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
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
a Prophet he shall receaue the rewarde of a Prophet And he y t receauethe a ryghteous man in the name of a righteous man he shall receaue y e rewarde of a righteous maÌ„ And who so euer shal gyue to one of these lytle ones a cuppe of colde water to dryncke onely in the name of a disciple verely I saye vnto you he shall not loose his rewarde Also in another place who so euer shal giue to you a cuppe of water to dryncke in my name because ye are of Christ â—erely I saye vnto you he shall not loose his rewarde Euery man shall beare his owne burdeÌ„ Al of vs must stonde opeÌ„ly before y e iudgyng place of Christ y t euery one maye receaue accordynge to that whiche he dydde whan he was alyue whyther it be good oâ— euell Christ the sonne of maÌ„ shall come in the glory of his father wyth his Aungelles and than shall he gyue to euery one accordynge to theyr workes The hour commethe in the whiche all that are in the graues shall heare the voyce of Christ they that haue done good shal come forth into the resurreccion of lyfe they that haue done euel into the resurreccion of damnacion To them that haue done the workes of mercy shall euerlastynge glory be gyuen at the day of iudgement to y e vnmercifull eternall damnacion So that they which do good workes in thys worlde shall receaue a glorious and euerlastynge rewarde in the worlde to come Of this had â— Paule a certen assurauÌ„ce whan he sayd I haue â—ought a good fyghte and haue fulfylled my course and haue kepte the sayth From henseforth is layde vp for me a crowne of ryghteousnesse whyche the Lorde y t is a ryghteous Iudge shall gyue me at that daye not to me onelye but vnto all them that loue his commynge Thus muche haue I spokeÌ„ coÌ„cernynge good workes here haue ye now your new yeres gyft coÌ„plete ê‘fecte Theo. Blyssed be God for thys our new yeres gyfte which is more precious thaÌ„ golde perle precious stone god mought gyue you an heaueÌ„ly gyfte for this your newe yeres gifte wherw t this day ye haue enryched vs. Phil. The christeÌ„ loue teÌ„der affeccioÌ„ wherw t I loue you all hath moued me to do that I haue done If I haue done you ony pleasure to the reioysyng of your spirite I am glad If I haue not in al poyntes satisfyed your desyre expectacioÌ„ yet accepte my good wyll For he is not altogyther to be blamed whiche entendeth well although all thynges do not thorowlye answere to his intent Well neyghbours I wyll now knyt vp in few wordes that I haue sponne in many shewe you breuely the whole effecte of your new yeres gyfte Ye haue learned y e Christ is the gyfte of God frely gyuen you of God the father for your newe yeres gyfte So that not only he but all that euer he hath in asmuche as he is man is ours his fastyng watchyng prayenge hys mercye goodnes purite innocency hys pashon bloude deathe resurreccion and all y t euer he hath besydes All is â—ures God hath gyuen vs all thyng with hym as S. Paule sayth This gyft of God Christ our new yereâ— gyfte hath appeared no more by tyâ—es figures clowdes and shadowes but in his flesh He hath taken flesh of y e moost holye and pure virgine Mary and is become very man for oure sake lyke vnto vs in al thynges syn alone excepte And y t we maye 〈◊〉 that he is a precious gyfte vnto vs he bryngeth helth vnto all menne not onely vnto the Iewes but also to the Gentiles so that who so euer calleth on the name of the Lorde he shall be saued be he Ieweor GeÌ„tile free or bonde noble or vnnoble For he is thalone sauiour None saueth but he alone nether is there ony saluacioÌ„ but in hym alone nor yet ony name gyueÌ„ vnto men vnder heaueÌ„ wherin they muste be saued but in his name alone Moreouer ye haue lerned that he is not only a sauiour bryngeth saluacion to al men but he is also a scholemaster vnto vs. For he teacheth vs y t fyrst we shulde deny vngodlynes worldly lustes and afterwarde lyue soberly ryghteously and godlye in thys â—â—esent world What so euer vice hath reygâ—ned in vs iÌ„ times past we must now vtterly put it awaye frâ—m vs were it Idolatry false worshâ—ppynge of God supersticion confidence in ceremonies despisyng of Gods word swearyng by hys moost blyssed name brekiÌ„g of y e saboth dâ—y c. or els vncleÌ„nes carnall affectes worldly lustes dyuellysh mocioÌ„s whordome