at the wyne and seake out wher the best is Therfore kepe no company wythe wyne bybbers and ryotous eaters of flesh for suche as be dronckardes ryotous shall come to pouerte Iesus y e sonne of Syrach also sayth Be not gredy in euery eatynge be not to hastye vpon all meates For excesse of meates bryngeth syckenes glotony coÌ„meth at the last to an vnmesurablâ— heate Thorow glotony haue maâ—â— peryshed but he that dyeâ—e the hym 〈◊〉 â—eÌ„peraâ—ely prolongeth his lyfe Therfore good neighbours that wâ— maye eschewe all these great perels let vs caste awaye all glotony droÌ„â—kennes lyue soberly practyse modâ—â—rate temperauns so embrace christen sobriete that we maye be sober bothe in body mynde So shall we be the more able to do oure duty toward our neighbours Theo. Trueth it is For he that can not order hym selfe well toward himselfe shal euell do his duty toward hys neyghbour I praye God gyue vs grace fyrst to looke vpon our selues as we ought to do afterwarde to behaue oure selues towarde our neyghbours aâ— it becommeth vs. Phil. This is a godly desyre We are taughte of Christ our scolemaster not only to lyue soberly whiche concerneth our selues but also ryghteously whiche to wecheth oure neyghboures Euse. What is it to lyue ryghteâ—usly Phil. To do to euery maÌ„ as we are bouÌ„d by y e commaundement of God For the offyce of ryghteousnesse is to gyue euery one his owne This oure lesson that we should lyue ryghteously comprehendethe all the seconde table of the ten commaundementes For iustice and ryghteousnes requirethe that we honour our father mother reuerence theÌ„ and do for them what so euer lygheth in our power It requirethe of vs that we also haue in honour all temporall magistrates so many as be our superious It requireth agayne that we giue to the ministers of Gods worde double honour that is to saye both an harty externall reuerence and also all thinges that are necessary for theyr lyuynge that theyr moost godly exercyses maye not be letted It requireth that we slay no man nor do no man no harme but walke charitably towarde all men speke reporte well of all men healpe conforte and socour theÌ„ yea though they be ourâ— extreme enemies seake our death For the coÌ„mauÌ„dement of our scholemaster is this Loue your enemies pray for theÌ„ that curse you do good to them that hate you c. It requireth that we commit none adultry but that euery man haue hys owne wyfe euery woman her owne husbonde It requirethe that we do no theafe nor steale ony thynge from our neyghbour nor brybe away his goodes vniustly nor deceue hym in bargaynyng but healpe hym mayntayne hym socour hym do for him vnto the vttrmoost of our power y t he may want no good thynge It requireth that we beare no false wytnes agaynst our neyghboures nor obscure hys good name nor yet do ony thynge at all that maye turne hym to displeasure but both thynke speake of hym gentylly frendly charitably enterpretynge all thynges vnto the best and coueryng his fautes where there is hope of ameÌ„dmeÌ„t It requireth of vs that we do not couyt oure neyghboures house wyfe seruaunt handmayd nor ony thyng that is his but that we wysh well vnto hym to all that he hath beynge contented wyth that y e God hath gyuen vs be it lytle or muche To be shorte to lyue ryghteously is to do vnto other as we woulde they shoulde do vnto vs. He y t doth these thynges aforesayde lyueth ryghteously behaueth hym selfe towarde hys neyghbour as he is bound by y e commauÌ„dement of God Chri Nowe haue we learned our duty bothe toward our selues our neyghbours Let it nowe be declared vnto vs I praye you how we ought to behaue our selues toward God Phil. Christe our scholemaster techeth vs not only to lyue soberly and ryghteously but also godlye Theo. What is it to lyue godly Phil. To lyue godly is to beleue that ther is but one true lyuyng God to cleaue vnto hym as the fouÌ„dacioÌ„ of all goodnes to looke