hath my commaundementes sayth Christ and kepeth them he it is that louethe me If ony man loueth me he wyl kepe my worde and my father shall loue hym we wyll come vnto hym dwell wyth hym He that louethe not me kepeth not my wordes Here Christ measureth our loue that we heare toward him by kepyng his word If we kepe his worde than loue we hym but if we kepe it not than loue we hym nothynge at all Agen he saythe I am the vyne and ye are the braunches He that abydeth in me I in hym bryngeth forth much frute Let vs not flatter our selues If we aâ—yde in Christ we brynge forthe muche frute If we brynge forth no frute than abyde we not in Christ. If we abyde not in christ thaÌ„ are we none of christes So followeth it that as withered braunches we shall be gathered and cast into the fyre ther burne for euer S. Paule sayth â–ª not they which heare the lawe are righteous before God but they that expresse the lawe in dedes shall be coâ—ted righteous Although no man be able so longe as he lyuethe in thys worlde to fulfyl the law so thorowly as the purite therof requirethe â–ª yet is it our offyce to laboure vnto the vttermoost of our power to fulfyll the lawe and where we perceaue that we are not able to bring to passe w t so great clennes of hartâ— that which the spirite of the law requireth to bewayle our weakenes â–ª to desyre strengthe to praye vnto God that Christ whiche is the ende and perfecte fulfyllyng of the law maye supply that which wantethe in vs. Agayne he saythe we are buryed wythe hym by Baptisme into death that as Christ is rysen agâ—â—n from death thorow the glory of the father so we shulde walke in a newe lyfe And a litle after recount your selues to be dead vnto sinne but liuing vnto God thorow Iesus christ our Lorde Therfore let not synne raygne in youre mortall bodye for to obey it thorow the lustes therof Neyther gyue ye your members as instrumeÌ„tes of vnrighteousnes vnto synne but gyue your selfes vnto God as they that are alyue from death and gyue youre members as instrumentes of ryghteousnes vnto God Agayne in that same chapter as ye haue gyueÌ„ your members seruauntes to vncleannes to iniquite euen from one iniquite vnto another so now gyue your meÌ„bers seruauÌ„tes vnto righteousnes that ye maye be sanctifyed All these sentences declare vnto vs howe pure innocent and fautles our lyuynge oughte to be If it be the contrary our professioÌ„ profyteth vs nothyng at al. In another place also he sayth If ony man be in Christ he is a new creature that is to say wholly changed froÌ„ his olde maÌ„ners vnto newe He hath no more fellowshyp wythe the vnfruteful workes of darkenes but so composeth appoynteth his lyuyng that he maye appeare to be the lyght of the world Agayne they that are of Christ haue crucifyed y e flesh with the affectes lustes therof If we lyue in the spirite lette vs walk in the spirite For the flesh lustethe agaynst the spirite the spirite agaynst the flesh All they therefore which lyue accordynge to y e appetyte luste and desyre of the fleshe pertayne not vnto Christ. We are y e workemanshyppe of God created in Christe Iesus vnto good worckes whiche God hath prepared that we shulde walke in them Beholde God is oute maker we be made a newe in Christ Iesus vnto good workes So many therfore as apply not theÌ„ selues to do good workes are not engraffed in Christ but remayne styll members of Satan Item I being presoner exhorte you in the Lorde that ye walke worthy your callyng wherin ye are called with all lowlynes mekenes w t softenes of mynd sufferynge one another by charite studyeng to kepe the vnite of y e spirite thorow the bond of peace Here se we with what vertues we ought to garnyshe oure lyfe that we maye walke worthy oure vocacion callyng Howe farre than are they out of the waye whiche defyle them selues wyth all kynde of abhominable vice Be ye sayth S. Paule the followers of God as well beloued chyldren walke in loue as Christ hath loued vs. If it be our duty to â—e the followers of God so must we practise his goodnes follow his innocency purite so muche as lyghethe in our power or els we are not y e soÌ„nes of God Our celestial father is pure holy shal we his chyldreÌ„ be prophane vnholy Our heuily father is good godly mercyful pacieÌ„t al spirite shal we hys soÌ„nes be euel wycked rigoroê° impacieÌ„t al flesh Be ye holy sayth he for I am holy Ye shall be perfecte sayth Christ as your heauenly father is perfecte Moreouer S. Paule wrytethe Be ye pure and suche as no man can be offended wyth you agaynst the day of Christ fylled full of the fruyte of ryghteousnes which chaunseth thorowe Iesus Christ vnto the glory prayse of God Agayne do all thynges without grutchynge and disputacion beyng such that no man can complayne of you and pure the sonnes of God fautles in the myddes of a frowarde and crokedde nacion amonge whome shyne ye as lyghtes in the worlde holdyng fast the word of lyfe It is not without a cause y t your newe yeres gyfte teacheth vs to be earnest folowers of good workes seynge that so great purite and cleÌ„nes of lyfe is required of vs. â—o worthe those fylthye swyne whiche walowe and tomble them selues in all kynde of fleshly vnclennes vnto the great slaunder of Christes Gospell IteÌ„ Mortify your earthly meÌ„bers whoredome vncleannes couetousnes c. For god hath not called vs vnto vnclennes but vnto sanctificacioÌ„ All ye are the soÌ„nes of lyght sayth he and the sonnes of the day we are not of the nyghte nor yet of darkenes Therfore let vs not slepe as other do but lette vs watch and be sober Seyng y t we are no more y e worldes seyng also we haue gyuen ouer Satan and the fleshe wyth all theyr workes pompes plesures it becommeth vs so to walke in al our lyfe conuersacion that we be not found lyke Satans seruauÌ„tes nor the volupteous worlde lynges nor yet ony suche as lyue 〈◊〉 the flesh and not after the spirite but pure clene honest fauteles godly and as I maye so speake euen lyke another christ S. Peter also sayth giue not your selfes to your olde lustes wher wyth ye were ledde whan ye knewe not Christ but as he that called you is holy so be ye also holy iÌ„ al your coÌ„uersacion for it is wrytten be ye holy for I am holy Here are we taught to forsake our olde synfull lyuynge and to fashon our selues lyke vnto the manners of God which is holy righteous perfecte abundantly good in all thynges Furthermore saynt IohnÌ„
Mary Peter Iames Michael FrauÌ„ces Dominicke AusteÌ„ or ony other He shal both saâ—e and lede his people wythâ— hym into eternall glorye For as hâ— shall saye to the wycked Departe go awaye froÌ„ me ye cursed into euer lastynge fyre which is prepared foâ— the dyuell his aungels so shall he faye to his faythful people Come yâ— blyssed chyldren of my father inherite the kyngdome which was prepared for you from the begynnynge of the worlde O swete sayeng more full of ioye conforte than it can be expressed Chri. Lorde I beseche the for thy great mercyes so to assyst vs with thy holy spirite that we maye so walke before the in this lyfe accorâ—dynge to thy moost holy worde y t wâ— may be found in y e noÌ„ber at that day of thy blyssed chyldren to whome â— of thy fre grace shalte gyue y e moost glorious inheritaunce Phil. Your deâ—syre is godly Ye shall heare more of your new yeares gyfte for it begynnethe to drawe vnto an ende Euse. I praye you lette vs heare Phile. whyche gaue hymselfe for vs to redeme vs from all vnrighteousnes That there can be no sauyour for vs but christ alone these word is proue manifestly for asmuch as none other but he only gaue him selfe for vs to redeme vs from al vnrighteousnes Was Paule crucifyed for vs Or were we baptised in y e name of Paule What saynt at ony tyme thought hymselfe so pure immaculate and wythout all spotte of synne that he durst presume to dye for vs to auouche hys death to be an oblacion sacrifyce for oure synnes to god the father excepte peraduenture we wyll admytte for good payment these suche lyke blasphemies which were wonte full solemly to be songe in the temples vnto y e great ignominy of y e glorious name of God the dishonoure of Christes moost precious bloud Iesu bone per Thomae merita nostra nobis dimitte debita Eta trina morte nos suscita Agen Iesu bone per Thomae uulnera quae nos ligant relaxas celera Item Thomae cedunt parent omnia Pestes morbi mors demonia Ignis aer tellus maria Thomas munduÌ„ repleuit gloria MuÌ„dat lepra conspersos maculis soluit mortis ligatos uinculis I let passe many mo whiche are very easye to be searched founde oute What are if these be not blasphemies What obscure the price of Christes death if these wycked senteÌ„ces do not Ah Lord what blyndenes occupyed the world whaÌ„ suche wycked doctrine crept in and was receaued into the chyrche and made in a manner of equall authorite wyth the holy scripture Oh Satan great is thy crafte