In the mean while we may note that the whole world, is accused here of ingratitude,1 ⟨p. 515⟩both by Christ and his Church: who so complain before God, that notwithstanding they expostulate with the world, in regard the doctrine of the Gospel, which is so effectual in it self, works no better effects in the inhabitants thereof. But this fault wholly resteth in mens unthankfulness and obstinacy, who reject the grace which God offers them, and choose wittingly to perish, rather then to be saved. They therefore which charge the Gospel of unfruitfulness, and wickedly belie and slander the blessed truth, scoffing at our labours as being idle and unprofitable, and babble that it is the cause of commotions,2 and sets men together by the ears; let them now come forth and accuse the Son of God: let them consider well with whom they have to do, and what profit their impudency will bring them in the end. For men are in all the fault, in that themselves make frustrate and void, the preaching thereof, as much as in them lieth. But the faithful Ministers who are vexed in their souls to see men perish so miserably by their own fault, who also wast and kill themselves with sorrow when they have trial of such an obstinacy, ought notwithstanding to arm themselves with this consolation, and not to be so disquieted as to cast down the bucklers, though at sometimes it seems best for them so to do. Let them rather meditate that Christ is partaker with them in this their burden: for he speaks not only of himself, as we have said before, but of all his faithful servants, who here in all their names, as a careful protector, enters their accusation for them. Let them therefore rest themselves upon his defence, and leave the maintenance of their cause unto him. Let them make their appeal3 (as Paul doth) to the day of the Lord, 1. Cor. 4.4. and never stand to break their brains about the lies, slanders, and outrages of their enemies; for as their judgement is before the Lord, though the unthankful world disgrace them an hundred times, so will God be the faithful approver and rewarder of their service. Contrariwise, let the wicked, profane contemners of the word,4 and all hypocrites tremble; for when Christ shall accuse them, all their defences will not be worth a rush, neither shall any be able to absolve them from his just sentence of condemnation.
In the meane while wee may note that the whole world, is accused heere of ingratitude,1 ⟨p. 515⟩both by Christ and his Church: who so complaine before God, that notwithstanding they expostulate vvith the vvorld, in regard the doctrine of the Gospell, vvhich is so effectuall in it selfe, vvorkes no better effects in the inhabitants thereof. But this fault wholly resteth in mens vnthankfulnesse and obstinacie, who reiect the grace which God offers them, and chuse wittingly to perish, rather then to be saued. They therefore which charge the Gospell of vnfruitfulnesse, and wickedly belie and slander the blessed truth, scoffing at our labours as being idle and vnprofitable, and babble that it is the cause of commotions,2 and sets men together by the eares; let them now come forth and accuse the Sonne of God: let them consider well with whom they haue to doe, and what profit their impudencie will bring them in the end. For men are in all the fault, in that themselues make frustrate and void, the preaching thereof, as much as in them lieth. But the faithfull Ministers who are vexed in their soules to see men perish so miserablie by their owne fault, who also wast and kill themselues with sorrow when they haue triall of such an obstinacie, ought notwithstanding to arme themselues with this consolation, and not to be so disquieted as to caft down the bucklers, though at sometimes it seemes best for them so to do. Let them rather meditate that Christ is partaker with them in this their burthen: for he speakes not only of himselfe, as we haue said before, but of all his faithfull seruants, who heere in all their names, as a carefull protector, enters their accusation for them. Let them therefore rest themselues vpon his defence, and leaue the maintenance of their cause vnto him. Let them make their appeale3 (as Paul doth) to the day of the Lord, 1. Cor. 4.4. and neuer stand to breake their braines about the lies, slanders, and outrages of their enemies; for as their iudgement is before the Lord, though the vnthankfull world disgrace them an hundreth times, so will God be the faithfull approuer and rewarder of their seruice. Contrariwise, let the wicked, prophane contemners of the word,4 and all hypocrites tremble; for when Christ shall accuse them, all their defences will not be worth a rush, neither shall any be able to absolue them from his iust sentence of condemnation.
- 1The whole world taxed of ingratitude.
- 2A caveat for scorners.A caueat for scorners.
- 3The Ministers appeal.The Ministers appeale.
- 4Tremble and sin not ye profane contemners of the word.Tremble and sinne not ye prophane contemners of the word.
