And in dede synne may well be compared to a thorne or bramble For as the thorne breÌ„ble prycketh the body wouÌ„deth it greuouslye yea and bryngeth many tymes destruccion vpoÌ„ it except other wyse it be holpen so lykewyse synne moost greuously prycketh wouÌ„deth and vtterly destroyeth the soule excepte it be redemed by Gods mercye thorow Iesus Christ. THEO I thiÌ„ke this to be true PHIL. It therfore foloweth y t iÌ„ asmuch as all we are dead in Adam we are not able of oure selues to ryse agayne from death vnto lyfe And seyng that we are synners all that euer we do muste nedes be synne yea it is synne in dede deserueth euerlastynge death For as the scripture sayth The disposicioÌ„ and thought of maÌ„nes herte is prone to euel from his yonge age We are wicked chyldren a wicked seed We are that seed whiche was cursed froÌ„ the begynnyng We are lyke bruyte beastes We are carnall flesshely sould vnder synne We are vnprofitable seruauÌ„tes We all haue gone astray lyke shepe We all are Hypocrites wycked We are all lyers We all are vncleane all our ryghteousnesses as a cloth polluted with mensture All haue synned There is not one y â— dothe good no not one There is no man cleane from fylthynes no not the yonge chylde Ther is no man able to say my hert is cleane I am pure from sinne For our hartes are wicked and inâ—crutable We are not able to thynke a good thoughte All that euer we bryng forth is thornes braÌ„bles that is to saye synne vngodlines all abhominacion What are we nowe of oure selues I praye you tell me CHRI Very synners EVSE Yea and al that euer we do in AdaÌ„ of our own streÌ„gth is plaine synne and wickedness PHIL. I am glad that we haue learned what ye are of your selues by Adam I pray you what are ye able nowe to do for to saue your selues from this perel wherunto ye are fallen by Adam THEO Verely I can not tell EVSE Forsoth I thynke very lytle PHIL. Ye might right well haue sayde nothinge at all For I ensure you that ye beyng lefte vnto your selues can do none otherwise but synne faull headlyng into all kynde of mischefe Your wytte strength polecy imaginacion reason free wyll auayleth here nothynge to delyuer you from the captiuite of Satan He leadeth you as the mayster dothe his bonde slaue whyther soeuer it pleseth him as Christ witnesseth euery one that doth synne is the seruauÌ„t of synne Ye remember I am sure the storye of the wounded man in the Gospell of Luke which beyng dispoyled and robbed of all his clothes greuously wouÌ„ded laye styll halfe dead THEO I remeÌ„ber it very well PHIL. This wouÌ„ded maÌ„ signiâ—ieth euerye chylde of Adam The clothes signify fayth charïte iustice mercy such other vertues The theues are SataÌ„ and his aungels The woundes are synnes Haulfe deade is to be alyue in the flesshe slayne in the soule thorowe synne All this are we by AdaÌ„ And as this wouÌ„ded man could not be holpen of the Preste nor Leuyte vntyll the Samarytane came no more can we be holpen by ony creature or worke tyll christ coÌ„meth the true Samaritane We can not certes we can not helpe our seues but euen lye styll the stynkynge puddle of synne Loke in what case Satan leaueth vs in the verye same do we remayne excepte God of his mercy thorowe Christe helpeth vs. Neyther canfre e wyll nor all the wytte polecye that we haue profyte here any thynge tyll God indueth vs w t streÌ„gth from aboue For as S. Austen sayeth The nature of man all though it dyd remayne coÌ„tinue in that integryte purenes wherin it was made yet could it kepe it selfe by no meanes if the creator maker of it dyd not helpe Therfore seynge that w tout the grace of god it could not kepe the health that it receiued howe is it able to repare and get agayne that which it hath lost without y e grace of God Againe he saith free wyll sufficethe vnto euell but vnto good it auayleth lytle excepte it be holpen of that almyghty God Therfore is it well sayde of the Apostle God worketh in vs â—oth the wil the dede Hereto agreeth the sayeÌ„g of â—hrist As the