vnsearcheable is the suttelty of thy wicked imaginacions Chri. Here are some of vs whyche vnderstande not the Latin tonge Englyshe therfore the aforesayd sentences Phil. I wyl do it in order O good Iesu forgyue vs oure dettes thorowe the merites of Thomas And reyse vs vp from the thre folde death O good Iesu release vs of our synnes whiche bynde vs thorowe Thomas woundes All thynges gyue place and obeye Thomas Pestilences diseses death dyuels Fyre ayre earth the sees Thomas fylled the world full of glory He maketh clene lepers He losoneth them that are bounde from the bondes of death Howe saye ye to thys geare Is it not good stuffe Euse. Let God be but a lytle mercifull vnto me yf I haue ether heard or read more pestilent abhominable blasphemies thaÌ„ these are Is this ony other thaÌ„ as Lucifer sayd I wyll clyme vp in to heuen make my seat aboue the starres of God I wyll sytte vpon y e glorious mount toward the North. I wyl clyme vp aboue the clowdes and wyll be lyke the hygheste of all Is not this the office of God to forgyue vs oure dettes for the merites of Christ Doth it not pertayne vnto God to reyse vs vp from deathe Are not our sinnes only released for Christes woundes sake Is not all power gyuen vnto Christ both in heuen and in earthe Are not all thynges in the hande of God to do withe them what so euer hys moost godly plesure shal be Is it not God alone that losoneth the synfull from y e bondes of deathe Howe than can these thynges be iustly ascribed to a mortall creature begotten conceaued borne in synne yea as some iudge of him Tratour both to God and his Prynce Is a synner fyt to pay a synners rauÌ„some Is a Traytouâ— a conuenient parson to make meaÌ„s for another Traytour vnto a kyng whome both of them haue offended What Prynce can awaye with the syght of theÌ„ Phil. Ye say trueth It therfore foloweth wel y t nether Thomas Fraunces Dominicke AusteÌ„ nor any other creature nether in heuen nor in earth were they neuer so holy suffered they neuer so greate paynes could be our sauiour but christ alone y e pure iÌ„maculate laÌ„be of God which gaue himselfe for vs as your newe yeares gyfte sayth to redeme vs from al vnrighteousnes Marcke that he saythe whych gaue hym selfe for vs. These wordes expresse the vnspeakeble kyndenes of Christ towarde vs seynge that whan we had deserued no suche gentylnes he was contented to come downe from the glorye of his father and to become man for oure sake yea to gyue hymselfe vnto the deathe to reconcyle vs vnto God the father and to make an attonement betwene hiÌ„ vs. He gaue hym selfe for vs. He suffered deathe wyllyngly It was not the violence of the Iewes that drewe hym vnto his passion but hys owne voluÌ„tary wyll The seruent brennyng loue that he had in hys brest toward maÌ„kynde caused hym to take the death vpon hym and to suffer those moost cruell paynes So that he dydde all thinges wyllyngly as the Prophet sayth He was offred because it was his pleasure and he dyd not once opeÌ„ his mouth Christ hiÌ„selfe also sayth Therfore doth my father loue me bâ—cause I put my lyfe from me that I myght take it agayne No man takethe it from me but I putte it awaye of my selfe I haue power to put it from me and haue power to take it agayne Thus se we y t Christ wythoute ony compulsion suffered death for our sake He gaue himselfe and no Aungell nor ony other creature nether in heauen nor in earth for vs for vs I saye men although neuer so greuous synners if we repent beleue amende O moost precious incomparable gyâ—te There is one god sayth S. Paule and one attonement maker of God and meÌ„ euen the man Christ Iesus whyche gaue hymselfe a rauÌ„some for all meÌ„ Christ gaue hiÌ„selfe for vs. wherfore To redeme vs froÌ„ all vnrighteousnes Theo. What is it to redeme vs Phile. To redeme vs is to bye vs agayne whaÌ„ we are loste to pay our raunsome to satisfy for our syn to delyuer vs oute of captiuite to brynge vs home agayne to our
looke vpon the holye scriptures w t what spirite do they searche the misteries of God Let vs heare what y e Psalmograph sayth Prayse ye the lorde O my soule and all that is wythin me prayse his holy name Prayse y e Lorde O my soule and forget not al his benefites Whiche forgyueth all thy synnes and healeth all thyne infirmites Which saueth thy lyfe froÌ„ destruccion crowneth the in mercy and louing kyndnes Dauid here bosteth not hym selfe of his good dedes nether cleueth he vnto them as the Authors of his saluacioÌ„ but he falleth vnto the prayse of the Lorde magnifieth hym for his benefites confessyng y t what so euer he hathe beynge ether good or godly coÌ„meth of God and not of hym selfe therfore is he worthy all prayse honour glory He acknowlegeth that god forgyueth hym all his synnes healeth al his infirmities Where is ony excepcion here I pray you God forgyueth all what remayneth thaÌ„ behynde to be forgyuen Is originall synne only nowe forgyuen thorowe Christ Moreouer he saythe y t God saueth his lyfe from destruccioÌ„ and crowneth him in mercy and louyng kindnes Are not these wordes playne ynough He graunteth y t god preserueth hiÌ„ froÌ„ daÌ„pnacioÌ„ agen y t God crowneth hiÌ„ y t is to say giueth hym eternall glory euen of his owne free mercye and tender goodnes What woulde we haue more God forgyueth vs all oure synnes healeth all our infirmities saueth our lyfe froÌ„ destruccion crowneth vs in marcye and louyng kyndenes what can he do more to shew himselfe a sauiour and that there is none that sauethe from synnes be they originall actuall veniall or mortall but he alone Theo. He is twyse vnkynde to God his sonne Christ that can not broke these thynges Phil. Ye saye trueth but let vs come vnto y e newe Testament Whan Gabriel came vnto the moost blyssed virgine Mary shewed her that she should coÌ„ceaue thorowe the operacion of y e holy Ghost and bryng forth Christ y e true Messias and annoynted kynge whyche was so longe looked for amonge all other thynges he sayd to Ioseph aâ—â—ter that Mary was perceaued to be with chyld he mynded to go from her priuely Ioseph the sonne of Daâ—uid feare not to take mary thy wife vnto the for that which is coÌ„ceaued in her commeth of the holy Ghoste She shall bryng forthe a sonne and thou shalte call his name IESVS For he shall saue hys people from theyr synnes Here are two notable thynges to be marked One is that christ is called IESVS whych as ye heard before is by interpretacion a sauiour Another is y t it is he y t saueth his people froÌ„ theyr synnes Hys name declareth hym manifestly to be a sauiour And because no man shoulde thyncke that Christ is called a sauiour only bycause he saueth vs from the daunger of the originall synne therfore the Aungell speakethe here in the plurell noÌ„ber and sayth that he shall saue hys people from theyr synnes and not froÌ„ theyr synne originall alone If Christ saueth vs froÌ„ synnes ergo he sauethe vs from mo synnes than one S IohnÌ„ Baptiste also appoyntynge Christ wythe hys â—ynger sayd Beholde that lambe of God whych taketh away the synne of y e worlde Chri. This texte among other haue I hearde rehearsed for y e establyshmeÌ„t of this opinion y t christ redemed vs only from originall syn Phil. There is no texte that makethe more agaynst it But we wyll ponder euery worde of this sentence Fyrst s. IohnÌ„ sayth Beholde wherby he declareth that he wyll shewe a newe straung wonderfull thyng Was not this a thyng both strauÌ„ge and to be woÌ„dered at to se one in so vile fashoÌ„ so beggerly apparelled so of no substaunce hauynge so slender a garde to wayte vpon hym and so lytle worshyp honour and reuereÌ„ce shewed vnto hym to be the sauiour of the world very him that shulde reygne ouer all nacions and kyngedoms This was a straunge thyâ—g to the grosse Iewes and fyâ—e Pharisees which thought that he â—â—â—ulde come into the worlde w t great poÌ„pe glory subduynge other nacioÌ„s to them by martiall armoures euen by strong hande and myghty power whan not withstandynge the scripture saythe Tell ye the doughter of SyoÌ„ beholde thy kynge cometh vnto the meke sytting on an asse c. Therfore I thynke S. IohnÌ„ might saye vnto them Beholde twyse or they woulde harken vnto hym once in suche a case or at the leest beleue hym But let vs se what S. IohnÌ„ enteÌ„deth to shew vs. Beholde sayth he that lambe of God By these wordes y e lambe of God he setteth forth very muche the dignite of Christ shewethe that there is a speciall respecte to be had vnto hym and that we ought to cast our eyes vpon him as our alone sauyour vpon none other For he is that lambe of God whiche was prefigured by the Paschal laÌ„be w t whose bloud they y t are sprynkeled are safe wtout al ieoperdy of sleyng The other lambe was taken out of the flock but thys lambe is the lambe of God gyuen vs of god to be a sacrifyce for our synnes to be oure wisdome ryghteousnes sanctificacion