theafte couetousnes dronckeÌ„shyp glotonny wrathe contencioÌ„ bloud sheddynge c. and gaâ—nysshe oure lyues wythe all kynde of vertues sobriete iustice godlynes purite innocency pacience longe sufferynge charite peace goodnes fayth temperaunce mekenes and wyth al theâ— other frutes of the spirite that â— good consciences and fre hartes we maye looke for that blessed hope and glorious appearyng of y e great God our sauiour Iesus Christ whiche wyllyngely and wythout ony compulsion gaue no aungell nor man but hym selfe for vs to redeme vs from all vnrighteousnes that is to saye from all synne â—oth originall mortal veniall or ony other so that we repente beleue aske marcye and amende our synfull lyuyng and to pourge vs a peculiare people vnto hymselfe to do hym seruyce none other and euen suche as wythoute any fayning or cloked holynes shuld be earneste followers not of theyr 〈◊〉 wylles fansys and fleshly plesures but of good workes eueÌ„ such workes as God commaundeth and â—â—â— accepted be fore hym not such â—s dame Good entent and her self or 〈◊〉 zele imaginethe and 〈◊〉 of theyr own braynes without â—he authorite of Goddes worde Thus haue ye neighbours in 〈◊〉 workes that ye receaued before in many What nowe reâ—â—yneth but that seyng God the father hath shewed vs so great kyndenesse by hys sonne Iesus Christ we do as y e new yeares gyfte teacheth vs that is 〈◊〉 saye deny vngodlynes and 〈◊〉 lustes lyue soberly righteously and godly in thys present â—â—â—ld and be earnest followers of good workes â–ª we may with a good conscience and mery harte looke for y e blyssed hope and glorious apperyng of the great God and our sauiour Iesus Christ. RemeÌ„ber that to be called a christâ—â—â— man anauayleth no thyng exceptâ— we lyue accordyng to our name and profession Remember that to rede the scriptures to haue the knowledge of them profyteth nothyng at all excepte we fashon our lyfe 〈…〉 dyng to the doctrine therof RemeÌ„ber that to crake of sayth of oure â—ustificacion by it is nothing to the purpose except we brynge forth the frutes of fayth Remember that to glory of our saluacion purchased by Christ auaylethe nothynge excepte me chaunge our olde lyuyng and become newe men Remember that al the benefites of christ serue only
knowe that Christ is the fre gyfte of God giuen vs wythoute ony desertes caull I praye you to remembraunce y e faull of Adam in whome all we haue synned and deserued lyke damnacion What had he done to pacify y e wrath of God to recouer his fauour wheÌ„ God made hym this moost confortable promyse I wyll sette emnite betwene the an womaÌ„ betwene thy seed and hyr seed And that selfe seed shal tread downe thy head Chri. For sothe I thyncke very lytle Phil. Ye myghte haue sayde nothynge at all ryght well excepte ye thyncke thys somewhat whan he had once offended to put his head in a bush not to knowledge his fault nor once to dare to come in syghte Euse. Ye saye trueth Phil. What had Abraham deserued whaÌ„ God made him this promyse of Christ sayeÌ„ge in thy seed all nacions of the earth shal be blyssed Uerely nothyng at all only he beleued the promyse of God it was rekened vnto him vnto righteousnes He chosed vs sayth saynt Paule in Christ before the foundacions of the world were layd y t we should be holy fautles before hiÌ„ AgeÌ„ we were by nature the chyldren of wrath euen as other were But God whiche is ritche in mercye for his greate loue wherwith he loued vs eueÌ„ theÌ„ wheÌ„ we were dead thorowe synne quickened vs with Christ for by grace are ye sauid hathe raysed vs vp with him in heauenly thynges thorowe Christ Iesus that in tymes to come he myghte shewe the excedynge ritches of his grace iÌ„ kyndnes toward vs in Christ Iesu. For by grace are ye saued thorow fayth that not of your selues For it is y e gyfte of god commeth not of workes least anâ— man shoulde boast hymselfe Also in another place after y t the goodnesse loue y e God our sauioure hath towarde men dyd appeare not of the workes of righteousnes whiche we haue done but according to his mercy hath he saued vs by y e fountayne of the newe byrth renewynge of y e holy Ghost which he shed on vs abuÌ„dantly thorow Iesus Christ our sauiour that we beynge made righteous by his grace shulde be heyres of eternall lyfe accordynge to hoope This is a sayenge not to be doubted of Christ himselfe also sayth God