for all health saluacioÌ„ at his hand to loue hym with the whole mynde harte power soule to call vpoÌ„ his moost blyssed name to prayse hym in all kynde of fortune to seke his glory aboue all thynges to serue him accordynge to his worde Euse. Blyssed is y e man to whome it is gyuen thus godly to lyue Phil. Neighbours nowe haue ye learned y e whole trade of Christes schole what he techeth Hys doctrine is this that ye should deny vngodlynes worldly concupisceÌ„ces that ye should lyue soberly ryghteously godly Looke therfore that ye followe thys teachynge practyse it in your dayly coÌ„uersacion that ye maye be founde no forgetfull hearers but ferueÌ„t doers of suche thinges as ye haue heard and learned Deny vngodlynes and for sake all y t euer is contrary to Gods honour prayse worshyp and glory Mortify youre carnall affectes and worldely lustes Become newe men in your lyuyng Awaye w t the workes of darkenes on wyth the frutes of the spirite Put on the armoures of lyght and cast awaye the workes of darkenes Be no loÌ„ger darkenes but lyght in the lorde Shyne in the worlde as great lyght Glorify God in your body in youre spirite whiche are Gods Lette youre lyght to shyne before men that they maye se your good workes glorify your father whyche is in heauen Lyue soberly modestly temperatly discretely â—agely toward your selues Do nothyng wherof your conscience maye eyther condemne or accuse you Lyue righteously toward youre neyghboure Do none otherwyse vnto hym than ye woulde he should do vnto you Lyue godly towarde God Seake hys glory in all thynges worshyp hym accordyng to hys word not after your blynd fansy fleshly ymaginacion Thus doyng ye shall shew your selues scholers not altogyther vnworthy suche a scholemaster But ye must note y t all these thiÌ„ges must be done in this present worlde as your newe yeres gyfte hathe For this is the tyme of grace fauour conforte and remissioÌ„ of synnes as God sayth by the Prophet I haue heard the in a tyme accepted in y e day of saluacion haue I socoured the. Behold now is that well accepted tyme behold now is y e day of saluacion Seake the Lorde whyle he maye be founde In thys world ther is tyme of mercy fauour grace Here is it lawful to lament our synnes Here maye we vndoubted beleue trust obtayne remissioÌ„ of our synnes After this lyfe there remayneth nothyng but ether euerlastynge payne or eternall glory as S. Ciprian sayth WhaÌ„ we go once out of thys worlde there is no more place of repentaÌ„ce there is no more satisfaccion to be made For lyfe is here ether lost or gotten here is prouision made for eternall
hath my commaundementes sayth Christ and kepeth them he it is that louethe me If ony man loueth me he wyl kepe my worde and my father shall loue hym we wyll come vnto hym dwell wyth hym He that louethe not me kepeth not my wordes Here Christ measureth our loue that we heare toward him by kepyng his word If we kepe his worde than loue we hym but if we kepe it not than loue we hym nothynge at all Agen he saythe I am the vyne and ye are the braunches He that abydeth in me I in hym bryngeth forth much frute Let vs not flatter our selues If we aâ—yde in Christ we brynge forthe muche frute If we brynge forth no frute than abyde we not in Christ. If we abyde not in christ thaÌ„ are we none of christes So followeth it that as withered braunches we shall be gathered and cast into the fyre ther burne for euer S. Paule sayth â–ª not they which heare the lawe are righteous before God but they that expresse the lawe in dedes shall be coâ—ted righteous Although no man be able so longe as he lyuethe in thys worlde to fulfyl the law so thorowly as the purite therof requirethe â–ª yet is it our offyce to laboure vnto the vttermoost of our power to fulfyll the lawe and where we perceaue that we are not able to bring to passe w t so great clennes of hartâ— that which the spirite of the law requireth