The Epistle ROM. 10.9 .

If thou knowledge with thy mouth that Iesus is the Lord , and beleeue in thy heart that God raised him vp from death , thou shalt be safe , &c.

THE Gospell and Epistle chosen for this Fes●iuall , intimate the true reason of our Church , in celebrating the memories of the blessed Apostles and Euangelists vnto Gods honour , namely , because they were fishers of men , ambassadours of peace , preachers of good tidings , euen the a a 1. Cor. 4.1 . disposers of the riches of God in Christ indiff●rently to men of all sexes and sorts , in that their sound went out into all lands , and their words into the ends of the world ; and so by consequent principall instruments of God in the worke of our saluation and eternall happinesse . Which our Apostle sheweth heere by this b b Martyr . Sar●●rius . Caluin . Sorites or gradation : Whosoeuer ●all●th on the name of the Lord shall be saued , Inuocation is by faith , Faith is by hearing of the word , Hearing is by the Preachers .

And Preachers are sent of God &c. Erg● , such as haue learned Christ , in their minde beleeuing vndoubtedly , with their mouth acknowledging him vndauntedly for their Iesus ; ought to praise God in his Apostles , as being after Christ immediately the first , and vnder Christ absolutely the chiefe Trumpetors of the Gospell , which is the c c Rom. 1.16 . power of God vnto saluation .

In the whole text two points are remarkable : Cansa causat● , the means of our iustification , and herein a Proposition : If thou knowledge , &c. verse 9. Proofe : 1. From a sufficient enumeration of the principall heads of d d Aretius . Christianitie . Faith ; for to bel●eue with the heart instifieth . Good works ; to knowledge with the mouth , &c. vers. 10. 2. From the testimonie of the Prophets . e e Cap. 28.16 . Esay : Whosoeuer beleeueth on him , &c. vers. 11. f f Cap. 1.32 . Ioel : Whosoeuer doth call , &c. vers. 13. Causa causae , the g g Melancth●n . Parae●● . meane for these meanes , and that is the preaching of the Gospell , in this respect aptly termed the word of faith : vers. 8.

If thou knowledge ] S. Paul hauing in the Chapter afore , sufficiently discoursed of the re●ection of the Iewes A priore , from Gods absolute decree ( shewing h h Rom 9.18 . mercie on whom he will , and whom he will hardening ) he commeth in this present , to demonstrate the same point . ● i i Areti●s . post●riore , from their obstinate incredulitie , k k vers. 3. stablishing their owne righteousnesse , and not submitting themselues vnto the righteousnesse of God in Christ , apprehended and applied by faith only , declaring it selfe in a twofold act ; one which is l l Thomas 22. quaest. 3. ●rt . 1. outward , to confesse with the mouth : another which is inward , to beleeue with the heart . m m D. Wi●e● in loc. Some confesse , but beleeue not , as hypocrites : other beleeue but confesse not , as timorous and Peter-like professors in the daies of persecution : other doe neither confesse , nor beleeue on Christ , as Atheists : other both confesse and beleeue , and they be true Christians . A n n Ardens . Theophylact. bare confessing with the mouth is not enough , except thou beleeue with thine heart . Esay 29.13 . This people come neere to mee with their mouth , and honor me with their lips , but haue remoued their heart farre from me , &c. Neither is it sufficient vnto saluation , only to beleeue with the heart , vnlesse thou confesse with the mouth ; according to that vnauoidable sentence , Math. 10.33 . Whosoeuer shall denie me before men , him also will I denie before my father which is in heauen .

Now though in nature beleeuing with the heart preceed confessing with the tongue : yet Paul mentioneth acknowledging in the first place , o o Martyr . Heming . Aretius . for that wee doe not know the faith of such as beleeue , but by their confession ; according to that of p p Cap. 2.18 . S. Iames , I will shew thee my faith by my workes . Heere then obserue , that to confesse the Lord Iesus is necessary q q Sarcerius . both in respect of other and our selues . In respect of other , r r Occumen . as being herewith armed in the times of persecution , and instructed in the daies of peace . Christ is the fountaine of the waters of life ; faith in the heart is as the pipes and cesterne that receiue in and hold the water ; and confession with the mouth as the cocke of the Conduit that lets out the water vnto euery commer . And therefore s s Matth. 6.16 . let your light so shine before men , as that they may see your good workes , and glorifie your father which is in heauen . Againe to confesse , t t Pareus . that is , to praise Christ in thy words , and to doe whatsoeuer appertaineth vnto his worship , is needfull in regard of our selues , u u C●urch hom. s f●ith . & Confess . Anglican . art. 12. See Rogers ibid. & Caluin . Instit. ●ib . 2. cap. 16. in that a true faith is neuer idle , but alway working by loue , Galath. 5.6 . For although it iustifieth alone , yet is it no more alone , x x Caluin . apud Bellarmin . de Ius●ificat . lib. 1. ca● . 14. §. Iohannes . then the heat of the S●nne which alone warmes the earth is seuered from light ●or then Christ is di●●oined from his spirit : Cal●●● apud 〈◊〉 . de Iustist at lib. 1 cap. 15. § . Caluinus : or men a hand when it alone doth apprehend any thing is separated from the bodie : Luther apu●● Sander●m de Iustis● 〈…〉 . 4 cap. 4.

This doctrine makes against the y y 〈◊〉 . 70. 〈◊〉 in o'd time , defending this 〈◊〉 ; Iura , peruira . secretum 〈◊〉 . And the z z Martyr in 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 in ourage who following the 〈◊〉 . He 〈◊〉 , hold it l●● full to distemble their faith 〈◊〉 the Magistrate . As also the Nicodem●●es ashamed of Christ , and exp●●●cating 〈◊〉 forswerring their P●ie●hood , and the Pope their holy father vpon e●e●y pretended occasion of danger . In a word , all weather ●ise professors , adue●tring no more for the glorious Gospell , then one ●●tely did for his horrible blasphemie , who being bound to the stake , suffered only the lingeing of his beard This open acknowledging of Christ is necessa●ie● not only 〈◊〉 morris , at the point of de●h , as Lira●us : or in the daie , of persecution , as Lombard ; but at all time , and in euery place , when occasion is offered lustly , ●aith a a 〈…〉 22. 〈…〉 ●2 . 〈◊〉 . Forseeing it is an af●●rm●t●ue pr●cept . 〈…〉 . As Christ in his b b Mark 8 . 3● . Gospel expres●ely . 〈…〉

Whereas c c 〈…〉 § 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 , the faith not sufficient vnto 〈…〉 mouth and other ●od●● 〈◊〉 , as efficient cause concure with it in the 〈…〉 may be taken out of his old Schoole 〈…〉 , and Cardinall 〈◊〉 , d d 〈…〉 〈◊〉 doth af 〈…〉 confession 〈◊〉 act of faith , according to that of the e e 〈…〉 P●●mi●● . I 〈…〉 haue I spoken , And in his second 〈…〉 this Chapter , he that is 〈◊〉 by faith ought to be f f 〈…〉 filled with the fruit of righteousnesse . Postquam homo per fide mest instificatus , oportet quod eius fides per dilectionem operatur ad consequendam sal●tem . And Cardinall g g In loc. Tolet in plaine termes : Oris confessio n●s non iustificat à peccato , &c. sed iustificati tenemur eam palàm profiteri , &c. Confession of the mouth doth not iustifie vs ; but being iustified , wee are bound publikely to professe it afore we can attaine to saluation . Herein agreeing with our h h Melancth. Caluin . Heming . Piscator . Chytreu● . Tileman . Protestant Interpreters , affirming that good workes are consequents and effects of a true faith , as if Paul should haue said here , we are iustified by faith onely , but yet this faith is operatiue , bringing foorth liuely fruits , as the confession of the mouth , and the profession of the life ; for they be necessarie to saluation , albeit faith alone be sufficient in the act of iustification , as you may see further Epist. Quinquages , and Sund. 2. in Lent .