loued the worlde so intierly y t he gaue his only begotten sonne that euery one that beleueth in him shulde not peryshe but haue euerlastynge lyfe For God sent not his sonne into the worlde to condemne the world but that the worlde shoulde be saued by him Of these scriptures heretofore rehearsed is it euident that Christ is frely giuen vnto vs of God y e father yea that without oure merites or desertes For whan we were vtterly damned knewe not howe to recouer ony parte of our helpe God the father of his own gracious goodnes gaue vs his sonne Christ to be oure Sauioure So that as the beginnynge of youre Newe yeares gyfte is Christ is vnfaynedly the gyft of God â–ª frely giuen vs for our great coÌ„forte saluacion Chri. It can not be expressed howe much we are bounde to God the father for this his gyfte seynge that he gaue vs not an Aungell or ony other celestiall creature but his onlye begotten sonne euen the higheste and mooste precious treasure that he hadde Philemon Y wyl say so whan ye haue once hearâ— what a treasure this youre gyfte 〈◊〉 vnto you howe many pleasures commodities ye receaue by hym Euse. I pray you let vs heare Phil. It followeth That bryngeth saluacion vnto all men Beholde youre newe yeares gyfte that God the father hath giuen you bryngeth saluacion vnto all meÌ„ It is no idle vnprofitable gifte but commodious necessary For it worke the vs health saluacion The giftes of the world bring many times perdicion destruccioÌ„ damnacion but this gyft of God bringeth lyfe health ioye pleasure saluacion an whole sea of good thynges It bringeth saluacion sayth the scripture Note this worde bringeth As though it shoulde be sayd whaÌ„ ther was no hope of health but all thynges yoked in the bond of desperacioÌ„ synne bare rule Satan triuÌ„phed ouer mankynd as his bond captiue than came the gifte of God whiche droue synne out of place vaÌ„quished Satan destroyed the powers of hel brought saluacion to man which loked only for damnacion yea that frely without ony desertes euen of mere grace pure mercye O the inestimable excellency of this gifte which both wyllyngly frely bryngeth saluacion to mankynde Howe can it otherwyse be Is not y e name of this our gyfte IESVS gyuen hym of God the father published by his Aungell Embassadoure Gabriel And what other thyng I pray you soundethe IESVS than a sauioure This our gyfte Christ is a sauiour For he saueth his people from theyr synnes Feare ye not sayth the aungell For beholde I shewe vnto you a great ioye which shall chaunse to all people For this day is borne vnto you a sauiour whiche is Christ y e Lorde of the cytye of Dauid Thus sewe that Christ is a sauiour Therfore maye he righte well brynge saluacion saue so many as beleue in hym Theo. Is there no saluacion to be loked for but only at the hand of Christ Phil. No verely ye heard that the gyfte of God which is Christ briÌ„geth saluacion It is Christes office alone to saue besydes hym is ther no sauiour neither in heauen nor in earth Who so euer seaketh saluacioÌ„ at y e hande of ony other but at Christes alone he doth not only deceaue hym selfe but also robbe christ of his office depriue him of hys glory blaspheme his blissed name tread vnder foote his moost precious bloud vtterly maketh of none effecte y e whole misterye of Christes incarnacion Euse. It were pite that ony maÌ„ shuld be of this mind Phil. You say trueth Notwithstandyng there haue bene that haue sought health at other besydes Christ would God there were none at this day S. Paule feareth not to saye if righteousnes cometh by y e lawe thaÌ„ dyed Christ in vayne Agayn ye are gone quyte froÌ„ Christ so many of you as wyl be made righteous by the lawe are fallen from grace Chri. Let vs hear it proued by the scriptures that ther is no saluacion but by this gifte of God Christ alone Phil. The matter is more euident than it neadeth ony probacion to the faythful as for theÌ„ that are obstinately blynd all the scriptures in the worlde can profit nothyng at al. NotwithstoÌ„dyng to satisfy your godly desyre of many I wyl reherse a fewe yea and those that shall seme moost fyt for y e purpose Theo. I praâ— you let it so be Phil. Whense shall I take my begynnyng but of the Prâ—â—phet Esaye whome Christ our sauâ—oure had so ofte in his mouthe By hym Christ speaketh on this
