this maner Fayth is a sure confidence of thynges which are hoped for and a certainte of thinges which are not sene Herby we mayese which is the true fayth namely that we abyde loke to optayne mercy of the LORDE where as we fynde nought in vs y t is worthy of Gods mercy nor se the good that God hath promysed vs but onely trust in hym because he is mercyfull Wherfore receauynge the worde that wytnesseth vnto vs and beareth record of his goodnes we haue a sure hope in God by faith that he shall shewe his goodnesse tendernesse toward vs by his boūte ous mercy But hereto is requyted of vs that we reste w t our whole harte vpon this promyse of mercy reioycynge in sprete therin and by fayth rendre vs in loue and thankfulnesse to God Thus haue we a sure testymony that we are come to a good fayth for we can fynde none other fundament wheron the synfull soule may test saue onely yf we can hope that God wyll be a mercyfull father thorowe the death of IESV CHRISTE This is it that Paul sayeth No mā can laye another fundament saue that which is layed already that is CHRIST IESV Suche fayth causeth a man to walke confidently to be sure mynded to Gods goodnesse wherin he can reioyce so farre as he can beleue to optayne so much as God hath declared and promysed by his worde Now because he beleueth the same therfore is his spirite endued with godly ioye by the sprete of God whiche dyd appeare and teache hym the same by fayth Wherfore sayeth Paul Ye haue not receaued the sprete of bondage to feare ony more but ye haue receaued the sprete of adopciō whereby we crye Abba deare father The same sprete certifieth our sprete that we are the chyldren of God Whan a man feleth this by fayth and his harte reioyceth therin then hath he rest and quyetnesse in his consciēce hauynge no respecte to his owne workes or deseruynges but onely to CHRISTE which hath set hym atone with the father throughe his bytter passyon and death Thus geueth he onely CHRIST the glorye of his redēpcyon beholdeth hence forth no creatures more It is sufficient to hym to knowe God in his goodnesse beleuynge that mercy goodnesse shalbe shewed vnto hym of God reioyceth in that he hath a mercyfull father in heauen in all thynges he cōceaueth a good opinion of God his goodnesse Suche fayth causeth hym to rest to be cōtent with all that the LORDES wyl is to do w t hym Whether it be deth hell synne or deuell none can make hym abashed For as longe as a mā clyueth to Gods worde beleuyng y t God hath ouercome all euel thorow his loue to warde mankynde thē is he at rest and peace in all y t can betyde or chaūce vnto hym beyng certified that seynge God loueth hym he sheweth mercy kyndnesse in all that he doth vnto hym and all man kynde Whether it be thā anguyshe painfulnesse or ony daūger that can happen vnto man other in body or soule y t cōmeth al to his auayl Onely yf he cā beleue be persuaded in himselfe y t God loueth him For one frēde forbeareth much of another y ◠which natural loue causeth Wherfore yf naturall loue can forbeare wrōge of a frende how muche more ought we to forbeare y ◠good that is sent vs of God to our saluacyon Seynge fayth is a gyfte geuē of God it is necessarye we turne oure selues lowly vnto the LORDE desyrynge hym humbly to prepare oure hartes and make them wyllynge to accepte his worde with ioye As muche as we loue Gods worde so muche shal we be conforted made glad in sprete by fayth in all that y e worde hath promysed vs. Seynge God is hyd in his worde yee is the worde it selfe therfore yf we receaue the worde then by fayth and with ioye we shall receaue so much as God hath sayd and promysed by his worde CHRIST which is the blessed worde of the father geueth hym self with his goodnesse in to al faythfull hartes and maketh hym selfe with all his goodnesse cōmune takynge vs to his grace yee with all the wyckednesse that is in vs. Whan we haue synned than wyll God haue vs to admonysshe hym of his promyse yf we than praye with a faythfull harte he shall remembre all that he hath promysed and shal haue mercy vpon vs to fulfyll hys promyse and worde Thys knewe Dauid what tyme he sayde The worde of the LORDE is treue and al his workes are faithful Upon thys trusted the same Dauid whan he had synned he put god in mynde of his wordes sayenge Agaynst the onely haue I synned done euell in thy syghte that thou myghtest be iustifyed in thy sayenges and shuldeste ouercome whan thou arte iudged As though he wolde saye LORDE I haue trespassed I praye the remembre thy word that thou haste promysed vnto the synners which turne agayne from theyr synnes namely that thou wilt receaue a sorowfull sprete vnto thy mercy Wherfor thou oughtest to receaue me vnto thy grace that thou myghteste be founde ryghteous Shewenge suche mercye vnto the synner accordynge to