v. Gala. v. The workes of the fleshe be opeÌ„ adulterie whore huntynge vncleanlynes vncleanes of liuinge Idolatry impoisoning or sorcery hatred chidiges brauilinges desire of glori strife sectes enui murder druÌ„cknes vnmesurable eatiÌ„g and drinkyng wherof I shew vnto you that they whiche do committe suche shall not possesse the kyngdome of god ☞ What thynkest thou of the diuision of actual synnes whyche olde writers vsed that is inwarde actual synne and outwarde ¶ This diuisyoÌ„ is not so ieopardouse If thou saye some actual synnes be inwarde lyke as affectyoÌ„s and thoughtes be whych maye be called venyall in them whyche resyste wyth fayeth and therefore be as yet reputed iuste Some be outwarde as euell doinges and sayeinges wherin they whyche falle be destitute of grace nor be no more reputed iust Yet shalte thou knowe that as well inwarde as outwarde synnes be mortall in them whyche lacke fayeth nor dooe not resiste suche euel motyons For because they lacke fayth they haue no remission of synnes Therfore in such can no veniall synnes be ☞ What sayest thou of the synnes of omission and wylful ignoraunce ☞ They be also mortall synnes For thys same wylfull ignorauÌ„ce is agaynst conscience as if a man wil not knowe the gospell or wyl not perceiue his dewtye or doetâ— it negligently Such be the faiâ—tes of manye men nowe a dayes whych dispyse to here and knowe the gospell althoughe they knowe that this is commaunded of god heare hym Suche lyke was the ignoraunce of the Iewes whiche dyd persecute Christe Euen so is the Idolatrye of the Gentyles deadly synne ☞ What is to be required in them which be conuerted ☞ That they maye repaire to haue a cleare conscience and thei beinge sory for their sinnes shalt not contynewe in them whyche they iudg in them selfe to haue coÌ„mitted agaynst the wyl of God As it is writteÌ„ I wyl not the death of a sinner but rather that he be conuerted And againe if I shall saye vnto the vngodly thou shalt dye and if it shal repente hym of his sinnes and if he do iudgemeÌ„t and iustice he shall liue And yet let theÌ„ knowe in the meane tyme the saied obedience whiche they perfourme not to be perfect And therfore in the iudgemente of god let them not trust in the dignitie or worthines of their workes but let theim beleue the person to be accepted for Christes sake Then let theÌ„ obserue this which Paul saith Make not sorye the holye spirite of God wherwyth we bee marked vnto the daye of redemption that is let vs not cast away the benifite of Christe and so perishe Of Grace ¶ What signifyeth thys worde Gratia THis word gratia in scripturs especially in Paull wheÌ„ he disputeth of iustyfication signifyeth not a quality or state which is poured into the soule as the Papistes do teach of gratia and abuse the worde for charitie or loue whyche is in vs But it muste be taken incomparyng wyth an other and it signyfyeth the vndeserued receyuynge into fauoure or reconsiliation of God towarde vs. ¶ What is Gratia then ¶ Gratia properly is remissioÌ„ of synnes and reconcilyng or reputyng of righteousnes or acceptacion or allowaunce of the person whych is by mercye for Christes sake vndeserued with the whych allowaunce the gyfte of the holye gost is conioyned whereby oure hertes in repentaunce bee lyfted vp wyth fayth and receyue comforth wherby newe motions are created and agreable vnto the lawe of god ☞ Howe shall thys be vnderstanded when it is sared we be iustifyed by grace ☞ It must not be vnderstanded as the papistes do Imagine that it shoulde signyfy that we purchase remissioÌ„ of synnes or be iustifyed for anye state or qualitye whyche is in vs that is to saye for oure loue or newe obedyence for that is the verye waye to opresse the doctrye of fayeth and to take awaye Christe our mediator But it must be so vnderstanded that we obtayne remissyon of synnes or rekeninge to be iustifyed when god accepteth vs without any of our deseruinges bi his mercy for an other thynge whyche is wtout vs. that is to saye for Christes sake And yet is it to be knowen that the giuyng of the holy gost is conioyned with remissioÌ„ of sins that is to saye when we be lyfted vp wyth fayeth whyche maketh in vs the performed obedience Therfore in the stryuynge of our conscience when it seketh for remissioÌ„ of sinnes disputeth of the wil of god toward it we ought not to haue respect vnto our qualities or our own worthines but we muste beholde the promisse of Christe accordig vnto that shal we iudge of the wyll of god towarde vs we shall receyue the self mediator by fayeth Thys done the holye goste is giuen which bringeth coÌ„forte taketh effect that new motioÌ„s be created Therfore both these seÌ„tences must be hold both the newe motioÌ„s ought to be made in vs bi the holigost and that oure conscience neuer the lesse oughte to haue respecte without our selfe to be iustified bi him that is to say that we haue remission of synnes and be accepted vnto euerlastynge lyfe ☞ Whiche be the causes of grace ☞ The efficient cause is the wil of God which would that Christ shoulde be a sacrifice