to bewayle our weakenes â–ª to desyre strengthe to praye vnto God that Christ whiche is the ende and perfecte fulfyllyng of the law maye supply that which wantethe in vs. Agayne he saythe we are buryed wythe hym by Baptisme into death that as Christ is rysen agâ—â—n from death thorow the glory of the father so we shulde walke in a newe lyfe And a litle after recount your selues to be dead vnto sinne but liuing vnto God thorow Iesus christ our Lorde Therfore let not synne raygne in youre mortall bodye for to obey it thorow the lustes therof Neyther gyue ye your members as instrumeÌ„tes of vnrighteousnes vnto synne but gyue your selfes vnto God as they that are alyue from death and gyue youre members as instrumentes of ryghteousnes vnto God Agayne in that same chapter as ye haue gyueÌ„ your members seruauntes to vncleannes to iniquite euen from one iniquite vnto another so now gyue your meÌ„bers seruauÌ„tes vnto righteousnes that ye maye be sanctifyed All these sentences declare vnto vs howe pure innocent and fautles our lyuynge oughte to be If it be the contrary our professioÌ„ profyteth vs nothyng at al. In another place also he sayth If ony man be in Christ he is a new creature that is to say wholly changed froÌ„ his olde maÌ„ners vnto newe He hath no more fellowshyp wythe the vnfruteful workes of darkenes but so composeth appoynteth his lyuyng that he maye appeare to be the lyght of the world Agayne they that are of Christ haue crucifyed y e flesh with the affectes lustes therof If we lyue in the spirite lette vs walk in the spirite For the flesh lustethe agaynst the spirite the spirite agaynst the flesh All they therefore which lyue accordynge to y e appetyte luste and desyre of the fleshe pertayne not vnto Christ. We are y e workemanshyppe of God created in Christe Iesus vnto good worckes whiche God hath prepared that we shulde walke in them Beholde God is oute maker we be made a newe in Christ Iesus vnto good workes So many therfore as apply not theÌ„ selues to do good workes are not engraffed in Christ but remayne styll members of Satan Item I being presoner exhorte you in the Lorde that ye walke worthy your callyng wherin ye are called with all lowlynes mekenes w t softenes of mynd sufferynge one another by charite studyeng to kepe the vnite of y e spirite thorow the bond of peace Here se we with what vertues we ought to garnyshe oure lyfe that we maye walke worthy oure vocacion callyng Howe farre than are they out of the waye whiche defyle them selues wyth all kynde of abhominable vice Be ye sayth S. Paule the followers of God as well beloued chyldren walke in loue as Christ hath loued vs. If it be our duty to â—e the followers of God so must we practise his goodnes follow his innocency purite so muche as lyghethe in our power or els we are not y e soÌ„nes of God Our celestial father is pure holy shal we his chyldreÌ„ be prophane vnholy Our heuily father is good godly mercyful pacieÌ„t al spirite shal we hys soÌ„nes be euel wycked rigoroê° impacieÌ„t al flesh Be ye holy sayth he for I am holy Ye shall be perfecte sayth Christ as your heauenly father is perfecte Moreouer S. Paule wrytethe Be ye pure and suche as no man can be offended wyth you agaynst the day of Christ fylled full of the fruyte of ryghteousnes which chaunseth thorowe Iesus Christ vnto the glory prayse of God Agayne do all thynges without grutchynge and disputacion beyng such that no man can complayne of you and pure the sonnes of God fautles in the myddes of a frowarde and crokedde nacion amonge whome shyne ye as lyghtes in the worlde holdyng fast the word of lyfe It is not without a cause y t your newe yeres gyfte teacheth vs to be earnest folowers of good workes seynge that so great purite and cleÌ„nes of lyfe is required of vs. â—o worthe those fylthye swyne whiche walowe and tomble them selues in all kynde of fleshly vnclennes vnto the great