vyne braunche can not beare fruyte excepte it abyde in the vine no more can ye except ye abyde in me I am the vyne ye are y â— braunches He that abideth in me I in him the same bryngethe for the much fruyte For without me ye caÌ„ do noâ—hyng If any maÌ„ abydeth not in me he is cast out as a braunche is wythered men gather theÌ„ cast theÌ„ into y â— fyre there burne Thus se ye what â—e are of youre selues by Adam that no strengthe ye haue ones to aspyre or breath towarde ony goodnes much lesse to do or work any good thynge excepte ye be holpen of God Ye se also howe full of sinnes diseases woundes sores botches canckers al y â— euer nought is ye are Ye se agayne how ye are not able of your selues to recouer youre innoceÌ„cy that ye lost by AdaÌ„ CHRI Alas what is now to be done THEO The rehersyng of these thynges maketh me very sadde PHIL. It shoulde rather make you very glad For as S. Hierome sayeth This is y â— true wysdome of a man to knowe hym selfe to be inperfecte as I maye so speake the perfeccioÌ„ of all righteous men in the flesshe is imperfecte Agayne he sayeth Than are ye righteous when we confesse oure selues synners our righteousnesse consisteth not of our owne merite but of the mercye of God as the holy scripture sayth the righteous maÌ„ is the accuser of himselfe in y â— begynnynge of his spech Therfore must ye coÌ„fesse your selues to be that in dede which ye are y â— is very synners yf ye wyll be set free from this miserable captiuite wher w t ye are nowe to muche wrapped and ouerwhemled EVSE We confesse y e same THEO We nowe knowledge y t of oureselues by AdaÌ„ we are nothynge but synners all that euer we do without the spirytâ— of god is playne sinne as S. Paule sayeth What soeuer is not of fayth is synne PHIL. Well seynge that ye haue so fruytfully digested the fyrst dysshe of your Banket nowe haue I a fyt place a conuenient tyme a good occasion to brynge vnto you the seconde dysshe as it followeth in order CHRI I praye you let vs tast of it THEO That thynge also do I desyre ¶ The seconde dysshe YOur second dysshe is coÌ„tayned in that same chap. wher in the fyrst is recited Therfore deuoure this w t no lesse gredy appetyte than ye haue done y â— other For this dysshe is much delicious very wholsome forthe vertuous preseruacioÌ„ of the soule I now brynge it for
dyd delyght the before in thy body doth trouble the in thy herte than doste thou repent well saye to God to the alone haue I synned euell haue I done before the. So that the whole summe of repentaunce is this to dye vnto synne to lyue vnto righteousnes which is signified by our plonginge in y â— font when we are baptised by â—ure â—aâ—yng out agayne as S. Paule sayeth we are buryed togyther w t hym by baptisme iÌ„to death y t as Christ is raised vp from the dead by the glory of his Father so we in lyke maner shoulde walke in a newe lyfe THEO If we repent be sory for our sinnes coÌ„fesse our wickedness amende oure lyfe is this ynough PHIL. This is much certes but not all For repent is not only contayned in your dysh but also Beleue the Gospell Thys pour repentance must be ioyned w t sayth lyncked with a sure perswasion that God the father according to his promyse wyll vndoutedly for gyue you your synnes for his sonne Iesus Christes sake For Caym Esau Pharao Saul Antiochus Iudas many other repented grauÌ„ted theyr offeÌ„ces yet were they not forgyuen Many also among the very Neithen gentiles glystered out wardely with a meruaylous godly conuersacion sorowed very greatly yf at any tyme tâ—ey dydde defyle theyr innocencye with ony spotte â—â— vncleanes yet were they not made heyâ—es of eternall glorye And why Uerely they tasted after a certayne maner of y e fyrst parte of your dysh bâ—â— not of the laste They repented but they beleued not y e gospell that is they sought for no helpe of theyr wickednes at gods exceadyng mercy thorowe Iesus Christ. They had not the christen fayth in theÌ„ whâ—che commynge from a repentaunt sorowfull herte maketh haste