for vs for his sake to be merciful vnto vs. Therefore onlye the merite of Christe is the cause for the whiche grace is gyuen ☞ Howe chaunceth grace vnto vs. ☞ The instrumeÌ„t all cause is the preaching of the gospell and mynistringe of the sacramentes For god wyl be effectual by hys word if so be we receyue it in fayth For our wyl muste come therto also which mai receiue the word For he wyl not take effecte in theÌ„ which do resyst and in theÌ„ whych obteyne not grace in heareynge the worde the cause is their owne wyl whych resysteth the word So then obteyne we grace when by the worde or promysse declared and set forth in the gospell oure hertes conceyue comforth and ouercome feare and lifte vp theym selfe wyth fayeth vndoubtedly iudgyng that they haue remission of synnes and are accounted to bee iustifyed accordinge vnto the promisse for Christes sake Therefore sayeth Paule Galath iii. that we shoulde take the promission in spirite by fayeth that is when we affraied for the iudgemente of God dooe lyfte vp oure selfe with fayth whiche leaneth vpon the promesse of Christ Here are fantastical and mad spirites to be condempned as the Anabaptistes whyche looke to be lightened by the holy goost without the worde of God Also they whyche do imagyne the holy gost to rune before the word and wheÌ„ they perceyue that they haue those new lightninges they faine that they wil beleue Also disputatioÌ„s of predestination are to be casten awaye here For lyke as the doctrine of repentauÌ„ce which rebuketh sin is vniuersal ther is an vniuersal commaundement of Christ euen so is the promysse of the Gospell vniuersal commauÌ„ding that we shal al
vpon al. And Rome .x. The same is Lord of al rich towarde al which call vpon him ¶ Also God wylle all men to be saued God wyll not the death of a synner but rather that he be conuerted and liue Ezech. xviii Mathewe .xi. Comme vnto me al ye whiche laboure and are Laden and I shall refreshe you Iohn the iii. Chapter ☞ That all whyche beleue in hym shoulde not peryshe but haue euerlastynge lyfe Also Actes .x. Wyth god is no difference of personnes With these and suche sentences muste consciences be vpholdē against natural mistruste and desperation But because the euel cometh of vs we muste take heede that we gyue not oure selfe wyllingly vnto natural mystruste and resyste the promisse but we amendynge our lyfe muste beleue the promisse ¶ Of the difference betwene the new olde Testamēt ☞ What is the difference betwene the new testament and olde THE olde testamente was properlye the lawe and all the polytyke ruelynge of Moyses which had promises gyuen vnto the people of Israel cōcernynge theyr kyngedome and outward policy The newe testamente is not the ministerynge of the lawe but of the gospel taht is to saye a couenaunte of the spiritual and euerlastyng kyngdome of Christe and it hath the promesse of iustification and euerlastynge lyfe to be geuen for Christe ☞ Wherefore is that called the olde Testament and thys the newe Testament ¶ Not for the ordre and succession of tymes as though the newe testamente dyd not belonge vnto the fathers but for the difference of the office and promises ☞ For the olde testamente was the ministrynge of the lawe and obseruyng of the leuiticall rytes and of the commune welth of the people of Israell it had promises concerning their kyngdome ¶ But thoffice of the newe testament is an other thyng an other promesse that is to saye of euerlastyng thynges nor it doeth not consiste in outward obseruynges but it requireth spirituall worshipynges that is true motions of the herte ☞ Indureth the olde Testament no more ☞ Althoughe the lawe of Moyses and that polytyke order appointed for a certayne time doth now cease after the Christe is come nor it is not necessary to obserue those rites of Moyses polytyke lawe yet because the doctryne of the morall lawe is written in nature and is commō to al men in so muche belonge they vnto the olde testamente whiche hath only the knoweledge of the lawe nor hath not the knowledg of the Gospell nor be not renued of the holy goost Contrarily the newe testament that is to say the promisse of remission of synnes and renuyng by the holy goost pertayneth not onely vnto one tyme but vnto all ages lyke as the promesse of Christ was made vnto the fathers in the olde testamente ☞ What signifie these two wordes in Saynct Paule ☞ The letter and spirite ☞ By the letter he vnderstādeth all thoughtes and obseruynges and as they cal them good intencions or endeuoringes of reason without the holy goste that is to saye wythout the true feare and true fayth of Christ By the spirite he vnderstandeth spirituall motions whyche the holy gost doth stirre vp in our hertes Therefore the lawe is the letter when we folowe it with good entencions or outward maners without the holy gost that is without true feare true fayth And the gospel is the letter also when it is not receyued in spirite that is when we do not trulie feare God and stedfastly beleue in him Moreouer the law is the ministeryng of death because it promyseth not