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He hideth our unrighteousness 1with his righteousness, he covereth our disobedience with his obedience, he shadoweth our death with his death, that the wrath of God cannot find us, judgement cannot spy us, the curse cannot see us, for ⟨p. 12⟩the garment which covereth & hideth us. But as Jacob got 2the blessing in the name and apparel of Esau his elder brother: so in the name and apparel of Christ our elder brother, we receive the blessing, and are received into favour like Christ himself. For God saith not, This is my beloved Son which pleaseth me, but In whom I am pleased: meaning 3that not only Christ pleaseth God, but we please God in Christ, For Christ is our head. Therefore as one looking in the face of a man, doth like 4him straight, if he like his face: so God beholding us in the face of Christ, doeth love us straight, because the face doth ⟨p. 13⟩please him: But Christ is not our head, unless we be his men bers: Christ is not out Garment, unless we put him on: as Christ did put on our garment, when he clothed himself with our flesh, & toke our infirmities, & bore our curse: So we must put on his garment, that is, his righteousness, his merits, and his death, which is as strange a vesture to us, as our flesh was to him, & much ado we have to 5put it on, & when it is on, there is great cunning to wear it cleanly & comely, from soiling and renting that such a precious garment be not taken from 6us again. Therefore many seem to wear this Garment which shall be thrust from the banquet, ⟨p. 14⟩because they wear it not: as those which will say when the Lord shall come to judgement. We have seen thee in our streets,
we have heard thee in our synagogues, we have prophesied, we have cast out devils, we have wrought miracles by thy name: As though if any had put him on, or borne his marks, they were the men which were marked like his servants, therefore who but they shall enter into heaven? Yet Christ saith, I know
you not, there is their reward, I know you not,, as if he should answer, you wear not my livery, you wear not my cognisance for all your shows, therefore depart from me: so he put them off because they had
⟨p. 15⟩
not put him on: for though they had seen his person, and heard of his virtues, yet they had not faith to apply his mercies, his merits, his death and his righteousness unto them, without which no man can put on Christ nor wear him.
Hee hideth our vnrighteousnesse 1with his righteousnesse, he couereth our disobedience with his obediēce, hee shadoweth our death with his death, that the wrath of God cannot find vs, iudgement cannot spye vs, the curse cannot see vs, for ⟨p. 12⟩the garment which couereth & hideth vs. But as Iaakob got 2the blessing in the name and apparell of Esau his elder brother: so in the name and apparel of Christ our elder brother, we receiue the blessing, and are receued into fauour like Christ himselfe. For God saith not, This is my beloued Sonne which pleaseth mee, but In whome I am pleased: meaning 3that not onely Christ pleaseth God, but we please God in Christ, For Christ is our head. Therefore as one looking in the face of a man, doth like 4him straight, if he like his face: so God beholding vs in the face of Christ, doeth loue vs straight, because the face doth ⟨p. 13⟩please him: But Christ is not our head, vnles we be his mē bers: Christ is not out Garmēt, vnles we put him on: as Christ did put on our garment, when he cloathed himselfe with our flesh, & toke our infirmities, & bore our curse: So we must put on his garmēt, that is, his righteousnesse, his merites, and his death, which is as strange a vesture to vs, as our flesh was to him, & much adoe we haue to 5put it on, & when it is on, there is greate cunning to weare it cleanly & comely, from soyling and renting that such a precious garment be not taken from 6vs again. Therefore many seem to weare this Garment which shall be thrust from the banket, ⟨p. 14⟩because they weare it not: as those which will say when the Lord shal come to iudgement. We haue seene thee in our streetes, 7wee haue hearde thee in our sinagoges, we haue prophesied, we haue cast out deuils, wee haue wrought miracles by thy name: As though if any had put him on, or borne his marks, they were the men which were marked like his seruauntes, therefore who but they shall enter into heauen? Yet Christ sayth, I know 8you not, there is their rewarde, I know you not,, as if he shoulde answere, you weare not my liuery, you weare not my cognisance for al your shewes, therefore depart from me: so he put them off because they had ⟨p. 15⟩not put him on: for thoughe they had seene his person, and hearde of his vertues, yet they had not faith to apply his mercies, his merits, his death and his righteousnesse vnto them, without which no man can put on Christ nor weare him.