to God and approcheth boldly to the throne of his grace that it maye obtayne â—â—uour and remission of synnes RepeÌ„taunce without fayth bryngeth desperacion but repentaunce accompanieth fayth bryngeth remissioÌ„ of sinnes tranquilite of conscience euer lastinge lyfe as we maye easely perceyue by two of Christes Disciples Iudas sold Christ Peter denied forswore Christ. Here bothe synned both repented both confessed theyr offence One by manifest it wordes the other by teares Yet was Peter saued and Iudas damned Now so Because that the repentance of Peter was ioyned with faith hope of forgyuenes the repentance of Iudas was not so Mary Magdalene dyd not only repent of her synfullyuynge but also beleued to haue remission of her synnes And therfore dyd not Christ only saye of her vnto Simon the Pharise many synnes are forgyuen her because she loued muche but he also sayd vnto her w t a lyuely voyce thy fayth hath saueâ— the goâ— thy waye in peace Heare what Chrisostowe sayth If thou be wythered worne away of synne renewe thy selfe by repeÌ„taunce Why may he that repenteth be saued yea vndoutedly Wherof of commeth it to passe of y â— LORDES fauourable mercye Truste not to thy repentaunce For thy repentaunce can neuer put away so great sinnes If it were thy repentaunce alone thou myghteste well feare but seyng that the mercy of God is accompanied with repentaunce be on a good conforte for it ouercommeth thy wickednes god is exceadynge mercyfull so full of gentlenes that he dyd not spare his owne soÌ„ne for to redeme the vnkind seruauntes Saye not vnto me I haue synned to much howe can I be saued Thou canste not in dede saue thy selfe but thy LORDE can And he so putteth awaye thy synnes y t therneth no prynte syghe or toâ—eÌ„ of theÌ„ Here ye se also by Chrisostome that repentaunce w tout an earnest fayth had reposed in the mercye of God can by no meanes put away synne This your dyshe therfore teacheth you both to repent also to beleue For what so euer is not of faythe is synne sayeth S. Paule The worde of the LORDE is right sayth Dauid and all his workes are in fayth A worke without fayth sayeth Chrisostome is nothyng Agayne he sayeth we must haue fayth euery wher I meane that fayth which is the mother of all good thynges y e medicine of helth without the which a man caÌ„not perceyue the doctrine of great excellent thynges but is lyke vnto them which takynge in hande for to swymme ouer y e see wythout a shyp whan they are a lytle forward theyâ— haÌ„des theyr fete beying once â—ery are vtterlye ouerwhelmed wyth the waues of y e see Also in another place All oure elders are reported y t they pleased God by fayth therfore with out that all thiÌ„ges come to nought Hereto agreeth S. Austen sayenge The medicyne of the soule and of all woundes the alone sacrifyce to appeaâ—e Gods wrath for the synnes of all men is to beleue in Christe Neyther canne anye man at all be made cleane eyther from originall synne whiche he hath drawne of Adam in whom all haue synned be made naturally the chyldren of wrath or froÌ„ the synnes which they by not resistynge the carnall concupiâ—ceÌ„ce but by followynge it seruyng it by vngraciousnes wycked lyuyng haue added put therto excepte by fayth they be enunied ioyned togyther iÌ„ the body of him which without ony carnall entysemente mortiferous delectacion was conceyued Thus se you that repentaunce wythoute fayth anayleth nothyng but enunâ—ed ioyned with fayth is a singuler and hyghe treasure For by fayth doth God heare vs. By fayth are we blessed By faythe dothe God appere vnto vs. By fayth do we vnderstond the trueth By fayth do we kepe the commaundemeÌ„tes of God By fayth are we maryed to God By fayth haue we eternall lyfe By fayth are we purifyed By fayth are our hertes made cleane By faythe are we made the sonnes of God By fayth are we iustifyed By fayth we please God By fayth we be borne of God By fayth we subdue Satan By fayth do we ouercome the world To conclude by fayth all goodnesse chauÌ„se