  Paule  fayd  that  the  Lawe  was  gyuen  bycaufe  of  tranf- 
grefsion, it  came  not  in  his  minde  to  rehearfe  al  1  the  frute  and  pro- 
fite  which  the  Lawe  bringeth  with  it :  for  (as  I  haue  fayde  alreadie) 
it  ferueth  alfo  for  our  inftrudion ,  that  wee  might  learne  too  dif- 
*  cerne  betweene  good  and  euill :  and  againc  it  quickeneth  vs  vp,  as 

thougheGod  (houlde  g^aie  vs  ftrokes  with  the  fpurre,  too  make 
vsapplyour  felues  the  more  diligently  vnto hym.  But  hee  fpake 
according  too  this  prefent  matter,  and  accordmg  too  the  groundc 
of  the  text  that  he  treateth  of.  Now  then  he  flieweth  that  the  Lawe 
is  not  fuperfluous,and  yet  that  it  ferueth  not  to  bring  vs  too  rightu- 
oufnefTe,  but  in  {lead  thereof  car^Tth  vs  to  fuch  confufion,  that  we 
muft  needcs  be  founde  to  be  double  fmnerSjand  are  more  condem- 
ned, and  leffe  excufable  than  before ,  fo  as  there  is  nothing  before 
vs  but  a  bottomlelTe  goulfe.  Lo  to  what  end  the  Law  was  giuen  vs. 
But  hee  fayeth  that  it  was  added  too  the  promife,  whereby  wee  bee 
done  too  vnderftand,  that  the  adding  of  it  was  not  for  that  the  pro- 
mife was  weake  of  it  felf;  and  vnabie  tabring  men  to  faluation,  fo 

as 


the  EptH.to  the  Qalathiam.        158 

as  there  fhouldc  neede  fomc  other  incomnie :  it  was  nothinp  To, 
fayeth  Saint  Paule :  but  it  was  added  too  make  menneknowe  that 
God  had  rightfully  condemned  them  all,  and  that  they  coulde  not 
haue  any  releefe ,  but  fhoulde  be  continually  tormented  with  fucb 
VTiquietneflethatthey  fhouWe  bee  alwayes  indifpayre,.  till  they 
reftedthemfeluesvponthe  fayde  promife.  Nowe  if  it  be  alledged 
that  the  promife  might  haue  ferucd  that  turne  afore  :  the  anfwerc 
and  folution  is  verie  eafie  .  For  although  God  in  offering himfelfc 
to  be  our  Sauiour,  do  thereby  fbewe  that  we  bee  all  damned  in  ouy 
felues  till  he  haue  pitie  vpon  vs  :  yet  can  we  not  be  helped  as  were 
requifite,  vntill  fuche  tyme  as  hee  fcare  vs.    By  hys  promyfc  hec 
calleth  vs  gently,  and  after  a  fatherly  maner :  and  no  doubt  but  the 
fame  ought  to  make  vs  perceyue  our  miferyes,  and  to  bee  forie  for 
them :  but  we  bee  fo  fail  afleepe  in  our  fmnes^that  we  neuer  thinke 
on  them, except  we  be  compelled.  Although  then  that  vpon  Gods 
making  of  the  promife,menhad  caufe  to  lament  theirfmneSjto  the 
end  they  might  reft  themfelues  wholy  vppon  the  grace  of  our  Lord 
lefus  Chrift :  yet  did  tliey  it  not,  till  God  hadftriken  them  as  it  had 
bin  with  many  blowes  of  a  Beetle  vpon  the  heade ,  which  thing  he 
dii<^  by  the  Lawe.  Moreouer  Saint  Paule  fheweth,  that  we  abufe  the 
gentlencffe  of  our  God  through  our  vnthankfulnefl  e,  by  caufe  that 
the  more  curteous  hee  fheweth  himfelfe  towardes  vs,  the  more 
occafion  do  we  tai^e  thereby  too  flatter  our  felues.  Therefore  hee 
muft  bee  fayne  too  rouze  vs  vp,  and  to  make  vs  fcele  what  we  bee> 
thereby  too  fcare  vs  and  driue  vs  too  feeke  his  fauour  in  good  car- 
neft.   Thus  yee  fee  what  the  woorde  Jfdded  importeth .  It  is  all 
one  if  Saint  I?aule  flioulde  blame  vs  for  that  wee  make  not  oure 
profite  of  Gods  goodnelfe,  feeyng  hee  alluretli  vs  fo  gently  vntoo 
him,  and  fheweth  himfelfe  as  meelde  as  may  bee  :  butgreeuehirr^ 
and  after  a  fort  inforce  hym  too  vfe  rygour  agaynft  vs,  too  beate  vs 
downeby  that  meanes,and  fo  to  prepare  vs  too  the  feeking  of  hys 
•^•ace,  the  which  wee  fhall  finde  in  oure  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  when* 
foeuer  wee  iyft.    And  heerewythall  Saint  Paule  addeth,that  th» 
Lawe  fenied  but  til/ the /cede  came  to  yi^home  the  promif€'i»as\nade. 
'■•     This  concerneth  properlye  the  Ceremonyes ,  or  elfe  wee 
mxSi  take  it  too  bee  fpoken  of  the  Lawe  with  all  his  appurtenances^ 
'■'■'•  circumftancesj. 


Chap  J.  fQ.CaLxxj.Sermonypon 

circumftances  and  appendants  as  men  termcihem.  Ifvp^e  take  the 
Lawe  for  no  more  but  the  ten  commaundements,  the  thing  thatS,. 
Paiile  fpeaketh  will  not  ftande.  For  the  lawe  niuft  euen  at  this  day 
haue  fuch  force  with  vs^as  to  be  our  rule  of  good  life,  and  to  fhcwe 
vs  Gods  \vill,that  we  may  not  liue  like  vagabondes,and  gad  abrode 
at  aladuenturc;  but  haue  our  way  plaine  before  vs.  The  lawe  then 
isnottranfitorie  in  refpe^lof  fhewing  vs  what  is  good,  for  it  muft 
continue  to  the  worldes  ende.  But  wee  muft  marke  Sain<5l  Psules 
difcourfe  :  for  he  taketh  the  lawe ,  as  conteyning  the  promifes  and 
ihreatnings,  andalfo  the  Ceremonies.  Then  on  the  one  fide  there 
UU.\6.  .J  .g  j-^j^-^  promifejhe  that  doth  thefe  things  fliall  liue  in  them,as  we 
J  '?^'     hauefeeneheeretofore.  And  on  the  other  fide  there  is  this  threat, 
^  *       curfed  is  he  that  fulfiUeth  not  all  that  is  conteyned  hecre.  Now  ihe 
lawe,  (as  we  fee)promifeth  faluation  to  none  but  fuch  as  liue  purely 
and  vncorruptly :  but  all  of  vs  come  fhort  of  that,and  therefore  the 
promife  of  the  lawe  is  to  no  purpofe .  Marke  that  for  one  poynt.  If 
it  be  alledged,  what  Sirra  c"  Ment  God  too  mocke  men  <  I  fay,  no : 
but  they  haue  alwayes  beguiled  themfelues  with  vainglorie  and 
prefumption, bearing  themfelues  in  hande  that  they  could  purchace 
their  owne  faluation :  and  therefore  God  is  fayne  too  fay  vntoo 
them,  Goto,  if  ye  bee  fo  able  men  as  ye  thinke,  fhew  it :  as  for  me, 
{  giue  you  my  Lawe,  and  bicaufe  you  fliall  not  thinke  your  felues 
ill  delt  with  for  your  fe  ruing  of  me ,  your  wages  is  readie  for  yoaif 
you  performe  it.  Beholde,  I  aflurc  you  of  eueriafting  life  out  of 
hande :  nowe  let  me  fee  a  little  what  you  can  do,buskle  your  felues 
to  your  worke.  But  when  men  haue  tryed  the  vttermoft  that  is  in 
them,  furely  they  (hall  perceyue  their  owne  weakenefTe  which  was 
hidden  afore.    Thus  ye  fee  that  the  promife  of  the  Lawe  can  haue 
none  cffeel  towardes  vs,and  yet  it  is  not  guilefull,  for  it  ferueth  vs 
to  another  ende.  As  touching  the  threates  of  it ,  it  is  infallible,  for 
we  be  all  damned  by  diis  threatning ,  Curfed  is  he  that  performeth 
not  all.  But  we  come  fo  farre  fhort  of  performing  aJl,  that  there  is 
not  one  poynt  but  wee  fayle  of  it.  If  wee  thinke  too  ferue  God  by 
halues,  it  is  nothing :  for  he  hath  not  feparatedone  peece  from  a- 
nother,  but  will  that  he  which  walketh  in  chaftitie,  fliaJl  alfp  abftain 
from  theft,robberie,  craft,  extortion,  and  all  other  fmnes. .  Seeiqg 

it  is 


the  EpiB.  to  the  ^ a  tat h  tans,     ijp 

k  Is  fo,  kt  vs  marke  that  the  threate  holdeth  all  fhet  vp  Tndcr  it^ 
and  that  is  the  thing  that  Saint  Paule  had  an  eye  vnto.  As  touching 
the  Ceremonies,  they  were  a  confirmation  that  all  of  vs  are  accur- 
fed,  according  as  1  haue  tolde  you,  howe  Saint  Panic  in  hisEpiftle 
to  the  CoUofsians,  lykeneth  them  to  obligations  and  autenticall  e-  CqI  2C.14. 
uidence,that  ferue  too  holdea  man  moil  ilraytly  bounde.  If  a  man 
haue  borowed  apeecc  of  money,  he  is  a  detter,  and  giueth  a  bill  of 
his  hande  for  it.  But  iF  hce  binde  his  goodes  or  bodic  for  it  by  re- 
Tcognifance  []or  Statute,]  fo  as  his  dcQdQ  is  inrolled  of  common  Re- 
corde  :  tlien  is  he  bounde  more  ftraytly  than  hee  was  before.  Euea 
fo  is  it  with  the  Ceremonies.  The  lawe  of  it  felfe  was  ynough  toa 
condemne  men  bicaufe  they  are  all  offenders :  howbeeit  forafmuch 
as  God  faw  the  pride  that  is  rooted  in  our  nature,  he  added  the  Ce- 
remonies for  an  ouerplus,  to  the  ende  they  fhoulde  be  as  a  folemne 
bonde  agaynft  vs.  But  nowe  Saint  Paule  fayth ,  that  all  this  geerc 
ferued  but  till  the  promifed  feede  were  come  :  that  is  too  wit,  that 
the  lawe  ferued  not  too  holde  thofe  in  flauerie  and  bondage  which 
put  their  ti'uft  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift ,  but  to  bring  them  to  him, 
that  therethey  might  find  the  thing  which  they  wanted  in  the  law. 
So  then  wee  fee  that  Gods  vfing  of  rygour  in  condemning  of  vs^ 
procureth  our  welfare ,  and  his  thundering  vppon  vs  after  that  fa- 
fhion  is  a  witnefTe  of  his  fingular  goodneffe  towardcs  vs.  And  why 
fo :'  I  haue  tolde  you  alreadie,and  experience  fheweth  it  too  much, 
that  we  ceaffe  not  to  abufe  his  gentleneffe ,  and  too  drawe  it  clcane 
ccntrarie  to  his  meening.  Therefore  he  is  fayne  to  rouze  vs  vp,  and 
to  fhew  himfelfe  to  be  our  iudgc,and  to  make  vs  heere  this  dread- 
ful! fentence,able  to  caftvs  into  difpayre,  that  there  is  nothing  for 
vs  to  looke  for  but  euerlafting  death  :  and  finally  too  confinne  and 
ratifie  the  fame  fentence  ftill.  Yea  but  all  this  is  but  too  make  vs 
floupe,  that  beeing  at  our  wittes  ende,  we  fhould flee  to  our  Lorde 
lefus  Chrift  with  a  true  and  vnfeyned  zeale,  and  leame  to  reft  vpon 
him  when  we  bee  troubled  with  vnquietnefTe  and  torment  of  con- 
fciencc.  Thus  ye  fee  why  Saint  Paule  hath  fayd  exprefTelyjthat  the 
lawe  was  giuen  too  continue  no  longer, than  till  the  promifed  feede 
was  come.  Nowe  if  a  man  demaunde ,  howe  then  did  the  fathers 
©bteyne  faluation^Ianfv/ere^  that  die  We  raigned  and  had  his  full ' 

fcop« 


Chap.  3.  ^Q^  CaL  xxj.  Sermon  yj?on 

feopcfls  in  refpeil  of  outwarde  order  before  the  commin*  of  cure 
Lorde  lefiis  Chrift  :  but  yet  for  all  that  the  fathers  mylTed  not  too 
refort  too  the  grace  that  W3S  promyfed  them ,  although  they  fawe 
it  not,  as  wee  (hall  fee  more  plainely  hereafter.    Then  is  it  a  thing 
Vtterly  out  of  all  doubt ,  that  the  Lawe  did  nothing  preiudice  the 
fromife,  nor  was  added  for  any  helpe  of  it,  as  though  the  promife 
had  not  bin  fufficient  of  it  felfe  too  faluation  :  but  that  it  ferued  too 
corre£lmennes  pr^^de  and  prefuinptuoufncfle,  toothe.ende  they 
--     might  with  all  lowlinefie  feeke  the  mercie  that  is  profered  them 
in  lefus  Chrifr,  and  by  his  meancs  bee  able  to  receyue  it  and  inioy 
it.  And hcerevpon  Saint  Paule  ^ddnh^tbat  the LiJi^e n^as  ordeyned  or 
Muered  by  the  hande  of  j[ngelles,and  m  the  bande  of  a  Mediator, Here 
he  ^uthorifeth  the  Lawe,  too  (hewe  that  it  ougjit  to  bee  receyued 
mm  all  reuerence,  but  yet  not  be  applyed  too  any  other  ende  than 
Godhath  appoynted.For  proofe  hereof  he  fpeakcth  of  the  Angels, 
as  if  he  had  fayd  that  God  had  witnefTes  ynow  to  giue  authoritie  to 
his  Law,andthcrewithall  fhewed  how  it  ought  to  be  taken  &  herd. 
But  the  cheefefl  matter  is  in  his  fettingdowne  of  the  Mediator : 
that  is  to  wit,  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  True  it  is  that  many  men  haue 
taken  this  fayingto  be  mentof  Moyfes,  as  though  he  had  bin  called 
the  Mediator  betwene  God  and  men^as  in  refpe^l  of  do6lrine  :  but 
that  cart  by  no  meanes  ftande.  For  Paule  dooth  firft  fet  downe  the 
A'ngels,and  afterward  addeth  the  Mediator  as  cheefe,  and  he  is  here 
in  higher  degree  than  they, which  cannot  bee  verified  of  the  perfon 
.    of  Moyfes.Moreouer  we  fee  what  Saint  Paule  difcourfeth.  He  fhe- 
weth  that  there  was  no  diuerfitiebetweene  the  Lawe  and  the  Gof- 
pell  in  the  free  promife  of  faluation.  For  the  confirming  thereof, 
he  bringeth  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chriil ,  andfayeth,  that  when  the 
Lawe  was  gyuen,  it  was  done  by  his  hande  and  dire6lion.    Truely 
this  woorde  Hande  in  the  holy  Scripture  dooth  oftentymes  import, 
force,  poMfgr,  orjlrength :  but  he  ere  wee  fee  howe  Saint  Paule  ma- 
keth  comparifon  bet\veene  lefus  Chriftandtlie  Angelles.  He  fet- 
tpeth  downe  the  Angels  that  were  affembled  there  to  make  his  Lzvr 
Va  bee  heard  among  men ,  and  too  bee  receyued  of  them  wy  thout 
gainfaying.  Therefore  they  were  as  witneiTes  of  Gods  Maieftic : 
but  hee  fettcth  downe  the  Mediator  as  the  greater.  The  hande 

theiefore 


the  EpiH.to  the  (Jalathians.     \6o 

therefore  importeth  dire£lion;as  if  he  had  fayde,  that  hec  had  high- 
eft  place^  and  was  cheefe  Commifsioner  in  fetting  out  the  Lawe* 
And  we  muft  not  thinke  this  ftrauuge  :  for  when  the  Angell  appc- 
red  vTitoo  Moyfes,  hee  fayde,  I  am  the  Euerlafting.   There  hee  is  Bx9,ra.  4, 
named  an  Angell .  Therefore  is  hee  Gods  meiTenger  as  tlie  words 
betokeneth  :  and  yet  notvvithflanding  hee  fayeth ,  lam  the  Euer- 
lafting,  that  haue  my  bccing  of  my  felfe  :  which  faying  could  not  be 
verified  of  any  creature  :  and  as  for  the  Angels  they  were  made  of 
nothing  as  well  as  we.  Then  had  it  bin  high e  treafon  for  an  Angell 
too  haue  taken  vppon  him  the  t^'tle  that  agrccth  to  none  but  God . 
alone.    Tlierefore  muft  wee  conclude  ,  that  that  Angell  was  lefus 
Chrift,  who  executed  the  office  of  Mediator  aforehande,according'  i.Co.i  o.  Jr 
ly  as  Saint  Paule  treateth  thereof  in  the  fiiil  too  the  Corinthian?,        n, 
where  he  fpeaketh  of  the  lewes  rebellioufneffejand  of  theirprouo- 
kingof  Godto  difpleafureby  their  murmuring  and  wicked  lufts.He 
fayeth  that  they  tempted  lefus  Chrift  which  led  them  and  guided 
the  through  the  wildemefle.  No  doubt  thcrfore  but  that  our  Lore} 
lefus  Chrift  was  euen  the  the  Mediator;,  yea  euen  to  reconcile  men 
to  Godhis  father  after  diuerfe  maners.  Andhcereyc  fee  why  the 
Apoftle  in  the  Epiftle  too  the  Hebrewes  fayeth  that  the  fame  le-  /f^^j,  ^  « 
fus  Chrift  whiche  is  too  day,  was  yefterday,  andfhallbeeftilito- 
morrowe  euen  too  the  worldesendc ,  too  the  intent  that  rnen 
(houlde  holde  themfclues  too  him,  and  not  wander  any  mots  .jji 
ftraunge  dochines.    But  nowe  he/;  addeth,Iefus  Chrift  then  hathe 
bin  a  meane  betwixt  God  and  men, to  the  intent  that  poore  finners 
might  find  fome  releefe,  and  that  although  they  had fomehartby- 
tin^s  by  beeing  troubled  with  Gods  iudgements,yet  neuertheleffe 
they  might  alfo  be  coforted,  fcing  that  God  offered  the  a  Mediator 
by  whom  they  might  obteyne  grace  to  come  vnto  him.  Howbeeit 
lefus  Chrift  is  our  Mediator  after  another  faOiion  alfo ,  which  is 
that  by  him  God  hath  alwaycs  communicated  himfelfe  to  men.Foi^ 
there  is  fuche  a  diftance  betwixt  God  and  vs ,  fo  long  as  wee  bee-, 
eftraunged  from  him  by  fmne  :  that  wee  cannot  come  at  hym. 
And  hee  will  not  come  downe  too  vs  for  his  part ,  except  it  bee.  ^    ol    ^ 
hy  the  Mediator,  according  alfo  as  itisfhewed  in  Jacobs  vifion^    f.25.iz.ia- 
m  Genefis.     For  there  it  is  fayde,  that  lacob  fawe  a  Ladder, 


vfga 


Chap,  3.  Jo^  CaL  xxj.  Sermon  ypon 

rpon  the  toppc  whereof  fate  God  in  his  Maieftie ,  and  the  AngeU 
went  vp  and  downe  \^on  that  ladder.  And  no  doubt  but  that  in  that 
figure  or  Image^our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  was  reprefentcd  vnto  lacob, 
to  Hiewe  that  men  are  banifhcd  from  Gods  kingdome,  till  there  be 
a  meane  that  reacheth  vp  from  beneath,  as  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifl 
doth,  who  bejng  on  the  one  fide  God  manifefled,  dooth  furmount 
jiU  the  hcauens,  and  on  the  other  fide,  being  ioyncd  vnto  vs  in  that 
hee  is  clothed  with  our  nature,  and  is  become  a  man,  (yea  eucn  a 
frayle  and  mortall  man,  finne  excepted,)  hath  taken  vpon  him  and 
borne  our  infirmities,  though  he  himfelfe  were  without  fpot.    So 
then,ye  fee  howe  the  lawe  was  giuen  long  ago  by  the  hande  of  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  V\1ierevpon  it  followeth  that  there  is  no  con- 
trarietie  bstwene  the  Lawe  and  the  Gofpell.  For  lefus  Chrift  is  al- 
wayes  one  without  any  variableneffe.  Nowe  let  vs  fee  what  Saint 
Paulc  addeth,  namely  that  the  Mdiator  is  not  of  one,  hut  that  Cod  is 
one.  In  faying  that  the  Mediator  is  not  of  one,  he  meeneth  that  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chrift  came  too  gather  toogither  againe  all  things  that 
were  fcattered  bothe  in  heauen  and  earth ,  accordingly  alfo  as  hec 
Cil.u.zo,  fpealicth  of  it  in  the  firft  too  the  CoUofsians.  Truely  fome  haue  ta- 
ken the  meening  of  this  text  to  bee,that  lefus  Chrift  was  of  mo  na- 
tures than  one,  or  that  although  hee  were  the  Mediator  betwecne 
God  8c  men,yet  did  it  not  follow  that  there  was  diuerfitie  betwcne 
th  -Lawe  and  the  Gofpell.  But  doubtlefle.  Saint  Paul es  meening 
heere,is  to  gather  againe  th^  It  ves,  and  the  Gentiles  :  as  if  hec  had 
fayde,  lefus  Chrift  was  tlie  Mediator  in  giuing  of  the  Lawe,  as  the 
partie  by  whofe  meanes  god  ment  to  humble  men, that  they  might 
be  partakers  of  his  grace.  Howbeit  let  vs  raarke  that  our  Lorde  le- 
fus Chrift  who  was  the  continuall  Mediator  in  giuing  the  Lawe  too 
the  lewes,  had  therewithall  a  Commifsion  that  ftretched  yet  fur- 
ther :  that  k  to  wit, to  gather  and  knit  togither  againe  the  Gentiles, 
which  were  eftraunged  from  God.For  although  God  did  for  a  time 
preferre  the  lynage  of  Abraham  before  all  the  reft  of  the  worlde : 
yet  notwithftanding  in  the  ende  our  Lorde  made  vs  parttakers  of 
th«  faluation  wherevnto  we  were  ftraungers, and  it  behoued  vs  that 
were  farre  off,  to  be  gathered  togither  againe,  as  thofe  that  had  bin 
aeere  neighbours  afore.  And  therefore  Saint  Paule  in  another  text 

calling 


theEpifl.to  the  (jalathiam.       i6l 

tailing  lefusChrift  our  peace,  fay th  that  he  hath  ioyned  and  knit  Uph.iJ.iy 
vs  vnto  God,  eiien  vs  that  Wad  bin  neere  him  before,  as  well  the 
leweswhirhhadtheLawe,  asthofe  that  had  binvtterly  deuided 
from  them.  They  that  carft  had  none  acquayntance  with  God, 
were  in  tlie  ende  gathered  togither  agayiie  into  the  body  of  the 
Chiirch  at  the  comming  of  the  anoynted,  and  fo  were  they  alfo 
which  had  heretofore  bin  feparatcd  a  great  way  olT,not  only  from 
God;but  alfo  one  from  another.  Now  wee  fee  S.  P^^ules  nieaning. 
Howbeit.that  we  may  profite  the  better  by  this  text ,  kt  vs  markc 
that  as  God  hath  giuen  vs  his  Lawe  by  the  Angels  :  fo  fhall  they 
beare  witnefle  agaynft  vs  if  the  Lawe  beare  no  fway  witli  \'s ,  and 
that  wee  make  none  account  of  it,  but  doo  as  it  were  treade  it  vn- 
derour  feete.Then  (hall  the  Angels  bee  arm'jd  too  aske  vengeance 
at  Gods  haAde  agaynd  our  wickcdnclTe  and  rebellion.  »For  it  was 
no  babes  play  when  God  willed  his  Angels  too  bee  prefent  and  af- 
fifting  at  the  publifhing  of  his  Lawe.  7  herefore  it  was  to  the  endc 
it  fhould  bee  receyued  with  all  reuerence.Nowe  it  is  tme  that  wee 
can  not  perfourme  all  that  the  Lawe  commaundedi ,  and  if  wee 
fhould  (tande  vpon  that  poynt,  vree  fhould  bee  plunged  into  euer- 
lafting  death,  and  vtterly  ouei-whelmed  in  difpayre.  But  iirft  of 
all,  feeing  that  God  is  fo  gracious  too  vs  as  too  teache  vs  his  "wAl^ 
too  the  ende  wee  fliouid  difceme  betweene  good  and  euiil :  let  vs   , 
bowe  downe  our  neckes,  and  receyue  the  yoke  that  God  layeth 
vpon  vs,to  make  vs  fubie£l  vnto  him.Let  that  feme  for  one  point. 
And  for  as  muche  as  the  Lawe  dooth  quicken  vs,  and  cheare  vs  vp 
when  wee  bee  hartfrofen,  and  when  there  is  fuche  llouth  and  flow- 
nefle  in  vs  as  wee  cannot  come  vnto  God :  Let  euery  of  v^s  looke 
well  too  him  felfe,  and  early  and  late  call  too  minde  Gods  com- 
maundementSpto  reprouc  our  felues  withall.Then  let  vs  bethinke 
ourfelues  better/eeing  that  the  Angels  keepe  watch  and  warde.a- 
bout  vS;&:  will  not(now  after  that  God  hath  giuen  them  in  charge 
to  authorife.  his  Lawe)  futfer  vs  to  dcfpile  it,  and  mifufe  it  as  if  it 
were  a  thing  of  nothing.  Furthermore,  as  touching  that  the  Lav.'e 
curfeth  vs  :  let  vs  alTure  our  felues  that  although  men  commende 
vs,and  clap  tlieir  hands  at  vs  for  ioy,yet  (hail  we  be  put  to  fname 
before  the  Angels  of  hcaueaThen  if  the  whole  world  fauoiu  vs,it 

X.  is 


chap.j:  yo.  Cal.xxij.fermon  ypon 

is  notKIng.  For  to  what  ende  was  it  Gods  will  that  all  his  Angels , 
fhould  appearc  togither  at  the  publifhing  of  his  Jaw^hut  to  teach  vS 
to  be  afliamed  of  our  rinnes,and  therby  to  humble  vS  in  good  ear- 
ned, that  wee  might  feeke  all  our  welfare  in  our  Lordlefus  Chrift^ 
And  moreouer  where  as  it  is  fayd  that  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  was 
the  mediator  of  the  Lawe  :  let  vs  aflure  our  felues  that  if  we  refort 
wholly  to  his  grace,  wee  fhall  not  neede  to  feare  that  the  law  (hall 
haue  any  more  power  to  condemne  vS;,  yea  or  to  reigne  ouer  our 

^  finne.  For  we  muft  beare  in  minde  howe  S.Paule  in  the  firfl  to  the 

'  '  *    Corinthians  fayth^that  the  law  is  the  ftrength  of  finne^and  doth  fo 

^'  ^  *  iharpen  finne  as  it  woundeth  vs  deadly.  Seeing  it  is  fo  then  :  fure- 
]y  if  we  had  not  the  thing  that  is  fliewed  vs  heere  for  our  co  mfort^ 
we  lliould  be  ftrLken  with  fuch  feare,as  wee  could  not  bee  fure  of 
our  faluation ,  though  the  promifes  were  offered  vs  in  our  Lorde 
Jefus  Chi  ill.  For  wee  would  alwayes  matche  the  contrarie  things 
agaynfl  them ,  and  lay  the  Lawe  in  balance  with  them ,  faying : 
VV^hatC'was  not  the  Lawe  giuen  of  Godc'  But  God  condem- 
neth  vs  by  it.  Therefore  altliough  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  fteppe  in 
too  heipe  the  matter^  yet  doothe  it  not  feeme  that  wee  bee  efca- 
ped.  So  fhall  wee  alwayes  bee  in  trouble.  But  if  we  c^nnder  howe 
our  Lorde  lefus  was  the  mediator  in  the  publifl-iing  of  the  lawe :  it 
fheweth  vnto  vS;that  if  he  bee  our  aduocate  at  this  day,  it  will  bee 
a  good  and  fufiicient  difcharge  for  vs  :  in  fo  muche  that  although 
God  haue  pronounced  his  fentence  of  curfing  agaynfl:  vs,  yet  wee 
muft  not  be  difmayde  at  it,  norfo  ouerprefTed  with  hartgreefe  and 
anguifhe  of  mynde ,  as  though  the  mifchiefe  wer^  incurable  :  but 
affure  our  felues  that  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  wyll  very  well  agree 
too  doo  bothe  twayne ,  that  is  too  wit ,  bothe  make  vs  fihamed 
that  wee  may  learne  humilitie,  and  cherewithall  alfo  make  vs  fure 
of  our  faluation.  And  tlierefore  let  vs  learne,  that  whcnfoeuer  wee 
bee  beaten  downe,  there  is  none  other  meanes  too  rayfe  vs  vp  a- 
agayne,but  too  know  that  the  {elk  fame  perfon  which  was  ordey- 
ned  to  bee  the  mediator  for  the  pubiifhing  of  the  lawe,  is  now  mi- 
nifefled  vnto  vs  at  this  day  with  tl:ie  fame  commifsion ,  and  will 
make  vs  too  perceyiie  it  by  experience.  Further  let  vs  marke  that 
he  is  not  a  mediator  fgr  any  gn^  nation  aJgne^but  for  al  the  whole 
^7;  ■  '^         worlde* 


the  EpiHjo  the  ^alathians.      i6z 

worlde,  in  as  muchc  as  all  of  vs  are  the  creatures  of  God.  True  it 
is  that  wee  were  after  a  forte  cut  off  from  him  by  the  finne  of  A- 
dani,But  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  is  come  too  make  vp  the  breache 
agayne  that  was  both  in  heauen  and  in  earth,as  I  haue  alledged  al-  ^^/^y|  j^  ^^ 
rc^dy  out  of  the  firfl:  chapter  to  the  Colofsians.Seeing  it  is  fo  t4ien,     ^o. 
let  vs  not  doubt  but  that  God  acceptethvs  as  heires  of  his  pro- 
mife^m  afmuch  as  he  acknowledgeth  vs  for  die  fpiritual  children  of 
Abraham.  And  although  there  bee  great  diuerfitie  [^betu-eene  our 
dayes  andj  the  time  of  the  ceremonies  whiche  ferued  too  feparate 
the  one  from  the  other :  yet  let  not  that  hmder  vs  from  comming 
vnto  God.  For  why:' God  is  one.  Although  then  that  there  bee 
bothe  lewes  and  Gentiles,  although  there  bee  many  diuers  Nati- 
ons ajnong  men ,  although  their  languages  bee  diuers,  their  ma- 
ners  and  trades  of  lining  contrarie,and  euery  of  vs  hath  fo  muchc 
varietie  and  inconftancie  in  himfelfe,that  we  haue  no  holde  of  our 
felues :  yet  let  vs  reft  vpon  God/or  he  is  [^alwayes]  one.  He  hath 
giuen  vs  his  hw,he  hath  giuen  vs  his  Gofpell :  and  let  not  vs  tliinl^ 
3ut  there  is  any  contrarietie  in  that  cace,  but  that  all  agreeth  very 
wcJI.Only  let  vs  fuffer  our  felues  to  be  mled  by  him,  that  we  may 
come  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  And  howe  may  that  bee  doone  ^ 
By  beeingcleane  ridde  from  all  pride,  by  beeing  abafhed  and  afha- 
med,  by  milliking  of  ourfelueSjand  by  perceiuingthat  there  is  no- 
thing in  vs  but  death.  Then  fhall  wee  come  too  our  Lorde  Icfus 
Ghrilt,  knowing  that  God  the  father  accepteth  vS;if  v/e  holde  that 
way.  Why  fo  c"  For  he  is  aKvayes  one  :  and  his  giuing  of  the  lawe 
was  not  too  difanull  or  impeache  the  promife  that  he  had  made 
afore.  Likewife  his  reuealing  of  his  grace  more  fully  vnto  vs  in  his 
Gofpell,  was  not  for  that  he  wii}:  not  how  to  make  his  law  of  force 
towards  vs,and  to  put  it  to  the  right  vfe  and  purpofe  of  it,  that  we 
might  haue  a  rule  wherby  to  liue  well :  but  that  v/heras  wee  were 
accurfedby  it,wee  might  knowe  howe  there  is  none  ot!ier  remcdie 
for  vs,but  by  beeing  bliifed  agaync  in  the  Cccde  that  was  promifed 
From  time  to  time,in  whofe  hande  our  welfare  was  ftablifhed,  that 
is  to  wit  by  comming  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrilfc ,  who  is  the  foun- 
tayne  and  welfpring  of  all  blilTednefTc . 

Nwe  let  vs  fall  dovvne  before  the  Maieftie  of  our  good  God, 

.     X.ij.  with 


Chap.3.  fo.Cal.xxij.fermon  ypon 

with  acknowledgement  of  our  faultcs,  praying  him  too  make  vs 
perceyue  them  more  and  more/o  as  we  may  miflike  of  them,  and 
not  cnelyconfefle  them  with  our  mouth^but  alio  lay  open  our 
hearts  before  him,  and  uibmit  our  felues  m  holly  to  his  holy  word, 
and  that  infuche  wife  as  wee  may  bee  comforted  by  his  freegood- 
neffc,  as  it  is  (hewed  vs  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  and  he  reforme 
vs  alfo  by  his  holy  fpirire,  too  the  ende  that  whereas  wee  of  our 
fellies  be  full  ofrebeilio'jfneire,  we  may  by  his  gouerning  become 
teachable  and  readieto  follow  his  holy  will,  and  to  giue  our  fejues 
ouer  all  wholly  vnto  him.And  let  vs  pray  vnto  him  for  all  thefe 
things/aying :  Almightie  Godheauenly  father.&cc. 


The. xxij. Sermon  ;n>h]ch  h  the 

eyght  )^[ion  the  third  Chapter, 

11    Is  the  law  then  agaynft  the  promifes  of  God?  God 

forbyd.  Forifthelavve  were  giuentooiufMfie, 

truely  ryghiuoufneffe  fhonlde  come  by  the 

Lavve, 
%t    But  the  Scripture  hath  fhut  vp  all  vnder  rmne>to  the 

intent  that  the  promife  by  the  faythe  of  Icfus 

Chrift  liiould  be  giiicn  to  thofe  that  beleeuc. 
Zj    Now  before  that  fayth  came,  we  were  kept  vnder 

the  lawe.fhut  vp  to  come  to  the  fay th  that  was 

tobeercuealed. 
Z4   By  meanes  whereof  the  Law  was  our  fcholcma- 

iler  toleade  vs  vnto  Chrift,  that  wee  might  bee 

iiiftifiedbyEiyth. 
Z5    But  now  that  fayih  is  conic^  vvce  bee  no  more  vn-' 

d'w-r  the  Scholemafter, 

Wee 


the  Spifl.to  the  ^alathians.      1 6^ 

E  haue  alreadie  this  morning  dilpatched  this 
po}Tit,  that  the  Law  was  not  giuen  in  vayne, 
tliough  it  coulde  not  bring  vs  too  righteouf- 
nefle  to  make  vs  acceptable  to  God.Secodly, 
itwasfhewcd  you^that  Gods  giuingofhys 
Lawe,  was  not  to  the  intent  we  fhould  feeke 
our  righteoufnefle  and  faluation  there ,  as 
though  his  grace  had  bin  weakc  and  vnfufiicient :  but  for  a  farre 
odier  refpeft,  that  is  to  wit,  to  giue  men  fuche  knowledge  of  their 
.iinnes,as  they  might  be  afhamed  of  them  in  the  felues :  for  other- 
wife  they  could  not  be  touched  to  the  quicke,to  tlee  to  our  Lordc 
lefus  Chrift  for  refuge,  as  we  fee  too  much.And  now  S.Paule  mo- 
ueth  another  queftion :  namely, whether  the  lawe  bee  agaynft  the 
promifes.  For  furely  when  it  is  fayde  that  the  lawe  promifeth  vs 
faluation,  vpon  condition  that  wee  deferue  it :  and  the  promife  of 
theGofpell  telleth  vsthat  wee  fhall  bee  taken  into  Gods  fauour 
without  any  deferuing:  a  man  would  thinke  there  were  fome  con- 
trarietie  in  the  matter.  As  if  a  man  fhoulde  offer  mee  a  houfe,  fo  1 
would  pay  wclfor  it,and  did  fet  me  a  price  of  it :  and  another  man 
(hould  fay  vnto  me,  no,  thou  fhalt  haue  it  for  nothing.  There  is 
great  contrarictie  in  thefe  fayings.  And  it  feemeth  that  in  fpeaking 
after  that  fafhion,  God  vnfayeth  that  which  he  had  fpoken  in  hys 
Jaw,  where  he  fayth,Seme  me,and  keepe  my  commaundements,& 
you  (hall  not  milTe  of  your  wages.  For  in  the  Gofpell  he  fpcaketh 
another  ianguage,fayiug,I  require  nothing  of  you,  for  yee  bee  fo 
wretched  that  ye  can  giue  me  nothing :  but  I  receyne  you  into  my 
kingdome  frankly  and  of  mine  owne  free  goodneffe  without  any 
defert  of  yours :  your  heritage  is  afsigned  to  you,  euen  bicaufe  it 
is  my  good  pleafure  to  doo  it.  Heerevpon  S.  Pauie  declareth,  that 
although  God  fpeake  after  another  maner  and  fafhion  in  the  lawe 
than  in  the  Gofpel :  yet  inotwithflan ding  when  we  haue  well  con- 
(Idered  the  ma'rke  tliat  he  fhooteth  at  []wee  fhal  perceyue]  there  is 
no  contrarietie  in  the  matter*  For  (as  I  haue  tolde  you  this  mor- 
ning) Gods  promiiing  of  rewarde  to  our  works  is  not  to  beguyle 
vs,but  to  ftopourmouthes  thatw^e  might  net  repine  agaynft 
bim,as we  k^  thatilj^v/orld  dgth; which  is  al vayes  ready  to  carpe 

X.iij,  at 


Chap.5/;    (       fo.Cal.xxtj.Sermonypon : 

at  him  with  diuelifh  malapertnelTe  whe  he  handleth  them  not  aftar 
their  owne  will  and  liking.  God  then  oitteth  off  all  occafion  of 
grudging, vyhen  he.telkth  vs  that  wee  (hall  not  be  difappoynted  of 
.  pur  wages  for  our  wel  feruing  of  him. Furthermore  let  eueiy  of  vS 
.  examine  him  feife  well,and  hefhal  iinde  that  that  is  not  the  match 
-  wherby  we  muft  obteyne  faluation :  for  there  is  none  of  v s  all  but 
he  may  condemne  him  felf  by  his  own  life.if  he  iudge  without  flat- 
•  tering.But  after  that  God  hath  fpoken  after  that  failiio^he  offereth 
vs  remedie  in.the  Gofpelljand  telleth  vs  that  for  as  much  as  we  be 
damned,and  can  not  hope  to  attayne  any  faluation  by  our  works : 
he  him  felfe  offered  it  vs  of  his  own  free  goodnefTejbicaufe  it  plea- 
feth  him  fo  jo  doo.And  for  that  caufe  S.Paule  anfwereth,  If  the  lat^ 
^hadbingium  to  iuflifie,  1  coulcie  n^dinough  graunt  that  righteoufnefft 
Jhouldbegiuen  V;  by  //.But  let  vs  fee  whether  God  ment  that  or  no. 
It  is  certayne  he  ment  it  not.Then  fendeth  he  vs  to  Gods  purpofet 
as  if  he  fhould  fay,tliat  the  Hypocrites  which  are  fo  puffed  vp  with 
pride  &  ouerweening,that  they  think  they  be  able  to  iuftilie  them 
felueSjSc  to  win  heauen^are  il  expounders  of  Gods  law^yea  Sc  fal- 
filiers  therof.  For  men  muft  alwayes  haue  an  eye  to  the  intent  of 
the  fpeaker.Now  God  ment  not  to  fet  men  agog  with  any  truflin 
their  own  wit  Sc  defemings :  for  we  be  too  much  giuen  to  that  of 
our  own  nature.yVe  fee  it  hath  bin  a  Common  error  through  the 
whole  worldin  all  ages.Therfore  we  nede  no  fchoiing  to  perfuade 
vs  that  we  be  able  fo]ke,&:  that  we  can  bind  God  to  vs  by  our  ver>- 
tuous  doings.But  contrariwife  God  hath  giuen  vs  his  lawe>  to  the 
intent  we  fhould  be  wounded  with  it  as  with  a  fword,  &  the  flripe 
be  fo  deadly  as  we  might  be  conflrayned  to  flee  to  him  for  fuccor. 
;Seeing  then  that  Gods  will  it  to  flea  vs  by  the  Law,  it  is  not  giuen 
ys  to  make  vs  righteous.  And  therfore  they  that  feelie  their  life  Sc 
welfare  there,beguile  them  felues-.aiid  thereis  oo  reafon  wjiy  thfey 
[hould  alledge  for  the  felues^yea:'  how  fojC'.-God  hath  profnifed  mt 
it.No,but  they  mufl  confider  to  what  end  he  faith  fo.  Novv  we&t 
how  S.Paul  hath  difcuffedthis  queftion;, that  there  is  no  contrarie- 
tie  betweene  the  Law  5c  the  Qofpel,  though  God  alter  the  mancr 
of  his  fpeech  at  the  firfl  blufh.NQw  he  addeth  .after  \yarde,.2:Mt&c 
Scripture  kathjhut  V^(i/lw4^rfamftkt  )Vf  mi^hitWe^thej^mi^ 

.;:n'     "  ' ^ '"       ^ 


the  SpBJathe  (jalathians.      1 6^ 

ijihcfaph  iff  our  Lorde  lefus  C^Wi?,  VVl^en  he  fay  th  that  the  fcrip- 
cure  hathe  (hutte  vp  all  vnder finne ,  he  (heweth  that  men  are  too- 
too  blockifhc,  too  thinke  that  God  ment  too  afsigne  them  a  due 
jvages  or  hire ,  when  he  dyd  fet  them  downe  this  condition  .  He 
that  doodi  thefe  thinges  fhall  Hue  in  them.  Lette  them  reade  the 
whole  lawe,  let  them  fearche  the  contents  and  fubftance  of  it,  let 
them  looke  well, vpon  the  whole  holy  S<iripture :  and  they  fhall 
finde  thatit  ^ccufeiji  and  condemneth  all  men  from  the  mofi€  to 
the  leaftjwithout  any  exception.Now  if  we  be  al  condemned,euen 
by  the  law:  wfet  ivould  we  more  C'  Muft  it  not  needs  be  that  we  be 
tootoo  much  blinded  with  hypocrifie,  when  we  will  needes  binde 
Cjod  tO:  vs  after  this  forte,  notwithftanding  that  we  be  farre  wyde 
from  ail  righteoufnefle,  and  he  hath  tolde  vs  that  we  can.  not  com- 
pare it  in  his  fightCj  but  that  we  muft  bee  vtterly  ouerwhelmed  C 
S.  Paule  alledgethnot  heere  any  text  too  {hewe  that  the  Smpture 
hath  (hut  vp  all  vnder  fmne,  but  taketh  it  as  vtterly  certayne  and 
which  ought  not  to  bpe  doubted  of  any  more  among  the  faithful!. 
And  for  pfopfe  thereof  wee  fee,that  euen  from  the  creation  of  the 
worldywe  be  all  of  y§  corrupted  in  Adam.  His  fmne  condemned 
not  him  felfe  ,onely,but  alfo  all  his  whole  offpring,and  all  of  vs  arc 
falnc  in  that  tal  of  his-.And  then'pon  it  is  fayd,that  al  our  tlioughts  Cen.6,a.c» 
are  rebellings  agaynft  God,and  there  is  nothing  but  naughtineffe 
in  vs.  What' then  is  mans  witC'Awarehoufeofall  wickednefle. 
And  feeing  that  God  hath  auouched  it  to  be  fo  at  a  word^what  fhal 
weegaynebychalengingthis  or  that  too  our  felues :'  For  all  our 
ftartingholes  fhal  butincreafe  our  miferie,  bicaufe  that  in  fo  doing 
wee  fpite  God,  and  kindle  his  wrath  fo  much  the  more.For  wherto 
ferued  all  the  facrifices,but  to  fliew  vs  to  our  faces, that  all  men'al'C'" 
vtterly  accurfed  fo  long  as  they  continue  in  them  c'  And  although  .  c-, 

there  w^re  ;io Sacrifices  at  all,  yet  very  experience  fheweth  it.  Let > 
euery  of  vs  et)^er  into  himfelfe,Iet  him  confider  what  maner  a  one> 
he  is,and  Jerhirn  viewe  himfclfe  in  the  perfeftion  which  the  holy 
(cripturerequireth  at  our  hands:  &  he  (hal  wel  find  that  there  is  no 
way  for  him  but  to  imbrace  the  promife  of  Gods  mercy  which  he 
maketh  vnto  y^,whe  he  fayth  that  our  iniquities  fhal  be  wiped  out,  ^f'43*^'^i 
dc  tfiat  there  is-no  way  for  V^s  to  come  to  him,but  only  by  his  loue. 
r  \  ^     '  X.iiij.  And 


Chap.5 .  fo.  Cal.xxi]  Sermon  ypon 

And  doth  he  net  hereby  ftill  bewray  our  Hnne^  fpccially  feelno;  he 
fetteth  downlefus  Chrift  for  our  nghtuoulhelTec'  But  if  any  ma  lift 
to  haue  a  larger  $c  certener  difcourfe  hereof,  let  him  ad  that  which 

^0  xhiQ    S.Pauie  fetteth  do\vn  in  the  third  to  the  Romans,\vhere  he  fcttcth 

'  f  oorth  the  thin^  largely  which  is  touched  here  briefly :  $<  then  fhal 

he  fee  yet  better  how  the  fcripture  hath  fl-iUt  vp  all  vnder  fmne.Fof 

there  S.Paule  alleageth  the  texts  that  feme  to  bewray  mans  nature 

till  Gods  haue  drawen  him  backe,changed  him,  and  falhioned  him 

M  I A  a  ^^^  agayne.  Like  as  when  he  fayth  that  God  looked  downe  he  ere 
bylowe,to  fee  ifhe  could  find  any  foundnefTe^and  all  were  corrup* 
ted,yea  and  feftered  in  their  naughtinefTe^  and  there  was  not  fo 
much  as  one  that  fought  after  God.  Nowe  it  is  certayne  that  there 
there  is  no  fpeaking  of  two  or  three ,  but  generally  of  all  men  in 
whom  God  hath  not  wrought  to  goueme  them  by  his  holy  fpirite. 
Therefore  it  is  all  one  as  if  Dauid  did  fhewe  vs  in  a  paynted  table, 
what  maner  of  ones  wee  bee  by  birth  and  heritage.  Afterwarde  he 
addeth  that  which  is  written  in  the  fiftith  Pfalme,  and  in  all  the  re- 

-^       f     Tidue,and  finally  alleageth  Efay  alfo,to  (hewe  that  God  was  fayne 

J  '^^'  I  to  ferue  his  turne  with  his  own  arme,when  he purJ)ofed  to  redeme 
'  *  men.  What  is  it  (fayth  he)  that  men  haue  done  in  that  behalfe  ^ 
For  they  do  but  runne  forwarde,and  caft  themfelues  headlong  in- 
too  all  curfednefle  and  tranfgrefsion.They  doo  but  wander :  they 
loue  fhifting,futteltiCpfalfhod,  and  lying :  to  bee  (hort,  when  God 
had  looked  that  menfhould  haue  helped  to  bring  them  felues  too 
faluation,they  were  rather  a  hundred thoufand  times  more  in  dan- 
ger of  perifliing.  S.Paule  therefore  alleadgerii  all  thofe  things. 
Nowe  let  vs  flatter  our  felues  as  muche  as  wee  lift :  yet  can  not 
the  things  bee  called  backe  which  God  hath  pronounced  vpon  vs. 
And  as  ofte  as  wee  reade  the  fayde  textes,and  heare  Sain6l  Paules 

rx '^'5*  expounding  of  them  in  the  foreailedged  chapter :  it  is  for  vs  tocr 
caft  downe  our  heads,and  to  rcceyue  the  fhame  which  we  deferae :' 
namely  to  be  bereftc  of  all  gIory,and  too  feeke  at  Gods  Hande  the' 
things  that  we  want.  And  thus  ye  fee  how  the  fcripture  hathe  (hut 
vp  all  vnder  finne.  In  the  eleuenth  chapter  to  the  Romans  he  faith 

^A\M  32  that  God  hath  Oiut  vp  all  vnder  finne,  too  the  intent  to  haue  mcr-- 

de  on  all.  But  there  he  ryfe  .hyet  otte  fteppc  higher.  Forhe  fpicia- 

"',.■•;  "  kcdv 


theEpiflJo  the  (^alathians.      165 

kct!)  not  of  the  things  that  are  told  vs  in  the  law  and  the  prophets* 
but  of  Gods  fecret  iudgement,  in  that  it  was  his  will  that  all  of  vs 
fhoulde  bee  as  good  as  drowned  in  dellru6tion,  to  the  intent  that 
there  fliould  be  no  faluation  but  only  by  his  goodnefle.  Then  if  it 
be  demaunded  why  God  hath  fuffered  men  to  fall  into  fo  mifera- 
ble  plighf.it  is  bycaufe  he  will  haue  vs  beholden  to  his  only  mercy 
for  all  things.  Truly  this  will  feeme  ftraunge  to  many  fantafticall 
perfons, whichc  would  fayne  reftrayne  God  to  their  meafure,  and 
are  forafh  that  when  Gods  determinations  palTe  beyond  theyr 
fiefhly  reafon,by  and  by  they  condemne  him  for  fpitefull  and  cru- 
cU.Yet  for  all  that,S.  Paule  will  haue  vs  too  reft  vpon  thys  faying, 
that  God  hath  fhet yp  all  vnder  fin, that  is  to  fay,that  he  could  well 
haue  created  vs  much  ftedfafter  and  perfe6ler  than  he  hath  done. 
He  could  haue  prefemed  vs  as  he  doth  his  Angells.  He  could  haue 
giucn  vs  fuch  conftancie  in  the  perfon  of  Adam,  that  wee  fhoulde 
haue  entered  into  the  heritage  of  heauen  without  dying.  Yea  and 
he  could  haue  made  that  no  mo  (hould  haue  falne  in  the  perfon  of 
Adam,but  Adam  alone.But  he  lifted  not  fo  to  do.  If  it  be  demaun- 
ded why  the  mifcheefe  fpreaded  out  further: is  it  not  byeanfe  God 
would'haue  it  foc'TTierefore  we  muft  in  this  cace,  as  it  were  biy die 
and  imprifon  ourfelues,  and  receiue  the  do6trine  in  fuche  wyfe  as 
Sainft  Paule  hath  vttered  it :  namely  that  God  hath  put  vs  all  vn* 
der  finne,  to  the  intent  we  (hould  refort  to  him  for  mercie.  But  it  is 
not  ynough  that  God  hath  fo  determined  it  in  his  fecrete  puipofe : 
it  was  requifite  alfo  that  the  determination  fhoulde  be  pubiifhed 
and  kno wen.For  vntill  fiich  time  as  men  perceyue  themfelucs  too 
be  condemned  :  they  will  ftill  be  weltringin  fome  vayne  felftrufi, 
«ndboaft  of  themfelueSjas  we  fee  too  much.  The  Scripture  there- 
fore muft  be  fa^-ne  to  bring  vs  to  this  vnderftanding,  that  euery  of 
vsmay  condemne  himfelfefcrafinner,  as  it  were  with  his  owne 
ifiouth,  yea  and  that  we  do  it  \Tifeynedly.And  why  C"  Bycaufe  it  is 
by  beleeuingjthat  we  obteyne  the  promis,  that  is  to  fay  the  rightu- 
oufneffe  that  is  freely  promifcd  vs.  In  the  fayd  text  of  the  cleuenth  ^-  ^  i'«-3^ 
to  the  Romanes  whych  I  allcdgcd  euen  now,  Saind  Paule  f^i)^h, 
CO  the  intent  to  fhev^  mtrcf  vpon  all :  but  hecre  he  fhev/eth  tliat  it 
il  nbt  fofMl  men  to  be  paitolicrs  of  it  in  gcnerall.  For  wee  knowe 
'  X.V.  that 


Chap.3.  ^  fo.CaLxpciJ.Sermonypon^ 

<tliat  the  greateft  number  periHieth  in  theirTinn?s;  byCaufejtbey  r-e> 
fufe  the  remedie  that  is  oifered  them  in  the  GpfpelLAnd  why  then 
doth  Sainft  Paule  fpeake  of  all :'  It  is  afmuch  as  if  hee  (hould  faye, 
there  is  none  other  help  for  vs  but  only  Gods  looking  vppop  vs 
Avith  pitie^of  his  owne  meere  goodnefTejthat  pardoning  our  offen^ 
ces  and  recei^ingjVS  into  his  fauour^he  take  vs  for  his  children,too 
bring  vs  to  the  heritage  of  die  kingdome  of  heauen.  V  Ve  fee  then 
that  .Sain6l  Paule  did  no^  without  caufe  fay  that  God  willhaue 
mercy  vpon.all :  not  thateuery  man  is  comprehended  vnder  that 
word  ^//pbut  to  exclude  and  put  away  all  felfrightuoufned'e  ofman^ 
Moreouer  we  fee  hoy.the  meane  is  exprefled  heere :,  namely  that 

lohn  ^  h  \6  ^^^^"^^ft  obteynethe  p^omis  by  fayth,  according  asSain<^  lohn 
'^*  '  fayth  that  God  fo  loued  the  world ,  that  hee  iparednot  his  onely 
fonne,to  the  end  that  whofoeuerbeleeuetji.in him  fhould  notpe- 
.  rifh  but  haue  life  euerl afting.  \y\\.  1  wee  then  enter  into  the  trea- 
fure  that  is  fhewed  to  v^s  heere  c'  Faith  mufl:  be  as  a  keye  to  open  vs 
the  dore.  For  God  calleth  vs  to  it,but  it  is  not  ynough  for  vs  too 
be  called  only :  it  behoueth  vs  to  anfwer  according  to  this  faying, 

rr*  W  youaremypeople:yeaLord,  and  thou  art  our  God.  VVhenhec 
/c  /  ^  fayth^you  are  my  childrcn:let  vs  anfwer,  Lord  we  come  to  thee  as 
^  '  to  our  father.But  furely  we  cannot  anfwer  fo  of  our  owne  proper 
motion:it  mud  be  giuen  vs  of  the  holy  Ghoft.  Howbeit  the  que- 
ftion  IS  not  heere  whither  fayth  come  of  mens  felues  or  no.  Sain6l: 
Paule  doth  no  more  but  declare  that  to  be  quit  before  God^and  to 
be  drawen  out  ofthe  dungeon  of  curfednefTe  wherein  wee  are  all 
of  vs  plunged,  we  muft  not  bring  any  thing  of  our  ownc,as  though 
we  would  go  about  to  bind  God, and  that  it  were  meete  for  vs  too 
imagine  any  defert  of  our  owne  :  but  come  toocraue  hys  fauonre 
V^hich  is  offered  vs  freely  without  anyduetie  to  vsward,and  fettle 
Qur  truft  there,  ib  as  we  hope  not  for  any  welfare,  ptherwife  thajiy 
bycaufe  God  fheweth  himfelfe  mercifull  towards  vs.  I  haue  de-^ 
clared  already  wherefore  this  feaieth.  Surely  men  would  alwayes? 
fayne  cloke  themfelues  with  fome  prefiimptuoufnelTe,  as  wee  fec^ 
that  A  dam  dy  d :  who  though  hys  owne  finne.vpbraycled  him ,  fo^. 
as  he  was  afrayde  of  Gods  maieftie,  did  neuerthelefTe- feeke  fc,% 
ieaues  to  couer  himfelfe  witlaall.^  At  the  fame  poynt  ar^  ^fl^y pop^j 

teit. 


the  Epi^i.  to  the  (jalathians.        1 6  6 

l)eit,it  is  but  a  beguiling  of  ourfelues  too  come  before  God,  iyke 
whytelimed  walles,  and  to  thinke  to  be  accepted  at  his  hand,  for  he 
hath  an  eye  to  tlie  foundnefTe  of  the  hart,  which  is  not  to  be  found 
in  any  man.  For  fo  long  as  he  letteth  vs  alone  in  our  owne  kinde, 
wee  bee  naughtworth,  how  fayre  a  fhow  foeuer  wee  make  too  the 
worldward.Againe,  when  he  hath  reformed  vs,and  giuen  vs  a  good 
defire  too  walke  in  his  feare,  whiche  thyng  all  the  faithful!  muft 
needes  haueiit  doth  not  follow  therefore,  that  our  affedion  is  full 
and  perfe6t:no,it  commeth  farre  fliort  of  it.And  yet,  that  which  we 
haue,we  hold  of  his  meere  grace.  So  haue  we  not  any  thing  to  glo- 
ry of  or  to  reft  vpon  howfoeuer  the  world  go  :  wee  cannot  ground 
ourfelues  vpon  our  owne  deferuings.    True  it  is  that  the  faythfuli 
muft  feeke  to  gyue  themfelues  wholly  vnto  God  r  for  wee  cannot 
bee  members  of  our  Lordlefus  Chrift ,  except  wee  be  fanftifyed 
by  hys  holy  fpirite,  as  wee  fhall  fee  in  tyme  and  place  hereafter. 
And  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  cannot  be  deuided  nor  cut  inpeeces 
as  infinite  as  he  is.  Although  our  finnes  beeforgiuen  vs  by  hys 
death  and  pafsion,  and  wafhed  away  and  clenzed  by  hys  bloud,and 
thatthefamewafhmgbegyuenvstofafhion  agayne  the  image  of 
God  hys  father  in  vs ,  fo  that  we  muft  bee  made  new  creatures  in 
hym  :  yet  notvvithftanding  howfoeuer  we  fare,  it  is  not  for  vs  too 
preace  boldly  before  God,as  though  we  were  worthy  to  be  recey- 
ued,  or  as  though  wee  brought  him  any  thing  wherewith  to  binde 
jhim.Forifweprefumeto  alleadge  one  thing  or  other  tohim,  firft 
'4nd  formoft  all  that  we  haue  commeth  of  him .  Agayne  on  the  o- 
'therfide  we  be'cpnuicled  of  a  hundred  thoufand  faultes,  and  wheh 
we  go  about  any  ^ood  worke,we  fhall  no  fooner  haue  done  it,  but 
itfhall  be  infe6led  with  fome  fpot  or  other,  fo  that  if  it  bee  tried  ri- 
goroiTfly,it  fhall  always  be  fubie6l  to  condemnation.Then  muft  we 
nee<3es  keepe  our  mouthes  fhuf.fo  that  if  wee  will  haue  God  fauo- 
rable  and  mercifull  to  vs,we  muft  bring  nothing  with  vs  but  onely 
fayth,nd,but  only'fayth.  NeuerthelelTe  it  is  not  meant  that  eucry 
man  fhoulde  take  the  bridle  in  his  necke  too  do  euill  (as  I  haue 
declared  already  heeretofore:)  it  is  not  meant  that  wee  {houlde 
bee  voyde  of  Goddes  fpirite  ,  nor  that  wee  iTioulde  welter  in 
^11  vnckedhefTe :  no ,  but  heere  the  cace  concerneth  onely  cure 
trizft  wherev'ppon  wee  may  ground  ourfelues  too  call  GO !> 

OliT 


Chap.  5.  fo.CaLxxiJ.  Sermon  ypon 

our  father-that  we  may  be  fure  of  the  eternall  heritage.  If  we  go  to 
our  owne  works  (as  hath  bin  declared  afore)  there  will  be  no  cer- 
teintie  at  all .  For  why,  it  is  not  a  worke  of  twayne,  or  three  that  is 
requiredjbut  a  perfect  obedience,  which  was  neuer  yet  found  in  a- 
ny  mortal!  creature.  Tally  if  the  Angells  (hould  come  to  account 
before  God,they  could  not  anfwer  to  that  perfection  of  rightuouf- 
neffei^c  much  leflc  were  it  pofsible  that  we  which  are  but  wormes, 
lob  lA  d  ""^  which  fucke  vp  fin  as  a  fifh  doth  water,  (as  lob  fayth)fhould  be 
18  W"  K*^  fo  found  that  God  fhould  receiue  vs  for  our  worthinefTe.  To  bee 
i^  '  rhoit,weemuft  quite  and  clcane  giue  ouerthe  trufl:  of  our  owne 
works,  and  acknowledge  that  there  is  nothing  but  condemnation 
in  vs,  if  we  mind  to  haue  the  promis  performed  towards  vs.  Thus 
ye  fee  in  effect  what  SainCl  Paule  meant  too  declare  in  thys  text. 
And  now  he  addeth  immediatly,  thai  before  faith  came,'tee  y»ere  k^He 
ynder  the  /ay)?, and  as  it  y)?erefhst  Vp  till  the  faith  ri>as  reaeled.Heere  the 
words  Lafi^c  and  Faith  would  be  fomewhat  darkfome,  if  they  were 
not  opened  more  at  large.  For  fometimes  when  thefcripture  (pea- 
keth  of  fayth,it  meeneth  all  religion,  and  comprehendeth  all  the 
inflruClions  that  are  giuen  vs  in  Gods  booke.  Sometimes  it  mee- 
ncth  the  certeintieofbeleefe  which  we  ought  too  haue  when  wee 
corns  to  pray  vnto  God,bycaufe  wee  may  not  ftep  to  him  at  al  ad- 
uenturcjbut  accept  the  grace  that  he  offereth  vs.  Then  in  afmuche 
as  Gods  promifes  depedeth  not  vpon  our  deferts,  but  is  altogither 
freely  and  frankly  giuen  vnto  vs,and  we  are  made  partakers  by  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chrift  :  if  we  imbrace  the  fame,  our  fo  doing  is  called 
fayth,and  fo  hath  Sainft  Paule  taken  it  hithertOja^id  likewife  in  his 
Epiftle  to  the  Romanes,  and  in  all  other  places  where  he  difcour- 
feth  or  treateth  how  we  may  be  iuflifyed  beforeGod,  or  how  we 
may  come  in  his  fauour,for  they  be  both  one  thing,as  I  haue  faydc 
afore.  But  in  this  text  the  word  Faith  hath  yet  a  more  peculiar  lig- 
nifxcation, which  is ,  the  reuelation[]or  difeouerie]  which  wee  haue 
by  the  Gofpell.  For  it  is  very  certaine  that  the  forefathers  had  the 
fpirit  of  faith  or  beleefe ,  according;  as  I  haue  (hewed  you  alreadye 
that  Abraham  was  iuflifyed  bycaufe  he  beleeued  God,  &  that  wee 
alfo  mufl  be  fafhioned  like  to  his  example  in  that  behalfe,as  where- 
by we  be  made  his  children  to  come  to  this  kingdgm  of  heaue-Tl^n 

had 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.      \6j 

had  faith  his  full  (Irength  at  all  times,  and  there  neuer  was  any  o  - 
ther  meanes  to  fet  God  and  men  at  oneibut  yet  was  not  the  fayth 
reueled  in  Abrahams  time,  bycauTe  our  Lprde  lefus  Chrifle  v\  ho  is 
the  veiy  pledge  and  fubftance  therof ,  was  not  yet  come  intoo  the 
World.Thus  ye  fee  how  we  be  iuftiFyed  freely  at  this  day,and  with- 
out any  dcfcrt  of  our  owne.And  why  is  thatr'For  he  that  belecueth 
that  leius  Chrirt:  died  for  our  fmnes,  and  is  rifen  againe  for  our  lU' 
ftification:hath  all  the  whole.  And  as  it  is  faydin  another  pi  ace,  our  '^p,\o,h,\M 
belecuing  with  our  hart  makcth  vs  ryghtuoufe,and  our  confefsing 
with  our  mouth  malveth  vs  lafe.  But  now  had  Abraham  had  oure 
Lord  Icfus  ChrLQ:  difcouered  vnto  him  as  we  haue  him  at  this  day, 
(in  fomuch  that  he  is  as  good  as  cmcififd  among  vs  as  Saind  Paule 
hath  fayd  heeretofore:)his  fayth  had  bin  all  one  with  ours.  But  it 
was  yet  after  a  fort  ouercouered,that  is  to  fay ,  although  Abraham 
trufled  in  lefus  Chrift,  h  oping  for  faluAtion  at  his  hande ,  and  al- 
though he  vtterly  diftrufted  himfelfe,  knowing  that  there  was  ver- 
tue  in  him  that  might  go  for  payment  before  God.yet  was  he  hi!d 
ftill  vnder  fhado'^  es,  &  was  fayne  to  looke  at  lefus  Chrift  a  far  off. 
For  he  was  not  yet  named  the  dayfunne  of  rightuoufenefle,  as  hee 
is  called  m.  Malachie.  Now  then  we  fee  what  Sain£l  Paul  meant  by  i  y,r,r,  . 
laymg  that  raith  was  not  yet  come-.namely  that  the  couenient  time  ^ 
cf  the  reuehng  of  it  to  tlie  world  as  it  is  nowadayes  bv  the  Gofpel, 
was  not  yet  come,  fo  that  the  fathers  were  fhet  vp  vnder  the  lawe. 
So  therefore,  heere  is  fome  peece  of  difference,  and  fome  pecce  of 
lilcenefle:  in  fomuch  that  if  it  bee  demaunded  what  the  Rate  of  the 
fathers  wer  that  lined  vnder  the  lawiit  is  to  be  anf\vered,that  partr 
ly  it  dirfered  from  ours,r.nd  partly  was  al  one.How  were  they  both 
onerTn  this,that  ( lod  had  (h^wed  himfelfe  merciful  1  to  our  father, 
ho vvbeit  for  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifts  fake:and  that  Abraham  percey- 
umg  how  it  ftoode  him  on  hand  to  put  his  whole  truft  in  the  meerc 
grace  of  God,gaue  ouer  himfelfjand  fo  his  beleeumg  was  rcckened 
to  him  for  rightuoufnefie,  as  wc  hauc  feene  afore.In  lyke  cace  was 
it  with  all  the  Patriarks  and  Prophets.  So  tlien  their  taking  was  all 
one  with  ours,in  that  they  grounded  themfelues  vppon  our  Lord 
iefus  Chrifl:,andboaRed  not  of  any  thing  faue  onely  Gods  mercy, 
and  had  the  prOimfes  of  the  inheritance  of  die  heauenly  life,  as  wc 


cbip.3.  fo.CaLxxij.fermonypon 

haue ,  Yet  was  there  alfo  a  dinerfitie,  bycaufe  they  were  fayne  to 
haue  Sacrififes,wafhings,andruch  other  like  thinges,  till  the  com- 
ming  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.And  when  the  law  was  giuen/o  as 
there  was  a  Preefl:  that  entered  into  the  San6luarie  to  be  an  inter--^ 
ceflbr/and  the  people  ftoode  aloofe  a  great  way  of,  and  a  veyle  or 
Curtayne  was  drawen  in  the  middes  of  the  Tabernacle  to  make  a 
darkening  of  things  :  ye  fee  they  were  thinges  wherein  the  ftate  of 

^  th  e  fathers  differed  from  ours :for  during  the  abfence  of  our  Lord 

lefus  Chriftpthey  had  Ceremonies  Sc  figures,  whereas  we  haue  the 

C^h  2  r  17  ^^^^  body  Sc  fubflance  of  them,as  faith  S.Paule  to  the  Colofsians. 
For  God  biddeth  not  vs  to  offer  any  mo  Calues,Sheepe,  or  Oxen 
to  wipe  out  the  fpots  of  our  finnes.  But  he  telleth  vs  that  we  muft 
be  fprinkled  with  the  bloud  of  our  Lord-Iefus  Chrifl:,  through  the 
power  of  the  holy  Ghofl,&  that  in  our  Lord  lellis  Chrifl  we  fhall 
find  all  that  is  requifite  for  our  faluati5.Ye  fee  the  that  as  now  faith 
reigneth  in  fuJ  power:  that  is  to  fay/ whereas  the  fathers  had  but  a 
little  tad  of  it  according  to  their  mcfure-.it  is  fully  Sc  opely  reueled 
vnto  v^.  And  for  this  caufe  S.Paul  faith,that  the  fathers  were  after 
a  fort  reftreined  or  fl^.t  vp:fo  that  he  likeneth  the  Jaw  to  a  bodage, 

^  ^<  in  very  deede  fo  was  it,&  he  will  hereafter  (hew  what  maner  of 

b5dage  it  is.It  is  not  ment  that  the  fathers  obteined  not  the  euerla- 
-  iling  life  which  we  hope  for, or  that  we  fhal  not  be  crowned  all  to- 
gither  at  die  laft  day:but  that  Gcd  was  fain  for  a  time  to  wqM  the 
like  little  babes.And  for  that  caufe  alfo  doth  he  vfe  the  fimilitude  of 
ta  fcholemafter,  Sc  wil  againe  fet  down  a  third  fimilitude  of  Tutors 
&  gouemers.Howbeit  for  afmuch  as  this  fhal  be  handled  in  his  due 
i)lace,let  it  fufiife  vs  as  nowto  vnderflad,  that  wheras  S.Paul  like- 
neth the  law  vnto  a  bodage,  it  is  to  fhew  far  greater  fauor  to  vs,tha 
he  did  to  the  fathers  that  died  before  the  c5ming  of  our  Lord  lefus 
Chrifl,bicaufe  he  vieth  vs  now  after  a  freer  fafhio.  And  the  fecod  {i- 
militude  dotli  yet  better  expreffe  that  the  lewes  were  as  children, 
&  we  now  are  as  megrowe.  For  this  word  ScohnaHer  betokeneth 
a  mailer  of  chiJdre,he  faith  the  that  the  law  executed  the  office  ofa 
Scolemafter,  to  traine  vp  the  childhood  of  the  people  in  old  time. 
And  herevpon  it  may  be  cccluded,that  the  faithfiill  which  beleued 
in  lefus  Cliiift  before  he  was  manifefted  to  the  worjde^  were  Gods 

children 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jaUthiam.      \6Z 

children  as  vvel  as  vve.And  if  they  were  children,then  were  they  al- 
fo  heirs.Herin  we  fee  that  we  muft  not  make  the  like  brute  beads, 
as  fome  fantafticall  heads  do, which  thinke  that  tlic  lewes  conteted 
themfelues  with  the  poflefsion  of  the  plentifull  land  that  was  pro- 
rcixk^  the,&  cared  for  no  more  but  to  be  wel  nurrifhed  &  fed  ther: 
for  that  is  too  curfed  a  blafphemie.  But  lefus  Chiifte  ferueth  not  to 
fil  mes  bellies  &  to  feede  their  paunches:he  ferueth  to  bring  vs  to 
the  heauenly  Hfe.It  is  faid  that  Abraham  fawhis  day  :  that  then  was  lohn,2>£*<6 
the  tiling  wheron  he  refled  his  cofcience.  And  wee  fee  how  Dauid 
did  always  looke  vp  higher  tha  the  world:  Sc  lacob  at  his  death  eue 
though  he  was  giuing  vp  the  laft  gafp,  and  looked  not  to  Hue  any  Ce.4Q.c.i2» 
longer  in  the  world^faid  he  would  truft  in  the  faluati5  of  God.The 
aunciet  fathers  the  were  not  little  childre  after  fuch a  fort^that  they 
xvere  not  marked  with  Gods  holy  fpirite,  nor  called  by  him  to  the 
inheritance  of  the  endiefle  life:but  onely  in  the  meafure  of  faythe, 
which  was  the  differece  betwene  the  8c  vs. And  how  was  thatc'Eue 
ticaufe  the  law  whiche  they  had  was  yet  wrapped  m  figure s  5c  flu- 
jdo wes-.wheras  now  lefus  Chrifl:  leadeth  vs  right  forth  to  heaue.And 
wheras  I  faid  that  they  were  inferior  to  vs  in  the  meafure  of  faithil 
meene  not  that  Abraham, Dauid,  &  other  like  had  a  weaker  faythe 
tha  we:for  feeke  we  neuer  lb  narowly  througli  the  whole  world,  it 
is  not  to  be  prefumed  that  any  one  creature  is  to  bee  found  at  thys 
day,  which  hath  the  hundrerh  part  of  the  faith  of  Abraham  or  Da- 
uid.And  the  excellecie  of  their  faith  appeereth  in  this,  that  althogh 
they  had  not  the  promifes  fo  apparant  as  we  haue,but  very  darkly, 
yet  notwithflading  they  ouercame  all  fach  temptations  as  wouldc 
haue  ouerthrowe  vs  a  hundred  thoufand  times.If  any  of  vs  wer  put 
to  the  induring  of  the  incouters  of  Abraham  or  Dauid,  what  would 
become  of  vscTor  Abraham  was  a  wayfarer  al  his  life  log  in  a  ftrage 
countr^^,wher  me  grudged  him  water  to  drinke,though  hs  himfelfe  ^'^^-^'^St 
digged  die  welles.He  was  put  to  as  many  plunges  as  could  be.  Fi- 
nally God  exercifed  him  in  fo  many  incouters,  that  he  femed  to  be 
minded  to  throw  him  into  the  bottom  of  hel.and  yet  ncuerthelefie 
his  faith  abideth  ftil  vnvaquifhed.As  touching  Dauid,  he  was  driue 
a  log  time  fr5  place  to  place  .Being  hunted  out  of  the  whole  realme 
&  hauingnQ  fuccour  to  retire  vnto^buteither  amog  the  infidels  and 

cnimies 


Ghap.3.  fo.CaLxxij.fermon  ypon 

cniniies  of  God,  ovcKq  into  dennesand  among  wyld  beaftcs :  he 
was  morcovier put  to  fuch  reproche,  that  euery  man  curfed  him  a$ 
the  veriefc  viilayne  and  kaytif  in  the  W0rld:and  yet  for  all  tbat,he 
hild  out  ftiil;  hee  called  ftill  vppon  God,  and  hee  neuer  felj  to  any 
murmuring  or  blafpheining ,  but  rather  glorifyed  God  in  thpfe  his 
extremities  and  diitrelTes .  So  then  wee  fee  that  their  faith  ought  to 
make  vs  all  afhamed.And  when  euery  of  vs  fhall  haue  looked  wel 
into  his  ovvncconfcience^  wee  (hall  fjmd  that  wee  fcarfly  hauc  any 
little  peece  of  the  faith  that  they  had .  But  the  greatnelfe  of  their 
faith  mufl:  not  be  ;neafured  heere  by  the  conftancie  and  ableneffe 
that  euery  of  them  had  to  tniffc  in  God.*  VVhereby  then  c'  By  the 
outward  obieft  of  their  fayth.As  for  example  :  Although  Efay  was 
an  exceliet  teacher,  fo  that  his  like  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  world: 
yet  the  leall  preacher  that  fetceth  foorth  the  Gofpell  purely,  fhall 
Mdth  11  ^  preferred  before  Efay,  as  is  auouched  by  the  mouth  of  our  Lord 
11 '  *  *  ^^^^^  Chrifl:  hymfelfe.And  why  is  thatc'Bycaufe  that  although  Efay 
was  as  an  Angeil,  and  fpake  with  luch  authoritie  yea,  and  maicftie, 
as  were  able  to  touch  the  hartes  to  the  quicke  which  are  moft  falne 
aflepe  in  this  world,  in  fomuch  that  eucn  God  himfelfe  feemeth  to 
haue  opened  his  owne  holy  mouth  in  him,and  his  words  were  not 
as  the  words  of  a  mortall  man  :  yet  did  he  hold  but  the  manner  of 
teaching  that  was  conueniet  for  that  tyme :  that  is  to  fay  he  did  fet 
foorth  the  lad  of  Chanaan  as  a  pledge  to  thofe  whom  he  taught,  Sc 
keepe  them  to  the  Sacrififes,wafhingS)figures,(hadowcs,8c  al  other 
like  things,  whervnder  he  fhewcd  what  the  happinelTe  of  gods  chil- 
.  dren  is.As  for  example, we  fee  how  he  likeneth  the  church  to  a  pa- 

cjat.^^s,    i^^g  buildcd  of  gold  Sc  filuer  and  precioufe  fbones.Vee  fee  then  that 
V'^  his  maner  of  dealing  was  fafhioned  vnto  the  darknefle  of  the  law. 

^"^7*  But  now  oar  Lord  lefus  Chrift  i?>  fet  forth  vnto  vs,although  a  fim- 
ple  man  preach  the  Gofpel, which  hath  nother  great  eloquence  nOr 
authoritie :  yet  fhall  hee  as  it  were  poynt  at  Icfus  Chrifte  with  his 
fingar,he  (IvlW  fhew  vs  how  we  be  in  the  time  of  fulne(re,and  ther- 
V'ithall  hee  (hall  aflurevs  that  our  finnes  are  forgiuen  vs  in  the 
death  and  pafsion  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte,  in  fomuch  that  Gods 
wrath  is  paciiied,and  vi6lorie  obteyned  for  vs  ouer  deaths  Thus  ye 
fee  that  the  diuerfitie  is  in  the  dgdlrin^and  not  in  the  qualitie  of  the 

faytk 


the  Epifl.to  the  (jalathiam.     i6p 

ftyth  as  it  is  in  euery  mans  heart.  For  although  Abraha  had  a  won- 
derful! fayth,and  fuch  a  one  as  wc  (hall  not  fmde  nowadayes  in  the  ' 
tvoride  :  yet  was  it  alwayes  hemmed  in  with  thb  (liyd  Ceremonies 
and  {hadpwes.  Dauid  was  an  Angeli  and  myrror  of  all  perfetyon-: 
and  yet  for  all  that,he  was  fainc  to  be  fubieft  to  the  fame  order^hat 
ihe  common  people  were,  and  to  vfe  all  the  Ceremonies  that  wer<? 
then  in  vfe,  and  his  looking  at  lefus  Chrifl  was  btit  a  farre  off,  by- 
caufe  there  was  the  faid  Curtain  before  him,  which  letted  him  that 
hee  coulde  not  beholde  his  glorie  as  it  is  fhewed  vs' nowadayes  in 
the  Gofpell.  And  although  we  know  not  the  hundredth  part  of  the 
things  that  were  difclozcd  to  Dauid  and  Abraham, to  make  them  in- 
uincible  agaynft  all  temptations, and  to  make  them  fight  fo  manful- 
ly that  god  might  be  glorified  in  them,and  to  make  them  bearc  out 
aril  brunts  :  yet  had  they  not  that  which  we  haue:  that  is  to  wit, they 
had  not  the  pledge  lefus  Chriftdcliuered  vnto  them,as  we  haue,  to 
the  ende  we  might  call  vppori  God  his  father,byGaufc  we  be  mem- 
-bers  of  his  bodie,  and  hee  is  our  heade ,  afluring  our  felues  that  he 
and  we  are  all  one,wrth  condition  that  his  goodes  become  oiirs,aHd 
that  we  haue  full  inioymcnt  of  them  at  this  day.  Thus  yee  fee  that 
our  fayth  is  greater  thanJAbrahams  was,  not  in  refpcft  of  our  per- 
fbncs,  nor  yet  in  refpc  61  of  any  ftedfaftneffe  and  firmncffc  that  is  in 
vs :  but  in  refpe6t  of  thedodrine  or  teaching  of  it,  which  we  terme 
liie  ohkd  of  fayth,  that  is  too  fay,  the  thing  that  is  fettebefore  vs 
from  without.  Andfoye  fee  why  Saint  Paule  faycth  that  the  fa- 
thers were  hilde  in  warde  as  it  were  vnder  a  School emayfter,  tyll 
the  coniming  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifl.lVowe  we  for  our  part  haue 
caufe  too  magnific  Gods  goodnefTe ,  according alfo  as  oure  Lorde  ^^^^-^3*^ 
lefus  Chrift  exhorteth  vs,  fayingiblelTed  are  the  eyes  \^.ich  fee  that      ^^' 
which  you  fee ,  and  the  ^esWhich  heare  that  whiche  you  heare. 
For  m^rxy  Kings  and  Prophets  haue  dcfired  the  likejandhauegonc 
withoijit  It.  Beholde,  Abraham  \ins  called  Gods  freend .  Beholde,  l^m.2.d,iy, 
jDfwi^  js  reported  too  haue  bin  founde  according  too  Gods  owne  ^^.13.^.2* 
heart .  and  yet  for  all  that,'hee  wasfaynetoo  looke  aloofe  at  the 
promife$  ;|hich  are  now  as  it  were  cafl  into  our  lappes,  and  whcrof 
wf  haue  our  fill.  They  fought  lefus  Chriftthen  abfent  and  hidden, 
ip^ they  wayted  for  him.  But  now  that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  hatb 

V.  come^ 


Chap.  3.  foJjdhMlp  Sermon  ypon  '  ■■ 

come  dbwne  into  the  worlde  and  bin  conuerfant  here,  he  h  itk  gy* 
Jolm,}^,^.    vien  vsafurewai-rant  that  aJlisperfoimcdashe  himfelfe declared 
30.        ^t  his  death.  VVhat  a  iewdnefle  then  is  it^if  we  nowadayses  bee  not 
much  the  more  inflamed  and  quickened  vp  to  followe  the  promifes 
xjf  the  Gofpell,  where  God  communicateth  himfelfe  To  familiarly 
rvnto  vs  c'  So  then  on  the  one  fide  wee  haue  caufe  too  yeelde  vnto 
God  his  deferued  prayfe,  for  that  he  hath  vouchfafed  to  exalt  vs^  I 
fey  vs  miferable  creatures  to  fo  high  dignitie,as  to  prefeiTe  vs  be* 
fore  all  the  holy  kings  and  Patriarkes  thatlyued  vnderthe  Lawe. 
Jlowbeit  heere withall  Jet  vs  take  good  heede^, that  this  benefit  and 
prerpgatiue  turne  not  to  our  double  condenaticn.for  our  vnthank- 
luJnefleinnot  making  account  of  fo  greatagopd  turne  fo  offered 
yntp  vs.  Nowe  although  Abraham  were  iliil  hilde  vnder  after  the 
maner  of  a  childe(as  I  haue  fayd  alreadie:)  yet  forfooke  he  both  his 
kinffolke  and  natiue  Ccuntrie,  and  went  as  a  poore  wayfayrerinto 
a  ftraunge  lande, where  he  was  hunted  and  tolled  from  poft  to  pil- 
ier  in  continuall  langui(hing. .  And  if  he  had  repented  him,eould  he 
not  haue  returned  into  his  ownc  Countrey  againec'  Yes:  but  the  A- 
poflle  in  the  eleuenth  to  theHebrewes  telleth  vs,  that  he  had  fucd 
^  truftfulnefle  and  fo  cpnftant  a  fayth,  that  he  hilde  put  euen  to  the 
Jaft  pufh  :  infomuch  that  hee  fhewed  by  e(Fe6l,  that  his  minde  was 
wholy  fet  vpon  thekingdowme  of  heauen,  and  not  intangled  with 
this  worlde :  and  yet  riotwithflanding,  for  all  that  both  hce  and  the 
reflpf  die  tioly  fathers  walked  after  that  maner  before  vs :  yet  tary 
they  {till  for  vs  at  diis  day,  and  receyued  not  the  promifes  which 
are  manifefled  to  vs  in  the  Gofpeli.  For  while  they  lined  they  had 
but  a  Imall  tafte  of  that  which  is  reueled  to  vs  nowadayes^  ik  whkli 
is  layde  openl)eforevs.V\^obetovstherfore-if^e  be  not  wartied 
and  inflamed  to  receyue  Gods  pfxW, whe.he  vttereth  the  idfinite  ti- 
ches  of  his  goodnefle^  to  winne  vs  and  to  draw  vs  in  fuch  wtfe'frOlt^ 
this  worlde^  as  we  may  come  to  yeelde  our  fe lues-free  jy  vrii6  hirfx. 
Then  if  fuche  gracious  dealing  moue  vs  not  too  come  vnt60^hiinjl 
nowe  that  wee  bee  menne  growen  ,  notwithftanding  oute'raxy- 
nefTe  and  infinnitie ,  and  too  take  the  yoke  whiche  hee  layeth'  vp- 
pon  vs,  and  too  fuftcr  hym  too  goucrne  vs  vndef  hys  6bed{eihpce, 
vcaandtoo  take  courage  and  ftoMtneile  toOrVStddefyieSitBati; 


th  EpiH.to  the  Qalathians.     170 

ind  the  whole  vvorlde,  and  all  die  allurements  thereof:  fay  ifwc 
oqermayfternot  all  thefe  conflides:  furelywee  fhali  pay  ri^ht 
deerely  for  the  grace  that  is  offered  vs  in  theGofpell.   And  there- 
fore lerte  cuerye  of  vs  beflyrre  hymfelfe ,  and  take  oportunitie 
whyle  God  allureth  vs,  andwhyle  the  tyme  of  faluation,  and" 
daye  of  fauour  is  prefent.    And  feeing  wee  bee  fb  feeble  that  wee 
doo  but  dragge  oure  legges  after  vs,  let  \s  praye  God  too  fti*eng- 
•then  vs ,  and  too  redrelTe  oure  lazynelTeand  coldenefTe.  Alfoliet 
ciiierie  of  vs  ftreyne  and  inforce  hymfelfe:  andfytheweebee  fo 
hemmed  in  with  the  fnares  that  Sathan  hath  layde  for  vs,  let  vS 
walke  fo  muche  the  more  in  the  feare  of  God,  that  wee  may  ouef- 
come  all  Sathans  lettesand  wyles,  and  go  forwardc  in  the  way  that 
God  hath  fet  vs  in,  and  followe  the  fathers  that  are  gone  afore  vs, 
which  tarie  dill  for  our  companie,that  we  might  be  gathered  vp  all 
togither  intoo  the  heauenly  iyfe,  at  the  blefied  comming  of  oure 
Lorde  lefus  Chrift. 

Nowe  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  Maieftie  of  oure  good 
G9d,w)'th  acknowledgement  of  oure  faultes,  praying  hym  that 
weemayefo  miflyke  of  them ,  aswcemaye  not  onelybce  forye 
and  feeke  forgyueneffe  of  them,  but  alfo  bee  renued  by  true  re- 
pentaunce ,  and  go  forwarde  and  bee  confyrmed  in  it  more  and 
more,  tyllwee  bee  cleane  ridde  of  aJlvyces,  and  beefofafhio- 
lifedlyke  too  hys  Image,  as  hys  glorie  mayc(hyne  foorthin  vs^^ 
c'lien  tyll  we  enter  into  the  full  pofTefsion  of  the  inheritance  that  h« 
hath  promifed  vs.  That  it  may  pieafe  him  to  graunt  this  grace,  not 
enelytovs,butalfotoallpeopl€.&c,  ;        $ 

Hoe.i'^Sermon,  Mohich  inhe  ninth 

l^fon  tk  third  Chasten 

%$   For  all  of  yon  are  Gods  children  through  the  faytli 

which  is  in  lefiis  Chrift. 
27    Surely  as  many  of  you  as  arebaptifed,  haue  put  on . 

Chrift. 

Y.i|.  i8  There 


Chap.  3.  ^0^  Cal.  xxiij.  Sermon  ypon 

z8  There  is  neythcr  Icvvcnor  Greekc,  there  is  n  71I1CC 
bonde  nor  frec.thereis  ncicher  male  nor  female ; 
ForyearealioncinlefusGhrift. 

t9  Now  if  ye  be  Chrifts,the  are  you  Abrahams  feede, 
ahd  heyrcs  according  tothcpromifc, 

E  haue  feene  heretofore  to  what  dignitie  wc 
be  aduaunced  by  the  Gofpell.For  not  only  we 
be  called  to  be  of  the  felowftip  Be  company  of 
the  holy  fathers  whom  God  honored  fo  high- 
ly :  but  alfo  our  flate  is  yet  more  woorthie  and 
noble,  bicaufe  we  be  deliuered  from  the  bon- 
dage of  the  Lawc,whervndcr  they  were  hiide, 
hhn  ii.i2  ^^^  ^^^  ^^^^  better.confirming  of  this  do^lririe,  S.  Paule  addcth  that 
Ti^e  heal  made  th  ihildten  of  God  by  hekeuing  in  our  Lord  lefti6  Cbrift.zc* 
cording  alfo  as  it  is  fayd  in  the  firft  Cliapter  of  S.Iohns  GofpeH.For 
there  this  dignitie  is  commended  to  vs  as  it  defcrtteth-,nafnely,that 
we  haue  preeminence  and  prerogatiue  to  be  counted  Gods  children 
through  fayth,  verely  for  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifts  fake,  who  \s\\i%^ 
only  and  naturall  fonnc.  For  that  tytle  belongeth  alonely  to  him  by 
right, and  is  comunicated  to  vs  but  only  by  grace, inafmuch^s  God 
hath  voutfafed  to  adopt  vs  for  his  fake-So  the  lefus  Chrift  is  the  hcd 
of  the  Church:  howbeit  for  his  fake  god  acknowlcdgeth  &  auoweth 
vs  for  his  children.  And  here  we  fee  that  the  wordSf/<^f/^importeth; 
more  tha  me  comoly  take  it  to  do,according  alfo  as  L  haue<leciared 
before.  For  they  that  are  not  exercized  in  the  holy  Scripture, thinke 
it  ftraunge  that  God  fhould  honor  vs  fo  highly  for  belceuing,&:(to 
their  fe'eming)  fayth  is  not  fo  great  a  vertue  that  it  ought  tb  obteyn 
fo  great  a  benefite.  But  I  haue  fhewed  you  heeretorore,that  our  be- 
Jceuingin  lefus  Chrift  is  not  as  the  crediting  of  feme  ftorie  when 
wchearc  it  or  reade  it,  buta  receyuing  and  conccyuing  of  him  in- 
wardly with  full  aimrednefTe  ashee  is  offered  vs  byGodhys  ii'^ 
then  Therefore  when  wee  imbrace  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  as  the 
partie  that  hath  made  amend  es  for  ourfinnes  too  reconcyie  vs  too 
God,  fo  as  wee  rcpofc  the  whole  triift  of  our  welfare  ih  Bim,  not 
;      .. ::  .  :r  V  doubting 


the  EptB.to  the  Qalathiam.        lyi 

doubting  but  thathec  hath  brought  vs  all  that  is  for  the  inheriting 
of  heaucn :  Ifay  if  wee  bee  once  affured  of  that :  it  is  no  maiucLl 
though  God  acknowledge  vs  as  his  children  for  our  beleefes  fake. 
Howbeeit  therewithal!  we  muft  call  to  our  remembi'ance,  what  we 
haue  difcourfed  before  :  namely  that  this  Qbcnefiteof  Godin  ac- 
knowledging vs  to  bee  his  children]  commeth  not  of  any  defert  of 
fayth,  ney  ther  muft  wee  wey  it  heere  in  the  balance  what  maner  of 
vertue  it  is  :  for  wee  bee  made  Gods  children  by  free  adoption.  If 
amandeniaundethe  caufe  :  I  anfwcre  ,  that  the  vtrie  well  fpring. 
and  foundation  is  not  too  bee  fought  elfe where  than  in  Gods  one- 
ly  goodncfle,  inafmuche  as  it  pleafed  him  too  pitie  vs.    Neuerthe.,' 
Icflc  it  IS  brought  to  pafle  by  the  meanes  of  fayth(as  I  haue  faide  aU 
readie,)  bycaufe  that  beeing  rid  of  all  fonde  ouerwecning,  and  ac- 
knowledging our  felues  to  be  damned  in  ourowne  nature,wee  iice 
for  refuge  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  Thus  you  fee  in  efFe6l  what  5. 
Paule  ment  to  fay.  And  he  goeth  on  ftill  with  the  matter, to  the  end 
we  (houlde  knowc,that  onely  fayth  ought  to  fuflice  vs  to  the  attey- 
ning  of  faluation,  without  feeking  any  other  meanes  one  way  or  ou- 
tlier too  helpe  vs.  \^^hat  (houldc  wee  defyre  more  than  that  God 
flioulde  acknowledge  vs  for  his  children:'  Will  we  needes  haue  an 
ouerplus  added  too  foincftimable  abenefitec'  Ye  fee  then  that  our 
full  felicitie  and  perfect  glorie,  is  that  we  haue  leaue  to  call  vppon 
God  as  our  father, not  doubting  but  that  feeing  he  hath  receyued  vs 
into  his  fauour,  hee  will  alfo  handle  vs  as  his  owne  children.    But 
howe  (hall  we  come  by  that:'  Saint  Paule  fayth  it  k  onely  fayth  that 
maketh  vs  parttakers  of  thatdignitie.  Thenlet  vs  conclude  ,  that 
the  Lawe  can  nothing  aduauntage  vs,or  elfe  it  muft  needes  bee  th^t . 
wee  bee  woonderfull  couetous,  yea  and  as  good  as  out  of  our  wits, 
to  defire  more  than  too  be  the  children  of  God.   The  Angelles  are 
greatly  honoured  in  the  holy  ScripturCjand  yet  the  cheefe  tytle  that  ^^*'»J'^«^» 
is  giuen  them^is  that  tliey  be  the  children  of  God  .Now  feeing  that 
'we,we(I  fay)  poore  wormes  of  the  earth,  in  whom  there  is  nothing 
but  filthynefle,  no  nor  aught  but  corruption  of  finne,  bee  matched 
with  the  Angelles,  infomuch  that  God  openeth  vs  the  kingdomc 
of  heauen,  and  intendeth  too  haue  vs  fellowes  with  them, who  bee 
vertues  5c  are  nere  about  him/eing(I  fay)that  we  be  made  partakers 

y.iij.  of 


Chap  .3.  fo.Cal.xxiij.  Sermonypon 

of  that  glorfe :  ffiall  we  be  fo  preiumptuous  to  feeke  I  wot  not  what 
moreouer  c'  Truely  it  is  not  onely  fayth  that  maketh  vs  to  obteync 
that  benefits .  \'^''herefore  lette  vs  leame  to  renounce  all  other 
meanesthat  may  bee  fet  before  vs :  for  when  men  oifer  vs  any  o- 
ther  helpes  as  though  the  fayth  that  we  haue  in  him  were  not  fuffi- 
cient,  it  is  but  a  turning  of  vs  away  from  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift. 
That  then  is  Saint  Pauies  meaning.  But  wee  fhall  neuer  conceyue 
the  frute  that  is  conteincd  in  this  texte, except  we  alwayes  beai-e  in 
mindcjthat  by  this  worde  VaytbS.Fzulc  meaneth  to  exclude  all  the 
defert  Sc  worthineiTe  that  men  fuppofe  or  imagin  thefclues  able  to 
bring  with  the  vnto  God.  When  they  will  needs  go  through  with 
the  matter  by  their  owne  power  and  vertues:  It  is  ail  one  as  if  they 
would  cut  ofFa  peece  of  the  grace  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.But  he 
cannot  be  rent  in  peeces  or  deuided.  Therefore  all  the  working  of 
our  faluation  muft  come  of  him  alone,and  we  muft  not  skulk  heere 
and  there,nor  feeke  bywayes,but  come  right  forth  vnto  him  by  the 
fti-eyte  way  of  fayth.  Herevpon  S.PauIe  addeth,  that  heemg  baptifed 
in  hftiA  Chrijl,yt>€hau€ptit  him  on.  And  this  is  too  take  away  a  doubt 
that  might  be  caft  heere,  namely  howe  it  is  pofsible  that  we  (hould 
become  the  children  of  God,  feeing  that  that  dignitie  is  peculiar  to 
W  £    A     ^^^  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  For  whereas  he  is  called  the  Sonne  of  God, 
^  *  *  ^  the  Apoftle  fheweth  that  that  t)' tie  cannot  be  verified  of  theveric 
Angels  of  heauen.  True  it  is,(as  I  haue  fayde  heretofore) that  they 
be  named  the  children  of  God:  howbeeit,that  is  not  without  an  ad- 
dition. So  is  it  out  of  doubt,  that  there  is  not  any  creature  to  whom 
that  dignitie  belongeth.But  nowc  feeing  that  lefus  Chrift  is  the  on- 
ly fonnc  of  God,  howe  doth  the  fame  extende  vntoo  vs  <  S.  Paulc 
declareth  that  it  is  byreafonofthe  vnionthatis  betwixt  him  and 
.   vs,accordingasitisfaydinthe.xvij.Chapterof.S.Iohn.  Then  if  wc 
lmi'^7'  »•  ^pj.g  jjQj  Q^Q  ^[^[^  QUI-  LortJe  lefus  Chrift,  furely  wee  fhould  haue 
^^*       none  acquaintance  at  all  wyth  God  ;  for  we  be  quite  ante  off  from 
all  hope  of  lyfe  by  fmne.  Vea  and  wee  muft  needes  be  as  deadly  e- 
nimies  vnto  him,  and  he  vnto  vs,  till  hee  haue  altered  and  renued 
VS.  Howfoeuer  the  worldc  ^o,  beeing  feparated  from  lefus  Chrift, 
and  confidered  in  our  owne  nature,we  bee  vnworthie  too  be  called 
men,  and  therefore  much  lefTe  can  we  boaft  that  God  is  our  father- 
But 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathianT.        i yz 

But  here  (as  I  fayde)  Saint  Paulc  intended  to  aflbylc  that  queflion, 
faying  that  by  Baptifme  we  be  clothed  with  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift, 
And  this  fimilitude  of  clothing  is  verie  ryfe  in  the  holy  Scripture, 
©nd  it  betokeneth  in  efFe6l^that  lefus  Chrift  is  our  apparell  or  ray- 
ment,  whereby  all  iscouered  and  buryed  that  might  make  vs  to  be 
rcieded  at  Gods  hand,and  gracels  purchafed  vnto  vs,  fo  as  he  doth 
not  any  more  fift  vs  and  feareh  vs  in  our  fclues,  but  acccpteth  vs  as 
if  we  came  in  the  very  perfon  of  his  owne  Sonne.  T©  be  fhort,Saint 
Paule  mcnt  to  fhew  here  the  vnion  that  is  betvvene  our  Lord  lefus 
Chrillandall  the  faythfulJ,whichare  the  members  of  his  body  .And 
like  as  all  the  fubftance  of  a  tree  commeth  from  the  root,and  al  the 
powers  and  abilities  of  a  natural  bodie  come  from  the  head:euen  fa 
is  it  betwenethe  fonne  of  God  and  vs.For(as  I  haue  fayd  alredy)we 
haue  not  fo  much  as  one  drop  of  the  heauenly  life,but  of  his  infpy- 
ring  or  breathing  into  vs.Therefore  if  we  will  come  vmto  God,and 
be  partalters  of  the  holy  Ghoft,  and  of  the  giftesthat  belong  to  the 
endlefle  life  :  let  vs  be  in  lefus  Chrift,andnot  thinke  our  felues  to 
beany  thing  or  aught  worth  of  our  felues.  And  for  the  fame  caufe, 
ourLorde  lefus  Chrift  in  the  fayd  text  which  I  alledged  out  of  the 
X\^ij.  of  S.  lohn,  fetting  out  the  true  and  perfe£l  happinefie  of  his, 
fayeth :  Father  I  pray  thee  that  they  may  bee  made  one  with  vs. 
Yc  fee  then  that  the  way  for  vs  to  get  out  of  the  dungeon  of  death 
wherein  we  were  drowned,  is  to  be  vnited  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift 
by  the  bond  of  fayth.  Now  S.  Paule  fayth,  that  that  is  done  in  Bap- 
tifme. Not  that  all  they  which  are  baptized  arc  true  members  of 
lefus  Chrift  in  deede.for  we  fee  the  cleane  contrarie,  info  much  that 
there  are  fome  which  vnhallowand  defile  all  the  holinefle  of  Bap-. 
tifme,and  are  giltie  of  high  treafontoo  God,  bicaufe  that  whereas 
they  profeffe  to  holde  of  lefus  Chrift,  they  defpyze  and  fpyte  him, 
and  are  as  dung  and  filthinefle  too  marre  all  things.  Baptifme  then 
makctli  vs  not  all  Chriftians,  and  againe  wee  knowe,  that  too  bee 
made  the  childe  of  God,  is  too  greata  benefite  to  bee  fathered  vp- 
pon  a  corruptible  Element.  What  is  the  water :'  Too  fav^  that  the 
water  begetteth  or  regenerateth  vs  againe,  and  that  thereby  we  be 
ileliuered  from  death  j  and  obteyne  the  glorie  wherein  God  lyf* 
teth  vs  vp  lOQ  hiirifelfe ;  is  (fay  I)  a  pcruerting  of  all  order. 

y,iiii.  '  B'^t 


Chap.3.  foXaLxxiij.  Sermon  ypon 

But  firft  of  all  let  vs  marke  here,  that  when  Saint  Paule  fpeakcth 
of  Baptirme;hc  prcfuppofeth  that  we  receyue  the  thing  that  is  of- 
fered vnto  vs  in  it.  Many  that  are  baptifed  do  wype  away  the  grace 
of  God-.and  notwithftandingthat  it  be  offered  thcm,yet  they  make 
themfelues  \Tiworthic  of  it  jihrough  their  vnbeleef,  lewdnt0c,and 
rebellion.  Thus  yee  fee  that  the  power  of  baptifme  is  diffeated  in 
many  men.  But  when  there  happeneth  a  mutual  agreement  Sc  mc- 
lodie  betwene  God  and  vs:then  hath  baptifme  the  efFcft  whereof 
S.Paule  treateth  and  difcourfeth  in  this  text.  And  fo  the  thing  that 
maketh  vs  Gods  children  and  clothed  vs  with  lefus  Chrift ,  is  that 
God  draweth  vs  out  of  the  corruption  wherin  we  were  by  nature, 
and  will  haue  lefus  Chriil  to  be  our  head,  and  vs  ingraff  ed  into  him 
to  be  parttakers  of  his  goods.Therforc  looke  when  we  receiue  that, 
then  is  all  accoplifhed  that  is  figured  by  baptifme.If  hypocrites  brag 
_  -  ^  *       of  their  baptifmejS.Paule  (heweth  them  that  it  is  but  vanitie  and  ilt 
^  *  *  *  ^  lufion/aying  that  the  circumcifion  of  the  letter  is  nothing:that  is  to 
fay,if  we  loke  no  further  but  to  the  outward  and  vifible  Sacrament, 
it  is  all  of  no  value.  Euen  fo  is  it  with  baptifme :  it  (hall  (land  them 
in  no  {led  which  with  their  mouthes  vaunt  themfelues  to  be  Chri- 
ftians  and  great  pillers  of  the  Church,  forafmuch  as  they  defile  the 
thing  which  God  had  dedicated  to  fo  excellent  an  vfe,as  I  haue  told 
you  before.Then  let  vs  marke  well  that  S.  Paule  fpealieth  this  fen- 
tence,not  to  all  without  exception, which  beare  the  figne  and  mark 
[]of  baptifme]  outwardly: but  to  fuch  as  fare  the  better  by  their  bap- 
tifme. Againe  S.Paule  mecneth  not  that  baptifme,  that  is  to  fay  the 
water  hath  the  power  to  chaunge  vs  in  fuch  wife, that  we  (hould  be 
clothed  with  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift:for  by  that  meancs  God  fliould 
be  robbed  of  the  prayfe  that  is  due  to  himfelf  alone.But  he  fheweth 
here  the  meanc  whereby  we  be  certified  that  we  be  the  members  of 
our  Lord  lefus  Chrifts  bodie.I  haue  tolde  you  alredie,  that  we  muft 
notfceke  any  other  caufe  of  it  than  Gods  mere  goodnefiTe.for  if  we 
fetch  windlafles  one  wher  or  other,it  is  like  as  if  a  ma  were  a  thiril, 
and  would  tumehis  back  to  the  fountaine  [to feeke  water.]  Ther-. 
fore  let  vs  lcame,that  it  is  only  God  which  knitteth  vs  to  our  Lord 
lefus  Chrift,of  his  own  mere  goodnefle^Sc  that  he  doth  it  by  the  fe-? 
ctetc  power  of  his  holy  fpirit,  and  yet  notwithftanding  ceafleth  not 

to 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.       175 

too  woorke  by  baptifme  as  by  an  inferiour  inftmment,  according  as 
wee  fee  how  all  light  comcth  of  hiin,in  ibmuchrthat  there  was  light 
in  tlie  world,  euen  before  there  was  eyther  Sunne  or  Moone.  And 
yet  neuertheleffe  God  hath  ftablifhed  the  Sunne  whereby  we  hauc 
light  heere  bylowe  eucn  vnto  this  day.  But  yet  doth  not  the  Sunne 
feruc  too  diminifli  the  power  that  is  in  God  alone.  Againe  it  is  fayd 
that  manliueth  not  by  bread  oncly,but  by  euery  woord  that  proce-  (Df«^8.rf.3 
deth  out  of  Gods  mouth.  And  in  good  footh  the  bread  it  felfe  is  a 
dead  thing.  Who  giueth  it  vsc'It  is  God  that  infpireth  life  into  vs  : 
for  wee  liuc  in  him  as  S.  Paule  fayeth  in  the.  xvij.of  the  A6les.  And  jf^-'iy-f^ 
yet  notwithftanding  it  is  his  will  too  doo  it  by  bread,  and  he  appli-       28. 
cth  it  dayly  too  our  vie, too  the  intent  we  (Kould  bee  fed  with  it.  So 
then  there  is  none  inconuenience  that  wee  fhould  bee  clothed  with 
our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  by  baptirme,and  yet  not  widiPcanding  that  the 
fame  fliould  proceede  of  Gods  meere  grace,  and  that  it  fhoulde  bee 
done  by  the  fecrete  workingof  the  holy  Ghoft,  furmounting  the 
whole  order  of  nature,  whereof  baptifme  dothe  certifie  vs,  bycaufe 
we  bee  rude  and  earthly.  God  therefore  is  fayne  too  drawe  by  little 
and  little  by  reafon  of  our  infirmitie,  too  make  vs  too  conceyue  the 
things  that  otherwife  are  too  high  for  vs.  For  where  are  our  wings 
too  ftie  with  aboue  the  heauens  '^  V\^ee  haue  much  a  doo  to  creepc 
heere  beneath  vpcn  the  earth,and  therefore  God  is  fayne  too  come 
downe  to  vs,which  thin^  he  doth  by  his  Sacramentes.  1  bus  are  we 
clothed  with  our  Lordlcfus  Chrifte  by  baptifme,  according  alfo  as 
S.Paule  (he  wedi  by  another  fimilitude  in  the  fixth  to  the  Romanes.  <Jlom.6,a.^, 
For  he  fayeth  that  we  bee  grefFed  into  the  death  and  pafsion  of  our 
Lord  lefus  Chriil^too  the  end  alfo  to  bee  made  partakers  of  his  re- 
furre^lion  and  life.  This  fimilitude  of  greftyng  is  as  fit  as  the  other 
of  clothing- For  rake  mee  the  fy  en  of  a  tree,and  cut  mee  of  the  head, 
crfome  bough  of  another  tree,  and  greflPe  mee  that  little  fyen  into 
it,  that  was  taken  from  another,  and  yee  fee  they  growe  bothc  into 
onCjfo  as  they  become  bothc  one  fubitince,  and  the  roote  ycelderh 
his  fap  too  the  little  fprig  that  was  taken  from  another  tree.  Euen 
after  the  fame  maner  are  wee  gretTed  intoo  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte 
(fayeth  S.Paule)  and  that  is  too  the  end  that  our  old  man  fhould  be 
crucified  in  hiin^and  we  be  rayfcd  vp  againe  in  ncv/neffe  of  life.  But 

V.v.  heere 


Ch-ip.j.  ^g^  Cal.xxiij .  Sermon  ypon 

liccre  wee  hsxtQ  firfl  to©  marke,  howe  sjrations  and  bountif«ll  Goi 
liath  and  flill  doth  fhew  himf^lfe  towai  des  vs,m  that  it  plcalcth  him 
too  vnite  vs  too  his  owne  fonne :  for  that  paffeth  all  the  benefites 
whiche  \v«e  can  conceyue  in  our  imaginacion.  Ai>d  therefore  aifo 
doth  S.Paule  proue,that  all  things  which  God  hath,do  belong  vnto 
5J^?a.8.y,  vs,andthat  we  haue  the  inioying of  them-,  whe  we  once  poflelTe  his 
31.  Sonne.   Seing  (fayethhee)  that  God  hath  not  fpared  his  owne 

i>onne,how  fhould  he  not  giue  vs  all  things  with  him.Too  be  fhort, 
God  coulde  not  haue  vttered  the  infinite  treafores  better;^  than  by 
ioyning  vs  after  that  maner  to  his  only  Sonne.  It  is  more  than  if  he 
had  giuen  vshcauenand  earth:  For  furely  if  v/^t  compare  lefus 
Chriit  with  all  the  goodes  of  the  worlde,yea  and  all  the  goodes  that 
are  aboue  the  earthly  world :  he  farre  furniounteth  them  all.Marke 
that  for  onepoynt.Furthermore  let  vs  vnderftand  that  God  hath  fo 
vnited  vs  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,as  wee  muft  be  fayne  to  haue  all 
cur  iyfe  in  him.  And  it  ferueth  to  humble  vs  the  bettcr,and  to  make 
vs  perceyue  how  horrible  a  thing  it  is  to  bee  wrapped  in  the  curfed- 
ncfle  of  Adam.  For  if  the  holy  Scripture  told  vs  not  that  wee  mulle 
be  vnited  ta  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  before  wee  can  bee  in  Gods  fa- 
uour :  wee  fliould  not  feele  fufficiently  the  wretchedneffe  wherein 
we  be  hild  by  nature,nother  (hould  wee  hate  our  finnes  fo  much  as 
we  ought  to  do.But  now  that  it  is  tolde  vs  how  it  is  impofsibk,(yea 
though  ail  the  Angels  fhould  come  to  ourayde,&:  that  all  the  world 
(Ivouldehelpe  forward  the  matter):  and  too  bee  fliort,  that  although 
nothingwantedyctitwereimpofsiblcforvs  to  come  neerevntoo 
God, or  that  he  fiiould  looke  vpo  vs  with  a  fatherly  coutenance,yea 
or  that  he  fhould  acknowledge  vs  for  his  creatures,til  we  be  clothed 
with  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift :  This  were  ynough  to  make  vs  abhorre 
our  fe lues.  And  needes  muft  it  be  thatwe  be  worfe  than  lothely,  fe- 
ing  there  is  none  other  meanes  to  appeafe  Gods  wrath  towards  vs^ 
and  to  fet  v^s  againe  in  his  fauour,than  by  his  coucring  of  our  finnes, 
8c  by  his  clenzing  of  vs  fro  al  our  filthineife  Sc  infe6tion,by  blotting 
out  all  our  wickednefTe  :  &  that  the  fame  muft  be  done  by  clothing 
bur  felues  with  lefus  Chrift,according  to  the  figure  therof  which  wc 
(F^i^  27,  d.  fee  in  Jacob,  whe  God  bliifedhini  by  the  had  &  meane  of  his  father. 
27.        Tnifi  it  is  that  lacob  was  chozen  as  lacgb :  but  yet  was  he  faine  to  be 

appareled 


the  EpiBJo  the  (jalathtans.      1 74. 

appareled  as  Efan.  So  was  he  himfelfe  as  in  refpc6l  of  Gods  calling 
of  him  to  the  heritage  or  birthright :  and  he  was  another  man  in  re- 
fpe^t  of  his  borrowing  of  his  brothers  clothing.  Euen  fo  come  wee 
alfo  as  chozen  of  God  and  as  hauing  his  promis,  whereby  he  afiuretk 
vs  that  he  is  ready  to  receyue  vs  to  mercie  :  but  yet  muffc  we  firft  Sc 
formed  be  clothed  with  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  For  if  we  appeere  in 
our  owne  likenefTcpGodmuft  needes  hate  and  abhorre  vs  as  we  be 
wortliie.Thatisthe  thing  v/hereof  we  be  warned.  But  in  the  meanc 
while  let  vs  fare  the  better  by  the  warrant  that  is  giue  vs  in  baptim, 
tliat  we  maybe  able  to  fi^ht  againft  al  the  temptations  and  di{li"uftes 
which  Satan  fettedi  before  our  eyes  to  /hake  our  fayth  withall.If  wc 
be  blockifli  fo  as  we  perceyiie  not  our  owne  s'lz^s,  but  be  as  it  were 
rotten  in  them,  wo  be  to  vs.  But  if  we  bee  wakened, to  bethinke  oar 
felues  what  it  is  to  make  accout  before  god/o  as  it  cometli  euening 
8c  morning  to  our  remebrance,  that  he  is  the  iudge  of  the  world  and 
canot  ^iue  vp  his  ofiice:  if  we  enter  into  our  felues  to  niake  examina- 
cio  of  our  finnes  :  furcly  we  mud  needes  be  afrayd  &  as  it  were  be^ 
fides  cur  felues:5cifwe  had  no  help  to  releeue  vs^wediouldneeder 
be  drowned  indefpayre.But  let  vs  haue  ourrecourfe  to  our  baptim, 
&:  aflure  our  felues  that  it  is  not  for  nought  that  God  hath  called  vs 
to  be  partake  rs  of  the  purcnefTe  of  his  only  fonne^^  made  vs  al  one 
with  him  :  5c  then  fhall  hisbloudfhed  haue  fuch  elf  eel  to  clenze  vs 
fro  all  our  fpottes,as  we  may  come  before  God  with  our  heads  vp- 
right:  not  with  fuch  loftinelTe  as  liipocrites  haue, which  prefume  vpo 
thefeluesibut  vpo  truft  of  k's  inediinable  goodneflejin  afmuch  as  he 
hath  told  vs  that  all  things  which  belong  to  our  Lord  kfus  Chndc 
are  comon  to  vs.  Againe  i^^t  perceyue  our  felues  to  haue  comitted 
fo  many  offences  that  Gods  wrath  is  kindled  againft  vs:  behold,! e- 
fus  Chriil  hath  offered  a  facrifice,wherby  welvnow  that  the  attone^ 
ment  is  made  betwcene  God  and  vs.  Seyngthen  that  God  hatH 
fo  teftificd  his  louc  towardcs  vs  :  let  vs  not  mirtnift  but  that  he  will 
pj-euent  vs  when  fo  euer  wee  leeke  him  in  true  fa^^th,  that  is  too 
fay,  with  fuche  ftedfaftnelTeas  weedoubte  not  that  he  ment  too 
difappoynt  vs  when  hee  pretended  too  bee  fo  libcrall  towarde^ 
vs.  Thus  yce  fee  that  the  way  too  make  our  baptifme  auaylable  to 
vs,  is  too  vfe  it  as  a  (Kecid  too  beate  backe  ail  tiic  Jidrunics  that 

come 


Chr 


'^P^-  foXalxxiip  Sermon  ypon 

come  vpon  vs  too  (loppe  vs  from  praying  vntoo  God,and  from  lit- 
uing  our  whole  recourfe  vnto  him,if  we  went  not  vnto  him,  [dying 
thus  in  our  fclues]  :  Surely  it  is  true  that  I  haue  fuch  (lore  of  fmnes 
m  mce,  as  the  number  of  them  were  able  too  make  God  too  lothc 
mec  :  but  therefore  I  will  not  gb  too  him  in  mine  owne  perfone  :  1 
renounce  my  felfe  and  mine  owne  nature^^-as  wherein  there  is  no- 
thing but  fhame  and  confuzion :  and  I  go  to  him  in  the  name  of  our 
Lord  lefus  Chrii1-,yea  and  he  goeth  before  mee,  he  giueth  mee  as  it 
were  hisgarmentyhefpeaketh  for  mee^and  in  his  name  do  Iprefent 
my  feife  as  though  I  were  very  he^bicaufe  it  hath  pleafed  him  to  bee 
fo  gracious  too  mee  as  to  make  mee  all  one  with  him.  Thus  ye  fee 
that  we  niufl:  Jeaue  our  felues  behind  vs  when  we  come  before  Godj, 
and  wee  mufl  take  vppon  vs  the  perfone  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte, 
yea  we  leaue  our  felues  behind  vs.  Not  that  we  fhould  not  perceiuc 
our  owne  mrfdoings  and  be  rightly  humbled  aiKl  forie  for  them:  but 
{[that  we  fhould  doo  the  clcane  contrarie^and^  yet  notwithftanding 
take  it  for  a  full  and  refolute  certaintiejthat  God  acceptcth  vs  when 
wee  come  vnto  him  as  in  the  perfone  of  his  onely  Sonne.  But  there 
are  very  fewe  that  thinke  vppon  this.  And  in  good  footh,  althougk 
that  all  of  vs  profefTe  the  Gofpell,yet  wee  ^all  finde  a  number  that 
know  not  the  true  vfe  of  baptifme,nor  where  too  it  auayleth,  nor  ta 
what  end  it  was  ordeyned.  But  fuch  folke  (hall  pay  deerly  for  taking 
fuch  a  pledge  at  Gods  hand.  He  will  fhewe  that  it  is  to  coftly  a  thing 
too  bee  abufed^for  afmuch  as  it  is  fayd  to  be  tlve  meane  whereby  we 
bee  vnited  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chriil^and  ingreffed  into  his  death  and 
refurre6lion.  Then  whereas  many  haue  receyued  baptifme  in  their 
childhood^and  haue  lined  a  fortie  or  fiftie  y  eeres  in  the  world  with- 
out knowing  too  what  ende  they  were  baptized :  it  were  better  for 
them  that  they  had  bin  home  dead,  and  too  haue  bin  dinken  a  hun- 
dred times  into  the  earth^than  too  haue  vnhallowed  fo  holy  a  thing.. 
And  therefore  let  vs  hethinke  our  felues  the  better,  and  learnc  that 
although  there  bee  but  a  little  water  cafle  ^^^pon  our  heads,  yet  not 
withftading  it  is  not  a  vaine  figure :  for  God  fpeaketh  in  it  as  it  were 
fromheauen,  and  lefus  Chrifte  is  there  prcfent  as  a  witnefle  of  the 
vfagc  and  operation  of  thefacramentjandfpecially  his  death  andre- 
furred:ion  are  warranted  too  vs  by  it.  Let  vs  thinke  well  vpon  thefe 

thingS; 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jaUthiam.         1 75 

tli][ngs,and  confidcr  too  what  end  we  be  baptized  and  what  bcnefite 
it  bringeth  vs  :  let  it  bee  well  rooted  in  our  haites,  and  when  foeuer 
any  yong  childre  are  baptized  Jet  v^s  bcthinke  our  felucs  the  better  : 
For  to  what  end  is  baptifme  foleninized  in  the  conipanie  []or  con- 
grcgacion]  of  the  faythfuU :'  Truly  to  the  end  diat  the  babe  (hould 
be  commended  vnto  God.  Againe  it  is  a  certaine  infraunchizing  ok 
him  into  the  heauenly  Citic,  and  therefore  it  mufte  not  bee  done  in 
hudther  mudther  :  but  it  is  fo  excellent  a  dccde,as  ought  to  be  done 
after  a  more  orderly  and  folemne  fafiiion,than  any  thing  belonging 
to  worldly  jx)llicie.  I'cr  therein  wee  haue  a  mirrour  of  the  benefite 
that  was  beflowed  vppon  vs  before,  to  the  intent  we  fliould  ioy  in  it 
to  the  end.  But  we  fee  that  the  vnbeleeuers  do  through  theyr  ow'.n- 
vnthankfulnefle  depriue  thcmfelues  of  this  adoption  of  Gods,  and 
quite  banifn  themfelues  from  it.    To  the  end  then  that  we  may  bee 
confirmed  more  and  more,  wee  mufte  confider  weil^tliat  when  bap- 
tifme is  celebratedjt  toucheth  vs  veiy  neerely,  and  God  caileth  vs 
tohim,  too  fhewe  vs  in  another  bodies  perfone,  that  wee  our  felucs 
are  foriome  and  damned  by  nature.  Howbeit  for  afmuch  as  he  harli 
knit  vs  into  the  bodie  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  we  be  no  mb?e  con- 
fidered  in  our  owne kinde,nother  doth  God  looke  what  *j^ee  bee  of 
ourfelues,  nor  what  wee  haue  defcmed  :  but  accepteth  vs  asific- 
fus  Chrift  were  in  vs,as  in  dcede  wee  mufte  not  bee  feparated  frCni 
liim.  This  in  effect  is  it  that  wee  haue  too  confider  vp|X)n  this  text. 
Now  hcrcvpon  S.Pauk  cocludetb,  that  there  u  nother  Gmhcnor  ZfTi', 
bond  nor  free  jm/ie  noi  fitnale, but  ilUt  hfm  ChriU  u  eminVs  ally^id 
sllXifee  are  one  in  him.  And  by  this  fentcnce  S.Paiile  ment  to  ej^refle 
yet  better,that  only  fay  thought  tofuffyze  vs>  and  that  we  rtitift  ex- 
clude all  other  meaner:  For  eifeit  were  a  derogacionas  well  to  the 
^ace  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  as  to  the  working  of  his  holy  fpirite. 
If  any  mm  t^lkd^c  that  circumcifion  wasalwayes  a  recorde  too  the 
fathers^of  the  fame  thing  that  wee  haiie  at  this  day  in  bj^tlfme :  the 
cfoubte  is  a-Toyled  in  thefecond  too  the  Colofsi'ans,  U^hete  S.Paule  Colojii.b, 
fayeth  that  irrbdng  baptized  wee  bee  circumcized :  [liowbeit]  not       U. 
with  mans  hand,  nor  with  viilblc  circuriiciflon :  but  that  it  du»ht  to 
fafnze  vs  tllxaCrod  acfoiowledgcth  vs  to  bee  pirtakerS  of  the  fpiri- 
tuaii  circumciTion^  namely  for  iomueh  as  baptifme  is-ordeyned  too 

the   > 


ciispo'     .       fa,CaLxxiij.Seymonypm    ^ 

the  faipiead  now  adayes.  And  let  vs  marke,  that  circumcizfon  fef^ 
lied  toput  aclitrereiKe  Letweene  ihelc\ve.s  and-the  GcntiksJt  \va$ 

r^^.a  {  '^  (iS  tiie:Scnptui  c  termeth  it)  a  v/ali.  betwixt  tkcm,  too  fence  m  the 
^  lewes  as  the  people  whom  God  had  chozen.  Eut  no  we  the  bliising 

is  pubh'Ched  cucrywhcre/o  as  there  is  no  more  diuei  fitie.  Now  then 
baptifmc  being  in  thefe  daycs  fucceeded  m  the  place  of  circumcifioy 
fupplieth  the  vvantof  that  old iigneyvvhich  was  afi2,\iire  and  fhadowe 
of  things  too  cenac.  And  that  fliould  not  needed  too  haue  bin,if  ouri 
Lordle!fns  Chrift  h^ad  not  bin  away.  But  nowe  that  he  is  nianifefted 
vnto  vs,  we  haue  baptifme  ordeyned  in  fleade  of  it.  Notwithftanding^ 
let  vs  marke(as  I  haue  fayd  already)that  we  ca  bring  nothing  of  ouf> 
owne  wherwith  topurchace  fauour  before  God :  all  that  we  can  do 
is  butiimply  to  confefle  our  fmne;,  which  were  yi^ugh  too  drowne 
vs  in  defpayre.  Furthermore  wee  haue  fayth,  where  by  wee  recouer 
that  whiche  is  requifite  for  our  faiuation,  I  fay  wee  re  ecu  er  it,  by 
feekingit  in  our  Lord  lefusChrifl.  Nowe  then  if  wee  fay,  yea  hut 
weebee  weake  and  rude,  wee  cannot  mount  fo  high  as  too  the  fe- 
cretes  of  heauen :  iet  vs  iooke  vpon  the  baptifme  that  is  giuen  vs,  aj 
though  God  reached  our  his  handetoo  vs.  There  he  fliewethvsi 
to  cyefightjafter  what  maner  he  plucketh  vs  out  of  the.  curfe  wheiv. 
in  we  were  plundged,and  couereth  vs  with  our  Lord  lefus  Chriftc^ 
tiO  the  endtliat  all  our  mifdeedes  Pnould  be  buried  by  the  pcrfe<aion; 
of  his  rightuoufne^e.  Forvveeknowe  he  yeeldedfuche  obedience, 
too  God  his  father,that  ifw€t  come  grounded  therevppon,we  can- 
nothut  fiode  fauour  at  his  hand.  Tlui5  yee  fee  how  that  on  the  one 
fide^God  wil  haue  vs  to  reft  vpon  him  and  ou  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift. 
his  fonne^to  the  end  we  fhould  draw  out  of  the  fulnefle  of  that  feu* 
tayne,andyeeldethe  whole  prayfe  of  our  faluation  to  the  wocrking 
of  his  holy  fpirite :  and  on  the  otherfidegiueth  vs  baptiime  as  a  help> 
of  ourrudenefTe  and  infirmitie.  Seyng  wee  haue  all  this,what  feekc- 
we  any  more  C"  Is  it  not  a  wilfull  robbing  of  God,  if  wee  will  needed  i 
haue  other  helpes,  and  put  too  other  opinions  and  fancies  as  they, 
come  in  our  heades  C*  VVhereto  ferueth  all  this :'  But  fuche  min- 
gling? arc  Diuclifli  corruptions.  Therefore  S.Paule  tcileth  vs,that 

*^  wee  muft  be  fo  vnited  too  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,as  noneoF  vs  muftr: 

aduauqce  himfeU  as  though  he  were  better  worth  than  his  fcUowcs, 

but 


the  EpfB.to  the  (jalathianf^       \']6 

tut  acknowledge  our  felues  beholden  too  Gods  mcerc  gracfi-^eo^'all 
)thmgs,and  bothe  great  and  fmall  mufteindcuer  the  fame  togiiiVier> 
'and  with  one  comon  confent  confelTe,  that  in  our  Lord  Jefus  Clii  ill 
ihcy  haue  all  that  \s  to  be  wifhed  for,and  thert?fore  giue  ouer  all  the 
inuentions  and  deuices  that  can  come  in  their  ownc.brayne.Yet  not 
wichftanding,  S.Paulement  not  too  fay  that  tltercis  no  dtuerfitic  of 
<J/-grees  as  in  refpe^l  of  worldly  policie.    For  wee  knowc  there  ai'c 
•may  tiers  and  feruants,  Magiftrates  and  lubic^fies:  inahaufthold^ 
there  is  the  good  man  which  is  the  head;,anddie  good  v/yfe  whiche 
ought  to  Lee  fubie^l:.  \^Vee  know  then  that  this  order  isanuiolabiea 
and  our  Lord  lefus  Ghrift  h  not  come  into  tlie  woddctojonakeirvJiicH 
^onfufion  as  to  aboJifji  that  which  was  ilabliihed-byGodhisibxlixer. 
But  when  S.Paule  fayeth  that  there  isnother  mayfter  nor  fei-uant^ 
man  nor  woman :  he  meeneth  that  too  bee  fure  cf  their  ialuation, 
men  mufie  not  fet  vp  theyr  tayles  lyke  Peacockes,  and fland  gazing 
yppon  thc.ir  qwne  fethers  :  bur  Jooke  what.wioorthfncfleiotuerwe 
u^ene  top  bee  in  our  felueSjWee  muile  wipe  it  away  and  caft  it:  vn^ 
der  foote^and  ackno\vkdge  all  to  bee.bat  hinderances  that  turne  vs 
7^\A^  ff cm  ccmming  to  our  LordlcR^s  Chrift.Therefore  wdicn  both 
great  and  fmali  doo  ackno,wJedge  that  theyiCannotbiyng  aught,  of 
theielucs,but  miuflreceyueall  things  of  Gods  only  free  goodneiTe;: 
Then  is  our  Lord  leius'Ghriil:  himleife  alone  is  all  in  all  inivs  ^  thaC 
is  to  lay,  we  wil  not  go. about  to  adde  anght  to  the  grace  that  he  hath 
purchaced  for  vs,and  which.he  offereth  vsdayly  by  his  Gt>fpell  too, 
the  end  v\see  fhould  be  partakers- of  it  and  inioy  it  too  our  faluation. 
Thus yee feein efre<5i,thatpnthe oneiide  we muftkeepethe  ciuilk 
OFd:rrs  v>f  tliis  world.  Let  fuch  as  are  gr.eat  men^and  men  of  authori- 
tic  aboue  pthcrSj  knowe  that  God  iprOejideth  t^o  i>e  fer.ued  by  di^n» 
inthatfiate.  As  f^r  exarxiple,  let  thciMagiftrates  confider.tiiat  they' 
be  Co- much  t^e  morebou^id  to  do  their  dueticjCeyng^th^t  .Ood  h^th- 
done  thenuhe  honour  too  aduaunctrthem  after  that  fafhion  abouc 
others.  AgtiynC;,  Vhey  that  are  priij4te,pprfoi-^s.and  ought  to.6  obey/ 
th  -  Magiftratcs,!nuft  lookc  that  they  fubmit  thefelucSjvnleirethcyl 
puq^'ofc  to  ftriue  with^God  and  to  make  warre  againft  hin'^-YeeAtt) 
tli'^n  tliat  S.  Paulc  holdeth  vs  in  fobrietje  and  moder:ie,nand  ^rnder  t:\ 
U'idie  which  was  no:  dcuiied  by  menibujt  dtdxcated  of  Qod  too  mit 


vfe,Qmxd(c  mankind  could  not  continue  without  it.  And  tmely  wc 
ought  coo  honour  and  reuerence  the  ftate  of  goucrnflnce,as  a  thing 
ordeyned  ot'the  Lord.  And  yet  for  all  that,  when  wee  come  too  the 
herAiehivlifc;,letvsafrure  ourfelucr that  all  worldly  things padc 

r  and  vaniih  away,as  the  world  and  the  fafliion  thereof  pafleth, lay etk 

*  Sain6l-  Paule :  but  the  kingdome  of  God  indureth  for  euer.'l  hen  a^ 
touching  our  bein$;  children  vntoo  God,  and  as  touching  our  bey  a* 
his  heires,w€  come  not  to  it  by  riches,  noblenefl^e,  or  dignitie,or  by 
any  power  or  vertue  of  our  owne.Kow  then:  By  Gods  meere  grace 
and  PoodntiTe.  For  the  great  ones  mui^  be  fayne  to  ftoupe  and  ta 
humbk  themfelucs^and  the  little  ones  mufte  needes  wonder  at  the 
%ht  of  Qodsfoineftimable  goodneiTe, who  hath  vouchfaued  to  lifr 
them  vp  after  that  forte  aboue  the  he:aiens>  whereas  they  be  fcarfly 
counted  worthie  to  dwell  vpon  earth.  Furthermore  let  vs  haue  the 
skill  to  profits  our  felues  hereby.  Truely  the  chiefc  poynt  is  that  we 
go  foreward-and  ti'auell  ftiil  to  the  inheritance  of  the  heauely  king- 
dome,aHd  that  our  ftudies,  thoughtes  and  defires  be  chiefly  applied 
therevnto. .  Btit  yettlierewith.^li  wee  muflealfo  inpafsing  througk 
this  world;  hauc  regard  of  the  degrees  which  our  Lord  hathfet  too 
bekept.And  when  any  are  to  be  chozen  to  the  Ibte  of  gouernment> 
to  whcld  Gods  fwoord,  and  too  fit  in  the  feate  of  luftics  :  Jet  euery 
Jnan  bethinke  himfelf  well,  and  pray  to  God  for  fuch  as  are  too  bee 
chozen, that  they  may  be  found  to  be  good  and  faithful  Magiflratcs, 
and  imptoy  themfelues  too  doo  their  duetie.  And  kt  vs  on  our  fide 
walke  peaceably  in  their  obediece  and  fubie£>ion :  let  vs  feel'e  there 
ds:itwere  thefirilfrutesof  the  kingdome  of  heauen :  and  letvs  c6- 
fiderthat  our  Lord  lefus  Chrid  doth  by  that  (igile  ih^w  vs  aforehadi 
that  h&  hath  a  care  of  v^,  and  ouerlooketh  vs,and  watcheth  ouer  vs> 
vntill  W6'may  fee  kit  roth  e  full  whefthc' (hall  haiie  gkhe^red  vs  vp 
to  himfelf.  And  to  the  intent  we  «Yay  die  mOre'chi?refufly  and  w)^' 
the  better  courao-e  beare  the  yoke  vv^hich  he  bath'  abpoyhted :  let  v*^ 
vnderftand  that  it  is  aeceptabJe-t^DO  him,  and  a  f;icrifize  which e  he  li- 
k^th  well  of,wlTen  wee  walke  accordfns;  t^  the  order  which  he  hatli 
ftabli(hed,and  when  wee  proceedc  fo  liue,  not  onely  Without  doin^ 
any  man  wrone^or  without  ofFcting'aily  violence  or  d^-ceft  t  but  al- 

T;t.2.  c,  12  fo doo  waJke inall  godlinefF^ kidhoncftie,  (as S.¥^k  ri^^et?^)  that 

isto 


theEpiU.tothe^alathiani^      lyj 

feto  fay, when  wc  firft  fcarc  and  rei:jcrctice  God  abouc  aII  thyngf, 
iind  labour  to  dedicate  ourfelues  wholly  vnto  him :  and  fecondlye 
liue  after  fuch  a  fober  manner,  as  we  do  well  (hevve  that  we  be  not 
giuen  to  the  world, though  we  dwell  in  it :  but  that  we  take  it  as  a 
ftraunge  countrie,  through  the  which  wee  trauell  continually  to- 
wards die  heauenly  reft,tilLwe  fee  the  thing  in  very  deede  whyche 
h  taught  vs  heere,that  is  to  wit  that  we  hauc  not  bin  knit  vnto  bur 
Lordlefus  Chriftin  vaine. 

And  now  let  vs  fal  downe  before  the  maieftie  of  our  good  God 
with  acknowledgement  of  our  finnes,  praying  him  to  make  vs  fo 
to  perceiue  them,  as  we  may  continually  feeke  him,  euen  with  as 
carneft  zcle  as  may  pofsibly  be,  and  giue  ourfelues  wholly  to  oure 
Lord  lefus  Chrift,  to  the  ende  that  being  ioyned  to  him,  wee  may 
giue  oucr  all  the  cares  of  this  worlde,  and  ftill  more  and  more  go 
forward  to  the  felicitic  of  the  heauenly  kingdome ,  till  we  be  fully 
eomc  thither.  And  fo  let  vs  all  fay,  Almightye  God  heauenly 
fathcr.&c. 

The.xxiiij\Sermony\»hich  is  the 

frfiyfpon  the  fourth  Chapter. 

t  I  fay  that  vvhyle  the  hcirc  is  a  chyld,  he  difFcrcth  no- 
thing from  a  feruant,  althoughhc  be  the  Lord  of 
all  things: 

t  Bui  is  vtidct  Tutors  and  goucrncrs  till  the  tyme  ap- 
poynted  by  the  father. 

3  V Vcalfo lykcvyfc  when  vvc  vvercchildren,  were 

kept  in  bondage  vndcr  the  ordinaunces  of  the 
world. 

4  But  when  the  accompliiKmcntof  tyme  was  come, 

God  fenthis  Sonnc^  made  of  woman,  andmadc 
voder  the  Lawc. 