remission of synnes vnles it be deserued nor it bryngeth not the holy goste But the gospell is the ministrynge of the spirite and lyfe because it promiseth remission of synnes frely and geueth the holy goste and euerlastyng lyfe Therfore the interpretation of Origine is to be reiected whiche calleth the letter the grammaticall sence and the spirite the allegorie ¶ Of abrogation of the lawe ☞ What is the abrogation of the lawe IT is the abolyshing of the cursse or malediction of the lawe done by Christe that nowe al whiche beleue in Christe be delyuered from the powre of the lawe euer accusynge the conscience and condemnynge it for vnperfecte obedience before god Gala. iii. Christ redemed vs from the cursse of the lawe whiles he was made accurssed for vs. And Romaines .viii. ¶ No condempnation is nowe vnto them whiche be grafted in Iesu Christe c. ☞ Be the vngodly deliuered from the lawe ¶ No. For Paule sayth the lawe is ordeyned for the vniust that is for infideles and them which are not as yet vnder grace or whiche haue not receyued Christe wyth fayth nor haue not taken the holy goste by whom they shoulde be gouerned In these the lawe doeth as yet to thys daye no lesse exercise the powre and deutie in accusynge and condempnynge their consciences then in olde tyme vnder Moyses ¶ For the lawe is our schole maister vnto Christe ☞ Whiche be the causes of the abrogation of the lawe i. The promises of God for God promised that thys abrogation of the lawe shoulde be in Christ Hieremie .xxxi. I wyl make wyth the house of Israell a newe bond not according vnto the couenant that I haue made wyth youre fathers ii Oure infirmitye dyd gyue occasion of abrogatynge the lawe Actu xv whiche neither our fathers nor we were able to beare ☞ Is the whole lawe abrogated The whole lawe is abrogated vnto hym whyche beleueth that is to say that the lawe can haue no powre of accusynge and condemnynge hym For he hath an other thinge whereby he is iustified then the lawe ☞ Wherefore then it is not lawefull to omytte the ten commaundementes ☞ I answere The Gospell bryngeth spirituall and euerlastynge lyfe therefore it kepeth that part of the lawe which teacheth what that newe lyfe is and it consenteth wyth the lawe of nature which is the sayde knowledge of the tē cōmaundementes Wherefore the ten commaundementes may not be so vnderstanded to be abrogat that they oughte not to be obserued no more as the other partes of the lawe that is to saye the ceremonyes and the iudiciales of Moyses be abrogated whiche be onely outwarde ordeininges and customes perteining vnto the bodily lyfe But in them whyche be iustifyed and receyue the holie gooste is nowe a newe spirituall obedyence begonne whyche is required in the ten commaundementes or morall lawe ¶ Of Christen libertie whyche is the effecte of the lawe abrogated ☞ What is Christen libertie IT is the fre settyng at liberty in a spirituall kyngedome by Iesus Christe whereby we be fre frome bondage and frome the cursfe of the lawe from the powre of synne and death and from all outwarde obseruations also so muche as perteyneth vnto iustification before God whiche freely wythout deseruyng is giuen vnto them whiche beleue Or more briefly so it is a doctrine shewing wherein christen ryghtuousnesse doeth properly consist and what is to be iudged of
beleue in him and that we shal iudge this to be the euerlastynge and vnchāgeable wil of god that for Christes sake al these thynges are vndoubtedly graunted vnto vs which the gospel promiseth ☞ Haue we then merit in reconciliation ☞ We haue no merite whereby we cā obteyne grace that is remissiō of synnes reputacion of righteousnes but it is the vndeserued rewarde as Paul sayeth it is the gyft of god not of you lest ani mā shuld glory Also Ro. vi The gift of god is euerlastyng lyfe Therfore thys meane is takē away in reconciliatiō not because we shuld do nothing be idle but because the promis is a rewarde to the intente it maye be certayne that is to aye not hauing ought of the conditiō of oure worthines yet we in the meane season muste receyue not reiecte the promisse ☞ Which be the effectes of grace ☞ The effectes be motions of the holy goste which be when we receyue the Gospell And the firste and princypall effecte is fayeth whereby wee lyfte vp oure selfe and iudge God to be mercyefull vnto vs for Christes sake This motiō is called a reuiuing for wythe fayeth the threateninges and feares of synne and death be ouercome And thys trust is deliueraunce from synne and euerlastynge death and the verye begynnynge of euerlastynge lyfe Then after folowe other motions that is to saye a newe obedyence toward god inuocatiō feare loue paciēce other vertues Ther be also other effectes of grace the helpe of god againste the deuyll and death comforte in aduersities Also delyueraunce from the lawe The laste effecte is which solowyth the finall cause Renewing of hole nature euerlasting lyfe ☞ By what menanes doth grace deliuer vs from syn and death seinge syn remayneth as yet infixed in our flesh and also bodely death ⧠I answere Although