In the words ( and beleeue in thine heart that God hath raised him vp from the dead ) three points are considerable , namely , Faiths Act , Obiect , Subiect .

Faiths act is to beleeue , and to beleeue hath these degrees ( as the i i Lombard . 3. sent. dist . 23. & Aquin. 22. q. 2. art. 2. Schoole teacheth out of k k Tract. 29. in Ioan. & ser. 181. de Temp. Augustine ) Credere Deo , credere Deum , & credere in Deum . A wicked man , and a wretched deuill , may so farre proceed in faith as to beleeue there is a God , and in grosse to beleeue God : but a true Christian , endued with a sauing faith , ascends higher , and beleeueth in God also . l l Perkins e●posit . Creed , art. 1. That is , he knowes God as hee hath reuealed himselfe in his word , acknowledging him onely for his God , and thereupon put his m m See Church Hom. of saluation , part . 3. whole trust in him , applying to himselfe Gods mercifull promise made to father Abraham and his seed , with the heart vnto iustification , and confessing the same with the mouth vnto saluation . He disclaimes not his part in Christ as the deuils , n n Mark . 1.24 . Ab , what haue we to do● with thee thou Iesus of Nazareth ? o o Mat● . 8.29 . art thou come to torment vs before the time ? but he challengeth his portion in the bloud of his Sauiour , saying with the Church in her p p Cant. 6.2 . loue-song , My welbeloued is mine : and with q q 1. C●r. 1.30 . Paul , Christ is become to vs wisdome , righteousnesse , sanctification , and redemption . H●s bodie is in heauen , there shall I finde it mine : his diuinitie is on earth , and heere doe I feele it mine : his word is in mine eare , to beget him mine : his Sacrament is in mine eie , to confirme him mine : his spirit is in mine heart , to assure him mine : Angels are mine : to fight for mee : Prince mine , to rule for mee : Church mine , to pray for me : Vniuersitie mine , to studie for me : Pastour mine , to p●each for me : all mine , r r 1 C●r. 3 ●2 . ●3 . whether it be Paul , or Cephas , or the world , or life , or death , whether they be things present , or things to come , euen all are mine , I am Christs , and Christ is Gods .

Faiths obiect is s s Church H●m of faith , part 1. all holy scripture , the t t Augustin ser. 115 de Temp & Am●r : sser . 38. summe whereof is the Creed , and this one point how God raised vp Iesus from the dead , is u u Mart. in● . ● . nexus articulorum omnium , as it were the bond or tying knot , on which all other linkes of our beleefe depend . x x Church Hom. of Christs resurrection . For if it were not true , that Christ is risen againe : then were it neither true that hee did ascend vp to heauen , nor that hee sitteth at the right hand of his father in heauen , nor that he sent downe the holy spirit from heauen , nor that hee shall come from thence to iudge the quicke and the dead . In a word , the matter of the whole Creed concerneth either God , or the Church his spouse . Now the raising of Christ from ●he dead , is the worke of God the Father , Acts 2.32 . of himselfe being God the Sonne , Iohn 10 18. of God the holy Ghost also , Rom. 1.4 . Christ as y y Th●●s 3 part. q 53. ar● 4. God , only raiseth and is not raised : as man , he is onely raised , and raiseth not : as the z z Pareus . Sonne of God or second person in the blessed Trinitie , both the Father raiseth him , and he raiseth himselfe . The Father raiseth the Sonne by the Sonne , ●nd the Sonne raiseth himselfe by the spirit of holinesse , a a Rom 1 4. by which he was declared to be the Sonne of God . As for the Church : our Apostle sheweth b b Rom. 4.25 . elsewhere , that Christ died for her sinnes , and rose againe for her iustification ; and that c c Ephes. 4.8 . ascending vp on high he bestowed on her gifts , as to be Catholike , holy , knit in a communion : and prerogatiues in her soule , namely , remission of sinnes : in the body , resurrection of the flesh : in both , euerlasting life . Wherefore Paul here mentioneth only the resurrection of Christ from the dead , not exclusiuely : but d d Piscator . synecd●checally , because this one article e e Gorran . presuppose●h all the rest , and takes them as granted ; as if hee rose from the graue , then he died , and his death is a consequent of his birth . Or because this article was , and is most f f Anselm . Idem Augustin . apud Matyr . in loc. doubted in the world , for the Iewes and Gentiles acknowledge the death of Iesus ; whereas the Christians only confesse his resurrection . Or because the g g Caluin . rest ( vnlesle Christ had risen againe ) would haue profited vs little : for he triumphed in his resurrection ouer death , hell , damnation , opening the kingdome of heauen to all beleeuers .

And so the meaning of our text is plaine , If thou confesse with thy mouth that Iesus is the Lord : h h Melanctbon . that is , that Lord , i i 1 Pet. 1.10 . of whom all the Prophets inquired , as being the k k Haggai 2.8 . desire of all Nations , euen the light of the Gentiles , and consolation of Israel . And if thou beleeue in thine heart , that this Iesus ( whom almightie God hath made l l Acts 2.36 . both Lord and Christ , offered m m Ephes 5. ● . himselfe a sacrifice to n n Hib. 9.14.28 . purge thy conscience from dead workes , and take away thy sinnes , o o Colos. 2 14 putting out and fastening vpon the Crosse the Lawes obligation against vs , and that hauing ouercome death and the deuill , he rose againe , p p ●phes. 4.8 . leading captiuitie captiue , that hee might heereby deliuer thee from the bands and hands of all thine enemies ; I may tell thee from Paul , and Paul here from God , vnto the comfort of thy soule , that thou art now q q In praesenti inssi●●●m , in 〈◊〉 salutim Anse●m in loc. presently iustified , and shalt be hereafter eternally saued . For the Scripture saith , whosoeuer beleeueth in him , shall not bee confounded : r r Melan●thon . That is , whosoeuer hath a sure trust in God that he will euen for his Christ sake pardon all his sinnes , and blot out all his offences : and out of this assurance calleth on the name of the Lord , he shall be safe . For the two testimonies of the two Prophets s s Theophylact. Ca●etan . answere the two clauses of Paul , Esay speaking of the beleeuing in the heart , and Ioel of acknowledging with the mouth .