T  is  out  of  ill  doubt  tHat  there  was  neuir  yet 
any  mo  nieanes  than  one  whereby  men  might 
atteine  too  faluation.  And  whereas  many  men 
beare  thefelues  in  hand,  that  they  (hall  by  their 
owne  merites  obteine  the  thing  that  they  hope 
for:it  is  but  a  mockerie  and  a  beguiling. of  the- 
^^  felues.  For(as  hath  bin  (hewed  heeretofore)we 
are  all  of  vs  reie6led  of  God^curiedjand  the  children  of  wrath.Oa 
our  owne  part  we  be  not  able  to  recouer  that  which  wee  h^ue  loft 
in  AdanT;,but  God  mull  of  his  infinite  goodnelfe  be  fay  ne  to  worke 
^in  that  behalfeifor  all  other  helps  are  vayne  rjid  vnauaylable.  But 
how  hathG<3d{labii(hed  one  only  meane  whereby  men  may  get 
out  of  the  dungeon  of  curfedneflc  wherein  we  be  all  hiid.Therforc 
it  muft  needes  be  that  the  fathers  of  old  time  were  faued  by  Gods 
^        1    meere  grace;  euen  as  we  be, which  hope  for  the  like  atdiis  day.  For 
-    10*  '  *  ^^ ^^  ^^^  ^^  feene  in  the  fecond  Epiftie  to  the  Corinthians,  that  all 
'  ^'        the  promifes  which  God  hath  giuen  in  al  2ges,v/ere  grcundedvpf 
|)on  our  Lord  lefus  Chri(l,and  that  he  is  the  plediie  or  them, which 
maketh  them  auaylable  and  giueth  them  ^fTect  and  force  towards 
VS.Then,to  be  (hoit,it  muft  needes  be,  that  there  is'  but  one  Calua- 
tion  common  to  all  the  faithfull,  both  whiche  are  at  this  d«y,  and 
vhich  haue  liued  at  any  time  (ince  the  beginning  of  the  worid:and 
it  muft  needes  be  alfo,  that  God  hath  gathered  vs  togither  in  on©: 
iaccord;, to  the  intent  we  fhould  be  reconciled  to  him  by  the  gr^ce 
of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  and  by  that  meane  be  coujited  rightuous 
«nd  enioy  the  inheritance  of  heaw.en,  Yet  n0twithflaading,wee  fee. 
great  difference  betweene  the  Church  that  is  now  adaycs,  and  the 
X^hurch  that'was  vrider  the  law.For  the  fathers  were  fubic^l  to  ma- 
ny Ceremonies.  They  were  circumcifed  fi'om  their  childhoodk. 
Befides  thiSjthey  had  their  Sacrififes,wa(iiitigs,aitd'TiAch  other  lyke 
things.At  this  day  all  thofe  tilings  are  aboliflied^aAdinfene  ofjhem 
is  in  vfe.How  then  (hall  w^e-fay  that  the  (ilbftanbe  of  faith  is  all  o^e 
among  vsand  the  fathers, and yiet  that  thf  gouernmeat'was  diuers 
and  that  God  hathe  vtterly  chaungediv^  If  it  beferalkdged  that  this 
diuerfity  proceedeth  of  God-it  would  feme  that  he  is  variable.And 
:1fitbeerayJ;hatit:«ommeth9fiTacn;thennivift  we  conclude  that 


the  EpiHjo  the  ^aUt^ianu .    178 

we  hold  two  fundryr  wayS;  and  that  there  was  great  oddes  betwene 
them  and  vs.  I  haue  anfwered  already  too  the  firfle  obie6lion  that 
may  be  made:namely  that  there  is  no  variableneffe in  God,though 
he  haUG  altered  the  order  of  gouemment  in  his  Church.  For  whea 
he  faiJeth  faire  wether  or  foule,  heate  or  colde,  and  difpofcth  thp 
fealbns  of  the  yeere  diuerily,  fhall  we  fay  therefore  that  he  chaun- 
geth  his  mind,ahd  that  he  is  mutable  in.himfelfe:No,but  contrari-- 
wife  we  muft  fay  that  he  hath  ordeyned  the  things  that  were  con-, 
uenient  for  mankind,  and  yet  notwithftading  dcth  by  thofe  chan-^ 
ges  and  turnings  warne  vs  that  wee  mud  not  feeke  our  reft  heere 
beneath^but  paiTe  away  as  wayfarers ,  and  as  they  that  vndertake  a' 
Jong  iourncy  to  come  to  the  kingdome  of  heauen.  As  touching  the 
feconde  obieclion,  Saincl  P^ule  flieweth  that  it  there  be  any  iiffQ"^ 
ren;e  betwixt  vs  and  the  fathers  that  lined  vnder  the  Lawe,  it  is 
not  in  that  our  religion  is  not  all  one,  it  is  not  iathat  wee  haue  not 
ail  one  God ,  it  is  not  for  that  the  promifes  which  we  receyue  be- 
long not  to  vs  nowadayes,  or  for  that  our  Lorde  lefus  Ghiift  hath 
not  at  all  times  had  the  power  to  makfe  attonement  among  al  men, 
cuen  from  Abell  to  thofe  which  fhai  be  found  in  ihe  laft  end  of  tho 
world  :  but  he  fayth  that  the  diuerfitie  is  in  the  outa'aid  goueme^ 
menc.  And  the  better  to  exprefTethat,  hee  ailcdgcth  afimiiitude 
which  we  ought  to  be  well  acqu  minted  with.    For  if  a  father  leauQ, 
his  children  fatherlciTi;  and  vader  yeeres:  of  difcretion,  he  will  ap-^ 
point  tutors  aiid  :^'Ouernors  of  them  till  they  come,  too  fuliage,^ 
W^hcn  the  Either  is  deceaffcd ,  his  ch 'ldrenihall.be  vnder  TutorSr. 
andgouemers,\7Jthoutenioying  of  the  goodesthat  their  father 
hath  lett  thcm.and  yet  do  the  goodcs  belog  to  themmeuertheleflc. 
they  haue  not  the  rule  of  themfelues,l)ut  in  lied  of  following  their, 
wanton  appetite,  men  giue  them  fchoolebutter  with  a  rodde.  I'hus 
yc  fee  that  although  the  children  be  heires,yet  haue  they  not  liber- 
tic  at  the  iirfte  day,  bycaufe  they  bee  top  weake  ^  andhaire  nether 
wifedome  nor  difccotion.  a^ow  according  to  this  fij-^iilitude  Sainil: 
Paule  fayth,  that  the  fathers, (that  is  to  fay  the  le vv^es  y/hich  lyued. 
vnier  the  Iaw)were  Gods  chii  Jre  andheii^s  as  well  as  we:but  that 
the  Church  v/as  th5  as  it  were  vnder  age  as.  a  y ong  child, &  needed 
a  bridie,cmduerefore  they  were  in  bondage.^  fubiet^g  of  the  law. 
-^ ^         Z.1!,  S.Paul4 


Chap:?:  f0.Ca!.xxmj,fermonypon 

S.Paul«  then  compareth  Gods  law  whereby  the  lewes  were  hyltle 
ill  ftreight  awe  vnder  the  yoke  of  Ceremonies,  1  fay  he  compareth 
it  to  a  I'utorihip.  But  nowe  is  that  time  paft  and  gone  fayth  he.for 
God  hath  fent  his  only  fonne,  in  Co  much  that  in  our  Lorde  we  bee 
men  orow^  and  are  come  to  fuch  perfe6li5  of  age,  that  the  gouern- 
ment  which  was  vnder  the  law  is  now  fuperfluous  5c  vnprofitable, 
yea  8c  it  fKould  be  altogicher  contrary  to  Gods  will,and  to  the  or- 
der which  he  hath  fl:ablifhed.And  fo  we  fee  whereat  S.Paule  amed. 
For  it  is  a  thing  of  great  importance  to  know  that  our  Lorde  Iefu$ 
Chrift  is  no  newcome  thing,as  though  god  had  fodenly  bethought 
him  to  remedie  the  deftru&on  of  mankind.For  Chrift  had  that  po- 
ifirer  from  the  beginning,  and  it  behoued  all  men  to  feeke  their  fal- 
nation  in  him,  for  the/airh  hath  always  bin  one  felffame.as  the  A- 

Heh  n.i  8  P^^^^  alledgeth  in  the  Epiftle  to  the  Hebrues.  And  truly  Abels  fa- 
orifices  were  not  accepted  for  any  worthinefle  that  was  in  his  own 
perfon,nor  for  any  valew  that  was  in  himibut  only  by  the  meanes 
of  faith -.faith  was  faine  to  be  his  foundatio  and  buttreflc.  In  refped 

Heh  ua  A  whereof  alfo  the  Apoftle  fayth,  that  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  whichc 
*  was  yefterday,is  alfo  to  day, and  (hall  be  ftil  to  the  end .  Therefore 
we  muft  be  well  refolued  of  this  point  as  a  thing  vndoubted  &  out 
of  all  qucftion :  namely  that  wee  in  thcfe  days  haue  not  any  newe 
hope  of  atteining  to  faiuation,but  the  very  fame  that  hath  bin  at  al 
times  heretofore, and  that  the  Gofpell  is  not  a  newfound  doftrine 
forged  within  thefe  few  yeeres,but  the  very  fame  doftrinc  wherein 
all  the  rightuous  men  that  euer  w  ere,haue  bin  inftru6led.And  tru- 
ly it  hath  bin  faid  heretofore,  that  we  be  made  the  childre  of  adop- 
tion when  we  once  haue  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.For  S.Paule  inten- 
ded to  rebuke  the  folie  &  prefumptuoufnes  that  was  in  the  lewes, 
for  that  they  boafted  always  of  their  earthly  linage.He  fheweth  that 
in  this  behalf  we  muft  haue  refpe<5l  of  nothing  but  of  the  incorrup- 
tible (cede  of  G ods  word, whereby  wee  bee  begotten  new  agayne. 
Now  when  God  adopteth  vs  and  receiueth  vs  to  bee  his  children, 
the  doth  he  auow  vs  to  be  the  fpiritual  offpring  of  Abraham.  How 
then  ca  we  be  Abrahas  children,cxccpt  we  agree  with  him  in  faith  ^ 
Ve  fee  then  that  Paules  handling  of  this  point  here  is  to  good  pur- 
f  ofc;namcly  to  dg  V5  to  vndcrftld^that  feo  ^1  time  out  of  mind,thet 


the  Spiff. to  the  (jalathiam.      1 7P 

hath  not  biri  any  otiier  mcane  to  renue  men  to  falaatfon,  an^  too 
bring  tliem  into  Gods  fauoar  and  loue,  than  by  trufling  in  lefus 
Chri(l,and  by  fleeing  altogither  vnto  him  for  refuge.  Thus  yee  fee 
why  it  is  fayd  that  yong  children  are  matters  of  the  houfe,  and  that 
the  inheritance  belongeth  to  them,  though  they  do  not  yet  enioy 
it  by  rcafon  of  their  age.  And  heere  we  haue  alfo  to  marke  further, 
that  it  wer  great  wrong  to  the  fathers  of  old  time,  to  fhet  them  out 
of  the  fclowfiup  and  onement  of  the  faith  that  is  fhevvedheere  by 
Sain6l  Paule.For  their  life  was  of  all  mens  moft  miferable,  bycaufe 
God  kept  them  occupyed  with  many  affliftions :  and  the  iiues  of 
the  fathers(fpecially  of  thofe  whome  Gbd  marked  out  too  make 
them  exccllent)were  all  mirrors  of  inuincible  patience.  For  what 
things  indured  Abrahamc'How  hard  and  great  incounters  dyd  hee 
beare  out  C*    What  manner  of  temptations  did  Ifaac  and  likewife 
Jacob  abide:' Again  what  vertues  fee  we  in  Dauidc'Now  if  they  had 
fet  their  mind  vpon  this  world,  they  had  bin  in  worfe  plight  than 
the  brute  beafts.Therefore(as  I  haue  fayd  afore)it  muft  needes  bee 
that  they  looked  higher:and  that  did  they  wimeffe  fufticiently,  not 
only  by  word  of  mouth,but  alfo  by  deede.Then  let  vs  marke  well 
the  point  that  is  fet  downe  heere:whiche  is,  that  the  fathers  hoped 
for  the  felffame  heritage  that  we  looke  for,  euen  by  the  meanes  of 
our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  And  for  afmuch  as  we  agree  with  Abraharn, 
Dauid  &  the  other  holy  kings  &  Prophets  in  faith:  we  (hall  be  ga- 
thred  into  the  heauenly  life  with  the,  B<,  obtein  the  fame  crowne  of 
faluatio  with  the,  which  is  the  reward  of  faith  as  S.Peter  termeth  it  ^  ^^^^2  .^.0 
in  his  firft  EpifUe.Furthermore  wheras  S.Paule  fayth  that  the  child 
differed!  nothing  fro  a  feruant:he  doth  it,  always  to  magnify  Gods 
grace  towards  vs,and  the  priuiledge  which  we  obteine  by  meanes 
of  the  Gofpell.  It  is  much  for  vs  to  be  called  the  children  of  Abra- 
ham:but  it  is  much  more  whe  it  is  faid  of  vs,  that  God  hath  aduan- 
ced  vs  to  a  higher  degree  by  the  Gofpell,  than  euer  Abraham  came 
vnto.  For  in  aGnuch  as  our  Lord  lefus  Chriil  was  not  yet  comeihe 
was  vnder  the  yoke  of  the  law.  But  we  at  this  day  are  free  from  it : 
and  fo  ye  fee  that  God  hath  exalted  vs  aboue  all  the  Patriarks  and 
Prophets.And  wel  ought  we  to  acknowledge  this  grace,  and  to  e- 
ficemc itas  it  deferueth,  to  die  end  wee  may  giue  ourfelues  to  the 

Z.iij.  feruing 


Chap.4  fo.Cdl.iixiiij.ermonypon 

feming.of  God  with  the  eamefler  affeftion  and  zeIe.But(as  I  haue 
touched  already)  we  muft  marke,that  jS.Paule  fpeakes  not  heere  of 
any  feueral  perfon.For  there  is  none  of  vs  all  but  he  ought  to  con- 
fefTe  himfelfe  to  be  much  rawer  and  weaker  in  faith,  then  were  the 
Prophets  and  Patriarkes:  and  that  doth  their  Hues  fhew  full  well. 
Then  ifw^  be  not  come  to  flich  perfection  as  they  were,  how  is  it 
fayd  that  they  were  as  little  children,  and- that  we  be  nowadays  as 
it  were  at  the  flate  of  menrltold  you  before,  how  S.PaulTpeakcth 
not  of  one  man  or  other,  but  of  the  common  gouemm  ait  of  the 
Church.  For  he  fpeaketh  not  of  the  men  themfelues,  but  of  the  fa- 
fhion  that  God  vfed  in  guiding  thofe  that  are  his.  This  willhc  fhe^ 

1  CorA^a  2  ^^^^  ^^^  hetter  by  things  contrary.  S  .Paule  vpbraideth  the  Corin- 
thians, that  hee  wa^  driuen  too  giue  them  milke  as  to  little  babes, 
bicaufe  they  were  not  yet  able  to  brucke  flrog  meate, Sc  he  mal^eth 
them  afhamed  of  their  dulnedb.  Be  of  their  weltring  in  their  vnto- 
ward  aFe6li6s,for  that  they  had  not  profited  in  the  faith  as  the  time 
required. Therfore  it  was  a  kind  of  childifhnefle  for  them  to  be  al- 
ways new  to  begin.  Yea  Sc  we  fee  how  the  Prophet  Efay  condem- 

-.^   g         neth  the  lewes  yet  more  roughly,  whe  he  faith  tliat  thby  were  Httle 

^^'  '^'  childre,to  whom  me  fay  A, A,B,B,  fo  as  they  be  ftill  new  to  begin 
agein,  Sc  1  ooke  what  they  leame  to  day,  they  forget  to  morrow,  (6 
that  they  neuer  go  forward  but  with  great  hardnefTe.  This  is  a  vice 
that  is  too  comon  in  the  world.Moreouer,S.Paule  in  the  fourth  to 

Sp.^.c»i^  ji^g Ephefians,doth  generally  exhort  al  the  faithful  Sc  al  fuch  as  arc 
well  ftrengthned  Sc  able  to  be  teachers  of  other  me,  which  be  as  it 

' :  were  antefignebearers  to  fliew  the  way  of  faluatio:!  fay,  he  exhor- 

teth  the  to  grow  ftil  til  they  be  come  to  the  ful  age  of  manhood.  lb 
fhuld  feme  at  the  fii-ft  biufh  that  there  is  fome  contrarietie.For  hee 
fayth  here, that  al  thofe  whome  God  hath  receiued  into  his  Church 
Sc  made  them  of  the  houfliold  of  faith,are  already  come  to  ful  age,, 
yea  euen  the  verieft  idiots  that  fcarfly  vnderfiand  three  wordes 
of  faith,fo  they  haue  the  principles  and  as  yee  would  fay  tlicgroiTe 
feme  ofthepower  of  our  LordlefusChrifl.^.PaulAyth  that  they 
be  already  as  good  as  men  growen,&:  that  God  wil  not  hold  them 
any  loger  as  children  vnder  a  maifter,  or  as  vnder  tutors  Sc  gouer J" 

»ci;S'4?d  i^  anodier  text  he  faith^that  ng;  pnly  .fucbe  as  arc  weake 

_         .^.     .....  .       ^^ 


th  Spifl.to  the(jalathians.      i8o 

ftftd  igilorant,but  eae  the  excellet«ft  fortj  which  ought  to,  caric  the 
torch  before  othcf  s  to  giue  them  li^^ht,  muft  grow  ilill .    And  how 
longc'Not  for  a  yeere  or  t\vo,but  al  their  lifetime-.ro  that  as  long  as 
they  liue  in  this  world,  they  muft  dayly  acknowledge  thefelues  to 
l?e  weake  ftiii,  5c  that  tliey  haue  neede  to  inforce  and  ftreine  tliem-^ 
felues  to  go  forwarder  and  forwarder  .But  al  this  agree  th  vely  well 
tjOgtther.  For  if  euer^^  man  examih  himfelfe  what  he  is,  futely  cuen' 
die  forwai'deft'of  ali,fhall  find  thefelues  to  be  ftil  as  little  children. 
For  although  we  indeuer  to  come  vnto  God,  yet  we  drag  our  legs 
^ter  vs  :  andhowfoeucr  we  bee  difpofed  of  ourfelues,a  nurpber  of 
Innderaces  ftep  before  vs,-&  eucry  little  ftraw  ftoppeth  vs:or  elfcif - 
a/ii^  do  but  crcffe  our  ^ycs,  byandby  we  bee  ready  to  tnrne  away^ 
And  although  wee  had  neuer  fo  great  courage  in  vs,  yet  haue  wee 
many  vices  to  fight  againft,  Sc  our  knowledge  is  not  fuche  but  wee 
h^uc  neede  to  pray  C lod  dayly  to  increace  our  faythe,  and  correct 
the  remnant  of  vnbeleefe  that  is  in  vs.  Thus  ye  fee  what  euery  man 
flial  find  on  his  owne  behalfe^But  if  we  looke  vpon  the  fafhion  that 
Cjod  kcepeth  in  guiding  Sc  goueming  his  Church:it  is  certaine  that 
we  be  folly  men  growcn.  And  whyc'For  we  be  no  more  hilde  in  fo 
ftreight  fubiedlion  of  the  law  as  the  fathers  v/ere  :  but  for  afmuche 
as  w^  haue  our  Lord  IcHis  Chrift,  we  refoit  vnto  him,\vhe  we  haue 
fmned.VVe  fee  welynough  how  we  be  berayed  with  fpots  Bz  blcts* 
before  God.but  yet  is  our  wa/hing  ready  at  had,  in  fomuch  that  by 
being  dif  p^d  in  the  blbud  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  by  faith  throgh 
the  working  of  the  holy  Glioft,we  become  pure  Sc  cleane,  &  God 
aeeepteth  vs  into  fauour.  Againc  we  be  bound  to  euerlafting  death 
by  reafon  of  the  faultes  that  we  comit  dayly  againft  himibut  yet  the 
-anends  for  the  is  to  be  found  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,for  he  is  pr-_ 
4^ined  the  ranfome  to  difchai^e  vs.Ye  fee  then  that  we  be  no  inore^ 
ynder  tlie  bridle  wherto  the  fathers  were  fubietrt^  nahiely  in  refped^ 
of  God  jud  of  his  goueming  of  vs.Thci-fore  altliough  we  feele  our 
owne  infirmities,yet  doth  not  thkt  barre  vs  fro  being  men  gro  wen: 
that  is  tp  fty,it;  is  no  ^etbut  thatGfod  giueth^vs  greater  libeitic  and' 
liuiledgc,  tlian'jie  didto  flich  as  liued  viVder  the  law.  Thus  in  ef- 
;ft  that  queftiop  is  afibyled.  And  it  ferueth  to  bring  vs  -backc  too' 
^at  u:hici^-Xh4U?jy»Jchcdaife*dy;'najn^lS'rfiafc\^^         rofagniry^ 


I 


chap.4  .    ,    JoXaLxxHij.Sem 

Gods  gracetowards  vs,  for  aduauncing  of  vs  to  fudi  dignme.'fiut 
tjierwithall  we  fee  alfo,that  it  is  not  lawful  for  men  to  dcuife  a  nevv 
gouernment  at  their  ownepleafurevnder  pretence  that  folke  are 
raw,  or  that  many  are  not  yet  fit  to  be  led  and  guided  after  a  higher 

s  andwiferfafhion.Anditbehoucthvstomarkethatwel.Forwhen 

the  fuperftitions  that  reigne  nowadayes  in  poperie  did  firfte  enter 
into  the  world  :  they  began  not  witli  fuche  diuclifli  blafphcmie  as 
they  bee  now  maintcined  with.  For  looke  how  many  Ceremonies 
there  are  in  the  popedome,teamied  by  the  name  of  Gods  fcruis.fa 
many  be  their  Idolatries  and  the  IlluTions  of  Satan:and  to  be  fhort, 
all  is  abhorninable  before  God.VV'hy  for'For  they  imagin  them  to 
b^  things  neceflary  to  faluation ,  that  by  the  meanes  of  them  they 
be  able  to  raunfome  themfelues,  and  too  get  forgiueneflfe  of  theyr 
fmncs.  Moreouer  they  deface  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  and  the  grace 

'■  that  is  brought  vs  by  him,  bycaufe  they  h ope  to o  raunfome  thenv 

felues  by  their  owne  fatiffa6lions  i  and  by  that  meanes  vfurp  and 
plucke  to  themfelues  the  thing  tha;  belogeth  to  the  fonne  of  God. 
Thus  ye  fee  that  they  be  curfed  viliaines.Neueitheiefie  whe  al  dieir 
gewgaw es  were  firft  brought  into  the  Churche,  they  were  riot  yet 
ful  of fo  grofle  dotages.but  they  crept  in  vnder a  fomewhat  more 
fauorabieprctece:that  is  to  wit,that  men  were  rude  &  dul,  &  vna- 
ble  to  comprehed  the  fecrcts  of  the  kingdome  of  hcaue,  if  they  had 
not  bin  hadled  Sc  dandled  after  the  maner  of  little  childre.  Now(as; 
Ihaue  touched  alredy)it  is  tru^  that  euery  ma  ought  to  huble  him* 
felf  whe  he  knowes  his  owne  infirmitie.butyet  doth  it  not  therfore 
follow,that  we  fhuld  bring  vp  new  fafhios  after  our  owne  fancies. 
VVe  mufl:  be  coreted  with  that  which  God  hathordeined.  A  yong 
child  mufl:  not  choofe  his  tutor  of  his  own  head:no,  he  fhould  not 
be  futfcred  to  do  foiBut  his  father  will  apoint  him  one.  True  it  is 
that  there  arc  other  meanes  fi:abli{hcd  by  lawes:but  h^ere  S.PauIe' 
hath  taken  a  fimilitude  agreable  to  jthe  matter.that  he  deal  es  wiih; ' 
Then  if  an  earthly  father  haue  authoritie  to  apoint  Tutors  to  hyi' 
childreniwhy  fhouldnot  God  haue  the  famepowerC'A  childe  fhall 
not  be  licenced  nor  fufFered  to  choofe  a  Tutor  to  his  owne  likir»g. 
;§ijJi  it  is  fo  j  by  what  right  or  title  will  wee  deuife  this  or  that, 
tpoj  faye,j,  Wf?bfe9  y^^Pg  c^ldreDv^aadtherclixreWwMiithauea' 


the  EpifiJo  the  (jalathians.       \%i 

fafKon  meete  and  agreable  to  our  flendcmeffec'yea.and  Q[<^6.  hath 
prouided  one  for  vs :  now  fhall  wee  be  wifer  than  he:'  Howfoeuer 
the  cace  ftandeth,  the  very  caufe  why  mens  wits  haue  bin  fo  ticke- 
lifhe  to  deuife  ftore  of  Ceremonies  in  the  Chriften  Churche ,  was 
that  they  fawe  fo  much  rudeneffe  among  the  common  people.  Yea 
mary  (fay  they)  it  is  good  reafon  that  there  fhould  be  this  &  that. 
Baptifme  were  to  fimple  a  thing  if  there  were  nothing  elfc  to  bee 
feene  in  it  but  water,and  that  water  would  not  bee  iiiflicient.  For 
there  are  a  great  number  oflayfolke,  which  ai'efo  dull  that  they 
vnderftande  not  what  tliat  mifterie  meanetli^  that  is  to  wit,that  we 
be  renued  by  ocir  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  Thcrfore  there  necdeth  oylc 
s^ndcreameto  reprefenttheholyGhoft,asitwere  in  avifible  fi- 
gure. Befides  this  there  needed  light,  and  a  white  Chrifome ,  and 
falte,and  eft  one  thing,and  eft  another.  Very  well :  thus  was  bap- 
tifme dayly  decked,yea  in  the  opinion  of  men :  but  all  of  them  are 
but  defilings :  for  did  not  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift, who  is  the  inco- 
prehcnfible  wifdome  of  God  his  father,  knowe  well  inough  what 
fhould  be  for  our  profitc'Shal  men  come  creeping  like  little  todes, 
andi^eke  I  wot  not  what,and  beare  them  fclues  in  hande  that  the 
things  which  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  hath  ordeyned  are  vnperfe<St, 
and  that  they  will  take  m  hande  to  make  them  perfe6l :' As  muche 
is  to  be  fayd  of  all  the  reft.Specially  the  Supper  of  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chrift  hath  not  Only  bin  corrupted  and  maymed :  but  alfo  vttcrly 
defaced  by  the  diuelifbe  abhomination  ofthehellifhemafTe.  For 
they  make  it  to  be  but  an  ordinarie  matter  to  take  a  bit  of  bread  Sc 
to  drinke  three  flppes  of  wyne.  [Gods  word  wiiieth  vs  to]  lookc 
tothepromife  [namely]]  that  wee  be  made  partakers  of  the  body 
and  bloud  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  when  wee  receyuc  his  holy 
Supper  with  true  fayth  and  .obedience,and  that  in  him  onely  lyeth 
the  foode  of  our  foul es.  But  contrariwife  men  haue  bin faync 
to  apparelf  themfelues  iLke  players  in  an  epterlude,&  thcrwithali 
tovfefbnfianymurlimeweSjasit  was  afhame  to  bcholdcthem: 
and  what  was  the  ende  of  al  <  Maty  fir,  it  was  a  facrifice  for  the  re-, 
mifsion  of  (innes.both  of quicke  and  dead.  VVherin  yee  fee  howc 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  is  berefte  of  his  prieftly  dignitie  which  was 
giucnhim  of  God'his  father,eu€  with  a  folemne  otb  that  he  ftould 
■--.v..^.    ■  2.V.  ncucr 


Chap.  4         foXalxxiiy.Sermon  ypon 

neuerliaue  any  rticc'eQor:  but  yet  for  al  that  the  Papifls  make  litm 
a  thouUnde  thourande  fucceflors.  And  what  maner  of  men  I  pray 
you  :  Surely  if  they  were  AngeJs  of  Iieauen,yet  ought  they  to  bee 
taken  for  diueIs.But  their  choyce  is  of  al  the  vermin  of  the  world, 
-of  all  the  rafcals,  and  of  all  naughtipackes :  and  iliali-wee  fay  that 
iliche  a  rable  are  the  fuccelTors  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chriil.  And  yet 
neuerrhelefle  yee  fee  what  the  Papiilesal ledge  for  their  couert: 
namely  that  men  muft  needes  hauc  fonx  helpes  bicaufe  of  their 
infirmitie.  And  thereof  came  ail  the  refidue  of  their  fuperftitions : 
as  for  example,  when  they  did  fet  vp  their  Idols  and  puppets,  they 
eenncd  them  tlie  lay  mens.booke.s.  But  wee  fee  that  all  their  mala- 
pertnefTeis  confounded  heerej  when  S.Paule  bring^th  v^sbacke 
to  the  order  that  God-hatli  fet,  bicaufe  wee  nv.^A  all  wholly  holde 
vs  too  it,and  there  rell.  So  tlien,  will  wee  not  difclayme  the  heri- 
•  tage  of  heauen  whiche  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  hath  purchafed  fo? 
vsc' Let  vsfollowe  the  gouernemcnt  which  God  hath  fet  downe 
in  his  Church, and  afllire  our  felues  that  God  will  fupply  al  wants. 
Howe  mde  or  rawe  foeuer  wee  be ,  he  can  well  skill  too  .drawe  7*5 
to  him.  Yca,fo  we  keepe  the  beaten  way,  for  as  for  them  that  haue. 
To  mingled  and  turmoyled  things ,  and  py  I  ed  vp  fuche  a  heape  of 
Cenemonies :  they  haue  fo  little  remedied  their  injirmitie,s,therby, 
that  they  h^ue  rathej*  cftraunged  themfelues  quite  and  cleane  from 
cur.Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  For  wee  know  that  men  are  of  their  owns 
natures  too  muche  inclined  to  viiible  things.  Thetefpti^  by  taking 
rpjmany  ceremonies, men  are  fo  intangled,fo  fnarled,&  fo  depely 
drowned  m  them,  that  afterwarde  they  forfake  God  and  our  Lord 
Jefus  ehriil.  If  any  man  al  ledge,  why  fo :'  Had  not  the  fathers  of 
olde  tim  e  many  ceremonies  alfo  too  helpe  their  infirmities  c'  Yes : 
but  all  theirs  were  reiiealed  too  them  byGpiForiirfl  it  was  tolde 
them  that  the  patteaie  of  all  thofe  things  was  heauenly',  as  it  is 
Sxo.2^J.  faydeinthc.xxv.  of  JExodus.Anditwas  (hewed  too  Moyfes  in 
4^»  the  mourttay ne,  too  the  intent  they  fliould  not  mufe  yppon  thefe 
prefent  and  corruptible  things.  And  when  God  fawe  they  were 
P/4.50.P.8  too  muche  giuen  vntp  them,  wee  feehowe  he  rebuked  them 
e^  Efa.  6  6  fharply  by  his  Prophets,  faying :  away  with  your  facrifices ,  fye  on/ 
^•3»  diem;  for  thinfce  y ce  tliat  I  tak^  pkafure  m  your  cutting  <>i  the^ 

tlirotes' 


the  EpiB.  to  the  Qalathians.       182 

throtes  of  beaftes,  in  hope  too  pacific  mee  thereby ,  as  thonghe  I 
were  an  hungred  or  a  thirft  c'  Thinke  yee  that  I  haue  neede  of 
fuche  helpes :'  Yee  fee  then  tliat  God  dyd  alwayes  di^awe  his  peo- 
ple from  fuperflition,  notvvithftanding  that  there  were  many  cere- 
monies ordeyned, which  was  done  for  the  necefsitie  or  the  time, 
for  it  was  requifite  that  there  fhould  be  figures  and  fhadowes  in 
the  abfence  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  according  too  S.Paules  fay-»- 
ing,  who  telleth  vs  that  the  fathers  of  olde  tyme  were  by  that 
meanes  directed  too  feeke  Chrift :  but  nowe  that  he  is  come ,  wee 
haue  no  more  neede  of  any  fuche  thing.  As  for  example,  if  a  mart 
fcee  away  from  mee,fo  as  I  cannot  come  too  the  fight  of  him>  and 
I  would  fayne  haue  a  reprefentation  of  him  too  findc  him  out  bv;! 
muftatleaftwifehauean  Image  that  may  refemble  him:  but  if  I 
fee  his  body  prefent,  and  may  beholde  him  face  too  face ,  I  neede 
no  more  any  Image  or  counterfettoo  paynte  hirii  or  exprefF^ 
him  more  iiuely  vnto'mee.  Euen  after  the  fame  maner  the  fathers 
ofolde  time  had  many  figures  and  fhadnwes,  bicaufe  our  Lorde  a/[Ja  ^  o 
lefus  Chriil  was  not  yet  reuealed.  Butnowethathe  fhinethvpon  ^^  .       e- 
vSj  and  fhcweth  him  felfe  as  the  dayfonne  of  rightuoufneile  fo         ' 
brightly  vnto  vs :  were  in  not  a  wilfull  buiying  of  him  a?;aync ,  if 
it^ee  wouide  needes  haue  figures  ftill  c'  And  for  that  caufe  alfo 
was  the  vayle  of  the  Temple  rente  a  funder  at  hys  death.  For  now 
a  dayes  wee  may  enter  in  familiarly  vnto o  God,  and  oiTer  him 
our  fpirituall  Sacrifices^  that  is  too  wit;^  our  prayers  and  petitions,, 
and  that  15  bicaufe  wee  haue;: the  very  body  and  fubftauuce  as 
Saincl  Paule  fay th  in  another  texte  to  the  Collofsians. Now  then  ^^^^f*y, 
wee  fee  that  all  they  which  haue  forged  new  deuifes  after  that  fort, 
baiie  vtterly  corrupted  and  falfified  the  Gofpeil,and  haue  tied  to- 
wels and  napldns  before  mens  eyes,  too  keepe  themfroni  the  fee- 
ing and  knowing  of  Icfus  Chrifl:,as  they  ouglitto  haue  done,  and 
as  was  r.equifite  for  their  falusxion.  And  dierfore  it  is  certayne  that' 
^\  tiicy  which  bufie  them  felues  about  fu.chgewgawes;do.in  iieaadci 
«jf  feeking  Chrid,  throwe  thenifelues- headlong  into  ♦lamnation 
byi^Uowingfo.theirownebrayne.  Tjicybee fo  giuen too  it ,  as 
tiiey  cannot  be  plucked  from  it :  they  play  the  little  childrenthat 
aie Uiylding of fome hQufe of oyfterfbcis >iwho  are  fo  earnefliat 
.1.),  their 


CL 


^^p.4  fo.Calxxiiij.Sermon'^fpon 

their  work, that  they  forget  to  eate  or  drmke,and  are  contented  to 
fufFer  heate  and  coldc; hunger  and  thirfl.And  why  foe  Bicaufe  their 
fondneife  carieththem  away.  Agayne  they  remoue  their  ftulfc  too 
and  frOjand  bring  in  this  and  that,and  when  they  once  begin  to  fet 
them  felues  to  it,they  can  neuer  make  an  ende.  Euen  fo  is  it  with 
men  when  they  will  needes  ferue  God  after  their  owne  liking. Yee 
fee  then  that  we  had  neede  to  be  fober  in  that  behalfe,and  to  con- 
tent our  felues  with  the  helpes  &  meanes  that  are  ordeyned  alrea- 
dy to  bring  vs  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chriil:.  VVe  haue  Baptifme  i*^  the 
Lords  fupper :  let  vs  hold  our  felues  contented  with  theni,for  our 
curiofitie  will  always  draw  v^s  vnto  euill^vnlefiTe  we  yeeld  to  Gods 
appoyntment,and  giue  ouer  al  our  owne  fpeculations  and  fancies. 
Yea  and  let  vs  vnderftande  that  itjs  ablafphemie  agaynft  God, 
when  men  fay  Qof  their  owne  heads]  this  or  that  is  good  for  vs.  I 
telijou  playnly ,  when  foeuer  men  fay,  we  mufl  haue  this^and  we 
muft  haue  that^or  we  muft  haue  our  Church  or  religion  of  this  fa- 
(hion  or  that  fafhion :  It  is  as  much  as  if  he  fhould  fay,God  was  not 
well  aduifed  how  wee  fhould  bee  gouemed;he  wifte  not  what  was 
meete  for  vs.  As  for  example,it  feemeth  to  them  to  be  too  flender 
a  matter  that  there  fhould  be  no  more  but  only  water  in  Baptifme: 
and  they  muft  haue  fomewhat  elfe  to  giue  it  a  greater  grace  and 
maieftie.  Therfore  they  haue  tapers,and  fake,  and  creame,  and  all 
the  reft  ofthepompes  of  their  owne  making.  Lo  how  men  wyll 
alwaycsbce  adding  of  fomewhat  vnto  Gods  commaundement: 
which  doing  is  a  curfed  blafphcmie,as  I  fayde  afore.  And  it  rifeth 
of  this, that  they  had  not  an  eye  to  the  principall ,  but  gazed  ftyll 
vpon  the  appurtenances.  The  principall  is^the  promifes :  for  all 
the  Ceremonies  of  the  world  arc  not  onely  vayne  and  baggagely, 
butalfodiuelifheillufions,  excepte  Gods  worde  bee  printed  in 
them,and  that  thatbe  the  thing  whereat  they  looke,and  the  marke 
wherat  they  ame.  As  how  <  If  wee  had  no  promife  for  baptifme,  nc 
knew  to  what  end  it  was  ordeyned :  what  a  gewgawe  were  it 't  It 
were  much  better  for  vs  toTorbeare  it.  Agein,if  we  knew  not  what 
the  Lordes  Supper  meaneth,  it  were  better  tliat  the  remembrance 
of  it  were  vtterfy  buryed.But  when  Gods  word  goeth  with  it,fo  ?8 
W«  haue  the  promifes  to  warrant  vs  that  we  be  wafhed  and  clenfed 

from 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathlam\       1S5 

fi-omall  our  fpottes  by  thebloud  of  ourLord«Iefus  Chrift :  then 
lyeth  all  our  trufl:  there.  And  moreouer  it  is  fayde  that  there  we  be 
renued  by  the  holy  Gho{l,Lo  how  baptifme  leadeth  vs  to  the  pro- 
m\^t%i  and  the  promifes  leade  vs  to  Chrift,  as  to  the  partie  that  is 
conteyned  in  them.  Thus  ye  fee  what  wee  hauc  to  beare  in  minde, 
when  S.  Paule  exalteth  vs  in  degree  aboue  all  the  PatriarkeSjand 
thofe  that  lyued  vnder  the  Lawe :  namely,  that  it  is  not  for  that 
rliere  was  not  more  p€rfe6lion,conftancie,and  fayth  in  them,  than 
is  nowe  a  dayes  in  vs.  And  therewithal!  (as  I  haue  earil  fayde)  wee 
bee  ftill  confirmed  in  this  poynt,  that  there  is  no  newe  meane  of 
faluation  fet  foorth  vnto  vs,  but  that  God  gathereth  vs  too  hym 
for  our  Lorde  lefus  Chriftes  fake,in  like  wife  as  he  hath  in  all  ages 
called  his  chofen,  and  thofe  whome  helyfted  too  cull  out,  and 
whome  he  voutfafed  too  make  partakers  of  the  adoption  that  is 
imparted  too  vs  at  this  day.  For  if  it  mighte  bee  fayde  y  that  men 
haue  had  the  meane  too  bee  iuftified,  and  too  come  in  fauour  with 
God,  but  onelyfmce  lefus  Chriftc  came  into  the  worlds :  what 
fhould  become  of  thofe  that  lyued  afore :'  Our  fayth  fhoulde  bee 
but  weake,  and  it  would  caft  vs  into  fuche  a  maze,  as  wee  fhoulde 
not  wote  where  too  become.  How  nowe,  would  wee  fay  <  Hathe 
not  God  bm  the  father  ofhis  creatures  in  all  agesi' VVas  there 
no  faluation  tyll  lefus  Chrifle  came  intoo  the  wor.'de:'Yes,but 
where  as  it  is  fayde  that  the  faluation  is  manyfefled  vnto  vs  by  the 
Cjfofpell,  yet  was  it  alfo  aireadie  before :  and  althoughe  there  was 
a  veyle  in  the  Temple ,  and  other  (Kadowes ,  yet  ncueithelefTe 
the  fathers  had  al way es  an  eye  vnto  lefus  Chrifle,  vnto  whome 
wee  bee  led  at  this  day.  Thus  you  fee  howe  they  'mighte  walkc 
freely  and  without  doubting,  and  howe  that  at  this  day  alfo  there 
is  not  any  thing  thatcanfhakevs,  ifweekeepe  on  our  wayetoo 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifle,  knowing  that  by  his  meanes  wee  bcc  all 
called  too  the  heritage  which  he  hath  purchafed  for  vs. And  there- 
fore wee  ought  fo  muche  the  more  too  abhorre  thtfe  Deuils,  that 
bcare  vs  in  Junde  and  flrayne  them  fe lues  too  proue ,  th^it  the  fa- 
thers of  olde  time  were  like  to  brute  beafles,  as  though  they  had 
knowen  nothing  of  the  fpirituall  lyfe .  Beholde  a  blafphemie 
tnecte  too  deface  all  the  religion  of  the  worlde.  Of  which  number- 

wa5 


Chap.  4         fo.Cal.xxiiij.fermon  ypon 

U'aSjtIiat  curfed  crczrare  that  was  punilhed  heerc  according  to  hif 
defeits,  I  meaiie  that  dogge  whiche  durii  bee  fo  bolde  as  to  vviitCi 
that  Abraham  neuer  taftcd  nor  knew  ofthe  heatjenly  life,  nor  ne- 
uer  worHiipped  Godbut  imaginatindy,  and  that  the  reporting  of 
bin)  to  be  the  father  ofthe  faythRill  is  biit  a  mockerie,and  that  his 
fayth  was  but  a  (jvadowe  of  fayth,  and  finally  that  he  neuer  knewe 
of  leuis  Chrift,  nor  of  his  corruning.  Beholde  (I;praye  you)  the 
blafpheniies  wherwith  his  bookes  were  ftufFed.  Butiet  vs  in  thefe: 
<iayes  abhorre  fache  plagues  of  Satan.  For  it  is  certayne  dbat  the 
fayde  Champion  of  the  D.iuell  was  puipcfely. bent  .too  bring  too 
paiTe.,  that  there  ilioulde  bee  no  more  fayth  in  the  worJde.  For  in- 
as  muche  as  the  Diuell  trrnffoimedhim  felfe,  and  Ihewed npt.hiS; 
tornes  at  the,  lirPi;, itwas  veiy  duiingerous wb.en  became  afterj 
that  fafi^on ,  as  it  were  too  digge  downe  the  foundation  of  oure. 
faythj  as  it  were  vndcr  the  eaitli.  And  S?.m£t  Paulc  warneth  vs  ex* 
preiiy  heereof;  too  the  ende  wee  {hqvild  ftande  vppon^our  gtirde, 
aiid  keepe  go  od  watche  that  wee  bee  not  taken  tardie.  Tlien  let  vs 
marhe  well^that  wlieras  it  is  fayd  hcere^that  to  be  made  tlae  heires 
of  God,  we  mufl  be  made  the  members  of  our  Lord  fefus  Chrift : 
thereby  the  holy  Ghod  intendeth  too  confirme  vS;to  the  ende  we 
fliould  be  fo  miUche  the  better  diipofed  to  go  on  forwarde  conti- 
ijualiy  vnto  God.and  to  holde  out  in  the  hope  tiil  wee  hai^e  ouer-» 
come  all  the  battels  of  tins  world^to  be  brought  into  the  fpirkuall 
reil  which  we  lookc  for.  Aifo  we  haue  therewithall  to  marke  welj, 
what  is  fayde  concerning  the  fulneffe  of  time.  For  according  too 
mens  vnmeafurablc  inquifitiueneile ,  it  niighte  bee  demaunded 
fceere,  why  and  how  fo  :  Why  hathe  God  driuen  it  off  fo  long, 
ieeing  wee  were  forlorne  and  damned  in  Adams  fall  :*  How  hap-, 
peneth  it  that  he  hath  not  remedied  it  radie;rc'  Surely  i).PauIe  doth 
not  altogither  fatifiie  mens  appetites,  but  cutteth  it  qvite  off  by 
the  wafte.  Aiid  in  good  footh  i^God  mente  too  cdilcnt  vs,hee 
flioulde  bee  fayne  too  feedc  vs  with  many  needcl.  (Te  tilings  :  but 
he  intendeth  too  tiye  the  obedientnefTe  of  cur  fayth.  And  Sain<a 
Paule  alfo  dooth  barre  vs  of  that,  diing,in  faying,  tL-t  thefaine/ft  of 
time  ^ixvi  not  yet  comeAvA  what  mccneth  he  by  the  fLilneflc  of  time:! 
lie  meaneth  the  time  that  Qgd  hath  appoyuted  iu  hi^o-wne  pur- 


theEpiH.tothe^alathians]      184. 

purpofe,  and  not  according  as  men  might  haue  indeed  of  it :  for 
they  bee  no  competent  iud;^es  of  that  matter,  but  mufte  fobmitte 
them  felues  to  God,  and  alio  we  of  that  whiche  he  hath  ftabhfhed. 
Thus  yee  fee  what  S.  Paule  ment  by  faying,  that  the  full  time  was 
then  come,  when  God  fente  his  onely  fonne  into  tlie  worlde. 
Therefore  let  vs  learne  that  our  cheefe  wifdome  is  this  fobemeire 
of  fubmitting  our  feiues  vnto  God,too  accept  forgood  and  right- 
full  what  ibeuer  thing  he  dooth,  knowing  that  on  our  owne  part, 
though  wee  haue  neuer  fo  muche  vndcrllanding,  it  is  but  folly  tor 
vs  too  thinJ^e  our  felues  aught  woorth,  or  too  take  vppon  vs  the 
skill  of  any  thing :  and  that  wee  m>ift  ieame  to  d  humble  our  feiue^ 
to  our  God,and  not  doo  as  many  men  doo,wh6  are  fo  hatlie  aS  t  A 
Tay,  V\'^hat  C'lthinke  thus,  and  thus  is  mine  opinion.  For  there  is 
not  any  thing  more  contrarie  to  Gods  do6lrine ,  than  wlien  men 
prcfume  fo  much  vpon  them  felues  as  too  fay, thus  muft  the  ma^ 
ter  go,and  fo  and  fo  do  I  thinke  or  fuppofe.  Truely  it  becommetb 
vs  too  be  Wde  as  captiues,as  S.Pauh  laytKin  the  feconde  too  the  2,Cor  isw 
Corinthians.  Let  vs  holde  our  felues  m  fuch  awe,  as  wee  may  not  .  ^ 
once  lifte  vp  our  heades  too  difpute  agaynft  God  ,  nor  make  any 
cHimation  of  our  felues  as  though  we  were  of  fome  ^ilitie.  Let  vs 
holde  vs  contented"  with  the  liberrie  that  he  hath  giuen  vs^and  not. 
abufe  the  grace  that  he  hath  graunted  vs-,iii  preferring  vs  before 
thofc  that  were  as  Angels  in  this  worlde,  and  yet  notwithftanding 
were notaduanced  to  the  libertie  which  wee  haue  by  the  GofpeH^ 
Furtherm,ore  S.Paule  doth  heere  bring  vs  back  to  the  thing  which 
we  ought  to  confider  aboueali  others :  which  is, that  our  becing  at. 
the  time  of  full  age  in  thefe  dayes,  is  not.  in  refpe6l  of  any  vertuc' 
that  is  in  vs,but  in  refpe^^l:  of  our  Lord  lefus  ChriiLThedifterence 
betweene  vs  dlid  the  fathers  of  olde  timc,is  (as  I  haue  fayd  already); 
that  they  were  led  as  \Tidcr  awe  ,■  anti  weehee  nowe  fet  free  int^ 
^eater  liSertle.  And- vviiy  are  wee  fo^  Is  it- bicaufe  wee. bee  clT 
:more- value  than  they  i  or  for  that  tliere  is  any  worthincfTc  in  vs 'T 
No :  but  bicaufe  it  pleafcd  God  too  honor  vs  with  the  prefence  of 
his  only  Sonne.  Will  we  tlicn  inioy  the  libertie  of  the  Gofpell  't 
Lf.tfsgorightfooi-th  tooourLorde  lefus  Chrift,  who  as  he  is; 
glorii^ed  in  him  fclfe ,  wyli  alfo  bryng  vs  intoo  tlie  heaueniy 

glorift 


Chap.  4 .        fo.Calxxiiij.fermon  ypon    , 

glory,  whereinto  hee  is  gone  before  vs.  Thi$  is  the  thing  that 
Saincl  Paule  ment  purpofely  too  tell  vs.  As  touching  that  it  is  ad- 
ded that  he  was  made  of  woman,  and  put  vnder  the  Lawe :  it  cai> 
not  be  difpatched  at  this  time,  and  therefore  we  will  referue  it  tyll 
an  other  time. 

And  nowe  kt  vs  fall  downe  before  the  maieflieofourgood 
G  od,  with  acknpwlegement  of  our  faultes ,  praying  him  to  make 
vs  fo  too  feele  them,  as  wee  may  moume  and  bee  fory  for  them 
vith  true  repentance,  and  goo  diither  as  he  calleth  vs,  that  is  too 
wit,be  fo  rightly  bereft  of  our  flefh,and  of  all  the  corruptions  ther- 
of,as  we  may  come  to  the  ioy  whereto  he  dayly  calleth  vs ,  and 
vnto  that  vncorruptneffe  wherein  it  behoueth  vs  to  go  forward© 
all  the  time  of  our  life.  That  it  maye  pleafe  him  too  graunt  this 
grace,  not  onely  too  vs,  but  alfo  too  all  people  and  Nations  of 
ihe  earth.5cc. 

T^be.xxy.  Sermon, which  is  the 

feiondeVf  on  the  fourth  Chapter, 

4  But  when  the  tymc  was  fully  come',  God  fcntc 
hys  fonnc  made  of  woman,  and  made  vndcr 
the  Lawe. 

^5  Too  cheintcntctooredeemc  thofe  that  were  vndcc 
the  LawCj  that  we  might  reccyucthc  adoption 
ofchildrcn. 

6  Andforafmucheasyou bce<:hildren^ Godhath fcnt 
the  fpiriceof  his  fonneinto  your  hearts ,  crying 
Abba^that  is  to  fay, father.  . 

i^  y  Vherfore  nov  rhou  art  not  a  fcruant  but  a  fonnc : 
and  ifthoubecafonnc:  thou  arte  alfo  an  hcyrc 
vvithChrift.     '"  "" 


the  El>i^*to  the  (jalathiam.         185 

Haue  tolde  you  already  why  S.Paule  fpeakes 
leere  of  the  fulnefle  of  time :  namely  to  abate 
mes  curiofiticjwho  by  theij*  goodwilles  wculd 
fecke  to  farre  into  Gods  fecrcte  s,  yeaand tcike 
\'pon  them  To  boldly  as  to  reply  aoainfl  Gccl  if 
ne  bchaue  not  himfelf  after  their  tancie.lc  the 
11  intent  therfore  that  the  faythfulimay  content 
thefeiucs  with  the  order  that  God  hath  kept  in  fending  of  our  Lord 
lefus  Chrill :  he  f^yeththat  the  due  feafon  was  not  before,  for  that 
matter  dependeth  vpon  the  only  good  pi eafure  of  God.  and  vpo  his 
vnchaungec^ble  purpofe,  wherevnto  it  behoueth  vs  too  {ubmit  our 
felues.And  now  S.Paule  fayethj^^j^  our  Lord  lefm  Chrilf  ^Yas  made  of 
y^om-iYijand put  \>ndcr tbt  L'tfiCtto  acquitethofe  that  "H^ere  \>nder  the  UXi^e, 
Firfl  he  fayeth  that  he  was  clothed  with  our  nature,for  elfe  he  could 
not  haue  yeelded  obedience  to  God  in  our  behalfe,  tliat  wee  might 
be  fet  free.  Howbeit  for  afmuch  as  he  was  conceyued  after  a  woder- 
{\ill  maner,  dierefore  doth  S.Paule  fay  he  was  made  or  begotten  of 
a  woman  Jt  is  true  that  he  was  of  the  feede  of  Dauid  :  neuerthelefTe 
I  haue  told  you  already,  that  there  was  a  fecrete  working  of  the  ho- 
lie  Ghoft  in  his  conception.  But  how  foeuer  it  was,  our  Lorde  le- 
fus Chrifte  tooke  our  nature  vpponhim,too  the  end  he  miglit  yeeld 
obedience  to  God  his  father,as  it  were  in  our  perfone.  And  that  was 
the  caufe  why  he  tooke  our  nature  vppon  him.  And  this  fubie6lion 
whereof  he  fpeaketh,  was  not  of  conftraint,  but  of  good  will.  For 
'  wee  know  that  the  Sonne  of  God  hath  all  fuperioritie  and  fouerain- 
tic,info  much  that  eucn  the  Angelles  and  all  the  principalities  muft 
bowe  their  knees  before  him  too  doo  him  honour.  How  then  could 
he  bee  fubie6l  too  the  Lawe,feyng  that  the  Lawe  is  fuch  a  bondage^ 
This  doth  no  whit  deface  the  Maieftie  of  Gods  fonne,  for  afmuch 
as  he  abaced  himfelf  of  his  ownegood  will.  7'herefore(as  it  is  fayd 
in  the  fecond  too  the  Philippians)  there  is  no  contrarietie  in  that  he  fhil,2,k6, 
might  niake  himfelfe  equal  1  with  God  without  robberie :  and  yet 
that  he  abaced  himfelfe  alio.  So  then,  for  afmuch  as  this  doin^  of 
his  proceedf  d  of  his  owne  meere  and  vnccnftreyncd  goodnefle":  he 
continued  alwayes  in  his  owne  ftatc,  not  withftanding  that  before 
men  he  had  the  fhape  and  fafhion  of  aferuant  as  S.Paule  alfo  fpeci- 

Aa.  jtieth  ' 


Chap.4.  fo.Calxxy.  Sermon  ypon 

fictli  [in  the  fame  place.]  How  foeucr  the  cace  ftand,  let  vs  martc 
well, that  he  which  was  Lord  of  licauen  and  earth,  tooke  tliat  fubie- 
^ion  \'p6  him, to  fet  vs  free  from  it.  For  we  fee  how  our  Lord  lefus 
Chrift  was  circumcyzed,and  when  he  came  to  mans  age,he  kept  di- 
ligently all  that  belonged  too  the  lawe  of  Moyfes :  not  that  he  was 
bound  to  do  ir,but  to  put  away  the  L>ondage,and  to  breake  the  bond 
y/herewith  wee  were  as  it  were  pinched  and  fettered.  Therefore  as 
eft  as  the  Gofpell  fpeaketh  to  vs  of  libertie,  (whereof  S.Paule  doth 
alfo  treate  in  this  text):  let  vs  come  backe  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift, 
afTuring  our  feluesthat  he  became  not  bonde  after  that  fafhion  for 
nothing.  Now,  there  is  nothing  in  him  which  coteyneth  not  the  per- 
formance of  our  faluation.Then  muft  we  needes  conclude  that  wee 
be  not  any  more  fubie^l  to  the  bondage  of  the  lawe,or  elfe  it  would 
turne  too  the  difhonour  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte.  For  what  a  thing 
were  it,if  after  his  yeelding  ofhimfelf  tofubie«5li6  for  our  fakes,  wc 
(hould  ftiilhoid  fcorneof  liberties' It  were  more  conuenient  that 
heauen  and  earth  fliould  chaunge  their  nature,  than  too  fay  that  the 
fonne  of  God  is  come  downe  here  bylow,  and  hath  abaced  himfelfe 
in  maner  aforefayd,  and  yet  that  we  fhould  efteeme  it  but  as  a  play 
or  triiling  thing.  For  wliat  a  dealing  were  thatr'Now  the  let  vs  learn,, 
that  we  may  now  ferue  our  God  freely,and  come  directly  vnto  him 
without  being  hild  any  more  fo  ftreitly  vnder  the  yoke  of  the  law  as 
the  auncient  fathers  were,bicaufe  lefus  Chrift  is  come,5c  hath  fet  vs 
free.  1  haue  told  you  already  heretofore,  in  what  wife  we  be  deliue- 
red  from  the  law.  It  is  not  for  that  it  remayneth  not  ftill  as  a  rule  to 
frame  our  life  by,  fo  as  God  may  gouerne  vs  Sc  haue  all  fuperioritie- 
ouer  vs.  For  what  a  thing  were  it  tf  we  fhould  be  worfe  the  the  Hea- 
then folke  &  vnbeleeuersc'But  it  is  certaine  that  they  haue  the  law 
^m.  2.^.  {ngraued  in  thcii*  hartes  as  fayeth  S.  Paule.  He  that  neuer  went  too 
^S*  fchoole,ne  hath  had  any  teaching  at  all,noF  eoer  hath  herd  or  red  a- 

ny  thing,may  notwithftading  difceme  betweene  good  &  euill.  Not 
that  he  hath  a  perfeft  skilhbut  bicaufe  tliat  howfoeuer  the  world  go 
with  him,God  to  take  away  all  excuce'of  igaorance,would  that  mea- 
fhould  haue  that  euidenceprintedin  their  hartes,  that  theft, whore- 
domc,extortion,deceyt,periurie,  drunkenneffe  and  fiKh  other  like 
things,are  vices  to  be  condemned.  Alfo  it  was  his  will  to  haue  men> 

fcnow;^ 


the  EpiB.to  the  (jalathians.        \%6 

know,tliat  to  blafpheme  his  nan\e  is  an  irkfome  thing.The  Heathen 
folke  knew  all  this  without  any  teaching.  Now  then  if  we  fliould  be 
lawlefTe  vnder  pretence  that  our  lord  lefus  Chrift  reigneth  ouer  vs, 
and  hath  fet  vs  at  libcrtie :  what  a  thing  were  it  <  There  woulde  bee 
greater  cofufion  in  the  Church,than  there  is  where  Satan  hath  made 
a  miriglemanglc  and  put  al  things  out  of  order,  fo  as  there  is  no  bri- 
dle at  all.  BCit  whereas  it  is  fayd  that  we  be  no  more  vnder  the  lawet 
it  is  in  the  fame  refpc^l  whereof  mention  hath  bin  made  heretofore: 
namely,  that  the  Lawe  fhall  not  execute  any  more  thisfhaipnelTe 
and  rigour  vppon  v"S,too  fay  vnto  vs,  curfcd  (hall  he  be  e  that  fulfil- 
Icth  not  all  things.  Forfo  long  as  the  threatening  rcmayneth  and 
ftandeth  in  force,  we  mud  necdes  be  as  men  out  of  their  wittes,anci 
as  folke  vpon  the  racke  ready  to  be  tome  in  peeces.  To  be  fhort^wc 
can  haue  no  reft  except  the  fentence  of  the  law  be  abolifhed,  which 
is  that  they  which  performe  not  ail  that  is  cotayned  in  the  law  (hall 
be  accurfed.But  coti  arywife  let  our  confciences  beare  vs  record  that 
God  pitieth  vs  and  beareth  with  our  infirmities  as  a  father  doth  to- 
wardes  his  children,and  palTeth  not  vp6  the  vyces  that  are  in  \j^,but 
hidedi  &  burieth  them.fo  as  our  feruis  is  acceptable  to  him,  though 
there  be  many  things  amifTe  in  it :  8c  then  arc  we  no  more  fubie«5l  to 
the  law.Not  that  we  (liould  be  quite  without  ruIe,nor  that  the  com- 
maundements  ought  not  to  be  preached  continually  vnto  vs,  to  the 
end  we  may  know  what  God  hath  orde^tied  &  be  hild  in  awe  by  it : 
but  that  we  fhould  not  be  out  of  hait  if  we  fall,  or  halt,  or  make  any 
falfe  fteppes:or  that  if  we  cannot  difchargc  our  felues  of  al  things  fo 
perfe6Hy  as  were  rcquifitCjyet  we  (hould  not  bee  vtterly  difmayed, 
knowing  well  that  God  will  alwayes  hold  vs  vp  by  the  hand,  &  not 
enter  intoaccout  with  vs  to  fift  our  life  rigorouflyiSc  moreouer  by- 
caufc  the  Ceremonies  that  were  before  the  coming  of  our  Lord  le- 
fus Chrille,are  no  more  in  vfe  as  they  were  towardes  the  fathers  of 
old  time, who  were  trayned  by  them  as  in  their  childhood.  For  who 
die  brute  beafts  were  offered  in  facrifize,  euery  ma  bchild  there  his 
ownedeath,as  though  the  bottomlelTe  gulfe  of  hell  had  bin  opened 
too  fu'allow  vp  the  whole  world.  At  this  day  wee  knowe  that  the 
Sonne  of  God  hath  by  his  offering  vp  of  himfelfe  in  facrifize,  and  by 
his  (heading  ofhisbloud  for  vspurchaced  vs  eucriaflinf^rede^  tio.fo 

A^ij.  that 


r 


Cnap.4.  y^.  Cal.xxD.  Scrmon  ypon 

that  \v€  come  with  our  heads  vpright  before  God,not  doubting  but 
that  we  obteyne  life  by  the  death  of  him  that  was  not  fubieft  too  it, 
but  of  his  owne  good  will  made  himfelt  fubie^ltoo  it  as  our  iuretie, 
to  the  end  that  we  might  be  quit  and  difcharged  by  his  death  &  paf- 
fion.  1  husye  fee  that  at  this  day  the  law  is  abolifhedtowardes  vs,5e 
that  we  be  deliuered  tro  it,  euen  to  obtayne  the  adoption.  Howbeir, 
in  {peaking  fojS.Paule  meenethnot  that  the  Patriarkes,  Kings,Pro- 
phets  and  other  fay thfullfoikcs  that  liuedvnder  the  oldTeftamet, 
were  not  the  children  of  God  as  well  as  wee,  or  that  they  knew  not 
themfelues  to  be  adopted  by  fayth  as  well  as  wee :  but  that  thefayd 
adoption  was  not  yet  fo  rcueled  as  it  is  now  adayes.  For(as  we  haue 
feene)the  lawe  was  a  Tutor  too  rule  little  children.  But  we  be  come 
to  the  age  of  men,  bicaufe  the  fonne  of  God  hath  fhewed  himfelfe> 
and  brought  vs  all  perfe^biefie  by  his  comming.  Then  feing  it  is  fo: 
wee  do  now  inioy  the  adoption  which  the  fathers  did  but  as  it  were 
tafleof  afore,  bicaufe  the  tymewas  not  yet  come.  Not  that  God 
wrought  not  in  them  with  fuch  meafure  of  his  fpirite  as  he  thought 
good :  but  bicaufe  the  cace  cocerneth  the  order  of  gouernment  that 
God  hild,Sc  not  the  perfones  themfelues,as  I  haue  fayd  already »For 
in  thofedayes  there  were  fhadowesand  figures,  fo  that  it  was  as  a 
chayne  of  bondage:but  now  that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  calleth  vs  to 
him,and  that  the  veyle  of  the  temple  is  rent  afunder :  he  hath  pre- 
pared vs  a  San<5luarie,not  buylded  with  mans  hand,but  of  a  heauely 
making, whereinto  wee  may  boldly  enter,  in  afmuch  as  he  is  gone  ia 
thither  before  vs.Ye  fee  then  that  wc  be  receyued  fully  into  this  ad- 
option,bicaufe  the  law  hath  no  more  power  ouer  vs,as  it  had  in  the 
time  of  the  figures  and  {hadowes.Ncwe  too  confirme  this  matter,S» 
Paule  z6dQth,tha(  Go'i/he^Vetb  that  he  ta{etb  Vs  for  his  childrerjjbycaufe 
thejptrit  of  hii  fonne  is  in  yfSycryhg  fathenSpe^ng  of  the  holy  ghoft, 
he  doth  by  a  circumftancc  terme  him  the  fpirite  of  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chrift.  For  by  what  title  can  we  be  Gods  children,  but  bycaufc  wee 
be  mebers  of  his  onely  fonn?,to  whom  that  right  honour,and  digns- 
tie  belongeth  by  nature  c"  For  in  that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  is  called 
the  only  fonne  of  God,  not  only  men,  but  alfo  the  very  Angelles  of 
heauen  are  excluded  from  thatdignitie,  fo  that  it  belongeth  to  none 
but  onely  to  lefus  Chrift.  Hov/beeit  for  afmuch  as  we  bee  ioyned 

vnta 


the  Epi^.to  the  (jaUthiam.      1 8  7 

vnto  hfm,and  he  will  not  be  feparated  from  vs,  but  fliewcth  himfclf 
to  be  our  head,and  we  haue  fucli  vnion  with  him  as  the  mebers  hauc 
with  the  head  :  therfore  he  fayth  that  eyther  we  muft  haue  the  f^n- 
rite  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chri{l,or  elfe  we  can  haue  no  familiar  acceflc 
to  our  Godytoo  call  vj^on  him  as  our  father :  and  it  were  too  great  a 
prefumption  for  vs  too  take  that  honour  vpj^on  vs.  For  if  a  begger 
would  make  himfclf  a  riclic  mans  fonne,  foike  would  laugh  him  to 
skovne,and  he  fliould  be  fhaken  oif  withal  the  fhame  that  might  be. 
And  how  then  (Kould  wee  fillie  woormes  of  the  eaith,  yea  and  full 
of  sll  infed:ionand  lilthinene,  go  match  our  felues  with  the  Angels 
©f  heauen,  to iay  that  God  is  our  fatlier  <  Truely  the  very  Angelles 
themfelues  cannot  chalendge  fuche  nobilitie,  but  by  the  meanes  of 
our  Lord  lefus  Chriftbycaufe  he  is  their  head.  Then  were  it  greate 
piyde  in  vs  if  we  e  would  take  vppon  vs  too  (lie  aboue  the  Angelles, 
without  coming  in  the  name  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  or  without 
hauinghis  fpirit;that  we  might  be  acceptedas  members  of  his  body, 
and  bee  intertayncd  as  it  were  in  his  perfone.  And  therefore  alfo  it 
is  fayd^  that  he  maketh  intercefsion  for  vs,  and  that  wee  call  vppon 
God  in  his  name.  For  if  he  were  not  our  fpokefman,how  could  we 
hope  too  haue  our  petitions  receyued  <  Let  vs  a  little  con(ider  the 
feebleneffe  that  is  in  vs  when  wee  intend  too  pray  vntoo  God.  Al- 
though wee  figh  vnfaynedly,  and  although  wee  haue  good  motions 
to  lift  vs  vp :  yet  do  wee  faynt,  and  they  that  thinke  too  come  vnto 
God  with  a  perfect  zele,beguile  themfelues,yea  euen  to  grofly.But 
they  that  humbly  acknowledge  therafelucs  to  be  as  they  bee  :  doo 
perccyue  themfelues  too  halt  and  ftumble  euen  in  the  ver^^  vertue 
and  ftregth  that  is  giuen  the.  Howbeit  for  afmuch  as  our  Lord  lefus 
Chrift  is  in  the  middeSjSc  ftadeth  there  in  our  behalf,and  maketh  vS 
to  come  neereitherfore  we  may  boldly  pray.  And  for  the  fame  caufc 
did  the  high  Priefl:  in  the  time  of  the  lawe  beare  twelue  precious 
ftones  vpon  his  brefl:,and  other  twelue  behind  vpon  his  (houlders, 
wherein  were  written  the  names  of  the  twelue  tribes  of  Ifraell.  For 
although  the  people  were  prefentin  theporche  [or  outtcr  taberna- 
cle,lyet  was  there  a  veyle  betwkt  him  and  the/o  as  the  San6luaric 
v.'as  hidde,  Si  nothing  was  fcene  of  the  things  that  were  done  within 
for  a  witnelfc  ef  Gods  prefencc .  It  was  ynough  tfiat  the  high  prieft 

Aa.iij,  went 


c^p-^'  ^Q.  CaLxxy.  Semen  y>po}i 

cxod»2EA  vrcm  in,  in  the  name  of  them  ai,hauing  in  his  hand  the  bloud  v^'her- 
^^«  with  Gods  wrath  was  to  bee  appcazed.  T  hen  had  he  thg  fayd  tab! ct 
at  his  breft,  where  in  the  names  of  the  twelut  trybes  (that  is  too.  fay, 
of  Gods  people)were  ingrauen.  Alfo  he  had  them  vppon  his  (houl-? 
derS;,  that  it  might  bee  fayd  ho  we  he  was  there  in  the  name  of  the 
whole  Chnrclie.  Thus  yeefjse  how  wee  crie,  euenby  the  fpiriteof 
our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,vntco  God  his  father,  with  full  alTurance  tliat 
heknowethand  auowethvs  for  membei's  of  his  fonne,  by  wKofe 
meancs  he  receyueth  vs  into  his  heauenly  kingdome,andfetteth  o-? 
pen  the  gate  vntoo  vs,  fo  as  wee  haue  accefTe  vntoo  him  familiarly. 
And  this  is  expreffed  yet  better  by  the  woord  Crie.  S.PauIe  coulde 
well  haue  fayd,  "^ee  fay :  but  he  goeth  further  as  neede  was.  For(as 
I  haue  touched  heretofore)  here  he  compareth  the  old  fathers  with 
vs,and  Oie  weth  that  our  (late  is  better  than  theirSjbicaufe  God  hath 
fhewedhimfelfemore  bountifulltowardesvs,  than  he  did  towardes 
them  that  were  vndcr  the  iawe.That  is  the  caufe  why  he  fayeth  tlijat 
we  in  thcfe  dayes  docrie  out  that  God  is  our  father,  yea  euen  witli 
open  mouth  and  ful  libcr£ie,and  that  we  eome  boldly  to  hira,glory- 

Ifai,6^,cL  ing  that  we  be  taken  for  his  childre*  True  it  is  that  the  fathers  vqder 
h(L  the  kwe  did  alfo  vfe  the  fame  maner  of  fpeeche,  as  when  they  fay^d. 
Lord  what  ifhall  become  of  vs  if  thou  receyue  vs  not  to  mercie  "f  A^ 
braham  knoweth  vs  not,  no  more  doth  Iiacob.  Wee  bee  borne  of 
them  as  touching  the  fle{h :  howbeit,all  thisnaturall  kinredis  no- 
thing in  comparifon  of  the  fpintuall  kinred,  whereinto  thou  haft  in- 
greffed  vs  in  the  perfone  of  thy  fonne.Therfore  thou  art  our  father^ 
After  that  mancr  did  the  whole  Churchepray  vntoo  God  as  Efay 
rcporteth'it.  Aiid  there  arc  many  fuch  textes.  And  out  of  doubte  it 
had  bin  impofsible  for  the  fathers  too  haue  oflfered  vp  good  petiti- 
ons and  prayers  vnto  God,  without  that  ground :  that  is  too  wit,vn- 
lefTe  they  had  bin  fully  refolued,  that  God  tooke  them  for  his  chil- 
dren; For  that  is  the  diing  wherein  the  faythfull  differed  from  the 
Heathen  and  vnbeleeuers  in  all  ages.  The  Heathen  menne  did  in 
deede  pray  vntoo  God,  howbeeit,  that  was  but  at  all  ackienture,not 
knowingwhither  they  (hould  bee  herd  or  no.  But  our  prayer  mufte 
^pm.  1 0.  f .  bee  grourxded  vppon  faydi.  And Sain^l  Paul es  faying  fhall  aiwayes 
t^        bee  true ;  namely  that  wee  cannot  pray  vntoo  God,  except  we  fij  ft 


the  Epifl.tothe^alathians.      188 

jaiow  and  vndei-fland  his  good  will  towardes  vs.  Tlierefore  it  muft 
needcs  followe  that  they  whiche  liucd  vnder  the  Lawe,  were  fully 
affuredin  their  confcicnces  that  <jod  accepteth  them  for  his  chil- 
dren. Howbeeit  this  was  (hewed  them  as  yee  wouide  fay  but  witk 
half  face,  fo  that  they  prayed  beyng  wrapped  in  many  fhadowcs  and 
figures, whiche  taught  ihem  grofly.   It  is  true  that  they  offered  not 
thcmfelues  without  fayth  (for  then  had  it  booted  them  verie  little,) 
end  that  it  flood  them  on  hand  to  ouercome  all  the  lettes  that  were 
fe;t  before  their  eyes :  but  >  et  were  they  not  able  too  call  vponGod 
with  the  full  certeintie  whiche  is  communicated  too  vs  vnder  the 
Gofpell.  And  this  is  yet  better  exprefTed  in  the  eyghttoo  theRo-  ^»i,8.f.lj 
manes,  where  Sain  ft  Paulefayeth  that  wee  haue  not  now  rcceyucd 
the  fpirit  ofYearfulnefle  and  bondage,  but  the  fpirit  of  boldnclTe,  fo 
as  we  bc€  able  too  crie  Abba,  father.  And  by  the  contrarie  mtmbef 
he  inlighteneth  the  matter  that  might  bee  darkfome  in  this  Textc 
by  reafon  of  thefiiortnelTe  of  it.  For  he  fettetlidowne  the  fpiritecif 
bondage,  bycaufe  die  Lawc  was  giuen  with  great  terribleneffe,  and 
the  old  fathers  were  driiien  too  feelethat  they  were  hilde  in  awe 
vnder  it,  and  had  not  yet  the  lib-crtie  that  is  purchaccd  vs  in  thefc 
dayes  by  the  commin^  of  our  Lord  lefus  ChrifL  Th^'  were  as  little 
children :  who  akhough  their  fathers  trauell  for  them,  knowe  not 
what  is  layd  vp  for  them.  For  although  their  fathers  loue  them : 
ye,t^nu{l  the  rod  bee  walking  now  and  then,  and  they  (land  alwayes 
in  awCwAnd  bycauie  they  haue  no  diicretion  to  goueme  themfelues, 
they  know  not  how  their  fathers  will  deale  with  them.  Euen  fo  was 
it  in  the  tyme  of  the  Lawe  :  There  was  akii>d  of  fearefulnefle,  in  fo 
much  that  dicy  which  were  Gods  children^were  yet  vnder  the  ftreic 
bondage  afore  fayd.  But  Saind  Paule  faycth  that  we  be  no  more  as.  r^.J  ,<• 
it  were  at  Mount  Sinai,  where  God  thundred,  where  the  lightenings      /c  ^1  *1 
ftadied,  where  trump e  ts  founded,9nd  where  the  ayre  rored  in  fuche    *    '  * 

wize,  that  all  menne  were  fo  amazed  as  they  durfl  not  come  neere  * 
God,accorQing  as  it  is  fayde,  let  not  God  fpeake  vntoo  vs,  for  then 
are  wee  all  dead  and  vndone.  Wee  bee  not  nowe  in  that  feare 
fayeth  Sainft:  Paule :  but  God  hath  giuen  vs  full  libertie  bycaufe 
our  Lord  lefus  Chrifle  is  come.  And  we  know  that  he  is  gone  into 
heaucn;  to  the  intent  that  the  heauely  throne  (hould  not  ihenffortli 

Aa.iiij.  haue 


Iiaue  Tuch  ten  ibl'e  Maicftie  as  to  make  vs  (Tirinkebacke  from  ft:  and 
that  wc  might  find  fauour  5:  grace  to  talke  familiarly  with  our  God. 
Thus  ye  fee  in  etFecl  what  this  woord  cry  importeth.NoW;it  is  true 
that  the  faythfull  oftentimes  (hall  not  feeic  fo  franke  &  free  a  mind 
in  thcmfe lues, but  that  they  fhall  be  ditlreifed  when  they  open  their 
xnouthes^  and  feele  hartbitinps,  and  caft  doubtes  whither  God  will 
.  heare  them  or  no.  Heauinefle  wil  fo  ouerprefTe  vs.as  we  fhal  hardly 
know  how  to  difpoze  our  prayers,  or  whereat  to  begin.  This  tbcn  is 
a  thing  that  niight  feeme  contrarie  to  that  vrhich  S.  Paule  fpeaketh 
heere;,and  to  the  text  which  I  am  about  to  alledge.  For  it  will  follow 
that  we  be  cut  off  from  the  aray  of  the  faithful!,  if  wc  dcubte  in  o¥ir 
felues  whither  we  may  pray  vnto  God  or  no^and  that  oui*  haftes  be 
as  it  were  locked  vp  in  tliofe  doubtings.  If  wee  bee  at  tfiEfpoynt,  in 
what  cace  are  we  then  C'  where  is  the  tinft  that  S.PauieTpeaketh  of 

!2^om. 8.  d,    Keere:'  He  difchargeth  that  doubt  immediatly,fay ing  that  Gods  fpi- 
2^,  rite.fupplieth  our  wantes  &  infirmities.  For  diere  are  certatne  vnut- 

terablc  gronings  which  God  heare th,  althoiTgh  they  be  not  percey- 
ued  of  me.Therfore  let  vs  firft  marke,that  if  we  haue  profited  in  the 
Gofpel,  we  muft  beleeue  affuredly  that  God  taketh  vs  for  his  chil- 
dren>and  that  he  calleth  vs  gently  vnto  him,and  that  we  may  boldly 
come  vntahim.  According  wherevnto  he  fayethin  the  third  to  the 

Ifh,2»c»i2,  Ephefias,that  by  ourbcleuing  mIefusChrift,  we  by  and  by  coceyue 
truft  &:  boldnefle  to  offer  our  felues  vnto  God.l  hen  ifwe  haue  not 
truft  and  boldneffe,  it  appecrcth  that  wee  haue  no  fayth.  Howbeit 
for  afmuch  as  our  fayth  is  neuerpcrfe<R:,but  iixlurcth  brunts  whsr- 
by  it  is  as  good  as  beaten  downe  too  outward  feeming  :  fom crimes 
wee  bee  fo  difmaycd  at  it  through  the  oueiprefsing  of  our  miferies 
and  afflictions,  that  God  feemcth  too  bee  cftraunged  from  vs,  and 
wee  cannot  vtterone  woord  of  prayer  vnto  God.  And  therefore 
Jet  vs  rcceiue  that  which  S.Paule  fayeth :  namely  that  the  fpirit  hel- 
peth  our  infirmities.  And  fo  let  vs  hokie  out  ftill  and  pray  vnto  God 
without  ceafsing,and  if  wee  bee  fpecchleffe,  or  do  flutte,and  cannot 
vtterany  one  peece  of  our  minde  to  the  purpofe,  but  bee  intangled 
with  many  impedimentes :  weil,howfoeuer  wee  fare,  let  Cjods  fpi- 
rite  thraft  vs  foreward  flill,  and  let  vs  (licke  faft  to  this  ground, that 
God  is  neuertlieleffe  our  father^  and  Let  vs  flee  too  him  for  refuge^ 


the  Epift.  to  the  Qalathiansn        1 8  p 

•and  though  wee  i^o  it  not  fo  franldy  as  were  requifite,  but  be  cuer- 
weyed  widi  the  heauinene  of  our  grecfes^  yet  whatfocuer  come  of 
it,  let  vsgo  onfor\vardeftil];-:indnotrhet  our  fdues  out  of  rl;e 
^ate  through  our  ovvne  default,  but  hclde  on  ffill  in  praying  to  our 
God,airuring  our  felues  that  he  will  hr.ue  pitie  vpon  vs  in  the  en.ie. 
Thus  ye  fee  what  wehaue  to  confider  here  when  mention  is  maci^ 
of  the  fpirite  of  boldeneffe  or  truftfulneflc,  whereby  wee  may  crie 
[[vnto  God/Jbicaufe  we  bee  fure  of  our  adoption.  Let  vs  not  think 
that  this  can  bee  fully  in  vs,  for  there  are  many  vyces  which  we  bee 
not  yet  ridde  of.  Againe  there  remayneth  vnbelecfe,  which  if  it  bee 
not  throughly  rooted  in  vs,  hath  notwithftanding  many  firings  too 
holde  vs  backe  with,ro  as  wee  muft  be  faine  to  ftriue  agaynft  them, 
Butyetin  the  meane  while,  we  mud:  be  fully  refolued  that  God  is 
our  father :  and  afterwarde  according  too  oure  meafure  and  abili- 
tie,  let  vs  keepe  onwarde  to  the  marke  that  is  fct  forth  here.  And  it 
is  one  of  the  grcateft  controuerfies  that  we  hauc  with  the  Papifts  in 
thefe  day es.. For  they  fay  we  cannot  be  fure  that  God  loueth  vs,and 
that  it  is  a  cace  which  ought  to  hang  in  fufpcnce  whether  he  loue  vs 
or  hate  vs.  But  by  this  meanes  they  vtterly  deface  the  true  maner 
and  fafhion  of  praying.  For  wee  knowe  howe  the  Scripture  fayedi, 
that  we  cannot  pray  without  fayth,and  S.  lames  faycth,let  not  fuch  * 
a  man  thinke  that  euer  he  (hall  bee  heard,  that  is  to  wit,  fuch  a  one      *  '       '^* 
as  commeth  like  a  waucring  reede  that  is  (haken  too  and  fro  wyth 
euerie  winde.  For  we  muft  beleeue  that  God  is  faythfull  in  his  pro  - 
raifes,and  that  we  fhall  not  be  difappoynted  in  comming  vnto  him, 
bycaufe  he  hath  bidden  vs  come.  VVee  muft  be  thus  minded  in  ail 
onrpraycrs  andpetitions,or  elfe  all  is  nothing  worth.  Againe  what 
Chriftianitieisthercinvs  if  weehauenot  Gods  fpirite,  as  fayeth 
Saint  Paule  in  the.viij.to  the  Romanes  <  And  for  for  the  fame  caufe 
alfodoth  he  fay  frrthe fifth  Chapter,  that  wee  flialLneuer  bee  afha-  ^^^-S^^-  S 
med  of  our  hope,  bycaufe  Gods  loue  is  fheaded  into  our  heartes  by 
the  holy  Ghoft  which  is  giuen  vntoo  vs.  For  if  wee  haue  no  hope, 
furcly  then  are  we  baniflied  out  of  Gods  kingdome,and  cannot  bee 
tiamed  Chriftians.  And  what  maner  of  hope  is  it  <  It  is(fayeth  Saint 
Paule)  that  Gods  loue  is  fheaded  into  our  heartes :  that  is  too  lay, 
^lat  we  be  fully  fettled  and  contented,  bycaufe  we  know  our  felues 

Aa.v.  lobe 


ciup.4-  fo.Cal.xxy.Sermonypon 

to  be  in  Gods  fauour.  And  Iiowc  knowc  wee  that  C*  By  the  fpiritc. 
And  he  fetteth  downc  purpofely  the  worde  Sheade,,  too  doo  vs  too 
wit,  that  Gods  making  of  vs  too  feele  his  fatherly  goodnelTeand 
lone  towardes  vs,is  not  with  a  wette  finger  and  away  (as  they  fay,) 
and  then  afterwarde  too  leaue  vs  hungrie  and  necdie :  but  that  he« 
Iheadeth  or  poureth  it  out  vpon  vs,  that  is  to  fay, that  he  giueth  vs  a 
fufficient  &  ful  warrant  that  he  acknowledgeth  and  auoweth  vs  fof 
his  owne,  feeinghe  hath  layde  foorth  all  the  treafures  of  his  mcrcic 
in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chriil:.  Nowe,  this  mufi:  needes  come  of  G,od$ 
i.Cor.2.f.<?  fpirite,according  as  it  is  fayd  in  the  firftto  the  Corinthians,  that  we 
cr  d.l^*      do  not  now  by  our  naturall  wit  comprehendc  that  God  Joueth  vs: 
for  that  padeth  all  the  power  of  man.  God  then  miift  be  faine  to  lift 
vs  vp  aboue  the  worlde :  for  it  lieth  not  in  our  owne  power  to  cer- 
tifie  our  felues  of  Gods  loue.Therefore  the  fpirit  giueth  it  vs:  that 
is  to  fay, we  haue  it  not  by  nature,nor  by  inheritance, neither  do  we 
purchace  it  by  our  defertes :  but  God  of  his  owne  mere  goodnefTc 
aiTureth  vs  of  it,  to  the  intent  wee  might  refort  vnto  him  familiarly 
in  all  our  needes.  But  contrariwife,the  Papifts  after  their  own  ima- 
gination, deeme  that  we  cannot  be  fure  of  Gods  loue.   And  thefc 
wretches  are  fo  blinde,  that  they  fay  it  is  prefumption  if  we  defyre 
to  haue  any  certentie  of  it :  yeaf^and  fo  is  it,]  if  we  would  haue  it  of 
our  felues.For  if  a  man  woulde  vpon  his  owne  conceyte  beare  him- 
felfe  in  hande  that  God  is  his  father,he  (houlde  be  but  a  fantafticall 
childe,  and  afoole  at  ail  affayes  like  one  of  thcfe  dizardes  that  gad 
vp  and  dovvne  the  ftreetes,  and  play  the  Kings  and  Princes.  But  if 
we  haue  the  fayde  recorde  of  our  God  :  (hould  wee  then  doubt  of 
it  ftill  C'  Is  it  a  prefumptuoufnefTe  to  do  God  fo  much  honour,as  to 
beleeue  him  to  be  faythfull,  and  to  reft  our  felues  vpon  his  worded 
Againe  on  the  other  fyde,  when  we  go  to  pray,  is  it  not  agood  for- 
Math.  n.rt  wardneffe  that  hec  gyueth  vs  when  hec  faycth,  come  too  mec^  l( 
28.       wee  had  no  commaundement  to  pray  vntoo  God ,  furely  it  w^r.c 
too  great  a  rafhnelTe  to  preace  into  his  prefencc.  '  But  feeing  that 
heecalleth  vf,  yea  and  taryeth  not  till  wee  feeke  hym,  butprtucn-i 
teth  vs,  and  telleth  vs  that  he  requireth  nothing  but  that  we  fhould 
come  to  him,  and  giueth  vs  both  the  motion  andmyndetoo  pray 
vnto  hini :  if  we  take  him  for  our  God^  let  vs  yeeldc  him  his  de- 

fcrucd 


the  EptU.to  the  Qahthiam.        1 9  o 

fcrucd  prayfcby  feeking  all  our  welfare  at  his  hande.  Seeing(ray  I) 
that  he  hath  fo  preuented  vs :  fhoulde  we  difpute  whither  we  ought 
TO  follow  him  or  no  :'  Is  it  not  a  blafphemie  that  tendeth  to  the  de- 
facing of  all  Gods  promifes  <  Thus  yec  fee  what  wee  haue  too  re- 
inember  when  mention  is  made  of  this  worde  Crie.  But  yet  for  all 
this,howfoeuer  the  worlde  go  with  vs ,  though  wee  bee  fayne  too 
hackeit  outlykefolke  thathauc  halfe  forgone  theyr  fpecche,  and 
bee  ftraytcned  with  fo  many  ouerthwartes  that  wee  cannot  fafhion 
cut  one  fillablc  or  iote  aright :  yet  whatfoeuer  come  of  it,  let  vs  not 
leaue  goyng  vnto  God,vpon  this  grounde ,  that  he  will  fuccour  vs 
at  our  neede,  and  redrefTe  the  infirmities  that  pluckc  vsbacke.  To 
be  fhort,  when  thefpirite  workcth  in  vs  to  ftnre  vs  vp  to  the  gro- 
hings  whereof  I  hawe  fpoken  :  let  vs  feeke  God,  and  though  we  be 
atour  wittes  ende,and  knowe  not  whereat  to  begin :  let  vs  alwayeg 
go  forward  to  the  marke  that  is  fet  before  vs  here  .And  Saint  Paulc 
feythpurpofely,  that  llDe  crie  d^ba  father,  tofignifie  that  it  is  not  the 
f  ewes  oncly  whomc  God  will  haue  to  call  vpon  him,  and  to  flee  to 
him  for  fuccor  nowadayes  :  but  that  he  will  haue  the  whole  worlde 
to  do  it.  Aud  forafmuch  as  the  Gofpell  which  is  the  key  to  open  vs 
the  gate  of  Paradicc,is  publifhed  eueiie  where  :  nowc  he  will  haue 
all  men  to  inioy  the  right  which  hceretofore  had  bin  as  the  fpeciall 
priuilcdge  of  the  linage  of  Abraliam.  Thus  ye  fee  after  what  mancr 
wc  crie  Jfi^^rf,  father.  No  we  the  firft  worde  Jbba  fignifieth  a  father; 
howbeeitSainrPauk  vfeth  the  language  that  was  hilde  Ml  as  mofi 
common  among  thelcwes.  For  the  Hebrewe  tongue  was  not  fo 
pure  after  the  captiuitie  ofBabilo  as  it  was  before, but  was  mingled 
with  the  Chaldey  tongue .  Howbeeit  Saint  Paules  me  cning  heere, 
is  to  fliewe  that  \Tider  the  Gofpell  all  men  in  common  ought  to  cal 
vppon  God  with  open  mouth,  bicaufe  his  adoption  was  offered  to 
all  Natrons,  and  the  wall  was  broken  downe  which  deuided  the  le- 
wes  and  Gentiles  afunder,  fo  that  henceforth  he  will  haue  vsto  be 
cquall  and  in  lyke  Ibte.   Ye  fee  then  that  wee  may  call  vpon  God 
in  all  languages,as  it  were  with  one  mouth,  and  we  mufl  not  doubt 
but  that  Godreceiueth  vs  and  giueth  vs  leaue  to  preace  vnto  him, 
inafmuch  as  we  haue  the  doj^rinc  of  the  Gofpell  to  leade  vs, which 
is  an  infallible||aide  for  vs.. 

Nowe 


chap,4.  fo.Cal.xxy.  Sermon  ypon 

Now  by  this  mcanes  we  Tee  tliat  cuer^'  mans  praying  vnto  God 
ought  to  bee  with  vixlerftanding.  For  if  a  man  that  vndenlandeth 
no  more  but  his  owne  mother  tongue,  (houlde  pray  vnto  God  ia 
Greeke  or  Hebrew,  farely  it  were  but  a  daliance,and  an  vtter  per- 
uerting  and  marring  of  the  rule  of  praying  aright,  and  there  coulde 
be  nothing  but  hypocrifie  and  feyned  deuotion  in  it.    1  haue  toldc 
you  alreadie  that  we  cannot  pray  vnto  God  without  fayth,  too  be^ 
fure  that  he  will  heere  vs.  And  what  a  thing  is  it  if  wee  knowe  not 
what  we  haue  to  askc  at  his  hande  '^  Is  it  not  a  defiling  of  fo  holy  a 
thing  as  prayer  is  C*  VVe  knowe  that  to  call  vpon  God,  and  too  flee 
to  him  alone  for  fuccour ,  is  the  Sacrifize  that  hee  requireth  at  our 
handes,  bicaufe  that  therein  we  confelTe  him  to  bee  our  father,  and 
the  verie  welfpring  of  all  welfare.  Nowe  then  it  is  meete  that  wee 
fliould  refort  vnto  him  which  is  the  rewarder,  according  as  the  A- 
,      J  ^  poftle  fayth  in  the.xj.  to  the  Hebrewes,  that  hec  difappoynteth  not 
'    '  '    thofc  that  feeke  him,  but  that  they  fiiall  alwayes  finde  that  there  is 
nothing  better  than  to  flee  vnto  him.  Therefore  when  \^e  pray  vnto 
God,  we  mufl  haue  vnderftanding  to  know  what  vyee  craue  of  him. 
Marke  that  for  one  poynt.  RIoreouer  whereas  it  is  fayde  that  wee 
eric  Abba,father  :  thereby  we  be  done  to  vnderftande,  that  the  di- 
^  -        .     uerfitie  of  languages  hindereth  not  the  vnitie  of  faith.Efay  feemeth 
f/*^*  y*  *  ^  to  vfe  a  cleane  contrarie  maner  of fpeaking,when  hee  rayth,that  all 
men  fhall  fpeake  the  language  of  Canaan,  that  is  to  fay,the  Hebrew 
tongue.  Nowe  to  be  Chriftians  and  faythfull  beleeuers ,  it  is  not  of 
neccfsitie  that  we  muft  haue  skil  of  that  language  :  but  he  meaneth 
that  God  fhall  be  worfhipped  in  all  languages.  And  hee  fpeaketh  of 
the  tongue  of  Canaan^bicaufe  the  Hebrew  was  a  holy  tongue  wher- 
in  Gods  fecretes  were  conteyncd.  Forafmuch  then  as  that  language 
was  after  a  fort  confecratcd  vnto  God :  he  fayth  that  God  (hall  bee 
honoured  of  all  men,  and  all  men  fhall  renounce  their  blafphemies, 
ruper{litions,and  abufeSjand  there  fhall  be  one  conformitic  of  faith 
among  men,and  being  inflru^led  both  in  the  Law  and  the  Gofpell, 
they  fhall  all  make  one  felfc  fame  profersion,roas  there  fhall  be  one 
tunablenefle  and  good  agreement  among  all  men.HowbeitS.Paule 
ment  to  exprefle  here  more  clearely  after  what  maner  we  call  \'pon 
God;namely  that  euery  man  prayeth  to  him  as  novy  in  his  own  lan- 


the  Epifl.to  the  ^alathians.      ip  t 

gaAge,  and  he  hearetli  Vs  all.  For  God  needeth  not  to  go  to  fchole 
to  leame  this  mans  or  that  mans  language.  And  we  knowe  that  in 
praying,  fpeech  ferueth  too  no  other  purpofe  than  too  ftyrre  vs  vp 
the  more  vnto  it.  Alfo  it  ferueth  vs  too  witnefTe  before  men  with 
our  mouthes,  that  we  repofe  all  our  truft  in  God.  Moreouer  it  fer- 
ueth to  helpe  our  infirmitie,and  bycaufe  we  bee  lazicand  colde,our 
tongue  had  neede  to  driue  forth  our  heart,  and  to  helpe  our  weak- 
nefle  and  flouth  which  are  ouergreat  in  vs.  But  God  hath  no  neede 
of  none  of  all  this,  we  neede  not  to  crie  out  alowde  when  we  would 
be  heard  at  his  hande :  for  he  knoweth  the  fecrete  thoughtes  of  our 
heartcs.  Thus  ye  fee  in  efFe6l  what  we  haue  to  marke.  And  herein 
we  fee  howe  great  fway  the  Diuell  beareth  in  Poperie,fo  that  there 
is  neythcr  prayer  nor  fayth.  To  their  feeming  there  is  neythcr  de- 
notion  nor  holinefle, except  men  babble  in  an  vnknownc  language, 
and  mumble  it  vp  without  knowing  what  they  fay.   And  although 
the  PreefteSjMonkes,  and  Hypocrites  fay  they  vnderftande  latine  i 
men  knowe  well  inough  what  their  vndcrftanding  is.  Befides  this, 
they  make  euen  a  rule  of  their  iangling  without  knowing  what  they 
fay,and  it  is  ynough  with  them  to  haue  a  finail  intent(for  fo  do  tliey 
terme  it :)  fo  they  haue  that  finail  intent  before  they  babble  their 
tDomine  labia,  to  fay  we  go  to  pray  and  to  ferue  God,  although  their 
minde  be  vpon  dieir  kitchin,  or  vpon  things  much  worfe,and  much 
more fhamefull  :  thcybear^  themfeluesin  hande,  that  all  theyr 
prayers  and  fupplications  are  acceptable  to  God.  The  poore  people 
haue  their  eyes  bleared  at  it :  for  they  be  made  to  beleeue  that  it  is 
not  lawfull  for  them  to  pray  in  a  common  language ,  and  therefore 
they  fhunne  that  as  abugge.  Wq  fee  then  that  the  Diuell  hath  be- 
fotted  thefe  wretches,yea  and  vtterly  bewitched  them,  feeing  they 
be  fo  loth  to  receyue  the  foode  of  life ,  that  in  ftead  of  good  bread 
and  wholfome  meate,they  receyue  poyfon  and  burft  with  it.But  for 
our  owne  part  wee  fee  the  rule  that  is  giuen  vs  heere  and  wliich 
wee  ought  to  kepe:  which  is, that  when  wee  pray  vnto  God  wee 
mud  not  ftep  to  it  vnaduy  fedly  without  bethinking  of  vs  what  wee 
(hould  demaunde,  or  without  knowing  how  wee  fiioulde  behaue 
our  felues  towardes  him.  And  when  wee  call  him  our  father,  let  vs 
confider  well  that  it  is  not  for  any  worthincflTe  of  our  own  perfons, 

nor 


Chap.4:  Jq^  Cal.  xxy.  Sermon  ypon 

nor  for  arty  defert  or  worke  of  our  own :  but  bicaufc  he  hath  vnited 
vs  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,and  gathercth  vs  altogithcr  in  him,  and 
bycaufe  we  be  his  bodie,and  God  acccpteth  vs  to  fauour  in  his  per* 
fon.  And  for  that  caufe  alfo  doth  Saint  Paule  addc,  tba  ifr^ee  bee 
child}  fftfy^e  be  beyresalfo.  As  if  he  fiiould  fay,  that  we  inioy  our  inhe- 
ritance euen  now:  not  that  we  bee  entered  into  the  poflefsion  of  it, 
toibe  partakers  of  the  glorie  that  is  promifed  vs,but  as  in  refpeft  of 
the  fathers  of  olde  tyme,which  were  fhet  out  into  the  bodie  of  the 
Temple,and  had  a  veyle  or  Curteyne  drawne  before  them, with  o- 
ther  figures  and  fhadowes.  Nowe ,  wee  bee  notlykc  them  in  that 
cace :  but  we  repayre  vnto  God  in  fuch  wife  as  wee  bee  franke  and 
free.  And  fo  is  the  adoption  otherwife  in  our  heartes  nowadayes, 
than  it  was  in  theirs  in  the  time  of  the  Lawe.  For  we  bee  heyres  af-* 
ter  fuch  a  fort,  that  yetnotwithftanding  wee  bee  alfo  as  pilgrims  in 
2*Cir.a,6t  ^^^^  worlde,  and  (as  fayth Saint  Paulc  in  the  fefconde  to  the  Corin- 
thians)muft  be  fayne  to  be  abfentfrom  God, till  he  haue  ridde  vs  of 
this  mortal!  bodie,  and  haue  taken  vs  out  of  this  earthly  pilgrimage 
and  tranfitorie  life.  Howfoeuer  the  cace  ftande,  wee  mufte  magni* 
fie  Gods  grace  :  and  feeing  hee  hath  adopted  vs  to  be  his  children, 
let  vs  vnderftande  that  therein  lyeth  allourc  happinefle  and  ioy. 
Therefore  let  vs  glorie  in  that,yea  euen  fo  farre  forth  as  to  reioyce 
in  the  middes  of  the  troubles  and  aduerfities  which  wee  haue  too 
fuffer.  Let  vs  not  ceafle  to  haue  an  inwarde  ioy  continually  in  vs, 
in  as  muche  as  God  calleth  vs,  and  hath  tolde  vs  that  all  the  aduer- 
fities v/hich  wee  indurc,  fhall  bee  turned  to  our  welfare  and  falua- 
tion,  fo  wee  holde  on  to  the  marke  that  is  fet  before  vs,  tliat  is  too 
~  wit,  fo  we  go  on  ftill  forwarde  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift ,  and  for- 
fake  all  other  things. 

Nowe  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  maieftie  of  our  good  God, 
with  acknowl  edgment  of  our  finnes,pray ing  him  to  make  vfi  fo  too 
fecle  thcm,as  it  may  humble  vs  before  him,  and  yet  we  not  bee  dif* 
couraged:but  that  feing  he  vouchfafeth  to  accept  well  of  vs,&  hath 
alfoboundehimfelfe  to  vs  of  his  owne  good  will  to  heareour  re- 
quertes  when  wee  come  too  him  with  alTured  taift  in  him :  it  may 
pleafe  him  tograunt  vs  the  grace  to  ouercome  al  diftrefies  and  lets, 
and  all  debates  and  controuerfies  that  Satan  can  put  in  our  heartes, 

*  fa 


the  EpiB.to  the  Qalathians.      ipz 

(b  as  we  by  experience  feele  the  auaylablcneflc  of  this  promife^that  loel.2g.^2» 
whofoeuer  callcth  vpon  the  name  of  the  Lorde  fhall  be  fafe.  And  fo  Mi»2.(,2u 
let  vs  all  fay,Almightie  God  heauenly  father.Scc. 

Trhe.i6 ^Sermon ^  ivhich  is  the  third 

vpon  the  fourth  Chaffer, 

8  At  fuch  time  as  yce  knewe  not  God  j  you  fcrued 
them  that  by  nature  are  no  Gods. 

5>  But  now  that  you  know  God  or  rather  are  knovnc 
of  God,  how  is  it  that  you  turne  backagaine  to  the 
vveake and beggcrly Ceremonies,  vvhcrevntoyc 
vvouldefaine  be  in  bondage  againeas  before. 

lo  Yc  obferuc  dayes  &  monetheSjand  rimes,  &:  yeares, 

XI  I  am  afrayde  of  you  lead  I  hauc  laboured  in  vainca- 
boutyou. 

Ee  haue  feene  heretofore howe  that  after  the 
Galathias  had  bin  faithfully  tavsght  by  SvPaulj 
who  had  taken  much  paine  among  them,  they 
fhrunke  back  againe :  not  that  they  vtterly  re- 
nounced lefus  Chrift  and  the  Gofpel:  but  that  i 
they  had  bin  to  eafy  in  fuffering  themfeiues  to 
bedeceyuedin  folowing  diuerfe  opinions,  as 
we  fee  it  is  come  to  pafle  through  the  whole  worlde.  For  the  name 
of  our  Lord  lefus  Chri{l,and  baptimfe  as  a  marke  of  faith  do  in  deed 
continue  ftill :  but  yet  for  all  that,  wee  fee  that  all  things  are  marred 
with  fuperftitton  and  Idolatrie.  So  the  Galathians  pretended  ftill  to 
be  of  Gods  Church :  and  yet  in  themeane  while  they  were  bewrap- 
ped  in  many  follies,  as  fpecially  in  this,  that  they  (hould  partly  pur- 
chace  grace  and  foule  health  at  Gods  hande,  by  keeping  the  Cere-    ' 
monies  of  the  Law.  But  that  was  to  great  a  defacing  of  our  Lorde 
lefus  Chrift.  For  it  is  impofsiblc  for  him  too  bee  our  Sauiour,  vn- 
leffe  wee  lay  away  all  felfe  weening,  and  put  oure  whole  truft  in 
him.  VVcc  fee  thcathat  the  fault  of  the  Galathiang  was^  that  they  ^ 

w€rc- 


Chap.4.  ^0.  Cal.  xxy.  Sermon  ypon 

were  not  fo  well  grounded  in  the  Gofpell,as  to  be  firmc  8c  ftedfaft, 
and  to  (hake  off  all  errours,  but  rather  were  miiTcled  throu  h  too 
light  beleefe.  In  this  rerpe6l  Saint  Pauie  fayth  that  they  bee  woor- 
thie  of  double  blame,  bycaufe  that  whereas  God  had  fet  them  in  a 
good  way,  and  in  a  good  forwardneiTe ,  they  fleeted  afide  through 
their  owne  inconftancie.  And  he  maketh  comparifonbetwene  their 
prefent  ftate,and  their  former  fbate.  For  they  had  bin  poore  Pay- 
nims  that  had  neuer  tafted  of  true  religion.  Gcd  vifited  them,  and 
gracioufly  drew  them  to  him,  and  gaue  them  the  knowledge  cf  his 
truth.  Nowe  forafmuch  as  herevpon  they  mingled  the  illufions  and 
trumperies  of  Satan  with  the  pure  truth  of  the  Gofpell :  that  was  a 
fault  too  farre  out  of  fquare,  rjid  no  more  to  bee  excufcd  than  their 
former.  And  that  is  the  caufe  why  Saint  Paule  fayedi,^/  fucb  tjmeas 
yes l^neyi^enotyePaiiy  thing,it\v2s  no  mQ,rud\  though  you  ferued  I- 
dolles,  bycaufe  ye  were  blinded  in  your  errours„gnq„Qod  had  ne- 
uer difdofed  himfelf  to  you,  that  ye  might  haue  bin  able  to  Hifcerne 
the  lyuing  God  from  all  the  forgeries  of  mans  owne  brayne.    But 
nowe  that  ye  haue  bin  taught  the  Gofpell,  and'cbteyned  fo  great  a 
bencfite,  not  by  your  owne  trauell ,  as  though  you  had  compafled 
it  by  your  owne  wifedome,  but  by  Gods  goodnes  who  marked  you 
out  before  you  coulde  feeke  him :  and  feeing  hee  hath  fo  gathered 
you  out  to  himfe  Ife :  what  excuce  haue  you  too  ftar t  away,  and  not 
to  continue  in  the  dodrine  which  you  knovye  to  be  certaine  and  in- 
falliblec'  Moreouer  looke  (fayth  he)  howe  yll  choyfe  ye  haue  made. 
For  God  had  giuen  himfelfe  to  you,  and  you  haue  forfaken  him  for 
pelting  tryfles.  For  the  Ceremonies  of  the  Lawe  (becing  fet  alone 
by  themfelues  from  our  Lordc  lefus  Chnft)  are  but  baggage.   Lq 
howe  yee  make  great  account  of  things  too  no  purpofcjand  in  the 
meane  while  palTe  not  at  all  for  God.  Heerevpon  as  a  man  moued 
with  great greefe  hee  concludeth,  that  hee  is^fore  afrayde  that  hee 
hathe  loft  his  labour,  in  that  hee  hath  fo  long  tyme  ftreyned  him- 
felfe too  bring  them  too  the  pure  knowledge  of  the  Gofpell.  And, 
therewitliallh€  alledgeth  a  fpice  of  the  things  which  he  had  termed 
beggerly  and  vnprofitable  Ceremonies :  namely  that  thtyksptthe 
feafits  conteyned  in  the  idTVoas  though  there  had  Hn  fome  necefsitic 
in  the  matter ,  thinking  too  deferue  and  came  i^race  thereby  before 

God. 


the  Episljo  the  ^alathians.       ipj 

-God.Thisistherumme  of  the  matter  that  is  treated  of  hcere. 
Nowe  wee  haue  a  good  warning  too  gather  of  this  texte :  whiche 
is,  that  if  wee  holde  not  out  in  the  fayth  of  the  Goipeli  after  that 
God  hath  once  brought  vs  vnto  it ,  althoughe  tlie  poore  Infidels 
might  be  excufed^yet  can  not  wee  efcape  horrible  damnation  ,  by 
reafon  of  our  vnthankfulneiTe  in  that  wee  haue  profited  no  better 
tyn  the  fchole  of  our  God.  It  it  true  that  although  the  heathen  had 
no  knowledge,  yet  they  fliall  not  fayle  to  be  condemned ,  bicaufe 
there  is  naughtmefTe  alwayes  to  be  foiinde  in  men,  for  afmuche  as 
they  gaue  them  feiues  ouer  to  their  owne  fuperftition  :  but  ii  wee 
confider  what  they  bee  in  refpeft  of  vs,  furely  whereas  they  might 
haue  a  dofen  cxcufes,  we  fliould  not  haue  fo  muche  as  a  peece  ot 
one.Therfore  when  we  haue  once  bin  inlightned  with  the  truth  of 
the  GofpeJl,like  as  the  benefite  of  God  is  fmgularjfo  alfo  fliai  wc 
pay  deare  for  it  if  we  make  not  account  of  it.  And  let  vs  marke 
that  this  is  not  fayde  too  any  one  people  alone :  but  that  it  beho- 
ueth  vs  alfo  at  this  daye  too  apply  too  our  vie  the  things  that  S. 
Paule  telleth  vs,to  the  ende  that  we  become  not  fo  wretched  as  to 
giue  ouer  the  tmthe  of  the  Gofpeli  after  we  haue  once  knowen  it, 
but  that  it  may  bee  fo  printed  and  rooted  in  our  harts,as  the  diuell 
may  neuer  fhake  vs  from  it.Thus  yee  fee  what  we  haue  to  remem- 
ber, in  that  S.  Paule  doth  heere  fet  the  leaudnefle  of  the  Galathi- 
ans  before  them, and  blameth  them  as  vtterly  vnexcufable,for  their 
darting  away  after  that  fafhion  from  the  pure  truthe,  after  they 
had  once  bin  inlighmed  with  it.Now  alfo  herewithail  we  fee  wher- 
of  Idolatrie  proceedeth^and  what  is  the  fountayne  therof :  namely 
the  want  ofknowledgeoftheliuing  God.  Forweemufle  needes 
haue  fome  feeling  in  our  feiues,  that  there  is  a  God  who  we  ought 
to  wor{hip,and  which  is  worthy  to  be  honored  both  of  great  and 
fmall,bicaufe  we  haue  our  life  of  him.  It  can  not  bee  fo  cleane  w)^- 
ped  out  of  our  minde,  but  that  there  iTiali  alwayes  bee  fome  fparke 
ofReligioninvs.Butyet  in  themecn^feafon,.  eueryman  wan- 
zeth  away  in  his  owne  foolifhe  conceits,  bicaufe  wee  vnderflande 
not  what  God  is,  nor  can  come  at  him.  Truely  if  wee  were  not 
cormpted,  and  our  vndcrftanding  blynded  by  finne ,  God  would 
iUUdrjiwcvs  vnto  him.  But  for  as  muche  as  Gods  image  is  de- 

Bb.  fs^ced 


cbp.4.         ^o.Cal.xxyj.fermonypon 

'  faced  in  vs,  thei*e  is  nothing  but  darkndTe,  Sc  tliat  fo  horrible,  that 
when  wee  iliouldc  mounte  vpaloftetoo  Teeke  God,  wee  thraft 
downe  our  muzzels  too  the  ground  like  wretched  brute  beaftes. 
Therfore  till  fuch  time  as  God  fhewe  him  felfe  to  vs,it  is  vnpofsi- 
tle  for  vs  to  haue  any  true  Religion,and  wee  fhall  alwayes  be  led 
with  abufes  and  meere  follies.  Heereby  we  know  what  the  vanitie 
of  mertisy  how  euery  man  beares  him  lelfe  in  hande  that  he  hathd 
skill  inough  to  gouerne  him  felfe.  Yea  and  wee  fee  howe  the  very 
Idiots  do  brag  of  their  wit :  and  as  for  thofe  that  haue  gotten  any 
reputation  amog  men,they  be  fo  puffed  vp  with  pnde,  as  they  can 
not  abide  any  correction, or  to  be  tolde  of  their  faults.  But  if  men 
had  any  one  drop  of  good  wifdomc^were  it  not  meete  that  the  firft 
poynt  which  they  begin  at,  fhould  bee  to  knowe  what  God  they 
ought  too  worf^ip :"  That  is.  the  pqynt  wherein  theyfayle,  in  fo 
muche  that  they  feeke  Satans  lealings  in  fteade  of  the  tmthe ,  and 
worfhip  Idols  in  fteade  of  the  lining  God,  till  God  haue  called 
them  to  him.  Wee  fee  then  that  to  pleafe  God,and  to  yeelde  him 
acceptable  feruice,  it  is  not  for  vs  to  behaue  oure  felues  after  ourc 
owne  fancie,but  we  muftfufFer  our  felues  to  be  guided  and  gouer- 
ned  by  his  worde  and  holy  fpirite.  Moj^eouer  if  we  will  follow  the 
opinion  of  this  man  and  that  man,  they  be  not  a  two  or  three  that 
this  text  fpeaketh  of,  but  we  fee  it  is  impofsible  to  haue  any  good 
rule,or  to  holde  the  right  way,  till  God  haue  taken  the  charge  of 
vs  to  draw  vs  too  him.  So  then,  they  that  followe  tlie  fleppes  of 
their  forefathers,  and  make  cufcome  and  antic][uitie  the  rulctoo^ 
frame  them  felues  by,do  fhewe  that  they  defpife  God.  And  why  ^ 
for  they  wilfully  leaue  the  fountaine  oi  lining  water,5c  go  to  feeke 
puddles,as  though  they  had  no  wit  to  difceme  betweene  white  and 
blacke. Seeing  then  that  S.Paules  meening  heere,is  too  fhewe 
vs  as  it  were  in  a  liuely  image,  that  men  can  not  but  go  aftray  and 
dealevntowardly,  till  God  haue  brought  tkeminto  the  way  oF 
faluation:  Let  vs  renounce  our  owne  nature,  and  let  all  things 
which- we  know  to  come  of  majibe  thruft  vtterly  vnder  foote^^nd 
Jet  vsleame  to  holde  vs  (imply  to  Gods  pure  truthe.This  (fay  I)is 
the  thing  that  we  haue  to  remember  vpon  the  words  of  S.PauIe, 
^here  he  faytb^that  thofe  wlaichJvne\ve.  ngt  God  had  fervKd  fuche 
•  ■■""'  ^"' ■        a3> 


the  Episijo  the  ^alathians.      1^4, 

as  were  but  Idols.  Morcoucr  let  vs  not  thinke  our  Telues  too  bee 
wifer  than  the  Gaiathians  :  but  (as  1  haue  fayde  alreadie)  Jet  vs 
vnderftande  that  in  this  place  the  holy  Ghoft  mentetoo  beatc 
downe  all  pride,  that  men  might  not  prefume  vppon  their  owne 
reafon  and  skill  to  doo  what  they  like  themfelueSjbut  rather  know- 
that  there  is  nothing  but  bmtifl^neiTe  in  vs ,  till  God  haue  inligh- 
tened  vs  with  his  grace.  Furthermore  whereas  S.  Paule  fayth,that 
Idols  are  no  Gods  by  nature,he  meeneth  that  we  be  very  dulhea- 
dedjwhen  we  can  not  repayre  to  the  mal<:er  of  all  things,  who  fhe- 
weth  him  felfebothe  about  and  beneathe,  too  the  ende  we  fliouldi 
knov/  him  to  woi-fhip  and  ferue  him.  For  wee  can  not  looke  vpon 
our  hands  and  our  feete,but  we  muft  openly  fee  Gods  wonderful! 
vvirdome,power,  and  goodneffe :  and  when  we  beholde  the  skyes 
and  the  ftarres,  wee  haue  there  a  fufficient  recorde  that  there  is  a 
foueraygne  Lorde  which  maynteyneth  them.  VVhen  we  confider 
the  chaunges  of  feafonsjand  fee  the  fnow,  rayne,  winde,  or  heate : 
beholde  therein  doth  God  Hiew  him  felfe.  When  the  earth  brin- 
geth  foordi  hirfruites,  or  is  as  good  as  dead  and  withered :  in  all 
thofe  things  wee  continually  knowe  God,  or  atleaflwife  are  con- 
ui6led  diat  he  (heweth  him  felfe  there.  And  if  we  will  not  perceiuc 
him  nov/e  :  wee  lliall  bee  driuen  too  confefTe  it  at  the  latter  daye 
when  the  bookes  fliall  bee  opened.Now  in  the  meane  while,if  wee 
woorfhip  thofe  whiche  are  not  Gods  by  nature  :  it  is  all  one  as  if 
wee  dyd  wilfully  fhet  our  eyes  a,geynft  fo  many  recordes  and  loo- 
kingglaifes, which  God  fetteth  afore  vs  to  bnng  vs  vnto  him.How 
foeuer  the  world  go,ail  the  worfhipping  tliat  men  can  deuife  is  but 
a  vayne  fancie,  till  they  haue  bin  brought  intoo  the  good  way.  For 
of  their  owne  natural  wit  they  cannot  but  giue  thcmfelues  to  al  er- 
fdur  and  deceiuablenelTe.He  addeth,Z\^oTa>  that  you  haue  hffo'^e  God, 
fr.  rather  haue  bin  h^o'^enofhym.  Some  tranflatc  it,  noy^pe  that  you 
haue  been  wflruHed  in  the  k^io\)>ledg€  ofCjod  :  but  all  comes  too  one. 
Ncuerthelefle  in  the  firfte  part  (^  as  I  haue  touched  alreadye )  he 
five  weth  that  fuche  as  haue  bin  trayned  in  the  pure  taith,  are  giltie 
of  periurie  to  God  ward.And  therof  they  bee  vncxcufabie  :  for  it  is 
rio  ignorance  any  more  :.it  is  not  with  them  as  thoughe  they  neuer 
had  tailed  of  rfi^i^ue  religion ;  but  it  is  as  a  manifeft  faifhodp  lyke 
T  Bb.ij.  as 


Chap.4^     ,    ^o.CaLxxyjJernionypon 

as  if  fome  fubiedes  knowing  well  inougke  who  is  their  Prince, 

(hould  reuoltc  ftom  him,  and  breaJce  the  allegeance.  whiche  they 

had  promifed  him,  and  confederate  themfelues  with  his  deadly 

enimie.  Thus  yee  fee  in  what  plight  wee  bee  :  namely  that  all  fuche 

as  haue  knowen  Gods  tauh,  can  not  fteppe  afide  after  tli^ir  owne 

fuperftitions  and  errours, but  they  muft  become  periurcd  and  falfe 

'EfaA^.d  1  forfworne  traytors.  For  it  is  not  caufelefle  fayde  that  all  Idols 

muft  fall  downe  when  God  is  to  be  glorified  in  his  highneiTe :  and 

that  all  fuperftitions  muft  vanifh  away  when  his  maieftie  commeth 

abrode.  No  we  if  he  voutfafe  too  fhew  him  felfe  to  vs,  it  is  as  much 

as  if  he  dyd  fet  vp  his  chayre  of  eftate  among  vs,  of  purpofe  to  bee 

fo  good  and  gracious  too  vs,  as  too  become  our  king.  If  wee  can 

not  finde  in  our  hearts  too  yeelde  him  any  fubiedion,  are  wee  not 

falfeharted  caytifs  towards  him  c*  If  we  alledge  for  a  replie,that  our 

intent  is  not  fo  :  it  is  but  hypocrifie.  For  we  knowe  that  our  Lordc 

can  abide  no  companion :  in  fo  muche  that  he  vfeth  the  worde  le  - 

r^  « «  .  >.  Iofie,to  fhew  that  he  wil  fo  poftefle  vs,as  we  may  belong  vnto  him 

^  wholly  and  not  m  parte.  T  hen  ir  we  will  play  on  both  lides,&:  row 

betweene  two  ftreames:  there  will  bee  nothing  but  fayning  and 

hypocrifie  in  vs.  But  there  ought  to  bee  a  fubftantiall  foundnefle 

in  vs.  And  therfore  S.  Paule  fayth  not  fimply,  if  wee  bee  beguyled 

h)'  Satan,&  forfake  the  Gofpell  quite  and  cleans :  but,if  we  fwaruc 

from  the  fimplicitie  of  it.  Asfor  example,the  Galathians  (as  I  haue 

(hewed  alreadie)  had  not  renounced  lefus  Chnft  nor  denied  their 

baptifme  (for  they  profefTed  to  holde  the  Gofpell  ftill)  but  they 

had  mingled  it,and  that  marred  all:  a  little  Leuen  fowreth  a  whole. 

lumpe  of  dowe.  Euen  lb  when  men  will  needesadde  Iwote  not 

what  of  their  owne  bray  ne  to  G  ods  truthe,  it  marreth  all.  For  let 

a  man  put  a  little  vineger,  or  fome  other  flabcrfauce  into  a  cuppe 

of  the  beft  wine  in  the  worlde,  and  he  were  better  to  drinke  fheerc 

water.  In  Hkecaceisitwhen  men  wyll  turkin  the  true  Religion, 

as  all  they  doo  which  take  vpon  them  too  inuent  I  wote  not  what 

of  their  owne  heade.  Surely  it  were  muche  better  that  they  had 

neuer  knowen  anye  more  ^t  all ,  but  groilely  that  there  is  a 

God :  than  too  haue  beene  trayned  vp  in  the  good  doctrine  of 

the  Gofpell,  and afterwarde  too  falfiAe  all,  and  too  diffigure 


the  SpiBJo  the  ^alathians.      I95 

ourLordcIcfusChriftc  after  that  rorte,  yecfce  thenhowcit  is  a 
thing  that  can  not  be  borne  withal  1;  and  that  is  it  which  we  haue  to 
niarke  in  the  firft  place.  Secondly,S.Paule  fiieweth  that  the  calling 
of  theOalatliians  to  the  Gofpell,  came  not  of  their  outie  pror^r 
motion,  nor  through  their  owne  furthering  of  the  niatter :  but  of 
God, who  had  fought  them  out  when  they  were  wjcndering  and 
ftraying  wretches.  And  this  is  not  fpoken  for  them  alone :  for  wee 
know  how  the  Prophet  Efay  fpeaketh  after  the  fame  maner  gene-  tfa.  6^,d.t 
rally  of  all  fuch  as  (hould  be  partakers  of  the  faluation  that  is  pur- 
chafed  for  vs  by  our  Lord  lefus  Chri'fl,  faying :  1  was  foud  of  them 
that  fought  me  not, and  I  fne wed  my  felfe  to  fuch  as'inquired  not 
after  me  :  and  vnto  fuch  as  made  none  account  of  me,  1  (aide,  Lo 
liere  I  am,here  I  am. See  how  God  magniiieth  his  grace,to  the  in- 
tent that  men  fhould  not  be  fo  far  ouerfeene,as  to  thinke  that  they 
Titteine  to  fayth  by  their  owne  wifdome.Nojfayth  he,yee  bee  all  of 
you  in  the  way  of  deflru(Ption,&  there  is  none  of  you  that  c5meth 
to  me  without  I  draw  him,for  pitie  of  the  wretchednefle  wherein 
you  be  plunged./Therfore  it  is  I  that  haue  difcouered  my  felfe, and 
all  this  is  of  mine  owne  meere  gracious  goodneffe,  for  you  would 
neuerhaue  foughteme,  yea  there  is  none  ofyou  all  but  he  with- 
drew him  felfe  further  and  further  off  from  mee.  For  wee  be  not 
onely  as  ftraying  beads,  but  alfo  as  w>dde  and  wood  beaftes :  wee 
be  wholly  giuen  to  rebellion  tyll  God  haue  tamed  vs,  and  chaun- 
ged  vs  that  wee  might  be  fheepe  of  his  folde,  that  he  may  do  the 
office  of  a  fhepheai-de  towards  vs.  So  then  it  is  not  fornoughte 
that  Sain^iPauJecorre^teththisfpeecheof  his  when  heefaythe, 
you  haue  knolA^en  God  ,or  rather  I: aue  heme  kno'ii'cn  of  him.  As  if  hec 
flioulde  fay, that  when  wee  bee  come  too  the  knowledge  of  the 
Gofpell,  wee  mufl  not  imagine  our  felues  too  bee  better  thano- 
ther  men,  but  that  God  preuented  vs,  and  that  wee  fhould  rather 
haue  perifhed  a  hundred  times  in  our  beafllyneffe,than  haue  come 
too  any  good  amendment,  if  God  had  not  vtterly  chaunged  vs. 
Nowe  then  wee  fee  what  free  will  is  able  too  doo ,  whereof  igno- 
rant wretches  boafl  them  felues  too  the  defacing  of  Gods  grace. 
No doubte  but  all  men \v)\\  graunte  that  they  can  not  bee  inligh- 
tericd  without  Gods  working :  but  by  and  by  after  they  reflrayne 

■Bb.iij.  it 


Chap.4  ^0.  Cal.xxyj. Sermon  ypon 

it  aga^Tie/ayins;  that  his  working  is  but  in  parte, and  it  fcemeth  to 
them  that  euery  man  brings  fomewhat  of  his  owne.  But  all  thys 
geere  is  excluded  heere  when  he  fayth  that  none  but  oncly  God 
Imowethvs,  whoalfomarkethvs  out,  too  fhewe  him  felfevnto 
vs,  and  too  malce  vs  come  vnto  him.  Then  let  vs  generally  vnder- 
jflande,  that  it  is  not  our  owne  worthinefle  that  hath  brought  vs 
too  the  obteyning  of  this  benefite  that  the  Goipell  fhould  be  prea- 
ched purely  too  vs,  and  that  eueiy  of  vs  apply  eth  it  too  his  owne 
behoofe :  for  if  I  thinke  my  felfe  to  haue  aught  at  all  in  mee  why 
I  fhould  be  preferred  before  one  man  or  other :  it  is  a  taking  away 
of  Gods  prayfe,  and  an  vfurping  of  it  to  my  felfe  :  and  that  were 
an  intollerable  trayteroufnefTe.  And  therefore  wee  mufte  corrrc 
l.Cor,^  ,b,  backe  too  that  which  S.  Paule  fayth  in  another  texte :  Who  hath 
7.  made  thee  too  excelle ,  fanh  he  C'  He  fpeaketh  too  fuche  as  com- 

mended them  fclues,  beleeuing  that  they  had  fome  vertue  or  ex- 
cellencie  in  them,  as  in  very  deede  the  Corinthians  had  fuche  fpi^ 
rituall  giftes  as  might  bee  had  in  cftimation  among  men.  S.  Paulc 
graunteth  well  inough  that  they  had  great  gi^aces,  and  worthy  of 
eflimation :  but  he  asketh  them  from  whence  all  of  them  came, 
whether  they  were  of  their  owne  getting,  or  whether  they  were 
able  too  take  them  of  them  felues :'  It  is  veiy  certayne  that  they 
were  not.  Wherefore  let  vs  leame,  that  it  is  not  inough  for  vs  to 
haue  Gods  worde  preached  too  vs ,  excepte  God  worke  in  vs  by 
his  holy  fpirite,  according  as  experience  Oieweth  in  that  it  is  not 
giuen  too  all  men.  And  moreouer  there  was  neuer  yet  any  man 
that  bediought  him  felfe  toO  feeke  the  good  foode,  except  it  were 
offered  him  of  God.  Therefore  away  with  all  the  fonde  imagina- 
tions of  our  owne  head,  and  let  vs  put  away  all  pride  :  let  vs  not 
thinke  our  felues  wyfer  than  other  men ,  bicaufe  wee  haue  kno- 
wen  the  Gofpell :  but  let  vs  yeelde  tliis  prayfe  vnto  God ,  name- 
ly that  at  fuche  time  as  wee  turned  our  backes  vpon  him,and were 
as  good  as  drowned  a  hundred  thoufande  tymes  in  deftru6i:ion> 
he  cafcc  hys  eye  vppon  vs ,  and  drewe  vs  backe  too  him  felfe^toa 
the  ende  th?.t  when  it  is  tolde  vs  that  wee  bee  iuftiiied  by  fayth, 
and  thereby  obteyne  faluation:  wee  fhould  aflure  our  felues  that 
the  fame  commeth  of  his  meere  grat^e^and  that  our  fayth  is  freely 
'~  "'  giuea 


the  SpiB.to  the  ^alathiam.      196 

giuen  vs  bicaufe  wee  can  not  purcliace  it :  and  let  vs  confefle  with 
poore  Agar,that  wee  haue  feene  i;irA  that  looked  vppon  vs  afore.  G^.l^.f.iJ. 
For  there  wee  haue  a  mirrour  of  all  mankinde.  The  fayde  poorc 
woman  was  in  great  heauinefle,  forfaken  of  all  men ,  and  wyftc 
not  whither  too  go ;  but  God  pitied  hir  and  vifited  hir,  in  die  wil - 
del  nelTe.  Heercvpon  fhee  coniefTeih  that  God  had  looked  vppon 
hir  before  fhee  had  thought  vpon  him.  So  then  let  vs  bee  hilde  in 
awe  and  humilitie,feeing  that  the  welipring  and  beginning  of  our 
welfare  is  that  God  knew  vs  and  marked  vs  out  at  iiich  time  as  wc 
cared  not  for  him^but  befides  our  ignorance,  did  alfo  defpife  him, 
and  were  fo  brutini,that  euery  cf  vs  had  fought  his  owTie  ruine  and 
definition,  i{  he  of  his  owne  infinite  goodnefle  had  not  hilde  vs 
backe.l  hus  ye  fee  in  efi  e6l  what  we  haue  to  marke.But  now  let  vs 
put  the  thing  in  prafdfe  that  is  toldt*  vs  heere :  M'hich  is  that  for  as 
much  as  God  hath  called  vs  to  the  pure  knowledge  of  his  Goipeil, 
we  mufl  continue  ftedfadly  dierin,according  to  the  way  which  he 
fettcth  before  v:S,who  (as  we  laiow)  is  the  liucxV  fountayne  of  ail 
welfare,as  itis  fayde  in  the  feconde  of  leremie.  Then  if  wee  go  a- 
about  too  digge  crauyed  Cefterns  diat  can  holde  no  water  :  is  it 
not  an  vtter  refuung  of  the  bencEte  that  was  put  into  our  handes'f 
When  a  man  feeth  good  meate  readie  for  his  repafle ,  and  kno- 
weth  drat  he  may  talie  good  futlcnance  of  it,  and  yet  will  go  hys 
way  from  the  table,  and  feeke  dung  and  lilthe  too  [cede  on ,  is  he 
not  worthy  too  bee  poyfoned :'  Euen  fo  is  it  with  all  fuche  as  are 
not  contented  with  the  pure  do6lrine  of  Gods  Lawe  and  Gofpell. 
For  beholde,the  fountayne  is  before  them, they  may  drinke  their 
fillofitjas  itisfaydeinEfay  and  SJohn,  and  yet  they  had  leucr  ^r 
tooftaaie,  orelfetoofeedethemfelues  withwinde.  Nowe  then  ijl, 
fnould  not  fuche  vnthankfulnelfe  bee  punifhed  double  as  S.Paule  '^' 
(zythhctYQ'^  hit pofible thiityecjhoH'de  returne  agayne  too  the  V«- 
proptahiemd'^eakfCemncnm  that  can  doo  you  no  good  at  alL  Nowe 
at  the  firft  blufhc  S.  Panic  might  fecme  too  fharpe  and  roughe  in 
fpeakingafterthatfafhionof  the  Ceremonies  of  the  Lawe.  For 
in  very-  truthe;alrhough  the  Cercmcnies  had  bin  the  firft  enteran  - 
CCS  or  traynings,  like  as  in  trayning  vp  of  yong  children  men  are 
wonte  too  fet  them  firile  too  their  ApHe :  yet  notwithftanaing 

Bb,iiij.  our 


Chap.4  Jq.  CaLxxyj.  Sermon  ypon 

our  Lorde  lefus  Chrid  was  jGgured  in  them :  and  there  wereprd- 

mifes  in  them  too  bring  men  too  faluation.  For  the  remifsion  of 

fmnes  is  the  chiefe  gocd  thing  that  we  can  wifhe  for  at  God  hand, 

bicaufe  that  by  that  meanes  wee  be  reconciled  vnto  him.Hc  recey- 

ueth  vs  as  his  children,  and  we  may  call  vpon  him  with  Free  liber- 

^  tie.  Men  tlierfore  are  then  in  true  and  perfect  felicitie,  when  their 

finnes  arc  forgiuenthem.  And  hereof  they  had  as  it  were  a  pledge 

in  their  facrinces  in  olde  time.  When  they  wafhed  them  felues,  it 

was  a  full  alTurance  too  them  that  God  did  clenfe  them,  and  that 

their  fpottes  were  no  more  layde  to  their  charge,  but  rather  that 

they  v/ere  receyued  as  cleane  and  vtterly  without  blemiOie.  Howe 

thendooth  S.Pauletermethefe  things  vnproiitable  ceremonies,- 

which  cai-ied  fuch  inftai6lion  in  them  c'  (pecially  feeing  it  is  fayde 

that  the  paterne  of  all  the  whole  San6luarie  was  fhewed  to  Moy* 

-,       ^  7    fes^yea  euen  from  heauen.  The  law  then  ferued  not  to  holde  men 

'  ^'  *    in  fomc  play,as  thougk God  intended  to  bufie  them  about  petie 

'^  *         trifles  -f  neither  alfo  did  S.Paule  regarde  whereto  the  ceremonies 

auayled  or  ferued  the  fathers  of  olde  time :  He  doth  but  only  fhew 

^  ,  that  when  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  was  once  come,  all  thofe  things 

*  "  7  ^vere  abolifhed.  For  (as  he  fayth  in  the  feconde  to  the  Colofsians) 

wee  haue  no  more  tlie  figures  and  fhadowes ,  bicaufe  that  nowe  a 

dayes  wee  haue  the  body  and  the  fubftaunce.  Seeing  it  is  fo :  if  a 

man  fhould  fee  foorth  the  ceremonies  of  the  Lawe,hefhould  fepa- 

rate  them  fro  our  Lord  leRis  Chrift,  and  what  fhould  theybe  then  c" 

They  would  be  of  no  force.  For  (as  I  fayd  afore)  if  a  man  feparate 

them  for  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifl: ,  furely  they  fhall  bee  but  pelting 

trafh.  Therefore  -.vhen  men  kept  the  ceremonies,  fo  as  they  were 

applied  to  their  lawflil  vie :  they  were  good  exercifes/and  the  old 

fathers  mifpente  not  their  time ,  bicaufe  they  were  confirmed  by 

them  in  the  hope  of  their  faluation,  and  they  were  vntoo  them  a 

warranto  of  Gods  fatherly  louctowardes  them,and  they  led  tliem 

to  oure  Lorde  lefus  Chrifle  the  fountayne  of  all  welfare.  But  if 

men  bade  themfelues  in  keeping  the  ceremonies  without  knowing 

why  or  wheifore :  furely  it  is  but  flat  mockerie.  For  the  Heathen 

men  dyd  make  facriflce  alfo,  and  fome  of  them  had  no  Idols,thin- 

Jving  that  tliey  offeredtoo  Ggdthe  maker  gf  heauen  3c  earth:  and 

" '       yst 


the  EftU.to  the  (jalathians.       ipy 

yet  whereto  did  al  their  Sacrifiies  feme  them.bnt  to  their  condem- 
nationC'For  they  had  ouerthrowen  Gods  ordcr,bycaufe  they  amed 
not  at  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.Now  then  Sain 61  Paul  doth  not  with- 
out caufc  ray,that  when  tbe  Ceremonies  of  the  law  tend  not  to  the 
feeking  of  all  our  welfare  in  our  Lorde  Icfus  Chrifte,  they  are  but 
beggerly  Ceremonies,  that  is  to  fay  e,  corruptible  thinges  of  this 
world ;,  and  confequently  things  of  no  force  and  vnprofitable ,  by- 
caufe  that  lefus  Chrift  who  is  the  quickner  of  all  things,is  not  ther. 
And  this  is  yet  fo  much  the  better  to  be  marked,  to  the  ende  we  be 
not  beguiled.  It  is  faid  that  in  old  time  all  men  offered  Sacrifife, 
and  thought  they  worfhipped  God  :  and  yet  notwitliflanding,  that, 
the  feniis  of  all  fuch  as  had  not  their  beleefe  fettled  in  lefus  Chrii% 
was  reieded.  For  the  Apoftle  in  the  eleuenthto  the  Hebrues  faith,  HchM.dA- 
that  the  only  thing  that  made  Abels  Sacrifife  acceptable,  was  faitli. 
Now  then  for  afmuch  as  the  heathen  men  did  in  their  facrififmg  i- 
magin  God  to  befle(hly,and  that  they  could  make  their  attonemet 
with  him  by  fuch  meanes,  they  buzied  themfe'lues  about  outwarde 
things,and  confidered  not  that  in  afmuch  as  we  be  faultie,  it  ftan- 
deth  vs  on  hand  to  haue  an  excellenter  raunfome  than  we  ca  bring 
any.If  we  had  a  hundred  worlds  to  giue^they  were  not  ynough  too 
redeeme  any  one  mifdeede  that  we  haue  done  againft  God.  Ther- 
fore  the  Sacrifife  that  fhould  anfwer  for  all  our  finnes  mufl  of  ne- 
cefsitie  be  heauenly.The  heathen  men  cofidered  not  this '.but  flood 
poring  vpon  the  fhadow  of  it,  as  the  Turkes  and  lewes  do  yet  flill- 
at  this  day,  who  by  their  often  wafhing  of  themfelues  botheucn. 
and  mome,  and  at  noone,and  by  theyr  other  Ceremonies,confeffe 
themfelues  to  be  defyled,and  to  haue  neede  to  be  clenzed  by  fome 
others,  and  yet  do  renounce  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl  who  is  the  very 
cleannelTe  whereby  we  mufl  be  made  cleane ,  according  alfo  as  in 
very  deede  it  is  he  that  hath  wiped  away  all  our  fpottes.Seeing  it  is 
fo  then,aU  they  that  keepe  any  Ceremonies  m  hope  to  get  any  fa- 
uour  at  Gods  hand  by  them,  do  not  only  beguile  and  marrir  them-- 
felues  in  vayne  without  any  profit :  but  alfo  do  cerreinly  prouoke 
Gods  wrath  flill  more  and  more.  Now  we  on  our  fide  are  taughre 
that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  hath  fhed  his  bloud  too  wafh  our  foules 
withalLThen  if  wp  feeke  any  other  clenzing  or  purgatoiy  befides,, 

Bb.v.  furcly/ 


Chap:4  fo.CaLxxyjSernwn'Vpcn 

iurely  it  is  an  intollcrable  trecherie.  And  if  Safn^l  PauJefpake  fo 
of  the  Ceremonies  of  the  kwe:  what  fhali  wee  fay  of  all  the  toyes 
andgewgawes  thitt  arenowadayes  in  popcrie  :  For  beholde,  the 
Papiils  weene  to  win  much  by  taking  ofJ;iolywater,by  babling  this 
and  tiiatjby  keeping  of  holiday  es^  by  t^Ting  themfelucs  in  gadding 
on  fome  pilgrimage,  by  fettingvpa  waxcandle  before  iome  pup- 
pet, by  chaunting  mafle  by  note,  and  by  faying  of  thus  many  or 
thus  many  tymes  their  beads  ouer.  I  fay  they  hope  well  to  make 
attoncment  with  God  by  fuch  meanes.  But  it  is  certeine  that  they 
plunge  themfelues  the  deeper  in  hell ,  and  caft  themfelues  fur- 
ther intoo  Satans  fnares  by  it,  as  though  they  had  confederated 
themfelues  with  him  to  dieir  owne  deflru6i:ion.  To  bee  fhorte,  ail 
the  Ceremonies  of  poperie  are  vtter  renouncings  of  our  Lordc 
lefus  Chrifl,and  of  the  pure  truth  which  hee  hath  purchaced  for  vs 
by  his  death  and  refurredion,  and  of  the  grace  that  is  offered  vs  at 
this  day  in  the  Gofpell.  For  they  may  well  bring  what  fhrowding- 
ilieetesrhey  liil,  but  they  cannot  difproue  the  holie  Ghoft,  who 
Jhath  vttcred  the  fayd  fentence  by  the  mouth  of  Saind  Paule.Thea 
do  we  fee  in  cffe^l  what  is  fhewed  vs  heerc.  Now  as  touching  the 
particular  whicheSain6l  Paul e  all edgeth  heere  concerning  ^4)' e-y, 
inoonethsjAndym-ts  he  meeneth  not  the  feafons  of  winter  and  fom- 
mer,nor  the  difcerning  ot  one  day  from  another,  nor  that  men 
fhoulde  not  recken  yeeres  and  mooneths :  buthee  Ipeaketh  of  the 
feafts  that  were  commaunded  in  the  Lawe,  and  which  thofe  decei- 
iiers  would  needes  haue  to  bee  kept  M[,  euen  as  of  necefsitie.  In 
which  cace  there  was  a  kind  of  binding  and  thraldome ,  and  it  was 
an  abolifhing  of  the  fredome  that  was  pur*kaced  for  vs  by  our  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift.  Lo  heere  the  caufe  why  Sain^l  Paule  vfeth  fuch  vehe^ 
mentneffe,  howbeit  that  hee  did  it  alfo  in  refpe6l  of  the  forefayde 
falfhoodifor  it  was  requifite  that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  fhould  haue 
bin  knowenin  all  thofe  figures,  and  that  men  fhould  haue  amed  at 
that  marke.  But  they  that  had  beguiled  the  Galathians,  had  bound 
them  to  the  cleane  contrary,  feeing  that  byholdmg  ftill  the  feaft 
of  PalTeouer  and  other  feafte s,  they  intended  to  bring  them  backe 
agaVne  to  the  qlde  fonvorne  figures,  which  ought  to  be  abolifhed. 
in  olde  time  when  men  kept  the  Eafler  day  vnder  the  iawe^it  was 

to 


the  Epi^.to  the  (jalathians.       ipS 

to  the  end  that  the  people  beeing  put  rn  minde  of  their  deliuerance 
out  of  the  thraldome  of  Egypt,(hould  looke  for  the  great  redemp- 
tion that  was  promifed  them.  And  for  that  caufe  Sain^  Paule  faith  i.Ccr^C.^./ 
that  our  Eafter  lamb  (that  is  to  wit,  lefus  Chrifte)  is  offered  vp  al- 
ready. He  fheweth  that  the  thing  which  had  bin  figured  by  the  paf- 
call  lamb  that  was  offered  in  the  law,  was  now  fulfilled  in  the  per- 
fon  of  our  mcdiator.In  like  cace  was  it  with  the  feafl  of  Tabemacls 
or  Tents,  whereby  God  did  put  thelewesin  remcmberance,  that 
they  had  dwelled  in  the  wildenieffe  where  there  was  nother  hoiife 
nor  building,  and  yet  had  continued  there  a  longtime  traueling 
too  and  fro.  And  that  was  alfo  a  warning  too  them  that  thys  lyfe 
is  but  a  wayfaring, wherethrough  we  muft  pafle  in  had.  As  muche 
is  too  be  fayde  ot  the  firfllings  when  men  came  to  offer  vp  theyr 
firfte  frates  vntoo  God.  Agayne,  when  the  lewes  made  folemne 
confefsionoftheirfinnes,  itwasa  figure  toleade  them  too  lefus 
Chiifte  whych  was  promifed  to  them.  But  now  that  he  is  come, 
if weewyllncedeskeepe  (lillthofe  thinges,what  is  it  eifethan 
a  toying  'i  For  wee  difplace  the  principall  and  the  fubftaujice^ 
which  is  all  one  as  if  a  man  would  hto^t  himfelfe  with  the  coloure 
of  bread,  wyne,  and  meate,  and  not  with  the  things  themfelues; 
And  can  a  man  rcceu.ic  any  fuftenance  thereby  :i)0  thenfecyng 
that  our  Lorde  lefus  Chriil:e  is  come ,  the  figures  of  the  lawe 
are  not  too  bee  vfed  any  more ,  and  if  men  will  needs  keepe  them, 
they  (\\tv7t  themfelues  too  haue  no  knowledge  of  God ,  but  that 
all  is  turned  vpfide  downe.  Therefore  itflandeth  vsfo  muche 
the  more  on  hande  too  marke  well ,  that  if  wee  nowadayesdo 
fwarue  neuer  fo  little  from  the  pureneile  of  the  Gofpell,  wee  bee 
ftreytwayes  ftrayed  from  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  I  graunt  wee  may 
well  keepe  certa^Tie  dayes  of  affembling ,  howbcit  not  after  the 
manner  of  the  lewes  And  why  1  VVe  keepe  them  not  for  ceremo-* 
nies  fake.  In  the  time  of  the  law  it  had  bin  a  deadly  offence  for  a 
man  to  haue  lifted  vp  but  a  mallet  vppon  apeece  of  wood ,  or  too 
Eaue  done  any  other  bufinelTc  of  his  ovviie.  If  a  man  had  but  fet 
apotteor  a  kettle  vppon  the  fyre  on  the  Sabboth  daye  ,  God 
Gommaunded  that  hee  flioulde  bee  rooted  out.  Yet  was  it  not 
meant  by  that  rigoure,  that  God  dejyghteth  in  y'dleneffe  :  but 

it 


Chap:4  fo.Cal.xxyj.Sermonypon 

h  feaiedfov  a  figure,  as  if  hee  had  faydc,  I  haue  enioyned  you  my  ^ 
Sabbothes,  too  the  ende  youihould  knowe  that  I  am  hee  vvhyche 
fandifyeth  you.  We  haue  the  feUTanie  fanftification  at  this  daye, 
howbeit  not  with  Hke  figures  as  the  fathers  had  it  in  oide  time  :  for 
that  were  too  bune  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte.    It  were  too  hang 
vp  a  vcyle  agayne ,  too  the  intente  too  dafle  our  eyes  in  fuche 
forte ,  as  wee  fhoulde  not  fee  the  lighte  of  the  Gofpell .    Lo 
Avhat  wee  haue  too  marke  vppon  thys  obferuing  of  dayes  where- 
of Sain6lPaule  fpcaketh  heere.  But  abt>ue  ali  things  let  vs  marke 
that  he  intended  to  fhcwevsheere,  that  in  afmuch  as  wee  knowe 
the  benefices  whyche  are  imparted  too  vs  by  oure  Lorde  lefus 
Chiyfle,  wee  mufl  fticke  too  them  and  fettle  ourfelues  wholly 
'         therevppon :  and  that  if  wee  bee  fleeting  too  and  fro,  it  is  afhrin- 
fcing  away  from  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  in  vvhoF»e  wee  haue  the 
fulnefle  and  perfe'5lion  of  all  lyfe ,  idy,  welfare,and  glory.    There^ 
fore^  feeyng  that  God  commeth  too  vs  after  that  fafhion,  yea 
and  that  euen  at  fuche  time  as  wee  were  as  wretched  wandering 
Beaftes,  hee  gathered  vs  toohynifelfe,  and  fhewed  hymfelfe  to 
be  our  herdman,too  the  intente  that  we  fliould  become  the  iTieepe 
of  his  flocke,  and  hearken  too  his  voyce,  and  difceme  it  from  all 
falfe  do6lrines,  and  from  all  the  cunous  futtleties  of  men,  that  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chryfte  myghte  reigne  ouer  vs,  holde  vs  in  awe,  pof. 
fcfle  vs  wholly  and  we  become  hys,  not  partly  or  wyth  condition, 
but  wholly  and  throughly :let  vs  beware  that  we  become  not  gil  - 
tie  of  fuche  vmhankfulnefle  when  the  Gofpell  is  once  preached 
vnto  vs.  Thus  ye  fee  vvhat  wee  haue  toobeare  in  mynde  too  our 
behoofe  in  this  texte,  that  wee  may  not  bee  accufed  at  the  latter 
day  if  God  haue  called  vs  to  him,  and  wee  left  and  forfaken  hyrr, 
and  falfif^ed  our  promis  whereas  hee  was  ready  too  haue  kepte 
touche  with  vs,  not  cnely  for  a  day  or  twayne,  but  alfo  by  conti- 
nuing too  bee  our  fatlier  and  fauioure  for  eucr  both  in  life  and 
.death. 

r^Jowe  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  maieftie  of  our  good  God 
with  acknowledgement  of  our  faultes  ,  praying  him  to  make  vS 
feele  them  more  and  more,  and  that  tlie  fame  niay  caufe  vs  the  bet- 
ter to  acknowledge  the  graces  that  wee  haue  receiued  of  liim,and 

that 


the  EpiU.to  the  (jalathians .      ip  9 

tliat  fceyng  we  perceiue  that  they  haue  bin  imparted  vntoo  vs  vn- 
deferuedlyjit  may  make  vs  to  bee  the  more  defirous  too  taft  of 
them ,  that  therevppon  wee  may  day  by  day  indeuoure  too  ridie 
our  felues  ofaur  lewde  aife^bons,  an^dofallthe  vices  wherein 
weefhouJdbe  plunged  if  he]  pityed  vs  not  and  made  vs  not  too 
feele  hys  grace ,  whyche  it  may  pleafe  hym  too  continue  in  fuche 
forte ,  as  wee  may  feeke  nothyng  but  to  come  home  fully  vntoo 
hym :  and  that  in  the  meanc  whyle  till  we  come  to  the  full  lyght, 
where  we  fhall  behold  him  face  to  face  and  bee  tranffigured  intoo 
hys  glorye,  hce  continue  ftill  too  (hewcvs  the  waye  offaluati- 
on,  and  make  vstoo  walke  therein  throughout.  That  it  maye 
pleafe  hym  too  graunt  this  grace  not  onely  too  vs  but  alfotoall 
people  and  Nations  of  the  earth,bringing  backe  all  poore  ignorant 
foules  from  the  miferable  bondage  of  errors  and  darknefle,  to  the 
right  way  of  faluation,  for  the  doing  whereof  it  may  pleafe  hym 
to  rayfe  vp  true  and  faithfull  minifters  of  his  worde  that  feeke  not 
their  owne  profite  and  vainglory',  but  only  to  the  aduanccment  of 
his  holy  name.^cc. 

T^he.xxyijjermortj.'which  is  the 

fourth  vpon  the  fourth  Chapter, 

u    lamafrayd  of  you  Icaftlhauc  fpcntmy  labour  in 

vaynevpponyou. 
u    Brethren  I  befeecheyou  be  yeas  I  am ,  for  I  am  as^ 

you  are  .Yee  haue  not  hurte  me  at  all. 
1}  \  Yecknovvehovv  I  haue  carft  preached  ^ntoo  you 

'  -  ^   through  inficmitieofihcflcfti^ 
^4  \An4yee  nother  defpyzed  nor  hildeskorne  of  the: 

tryall  of  mee  fuche  as  ft  was  in  my  fleflie  :  buc 

rcceyued  mce  as  an  Angell  ofGod ,  yeaas  lefus. 

Chl'ifl. 

I  haue 


1 

"l 

tJ^'S 

Chap.  4         ^o.CaLxxyij.fermonypon 

Haue  declared  heeretofore,  tliat  altfiougli  S# 
Paule  at  the  firftc  blufli  bring  not  any  reaCon 
that  fecmeth  to  be  of  great  weyght  or  impor- 
tance-.yetnotwidiftanding  it  is  not  for  naught 
that  he  doiibteth  lead  his  labour  be  loft,  and 
all  the  frute  of  his  trauell  among  the  Gala- 
thians  bee  perilTied,  feeyng  they  obferued  the 
hoiydayes  and  other  Ceremonies  of  the  law.  For  wee  muft  not 
looke  vppon the  day  itfeifepOr  vppon  thekynd of nieate,or  vppon 
fuch  other  like  diings:but  we  muft  confider  to  what  end  men  for- 
beare  the  eating  of  any  kind  of  meate,  or  why  they  keepe  certaync 
dayes,  and  To  of  other  Ceremonies.  Now  I  haue  tolde  you  that  by 
thatmeanes  the  lyght  of  the  Gofpell  is  after  a  fort  damned,  or  raa 
ther  vtterly  quenched.For  the  end  why  al  thofe  things  were  ordei- 
ned  in  old  time,  was  that  the  fathers  might  be  foded  and  maintey- 
ned  in  the  hope  of  the  redeemer,  who  was  not  yet  come  amog  the. 
But  now  thr.t  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  is  come  into  the  worlde,  and" 
hath  iinifhed  and  performed  all  that  was  requifitc  for  mans  falu^ti-» 
en,  it  v/cre  an  vtter  derogation  too  the  full  perfedncflc  that  is  in 
him,ifmcnihouldftill  buzie  themfelues  with  figures.  It  were  all 
one  as  if  a  man  flioulde  drawe  a  Curtaine  before  hym  that  hce 
inyght  not  bee  kn  Owen  as  he  is.  Furthermore,  there  goes  a  bin- 
ding with  it:  and  when  a  thing  is  commaunded  vnder  peyne  of 
deadly  (inne,  mcnnes  confciences  are  made  fubie6t  too  fuchety- 
rannye,  that  God  forgoeth  hys  authoritie  and  dominion  ouer  vs, 
for  he  will  not  hauevs  to  make  confcicnce  of  any  thyng  that  is 
not  commaunded  by  hym.  And  truly  the  thing  wherein  hec  will 
Icdifccined  from  his  creatures ,  is  that  hee  haue  all  foucrenitic 
in  ruling  our  lyfe :  that  the  thing  whych  he  commaundeth  be  ac^ 
cepted  as  good  and  needefulj  without  gaynfaying-.that  the thingcs 
which  he  forbiddeth^be  omitted,  and  that  men  make  no  reckening  ^ 
nor  confcience  of  them.  But  in  obfemmg  the  Ceremonies  and  in 
thinking  to  deferue  at  Gods  hand  for  fo  doing,  there  is  yet  a  fur- 
ther matter  :  namely  that  we  renounce  or  giue  ouer  the  thing  that 
is  purchaced  for  vs  by  the  deadi  and  pafsion  of  the  fonne  of  G  od 
mrlQidQMus  Chrift^  whQ  hatfi diicharged  vs  gf all  dettes  due 
"■'"        "" ■      vma 


the  EpiU.to  the  (jalathians.      zoo 

vmo  God  hys  father .  Not  to  gyue  vs  libertie  to  do  cutll ,  but 
too  the  ende  weefhoulde  flee  vnto  him  alone  when  wee  h?Je  done 
anfiilTe.  If  we  find  ourfelues  to  haue  tranlgrelTed  Gods  lawe,  and 
that  oar  owne  confcience  vpbraydeth  vs :  there  is  none  other  re- 
medie  for  vs  but  to  put  ourfelues  into  the  hands  of  our  Lordlefus 
Chrift,that  we  may  bee  quit  before  God ,  and  wafhed  from  all  our 
fpottes  by  the  merit  of  his  death  and  pafsion^  and  by  the  fheading 
of  his  bloud.  To  be  fhort,  Sain6l  Paule  fheweth  heere,  that  men 
runne  aftray  when  they  feeke  meanes  of  faluation  any  where  elfe 
than  in  IefusChrift:,infomuch  that  they  become  forloine  andvt- 
terly  pa^  recouerie.Now  then  feeing  that  God  hath  fette  vs  foortk 
but  only  one  way  of  faluation :  they  that  turne  afide  from  that, 
do  caft  themfelues  wilfully  into  defi:m61:ion,  and  Satan  reigneth. 
ouer  them  for  their  vnthankfulnefle  fake  in  defpifing  theinefti* 
mable  benefyte  that  God  offered  them.  What  a  bountifulneflc 
is  it  that  God  calleth  andallureth  vs  too  hys  fauoure  andloue, 
not  withftanding  that  we  be  his  deadly  foes  C'  Againe  feeing  he  ap- 
poynteth  not  theAngclls  to  bee  our  mediators,  but  voutfauetK. 
to  ioyne  himfclfe  vnto  vs  in  the  perfone  of  his  only  fonne:if  we  be 
fo  miferable  that  that  will  not  fuffife  vs ,  but  wee  will  needs  of  a 
diuelifhcouetoufenefle  fecke  other  meanes :  is  it  not  a  (baking  off 
of  our  Lorde  Icfus  Chriftc'Then  let  vs  leame,  that  too  profit  well 
in  the  Golpell,  wee  muft  forfake  all  that  is  contrary  to  the  truCl 
whych  we  ought  to  haue  in  our  Lord  leais  Chrift-.and  fticke  whol- 
ly to  his  ryghtuoufnlTe,  too  feeke  all  perfection  inhym.  Let  that 
feme  for  one  poynt. 

Alfo  therewithali  let  vslooke  well  to  ourfelues :  for  fometimes 
we  (hall  diinke  we  commit  but  fome  fmall  and  light  fault  in  fwar- 
tiing  afyderbutpn  the  end]  we  fhall  wonder  how  God  hath  giuen 
vs  head,  fo  as  wee  (liall  bee  vtterly  firayed  from  him.  And  that  is- 
thccaufewhy  fofeawhoide  out  to  the  end.  Formendooeafly 
bcwcwyth  themfelues,  vnder  the  forefayde  pretence,  bearing 
themfelues  in  hand  that  it  is  nothing,and  fo  eueiy  man  giueth  him 
fclfe  libcrtie.But  God  puniiT.oth  fuch  rechlefneiTe ,  dc  giueth  vs  o* 
uer  to  it,  fo  as  Satan  carieth  vs  awav.  Wherefore  let  vs  walke 
111  fear  e  aiKl  warcji^ffe ;  and  whea  God  hath  once  gyuen  vs  the 


Chap.  4  fo.Cat.xxyij.fermonypoh 

grace  to  taft  of  his  Gofpdlj  let  ys  indevrer  too  bee  fconfirmed  in 
it  day^y  day :  let  vs  beware  in  any  wife  diat  wee. ftep  not  afyde 
from  it ,  and  let  euer)'  of  vs  bee  watchfull  in  that  behalfe ,  leaft 
.  wee  mal^e  a  deadly  fall  when  we  thinke  wee  do  but  trippe  :  final- 
ly ,  let  v^s  keepe  the  way  that  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte  teacheth 
vs.  It  is  true  diat  though  wee  fwame  afide  ,  yet  he  will  pitie  vs, 
as  wee  fee  by  expeiience .  For  hee  muil  bee  fayne  too  rayfe 
vs  vp  agayne ,  not  three  or  foure  tymes  in  our  whole  lyfe :  but 
a  hundred  tymes  eueiy  day.  For  wee  bee  fickle  andneuerleaue 
reeling  too  and  fro.  NeuerthekflTe  let  vs  not  tempte  him  ,  nor 
fo  harden  ourfelues  that  the  Diuell  leade  vs  away  or  drawvs 
one  way  or  other :  but  let  vs  labour  too  make  the  icedc  of  lyfe 
auaylable  in  vs  ,  feeing  that  God  wyll  haue  vs  too  yeelde  foortji 
frute  too  hys honor  in  all  oiu'thoughtes,  wordes,  anddeedes. 
Let  vs  beware  that  wee  indeuour  ourfelues  heerevntoo.  Nowe 
lieerevpon  Sain6l  Paule  addeth  ,  thai  kt  "^oulde  faym  baue  the 
CaUthuns  fajl?ion  tbemfelues  lyk^  l?nto  hym  ,  hyuufe  that  hee  on  hys 
Jide  luboureth  to  appiy  hymfelfe  Vntoo  them.  It  (houlde  feeme  that 
thys  faying  yiffereth  farre  from  that  whyche  wee  hearde  cuen 
nowe :  for  it  was  as  a  ftroke  of  fome  temped  or  thunderclap 
when  he  fayde.  /  an  afrayde  leafi  1  haue  loHmy  laboure  Vppon  you : 
I  will  let  you  alone  like  folke  paft  amendmente.  It  greened  hym 
too  fee  that  the  doftrine  whyche  hee  had  preached  was  fo  ill  recei- 
tied,  and  nowe  hee  vfeth  a  gentle  and  freendly  manner  of  fpeeche. 
To  br)'ng  them  backe  agayne  vntoo  hym ,  hee  calleth  them  bree- 
thren,  and  afterwarde  protelleth  that  heedefireth  toioynewyth 
them,  and  too  frame  hymfelfe  to  them  as  much  as  is  pofsible  for 
liym,fcekyngnothyng  but  that  they  (houlde  yeelde  the  likQ  vntoo 
hym. 