thy promyse than shalt thou discomfyte thyne enemyes wyth the treuth which wyl iudge and estyme the as one that doth not accordynge to hys worde Whan Dauid nowe knewe inwardlye that he had optayned mercy of the LORDE than dyd he prayse and thanke God in al his wordes and dedes sayenge The LORDE is gracious and mercyfull longe sufferynge and of greate goodnesse The LORDE is louynge vnto euery man and hys mercye is ouer all hys workes The LORDE is ryghteous in all hys wayes and holy in all hys workes The LORDE is nye vnto all them that call vpon hym Yee all such as cal vpon him faythfully And euen thus is it wyth vs We can prayse and thanke God so earnestlye and reioyce so greatlye in hys goodnesse as we can beleue that mercye and kyndnesse can be shewed by hym Though the lawe dyd vtterlye dāne vs hel wold swalow vs vp though all syn and other enmyes wolde ouerrunne vs yet muste we abyde sure vpon God and se what CHRISTE hath deserued and geuen vs by hys bytter passyon and what he hath promysed thā shal faith worke hyr worke Yf we haue receaued the worde in fayth through the holy goost than shal we optayne mercye and lyfe in the myddes of death and of synne Wythout hope dyd holde vp oure head and the promyses sonke in oure hartes we muste nedes be drowned in despayre Hope sayth My sonne despyse not the selfe in thy syknesse but praye vnto the LORDE and he shal make the whole The synfull man beholdyng God and knowyng him by hys worde that is that he is mercyfull not wyllynge the death of a synner he lyfteth vp hys heade w t a lusty corage sayenge I shall not dye
mystruste his worde and they that loue hym wyll kepe his coÌ„maundements c. Thus is it euydent that fayth muste nedes be a worke glorious puyssaunt wherby man optayneth so much of the LORDE How coulde ony maÌ„ comprehende and perceaue the power of faith and that by fayth we are one with God Ihon sayeth That God hath geuen all meÌ„ power to be the chyldreÌ„ of God Christ sayd All thynges are possible vnto hym that beleueth And agayn Yf ye beleue ye shall se the glorye of God And agayne Yf ye haue fayth as a grayne of mustarde sede ye maye saye vnto this mountayne Remoue hence to yonder place and he shall remoue nother shall ony thynge be vnpossible vnto you Now seynge God worketh so gloriously in all faythfull hartes then is it conuenient that we humbly beseke hym to teach vs to trust in his worde For we shall reioyce so much in his goodnesse loke for so much aide coÌ„forte at his haÌ„de as we can trust in hym and in his worde We â—ede of SusaÌ„na that what tyme she was in hir moost distresse anguish beyng iudged wrongfully to death she syghed and prayed to God trustyng stedfastly in him and y e LORD delyuered her Daniel also whan he was cast in y e LyoÌ„s denne was not hurte of them for he trusted in God The godly worde commeth not for nought it worketh wonderfully whan it is receaued in fayth Therfore doth saynt Iames erhorte vs to receaue with mekenesse the word that is grafted in vs whiche is able to saue our soules A man can not erre so longe as he can testyfye hys lyfe to be led accordynge to Gods worde Yf a man haue his myndefixed vpon mans inuencyons or inuented holynesse he maye surely be dysquyete and confortlesse But so longe as a man hath his eyen fixed vpon God and his worde bearynge Gods commaundementes in his harte so longe doth that man walke in sekernesse beynge assured of all y e is expressed by Gods worde and is sure of his sauegarde and coÌ„forte accordynge as Paul sayeth All men are lyars but God is true The sonne of God is the wysedome of y e father Who so now doth yelde hym selfe vnto the word receauyng therby the wysedome of the father the same is dryuen from death vnto lyfe by the sprete of God Syrak sayeth that wysedome breatheth lyfe in to hyr chyldren receaueth them that seke her It foloweth then that they which haue once assayed god by his worde in the wysedome of God that those I saye maye come to complete lyfe But it is contrarye with the worldly wysedome as wytnesseth Paul sayenge In so muche as the worlde by the wysedome ther of knewe not God in his wysedome it pleased God thorowe folyshe preachynge to saue them that beleue Whan Paul was mynded to conuerte ony man then wolde he laye nothynge before hym saue onely Gods worde sayenge I haue begotten you in CHRIST IESV thorowe the gospell Wherfore I exhort you be ye my folowers as I am IESV CHRISTES So longe as a man redresseth hys lyfe accordyng to Gods worde so longe shall he come walkynge the ryghte waye of saluacyon and reioyce in his conseyence For all that the worde of God doth vtter is concernynge ether mercy or in warde consolacyon Peter sayeth Ye knowe of the preachynge y t God sent vnto the chyldreÌ„ of Israel preachyng peace thorow IESVS CHRIST Of hym beare