Faith is the hand which putteth him on. Faith taketh first his righteousness & covereth her unrighteousness, then she taketh his obedience, and covereth her disobedience, then she taketh his patience, & covereth her impatience, then she taketh his temperance, and covereth her intemperancy, then she taketh his continency, and covereth her incontinency, then she taketh his constancy, and covereth her inconstancy, then she ⟨p. 16⟩taketh his faith, & covereth her diffidence, then she taketh his humility, and covereth her pride, then she taketh his love, and covereth her rancour. And so taketh one robe after another, and tricketh her self until she have put on Jesus Christ, that is, until she appear in the sight of God, like Jesus Christ, clothed with his merits & graces: that God hath no power to be angry with her, because she cometh so like his Sonne. This is to put on Jesus Christ, as you shall see more lively, when you have taken a view of the garment, for we are to speak of Christ the Garment, & of our putting it on. There be many fashions of apparel, but they are too light, or too heavy, or too ⟨p. 17⟩sad, or too course, or too stale, and all wear out. At last the Apostle found a fashion, that surpasseth them all: it is never out of fashion, meet for all seasons, fit for all persons, and such a profitable weed, that the more it is worn, the fresher it is. What fashion have you seen comparable to this? Is it not like the clothes of Davids ambassadors, which 1covered their upper parts, but not their lower parts: nor like Sauls armour, which tired David 2when he should fight with it: Nor like the counterfeit of 3Jeroboam's wife, which disguised her self to go unknown, 4nor like the old rags of the Gibeonites, which deceived ⟨p. 18⟩Joshua, nor like the paltry suit of Michah which he gave once a year to his Levite, nor like the gluttons flaunt which jetted in purple every day, nor like the light clothes which Christ said are in kings 5Courts, and make them lighter that were them. But it is like the garment of the high priest, which had all the names 6of the Tribes of Israel written upon his breast: so all the names of the faithful are written in the breast of Christ, and registered in the book of his merits. It is like Elijah mantel which divided 7the waters:
Faith is the hand which putteth him on. Faith taketh first his righteousnes & couereth hir vnrighteousnes, then she taketh his obedience, and couereth hir disobedience, then she taketh his patience, & couereth hir impatiency, then shee taketh his temperance, and couereth hir intemperancy, then she taketh his continency, and couereth her incontinency, then she taketh his constancy, and couereth her inconstancy, then shee ⟨p. 16⟩taketh his faith, & couereth hir diffidence, then she taketh his humility, and couereth her pride, then she taketh his loue, and couereth her rancor. And so taketh one roabe after another, and tricketh her selfe vntil she haue put on Iesus Christe, that is, vntill she appeare in the sight of God, like Iesus Christ, clothed with his merits & graces: that God hath no power to be angrie with her, because she cōmeth so like his Sonne. This is to put on Iesus Christ, as you shal see more liuely, whē you haue taken a view of the garment, for we are to speak of Christ the Garment, & of our putting it on. There bee many fashiōs of apparell, but they are too light, or too heauy, or too ⟨p. 17⟩sad, or too course, or too stale, and all weare out. At last the Apostle founde a fashion, that surpasseth them all: it is neuer out of fashion, meete for all seasons, fitte for all persons, and such a profitable weed, that the more it is worn, the fresher it is. What fashion haue you seene comparable to this? Is it not like the clothes of Dauids ambassadors, which 1couered their vpper parts, but not their lower partes: nor like Sauls armour, which tyred Dauid 2when he should fight with it: Nor like the counterfaite of 3Ieroboams wife, which disguised her selfe to goe vnknowen, 4nor like the olde rags of the Gibeonites, which deceiued ⟨p. 18⟩Iosua, nor like the paultry sute of Michah which hee gaue once a yeare to his Leuite, nor like the gluttons flaunte which ietted in purple euerye day, nor like the light cloaths which Christ saide are in kings 5Courts, and make them lighter that were them. But it is like the garment of the highe priest, which had all the names
So he divideth our sins & punishments that they which are clothed with Christ, are armed both against sin and ⟨p. 19⟩death. It is like the Garments 1of the Israelites in the wilderness, which did not wear: forty years together they wandered in the desert, and yet saith Moses, their shoes were not worn, but their apparel was as when they came out of Egypt: 2so the righteousness of Christ doth last for ever, and his mercies are never worn out. As Mordecai shined in the kings robes before the people: 3So and more glorious are the faithful in the robes of Christ before God. When Christ was transfigured upon the mount. 4Mat. saith, that his face shined like the Sun, & his clothes were as white as the light: So when we are transfigured into the image ⟨p. 20⟩of Christ, we shall shine before other men like lights: & therefore Christs disciples are called Lights, because they were 5clothed with light, and shined to the world. Solomon was 6not so glorious in all his royalty, nor the lilies which are braver then Solomon, as he which is clothed with Christ, because the apparel upon him is better then all the world about 7him. Therefore if David said, Weep ye daughters of Israel for Saul which clothed you in purple. I may say, rejoice ye daughters of Israel, for Christ which hath clothed you with righteousness, as it were with a vesture, before you come to the banquet.