And  heerein  we  fee  what  mcafurabl en effe  they  ought  to  keepe 
V  hich  haue  the  charge  to  preach  Gods  word :  that  is  to  witte,  they 
mult  not  foade  mens  faults  by  flatterie,but  rebuke  them  fharply,  to 
the  intent  that  fuch  as  are  beguiled  by  Satas  illufios,may  bee  wake- 
ned &  as  it  were  feared  at  Gods  iudgemets.  For  whe  me  are  giue  to 
^ny  euill,they  lye  weltering  in  it  ftill.vnlefle  they  be  plucked  out  of 
it  a5  It  were  by  force.  Yeaand  itgreeuethandfpiteth  them  if  they 

be 


the  EpiB.to  the  (jalathians.     201 

be  wrung  by  the  eare  too  hard,or  if  they  bee  made  to  fcratch  where 
it  did  not  itch,as  the  comon  prouerb  fayth.Thc  more  then  that  men 
beare  with  themfelues,  the  IcfTc  are  their  faultes  to  beipared,  for 
clfe  it  were  a  betraying  of  them.That  is  the  caufe  why  S.Paule  vfed 
fo  great  vehemencie,  in  faying  that  hee  was  fore  afrayde,  leaft  hee 
bad  loft  his  labour,  and  there  leaueth  the  Galathians  as  it  were  in 
defpayre.    But  yet  for  all  this,  hee  intendeth  to  cheerc  them  vp 
agayne,  that  they  may  come  to  repentaunce.  And  fohee  feafoneth 
hys fharpenefle  with  fwcetenefle  , andfheweth  thatthe  gate  is  ftill 
open  for  them,  if  they  will  fubmitte  themfelues  vnto  God.   Thus 
yee  fee  twoo  things  that  are  requifyte  when  wee  will  haue  our  ex- 
hortations too  bee  profitable.  The  firft  is,  that  there  bee  a  liuely- 
nefleinvstooprickefoorthfuche  as  haue  done  amifTe,  that  they 
may  bee  throughly  touched  with  the  knowledge  of  theyr  fynncs, 
and  moumc  and  bee  forie  for  them  before  God :  for  if  they  haue 
not  that  forynefle,  they  will  neuer  yeelde  to  followeGod.  True 
it  is,  that  to  outwarde  fyght  menne  may  well  alter  theyr  lewde  dif- 
pofitions-.buthowe  foeuer  they  pretende,  theyfhall%ll  beefult 
of  ftubbomnefle  and  malice,till  they  be  afliamed  of  themfelues  and 
feele  what  they  haue  deferued.    So  then  the  true  preparatiue  too 
jrepentaunce,  is  to  be  pricked  fo  neerely  as  wee  may  feelc  the  euill 
that  is  in  vs>  and  condemne  our  felucs  for  it :  yea  and  that  wee  bee 
fullof  anguifhe,  finding  no  reft  till  God  haue  reccyued  vs  to  mer- 
cic.  But  yet  muft  wee  not  lye  ftyllinfuche  perplexitie  :  for  that 
wouldemake  vs  too  fhunne  Gods  prefence,  and  to  go  aboute  too 
eftraunge  our  felues  from  him  for  euer,  infomuch  that  wee  woulde. 
fayne  haue  him  plucked  oiit  of  his  feate,  that  he  might  no  more  bee 
ouriudgc,  ifwee  were  not  well  perfuadej  that  hee  will  teepity- 
full  to  vs,  and  that  wee  fhall  not  bee  difappoynted  of  our  expecta- 
tion in  feeking  of  him :  according  as  it  is  fayde  in  the  Pfalme,  that  ^^  . 
there  mufte  bee  mercie  in  God  too  drawe  men  vntoo  him,  or elfe    ^^  *  3^'^** 
they  will  neuer  bee  brought  too  ftande  in  awe  ofhim  .  For  as  for      ^* 
all  the  feare  of  the  vnbelecuers,  it  is  but  aterrourthat  difmay- 
eth  them,  malting  them  too  gnaflie  theyr  teetli  agaynftGod,  and 
to  frette  and  chafe  and  play  the  madde  men .    And  fuche  infcrced 
fcarc  hatlie  m  reuerence  at  all  in  it.   But  when  wee  haue  one© 

Cc  tafted   , 


Chap.4:  ^0.  Cal.  xxylj.  Sermon  ypon 

taftedthegoodneffeofoureGod,  and  fee  howe  all  his  fe eking  is 
too  bee  at  one  \vy  th  vs,  and  too  haue  vs  come  vnto  him  wy  thout 
feynmg,  yea  and  that  his  touching  of  our  heartes  is  too  the  intent 
weefhoulde  conceyue  fare  confidence,  and  therevppon  offer  our 
felues  too  his  Maieftie,  afluring  our  felues  that  wee  ought  not  too 
beeafrayedofit,  feeing  it  is  the  thing  wherevntoo  hee  callethvs: 
i  fay,  when  wee  bee  thus  aflured ,  namely  that  our  finnes  are  wy* 
ped out: then  mayewee  bee  boldetoo  preace  vntoooure  God, 
and  that  is  the  order  which  Saint  Paule  keepeth  heere ,  and  which 
itbehouethvs  tookeepeinailourrebukings.  In  that  place  then 
heedidbeate  downe  the  Gaiathians,  bycaufe  they  exalted  them- 
felues,  and  did  as  it  were  fette  vppe  theyr  bryftles  agaynft  God, 
through  theyr  luftyneffe. .  And  nowe  hee  rcacheth  them  his  hande, 
and  Jyftcth  them  vppe  agayne ,  and  telleth  them  that  after  they 
haue  once  felt  and  perceyucd  their  faultes,  theymufte  not  yet  for 
all  that  thinke  themfelues  vtterly  fhette  oute  from  God,  and  from 
all  hope  of  faluation.  But  this  cannot  bee  done  except  wee  haue 
a  carefulneflfe  too  drawe  finners  too  faluation.    For  many  menne 
will  bee  vehement  ynoughe,and  they  (hall  haue  iuft  caufefo  too 
doo'.butyetin  the  meane  why le  theyr  rygoroufneffe  will  bee  fo 
excefsiue,  as  it  fhall  (hette  vppe  mennes  heartes ,  and  make  them 
take  fuche  ftomacke  a^aynft  the  bytterneffe  that  is  vfed  toward es 
them,  that  they  (liall  caft  themfelues  vtterly  out  of  order,  yea  and 
conceyue  a  hatred  agaynft  God  and  his  woorde.    Ho  wbeeit,  they 
that  arc  fo  ouerfharpc  will  fay  they  haue  iuft  caufe.    Ya,  but  yet 
for  all  that,thjey  which  rebuke  finnc  in  the  name  of  the  God,  muft 
alwayes  haue  a  care  and  defire  too  bring  thofe  too  faluation ,  which 
were  in  the  high  way  too  deftru6tion,  VVhen  they  bee  fo  minded, 
no  doubt  but  they  vvil  labour  to  winne  fuch  as  were  out  of  the  right 
way,  and  to  make  them perceyue  that  they  feeke  their  welfare,and 
that  although  their  rejjukings  bee  greeuous,yet  they  fayle  not  too 
bee  for  iheir  behoofe.    Neuerthelcfle ,  on  the  other  fyde,  let 
fuch  as  aichandeledfofhaipelyi  vnderftande  that  they  haue  neede 
of  fuch  medicines  .  for  what  rhall  th  ey  winne  by  ranckiing  agaynft 
God  C' '  Butyec  wee  fee  many  which  can  well  ynough  niake  coun- 
tenance too  bee  great  Proteftant^s ;  and  tpo  l?unie  in  zeale  of  ^hff^ 
I,  }  Goipell, 


the  EpiH.to  the  (^alathians.     loz 

Gofpell,  wliich  yet  notwithftanding  will  not  abide  to  bee  touched. 
So  long  as  they  be  borne  withall,  they  will  confelTe  what  foeuer  ye 
will  haue  them  and  all  that  is  fpoken  to  them^yea  and  more  too.Ve 
woulde  thinke  that  the  Gofpell  was  made  euen  for  their  turne:but 
if  a  man  find  fault  with  them^then  they  beginne  to  play  the  woode 
beaftes .  And  what  gayne  they  by  it,  fauing  that  firft  they  bewray 
their hypocrifie  before  men,  and  fecondly  fet  ihemfelues  in  battell 
agaynfl  God. 

Nowe  it  is  certaine  that  in  fighting  againft  fuche  an  aduerfarie, 
they  (hall  not  be  the  ftronger  partie.Therefore  let  vs  fuffer  our  fel- 
ues  too  bee  rebuked  fliarply  when  neede  (hall  require.  And  if  wee 
wift  not  of  the  euill  that  was  in  vs,  wee  ought  too  miftruft  our  fel- 
lies fo  much  the  more,  and  notfeeke  ftartingholes  to  defende  our 
fclues  withall,  but  rather  enter  into  examination  of  our  (elues,and 
euerie  of  vs  become  his  owne  iudge,  that  by  meanes  thereof  wee 
may  not  enter  intoo  account  with  our  God,nor  heebce  compelled 
to  cite  vs  too  heere  the  fentence  of  damnation.  Thus  yee  fee  howe 
we  ought  to  receyue  the  chaftizements,that  are  put  to  vs,  and  that 
wee  muft  not  be  too  much  greeued  at  them ,  bycaufe  they  prepare 
and  difpofe  vs  too  humilitie ,  but  let  vs  in  the  meane  while  wayte 
for  the  comming  of  the  fweete  that  followeth  afterwarde.  For  the 
thing  that  keepeth  many  men  from  receiuing  the  warnings  that  are 
giuen  them,  is  that  they  bee  fully  refolued  of  the  matter  afore- 
hande  :  fo  that  if  a  man.fpeake  a  woordetoo  them  that  miflyketh 
them,  they  ftoppe  tlieireares  at  it,  or  elfe  their  hearts  ^e  fo  harde- 
ned and  dulled'jas  they  cannot  by  any  meanes  aftci  warde  conceiue 
what  is  put  too  them  for  their  welfare  and  profite.  A  man  maye 
talke  to  them  of  Gods  mercie,  and  proteft  to  them  well  ynoughe : 
and  a  man  may  well  ynough  (as  ye  woulde  {ay)(}iew  them  with  his 
finger  that  his  fecking  is  nothing  elfe  but  to  bring  them  to  faluation^ 
but  they  be  vtterly  deafe :  and  that  is  bycaufe  they  bee  fully  bente 
ofthemfeluestoo-reie^lGodswoorde.  Therefore  let  vsbee  pa*, 
tientandmodeft,  when  men  fteppe  too  vs  vppon  the  fodaine,  too- 
alTayle  vs  rou^,hly  by  {hewing  vs  our  faultes :  letvs  be  quiet  at  it, 
and  tavie  till  hee  haue  fpoken  the  laft  woorde.  And  To  let  vs  in- 
terlace and  kmtte  thefe  twQO  things  togither ;  that  is  tOQ  witte,thci 


chap.4.  Jo.  Cal.  xxyij.  Sermon  ypon 

rygour  which  we  muft  take  holde  of  that  wee  may  hauc  a  true  and 
JiueJy  feeling  of  our  finnes,  to  bee  forie  for  them ,  and  to  aske  God 
forgiuene{re,and  to  be  abafhed  in  our  felues :  and  then  let  vs  aflurc 
our  felues  that  God  will  alwayesbee  mercifull  to  vs :  and  when 
wee  haue  fo  indyted  our  felues,  let  vs  alfo  hope  too  bee  quitted  at 
his  hande,  and  that  the  more  he  condemneth  vs  by  his  worde,  the 
moreheintendethtobearevs  vp,  to  the  ende  he  be  notinforced 
to  come  agaynfi:  vs  with  armed  hande,  and  with  his  fvvorde  in  his 
fift.  Thus  ye  fee  in  effect  what  we  haue  to  remember  in  this  text, 
where  we  fee  Saint  Paule  on  the  one  fyde  fo  fharpe  and  vehement, 
and  by  and  by  aftcrwarde  too  call  the  Galathians  his  brethren,  and 
too  prayc  them  that  there  may  bee  good  conformitie  betweene 
him  and  them,  and  one  accorde  and  tunable  confent  among  them* 
Nowe  as  touching  that  he  fayth,  2  befeechc  you  bee  lih^  Vnio  mee,  for  I 
dlfo  do  appliemy  Jelfe  Vntoyoji :  as  wee  haue  feene  alreadie,  it  is  not 
too  foothe  them  in  their  vyces,  nor  too  clokc  theyr  filthinelTe,  nor 
too  vfe  any  flattering  of  them  :  but  too  trie  all  the  wayes  too  the 
woodde  to  winne  them  vnto  God,  according  as  wee  (hall  fee  here- 
after ho  we  he  e  will  vfc  the  fimilitude  of  a  woman  with  chylde, 
which  longeth  to  fee  hir  childe  borne  into  the  worlde,and  although 
fhee  indure  paine,yct  will  not  wreake  hir  felfc  vppon  hir  babe  by 
ftrangling  it,  but  bee  more  chare  of  it  than  of  hir  owne  lyfc.  Saint 
Paule  will  vfe  the  fayde  fimilitude.  So  then  hcc  mceneth  not  here 
too  ftryke  fayle  (as  they  fay)  toopleafe  fuche  as  had  ncedc  too  bee 
rebuked :  but  rather  aduaunced  him  felfe  as  farrc  as  hec  couldc  to 
winne  them,  according  alfo  as  hee  will  fay,  that  hec  hathc  prat- 
led  with  them  as  a  Nurfe  dooth  with  hir  childe :  and  that  might 
well  bee  done  wythout  hardening  menne  in  theyr  finnes.    Not 
that  they  flioulde  bee  too  much  borne  withall :  for  when  a  Nurfc 
ftoupeth  too  teach e  hir  yong  childe  too  go,  whome  (hec  holdetb 
by  the  hande,  hir  intent  is  not  too  make  hym  too  tumble,  nor 
too  teache  hym  too  haulte,  nor  too  make  hym  fuche  a  Cockney : 
that  hee  flioulde  not  bee  able  too  go  when  hee  commeth  too 
mannes  age  :  but  contrar^'^wyfe,  when  fhee  intendeth  too  ftaye 
the  childes  arme ,  fhee  will  take  him  by  the  hande,  or  by  fomc  o- 
therpartofhim. 

So 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathiam.         205 

So  then  we  fee  after  what  maner  we  mud  fifhioti  our  fcliics  to 
fiicK  as  are  weake.  It  is  not  too  harden  them  in  their  naughtinefle, 
but  rather  to  amende  them  ;  neucrthelelfe  we  maftgo  by  meafure, 
hauing  al  way es  an  eie  to  our  owne  abilitie.   And  truely  it  is  not  for 
naught  that  S.PauIe  in  another  text  exliorteth  the  ftrongerfortjand  ^qaa.  a  \ 
the  forwarder  fort^to  applie  thcmfelues  to  fuch  as  are  yet  rawe  and  q^i  6ai* 
weake.  For  if  a  man  had  neuer  fo  great  and  excellent  vertues,  that 
he  were  as  an  Angell :  yet  furely  if  hee  bee  fo  rigorous  that  hce  will 
haue  euerie  man  too  bee  as  perfe6l  as  himfelfe ,  all  his  vertues  will 
bee  but  fmoke.   Why  fo  <  For  the  meeldenefle  and  gcntlcnelTc 
which  God  commandeth  vs,  ferue  to  giue  as  it  were  a  tafte  and  fa- 
uour  to  all  vertues.    And  the  better  that  a  man  knowes  himfelfe, 
the  more  will  he  bethinke  hym  of  the  vyccs  that  are  in  him,  which 
haue  neede  to  bee  borne  withall ,  and  therefore  that  hee  muft  alfo 
bearewith  others.  Againehee  will  confider  too  what  ende  God 
hath  aduaunced  hym,  namely  to  (hewe  other  menne  the  way,  and 
finally  he  will  beare  with  himfelfe  leaft  of  all  men.    And  heereby 
mayamanhaueagoodincling  too  difcerne  whether  the  admoni- 
tions proceede  of  pure  loue,  or  whether  theyproccede  of  too 
muche  fternnefle.  For  if  in  rebuking  other  menne,a  man  take  not 
heede  to  himfelfe,  and  flatter  not  himfelf,  ne  caft  forth  his  cholcr 
to  finde  fault  with  this  man  or  that  mannes  vycc,  but  in  the  meane 
while  is  utterly  fteyned  himfelfe ,  and  woulde  fayne  bee  plundged 
in  it  ouer  head  and  earcs  :  it  is  certaine  that  all  is  but  hipocrifie.  But 
when  a  man  reyneth  himfelfe  fhort ,  and  defyreth  not  to  bee  more 
borne  withall  than  his  neighbours  :  if  therewithallhe  be  rigorous, 
it  is  to  be  acknowledged  that  he  hath  the  zeale  of  God  y  and  of  his 
holy  fpirit  in  him,  and  that  he  procureth  the  welfare  of  al  mcn.Thus 
ye  fee  in  eflfeft  why  Saint  Paulc  fayeth  here,that  he  intended  to  fa- 
(hion himfelfe  to  the  Gcdathians.   Nowe  hee  addcth  further,  that 
the j  had  not  bur  tor  off  ended  him  iriitny  thing,  meaning  thereby  that 
hee  v^ndertooke  not  any  priuate  quareli  agaynfl:  them.  For  the  ve- 
rit  things  that  marre  all  when  do6b-ine  and  Admonitions  come  to 
bee  put  foorth ,  arc  that  eyther  wee  bee  of  opinion  that  the  panic 
which  fpeaketh  is  not  woorthie  too  bee  heard ,  or  that  wee  beare 
fome  hatred  or  pritch  towardes  him  in  oure  heartes.  For  it  is  ioi- 

Cciii,  pofsible 


chap.4-  fo.Calxxyij.  Sermonypon 

pofsible  tliat  we  fhouldc  talcc  any.  thing  in  good  part  at  his  handCp 
whe  wc  fhal  haue  coccyucd  any  fuch  opinionor  fancie  of  him.  Ifce 
a  man  that  fpeakes  as  an  Angeli :  nowe  if  I  Curmyze  that  hee  hates 
mec;  and  fe  ekes  too  byte  mec,  or  that  hee  goes  aboutetoo  difco- 
ucr  my  (hame ,  furely  I  fhallnot  t^ke  any  profite  by  heering  of 
him.    But  this  cannot  excuze  vs :  for  it  is  a  Jewde  fault :  and  al- 
thoughe  it  were  true  that  a  man  hated  vs,  and  that  hee  rebuked  vs 
vppon  malice  and  fpyte  :  yet  ought  wee  too  learne  too  bee  confor- 
mable.  The  verie  Heathen  men  coulde  well  ynough  fay,  that  our 
foes  did  vs  fometymes  more  good  than  our  freendes.  For  why, they 
that  loue  oneanodier  will  winkc  at  many  things,  andoucrpaflfc 
all  without  thinking  amilTe.  But  their  enimies  keepe  watch  to  take 
2)       <  A  ^cluauntagc  of  them  whome  they  miilyke,  and  when  they  fpie  any 
*     '  '  fault,  they  milTe  not  to  blaze  it  abrode,  as  fayth  Salomon  :  yea  and 
^*^"       fometymes  when  they  woulde  fayne  fall  out  with  a  man,they  gyrdc 
at  him  vnder  pretence  of  giuing  him  warning.  Neuerthelefle  when 
our  cnimyes  doo  fo,  furely  God  giueth  vs  a  meane  too  bring  ys 
backe  againe :  for  the  Diuell  may  nowe  and  then  feruethe  tum$ 
of  a  Phifition  towardes  vs,  according  as  we  hauc  feene  howc  Saint 
^  Paule  fayeth  that  hee  -was  buffeted  by  the  fame  Meflenger,  that  is 

2»Lort  .  ^^^  xvitte,  of  Satan,  which  thing  was  done  to  beate  downe  all  pride 
^^  •  in  him.  Therefore  when  our  eniniies  come  too  fyft  vs  after  that 
fafliion,  and  fceke  nothing  elk  but  too  finde  faultes  with  vs  :  God 
dooth  by  that  meanes  waken  vs,  bycaufe  wc  were  aflcepe  before  in 
our  owne  flatteryes :  and  if  wee  were  wife  and  well  aduifed,,  furely 
our  enimies  fliould  oftentymes  dors  more  good  than  oua*  friends, 
as  I  fayde  afore,  and  as  the  Heathen  men  knewc  well  ynough.  And 
ic  is  a  great  (hame  for  vs,  that  the  blinde  wretches  which  were  plun- 
ged in  darkcnefle,  (houlde  fee  more  clearely  than  wee  diat  hauc 
the  light  of  faluation,.  and  thatwee  fhoulde  not  knowc  .the  thing 
which  thofe  fillie  deccy'ued  foules  perceyued.  And  yet  notwith- 
ftanding  it  is  as  (y  ee  wcmlde  fay)  a  pecce  of  our  nature,  and  meni>c 
make  an  ordinarie  rule  of  it, that  if  theyhiaue  once  taken  any  lewdc 
conceytethat  amanhateththem,  they  bee  fo  eagre  and  forepof* 
fefledwrth  it,  that  they  cannot  abydetoo  reccyue  any  correftion 
at  his  hande.  For  tliis  confideration  Saint  J?auie  protefteth  heere, 
• ).;   I  that 


the  EpiH.totbe  Qalathians.       io± 

that  in  reprouing  the  GalatliiznS;  lice  dealethnot  with  any  cacc  or 
<|uareil  othis  ownc.  Wee  (fayethhee)  hauc  bin  frecndes  heere- 
tofore  :  I  might  perchaunce  be  difpyzed  too  the  worlde  wai  dc,  my 
camming  vnto  you  was  not  with  any  great  pompe,  I  was  no  payn- 
tedfellowc :  but  I  brought  you  the  pure  doctrine  of  the  Gofpelh 
And  ahhpughe  I  was  a  man  withoute  any  great  gaynelfc ,  fo  a§  I 
was  not  accounted  of  too  the  worldewarde  :  yet  notwithftandin?, 
yourece^^edmeeas  an  Angcllof  God,  yea  euenas  lefusChrift 
himfelfe  :  and  whercofcommethnowc this  alteration:' I  holde  on 
ftyll  in  doyng  my  duetie :  and  why  then  are  you  fo  aHenated  from 
nicc:f  Sec  if  ye  e  can  allcdge  any  other  thing,  than  that  you  hate 
Gods  truth  and  cannot  abyde  it.    And  what  a  fhamc  is  it  thatyce 
fhouldefo  hate  Gods  truth,  that  yee  (houlde  difdcyner  k  mmy 
perfone  bycaufe  1  am  tlie  Minifter  of  it :'  Nowe  then  wee  haue  to 
gather  vponthys  Text,  firfttliat  fuch  as  haue  the  charge  toteachq 
and  too  carie  abrode  the  doi^rine  of  the  Gofpell,  mufte  aboue  ail 
things  afchuequarelles  and  contentions,  (at  leailwyfe  if  they  in- 
tende  to  haue  theyr  preaching  to  preiiayle  and  bee  profitable  )  I  fay 
quarellesand  contentions  for  theyr  o.wne  peculiar  matters.    And 
fo  yee  fee  howe  wee  muft  abflaync  from  all  quarelles,  lead  the  gate 
bee  fliette  sgaynft  vs ,  and  wee  bee  disbarred  of  all  libertie  of  re-  - 
buking  men  when  neede  (hall  requyre,  that  wee  may  proteftwith 
Saint  Paule  that  we  deale  not  wyth  them  for  any  defirc  of  reuenge, 
cnmitie,  or  euill  will,  but  onely  for  defyre  of  theyr  welfare^  Jet 
vsbee^ure  of  that,  too  the  iiit^nte  it  maye  open  vs  agappe,  and 
-giue  vs  a  waye  too  all  maner  of  rebukings.    M^rke  that  tor  one 

Againe,  let  vsalTo  be  well  aduized,  that  if  our  vices  be  touched, 
wee  caft  riot  a  blocke  in  the  way  by  conceyuing  and  furmifing  this 
falfc  opinion  in  our  heades,  that  it  is  done  of  hatred :  for  that  is  the 
.pollrde.of  Sataijv  Afahough  men  be  .inclinable  to  thiiike  that  other 
Tnendo.bite  them  and  nip.  them  of  hatred:yet  let  vs  not  thinke  that 
:they.doc  it  of  their  owne  mere  motion;,butby  the  Diuels  meanes, 
who  fnarleth  them  after  that  fafhion.  If  we  bee  rebuked  when  wee 
haue  done  amyffe,  whence  foeucr  the  fame  commeth  ,  farely  it  is 
a  mefla^c  fenjc  of  God ,  bycaufe  hce  will  not  haue  vs  too  periHie, 
*  "  Cc.iiij.  but 


fo.Cal.xxyij.Sermonypdn 

but  would  haue  vs  to  rcturne  vnto  the  right  way ,  notwithftanding 
that  the  partic  which  findeth  fault  with  vs  doo  it  not  of  a  good  and 
pure  affe6lion,but  feekcth  onely  to  fpite  vs,  or  to  wrcake  his  teeric 
vppon  vs  :  for  yet  doth  God  neuerthelefTe  reache  vs  his  hande,  too 
the  ende  we  fhould  not  perifli.  But  beholdCjSatan  on  the  contraric 
parte  ftoppeth  vs  from  receyuing  of  the  medicine,  andputtethvs 
in  the  hcadc,that  the  rebuking  of  our  faults  commcth  not  of  good 
willjbutthat  there  is  a  pad  in  the  ftraw,fo  as  we  be  cither  too  much 
fiftcd,  or  too  fore  bitten,  orelfe  that  there  is  forne  other  fecrctc 
grudge  lurking  vnfeene.  All  thefe  imaginations  doth  Satan  mingle 
with  mennes  admonitions,  to  the  intent  we  (hould  bee  out  of  loue 
with  them,  and  re  fuze  them,  and  by  that  meanes  rebell  agaynft 
God.  Wherefore  let  vsbearc  well  in  minde  what  is  fayde  heere, 
to  the  ende  that  when  we  be  warned  of  our  faultes,  we  may  confi- 
der,  that  God>to  the  intent  he  would  not  be  our  iudgehimfelfc,ap- 
poynteth  as  it  were  attourncycs  &  folliciters  in  his  name,  to  come 
and  charge  vs  with  our  offences.  When  a  mortal  man  rebuketh  me 
for  my  mifdoings,  it  is  Gods  will  he  fhoulde  do  fo,  and  he  hath  ap- 
poyntcdhimin  his  place.    And  too  what  ende  c'  That  we  fhould 
not  come  before  his  Maieftie  to  yeelde  an  account  of  them  •;  for  it 
were  better  for  vs  too  bee  drowned  a  hundred  thoufande  tymes. 
Gop  then  dooth  pitie  vs ,  when  hce  fetideth  vs  mortall  men  to  bee 
our  iudges,  yea  euen  to  bee  oure  iudges  to  put  vs  too  fome  fhame, 
aiid  thereby  to  ft^Tre  vs  vppe  afterward  to  rename  againe  into  the 
right  way.  Therefore  whenfoeuer  God  is  fo  merciful  1  vntoo  vs  : 
let  vs  profitc  our  felues  by  fuch  grace,  and  bcwarc'that  weinuenim 
not  our  felues  with  opinions  that  coine  incontinently  in  our  heads, 
as  that  the  partie  hateth  vs,that  hee  feeketh  vs,  that  there  is  fome 
hartburningjthat  there  is  fome  enmiti'e',atld  that  there  is  I  wote  not 
what.  Letall  this  geere  bee  trodenvnder  foote,  and  let  vs  accept 
their  warnings  if  they  be  true.  To  bee  (hort,  if  ^nyman  blame  vs, 
we  cannot  do  better ,  than  to  conflder  whisc  our  owiic  cOnfcience 
telleth  vs  of  it.  Marke  this  for  a  fpeciall  poynt ,  that  wee  muft  not 
looke  what  the  perfone  is  that  fpeakcth,  nor  paflTe  whither  there 
bee  any  grudge  or  enmitie  in  him :  but  oncly  what  our  owne  con^* 
fciencc  iudgeth  of  the  nutter :  and  then  muft  wc  needes  conclude, 

lam 


the  EpiH.to  the  ^alathiam.      205 

I  am  rightly  reproued.  It  is  a  maruclous  thing,that  they  which  do  ^o 
chafe  and  ftormc  and  grind  dieir  teeth  whe  they  be  rebuked,  (hould 
neuertheleffe  condemne  thefelues  continually  whither  they  would 
or  no,if  they  entered  into  their  owne  confcienccSjand  yet  had  much 
leuer  to  play  the  mad  bedlems  againft  God,and  too  fpite  him  by  all 
meanes  pofsible.than  to  humble  themfelues  in  acknowledging  their 
offences.  Yee  feethcn  that  the  way  which  we  haue  to  keepe  when 
we  be  found  fault  with,  is  too  herkcn  vnto  fuch  as  may  make  vs  too 
enter  into  account,and  fpecially  too  haue  an  eye  too  that  which  is  in 
vs.  And  where  fhall  wee  finde  that  <  Euen  written  and  iiigraucn  in 
our  confciences.  And  although  wee  perceyue  it  not  throughly  :  yet 
let  vs  miftruilour  felues,  for  noman  is  a  copctent  iudge  in  his  owno 
cace  as  they  fay.  True  it  is  that  God  doth  already  make  vs  iudges 
in  part :  but  yet  muft  wee  rather  rcceyue  the  condemnation  whichc 
wee  perceyue  not,  than  carpe  agaynft  it  before  wee  haue  well  and 
throughly  weyed  whither  wee  beefaultie  or  no.  But  there  are  a 
number  that  are  well  apayde  to  (het  vp,  or  rather  too  feele  vp  their 
cyes,that  they  might  not  fee  their  own  fliame :  when  a  man  comes 
to  prouoke  them  to  amendment,  they  fall  to  skirmifhing  at  thefirft 
pufh,  v/ith,did  they  ouerfhoote  themfelues  fo  <  And  then  all  is  dif* 
patcht,  they  wil  heare  no  further  of  the  matter,let  a  hundred  things 
bee  proued  againft  them,and  all  is  nodiing  with  them.  They  do  but 
wring  their  mouth  awrie  at  it.For  they  would  alwaies  cleere  them- 
felues, and  aithough  they  bee  a  laughing  ftocke  euen  too  little  chil- 
dren, they  pafle  not  for  it,but  glory  ftill  of  the  hardening  of  them- 
fehies  in  their  owne  leudneOe  and  filthinefle.  Therfore  let  vs  ke  epe 
our  felues  from  falling  into  fuch  wiifull  ftubbomnefle :  and  in  iudg- 
ingvnfeynedly  of  our  vices  according  to  taith,  let  vs  alfo  be  lowly- 
minded  too  humble  our  felues  and  to  beate  downe  all  pr^'de  in  vs, 
too  the  end  that  nothing  may  let  vs  from  acknowledging  freely  that 
wee  haue  done  amifle.  This  is  the  elfe^l  of  that  which  wee  haue  to 
remember  vppon  this  text.Now  a  man  might  thinke  it  ftraunpe  that 
JS.Paule  fliould  fay,  that  the  GaUihiam  had  reccyucdhhn  ^5  an  f.nielicf 
Cod,yed  or  rather  as  Jeftis  ChiisL  For  what  perfe6lion  of  holinefle  fo 
euer  was  in  him,  yet  could  he  not  match  with  the  Angelles,  as  wee 
fee  how  he  fpeaketliin  the  fcuenth  too  the  Romanes,  where  he  ac- 

Ccv.  knowledgctlk 


Ch; 


in 


P-4' 


fo.  CaLxxyij.  Sermon  ypG?7 


kno\vkdgQxh himfi IFtoo bee wretched,and fheweth that  He  isas i 
poore  ca|.^tiuc  and  flaue  of  the  world  vnder  the  bondage  of  finne.Ai- 
thougli  S.Paiile  hiid  ^n  earned  dcfirc  too  fcrue  God  :  yet  notwith- 
ilandinghe  knew  he  did  but  drag  his  legges  after  him/andthathec 
had  many  infirmities  to  piucke  him  backe.  And  heere  he  fayeth  thst 
he  was  receyued  as  an  Angell :  yea  andhe  ftayeth  not  therC;,  but  ad- 
deth  further,aslcfus  Chrifl,  who  (as  we  know)  is  the  very  Sonne  of 
God,and  higheil  King,  whiche  hath  fouerain  power  cuer  all  crea- 
tures.But  heere  the  cace  concerneth  not  Sain^t  Paules  life,nor  any 
worthinefTe  that  he  pretendeth  in  himfelf.  He  hath  an  eye  onely  to 
the  do^lrine.  It  is  fayd  firfle,  that  he  was  receyued  as  an  Angell  of 
jUii' 2.  i,2*  God.And  why  not :  For  the  fame  title  hath  bin  giuen  too  ail  fuch  as 
haue  had  chardge  too  bcare  abrode  the  doftrine  of  the  La  we,  and  of 
much  morereafon  ought  too  bee  giuen  to  the  publifhers  of  the  Go- 
/pell :  for  there  God  vttereth  his  maieftie  and  power,  muche  more 
than  he  did  in  olde  time  vnder  the  Lawe.  For  afmuch  then  as  God 
appoynteth  moitail  men  to  fpeakc  in  his  name  and  authoritie :  it  is 
requifite  that  they  (hould  be  acknowledged  to  be  his  Angeiles,  that 
is  to  fay,  Meflengers  or  Amba(radors,for  the  woord  Angell  betoke- 
neth  none  other  thing.  And  in  good  footh  too  what  purpofe  were 
the  do^lrine  which  wee  heere,  if  it  came  not  of  God :  It  were  much 
better  that  we  [preachers]  were  dumbe  and  fpeechleflejand  that  the 
.      heerers  were  deafe  and  blind,  than  to  ftrnd  herkening  to  a  man  that 
were  not  fent  of  God.  For  the  chief  honour  that  God  requireth  at 
our  hands,  is  that  wc  fliould  be  whifland  herken  to  his  wo  ord,y  eel- 
ding  him  all  authoritie,and  holding  our  felues  bridled  and  captiue  as 
vnder  the  royall  fcepter  whcrevnto  he  will  haue  vs  too  fubmit  our 
felues.Now  if  a  mortaJl  creature  (hould  vfurpe  this  to  himfelf:  what 
a  thing  were  it  c'  So  then  let  vs  marke  well  that  S.  Paule  doth  iuflly 
compare  himfelfe  with  an  Angell,  as  in  refpeft  of  his  do6lrinc.  And 
why.'  For  he  knewe  well  inough  he  had  no:  forged  it  of  his  owne 
brayne,  but  had  receyued  it  of  God.  And  that  alfo  is  the  caufe  why 
he  addcth,  a^  lefus  ChrjfL  For  furely  our  Lorde  Icfus  Chi  ifte  will 
haue  vs  too  rcceyue  fuch  as  he  ordeyneth  too  bee  his  minillers,  as 
J«%.10«  e,  if  he  himfelf  were  heere  in  vifibic  fhapeamong  vs.  He  that  hccrctli 
i^.        you  (fayeiK he)heereth  mec.  But  ncuerthelefle  it  15  certaine  that  he 

mont 


the  EpiB.to  the  (jalathians.      106 

xncnt  not  too  make  idollcs  when  he  ordc^ticcl  his  Apollies  and  fuch 
fts  ftiouldbee  minifters  of  his  woord.  He  mentnot  that  they  fliould 
bee  vvoorfluppcd  in  hisfteed  :  for  out  of  all  doubte,  that  prehenii- 
nence  is  not  co  be  ^iuen  to  the  very  Angelles  of  heauen :  and  what 
fiull  bee  done  too  vs  then,  whiche  are  but  dung  and  rottenncfic  i 
Hou'beitjOur  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  regarded  not  what  maner  of  ones 
men  are,but  mcnt  too  aduaunce  his  owne  woorde,  too  the  end  that 
all  men  fhould  iubmit  themfeiues  too  it.  Although  then  that  wee 
bee  but  as  brittle  earthen  pottes,or  rather  already  broken,fo  as  wee 
bee  nothing  woorth;  yetmufte  not  the  treafure  of  the  Gofpell 
which  wee  beareabrode  bee  therefore  defpyzed.  For  when  Gods 
woorde  is  preached  purely  vntoo  vs,  it  is  all  one  as  if  he  dwelte  a- 
mong  vs,  and  appeered  perfonally  vntoo  vs,  and  k  bchoueth  vs  too 
giue  a  proofe  of  ourfearejoue  and  obedience  towardes  him,  by  re- 
ceyuing  his  woorde  though  it  come  out  of  a  moitsll  m?x\s  mouth. 
Andfurthermcre  if  wee  holde  skornc  of  the  Goipeli,  vnder  colour 
and  pretence  that  they  which  fpeake  vntoo  vs  arc  nother  Kings  nor 
princes  ouer  vs  :  \<zt  vs  allure  cur  feiues  that  tliat  rcbeiliojfnelTe  of 
cures  hcauetli  at  our  Lorde  lefus  Chi  ifte.  He  that  defpyzeth  yoa 
(fayth  he)  defpyzeth  mee  :  and  he  that  reie61eth  youreie^eth  mee. 
And  this  is  well  woorth  the  marking.  For  wee  fee  now  adayes  that 
Gods  woord  fhall  bee  fo  lightly  efteenied  vnder  pretence  of  mens 
perfones,as  it  is  drcadfull  too  behold.  And  all  fuche  as  are  loth  too 
bee  rebuked,  will  by  and  by  haue  this  anfwerc  in  their  mouth :  who 
are  you  Sire"  who  made  you  my  Prince c"  As  who  flioulde fay,  that 
God  had  not  fuperioririe  ouer  vs,  nor  might  fpeake  too  vs  by  the 
mouth  of  his  feruaunts.  A  Prince  may  well  ynough  fcnde  his  offi- 
cer cr  Tome  iuch  man  as  he  lifteth  to-chooze,  and  although  the  per- 
Tone  bee  of  no  countenance,  yet  will  he  haue  him  receyucd  without 
doubting,and  men  do  fo.  And  when  God  who  hath  foueraine  domi- 
nion ouer  vs,  and  fole  preheminence  ©uer  all  tlie  Idngdomes  and 
principalities  of  the  world,fendeth  v^s  his  feniats  whom  he  auoweth, 
and  willhnuevs  toogiue  them  the  heering:  if  wee;neuerthelefle 
dodildaynethe^and  inrefpecl  of  their  pcrfones  make  hone  account 
of  the  melTage  that  he  feniiethvs  by  them,  and  therewithal!  al- 
kdgvVhowno^^iS:this  feilowc  a  God  ;  what.aprefumptwoufneffe 
I  f ;  /  '  were^ 


-iverethatclfai-nancarieabrode  Gods  woorde  fay thfully,  and  tell 
,  meii'that  wheroeuer  dcfpizeth  it  fetteth  and  aduaunccth  himfelfe  a- 
gaynft  God :  what  (fay  they):'  this  feJlow  makes  himlelfe  Gcd.  As 
who  fhouid  fay,  that  God  might  not  fpeake  by  thofe  whom  he  hath 
appointed  to  be  his  inftruments  :  for  as  i  haue  fayd  heretofore,  cur- 
fed  mought  we  be  if  wee  bring  our  owne  tnuentions.  It  were  muche 
better  that  wee  were  drowned  ahundred  times,  than  that  euer  wee 
(hould  go  vp  into  the  pulpet,if  we  fhouid  not  vtter  Gods  will  faitL- 
fully,and  ilicke  too  that  which  he  commaundeth  vs^  and  draw  it  out 
of  thecleerc  fountayne  of  his  holy  woord.  Should  not  thefe  things 
^  be  declared  c'  Thinke  we  that  Godcan  bs  bereft  of  the  thing  that  is 
peculiar  too  him, that  is  too  wit  of  his  truth  c'No  :  he  and  his  truthe 
can  neuer  bee  feparated.  So  then  letvsabhorre  the  blafphemies  o£ 
tliefe  naughtipackes  which  fay,6,he  that  fpeal^eth  will  make  himfelf 
;       a  God.  If  he  require  men  too  heere  him  without  gainfaying,  namely 
v/hen  he  is  fure  in  himfelf  that  he  bringeth  not  any  thing  whichc  is 
notof  God,it  is  good  reafonthathe  fliould  commend  the  authoritift 
of  his  mayfter.  So  then  let  vs  not  haue  any  acquayntance  with  thefd 
worldlings: but  let  vsyeeldfuch  reuerece  to  our  God,that  although 
fuche  as  fpeake  in  his  name  bee  of  no  cftimation,  yet  wee  may  not 
ceafle  to  obey  the  things  that  they  fet  foorth,  with  a  tme  and  lowly 
fayth.  Yet  neuertheleiTejWC  muft  alfo  difcerne  betweene  thofe  that 
v|;        pretend  Gods  name  falfly,  and  make  a  vayne  cloke  of  it,and  thofe 
7'         that  be  fay  thfull  dealers  of  his  woord  which  he  hath  committed  vn- 
to  them.  Looke  me  vpon  the  Pope  with  his  whole  kencll,  who  are 
not  afhamed  to  fay  that  whofoeuer  heereth  them  heereth  Chrift,  Sc 
that  he  which  reiedeth  them  reie^leth  Chrift  i  for  they  aUedge  that 
faying  of  Chriftes,  he  thatheereth  you  heereth  mee  &c.  too  autho- 
rize themfelues  withall.  But  they  liiat  will  bee  rcceyued  as  Angels^ 
muft  doo  the  duetie  of  Angelles,that  is  too  fay^they  mufte  bee  true 
meflengers  of  God  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  who  hath 
fent  them,and  they  muft  hold  all  of  him,  fo  as  they  ferue  hini  truly, 
and  fceke  not  foueraintie  too  themfelues,  but  that  he  may  alwayes 
bee  the  fhepeherd  of  the  Churche,  and  that  the  fhecpe  of  his  flockc 
may  heere  his  voyce,  and  follow  him  whither  foeuer  he calleth  the. 
And  as  for  them  that  be  falfe  packerS;peruerting  the  truth,and  vfur- 

ping 


the  EpiB.to  the  (jalathians.       207 

ping  fuperioritie  too  deface  Gods  woorde  :  itismeetc  that  they 

(hould  be  tsken  torfuch  as  they  be  in  deede:&  tins  hath  bin  (hewed 

by  that  which  I  faydeat  the  beginning :  that  is  too  wit,  that  whereas 

our  Lord  Icfus  Chriftehath  toide  vs  that  he  will  haue  vs  too  hecrc 

thofe  that  come  in  his  name,  as  if  he  fpake  in  his  owne  pcrfonc :  he 

ment  not  thereby  too  make  them  idollesamongmen,  toothe  ende 

that  fuch  as  haue  charge  to  fpeake  in  his  name,fl-ionld  be  exahed  too 

haue  any  tirannie :  but  he  mcnt  that  his  woord  fhould  be  receyued 

reuerently  and  without  gaynfaying.  And  whereas  S.PauIc  fayeth 

heere  that  he  was  receyued  as  an  Angell,  or  rather  as  lefus  Chrift : 

it  is  as  much  to  fay  as  he  came  not  in  his  owne  name,  but  indeuered 

too  preach  Gods  grace  purely,  and  too  make  men  too  followe  lefus 

Chriii,.&:  to  frame  themfekes  wholly  vnto  him, that  he  might  haue 

his  due  preheminence,that  the  Gofpell  might  be  receyued  without 

ga'jTifayingjand  that  it  might  bring  foorth  fuch  frute  as  it  ought  too 

doo  :  that  is  to  wit,  that  it  might  be  the  power  of  God  too  the  falua-  (^w.  uh. 

lion  oFall  beleeucrs,as  it  is  fayd  in  the  beginning  of  the  Epiftlc  too      16.  *  * 

the  Romanes. 

Now  let  vs  falldowne  before  the  maieftie  of  our  good  God  with 
acknowledgement  of  our  faultes,praying  him  to  make  vs  fo  to  feclc 
ihem,as  we  may  be  moued  more  and  more  to  amendment,  and  that 
it  may  pleafe  him  to  beare  with  our  infirmities,  till  he  haue  ridde  vs 
<5uite  and  cleane  of  all,  and  fo  renewed  vs  according  too  his  owne 
image,foas  all  may  bee  pure  and  cleane  in  vs,and  his  glory  fhewe  it 
felf  there,and  we  more  and  more  fight  in  fuch  wife  agaynft  our  own 
finfulnelTejas  it  may  bee  vttcrly  emptied  out  of  vs,  and  he  fo  fill  vs 
with  the  grace  of  his  holy  fpirit,  as  we  may  draw  others  therevnto, 
fo  as  all  of  vs  may  with  one  common  confent  indeuer  to  feme  to  his 
gloiy.andgiueouer  our  felues  wholly  th-revnto.  And  fo  let  vsall 
fay,Almightie  God  heauenly  father,&c. 

The.i%.Sermon;uihichistheJifth 

)>pon  thefou  rtb  Chapter . 
15     VVhere  is  then  your  Wiffedncffc  ?  for  I  beare yoii 
vvitneffej  ihac  if  i(  had  bin  pofsible,  you  vvouldc 

haue 


^%4'  fo.CaLxxViij.  Sermon  ypon 

haue  plucked  out  your  ey  cs,and  giuen  them  vn- 
tomee. 

16  Am  I  then  become  your  enemie  bicnufe  I  rcll  you 

the  truth? 

17  They  bcielous  oueryou,  [[hovvbeit]  not  for  [any] 

good. Nay  rather  they  meeneto  fhetyou  out,  too 
the  end  you  fhould  be  fond  of  ihem. 

18  It  is  good  too  bee  alvvayes  earned  minded  in  good 

things,  Sc  not  only  vvhe  I  am  prefent  with  you. 
ip     My  little  children  ot Whom  I  trauell  in  birth  again 

till  Chrift  be  fafhioned  in  you. 
zo    I  would  I  were  with  you  now  &  could  chaunge 

my  voyce/or  I  ftand  in  doubt  of  you. 

Eeneede  no  teaching  to  feeke  the  thing  which 
we  thinke  to  be  good  and  profitable  for  vs :  for 
euery  man  is  inclined  to  that  by  nature,  yea  & 
too  much  giuen  vnto  it.But  the  mifchief  is,that 
we  know  not  the  true  profite  fro  the  thing  that 
is  harmfull,  but  are  oftentimes  fo  blinded  with 
our  foolifh  lufts,that  euery  of  vsouerthroweth 
liimfelf  wilfully JNot  that  we  forget  the  thing  which  I  faid  to  be  im- 
printed in  our  hartes :  but  for  that  we  be  caried  away  by  our  vnruly 
lufteSjOr  elfe  fo  bleared  with  the  vanities  of  this  world,  that  we  haue 
no  difcretion  at  all  to  iudge  rightly.  And  therfore  we  ought  to  flee 
vnto  God  continually  fo  much  the  more,  that  he  may  giue  vs  skill 
to  difcerne  what  is  good  for  vs,  to  the  intent  we  may  ferue  him,and 
haue  bur  mindes  fo  wholly  fet  vpon  him^as  we  may  neuer  be  remo- 
ued  :  fpecially  for  fomuch  as  it  oftentimes  falleth  out,  that  fuche  as 
are  taken  to  be  very  wife  to  the  worldward,  become  lyke  little  chil- 
dren according  to  the  alteratio  of  their  defires,  giuing  vp  the  things 
which  they  had  fet  much  flore  by,  and  gadding  after  fome  pelting 
trifle  that  cometh  in  their  fight,  fo  as  there  is  no  (lay  at  all  in  them. 
Sometimes  we  ihall  fee  a  childe  rwnne  after  three  or  foure-at  once, 

and 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.       208 

and  if  there  cornea  thing  that  he  fought  for  he  catcheth  at  that  by 
and  by :  and  anon  after  i  •  he  fpie  an  apple  or  a  cherne,or  fome  other 
thing  that  likes  him,  he  leaues  all  the  refidue  too  runne  after  that. 
Euen  fo  play  wee :  no  doubt  but  we  alway  es  thinke  our  felues  wife 
ynough,andwee  take  fcorne  too  bee  taught  at  anymannes  hande, 
or  too  bee  warned  what  is  good  for.vs,  for  it  fe ernes  too  vs  too  bee 
an  offering  of  wrong  too  vs  :  but  yet  experience  fheweth  that  wee 
wantbothe  wit  and  reafon.  For  what  is  the  caufe  that  men  doo  fo 
tolTe  and  turmoyle  thenifelues  out  of  meafure,  and  yet  runne  aftray 
all  tlieir  lyfe  long  <  As\  fayde  afore,all  of  vs  with  one  common  ac- 
cordeholde  this  principle, that  wee  defiretoo  feeke  our  ownepro-^ 
fit,  there  is  nother  greate  nor  fmall  but  he  is  inclined  vntoothat. 
But  lette  vs  fee  wherevntoo  men  apply  their  mindes :  there  is  not 
that  man  whofe  aff C(5l!ons  boyle  not  within  him,  in  fomuch  that  ye 
(hall  fee  the  greateft  number  (as  yee  would  fay)  racke  themfelues, 
and  their  mindes  neuer  ceaffe  day  nor  night  too  runne  flill  vppon 
the  things  that  come  afore  them, u  hereby  they  hop£  for  anyprofite. 
And  when  they  haue  well  tormented  themfelues,a  man  fhali  fcarfly 
finde  one  among  a  thoufande  that  hath  his  affections  well  ordered: 
in  (bmuch  that  it  were  much  better  for  them  too  bee  a  fleepe  all  the 
time  oftheir  lyfe,  than  too  take  fomuch  trauell  without  knowing 
why  or  wherefore.  No  we  then  feyng  that  the  niofte  paite  of  vs  are 
proued  not  to  di'cerne  betwixt  good  and  euiU  as  were  requifite  and 
expedient, wee  haue  neede  to  fubmic  our  felues  vnto  God,  praying 
him  too  guyde  vs  by  his  holy  fpi i  ite.  And  fpecially  when  the  foue- 
rayne  felicitie  or  welfare  commeth  in  queftion,  furely.  whereas  wee 
fhoiilde  bee  caried  away  and  rauifhed  in  loue  with  it :  wee  bee  haled 
another  way,  and  doo  nothing  but  fiske  too  and  fro,  and  there  is  fo 
greate  inconftancie  and  lightnefle  in  vs,  that  the  thing  whiche  wee 
loue  more  deerclythan  our  lyfe  tooday,  fhall  bee  as  good  asde- 
fpyzed  too  morrowe.    And  that  al fo  is  the  caufe  why  SainCl  Paule 
dooth  inthistexte  vpbrayde  the  Galathians  with  their  forgetting 
of  their  owne  happineffe.  For  this  faying  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifts,  ^^'ith,  6,  C^ 
that  looke  where  a  mannes  treafure  is  there  is  his  harte  ako,  is      ^i, 
taken  of  the  comon  order  of  nature.Hc  termcth  tbar  thino-  our  trca- 
ibre,\vhich  we  fet  moft  (lore  by,and  whetVpon  we  do  wholly  repo' e 

ovir 


ciup.4.  fo.CaLxxViij.  Sermcn  ypon 

our  felues :  for  there  are  many  things  which  men  do  well  like  of,the 
which  neuerthelefie  they  can  eafly  tinde  in  their  harts  too  forbeare. 
Though  a  n\2n  fee  a fayre  and  codly  thing,yet  can  he  content  him- 
felf  quietly  with  his  owne  {late  ftill,if  he  haue  wherewith  too  main* 
tayne  himfelf.  But  if  wee  efteeme  our  life  vnhappie  or  vnfortunate 
^  without  the  inioying  of  any  welfare  at  all,  furely  we  fhalJ  bee  toffed 

with  continuall  vnquietnefle,  till  wee  haue  obteyned  it:  and  that 
doth  common  experience  fhewe  well  inough.   Seing  then  that  our 
hartes  muft  needes  bee  tied  too  the  thing  which  wee  take  too  be  re- 
quifite  too  our  chiefe  felicitie,let  vs  now  fee  how  euery  manbeha- 
ueth  himfelf.  Such  as  are  giue  to  the  flightfuU  goodes  of  this  world, 
or  are  fo  inflamed  with  ambitioufnefle  and  defire  of  honour,  that 
they  feeke  nothing  elfe  but  too  magnifie  themfelues,  and  too  bee  in 
fome  high  degree  and  great  eftate,  that  they  might  bee  had  in  efti- 
mation :  will  alwayes  labour  for  the  fame.Such  as  are  poflelTed  with 
couetoufneflc,  will  ncuer  leaue  gathering  of  goodes,  nor  neuer  bee 
fatisfied  with  any  thing.  They  indure  hunger  and  thirfte,  heate  and 
cold,and  dare  nother  eate  nor  drinke  hatfe  their  fill,  and  all  too  the 
intent  to  heapevp  out  of  meafure.  Loat  what  poynt  they  bee.A- 
gaine,fuch  as  couet  to  bee  efteemedand  exalted  too  the  worldward,. 
indure  as  great  miferie  as  if  they  were  in  the  hands  of  the  hangman: 
Day,  the  hangman  would  not  torment  them  fo  cruelly  as  they  doa 
themfelues :  and  yet  they  bee  fo  headftrong,  as  they  cannot  by  any 
meanes  bee  turned  from  it.  But  whea  God  is  fo  gratious  as  to  fhew 
vs  where  our  welfare  lieth,that  is  to  wit,  in  the  kingdome  of  hcauc: 
although  wee  be  warned  that  our  life  is  of  no  continuance,  and  that 
wee  flip  away  out  of  hand :  yet  arc  wee  fo  rauifhed  in  loue  with  our 
vatiitiesjthat  we  forfake  the  ineflimable  ioy  wherevnto  God  calleth 
VS,andfet  light  by  the  heritage  of  heauen,  in  comparifon  of  thefft 
worldly  things  which  are  right  nought.  Therefore  let  vs  confider^ 
that  S  .Paules  pr  efent  vpbrayding  of  the  Galathians  wh  en  he  asketh 
them  where  their  happinefTe  is  become,  touch eth  and  concerneth. 
vs  now  adayes.  For  he  prefuppofeth  that  the  GaJathians  knew  that 
God  could  not  haue  done  them  a  greater  good  turne  in  this  world, 
than  to  inlighten  them  with  the  knowledge  of  his  Gofpell,  whereby 
they  had  bin  throughly  perfuadedand  reColued,  that  the  world  hath 

nothing 


deEpistjo  the  (jalathiam.      lop 

ftotKlng  but  deceitfulnefle  in  it,  for  fomuch  as  it  tumeth  vs  away     ** 
from  the  heritage  of  hcaue, according  alio  as  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift 
alledgcth  the  fame  fimilitude,  that  the  Gofpeil  and  the  treaHires  Sc  ^^^^^^ , ,  r 
riches  conteined  therein  are  a  precious  ftone,and  that  if  we  fhould  ' 

giue  ouer  all  the  things  which  we  efteeme  in  this  world, and  which 
we  hke  beft  of,we  fhould  lofe  nothing  by  the  bargaine,nor  haue  a- 
ny  caufe  to  repent  vs.But  now  are  we  dubblc  too  blame,feeing  we 
tume  away  atter  we  haue  knowen  that  God  drew  vs  from  beneath 
to  make  vs  partakers  of  his  heaucnly  glory,  and  put  that  ineftima- 
ble  benef\'te  out  of  our  remembrance  for  the  wbisking  of  a  flye  o- 
uerth wart  our  eyes  as  they  fay.  For  afmuch  then  as  it  hath  pleafed 
God  to  open  our  eyes,  and  too  plucke  vs  out  of  the  myre  wherein 
we  were  plunged  with  the  vnbeieeuers  and  ignorant  pcrfons,  not 
only  in  following  fuperftitions  and  idolatries  as  others  did,but  al- 
fo  in  giuing  ourfelues  ouer  to  our  flefhly  likings  and  wicked  lufts  : 
and  feeing  that  God  hath  made  vs  to  perceiue  where  our  true  ioy 
lyeth,  and  ginen  vs  fuch  a  taft  of  it  as  we  ought  to  reft  wholly  vpo 
it:Iet  vs  take  good  hcede  that  wc  neuer  change  our  pui*pofe,nor  al- 
ter our  mind  hereafter.  And  if  we  do;let  vs  confider  how  the  fpi- 
rit  of  God  doth  heere  condemne  vs  of  vnthankfulneiTe  by  the 
mouth  of  Saind  Paule, faying, K//;f/'e  isyourhappinejfe'^  Forbad  we 
bin  alwayes  let  alone  like  brute  beafts  without  knowing  wherein 
our  welfare  and  ioy  confift,  it  had  bin  no  marueli  though  wee  had 
ftiil  kept  on  our  common  trace.  But  feeing  that  God  hath  fhewed 
vs  that  we  muft  fcek«  all  our  welfare  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chryfte, 
and  that  he  is  the  full  perfection  in  whome  we  muft  wholly  reft  : 
if  we  do  afterward  fleete  too  and  fro  and  bee  fhaken  no  ^  one  way 
and  now  another :  it  is  certaine  that  wee  can  no  more  excufe  our- 
felues by  ignorance.  Ye  fee  then  that  the  thing  which  wee  haue  too 
bearc  in  mind  in  this  text, is  that  when  we  haue  once  bin  taught  the 
<jofpell,  we  muft  fet  light  by  the  thinges  that  wee  made  too  great 
account  of  before,  and  which  men  couet  without  end  or  meafure : 
that  is  to  wit  by  the  allurements  of  Satan  and  of  the  world,and  by 
"411  tranfitory  and  flightfuU  things  whichc  haue  no  fubftantialneire 
in  them  and  coritinually  feeke  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  dll  wee  come 
eg  tbe  fall  cnioying  uf  al  the  benefy tes  which  hee  hath  brought  vs. 


chap;4;         ^o.Cal.xxyiij.fermonypon 

And  now  liercvppon  S.  Paule  blameth  the  Galathians  yet  further^ 
that  he  cannot  he  their  enimie  but  for  telling  them  the  truth.  For  it  is  too 
"   •  great  a  leawdnefle  to  fall  out  with  our  freendc,  only  for  (hewing 

himfelfe  faithfull  towards  v^s.  What  is  the  thing  tiiat  wee  fhoulde 
cheefly  defire  in  a  freend^but  that  he  (hould  deale  roundly  with  vs, 
and  not  beare  two  faces  in  onehood,nor  vfe  any  craft  and  vntruth 
towards  vs  c'  Euery  man  can  tell  that  welynough,  and  it  is  as  a  na- 
turall  IcfTon  which  we  know  without  fchooling  :  and  yet  notwith- 
ftanding  we  be  greened  and  difpleafed  with  them  that  tell  vs  the 
trnth,and  by  that  meanes  do  worke  oqr  weale:and  therefore  muft 
it  not  needs  be  that  we  are  bewitched  of  Satan,if  we  ftep  vp  againft 
them  and  become  their  enimiesc'Sainift  Pauje  then  flieweth  the 
caufc  of  his  feare  that  they  fhould  be  alienated  from  him,  and  bla- 
meth the  that  they  were  become  his  enimies,  for  none  other  caufe 
than  that  he  had  dealt  foundly  and  roundly  with  tliem.  Nowe  al- 
though this  vice  be  horrible,  and  all  men  condemne  it :  yet  is  it  as 
common  as  any  other  nowaday es  in  the  world.For  what  qKq  main- 
teinethfrendflup,butlying,flattering,difsim*ulation;COunterfetting, 
and  fuch  other  like  things :'  In  fomuch  that  if  a  man  go  roundly  to 
worke,  hee  fhall  purchace  himfelfe  hatred  and  ill  will  on  all  fydes. 
And  the  ver)'  caufe  of  the  greateft  contentions  and  debates  that 
are  nowadayes  in  the  world,is  that  mer^  flop  their  eai:es  againfl  all 
truth  and  reafon :  for  we  would  fayne  haue  all  thinges^\iriedthat 
might  mifiike  vs. Therefore  this  was  not  written  for  the  Galathians 
€nly,but  is  to  beapplycd  (iill  at  this  day  to  the  common  infiruc- 
tion  of  all  fuch  c,  as  cannot  abide  that  men  flioulde  deale  faithfully 
and  truly  with  them.For  let  euery  of  ys  looke  vppon  himfelfe  and 
examine  himfelfe  well,  and  he  fhall  find  that  aliof  VjS  areatteinted 
with  that  vice,  till  God  haue  purged  vs  of  it.  So  then  let  vs  alTiire 
'ourfelues  that  if  we  greeue  fuch  as  teU  vs  the-t^rnth,  in  Co  doing  wef 
defpife  God,  and  fall  out  with  him  rather  thap  with  the  m^n.rl^^y^ 
will  proteft  the  cleane  contrary  ineuerthelefTe  we  do  but  ly e^  W'hen 
we  canot  indure  that  God  fhould  bewray  the  thing  that  we  would 
haue  concealed,  I  meene,  that  he  fhould  difcouef  omSt^ltes^^ipA 
rebuke  them,and  hold  vs  in  a\ve,and  not  beare  with  any  diing  that 
is  not  lawfulifor  vs.  Thus,ye.fce  i^i  eff^ft  what  wee  haue  pjiia^ke 


theEpisl.to  the  ^alathiansl      no 

l^n  this  text.  Now  heercvppon  Sainifl  Paule  laboufcth  too  win 
the  Galathians  by  great  getlencffe.Ai)  little  ^^/'^(faith  \\Q)ofx»hom 
Itrauel/ in  birth  againe,till  our  Lorde  hfn6  Chrili  befafhyomdinyou. 
Howbeit,aIthough  that  his  words  be  fomevvhat  fweete^yet  doth  he 
not  fayle  to  fauce  them  a  httle  to  the  intent  to  quicken  them  vp,by 
cial ling  them  little  babes,  telling  them  that  whereas  they  ought  too 
haue  bin  fafhioned  and  borne  long  ago,yea  and  to  haue  bin  growc 
to  mans  eftatc  in  lefus  Chrift,  he  wift  not  what  too  make  of  them. 
For  you  driue  me  fo  to  my  fhifts(rayth  he)that  I  cannot  tell  what 
fpcech  I  may  vfe  towards  you  any  more  :  and  therefore  feeing  you 
be  fo  ftraungc  and  vntoward,  and  fo  fickle  to  bee  dealte  with  that  I 
cannot  tell  how  to  handle  you,  I  muft  bee  faine  to  tranfforme  my 
(tl^Q  into  a  new  man.  Lo  how  he  vfeth  a  manner  of  fpeech  mingled 
Witli  rigoure  and  great  freendlinefle.  And  bee  is  not  contented  too 
take  vppon  him  only  the  perfon  of  a  father,  whofe  loue  notwith- 
ftandingis  tender  ynough  towards  his  children:  but  hee  liken  eth 
himfdfe  alfotoo  a  mother  that  is  towardeshirtrauelUndfuUof 
throwes,  who  (notwitliffahding  all  the  peines  thatfhefeeleth)is 
more  charie  ouer  the  child  that  is  to  come  out  of  hir  womb,tha  fh© 
15  of  hir  owne  boweils  and  lyfe.  VMien  Saincl  Paule  vfed  thys  fi- 
militude^it  is  certaine  that  hee  wift  not  how  to  fhew  himfelfe  more 
affe^lioned  towardes  tliem;to  the  intent  to  breake,  or  at  leaftwife 
to  foften  the  hardnefle  that  was  in  them  to  whome  he  fpakc.  But 
yet  whatfoeuer  come  of  it;he  is  flat  with  them  in  vpbhyd. ng  them 
witli  their  leawdnefTcjin  thatthe^^  acknowledged  not  their  mother 
that  bare  them  and  nurrifhed  them  with  the  fubftance  of  hir  owne 
bloudjbut  for  all  the  gentlenefle  that  hee  vfed  towardes  th€m,be- 
came  as  wildebcaftes  that  could  not  bee  tamed :  and  that  was  an 
outrageoufe  vnkindnelTc.  And  fo  wee  fee  how  Sain6l  Paule  doth 
continuallyfoliowe  themcanethati  toldeyouof  to  day  •.  whyche 
is  that  to  the  vttcrmoft  of  his  power,  hee  laboreth  too  bririg  thofc 
backe  againe  bylouingnelTe,  which  were  gone  out  of  the  way.And 
tp  that  end  he  telleth  them,thatiie  hath  a  greater  care  of  their  weU 
fare, than  they  would  thinke.  But  yet  howfoeuer  the  cace  ftande, 
lie  mingleth  their  oyle  with  tart  vincger,which quickened  them  \'p 
asncede  was,  lead  they  fiiouid  fall  afleepc  in  their  Cn;ie^.  For 
icisno  cockering  of  fuch  as  haue  offended  God^  and.  are  as  good 

Dd.ij.  a< 


Chap4^         ^o.Cal.xx^tijJermonypon 

as  poyfoned  or  rather  bewitched  by  Satan,  fo  as  they  perceiue  not 
their  owne  filthinefle.All  fuch  geere  muil  be  razed  out. And  there- 
fore,hap  what  hap  wiil,he  holdeth  fuch  an  euen  hand,asthey  mud 
needes  perceiue  that  he  procureth  their  welfare,  and  that  all  hyg 
feeking  is  to  bring  them  vnto  God.  This  in  effe6l  is  the  thing  that 
we  haue  to  marke  vpon  this  text.Howbcit  we  haue  alfo  too  markc 
particularly,  that  when  Saintl:  Paule  tearmeth  them  little  babes, 
he  vpbraydeth  them  clofely  for  that  they  had  profited  no  better, 

hfcAAf^*  For  to  what  purpofe  istheGofpelldayly  preached  vnto  vs :' It  is 
fayd  to  be  the  incorruptible  feede  whereby  we  be  begotten  againe 
to  be  the  children  of  God.Now  when  we  come  into  the  world,  wc 
grow  by  nurri(hmeRtofmilke,and  from  time  too  time  become 
ftronger^  fo  as  at  length  wee  feede  no  more  vppon  milke,  but  vfc 
fubftantialler  foode,  whereby  we  gather  force  and  ftrength  more 
and  more,till  we  come  to  mans  (late  Now  then,  what  a  thing  were 
it  if  after  wee  haue  bin  made  new  creatures  by  meanes  of  the  Gof- 
pelJ,  wee  will  needes  hang  ftill  vppon  the  dugge ,  and  haue  fo 
littleprofpered,thatweemuft{lill  bee  lulled  in  armes,  and  bee 
not  able  too  fwallov/e  a  peece  of  bread  ,  but  will  needes  bee 
(kill  muzzling  at  the  teate  :  Doth  thys  proceede  of  the  nature  of 
the  Gofpeil :'  No  furely  :  and  therefore  wee  muft  acknowledge 
the  fault  to  be  in  ourfelues. 

So  then  whereas  Sainft  Paule  calleth  the  Galathians  litle  babes,, 
although  he  do  therin  fhew  an  earneft  loue  towards  them:yet  doth 
he  fling  them  alfo,  according  alfo  as  we  fee  how  the  Apoftle  in  the 

Tl  h<c  12  ^P'^^^?  ^^  ^^^  Hebrues  faith  :  How  now  'f  You  ought  to  bee  greate 
*^*  '  *  Clearkesconfidering  the  long  time  that  you  haue  gone  to  fchoole: 
for  this  is  not  the  firft  day  that  the  Gofpeli  hath  bin  preached  vn^ 
to  you, and  yet  you  be  dill  at  your  apcie  and  what  a  fhame  is  that  1 
For  God  hath  done  the  office  ofagoodfchoolemaftcr  towa?  des 
you  and  taught  you  fufficiently.andyou  on  your  parte  haue  playe4 
the  trewands  :  and  fo  what  will  now  become  of  you  'f  For  S.Paulet 
had  long  time  bin  deliuered  of  the  Galathians  in  lefusChrift.anj} 
they  ought  to  haue  bin  growen  ftrong  in  the  faith  of  the  GcfpeJL 
But  beholdjthey  be  M  nouices  5c  raw  fchollers,yea  &  fo  hmiih  as 
ibey  woie  not  whereynto  to  (kdiQf  nor  what  to  fo].lQW.That:is  th^ 


the  Spifl.tothe  (jalathiam.       211 

.firft  point.  And  now  confcqucntly  he  addcth :  that  ke  traueleth  of 
thetn  in  birth  «fV)>  againe.Htt  had  bin  brought  abed  of  them  before : 
howbcit,  that  was  as  ye  would  fay  before  their  time.  Not  that  hee 
had  notgiuen  them  all  that  was  requifite  for  their  inftru<5i:ion :  but 
for  that  they  were  not  able  to  receiue  it,bycaufe  they  were  flii  too 
much  giue  to  their  eaithly  lufts  and  likings.  Now  we  know  that  the  i,Cor,iJ, 
fenfuail  man  comprehendeth  not  the  fecrets  of  God.Therefore  wc  j^. 
muft  be  difcliarged  of  our  owne  nature ,  that  we  may  be  rcnued  in 
God  :and  the  thing  which  we  call  Rcgeneration,that  is  to  fay  new 
birth  or  fecond  birth,  doth  vs  to  wit  that  the  old  man  whiche  is  in 
vs,mufl:  be  mortifyed  and  as  it  were  chaunged.  For  afmuch  then  as 
the  Galathians  had  not  giuen  place  to  tiie  dodrine  of  the  Gofpel : 
therefore  Sain6l  Paule  fayth  that  hee  muft  bee  fayne  to  bee  W)'th 
childe  with  them  agayne,yea  euen  till  Ufui  Chrijle  he  fa/hiomd  in 
yoti  fayth  he.This  faying  is  added  to  fweeten  that  whych  was  fom- 
what  fowre  of  itfelfe.  For  what  a  (hame  was  it  that  they  whych  had 
receiued  the  earned  pennye  of  their  faiuation  in  baptim,  and  in  the 
Lords  fupper,  (as  there  were  many  of  them  both  men  and  women 
that  had  bin  taught  at  the  age  of  twentie,thiitie,fiftie,or  threefcorc 
yeeres)aftcr  proteftation  made  before  God  that  they  were  fully 
renued  in  lefus  Chrift,  (hould  neede  to  be  as  it  were  new  molten, 
caft,and  fafhioned  agayne :'  And  m  that  refpe<ft  Sainft  Paule  fayth, 
all  lefus  Cbrifl  hefajhioned  in  you  As  if  he  (hould  fay,  I  maruell  that 
you  (hould  be  ftill  as  little  babes,  and  that  I  (hould  be  forced  (as  ye 
would  fay)  to  receiue  you  againe  into  my  womb  and  bowells,  till 
the  time  came  that  yee  might  be  riper  than  you  haue  hitherto  bin : 
and  yet  am  I  afraide  alfo  leaft  the  peine  and  trauell  that  I  haue  ta- 
kenamongyoube  loftandmifpent,  and  that  you  bee  notfowell 
fhaped  and  fafhioned  as  were  to  be  defired.  1  hus  yee  fee  breefly 
howe  Sainft  Paule  mitigateth  the  rigoure  that  myght  haue  bin  too 
great,and  haue  wou  ^ed  the  Galathians  too  fore,  when  hee  faydc 
vnto  them,  What  <  Yee  bee  as  it  were  borne  before  your  time :  I 
thought  I  had  cocciued  you,  bred  you,bome  y  ou,and  brought  you 
vp  in  lefus  Chrift,and  1  fee  now  there  is  no  life  in  you,  at  leaftwife 
no  fpirituall  life,and  that  all  is  flipped  and  vanifhed  away.  If  Sain(^ 
Paule  had  ftayed  there ;  furely  thofe  wretched  people  bad  bin  dri- 

Ddjij.  ueato 


Chap'.4  foXal.xxyiij.Sermonypcn 

uen  to  conRjfion  and  vtter  defpaire.  Therefore  to  giuc  tliem  cou-» 
rage  to  returne  againe,he  fayth :  Gotoo,truly  yc  haue  profited  very 
ill  hitherto-.Lut  enter  new  againe  into  the  right  way ,  and  let  t^at 
which  fecmeth  to  be  ftarice  dead  bring  foortli  new  frute  againe^and 
let  it  be  perceiued  that  your  protefting  too  walke  according  to  the 
Gofpell  heeretofore^hath  not  bin  vaync.  For  like  as  if  a  tree  bee  as 
good  as  dead^and  feeme  to  be  vtterly  withercd^it  wil  fpring  againe 
if  a  man  put  new  earth  to  the  roote  of  it  and  cherifli  if.lo  wiil  it  fall 
out  that  a  man  which  is  quite  ftrayed  away  from  the  Gofpell,,fhall 
not  only  bee  as  it  were  eftfoones  begotten  new  againe,  if  hee  bee 
brought  backe  agayne  into  the  way :  but  alfo  the  thing  that  hee  had 
receiued  afore  fhal  do  him  good, as  is  to  be  feene  wherefoeuer  God 
giueth  the  grace  too  bring  thofe  backe  againe  into©  the  right  way 
•  which  were  ftrayed  from  it.  But  furely  that  happeneth  not  too  all 
men :  and  therefore  let  vs  beware  that  wee  abufe  not  Gods  good-, 
neffe,  as  many  of  thefe  skofFers  do,  whiche  tume  away  as  though 
they  had  confederated  themfelues  with  Satan,  whereof  we  fee  ex- 
amples in  thefe  folke  that  defyle  and  vnhalow  themfelues,  and  de- 
face Gods,  truth  to  the  vttermofl:  of  their  poAver.  Andif  anymah 
tume  away  through  vnconftancie,itfeemeth  that  all  is  man'ed^and 
fome  will  fay, what  fhail  a  man  win  by  teaching  of  them?behold,  he 
is  but  a  loft  child  :  and  fo  they  will  conclude  that  there  is  not  one 
drop  of  good  knowledge  in  them.  But  if  God  call  them  agayne,  as 
there  are  many  fuch  examples  to  be  feene :  a  man  (hall  find  that  the 
thing  which  was  as  good  as  choked  Sc  ouerwhelmed  before,fprou- 
teth  againe, like  as  if  dung  were  caft  vpon  a  well  tilled  grounde,  of 
as  if  duft  andfuch  other  things  were  ftrowed  vpon  it,  thjit  which  is 
vnderneath  it  fhoulde  lye  hid  for  a  time,  but  afterwavd  it  wouldc 
fhoote  vp  againe.This  in  efFe6l  isthe  thing  thatSain6l  Paule  ment 
to  tell  V  s  heere.But  by  the  way  we  haue  to  marke, that  whereas  hee 
faith  that  hfm  Chifijh^lihefaJhiQned  in  them  neti?  agayne  it  is  meant 
condicionally  that  they  returne  vnder  his  obeyfance.  Surely  thys 
faymg  might  feeme  fome  what  harih  at  the  firft  fight :  for  we  be  ra- 
,  thcr.  fafliioned  in  lefus  .Chrift,  than  he  ixi  vs.  For  proofs  whereof, 
beholde,  lefus  Chrifl:  is  our  full  and  whole  perfe6lioa  N^w>  too 
%  that  he  js  nuvr^ed  ia ys  ^  a  little  babe^  gr  that  he  gr<!)weth  or; 


the  SpiB.  to  the  ^alathians^       2  iz 

isforthered'.isnDtreemelyforhysperfone.  NeuerthelelTe  Sain<^ 
Paule  faith  ro:ho\vbeit,  that  IS  but  too  (hew  the  vnion  that  is  be* 
tvvixt  vs  and  lelus  Chrift  our  head.  Although  then  thatlefus  Chrift 
can  neitlierincreace  nor  diminifh  in  himfeite-.yet  doth  hee  take  all 
ourfaultes  and  infirmities  vppon  him.I  haue  told  you  already  that 
we  are  then  borne  in  him,  when  we  bee  called  too  the  hope  offal- 
uation  by  the  doctrine  of  the  Gofpell :  tor  wee  bee  all  dead  and 
damned  in  Adam.  There  is  but  one  meane  of  lyfe,  whych  is,  to  be 
made  one  with  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift ,  who  is  the  fountaine  that 
hath  all  fulncfle  init,  andwhereoutofit  bchoucth  vstoo  drawc^ 
Then  w€  are  borne  in  lefus  Chrift  (as  I  fayd  afore  : )  fo  doth  hcc 
(uckle  vs  with  the  do61rine  of  his  Gofpell,  till  we  bee  able  too  re- 
ceiue  perfe6ler  learning,  and  till  our  faith  be  fo  farre  forward,  that 
wee  refemble  little  babes  no  more,  but  increace  ftill  in  profiting 
more  and  more, till  we  be  come  to  mans  age,  as  Sain6l Paule  fayth 
in  the  fourth  to  the  Ephefians.  Furthermore  to  the  end  wee  may 
know  that-oure  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  intendeth  not  to  bee  feparated 
from  vs ,  but  that  he  and  we  be  all  one  :  hee  fayth  that  hee  taketh 
our  faultes  vppon  him,and  becommeth  as  a  little  babe  m  vs.  How 
fo:Can  lefus  Chrift  be  weal^ecNo,  not  in  refpe6l  of  hymfelfe  :  but 
for  alhiucli  as  u'«  bee  members  of  his  body ,  hee  fayth  he  is  little 
in  vs  in  refpeft  of  the  little  knowledge  of  hym  whiche  wee  haue. 
And  for  afmuch  as  we  proceede  ftill  further  and  furthenhe  faith  ai- 
(o  that  hee  groweth  and  is  increafed  in  vsLo  heere  a  record  of  ex- 
cellent goodnefle,  yea  of  the  infinite  goodnefie  of  Gods  fonne, 
in  that  ic  pleafeth  him  fo  to  abace  himfeife ,  as  not  onely  too  hauc 
compafsion  and  pitie  of  our  infirmities ,  too  releeue  them  and  re- 
me  die  them :  but  alfo  tranfformeth  himfelte,  and  is  contented  too 
fay  that  he  is  as  it  v/ere  vnperfed,and  as  a  little  babe ,  t.nd  that  hee 
growethgreater  andj^reater  according  too  the  continuall  increa^  - 
fing  of  our  fayth.And  heere  ye  fee  alfo  why  in  anotherplace  Saincl  ^  ,  , 
Paule  calieth  the  Churche  thefulnefte  of  God  and  of  his  fonne  "^  **'  '^^ 
our  Lord  lefus  Clirifte.  But  fur  eiy  if  we  imagine  that  God  is  not 
throughly  full  and  perfect  in  himfeife ,  but  that  he  hath  neede  too 
borrow  of  vs  :  it  is  ranke  trayteroufnefte :  for  what  are  wee  able 
tQgyuevntohini;'VY^en  hee  ihallhaue  gathered  vs  all  before 

Ddiii).         "^  hym 


Chap.4         Jo.  CaLxxVtij. Sermon  ypon 

him,what  can  he  find  in  vs  but  vttcr  mirerie "!  For  we  bee  plunge^ 
yea  and  vtterly  Taped  in  ir.Vet  notwithftandinghe  telleth  vs  by  the 
mouth  of  Sain6l  Paule,that  we  be  his  accomplifhment,  and  that  in 
that  refpefl  he  is  after  a  fort  imperfe6l.  Not  that  he  could  not  bee 
without  vs-for  he  hath  bin  always  euerlafHngly,  before  he  had  cre- 
ated the  world.And  although  there  were  nother  heauen  nor  earth, 
could  not  God  be  fatiffyed  with  himfelfeC' Were  hee  nor  riche  y- 
nough  of  his  ownegloryc'Ves  furely.but  he  will  not  be  perfect  nor 
fully  fatiffyed  til  he  haue  vs  knit  in  one  with  him.Thus  ye  fee  what 
we  haue  to  marke  vpon  this  text.  And  by  this  word  Fafhion  we  be 
warned, that  it  is  not  ynough  for  vs  to  haue  fome  flight  knowledge 
of  our  Lord  Icfus  Chrift :  but  that  he  muft  be  fo  liuely  fhaped  in  vS 
to  the  fuli,as  we  may  haue  fuche  a  print  of  his  power,of  all  his  gra- 
ces, and  of  al  I  his  benefytes  grauen  in  our  harts,  as  may  neuer  bee 
blotted  out  or  defaced  againe.  Hj?  fayd  heeretofore,  that  when  the 
Gofpell  is  preached  with  fuche  efficacie  as  belongs  vnto  it,  lefus 
Chrifl  is  after  a  fort  crucifyed  among  vs :  in  fomuch  that  wee  not 
only  fee  him  peinted  liuely  afore  vs,  but  it  is  afmuch  as  iHwQe  faw 
him  vpon  the  CrofTe ,  with  his  bloud  ftreaming  downe,  as  though 
he  were  prefently  offering  vp  the  euerlafling  facrifife  to  Godhys 
father,  to  wafh  away  all  our  otfences  and  mifdeedes.  Now  lyke  as 
God  fhcweth  vs  that  fauoureifo  let  vs  on  our  fide  beware  that  we 
let  not  the  thing  flip  that  is  fet  afore  vs,as  many  folkc  do,  who  whe 
they  haue  gotten  the  vnderflanding  of  atwo  orthree  wordesof 
the  Cjofpel,do  fall  to  florifhing,  and  thmke  themfelues  to  haue  too 
much,  whereas  notwithfhinding  they  haue  but  a  confufed  imagi- 
nation. Therefore  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  though  they  be  vt- 
terly at  their  wittes  ends  in  euery  temptation  be  it  neuer  fo  fmall, 
fo  as  aJl  that  they  weene  themfelues  to  haue  leanied,femcth  them 
to  no  purpofe  :for  God  doth  by  that  meanes  punifh  their  negli- 
gence. VVherefore,  in  afmuche  as  God  hath  graunted  vs  the 
grace  toknowe  hys  fonne :  let  the  forefaid  reprefentation  be  prin- 
ted in  vs  as  oft  as  we  come  to  any  Sermon,  and  let  vs  bee  renue  J 
in  knowledge  and  remembrance :  that  when  the  Diuell  iTiall  la- 
bour to  darken,  and  finally  to  deface  the  fayth  which  we  fhali  con- 
ceiue^he  may  gaine  nodiing  at  gur  laands  bicaufe  we  haue  the  liuely 

impreC- 


the  EfiH.to  the  (jalathians.        215 

imprcrsion[[of  Chriftes  facrifize]  To  deepely  grancn  in  ourhartes, 
SIS  it  may  well  bee  fayd  that  he  is  truely  and  throughly  fiifhioned  in  ' 
vs.  And  herein  it  to  is  be  feene,  that  thePapifles  haue  vtterly  re- 
nounced our  Lord  lefus  Chrift :  For  they  cokes  the  world,  faying 
that  it  is  ynough  too  haue  a  confufed  faith^  and  that  men  muft  not 
bee  too  inqui{itiue,and  that  it  is  perlous  for  men  to  indeuer  them- 
felues  to  profit  in  the  Gofpell.  Behold  their  blafphemies.But  heere 
wee  lee  how  S.Paule  telleth  the  Galathians,that  it  is  a  grejit  fhame 
for  them  that  lefus  Chrift  Chrift  fhould  bee  faftiioned  new  ageyne 
in  them,raying  that  it  is  all  one  as  if  they  were  doted,  and  had  not 
receiuedthedo^lnneasthey  ought  too  haue  done  which  had  bin 
preached  among  them.  Therefore  if  wee  doo  our  dutie  and  bee  as 
good  fcholers  too  Godwarde,  as  he  is  a  good  and  faithful  fchole- 
maifter  towardes  vs :  furely  wee  fhall  not  haue  an  intangled  faytli 
of  fome  confufed  imagination,  but  wee  (hall  beholde  the  fonne  of  2  Cor.i  d, 
God  as  he  is  fpoken  of  the  Corinthians,  where  it  is  lay  de  that  the  ^3^ 
Gofpell  is  the  true  looking  glafle  wherein  wee  behold  Icfus  Chrift 
as  it  were  in  the  face.  Not  that  wee  fee  him  widi  our  eyes,  for  that 
is  referucd  to  the  laft  day^at  what  time  we  fliall  be  lyke  vnto  God. 
As  then  his  glorie  ftiall  bee  Rilly  difcouered  vntoo  vs :  but  as  nowe 
wee  behold  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  in  the  Gofpell  fo  farre  forth  as  is 
meeteforvs,  andasourweaknefteand  rudeneOe  will  beare,  that 
wee  may  bee  transformed  and  faftiioned  like  vnto  him.  And  wher* 
as  S.Paule  addcth,  that  be  y^ouldfaine  be  "^itb  ^/v  GaLthiain,  to  chjtigt 
bhjpeeche  bicaufe hey^as/orie  for  them :  therein  he  bewrayeth  ageine 
ho'A'e  grofleand  intolerable  their  fault  is,  fithehe  wotethnotat 
which  cnde  too  begin  with  them,  and  that  although  he  haue  bred 
them  in  lefus  Chrift,  and  fed  them  vp  with  the  doc^rin  of  the  Gof- 
pell,yet  he  knoweth  not  how  to  rule  them  any  more,  wheras  not- 
withftanding,  a  mother  ought  to  knowe  the  complexion  and  na- 
ture of  hir  childe.Necdes  then  muft  thofe  men  bee  vtterly  fioward 
and  leaudmynded,  whofe  fathers  and  mothers  are  at  their  wits  end 
and  wote  not  how  to  behaue  themfelues  :  and  when  their  children 
are  become  eyther  ferpents  full  of  poyfon,  or  Lyons  full  of  pryde 
and  ftubbornneflejfo  as  they  be  paft  teaching  or  handling :  it  muft 
aeedes  be  that  tliey  are  become  feendes.And  yet  doth  S  Paulc  vp- 

Dd.v.  biay^ 


Chap.  4  fo£aLxx^iij.Sermon  ypon 

braydc  the  Galathians  with  it.  Howbeit,  in  ftead  of  blaming  them, 
let  vs  fee  if  the  like  vice  bee  not  to  bee  founde  in  vs :  namely  that 
when  God  openeth  his  month  to  teache  vs,  he  finde  vs  To  fickle- 
headedjthat  he  muft  be  fayne  to  alter  his  ipeeche  at  euery  tume.It 
>js  true  that  he  can  welinough  vveeld  our  hearts  when  it  (hall  pleafc 
him.  But  we  treate  not  heere  of  his  fecrete  power  wherby  he  wor- 
keth  in  his  chofen.We  treate  heere  but  only  of  our  owne  nature, 
how  beaflly  it  is  if  it  be  confidered  in  it  felfe,  and  of  the  preaching 
of  the  Gofpel.  Are  not  they  that  would  preach  the  do6lrine  of  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chriil  faythtully,  ftriken  continually  in  heauinelTe  tc> 
Tee  men  fo  beafliy  as  they  fhev/  them  felues  to  bee:'  For  our  tafting 
of  the  goodnes  of  our  God  ought  to' tame  vs.  Surely  we  ought  to 
giue  good  eare  to  his  do6lnne :  and  if  wee  could  bee  drawen  vnto 
him  by  gentleneffe,  or  if  wee  would  bee  warned  with  eueiy  little 
beckening  of  his  finger,  like  the  childe  that  feeketh  too  pleafe  his 
father, who  as  foone  as  his  father  dooth  but  fpeake  the  worde,hath 
his  feete  readie  out  ofhande  too  runne  whither  foeuer  his  father 
fendeth  him,  and  both  his  hands  ready  fo  doo  whatfoeuer  he  com- 
maundeth  him :  he  fhould  not  ncede  to  vfe  long  procefle  with  vs. 
But  when  God  Ipeaketh  to  v5,  we  be  fo  dulwitted  as  we  wote  not 
what  he  meeneth :  or  elfc  wee  flop  our  eares,  that  cry  he  neuer  To 
loude.  It  is  to  no  purpofe,  for  wee  abide  alwaycs  at  one  poyntc. 
Therefore  the  thing  that  S.  Paulehath  fpoken  in  this  text,  ferueth 
not  for  any  one  people  alone :  but  it  is  all  one  as  if  he  blamed  the 
xvholc  world  in  all  ages  for  vnthankfulnefle ,  faying  that  God  is 
afcer  a  forte  greeued  with  vs  for  beeing  fo  crooked  and  frowarde, 
and  for  the  great  number  oflurking  holes  and  hypocrifies  that  arc 
in  vs :  in  fo  muche  that  if  he  vfe  vs  gently,  wee  become  fo  muchc 
the  more  Rurdie  :  and  if  he  handle  vs  roughly,  wee  kicke  agaynft 
the  fpurre.  Andingopdfoothe  wee  fee  what  his  gentlenefle  and 
roughneffe  auayle  vs :  that  is  to  wit,  fo  little ,  that  our  leaudnelTc 
muft  needcs  be  ouergreat,  feeing  he  can  not  winne  vs  by  the  one 
nor  by  the  other.  T  herefore  let  vs  bethinke  our  felues  throughly. 
Furthermore  forafmuch  as  God  is  willing  to  beget  vs  by  his  word, 
to  the  end  we  fhould  be  his  children,and  in  the  end  obteyne  inhe- 
ritance whcrvnto  he  hjith  adopted  vs  by  our  Lgrd  lefus  Chrift,and 
'      '"_''"',  '  which 


theEpi?LtotheCjalathians.       2[,|, 

wKich  he  harli  purchafed  for  vs  by  the  death  5c  pafston  of  him  that 
•  is  the  true  &  only  heire :  as  oft  as  vve  come  to  Sermons,  or  any  of 
vs  reade  the  holy  Scripture,  let  vs  confider  to  what  end  it  ferueth. 
And  moreouer,if  wee  iinde  not  fuche  power  and  efficacie  in  Gods 
worde  when  wee  heare  it  preached  or  read :  let  vs  blame  our  own 
naughtinelTe  or  dulnefle  for  it,  aflfuring  our  felues  that  the  woridc 
.  doth  ftill  hold e  vs  backe  and  hinder  vs  too  much :  and  let  vs  pray 
God  that  his  worde  may  not  bee  vnproiitable  to  vs.  Befides  this, 
when  we  be  once  reformed  by  it,fo  as  we  are  become  his  children: 
let  vs  dayly  fecde  vpon  it,  afTuring  our  fckies  that  wee  haue  neede 
of  it  all  the  time  of  our  HlQ,  and  that  wee  bee  not  yet  come  to  the 
perfection  wherevnto  wee  muft  tende.  Wherefore  let  that  ftirrc 
vs  vp,and  let  vs  alwayes  be  earneftly  minded  to  go  dill  forwarde, 
fill  wee  ftickefafte  toooure  Lorde  lefus  Chriile,  and  let  vs  take 
good  heede  that  wee  doo  not  (lop  and  fKet  vp  the  palTage  that  he 
(hould  haue  to  vs,to  guide  and  goueme  vs  to  our  fafctie.  And  this  2.Cor;6  f 
is  the  very  fame  thing  which  we  haue  feene  S.Paule  vpbrayde  tbe      j2» 
Corinthians  with,namely  that  he  coulde  not  come  at  them  :  and 
why:  It  was  not  longof  me,fayth  he^VVherof  then:  Euen  of  your 
owne  ouerflrayghtnelTe  Be  fLnrrking  backe :  and  bicaufe  ye  fubmit 
not  your  felues  to  God,but  rather  draw  from  him,  or  elic  flirinke 
backe  into  your  lurking  holes :  I  am  fayne  to  talke  to  you^now  in 
one  fpeeche  and  now  in  anotherSo  then  according  to  his  vpbray- 
ding  of  the  Corinthians  tbcre,and  of  the  Galathians  ftill  heere,let 
vs  beware  that  we  be  not  fo  ftreighdaccd  as  we  be  of  our  owne  na- 
ture:but  let  vs  pray  God  togiue  vs  acceffe  to  his  worde.  And  fee- 
ing that  all  our  luftSjOur  fmEill. vanities,and  our  frowarde  affe«5li- 
ons  are  as  barres,gates,and.  fuche  other  things  call  in  the  way,  too 
die  intent  that  Gods  worde  fhould  not  palTe  :  let  vs  fight  agaynft: 
them,let  it  not  only  enter  in  vnto  vs  as  at  a^creuis ,  but  let  it  finde 
the  gate  wide  open,  and  when  focuer  God  fpeaketh ,  let  vs  giue- 
good  eare,andopen  our  harts  and  minds,  to  receyue  the  doftrinc 
righdy  and  roundly ^wheii)y  we  lliouldbe  clenfed,till  wee  be  comc; 
tothefountayne  of  all  clennefle.. 

But  now  let  vs  fal  downe  before  the  maieftie  of  oiirgood  God,, 
widi  ^QQwlcdgementof  QwrfauiteS; praying  himtoomal;e  vs 


Chap.  4  fo.Cal.xxyiij.Sermon  y^pon 

fo  to  feele  them ,  as  wee  may  condemnc  our  felues,  not  only  xviik 
our  moutheSjbutalfo  with  a  true  meening  hart,and  fight  valcantly 
agaynil:  all  our  vices,forfaking  our  felues  more  &  more,  and  labo- 
ring to  rid  vs  quite  and  cleane  of  them ,  and  of  all  the  corruption 
and  linfulnefTe  that  is  in  vs,till  he  haue  drawen  vs  fully  to  himfelf, 
and  that  wee  bee  fo  tranlFormed  to  the  likenelTc  of  his  image  ,as 
wee  may  enioy  his  immortall  glory,  wherevnto  henowe  alkrcth 
vs, Sc  which  we  can  not  poflefTe  as  yet  but  in  hope, vntill  the  latter 
day.  That  it  may  pleafe  him  to  graunt  this  grace,  not  onely  to  vs, 
but  alfo  to  all  people  and  nations  of  the  earth ,  bringing  backe  all 
ignorante  foules  from  the  miferable  bondage  of  errour  and  dark- 
nelTe,  to  the  right  way  of  faluation .  &c. 

The. xxix. Sermon ;^hich  is  the 

Jixth  V[)on  the fonrtb  Chapter, 

ai   TcU  mccyou  that  would  be  vnder  the^rLavv,  hccre 

yee  not  the  Law  ? 
U    For  it  is  written  that  Abraham  had  two  fonncs,' 
the  one  by  a  boiide  woman ,  and  the  other  by  a 
free  woman. 
7.3    And  he  that  was  by  the  bond  vvoma  was  borne  af- 
ter the  flefh :  but  he  that  was  of  the  free  woman 
wasborncby  promife. 
t4    Which  things  arc  fpoken  by  an  Allcgorie:  for 
they  bee  two  Couenaunts.    The  one  from 
mount  Sina  whiche  ingendreth  vnto  bondage, 
which  is  Agar. 
3.5    For  Agar  is  mount  Sina  in  Arabic,  and  reprefen- 
^  teth  that  which  is  nowc  called  lerufalem ,  and 

is  in  bondage  with  hir  children. 

Eucry 


the  Epifl.tothe  (jalathians.       215 

I  Very  man  can  Cay  that  freedome  is  a  thing  Co 
greatly  to  be  defired,that  mas  life  is  as  it  were 
haifc  dead,  or  a  continuall  pinmig  away  with- 
out it.  And  in  very  deede  wee  fhunne  bondage 
and  fubieclion  as  muche  as  is  pofsible,  and 
fecke  freedome  and  libertie,  accordmg  alfo  as 
it  is  named  an  ineftimable  benefite  in  the  com* 
mon  Prouerbe.  Nowe  if  it  bee  fo  m  refpeift  of  this  earthly  lyfe : 
Muche  more  is  it  To  when  it  ftandeth  vpon  the  eueriaftmg  falua- 
tion  of  ourfoules.  But  wee  lee  that  many  runne  into  bondage,and 
tye  the  rope  about  their  owne  neckes  wilfully.  They  can  well  i- 
noughe  fay  that  they  defire  freedome :  but  in  the  meane  whyle 
they  fhewe  themfelues  too  haue  as  it  were  vowed  themfelues 
vnto  flaueric.  And  this  is  fpecially  fcene  and  tryed  to  much  when 
wee  come  too  the  enioving  of  the  freedome  whiche  is  purchafed 
VS  by  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  too  the  ende  that  our  foules  (hould 
haue  reft.  For  although  God  let  vs  free  from  the  bondes  of  Satan^ 
andfromtyrannieof  fmne,  bythe  Gofpell,  in  telling  vsthttthc 
adopteth  vs  too  bee  his  children  :  yet  doo  wee  fcarfly  lee  any  that 
accepte  that  benefite  when  it  is  offered  them,  but  all  doo  plunge 
them  felues  into  the  curfed  captiuitie  of  finne/and  had  leuer  to  bee 
fubiccl  to  their  owne  tufts ,  than  too  walke  at  libertie  by  yeeldin^ 
them  felues  to  the  obeying  of  Go  J.  Not  without  caufe  therefore- 
doth  S.Paule  reproue  heere  the  vnthankfulneffe  of  luche  as  long^ 
to  be  vnder  the  law,telling  them  that  tl.ey  forfake  the  tiling  which 
they  ought  moft  d-iefly  to  wi{hfor,that  is,to  be  franke  and  free  as 
the  children  of  God.  And  heereof  he  giueth  vs  as  it  were  a  looking; 
glaffe  or  liuely  picture,  faying  that  euen  in  the  Law  it  feife  a  man 
may  perreyue  how  wretched  and  miferable  mans  fbte  is ,  fo  long 
<iS  he  abideth  vnder  the  Law.  For  Abrahams  houfe  was  as  a  Uucly 
image  of  Gods  Churche,  There  therefore  wee  maye  fee  what  the 
^tc  of  the  Church  is.Now  it  is  faid  that  Abraham  had  two  fonnes: 
the  one  named  Ifmaell,&  the  other  named  Ifaac.Ifmael  was  borac 
of  Agar  which  was  Abrahams  handmayd,and  hadbtn  giucn  him  to 
wife.Howbeit  there  was  a  foule  fault,in  that  he  could  not  difchar^c 
the  pvoinife  ^bd  bottdcthat  he  had  made  to  iiis  lawful!  wife.Sara. 

Agayne^. 


Chap.  4         fo.CaLxxk.fermonypofi 

Asa^Tic,  wee  fee  that  the  caufe  of  this  mariage  bctvvcene  Abraham 
and  Agar,happenecl  through  the  ouermuch  ha{lincfle  of  Sara,  bi- 
caufe  fhe  thought  that  God  forilowed  the  performance  of  his  pro- 
mife  fo  Jong,  and  (he  was  defirous  to  haue  ifliie.  But  fhee  thought 
that  that  could  not  come  to  paffe  by  liir  owne  meanes,5c  therfore 
file  made  a  very  euil  conftrudion  vpon  Gods  word,and  it  apereth 
that  fhe  was  not  fo  pacient  Sz  well  ftayed  in  kir  fayth  as  was  requi- 
'  fite.  To  be  ihoi  t  the  manage  was  to  be  ccndemned,  and  no  better 
than  whordome,  howbeeit  that  Abrahams  intent  was  not  fo.For 
he  was  not  led  with  wicked  luft.  He  miglit  very  well  haue  defired 
to  haue  had  the  feede  wherof  the  faluation  of  the  worlde  (hould 
fpring :  but  fee  what  oui*foolifh  intents  doo.  VVKen  wee  attempt 
one  thing  or  other  without  hauing  Gods  word  for  our  warrat,  we 
fhal  be  caried  and  led  into  many  faults  through  our  own  ranineife. 
After  this  maner  is  Ifmaell  borne  of  Agar  the  bondwoman,  and  yet 
is  that  no  Lawfull  mariage  nor  allowed  of  God.  Kaacis  borne  of 
Sara  longtyme  after  Ifmaell :  for  Ifmaell  myght  well  haue  binfix- 
teene  yeere  olde  ere  Ifaac  was  borne.  But  Saia6l  Paule  followy^ng 
the  rccorde  of  Moyfes,  faythe  that  Ifaac  yi^as  I  orne  by  frrniyfe,  and 
Jfmaeli after  thefiefhe.  Not  tliat  Abraham  begat  not  tis^^nne  Ifaac : 
but  that  he  did  it  by  power  from  heauen,  bycaufeiiis  body  was  aU 
j-eaoy  withered  and  as  good  as  half  dead,  afid  he  had  not  anymore 
luflineffe  in  him.He  was  a  man  of  a  lumdr^d  yeeres  old,.&  his  wife 
alfo  pricked  much  aboutthe  fam.e  age,  who  had  bin  barrein  all  the 
foretime  of  hir  life,&:  was  full  fourfcore  &  tenyeres  old  or  there- 
abouts ere  ihe  might  conceiue  Sc  be  with  child;in  fomuch  that  eue 
/hchirfelfe  alfo  thought  it  to  be  but  a  tale  and  a  laughing  matter, 
<ff.  18,^.12.  when  the  melfage  was  brought  him  by  the  Angels.  Yee  fee  then 
that  Ilaac  was  borne  by  promife.  For  in  that  cace  God  wroughte 
by  m.iracle,  too  the  ende  it  might  beeknowen  that  our  Lord  lefus 
fliouldbecfentintothe  worlde,  not  after  the  common  order  of 
nature ,  but  as  proceeding  of  Gods  goodneffe  and  woonder- 
full  forepurpofe.  But  how'ibeuer  the  cace  ftande,  yee  feehe^ere  in 
the  houfe  of  Abraham  (who  is  as  it  were  a  figure  and  image  of 
the  Churchc)  two  women  with  their  two  children  borne  of  cy- 
pher of  them  gne'Now  as  touching  Agar,  S.PawJeI  fayth- that  fhee 
~  reprc^ 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.       lid 

^■eprcrenteth  mount  Sinay  where  the  Lawe  isgiuen:  and  he  cal- 
^eth  it  a  mountayne  of  Arable,  to  fhewe  that  it  was  not  in  the  holy 
land  which  God  had  appoynted  to  be  the  inheritace  of  his  people. 
AlfoSara  reprefenteth  lerufalem:  not  the  lemfalem  (fayth  he, 
which  is  now  il:anding,for  that  was  corrupted  and  ^one  away  from 
die  lawe  and  pure  doctrine  of  God :  I  fay  from  tlie  lawe,  not  after 
the  maner  that  S.  Paule  taketh  it  heere  to  engender  vnto  bondage: 
but  according  to  the  couenant  that  God  had  made  with  his  people 
in  the  name  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  For  as  muche  then  as  the 
IerufalemwhichwasinS.Paulestime,had  forfaken  lefus  Chrift, 
and  by  that  meanes  difanulled  Gods  couenaunt :  S.  Paule  fayth 
that  it  muft  be  coupled  with  Agar  or  mount  Sinay.  It  is  to  no  pur- 
pofe  (fayth  he)  that  the  lewes  make  their  braga  vnder  colour  of 
their  Temple,Sacrifices  and  fuch  other  things,that  tliey  bee  Gods 
chofenand  peculiar  people:for  notwithftanding  all  thatgeere,  yet 
are  they  as  good  as  baniflied  and  rooted  out  of  the  holy  land,  and 
haue  no  more  but  a  vayne  title  of  the  law.For  let  a  man  looke  vpo 
the  ftate  of  lerufalem  as  it  is  now  to  be  feene,  and  itdifferetli  no- 
thing at  all  from- Sinay.  ^ut  there  is  a  lemfalem  from  abcue  (faith  he) 
that  is  to  wit,tke  Church,  whickbreedeth  vs  before  God^and  fhee 
hauing  the  incorruptible  fecde  of  the  Goipel,bcareth  children  that 
orefree  and  vnbounde,4«<//^^  u  the  mother  cfallthefaythftdlfaccor"  ^^ 
ding 06  it  16  f^rittitit^ioyce  thou  poorc  harein  "^omart.  And  Efay  fpea-    ^  'j'^' 
Jceth  not  to  any  one  woman  :  but  termetli  Gods  Churche  ^o  by  a 
Cmiiitude, which  Church  fhould  fora  time  be  greatly  fcattered.H(s 
fayingthen  is,-veiy  well,thou  fhalt  be  as  aaofcafl,and  tliere, fhal  be 
as  it  were  a  kinde  of  diaorce  betweene  God  and  thee :  but  in  the 
cnde  he  wilLmultiplie  thee  agayne, and  thou  fhalt  h^ue  mo  childre 
than  if  thou  haddeft  flourifhed  of  all  the  while  m  profperitie :  and 
thatcame  to  paffe  when  theGofpell  was  preached  openly  t<>o  the 
world.'For  tlien  the  Church  had  not  only  the  childre  of  Abraham^ 
or  fome  one  certayne  people :  but  through  the  heauenly  feede  of 
the  GofpcIl,fhee brought  foorth  infinite  children  vnto  God  >  of 
all  Nations  andCountreys,farre  and.wide,a:cordingto  the  power 
which  God  vttered  through  the  whole  world.  Lo  heere  in  e.'tecle 
ike  {ub&mccofthetexte which! haue  rehearfed.  But  fijil  of  a.U 


ch.ip.  4         fo.CaLxxix.fermon  ypon 

wceKauc  to  marke;that  wheras  S.PauIe  fayth,  that  thefe  thingi  ari 
Jp^ken  by  an  Jdegorie :  he  ment  not  too  impache  tke  naturail  fenfc 
of  the  holy  Saipture ,  ajwee  fee  howe  fome  haue  doone ,  who 
through  their  foolifh  curiofitie  of  feeking  fonde  fpeculations  in  the 
holy  Scripaire,  haue  turinoyled  and  dilbrdered  all  things ,  eftee- 
mingtheliterallfenfe  to  be  nothing  worth.  This  was  the  caufc 
that  all  things  were  falfified  and  peruerted,  and  there  hath  not  bin 
a  more  diuelifhe  deuice  than  thefe  allegories ,  whiche  haue  borne 
fuch  fway  in  th  e  worl  d^and  as  yet  dill  delight  many  men  fo  much, 
that  they  bee  as  it  were  bewitched  witli  them ,  bicaufe  they  be  ve- 
ry fauourable  and  plaufible.  O  noble  expofition ,  faye  they.  And 
why  fo :'  Bicaufe  that  when  as  it  toucheth  neyther  heauen  nor 
earth,  the  fillie  people  are  rauifhed  at  it,  and  it  is  an  eafie  matter 
too  hang  in  fufpence  and  mamenng  at  it.  But  Sain^l  Paule  mente 
not  that  the  things  whiche  Moyfcs  reporteth  of  Ifaac  and  IfmaeU, 
(hoiildeonelyferue  forfuche  curions  fpeculations:  but  hefhe- 
weth  that  in  that  florie  wee  fee  in  eff  e6le  the  ftate  of  the  Churches 
bicaufe  that  at  that  time  there  was  no  Churche  in  the  worlde  go- 
tiemed  by  God,  but  orrely  the  houfe  of  Abraham.  There  was  as 
yet  Salem  where  Melchifedeck  was  kyng :  Howe  be  it  for  as  much 
as  the  fame  wente  flill  too  decaye,  God  gathered  a  people  in  the 
perfon  of  Abraham ,  whereby  he  gaue  an  incling ,  that  he  woulde 
bee  called  vpon  by  thofe  whome  he  had  fholed  out  from  the  reft 
-lof  the  worlde.  Therefore  wee  mufte  not  reade  this  florie  of 
Moyfes  coldly  without  looking  any  further,  that  is  too  fay,  with- 
out confideration  of  the  things  that  happened  in  that  houfe,  wher- 
tn  the  ftate  of  the  Church  is  (hew  ed  vs.  Marke  that  for  one  poynt. 
But  nowe  too  come  too  the  principal! ,  let  vs  marke  that  wherft* 
•as  Sain£^  Paule  Hkenetli  Agar  Abrahams  bondc  woman  vntoo 
niounteSmay,  and  vntoo  theLawe  that  was  publifhed  there :  he 
nieeneth  not  the  Law€  with  the  whole  contentes  and  fubftance  of 
it.  For  in  the  Law  there  are  promifes  of  faluation,  which  wee  muft 
Jiope  for  by  ourLorde  lefus  Chrift,  as  Saind  Paule  declareth  in 
dyuers  places,  and  as  wee  our  felueshaue  feene.  Then  if  we  could 
take  the  Lawe  in  hys  r^'ghte  and  lawfull  vfe ,  it  is  certayne  that 
wee  ihottlde  haue  there  the  incorruptible  feede  <)f  lyfc ,  and  God 

would 


theEftH.tothe(jalathians.        i\j 

irould  bee  our  father,  and  we  fliould  be  fet  free  by  him.  The  lawe  in 
deede  hath  ingendred  vntoo  bondage  as  in  outward  refpe6l,  as  hath 
Undeclared  heretofore.    Although  the  fathers  of  olde  time  were 
Gods  children  and  heyres  of  the  kingdome  of  heauen  as  well  as  we: 
yet  were  they  vnder  tutors  and  gouerners.For  they  were  as  yet  like 
little  children^and  the  perFc£lion  of  things  was  referued  to  the  co- 
ming of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift :  and  the  Ceremonies  wereasbrydles 
and  thongSjfo  that  they  which  kept  them  had  not  the  full  freedomc 
tiiat  God  graunteth  vs  to  inioy  now  adiyes  as  it  is  purchaced  for  vs 
by  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte.  Yet  notwithftanding  S.  Paule  fpeaking. 
he  ere  of  the  Lawe  that  ingcndereth  vnto  bondage,  taketh  it  for  the 
falfe  opinion  which  they  had  againft  whom  he  diiputcth.For  he  will 
ftdde  anon,  that  all  fuch  as  are  fo  ingendred,  dial  I  in  the  end  be  bani- 
fhed  and-di  iuen  put  of  Gods  houfe  and  heritage.  Now  although  the 
fathers  were  ingendred  in  outward  bodage,  as  is  fayd  of  them  in  the 
viij.to  the  Romanes :  yet  were  they  free  by  the  fpirit  of  faith,  which 
ouer  ruled  the  bondage,  or  eJfc  they  had  bin  cut  of  from  all  hope  of 
faluation.  To  be  fliort,  S.Paulc  fpeaketh  heere  of  the  lawe,  after  the 
interpretation  wherewith  it  had  bin  cormpted  by  the  hypocrites 
that  buzied  their  heades  aboute  pelting  trifles,  and  woulde  needes 
mal^e  meritorious  deedes  of  them,  and  in  the  meane  whyle  did  caft 
mennes  confciencesinto  fo  ftreyt  bondes,  as  was  ynough  too  choke 
them.  But  hereof  ynough  hath  bin  fayd  heeretofore.Neuerthelefle 
wee  muft  call  to  mind  e  ho  we  the  lawe  hath  bin  compared  with  the 
Gofpcll,  bicaufe  that  {cch  as  will  needes  purchacc  themfclues  righ- 
tuoufnefle  by  it,do  beare  thefelues  in  hand  that  God  is  bound  vnta 
thcjfor  their  doing  of  their  dutie,and  they  think  they  do  it  through- 
ly in  dccde.When  they  hccrc  this  promis,he  that  doth  th^fe  things  r    .    « 
fhall  liue:by  and  by  they  ftreyn  thcfeluesjand  they  bcleue  that  they  ^^^^^-\o^. 
(hall  bring  the  matter  about  to  pcrforme  al  that  euer  Godirequireth      ^' 
*nd  comaundeth J^nd  when  they  haue  once  gotte  the  promis  by  the 
cndjftrcytwayes  they  looke  for  tlie  wages  too;  &  they  neucr  thinkc 
any  more  that  their  faluation  is  a  free  girt,but  that  they  hauc  defer- 
ucd  and  earned  Gods  promisjfo  that  the  eternall  life  is  widi  the  but 
ft  rccopence  of  their  dcferts.  Thus  yee  fee  what  is  nient  by  the  Lawe 
l^hcn  S.Paule  comparcth  it  witli  the  Gofpell.  And  as  touching  the 

Ec-  Goipell 


Ciup4.  fo.Calxxix.  Sermon  ypon  • 

•  Gofpell  he  doth  vs  to  \vit,that  it  is  a  do6lnne  vvhcrby  Gcd  fheweth 
hin-ifelf  to  be  our  father,  with  couemnt  that  we  fhould  be  fet  free  fro 
r*  the  condemnation  of  Satan  and  finne,  yea  and  from  the  curfe  of  the 
Jaw.For(as  wee  haiie  feene  afore)it  is  fayd  that  all  fuch  as  fulfill  not 
the  Jawe  in  all  poyntsfhall  be  accurfed.  Nowe  the  cace  is  fo,  that  all 
of  vs  are  indaugered.  And  by  that  meanes  all  the  world  is  fwallowed 
vp  in  defpayre,  and  there  is  no  remedie,  vnlefTe  God  drawe  wret- 
ched finners  out  of  that  condtmnation^and  acquit  them  of  the  fen- 
tence  that  was  pronounced  againft  them.  Nowe  then  wee  fe e  after 
what  maner  S.Paulc  tooke  the  name  of  theLawe :  namely  that  he 
nient  not, that  the  do6lrine  which  is  conteyned  in  Moyfes,  doth  not 
make  vs  rightly  the  children  of  God,  or  that  it  contayneth  not  the 
promifes  which  were  for  the  euerlafHng  faluatron  of  mankinde  ;  but 
onely  that  before  lefus  Chrift  came  into  the  worlde,  there  was  not 
yet  any  fal  libertie  or  frecdome  as  there  is  now  adayes,Sc  moreou^r 
that  the  hipocritcs  abufed  the  law  by  their  falfe  inteipretations.  For 
they  furmyzed  that  they  could  make  God  amends;,and  thereby  pur- 
chace  fauour  at  his  hand.  And  therefore  S.Paule  fayeth  that  we  fhall 
alwayes  be  in  bondage  till  wee  be  begotten  againe  by  another  kindc 
of  feede, that  is  to  wit,  by  the  Gofpell .  But  let  vs  marke  well  thefe 
wordes, where  it  is  fayd  that  Agar  or  Sinay  reprefenteth  the  lerufa- 
lem  which  was  at  that  time,that  is  too  wit,the  fame  Gitie  x^Jiich  had 
eiftbin  Gods  fan^luar  ie^Sc  (hould  haue  bin  the  welfpring  of  all  hca^ 

^^,  uenly  do6lrine,according  too  Efay  and  Micheas, which  fay.  The  law 

M'^'^  3.    ^jjj  j  ^^^^^  fj.^j^  Sion,and  the  woord  of  God  from  lerufalem.  Kow- 

*^(^*^'^*^*  l^Qii^QYQ^much^sihQlcwts  were  corrupt,  and  had  mingled  their 
own  inuentios  c^:  glozes  with  the  purenefTc  of  the  true  do^Lrine^ye* 
and  had  forfaken  lellis  Chrifl  the  fcuntaine  of  life :  S.Paule  fayeth 
that  that  lemfalem  of  theirs  is  like  Agar  the  bondmayd,  &  like  the 
mountayne  Sinay  which  cannot  ingcnder  but  to  condemnati5 :  and 
that  is  a  thing  well  woorthie  to  be  marked  :  for  it  feructh  too  fiiewe 
riiat  God  did  neuer  fo  tie  his  grace  to  any  one  place,  but  that  he  pu- 
nifiied  the  thankkfnelTe  of  the  inhabirers^v,  he  they  would  not  haue^ 

uyal.  4S.4!'.    ^^  ^^^^  to  i^i^I^q  their  benefit  of  the  good  things  that  he  had  put  in- 

S^^^^S'^'^*  to  their  hands.  Beholdjlerufalem  is  called  Gods  holy  citie,hi£  royal 
^i>  palace^his  houfe,  and  the  place  of  his  abode ;  all  th'eic  t^tk^  are  g?"©^ 

itin. 


the  Epi^Ltothe(jalathians.        218 

itin  the  holy  Scripture.  And  yet  notwichftandingS.  Paul e  fayeth  Math  ,j^,a. 
that  Oic  is  become  Jike  Sinay  abarrein  hill  in  adclene  aiidelendge  >'-  0\2j.f\ 
place^and  out  of  the  bounds  of  the  holy  land  which  God  calleth  his      53. 
refling  ^hct  and  the  heritage  of  his  faithful  and  chozen.Seing  there 
vas  fuch  a  chaunge  in  the  Citie  of  lerufalem,  which  had  bin  chozen 
of  God  and  honored  \vi  Ji  fo  many  goodly  and  excellent  titles:\\'hat 
fhali  become  cf  al  fuch  people  as  do  now  adayes  refuze  the  doclrine 
of  the  Gofpellc  Although  they  were  exalted  to  the  like  honour,  yet 
could  God  wel  yncugli  make  them  to  tumble  into  all  rtproch.V Ve 
fee  what  is  faydof  all  thofe  Cities  where  our  Loid  lefus  Chrill:  had  Aiith  A\,e* 
preached  die  Gofpel :  as  of  Capernaum  and  the  reft.For  they  might     2 1, 
haue  boaftcd  of  their  hauing  of  the  meflage  of  faluation  firfl  afore  all 
others,and  of  Chrides  being  conuerfant  among  them  rather  than  at 
lerufale.But  he  layeth^thou  (halt  be  c?it  down  to  the  bott-om  of  hel: 
and  that  was  bicaufe  they  were  flubborne  &  malicioufly  wilfull,  in 
difdeyningto  rcceyue  the  grace  that  was  preached  vnto  them.  Yea  Sc 
we  fee  what  leremie  fayeth  of  Silo.  Bycaufe  the  lewes  boafted  fo  Im.y,  If 42 
much  oi  their  tosvne  of  lerufale,  vnder  the  colour  of  the  1  epic  and 
the  altar:Go  ycur  wayes  to  Silo  (fayeth  he): was  not  the  Ark  placed 
there  a  log  time  <  did  not  me  lefort  thither  fro  all  coades  to  worfliip 
Godc'did  they  not  offer  facrifees  thererAnd  what  fee  ye  now:'a  ter- 
rible toke  of  Gods  vengcacej^caufe  they  had  not  profited  thefeiues 
by  the  benefite  that  was  offered  to  the  firftofall.  Now  theiiore  let 
,vs  apply  this  to  our  own  in{lru£ci6,  that  whenfoeuer  Gcdfliaii  haue 
bin  fo  gracious  to  vs^as  to  make  his  abode  a  mong  vs,  Sc  as  it  were  to 
plant  his  royall  feege  wi'h  vs  too  reign  e  oucr  vs,  wee  may  walke  in 
fearc  S<.  warenefTcjindeueringon  our  fide  to  obey  him,&  to  fiirowd 
our  felues  foberjy  Scaduifcdly  vnJer  his  wings.For  if  wee  thinke  to 
hold  him  boud  mxo  vs,^  thcrvp5  prefume  to  be  wilfull  in  our  own 
coceyt,  &  vnh^Iovv  the  gratious  gifts  which  he  had  dedicated  to  our 
faluatio :  furely  ft^ch  lewdnelTeflul  not  abide  vnpunifhedSo  the  we 
be  warned  by  the  exaple  of  le  riifale,  to  yeeld  our  felues  pcafably  to. 
the  obeyingof  our  God,  &  to  fulFer  him  to  gouerne  \'S,applying  our 
felues  to  him  in  al  refpe^ls,  w  ithout  puffing  vp  into  vayne  prcfuptio* 
whe  he  fhaj  haue  bcflowed  any  of  his  fpiritual  gifts  vpo  vs,but  rather 
cofcfbing  that  v/e  be  fo  much  tlic  more  bcholde  vnto  him;  &  th ervp5 

Ec.ij.  liildng 


ch^p  4.  fo.Calxxix .  S  ermon  ypon 

taking  occafmn  to  hunible  our  felucs.  And  hccrc  by  the  way  we  fct 
wliat  a  fondncffe  it  is  of  the  Papiftes,too  tie  God  vnto  Rome  vnder 
coIour(as  they  fay)  that  it  is  the  Apoftolike  fea.  Let  vs  put  the  cacc 
k  were  fo, although  we  know  not  why,  for  all  that  they  alledge  of  S. 
Peter  is  but  tales  and  ftarke  lies.It  is  very  certaine  that  S.Paulc  was 
hiJdprifoner  atRome,and  it  may  be  gathered  that  he  was  euen  put 
too  death  there.  Beholde,  all  the  hoiinelTe  of  Rome  is  this,  that  the 
G^fpell  was  perfecuted  there^  and  that  that  Diuclifh  dungeon  hath 
bin  defiled  with  the  bloud  of  the  martirs,as  it  were  to  prouoke  gods 
wrath, and  too  confederafte  it  felf  too  fight  againft  the  truthe,  and  as 
much  as  maybe  to  aboiifh  the  name  and  remembrance  of  our  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift.  Behold  heere  all  the  woorthinefle  of  Rome.  But  now 
admit  that  they  had  the  recordes  which  the  Citie  of  lerufaJem  had, 
whereof  not  withftanding  they  findenotone  fillable  in  the  holy 
Scripture.  It  is  not  fayd  that  God  will  reygne  or  haue  any  dwelling 
in  the  Citie  of  Rome,  nor  that  it  (houlde  bee  named  the  moother 
flh        f  «   ehurch,nor  haue  any  other  dignitie  or  preheminence  at  all.  In  deede 
"^         *  '  Sain6l  Paul«  faycth  that  the  faith  of  the  Romanes,  (8c  yet  they  were 
then  but  a  handfull  of  people,)  was  at  that  time  knowen  euery- 
v/here,euen  to  their  great  renowme.  For  yee  muft  not  thinke  that 
tkoCe  whJche  bare  the  fwoorde  there  were  the  Chriftians  rbut  they 
\va*e  a  fewc  folke  gathered  togithcr  in  couert.  Thofe  dooth  S.Paule 
ppayfe  and  comend  rbut  yet  doth  it  not  follow  that  the  Church' was 
©uer  all  the  whole  townc  of  Rome,  notwithftandingjwhatfoeuer  it 
were,  wee  fee  what  happened  too  IcrufaJem.  Saind  Pauletelleth 
rs  that  it  differed  not  from  Agar  or  Sinay>  which  is  an  vnholy  and 
defiJed  place,  fo  that  the  holyncfTc  thereof  was  vtterly  done  away, 
liycaufe  it  continued  not  in  the  pure  do6lrinc  of  the  GofpclL 
Therefore  wee  may  conclude  that  fuch^  as  haue  bin  nee  reft  vn* 
too  God,  and  too  whome  he  hath  communicated  himfelfe  rnoft* 
familiarly,  fhall  bee  (haken  off  as  ftraungers,  if  they  abyde  not  in 
the purenefle  [^of the tmth^  whichis the  vnfeparable bande  where- 
by wee  bee  made  one  with  our  God.  But  farely  wee  fee  that  now^ 
adayes, the  pure  do6lrine  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  is  not  onely  fha^ 
ken  offjtroden  vnder  foote,defpyzed,5c  skorned  at  Rome :  but  alfo 
truelly  perfecuted  with  fire  &  fword,  &  tolly  that  there  is  no  reii- 

gigo 


the  EpiU.tothe  (jalathidns.      2{p 

gion  at  all  there. For  that  place  is  fo  full  of  filth  and  lewcleneflc,that 
if  a  man  go  thither,  it  is  a  wonder  that  euer  he  fhould  returne  with 
any  feare  of  God  or  with  any  good  feede  inhim.VVee  fee  then  that 
it  is  as  a  dungeon  of  hell :  and  would  God  that  they  which  haue  bin 
there  had  rather  broke  their  neckes,than  lifted  vp  a  foote  to  go  thi- 
ther.For  we  i'ee  prefently^that  the  countrie  of  Fraunce  hath  bin  in- 
felled  with  all  vngodlinefl  e  by  it,  fo  that  the  mofte  part  of  them  are 
become  no  better  than  hogges  and  dogges,  hauing  lefTe  religion  in 
them  than  brute  beafts.  But  yet  (as  I  haue  touched  heretofore)  wee 
bee  warned  hereby  toowalkein  feare  and  warineffe,  and  too  take 
good  heedc  that  we  be  not  bereft  Sc  depriued  of  the  bcnefite  which 
wee  haue  receyued;if  we  abufe  it^leaft  God  poure  out  his  horrible 
wrath  vpponvs,  and  wee  become  as  a  mirrourand  patterncof  re- 
proche  after  the  mancr  of  Ierufalcm,whiche  S.Paule  doth  heere  fet 
vpon  the  fcaffold,  not  withftanding  that  it  had  binfo  hii^hly  hono- 
red before.Furthermoreletysmarke,  thatvnder  the  figure  ofA- 
braham,God  doth  heere  fhewe  himfelfe  a  father  too  all  his  :  and  fo 
ye  fee  we  bee  begotten  of  God/o  as  wee  haue  rcume  in  his  Church. 
But  yet  is  it  not  ynough  for  vs  too  call  vpon  God  as  our  father,  ex- 
cept we  be  rightly  begotten  againe  by  the  incorruptible  feede,  which 
is  vnto  vs  as  a  pledge  of  euerlalling  lyfe  and  faluation.If  itbe  asked, 
how  then  is  itpofsibic  that  wee  fhould  bee  begotten  of  God,  and 
yet  notwithftanding  be  as  it  were  a  baftardfeede :'  Tlie  anfwere  is, 
that  wee  by  our  owne  vice  and  naughtinefTedoo  marreGods  feede 
whicheishiswoorde:  forfois  it  named  by  S.Peter.  Butitiscer-  j  (p^/,|  ^ 
taine  that  'u\  refped  that  the  woorde  proceedeth  from  God  it  con- 
tayneth  in  it  felf  nothing  but  all  goodnelTe.  And  againe  we  fee  what 
purcneffe  fhyneth  there,howe  that  all  the  treafures  of  Godsright- 
uoufnerrc,mercie  Sc  goodnefle  are  vttered  there.Thus  then  you  fee 
what  maner  of  thing  Gods  woord  island  what  is  the  nature  thereof. 
NeucrtheleOe  when  we  corrupt  it  and  falfifie  it  by  our  own  fancies, 
ard  make  a  minglemangle  of  it:  we  may  flill  be  take  for  Gods  chil- 
dren-howbcit  v/e  dial  1  be  but  as  baftard  children,as  fhal  be  declared 
more  at  large  (by  Gods  leaue)  after  dinner.  For  then  will  S.Paule 
dechre,that  although  Ifmaell  were  the  eldefl  Sonne,  yet  was  he  in 
the  endedriuen  out  of  the  houfe  wherein  he  had  taken  the  chiefe 

Ee.iij.  roome 


23- 


Ch.ip.4.         foXal.xxk,  Sermon  ypon 

roomc  \'pon  hini,ho\vbeit  that  he'was  but  a  baftard,  and  alfo  borne 
of  a  bondwoman.  Then  let  vs  marke  that  we  muft  not  oneiy  be  be- 
gotten by  Gods  woord  into  a  pure  fayth,and  God  by  his  holy  fpirit 
inlighten  vs  that  we  may  know  his  will  according  as  he  witnelTcth  it 
vnto  vs.For  if  we  chaunge  his  woord  after  our  owne  fancie,and  dif- 
gu^^e  it :  truly  it  maybe  called  Gods  feede  {till,  but  yet  is  it  not  fo 
indeede,  whatfoeuer  wee  make  of  it,  bicaufe  k  abidethnot  in  his 
own  foundnefle.And  he  ere  ye  fee  the  caufe  why  fo  many  do  now  a- 
dayes  falfly  name  themfelues  Chriftians :  according  as  the  Papiftes 
U'ill  well  ynough  confefle  that  they  beleeue  in  God,  and  that  they 
beecontented  too  hold  themfelues  too  the  holy  Scripture.  But  yet 
forallthatjit  is  apparant  that  they  bee  vtterly  peruerted,  and  that  as 
touching  the  Scripture,  whereas  they  ought  too  receyue  it  with  all 
reuerence,  they  turne  it  too  their  ownc  lyking,  yea  and  make  a 
mockage  and  fcoffe  of  it,  and  (as  I  fayd  erewhyles)  diey  fpewe  out 
this  blafphemie  agaynft  it,  that  it  is  a  noze  of  waxe,  and  that  menne 
may  turne  it  which  way  they  lift :  and  moreouer  it  is  apparant  that 
they  haue  turmoyled  all  things  by  their  owne  forgeries.  For  what 
clfe  doo  men  call  Gods  feruis  in  popcrie,  but  the  things  that  mea 
haue  fette  downc  of  their  owne  brayne.  There  is  no  mention  of  ru- 
ling themfelues  by  Gods  comaundement  and  ordinance.  God  rauft 
fee  thruft  out  of  his  p]ace,and  men  take  vpo  them  that  which  belon- 
geth  vnto  him,  chalendgingauthoritie  too  bring  folkes  confciences 
into  bondage,and  to  make  what  lawes  they  thinke  good.  But  that  ia 
to- villanous  and  outrageous  a  corruption.  On  the  other  ride,whecc 
doo  thxc  Papiftes  draw  the  Articles  of  their  fayth  c'  euen  out  of  their 
•owne  decrees,  for  they  recke  not  toodrawe  anyrefolutionout  of 
jLe  holy  Scripture.  So  then  they  pafle  not  a  whit  what  is  in  the  holy 
Scripture  :  but  if  any  thing  be  agreed  vpo  and  receyued  by  common- 
opinion,  that  is  as  art  Oracle  from  heauen  with  them*  And  wee  fee 
alfo  that  when  they  intend  to  pFOue  any  of  their  toy  es,  the  firftrea* 
fon  that  they  make,is  that  it  is  receyued^and  that antiquitit  ought  to 
preuayle,as  who  woulde  fay  that  there  were  any  prefcription  in  the 
matterrand  thcrevpoa  they  pull  out  certaint  textes  of  the  Scripture 
l)y  the  hearesofthe  head,and  thefe  muft  alfo  help  forward  the  mat- 
terJButfwhen  all  comes  to  alQit  is  butflat  ms^ckerie^Sc  it  is  apparac 


the  EpiH.tothetjalathians.      no 

that  they  wilfully  corrupt  Gods  woord.For  there  is  fuch  grofle  and 
beaftly  ignorance  in  them,  that  very  children  might  iuftly  fpittein 
their  faces  for  it.  So  then  the  Papifls  are  a  fayre  looking  glaOe  too 
vs  at  this  day,  for  ihc  things  that  are  conteyned  heere  in  ii.Paule : 
that  is  to  witjthat  many  of  them  vaunt  themfelues  to  be  Gods  chil- 
dren,and  houfcholdnieynie  of  his  Cluirche^and  yet  notwithflanding 
arc  but  baflard  flippes,and  of  a  corrupted  feede^bicaufe  that  in  ftead 
of  cleauing  throughly  to  the  pure  dodrine  which  were  able  too  be- 
get themagaine  into  the  hope  of  the  heaueniy  life,  they  be  fo  giuen 
to  their  owne  minglings,  that  there  is  not  any  more  foundnefle  ia 
them.But  we  necde  riot  to  go  any  further  too  fhewe  that  the  matter 
which  S.Paule  treateth  ofhecre,  is  verified  too  much  of  the  Pope- 
dome.  For  where  aboutes  is  our  greatefl  ftrife  now  adayes,  but  for 
freewill,for  merites,for  fatisfai6tions,and  for  fuch  other  thingsc'Thc 
Papiftsfay  that  wc  are  able  by  our  owne  free  will;  to  purchace  grace 
at  Gods  hand,  not  that  wc  needc  not  too  be  ayded  and  fuccorcd  by 
his  holy  fpirit,  but  bicaufe  there  is  a  certaine  matching  togirher  (fay 
they)bet\veene  God  and  vs,  fo  as  God  workctli  one  peece  and  wee 
another.  Thus  doo  they  make  v^s  Gods  marrowes,  and  like  as  our 
ftrcngth  would  be  to  weake  if  it  were  not  fuccored  on  Gods  behalf: 
fo  fhould  Gods  grace  (fay  they)  be  vnauaylable,if  we  made  it  not  of 
force  by  our  o  w  ne  mouing  therevnto.  And  herevpon  agayne  they 
.  forge  &  build  tlieir  merites  ;  there  is  none  other  talk  among  the.but 
of  purchacfng  the  realme  of  paradice,  by  making  God  beholden  too 
them  :  &then  ftep  forth  their  merites  and  fatisfa6lions  to  raunfome 
all  the  faults  that  they  haue  comitted.Thus  ye  fee  in  efiefl  what  the 
Papiftes  prate  and  iangle.  Therevpon  they  conclude,  that  it  is  blaf- 
phemie  too  fay  that  Gods  Lawe  is  impofsible,and  that  wee  bee  not 
able  too  performe  it :  faying  that  there  is  no  man  but  he  may  ful- 
ly difcharge  hinifelfe  of  it  when  he  lilleth.  It  is  an  eade  matter  for 
them  too  prate  after  that  fafliyon  in  the  (hadowe :  but  they  that 
fay  fo,  are  naughtie  ruffians,  drunkardes,  fwearers,  and  folke  gi- 
uen too  all  vil  lanie  and  outrage.  For  menne  knowe  well  ynou^Ji 
,what  the  holynefle  of  thelvloonkes,  of  the  fliaueling?,  and  of  all 
the  whole  rable  of  their  rifraflTe  and  Cankerwoormes  is .   But 
wee  on  our  fide  fay  that  vrce  bee  borne  die  bondflaues  of  fmnc,  rjid 

ie.iiii.  arc 


Ck 


foXalxxk.  Sermon  \pon 

are  hild  in  fo  ftreytbandes  vnderthe  tyriinnie  of Sat^-n^that  we  can- 
not fo  much  as  thinke  one  good  thouc^ht  of  well  doing,  but  go  for- 
ward flill  vnto  al  euiljlikc  as  if  an  Afl  e  Ihould  al  wayes  beare  his  yoke 
or  burthen  with  him,  and  yet  wee  finnc  not  but  willingly  :  But  how 
foeuer  we  fare, we  be  fo  faped  in  fmne, that  naturally  wee  cannot  do 
any  thins^  but  offend  God,and  therforethat  he  muft  be  fayne  to  in- 
jarge  vs  and  kt  vs  at  libertie  by  his  holy  Ip'irite.  Moreouer  wee  fay, 
that  the  law  of  God  is  vnpofsibie  to  be  fuifilled,  and  that  it  fheweth 
vs  our  diietie  to  the  end  to  condenine  vs  Sc  to  (lop  our  mouthes,  8c 
too  make  vs  come  before  God  as  wretched  offenders,  too  obtayn* 
grace  at  his  hand  for  the  finnes  which  we  haue  c6mitted,and  to  con- 
found vs  with  fhame,  to  the  end  we  (Iiould  graunt  our  felues  to  bee 
daned^and  fe  eke  to  be  faued  at  Gods  hand,  through  the  grace  of  our 
Lord  lefus  Chrifl.  Finally  wee  fay, that  too  iuftiiie  our  feJues  before 
him,is  a  thing  thatpaffeth  all  our  abilitie,  and  that  he  fupplieth  our 
wants  bicaufe  he  fifteth  vs  not  with  rigcur,nor  entereth  into  accout 
with  vs:  &  that  when  we  haue  offended  him,there  is  none  other4a- 
tisfa6^io  for  it,than  the  facrifize  that  was  offered  by  our  Lord  lefus 
Chrift,norany  other  clenzing,thanto  plundge  our  felues  oiier  head 
and  eares  in  his  bloud.Thus  ye  fee  ho^v  the  doctrine  which  is  cotay- 
ned  in  S.Paule,is  to  be  put  inpraClize  in  refpeft  of  the  difputati5s  of 
the  Papifts  againft  vs.For  it  is  certain,that  for  all  their  bragging  and 
falfepreteding  of  the  name  of  Gcd,and  for  all  their  faying  that  they 
be  his  children  bicaufe  they  be  begotten  by  the  holy  fcripture  :  they 
fliewthat  their  mother  is  Agar  or  Sinay,and  confequently  that  they 
be  bondmen  borne,and  do  tie  the  rope  about  their  owne  nccke,  by- 
caufe  they  haue  no  will  to  go  vnto  God,  too  receyue  the  freedome 
that  he  offereth  them,but  wil  rather  vfurpc  to  theilifelues  the  thing 
that  beiogeth  to  God  only,and  wil  needes  iuftifie  thefejues  by  their 
own  merit-^Sjand  fulfill  the  lawe  of  themfelues.  Therefore  they  bee 
bondchildren.and  continue  flaues  ffil,  and  in  the  end  muft  be  driuen  . 
cjuite  out  of  the  houfe.  As  for  vs,wee  fhall  fee  hereafter  what  proofc 
the  doftrine  hath  which  weholde,&  what  it  bringeth  v;'ith  it :  which 
is,that  we  haue  none  other  freedome  than  is  giue  vs  by  the  do6lrine 
of  the  gofpell,according  alfo  as  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  fheweth  in  the 
viij.of  S.lohn,that  it  is  his  pecviliar  office  to  make  vsfree;&  that  the 

drawing 


the  EpiU.to  tfk  (jalathUm.        221 

drawing  of  vs  oiit  gHafnnationi  is:a  fpeciall  ^^liuilec^g^^aen  vnto 

-bim  by  Qod  his  fadi?r.  Hvei.cFore  wlipr^iwee  come  too  ovir  Lorde 

lefus  Chrid^and  in  hiai  fcekefof  allthing^  ch^t,  wee.  want,kno\v*ing 

that  by  his  meanes  we  be  deliucred  From  the  yoke  of  the  law,  which 

we  are  not  able  to  beare,  and  which  not  onely  made  vs  too  ftoupe, 

l^ut.alfo  weyed  vs  down,e  to  the'bortomc  of  hell :  it  is  the  true  i^ta^ 

that  bes^ctteth  vsaf;airie  into  full  freedcime  too  bee  Gc>c!s  children, 

not  onely  to  be  bruted  fo  in  this  worldcy  but  alfo  to  bee  r^uowed  fo 

at  his  hande  before  his  Angels,  that  in  the  ende  wee  may  ^ome  too 

the  heritage  that  is  bought  fo  dearely  for  vs,  and  which  weecannot 

attaine  to  by  our  owne  power,  but  by  the  meanes  of  him  to  whome 

it  beiongeth;  who  communicateth  it  vnto  vs  according  as  he  offreth 

it  vs  dayly  by  his  Gofpell. 

But  no  we  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  Maiefiie  of  our  good 
God  with  acknowledgement  ofourfaultSjpraying  him  to  make  vs 
feele  them  better  than  we  haue  done/o  as  it  may  make  vs  to  growc 
and  increafe  more  and  more  in  true  repentance,  that  our  comming 
vnto  him  may  bee  in  all  lowlynelTe  without  hypocrifie,beeingafha- 
*^itied  or  our  Vretchednefle,  and  not  feeking  any  other  remedic  than 
"irt' bur  Lorde  RfusGh  rift:  and  that  forafmucheas  our  good  God 
hathidopted  vs  and  fealed  the  grace  of  his  adoption  in  cur  heartes 
by  his  holy  fpirit,we  may  ftand  ftedfaft  in  the  purenefle  of  his  Gof- 
pell, without  adding  any  thingof  our  owne,and  without  marringit 
by  our  owne  interprctations,and  that  hee  fo  holde  vs  in  the  obedi- 
ence of  fayth  by  his  holy  fpirite,  that  lyke  as  he  hath  begonne  too 
fhewe  himfelfebountifulltowardes  vs,  fo  we  alfo  may  go  continu- 
ally forward  to  the  fayd  perfection,  without  fwaruing  afyde  at  any 
time.  And  fo  let  vs  all  fay,  Almightie  God  our  heauenly  father.&c. 

The  jp. Sermon  yVphich  is  thefeuenth 

Vfion  the  fourth  Chapter, 

z6    But  the  lerufalem  vvhiche  is  from  aboue  is  free, 

which  is  the  mother  of  vs  all. 
17    For  itis  vvritten^bc glad  ihou  barrein  which  bca- 

Ee.y*  reft 


Chap  .4.  ^Q^  CaLxxx.  Sermon  ypon 

'    r«ft  nachildrcn^breakc  forth  andcric  thou  that 
^ ' "'  ^ '  trauellefl:  n ot:  for  the  dcfola  tc  hath  many  mo  chil- 
dren than  fhc  that  hath  a  husband 
2.8    And  we  my  brethren,  we  be  children  of  promiTc, 

after  the  manerof  Ifaac. 
1^    But  likeasthen^  heethat  was  borne  aftcrthe  flcfli 
perfecuted  him  that  was  borne  after  the  f pirit : 
cucnfoisitnow. 

30  Neuertheleffe,  what  fayth  the  fcripturc?  Caft out 

the  bondwoman  and  hir  fonne ;  forthefonneof 
the  bondvoman  fhal  not  be  hcire>jrith  the  fonne 
ofthe  free  woman. 