al the prophetes wytnesse that thorow his name all they that beleue in hym shall receaue remission of synnes Luke also wrytyng CRISTES wordes saieth Thus is it wrytten and thus it behoued CHRIST to suffre and the thirde day to tyse agayne from the dead and to let repentaunce and remyssioÌ„ of synnes be preached in his name amoÌ„geal nacions This knewe Esay afore hande whan he sayde Lyke as the rayne and snowe commeth downe from heauen and returneth not thy ther againe but watereth the earth maketh it frutefull and grene that it maye geue corne and bread vnto the so wer So the worde also that coÌ„meth out of my mouth shall not turne vnto me voide agayn but shal accomplyshe my wyll and prosper in the thynge whereunto I sende it Hereby we are taughte that like as the earthe is made frutefull of the rayne that God sendeth so shall we also be renewed and be frutefull yf we knowlege God a ryghte by hys worde and reioice in al that he hath wytesafe to warne vs of by hys worde Yee we shall mortifye the fleshe wyth all hys desyres and he ioyned to God He that cleueth vnto god becommeth one sprete wyth hym and optayneth all goodnesse wyth hym A man reioyceth so muche in God as he is knytte wyth him by fayth and is diligent in all thynges to forther hys glorye The olde father Symeon beholdynge the lytle babe and beynge sure in wardlye that he was hys saueoure for he loked for hym by hys fayth reioyced in hys harte desyrynge to go to hys reste by bodely death for his eyen had sene the saue garde of men Euen so lykewyse we yf we had sene by fayth the loue which God beareth to ward vs how hartelye shulde we then yelde oureselues vnto death For fayth certyfyeth the harte that God is a mercy full father and that mercye shall be shewed vnto vs by y e death of IESV CHRISTE We can optayne no greater rewarde than to beleue that God is wyth vs and we beynge wyth the LORDE are safe Steuen seynge heauen open by fayth sayde incontinentlye LORDE receaue my sprete For thys cause sayde Paule Because therfore that we are iustyfyed by faythe we haue peace wyth God thorow oure LORDE IESVS CHRISTE by whom also we haue an entraunce in faythe vnto thys grace wherein we stonde Here lo is no mencyon of workes or of y â— lawe for by the workes is noman iustyfyed But the workes muste breake oute thorowe loue and declare oure inwarde fayth by workynge of charitable dedes Iob was ashamed of all hys workes and was not so bold as to lyfte vp hys heade before hys LORDE God but submitted hymselfe lowly vnto him ye though ther had ben founde some right wy sucsse in hym Dauid also sayde LORDE entre not in to iudgemente with thy seruaunte for in thy syghte shall noman lyuynge be iustifyed Neuerthelesse God wyllynge to certifye vs what we maye optayne by fayth he shewed vs that by pure and onely loue and mercye he taketh the synner to grace wythoute ony regarde of dedes so that mercye shulde be shewed to vs of promyse and not of dewtye Therfore ought we to geue all glorye vnto God onely Dauid wytnesseth thys same sayenge Blessed are they whose vnryghteousnesse is forgeuen and whose sinnes are couered Blessed is the man vnto whome the LORDE imputeth no syn and in whose sprete ther is no gyle Herin maye you perceaue the maner of tustifienge namely
youre selues humblye to the blessed LORDE desyrynge hym to make youre hartes wyllinge to receaue his worde ioyfully and to knowlege that loue in the spirite by fayth the whiche the LORDE shewed vs so frendlye thorow his worde Hys loue is not knowen but onely thorowe hys worde the which onely geueth vs true wytnesse that God loueth vs. So farre stretcheth oure knowlege of hys loue as we haue gotten it oute of hys wordes by fayth The LORDE sheweth vs suffycyentlye in hys wordes that he loueth vs. As God is trewe and faythful in hys promises so maye we lyghtelye gette perceueraunce of hys loue by hys own wordes Yee euen that god hath promysed that he loueth vs were ynoughe to reioyce in yf we coulde beleue dewly and not to seke about for ony other louers It shuld be ynough for vs that God loueth vs and we shuld reioice in his loue For hys loue is onely trewe bounteous holye and good That the worlde and al men do loue me that doth not auayll me nother doth it comfort nor saue me but that God doth loue me y t is a cōfort vnto my sinful soul For god geueth saluaciō holynesse righteousnesse redēptiō thorow his loue The world with al hyr louelynesse geueth nought saue dānacion hell synne death Therfore can y e soule finde nother rest nor peace therin For the soule maye be comforted in hyr owne nature and strengthe with God onely and with his loue Nowe whan man heareth this and perceaueth it than muste his harte leap vp for ioye towarde God whiche loueth him Thus becommeth be equall and lyke vnto God so y ◠he is so