in this life the fleshe abideth as yet viciouse yet this presente infirmitye is not imputed vnto them which beleue althoughe thys euel by it owne nature is synne or a thyng whyche deserueth dampnatyon moreouer newe motyons and a newe lyfe is begune in vs which shal be made perfecte when thys fleshe mortified shal be renewed And so grace deliuereth from synne after two sortes For it is remission of synnes whyche bee past and forgyuenes or not reputynge of the presente euell which is in vs remayneth infixed in our fleshe Secondarily we be delyuered from death For nowe is euerlastynge death taken awaye to thē which beleue Then remaineth as yet bodilye deathe and other aduerlityes in thys lyfe but yet is death robbed of his darte and only bodelye death doth remaine for thys purpose that thys vicyouse and corrupted flesh should be abolyshed Afterwardes shall thys bodelie deathe bee also abolyshed and a newe glorified nature shall come after in the resurrection of the dead ☞ Wherfore maketh Paule difference betwen Grace and the reward Paule calleth grace remission of sinnes or reconcilynge or the vndeserued acceptinge for Christes sake He calleth the rewarde the gyuing of the holy gooste and euerlastinge life Therfore thys word reward signifieth the very effectes of grace whereof I haue spoken But althoughe these two be so cōioyned yet Paule lernedly maketh difference betwene them for a necessari cause And thys is the maner of dyfference as is aboue sayed For althoughe it be necessarye that new spiritual motiōs be begunne in vs yet oure conscience is stryuynge and before the iudgement of god must not haue respecte to the renuinge of it whych is done by the holy gooste nor yet to seke if it haue vertues inowe or no whether it beleue loue inough For so can it neuer be certified of remission of synnes but it muste playnely behold the promisse of the gospel iudge that it hath vndoubtedly remission of synnes vndeserued for Christes sake not for any dignity or vertues which it hath ⧠What signifyeth the spirite of grace and prayer in the prophet zacharie †zacharias Chapi xii hath most pleasātly described the benifytes of the new testament in these words I wyl poure out vpō the house of Dauyde the spirite of grace and prayers He calleth the spirite of grace whereby we knowe that God is mercyful vnto vs forgyueth oure synnes The spirite of prayers conteyneth all inwarde worshyp inuocation and all exercisynges of fayeth whiche the holye goste performeth after we haue receyued confort and beleue that we haue remissyon of sinnes for Christes sake ¶ Of Iustification ☞ What signifye these two wordes to be iustifyed and iustification TO be iustifyed signifyeth properly in the hebrue Phrases to bee quyte from sinne and to be pronounted iuste that is to say acceptable as if thou woulde saye he is absolued and recōciled or receiued into fauour So sayth Paul Rom. iiii To hym whyche beleueth in hym whyche iustifyeth the vngodlye that is to saye delyuereth and pronounceth ryghtuouse Euē so Iustificatiō signifieth the recōcilyng or acceptation of god For although it be necessary that newe motions be in them whych be recōciled yet iustifycatiō must not be vnderstanded in thys proposition we be iustifyed by fayth of the diuicyon of qualityes or newe vertues But it muste be vnderstanded in referrynge to an other thynge that is to saye the wyll of God acceptynge and allowynge vs euen wyth the remission of synnes and pacifiynge of conscience So also this worde Iustus signifyeth in comparison of an other not one hauyng new qualities but one reconciled or accepted hauing remissiō of synnes ☞ What doeth iustification conteyne It conteyneth thre membres remission of sinnes acceptation vnto euerlastynge lyfe and giuyng of the holy gooste Althoughe the reste be contayned in remission of synnes yet for the cause of teachinge it is expediente to discerne these thre that we maye perceiue all thes to be gyuen vnto vs not for our worthines but onelye by mercy for Christe And not to be Imagined that althoughe wee obtayne remissyon of synnes by mercy yet after that we be iustifyed by oure owne qualityes or vertues ☞ How is iustification ⧠It is sayed aboue in the gospel thes two to be taught repentaunce and remission of sinnes in my name Therefore we must begynne wyth the same preachyng whyche rebuketh synne and setteth forth the benifites of Christ Therefore thys is the waye of iustification Contrition is necessarye whyche maye esteme that God is angrye wyth synne and maye ernestlye be sorye for it In suche feares the conscience muste be lyfted vp wyth fayeth whyche taketh the promisse of the gospell of Christe and accordynge vnto it determyneth oure synnes to be forgyuen vs and that we be reputed iust and inheriters of euer lastynge lyfe for Christes sake by hys mercye of oure parte vndeserued When we be so comforted in repentaunce or contrition we be iuste or acceptable vnto god that is to saye we haue remission of synnes and acceptatyon vnto euerlastynge lyfe not for our dygnitye but for Christe whom neuer the lesse we muste receyue