31  So  then  brethren,  webenotchildren  of  the  bond- 

woman, but  of  the  free  woman, 

E  hauc  fecne  this  morning  that  many  do  boaft 
themfelues  to  be  faithfull^pretcndingfalily  to 
be  Gods  childr^,  Scare  To  taken  to  the  vvorld- 
warde,  who  notwithflandingare  butbaftards, 
and  God  difclaymeth  theni^bicaufe  they  haue 
1  corrupted  the  good  feede  whiche  is  the  pure 
do6h-ine,wherby  we  be  begotten  new  again  to 
be  made  partakers  ofthe  free  adoption  wherto  God  calleth  vs.The 
all  that  we  haue  to  do,  is  not  to  be  counted  too  bee  ofthe  Church, 
except  we  be  ofthe  pure  Sc  found  feed,that  is  to  fay,  except  we  fol- 
low Gods  worde  without  any  corruption  or  mingling.  And  for  this 
caufe  doth  S.Paule  bring  vs  backc  too  the  heauenly  lerufalem,  that 
we  might  know  who  is  our  mother.  Truly  to  fpeake  properly,  fuch 
as  peruert  the  naturall  fenfe  ofthe  fcripture  arc  not  the  children  of 
God,and  all  their  crying  and  calling  vpon  him  as  their  father,is  but 
ftarke  lying  and  hypocrifie.Howbeit  forafmuch  as  they  be  taken  to 
be  of  that  degreeiS.Paule  difcemeth  them  out  by  their  mother,  too 
the  end  we  might  know  which  are  Gods  true  and  lawfull  children 
and  allowed  of  him.  For  the  name  ofthe  Church  is  oftentimes  pre^ 

tended 


the  EpiUMthe  Qalathiam.        22i 

tended  at  al  aduenture,and  in  thefe  dayes  the  Papifts  make  a  buck- 
Jej  of  it  to  fiieeld  theiKcrrours  withall.  And  bicaufe  the  holy  fcrip- 
turcis  againfl  them: they  thinke  it  may  feme  them  for  acouert,that 
they(as  they  wene)haue  the  Church  on  their  fide.  Yea  but  S.  Paule 
telleth  vs  that  we  muft  be  wife  to  difcern  which  is  the  true  Church. 
For  the  lewes  had  colour  ynough  to  (hew  that  God  had  his  abiding 
place  in  lerufalemjbicaufe  hee  had  chofen  it  out  with .  afTurance  that  ipri 
he  woulde  reft  there  for  euer,  as  we  haue  feene  this  morning.  And      .1        * 
yet  notwithftanding  the  very  fame  lerufalem  became  as  a  denne  of 
•heeueSjbicaufe  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  was  crucified  there ,  and  the 
lewes  were  for  their  \'nfaythfulne(re  cut  vtterly  off  from  the  houfe 
of  Godjbicaufe  they  had  indeuered  to  the  vttermoft  of  iheir  power 
to  abolifh  his  truth.  Though  the  name  of  lerufale  had  earft  bin  jho- 
norabJe  :  yet  was  it  then  had  in  reproch  and  difdein  both  before  the 
Angels  and  before  all  the  faithfull.Euen  fo  at  this  day  w^  ought  to 
confider  well  which  is  the  Church,to  the  ende  that  we  be  r)ot  chil- 
dren of  a  baftarde  feede,  and  fo  God  (hake  vs  offiand.baniftie  vs  out 
of  his  houfe,for  pretedinghis  name  fofalfly  through  hypocrifip  be*- 
fore  mer>.  In  deede  it  is  a  Verie  excellent  honor  that  God  giueth  to 
his  Church;  in  faying  that  fhe  is  the  ntpth^r  of  all  the  faythfult,  and 
it  agreeth  with  S.Paules  report  in  another  place,  where'hff  fayeth,     -..        ^ 
that  fhee  is  as  it  were  the  pillcr  that  vpholdeth  Gods  truth  in  tliys  '  ^   '^ 
Worlde.Not  that  the  truth  hath  any  neede  to  be  mainte^'ncd  by  vs,       ^  * 
which  are  inclined  to  all  lightnefTe  and  inconftancie,and  which  hauc 
nothing  m  vs  by  nature  but  vntruthifbr  what  ftedinelTe  is  there  ta 
be  found  in  vs,to  fay  that  Gods  truth  fhoulde  flay  Vpon  men:"  But 
bicaufe  that  of  his  infinite  goodnefle  it  is  his  wilkO  haue  his  worde 
preached  here  beneath,and  hee  hath  committed  the  charge  thereof 
to  fuch  ashe  dalleth  therto,  ih  refpe^l  whereof  the  .Church  is  called 
the  mother  of  vs  al  1  .For  as  our  lord  lefqs  Chrift  telleth  vs)  w^c  hauc  ^'^^'^3-  »• 
but  one  father,which  is  God^yeaandhe  is  the  father  aS  well  of  our       ^* 
bodies  as  ofourfoules.Howbeit  God  is  ourfpirituall  father  with- 
out hauing  any  make,&  yet  notwithftading  he  bcgetteth  vs  into  the 
hope  of  eternall  life,and  that  is  by  the  meanes  of  his  Church>wher- 
into  l^e  hath  put  die  faid  incorruptible  feed,  according  as  he  faith  by    Aj'S9-^ 
the Prophete Efay ;  My  worde  (fay thhe}{lial]  be  inthy  mouth,  and      ^ w 

continue 


Clinp4-.:  fo.CaLxxx.Sermon'^pon 

continue  whK  tliy  cKildrcnfroin  time  too  tin^ie,  and  with  all  thofc 
thatdiali  come  of  tliy  race.Thus  ye  fee  howjGod  intendetli  to  goj- 
uerne'histaithfuil  or'es,  naoiely  by  his  vvorde,  which  he  maketh  to 
bee  as  a  pledge  and  ineftimable  treafure  of  faluation  in  his  Church, 
to  the  ende  that  we  fhould  be  begotten  and  nurrifhed  with  it.Ther- 
fore(asI  haue  toucl>ed  alreadie)  we  had  neede  too  bee  fo  much  the 
^^  ^ « ^  }^  }.q  ftiore  skilfuller  in  difcerning  the  Church.   For  feeing  it  is  the  mo- 

\^^f  "  therof'Godschiidre; the  name  ofitqughtnottobediQionoredand 
trampk'd  vnder  foote,nor  yet  defiled  as  it  is  feene  to  be  nowaday es. 
There  is  not  a  more  common  trecherie.than  to  put  forth  the  name 
ofthe  Church  to  deface  and  dai-ke  Gods  truth.  For  whereat  do  the 
Papifts  ami  nowadayes  in  vaunting  with  full  mouth  and  full  throte 
th At  they ■b'e the  'Church,  but  to  floppe  Gods  hiouth,  and  to  thruft 
his  wo^de  V'nder  foote^that  it  might  no  more  be  fpoken  ofjand  that 
iri  the  meafre  while,  the  things  that  men  haue  forged  after  their 
own I'yldng, fhould  be  receyued  without  any  gainfaying,and  flicked 
to  And  obeyed:^  VVe  fee  then  that  rhen  which  are  but  earthwormes 
and  roftennefle,  are  put  into  the  balance  agaynft  God,flnd  all  vnder 
pre^hee  offhe  Chtirch:  ^'Biflt  here  Saint  Paule  warneth  vs  to  feekc 
the  (thlireh  which  hath  thc.pure  dodrine  whereby  wee  were  adop- 

,.  ^,:'--  .  ted  of  God  tt)  be  hisr  children.  Nowc  I  haue  tolde  ybu  heretofore, 
that  the  whole  matter  lyeth  in  our  being  ingreffed  into  the  bodie 
of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  and  alfo  iri  oiir  acknowledging  that  wee 
be  accurfed  by  nature, that  all  our  workes  are  but  filthine{fe,that  the 
Diuclt  holdeth  vS  fubie6^  to  his'tyrafinie,and  that  there  is  none  o- 
th^f  helpe  for  Vs/bet  that  God  fhould  reteyiie  vs  to  mercie  and  pi- 
tie.  '  Therefore  J^t!  ^s  go  into  Gods  houfe  by  the  fayde  gate,  that  is 
to  witjby  acknowledn'ng  that  there  is  none  other  way  for  vs  to  get 
,  :   iH;  tut  by  the  ;6riely  mere  grace  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  Thus  ye 

fee  howe  the  Church  dodi  breede  vs  and  beare  vs,  verely  euen  by 
the  forefayde  incorruptible  feede./Nowe  that  we  may  fare  the  bet^ 
t^rby  this  text,  wee  hatte  twopoyntestoomarke.  The  one  is  that 
we  muft  not^be  likethefe  fantafeicall  fellowes,  which  thirike  they 
maybe  faythfuU  without  readings  or  preachings,  bearing  them^ 
fclues  in  haride,that  the  holy  Ghoft  ought  to  reueale  hi'mfelfe  too 
them  by  dreame,or  I  wote  not  hpwe  elfe.  And  in  good  fobth  they 
r.i-iii'   . .'  '       defpize 


the  Epift.to  the  Cjalathians.      ii^ 

dcfpizc  all  do^rine,  and  (to  their  fecming)  all  inftru^lion  is  tut  as 
an  Apcic  foryong  children.  Let  vs  beware  that  we  let  not  our  fel- 
lies looce  after  that  fafhion  by  the  mcanes  of  Satan  and  of  his  wiles. 
But  ifwt  couet  to  bee  counted  Gods  children,  and  tohauc  the  true 
marke  whereby  wee  may  bee  knownc  before  the  Angelles :  let  vs 
fufFer  our  felues  too  bee  taught ,  and  let  vs  keepe  the  order  of  the 
Church  with  all  rcuercncc  and  lowlinelTc.  And  fo  the  greateft  fort 
and  fuch  as  arc  exalted  to  any  degree  of  honour,  ought  alwayes  to 
"be  throughly  perfuaded  in  themfelues,  that  thegrcateft  dignitic 
which  is  pofsible  for  them  to  haue,  is  to  be  children  of  the  Church, 
yea  though  they  were  Kings  and  Princes.   For  hee  that  exempteth 
himfelfe  from  that  ftate,  doth  vtterly  renounce  God,  and  cut  him^ 
felfe  quite  off  from  all  hope  of  faluation.    Therefore  marke  it  for 
a  fpeciall  poynt,  that  fo  long  as  we  be  in  this  world c,  wee  mufl:  in*- 
deuer  too  profite  in  Gods  woorde ,  bycaufe  that  that  is  the  place 
"where  all  our  fpirituall  life  lycth :  and  that  like  as  God  hath  begot* 
ten  vs  againe  by  it,  fo  alfo  we  (hall  bee  fed  by  it  too  the  cndc,  as  by 
the  onely  food  of  our  foules.  Then  let  vs  not  bee  foproudc  and 
prefumptuous  as  to  defpize  all  teaching,  as  though  we  had  no  more 
need  to  be  fcholers.But  let  vs  from  day  to  day  rcceyue  that  which  is 
toldevs,andbythat  meanes  let  vs  become  true  children  of  *the 
Church.  Thus  much  for  that  poynt.  The  feconde  poynt  is  that  we 
niuft  difceme,  and  not  bee  as  beaftes  that  are  driuen  ouer  marifes, 
and  ouerthwart  the  wide  fie  Ides :  but  confidervhich  isthe  Churchy 
according  as  God  hath  imprinted  certaine  fignes  of  the  Churche,. 
which  fignes  will  neuer  decciuc  vs.  Therfore  when  we  haue  God» 
worde  preached  vnto  vs  purely  widiout  any  mingling,  fo  as  there 
is  no  corrupting  of  the  Gofpell,  but  we  be  led  wholly  vnto  God  to 
feekc  all  our  welfare  in  him,and  kepcthe  way  which  is  fliewed  vn* 
to  vs,  which  way  is  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,fo  that  wee  bceing  riddc 
of  all  pride  and  ouerwecning,  do  fuffer  our  felues  to  bee  clad  witb 
the  clothing  that  is  offered  vs  in  our  Lorde  ledis  Chrift^nd  rcpofe 
al  our  glory  ther,  1  fay  whe  we  haue  the  doilrine  after  that  manerr 
then  is  it  Gods  houfe  and  San6luarie,then  is  it  the  true  Church  and 
our  mother,  and  we  may  bee  well  affured  tliat  God  alfo  auoweth 
«md  accepted!  vs  as  his  children.  This  (fay  I)  is  a  muft  fure  and  in* 

failibU 


Chap4^  ^Q^  CaL  XXX.  Sermon  ypon 

fallible  proofe,at  Jeaflu^ife  if  we  become  not  brute  beaftes  wilfully, 
as  we  fee  many  do, who  fhet  their  eies  Sc  flop  their  eare$,ancl  beare 
thenifeiues  in  hand  that  they  be  fafe,  if  they  can  once  pretende  the 
name  of  the  Church,to  hide  aiitheir  abufes  and  trumperie£,and  the 
illufions  of  Satan  with  it.VVherfore  ler  vs  nor  bee  fo  beaflly  by  our 
x>wne  wilfulnefieibut  let  vs  confider  whither  God  fendeth  vs  to  be 
truly  regenerated  by  the  feed  of  his  worde,and  to  bee  fed  with  it  as 
with  our  only  food-And  for  the  fame  caufe  alfo  is  tliis  text  of  Efay 
4iledged,God  fpeaketh  not  at  randon  to  fo<ne  multitude  that  might 

i5yS.c4.4.i  vaiuit  themfclues  too  bee  the  Churcb,  bur  onely  to  the  fiocke  that 
ihould  be  left,  after  that  the  leweshad  bin  horribly  run  aflray  and 
Scattered  afunder,  as  we  know  to  haue  happened  vnto  them,  i^urely 
at  the  iiril:  light  a  nian  woulde  haue  thought  that  God  had  xtterly 
haniilied  and  abolifhed  bis  Church  out  of  die  worlde  :  and  yet  not- 
Avithflanditig  he  had'  gathered  togither  a  fmall  number  of  them,and 
thofe  are  called  the  remnant  of  the  free  election.  For  which  civ.^Q 

-^  the  Prophet  Efay  fayth,  that  luch  as  arc  redeemed  and  vnfeyne ::  ly 

J  J*  •  •  y  returned  vnto  God,to  rule  their  life  obediently  after  his  worde,are 
the  children  of  the  Church.  And  here  we  haue  to  note  by  the  way, 
that  the  Church  tryumpheth  not  in  this  world,ncither  fhineth  v^ith 
fo^ayand  ftately  pompe^  that  men  might  bee  rauifhed  at  the  onely 
fight  ofiCpfo  as  they  fliould  fubiTiir  themfelues  vnto  it :  but  that  it  is 
.    moft  commonly  forfaken,  &  as  it  were  difiigured,and  that  is  a  point 

^y^^"^^-  '  yyQ][  ^yorthie  to  be  marked.  For  whereas  the  Papifts brag  that  they 
haue  the  Church  on  their  fide:  how  are  they  able  to  do  that  :•  They 
mudneedes  bring  forae  euidcnce.  But  they  alledge  not  aught  faue 
their  riches^their  authoritie,  and  the  great pompe  and  brauerie  that 
is  among  them  :  but  thofe  are  not  the  things  that  God  will  haue  his 
Church  knowne  by.  For  we  knowe  that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  will 
reigne  heere  in  the  thickefl:  of  his  enimies,infomuch  that  the  lefTori 
which  he  taught  his  difciples  muftalwayes  bee  verefied  s^ppon  vs, 
that  is  to  wit,  we  fhall  be  forfaken  and  defpyzed  of  the  worlde^men 
rhail  bleare  out  their  tongues  at  vs,  and  we  fhall  be  fo  troubled  and 
vexed  heere,  as  we  may  not  feeke  for  any  peace  or  reft  heere.Nowr 
then,  whenfoeuer  any  mantalketh  too  vsof  the  Church,lct  vs  bc- 
thinke  vs  well  of  the  thing  that  Saint  Paule  telle  tK  vs  heere.  For 

he 


10. 


the  EpiBjo  the  (^alathians.     ii^ 

he  likeneth  the  Church  to  a  widdow,  M'hich  is  ^11  alone  in  Hir  hdufe ' 
and  hath  neither  ruccour  nor  helpe.The  world  forfakes  hir,no  man 
makes  account  of  hir,fhee  is  as  good  as  halFe  dead  and  buried  alrea** 
^k,  NeuerthelelTe  God  fayth  that  fhe  (hall  be  fetaiiote  againe,  and 
that  fhefhall  haue  mo  children  than  fhe  that  rsmaried  and  is  in  cre- 
dit and  reputation.This  lelTon  muft  we  (I  ray)pat  in  vre  nowadayes 
vhen  we  fee  the  poore  Church  fo  troden  vnder  foote,  and  the  eni- 
ihies  thereof  in  fuche  pride  or  rather  madnefTe  ,  that  theyfet  vp 
their  crefts  and  triumph  oucr  vs,  as  though  we  were  no  better  than- 
duU  and  fmoke.VVhcn  we  fee  fuch  thingsjet  vs  way t  paciently  till 
God  gather  togither  thofe  whom  he  hath  chofen:  and  let  it  content 
vs  that  he  auoweth  vs  for  his  children, though  the  world  difdeyn  vs^. 
^d  fhake  vs  off  after  that  fort.     Yee  fee  then  that  wee  raufte  not 
bring  eics  full  of  vanirie,to  difcerne  which  is  the  Ghurch,as  they  do 
which  will  haue  nothing  but  pompe  and  great  outward  fhewes.But 
contrariwife  let  vs  confider  that  god  will  fo  afflict  his  poore  church, 
as  thefe  fhall  not  appeare  any  beautie  or  fliape  in  hir  too  the  world- 
tvarde^butratiier  vtterdefolation,  yea'(and  as  we  comonly  fee)eue« 
lie  man  fliall  rife  vp  ^aynft  hir.  But  howfoeuer  {Jt\t  fare,let  it  con- 
f ent  vs/that  God  gath ereth  vs  to  him  as  his  ^hidd ren-.y^a  and  let  vS 
rnarke,  that  when  we  be  called  by  thepure'do6b-ineof  the  Gofpef, 
we  be  made  fellowes  with  all  the  fathei's  v/home  Godchofe  vnder 
the  Lawe,with  ail  the  holy  Kings  and  Patf-farkes,  with  all  diePro- 
jphets  and  Martyrs,  and  finally  with  all  the  faythfull  ones  that  hauc- 
bin  fince  Abell  to  this  day,or  which  (hall  be  to  tht  worses' ende.No 
doubt  but  the  Papifts  will'  bi*agge  yriough  of  fbeir  multitude :  yea,- 
but  wee  fde  that  the  Prophete  laugheth  all  6f  them  too  fcoine. 
And  why  <  Wee  muft  alwayes  difecrne  which  are  the  [true  J  chil- 
dren. ForwharelfearealltheChurcheisof  the  PapiftesthanBro- 
thelhoufes  of  Satan  i    All  things  are  infe6l:ed,  nothing  is  there  but' 
fvlthyncffe,  God's  {eru ice  is  rhere  vrteriy  marred,  and  too  bee 
fliort,  there  is  nu  {bundneffe  at  cIJ  m  them.  T  he  Papifts  therefore  ■ 
for  all  that  euer  they  can  picieride  too  make  thcmfelues  Gods 
Chvircheiare  but  misbegotten  Baftardes,  as  they-that  are  tyed  too 
the  Brothelhoufc  wyth  theyr  mcrther  that  Sinagog  of  hell; 

Ye  fee  thcnho w  the  cace  llandeth,  ^d  a  is  ngt  I  dwt  doth  fay  iu ■ 

hut. 


Chap.4.  Jo.CaLxxx.  Sermonypon 

but  it  is  the  Prophetc  Efay  that  fpcakcth  fo,  and  Saint  Paulc  wl  o  t». 
a  faythftill  expounder  of  Gods  mcening,  conlirmeth  the  matter. . 
V^^herefore  let  vs  learne  too  io^ne  with  the  true  children  of  God, 
which  haue  the  infallible  recorde  of  the  holy  Ghoft,  and  not  follow 
the  greater  throng,  but  let  all  thefe  wretches  go,whiche  caft  them- 
felues  wilfully  into  Satans  fnares,&  wander  like  brute  beads  with- 
out any  difcrction.  But  by  the  way  wee  haue  to  marke,  that  fuch  a$ 
arc  the  children  of  the  Church  ceafTe  not  to  be"c  our  fathers,  info- 
much  that  befides  the  common  brotherhood  that  is  betwixt  them 
and  vs, there  is  this  moreouer,that  by  their  meanes  we  be  begotten 
€al.6J*  \6  iri  the  worde  of  God,  according  as  it  is  fayde  that  we  bee  Abrahams 
children,and  the  true  Ifraellof  God,  as  if  we  were  difccnded  of  la- 
cobs  race.  Therefore  wee  haue  thofefor  our  fathers  which  are  our 
brothers  too:  and  all  of  vs  togither  are  the  children  of  God  and  his 
ehurch.  For  whereas  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  is  in  verie  deedc  the 
onely  fonne  of  God :  he  is  to  this  ende  called  our  head,that  wc  be- 
ing knitte  togither  in  him,  and  becomming  members  of  his  bodie, 
might  be  hilde  and  taken  for  Gods  children,  becomming  that  thing 
by  free  adoption,  which  we  be  not  by  nature.  And  Saint  Paule  tel- 
iethvs,  that  this  befallethvs  by  fromifc  after  theexamfkoflfaac^ 
too  exprefle  that  wee  muft  not  haue  any  vainc  confidence  in  our 
owne  defcrtes,  or  in  any  vertue  that  is  in  our  perfons,  but  be  vtter- 
iy  voydc  of  all  pryde,  knowing  that  all  the  woortliinefle  which  wee 
haue,  commeth  of  Gods  mere  grace  and  free  gift.  Thus  ye  fee  that 
the  thing  wherein  w?  differ  from  the  baftard  children  which  boafll 
themfelues  falfly  of  Gods  name,  is  that  whereas  they  be  puffed  vp 
with  fclfclyking,  and  delight  in  their  hypocrifie,  and  are  alwayes 
pratingof  their  free  will,of  their  meritorious  woorkes,  of  their  fa- 
tiffa6hons ,  and  of  their  vertucs  as  well  cardinall  as  theological!,  as 
theytcrme  them,  and  (to  befhort)  haue  nothing  in  them  but  pride; 
We  on  our  fide  fticke  to.the  promife,  that  is  to  wit,  that  God  ba- 
iling looked  vppon  V5  with  mcrcie,  hath  drawnc  vs  out  of  the  dun- 
geon of  deftruAion  wherein  wee  werc,and  by  his  Gofpell  tolde  vs, 
and  afliircd  vs  that  he  will  be  our  father,  and  that  an  heritage  tary- ' 
eth  for  vs,  which  is  purchafedforvs,  notbyourfelucs,  or  by  any 
inortall  creature^  but  by  Icfus  Chrifl^  who  being  verie  God  became 

man^ 


the  Episl.  to  the  (jalathiam.      tlf 

man,to  the  intent  we  might  obteyne  the  thing  in  him  which  is  not 
to  bee  found  in  all  the  world.  Yee  fee  then  in  efFe«5l  that  the  ende 
whervnto  S.Paules  conclufio  tendeth,is  that  if  we  mind  to  be  well 
grounded  m  the  do^lrine  of  the  Gofpell,and  to  be  fure  of  a  good 
ftud  and  ankerholde  of  our  faluation^we  muft  not  intermedle  any 
opinion  of  our  own  deferuings  with  it,  nor  furmife  that  we  be  able 
to  bring  any  thing  of  our  felues,but  fimply  receiue  that  which  God 
offereth  vs,  and  fufferlefus  Chrift  to  be  ourfauiour  wholly  Sc  not 
by  haiues.That  is  the  thing  whervnto  the  word promife  tendeth,as 
ihaue  declared  more  at  large  already.But  the  law  had  alfo  hispro- 
inifes,howbeit  with  condition,as  I  haue  declared.The  promife  that 
S.PauIe  fpeaketh  of  prefently,is  the  thing  that  abolifheth  all  mans 
pride, and  diigraceth  the  men  them  felueS;fhevving  them  that  there 
is  nothing  in  them  but  vtter  confufion,  and  that  all  their  welfare 
lieth  inclofed  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chrill,fo  as  we  cannot  come  by  it, 
nor  inioy  it  but  by  meanes  of  the  Gofpell.  Nowe  the  Gofpell  teU 
leth  vs  that  we  muft  holde  all  of  God;,and  do  him  homage  for  our 
faluation,bicaufe  he  giueth  it  vs,and  it  is  not  a  wages  due  vmto  vs, 
that  he  iTkouid  by  any  meanes  be  bound  vnto  vs.  And  heerevpon 
S  Paule  fzyxh^tha  ttufo  euen  yetjliiLt  this  day,  according  as  Moy- 
fes  declareth  vnder  the  figure  whiche  he  dyd  fet  foorth  this  mor- 
ning, ftfr  m  yibrahams  bou/e  (fayth  he)  there  M'os  an  elder  fonne  called  . 
Ifm.ellyandhe  perfecute  i  Ifaac  M^hth  rtas  the  la"^ full  fonne.  Now  then  it 
tehoueth  vs  to  be  fo  handled  and  delt  withal,that  fuch  as  haue  no- 
thmgbut  difsimulation  Sc  hypocrifie  in  them, which  are  but  as  ba- 
ftardihips,and  which  are  vtterly  corrupt  5c  become  ftrangers,may 
neuerthelede  crake  Sc  boaft  their  fill, 8c  fet  vp  their  briftles  ageinft 
vs  is  though  we  were  vnworthy  to  kifTe  their  feete.  Suche  maner 
of  men  then  muft  perke  vp  in  all  pride,  and  ptrfecutc  vs :  but  yet 
let  vs  be  conftant  fayth  S.Paule,  and  let  not  our  fayth  bee  fhaken 
downe  by  fuch  lohinefle,nor  by  the  wil .  s  thnt  are  caft  in  our  way 
by  thofe  hypocrites  and  falfifiers,v  hich  ha^  e  pe:  ueit.  d  Gods  doc- 
trine. For  in  the  ende  the  fame  will  happen  too  them  (fayth  he) 
which  is  re^iortcdof  the  houfeof  Abraha,namely,'/r/«e  out  the  fonne 
of  the  bomle  ytfQm^njfor  be  fhall  not  be  feire  AH  they  then  that  vaunt 
them  felues  to  bee  faythfuU ;  and  will  ncedes  bee  talcento  bee  of 

If.  Gods 


cbap^:  fo.Calxxx.fermonypen 

Gods  houfliolde^fhall  be  cut  ofFas  rotten  members ,  and  not  haue 
any  part  or  peece  of  inheritance  there.  And  it  is  moreoucr  a  righte 
excellent  lelTon, which  conteyneth  a  very  profitable  admonition, 
ciien  to  confirmethe  thing  which  1  haue  touched  already,which  is, 
that  die  pompes  of  this  world  muft  not  bleare  our  eyes,to  carie  vs 
away  at  a  gaze  when  wee  fee  great  folemnities  and  gorgeous  dec- 
lungs.  If  a  man  fliould  beleeuc  no  further  than  he  fees ,  when  the 
Pope  were  in  his  Pontificalibus,he  might  bee  taken  for  a  God,  he 
hatli  fo  many  knicknacks  gliftering  about  him.  And  no  maruell 
though  many  be  am.azed  at  it,as  thoughe  one  had  knocked  thenx 
on  the  head  with  a  club,  and  become  as  good  as  brute  beaftes.  For 
why  <  men  are  fo  giuen  to  iudge  flefhly ,  that  they  bee  worTe  than 
little  childi'en  in  things  that  conceme  Gods  kingdome.  Blit  yet 
for  all  this,  beholde,Saincl  Paule  fay th,that  they  whiche  haue  the 
primacie,and  are  al  in  all,and  are  dreaded  of  cuery  man, and  final- 
ly which  beare  the  title  of  firft  begotten,are  oftentimes  but  Ifmac- 
lrtes,fo  as  they  be  but  baftards,  alledge  they  their  elderfliip  neuer 
fo  muche.  But  if  S.Paule  were  aliue  at  this  day,  diat  one  texte  of 
his  were  inough  too  make  him  too  beeburnte  a  hundred  tymes. 
For  let  men  write  and  fpeake  as  muche  as  they  liftc ,  and  they  can 
not  more  liuely  decipher  or  bewray  that  the  Pope  and  al  his  clcr- 
gie  are  a  heape  of  Ifmaelites  and  filthie  baftardes,  whiche  fighte  a- 
gaynfl  God;and  all  his  tme  and  right  begotten  children,according 
aifo  as  Moyfes  hathe  reported  it.  For  what  elle  alledge  tlie  Papifts 
for  them  felues,  faue  that  it  is  not  a  day  or  twayne  ago ,  or  a  hun- 
dred yeeres  ago  that  they  haue  had  polTefsion :  but  diat  they  haue 
kepte  their  traditions  and  Ceremonies  thefe  eyght  or  nine  hun- 
dred yeeres :'  Butfurely  euen  in  this  behalfe  alfo  they  lye ,  and  ai'C  . 
paft  fhame.  But  put  the  cace  that  the  world  had  not  appayred  thefe 
cyght  hundred  yeres :  yet  notwithflandingjthat  elderfhip  of  theirs 
which  they  alledge,is  not  better  nor  of  greater  value  than  was  the 
dderfhip  of  IfmaeLAgayn,vnto  their  elderflup  they  add  alfo  mul- 
titude,faying,that  wee  be  but  a  handful!  of  foike  in  comparifon  of 
them,they  haue  kings  S<.  Princes  on  their  fide,  the  whole  world  a- 
greeth  with  the,both  great  5c  fmal  fay  as  they  fay,Sc  the  largenefTc 
of  their  kmgdomeilretcheth  out  far  5c  wide'throughoutal  Europe 


the  Episi.to  the  Qalathians.     ii6 

WcIneere,andintoapeec?cofAfFrike.  VVhcn  they  Iiaue  all  this 
for  themfelucs,vcry  \vell,it  is  eucn  as  the  eldcifliip  of  IfmacLNay, 
it  were  more.meete  for  them  to  haue  bcgon  at  the  other  en  Je,that 
is  to  wit,  at  the  holding  faft  of  the  pure  doctrine  of  the  Law  &  the 
Gorpell,without  mingling  any  thing  at  all  with  it :  for  elfe  it  is  a 
general]  conclufionjthat  there  is  nothing  in  them  but  corruptnefle 
and  baftardic.  But  they  will  not  enter  into  this  difcourfejthat  men 
might  knowe  whither  they  be  bacebegotten  of  Gods  word  or  no : 
for  it  is  feene  too  manifeftly  alreadic.  And  in  good  fayth  (as  I  luue 
fayd  alreadie)  vnder  the  name  of  the  Church,  they  haue  boldly  ta- 
ken vpon  them  to  difanull  and  falfifie  the  whole  worde  of  God. 
Sothe  there  is  no  bringing  of  the  Papifts  to  the  true  trial  or  touch- 
ftone,  that  men  mightedifcerne  certenly  whether  they  be  Gods 
children  or  no  :  but  they  ftande  proudly  vppon  their  eiderfhip  as 
Ifmaell  did :  they  alledgethat  they  are  an  iniinite  number,and  wee 
but  fprules  as  ye  would  fay,and  folk  defpifed  to  the  worldwarde, 
which  haue  neither  eftimation  nor  credite.  Thus  yee  fee  howe  If- 
maell fpeakethnow  a  days  by  the  mouth  of  the  Papifts.  Now  wee 
for  our  part  had  ncede  to  be  armed  with  pacience :  for  it  is  a  right 
hard  teptation,diat  they  which  are  Gods  deadly  foes,  (huld  after  a 
fort  poflelTe  the  higheft  roomes  in  his  houfe :  &  that  we  fhould  be 
hidden  vnder  the  hk^  come  vnder  chafFe  vpon  a  bame  fioorc.This 
is  a  hard  ^^dcfome  plight.  And  furely  we  fee  many  that  giue  ouer 
the  GofpcU  through  infirmitie.  When  die  poore  fimplefoulcs 
heere  thefe  fo  braue  titles  of  Catholike  Church,of  Apoftolike  fea, 
cfVicarofChrill,  ofSucceflbrofS.Pctcrand  S.Paulc,  of  Pre- 
lates, and  of  Bifhops  •.  I  fay  when  all  this  gay  gecrc  is  flaflite  oute 
before  the  fiUie  foules :  they  arc  amafed  at  it ,  and  conclude  by  Sc 
by,then  muft  wee  needes  flicke  to  it.  For  they  bee  rauiflied  at  the 
fight  of  thefe  vizors  that  feme  tofcare  little  children.But  they  that 
haue  any  firmnefle  in  them,&  iudge  according  to  that  which  God 
fheweth  them,are  not  at  that  poynt.  And  in  good  footh,  when  the 
Papills  fay  that  they  be  the  reprefenting  Church,  they  fay  truely : 
for  in  decde  they  make  a  godly  reprefentation  Qrefemblaunce,  or 
fliewe]  that  is  too  fay,  there  is  as  it  were  a  gaye  gazing  ftocke  :  but 
as  ;he  Prouerbc  fayth)  all  is  not  golde  that  gliftereth.  Therefore 
^  Ff.ij.  ^ey 


Chap:4:  fo.CaLxxx.fermon'\}pon 

they  muH:  bee  fearched  to  the  bottome,to  fee  if  there  bee  tmthe  in 
them  or  no.  And  To  let  vs  marke  what  is  tolde  vs  heere  by  S.Paul, 
that  is  to  wit.that  it  was  not  once  only  that  there  was  an  Ifmaell 
in  Gods  Church  toperfecute  liaac :  but  that  wee  Teethe  lykeat 
this  day :  and  that  the  children  of  God  fliall  be  borne  downe  and 
trampled  vnder  foote,by  fuch  as  haue  no  more  but  the  bare  title  of 
Eldeifhip,and  vnder  that  fhadow  beguyle  the  fimple  fort,  cloking 
all  their  filthes  &  foulnefle  vnder  the  pretence  of  gay  colours.  But 
howfoeuer  the  world  go,let  vs  prepare  our  felues  to  battcll  (fayth 
S.Paul)  and  let  not  our  fayth  quayle  at  the  figlit  of  the  pride  of  the 
enimiesofGodstruthe,yeaeuenofthe  houftiolde  enimies  of  it, 
which  are  not  as  Turkes  and  heathen  men,  but  keepe  a  garifon  in 
the  Church,  and  yet  will  needes  be  Prelates  and  more  than  greate 
pillers  of  it.  How  foeuer  the  world  go  (I  fay)  let  vs  not  be  abafhed 
for  ityfith  we  be  fenced  with  the  example  of  our  father  Ifaacjto  the 
intent  we  fhould  hold  out  floutly,for  afmuch  as  we  be  regenerated 
by  the  pure  feede  which  God  alloweth,  whereby  wee  bee  made  hi& 
Jawfull  children,and  heires  of  his  heauenly  kingdome.  But  heere 

Gen  21  4.8  ^  "^^"  ir^ight  thinke  it  ftrange  that  S.Paul  fhould  fay  that  Ilaac  was 
perfecuted  of  his  brother  llmaell.  For  Moyfes  rehearfeth  no  more 
but  that  at  the  day  when  Ifaac  fhould  be  weaned,  &  at  the  feaft  that 
was  made  at  it,lfmaell  laughed  him  to  fcorne.It  is  not  fayd  that  If- 
maell layd  any  perfecution  vpon  Ifaac,  for  aught  tliat  is  recorded 
by  Moyfes :  only  it  is  laid  that  he  beeing  then  of  fome  age,&  thin- 
king to  haue  a  much  higher  degree  tha Ifaac, bicaufe  he  was  already 
come  to  yeres  of  dicretion^did  laugh  at  him;&  mocke  him.Nowc 
if  there  were  nothing  more  tha  (impie  mocking  &  laughter,it  fee- 
meth  that  S.Paul  fhould  not  terme  it  perfecution.  VVe^iiufl:  mark 
that  the  perfecutios  of  Gods  children  arc  not  done,only  by  Cword^ 
.  fire;rackmg,imprifonment,or  other  torments  of  the  body.but  alfo 
in  thai  they  be  wouded  \^ith  the  fcomful  reproches  which  the  vn- 

»r  I  Z'    U  ^^^^^-^^^s  ^^^  enimies  of  Gods  trutli  doo  fpue  out  agaynft  them. 

Tja  >  p.   .  ^j^^i  -r  ^^.p  ^^  ^^^j  pra^life  the  thing  that  is  fayd  in  the  Pfalmc,  wee 

^^ '         fhal I  n  ot  ihinke  the  maner  of fpeeche  flraunge  which  S,Paul  vfcth 

heere.  For  where  as  it  isfayde  that  the  raylings  whiche  are  caftc 

foortl:i aga)  nil  Gods  maiefiie^  ought  too  rcboundc  backc  vppoa 

" '"■  ■        ^h 


the  Spi^.tothe(jalathians.      iij 

vs :  It  is  to  flicw  that  we  onght  to  be  very  tender  hartcd  or  fquey- 
mifli  when  we  hecrc  Gods  name  fet  light, or  his  honor  diminifhed 
in  any  maner  of  wyfe.  li  any  of  vs  bee  toudied  in  our  good  name 
orhoneftie,wee  will  be  angry  and  make  a  quarell  of  it:  wee  fee  tliat 
for  one  crolTe  worde,cholerike  fellowes  doo  by  and  by  draw  their 
fwordes,and  all  is  vnder  colour  that  they  mufte  maynteyne  their 
Jionor  and  honeftie.  If  a  man  fpeake  euill  of  our  Parents  or  kinf- 
folke,we  will  be  in  fuch  heate  and  fumifh  pafsions,  as  wee  can  not 
be  appeafed.  Then  if  God  be  mifufed,  or  his  maieftie  diilionored 
in  mens  mouthes,  aught  we  to  rufFer,and  not  to  be  moued  to  cho- 
ler  and  anger  C'Euen  for  that  caufe  alfo  it  is  rayde,that  the  zeale  of  ffaL^gi^ 
Gods  houfe  ought  to  eate  vs  vp,  fo  as  wee  muft  not  only  bee  wel-  iq. 
minded  and  fory  for  the  defacing  of  the  maieflie  of  our  God,  and 
for  the  conaipting  of  the  dodrine  of  faluation^and  for  the  dilorde- 
ring  ofhis  Church  :  but  thefe  things  muft  alfo  bite  vs  at  the  hart. 
According  heerevnto  it  is  fayd  heere  that  Ifmaell  perfecuted  Ifaac. 
If  a  man  demaunde,vvhat :"  had  he  neyther  torture,fyre,  nor  fword 
to  cut  his  throte :'  No,none  of  all  thefe :  but  he  fcoffcd  at  the  pro- 
mife  that  had  bin  made  concerning  Ifaac.  For  it  was  fayd  exprefly, 
Ifmaell  fhall  line :  but  yet  is  he  not  tnerfore  heire  of  the  promife, 
Ifaac  is  he  in  whom  they  (hall  bee  bliflTed.  Yce  fee  then  that  lefus 
Chrift,and  confequently  all  hope  of  faluation  was  clofed  vp  in  the 
perfon  of  Ifaac.  When  Ifmaell  did  fo  difdayne  and  fcome  the  fo-  (7<.2ii.  U 
uerein  welfare  and  happinelTe,  that  mockage  of  his  wounded  all 
the  children  of  adoption;  5c  all  the  fay  thfull,yea  euen  with  a  dead- 
ly (Iripe.  Nowe  then  wee  fee  what  S.  Paule  mente,  and  howe  wee 
ought  to  put  this  doftrine  in  vre,  which  is,that  wee  muft  prepare 
our  felues  to  inwarde  battels,  knowing  that  not  onely  the  Turkes 
and  Paynims  fhall  bee  aduerfaries  of  the  Gofpell,  but  alfo  the  hy- 
pocrites ,  who  too  the  vttermoft  of  their  power ,  doo  deface  the 
iiodrine  of  grace  that  is  offered  them  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte, 
to  aboliOie  all  tlie  dignitie  and.reuerence  which  wee  ought  to  giuc 
vmo  it  in  magnifying  the  mere  bounteous  goodneffe  of  God,and 
in  acknowledging  that  all  our  whole  welfare  lyeth  there.  Letvs 
bee  ready  (I  fay)  too  abide  fuche  battels  at  the  hands  of  ourhouf- 
holde  enimies ,  whiche  boaft  tliem  felues  too  bee  Gods  children, 

Ff.iij.  >*'hicb 


Chap.4:  fo.Cal.xxxj.Sermonypon 

\i/hich.  are  aduaunced  euen  aboue  vs,  &  which  outface  vs  with  tlieiT 
clderihip,as  who  iliuid  fay,  that  vnder  the  colour  of  that,  we  ought 
too  bee  vtteriy  borne  downe  and  ouerwhelmed.  But  there  is  yet 
more :  that  is  to  wit,  that  we  muft  be  touched  toathe  quicke,  and 
forie  at  the  harte  to  fee  Gods  do6lnne  fo  corrupted.  True  it  is  that 
"haturally  wee  fhunne  the  harmes  that  come  agaynft  vs,  as  bodily 
perfecutions  and  fuche  other/But  yet  for  all  that^  wee  muft  not  be 
fo  wadded  to  this  world,  as  not  to  preferre  the  heauenly  he  itage 
before  all  things  that  we  efleeine  mofi:  worthy  to  be  defired.  And 
therfore  when  foeuer  Gods  name  is  blafphemed,&  when  men  la^ 
bour  to  abolifhe  the  doclrine  oHi^e :  let  vs  in  thofe  cafes  fet  fuchc 
greef  to  our  hartpas  we  can  n  ot  beare  with  it, or  at  lea{hvife  as  if  wc 
were  perfecuted  in  our  bodies.  For  he  that  Ibould  cut  our  throte, 
yea  &  put  vs  to  all  the  torments  that  were  pofsible^as  wee  fee  the 
cnimies  of  the  Gofpel  do,whofe  rage  againft  their  poore  brethren, 
can  not  now  a  dayes  be  fianched  with  racking,burning,cutting  out 
of  their  tungsyand  fuch  other  like  torments :  all  this  aught  not  to 
greue  vs  fo  much, as  to  fee  Gods  name  torne  in  peeces,&  fcorned 
by  the  wicked.  For  the  very  fame  is  fuch  a  cutting  of  our  throtes, 
as  not  only  bereeueth  vs  of  this  flightfuli  and  tranfitorie  li^c,  but 
alfo  bereth  vs  quite  out  of  the  kingdome  of  heauen.For  whe  G  ods 
do6lrine  is  corrupted,  then  is  foode  turned  into  poyfon,l-^fe  int6 
death,  and  light  into  darkneffe.  So  then  let  this  texte  of  S.  Paule'S 
warne  and  exhort  vs,  not  to  be  fo  giuen  too  the  earth  and  too  the 
world,but  that  we  may  alwayes  haue  our  minds  8c  vnderftandings 
-lifted  \'p  to  the  ineftimable  benefite  that  is  offered  vs  by  the  Gof- 
pell,and  fi^ht  more  earneftly  for  that  quareil ,  than  for  our  ownfc 
hfe.  For  truely  a  whole  million  of  fuch  liues  as  wee  haue  here  be- 
neathpcan  not  be  comparable  to  the  endleife  life  that  ispromifed 
vs  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  Thus  yee  fee  wherin  it  behoueth  vs  to 
exercife  our  feiues,and  we  can  not  exceede  meafure  in  beeing  too 
angry, when  we  fee  wicked  men  blafpheme  God  after  that  forte,  5c 
labour  by  their  wiles  and  pollicies  to  ouerthrowe  and  to  falfifie  the 
onely  dodrine  whereby  wee  Hue  fpiritually.  Furtliermore  let  vs 
marke  alfo,  how  S.  Paule  addeth  in  the  ende  for  a  conclufion,  that 
all  they  which  now  a  dayes  do  bpafti  dien^delu^s  fo  highly  to  be  the 
"      ""  "  Church, 


the  SpiUJo  the  ^alathians.      228 

Church^andrpecially  thofe  that  haue  th.^  title  of  elderfliip,  fhall  be 
dnue  out  as  baikrdchiidreaTherfbre  Jer  \^s  not  be^eguyled  with 
al  the  pompes  that  are  among  thofe  which  fight  agaynft  Gods  pure 
truthjto  maynteine  them felues  in  theirtyrannie  by force,perfeai-: 
tions^bmggings^&'fach  other  Hke  things  ;  but  let  vs  tarie  the  ende, 
which  iS;thr.t  they  (hal  be  cut  off,for  they  be  none  inheritors.VVel 
may  they  dwell  in  the  houfe,  as  it  is fayd  of  Antichrift  that  he  (ball 
fit  m  the  Temple  oF  G  od :  but  yet  niitft  they  needes  be  fwept  out 
of  ir,a$  tilth  and  vnclennelTe.  And  although  this  bee  not  To  before 
jfien,but  that  it  is  hidden  from  vs  for  a  tiine  :  yet  let  vs  wayte  tyli 
God  file  we  his  truthe  more  full,and  vntiil  our  Lord-  lefus  Chiift 
contound  his  enimies  with  the  breath  of  his  mouth,and  by  the  po- 
wer of  his  worde.  1  bus  yee  fee  how  wee  ought  tobe  fetkd  in  in- 
pincibie  conftancie.  And  ahhough  we  be  now  defpifed  ^  fcorned, 
yet  let  vs  not  ceafle  to  holde  out  in  the  holy  calling  of  our  God, 
knowing  that  we  fliall  not  be  difappoynted^if  we  be  grounded  vpo 
the  doctrine  of  the  Gofpell^and  retl  wholly  ihervpon  till  G  od  dif- 
couer  the  things  that  are  nowe  hidden ,  Sc  that  wee  be  throus^hly 
gathered  vnto  him,and  finde  that  it  v/as  not  in  vayne  that  we  were 
trayned  vp  in  his  pure  worue,giuing  ouer  ail  the  fancies  of  men,&c 
not  feekmg  life  elfewhere  than  in  the  feede  wherby  wee  were  be* 
gotten  agayne,  and  in  the  fo ode  whereby  wee  bee  fufleyned  and 
nouriflxd  to  die  endc. 

JSoweletvs  fall  downe  before  the  maieftieofour  good  God, 
with  acknowledgemet  of  our  iinnes,praymg  him  to  make  vs  leele 
them  in  fuch  wile,  as  itm.ay  leade  vs  to  truer' repentance,  that  wee 
may  mourne  continually  before  his  maieftic,and  bee  fo  abaflied  in 
our  felues,as  yet  notwithflanding  wee  may  not  doubt  but  that  he 
accepteth  vs  for  our  Lord iefus  Ch'.ifts  fake,^:  that  we  (hal  always 
obteine  fure  forgiuenefle  oFour  (innes,  if  we  feeke  it  in  true  fayth 
without  fwaruing  to  the  right  had  or  to  the  left,but  only  folowing 
the  path  which  he  hath  iliewed  vs,  as  i'l  deede  we  can  neuer  go  a- , 
milfc  M  hen  we  haue  the  day  funne  of  righteoufnelTe  fhining  vpon 
vs.  That  it  may  pleafe  him  to  graunt  this  grace,not  only  to  vs,but 
alfo  to  all  people  and  nations  of  the  earth.^cc. 

Ff.iiij.  The 


chap.5:  fo.  Cal.xxxj.Sermonypon 

T'be.xxxj.Sermon^'which  is  the 

jirHyfj^on  the  fifth  ChafUr, 

STandc  faft  therfore  in  the  libertie  vvhervvich  Chrift 
hath  made  vs  freehand  put  not  your  felues  agay  n 
vnder  the  yoke  of  bondage. 
X    Beholde,  IPaulcdootellyoUathatifyccbecircum^ 

cifed^C  hrift  fhall  profite  you  nothing  at  all . 
3    AndagayncI  protefttoeuery  man  thatiscircucifcd,' 
that  he  is  bou  ndcto  keepe  the  whole  lavvc, 

|E  haue  feene  heeretofore ,  that  to  haue  a  ftate 
of  continuance  in  the  Churche,  wee  mufte  bee 
j  grounded  vpon  our  Lord  lefus  Chnft.For  ma- 
I  ny  dod  boaft  themfelues  to  be  Gods  children, 
t  who  notwithflanding  are  not  begotten  of  the 
true  feedcjwhich  maketh  the  diflPerece  wherby 
Godauowcth  and  acknowledgeth  vs  for  his 
children.Therfore  if  we  wil  be  tnily  knit  to  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift, 
we  muft  hold  faft  the  do6lrine  of  the  Gofpell,thathe  as  our  headc 
and  mediator  may  ioyne  vs  to  God  his  father.  Therwithall  Ihaue 
declared  that  the  caufe  why  S.Paul  fpeaketh  fo  of  bod  5c  free  feed, 
is  for  that  they  which  feeke  their  righteoufnefle  in  their  owne  ver- 
tueSjdo  alienate  thefelues  fro  our  lord  lefus  Chrift,Sc  fro  his  grace. 
For  by  that  meanes  they  bind  the  felues  to  an  impofsibilitie,that  is^ 
to  fay,to  fatisfie  God  in  keeping  his  comaundements.But  there  is 
fuch  weaknes  in  vs,as  none  of  vs  is  able  to  perform  the  leaft  point 
of  the  law:  and  therfore  much  lefle  can  we  attaine  to  the  perfeclid 
that  is  fliewed  vs  heercAnd  for  that  caufe  S.Paul  cocludcth  now, 
that  we  muft  ftand  faft  in  the  freedom  e  which  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift 
hath  purchafed  for  vs.It  is  ceitayn  that  he  tj'eateth  heere  of  the  ce- 
remonies of  the  Iaw:but  yet  muft  we  always  refort  to  the  welhead 
and  cheefe  poynt.  For  if  the  matter  concerned  no  further  than  the 
keeping  of  a  holyday,  or  the  forbearing  of  fome  kinde  of  meate : 
it  were  not  of  fo  great  weight,  that  fuch^  ftrifc  (Hould  bee  moued 
■""■         ■"" " '~  ~  ~^ "         for 


the  Epi^.to  the  (^alathians.       up 

for  it  in  the  Church.But  Sain6l  Paule  pored  not  vppon  a  matter  fo 
(light  and  of  fo  fmall  importance.  He  had  an  eye  to  the  doclrine:he 
confidered  thatif  me  fliould  be  tyde  to  do  this  thing  or  that  thing 
of  necefsitie:it  were  an  excluding  of  them  from  the  hope  of  falua- 
tion.  For  if  I  muft  needes  per  forme  a  thing  vnder  peine  of  deadly 
finne-.then  if  I  faylej  am  become  a  tranfgrefTerjand  there  is  no  fhift 
for  me  bycaufe  God  is  my  iudge,  and  1  muft  be  fayne  to  come  too 
accouAt;and  there  is  no  meanes  to  redeeme  me.Now  it  is  certaine 
that  al  of  vs  are  fubied  to  the  keeping  of  the  lavv:but  yet  notwith- 
(landing, there  is  a  remedic  for  it, which  is  to  runne  vnto  our  Lord 
lefus  Chrift  in  all  our  needes,  who  was  made  fubieft  to  the  law  to 
purchace  vs  freedome,and  bare  our  curfe  to  difcharge  vs  of  it.Now 
if  any  necefsitie  be  layd  vpon  vs  againe ,  too  fay  that  the  doing  of 
this  or  that  is  finneithen  cannot  our  Lord  lefus  Chnft  fcand  vs  in 
any  more  Head  as  I  fayde  afore: by  reafon  whereof  we  muft  needes 
bee  plunged  in  our  owne  curfednefTe,  without  any  manner  of  re- 
leefe.  Therefore  it  is  not  without  caufe  that  Saincl  Panic  exhor- 
teth  the  Galathians  to  hold  their*  o'tvne,  and  not  too  fuffer  them- 
felues  to  be  brought  into  bondage.For  by  that  meanes  he  faith  that 
they  fhall  be  bereft  of  ineftimable  benefyte,euen  fo  farre  foorth  as 
they  Hiall  be  falne  quite  away  from  Gods  grace  or  fauour,  and  vt- 
terly  feparated  from  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  in  whome  lieth  all  our 
welfare  and  happincfte.Now,  that  wee  may  the  better  concekie  S. 
Paules  meening,and  alfo  reape  the  frute  that  is  offered  vs  in  thys 
texf.Let  vs  marke,that  by  this  word  LibertieorfieidomeJiX.  is  meant 
that  we  may  walke  with  full  confidence  before  God,  and  that  hce 
will  alwayes  be  fauorable,  fo  that  although  wee  bee  gfltie  of  many 
offences,  yet  we fhall  be  quit  of  them  for  our  Lord  Icfus  Chryftes 
fake:and  moreouer  that  it  is  not  in  mans  power  to  bridle  vs  or  too 
hold  vs  in  bondage:but  that  it  ought  to  fufftfe  vs  to  yeld  curfelues, 
obedient  vntoGod^howbeit  not  after  a  flauifii  andconftrcyned 
farhion,but  as  children  yeeldthemfclues  fubie^ltoo  their  father, 
knowing  well  that  their  father  will  not  handle  them  roughly.Thus 
ye  fee  what  is  meant  by  the  worde  libertie  or  freedome  whiche  S. 
Paule  vfeth.  NeuerthelefTe  to  the  end  that  this  (liortnefle  bee  not 
darkfomeJ  will  declare  it  more  ar  large.  So  long  as  we  be  in  doubt 

Ff.v.  whither 


Chap.5.  fo.CaLxxxj.Sermon  ^pon 

Wfiither  God  do  lone  vs  or  hate  vs,  there  will  always  bee  trouble 
and  vnquietnede  in  our  confciencesjand  we  fhall  be  as  it  were  loc- 
ked vp  in  priibn.So  then  there  wiji  be  no  freedome  in  our  mindes, 
till  we  know  and  be  throughly  perfwaded  that  God  is  at  one  wyth 
vs,and  thr.t  he  receiueth  vs  into  his  fauoure  Sc  grace,though  we  be 
not  worthy  of  it.  But  it  is  impofsible  for  vs  to  haue  any  certemtie 
of  it,except  we  haue  our  quittance  aJwayes  before  our  eyes,which 
was  made  vs  in  the  death  and  pafsion  of  our  Lord  leius  Chryfte. 
V\'hv  iocTor  as  I  faid  afore,  we  be  indetted  vnto  God  many  wais, 
yea  infinite  wayes.For  we  be  boud  to  keepe  the  iaw,and  we  breake 
it  a  hundred  times  a  day^yea  euen  or  euer  we  thinke  of  it.Again  we 
offend  euen  in  groffe  raultes.  But  howfoeuer  we  deale^we  cannot 
aflure  oui  felues  of  Gods  loue^vnleile  wee  bee  difcharged  againfte 
him  of  die  obligation  of  euerlafting  death  wherein  we  fdd  bound. 
Now  we  atteine  that  benefyte  when  we  be  perfwaded  by  the  Gof- 
pel^that  the  blouci  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  was  died  to  wafn  aNyay 
^I  our  fpottes,aud  that  his  death  is  a  fufticientJacrifift,  too  appeafe 
Gods  wradi,and  to  wipe  out  iiie  rememberance^of  al  ouf  ofiFeilces 
Sc  iniquities.Ye  fee  then  that  the  way  to  fet  vs  free^is  to  know  that 
God  receiueth  vs  to  raercie  for  our  Lord  lefus  Chiifts  fake,  &  that 
our  faults  3c  fins  fhal  not  hinder  vs  to  find  fauor  alwais  in  his  fight, 
or  to  haue  familiar  acceiTe  vnto  him,  as  children  haue  vntoo  theyr 
fathers.Secodly  we  muft  not  be  wauering  too  Sc  fro,to  make  cofci- 
€nce  of  eueiy  thing  that  me  deuife  of  their  owne  heads  :  but  walke 
fledfaftly  according  to  gods  word,  knowing  moreouer  that  our  c5 
fcieces  are  free,  $c  that  whither  men  comand  or  forbid  any  thingjit 
is  nothing  to  vs,  I  meene  as  in  refpecl  of  the  fpiiituall  regiment  of 
our  fouies :  For  we  talke  not  heere  of  ciuil  poHcie  nor  ot  the  com- 
juon  Hfe  of  men,but  of  our  faluation.  So  then,ail  things  ought  too 
bee  free  vntoo  vs  when  they  bee  not  forbidden,  vs  by  Gods  owne 
mouth.Yet  is  it  not  ynough  that  we  haue  Gods  word  for  our  guide 
without  mingling  any  thing  at  all  with  it:but(as  I  haue  touched  al- 
readye)  we  mud  therev/ithall  know,  that  God  accepteth  our  affec- 
tion when  he  fecth  vs  willing  to  obey  hira,and  that  although  there 
be  much  faultineffe,  and  ouer  many  infirmities  in  vs,  and  that  we 
come  halting  vnto  him^  and  finally  that  all  that  euer  wee  doo  were 
•    '  but 


the  EpiB.  to  the  Qalatmans.       2  ^  o 

trifling  toyes  if  he  lifted  to  examin  them  with  rigor :  yet  neuerthe- 
JefTe,  he  taketh  al  in  good  woorth.  And  why :"  i  or  he  bcareth  with 
vs  as  a  father  wi:h  his  childre.That  the  rfore  is  the  freedom  w  hcrin 
we  muft  {land, except  we  wii  be  feparated  fro  our  lord  lefus  Chrifl 
For  (as  I  haue  fayd  alreadie)  if  we  beleeue  not  aiTuredly  that  God 
loueth  vSy  though  we  be  vnworthie  of  it,and  that  his  louing  of  vs 
is  bycaufe  our  finnes  are  bur^'ed  by  the  death  and  pafsion  of  oure 
Lord  lefus  Chrift :  what  will  become  of  vs:'  what  fiial  leilis  Chrifte 
boote  vs  C"  Ageyn  if  we  be  in  doubt  and  vnquietnefre,not  knowing 
whether  God  accept  our  femice  or  no,  and  dicrwithail  be  bounde 
to  the  keeping  of  diis  or  that  at  mennes  appoyntment,  the  intan- 
gling  of  our  felues  info  many  debatyngs  willneuer  fufFer  vs  too 
haue  any  reft.  Neyther  is  it  without  caufetha.t  Saint  Paule  hauing 
exhorted  the  faythfull  to  continue  in  the  freedome  that  was  pur- 
chafed  them fo  dearly,  addeth,,^/?<j^  lefn6  ChYiUePoJlnot profite  ibwt 
nt  rfftvnlefle  they  Imow  the  thing  that  he  hath  purchaied  for  them, 
mdfufer  not  tbanftUes  to  beh  ayiy  Wife  bereft  of  it  by  wen.  Nowe  we 
fee  heere,that  the  freedome  which  Saincc  Paule  fpeaketh  of,  is  not 
to  giae  vs  leaue  to  doo  what  we  our  felues  thinke  good,  as  though 
he  layd  the  reynes  of  the  brydle  vpon  our  necke  :  and  that  will  he 
alfo  protcft  in  place  conuenient.  Then  intendethhc  none  other 
.  thing  than  that  we  might  feme  God  quietly  without  greef  of  mind 
without  conftreint,  and  without  any  continual!  tormenting  of  our 
felues  with  diuerfitie  of  debatiiigs  &  douhtfull  fcruples  as  wee  fee 
the  vnbeleeuers  do,namely  fuch  as  haue  nottheir  trull  wholly  fet- 
tled vpon  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  Thcrfore  beildes  that  which  hatli 
bin  fayd  alredie,  we  haue  to  mark  further,  that  the  end  ol  that  free- 
dome  is,  too  bee  able  too  carie  a  cheerfull  and  quiet  minde  before 
God.  For  without  that,  wee  Hull  neuerhaue  the  hart  to  obey  him, 
but  wee  (hall  al  w?,yes  bee  in  trouble,  and..not  bee  able  too  call  vp- 
ponhyra,  which  is  die  cheefe  feruice  thathedemaundcth  andal- 
joweth  of.  V^e  fee  the  that  this  matter  concemeth  the  cheef  poir.t 
of  oure  ^velfare,  if  it  bee  weh  vnderftoode.  V\^henvveefpeake 
now  a  day  es  ofChriftcn  hbertie:the  Papiftes  fay  wee  go  aboute 
too  abolifne  all  the  ordinances  and  traditions  of  die  Churche,  and 
that  we  palTe  ngt  what  cprnmeth  of  it/o  euery  raaamay  liue  as  he 

iiRctU 


Chap.?:  fo£alxxxj\Sermon  ypon 

lifi:eth;to  eate  flefh  on  all  dayes  alike  without  let,and  to  delpife  all 
other  fuch  ordinances.  But  their  faying fo,  is  bycaufe  they  neuer 
knevv,that  it  is  no  obeying  of  God,vnlelie  it  be  done  with  an  vn- 
conftreynedwill.  ForletthePapiftesbe  throughly  fiftedallthe 
packe  of  them,  yea  euen  the  deuouteft  of  them :  and  it  is  certayne 
that  they  chafe  vppoi#the  bitte ,  when  they  tyre  and  ouerlabour 
themfelues  moft  to  feme  God.For  all  that  euer  they  dcris  but  vn- 
wiliingly ;  and  i^  they  could  plucke  their  heads  out  of  the  collar, 
they  would  full  fayne  do  it.  Furthennore  when  they  haue  toyled 
after  that  faOiion  in  their  fond  deuotions,  they  bcare  themfelues 
in  hand  that  God  ought  to  like  well  of  it.  And  if  a  man  tell  them 
that  they  cannot  do  any  thyng  that  God  fhoulde  accept  andfur^ 
thermore  that  although  their  works  were  good,  yet  they  deferue 
not  aught  before  hymiye  (hall  fee  them  fpew  out  their  poyfon  (as 
they  do)and  fall  to  blafpheming  of  God  vnlefl  e  yee  beleeue  them 
that  they  be  able  to  worke  wonders  by  their  owne  merites.  How- 
foeuer  the  cace  ftand,thcy  are  neuer  able  to  know  and  to  taft  what 
it  is  to  obey  God.  For  why  c'  they  vnderftand  not  what  it  is  too  bee 
'^  quief.namely  that  it  is  an  vnconftreyned  offering  of  their  doo- 

ings  vnto  God  with  a  free  hart,  and  an  alTuring  of  themfelues  that 
he  ^ccepteth  the  fame,  euen  bycaufe  he  handleth  them  gently,and 
bearcth  with  them  as  with  his  children.The  Papifts  know  not  this, 
and  therefore  it  i  s  not  too  be  wondered  at,  though  they  thinkc  it 
ftraunge  that  we  fhould  ftriue  for  that  freedome,  for  they  wote  not 
what  it  meeneth.  But  yet  doth  not  SainftPaule  Ipeake  it  withoutt 
caufeiand  by  thofe  words  we  fee  how  precious  that  libertie  is,  and 
that  it  is  not  a  thing  to  be  defpifed.  ForlefusChriftdidnotieftiii 
liys  death  and  pafsion  when  he  offered  vp  himfelfe  vnto  God  hys 
father.but  wrought  a  worke  that  in  exceilencie  and  worthineffe 
paffeth  the  creation  of  heauen  and  earth.  Now  if  Sain 6t  Paulc 
bring  in  this  libertie  for  an  excellent  frute  purchaced  to  vs  by  the 
death  and  pafsion  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift:it  muft  needes  followc 
that  it  is  a  high  and  precious  thyng.  And  to  the  intent  wee  may 
conceyue  what  the  nature  and  power  of  it  is :  wee  muft  learne  too 
gather  in  ourfelues  vnto  God  when  wee  bee  Ipoken  to  of  it.  As 
ior  example :  if  we  be  commaunded  or  enioyned  of  necefsitie  too 

do 


the  Epi^.tothe  (jalathianf.        2;r 

do  fuch  athin^  or  fuch  a  thitig :  very  well,  the  doing  tliereof  too 
thevvoridvvardhinderethnotOLir  freedome  before  God  :  for  the 
thynges  that  conceme  common  policie  may  bee  bidden  or  forbid- 
den, bycaufe  tiAt  othervvife  they  might  turne  too  the  hurt  of  the 
common  vveale^or  elCe  fuch  things  may  be  expedient,  and  the  muft 
one  of  vs  feme  anorhers  turne  in  common.Therefore  let  vs  haue  a 
regard  of  the  things  that  concerne  the  pohcie,  bycaufe  it  behoueth 
vs  to  be  knit  and  vnited  togither,and  to  haue  fuche  an  onement  a- 
mong  vs,that  euery  of  vs  feme  his  neighbours  turne,  and  none  of 
vs  be  addicted  tohimfelfe.  But  when  th^lbace  conccmeth  the  fpi- 
rituall  libertie:then  muft  eueiy  ot  vs  draw  home  into  himfelfe,  too 
confider  the  nature  and  propertie  thereof  Euery  of  vs  (fay  I)  muft 
draw  home  himfelfe  as  it  were  before  God.For  our  account  is  too 
be  made  to  the  heauenly  iudge,  and  therefore  it  behoueth  vstoo 
enter  into  ourfeIues,to  fay  thus- How  may  I  prefent  my  felf  before 
Gods  iudgement  featec'lf  my  life  come  to  be  tried  by  the  Jawe :  wo 
worth  mel  For  I  amgiitie  after  fo  many  forts ,  yea  euen  without e 
numbcr,that  if  I  (hould  fuffer  a  Million  of  deaths,  it  were  too  little 
for  the  offences  that  I  haue  committed. NeuerthdeiTe  God  will  be 
fauourable  to  me,and  take  me  to  mercy  for  our  Lord  leius  Chrifts 
fake,and  when  I  refort  to  him,  I  may  come  with  my  head  bolt  vp- 
right,as  hauing  my  quits  eft  and  cleere  difcharge,  which  was  gyuea 
me  in  the  facrifife  that  he  offered  vp  for  vs^bycauTe  that  therein  hee 
hath  made  full  fatiffa6lion  for  me,and  fet  me  at  full  libertie.  Marke 
this  for  one  point, that  I  muft  ferue  God,and  it  is  good  reafon  that 
I  (Kould  dedicate  my  life  vnto  him.  But  at  which  endfhalJ  Ibegin  i 
I  cannot  bring  fuch  perfection  as  is  requifite,  no  nor  the  hundreth^ 
part  of  it.Yet  for  all  that,  God  beareth  with  mCjandcealTeth  not  to 
lake  the  things  in  good  worth  which  are  vnperfeft  and  weake,  yea 
&  finful  too.And  why  doth  he  fo  C'  Bycaufe  he  admitteth  mc  as  one 
of  his  children  for  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifts  fake.  After  thys  manner 
(fay  l)muft  wc  come  before  God,  if  wee  will  conceyue  and  vnder- 
ftand  the  frute  of  this  libertie  or  freedome  that  SainCl  Paule  tiea- 
teth  of^  Now  whereas  he  addeth,  that  y^ee  [houUe  not  l^rappe  our' 
/elues  agayne  in  the  yoke  ofbondagt :  thereby  he  fhcweth ,  that  before 
we  be  come  to  the  faith  of  ike  Gofpeli,  and  do  know  wh*  t  bene* 

fytft 


Cbap5.  fo.Calxxxj.fermonyfpon 

fyte  is  brought  vs  by  the  death  and  pafsion  of  the  fonne  of  Go<i| 
wee  bee  all  hild  in  ftreyt  bondes  likeprifoners,  and  haue  not  any 
fi'ccdomc  or  libertie  at  all.  And  in  very  deedc,  were  it  not  that  le- 
(usChrift  maketh  intercefsion,  and  is  a  meane  betweene  GodhyS 
father  and  vs :  it  is  cenaine  that  our  mindes  (hould  be  in  continual 
torment  and  vnquietnefle.For  there  is  none  of  vs  all  but  he  is  con- 
Mi^td  to  be  more  than  giltie,and  therfore  we  fhould  nccdes  ftand 
at  a  ftay  as  drowned  in  di{paire,till  we  were  fuccoured  by  our  Lord 
Icfus  Chrift^and  knew  that  God  will  be  fauorable  to  vs, 8c  theivpa 
could  find  peace  and  affurance  to  call  vppon  him,  as  knowing  that 
lefus  Chrift  wil  be  there  aforehand.On  the  otherfide,  if  we  knowc 
not  that  God  hath  fo  recf  iued  vs  into  his  fauor,  as  he  is  contented 
widi  our  willingneiTe  to  6bey  him; and  with  our  comming  towards 
him,  though  it  be  with  inlirmitie:we  fee  yet  another  halter  that  fer- 
ueth  to  hang  vs  withalJ.But  yet  fo  \s  it  with  all  vnbelecuers  S.Paul 
therfore  doth  purpoiely  warne  vs,that  vntill  fuch  time  as  the  GoC- 
pell  haue  taught  vs  that  God  loueth  vs,and  of  his  own  free  good- 
nefife  taketh  vs  as  his  childreo,  and  moreouer  wil  not  haue  vs  to  be 
ouertroden  by  mens  tyrannie,  and  fpecially  that  he  deliucreth  vs 
from  the  bond  and  rigor  of  the  Law :  we  are  all  of  vs  drowned  in 
bondage^and  that  when  lefusChrifl  hath  once  fetvs  free,itbeho* 
ueth  vs  to  maynteine  "wtW  fuch  a  benefite.  Now  let  vs  come  to  the 
rcafon  that  he  ^ddeth.  Verily  {(z)'th  he)  I  ?auk,yea  eum  I  de  tell  you. 
if  you  bee  circumh/ed,  lefus  Chriftjhallprofiteyeu  nothing  at  all.  It  is  a 
very  fore  faying  that  circumcifion  fhould  cut  men  off  in  fuch  wyfe, 
asihey  (houid  haue  no  part  in  the  faluation  that  is  purchaced  for 
vs  by  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  But  firjft  of  all  wee  muft  marke,  that 
when  as  S.Paul e  fpeaketh  heere  of  Circuracifion;,he  looketh  not  at 
the  thing  in  it  fcife,  but  vntoo  the  ende  of  it,bycaufe  the  deceyuers 
that  had  peruerted  the  pureneiTe  of  the  Gofpell  among  the  Gala- 
thians,  made  them  beleeue  that  they  ought  too  bee  circumcifcd, 
too  the  ende  too  keepe  the  Lawe.  Sain6l  Paule  ftandeth  vpon  that 
poynt,  and  fayth,  that  if  wee  doo  fo  conftreyne  and  bynd  our  fel- 
lies before  God,  or  enter  intoo  fuche  couenant  with  him  :  leius 
Chrift  ftiall  profite  vs  nothing  at  all.  And  this  is  well  worth  the  no- 
ting. For  when  ^s  wee  now  adaycs  doo  fay,  that  i$  a  hcllifhe  Ty- 

rannie 


the  EpiH.to  the  (^aUthianT.        i\z 

ranftie  fof  men  to  commaund  the  keeping  of  a  thing  vnder  pcin  of 
deadly  fin,or  to  forbid  a  thing  bicaufe  themfcJucs  like  not  of  it -(as 
the  commaundement  of  keeping  the  Lent,  or  the  fhriuing  of  mens 
fmnes  once  ayeare:  )if  we  ftriue  againfl  fuch  things,the  Papiftes  (as 
i  faid)caft  foorthe  their  defperate  rage,  uithout  confidering  of  the 
caufe  that  moucth  &  conftreineth  vs  to  (land  vpon  that  poynt  and 
ground.For  whyc'they  looke  no  further  tlian  to  the  outward  thing. 
But  it  behoueth  vs  to  go  further.  For  when  the  Papiftes  command 
A  thing  vnder  painc  of  deadly  fm-.it  is  a  bynding  of  vs  in  fuch  wyfc 
as  we  may  not  haue  Gods  fauor  but  vpon  condition  of  dooin^  our 
duetie  in  that  poynt.  And  he  that  fhall  haue  fo  done  his  dutie,  he  I 
fay  (hall  haue  as  it  were  bound  God  vnto  him,  yea  truely  after  the 
diueliHi  opinion  that  reigneth  in  poperie,  which  is  that  wee  muft 
came  grace  by  our  own  deferts,and  alfo  that  we  muft  pacify  Gods 
wrath  and  wypc  out  the  rememberance  of  our  fmnes  and  offences 
by  making  amendes.  Wherby  it  appeereth  well,  that  if  wee  can  fo 
difcliarge  our  felues,then  is  lefus  Chrift  made  vnauailable  too  vs, 
and  he  (hal  profit  vs  nothing  at  all.For  whyc'Iefus  Chrift  cannot  be 
our  rightuoufnefle,  except  wefeeke  the  forgiuenefte  of  our  finnes 
in  the  facrifize  of  his  death ,  &  therwithal  be  wel  aftured  that  God 
is  our  father,  to  the  end  wee  may  call  vpon  him  with  quiet  confci-  " 
cnces,  bycaufehe  hath  adopted  vs  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  It  is 
true  that  the  deceyuers  which  had  beguyled  the  Galathians,  could 
well  haue  found  in  their  hart  that  lefus  Chrift  fhoulde  haue  bin  ac^ 
knowledged  and  called  the  Sauiour  of  the  vvorld.  And  they  did  fo 
mingle  the  law  with  the  Gofpel,  as  yet  notwithftading  lefus  Chiift 
(hould  haue  had  his  titles  ftill.  But  they  made  a  coparcinerie,  that 
me  on  tlreir  fide  fhould  defeme,  &  that  by  that  meanes  God  ftiuld 
bee  appeafed.  As  if  they  had  fayde,  thatlefus  Chrift  fupplyed  mens 
wants  :  howbeit  after  fuch  afort.as  the  wretched  confcienccs  were 
al  wayes  out  of  quiet.  The  lyke  dealing  is  at  thys  day  in  the  Papa- 
cie.  And  the  Pope  with  all  the  rable  of  his  Clergie,  ditfcrnothing 
at  all  from  the  coufiners  ageynfte  whom  Sain«5VPaule  incounte- 
rethheere,faufngthatthofe  coufiners  didpiit  foorththeyr  ownc 
inuentions  and  would  haue  had  them  too  preuayle  vnder  the  fha- 
doweandauthoriticgfJMoyfesLawe,  They  then  ageinfte  whom 

Saincl 


...^- 


Chap.5.  fo.CaLxxxj.fermonypon 

Sain£t  Faule  difputeth,  fayd,  we  mufi:  kecpc  ftill  Circumcifion,  we 
muft  necdes  be  circumciied  flill.  And  to  what  purpolec'to  the  ende 
wee  may  difcharge  ouii'elues  towardes  God,  and  bee  accepted 
at  his  hand  for  doing  of  our  duetie.  VVhereto  thenfhall  lefus 
Chr/ik  fw^ruecHe  iliali  feme  for  to  fill  vp  a  voyde  roome ;  for  hee 
is  not  vtterly  vnprofitable :  but  w  hen  men  hauc  fo  difcharged  and 
cleered  themfelues,  then  i^  there  bee  any  want  ,  lefus  Chryftc 
fiiali  fupply  that.  After  that  manner  did  thofe  Coufiners  (peake, 
whiche  were  Sain^l  Paules  aduerfarie  partie .  And  w  hat  fayes 
the  Pope  c'Hce  fay th  that  in  (led  of  the  Ceremonial]  lawe  of 
Mofes,  wee  mufl  keepe  his  ordinances ,  and  the  thyngs  that  arc 
decreed  by  Councelles  ,  or  by  thys  man  or  that  man  :  and  that 
the  fame  byndeth  vs  vppon  pcyne  of  deadly  finne ,  fo  that  if  we 
off  ende  God,  wee  muft  make  him  amendes  for  it  by  our  ownc 
iatiifaclions  cndnotby  the  things  that  God  hath  commaunded. 
For  the  amendes  that  we  mufl  make  is  not  any  of  the  thynges  ap- 
poynced  by  Gods  lawe:  but  an  addition  of  an  ouerplus  ofourc 
o^nedeuicebefydes,  and  fo  are  wee  difcharged  to  Godwarde, 
and  God  mufl  need-;  s  take  it  a  wooi  th,  VV^ee  fee  then  that  the 
Pope  holdeth  the  fame  diuelifh  foundation  whiche  thofe  Coufi- 
ners laboured  too  bring  in.  Howbeit  that  thys  is  yet  woorfe^that 
whereas  they  inforced  the  lawof  Mofes  whiche  ought  too  bearc 
fcime  fway  :  the  Poj^e  bringeth  in  his  owne  inuentions,  and  the 
forge.  iesofhisownebra^Tie.  But  contrariwife  Sain6l  Paulefayth 
that  lefus  Chriil  fhal  t  profyte  vs  nothyng  at  all :  when  we  wil  nee- 
des  indent  with  Gcd  after  that  fafhion.  And  why :'  For  it  is  all  one 
to  pa  '1  Chrifl  in  pecces,  and  too  giue  him  but  the  one  haife  of  that 

i.Cfly.i.a.  V,  liich  bcJongeth  fully  and  wholly  vnto  him  alone.He.is  giue  vs  to 
3 ^!  be  pur  ri^hraoufncfTe, vV.  he  is  cabled;  our  peace,&  what  betokerieth 

£/ji?.2.f.l4  the  w.or4Ri§lituoufnefre  c'l  h^t  God  accepreth  vs  freely  for  oure 
Lgi  d  I^fus  Chrif.s  fake.Ncw  the  if  we  fay,  that  we  v/in  Gods  fauor 
by  our  own  deferts,  and  that  lefus  Chrift  is  but  a  fupplyer  of  wats: 
is  it  not-a  rending  of  him  inpeeces,  and  a  dismembering  of  hym  as 
mv'fcli  as  in  v6,ly.eth;'Butthat  cannot  bedong  nc^r  fuffered.  More- 
'  ouer,our;Lord lefus Chrifl:  is giuer^fcfr pur fatida^lion or amends- 
niaking :  for  there  is  none  pthermeanes  to  fet  God  and  vs  at  one, 

but 


the  Epifl.to  the  (jalathiani.      235 

but  by  knowing  that  we  be  e  quite  and  ckane  difcharged,  and  freely 
quit  of  the  bond  of  endlefle  death.For  if  wee  thinke  to  ranfpme  o^r 
felues  by  our  owne  defertes,  and  fay  that  if  there  be  any  want  in  vs, 
Chrift  fhall  make  it  good  as  a  fmall  matter  :  it  is  a  flat  mockcrie,  and 
that  is  in  no  wife  to  be  borne  withA^Ve  fee  then  that  the  caufe  why 
S.PauIe  telleth  vs  that  lefus  Chrift  fhal  profit  vs  nothing,is  that  me 
fhould  not  beguile  themfelues  in  deuifmg  anewe  lefus  Chrifl,  that 
fhould  do  but  halfe  his  dutie:for  we  muft  receyue  him  in  fuch  wife^ 
as  he  is  giucn  vs  of  God  his  father.  Now  he  is  giuen  vs  with  condi- 
tion that  we  fhould  rid  our  felues  of  all  felftruft,  and  refort  wholly 
vnto  him,and  furthermore  that  it  fhould  fuffice  vs  to  haue  him  too 
be  our  headland  thervpon  ferue  God  his  father, offering  him  al  that 
we  haue,  and  afTuring  our  felues  that  although  the  fame  all  bee  no- 
thing,yet  nouvithflanding  howfoeuer  we  fare,  it  fayleth  not  to  bee 
taken  in  good  part,bicaufe  the  adoption  that  is  gone  afore,  &  grou- 
ped in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifl,  maketh  vs  and  our  workes  to  be  al- 
wayes  accepted  of  God,vs  (I  fay)  that  are  nothing  woorth,  and  our 
workes  that  are  but  pelting  trafli,  and  yet  notwithftanding  God  ta- 
keththem  in  good  worth,  bicaufe  he  looketh  not  what  wee  bee,  or 
what  we  do,  nor  vpon  the  qualitie  or  quantitie  of  our  workes  :  but 
only  looketh  at  this,  that  we  come  vnto  him  as  members  of  his  on- 
ly fonne,re{ling  wholy  vpon  the  facrifice  whereby  he  hath  redemed: 
vs.  And  therefore  S  .Paule  for  a  larger  confirmation  addeth,  that  be 
pfotejleth  andrifitTjeffetb,  that  heti^bicb  is  circumcifed  is  a  detteroftbe 
ferformanceoftbe  'it'bolc  to? .  f(?f  (fayth  he)  lefm  Cbri/lisVnauaiUble^ 
fithenfolk^  tifillneedes  iufiifie  thanfilucs  by  tbat  meme.    Wee  haue  a 
declaration  cleare  and  eafie  ynough  of  the  things  that  Paule  hathe 
fayde :  and  wee  muft  marke  it  well,  bicaufe  it  is  hard  tooperfwade 
me  that  lefus  Chrift  is  vtterly  vnauaylable,  when  they  go  about  to 
make  him  vnauaylable  in  any  part.   For  although  the  Turkes  and, 
other  Heathen  folke  neuer  kncwe  what  lefus  Chrifl  is :  yet  haue 
they  had  an  opinion  fully  lyke  the  Papiftes,  and  a  man  fhalliinde 
themtobebothofoneftampe.  For  thtre  were  neuer  yet  anyhea- 
thcnme  in  the  world,  which  haue  not  bin  of  opinion  that  they  could 
not  fatiffie  God :  and  yet  they  haue  gloried  in  their  owne  workes, 
beJe^pg.tliat  their  faluation  or  welfare  proceeded  of  them. 

Gg,  Thfr 


Chap.5.  ^0.  CaL  xxxj.  Sermon  ypon 

The  Heathen  men  then  did  alwayes  bcare  thcmfelucs  in  handc, 
that  they  were  able  to  purchafc  grace,  and  too  dcferue  fomcwhat 
at  Gods  handc.  And  diere vppon  they  offered  Sacryfices,  know- 
ing not  that  the  fame  were  a  figure  of  lefus  Chrill,  but  yet  how- 
foeuer  the  worlde  went ,  they  thought  too  make  fomc  fatifta^ion 
or  amendes.  Euen  fo  alfo  did  the  lewes,  when  they  had  once  mar- 
red and  corrupted  the  true  meening  of  the  Lawc.  As  much  al- 
fo doo  the  Papiftes  at  this  day,  fully  rcfoluing  that  God  accep- 
teth  theyr  dooings,  and  that  hee  is  in  a  maner  bounde  too  them 
fo  too  doo.  Let  them  then  bargain  e  with  him  too  alio  we  of  theyr 
dooings,  though  they  doo  amyfle.  For  they  bee  fure  ynough  that 
they  can  not  make  fatirfa6lion  too  the  full,  nor  in  allpcynts  :but 
yet  on  the  other  fydc  they  fay,  that  they  can  doo  more  than  God 
hath  commaunded,  and  that  that  (hall  ferue  for  recompence  and 
payment.  Nowc  forafmuch  as  it  is  fo  harde  a  matter  too  perfwadc 
men,  that  lefus  Chrift  will  not  ferue  their  tume  by  halues :  it  ftan- 
deth  vs  on  hand  to  marke  this  Text  fo  much  the  better, where  Saint 
Paule  fayth,that  whofoeuer  is  circumcyfed  is  a  detter  of  the  perfor- 
mance of  the  whole  Lawe.  W^hen  Saint  Paule  fpeaketh  after  that 
fortof  Circumcifion,  wee  mufte  marke  that  hee  talketh  not  accor- 
ding to  Gods  firft  inftitutingofit:  for  too  what  purpofc  did  God 
giue  it  vntoo  Abraliam :'  Heegaue  it  him  as  a  fealc  of  the  rightu- 
A?*4'  ^'"  •  oufnefTe  of  fayth,  and  fo  dooth  he  himfelfc  fay  in  the  fourth  too  the 
Romanes.  Tlierefore  the  Circumcifing  of  Abraham,  was  not  toQ 
make  him  a  detter  of  the  performance  of  the  whole  Lawc ;  but 
contrary  wife,  too  alTure  him  of  the  forgiuen  elTe  of  his  finnes,  and 
that  God  accepted  him  for  one  of  his  children,  for  ourc  Lordc 
lefus  Chrifles  fake.  Yee  fee  then  that  Circumcifion  did  fet  our  fa- 
ther Abraham  at  full  libcrtie.  Why  then  did  hee  take  it  C*  Bicaufc 
God  gaue  it  him  as  a  recorde  and  Sacrament  of  his  free  goodncfTc. 
But  contrary  wife,  thofe  agaynf^e  whome  Saint  Paule  reafoneth, 
tooke  Circumcifion  as  a  meritorious  worke,and  thought  therby  to 
deferueatGodshande  :  they  entered  intco  a  kinde  of  bargayning 
with  him,  as  if  they  fhoulde  fay,  verie  well,  I  am  beholding  to  you 
forfuch  a  thing,  and  1  haue  done  this  or  that  in  recompense  of  it* 
Therforc  whenfocucr  wc  fall  to  indenting  after  that  fort  with  Gcd^ 

wc 


the  EpiB.to  the  ^alathians.     i^ 

svthccomc  dettcrs  of  the  performance  of  the  whole  Lawe.As  iihc 
fhoulde  fay,yee  muft  not  bargaine  in  this  cacc  :  men  muft  not  bcare 
themfelues  in  hand  that  they  can  partly  bindc  God,  fo  as  he  fhould 
of  right  bee  in  thcyr  dette,  and  boundc  of  necefsitie  to  take  them 
into  his  Paradice  for  dooing  this  or  that  for  hxm.  No  no  (fay  th  Saint 
Paule  )  wee  miifte  go  more  fubilancially  tco  worke,  wee  mxi([ not 
fall  to  bargayning  with  God,  to  fay  that  he  bindeth  vs  to  performc 
the  whole  Lawe,  and  that  we  binde  him  to  giuc  vs  cucrlafling  li^c. 
If  we  come  to  that  poynt,  wee  bee  dctters  cf  the  whole  Lawe,  To 
bee  fhort.  Saint  Paule  firyucth  hcere  agaynft  the  diueliflic  crrour 
that  reigneth  in  the  Popedome.  They  termc  it  a  parting  rightuouf- 
neflc,  that  is  too  fay,  arightuoufnefle  that  commeth  partly  of  gods 
grace,  and  partly  of  meritorious  workes.  And  why  fo :'  For  it  is  wel 
knowne  that  there  was  neuer  yet  man  in  this  worldc ,  that  perfor- 
med Gods  Lawe,  and  that  doth  experience  fhe  we  too  much.  For- 
afmuch  then  as  thePapifles  (as  (hamelefTe  as  they  bee)  doo  knowe 
well  ynough(as  I  fayde)  that  it  is  too  manifeft  a  thing,  that  men  are 
not  able  to  keepe  all  the  Lawe :  they  fay,  we  mainte^Tie  not  that  we 
bee  fully  rightuous  in  all  poyntcs,  but  wee  fay  thatlefus  Chrift  is 
partly  our  rightuoufnefle  andredemer,  and  that  wee  our  feiues 
doo  partly  deferuc  well  by  our  owne  woorkes.    Fie,fie,fayth  Saint 
Paule,  whofoeuer  falleth  too  indenting  after  that  fafliion,  too  fay 
thatheewyll  eamc  aught  at  Godshande,  or  make  hym  anyc  re- 
compence,  fo  as  heewyllplay  the  hyrelingwyth  him,  and  make 
him  as  it  were  hisdetter,  as  if  he  woulde  fay,  I  haue  done  thys, 
and  therefore  thou  {halt  pay  mee  that :  hcc  maketh  himfelfe  a  det- 
ter  of  the  whole,  and  they  bee  but  fonde  imaginations  wherewith 
men  deceyue  themfelues,  thinking  that  God  muft  be  faine  to  take 
whatthey  willgiuehim,  andto  releafe  them  all  the  reft.  As  for 
example,  if  a  man  bee  bounde  too  pay  ahundreth  Crownes,  and 
mufte  necdes  pay  and  deliuerthem,  and  yetnotwithftandin^  ima- 
gincththat  his  creditor  ought  to  content  himfelfe  if  hec  bring  him 
but  fourc  florens,  and  fay  vTito  him  hecre  fir,  take  this  \^on  further 
rcckening,  andafterwardc  bring  him  halfc  a  dozen  or  halfe  a  Tcorc 
mo,  8c (to  be  fhort)do  with  much  ado  make  vp  the  thirde  or  fourth 
part  of  the  principal,^  belceucth  that  he  is  by  that  mcancs  quite  & 

Gg.ij.  cleanc 


Chap.5 .  ^0^  Cal.  xxxj.  Sermon  ypon 

cicane  difchargcd:  is  it  not  (think  you)to  lewdan  vnthankfalnefle^ 
For  beholde,his  frecnd  opened  hispurfe  to  helpe  him  in  his  neede, 
and  fpared  not  himfelfe  to  fuccour  him  :  and  yet  for  all  that  he  will 
be  difcharged  for  bringing  I  wote  not  what,and  for  faying,  here  fir, 
take  this  in  ful  payment,  whereas  all  that  he  bringeth  is  not  a  quar- 
ter of  the  whole  fummcMen  fee  wel  that  this  were  but  a  mockery; 
what  then  fhal  become  of  fuch  as  will  needcs  enter  into  accout  with 
God  to  deferue  at  his  handc'For  God  auoweth  that  whofoeuer  per- 
Formeth  not  all  the  things  that  are  c5teyned  in  the  law,  fhal  be  cur- 
fed,and  S.Paule  hath  alledged  the  fame  text.W^erto  the  doth  god 
bind  vs  in  his  lawC'  To  performe  it  to  the  full.  And  who  is  able  to  do 
thatcTher  is  no  ma  that  is  able  to  fulfil  any  one  point  of  it  with  fuch 
perfe^lion, but  that  there  fliai  alwayes  be  fomwhat  amifle.And  now 
what  do  thefe  h)^ocritcs  which  think  thefelues  to  haue  fome  wor^ 
thinefle  in  their  own  workes:'  They  bring  this  and  that,Sc  wil  nee- 
des  be  rightuous  in  part.  But  God  accepteth  no  fuch  dealing,  for  he 
1  "wiW  not  vnfay  this  diffinitiue  fentence  which  hee  hath  vttered  with 
[DeH2y.d.  bis  owne  mouth,  Curfed  be  hethatfulfilleth  not  all.  Thus  yee  fee 
whereupon  S.Paule  ftandeth  here,  when  hee  fayth  that  whofoeuer 
is  circumcized,is  a  detter  of  the  whole  law.  As  if  he  had  faid,Letnot 
men  beguile  themfelues  any  more,for  God  walketh  not  two  wayes 
at  once,  he  hath  tolde  vs  in  his  Lawe,  that  if  wee  difcharge  not  our 
felues  fully  towardes  him,  wee  fhall  be  curfed.  But  there  is  not  any 
man  that  difchargerh  himfelf,  therefore  yee  fee  we  bee  all  accurfed. 
Vyhercfore  there  is  none  other  remedie  but  to  refort  [^wholly]  to 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  For  if  wee  thinke  too  makelefus  Chrifl  a- 
vaylable  in  part,  and  therewithall  tooholde  ftyll  fomewhat  of  our 
owne  dooing :  it  is  a  deceyte  :  for  wee  mufte  needes  confcflTc  that 
there  is  nothing  butcurfednelTe  in  vs ,  till  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift 
hauereleafedvs,  and  that  wee  had  neede  too  feeke  our  wantes  in 
him,  in  fuch  wife,  as  wee  may  acknowledge  all  our  owne  woorkes 
to  bee  nothing  woorth,no  nor  any  better  than  filth  before  God,till 
hee  receyue  vs  for  hys  children ,  that  wee  may  walke  in  freedoms 
ofconfcience,  knowing  that  oure  finnesare  forgiuenvs  by  ver- 
tue  of  the  fariffaflion  that  is  purchafcd  for  vs,  fo  as  God  imputcth 
not  our  finnes  ani  mifdcings  vnto  vs,  bycaufe  hee  looketh  vpon  vs 

in 


26. 


the  EptH.to the  Qalathianf.        255 

M  the  perfone  of  his  one  ly  fonne .    Thu  s  yce  fee  ho  we  Saint  Paule 
proueth  that  which  hec  had  faydc  afore  :  that  k  too  wittc,  that  kfus 
Chrift  (hall  not  profitc  any  of  all  thofe  which  are  circumcyzcd.  For 
whyc'lf  they  feekc  die  hope  of  their  faluation  in  their  owncworkes, 
they  mufte  difchargc  themfelues  throughly  and  wholly  towardes 
God,and  not  pelt  him  out  with  gobbets  and  morfels  as  they  fay,but 
fulfill  the  whole  Lawc  without  myfsing  any  one  iotc  of  it.  And  who 
is  able  to  bring  that  to  pafleC'  For  take  me  the  holy  eft  and  perfe6left 
cnanthat  euer  coulde  bee  foundc,  and  he  cannot  do  the  hundredth 
|>art  of  that  which  is  commaunded  him.  Vee  fee  then  that  men  are 
difappoynted  of  the  hope  of  faluation,  if  they  come  not  voydeand 
altogyther  emptye  of  all  theyr  owne  merites ,  andgiue  themfel- 
ucs  infuch  wife  too  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift :  as  they  acknowledge 
that  they  cannot  bee  iuftif^'ed  by  hym  and  by  his  grace  ,  except 
theyhauefirft  renounced  all  that  euer  may  holde  them  backe  in 
the  truft  of  any  other  thing .    And  furthermore ,  wh  e  rcas  Sain(5l 
Paule  fpeakcth  heere  of  becing  circumcyzed  :  hce  meeneth  the 
crrour  which  the  dcceyuers  did  fet  forth,  in  thinking  to  binde  God 
to  them,  and  to  fulfill  the  whole  Lawc.   As  if  it  fhoulde  bee  fayde 
nowadayes,  that  all  fuch  as  keepe  the  Popes  ordinaunces,do  ouer^ 
throwe  the  authoritie  of  our  Lx)rdc  Icfus  Chrift.  Not  thata  man  is 
damned  fornot  eating  of  flefhe  vpponFrydayes,or  in  Lent  tyme : 
but  if  hee  forbeare  the  eating  of  flefhe  for  fuperftitions  fake,  and 
thinke  to  mcrite  by  fo  dooing :  it  is  ccrtainc  that  he  renounceth  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chrift.    For  Chrift  is  giuen  vs  to  be  our  Aduocate ,  fo 
as  wee  beereconcyled  too  God  his  father  by  his  meanes ,  and  hee 
hathfoTetvs  free,  as  hee  will  not hauevs  too  bee  opprefTed  any 
more  with  the  traditions  of  men.  But  they  which  keepe  the  Popes 
traditions,  bearing  themfe lues  in  handethat  it  is  deadly  finne  too-  ' 
tafte  flefhe  vppon  any  fuche  day,  and  that  in  forbearing  it  they  de- 
fcrue  too  well  at  Gods  handc,  and  that  they  bee  good  fatiffa^ions, 
yea  and  that  lefus  Chrift  is  well  honoured  by  doing  of  diis  or  that: 
I  fay  if  they  acknowledge  that,  they  doo  alfo  beleeue  that  the  gate 
of  Paradife  (houlde  be  (Set  agaynft  them  if  it  were  not  opened  them 
by  that  confefsion.and  they  thinke  it  to  be  the  meane  to  make  their 
atccocmcni  witl^  God. 

Gg.iij.  No\F 


Ghap.5.  fo.Cal.jcxxj.Sermonypon 

' .  Nowe  in  making  themfelues  too  beleeue  that,  it  is  ccrtainc  tliaj 
they  make  themfelucs  detters  as  1  fayd  afore,  and  forfake  the  grac0 
that  was  purchafed  by  our  Lords  lefus  Chrift.  Now  vye  fee  how  we 
muft  profite  our  felues  by  this  do6lrine :  namely  firft  of  all  we  muft 
vnderftande  that  God  hath  tolde  vsby  his  Gofpell,  that  [^wee  fliall 
bee  welcome]  as  oft  as  we  come  too  him,  conditionally  notwyth- 
{landing  that  we  be  not  ouercombred  by  wauering  too  and  fro  lyke 
\vinde(haken  Reedes,  but  bee  able  too  call  vppon  him  freely  ,  and 
with  open  mouth,  as  vpon  our  father  which  hath  adopted  vs  to  bee 
his  children.  Secondly  wee  muft  vnderftande  that  themeane  too 
bee  in  his  fauour,  is  too  haue  him  too  forgiue  vs  our  finnes.    And 
why  ^  Bicaufe  lefus  Chrift  hath  made  fatisfa^lion  for  them,  and 
vtterly  difcharged  vs  of  them .    Thirdely,  wee  muft  vnderftande 
thatthisisnotdoneto  the  intent  too  lay  the  brydle  looceinovo" 
necke,  that  wee  might  fall  a  fcot er loping ,  and  playc  the  wyldfe 
beaftes,  fo  as  God  (houlde  not  tame  vs :  but  rather  too  the  intent 
wee  fhoulde  repayrc  vntoG  him  with  a  good  courage,  to  obey  him 
freely.   For  if  wee  were  not  fure  that  he  taketh  vs  for  his  children, 
^nd  beareth  with  vs  fo  gently,  that  the  things  whiche  are  nothing 
Avoorth  are  taken  in  good  woorth  at  his  hand,  for  the  fatherly  loue 
which  he  beareth  vs :  furely  wee  (hall  doo  nothing  but  gnafhe  our 
teeth  when  v/ee  intende  too  ferue  God .  But  if  wee  be  e  perfuaded 
that  God  cafteth  fuch  a  fauour  towardes  vs,  that  although  wee  be 
full  of  infirmities,  and  cannot  doo  any  thing  that  may  deferue  too 
bee  well  lykedathishande  ,  yethec  accepteth  vs  forour  Lorde 
lefus  Chriftes  fake: muft  it  not  ncedes  giue  vs  courage  as  thoughe 
our  fayle  were  fet  vp,  and  wee  had  the  windc  on  our  fterne.There* 
'fore  it  is  certaine  that  our  heartes  m\ift  necdes  runne  fwiftly  as  i 
fhippe  that  hath  the  full  windc  vppon  hir  fayles  ,  when  wee  knowe 
that  wee  are  in  Gods  fauour,  and  that  hee  accepteth  our  woorke^. 
and  intcndeth  not  too  bynde  vs  too  any  bondage,  but  is  consented 
toatakevsfor  his  children,  and  accepteth  oure  willihgnefle  too 
obey  his.   Now  then,  when  we  be  once  fure  of  that :  we  may  ferue 
ourGod  with  the  better  courage,  and  bicaufe  wee  bee  grounded 
Vppon  his  grace  ,  it  will  cheere  vs  in  fuche  wife  ,  as  wee  fhall  offer 
him  the  facniice  of  prayfe  and  prayer,  aiTvuing  oure  felues  that 

hce 


the  EptB.tothe  QalathianT.        22 tf 

Kee  wyHhcerevs,  and  therevppon  yeeldehym  thankesfor  that 

fo  great  and  ineftimable  benefyte,  which  hee  communicateth  vn- 

to  vs  euerie  day. 

Nowe  Jet  vs  fall  downe  before  the  Maieftie  of  our  good  God, 

with  acknowledgement  of  our  faultes,  praying  him  to  vouchfafe  to" 
make  vs  fo  to  feele  them,as  it  may  humble  vs  truely,  and  make  vs.. 
yeclde  our  feJues  wholly  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  and  that  whca 
we  be  once  come  vntp  him,  we  may  perfift  in  the  fayth  of  his  Gof- 
pell,  without  fwaruing  afydc  in  any  wife^and  that  he  may  fo  fuftein 
vs  in  our  infirmities,  as  wee  notwithftanding  may  be  touched  with 
true  repentance,  too  figh  and  gronc  before  him,  till  hee  haue  taken 
vs  out  of  this  raortall  bodye,  wherein  v/ee  bee  hilde  inprifon  vn- 
der  the  bondage  of  finne.  And  fo  let  vs  ail  fay,  Aimightie  God  omv 
hcauenly  father.&c 

T^he.'^iSermony^hichisthefeconde 

VpontheffibChafter. 

4    Chriftis become vnproficable to you^  toallof  youv 
thacareiuftifiedbythcLavve^  andyou  bcefalnc  ' 
from  grace, 
j     For  we  in  fpirite  doc  vvayteby  fayth  for  the  hope 

ofRightuoiifncilc,' '  ";V 
^    For  neytherCircumcifionnorvncircumcifibn  is  a*! 
ny  thing  woorth  in  lefus  Chrift,  but  fayih  that: 
vvorketh  by  loue. 

E  haue  feene  heretofore,that  fuch  as  wil  make 
a  partnerfhip  betwenc  their  owne  workes  and' 
Gods  grace,  do  fouly  ouerfhoot  thefeluesifofj 
as  foonc  as  we  come  to  reckening,  God  muft; 
needes  iudge  vs  with  rygour.Then  if  we  go  x- 
bout  too  get  his  fauour,  and  to  purchace  our* 
faluation  by  our  owne  woorkes: we  muftpcr- 
fcrnie  Lawe  to  the  vttermofte  without  any  mifsing .  But  nowc  let 
VS  fee  if  euer  mandifcharged  himfelfe  fo  perfeaiy.  Swely  wc  coma 


chap.sv  fo.Cal.xxxij.Sermonypon 

verie  farrc  fhort  of  it.  Therefore  wc  muft  come  emptie  vnto  God, 
that  hee  may  receyuc  vs  too  mcrcic,  and  impute  vnto  vs  the  obe- 
dience of  oure  Lorde  Icfus  Chrift,  auowing  it  in  fuche  wi(c  as  wee 
lay  afydc  all  our  owne  deferuings,  and  bring  not  any  thing  of  the 
Lawe  with  vs,  faue  onely  a  fingle  and  pure  confefsion,that  wee  bee 
damned  and  forlorne  till  God  pitie  vs ,  and  burying  all  our  faultes 
and  tranfgrefsions  do  cloth  and  apparell  vs  againe  with  the  rightu- 
oufnefle  of  our  Lorde lefus  Chrift  his  fonnc.    And  for  that  caufc 
doth  Saint  Paule  conclude  heere,  that  fuchas  y^iiliuitijle  tbemfclucs 
hy  the  tof,  are falne from  grace,  andlefmCbrHlJhallprofitethemmt 
thing  at  all.  If  is  not  for  nought  that  hee  fpeaketh  after  that  mancr. 
For  the  falfe  packers  that  had  partly  corrupted  the  do<Strine  of  the 
Gofpell  in  the  Church  of  theGalathians,  ment  too  mingle  the  one 
with  the  othenthat  is  to  wit,  that  lefus  Chrift  isgiucn  vs  to  fupplic 
our  wantes,and  yet  notwithftanding  that  wee  cealTe  not  to  be  righ- 
tuous  in  part,  by  indeuering  to  do  well.  For  they  did  not  vtterly  re- 
nounce our  Lord  lefus  Chrift;,neither  fayd  they  tliat  all  the  promi* 
-fes  wherein  God  telleth  vs  that  he  wil  of  his  goodnelfe  forgiue  the 
faithful  their  (innes,are  deceyt  and  mockerie :  but  their  intent  was 
that  men  (hould  labor  to  iuftifie  thefelues,that  is  to  fay,topurchafe 
fauour  at  Gods  hand  by  their  owne  workes.  And  forafmuch  as  wee 
be  farre  from  perfection:  they  ment  that  Icfus  Chrift  (hould  fupply 
it  as  a  fecond  remedie.that  was  their  furmize.  Likewife  nowadayes 
in  Poperie,  they  will  not  with  ope  mouth  vttcr  this  blafphemie  that 
lefus  Chrift  fcrueth  vs  to  none  other  purpofc,  but  too  teach  vs  the 
will  of  God  his  father:  they  will  afoorde  to  fay  that  he  hath  redee- 
med vs  and  purchafedthe  ground  of  deferuingfor  vs,for  he  hath  o- 
pehed  vs  the  gate  of  Paradicc  too  enter  in  at,  and  alfo  that  hi« 
death  andpafsion  do  dayly  profite  vs,  too  reconcile  vs  vntoo  God 
dayly  when  wee  haue  offended  him.    But  howfoeuer  the  worldc 
go,  they  will  haue  vs  too  defenie  or  earne  the  kingdome  of  heauen 
in  parts,and  to  recleeme  our  finnes  by  diuerfe  meanes,  and  thereof 
fprang  all  their  fatiffa<^ions ,  and  finally  that  if  a  man  cannot  per- 
forme  all  during  his  life ,  the  reft  fliall  bee  fulfilled  in  Purgatorie. 
Thus  yee  fee  howe  Icfus  Chrift  hath  but  halfe  a  place  with  them  in 
rcccyuing  vs  vnto  God ,  and  yet  ia  the  meane  while  they  fhouldcr 

him 


the  EpiH.tothe(jalathians.      %yj 

him  in  Tuck  wirc,that  frecNyilljmeriteSjWorkes  of  fupererogationor 
cucrplus  as  they  terme  them,  and  fuche  like  things  runnc  away  at 
leaftwifc  with  the  one  half  of  our  faJuation.  But  S.Paulc  tclleth  vs 
that  God  liketh  no  fuch  partencrfhip.For  either  we  muft  bring  fuch 
a  full  perforrnance  of  the  Lawe  as  God  may  be  contented  with :  or 
clfcyeeld  our  felues  giltie.  If  there  bee  neuer  fo  little  a  fault,  all  the 
refidue  defcrueth  nothing  at  all.  For(as  I  haue  declared)  God  pro- 
mifeth  not  faluation  too  fuch  as  doo  him  halfe  feruis,  or  too  fuch  as 
fcrue  him  after  a  forte :  but  to  fuch  as  keepe  his  Lawe  throughout: 
He  that  dooth  all  the  things  (hall  Hue  :  and  contrai*ywife  he  that  L^uit.  i8.<*, 
performeth  not  allfhallbee  curfed.  But  it  is  fo  thatnomandootli  j.Cr.fPf/^^ 
thethings  that  are  required  and  commaunded  in  the  Law.  For  what  27.r/.26'. 
goodzele  or  will  foeuer  wee  haue  too  ferae  God,  there  is  alwayes 
much  feeblenelTe  in  vs,  and  wee  go  too  him  haltingand  make  many* 
falfe  fteppes,  yea  and  oftentimes  >yee  happen  to  fteppe  afide  and  too 
go  aftray :  and  fo  are  wee  all  fhet  out  from  thepromis  of  faluation 
as  in  refpedofotir  own  workes,andthe  curfe  wayteth  for  vs,  which 
we  cannot  efcape.  For  who  is  fo  farre  ouerfecne,as  to  take  vpon  him 
that  he  hath  performed  the  whole  Lawe:'  Then  if  all  of  vs  be  found 
gillie  of  offence  againft  God :  wee  be  as  good  as  vtterly  vndone,  till 
our  Lord  Icfus  Chrifte  reach  vs  his  hand.  Therefore  it  followeth 
that  wee  muft  forget  the  rightuoufncfTe  of  the  lawe^and  lay  it  vnder 
foote,fo  as  it  may  bee  vtterly  abolifhed,and  there\^on  that  wee  go 
naked  too  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte  for  remedie,  confefsing  our  ownc 
pouertie,  and  not  beyngafhamed  too  bee  defaced  with  all  reprochc 
before  God,that  we  may  be  clothed  againe  with  his  glorie.  Thus  yc 
fee  in  effc6l  what  we  haue  too  gather  vpon  this  text,  where  S'.Paule 
fayeth  that  Icfus  Chrift  is  made  vnprofitable,  if  men  hope  to  iuftific 
themfelues  by  the  Lawe.  For  it  hath  bin  too  common  an  crrour  in 
all  ages,that  at  the  firftfetting  forth  andfirft  brunt,men  will  needes 
pay  God  all  that  is  due  too  him,  and  in  the  end  fecke  ftaitingholes 
when  they  fee  no  power  nor  abilitie  inthem  toodooit.  Well  fay 
they, though  wee  cannot  doo  all,  yet  will  wee  do  fomewhat.  But  in 
this  cace  it  is  not  for  vs  to  follow  o-jt  owne  imaginacions :  for  God 
will  iudge  vs  according  too  his  owne  woorde.  Therefore  let  vs  not 
recken  without  our  hofl,  as  the  Prouerb  fayes,by  making  our  felues 

Gg.v.  belecuc 


Chap.  5.         fo.Ol.xxxij.Sermonypon     . 

beleeue  that  God  \yill  accept  what  we  think  goodrbut  Ietys:vnd€r-'i 
ftand  that  lefus.  Chrift  cannot  bcote  vs  at  all,  except  wee  feeke.the^ 
iuhicfTe  of  ourf^luation  in  him.  For  it  is  not  fayde  in  thcSciijnure^; 
i;hat  thefather  hath  giuen  vs  him  as  a  help  to  obtaine  pur  faiuation  v 
tut  that  he  isgiuep.vs  to  be  our  rightuournefTe  and  lyfe.  It  follow- 
eth  then  that  in  our  own  felues  there  is  nothing  butwickednefie  8c 
cndlefTe  death,til  wc^  haue  recouered  the  thing  in  lelusChrift,  which 
^^^ee  loft  and  were  vttcriy  bereft  of  in  Adam.  And  thefe  twoo  things 
areioyned  here  togither :  namely /i^^r  lefics  CbriB  frofiteth  Vj  mtat 
alljandtbAttieeehe  fallen  from  gnce,  according  as  in  very  truth^aU  the 
grace  or  favour  that  we  muftfinde  at  Gods  hand,  is  comunicated  to, 
\  vs  by  the  mear^es  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift»  And  it  is  a  very  notably 
poynt. For  euer}^ nyn will  well ynough graunt that  wemuft refort 
vntoo  God,  bycaufe  he  is.  the  we Ifpring  of  all  welfare.  But  in  the: 
meane  whyle  the  moft  part  of  men  wander  in  their  own  windlafles, 
and  in  ftead  of  coming  vntob  God,  do  go  fromhmr,  as  it  is  too  bee 
fcene  in  thePapacie^where  wretched  hipocrites  &  Aeigporant  fort 
i^y  that  their  gadding  after  their  Sain6les  and  puppets,  &  their  mar^ 
lynng  of  thefelues  in  their  fooliflideuDtions,is  to  get  Gads  fauour.. 
But  in  the  meane  whyle  lefus  Chrift  is  let  alone,and  no  man  makes 
^ccout  of  him,but  they  rather  hie  the  to  fome  ftocke  or  ftone  which; 
they  call  their  Lady,tlian  to  the  Sonne  of  God.And  wherof  cometliL 
tjhis^^Eiien  bicaufe  they  know  not  how  God  hath  giuen  vs  his  grace, 
oof  after  what  manerhe  will  haue  vs  too  feeke  it,  nor  what  way  aiid 
order  itbehoueth  vs  to  hold.  Therefore  when  we  be  once  through- 
ly refolued  that  God  is  our  father,  &  alfo  know  perfe6lly  that  what 
foeuer  we  haue  neede  of  he  will  haue  vs  to  draw  it.  from  out  of  our 
Lord  lefus  Chrift, who  is  as  a  fpring  that  was  vnder  the  earth,and  af- 
terward is  opened  snd  floweth  abrode,that  euery  man  may  take  his  ^ 
fill  of  it :  then  (fay  I)  do  we  know  that  Gods  grace  cannot  bee  dray- 
ned  drie,  but  yet  dooth  it  not  come  at  vs,.  but  by  the  meanes  of  our 
Lordlefus  Chrift.  Too  bee  fhort,let  vs  markc  that  all  that  euerbe- 
longeth  too  our  faiuation  is  fo  put  intoo  the  perfone  of  Gods  onely , 
fbnne  :  that  he  alone  muftfuffize  vs^and  we,go  ftreyght  vnto  him, , 
and  take  alLour  contentation  there..And  as  Ifayd  afore,  let  vs  keepe 
our  felues  from  this  imagination  of  thinliing  to  purchace  apy  thing 

by 


theEpiH.tothe^alathians.  ^    258' 

by  bitr  defertcSjfor  it  feparateth  vs  vtterly  fro  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift:' 
Noweherevpon  S.Paule  addeth,  tbat^^ce  \Vayt  for  tbehopv  ofrigkl 
iuoufmjfe  hyfayth  in  the Jpirite. It  {cvuGth  to  confirms  that  which  Ke 
hath  fayd  heretofore,  concerning  the  diueffitie  that  is  betwcene  vs 
and  the  fathers  that  liucd  vnder  the  Lawe.  For  howe  was  Abraharii 
receyucd  intoo  fauour,  but  through  fayth  C*  Yet  notwithftanding  hfc 
differed  from  vs  in  one  thing.  For  in  afmuch  as  lefus  Chrift  was  not 
yetdifcouered  :  Ceremonies  weregiuen  himV  arid  many  m6  werd 
added  at  the  publishing  of  the  Lawe,  according  too  the  neede  which 
the  people  had  too  bee  fo  led  and  guyded.  Too  bee  (hort,the  fayth- 
full  of  all  ages  hauc  euer  fought  their  whole  rightuoufeneffe  in  th^ 
gracc-of  God.  Ncuertheleffe  they  were  helped  by  theCeremonie^ 
and  (hadowe^,  bycaufe  the  Gofpell  was  not  yet  fo  reiiekd  vntod 
them  as  it  is  vntoo  vs,  nother  was  lefus  Chrifte  (who  is  the  very 
pledge  of  rightuoufnefle)  made  yet  fo  manifeft.  But  nowe  1  ettc  vs 
come  too  that  which  Saincl  Paule  fayeth.  He  fetteth  heere  the  fpii 
rite  now  adayes  among  the  Chri(lians,to  exclude  all  figures  and  (ha-* 
^Wes,as  if  he  (houla  fay  that  it  ought  too  fuffi2-e  vs  that  the  Sonne 
of  God  is  appeered  too  vs  for  our  rightuoufnefTe,  and  therefore  wee 
mufte  let  go  the  Ceremonies,  bycaufe  the  fhadowe  were  needeleflc 
how  adayes.  And  not  in  this  Texte  alone  dothe^Sain^l  Paule  rnaVcH 
the  woorde  fpirite  agaynft  the  fhadowes  of  the  Lawe.  IVuly  when 
Godin  old  time  didordeyneCircumcifion,  Sacrifices,  and  fuchc  o- 
ther  things,  it  v/as  not  too  fet  folke  at  a  gaze  heere  bylowe :  for  all 
things  that  are  contayned  in  the  Lawe  are  in  very  dt^ile  fpirituali. 
Therewasapatterneofdiem  fhewed  too  Moyfcs  ontheMoun^  Bxod.i^, 

t^P^-  ^.40,' 

^  So  then  it  is  cerHyne  that  the  Others  had  a  fpirituali  beleef  aj 
well  as  wee,  fo- as  they  kncwc  they  were  not  wafhed  and  'made 
cleane  by  tlu'ee  or  foure  droppes  6f  water :  nor  rccorK^/led"tooG(5d 
by  the  (acrifizing  of  a  Calfe  or  of  feme  other  biute  beaH  :  but  that' 
cure  Lorde  lefus  Chrirte  was  their  onely  ►wadiyr]"  and  elcnzin^, 
and  that  hee  by  the  Sacrifv'ze  of  his  dcathe  had  dillhar<^ed  them 
quyte,orat  leaftw^fe  fhould,  bydaufe  the  th'^g^i'asnot^yet  done, 
but  the  Fathers  looked  aloofe  at  tl>d  thing  vi4^'ichwi!Siiot  yet  dif- 
dozed  .  And  inoreouer  it  i^  not  without  c-aufe,  that  ihp  fayde- 
'  "^  ■%-oord 


Chap  5.         foXalxxxij.Sermonypon 

woord^Sphit]  is  fetdowneheere,  to  Hicwc  that  the  fathers  could 
not  imbrace  the  grace  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chriftc,  but  by  the  meancs 
whiche  our  Lorde  had  ordeyned  for  the  time.  Tliercfore  when  any 
man  had  done  amiflre,he  came  with  a  facriflcejto  acknowledge  him- 
felf  woorthie  of  death  before  God :  not  too  feeke  hisattonementin 
a  CaIfc,or  in  a  Sheepe,  or  in  any  fuch  other  thing :  for  that  was  too 
bee  had  m  lefus  Chrifte :  but  yet  was  it  of  necefsitie  that  the  figur* 
of  him  Hiouldgo  before.  As  much  is  to  be  fayd  of  the  waftiings  and 
C^/.2.f  .17.  of  the  refiduc  of  thofe  things.  In  thefe  dayes  we  haue  the  body  (fay- 
cth  S.Paule)and  therfore  the  fhadowes  are  not  requifite  any  more. 
If  a  man  were  prefent  before  mine  eyes :  would  I  feekc  too  kno  wc 
him  by  his  fhadowcThat  were  to  darkfome  a  dealing :  and  if  I  might 
behold  him  in  the  face, what  a  doItiflinefTe  were  it  for  mee  too  turnc 
away  from  him,  and  to  go  feeke  fome  tracinges  too  know  him  by  ^ 
Euen  fo  is  it  now  adayes  with  fuch  as  turne  backe  agayne  to  the  old 
figurcs.They  turne  their  backes  vpon  lefus  Chrift,knowing  not  that 
the  rending  afunder  of  the  vey  le  of  the  Temple  at  his  deadi,betoke- 
ned  that  all  the  auncient  figures  were  abolifhed^  and  that  wee  at  thig 
day.  may  enter  intoo  the  heauenly  San6tuarie,  from  the  which  wee 
were  as  good  as  ftraungers  before.  To  bee  flK)rt,S.Paule  ment  heere 
too  declare,  that  his  condemning  of  the  Ceremonies  of  the  Lawe,  i» 
not  to  condemnc  the  fathers  that  vfed  them,  nor  God  that  was  the 
author  of  them,but  to  (hewe  that  wee  in  thefe  dayes  haue  the  truth 
and  fubftance  of  them :  and  cofequently  that  the  things  which  were 
fhadowedheeretofore,areno  more  fo,  and  therefore  that  wee  mufl; 
content  our  felues  vrith  lefus  Chrift,  who  hath  brought  all  perfeftio 
with  him.  Tlius  muche  concerning  the  Ceremonies  of  the  Lawe^ 
Now  >yhercas  S.Paule  fayeth  that  wee  wayte  for  the  hope  of  righ^ 
tuoufneffe  in  fpirite :  he  vfeth  a  kinde  of  fpeache  that  may  feemc 
fti'aungc :  for  what  is  ment  by  wayting  for  the  hope  of  rightuouf- 
neffe  f  Let  vs  marke,that  heere  S.Paule  intended  to  drawe  vs  away 
from  all  things  that  are  to  bee  feene  in  this  worlde.  For  bycaufe  wee 
bee  too  muche  inclyned  and  fubic6l  too  fticking  faft  heere  bylowe, 
wKen  wee  haue  any  thing  for  our  fenfes  too  reft  vppon,  fo  as  wee 
cannot  lift  vp  our  mindes  aloft,  and  bycaufe  that  men  are  too  flefh^ 
ly :  they  euercojJet  too  haue  ail  things  open  afore  their  eyes.  But 

God 


theEpiH.to  the  Qalathians.        i]9 

'6od  pUrpofethto  trie  our  obedience,  by  referring  vs  too  his  f  ure 
and  flngle  woord.  And  we  do  then  honour  him  arightAvhen  we  fhet 
our  eyes  at  all  thefe  outwarde  things,and  holde  our  felues-  fotisfied 
with  Gods  will  whiche  he  hath  (hewed  too  vs^,  thinking'our  felues 
to  want  nothing  when  wee  haue  that.  For  this  woord  y^ayt  betoke^- 
neth  that  we  perccyue  not  by  eycfight  the  thing  that  wee  wayt  for, 
(according  as  it  is  faydin  the  eight  too  the  Romanes,)  and  fo  much 
the  more,  bycaufe  the  woord  Ho^e  is  added  to  it.  1  herefore  it  is  as 
much  as  if  S.  Paule  hadfayd :  Verely  my  freendes,  if  a  man  would 
go  about  to  know  the  rightuoufnefTe  of  Chriftians,  (that  is  too  wit 
that  they  be  Gods  childrcn,thatthey  be  heyres  of  the  heauely  life, 
and  that  God  accepteth  them  as  if  they  were  Angelles  without  fpot 
or  blemifh)  I  fay  if  a  man  woulde  know  this  after  a  worldly  maner : 
he  fhould  deceyue  himfelf  For  wee  fee  that  the  faythfull  arc  defpi- 
•zed  folke,men  vouchfafe  not  too  looke  vpon  them  but  a  skew,  they 
beare  a  lowc  fayk  to  the  worIdward,and(to  be  fliort)there  is  nother 
pompe  nor  outward  fhewe  in  the  rightuoufneffe  that  wee  obteyne 
by  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte.  For  wee  feeke  not  eftimation  when  wee 
fay, that  before  God  wee  cannot  reft  vpon  any  thing  but  his  meere 
inercie,and  that  alJ  our  deferuings  hang  vpon  his  meere  grace,  and 
that  we  mufl:  go  out  of  our  felues  to  haue  lefus  Chrift  as  the  ful  per- 
feflionofallgoodnelle  and  welfare.  VMienwee  fpeake  after  that 
fafliion :  it  is  not  to  vaunt  ourfeluei,  but  too  confelTe  our  felues  to 
be  full  of  all  reproche,fo  as  all  our  worthinefTe  is  but  dung  and  filth, 
and  all  our  woorkes  vnclennefTejand  that  wee  fhould  bee  lothely  in 
Gods  fight  lyke  wretched  Lazermen  that  are  full  of  fores  and 
botches,if  wee  were  not  fo  wafhed  and  clenzcd  by  the  bloud  of  our 
Lord  lefus  Chrift^that  God  did  like  well  of  vsby  his  meanes.  Now 
then  the  rightuoufnefTe  whiche  ought  too  reigne  among  the  fayth- 
full,i?  not  a  thing  full  of  pompe,  nor  a  thing  that  is  greatly  sazed  at 
and  commended  [of  the  world]:  no,  but  it  is  vtter  wr-etchcdneffe.. 
And  therefore  S.Paulefayeth  hecre,th2C  when  the  world  lau?hcth 
at  our  (in-jplicitie,  bycaufe  they  fee  vs  hope  after  that  falliion  m  oyr 
Lord  lefus  Chri(l,and  eueiy  of  vs  humbly  abace  himfelf  euen  to  tlie 
dungeon  of  hcll,too  the  end  wee  may  bee  lifted  vp  by  the  j^ace  of 
Ood  too  the  kingdome  of  heauen :  although  the  worldlinj^s  dots 

njock;' 


chcip.  5.  Jo.  CaLxxxij.  Sermon  ypon 

mockc  and  skcrne  vs  for  it,  yet  mufl:  wee  holdc  on  {ledfaftly,  aHu- 
ring  cur  felues  that  wcc  fhail  not  be  difappoynied.  For  wc€  knowe 
with  wboni  we  haue  left  our  gage  in  keeping,namcly  eiien  with  him 
that  hath  promired  too  call  vs  too  faluation.  Therefore  let  vs  walke 
on  in  the  fayde  fayth ,and  imbrace  lefus  Chr ift,  and  when  we e  haue 
him  Jet  vs  let  h'ght  by  all  the  reft.  Let  vs  not  do  him  the  dirhcnour 
and  wrong,  too  Hit  ink  away  from  him  into  a  corner,  and  too  make 
him  ferue  our  turne  but  in  part :  but  let  vs  acknowledge  that  we  be 
iudified  throughly  and  in  all  poyntcs  by  his  meanes.Now  herev^>on 
a  man  might  yet  make  a  queftion,and  fay  :  What  I  pray  you,  were 
the  Ceremonies  ccmmaunded  in  the  Lawe  without  caufe  why  :* 
Truely  Sain61Paukhath  anfweredthis  matter  fufficicntly  already. 
Howbeit  forafmuchasmenareflowe  inrefoluing  of  matters  that 
concerne  the  holdin-^  faft  of  Gods  pure  taith :  therefore  he  fliew- 
tth  newe  ao;ainc,that  there  is  difference  betweenc  vs  and  thofe  that 
iiued  before  the  comming  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte.  Alfo  he  had 
a  confideration  too  ftoppe  the  mouthes  of  many  raylers :  for  if  a 
man  preac^ie.  Gods  meere  mercie  in  lefus  Chrifte  :  by  and  by  fome 
Maftife  curres  or  other  fall  too  barking,  and  cafte  foorth  ftore  af 
flaunders,as  is  to  be  feene  yet  ftill  at  this  day.  For  if  wee  condemnc 
the  Diuelilhfelftruft  wherewith  men  beguyle  themfelues,  in  wee- 
ning too  obtaine  faluation  by  their  owne  defertes:  oJiow  fo  fay 
jhey  c'  that  were  a  condemning  of  all  good  woorkes.   And  after  that 
maner  doo  the  hypocrites  now  adayes  flaunder  the  do6lrine  of  th« 
Go^'pell  whiche  we  beare  abrodc,  as  though  wee  mcnt  togiue  lean* 
and  licence  too  doo  euill,  th  '  '^-rc  might  bee  no  more  difference 
betwLxt  vice  and  vertue.  Againe  if  we  >  tell  them  that  their  Cere- 
monies are  but  pelting  baggage,  and  ^nat  the  more  they  take  pryde 
in  them, the  more  abhominable  they  be  before  God :  6,  howfhould 
that  bee  fay  they  <  Behold,thefe  fellowes  would  abohdi  all  religion: 
anci  what  a  thing  were  that  <  Shall  God  be  no  more  ferued  and  ho- 
nored <  fuch  is  the  fpeach  and  talke  that  is  vfed  now  adayes  by  thofc 
curredorges,  which  cannot  abide  that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  (hould 
be  the  only  foundacion  whereon  to  fettle  the  truft  of  our  faluation> 
nor  alio  aLi Je  that  wee  fhould  bee  gcuerned  by  the  pure  and  alonly 
woord  of  God.  And  for  that  caufe  S.Paule  fayeth  here,  (bat  in  leffis 

ChiiJi 


theEpi^.to  the  C^alathians.       i\o 

ChriH  there  Unolher  Cinumci;^onnor'^mircumJ:^hrj,hut  faytb  that 
"^orj^th  through ibaritie.  In  fayin^^  that  there  is  nother  Circumcizion 
nor  vncircumcizio  in  lefus  Chi  ill :  he  meencth  that  Gods  comaun- 
din^  of  the  Ceremonies  was  but  for  a  time,  Sc  that  we  muft  aiwayes 
haue  an  eye  wheretoo  he  tendcd,n:irriely  that  he  ment  to  maintcync 
the  people  in  hope,  bycaufc  Icfus  Chrifte  was  not  yet  appcercd  too 
tlie  world.  For  if  tliey  had  not  had  wafhings,  and  Sacrifizcs  and  fuch 
other  like  things :  they  would  haue  bin  difmayedjand  the  frayltie  of 
man  is  fuch,  that  they  would  haue  quite  quay  led  a  hudred  thoufand 
times.And  therfore  although  they  faw  not  yet  fully  how  they  (huld 
be  faucd :  yet  notwithftanding  they  had  therein  as  it  were  liuely  pU 
ftures  &  lookingglafTes,  where  they  might  behold  the  grace  of  god. 
Thus  ye  fee  how  the  fhadowes  and  figures  ferued  but  for  a  time.  So 
then  S.Paule  declareth,that  he  wil  not  in  any  poynt  diminiH^i  the  au-  ufet.i,  d. 
thoritie  of  God  who  had  ftablifhed  that  Law  among  the  lewes,  nor      19. 
alfo  fay  that  all  thofe  things  were  fruteleflc  and  vnauaylablc :  but 
that  wee,(nowe  after  that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifte  is  manifeftcd,)are 
come  to  the  fulneflc  of  time,  and  therefore  that  wee  mufte  haue  no 
more  veyles  to  keepe  vs  fro  beholding  him  face  to  facc,according  as 
he  is  fet  foorth  to  vs  in  the  Gofpell.  For  whenfoeuer  the  Gofpell  is 
preached  vnto  vs,it  is  all  one  as  if  we  faw  Gods  fonne  cmcified  pre- 
fently  before  vs,or  as  if  wee  fawe  his  bloud  llreaming  downe,  for  fo 
much  as  wee  be  befprinklcd  with  it  by  the  power  of  the  holy  Ghoft, 
as  faycth  S.Peter  in  his  firflEpiftle.So  then  feing  tliat  our  lord  lefus 
Chrifthath  by  liis  death  and  pafsi5  opened  vs  the  v/ay  whereby  wee 
may  come  to  God  his  fathenit  is  not  for  vs  to  buzie  our  ft  lues  any 
more  about  the  things  that  were  apointed  for  the  time  of  his  abfece. 
It  is  true  that  he  dwellcth  not  nowadayes  in  the  worid.butyet  haue 
we  his  Go'|^el,which  is  the  accoplifhmet  of  al  things  that  are  ncede- 
full  to  our  n-iluatio:&  therfore  it  is  as  good  as  if  hcT were  crucified  a- 
moj;  vs,as  S'.Paulc  hath  fayd  already.  Kow  that  we  haue  the  vnder-  Gal},  a»  I. 
ft«nding  of  ihefe  wordes  in  lefus  ChrtB,ih3t  is  to  wit.thatth  2  Qofpel 
is  preached  :  let  vs  come  to  this  addition  of  his,  thnt  there  is  nother 
ciraimcizion  nor  vncircumcizion :  that  is  too  fay,  that  thofe  things 
rjuift  hciKcfcorih  ceade.and  men  muile  rcftc  onely  vppon  chaiitic. 
And  wherefore  doth  S.Paule  addc  the  woord  charitic'  1  oc  fh^-'c 

that 


c!iiup.5  fo.CaLxxxij. Sermon  ypon 

that  Chriftenfolke  will  not  be  idle,  and  that  they  haueynoiigh  tod 
ocaipie  themfelues  about,  though  they  keepe  not  the  figures  of  the 
Lawe.  For  albeit  that  it  was  Ciods  meening  to  leade  the  people  vn- 
to  lefiis  Chrilljin  ordeyningthe  Sacrifizes,  circumcizion,  and  all  the 
refidue  :  yet  notwithftanding  men  beyng  of  themfelues  corrupt, 
marred  all.  And  truely  the  lewes  were  of  opinion,  that  they  bound 
God  too  them  in  oflFering  vp  facrifize :  but  it  was  cleane  contrarie. 
For  he  that  offered  facrifize,did  there  pafTe  a  recognidance  to  binde 
himfelf  folemnly  to  curfedncfle,  as  if  he  fhoulde  fay,  I  am  woorthie 
of  death,  in  token  whereof  a  poore  beaft  is  heere  killed  and  hath  his 
throte  cut :  and  is  it  the  beaft  that  hath  deferued  it  c'  no,  it  is  I.  Yce 
fee  then  that  a  man  might  there  behold  his  owne  {infulnefTcy  like  as 
alfb  it  behoued  him  to  feeke  his  faluation  els  where  than  in  himfelf. 
Lo  I  pray  you  how  the  figures  ought  to  haue  brought  folke  too  fueh 
a  lowlinefTe,that  all  men  from  the  greateft  too  the  leaftfhould  haxie 
condemned  themfelues,  and  there  vpon  imbracing  the  grace  of  our 
LordIefusChrift,hauerefted  themfelues  wholly  vppon  that.  But 
ROW  adayes  in  the  Popedome  there  is  a  like  deceytfulneffe  vfed,  in 
{b  much  that  men  do  falfifie  all  that  God  hath  ordeyned.  As  howC" 
Looke  vponBaptifme,  looke  vpon  the  Lordes  Supper,  which  were 
inftituted  to  the  end  that  wee  fhould  come  and  proteft  before  God> 
that  wee  holde  all  things  of  him.  V\^hat  is  there  in  Baptifme  c'  It  is 
fKewed  vs  there,  that  wee  muft  6\q  in  our  felues.  And  why  fo  c'  euen 
bycaufe  there  is  nothing  but  frowardnefle  and  curfedneffe  in  vs,  fo 
as  we  Fee  the  children  of  \vrath,and  vtter  ftraungers  vnto  God.Yee 
fee  then  in  Baptifme  a  man  is  vtterly  ridde  of  all  his  truftin  himfelR 
In  the  Supper  wee  come  to  feeke  our  life  in  lefus  Chrift :  and  fo  are 
wee  ftarke  dead  both  the  wayes.  Yet  for  all  this,the  Papiftes  weene 
thefe  things  too  bee  meritorious  workes.  And  tlvat  is  the  caufe  why. 
they  by  the  Hellifh  abhominationof  their  mifchieuous  Ma(re,haue 
falfified  yea  &  vtterly  defaced  all  things  that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift 
had  appoynted.  For  fuch  a  woorke  euen  as  it  is  done  by  man,  or  the 
very  working  of  the  deede,that  is  too  fay,  the  very  doing  of  it  as  it 
commeth  and  proceedeth  of  man,  nuifte  (fay  they)  ofnecefsitie  bee 
meritorious.  But  therein  wee  fee  a  manifeft  falfhood.  Howbeit  S..^ 
IFaiile  metit  tg  go  yetfurther^in  rebuking  the  hypocrifie  offucheas 

arc 


theiEpslMth  ^aUthians.      24,1 

afefo mochgiaen  toothefe  t>utw4rd€ things : the lyjcc wh^relpf i$' 
{hll  at  this  day  in  the  papacie.  It  is  true  that  thcfe  miferable  wret-^ 
chts  take  great  peynes  too  feriieGoi :  they  trotte  vp  and  dovvne 
without  ende  or  meafure :  but  what  doo  they:'  They  martyr  them- 
felues  in  vaine  thingsy and  fuch  as  God  neuer  required,  but  vtterly 
miflykcch :  and  yet  inthe  mekne  why le^therc- is  nothing  but  hypo- 
if ifie-in^ll their  dooyngs:  For  wkai:  d,oth,the  ckuouteft  j^erfon  a- 
fttong  th€ni,but  only  rhakemuch  babhng  andin^imbiing :"  JHcm^fl 
keerc  Mattins  in  the  night,  and  two  pr  three  Mades  in  aday  :  He 
muft  gad  on  pilgrimage,  and  faft  the  Lent  and  SainclejS  euens  :  .He 
muftkeepe  ail  the  apestoyes  that  haue  bin  appointed  at  the  deuifc 
of  men.  And  what  are  all  thefe  things :'  Surely  if  men  put  their  truft 
in  them,'they!  bee  diuelifhe  deuifes:; but  although  therejwere  none 
other  harme  m  thefauing  that  euery  man  followeth  his  own  ima- 
ginacions-.yet  are  they  bat  gewgawes and  Apes  toyes  before  God, 
And  why^For  he  loueth  obedience  better  than  all  facrifices.  But  if 
wee  will  obey  God  .wee  muft  feme  hym  after  a  fpirituall  manner;, 
and  not  with  thefe  chyldifhe  playingtoyes,  Nowe  let  vs  come  too 
that  whidh^S.Paule  (ayth,  C//£:tt»iay(9'2({ayth  he.);s«ori?w^ :  bkttfiiUh 
that  r^Qorl^i^lyyckiritie.  Heieby  hehetokeneththat  although  Cc* 
femonyes  bee  I'ayd  afide,  wee  haue  ynough  too  occupie  our  ieiues 
with.in  dooyng  the  things  that  God  commaundeth  :  that  is  to  wit, 
that  all  the  perfei^ion  and: holinefle  ^of  the  faythfull  confifteth  ii;i 
charicie.  That  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  Lawe,  that  is  the  ende  and 
rtiooteartker  whercvntoo  God  bringeth  vs.  Therefore  if  wee  haue 
charitie,  letvsnot  thinke  that  wee  bee  vnoccupyed.  But  nowe  a 
day^sifa  man  rebuke  tlid  fuperftitions  ofPoperie,  andsliome 
them,  faying,  Go  too,  yee  haue  much  baggage  amongft  you:  when 
yce  come  at  Churche  yee  befprincklc  your  felucs  with  hoU water, 
yee  kneele  down  before  a  puppet,  yee  skud  from  alter  to  alter,ye 
do  this  and  that,  and  to  be  fhort  there  is  an  endlelTe  hotchpotch  of 
al  maner  of  gewga we s  among  you :  and  poore  foules  as  yee  bee, 
thinke  yce  that  thefe  things  wyll  go  for  payment -f  No,  for  God 
will  not  allow  any  of  them.  They  reply  vnto  it  agein  and  fay,  why 
not  <  Shall  God  bee  no  more  fern ?d  1  What  (hall  wee  doo  tor 
feym  i  Verily  it  feemeth  to  them  that  vnlefTe  they  go  to MaOe,  & 

Hk  hee 


ciiap.5:  ^         ^o£al.xxxijJermcnippon 

Bee  {hnnen.and  pay  fofne  raunfome,  anidoo  one  thing  or  other^ 
there  is  nothing  at  all  doone.  And  in  decde  we  lee  how  they  leaue, 
theprincipall  vndoone.  Foreuen  they  that  are  the  deuouteftof 
them,  will  not  fticke  at  ali/ome  too  keepe  whores,  fome  to  biaf-^ 
pheme  God,  and  fome  too  robbc  and  fpoyle  other  men,in  Co  mucli 
that  if  they  which  pretend  greateft  holinefTc  can  finde  occafion  toQ 
pill  and  poll  their  neybours,  they  will  byte  the  to  the  bones.  1  heir 
crucltie  fhall  be  fo  cxcefsiue,  that  they  fhall  bee  brute  beafts  rather 
than  men.  Therevnto  they  bee  full  of  futtletie  and  wylinefTe.  It  is^ 
nothing  widi  them  too  forfweare  themfelues,  if  they  may  beguile 
any  man  by  it.  For  they  nuzell  themfelues  in  all  kynde  of  leawd- 
nefTe,  bearing  themfelues  in  hand  that  God  mufh  ferue  them  for  a 
cloke  when  they  fall  once  too  making  of  faire  countenances,that  it 

Math,i\Jb,  may  bee  faide  they  bee  deuout  or  holy  folke.  Yee  fee  then  that  this 

J  ^^  hypocrifie  is  as  a  denne  of  theeues,  as  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  him- 

felfc  termeth  it.  And  it  is  an  ordinarie  matter  for  men  to  forget  the 

cheefeprincipall,  when  they  giue  themfelues  to  Ceremonies,  ac- 

jMit.K  a  A.  cording  alfo  as  our  Lord  lefus  vpbraydeth  thera,Taying :  for  your 
o  wnc  traditions  fakes  you  haue  abolifhed  the  lawe  of  God  my  fa- 

ffa,<Q.t:.r.  ^^^'  ^"^  for  thefame  caufe  it  is  fayd  in  the  fifth  Pfalme.  Thinkeft 
thou  that  I  will  drinke  the  bloud  of  brute  beaftes  :*  If  I  bee  hungria 
\       (faith  God )  thinkeft  thou  that  all  is  not  myne :'  Tliis  is  the  thing 
that  I  would  haue  thee  to  offer  vntoo  mee,  namely  the  facrifice  cf 
praife. 

Now  we  feePauTes  meaning.  He  mocketh  the  hypocrites  which. 
*  thinke  that  all  is  mard  if  there  bee  not  ftorc  of  gawdes,  andgew- 
gawes  when  men  fliould  go  vntoo  God,  and  that  they  may  not  go 
to  him  as  it  were  with  banner  difplayed.  According  whervnto  we« 
fee  how  they  pranke  vp  thmgs  with  pompe,of  lampes,perfumes,8c 
tapcrs,gay  diiguifed  cotes,puppets,and  fuch  other  things.  When 
they  banc  this  ^eere  once,  to  their  owne  feeming  tkey  bee  fo  well 
cloked,  that  God  knowes  no  more  what  they  doo,  and  that  their 
vices  are  well  fheltred  vnder  fuch  fhadow :  and  yet  for  al  that, they 
doo  but  fpite  him  openly.  Now  S.Paule  laugheth  that  opinion  too 
fcorne,  faying,  that  although  we  haue  none  of  al  thofe  pomps,there^ 
ts  ynough  befides  wherw^for  God  to  Jkeepe  vs  occupied;  5c  that. 


theEpiUjo  the  (jalathians.      24.Z 

h  chariticBut  to  be  {Iiort,S.PauIe  mcnt  to  tell  vs  hecrc,tliat  Gods 
fcruice  is  fpintuall.  For  when  wee  loue  our  ncybours,  it  is  a  tokea 
that  weloue  God.I  meanc  when  wc  loue  them  according  to  Gods 
ordinance.  For  it  is  no  loue  too  loue  a  man  for  our  owne  profiles 
fake, but  to  loue  euen  our  enemies,  fo  as  we  be  patient  to  beare  tlie 
wrongs  that  are  done  vs,  fo  as  we  ftreine  ourfelues  to  do  good  too 
(tich  as  haue  neede  of  oiir  help,and  fo  as  none  of  vs  be  giue  to  him- 
felf  nor  to  his  owne  peculiar  profit,  but  that  we  indeucr  as  mebers 
of  one  body  to  helpe  eche  other  as  much  as  is  pofsible.  If  wee  bee 
once  at  that  point,then  doth  our  life  fufficiently  anfwer  for  vS;and 
witnefle  that  wee  loue  God.  But  v/ee  cannot  loue  him  before  wee 
know  him.  Therefore  is  charitie  an  infallible  figne  and  token  that 
wee  be  willing  to.  feme  God,  not  in  paymg  him  with  chaffe  in  (led 
of  come,but  by  louing  our  neybor  truly  and  vnfeinedly.And  fo  let 
thePapiftesbragasmuchas  they  \\^  of  their  gewgawes  and  gay 
(hewes  wherewith  thc)^  diinke  to  coufin  God,  as  it  were  to  make 
II  mockingftocke  of  him :  yet  (hal  the  thing  that  is  vttered  heere  by 
S^Pauies  mouth  (land  alwayes  fure,  that  is  too  \vit,that  fuch  things 
tre  naughtworth  before  God.  And'why  <  For  if  Circumcifion  were 
abolifhed  when  the  time  and  terme  of  it  was  cxpyred :  what  (hall 
become  of  the  things  that  haue  bin  foolifhly  and  malapertly  for- 
ged in  the  fhoppes  of  mens  owne  fancies,  which  tooke  vpon  them 
that  which  belonged  not  too  them,nor  was  by  any  meanes  lawfull 
for  them  to  doo  :"  Yee  fee  then  what  wee  haue  too  beare  in  minde. 
But  before  wee  go  any  further,  we  muft  afloyle  a  doubt  which  the 
Papifts  caft  heere.  For  to  their  feeming  it  maketh  wholly  on  their 
fide  when  S.Paule  fay th, '  that  fayth  which  woorkcth  by  charitie  is 
the  thing  that  maketh  ail  the  faythfuU  perfed. And  thercvpon  they 
conclude,  that  onely  faith  dooth  not  purchace  vs  gr^ce,  but  fayth 
find  charitie  matched  togither,  Put  the  caceitwcrefo  -.wherpto 
would  it  feme  them  :*  For  wherevpon  doo  they  ground  the/rme- 
rites,but  vpon  childilTie  toyes  i  as  who  fhould  fay  they  wouldap-^ 
peafe  God  with  a  Rattle  :  IjutS.Paules  meaning^is  farrc  othe;  wile.j 
For  altliough  he  haue  hitherto  ffiewed  the  true  way  how  too  bee 
in  Gods  fiuoarv  .yet  notwithfendinghe  miAcieih,notrtoogi:9imd 
Oar  rightuooiieircror  ourJhope  of fMu^itKiitvppon  charitie.  ^^/^g  / 
•  vv)  Hh.ij.     '  VVhat 


Chap.5;  \.[^     ^QM^xisxij/^^ 

meanesynow  to  keepe  the  f aithfull  occuJ>ycjd.)  laltliougli  they  baud 
no  Geremotlies,  wherevt'ith  the  hypocriics  be^ile  themfelues,  it| 
making  that  their  prirKjipalk  To  bee  fhort>we-fee  that  S  .Raule  is  Tq 
fkrre  ofi-TKGmfatiOjing-the.Papifts  any  thing  atalj,thatb€fi§htetjb| 
direftly  a^einft  dieit*  Nowe  vnder  the  coLour^oif  that Avhich-i&rpo-* 
ken  heere,t'hey  hinb^ilti^ginedtKat  faith.isbuca  fingk  knqwl^gQ 
that  there  is  a  God, and  that  his  only  fonne  lefus  Ghrift  is  conie  iti-« 
to  the  world  for  the  redeeming  and  fauing  of  mankynd, '  notwyth-! 
ftanding  that  the  fame  knowledge  bee  without  any  affe6lion,mord 
than  if  a  man  {Irouldtell  v^  fome  ftorie^and  we  fliould  beleeue  it  &v 
hold  it  fef  a  certeirttie.  Aftei'  that maner'doo. the  Papifts  fpeake  of 
faith,  &  fay  that  \Vhen  faith  is'ili  alone^it  hath.OQtyet  hir  ful  ftap^ 
before  G  od:tut  when  it  is  ioyned  with  a  harfie  good  *wil  Sc  loue  of 
God,  then  is  it  Rill  fafhioned  fay  they  .But  whcnthe  fcripture  fpear 
keth  to  vs  of  faith^it  m^aneth  tbeknowledge  diat  is  giue  vs  by  the 
'  holy Ghoft :  not \Vhich flirtdrfethin-bupownebraine,  butwhieh  i« 

feaied in  ourliartsjirt  fudi  #ii*€  as  G od  mnift  needes^havae  sKroughc 
wonderfully  in  vs,bdfdr^  vt/e  clan  haue  bin  iniightferied  &  fafhioned 
in  faithifor  there  is  nothing  but  darknelfe  in  our  minds.  The  lyght 
muft  coriie  from  aboue. Ag^in  wee  bee  vtte'rlyindyned  to  diftruft  : 
and  therfote  theh(>ly  Ghoft  muft  be  fairietoo  fet  this  feaiie  ^vpon 
vs,  that  wee  bee  throiighly  faaedby  tbe^meanes-of^ourLbjule  lefus 
Chrifl:.  Funhemior^b  it  i^  ii<K'  •s'i^w.igheitoo  kno\^?e  generally  that 
Chryft  is  diir  f^eemt'f ' :  fe  fs^rth'  importeth  ph^.euery  of Y^ 
muftacknowkdgehimtkidbeehys  Redeemer.  And  is  that  pofsi;» 
ble  too  bee  vnlieffe  our  Lorde  lefus  ddo  dwell  in  Vs  and  reygne  in 
vs,  and  that  wee  bee  inflamed  with  the  loue  df  hymtoo.  gyuc 
ourfelues  wholly  vntoo  himcThe  Papifts  therfore  neuer  wii^.x^ihal 
faith  fncarieth,-  notwithftaftdibg  thaCthey /chatterof  it  not  al t-ogitt 
thcr'fo  U'ell  as  Pyes  in  a  Cag^",  ^i^hith  doo  yet '  vnderftande  fon\^ 
\  woordes  hecre  and  there  :  but<  they  ftiewe  To  fhamefull  a  beaftli-* 
nefre,as  they  may  bee  gaziiigftdckes  of  Gods  horrible  vengeance, 
ip  that  they  hauefo  forgotte^vtheWholePhrafeof  the  holy  Ghoil; 
and haUe  no-more  ;skill  6f  the  holy  fcripture,.  thaJiraPaynim  oTf  a 


the  SpiB.to  the  ^alathians.      24  5 

God  the  father  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrtfte .  Lo  in  what  taking  the 
Papifts  are.Novv  then  let  vs  marke  weil^thdt  S.PauIe  hath  not  here 
imagined  a  fh^peiefTe  or  vnfafhioned  fayth  as  they  doe  :  nor  ment 
too  fet  dovvne  chantie  as  the  caufc  of  our  righteoufneireibut  onely 
intended  to  fhevv  that  we  haue  inough  to  ferue  G  od  with,  without 
fnarhng  of  our  r;,^lues  in  a  fort  of  pelting  trifles.  Howbeit;  that  wee 
tnay  fare  the  better  .by  this  texte,  (tor  wee  muft  nov/c  come  too 
an  endc,  and  the  tyme  wyil  not  futfer  vs  too  proceede  any  fur- 
ther) if  the  Papiftes  nowc  adayes  doo  make  their  bragges  that  they 
haue  a  more  apparant  femice  of  God  than  wee,  and  a  fcRiicethat 
hath  a  gayer  gi  offe :  let  vs  on  our  fide  bee  well  aduifcd  that  we  de- 
fpyfe  euer^'whit  of  it.  For  why  <  God  will  not  bee  fei  ucd  after  mcj 
Jykings.  Marke  that  for  one  poynt,  Befydes  this,  the  thms;s  which 
the  Papiftes  call  Gods  feruice,  are  pelting  trifles  imagined  and  for- 
ged in  their  owne  brayne,  fo  that  it  is  all  reie^led,  notwithftanding 
that  men  doo  greatly  delight  in  them  and  lyke  well  of  them.  And 
therefore  let  vs  haue  an  eye  too  ferue  God  as  he  commaundeth, 
VVherin  wil  he  haue  vs  to  be  occupyed  <  Not  in  needelelTe  things: 
but  he  will  haue  a  true  tryall  of  vs,  which  deceyueth  not.And  what 
fhall  that  bee :'  To  walke  vprightly  and  faithfully  with  our  neygh- 
bors,euery  of  vs  to  helpe  where  needc  is  according  to  his  abilitie : 
that  no  man  be  giuen  wholly  to  himfelfe  :  that  wee  be  truftie  :  that 
we  dealefoundly  and  faithfully  :  that  wee  Hue  peafably  :  and  that  if 
wee  fee  any  man  defti tutc  of  fnccor  and  too  ftand  in  neede  of  our 
iielpe,  wee  in  that  cafe  doe  as  it  were  offer  a  facrifice  vntoo  God, 
knowing  that  he  calleth  vs  too  it,  to  fhew  what  loue  we  beare  to- 
vardeshim.  For  ifwe  loue  not  our  neybours  which  are  as  it  were 
viftble  groundes  too  worke  kyndnefTe  vpon,  howe  (hall  wee  loue 
Ciod(fayth  S.  lohn  in  his  Epifi:ie)whom  wee  fee  not,  and  which  is  i^hhn.^J. 
ebfcnt  from  vs  and  hath  no  neede  of  any  thing  <  Therefore  if  wee  20. 
•W^W  ferue  God  well :  let  vs  Icame  too  ycelde  him  fuch  obedience 
as  he  lyketh  of:  that  is  too  faye,  let  vs  walke  in  fuche  faythfulneffe 
and  ircendimefre,  asnoneofvsbeguyle,  fleece,  or  ouerreach  hys 
fieyghbour :  and  moreouer  that  wee  not  onely  abfteyne  from  all 
wrongfujl  or  wicked  dealing  :  but  alfo  that  all  fuche  as  arc  called  MAth.  23U'. 
Chriliians^do  well  betliinke  tliem  of  our  Lord  Icfus  Chrifts  faying,     ^J. 

Hh.iij*  which 


chap.5:  foXal.xxxij. Sermon  ypon 

which  is,  Curfed  Idcc  you  that  haue  your  fcuerall  deuotions  alona 
by  your  felueSpand  occupy  yourhe.-.ds  about  fmall  tiifles,  making 
confcience  of  euery  thing,  and  yet  in  themeane  whyle  leaue  the 
principall  poynts  of  the  lavve  vndone,  that  is  too  wit,  faithfulnefie, 
iuftice,  rightuoufneffe,  and  mercic.  As  if  lie  fhould  fay,  Is  it  not  a 
ftrannge  thing  that  me  fhould  fo  mocke  with  God,making  a  coun- 
tenance to  honour  him,  as  though  they  tooke  him  but  for  a  babe  i 
God  wil  haue  me  to  walk  faithfully  and  vprightly,he  wrl  haue  eue- 
ry ma  to  pitie  5c  to  fuccor  the  needie,  he  wil  haue  no  man  to  do  hia 
brother  wrong :  and  behold,  they  on  the  contrary  part  will  needeS 
buzic  themfelues  about  Moonefhme  in  the  water,and  things  of  no 
valew.  They  will  bee  full  of  caieltie  craft  andmalicioufnefle :  and 
yet  thinke  to  pacifie  God  with  things  of  nothing.  Therefore  let  vs 
ieame  to  feme  God  with  charitie,that  is  to  fay,let  vs  learne  to  giu© 
ourfelues  to  the  things  that  he  calleth  vs  to,&  to  hold  ourfelues  as 
it  were  at  a  flay  too  the  rule  which  he  giueth  vs  by  his  woord.  Fur- 
thermore whe  we  walk  vprightly  after  that  fa{hion,we  muft  not  for 
mens  fakes  forget  God.For(as  I  faid  afore)that  is  the  thing  wherin 
he  trieth  our  charitie: and  by  that  meanes  we  (hew  the  reuerence  & 
loue  that  we  beare  towards  him.  And  therfore  we  cealTe  not  to  call 
vpon  God  when  we  loue  our  neyghbors,  nother  intend  we  to  d^^ 
pleafe  God  vndt r  colour  of  doyng  them  feruice,  but  he  is  alwayeSP 
our  marke  on  whom  we  haue  our  eyes  fattened.  Neuerthele{re,too 
conclude,  like  as  wee  indeuer  to  Hue  as  God  commaundeth  by  his 
word,and  pafTe  not  for  the  gawdies,gewgawcs,and  Ceremonies  of 
the  hypocrites,but  walke  rightly  in  purenelTe  of  life,  and  in  al  faith- 
fulneffe  and  vpright  dealing  (as  I  faid  erft)  knowing  neucrthelefle 
that  when  we  haue  done  all,it  ferueth  not  to  iuflilie  vs  or  too  pur- 
chace  vs  f auor  in  hi s  fightjand  that  alth ough  wee  be  fure  that  he  ta- 
keth  in  good  worth  the  willingneffe  which  we  haue  to  honor  hym, 
yet  his  (o  dooing  is  but  bicaufe  he  accepteth  vs  in  our  Lord  lefus 
Chri[l,(as  I  haue  declared  heretofore) &:  bicaufe  we  repofe  the  truft 
of  our  faluatio  in  him.Euen  fo  alfo  lliat  we  walk  in  charitie  Sc  labor 
to  difcharge  our  duetie,  knowing  that  by  reafon  of  our  feebleneffe 
we  be  not  able  to  come  neere  that  which  God  pointeth  vs  to,  but 
yet  tha^  we  be  in  the  way  thitherward^  3c  that  he  muft  be  faine  too 


the  Bpi^JotheQalathtans.      244. 

take  vs  to  merq^,  wherupon  we  doubt  not  but  that  all  our  workes 

do  lik«  him  wel,  when  they  be  fo  dedicated  too  him  by  the  blud  o£ 

our  Lord  lefus  Chnft:  for  he  is  the  true  preeft  that  ofFereth  vp  our 

oblations  &  maketh  the  acceptable  to  God,  &  he  muft  be  faine  to 

flep  in,to  make  our  works  pleafant  to  God  his  father,  fpeciaiiy  fe- 

ing  that  eue  our  prayers  Be  the  very  prayfes  which  we  yeeld  vntoo 

him  fhould  be  but  filthineife^if  they  were  not  purified  by  our  Lord 

lefus  Chrift:,accordin£^  alfo  as  the  Apoftie  fayth,  that  it  is  he  by  who  HehA"^^ 

we  offer  vp  vnto  God  the  Calues  of  our  lippes^that  is  to  fay,the  fo-      15. 

crifices  of  praife  wherby  he  is  glorified. 