And in these texts of the Prophets obserue their t t Lombar● . Martyr . Caluin . vniuersal note whosoeuer , for God is u u Act. 10.34 . no respecter of persons ; he puts no difference betweene the Iew and the Gentile , but being Lord ouer all , is rich vnto all that call vpon him , x x Ardeus . Other Lords cannot reward all their followers as being Poore , many will not as being illiberall and sordide : but our God is y y Hyper. apul Marlorat . able , because Lord of all ; and willing , because rich vnto all of whatsoeuer condition or countrey . Poore Bartimeus begging , rich Zacheus climing , old Simeon in the Temple , young Iohn in the wombe , couetous Matthew grinding his neighbour at the receit of Custome , the louing Centurion z z Luke . 7.5 . building his nation a Synagogue , the people a a Mat. 27.54 . watching vnder the Crosse , the b b Luke 23.42 . theefe hanging on the Crosse , confessing the Lord Iesus , and walking in the sonneshine of his Gospell : in differently finde refreshing in the conscience , rest in the soule . For whosoeuer beleeueth on him shall not be confounded , and whosoeuer calleth on his name shall be saued .

As for the subiect or seate of faith : it is said here , with the heart man beleeueth : Ergo , faith ( as many c c Caluin . Pareus . D. Wille● in l●r . Protestant authors haue noted ) is not placed in the minde , or vnderstanding only : but in the will and affections also . d d H●ming . For faith , as it is notitia , resides in the minde : but as fiducia , feared in the will . e e Perk. expos●● . Creed . art. 1. D. Fulke in 2. Cor. 13.1 . disallowes not this assor . 〈◊〉 ●n the R●em . Vid. ▪ Thim . 22. quest 4. art. 2. & Be●●mia de Iuc●it . lib. 1. cap. 6. Other Interpretors ( etiam note purioris , and no way branded with the markes of Antichrist ) hold it no● greatly to stand with reason , that one particular and single grace should bee placed in diuers parts and faculties of the soule . It is true , that faith is not a meere prattle of the tongue , nor a floting f f Sarce●●● . Biz● . opinion of the braine : but a certaine perswasion of the heart . Yet notwithstanding this perswasion , or particular knowledge whereby a man is resolued that the promises of saluation appertaine to him , is wrought in the minde by the holy Ghost , 1. Cor. 2.12 . A sure trust , and a stedfast hope of all good things to bee receiued at Gods hand , is g g Perkins vbi supra . not happily faith ( if wee speake properly ) but rather a fruit of faith , in that no man hath a●fiance in God , vntill he be first of all perswaded of his mercy toward him in Christ Iesu.

For mine owne part , I confesse with h h In Gal. ● . 5 . Luther ingenuously , that it is exceeding hard to distinguish exactly between faith & hope , there is so great a●finitie between them , one hauing respect to the other , as the two Cherubins on the Mercy-seate , Exod. 25.20 . Faith engendreth hope , and from hope proceeds affiance , which is nothing else but hope strengthned . For whereas an i i Iob 8.14 . hypocrites confidence shall be like the house of a spider : k k Psal. 125.1 . he that putteth his trust in the Lord , shall be euen as the mount Sion , which may not be remooued , but standeth f●st for euer .

And for as much as the word heart in my text ( as is agreed on all sides ) is put for the wholesoule , without limitation to any part : all that I will obserue from hence shall be , that as wee must loue God ; euen so beleeue in God with all our heart , and soule , and minde . l l Caietan . For hypocrites haue forged faith , and deuils haue forced faith , acknowledging against their will out of horror vnto their condemnation , and not out of loue from their heart to their iustification , that Iesus is the Lord . A Recusant may be brought vnto the Church against his will , and compelled in despight of his teeth also to receiue the Sacraments Bread and Wine : m m Lombard . but none can beleeue that Iesus is their Iesus , but with the heart only . See Gospell Sund. 8. and Epistle Sund. 10. after Trinitie .

How shall they call on him on whom they haue not beleeued ? A plaine text against the n n Melancthon . Gentiles idolatrie , praying vnto gods o o Act. 17.23 . vnknowne . As Hecuba in Euripides ; O Iupiter quic quid es , siue hoc coelum , siue mens in coelo , quanquam din iam ignauos opituiatores inuoco . And it is a pregnant euidence to confute the p p D. Fulke . Kilius . Paraeu● in l●● . dem Melanc . A●ol . August . confess . art. 21. & Perkin●re . for . Cal. lit . 14. Papists in their inuocation of Saints also ; for if they trust in S. Martin or Mary , S. Catherin or Clare , they rob the Creator to clothe his creature , and q q 1 I●remys 17.5 . cursed be man that puts his confidence in man , and makes flesh his arme . If they trust not , how doe they call on him in whom they beleeue not ? Our heauenly Father saith in his r r Psal. 50.15 . word , Call vpon me : Christ our aduocate with the Father in like fort , s s Mat. 11.28 . Come vnto me , for I am the way , the truth , and the life , Iohn 14.6 . t t August . tract. 22. in Ioan. Non est qua eas nist per me , non est quô eas uisi ad me : No way to God but by mee , no light but from mee , no life but in mee Christ is a mutuall helpe : to the Father one , to vs another . An hand to the Father , by which hee reacheth vs : an hand to vs , by which wee reach him . The Fathers mouth , by which he speaketh vnto vs : our mouth to the Father , by which wee speake to him . Our eye to see by , footway to goe by , the u u Exod. 13.21 piller of fire by night , and cloud by day gu●ding his Israel in the wildernes of this world . Wherefore let vs call on him in whom alone we beleeue , which is our x x Ier. 16.19 . strength and refuge in the time of trouble , promising in his y y Matth. 7.7 . Gospell , aske , and yee shall haue : seeke and ye shall finde : knocke , and it shall be opened vnto you . See Gospell on the 5. Sund. after Easter .

How shall they heare without a Preacher ? ] Heere you may behold the Ministers z z Melancthon . Martyr . ●ilemon . Dignitie , in respect of their Commission , as being sent of God . Errand , as being ambassadours of good things , euen such as bring tidings of peace . a a Aquin. ● between God and man . Man and man . Man and himselfe . Wherefore b b Lilius . desire the Lord to send forth c c Math. 9.38 . labourers into his haruest , honouring such Elders as rule well , and labor in the word , euen with double honour , 1 Timoth. 5.17 . receiuing them as Angels , yea as Christ himselfe , Galat. 4.14 . Dutie ; for if faith come by hearing , and hearing by preaching , so that the word of God vnto faith is as d d Chrysost. oile to the lampe : such as will haue their feet kissed , ought to bring tidings of good things . If they will haue the e e 1. Tim. 3.1 . worthie , good reason they should doe the worke . For assuredly such as croud into the Clergie without performance of their office , either through ignorance , that they cannot : or secular emploiment , that they may not : or negligence , that they will not : or feare of trouble , that they dare not preach the word of God , are f f Regersin Anglican . Confess . art. 23 proposit . ● . aduersaries vnto the doctrine of the Church of England , and enemies of the Crosse of Christ , Philip. 3.19 . See further in the Gospell ensuing .