So he deuideth our sins & punishmentes that they which are clothed with Christ, are armed both against sin and ⟨p. 19⟩death. It is like the Garments 1of the Israelites in the wildernes, which did not weare: forty yeares together they wandered in the desert, and yet saith Moses, theyr shooes were not worne, but their apparell was as when they came out of Egypt: 2so the righteousnes of Christ doth last for euer, and his mercies are neuer worne out. As Mardochai shined in the kings robes before the people: 3So and more glorious are the faithfull in the robes of Christ before God. When Christ was transfigured vppon the mount. 4Mat. saith, that his face shined like the Sun, & his clothes were as white as the light: So when wee are transfigured into the image ⟨p. 20⟩of Christ, we shall shine before other men like lights: & therefore Christs disciples are called Lights, because they were 5clothed with light, and shined to the worlde. Salomon was 6not so glorious in all his royaltie, nor the lillyes which are brauer then Salomon, as hee which is clothed with Christ, because the apparell vpon him is better then all the worlde about 7him. Therefore if Dauid sayde, Weepe yee daughters of Israell for Saul which clothed you in purple. I may say, reioyce ye daughters of Israell, for Christ which hath clothed you with righteousnesse, as it were with a vesture, before you come to the banquet.
This is the wedding garment 1without which no man can feast with the Lord. This garment is called an Armour, because 2it defendeth us from all the assaults of the devil, the flesh the world, the heat of persecution, and the cold of defection. This Garment is called Light, because it is the beauty & glory of them which wear 3it. This Garment is called a Kingdom, because none but Kings do wear it, that is, 4they are enthroned in the kingdom of Christ, and made kings over the world, the flesh and satan: which wear this Garment, like the hair Samson, 5which while he wore, he was like a King, and all his ⟨p. 22⟩enemies had no power to hurt him.
This is the wedding garment 1without which no man can feast with the Lord. This garmēt is called an Armour, because 2it defendeth vs from all the assalts of the diuel, the flesh the world, the heate of persecution, and the cold of defection. This Garment is called Light, because it is the beautie & glory of them which weare 3it. This Garment is called a Kingdome, because none but Kinges doe weare it, that is, 4they are inthroned in the kingdom of Christ, and made kings ouer the worlde, the flesh and sathan: which weare this Garment, like the haire Samson, 5which while hee wore, hee was like a King, and all his ⟨p. 22⟩enemies had no power to hurte him.
This Garment Paul hath sent unto you, to go before the king of heaven & earth, a holy Garment, a royal Garment, an immaculate Garment, an everlasting Garment: a Garment 1whereof every hem is peace of conscience, every pleat is joy in the holy Ghost, every stitch 2is the remission of some sin, and saveth him which weareth it. 3If she which touched the hem of Christs garment was healed, he which weareth the garment nay, he which weareth Christ himself, shall not he be healed of all his sores, though he were wounded from head to foot? You need not cloth him now ⟨p. 23⟩which saith, When I was naked 4ye did not clothe me, nor cast your garments in his way, as 5they did, when he came to Jerusalem, but take his garments & suffer your selves to be clothed, 6as Noah did, to cover your nakedness. As the good Samaritan put him upon his own beast, which was spoiled with thieves, and bound up his sores when he was wounded: So Christ JESUS mounteth the faithful upon his righteousness, and healeth their sins, as though he should cover them with his garments, whom the world, the flesh, and the devil have robbed of their 7garments, that is, the righteousness which they had in Paradise ⟨p. 24⟩before the serpent came: so if we put on Christ, we are clothed with his obedience, whereby our wickedness is covered: we are clothed with his merits, whereby our sins are forgiven: we are clothed with his death, whereby our punishment is released: we are clothed with his spirit, whereby our hearts are mollified and sanctified, and renewed till we resemble Christ himself. This is the Apostles meaning, to put on Christ, as it is unfolded in Col. 3. 12. Where he brigns 8forth all the robes of Christ, and sorts them, & saith, put on mercy, put on meekness, put on 9humility, put on patience, put on love, all which before he ⟨p. 25⟩called the new man. So that to put on Christ, is to put on the new man with all his virtues, until we be renewed to the image of Christ, which is like a new man amongst men. They which labour to be righteous, and yet believe that Christs righteousness shall save them, have put on Christ as Paul would have them. We are not taught to put on Angels, nor Saints, nor the virgin Mary, nor Paul himself to cover our sins with their righteousness, as the Papists do, but we are commanded to put on Christ, & cover our sins with his righteousness.