vnto vs and without fayth all euell thynges fall vpon vs. No meruiale for as Chrisostome sayth Fayth is the foundacioÌ„ of the moost holy religioÌ„ the bonde of charite the subsidie of loue This fayth confyrmeth holynes corrobâ—ratethe maketh stroÌ„g pure lyuyng garnissheth digâ—ities In chyldreÌ„ it shyneth in yonge men it storyssheth in olde meÌ„ it is a godly spectacle it confirmeth al kyndnes it exalteth degrees it kepeth all offices in the poore man it is pleasaunt in the meane man mery in the rytch honest Fayth preserueth frendeshyypes gathereth togyther assemblies reporteth euer wel it despyseth no man it contenmeth no man it fayle the no man excepte perchauÌ„se he fyrst fayleth her Faith vnderstandeth the commaundementes kepeth the preceptes fulfylleth promises Faith maketh vs acquainted with God constituteth vs freÌ„des with Christ. Thus haue I declared vnto you in
thyrste more but the water which is gyuen hym shall be made in hym a well of water spryngynge vp into euerlastynge lyfe THEO Uerye godlye forsothâ— Youre dysshes also wante not speche PHIL. They reherse y e sayenge of christ in y e gos of IohnÌ„ Verely verely I saye vnto you excepte ye eate the flesâ—he of y e sonne of maÌ„ drinke his bloude ye haue no lyfe in you But he that eateth my flesshe drinketh my bloud hath eternall lyfe I wyll rayse hym vp at the last day For my flesshe is very meat and my bloud very drynke he that eteth my flesshe drinketh my bloud he dwelleth in me and I in him This puttethe vs in remembraunce when we eate oure meate of the breakynge of Christes moost blessed body and the sheddiÌ„g of his moost precious bloud by the remembrauÌ„ce of it y e beleuyng of the same our soules at that very present are no lâ—sse fed susteyned than oure bodyes are wyth the meate y t is brought vnto vs in these dysshes And this remembraunce of christes death maketh vs to be thaÌ„kfull vnto God the father to endeuour oure selues to lyue worthy his inestimable kyndnes in all poyntes to do oure diligence y â— God maye dwel in vs by his spiryte we iÌ„ him thorowe that fayth which worketh by charite EVSE Here is euery â—hiÌ„ge so godly pleasant y t it ouercoÌ„mech al prayse But seynge y t we haue begun to demaund of you these questions coÌ„cerning y e scriptures in your house we wyll go forth so to do tâ—usting y â— ye would not be greued with vs for so doynge PHIL. Brother Eusebius I am not only not greued w t you but also very gladde that these my deuices haue in ony poynte pleased youre mynde EVSE I praye you what is it that your chayres stooles haue carued on theÌ„ PHIL. A sayenge of Christe in the Reuelacion of Iohn To him that ouercoÌ„meth wyl I grauÌ„te to syt w t me in my throne CHRI A very swete sayenge But what meane you by this PHIL. It it not â—nknowen to you I am sure howe confortable a thyng it is for a wery body to syt to haue a restyng place CHRI Trueth what than PHIL. Certes it is a thousand tymes more coÌ„fortable to haue a place wheâ— body and soule after so many great daungerous conflictes in this miserable worlde maye quietly reste Therfore haue I written this teâ—tâ— on my chayres stooles to putte me myne in remembrance that yf we wyl fynd rest after this life we must seriously not dally but fyght w t Satan our enemy We may neuer giue place to the world the dyuel nor the flesshe but maynly resyst theÌ„ beyng clothed w t the armature of God and neuer leaue vntyll we haue gotten the victory of them all So shall we rest in the kyngedome of God or els not For the Scripture sayeth To hiÌ„ y t ouercoÌ„meth wyl I grauÌ„t to syt w t me â— my throne THEO What scripture I praye you haue ye wrytten here ouer your lauer PHIL. The sayenge of Esaye Be ye wasshed be ye cleane take awaye the euell of your thoughtes from my eies Here so oft as we wasshe our handes we are moued to remeÌ„ber with oure selues yf ony malyce or hate be in our hertes towarde our neyghbour If ther be ony at all we suffer not the Sonne to fall downe vpoÌ„ our anger but accordynge