The Gospell . MATTH. 4.18 .

As Iesus walked by the sea of Galile , he saw two brethren , Simon which was called Peter , and Andrew his brother , casting a net into the sea ( for they were fishers ) &c.

IN this Gospell is set downe the Calling of four Apostles . Comming of foure Apostles .

In their calling these circumstances are cosiderable : Who ? Iesus . Where ? By the sea of Galile . When ? At the beginning of his preaching . Whom , in Name , Peter . Andrew . Iames. Iohn . Number , two and two . Nature , Brethren . Fishers . Why ? That they might become fishers of men . How ? He saw them , and said vnto them , follow me and I will make you , &c.

As Iesus walked . ] There be foure sorts of Apostles ( as g g Expos. prior . in Gaiat . cap. 1. Hierome and h h Postil . in loc. Luther obserue ) some be sent only from God , and not by men : immediatly from God the Father , as the i i 2. Pet. 1.21 . Prophets vnder the Law ; k k Iob. 20.21 . Iesus Christ , and l l I●● . 1.6 . Iohn Baptist in the beginning of the Gospell : immediately from God the Sonne , in his state mortall , as the m m Matt. 10.5 . twelue Apostles : in his stare glorious or immortall , as S. Paul , Acts 9.15 . Other are sent by men , and not by God ; as they who being vnworthie both in respect of their bad learning , and worse liuing , croud notwithstanding into the Ministerie , through alliance , fauour , or simonie . Which occasioned one to say that horses are more miserable then asses , in that horses did post ordinarily to R●me to get asses preferment .

n n Yet . p●●mata de corrupto stat. ecclesiae per ●●yricum . Cum Iesu Iudas , cum Simone fur Ananias , In templo Christs semper sunt quatuor ists .

Other are neither chosen of God , nor called by men , as the false Prophets , of whom it is said in holy scripture , that they o o Ierem. 23.21 runne without a warrant ; p p Phili. 3.2.18 euill workers , enemies of Christs Crosse , q q Iohn 10.1 . theeues climing into the Church at the window , not entring in at the doore , r r Matth. 7.15 rauening wolues in sheepes clothing . See Gospell on the 2. Sunday after Easter , and 8. after Trinitie .

Other are both elected of God , and ordained by men , as the Bishops of Ephesus , Acts 20.28 . and other Elders in the Primitiue Church , Acts 14.23 . and all orthodoxe Preachers of the word in our age . For as the Gospell and Epistle well accord , how shall they preach vnlesse they be sent ? No man ( s s Luther & Larymer in loc. although he were more wise then either Salomon or Daniel ) ought to take this honour vnto himselfe , t t Heb. 5.4 . except hee be called of God . I say called of God , either immediatly by himselfe , so Christ here called his Apostles : or else mediatly by u u A●glic . Confes . art . 23. Rogers ibidem . Luther & Kilim in l●c . such as haue pub-like authoritie giuen vnto them in the congregation , to call and send Ministers into the Lords vineyard , and so Christ at this houre calleth Apostles in our Church , in that the conformable Ministers of England are chosen according to his word , as we teach against the Brownists and Ba●rnists ; as also canonically consecrated , as wee prooue to the proud pontifician aduersarie . See Doctor Fulke & W●●r in Rom. 10. Perkins Treatise of Callings : R●grs ●a Anglican . Conf●ss . art. 23. proposition . 1. & 5. S●●l●●s is mo●iu● , obseruant , of pontifician spirits , pa. 17. And surely God hath as it were set his hand and seale to the full approbation of our callings , in that hee blesseth our labours in the ministerie for the conuersion of many soules in England . For euery learned and industrious Pastor may tell his people which he begets vnto God in Christ , as x x 1. Cor. 9.2 . Paul once told the Corinthians : If I be not an Apostle to other , yet doubtl●sse I am vnto you ; for ye are the ●●al of mine Apostleship in the Lord .

By the 〈◊〉 of Galile . ] This ( as y y Ra●anu● apra T●omam . Are●●us . Iansen in lec . Interpreters obserue ) was not the maine se● , but a little creeke only , The lake Gemz●eth ▪ as wee reade Luke 5.1 . but it is called a sea . for tha● the z z Gen. 1.10 . Scripture terme●h all gathering together of wa●e●s ▪ ●eas : and the sea of Galile , for that it bounded vpon the borders of the a a Maldenat . two Galilees . Consule Plin. hist. lib. 5. cap. 15. Ioseph de bello Iudairo , lib. 3. cap. 18. Strab. 〈◊〉 lib. 16. 〈◊〉 . 504.

In this lake Peter and Andrew were fishing , Iames and Iohn mend●●● their nets . Here I no●e with Arctius and b b Ardius in l●c . other vnto your comfort , that almightie God is wont to blesse men especially when they be busied in their proper element , and 〈◊〉 in their owne vocations . An Angell being a messenger of gladnesse , appeared vnto 〈◊〉 . c c Luke 1.8 . 〈…〉 the Priests office before God and is 〈…〉 order . An Angell also deliuered the first 〈◊〉 of Christs birth vnto d d Luke 2.8 . shepheards are wha● 〈…〉 night in the field . While Saul ac 〈…〉 f●●hers expresse commandement , sought for 〈…〉 found a kingdome . 1. Sam. 9. so Christ here se●ing Peter and Andrew not idle , but casting a net into the 〈◊〉 : nor yet ouer-haste , medling in other men , trade ; but only labouring in their owne calling ( for they were fishers ) he saith vnto them instantly , follow me , and I will make you to become fishers of men A laste person is vn●it for the Clergie , for none but e e Matth. 9.38 . labourers are sent into the Lords haruest . On the contrary , the f f A●et . in lo● . curious and ouer actiue spirit is vnprofitable , for he will haue one foot in the Church , another in the Court , and if God had made him a Tripos , he would haue had a third in the Campe. Miles equi● , 〈…〉 , &c. an hammer is for the Smith , an Homer for the Schoole . Let the shoemaker attend his boot , and the fisher his boat g g P●rkins treat of 〈◊〉 l●●g● . He that comes , to the corne heape , the more he openeth his hand to receiue , the lesse he doth hold : so he that in largeth himself to beare the most office , in a State , these wer shall he sufficiently discharge . The worme h h 〈…〉 . 29. cap. 6. 〈…〉 or 〈…〉 , though it haue many feet , is of a very slow pase . i i 〈…〉 1. pag. 203. So Luther said of Erasmus : Qui●t ●ust in omnibus sapere , sespsum decipit . And k k Bi●●n . pref. loc. C●● . M●lanc●hon of 〈◊〉 ●●itaries in arts , in omnibus aliqa●● , in 〈…〉 . The wittie l l Mar●●●u● 〈◊〉 grace . lib. 3. Poet trimly , Omnia cūmfacias , miraris cur facias nil ? ( Posth●n● : ) rem solam qui sacit , ●lle facit .