mynded in loue to Godwarde as God agayne is mynded to him sayenge with chearefulnesse Is it not a greate thinge that such a LORD loueth me that draweth all men to him and that because I shulde be partaker of all the good that of hys loue he hath promysed to geue vnto all them that knowlege hym by hys loue He that is sure of thys loue sayeth boldelye Who can now daunger me Who cā condemne me For God so loueth me y ◠he will saue me Now do I feare no ther death nor hell For God that loueth me hath ouercome death hell and synne for me Let aryse nowe agaynste me castels stronge holdes yee the gates of hell and though I were i y ◠middes of death yet shal not they hurte me For God that hath al powers in his hande doth loue me Them that God hath electe chosen them hath he called and whome he hath called thē hath he also made righteous and whom he hath made righteous them hath he glorified also What shall we say than vnto these thinges yf God be on oure syde who can we be agaynst vs whiche spared not his owne sonne but hath geuen hym for vs all howe shal not he geue vs all thynges also wyth hym Who wyll laye ony thynge to the charge of Gods chosen It is God that maketh ryghteous who wyll then condemne For as muche than as the chylderen haue fleshe bloude he also hymselfe lykewise toke parte with them that he thorowe death myghte take awaye the power of hym which had lordshyppe ouer death that is to say the deuyll and that he myghte delyuer them whiche thorowe feare of death were al theyr lyfe tyme in daūger of bondage For he in no place taketh on hym the angels but y ◠sede of Abrahā taketh he on hym Wherfore in all thynges it became hym to he made lyke to his brethren that he myght be mercyfull and an Hyghe Preste in thynges concerninge god to make agrement for the synnes of the people For us that he hymselfe suffered and was tempted he is able to succurre them that are tempted Who coulde now be comfortlesse yf he were perswaded in hys mynd hereof Who could not reioice in spret hauynge founde suche a redemer Who sawe euer such a loue Herein is loue not that we loued god but y e he loued vs sente his son to make agrement for oure sinnes The loue of God is shed a brode in our hartes by the holy goost which is geuen vn to vs. For whan we were yet weake according to the tyme CHRIST dyed for vs vngodly Whan we were yet enmyes CHRIST recōcyled vs vnto the father which was geuē for oure synnes and raysed vp for oure ryghteousnesse sake Oboūteful LORD how dyd loue driue you to vs ward what tyme ye dyd loke so louingly vpō vs w t your fatherly pitie For because ye might shew your moost excellent loue y t ye beare toward vs therfor dyd ye yeld your selues vnto y e bitter death y t we might knowlege al our saluacion redēptiō in you only reioycei you Oh who cā fele y e bottō of your loue what tym as we se perceaue what inestimable price ye gaue for our redēciō w t your faithful trew worde haue ye assured vs of youre loue w t your precious bloude haue ye scaled it w t your death haue ye cōfirmed it bequiethed left vs the testament of loue to the forgeuenesse of synnes O howe glorious are we estymed in roure syghte father euen as electe and chosen chylderen had in greate reputacyon of you thorowe loue Lo what loue the father hath shewed vs that we shulde be called the chylderen of God and also be the same We are nowe the childeren of God and yet hath it not appeared what we shall be But we know that whan he shall appeare we shall be lyke him for we shal se hu◠as he is O wonderful loue Who coulde comprehende and vnderstande that the naturall man which was so pytyfully destroyed thorowe Adams synne and comme in the deuils power shulde so be lykened vnto God and to haue optayned suche fellowshyppe and communiō with hys inestimable goodnesse By nature we were chylderen of the wrath of God and coulde not ryse agayne by oureselues But God not wyllynge to be wroth foreuer vpō his handy worke hath called to remembraūce his naturall loue and pytie and thought how that he hadde created vs after his lykenesse after he had once poured hym selfe in vs thorowe his tender loue Thus was he myndefull of vs thorow hymselfe dyd shewe mercy his loue steared hym to it our fraylnesse hath he taken to his mercy For he sawe we were fleshe faydynge heye not beynge able to stande without y e assystaunce of his goodnesse He was also myndful of that which he promysed vnto man hearynge the depe desyres and the humble syghinge of the ryghteous which longynge for his cōmynge did cal for him y t he shuld she we his loue to the strayeng and lost nature Wherfore the father hath opened his fatherly harte sendynge vs his worde his only sōne that he myght be for vs y ◠onely mediatour speche man and swager of Gods wrath which shulde ouercome death hell synne and the