as a cloth polluted wyth menstrue We were conceaued borne in syn The imaginacioÌ„s and thoughtes of mannes harte are prone vnto euell euen from his yonge age There is no man innocent before God there is no man but that synneth There is not a righteous man on y e earth that doth good and synneth not Euery one is an hypocrite wickeâ— and the mouthes of theÌ„ all haue spokeÌ„ folyshnes All we haue erred and gone astraye lyke shepe euery one hath followed his owne fansye The harte of man is wicked inâ—crutable No man is pure from synne no the starres are not clene in his sight howe much more is man fylthy and vnclene which is nothyng but corrupcion a very worme in comparison of God Who is able to say my harte is clene and I am pure from syn No maÌ„ is good but God alone We are al vnprofitable seruauntes The Lorde looked downe from heauen vpon the chyldren of men to se yf there were ony one y t had vnderstandyng or saught after God But all are swarued clene gone oute of the waye they are become all togyther vnprofitable there is â–ª none that dothe good no not one They are corrupt become abhominable iÌ„ theyr studies Theyr throte is lyke a wyde mouthed graue they worke deâ—eate with theyr tonges the poyson of adders is vnder theyr lyppes Theyr mouthe is full of cursynge bytternes theyr feete are swyfte to shed bloude Destruccion and werynes are in theyr wayes the waye of peace haue they not knowne Ther is no feare of god before theyr eyes Howe lyke ye these scriptures Do they not paynte oute man in his natiue colours What haue we of oure selues to reioyse boste of Chri. We maye perceaue now right wel that we be all wretched miserable synners Theo. If god had not gyuen vs his sonne christ to be our sauioure we hadde bene in a damnable case Euse. We were so pocky full of diseases that yf christ had not bene ourâ— Phisicion to heale our woundes 〈◊〉 his moost precious wouÌ„des we had continued styl disesed for euermore Phil. I am glad ye haue learned that all men are synners that therfore they haue nede of christ the gyfte of God whiche bryngeth saluacion to all men For this is the fyrst poynte to knowe christ aryght Nether can ony man to muche deiecte and casâ—e downe hym selfe For the more man humbleth hym selfe the more dothe he exalte y e glorious maieste of god But that ye maye be without dout in this matter I wyll rehearse certen vnto you out of both the Testamentes which shall declare that we be all synners Adam as ye knowe transgressed the commaundement of God in Paradise by his transgression made vs all bonde to eternall damnacion Nohe fell into the synne of dronkeÌ„nes Lothe was not only dronken but also lay with hys owne doughters so commytted y e greuous synne of inceste Abraham denyed hys wyfe Moses coÌ„mytted man â—aughter Dauid commytted bothe manslaughter whoredome Salomon was an Idolater Mathew was a tolle gatherer The Apostles dyd stryue amonge them who shoulde be hyghest of greatest aucthorite Mary Magdalene was a greuous synner Peter denyed and forsoke Christ thryse Paule persecuted the coÌ„gregacion of christ â—hat shoulde I make many wordes So many as euer were clad wythe this flesh Iesus christ alone excepte whiche was both God and man conceued borne without the seed of maÌ„ by the operacion of the holy Ghoste of the moost blyssed vndefyled virgin Mary were synners and so many as are in the same at this day 〈◊〉 shal be vnto the worldes ende are 〈◊〉 shall be synners saued onely by the fre mercy of god thorow Iesê° christ We all offende in many thynges sayth S. Iames. Here are none excerted If we saye saythe S. Iohn that we haue no synne we deceyue ourselues and the trueth is not in vs. Here S. IohnÌ„ which was so holy vertuous dearly beloued of god nombreth him selfe among synners neyther is he ashamed so to do that al glory maye be gyuen to God and the prayse of oure saluacioÌ„ to Iesus Christ our Lorde sauiour Chri. If all be synners with oute excepcion what is than to be sayde of y e moost glorious blyssed virgyn Mary Is she also to be rekened in the nomber of synners Phil. I answere with S. AusteÌ„ whan so euer there is disputacion of synne all must nedes coÌ„fesse them selues synners excepte y e holy virgyn Mary of whom for the honour of the Lorde I wyl haue no question at all whan we entreate of synne For we know that there was giuen to her more grace than to ony other creature for to ouercome â—yn on euery