Againe , Christ called his Apostles in the midst of their fishing , m m Chrys. apud Th●● . 〈◊〉 . that wee might heereby learne to preferre the following of him before the businesse of the world : or Iesus happily walked by the sea , for that he did intend to chuse fishers . n n Arlens . 〈◊〉 . Hereby teaching vs not to shunne , but rather to seeke those places where ●e may doegood : As the poore cottage , that we may releeue the needie : the house of mourning , that wee may binde vp the broken hearted , and remooue the spirit of heauinesse : the dungeon of Ioseph and Daniel , preaching libertie to the captiues , and opening of the prison vnto them that are bound . o o Kilius . Flecte quod est rigidum , fone qu●d est frigudum , rege quod est deuium .

The next circumstance to be considered , is the time when , and that ( as our Euangelist in the 17. verse ) was so soone as Iesus began to preach . For p p 〈…〉 . as a King who resolues to make warre against an enemie Prince , chaseth his Captaine , and musters his souldiers , and in euery point fits himselfe for the present action : euen so Christ Iesus the King of the Church , intending to q q Iohn 12.31 . cast out of his hold Satan the Prince of this world , calleth his followers , and out of them electeth his Apostles , as chiefe Commanders and Coronels in the very beginning of his preaching , that being trained vp in his schoole , seeing his wonders , and hearing his wisedome , they might bee made fit for that excellent and eminent calling . r r Latymers set . vpon this G●sp●ll . They were first ( as s s Cap. 1.39 . S. Iohn reports ) acquainted with Christ , t t For this was a second calling , ●● Iuhym . & Anselm in l●c . afterward made Disciples , and last of all Apostles . And u u Museul . in loc. therefore Christ here saith , I will make you to become fishers of men . He saith not I doe now make you : but hauing instructed them all his life , and breathing on them the Holy Ghost after his resurrection , hee speakes in the present , x x Iohn 20.21 . as my father sent me , so send I you , y y Mat. 28.19 . goe teach all nations , baptising them in the name of the Father , and the Sonne , and the Holy Ghost . And that they might be powerfull and profitable teachers of other , he z z Acts 2.4 . filled them also with the gift , of the Spirit after such a manner , and in so great a measure , that they a a Acts 4.20 . could not but speak● the things which they had heard and seene of Christ . And that not in one corner , or in a few countries onely , but ( as it is in the selected Epistle for this day ) their sound went out into all lands , and their words into the ends of the world . In the beginning they were rude , b b Aretius . Museulus . first Disciples , afterward Doctors , a great while learners afore they were leaders . Hence fathers of the Church are taught not to haue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , c c 1 Tim. 5 22. hastie hands and ouer easie for admittance into sacred orders without tryall and testimonie , 1. Tim. 3. and the children of the Prophets also may learne to be d d Iames 1.19 . swift to heare , slow to speake , neuer affecting , much lesse ascending Moses chaire , before God makes them apt and able to teach as well by their holy conuersation as wholesome doctrine . For as the weights and measures of the e e Exod. 30.13 . Sanctuarie , to wit , the sicle , talent , and cubite , were of a f f Vatal●●us . 〈◊〉 . ad l●c . Ex●d ex I●se . 〈◊〉 . double bignes to those for common vse : so should the vertues in the Ministers of the Sanctuarie be of a sutable size . The which as some Diuines imagine , is implied in the sacrifice for their s●n●es , appointed Leuit. 4. where the Priests offering is commanded to be as much as all the congregations , a young bullocke without any blemish for the Priest alone , ver. 3. and no more for all the people , vers. 14. See Benedictus in the Liturgie , Gospell on Trinitie Sunday , and 8. after Trinitie .

The names of the Disciples heere called , are Simon ▪ Andrew , Iames and Iohn : g g A s●mi● 〈◊〉 , Item 〈…〉 insinuating tha● a Preacher of the word must be Simon , that is , obedient to the will of God : Andre●s , a stout man in executing his off●ce● Iacobus , a supplanter of vises in h●s a●ditorie : last of all , a Iohn , a●cribing all these good gifts in him vnto the Father of mercies and God of all grace , h h 〈◊〉 epist. 1 〈◊〉 vi●a merito magnus , humilitate infimus . i i 〈…〉 . Other assume that the some cardinall vertues are designed by these foure chiefe Apostles , referring Prudence in Peter , I●stice to Andrew , Fortitude to Iames , and Temperance to Iohn .

For their number , it is said he●e , that Iesus called them two and two : first he saw two , then other two : k k Aretius . signif●ing that as the binarie number is the least , euen so the Church of little beginnings increase●h vntill her number be l l 〈◊〉 7 9 without number : m m Mat● . ●3 . 31 as a graine of mustard seede when it is sowen is the least of 〈…〉 , but when it is grow●n it is the greatest among herb●s and it is a tree so that the k●●ds of heauen build i● the 〈…〉 . O● two and two , because they were Christs instruments in ●●ming together two people , the 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 , and so n n 〈…〉 making of ●●th one . Or Christ happily would neither elect nor send his Apostles one by one , because 〈…〉 him that is alone . Ecclesiast. 4.10 . but by two and two and those bre●hren : o o 〈…〉 hereby teaching that Preachers of the word must accord as brethren , of one heart and one souls , Act. 4 . ●2 hauing one minde in many bodies , p p 〈◊〉 , in Psa●m. 132. inter multacorporano●● mul●a c●rda . Sa●rimentes in vnu●●● , at 〈◊〉 hominem faciant , as Augustine sweetly . For a q q Pro. 18.19 . as the translat. Hen. 8. brother helping a brother is a very strong castle , and they that hold together are like the barre of a palace .

For their condition : our blessed Sauiour ( in r r Culoss . 2.3 . whom are hid all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge ) did s s Musculus . Beauxamu . Pontan . not chuse the disputants of the world , whose wit was great ; nor the nobles , whose petigree was great ; nor the Pharisies , whose credit was great ; nor the Priests , whose authoritie was great : but he called ignorant and ignoble fishers , of little worth and lesse learning , to be the trumpetters of his Gospel , and bel-weathers of his flocke ; that the t t 1. Cor. 1.27.28 . foolish things of the world might confound the wise things , and the weake things ouerthrow the mightie things , and things that are not , bring to nought the things that are . u u Iudg. 15.16 Sampson in slaying a thousand Philistines with the iaw-bone of an asse , was a type hereof ( as x x Apud Ecauxam . H. r. tom . 1. sol. 140. Prosper obserues ) insinuating that Christ by the y y 1. Cor. 1.21 . foolishnesse of preaching should confound his enemies , and saue such as beleeue . Nay Christ chose some notorious sinners for his Apostles , as bloudie Saul , and couetous Matthew ; that his abundant grace might be manifested in their persons , as well as in their preaching ; demonstrating that in themselues , which is the summe of all their sermons , namely , that Iesus Christ z z Matth. 9.13 came not to call the righteous , but sinners to repentance . This is a true saying , and by all meanes worthie to be receiued , that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue sinners , of whom I am chiefe , 1. Tim. 1.15 . The greatest Apostle whilome was the greatest oppressor of the Church , a blasphemer , a persecutor , a a Act. 9.1 . breathing out threatnings , and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord : and therefore his auditors might well & cedere & credere grant and beleeue that Iesus is a sauiour of his people . But this extraordinary calling , and singular action of Christ is b b Caluin . Muscuius . no patterne for Prelates ( as phantasticall spirits imagine ) to send into the Ministerie leud and ignorant persons , as if the more faultie were the more fit , and the more sillie the more sufficient : for the same Christ by the pen of his Apostle Paul in that excellent Epistle to Timothy ( which c c ●pist , ●●O 〈…〉 〈◊〉 . Hierom : calles speculu●● Sacerdony , as the whole Scripture is d d Iames 1.23 . speculum Christ●●ni●●● ) sets downe these directions for the choice of a Pastoar , h●e must be well reported of , euen ●f them whi●h are w●thout , vnreproneable , watching , sober , ●●est , barberous , apt to teach . And albeit at their first comming ( a●d haue shewed a little before ) these fishermen were rude , yet afterward they were so furnished with all parts of knowledge and varietie of language , that their heaven exceedingly c c A●●● 2.6 . wondred at their wisdome , and f f A●● 4 13. knew that they had beene with Iesus .

