seme worthy to please at leastwyse in somme behalfe Answete Most falfe is this consequence For God cannot no not euen of couenant allow any other rightuousnes as worthye of that name than such as is fully answerable to the law in all pointes except he wil be repugnant too himselfe which thynge were a sinne to say Thus therefore oughtest thou too haue gathered The woorkes of the regenerated do please God though they bee vnperfect â—rgo God is exceeding mercifull Question Besydes this there is mention made euerywhere of hyre wages reward requiting and recompence An. The name of Wages hath a larger scope than the name of euerlastinge life And it is certain that God of his passinge liberality rendereth temporal blissinges euen too the vngodly be they neuer so vnworthy Againe whither you referre the name of wages too eternall life or too other benifites yet doth it not folow that the same is payde as dewe det But rather this dooth most of all commend Gods mercy that he vout saueth to geue the name of Wages or hyre too the vndew reward which he bestoweth vpon vs of his owne mere grace in Christ too the end y we although we bee but vnprofitable seruantes for who is able too bestow any thing vpon god might notwithstandinge perceiue that wee haue not lost our labour Finallye although this wages be promised fréely and geuen fréely yet is it geuen too hym that woorketh and therefore it is called a wages or hyre Quest If it bee geuen too him that worketh ergo it is geueÌ„ him for his works An. Nay rather if it bée geuen wée bee sure it is not payde as a dewtye Agayn there is farre difference betwéen geuing too a woorker and geuinge for workes I may well say therefore that eternall life is geuen to them worke bicause faith shall bée esteemed by the frutes of it and rightuousnesse by faith but not payde them for theyr works sakes And after this manner must that text bée expownded where it is sayde Euery man shal bee iudged accordinge to the thinges that he hath done in his body and suche other like sentences Quest VVhy so Ans Bycause good woorkes make not men rightuouse but folowe him that be leeueth and that is aredy becom rightuous in Christe like as good fruytes make not a tree too bee good but a tree is knowen to be good by the good fruites of it Que. But alitle afore you fetched good works not out of iustificatioÌ„ but out of Sanctification An. I graunt it For there is no man iustified by imputation of Christes rightuousnes but he is also sanctified by his spirit Quest Say you then that good woorkes bee needefull to saluation An. If faith bee needefull too saluation and woorkes doo of necessity accompany treâ—e faith as whiche cannot bee ydle surely the other foloweth also that good woorks bee needefull to saluation how beeit not as a cause of saluation for we bee iustified and therfore also do liue by faith only in Christ but as a thinge that of necessity cleaueth vnto trew faith So saith Paule that those bee Goddes childreÌ„ which are led by gods spirite Iohn saith that those be rightuous which work rightuousnes And Iames also declaring not by what meanes we be iustified but wherby trew faith insticatioÌ„ are discerned proueth by Abrahams exaÌ„ple y those are not iustified which vtter no workes of faith For in such wise must Iames be made to agree with Paule too the ende it may playnely appeere how they bee but brabblers which condemne the necessity of good workes for false doctrine Question VVhat if a man should neuer be endewed with fayth tyl the laste instant of his death for so it seemeth too haue happened too the theefe that hunge by Christ VVhat manner of good works â—halll such a one bee able to bring forth An. Uerely the faith of that théefe was vnspeakably workful in that short time â—or he rebuked the blasphemies and wicked dooinges of the other theefe he detested his owne crimes with an assured and passing wonderfull faith he acknowledged Christ for the euerlasting kinge euen in the reprochefulnes of his crosse when all his disciples hilde their peace he called vppon him as his sauiour and finallye hée openlye reprooued the mercilesse cruelty and wicked spéeches of the â—ewes But the acknowledginge of sin the callinge vpon god the father in christ and thankesgeuinge are the excellentest woorkes of the firste table whiche cannot bée vtterly seperated from fayth in no man And admitte that some man beeing preuented with death is able too shewe no woorkes of the seconde table Yet is not the faith in him therefore too be counted ydle because that althoughe it haue not Charitie in actuall deede yet is it accompanied with it in possibilitie Quest I haue yet one doubt more behinde VVhy any man shoulde be damned for euill woorkes if no man be iustified for good woorkes Ans The reasone is manifest namely because that euen the lightest sin that is deserueth althoughe not the extreamest paines in euerlastinge death yet euerlastinge death it selfe whiche generallye is the hyre of sinne but no rightuousnesse can worthely deserue eternal lyfe except it be suche a rightuousnes as the law requireth that is to wit a perfect and sound state Therefore shew me one that fulfilleth the law as there is none found which is not a breaker of the lawe and I will graunt the foresaide argument Quest Saye you then that there shal bee oddes in the punishements of the damned sort An. Althoughe this matter bee to be inquired of verye soberlye yet haue I not spoken it vnaduisedly For besides that the order of Iustice requireth that hee whiche hathe sinned more greeuouslye should be more greuously punished considering that all sinnes are not alike heynous sauing so farforthe as they matche in generalitie for it is a Paradoxe of the Stoykes not of christians