deuell whiche shulde accomplyshe for vs the worke of saluacyon thorowe his death whose fleshe and bloude shulde call for mercy for vs vnto y e father Who shuld not now knowlege his glorious state where vnto the LORDE hath called vse Who can now fele and perceaue this loue and not reioyce inwardly For he hath geuē euery one power to be the chyldrē of God that beleue in his name Who can come to hygher estate thē to be electe chyldren of hym that onely hath power to exalte his frendes When CHRIST had called his beloued disciples to his loue thē cōforted he them alwaye in theyr passions saynge I am amonge you as a mynister As for you ye at they that haue bydden with me in my temptacyons And I wyl apppoynt y e kyng dome vnto you euen as my father hath appoynted me that ye may eat and drynke at my table in my kyng doine and syt vpon seates iudge the twelfe trybes of Israell No māhath greater loue thē to set his lyfe for his frend Ye are my frēdes yfye do y e I cōmaūde you I call you not seruauntes for a seruaunt knoweth not what his lord doth But I haue sayd that ye are frendes For al that I haue herde of my father haue I shewed vnto you Ye haue not chose me but I haue chosen you and ordyned y t ye go brynge forth frute that youre frute continue y t whatso euer ye aske y e father in my name he shulde geue it you Unto you it is geuen to knowe y e mistery of y e kingdom of heauē but vnto thē it is not geuen With these aforesayd sayenges are we greatly cōforted in y t we se how much the LORD wyl do vnto them y e he loueth Now cōmune maketh he hym selfe with all his kingdome wyllynge vs all to haue his loue and y e we all shulde knowlege all our saluaciō to come of his loue the which he declareth so plenteously vnto vs. Therfore sayeth Paul The LORDE hath chosen vs by hym that is CHRIST or euer the foundacyon of the worlde was layed that we shuld be holy and without blame before him in loue and ordeyned vs before to receaue vs as ehyldrē thorow IESVS CHRIST accordyng to y e pleasure of his wyll vnto the prayse of the glory of his grace wherby he hath made vs accepted in the beloued in whom we haue redempcyon thorow his bloude namely the forgeuenesse of synnes accordynge to y e ryches of his grace which he hath shedde vpon vs abundauntly in all wysedome and prudence The fatherly hart was so moued with loue to vs warde that all his thoughtes were employed how he myght shew mercy vnto his poore shepe Thoughe y e ryghteousnesse of God myght tustly haue condemned vs for Adā and we haue both transgressed hys commaundement in one fleshe And though the LORD myght haue kept vs styl in deaths daunger yet hath his loue and pytie so moued hym y t he dyd ioyne his mercy with iustice and peace with trueth so that these beynge assēbled dyd call vpon loue desyrynge that God wolde declare his loue This dyd Dauid knowlege in sprete and sayd I wyll herkē what the LORDE God wyll saye for he shall speake peace vnto his people to his sayntes that they turne not them selues vnto foolyshnesse For his saluacyon is nye them that feare hym so that glorye shall dwel in our lande Mercy and trueth are met together righteousnesse peace kysse eche other Trueth shall ryse out of the earth and ryghteousnesse shall loke downe from heauen And why the LORDE shall shewe louyng kyndnesse and our lande shall geue hir encrease Righteousnesse shal go before hym and prepare the waye for his cōmynge And agayne The LORDE is gracyous and mercyfull longe sufferynge and of great goodnesse The LORDE is louynge vnto euery man and his mercy is ouer al his workes Turne agayne then to thy rest o my soule for the LORDE hath geuē the thy desyre And why Thou hast deliuered my soule from death myn eyes frō tears my fete frō fallynge Hereby is it euident y t yf we desyre ony inwarde goodnesse wheron our synful soule myght test thē shall we loke stedfastly vpō this loue alwaye cōsider what CHRIST hath geuē vs thorow his loue whā we haue y e knowlege of his loue in vs then haue we fyrst a cause to reioyce For only in his loue may we knowlege our saluacyon Therfore sayth Paul We haue not receaued y ◠sprete of bōdage to fear ony more but we haue receaued y ◠sprete of adopcyō wherby we crye Abba dear father The same spret certifieth our sprete y t we are y ◠chyldren of God Peter also cōfirmeth this sayenge For so muche as his Godly power hath geuē vs al thynges y t pertaine vnto lyfe Godlynes thorowe the knwlege of hym y t hath called vs by his owne glory power wherby the excellēt moost great promyses are geuē vnto vs namely y t ye by y e same shuld be partakers of y e godly nature yf ye flye y e corrupte lust of the worlde He now that doth reioyce in this loue and can perceaue what is geuen hym by the same he I saye coulde lightely withdrawe hymselfe from all that