parte for as muche as she deserued to conceaue bryng â—orth hym whom it is euideÌ„t to haue had no synne Therfore this virgyn excepte if we coulde gather all y e sayntes both men and women whâ— they lyued here demaund of them whyther they were wtout synne What do we thyncke that they would aunswere as this Pelagian sayth or as IohnÌ„ the Apostle affyrmeth Uerely ware theyr excellency of holynes neuer so great in this bodye if they myghte be asked thys thynge they woulde surely crye with one voyce yf we shoulde saye that we haue no synne we deceaue oure selues 〈◊〉 the truethe is not in vs. Hytherto haue I rehearsed the wordes of S. Austen which as they excepte the moost blyssed virgyn Mary from the spot of synne so do they proue all other wythoute excepcion to be sinners Yet this dare I boldly affyrme say that this moost holy pure and glorious virgyn disdayned not to confesse Christ to be also her Lorde and sauiour Her wordes are these My soule magnifyeth the Lorde my spirite hath reioysed in god my sauiour Behold she bosteth not her good dedes she crakethe not of her merites she swelleth not with her owne dignite but humbly grauÌ„tyng herselfe to be the handemayde of the lord redy to do his moost godly pleasure and wyll in all thynges she confesseth God to be her sauiour and not her selfe nor her owne good dedes If so holye and pure a virgyne which was replenyshed wythe all grace vertue and goodnes dyd not bost of her own dignite worthynes merites dedes good worâ—kes but cleued to God alone and sought for saluacion at his hande howe wicked and goâ—les are they which seâ—e health at ony other sauyng aâ— thys gyfte of God Iesus christ which briÌ„â—geth saluacion to all meÌ„ Euse. This is godly spoken Dothe christ therfore bryng saluacion to all menne Phil. To all men that repent beleue and labour to 〈◊〉 a good lyfe â–ª were they neuer so greuous synners before For christ came not to call the righteous that is such as wyt iustify them selues by theyr owne good dedes merites but synneâ—s vnto repentaunce He
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
his ryghteousnes not by our owne workes and deseruynges Moreouer S. Paule sayth whaÌ„ ye were dead thorowe synnes the vncircuÌ„cision of the flesh God quickened you with christ forgaue vs all our synnes put out the handewrytyng that was agaynst vs contayned in the lawe wrytten that hath he taken oute of the waye and fastened it to the crosse hath spoyled rule and power and hath made a shewe of them openly triumphed ouer them in hys owne person God hathe forgyuen vs all oure synnes thorow christ sayth S. Paule here Where is ony excepcion If there be mo synnes than the originall synne as there are them also hath God the father forgyuen vs thorowe Iesus Christ oure Lorde To the Hebrues agayne he wrytethe Christe in hys owne parson pourged our synnes is set on the righte hande of the maiestye on hygh FroÌ„ our synnes hath Christ made vs clene and not from one synne onely Christ was offered once for all to take away the synne of many All shal not be saued for al not beleue but many shall be saued they haue not only originall synne but also al theyr other siÌ„nes takeÌ„ away by Christ. AgeÌ„ euery prest is redy dayly ministriÌ„g ofteÌ„times offereth onemaÌ„ner of ofâ—eriÌ„ges which canne neuer take awaye sinne But this man Christ whaÌ„ he had offered for â—ynnes one sacrifice which is of value for euer satte hym downe on the right hand of God from hense forth taryeth tyll hys foes be made his footstoole For with one ofâ—ryng hath he made perfecte for euermore them that are sanctified S. Paule here coÌ„pareth Christ the euerlasting Byshop preste wyth the prestes of the olde lawe He sheweth that they offered sacrifices dayly yet coulde they neuer put awaye synne by theÌ„ No maruayle for they were only shadowes of good thynges to come But this our hed preste Christ hath offered but one sacrifice not for the originall synne only but for synnes sayth he yet is it of so great vertu and strength that it is of value for euer the power of it neuer decayeth it abydeth in full strengthâ— so longe as ony synne remayneth so that it nedeth not ofteÌ„ tymes to be offered as the sacrifices of y e old lawe were For withe this one sacrifice whiche was the oblacion of hys body hathe he made them for euer so perfecte y e are sanctifyed that they