¶ A new yeares gyfte more precious than golde worthy to be embrased no lesse ioyfully than thaÌ„kfully of euery true christeÌ„ man newly published by Theodore Basille Esa. 9. A yong chylde is borne for oure sake and a sonne is gyuen vnto vs. ¶ The newe yeares gyfte speaketh A Newe yeares gyfte more precious Than golde or pearle certes am I For I bryng forth the Lorde Iesus Which of all treasures is moost hygh Many in thynges of vanite Do reioyse and delyght greatly Such can haue no pleasure in me For I teach Christ that Lorde moost hygh Christ and Christes doctryne shalt thou heare Learne yf thou wylte vnfaynedly Wherby thou mayst become ryght deare To God and his sonne that Lord moost hygh To mortify thy lustes carnall And to walke aye innocently Teache the also godly I shall That thou mayst please that Lord moost hygh To good workes also I shall the moue In them euermore to be busy That God the father maye the loue And his sonne Christ that Lorde moost hygh If thou therfore louest godlynes Take me vnto the ioyfully I shall fyll thy harte with gladnes And ioyne the w t Christ that Lord moost hygh ¶ To the ryght worshypfull Master Thomas Roydon Esquyer and Iustice of peace Theodore Basille wyssheth long lyfe continuall health and prosperous felicite I Canne none otherwyse but highly prayse the honest fashons commendable vsages and frendely customes that our auncetours elders haue vsed heretofore vnto the greate example of theyr posterite for y e mayntenaÌ„ce of all humanite geÌ„tylnes Among many other who wyl not recouÌ„t y e cuâ—toÌ„e of gyuyng newe yeres gyftes to be so commendable and prayse worthy that he maye seme to be estrauÌ„ged from all ciuilite that dothe not obserue it vnto the vttermost of his power For what other thing do we meane by geuyng mutuall giftes in the begynnyng of a newe yeare thaÌ„ that we desyre that all good lucky prosperous and fortunate thynges maye chaunse that yere vnto euery one of vs and that one wylleth wysheth desyreth well to another is redy to do good one to another and to healpe what so euer lyethe in hys power This vndoubtedly was the meanyng of theÌ„ that fyrst were the inueÌ„tours of this moost honest and frendly custome to this ende hath it ben obserued kept mayntayned hytherto Whan I consydered this but lately iudged y e custome to 〈◊〉 both good and godly and nothynâ— more mete for the preseruacion anâ— coÌ„ciliacioÌ„ of amite I thought thaâ— for asmuch as I was not able accoâ—dyng to my wyll to gyue such new yeares gyftes as commonly be sen from one to another Yet I would prepare somthyng wherby I might shewe my selfe to wysh well vnto all men and to beare an honest frendly hart to my coÌ„trey meÌ„ of EngloÌ„d I haue therfore prouided a newe yeres gyfte not of corruptible gold or syluer but of the moost sacred scriptures whiche as Dauid saythe are much more worthy to be desired theÌ„ golde or precious stonne are sweter then the hony hony combe In this my newe yeares gyfte I haue openned many goodly godly thynges Amonge all other I haue declared what a precious treasure Christ is vnto vs whiche was gyueÌ„ vs of God the father for our new yeres gyfte and how many benefites we haue receyued by hym I haue also described the whole lyfe of a christen maÌ„ shewyng what we must do if we wyll enioy so great benefites Agen I haue exhorted men to mortify theyr carnal affectes worldly lustes and shewed them howe they must walke both toward theÌ„selues theyr neyghbour God if they wyl haue the fruicion of the celestiall enheretauÌ„ce To coÌ„clude as I haue shewed that all saluacion commeth by Christ so haue I proued that Christ is no sauiour but to theÌ„ that repeÌ„t beleue lede a vertuous lyfe be pleÌ„teous in doyng good workes These thinges with diuers other not to be despised shal be fouÌ„d in this my new yeares gyfte so that I doubte not but that it shall be no les profitable for the soule than other worldly giftes shall be for the body This my labour employed herein after myne so greuous troublous syckenesses I dedicate and sende to your ryght worshypfull mastershyp for a newe yeares gyfte desyrynge you to accepte it wyth no lesse good mynde than it is offered to your geÌ„tylnes If I shal may perceaue that this my lytle gyfte is acceptable vnto you it shall not only not repente me but also cause me very much to reioyse of my trauayle iÌ„ this behalf GOD the Author of euery yere mought vouchesafe to graunt that this newe yeare wythe many other maye euer begynne vnto you withe good fortune procede wyth better ende with that which is best and alway be fortunate vnto you so long as they last so y t ye maye alway enioye coÌ„tinual helth prosperoê° felicite accordyng to y e wyll of God to whome be all honour glory AMEN The newe yeres gyfte ¶ Philemon the gyuer of the newe yeares gyfte Theophile Eusebius Christopher his frendes Philemon CHrist our Lord and master dothe not wyth out a cause coÌ„pare resemble y e cares rytches pleasures of thys lyfe to thornes in his moost