Bur  now  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  Maieftie  of  our  good  God 
with  acknowledgment  of  our  faultes,  praying  him  to  make  vs  per- 
ceiue  the  more  and  more,&  that  we  may  be  fo  touched  with  the,as 
it  may  bring  vs  to  true  repentance,  and  that  wee  may  feeke  all  our 
wants  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  &  that  there  may  be  fuch  humilitic 
in  vs.that  being  vtterly  brought  downe, -5c  hauing  put  away  al  falfc 
prefumptuoufnelTe  wherewith  wee  may  bee  deceiued,wee  may  not 
tend  to  any  other  end  than  to  be  receiued  through  the  mere  mercie 
of  our  God,fo  a^j  we  may  come  to  the  euerlafling  inheritance,  and 
in  the  meane  while  indeuer  to  walk  in  fuche  wife  in  his  commaun- 
dements,as  it  may  pleafe  him  to  beare  with  our  frailtie,till  he  hauc 
quite  and  cleane  ridde  vs  of  it.  And  fo  let  vs  all  fay  Almightie  God 
heauenly  fatlier.&c 

The. xxxtij Sermon yi^hich  is  the 

third  \>^on  the  fifth  Chapter, 

7  YeeranncvvcljVvho  hath  letted  you  that  ye  fhould 

not  obey  thetruth> 

8  That  counfell  came  not  of  him  that  called  you. 

$    A  litde  Lcucn  fovvreth  a  whole  lump  ot  dovve. 

10  I  hauehopeof  you  through  the  Lord,  thatyeevvil 
benoneothervvifemindcd.Buthethattroubleih 
you  fhail  beare  his  ludgcment  vvhatiocuer  he 
bee. 

Hh.iiij.  Wtt 


Chap.5.  fo.CaLxxxlij.Sermonypon 

'Ee  knowe  that  God  hath  fet  downe  fueh  a  rule 
tor  vs  too  Hue  by,  that  if  vv  ee  g^iue  eare  too  his 
word, wee  (h^jl  not  be  fubiedl  to  walking  at  ro-^ 
uers,but  fure  to  hold  the  tight  way. And  that  is 
a  thing  wherein  the  faythtuU  differ  from  the 
faithlelTe.  For  all  fuch  as  fubmit  themfeluesto 
Gods  word,are  not  in  any  doubt  or  difputati- 
on  with  themlelues^ whither  their  doyngs  are  allowable  or  no :  fof 
who  hath  power  too  iudge  of  that  matter  but  onely  God  <  But  he 
hath  giuen  his  fentence  alreadie.  So  then  forafmuch  as  mans  life  is 
lykened  too  a  race :  let  vs  learne  too  followe  vvhjther  foeuer  God 
calleth  vs,and  then  fliall  wee  not  ftray  as  wretched  wanderers  that 
do  greatly  oueitrauell  and  tyre  themfelues  without  any  profit.An<l 
for  that  caufe  alfo  doth  SamC^  Paule  in  this  text  fet  downe  a  dub- 
ble  race,  the  one  good  which  hath  a  right  dire<ftion,  and  the  other 
wandering  and  vncerteine.  Now  it  is  not  ynough  for  men  too  take 
great  peynesibut  they  muft  alfo  ame  at  a  certeine  end.  Moreouet 
^e  fee  herewithall  a  true  difference  betwene  the  race  that  is  to  bee 
counted  good,  and  the  race  that  doth  but  ouerlabor  men  in  vayne. 
For  S.Paule  layeth  them  foorth  certeinly  and  infallibly,faying  that 
all  fuche  as  obey  thetauhdoo  runnewell.  Loheere  a  faying  of 
greate  weyghte.  For  therevppon  wee  may  gather ,  that  when 
menne  bee  gyuen  too  theyr  owne  fancies,  or  walke  only  by  g^ffe, 
©r  receyue  all  that  is  tolde  them  wythout  difcretion  or  skill : 
they  maye  mnne  fwiftlye  ynoughe,  but  they  fliall  conie  neuer 
the  neerer  vntoo  God.  When  they  haue  fpent  all  theyr  lyfe 
in  traueling,  they  (h?.i  fynde  themfelues  further  off  than  they  were 
At  the  iirft.  And  therfore  let  vs  learne  to, begin  at  this  poynt,  that  i^ 
to  wit,to  giuc  eare  vntoo  God  who  dooth  vs  the  grace  and  honour 
too  teache  vs,^ui"ing  our  feluesthat  there  is  none  other  truth  bat 
that  which  proceedeth  of  him,  and  that  when  me  follow  the  deuil"^^ 
of  their  owne  braine,  it  fliall  bee  but  vntruth  and  leafing.  Veefee 
then  that  the  wayefor  vstoo  fare  the  better  by  this  faying  of '5, 
Paules,  is  firfte  of  all  too  confider,  that  all  the  deuotions  whyche 
men  doo  frame  of  theyr  owne  heades ,  are  but  mere  illufions  of 
5itan/<aad  Aat  all  fuch  as  dao  what  they  lyke  beft  themfelues,  may 


■«*;^.' 


the  EpiU.  to  the  Qalathians.       24,5 

ninne  faft  inough,  howbeit  they  ihall  be  neuer  the  further  foru'ard 
in  the  right  way,but  rather  the  further  backe.  Then  is  nothing  too 
bee  taken  and  allowed  for  a  good  courfe  orrace,  but  only  the  obe- 
dience which  wee  yeelde  vnto  Gods  truthe.VVere  this  throughly 
well  knowen  to  the  world  nowea  dayes,  there  woulde  not  bee  fo 
muche  trouble  and  contention  as  is  feene.  For  what  is  the  caufe 
that  wee  drawe  not  all  by  one  lyne,  and  that  euery  of  vs  reacheth 
not  out  his  hande  to  his  neighbour:  It  is  for  that  mod  men  cannot 
be  perfuaded  to  obey  God.  Therefore  the  true  courfe  of  the  fayth- 
fuU  is  well  (hewed  to  vs  by  the  Prophet  Efay  when  he  fayth,  that  ECala'X 
cuery  man  (hall  take  his  fellow  by  the  hand,and  fay.  Go  we,let  vS  '"^* 

go  vp  too  the  Lords  hill,  and  he  will  teache  vs  his  wayes,  Nowe 
were  wee  fully  refolued  of  this  poynt,fo  as  wee  were  altogither 
willing  and  defirous  tofubmitourfelues  to  God:  it  is  certayne 
that  wee  fhoulde  all  of  vs  runne  togither,  and  the  formoft  fhould 
helpe  forward  the  hindermofl,  and  the  weaker  fort  fhuld  not  enuy 
fuch  as  were  their  guides,  yea  and  that  would  giue  them  courage 
to  go  on.  But  although  we  fee  the  world  full  of  fKibbomefie ,  and 
euery  man  giuen  to  his  ov/n  Hking,  yet  muft  we  profite  our  felues 
ty  this  doctrine :  that  is  too  wit,  by  imprifoning  our  fenfes ;  that 
•wee  take  not  a  licentious  libertie  too  doo  what  wee  lift ,  but  that 
.wee  obey  the  truthe,a{ruring  our  felues  that  the  foundation  wher- 
Vpon  it  behoueth  vs  too  buylde ,  is  thcfaydc  fay thfuU  obedience 
V  hiiJj  wee  yeelde  vnto  Gods  worde.  And  whereas  S.  Paule  vfeth 
this  worde  Truthe ,  it  is  ipecially  to  beate  do^vne  all  fooiL^ie  prc~^ 
fumptuoufnefTe  and  ouerweeriing,  bicaufe  men  beare  them  felues 
in  hande  that  they  be  wife  inough  to  order  their  owne  lyfe.  And 
out  of  this  ouerboidnefle  fprang  aifo  the  Seagulfe  of  ail  fuperfti-  ' 
tions.  For  ifmenknewe  them  felues  too  bee  ftiche  as  they  bceirfe 
deede,that  is  to  wit,to  be  poorejblindejand  ignorant :  it  is  ccrtein. 
that  they  woulde  with  all  humblencffe  hearken  vntoo  God,  and 
tlicnlTiouldnot  there  be  fomany  partakings  and  fe6les  as  there 
bee.  But  what  ^  As  I  fayde  afore,  men  will  needes  bee  ouerwyfe. 
Now  S.Paulc,coo  pull  downe  all  loftineife^and  to  ridde  vs  oFall 
pride  and  prefumption,  fayth  that  there  is  no  truthe  to  be  founde 
bui:  in  the  doctrine  that  commetli  of  God;  and  that  hgwe  fure  fo 

lili,v*  «uis- 


Chap.j.  ^o.CaLxxxiij.Sermonypcn 

eucr  wee  vveene  our  felues  to  bee, there  is  nothing  but  mere  follie 
in  vs,exceptGodgouerne  \^s,and  Gocl^s  word  reigne  wholly  ouer 
vs.  Further  let  vs  vnderllande^  that  to  yeeld  our  felues  techable  is 
afarre  greater  veitue  without  a]]  comparifon,  than  to  enter  into 
tlifputation,  and  to  be  inquifitiue  of  things  that  belong  not  to  vs, 
nor  are  lawi'uli  for  vs.  It  is  true  that  fayth  is  not  a  dotage  or  fot- 
tifhnefle  to  receyue  and  beleeue  without  gaynfaying,  whatfoeuer 
(liall  be  tolde  vs  :  but  yet  when  God  fpeaketh,  it  behoueth  vs  too 
yeeld  him  To  much  honor,as  to  keepe  our  mouths  fhut,&  to  open 
our  eares  to  herke  aduifedly  to  that  which  he  telleth  vs,&to  frame 
©ur  felues  fimply  to  the  fame.  Veefee  then  that  the  good  race 
W'herin  we  can  not  go  amilTe,  nor  bee  caried  afide  one  way  nor  o- 
cher,is  to  follow  the  way  that  god  flieweth  vs  by  his  word.Other- 
wife  (as  I  fay d)  wee  (liall  but  roue,  according  alfo  as  S.Paule  vfeth 
the  Cdk  fame  fimilitude,in  taunting  all  the  things  that  the  ignorat 
and  vnbeleeuer  s  doo  to  ferue  God  wiihall.For  although  they  take 
neuer  fo  much  payne,  yet  they  doo  but  loofe  their  labour.  But  by 
the  way  let  vs  marke  alfo  how  he  blameth  the  Galathians  for  tur- 
ning afide  in  the  middell  of  their  race,  faying  that  their  faulte  is  fo 
much  the  lelTe  to  be  excufed,in  that  they  had  begon  well;  and  not 
liild  out  likewife  to  the  end.True  it  is  that  euen  the  ignoranteft  in 
the  world  fhal  notf«yle  to  be  condemned  if  they  follow  not  Gods 
word  :  but  howfoeuer  they  fare, we  offend  much  moregrofly,whe 
God  hath  once  bin  fo  gracious  vnto  vs  as  to  call  vs  v'ntohim,^*^  to 
(hewc  vs  his  will.  Then  i^wcc  turne  head ,  and  forfake  oure  holy 
calling  from  heauen  after  we  haue  bin  taught  in  Gods  fchole ,  and 
cntred  into  the  way:  furely  our  fault  is  doable,  5c  we  deferue  much 
forer  puni(hment.This  is  it  that  S.Paul  ment  in  this  text  by  faying, 
hoti^  noHi?  'tH'ou  ran  "^eli.  Surely  this  forwardnefle  ol  fayth  is  a  great 
vei  tue ,  namely  when  we  be  re.adie  to  anfwere  God  as  foone  as  he 
ipeaketh  the  word  to  vs  :  but  yet  is  it  nothing  worth  without  hol- 
ding out.'Ihen  if  w<^  be  fo  ficl-de  and  inconftant,that  when  we  haue 

^  gone  forward  a  flep  or  twayne,we  be  readie  to  runne  back  ageyne, 

pr  elfe  to  flait  out  on  the  one  fide  or  on  the  other :  fuche  vnthank- 
fulnefle  is  much  more  fhamefull,than  if  we  had  neuer  barkened  to 

^  Gpd  at  all :  fgr  we  can  not  any  more  (heelde  our  felue?  by  igno- 

rance. 


the  Epist.to  the  ^alathtans.       24  6 

rance^as  they  doo  which  are  bred  w*^  brought  vp  in  errour  and  mif- 
knowledge,  who  wiJl  fay^if  weknew  which  is  the  truth,we  would 
not  doo  fo  as  we  ihould  neede  to  be  pulled  by  the  eare :  but  we  be 
in  doubt,and  wc  wote  not  on  which  fide  to  tui  ne  vs.  Then  if  they 
which  haae  begonne  to  followe  God,  yea  and  haue  had  fome  cer- 
tayne  and  intaliible  inftru^ion  by  his  worde,doo  afterward  flarte 
afide,or  go  backe  agayne  :  doo  they  not  fhew  that  they  doo  it  not 
of  ignorance,  but  of  wilfulnelTe  and  (lubbomefle ,  as  though  they 
mente  of  let  puipofe  to  ipyte  God  c'  Now  it  behoueth  vs  to  mai  ke 
veil  this  thing,  fpecialiy  for  fo  muche  as  God  is  fo  gracious  vnto 
VS,  as  too  (hewe  vs  whiche  is  the  waye  of  faluation ,  whiche  thing 
he  dooth  not  too  the  reft  of  the  worlde.For  wee  fee  many  blinde 
wretches,  that  runne  and  trotte  vp  and  downe,  and  wote  not  what 
they  doo  :  but  yet  theyfhewe  fome  defireofferuing  God.  If  a 
man  aske  them  whether  they  thinkethcy  doo  well,  or  no,  they 
anfwere,yea  *.  howbeeit  it  is  but  a  weening,  they  bee  not  fure  of  it. 
But  wee  on  our  fide  haue  the  warrant  of  the  holy  Ghoft ,  whiche 
oughte  too  bee  fealed  in  our  hearts ,  that  the  do6b"ine  whiche  is 
preached  vnto  vs  is  not  deuifed  by  men,  but  that  God  is  the  very 
author  of  it.The  holy  Scripture  is  fufliciently  proued :  wee  know, 
without  adding  ofany  thy ng,  that  God  is  oure  guyde,  fo  that 
nowe  ad  ayes  there  is  not  fo  very  a  dullarde  or  idiote  ,  but 
hee  is  iuflly  too  bee  condemned,  if  hee  receyue  not  the  doc- 
trine that  is  preached  and  fet  foorth ,  and  mayc  vppon  hys  owme 
knowledge  iudgethat  hee  dooth  manifeftly  make  wylfuU  warre 
agaynil  God.  Seeing  that  oure  Lorde  hathe  doone  vs  the  prero- 
gatiue  too  call  vs  too  him,  and  dooth  flill  dayly  allure  vs  and  in* 
corage  vs  to  come  forwarde,  till  wee  bee  come  to  our  races  ende: 
if  wee  bee  weery  to  heare  him,  and  euery  of  vs  would  fayne  take 
hi«  ownc  fcQpe,to followe  whatfoeuer  his  owne  luft  liketh  :  what 
excufe  or  fhift  can  wee  hope  to  hauc,that  we  fhouldnotbee  con- 
demned with  the  Galathians,  for  falling  toour  owne  byafle  after 
wee  haue  amne  well,and  bin  well  forwarde  on  our  way  K  Yea  and 
weemuftalfo  markethis  faying  which  S.Paule  interlaceth,  V^'ho 
hath  /ettedyouSii)th  he :'  He  might  haue  fayde  fimply  as  he  fayde 
ii  the  beg)'ntung  pf  ^e  Epyftie,  that  they  were  quyte  gon& 

' .  ■  a-way> 


ciup.5.         fo.Calxxxiij. Sermon  ypon 

away,  yea  and  vtterly  rcuoltcd  asApoftatcs  or  backflydcrs.  BtJt 
he  vfeth  the  worde  Let,  too  fhevve  that  it  is  not  inongh  For  vs  not 
to  tume  quite  and  clean e  away  from  God, but  that  it  wee  doo  buc 
ftoppe  or  linger  that  wee  go  not  right  foorth  on  riill^no^'  continue 
alwayes  ftedfaftly  in  comming neererand  neerer  vnto  God :  k is 
ftlreadie  a  very  dangerous  mattdfr.  So  then  let  vs  beware  of  :SatanS 
u^les,  and  not  oneiy  be  afrayde  of  vtter  reuolting  from  the  obe- 
dience of  oure  God,  but  alfo  beare  well  in  niinde ,  that  whea 
cheX)iuelJ  fhall  once  haue  cooled  vs ,  and  made  vs  too  Halve  our 
pace ,  fo  as  wee  fail  to  loytering  in  our  gooing  :  he  fhall  haue  gay- 
ned  ouer  much  at  our  hands.!  hus  ye  fee  in  efiPe^l  what  we  haue  to 
gather  vpon  this  text.  Now  to  condemne  the  vnthankfuinefTe  of 
the  Galathians  the  better,'  he  addeth,  th^t  thjt   OHnfell  came  net  of 
him  that  (alkd  them.  In  the  firfl:  chapter  he  had  fayde,  I  niaruell  that 
yeebee  rofoone-caryed-awayfrom  lefusChrift  which  called  you 
to  the  grace  of  his  Gofpell.  For  it  is  good  reafon  that  God  fhould 
be  heard  when  he  openeth  his  holy  m6uth  to  teach  vs.  What  are 
\^ee :'  VVretched  wormes  of  the  earth,and  rottennelTe :  and  yet 
nofft'ithftanding  our  Lorde  maketh  his  voyce  to  ring  from  heaue, 
to  allure  vs  that  if  he  inlighten  Sc  guyde  vs,  we  can  not  do  amifle, 
and  therefore  that  wee  muft  depende  wholly  vpon  him,  and  reftc 
vpon  his  truthe.  But  if  wee  giue  eare  to  this  and  that,  and  when 
God  fpeaketh  wee  be  foaring  in  the  ayre,  and  hearken  to  one  that 
whiftleth,and  to  another  that  fingeth :  Is  it  not  too  (hamefuJl  an 
vnthankfuinefTe :"  If  a  Scholemafter  fee  his  fcholers  prattling  togi- 
ther  while  he  fpeaketh  to  them,  or  buylding  of  Caftles  in  Spayne, 
fo  as  they  he  are  not  what  he  fayth  :  the  rodde  muQ:  bee  fayne  too 
waJke  among  them,and  good  right  it  fliould  fo.  Verily  a  man  can 
not  abide  that  his  mate  or  companion  fhoulde  mufe  vppon  other 
matters  when  he  is  talking  with  him,  but  he  will  take  it  in  fcorne 
andderifion.ButbeholdejGodcallethvs,  and  yet  if  there  come 
any  deceyuer  to  whifpcr  vs  in  the  eare,  wee  hearken  too  him  and, 
followe  his  counfeli :  which  is  a  token  that  there  was  ncuer  any 
knowledge  invs  too  difcemethe  maieflie  of  oure  God,  and  too 
yeelde  him  the  reuerence  that  he  deferueth.VVee  knowe  diat  the 
chief  hgnpr  that  he  re(juireth  of  vs,  is  to  haue  our  wittes  Sc  minds 

bent 


the  EfiBjoihe(jttlathxans.      247 

tettlto  vilderftanclewli^ft  hec0mmaundetli  and  appoynteth.  For 
that  caufe  therfore  S.PauIe  &y th>  that  the  faydc  counfell  came  not 
of  God,  who  had  calkd  the  Qalathians.  Now  it  is  certayne  that  he 
had  called  them  long  afore  that  time :  Neuertheleffe  he  thinketh 
it^nptinoiigh  toiiaue  tolde  vs  once  for  all  how  wee  fhould  walke: 
butalfoihe  holdetKiOn  fttll,  according  alfo  as  wee  haue  neede  too 
liaue  rlic-remdmbraunce  of  that  do<5lrine  to  be  renued  dayly.Thea 
fccing  it  is  fo  that  God  is  alwayes  at  hande  with  vs,  yea  (as  the 
ProphetEfay  fayth,  both  early  and  late,  that  is  to  faye ,  feeing  he  £)Q.^/'.^.a 
hath  a  continuall  care  to  bring  vs  to  him  felfe,and  to  draw  vs  nee- 
rer  and  heerer;  it  is  certaynethat  our  fault  is  fo  much  the  haynou- 
(br  if  wee  haue  one  of  our  cares  in  the  fielde,  and  the  other  in  the 
towne,as  theProuerbe  fayth,and  that  we  be  not  wholly  giuen  too 
him  and  to  his  worde.  To  be  fhott,we  fee  heere  that  the  true  per- 
fection of  Gods  children,  is  too  offer  vp  themfclues  wholly  vnto 
him,andtorofferthefeluestobegouerned  after  a  peaceable  ma- 
nerwith  all  teachablenelTe,  fo  as  none  of  the  fay,  this  is  mine  opi^ 
nioiijtt«s  fs  my  fahcieythis  haue  I  lerned  of  men :  but  alwayes  pre-* 
ferrcilie^'obediQniceoffiyth  before  all  things.For  there  is  none  o- 
thetJ  ktiipe  td|;uide  vs  arightjthan  Gods  word.  Mark  that  for  one 
|ioym.  Now  alter  that  S Paul e  hath  fpoken.fo.;  he  addeth ,  that  a 
lUthLeu^mdfreth  a^hok  Imnfe  .of<Doyi'e.  This  ferueth  to  confirme 
the  matter  which  I  touthed  not  long  fince :  which  is,  thatif  is  not 
tiiough  for  v5,not>t6  make  amy  foil  reuokins^  from  God;,8E:  to  for- 
fake  hrrrt  vtterlyy^c  to:  renounce  al  his:  word :  but  that  we  rauft  alfo 
continue  pare  ScfQurid,8c  be  as  it  were  vntruffed  to  put  ourfeiues 
tnore-Sc  more  forward,arui  although  Satan  deuife  and  pradife  too 
caft  blocks  and  barves  in  our  way  es  to  ftoppe  vs,yet  mad  wee  not 
teaffe  to  goi  015  foorth  {^ilL  And  this  is  to  be  marked  the  better,  bi- 
caufethediueH  fliewcrh  notliis  homes  at  the  firft(astheyfay)to 
^itWdi^aw^  vs a\vay  from  Ci od,  but  tr ansfonneth  him felfe  into  an 
Angell  of  light,  ^and  creepcth  vpon  vs  by  bypatlies  and  mines  vn- 
der  the  groutK^*  And  by  that  mearies  are  we  beguyled.  For  to  our 
Teeming,  this  or  that  is  no  great  matter ,  by  mcanes  whereof  wee 
ouerkape  it  lightly,and  ftrike  fayle  as  they  fay.  But  wee  bee  vtter- 
■|y  amaaed  when  tlie  DiucU  hoidedi  ys  masked  vx  his  nettes.  Too 
.  i>j  •  bee 


chap.5.         f(kCaL^xxitj.fermon')ppon 

bee  fliorte,  S.Paulc  ment  too  fay  here,  that  when  men  haue  lear- 
ned tlie  Gofpell ,  It  is  not  inough  for  them  to  profefle  the  reccy- 
uing  of  the  doctrine  that  is  conteyned  there:  but  they  muft  alfo 
haue  a  pure, found; and  fubftantiall  fay th, and  not  fwarue  afide  too 
the  right  hand  nor  to  the  Ieft,nor  be  corrupted  vvidi  any  crror,nor 
admit  any  mingHng,  but  holde  faft  the  pure  truth  which  God  fhe- 
weth  vs.  This  is  the  fumme  of  the  matter  which  we  haue  to  gather 
vpon  this  text.  But  if  euer  this  warning  were  neceflarie,it  is  ncce^ 
f  farie  at  tliis  day.  For  Satan  ftraynes  him  felfe  too  the  vttermoflv 

too  intangle,  yea  and  too  imbrace  Gods  worde,  too  the  ende  that 
men  might  no  more  difcerne  bctweene  white  and  blacke,  but  that 
al  Reh'gions  wharfoeuer  men  lift  to  haue,might  be  taken  for  good; 
And  fuchas  vfe  that  cunning  do  feme  the  diuel,and  haue  no  more 
feare  of  God  nor  Religion,  than  dogges  haue.  Nowc  a  dayes  diey 
that  be  the  beft  vpholders  of  the  Pope ,  perceyuiug  well  that  their 
fibufcs  haue  bin  fo  groffe  and  out  of  all  fquare ,  as  it  is  impofsible 
to  maynteyne  them,fay,  very  well,  yet  muft  yec  notfeeke  fuchca 
reformation,  as  to  breake  of  the  Eele  by  the  waft  as  they  fay;:  men 
muft  bee  contented  with  fome  good  meane.  And  all  this  islmt  too 
couer  their  filthinelTe,  as  if  a  man  that  wouldepluckeA^p.avcnc«i« 
mous  weede,  fhoulde  but  nippe  offfonue  leaues  of  it,  and  fay,Lo^ 
no  we  it  is  as  good  as  cut  vp.  Yea  but  the  roote  is  ftill  behinde  to- 
^ithei^^ich  the  refidue  of  it,  which  is  able  to  doo  h'arme  inoughc, 
and  that  is  all  one  as  if  it  had  not  bin  touched  at  ail.  Neuertheleflc 
the  world  now  a  dayes  is  full  of  iuch  vermine  and  corruption :  for 
Avee  fee  that  thefe  fticklers  and  neuters  which  rowc  betweene  two 
ftreames,  would  fayne  difguize  our  Lord  lefusChrift  after  fuche  a 
fort,  as  he  fhould  be  lacke  out  of  office,  and  be  no  more  knowen, 
and  that  the  do(flrine  of  the  Gofpell  mighte  bee  mingled  lykca 
hotchpotch.  And  fo  mnche  the  more  dooth  it  ftand  vs  in  hand  to 
marke  well  the  thing  that  is  tolde  vs  heerc  by  the  holy  Ghoft; 
namely  that  ajittle  Leuen  four.eth  a  whole  batch  of  DOwe.  Some- 
time this  fjmiJitudeis  applied  to  men :  for  one  fcabbed  flieepe  is 
inoughe  too  infe<5l  a  whole  flocke ,  as  they  fay.  But  Sain6l  Paule 
fpeakcth  no  we  of  doctrine ,  as  ii  he  ftioulde  faye,  that  wee  mufte 
hold^  Qur  o\^txQ^  and  not  fuffer  any  thing  to  bee  added  to  G.odij 


theEpiU.to  the  (jalathians.      248 

port  worde, according  as  we  haue  fecne  in  the  feconde  to  the  Co-  2,Co\  i  i.i.J 
rinthians,  how  he  fayd  that  fuche  as  giue  eare  to  Satans  illufions, 
arc  like  a  woman  that  hearkcneth  to  a  baude ,  whofe  comming  is 
to  beguile  &  abufe  hir.  Now  as  foone  as  we  be  fo  coiTupted  in  our 
fayth :  by  and  by  we  be  alienated  from  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,  and 
we  break  the  promifc  of  mariage  which  is  made  betwixt  him  Sc  vs, 
as  foone  as  we  fwarue  afide  from  the  (imphcitie  of  the  GofpelL 
And  lilie  as  in  that  place  he  vfeth  the  'worAjmipl'mtie  of  fetpurpofe: 
fo  in  this  place  he  faydi,that  if  we  mingle  neuer  fo  little  leuen  with 
the  dowjby  and  by  it  is  all  made  fowre.  What  muft  we  doo  thenf 
VVhereas  it  pleafed  God  to  fhewe  the  lewes  by  his  lawe  the  true 
meane  to  walke  in  fuch  wife  as  they  fliould  not  be  harried  heere  Sc 
there :  in  the  Gofpcll  he  hathe  taughte  vs  yet  with  muche  greater 
perfe^6;bicaufe  that  there  he  hath  made  an  end  of  all  prophefies. 
Then  feeing  it  is  fo :  let  vs  now  frame  our  felues  rfierafter.  And  al- 
though Satan  whilper  vs  on  eitherikle,  let  vs  not  be  as  reedes  that 
are  fhaken  with  euery  winde,  but  let  vs  be  fo  rooted  in  our  Lorde 
lefus  Chrift,  as  he  may  make  vs  to  indure  al  winds  and  wethers  by 
the  power  of  fay  th,  and  all  affaultes  that  can  bee  put  vnto  vs.  To 
bee  (horte,  if  wee  will  bee  taken  for  Difciples  of  oure  Lorde  lefus 
Ghrift :  let  vs  not  hearken  too  any  other  inafter  or  teacher  than 
him :  for  we  can  not  do  him  greater  wrong  than  to  adde  any  thing 
to  that  which  he  bvingeth  vs.  For  it  is  fayd  that  it  is  he  whom  the 
father  hath  fet  ouer  vs  with  full  preheminence,  and  whiche  is  the 
good  (hepherd^and  that  they  which  are  of  his  fiocke,willheare  his  ^  ,  n 

voyce,5c  efchue  the  voyce  of  ftrangers JIowfoeuei\the  world  go^  "  * 
.  we  muft  ftand  whift  at  that  ftay^Si  without  refiftance  follow  whi- 
ther foeuer  God  calleth  vs,and  fufFer  our  felues  to  be  fo  turned  Sz 
retumed  by,  as  we  may  defire  nothing  but  too  fubmit  our  felues 
to  his  worde  as  I  haue  declared  before.  And  therefore  altlioughe 
that  nowe  and  then  men  finde  fayre  clokings  to  vernifti  the  ming- 
jings  withal  which  they  put  foorth  :yet  let  vs  hold  vs  tothat  which 
is  fayde  heere,  namely  that  a  little  Leuen  iskioughtDO  marre 
a  whole  batche  of  dowe:  according  as  wee  ftiall  fee  manye, 
who  too  makevs  fwarue  afide,wy  11  alledge,  whaff  It  is  no  re- 
nouncing of  lefus  Chrift  ,  fo  wee  holde  the  ground es  of  tb^ 
7^  -  Gofyei^ 


Chap.5.  ':      foXd.xxxtij\f€rmon^'pDn 

c  •  Gofpell,  that  vvee  be  iv^ified  by  the  freegoodRcfie  of <j 0,4^5^  that 

wee  can  call  vpon  him  in  the  name  ofhimthat.  :hftEh.'pr0raiftdt04 
bee  our  mediator.'VVhen  wee  haue  doricaihiffe  wee  -flee  ^toothe 
oneiy  and  euerlafting  facrifice  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte  ;  andif 
riiere  bee  any  Tmall  fpottes  or  wemmes  befide,  they  irtiuft  be  borne 
with  and  winked  at.  And  fpeciaily  fuche  aswouide  u^inaif  by  their- 
pride^will  Tay,  yea  mary  Sir,-and  what  elfe  feckewee  but  concOrdJ 
For  wee  be  contented  that  euerymanihoiiid  walkeimthe  doctrine 
of  the  G  ofpell :  but  yet  is  not  thata  matter  of  fo.great  impoitwce, 
that  it  fhoulde  bee  Too  greatly  lloode  vpon.  Therefore  when  the 
Diuell  goes  about  to  beguyle  vs  with  fuche  baytes,  let  vs  alwaye.s 
fet  this  buckler  agaynft  him,  that  ahttle  Leuen  fowreth  a  whole 
iumpe  of  Dowe.  And  in  v^erydeede  cueni:cti|rel'ience  (whiah^fii^ 
termed  the  miftreffc  of  fodles)  hathe  weilfhewediO  our  tin^ehpjW 
mie  this  Sain6l  Paules  faying  is.  For  wee  fee  nowe:  adayes  ih^t 
where  the  Gofpell  hath  bin  preached  purely ,  there  are  fo  many 
diuers  opinions  as  it  is  horrible  too  thinke,  fo  as  it  feemeth  day- 
lythat  alldioulde  go  too  ruine,  and.  Gods  taithe  is  as  it  were 
torne  in  peeces.  And  whereofcommcth  this,  but  of  racivs  lazinefle 
in  that,  they  woulde  maynteyne  them  feiues  in  reft^and  hau^ith^ir 
commoditi€>s  and  eafe  atvvyll,  too  take  their  pleafure  euery  where, 
andfo  haue  confented  too  fuche  as  came  too  difguyfe  the  pure** 
nefle  of  the  Gofpell :'  God  therefore  hathe  yeelded'th  em  their  de- 
ferued  hyre.  For  afmuche  then  as  wee  fee  fuche  exa^npl e s ,  Jet  v« 
bee  fo  muche  the  warer,  and  let  vs  fo  walke  in  the  pureneiTe  of  the 
Gofpell,  as  wee  may  refufe  all  mingling ,  and  vtterly  abhorre  it. 
NoweheerevponSain*5l  Paule  addeth  further,  that  hee  truffttk 
ef  the  Galathiansy  that  they  y^jillnot  bee  other'^'ifc  mynded,  VVe  hatie 
feene  howe  the  rebukes  that  he  did  fet  downe  hitherto  heretofore, 
Svere  rough  and  fharpe.  Nowe  when  men  exceede  meafure,  it  i$ 
lalwayes  daungerous  for  difcoraging  of  men,  and  for  cafting  theiri 
into  a  melancholie.  For  this  caufe  S.  Paule  moderateth  him  feJfe, 
and  feeketh  ftill  too  bee  at  one  agayne  with  the  Galathians.Andili 
gobd  footh  that  is  the  order  which  all  men  ou^ht  to  keepe  that  aiee 
defirous  too  buiide  vp  Gods  Churche.  It  is  true  that  mens  vyces 
ft)u^ht  not  to  be  fpared;  Sc  fpedally  l^  diereappere  any  binderancc 

of 


the  EviFi.to  the  (jalathians.       ^4-9 

of  the  pure  cIo6lnne,ortoo  the  ouerthrowing  of  fayth  :  then  muft^ 
wee  haue  a  firie  zele  too  fight  manfullyj  and  to  maynteyne  the  qua^ 
rell  of  our  God.  Yet  notwithftanding  we  raufl  labour  to  the  vtteri- 
mofte  of  our  power  to  bring  thofe  backe  thatare  gone  aftray,  and  to 
keepe  liill  thofe  that  are  yet  in  good  way, though  they  be  weake  and 
go  not  forwarde  with  fuch  (Irength  and  corage  as  were  requifite  and 
to  be  wifhed.Ye  fee  then  what  the  duetie  of  thofe  is  which  haue  the 
charge  to  beare  abrode  Gods  woord  comitted  vnto  them  :  that  is  to 
wit^that  in  reprouing  fuche  as  were  gone  aftray,  their  vfing  of  fcue- 
ritie  &  rigour  fhould  be  fuch,  as  yet  neuertheleffe  they  fhouldfliew 
fome  goodhope,to  the  intent  that  their  hearers  be  notvtterly  ouer 
greeued,and  therevpon  fall  intoo  wilfulneire,[and  fliakeoff  all  good 
do6lrine.  But  euery  of  vs  mufte  apply  this  too  his  owne  vfe.  For 
what  caufeth  vs  now  and  then  to  gnafh  our  teeth  when  God  rebu- 
keth  vs,and  to  be  forepoflefTed  with  fuch  ftubbornnefle  that  we  re- 
bell  agaynft  him  :*  It  IS  bycaufe  wee  be  paft  hope,and  therevpon  play 
double  or  quit  as  they  fay.  Therefore  our  Lord  laboreth  too  bring 
vs  backe  when  he  feeth  vs  foforIorne,or  rather  in  the  way  of  perdi- 
tion, and  he  would  ftill  fayne  win  vs  too  htmfelfe  againe^howbeeit 
that  in  tlie  meanc  whyle  wee  knowe  not  the  end  and  intent  that  he 
ameth  at.  By  reafon  v/hereof  wee  (hetthe  gate  agaynft  him,fo  as  he 
can  not  by  any  mcanes  compafTe  vs.  So  much  the  more  thin  ought 
we  to  minde  well  thevthing  that  is  (hewed  vs  heere  bySain&  Paule 
which  is  that  if  our  fores  bee  rubbed.although  it  greeue  V5  and  fting 
vs  too  beefharply  rebuked :  yet  wee  mufte  not  ceaOe  too  abyde  it 
patiently,  bycaufe  God  mecneth  not  too  thro u-evs  headlong  intoe 
the  bottomleire  pit,  b.it  rather  calleth  vs  home  too  himfclfo.  And 
iiowc  aaording  herevntoo,  let  vs  marke  that  there  is  none  other 
f  emedie  for  all  our  vyccS,  than  too  yeeld  our  felues  too  that  which 
Ciod  telleth  vs.  ForSaincl  Paule  prefuppofeth  that  which  was  true: 
namely  that  he  had  preached  thcdo£trineof  the  Gofpell  purely, 
and  that  he  had  not  intruded  himfelfc  too  put  foorth  his  owne 
dreames  and  dotages,  but  had  purely  difcharged  his  duetie. and  tlie 
commifsion  that  wasgiucn  vntoo  him.  He  fayeth  now  that  the  Ga- 
iathians  will  thinke  all  that  too  bee  fo.  And  fo  he  (heweth  vs  gene- 
raJly,that  if  weiiaue  bin  ouerfeene  and  the  Diucl  haue  troubled  our 

li.  .raindes^ 


G^'-p« J-  ^ ,         fo.CaLxxxiij. Sermon '))pon 

mindeSjOnd  the  deceyuers  alio  hauc  thruft  vs  cut  of  the  way :  there 
•     is  none  other  help  but  to  hold  our  peace  Jind  to  anfwere  Amen  viv 
ro  our  jGodjp.nd  too  fulter  our  felues  too  bee  guyded  by  his  vvoord, 
jceafsing  not  too  yeelde  him  true  obedience  though  become  not 
downe  fromheauen  in  vifible  fhape,  nor  ftnde  any  of  his  Angelles 
that  beare  the  badges  of  his  Maieftie,  but  fpeake  too  vs  byfrayle 
men^that  are  not  of  any  greate  eftimation.  Lo  hcere  in  eft  eel  what 
wee  haue  too  beare  in  mynde.  Nowe  heerevpcn  Sain6l  Paule  tur- 
nethafidetheforeft  matters  vntoo  the  Coufirers  that  had  fowen 
their  darnel]  in  the  Churche  of  the  Galathians.  Hf  that  hciih  difquk^ 
Ud  you  (fayeth  he)  flu' I  beare  his  iudgement,\\>hatf<jeuer  he  bee.   Here- 
by he  declareth  that  if  there  bee  any  whom  Satan  hath  fo  fore  poy- 
foned,  that  they  wilful lyprouoke  Gods  wrath  vppon  their  heades: 
weemuftnotbee  fhaken  downe  nor  moued  therewith.  This  war- 
ning is  very  neceffarie .    For  though  wee  be  hard  and  flow  too  be- 
]eeue  the  things  that  God  tellethvs:yet  nptwithflanding  on  the 
contraric  part,  when  wee  fpie  any  errour,  wee  bee  ready  too  rurine 
after  it,  and  fo  yee  fee  a  fro  ward  inclination,  which  is  common  wel- 
neere  euery where,and  a  vyee  more  than  ordinarie.  Furthermore  to 
our  feeming  wee  bee  well  at  eafe,if  wee  can  get  any  couert,too  faf- 
fer  Satan  too  beguyle  vs  though  he  feeke  nothing  but  our  deftru- 
flion.iiT'hjerefore  itbehouetli  vs  fo  much  the  more  too  marke  well 
howat  is  fayd  heere,  that  fucheas  trouble  the  Churche  fhall  beare 
their  owne  iudgement.  For  thereby  S, Paule  doth  vs  to  vnderftand^ 
that  there  are  many  defpyzers  of  God,  which  make  no  confcience  to 
peruert  all  things :  fothey  may-win  themfelues  eftimation  with  the 
world, and  purchace  themfelues  credit,all  is  one  with  thcm,for  they 
paffe  for  nothing  but  to  exalt  themfelues.  Such  maner  of  men  doo 
trouble  the  church  a  thouiand  waies. There  are  others  who  through 
vayne  glorie  and  too  feeme  skilfull  and  fharpwitted,  forge  new  do- 
6trmesT  That  is  one  other  kind  of  Goufiners.  And  there  are  other- 
fome  fo  malicious  and  fpitefull,  as  they  can  not  brocke  any  peace 
^m.\6x,    ^^^  concord,  according  as  it  is  i^iydthat  the  hande  of  Ifmaell  (hould 
^2.         bee  a^ainftall  men,and  all  raennes  handes  agaynft  hiit\.'Then  there 
ar-e.a  fort  that  feeke  nothing  but  dilTenfiGn  aiKl  variance.  Seingthen 
that  wee  perceyue  that  the  Diueli  hathfo  niany  bgiilerers;  to  turne 

vs. 


the  EpisLto  the(jalathians'^-      250  ■ 

^s  from  the  right  way :  had  not  euery  of  vs  neede  to  looke  well  to 
himfelfe,  leafl  he  be  fliaken  downe :  and  too  continue  alwayes  (led- 
faft  in  the  thing  which  wee  knowe  too  bee  of  our  God,  whatfocuer 
this  man  or  that  man  doo  babble  or  prated  Veefee.then  thattbc 
thing  whiche  Sain6tPaule  ment,  is  that  wee.fhoulde  not  one  ofv.s 
looke  at  another,  lyke  fheepe  which  leape  one  after  anoiher  intoo 
a  riuer  or  a  pit  when  one  is  leapt  in  afoje  them,  or  lyke  Crane  s.and 
other  byrdes  that.fiie  all  on  a  rowe  one  after  another,  no  wee  may 
not  doo  fo  :  but  wee  mufte  alwayes  bee  conftant  without  fwaruing- 
afide  from  the  wcorde  of  God.  Markethat  for  one  poynt.  But  a-» 
boue  all  things  Sain(ft  Paul e  tellethvs,  that  wee  muite  not  bee  da- 
zeled  at  mennes  gay  fhowes,  when  they  peruert  Gods  pure  truthe, 
vnder  colour  of  their  ownc  skill :  but  that  when  wee  fee  them  too 
haue  no  regarde  of  any  thing,  no  reJigion,  no  feare  of  God,noavyej 
yea  and  that  fometymes;  they  bee  woorfe  than  pafte  fliame,  forthat  it 
they  oncecome  fo iarre  foreward as  too  get  t4ie  Lawe  in  their  owne 
h:indes,  they  palTe  for  noman,but  do  after  a  forte  fpit  euen  in  Gods 
face  :  1  fay  whe^  wee  fpie  them, become.. fache  Monilers,  w.ee  mtiiie 
jvayt  that  God  iLouId  execute  his  iuflice  vpon  them,  and  fhcw  bow 
much  ftore  he  fetteth  by  die  foules  which  he  hath  bought  £o  deerly. 
And  that  istiie  eaufe  why  he  adJeth  puipofely  W^o/cewcr /^e  hce.  For 
beere  he  intencled  top  deface  all  the  gay  titles  whereof  men  vauat 
th^mfelues,  infctting  vp  their  bridles  againil:  God.  Like  a.s  at.phis 
day,  whereas  the,  Pope  itujneth  Gods  truthe  vpfide.  dow-ne,.and 
dirough  Diuelifbpryde -mingle th  and  man^Jeth  all  things  :yet  Dot- 
withftandinghe  ceaflfethnpiitoocall  himfelfe  the  Seruant  of  Gods 
§eruaute>,thc  SuccelTor  of  kfus  ChriO.and  the  Vicar  of  ^iainel  Pe- 
ter. The  .Bifhops  alfo  fuppofe  Lhemfoii,ies  too  haue  a  veiy  lawful] 
t>'tk  to  Cupj^refl  e  all  knawiedgc  of  the  tnijt^^in  n^imihg  themfelwes 
Prektes.  But  Saincl  Paule  tel.leth  vs  heere,  th.at  when  men  are  fo 
difguyzed.thcy  be,e  butldollesforali  that,ai3d  Godis  vndiange^ble 
and  alteveth  nothcr  his  nature  nor  his  niinde.  Then  fith  it  is  fo ,:  al- 
though men  were  ex?lt^d  .tc*o  the  third  he?.uen,  yet  ouc,ht  ,wde  tPO 
take  them  for  ftarkc  Diucllcs,if  they  go  about  to  minj-fe  augUt  at  A 
of  their  ownc  dcui::ing,\viththe  pure  iimplicitieofGods  woord,To 
l)ec  fiiortjwe  fee  heere  all  woordiinciTeof  man  beaten  dqwne  when  • 

li.i].  ths 


c  h^p.  5 .  Jo.CaLxxx  iij.  Sermonypon 

die  obedience  of  fayth  commeth  in  prefence.  True  it  is  that  in  ciuilT 
caces  there  hath  alwayes  bin  fupenoriiie :  but  yet  mufte  God  not 
wirhftjyndin^  gouerne  ftil  by  his^voord,and  his  feruis  muft  be  ruled 
there  by,that  our  fayth  maybe  wholly  conformable  therevnto  :  and 
though  ail  the  world  fhould  fet  it  felf  againfl:  it,  and  heape  vp  neuer 
fo  huge  ajid  high  mountaynesof  moft  excellent  titles  euen  vp  too 
tJie  cloude5,aIl  nrnd  be  hild  but  as  fmoke,yea  and  as  'filth  and  dung. 
Thus  yeefee  ineffeft  what  Sain(ftPaulc  ment  to  lay.  Vet  dothhe  it 
not  too  excufe  the  Galathians  of  their  vnaduized  ouei  (hooting  oC 
fhemfelues^  but  too  giue  them  courage  to  returne  vnto  God.  1  here 
are  many  too  bee  feene  now  adayes  which  thinke  themfelues  to  bee 
fcaped  out  of  Gods  hands,  and  too  be  quite  difcharged,  when  they 
can  fay  that  their  Prelates  and  Shepeherdes  haue  taught  themfo. 
ButS.Pauleadmitteth  nofuchexcuce,but  fayeth  that  the  way  for 
them  to  fcape  the  damnatio  that  is  prepared  for  the  deceyuers,is  to 
feturne  to  Gods  pure  truth,  Sc  not  to  refuze  to  be  brought  backe  a- 
gaine, though  they  haue  fwai-ued  from  it  for  a  tijne.And  herewithall 
alfo  for  a  c6clu{ion,he  doth  vs  to  vnderftand  how  deere  our  faluatid 
is  to  God,  and  how  great  ftore  he  fetteth  by  it.  For  whereof  cometh 
that  whickS.Paule  fayeth  heere,namely  that  all  fuch  as  trouble  the 
Churche fliall.giue a  reckeningof  it,and  bee  ouerwheilmed'at  Gods 
hand  :  but  of  that  wee.be  his  heritagc,and  he  taketh  all  his  plcafure 
in  vs,as  in  them  wliom  he  hath  chozenaiKi  adopted,  and  for  that  we 
be  as  it  were  his  accomplishment,  as  S.Paule  termeth  vs  c'Seing  it  is 
fb :  let  vs  learne  to  truft  inGod/eing  he  hath  fo  fatherly  care  of  cur 
faluation.  And  fo  let  vs  learne  to  put  from  vs  all  falfe  do6irines  con- 
ftantly  and  with  fuch  ftoutnefle  as  we  ought  to  do.  For  wee  fee  that 
God  is' chafed  and  moued  too  anger,  telling  vsthat  he  will  neuer 
pardon  thofe  that  haue  fo  troubled  his.  For  afmuch  then  as  wee  fee 
tliat  God  powreth  out  his  indignatio  vpon  them  that  haue  troubled: 
his  Churche :  let  vs  haue  a  zele  anfwereable  therevnto,  and  let  vft; 
abhorre  all  falfe  doftrines.  And  when  wee  fee  men  defirous  of  no- 
thing but'too  fowe  fome  troubles :  let  vs  take  them  as  our  mortalt 
enemies,let  vs  make  warre  valiantly  agaynft  them,and  let  vs  fight- 
too  the  vttermoft  for  the  truth  of  our  God,  afTuring  our  felues  that 
that  is  the  thing  wherein  lieth  all  our  happinefTe, 

Thus. 


the  Epifi.to  the  (jalathians.       25 


Thus  yec  fee  in  effcd  what  we  haue  to  gather  vpon  this  flreyne* 
And  fo  for  afmuch  as  God  hath  once  called  vs  too  him,  and  ceaffeth. 
not  topricke  vs  forward  dayly  by  exhortations  :  let  vs  hold  vs  vn- 
der  his  obedience.  And  although  we  fee  many  traubles^diflentions, 
and  debates  m  the  wo^ld :  yet  let  vs  alwayes  fticke  ftedfaftly  to  the 
truth  which  cannot  deceyue  vs.  And  for  afmuch  as  we  may  be  foone 
feduced  and  deceyued :  let  vs  pray  God  too  giue  ts  wifedome  and 
difcretion  :  and  alfo  let  vs  giue  diligent  eare  to  his  woord,as  whichs 
is  able  to  flrengthen  vs  againflall  Satans  illufi6s,and  let  vs  no  more 
be  led  too  daunce  after  other  mennes  pypes,  as  S.Paule  warneth  vs 
in  the  end  of  this  Epiftle.  Seing  then  that  we  haue  the  meane  which 
God  hath  ftablifhedtoo  holde  vs  alwayes  too  bee  of  his  houfe  and 
Church  :  let  vs  (land  iledfaft  therein.And  if  we  happen  too  bee  tur- 
ned afide  through  the  fcoli{hneire  and  vnaduizedncfTe  of  our  flefh : 
let  vs  by  and  by  herken  to  the  warnings  that  are  giuen  vs  heere,  let 
vs  mourne  for  ourfaults,and  when  wee  haue  mourned,  ktvs  feme 
our  God,  knowing  that  he  is  euer  readie  too  receyue  vs.    And  al- 
thouijh  wc  fee  neuer  fo  great  a  number  ofdefpyzers  and  workilings 
which  ceaffe  not  to  corruptand  peruert  the  do6lrine  of  the  Gofpel, 
yea  and  too  bee  vtterly  fotted  in  their  corruptions  :  although  (1  fay) 
that  we  izt  fuch  'lumblingblockes  :  yet  let  vs  take  good  lieede,  that 
vnder  the  colour  thereof  we  be  not  turned  away  vnto  wickednelTe, 
and  fo  be  wrapped  in  the  fame  damnaiion  with  them  for  following 
of  their  {leppes :  but  let  vs  go  forward  to  the  faluation  that  is  feta- 
fore  vs,and  where  vnto  God  prouoketh  vs  dayly  to  come. 

Now  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  maieflie  of  our  good  God  witli 
'acknowledgmet  of  our  faults^praying  him  tomake  vs  feele  the  more 
Sc  more,5<  therwi'chall  to  beare  with  our  Infirmities  till  he  haue  rid 
vs  quite  and  cleane  of  the,and  clothed  vs  againc  with  the  pureneflc 
of  his  rightuoufnefle,  which  ought  too  grow  in  vs  vntill  it  bee  fully 
perfc^.And  fo  let  vs  all  fay,Almighty  God  our  heauely  father  &c. 

l:he.''^\Serm()n;vi)hichu 

•  :...■■  If l^on  the  ffth  Chapter, 

II    Mybrcthren,if  I  preach  ftill  theciraimcizion,Vvhy 

li'iij.  fuliei: 


CLip.j, 


n 


H 


foXalxxxittj  Sermon  vpon 

fuffer  I  yetpcrfccution  >  [For]  then  istheflum- 
blingblocke  ofthecrolTe  put  away. 

I  would  too  God  that  they  vvich  trouble  you  were 
cut  of. 

For  you,  my  bretheren,  were  called  vntoo  liber- 
tie  :  onely  make  not  your  liberiiean  occafion  too 
the  ffcfhe,  but  ferue  yee  one  another  through 
lone* 

For  all  the  lawe  is  fulfilled  in  one  woord,  which  is 
this^Thou  fhalt  louc  thy  neighbour  as  thy  fdf. 


T  is  feene  that  men  are  fo  giuen  to  their  owne 
profit  in  all  their  doings, that  alwaies  they  bow 
crookedly  and  ouerthwartly  without  refped 
of  e^uitie  & vpnghtnefle.For  mens  couetouf- 
ncfle,  and  the  refpe^l  which  they  haue  ey ther 
to  their  profite  or  too  their  eafe,  doth  fo  blind 
their  eyes^as  they  can  difcerne  nothing.  Speci- 
ally when  Gods  woord  is  to  bee  caried  abrode,  then  if  a  man  forget 
not  himfelf,  and  fliet  not  his  eyes  agaynft  the  things  that  may  turnc 
him  away  in  this  world  from  walking  purely  before  God :  furely  he 
(hall  neuer  hold  on  his  courfe,  but  bee  ftiU  flarting  out,  now  on  the 
one  fide  and  now  on  the  other.  By  meanes  wliereof  Gods  doftrine 
is  oftentimes  corrupted^  bycaufc  that  they  which  ought  too  beare  it 
abrode,  are  inclyned  eyther  too  hatred  or  fauour,  and  are  afrayde  of 
purcbacingthemfeluesfome  difpleafure,  or  of  prouoking  fome  an- 
ger againft  them.  Therefore  it  is  vnpofsible  too  ferue  Godpurely 
in  our  flatc  of  calling,  vnlefle  wee  bee  fully  refolued,  yea  euen  with 
an  inumcible  confhncie,  not  to  be  greeued  if  we  be  driuen  to  fufFer 
for  the  doflrinc  which  wee  beare  abrode :  but  to  fight  Riflily  vnder 
ihe  ftandard  of  our  Capteynelefus  Chrift,  knowing  that  we  cannot 
come  to  the  glory  of  his  refurre6Ho,but  by  fuflPering  aforehand  with 
Kim  after  his  exampleThe  faithful!  muft  be  fayne  to  faftion  them- 
fekies  vnt9  tJiat.  But  the  cace  gf  fiich  as  fhguld  teach  and  haue  the 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.       i^i 

office  of  preaching  Gods  woorcl,is  more  particular:  for  it  is  certaipe 
that  tlic  Diue  11  is  alvvayes  practizing  too  put  vs  out  of  hart,  and  he 
fliall  finde  furtherers  ynough  in  this  worldc,  according  as  there  arc 
full  many  that  cannot  abyde  that  Gods  woord  fhould  bee  preached 
purely  and  vncorruptly.  They  will  not  fay  with  open  mouth,  that 
Gods  name  ou^ht  to  be  buried :  but  yet  would  they  fay  ne  deuyze  a 
fafhionofdo^lrine  too  their  ownelyJiing,  Now  therefore  it  beho- 
ueth  vs  too  looke  fimply  too  that  which  God  commaundeth,  and  to 
harden  our  felues  throughly  to  it :  according  alfo  as  we  fc  how  lerc- 
mie  was  willed  to  fight,and  God  promized  toogiue  him  a  forehead  tetemA,  do 
of  brafTcjto  pufh  againft  thofe  that  fhould  come  to  aflayle  bim.  And  iS.ip. 
for  that  caufc  doth  S'.Paule  {ay  now,  that  if  he  lifted  to  preach  circu- 
cizion,and  to  make  fuch  a  mingiemaglc  as  thedeceiuers  went  about 
to  do  :  he  could  rid  his  hands  of  al  vexation,and  make  euery  man  to 
clap  their  hands  at  him,  or  at  leaflwife  he  could  bring  too  paiTc  that 
no  man  fhould  perfecute  him  and  trouble  him.  For  the  lewcs  would 
eafly  haue  graunted  that  lefus  ChriH  flioulde  haue  bin  preached,  fo 
they  might  haue  hild  flil  the  fbte  of  Elderfhip,  and  the  Ceremonies 
haue  bin  vfed  {lill,and  tlie  Getiles  haue  bin  as  little  vntimely  borne 
things  to  come  in  aray  in  theyr  trayne  behind  the.Yee  fee  then  what 
the  le  wes  deflre  was.  Sain<51  Pauk  could  haue  pleafed  them  well  in 
fo  doyng,but  that  he  nxmded  too  ferue  God  faythfully  and  fubflan- 
tially.  But  en  the  contrary  part  S.  Paule  fheweth,  that  they  whiche 
labored  too  ouerthrowe  the  doftrine  that  he  had  preached,  fought 
more  the  fauour  and  frendHiip  of  nien,than  tco  difcharge  their  due- 
tie.  Nowe  then  wee  Cqq  what  ismcnt  by  thisftntence  where  he 
fayeth,  N\yb>ethrtn,  if  I  j^r  cached  CinumcUion  (III,  that  .is  too  fay,  if 
I  would  agree  too  make  aminglemangle,th£itlefus  Chriftc  might 
bee  difguyzed,  and  euery  man  haue  what  he  wouldc  aske. :  no  man 
would  be  any  niorc  offeixled  with  mee,I  fhould  be  welcome  eueiy— . 
v,'here,and  I  fhould  haue  credit  by  it.  But  now,is  it  likely  that  I  will 
Lee  at  defiance  with  all  the  worlde,  ofpurpofe  too  bee  tormented  ^ 
You  fee  then  at  a  woorde,"  that  I  fecke  not  mine  owne  profite. 
Tor  wliat  moueth  thefe  goodly  d  z^o\s  to  make  fuch  a  mingieman- 
gle  as  ycc  fee,  but  that  they  would  fayne  pleafurc  euery  ma,and  arc 
loth  that  any  man  fhoukl  trouble^thcm  in  any  wife:  Sc)'ng  that  their  * 

li.iiij,  f^^king 


cii'f .  5.         ^Q^  Cal.xxxiiij  Sermon  ypon 

feeking  is  for  cafe  and  commoditie :  you  ought  of  good  right  to  fu* 
fpe6l  tliem.  Now  then  wee  fee  here,  on  the  one  fide  the  thing  that  I 
touched  not  long  fince  :  namely  that  all  fuch  as  are  called  of  God  to 
the  preaching  of  his  woord,ought  to  be  fully  determined  vpon  this, 
that  although  the  whole  world fhould  flep  vp  againft  th.em^yet  they 
would  not  bow^but  abide  all  afiaultes,  beyng  well  aiTured  that  God 
will  maynteyne  them  at  their  neede,  and  alwayesgiue  them  vifto- 
,  rie,fo  they  followe  their  vocation  in  pure  finglenelTe.  For  wee  can- 
not doo  Cjod  any  greater  wrong  and  outrage,  than  too  fubmit  our 
felue  s  too  mens  likings,  by  turning  away  from  his  woord,eyther  to 
the  right  hand  or  to  the  left.  Nother  is  it  for  vs  to  leaue  any  peecft 
of  our  duetie  vndone,  but  wee  muft  ftedfaftly  maynteyne  the  truth 
of  God  which  is  vnchaungeable,  and  ought  not  in  any  wife  to  be  al- 
jeredjthough  menbeneuerfo  variable  andvnconftant.  And  this  i$ 
to  be  marked  well,  bicaufe  that  although  men  haue  fomegood  wil- 
lingnefTe  that  God  fhould  be  knowen,  and  that  his  truth  fhould  bee 
preached  accordingly :  yet  the  mod  part  will  commonly  bow,  when 
they  fee  the  flaunders  that  are  rayzed  of  the,  and  heere  mens  grud- 
gings  &  repinings  againft  them,  fpecially  whe  fometimes  there  (hall , 
bee  fo  great  broyl  es,that  all  is  like  to  go  to  wrecke.  For  if  we  mayn- 
teyne Gods  quarell  as  wee  ought  too  do,  by  and  by  the  flaunderers 
Will  giue  it  out  that  we  be  wilfull.  Like  as  at  this  day  the  Papifts  do 
charge  vs,firft  of  all  with  great  rafhnefTe^that  we,  (who  be  but  a  had- 
full  in  coraparifon  of  themfelues  whiche  are  fo  houge  a  multitude, 
yea  sitd  me  of  fo  great  experiece,  which  haue  feene  fo  much,and  arc 
had  in  fo  great  eftimation  and  reputation,)will  take  vpon  vs  to  con- 
troll  all  the  dates  of  the  world :  and  fecondly  tliat  we  be  to  precyze,. 
yea  and  to  malapert,in  that  wee  will  haue  all  mens  heads  vnder  our 
girdle,and  do  feeke  nothing  elfe  but  to  ouermayfter  all  men,  and  to 
make  euery  man  to  ftoupe  to  our  lure.  Lo  how  wee  bee  wrongfully 
flaundered.Ncue^thelefTe  we  muft  rather  fwallow  vp  thisilaunder, 
than'forbeare  the!  doing  of  any  peece  of  our  duetie.  For  why  C'  in  this 
behalfe  it  is  not  for  vs  to  make  any  compofition  as  it  were  betwenc 
man  and  man.  For  if  twoo  parties  bee  at  variance  for  fome  fumme' 
of  Money,  or  for  fome  Lande,  an  ymper  may  fo  c|^ualifie.  the  mat-r 
ter  oaeyther  fide,  as  peace  fball  fbone  bee  made  betwij^t  them:. 

■  :■     'But 


tbeEpjU.tothe  Qalathimt..       255 

ButiFwc  grauntCjods  enimies  tk.eir  otop  asking,  fpecially  tp  the  • 
preiu'dice  of  tiim  that  will liape.  Ki§  o\vne  rights  throughly  mayn- 
tcyned(as  goodreafon  is  that  it  flioulde.bee  :)  what  a  ihmg  is  that^ 
So  much  the  more  then  belioueth  it  v.s  too  marke  well  this  leflbn, 
where  Saint  Paule  telleth  vs,.that  to  ferue  God  we  mufl  not  fhun, 
neither  trouble,  npr  vexation,  nor  rcpinings,  nor.rep.roehes,  nora- 
ny  thing  eirejinfdmuch  that  iFit  (lancje  vpon  the  hazarding  of  our 
life, we  mufl:  go  through  with  it.  And  though  there  be  great  frailtie 
mvs:yetletvscon{iderthatGodcallethvsvntohim,andthathe  , 
is  able  to  remedie  al  our  weakneire,and  to  giue  vs  fufficicnt  ftregth 
to  holde  out  to  the  vttermofl:.  Howfoeuerthe  cace  ftande,  feeing 
hee  imployeth  vs  in  his  feruice,  (vs  I  fay  which  are  nothing  of  oure 
feiues :)  we  mud  not  difhonour  him  fo  much,  as  to  make  him  fub-, 
ie6lto  mens  luftes.  Thus  ye  fee  what  wee  haue  to  confider  in  the 
firft  place.  Furthermore  we  bee  warned  therewithal!,  to  fufpc6lall 
fucheas  feeke  their  owne  aduauntageandprofite,and  allfuche  as. 
difguife  themfelues,  rowing  betweene  two  ftreames,  and  falfifying 
Gods  pure  truthe  at  euerie  tume,  too  pleafe  men  withali.  For  as  I 
haue  tolde  you  alreadie,  we  muft  prepare  our  feiues  to  niany  bat- 
tels,if  we  minde  to  ferue  God  fimplie.  And  we  mufl  call  to  minde 
this  fcntence  where  Saint  Paule  fayde,  that  if  his  minde  were  too      v    , ' 
pleafe  men,  hee  mufl:  of  necefsitie  forfake  the  feruice  of  our  Lorde    ^  •  *  '  ♦ 
lefus  Chrifl:  his  maifter.  For  as  I  haue  tolde  you  before ,  the  diueli 
will  not  ccafle  to  make  warre  vppon  vs  on  all  fydes :  and  againe, 
men  are  naturally  difpofed  therevnto :  euerie  man  coueterh  to  bee 
foothed  and  vphilde;and  to  haue  all  his  vyces  cloked.  To  be  fliort, 
there  is  none  but  he  defireth  too  bee  foded  and  mainteyned  in  hys 
rechlefnefle.  And  therefore  ifweewillbeefreendes  with  men  too 
frame  our  feiues  vntoo  their  willes  and  defires  :  lefus  Chrifl:  can 
haue  no  more  mayfl:erfhip  oucr  vs,  and  wee  fliall  not  onely  become 
vnprofitable  for  him,  but  alfo  vtter  peruerters  of  all.  Nowe  there- 
fore when  wee  fee  that  thcfe  which  pretende  great  zcaloufnelTe  of 
chrii^ian  reh*gion,doo  fceke  their  owne  prolite :  let  vs  hardily  con- 
clude, that  they  deferue  not  to  haue  any  authoritie.   Of  which  fort 
are  they  whiche  nowadayes  keepe  a  barking  to  mainteynepopifh  a- 
bufev^and  ceaffc  iws  toflaunder  the  dgclrine  ofthe  Gofpeil,  butla- 

ILv.  bour 


fo.CaLxxxiiij.Sermonypon   ^ 

bour  to  bring  it  in  difcrec^itc  with  the  blindc  and  ignorant,  and  yet 
notwithftanding  what  is  it  that  the  moft  part  of  them  doo  feekc  1 
Some  to  maintaine  themfelucs  in  their  eftate,  with  their  red  hattcs, 
homed  cappes,and  crofles :  Others  runnc  after  them  like  houndes 
in  a  chace,  and  thefe  poore  ftoruelings  plie  them  apace  that  they 
may  haue  their  wages.  Befidesthis,  all  that  euer  is  done  of  thefe 
pelting  hypocrites,  and  of  all  the  whole  dinging  and  (linking  rablc 
of  (haue  lings,  (what  pretence  fo  euer  they  make)  tendeth  too  none 
other  end,but  to  haue  their  difhes  alwayes  ful,fo  that  all  their  figh- 
ting is  but  for  their  bellie.   Alfo  there  arc  a  great  number  of  Neu- 
ters, which  are  contented  to  haue  the  Gofpell  preached  by  halues, 
but  to  go  too  it  with  fo  great  rygour  and  feueritie,  6  (fay  they)  it  is 
no  reafon  at  all ,  for  the  worlde  cannot  awaye  with  it .    And  why 
(hould  not  men  pafle  much  for  Ceremonies  ( fay  theyO  Although 
they  fprung  of  fuperftitions  and  abufes,  yet  fhouldc  wee  not  go  too 
worke  fo  roughly  :  for  that  were  too  importunate  dealing.  All  they 
then  which  cannot  abyde  too  haue  the  filthie  dregges  and  corrup- 
tions of  Poperie  cutte  off  to  the  quicke,  do  certainly  ame  at  none 
other  marke,  than  too  efchue  perfecution ,  and  too  fhrinkc  awaye 
from  it.  AndwouldeGod  that  examples  of  it  were  not  too  ryfc. 
But  nowadayes  ye  (hall  fee  an  infinite  number  of  fuch  as  would  be 
afhamed  to  withftande  the  Gofpell  in  all  refpe^s,  confent  well  y- 
nough  with  vs  to  fay ,  In  deede  it  is  true ,  but  yet  many  things  had 
neede  to  be  borne  withali,and  we  had  needc  to  go  to  it  with  gentlc- 
neffe  and  modeftie.  And  what  moueth  them  to  this  *!  What  foun- 
dation haue  they-f  See  I  pray  you  what  they  alledge.  O (fay  they) 
wee  fee  fires  kindled  euerie  where :  and  what  a  thing  were  it  too 
moueyet  further  troubles  that  fhoulde  make  them  greater  <    It 
fliculd  feeme  that  we  bee  bent  of  fet  purpofe  to  prouoke  thofe  that 
are  alreadie  enemies  to  the  Gofpell,  'and  haue  the  fwordc  in  theyr 
hande,and  arc  able  to  rende  all  vp  by  the  rootc  :  were  it  not  better 
toobeare  with  things  awhile  ,  till  Godhadgiuen  fome  reft  too  his 
Chuj-ch  c*  It  is  ccrtaine  therefore  that  fuch  folke  as  defire  too  make 
truce  with  thofe  that  fight  openly  againft  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift,arc 
ful  of  treafon.And  fo  fee  ye  the  fecond  warning  that  is  to  be  marked 
rpon  this  text.Furthermore  whereas  S.  Paule  fayeth,  fh'at  theftuth' 


the  EpiU.to  the  Qalathiam.       254, 

hIin^hlockeoftbeCroJfcfha!lhe/loii€a\Uy'hc  meencth  that  the  world 
fhall  no  more  be  fo  prouoked  to  refufe  the  doftrine  of  the  Gofpcl: 
for  when  we  preach  lefus  Chrift  crucified  fimply  without  any  mix- 
ture,thatdoth  he  purpofely  name  the  preaching  of  the  Crofle.Now 
the  worldewouldcalwayesfaynehauefolemnities,  andfirftof  all 
wee  fee  that  many  mennes  cares  itche,  and  they  dcflre  nothing  but 
rhat  men  fhoulde  flourifh  in  Rhetorike  and  painted  fpeach^and  fuch 
other  like  things.  Again  we  fee  that  niany  arc  afhamed  of  the  fim- 
plicitic  of  the  Gofpell,  bicaufe  that  if  the  great  and  fiuall  fhoulde 
bee  coupled  togither,  it  might  fecnie  that  it  tendeth  too  the  pul- 
ling downe  of  all  highneiTe.   And  fhoulde  mennebeefpoyled  and 
robbed  after  that  maner  of  all  theyr  glorie  [[thinke  they  c*  ]  Ma- 
nic therefore  are  afhamed  of  that .    Nowc  for  this  caufe  Sain6t 
Paule  fayeth.  Go  too,  it  is  the  preaching  of  a  Gibet  or  Gallowes. 
ft  is  true :  for  to  the  intent  to  open  vnto  vs  the  Kingdome  of  hea- 
ucn,  thefonne  of  God  was  fayneto  fuffer  our  airfe,  and  to  indure 
rhat  death  which  isfo  flaunderous  before  men,  yea  and  to  be  curfcd 
^Gods  owne  mouth  according  to  the  faying  of  the  Lawe,  Curfed 
xf  hee  that  hqngeth  on  tree.  Then  was  our  Lorde  Icfus  Chriftfaine  ^    .       . 
.  to  com  e  to  that  poynt,  that  hee  might  be  our  borrow.  To  be  (hort,  * 

hee  wasas  good  as  ouerwhclmed.  AndwefcehowetheProphete 
Efay  fayth  of  him,  that  he  was  diffigured  Irke  a  poore  Lazermari,  fo  r/i 
as  men  vouchlafed  not  to  Iboke  vppon  him,  or  to  count  him  in  the       *^^* 
number  of  men.  Alfowee  feehowethc.xxij.PfalmefaythJ  am  a  fr^t 
worm:  and  not  a  man,  I  am  a  mockingftocke  euen  to  the  rafcallefl  t"^*    ' 
,  fort :  infomuch  that  the  theefc  did  fcome  him  and  fcoffe  at  him.       *  3*^-3i^ 
yVeil  then,  at  the  firftdght  this  doctrine  feemeth  vnworthie  to  be 
.  rcceyued.  But  wiee  muft  bethinkc  vs  what  Saint  P?.ule  fayth  in  ano-     - 
thertext:thatistovvit,  that  the  world  knew  not  God  intruewife-  ^*^^'^'^'^^ 
dome,andtHerfore  he  was  fayne  to  vfe  another  fafliion  of  teaching 
which  IS  by  fooli^meiTe  .    For  were  wee  throughly  wife ,  as  wee* 
wouldc  bee  taken  too  bee :  wee  haue  as  good  an  inftru^lion  as  can 
bee,  id  behok^ng  the  skies  and  the  earth .  We  fee  there  a  mirrour 
wherin god  (h   yeth  vs  his  infinit goodnefle,powcr,rightuoufnc{re, 
Jrhercic  aad  wiiedome.   Andfo  wee  fee  there  the  great  treafurcs 
l^fGQd$wi{3ome,wIychgvightW)rauifh<>urwitte5  towonderatft. 


Chap.5.  fo.CaLxxxiiij.Sermonlopon 

But  who  faretli  the  better  by  it:'  Nay  contrarywife  wee  fee  men 
cobble  vp  Gods  benefites  and  fill  their  panches  with  them, without 
'  any  thinking  vppon  him  at  all,  and  not  one  ly  that,  but  alfo  to  kicke 
agaynft  him  that  hath  pampered  them.  And  when  they  weene  too 
do  God  reruice,they  plucke  away  the  honor  that  belongeth  to  him, 
and  fet  vp  Idols  after  their  owne  fancie.  Seing  then  that  the  world 
'  hath  not  knowne  God  in  true  wifedome,  and  by  the  order  of  na- 
ture :,God  was  fayne  to  trie  another  way,is  he  did.  For  if  we  iudge 
after  olir  natural!  wit, it  is  ^  kind  of  ft^rke  fbliy'tofay,that  the  fonhe 
.of God,  theheadeoftheAngelles,  theLordeof  glorfe,  the  wel- 
fpring  of  life,theperfone  to  whorrieall  maieftiebelongeth,was  not 
onely  made  a  mortall  man,and  clothed  with  our  ftate :  but  alfo  vt- 
^h'l  1  a  7  tc^iy  chafed,  (asSain£lPaulefaythinthefeconde  toothePhilippi- 
'  *  *  *  ansjyea  andbecaine fubieil'tbo our  cuffe ,  and  bare  :ihe name  of 
firine,'  which  is'rnore.  VVhenaman  fpeaketh  to  vs  in  fuchphraze 
of  fpeech,  it  miifi  needes  ktme  ftraunge  to  vs  as  it  is  in  deed.  But 
we  muft  fubmit  our  felues  with  al  lowlineire,and  confider  that  for- 
afmuch  as  we  haue  not  profited  by  the  things  that  god  hath  Hic^d 
.   y s  from  the  beginning  both  in  heauen  and  earth,  we  rpuft  bee  fayne 
to  come  to  this  other  fchole.  .  Thus  much  concerning  this  ftreyne 
where'STaiht  I^^ule  fayth,  then  is  tbejiumblingbkc^e  of  the  Crojfe .  f  «^ 
ati^ay.  But  to  be  fh6rt,We  niuft  gather  vpon  this  Text,  that  if  thefc 
be  any  abfurditie  in  the  Golpel  according  to  our  vnder{landing,the 
fame  muft  not  make  it  out  of  tafte  with  v^,,  but  we  muft  cofider  that 
God  intendeth  to  trie  our  obediepce ,  by  fending  vs  to  the  d^ath  pf 
our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte,  and  that  there  vvee  fee  ias  itwere  the  ^ulfe 
of  hell,  feeing  that  the  fontie  of  God'is  there  tobeare  ourcondbri-j- 
nation,  and  is  become  our  furetie  there  to  pay  ail  our  dettes.Agairle 
let  vs  confider  further,  that  from  deatli  there  was  a  goodly  p^age 
vntoglorie,  which  appeared  ih  his  refurre^lidii'.  For  the  Sonne  of 
God  hauing  fuffered  through  infirmitie,  (that  is  to  fay,  according 
J  to  the  ordinance  of  God  bis  fa(her,2lrid' according  tohisowne  goqd 
•   "win  aIfo,wherLy  he  eohfented  to  {ubmitliimfelfe  to  luch  bondage) 
'  and  hauing  fuff ered  _  iii;  fucli  wife  that  hec  oiicrcame '  deajh'by  the 
power  of  his  holy  fpirite  :  Uq  o^Dteyhed  fuch  a  vi<?ldr{e;^  a^'j|ll"^^es 
niuft  no  we  bow  before  hitii  /  and'KekdHva' naime  ibbueaitrfiftiei, 

and 


the  Epifl.to  the  Qalathians.     255 

and  men  mufte  knowe  that  all  theMaieftie  of  God  appeared  and 
flione  forth  in  his  perfon.   Thus  yee  fee  that  wee  neede  not  to  bee 
afhamedof  the  GofpelL-And  aboue  alJ  things  let  vs  holde  fafte  that 
which  Saint  Paule  in  the  firft  to  the  Romaines  calleth  the  power  of  i^^.i.  ^.i^. 
Godtothefaluationofall  beleeuers.  Then  as  for  the  worldlings 
andfuchas  are  fwolne  with  prydc  and  ouervveening  Wkc  TcadeSji 
let  themdefpize  the  Gofpell  as  much  as  they  lift,  and  let  them  pe- 
rifh  in  their  owne  curfednefiTe  :  and  in  the  meane  while  let  vs  with 
all  humblenefle  of  fayth  imbrace  the  fonne  of  God,  who  offereth 
himfelfe  to  vs  of  purpofe,  to  lift  vs  vp  to  the  glorie  of  the  kingdom 
ofheauen.  Butheere  is  yet  more  :  namely  that  Saint  Paule  mat- 
c\\Q\\\StuMing,2iX\d  the  preaching  of  the  Gofpel  togither  as  things 
infeparable.  It  is  true  that  wee  muft  efchue  all  ftumblingblockes  as 
much  as  is  pofsible  :  for  wobetohim  by  whomftumblingblockes      . 
come.  Butyetmufte  lefus  Ghriftraigne,  and  haue  his  full  fcope,  ^^^•^^•'''r 
though  all  the  whole  worlde  (houlde  ftumble  at  lum.  The  woorde       '^' 
^/«ww/w^/'W^f,importethaftoppe,hinderance,  orlet,  as  if  there 
were  a  rough  and  ftonie  way  that  had  fome  thornes  and  bufhes,  or 
fome  other  comberances  in  it ,  the  fame  were  a  meanes  too  make 
men  ftumble.    Nowe  it  were  to  be  wifhed  that  lefus  Chrift  might 
go  on  freely,  and  that  all  the  worlde  would  receyue  him,  and  that 
nothing  might  ftoppe  the  preaching  of  the  Gofpell  from  the  one 
ende  of  the  worlde  to  the  other.  1  fay  we  oughtto  wiflie  it  as  much . 
as  in  vs  is.  Howbeeit  let  vs  leame  that  God  intendeth  to  trye  the 
obedientnefle  of  our  fayth,  by  giuing  Satan  the  brydle  who  cafteth ; 
many  ftumblingblockes  and  cumberances  in  our  wayes.   Too  bee 
fhort,  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  is  not  without  caufe  called  a  ftone  to  ^^  3»r.i4 
ftumble  at,  and  a  ftoppe  for  all  men  too  dafhe  agaynft,  and  by  that: 
meanes  too  breake  their  neckes.  And  in  the  ende  (as  it  is  fayde  in 
Saint  Luke)  they  muft  be  crufhed  by  that  ftone,  for  it  is  to  hard  for  ^  '2^.34. 
their  ftubbornnefte.  And  this  is  verie  much  for  our  behoofe.  For 
we  fee  many  men  fo  nice,that  if  men  agree  not  to  the  Gofpell  out. 
of  hande,  theythinkethemfelues.(}uite  andcleane  difcharged  and 
fet  free  before  God,from  mainteining  the  quarel  or  cace  any  longer. 
If  all  Kings  and  Princes  had  caufed  it  19  be  proclaimed  by  the  found 
of  ia  trumpet,  that  there  fhggJde  be  hq  more  fighting  agaynft  Gods 

truth:: 


\ii 


Chap. 5.  fo.CaLxxxmj.Scrmony^^on 

truth :  euei'ie  man  woulde  make  countenance  too  bee  of  the  fame 
mindc.  But  nowadayes  ye  (hall  fee  great  crueltie ,  tyrannic,  fpyte- 
fulnefie^manacingjandfuch  other  like  things.Again  ye  (hall  fee  that 
the  moft  part  ofthe  enemies  are  as  greediewoolues  that  defire  to 
dcuour  all,  and  feeke  to  fhed  innocent  bloud,to  the  intent  that  they 
may  haue  their  goodes.    Otherfome  hauea  frentike  zeale,  info- 
much  that  they  woulde  faynchaue  the  name  of  God  cleane  wy- 
ped  out,  and  the  do^lrine  ofthe  Gofpell  vtterly  quenched.  V  Vhen 
men  fee  this:  6  (fay  they)I  will  not  meddle  with  it.  What  <  Shall  I 
bring  all  the  world  in  my  toppe  <  Is  it  not  manifeft  that  they  which 
haue  tafted  this  dodrine  are  but  a  handfull  of  men,and  that  all  o- 
thers  are  enemies  too  them,  or  elfe  they  doo  reie<^  ihem  or  laugh 
themtofcorne,  or  at  leaftwyfe  beare  a  poyfoned  and  malicious 
heart  agaynfl:  them  C'  Yee  fee  then,  that  verie  fewe  are  fo  ftrong,  as 
too  beare  out  the  ftumblingblockes  ofthe  Gofpell,  when  they  fee 
as  it  were  logges  call  in  thcyr  way,  and  that  lefus.  Chriijl  is  hyn- 
dered  by  Sajan,  and  by  the  pra6lifes  of  his  vnderlings.  Q  (fay  they)^ 
wee  muile  needes  backe  againe.   Vea  and  wl^t  a  nuniber  are  t«o 
bee  feene  at  thys  day ,  whiche  will  fay  that  this  dodrine  bringeth 
Acre  of  ftumblingblockes  c'  Againe,  fee  I  praye  you  what  diueril- 
tie  of  opinions  it  bathe  (fay  they. )    Beholde  fuch  a  one  fpeakcth 
chus,and  fuch  a  one  thus.  Furthermore  whe  the  wicked  fort  which 
fet  theirtongues  to  falelyke  harlots  in  a  Brothelhoufe,and  cad  out 
blafphemies  agaynfl  God  and  his  woorde,  finde  anyciokc  eyther 
too  defpize  or  too  reie<5l  the  Gofpell  :  by  and  by  many  .wretched 
folke  haue  theyr  tongues  fyledto  fay,  Alas,  we  fee  that  this  doc- 
trine bringeth  great  ftumbiingblockes  with  it.  Yea  and  lefus  Chrift 
fhoulde  not  bee  that  whiche  the  holy  Scripture  reportethhim  too. 
bee,  if  the  Gofpell  caufed  not  many  ilumblings.  'But  yet  mufte 
weenotbcedifmayedat  them:  wee  mufte rather  ouercome them. 
Thus  ye  fee  what  wee  haue  too  gather  vppon  this  ftieyne,  where 
SaintPaulefayeth  that  wee  fhall  neuer  hoide  out  in  the  fayth  of 
the  Gofpell,  except  wee  bee  armed  with  fuch  confbancie,  as  not  to 
turne  out  ot  the  way,  let  Satan  do  what  hee  can.  Verely  (as  I  fayde 
afore)  wee  mud  (as  much  as  wee  can)  efchue  all  (lumblingblocks, 
and  go  onforwarde,and  put  themafidcWe  haue  feene  heretofore 

how 


the  Epifi.to  the  (jalathians.      2^6 

how  euery  of  vs  ought  to  behaue  himfelfc,  infomuch  that  the  Pro- 
pheteElayfpeakingofthe  preaching  of  the  Goipell,  fayrhthat  the  f/^j  40 
way  muft  bee  made  ieuell.and  that  the  thing  which  was  ronoh  and       -^.4. 
crooked  before,mu(lnovv  be  made  fmooth  and  ftreyt.  Well  then 
we  mufl do  what  we  can  that  it  may  be  fo.  Howbe eit  forafmuch  as 
God  wii  haue  vs  to  be  humbied,and  that  jh^re  muft  needs  beilum- 
blingblocks  and  comberances,and  it  cannot  be  but  that  lefus 'Chrill 
mufl  reigne  in  the  mids  of  his  enemies ;  let  vs  go  forward  and  defis 
ali  Satans  pradizes,and  not  miflike  of  the  Gofpell  for  ir,thoue!i  we 
fee  neuerfomanyftumblings  and  ftumblingblockes  abrodeinthe 
World.NoW  S.Paul  hauingfaydfo,addeth,Z  \Vouldto  god  that  althty 
T)>hich  trouhhyou  M^m  cat  off.  It  may  feeme  at  the  firft  blufli,  that  S, 
Paule  is  moned  here  with  to  much  choler,  when  he  wifneth  that  all 
thofe  which  fow  their  darnell  and  crrours  abrode  to  peruert  Gods 
pure  do6liinefhoulde  bee  difpatched,  that  the  diuell  might  poflefTe 
the^and  that  tiiCy  might  neuer  find  mercy  at  Gods  hand.For  fo  doth 
theifcvord  Cut  /^^^betoken.But  we  mufl:  mark,that  the  zek  which  we 
ought  to  haue  ofGodsglorie,forgettethall  worldly  refpe<^s,  when 
they  be  put  into  the  balance  togiiher»  Howbeeit  before  we  po  any 
furdierjlet  vs  firft  note  that  in  this  word  Cut  o(fjS.Paul  hath  fpoken 
by  a  fimilitude.  For  thofe  rafcals  that  had  corrupted  and  falfified  the 
doctrine  of  the  Gofpell^ftroue  for  Circumcizion.V Veil  then(fayth 
he)  pare  off  and  cut  off  as  much  as  ye  lift,and  yet  all  your  feeking  is 
but  to  haue  other  me  bufied  about  fuch  pelting  trifles  as  wel  as  your 
felues.But  as  for  me,I  would  that  all  fuch  deceyuers  were  quite  and 
cleane  cut  off,and  that  God  would  fmke  them  or  root  the  out, &  fo 
cafl:  the  off  anddamne  the,as  they  might  not  haue  any  hope  of  faU 
nation.  Nowe  let  vs  come  to  that  which  I  haue  touched.!  tolde  you^ 
fhort^y,that  whe  men  make  war  agaynll;  God,  we  mufl:  become  fuch 
deadly  energies  vnto  them,3S  we  mufl:  vtterly  put  out  of  minde  all 
kinred-andfriendfhip,and  al  that  elfe  is:forotherwife  we  do  not  our 
dutie  in  any  wife  vnto  our  God,who,feing  he  beareth  the  name  of 
our  father,aud  doth  vs  the  honor  to  take  vs  for  his  children,  ought 
at  the  leafL  to  haue  his  glorie  efliecmedof  vs  aboue  all  things.  But 
wee  mufl:e  pafTe  on  yet  further.  For  what  is  the  Maieflie  of  God  t 
A^ayne;  hgwe  precious  ought  hys  truthe  tQo  bee  vntoo  ws't 


chap.5 .  Jo,  CaL  xxxiiij.  Sermon  y^on 

]VIoreouer,reeing  that  he  doth  fo  ioyne  his  glorie  with  our  wel* 
fare,as  we  cannot  procure  the  one  without  the  other :  yea  and  that 
we  can  neyther  profite  him  nor  difprofitc  him,though  we.were  ne- 
lierfo  zealous  to  mainteynehisquarell,  for  he  hath  no  neede  of  vs, 
neither  needeth  hee  to  borow  our  helping  hand,  but  yet  he  maketh 
vs  his  deputies  or  agents,too  none  other  ende  but  that  euerie  of  vs 
fhoulde  ieeke  his  owne  profite,  howbeeit  not  of  this  worlde,  nor  in 
thefe  corruptible  things,  but  in  the  cuerlafting  faluation  of  oure 
foules  :  feeing  (I  fay)  that  God  imployeth  vs  after  fuch  fort,  and  we 
notwithftandingbeeftill  retchlelTe  and  colde  :  is  this  treacherie  of 
ours  excufable  C*  Nay  wee  niuft  come  to  that  which  is  fayde  in  the 

ffal.6g.h,   r*^^I"i^j  The  zeale  of  thine  houfe  hath  eaten  mee  vp,  and  the  ray- 

^Q  lings  of  them  that  rayled  on  thee,I  hauc  taken  to  my  felfe.  Certes, 

this  was  fully  accomplifhed  in  the  perfon  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift, 

as  in  the  heade  of  the  Church.  And  Saint  Paule  fheweth  that  wee 

^  muft  be  fafhioned  like  vnto  him  as  our  patterne,fo  that  whenfoeuer 

we  fee  Gods  honour  defaced  by  men,euerie  of  vs  mufl  fet  himfelfe 
manfully  agaynft  it.  Thusyeefeebreefly  that  the  rule  which  wee 
muft  gather  hee  re,  is  that  wee  muftpreferre  Gods  honour  before 
all  things,  yea  euen  before  a  whole  million  of  liues  if  we  had  them. 
Then  is  it  not  for  vs  to  fpare  men ,  when  they  ftreyne  themfelues 
to  the  vttermoft  of  their  power  to  trample  Gods  name  vnder  foot, 
to  turmoyl  the  do6lrine  of  faluation,  to  bring  topaiTe  that  we  might 
no  more  knowe  what  religion  to  fticke  vntoo,and  to  driue  away  all 
peace  vtterly  out  of  the  Church.  Therefore  if  wee  fee  men  applic 
their  indeuers  that  vvay,is  it  not  reafon  that  we  fhould  bee  thei.r  ad- 
nerfaries:'  Truly  if  it  bee  pofsible,wee  muPc  procure  freendfhip  and 

!/(a.  nJ.  \  8  agreement  with  all  men,yea  on  our  owne  behalfe,and  fo  farre  forth 
as  lyeth  in  YS,fayth  Saint  Paule  to  the  Romanes.  But  when  wee  fee 
thefe  naughtipackes  aduaunce  themfelues  agaynft  God,  and  thruft 
forth  their  homes  too  dofle  at  him  -.  it  is  good  reafon  that  euery  of 
vs  fl-iould  fteppe  forwarde,and  fhewc  in  deed  that  wee  bee  no  more 
our  owne  men,  but  that  for  as  much  as  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  hath 
bought  and  payde  for  vs  fo  deerely,  hee  ought  of  right  to  be  Lorde 
both  of  our  life,  and  of  our  death.  Ye  fce  then  why  Saint  Paule  ma- 
Jceth  heer  e  fo  fharpe  a  wifhe,  namely  that  they  which  had  troubled 

the 


theEpislJo  the  ^alathians.      i^y 

the  Gailathians  might  tec  vtterly  alienated  from  God,  and  drow* 
ned  in  the  gulfe  ot  damnation.  Now  ifit  be  obieded  that  this  w'ifii 
is  agaynft  the  mle  of  charitie :  the  anfwere  is  eafie  inough.  For  wc 
bee  bound  to  loue  our  enimies,  yea  though  they  perfecute  &  ve^c 
vs :  and  although  they  feeke  nothing  but  our  deftru6lion,yet  muft 
wc  procure  their  welfare  &  faluatio  to  the  vttermofi:  of  our  power, 
and  we  muft  haue  pitie  5c  compafsion  of  them  to  fee  the  fo  giuen 
ouer  vnto  Satan.Thus  ye  fee  what  charitie  importeth.  But  yet  for 
al  thiSjGod  muft  be  aboue  all,as  I  hauedeelared  already.  T  herfore 
Charitie  is  betweene  man  and  man.  VVhen  any  man  fhall  hauc 
done  me  wrong,  I  muft  forget  it.  Though  he  beare  me  malice,  yet 
muill  procure  his  welfare.  But  when  iccommerh  to  the  mayntey- 
ning  of  Gods  quarel,there  me  muft  be  efteemed  lefTe  than  nothing 
as  I  haue  fayd  already.  Yet  notwithftanding  we  doo  cleane  contra- 
rie.  For  what  elfe  is  the  comon  praftife,  than  to  ftoupe  and  (Irykc 
fayle  when  God  is  mifdeltwith  c"  And  yet  in  the  meane  while  euery 
man  will  follow  his  owne  right  to  the  vttermcft.  As  for  example : 
Thet-eiJJ  "a  man  tliat  hath  committed  a  very  haynous  crime,  he  de- 
ferueth  to  be  punifhed  :  and  if  he  be  not  corre<51ed  there  is  an  euill 
gap  opened  to  bring  in  corruption.There  is  fome  ma  of  authoritie, 
and  (to  go  no  further)  they  that  ought  to  fhew  the  way  of  faluati- 
on,they  that  preach  the  worde  of  God.eueri  they  1  fay  are  feene  to 
liue  wickedly, they  be  nbauds  and  lewd  folke  thatferue  to  no  pur- 
ppfe  but  to  make  confufion  and  debate.  And  yet  for  all  this,  they 
muft  not  be  cut  off,  they  muft  not  be  handled  roughly  will  fome 
fay.  A  drunkard,a  whoremonger,a  vai  let  fhail  be  maynteyncd.  To 
be  (hort, there  fhall  be  nothing  but  contempt  of  God, 5c  the  Gof- 
pell  fhall  be  vnregarded  euer\'  wherc.and  yet  muft  all  of  it  be  fufj- 
fered  vnder  colour  that  there  muft  fome.clemecie  be  vfed:yea  ma* 
ry,and  in  the  meane  while  Gods  honor  muft  bee  lefte  at  randon. 
But  if  ye  doo  neuer  fo  little  touche  thefe  men  that  are  fo  gentlc^or 
at  leaftwife  pretende  to  be  fo :  by  and  by  they  fall  out  into  deadly 
<lefiance,faying :  why  npt  C^  fuche  a  man  bathe  doone  mee  ftiche  a 
wrong.They  ^ht  it  out  to  the  vttermoft.VVell  then,  they  indarc 
all  things  that  can  be  at  the  hands  of  Satans  vndeaiings  ,  yea  euen  2. Cor  1 1, 
too  bee  bufFetcd  andioxed  about  the  eares  by  them  wkli  (bomc  e , 2o, 
■"'   *  Kk.  inough, 


gaUM. 


Chap.5.  fo.CaLxxxiiij.fermonypon 

inougli,  as  Sain6l  Paule  fayth  in  the  feconde  to  the  Corinthians  r 
and  yet  in  the  meane  while  they  can  not  abide  that  God  fhould  be 
auenged  of  the  diihonour  that  is  doone  vnto  him.  Nowe  then  wee 
fee  that  S.PauIes  zele  was  well  mled,  and  if  any  man  had  doone 
him  wrong  in  his  owne  perfon,  wee  knowe  he  woulde  haue  becne 
pacient  in  that  behalfe.  But  now  that  he  feeth  Gods  Gofpell  com- 
niing  to  fuche  an  afterdeele :  he  can  not  abyde  that :  but  fettedi 
him  felfe  agaynfl  it,  wifhing  that  fuche  men  were  damned.  Yea  vc* 
rily :  for  he  had  no  regarde  of  him  felfe,  but  (as  I  fayde  afore)  prc- 
feired  Gods  honor  before  all  the  whole  worlde.Thus  yc  fee  how 
ve  may  be  C^fc  fro  flraying :  namely  if  we  looke  fimply  vnto  God, 
and^iue  not  heede  to  our  owne  affedions ,  but  bee  gouemcd  by 
the  Ipirite  of  vpiightnefle  and  difcretion,  fp  as  God  make  vs  too 
difceme  how  farre  fooith  we e  muft  fight,andhow  farre  foorth  wc 
mufi:  reiift.  Then  if  wee  once  haue  fuch  di(cretion,  and  bee  gouer- 
ned  by  the  holy  Ghoft,  we  may  with  S,PauIe,with  Dauid,  Sc  witH 
the  refidue  of  the  holy  Prophi^ts  defic  men  ,  when  they  go  about 
to  tume  vs  away  from  the  pui'eneffe  of  the  knowen  doftr^e '.  yea. 
and  wee  might  cmfe  the  very  Angels  ifneede  were,  according  as 
Sain6l  Paule  hath  fayde  heeretofore,  where  he  defyed  the  Angels 
of  heauen,  if  they  H^oulde  fet  them  felues  agaynft  the  doclrine  of 
the  Gofpell  that  he  had  preached.  Not  that  the  Angels  doo  euer 
fet  them  felues  agaynft  it:  but  that  if  it  were  pofsiblefor  them  to 
doo  fo.  As  if  he  fhonld  fay,  put  the  cace  that  an  Angel  1  Hioulde  go 
about  to  ouenhrow  your  fayth :  yet  iTiould  ye  rather  fende  him  to 
hellpand  holdehim  for  a  fcende^and  curfe  him^than  be  turned  afide 
from  the  right  way  by  him.  Yee  fee  then  that  wee  mull  in  all  ref- 
pefts  reft  wholly  vpon  Go  J  :  and  moreouer  let  vs  bee  afrayde  o-f 
that  faying^as  though  we  heard  it  thunder  from  heaucn  agaynft  all 
fuche  as  trouble  the  Churche.  For  thoughe  it  bee  but  Paule  that 
hath  fpoken  it ,  yet  dyd  the  holyGhoft  guyde  and  gouemehys 
tung.  For  afinuchethen  as  he  was  the  inftrument  of  God  to  vtter 
the  fayd  fentence :  it  is  as  much  as  if  vnrepealable  iudgcment  were 
alreadie  giucn  agaynft  all  fuche  as  go  about  to  breake  the  vnion  of 
fayth,  and  the  agreement  of  brotherhood  thac  ought  to  be  among 
ail  Gods  children^  and  to  fgwc  errpurs.aud  here&i  to  faliiii^  ^^>^ 


theEpisl.totheQalathians.      258 

pore  truthe.  Furthermore  God  fheweth  how  deercly  he  loueth  vs, 
(as  hath  bin  declared  this  morning)  wherein  he  giaeth  vs  a  war- 
rant of  the  fatherly  care  which  he  hath  ofourfaiuation,  inthat  he 
taketh  iuche  vengeance  on  all  fuche  as  would  difappoynt  the  fame. 
And  finally  he  fayth,  brethren,  yee  hee  called  tcofreedome :  onely  maf^ 
it  not  an  occafion  offlefhlyncjfe ,  butferue  yee  9ne  another  in  loue,  licaufc 
it  u  the  true  fulfilling  of  the  La^^e,  and  the  very  fquire  alfo  whereby 
wee  muft  rule  all  our  works.  Hcere  Saincl  Paule  fheweth,fir{l  that 
his  ftriuing  is  not  too  bring  too  parte  diat  men  might  lyue  at  their 
owne  eafe,  and  euery  body  fport  as  they  lift  themfelues :  but  that 
wee  might  bee  free  before  God.  And  that  is  well  woorth  the  mar- 
king. For  as  foone  as  this  worde  freedome  or  libertie  is  fpokcn  of, 
cuery  of  vs  is  fo  inclined  to  his  flefhly  luftes,  that  by  and  by  wee 
thinke  with  our  fclues^very  well,then  may  I  do  what  I  liikjl  am  no 
more  reftraynedjl  necdc  not  any  more  to  thinke  my  felfe  To  much 
bounde,  nor  to  make  fo  great  fcruple  of  confcience  as  I  haue  done. 
Thus  yee  fee  ho  we  that  vnder  the  pretence  of  libertie,  eueiy  of  vs 
makes  him  felfe  thrall  to  his  owne  affections.  For  it  is  a  poilicic 
of  the  Diuels,  to  deceyuc  andbeguyle  vs  in  the  thmgs  that  feeme 
to  bee  good ,  yea  and  to  tume  them  to  the  cieane  contraric.  For 
(as  I  haue  declared  heeretofore)  it  is  certa^Tie  that  al  fuch  as  couet 
to  liac  after  their  owne  liking,  become  wretched  bondflaues ,  and 
arehild  in  ftrayter  bondage  than  fuch  as  are  fet  \a  the  (locks  or  ma- 
nacles.Andwhyc'Letvsconrider  a  little  what  tyrannic  there  is  in 
our  lufts  5c  pafsionsJf  a  man  follow  his  owne  lulls,furely*he  muft 
ncedes  (hake  ofFal  (hamc,5c  forget  himfelf,Sc become  a  very  beaft. 
Lo  here  the  goodly  libertie  that  all  menfeeke  c5monly  by  nature. 
But  I  haue'toide  you  that  the  libertie  whervnto  S.Paule  exhorteth 
vs,is  another  mancr  of  thing.  It  is  not  that  we  fhould  runne  ar  ro- 
uers,  and  haue  no  bridle  to  holde  vs  in  awe :  but  that  v/c  flioulde 
confider  what  God  requireth  of  vs,and  be  ruled  by  his  holy  word, 
&  none  of  vs  become  fo  lordly  as  to  fay,tLis  cr  that  muft  be  done. 
For  when  men  take  vpon  thcni  to  rule  vs  by  lawes  and  ordinan- 
ces of  their  owne  making,  it  is  certayne  that  they  doo  but  (as  yee 
woulde  fay)  make  infinite  cordes  to  ftrangle  poore  foules  withali. 
S.PauIe  then  fliewetli  that  the  hbeitie  which  he  preached, &  for  the 

KIi.ij.  nuyn* 


Ch3.p.{.  ^o£a!.xxxiiij.fermcnypon 

mayntenance  vvherof  he  floo<le  fo  floutly  ugaynft  tke  dccciuersi^ 
not  th?~t  men  fliould  ouerfhote  thcfeiues  &  takeleaue  to  do  what 
they  lift^but  that  they  might  freely  feme  god,  v>c  be  no  more  racked 
and  tormented  with  vnquietnelTe,as  we  fee  poore  ignorant  fouies 
to  be, who  beeing  hild  fall;  m  fuperrtition,are  euermore  in  doubtc 
and  grudge  of  confcience,  making  queftions  of  euery  thing,  Sc  ne- 
uer  beeing  refokied  of  any  one  poynt.  Of  which  fort  alfo  are  the 
Papi{ls,who  haue  an  infinite  number  of  doubts  among  them.  And 
no  mahiejl  at  all :  for  they  knowe  not  too  what  mafter  they  muH; 
yeeld  their  account.  Euery  of  them  talkes  according  to  the  difpo- 
fition  of  his  owne  brayne:  [^one  fayes]  to  my  feemingluch  a  thing 
would  be  good:  [another  fayes]  Lo  this  my  dcuotion  telleth  me : 
[and  the  third  fays]  it  were  good  yet  that  this  or  that  were  doone 
more.Now  when  they  be  once  entred  into  fuche  a  maze,  at  length 
they  fall  to  doubting  whether  they  may  kembe  their  heades  or  no, 
y  and  make  a  fcrupul  oufneffe  with  whiche  finger  they  fhoulde  feedc 
them  felues,and  of  euery  thing  elfe.  To  bee  (hort,  there  is  neyther 
^  t  1  endenormeafureoftheirfondnefle.VVhenS.Pauleintendethto 
'  ■  '  *  fhew  what  it  is  to  be  wrapped  in  mens  traditions :  he  faith  that  whe 
they  haue  once  forbidden  too  eate  flefh,  anone  after  they  forbid  to 
taft  it :  and  when  they  haue  forbidde  to  taft  it,foone  after  they  for- 
bid to  touch  it.  Yee  fee  then  that  the  way  for  vs  to  maynteyne  the 
libertie  that  is  purchafed  for  vsby  the  death  &  pafsion  of  our  lord 
ielus  Chrifl,  is  lirfl:  too  knowe  in  what  wife  God  will  bee  ferued 
and  honored,to  the  ende  wee  be  not  tofTed  with  fo  many  fcruples 
of  confcience  for  want  of  difcerning  what  is  good  or  euill,  but  de- 
termine fully  and  certenly  with  our  fekies,  to  follow  Gods  word, 
afTuring  our  felues  alfo,  that  in  fo  dooing  wee  can  not  doo  amilTe. 
And  fecondly  to  ferue  one  anothers  turne ,  that  none  of  v^s  bee  fo 
a.ddi6led  to  his  owne  Ctlk  as  to  ouermate  his  fellowes,  but  bee  fo 
gentle  &  kindharted  as  euery  of  vs  haue  an  eye  wherin  he  may  ad- 
uauntage  orfuccorhis  neybour :  abfteyning  fro  all  offence  giuin^ 
fo  as  it  be  not  fay  d,  I  care  not  for  fuche  a  one  or  for  fuche  a  one,  I 
paffe  not  whether  he  finke  or  iwini :  but  that  (for  as  much  as  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chrifl  hath  linl^ed  vs  togither  too  bee  members  of  his 
Churche)  wee  holde  fail  the  fayde  doi^rine^,  that  is  too  witte,  firll 
'  that 


the  Spifl.to  the  (jalathiam.      259 

i;hat  God  be  honored  and  fcmcd  among  vs  as  he  commaundeth, 
and  fecondly  that  wee  agree  in  fuche  wife  togither,  as  wee  labour 
through  meeknelTe  to  matche  our  felues  one  with  another,  and  to 
feme  one  anothers  tume,notwithftandingthat  wee  be  free  flill  to 
Godwardeasin  refped  of  our  confciences. 

And  now  let  vs  fall  down  before  the  maieflie  of  our  goOd  God 
with  acknowledgement  of  our  finnes,  praying  him  to  make  vs  fo 
too  feele  them,  as  it  may  humble  vs  before  hym,and  drawe  vs  coo 
true  repentance,  and  wee  go  forwarde  therin  more  and  more,gro- 
ning  continually  vnder  the  burthen  of  our  fmne ,  till  wee  be  quite 
denfed  and  vtterly  ridded  of  it:  And  that  it  may  pleafe  the  fame 
good  God  to  beare  with  vs,and  not  to  handle  vs  fo  rigoroufly  as 
he  could  doo,but  to  guide  vs  in  fuche  wi^Q  by  his  holy  fpirite,as  he 
may  both  forgiue  and  forget  our  (innes,till  we  be  fully  clenfed  fro 
them.  That  it  may  pleafe  him  to  graunt  this  grace,  not  only  to  vs, 
hxc  alfo  to  all  people  and  Nations  of  the  earth.  Sec, 

T'he.i^^.Sermon^Vi^hich  is  theffth 

>[>on  the ffth  Chapter. 

14  For  all  the  Lavve  is  fulfilled  in  one  vvorde,  which 
IS  this,Thou  fhalt  louc  thy  neighbour  as  thy  fclf. 

I J  If  yec  biteand  deuourone  anothcrjbcvvarc  ihat  yee 
be  nocconfuraed  one  of  another. 

16  But  I  fay  vnco  you,vvalkc  after  the  fpirite^and  yeq 

fhall  not  fulfill  the  hifts  ofthcflelh. 

17  Surely  theflcfh  luftcth  contraric  too  the  fpirice,  and 

the  fpiricc  contraric  to  the  flefh.  For  thcfe  things 
arc  one  agaynft  anothcr/o  as  yec  can  not  do  all 
things  asyce  would. 

18  But  and  ifyee  be  led  by  the  fpiiitCj  then  arcyce  noc 

vnder  the  Lawc. 


cbcip.5.  ^0.  Cal.xxxy. Sermon  ypon 


E  fee  thatMoyfes  intending  to  bring  the  lavve 


iM^r.  ^^'to  ^  lumnie ,  to  the  ende  wee  might  kncwe 
''^i\  wh:t  was  taught  vs  andtolde  vs  :  iayththat 

||:|  Godwi] 

Ij^^^  th.at  we  fhould  firil  flicke  vnto  him  &  be  knit 

vntohim^and  afterward  that  there  fhould  be 

iuch  a  bonde  of  friendfhip  among  our  fclues, 

as  we  might  bee  knit  togither  as  members  of  one  bodie.  And  our 


J  J  ^  1  ^  Lord  lefus  Chrid  alfo  fayth  that  that  is  the  thing  wherby  his  difci- 
'^ '  "^  *"^^  pies  may  be  knovven :  fhewing  therin  tliat  he  brought  not  vp  any 
doctrine  contraiie  to  that  wliich  god  had  always  giuen  to  the  peo- 
ple of  olde  time  And  for  that  caufe  S.  Paule  faytli  nowC;,  that  the 
fulfiliing  of  the  la^^e  confiftHh  in  this  yi^arcie,  that  We  loue  our  mihours. 
Not  that  God  ought  in  the  meane  while  to  be  forgotten  (as  I  haue 
tolde  you  heeretofore)  for  it  is  good  reafon  that  hee  fhould  be  feC 
formoil ,  and  bee  preferred  before  all  his  creatures^  in  fo  muche 
that  for  his  fake  wee  ought  to  forget  euen  our  father  and  mother, 
our  wife  and  children^andali  thateuer  is  in  this  world.  Neuerthe- 
lefie,  to  loue  God,  and  to  loue  our  neibours  in  their  degree,  arc 
not  things  contrarie.  For  when  eueryman  walketh  in  charitie, 
thereby  he  llieweth  the  loue  thf.t  he  beareth  to  his  God,according 
alfo  as  I  haue  declared.And  that  is  the  caufe  why  I  flande  no  longer 
vpon  thcfe  poynts.To  be  Hiort^if  wee  be  giuen  to  our  felues,it  is  a 
token  that  w^ee  know  not  what  it  is  to  cary  Gods  yoke :  for  that  is 
the  th'ngwhervnto  our  own  nature  driueth  vs.Now  (as  we  fhal  fee 
anone)  nicn  are  wholly  inclined  to  all  euil/Sc  therwirhal  they  giue 
the  bridle  to  all  their  luf{:s,they  make  war  agaynfl  God,  &  al  their 
whole  life  is  nothing  qI'iq,  but  a  rebellion ,  \^•hich  fheweth  that  the 
diuell  doth  fo  pofleHe  al  our  afFe(5li6s  that  God  can  not  way  with 
^  vSjtil  we  haue  beate  down  al  that  is  of  our  ov/n  nature.  Now  then 
we  know  that  he  which  loueth  his  neibours/eeketh  not  his  owne, 
nor  is  giue  to  himfelf.That  therfore  is  a  true  3c  certe  profe  that  we 
be  cleOrous  to  obey  God,c*^  to  mie  our  life  according  to  his  word. 
Alfo  our  Lord  Icflis  Chridbeginneth  at  the  fame  poynt  whe  he  in- 
tendeth  to  fliew  bi-iefly  what  his  doi^rine  is :  It  is  (faith  he)  alear- 
^ning^to  renounce  or  fgrfake  our  felues.  For  fo  long  as  we  foilowe 

'■       "        '^ """  ■  ©US' 


the  SpifiJo  the  (^alathiins.      i  6q 

our  own  trace, we  mufl  needes  go  fiii  cotrary  to  Gods  wiLSo  then 
it  is  not  without  caufe  that  S.Paule  faith  in  this  text, that  the  whole 
law  coiiileth  in  this  poynt,that  we  ioue  our  neibours.But  it  beho- 
ueth  vs  to  mark,  that  by  this  word  niihouYj  God  meeneth  not  our 
kinsfolk  &  friends, at  whofe  hads  we  hope  for  fome  profite  or  ad- 
uantage^or  which  haue  deferued  fome  recopence  at  our  hands.but 
he  wii  haue  ws  to  haue  an  eye  to  the  conion  aHance  which  he  hath 
fet  amog  vs.Therfore  we  be  al  formed  after  his  image,  &  we  beare 
his  marl^.Bcfides  this^we  be  al  of  one  nature,  &  that  ought  to  hold 
vs  in  true  vnitie  ex:  broth erhod.But  many  make  the  felues  vn wor- 
thy of  it:for  fome  be  ful  of  wilinefTe  (Sc  maJice  like  foxes:  fome  arc 
full  of  pride  like  lions :  fome  are  like  rauening  wolues,  that  feeke 
nothing  but  to  deuour  al :  and  otherfome  are  ful  of  (hrewdturnes 
and  harmefulnelie  (]Iike  ApesJ  All  thefe  (as  much  as  in  the  is)  do 
cut  themfelues  off  tro  the  aray  &  companie  of  neibours:but  in  this 
cace  we  may  obfeme  Gods  order.  And  although  men  on  their  iidc 
deferue  not  tobe  counted  3c  taken  for  neibours :  yet  notwithf  an- 
ding  m  bearing  them  Ioue,  wee  fliewe  it  is  good  rcafon  that  G  od 
(hould  ouerwey  our  ovvne  naughtineffe.  VVee  fee  then  th-dt  fuche 
as  are  our  enimies  Sclabourito  deuour  vs,do  notwithftanding  not 
ceafetobeourneiborSjinrefpeclofthe  order  that  God  hath  fet 
And  for  the  fame  caufe  alfo  our  Lord  lefus  ChnTt  telleth  vs,that  it  Matth.^t 
is  no  chaiitie  to  reccpence  him  that  liaih  done  vs  a  good  turne  or  g,^6, 
femice,nor  to  Ioue  thofe  whom  we  like  OtF,or  at  whofe  hands  wte 
looke  for  fome  profite.  For  the  heathen  do  as  much  as  that  comes 
toojbut  they  do  it  not  to  obey  God  Sc  his  law,  and  when  we  haue 
regard  of  our  own  profite,it  is  rather  a  louing  of  our  felues  tha  any 
poynt  of  charitie.  For  the  marks  that  chatitie  fhooteth  at  are  God 
and  the  communion  or  feJowiTiip  that  ought  to  be  among  vs,  as  I 
haue  faid  afore.Now  then  we  lee  it  is  a  true  f  roofe  that  we  be  defi- 
rous  to  Ioue  God  when  we  indeuer  to  doo  good  encn  too  them 
that  are  vnworthy  of  ir.JVIoreouer  the  adding  of  this  faying,  ^5 
our  felues,  is  not  to  the  intent  tliat  euery  man  fhould  firft  ioue  him 
felfe,  and  then  aftcrwarde  Ioue  his  ncybour  ncxte.  But  our  Lorde 
menttoo  rippe  vp  the  fore  that  hindeixth  vs  too  Hue  in  charitie  : 
whiche  is  (as  I  haue  tolde  you  alreadie)  that  if  men  were  not 

Klv.iii'.  To 


Chap.5:  fo.  Cal.xxxy. Sermon  ypon 

fo  giuen  to  felfeloue  as  they  be, there  would  be  good  loue  8c  agree- 
ment among  all  men  :  but  forafmuch  as  wee  be  fo  much  giuen  to 
loue  ourfelues,and  the  excefle  of  that  afFedion  blindeth  vs  in  fuch 
wife,that  it  bereeueth  vsofall  reafon,  equitie,  and  vprightnefTe : 
therforc  God  faith  that  we  mufl  loue  our  neighbours  as  ourfelues. 
For  were  not  that  fayd  exprefly :  we  would  talke  muche  of  iouing 
our  neigbours,&  fay  they  ought  to  be  loued :  but  all  would  be  but 
difsimulation,after  the  maner  of  thefe  hypocrites ',  whiche  proteft 
that  they  would  their  enimies  no  harme,  but  rather  that  they  wifb 
them  good,and  coidd  find  in  their  hearts  to  procure  the  good.  But 
let  vs  come  to  the  triall  that  God fetteth  do;^vne  heere,&  let  euery 
man  looke  into  himfclf,&  then  let  him  iudge  whether  he  loue  him 
felf  to  much  or  no,or  whether  the  loue  that  he  beareth  towards  his 
neybours,be  not  ouerfaynt  &  cold.To  be  fhort,here  God  ment  to 
remedie  the  hypocrifie  wherwith  we  be  too  much  blinded.  Alfo  he 
ment  to  waken  men,thatthey  might  learne  to  leaue  their  flattering 
of  thefelues  when  it  rs  fayd,it  is  not  inough  for  you  to  loue  one  an 
other, but  ye  muft  loue  your  neibours  as  yourfelucs.  And  thereby 
we  fee  how  farre  we  be  wide  from  the  perfe6lion  of  the  Lawe,  and 
that  it  ftandeth  vs  in  hande  to  fight  agaynfl  our  owne  nature  that 
we  may  obey  God. What  is  then  the  true  exercife  of  ChriftianscTt 
is  to  acknowledge  &  bewayle  their  own  finfulnefle  and  infirmitis 
in  difcharging  their  dutie  towards  God^and  thervpon  to  labor  and 
indeuer  to  winne  of  themfelues  from  day  to  day,fo  as  their  luftes 
may  not  ouermafter  them,  but  rather  that  God  may  haue  fuch  fu- 
perioritie,that  in  {lead  of  louing  our  felues,  we  may  labour  to  im- 
ploy  our  felues  in  dooing  good  wherfoeuer  he  calleth  vs.  Further- 
more S.Paule  hauingfhewed  the  perfection  of  the  Iaw,&  the  mark 
that  wee  mufte  ame  at  to  rule  our  life  according  to  Gods  worde, 
^di^ti\\  that  if  men  doo  bite  and  fnakhe  one  at  another  lyke  ^ogges  and 
Cat teSf  they  muff e  needes  bee  confumed  in  the  ende.  And  this  is  too 
(hamethem  the  more,  whiche  are  foflefhed  in  their  quarellingS 
and  brawlings ,  and  doo  fo  clofe  their  eyes  agaynft  all  reafon, 
that  they  care  not  what  come  of  it  fo  they  maye  fatiffie  their  lufte 
ofreuenging.  And  what  fhall  yce  gayne  by  itfaythSainaPaulc^ 
Nauirally  yec  couet  too  preferue  youre  felues  ;  for  that  is 

' cgmmon 


the  EpiFL  to  the  (jalathians.        2  61 

common  too  vs  euen  with  the  beafls.Yec  fee  that  the  beaft  which 
hath  nothcr  reafon  nor  vnderftandingjdoth  notwithftanding  labor 
to  preferue  himfeife,  and  fhunneth  harme.  Much  more  reafon  is  it 
that  men  which  dilceme  betweene  good  and  bad,  fhould  haue  the 
fame  indeuer  of  mainteyning  themfelues,and  of  continuing  fafe  fe 
found.  But  now  let  vs  fee  what  followeth  vpon  hatred,  quareling, 
brawling,{lrife,rayling,and  fuch  other  like  things.  Itfollowetli  that 
wee  muft  bee  all  confumed  in  the  end.  Needes  then  muft  the  diuel 
haue  vtterly  bereft  them  of  all  reafon,  which  rage  and  rufhe  foorth 
after  that  fafliion  in  their  exceflyue  hatrcd,and  cannot  by  any  mea- 
nes  bee  moderated.  Too  bee  fhort,  S.Paule  (heweth  that  although 
there  were  no  Lawe  of  God  too  make  vs  afrayd  too  offend  him : 
yet  if  wee  were  well  aduifed  or  hadanydroppe  of  difcretion  in 
vs :  wee  fhould  haue  fome  (lay  of  ourfelues,  fo  as  wee  fhould  not 
quarell  and  brawle  one  with  another  as  wee  doo.  But  wee  runne 
wilfully  and  as  it  were  of  fet  puipofe  into  our  deftru6lion:and  that 
is  ageinft  nature.  Vee  fee  then  how  diuelifh  men  become  whe  they 
bee  once  chafed,  infomuch  that  they  feeke  their  owne  decay.  And 
why  do  wee  hate  our  enemies  <  It  is  bicaufe  wee  will  needes  gyue 
brydle  to  our  affedions.  But  marke  our  excuce :  O  (fay  wee)  they 
ment  mee  harme,they  procured  it,and  they  haue  done  it. Very  wel: 
what  for  that  1  What  fhalt  thou  win  by  making  two  diuels  of  one 
(as  the  prouerb  fayth) :'  or  by  feeking  too  make  the  fyre  too  burne 
hotter  which  is  kindled  y  rough  and  to  much  alreadiec'  It  wyll  but 
dubble  his  rage  and  make  him  feercer  than  he  was  before.  Seingit 
is  fo :  why  wilt  thou  go  about  to  end  the  matter  with  the  dePcruc- 
tion  of  you  both  <  Howbeit,  if  wee  fhould  do  it  in  none  other  rc- 
fpe<ft  than  that,it  were  not  ynough :  for  thcrin  wee  fliould  bee  too 
flefhly.  For  if  I  abdcme  from  all  hatred,  bycaufe  I  fhoulde  receyue 
harme  by  it,  I  doo  dill  feeke  mine  owne  profit.  But  God  will  haue 
vs  to  fhet  our  eyes  continually  in  refpe^l  of  our  ownefelucs,  and 
to  fhake  of  all  ill  will,and  to  tread  all  ilrife  voider  foote.  And  why.:' 
To  the  end  that  he  himfeife  may  haue  all  ma^'flcrhod  ouer  vs.And 
although  rnen  giue  vs  caufe  too  hate  them  for  their  naughtinefle  : 
yet  notwithftanding  forafmuch  as  God  hath  knit  vs  together,  let 
VS  abyde  in  that  vnitieTherfore  the  honour  that  wee  mufl  yecldc 

Kk.v.  vnto 


Chap.5.  foXaLxxfCV.Sermonypon 

;\'nto  Godjis  to  renounce  ourrekieS;  to  the  end  we  may  lone  theni 
that  hate  vs.  Anclas  I  haue  tolde  you  aheadie,  this  warning  is  not 
'  rupen^Lious.  For  Saintl:  Paules  intent  is  too  fhame  fuche  as  are  fo 
lirieat  thefirft  dafiie,  that  reaioncan  neither  appeafe  them  nor 
flay  them.  Therefore  when  men  be  fo  hot,  and  fling  thcmfelues  at 
al  aduenture  :  things  m.iifl:  bee  all  edged  agreeable  to  their  nature, 
to  make  them  cfliamed,  that  they  may  bee  drawen  too  the  obedi- 
ence of  God.  S  P^ule  then  ment  heere  to  bring  vs  by  little  and  lit- 
tle to  the  onercomming  of  all  our  afFeclions^which  are  to  farre  out 
of  fquare,  too  the  end  that  whenfoeuer  wee  bee  prouoked  to  hate 
sny  man;,  or  to  be  reuenged  of  him,  we  may  confider  thus  with  our 
ielues :  what  will  bee  the  end  of  it,but  that  we  fhall  one  of  vs  con- 
fume  another  lyke  dogges  and  cattes:'  And  when  we  haue  confide- 
red  that,  wee  mufl;  proceedc  yet  fuither  :  which  is,  that  althoughe 
our  hatred  myght  aduautage  vs  neuer  fo  much,  although  we  might 
alwayes  haue  the  vpper  hand  of  our  enemycs,  and  although  wee 
could  bring  all  our  praclizes  and  attempts  to  eifed ;  I  fay  although 
\vee  might  haue  aduauntage  by  gyuing  head  to  our  pafsions  :  yet 
were  it  but  a  prouoking  of  Gods  wrath,feing  we  could  not  yeelde 
fo  farre-vnto  him,as  to  loue  thofe  that  are  vnworthie.  Sith  the  cafe 
ftar.deth  fo,lct  V£  bee  afraid  &  fubmit  ourfelues  with  all  humiiitie. 
And  forafmuch  as  it  is  a  hard  thing,  let  vs  fight  fo  much  the  more 
manfully,  tyll  God  haue  gotten  the  mayfterie;,  and  wee  renounced 
ourfelues  as  I  fayde,  forfaking  all  our  owne  nature,  too  theende 
that  wee  maykeepe  thefacred  vnitie  which  he  didfet  among  vs, 
when  It  pleafed  him  that  wee  fhould  bee  one  iiefli.  Now  herevpon 
Sainrt  Paulc  addeth,  that  ifwQQ  mind  to  reftreine  the  luftes  of  our 
flefhc  from  reigning  in  v^s  :  Meemufre  Wj(^(?/«//^^y^/n7.  Further- 
more the  battell  is  ryght  harde  :  fo  that  weedoo  not  what  wee 
would  do  :  but  although  God  haue  reformed  vs  and  touched  vs  to 
ihequickXo  as  wee  would  fayne  pleafe  him  in  all  poynts  :  yet  not- 
withuanding  wee  (hall  not  yet  atteyne  too  perfection,  bycaufe  our 
pv.vne  nature  willalwayes  leade  vs  vntoo  euill  But  before  wee  go 
any  further,  wee  mud  marke  that  by  die  word  Fhfhe,  Sain6t  Paule 
■■  meaneth  al  1  that  is  in  man,and  al  that  euer  v/e  bring  with  vs  by  our 

biith-Accordin^  alfg  as  gur  Lord  lefus  ChrilHeclareth  fufiiciently 

in 


theEpiUjothe(JaIathians.       lC%  ' 

in  the  third  of  lohn.Tliat  which  is  borne  of  flefhe(rayth  he)is  fiefh.  Uhn.^'^.S 
By  the  woordQ  Spirit  hemeaneth  not  the  Souleofman,  but  the 
grace  whych  God  giueth  vs  when  he  bringcth  vs  backe  to  his  obe- 
dience,^  correcteth  our  vyces  Sc  all  that  is  contrarie  to  his  word. 
And  the  terming  of  men  by  the  name  o^F/eJh  in  the  holy  fcripture. 
is  in  way  of  contempte.  But  yet  in  this  texte  it  is  a  marke  of  v7ce 
and  cormption.  Sometymes  when  the  Scripture  fpeakcthof  tlefb, 
itfaythe  :  veriewell,  what  elfearemen  but  fiefne  <  that  is  too  ffaLyS^d^ 
fay,but  rottennefTe :'  Agcine,  all  llefhe  is  graiTe.  And  ageine,  what       39. 
are  the  iEg\^ptians  C'  They  bee  fleflie  and  notfpirit.  Yee  fee  then  Efai,/^o,b\ 
that  vnder  this  woordflefae,  men  are  taught  their  owne  frayltie,       6. 
and  dooneto  vnderftand  that  they  be  but  earth  and  dufl:,  wonnes,  Efai.jh  rf.3 
and  vvoormes  meate.  And  this  femes  fii  ft  of  all  to  humble  them. 
But  when  fleflie  is  matched  ageynft  Spirite,   then  are  not  men 
taken  in  their  firil:  ftate  as  they  were  createdof  God  :  but  it  ferueth 
toofhewe  that  they  bee  corrupted  and  fullofinfe61ionand  wic- 
kedneffe,  fo  as  there  is  no  tafte  at  all  in  them  to  difcerne  aright/ 
but  they  are  vtterly  peruerted  in  all  their  luftes.  Yce  fee  then  that 
whereas  our  Lord  lefus  Chriil  fayth  wee  bee  tlefi"ie  euen  from  our 
birth :  his  meaning  is  that  wee  bee  blind  wretches,  which  haue  no 
wit  at  all  too  come  vmtoo  God :  and  that  although  he  haue  put  an 
vnderftandyng  in  vs  to  difcerne  good  Sc  euill :  yet  notwithfeding    ^^» 
wee  bee  growen  brutifh^and  cannot  come  to  him^and  al  the  reafon 
that  we  haue,  ferueth  but  to  make  vs  vn°xcufable  :  and  finally  that 
we  couet  nothing  but  vtter  euil,  &c  that  loke  how  many  affections 
wee  haue,  fomany  are  the  enemyes  that  fighte  ageynftall  rygh^ 
tuoufnelTe.    Lo  how  the  holie  GhoPc  blazeth  our  armes,  wheras 
jnoft  men  bragge  of  their  owne  free  wyll  and  of  their  vertues  :  it 
is  iayd  that  there  is  nothing  in  vs  but  ftc,rke  corruption,Sc  that  th« 
fame  is  as  an  enmitie  againft  God,  and  feparateth  vs  from  his  1  igh- 
tuoufneffe.  True  k  is,that  our  Soule  or  mind  is  oftentimes  called 
by  the  name  of  Spirit :  for  the  woord  Spiriie  gi'  Ghosfe  betokeneth 
an  inuifible  fubflance,  which  cannot  be  fcen  nor  felt  as  can  a  body,. 
The  Angells  are  Spiritcs,  and  fo  are  the  Diuells  alfo.  Howbe:t 
tliefe  are  corrupted  fpirites  and  alienated  from  God,  fo  as  there  is 
nodiing  but  vtter  wickednefle  m  them.  Sq  then  our  foules  alfo  ar^ 
""'"'         '    '  ,    S^ii-ices^. 


ChAf  .5.  fo.CalxxxlD. Sermon  "tfpon 

SpiriteSjbut  yet  they  bee  fpirits  infecled  with  fin,  which  thing  hap- 
pened too  them  when  wee  were  chaungedand  abaccd  and  Gods 
image  defaced  in  vs  by  the  fall  of  Adam.  Now  then  there  had  need 
to  be  fome  renewment  therof  and  diat  renewment  is  called  fpirit, 
which  is  when  God  reformeth  vs  and  makcth  v^s  new  creatures  by 
his  holy  fpirit.  The  firft  poynt  wherof  is,  that  we  be  inlightened  fo 
as  we  conceiue  the  things  that  were  hidden  from  vs  by  nature :  for 
faith  is  the  fpeciall  gift  of  God,  bycaufe  it  is  impofsible  for  man  to 
conceiue  the  things  that  are  for  his  foul e  health,  vnlefTe  God  haue 
wrought  in  him.  Yee  fee  then  that  fayth  is  a  gift  of  the  fpirit(as  wee 
(hall  fee  hereafter  in  due  time  and  place)infomuch  that  as  wee  haue 
not  one  good  motion  to  come  vnto  God,  and  to  frame  ourfelues 
tohiswill,excepthegouernevs  .;  fo  aifo  forafmuch  as  he  hatha* 

'  dopted  vSjhe  giueth  vs  his  holy  fpirit,  which  is  the  taie  marke  that 
(heweth  vs  to  bee  Gods  children.  Too  bee  fhort,looke  whatfoeuer 
God  putteth  intoo  his  chofen  and  faithfull  ones  too  corre6l  theyr 
wicked  and  finfuil  nature :  the  fame  is  comprehended  vnder  the 
word  Spirit.  Now  S.PauIe  fayth  that  wee  muft  walke  after  the  fpi- 
rit,and  then  wee  fhall  not  fulfill  the  luftes  of  our  flefhe.  Hereby  he 
giueth  warning  too  fuch  as  delight  too  much  in  their  owne  vyces 
and  take  leaue  to  do  naughtily  vnder  pretence  that  they  be  not  a- 
ble  too  withftand  it.  Heere  he  wakeneth  them  vp,  and  telleth  them 
that  they  be  v/ithout  excufe  :  and  that  although  they  bee  giuen  vn^ 
too  naughtinefre,yet  they  ought  too  feeke  the  remedie  of  it.  And 
what  is  that  C*  Truely  wee  (hall  not  finde  it  in  ourfelues,  but  God 
will  llipply  in  tliat  behalfe,  by  giuing  vs  grace  to  fight  in  fuch  wyfe 
againft  all  our  luftes  and  wicked  affections,  as  his  holy  fpirite  (hall 
rcigne  in  vs,  and  get  the  vpper  hande  of  them.  God  will  not  de- 
ceiue  vs  in  making  vs  fuch  promife :  and  therefore  let  vs  hye  vs  to 
him  as  difcafed  folke  to  a  Phifition.  To  bee  fhort,  S.Paule  hath  an 
eye  to  the  excufe  that  men  would  bring,  and  are  wont  too  bring  in 

,  this  cace .  O  (fay  they)  wee  bee  flefhly,  and  charitie  is  an  Angelicail 
perfe<^Hon  :  and  how  then  can  wee  keepe  it,feing  wee  be  giuen  to 
all  euill,and  our  owne  finfulneffe  caryeth  vs  awayc'  If  finne  reigned 
not  in  vs,then  it  might  be  fayd  that  wee  ought  to  bee  vnited  vntoo 
God :  but  oarfrayhie  is  to  great.  Tnus  yee  fee  what  excuce  many 

folke 


the  EpiU.to  the  (^alathians]       2  6^ 

fbike  alledge,thmking  to  be  i^utt  fcry^t.  But  S.PauIe  fayth :  It  is  true 
that  there  is  nothing  but  a  gulfe  of  all  naughtinelTe  in  vs,  and  that 
as  long  as  men  fiumber  after  that  fafhibn  in  their  owne  aflPedions, 
they  muft  needes  ferue  the  diuelJ,  and  become  euery  daye  more 
beafts  than  other :  but  feeke  the  remedie.  God  calleth  you  to  him 
by  his  Gofp^ll,  he  offereth  you  his  holy  fpirit.  So  then,  condemne 
the  euilljthat  yee  may  be  forie  for  it,and  God  will  fo  worke  in  yoa 
as  he  will  get  the  vpper  hand  of  all  youraife6lions.  Yeefeethea 
what  S.Paule  ment  in  this  text.  Neuerthelefle  therwithall  h^  ment 
too  giue  an  ouerthvvart  blowe  to  thofe  agcinO:  whom  he  difputeth* 
Forlliauetolde  you  heeretofore,  that  the  deceyuers  which  ha4 
troubled  the  Church  of  that  Countrie,  were  giuen  to  many  pelting 
tryfles  which  were  vtterly  needelefle^in  fo  much  as  they  grounded 
allhoIynefTe  vpponthe  Ceremonies  of  the  Lawe.  Now,  itistme 
that  Gods  inio)'ning  of  the  Ceremonies  for  a  time  was  not  in  vaili: 
for  they  were  figures  till  the  commmg  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift. 
Butnowthatheiscome,  they  bee  vnprofitable  things, and  things 
that  hinder  vs  from  walking  as  we  fhould  do.  FOr  the  Ceremonies 
and  fhadowes  were  helpes  to  bring  the  auncient  fathers  too  our 
Lord  lefus  Chrifl:.  But  if  wee  fliould  holde  them  Ml  now  adayes, 
they  would  make  vs  to  turne  our  backe  to  lefus  Chrifl ;  fo  that  it  is 
tiot  without  caufe  that  S.  Paule  hath  (hewed  heretofore,  that  the 
keeping  of  fuch  things  is  no  more  of  any  valew :  and  he  wil  fpeaJie 
yet  more  of  it  hereafter.  Now  then  forafmuch  as  he  had  to  difpute 
ageinft  fuch  as  did  fet  forth  the  Ceremonies,  he  fayth  vntoo  them, 
t0a!ke  after  thejj^int.  As  if  he  fhould  fay,  confider  which  is  the  triie 
feruice  of  God :  it  confifteth  not  in  Lampes,nor  inlncenft,  nor  in 
CircumcifionjUor  in  the  obferuing  of  dayes,  nor  in  forbearing  too 
cate  any  certeine  kind  of  meatcs.  Thefe  are  not  the  things  wheron 
God  will  haue  his  to  reft :  butQhe  will  haue  them  to  reft]vpon  his 
fpirituall  femice.  Tbereforey^alkeyee  in  theJpirUjatid  then  jh  ail  yes  not 
fu  'fill the  luFfes  '>ftbefitfl:e  How'ccit,  asl  haue  told  you  before^  this 
is  not  all.  But  yet  by  the  way  S.  Paule  doth  after  an  indireft  mane'r 
glaunce  at  this,  that  the  deceyuers  ageinft  whom  he  ftroue,  were 
graueled  in  thofe  fmall  and  light  things,  which  are  but  as  introduc- 
tionssjfthisworld/andastraynementesofyong  diildicn.  For  as 
'■' '"    ^  "  fiiuch 


chcip.5.  fo.Calxxxy.fermonypon 

mxchthet^orc  as  Aey  were  vtterly  intangleJin  the :  lie  tfelleth  the- 
Galathians  that  the\'  muft  walke  in  the  fpivite.  Funhermore  (as  I 
haue  declared  alreadie)here  he  fetteth  downe  the  true  mcane  too 
knit  vs  togither  in  loue.  For  it  is  vnpofsible  for  vs  too  come  vntoo 
God  and  too  forget  all  enmitie,  till  wee  haue  fought  manfully  [[a* 
geinfl  our  owne  affections]  And  the  remedie  th€rof(as  Ifayd)  is  in 
Ciod.  Therfore  wee  muG:  pray  him  to  increafe  the  grace  of  his  holy 
fpirit  more  and  more  in  vs,and  then. wee  (hall  finde  that  the  flcfhe, 
how  furious  To  cuer  it  bee,  how  great  bi  bbies  and  boyhngs  fo  eucr 
it  cafl:  vp,  yea  and  though  it  feeme  like  a  w\^ld  beaft  that  cannot  be 
tamed :  I  fay  wee  fhall  find  that  it  lliali  not  be  ftronger  than  Gods 
fpirit^and  the  grace  that  flial  bee  giuen  vs  from  aboue, which  fhal  be 
able  too  bring  vs  backe,  and  too  hold  vs  vnd^r  the  yoke  and  obe- 
dience of  our  God.Too  bee  fhort  S.Paule  declaretli,  that  the  caufe 
why  we  cannot  refift  our  leaud  lu!ftes,proeeedeth  of  our  own  neg- 
ligence and  coldneffe,  bycaufeeuery  ofvsfodeth  himfelfc  in  hyft 
naughtineffc  by  vaine  felfioothing,and  wee  go  not  too  God  with 
fach  affe6lion  andzeale  as  were  requifite.Then  let  vs  conclude  that 
there  is  no  excufe  for  men  when  they  finne.  For  they  delight  in  it, 
and  wouldefayne  that  God  fhoulde  let  them  welter  in  it,  and(a$ 
much  as  they  can)they  flee  the  remedie  and  amendment  of  it,  yea 
and  they  bee  fo  fotted  in  it,'  as  they  palTe  not  too  prouoke  Gods 
wrath,  bicaufe  they  cannot  in  any  wife  abyde  too  bee  taught.  It  is 
true  that  fometymes  they  will  well  ynoughe  proteft  wyth  theyr 
mouthjthat  tliey  would  very  faine  haue  their  nature  and  inclinati- 
on chaunged :  but  yet  would  they  ftill  couenant  with  God, that  he 
fhould  let  them  alone  as  they  be,without  altering  of  any  thing,  af- 
ter the  fafhy  on  ofafickeman,  who  if  his  difeafedoo  preffehym, 
wyll  iaye,  6 1  woulde  faync  bee  healed :  but  yet  for  ell  that,  when 
*  fiecommethtooreceyuingofcounfellatthePhifitionshand,  and 

that  he  fhould  be  appoynted  a  dyct :  he  will  not  yeeld  to  that.  The 
Phifition  giues  him  good  Counfell,  and  hath  helpes  ready  to  heale 
his  difeafe :  but  yet  notwithflanding,the  patient  excufeth  himfelfe, 
iaying,0  Sir,  my  hart  will  not  ferue  mee  too  doo  it.  If  a  ficke  man 
will  needes  drinke,and  in  (lead  of  heate  take  colde,  and  bee  fo  vn- 
ruly  as  he  cannot  bee  brydied^but  refufeth  all  that  is  miniftred  toa 

liim 


the  EpiB.to  the  (jalathtans\ '     1^4, 

him  for  his  health,  and  playes  the  mad  bedlem :  he  may  well  pro  * 
jtcft  that  the  would  faine  be  cured,  but  the  flat  contrarie  appecrcth. 
Euen  fo  is  it  with  them  that  refort  vnto  God  too  pray  him  too  go- 
ucrae  them  in  iuch  wife  by  his  holy  fpirite,  as  they  may  bee  cliaun- 
ged  and  forget  all  their  luftes,  and  put  them  vnder  foote :  and  yet 
in  the  meane  while  will  needes  continue  and  welter  in  them  ftill. 
Thus  yee  fee  in  effe^  what  wee  haue  to  beare  in  mynd.  Ncucrthe- 
lefle  it  is  ceneine  that  although  wee  pray  to  God  eamcftjy,  and  c- 
uery  of  vs  ftreine  himfelfe  to  fubdue  his  wicked  aflP edions:  yet  wc 
(hall  not  ccafTe  too  haue  infirmities  ftill  howfoeuer  the  world  go. 
Ifpeake  not  of  the  hypocrites,  I  fpeake  of  the  true  childre  of  God. 
For  they  that  haue  profited  moft  in  all  perfe<5tion;go  ftill  as  it  wer<5 
limping  vntoo  Godvvard,  neither. doo  rhey  what  they  would  as  S. 
Paule  will  adde  anon  after,  and  as  he  fheweth  more  at  large  in  the 
vij.to  the  Romans.  NeuerthelefTe  aOTone  as  the  faithfujl  feele  theyr 
difeafe,  theyfecketheremedieofitinGod,  yeaandtheyfeeke.it 
cameftjy  ^  vnfeinedly^and  perceiue  that  his  fuccor  furmouteth  all 
-their  owne  Jeaud  afiFe(^ions.Accordmg  herevnto  S.Paule  fiyth,  ytt 
JhAllmt fulfill  tbelujks  oftheflejhc.  He  layth  not,that  of  all  our  lyfc 
Jong  Satan  (hal  not  tempt  vs  to  do  any  euill,  nor  that  wee  fhall  not 
fcaue  ftore  of  prouocatios,  for  our  fiefh  flial  alwayes  haue  his  ftings 
to  ftir  vs  vp  vnto  naughtinefTe.Therefore  we  fhal  be  tempted  to  all 
vices :  but  yet  fhal  we  withftand  the  by  Gods  grace.  And  not  with- 
out caufe  is  this  added :  for  if  we  were  not  warranted  that  God  ac- 
cepteth  our  feruice  though  it  be  faultie  Be  we  weake,  Sc  though  we 
run  not  with  fuch  corage  as  were  requifite:cuery  of  vs  fhould  be  as 
it  were  beate  doun^andm  the  end  wee  (hould  fall  into  difpaire  as  it 
happeneth  to  diuers,who  vpon  the  examining  of  their  owne  Hues, 
finding  tliefelues  fo  vnperfc6l  5c  ftill  far  off  fro  God,thirike  thefel- 
ties  not  to  haue  profited  at  all,  and  thervpon  fall  to  chafing  S<:  frct- 
ting,&  finally  become  ftarke  mad.  Truly  we  ought  to  go  forcward 
to  the  fayd  perfe(^ion,and  to  labor  continually  for  itibut  yet  how- 
foeuer wee  fare,  let  vs  not  ceaHe  to  feeke  God  though  we  cannot 
come  at  hym  by  reafon  of  the  great  number  of  lettes  and  imptdi- 
:nicnts,&  though  we  now  and  then  make  faife  fteppes,  &  our  wict 
kediuftes hold  vs  backc,hinder  vs,and Jie  fore  vPon  vs^asl fayd.) 
"    :        '  let 


Chap.5.  fo.CdLxxxy.fermonypon 

let  vs  not  forfakc  our  way  for  all  that,though  wee  bee  fhaken  t\o>v 
and  tlien.  Although  then  that  by  nature  we  cannot  keepe  our  way 
luftily  to  corns  vnto  our  God :  yet  is  it  ynough  that  we  fulfill  not 
the  lufts  of  our  fle(h :  for  although  we  (cek  them,  &  although  they 
be  ouerfbong  in  vs  :  yet  if  we  ouercome  them  God  accepteth  it,  Sc 
•forgiueth  vs  all  the  whole  default. According  wherunto  iJ.Paul  ex- 
horting the  faithfuli  not  to  call  downe  their  harts  out  of  meafure  : 
faith  that  the  flefh  reigneth  not  in  vs.He  faith  not  that  wicked  luftcs 
and  {infull  afFe<5lions  dwell  not  any  more  in  vs :  for  we  fhall  neuer 
bee  rid  of  them;  till  it  pleafe  God  too  take  vs  too  himfelfec'  Then 
till  fuch  time  as  wee  bee  out  of  this  world,  there  fhall  alwayes  bee 
blemifhes  and  (pottes  in  vs,  and  wee  mufl  be  fayne  too  floupe  vn- 
'  der  the  fardel!  of  our  fmnes  and  infirmities,  and  that  is  too  the  in- 
tent to  humble  vs  the  more,and  to  fhew  that  our  lyfe  is  a  continual 
battell.  Moreouer  although  fin  dwell  in  vs,  yet  muft  it  not  reigne, 
but  Gods  fpirit  muft  get  the  vpper  hand  of  it,  and  that  fhal  be  oonc 
xvhen  wee  flee  vntoo  God  with  an  earneft  zealCjpraying  hira  to  re- 
Inedie  tirc  euil  whicli  pafTeth'our  power  to  amend,  and  in  fuch  wife 
too  increafe  the  giftes  of  his  fpirit  in  vs,  as  wee  may  ouercome  all 
things  that  do  as  it  were  hold  vs  downe.  T  hus  ye  fee  what  S.Paule 
ment  by  that  faying  in  this  text.  And  he  addeth  therevnto,  that  the 
Jpirit  /uii^thagewjl  tbeflejhe,a)2dthefle/he  agmjlthejpirjtffo  asti^edoo 
nh  the  thing  that  y*>e  fayne muLidov. Hdre  his  meaning.is  to  quicken 
vs  vp  to  kcepe  good  watch,  yea  and  too  haub  our  harheflTe  alwayes 
Vppon  our  backes  as  they  fay,  and  too  bee  in  a  readinefle  ageinU: 
the  enemye.  If  wee  were  cleere  from  all  vyces,  and  that  all  men 
without  gaynfaying  dyd  follow  the  thing  that  God  commaundeth 
by  hys  worde :  wee  fiioulde  not  neede  too  ftreine  ourfelues  much, 
no  mere  than  t!i€  Angels  of  heauen,who  neede  no  to  iight,for  they 
be  ready  to  do  al  that  is  comaundedthem.  Forafmuch  then  as  there 
is  no  r^bellioufnefle  in  the  Angelsrtheifore  alfo  they  haue  no  ftri- 
uing  when  they  fhould  giue  themfeliies  to  the  fcruice  of  God :  for 
they  bee  wholly  bent  and  inclined  thervnto.But  S.Paule  Ictteth  vs 
that  wee  muft  not  bee  flouthfull  in  feruing  of  God.  And  why  C'  for 
oiir  nature  draggeth  alwayes  backe,  and  wee  (houldc  neuer loue 
goodnefle,  except  wee  were  iqforced  and.eompelled  to  it.  There- 
fore 


the  EpiH.tothe  ^alathians^     16^ 

fore  men  muft  inforcc  and  conftrcync  thcmfclucs,  and  ^^cync 
battcll  as  againft  a  deadly  enxmie,  when  they  initode  to  go  forward 
in  goodnefle.  And  who  bee  our  enemies  <   Truly  the  diucll  is th'c 
chcefe,and  he giueth  vs terrible  aifaults.But  yetthcrwithall,all  our 
owne  thoughtes,  all  our  oWne  affeilions,  all  our  defires ,  are  all 
deadly  enemies  that  labor  to  bring  vs  to  deftru^ion.  Nowc  if  they 
fight  againft  God,it  is  certaine  that  they  bee  alfo  againft  our  faluati- 
on.  VVe  fee  then  how  S.Paules  meaning  here,  is  as  though  he  had 
cried  out  alaru,  to  fhew  that  if  Chriftians  be  either  flepifh  or  floth- 
full,and  think  to  feme  God  at  their  ov^ne  eafe:  they  beguile  theni- 
felueSjSc  that forafmuch  as  they  haue  batteil  vponbatteil to indurc 
%Vithout  end  or  ceaf&ing,and  Satan  tempteth  the  day  and  night, wal- 
king about  one  while  with  wiles  and  treafon,and  another  while  fet- 
ting  v^o  them  by  open  force  to  driue  the  out  of  the  way:  they  muft 
arme  themfelues  throughly,and  enter  into  the  incounter,and  hold 
it  out  to  the  end,&  not  loke  to  haue  any  peace  or  truce,tilGod  take 
them  out  of  the  world.  Ye  fee  in  effbft  what  S^Paules  dodrine  im- 
porteth.  And  tliis  exhortation  is  more  than  ncceftarie  for  vs,  bicaufc 
nioft  men  think  itynough,  if  they  haue  but  fome  little  deuotion  or 
wiilingneOTe  to  feruc  Godiand  although  they  welter  in  much  filthi- 
neHe^alis  one  to  the:and  otherfome  repine  when  they  fee  how  hard 
a  thing  it  is  to  rule  their  life  wel.Andhowis  that  pofsiblec'Godfee- 
meth  toprefle  vs  outof  meafurcjfor  he  fckethnot  what  may  pleafe 
vs,but  rather  condemneth  it.But  how  flial  we  bring  to  pafie  that  we 
may  put  our  felues  to  itC'For  our  incl  ination  goeth  clean  contrary  to 
his  will.  It  feemeth  then  that  he  mocketh  vs  when  he  prcafleth  fo 
vpon  vsiand  why  doth  he  not  giue  vs  another  maner  of  nature  than 
that:'  Lo  how  diuerfe  men  blatpheme  God,  in  hauing  an  eie  to  their 
owne  (infulneflc.Howbeit  to  the  end  that  none  of  vs  fall  afleepe,ne 
thinke  himfelf  to  haue  performed  al  that  God  c6mandeth,when  we 
(hall  haue  folo wed  fome  path  halfe  way.nor  be  vtterly  thmft  out  of 
the  way  altogither  :  S.  Panic  fayth  that  rheflefh  lufteth  againft  the 
fpirit,and  the  fpirit  againft  the  flefti.  In  faying  that  tht  fitfti  lufteth, 
he  doth  vs  to  wit,that  v/e  ftiall  neuer  be  able  to  ferue  God  without 
difquienngjbycaufe  we  (hall  haue  many  lets,and  be  continually  tep- 
;ted  vnto  cvuil.Yea  and  whe  we  be  detewninately  bent  to  fubmit  o«r 

Li.  felues 


Chap.s.  fcCal.  xxiCV.  Sermon  y^on 

fclucs  whoiy  vnto  Gods  woixland-righteoufncfTciyet  nevicnKeleflc 
the  diueil  fhill  cuen  then  hauc  his  ropes  to  draw  vs  one  way  or  o- 
ther.  Again,hc  will  in  fuch  wife  amaze  vs,as  our  fieflily  defires  fhall 
dill  be  1  hinderancc  to  vs,  and  not  only  that :  but  alfo  make  vs  too 
draw  backe  the^cleane  contrarie  way,  fo  that  when  God  calleth  vs 
on  the  one  fide,  wee  fiiali  bee  caried  with  a  rage  too  the  other  fide. 
Nowe  feeing  that  .the  fiefh  luftcth  after  that  mancr  againft  the  fpi- 
rite  :  k t  vs  determine  to  fight  manfully,  and  let  it  not  grceue  vs  fo 
to  do.   Although  we  ought  to  wifhe  to  bee  as  Angcllcs,  fo  as  there 
mightbe  no  (Ifiuing  in  vs,but  that  a|  our  abiUtie  n^ight  be  imployed 
too  the  feruice  of  God,  yet  notwithftanding,  whenfocuer  wee  bee 
Jetted  to  do  well,  let  vs  learnc  toilreyne  our  fclues,and  to  holde  our 
felues  as  prifoners :  and  althoughe,  the  6me  fail  out  greatly  to  our 
difcontentment,  yet  neuertheicfle  let  vs  goon  ftill further,  that 
God  may  winne  the  vppcr  hande  of  vs.  Let  vs  Icame  too  hate  our 
felues,  to  take  difpleafure  agaynft  our  fielues,and  to  be  reuengcd  of 
our  ownc  nanghtmelfe,^  as  5aint  Paul  e  fay eth  in  the  fecond  too  the 
ZXO,y,u\i  Corinthians.For  Repentance  importeth  that  men  (hould  condemn© 
thcmfelues,  hate  thcmfelues,  and  take  vengeance  on  thcmfclues, 
wh  en  they  fe  e  their  whole  M^q  corrupted,  and  that  they  (liould  vfc 
an  holy  anger  againft  it.In  (led  of  defiring  to  be  reuengcd  of  our  c- 
nemics  when  they  haue  done  vs  any  harme,we  fhould  be  chafed  $c 
angiy  with  our  felues,yea  and  punifh  our  felues  for  faults, when  we 
cannot  frame  our  fclucs  vnto  Godswil.But  forafmuch  as  \vc  might 
become  defpcratc,and  cucrie  man  rcplic,Alas,how  (hould  we  fight 
after  that  falhionc  VVhere  is  our  ftrength^  For  there  is  nothing  but 
weakncfle  in  vs,  and  againe  we  fee  that  the  diueli  is  fo  mightie  and 
ftrong  an  enimie,as  wee  can  neuer  bee  able  to  fubdue  him,  and  our 
luiles  arc  as  mad  beafts,  without  rcafon,  without  meafure,  without 
ftay.by  reafon  whereof  we  be  as  good  as  vanquiflied,cuen  before  a- 
ny  ftrokc  be  ftriken  :  S.  Paulc  fayih  that  the  fpirite  doth  alfo  luft  a- 
g*ynft  the  flelh  ;  that  is  to  fay,  that  whereas  we  be  prouokcd  to  do 
cuill  of  our  ownc  n2ture,and  the  diuel  thruftcth  vs  forward,  it  ftan- 
deth  vs  on  hande  to  fight  fo  much  the  more  valiantly  againft  all  the. 
temptations  wherewith  we  be  pricked  and  fpurred.  And  in  fo  doing 
wc  hauc  a  good  heJpe.  For  who  (hall  gainc  the  goalc  ^  Who  (hall 

hau9 


the  Epi^.tothe.(jalathians.     166 

-Iiaue  the  vppcr  hande  and  mayftric  :  Shall  the  corraption  lh;it  is  in 
vs^or  (hall  the  power  of  God  haue  ir:*  Therefore  whenfocuer  God 
lifteth  to  vtter  the  grace  of  his  holy  fpiritc,  he  (hall  alwayes  bee  the 
ftrongcr  and  win  the  field,  how  great  hardncflTc  focucr  there  bee  in 
the  matter.  So  then  let  vs  do  fo  much  honour  vnto  God,  as  to  truft 
diat  he  will  vphold  vs,  and  make  vs  to  winnc  thebittel,  and  let  vs 
inarch  on  boldly  vndcr  his  banner^  howbeit  in  calling  vpo  him  with 
Tcuerencc  and  wareneflc.  For  (as  I  haue  (hewed  alrcadie)  S.Paulc 
ment  not  to  make  it  too  hard  a  matter,  bicaufe  men  arfcrpuermuch 
inclyncd  to  flouthfulncfle.  He  ment  riot  to  rocke  men  afleepe  :  no, 
but  he  telleth  vs,fii-{l  that  wee  muft  become  enemies  to  our  felucs, 
and  fight  agaynfl:  our owne  thoughts,and  agaynft  all  our  afieclions, 
to  feruc  God  aright.  But  nowe,bicaufe  we  might  be  aftQni(hed,and 
eucrieof  vs  might  drawe  backe  bycaufeitisimpofsibleforvstoo 
bring  it  aboute:  hcefayeth.  Shall  not  Gods  fpiritc.  get  the  vpper 
hande  ^  Yes,  but  wee  haue  it  not.  And  of  whome  is  that  long,  but 
for  that  wee  rcfort  not  too  himthat  is  readie  too  giue  it  vs,  yea  ^^ 
verely  in  fuch  meafure  and  portion  as  he  knoweth  too  bee  for  our  *v^'5f  •'•  h 
behoofe  'f  Our  Lorde  crieth  by  the  Prophete  Efay;  All  you  that  bee 
athirftjcome  to  the  water,  take  both  wyne,  water,  and  milk€,with- 
out  money  or  ware  :  for  I  am  readie  too  giue  you  bountifully  as 
muchasyouneedc.  LohoweGod  fpeaketh.  Likewife  our  Lord« 
lefus  Chrift  alfo  telleth  vs ,  that  he  is  the  true  fountaine  whereout 
of  itbehoueth  vs  todraw,and  that  we  (hall  bee  fatiffied  with  his  ful- 
nefle^according  as  he  faith  in  the.vij^of  S.Iohn,.that  whofoeuer  com*  ^^^•7«/> 
mcth  to  him,  (hall  drinke  his  fill  of  water,  yea  and  haue  fuch  a  well       37 • 
in  himfelfe,  as  Riuers  fhall  gufhe  out  of  it,  foas  hee  (hall  not  onely 
haue  ynough  to  feme  his  owne  turne,but  alfb  the  waters  (hall  flow 
outof  hisbcllie,  if  hee  fuffer  lefus  Chrifl:  to  poure  out  his  fpirkd 
vpon  him,for  he  is  preil  and  readie  to  do  it.  So  then  although  Gods 
fpirite  bee  a  great  wayc  off  fromvs  :  yet  fhall  wee  receyue  y- 
nough  ofit,  and  God.ts  readie  to  giue  it  vs,  arid  hee  will  doo  it  by- 
caufe  hehathpromifcdit,and  forafmuch  as  hee  allurethvsGj  gent- 
ly, wee  fhall  receyue  as  muche  as  (hall  (led  our  turne.    Therefore 
like  as  wee  bee  warned  hcere  too  fight ,,  yea  e.ueii  w>'th  myghc  and 
inaynt :  fo  on  theothcrfyde  it  is  (hewed  vs  that  ourviclorie  ia 

Ll.ij.  moflt 


Chap.5-  Jo^  Cat.  xxxKf.  Sermon  y^cn 

-m^ft  cerRiinc  and  infallible,  £o\v^  rccke  fuccour  at  Gods  hande^ac-^ 
knovvkdging  our  own  u^eakencficjand  confefsing  humbly  that  vvc 
can  do  nothing.  If  wet  repayfe  to  cur  God,  and  defire  him  to  bee 
cur  Phifition  :  hisholy  ipirite  fnali  not  be  fo  weake,  but  he  (hall  o- 
uercomc  ail  the  pafsions  of  our  fleflie,  and  giue  vs  the  grace  too  gQ 
thrcwgh  with'^ll  thh  battels  that  (hall  bee  fet  agaynft  vs.  And  nowe 
againe  Saint  Paule  isyQih,  that  the  faythfull do iiDf^ht  iheyX^ouUe: 
and  that  ii  to  giue  them  corn-age  ftill,  that  we  may  learnetogo  on 
forwarde,  thfoughiwe  can  not  bring  all  the  things  to  pfTe  through- 
Jy^nd  perfectly  which  God  fheweth  vntoo  vs  And  this  is  needfull 
as  1  Tayde :  for  elfe  wee  (houlde  bee  hypocrites,  and  beare  our  fel,- 
ues  in  hands  that  nothing  were  amilTe.  But  fuch  pride  were  intol- 
lerablc  :  of  which  fort  we  feefome  maftifedogges,  in  whome^here 
is  ncyther  feare  of  God  nor  Religion,  and  yet  they  pj'each  that  the 
faythfull^c&ughrto  be  perie8:J\nd  thatis  a  diuciifh  blafphemie,  and 
fdch  a  orje  as  wee  ought  too  abhorre.  There  are  others  that  dif- 
payrewhen  they  fee  that  they  cannot  difcharge  their  duftie  to- 
wards God. To  the  end  therfore  that  we  may  neither  be  hypocrites 
nor  yet  faint,S.Paule  fayththat  we  do  not  all  that  we  woulde.  B-ut 
howfoeuer  wee  faro^  wee  mufie  come  backe  to  that  which  he  tou- 
ched not  long  fince  :  namely  that  we  fulfill  not  the  lufts  of  the  fieffi 
when  wee  bee  gouerned  by  the  koly  Gkoft.  So  ^en,fir{llet  vs 
vnderftande,  that  wee  bee  fo  giuen  vntoo  euill,  that  a  man  c?.nnot 
wring  out  one  drop  of  goodnefTe  out  of  our  thoughts  &  aife^ions, 
but  they  alienat'C  vs  '^uite  and  cleane  fr©m  it,  Markc;  that  for  one 
poynt.  Secondly  let  vs  truft  in  God,  that  notwithftanding  ouf  vi- 
ces,yea,  and  rebellions,  he  will  make  vs  to  walke  in  hisobcdicnce» 
For  wee  fhall  be  gouerned  by  his  holy  fpirite,  who  will  make  vs  too- 
feele  fuch  a  working  in  vs^as  we  (hall  not  be  hildc  backe  n»r  hinder 
fed  too  go  forwarde  in  our  good  race,  but  kecpe  on  ftill  to  the  mark 
that  wee  ame  at.  Thirdly,  if  wee  fee  yet  fome  refiftancemipur  feU 
ues,  and  that  wee  had  neede  t<30^b€e  inforced  more  and  more,  by-r 
caufe  that  inany  ouerthw^rt  things  doo  let  vs ,'  infemuch  that  wee 
dooeuenfall,  or  elfe  happen  too  ntnne  nfbray  :  let  vs  not  bee  d}^'^ 
couraged  for  all  that,  but  let  vs  followe  the  holy  ceiling  of  Goi 
and  ftiil  learne  effe<^ually  to  cut  offourvyccs. 


the  EpiU. to  the  Qalathiam.       i6j 

And  to  bring  that  to  paflc,  let  vs  be  forie  for  them  ,  and  confeflc 
them  willingly  before  God.  But  hovvfoeuer  wee  fare,  let  vs  not 
thinke  our  felucs  forfaken  of  him,  though  our  life  be  neuer  fo  vn- 
perfe6l.Thus  ye  fee  that  the  thing  which  we  haue  to  beare  in  mind, 
is  that  all  the  imperfections  and  infirmities  that  wee  feele  as  yet  in 
our  felues,fhiall  not  rcftreyn  our  indeuering  to  fubmit  our felues  to 
ourGod,and  to  frame  our  felues  more  and  more  in  his^feare,  &  yet 
notwithftadingthat  in  the  meane  while  we  fhall  riot  haue  any  towel 
of  flatterie  before  oureiesto  blind  our  felues  withall^but  wc  fhal  be 
hartily  fory,c5fefsingour  felues  to  be  excedingly  indettcd  vnto  him 
and  yet  neuerthelefle  afpiring  ftil  to  the  perfe6lion  where  vnto  we 
muft  go  onward  all  the  time  of  our  life,and  therwithal  acknowled- 
ging that  we  are  all  forlorne  andxianined,  vnlefle  that  he  of  his  infi- 
nite goodnefle  do  beare  with  vs  for  our  Lordelefus  Chriftes  fake. 