redeÌ„pcion It followeth whiche taketh awaye the syn of the worlde Christ is that lambe of God whych taketh away y e synne of the worlde The bloude of Christ maketh vs clene from all synne By the offerynge vp of the bodye of Iesus Christ done once for all are we sanctifyed made holy But note y t S. IohnÌ„ sayth which taketh away He vsethe here the presente tence and not the preter nor yette the future whiche he declarethe that the vertue of Christes deathe abydethe euery one and that it is of asmuche strength now as euer it was that by it our synnes are dayly forgyueÌ„ no lesse than they were at the verye hour of hys death whaÌ„ our rauÌ„some was payd For his bloud cryeth not for veÌ„geauÌ„ce as the bloud of Abell but for grace mercy fauoure and y e dignite of it is so great that it is neuer sayd naye but obtayneth what so euer it askethe so that as s. IohnÌ„ sayth Christ that pure and immaculate lambe of God doth styll dayly continually take awaye What verely the synne of the worlde Now if Christ taketh awaye synne dayely coÌ„tinually so foloweth it well that he taketh awaye mo synnes thaÌ„ the originall synne Chri They that alleadge thys sentence for theyr purpose stycke verye muche to this y t S. IohnÌ„ namethe the synne of the worlde and not synnes so that he semeth to speke of one syn only which saye they is originall syn And thus do they conclude that Christ taketh awaye only the synne originall Phil. A wyse conclusion a praty They coÌ„clude before they haue made their argument aryghte That S. IohnÌ„ saythe synne hynderethe nothynge oure purpose if it
maner I am I am the Lorde there is no sauiour besides me Agayne in thaâ— same chapter I am I am he which putteth away thyne iniquities yea that for myne owne sake wyll remember theÌ„ no more Put me in remembraunce let vs be iudged togyther Tell me if thou haste anye thynge whereby thou mayeste be iustified Thy fyrst father synned and thy Prophettes haue trespassed agenst me Also in another place Am not I the Lord Is there any other God besydes me A righteous God such one as saueth there is none but I alone Tourne vnto me and ye shall be safe o all ye coastes of the earth for I am God there is none other Once agayne by y e same Prophet he saythe I alone haue troden downe the wyne presse there was none at all that dyd healpe me Are not al these scriptures playn inugh to declare that Christ is the sauiour that there is no saluacion but by easeth refreshethe conforteth the conforteles Christ the sonne of man came to seke saue that which was lost Ergo what so euer is lost saued agen is saued by Christ. Christ is that true light which lighteneth euery man that commeth into this worlde Ergo they that are not lightened by Christ remayne styl in darkenes Christ gaue to so many as receaued hym power to be made the sonnes of God because they beleued in his name Ergo they that receiue not him to be theyr sauiour and beleue that theyr synnes are only put awaye by his name are not the sonnes of God Christ is that lambe 〈◊〉 God that taketh away the fynne 〈◊〉 the world Ergo there is none otheâ— sacrifyce for synne but Christ alone No man goeth vp into heauen but he that came downe from heauen y e sonne of man whiche is in heauen Ergo so many as go vp into heuen go vp onely by Christ. He that beleueth in the sonne hath euerlastyng life But he that beleueth not in the sonne shall not se lyfe but y e wrathe of GOD abydeth vpon hym Ergo they alone shall be saued whiche w t a stronge faythe beleue Christ to be theyr Sauioure Euery one saythe Christ that drynketh of the water that I gyue hym shall neuermore thyrst Ergo Christ is a sufficient sauiour for so many as repent and beleue Christ is that lyuynge bread which came downe from heauen yf ony maÌ„ eateth of that bread he shal lyue for euermore Ergo he that tasteth Christ aryght nede the none other sauiour to gyue hiÌ„ euerlastyng lyfe Christ is that good shepeherde whiche gyueth his lyfe for his shepe Ergo so many as are saued are saued by Christes death Christ is the resurreccion lyfe Ergo by him wâ— ryse out of syn obtayne lyfâ— eternall Christ is the waye trueth and lyfe No man commeth to the father but by him Ergo by christ alone we ascende go vp vnto the presence of the father Without christ we caÌ„ do nothing Ergo wtout him we caÌ„ not be saued Christ is the vine He y t abideth in him bryngeth forthe muche frute Ergo he y t casteth away christ seketh ony other sauyour is y e tre which briÌ„geth forth no frute therfore shall he be heweÌ„ downe cast in to y e fyre Christ dyed for our synnes rose agen for our iustificacion 〈◊〉 go by christes deth are we 〈◊〉 froÌ„ our sinnes by his resurreâ—cioâ— iustified made righteous We beyng iustified by fayth haue peace toward god thorowe our Lord â—â—â—us christ Ergo christ it is which mâ—keth y e attonemeÌ„t betwene god y e 〈◊〉 vs. By the synne of AdaÌ„ alone came daÌ„nacioÌ„ on all meÌ„ eueÌ„ so by y e righteousnes of christ alone came y e iustificacioÌ„ of lyfe vpoÌ„ all meÌ„ Ergo as we were daÌ„ned by the syn of AdaÌ„ alone so are we saued iustified preserued vnto euerlastyng life by y e righteousnes of christ alone Euerlasting lyfe is the gyft of god thorowe christ Iesus our Lord. Ergo so many as obtayne euerlasting lyfe cometh vnto it by y e fre gyft of god yea y t for our Lord Iesus Christes sake Christ is appoynted of god to be our wysdom righteousnes saÌ„ctificacioÌ„ redeÌ„cioÌ„ Ergo by Christ are we made wyse ryghteous holy the chyldreÌ„ of redeÌ„cioÌ„ We are washed we are saÌ„ctifyed yea we are made ryghteous thorow the name of y e Lord Iesus the spirite of our God Ergo by christes name and the spirite of God are we made pure holy righteous Christ whiche knowe no synne became syn for oure sake that is to saye a sacrifyce for our synnes Ergo those synnes that are putte awaye are putte awaye by y e sacrifyce of christ Christ whan he was ritche became pooore for our sake that by his pouertie he should make vs ritch Ergo so many as be made ritche are enrytched by christ If righteousnes cometh by y e lawe than dyed christ in vayne Ergo they that are made rygheteous are made righteous by the death of christ And who so euer seketh to be iustified by ony other meanes than by the deth of christ he goeth about to make christes deth of none effect and so is he a playne Antechrist By christ we haue redempcion by his bloude remission of synnes Ergo by christ is our raunsome payd and by his bloud are oure synnes forgyuen vs. Christ is our peace Ergo by him haue we tranquilite quietnes and rest in our coÌ„scieÌ„ces By christ haue we free entraunce vnto the father Ergo so many as come vnto the father come by Christ. Christ is gone vp on high and hath led away captiuite captiue and hath giuen gyftes vnto men Ergo he it is that giueth remission of synnes Christ loued vs and gaue hymselfe for vs to God an offeryng swete smellynge sacrifyce Ergo for this swete odoriferous sacrifice of christ God the father pardoneth our siÌ„nes Christ is the head of the body of the congregacioÌ„ Ergo he it is that saueth his members It hath plesed the father that in christ al fulnes shuld dwel that by him all thynges should be reconcyled vnto hiÌ„selfe whyther they be thynges vpon earth or in heaueÌ„ y t thorowe the bloud of his crosse he myght make peace euen thorow his owne selfe Ergo all they y t are reconcyled set at one w t God the father haue obtayned thys by y e bloude of christ This is a true sayeng by al means worthy y t we should embrace it y t Christ Iesus came into y e world to saue synners Ergo Christe it is y t saueth sinners Ther is one God one attonemeÌ„t maker betwene god men euen the man Christ Iesus whyche gaue hym selfe a raunsome for all meÌ„ Ergo as