This Garment Paul hath sent vnto you, to goe before the king of heauen & earth, a holy Garment, a roiall Garment, an immaculate Garment, an euerlasting Garment: a Garment 1whereof euery hem is peace of conscience, euerie pleat is ioye in the holy Ghost, euery stitch 2is the remission of some sin, and saueth him which weareth it. 3If shee which touched the hem of Christs garmēt was healed, he which weareth the garment nay, hee which weareth Christ himselfe, shall not he be healed of all his sores, though he were wounded from head to foote? You neede not cloth him now ⟨p. 23⟩which sayth, When I was naked 4ye did not cloath mee, nor cast your garments in his way, as 5they did, when hee came to Ierusalem, but take his garmentes & suffer your selues to be cloathed, 6as Noah did, to couer your nakednes. As the good Samaritane put him vppon his owne beast, which was spoiled with theeues, and bound vp his sores when hee was wounded: So Christ IESVS mounteth the faithfull vppon his righteousnesse, and healeth their sins, as though hee should couer them with his garments, whom the world, the flesh, and the diuell haue robbed of their 7garments, that is, the righteousnes which they had in Paradice ⟨p. 24⟩before the serpēt came: so if we put on Christ, wee are clothed with his obedience, wherby our wickednesse is couered: we are clothed with his merits, whereby our sinnes are forgiuen: we are clothed with his death, whereby our punishment is released: wee are clothed with his spirite, whereby our heartes are mollified and sanctified, and renued till wee resemble Christ himselfe. This is the Apostles meaning, to put on Christ, as it is vnfolded in Col. 3. 12. Where hee brigns 8
6Gen. 9. 23. Luk. 10. 34. This Samaritan doth not signify Christ, but yet may be resembled to Christ.Gen. 9. 23. Luk. 10. 34. This Sama ritane doth not signifie Christ, but yet may be resembled to Christ.
The body hath many Garments, but the soul hath ⟨p. 26⟩one Garment. Every clout will cover our sores, but the finest silk will not cover our sins. Therefore when we seem brave to others, we seem foul to God, because his eye is upon our sins, which lye naked, when all the rest is covered, until we put on Christ, and then we hear that voice, Thy sins are covered. And then 1we have that blessing: Blessed is the man whose sin is covered. So we are clothed and blessed together. Yet this Garment is out of request, too rough for some, too grave for others, too base for others. And therefore in stead of putting on Christ, they put him off, in stead of welcoming him, they discharge ⟨p. 27⟩him, like the Gadarenes, that 2they may keep their swine, that is, their beastly pleasures, which he would cast into the 3sea: These are like the foolish soldiers which should have made Christ their Garment, and they cast lots upon his garments, and divided them, and so spoiled them. So do the Papists deal with this Garment, they say it is not fit for them, & therefore they break it & mangle it, and piece it with rags of their own inventions: they say it is too light, and not able to bear off the storms of death, and heat of hell, and therefore choose rather to make themselves Garments of their merits, and their masses, and ⟨p. 28⟩their penance, and their pardons, and their pilgrimages: like Adam and Eve, which made them selves coats of figleaves, 4which God destroyed again, to show that when men have patched all their leaves of masses, of pardons, of pilgrimages, and satisfactions together, yet they will not cover their nakedness, nor keep of the heat of Gods wrath, but are like the curtal skitrs of Davids 5Ambassadors, which hid not their shame. Therefore when we may go in our masters attire, shall we scrub like beggars patched in our rags? Mine own Garments defile me, saith Job: Our own Garments, 6our own righteousness ⟨p. 29⟩defileth us, for what garment, what righteousness have we of our own, but that 7which like a monstrous cloth, which had more need to be washed it self, then to wipe that which is foul. Therefore Christ must make us garments, or else when our backs flaunt it like courtiers, our souls shall strip like beggars. And the Devils will sport themselves 8like Ham, to see our nakedness.
The body hath many Garments, but the soule hath ⟨p. 26⟩one Garment. Euery cloute will couer our sores, but the finest silke will not couer our sinnes. Therfore when we seem braue to others, wee seeme foule to God, because his eie is vppon our sinnes, which lye naked, when all the rest is couered, vntill we put on Christ, and then wee heare that voice, Thy sinnes are couered. And then 1we haue that blessing: Blessed is the man whose sinne is couered. So wee are clothed and blessed together. Yet this Garment is out of request, too roughe for some, too graue for others, too base for others. And therefore in steade of putting on Christ, they put him off, in sted of welcomming him, they discharge ⟨p. 27⟩him, like the Gadarens, that 2they may keepe theyr swine, that is, their beastly pleasures, which hee would cast into the 3sea: These are like the foolish souldiours which shoulde haue made Christ their Garment, and they cast lots vpon his garments, and diuided them, and so spoiled them. So doe the Papists deale with this Garment, they say it is not fit for them, & therefore they break it & mangle it, and peece it with rags of their owne inuentions: they say it is too light, and not able to beare off the stormes of death, and heate of hell, and therefore choose rather to make themselues Garmentes of theyr merites, and theyr masses, and ⟨p. 28⟩their penance, and their pardons, and their pilgrimages: like Adam and Eue, which made them selues coats of figleaues, 4which God destroyed againe, to shew that when men haue patched al their leaues of masses, of pardons, of pilgrimages, and satisfactions together, yet they will not couer their nakednes, nor keep of the heate of Gods wrath, but are like the curtall skitrs of Dauids 5Ambassadours, which hid not their shame. Therefore when we may goe in our maisters attire, shall we scrubbe like beggars patched in our rags? Mine owne Garmentes defile me, saith Iob: Our owne Garments, 6
First, the Father made us 1Garments in paradise, now the Son makes us garments in the wilderness: nay, the Son is made our Garment, as Paul saith, Christ is made unto 2us righteousness: that is, ⟨p. 30⟩Christs righteousness, must be our Garment, or else we shall be ashamed when our righteousness doth not reach to cover our nakedness, but still some part will peep bare until he cast his righteousness upon it, and then all is covered. 3As David needed no other armour against the Giant, then a sling: so we need no other garment against sin then Christ. There wanteth nothing but this to put it on.