g g Lu● 〈…〉 . Other haue rendred other reasons , why Christ in the beginning of his preaching chose fishermen for his Apostles . As namely , to them that God is no respecter of persons : as also for that he knew the poore would follow him immediately , whereas h h Mat● . 19.24 . it is easier for a camel●●o goe●●orow th●eis of a needle , then for a rich man to enter into the kingdom● of God . For being inuited to the great Supper , he saith , i i Lu●e 1● . 1● . I haue bought a farme , and I must needs go● to see it : or I haue bought fiue yoke of ouen , and I goe to pro●ise them , &c.

Let vs examine now why Iesus called them , and ●ha is that they might be made 〈◊〉 of m●n : not hunters but fishers . In old time the Prophets and Apostles were fishers , k k 〈…〉 . in our time more like hunters , l l 〈…〉 . according to that of the Prophet ●eremy , 16.16 . B●hold , 〈◊〉 the Lord . I will ●end out many fishers , an 〈…〉 them , and 〈…〉 I will end out many 〈…〉 they s●●ll 〈◊〉 them &c Here●ofore the Preachers as fishers inclosed many fish in their net a● one draught ; but in our age ●●e resemble hunters , of er●a great no●● long and loud crying . 〈◊〉 catch either no●h●ng , or else very little . Io●●● was but one man , and he preached vnto 〈◊〉 but one sermon , and that a short se●mon as coaching the number of words ; and yet he turned all ●he whole Citie , rich and poore , prince and people . m m 〈…〉 . Wee ( God be praised ) are many preachers , and we preach many sermons , and such as haue a tall bite , nipping inuec●iues against ●nne ; yet England repents not in sackcloth and ashes . Iohn Baptists sermon was short , Behold the Lambe of God , which taketh away the sinne of the world . n n Vide Ferum & Pontan . in loc. S. Andrews sermon shorter , We haue found the Messias : and yet ( as wee read in the first chapter of Saint Iohns Gospell ) Andrew was caught by the one , and Peter by the other . The sermon of S. Peter , Acts 2 , was exceeding briefe , yet it caught about thre● thousand soules : in our time scarcely one soule taken in many sermons . And the fault is partly the fishers , and partly the fishes , as I haue shewed at large , Gospell 5 Sund. after Trinitie

I will make you fishers of men ] o o Musculus in loc . Not of money , as if the sharing of the sheep and fish were the white they should aime at . Antichrist of Rome was not in a pulpit these p p Triall of truth . nine hundred yeares , and so by consequence succeeds not Peter in fishing with his net : but onely in fishing with his hooke , Matth. 17. where it is said , that Peter cast an angle into the sea , and tooke a fish in whose mouth he found a pi●ce of twenty pence . Such a kinde of fishing the Romane Peters vse ; for Pope Leo the tenth exacted so much of the lay-men , and wasted so much of the Churches treasure , that whereas other were Popes no longer then they li●ed , hee was q q G●i●ciardin . Fist. lib. 14. said to be pope many yeeres after he was dead . Which occasioned a learned r r Ac●●s . Sy● c●●us ●●i . 〈◊〉 . 3. Poet to write thus of him : Sacra sub extremâ si furiè requiritis , horâ Cur Leo non ●otuit sumere ? vendiderat .

Iohn 22. left behind him ( as Petrarcha reports ) two hundred and ●●ftie tunne of gold , in so much that an s s C●●ru . V cem apud 〈◊〉 . ub. ● . d . Cat. 〈◊〉 s. ●at 4. odde fe●low made this iest of him , Erat Pontisex maxi 〈◊〉 , si non vi●tute : pecunia tamen maximus . Pope Sixtus Quintus ( called of Englishmen in a by-word for selling ou● kingdome to Philip of Spaine , Six Cinque ) throug● his into●lerable couetousnesse t t ●elat . of re●●g● 〈…〉 t●e 〈◊〉 . §. 37. left in his exchequer fiue millions : his successor Gregory the 14. wasted foure of them in tenne moneths and lesse , beside his ordinarie reuenewes , in riot and pompe . The pontificians exceedingly condemne the Protestant Preachers , because being maried & hauing children , they take care to prouide for their familie : but their u u See D. Suths . & rela● . of re●●●o● , ibi sup & sar. An● . Cam. 〈…〉 1520. cum pri●●e●egio parl●●●●in●i . own Popes and Prelates are more greedie to scrape for their bastards and minions , then our men haue bin to prouide for their honest wiues and legitimate issue . Happily some men of corrupt mindes among vs , as most among them , enter into the Ministerie , as x x Plu●●r●● . Stratocles and Dromoclidas into the Magistracie , tanquam ad aure am messem , and so they be fishers of money , not of men ; or if they fish after men , it is to finger their meanes . As the Friers in old time professed wilfull pouertie so long , y y 〈◊〉 . prol. before the book of Numbers . vntill they robbed the whole world , and became Lords of all . And at this houre the Iesuites are so couetous , that they maligne all other orders , except the Capu●hi● . And the reason hereof is plain , z z 〈◊〉 Qu 〈…〉 . because the Capuchin saith hee would haue nothing , and the Iesuite would haue all . a a S●eld●●m● 〈◊〉 concerning de pont●fi●● 〈◊〉 , pag. 5. A wittle Libeller in Spaine described the Capuchin Friers shooting from the purse , the Franciseanes aiming wide of it , and the Iesuites hitting it in the very middest . I haue read of b b Wilying ●am El●● . 3. ●ann . 1361. Vrbane the fifth , how that when hee was a poore Chaplaine in the Court of Rome , he should vpon a time say to a familiar friend , If all the Churches in the world should fall at once , 〈◊〉 of them I thinke verily would light on my head . After being elected Pope , his old acquaintance told him at his in●hronization , Once ( holy father ) you complained that you were Parson of no Church , and now behold , God hath out of the riches of his wisedome and mercie so disposed , as that all the Churches in the world are committed only to your charge . Let vs be c c Mat● 2● . 21 faithfull in a little , d d 1. ●et . ● . 7 . casting our care on God , who careth for vs . If any forsake with these Disciple● his nets and ship , & suos & ●u● , to follow Christ , hee shall receiue an hundred fold at this present ; houses , and brethren , and sisters , and mothers , and children , and lands with persecutions , and in the world to come eternall life . Mark . 10.30 . auarice is a sinne in any man , heresie in a Clergie man .