there is but one God so is there but one attonemeÌ„t maker and this is Iesus Christ by whoÌ„e alone we are redemed We are saÌ„ctifyed by y e oblacioÌ„ of y e bodye oâ— Iesê° christ done once for al. Wyt one oblacion hath christ made ther perfecte for euermore that are sanctifyed Ergo so many as are made holye haue obtayned that holynes only by the sacrifyce of christ which he once for all offered on the Aâ—tare of the crosse so coÌ„sumate perfecte that ther remayneth none other sacrifyce for syn We are not redemed from our vayne coÌ„uersacion whiche we receaued thorow the tradicioÌ„ of the fathers with corruptible syluer golde but with the precious bloud of christ as of an innocent vndefyled laÌ„be Ergo by christes bloud are we redemed from all vayne thinges wherwith before we were entaÌ„gled The bloude of Iesus christ makethe vs clene from all syn Ergo by christes bloud are we made clene purified froÌ„ al our sinnes If ony maÌ„ sinneth we haue an aduocate w t the father Iesê° christe y e righteous one â—e it is that obtaineth merci for our synnes not for our synnes only but also for al y e worldes Ergo so oft as we sinne by our aduocate christ are our synnes put awaye There is saluacion in none other but in Christ. Nether is there ony other name giuen vnto men vnder heuen wherin they must be saued but only y e name of christ Iesus Ergo who so euer is saued receaueth his saluacion onely by the name of christ our Lorde As I maye tary no longer aboute this matter al y e Prophettes saith saint Peter beare wytnes of christ that thorowe his name euery one y t beleueth in hym shall receaue the remission of synnes If all the Prophetes beare wytnesse of this thynge who dare be bolde once to opeÌ„ his mouth to speake agaynst it except he be at defyaunce open warre wyth God his sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde sauioure But withe suche I loue not to meddle God blysse me from them Do ye not perceaue nowe y t thys gyfte of God the father whiche he hath frely gyueÌ„ you I meane christ is thalone sauiour and that ther is no helth saluacion conforte and remission of siÌ„nes to be looked for but onely at his hande Euse. We were to much blynd yf we dyd not perceaue it ye haue made the matter so open w t playne euident scriptures Chri. O Lord what blyndnes was ther iÌ„ the world whan some dyd put theyr hope of saluacioÌ„ in stockes stones olde rotten bones in gaddynge of pylgrymage in gyldyng of Images in sayntes reliques hallowed stickes popysh pardons in other mennes workes in fansyes inuented of men c. Yea there haue not wanted whiche sought saluacion in a Graye â—ryers cowle trustynge assuredly y t yf they were buryed in y t they could by no meaÌ„s be damned Phil. Al these were greatly deceaued But that ye maye knowe that there can be no sauiour but this gyfte of God Christ alone marke a fewe wordes that I shall nowe saye vnto you Fyrst he y t shall be a sauioure saue men from theyr synnes muste be withoute all synne hym selfe Secondly he must be both God maÌ„ Thyrdly he must by his innocency delyuer vs from y e cursse of the law yea and fulfyll the lawe for vs that the aduersary may laye nothyng agaynst vs. Fourthly he must by his puyssaunce power vanquysh subdue all the power of Satan Fyftly he must slaye death y t it may haue no more power ouer y e faythfull Syxtly it must be in his power to gyue vnto hys people the holy Ghost to gouern kepe them iÌ„ a ryght trade of lyuyng To coÌ„cludâ— he must be suche one that whaÌ„ they that beleue in hym do offende prouoke the heauenly father vnto anger he maye at all tymes he both redy able to make an attonement betwene God and the offenders If ye can fynde ony suche as I haue here described besydes Christ wel I wil thaÌ„ also grauÌ„t y t he is a sauiour Untyll that tyme wyll I say with all the Prophettes Apostles our Doctor Paule that this gyfte of God christ Iesus is thalone sauiour bryngeth helth that there is no saluacion to be gotten but only thorow hiÌ„ Theo. This thyng is now more manifest then it may be doubted of or called into questioÌ„ Phil. It followeth in your new yeares gyft To all men Note that he saythe not to the wycked damned spirites which shall neuer recouer theyr health saluacion what so euer the Origenistes tryfle in thys behalfe but to al men yea and that those only which repent beleue and leade a good lyfe For to wycked meÌ„ and vngodly persons is christ no sauioure excepte they repeÌ„t beleue amend It is not to be passed ouer lyghtly y t the scriptures spekethe generally and vniuersally wtout ony excepcioÌ„ To all men Christ bryngeth saluacion to all menne These wordes proue manifestly that as christ is a sauiour so are all men synners and agayne that there is no man but y e receaueth saluacion of christ if he be saued Where are they nowe y t wyll iustify them selues and sel theyr merites and good dedes to other The scriptures sayth we be all synners There is no differeÌ„ce sayth s. Paule All haue synned wante the gloryâ— of God What is this sayth S. Austen and want the glory of God but the grace of God the father by Iesus christ which is the glory of God the father And what meaneth this they wante or haue nede sayth he but that no maÌ„ of himselfe because he is borne carnally is able to recouer the lyfe lost no though he bryngeth the workes of merites excepte he be spiritually borne a new by our Lorde Iesus christ whiche came w t the vndetted mercy of the father of his owne and of the holy ghost to saue seake that whiche was loste What was lost Unreasonable beastes Hathe God also care for oxen Uerely mankynde was lost thorow synne in consideracioÌ„ wherof christ beynge wythout spotte euen of hys owne fre wyll gyuyng hym selfe to the death rysyng agayne hath redemed man from synne death eueÌ„ly the largenes of fre grace These are the wordes of S. Austen which â—hewe euidently what we are of our selues and what by Christ â–ª But let vs heare mo scriptures Euery maÌ„ is a lyare God alone is true The scripture hath coÌ„cluded all thinges vnder sin y t y e promyse by y e faithe of Iesê° christ shuld be gyueÌ„ to y e faythful God hath comprehended all meÌ„ vnder incredulite vnfaythfulnes that he myght haue mercy on al meÌ„ Here se we that all men were found synners vnfaythfull that they are saued only by the great mercies of God All our righteousnesses are
true owner to restore vs to our old liberte to set vs agayne in that fauour wherin we were with God y e father before we offended All this hathe Christ and none other done for vs by hys mooste precious bloude the sheddynge of hys bloude was the perfecte and wholly sufficient raunsome for al our synnes as S. IohnÌ„ saythe The bloude of Iesus Christ maketh vs clene from all synne By hys owne bloud sayth S. Paule entred Christ once for all into the holy place and found euerlastyng redemcion Agayne we are made holy by y e oblacion of the body of Iesus christ done once for all IteÌ„ by christ haue we redeÌ„cion by his bloud remissioÌ„ forgyuenes of our synnes By the bloude of Christes crosse are all thinges pacifyed set at a staye y t ether be in earth or in heauen Chri. Hathe Christ by hys bloud redemed vs froÌ„ all vnryghteousnes Phil. Yea verely Chri. Let me aske you one question what do ye vnderstand by vnrighteousnes Phil. Unrighteusnes is here taken for synne and for all that we offende God wt. From all this hathe Christ redemed vs. Chri. I haue herd some saye that Christ only redemed vs froÌ„ originall synne that as for all other synnes we must make ameÌ„des â—atisfy for them our selues by our owne workes and merites Phil. This is not farre froÌ„ theyr opinion which holde that there is no remission of those synnes that be committed after baptisme But as that is an heresy so is this no godly doctrine Of the remissioÌ„ of synne after baptisme we talked the last Lent abundaÌ„tly in our PotacioÌ„ therfore leauyng that I wyll shewe proue nowe vnto you that Christ hath redemed vs from all vnrighteousnes as your new yeres gyfte sayth and that by his bloud we are delyuered not onely from originall synne but also actual veneall mortall call theÌ„ by what name ye wyll so that they which offende repent beleue take a newe lyfe vpoÌ„ them Only y e synne agaynst the holy Ghost which hath desperacioÌ„ obstinate malyce to her coÌ„pagnions is irremissible neuer forgyueÌ„ for asmuch as it excludeth repentance fayth amendement of lyfe as Christ witnessethe Euerye sinne blasphemy shall be forgyuen men but the blasphemy agaynst the holy Ghost shall not be forgyuen vnto men And who so euer shall speke a worde agaynst the sonne of man it shall be forgyuen hym But he y t speaketh agaynst the holy Ghoste it shal not be forgyuen hym nether in this worlde nor in y e world to come AgeÌ„ Al sinnes shal be forgyueÌ„ to meÌ„nes chyldreÌ„ and blasphemies wherwythe so euer they blaspheme But he that blasphemeth the holy Ghost shall neuer haue forgyuenes but is gyltye to euerlastynge damnacion Thys is the synne whiche S. IohnÌ„ calleth the synne vnto death for the which he would that no man should praye Of these wordes it is euident that all synnes shal be forgyuen meÌ„ if they repent beleue amend besydes the synne agaynst the holy ghost But nowe let vs se by what means these synnes are forgyueÌ„ Whyther for our dedes merites or for Christes bloudes sake and so shal we easely perceaue whyther Christ by hys death hath delyuered vs onely from original synne or rather from all other vniuersally Euse. This is it that we would gladly heare Phil. By the Prophet Esaye Christ speakethe on this maÌ„ner I am he I am he which put away thyne vnrighteousnesses yea and that for myne owne sake I wyl remeÌ„ber thy synnes no more Marke that he sayth vnrighteousnesses and synnes in the plurall noÌ„ber because no man shoulde pycke a cauilacion and say y e Christ only putteth awaye one offence whiche is y e originall synne S. Paule in oure newe yeres gyfte sayth Christ gaue hym selfe to redeme vs from all