to auouch that all sins bee equal christ himself witnesseth the same thing expresly saying y the case of the Sodomites shal bee more tolerable in the day of iudgement than the case of them that had reiected him Quest Then shall therebe oddes in the glory of those that shal be saued An. Verelye so doothe the reason of contraries require And wheras the Apostle sayeth that suche as haue sowen sparelie shall reape sparelye it séemeth not that the same shoulde be restrained to temporall blessinges onely Quest But of sowinge cometh reapinge ergo rightuousnes and life proceede of good workes An. Truely similitudes must neuer bée racked further than the nature of the thinges that are treated of and the purpose of him that vseth the similitudes will beare For else ther wil ensew most fond false things out of nomber which thing wheÌ„ vnskilful interpreters marke not they must néedes setforth manye foolishe and false thinges But in the foresaide place the Apostle
tâ— aduertyse one another of our affairâ— in this life is truely no poynte of praâ—ing vnto men or of thrusting in mediâ—tours in Christes steade as they do bâ— rather a callinge vpon oure common â—ther together wyth our brethren in tâ—â— name of the one mediator aforesayâ— the whyche one myndednes is a most â—…eptable Sacrifice vnto God. Question But the holy Ghost himselfe is saide to â—ake intercession for vs with vnspeakble groninges Aunswere That is because hée teacheth vs too â—one and to praye aright accordinge alâ—… as the same Apostle maketh hym too â—…ye out Que. But when shal this intercession be â—â— an ende An. Truely neuer for euen at such time â—â— it shall appeare that we be with god â—ur cleauinge vnto him shall not be but â—y the steppinge in of oure meane and â—…ediator and consequently of oure head â—…esus christ whose reigning and préestâ—d are euerlasting in the same respect â—et not withstandinge the whole maner â—rulinge and gouerninge the Churche â—…at is now vsed shall vtterly cease after â—…at y last enemie that is to wit death 〈…〉 put away and al the chosen are taken 〈…〉 with their head into euerlastinge life â—…d so god shal be all in all Quest But Paule sayeth that this kingâ—â—me or reigning shal bee yelded vp to â—â—e father and that Christ shal become â—…iect vnto him An. Paule verely hauinge an eye vnto Christ as too the sonne of god in deede howbeit as manifeste in the fieshe and ioyned with his meÌ„bers dooth worthely attribute the chiefe glory to the godhead which shall at that time be moste of all disclosed when all enemies be ouercomâ— And truele this subiection beetokeneth some thing inferior to the godhead for the creature shall neuer be made equall with the creator no not euen in christe but yet it doth vs to vnderstand that the chiefe blessednesse next vnto that which is peculiar to the Godhead consisteth in this poynt that God acceptinge vs and our head togither in respecte that he is man for his déere and faithful subiects will then at length géeue vs the fulness of felicitie and punish the rest as rebelâ— with endlesse paines Quest But wheras it is saide that he will come at the last daye to iudge both the quick and the dead ther is som hardnes in that saying For it appereth by many places of the Scriptures specially by the Story or parable of the rich gluttoÌ„ that euery mannes iudgement lighteth vpon him immediately after his departure out of this life whither he be godly or vngodly An. God dooth after a sorte execute hys iudgement euen theÌ„ insomuche as it is not to be doubted but that the soules of the Godly whom Christ doth gladly receiue haue a foretaste of the eternal happines and contrariwise that the soules of the vngodly haue a forefeling of the horriblenes of eternal death NotwithstaÌ„ding besides that the said fore iudgement hath respect only too their soules while their bodies lye still a sléepe in the duste the ful declaratioÌ„ and executing of the iudgement whereby the whole man shall eyther be made owner of eternall lyfe or els be caste into endlesse torment is delayed to the last daye of the generall Resurrection Quest By the deade then thou meanest not them that shal be dead at such time as they shal be iudged but such as haue ben dead before and shall then be risen againe VVhich then be the quick ones that thou matchest against the deade ones An. They be those whome Christe shall then finde stil aliue in this world at that seconde comminge of his whiche shalbée most glorious The sodaine chaunginge of whiche men intoo the one state or y other of the life to come that is to wit either of endlesse death or of euerlastinge life shal be vnto theÌ„ in stéede of bodily death risinge againe as the Apostle teacheth Qu How are they saide to be dampned to endlesse death who notwithstaÌ„ding are risen againe neuer to die any more An. Because that to liue in so horrible torments both of soule body deserueth not the name of life but rather of death Quest But the Resurrection is it not in generall of gods goodnes yea and that in Christ who is the first fruites of them that rise An. Like as the father created all things in the Sonne so also shall the wicked receiue life againe in him that is to saye by the operation of his power And yet for all that the blessinge of life shall turne to a curse in the vngodly like as al other things doo The wicked therfore shal not rise againe by the benefyte and vertue of Christes resurrection for this resurrection is knit vnto blissed life with an vnseparable knot and therefore none but only suche as beleeue in Christe and are â—uely graffed into him are made partaâ—ers of that But by the power and aucâ—hority of the Sonne as he is a Iudge who at the same time that he pronounâ—ed the