Our Prophet then continues on the same matter which he began to handle in the former verses. Others expound it otherwise, (yet not so properly as I think) for they take it to be a proverbial speech, and expound it in the present tense; The villain speaks of villainy. But if I be not deceived, the Prophet points out unto us an higher matter; to wit, that Christ who is the Judge of the world, will ascend into his judgement seat to manifest what is in the heart of every one. For as long as he forbears to execute the office of a Judge, all things run out of course: wicked men are applauded because they carry a fair show of virtue; and the godly are counted as the of-scouring of the world. But Christ will bring every mans doings to the touchstone that sow wickedness, which before carried some colour of virtue, might be discovered. For which cause it is said, he hath his fan in his hand to separate the good corn from the chaff. This fan is the Gospel, whereby God as a just Judge,1 puts the wicked as it were upon a rack, and maugre their teeth, makes them to utter their inmost thoughts. We have good proof of this again and again,2 whilst we discover that gross idolatry which was so masked under the papacy, that men took it for Gods true worship. Oh how wonderfully were the poor people wrapped in superstitions! Who would ever have thought that there had lien such horrible monsters (in those times of darkness) within the hearts of men: such as they are now manifested to be. For the contempt of God so overflowed, that some showed themselves beasts rather then men. But what do the Papists?3 They cry out as if we by our doctrine had let loose the bridle to men, and had set open the door to epicurism; so as it should be lawful for any amongst us (without blushing) to do what he list. But let them hear our Prophets answer; who tells them, that the truth of God being once brought to light, vile persons will behave themselves vilely, and the wicked will then speak wickedly: otherwise, how should Christ be a spiritual Judge, if he did not manifest the secrets of the hearts, and discover the things that were most deeply hidden?
Our Prophet then continues on the same matter which he began to handle in the former verses. Others expound it otherwise, (yet not so properly as I thinke) for they take it to be a prouerbiall speech, and expound it in the present tence; The villaine speakes of villanie. But if I be not deceiued, the Prophet points out vnto vs an higher matter; to wit, that Christ who is the Iudge of the world, will ascend into his iudgement seat to manifest what is in the heart of euery one. For as long as he forbeares to execute the office of a Iudge, all things run out of course: wicked men are applauded because they carry a faire shew of vertue; and the godly are counted as the of-skowring of the world. But Christ will bring euery mans doings to the touchstone that sow wickednesse, which before caried some colour of vertue, might be discouered. For which cause it is said, hee hath his fan in his hand to separate the good corne from the chaffe. This fan is the Gospell, whereby God as a iust Iudge,1 puts the wicked as it were vpon a racke, and maugre their teeth, makes them to vtter their inmost thoughts. Wee haue good proofe of this againe and againe,2 whilest wee discouer that grosse idolatry which was so masked vnder the papacie, that men tooke it for Gods true worship. Oh how wonderfully were the poore people wrapped in superstitions! Who would euer haue thought that there had lien such horrible monsters (in those times of darknesse) within the hearts of men: such as they are now manifested to be. For the contempt of God so ouerflowed, that some shewed themselues beasts rather then men. But what doe the Papists?3 They cry out as if we by our doctrine had let loose the bridle to men, and had set open the doore to epicurisme; so as it should be lawfull for any amongst vs (without blushing) to doe what he list. But let them heare our Prophets answer; who telles them, that the truth of God being once brought to light, vile persons will behaue themselues vilely, and the wicked will then speake wickedly: otherwise, how should Christ be a spirituall Iudge, if he did not manifest the secrets of the hearts, and discouer the things that were most deeply hidden?
- 1Mat. 3.
- 2The Gospel hath brought popish jugglings to light.The Gospell hath broght popish iuglings to light.
- 3Popish slanders.