First, the Father made vs 1Garmentes in paradise, nowe the Sonne makes vs garments in the wildernesse: nay, the Sonne is made our Garment, as Paul sayth, Christ is made vnto 2vs righteousnesse: that is, ⟨p. 30⟩Christes righreousnesse, must bee our Garment, or else wee shall bee ashamed when our righteousnes doth not reache to couer our nakednesse, but stil some part will peepe bare vntil hee cast his righteousnesse vppon it, and then all is couered. 3As Dauid needed no other armour against the Gyant, then a sling: so we need no other garment against sinne then Christ. There wāteth nothing but this to put it on.
Now let us see how to put this Garment on. Many fumble about it, like children which had need of one to put on their clothes. Some put on Christ as a cloak, which hangeth upon their shoulders, and ⟨p. 31⟩covereth them when they go abroad to be seen of men: they can cast on the cloak of holiness & seem for a while as holy as the best, but so soon as they come home, the cloak goeth of, and the man is as he was, whose visor was better then his face. Thus hypocrites put on Christ, as many retain unto noble men, not to do them any service, but to have their countenance. Many put on Christ like a hat, which goeth off to every one which meets them: so every temptation which meets them, makes them forget what they heard, what they promised, what they resolved, & change their way, as though they had not ⟨p. 32⟩repented at all. So the common people like your selves, put on Christ, they are zealous so long as they are in the Church, and beat their breasts, and cast up 1their eyes, like the Publican, when they hear a sentence which moves them, as though they would do no more against that saying while they live. But the next business putteth all out of mind, till they come to the Church again. Some put on Christ as a glove, which coveteth but the hand, so they put on the face of Christ, or the tong of Christ, but their hands work, and their feet walk as they did before. So many professors of Religion put on Christ, which call but for discipline ⟨p. 33⟩and reformation, that they might get a name of zeal and sincerity, to cover some fault, which they would not be suspected of. Thus every man would cover himself with Christ, but they have not the skill, or they have not the will to put him on. What will you do then? Though the Garment be never so good yet it is not good to them that do not wear it. For what profit have we of the garments which we never wear, they neither keep us from heat nor cold. Therefore Paul doth not bring you a Garment to lay by you for the moths, but he bids you put it on. Here is the cunning now in putting it ⟨p. 34⟩on. If Paul had taught us this, then you would hearken unto him. Well, you shall hear what Paul saith to the putting of it on. First (saith Paul) you must cast away the works of darkness, und then put on the Armour of light. First you must 2put off, and then put on:
Now let vs see howe to put this Garment on. Many sumble about it, like children which had neede of one to put on their clothes. Some put on Christ as a cloake, which hangeth vppon their shoulders, and ⟨p. 31⟩couereth them when they goe abrode to be seene of men: they can cast on the cloke of holynes & seeme for a while as holy as the best, but so soone as they come home, the cloake goeth of, and the man is as hee was, whose vizarde was better then his face. Thus hypocrites put on Christ, as many retaine vnto noble men, not to doe them any seruice, but to haue their countenance. Many put on Christ like a hat, which goeth off to euerie one which meetes them: so euery temptation which meets thē, makes them forget what they hearde, what they promised, what they resolued, & change their way, as though they had not ⟨p. 32⟩repented at all. So the common people like your selues, put on Christ, they are zealous so long as they are in the Church, and beate their breastes, and cast vp 1their eyes, like the Publican, when they heare a sentence which moues them, as though they wold do no more against that saying while they liue. But the next busines putteth all out of minde, till they come to the Church againe. Some put on Christ as a gloue, which coueteth but the hand, so they put on the face of Christ, or the tong of Christ, but their hands worke, and their feete walke as they did before. So many professors of Religion put on Christ, which call but for discipline ⟨p. 33⟩and reformation, that they might get a name of zeale and sinceritie, to couer some fault, which they would not be suspected of. Thus euerie man woulde couer himselfe with Christe, but they haue not the skill, or they haue not the will to put him on. What will you doe then? Though the Garment be neuer so good yet it is not good to them that do not weare it. For what profite haue wee of the garmentes which wee neuer weare, they neither keepe vs from heat nor colde. Therefore Paul doth not bring you a Garment to laye by you for the mothes, but he bids you put it on. Heere is the cunning now in putting it ⟨p. 34⟩on. If Paul had taught vs this, then you would hearken vnto him. Well, you shall heare what Paul saith to the putting of it on. First (saith Paul) you must cast away the workes of darkenes, und then put on the Armour of light. First you must 2