vnrighteousnes And by the Prophet Christ sayth y t he putteth away our vnryghteousnesses and synnes Is it not all one Do they not tell both one tale So se we that it is no new doctrine to say that Christ putteth awaye all our synnes both original actuall veneall mortall c. They that affyrme the contrary derogate not a lytle the vertue glory of christes death and are very they whom S. Paule callethe the enemies of y e crosse of Christ whole ende damnacion is whose God theyr belly is c. These are those false Prophettes lyeng techers whiche as Peter prophecied shuld come priuyly bryng in daÌ„nable sectes denyeng y e Lorde which bought them Are not they very enemies of Christes crosse and do not they vtterly deny Christ which teache that Christ by hys pashyon bloud and death did only put away but one synne And that for those whiche we commyt after baptisme we oure selues must satisfy make ameÌ„des so that for them there is no remissioÌ„ and forgyuenes to be asked of God the father for Iesus Christis sake What ony other thyng is this than to make our selues equal with Christ yea to exalt our selues aboue Christ to holde that oure good dedes merites be of greater pryce more value than the death bloude of christ For this doctrine I grauÌ„t teacheth that Christ is a sauyoure but yet that he saueth only froÌ„ originall synne whiche we receaued of our fyrst father AdaÌ„ so that by him we are delyuered but from one syn It techeth agayne that we our selues are sauiours for asmuch as we saue our selues thorow our good dedes and merites from all those synnes which we coÌ„mit after baptisme Nowe lette vs se whyther Christ be the better sauiour or we our selues whyther there is more saluacioÌ„ in the death of Christ or in oure good workes Christ by his death sauethe only from one synne which is origâ—â—nal We saue our selues from maâ— and innumerable synnes for seuen tymes in a daye synneth the righteous whiche we commyt after baptisme Ergo we are better sauiours than Christ and there is more vertue of saluacion in our workes thaÌ„ in the bloud and death of Christ So that Christ is but a quarter sauiour and we make vp the whole O pernicious and dyuellyshe doctrine Who hath euer opened his mouth to speake blasphemies agaynst the moost highest if they do it not which maintayne this wycked damnable doctrine But let vs heare mo scriptures Esay the Prophet sayth vnfaynedly he that is to saye Christ hath taken vpon hym oure syckenesses borne our sorowes Agayne he was wounded for our wyckednesses and broken for our mischeuous and vngracious actes Beholde howe vniuersally the scripture speaketh oure syckenesses sorowes wyckednesses myscheuous and vngracious actes Are all these but one synne If they be many ergo Christ delyuered vs from many If he delyuered vs froÌ„ many ergo not from original synne alone To what poynâ—e are the authors of thys wycked doctrine become now wyth what eyes do these Owles and blynd Andabates
be truely vnderstand For by this word synne doth S. IohnÌ„ vnderstaÌ„de the whole loÌ„pe of synne that is in the worlde whyther it be that which we committed in Adam or elles those whiche after oure baptisme thorowe the ragynge carnal affectes that are in vs we coÌ„myt in thoughte worde or dede All thys whole loÌ„pe of synne that is to saye all that euer is contayned vnder thys worde synne or yet pertaynethe vnto synne doth Christ y e laÌ„be of God at all tymes take awaye What authorite of the scripture caÌ„ be recited more open euideÌ„t agenst theÌ„ Chri. Ye saye trueth But let vs heare mo scriptures that we maye be thorowly satisfyed in this poynt Phil. Whan Christ hangynge vpon y e crosse had payd a sufficient rauÌ„some for oure synnes by the sheddynge of his moost precious bloud he coÌ„mendethe hys spirite into the handes of his heauenly father and bowynge downe hys head sayd Tetelestai that is to saye euery thyng is nowe consuÌ„mate perfecte and fully fynished The sacrifyce for synne is offered a plentefull raunsome is payde so y t nowe all sacrifyces all oblacions for synne cease This one sacrifice thys one oblacion whyche I haue made vpon the altare of the crosse fynyssheth maketh perfecte all thinges so that there remayneth after thys none other sacrifice for ony kynde of synne Hereto agreeth the saynge of S. Paule Christ oure Byshop abydeth for euer hath an euerlastyng prestehode so that he is able to saue euen at the full them that come vnto God by hym euer lyuynge that he may make intercessioÌ„ for vs. Agen Christ by his owne bloud entered into the holy place once for al found euerlastyng redemcion Item with one oblacion hathe Christ made theÌ„ consuÌ„mate perfecte for euermore that are saÌ„ctifyed Thus se we that all thynges are thorowly fynyshed made consummate and perfecte by Christ so that there is no more sacrifice for synne leaâ—te behynde to put awaye synne but if we wyll haue remissioÌ„ of our wyckednesses we must ruÌ„ne wyth the fete of our mynde to that sacrifice whiche Christ offered once for all vpoÌ„ the altare of y e crosse that he myght put syn to flyght for euermore Nowe if Christ had putte awaye onely originall synne by hys death thaÌ„ had he not made all thinges perfecte For he had lefte mo synnes vnforgyuen than were forgiueÌ„ by his deathe Howe great and infinite is the nomber of those synnes which we commit after baptisme in coÌ„parison of this one originall syn This were but a slender consummacion makynge perfecte so to leaue vs in mo synnes thaÌ„ we ware fouÌ„d But Christ saueth at the ful He maketh theÌ„ perfecte for euermore that are sanctifyed The vertue of Christes sacrifice is so great of so much dignite before God the father that it lastethe euer in full strengthe to put awaye synne yea and that not only before but also after baptisme Euse. Let vs here what s. Paul saith to this matter Phil. Paul as a good faythfull seruauÌ„t doth agre wyth his master ye maye be sure Notwtstandyng I wyll gyue you a taste of his doctrine concernyng thys matter Theo. Lette it so be I praye you â–ª To the RomaÌ„s he sayth on this maÌ„ner God setteth forthe hys loue towarde vs in that Christ dyed for vs whan we were yet synners Muche more than shall we be sauedde from wrathe by hym seynge we are nowe made righteous thorowe his bloud For if we were reconciled vnto god by the deathe of his sonne whan we were yet enemies muche more shall we be saued by hym nowe that we are reconciled Here S. Paule proueth y t as we are reconciled to God the father by the death of his sonne Christ so are we also by hym saued from all wrath and displeasure that shoulde fall vpon vs. Are not these wordes playne ynoughe At baptisme we are purged thorowe Christes bloud from originall syn all other that we haue committed before so y t we are recoÌ„ciled to God recouÌ„ted for righteous Nowe by Christ also are we preserued from the wrath of God which we deserue thorowe the wyckednes whiche we do after baptisme Hereof than maye we gather that Christ is not only a sauiour vnto vs before but also after baptisme So maye we conclude that by Christes death we are not only redemed from originall synne but also from all other by what so euer names they be called Agayne he sayth it is not with the gyfte as with the synne For if thorowe the syn of one many be dead yet much more plenteously came the grace and gyfte of God vpon many by the fauour that belonged vnto one maÌ„ Iesus christ And the gyfte is not onely ouer one synne as deathe came thorowe one synne of one that synned For the iudgement came of one synne vnto condemnacion but the gyfte to iustify froÌ„ many synnes Do not these wordes euidently shewe y t by Christ we are iustifyed made ryghteouse from many synnes If from many synnes than not from one synne alone Agen to the Corinchians fyrst of all I delyuered vnto you y t which I also receaued how that Christ dyed for oure synnes accordynge to y e scriptures Marke that S. Paule sayth for our synnes not for oure synne wherwithe we all offended in AdaÌ„ To the Collossians also he wryteth on this manner By Christ we haue redeÌ„cion by his bloud remission of sines Note by Christes bloud we haue remissioÌ„ of synnes not only originall but also actuall mortall veneall c. and not by the worckes wich we do after baptisme as thogh it laye in oure power to fulfyll the lawe to satisfye the wyll of God to apease y e diuine wrath to obtayne euerlastiÌ„g lyfe For al these thynges chaunse vnto vs by Christ are obtayned for vs by Christes deathe not by ony workes or merites of maÌ„ as S. Paule sayth if righteousnes coÌ„meth by the lawe thaÌ„ dyed Christ in vayne Igen we knowe that maÌ„ is not iustifyed by the workes of the lawe but by y e fayth of Iesus christ we beleue in Christ Iesu that we myght be iustifyed by the faythe of Christ not by the workes of y e law because that no man shall be iustified by the workes of the lawe Item ye are gone quyte froÌ„ Christ as many of you as wyl be made righteous by the lawe yea ye are fallen from grace Agayn in another place they not knowynge the righteousnes of God labouryng to establysh theyr owne righteousnes were not obedient to the righteousnes of God For Christe is the perfeccion of the lawe vnto iustificacioÌ„ for euery one that beleueth Once agayne if saluacion commeth of grace than is it not oâ— workes elles were grace no grace But if it come of worckes than is grace nothynge All these sentences teache vs that we are delyuered froÌ„ all our synnes by Christ