sentence of dubble death and speâ—ially of eternall death against all mankinde did euen then condemne all men â—n the penaltie of rising againe sauinge those whom he himself shoulde preserue from death For how should the punishment of the wicked be euerlasting as it must néedes be if their bodies should coÌ„tinew for euer in the dust vtterly voyde of all feeling Quest Neuertheles seing that the bodie mooueth not of it selfe but onely is the Iustrument of the soule it seemeth to stande with equitie that the whole punishment of sin or the whole glorie of rightuousnesse should haue cleaued to mennes soules Aunswere The whole scripture speaketh against it as often as it maketh mentioÌ„ of the resurrectioÌ„ which doutles agréeth not properly to the soule Again although the body sin not of it self alone yet doth the whole man sin and therefore hee is iustly punished whole And christ were not a perfecte redeemer if hee should let the bodyes of his seruaunts lye still in rottennesse Neither had he néeded to haue takeÌ„ a body vnto him if he had come to deliuer no more but our soules Quest But what maner of life shall that eternal life be and what maner of death shal that eternall death bee Ans It is to no purpose to searche for these thinges not onely because such curiousenesse is to bee condempned as driueth men too demaunde the thinges that the lorde hath as yet hidden from vs but also beecause it is a pointe of extreame madnesse to be desirous to comprehende that whiche a manne is not able to conceiue If wee were nowe able to conceyue that blisfulnesse wee shoulde already after a sort possesse it in asmuch as y vnderstanding of man doth at leastwise so farforth enioy the thing that is to be vnderstoode as it conceiueth it in vnderstandinge The lyke also is too bée thoughte of the euerlastynge paynes whereof wée see that euen a very light conceyte of
setteth foorth the proporcionable resemblance of woorkes and glory and not y cause of glory For in all places he stedfastlye defendeth that rightuousnesse is the mere gyfte of God without the woorkes of the lawe and is not payde as a dew det but bestowed vppon the beléeuers as a grace Que. He meaneth but the works of the Ceremoniall lawe Ans A fond answer For hys matchinge of duty grace one againste another caÌ„not stand onles all the workes of the lawe bee excluded without exception and yet I wil ouerpasse other argumeÌ„ts of paules which are bent directlye against the very law of the tenne hests bent I say not toâ— deface the law which is the madnes of the Manichees but too take away from it the power of iustifiyng Again I besech you if works may be thanked for any maner of rightuousnes why should yee exclude the ceremonies y bée rightlye vsed For truly they be compreheÌ„ded in y sowerth commaundement of the ten hestes as longe as they were rightlye vsed they were most excellent workes Quest But ceremonies be abolished by the comming of Christ An. I confesse they be abolished because they bée fulfilled in Christ But the matter it self declareth that where Paule disputeth of the causes of Iustification his reasons tend not to proue that the Ceremonies bee abolished but too shew that saluatioÌ„ rested alwaies in the only rightuousnes ef christ imputed to theÌ„ that beleue for confirmation therof among other things he alledgeth y examples of Abraham and Dauid Quest Then may wee say that paule excludeth but onely the good works that go before the grace of Iustification An. No lesse fond is this answere also For besides that the Apostle alledgeth manifeestly the examples testimenies of them that were iustified namely of Abraham and Dauid to the intent I may â—et passe his other reason grounded vppon the very nature of the lawe what a madnesse were it to busie a mannes self aboute the excludinge of those thinges whiche are not at all for why to déeme that they wiche are not iustified can dâ—o anye good woorkes it is no lesse folie than if a man should say that a tree can bringe forth good fruite before it be gâ—od â—t selfe Quest But although the hyre of eternal life be not dew for the worthines of the very workes yet is it dew at leastwise by couenant An. What couenant meene you I beseeche you Quest The couenant of the lawe which is Do this and thou shalt liue And if thou wilt enter into life kepe the commundementes An. How this couenant is to be vnderstoode it is to bée sene by the threatning which is set against the promyse And that is this by the witnes of the apostle cursed is euery one that abydeth not in all the thinges that are written in the booke of the lawe that he may kepe theÌ„ But the law requireth perfect loue And no man but onely Christ hath euer performed the law to the full therefore life is dew to none by the couenant but only vnto Christ As for vs we haue it giuen vs by mere grace from out of him who also is himselfe giuen vnto vs by mere grace Quest VVherfore call you them good woorkes then if they deserue not eternall lyfe An. Surely the Latin diuines yea euen the auÌ„cient sort of them haue vnproperly vsed the word Merit or Deserue in sted of Obtein and the woord Desirt or deseruing or Merit for a good worke whiche thinge ye shall neuer finde in the holye scriptures Now although the works of y regenerate are not so good as thei shold deserue eternall life yet are they good so farforth as they proceede from the good spirit of God from a hart y is clensed by faith And agein they be good bicause y by theÌ„ the lorde is glorified our neighbor helped and we our selues also reape this excellent fruite of theÌ„ that they bee witnesses vnto vs of our faith and consequently of our election Quest Let thus far then suffice concerning both the partes of Sanctification Now remayneth