As the Eagles feathers will not lie with any other feathers, but consume them, which lie with them: So the Wedding Garment will not wear with filthy garments, but scorns like the Ark, that Dagon should stand by it. If any man may 1not wear women's apparel for lightness, may he wear the 2devils apparel, and clothe himself with pride, with covetousness, ⟨p. 35⟩with envy, with hypocrisy, with uncleanness, and when he is like the devil sit at Gods table? No man saith 3Christ, patcheth a new piece to an old garment, & wilt thou patch an old piece to a new 4garment? God forbade his people to wear linsey wolsey, because it was a sign of inconstancy, but this is inconstancy it self. He doeth not put on 5Christ, but putteth off Christ, and putteth on Belial, which fashions himself to God and the world too. As Christs coat was without seam, so they must be without stain, that wear it. For when a man putteth on fair clothes, he maketh himself fair too, and avoideth ⟨p. 36⟩every foul thing, least it should foul his clothes: So must he which putteth on Christ, for the finest garment is soonest stained. Therefore when thou hast put on this Garment, thou must wash thy self, and pick thy way, and choose thy works, and handle nothing that is foul for marring thy clothes, that is, thou must not think as thou didst, nor speak as thou diddest, nor live as thou didst, but remember that thou hast changed thy master, and serve him with whom thou art bound. For if God & the devil could not agree 6upon Moses body, for one to have one part, and the other another part, but God would ⟨p. 37⟩have all. Much less will God agree that the devil should have part of the soul, which would not yield him part of the body. Thus have you heard what you must put off: now hear how Christ must be put on. As the Angel taught John to 7read the book when he bad him eat it: So we must put on Christ, as if we did eat him, not as the Papists do in their Mass, but as the meat is turned into the substance of the body, and goeth through every part of man: So Christ & his word should go from part to part, from ear to heart, from heart to mouth, from mouth to hand, till we be of one nature with them, that they be the ⟨p. 38⟩very substance of our thoughts & speeches, and actions, as the meat is of our bodies.
As the Eagles feathers will not lie with any other feathers, but consume them, which lie with them: So the Wedding Garment will not weare with filthy garmentes, but scornes like the Arke, that Dagon shoulde stand by it. If any man may 1not weare womens apparel for lightnesse, may hee weare the 2diuells apparell, and cloath himselfe with pride, with coueteousnes, ⟨p. 35⟩with enuy, with hipocrisie, with vncleannes, and when he is like the diuell sit at Gods table? No man saith 3Christ, patcheth a new peece to an olde garment, & wilt thou patch an olde peece to a newe 4garment? God forbad his people to weare linsey wolsey, because it was a sign of inconstancy, but this is inconstancy it selfe. Hee doeth not put on 5Christ, but putteth off Christ, and putteth on Belial, which fashions himselfe to God and the worlde too. As Christs coat was without seame, so they must bee without staine, that weare it. For when a man putteth on faire clothes, hee maketh himselfe faire too, and auoideth ⟨p. 36⟩euery foule thing, least it should foule his clothes: So must hee which putteth on Christ, for the finest garment is soonest stayned. Therefore when thou hast put on this Garment, thou must washe thy selfe, and pick thy way, and choose thy workes, and handle nothing that is foule for marring thy clothes, that is, thou must not thinke as thou didst, nor speake as thou diddest, nor liue as thou didst, but remember that thou hast changed thy maister, and serue him with whom thou art bound. For if God & the diuell could not agree 6vpon Moses body, for one to haue one part, and the other another part, but God would ⟨p. 37⟩haue all. Much lesse will God agree that the diuel shuld haue part of the soule, which would not yeeld him part of the body. Thus haue you hearde what you must put off: nowe heare how Christ must bee put on. As the Angel taught Iohn to 7
This is to eat Christ and his word, or else we do not eat them, but chew them, and when our taste is satisfied, spue them out again. Thus we must put on Christ, for the word signifieth so to put him on, as if thou wouldest put him in, that he 1may be one with thee, and thou with him, as it were in a body together. As he hath put on all our infirmities, so we must put on all his graces, not half on, but all on, and clasp him to us, and gird him about us, and wear him even as we wear our skin, which is alway about us. Then there shall ⟨p. 39⟩be no need of wires, nor curls, nor periwigs, the husbands shall not force to rack their rents nor enhance their fines, nor sell their lands, to deck 2their wives. But as the poor mantle of Elijah seemed better to Elisha then all the robes of Solomon, so the wedding Garment shall seem better then all the flaunts of vanity, and put every fashion out of fashion, which is not modest and comely like it self. If you will know farther how to put on Christ, you shall see how your text will Catechise you (in three names of God) Lord, Jesus, Christ. The Apostle seemeth to spell out the way unto us, how we should wear this garment. First ⟨p. 40⟩we must put him on as Lord, then we must put him on as Jesus: Lastly, we must put him on as Christ. Thou must put him on as Lord, that is, thy ruler to command thee, and thy Tutor to govern thee, thy master to direct thee, thou must be no mans servant but his, take no 3mans part against him, but say with the Apostle, Whether is it meet to obey God or you? Thou must put him on as Jesus, that is, thy Saviour, in whom thou trustest, thy protector on whom thou dependest, thy redeemer in whom thou believest. Thou must not look for thy salvation 4from Angel, nor Saint, nor any thing beside him. For the name of Jesus signifieth a Saviour, ⟨p. 41⟩and is given to none but him, and he is not only called the Saviour, but the salvation, in the song of Simeon, to show 5that he is the only Saviour, for there may be many Saviours, 6but there can be but one salvation: as there may be many tortures, and yet but one death. Therefore when he is called the salvation, it implieth that there is no Saviour beside him. Thou must put him on as Christ, that is, a King to rule, a Prophet to 7teach, a Priest to pray, and sacrifice, and pacify the wrath of 8God for thee.