to Christes precepte we go streyght and reconcyle our selues to such as with whoÌ„e we are at debate or they with vs. Moreouer yf there be ony other vncleanesse or notable vyce in vs we streight put it aware oute of our hertes by true vnfayned repentauÌ„ce not only banysshe the vice from vs but also embrace y e vertue contrarye vnto the vyce as the scripture sayeth Declyne from euell do good I gayne cease to do euâ—ll and learne to do good By this meanes hath synne no dominion in vs but vertue very muche EVSE I woulde wysshe soner to come into this house theÌ„ into any place eyther of Emperour or kynge I count him to dwell in a fortunate yle y t dwelleth in a house so adourned garnisshed with the moost odiferous redolent swete smellynge floures of the holy scriptures THEO It semeth vnto me also that youre vyrginalles speake although no man playeth on theÌ„ PHIL. They saye thus The eye hath not sene nor the eare hathe not hearde neyther hath it entred into the harte of man that God hath prepared for theÌ„ that loue hym It maketh that though the sound of y t instrument which is but vayne and fedeth y e eare for a lytle whyle semeth pleasaunte ioyefull to the hearers for the tyme yet is that nothyng in coÌ„parison of the celestiall melodye heauenly ioye that God hath prepared for theÌ„ that loue hym Therefore are we here admonysshed not to delyghte in fantasticall instrumentes the pleasure wher of is more vayne than the smoke but in that melodye ioye whiche is perpetuall neuer decayeth so to institute our lyfe y t we maye be partakers of that vnspekable pleasaunce ioye CHRI The longer I behold the partes of youre house the more I am moued to meruayle seyng so rare spectacles ful of all vertue godlynes Your postes also salute your gestes so farre as I can perceyue PHIL. They expresse this sentence of S. Paule the teÌ„ple of God is holy which you are This putteth vs in remeÌ„braunce in what sâ—euer parte of the house we go that we should so kepe oure hertes cleane from the infeccion of mortal synne that God in them by his holy spirite myght dwel perpetuaâ—ly EVSE I praye you what two great tables haue you hangynge there openly PHIL. This is the table of the. xâ—commaundementes which teachethe vs what we oughte to do what to erchew The other is a table also whiche contayneth in it the offyces of al degrees and estates It teacheth vs whatte we owe to oure mooste noble Prince to oure parentes to al superioures In this table euery man from the hyghest degre to the lowest may lerne his offyce duety Therfore are these two tables redde euery daye openlye in my house my wife chyldreÌ„ w t al my seruauntes beyng called therunto geuynge atteÌ„daÌ„ce diligently to the readyng of y e same If any of my houshold transgresse any percel of gods law he is brought streight waye to these tables and by them is his faut declared vnto hâ—m So that here by he taketh an occasion to amende his lyfe to be y e more circumspecte ware that he falleth not agayne into y t synne afterward This is y e order of my house Other correccion thaÌ„ this vse I none Yet not w tstandyng I thanke my LORD God all do theyr duety so well that I caÌ„ not wysshe it to be done better THEO
them w t gredy stomakes maye haue the more luste desyre to retourne to theÌ„ shortlye I praye you syt downe euery maÌ„ in a chayre Nowe wyll I serue you w t your fyrst dysshe coÌ„tayned in y e fyrstboke of Moses Fayle not you therfore to whette your stomakes gredely to deuour whatsoeuer I bring forth vnto you ¶ The fyrst dysshe CUrsed is y e erth in theyr worke It shall brynge forth vnto the thornes braÌ„bles THEO This is a disshe lytle pleasuÌ„t for the begynnynge of our bancket PHIL. Content youre selues it is necessary that this dysshe hath y â— fyrste place y t the other that follow may sauour y â— more deliciously to your mouthes The acrimony and tartenes oâ— this dysshe shall so pearce youre stomackes that it shall minister to you an appetyte lust to deuour y â— other y â— more