euerlastynge lyfe promised vnto vs as iustifyed not because our obedience is worthy so great a benifite but because for Christes sake we be now reputed iust and the rewarde is due vnto vs not for oure worthynes but because it is promised vs for Christes sake And thys rewarde is not the recompence of the due offyce but it is of an vndeserued gyfte or benifytte and yet not for the obedience whyche is not due but whych is due yet in vs it is vnperfecte and dothe not satysfye the lawe Som were wont to speake also in this place of the differeÌ„ce of mortall synne and veniall For because synne remayneth as yet in holy meÌ„ it is necessary that dyfference be made betwene synnes whiche remayneth as yet in the sanctifyed and which maye stand wyth fayeth and good conscience and whyche can not stande wyth fayeth but be suche that they whiche do commytte them falle froÌ„ the grace and fauour of God and be no more counted holye lyke as the adultrye of Dauyd was But of thys dyfference it is aboue sayed ¶ Of Repentaunce ☞ What is repentaunce IT is whereby we be mortifyed from syn wyth true coÌ„trition and rayse vp oure selues wyth faieth to receiue remission of our synnes ☞ Howe manie thynges be necessary to them whyche do repente ☞ Two Contrition and fayeth ☞ What is contrition ¶ It is feare and sorines of conscience which perceiueth the god is angry with syn and is sorye that it hath synned Hereof be manye testimonies in the scriptures Do repentaunce and beleue the Gopell Marci .i. Cutte your hertes Ioell .ii Where shall the Lorde dwel In a contryte and humble spirite Esaye .lxvi. Cease to do frowardly And thys contrytyon muste encrese Vnto that we acknowledg not only our outward sinnes but al so our inwarde fylthynes Wherfore repentaunce is not in hypocrytes whyche be afflyeted wyth no sorowe yet in the meane seasonne stande they in theyr owne conceyte as thoughe they were cleane from al synne And Christe doeth ofte moste ernestlye rebuke thys carnall surenes Vnlesse sayeth he ye wyll do repentaunce ye shall altogether perishe ☞ From whence come these sorowes and feares in vs ¶ By the worde of god whyche rebuketh syn Rom. i. The wrath of God is declared vpon all vngodlines And Iohn xvi The holy gost shall rebuke the worlde of synne c. ☞ What then is fayeth necessarye to them whych do repent ☞ Yes for it is the truste wherehy euerye one beleueth that hys synnes be forgyuen for Christes sake vndeserued Thys fayeth muste esteme that the sinnes be forgyuen the. Thereof be manye testymonies in scriptures Actes .x. vnto him giue al the prophetes witnes that they whyche beleue in hym shall haue remyssion of theyr synnes for hys names sake Rom. v. We iustifyed by sayth haue peace wyth god that is to say appeased and quiet consciences And that synnes be forgyuen for nothyng vnto the the vnworthye these places testify Rom iii We iustifyed wythoute oure deseruinges bi his grace Ephes iii. Ye be saued by grace it is the gyfâ—e of God not of you Item Rom. v. By him haue we entraÌ„ce vnto the father And Psalme .xxxi. I haue sayed I wyll acknowledge my vnryghtuousnesse agaynste my selfe vnto the Lord and thou forgyuest the vngodlynes of my sin â–ª Rome .viii. When it was vnpossyble vnto the lawe God sente hys sonne in fleshe c. Rom. iiii Therefore by fayth wythout deseruynge c. This fayth maketh difference betwene the contrycion of Peter and Iudas of Dauid and Saul The contricion of Peter and Dauid was profytable because it had fayeth Whereby they did receyue the mercye promysed and were comforted But the contrityoÌ„ of Iudas and Saul auayled nothing because thei did not ioin thys fayeth wyth it This faieth also maketh dyfference betwene seruile feare and childelye feare ☞ Seruile feare ¶ Is feare wythout fayth ☞ Childly feare Is feare where vnto cometh fayeth which lifteth vp and comfortethe the herte amonge suche feares ☞ But what seye ye of confession and satisfaction These be come of an ecclesiasticall ryte of an opeÌ„ repentaunce For in old tyme they which were accused of open synnes were excommunicate nor they were not receiued vnlesse they would fyrst make confessyon and testyfye before the pastores that thei would amend theyr maners and vnlesse they dyd axe absolution After that was satisfaction added that is to saye a certayne open chastifynge But thys custome of confessyon is abrogated longe ago in the greke churche because a woman so confessyng was defyled in the temple of a certayne deacon Therefore such custome is not of goddes lawe ☞ What is the common confession which is done vnto the prieste It is a numbringe of synnes yet not commaunded by goddes law It is yet expedieÌ„t to be kept in the churche for the cause of absolucion and learneynge For by that occasion the vnlerned maye be heard and more commodiously instructed of the whole doctryne and it is an vncomly thynge that a maÌ„ should come vnto the communion beynge nothynge at all serched But yet it is to be knowen that consciences are not to be loden or ouercharged wyth numberynge of synnes For they maie wythout that