But  now  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  Maieftie  of  our  good  God 
with  acknowledgement  of  our  fauhs,  praying  him  to  make  vs  feele 
them  more  and  more,  fo  as  wee  may  not  onely  confefle  them  with 
our  mouth;but  aifo  be  touched  with  fuch  true  repentance  and  pure 
2eale,as  we  may  indeuer  to  giue  our  felues  wholly  vnto  him,and  to 
cut  ofFali  the  fuperfluities  that  are  in  vs,  and  as  the  fame  may  caufe 
vs  to  frame  our  felues  to  his  holy  wil,and  to  feme  him  in  fuch  vni- 
on  and  concord,that  we  may  be  ^iue  to  magnifie  him  with  one  hart,- 
and  with  one  mouth,thereby  fhewing  that  we  be  rightly  knit  vntO' 
him  in  the  adoption  which  he  fheweth  vs  by  his  Gofpel,  wherby  he 
fheweth  himfelfe  to  be  our  father,as  faine  as  we  would  be  his  true 
children. And  thcrfore  let  vs  al  fay,  Almightie  God  our  heaueiy.Scc. 

T^he.xxxyj .Sermon^'whlch  is  the 

fixt  Vpon  the  fifth  Chapter. 

19  Thevvorkesoftheflefheare  manifeftj  which  arc 

theCCj  Adiioutriea  vvhorcdome,  vncleannelTe^ 
loocenefle; 

20  Idolarrie^poyfoning.enmitiCjftrife/pitingjVyratha 

quarelling/edicion,  fe£tes. 

Ll.iij..  M  Enuie;,, 


Chap. 5.  fo.CaLxxxyj.  Sermon  ypon 

ti  Enuie,murther,drunkenncfire,gIiuronie,ai]dfuch 
like :  of  which  I  tell  you  afor^hande ,  as  I  hauc 
toldeyou  hci'etofoie, thr.r  they  which doofnche 
th  ings  fhal  not  inherit  the  kingdomc  of  God. . 

•Z2.  Btit  the  f  ruijc  of  the  fpiritj  is  loLie,ioy,  peace,  paticnt- 
jneffb^gciTtlciicffe^goodnefle/aythfuliicfTe, 

2.y  Mcekenellejtempcraace:  ag^ynft  fuch  things  there 
isnolawjc, 

Ee  haue  feene  tliis  jnorning,thatn3en  are  con- 
demned before  God,  fo  as  there  conuneth  no- 
thing of  them  but  vtierfilthineirc  &  infe6lion. 
Now  if  God  bee  the  rule  of  all  perfeclion^then 
of  necefsitie  all  that  is  contrarie  to  his  nature  Sc 
word  mufl  needs  be  flarke  naught.Eut  it  is  cer^ 
tain  that  the  fiefh  is  at  cotinuali  war  agaynft  the 
fpirit.Tlierrore  therein  it  is  declared  that  fo  long  ss  me  follow  their 
owne  fwinge,  they  be  deadly  enemies  too  God  all  theyr  lyfc  long. 
Seeing  it  is  fo,  we  mufl  needcs  conclude,that  there  is  nothing  in  vs 
but  vtter  lewdnefle  and  finfuInelTe.  Nowe  when  we  heere  fuch  fen- 
tencegiuenof  vs,  we  ought  to  be  vtteriy  abafhed.  For  it  is  the  defi- 
nitiue  fentece  of  the  heauenly  iudge,agaiDft  which  there  Jieih  no  ap- 
peale,anJ.againe  Gods  fpcaking  is  with  effect.  Therefcre  feeing  he 
hath  pronounced  that  we  be  wicked  and  frowsrd  by  nature,  he  will 
immediatly  do  his  office.  So  then ue  mufl:  come  to  account  before 
him:but  we  fee  that  men  are  fo  fotted  either  in  their  hypocrifie,  or 
in  their  felfweening,  that  they  pafTe  not  of  prouoking  Gods  wrath 
agaynft  them.  For  euerie  manllattereth  and  fcdeth  hinifelfe  in  hys 
vices, infomuch  that  we  ca  neuer  be  drawne  to^  true  acknowledge- 
rnent  of  our  finnes,  but  by  force.And  it  is  euidcnt  that  our  doing  of 
it  is  with  windlafles  and  byftarts,and.which  more  is,  we  become  fo 
(liameleiTe  that  wee  feeke  fonde  fliifrs  -and  excufes,  as  though  tliey 
could  help  vs  before  God.Therfore  it  is  not  ynou^h  for  vs  to  heere 
generally  the  fentence  of  condenation  vp6  \'S,but  Godmuft  be  fain 
tp  difcouer  pur  lewdnefic^tbatw.e  may  be  ailianaedof  it ;  ajad  more- 

ouer 


the  EpiU.to  the  Qalathiam.       16% 

ouer  to  fpecifie  S&foint  with  his  finger,  the  vices  that  are  apparent 
and  notorious  before  me. And  that  is  the  caufe  why  S.Paul e  hauing 
faid  this  niorning  that  men  in  ail  their  thoughts  &  affeftios  do  fight 
againft  God :  addeth  this  declaration  which  we  haue  now  prefently 
heard,as  though  he  brought  forth  the  fruites,  to  the  ende  that  men 
might  thereby  iadge  what  the  tree  iSjbicaufe  the  roote  which  is  the 
cheef  thing  lieth  hid.  1  he  like  as  the  tree  is  knowne  by  his  fruits/o 
-aMb  the  finfuineirc  that  reit;neth  in  vs,  and  in  our  nature  is  founde 
out  by  the  workes  that  come  of  it.And  To  we  fee  why  S.Paul  addeth 
hQrejthattbtyi'or^fS  ofthefkjh  aremamfcH.  As  if  he  fhouldfay,  men 
fhet  their  eies  that  they  may  not  percciue  their  owne  naughtinefle, 
and  beare  themfelucs  in  hande  that  there  is  nothing  but  vertue  in 
them, when  notwitliil3nding>their  vices  are  fo  huge  and  excefsiue, 
as  they  be  rcadie  to  burft  with  them:  when  they  haue  pleaded  their 
Befl,&  fought  ai  the  (lartingholes  that  ca  be,  whe  they  haue  wrung 
their  mouth  awry,<3<:  turkined  things  neuer  fo  much,  yet  mufl  they 
in  the  end  come  to  this  point,  that  our  life  crieth  out  ioude  Sc  fiiirle 
what  we  be.Therfore  the  works  of  the  fiefh  are  all  manifefl:.  So  then 
this  is  inough  to  difproue  fuch  as  would  faine  cloke  thefelues  Sc  vfe 
painting,as  though  ihey  were  not  giltie  before  God.Truth  it'is  that 
S.Paui  doth  not  make  here  a  ful  beadroi  of  al  the  vipes  that  god  c6^ 
demneth  in  his  law:but  only  fetteth  forth  fome  examples  wherby  a 
ma  may  cafjly  iudge  of  al  the  reft.For  he  mud  haue  made  a  log  pro- 
cefre,Lfhe  had  intended  to  haue  made  fuch  a  reckning  vp  of  the. but 
this  was  inough,that  fuch  as  wene  to  gain  by  their  bipocnfic  might 
be  cDuicled  here,  as  ye  fee  they  be.And  for  the  better  vnderAading 
hereof,  we  haue  to  mark  breefly,  which  is  the  rule  wherbyto  walk  in 
obedience  towards  god,accordingto  the.,^ioFTit.wher  it  rs  faid  that  ^. 
gods  grace  appeered  to  the  ende  we  fhould  lead  a  holy  conuerfation  *^'  "* 

here  beneath  m  this  world,in  modeftie  Sc  rightuoufnes  waytino'  for 
the  hope  of  t!:e  life  that  is  promifc  d  vs ,  &  for  the  comming  of  the 
great  Sauior, which  muft  gather  vs  vp  to  hiiiifelfc  into  the  kingdom 
of  heaue.  Ye  fee  the  that  the  diing  wherein  clr  iftians  mufl  exercife 
themfelues  & wherto  they  muft  wholly  app-iy  thenifelues,is  firft  to 
know  that  they  haue  net  their  euerlafting  rcil  wx  heritage  here,but 
that  die  worJde  is  but  as  a  flraunge  Countrey  wheredirough  they 

Lliiij.  mufl 


Chap  .5 .  fo.CaLxxxy.  Scrmcn  ypon 

muftpaiTej  and  therefore  that  they  muftalwaycs  haue  their  eyes 
lifted  vp  to  heauenwarde.T  hatis  the  chiefe  poynt.  But  that  cannot 
be  done,but  the  faythfull  mufi: needes  therewithal!  call  vpon  God, 
and  refort  wholly  vnto  him.  And  as  touching  theyr  life  iaint  Paul.e 
fayeth  that  it  hath  three  things  in  it :  namely,  holynelTe,  that  wee 
ferue  God  found ly  and  fubftancially  with  a  pure  heart,  vtterly  re- 
nouncing all  the  vnclenneffe  of  this  worlde.  That  is  the  firft  point. 
Thefecondeis,  that  wee  muft  not  bee  wanton  and  vnhoneft,  but 
that  we  mufl  leade  anhoneft  life.  The  thirde  is,  that  we  wrong  no 
man,  nor  vfe  any  deceyte  or  crueltie,  bit  that  we  indeuer  to  do  our 
neighbor  good.  Lo  what  the  lik  of  Chriftians  is.But  S.Paule  fayeth 
/  heere,  that  if  men  will  not  acknowledge  themfelues  to  be  vtter  eni- 

mies  too  God,  and  full  of  ail  naughtinelTe  and  rebellion :  let  them 
but  make  a  fhort  inquirie,and  loke  into  their  hfe,and  they  fhall  find 
thatfome  of  them  be  whoremongers,  fome  drunkardes,fome  giucn 
to  all  ribawdrie,fome  murtherers,  fome  Sorcerers,  fome  fedicious, 
fome  full  of  ambition,  and  otherfomc  defirous  to  foweabrode  dar- 
jiell  and  troubles,  and  to  bring  vp  le6ls  to  peruert  Gods  truth  with 
their  corruptions.  Thus  ye  fee  what  is  to  bee  found  in  men  if  theyr 
liues  be  well  ferched.  But  what  fhall  they  win  by  going  to  law  with 
God^and  by  labouringto  couer  their  lewdnefle  with  fhifting  c'  no- 
thing at  al.Howbeit  they  confefTe  not  it  with  their  niouth:it  is  their 
lik  that  mufl:  fpeake  it :  their  IHq  togither  with  al  their  workes  that 
are  knowne  in  it,beare  record  of  the  things  that  1  haue  fayd  ,  and  fo 
there  needeth  no  more  difputing.    Furthermore,  whenas  S.  f  aule 
fayth  that  the  workes  of  the  fltOi  are  manifeft.he  meeneth  not  that 
all  thofe  whom  God  fuflPercth  to  follow  their  naturall  fwinge,  and 
whom  he  gouerneth  not  by  his  holy  fpirit,are  atteinted  with  all  the 
vices  here  named.but  that  there  is  not  any  man  which  isnot  fo  cor- 
rupted, that  he  abandoneth  himfelfe  fometmieto  one  naughtinefl^ 
andfometime  to  two  or  three  at  once, as  occafion  femeth.  Yee  fiiall 
fee  many  heathen  men  and  vnbeieeuers,  in  vvhom  there  is  no  feare 
of  God,nor  any  knowledge  of  his  word,  which  haue  fome  outward 
/hew  of  venue  and  honeftie  :  yet  is  it  no  confequent  that  they  be« 
not  corrupted,  howbeit  that  the  infeelion  is  hidden  and  fettled  in- 
#:^rdly,  and  there  is  an  impoftume  thatrotteth  all  within,  Howfo- 

euer 


the  EpisLtothe^alathians.      169 

cuer t?ie  cace  ftand.there  is  nother  rule  nor  meafure  in  mannes  na- 
:turc,but  all  is  out  ot  order  and. confounded  there.  You  fee  then  that 
the  thing  which  we  haue  to  gather  vpon  this  ftreyne,is  that  we  mud 
not  bee  beguyled  with  curowne  hypocrifie,  but  cuery  of  vsmufte 
haue  an  eyetoo  himlelfe^and  examine  his  owne  life  th"otighly,  and 
then  fhall  wee  all  haue  caufc  tocaftdowne  oureyes,and  toihetour 
.jnouthes,  and  therewith  to  acknowledge  that  wee  be  wretched,  and 
that  there  is  nothing  but  damnation  in  vs.  Truely  although  none  of 
the  things  that  ^.Paule  rehearceth  heere  doo  appeere  in  vs,fo  as  wc 
l)e  blamelcfle  before  men,yea  and  feeme  too  bee  Irtde  Angclles :  yet 
cealTe  we  not  too  be  wicked  and  vntoward,  till  God  haue  reformed 
vs.  Neuertlielefle  God  giueth  euery  of  v-S  fufficient  recorde  in  our 
Jiues, whereby  to  call  vs  quite  do\vne,andto  make  vs  giue  ouer  our 
pleading  of  our  owne  accord.  Thus  ye  fee  in  efFe6l,that  the  meane 
to  put  this  leflbn  in  vre,  is  that  if  wee  thinke  our  felues  to  bee  any 
thing  woorth,  and  perceyuenot  the  want-es  that  are  in  vs :  we  muft 
fift  our  life,  and  compare  our  workes  with  the  things  that  God  bid- 
deth  or  forbiddcth :  and  then  v/ee  fhall  haue  a  fayre  lookingglaiTc, 
wherein  to  behold  our ieudn^;fre  and  filthinclle  :  and  whereas  it  fee- 
me J  erll  that  there  wasp.othing  but  a!l  purenelTe  and  perfe6lion  in 
vs  :  God  "^iW  (hew  vs  to  our  faces,  that  wee  be  full  of  wickednefTe* 
And  yet  neuerthelefle  when  wee  fhall  haue  confidered  this  diuerfe 
and  many  times  :  let  vs  therev^pon  conclude,  that  it  is  not  the  hun- 
H^rei^th  part  of  it.  For  we  (Kail  alwayes  be  dimfighted  in  finding  out 
orour  owne  wantes.  Although  God  ccnftreyne  and  reproue  \  s  \x\ 
fuch  wife  as  we  cannot  denie  it :  yet  will  he  fhewe  in  the  ende,  that 
for  eu^ry  poynt  that  we  haue  knowen,  there  are  a  hun  Jrcd  thatwerc 
hidden  from  vs.  And  verely  when  wee  fee  our  woorkes  layd  open 
before  vs  :  it  is  to  make  vs  go  to  the  welfpring  of  them.  Many  mea 
are  fogrofle,  that  if  they  haue  not  committed  whoredome,if  diey 
haue  not  playde  the  drunkardes  opcnly;Or  if  their  filching  and  pilfe- 
ring haue  bin  fo  couerdy  and  finely  conueycd  as  noman  could  bc- 
;.wray  themythey  thinke  themfelues  quite  and  cleere.  But  S.PaulcE 
intent  in  faying  that  the  woorkes  of  the  fiefli  are  manifcff,  isnot  to 
ilatter  men  as  though  a  finne  were  not  to  be<:ondemned  tiil  it  were 
jopenly  fcene  in  deedc.  For  (as  I  told  you)  wee  muft  proceede  from. 

Llv.  ^ 


Chap.  J.         ^^^  CaLxxxyj  Sermon  ypon 

tlieone  to  the  other.  Then  if  vvhoredome,drunkennene,  robhen'ej, 
murtherjtreafon.blafphemieagainft  GodjtrcublefomnefTe,  &  k<M^ 
tion;bedetcPcabIe  things  in  theielues  :  we  muftaJfo  conclude  ther- 
x-j^on^that  the  wickedntfle  which  iurketh  withm  the  hart,  (as  ambi- 
tion and  pride,  when  men  efteeme  &  hke  of  thefelues  too  much)  is 
deteflabJe  iikewiie.  x^lfo  couetuouihefle  when  we  haue  a  minde  too 
other  mens  goodes,  and  all  other  like  things  are  to  bee  condemned 
likewife.To  be  fhort^our  cutwar>d  doings  beare  witnelTe  tliat  we  be 
full  oi'infe6lion  before  God.  And  where  is  thatinfe6lio  to  be  foud^ 
In  onr  defires,  in  our  internes,  in  our  thoughts,^  in  all  our  doings, 
wee  fee  there  is  euen  as  it  were  a  well  (piing  of  all  naughtinefle.  So 
then,let  vs  bee  drawen  to  fuch  an  acknowledgment  of  our  finnes,as 
wee  may  be  hartely  forie  for  them  before  God.  And  wee  fee  that  in 
the  Law  there  is  fuch  a  fafhion  of  teaching.  God  in  his  Lawe  forbid- 
deth  not  fornicatio,but  aduoutrie:  yea  Sc  at  the  firfl  ilght  he  forbid- 
deth  not  fraud  and  filching :  what  forbiddeth  he  then:'  Theft  or  rob- 
berie.  Re  forbiddeth  not  lying,  but  only  falfwitnefle.  Now  then  it 
4?iould  feeme  to  thi  which  know  not  the  power  of  the  law,that  they 
haue  well  dilcharged  their  duetie,  when  they  haue  well  efchewed 

%^m,yj;.6  thofe  crimes.  And  that  is  the  caufe  why  S.Paule  fayd  that  for  a  time 
he  thought  himself  to  be  throughly  rightuouSj  and  that  God  could 
not  haue  blamed  him  for  any  thing.  After  the  fame  maner  do  the 
hipocrites  (btte  thefelues  in  their  own  felfweening,  and  thervpo  be- 
come mad  if  God  find  fault  with  the,bicaufe  they  thinke  he  doth  the 
great  wrong.And  why  <  for  they  coceyue  not  what  the  nature  of  the 

K(J»?.7  .f .  t^we  is.  It  is  fpirituall  (fayeth  S.Paule):  that  is  too  lay, wee  miifl  be 
i  A..  wholly  reformed  to  frame  our  felues  thereafter.  But  fo  long  as  wee 
follow  our  owne  flcfhly  nature,all  that  we  think,and  all  that  we  can- 
fay  or  do,fhall  be  no  better  thanfinne  before  God.  So  then, we  miift 
not  looke  only  at  the  bare  woordes  that  are  fet  downe  in  the  Lawe, 
[hvLt  too  the  things  that  are  ment  and  conteyned  in  them.]  God  by 
fetting  downe  the  particular  kind  of  Aduoutric,  ment  too  make  all 
kind  of  whoredome  hatefull :  for  if  mariage  c5tinue  not  whole  and 
•found  without  impeachment,  it  peruerteth  all  order  and  ciuill  poli^ 
cie  among  men.  God  therefore  vnder  the  woon^Q  Jiduoutrie,  hath 
ihevved  tliat  all  whoredome  and  VQchaftcnefTe  difpleazeth  him. 

Againe 


the  EpiB.to  the  (jalathidns.      lyo 

Agsine  he  fayeth,  ThouHialt  not  kill.  Is  it  then  lavvfull  too  bcate  4 
man  <  No,nor  yet  to  hate  him :  for  (as  S.Iohn  fayeth)  he  that  hateth  hhn.'^.ci^ 
his  neybcur  rccreteJy  is  a  muriherer  before  God,  though  he  nother^ 
tormet  him.nor  touch  him  with  his  fin§er:So  thcn,vnder  the  woord 
^urder,  God  condcmncth  all  wrong  that  we  do  to  our  neyghbours. 
Although  then  that  we  ftirre  not  a  finger  to  do  them  harme  :  yet  it 
we  hate  t'.emor  beare  them  ill  will^wee  be  condemned  of  murther 
before  God.  In  like  cace  is  it  with  T  heft.  For  not  only  they  that  are 
whipped; haged,  or  which  haue  their  eares  cut  off  are  theeues  before 
God  :  but  alfo  euen  all  thofe  that  beare  the  countenance  of  honeft 
men  and  arc  in  credite  &  eflimation,are  tlieeues  too,if  theydeceiue 
and  beguile  their  neighbors. What  countenance  fo  euer  they  canic 
to  the  world vvard,though  men  be  not  able  to  accufe  them  of  robbe- 
rie  :  yet  arc  they  theeues  before  God.  As  much  is  to  bee  fayd  of  all 
the  reft.  Lilvev/ife  in  this  text,  when  S.PauIe  fayeth  that  the  deedcs 
of  the  flefh  are  mariieft :  he  giueth  vs  fuch  an  inftru^lion,  as  leadeth 
vs  from  the  great  to  the  fmall.  And  when  weefhall  haue  bin  conui- 
fted  of  our  wretchednefle  and  vice s,and  our  fliamefulne He  is  fo  diC^ 
couered  as  we  can  no  more  replie  too  it ;  let  vs  then  enter  into  an- 
other tr-iall,th3t  is  to  wit,of  examining  all  our  luftes  which  tempt  vs 
ynto  euiil :  and  whith^^r  it  be.theft,crueltie,guyIe,pejiurie,hatred,or 
enmitie,allthcfe  things  are  too  bee  condemned  alike.  For  the  Tree 
ceaffeth  not  too  bee  euill,though  men  feenotthe  fruytes  ofit  attho 
firfte  da(he :  bv.t  yet  menneiudge  of  the  nature  of  the  tree  by  his 
frute,  howbeeit  that  the  treekeepeth  his  owne  nature  ftiil.  And 
this  is  too  bee  marked  well,  bycaufe  that  (as  I  fayde  afore)aldiougIi 
God  dryuc  men  too  ccndcmne  themfelueS;  yet  they  doo  it  but  by 
ha'u;:S,  and  for  all  that  he  can  doo  too  them,  they  would  fayne  ftill 
that  their  favltes  which  ai'enot  feene  too  the  worldward,niould  bee 
releafcd  them  and  neuer  bee  fpoken  of  As  for  example,  he  that  is 
condemned  for  dooyng  fome  wjcked  ajSle,  will  not  excufe  himfelfe 
of  It,  for  afinuch  as  he  is  inforced  too  confefie  it  whither  Jiee  will 
or  no  :  E.ut  in  the  meane  whyle,  as  for  any  entering  intoo  him- 
fclf,  to  thinke  vpon  Gods  luPdce  and  his  ownedefert,  and  t©  confi- 
der  that  he  had  many  teptations  before  he  came  to  ih'^.  decde  doing, 
^id  that  he  oif ended  God  a  hundred  times  before  his  faulte  came 

too?. 


CLip.  5.         j^^  CaLxxxyj.SermonlDpon 

"Xo  \\At :  it  is  no  part  of  his  thought.  So  much  the  more  therefore 
doth  it  (land  vs  in  hand,  too  marke  \vell  this  warning  whiche  I  hauc 
touched  already. And  verely  here  we  fee  the  ouer  grolTe  doltinineffe 
of  the  cheefc  teachers  of  PapiH-rie,  m  that  they  fay  it  is  no  finne  too 
thinke  euillorto  bee  tempted,  fo  wee  confent  not  too  it.  A  man 

•  (fay  they)  may  bee  tempted  to  do  his  neighbour  feme  wrong,  he 
may  haue  fome  hartburning  and  maHce  againft  him  to  bee  reuenged 
of  him  that  hath  difpleafed  him,and  if  occafio  were  offered,he  might 
incontinently  be  fharpe  fef.butyet  none  of  all  this  is  {inne(fay  they) 
fo  there  be  no  full  confent  and  refolute  purpofe  too  do  it.  They  doo 
but  wring  their  mouth  awry  like  harlots,  or  fnufle  vp  their  fnoutes 
jyke  fwyne  that  haue  wallowed  in  dirt  &  filth.  Though  a  ma  grudge 
and  chafe  againil:  God,  yea  and  doubte  whither  he  haue  any  care  of 
kim  or  no  :  and  though  he  bee  toiled  and  turmoylcd  with  much  di- 
ftrufl/o  as  he  cannot  by  any  meanes  refort  too  God  for  refuge :  all 
thefethingsare  no  fmnc  among  the  PapiPcs.  And  I  fay  not  that  only 
the  common  fort  arc  thusabufed.but  it  is  the  refolute  dodrine  and 
determination  of  ail  their  Vmuerfities,  that  fuche  things  ought  not 
to  be  counted  finne.They  can  well  ynough  fay  that  before  baptifme 
all  is  finne  :  but  when  wee  be  once  baptized,  then  all  is  vertue :  and: 
although  we  doubt  of  God^  although  we  haue  much  hartburning  a- 
gain{lhim,and  although  webe  tempted  with  much  impacicncieiyet 
notwithftanding,be  wee  neuer  fo  much  prouoked  vnto  euill  doing, 
or  be  we  neuer  fo  much  (haken  too  and  fro,all  is  well.  To  be  (liortj 
though  we  be  inclined  to  al  things  that  God  condemneth  and  difai- 
loweth  in  his  lawe^and  which  are  not  lawfull  for  vs  to  do  :  it  makes 
no  matter  atall.But  they  be  well  worthie  to  bee  caft  into  fuch  bloc- 
kifhnefle.  For  like  as  they  haue  fet  vp  Idolles  and  puppettes  to  wor- 
(hip :  fo  is  it  good  reafon  that  riiey  fhould  be  fotted  with  their  Gods, 
and  make  but  afport  and  play  ofrightuoufnefle  and  vncorruptnelTe, 
as  if  a  man  fhould  play  with  a  little  childe.  No  maruell  then  though, 
fuch  maner  of  folke  be  harried  away  after  that  fafliio :  for  in  afmuch 
they  haue  defaced  Gods  glory  and  brought  it  to  nothing :  they  muft 
needes  become  flarke  beaftes.  But  let  vs  on  our  fide  marke  what  I 
haue  alledged  already  vpon  the  other  ;exte  of  S.Paule,  namely  that 
tiie  Laweis  fpirituall^  and  therefore  that  if  our  manifeft  deedes  doo 

proue 


the  EpiB.to  the  (jalathiam.       271 

proue  vs  too  be  rebelles  againft  God :  tlien  furely  as  oFt  as  wee  bee 
tickled  with  any  wicked  luftes  inu^ardJy,  althouglrthe  fame  bee  not 
knowen  of  men  to  make  vs  faultie  to  the  worldward :  God  wil  find 
an  infinite  number,  yea  euen  a  whole  Tea  of  ihem.  Therefore  let  vs 
conclude  that  we  be  vtterjy  drowned  incurfednefle  to  all  refpe^le?, 
till  God  Ioo!:e  mercyfully  vpon  vs  and  drawe  vs  out  of  it.-  Thus  ye 
fee  in  effect  how  wee  muft  apply  this  faying  of  S.Pauies  too  our  in- 
flrudion :  namely  that  for  fo  much  as  we  confider  not  by  the  vyces 
that  are  hidden  in  vs, that  God  commeth  to  examine  our  life :  ther- 
fore  we  muft  learne  to  humble  our  felues.  And  fecondly  that  wher^ 
we  fee  our  finncs  to  be  fuch  as  are  knowen  and  mani- eft  to  all  men 
and  vtterly  vnexcufable,  yea  euen  before  children :  we  muft  be  led 
further  thereby:  that  is  to  wit, we  muft  fearch  our  felues  to  the  bot- 
tome,and  vnderftand  that  all  our  luftes  and  al  our  thoughts  are  vt- 
ter  rebel  lioufnefTe  again  ft  God.  Now  if  cuery  man  weie  diligent  in 
examining  himfelf  after  this  fafhion.fuiiely  we  fliould  all  of  vs  hauc 
caufe  to  figh  and  grone,all  pryde  &  Icftinefle  would  be  layd  downe, 
yea  and  we  would  be  afhamed  of  cur  whole  life.  But  it  is  feene  that 
euery  of  vs  tumeth  away  as  much  as  he  can  from  the  confidering  of 
his  owne  flnnes :  wee  caft  them  quite  and  cleane  behind  our  backes. 
Yet  notwithftanding  God  forgetteth  the  not :  liowbeit  if  we  would 
that  he  fhould  forget  them,  it  would  behoue  vs  to  remember  them 
our  felues.  And  that  is  the  thing  wherevnto  S'.Paule  tncourageth  vs 
in  this  te>:t.  Furthermore  wee  fee  what  fondnefle  and  ignorance,or 
rather  beaftlinelfe  hath  bin  in  the  Popilli  do6lours,inthat  they  haue 
thought  this  woord  ^lefh  too  betoken  nothing  elfe  in  man  but  fiefti- 
linefic  or  fenfualitic  as  they  terme  it.  For  thus  do  they  part  it.They 
bee  contented  to  graunt  that  there  is  nothing  but  corruption  in  all 
our  luftes  which  they  terme  by  the  name  of  inferiour  or  lower.but 
m  the  meane  while(fay  they)  we  haue  our  will  frce^yea  euen  in  fuch 
fort  as  there  remayneth  fome  [found]  reafon  and  vnderftonding  in 
vs.  Ye  fee  then,  that  in  the  opinion  of  the  Papifts,man  is  then  fen- 
fuall,when  he  behaueth  not  himfelf  according  too  reafon,  but  ycel- 
deth  to  much  eyther  to  whoredomc,  or  to  drunkcnnefTe,  or  to  glut- 
tonie^or  to  fuch  other  like  things.  But  S.Paule  muftereth  Ambition 
or  vayngkrie  hecrc  in  the  fame  ranke  with  them.  For  whereof  to- 

meth 


Chap.  J.  fo.CaLxxxyj. Sermon  ypon 

mcth  k  that  men  bcarc  fudi  fpitc  one  to  another,  and  hcauc  one  ?« 
another  to  furniount  echc  other,  and  to  be  counted  wizer  or  wittier 
than  other  men  :*  Is  it  not  for  that  cucry  man  coueteth  to  be  a  iolly 
fellow  to  the  worldward^  And  is  that  fault  leffe  to  be  condened  than- 
whoredome  or  drunkenncfle :' When  apoore  wretch  thatdefiretk 
but  to  eate  &  drinkejiath  well  filled  his  belly,he  goes  his  way  as  he 
was  wont,he  defireth  to  be  nother  King  nor  great  Lorde,hepa(reth 
away  his  time.  Another  that  is  giuen  to  play,goes  to  fport  him  with 
vnthriftes  like  himfelfe,and  is  not  tempted  with  ambition  or  defirc 
of  honour.  Thofe  then  which  fceme  moft  honorable,  &  make  mofte 
of  their  payntcd  fheath;are  mode  flef>.«!y  rayeth(S.Paule),according 
yy  alfo  as  we  haue  fcene  in  the  firft  Epiftle  too  the  Corinthians,wherc 

*^'  '^  he  blamed  them  as  fle{hly,bycaufe  they  were  at  variance  one  againft 
another  about  the  do6lrine,and  were  fo  fond  Sc  curious  to  be  feenc 
and  had  in  eflimatio  of  men,  in  refpe6l  whereof  alfo  he  mcncioncth 
(eCiQS  Sc  herefies.  If  a  man  troubl  e  G  ods  Churche  by  falfe  do6lrine, 
whither  it  be  in  defpite  of  fome  men.-or  to  purchacehimfelf  reputa- 
tion Sc  renowme  :  after  the  opinion  of  the  Papifts  it  is  not  to  be  faid 
that  it  is  fleflily  dealing,it  is  to  be  fayd  that  it  was  but  too  futtle  dea- 
ling, yea,b'at  S.Paule  fayeththatherefie,vayneglorie,  and  ilrifeor 
fpiting,are  workes  of  the  flefli.  Now  then  we  fee  the  thing  that  wec 
treated  of  this  morning :  to  wit,  that  vnder  the  woord  tiejh  is  com- 
prehended all  that  is  a  mannes  o\vme,  and  that  we  muft  bechaungcd 
and  fafhioned  ne w  againe,or  elfe  we  fhali  be  giue  to  all  naughtindfe. 
It  is  true  (as  I  haue  touched  already)  that  although  God  fuffer  the 
Paynims  and  Infidelles  to  runne  vpon  the  brydle,  and  haue  not  be- 
gotten them  againe  by  his  holy  fpii  it :  yet  they  may  after  a  fort  bee 
counted  vertuous,and  a  man  fliall  find  fome  honeftie  in  their  Jiues, 
at  leailwifeall  of  them  fhall  not  bee  whoremongers,  drunkardes,  or 
theeues.  How  then  doth  S.  Paule  call  them  fleflily  c'  Bycaufe  m,an« 
ItrAjK^,  Ijiirt^as  fayeththe  Prophet€leremie)isadeepe  gulfe  of  inii^uitie, 
wherof  there  is  nother  banke  nor  bottom  to  be  found,and  that  doth 
the  Prophet  well  bewray  in  faying,  what  a  gulfe  is  the  hart  of  man, 
and  who  is  able  to  foucd  it :'  None  but  God  (fayeth  he).  For  we  fee 
how  men  flatter  themfelues,and  are  fo  feftred  in  their  naughtineflTe, 
and  fo  hardened  in  their  finnes,that  they  heapc  mifchiefe  vpon  niif- 

chiefe, 


the  EpiH.to  the(jalathians.        ijz 

dbiefe,and  finnc  vpon  (inne.and  beare  themfelues  in  hand  that  their 
vyxcs  are  vertucs,but  yer  their  lyfe  (halihaue  fome  fayre  fliew  snd 
glolTe  vppon  ii.  But  yet  doth  it  not  therefore  followc,  that  fnche  as 
hauenot  bin  taught  are  iuftitied.  For  when  as  Sain^l  Pcule  in  the 
firft  too  the  Romanes  fayeth,  that  all  theworldc  is  condtn-ncdof  2^^on7.f.f. 
wickedncfle  and  vnthankfnlnefle,  in  afmuch  ss  God  had  fo flicwcd  20. 
himfclfe  to  all  men  without  exception,  as  fuffizcth  too  take  awny  dl 
cxcuce  from  them :  he  addcth,  that  bycaufe  they  honored  not  Gcd 
as  they  ought  to  haue  done  when  they  knewe  him,  therefore  he  did 
caft  them  vp  into  a  lewde  minde,  and  giiie  them  ouer  too  fhamefull 
and  outrageous  luftes :  and  therevpon  he  reherceth  horrible  things. 
Among  whiche,  he  fetteth  downe  whoredome,  murther,  and  other 
wickedneffe  and  vncleannefTe,  fuch  as  ought  not  to  be  once  named 
among  men.  After  them,  he  fetteth  downe  enuie,  lewde  dealing  in 
buying  and  felling ,  guyiehilneffe,  periurie,  hatred,  flryfe,  and  de- 
bate. Go  too  now,  all  this  geerewas  not  knowen  among  thevn- 
beleeuers,  and  yet  notwithftandingSain^  Paule  fayeth  that  all  of 
them  from  the  greatefl  too  the  ieall:,  were  thankclefle  towardes 
God,and  had  defrauded  him  of  his  due  honour,  and  therefore  were 
all  traytors,  for  they  had  plucked  from  him  the  thing  that  was  his 
ownc,  and  therefore  he  payde  them  their  dcferued  wages,  namely 
bycaufe  the  feedc  of  all  fmne  is  too  bee  found  in  mannes  nature.  All 
men  then  are  fraught  with  as  many  vyces  as  can  bee  deuized :  but 
yet  dothe  God  holde  them  fhorte,  fo  as  he  fuffereth  not  men  too 
giuc  oucr  themfelues  to  all  naughtinefTe.  And  for  proofe  thereof, 
many  Infidelles  whiche  haue  not  naturall  reafon  to  gouerne  them- 
felues withal,are  notwithftading  chafte  &:  fhamefa(l,thc^'fpoyle  not 
otherme  of  their  goods,they  be  fober  &  honeft,and  to  bc{hort,they 
haue  many  vertucs  after  the  opinio  of  the  world.  And  why  then  arc 
they  condemned  as  whorehunters,  thceues,  and  drunkardes  <  It 
is  bycaufe  they  haue  not  thofc  vermes  in  obedience  vntoo  God, 
nothet  is  there  any  foundncfle  in  their  harte :  but  they  bee  rcftray- 
ncd  with  fearc  of  fhamc,  or  hilde  in  the  way  by  fome  other  meanes 
vnknowcn  too  vs.  But  yet  doothc  God  by  that  meanes  fpare 
mankindc,  too  the  endc  that  things  (hould  not  go  toohauocke,nor 
mennc  become  altogichcr  brate  beaftcs.  God  then  doothfo  rule 

the 


Chap.y.  fo.Cal.xxxyj.Sermonypon 

the  vnbelccutrs,  as  that  their  vcrtucs  (hcwfocuer  the  worldegd) 

cealfe  not  to  be  finfull  ftill.  And  therefore  v^pon  euery  light  occafio 

they  giue  themfelues  too  all  naughtinefTe,  whenfoeuer  God  giueth 

them  the  brj^dlc.  If  it  bee  fayd  that  the  faythfull  alfo  do  cuerfhoote 

themfelues :  I  graunt  it :  but  yet  hath  God  promifed  to  flrengthen 

them/o  as  they  fhall  holde  oiit  too  the  end.  Againe  there  is  great 

diuerfitie  bctweene  Gods  children  that  are  gouerned  by  his  fpirit, 

and  the  faythleiTc  that  are  ftill  fiefhely.  For  the  intent  and  drifte  of 

Gods  children's  to  dedicate  themfelues  wholly  vnto  him,that  they 

may  be  made  pure  through  his  grace :  but  the  other  forte  walke  at 

rouers,  and  when  they  doo  any  good,  they  fcarfly  hatie  the  skill  too 

know  why  they  do  it.T  he)^  may  well  haue  the  woord  vertue  in  their 

inouthes  :but  yet  for  al  t hat, their  goyng  is  not  to  godward,but  they 

iscepe  ftill  a  loofe  from  him.  This  in  effed  is  the  thing  that  we  haue 

to  gather  vpon  this  ftreyne.  No  we  on  the  otherfide  S.Paule  fayeth, 

that  the  frutes  of  die  fpirit  are  ioy€,feace,meek€wJfe,gentkn€Jf€,fatmt^ 

veffe,and  fuch  other  like.  As  if  be  {hould  fay,that  (^fidering  our  great 

frowardnefTe  and  that  there  is  nothing  in  vs  but  corruption  atid 

naughtinefTe :  we  haue  ynough  wherewith  to  keepe  our  felues  6c- 

cupied/o  as  we  fhall  notneede  to  be  idle  all  our  lyfe  long,  if  wee  do 

nothing  elfe  but  fight  agaynft  our  owne  vices :  we  fhall  finde  ynough 

there,  to  buzie  our  felues  with  bothe  day  and  night.  Againe  on  the 

othcr{ide,fith  vv^^  be  commaunded  to  be  meelde  and  gentle,  to  liuc 

fober  and  chafte  in  all  rcfpe6ls,to  keepe  our  felues  from  all  defiling, 

to  offer  our  felues  as  it  were  in  facrifize  vnto  God, to  forbeare  from 

all  harmc  or  anoyance,  and  in  ftead  of  feeking  our  owne  profite  too 

ftreyne  onr  felues  to  the  vttermoft  to  fuccour  and  help  fuch  as  haue 

necde  oFvs :  fith  we  fee  that  all  this  is  commaunded  vs  :  is  it  pcfsi- 

ble  for  vs  too  brin^  it  to  pafle  C'  No  :  and  yetthe  matter  concerneth 

our  catching;  vp  into  heauen,that  we  might  be  neere  vnto  God.  For 

the  holynsfle  that  is  required  in  the  la  we,  and  all  the  good  workes  • 

that  God  commaundeth  vs,  are  as  a  knitting  of  him  vnto  vs,  and  of 

vs  vnto  him.  But  where  are  now  the  winges  that  (hould  carie  vs  vp ' 

fo  high  'i  For  wee  can  be  noihcr  chafte,  nor  kindharted,  r  or  gentle, 

nor  modeft,nor  fober :  vnlefte  we  be  quite  and  cleane  plucked  frorn ' 

^flix  owne  nature^  by  forfaking  both  die  worlde  and  our  ielues.  But 

that 


the  Episijo  the  (jalathiam.     i  y^ 

that  pafleth  all  our  abilitie.  Then  is  there  heere  vvherwith  to  abaflie 
VS.But  mark  how  S.Paule  for  conclufion  fayth,  that  there  is  no  Utos 
dge'mSifucb  things.  That  is  to  fay,  if  we  be  once  gouemed  by  Gods 
fpirit;then  fhall  we  no  more  bee  fubie6l  too  the  lawe.  It  is  true  that 
heere  he  giueth  corage  to  all  the  faithful!,  bicaufe  they  dial  alwaycs 
feele  infirmitie  in  themfelues,  till  they  bee  quite  rid  of  this  mortal! 
body.  But  howfoeuer  the  cace  (land;  feeyng  that  God  holdeth  the 
vp,  and  cefleth  not  too  accept  theyr  feruice  thoughe  they  bee  not 
throughly  and  perfe6tly  reformed  :  therfore  they  may  bee  able  too 
hold  out,  wheras  otherwile  they  fhould  bee  combered  and  fall  into 
difpaire.S.PauIe  then  ment  too  exhort  vs  heere  vntoo  conftancie, 
faying  that  if  we  bee  gouemed  by  Gods  fpirit,  we  be  no  more  fub- 
ied  too  the  lawe.  But  yet  therwiihall  he  <M6.  aifo  gyue  an  indu*e6l 
taunt  to  thofe  ageinll  v/hom  he  difputeth,as  wee  haue  feen  already 
this  moming.For  the  things  which  they  had  for  their  vertues  were 
butgewgawes.  Like  as  in  thefe  dayQS  in  poperie,  if  a  man  fpeake  of 
their  hoiineffe  and  their  feruingofGod  ;  it  is  nothing  elfebuta 
making  of  moppes  and  mowes,and  a  fort  of  Ceremonies  that  is  to 
fay,a  deele  of  pelting,  trafli.  When  a  Papid  mumbleth  vp  his  mat- 
tins,  when  he  hay  leth  or  greeteth  a  puppet,  when  he  gaddeth  from 
altar  to  altar,  when  thefe  hypocrites  haue  lighted  vp  their  candles, 
when  they  haue  fprmkled  themfelues  well  with  holiwater,  when 
tliey  haue  well  crofl  ed  and  recroffed  thefelues  both  before  &  be- 
hind, when  they  haue  fafted  Lent  wel,.&  to  be  fhort  whe  they  haue 
ouerlabored  diemfelues  to  redeeme  themfelues  eythcr  by  Mafles 
or  by  other  abhominations :  that  is  their  feruing  and  honouring  of 
God.Befides  this,if  tl\ere  be  a  faire  Lamp  in  the  Church,  if  the  Or- 
ganes  pipe  merily,  if  there  be  (lore  of  gay  copes  and  veftimentes,if 
the  puppets  bee  well  gilded,  if  men  perhime  them  throughly  and 
feeke  their  fauor  with  many  other  fuch  dotages :  that  is  all  the  per- 
fection of  the  Papiftes.  And  yet  is  it  butftarke  leafing,  yea  and  ve- 
riegcwgawes,  or  rather  vtter  abhominations,  how  great  vertues 
fo  cucr  they  eftecme  them  to  be.  But  we  on  our  fide  fay  that  Gods 
fcraice  is  fpirituall,  atl'd  that  he  regardeth  not  the  things  that  are  lohn.^x, 
feene  of  men,  but  requireth  a  ryght  vncormptneffe  and  found-  23. 
ncITeofhane,  accordyng  as  it  isfaydc  in  the  fyftlie  of  leremie.  hre,^*  4.  J. 

Mm,  Con- 


Chap.j.  fo.Cal.xxxyjJermon  '))pon 

Contrariwife  men  perfwade  thefelues  that  they  fhill  content  God 
after  their  owne  fafhion  &  after  their  owne  cuftomes,  &  therefore 
riiey  tranlTorme  him,  imagining  him  too  bee  like  themfelues  too 
follovve  their  luftes  and  likings.  And  no  maruel  though  they  do  fo. 
For  although  they  profeffe  themfelues  to  bee  learned  in  the  lawe : 
yet  doo  they  not  let  their  minds  vpon  it,  neither  wote  they  what  it 
conteyneth.  Therfore  let  vs  learne,  that  if  wee  mind  too  giue  our 
felues  too  theferuing  of  God,  wee  muft  not  buz  about  our  owne 
Jiking  &  good  intents(as  they  terme  thsmj  which  are  nothing  elfe 
but  illufions  of  Satan-.butwee  muft  looke  what  God  comaundeth 
vs,and  wherin  he  will  haue  vs  to  occupie  ourfelues,  which  arc  the 
true  ftudies  that  will  bring  vs  too  tlie  yeelding  of  obedience  vntoo 
him.  And  it  ftandeth  vs  on  hand  too  marke  well  the  text  that  is  fet 
f^  downe  heere-.which  is,  that  if  wee  weerie  ourfelues  neuer  fo  much 

in  our  owne  inuentions :  wee  cannot  fay  that  God  acceptethany 
whft  of  it :  for  wee  continue  flill  in  our  owne  nature,  which  is  fro- 
%vard.V\^heraboutes  then  doth  God  imply  vs :'  What  is  it  that  he 
requircth  of  vs  c'  Firft  that  wee  fhould  forfake  all  fro  wardnefTejha-* 
tred,  rancor,  diflenfion,  guyle,  harmefulnelTe,  blafphemie^  Ido- 
latrie,  crueltie,  feercenelTe,  treacherie,  fpytefulnelTe,  and  en- 
cnmitie.  Thus  yec  fee  how  wee  may  become  good  men  of  waire^ 
too  g^'ue  our  felues  too  the  feruing  of  God,  namely  by  fyghting  a- 
geinil  the  woorkes  of  the  flefhe,  not  ageinft  the  wootkes  that  are 
manifeft,  ^  which  the  world  condemneth  or  allovvethibut  ageinfi: 
the  luftes  that  Jurke  in  couert.  Let  vs  firft  clcnze  ourfelues  from 
the  filthinefTe  that  lyeth  feftering  within  our  hartes :  and  afterward 
apply  our  whole  indeuer  to  the  other,  Not  that  we  can  do  it  of  our 
felues :  but  let  vs  bee  diligent  in  praying  vntoo  God,  let  euery  of 
vsftirre  vp  himfelfe  earely  and  late,  morning  andeuening,  and 
vppon  knowledge  of  our  vices,let  vs  be  moued  too  forinefle,  and 
feeke  fuccour  from  whence  it  ought  to  come:tliat  is  to  wit  at  Gods 
hand  who  muft  remedie  the  fore  that  he  hath  made.  Tlien  if  we  in- 
deuer our  felues  too  the  vttermoft  toleade  a  bliifed  lyfe,  too  bee 
meeke  and  meelde,too  bee  patient  in  adueifitie,  and  too  put  vp  ail 
wrongs  and  outrages  without  feeking  of  vengeance :  wee  fbal  haue 
yoough  wherwi^h  to  occupie  our  wits^aad  to  kepe  Qvir  ielues  froca 


the  EpislJo  the  (jalathians.     i  j^ 

WIcnefle.  And  as  for  the  Papiftcs,  let  vs  let  them  alone  feingthey 
dally  fo  with  God  For  why  doo  they  trot  vp  and  downe  after  that 
fafhyon  c'  It  is  bycaufe  they  neuer  knewe  hovvc  God  will  be  ferued 
and  honoured :  and  therefore  ( too  theyr  feemyng )  all  that  God 
hath  ordeyncd  is  nothing  woorth  in  comparifon  of  their  own  foo- 
li/he  inuentions.  As  for  example,  if  a  man  trauell  honeftly  for  hys 
liuing,although  he  haue  not  his  fil  of  Browne  bread,  yet  ceafTeth  he 
not  to  call  vppon  God  in  the  morning,  and  too  yeeld  him  praife  at 
ni»ht.  And  iFhe  haue  children,  he  fpareth  al  that  he  can  too  feedc 
them  and  clothe  them  withall.  AgeineifGod  fende  himaffliili- 
ons  in  his  houfe,he  beareth  them  patiaitly.  If  he  bee  a  handicrafts 
man^  or  haue  fome  other  trade  of  occupying  :  he  abfteyneth  from 
deceyuing  of  his  neybors,  and  he  had  leuer  dye  than  doo  any  man 
wrong.  Now  when  a  man  walketh  after  fuch  fort,  fo  that  he  is  firft 
ofhoneft  conuerfation,  and  fecondly  there  is  no  pryde  in  him  too 
aduaunce  himfelfe  aboue  other  out  of  meafure,  he  is  not  giuen  too 
looceneflejbut  is  fober  in  eating  and  drinking,  and  patieiu  in  al  ad- 
uerfitiesiwhat  is  fuch  a  man  among  the  Papirtes :'  He  is(fay  they)a 
fecular  man :  that  is  too  fay,a  man  of  the  world.  Thus  yee  fee  what 
they  efteeme  to  bee  purenefTe  in  the  feruice  of  God.  But  we  know 
that  the  cheefferuice  which  God  requireth,is  that  we  fhould whol- 
ly drawe  to  his  Lure,that  we  fhould  glorifie  him  both  in  weale  and 
wo,  that  wee  fhould  walk  euery  man  in  his  owne  calling,  and  that 
there  bee  neither  pride,  vainglorie,  nor  enuie  in  vs.  Thofe  are  the 
things  that  God  alloweth.  But  according  to  the  Papifts  definition, 
they  that  behaue  themfelues  fo,  are  of  the  worlde.  And  where  are 
the  popifhe  Angells  in  this  while  <  In  fome  Cloyfter.  When  thcfe 
ftameleffe  hypocrites  haue  glutted  themfelues  too  the  full,  and 
madeluftie  cheere :  they  wote  not  whereaboutes  to  occupie  them- 
felues, but  eyther  in  gaming,or  elfe  in  ail  manner  of  wickednelTe  : 
for  it  is  well  knowen  that  all  the  .Couentes  of  the  Popedome  are 
ftarkc  brothelhoufcs.  And  woulde  God  they  were  not  woorfe 
than  brothelhoufes  :  for  there  are  committed  fo  outrageous  and 
bcaftlydeedes,  as  would  make  a  mannes  hearetooftandvpfti^e 
Vppon  hys  head  too  heere  them  fpoken  off.  Tco  bee  ll)Qrte^  that 
ftue  gf  theirs  is  horrible. 

Mm.ij»  And 


chap.5:  fo.Cal.xxxvj.fermon  ypon 

Arid  yet  for  all  that,  they  be  Angells  in  refpeft  of  the  poorc  foulc* 
that  behaue  themfelues  after  the  manner  aforefaid.  And  why :'  By- 
caufe  they  fing  mattins  very  deuoutly,8c  chaunt  mafTe  by  notCjand 
are  feparated  fro  the  reft  of  the  world,  fo  as  they  be  not  put  to  di^-^ 
ging  of  the  earth,  nor  meddle  not  v/ith  fhoomakers  craft  or  tailers 
craft,nor  with  any  trade  elfe :  but  giue  themfelues(ye  may  be  fure) 
to  a  contemplatiue  life,and  to  the  ftate  of  perfe6lion.  Is  it  not  ap- 
parant  that  the  world  hath  bin  vtterly  fotted  with  them  c'  But  fuch 
people  as  haue  fo  transformed  God  into  puppets,  are  well  worthy 
£0  be  plundged  in  fo  grofle  Sc  vnreafonable  errors.But  for  our  part 
let  vs  allure  our  felues  that  we  haue  a  God  which  is  a  fpi:  it,  Sc  will 
be  ferued  fpiritually  as  he  fheweth  vs  by  his  word.  Theifore  let  vS 
be  afrayd  too  bee  vnder  die  fond  fancies  wherwith  thofe  miferable 
wretches  are  bewitched  :  &  let  vs  cofider  that  Gods  comunicating 
of  himfeif  vnto  vs,is  to  the  end  that  we  fhould  repaire  vnto  him  ia 
al  holine{re,rightuourneire,andfaithfulneire,  and  therwidiall  exa- 
mine our  Hues  by  his  law, &  not  by  our  owne  opinion,or  by  the  o- 
pinion  of  the  world  Agein  let  vs  alfo  haue  an  eye  to  that  which  he 
alloweth  or  forbiddeth,for  it  is  he  to  whom  we  muft  yeeld  vp  our 
sccount,and  we  fhal  haue  none  other  iudge  but  him  alone.  There- 
fore let  vs  looke  to  all  thefe  things  &  exercife  ourfelues  in  them, 
knowing  that  we  fhal  not  loze  our  labor  in  being  fo  occupied^:  and 
let  vs  let  the  Papiftes  alone, which  breake  both  their  iegges  Sc  their 
necks,  8c  know  not  what  they  do;,  Cmin^  that  they  grieue  God  and 
prouoke  him  more  Sc  more.  To  the  end  then  that  we  trauel  not  in 
vain,nor  wander  heere  Sc  there  after  opinions,  without  hauing  any 
certen  mark  to  ame  at.Let  vs  exercife  ourfelues  in  the  thing  that  S, 
Paule  teacheth  vs  in  this  texte,  Sc  then  fhal  we  not  be  condemned 
for  buzying  of  our  heads  about  things  of  nothing,  which  God  bla^ 
meth  and  miflikcth,and  alfo  auoweth  to  be  but  trifles. 

^Nowe  let  vs  caft  our  felues  downe  before  the  Maieftie  of  our 
good  God,  with  acknowledgment  of  our  faultes,  praying  him  toa 
make  vs  fo  to  feele  them,as  it  may  beate  vs  quite  down©,  8c  that  we 
.  being  condemned  in  our  felues  may  refort  vnto  him,knowing  thas 
he  is  alwayes  ready  to  fuccor  fuch  as  thirft  after  his  grace  and  long 
for  it  vnfeynediy ;  and  that  fga:alhwch  as  he  hath  giuen  vs  too  our 

'■  Lord; 


the  Spi^.to  the  (jalathians.      1 75 

Lord  Icfus  Chrift,  &  Chrifl  hath  taken  vs  into  his  keeping :  it  may 
pleafe  him  too  poure  out  the  treafures  and  giTtes  of  his  holy  Ipirit 
vpon  vs,  too  make  vs  partakers  therof,  and  too  increafe  his  grace 
more  and  more  in  vs,that  wee  may  be  fo  fenced  with  it,as  wee  may 
obteinevi6torie  ageinft  ail  Satans  aflaultes,  and  agcinft  the  world 
and  our  owne  fle(h.  T  hat  it  may  pleafe  him  to  graunt  this  grace  not 
only  to  vsbutalfo  to  all  people. &c. 

The. ij. Sermon  ^ivbtch  is  thefeuenth 

\>^on  the  fifth  Chapter. 

XI    Butthe  frnite  of  the  fpiric  are  loue,  ioy,  pcacc^  pnci- 

cntneffi^^gcncleneffcjgoodndrejhuh, 
2,3    Meekcneffe^tcniperancc^againft  fiich  things  there  is 

no  Lavve. 
24    Novve^^theythatarcofChrift,  hauecriicifyedche 

flelli  with  the  affc£tions  and  luftcs therof. 
Z)    If  vvcc  Hue  after  the  (pint,  let  vs  alfo  v  valke  after  the 

fpirit. 
%S    Let  vs  notbedefirous  ofvainglory,  prouokingonc 

another,  and  enuying one  another. 

Ee  hauc  feen  heretofort',  thst  ifwe  be  v,  illing 
too  ferue  God,  wee fhall  find  yncugh  where- 
with too  occupie  ourfelues  in  chaflizing  our 
viceSjif  euery  of  vs  c5nder  to  how  much  cor- 
ruption Sc  ilnfulnefle  he  is  (iiliec^.Anu  Uin.^ 
Paule  hath  purpofely  fet  afore  vs  thefnnes 
that  reigne  in  vs  by  nature,  too  the  intent  we 
might  know  vvhervpon  to  fet  our  minds  to  frame  ourfelues  aric^h.t 
to  the  obeying  of  God.  For  we  fee  how  mc  bufic  themfelues  about 
trillmg  things  in  fh^wing  themfelues  willing  too  feme  God :  they 
tradge  too  &  fro  without  end  or  mcafure.Howbeit,  all  is  but  vr.ine 
Sc  vnprofitable  labor,according  as  we  fee  in  the  Popedome,  where 
mc  giue  the  name  of  Gcds  feruis  to  a  fort  cf  toyes  that  they  haue 

Mm.2ij.  deuifed 


Chap.5.         fo.Cal.xxxyij.Sermonypon 

dcuifed  of  their  own  brayn.And  yet  in  al  tliofe  things  though  they 
hke  neuer  To  vvel  of  them,ancl  glorie  in  them  neuer  fo  much,  there 
is  nought  elfe  but  vanitie,anci  in  the  mean  while  they  neuer  pafle  of 
coming  to  the  principal -.for  the  world  doth  alway  feeke  windlaffes. 
But  God  fetteth  the  ryght  way  before  vs  in  his  kw6:and  iFwe  in- 
tend to  go  foreward  to  the  tme  perfe6lion  vnfeynedly,  wee  muft 
begin  at  the  forfaking  of  ourfelues,  by caufe  there  is  no  wifdome  in 
vs  that  is  not  curfed^no  thought  that  is  not  wicked,  nor  no  defyre 
that  is  not  froward  Sc  corrupted.  For  this  caufe  S.  Paul  told  vs  be- 
fore,that  if  men  be  minded  to  order  their  life  well,  firfte  they  (hall 
finde  inough  to  occupy  thefelues  withal,  if  euery  man  cofder  what 
a  number  of  intagled  and  wicked  lufts  he  hath  in  him  to  be  cut  vp: 
which  thing  wil  not  be  done  out  of  had.And  alfo  S.Paul  fpake  thefe 
words  purpofely  to  fuch  as  buzied  thefelues'about  the  Ceremonies 
of  the  lawe.For  although  they  faid  generally  that  the  things  which 
God  had  commaunded  were  to  be  fulfilled :  yet  the  cheefe  thinges 
that  theymade  account  of, were  Circumcilion  8c  the  Ceremonies. 
Now  herevpon  S.Paule  telleth  vs  that  God  wil  haue  vs  occupied 
about  greater  matters:that  is  to  wit,he  wil  haue  vs  to  fight  mafully 
ageind  the  gret  number  of  things  that  turne  vs  afide  from  the  right 
way.And  now  he  addeth  on  the  contrary  parte,  that  thefrutcs  of  the 
Jpiriie are  louingueffet  ?neeidncjj~e,  s,t^tleneffejmekene/fe,  Jldyednejfe,  and 
Jtiche  other  lyhe  thjngs,'5n^  that  when  all  thyngs  are  thus  well  ruled, 
thelawe  hath  no  more  power  ouer  vs,  for  wee  be  fet  free  from  it, 
bycaufe  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifl  who  hath  exempted  vs  from  it,  go- 
uemeth  vs.To  be  (hort,  the  marke  that  he  fhooteth  at,is  that  Chri- 
ftians  fhuld  be  free  from  the  bondage  of  the  law.Not  all  tliofe  whi- 
che  haue  the  name  of  ChrifHanitic  in  tlieir  mouth,  or  which  make 
their  braggs  of  if.but  fuch  as  fhewe  by  their  deeds  that  they  be  me- 
bers  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl,inafmuchas  they  be  begotte  agein  by 
his  holy  fpirit.For  mens  lines  muft  be  anfwerable  therevnto,or  d^o. 
all  their  proteftations  are  nothing  worth,yea  Sc  they  fhalbe  proued 
Lyers,  vnleffe  it  appeare  by  their  works  that  they  ipeake  mily  and 
vnfeinedly.Befides  this,  wheras  S.  Paule  fayth  that  all  vertues,  all 
goodnes,&  al  comendable  things  are  frutes  of  the  fpirit:  therby  he 
cofirmeth  the  thing  that  I  told  you  heretofore;which  iS;,that  if  ther 
'  be 


the6pi^.tothe(jalathians.      276 

be  any  one  drop  of  goodnes  in  vs,thc  fame  is  not  of  our  own  gro- 
wing, neither  can  we  chalege  the  praife  of  it, without  doing  wrong 
and  iniurie  vnto  God.For  they  be  all  of  them  frutes  of  his  grace,& 
he  is  faine  to  put  them  into  vs  by  his  hoHe  fpirite.  Ye  fee  then  that 
here  againe  we  be  humbled,  to  the  end  that  none  of  vs  (hould  de- 
ceiue  himfelf  in  thinl^ing  that  he  hath  any  venue  or  ftayednefle,  or 
[ouingnelTe,or  any  other  Hke  thing  of  his  own.  For  vntil  fuch  time 
as  God  haue  fhaped  vs  new  ageyne,  we  be  Hke  a  peece  of  grounde 
that  is  barrein  yea  and  ftarke  naught.  For  we  not  only  beare  not 
any  good  thing :  but  alfo  bring  forth  exceeding  much  euill,  till  our 
Lord  haue  rid  vs  of  it :  like  a  naughtie  grounde,  whiche  not  onely 
is  vnprofitable  too  the  owner  in  that  it  yeldeth  him  neither  corne, 
wine,nor  other  neceffary  things :  but  alfo  bringeth  foorth  thiftles, 
tliomes,&  wicked  weeds.  Euen  at  the  fame  point  are  we.Andnow 
wee  haue  to  marke, (according  alfo  as  S  Paule  hath  declared  heere- 
tofore)rhat  loue  is  the  fumme  and  fubftance  of  the  lawe  :  which  he 
hath  fet  down  here  in  the  formoft  ranke,  not  to  make  vs  forget  the 
calling  vpcn  God,nor  the  affiance  which  we  oui,hte  to  haue  in  all 
his  promifes,  and  the  whole  fcruice  that  is  conteined  in  the  fiiifl  ta- 
ble of  the  law.  S. Paule  holdeth  not  fcorne  of  thofe  things,  neither 
would  he  haue  them  reie6led:but  the  matter  that  he  treateth  of,  is 
how  men  may  giue  (lire  proofe  to  the  worldward,whether  thty  be 
rightly  mynded  to  the  obeying  of  God  or  no.  And  I  haue  told  you 
alreadie,  that  fuch  proof  is  feene  by  our  louin^  of  our  neyghbours, 
when  wee  bee  not  giuen  euery  man  too  his  owne  profyte,  but  la- 
boure  in  common  too  nounfhe  good  peace  and  vnitie,  and  put  to 
our  helping  hande  alfo  To  farre  as  God  giueth  vs  abilitie  Sc  meanes 
Wherwith  to  do  them  good  to  whom  we  be  bound  by  his  woorde. 
Thus  yee  fee  why  S.  Paule  fetteth  downe  the  woorde  Loue  in  the 
firftplace.lt  is  not  to  the  intent  we  fhould  fo  loue  our  neyghbours, 
that  God  fliould  be  thruft  backe  behynde  vs :  but  bycaufe  that  in 
hauyng  mutuall  loue  and  frendfhip  one  with  an  other,  wee  (hewe 
oui'felues  to  be  rightly  giue  &  dedicated  to  god:  which  thing  canot 
be  without  putting  of  our  whole  trufl  m  him ,  nor  without  refortlg 
vnto  him  by  praier  and  fupplication.  Furthermore  feing  that  all  the 
things  \\  hich  beare  the  name  of  vertue,  and  arc  iuftly  commended 

Mm.iiij.  among 


Chap.^.  ^0^  CaLxxxyij. Sermon  ypon 

among  me,are  called  the  frutes  of  the  fpirit:  furely  it  is  much  more 
Jiivcly  that  when  we  Hiould  come  vnto  God;  and  bee  armed  ageinft 
all  tcmptat{ons,and  be  earned  in  praying  by  meanes  of  faith.we  be 
not  ready  for  it  if  the  holy  Ghoft  worke  not  in  vs.Then  of  natural 
inclination  there  is  not  any  thing  in  vs  wherby  we  take  hold  of  the 
do6lrine  of  the  Gofpell :  neidier  are  wee  To  lightfome  as  to  mount 
vp  vnto  God,to  talke  familiarly  with  him  by  prayer  and  fuppiica- 
tion,but  the  holy  Ghoft  muft:  diTpofe  vs  too  it,by  inlightening  our 
harts  with  his  grace,Sc  by  mouing  our  harts  to  cal  \'po  him.Lo  what 
we  haue  to  remeber  heere.Now  wheras  S.  Paule  matcheth  ioy  with 
Joue,it  is  not  only  to  do  vs  to  vnderftand  that  we  fhall  be  quiet  to 
Godwardpand  haue  cheerfull  hartes,  when  he  fhall  haue  receyued 
vs  to  mercie  and  fliew  ed  himfelfe  too  fauor  vs :  but  he  fpeaketh  of 
another  kind  of  ioy,  which  is  that  there  bee  no  hartbuming  among 
vs  to  make  vs  lowre  one  at  another,  nor  fpite  to  withdrawe  vs  fro 
our  neybors'.but  tliat  we  be  gentle  &  fellowlike,yea  and  that  we  be 
glad  when  wee  can  ayde  and  fuccor  them  that  haue  neede  ofVs.  In 
%om.  14.  f.  the.xiiij.to  the  Romans  S.Paul  faith;  that  the  kingdome  of  heaue  is 
'7'  ioy  of  fpirit :  howbeit  he  taketh  that  word  in  another  meaning.  For 

wee  may  reioyce  in  God  when  he  wirneiTeth  vnto  vs  that  he  recei- 
ueth  vs  for  our  Lord  Icfus  Chriftes  fake, and  without  that, we  muft 
ncedes  be  vexed  and  turmoyled  with  fuch  vnrcft,  as  we  fhal  liue  in 
continual  trouble.lt  is  tme  that  the  defpifers  of  God  do  fport  the- 
felues  as  much  as  may  be  in  their  iollitie  :  but  yet  haue  they  neuer 
any  reft  or  ioy  :  for  they  bee  faine  too  fuffer  much  haitburning  in- 
V'ardly,andGod  dooth  fofting  them  with  fundryhartbytings,  aS 
they  be  nlwayes  in  heauinefle  and  vexation  :  in  fo  much  that  when 
they  would  be  merrie;they  be  faine  to  play  the  brute  beafts,  and  to 
fhaivc  off  al  vnderftandmg,  fo  as  the  difcerning  of  good  and  etiill  is 
quite  and  cleane  daunted  inthem.Now  it  is  a  cuifedioy  when  men 
ftray  away  after  that  fafhion  from  God,  and  forget  what  they  bee. 
But  (as  I  haue  told  you  already  )S.Paule  fpeaketh  heere  of  the  ioy 
that  we  haue  in  being  conuerfant  with  our  neybors.  And  after  the 
fame  maner  alfo  is  the  word  fayth  taken :  that  is  to  w  it  for  faithful- 
ncffe  and  foundneffc  of  hart.  There  is  a  faith  that  refpe6l^th  God, 
and  that  is  the  fvire  beleef  which  we  haue  of  his  promifeS;  according 

wher- 


the  EpiB.  to  the  (^atathiam.       277 

wherevnto  it  is  fayde  that  wee  bee  iuftified  by  fayth,  bicaiife  ir  ap-  %om  ^,4.h 
peareth  that  God  abolifhcth  and  mortiiieth  in  vs  whatfoeuer  is  of 
our  owne  nature.  Therefore  [in  that  faythj  wee  muft  bee  groun- 
ded vpon  Gods  onely  mercy  which  is  (licwed  vs  in  our  Lorde  le- 
fus  Chrift.  But  howe  come  wee  to  the  pofTefsing  of  fo  grent  a  be- 
nefite  C'  By  trailing  vnto  Gods  proniifes ,  and  by  receyuing  them 
with  all  obedientnefTe,  acknowledging  our  feiues  to  bee  damned 
and  forlorne^and  refting  onely  vpon  him.  Yee  fee  then  that  oure 
fayth  which  refpe^leth  God,  is  an  alTurance  whiche  wee  conceyuc 
of  his  goodnefle  and  loue  towards  vs,  to  the  ende  wee  may  preace 
vnto  him,  not  doubting  but  that  he  heareth  vs.  And  for  that  caufc 
alfo  S.Paule  fayth,  that  thofe  whiche  haue  fuche  fayth ,  doo  truil: 
boldly  in  God,  and  therewithalldoo  alio  freely  and  boldly  pray 
vnto  him.  But  in  this  prefent  texte,  S.  Paule  takedi  fayth  for  the 
faythfulneffe  which  wee  perfourme  one  to  another  when  we  walke 
vprightly,  fo  as  wee  go  not  about  to  deceiue  our  neybour  through 
lewdnelle  or  futtletie,  nor  vfe  any  double  dealing,  nor  any  difsi- 
mulation  to  wind  about  the  fimple,  but  do  the  fame  to  other  lolk 
which  wee  would  haue  done  to  our  feiues.  Thus  yee  fee  howe  S. 
Paule  meeneth  that  fayth  is  a  frute  of  the  fpirite.  Nowe  he  addeth 
Meel^nejfe  and  gent  lenej^,  bicaufe  that  without  them  it  were  impof- 
fible  that  there  fhould  bee  any  vnitie  or  concorde  among  vs.  For 
if  euery  man  fhould  bee  terrible  and  voyde  of  gentlenefle,  it  were 
muche  better  forvs  that  wee  were  wylde  bcaftes.  Therefore  wee 
muftfhewe  awillingnefle  to  communicate  with  thofe  to  who  me 
God  hath  linked  vs.  Too  bee  (liorte,Loue  is  maynteyned  by  thys 
meekneflejgoodneffc,  and  gentlenefle  whereof  S.  Paule  fpeakcti 
heere.  And  now  immcdiatl/  he  addeth,  Temperiaue[ov  ftaye(inej]'er\ 
which  is  not  onely  an  abfteyning  from  other  mens  goods,  but  al- 
fo a  foberbehauiour,  and  a  keeping  of  our  feiues  from  ail  looce- 
nefle,exce{re,and  outrage.  To  beefhorte,  S.  Paule  hath  fet  downe 
thefe  vertues  whiche  he  lehearfeth,  for  Cliriftians,  as  if  he  fhoulde 
fay,  that  if  we  be  gouerned  by  the  fpirite  of  our  Lord  lefus  ChrilV, 
it  may  well  bee  feene  and  iudged  by  our  life,  for  as  muche  as  wee 
(hall  be  fb  hilde  in  awe,  that  wee  fliall  not  runne  at  rouers  as  thefe 
looce  lyuers  doo^  but  we  (hall  be  charitable  and  kindharted  one  to 

"        JSIm.v.        '"  another, 


chap.5.  fo.CaLxxxyij.Sermnypon 

another/o  as  there  fhall  be  no  wrang]ing,rio  guyle,  nor  no  extor- 
tion in  vs,but  euery  of  vs  (Tiall  content  him  felfe  with  his  owne,& 
indeuer  to  ferue  one  anothcrs  turne.But  yet  notvvithftanding  wee 
fee  that  all  good  commeth  of  Gods  fpirite.  Neuertheleffeweefec 
alfo  that  our  Lordlefus  Chrift  is  the  fountayne  out  of  whiche  wee 
mud  draw.  And  that  if  wee  be  his,  and  belong  vnto  him  as  mebers 
of  his  body,he  will  fhew  in  all  our  whole  life,  that  his  receiuing  of 
vs,and  his  auowing  ol:  vs  to  be  his  chil-dren,is  not  in  vayne.Heere- 
T*  ho  ^T^"  S.Paule  concludeth,  that  agaynsffkch  )'c^/ft«,(or  agaynft  the 
•  *  '  *  *  men  that  are  indued  with  them)  the  la^  hath  no  poM^er  nor  force  At  al. 
And  therfore  he  fayth  in  the  firft  to  ilmothie,that  the  Lawe  is  not 
giuen  to  the  righteous,  but  to  the  vnrighteous,  and  to  fuch  as  rufh 
out  into  offences  and  mifdealings.  1  hen  if  the  deceyuers  that 
troubled  the  Churche  at  that  time,  had  knowenwell  what  is  the 
cnde  of  the  Law  and  the  Gofpell :  they  would  not  haue  prefumed 
to  bring  the  faydifuU  in  bondage  after  that  fafhion.  And  therefore 
S.Paule  fcoming  theyr  hypocrifie  which  was  matched  with  fhame- 
lefneffe,  fiieweth  that  they  pretended  great  zeale  of  the  Lawe,  and 
yet  bewrayed  all  maner  of  wickednefle  and  contempt  of  G  od  in 
their  iyfe :  lyke  as  now  a  dayes  the  Hypocrites  in  the  Popedome 
crie  out  lowde  agaynft  vs,that  wee  ouerthrowe  all  good  workes, 
and  intende  to  bring  in  a  licentioufnefle  of  all  euill ,  and  to  thmft 
out  all  defire  of  feruing  God.  And  why  fo  c'  Bicaufe  wee  vncace 
men  out  of  all  tlieir  fonde  prefumption  and  felfe  eftimation ,  and 
fhewe  them  that  there  is  none  other  meanes  to  traft  in  God,  than 
by  refting  vpon  his  meere  goodnefle  in  the  name  of  our  Lorde  le- 
fus  Chrift.  VVee  fay  flatly  that  all  that  euer  is  termed  by  the  ndme 
of  merite  or  deferte,  is  ftarke  abhomination  before  God.  For  fo 
inuche  as  they  beare  them  fclues  in  hande  that  they  bfee  their  owne 
Sauiours.  Yeefee  then  that  all  loftineffe  of  man  is  pulled  downe 
byourdo61rine.But  yetdooth  not  that  importe,  that  euery  man 
fhould  talce  leaue  to  doo  lewdly,  and  haue  no  more  care  of  feruing 
God,  nor  of  ftandin^  in  awe  of  him.  But  contrariwife  wee  fay  that 
lefus  Chrift  is  giuen  vnto  vs,  not  onely  to  the  ende  we  might  ob- 
teyne  forgiuenelTe  of  our  finnes  at  Gods  hand  by  his  meanes :  but 
alfo  to  the  end  that  beeing  regenerated  by  his  hgly  fpirit,we  (bould 

.  walke 


the  EpiH.to  the  Qalathians.       278 

waike  in  newneffe  of  iyfe.  And  nowe  in  Tooth  what  maner  of  men 
are  they  that  maynteine  tlie  defert  of  good  works  To  (loutly  <  VVe 
fee  there  is  nothing  but  all  kinde  of  curfed  filthinefle  in  their  whole 
life.  For  if  a  man  would  feeke  for  fcoifers  that  are  altogither  vn- 
holie,  and  neiier  haue  fo  muche  as  any  one  feeling  that  cuer  they 
(hall  come  to  account,  but  are  vtterly  doted  by  Satan :  furely  thofe 
are  euen  they.  Agayne,when  as  they  magnifie  good  workes :  what 
are  the  things  that  they  would  haue  men  to  giae  them  felues  vnto. 
To  babble  much,to  go  to  mattins  and  euenrong,to  trot  from  altar 
too  altar,  too  worfhip  puppets,  too  decke  them  trim,  too  buy  (lore 
of  pardons,  too  gad  on  pilgrimage,  and  (too  bee  fliort)  too  mocke 
God  too  his  face,  as  though  all  the  feruice  of  God  were  but  a  play 
of  young  children.  True  it  is  that  they  dare  not  fay  but  it  is  a  good 
and  commendable  thing  to  bee  difcrete,chafl,fober,and  fo  foorth: 
but  yet  they  can  eafily  forbeare  all  thofe  things,  fo  a  man  keepe 
their^fuperftitions.  Too  bee  fhorte,  all  Gods  commaundements 
are  thrull  vnder  foote,and  as  it  were  troden  vpon,and  to  their  Tee- 
ming it  is  no  deuotion  nor  holinefie ,  excepte  a  man  doo  all  their 
gay  gewgawes  and  things  of  nothing.  Thus  y  ee  Tee  ho  we  the  con- 
tention that  S.Paule  had  in  liis  tyme,  indureth  fliii  at  this  day  And 
for  that  cauTe  he  Tayth,  that  if  his  aduerfaries  agaynd  whom  he  dif- 
puteth ,  will  maynteyne  Gods  Lawe,  they  mufte  confider  well  to 
whom  it  Tpeaketh^  and  they  muft  begin  at  them  Telues :  and  that  if 
they  intende  to  make  good  Tchoilers,rhey  muft  teach  them  Tober- 
ne{re,meekne(re,chaftitiejpatiencc,&:  Tuch  other  things,and  more- 
ouer  to  renounce  all  their  owne  wicked  luPcs.  TheTe  (iaitn  S.Paul) 
are  the  true  exerciTes  wherin  it  behoueth  vs  to  imploy  all  our  in- 
deuer.And  in  the  meane  while  let  vs  not  fhutte  the  gate  agaynft 
Gods  children,  in  bereeuing  them  of  the  priuil  edge  that  God  hath 
giuenthem.  For  when  he  gouerneth  them  by  his  holy  Tpirite,  he 
will  not  haue  them  Tubie6l  any  more  too  the  yoke  of  the  Lawe. 
Nowe  therevpon  S.Paule addeth,  that  all  tbeyyi'hche  are  inlefws 
ChriliMue  crucified  their flejh,  \viih  the  luHs  there/.  Here  he  fhew^  th 
that  he  intendeth  not  to  haue  a  flefhly  libertie,  and  Tuche  a  one  as 
the  deTpifers  of  God  abufe :  but  that  he  requireth  chiefly,that  Tuche 
%S  talke  of  chriftian  libertie,  (hould  ftiewe  in  deede  that  they  haue 

cruci- 


Chap.j.  fo.CdLxxxylj.Serttionypcn 

cmciHed  all  their  lufts  and  concuplfcences^to  the  intent  thereby  to 
proue  them  felncs  the  true  members  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.And 
this  is  needefull  for  vs  :  to  the  ende  wee  may  holde  vs  to  the  iaw- 
full  order  and  marke  which  G  od  pointeth  vs  too, when  we  would 
knowe  what  true  libeitie  is.  Nowe  a  dayes  there  are  many  Chrifli- 
ans  from  the  teeth  outwarde,  as  farrc  as  comes  too  the  eatmg  of 
fiefhe  vppon  hydays  and  in  Lenton :  they  can  wehnough  mockc 
at  the  pehingtoyes  of  papiftrie :  they  can  wehnough  fay,  that  if  a- 
ny  reftraynt  bee  made  of  one  thing  or  other  vnder  payne  of  dead- 
ly (Inne ,  it  is  but  an  abufe  and  mockerie  :  and  they  fay  truthe ,  fo 
they  buy  Id  vpon  a  go  od  and  fure  foundation.  But  what  <  tliey  that 
arc  fo  great  talkers,  know  no  whit  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chriftes  of- 
fice and  power:  they,  knowe  not  why  he  came  downeinto  the 
worldcjuor  what  grace  he  impaiteth  vnto  vs  by  his  Gofpeil :  they 
knowe  not,  neyther  what  fayth.nor  what  prayer  is :  and  yet  for  all 
that,  they  will  necdes  haue  leaue  to  doo  what  they  lifte,  and  that 
folke  faould  lay  the  bridle  looce  in  their  necke.  Of  thefe  wylde 
ChriHians  there  are  tootoo  many  nowe  a  dayes.  In  the  meane 
while  the  do6ri  ine  of  God  is  blamed  by  their  meanes.For  the  eni- 
niies  of  the  truthe  vpbrayde  vs  with  all  fuche  as  are  loofe  liuers 
now  a  dayes,and  fay  that  the  fame  fpringeth  of  our  preaching.  For 
this  caufe  S'.Paule  hath  anfwered  his  aduerfaries ,  and  alfo  armed 
and  fenced  vs  to  anfvvere  them, to  the  ende  to  ftoppe  the  mouthes 
of  all  raylers,  and  of  all  fuche  as  doo  falfly  flander  the  do6trine  of 
the  Gofpeil.  Firii  of  all  therfore  when  the  wicked  fort  fay,  that  wc 
giuc  an  inordinate  libeitie  to  all  fuche  as  fecke  nothing  but  to  doo 
lewdly :  Let  vs  looke  backe  to  S.Paule,  who  telleth  them  that  the 
libertie  which  we  fpeake  of,  femeth  for  none  but  fuch  as  are  a  law 
to  them  felues,  namely  through  the  working  of  the  death  and  paC- 
fion  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  But  yet  notwithftanding  diis  ought 
to  feme  for  a  warning  to  all  fuche  as  imagine  a  libertie  after  their 
owne  li.'diig.  Therefore  let  them  vnderfl:andc,that  tirft  of  all  it  be- 
houcth  them  to  become  members  of  our  Lorde  lefuS  Chrift.  VVil 
we  then  e^.te  quietly  without  making  any  grudge  of  conicience^ 
Will  wee  Lee  exempted  from  all  thefe  toyes  whiche  doo  nowe  a 
daycs  vexcthefimpieandignoraru  foneinthe  Papacie;'  Let  v« 

vnder* 


the  EpiHjo  the  (jalathians]      27P 

vnderftancie  what  lefus  Chrift  is,  and  let  vs  bee  throughly  his.  Let 
him  gouei ne  vs ;  and  let  his  death  and  pafsion  I'hewe  their  power 
and  effe(?luahiefle  in  our  whole  Hfe.Thus  yee  fee  what  we  haue  to 
bcare  in  binde  in  this  text.  And  heere  S.Paule  fheweth  agayne^that 
the  true  perfcv^lion  of  Gods  children  confifteth  in  abacingthem- 
felues,  foas  they  followe  not  the  rule  of  their  ownc  brayne  and 
afFciftions :  for  wee  bee  vtterly  corrupted.  Then  can  wee  not  bee 
but  rebels  agaynft  God  all  the  time  of  our  life ,  till  wee  haue  kyl- 
led  all  the  finfulnefle  of  oure  owne  nature.  Marke  this  for  one 
poynt,  that  our  lyfe  fiiall  neuer  bee  framed  to  the  will  of  God,  ex- 
cepte  wee  bee  vtterly  chaunged,  bothe  in  our  thoughts,and  in  our 
ftffedions.  Secondly,  S.  Paule  fheweth  that  that  can  not  be  done, 
but  by  communicating  with  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrille :  ♦for  it  is  not 
without  caufe  that  he  vfetli  this  worde  Crucified.  For  thereby  he 
declareth,  that  fo  long  as  wee  bee  feparated  from  our  Lorde  lefuS 
Chrift^and  caft  off  from  him,and  not  knit  vilto  him  by  fayth,  our 
nature  will  alwayes  bring  foorth  hir  owne  frutes^that  is  to  fay , no- 
thing but  all  maner  of  naughtinefle  and  vice.  Thus  ye  fee  that  fii-ft 
of  all  Freewill  is  beaten  downe.  Secondly  it  is  (hewed  vs  that  wee 
can  not  be  partakers  of  any  of  Gods  giftes,  nor  of  his  holy  fpirite, 
butbythemeanes  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chnftp  according  as  I  haue 
tolde  you  alreadie,  that  wee  muflalldraweofhis  falneffc,  for  he 
is  the  onely  fountayne  that  is  able  too  fufiice  vs.  And  if  wee  feeke 
neuer  fo  farre  aboute  elfewhere,  wee  flvall  finde  nothing  but 
drythe,  and  wee  (hall  continue  athirft  ftyll :  and  if  wee  thinke  too 
fill  our  felues,  it  will  bee  but  wyndinelle  and  mifweening,  where- 
with wee  fhall  burfte,  and  yet  not  gather  any  good  nourifhment 
or  fubftance.  Nowe  heerevppon  Sainft  Paiile  concludeth,  that  if 
wee  hue  after  the  fpirite ,  wee  (lioulde  alfo  walke  after  the  fpirite. 
And  it  is  a  more  eafie  declaration  of  the  thing  that  I  haue  touched 
alreadie.  It  hadbeenc  inough  too  haue  auouched  that  wee  can  not 
bee  fet  free,  but  by  crucifying  all  oure  wicked  luftes :  howe  bee  it 
for  as  muche  as  mens  Hypocrifie  is  fo  great, that  they  doo  alwayes 
finde  ftarting  holes,  and  euery  man  would  bee  eftecmed  as  an  An- 
gel l,though  his  life  bee  out  of  order :  therefore  Sain6r  Paule  in- 
tended for  a  confirmation  too  adde  this  favins;,?'^^^  jf^(<  /«<^  4^^ 

At* 


chap.5.  fo.CaLxxxyij.fermonypon 

the  j}mte,  ^ee  mufi  there'Ofithdll  1ta!l;e  after  tbejpirite.  As  if  fieO 
fhould  faVjihat  it  is  not  inough  for  men  too  proteft  them  felues  to 
hauc  Gods  fpirite  dwelling  in  their  heart :  but  they  mulkfliewe 
that  he  is  there :  for  he  is  not  idle.  Therfore  if  a  man  will  difcernc 
whether  Gods  fpirit  dwell  in  vs  or  no,he  muft  come  to  our  works 
and  to  our  life :  and  accordmg  as  our  conuerfation  is,fo  may  he  fee 
what  we  be,and  what  is  within  vs,and  giue  iudgement  by  our  out- 
warde  workes  that  are  apparant.  As  for  example,  if  one  would 
beare  mee  in  hande  that  a  blocke  were  a  liuing  a  man  too  fee  too  : 
It  ftirreth  neyther  head  nor  foote :  thruft  at  it,  and  fhoue  at  it,  and 
yet  there  appeareth  no  lyfe  in  it :  and  fliall  he  then  make  mee  be- 
Jeeue  that  apeece  of  ftone  remouetli  from  place  too  place, or  hath 
any  power  in  it ,  or  is  a  creature  that  hath  a  foule  c'  Euen  fo  is  it 
with  thofe  that  boaft  them  felues  to  be  fpirituall.  For  although  the 
vnbeleeuers  and  enimies  of  God  be  aliue  as  in  refped  of  the  body: 
yet  are  they  dead  in  refpe6l  of  the  heauenly  life,  bicaufe  their  foule 
is  vtterly  corrupted :  but  wee  Hue  to  Godwarde  through  the  grace 
of  his  holy  fpirite.  And  if  this  grace  be  in  vs,it  can  not  bee  idle,  as 
I  fayde  afore.  And  that  is  the  caufe  why  S.Paui  fayth,that  our  con- 
uerfation will  fhewe  whether  we  liueinthe  fpirite  or  no.  The 
worde  y^^all^  is  very  rife  in  the  holy  fcripture,  when  the  whole  or- 
dering of  our  life  is  mentioned :  neuenhelefle  heere  is  not  onely 
walking.  The  worde  that  S.Paul  yfeth  importeth  more :  that  is  to 
wit,  too  walke  orderly,  as  if  he  fhould  fay,  that  we  muft  frame  our 
felues  to  the  thing  that  is  conformable  too  the  will  of  God,and  of 
his  holy  fpirite,and  that  our  life  muft  bee  fo  well  ruled,  as  it  maye 
bee  knowen  that  God  gouerneth  vs  in  deede,  and  that  our  Lordc 
lefus  Chrift  hoideth  vs  too  him  felfe  as  the  members  of  his  body, 
and  that  he  hath  truly  witneflcd  that  he  dwelleth  in  vs  by  his  holy 
fpirite.  Therefore  at  a  worde, this  thing  mufte  needes  bee  knowen. 
Nowe  to  bee  ftiorte,S.Paulement  heere  to  bewray  thehypocri- 
fie  of  all  fiKhe  as  make  fayre  proteftation  with  their  mouthe ,  and 
wouldehaue  men  tobeleeue  wondercus  well  of  their  zeale  :  and 
yet  in  all  their  whole  lyfe  doo  fhewe  that  they  haue  no  mynde  at 
all  too  come  neere  God,  nor  any  awe  of  hys  worde. All  fuch  folkc 
then  are  heere  condemned  of  lying  and  vnfayihfuinclTe.  And 

riierc- 


the  EpiH.  to  the  (jalathians .      28  o 

tliercfore  that  wtc  may  difcernc  which  are  Gods  children ,  Jet  vs 
come  to  the  examining  of  our  hues.  True  it  is  (as  I  haue  touched 
heeretofore)  that  fometimes  the  ignorant  wretches  and  fuche  as 
neuer  had  any  inftru^lion  in  the  La  we ,  fhall  haue  fome  apparance 
of  vertue.  But  if  a  man  founde  them  throughly,  he  fliall  linde  it  is 
but  a  fhadowe,  and  that  they  bee  not  well  bent ,  eyther  too  loue 
their  neibours,or  to  waike  accordingto  Gods  willTo  be  fhort  the 
examining  of  our  lyfe  can  not  lye.  And  heerewithall  S.Paule  ment 
alfo  to  confirme  the  thing  that  he  fpake  afore  :  that  is  too  wit,  that 
if  our  lyfe  bee  to  be  gouerncd  by  Gods  fpirite,  then  muft  wee  tra- 
uell  earneftly  that  way,  and  not  in  tryfling  things  that  are  ncythcr 
heere  nor  there  before  God :  according  as  I  haue  declared  alrea- 
tlie,  that  fuche  as  will  needes  bee  mofl:  deuout ,  haue  neither  ende 
nor  meafiire  of  their  fuperftitions:  and  when  euening  cometh  they 
thinke  God  to  bee  greatly  beholden  to  them  for  their  trauelling 
too  and  fro,  and  yet  notwithftanding  all  is  but  lofte  labour.  And 
therefore  S.Paule  telleth  vs,  that  fithe  wee  knowe  that  our  life  is 
fpirituall(as  taithe  is)  and  that  God  alfo  is  a  fpirite :  wee  muft  vn- 
derftande  alfo  that  he  will  be  ferued  faythfully,  and  that  men  mud 
not  occupie  themfelues  about  fmall  triiies  which  are  but  as  chil- 
drens  babies :  but  that  he  will  haue  vsto  vfe  faythRilneffe,  louc, 
peace,  and  concorde  one  with  another,  fo  as  there  bee  no  deceipt, 
nomalice.norno  rauin  among  vs.  Then  if  we  knowe  that  the  lyfe 
which  God  alloweth,and  whereby  wee  bee  ioyned  vnto  him,  is  a 
{pirituali  life :  Let  vs  foorthwith  (fayth  he)  walke  in  the  fpirite, 
that  is  too  fay,  let  vsaflure  our  felues  that  God  alloweth  not  any 
thing  but  that  which  is  agreable  to  his  Lawe  (which  for  the  fame 
caufe  is  called  fpirituall  by  Sain<!:l:  Paule  in  the  feuenth  to  the  Ro- 
manes) and  let  the  proofe  of  the  fame  doctrine  fhewe  it  felfe  in  our 
conuerfation.  So  nowe  whereas  other  folkes  runne  on  pilgri- 
mage: let  vs  occupie  our  felues  in  the  feruing  of  God,and  our  nei- 
bours.  \^^hereas  thefe  wretched  hypocrites  waft:  aJ  their  fubdancc 
in  IdoIatrie:Iet  vs  confider  that  the  true  facrifices  8c  holy  offerings 
which  God  requireth  of  vs,arethat  we  fhould  bee  dedicated  Vnto 
him  both  in  body  &  foule,8c  fecondly  that  we  fhuld  fo  dtfpofe  the 
joods  that  he  hath  giue  vs  Scput  into  our  hadsas  we  might  (hew  by 


ciup.5 .  fo.Calxxxyij. Sermon  ypon 

^^o  tlie  famcTiiay  ferue  to  th^  glorifying  of  Godsmaicftie,  and  |^too 

tlie  inliir^'ir.g  ot  'J  ihe  dominion  of  our  Lorde  lelu^.  Chrifcc.  .Let  all 
Jookeaf  hinajctali  ilicketooKim/.-^nd  let  ail  know  that  itii;  lie  from 
T;hiomali  PoodncHe  proccedeth.  Lo  whcrevnto  S.  Panic  menttoo 
t>f  in^^  vs.  Now  to  the  intent  too  make  vs  the  more  too  abhone  ail 
vaynedorie  andpryde  againftGod,  and  the  fayde  defire  of  liaiiing; 
crcdite  amonj>  men :  he  fayeth^f^-'l  ^He  muH  not  fcel^  too  l>yue.  one  an- 
6ther,nother  muH^He  malu  e  om  anvrbey.  It  is -as  much  as  if  liehadjayd 
that  ambition  or  vay  hs  lorioufncne  cannot  reigne  in  vs,  but  incon- 
tinently there  will  be  hartburnin^,  and  euery  man  will  prouokc  hii 
neighbour.  For  if  wee  bee  giuen  after  that  fafhion  too  vayncgloi  ic^ 
cuery  of  vs  will  couet  too  bee  great efl:,and  it  will  feeme  to  himfelfe 
that  he  hath  not  his  right,  till  he  fee  his  neighbour  brought  in  con^ 
tcnipt.  Thus  yee  fee  what pryde  bringeth.  It  tendfcth  not  oncly  too 
the  aduauncing  of  a  marines  felfe  againft  God  :  but  alfo  too  the  de- 
facing of  fuch  as  wc  ought  to  honour,  at  Icafiiwife  i^  they  be  our  in- 
feriours.  For  when  we  hauc  looked  well  to  all,  it  is  ceitayne  that  e- 
uen  the  leaft  fort  ought  to  bee  honorable  in  our  eyes.  1  herefore  i^ 
wc  bee  led  widi  ambition  (as  I  fayd  afore)  euery  of  vs  will  bee  clim- 
bing to  get  higher  and  higher.  Now  hereof  muft  needes  fpring  (Irifc 
and  debate,  hartburning,quareiingand  contention,and  finally  dead- 
ly  enmitie.  To  be  fhort,fo  long  as  ambition  hath  his  full  fcope,  and 
is  let  alone  vnbrydled,  wee  muil  needes  bee  atwarre,as  experiencfi 
fhewethtoomuch,andwouldeGod  that  wee  might  beefayne  too 
feeke  a  grcate  way  olf  for  examples  of  it.  But  fo  fooneas  men  will 
needes fet out  themfelues,  ambition mude  needes  c-arie  them foa- 
\vay,  as  too  fhewe  themfelues  enemies  too  their  neyghbours.  And 
thereof  alfo  proceedeth  enuie.  For  it  is  fayde  that  charitieis  glad 
of  other  folkes  welfare.  Haue  not  wee  caufe  too  reioyce,  when  we 
fee  Godpourc  out  of  his  gracious  giftes  vpon  our  neyghbours:'  yes: 
or  €lfe  wee  pray  not  vnfayncdly  for  all  fuch  as  haue  needeof  them. 
For  if  It  ^recue  vs  too  fee  that  God  graunteth  diem'too-  liiie  cona-i. 
modioufiy  and  at  their  eafe:  doo  wee  not  therein ibewraythfttiherc: 
was  nothing  but  hypocrifie  and  faynedneffe  in  curprayei-s;.'iA[lfoi£ 
God  giue  any  man  tlie  gracious  giftes  of  his  holy  fpinte,it  is  for  thbr 
commoivwclfare  and  edifying  of  his  Churchc.  So  then^  in  all  re- 

fpe<^es 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathims.:       281 

4j»€6J:csthere  is  caufe  forvs  too  reioyce,  and  if  wee  bee  rightly  qua- 
lified according  too  Gods  will,  wee  fliall  alfo  iherewithali  Icue  the 
prx)fiteanJ,.aduauncementof  our  ncygKbours.  Contrari^vyfe  when 
euery  man  is  gmen  too  himfejfe,  and  wee  bee  driutn  with  this  wic- 
ked ambition  ind  pryde  :  wee  can  ncuer  lookcbut  a  skewe  at  the 
aduauniage  and  proiite  of  our  ne^'ghbol'rs.  •  There  will  alwayes  be 
repining  and  fpiting  in  our  hartes,when  God  (heweth  hinifclf  boun* 
tifuli  towardes  thofc  whom  wee  would  kccpc  vnder  ieete. 

1  hus  yee  fee  that  the  thing  whiche  wee  hauc  to  remember  in  ef- 
fe£l  in  this  flieyne,  is  that  wee  niufle  learne  what  it  is  too  belong 
too  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifle,  to  the  ende  that  wee  take  not  his  name 
in  vayne,  ne  bee  reproued  ot  falfehood  and  leafing btfoi  e  Ciod  and 
liis  Angelles,  for  glorifying  ourfelues  fo fcolifljy  before  mennc. 
For  too  the  intent  wee  may  bee  our  Lorde  icfus  Chrifl:es,wee  muft 
niortifie  cur  luftes. and  afixj^ions,  knowyng  that  of  our  felues  wee 
bee  inordinately  giuen  too  all  cuill^and  our  nature  wholly  incly- 
ned  tlierevntoo.  Therefore  it  ftandeth  vs  in  hande  to  turne  a  new 
Jeafe.  And  of  a  truth  that  cannot  bee  done  of  our  owne  power :  but 
the  Sonne  of  God  is  Pried  and  readie  to  helpe  vs.  \^Vhat  letteth  vs 
too  bee  niadc  partalvcrs  of  the  giftes  of  Gods  holie  Ghoft,  that  wee 
might  proue  by  our  lyfethat  wee  haue  a  true  beleefe  in  him  C' It  is 
our  flattering  cf  our  felues  in  our  owne  wretchednaTe.  Then  fe- 
ing  there  is  nodiing  but  cormption  in  vs,  lette  vs  learne  too  la- 
ment, and  Ictte  vs  yeelde  our  felues  too  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte, 
that  he  may  kill  all  wicked  luftes  and^difordinatesfl^e£lions  in  vs 
by  the  power  of  his  death  and  pafsion.  And  therewid-.all  lette  vs 
confiderihe  grace  that  G^d  grauntethvs  in  that  he  will  haue  vs 
too  ferue  him  freely,  fo  as  wee  (houlde  no  more  bee  vnder  the 
yoke  of  the  Lawe  toobeeprelTed  downe  by  it  too  the  vttermoU; 
(for  that  woiildc  bee  an  intolerable  burthen  too  vs) ,  but  bee. 
gou.ern^d  by  his  holie  fpiritc,  knowyng  that  he  alloweth  of  oiu* 
[yfe,:and  accc-ptcth  our  fenuswhen  itisfo  framed  according  too 
h?s  wQorde,.aI though  our  zele  bee  not  fogreate  nor  fo  fubll-antiall 
as  were  rcquifite.  Let  vs  know  this-,  and  tlierewichall  letvswalke 
in  fuch  wyfe;as  our  life  may  fpeake,  and  asour  feete,handes,  and  all 
other  our  in^bers  and  feufcs  may  (hew  by  effc^,  that  as  we  haue  bin 

Kn.ij.  uviyucd 


ciup^^,  fo.CalxxxVtj.Sermonypon 

trayned  in  the  fchocle  of  our  lord  lefus  Chriftifo  we  haue  alfo  bomt 
away  hisdo6lrine,and  that  the  lame  hath  taken  roote  in  vs,  not  too 
lie  hid  ftill,  but  to  yeelde  foorth  fruytc  in  fuch  wife  as  Gods  name 
may  be  honored,and  we  (hew  that  wee  be  not  idle  and  vnprofitable 
feruantSjbut  that  we  haue  bin  quickened  by  the  fpirice  of  our  Lord 
lefus  Chrifte,and  that  it  is  he  that  gouerneth  vs,by  reafon  whereof 
the  fruyte  of  it  redoundeth  immediatly  too  our  neyghbours,  in  fo 
much  that  whc  Gods  name  is  fo  glorified  by  vs,  &  we  haue  yeelded 
true  proofe  of  our  chriftianitie,  men  knowc  that  whereas  wee  were 
taught,it  was  to  the  end  that  all  others  fhould  reape  profit  by  it.  For 
^ .»  God  hath  a  refped  to  the  whole  bodie  of  his  Church;  and  like  as  he 

^'^*  maketh  his  fonne  to  fhyneboth  vpongood  and  bad  :  fo  will  he  haue 
'*  the  fay  thfull  to  do  good  to  fuch  as  are  not  worthie  of  it.  Therefore 
let  vs  acquaynt  our  felues  with  it,  and  moreouer  acknowledge  that 
we  be  nothing, and  that  all  the  goodneiTe  which  wee  haue  is  none  of 
our  owne,but  that  we  haue  it  of  Gods  meere  grace.  And  for  afmuch 
as  we  bee  not  yet  come  to  the  perfection  that  were  requifite,  let  vs 
Bot  furmife  our  felues  too  be  in  Gods  fauour  for  any  other  rcfpe6^, 
than  that  he  beareth  with  vs  till  wee  bee  come  intoo  his  kingdome, 
where  we  fhallhaue  the  fulnefTe  of  all  holinelTe. 

Now  let  vs  caft  our  felues  down  before  the  Maieflieof  ourgood 
Godjwith  acknowledgmet  of  our  faults,  praying  him  to  make  vs  fo 
to  feele  them,  as  wee  may  bee  forie  for  them  before  him,  yea  euen 
with  a  true  repentance,and  defire  to  be  rid  more  and  more  of  them, 
and  prai^ize  the  doftrine  that  we  haue  herd,that  whereas  the  blinde 
and  ignorant  wretches  doo  now  adayes  martir  and  tyre  the  mfe  lues 
to  much  in  exceffe  of  their  fonde  deuotions :  we  may  learne  to  hold 
our  felues  too  the  pure  fimplicitie  of  his  woord,knowing  that  there 
is  none  other  rule  but  that,  and  that  the  fame  is  it  wherein  he  will 
haue  vs  to  exercyze  our  felues,  and  wherevnto  it  behoueth  vs  too 
apply  all  our  fludie :  and  thereby  fliew  that  that  is  the  meane  wher- 
by  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  will  haue  vs  fafhioned  lykc  to  himfelf:  and 
therfore  let  vs  go  foreward  &  trauell  vnto  him  till  we  be  throughly 
Icnit  vnto  him,and  in  the  end  be  come  too  the  happie  match  at  fuch 
time  as  he  fhall  appecre  to  our  full  redemption,  and  deliuer  vs  not 
one ly  from  this  earthly  pilgrimage ,  but  alfo  from  all  coraiptions 

and 


the  EpiB.to  the  (jalathians.      285 

^6i  all  other  things  which^  KincJcr  v&from  the  full  inloying  of  th« 
hcauenly  heritage.  That  it  niiay  pleafc  him  too  graunt  this  grace  not 
only  to  vs,but  alfo  too  ail  people  &c. 

ne.i%Sermon^  yvhichis  thefr^ 

Vfon  the  fxph  Chapter, 

BRcihrcn^if  any  m;iiT  bee  oucrt»^ken  vviili  a  fault,  you 
that  are  fpiritiiall  hclpe  too  amend  bini  vvith  ihe 
foil  it  of  mcekenede;  and  confider  thy  felfe^leaft 
thou  alfo  bee  tempted. 
3.  BeareyeoncanoihersburthcnjandfofuIfillcheLair 
ofChrift- 

IHaue  declared  .heretofore  that  there  istioti 
more  deadly  plague  than  Ambition, whe  euery 
man  is  giuen  too  himfelf  and  willxiecdes  exalt 
himrelfio.the  contempt  of  his  neyghbors*.  for 
:hcn  is  nother  indiffverencie  nor  meafure  kept. 
HcreisBowa^iodier  vyce  very  neere  of  kinnc 
to  theother  -.namely  when  wee  itiatch  at  fuch 
a^s  haue  done  amiO  e,to  the  intent  to  aduaunce  our  felues  in  compa- 
rifon  of  them,  which  we  feeto  be  to  comon  a  v^^ce  in  the  world.  For 
to  our  feeming, other  in  ens  vertues  are  a  hinderance  to  vs,thatwec 
cannot  bee  in  fuch  reputation  as  we  fa'^Tie  would.  This  is  the  caufc 
that  cuery  of  vs  prteth  and  peereih  at  his  fellow, to  the  intent  to  diC^ 
grace  him  in  fuchwife  as  he  alone  may  not  beare  away  the  bell,  and 
hy  that  meanes  haue  <l-rtefe  prayfc  and  comendacion.  And  although 
that  that  be  not :  y^et  will  it  often  come  to  pafTe,  that  wee  (hall  be  o- 
tier  rigorous  vnder  pretence  ofzelc.  For  this  caufe  S'ainc  Pauledoth 
Ke^rc  exhort  the  faythfull,  too  do  their  indeuer  toareforme  a  man 
with  all  gendenefle,  when  he  hath  done  amiffe.  And  he  dooth  pur- 
posely fet  fooith  mans  ftatc  before  vs  heerc.  For  it  ought  toomoue 
vs  to  comjiafsion,  when  we  confider  the  common  fraykie  diat  is  ia 
y&  aU,a&hc  will  touch  thefamcpoint  more  at  large  hereafter  JVeuer- 

Kn.uj.  thclcife 


Chap.^.        ^QXal.xxxyiijSermonypon> 

ihtkffc  his  puttii^  of  vs  in  mind  of  our  infirmhie  by  nature^  is  tc» ' 
the  end  th?it  none  of  vs  fhould  climbe  to  high.  And  furthermorehe 
addeth  the  woorde  ouertaken,  meening  thepeby  that  it  alwayesdc- 
feruethgentlenefleatourhandes  when  we  fee  a  man  furpryzed  by 
tlie  wyHnefle  of  Satan:  For^S.Paulefpakenotheereoffuchas  haue 
rooted  malice  in  their  hart,  which  are  vtter  defpyzers  of  God,  which 
are  aJtogither  heathenifh, 5c  which  are  Co  full  ofpoyfon  throughout, 
that  they  cannot  al  ledge  for  theinfelues  that  they  fall  by  oueriight  f 
for.  why,  they  bee  madde  beaftes,  rufhing  wilfully  agaynft  God^ 
according  as  wee  (hall  fee  many  that  manifeflly  defpize  all  order, 
and  would  haue  all  the  worlde  put  too  conruzion.  Suche  maner  of 
men  are  not  compryzed  in  the  number  of  thofe  whom  Sain6l  Paule 
fpeaketh  of  heere.  But  althougha  man  feare  Gcd  and  be  willing  tor 
giuehimfelf  to  his  feruis :  yet  notwithftanding  Satan  hath  his  fnares  . 
ready  layd,  and  catcheth  vs  oftentimes  ere  wee  thinke  of  it.  And  fo 
you  fechow  wee  bee  ouertaken  or  furpryzed.  Nowe  S.Paule  teU 
lethvs^thatyetinfuchfaultes  wee  mudbee  pitifull  flill,  and  beare 
withfuche  a  man  through  the  fpirite  of  meekenefle.  Howbeeit  wee 
muft  marke  well  allthe  woordes  that  are  fet  downe  here :  and  ther- 
by  wee  fhall  gather  the  meening  of  the  Apoftle.  For  in  very  deede 
heere  is  nothing  fuperfluous,  but  euery  woorde  hath  his  weyghtr 
For  in  faying  that  wee  mufte  indeuer  too  amend  him  agayne  that  is 
fallen  -.  he  fnewetlr  that  the  gentleneffe  whiche  many  men  vfe  in 
flattering  fuche  as  haue  done  ami(re,fauoreth  nothing  at  all  of  Chri- 
ftianitie  .  Therefore  mennes  vyces  mufte  bee  rebuked,  and  wee 
mufte  labour  too  bring  backe  the  partie  intoo  the  right  way,  which^ 
is'ftrayed  out  of  it.  For  if  a  man  A'pholde  him  inhisnaughtinelTe, 
and  foade  himinitihebetrayeth  him,  bycaufe  he  rocketh  him  a 
fleepe,  and  by  diat  meanes  finkethhim  the  deeper  in  deftru6lion, 
yee  fee  then  that  the  meane  whiche  Sain6tP^ule  hath  appoynted,' 
is  that  if  a  man  haue  doneamifTe,  he  fhouidebec  am.cnded,h0wbe-; 
it  that  the  fame  mufte  bee  doncvvith  the  fpirite  of  gentlencfle  and 
meekenefle.  He  could  well  ynough  haue  vfed  the  woord  MeeJ^nefie 
without  the  woorde  Spirit  ."but he  hathioyned  them  togither,to  do 
vs  to  wit  that  we  muft  haue  a  hartie  defire  to  procure  the  welfare  8c 
faluatwn  of  fuch  ashaue  neede  too  bee  warned  and  cxhoncd^hen 

'         ■  they 


theEpiH.tothe(^alathians,.     284 

they  liaue committed  a  faulti  and  thcre^ithallrhe  ment  airo^o  ^x- 
pr efl  e  that  the  fame  proccedcth  of  G  od.  For  like  as  he  is  the  foun- 
xayne  of  all  goodnefle :  fo  alfo  doothe  he  giue  his  children  fom« 
jneekenefle,  too  the  intent  they  (houlde  fpUowe  him  and  frame 
themfelues  after  his  example.^VVee  knowe  that  the  maner  of  the  SfaiM.4i% 
holy  Scripture  is  to  tcrme  the  giftes  of  $he  fioly  Ghoft,  the  fpirit  of 
truth,  the  fpirit  of  thefeare  of  G^djthe  jpiriteof  wifedome,  &  fuch 
otheriike,  bycaufe  the  fulneffe  of  ail  goodnefle  is  in  him.  Vee  fee 
then  that  the  fumme  of  that  vvhiche  ^.  Paule  teacheth  heere,is  that 
:,wexnuft  not  onely  loue  yertue  and  like  well  of  fuch  as  walke  in  all 
perfe6lion,and  in  whojn  wee  can  find  no  hlame  :  but  ouermore  wee 
muft  be  gentle,in  bearing  with  the  fauJtes  of  fudic  as^re-not  yet  fo 
well  confirmed  in  the  feare  of  Go  d  as  were  requifite,  too  the  endc 
we  may  bring  them  backe  agayne  into  the  right  way, that  are  turned 
afide  or  thruit  put  of  iu  For  if  there  fhould  be  no  mecldncfTe  nor 
gentlenefle  in  vs  :  as  foone  as  a  man  had  committed  any  faulte, 
.  wee  fhoulde  as  it  were  plundge  him  in  defpayre,,  ;aqd  this  is 
feene  too  m;ich,forthat;caufe  there  fore  Sain6l  Paule  telleth  vs  that 
;.€he  meekenefl'e  or  mesldncfie  of  Gods  children  muft  trie  it  fclfe  by 
,  releciiing  fuch  as  are  falleri  through  weakeneflc^yea  and  that  infuch 
ifort,as  it  may  be  knowen  that  their  faluation  is  procured.  Nowcl 
.  haue  tolde  you  that  there  are  two  extren)ities  or  two  vyces  wher- 
of  wee  mufte  be  ware .  The  one  is,  that  we  winke  when  an)'  of  cur 
,^fendeshaue  offended  God,  in  fomuche  thateuen  when  he  hath 
giuen  forae caufe  of  ftumbiing,  wee  let  it  nippe,bycaufe  wee  be  loth 
too  purchace  his  difpleafure  by  rebuking  him.  And  now  adayes  yec 
fee  that  the  common  way  of  maynteyning  freendfhip  in  the  world, 
is  too  giue  leaue  and  licence  of  all  mifdoyng,  through  Diuelifl\e 
difsimulation.  For  no  man  can  abide  too  haue  his  galled  backe  rub- 
bed, notherdooany  menne  take  warnings  in  good  woorth,  fauin* 
they  whom  God  hath  touched,  and  to  whom  he  hath  giuen  the  fpi- 
rite  of  obedience  too  yeclde  themfelues  teiichable.  Therefore  fuche 
•nianer  of  men  as  thefe,  will  fay  with  Dauid,  that  they  had  leuer  too  f/afrthit^u 
;bee  earaedly  rebuked,yea  and  with  all  fliarpnelTe,than.too  haue  the       b.^, 
.-oyntments  of  the  flatterers,  which  ferue  but  too  rocke  men  afleepsi 
M  their  yycds.  Neuerdielede  ye  fljali  comonly  fcc,that  all  me  cotict 

Nn.ii]j.  .to.bee 


to  beborne  wkhalljandtoliaue  flo  \Wooi-d'fp(5k^  what.roc* 

tier  they  do,  nor  to  haue  their  heads  troubled  with  their  vices  and 

mifdoings.  Euery  ma  verifieth  this,in  fo  much  that  God  is  forgotte, 

Sfay.Sc),  (,  &  (as  the  Prophet  Efay  fayeth)  there  is  no  defender  any  where^that 

16,  maynteyneth  the  truth,  for  there  is  as  great  confuzion  and  diforder 
as  may  be,and  yet  mendo  let  all  flip.True  it  is  that  if  wrong  be  done 
to  any  man,  he  will  not  fnjcke  to  fay  that  foch  licentioufn^e  ougiic 
too  be  redrefled :  but  he  fayeth  not  fo  for  any  zele  he  hath  to  mayn^ 
teyne  the  honour  of  God,  it  is  but  onely  for  his  owne  peculiar  ad- 
tiauntage,and  for  the  regard  that  he  hath  to  himfelfe.  Thus  yee  fee 
that  God  hath  not  any  proftors  or  Aduocates  to  pleade  his  cace,but 
euery  man  is  for  himfelfe.  Therefore  when  wee  fee  any  man  doo 
amiffe/let  vs  learne  that  it  is  no  loue  nor  charitie  too  cloke  his  euill 
doings,  fo  as  wee  (hould  diflemble  them  and  make  no  countenance 
at  all  of  them :  but  that  if  wee  haue  a  care  of  him  that  is  fo  fallen, 
wee  mufte  turne  him  away..  If  a  manbee  in  the  myre,  wee  will 
reache  him  our  hasde  too  helpe  him  out :  and  if  wee-palTe  by  him- 
and  \vill  not  feeme  too  fee  him,fhall  he  not  fay  it  is  too  fliamefull  an> 
vnkindneffec'^uen  fo  is  it  when  wee  fulfer  a  man  too  fall  a  fleepe 
in  his  finnes :  for  by  that  meanes  he  isfunkedowne  too  the  bot- 
tome  of  perdition.  Then  is  it  too  greate  a  trayteroufnefle,  if  wec 
doo  wittingly  fufFer  a  man  too  vndoo  himfelfe  vtterly :  and  there- 
withal! wee  fhewe  alfo  that  there  is  no-  zele  ef  God  in  vs.  For  if  he. 
bee  our  father,  ought  it  not  at  leaft\^'5^ze  too  greeue  vs  and  make  v& 
forie,when  wee  fee  wrong  and  iniuric  offered  vntoo  him  C' 

So  then,if  the  foules  whiche  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrifthath  bought- 
{o  deerly  bee  precious  vntoo  vf,  or  if  wee  fet  fo  much  by  Gods  ho-^ 
nouras  itdeferueih  :  it  is  certaynethat  wee  will  not  fo  bcare  with 
mens  fault€S,but  tl-^t  we  v/ill  indeuer  too  amend  them.  Markc  that 
for  one  poynt.  But  there  is  alfo  acontrarie  vycc:  namely  oucr 
greate  rigoroufnelTe.  For  thi;  is  a  propcrtie  of  the  Hypocrites,  that 
if  they  fpie  a  mote  in  their  neighbours  eye,they  crie  out  alarum  vp- 
JSfdW.y.  I?,  pon  him,and  they  mull:  needes  folbw  him  with  hew  &  crie,  wheras 

4.  in  the  meane  while  a  great  beame  in  their  own  eye  is  nothing,as  our 
Lorde  lefus  fpeaketh  of  them;  For  afmuch  therefore  as  there  are 
many  that  wyden  their  confciences  to  fwailow  vp  a  whole  Oxe  [iw 

their 


the  EpiH.to  the  Qalathianr.       285 

thciroNvnecactsJ  andinthe  meanc  feafoncan  ftrcyncata  gnat 
when  it  touchcth  other  men  :  therefore  we  muft  beware  that  wee 
bee  not  to  rough  and  fharpe  in  rebuking  of  our  brother .  Befydcs 
this,  there  are  alfo  that  haue  an  ^^naduifed  zealc,fo  as  they  bee  too 
fbwrc  and  bitter,  and  they  are  of  opinion  that  they  difchargc  not 
themfclues,  except  they  proclayme  mens  faults  alowde,  as  it  were 
by  the  founde  of  a  trumpet.  And  howc  many  warnings  are  made 
nowadayes  with  an  vpriglit  carefulnclfe  f   If  a  man  fee  any  of  his 
neighbours  fall  to  naughtine{re,he  ought(if  he  can  haue  acceffe  and 
cnterance  to  him)  too  tell  him  his  fault :  but  wee  will  none  of  that. 
For(iis  I  fayde)euerie  man  vnderpryeth  other,  and  lyes  in  wayt  for 
him  like  a  fpie,  too  fee  if  he  can  finde  any  thing  amifle  in  him ,  and 
then  vfcth  hcft^rnnefle  to  the  vttermoft.  True  it  is  that  fuch  as  are 
handled  ouerroughly  after  that  fafhion,cannot  complaine  of  it.  For 
whereof  commcth  the  naughtinelTe  that  is  too  rife  nowadayes  a- 
mong  men,thatno  man  is  warned fecretly. to  the  ende  he  might  be 
brought  backe  vnto  God,  but  that  the  vices  which  were  done  in  co- 
uert  are  blazed  abrode,yea  euen  to  the  diffamingof  the  partie  i  It  is 
for  that  euery  of  vs  fhetteth  the  gate,  bycaufe  our  eares  are  too  it- 
ehing,  and  we  cannot  abide  too  bee  tolde  the  truth,but  wilineedcs 
keepe  the  po{Tcfsion  of  all  naughtineffe ,  as  though  God  were  dc- 
pofed  from  his  authoritie,  and  hadnoprerogatiueofiudgement  o- 
ncr  vs.  Forafmuch  then  as  euery  man  woulde  exempt  himfelf  from 
correftion :  therfore  all  are  worthie  to  be  handled  hardly  after  that 
fafliion,  and  too  bee  delt  with  like  enemies,  and  net  like  brethren. 
For  there  can  be  no  brotherhod  among  vs,  vnlefle  corredion  take 
place,  fo  as  euery  man  be  fubieft  to  it,yea  euen  willingly.  And  by- 
caufe we  will  not  in  any  wifebe  rebuked,therefore  we  deferue  well 
to  be  handled  with  fuch  excefsiue  rygour.  For  this  caufe  Saint  Paul 
frtteth  downe  the  meane,  which  is  that  we  muft  haue  a  care  one  of 
aliother ,  fo  that  if  any  man  ftumble,he  may  bee  helped  vp  againe. 
And  howe :'  By  good  warnings.  For  that  is  the  remedie  which  God 
hath  ftablifhed  for  vs  by  his  worde,  Howbeeitthat  in  the  meane 
while  we  muft  not  be  fo  eager  in  rebuking  other  mens  faults,as  too 
forget  to  put  oyle  to  our  vincger,  that  is  to  fay,  to  vfe  the  fayd  fpi- 
rite  of  meekenefle.  For  it  were  tg  fmai  purpofe  to  haue  Suger  in  our 

Nn*v-.  moutU 


Chap.tf.         ^o.Cal.xxxyiij.Sermonypon 

«TiOutli,as  many  men  liauc,  and  in  the  meane  time  to  beare  poyfon 
in  our  heart.  And  therefore  Saint  Paule  fpeaketh  not  here  alonely 
of  the  tongvie,ne  fayth  that  we  mud  haue  inticing  wordes:but  that 
in  rebuking  mens  faults  we  muft  alwayes  be  led  and  moucd  therto 
•by  an  earneft  defire  to  our  neighbours  faluation  .  For  it  is  certaine 
that  if  we  couet  the  foule  health  of  fuch  as  do  amifle,  wee  will  be- 
haue  our  ic  lues  foberly,  and  that  fobernefle  will  bring  with  it  the 
moderation  that  Saint  Paule  fpeaketh  of,  fo  as  wee  fhall  not  bee  o- 
wereager,  nor  depart  from  the  fountaine,  which  is  too  beware  that 
wee  bee  not  too  ha&e  in  fynding  fault  wee  wote  not  why,nor  too 
what  ende,  but  that  wee  haue  a  care  too  fetche  him  backe  againe 
that  is  in  an  euill  trade,  and  be  defirous  to  bring  him  with  vs  vntoo 
God.    To  be  fhoit,  wee  muft  couet  to  haue  him  our  brother,  that 
God  maybee  fenied  of  vs  all  and  mainteyned  in  his  ftate.  If  wee 
'     beefo  myndedjfurelythe  reft  will  followe  after.  But  vnder  the 
woorde  S[>inte  wee  bee  warned  moreouer  (as  I  fayde  cuen  nowe) 
that  we  muft  be  fafbioncd  lyke  vntoo  God,  forfomuchas  hee  hath 
vouchfafed  toochoofe  vs  for  his  children,  accordingly  as  our  Lord 
-  lefus  Chrift  telleth  vs,  faying  :  Bee  yee  lyke  vntoo  your  heauenly 
Jjatk^^gr  father,  who  hath  pitie  euen  on  the  that  are  vnwordiie  of  it.  VVher- 
4>  •        fore  if  we  defire  to  be  hilde  and  auowed  for  Gods  children  :  let  vs 

haue  an  eye  to  the  nature  of  him  which  calleth  vs  too  the  iikenefle 
.  of  his  owne  Image,which  is  that  we  be  meeldand  gentle.Now  Gcd 

in  his  gentlenelTe  flattereth  not  fuch  as  haue  don e  airiifle.For  he  ha- 
.  teth  iniquitie,  and  muft  needes  alwayes  fliewe  himfelfe  an  enemie 

to  it.  But  we  fee  the  thing  that  is  fayde,namely  that  God  dooth  in 

Beh,n,h,6  fu^^  ^yjfg  correct  his  children,  that  the  chaftizements  which  hee  v- 

'  )^fet.^^  d,  feth  begin  at  his  owne  houfe,and  at  his  owne  houfholde  folke.  Y.et 

i/*       for  al  thatjhe  thundereth  not  againft  poore  finnersjbut  wayteth  for 

thempaciently,incouraging  them,  drawing  the,bearing  with  them, 
.  fetting  his  grace  before  them,  and  fliewing  them  that  he  is  readicTto 

,receyue  them,andhath  his  armes  ftretched  out  to  imbrace  them,  if 
,;they  will  come  vnto  him.  Ye  fee  then  that  the  lirft  thing  which  we 
•  J^aue  to  confidcrjis  that  we  muft  fafhion  our  felues  after  the  exam- 

>ple  of  our  God,  fo  as  we  opprefTc  not  thofe  at  the  firft  dafhe  in  who 

.we/ce  any  infinnicie,but  rather  labour  to  win^e  ihen\bycaufe  they 

bee 


theEptH.totheQaUthiam.       i%6 

bee  as  loft  roules.  And  heercvpon  we  may  alfo  gather,  that  fuch  as 
nowadayes  woulde  haue  vyces  cloked,  yea  and  borne  oute  vnder 
pretence  that  God  is  pacicnt  and  gentle ,  do  faifly  corrupt  the  holy 
»  fcripture.  For  nowadayes,  if  neuer  To  deteftable  crymes  bee  conv 
mittcd ,  by  and  by  they  alledge  mercie,  6  they  muft  be  pitied :  yea, 
but  fuch  folke  blafpheme  God  in  that  they  woulde  haue  vs  tea  bee 
niore  merciful!  than  heeis.   Surely  wee  knowe  himtoo  bee  the 
welfpring  of  all  goodnefle ,  and  it  is  ynough  for  vs  if  wee  can  fol- 
io we  him  a  great  way  off,  and  it  were  a  thing  to  be  greatly  defiredr 
that  we  coulde  come  neererand  neerer  vntoo  him.  But  when  wcc 
haue  ftreyned  our  felucs  too  the  vttermoft,  it  is  verie  mucli  if  wee» 
can  haue  in  vs  but  fome  little  fparke  of  the  mercie  which  is  infinite 
in  God.  NeuerthelefleGodpromirethnot  his  grace,  buttofuche-^^^^^j^^  ^^ 
as  retume  vntoo  him.  True  it  is  that  hee  toucheth  them  with  hys 
holy  fpirite^and  chaungetlrtheir  myndes  :  but  yet  muft  repentance^ 
alwayes  bee  matched  with  forgiuenefle  of  finnes.    Now  after  what 
maner  is  it  that  men  would  be  pitifuii  <  It  is  that  they  might  mockc 
God  too  his  face,  that  men  fhoulde  winke  at  their  kwdnefle ,  yea   - 
end  footh  them  vp  in  ir,  that  God  (hould  be  reie6led,  and  that  fuchr 
as  are  readie  to  do  ftill  worfe  and  worfe,  (houlde  bee  borne  withall 
and  borne  out.  But  I  haue  toldeyou  that  it  is  too  curfed  a  blafphe- 
mie,when  men  tranfformc  good  intoo  euill  after  that  fafhion.Then    > 
according  to  Saint  Paules  exhortation,let  vs  leme  to  bring  a  meke- 
nefTe  that  may  be  of  Gods  fpirite  ,  not  too  allowc  of  the  euill,  or 
to  deface  the  good,  but  too  ame   le  things  modeftly  with  difcreti- 
on.Therewithall  let  vs  leame  alfo  to  pray  God  to  gouerne  vs  when 
the  cace  requireth  that  we  (houlde  correal  our  neighbours,  afluring 
our  felfe  that  of  our  owne  nature  wee  ftiall  neucr  be  able  too  doo  it, 
VVee  knowe  that  to  feme  God,  and  to  imploy  our  felues  fay  thfuU    > 
in  that  behalfe,  wee  muft  firft  rcceyue  of  him  the  things  that  wee 
want.   Nowethen,  leta  manftreynehimfeifeas  farre  as  hee  lift,    • 
and  hee  ftiall  not  finde  himfelfe  able  to  b'ingonedroppeofgood^ 
neffe  of  his  owne.  But  when  wee  come  too  correclin?,  there  wee- 
reprefent  the  perfon  of  God :  and  if  I  mynde  to  tell  a  man  his  fault, 
I  come  not  to  him  in  mine  owne  priuate  name  as  his.fuperiour :  but   - 
in  the  name  of  God 


Chap.if.         fo.CaLxxx:y>iij.S€rmonypon 

Nowc  then,  feeing  it  is  To  that  we  execute  Gods  office  in  rebu-» 
king  fuch  as  hauc  done  amii  fe :  how  fliall  we  be  fit  for  that  purpofe, 
except  he  guide  and  dire6l  vs  therevnto  C'  Therefore  let  vslearnc 
to  defire  him  to  ^ide  and  rule  vs  by  his  holy  fpirite,  when  any  ad- 
monition is  to  be  made,  to  bring  fuch  backe  againe  as  are  gone  out 
of  the  right  way.  And  here  withail  wee  muft  marke  al.fo  (as  I  haue 
fayd  afore)  that  Saint  Paule  fpeaketh  nothccrc  of  fuch  as  are  faped 
in  wickednelTc,  in  contempt  of  God  and  in  rebeilioufneffe,  but  of 
fuch  as  are  ouertaken,  fo  as  they  haue  fome  good  will  to  doo  well, 
find  yet  notwithftanding  doo  fall  through  infirmitic.    Therefore 
this  matter  muft  be  handled  very  skilfully  and  difcretely.  For  if  we 
will  deale  alike  with  all  men,it  is  ccrtainc  that  we  (hall  oftentymcs 
do  wrong  too  fuch  as  haue  neede  too  bee  borne  withail,  and  in  tKc 
mcane  while  doo  nothing  but  inflame  the  defpy2ers  of  God  ,  and 
make  them  more  malapart  than  they  were  before.  Then  (as  I  fayd) 
we  muft  put  a  difference  betwene  the  one  and  the  other.  For  M'hcn 
the  Prophete  Ezechiell  fpeaketh  of  the  goodihepheard :  hee  fayth 
i^^*34*^'4  tbat  he  muft  beare  with  the  fhepe  that  are  weake,atid  if  any  of  them 
be  infetled,  he  muft  heale  them  by  good  medicins.  But  if  he  fhould 
keepc  one  nnaner  of  vfage  without  putting  a  differ^ce  betweenc 
oneandanothcr,how"efhouldhefhewehimfelfetobea  fhecpherd 
in  fo  doing  ^  In  like  caceis  it  with  all  fuchc  as  dcalc  with  the  rebu^ 
king  of  their  neighbours  that  haue  doncamiire.  As  for  example,  if 
there  be  a  fhamclelTe  naughtipacke,that  dayly  runneth  headlong  in*- 
to  all  naughtineffc,  which  makcthnone  account  of  Gods  woorde, 
nor  doth  any  thing  but  £marre  others]  like  a  fcabbed  Ramme  that 
fpreaaeth  his  infe<^iion  through  the  whol  e  fiocke  :  or  if  there  bee  a 
yarlet  that  is  giuc-n  ouer  to  all  wickcdneflc :  fuch  a  one  is  not  oucr^ 
taken  with  finnc.  And  why :' For  he  hath  alreadic  giuenoucr  the 
feruue  of  God,  he  hath  vtterly  fhaken  off  his  yoke,  and  (as  I  faydc 
afore)isbccomeamad  beaft  that  pufhcth  with  his  homes  agaynft 
^heaucn.  Such  mancr  of  men  dcferue  not  too  bee  borne  withail  by 
gentleneiTe :  and  in  this  text  Saint  Paule  doth  quite  cutte  them  off 
d^d  fhctthem  out  of  doores.  But  when  wee  fee  a  pocre  man  ouer^ 
thrownc  by  infirmitie,and  that  the  diuell  hath  caught  him  \^nwares, 
apd  yfi  that  the  good  fc  cde  of  the  fparc  of  God  which  he  had  is  not 

v.tperlf 


the^piB.to  the  (^alathians.     iSj 

Vtterlywatferflaine  in  him:  it  becommfeth  vs  toohaue  pitie  and 
compafsion  on  him.  Andforafmuchaswemay  flyde  cuci  ie  houre, 
let  vs  learne  to  call  yet  earneftlyer  vppon  God,  that  hce  may  go- 
uerhe  vs,  yea  and  let  vs  alfo  beare  well  in  mindc  howe  Saint  Paule 
^ddcthjhof^e  to  tbyfelfe  that  thou  alfo  be  not  tempted,  Heere  he  chaun-r 
geth  the  number.  He  had  {^y^jStethrctj  if  any  man  he  ouertaf^jt,  helpt 
ye  to  amende  him.  Arid  now  he  tumeth  his  tale  too  euery  man  parti- 
cularly, faying  :  Looks  to  tbyfelfe :  and  that  is  too  the  ende  that  thys 
warning  fhouide  bee  the  more  vehement,  and  touch  vs  the  nearer. 
For  we  fee  that  when  one  fpeaketh  in  general!  termes,  euery  man 
tJiink^th  it  to  be  fpoken  to  other  men ,  and  there  is  none  of  vs  all 
but  hie  would  Hiiftout  himfelfe  as  much  as  is  pofsible.  Then  if  it  be 
fayd,  behold,  all  are  inclyned  to  this  or  that :  verie  welljie  fpeaketh 
to  the  whole  companie,  but  in  the  meane  while  no  man  is  touched 
^>ith  it  as  he  fhould  bee.  Saint  Paule  therfore  doth  exprefly  change 
the  number  here,  and  he  thinketh  it  not  ynough  too  warne  all  the 
faythfullandthebodieofthe  whole  Church  in  common:  but  hee 
draweth  euerie  man  afyde  and  fayth,looke  to  thy  felfe,  and  examin 
what  is  in  thee:  for  thou  alfo  mayeft  be  tempted.  Truly  there  is  not 
any  reafon  that  ought  fooncr  to  perfwade  vs  to  be  gentle  towardes 
fuch  as  haue  doneamifle,  than  when  we  knowe  that  we  our  felues 
alfo  haue  neede  too  bee  borne  withall.  And  euen  the  verie  heathen 
men  haue  al ledged  the  fame.  For  they  haue  fayde,  that  it  is  a  great 
crueltie  in  a  man  if  hee  cannot  finde  in  his  heart  to  beare  with  the 
infirmityes  of  his  companions,  feeing  there  is  not  any  man  whiche 
is  not  weake  himfelfe .    It  were  impo&ible  that  anye  twoo  men- 
fhouide  Hue  togither  in  the  worlde,if  they  bee  not  pacient  to  beare 
one  with  another.    Then  were  twoo  men  ynough  too  fetall  the 
whole  worlde  on  a  broyle,  if  they  woulde  not  beare  one  with  ano- 
ther. And  euen  they  that  thinke  themfelues  to  be  moii  perfect, flial 
finde  that  they  themfelues  had  neede  to  be  borne  withall.For  furely 
i'tv/t  be  not  vtterly  blockifhe,  wee  will  hate  the  euid  that  is  in  oiu* 
felues.  And  we  neede  not  any  man  to  trouble  and  vexe  vs  :  euerie 
man  (hall  haue  corzies  ynowe  in  hitnfelfe  by  beeinggrceued  at  his 
owne  imperfe6lions.  Seeing  it  is  fo  :  what  remayneth  but  that  the. 
fame  fl^Quld  indvice  vs  tQ  deale  m«eldly  and  gently  widifuch  as  arc 

fain© 


falne  through  ihfirmitie  '<  Thus  ye  fee  what  we  hiue  C0:markc' well 
here.  Andfoothlyif  wefearchwell  the  caufe  why  n^any  are  inila- 
med  with  fuch  inordinate  zealc ,  and  ftorme  To  extreei\iely  agay?ift 
fmall  faults  :  it  is  that  they  thinkcnot.vpon  thenrifel\ie;S..  Now  then 
the  order  that  we  niuftkeepem  this  beha]f,is  firft  tq  fppcj^^pe  the 
cuiil  wiiatfoeuer  it  is  :  markethat  for.  one  pointiFor  if  we  co%mnc 
the  euiJl  but  in  this  ma  or  that  ma, 5c  ouerflip  ii  iaotihers'.ic  i^^  toke 
that  we  be  not  Jed  with  a  riglit  meening  minde  to  the  end  that  God 
fhould  be  ferued  Sc  honored,  but  that  there  is  fonie  fecret'e  roote  of 
frou.  1 0 i.  ^^^^^^  ^"  vs,according asSalomdIayth,  that  enmicie  bewr^ye^h w'u 
J  2^         ces,  and  euery  man  findeth  fault  with  him  to  whom  h e  beareth  an)f 
grudge.  Ve  fee  then  that  the  firft  rule  which  we.muft  kecpe,  js  tojcj 
condemne  the  cuill  wherefoeuer  it  be  found,euen  Ipigaufe  it  \s  covi'^ 
trarie  to  Gods  will.  1  hat  is  one  poynt.  The  fecondc  is,that  euery 
of vs  muft  examin  himfelfe.  For  furely  the  neerer  tliat any  ciiiiUs 
to  our  felueS;  fo  much  the  more  muft  wee  luue  it.  If  I  fee^i  defpizer 
of  God,  it  will  greeue  me  more  than  if  he  were  tenne  kagues  oft 
from  me,and  that  I  knev\'e  not  his  faults.  Nowe  then  it  flandeth  vS 
on  hand  to  haue  an  eie  to  our  feiues.  For  let  vs  take  this  fimilitudc, 
the  neerer  neibours  that  we  be,and  the  more  familiaritie  that  there 
is  among  men,the  more  muft  we  put  the  thing  in  vre  which  I  haue 
rpoken  of:  that  is  to  wit,  the.more  muft  euerie  of  vs  fhe  w  other  hys 
faults  when  he  hath  oli-endcd.  For  God  hath  knit  vs  togither  with 
condition  that  if  1  haue  a  freend ,  1  muft  reforme  him  rather  than  a 
ftraungcr.  But  nowe  when  euill  is  to  be  condemned, who  is  neerer 
too  mee  than  my  fcjfe  :'  yeefeeiheowjiereina  man  (hall  knowc 
whetherwce  fcek^  thehoiiojur  of  God  and  the  denzingaway  of 
vice  or  no  :  namely,  if  wee  be  rou^h  and  fharpe  in  bride  lyng  of  our 
lclucs,and  that  when  we  rebuke  others,  wee  firft  cpndenuie  all  our. 
cwnc  vices,  and  fiiewe  that  we  miflyke  rhem,andthat  we  feeke  too, 
amende  them  as  much  as  we  can.  Ye  fee  thon  that  the  way  for  vs  to 
judge  of  our  ncighbours,is  firft  of  all  to  condemne  our  fclucs.  And 
this  warning  fcructh  not  oncly  for  the  things  paft ,  but  alfo  for  the 
thini>s  tocome.S.  Paule  therefore  faythiiot,  confider  wherein  thou 
haft  oif ended  heretofore  :  but  be  fayth ,  Confide)  that  thou  maytjlhe 
U^j^'tedkmaficr.  And  truly  we  ou^^ht  to  \valkc  continually  in  fcar^ 

and 


theEpiB.tothe(jalathians.     2S8 

endrc^refnlncfTe ,  not  that  wee  fhouHc  not  alwayes  reft  vppon 
Gchi!S"gi^cC:anJFaupur,  but  that  we^muLl  not  be  retchlcile    For 
^ayrh  li'.iipurtcth  not  thr.t  u'C  fhould  bee  careiel  1  e  of  all  things :  but 
rattier  (as  ■5amtJP^aulcfliew:cth  vs  in  the  ft-cond  to  the  Pliilippians) 
thc'it  forormiich  as  we  be  not  ab)e  to  do  any  thing  oFour  leiues-.God 
mud  be  taine  toguide  vsby  his  fpirite,  and  when  lie  hath  giuen  vs 
v/ill,  he  nuift  alfoginc  vs  power  toper^orme  it.  For foniuch  there- 
fore as  Ave  holde  all  oFGod  :  it  behoueth  vs  to  walke  in  feare  and 
caretulnetTe..  And  fo  when  wee  confider  our  faultes  pail,  and  looke 
well  ^'pon  oiif  >preient  ftate,  wc  haue  continual!  caufc  to  caft  downe 
our  eyes.  In  dt^de.  when  God  vouchfaieth  vs  the  courage  to  main- 
tain e  goodnefle,  and  too  condernne  naughtinefle,  hec  grauntcth  vs 
great  gtace  in  making  vs  iudges,notwithftandingthat  we  deferue  to 
haue  our  mouthes  ftopped.    Yet  neuertheleile  it  behoueth  vs  too 
"learnerobelowlymynded  in  rebuking  the  faultes  Qn  other  men] 
Vhich  we  haue  alreadie  condemned  in  our  felueSjfeing  that  we  our 
fekies  maye  dayly  and  hourely,-  yea  and  euerie  niinute  of  an  houre 
fall.  Thenllth  thecace  ftandethfo  :  letvspitie  fuch as  off ende,for 
they  be  a|lof  them  mynrours  of  our  owne  frailtie,  bycaufe  wee  fee 
there  what  w.e  our  felues  are  furtherforth  than  God  holdeth  vs  vp 
by  the  grace  of  his  holy  fpirite.  Moreouer,  in  admonifhingfuchas 
haue  done  amiffe,  we  may  yet(as  I  toldc  you  before)  offend  God  in 
being  too  haftie^too  rygorous,and  too  vnkinde.Although  then  that 
it  be  acomrhendablevertue  toadmonifh  our  neighbours:  yet  if  we 
be  too'lauifh,  all  will  tume  into  vice,  except  our  Lordedoofo  re- 
ftreyne  vs,  as  wee  k^Q^t  aneuen  hande  and  fwarue  not  afyde  too 
any  of  the  tw6o  vyces  that  I  haue  touched  afore.  Thus  ye  fee  what 
wee  haue  too  remember  coneerning  this  faying  of  Sain6t  Paule. 
Nowe  hce  faycth  expreffely ,  you  that  bee]}^iritua!h  meening  to  do 
vs  to  wit,  that  we  bee  the  more  bounde  too  beare  with  the  vveake- 
Jings,  when  God  hath  ftrengthned  vs  by  his  power,  according  alia 
as  is  declared  in  the  fourtenth  too  the  Romanes.    And  m  deede  ii 
God  diftributc  his  grace  more  too  one  man  than  too  another :  it  is 
not  too  beare  do\me  this  man  or  that  man  with  all,  but  rather  too 
hold  \^  fuch  as  are  not  able  to  godike  as  if  two  men  do  ^o  a  iourney. 
togiiher,and  the  gnefeeleth  hiinfdfe  \yeary,  fg  as  he  is  not  able  too. 

draw© 


chap.(^.         foSal.xxxnifiij.  Sermon  y^oft 

draw  his  legges  after  him  -.it  is  certainc  that  he  which  is  ftrong  an  A 
luftie  will  ngt  runne  before  him  as  it  were  to  fpite  him,  but  will  re- 
flrayne  himfelfe  to  his  companion,yea  and  he  will  toll  him  forward, 
faying,  Gotoo  man,  plucke  vp  agood  heart,  and  let  me  helpe  the« 
my  felfe.To  be  fhort,  he  will  do  all  that  he  can  to  cheare  vp  his  felf 
low  that  IS  fo  faint.  After  the  fame  maner  alfo  muft  weebeare  one 
with  another/ith  we  fee  that  God  hath  called  vs  all  m  comon,:and 
chozen  vs  with  condition  that  we  fhould  go  all  together  with  one 
accord,  and  euery  man  reachc  out  his  hand  too  hia  neybour  (as  the 
£/tf  V.2 .4.3.  prophet  Efay  fpcaketh  of  it)and  fay,  Go  we,  let  vs  gqyp  to  the  hill 
of  the  Lord .  It  is  no  reafon  then  that  fuch  as  haue  receiued  a  larger 
nieafurc  of  Gods  giftes,fhould  go  about  to  opprefle  others;  but  ra- 
ther that  they  fhould  beare  with  their  infirmities,  and  bee  touched 
with  the  meeldnefle  that  we  haue  fpoken  of.  Thus  ye  fee  howe  S* 
Paule  fayth  exprelly,  that  the  more  that  our  Lorde  hath  fet  vs  for- 
warde,  the  more  ought  we  to  drawe  others  after  vs.  And  herevpon 
he  addeth  for  a  conclufion,  ^eareyeem  motben  burthens,  atidfoful' 
Jjlhhela^e  of  ChriBe,  VV'hen  ashec  fayth  that  wee  mufte  beare 
the  burthens  [of  our  neighbours:  ]  he  doth  yet  better  exprefle  the 
thing  that  I  haue  tolde  you  heretofore  :  that  is  to  wit,  that  he  fpea-^ 
keth  not  here  of  the  defpizers  of  God,  which  runne  into  all  licenci- 
oufnefTeand  are  faped  in  malice  and  fturdinelTe  :butoffuchea$ 
trauell  and  go  forwarde  m  allgoodneiTe,  and  haue  an  earneft  good 
will  too  attaine  to  it,  and  whichedo  euen  grone  vnder  their  (innes, 
as  vTider  a  burthen  that  is  to  heauie  for  them.    For  the  belter  vn^- 
der{landinghereof,wee  will  fet  downe  a  fimilitudc  contrarie  too 
"that  whiche  is  fet  downe  heere  by  Sain6t  Paule.     He  fayth  that 
fuche  as  are  ouertakcn  with  their  fmnes,  are  made  as  it  were  too 
ftoupe  vnder  the  burthen.  And  why  <  Bicaufe  they  are  angrie  with 
themfelues.Nct  that  they  fret  or  chafe  agaynft  God  through  pride 
and  difdeyne :  but  bycaufe  they  bee  not  able  to  withftande  Satan  fo 
ftedfailly  and  ftoutly  as  they  faine  woulde.  But  as  for  thefe  royfters 
that  are  giuen  too  all  euill,  tliey  be  fo  fane  off  from  ftoupingvndcc 
their  burthen,  that  they  rather  ryde  aloft  vpon  their  wickednefle, 
triumphing  and  vaunting  themfeiues,as  though  they  would  vtterly 
defieGod.  Thus  fee  yec  the  diuerfitie  that  is  betwixt  them  which 

are 


theEpist.tothe^alathians.     zSp 

are  to  bee  borne  with,and  thofc  agaynft  whom  all  rigour  may  bee 
vfed.  For  the  one  forte  i%  bowed  with  the  weight  of  the  burthen 
which  dooth  in  maner  wey  them  downe :  and  thefe  arc  the  fame 
whom  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  calleth  to  him,  faying :  Come  vnto 
mee  all  yee  that  labour  and  are  hcauie  loden,and  I  wil  refrefh  you, 
and  you  (hall  findc  reft  for  your  foules.  Our  Lorde  lefus  calleth  ^  , 
not  all  men  without  exception  vnto  him,  but  giucth  a  marke  too  J  ** ^* 
fuch  as  may  haue  accefle  to  obteyne  fauour,  namely  that  they  bee  * 
ouerloden :  that  is  to  fay,  they  welter  not  in  their  fmnes ,  ne  take 
pleafureinthem,  neytherdoo  they  boaftof  them  as  folkc  pafte 
(hame :  but  they  would  fayne  haue  eafe,  and  can  finde  none  in 
them  felues.  Therefore  he  fayth  he  is  readie  to  deale  gently  wyth 
them.  And  for  the  fame  caufe  alfo  dooth  S.Paul e  in  the  feuenth  to 
the  Romanes  fay,  that  he  dooth  not  the  good  whiche  he  woulde, 
but  die  euill  which  he  would  not.  Nowe  S.  Paule  fpeaketh  there  of 
him  felfe :  in  fo  much  that  although  he  were  as  an  Angel  1  of  God 
in  refpe(^e  of  his  conuerfation  in  this  worlde ,  and  as  a  myr- 
rour  of  all  holynefTe :  yet  dooth  he  mourne  ftill,  and  fay  he  is  ac- 
curled.  And  why  fo  <  Bicaufe  he  was  hilde  as  a  captiue  in  pnfon,  in 
fo  muche  as  he  was  not  at  libertie  toogiuehim  felfe  fully  vnto 
God:  for  he  was  hindered  by  his  owne  fmfulnefle.  Nowe  H  S. 
Paule  were  in  that  taking :  howe  (hall  wee  doo  C'  By  the  way  wee 
fee  howe  this  worde  burthen  is  to  bee  vnderftoode,  where  it  is 
fayde  that  wee  muft  beare  one  anothers  burthens.  Hcerein  Sain6l 
Paule  exhorteth  vs  to  holde  vp  one  another:  and  if  any  man  miflc 
of  his  duetie,  wee  muft  not  therefore  giue  him  ouer,but  bee  incli- 
ned to  .pitifulnefTe  ftill,  and  vfe  the  forementioned  meekenelTe. 
To  be  (hort,  he  fayth  that  wee  be  knit  togither  with  fuche  condi- 
tion, that  if  any  of  vs  be  ouerloden  or  waxe  faynt,  the  reft  muftc 
fupply  his  defaulte  and  weaknelTe  (as  I  fayde)  euen  as  inclined 
therto:  by  nature,  without  beeing  incouraged  by  the  worde  of  God. 
, If  wee  be  going  of  a  iorney  in  a  companie  togither,  and  fee  any  of 
the  companie  ouerloden,  cuery  of  vs  will  helpe  to  harten  him:  and 
for  the  dooing  thereof, wee  will  vnlode  him,  and  euery  man  take 
apeecc  of  his  burthen.  Inlikewyfeletvsconfider  that  the  finnes 
wJiichc  wee  commit  dirough  infirmitie,  are  burthens ,  and  that  in 

Go,  fuchc 


Chap.^r.  fo.Cdl.ixfc^iij.fermwypon 

fuchecsicesitbehoiietlivstobpiit  vnder  our  flvoulders,  too  eafe 
flicli  as  ^re  welneere  way  ed  downe  with  them.  Not  that  we  flibuld 
vfe  any  flatterie,  as  I  haue  iayde  afore  :  but  that  wee  fliould  helpc 
too  amende  them.  And  for  proofe  heereof,  if  a  man  ofFende  God, 
and  I  ouerpafTe  it ,  fo  as  he  continueth  in  his  naughtinelfe :  the 
burthen  increafeth  in  fuche  wife ,  as  it  is  inoughe  too  breake  hys 
necke.For  \yhereas  he  had  but  one  burthen :  beholde  now  are  ma- 
ny mo  addedjtoo  beare  him  downe  to  the  grounde,  euen  for  want 
of  warning.  In  fo  muche  that  if  he  had  bin  admonifhed  at  the  firft, 
he  had  bin  eafed  of  his  lode :  where  as  nowe  by  cloking  of  his  vy- 
ces,  wee  bee  the  caufe  that  the  poore  wretche  can  neuer  bee  relee- 
tied.  And  therefore  it  behoucth  vs  too  vfe  the  forefayde  meane : 
whiche  is,  that  inbearing  with  the  weaklings,  wee  muflnotfayle 
too  touche  them  to  the  quicke ,  that  they  maye  bee  made  too  ac- 
knowledge their  faults,  too  the  ende  too  amende  them.  Nowe  for 
a  conclufion  Sain  61  Paule  fayth ,  tht  "H^ee  muU  by  that  memiefnU 
jilltbela^^eofChriH.  It  is  not  too  bee  doubted  but  that  S.  Paule 
ment  heere  after  a  couert  maner  too  nippe  thofe  agaynft  whomc 
he  difputed  heeretofore.  For  wee  haue  feene  howethat  in  thofe 
day  es  there  were  many  that  woulde  haue  had  men  too  keepe  the 
Ceremonies  of  the  Lawe  :  for  that  was  all  their  holinefle  and  per- 
fedion.  Therefore  bicaufe  they  euer  had  the  worde  Lawe  in  their 
mouth,  and  bare  men  in  hande  that  they  (liould  difcharge  them- 
felues  to  Godwarde  by  ceremonies :  S.Paule  fayth  vnto  them,Go 
too,  wee  haue  the  Law&  of  lefus  Chrift ,  who  is  a  fay  thfull  decla- 
rer of  the  will  of  God  his  father.  Then  if  wee  will  haue  a  true  in- 
terpretation of  the  Lawe :  wee  mufte  not  feeke  it  elfewhere  than 
in  lefus  Chrift,  who  is  the  euerlafting  wifedome  of  God,  and^wks 
fente  too  bring  vs  all  perfection  of  wifedome.  Seemg-it  isfo :  kt 
vs  aboue  all  things  looke  what  he  commaundeth  vs,  and  xonfider 
what  yoke  he  lay eth  vpon  our  backes  or  neckes ;  vHaich  is,'t^iat.  m^c 
fhduld  loue  one  another,  as  it  is  fayde  in  the.  xiij..pfi  Saini^  lohra, 
lobn.  '■  3.      J  g-^^p  yQ^^  nowe  a  commaundement that  is  bothe  newe  and  oldb : 
"  *34"      which  is,  that  you  loue  one  another .  That  is  the  thing  wherevnto 
wee  hiuft  apply  all  our  whole  minde :  namely  to  beare  with  luch^as 
haue  iteede^aiaU  to  rcache  out  ovjr  hande  to  fuche  as  are  ouerlo- 
'  •  ^  ~""^r/J  "-  "' den^ 


theEpisljQ  the  QatlathUnsl    ip  o 

den,  to  rel^eue  them.  By  that  merries  then  wc  (Kail  fulfiU  Chrilles 
Lavve :  and  when  wee  haue  fo  Rilfilled  it,  wee  may  defie  all  fuchc 
as  condenme  vs.  Thofe  therefore  which  fulfill  the  Lawe  of  Chriffc, 
(Iiall  be  no  more  fubie<^l  to  the  ceremoniall  Lawe<is  they  terme 
it.  It  is  true  that  wee  Hiall  neuerfulfill  the  Lawe  of  our  Lorde  le- 
fus  Chrift,  neither  in  this  refpetl,  nor  in  []any]  otlier^But  SPaulp 
(heweth  vs  tlie  marke  that  wee  mud  labour  too  come  at.Although 
then  that  wee  bee  continually  on  our  way  fo  long  as  wee  be  con^ 
uerfant  in  this  world :  yet  muft  wee  not  runne  at  aduenture,with- 
out  knowing  whither  wee  go.For  wee  haue  our  marke  fet  vp  afore 
ys,  and  thither  muft  wee  inforce  our  felues.  So  theUjthat  wee  may 
feme  God  according  to  his  owne  will,  let  vs  learne  too  giue  oure 
felues  wholly  vnto  him  :  and  to  the  intent  it  may  bee  knowen  that 
his  willistooholde  vsinfuche  vnitieone  with  another:  like  as 
he  hath  knit  vs  togither  in  an  infeparable  bande,  fo  let  vs  feeke  to 
drawe  our  neybours  vnto  him,  and  therwithall  let  vs  bee  patient 
and  meeke  when  aught  is  to  be  correded :  and  yet  not  bee  willing 
tliat  vice  fliould  be  nouriflied  through  flatterie  &  difsimulation. 