slaunder of Christes Gospell IteÌ„ Mortify your earthly meÌ„bers whoredome vncleannes couetousnes c. For god hath not called vs vnto vnclennes but vnto sanctificacioÌ„ All ye are the soÌ„nes of lyght sayth he and the sonnes of the day we are not of the nyghte nor yet of darkenes Therfore let vs not slepe as other do but lette vs watch and be sober Seyng y t we are no more y e worldes seyng also we haue gyuen ouer Satan and the fleshe wyth all theyr workes pompes plesures it becommeth vs so to walke in al our lyfe conuersacion that we be not found lyke Satans seruauÌ„tes nor the volupteous worlde lynges nor yet ony suche as lyue 〈◊〉 the flesh and not after the spirite but pure clene honest fauteles godly and as I maye so speake euen lyke another christ S. Peter also sayth giue not your selfes to your olde lustes wher wyth ye were ledde whan ye knewe not Christ but as he that called you is holy so be ye also holy iÌ„ al your coÌ„uersacion for it is wrytten be ye holy for I am holy Here are we taught to forsake our olde synfull lyuynge and to fashon our selues lyke vnto the manners of God which is holy righteous perfecte abundantly good in all thynges Furthermore saynt IohnÌ„
wyll of God and brynge forthe the sentes of the spirite WhaÌ„ we worke the wyll of God and fashon our lyfe â—â—â—â—rdynge to the rule of Christes gospell than may we be certen that â—ur sayth is ryght and that we are the sonnes of God fellowe enheritâ—â—rs w t Iesus Christ. Nether nede â—e doubte of ony thynge that God hathe promised in his holy scriptuâ—â—â— but beleue stedfastly y t we shall â—aue al thiÌ„ges accordiÌ„g to hys promises in asmuch as we bryng forth the frutes of faythe But if we lyue 〈◊〉 carnally and do the fylthy worâ—â—â— of the 〈◊〉 as droÌ„ckeshyp whore 〈◊〉 theafte couetousnes amp c. than 〈◊〉 we no cause to reioyse nor yet 〈…〉 of our faythe For the true 〈…〉 the great maruelous thynges as we maye se in AbrahaÌ„ whiche truly beleued in God therfore wroughte many godly workes He obeyed the word of God he lefte hys owne natiue countrey he was contented at the commaundement of God to kyll offer hys owne soÌ„ne to what soeuer the spiriâ—e of God moued hym to do Of this nature are so many as truely beleue They y t thus worcke not haue not Abrahams fayth neyther are they y e sonnes of Abraham For Christ sayd to the Iewes if ye were the sonnes of Abraham ye woulde do 〈◊〉 workes of AbrahaÌ„ Therfore after that we are persuaded of the goodnes of god towarde vs and beleue fâ—ythfully y t god for his promises sakâ— which hâ— hath made vs in christe 〈…〉 be bouÌ„teous and mercifull vnto vs we must note that the scrâ—pture coÌ„maundeth workes to be dne of the faythfull For after that we be once iustifyed by fayth before GOD we must expresse that faythe whiche is knowne to god alone by externall outward workes y t we may appere â—â—ghteous both before God man Nether is there ony better sygne or more manifest argument as I sayd before y t our fayth is ryghâ— true lyueth than whan it produceth and bryngeth for the good workes euen â—s there is not a more manifest probacion that a tree is good than by the bryngynge forth of good frute I faythfull man therfore is not coÌ„pared without a cause of the Psalmographe to a tree planted by the ryuers syde which bryngeth forthe 〈◊〉 fruyte in due season I beynge 〈◊〉 a frtefull Olyue tree saythe Dauid in the house of GOd haue trusted in the mercy of god for euer 〈◊〉 euer A christen man is compared to a grene Olyue for he is euer full of fruyte and neuer barren all waye grene neuer seare â—â—er workyng and neuer idle He y t truly beleueth hath no nede of lawes to coÌ„pell hym to do good workes as the scripture sayth the lawe is not gyuen vnto a ryghteous man but vnto the vnrighteous disobedieÌ„t c. For of hys owne fre wyll sâ— lyuyshe and myghty in operacion iâ— faythe whan God gyuethe an occasion he wyll bryng forth