are counsell and absolution For thys numbringe of synnes vnpossible accordynge vnto thys Who vnderstandeth hys synnes c. ☞ I reason agaynst you The iudge doeth not absolue before he knowe the matter In this confessioÌ„ is absolution therfore the numbring and acknoweledging of sines is necessari to be I answere vnto the maior there is difference betwen Iudicyal power or of iurisdictioÌ„ and the power of ministring the worde In this confession is onelye power of ministeryng the word For the pastor absolueth not as a iudge but as a minister hauiÌ„g no coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„t to call for a rekening of other mens sines but only to giue absolutioÌ„ c. But ther is besid this an other power of iurisdictioÌ„ which is a certain outeward iudgmeÌ„t of the church which perteineth onely vnto opeÌ„ crimes whereby opeÌ„ siÌ„ners be excomunicat and they whyche be excoÌ„municate receiued againe c. ☞ What is fatisfaction ☞ It is a certayne polityke outward order in the churche instytute by mans authority or for an exaÌ„ple to affray other froÌ„ syn or for to serch the myndes of them whych did returne vnto the churche whether they dyd ernestly repeÌ„t or no For in olde tyme open synners were not receiued wythout a certain open chastisyng and they called it satisfaction ☞ How many kindes of satisfactioÌ„ is ther Two The one in tyme past of opeÌ„ repeÌ„taÌ„ce the other of the papistes ☞ What is satisfaction of repentaunce ¶ It is a punyshement whyche was appoynted of the pastor vnto theÌ„ which dyd repeÌ„t for their open sines to proue theÌ„ if they woulde ernestly ameÌ„d or no wherin when they had exercysed theyr selfe for the tyme prescribed of the byshop they were admytted agayne vnto the Supper of the Lord. Of this satisfaction were diuerse
proprietie of goodes For it is lawful to possesse ryches as Christe and Paule testifie ☞ What is pouertie ¶ Pouertie is not beggerie For that in them whiche be Idle and stronge is synne .ii. Thessa iii. He whiche laboureth not shall not eate But the pouertie of the gospell is spirituall that is to keepe our goodes whiche god hath lent vs without couetousnes without pride that is to saye without confidence of oure riches wythout vngodlines that is when we be in ieopardie for the gospell sake that we wyl rather leese our goodes thē forsake the gospell so was Abraham Iob Dauid many other mo pore in spirite although they did possesse great riches Pouertie cōteineth pacience that is to say when our riches be wythdrawen frō vs or perishe by any chaunce that we be not angrie with god nor yet do any thing against his cōmaūdemēt but that we suffre this iniury or chaunce wyth an equal mind for the loue of god ☞ Howe many kyndes of forsakynge of ryches be there ¶ Two The one is by our election wythout the commaundemente of God and wythout vocation This forsakinge of ryches is not the worshyppyng of God Mathewe xv They worshyppe me in vayne wyth the cōmaundementes of men The other is whiche is commaunded of God and is our vocation as when tirantes compell vs either to leese oure goodes or to forsake the Gospell Thys doeth Christe prayse He that will forsake faieth he his field house c. for the gospel sake that is for the acknowledgeinge of the Gospell he shal receyue an hūdreth fold c. Marke .x. To be shorte lyke as he doth not prayse them whiche forsake theyr wyfe and childer or whych kylle them selfe euen so doeth he not prayse them whyche forsake their patrimony wythout the commaundement of God ¶ Of Chastitie What commaundeth it of chastitie THe Gospell commaundeth not onely the chastitie of virgins but also of them whiche be maryed For matrimonie is the commaundemente of God and al they whiche haue not the gyft of chastitie are cōmaunded to mary i Corhinthians vii For the auoydyng of fornication let euery man haue his wyfe ☞ What is chastitie ☞ Chastitie is not only virginitie but also moderate vse of them whyche be maried Hebr. xiii mariage is honorable wythe all men and an vndefiled bed but whoremongers and adulters wyll the Lorde iudge ☞ Yet Paule sayeth as concerninge virgines I haue no commaundement of the Lorde but I gyue councel c ¶ Paulle iudgeth not any man rather to deserue iustification for virginitye then for mariage For boeth they whiche be maried and virgines muste esteme that they be iustified by the mercye of God and accepted for Christes sake not for the dignitye of mariage or virginite ☞ Wherefore then do papistes preferre single lyfe ☞ There hathe euer bene deuelyshe and fantasticalle spirites which haue denied that mariage was lawefull vnto Christen men as Tatinus Hierax Although papistes wyll not be thoughte to condempne mariage yet doe they deforme it verye muche for they dreame that they doe rather deserue remission of synnes and iustyfication with their single lyfe then other menne Afterwarde fayne they that single lyfe is perfection of the Gospell wherein they doe greately erre For there haue ben many whyche were maried that were as perfecte As Abrahame Isaacke Iacobe Dauid c as mani virgines Single life is