mercy forgyuenes of synnes layd vp for vs in store if that we repent coÌ„fesse our faultes entend vnfaynedly to amende our lyues I haue not done thys to engraffe in you a vayne hoope to encourage you to haue y e more plesure to remayne iÌ„ your olde wyckednes but I wryte these thynges vnto you y t ye should not synne I haue set forth the kyndnes of God towarde you y t ye shulde endeuour youre selues to lyue worthy of it But for asmuch as there lyueth no man in thys world whyche synneth not seynge we canne not walke so purely but y t at sometyme we must nedes fall therfore because ye shoulde not dispayre but be assuredly persuaded that there remayneth health for you wyth the Lorde god I certefy you that we haue one which is our aduocate wyth the father which pleateth our matter before the throne of the diuine maieste whiche is ready to healpe vs whiche ceaseth not makyng intercession for vs vntyll he be hearde and this is not such one as hath also offended but Iesê° christ y t righteoê° one which is godly innocent vndefyled pure clene fautles immaculate so wtout all spotte of vice that euen for his owne dignite worthynes innoceÌ„cy he is worthy to obtayne what so euer he asketh And I saye moreouer vâ—to you y t not our owne workes nor y e merites of other but that righteous one Christ is that verye sacrifice which apeseth Gods wrath whome we haue prouoked vnto anger wyth the synnes whiche we do comitte after Baptisme and satisfyeth for oure synnes Yea he makteh not only a sufficient plenteous amendes for our synnes but also for all y e whole worldes I mean so many as repent them of ther wicked liuing confesse ther fautes beleue desyre forgyuenes and laboure to leade a newe lyfe what wyll we haue more Doth not S. IohnÌ„ declare here euidently y t oure synnes whaÌ„ so euer they be coÌ„mitted or done are forgyueÌ„ vs of god thorow Iesê° Christ which is oure aduocate and that sacrifice whyche apeaseth god the fathers wrath plenteously satisfyeth for our synnes So doth it than manifestly appeare that christ hath not only redemed vs satisfyed to God y e father for originall syn but also froÌ„ al other But let vs yet heare more what he sayth I wryte vnto you lytle chyldren that youre synnes are forgyuen for hys names sake Ergo our synnes and not one synne alone are forgyueÌ„ vs not for our owne workes merites but for Christes name that is to saye for y e dignite worthynes excellency merites and deseruynges of Christ. AgeÌ„ In thys thynge appeared the loue of God towarde vs that he sent his only begotten sonne into the world that we shoulde lyue thorowe hym In thys is loue not that we loued God but that he loued vs and sent his sonne to be a sacrifice both to appease hys wrathe and to satisfye for our siÌ„nes what do I Paper yncke penne and tyme shall fyrst want vnto me than I shall may be able to reherse all the testimonies wherwith it is euidentely proued that Christ hath not only by his moost blyssed precious bloud redemed vs froÌ„ originall syn as some wickedly dreame but also from all other by what so euer name they be called the synne of the holye Ghoste excepted that whan so euer we repent beleue and amende God the father forgyuethe vs also those synnes whiche we commit after baptisme not for our own dedes workes and merites whiche be more vnpure than they maye be able to stonde in the syghte of God which is a consumyng fyre a ielous God great in strength iudgemente and righteousnes and with whome there is none innocente but for the swete smellyng sacrifyce which Iesus Christ his welbeloued sonne offered for our synnes vpoÌ„ the altare of the crosse once for all whose vertu and strength abydeth so perfecte for euermore that by it the sinnes of so many as with a truly faythfull and repentaunte harte come vnto God are forgyuen forgotten and neuermore remembred And thus se you that Christ is a perfecte Sauiour whiche as youre newe yeares gyfte sayth hath by his bloud redemed vs from all vnrighteousnes that is to saye from all synne both originall actuall mortall veneall c. yea and y t not onely before but also after baptisme So that as S. Peter sayth there is saluacioÌ„ in none other but only iÌ„ Christ Iesus Nether is ther ony other name gyueÌ„ to men vnder heauen wherin we muste be saued Chri. We haue now hearde it euideÌ„tly proued by the holye scriptures y t we thorowe Christ are delyuered froÌ„ all synne both originall actual mortall veniall c. So that all y e whole glory of our saluacion is to be giueÌ„ and ascribed vnto God alone as he sayth by the Prophet O Israel thy destruccioÌ„ commeth of thy selfe but thy health and saluacion commeth only of me This thynge maketh all sayntes and y e truly faythful to say not to vs O Lord not to vs but to thy name gyue y e glory for thy merci truthes sake Phi Wel thus haue ye hearde grossely and rudely but yet faythfully and truly vttered of me what the holye scriptures do determyne concernynge the remission of synnes by Christ and that by hym we are not only delyuered from originall syn as some wickedly dreame but also from all other by what soeuer name they be called Nowe because ye shal not thyncke y t I wreste the scriptures whome all meÌ„ ought to handle reuerently and incorruptly I wyll rehearse a sayenge or two vnto you of the Doctors Hylichius sayth Not one synne only but many are forgiuen vs thorow the sacrifice of Christ whiche is the onely begotten sonne of God If not one syn only but many are forgiuen vs thorowe the sacrifice of Christ it followeth than that by Christes deathe we are not only redemed from originall synne but also from all other Hereto agreeth the sayeng of saynt Ambrose The grace of God thorow Christ hath iustifyed men not from one synne alone but from many by gyuynge them remission of synnes Not from one synne only sayth S. Ambrose hath God of his grace thorowe Christ iustified and made vs ryghteous but from many by gyuyng vs remission of synnes Nowe gather who luste The wordes are playne ynough But I wyll reherse S. Austen one of the best amonge y e auncient Doctors and moost faythfull expositour of y e holy scriptures S. Austen wrytyng agaynst y e Pelagians Manicheys hath on this manner what is this to saye of one faulte vnto condemnacioÌ„ but y e fault wherw t AdaÌ„ offeÌ„ded And what is it to say from many faultes to iustificacion but that the grace of Christ hath not onlye loosoned that fault wherwith infantes be bouÌ„de which hadde theyr begynnyng of that one man but also many faultes whiche after y e men
come to age they adde and put vnto it thorowe theyr euell manners Here sayth saynt Austen playnly that the grace of christ hath not only losoned delyuered made vs free from originall synne wherwyth we all offended in Adam but also from all other which we afterwarde commit as we growe in age I could rehearse many mo authorities both of this Doctor and other whiche maynly fortify this matter but because I wyll not be tedious vnto you I let them passe trusting that with these aforsayd ye are fully satisfyed Theo. Yea verely neyghbour Philemon or elles our hartes were more then twyse stony Phil. Although this vngodly doctrine be raised vp now agen in this our tyme of the Anabaptistes yet hath it had alwayes fautoures and maynteners longe before our dayes in somuche as we rede that a certen man called Peter Abelharde was counted for an Heretyke and compelled of saynt Bernarde to recant in the councell of Senon â–ª because he taught this suche lyke thynges If hys doctrine had bene godly and agreable to the holy scriptures he had neuer ben so handeled Alas good neyghboures what are we of our selues y t we dare so depresse and thrust downe y e death of Christ and so to exalte our selues that he by his pashon sauyng vs froÌ„ one synne we shuld presume to saue our selues by our owne workes and merites from many This is a presumpcion to moche to be detested Thys is a stondyng in our owne coÌ„ceate more Luciferlyke than it may be suffered of ony christen harte To the Lorde our God saythe the Prophet be righteousnes but to vs and to our fathers confusion of face As towchyng the righteusnes whiche is in the lawe no man could once rebuke me sayth S. Paul But those thynges which were vauntage vnto me I counted losse for