that which the Apostle saith also namely that Christ is become our redemption Ans By the woorde redemption the Apostle meeneth in that place not the verye act of redeeming but the effect of it that is too say the end whervnto the sayde Iustification and Sanctification lead vs the which is this that being redeemed from synne and death by Christ we should also be made partakers of eternal life in him whose pledge and earnest penny wee haue euen in this lyfe that is to wit the holy Ghost by whom we bee sealed vp Que. But Dauid grouÌ„deth this redemption and blesing in the release of sins VVhy then adde you also the imputation of the sanctificatioÌ„ that sticketh in Christ and his fulfilling of the law An. What if I shold incounter thee with these textes Blessed are the cleane in hart blessed are the blameles in y way and suche other like woldest thou gather here vpon y the releasing of sinnes is excluded I think not So now then sanctification is ment by the terme of iustification bycause these twoo go neuer a sunder And why maye I not make answer thus also that somtimes there is mention made but onely of y releasing of sinnes not to the ende to exclude all other pates that make men blessed but by cause the rest are couerfly comprehended vnder it And if thou wilt vrge mee yet further I may also fitly answer that aâ— the other are ment by y releasing of sins For who can denye but that euen originall sin hath néede of clensinge Ergo it is compreheÌ„ded in the releasinge of sins Also who can saye that he only is too bee taken for an offender y doth some thinge which he is forbiddeÌ„ not he also which performeth not that which is inioyned him Ergo not to haue fulfilled the lawe is also sin whiche also hath néede too be released Now remaine the sinnes that is to say the déedes that are don ageynst the law wherof there is no question but they haue néede too bee satisfied for All these are released by Christes satisfaction whiche is imputed too vs all Nowe let vs come too the name of Release That man is properly saide to release a dette whiche fréely yea and vtterly dischargeth his detter so as hee reserueth no action too himselfe ageinst him Now then wee bee all of vs the children of wrath not onely bycause we be corrupted or bycause wee fulfill not the lawe or bycause wee doo the thynges that are forbidden vs but also bycause wee ought too appeare pure béefore God such as he made vs and not only not too be transgressors of the law but also to be performers of the law Therfore too she ende that we who else must perish may haue full perfecte release of all sinnes this foresaide release muste of necessitye matche with the other release
as I thinke we shall doo that more conueniently another time In the meane while if you bee satisfied in the thinges you haue demaunded I am very glad and I would with you too minde these thinges earnestly night and â—aye ¶ All honor glory praise and thankes bee onely vntoo God the Father through our Lorde Iesus Christe Amen ⸫ ¶ EINIS Rom. 1. 21. Iohn 17. 3 Gods word Ephe. 2. 20. Rom. 10. 8 2. tim 3. 16 2. Pet. 1. 20. Actes 2. 11. 1. Cor. 1. 17 18. 19. 20 21. 22. 23. 24. Luke 21. 15 Acts. 6. 10 Iohn 5. 30 Actes 17. 11 2. Cor. 4. 3 Iohn 6. 45 Acts. 13. 48 Phil. 1. 29 Acts. â—6 14 2 tim 3. 17. Being or substance Deut. 6. 4. Mat. 28. 19 what the esseÌ„ce or substaÌ„ce of god is what the persons of the godhead bee The distinction of the persons in the godhed Reuerence to be geuen to gods misteries Knowledge of God. Rom. 8. 15. 16. 17. c. â—bm 38. 39 Gal. 4. 6. 7 Iohn 16. 17. c. Exo 20. 5. 6 Ex. 34. 6. 7. What gods iustice is What gods mercy â—â— How iustice and mercy may matche Iohn 1. 14 16. 13 17. 3. Rom. 8. 14. 1. Ioh. 4. 13. Math. 1. 21. Mark 2. 7 Gal. 4. 45 Heb. 2. 9 14. 15 Christes Incarnation Iohn 1. 14 Heb. 2. 16 1. Iohn 1. 7 Vnion A DiscriptioÌ„ of vnion or vnitinge of two thinges into one The vnion of the two natures in Christ Reuerence of heauenly misteries The orderly proceding of gods iust Heb. 2. 14 15. 16. 17 Rom 8. 3 â— Cor. 5. 19 Rom. 5. 8 Christs maÌ„hod moste pure without sinne Math. 1. 20 Rom 8. 3 1. Pet. 3. 18 Christ suffered as a borow or sueâ—tie not as an offender 2. Cor. 5. 21 Obiection agaiÌ„st christes full redeeming of the whole man by his death Gal. 3. 13. Christ suffereth the whole dew for our sins Why Christ deliuered vs by dying Heb. 2 14 Esay 53. 8 c. Ose 13. 14 why the chosen die still Rom. 5. 15 c. 1. cor â–ª 15. 35 How the power of christ vttred tselfe Math. 28. 2. 3. c. Actes 2. 24. Rom. 6. 4 what Christes Resurrection witnesseth vnto vs Rom. 6. 10. 1. Cor. 15. 3. 4. c. The cause of Christes Assention how be is absent from vs Ephe. 4. 8. 9. 10. 1. cor 15 20 Iohn 14. 2 Col. 3. 1 Mat. 28. 20 Christ fitting at the right hand of the father Phi. 2. 9 Col. 2. 9. Mat. 28. 18. Phil 2 â— 0. Heb. 2. 8. 9 1. cor 15. 17 Essential properties Luk. 24. 39 A right papistical obiectioÌ„ wheron they builde their deuilish masse Colo. 3. 1 Ihon. 3. 13. what propertie is That is to say partaking made apertaining to the one as vvel as to the other made coÌ„moÌ„ or indiffereÌ„â— to both Hovve eche of christes natures coÌ„municate their properties vnto other The great force of the vnion of natures vvhat is meÌ„t by communicâ—tinge of properties Hovv christ is present vvith vs To vvhat purpose Christes bodily absence â—erueth Mat. 28 18 Iohn 17. 2 Mat. 28 â–ª 20 Iohn 15. 4 Gal 2. 20 Ephe. 1. 11. Christes intercession Obieccion against christes mediation in both his natures Difference betvvene a meane a mediator or meanmaker Christe is bothe a meane and a mediator vvhat is to be thought of the office of intercession Of praying to Saincts Angels Mat. 11. 