This is to eate Christ and his word, or els wee doe not eate them, but chew them, and when our tast is satisfied, spue them out againe. Thus wee must put on Christ, for the word signifyeth so to put him on, as if thou wouldest put him in, that hee 1may bee one with thee, and thou with him, as it were in a body toherher. As hee hath put on all our infirmities, so we must put on all his graces, not halfe on, but all on, and claspe him to vs, and girde him about vs, and weare him euen as wee weare our skinne, which is alway about vs. Then there shall ⟨p. 39⟩be no neede of wiers, nor curls, nor periwigges, the husbandes shall not force to racke theyr rentes nor inhance their fines, nor sell their landes, to decke 2their wiues. But as the poore mantle of Eliah seemed better to Elisha then all the robes of Salomon, so the wedding Garment shall seeme better then all the flants of vanity, and put euery fashion out of fashion, which is not modest and comly like it selfe. If you will knowe farther howe to put on Christ, you shall see how your text will Catechise you (in three names of God) Lorde, Iesus, Christ. The Apostle seemeth to spell out the way vnto vs, how wee should wear this garment. First ⟨p. 40⟩we must put him on as Lorde, then we must put him on as Iesus: Lastly, we must put him on as Christ. Thou must put him on as Lord, that is, thy ruler to command thee, and thy Tutor to gouerne thee, thy maister to direct thee, thou must bee no mans seruant but his, take no 3mans part against him, but say with the Apostle, Whether is it meete to obey God or you? Thou must put him on as Iesus, that is, thy Sauiour, in whom thou trustest, thy protector on whō thou dependest, thy redeemer in whom thou belieuest. Thou must not looke for thy saluation 4from Angell, nor Saint, nor any thing beside him. For the name of Iesus signifyeth a Sauiour, ⟨p. 41⟩and is giuen to none but him, and he is not onely called the Sauiour, but the saluation, in the song of Simeon, to shew 5that hee is the onely Sauiour, for there may bee many Sauiours,
For this name 1Christ doth signify that he 2was anointed a King, a Priest and a Prophet: for man, a king ⟨p. 42⟩3to rule him, a Priest to offer sacrifice for him, a Prophet to teach him, so that he putteth on Christ as Lord, which worshipeth none but him. He putteth on Christ as Jesus which believeth in none but him, and he putteth on Christ as Christ which worshippeth none but 4him, believeth in none but him and heareth none but him. You put on Christ first, when you are baptised: then you were sealed and consecrated to his service: so soon as you came into the world, you vowed to renounce the world, and follow God: how many have put on Christ so, and since have put him off again, which have broken the first promise that ever ⟨p. 43⟩they made, & were never 5faithful to God since. You put on Christ again, when you are called and sanctified, that is, 6when you cast off the old man, which is corrupt with the lusts of the flesh, the pride of life, & the cares of this world, and put on the new man, which is regenerate in righteousness & holiness to the image of Christ, or likeness of Adam in his innocency, for to put on the new man, is to become a new man, as if thou were borne again and conceived of the holy Ghost. 7Of this Job speaketh when he saith, I put on justice, and it covereth me. You put on Christ again, when you receive his holy 8Sacrament, & are partakers ⟨p. 44⟩of his body and blood, that is, the merits of his obedience & passion by faith, which heareth him, as if he did see him, and seeth him, as if she did feel him, and feeleth him, as if she did taste him, and tasteth him as if she did digest him, then Christ is become yours, and dwelleth in you, and feedeth you with his grace to eternal life, as the bread and wine sustaineth the life present, Lastly, when you have put on Christ in these three sorts, which is your garment for this world, after you 9shall put on Christ in heaven, and be clothed with his glory, and that shall be your last vesture, which shall never wear out.