Now  let  vs  kneele  downe  before  the  maieftie  of  our  good  God, 
with  acknowledgement  of  our  faults,praying  him  to  make  vs  feele 
them  more  and  more,  fo  as  it  may  make  vs  to  moume  before  him 
with  true  repentance,  and  to  askehim  forgiuenefle  ofthem,and  to 
labour  always  to  be  knit  vnto  him,  and  to  be  rid  of  all  the  corrup- 
tions of  our  flefh,  and  to  be  clothed  with  his  righteoufnefife  :  and 
that  in  the  meane  while  he  will  beare  with  our  feeblenefle,  till  he 
haue  fully  deliuered  vs.  And  fo  let  vs  all  fay,  Almightie  God  hea- 
uenly  father.Scc. 

77^^.3  5^.  Sermon  ^wbich  is  theficonde 

2.     Bcarc  ye  oneanodiersbnrthen.andfo  fulfill  the  Lav 

of  Chrift. 
3  .FonfanyniS  efteemebimfclf  tobefom^'hatjwhcr- 
as'  ij^4ecdehe  is  nothing  .-^  he dccciucth  himfclfe. 
;    ' ^    '^  Oo.ij^  4    But 


ciiap.^.  ^o.CaLxxxix.fermonypon 

4  But  let  euery  man  try  his  ovvtie  vvork^and  then  flial 

hehaueglory  in  himrelfonly,&:  notin another. 

5  Foreuciy  man  fhallbcare  his ovvne burthen. 

E  haue  fene  this  morning,that  we  muft  beare 

with  mens  infirmities  where  wee  fee  there  is 

any  feare  of  God,  or  any  goodfeede^and  that 

they  be  not  vtterly  wiltull  in  wickednelTe. 

And  To  yee  fee  in  what  caces  wee  ought  to  be 

pitiful!.  But  when  wee  fee  men  fo  proud,that 

they  defpife  God  with  ilubborne  outrage :  it 

is  not  for  vs  toovfe  any  meeldenefle  or  gentlcnelTe  in  that  cace, 

but  for  as  mucheas  they  bee  feene  too  praunce  fo  in  their  braue* 

ries,that  loftinelTe  of  theirs  mufte  bee  plucked  downe,  when  they 

cxahe  them  felues  after  that  fafhion  agaynft  God.  Alfo  I  tolde 

you  therewithal!,  that  too  keepe  a  good  meane  in  rebuking  fuchc 

as  haue  doone  amifle,  euery  man  had  neede  too  bethinke  him- 

felfe :  for  wee  muftfirft  of  a!!  condemne  oure  felues  :  that  is  the 

poynt  which  wee  mufte  begmne  at.  And  when  wee  fee  what  wee 

our  felues  are,  and  that  wee  haue  great  ftore  of  vyces  in  vs  wor- 

tliy  too  bee  rebuked :  then  haue  wee  there  on  the  other  fide  wher- 

with  too  humble  our  felues,  and  too  reftraynevs  from  vfing  too 

great  or  excefsiuc  rigour  towards  fuche  as  haue  neede  too  bee 

fuccoured,and  too  bee  borne  withall.  Sain6l  Paule  therefore  con- 

tinueth  fti!l  the  fame  matter,  faying,  that  he  \i>hiche  Xi?eeneth  him  felfe 

too  bee  arty  thing.U  nothing,  hut  deceyuetbhimftlfe:  For  euer}'  man 

(huts  his  eyes  when  he  fiiould  tliinke  vpon  his  owne  fmnes.  Of  a 

truth  thei-^  can  not  be  fo  muche  as  one  droppe  of  vertue  in  vs,but 

by  and  by  we  magnifie  it :  but  if  our  vices  be  apparant  to  the  whole 

world,in  fo  muche  that  euen  little  children  can  !augh  vs  to  fcorne: 

yet  can  not  wee  our  felues  fee  them.  Now  S.PauIc  intending  too 

corre6le  this  vyce/ayth  that  men  are  lothe  too  bee  deccyued ,  and 

yet  neuerthelelTe  euery  man  beguyles  him  felfe  willingly  and  wit- 

lingly,eucn  through  his  owne  ouerweening  and  mifconceyt.  And 

by  this  meanes  he  bringeth  vs  too  the  very  welfpriug  (as  I  fayde 

this  morning)  whiche  is  that  if  men  were  not  vjiyneglorious  and 

defirous 


the  SpiB.to  the  (jalathians.       ip  i 

^efirous of  eflimation^furely  there  vvoulde  bee  another  maner 
of  modeftie  and  fobernefre  than  is  too  bee  feene.  But  for  as  mueh 
as  cuery  man  is  puffed  vp  with  pride ,  therefore  wee  couet  fupe- 
rioritie  aboue  all  men ,  and  feeke  occafion  too  treade  them  vnder 
foote,  or  elfe  to  ouercountenance  them  in  fuche  wife,as  they  may 
feeme  our  vnderhngs.  Therefore  it  is  vnpofsiblp  to  redrefle  tliys 
outrage  of  coueting  after  that  forte  too  carpe  and  bite  men :  ex- 
cept we  be  firft  rid  of  this  fonde  deHre  to  be  hid  in  eftimation,  and 
to  bee  a€  it  were  aduaunced  aboue  others.  No  doubt  but  men  can 
talke  well  inough  of  humilitie :  but  there  are  very  hwQ  that  vnder- 
ftande  what  the  worde  meaneth  and  importeth.  Neueitheleffe 
S.Paule  fheweth  vs  heert;,  which  is  the  true  humilitie :  that  is  too 
wit,  that  men  (hould  vtterly  abace  them  felues,  and  confider  that 
they  bee  nothing  woorth,for  then  fliall  they  bee  rightly  humbled, 
VVhen  humilitie  or  lo  wlyneffe  is  talked  of  in  common  fpeeche : 
it  is  taken  to  bee  but  a  deuice.  For  euery  man  can  well  inough  fay 
by  his  honeflie^that  he  is  nothing:  but  in  the  meane  whylethey 
ceaffe  not  to  fwell  lyke  Toades  with  the  poyfon  of  pride.  But  S. 
Pauleteachethvsheere  afarreother  leiTon  :  which  is,  that  wee 
mufle  put  away  all  opinion  of  our  owne  wifedome,  and  of  all  the 
vertues  that  wee  can  imagine  our  felues  too  haue.  For  it  is  fayde 
heere  in  one  word,  that  wee  muft  thinkc  our  felues  to  be  nothings 
And  in  very  deede ,  the  faying  that  is  fet  downe  hecre  mufte  bee 
layde  foorth  thus  :  Seeing  that  men  are  nothing  at  all :  they  that 
prelume  vpon  their  owne  vertues,and  glory  of  them^beguiie  them 
felues  willingly.  Therefore  let  vs  take  this  parte,  namely  that  wee 
bee  noihing.lt  is  true  that  God  hath  lefte  fliil  fome  markes  in  vs, 
whereby  it  may  bee  perccyued  that  hee  hath  exalted  vs  in  worthi^ 
neffe  and  excelicncie  aboue  the  brute  beafles,  in  as  muche  as  it 
M'as  his  wyll  to  create  vs  after  his  owne  image.  Then  if  wee  haue 
rerpe6le,too  the  thing  that  God  dyd  put  into  vs,  the  fajne  oughte 
too  bee  ellcemed  ftill :  but  yet  for  all  that,  in  refpefleofoure 
owne  perfons  wee  bee  nothing.  For  wee  bee  wholly  bounde  vnto 
him,  and  as  for  the  goodneflc  that  wee  haue  receyued ,  haue  wee 
rece^naed  it  for  our  owne  woithinefle  fake  c  Is  it  giuen  men  too 
make  their  owne  eftimation  and  prayfc  of  it  c'  No,  but  rather  to© 
-■    ^  Oo.iij.  increafc 


chap.^:        Jo^  CaLxxxix. Sermon  ypon 

increafe  our  fliame,  bicaufe  that  all  the  vnderftanding,  iudgemett^' 
and  difcretion  that  is  in  vs,  is  conTipted  and  marred  by  our  owne 
naughtinefTe.  Too  bee  Hiorte ,  wee  bee  like  a  {linking  and  rotten 
veflell,  and  Gods  giftes  are  as  good  wine  that  is  put  into  the  vef- 
feli :  and  Co  by  that  meanes  all  is  marde.  Eucn  fo  is  it  with  vs, We 
bee  veflels.  And  what  maner  of  veflcls  c'  Vefleis  infefted  wyth 
the  corruption  of  finne.  God  putteth  of  his  giftes  into  vs,  too  the 
cnde  he  mighte  bee  glorified  by  it,  Nowe,  maye  wee  defeme  too 
haue  any  prayfe  thereby  before  men:'  No,  but  rather  blame, 
bicaufe  that  wee  by  our  finfulnefie  doomarre  the  good  thyngs 
that  God  hathe  put  intoo  vs.  Moreouer ,  where  as  it  is  fayde  that 
wee  bee  nothing:  it  is  bicaufe  wee  can  not  but  apply  all  oure 
vnderftanding  and  reafon  vntoo  euill ,  and  for  that  wee  wyll 
ljtn,o»p,^,  needes  bee  counted  wyfe,  j^when  as  notwithftanding]  God  a- 
uoweth  that  there  is  nothing  but  naughtinefTe  in  vs,  and  that 
all  oure  thoughtes,  are  but  vanities,  leafings ,  illufions ,  and  de- 
ceiptes.  Agayne,  where  as  too  our  feeming  wee  haue  a  wyll  wher- 
by  wee  choofe  bothe  good  and  euill :  the  fame  will  is  a  bondOaue 
too  finne ,  fo  as  wee  doo  nothing  q\Cq  butiighte  agaynft  God. 
As  muche  is  too  bee  fayde  of  all  oure  affe6lions.  And  \S  we  haud 
any  thing  dC^  that  feemeth  commendable,  God  difliibuteth  it  too 
cuery  man  as  itpleafeth  him  felfe ,  and  moreouer  he  is  fayne  too 
continue  the  thing  that  he  hath  begonne,  as  wee  fee  by  experience. 
What  caufe  then  hathe  he  too  boaft,  whiche  hathe  a  fliarpe  and 
futtle  witte,  feeing  it  is  not  he  that  hath  made  him  MCq  to  excell, 
as  though  he  had  bin  his  owne  maker  C' Therefore  wee  mufl  holdc 
all  things  of  God,and  doo  him  homage  for  them.  Agayne  we  fee 
that  euen  they  which  take  diem  felues  to  bee  iollyeft  fellowes,eue 
they  that  aremoft  honored  in  the  world,  who  mud  not  be  replied 
agaynft  when  they  haue  once  fpoken  the  worde,!  fay  wee  fhall  fee 
cuen  them  made  brutifhe  when  it  pleafeth  God .  So  then,  let  v$ 
conclude  that  Sain6lPauIe  dooth  iuftly  abolifhe  heere  all  die 
power  that  men  preiame  to  haue,  to  the  ende  that  they  maye  bee 
rightly  humbled^that  is  to  wit,to  the  ende  we  may  not  thinke  our 
felues  to  bee  aught  woorth.  Marke  that  for  one  poynt.Now  here- 
vponhe  mocketh  the  fgsnde  vayneglorigufnefTe  whiche  rayiifheth 


the  SpiB.to  the  (jalathians.       2  pi 

their  vvitteSjbicaufe  there  is  not  any  man  that  would  willingly  bee 
bcguyled.  ^nd  in  v^ery  deed*  it  is  a  greefe  to  vs  when  wee  fee  any 
man  go  about  to  winde  vs  in  by  wylynefle  and  difsimulation,  and 
we  can  by  no  meanes  brookc  it :  and  yet  for  all  that  we  fhall  finde 
no  greater  deceyucrs  in  the  worlde  too  vs,than  our  felues.  Euery 
inan  dcceyues  him  felfe,euery  man  ouerthrowes  him  felfe,yea  and 
that  m  a  maner  willingly -.and  what  afollie  is  thatc'  Nowe  then 
wee  fee  S.Paules  drifte,  and  alfo  the  leflbn  that  wee  haue  too  ga- 
ther of  that  fenrence.  For  as  moch  as  euery  of  vs  will  needes  ad- 
iiaunce  him  felfe  by  abacing  his  fellowes  :  therefore  S.  Paule  tel- 
leth  vs,  that  if  wee  make  a  good  andrighte  trysail  of  the  things  that 
ai"e  in  vs :  there  will  not  bee  founde  fo  muche  as  one  drop  of  vcr- 
tuethat  defemeth  prayfe,at  Icallwife  in  refpede  of  our  ownc 
perfons.  For  wee  bee  nothing,  and  there  needed  but  one  blaft  too 
make  cleane  difpatche  of  vs.  Therefore  it  is  but  a  foolifhe  ouer- 
weening  that  letteth  vs  too  walkc  in  fimplicitie.  And  fo  let  vs  vn- 
derftande  fii*{l  of  all,  that  wee  can  not  chalenge  any  thing  too  our 
fc  hies  without  treafon  to  God,bicaufe  it  is  a  robbing  of  him  of  the 
right  that  belongeth  to  him,and  which  ought  to  be  referued  vnto 
him,and  that  is  to  our  ownc  de(lru6lion.  For  in  good  fay th  what 
(hall  we  gayne  by  it  when  we  (hall  haue  abufed  men,and  when  wc 
fhall  haue  bin  taken  for  other  than  we  be  c'  To  be  fhorte,  when  wc 
(hall  haue  bin  as  Idols ,  what  will  bee  the  endc  of  it  but  our  owne 
decay  and  confuHon  <  Then  feeing  it  is  fo :  let  vs  leamc^too  bee 
caft  down  Be  layde  flat  vpon  the  ground,  that  we  may  be  through- 
ly grounded  in  our  God.  And  to  brmg  that  to  pafle,  let  vs  leamc 
to  magniiie  him  only.  And  in  the  meane  while,  if  it  pleafe  him  to 
cxaltevSjletvsnotceafletokcepe  our  felues  m  continuall  awe 
with  fobemefie  and  modeftie,  knowing  that  wee  haue  nothing  of 
our  owne,  and  that  whatfoeucr  God  hath  giuen  \Tito  vs,he  muftc 
be  fayne  to  preferue  it  in  vs  from  time  to  time,  and  that  wee  muft 
fo  holde  all  things  of  him,  as  to  make  a  willing  facrificc  and  obla- 
tion of  them  vnto  him,  indeuoring  to  imploy  our  felues  in  the  fcr- 
uice  of  our  neibours,  according  to  the  meafure  of  grace  which  wee 
haue  receiued  of  him,&  yeelding  the  prayfe  thereof  too  him  vnto 
whom  it  belongeth.  This  is  in  effect  the  thing  'that  wee  haue  too 

Oo.iiij.  remcm- 


Chap.^:     ^   f  oXd.xxxixSermoH'Vpon 

remember  vp^on  this  ftreyne.  Tmely  ic  is  harde  too  bring  vs  too 
this  rearonabienefTe.  And  in  good  foothe  wee  fee  tlie  great  cofn- 
tentions  that  are.  nowe.  adayes  about  Freewill  and  mens  owne 
vertues,  ias  though  men  were  able  to  aduaunce  them  feiues^and  to 
take  the  grace  oFGod^  and  by  that  meane  to  deierue  well .  But  all 
tliis  proceedeth  of  this^that  men  are  forepoffefied  with  fuch  diue-. 
lifhe  pride ,  as  they  wyll  euermorc  needes  bee  fomewhat  of  them 
felues.  And  therefore  it  flandeth  vs  fo  muche  the  more  on  hande 
too  put  this  do£lrine  in  praclife,  Certaynely  wee  can  not  profite 
fr,  1  ^  5.,5.(j  at  ailm  Gods  fchole,  nor  in  the  holy  Scripture;,  till  we  haue  kno- 
wen  that  wee  bee  nothing  at  all>  too  ihe  ende  wee  may  come  too 
drawe  out  of  the  fulneffe  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  But  that  can 
wee  not  doo,  excepte  wee  bee  firfl  vtterly  drycd  vp  in  our  feluesj 
end  confcrfe  with  Dauid  that  wee  bee  as  the  earth  that  is  fcorched 
and  clouen  with  heate,and  haue  no  whit  of  wetting  or  moyfture, 
other  tiian  it  may  receyiiefrbm  heauen.  Herevpon  S.Paul  addeth^ 
Therefore  kt  iimrymm  trye  hii  o'ipm  Xiforf^eyandthenjhallbe  haue^fayfe 
in  himfe/fejUnd  not  of  other  wen :  that  is  to  fay,  not  by  com.paring  of 
him  felfe  with  other  men.  Heere  S.Paule  remedieth  yet  one  other 
vice  which  is  to  common,and  yet  notwithflanding  we  wil  all  of  vs 
graunt  it  to  be  deadly  of  it  ielfe,andthat  al  of  vsare  attainted  with 
it :  namely  that  we  efteecne  our  felues  as  little  Angels,  when  other 
men  are  wo.rfe  than  we,  or  at .  Icadwife  when  we  find  the  not  better. 
And  that  is.thevei-y: thing  that  rockcthfo  many  wretched  foules 
afleepe  nowaday  s,making  the  to  forget  thefelues,  fo  as  they  make 
no  reckning  neither  of  God  nor  of  their  owne  faiuation.  Itisbi- 
caufe  they  fee  that  the  whole  world  tag  8c  rag  doth  go  that  trace. 
}f  wee  take  a  whole  towne,  and  aske  ^them  from  one  to  an  other 
how  they  behaue  them(elues,furely  euery  man  will  haue  bis  excufe 
and  they  will  all  pretende  this  for  a  buckIer,Tu{h  wee  mull  doo  as 
other  men  doo.  As  jnuch  will  they  fay  in  cities  Sc  countreis.  To  be 
fhortpwe  wil  needs  be  like  coliars  facks(as  the  Prouerbe  fayth)  one 
of  vs  makedi  another  black.  And  agayn,we  beare  our  felues  in  had, 
that  we  be  quite  &  cl ere  before  God  wlie  we  ca  fay :  fuch  a  one  is  a«^ 
bad  as  I, wee  fee  that  the  world  is  no  better,it  is  apparante  that  all 
men  doo  fo»  Howebeeit,  befidejs. thatthcfe  fiiifts  cannot  jpui^  vs^ 
.'      "  "^  ihey 


the  EpisiJo  the  (jalathians.        ip^ 

fltkey  be  an  occafion  too  harden  v§  in  all  naughtinefle,  and  to  make 
vs  rebellioufly  to  defpile  Gods  iuflice/as  though  wee  fhould  neucr 
come  to  account  of  our  doyngs.  So  haue  we  a  ver^'  good  and  pro- 
£table  exhortation  in  this  text,  when  S.Paule  faith  that  euery  man 
niuft  trie  his  own  worke.  Tixie  it  is  that  the  word  which  he  vfeih, 
might  be  taken  for  to  approue  or  allow.but  it  qgreeth  not  with  the 
anatter  :  for  he  fpeaketh  heere  of  the  tr^^ali  or  examinatic  that  eue- 
ry man  ought  to  make  of  himfelf, without  comparing  himfelte  with 
others :  according  as  we  fee  how  in  the  fecond  to  the  Corinthians,  i.Coy, lOth^ 
tie  taunteth  fuch  as  had  meafured  thefelues  by  others  mens  yardes.  7, 
JFor  S.Paule  fayd  vntoo  them,  Euery  one  of  you  confider  what  he 
-hath  done,and  when  yee  haue  well  layd  all  your  percelts  togither': 
-what  will  you  fhewe  c*  Therfore  euery  one  of  you  mufl:  come  and 
as  it  were  lay  himfelf  vpon  the  racke,that  it  may  be  feene  what  ma- 
tter of  man  he  is,and  what  he  hath  done :  and  then  may  iudgement 
be  giuen  of  him.  Euen  fo  is  it  fayd  in  this  text,that  euer^^  man  mufi: 
try  his  owiie  worke.  As  if  he  fhould  fay,  we  will  needcs  be  aduaun- 
ced  bne  aboue  another,  but  if  it  bee  caft  in  any  of  our  tefeth  that  wfe 
haue  done  amiile,  by  and  by  his  cloke  fhall  be,  that  he  hath  a  great' 
fort  of  fellowes  :  but  that  (hall  neuergofor  payment  before  God 
(fayth^.Paule :  )euery  man  muft  fhole  out  himfelfe,and  fet  himfelf 
alone  afide  from  the  reft,  and  vnderftand  that  he  (hall  be  acquit  or 
condemned  before  God,not  therafter  as  another  ma  fhall  be  found 
to  bee  better  or  worfe  than  he,  but  after  the  mle  of  the  iudge,  that 
is  to  fay,  after  his  woord.  For  God  hath  on  the  one  fide  his  ovvne 
word,&  on  the  otherfide  our  life.  Therfore  the  tme  balance  wher- 
vnto  we  muft  come  :  is  not  too  fet  downe  the  multitude  [for  our 
excuce]and  to  fay,  fuch  men  or  fuch  haue  mifmftmcled  me,  I  haue 
followed  that  which  I  fa  we,  it  was  the  common  fafhion,!  was  faine 
to  doo  fo  wiiither  I  would  or  no  :  for  I  was  caryed  away,  byoiufe  I 
was  not  able  to  ftandageinft  a  multitude.  No, none  of  theie  things 
will  go  for  payment  before  God,  it  will  not  feme  cvur  turne  to  lay, 
that  wehaue  many  fellowes.  But  (as  I  hauefayde  already )  the  true 
balance  is  that  Gods  word  be  the  Counterpeyfe,  and  [to  confiderj 
that  although  the  whole  v/orld draw  vs  vnto  euill,yer  wee  (li  \l  not 
bee  exculed  if  wei pr^crre not  God  and  his  word  before  all  mens 

Oo.^^  doyngs* 


Chap.^.  ^0^  CaLxxxtx.Sermon  ypon 

doyngs.  And  heerc  firfl  of  al},in  following;  the  matter  that  S.Pauld- 
layeth  forthe,\vhen  account  is  to  be  entered  into,  we  muft  call  our 
felues  home  to  examine  our  owne  lyues  throughly.For  a  man  fhall 
neuer  bee  touched  with  true  repentance,  nor  neuer  acknowledge 
his  fins  without  hypocrifie,  till  he  haue  fhet  his  eyes  ageynft  al  the 
doyngs  of  other  men,  and  fall  to  confidering  thus  with  hymfelfe  : 
'  Go  too,  what  is  it  that  my  God  commaundeth  mee  c'  After  u hat 
manner  may  I  appeare  before  hy  s  iudgement  feate  ^  Howe  wyil  he 
iudgemee^  Accordyngtoo  hysworde.  Beholdeheere  inetfede 
howe  wee  may  be  touched  with  the  tme  fcare  of  God :  behold  al- 
fo  hbwe  wee  may  miflyke  of  our  finnes,  and  finally  bee  humbled ; 
namely,not  by  looking  vppon  this  man  or  that  man;bu]t  by  exami- 
ning truely  what  wee  ourfelues  arc,  and  therevppon  by  refoluing 
our  felues  fully,that  only  Gods  word  (hall  bearefway  with  vi.  Sc 
that  it  is  not  for  vs  to  giue  iudgement  by  the  things  that  are  feens 
in  the  world.  Let  that  feme  for  one  poynt.  And  herevppon  al^o  we 
may  gather  a  generall  lefson :  namely  thatitisto  grolTeanouer* 
(ight,  too  thinke  too  burie  ourfaultes  and  too  fcape  vnefpyed,  by 
hauing  a  great  number  giltie  as  well  as  our  felues.  And  yet  neuer- 
ihelelfcitisthe  common  excuce  noweadayes,  as  I  haue  touched 
alreadie :  but  yet  for  all  that  it  is  but  a  tr^'fling  excuce.  If  a  manne 
aske  why  the  Papiftes  are  fo  dull,  and  why  they  giue  no  care  too 
any  reafon,  tell  them  what  yee  can,  but  account  it  as  nothing :  it  i$ 
bycaufe  they  ludge  by  comparifon,  faying :  Al  the  world  doth  thus. 
Too  bee  fliortc,  God  feemeth  vntoo  them  too  bee  barred  of  all 
libertie,  when  the  worlde  behaueth  it  fclfe  otherwyfe  than  he  hath 
commaunded  by  hys  woorde.  But  it  is  too  no  purpofc  for  them 
too  fet  downe  and  obie6l  fuche  examples :  for  they  cannot  preiu- 
dice  God,  that  he  fhuld  not  alwayes  condemne  fuch  as  haue  done 
tmi(l€.  Thoughe  there  were  a  thoufande  worldes,  yet  iTiouldc 
they  all  go  to  wrecke  before  him,  fpecially  if  men  came  wyth  fuch 
ftatelyneflc,  as  too  fay e,  ITius  and  tlius  doo  wee.  And  who  arc 
you  C'  Thus  ye«  fee  in  eff ed  wherevntoo  this  textc  ought  to  feme 
vs  that  wee  may  take  profite  by  it,  where  Sain6l  Paule  would  haue 
euery  man  too  trye  his  owne  woorkes.  And  it  is  purpofely  faydc 
bjs  Qlifne  y^Qorh£,  too  bryng  vs  too  tlie  conCderation  of  our  whole 

iyfe. 


the  EpiH.to  the  (^alathians.       ip^ 

lyfe.  For  he  meaneth  not  that  wee  fhould  take  a  peece  of  it  and 
let  the  reft  alone  :  but  that  Jyke  as  God  hath  written  all  in  his  re- 
cordeSjfo  wee  on  our  fide  fhould  fearch  throughly  by  parcelmeale 
wherin  we  may  haue  offended,and  what  vices  and  infirmities  there 
are  in  vs.That  is  it  that  S.  Paule  ment  by  the  word  yifoorf^e.  For  it 
may  happen  now  Sc  then^that  in  fome  one  point  we  (hall  haue  fer- 
ued  God  faithfully,but  yet  howfoeuer  it  be  done, there  is  (lil  fome 
infirmitie  in  it.  Agein  wee  bee  faultie  of  fo  many  imperfections,  as 
itabafhethvstoofeeit,  and  wee  cannot  but  euenlothe  ourfeU 
Oes. 

Therfore  let  vs  leame  to  examin  our  ownc  Hues  well,before  we 
iudge  of  other  mennes.For  feeyng  that  God  dooth  vs  the  honour 
to  make  euery  of  vs  his  owne  iudge :  wee  do  but  increafe  our  own 
damnation  before  him, when  wee  be  fo  rough  and  feuere  towardes 
thofe  that  haue  offended,  and  forget  our  owne  finnes.  Now  wher- 
as  S.PauIe  faith  that  euery  man  (hal  haue  praife  in  himfelfe  only:it 
is  not  ment  when  men  examine  themfclues,  they  (hal  find  caufe  in 
them  wherfore  to  be  prayfed :  but  that  the  true  praife  is  that  which 
hath  fome  fubftantialneffe  in  it  felfe :  which  is,  diat  euery  ma  know 
•what  he  himfelfe  is,  and  iudge  of  himfelfe  without  comparing  with 
others.  As  for  exainple :  it  is  alwayes  fayd  that  a  purblind  perfon  is 
cleerfiighted,among  the  that  are  ftarke  blind.  And  among  the  blad: 
Moores,he  that  is  tawny  will  fecme  white.  If  iudgemcnt  bee  giuen 
of  a  white  man  when  he  is  among  a  dozen  Moores,there  will  be  no 
whitenefTevntohis.Butifhe  bee  brought  agein c  among  his  owne 
country  men,he  will  bee  found  to  bee  a  fane  other  than  he  was  ta- 
ken to  bee.  If  It  bee  fayde,  Lo  heere  a  man  thatis  clecrfighted,  and 
yet  he  is  but  purblind  :  his  cleerfightednelTe  fliali  bee  but  in  com- 
parifon  of  them  that  ar£  ftarke  blind :  for  his  eyefight  is  not  cleere 
and  found  in  deede.  Euen  fo,  too  iudge  by  comparifon  is  a  very 
fond  thing.  I'hus  yee  fee  in  effeft  what  Sain6l  Paule  ment  to  fay. 
He  ment  not  that  when  wee  haue  examined  our  lyfe,  wee  haue 
wherefore  too  commend  and  efteeme  our  felues  :  but  that  all  the 
prayfes  which  mendoo  chalenge  toothemfelues,arebu:  wynde 
andfmoke,  and  ftarke  lyes,  bycaufetheirgazmgisat  themfelucs, 
AS  if  a  man  ft^ouid  bee  in  ioue  with  his  owne  image. 

Maike 


Chap.^.  n-o.Calxxxix.Sermon  ypon 

Marke  me  a  little  chyld  when  one  flievvcth  him  a  gla{^e,h©^knowe$ 
not  whither  it  be  himfelfe  or  another;  whom  he  fees  there,  and  yet 
is  he  altogether  fond,  of  it.  Euen  fo  is  it  with  all  fuche  a^  beleeue 
themfelues  to  be  wonderous  fellowes.  And  why  To  C'  VVherevpon 
do  they  ground  themfelues, or  what  reafon  moueth  them,  but  that 
they  feenie  to  themfelues  to  be  of  more  valevv,than  they  that  were 
able  to  fhewe  them  the  way :'  For  fee  heere  what  they  will  alledge. 
O  (fay  they) fuche  a  man  is  well  eileemed,  but  yet  he  hath  fuche  a 
fault  and  fuch  a  fault  in  him.  So  that  when  a  mans  vyces  are  fear- 
ched  out,  if  they  be  condemned,ye  fee  it  is  but  a  fport  of  little  chil^ 
ilren.Thcrfore  not  without  cauie  doth  S.Paule  fay,  diat  to  make  a 
a  good  tryall,that  wee  may  haue  a  well  grounded  prayfe  and  fuch  ^ 
one  as  may  ftand  before  God,  wee  mud  try  ourfelues.If  a  man  fay, 
yea  :  but  may  a  man  prayfe  himfelfe  C  It  is  fo  certeinetliat  we  mud 
be  voyd  of  all  glorie,  to  put  in  vre  that  which  wee  haue  feen  in  an- 
other text, where  it  is  fayd  that  we  mult  glorie  in  God.  The  quefti- 
on  then  is  not  whither  men  may  bee  prayfed  or  no  :  but  S.Paule 
hath  fayd  condkionally,that  if  any  man  will  be  praifed  of  God,  he 
niufl:  withdraw  himfelf  as  it  were  into  his  fecret  chamber,  and  con- 
fider  what  maner  of  one  he  is :  and  then  will  he  be  no  more  fo  foo- 
iiflie  as  to  commend  himfelfe  or  to  fay,  tuflie,!  am  v/oorth  as  much 
as  fuch  a  one,I  am  as  good  a  man  as  he.  V  Vhen  this  greere  is  pul* 
led  downe  :  then  fhall  a  man  fee  whither  he  ought  to  be  prayfed  or 
no.Now  of  a  taith,it  is  certein  that  there  is  not  one  Iparke  of  praife 
in  vs,at  lead  wife  that  we  may  chalendge  as  our  owne.  Neuerthe- 
ieffe  wee  fliall  not  fayle  to  haue  prayfe  in  our  God  :  which  is  much 
better  than  if  wee  were  hoyfled  aboue  the  Cloudes.  For  when  me 
deceiue  themfelues  with  a  vayne  opinion ,  or  that  the  whole 
world  laugheth  vpon  them :  it  feemeth  to  them  that  they  flie  in  the 
aire :  but  it  is  the  next  way  to'make  them  tumble  downe  Sc  breake 
their  neckes.  Lo  wherevntoo  all  this  prefumption  that  blindeth  vs 
ferueth  vs.  But  when  we  once  know  what  it  is  too  feeke  prayfe  in 
Ciod  :  then  are  wee  in  the  w^ay  too  bee  rightly  knit  vnto  him,  and 
fo  fliaii  wee  ftand  vppon  a  good  and  furc  groiuid  to  be  prayfed  and 
efteemed.  According  wherevnto  wee  fee  how  S.  Paule  glorieth  in 
his  good  conijpience  and  in  liis  vprightnelTe.He  fayth  that  they  who 

he 


the  Epifl.tothe  (jalathtans,       295 

he  Iiatli  wonne  vnto  lefus  Chrift  by  the  Gofpcll  are  his  CrowTie  or 
garland.  And  all  Gods  femants  may  fay  as  much.  NeuerthclefTe,  it 
is  not  men:  that  they  muft  part  ftakes  with  God,  as  they  do  which 
alledge  their  own  vertues  and  deferuings,  who  out  of  all  doubt  do 
make  as  it  were  ydolls  oFthemfelues:  But  that  the  faithful  hauing 
confeiTed  themfelues  to  be  nothing  at  all  but  by  Gods  free  good- 
-nefTe.reioyce  in  the  things  that  he  hath  giuen  them,  alwayes  refer' 
uing  too  him  his  due.  Therforc  when  wee  defire  not  too  haue  any 
thing  too  ourfelues  alone  from  God,  but  depend  vppon  him  and 
vpon  his  meere  grace :  then  fhall  wee  haue  praife,  howbeit  in  our 
felues  (fayth  S.Paule)  and  not  in  other  folke.  Nowe  whereas  it  '\% 
fayd  S«/  in  ourjelues :  it  is  not  mcnt  that  the  praife  fprmgeth  in  our 
felues,  and  that  wee  bee  not  fmners :  but  he  hath  an  eye  too  that 
which  I  haue  told  you  alreadie  :  which  is,diat  fo  long  as  men  ftand 
vpo  comparing  of  thefelues  wyth  other  folks,  they  do  but  deceiue 
themfelues.  For  it  wyll  feeme  that  wee  bee  little  Angells :  and  yet 
for  all  that,  wee  fhall  bee  neuerawhit  better  than  Diuells.  And 
why  'f  For  wee  lyken  ourfelues  but  too  fuche  as  are  ftarke  nought 
and  vtterly  corrupted.  Nowe  if  euer  this  warning  were  necefl  arie, 
it  is  moft  neceffarie  nowe  adayes.  For  althoughe  there  haue  bin 
muche  corruption  euen  euer  from  SainclPaules  tyme  hytherto  : 
yet  at  this  day  it  is  come  to  the  full  heygth  of  it.  And  in  v  ery  dee  de 
it  feemeth  that  all  dates  and  degrees  haue  confpired  ageynft  God. 
Wee  fee  then  that  the  worlde  rufheth  foorth  as  it  were  into  a  fu- 
rious rage,  too  malce  warre  ageynft  all  equitie  and  vpryghtnelfe : 
and  yet  wee  ceafle  not  too  fleepc  ftill  in  fuch  confufion.  And  why^ 
Bycaufe  euery  man  doothfo.  And  by  that  meanes  God  is  as  it 
weredriuen  backe.  Thinke  wee  that  wee  by  our  iniquities  fhall 
thruft  him  out  of  his  feate,or  bereeue  him  of  his  authoritie  of  iud- 
ging  the  whole  wOrld:*  No :  For  all  of  vs.  without  exception  rcwiQt 
appeare  before  him,  and  there  wee  cannot  fhocke  ourfelues  toge- 
ther too  fay,  Sirs  let  vs  fticke  too  our  tackeling,  for  wee  bee  too 
great  a  multitude.  God  w)^th  one  blaft  of  hys  [mouth  is  able  too 
fincke  a  hundred  worldes.  Sith  it  is  fo,let  vs  put  the  thing  in  prac- 
tife  which  is  fpokenheere  by  Sainft  Paul,'and  let  euery  man  kc-epe 
good  watche  ouer  himfelfe.  And  when  wee  fee  blafphemie, whore- 
dome. 


chap.(^.  :        fo.CaLxxxix.fermoni>pon    \\ 

^ome,  waritonneTe,  Looceneflc,  drunkehnefTc,  gluttonie;  pyl- 
ling  and  polling,  periurie,  treafon,  enuicj  and  fuche  other  lyke 
things  haue  theyr  full  fcope :  Let  vs  bee  forie  for  it,  and  yet  let  vs 
not  thinke  that  bycaufe  the  thornes  among  the  which  wee  waJke 
tioofcrvitchevs,  therefore  v/ee  bee  difcharged  :  nor  that  it  may 
Jiuayle  vs  when  wee  can  alledge,  that  other  men  haue  bin  the  caufe 
of  our  ftartirig  out  intoo  lewde  behauiour,  or  of  that  wee  hgue  bin 
car^'ed  awayin  deede  as  it  were  wyth  a  whirle  wynde.  I  fay  let  vs 
not  thinke  that  that  can  auayie  vs :  but  letvs  followe  Gods  word 
when  it  is  preached  vntoo  vs  :  Let  that  bee  all  our  wyfedome.  Let 
that  bee  ail' our  counfell,  accordyng  as  it  is  fayde  in  the  hundred 
and  nyneteenth  Pfaime,  that  Gods  commaundementes  are  the 
Counfellers  of  a  fay  thfuU  man .  VVhen  a  young  man  that  is  rea- 
die  too  fall  too  vnthriftinefie  hath  a  gouernour  too  holde  hym  in 
awe,  he  will  bee  reftreyned  for  a  tyme.  Nowe  truely  Satan  hathe 
great  flore  of  allurementes,  and  infinite  meanes  and  occafionsto 
breake  our  neckes  withall :  But  G  od  of  his  grace  gyueth  vs  c,Qun- 
feil,  he  fetteth  hys  word  before  vs. 

Thcrforeit  is  good  reafon  he  fhoulde  win  To  muche  at  our 

•handes  as  too  bee  herde  of  vs,  and  that  wee  (hould  frame  our  fel- 

ues  too  hym  :  for  what  fhall  it  aduauntage  vs  too  haue  alledged  a. 

hundred  rhouCande  tymes  that  wee  haue  doone  as  other  men  didf 

It  is  all  one  as  if  wee  fhoulde  faye,  Tufhefirra,  weepafle  notfo 

muche  forG  O  Das  for  menne,  wee  haue  preferred  the  wprlde, 

whycheleddevstoo  vnthriftineffe,  and  withdrawen  our  felues 

from  all  goodnelTe.    Is  thys  a  reafonable  excuce  c'  No  :  Is  it  not 

ail  one  as  if  wee  fhoulde  fpit  in  hys  face,  and  bid  hym  backe  and 

^^et  him  hence,  that  menraaye  haue  full  fwaye  among  vs,  for  wee 

imiftdooasthey  dooand  frame  our  felues  top  the  bentof  they^ 

bO\ve  C'  Ihusyeefeeinfewe  woordes  too  what  vfe  wee  ought 

now  adayes  too  put  i\rfs- do61riae  of  Sain6l  Paules.    And  for  the 

fame  caufe  aifo  he  addeth,  that  euery.  man  Jhallbeare  hisoy^ne  buy-f 

'  then .    As.if  he  had  fayde,  euery  man  fjiall  bee  combered  ynoughe 

forhymfelfe^  wythout,  helping  of  hysfellowe.  True  it  is  that  this 

■>fpftteEice;  may  jbee  applyed.  too/^any ,  vfes ,  yea  e-uen  w^thoute 

'  tmtiin^  of  the  wo-ordeafromS-ain^  Pjaules  owne  meaning.  For 

•■--  ■  ii 


the  EpM.tothe(jalathians .      ip6 

if  thys  rcafon  tliat  euery  manne  fhali  beare  hys  owne  burthen  be- 
fore GO  D,  bee  alleaged  as  a  generall  matter  :  then  vfeth  he  the 
woorda  burthen,  too  cutte  oif  all  excuces,  too  the  endethac  metii 
(houldethinke  that  all  theyr  fhyftesand  ftartingholes  cannot  a- 
uayle  them :  and  that  is  well  vvoorthie  too  bee  marked.  For  wee 
fee  what  malapertnelTe  is  in  vs :  wee  woulde  bee  afhamed  to  (land 
in  contention  wyth  creatures  as  wee  doo  with  our  GOD,  and 
for  proofe  thereof,  ifGodprelTevs,  wee  wyll  neuer  leaue  cure 
replying  and  murmuring,  till  wee  bee  more  than  conuicled.  Yec 
fee  then  that  Sain6t  Paules  fetring  downe  of  thy  s  woorde  burthen, 
is  as  if  he  fhoulde  faye  that  wee  cannot  accufe  GOD,  nor  winne 
any  thing  by  {landing  in  contention  with  him.For  why :'  V  Vhence 
commeth  the  condemnation  that  prellethvs  c'  Is  it  of  that  God 
ftretcheth  oute  hys  arme  too  make  vs  feele  hy s  power  in  puer- 
whelmyngvs^  No,  buteuery  manneihall  bearehis  owne  bur- 
then.       . 

Nowe  it  is  verie  true  that  Gods  wrathe  is  lykcned  too  a  bur- 
ning fyre  which  confumeth  all :  but  in  the  meanewhyle,  whence  ^/^/^/•qVj 
commeth  the  wood  of  the  fyre  that  confumeth  vs  :*  VVhat  kind-  ^  *  * 
leth  it  C'  What  maynteinetb  it  C'  It  is  wee  our  felues  :  Our  fmnes 
SitG  (ais  yec  woulde  faye )  the  wood,  and  our  wicked  luftes  haue 
kindled  the  fyre.  Euenfoisitasinrefpetle  of  the  woorde  !B«r- 
then.  It  is  true  that  it  is  Gods  hand  which  prefTeth  the  wicked  :  but 
yet  notwithftanding  if  tliey  looke  vppon  the  veiye  caufe ,  they 
Ihall  fynde  it  1:0  bee  their  owne  fmnes.  Thus  much  concerning  the 
worde  (Buythm,  Now  after  diat  S.Paule  hath  flopped  all  mouthes, 
&  fhewed  th^'wee  muft  quietly  receiue  the  iudgement  that  Gp4 
fhall  giuc  vppon  vs  :  he  telleth  vs  that  euer^^  man  fhall  beare  hys 
iowne  burthen.  And  thervpon  wee  haue  to  gather  the  thing  whic:h 

'I  haue  touched  a  Ireadie,  namely  tliat  euery  manfhal  bee  combered 
ynoughwith'himfelfe.And  SiPaule  doth  purpofely  fay  fo,  by  caufe 

.  -that  ^vhen  1  referre  my  felf  to  cuflbme  and  fay, the  fafhion  or  guife 

Ws  fd,and  etlietymandooth  fo  :  it  is  all  one  as  if  I  would  vnburthea 
my  felfe.  But  nowe  mufl  I  looke  whither  they  whomi  alledge  for 
my  warrant  bee  flrong  ynough^  and  whither  their  fhoulders  bee  a* 
bie  to  beare  my  burthen.  - 

.   -rr't--  -  Behold, 


cbap.^.  fo.QLxxxix.fermon  ypon 

Behold.God  calleth  mee,  and  I  mud  bee  fayne  to  yeeldc  vp  an  ac- 
count of  my  lyfc  :  and  I  fliall  go  feeke  warrantes  too  anfwere  fof 
mee.And  who  be  they  <  Euery  man  fhal  bee  combered  ynough  in 
anfNvering  for  himfelf :  there  is  not  that  man  which  hath  not  faults 
ynow  of  his  own  alreadie.  And  how  then  could  they  beare  my  bur- 
then if  I  fhould  caft  it  vpon  them,  feeing  they  bee  fo  fore  loden  al- 
ready with  themfelues,  as  is  able  too  wey  them  downe  a  hundred 
times:' Is  it  not  then  a  great  folly  formee  to  bring  fuch  warrantes 
before  God  c*  I  am  giltie  of  a  hundred  thoufand  faultcs,  I  fball  bee 
put  there  into  the  throng  among  the  reft,  and  if  I  examine  my  felfe 
rightly,!  fhall  finde  my  felfe  woife  than  giltie  as  I  fayd,  and  yet  for 
all  this,  I  will  fatiffye  God  with  faying,  I  haue  followed  the  com- 
mon trace.  VVhilelgoabouttodifcharge  my  felfe  after  this  fa- 
fhion  vppon  others,  a  thoufand  pcrfons  or  twayne  (hall  fall  vpon 
tiiee,and  by  that  meanes  my  burthen  which  was  too  heauie  already 
fhall  bee  increafed  and  bee  made  much  heauicr :  and  fo  yee  fee  wee 
(hall  ftill  abide  in  confufion.  Nowe  therefore  wee  fee  what  folly  it 
IS  too  2\kd§;d  men,  as  thoughe  they  could  defend  vs  ageynft  God, 
or  that  wee  could  bee  exempted  from  our  deferued  condemnation 
hy  making  a  number  of  bucklers  after  that  fort,  too  (heeldc  ourfel- 
ues  ageinft  God:as  who  (hould  fay,the  matter  were  doubtfull  who 
-.- .  ,  fhould  get  the  vpper  hande,  whither  Gods  woord  whych  muft  in- 
'  -^  g"^  *  '  dure  for  euer  and  cannot  bee  impeached,  or  elfe  our  luftes  whiche 
are  flefhely.  For  whereof  commeth  cuftome,  and  faHiion,  and  all 
that  men  terme  lawfulnefTcjand  antiquitie  or  prefcription  and  fuch 
other  things :'  Of  nothmg  elfe  but  that  men  will  needes  be  wife  in 
defpite  of  Godiand  moreouer  are  caried  away  with  their  own  wic- 
ked luftes,  &  euery  man  would  haue  the  bridle  flaked, to  take  leaue 
too  do  all  maner  of  lewdnefte.  Yee  fee  then  that  wee  cannot  bring 
any  warmntes  too  fet  ageynft  God,  but  wee  make  open  warre  a- 
geynft  him.  To  bee  (hort,if  euery  of  vs  confider  that  he  is  ouerlp- 
den  with  his  owne  faultes,  he  (hail  haue  caufe  to  humble  himfelfe. 
For  there  is  not  any  man  which  is  not  beaten  downe  to  the  groud 
ifGodiifte  too  enter  in  too  account  with  him,  fpecially  if  he  exe- 
cute rigour  towardes  him,  and  euen  the  ryghtuoufeft  men  of  all, 
flbali  haue  Tomewhat  continually  in  theoi  that  i§  woorthie  of 

blani^ 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathiam.     19  j . 

blame/oastheyfliali  bee  confounded.  LetvsacknowJedgt  this, 
andyeelde  God  the  whole  prayfe,  fuifering  our  felues  to  bee  go-- 
uerned  by  him.   And  let  vs  go  backe  againe  to  that  which  S.Pjiule 
toldevs  heretofore  :  that  is  to  wit,  [^  to  beware^  that  wee  Jcccyue 
not  our  felues  wilfully,  when  we  would  fhew  our  felues  bardie  and 
bolde  in  corre61:ing,rebuking,and  amending  one  man  or  other.  Let 
vs  not  bee  fo  foolifh  as  to  iuftifie  our  felueg  by  comparifon,  as  who 
ftiould  fay  that  God  ought  to  hold  himfelfe  contented  with  our  re- 
buking of  others  after  that  maner^and  for  that  there  is  fomenjewe 
of  vertue  in  vs.  L  ct  vs  not  ftay  vppon  any  of  thefe  things^as  is  tolde 
vs  hcere,  but  let  vs  marke  alfo  by  the  way,  that  whereas  it  is  fayde 
that  euery  man  (hal  beare  his  own  burthen, we  haue  right  great  need 
of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifts  helpe,and  that  he  fhould  take  all  our  bur*     ^ 
thens  vpon  him,  according  as  in  very  deed  hee  hath  borne  all  our    *  ^  ' 
(innes  vpon  the  crofTe^as  fay th  S.Petcr  in  his  firfl  Epiftle.  True  it  is      ^*^' 
that  the  matter  which  S.Paulc  hatidleth  here,is  none  other  than  the 
fame  that  I  haue  declared  alrcdie:that  is  to  wit,  that  we  mud  not  i- 
magin  that  men  are  able  to  warrant  vs,  for  the  rightuoufeft  man  a- 
line  is  comberedynough  with  himfelf.And  furthermore, that  if  our 
Lord  had  not  regard  to  hold  vs  vp,wee  fhoulde  be  opprefled  vnder 
our  burthen.  Yet  notwithftanding  euery  man  muft  anfwer  for  him- 
felfe,and  Gods  word  muft  haue  the  maiftrie  as  I  faid  afore.Thus  yc 
fee  what  S.Paule  intended  to  tell  vs.But  yet  further,  let  vs  thinke  x 
little  vpon  our  felues.If  euery  man  fhould  be  faine  to  beare  his  own 
burthen,who  were  able  to  indure  if^  We  fhould  needes  be  borne 
downe.For  if  a  man  had  but  fome  one  finne  in  him,bcholdhcl  were 
readie  too  fwallowe  him  vp.  Surely  the  weight  of  one  finne  is  hea* 
uierthan  a  ftone  that  were  able  to  crufh  all  our  limmes  and  bones  a 
peeces.  Nowe  it  is  no  talkingof  anyone,  nor  ofahundred :  the 
multitude  of  them  is  infinite.    How  then  fliall  we  ftandc  in  iudge- 
ihent  before  God  when  he  bringeth  vs  to  account :'  Who  can  fay 
that  hee  commcth  franlce  and  frecc"  To  be  fhort,we  Cce  that  if  there 
were  not  a  remedie  in  the  matter  that  S.Paule  telleth  vs  heere  :  we 
fhoulde  all  be  damned.Therefore  we  muft  repayre  to  our  Lorde  le- 
fus Chrift,  for  it  is  hee  that  hath  borne  all  our  burthens ,  as  I  haue 
ailedgedalreadie.  Truly  the  redeeming  of  vsdid  cpft  him  deere, 

I^^.  and 


4;- 


Chap.^.  ^Q^  CaL  xl.  Sermon  y^on 

and  if  we  feeke  heauen  and  earth  throughout  for  the  price  of  aran- 
fome,  we  fhall  not  finde  any  other  than  him,  that  is  able  too  pacific 
God.  Then  had  we  neuer  bin  fandified,  except  the  fonne  of  God 

^fay.,<^yh.  ^^ad  giuen  himfelfe  for  vs.  And  in  very  deed  the  prophete  Efay  (hc- 
weth  how  hee  bare  our  burthens.Namely  that  he  felt  the  paynes  of 
dearh,and  that  the  father  was  faine  to  wrcake  himfelfe  vpon  him,as 
though  hee  had  bin  an  offender  and  giltie  of  all  the  fmnes  of  the 
worlde.Now  therefore  we  muft  refort  vnto  him,  according  alfo  as 
he  allureth  vs  to  him.  And  by  the  way,if  any  man  all  edge  that  here 
feemeth  to  be  fome  contrarietie,  confidering  how  Saint  Paule  faith 
that  euer^'^manfliall  bcare  his  owne  burthen :  the  anfwere  thereto 
iseafie.  VVhen  the  Scripture  fpeaketh  toovsof  Gods  iuftice  :  it 
fayth  that  cuery  man  fhall  bee  recompenced  according  to  his  owne 
workcs.  After  which  maner  Saint  Paule  fpeaketh  in  the.xiiij.to  the 
Romanes.  According  as  euerie  man  (hall  haue  walked  in  his  con- 
uerfation  in  this  world  (fayeth  he)  and  according  as  hee  fhall  hauc 
wrought  in  his  bodie :  fo  muft  he  receyue  his  rewarde.  That  is  the 
order  which  the  fcripturekeepeth  infpeaking  of  Gods  iuftice.  Yea, 
but  in  the  meane  while  it  excludeth  not  the  remedie  that  is  giuen 
vs  in  ourLorde  lefus  Chrift, whereby  men  are  fuccoured.  Lo  how 
Godfuccourethhisele^l,  and  fuch  as  hee  hath  referued  toofalua- 
.  tion :  that  is  to  wit,  after  he  hath  chaftized  them,  he  reacheth  them 
hishande,andiyfteth  themvp  againe  when  hee  hathe  caftthem 
downe.  And  truly  we  fliouldenotknoweof  what  value  the  grace 
ofourLordc  lefus  Chrift  is,  neyther  coulde  wee  tafte  of  it,  ney- 
ther  coulde  wee  euer  bee  partakers  of  it,  vnlefTe  wee  were  vttcr- 
ly  confounded  m  our  felues.  Therefore  let  vs  learne  tc  feele  our 
burthen  m  fuch  v  ifc,  as  too  bowe  vnder  it,  (as  hathe  bin  declared 
this  morning)  and  let  the  fame  leade  vs  too  true  humiljtie.  And 
aFterwarde,  when  wee  haue  felt  the  burthen  more  than  wee  arc 
able  too  beare  :  letvs  repayretoo  oure  Lorde  Ie{^js  Chrift,  who 

M^th.n,      promifethtoo  eafe  vs,  fo  wee  feeke  oure  whole  reft  in  hym.    So 

^.28.        then,  wee  fee  that  Gods  grace  is  not  excluded  when  hys  iuftice  is 

fpoken  of.    For  it  ftandeth  vs  in  hande  too  haue  recourfe  alwayes 

Im.l.ki}.  too  his  mcrcie.  VN'hereas  it-is  fayde  that  hee  Avhichefliall  liaue 
beene  a  cruell  and  mercilclTeperfone,  (hail  haue  iuftice  viithoute 

mercie : 


the  Epifi.to  the  (^alathians.     298 

mercfe  :  thereby  Saint  lames  dboth  vs  too  vnderll:ai-Kle ,  that  ourc 
Lorde  hath  his  iudgement  againft  the  wicked  and  the  reprobates, to 
recompence  them  according  to  their  miilleedes :  andagaine  that  he 
meafureth  his  owne  otherwire,that  is  to  wir, that  after  he  hath  con- 
demned them  in  themfeli^eSjand  made  them  to  feele  their  difeafes 
thereby  to  bring  them  to  true  lowlineffeithcn  he  fetteth  them  vpa- 
gaine.  Then  rhuft  we  firft  be  ftriken  downe  with  Gods  hande,  and 
afterwardc  be  lifted  vp  againe  by  his  gracious  promifes^in  that  hec 
telleth  vs  that  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  wee  fhall  find  all  that  wee 
want.Thus  ye  fee  in  fumme,after  what  maner  we  muft  praftizc  this 
text:  namely  that  in  admonifhing  our  neighbours  with  a  gentle  and 
me  eld  fpirit,and  being  alfo  humble  &  meke  our  felues,  without  pre- 
fuming  any  thing  vpon  our  felues>  wee  muft  examinvvcU  our  owne 
Jiues/o  as  we  may  dayly  bewayle  our  finnes  and  be  forie  for  them, 
to  the  ende  that  we  be  no  more  deccyued  with  hipocrifie,but  labor 
to  withdraw  our  felues  from  the  worlde ,  to  the  intent  we  furmize 
not  that  we  fhall  fcape  Gods  iudgement  by  our  fhiftes.  So  then,  let 
vs  beare  all  thef^  things  in  minde,that  we  may  fubmit  our  felues  to 
the  pure  worde  of  God.  And  whatfoeuer  men  do  to  turne  vs  away 
from  it, let  vs  not  fuffcr  our  felues  too  be  feduced.And  for  the  brin- 
ging hereof  to  paflejlet  vsflee  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  knowing 
that  howe  defirousfo  euer  we  bee  to  giue  our  felues  wholly  to  the 
feruing  of  God,  yet  wee  be  To  ouerlcden  with  finnes  and  imperfec- 
tions, tliat  they  were  able  to  finke  vs  downe  to  the  bottome  of  hell, 
if  wee  had  not  one  to  holde  vs  backe ,  that  is  to  wit,  our  Lorde  le- 
fus Chrift ,  who  hath  borne  all  our  finnes,  and  fet  vs  vtterly  free 
from  them,  too  the  intent  wee  might  hereafter  come  before  God 
with  our  faces  vpright. 

Now  let  vs  acknowledge  our  finnes  with  fuch  humilitie,  as  euc-» 
rie  ofvsmay  confe(re,yea  euen  vnfeynedly,that  we  are  all  forlorne 
and  pafte  hope,  except  this  cure  good  God  haue  pitie  vppon  vs : 
praying  him  neuerthelefle,  too  make  the  fruite  and  vertueof  the 
death  and  palsion  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  auaylable,  not  onely  in 
hyding  of  the  finnes  which  wee  haue  committed  alreadie,  and  in 
burying  them  out  of  rememberaunce  :  but  alfo  in  clenzing  vs  day-» 
Jy  by  hys  holy  fpiritc ;  and  in  holding  vs  \^  continually;  till  wc  bco 
'^ ^  Pp.ij,  <om« 


chap.^.  ^Q^  Cal.  xL  Sermon  y^o?t 

come  to  the  perfe61ion  whercvntoo  he  calleth  vs,  and  be  deliue^-cd 
from  the  prifon  of  finne,whercwith  wee  bee  yet  inclozcd.  Th-v  it 
may  pleafe  him  to  graunt  this  grace,  not  onely  to  vs ,  but  alfo  toQ 
all  people.&c. 

^he.^0  .Sermon y  yvhich  is  the  thirde 

Vpon  theftxth  Chapter. 

6  Let  him  that  is  taught  in  the  vvorde,  make  him  that 

teacheth  him  partaker  of  all  good  things. 

7  Dcceyue  not  your  felues:  God  cannot  be  mocked. 

For  looke  what  a  man  fov  vcth,  that  fhall  he  al-; 
fo  reape. 
2  Forhee  chatfovveth  in  the  flefhe,  fhall  alfo  of  the 
flefhe  reape  corruption  .  But  hee  that  fovvcth 
in  the  fpinte,  fhall  of  the  fpirite  reape  euerlafting 
lyfc. 

Ee  fee  well  yno6gh  that  whcrefoeuer  S.  Pauld 
I  was  knowne,  he  could  not  be  fufpeded  to  be  a 
man  much  giuen  too  his  owne  profite.  For  al- 
though it  were  lawfull  for  him  to  haue  his  fin- 
ding, bicaufe  hee  bare  abrode  Gods  worde :  yet 
notu'ithftanding  (as  we  fee)  he  forbare  that  li- 
berticjto  the  end  to  preuent  al  occafions  of  (lu- 
hling.  And  he  protcftcth  that  he  was  fain  to  labor  day  &  night  with 
his  hands  to  eaine  his  iiuing.But  yet  was  he  fo  much  the  better  able 
without  fufpition  to  call  vpon  the  negligent  fort  to  do  their  dutie, 
as  we  fee  in  this  text.  He  commaundeth  men  tofi^idtkir  teachns,^ 
not  to/ufertbem  to  "^t  ant  any  thing.  Nowe  if  Saint  Paule  (as  I  faydc> 
had  bin  a  couetous  man  in  fcraprrig  too  hirtifelfc  cthef  metis  gbods^^ 
or  if  hee  had  bindefirous  too  fet  our  himfelfe  in  pompcand  fnper-* 
fiuitie :  hee  flioulde  haue  had  his  mouth  flopr,  and  it  would  alwayes 
haue  bin  tolde  him  that  he  fpake  for  himfelfe  ,  and  that  it  had'  bia 
nogiuing  of  himfeif  to  the  feruice  of  God.But  foraCnuch  as  he  had 

iliewed 


34. 


the  EpiH.to  the  Qalathiam.       209 

fiiewed  fufficiently  by  experience,  that  forgetting  himfclFe  and  ha- 
wing no  regarde  of  his  owne  perfone,  he  fought  nothing  elfe  but  to 
aduauncethe  kingdome  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  and  to  edifie  his 
Church:  therefore  he  might  rebuke  the  vnthankefuhicffe  of  fuch  as 
behaued  themfelues  amilTe  towards  their  (he .  pherdes,  in  abridging 
them  of  fufbnance  for  their  bodies,  whereas  by  their  meanes  they 
had  food  and  fuftenance  for  their  foules.  Now  it  is  a  verie  vnkinde 
dealing,  wlie  a  man  confidereth  not  that  he  which  bringeth  him  the 
doctrine  offaluation,is  as  a  fofterfather  fent  vnto  him  of  God,  and 
at  lead  wife  findethnot  in  his  heart  to  giue  him  bodily  food.  Ther- 
fore  when  men  are  fo  retchlelTe  in  that  behalfe,they  bewray  a  con- 
temptof  Gods  worde.  For  nature  ought  to  teach  vs,  that  when  we 
be  in  any  mans  dette,  wee  fhoulde  flreyne  our  felues  to  the  vtter- 
moft  to  requite  him  the  hke :  and  if  we  be  not  able  to  do  it :  then  at 
leallwife  to  (hewe  that  it  is  not  for  want  of  good  wiil.  But  in  this 
cace,  lyke  cannot  bee  requyted  for  lyke.    For  Gods  worde  findeth 
not  any  thing  in  the  world  e  that  may  be  layde  in  balance  agaynft  it. 
Vet  notwjthftanding, fuch  as  are  taught,  ought  at  leaftwife  not  to 
fpare  theyr  temporall  goodes ,  for  the  finding  of  thofe  at  whofe 
hande  they  receyue  the  ineftimable  treafure  of  the  Gofpell.  And 
verelywefeehoweit  hathalwayes  bin  the  pollicie  of  Satan,  too 
fpoy  le  Gods  Church  of  good  Sheepherdes  and  minifters ,  by  after 
a  fort  ftaruing  of  them.   Satans  vpholders  fhall  alwayeshaue  y- 
nough  to  cramme  themfelues  withall :  according  as  weefeehowe 
that  in  the  Papacie,  thefe  ydle  bellyes  which  do  nothing  elfe  but 
barkeoute  theyr MalTes  andMattins,  are  crammed  too  the  fulL 
Though  all  the  worlde  (houlde  hunger  and  thirfl  for  it,thofe  kinde 
of  people  (hall  neuer  feele  penuric  :  yea  and  they  fhall  haue  good 
ftore  of  prouifion  though  all  the  worlde  ftarue  in  the  meane  while. 
But  cleane  contrary  wife,  when  fuch  as  ferue  God  fhall  haue  fhewed 
the  fingular  zeale  and  care  which  they  haue  for  the  health  of  mens 
i<)ules  -.imen  let  them  alone,  and  thi^ke  them  greatly  bound  vnto 
them  thatthey  giue  the  the  heefing.VVellcfay  they)we  haue  heard 
him,God  fpeede  him  well,he  hath  done  his  dutie.  And  how  many 
are  there  nowadayes  that  make  contribution  when  they  come  too 
beere  a  Sermon^  They  could  find  in  tlieir  hearts  that  God  fhoulde 

Fp.iij.  '  neuer 


fo.CalxL  Sermonypon 


neuer  be  fpoken  of,  bicaufe  it  is  a  melancholike  matter  too  tbem. 
Whereby  wee  fee,  that  the  Diuell  hath  by  thatmeanes  gyuen  a 
pufhe,  too  ridde  away  all  teaching,and  too  bring  to  pafTe  that  there 
might  bee  none  but  IdoIIes,  nor  any  man  care  howe  hee  behaued 
himfeJfe.    Then  was  it  not  without  caufe  that  Saint  Paule  was  dc- 
(irous  to  remedie  fuch  inconuenience,  faying,  that  hee  which  tea- 
cheth  ought  at  Jeaftwyfe  to  bee  nurriflied  and  mainteyncd^and  that 
hee  which  receyueth  the  do6b'ine  of  faluation,  is  bounde  at  leaft- 
yA^iCc  togiue  of  his  goodes  and  fubftance,tohim  that  hath  miniftred 
fpirituail  foodc  vntoo  him.  And  Saint  Paule  fpeakerh  here  expref* 
ly  of  Gods  woorde.    For  whereas  humane  fciences  haue  alwayes 
bin  fo  highly  efteemed,  that  fuch  as  haue  profclTed  them,  haue  bin 
mainteyned :  the  woorde  of  God,  whiche  furmounteth  all  other 
things,  is  as  it  were  caft  downe.   Therefore  Saint  Paule  blameth 
mennes  naughtinefle, faying:  See  what  a  worthie  thing  it  is  to  haue 
Gods  worde  brought  vnto  you :  See  what  fruite  rcdoundeth  vnto 
you  by  it.  For  we  be  all  miferable  and  curfed,fauing  that  God  cal- 
leth  vs  to  him  by  mcanes  of  his  worde :  for  that  is  the  power  which 
he  fpreadeth  ouer  vs  to  gather  vs  intoo  his  kingdome.  Sith  it  is  fo 
then :  howe  can  you  bee  nigafdly  of  the  tranfitorie  goodes  of  thys 
worlde,  that  fuch  as  trauell  for  your  welfare  and  edifying,  flioulde 
fiot  at  leadwife  bee  fo  mainteyned,  as  they  might  giue  themfelues 
wholly  vntoo  that,  and  not  bee  drawne  awaye  by  cares  that  might 
ftoppe  them  and  hinder  them  of  doing  their  duties  C'  The  woorde 
that  Saint  Paule  vfeth  hcere ,  is  Cathechife,  whiche  fignifyeth  too 
teach,traine,or  inftru6l,  and  therof  commeth  our  word  Cathechifme, 
which  fignifieth  a  Teachin^,Trainment,or  Inftruftion.  Then  he  that 
cathechyi^tbjC^yth  hee :  that  is  to  fay,  he  that  is  a  faythfull  Teacher 
to  Qdi{\c  the  people  in  Gods  worde,  let  him  be  mainteyned  by  fuch 
as  are  Cathechyzed,that  is  too  fay ,  by  fuch  as  are  taught,  or  as  arc 
brought  as  fcholers  vnto  God.  Now  we  fee  Saint  Paules  raeening.: 
and  therevppon  we  haUe  to  gather,fir{l  of  all  that  we  muft  not  take 
any  ncwadayes  forMiniftersandHerdmenofGods  Church,  but 
fuch  as  bring  his  woorde.  Marke  that  for  one  poynt :  and  it  is  great- 
ly for  our  behoofs  fo  to  do.  For  the  Papiftcs  boafl  that  they  haue 
die  Church  on  thcyr  fyde.  But  it  is  ccrtaine  that  it  cannot  be  veri- 
:.:  .  fied 


the  EpiBjo  the  Qalathians.       ^co 

fied  of  Gods  children,  that  they  fhoulde  bee  a  flockc  without  a 
guide.  Then  what  are  the  markes  of  the  Churche:  That  there 
bee  a  flocke  gathered  togither,  and  that  therewithal!  there  bee  a 
(heepeheard  too  leadethe  fheepe  too  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  And 
in  good  foothe  the  Papifts  alledge  alfo  that  they  haue  a  Hierarchic, 
that  is  too  (ay,  a  holy  and  facred  Soueraintic,  but  in  the  meanc 
while  the  marke  that  Saint  Paule  fettcth  downe  heere^  is  not  too 
bee  founde  among  them.    For  wee  fee  that  all  the  horned  Pre- 
lates, and  all  the  route  of  the  PopifheClergie,  haue  no  more  but 
the  bare  tytle .  For  where  is  the  fayde  worde  of  God  c'  They  thinke 
that  that  were  a  ftcyne  to  theyr  ftate :  it  is  ynough  for  them  to  doo 
their  Ceremony es  and  gewgawes,  and  they  beare  themfelues  in 
hand  that  they  haue  very  welldifcharged  their  dutie,whe  they  haue 
fo  played  an  enterlude  :  andfo  thofe  Hipocrites  doo  nothing  clCe 
but  fill  the  worlde  full  of  their  abufes  and  Illufions.  Therefore  let 
vs  leame  to  difcerne  Gods  true  Churche ,  from  all  the  Synagogs 
that  Satan  hath  builded  in  the  worlde,  and  wherewith  he  dazeleth 
our  eyes  nowadayes.  That  is  to  witte,  when  Gods  worde  is  prea- 
ched faythfully ,  let  vs  conclude  that  God  alfo  dooth  both  knowc 
and  acknowledge  the  flocke  that  is  aflembled  there.  And  heere  yec 
fee  howe  they  ought  to  difpofe  the  goodes  of  the  Church,  as  Saint 
Paule  fheweth.  Furthermore  whereas  hec  fayth ,  Let  thofe  that  are 
taught  impart  all  good  things :  it  is  not  ment  that  they  (hould  beftow 
fuch  abundance  vpon  the  preachers  of  the  doftrine  of  faluation,that 
they  fhould  be  re  rcadie  to  burfl  with  it.  For  the  fuperfluitie  of  ry-  . 
ches  hath  bin  a  deadly  plague,when  a  number  of  men  were  moued,  *| 
and  driuen  by  fond  deuotion,to  giue  their  fubftance  to  fuch  as  they 
thought  woorthie  to  polTefle  the  greateft  part  of  the  world,  where- 
by they  brought  all  to  horrible  confufion.  And  dierefore  wee  muft 
not  thinke  that  Saint  Paule  ment  too  inrich  he  Minifters  of  Gods 
worde  in  fuch  wife,[as  they  might  haue  wherewith  to  ryot  with  all 
excefle,or  as  they  might  haue  wherewith  to  mainteynea  diffolute 
life  in  pompe  and  brauerie :  Saint  Paule  ment  not  to  open  a  gappe 
for  any  fuch  things :  but  onely  menttodomentovnderftande,that 
they  ought  to  fuccour  them  in  all  their  needes/g  as  diey  fhguld  not 
be  driuen  to  extreme  penurie. 

Fp.iiij,  And 


fo.Calxl.  Sermonypon 


And  it  behoueth  vs  to  beare  in  niinde  how  that  in  another  placJ 
2,Tm.6,h  ^^  fayth.if  we  haue  wherewith  to  feede  and  cloth  our  ,t  lues,  let  vs 
g,  be  contented.  Alfo  we  know  that  God  hath  a  care  of  all  creatures : 

and  therefore  much  more  of  his  faythfull  ones.  So  then  let  vs  iiuc 
foberly,as  if  we  had  but  a  day  to  liue,and  let  vs  not  make  a  hoord  of 
the  tranfitorie  goodes  of  this  world.  When  the  minifters  of  Gods 
worde  beare  this  leflbn  in  minde,namely  to  Hue  foberly  and  thrif- 
tily, and  not  too  haue  a  care  fo  full  of  vnbeleefe  as  fhoulde  tor- 
ment them  and  burne  them,and  prouoke  them  to  heape  vp  vnmea- 
furably.then  wil  they  content  themfelues  with  a  little,and  yet  not- 
wirhftanding  men  will  be  bountifull  and  liberall  too  them  without 
their  craning  of  it/o  as  they  (hall  alwayes  haue  wherewith  to  be  fed 
&  clothed.  And  in  good  fayth,befides  this  that  hath  bin  fayd,  we  fee 
that  Saint  Paule  did  not  onely  pra6lize  this  doctrine  himfeife ,  but 
alfo  exhorted  his  brothers  and  companions  to  the  fame.  For  in  the 
twentith  of  the  A6les  he  alledgeth  principally, that  he  had  trauelied 
and  taken  paynes  with  his  handes  to  get  part  of  his  liuing :  howbeit 
that  it  is  much  better  to  giue  than  to  take :  for  (faythe  he)  the  thing 
that  wee  ought  to  haue  learned  in  the  fchooleof  ourLorde  lefus 
Chrift,  is  that  we  fhoulde  be  better  apayde  when  we  haue  occafion 
to  do  good^and  to  giue  to  the  releefe  of  others :  than  when  wee  re- 
ceiue  to  become  rich  our  felues.For  it  cannot  agree  with  Gods  fer- 
uants,that  they  fliould  couet  to  hoord  vp.  To  be  fhort,now  we  fee 
^vhereat  Saint  Paule  amed  :  namely  that  he  m^nt  not  to  giue  bridle 
4  'to  the  preachers  of  Gods  word,to  haue  a  delicate  and  deintie  table, 
or  to  be  braue  to  the  world  ward  .but  that  they  fliould  haue  where* 
with  to  find  thefelues  foberly  according  to  their  degree.  And  ther- 
vvithalalfo  he  blameththe  vnkindnefie  of  the  world,  for  that  they 
which  are  bound  to  their  Shcpherdes  do  fliew  e  themfelues  Co  nig- 
gardly, that  it  feemeth  to  be  as  it  were  a  plucking  out  of  the  guttes 
out  of  their  bellies,  when  they  be  fpokentoo  forthe  releefe  of  the 
neede  of  thofe  to  v/hon\  they  be  bounde  beyonde  meafure.  Nowe 
forafmuch  as  that  vyce  hath  reigned  at  all  tymcs  in  the  worlde,  and 
the  diuell  (as  I  fayde)  hath  by  thatpollicie  giuen  a  pufhe  to  difcou- 
ra'ge  the  minifters ,  that  there  might  bee  no  more  teaching  and  in- 
.  flru6lion ;  let  vs  learne  that  Saint  Paule  hath  not  without  caufe  fet 

downc 


the  EpiH.  to  the  (jalathians.       5  o  i 

downe  this  rule,  that  they  whiche  take  peines  in  preaching  of  Gods 
worde,  muft  haiie  vvhervvith  to  fynd  and  mainteynethem.  And  wee 
fee  nowadayes  a  greater  churlifhnefTe  in  the  worid,than  that  which 
S.PauIe  blameth  and  codenineih.  For  they  that  areat  no  charges  at 
all  with  them,  will  not  fayle  too  grunt  and  grudge  when  the  mini- 
flers'of  Gods  woordbee  talked  of.  O  (fay  they)  thefefellowes  muft 
be  nurriflied  in  idlenefle :  verily  as  who  fliould  fay  it  were  idlehefle 
too  ferue  God  and  the  whole  Churche.  Againe,  the  Apcftles  (fay 
they)  did  nother  fo  nor  fo.  No,  but  it  is  apparant  that  the  Apoftles 
\ver^  fetched  a  farre  off:  and  euery  man  did  ftreyne  himfelfe  for  the 
fame,  not  onely  in  his  goodes,  but  alfo  in  his  owne  perfone.  If  any 
Apoftle  were  too  bee  accompanied,  it  appeereththat  theviche  and 
welthie  men  pafTed  the  fea  with  them.  And  now  adayes  there  fhail 
bee  nothing  but  murmuring  and  grudging  at  Gods  feruants,though 
they  bee  enterteyned  nigardly.  But  this  difcouereth  andfheweth 
the  wickedneffe  of  thofe  rcpyners,  and  bewrayeth  them  to  be  Hea- 
thenifh  f  jike,  that  could  finde  in  th  i  ir  hart  s  too  Hue  in  barbarouf- 
nelTeand  beaftly  conucrfation,  without  hauing  any  doctrine  of  fal- 
uation,  and  that  all  were  thiuft  vnderfoote,  that  euery  man  might 
hue  after  his  owne  luftes.  So  then,let  vs  beare  va  minde  the  thing 
that  S.Pauie  telleth  vs  heere,  ro  the  ende  that  fuch  as  are  called  too 
the  ftate  and  ofnce  of  preaching  Gods  woord,may  know  that  where 
as  they  bee  founde  and  maynteyned,  it  is  bycaufe  they  fhoulde  take 
payne,and  profite  the  whole  people  with  their  feruis,and  be  thereby 
the  more  prouoked  Ki  do  their  duetie  warely  and  carefully,  and  fi- 
nally bee  quickened  v^p  to  become  fo  much  the  more  diligent.  And 
let  not  men  enuie  them  nor  grudge  agaynft  them  when'they  haue 
conuenient  finding;  and  interteynment,  feyne;  tjiat  God  hath  fo  or- 
deyned  :  and  we  our  felues  alfo  doo  fee  reafon  why  it  fhould  bee  fo. 
Now  here vpon  S.Pauie  addeth,  ^ee  not  deieyued,for  (Sod  n  not  mocfi 
l^dtuni  bole  \\?b^t  a  man-lo'^K'thj  that fl7aU he leafe,  S.Paulc^in willino; 
men  not  to  bee  deceyued,  flicweth  fufficiently  that  men  haue  at  ail 
tymes  V-ad  ftore  of  fhiftes,  and  that  when  they  intended  too  doo  or 
fay  euilljthey  haue  euerpretended  fomecloke.  But  heere  he  citeth 
them  to  Gods  iudgem  tnr,  as  if  lie  fliouldtell  thejii  that  they  might 
well  ynough  content  men  and  iloppe  their  mouthes :  but  yet  for  al 

Pp.v,  "  that 


Chnp.tf.  foXalxlSermonypon 

that  they  muft  bee  fayne  too  come  to  account  before  the[hesuenly 
iudge.  And  therefore  all  your  fliiftesCfayeth  he)will  itandyou  in  no 
(lead.  It  is  true  that  thefeexcuces  will  eafely  bee  admitted  among 
men,and(as  I  haue  touched  alreadie)  many  men  will  hold  their  mi- 
nifters  at  the  ftaues  ende,and  there  fhall  bee  nothing  but  quarcling 
with  them.  For  their  earesare  fo  itching,  that  a  man  (hall  hardely 
finde  one  of  a  hundred  which  will  not  be  glad  to  he  ere  fuch  matters, 
and  to  addcfome  skoffebefideSjOr  elfe  too  make  the  fauce  fharper. 
This  is  too  common  a  cace.  Neuerthelefle  Sain6lPaules  doctrine 
extendeth  generally  too  all  the  excuces  that  wee  bee  wont  to  make 
when  wee  would  iuftifie  our  euill  doing,  or  make  men  beleeue  that 
the  Crowe  is  whyte.  Firft  of  all  therefore  let  vs  haue  an  eye  too  the 
grounde  thatSain6t  Paule  treateth  of  heere.  Now  the  cace  concer- 
neth  the  finding  of  the  minifters  of  Gods  woorde.  He  willeth  men 
that  they  fhoulde  not  beguyle  themfelues.  And  why  foe' For  it  is  a 
fondc  thing  to  fay,  why  fhould  not  the  Minifters  of  Gods  woord  la- 
bour for  their  Iiuing,feing  they  ought  to  giue  example  vnto  others  ^ 
VVhen  they  come  out  of  the  pulpet,  can  they  not  fpend  the  reft  of 
the  time  in  fome  labour,  that  they  might  not  burthen  the  Churched 
This  will  eafly  beereeeyuedof  fuche  as  gabble  after  that  fafhion, 
thinking  themfelues  too  haue  a  good  cace,  and  too  bee  very  zeloufe 
of  the  common  welfare  and  of  the  order  of  the  Churche.  But  fuche 
men  deceyue  themfelues.  For  there  is  nothing  in  tlicm  but  malice, 
and  Satan  thrufteth  themfoorth  thercvnto,  to  the  end  to  make  the 
world  to  lothe  the  do^lrine  of  faluation,  or  at  leaftwyfe  too  fet  light 
by  it  and  to  skorne  it .  [^That  is  the  very  welfpring],  thither  mufte 
we  go,and  there  muft  we  holde  vs.  So  then,  it  is  not  without  caufe 
thatS.Paule  warneth  the  Galathians,too  beware  that  they  beguyle 
not  themfelues  in  vfing  thefe  fayre  colours.   And  fecondly  wc  muft 
alfo  apply  this  warning  of  Sain6l  Paules  generally  to  al  the  coueites 
which  wee  take  in  going  about  too  difguize  things,  for  w^c  will  al- 
wayes  haue  wherewith  to  dec  re  our  felues,if  men  will  beleeue  vs : 
And  there  is  not  fo  very  a  naughtypacke  but  he  will  ftill  haue  fome 
(luftctoo  concede  his  ownc  fhame  before  men,  in  fo  much  that  if 
\f  ec  were  a  hundred  times  conui6led,yet  the  Diuell  would  euer  put 
fomedeuyceinour.minde^tQgfetagQod  facevponafgule  matter, 

Aad 


the  EpiB.to  the  (jalathians.      301 

An3  bycaufe  we  be  indyned  thereto  by  nature,  and  hardened  there- 
in by  cuftome :  it  ftandeth  vs  the  more  in  hand  too  marke  the  thing 
that  S.Paule  tellcth  vs  heere :  which  is,  too  beware  that  no  man  be- 
guyle  himfelfejand  that  wee  crre  not  wilfully.  For  it  is  cei  taine  that 
hypocrifie  flial  neuer  deceyue  mcn,till  they  beguile  themfelues  wil- 
lingly and  wittingly  .The  hypocrites  fhal  now  and  then  be  deceyued, 
and  yet  notwithftanding  bee  conui6led  therewithal!,  and  they  (hall 
haue  fuch  hartbitings,that  they  fhal  be  the  firfl  that  (hall  condemnc 
themrelues,though  all  men  elfe  did  acquit  them.  But  there  are  that 
fall  afleepe,  andbearc  themfelues  in  hand  that  nothing  is  amiffe  in 
them. Yet  ceafle  they  not  therfore  to  haue  fome  pricking  within  the; 
and  although  they  beblinde,yetdoth  God  make  them  vnexcufable, 
bicaufe  he  quickneth  the  vp,&:  they  feeke  (hifts  dill  to  in  tangle  tlie- 
felues  in,fo  as  they  themfelues  perceyue  not  the  mifchief,  that  they 
might  repent  the  of  it.Ye  fee  then  that  the  woorfl  kind  of  Hipocrifie 
that  can  be,  is  when  men  deceyue  thefelues  by  fond  flatterie  in  al- 
ledging  this  &  that,&:  in  feking  to  fhift  off  the  matter,  not  only  be- 
fore me,but  alfo  before  God.  Now  S.  Paule  fayeth  heere, that  God 
will  not  be  mocked.  As  if  he  fhould  fay,  that  fuch  as  beguyje  tliem- 
fclues  after  that  faOiion  with  their  fond  excuces,are  mockers,yea  Sc 
very  mockers  of  God.  For  ifwee  bare  fuch  reuerence  too  God  as 
we  ought  to  do :  it  is  certaine  that  when  we  be  cyt.ed  before  his  ma- 
ieflie,  we  would  found  our  fclues  to  the  hard  botto  of  our  thoughts 
and  affe<5li6s,  fo  as  there  fhould  not  be  any  thing  that  were  not  exa- 
mined to  the  quicke.  AH  they  then  [which  make  fo  light  a  matter  of 
coming  before  God,as  though  he  were  but  fome  litle  babe  &  might 
phy  with  him  at  their  pleafure,do  thereby  fhewe  themfelues  to  bee 
full  of  vngodlinefTe,  Now  therfore  we  fee  how  profitable  thistextc 
is  for  vs, where  S.  Paule  hauing  warned  men  that  they  fhoulde  not 
beguyle  themfelues,  add eth  that  God  cdnfjdt  keemocf^ed.  This  fhould 
feeme  not  too  make  too  the  purpofe.  For  what  though  wee  bee 
dectyuers  C'dooth  it  therefore  foliowe  that  we  be  mockers  of  Qod^ 
Yea  fay ethSaind Paule.  And  for  proofe  thereof,  yee  feeke,  vayne 
fhiftcsand  giue  your  fclues  to  them.But  if  you  looked  rightly  vpon 
the  decde,'and  were  not  wrapped  m  your  cwne  malicioufneile : 
furely  you  flaoulde  haue  a  lighter  iudgement  than  you  haue . 


Chap.^,  ^QXal.xLSemonypon 

V\ li^^t  caiifeth  you  then  to  fall  afleepe  in  your  To  fond  excucesc'it  is 
bycaufe  yee  confider  not  that  wee  mufte  all  of  vs  appeere  at  Gods 
iudi^ement  feate,  and  that  it  is  he  whiche  fearcheth  mens  thoughts, 
and  from  whom  nothing  is  hidden.  But  you  take  him  too  bee  but  an 
Idoll  1  you  would  beare  him  in  hand  that  he  ought  to  be  contented 
with  your  fooles  babies :  and  whe  ye  haue  beguiled  men  &  laughed 
them  to  skorne^yee  thinke  that  God  is  of  the  fame  {lampe,and  vfe 
yet  greater  boldnefTe  towardeshim.  Therefore  it  is  certaine  that  all 
fuch  as  flatter  themfelues  and  feeke  ftartingholes,  are  Infideiles,and 
the  thing  itfelfe  fheweth  them  to  be  playne  mockers  of  God.  Now 
although  this  faying  be  fliort :  yet  ought  it  to  make  vs  quake,  for  af- 
much  as  we  heere  fo  great  a  thunder,or  fee  fuch  a  lightning  coming 
vpon  vs  from  aboue.  And  I  pray  you,  is  it  a  fault  too  bee  pardoned, 
when  men  that  are  but  ftarke  rottennefle,do  fo  vaunt  themfelues  a- 
gayn{lGod,yea  euen  to  mocke  at  him  c'  Surely  wee  knowe  it  is  the 
greateft  reproche  and  fpite  that  can  bee  done  vnto  a  man^  too  laugh 
himtoskorneafterdiatfafhion.If  itbe  intollerable  amongvsthat 
are  nothing :  will  God  fuffer  himfelfe  to  bee  mocked :"  Sain6l  Paule 
therefore  hath  well  giuen  vs  occafion  heere  to  looke  neerely  to  our 
felues,and  to  walke  playne ly,and  not  too  vfe  our  skoffing  trickes,as 
though  we  thought  to  mcnde  our  market  by  it,  for  afmuch  as  God 
is  prouoked  by  it,as  though  wee  defied  him,  or  as  though  we  inten- 
ded too  difpoflTeflehim  of  his  right,  and  to  make  him  beleeue  that  a 
man  might  plucke  him  by  the  noze,and  doo  all  maner  of  villanie  ta 
him  and  he  not  perceyue  it.  VVere  this  faying  well  marked,  wee 
would  walke  in  another  maner  of  awe  than  we  do:  but  we  fee  how 
men  become  Heathenifh,yea  euen  wilfully,  and  wex  fo  hardharted, 
that  they  regarde  nother  fhame  nor  honeftie  when  good  or  euill  co- 
meth  in  queftion,  but  yee  fhall  fee  them  corrupt  and  peruert  all  do- 
^rine  with  full  mouth,  and  caft  out  blafphemies  agaynfl  Gcd.  Yee 
(hall  fee  then  now  adayes  tliat  all  Tables,  allhoufes,andall  flreetes 
are  full  of  mockers  of  God.  And  whereof  commeth  that  C'  It  is  true 
that  there  are  many  Hypocrites  and  feife  foothers  :  Howbeeit,  the 
Diuell  hath  fo  poflefled  fome,  that  they  fpit  openly  at  heauen,  that 
is  too  fay,  they  defie  God  without  any  remorfe  of  confcience,  and 
thereby  itappeereth  that  they  bee  giuen  vp  too  a  reprobate  minJe^^ 

and 


the  Efi^.to^the^alathians.        505 

and  fpirit-of  madnefle.  And  whence  proceedeth  fuch  malapertnefTe 
of  uduauncing  raennes  felues  io  againft:  God  ^  As  I  told  you  before, 
it  cometh  of  die  fayd  liypocnfie,\vhen  wee  thinke  to  difguife  things 
in  fuch  w^^fe  by  our  futtle  flightes  and  fayre  replies,  that  there  is  nt> 
more  diffei-ence  betwixt  white  and  blacke.So  much  the  more  ther- 
fore  dooth  it  behoue  vs  too  beare  well  in  minde  this  warning  of  S. 
Panics.  Now  herevpon  he  proceedeth  with  the  matter  that  he  had 
touched,  infomuch  that  he  extendeth  it  yet  further,  in  faying  that 
locke  as'^eefoy^e^fo  pyallti>e  reape :  He  that  foy^tth  in  the  jpir'Uejhallof 
thejphit  reape  euerlaUmg  lyfe,  and  he  thatjo't^ethin  thefle/J;f,j7palheapc 
eenuftion.  To  be  fhort,  heere  S.Paulc  likenethall  the  ftudie,  care, 
and  paynes  that  we  take,vntoo  feede  which  husbandmen  fowe.  For 
wherfore  do  men  buzie  themfelues  about  this  or  that,or  whereForc 
doo  they  trauell  and  take  paynes,but  for  fome  end  which  they  hauc 
purpozed  to  themfelues  C'  Ifay,  cucn  bycaufethcyhopefor  fruyte 
to  their  commoditie  :  that  is  the  very  caufe  why  they  be  not  weerie 
of  their  labour.  As  for  example  :  he  that  intendeth  too  get  muche, 
will  futfer  hunger  and  thirft,coid  and  heate,  and  nothing  will  appall 
him.  And  why :' For  his  couetoufneirecariethhinionflill,foashe 
forgetteth  all  things  elfe,  and  tormenteth  himfelfe  more  than  if  he 
were  in  his  enemies  handes  :  nay,  his  enemies  wouldc  not  torment 
him  fo  much.  So  then,  when  a  man  taketh  great  paynes  too  gather 
goodes,it  is  lyke  the  fowyng  of  a  husbandman  :  and  he  hopeth  that 
haruefl  will  come,  and  that  he  fhall  gather  it  vp  againc  in  the  endc. 
He  that  woulde  aduaince  himfelfe  too  the  worldward,  dares  not 
fleepe  half  his  fill :  and  what  feekethhe  by  his  watching  C' To  come 
to  fome  honour  or  worOiip,  and  to  winne  credite.  VVelithen,  Am- 
bition is  the  harueft  of  them  that  couet  worldly  honour.  Their  de- 
fire  is  to  gather.And  what :  The  thing  that  their  owne  nature  liketh 
and  longeth  for.  Euen  fo  is  it  in  all  other  things.  Like  as  an  vnthrift 
will  labour  too  fatiffie  his  appetire,  and  he  will  not  fticke  the  rather 
to  do  fome  lewd  pranke,as  too  play  the  bawde,  or  fome  other  lyke 
thing.  And  to  what  ende  <  To  the  end  he  may  eate  his  fill  and  fare 
idel'cately,  or  elfe  play  the  cVunkai  d.  And  otherfome  fall  too  rob- 
berie  and  murther,  thatin  fine  they  become  arrant  Theeues.  Lo 
wKerevnto  raennes  iullei  bring  them.For  theypurpofe  with  them- 
felues- 


civip.6,  fo.CaLxl.Sermonypon 

f  .-lues  to  make  a  liarucd :  that  is  to  lay,  to  hauc  the  thing  tliat  they 
JiUl  for, though  it  be  to  their  ruyne  and  confuzion.  But  howfceuer 
the  world  ^o.if ye  conilder  why  men  giue  themfelues  to  one  thing 
or  other :  ye  fliall  find  that  they  aiwayes  hope  for  a  harueftoo  then, 
the  thinc^s  which  they  do,  are  the  feedes  of  the  labour  whiche  they 
hope  to  "gather  frute  of  Heere  S.Paule  fayethjthat  after  as  we  fovve, 
Co  fliall  we  reape.  And  afterward  he  openeth  himfelfe  in  faying,  that 
the  one  fort  foweth  too  the  fpirite,and  the  other  fort  too  the  ficfhe. 
Now  to  fowe  to  the  fpirit,is  too  withdrawe  a  mannes  feife  from  the 
worlde  and  from  this  tranfitorie  lyfe,  and  to  know  that  we  be  crea- 
ted not  too  tarie  heere  beneath,  but  too  pafie  foorth  on  till  wee  bee 
come  too  our  inheritance :  and  that  our  life  is  not  to  bee  heere  but 
3*/  7  o  ^^^  ^  ^^^^^^  whylc,and  to  walke  away  (as  hath  bin  fayd  in  the  Pfalme 
JA  .^0.4.  ti^a^j^3^|^^ji„fQngandfhallbefongagaine),foasourbeyng  heere, 
^*  *  is  not  too  abide  heere  for  euer,  nor  as  though  wee  had  an  euerla- 
^ing  dwellingplace  :  but  God  giucth  vs  as  it  were  a  fhorte  walke, 
and  caufeth  vs  too  make  but  a  turne  or  twayne,  and  ftreytwayes 
after  fayeth  vntoo  vs.  Come  away  Sirs  and  retume  yee  intco  duft, 
asMoyfes  alfo  fpeaketh  in  his  fong.  Seing  it  i-s  fo,  if  wee  bethinks 
our  fclues  well  to  renounce  all  our  owne  l-jftes,  then  fliall  we  fowe 
too  the  fpi rite, that  is  too  fay,  wee  (hall  fee  that  it  behoueth  vs  too 
apply  all  our  ftudie  too  the  heanenly  ly fe  wherevntoo  we  be  called. 
Yee  fee  then  howe  the  one  forte,  of  whom  the  number  is  very  fmall 
andfcant,  doo  fowe  too  the  fpirit,  bycaufe  they  ftarte  not  out  intoo 
worldly  cares  too  bee  tied  too  tlicm,  but  confider  that  God  callcth 
them  higher,  and  therfore  prepare  and  indeuer  thcmfelues  to  come 
thither.  The  other  forte  doo  fowe  to  the  jflefh :  that  is  to  fay,they 
bee  fo  wholly  poiTelfedwith  abeaftly  affe6lion,  that  too  their  fee- 
jning  there  is  nothing  too  bee  compared  too  this  lyfe.  And  truly  if 
yee  marke  at  what  marke  men  fhoote,yee  fiiall  finde  that  the  world 
holdeth  them  backe  well  necre  all.  Yee  fhall  fcarcc  finde  one  a- 
mong  a  thoufand  that  goes  any  further,  too  confider  that  this  world 
is  but  a  fhadow  that  vanifheth  away,  and  too  bend  themfelues  car- 
neftly  and  rightly  too  the  hcaucniy  lyfe .  Therfore  all  men  wcl- 
Ejeere  doo  fowe  to  the  flefhc.  True  it  is  that  their  refpec^es  do  fom- 
what  differ.  For  one  is  a  whorehunter,  another  a  drunkard e,  the 

Aird 


the  Epi^.to  the  Qalathians.        30^ 

thirdc  a  niggardly  pinchpennie,and  another  a  rpcndall.  Then  if  ye  e 
looke  vppon  the  humours  of  the  menne,  they  bee  diuerfc  and  as  it 
were  repugnant;  fo  as  the  one  hateth  the  other.  And  wherefore  ^ 
Bycaufe  (fayeth  he)  he  is  not  of  my  nature,  he  and  I  cannot  agree. 
But  howibeuer  the  worlde  go,ifa  man  fiftc  them,  he  fhallfinde  that 
all  of  them  fowe  too  the  fief  he.  Therefore  there  arc  many  fortes  ot 
of  fow^^ng :  but  yet  notwithftanding  all  of  them  flicke  fafte  hecrc 
beneath,fo  as  they  cannot  confider  wherevntoo  God  calieth  them, 
and  wherevntoo  they  ought  to  apply  themfelues.  For  fome  would 
bee  riche,  fome  would  haue  honour  and  credite,  fome  would  lyuc 
at  their  eafe,  and  take  their  plcafure,  fome  wovlde  haue  this,  and 
fome  that  :  but  in  the  meane  whyle  all  of  them  poare  vppon 
this  tranfitork  Jyfe,  and  cannot  lift  themfelues  v^.     Nowe  Sain<^ 
Paule  fayeth,  it  is  good  reafcn  that  wee  (hould  rcape  according  too 
our  fowyng.  They  then  which  do  fo  giue  themfelues  to  the  worlde 
and  fowe  too  thefiefhe,rhall  (fayeth  he)  reape  corruption :  that  is  to 
fay,in  the  end  they  (hal  perceyue  that  al  the  things  which  they  eftee- 
med  fo  highly,wcre  but  fmoke.True  ii  is  that  this  woord  Corruf'tion 
might  be  triken  foreuerlafting  death :  but  that  is  notSain^^l  Paules 
meenyng.  For  he  intendeth  to  fay  that  men  are  deftimte  of  wit  and 
difcretion,  when  they  wil  needes  intangle  thefelues  in  their  blockiHi 
and  grolle  cares.  For  why :"  if  a  man  aske  iliem :  go  too,  what  is  the 
world :'  They  will  fay,  it  is  a  fhadowe  that  (lippeth  away.  And  what 
is  our  life  :'  It  is  nothing.  And  what  are  the  goodes  of  this  worlde  ^ 
They  be  biJtadreame.  Ail  of  them  will  fay  thus  much,  and  yet  ne- 
uerthelelTe  they  bee  fo  rauif}ied,as  a  man  cannot  tell  how  to  plucke 
them  from  it.and  the  Diueli  holdeth  them  as  it  were  bewitched,  fo 
that  God  crieth  out  at  their  eares,wretched  men  where  are  you,and 
yet  they  go  on  fhii  too  piunJge  themfelues  deeper  in  the  quamyre. 
And  although  they  knowe  well  yncugh  that  all  their  iuftes  are  no- 
thing, 8c  thatthislire  llippeth  fv/iftly  f  6  them  :  yet  will  they  needes 
bee  wedded  to  it  ftiil.  Although  then  that  God  doocrie  too  thcfe 
vnaduizcdfolke  to  bring  them  intoo  the  rii;ht  way :  yet  are  thc:y  fo 
dulled,that  they  cannot  obey  nother  the  Counfell  nor  the  w^arnings 
whiche  they  heere.  Thus  yee  fee  why  S.Paule  fayeth,that  fuche  as 
kaue  fowen  after  that  maner;  fhall  of  the  flcfhe  reape  corruption, 

J3i^ 


ch:^p.6.  ^o.Cal.xI.Sermonypon 

Buttliey(rayetKhe)  which  Co  we  to  tlie  fpirit,  (that  is  to  fay,  whiche 
know  that  there  is  a  much  precioufcr  life  than  this  wherein  we  bee> 
andfet  their  whole  affe^lion  and  minde  therevpon)fhal  reape  of  the 
fpirit  euerlaftingUfe.  I  hat  is  tqfayjbycaufe  they  haue  bingouerned 
by  Gods  fpirit.and  haue  labored  to  come  vntohim  and  too  bee  knit 
to  him :  therefore  is  their  reward  alfo  ready  For  them.  Now  hcere 
lirft  of  all  wee  bee  warned,  to  thinke  better  vpon  all  our  thoughtes, 
doings,attempts,  wifhes.  and  indeuers,and  to  conilder  well  too  what 
end  they  tend.  For  this  fimilitude  (hall  alwayes  be  found  true,that 
we  do  then  fowe,  when  we  apply  our  labour  or  trauell  to  any -thing. 
Therfore  let  vs  looke  well  to  our  fel'jes,and  conilder  that  although 
God  will  haue  vsto  gather  Corne  and  wyne  in  this  worlde  for  tlic 
fuftenance  of  our  bodies  :  yet  notwithftanding  he  calleth  vs  yet 
higher,  and  will  not  haue  vs  to  be  hild  ftill  heere.  Wherefore  let 
vs  learne  to  feeke  firft  that  God  may  reigne,and  beare  rule,fo  as  we 
may  yeeld  our  felues  wholly  to  him.  and  his  rightuoufnefle^and  that 
ihe  care  ofthistranf.torie  life  dull  vs  not,  aslhaue  fayd  afore  :  but 
diat  it  may  bee  as  an  income  to  the  principall  wherevnto  wee  muflc 
go,  that  is  to  fay,to  the  kingdome  of  God.  To  be  fhort,  let  vs  con^ 
lider  that  God  hath  put  vs  into  this  world  to  fowe,that  is  to  fay5not 
to  be  idle  nor  vnoccupied.  And  how  <  Truely  theMinifters  of  Gods 
woord  ought  to  fow^,  to  the  end  to  gather  in  fuch  a  harue{l,as  th ey 
may  offer  vp  to  God  as  an  holy  offering.  And  their  fowing  is  too 
teach  faithfully,  to  the  end  that  Gods  woord  may  bring  forth  frute, 
,  and  his  name  be  glorified  and  blifled,  accordingly  as  our  Lord  lefus 

J6bn .  1 5 .  f ,  £[^j.j(^  fay  J  ^Q  ^  js  ApofHe  s,  I  haue  chozen  you  to  the  end  you  fhould 
^^*  go  and  bring  forth  abundance  of  frute,  and  fuch  frute  as  (hall  lad  for 
cuer.  The  minifters  then  haue  this  peculiar  to  themfelues:  howbe- 
it  all  ofvs  in  common  mufl  fowe  to  eternalUyfe,  that  is  to  fay,  wee 
muG:  pafTe  tlirough  this  worlde  as  flraungers,  lifting  vp  our  mindes 
to  the  heritage  where  wee  fhould  refr,  and  wherevnto  alfo  it  bcho- 
ueth  vs  to  apply  all  our  indeuer.  And  euen  when  wee  trauell  for  the 
fuftenance  of  our  bodies,let  it  be  alwayes  with  tending  to  the  fayde 
jTiarke, according  as  it  is  fayd  that  we  muftnot  Hue  to  eate  Scdrinke^. 
but  eate  and  drinfee  to  the  end  to  be  conueyed  to  another  life :  and 
that  our  liuinginthis  wx)rldisnQttofettleliecre;  buttoatteyncto 

aiighe^f 


theEpisl.totheQalathianil  .   30^ 

A  higher  thing,that  is  to  fayjto  the  heauenly  life.  Sith  it  is  fo,when- 
focuer  any  man  buzieth  himfelfc  to  get  his  liuing,whither  it  bee  by 
tillage^or  by  fome  handicraft,  or  by  trade  of  merchandife,  or  how- 
foeuer  it  bee,  in  all  the  cares  that  wee  take  for  ourfelues  or  for  our 
houflioldeSjlet  vs  alwayes  fhoote  at  a  higher  mark.For  furely  it  is  a 
naughtie  thing,ifa  man  buzie  himfelf  but  only  about  the  getting  of 
his  iiuing,andhaue  no  regard  of  Godsferuice.  For  in  the  getting 
of  his  liuing  he  ought  too  confider  tlius  with  hinifelfe :  Howe  will 
God  allow  of  my  dooyng  c'How  will  he  accept  my  feruice  c*  True* 
ly  that  will  he  doo  iflwalke  not  after  myne  own  luftes,if  Ilookc 
thatldoo  no  man  wrong,  and  if  I  buzie  my  felfe  faythfully  a- 
bout  the  thing  that  I  am  bounde  too  doo.    This  (I  fay )  is  the  way 
for  vs  too  fowe  :  that  is  too  wit,  that  wee  bee  not  wedded  to  the 
worlde,  norhilde  downe  heere  beneathe,  but  that  wee  may  al- 
wayes mount  vpwarde  toothelyfeof  heauen.    Now  then  letvs 
looke  well  vppon  the  meane  of  fowing  after  that  forte  :  that  is  to 
wit,  of  fowing  too  the  fpirit,  fayth  Sain6t  Paule.    Wherefore  let 
VS  confider  that  wee  bee  not  as  Affes  and  Oxen  that  toyle  and  la- 
bour, and  afterwarde  doo  eate  and  drinke,  andarefedas  reafon 
and  good  right  require  :  but  that  God  hath  adopted  vs  too  come 
to  the  life  of  heauen.Therefore  let  vs  fowe  to  the  fpirit,and  cutoff 
all  that  may  hinder  our  mounting  vpward,  let  vs  fhake  them  off  as 
hurtfuU  thmgs,and  affure  our  felues  that  al  fuch  as  labor  to  get  re- 
putation in  this  world,(hall  in  ^he  end  finde  themfelues  difappoin- 
ted.  Why  fo  C'  For  they  fhall  fee  plainly  that  it  is  but  corruption. 
When  he  that  llial  haue  gathered  great  abundance  of  goods  com- 
-meth  vnto  death,he  hath  fo  much  the  moregreef,bycaufe  he  made 
this  world  his  paradife.    Therefore  he  then  gnafheth  his  teeth  at 
<jod,and  he  ftormeth  and  tormenteth  himfelfe,  much  more  than  if 
he  had  not  take  fo  much  peynes  to  gather.  Thus  ye  fee  that  fuch  as 
haue  fowed  in  the  flefh,  perceiue[at  length]  that  they  haue  fowed 
to  conuption,bicaufe  they  gather  nothing  elfe  but  corruption  :  but 
it  is  all  to  late,and  tlierfore  let  vs  bethink  ourfelues.  And  although 
we  fee  moft  men  beguile  themfelueSjand  too  make  their  reckening 
that  it  is  a  happie  life  to  haue  all  thing  that  they  wifhe^as  common- 
ly cuerie  man  is  ruled  by  his  ownelyking  :  although  wee  fee  men 

Qq^  ilorme 


chap.c^.  y^o.  CaLxLfermon  ypon 

ftorme  after  that  fafLion :  let  \-s  leame  Vo  do  othervvife  ScconCidet 
tli.1t  God  calleth  vs  to  an  euerlailin^  life,  which  he  fetteth  cotinu-*. 
ally  before  vs  by  his  Gofpel.Let  vs  fet  our  whole  mindes  vpo  that, 
and  let  al  our  intents  Sc  deilres  t^nd  thitherward,  &  kt  vs  indetier 
to  profit  more  8c  more  in  the  dodrine  of  ialustion,  that  he  may  life 
-  ,  .  vs  vp  and  dravve  vs  hence  from  beneath,  according  alfo  as  S.PauJc 
^  *  '  '  ^  faythvvhen  hetellethv^s  what  the  weapons  ofChriftenfolkearCi 
making  the  do<5^rine  of  the  Gofpell  to  bee  our  fhooes.  For  it  ftan- 
deth  vs  on  hand  to  be  armed  frorri  top  too  toe,  or  elfe  wee  rhoul(J 
foone  be  wounded  with  the  afTaultes  that  are  giuen  vnto  vs  in  this 
world.  After  he  hath  declared  this  (fay  1)  he  fay  th  that  the  Gofpell 
muft  life  vs  vp,  and  drawe  vs  from  the  corruptions  wherein  wee  be 
plunged;foas  weemayatteinetoo  the  kingdomc  of  God  where- 
vnto  he  calleth  vs.  Ye  fee  the  what  we  haue  to  beare  in  mind.  Now 
as  touching  that  S.  Paule  faith,  that  they  which  haue  fowed  in  the 
fpirit  fhall  reape  euerlafting  lyfe  :  he  meaneth  not  that  wee  in  fo 
doyng  deferue  fo  woorthie  and  excellent  a  thing  as  the  kingdom© 
of  heauen  is  :  but  he  fheweth  that  the  faithful  hauing  knowen  their 
owne  calling,  fhall  neuer  fynd  themfelues  deceyued,  though  they 
feeme  wretched  too  the  worldward.  Wee  know  that  God  adop- 
teth  vs  of  his  owne  free  goodneffe  :  that  is  the  groundworice  of 
our  faluation.  He  forgyueth  vs  our  fnnes :  and  that  is  our  rygh- 
tuoufneffe.  For  if  he  flioulde  confider  vs  in  our  owne  nature,  ho 
coulde  not  but  cafe  vs  away  as  lothfome  and  accurfed :  So  can  w^ 
fynde  no  grace  at  hishande,  excepte  he  admitte  vs  of  hys  owne 
free  goodneffe.  And  v/ee  knowe  alfo  that  our  vvorkes  are  euer- 
more  vnperfe6l  and  blemi/hed  with  fome  vyce,  fo  as  they  cannot 
be  accepted  of  God.  Wee  are  fure  that  when  we  fhould  go  about 
too  ferue  him  and  to  doo  good,  oftcntymes  wee  go  cleane  backe-* 
ward  fo  that  we  are  euemiorein  hisdaunger.  But  howfoeuer  the 
world  go,\vhen  G od  hath  once  adopted  vs  to  bee  his  children, buf« 
ried  all  our  finnes,  aud  lliewed  that  he  lyketh  well  of  our  feruice 
though  it  be  vnperfe6l:then  declareth  he  further  Sc  addeth.as  an  o^ 
iierpiur,that  "^vq  fl-iai  not  be  dcceiued  in  dedicating  our  felues  vnto 
him,and  in  laboring  for  the  heauenly  life.  It  is  true  that  men  wyll 
Jaugh  vs  to  fcQrne.  Behold  thefe  fondlings  fay  they ;  fee  how  they 
J-       .  ;  -     --        j^arty^- 


the  EpisiJo  theQahthiansl     ^od 

martyr  themfelues :'  And  wherfore^  for  the  kingdome  of  heauen. 
And  who  hath  brought  them  tydings  of  that :'  It  is  I  wote  not  what 
akmdeof  Rehgionthat  beguileth  thefefolke,  and  in  the  meane 
while  they  be  poore  outcaftes^in  whom  there  is  neither  corage  nor 
any  thing  elfe.    According  whereuntoo  wee  fee  now  adayes,  that 
fuch  as  ftand  vppon  their  reputation,  do  rayle  vppon  vs  faying :  as 
for  thefe  wretched  fillie  foules  what  thinke  they  to  doo  i  Lo  how 
wee  bee  fcoffed  at,  bycaufe  wee  couet  not  too  aduaunce  ourfclues 
.nor  too  bee  in  reputationof  the  world.    Although  then  that  wee 
bee  fo  icorned,  letvsgyue  eare  too  the  promife  that  is  made  vs 
heere :  which  is  that  if  wee  followe  our  v^ocation  fimply,  weefhall 
perceiue  that  God  who  hath  begonne  is  faythfall,  and  that  hys  in- 
tent of  winning  v^s  vntoohimisour  fouereyne  welfare,  and  that 
he  not  only  feeketh  our  profit  in"al  refpedes.but  alfo  w  ill  through 
his  infinite  goodneffe  {)c^t^'Q  himfelfe  a  father  and  Sauiour  towards 
vs.  Wherefore  letvsftreyne  ourfekves  too  the  vttermoft  too 
come  vntoo  him,  let  vs  dedicate  ourfelues  wholly  to  him,  and  let 
vsgiueouer  all  worldly  things  that  may  hinder  our  comming  vn- 
to  him/I  fay  let  vs  giue.them  all  quite  and  cleane  ouer,feeking  con- 
tinually the  things  that  may  guide  vs  vpward,  Sc  let  vs  continue  in 
them  to  the  end.And  if  wedo  fo  ;  farely  our  Lordlefus  Chrift  will 
fhewe  that  there  is  a  haruefi  prepared  for  vs,  not  of  thefe  worldly 
riches  which  are  (ubie(5^  to  corruptio(for  the  coftlyefl:  &  riched  ap- 
parel Sc  deckings  ofthis  world  (hal  be  eate  with  mothes  Be  worms: 
■and  there  is  neither  gold  nor  filuerrior  any  thing  elfe,  but  it  peTi- 
fheth  in  the  end  And  moreouer  whe  mz  will  needes  take  of  the  vn- 
meafurably.they  flial  burft  with  the  goods  which  they  haue  heaped 
togither,Sc  riiey  fbal  nor  only  become  vripro Stable  to  the,  butiilfo 
they  (hal  turne  to  the^ryit^r  cleiiruclionulnflied  ofthis  the,  we  fkal 
-find  that  wehaue  hoorded  vp  agopd  treafure^  ^yhicK.^ha]  be  laidip 
fafe  for  vs  in  the  hand  of  God,to'receiuc  the  fruite  of  H;  when  wee 
iliall  haue  finifhed  our  courfe  in  th^s  world,  and  continued  the  fo- 
iling of  our  feede,that  is  to  fay^  when  xyee  (hall  haue  proceeded  in 
the  fsruing  of  our  God  without  wearinenre,lpo]dngalwayes  vp^to 
,heauenwarde,  and  withs{ra\Mil"»g'9.¥A^!^?s  ffqipjcbe  \yp      Asmufh 
«SispoiSibief9r.^'^-^n.jj.j5j;^..^  '^^^'o^i^i,l  '.r;Icfioa.i  ^ 

Qcj^ij. '  "        And 


yo.Cal.kl.fermonypon 

And  nowe  let  vs  caft  downe  our  felues  before  the  Maieflie  of 
our  good  God  with  acknowledgement  of  our  finnes,  praying 
him  too  make  vsfo  too  feele  them,  as  it  may  e  bring  vs  too  true 
repentance ,  and  yet  notwithftandyng  wee  not  ceafTe  too  com- 
forte  and  cheere  vp  ourfelues  wyth  his  go odnefTe,  not  doubting 
butthathereceiuethvstoomercie,  atleallwifeifweerepaire  too 
him  too  bee  reformed  byhisholie  fpirit,tillhe  haue  ridvs  quite 
and  cleane  of  all  the  imperfections  and  vices  of  our  flefhe,  and  re- 
nued  vs  after  his  owne  image,  to  bring  vs  to  the  pcrfefl  rightuouf- 
nefle  wherevntoo  we  traueli.  And  To  let  vs  all  fay,  Almightie  God 
heauenly  father.  3cc. 

T7;^4i  .Sermon,  i^bich  is  the  fourth 

\fpon  the/ixth  Chapter. 

p  Let  VS  not  bee  vveeric  of  well  dooyng:  for  in  coa- 
uenienc  feafon  wee  fhall  reape  without  weari- 
neffe. 

10  Therefore  while  we  haue  time  let  vs  doo  good  too 

al  men^but  cheefly  to  them  that  are  of  the  houfe- 
hold  of  faith. 

11  Yec  fee  ho  we  large  a  letter  I  haue  written  too  you 

vvith  mine  ovvnc  hand. 

Eehauefeene  the  fimilitude  whereby  Sain^ 
Paul  exhorted  vs  to  do  good,  To  long  as  God 
giueth  vs  tyme  in  this  world.  For  whyle  wee 
bee  heere,wee  ought  to  apply  all  Gods  giftes 
too  the  feruice  of  him  and  of  all  his,  yea  and 
generally  of  all  men.  For  after  as  Godbe- 

. , ftoweth  any  abilitie  or  gifte  vppon  any  of  vs 

hebyndethhim  toofucheas  haue  needeofhimand  as  he  is  able 
toohelpe.  Therefore  wee  nii^bee  fi^ly  refglued  of  this^  that 


the  Bpi^.to  the  ^alathians.       507 

jfione  ofvs  muftbee  ydle  or  vnprofitable,  buthaue  an  eye  too 
themeane  that  God  hathgyuenvs,  too  the  ende  that  euery  of 
vs  maye  make  as  it  were  a  facrifice  of  it  vntoo  hym.  And  here* 
vppon,  too  gyue  vs  the  better  corage,  Sain6t  Paule  faythe  that 
in  fo  dooyng  wee  doo  fowe  :  and  God  will  not  fuffervs  too  bee 
difappoynted,  when  wee  (hall  haue  indeuered  too  occupie  our 
fellies  about  the  things  that  he  commaundeth.  VVee  are  of  o- 
pinion  that  all  is  lofte,  if  euery  man  feeke  not  his  owne  profit,  and 
bee  giucn  wholly,  too  himfelfe.  Butitis  cleane  contrarie.  For 
althoughe  that  he  which  fuccoureth  his  neyghbor  forgo  the  thing 
that  he  beftoweth  vppon  him :  yet  he  putteth  it  in  good  keepyng, 
as  he  doth  which  layeth  his  'lqc^q  intoo  the  ground,  that  is,to  reape 
fruite  of  it  in  conuenient  feafon.  Contrary^wifc  there  is  a  way  for 
all  to  periflie  :  nainely  if  we  be  too  gripple  of  the  riches  of  thys 
woride ,  fo  as  wee  haue  Vio  care  nor  regarde  but  of  our  ownc 
profile  :  wee  (hall  gather  corruption,  that  is  too  fay ,  all  fhall  pe- 
riflie,  as  in  very  deede  the  woride  and  the  faihion  thereof  mufte 
needes  pafle  and  vanifhe  away e.  Thus  yee  fee  what  all  the  trea- 
fure  is  which  they  can  fcrape  together,that  indeuertoo  make  their 
hand  in  this  woride.  For  as  their  lyfe  is  flyghtfuU  and  tranfitoric, 
fo  are  all  the  goods  tliat  they  fhall  haue  hoorded  vp,  and  all  fhall 
go  too  deflru^lion .  But  if  wee  can  difcharge  our  feiues  of  earthly 
cares,  and  looke  vp  too  the  kingdome  of  God,  although  we  feeme 
too  bee  ditninifhed  and  made  poore  by  dooyng  good :  yet  fball  not 
our  treafure  perifh,  but  (hall  be  well  kept  in  G  ods  hand  till  the  laft 
daye.  Howbeit  for  as  muche  as  the  Diuell  offereth  vs  many  oc- 
cafions  too  coole  vs,  or  too  make  vs  tume  heade  backe  agcine, 
Sain6l  Paule  addeth  a  verye  needefullincoragement,whicli  is,that 
wee  fhoulde  not  bee  weerie  of  well  dooyng.  And  afterwai'de  he 
addeth  that  wee  mufte  bee  patient ,  in  wayting  for  the  feafo- 
nable  time  of  gathering.  Tlierefore  whereas  heefaycth  that  wee 
inuft  not  bee  weerye^  it  is  bycaufe  that  fuche  as  haue  any  good 
will  or  defyre  too  doo  good,  fhall  bee  plucked  backe  by  Satans 
llyghtes ,  and  by  a  number  of  comberances  and  lettes  whyche 
Jhewillcaft  in  theyrway.  If  a  man  walke  abroade  for  his  owne 
-|4ejifure,  he  needeth  hqi  too  bee  warned  that  he  wearie  not  him- 

Q2;iij.  felfe. 


Chap,^;  fo.Cd.xlj.Sermonypon 

.  felfe. And  why  <  For  he  cliozeth  fome  faire  beaten  path,he  keepetb 
a  meafurable  pace,and  he  goeth  at  his  eafe :  for  he  is  not  Hinted  to 
go  thus  many  leagues  in  a  day,but  retarneth  ageine  asfoone  as  his 
iourney  is  not  to  his  mind. 

This  warning  therefore  is  for  fuch  ashaue  long  iourneys  to  go, 
andnotonely  one  or  two,  but  continuall  traueiings.  They  (hail 
perchaunce  haue  hard  pafTages,  they  (hall  haue  llonie  and  iluubbie 
wayes,  or  wayes  that  are  myrie  and  dirtie,  they  fhall  haue  hils  and 
dales.  Such  haue  neede  too  bee  quickened  forward,  that  they  may 
bee  cheered  andplucke  vpagood  harte,  that  they  tyre  not  nor 
quay] e  not  in  the  middes  of  their  iourney.  Euen  fo  is  it  with  v.s 
when  God  toucheth  vs  wyth  his  holy  fpirit^  fo  as  wee  be  difpofed 
to  feme  him  and  to  doo  good  to  fuch  as  feeke  fuccour  at  our  hand. 
But  on  the  one  fide  wee  bee  plucked  backe  by  vnbeleefe,  by- 
caufeweebee  afrayde  that  the  earthe  wyllfaylevs  :  and  if  any 
manne  bee  too  bee  releeued,  wee  caft  with  our  felues  that  the  like 
want  and  penurie  maye  befall  our  felues.  Thus  yec  fee  wee  be« 
plucked  baeke,  wee  bee  fnarled  in  tliat  ouercarefulnefTc,  and  arc 
vnfatiableinourluftes,  andthinke  wee  fhall  neuer  haucynough. 
Herevppon  alfo  wee  bee  tempted  too  feeke  excuces.  For  wee  will 
, .  alledge  [  on  the  one  fide  ]  that  wee  cannot  tell  whither  the  partie 
that  complayneth  haue  fuche  neede  as  he  fpeaketh  of,  or  whi- 
ther he  bee  fo  greatly  too  bee  pitied  :  and  on  the  otherfyde  that 
the  worlde  is  fo  wicked  and  vngracious,  that  a  man  cannot  tell 
too  whom  too  doo  good,  and  that  oftentymes  the  good  turneis 
loft,  and  there  is  fuche  vnthankefulneflfe,  that  it  were  better  too 
let  thofe  complaynants  to  endure  hunger  and  third,  than  to  giuc 
them  occafion  too  offende  God, .  in  beguyling  men  after  that  fort 
and  in  laughing  them  too  fcorne  for  their  labour.  There  will  al- 
wayes  bee  founde  excuces  andifliiftes  ynow  too  efcape  from  wel- 
dooyng,  as  experience  fheweth  too  muche,  fpecially  confideryng 
that  wee  bee  fo  lazie  and  faynt  by  nature.  So  muche  the  more 
therefo;e  doothit  ftande  vs  in  hande  too  remember  thys  leffoa 
which  Saincl:  Paule  fetteth  downe  heere^  which  is,  too  go  foy- 
warde  i\:i\\  without  beeyng  weerie,  yea  verily  in  dooyng  goodr 
Tbisi  matter  concerneth  the  inlarging  gf  ogi  haitcs^  and  of  the 
"T~  imploy- 


the  SpiB.to  the  (jalathians.       30S 

imployingof  our  goods  (if  wee  haue  any)  to' the  releefeof  our 
needle  neyghbors.  And  wee  know  thatSaincl  Paulehatli  begodt 
at  the  minifters  of  Gods  woorde.  NeuerthelefTe  heexhortcth  vs 
all  generally,  for  fo  much  as  God  hath  knitvs  all  togither,  and 
fet  vs  in  the  world  with  condition  that  cueiy  of  vs  fhould  confider 
wherein  he  may  bee  able  too  helpe  fuch  as  haue  neede  of  him.  Let 
vs  apply  our  lyfe  thervntoo,  that  wee  peruert  not  the  order  of  na- 
ture. Furthermore  for  as  much  as  wee  bee  To  lither  and  colde,  and 
(liali  aifo  finde  many  occafions  too  hinder  and  breake  ofFthezealc 
that  wee  haue  too  difcharge  our  ductie.  Let  vs  ouerleape  all  in* 
comberances,  and  plucke  vpagood  harte  that  wee  quayle  not. 
And  the  more  that  theworldeis  noweadayes  come  too  the  top 
©finquitie,  vnthankefulnefTe,  and  malice  :  the  more  doothe  it 
ftande  vs  in  hande  too  treade  downe  fuche  temptations,  rather 
hauyng  an  eye  vntoo  GOD,  than  to  the  vnworthinefTe  of  the 
perfons  that  are  too  bee  fuccoured.  For  howe  muche  lewdneflc 
focuer  there  bee  throughout  the  whole  world :  yet  will  God  con- 
tinue a]  way  csvnchaungeable  in  his  purpnfe  :  that  is  too  wit,  he 
WJll  haue  euery  of  vs  to  confider  his  owne  abilitie,and  the  meafurc 
that  is  giuen  vnto  him,  and  that  wee  bee  not  borne  too  ourfelues, 
(jforOod  hath  not  created  vs  to  that  intent)but  he  will  haue  eueiy 
of  vs  to  thruft  forth  and  as  it  were  too  conftreme  himfelfe  to  helpe 
fuch  as  defire  fuccour  of  himiand  although  they  craue  it  not,  yet  if 
wee  fee  them  in  necefsitie,  he  will  haue  vstoo  releeue  them  by 
fuche  meanes  as  he  offereth.  The  verye  heathen  men  had  skill  y- 
nough  too  fpeake  fuche  language.  Therefore  it  is  dubble  (hame 
too  vs  if  wee  knowe  not  wherefore  God  hath  created  vs,  and 
wherfore  he  fheweth  hinifelfe  fo.bountifull  towardes  vs.Truely  he 
coulde  well  haue  difpofcd  the  worlde  in  fuche  wife,  as  no  manne 
(houlde  haue  wanted,  and  euery  man  might  haue  forborne  other. 
But  he  olfereth  vs  matter  of  piiie  andcompafsion,too  fhewe  whi- 
ther there  bee  any  kyndhavtedneffc  in  vs  or  no.  Nowe  we  muft 
alfo  marke  well  the  promife  that  SainftPaule  addeth :  which  is, 
thatweefhallreapeor  gather  in  feafcnable  time.  True  it  is  thiit 
wee  were  not  too  bee  excufed,  thoughc  there  were  no  rev/arde 
at  all;  but  that  God  fiiouidefaye  fimpiy  that  he  wyli  haue  it  fo-: 
*'  /Q^-iiij,  -  ^or 


t;hap;f  J  ^e?.  Cal.xlj. Sermon  import 

foritisfufficientthathe  hath  fet  vs  in  the  World,  and  fed  rs  wyth 
his  bounteoufnelTe,  and  it  requireth  at  leaftwife  that  wee  fhoulde 
bee  wholly  at  his  commaundement  :  howbeit  for  as  muche  as  he 
feeth  our  fecblenelTe  and  flowenefTe,  he  addeth  this  ouermore  too 
make  vs  pliicke  vp  a  better  harte,  faying,  that  none  of  all  our  do- 
ings fhall  bee  loft.  For  he  dooth  as  it  were  take  them  intoo  hys 
keepyng,  aud  will  deliuer  vs  them  ageyne,  yea  euen  with  a  grea- 
ter profite  than  we  coulde  haue  hoped  or  wifhed  for  in  the  world. 
He  that  hathe  money  in  his  powche,  and  fees  a  commoditie  offe- 
red him,  wyll  lay  it  out  on  all  fydes :  for  he  prefuppofeth  that  he 
fhall  loze  nothing  by  it,  but  that  befides  the  returne  of  the  prin- 
cipall,he  (hal  be  much  increafed  by  die  profite  that  will  ryfe  to  him 
of  it.  Taiely  if  a  man  bee  about  to  lend  money,  or  too  put  it  too 
fome  traffike,  he  will  looke  twyce  or  thrice  too  it  that  it  may  bee 
fure :  but  finally  if  he  fpie  a  riche  man  that  is  able  too  payeand  of 
good  credit :  he  concludeth  by  and  by  that  he  may  well  tmft  him. 
But  thoughe  God  alTure  vs  as  much  as  may  be  that  whatfoeuer  we 
put  intoo  his  handes  fhall  returne  fafe  vntoo  vs,  and  that  w^e  fhall 
haue  greater  gayne  of  it,  than  of  all  the  things  that  wee  can  doo  in 
the  worlde :  he  hath  not  fo  muche  credit  among  vs  that  wee  wyll 
truft  too  his  woorde :  no,  wee  bee  deafe  on  that  fyde.  Firfl  of  ail 
M^ih.ioJ  therefore,  too  the  ende  wee  fhould  not  bee  thrufl  out  oftheu'ay 
42.  by  mennes  vnkindnelTe :  our  Lord  fay  th,  whatfoeuer  yee  doo  too 
the  leaft,or  to  the  rhoft  defpyfed  of  theCe,  I  accept  it  and  acknow- 
ledge it  as  done  to  my  felfe.  Too  bee  (hort  I  receiue  it  as  of  iHynfr 
owne  hand.  Lo  how  God  fpeaketh  as  in  reipeft  of  the  word  pro- 
fite. Alfo  he  addeth  a  promife,  that  there  is  no  vfurie  nor  gayne  fo 
great,as  the  profit  that  is  to  be  hoped  for  at  his  hand,  fo  wee  fhet 
our  eyes  ageynft  worldly  things,  that  they  hold  vs  not  backe,  but 
beftowe  the  things  that  he  hath  put  intoo  our  handes,  and  whiche 
he  hath  committed  to  our  charge, as  he  appoynteth  by  hys  woord- 
But  whereas  God  fpeaketh  after  that  manner,  not  once  or  twyce 
but  manie  times,  fo  as  if  there  were  but  one  drop  of  truft  in  vs, 
furely  wee  fhoulde  bee  fully  refolued  of  it :  yet  notwithftandyrig 
weebeeftillfaftenedheerebylowe,  and  cannot  beleeuenor'per- 
fwade  ourfclues^that  God  fpeaketh  in  ^ood  eameft. 

