Let us understand that God executeth just vengeance upon the despising of his Gospel. For let us see a little what the humility and submission is which men yield unto God for all their hearing of the sound of this doctrine, and for all his setting up of the sceptre of his Gospel, to show that he is minded too reign over us. We see that most men could find in their hearts to have no religion at all. Again, they that make fairest countenance, would yet full fain that the Gospel were still but a shadowing place of Ceremonies. And howsoever the world go, they be loth too bear any yoke, they cannot abide too be rebuked for their vices, but they would have a beastly licentiousness: conditionally that they might do what they list, they would be contented that the Gospel should be preached, as who should say, they would grant it unto Jesus Christ by composition and covenant. But in the mean while, all is but hypocrisy, and they cannot so conceal their counterfeiting, but that the world doth well see that they be as shameless as harlots. For doubtless, a man shall find more religion and fear of God in the popedom, than among those that are in the places where the Gospel is preached. But the mischief of all mischiefs is, that a sort of these naughtipackes step up into the chair of truth, of whom some are drunkards, some whoremongers, and some blasphemers: and too be short, there is such wickedness among them, as is horrible to see▪ Sith we know this, let us cast down our eyes, and condemn the unthankfulness and rebelliousness that is in us, as the cause of all the disorder that we see. But howsoever the world go with us, yet if our Lord be so beneficial too us still, as too have his doctrine preached too us: therein we have a sure and infallible token, that he is near at hand with us, and that he seeketh our salvation, by calling us unto him, as though he spake with open mouth, and that we saw him personally before us. Then can we not fail nor be deceived, in assuring our selves that Jesus Christ calleth us too him, and that he holdeth out his arms open too receive us, as oft as the Gospel is preached unto us. And we need not too seek revelations from heaven,1 nor too wander abroad: for seeing that the word is in our heart and mouth, what ⟨p. 179⟩would we more? Who shall fly up above the clouds?2
Let vs vnderstand that God executeth iust vengeance vppon the despyzing of his Gospell. For let vs see a little what the humilitie and submission is which men yeeld vntoo God for all their hearing of the sound of this doctrine, and for all his setting vp of the scepter of his Gospell, to shew that he is mynded too reigne ouer vs. Wee see that most men could fynd in their hartes to haue no religion at al. Agein, they that make fayrest countenance, would yit full fayne that the Gospell were styll but a shadowing place of Ceremonies. And howsoeuer the world go, they bee loth too beare anie yoke, they cannot abyde too bee rebuked for their vyces, but they would haue a beastly licenciousnesse: condicionally that they myght doo what they list, they would bee contented that the Gospell should bee preached, as who should say, they would graunt it vntoo Iesus Christ by composition and couenant. But in the meane whyle, all is but hipocrisie, and they cannot so conceale their counterfetting, but that the world dooth well see that they bee as shamelesse as harlots. For doubtlesse, a man shall find more religion and feare of God in the popedome, than among those that are in the places where the Gospell is preached. But the mischeef of all mischeeues is, that a sort of these naughtipackes step vp intoo the chayre of truth, of whom some are drunkardes, some whoremongers, and some blasphemers: and too bee short, there is such wickednesse among them, as is horrible to see▪ Sith wee knowe this, let vs cast downe our eyes, and condemne the vnthankfulnesse and rebelliousnesse that is in vs, as the cause of all the disorder that wee see. But howsoeuer the world go with vs, yit if our Lord bee so benificiall too vs still, as too haue his doctrine preached too vs: therin wee haue a sure and infallible token, that he is neere at hand with vs, and that he seeketh our saluation, by calling vs vnto him, as though he spake with open mouth, and that wee sawe him personally before vs. Then can we not fayle nor bee deceyued, in assuring our selues that Iesus Christ calleth vs too him, and that he holdeth out his armes open too receyue vs, as oft as the Gospell is preached vntoo vs. And wee neede not too seeke reuelations from heauen,1 nor too wander abroade: for seeing that the woord is in our harte and mouth, what ⟨p. 179⟩would wee more? Who shall flye vp aboue the cloudes?2
- 1Deut. 32. c. •4.
- 2Rom. 10. b. 8.