is no trewe loue and suffre not hym selfe to be deceaued with false loue For God hath made vs so lyke vnto his godly nature thorowe loue he hath yelded hymselfe so louyngly vnto y e nature of mā he hath drawē it so frendly to him ward making of it a chosē tēple clensed by his bloude that his sprete myght rest in it w t al his goodnesse and that man myght vse God as a frende Now whan we perceaue y e loue of God onely to be perfect holy and good wherby redempcyon and saluacyon is geuen vs then of dewtye ought such loue only to be our ioye glory and comforte For God which is ryche in mercy thorow his great loue wherwith he loued vs euen whan we were dead in synnes hath quyckned vs with CHRIST And for cause of this nother lawe nor synne lyue in vs but CHRIST which hath powred hym selfe in vs thorow his worde so that God is in vs and we in God The lawe doth not now cōpell vs ony more but it is God that hath so moued oure hartes thorowe his loue that we by the helpe and assistaunce of his sprete shall do all y t is acceptable vnto hym This inwarde mocyon of our harte cōmeth by fayth For whan we know verely that God loueth vs then doth i◠worke in vs causyng vs to fixe our mynde on nothynge saue howe we maye reioyce in hym that doth loue vs. It is sure a greate grace geuen vs of God y t we knowlege his loue towarde vs felynge in oure entrayles by fayth peace glorye reste and ioye wherby only we perceaue that thorowe hys loue
thorow loue in the syght of all men To this exhorteth vs CHRIST sayenge Let your lyght so shyne before men that they maye se youre good workes and gloryfy your father which is in heauē s Peter also exorteth vs to lede an holy lyfe amōg y e heythē Loue doth declare herselfe by fayth workyng wonderously to the ryghteousnesse and saluacyon of all such men as knowlege God in his loue ready alwaye to rendre hym loue and thankes agayne Paul what tyme he hadde a tayste of this loue and felte the power of the same he gaue vnto thys holye loue the glorye of all the good that is acceptable before God in mā saynge Thoughe I spake with tunges of men and angels and yet had not loue I were euen as soundyngebrasse or as a tynklyng cimbal And though I bestowed al my goodes tofede the poore though I gaue my body euē that I burned yet haue not loue it profyteth me nothynge Loue is pacyent and curteous loue enuyeth not loue doth not frowardly is not pufte vp dealeth not dishonestly seketh not hyr own is not prouoked vnto anger thynketh not euell reioyceth not ouer iniquite but reioyceth ouer the trueth beareth al thynges beleueth all thynges hopeth all thynges suffereth all thynges Thus much suffyseth to be spoken of the loue that God hath towarde vs how man is ioyned vnto God by loue For true loue muste worke by fayth in such as god hath elect chose therto it causeth man to optayne al thynges lawful wherfore we shall treate farther wherein we oughte to declare and vtter oure loue agayne Seynge that we haue here sufficientlye shewed that god loueth vs and that the same loue worketh alwaye therfore shall man examyne hymselfe and searche hys entrayles whether he be come to a true loue by faythe Faythe muste declare it selfe thorowe loue and mortyfycacyon of the fleshe S. Ihon exhorteth vs earnestlye to a renewynge of our sin ful lyfe after that we haue receaued the worde of the LORDE with ioye beinge assured by faith that we may optayne mercye thorowe IESV CHRISTE sayeng God is light and in hym is no darknesse at all Yf we saye that we haue felowshyppe wyth hym and yet walke in darknesse we lye and do not the treuthe But yf we walke in lyghte euen as he is lyghte than haue we felowshyppe together and the bloude of IESVS CHRIST hys sonne clenseth vs from all synne CHRIST also sayeth I am the lyghte of the worlde he that foloweth me shal not walke in darknesse but shall haue the lyghte of lyfe And agayne The lyght is a lytle whyle with you walke whyle ye haue the lyghte that the darknesse fall not vpon you He that walketh I darknesse woteth not whether he goeth Beleue ye on the light whyle ye haue it that ye maye be the chylderen of lyghte It foloweth I am come a lyghte in to the worlde y e whosoeuer beleueth on me shulde not abyde in darknesse By all these aforesayde sayenges are we taught that God hath geuen hymselfe alyghte in oure hartes yf we haue learned to knowe hym in hys loue by hys worde The worde is y ◠lyght and foode of the soule whereby the loue of God is clearlye set forth vnto vs. That we therfore be founde trutefull and thankefull before the LORDE it is hys wyll to leade yee to dryue vs wyth hys lyghte to lyghten vs and to teache vs al that whereby oure synfull soule maye be conforted and reioyce in God oure louer Whan Dauid knewe thys lyghte he was gladde thereof and sange Howe precious is thy