Therfcwre 


the  EpiU.to  the  (jalathians.       ^op 

iTierefore  it  is  hot  without  caufethat  S.  Pauk  fetteth  downe  the 
promife ,  that  wee  fliall  gather  or  reape ,  as  if  he  had  fayde ,  yee 
wretched  men ,  yce  flande  vpon  thomes  when  any  profite  is  fhe- 
wed  you,  and  ahhough  the  ifiue  be  vncertayne ,  yet  your  coue* 
toufnefle  driueth  you  to  it,  and  euery  of  you  is  willing  to  disburfe 
your  money.  Lo  heere,God  which  is  true  and  can  not  lye^afTureth 
vs  oftentimes,  yea  and  warrantethvs  that  whatfoeuer  wee  put  in- 
to his  hande  (hallyeeldevsineftimablegayne  :  and  yet  wee  can 
not  findein  our  hartes  to  belceue  him  for  all  his  promifes  whiche 
he  makes  vnto  vs.  And  can  wee  doo  him  a  greater  [wrong :'  He 
for  his  owne  parte  oweth  vs  nothing :  whatfoeuer  he  promifeth 
vs,  is  of  his  owne  good  will  without  beeing  in  any  wife  bound  vn- 
to vs,  and  yet  can  not  any  thing  induce  vs  to  ferue  him.  Therefore 
marke  well  whatSain^t  Paule  telleth  vs,to  the  ende  that  euery  of 
vsmayindeuer  too  amende  this  curfed  roote  of  couetoufnefTe, 
which  is  fo  deepely  fetled  in  our  hearts,  that  wee  muft  bee  fayne 
to  mfofce  our  felues  when  wee  fhouldefollowe  whither  foeuer 
God  callethvs,  and  fpecially  when  w€e  fiiould  play  the  faythfuU 
Stewards  in  dealing foorth  the  goods  which  he  hath  put  vs  in  truft 
With*  How  be  it,  let  Vs  marke  the  words  which  he  addeth,  in  conuc" 
nimtfeafon,  fayth  he.  And  this  fcrueth  to  confirme  and  ftrengthen 
vs  in  patience.  For  wee  would  haue  God  to  JTiewe  vs  to  day  or  to 
morrowe,  or  rather  out  of  hande,  what  the  profite  is  that  he  fpea- 
keth  of.  The  husbandman  will  holde  him  felfe  c[uiet  when  he  hath 
iayde  his  feede  in  thegrounde.  Afterwarde  he  fees  froft  and  fnow, 
winde  and  rayne,  heate  and  colde :  and  yet  neuerthelelTe  he  way- 
tethftillforthecommingofharueft.They  that  occupie  the  ti-ade 
of  marchaundifc,  put  foorth  their  money ,  yea  and  their  owne 
perfons  alfo  in  great  daunger :  and  in  the  meane  whyle  theyr  fil- 
uer  goes  and  runnes ,  and  is  fhifted  too  and  fro :  and  yet  notwith- 
ftanding  bicaufe  they  bee  accuftomed  to  buying  and  felling ,  they 
knoweweliinou^hthat  they  fhall  not  receyue  any  profite  at  the 
firfi:  day,  but  muft  be  fayneto  waytetill  the  time  come.Howebeeic 
there  is  no  hoping  or  looking  for  any  prefent  gaine  when  we  haue 
to  doo  with  God,  and  yet  notwithftanding  wee  muft  thinke  our 
feluc59atofalldQubtQfit,in  f^muche  that  the  time  ought  not 

Q^<l.v.  too. 


Chap.^.  fo.CaLxlj.Sermony^on 

too  feeme.too  long;;if  wee  l-ooke  vp  to  the  eueiiaftingnefTe  of  the 
kingdome  of  heatjen :  and  yetfor  all  this,  no  man  is  pacient.  VY© 
will  bee  quiet  inough  fo  long  as  vyec  hazarde  and  aduenture  our 
goods :  and  is  it  not  a  very  pitifull  gace,  that  when  as  God  telleth 
vs  that  he  will  bee  a  faythfuU  keeper  of  the  things  that  are  too  bee 
fpent  [in  his  feruice]  w.ee  fall  into  forrowe  and  vnquietne(re,and 
beare  our  felues  in  hande  that  all  is  loft,  if  wee  fee  not  t^e  thyng 
performed  out  of  hande  \  YQ^(ii,^  then  that  the  thing  whiche  wee 
hauc  to  marke  vpon  this  faying,  j$  that 'wee  muft-  bridle  our  felues 
Jill  the  conuenient  time  be  come.  For  it  is  not  for  vs  to  appoynte 
the  certayne  day :  that  mud  remayne  in  the  hande  of  God.There- 
fore  let  vs  be  contented  that  he  exercife  our  patience,and  the  time 
fhall  not  be  prolonged  further  than  is- for  our  proiite.Furthermore 
S.Paule  ment  alfo  to  dr^vy  vs  from  the  world,for  we  defire  tempo 
rail  proiite.  No  *doubte  but  wee  will  bee  well  contented  that  God 
fliouide  giue  vs  it :  but  yet  therein  wee  fliewe  our  felues  too  beeal^ 
togither  eaithly.  For  if  a  man  doo  any  almofe  deedes ,  althoughe 
his  intent  bee  too  ferue  God ;  yet  coulde  he  finde  in  his  heart  taa 
receyue  by  and  by  for  euery  pennie  a  fhilling,  or  rather -a  Cro  wne, 
iind  vnder  colour  pfdooiiig  fomefmall  almofe  deedes ;he  woulde 
feeke  too  rake  into  him  feife  on  euery  fide.  For  as  muche  then 
^«;  wee  woiilde  chaffer  fo  with  God :  Sain6t  Paule  to  correal  fuche 
vyce,  fayth  that  wee  mufdooke  whether  God  calleth  vs ,  that  is 
too  wif^too  the  great  day ,  at  the  whiche  euery  man  fhall  haue  hys 
yages.  So  then  althoughe  all  feeme  to  bee  loft  as  in  reipe6l  of  this 
>yorlde,.and  of  this  prefent  life,  yet  let  vs  not  ceaiTe  too  truft  ftill 
in  God,  who  is  a  faythfull  keeper  of  our  pawnes  and  gages,  Sc  will 
<lpo  muche  more  for  vs  than  wee  can  hope  for,  fo  that  wee  on  our 
fidehr:ue  patience. Heerevppon  he  concludeth,  thatyphykl^ee  haue 
tymeaiidIcyfHi€iTi>ce  mnU  doo  good  too  all  men,mi jpecially  to  the  houf- 
hoUfoffayih.Now^in  fay ing  that  wee  muft  labour  to  doo  good 
while  wee  haue  leyfure :  he  fetteth  before  vs  the  fhortneiTe  of  our 
iyfe,  And  wee  fee  an  vngracious  maladie  flill  in  vs  in  that  behalfe : 
for  eueiydayfeemethasayeere  too  vs.  VVyll  there  neuer  bee 
r  o  ende,fay  wee  c'  Mufte  v/ee  ftill  continue  in  this  plight  c'  Shali 
W^>!  ^Vicr  beC'.j^c^e  to  beginne  c'  Lp  howe  euery  of  vs.  thinketh  the 
^m;     "  time 


the  EpiHMtheiJalMUanh       510 

tyme  tobee  onerlongthat  isTpcnt  in  well  dooing.And  therevpon, 
'0(ra(ywce)lfliall  come  fooiie  inoughe :  for  iflfpende  myfeife 
■to-day,  and  one  come  to  craue  of  mee  to  morrowe,  I  fhall  vvante 
wherewith ,  and  therefore  I  were  better  to  fpare  my  felfe.  Nowe 
thefe  delaycs  arefuche  as  a  man  fliall  neuer  finde  time  to  do  good. 
For  euery  man  would  preferre  his  fellow  before  him^  not  of  pur- 
-pofe  to  folowe  him  in  dpoing  good,  but  to  holde  him  felfe  ftillat 
a  ftay.  But  contraiiwyfe  Sain^l  Paule  telleth  vs,  that  if  wee  confi- 
-der  the  matter  adaifedly  as  it  is  in  deede,  we  fhall  finde  our  felues 
•  too  haue  no  great  leyfare  of  all  the  tyme  of  our  lyfe.For  altliough 
wee  dyd  neuer  ceafTe,  but  eueiy  man  inforced  hini  felfe  as  muche 
as  were  pofsible,  too  Ipende  him  felfe  in  the  leruing  of  hys  neigh- 
Lours  :  yet  were  it  neuer  a  whit  too  muche.  Wee  fee  that  as  long 
asweebeeinthisworlde,  wee  mufle  fly  11  bee  in  charge.  VVee 
fee  wee  mufle  bee  ^q^l^q  and  clothed  whyle  wee  bee  children ,  at 
whiche  tyme  wee  can  not  earne  the  value  of  a  pinne,  and  other 
folkes  mufl  bee  fayne  too  traueil  for.vs.  Very  well :  are  wee  come 
i  too  yeeres  of  difcretion  c'  Yet  haue  wee  neede  too  bee  oftentimes 
helped  and  fuccoured,  I  meane  eucn  the  rychefl  forte  of  vs.  For 
,  there  wyll  come  fome  fickneffe,  or  other  aduerfitie,  that  fhall 
pull  downe  them  whyche  thynke  them  felues  too  bee  luftyeft  and 
ftrongefl.  Agayne  wee  fhall  haue  neede  of  fb  many  things.and  bee 
:  fo  combered  for  our  owne  felues,  as  wee  fhall  fcarfly  bee  able  top 
imparte  the  hundreth parte  ofourdaetie,  toothofe  whome  wee 
owe  it  too  by  Gads  appoyntjnent.  They  (I  faye)  whiche  are  riche 
and  haue  ftore  of  goods,  cuen  they  hauing  alfo  a  good  wyll, 
(doo  what  they  can,  and  traueil  they  neuer  fo  much  without  ceaf- 
fing)  (hall  hardly  or  neuer  bee  able  too  difcharge  the  hundredth 
part  of  their  duetie  towardes  thofe  whom  they  bee  bounde  vn-* 
too.  Therefore  when  all  is  well  confidered  ,  wee  fhall  fyndc 
that  wee  haue  no  gre^te  leyfure  too  doo  good  too  oureneyghr 
bours.  For  when  wee  come  too  olde  age,  ic  is  a  returning  agayne 
.  too  a  feconde  childehoode,  fo  as  wee  ferue  too  no  more  purpofc 
than  little  babes,  fauing  that  wee  bee  more  chargeable,  by-« 
.  caufe  wee  bet  way warde  and  vneafi.;  too  content :  euery  body 
-Jn^  be  c^ntocd  with  doging  feiuice  to  vs^and  when  ail  is  done. 


Chap.tf.:  \fo.CaLxlj.Sermonlppon 

wee  bee  vtterly  vnprofiuble.  Heerel^  then  wee  fee  that  wee  hatwl 
no  great  leyfure  to  doo  well :  and  therefore  it  behoueth  vs  too 
ftreyne  our  felues  fo  muche  the  more ,  whyle  God  giueth  vs  con- 
uenient  time.  When  a  husbandman  fees  fayre  wether,  Ply  it  firs, 
ply  it  (fay th  he)  wee  can  not  tell  whither  it  will  rayne  or  no  :  wee 
mufte  go  dig  our  vynes,  wee  muft  ^o  tyll  our  grounde^  wee  muft 
fowe  our  feede,  wee  muft  doo  one  thing  or  other  whyle  the  we- 
ther ferueth;  for  wee  can  not  tell  howe  long  it  will  laft.  Likew)'fe 
dooth  the  marchantman  when  he  hath  a  vyage  too  mal?e,and  like- 
wife  doo  all  other  men.  And  nowe  commeth  that  trauell  or  la- 
bour in  queftion  which  God  callesvs  too.  The  cace  concemeth 
fowing,  yeaeuen  to  the  fpirit£,:and  to  the  incorRiptible  lyfe :  and 
yet  for  aJl  that  wee  fay  wee  bee.  none  of  the  haftings :  wee  maye 
well  delay  it  yet  a  yeere  hence,  yea  two  or  three  yeeres  hence,  that 
is  too  f?y,from  hencefoorth  for  euermorc :  fuche  is  our  negligence 
and  coldnelTe.  Therefore  let  vs  learne  too  praftife  this  warning 
that  is  giuen  vs  heere  by  the  holy.Ghoft:  namely  too  doo  well 
whyle  wee  haue  leyfure,  for  weefhallnot  haue  it  euen  And  it  is  a 
fpeciall  fauour  that  God  graunteth  V5,  when  he  putteth  into  our 
hands  wherewith  to  fuccourour  neybours.  And  in  fo  dooing  he 
giueth  vs  fo  me  token  afore  hande  that  he  auoweth  vs  for  his  chil- 
dren, and  if  wee  can  finde  in  our  harts  to  impart  his  giftes  to  fuche 
as  haueneede  of  them,  it  is  a  marke  of  his  image  that  he  putteth 
into  vs.  Nowe  then  if  wee  bee  willing  to  feme  their  tumes  which 
craue  our  helpe,  when  wee  haue  meanes  wherewith,and  opportu- 
nitie  to  doo  it :  furely  God  dooth  vs  great  honor  in  it.  And  wee 
wote  not  whether  that  leyfure  (hall  laflewith  vsftillorno-.For 
wee  fee  how  he  plucketh  away  his  goods  from  thefe  Cormorants, 
ftnd  from  fuche  as  are  like  Seagulfes :  wee  fee  howe  he  ftrippeth 
them  miferably,fo  as  they  bee  driuen  to  feeke  fuccour  themfelues, 
Bnd  are  not  regarded,  bicaufe  they  haue  bin  fo  full  of  crueltie;  that 
they  had  nocompafsionvpon  fuche  as  foughte  their  releefe.  See- 
ing it  is  fo  then :  Let  vs  marke  that  our  life  is  but  fhorte ,  and  paf- 
■fethaway  fvviftly,  and  that  occafions  of  weldoing  flip  away  apace. 
And  therefore  let  vs  ply  it  according  as  our  Lorde  giueth  vs  abili- 
t\^3ys4tumtot\farisdlmm(!^'3iyxh,  S.Paule)^**;  fhtefy  toyipardesth 

koujholdg 


theEpiH.tothe^alathians]      311 

houfhoUe  off^th.  Novve  when  he  faythtoo  all  men ,  it  is  to  ffiewe 
vs  that  although  men  difcoLirage  v^todoothem  good,  yet  wee 
muft  not  ceafle  to  do  ftill  as  God  commaundeth  vs.For  (as  I  haue 
touched  alreadie)  weemuft  not  looke  whateuery  man  is, nor 
what  he  deferueth :  but  wee  muft  mount  vp  higher  and  confider 
that  God  hath  fet  vs  in  this  worlde  too  the  ende  wee  fhoulde  bee 
vnited  and  knit  togither :  and  that  for  as  much  as  he  hath  imprin- 
ted his  image  in  vs,  and  wee  haue  all  one  common  nature:  the 
fame  ought  too  moue  vs  too  fuccour  one  another  .For  he  that  will 
exempt  him  felfe  from  releeuinghis  neybours,muft  get  him  anew 
fhape,  and  fhewe  that  he  intendcth  too  bee  no  more  a  man :  for  fo 
long  as  wee  bee  of  mankinde ,  wee  can  not  but  beholde  our  owne 
face  as  it  were  in  a  glalTe,  in  the  perfon  that  is  poore  and  defpifed, 
whiche  is  not  able  too  holde  out  any  longer,  but  lyeth  gronyng 
vnder  his  burthen,  yea  though  he  were  the  furtheft  ftraunger  ia 
the  worlde.  Let  a  Moore  or  a  Barbarian  come  among  vs,  and  yet 
■in  asmuche  as  he  is  a  man,  he  bringeth  with  him  a  looking  gklTe, 
wherein  wee  may  fee  that  he  is  our  brother  and  neighbour.  For 
wee  can  not  aboliflie  the  order  of  nature,  whiche  God  hath  fet  to 
bee  inuiolable.  So  then  wee  bee  bounde  too  all  men  without  dif- 
ference, bicaufe  wee  be  all  one  fleni,as  the  Prophet  Efay  auoweth, 
faying :  Thoufhalt  not  difpife  thine  owne  flefhe.  As  if  he  (hould  £r-o  t  -• 
fay,  they  that  are  nigardly  and  pincliing,  and  fhrinke  away  when  "^  ^  '  *  ' 
diey  (hould  doo  good,  doo  not  onely  defpife  God,  and  reiecl  his 
worde :  but  alfo  are  vgly  monfters ,  bicaufe  they  coniider  not  that 
there  ought  too  bee  a  communitie  among  all  men.  Thus  yee  fee 
why  S.Paulefaythexprefly,  that  wee  muft  indeuer  to  doo  good 
to  all  men,  yea  euen  to  fuche  as  are  vnworthy ,  euen  though  they 
were  our  deadly  enimies.  Truly  this  is  harde,  and  eontrarie  to  our 
inclination:  but  yet  therein  God  tryethvs  fo  muche  the  better. 
For  if  wee  doo  good  to  fuche  as  deferue  it,  or  to  fuche  as  are  able 
to  recompence  it :  it  is  no  declaration  or  proofe  that  wee  bee  wil- 
ling to  ferue  God :  for  it  may  be  that  wee  had  refpe6l  to  our  owne  A^^^.f  ^. 
profite.  And  as  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  telleth  vs,  the  Heathen  men,  4(5.- 
and  the  worft  men  in  the  world  doo  as  muche  as  that  comes  too. 
Hqw fo^ They  cotifidervvith  them  felues,  I  haue  neede  of  helpe,! 
~~    '  mvift 


chap.(^.  ^o£dLxlj.fermonypon 

mufl  vvinnemee  fome  frecnde.  Then  if  wee  lIKole  out  ruche  as  are 
worthy  to  haue  good  done  vnto  them,  and  fuche  as  are  able  to  re- 
quite like  for  like :  it  is  no  right  proofe  nor  certayne  triall  that  wee 
be  willing  to  imploy  our  felucs  as  God  comaundeth  vs.  But  when 
wee  winke  at  mens  vnthankfulnefTe,  and  are  inclined  to  pitie,one- 
Jyin  rerpe(?l  of  their  poucme  and  miferie  :  then  doo  wee  furely 
ferueGod.  And  if  wee  bee  once  at  that  poynt,  certaynely  (as  I 
"^  tok'c  you  before)  wee  fhall  indeucr  too  doo  good  to  all  nien ,  fo 

as  wee  can  not  finde  in  ouf  harts  to  breake  the  indifToluble '  bondc 
whereby  God  hath  knit  and  vnited  vs  togither.  Therefore  the  fur- 
thcfc  ilraungers  in  the  woride  are  neighbours  neereinough  vntoo 
vs^though  they  bee  ncyther  our  parents,  our  kinsfoike ,  nor  our 
acquayntaunce.  And  why  c'  For  wee  bee  all  of  one  fle(he ,  cyid  wee 
beare  all  one  marke,  which  ought  too  perfuade  vs  too  doo  what 
wee  can  pofsible  one  for  another.  But  how  foeuer  the  cace  ftande, 
Sain£t  Paule  commendeth  vnto  vs cheefiy  the  houfholde  folke  of 
fayth.  And  he  vfelh  the  worde  HoupMe  foli^e ,  too  jtouche  vs 
liiore  to  the  quicke  by  that  fimilitude.  For  although  nature  teache 
vs  thit  wee  oughte  too  fuccour  fuche  as  are  in  necefsitie :  yet  not- 
wirhQ:anding  they  that  are  of  one  hoitfliolde  are. more  inclined 
and  wiiling  to  doo  good  one  to  another.  Vee  fee  lieere  what  de- 
grees are  among  men,  how  all  knowe  that  there  is  a-ce.rt^yne  mu- 
tuall  bonde ,  fo  as  i^  they  forfake  euen  the  fuitheft  (Iraungers  of 
the  woride,  therein  they  forget  thcni  felucs  :  yet  not witliftan ding 
forafmuche  as  it  is  harde  for  a  man  to  reache  out  him  felfe  fo  farre 
and  wide:  therefore  men  are  not  fo  muche  inclined  to  doo  good 
^o  vnknowen  perfons,  except  it  be  in  extreme  necefsitie.  For  then 
howe  hard  harted  i^o  euer  wee  bee,  euery  of  vs  is  moued  to  put  to 
Jiis  helping  hande  to  fuccour  a  man,  when  we  fee  him  in  imminent 
-daunger.  Yea  and  this  pitifuInelTe  is  fo  ingrauen  in  vs,  that  it  W7il 
cxtende  it  'id^Q  euen  to  the  bmte  beaftes :  and  therefore  muche 
more  reafon  it  is.that  it  ihoulde  extende  to  thofe  that  are  created 
after  Gods,  image  as  \vd  I  as  our  felues.  But  as  I  fayde,  if  a  rnan  be 
in  extreme  necefsitie,  then  are  wee  the  more  earnefl:  to  helpe  his 
.  neede.  And  when  wee  be  of  one  coUntrey  and  language,  then  wee 
ijs^Qur felues fomewhatneerergne  another,  and  that  irjcreafeth 

the' 


theEpiH.totheijalathians]      ^fz 

{fie  afTe^ion  whiche  othervvire  in  generall  woulde  bee  but  colde. 
But  when  there  befalleth  any  freendlynefTe  and  i-ainiliaritie  of  nci- 
borhood,  diat  is  yet  more  :  according  as  wee  fee  that  they  whiche 
be€  of  one  Countrey  will  fay,  Seeing  that  God  hath  broughte  vs 
thus  neere  togither,  let  vs  at  leaftwiie  indeuer  too  ferue  one  ano- 
thers  tume.  Agayne  wee  fee  that  the  neighbours  whiche  dwell  iii 
one  feife  fame  ftreete,  and  communicate  familiarly  togither,  are  a$ 
kinsfolke  and  neere  of  alyance*  Nowe  then  it  is  muche  more  rea- 
fon -that  they  whiche  are  all  of  one  houfe ,  and  are  gathered  as  it 
were  into  one  little  corporation  or  bodie,{houlde  bee  hilde  as  it 
were  fade  Unked  togither  by  God :  and  that  he  fhoulde  imbrace 
them  as  if  a  father  (houlde  holde  ail  his  children  about  hnn.  For  as 
muche  then  as  wee  oughte  too  bee  fo  muche  the  more  moued  to,(> 
imploy  our  fekies  with  the  better  courage,  feeing  that  God  hathe 
fo  knitte  vs  togither,  and  brought  vs  fo  familiarly  neere  one  ano- 
ther :  Sain6l  Raule  fayth  that  all  the  faythfuU,  Sc  all  thofe  that  pro- 
fefle  the  fame  Gofpell  which  wee  doo,.  are  as  houfhoidefolke  of 
one  felfefame  houfe.  And  in  vei-y  deedc  the  Church  is  called  Gods  2^;^^  , 
houfe,  and  hee  fitteth  ouer  in  die  middcil:  of  vs.  When  the 
Scripture  fpeaketh  fo>  it  meaneth  not  that  our  vniting  togither 
mutte  bee  in  fuche  a  material!  Churche  or  Temple  as  thys  is :  but 
thatakhoughe  eueryman  bee  at  home  inhys  owne  houfe,  yet 
God  hathe  in  fuche  wyfe  gathered  vs  togither  too  him  felfe  ,  that 
wee  bee  as  it  were  houfholde  fellowes  one  with  another,  arid  wee 
bee  not  onely  Countreymen  of  one  Realme  or  kingdomc,  but 
there  is  yet  a  certayne  neerer  alyance,  whiche  oughte  to  holde  vS 
more  clofc  togither.  Too  bee  fhOrte,'when  as  it  is  fayde  that  fuche 
as  intende  too  bee  Gods  children  mufte  dwell  all  togither  in 
one  houfe  :  it  is  too  fhewe  that  there  is  as  it  were  one  common 
brotherhood  among  vs.  And  akhoughe  earthly  brethren  go  a- 
funder  one  from  another  ,  and  euery  man  gettes  him  away  by 
hint  felfe :  yet  muft  \vee  alwayes  continue  in  the  vnitie  whiche 
God  hathe  fet  among  vs.  Suhe  wee  heere  this,  mufte  wee  not 
needes  bee  worfTe  than  blockiflie,  and  crueller  dnan  the  brute  and 
wilde  beaftes,  if  wee  bee  not  moued  too  beftowe  Gods  giftes 
toa  tl^ie  releefe  pf  ow  nei^hbgurs^  Imeane  gf  tlie  faythfuil  < 
"  "^  "  '  "'"  Now* 


H' 


chap.i^.  ^o.Cal.xlj./ermon  ypon 

Nowe  then  wee  fee  that  Sain6l  Paules  meaning  in  eflPefle  is ,  th^.  ^ 
feeing  God  hathe  bounde  vs  toe  doo  good  too  all  men ,  becaufe 
they  bee  our  owiie  fieflie :  no  malice  oughte  too  hinder  any  of  vs 
from  indeuering  too  difcharge  him  felfe  generally  towardes  all 
fuche  as  God  offereth  too  liim ,  and  in  whome  it  is  hys  wyll  too 
trye  our  kindnefle.  And  yet  notwithftanding  that  for  as  muche  as 
he  hathe  gathered  vs  into  his  fiocke ,  and  knit  vs  togither  in  hys 
name,  and  wee  dall  vppon  him  as  our  father  vv^th  one  mouthe : 
It  behoueth  vs  of  dutie  too  bee  as  brothers  one  too  another.  So 
that  if  wee  minde  that  he  fhoulde  allowe  vs  for  his  children ,  wee 
rhuft  fo  aduaunce  the  adoption  whereby  he  hath  chofen  vs,  as  wee 
maye  declare  vnfaynediy  by  oure  dooings,  that  wee  mynde  too 
(hcwe  that  wcc  take  them  for  our  brothers,  whome  God  hath  fo 
gathered  into  his  houfe  and  Churche.  Thus  yee  fee  what  we  hauc 
too  remember  vpon  this  Texte.  Wherefore  let  vs  no  more  vfe 
thefefonde  cxcufes  too  fay,I  wote  not  who  he  is,I  know  him  not. 
But  he  is  not  knowen  of  God:*  yes :  and  yet  notwithftanding  thou 
difdayneft  too  open  thine  eyes  to  looke  vppon  him  that  is  thine 
owne  image,  yea  and  whom  God  taketh  for  one  of  his  children. 
Thou  knoweft  not  him,  and  yet  beholde  how  God  voutfafetli  to 
caft  his  eye  vpon  vs  which  are  moft  mirerable,yea*euen  he  whiche 
hath  fo  high  and  terrible  a  maieftie,that  the  very  Angels  of  heauen 
doo  tremble  before  him  with  all  humiiitie.  Yee  fee  then  that  God 
our  foueraigne  Lorde  looketh'  downe  vpon  vs  that  are  but  wret- 
ched wormes  of  the  earth  Sc  filthinede  :  yea  and  he  not  only  vout- 
fafcth  to  fay,  I  know  you :  but  alfo  protefteth,  I  haiie  adopted  you 
for  my  children,yee  be  my  workmanfhip,  yee  be  mine  heires,  yee 
be  after  a  forte  my  members.  God  voutfafeth  too  fpeake  after 
that  fafliion :  and  wee  be  fo  full  of  pride  and  ftatelynelfe,  that  wee 
defpife  fuche  as  are  as  good  as  our  felues ,  and  mofte  commonly 
muche  better.So  then  who  can  beare  with  fuch  pridecTo  be  fliort, 
they  that  are  fo  ftraunge  in  withdrawing  them  felues  from  their 
brethren,  and  will  not  in  any  wife  comunicate  with  them,  deferue 
well  to  bee  wiped  out  of  the  booke  of  life ,  fo  as  God  fliould  raze 
and  fcrape  them  quite  out,  and  deliuer  them  into  the  pofiefsion 
of  the  Diuell  who  is  their  fire  /  for  he  was  amurtherer  and  full 

of 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.         m 

of  CTueltie  from  the  beginning.   Thusyee  fee  in  eiFc6l  what  wee 

haue  too  bearc  in  minde,  and  how  it  behoueth  vs  too  pra6iize  this 

leflbn, wherein  the  houfchoid  folke  of  faith  are  chiefly  commended 

vntoovs.  Andfo,  feingthat  God  hath  vouchfafed  too  callvs  too 

him,  let  vs  fhewe  our  feiucs  too  fet  more  by  that  grace  and  honour, 

than  by  all  the  goodes  in  the  worlde.  And  in  proofe  thereof,  let  vs 

fhewe  alfothat  wee  haue  a  brotherly  affection  toodoo  good  too 

fuch  as  haue  neede  of  vs,  according  to  fuch  oportunitie  as  God  (hall 

giue  vs,  and  according  too  the  meafure  of  our  abilitie.   Nowe  here- 

vppon  S'aintl  Paule  fayeth,  that  the  Galathians  ought  too  confider, 

that  he  halh  "Written  them  a  Urge  letter  ytitb  bis  oVVwe  haiide.   And  this 

femes  too  make  them  the  more  attentiuc,  when  they  fee  what  care 

he  Iiath  of  their  faluation.  For  his  commending  of  the  largencffe  of 

his  letter, was  not  too  bee  payed  for  it  by  the  pounde  (as  they  fay) 

but  too  the  end  that  the  Galathians  might  knowe,  that  he  mcnttoo 

open  his  hart  vnto  them,and  that  for  afinuch  as  he  fawe  them  thrufl: 

out  of  the  way  into  a  wrorg  tr^de,  and  was  lothc  that  they  fliouldc 

perifh^therfore  he  had  not  only  warned  them  in  a  woord  or  twaine, 

but  alfo  cofirmed  his  do6lrine,fo  as  they  might  perceyue  themfelues 

to  haue  bin  mifledde  before.  Loin  effect  whereat  iSain^^l  Paule  a^ 

med.  And  by  this  text  we  ought  all  to  take  warning,to  confirme  our 

fclues  the  more,  according  too  themeanes  and  helpes  whiche  oiir 

Lorde  giueth  vs  to  come  to  him  withall.  If  God  had  but  incledhis 

minde  vntoo  vs  in  one  woord,  yet  had  there  bin  no  exaice  for  vs  if 

we  could  not  beleeue  him,to  fubmit  our  felues  with  fuch  obedience 

asbccommeth  vs.  But  when  wee  fee  that  bcfides  his  giuing  of  the 

Lawe,hehath  alfo  added  an  expofition  of  it,  and  moreouer  fcnthis 

Prophets  too  the  cnde  that  the  doflrinc  fliould  alwayes  bee  of  the 

more  authoritie,&  the  things  be  made  cleere  which  elfe  would  haue 

bin  darkefome:  and  after  his  Prophetes,  fent  hiscnely  Sonne  who 

hath  brought  vs  the  full  perfection  of  all  wifedome  :  and  finally  his 

Apoft'es :  fo  that  he  thought  it  notynough  too  giue  the  Lawe,  but 

alio  willed  the  Gofpell  too  bee  publidied,  and  that  the  fame  fhoiildc 

continue  to  the  end,  and  ftirreth  vpfit  men  ftill  to  inil:ru6l  vs :  fith 

we  fee  (I  fay)  that  God  doth  fo  much  for  vs,and  that  he  hath  fuch  a. 

care  of  our  wdfarep^uickening  vs  vp  continually  without  endeor 

Rr,  cesfxing; 


ciup.6.  fo£aLxhj.Samcn  ypon 

ceafsing :  muft  we  not  needes  be  fo  much  the  more  blameworthie, 
if  wee  be  negligent  and  all  this  ftande  vs  m  no  flcad :"  I  herefore  let 
vs  notlooke  at^Saindl  Paule  here,  how  the  Galatliians  had  little  re- 
garde  of  him  :  but  let  vs  confider  that  God  had  rayfed  him  vp,  and 
ment  too  Hiewe  how  deere  we  be  vnto  him,  and  how  great  ilore  he 
fctteth  by  ourfoules,  in  that  he  would  haue  his  do6lrinc  fo  confir- 
iDed.  True  it  is  that  there  are  not  pad  a  fixe  or  feuen  leaues  in  this 
Epiflle,and  at  the  fir{l,it  fliouid  not  feeme  to  befo  great  a  lettet  .But 
if  wee  marke  the  fubftance  and  contents  of  it,  fureiy  wee  fiiall  finde 
iieere  wherewith  to  confound  the  Diuell,  and  all  the  u  yles  that  he 
.  can  bring  with  him,  fo  as  Gods  truth  (whiche  is  our  faluation)  fiiall 
haue  the  vpper  hand.  In  fomuch  that  if  we  had  no  more  but  this  E- 
piflle,we  might  be  [fufliciently'J  fenced  and  armed,  to  fight  againft 
all  the  lies,deceyt€S  &  abufes  which  the  Diuell  can  alledge  to  bleare 
our  eyes  with.  But  we  haue  not  this  Epiftle  alone :  but  we  haue  alfo 
.  fo  many  other  of  Gods  teftimonies,  as  are  fufficient  (as  yee  would 
fay)to  put  out  our  ey  es,if  we  lift  not  to  looke  vpon  them.  And  ther- 
widiall  wee  haue  fo  many  confirmations  to  help  vs  :  that  although 
w,«  were  the  flubborneft  Sc  v.'ildePc  creatures  in  die  world,yct  might 
wee  be  drawen  too  fome  knowJedge,feing  that  God  trieth  fo  many 
wayes  to  winne  vs  to  him.  To  be  fliort,he  maketh  vs  too  come  vnto 
him  though  wee  would  not  come  by  our  good  wiU.  And  if  wee  go 
,,    backe  wheras  we  fiiould  come  forward:muft  not  the  rebellioufnefie 
that  is  in  vs  bee  tootoo  intolerable :'  So  then,whenfoeuer  and  as  oft 
as  wee  reade  this  text,  although  it  feeme  not  totouchc  vsj  but  too 
haue  bin  fpoken  only  to  the  Galathians :  yet  let  vs  vnderfland  that 
god  cafteth  vs  in  the  te  eth,that  his  labour  fhould  be  loft  as  vnauayl- 
able  among  vs,except  we  were  furthered  cotinually  by  the  do6lrine 
more  &  more  confirmed  Jiowbeit  he  had  much  leuer  that  we  came 
with  a  checrefull  corage.  For  he  intendeth  not  to  blame  vs  nor  too 
go  to  law  with  vs,c6dicionalIy  that  we  be  fo  well  aduized  as  to  fay, 
Cjo  too,I  fee  now  that  my  God  deferueth  well  that  1  fliould  hie  me 
to  him;if  he  did  but  becken  too .  mee  a  farre  oflP.  But  he  cajleth  mee 
Wonderousfamiliarly,and  is  not  contented  with  op.^inghis  mouth 
once  for  all  and  away :  but  he  hath  alfo  fentMoyfcs  and  all  the  Pro- 
f  hetes^he  hath  fcnt  teaclicis  wtthout  nvuiJ^ei)  he  hath  fcnt  his  Apo- 


the  EpiH.to  the  ^alathians.         514. 

{llcs,yea  &  his  owne  only  fonne  which  is  his  euerlafting  wifedomc 
&  vvoord.Seirtg  then  that  God  is  fo  friendly  to  mc^yea  and  aduaun- 
ceth  mc  to  excellent  dignitie,&  feing  that  by  all  meanes  poisible  he 
fheweth  mce  his  wifedomc,  vvherby  he  feeketh  to  win  mee  to  him- 
felf,3c  cotinueth  in  the  fame  without  end  or  ceafsing,early  and  late: 
(hould  I  lie  jftii  as  aflcepe, without  any  more  vnderdading  or  feeling 
than  if  I  were  a  blocke ':'  So  much  the  more  then  doth  it  (land  vs  oa 
hand  to  take  a  better  tafl  of  Gods  woord,Sc  to  apply  all  our  indeuer 
therevnto.And  feing  there  is  nothing  fuperfiuous  in  it,and  that  wee 
haue  needc  to  bee  prouoked  to  giuc  ourfelues  to  it :  Let  euery  of  vs 
be  moucd  too  apply  ourfelues  thereto,  &  not  fay  that  the  repeating 
of  one  felffame  thing  is  needlefleibutiet  vs  vnderftad,  that  although 
men  bring  vs  no  noueltie,yet  mud  we  cotinually  heate  vpo  the  fe it- 
fame  leflon  :  namely  that  in  afmuch  as  God  hath  fent  Moyfes,  the 
Prophets  &  Apoftles,  &  ouermore  vouchfafed  to  haue  his  doctrine 
put  in  writing:all  this  was  done  for  our  ini"b'u<5li6:  and  that  whe  our 
Lord  lefus  Chrifi:  was  fent  at  the  full  time,  he  vttered  all  that  is  re- 
quifite  for  our  fa!uation,and  moreoucr  rayfcd  vp  nien  to  bee  the  in- 
Itruments  of  his  fpirit,  to  fliewc  vs  his  will  and  too  bring  vs  the  ty- 
pings of  faluation,(as  he  doth  ftill  at  this  day)  who  are  wi  cnefTes  tcr6 
vs  of  the  things  which  otherwife  fliould  haue  bin  vnknowen  too  vs. 
For  afmuch  therefore  as  icisfo:  let  euery  of  vs  agree  therevnto, 
and  whither  wee  readeiteueiy  man  alone  by  himfelfe,  or  whither 
wee  be  taught  it  publikcly :  let  vs  bee  ftablifhed  in  the  woord  which 
it  hathpleafed  God  too  hcflowe  vppon  vs.  Thus  yee  {^e  in  effe^l 
what  wee  haue  too  beare  in  minde,  too  theendewee  may  hauefo 
much  thegreat^'r  good  will  too  giue  ourfelues  wholly  too  this  ho- 
ly woord,and  that  it  may  be  receyued  with  the  greater  reuerence, 
according  alfoas  it  is  weJJ  woorthie  too  bee. 

But  now  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  Maieftie  of  otir  good  God 
and  tather,  acknowledging  him  as  our  iudge  except  heburie  our 
faults  through  his  infinite  mercie,  and  let  vs  pi'ay  him  too  take  vs  to 
mercie  for  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrilles  fake,  and  m  themeane  whyle 
too  graurt  vs  the  grac-e  too  walke  in  fiiche  wyfe,  as  wee  may 
yecide  a  trueproofe  that  wee  htt  his  children,  and  thst  his  calling 
of  vs  hath  not  bin  invayne  :  andalfoto  caufe  the  fame  grace  too 

Rr.ij.  ?.uayl^ 


chup.6.  ^o.CaLxlij.Sermonypon 

anayle  in  fuch  wife  in  our  hartcs,  that  wcc  may  growe  in  it,  and  bee 
ftrengthened  more  and  more  too  ferue  and  worihip  him  all  our  ly fe 
iongjin  true  obedience  to  his  holy  woord.  And  lb  let  vs  all  fay,  Al- 
mightie  Godheauenly  father  &c. 

Tbe.^i.  Sermon  ;^hich  is  the  fifth 

i>fon  the  fixth  chapter, 

u  As  many  as dcfirc  with  outvvardapparancetopleafe 
in  iheflcfh,  eonftrcyne  you  too  bee  circumcized, 
onelv  to  thccnde  they  may  notfufo  perfecuiion 
forthecroffeof  Chrift. 

J3  For  eticn  they  themfelues  vvhkhe  are  circnmci- 
zed  keepenot  the  Lavve^biu  vvoulde  haue  you 
€rrciitncy2,ed  that  they  mighte  glorie  in  your 
flefhc. 


|]T  is  not  for  nought  that  God  hath  To  often 
warned  the  Preachers  of  his  woorde,  not  too 
fecke  the  well  liking  and  fauour  of  men,but  as 
itweretoofhet  their  eyes  againft  all  worldly 
•efpe61s,toihe  end  that  they  gaze  not  heere  & 
thcre,ncr  be  hindered  to  do  their  duetie  right- 
ly. For  wee  fee  it  is  impofsible  for  vs  too  dif- 
charge  our  felues  aright,  vnlefTe  wee  lookc  vp  vntooGod,  and 
turne  away  our  looke  from  men,  bycaufe  wee  fiiall  bee  eafly  cor- 
rupted when  wee  bee  fo  ledde,  whereas  nothing  ought  too  bowe 
vs  one  way  or  othe r.  Howbccit,  this  conftancie  is  cheefly  requi- 
fite  in  fuche  as  fhoulde  beare  abrode  Gods  woorde,  namely  that 
they  bee  not  ledde  notherby  ambition  nor  by  couetoufneffe  toa 
fpeake  in  fauour  of  men,  or  too  pleafe  them,  and  that  they  bee  not 
abafhed  at  any  threatening  or  perill.  For  experience  fheweth  that 
fo  foone  as  a  man  is  afrayde  of  his  skinne,  or  hath  refpe6l  of  his 
g^Tie  profite ;  he  will  bee  chaunged  in  the  turning  of  a  hande.  True 


the  EpiU  Jo  the  (jalathians.       3  {5 

it  is  that  fuch  as  couet  mcnnes  fauour  after  that  £afliion,  will  not  at 
the  firft  dafh  fhew  themfelues  to  be  wicked  5c  enemies  of  the  truth, 
according  as  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  alfo  putteth  a  difFcrece  betwenc  lokrt.]o,h 
thchyrelings  and  the  woolues.  After  he  hathfpoken  of  the  good  and  12. 
faythfull  (heepeherds  which  feeke  the  comon  welfare  of  the  liocke: 
he  fayeth,  there  are  alfo  rauening  woolues  or  theeues  whiche  feeke 
nothing  elfe  but  too  put  all  too  fpoyle,  ruine,  and  confuzion.  And 
thefe  are  they  which  fight  openly  againft  God,laboring  and  indeue- 
ring  to  ouerthrow  the  pure  do^rinfe  of  the  Gofpell.  NeuenheleiTe 
there  are  alfo  which  rowe  betweene  twoo  ftreames,wiao  do  make  a 
countenance  to  ferue  God.  And  truly  fome  menbuilde,howbcit  not 
for  any  zele  :  for  there  is  no  foundncffe  of  hart  in  them.  Notwith- 
ftandingifo  long  as  it  is  not  to  their  cofle,  they  fet  a  good  face  vpoti 
the  matter,fo  that  the  world  is  oftentimes  deceyTied  by  them,  and 
taketh  them  too  bee  thcminifters  of  lefus  Ghrifl :  but  yet  their  fee- 
king  is  but  for  wages,  they  bee  wholly  giuen  too  their  bellies.  For 
proofe  whereof, it  yee  do  but  threaten  them,  by  and  by  they  be  dif- 
mayed,  and  they  will  turne  the  cat  in  the  pan,fo  that  wherasyefter- 
day  they  feeraedtoo  maynteyne  Gods  woord,  too  day  they  bende 
cxooked  and  a  crofle.  And  why  'f  For  they  fee  it  is  the  way  to  plcafe 
the  world,and  to  profite  thcmfejues^  And  for  the  fame  caufe  doth 
Sain^l  Paule-nowe  warned  the  Galathians  to  marke  well,  that  foch 
as  had  troubled  them  and  thrufte  them  out  of  the  right  way,  were 
men  gluen  too  their  owne  profite,  and  by  that  meancs  had  brought 
their  do«5^rinein  fufpicion.  Heeretofore  he  bath  already  fufficicnt- 
!y  difcuded  and  fhevvcd  by  reafon^that  if  wee  put  our  whole  tiuft  in 
lefus  Chrifte,  the  Ceremonies  of  theLawe  are  henceforth  fuper- 
fluous :  for  they  ferued  but  for  a  time,  too  (hcwe  that  it  is  not  for 
vs,  too  mingle  any  merite  of  their  owntie,  or  any  fonde  opinion  o£ 
purchacing  rigiituoufneflTe  before  God,  ifw-ee  bee  well  fettled  vpdn 
the  grace  of  cur  Lorde  lefus  Chrifte.  Sainct  Pai>Ic  then  hath  han- 
dl  ed  and  layde  foorth  that  matter  as  much  as  ne  eded.  And  now  to<5 
the  end  that  the  fimplc  forte  may  bee  the  more  moued :  he  turneth 
hib  tale  too  the  perfones  themfelues,  faying :  Confider  what  is  the 
caufe  that  thefe  men  againft  whom  I  ftriue  hecre,  make  fuch  a  min- 
g^iig  of  the  Ceremonies  of  the  law  with  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift .  Is  it 

Rr.iij.  ^e].c 


ciiap.^.  ^o^Cal.xlijSermonypon 

zele  that  luoueth  thatlierevnto:'  or  is  it  for  that  tliey  be'denious  to 
ferue  God  C"  No :  it  is  rather  for  that  they  bee  lothe  too  pirt  them- 
>  feluesindaungerofperfecution.  S cyng  then  that  fear.e  caufeth  the 
too  misfafhion  Godswoorde :  yee  neede  not  too  make  any  long 
incjuirie  too  knowe  whatmanerof  men  they  bee,  and  whither  they. 
bee  to  be  credited  or  no :  for  yee  fee  that  their  chaunging  and  tranf- 
formingof  themfelues  after  that  fafhyon^is  bycaqfe  they  would 
faynefhunne  the  battel!.  Nowe  then  feing  that  they  bee  fuch  rray-. 
tours  vnto  God  through  their  cowardlineffe,  deferue  they  too  bee 
beleeuedjor  to  haue  any  reuerence  ycelded  to  their  fayings :"  Thus 
yee  fee  Sain6lPaules  meening.  But  he  ere  allMiniflers  of  Gods 
woord  are  taught  to  haue  fuch  conftancie  and  fledfaftnefle,  as  they 
may  not  paiTe  whither  the  doftrine  that  they  bring  bee  hated  or  be- 
loued  of  the  worlde,but  go  on  {till  in  thqir  race,  and  not  flrike  fayie 
at  euery  winde,  nor  be  fhaken  like  wauering  recdesthat  bowe  too 
and  fro  :  but  alwaycs  hold  on  in  feruing  of  God;  what  turnings  and 
chaunges  fo  euer  happen,  and  what  troubles  and  diforders  fo  euer 
befall. 

To  bee  {Kort,wee  mu{lpra«51izc  the  thing  that  we  haue  feene  be- 
fore :  which  is,  that  if  wee  will  pleafe  mennes  fancies, wee  muft  giue 
ouer  the  feruis  of  the  Sonne  of  God.Marke  that  for  one  poynt.  And 
heerewithall  alfoall  the  faythful  may  receyue  a  good  and  profitable 
ieflbn  in  this  text :  that  is  too  vvit,that  they  mufte  looke  well  vppoa 
fuch  as  feeke  their  owne  profit  and  aduauntage,  and  are  defirous  to 
winne  fauour  with  the  worlde,  and  woulde  fayne  be  prayzed :  for  a 
man  fhall  neuer  haue  any  holde  of  fuch  folke.  They  will  not  fhewc 
themfelues  too  bee  fuch  at  the  firfte  brunt(as  I  fayd  afore):  for  there 
are  that  play  the  Popeholy  hypocrites,  in  fomuch  that  itfeemeth 
that  but  for  them  the  woord  of  God  woulde  growe  odious  :  and  fo 
long  as  it  is  well  ]yked,they  cafl  out  fire  at  their  mouthes,  and  yet  in 
the  meane  whyle  yee  (hail  fee  them  chaunge  their  minde  from  day. 
too  day.  If  any  periil  happen,  and  they  fee  that  they  muftc  witnefTc 
with  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  m  good  earneft:then  fl:iew  they  their  co- 
wardlineflre,and  in  the  end  turnc  quite  away,  Sc  cLr.uge  their  coates 
as  it  is  fayd  in  the  Proucrbe.  But  ho vvfoeuer  they  fare,let  vs  ftande 
v^onour.gard  continual]y,that  wee  may  belee.ue  fuch  as  walke  yp- 


the  Epifi.to  the  (jalathians.       5  !<5 

riglitlypnd  ftart  not  out  when  they  fee  the  world  cofederatc  thenv 
ieiuesagainft  them^no  though  there  happen  fuch  rage  as  it  may  of- 
tentimes fee  me  that  they  flial  be  fwallowed  vp>but  which  euen  whe 
they  fee  the  periiles  prefent,  doo  neuerthelefle  continue  in  vpright 
conftancie :  let  vsmarke  fuch  men  as  Gods  feruants.  But  as  for  fuck 
as  be  variable  and  counterfetting, which  fay  now  one  thing  andiiow 
another  to  efchew  mennes  hatred,or  for  feare  of  perfccution  :  let  vs 
beware  of  them,that  we  be  notdeceyued  and  beguyled  by  them,for 
tliey  bee  deadly  plagues.  And  it  is  certaine  that  wee  fhall  neuer  bee 
iirme  and  well  fettled, except  we  haue  that  difcretionand  wareneflc 
with  vs,accordingas  S.Paule  fiieweth  vs  in  this  text.  And  this  is  ve- 
ry needefulinow  adayes.  For  what  caufeth  fo  many  hypocrites  too 
gabble  agaynfl  Gods  w-oord,ai-id  too  play  the  fhamelefie  brotliels  in 
maynteyning  the  outrageous  abufes  that  are  too  bee  feenein  the 
Popedome,as  their  fuperftitions,idolatrieS; and  errours:  but  for  that 
they  knowe  wellynough,  that  ii  they  make  not  the  pot  too  boylc 
apace,  they  are  lyke  too  {larue,and  (hould  they  not  therefore  holdc 
fail  the  poflefsicn  of  their  things  <  Againe  on  tlie  otherfid^  they  co- 
(ider  atfo  the  daunger  of  perfecutio  for  maynteyning  fuch  do6lrinc : 
for  yee  fee  it  is  condemned  of  the  Princes  and  great  menne  of  this 
world,and  therfore  it  is  good  fleeping  in  a  whole  skrnne.  Seel  pray 
you  howe  an  infinite  number  doo  now  adayes  difguyfe  and  falfific 
Gods.truth,  and  maynteyne  ail  corruptions,  bycaufe  they  bee  lothc 
to  fufFer  for  lefus  Chriftes  fake.  True  it  is  that  they  bee  not  ranke 
Papiftes  too  biafphcme  Gods  woorde  openly :  but  yet  tliey  would 
fayne  haue  a  meane,  yeaof  their  owne  deuifing.  For  they  blame  vS 
of  ouermuch  rigour  and  extremitie,  in  that  wee  condemne  fuche  as 
go  to  MalTc,  and  beare  themfelues  in  hand  that  they  wooi  fl^iip  not 
ydoi-i.,0  (fay  they),  howe  ihould  that  be,  fo  a  man  thinke  it  not  in 
h'is.harte:  should  ^ntnbee  driurn  foneere'hand  as  too  make  it  a' 
ftamblin^biocke,  and  a  matter  of  lyfe  and  desxhV  I'oo  what  pur- 
p6fe  were  diat  C"  God  ictteth  greate  ilore  by  our  lyfe,  and  although 
weefliauld  doo  am  llTe,  yet  will  he  haue  pitie  of  our  fi-ayltie.  Sure- 
ly theyi-that  fpeake  after  that  fafhyon,  haue  none  other  reafoa 
t30.ii^oi3e  the n>4 -but  .that  they.fee  playnely  that  all  the  worlde  i<; 
fo.fdix  iiifamed-'q^2yniivs,aod.it  fee meth that  wc£  fliould  periOie. 
►>i-.....C>J  Rr.iiij.  Si^J 


^*  fo.  Calxlij. Sermon  ippon 

and  be  quite  confounded  euery  day  .Thus  ye  fee  diat  they  liee  backe 
and  labour  too  in\battell  thcmfelues  alone  from  the  reft, when  they 
fee  any  daunger  appeermg.But  when  we  fee  thefe  liuerharted  folke 
ihunperfeaition  after  that  fort, 3c  lodi  to  come  to  any  hand  ftrokes 
for  our  Lord  lefus  Chriftes  fake,and  winding  and  transforming  the- 
felues  after  that  maner,only  to  haue  peace  in  this  world :  it  flandeth 
vs  fo  much  the  more  in  hande  too  markc  this  warning  of  S.Paules, 
and  to  difceme  which  are  the  true  feruantes  of  lefus  Chrifte  :  that  is 
too  wit,  they  which  regard  not  their  ovvne  profit e,  nor  would  haue 
men  too  faune  vppon  them,  nor  feeke  the  belly  cheere  and  honour 
of  the  world :  but  do  fimply  content  themfelues  with  the  doyng  of 
iheir  duetie,and  palTe  not  what  winde  doo  blowe,whither  it  be  tern* 
peftuous  and ilormie,or  whither  it  be  fayre  andcalme :  but  to  profit 
their  heerers,  and  to  mayntcyne  in  all  purenefle  thedodrine  com- 
mitted vnto  theJf  we  follow  the  thing  that  is  fhewed  vs  heere,fure- 
ly  our  faith  fhall  neucr  ftagger  as  many  do  now  adayes, which  know 
not  what  to  do,and  yet  not withftanding  will  fay,I  feare  the  troubles 
and  diuerfities  of  opini5s,  and  the  bickerings^that  are  in  this  world. 
Some  ca  well  ynough  fay,it  were  m.eete  that  I  fhould  giue  my  felfe 
wholly  to  our  Lx)rd  lefus  Chrift :  but  there  are  another  forte  which 
lake  a  much  plefanter  way,and  would  haue  a  reformation  but  onely 
in  half.  And  which  of  thcfc  fhall  I  beleeue  [fay  they:  Gpe  thine  eics: 
for  all  they  that  alledge  any  fuch  excuces,feeke  not  too  followe  the 
irath,butarc  well  apayde  if  they  can  get  fomc  fhrowdingfhcete  too^ 
hide  their  fliamc,  and  would  fayne  bee  flattered :  but  in  the  meane 
whyle,whatgainc  they  by  it:' For  Satan  leades  them  to  deftruaion^ 
and  they  be  willing  too  follow  him;  Bicaufe  they  are  afrayd  of  their 
liues,thcy  loue  the  couert,  and  bicaufe  they  bee  giuen  too  pleafure, 
they  feeke  their  owne  cafe.  Therfore  they  muft  haue  fuch  payment 
as  they  deferue.  But  how  foeuer  the  worlde  go,  S.Paule  dcclareth 
that  fucheas  wilfully  become brutiihe, are  fo  ouertakcn  by  Satan 
and  cafte  in  fuch  peiplexitie,as  they  wote  not  what  too  do :  bicaufe 
they  confidernot  thatfuchasdofimplybeareabrodethetruthe  of 
the  Gofpell^arenowaueringperfones,  butfucheas  keepe  on  their 
pace,and  pafle  not  whither  the  worlde  like  of  their  doftrinc  or  no, 
kit  for.afmucbas  G(>dhatH  comaunded  them  to  fpeake,  they  do  fo, 

Cgntrart^ 


theEptH.totheQaiathiariT.       t^ij 

Contrariwife,  as  for  the  nicelings  which  fay  it  is  good  too  beware, 
and  not  to  c^ft  themfelues  out  of  the  Saddle,and  woulde  haue  men 
to  countcrfey  t,  and  to  beare  two  faces  in  one  whoode  :  it  is  certain 
thatfuch  maner  ofmen  are  not  ledde  with  anyzcale  orafFeftionto 
fcrueGod,nor  haue  anyregardeof  edify  cation  or  of  the  welfare 
of  the  Church :  nor  (to  be  fhort)haue  any  other  care  or  refpefl^than 
tocfchcw  all  perfccution,  and  too  hue  at  their  eafe,  fo  as  no  man 
might  faften  vppon  them.  Nowe  then,  feeing  that  this  is  manifcft 
ynough :  it  is  ccrtainc  that  all  fuche  as  nowadayes  do  kcepe  them- 
felues fo  in  their  neft,  do  ofFende  God,  and  are  vtterly  wythoutc 
cxcuze.  Why  foe'  For  Saint  Paule  giuethvs  hcerc  an  infallible 
marke,  which  (heweth  vs  who  bee  the  true  feruants  of  God,  and 
who  bee  the  hyrelings  whom  we  muft  cfchue,  that  is  too  wit,  fuch 
as  feekc  but  to  feede  their  bellies,and  too  haue  their  commoditycs 
in  this  worlde.  Herevpon  he  addeth,  to  the  endttbey  might  notfuffer 
ferfecHtionfortheCnfieofCbrifi,     No  doubt  but  that vnder  the 
woorde  Crajfe,  Saint  Paule  comprehendeth  the  whole  do6lrine, 
howbeeit  with  a  confide  ration,  that  it  is  right  harde  for  a  man  too 
preache  fimply  and  plainly  the  things  that  are  conteyncd  in  Gods 
worde,  but  that  he  {hall  haue  many  incounters.  For  although  God 
ipare  vs  (vs  I  meane  which  preach  his  worde)  and  will  not  alwaycs 
put  vs  too  fo  hard  tryall,  that  our  enemies  (hall  haue  their  fwordes 
drawne  vpon  vs :  yet  the  worlde  doth  neuer  receyue  the  Gofpcll 
fo  obedient ly,-but  that  there  is  ftill  fome  murmuring  and  fpeaking 
agaynft  it,  as  is  too  bee  fecne  yet  ftill  at  this  day,  and  muft  bee  yer 
hereafter.  For  our  Lordeintendeth  too  trie  the  conftancie  of  hys 
faythfull  ones,  and  therewithal!  to  (hewethe  inuinciblc  power  of 
his  worde,  inouercommingall  the  lettes  that  Satan  ftyrreth  vp  a- 
gaynft  it :  according  too  this  faying  of  leremie,  They  (hall  fight  a-  ^ 
gaynft  thee,but  thoufhaltget  the  vpper  hande  of  them.    Thus  ye  ^^^'^"**'^9* 
fee  that  God  is  glorified  when  the  world  and  Satan  ftreining  them- 
felues to  the  vttermoft,  are  not  able  too  let  the  truth  of  his  courfe. 
For  this  caufe  SaintPaule  fayth,that  they  which  be  fo  variable,  and 
do  difguize  Gods  worde  or  falfifie  it«  do  fhunne  the  Crofle,  that  is 
tofay,the  true  preaching  of  the  Gofpell,  euen  too  efchuc  perfecu- 
tioa,  Nqw  here  agaioc  wc  haue  a  verie  profitable  couflfcl  For  if  wc 

Rr.v.  dc&c 


chap.^-  ^o.CaLxlij.  Sermon  ypon 

dedre  to  feme  God  andjiis  Church :  wee  mufl:  alwaycs  bee  readie 
to  receiuc  alarums.    And  although  the  fire  bee  not  yet  idndied,  cr 
the  enemies  not  yet  armed  too  make  fo  cruel!  perfecution  as  they 
woulde,  or  finally  our  Lorde  do  brydle  all  thofe  that  are  wearie  of 
his  worde,  and  woulde  faine  (hake  off  his  yoke  :  yet  mud  wee  bee 
fcorned  at  many  mens  handes,  we  muft  be  diffamed>  there  mufl  be 
murmuring  and  ray  ling  agaynft  vs,  and  we  muft  put  it  vp  and  har- 
den our  felues  agaynft  it.  Yea  and  wee  (hall  fee  a  thoufand  backby- 
tings  againft  fuch  as  imploy  themfeiues  faithfully,  euen  where  the 
Gofpell  is  preached.Some  fliall  bee  arreigned  as  felons,  and  fome 
(liall  be  indited  of  this  a«d  that,and  yet  all  fliall  be  but  ftarke  ilaun- 
ders.  Tobefhort,  allfuchas  minde  to  go  through  with  their  race, 
niuft  prepare  themfeiues  too  indure  many  temptations  that  might 
make  them  reele,  if  they  were  not  fettled  in  this  poynt,  that  God 
muft  bee  obeyed  in  fpyte  of  the  whole  wor  Ide.  Marke  that  for  one 
poynt.  And  here wichall  we  haue  alfo  to  marke,  that  this  extcndeth 
to  the  whole  Church  in  generall.    Therefore  when  wee  heere  the 
mefTage  of  peace  that  is  brought  vs  in  the  name  of  God :  let  vs  not 
thinke  to  be  in  reft  to  the  world  warde,but  too  haue  manic  troubles 
and  incomberances  continually.  And  he  that  determineth  not  vpon 
that  muft  needs  flirinke  away  from  our  Lordiefus  Chrift-.for  he  can 
,        •  ncuer  be  any  of  his  difciples,according  as  he  himfelf  declareth  with 
M^^*^^'    yg  Q^j^e  mouth,  that  fuch  a  man  is  not  worthie  to  be  of  his  fcholc, 
^  andfohefhetteththemallout  ofthedoores.  VVherefore  Jet  vs 

learne,that  when  we  be  once  called  to  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  wee 
muft  be  partakers  of  his  crolTe  fo  long  as  he  lifteth,  according  as  it 
is  fayde,  that  if  we  iliif  cr  with  him  we  fliall  alfo  bee  glorified  wyth 
A?'  ^'  ^*S'  hL-Ti,and  be  made  partakers  of  the  power  that  is  (hewed  in  his  Re- 
furre£lion.  But  yet  notwithftanding  the  fufferings  which  he  indu- 
red  muft  firft  be  ^c^ompliflied  in  vs  that  are  his  members.True  it  is 
that  he  fufl  ered  as^much  as  was  requifite  for  our  faluation  :  but  yet 
muft  wee  bee  fafhioned  like  too  hfs  Image,  as  it  is  fayde  in  the.  viij. 
too  the  Romanes.  No  we  whereas  God  fpareth  vs,  fo  as  wee  bee 
not  aaiong  1  yrantes  that  might  torment  vs  :  or  if  the  wicked  bee 
notable  too  byte  vs,  but  onely  b?rke  at  vs  :  orifhee  let  vs  alone 
in  peace  :  let  vs  know^  that  it  ^s  bycaufe  he  pityeth  our  fceblcflefle, 

and 


theEpiH.totheQalathiam.        ^i8 

«nd  that  hcc  fpareth  vs  bycanfe  hee  feeth  howeVeakc  we  bee .  But 

yet  for  all  this  let  vs  not  flatter  oure  felues,  but  praye  God  too 

ftrengthcn  vs  fo  by  his  holy  fpirite,  that  whenfoeuer  hee  fhall  call 

vs  intoo  the  aray  too  fight ,  wee  may  not  bee  lyke  frefiiwater  foul- 

dyours ,  but  that  wee  maye  haue  mynded  it  a  long  tyme  before 

Jiande,  that  wee  mufte  bee  made  partakers  of  lefus  Chrifles  fuffe- 

rings,  too  come  too  the  glorie  of  his  Refurre6lion.   Nowe  Sain^l 

Paule  hauing  fpoken  after  that  maner,  addeth  for  a  larger  confyr- 

mationofhis  matter,  ihat  they  "Uihicheare  circumcy^df  and'WhUbe 

fre^che  lircumcl^on,  l^eepe  not  the  La^e  :  hut  onely  fee/^e  too  glorie  in 

the  fleflye  of  tho/e  y^home  they  bring  to  o  that  le'^ijhe  fafhiou.    In  thys 

Text  Saint  Paule  dooth  ageine  accufe  his  aduerfaries  of  double 

dealing  and  vtter  hypocrifie.    Whyfo:"  Circumcifion  was  the 

markeof  the  fame  thing  before  thecommingof  ourLorde  lefus 

Chrift,  whereof  Baptifme  is  the  marke  vntoo  vs  at  this  day.  For 

the  lewes  had  recorde  [thereby]  that  they  were  fanftified  by  God 

as  his  heritage.But  yet  for  all  that,  they  that  mingled  Circumcizion 

with  the  GofpclljWere  vtterly  of  opinion  that  the  Lawe  of  Moyfes 

was  to  be  obferued,forafmuch  as  it  was  giuen  of  God,  &  that  it  was 

not  at  any  time  to  be  abolifhed.  Heere  then  yee  fee  that  the  couert 

which  they  tooke,  was  that  Circumcizion  ferued  for  a  figne  of  the 

keeping  of  the  whole  Law.But  now  S.  Paule  layeth  to  their  charge 

that  they  kepe  not  the  Law:  and  therfore  they  do  but  mock  God  Sc 

men  in  making  a  countenance  by  an  outward  figne,  to  do  the  thing 

which  they  do  not:for  it  is  clene  cotrarie.  Now  the  we  fee  SPaules 

meening.  And  as  touching  this  fpeech  of  peeping  the  Lati^jk  is  fome- 

times  take  for  thedoing  or  performing  of  all  that  is  cote^ned  in  the 

Lawe.  But  no  man  can  keepe  the  Lawe,  that  is  to  fay,no  man  can 

difcharge  himfelfe  throughly  of  all  things  that  the  law  comandcth. 

For  it  is  not  for  nought  that  it  is  called  an  intoUerable  burthen.Alfo 

we  fee  our owneinfirmitie,and there  Godfheweth  vs  anangelicall  Aff,i$^h.iQ 

rightuoufnefle.  How  then  is  it  pofsible  for  vs  to  attaine  vntoo  it  ^ 

So  then,  if  wee  take  the  worde  Lawe  for  a  perfe6l  and  faultleffe  o- 

bedicnce,  no  mankeepethit  in  effe6l.    Neuerthelefle  the  fayth- 

full  beeing guided  and  gouemed  by  Gods  fpiritejda  keepe  theLaw> 

that  is  to  fay, they  walk  according  to  tlie  rule  that  is  giuen  the  there^ 

.         "  "'  ~~  Now© 


Chap.^.  fo.Cal.xltj.Sermonypon 

Not  that  they  run  fo  fwfftly  as  they  (hould  cIo,nor  that  they  attaine 
to  the  marke  at  the  firft  brunt :  but  yet  they  go  on  ftill  towards  it, 
and  God  beareth  with  them ,  and  layeth  not  their  faultes  too  their 
charge.  The  faythfull  then  do  kepe  the  Law.  But  here  S.Paule  fpea* 
kethoftheCeremoniallLawe,  howbeeitthat  by  occafion  hee  had 
(liewed  heretofore,  that  all  Godscommaundements  coulde  bring 
nought  els  but  condemnation,except  we  had  refuge  to  the  grace  of 
our  lord  lefus  Chrift:but(as  I  raid)here  he  fpeaketh  of  the  ceremo- 
nies Sc  fhadowes.Now  let  vs  fee  what  he  meaneth  by  it.They(faith 
he)  which  are  circumcized  keepe  not  the  Lawe :  that  is  to  fay,  they 
haue  in  d  cede  that  figne  as  a  ftandarde  too  make  men  beleeue  that 
they  be  lewes,  to  the  intent  that  they  might  not  be  hated  nor  per- 
fecuted:  but  yet  for  all  that,  they  keepe  not  the  whole  Lawe  :  for 
they  take  leaue  to  defpize  all  that  fhoulde  bee  matched  with  Cir- 
cumcifion.  For  he  that  is  circumcized  ought  alfo  to  do  fecrifize,  too 
abfteyne  from  the  meates  that  are  forbydden  by  the  lawe,to  keepe 
the  dayes  and  feafts  appoynted  there,  to  vfe  the  inioyned  wafhmgs 
and  purify ings,and  to  do  diuerfe  other  things.  But  thefe  men  make 
none  account  of  them.  VVhcn  they  be  in  corners  and  no  man  kcs 
them^they  pafle  not  what  they  do,  neyther  make  they  any  ccnfci- 
ence  at  all  to  defpize  all  the  Ceremonies  of  the  Lawe.  Thus  it  ap- 
peareth  that  they  do  it  not  for  any  zeale,but  only  in  refpeft  of  men. 
Noweit  behoueth  vs  to  marke,  that  Saint  Paule  fpeaketh  heere  of 
^sr.  \  6 .4.3.  p^^j^  j^g  ftoode  vpon  the  fayde  poynt,  that  men  ought  of  necefsitie  to 
bee  circumcized.  For  at  fome  tymes  Saint  Paule  had  a  fpeciall  re- 
1.C0.8.P.6.  gartJetofafiiionhimfelfe  like  to  the  lewes,  and  abfte^'ncd  from  the 
libertie  which  was  permitted  him,for  efchuing  of  offences  :  but  did 
he  alwayes  mainteynethat  'there  was  no  bonde  of  necefsitie  in  the 
matter.  So  then,  when  Saint  Paule  fubmitted  himfelfe  of  his  owne 
accorde,  he  ment  not  to  bring  other  men  in  bondage,  according  as 
h  e  proteft eth  that  he  intendeth  not  to  binde  any  bodie.    True  it  is 
that  the  cace  is  altered  when  hee  fpeake  th  of  mariage :  but  yet  hee 
i.Ca.7/.3)  fayeth  generally,  that  he  will  not  lay  any  yoke  of  bondage  vpon  the 
... /    foules  that  are  redeemed  by  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  And  thus yec 
fee  ho  we  Saint  Paule  behaued  himfelfe  in  that  behalfe.  Nowc  hee 
fayth  here,  They  that  conftreyne  you  to  bee  circumcized,  that  is  to 

fay. 


th  EpiHao  the  ^alathians.      319 

fay,  tliey  that  lode  you  with  the  kwe,  and  fay  you  muft  kccpe  that 
Ccrcmonie  vnder  paine  of  deadly  finne  ;  feeke  nothing  elie  but  too 
bring  you  in  bondage  without  caufe  why.  To  be  fhort,  we  fee  here 
whereof  they  be  blamed  which  woulde  fubduc  Chriftcn  folke  too 
the  keeping  of  the  Ceremonies  and  {hadowes  of  MoyfesLawe.that 
n  to  wit,  that  they  were  double  fellowes,  and  palfcd  not  vppon  the 
truth  of  the  matter,  whither  God  required  fuch  things  or  no ,  but 
had  a  minde  to  pleafe  and  pleafurc  the  worldc,  and  by  that  meanes 
to  efchuc  perfecution .  And  we  nowadayes  haue  ncedeto  bee  war- 
ned thereof,  as  well  as  the  Galathians  needed  then.  And  if  we  looke 
v^pon  the  ftate  and  difpofition  of  our  time,  we  fhall  eafily  perceyue 
that  this  do6lrine  is  notneedeleffe,  and  that  the  holy  Ghoft  inten- 
ded to  prouide  for  the  thing  whiche  he  knew  to  be  for  our  behoofe. 
For  what  a  number  are  to  be  founde  nowadayes,  which  do  ftrongly 
and  ftoutly  mainteyne  the  Ceremonies  of  the  Lawe ,  and  yet  not- 
withftanding  make  none  accounte  of  them  C  But  (which  is  worfe) 
they  mainteyne  the  follies  and  traditions  that  are  inuented  by  men, 
yea  and  eucn  fuch  abufes.errours,  and  deceytes  as  are  fo  groffe  and 
fonde  as  may  bee.   All  thefe  things  fhall  be  mainteyned  with  ex- 
treeme  r)^gour,by  dich  as  will  ncedeshaue  men  to  obey  them.Like 
as  nowadayes,  ifa  man  charge  thefe  Hypocrites  that  the  grace  of 
our  Lorde  Icfus  Chrift,and  the  brightneite  of  his  Gofpell  are  dark- 
ned  by  the  great  number  of  their  obferuations,  and  that  wee  bee  be- 
come as  good  as  lewes :  (for  in  very  deed  the  Pa;,  iflshaue  borowe4 
fo  many  things  of  the  Lawe,  that  a  man  fhalJ  hardly  difcerne  the 
difference betweene  the  lewcs,  Scthem  that  call  themfelues  Chri- 
ftians  :)  I  fay  if  a  man  doo  charge  them  with  thefe  things  :  yet  wyll 
they  mainteyne  to  the  vttermoft,  that  men  mufl  do  fo  Hill,  bicaufe 
they  haue  bin  kept  time  out  of  minde.   Ifa  man  go  further  wyth 
them,  and  ray,howe  foe' Vce  haue  fo  many  dotages,  that  the  verie 
heathen  men  were  neuer  fo  groffe  and  fonde  in  their  fuperftitions 
as  you  be  :  O  tufh  (fay  they)  yet  muft  we  keepe  dill  the  traditions 
of  our  mother  holy  Church.  And  therewithal!  they  crie,  to  the  fire 
with  him.  But  nowe  what  doo  thefe  Hypocrites,  which  moue  the 
rage  of  Princes  and  Judges  agaynfl:  thefe  that  preach  Godsworde 
faithfully  i  So  long  as  they  be  among  themfelues,  they  make  but  a 

mocke 


Chap.^.  Jo.Cal.xltj.Sermony^on 

mockc  at  tlieyr  owne  traditions.  And  when  they  difpute  of  them, 
they  will  fay  cleane  contrarie  too  thcyr  preaching,  and  talking  in 
the  Pulpit.  Whereby  it  appeareth  that  there  is  no  zeale  of  God^ 
nor  no  foundneffe  in  them  :  but  that  their  whole  fecking  is  to  be 
MAq  and  pampered  fatte,  and  too  Hue  in  rell:,  and  too  haue  their 
cafe  and  commodities.  Seing  then  that  nowadayes  there  are  fo  ma- 
ny men  that  haue  not  one  whitte  of  the  feare  of  God,  nor  of  the 
reuerence  of  his  woorde  in  them,  who  notwithftanding  pretcndc 
too  bee  verie  zealous,  and  yet  in  verie  ^Qt^Q  doo  but  allure  poorc 
foules  with  baytes  or  rather  (as  ye  woulde  fay)  choke  them-.itftan-r 
deth  vs  fo  much  the  more  on  hande  too  marke  well  the  thing  that 
Saint  Paule  telleth  vs  heere  :  which  is,  that  forafmuch  as  wee  fee 
that  they  which  crie  out  and  ftorme  at  others  :  do  nothing  at  all  of 
that  which  they  fpeake  of,  we  muft  ftande  vpon  our  garde,and  con- 
fider  whereat  they  ame  which  teache  vs.  True  itis  that  although 
the  partie  do  cleane  contrarie  too  that  which  hee  fayeth,  yet  muftc 
not  Gods  woorde  therefore  bee  of  the  lefTe  authoritie  towards  vs : 
For  it  is  no  reafon  that  bycaufe  the  man  is  wicked  ,  therefore  God 
fhouJde  bee  difpoirefled  of  his  foueraine  prerogatiue. '  Andxhough 
a  man  leade  a  looce  lyfe,  or  do  fome  fhrewde  turne,  yet  ought  not 
that  to  deface  the  heauenly  do6lrine,  fo  he  preach  fay th fully.  Al- 
though a  man  be  mutable ,  fleeting  and  variable,  or  though  he  bee 
an  hypocrite,  and  his  life  be  not  anfwcrable  to  the  things  that  hee 
fpeaketh  with  his  mouth :  the  truth  of  Gods  worde  muft  not  there- 
fore be  imbaced  towardes  vs.  Neuerthelefle,  I  fay  now  that  wheti- 
foeuer  we  fee  men  pretend  great  zeale,and  yet  let  themfelues  loce, 
and  take  leaue  to  do  contrarie  to  their  preaching :  we  muft  confider 
of  it,  and  haue  the  difcretion  not  too  bee  ledde  by  theyr  Pype  nor 
drawne  by  the  noze,  but  to  looke  into  theyr  doctrine,  and  to  make 
a  good  and  liuely  tryall  of  it.  And  when  we  go  fo  to  worke^we  (hall 
fee  that  the  do^flrine  of  the  Papiftes  is  but  a  couert  which  they  take 
to  liue  quiet  to  the  world warde,  and  as  for  to  Godwardc  they  care 
not  how  things  go,  For  they  would  not  abide  any  cha{igcs,bi:ULthat 
th^y  be  loth  to  pit  themfelues  in  daiager  of  any  difpleafur  e:  for  they 
be  aiwayes  afrayd  to  bee  vexed  or  greeued  in  any  wife.  Sith  we  fee 
this :  it  is  an  infailibie  marke  to  maice  vs  beware  of  all  Satans  ambu- 

iiies. 


the  Epi^ijo  the  (jalathians.      320 

ffies,  fo  as  it  fhall  not  be  pofsible  for  vs  to  be  deceyued,  except  wee 
lyft  our  fellies,  asl  haue  declared  before.  Furthermore,Saint  Paule 
addetli,  that  fucb  mm  de fire  toglonein  theflcjhe  ofthefimple.  It  is  very 
certaine  that  he  ere  he  hath  an  eye  to  the  figne  of  Cirdimcifion ,  as 
if  he  fhould  fay,  they  intende  to  prynt  their  marke  vpon  you,  to  the 
cnde  they  may  vaunt,  VVehaue  wonne  them.  Fea,  but  their  win- 
ning of  men  after  that  fort,  is  to  make  them  fo  much  the  more  de- 
tcftable  for  fo  abufing  the  figne  which  God  hath  £iue  them,  to  war- 
rant the  adoption  which  he  had  made  with  Abrahams  offpring,  and 
for  corrupting  the  true  and  lawful!  vfe  thereof  For  God  had  com- 
maundedthe  lewes  to  be  circumcifed.And  why 't  To  the  ende  they 
might  fee  that  all  mankind  is  accurfed,and  that  there  is  nothing  buc 
vncleanefle  in  vs,  and  that  wee  muft  be  faine  to  renounce  all  that  is 
of  our  owne  nature,  or  elfe  we  fhallneuer  ceaiTe  too  beefilthie  and 
damnable  before  God.Lo  what  the  lewes  ought  to  haue  learned  by 
their  circumcizion.NeuertheIcfle,therwithal  they  had  aifo  a  record,, 
that  by  mans  feede  they  fhould  recouer  their  faluation^according  as 
Ve  know  that  we  be  bl.elTed  of  God  for  our  Lord  lefusChrifls  fake. 
And  therefore  Circumcifionferued  too  humble  the  lewes,  and  too 
■make  them  miilyke  of  themfelues,  and  to  be  afhamed,  when  they 
■fawe  there  was  nothing  but  curfednefle  in  their  nature.  That  fay  I 
was  the  true  and  lawfull  vfe  of  circumcifion.  Nowc  what  do  they  a- 
gaynft  whom  S.Paule  fpeaketh :'  They  knowe  that  Circumcizion  is 
no  longer  in  vfe :  that  is  to  witte,  thatBaptifme  fuffizeth  euer  fince 
the  comming  of  our  Lordelefus  Chrift :  but  bicaufe.the  lewes  cal-^ 
led  all  them  Apofbtesor  backiliders,  which  were  not  circumcized: 
therefore  thefe  rafcalles  will  needes  holdflill  the  figne  without  the 
truth  [brfubftancc.]  VVefee.then  that  they  were  verie  falfarics,, 
and  wreftcd  the  do61rine  cleane  contrarie  too  Gods  meening  when. 
he  ardeyned  that  fpirituall  Sacrament,  bicaufe  their  defire  was  no- 
thing-elfe  but  to  pleafe  the  woridcAs  much  i$  done  at  this  day.And. 
they  that  labour  to  ouerthrowe  Gods  truth ,  are  much  worfe  than 
Saint  Paulcs  aduerfaries.  For  they  had  yet  fome  cloke  of  honeflie 
to  mainteyne  Circumcizion  and  the  figures  of  the  Law,bicaufe  they 
were  al  ordeyncdand  flablifhed  by  God.But  as  for  thefe  hypocrites. 
wiuchcrieQUtvpovsngwadaycs  withfviil  thr^te,  [faying  ye  muil 

kccpp. 


Chap.^.  ^Q^  Ql^  xlij.  Sermon  y^on 

keepe  the  olde  cuftomc  without  chaunging  of  any  thing :  whereon 
are  they  grounded  C'  They  cannot  fay  that  God  is  Author  of  any  of 
their  ftuffc.   Men  haue  contriued  them  after  their  owne  h.r.cic,  or 
rather  Satan  hath  blowne  them  into  their  eares :  fo  that  (at  a  word) 
all  that  is.  termed  Gods  feruice  inPoperic,is  nothing  cKc  but  a  con- 
fuzed  maze :  ail  is  but  dreames  of  mens  fetting  forth,  and  the  diueil 
is  euer  the  cheefe  Authour  of  them.  And  yet  ihefe  naughtipacks  fay 
that  nothing  muft  be  taken  from  them.  And  wherevnto  haue  they 
refpe^l:'  Truly  they  will  alledge  that  men  muile  purchafe  Gods 
grace  by  them.and  that  they  ftirrc  folke  vp  to  greater  deuotion.  A- 
gaine,they  giuc  the  title  of  Sacrament  too  all  the  foolifh  deuices  of 
their  owne  heades,  faying :  fuch  a  thing  mufl  bee  kept,for  it  is  a  Sa- 
crament.But  when  all  is  iuftly  reckened ,  a  man  (hall  fee  that  theyr 
intent  is  to  pleafe  the  worlde,and  to  mainteync  themfeluesftiLFor 
they  be  inforced  fpite  of  their  teeth  to  confelTejthat  it  maketh  ney*. 
ther  iiere  nor  there  as  in  refpe6t  of  God,  and  that  he  paflcth  not  for 
their  kinde  of  feruice,  but  vtterly  diflyketh  it,bicaufe  he  will  be  fer* 
ued  with  obedience.  But  what  C'  There  will  bee  horrible  confufion 
(fay  they)  if  men  cut  off  all  after  thatfafhion ,  and  fpeake  plainly  of 
things .  See  I  pray  you,  how  they  woulde  faine  difguifc  themfelues, 
and  in  fuche  wife  corrupt  and  falfiiie  religion,  as  there  fhoulde  bee 
made  a  mingled  confufion  of  all:or  elfe  that  there  (houlde  no  mor^ 
be  taken  away  but  the  grofleft  and  fondeft  things,  and  in  the  mcane 
while  fuch  Ceremonies  be  let  alone  as  may  be  any  whit  fuffcrable. 
It  is  certains  (fay  I)  that  all  they  whichc  fpeake  fo ,  defire  nothing 
cKq  but  to  haue  fayre  winde  and  weatlier  to  the  worldwarde.  Seing 
it  is  fo :  let  vs  take  warning  at  the  holy  Ghoftes  hande  to  flee  fuche 
plagues.  And  although  we  cannot  triumph  in  this  worlde,  although 
we  be  nothing fet  by,although  men  rayie  vpon  vs  with  ope  mouth  ; 
yet  let  vs  not  ceafTe  too  holde  oure  owne  for  Gods  truth,  and  let  it 
fufficc  vs  to  be  allowed  of  the  heauenly  iudgc,.  though  all  the  world 
abhorre  vs. Although  then  that  we  fee  all  riiefe  things  :  yet  let  vs  be 
pacit.nt,andtarie  till  our  Lordelefus  Chiiftfliewe  himfelfe  to  bee 
our  uarrant,  and  rherewitl-iail  giue  vs  vi<^rie  in  the  behalfe  ofhis 
truth, fo  that  all  his  enemies  may  bee  put  Co  fhame  and  haue  theyr 
mouthes  flopped  vp. 

Nowc 


theEpisi.  to  the^alathians.      5x1 

Nowe  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  maieftie  of  ourgood  God, 

with  acknowledgement  of  our  faults,  praying  him  too  touche  vs 

with  fuche  true  repentance  by  his  holy  fpirite ,  that  beeing  vtteriy 

caft  do\\'ne  in  oui'felues,and  quite^&  cleane  rid  of  all  prefumption, 

we  may  be  hartily  foiy  for  them :  and  that  moreouer  it  may  pleafe 

him  To  to  increafe  the  giftes  of  his  holy  fpirite  in  vs,as  wee  may  no 

more  be  giuen  to  our  fleHijand  the  world  to  be  hindred  and  hilde 

.  downe  by  them,but  that  we  may  go  forwarde  to  feme  him,and  in- 

deuer  that  his  name  may  be^glorilied  more  and  more, and  we  beare 

fuche  a  marke  of  his  apoption,  as  wee  may  bee  fo  confirmed  with 

it  in  our  felues,  that  other  men  may  haue  occafion  to  glorifie  the 

name  of  this  our  good  God  for  working  fo  in  vs.That  it  may  pleafe 

him  to  graunt  this  grace,  not  only  to  vs,  but  alfo  to  dl  people  and 

nations  of  the  earth.  &c; 

T7:)e.^^,Sermon^r^bich  is  thejtxth  and 

UH  ]fpon  the  fixtb  and  laU  Chapter. 

54    God  forbid  that  euer  I  fhould  glory  Cin  any  thing] 

failing  in  the  Croffe  of  our  Lordc  lefus  Chrifl, 

whereby  the  world  is  crvcificd  vnto  mee,  and  I 

vino  the  world. 
j5    For  in  lefus  Chrift  neither  Circumcifion  nor  Vn- 

circumcilion  auayleth  any  thyng :  buc  the  new 

creature. 
16    And  as  many  as  walkc  according  to  this  rule^  peace 

bee  vpon  them  and  mercy,  and  vpon  Ifraell  that 

perteynethtoGod. 
ly    From  hencefoorth  let  no  man  put  mec  to  payne, 

for  I  beare  in  my  body  the  markcs  of  the  Lordc 

Icfu. 
18    Brethren,  the  grace  of  our  Lordc  Icfus  Chrifl  bee 

witliyourfpinte.    Amen. 

Si:  VVe« 


ciup,s.  fo.Cal.xliij.fermon  ypon 

E  Iiaue  feene  heeretofore  howe  $ain(?l  Paule 
condemned  fuch  us  fought  altogitherto  row 
betweenetwoftreames,  thereby  too  pleafe 
the  worldcp  and  in  the  meane  while  to  efchue 
peiTecution :  And  that  made  them  to  difouife 
the  Gofpell ,  whereof  wee  lee  too  many  ex- 
amples yet  ftill  at  this  day.  For  fuche  as  fee 
that  the  pure  do6lrine  and  tmth  of  God  can  not  be  brucked  of  the 
world,  but  that  the  wicked  fort  doo  rage  agaynft  it :  they  (1  fay) 
would  fayne  £nde  fome  meane  way,that  they  might  not  bee  hated 
nor  incurre  any  difpleafure.  And  that  it  is  fo :  if  no  we  a  dayes  yee 
aske  it  of  fuch  as  hauebut  fome  little  vnderftanding:  ye  fhal  fcarfc 
finde  one  of  them  among  a  hundred,  vvhiche  will  not  graunte  tliat 
there  are  many  abufes  in  Poperie :  but  yet  [they  will  fay]  that  all 
mufl  not  be  cut  off  by  the  quicke,  but  that  it  is  inoughe  if  fome 
oFthe  ouergroffe  artd  exccfsiue  fuperftitions  bee  taken  away ,  and 
fo  they  would  fayne  llilj  nouriflie  a  great  forte  of  infeftions.  And 
why  <  For  (as  I  haue  fayde)  they  woulde  fayne  bee  in  credite  and 
cftimation,and  it  is  no  matter  at  all  with  them  to  betray  the  pure- 
nefle  ol  the  Gofpell,  fo  they  may  faue  themfelues  from  perfecutio: 
yea  and  euen  among  vs  a  man  (l^all  finde  inowe  that  woulde  hauc 
bothe.  And  what  moueth  them,but  that  they  would  aduance  them 
felues,  and  get  fome  reputation:'  Forafmuche  then  as  wee  fee  that 
the  Diuell  which  rayfed  thofe  broyles  in  the  time  of  Saind  Paule, 
continueth  [the  fame]  vnto  this  day, we  ought  to  be  armed  with 
this  doflrine.  And  the  very  remedie,  is  that  which  S.  Paule  fetteth 
<lowne  heere :  namely  to  reie<^  all  glory,  faue  that  which  we  hauc 
in  the  CrofTe  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  Now  for  the  better  vnder- 
ftanding heereofjfiril  of  all  wee  muft  call  to  minde  how  it  is  fayde 
J#r.5?/.23.  in  leremie,  and  alledged  alfo  by  S.Paule,  that  all  the  glory  of  man 
muftbeecaft  downe,  too  the  ende  that  God  may  bee  exalted  as 
^•.2p.  d,  he  deferueth.  And  in  very  deede  it  is  truely  fayde,  that  all  the  wif- 
14.  ip*.  2.  dome  which  men  weene  them  felues  to  haue,  is  nothing,but  mud 
Cflrj  f  .If?  come  to  account  and  be  quite  dafhed,  and  they  mud  reforte  vntQ 
God,as  to  him  that  hath  the  fulnefife  of  all  good  things  in  himfelf. 
Let  vs  cofefle  (I  fay)  that  all  wifdgme  procccdeth  of  his  free  good- 


the  Episl.  to  the  (jalathians.     52 z 

fteffe,  inafinuclie  as  we  be  inlightened  by  bis  boly  ipirite,  and  tbat 
bicaufe  we  be  weake  of  our  felueSjwe  muft  be  ftrengthened  by  his 
power,  and  whereas  wee  be  full  of  all  filthe  and  iniquitie,wee  muft 
recouer  rightuoufnefle  by  his  gitte.  But  nowe  wee  muft  come  to 
the  meanes.  For  it  is  not  inough  for  vs  to  knowe  that  God  is  our 
light, ourrightuonfnefle, our  wifdomejOur  ftrength,  &  finally  that 
the  whole  perfection  [[andfulnefle]  of  our  life,ioy,and  happineilc 
is  in  him:  that  is  not  inough,for  there  i^  a  very  far  diftace  betwene 
him  and  vs,  and  therfore  it  ftandeth  vs  in  hande  to  know  how  and 
by  what  meanes  we  may  be  partakers  of  ail  the  graces  whiche  wee 
haue  to  feeke  in  God.Howbeit  wee  knowe  that  the  whole  is  com* 
municated  tovs  inlefus  Chrift,  verily  for  that  he  camedowno 
heere  bilowe,  and  abaced  him  felfe,and  was  contented  to  be  cruci- 
fied for  vs.  Seeing  then  that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  is  he  out  of  who 
we  muft  drawe  all  things  that  we  haue  neede  of:  now  v/ee  fee  why 
S.Paule  fayth  he  will  not  feeke  any  glory  but  in  the  Crofle  of  our 
Lorde  lefus  Chrift.  And  why  C*  For  in  as  muche  as  he  fuffered  fa 
paynefull  and  bitter  a  death,  yea  and  was  fet  agaynft  Gods  iuftice 
for  vs ,  and  tooke  all  our  curfednefle  vpon  him  :  therefore  was  he 
giuen  vnto  vs  to  be  our  wifdome,rightuoufne{rc,holine{re,ftregth, 
and  all  that  euer  wee  want.  But  firft  of  all  wee  muft  iearne  what  we 
be,  to  the  intent  to  bcate  downe  all  our  owne  glorying,  and  to  fet- 
tle our  felues  vpon  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  For  we  fee  many  men 
burft  with  pride,  and  they  wote  not  why.     There  is  notliing  but 
winde  &:  fmoke  in  all  the, things  which  they  furmife  of  them  felues. 
Ho^^'beit  the  very  caufe  why  they  feeke  not  lefus  Chrift ,  is  for 
want  of  due  examination  of  them  felues :  and  fuche  are  the  Hypo- 
crites,and  the  COunterfetters,  and  thofe  that  are  puffed  vp  wyth 
ouerweening  of  their  owne  works.  Therefore  (as  I  haue  touched 
alreadie)  it  behouethvs  to  looketoour  owne  ftate,  and  to  fee 
howe  wretched  wee  be  till  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  pitie  vs.  That 
is  the  way  too  prepare  vs  too  come  vnto  him.  And  that  ftiall 
ferue  for  one  poynre.  Howebeeit  that  is  not  yet  all.  For  there 
are  that  can  graunte  them  felues  too  bee  (innefs ,  and  that  there  is 
nothing  in  them  but  vanitie  :  and  yet  notwithftanding they  welter 
neuerthelelTe  in  their  own  j&lthy  dung.And  why.  For  they  coceyue 

Sf.ij.  not 


Chap.(^,  fo.Cal.xliij.fermonypon 

not  Gods  iuftice,  bvit  are  (as  yee  woulde  fay)  doted  in  tKis  world 
None  of'all  thefe  vnthriftes  whiche  giqe  them  feJues  ouer  to  darn- 
kenned e,  or  to  wKoredome ,  or  to  luche  other  lewdne{re;,can  ex- 
cufe  their  vilanies,  but  that  they  are  fayne  to  be  afhamedof  them  : 
and  yet  neuerthelefle  they  deHght  in  them;,  and  continue  llyll  in 
them  as  if  they  were  hardened.  And  why  c'  Bicaufe  they  bee  made 
drunken  with  this  worlde,  and  the  diuell  hath  fo  clozed  vp  their 
eyes,  that  they  fee  not  hovve  they  muft  one  day  come  to  account. 
They  play  the  amazed  men,  and  beare  them  feJues  in  hande  that 
they  fhall  always  flande  at  a  flay, and  fo  they  go  forward  with  their 
naughtineife,  and  neuer  fighe  nor  be  forie  for  the  matter ,  but  are 
alwayes  laughing  at  it,  as  though  they  ment  to  fpite  God  wilful- 
ly. Wee  fee  then  that  one  forte  is  letted ,  yea  or  rather  vtterly 
turned  backe  from  comming  to  lefus  Chrifl,  bicaufe  they  prefume 
vpon their  owne  wifedome,  and  are  poffefied  with  an  imaginatioa 
that  Satan  hath  put  into  their  heade,  fo  that  too  their  owne  fee- 
ming  they  bee  wife  inough  without  lefus  Chrift,  and  therfore  they 
holde  fcornc  of  him.  The  other  forte  (whiche  are  infinite  in  num- 
ber) notwithftanding  that  they  knowledge  themfelues  to  be  wret- 
ched finners :  doo  neuerthelefle  not  feeke  the  remedie.  And  whyc* 
For  this  prefent  worlde  pofTefTeth  them,  and  they  bee  fo  wrapped 
in  it,  as  they  can  not  lifte  vp  their  eyes,  nor  their  mindes,  to  feeke 
the  remedie  tliat  is  readie  for  them  in  lefus  Chrift.  So  muche  th^ 
more  neede  therefore  haue  wee  to  mynde  the  thing  that  I  haue: 
touched  alreadie  :  that  is  too  wit,  that  wee  muft  ridde  our  felues 
of  all  felfetruft  and  ouerweening,  and  bee  fo  greeued  as  wee  may 
neuer  be  in  reft  till  wee  hauefounde  fuccour  in  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chrift.  And  let  vs  not  only  open  our  eyes  to  fee  our  owne  foule- 
nefre,and  to  be  afhamed  of  it :  but  alfo  let  vs  confider  that  this  life 
is  nothing,and  that  God  hath  fet  vs  heere  as  in  a  wayfaring,  wheriii 
he  intendeth  to  try^e  whether  wee  will  come  to  him  or  no.  There- 
fore let  euery  of  vs  fummon  him  felfe  euening  and  morning,  and 
as  oft  as  we  looke  vpon  our  {innes,let  them  be  as  fpurres  to  pricke. 
vs  and  prouoke  vs  to  repayre  vnto  God,  fo  as  wee  may  not  be  as 
brute  beaftes,  nor  be  hilde  backe  in  this  world,but  that  our  necef- 
.  fitie  may  alwayes  driue  vs  too  reforte  too  our  Lgrde  lefus  Chrift, 
"""■"■""  Tbu& 


the  BpiflJo  the  (jalathians.        515 

Thus  yec  fee  Howe  wee  may  glory  in  the  crofTe  of  our  Lorde  lefus 
Chrift.  And  Sainft  Paule  hadi  purpofely  fpoken  here  of  the  crofTc, 
bicaufe  the  matter  that  he  delte  with,  was  the  puUing  downe,  and 
as  it  were  the  treading  vnder  foote,  of  all  loft^nefle  which  men  af- 
pire  vnto.  For  wee  will  needes  bee  alwayes  fomewhat  of  our 
felues^andholde  ftiU  fome  worthinefTe.To  the  ende  therefore  that 
we  might  be  difcharged  oF  that  wicked  affedion :  Saind:  Paul  tel- 
leth  vs  that  lefus  Chriil:  the  fonnc  of  <1  od  can  not  be  our  glor^',but 
only  in  refpe6l  that  he  was  caicified  f6r  vs.  And  heerevpon  inie- 
weth  that  which  he  addeth,  namely  that  we  (hall  be  crucified  to  the 
world,  and  the  world  to  vs^  when  wee  fiiall  haue  learned  to  glory 
in  the  only  meere  grace  that  is  brought  vs  by  our  lord  Icfus  Chrift, 
As  how  C'furely  they  that  are  not  crucified  to  the  worlde,  that  is 
to  fay,  they  that  couet  to  bee  in  fome  authoritie  ,  and  to  fet  out 
them  felues,  they  that  defire  to  bee  honored  and  exalted ,  and  (to 
be  fhort)  they  that  are  drawen  hither  and  thidier  of  their  lufts^doo 
not  yet  knowe  what  it  is  too  glory  in  the  CrofTe  of  our  Lorde  le- 
fus Chrift :  for  they  fhoulde  haue  begonne  at  the  forefayde  poynt, 
that  is  too  wit,  of  beeing  confounded  inthemfelues.  Therefore 
not  witliout  caufe  dooth  S.PauIe  fay,  that  for  as  muche  as  he  had 
fetlcd  his  glory  in  the  crolTe  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chri{l,he  had<^uite 
forfakcn  and  giuen  ouer  the  worlde.  Nowe  by  the  worlde  he  mea- 
ncth  all  that  is  delightfome  to  the  fiefhe,  as  when  men  think  ney- 
thcr  vpon  God,  nor  vpon  the  lyfe  of  heauen,  io  as  one  is  giuen  to 
couetoufneflTe ,  another  to  ambition,  and  euery  man  is  driuen  by 
his  owncnaturallfway,  and  there  is  not  any  that  palfeth  further 
than  this  world.  V\'hen  men  followe  their  ov/ne  fwinge,and  God 
hath  not  yet  touched  them  with  his  holy  fpirite  to  draw  them  too 
him :  furely  although  they  doo  all  fling  ouer  the  feelds^and  runnc 
aflray :  yet  is  there  great  diuerfitie  in  their  affedions,  fo  that  if  the 
matter  come  to  triall,  one  drawes  one  way,  and  another  anodier 
way  cleane  contrarie :  and  to  be  fhort^men  feeme  to  differ  quite  Be 
cleane  one  from  another.But  yet  they  be  all  alike  in  one  thing, diat 
is  to  wit,  that  they  would  aduaunce  the  felues  to  the  worldwarde, 
that  they  be  giuen  to  their  owne  priuate  profite  or  pleafures.  At  a 
WOrde,they  be  fo  intanglcd  here^that  they  could  find  in  their  harts 

Sf.iij.  too 


Chap.(j.  fo.CaLxliij.Sermonypon 

too  be  feparated  from  God.  But  S.Paule  fayth  that  when  weefiiali 
haue  fct  all  our  glory  in  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift ,  knowing  that  by 
the  mcanes  of  his  CrofTe  he  hath  dedicated  vs  \  nto  his  father,  and 
purchaced  vs  the  kingdome  of  heauen :  then  it  will  be  eafie  for  vs 
to  withdraw  our  felues  from  the  world,  and  to  be  as  it  were  cut  olF 
from  it.  And  why :"  For  it  is  cenayne  that  whofoeuer  hath  bin  tou- 
ched and  wounded  to  the  quicke  with  the  feeling  of  his  finnes,will 
fo  purfue  the  grace  that  hath  bin  giucn  him  in  our  lordlefus  Chrifl, 
as  the  world  iTiall  be  nothing  with  him.  And  in  good  footh  wee 
fhew  that  al  the  fpiriaiall  benefites  which  God  ofFreth  vs,Sc  wher- 
vntohe  callethvsare  as  things  of  nothing  vnto  vs,  in  that  wee 
dleeme  them  not  in  companion  of  the  trumperic  and  inticements 
of  Satan.  What  is  this  world  if  a  man  view  it  in  it  felfe  c'  There  is 
no  man  but  he  feeth  howe  frayle  our  life  is,  and  howe  it  is  but  as  a 
fmoke  that  paffeth  and  vanifheth  away  :  and  yet  wee  fee  men  frye 
Ail]  in  their  aflfeftions,  and  howe  they  bee  vtterly  cariedaway  and 
rauiOied  with  them.  God  on  his  fide  crieth  out.  Ye  wretched  folk, 
ye  be  more  deflitute  of  wit  than  little  children.  For  ye  buzieyour 
heads  about  mo  on  eOiine  in  the  water,  and  about  pelting  trifled' 
wherin  there  is  nothing  but  foolifhnefTe,  8c  ye  be  wholly  wedded 
vnto  the:  and  yet  in  the  meane  feafbn  whe  I  offer  you  perfect  hap- 
pinefTe,  ye  make  none  account  of  it,all  is  one  to  you.  Yee  fee  thea 
that  the  caafe  why  we  be  fo  cold  .Sc  negligent  now  a  dayes  in  recei- 
viing  the  benefites  which  God  oifreth  vs  by  his  Gofpel :  is  for  that 
ihe  world  hath  gotten  the  pofTefsion  of  vs  aforehand :  and  on  the 
other  part  we  alfo  do  fet  too  much  flore  by  the  world.  And  why  do 
we  fo:'Bicaufe  we  know  not  the  ineftimable  benefites  that  God  of- 
fereth  vs.  Therefore  let  vs  ioyne  thefe  two  togither,  that  is  to  wit, 
that  we  be  crucified  to  the  world,  and  the  world  to  vs,  bicaufe  we 
haue  our  gloiy  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  crucified.  But  this  is  eafier 
to  be  fayd  than  to  be  do  one :  and  therfore  euery  man  muft  ftrayne 
him  felfe  in  his  owne  behalfe,f<  when  he  vnderiladeth  this  leflon, 
-  he  muft  put  it  in  pra6life.For  if  we  couet  to  be  taken  Sc  auowed  for 
Chriftians  before  God  8c  his  Angels :  we  mufl  be  confonnable  to 
the  holy  Ghoft  in  the  thing  that  he  fetteth  down  hercAnd  in  very 
deede  if  we  were  not  tOQ  farre  ouerfeene^  wee  haue  occafion  of  it 
.  ~  r inougb^ 


the  Spi^.to  the  (^alathians.        524, 

inough,as  hath  bin  faid  afore.For  they  that  doo  but  only  enter  into 
themielues  to  confider  what  they  be, and  what  their  ftate  is  ib  long 
as  they  be  feparated  fro  lefus  Chrift,  mud  needs  be  feared  with  the 
ie:\\v\^  of  gods  wrath  which  they  haue  defcrued,  whe  they  perceiuc 
thefeiues  to  be  plugcd  in  fuch  curfedneficjthat  it  were  much  better 
for  the  if  the  eanh  had  fwallowed  the  vp  a  hundred  times,  than  to 
haue  Jiued  in  that  plight  but  one  day,being  in  the  meane  while  eni- 
mies  to  their  God,  fro  whofe  hands  they  can  net  fcape.  1  heretorc 
let  vs  lenie  to  looke  to  our  felues.Such  as  intend  to  deck  thefeiues 
to  the  worldward,5c  fpecially  women,will  looke  in  a  glafl'e,&:  that 
ihai  be  done  with  as  much  curiofitie  &:  wareneiTe  as  may  be.But  in 
the  meane  while  we  looke  not  vpo  our  felues  to  fpie  our  own  wats 
andfilthine{le,to  the  end  we  might  humble  our  felues  taily  before 
God,&  feeke  cur  glory  where  it  is  to  be  had.  Now,it  is  ceiten  that 
he  which  knoweth  his  own  rcproch  &  (hame,wil  feeke  to  come  to 
the  remedie  of  it,at  leaftwife  if  Gods  fpirite  worke  liuely  in  vs,  Sc 
that  we  be  not  fotted  by  Sata,as  I  haue  faid  aforcLct  vs  leme,let  vs 
lerne  to  looke  vpo  ourfeiucs,both  widiout  feining,&  without  datf 
tery.And  whe  we  fiiallhaue  knowe  our  own  wats  &  miferies,let  vs 
refortto  our  lord  lefus  Chnft.And  forafmuch  as  al  loftinefre,{late- 
lineiTcSc  vaunting  muft  be  beaten  down  by  meanes  of  the  Crofle  : 
Let  vs  be  truly  crucified  to  tlie  world,and  let  the  world  aifo  be  no- 
.thing  vnto  vs.  Now  wheras  S.Paule  fay th, that  the  world  was  cru- 
-criied  to  him,&  he  to  the  world :  it  is  true  that  he  meeneth  another 
thing  Qhan  playn  crucifying] .For  therby  he  intended  to  fhew  yet 
moreftrongly,how  we  may  renounce  the  world,  and  be  feparated 
fro  it,namely  by  beeing  crucified  to  ourfelues  as  in  refpe^  of  the 
world, that  is  to  fay, by  mortify'ing  al  the  lufts  that  fight  one  againft 
anoth  er  within  vs,  &  haue  too  much  force,  &  inflaipe  vs  al  wholly 
like  a  burning  fire,5c  caft  vs  heere  Sc  therc,bicaufe  wee  fee  that  the 
fon  of  God  was  fayne  to  fuifer  fo  repfochful  a  death  for  vs.VVho 
would  nowxnake  his  triumphes  Sc  braueries  in  the  world,\vhcn  he 
feeththat  he  which  is  the  head  of  the  Angels,&  vnto  who  beiog  all 
maieflie,glory,&  dcmini6,was  haged  vpo  tree^v^  made  accurfed  3c  ,.^ 

abhominable  for  vsC  Thus  ye  fee  by  what  rneapes  al  our  \u9is  rn^y  ^<il^xi\^ 
be  mortified,  and  the  death  and  pafsion  gf  pur  Lprde  lefus  Gjhrift 

Sfiiij.  'woke 


Chap.^.  ^o,CaLxUi). Sermon  ypon 

worke  fo  in  our  hearts,  as  our  lufts  inay  be  no  more  Co  ticklidie  aS 

they  haue  bin.  And  that  is  for  one  poynt.  Agayne,  the  world  muft 

be  calcified  vnto  vs.  As  howec'  By  efteeming  all  worldly  thingcs 

as  chafFe  and  corruption  (according  as  in  very  deede  there  is  not 

any  thing  in  them  whiche  is  not  corruptible)  in  comparifon  of 

thefpiritualibenefiteswhichelefusChrifte  hathe  brought  vs,and 

whiche  wee  inioy  by  this  meanes.  For  in  very  deede  all  worldly 

things  are  corruptible.  And  moreouer,  what  elfe  are  all  the  things 

whiche  men  ccuet  To  fore  and  fo  vehemently  that  they  bee  vtterly 

intangledintliem,  but  fnares  that  Satan  hathe  layde  too  catche 

them  withal  1:*  Are  they  not  al  of  them  illufions  Sc  trumperiescl^es 

furely  bee  they.  Seeing  it  is  fo  then ,  let  vs  learne  too  fet  nothing 

by  the  worlde ,  and  too  bee  fully  perfuaded  and  refolued  in  ourc 

feluesjthat  God  is  our  freende.  that  he  acknowledgeth  vs  for  hys 

children  and  heires,and  tliat  he  blilTeth  vs,  and  that  without  thofe 

things  wee  bee  iniferable.  By  this  meanes  then  yee  fee  wee  mayc 

pafle  lightly  through  the  worId,and  notbe  fhyed  not  pulkd back 

i)y  any  thing,for  wee  will  alwayes  looke  ftill  to  that  marke.  Wee 

knowe  wee  ought  to  make  hail  too  come  too  the  place  that  God 

calieth  vs  too  :  and  if  the  affe6lions  of  this  world  intangle  vs,wee 

fhall  be  eftraunged  from  our  G  od  by  that  meanes.  Thus  yee  fee  in 

cfFeft  what  wee  haue  to  remember  vpon  this  ftreyne.Now  hcerc- 

vpon  S.Paule  addeth;  thai  in  hjm  ChaH  neither  Cmumcifm  mr  Vrtm 

'(ircumdftonauaykth  any  thing  at  all :  hut  the  neXi^e  creature .  As  if  ht 

(hould  fay,diat  they  which  dyd  then  trouble  the  Church,  had  lio* 

thing  to  moue  them  theno  but  their  ownc  vaynglorioufnelTe.  Foif 

to  ftirre  vp  great  troubles  when  the  Church  is  not  furthered  nor 

fareth  the  better  by  them,furely  it  fiieweth  tliat  men  feeke  nothing 

elfe,  but  to  fetvp  themfelues  in  the  roumeof  our  Lordclcfus 

Chrift.  For  what  fhould  be  all  our  drift,  but  that  the  fonne  of  God 

might  reigne  among  vs,  and  we  be  ruled  by  the  worde  of  his  Gof- 

pell,  and  that  his  power  might  bee  knowen,to  the  ende  that  bothe 

great  and  fmall  might  put  their  whole  truft  in  him  <  And  therefore 

according  heerevnto,let  vs  bee  reformed  in  our  whole  life  to  obey 

God,and  to  fubmit  our  felues  to  his  word.  For  like  as  Gods  fpni- 

fial  jepje  ^criftfteth  in  fcyth  3c  ne  wncffc  of  lifcjg  faith  importeth 

that 


the  EpiH.to  the  (jalathians.        525 

that  we  fhould  do  homage  vnto  God  f(7r  all  his  bencfites,  that  wee 
fhould  haue  our  recouiie  vnto  him, that  we  (hould  blaze  abrode  his 
praifcs,and  that  his  holy  name  fhould  bee  called  vppon  among  vs. 
That  is  the  way  for  vs  to  be  aduaunced  to  be  Gods  temple.Ageinc 
on  the  other  fide,  we  muft  alfo  be  renued  in  our  life,  &  by  patience 
Jeame  to  renounce  ourfelueSjand  to  dedicate  ourfelucs  vnto  God. 
Lo  what  all  teachers  and  preachers  ought  too  procure.  They  then 
which  (hoote  not  at  that  marke,do  fiiew  well  ynough  that  their  in- 
tent is  not  to  ferue  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift.  So  then  S.Paule  decla- 
reth  that  nothing  auaileth  in  lefus  Chrift,but  the  new  creatureithat 
is  to  fay,that  wee  muft  come  too  that  poynt, according  as  wee  haue 
feene  how  he  fayd  heretofore  in  the  fecond  to  the  Corinthans,that  i^CoYx^u 
whofoeuer  will  bee  efteemed  in  lefus  Chrift,  muft  become  a  newe  17, 
creature.For  if  one  man  boaft  of  his  eloquence,  another  of  his  wit, 
another  of  his  great  learning,  and  another  of  his  trim  bchauiour  or 
goodly  perfonage  all  this  is  but  vanitic.  Therfore  let  vs  leame  too 
forfake  our  felues  quite,and  to  forfake  the  world,  and  to  gyue  our 
-felues  to  him  that  hath  bought  vs,to  the  end  that  wee  bee  no  more 
looce.  For  it  is  good  reafon  that  lefus  Chrift  hauing  bought  vsfo 
<<lecrly,  fliould  poflefTe  vs  and  fully  inioy  vs.  But  that  cannot  bee 
cIonc,except  euery  of  vs  renounce  himfelfe,and  all  things  elfe  that 
may  hold  vs  among  men.  Lg  wk:  v;?  \a\\^  to  marke.  Now  Sainft 
Paulc  fpcaketh  of  Circumcifion  3c  vnciraimcirion,bycaufe  that  (dS 
yeehauefeen  afore)the  difputation  and  controuerfie  which  he  had 
■was  about  the  Ceremonies  of  the  Lawe,  which  he  comprchendeth 
heere  vnder  the  particular  tenne  of  Circumcifion.  For  the  lewes 
would  needes  haue  men  to  rcteine  ftill  all  the  fhadowes  Sc  figures 
which  ferued  but  for  a  time.  And  therfore  S.Paul  fcorning  all  thofe 
thingSjfaith  that  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  is  not  come  to  holde  vs  ftill 
in  the  old  forwome  figures,but  that  for  as  much  as  the  veyle  of  ihc^ 
temple  is  rent  afunder,  and  he  hath  in  himfclfe  the  body  and  fub- 
ftance  of  all  the  ftiadowes  that  were  in  the  Lawe  :  men  muft  holde 
themfelues  contented  with  him,  and  therfore  Circumcifion  was  no 
longer  any  thing  worth.  VVce  fhall  profit  our  felues  the  more  by 
this  text,  if  we  apply  it  to  that  which  we  faw  yefterday.For  in  pope 
Tic  they  haye  many  pelting  trj'fles  wherin  they  put  aJl  the  tmft  of 

5r.w  hoU- 


Chap.^. 


fo.Calxlitj. Sermon  ypon 


holinefTcAnd  if  a  man  asVe  the  Papifts  how  they  ca  deferue  fauor 
at  Gods  hand  &:  purchace  remiision  of  their  finncs,  as  they  make 
their  boafl::!  hey  will  clap  you  in  the  mouth  with  their  holywater, 
their  Tapers,  their  Sencings,  their  Organplayes,  their  chauntings, 
their  Pilgrimages  8c  with  a  nuher  of  other  things.  Agem  they  haue 
their  foolifhe  deuotions  of  trotting  from  altar  to  altar,&  fro  chap- 
pell  to  chappell.Moreouer  they  mufl:  buy  good  ftore  of  MafTes.l'o 
be  ihort,  all  Gods  feruice  which  is  fo  termed  in  the  popedome,  is 
but  a  maze  c^  gulfe  of  UiperfHtions  inuented  of  their  owne  heades* 
But  let  vs  confider  what  thofe  things  may  auaile.  God  hath  not 
made  mention  of  any  of  the,  but  men  haue  deuifed  them  of  them- 
felues,yea  or  rather  Sara  hath  whifpered  them  into  their  eares,  too 
trouble  Gods  feruice  v/ithall.And  yet  notwithftandingjthe  papifts 
imagin  that  there  is  neither  Pveligio.nor  faith,  nor/eruice  of  God, 
norzeale,e5:cept  a  m.an  be  rauilTied  with  their  foolesbables.  But  S. 
Paule  fpeaking  euen  of  the  ceremonies  that  God  had  ordeined  in 
his  lawjfaith  that  they  be  henfforth  as  nothing.  And  whyC'For  God 
thinketh  it  ynough  that  we  ferue  him  with  a  pure  cofcience,  8c  that 
hauing  put  our  truft  in  him, we  call  vpo  him,knowing  that  we  hold 
all  things  of  him,and  therwithal  that  we  liue  vprightly  &  faithful!, 
one  with  another,  knowing  that  charitie  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law 
Be  the  end  of  the  Uw:  5c  finally  that  we  be  fc  dedicated  taour  god, 
^  *»  we  may  liue  chaftlySc  in  all  hoIinefTe,  waiting  for  the  comming 

t  '  .M3«  ^^f  our  Loj.j  lefus  chrift  as  it  is  faid  in  the  epiftle  to  Titus.Tjiat  the 
js the  f rll  poynt  £)f the  holineffe  3c perfe<5tion  which  God fhewctk 
vs  by  his  worde.  But  the  Papiftes  will  on  the  contrary  parte  fayc, 
how  fo :'  what  fhall  become  of  fo  many  goodly  deuotions  c'  Shall 
they  all  bee  abolifhed :"  Nay  it  were  better  that  God  ilioulde  bee 
plucked  out  of  Heauen.  Lo  what  the  doItifhnenTe  of  the  Papiftes 
is.  But  wee  fee  howe  Sain6t  Paule  tclleth  vs,  that  if  men  bee  fo 
fore  drowned  in  their  owne  fancies,  as  too  furmize  that  they  can 
ttroorke  woonders  with  God,  and  bee  hild  downe  too  theii*  ownc 
peltmg  trafbs  :  all  of  it  is  nothing  woorthe.  Who  hath  pronoun- 
ced it  :*  God  by  the  mouth  of  Sain6l  Paule.VVhat[auaileth]then^ 
The  newe  creature.  And  what  is  ment  by  the  new  creatureC'  Tliat 
wee  fhouldc  fail  too  examining  ofourlyucs  after  fuchea  forte,  as 

'    ^        '  '  wee 


the  Epi^L to  the  (jalathians.        ^i6 

wee  myght  bee  vtter  abaced  in  our  feluesiand  therevpon  offer  vii- 
too  God  the  fpirituall  facrifyces  whyche  wee  owe  vntoo  him, 
euen  offering  oarfelucs  too  him  to  the  end  he  may  haue  pitie  and 
mercie  vppon  our  myferieSjand  prouide  remedie  for  them :  and  fi- 
nally bee  ready  too  follow  him  whirherfoeuer  he  calleth  vs,&:  not 
haue  any  other  wifedome  than  his  only  woorde,  knowing  that  he 
cannot  bee  fcrued  with  pompes  and  gay  fliowes  of  grearglittering 
too  the  worlde,  but  he  is  contented  that  wee  (houlde  limply  offer 
vp  vnto  him  our  thoughts  and  affections.And  therfore  it  is  long  of 
none  but  of  our  felues,  that  we  knowe  not  what  S  Paule  mecneth, 
nor  wheretoothis  lefTonmay  feruevs.  Foritiscerteine,thatall 
they  which  flatter  not  thcmfelues  in  their  owne  vyces,^  but  looke 
vp  vntoo  God,  knowing  that  they  muft  come  before  his  ludgemet 
feate  will  rid  their  handes  of  all  glorie .  And  fuahermore  they  will 
confider  what  God  commaundes  them  by  his  word^how  he  wilbee 
ferued  of  vs,  and  what  he  alloweth,  fo  as  they  fhall  no  more  bee  in 
daunger  too  bee  deceyucd,  by  thofe  tryfling  toyes  wherein  the  hy- 
pocrites are  plunged  ouer  heade  and  eares.  For  it  is  certcine  xhtt 
wheras  the  Papiftes  torment  themrelues(as  wee  fee)to  feme  God: 
itis  too  none  other  ende,but  that  he  fhould  hold  them  acquit;  and 
they  fcape  his  hands,  5c  not  be  conftreined  to  ferue  him  as  he  com- 
maildethrfor  they  defpife  the  whole  law,&  yet  in  the  meane  while 
haue  a  nuber  of  things  to  put  into  their  account,  which  they  would 
haue  God  to  allow  of.But  (as  I  faid)  the  end  of  all  their  dooings,is 
to  imagin  themfclues  difcharged  to  Godward,  and  that  he  fl\ould 
not  prefle  the  to  forehand  yet  notw  Jthilanding,that  they  might  fol- 
low their  own  fwindge,&  take  leaue  to  afToiie  thsfelues  of  al  their 
(innes,  &  that  God  hauingi  wote  not  what,  (that  is  too  fay,  fome 
faire  countenance  of  their  owne  bringing)  fhoulde  haue  his  mouth 
(het  and  not  bee  fo  hardie  as  too  fpeake  a  worde.Now  then  wee  fee 
whereat  S.Paule  amed.  And  he  addeth  in  the  wynding  vp>  Teace 
4ndmmyeb€el>pfm  allthQfe  tkitfubmit  thmfeluts  too  that  rule,  and 
ypfon  Ifmell  that  perteyneth  too  Cod.  In  fpeaking  of  the  Rule,  he 
fheweth  that  men  may  well  make  themfelues  beleeue  thys  or  that 
but  yet  in  the  meane  whyle  Godwyl  not  bow,for  he  is  not  muta- 
Wc  thai  he  (hould  fulfcr  hinifelf  to  be  led  by  our  folyes^ar  be  made 


chap.^.  fo.CaLxliij. Sermon  ypon 

to  fwarue  afide-.tlia':  is  impofsible  faith  S.Paul,  and  whatfocuer  be- 
fall,the  Law  that  God  hath  ftablifhed  muft  abide  vnchaungeable  as 
he  himfelFis.  No  doubt  but  we  will  admit  this  at  the  firft  fight.  For 
who  v\  il  not  willingliy  abide  that  God  fhould  be  our  fuperiorc'  Yea 
and  we  perceiue  ful  vveJ,that  to  fay  the  contrary  were  blafphemie. 
Yee  fee  then  that  at  a  glaunce  the  whole  world  can  wel  graunt  that 
God  fhould  be  our  rouerein,and  his  lawe  our  rule,  but  therwithall 
Jet  vs  fee  what  libertie  men  take  to  themfelues.Euery  man  deuifeth 
one  thing  or  other,  and  when  he  hath  fo  done,  he  would  haue  all 
other  men  too  obferue  the  fameieuery  man  then  woulde  haue  his 
ownc  rule  alone  by  himfelf.  Taie  it  is  that  in  the  popcdome  all  arc 
not  of  the  rule  of  S.  Frauncis  or  of  S.Dominik :  but  yet  for  all  that 
there  is  not  fo  doting  an  old  fooIe,nor  fo  fuperftitious  an  hypocrite 
in  the  popedome  but  he  hath  his  rule.  Ageine,  there  is  not  fo  yong 
a  calfe  but  he  hath  his  rule  too.  For  all  of  them  will  fay,  that  is  my 
deuotion.  And  their  vfing  of  the  worde(2)f«o^io«,  is  as  much  to  fay 
with  rhem^as,  God  is  put  backe,  and  I  muft  haue  my  libertie  to  do 
whati  Iift;and  God  muft  hold  himfelf  contented  with  it.Thus  wee 
fee  how  the  diuelifh  pride  of  me'  in  fleeting  to  and  fro,and  in  wan- 
dering out  at  rouers,  gadding  now  on  the  one  fide  and  now  on  the 
other,is  all  one  as  if  they  made  crooked  and  ouerthwart  pathes,  8c 
that  God  fhould  therfore  be  faine  to  bow  his  aile.  Be  become  ply- 
able  to  bend  according  to  their  fancies.  So  much  the  more  therfore 
behoueth  it  vs  too  marke  well  howe  it  is  faid  heere,  that  men  may 
well  torment  themfelues,  but  yet  Gods  rule  fhall  continue  ftill,  & 
hold  on  his  courfe  and  keepe  his  pace.  And  what  is  this  rule :'  It  is 
that  it  fhould  fufiize  vs  to  haue  perfeftion  in  fuch  wife,as  our  Lord 
lefus  Chrift  (heweth  it  vs  in  his  Gofpell.  Not  that  it  can  be  fully  in 
vs :  but  that  it  behoueth  vs  too  labour  towardes  it.  For  when  wee 
fpcake  of  perfe61:ionit  is  not  mentthat  we  can  atteine  to  it  fo  long 
as  we  liue-.but  that  we  muft  not  fwarue  one  way  nor  other,  neither 
to  the  right  hand  nor  to  the  left,  but  keepe  on  ftill  to  the  mark  that 
God  fheweth  vs.  Yee  fee  then  that  it  behoueth  vs  to  become  newe 
creatures :  that  is  to  fay,  wee  muft  renounce  ourfelues  and  yeelde 
wholly  vnto  God.  And  fith  it  is  fo  :  let  vs  bethinke  vs  too  fubmit 
ourfelues  to  the  fayd  nile,and  to  frame  ourfelues  therafter.  For  c- 

uery 


the  Epift.tothe  (jalatbiam]      ip.'-j 

aery  man  will  roone  fet  forth  his  legges  and  feete  :  but  that  Hull  be 
but  to  fisk  heere  and  there.  And  therefore  to  the  end  we  ftray  nor, 
let  vs  learne  to  fticke  fail:  to  the  things  that  God  fheweth  and  tea- 
cheth  vs  by  his  vvoorde.  Now  wheras  S.Paule  faith  that  peace  and 
mercie  (hal  be  vpon  them :  it  is  to  ihewe  vs,  that  we  may  defye  the 
whole  world,and  that  although  wee  be  condemned  by  the  foUie  of 
men,  yet  wee  neede  not  to  paffe  for  it,  but  may  keepe  on  our  race 
ftill :  fo  God  allow  of  vs,  itisfufficient.  Forfurely  we  flievvethat 
wee  yeeld  him  not  the  honor  which  is  due  to  him,  when  wee  be  fo 
(haken  downe  by  the  foolifhe  iudgement  of  the  worlde,  and  with 
the  opinions  that  men  fowe  abrode  of  vs.  Ifitbeefaydofvs^thefe 
fellowes  behaue  not  themfelues  well,  and  we  bee  greened  at  it,  3c 
thervpon  would  frame  ourfelues  to  euery  mans  liking:it  is  certein 
that  in  the  meane  while  wee fhall  fwarue  afide  from  God.  So  then 
let  vs  marke  well  how  S.  Paule  hath  tolde  vs  heere,  that  althoughe 
men  condemne  vs  and  finde  fault  in  our  doyngs:  (as  certeinly  the 
world  will  neuer  agree  with  God:)  yet  notwithftanding  wee  muft 
efteemeit  as  nothing,and  hold  ourfelues  contented  that  God  blif- 
fetli.vs,and  oflFereth  vs  heere  all  happinelTe  vnder  the  word  peacc^ 
certifying  vs  that  he  will  haue  corapafsion  vpon  vs,  how  miferable 
foeuer  we  be.  Although  men  fhould  fpit  in  our  faces,and  although 
there  appeere  no  fuch  vertues  in  vs  as  were^  requifite;yet  notvvith- 
ftanding,ifwe  keepe  on  our  way  flill  vnto  God,we  (liall  euer  finde 
him  pitifuil  to  beare  with  our  infirmities,  and  to  releeue  all  our  mi- 
fcries.VVhen  wee  be  once  at  the  poynt, it' ought  to  fufiFyze  vs.  But 
on  the  contrary  part,  let  vs  vnderftand  alfo  that  in  blifsing  fuch  as 
frame  themfelues  too  the  rule  of  God,  the  holy  Ghoft  curfeth  and 
detefteth,yeaandvtterlyfhakethofffuchas  runne  at  rouers  after 
that  fort, and  fet  more  by  their  owne  fancies  than  by  all  lawes,  and 
will  needes  haue  leaue  to  do  what  they  lift,  and  harden  themfelues 
in  fuch  wife  ageinft  Gods  word.  Although  then  that  they  be  had  in 
reputatation  to  the  worldward,  and  be  in  a  maner  drunken  in  their 
owne  pride  and  prefumption,and  fet  more  by  themfelues  than  rea- 
Ton  would  they  fhould :  yet  wee  fee  that  God  doth  alwayes  holde 
them  as  accurfed.  So  then  the  thing  that  wee  haue  to  remember  in 
cffed:;is  that  we  haue  but  one  gnly  rule^  which  is  conteyned  in  tha 

Gofpcll^ 


Ghap.d.  foXalxliijJermonypon 

llofpclLAnd  whither  doth  that  rule  Icade  vsc'Eucn  to  this,that  we 
bring  not  to  God  what  we  our  felues  think  good,or  what  we  hauc 
deuized  of  our  own  head :  but  that  wefubmit  ourfelues  wholly  vn- 
to  him  ^  to  his  woord,and  c5rider  alfo  that  feing  we  haue  all  perfe- 
^ion  in  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift;we  muft  be  corented  with  him  alone, 
fpecially  forafmuch  as  we  fee  God  to  be  picifull  in  hauing  mercie 
\^on  vs,and  that  our  life  (hall  be  happic  and  bliifed  of  him,fo  we  go 
on  foorth  whither  foeuer  he  calleth  vs :  Lyke  as  on  the  contrarie 
parte,  what  foeuer  opinion  the  worlde  haue  of  vs,  and  how  much 
lo  euer  it  fauour  vs,we  muft  needes  be  accurfed^if  we  haue  not  the 
rule  that  Sain<ftPaule  fpeaketh  of  heerc.  And  hee  addeth  Ifradl 
that  helong€th  too  God :  too  Q[iq\vq  that  they  whiche  ferue  God  after 
that  fpirituall  maner,  fhail  alwayes  bee  acknowledged  of  him  for 
his  people.  For  Sain^l  Paules  enemies  agaynftwhom  hedifputed 
in  all  this  Epiftlc,wouldc  needes  haue  all  the  Ceremonies  kept,and 
that  they  fhoulde  bee  the  markes  of  the  Churche,  as  they  furmy- 
zed.  Like  wife  in  thefe  dayes  the  Papiftes  woulde  haue  men  too 
keepe  [^Oyle  and]  Creame  and  diuers  other  things .  But  S'ain61: 
Paules  enemies  had  much  more  colour  than  the  Papiftes  haue,  and 
their  cace  was  much  better  in  comparifon.  NeuerthelefTe  Sain^ 
Paule  reie6leth  all  thofe  things,  and  fayeth  that  God  muzeth  not 
vpponanyof  thofe  fmall  toyes.  True  it  is  that  he  hadordeyned 
the  figures  of  theLawe  for  a  tyme,and  they  had  alfo  fomepro- 
fite  in  them,bycaufe  they  femed  too  Icade  the  people  too  our  Lord 
Icfus  Chrifte.  Butnowe  that  wee  haue  the  fubiflance  andpithe 
of  them  in  him :  wee  mufte  gyue  them  quyte  ouer.  Then  of 
muche  more  lykelyhood  they  bee  not  the  Ifraell  of  God,  that  fet 
foorth  themfelues  with  greate  pompe  before  men :  but  they  that 
haue  the  true  marke  of  God.  For  when  the  Papiftes  fpeake  too  vs 
of  the  Churche,  the  Pope  mufte  needes  bee  there  with  his  try- 
pie  Crowne,  the  Bifhoppcs  mufte  bee  difguyzed  too  playe  their 
cnterlude,  there  mufte  bee  a  forte  of  horned  beaftes,  all  mufte 
^lifter,  the  Prieftes  and  Monkes  mufte  bee  prefent,and  the  eyes 
€ff  the  fimple  foules  mufte  bee  dazeled.  Yee  fee  then  wherein  the 
Churche  of  God  confifteth  after  the  opinion  of  the  Papiftes :  that 
25  too  wit,  in  pompe  and  in  trytlingand  vnprofitable  gewgawes. 

And 


theEpiU.to  the  (jaUthians.      ^zS 

And  what  fay  they  too  the  Sacramentes :'  They  mud  hauc  this  and 
thaf.and  to  bee  (horte,thcy  haue  their  markes  whych  they  take  to 
bee  good  (luffe.  But  in  the  meanc  vvhyle  let  vs  come  too  the  GoC- 
pell.VVhat  (hall  a  man  fynde  there  i  Nothing  but  plaine  fimplici- 
tie.  God  will  not  haue  the  preachers  of  his  word  and  the  miniders 
of  his  facramentestoo  bee  difguifed,  nor  too  make  fo  many  murli- 
mewes :  neither  is  it  his  will  that  his  facramentesfhould  bee  defy- 
led  with  mennes  inuentions,  for  all  that  is  nothing  before  God. 
Therefore  let  vs  beare  well  in  mynde  the  definition   of  the  true 
Churche  whiche  Sainit  Paule  fetteth  downe  heere,  too  the  end  we 
bee  not  fhaken  when  men  fay  too  vs,  How  nowe  i  See  I  pray  you 
how  goodly  things  they  bee.  They  bee  fo  in  deede  according  too 
ournaturall  vnderftandyng.  For  after  as  a  man  is  flefhly  and  earth- 
ly :  fo  will  he  be  alwayes  inclined  to  followe  the  thing  that  caryeth 
afayrefhewetohisfenfes.  But  it  is  not  for  vs  too  iudgeofGoda 
feruice  :  we  muft  ftickc  too  that  which  he  hath  determined,for  his 
fentence  cannot  bee  repealed :  which  is  that  wee  muft  feeke  al  our 
whole  wyfedome  in  lefus  Chrift,  which  thing  wee  then  doo  when 
wee  obey  him,  and  not  elfe.  Furthermore  let  vs  vnderfland  that 
he  will  not  haue  vs  any  longer  tyed  too  the  outward  things  which 
he  ordeined  in  the  time  of  the  Law :  but  he  will  haue  vs  to  be  con- 
tented with  lefus  Chrift  alone,  Sc  with  the  perfe^lion  that  is  in  him. 
And  therevpon  wee  haue  alfo  too  marke,how  he  wifheth  the  grace 
•four  Lord  lefus  Chrili  too  bee  Xi>iih  their  Jpirit.  For  itfbeweth  that 
theworldeby  reafonofhisvnthankefulnefle:  isaot  worthietoo 
fee  the  benefites  that  are  offered  it  in  lefus  Chry  ft.  The  Gofpcll 
(hall  [perchaunce]  bee  preached  ynoughe,  but  yet  mthe  mcanc 
whyle  we  fee  how  euery  man  flirinkesbacke  and  wryeth  afyde,  as 
ihoughe  wee  ha  j  confpyred  too  forfakc  the  good  way  of  falua^ 
tion,  toocaftourfelues  intoo  mine  and  deilru6lion.  And  what 
is  the  caufe  thereof :'  It  is  for  that  wee  haue  oure  myndes  emptie, 
tnd  the  Diuell  tyndes  all  entrance  intoo  vs,  and  thervppon  temp- 
leth  andprouoketh  vs  too  flitter  in  the  ayre.  Too  bee  ^lort,  vntili 
the  grace  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  bee  with  our  fpirit^it  is  cei  tey  n 
that  wee  (hall  alwayes  bee  as  wauer^^ug  reedes/o  as  there  (hall  bee 
neohg:  hoide  nor  ftay  in  vs^ 


chap.^,  fo.Calxliij.fermon  ypon 

Vee  fee  then  that  the  point  wheretoo  wee  muft  come,  is  not  onely 
that  God  (hould  poure  out  his  grace  vpponvs,  but  that  wee  alfo 
fhoulde  fo  receiue  ti  in  harte  and  minde,  as  it  may  take  roote,  not 
-  to  hold  vs  downe  heere  beneath,but  to  lift  vp  our  affe6lions  Sc  all 
our  fenfies  vnto  God.  And  bicaufe  this  do6lnne  can  neuer  pafle  vn- 
fpoken  ageinft,  S.Paule  doth  heere  defie  all  fuch  as  lift  vp  thefelues 
'  ageinft  it,  and  faith  :  Hereafter  let  no  man  trouble  m(e,  fvr  I  hare  the 
marines  of  our  Lord  lefns  ChriB  in  my  body,  VVhen  he  fpeaketh  of 
the  markes  of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrifl;  he  fetteth  them  ageinft  all  the 
cotes  armours  of  Princes,  ageinft  all  their  Crownes  andfcepters,&: 
•ageinft  all  the  cognifances  or  badges,  which  they  haue  too  honour 
thefelues  withal,or  to  purchafe  thefelues  any  maieftie  or  reuerence 
to  the  worldward.  VVhen  a  Prince  intendeth  to  keepe  his  eftate, 
■he  will  furnifh  and  appareli  himfelf  in  fuch  fort,as  men  (hal  not  bee 
able  to  looke  vpon  him  without  dazeling  of  their  eyes.  And  they 
do  it,  oftentimes  bicaufe  they  haue  not  in  themfelues  wherwith  to 
M'in  eftimation,but  are  faine  to  borrow  it  elfe  where:and  fo  yee  fee 
it  is  the  fafhion  of  worldlings  to  fet  out^emfelues  with  pomp  and 
brauerie,and  to  vfe  many  things  to  get  themfelues  reputation.  To 
be  fhort,  the  world  doth  alwayes  borrow  of  others,  bicaufe  it  hath 
nothing  but  vanitie  in  it  felfe.But  S.Paule  telleth  vs  that  the  marks 
of  our  Lord  lefus  Chrift  are  much  better,  precioufer ,  and  of  farr6 
greater  Maieftie,than  all  the  things  wherwith  the  world  is  fo  raui- 
fhed  as  we  fee.  But  by  the  way  wee  muft  fee  what  he  ment  by  thefe 
Z.Cor.ihe^  markes.Hehathfhewedit  [in  another Epiftle]  heretofore,  where 
^4*  he  faydi  that  he  had  bin  often  vvhipped,that  he  had  bin  once  ftoned 
'that  he  had  bin  caft  in  prifon,  that  he  had  fuffered  hunger  5c  thirfl^ 
and  finally  that  he  had  bin  as  an  outcaft  and  forlorne  perfon.  True 
it  is  that  fuch  reprothfull  things  would  bee  (hunned  to  the  world- 
ward.But  S.Paule  faith  that  they  be  much  better^than  all  the  honoir 
and  pompe  that  could  be  deuifed  to  be  done  vnto  him,  and  that  he 
caryeth  thofe  markes,  to  the  end  that  men  fhould  not  ftop  him  of 
iiis  couife,nor  hinder  him  of  difcliarginghis  duetie.  Now  then  wee 
fee  how  S.Paules  meaning  is,  firft  that  if  we  bee  Chriftians  and  the 
true  Church  of  God,  we  muft  keepe  this  order^namely  that  we  bee 
vniced  togither^  or  that  wee  bee  all  as  one.  And  howe  is tHat  C  Not 

euery 


the  Epifl. to  the  (Jalathians..      529 

euery  man  after  his  owne  flincic,as  wee  fee  fome  doo,  who  bcyng 
of  Ji  froward  minde  cannot  pofsibly  frame  thcmCelues  to  others,but 
wiJlneedeskeepe  alone  by  themfelues,  like  fhrewde  horfes,  and  it 
were  too  bee  wifhed  that  there  were  Hermitages  and  Cloyfters  for 
fiich  maner  of  people,  when  they  will  not  by  any  meanes  ioync  with 
the  order  of  the  Churche.  Therefore  when  they  doo  fo  feparate 
themfelues  fromihe  companie  of  the  faithful!  through  their  ownc 
piydcjthey  muft  bee  made  the  Diuelles  Hermites  andCloyllerers. 
But  howfoeuer  the  worlde  go,  men  fee  why  they  bee  fo  hidden  : 
namely  bycaufe  the  Diuell  holdeth  and  pofleffeth  them,  and  their 
defire  is  nothing  elfe  but  too  haue  I  wote  not  what  a  feparation,  too 
turnequyteand  cleaneaway  from  God.  ButS'aindPaule  telleth 
vs,that  the  rule  which  wee  muil  go  by  is  this,  namely  that  we  make 
lefus  Chrift  our  fhooteanker,  laboring  too  fafhion  our  felues  lyke 
vnto  him,fo  that  whenfoeuer  he  fpeakes,wee  may  ye  eld  our  felues 
too  his  faying,  and  euery  of  vs  keepe  his  order  :  and  afterward  that 
wee  help  one  another.  For  wee  may  well  brag  of  perfeftion  and  of 
this  and  that:  but  if  wee  indeuer  not  too  further  the  buylding  vp 
of  the  fpirituall  temple,furely  wee  fhall  ftill  feme  Satan,  and  bee  as 
flaues  vnder  his  tyrannie.  Therefore  let  vs  Jearne  to  haue  one  con- 
formitie  among  vs,  tending  all  togither  too  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift:, 
And  furthermore  letfuch  as  haue  ftoutnefle  and  c5flancie  to  walke 
in  Gods  Lawe,  defie  all  thefe  Cockerelles  that  mount  vp  in  pryde 
after  that  fafliion,  too  bring  in  this  or  that.  For  lefus  Chrift  will  al- 
wayesknowe  his  owne  markes.  That  is  too  fay,  although  wee  bee 
defpyzedtoo  the  world ward,yet  fhall  wee  alwayes  bee  auowed  too 
bee  Godi  children.  And  therefore  let  vs  go  on  forewarde  M\,  and 
let  fuch  as  would  ftoppe  vs.be  fure  that  God  will  beate  them  down, 
as  wee  haue  feene  hceretofore.  Yea  and  it  is  good  reafon  that  they 
fhould  bee  fcattered  and  confounded,  (ith  they  breake  the  vnitie  of  ^^^'S*^'  ^^' 
the  Churche :  and  for  afmuch  as  they  will  not  imploy  their  feruice 
(accordingtoo  their  abilitie)  too  the  furtherance  of  the  kingdome 
of  our  Lord  lefus  Chriil,  God  rnufte  ncedes  ouerthrowetheni  how 
glorious  or  piydefuUfoeucr  they  bee.  Thus  yee  fee  v/hat  we  haue 
too  gather  vppon  this  text,  if  wee  minde  too  continue  in  the  inioy- 
ing  andpoflfcfeign  of  the  bsn^fiWi  Ast  haue  bin  purchaccd  for  vs  fo 

Ti»  deerely,. 


Chap.6,  ^o.CaLxhj. Sermon  ypon 

'    fw  r/^^eerely,by  the  death  and  pafsion  of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  and  .re 
fliJl day ly  offered  vs  by  the  Gofpell. 

4nd  now  let  vs  fall  downe  before  the  Maieftie  of  our  good  God 
with  acknowledgment  of  our  faults,  praying  him  that  wee  may  bee 
To  wounded  with  them,  as  they  may  make  vs  too  bewayle  them  and 
too  crane  forgiuenelTe  of  them,  and  alfo  too  reforme  them  in  fuch 
wife  by  true  repentance,  as  wee  may  fight  manfully  agaynft  all  the 
vyces  and  corruptions  of  our  flefhe,  till  he  haue  ridde  vs  quytc  and 
cleaneofthem  all,  too  clothe  vs  agayre  with  his  owne  rightuouC- 
nefle.    And  fo  let  vs  all  fay,  Almightie  God  heauenly  father  &:c. 

Thus  ende  the  Sermons  of  Mayfter  lohn  Caluin 
vppon  the  Epiftle  of  S.Paule  xoo  the  Galaihians. 


All  pray  fc,glorie,honoiir,and  thankes  bee  only 
vntoo  God  through  his  Sonne  our  Lord 
lefus  Chrift.    Amen. 


The  prayer  which  M.Iohn  Caluin 

jnade  ordinarily  before  chebeginning 
of  his  Sermons. 

LEt  vs  call  vppon  our  good  God  and  father ,  praying  him  too 
vouchfafe  too  tume  away  his  face  from  the  great  number  of 
faultes  and  offence s,wherby  we-cealTe  not  to  prouoke  his  wrath  a- 
gaynft  vs.and  forafmuch  as  wee  bee  tootoo  vnworthie  to  appeare 
before  his  maieftie,  it  may  pleafe  him  to  loke  vpon  vs  in  the  coun- 
tenance of  his  welbeloued  fonne  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift,  accepting 
the  defert  of  his  death  and  pafsion,  for  a  full  recompence  of  all  our 
finnes,  that  by  meanes  thereof  he  may  like  well  of  vs,  and  vouch- 
safe to  inlighten  vs  by  his  fpirite;in  the  vnderftanding  of  his  word, 

and 


and  grauut  vs  the  grace  to  receyue  the  Tame  in  true  feare  and  hu- 
militie ,  Co  as  we  may  be  taught  thereby  to  piit  our  trull  in  him,  to 
fen- J  and  honour  him  by  glorifying  his  holy  name  in  all  our  life, 
and  to  yeelde  him  the  loue  and  obedience  which  fay  thfuli  feruants 
owe  to  their  maifl:ers,and  children  too  their  fathers ,  feeing  it  hath 
pleafedhim  too  call  vs  to  the  number  of  his  feruants  and  children. 
And  let  vs  pray  vnto  him  as  our  good  maiiier  hath  tau^t  vs  too 
pray,  faying.     O  ur  father  which  art.  Sec. 

The  Pray  er  that  Maifter  lohn  Caluin  made 
ordinarily  at  the  ending  of 
his  Sermons. 

LEt  vs  fall  downe  before  the  face  of  our  good  God.&c.  (Here  he 
addah  M  the  matter  tnatedcfin  his  Sermon,giueth  him  oaajicn  to9 
require  at  (jodi  bander  andbuaufeihe  ftms  chaungeth  almoH  ineuerie 
Sennonjt  cannot  here  hejpedjied.)   That  it  may  pleafe  him  to  graunt 
this  grace,not  onely  to  vs,but  alfo  to  all  people  and  Nations  of  the 
earth,  bringing  backe  all  poore  ignorant  fouies  from  the  miferablc 
bondage  of  errour  and  darcknefTejto  the  right  way  of  faluation,  for 
the  doing  ^^'hereof  it  may  pleafe  him  to  rayfe  vp  true  and  faythfuU 
minifters  of  his  worde,  that  feeke  not  their  owne  profite  and  vain- 
glorie,  but  onely  the  a:-uauncement  of  his  holy  name,and  the  wel- 
fare of  his  flocke  :.and.contrariwife  roote  out  all  fe6ls,errours  and 
herefies.  which  are  feeds  of  trouble  and  diiiifion  among  his  people, 
too  the  ende  we  may  liue  in  good  brotherlv  concorde  all  togither : 
and  that  it  may  pleafe  him  to  guide  with  his  holy  fpirite ,  all  kings, 
princes  and  magiftrates  thathaue  the  rule  of  the  fworde,to  the  end 
that  their  raigning  be  not  by  couetourne(re,crueltie,tyrannie,  or  a- 
nyothereuillanddiforderedaffeilion,  but  in  all  iuftice  andvp- 
rightnefle,  and  that  wee  alfo  liuing  vnder  tbcm,  m&y  yeelde  them 
their -due  honour  and  obedience ,  that  by  the  meane  of  good  peace 
and  QuietneiTe,  we  may  ferue  God  in  all  hoiinefle  and  hcneftie-.and 
that  it  may  pleafe  him  to  comfort  all  afflifted  perfons,vvl-K)m  he  vi- 
fiteth  after  diuers  maners  with  crofles  and  tribulations  :  all  people 
whom  he  afflicleth  with  plague,  warre  or  famin,  or  other  his  rods : 
.^nd  all  perfons  that  are  fmitten  with  pouertie,  in  iprifonment,  fick- 

neile. 


nellcjbanifhmentjor  other  calamitie  oFbodie  or  vexation  uf  inincl:  " 
tiuin''  them  all  good  pacience,  till  he  fende  them  full  difcharge  of 
their  miferies  :  and  fpecially  that  it  maypleafe  hirntoohaue  j^>ie 
vpon  all  his  poore  faythfull  ones^that  are  difperfedinthe  capiiuitit 
oiBabilonvnderthe  tyrannic  of  Antichriftj  cheefly  which  fuffer 
perfecution  for  the  witnefsing  of  his  truth,ftrengthening  them  with 
true  conftancie,  and  comforting  them,  and  not  fufFering  the  wic- 
Jved  and  rauening  wolues  too  execute  their  rage  agaynft  them,  but 
giuing  them  fuch  a  true  fledfaftnefle  as  his  holy  name  may  be  glo- 
rified by  them  both  in  life  and  death :  and  finally  that  it  may  pleafe 
him  to  flrengthen  all  Churches  that  are  nowadayes  in  daunger  and 
alTaultedfor  the  quarell  of  his  holy  name ,  and  ouerthrow  and  de- 
{Iroy  all  the  deuifeS;,  pradifes  and  attemptes  of  all  his  aduerfaryes, 
to  the  intent  that  his  glorie  may  (hine  ouer  all,  and  the  kingdome 
of  our  Lorde  lefus  Chrift  bee  increafed  and  aduaimced  more  and 
more :  Let  vs  pray  him  for  all  the  fayde  things  in  fuch  wife  as  our 
good  maifter  and  Lorde  lefus  ChriH  hath  taught  vs  to  pray^faying ; 
Gur  father  which  art.&c. 

A  Lfo  let  vs  pray  our  good  God  too  giue  vs  true  continuance  in 
-^  his  holy  fayth,and  to  increafe  it  from  day  to  day, whereof  wee 
will  make  confefsion/aying-.I  beieeue  in  God  the  father.  Sec, 

Th  ebkfsing  of  the  people  afcer  the  Sermon. 

T  He  grace  of  God  the  father,  and  the  peaceof  our  Lorde  lefus- 
Chrift  through  the  felowfhip  of  the  holy  Ghofl  dwell  with  vs 
for  cuer.Am«n. 


H"  Imprinted  at  L  ondon  by  Henrie 
^jnneman^for  Lucas  Harjfon 

and  George  Bylhop.