good workes euen the frutes of faythe vnto â—he glory of God and the health of hâ—s neyghbour The sonnes of God are not coÌ„tent to syt ydle sayth Chriâ—ostome but the spirite prouokethe them to take some great and commendable worke in hande Hereto agreeth the sayenge of S. Gregory The loue of GOD is neuer idle for it worketh great thynges if it be y e loue of God in dede but if it cease the to worcke than is it no loue The vnfaythfull is lyke vnto a dead stocke which briÌ„geth forth no frute at all but is vnprofitable altogyther and therfore shall he be hewen downe and cast into hell fyre To be shorte in this matter they that are frutefull bryng forthe good workes pertayne vnto the chyrche of God and they whych are vnfrutefull and bryng forth no good workes belong vnto y e chyrche of the Dyuell for there is a double chyrche and shall be cursed as the â—ygge tree was Fortely we ought to do good worâ—es that we may wynne our neyghâ—our also vnto Christ as S. Peter â—ryteth you wiues be ye obedieÌ„t to our husbandes y t they also whiche â—hey not the worde maye be wonne â—y the conuersacion of theyr wyues â—ythout the worde whyle they consydre your chaste and pure conuersacion ioyned wyth reuerence For as christ came not iÌ„to thys world to wynne the fauoure of hys eternall father for hymself but what so euer he dydde was done for vs so in lyke maÌ„ner what so euer we do we must do it also for oure neyghboures to wynne theÌ„ vnto Christ to make th â— professours of Christes Gospell anâ— the perfecte chyldreÌ„ of GOD our father Let that same affeccioÌ„ be in you saythe S. Paule that was in Christ Iesus whyche beynge in the shape of God thought it no robber to be equall wythe God Neuerthelesse he made hymselfe of no reputacion and toke on hym the shape of â— seruaunt and became lyke vnto in was founde in the figure as a maÌ„ He humbled hym selfe beâ—ame obeâ—dient vnto the death eueÌ„ the death of the crosse Fyftely we must do good workes that the mouthes of y e vngodly may be stopped as S. Peter sayth thys is the wyll of God that by well doyng ye shulde stoppe the mouthes of folysh and ignorant parsonnes Do all thynges wythout murmurynge and disputyng sayth S. Paul that ye maye be fautlesse and pure and the sonnes of God wythout rebuke in the myddes of a croked peruerse nacion among whome se y t ye shyne as lyghtes in the worlde holdynge faste the worde of lyfe Uerely if it ware euer expedient that Christen meÌ„ shoulde lede a godly lyfe it is at thys tyme moost necessary For whaÌ„ the aduersaries of Goddes trueth se them y t professe the Gospell of Christ lyue dissolutely not fast not praye not gyue almes not mortify the affectes of the flesâ—he but lead a more vngodly lyfe thaÌ„ the other sorte do than blaspheme they the gospel thaÌ„ call they the worde of God heresye than hate they extremely persecute presonne condemne and vtterly destroye so many as cleaâ—â— purely to y e doctrine of christ And all this come to passe thorowe the wyckednes and vngodly conuersacion of the grosse Gospellers the raylyng readers of the scripture the â—aye lâ—ke ianglers of Gods worde and brâ—yneles bablers of y e gospell whych â—able muche of gods trueth and yet â—yue no part therof Oh what a great hinderauÌ„s is this to goddes mooâ—â— holy wordâ— God giue vs grace both to loue and lyue the gospell Finally we ought to do good workes seynge it is none â—nprofitable seruice neyther shal our laboure be loste in so doynge but we shall hyghly be rewarded for doynge of them not only in thys worldâ— but muche 〈◊〉 pleÌ„teously in y e worlde to come Reioyse and be mery saythe Christ to all that do good workes for great is your rewarde in heauen Agayne he that receaueth a Prophet in the name of
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
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
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