Fishers of men , in generall ( as c c Com. in loc. Musculus obserues ) not of great men and learned men onely : for that is Peters fault to neglect his cure that hee may follow the Court , as if the ●oules of poore men in the country were not worthie to be fished for . Not of good men and brethren only , for that is a schismaticall tricke , such I trow be caught already ; we should therefore rather cast how to cast our net for other . A scabbie sheepe is of the flocke so well as the bell-weather , and because scabbie , wants our helping hand more then the whole .

Fishers of men , not of women only ; for that is an hereticall tricke , f f 2. Tim. 3.6 . 10 leade captiue simple women laden with sins , and led with diuers lusts . As Simon Magu● the first heretike broched his dangerous opinions by the helpe of the strumpet Helena ; Nicolas the founder of the filthie Familists had troupes of women euer accompanying him ; Apelles had Philomene for his mate ; Montanus had Prisea and Maximilla women of great birth and opulent estate ; Donatus had Lucilla for his mistresse ; Arius the Princes owne daughter for his Patronesse , as g g T●m. 2. f. 253 S. Hierome notes in his Epistle to Cresiphon against the Pelagians . h h Ies●ites Cit. lib. 1. cap. 10. Postelliu the lesuite had an old beldame called mother Iane , and the rest of that ranke ( as the i i Quod. 3. art. 10. Quodlibeticall discourse auoweth ) haue deluded many young gentlewomen , and deuoured many widowes houses . And this kinde of fishing they learned from Satan himselfe , who did first attempt the woman , and then tempt the man , vsing the wife as a trap to catch her husband . And the reason why the deuil and his agents are fishers of women rather then of men , is because they be lesse able to resist , and more willing to repo●● a new ▪ fangled opinion : in one word , for that their ●its are shorter , and their tongues longer

Fishers of men , not of children , as Seruetus absurd●y cauillesh : Ergo , sai●●h he , P●e●●hers may not baptise little infants . Answer is made by k k I●s●it . lib. 4. 〈◊〉 1● § 3● . Caluin and other , that men hee●e signifie●h all mankinde of wh●tsoeuer age or sex . Christs commandement is expresse , l l Matt. 28.19 . reach all nations , baptising them , &c. and Mark . 10.14 . suffer the little children to come vnto me . There be young m m Ioh 21.15 . Lambes in his fold so well as old sheepe . n n Ma●● . 18.14 it is not his Fathers will that one of these little ones should perish , for o o Mat. 19.14 of such is the kingdome of heauen . See Melancthon loc. com . tit. baptis . infant . Caluin . vbi●up . in margin . Master Iohn Philpots letter concerning this argument apud Fox in his martyrdome . Bucan . loc. com . ●it . baptis quest. 35.

Little children must be caught and brought vnto Christ , and after these minumes are baptised in the sacred font , they must be catechised and further instructed in the principles of holy religion , that they may know what a solemne vow they haue made by their godfa●hers and godmothers . And forasmuch as euery man is a Priest and a Prince in his owne house , you must bring vp your child●en in p p Ephes. 6 4. instruction and information of the Lord , drawing them vnto God while they be young , lest afterward being past correction , they say with the wicked in the second Psalme : Let vs breake their bonds asunder , and cast array their cords from vs .

q q Eur●p●d ●pa●d 〈◊〉 Cem. de lib. 〈…〉 . Ni● fundamenta stirpis l●cta sint probe , Misero● necesse est esse deinceps posteros .

The r r Matt. 13 47 draw-net of the Church incloseth all kinde of fish , and therefore the Preachers are fishers of all sorts of men . None is too good , or too bad , or too rich , or too poore , or too young , or too old to be brought vnto God . I will make you fishers of men indefinitely , not of this or that man in particular . Andrew must fish for all , especially for such as are committed vnto his peculiar charge . Acts 20.28 . Take heed to your selues , and to ak't he flocke , whereof the holy Ghost hath made you ouerseers . Our principall care must be to reduce such as are vnder our proper cure from the linke and seas of their sin , to righteousnesse and holinesse , s s I●●er . Are● 〈◊〉 . Musi●●●nus . by preaching of the word to draw them out of the shadow of death , out of the pit of ignorance to the maruellous light and sunne-shine of the Gospell . And that we may performe this , it is required on our part that we be painfull , either casting our nets into the sea , or else mending them in our ship ; and skilfull also , that we may know to cast our nets on the t t Iohn 21 6. right side of the ship . u u Laure●● . Pisan . euangel. paradox . Omnis ignorantia mala , Sacerdotis autem pessima . The blinde leading the blinde drawes him not out of the puddle , but rather hurleth him into the ditch , Matth. 15.14 .

Now the fishers of men for the catching of soules ought to preach and presse two points especially , x x Melanc●h . Comanl c. repentance and faith . Almightie God himselfe , the first fisher of men , in his very y y G●n. 3. first draught ( when the worlds sea was not so tempestuous as it is now ) stood vpon these two principally . First , hee rebuked Adam for his sinne , that he might repent : and then he shewed how Christ is the propitiation for his sinne , the seed of the woman shall breake the serpents head , that he might beleeue . The Patriarkes and Prophets vrged these points vnto the men of their age . Iohn Baptist , the last of the Prophets , and first of Apostles , a midling as it were betweene both , inculcated often these two , z z Matth. 3.2 . Marke 1.4 repent , and a a Ioh. 1.29.36 behold the lambe of God All the sermons of Christ ( as our Euangelist reports in the verse before my text ) consisted of these two likewise , from that time Iesus began to preach and say , amend your liues , for the kingdome of heauen is at hand . If any then desire to know whether the fishers of men haue caught him or no , let him examine his owne heart , whether he be repentant and faithfull . If he feele sorrow for his sin , and comfort in his Sauiour ; if he confesse his fault as the b b Iuke 18.13 Publican , O God be mercifull to mee a sinner : and confesse his faith as c c Iohn 1.41 . Andrew : Wee haue found the Messias : if crying with teares hee can vnfainedly say , Lord I beleeue , helpe mine vnbeleefe : it is a manifest argument that the fishers of men haue drawne him out of the dead sea into the land of the liuing , out of the darke waters into the glorious light of the Sun of righteousnesse .