22. Iohn 19 11 The good intentes of the popish praying to Sainctes Another obiection of the Papistes for praying to sainctes 2 Thes 3. 1. Rom. 8. 26 How the holy ghost prayeth for vs Rom. 8. 15. Christs intercession for vs is and shal be euerlasting 1. cor 15 28 Of the yelding vp of christs kingdom to god the father Of christes comming to eudgement 2. tim 4. 1. Luk 16 19. Luke 16. 9. 23. 24. Actes 7. 60 Phil. 1. 23 Mat. 25. 3â— The dead 1 cor 15. 51 52. 1. thes 4. 15. Endles daÌ„pnation Obection against the generalnesse of the resurrection 1. cor 15. 22 Gen. 2. 17 Gen. 3. 19 Obiection agaynste the punishment of the bodie for the souls offences 1. cor 35. c 1. thes 5. 25. Heb. 2. 14 Eternall life and eternall death The onely way to eternall life Ioh. 20. 7. 1 The distinction of true faithe Rom. 8. 37 c. Whens true faith commeth Mat. 16. 17. Ioh 1. 19. 18. 17. 15 1. Cor. 2. 9 19. 14. Col. 22. 1. Thes 1. 5 Of mans corruption Corruption of the body in substance Iohn 3. 6 Ephe. 2. 5 That is to vvit both of soule and bodye Corruptione of the soul in qualities and vvhich those qualities bee Error in opinioÌ„ about original sin vvhat is meÌ„t by qualities in the soule The soule is not corrupted in substance but in qualities for othervvise it should die as the body doth Neither reason nor Wil is taken away by Adams fall but both of them be vtterly defaced and corrupted Rom. 1. 20 Namely will. Rom. 7. 18. 19. Ro. 7. 8. 9 10. c. Reason vnreformed sucketh alwayes vppoÌ„ vntruth Obiection Of freewill Naturall reason counseleth nothiÌ„g but euill 1. â—or 2. 14 Hovv necessity and free vvil or willingnes may frame together Necessitie Willingnes Compulsion Freenesse Mannes freenesse before his fall Ioh. 8. 36 Rom. 6. 16 8. 15. Of preuenting grace Rom. 5. 10 Tit. 3. 5 1. Ioh. 4. 19 The woorking of naturall vvitte vvith preueÌ„tinge grace Grace effectuall by grace Of Merit or deseruing Rom. 4. 4 1. Cor. 4. 7 Mat. 25. 14 Rom. 4. 5 Of the spreding of originall sinne into al mankinde By learning it one of an other or by folowing one anothers example Rom. 5. 14. Rom. 6. 23 Obiection that the death of the bodie shold be but naturall and not a penaltie of sinne Gen. 2. 17. 3. 19. Rom. 5. 12. Of the conueying of the soule Bezaz opinion of the creation of soules Rom. 5. 12 c. To be made one with christ is the only remedi of sin death damnatioÌ„ That is to say partakiÌ„g of christ or being made one thinge with Christ Esay 9. 5. Rom. 8. 32 1. cor 10. 16 Eph. 5. 30 Iohn 17. 11 21. 22 A cauill against ouâ— ownering or possessig of Christ Iohn 13. 3. 17. 10 1. cor 6. 20. 7. 23. â—om 7.1 â— c. â— cor 11. 2 â— ph 5. 15 Ephe. 5. 30 why our communiting with christ is called spirituall Acts. 4. 31 Ephe. 4. 15 16. Ephe. 5. 32 Ephe. 5. 30 Christs being one with vs and wee with him Ephe. 5. 32 The fruit of our beinge one with Christ Eph. 1 18 6. 9. c. Eph 3. 8. 9 19. Gal 4. 4 Math. 3. 15 Rom. 5. 19 Phil. 2. 8 Rom. 8 3. 4 Rom. 6. 6 Gal. 2. 20. Imputation 1. Cor. 1. 30. Ioh. 17. 20. 21. c. Against the doctrine of Transubstantiation Ep. 4. 15. 16 Ephe. 5. 23 Christs righ
For seynge that this manhoode of his was ioyned too the woord by personall vnion yea and so ioyned as it was moste holy in it selfe who caÌ„ think if y said humane nature be considered without the charge of mediatorship which is not of it selfe coincident too the manhoode but inioyned to the sonne by the father of his owne good wyll and willinglye vndertaken by the sonne I say who can thinke that there was anye defaulte in this manhoode whiche hée had taken vnto him so as it should not foorthe wyth haue byn moste woorthye of the euerlasting lyfe euen from the very fyrst moment of the saide vnion Therefore this his beinge bounde too the performance of the lawe is not properlye by nature but of good will nor simplye for that Christ is a man but bycause he béecame man for our sakes which condition he vndertooke of his owne accorde and performed it not in his owne behalfe for by good right he was moste blessed already but in our behalfe for whom it was his will to become subiecte too the lawe to the intent to redéeme them that were vnder the lawe Furthermore sée how vncertaine a sayinge that is whiche thou spakest laste of all concerninge the satisfyinge for our synnes For that is euen the chéefest parte of hys obedience or fulfillynge of the lawe as wée haue prooued a little afore So then if he fulfilled the lawe in his owne béehalfe you must néedes confesse that he dyed for his owne sake also Quest You say then that we be iustified before god that is to say that we be couÌ„â—ed and denounced rightuous beecause Christes obedience is imputed vnto vs â—hich consisteth chiefly of two partes â—amely of satisfaction for our sinnes â—f full performance of all rightuousnes â—f the lawe An. I say so Quest To what purpose then is Christ furthermore made our sanctificatioÌ„ for doubtlesse he that is accepted for rightuous is also accounted for holy Ans Whosoeuer is rightuous muste also of necessitie be holye but not contrarywise except there come newe grace too the former graces after the maner that we haue auouched the terme Rightuous too bée taken in this present matter that is too wyt for suche a one as not onely is not hild for a transgressor of the lawe because his sins be clensed away in Christ but also hath fulfilled the rightuousnesse of the lawe in him To bée shorte I saye that this holinesse is the goodnesse and vncorruptnes of his person and y this rightuousnesse whereof wee intreate as now and whereof the beléeuers are termed rightuous in themselues is not the rightuousnesse that commeth by imputation but the imp of that holinesse so as the former is as the trée and this other is as the fruite of it â–ª After this sorte was Adam created holye