mercye O God that the chylderen of men maye put theyr truste vnder the shadowe of thy wynges They shall be satysfyed wyth the plenteousnesse of thy house and thou shalte geue them drinke of the ryuer of thy pleasures For by the is the well of lyfe and in thy lyghte shall we selygthe Whan we haue nowe receaued CHRISTE so rychelye and ioyfully by hys worde than shall also the Godly worde onely be our light guyde and mayster so that we shall herken diligentlye what God hath commaunded admonyshed and taughte vs in hys worde Noman feleth inwarde ioye or comforte of the Gospell wythout he be sure that it hath wroughte euidentlye in hym the mortyfycacyon and subduynge of hys owne synfulnesse and y e loue towarde hys neghboure Whan it hath wroughte thus in man than perceaueth he fyrste the incomparable loue and fauoure the which god doth declare by hys worde Moreouer whan he hath tryed the same w t the renewynge of hys lyfe than is he sure that God hath wroughte a passynge greate worke of mercye in hym Thys knewe Dauid whan he sayde I wyll herken what the LORDE God wyl saye for he shal speake peace vnto hys people Now is it euidente and playne that God doth sende his worde and lyghte in oure hartes that we thorowe the lyghte in hys worde shuld knowlege all oure saluacyon and redempcyon reioycynge in hym only Yf man do not yet fyxe hys syghte only vpon God and hys loue but seketh comforte ether of mens inuencyons or ony creatures not reioycynge in God onely than is it to be doubted lest such one be not foūded a ryghte on God onely Paull sayeth But we wayte in the spirite of hope to be made righteous by faith The faythfull lyueth alway in ioye for the iuste lyueth by fayth Scripture wytnesseth euery where y t God doth call vs and sayeth I am I only am he that putte awaye synne wythoute me ther is no saueoure In y ◠tyme of trouble and in the strayghtnesse of synfulnesse than doth god be holde vs mooste of all yf so be we seke hym wyth oure whole hartes The soule can reioyce in nothynge y t is wythout God Therfore seynge God loueth vs he exhorteth vs to putte oure confidence in hym onely sayenge Yf ye fyxe youre syght vpō an other than shall ye remayne confortlesse and ye shall serue straunge goddes daye and nyghte that wyll shewe you lyttell fauoure But my people shall dwell in the ynnes of peace in my tabernacle and pleasure where ther is ynoughe in them all For thys cause shall man trye hymselfe whether he be mortifyed in hys owne synfulnesse and carnal desyres For Paull sayeth They that are CHRISTES haue crucifyed theyr fleshe with the lustes and desires He shall also searche howe he oughte to behaue hymself in loue toward god doynge it that he is sure to be acceptable vnto God that the father may be glorifyed thereby the whiche wyl worke wonderously thorow his loue in all them in whome he hath powred hys worde so louynglye Of this maye the auncyent father Symeon be an ensample the whiche seynge the lytle babe reioiced in sprete The two disciples also herde CHRIST and they learned to know him with ioyfull and mery hartes Now shal we procede and shewe that al
that iâ— offended at Goddes worde thorow mysbelef nother doth knowlege thorowe loue hys saluacyon to be therein but withstandeth it by al meanes possyble They that be offended and dashe at the stone that is CHRISTE they be not drawen to hym through hys goodnesse but be rather peyered peruerse myndlesse Yee and they become enemies of God by the lawe whereby they be broughte to greater feare than can wel be swaged and redressed againe by Gods worde Whan the stone that is the blessed CHRIST shall fall vpon the mis beleuing forsake y â— sinner trustyng in his blindnesse beynge despysed of God for his obstinacie and beating his iudgemente wythout mercye at the daye of dome than shall the vnbeleuynge se how greuous it is vnto hym that he hath not receaued CHRIST in his worde The LORDE sayd He y t is not with me is against me He that gathereth not with me scattereth For he that seketh righteousnes notbeholding CHRIST only w t a pure minde he dasheth agaist y â— stone Now greuous it is to offeÌ„d at y â— stone to be offeÌ„ded at CHRIST do many places of scripture specifie vnto vs. CHRIST is set to a fall to an vprising agayn of many But well is him whose trust is in y e LORD hys god Be it knoweÌ„ vnto you therfore ye meÌ„ brethreÌ„ y e thorow this maÌ„ y â— is CHRISTE is preached vnto you y e forgeuenesse of synnes and from al the thinges wherby ye might not be iustified in the lawe of Moses But whosoeuer beleueth on thys man is iustifyed Beware therfore that it come not vpon you which is spoken in the Prophetes Beholde ye despysers and wonder at it and peryshe For I do a worke in youre tyme which ye shall not beleue yf ony maÌ„ tell it you And agayne in the same