nede none other sacrifice to make them holy acceptable in the syghte of God All that haue had theyr synnes forgyueÌ„ theÌ„ from the beginnyng of y e worlde vntyll this daye or shall haue vnto the ende of the world haue had and shall haue all theyr synnes forgyueÌ„ theÌ„ thorowe this one sacrifice of Iesus Christ. And that ye maye know thys to be true consyther thys one thyng that I shall nowe saye vnto you Who was more faythfull thaÌ„ AbrahaÌ„ more derely beloued w t God than Dauid more holye than IohnÌ„ Baptist Yet could nether they nor none other enter into heaueÌ„ vntyll Christ had suffered hys pashon and offered hys bodye a swete smellyng sacrifyce for vs vnto God the father Thus haue I opened vnto you y e mynd of S. Paule concerning this matter Euse. Hys sayeÌ„ges proue manifestly y t we are redemed by Christ not only from originall synne but also from all other â–ª Philemon You say truth Wel ye shal heare now y e myndes of the other Apostles S. Peter sayth christ his owne selfe bare our synnes in his body on the tree that we beynge delyuered from synnes shuld lyue vnto righteousnes Note how Peter agreeth in euery poynt with hys fellowe Paule He styffely affyrmeth that christ his owne selfe and none other bare our synnes in his bodye not our originall synne alone By his strypes we were made so whole that there remayned not so muche as a scarre of all our sores botches woundes S. IohnÌ„ also sayth the bloud of Iesus Christ maketh vs thorowly cleane yea thaâ— from all synne Can ony thynge be spokeÌ„ more generally If the bloude of Iesus christ maketh vs clene froÌ„ al syn what remayneth ther behynde I praye you So followethe it that both the synne originall actuall mortal veneall what not is washed awaye by Christes bloude Agayne if we confesse oure synnes God is faythfull and ryghteous to forgiue vs our synnes and to make vs cleane from all wickednes This one texte alone of S. IohnÌ„ is able to subuerte ouertople and throwe downe all the byldynge shores and proppes wherwithe these sleyghtye daubers vpholde theyr enterprises If we confesse our synnes sayth he If which we if we that professe the christen religioÌ„ and yet thorow our fragilite and weakenesse of nature haue offended God after oure baptisme contrary to our vow and promyse made thereat if we I saye after that we haue fallen confesse our synnes God is faythfull and ryghteoê° what to do to forgyue vs our synnes Note our synnes to make vs cleane from all vnrighteousnes What synne is it than I praye you from the whiche he dothe not make vs clene This sentence must nedes be vnderstonde of theÌ„ which offende after baptisme Nowe sayth s. IohnÌ„ although we synne after baptisme yet lette vs not dispayre but rather repent bewayle our synfull lyuyng detest our wycked manners turne vnto God coÌ„fesse our synnes vnto hym If we do this doubt we not but y e God which is faythfull in performyng his promyse he hathe promised them that come vnto hym w t a faythfull and repentauÌ„t harte remissioÌ„ of theyr synnes ryghteous in forgyuyng the penitent sorowfull synner in condemnynge the wycked which continewe in his vngodlines wythout ony confession of his faulte and amendement of lyfe wyll forgyue vs oure synnes yea make vs clene from all vnrighteousnes These wordes proue manifestly that God forgyueth oure synnes after baptisme if we repent coÌ„fesse and amende Wherof comethe this of the merites of our workes or rather of the free grace mere mercye of God purchased for vs by Iesus Christ for whose sake the wrathe of God the father is pacified and he is wel pleased fully contented w t maÌ„ Uerely for Christes sake dothe God shew to vs this excediÌ„g great mercy in forgiuyng vs our synnes wheÌ„ so euer we call vnto hym wiâ—h a contrite sorowfull harte as S. IohnÌ„ proueth by the wordes that follow My lytle childreÌ„ I wryte these thinges vnto you y t ye should not synne And if ony man synne we haue an aduocate wythe the father Iesus Christ that ryghteous one And he is that sacrifice which apeaseth goddes wrath satisfyeth so soundethe the Greke word Hilasmos for our synnes not for our synnes only but for al y e worldes As though he shuld say My lytle chyldreÌ„ I haue declared vnto you that although we syn after baptisme contrary to our professioÌ„ yet that ther is grace fauour
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