gredely For I do not iÌ„ this behalfe followe the maner of SataÌ„ which promised fyrste to Eue swete delectable thynges afterwarde payed her w t thynges moost sower displeasaunt but rather of the Prophet Esay of IohnÌ„ Baptist which fyrst of all greuously rebuked y â— wicked in theyr sermons afterwarde coÌ„forted theÌ„ agayne moost swetelye Neyther differed Christ and his Apostles from this maner of preaching Takâ— therfore thys dysshe in good worth heare me now paciently Whan thorowe y â— suggestion of the olde wyly serpeÌ„t AdaÌ„ Eue had traÌ„gressed Gods coÌ„mauÌ„dement God accordynge to theyr desertes eâ—pulsed them out of Paradyse sente them into this vale of misery sayeng vnto Adam amonge all other thynges this aforesayd text Cursed is y e erth in thy worke It shall brynge for the vnto thornes brymbles Here do we learne y t for the synne of AdaÌ„ all the earth that is to say all the creatures are cursed made subiecte to vanite They nowe brynge forth no more goodly pleasauÌ„t fruytes but thornes breÌ„bles that is synne wickednes vice all other abhominacâ—on This one synne of our fyrst father AdaÌ„ hath condeÌ„ned vs all that euer haue ben borne syns or shall be here after EVSE Me thynketh that thoughe he offended yet his offence should not turne to our daÌ„nacion seynge we were not then borne PHIL. Yies in good fayth brother Eusebius For his synne was oure synne His daÌ„nacion was our damnacion His death was our deth I wyl read vnto you the mynde of the famous Doctour Origen concernyng this matter If Leuy sayeth he whiche was borne the fourth generacion after Abraham was than counted to be in the loynes of Abraham muche more all men that are borne or haue ben borne in this world were in the loynes of Adâ—m when he was yet in Paradise And all men w t hym in him were expulsed out of Paradise when he was put out from theÌ„ce by him death which came vnto him by the enterpretacion came also consequeÌ„tly vpon theÌ„ whom he had in his loynes PHIL. I praye you lette vs heare what the holye scriptures say in this behalfe THEO We reade in the fourth boke of Esâ—ras y â— third chap. on this wyse The fyrst Adam bearyng a wicked herte dyd synne was ouercome not onely be but al that were borne of hym Also Ose the Prophete sayeth They euen as Adam haue traÌ„sgressed the couenaÌ„t therin haue they synned agaynste me that is sayth S. Ierome vpon this texte in Paradyse all haue synned agaynste me eueÌ„ lyke vnto the synne of AdaÌ„ For it is no meruayle sayeth he yf that which went before in the father be also condemned in y â— chyldren But I wyl reherse to you more scriptures Of a woman came the begynnynge of synne sayeth the wyse man by her all wâ— dy Christ also sayeth y â— whych is borne of flesh is â—leshe Agayne how can ye speake good thynges â—hen ye youre selues are euell Also in an other place euery one that doth synne is y e seruauÌ„t of synne S. Paule also sayeth By one maÌ„ synne entred iÌ„to this world by synne death so went deth tho rowe all men in as muche as all we haue synned Agayne in AdaÌ„ all are dead In another place also he sayth all haue synned want the glory oâ— God Therfore Dauid coÌ„fesseth that he was begotteÌ„ in synne borne in synne And saynte Paule affyrmeth playnelye y t we are borne by nature the chyldren of wrath What saye ye nowe my frendes do ye not now at the laste perceyue that the synne of AdaÌ„ hath condemned vs all so y â— his synne is oure synne CHRI We perceyue it well beleue it also PHIL. I wyll reherse vnto you a sayeng of S. Bernarde In the faull of y e fyrst man sayeth he dyd we all faull We fell vpon an heape of stones in the myer so that we are not only inquinated spotted and defyled but also wouÌ„ded greuously shaken brused broken Agayne he sayeth Verely we are begotten in synful pleasure therfore although it be agaynst our wyll yet do we fele certayne vnlawfull beastlyke mocioÌ„s of concupiscences in our selues Hereto agreeth S. Austen sayenge marke brothers behold that mankynde came forthe