no perfection but the perfection of the gospel is to acknoweledge the in firmite of mankind and to be affrayed and agayne to be vpholden with fayth In suche exercises standeth the perfection of the Gospell yf there be anye so to be called ☞ Wherefore then doeth Paule prayse and councell virginitie and singlenes ⧠For a polyticke purpose that is to saye that we may be more redy to learne to teache execute the ecclesiasticall offices So Christe praiseth thē whiche be single whē he sayth Mat. xix There be also Eunuches whiche haue gelded thē selfe for the gospell sake that is for the cause of learning teachyng For it is true that Paule sayeth He whiche is single goeth aboute those thynges whiche perteyne vnto the Lorde that they maye please the Lord. Therfore let virgins search their powres and labour to liue purely sincereli let them auoyed idlenes and ryote and let them be abstinente that their herte may be occupied with vertue But they whiche fal into lustes cōtrary vnto the cōmaundemente of God let them knowe that god wyl punish thē For fornicatours adulterers shall not entre into the kingdō of god Many tymes for the cause of suche whole cōmon wealthes be punished lyke as the Historie of the sodomites and the floude of Noe testifieth Also god sayeth that he woulde destroye the Cananites for their vnsearchable vncleane lustes Paule sayeth also the punishmente of lustes to be blyndnes and dotynge madnes Ro. i. And careles fleshlines Ephesia .iiii. And Oseas sayeth fornicaon wyne and drunckennes take awaye the herte Therefore these fayned and forged virgins be occasion of synne vnto manie and the authours of fylthy example ¶ Of the churche ☞ What is the churche IT is the cōgregation of all thē whiche professe the gospell and be not excommunicate where be one wyth the other as well good as euyll lyke as the parable of the net caste into the sea teacheth Math. xiii Here vpon be also tow bodies of the churche described in the scripture the one is the bodye of the true churche the other of the church of hypocrites ☞ When dyd the churche begynne It is certeyne that the churche dyd begyn in the tyme of Adam and after Adam among al them whiche do professe the Gospell to haue remayned vnto thys day as yet to be with thē which profes it ☞ Howe many kindes of churches be ther ¶ Two The false hypocriticall churche and the true churche ☞ Which is the hipocriticall church ⧠That whiche fighteth warreth agaynst the true church lyke as the Iewes dyd pursewe the prophetes then after Christe Thys calleth Dauid the church of the maliciouse or enuious And Esaias discribeth it in these wordes Cap xxix This people drawyth nigh vnto me wythe their mouthe an honoureth me wyth their lippes but the hert of them is farre from me but they worshippe me in vayne teaching the doctrines and preceptes of mē This church is set before thy eyes because all the workes al the seruice wher with it beleueth it selfe to worship god is external it is the similitude visiō of the true church with mans tradicions in the stead of sincere doctrine worshippyng god with mouth and lippes onelye wythout the affections of the hert ☞ What is the true churche ☞ It is the congregation of the righteouse whiche beleue truely in Christe be saynctified by the spirit of Christ Of this speaketh Paule .i. Timoth. iii. The church is a piller or the seate of veritie Thys is called catholyke or vniuersall because it is no mans politicke
Repentaunce and remission of synnes or as sainct Paule sayeth a regeneration or newe byrth for the dippyng into the water signieth the olde man to be mortified wyth synne the commynge vp agayne or deliueraunce out of the water signifieth the newe man to be washed and clensed and reconciled vnto God the father the sonne and the holy goste For the father receyueth the for his sonnes sake and doth promise vnto the the holy goste wherewyth he wyll geue the lyfe and sanctifie the. ☞ What is the vse of Baptisme ⧠That we may iudge thorowout aloure lyfe that remission of synnes and reconcilynge is sette furth and geuen vnto vs. For although we do fall yet vnto them whiche do amende their lyuyng the couenaunt whiche we promised vnto God in tyme paste auayleth and lowseth not the vertue because the Gospel testifieth that they whiche do amende be forgeuen ☞ May baptisme be receiued agayne or no ⧠The token oughte not to be receyued or taken agayne for the receyuynge of the ceremonie agayne auayleth nothynge And the token once receyued is a perpetuall note and a perpetual testimonie Lyke as circumcision once done was a perpetual witnesse of the bonde of God wrytten in the bodies of them whiche were circumcised Moreouer we ought to exercise the fayth of this couenaunte wyth ofte callynge it to remembraunce and keepe it so longe as we lyue Therefore it is sayed that repentaunce is nothynge elles but remembraunce of our Baptisme ☞ What difference is betwene the baptisme of Iohn and of the Apostles ¶ Goeth the Baptisms be the office and ministerie of the newe testamente and require fayth in Christ The baptisme of Iohn did