that is too saye good and faultlesse and hée had also béecome rightuous if he had kept the lawe whiche his creator had appoyncted him Que. But al men are corrupt by nature An. Agein except Christ the second AdaÌ„ who was conceiued by the holye ghost too the ende y the nature of man might in him not onely recouer the clennesse which it had loste but also be aduaunced too a degree of goodnes far higher without measure For the fyrste Adam was but created after the image of God but the latter Adam is also God bycause he is vphild in the euerlasting sonne of god who hath by vnutterable meanes sanctifyed the nature that he hath taken vnto him and that is doone too the intent the same should also make vs holy Quest And wherefore do you call christ the second Adam An. Bicause y like as Adam was created too the end y al men should be borne of him by naturall generation So christ â—ath taken mannes nature vpon him â—oo the ende that all suche as beleeue in â—im should bee spiritually borne a new 〈…〉 him by grace Quest VVas it not ynough for vs to be â—orne once by naturall meanes Ans Yes as apperteyning to this lyfe 〈…〉 respect wherof it were a folie to think wée bée borne any oftener But for asmuch as Adam hath put himself in daunger of dubble death both for himself and for his ofspring it behoued vs eyther to perishe or too bee borne againe intoo euerlasting life after a far other sorte And therefore this other Adam is geuen vs that both holinesse and euerlasting life might flowe spiritually out of him intoo vs by grace like as sin and death were sprede into vs from the first Adam bodily and by nature Quest Layforth yet more plainely this sanctification of ours in Christ Ans That thing is sayd too bee sanctified or made holy whiche is sorted out from the common vncleannesse that it may bee moste pure and wholly consecrated vntoo God the vtter enemy of all vnclennesse After this sort is our nature sanctified or halowed in Christe euen from the very instant of his conception and that too the intente to sanctify vs whiche thing is done two wayes For first like as I sayde that wee be accounted throughly rightuous afore god by imputation of Christes rightuousnes not in ourselues but in him too whome wee bee vnited by faith Euen so also I say that by the imputation of his perfect holinesse and sowndnesse our persones are accounted throughly holy and sound and so consequently are acceptable too the father not in ourselues but in christ Further I say that the force and efficacie of this moste pure holinesse which is in the fleshe of Christe floweth euen in too vs by the working of the holy Ghost in vs so as we be halowed in ourselues that is to say wee bee segregated from the defilinges of this worlde and serue God both in spirit and body Which benefite is euerywhere in the scriptures called Sanctification or holinesse regeneration or newbirth Illumination or Inlightening the new man the new creature and the Spirite or Spiritualnesse Que. you say then that this latter sanctification is not a thing without vs nor ours by imputation only but a new indowment perfectly greffed stickinge in vs bestowed vpon vs in christ by the mere grace of the heauenly father and wrought in vs by the vertue of the holy Ghoste An. So say I. Que. What neede then haue wee of the other sanctification of our nature which is imputed to vs An. Forasmuch as this holinesse that sticketh in vs is but onely begonne in vs according as it appeareth by the continual debate betweene the flesh and the spirit euen in the best sort of men Therfore to the intent our persones may bee acceptable vnto god and so coÌ„sequently the thing that proceedeth from vs may please him for the life of holy men is as it were a continuall offringe vp of themselues wherunto the Apostle exhorteth vs there had neede to steppe in a farre other holinesse namely the same whiche is moste full and
wherof we spake afore which taketh awaye but the one parte of our sins And we haue found both these releases in Christ whom wee haue taken holde on by faith who not onlie hath suffered for all those sins of ours but also hath fullye sanctified our nature in himselfe for vs fulfilled all rightuousnes therein for vs so as wee not only bee set free by hym from death but also obteine the rewarde of euerlastinge lyfe in hym Question You conclude then that all thinges necessarye for our saluation are founde in Christ alone too whom wee cleaue by faith so as ther is no damnation for theÌ„ that be greffed in Christ Ans I conclude so in déede yea and also that the same is the onely knowledge of saluation Quest You say also that this faith is the gift of god bestowed vpoÌ„ vs of his owne mere grace therfore that the first enteraÌ„ce of it is of god not of our selues Ans I say so Quest Then I pray let vs serche to whoÌ„ it is geeuen For the thinge it selfe wytnesseth that it is not geuen vnto al men in asmuch as the beleeuers haue alwayes bin so feawe An. Yet doth it not folowe but that it is offered vntoo all men And therefore it séemeth y we shoulde first séeke whither it bee offered too all or no. Whiche demaunde wyll leade vs to the very headspringes that is too witte too prouidence and predestination Quest Bee it so and therfore I pray you shew me what you call Prouidence Ans I meane by it not onely that vnspeakable power wherby it commeth to passe that God hath foreséene all thinges from euerlastinge and most wisely prouided for all thinges beefore hande but also that eternal decrée or Ordinaunce of the most wise and rightuous god whereby euerye thinge that hathe bin hathe bin and euerye thinge that is is and euerye thinge that shalbée shal bee accordinge as it lyked hym too appoyncte from euerlastinge Que. Say