from the fyrst death of the fyrst maÌ„ For sinne from the fyrst man entred into the worlde by synne death so went death thorowe all men Marke this word went thorow CoÌ„sither that ye haue herde loke what this is went thorowe It went thorow Hereby is y e yong chylde gilty Syn he hath not done but drawne For y t syn dyd not remayne in y e fouÌ„taine but went thorow not hiÌ„ or hiÌ„ but went thorow al meÌ„ The fyrst siner y t fyrst preuaricatour begat synners bonde to death Thus se you y t both the holy scriptures also y â— auÌ„cient Doctours do conclude that all we are daÌ„ned righteouslye for AdaÌ„s offence So that euery maÌ„ naturally as S. Iohn Chrisostome sayth is not only a synner but also euery whytte synne as the Apostle sayeth we were by nature y e soÌ„nes of wrath And this is it that God the father sayde to AdaÌ„ Cursed is the earth in thy worke as I rehersed to you before THEO Than haue we learned here that all we are cursed daÌ„ned in Adams worke that is for y e synne which he he coÌ„mytted in breakynge Gods moost holy coÌ„mauÌ„dementes PHIL. Ye saye trueth EVSE This is a thynge necessary to be knowen PHIL. Withoute y â— knowledge of our selues we caÌ„ neuer truly know god nor vnderstand his holy scriptures Therfore wyl I go foâ—th to minister vnto you the residue of youre fyrste dysshe It followeth It shall brynge forth vnto the thornes braÌ„bles I praye you what other thynge dothe your corrupte nature brynge forth vnto vs than thornes brambles y t is to saye synne wickednes vngodlynes all that euer is contrary to the wyll of God
this your thyrd seruyce that the onelye meanes to obtayne remission of oure synnes to be made heyres of eternall glorye is vnfaynedly to repent faythfullye to beleue that is to saye to forsake oure olde lyuynge to become newe men garnisshyng our lyues with al the fruites of the spiryte and to beleue earnestly that thorowe this repentaunce and fayth God wyll vndoubtedly for Iesus Christes sake for gyue vs all oure synnes receyue vs agayne into fauour make vs heyres of his eternall glory EVSE This is the moost pleasaunt dysshe that euer I tasted THEO These thiâ—ges that you haue spoken vnto vs are so confortable y e me thynke I am now enflamed more set on fyre thaÌ„ euer I was before CHRI As I maye vnâ—ainâ—dly reporte vnto you the affect of my herte verely synce that ye declared to vs the goodnes of God y e father toward vâ— thorow Iesus christ I haue felte in my herte such an earnest fayth burnyng loue towarde God and his worde that me thynke a thousande fyres coulde not plucke me away from the loue of hym I be gynne nowe vtterlye to contemne despyse reiecte cast awaye sette at nought al y e pleasures of this world â—herein I haue â—o greatlye reioyced in tymes past All the thretes of god all the displeasures of God al y e fyres paynes of hell coulde neuer before this daye so allure me to the loue of God as you haue nowe done by expressynge vnto me the excedyng mercye vnspeakable kyndeses of God towarde vs wretched synners insomuch that now from the very herte I desyre to knowe what I maye do that by some meanes I maye shewe agayne my herte to be full fyred on the sekynge of his glory For I nowe desyre nothyng more theÌ„ the auauÌ„ce meÌ„t of his name PHIL. It reioyceth me to heare these thynges of you Therfore nowe wyll I as due order requireth brynge forth your fourth yea last dyshe that ye may knowe what ye ought to do agayn toward God for his vnmesurable bountie infinite benefites toward you that yelyuynge in this worlde worthy of his kyndnes maye after this lyfe receyue the crowne of glorye THEO I praye you brynge it forth streyghte wayes for we much desyre to tast of it EVSE There is nothynge that I wysshe more than continually to be fedde with the meate of such an heaueÌ„ly bancket Therfore I praye you go forth to minister vnto vs the residue of oure mooste delicious feaste PHIL. Agreed but marke well for here it is ¶ The fourth dysshe WE are the workemanshyp of God created in