place sayde Paull and Barnabas to the Iewes It behoued fyrste the worde of god to be spoken vnto you but now that ye thruste it from you counte youre selues vnworthye of euerlastynge lyfe lo we turne to the Gentyles Oh LORDE who caÌ„ perceaue how hurtefull the worldly wysedome is The Byshoppes Pharisees Prestes and Lawers thorowe theyr owne wysedome wold not submitte them selues to the humble and meke fayth of CHRISTE but rather drewe the other people from the fayth in CHRISTE sayenge Doth ony of the rulers or Pharisees beleue on hym But the commune people whiche knowe not the lawe are cursed Thus were the Publicans and open synners whiche beleued in CHRISTE despysed of them Yee because the commune people folowed CHRIST therfor haue the Byshoppes and Prestes takeÌ„ couÌ„sell how to slaye CHRIST CHRIST also whan he saw that the couetous Pharisees dyd mocke hym he sayd Ye are they that iustyfye youre selues before â—â—n but God knoweth youre hartes For that which is hye amonge men is abominacyon before God And agayn sayd CHRIST Why know ye not my speche Euen because ye can not abyde the hearynge of my wordes And agayne I am come to iudgement into hys world that they which se not might se and that they which se myght be made blynde And some of the Pharisees that were wyth hym herde thys and sayde vnto hym Are we then blynde also IESVS sayde vnto them Yf ye were blynde ye shulde haue no synne But now that ye say wese therfore remayneth youre synne That is as muche as though CHRISTE wolde saye He that wyll se hys saluacyon by hys owne wysedom he is blynde For he loketh not vpon God but is blynde in himself But he that loketh not vpon hymselfe but seketh hys saluacyon in CHRISTE he is lyghtened of God Thys wytnesseth saint Paul sayeÌ„g The Heythen whiche solowed not ryghteousnesse haue ouertakeÌ„ righteousnesse But I speake of the righteousnesse that commeth by faythe Israell folowed the lawe of ryghteousnesse and attayned not vnto the lawe of righteousnesse Why so eueÌ„ because they soughte it not oute of faith but as it were out of deseruing of workes For they haue stoÌ„bled at the stomblynge stone as it is writteÌ„ Beholde I laye in Syon a stone to stomble at and a tocke to be offended at and whosoeuer beleueth on hym shall not be confounded Here haue we now herd what hurt vnbelefe bryngeth whereby a man becommeth coulde and straunge froÌ„ God For thorowe vnbelefe hath a man small perceuenaunce of God or godlynesse Yee where God is not duely knowen there is man ydle can haue no godly lust nor fauoure vnto God But y t father hath geuen vs CHRIST hys only sonne accordynge to hys loue towarde vs euen hys godly worde that we shulde herken to him learne to know y â— waye of saluacioÌ„ thorow hys word Thus hath CHRIST called vs louingly namely vs y t were of a disquiete troubelous hart geuingvs knowlege of his fatherly wil thorow faith y t we shuld be coÌ„forted in his word which brigeth al mercy w t it Yf our hart be ready to accoÌ„plish y t wil of god accordinge to his worde not to departe thorow ony straung learniÌ„g thaÌ„ are we surely called of hi. For IhoÌ„ saith Whosoeuer transgresseth and abydeth not in the doctryne of CHRIST hath not God He that abydeth in the doctryne of CHRISTE hath both the father and the sonne And agayn Yf no man wyl receaue you nor heare youre preachynge depart out of that house or cytie and shake the duste from youre fete Treuly I saye vnto you It shall be easyer for the loude of Sodoma and Gomorra in the daye of iudgement thaÌ„ for y t cuie Thus may youse y â— damage and hurte of mysbelese the whiche causeth a disquyeted harte and remorse of conscieure and an harte y e is comfortlesse yee a continuaunce in synfulnesse Wherfore CHRISTE seinge the multitude hauyng blind leaders he is moued with pitye vpoÌ„ them for they were pined away and dispersed as shepe hauyng no shepe herde And CHRISTE sayde vnto his disciples The haruest is great but the laborers are few Wherfore praye the LORDE of the harueste to send forth labourers into his haruest Now louyngly wyll the LORDE haue pytye vpon vs seynge he calleth vs so swetelye to hys godlye worde that we abyde not in damnacyon Paul sayeth Brethren praye for vs that the worde of God maye haue fre passage and be glorified as it is with you and that we maye be delyuered from vnreasonable and euell men Thys graunte vs y â— heauenlye father thorow IESVS CHRISTE his sonne Amen ¶ Here endeth the treatyse of fayth and hope Here foloweth the treatyse of loue and charite ¶ Of the loue that God hath towarde vs howe stronglye loue worketh in vs and howe hurtefull the worldlye loue is PEace and mercye from God the father thorow IESV CHRIST Ye entyerlye beloued ye that huÌ„ger to come to y e knowlege of y e loue y t God hath to vs ward ye must turne