you then that this ProuideÌ„ce is the brynger to passe and the disposer of all thinges Ans It is so and that in such wise as it deserueth some excellenter name than to be called a cause For this is it that ordereth all causes and ruleth euen the particularest fallings out of them so as they may bee guyded to theyr appointed endes Quest But there bee some Angels euill and men are euill by nature and what so euer procedeth from either of these except it be from meÌ„ that be regenerated must needes bee euill as the thing that procedeth froÌ„ an euill begiÌ„ning but god caÌ„not be the author of euil things Ergo he is not the author of all thinges considering that so many euill thinges are to bee excepted Ans As well eche one of the Angels for there can no offpring bee graunted in a spiritual nature as also the first persons of mankinde that is too wit Adam and Eue were created good And therefore none of them both are too bee displaced out of Gods ordinance Quest Admit it bee so as touching that originall and first state of theirs But seing they be nowe corrupted and full of lewdenes how can ye bring them within the compasse of that eternall ordinance of god whiche is so workefull but you must wrape god vp in their naughtinesse Ans Do you suppose it could stand with equitie euen by the iudgement of themselues bee they deuilles or bée they the wickedest sort of men that they shoulde therfore be exempted from subiection too their maker bicause they haue bin stubborne ageinste him And yet muste this néedes follow vppon your sayinge But thus standeth y case I pray you did you neuer beholde a clocke wherin a certein wheele greater than the rest turneth to y right hand and carieth all the rest aboute with him some to the right hande and other some too the left hand with a mere contrary motion one too another Quest Yes truly I haue wondered oftentimes that mannes cunning shoulde be able to represent too mine eyes the thinge that mannes minde is scarce able too atteyne vntoo in the compasses of the skyes An. Assure thy self that y same is a trew image of the diuine prouidence so thou except this thing whervnto nothing can bee found fully like no not euen in the compasses of the skies and much lesse in those handwrought Instruments bycause nothing is equal no nor to speake properly like vnto the highest namely that God almighty whome I nowe compare too the greatest wheele which is the mouer of all the rest is in suche wise in the worlde as that he is no parte of the worlde and yet hath geuen selfmouing too eche one of the wheeles that mooue themselues and that in suchwise as he himselfe is by no meanes mooued and yet mooueth al things according too his eternall prouidence And this mistery of Gods prouidence was represented to vs by gods appointment in the vision of Ezechiell wherin wee haue this to mark further that those fourfold images were ouercouered with wings the wheeles folded one within another and that God was plased highest aboue al things least wee might surmize the mouer himselfe to be moued togither with the causes or least wee might ouercuriously imagine ourselues able to perceyue the reason of those seueral mouings This foundation being laid I Answer three things The first is that the instruments which haue life are endued with reason of which sort bee Angells and men are so styred by god their maker as that they also stirre themselues by an inward selfmouing of theyr owne and therfore that in the bringing to passe of one action there mete two causes that is to wit god who is disseuered from the Instrumente and yet geueth y Instrument beginning to moue it selfe and the very instrument moouing it selfe Another is that these instruments are so mooued by God as that he himselfe stirreth alwayes well but the instruments if they be euil go a contrary motioÌ„ that is to say alwaies amisse but if they be good so as the first author who mooueth alwaies well and the instrument which mooueth it doo agree then foloweth a good and commendable worke The third is that god so mooueth the euil instruments for it is they only whoÌ„ we haue now in questioÌ„ they on the other side are so moued by theÌ„selues that by reason of the dublemâ—ning beginninge there is also a dubble work which seemeth notwithstanding to bee but all one and the same is good in respect of the good beginning and euil in respect of the euill beginning Quest I would haue these things inlightened with some examples Ans I will so and that with assured and euident examples but first I will put to this distinction That God the notable workmaister vsing the euil instrumentes well whatsoeuer they be doth either match theÌ„ one againste another or benefite the good by y seruice of them whither of these two
too his rightfull vengeance for to whom is he detter either he destroyeth them out of hande or else pacientlye giuing them respit that they maye not bée altogether without taste of his goodnes either he voutsaueth not too call theÌ„ at all or he calles them no further but too make them the more vnexcusable Herevpon it commeth to passe that being left vp too their owne lustes they harden themselues vntill they haue filled vp the full measure of wickednes and then they passe awaye vntoo iudgement In what wyse these causes of the dampnation of the reprobates doo come to passe besides the ordinance of God who forsaketh the reprobates and deliuereth them vp too Sathan and too themselues as that the whole blame doth notwithstaÌ„ding sticke altogether in themselues I haue shewed already in dew place Quest Then must the vessels of mercye praise the lord and the vessels of wrath blame themselues But whither maye I flee for succour in the perilous temptation of perticular election Ans