that is to say, we will not go about to add aught to the grace that he hath purchased for us, and which he offereth us daily by his Gospel too the end we should be partakers of it and enjoy it too our salvation. Thus ye see in effect, that on the one side we must keep the civill orders of this world. Let such as are great men, and men of authority above others, know that God intendeth too be served by them in that state. As for example, let the Magistrates consider that they be so much the more bound to do their duty, seeing that God hath done them the honour too advance them after that fashion above others. Again, they that are private persons and ought too obey the Magistrates, must look that they submit themselves, unless they purpose to strive with God and to make war against him. Ye see then that S. Paul holdeth us in sobriety and modesty, and under a bridle which was not devised by men, but dedicated of God too our ⟨image 199⟩use, because mankind could not continue without it. And truly we ought too honour and reverence the state of governance, as a thing ordained of the Lord. And yet for all that, when we come too the heavenly life, let us assure our selves that all worldly things pass and vanish away,1 as the world and the fashion thereof passeth, sayeth Saint Paul: but the kingdom of God endureth for ever. Then as touching our being children unto God, and as touching our being his heirs, we come not to it by riches, nobleness, or dignity, or by any power or virtue of our own. How then? By Gods mere grace and goodness. For the great ones must be fain to stoop and to humble themselves, and the little ones must needs wonder at the sight of Gods so inestimable goodness, who hath vouchsafed to lift them up after that forte above the heavens, whereas they be fiercely counted worthy to dwell upon earth. Furthermore let us have the skill to profit our selves hereby. Truly the chief point is that we go forward and travel still to the inheritance of the heavenly kingdom, and that our studies, thoughts and desires be chiefly applied thereunto. But yet therewithal we must also in passing through this world, have regard of the degrees which our Lord hath set too be kept. And when any are to be chosen to the state of government, to wield Gods sword, and too sit in the seat of Justice:
that is to say, we wil not go about to adde aught to the grace that he hath purchaced for vs, and which he offereth vs dayly by his Gospell too the end wee should be partakers of it and inioy it too our saluation. Thus yee see in effect, that on the one side wee must keepe the ciuill orders of this world. Let such as are great men, and men of authoritie aboue others, knowe that God intendeth too be serued by them in that state. As for example, let the Magistrates consider that they be so much the more bound to do their duetie, seyng that God hath done them the honour too aduaunce them after that fashion aboue others. Agayne, they that are priuate persones and ought too obey the Magistrates, must looke that they submit thēselues, vnlesse they purpose to striue with God and to make warre against him. Yee see then that S. Paule holdeth vs in sobrietie and modestie, and vnder a bridle which was not deuized by men, but dedicated of God too our ⟨image 199⟩vse, bycause mankind could not continue without it. And truely we ought too honour and reuerence the state of gouernance, as a thing ordeyned of the Lord. And yet for all that, when wee come too the heauenly life, let vs assure our selues that all worldly things passe and vanish away,1 as the world and the fashion thereof passeth, sayeth Sainct Paule: but the kingdome of God indureth for euer. Then as touching our being children vntoo God, and as touching our beyng his heires, we come not to it by riches, noblenesse, or dignitie, or by any power or vertue of our owne. How then? By Gods meere grace and goodnesse. For the great ones must be fayne to stoupe and to humble themselues, and the little ones muste needes wonder at the sight of Gods so inestimable goodnesse, who hath vouchsaued to lift them vp after that forte aboue the heauens, whereas they be fearsly counted worthie to dwell vpon earth. Furthermore let vs haue the skill to profite our selues hereby. Truely the chiefe poynt is that we go foreward and trauell still to the inheritance of the heauēly kingdome, and that our studies, thoughtes and desires be chiefly applied therevnto. But yet therewithall wee muste also in passing through this world, haue regard of the degrees which our Lord hath set too be kept. And when any are to be chozen to the state of gouernment, to weeld Gods swoord, and too sit in the seate of Iustice:
- 1Cor. 7. e. 21.