Christes sake Yea moreouer I thyncke all thynges but losse for the excellencye of the knowledge of Christ Iesu my Lorde for whome I haue counted all thynges losse and do iudge them but dounge that I myghte wynne Christ be fouÌ„d in hym not hauing myne own ryghteousenesse whyche cometh of the lawe but that which is by the fayth of Christ namely the righteousnes whych cometh of god in fayth to knowe hym and the vertue of his resurreccioÌ„ and the felowshyp of his pashon How cleueth S. Paule vnto Christ Howe reiecteth casteth he awaye his owne righteousnes whyche he had by the outewarde kepynge of the lawe that he myght thorowe fayth be made righteous in Christ How lytle estemeth he his own goodnes so that he may knowe the vertue of Christes resurreccion and the felowshyp of his pashon All Paules delectacion pleasure is in Christ in christes death as he sayth in another place GOD forbyd that I shulde reioyse in onythynge but in the crosse that is to saye the death pashon of our Lord Iesus Christ. If so noble and worthy Apostle hadde all his delyght in Christ in christes merites so that for christes â—ake and to wynne y e righteousnesse of Christe he estâ—med hys own ryghteousnes so vile as y e duÌ„ge what shall we wretches than saye Shall we lyfte vp our brystles and open our mouthe to speake blasphemies agaynst the moost hyghest Shall we so trust to oure workes y t we shall seake more saluacion in theÌ„ than in the Lorde christ All oure ryghteousnesses sayth the Prophet are as a cloth polluted w t menstrue All sorte of vs haue erreâ— as shepe euery â—an hath followed hys ownâ— trade Euery one is an Hypocrite a 〈◊〉 and wycked No man is able to saye my harte is clene I am pure from syn There is not a righteous man on earth that doth good and synneth not All haue synned want the glory of God Seynge we are all in this case how dare ony maÌ„ auouche hymselfe to be so pure and hys workes to be so good perfect y t by theÌ„ he is able to satisfy for hys siÌ„nes committed after baptisme Euse. Ye saye trueth My thyncke y t those menne whiche are of thys opinion knowe nether God nor them selues aright Phil. Trueth it is For if they dyd know that as god is good righteous holy perfecte fauâ—les with out all spotte of synne so they of theÌ„ selues are euell vnryghteous imperfecte synfull and hedged rounde about wyth the fylthynes of synne if ony goodnes they haue it commethe of God therfore haue they nothyng wherof they may reioyse for it is Gods and not theyrs they woulde not stonde so much in theyâ— owne conceate nor crake so much oâ— theyr purite and clennes If y e starres be not pure in the syght of god and if the Aungels be not clene and â—â—uteles before hym howe thaÌ„ dare a wretched mortall creature which synnâ—th dayly and heapeth wyckednes vpon wyckednes so auauÌ„ce him selfe that he dare presume to stonde ryght vp and with an open face before GOD whiche is a consumyng fyre and hatethe so many as worcke wyckednesse and to take vpon hym to satisfy for his synnes by his own righteousnes If they wolde assaye to go downe into theÌ„ selues could search y e botome of theyr hart which is wycked inscrutable they shulde there fynd such hepes lopes donge hylles of synne that they would be redye to dispayre and to vndo them selues so farre is it of y t they would iustify them selues or take vpoÌ„ theÌ„ to be theyr owne sauiours by theyr dedes workes merites The consyderacion of the diuine maieste and y e true knowledge of hym selfe made Dauid to praye on this manner O Lorde enter not into iudgement w t thy seruaunt for no man y t lyuethe shall be iustifyed in thy syght Agen O Lord yf thou shuldest marke our wyckednesses O Lorde who were able to abyde it But there is mercy wythe the. Lette Israel therfore truste in the Lorde For wythe the Lorde there is mercy and pleÌ„teous redemcion And he shall redeme Israel from all hys synnes Chri. God gyue vs grace to haue y e true knowledge of God and of our selues So shall we vnfaynedly ascrybe gyue vnto God al the glory and prayse of our creacion vocacion iustificacioÌ„ redempcion saluacion glorificacioÌ„ and what so euer goodnes we haue more and frely confesse that we are saued of the great and vndeserued grace of God thorowe Iesus Christ our Lord and sauiour Phil. I besech God it may so come to passe Thus haue I accomplysshed youre desyre neyghbours in prouynge by y e scriptures and the auncient Doctors y t christ by hys death hath not only redemed delyuered and set vs fre froÌ„ originall synne but also from all other and that the synnes which we commit after baptisme be not forgyuen of God the father for the dignite and worthynes of ony workes which we do but for the excelleÌ„cy of y e sacrifyce which Christ once for al offered vpon the Altare of y e
crosse the vertue strengthe wherof abydeth in so full power that iâ— is able to saue so many as repent bâ—leue labour to lead a good and innocent lyfe for euermore Neyther haue I spoken theyse thynges to discorage ony man from doyng good workes but for â—o set forth christ to be a perfecte sauyoure agaynst the wycked doctrine of the Anabaptistes which nowe begyn to crepe in amonge vs vnto the great dishonour of God y e extreme blasphemy of Christes most precious bloud noysome perturbacioÌ„ of the holy catholyke chyrche And as I maye knytte vp all thys matter in fewe wordes know good brothers that in Adam all we were damned so that thorowe his wickednes we were begotten conceaued borne in synne yea by nature the very sonnes of wrathe Nowe to be delyuered from this miserable state wherinto we were caste by Adâ—Ì„ we of our owne wytte polecy wisdome â—olynes ryghteousnes c. could inuent no means but so styll remayned in the daunger of euerlastynge daÌ„nacioÌ„ Therfore God moued w t pitie towarde mankynde euen of hys owne free mercy goodnes wtoute ony of our desertes sent downe his only begotten sonne Iesus christ in to â—his vale of misery which for our sake toke flesh of the moost holy and pure virgin Mary thorow the operacion of the holy ghost became maÌ„ at the tyme to fore appoynted he offered voluntaryly his moost blyssed â—ody an acceptable swete smellynge Sacrifice to God the father which was is of so great vertue power that by it alone all our synnes are putte awaye not only that which we committed in Adam but those also whiche we oure selues in processe of tyme do perpetrate coÌ„mit Now so many of vs as are baptised in the name of the father of y e sonne of the holy Ghost and haue taken vpoÌ„ vs a newe lyfe forsakyng y e world y e deuil the flesh w t al theyr poÌ„pes workes haue at that verye tyme of Baptisme all theyr synnes forgyuen them and are so clerely redemed deliuered and made fre from all vnryghteousnes be they yonge or olde as though they had neuer coÌ„mitted ony of them at all And this is it that S. Paule sayth christ loued the congregacion gaue hymselfe for it to sanctifye it and cleÌ„sed it in y e fountayne of water thorowe the worde to make it vnto hymselfe a glorious congregacion wythoute spot or wryncle or ony suche thyng but that it shulde be holy and without blame Nowe if whan they be once baptised and growne vppe in age they thorow eyther fragilite or ignorancy do agen offende breake the lawe of God contrarye to theyr profession vow made at baptisme than haue they an holye anchore â—o flye vnto whiche is the holye sacrament of Penaunce so that if they truly repent be sory for the faultes committed bewayle theyr synful lyuynge mortifye theyr carnall affectes slay theyr worldly lustes banish theyr dyuellysh concupiscences confesse theyr wyckeâ—nes flye vnto the mercy of god beleue to haue forgiuenes and take a newe lyfe vpon theÌ„ God the father wyll surely forgyue them theyr synnes be they neuer so great or many yea and that for the dignite of that one sacrifice whyche hys only begotteÌ„ sonne offered once for all vpon the altare of the crosse So that if repentaunce amendement of lyfe come christes sacrifice serueth to put away sinnes for euer euer But as the bloud of christ is sufficient to pacify y e father althogh one man had coÌ„mitted so many offeÌ„ces as all the worlde hathe done or shall do vnto y e very ende of y e world so lykewyse is ther no saluacioÌ„ layd vp for hym in store which wyll not repent nor cease to synne although christ shuld suffer an hondred thousande tymes For christ is a sauiour to penitent synners and not to the wicked vngodly And as there is no damnacion to them that are engraffed in christ Iesu whiche walke not after y e flesh but after y e spirite so is there no helth nor saluacion to them that lyue after y e flesh though they bable neuer so muche of christ of christes passion bloud death of the remission of sinnes of the mercy of God of the gospell of y e swete promiseâ— of God of euerlastyng lyfe God hath not called vs y t we shulde be vnclene