testifie that Christ shoulde come The Baptisme of the Apostles testified that he was come and by that fayeth were as well they whiche Iohn Baptised as they whiche were baptised of the Apostles sanctified and saued But that Iohn sayeth I baptise in water vnto repentaunce but he whiche shall come after me wyll baptise wyth the holie goste c. He maketh no difference betwene the offices or ceremonies but betwene the personnes of the ministers the person of Christe For he testifieth that Christe is the Lorde wherby that baptisme is vertuouse which woulde geue the holie goste and euerlastynge lyfe and he professeth hym selfe to be a ministre which geueth only the outwarde signe and preacheth the worde ¶ Of the baptisme of Infantes prouynge that chyldren oughte to be baptised FYrste Christ sayth Iohn .iii. Vnles a man be renewed by water the holy goste he can not enter into the kyngdome of God This sentence is vniuersal and it testifieth that al which shal be saued ought to be renewed wyth water that is to say to be baptised therfore chylder must be baptised also that thei may be saued ⧠Seconde of the tradicion of the Apostles For so writeth Origen vpon the sixte Chapter vnto the Rom. The churche receyued a tradition of the apostles to ministre baptisme also vnto chylder For they vnto whom the secretes of the misteries of God was committed dyd know that there was natural filthinesse of synne in all men which ought to be abolished by water the spirite So doeth Ciprian Austen proue the baptisynge of chylder ¶ Thyrde by the reason whiche is broughte out of the scripture It is certeyne the kyngdome of God and promise of the Gospell to perteyne vnto chylder But wythout the churche is no saluation Therefore chylder muste be grafted and planted into the churche and the token muste be ministered vnto thē which maye testifie that the promise belōgeth vnto thē The maior is certeyne for Christe saith lette the childer come vnto me for vnto suche belongethe the kyngedome of heauen Also it is not my fathers wil whiche is in heauen that one of these litel on s shall perysh Also the angels of them dooe euer see the face of the father The minor is manyfeste For there is no saluation wythout the churche where neyther the worde nor yet the sacramentes be ministred For the churche is the kyngedome of Christ in the which christ is effectually by his word and sacramētes Therefore the conclusion foloweth that chylder oughte to be baptysed that they receyuynge the signe may be made membres of the churche and that God may giue vnto them hys promesse ☞ But the Anabaptistes obiect saiyng Seing childer do not vnderstande the worde they can not beleue wherfore the Sacramentes do not profects them ☞ Agaynst this argument fyrst of all muste we sette the example of the Infantes which were circumcised whiche also dyd not vnderstand the word and yet auayled the couenaunte or bonde and God did receiue them for his promise sake ¶ Secondarilye we muste answere althoughe they do not vnderstande the worde yet is it certayne that God taketh effecte in them accordynge vnto thys vnlesse a man be renewed by water c. Nor it belongeth not to vs to searche howe God doth worke in thē It is inough to knowe that the kyngdome of God doeth certaynely perteyne vnto chylder Wherupon it foloweth that God taketh effecte in them ¶ Of the Supper of the Lorde ☞ What is the Lordes supper THe supper of the Lorde is a sacramente of Christes bodye and bloude wherein is called into remembraunce the offering vp of Christes bodye and the shedynge of hys bloude for vs wherein also Christen men gyue thankes to all myghtye God for their redemption ☞ By how many names is thys sacrament named ⧠The scripture calleth it the supper of the Lorde the communion a Testamente and it is called of the doctours Eucharistia Sinaris ¶ Wherfore is it called the supper of the lord ⧠Because lyke as in an other cōmon suppers breade and wyne do norishe strenghten mens bodies so Christe whiche is the heauenlye breade in thys hys supper norisheth comforteth strenghtheneth and cherisheth oure soules ☞ Why is it called a Testamente ¶ Because remission of all oure synnes is promised vnto vs in it thorowe the bloude of Christe ☞ Why is it called communion Because it teacheth vs that we ought al to be in loue and charitie and mēbers of one body wherof Christe is the heade ☞ Why is it called Eucharistia Because we oughte to magnifye hys death and giue thankes al togither for oure redemption ☞ Saye the wordes of the Lordes supper ¶ Oure Lorde Iesus Christe in that same nyght wherein he was betrayed dyd take breade and when he had gyuen thankes he brake it and gaue it vnto hys disciples sayeinge Take and eate thys is my bodye whyche is gyuen for you Thys doe in my remembraunce In lyke maner the cuppe also after he had supped and when he had gyuen thankes he dyd gyue it vnto them sayeing drynke all of thys Thys cuppe is the newe testamente in my bloude whiche is shed for you and for many in remission of synnes do this howe ofte so euer ye shall dryncke it in the remembraunce of me