For this name 1Christ doth signifye that hee 2was annointed a King, a Priest and a Prophet: for man, a king ⟨p. 42⟩3to rule him, a Priest to offer sacrifice for him, a Prophet to teach him, so that hee putteth on Christ as Lord, which worshipeth none but him. He putteth on Christ as Iesus which beleeueth in none but him, and hee putteth on Christ as Christ which worshippeth none but 4him, beleeueth in none but him and heareth none but him. You put on Christe first, when you are baptised: then you were sealed and consecrated to his seruice: so soone as you came into the worlde, you vowed to renounce the worlde, and follow God: howe many haue put on Christ so, and since haue put him off againe, which haue broken the first promise that euer ⟨p. 43⟩they made, & were neuer 5faithfull to God since. You put on Christ againe, when you are called and sanctifyed, that is, 6when you cast off the old man, which is corrupt with the lusts of the flesh, the pride of life, & the cares of this world, and put on the new man, which is regenerate in righteousnes & holines to the image of Christ, or likenes of Adam in his innocē cy, for to put on the new man, is to become a new man, as if thou were borne againe and conceiued of the holy Ghost. 7Of this Iob speaketh when hee sayth, I put on iustice, and it couereth mee. You put on Christ again, when you receiue his holy 8Sacrament, & are partakers ⟨p. 44⟩of his body and bloud, that is, the merits of his obedience & passion by faith, which heareth him, as if hee did see him, and seeth him, as if shee did feele him, and feeleth him, as if shee did tast him, and tasteth him as if she did digest him, thē Christ is become yours, and dwelleth in you, and feedeth you with his grace to eternall life, as the bread and wine sustaineth the life present, Lastly, when you haue put on Christe in these three sortes, which is your garment for this world, after you
Thus have you heard what is meant by putting on Christ, first to cloth our selves with righteousness and holiness like Christ, and then because our own righteousness is too short to cover our arms, and legs, and thighs of sin, but still some bare place will peer out and shame us in the sight of God: therefore we must borrow Christs garments, as Jacob 1did his brothers, and cover our selves with his righteousness, that is, believe that his righteousness shall supply our unrighteousness, and his sufferings shall stand for our sufferings, because he came to fulfil the law, and bear the curse, & satisfy his Father for us, that all ⟨p. 46⟩which believe in him might not die, but have life everlasting.2
Thus haue you hearde what is meant by putting on Christ, first to cloth our selues with righteousnes and holines like Christ, and then because our owne righteousnesse is too short to couer our armes, and legges, and thighs of sinne, but still some bare place will peere out and shame vs in the sight of God: therefore we must borrow Christs garments, as Iacob 1did his brothers, and couer our selues with his righteousnesse, that is, beleeue that his righteousnes shall supplie our vnrighteousnes, and his sufferings shall stand for our sufferings, because hee came to fulfill the lawe, and beare the curse, & satisfie his Father for vs, that all ⟨p. 46⟩which beleeue in him might not die, but haue life euerlasting.2
Now I have showed you this goodly Garment, you must go to another to help you to put it on, and none can put this Garment upon you, but he which is the Garment, the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore to him let us pray.
Now I haue shewed you this goodly Garmēt, you must goe to another to helpe you to put it on, and none can put this Garment vppon you, but hee which is the Garment, the Lord Iesus Christ. Therefore to him let vs pray.
of the Tribes of Israell written vpon his brest: so al the names of the faithfull are writtē in the brest of Christ, and registred in the boke of his merites. It is like Elias mantell which deuided
humilitie, put on patience, put on loue, all which before hee
⟨p. 25⟩
called the new man. So that to put on Christ, is to put on the new man with all his vertues, vntill wee be renued to the image of Christ, which is like a new man amongst men. They which labour to bee righteous, and yet belieue that Christes righteousnesse shall saue them, haue put on Christ as Paule woulde haue them. Wee are not taught to put on Aungels, nor Saintes, nor the virgin Mary, nor Paule himself to couer our sinnes with their righteousnesse, as the Papistes doe, but wee are commaunded to put on Christ, & couer our sinnes with his riygteousnesse.
our owne righteousnesse
⟨p. 29⟩
defileth vs, for what garment, what righteousnes haue wee of our owne, but that
which like a monstruous cloth, which had more neede to bee washed it selfe, then to wipe that which is foule. Therfore Christ must make vs garmentes, or else when our backs flant it like courtiers, our souls shall strippe like beggars. And the Diuels will sport themselues
reade the booke when hee bad him eate it: So we must put on Christ, as if wee did eate him, not as the Papists doe in their Masse, but as the meate is turned into the substance of the body, and goeth through euery part of man: So Christ & his worde should goe from part to part, from eare to heart, from heart to mouth, from mouth to hand, till wee be of one nature with them, that they bee the
⟨p. 38⟩
very substance of our thoughts & speeches, and actions, as the meate is of our bodies.
but there can bee but one saluation: as there may bee many tortures, and yet but one death. Therefore when hee is called the saluation, it implyeth that there is no Sauiour beside him. Thou must put him on as Christe, that is, a Kinge to rule, a Prophet to