Heere the Gospell and Epistle meet againe : Preachers are fishers of men , because men are iustified by faith , and faith commeth by hearing of the word , and the word is brought vnto you by the mouth of the Preachers . And therefore you must honour their holy function , as Gods ordinance for the d d Epist. 4.12 . gathering together of the Saints , and edifying of the body of Christ . Abhorre the positions of e e Me●● c●●en in Rom. 10. Stenckfeldius , f f S●e Angers in Ang●●ean . C●nfess . art. 23. Anabaptists , Familists , holding that the word is not taught by the sermons of Peter and Andrew , &c. but only by the reuelation of the Spirit . As also the practises of vncharitable Martinists , Barrowists , Brownists , openly breathing out slander , secretly threatning s●aughter against the Disciples of the Lord , making it their greatest vertue to meddle with the Preachers vice : so that whereas Andrew should catch them , it is apparant that they labour principally to catch Andrew . But the best is , in the meane while they lose themselues among themselues , hauing almost as many factions , as there be fractions in their seuerall inuectiues . g g Sedul . epist. lect. prefix a●● . loge● . S. Franc●su● . In is●a Babylons sectae dissectae , their sects are now so diuers and aduerse , that as h h I. Sc●rarus appa●at . pag. 14 one said , Luigando res non dir●mitur , sed perimitur .

The last of all the remarkable circumstances in our text is , how Iesus called his Disciples , and that is , hee saw them , and saith vnto thens follow me , and I will make you &c. that is , as i i H●m●in loc . Ardens in a short glosse pithily , Vidit , per electionem : vocanit , per fidem : iussit se sequi , per obedientiam : pramium promisit , per ob●dientie reminerationem . k k Rom. 8.30 . According to that of Paul , whom he did predestinate , them he called : and whom he called , them also hee iustified : and whom hee iustified , hee also glorified . For faith is a consequent of election , obedience of faith , and remuneration of obedience . He called his Apostles here by word only , follow me . l l Pin●an . Goe not before me nor beside me , but come after me , for I am the way , the tru●h and the life Where note the m m Ma●●ras . power of his word , hee spake and it was done , he called and they came immediately . But we reade in the 5. of Luke , that he called these by working a wonder also ; for whereas they laboured all night and caught nothing , he commanded them to let down their net , and they tooke such a multitude of fish , that they filled two ships vntill they did sinke . Where Diuines obserue that Christ accommodates himselfe euermore to his present auditors , as hee called the n n Mattb. 2. wise men of the East , addicted vnto the studies of Astrologie , by a starre : and conferring with a woman of o o Iohn 4. Samaria , who came to draw water at Iacobs Well , hee tooke occasion to speake of the water of life , saying , Whosoeuer drinketh of the water that I shall giue him , shall neuer ●e more a thirst : and in the 6. chapter of S. Iohns Gospell , hee did instruct the Capernaits who followed him only for loaues , by a similitude taken from bread and meat , willing them to labour for the true bread of heauen , and for the meat that endureth vnto euerlasting life . By whose example fishers of men are taught to become p p 1. Cor. 9.22 . as weake to the weake , that they may winne the weake : being all things to all men , that by all means they may saue some .

Hitherto concerning the calling of Simon ▪ Andrew , Iames and Iohn . Let vs now come to their comming . Simon and Andrew straight way lest their nets , Iames and Iohn immediately lest their ship , and their father , and followed him . They came straight way , without q q Aresius . inquisition or r r Muscuius . delay , considering only who called , and not disputing why hee called . And they came willingly without any grudging or griefe , leauing nets , and ship , and father , and s s Matt. 19.27 . all things or the world , to follow Iesus , whose kingdome was not of t t I●h 18.36 . this world , whose pouertie was so great , that hee was borne in u u Luke 2.7 . another mans house , and buried in another mans x x Matt. 27.60 tombe , as not hauing y y Matt. 8.20 . wherein to rest his head . z z Aug ●p. 89. They forsooke all that little they had , and all the great things they desired to haue . They did not a a C●i●tan . M●seulu● . Ar●●ius in loc. abandon vtterly their estate ( for S. Peter afterward vsed his ne●s and followed his trade , Iohn 21.3 . ) but they so subdued their will vnto Gods will , as that they counted all things , b b Philip 3. 8. losse to winne Christ . Apostoli ( quoth c c Epist. ad Pam●si . tim. 1 fol. 166. Hierome ) quantum ad d●u●●s nibil , quantum ad voluntatem , totum mundum pari●er reliquerunt . Iesus euery day calleth vs vnto him , either by the good motions of his spirit , or by his word in the mouth of his Preachers , or else by strange iudgements , or extraordinarie mercies . And therefore let vs , I beseech you , forsake the vaine pompe of the world , the carnall desires of the flesh , and all other nets and lets whatsoeuer hindering our comming , that wee may follow him immediately . For if the Disciples heere followed him in his humiliation and pouertie ; what a sinne , yea what a shame will it be , not to follow him now , sitting at the right hand of God in the heauen of heauens , a Lord of Lords , higher then the highest , a King of glorie , d d Rem. 10.12 . rich vnto all that call vpon him , e e Ephes. 3.20 . able to doe for his followers exceeding abundantly aboue all that they can aske or thinke .

These followed him f f Ardens . in Bodie , being g g Act. 1.21 . conuersant with him , and witnesses of all hee did and said . Minde , for nothing could h h Rom. 8.35 . separate them from the loue of Christ . Life , learning of him to bee meeke , and mercifull as he was mercifull , exhorting their auditors to be i i 1. Cor. 11.1 . followers of them as they were followers of Christ . Death , for as he suffred on the Crosse to make their peace : so Peter and Andrew were crucified , and Iames slaine with the sword in his quarrell , and Iohn ( as wee finde in Ecclesiasticall historie ) was by the commandement of the tyrant Domitian cast in feruent is olei k k Hieron . in Mat● 10. & Mat West ●ad an. 95. dolium , or as other , l l Beronius annal com. 1. ad ●● 92. solium , into a vessell or bath of hot boiling oile , from which he was notwithstanding by Gods hand deliuered miraculously without any hurt . Though happily neuer occasion shall be giuen vs to die for the Lord , yet let vs so follow him in our liues and in our loues , as that we may die in the Lord . Let vs m m Cel ss. 3.5 . mortifie our earthly members , our feet , that we n n Psalm. 1.1 . stand not in the way of sinners ; our eies , that wee may not delight in vanities , or wantonly o o Iob 31.1 . Matth 5 28. behold a woman : our hands , that we may p p Eph●s . 4.28 . labour and worke the thing which is good : our mouth , that it bee not full of q q Psalm. 14 6. cursing and bitternesse : our hearts , that they be not exercised with r r 2. Pet. 2.14 . auarice : that forsaking our selues to follow him only , which is our saluation : as we s s R●m. 8 17. suffer with him , euen so wee may be glorified together with him . Amen .

Almightie God , which didst giue such grace vnto thy holy Apostle S. Andrew , that hee readily obeied the calling of thy sonne Iesus Christ , and followed him without delay : grant vnto vs all , that wee being called by thy holy word , may foorthwith giue ouer our selues obediently to follow thy holy commandements , through the same Iesus Christ our Lord .