christ Iesus vnto good workes whiche God hath prepared that we should walke in them This is y â— sayâ—nge of S. Paule whiche a lytle before this sentence in his Epistle to y e Ephe declareth as I haue hitherto taughte you that by nature we are the chyldreÌ„ of wrath are saued only by grace thorow fayth that not of our selues for it is y e gyfte of god commethe not of workes bycause no man shoulde boste hym selfe And whan he hath this done immediately he exorteth vs to good workes saienge that we are the workemanship of God created in Christ Iesu vnto good workes which God hath prepared y e we should walke in them Here maye ye learne what is your duety to do vnto God agayn seing that he frely thorowe sayth hath saued you withoute any merites deseruynges or good dedes on your behalfe Your duty is to lyue wel to practyse good workes to exercyse al godlye actes to lede a vertuous conuersacioÌ„ and in all your lyfe thorowe the study of innocency to seke the glory of God Now shall your coÌ„uersacion declare and shewe by externall workes whether your repentaunce be vnfayned or not whether your fayth loue towarde God be syncere true procedyng from a godly herte or not For yf your repentaunce faith loue be christian vnfayned than shal good workes ensue followe agreable to the same For faythe sayeth Chrisostome sheweth that whiche is true And out of syncer fayth coÌ„meth charite in so much that he whiche beleueth truly in God caÌ„ neuer be with out it S. Ambrose also sayth fayth is the mother brynger for the both of good wyll righteous workyng Agayne he sayeth A new creature hath this property by grace y e they which are the workemanshyp of god which are made in Christ by an heauenly natiuite be no more sluggysh nother gyueÌ„ to lyue dissolutely but they go forth profyte from vertue to vertue in walkynge by the waye of good workes Also iÌ„ another place he sayeth God gyueth to theÌ„ whom he choseth without merites whereof they maye be garnysshed with merites also And it is not truely sayde that the entent and determinacion of wel workyng is not in the electe For the gyftes of vertues caÌ„ not beydle Thus se you that lynysh fayth whereby ye are ingrassed in Christe brynge the forth good workes Neyther is true repentaÌ„ce syncer faith vnfayned loue in you yf good christen workes do not followe your conuersion Yea they that bost of fayth and brynge not forth the workes of fayth derogate muche the glorye of fayth cause the true and christian fayth to be slaundered yll reported amonge theÌ„ which neuer tasted nor yet at ony tyme in theyr hertes felte what a precious thyng and of howe great strength effycacy power the syncere faythe is Therfore yf youre fayth be not accoÌ„panied wyth good workes youre fayth is dead as S. Ia. fayeth y â— is to saye it is a true christen fayth no more than a deade corse is a man For that faith which is approued before God worketh by charite charite caÌ„ not be ydle but brasteth out into good workes whâ— so euer it seeth an occasioÌ„ gyueÌ„ who can loue his neighbour suffer him to perysshe for want of his helpe Therfore is a faythfull man compared in y â— first Psalme to a tree which is planted by the waters syde bringeth forth her fruytes in due tyme. I am the true vyne sayeth Christ ye are the braunches He that abydeth in me I in hiÌ„ â—â—yngeth forth much fruyte Agayne he sayeth He that beleueth iÌ„ me floudes of lyuish water should flowe out of his belly Here se you that he which dwelleth iÌ„ Christ by fayth beleueth in hiÌ„ briÌ„geth for the plenty of good workes He therfore that is an vnâ—ruytfull tree briÌ„geth forth no good fruite surelye he beleuethe not arighte in Christ neyther hath he the Christen faythe boste and crake he neuer so much of it EVSE Methinke than by your wordes y â— good workes necessarely follow the christen fayth PHIL. Yea euen as necessarelye as the shadow followeth the body death the lyfe THEO They than whiche lyue dissolute withoute doyng of good workes haue not the christen