Unto the effectes whereby the spirituall life is certeinlye discerned and so consequently our electioÌ„ like as the lyfe of the bodye is perceiued by feelinge and mouing For wee that walowe as yet in the puddle of this worlde are not able too lyfte vp our selues vntoo that souereyne lyght excepte wee mount vp by those steppes whereby God draweth his chosen vntoo him accordinge too hys foresaid euerlasting ordinance as whom he hath created to his own glory Therefore that I am chosen I shall perceiue first by y holinesse or sanctificationbegon in mée that is to say by my hating of sin and by my louing of rightuousnes Here vnto I shall adde the witnes of the holy ghost comforting my concience like as Dauid said why art thou heauye O my soule why doost thou gréeue thy selfe Put thy trust in the lord Hereto perteineth the earnest minding of Gods benefytes which though it rather frayeth vs than comforteth vs for a time whyle we thinke therwithall vppon our owne vnthankefulnesse yet at the length it must néedes lyft vs vp forasmuch as therein are alwayes too bée séene the manifest tokens of his free and vnchangeable fatherlye loue towardes vs not shadowed but playnelye expressed Upon this Sanctifycation and comforte of the holye Ghoste wee gather fayth And therby wee ryse vp vntoo Christe to whom whosoeuer is geeuen is of necessitye chosen in hym from afore all worldes and shall neuer bee thruste oute of the doores Question VVhat if those witnessinges be faint Answere Then it beheueth vs too knowe that wée bée tryed and therfore that our sluggishnesse is then most too be found fault with Yet withstanding our hartes must not in any wise shrinke but wee must strengthen theÌ„ with those indefinite promises and throw dartes at our aduersarie agein For although the incounter of the fleshe ageinst the spirit doo comber our consciences with great doubtinges of the trewnes of our fayth specyally as ost as the spirit seemeth too quayle and in a manner too bee quite quenched yet notwithstandyng it is certeyne that thys spirite whiche setteth it selfe truelye thoughe but faintlye ageynst the assaultes of the fleshe is the spirit of adoption the gift whereof is not too bee repented of For otherwyse the electe myght peryshe and they that bee once iustifyed myght fall away from Christ Wherevppon it woolde folowe either that God is chaungeable or that the sallyng out of his ordynance is vncertein wherof none of both can bee imputed too God without blasphemie Quest But the garlond is geueÌ„ to those onely that holde out Ans I graunt so And therfore whosoeuer is elected craueth perseuerance and obtaineth it Quest Think you then that the spirit of adoption is neuer shaken of Ans I confesse that the spirit is now and then interrupted in sore temptations that the testimonies of his dwellinge in vs are oftentimes so brought a sleepe that hee seemeth to bee quite gone from vs for a time But yet for all that I say he is neuer quite taken away for needs must gods determination of sauing his seruaunts stand sure and therfore when â–ª time serues at length the mistes of the fleshe are chaced away and the gladnesse of the lordes sauinge health alwayes restored which shyneth as the Sonne into the troubled consciences of the elect Finally I say that trewe fayth and the effectes thereof are in likewise interrupted in the elect as the powers of y mind bee hindered in them that haue the sleepye disease or in drunkenmen in whom the soule is not taken awaye for there is great oddes betwene the sleepy disease or drunkenuesse and very death and yet that they which haue the spirit of Adoption haue an assured pledge of eiernall life Therefore in this most daungerous incounter the same thing wherwith Satan assayleth vs both can and must warrant vs assured victory For except the spirit of adoption which is also the spirite of holiâ—â—esse rightuousnesse faith and life were present in vs there should bee no striuing in vs but sin should reygne quietly at his pleasure For the man that is not indued with that spirit saith thus I doo the euill that I haue a mind vnto I do no good nor I haue no list too do it But the man that is regenerated and so consequently elected howbeit as yet still wrestling sayeth thus I doo the euill that I wold not I do not the good that I woold doo Wo is mee who shall deliuer me out of the body of this death And in crying out in this wise the elect person casteth hys Anchor in the verye Throne of God the father whom he beholdeth in the preached woord and in the Sacramentes Finally when the elect shall haue gotten the full victorye in the other world he shall say thus I doo the good that I woold doo and I doo none euill nor none I list to doo Question VVhat if a man neuer feele the testimonies of such spirit in himselfe Answere Yet must it not bee deemed that he is one of the number of the reprobates For the lord calleth those that bee his at what time he himself listeth And therefore such manner of men must bee sent away too the woord and the Sacramentes where they maye heere God speaking and alluryng synners vntoo hym For although they receyue not the fruite and operacion of those thynges for a tyme yet must they incorage themselues and also bee diligently styred vp by others too continewe in heeringe the word of God euen ageinst their wills then one tyme or other they shall obteinâ— that whiche the Lorde as yet deferreth not too the intent too cast them of but contrarywise too sharpen their desyrâ— and earnestnesse Quest I would therefore that wee might talke amonge ourselues concerning the Sacramentes also about the which in especiallye there is nowe adayes so greate strife betweene the churches Ans Truly I refuse not so to doo Notwithstandinge