but holy and vertuous God sayth S. Peter sent his sonne to be a beneficial sauiour vnto you that euery one of you should turne from his wyckednesse But of thys we wyl speake more hereafter Therfore brothers whan so euer ye perceaue y t ye offend God in ony thyng dispayre not flye vnto that blyssed sacrament of Penaunce bâ— sory for your synful lyuynge bewayle your wycked maÌ„ners thyrâ—t after streÌ„gth to do the wyll of God confâ—sse your synnes from the very harte call for grace desyre mercy and praye vnto God y t he wyl forgyue you your faultes he wyll vndoubtedly remit forgyue you al the faultes synnes trespasses that ye euer coÌ„mitted agaynst hym for the loue that he beareth towarde his sonne our Lord sauiour Iesus christ which as your newe yeres gyfte sayth hathe redemed vs from all vnrighteousnes y t is to say both from originall synne and all other Euse. Brother PhilemoÌ„ we shal neuer be able to recompense thys your kyndenes which so gentylly at our request hathe declared this matter vnto vs concernyng y e remission of synnes thorowe christ I beseche God gyue vs all grace so to institute order our lyfe that we maye be found in the nomber of theÌ„ whose synnes are put away by this moost holy sacrifice of christes blyssed bodye whose wyckednesses are washed awaye by christes moost precious bloude Chri. Amen For than shall we be sure not only to be delyuered from all our synnes but also to enioye euerlastyng lyfe which is the gyfte of GOD thorowe Iesus Christ oure Lorde Phil. We wyll go forthe wyth your newe yeares giftâ— and make an ende It followethe And to pourge vs a peculier people vnto hym selfe Christ gaue not hymselfe only vnto death for to redeme vs from all vnrighteousnesse but also to pourge vs a peculiare people to hymself For as he hath redemed vs by hys death so hath he pourged purified made vs cleane by his bloud as S. IohnÌ„ sayth the bloude of Iesus christ makethe vs cleane from all synne For what entent hath he thus pourged and made vs clene Uerely that we should be a peculiare people vnto hiÌ„ selfe Chri. What is mente by that I praye you Phil. To be the peculiare people of God is to be chosen out of the company of the vnfaythful and wycked people and to be coÌ„secrated dedicated wholly gyuen to serue God to seake his glory to magnify his moost blyssed name and to do al thynges accordyng to his worde as the Iewes in tymes
sayth if we say that we haue fellowshyp with Christ yet walke in darknes we lye do not y e trueth But if we walke in the lyght as he is in the lyght we haue felloweshyp one wyth another and the bloud of Iesus Christ gods owne sonne maketh vs cleane from all synne This texte prouethe manifestly that we haue no feloweshyp wythe Christ so long as we walke in darkenes that is in synfull lyuynge agayne that the bloude of Christe profytethe vs nothyng at all excepte we walke in the lyght of Gods worde laboure to fulfyll hys holye preceptes For sayth S. IohnÌ„ by this do we know y t we haue known hiÌ„ if we kepe hys coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„tes He y t sayth I know hiÌ„ kepeth not hys coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„tes is a lyare and the truethe is not in hym But he that dothe hys worde trulye in hym is the loue of God perfecte By this do we knowe that we are in hym He that sayth he abydeth in hym oughte to walke euen as he walked Of this all the other textes which I haue hitherto rehearsed we may easly learne what is our duty and howe earnestly we oughte to seake occasions for to do good Seyng we are y e peo-people of God yea hys peculiare oute chosen people we muste nedes shewe oure selues earnest followers of good workes or elles haue we no fellowshyp wyth Christ. God the father is not oure father nether are we christes brothers nor yet fellow heyres wyth hym if we seake not to lead a godly and vertuous lyfe Let vs neuer crake of the iustificacioÌ„ of fayth of y e fre mercy of God of christes pashoÌ„ bloud death merites c. we lead a lyfe worthy the kyndenes of God Lette vs neuer reioyse that we are delyuered from the power of SataÌ„ synne deth hell for so long as we coÌ„tinue in our olde synnefull lyuynge and wycked manners we pertayne not vnto Christ but are y e bonde slaues of Satan very fyre brondes of hell For as y e good preste Zachary father to S. IohnÌ„ Baptist sayth God hath perfourmed the othe whiche he sware to our father Abraham for to gyue vs that we delyuered out of the haÌ„des of our enemies myght serue hym wtout feare all the dayes of oure lyfe in holynes righteousnes Hereto agreeth the sayng of s. Paule the bloud of christ whyche thorow the euerlastyng spirite hathe offered hymselfe pure to God shall pourge youre conscience from dead workes for to serue the lyuynge God Here learne we y t christ hathe delyuered vs from the power of our enemies that we should serue him in holines and righteousnes all the dayes of oure lyfe Nowe if ony be not giuen to the seruyse of God surely he is not free but abydethe styll the miserable captiue bonde presoner of his enemies Let all meÌ„ therfore take hede prepare theÌ„ selues to lede a godly lyfe y t they maye be earnest followers of good workes or elles nether theyr baptisme nor Christ nor yet ony thyng that euer Christ dyd shall profytte them ony thynge at all Chri. O good Lorde how greatly be many deceued whiche put theyr trust in Christ crake muche of fayth yet continue styll abhominable lyuers thynkyng not with stondynge all this theyr great wyckednes to be saued Phil. To repeÌ„taunce â—aythe and amendement of lyfe mercy is neuer denyed But be not you deceaued neyghbours For not they whiche heare the lawe are righteous before god but they that expresse the law in dedes shall be coÌ„ted righteous Be ye the doers of y e worde and not the hearers only deceauyng your selfes Theo. God gyue vs grace thus to do that we maye garnysh the doctrine of God our sauioure in all thynges Euse. Amen I beseche the good Lorde Phil. Uerely there are many causes yea those vrgent and necessary why Christen men shoulde bryng forth good workes if they dyd consider theyr vocacioÌ„ callyng wel Fyrst because it is the wyll of God God hath coÌ„mauÌ„ded so by his holy worde For what chylde accoÌ„plysheth not his fathers wyll for the loue that he beareth towarde hym What seruaunt fulfylleth not his masters coÌ„maundemeÌ„t if he do but onely feare hym â–ª Hoâ—â— muche more than ought we wâ—â—che haue so louynge a fatheâ— and so puyssauÌ„t a Lorde and beneficiall a master for the loue 〈◊〉 â—earâ— that we beare toward hym shewe our 〈◊〉 obedient to his holy wyll fulfyl it to y e vttermoost of our power â–ª Where ether â—earâ— or loue of God is there must the â—ulfyllynge of Gods lawe nedes followe If so doth not neuer let vs confesse oure selues eyther to feare or loue god truly The sonne honoureth his father and the seruaunte his Lorde If I than be youre father where is my honoure â–ª And if I be your Lord where is my feare sayth y e Lord or Hoâ—stes Not euery one that sayth vnto me Lord Lorde shall enter into y e kyngdome of heauen sayth Christ but he thaâ— doth the wyll of my father which iâ— in â—eauen The holy 〈…〉 bryng forth frutes of repentaunce And christ sayth as my father gaue me commaundement so I do Agen I haue not spokeÌ„ of my selfe but he that sent me that is to saye my father he gaue me commaundement what I shoulde do what I should speake A christeÌ„ man therfore must do good because it is the commaundement and wyll of God Secondely we ought to do good workes that God may be glorifyed thorowe them as Christ sayth Let your light so shyne before men that they may se your good workes and glorify your father which is in heauen Also S. Peter se that ye haue as honest conuersacion amonge the Hey then that they whiche backe by tâ— you aâ— euell doers may sâ— your good workes and prayse God in the day of visitacion For what greater dishonour â—â—ther be done to god thaÌ„ to professe the name of God iâ—nominâ—â—usly to deface and obscure the glory of it thorowe our wycked and vngodly conuersacion Theyr rulars do vnrighteously sayth y e lord and by this means my name is blasphemed coÌ„tinually euen all y e whole daye longe S Paule also sayth the name of GOD is euell reported for you among the Hethen Agen what greater honour can there be gyueÌ„ to God of vs thaÌ„ to lede a godly lyfe to expresse the manners and lyuysh Image of our heuenly father in all our lyfe By the one God is dishonored by the other he is greatly honored praysed and magnified Thyrdely it is oure dutye to do good workes that we maye be certeÌ„ that our fayth is right true lyuysh and workynge For as there is not a more certen argument sure tokeÌ„ that a tree is good thaÌ„ by bringing â—orth good â—â—â—te so is ther not a better probacioÌ„ that our fayth is true 〈…〉 than whan we worke the