holy gospel For as thornes prycketh the flesh suffer him not to be in quiet that is greued hurte w t them so lykewise the cares rytches and pleasures of this world wyl not suffer by ony menes that man to enioye tranquilite rest peace that is turmoyled with them Happy is he that appoynteth him selfe such kynde of lyuyng that he maye be fre from these great waues rockes wherwythe the lyfe of mortall meÌ„ is so miserably assayled so ofte put in dauÌ„ger The ritches pleasures of this world seme to y e flesh to be thinges of much pleasauÌ„s great delectacion but they be nothyng els thaÌ„ entysyng and flatteryng mooremaydes which syngyng songes pleasaunt to the eare bryng destruccion to so many as be herers of theÌ„ Blessed is hetherfore which after the example of Ulisses can stop his eares with waxe so passe by beynge nothynge moued withe theyr vayne flatterynge entisementes For as S. Paule saythe They that haue a pleasure to waxe rytche fall into temptacioÌ„ snares into many folysh and noysome lustes which drowne men into destruccion damnacioÌ„ For couetousnes is the roote of all euell which whyle some lusted after they erred from the fayth and entangled them selues wythe many sorowes Hereto pertayneth the sayeng of S. IohnÌ„ Loue not y e world nor those thiÌ„ges that are in y e world If ony maÌ„ loueth the worlde y e loue of the father is not in hym For all that is in the worlde as the lust of y e flesh the concupiscence of the eis the pryde of the lyfe is not of y e father but of the worlde the worlde passeth away
heare other Yea I would there were not whiche nether wyll read the moost holy Bible theÌ„ selues nor yet suffer wyth a gladde mynde other to read Agaynst all such dothe Christ thonder in the gospell sayenge Wo be to you Scribes and Pharises hypocrites which haue taken awaye y e keye of knowledge and speared the kyngdome of heauen before men Ye your selues do not enter nor yet sufferre them that come to enter Do not alâ— these thinke you as I may let passe many other greatly dishonour God and obscure his glory These are no fytte scholers for Christes schole excepte they repent and amend Therfore as I sayd vnto you before who so euer wyll be Christes scholler he must fyrste seake the glory of God aboue all thynges He must loue god aboue all thynges ether in heuen or in earth beleue hym to be hys alone sauyoure and aske and looke for all good thynges of him alone He must honour hys name and seake the glory therof in al thynges that he doth Yea for the glorye of thys hys God he must be contented not only to bâ—stowe his goodes but hys very lyfe also if the honoure of God so requireth He must loue the worde of god as the alone tresure of his soule study in it daye and nyghte talke of it with other exhorâ—e his christen brothers vnto the readyng of it reioyse whan he se men haue a plesure in iâ— and encourage them so to continew to followe that whiche they read â–ª They that do thys denye vngodlynes vnfaynedly seake the honour and glory of God Chri. I besâ—ch god that we all may haue grace thuâ— to do Phil. For asmuch as we walke not only before God but also before meÌ„ therfore doth your new yeres gyfte I meane Christ youre scholemasteâ— not only teache you to deny vngodlynes but also worldely lustes Theo. What meaneth he by that Phil Euen the very same that S. Paule dothe wrytynge to the Collossians â–ª Mortify sayth he youre members â–ª whiche are on the earth fornicacion vnclennes vnnaturall lust euell coÌ„cupiscence and couetousnes which is worshyppyng of Idols for which thynges the wrath of God comethe on the childreÌ„ of vnbelefe In which ye walked once wheÌ„ ye lyued in theÌ„ But nowe putte ye also away from you all thynges wrath fearcenesse maliciousnes cursed speakyng fylthy talke out of your mouthes Ly not one to another after y t ye hauâ— putte of the olde man with his workes and put on the newe whiche is renewed in knowledge after y e image of hym that made hym Of these wordes may ye learne what it is to deny worldly lustes Uerely to mortify all carnal affectes which stryue agaynst the spirite For the fleshe lustethe coÌ„trary to the spirite and the spirite contrary to y e flesh But they that pertayne vnto Christ haue crucifyed the flesh with the affectes and lustes therof If ye lyue after y e flesh ye shal dye But if ye mortify the dedes of the body in the spirite ye shal lyue For who so euer are led wythe the spirite of God they are the sonnes of God Here may ye se what purenes bothe of body miÌ„d god requireth of vs seiÌ„g we may not so much as once noryssh a worldely carnall lust in our hartes How muche lesse than is it lawefull for vs to accomplysh them in dede and to bryng theÌ„ forth in externall acte Hereto pertayneth the coÌ„maundement Thou shalte not couyt or lust Our scholemaster also in the Sermon that he made in the mountayne sayth who so euer looketh on another mannes wyfe lustyng after her hath comitted adultry alredy in hys harte It is not wtout a cause y t Christ techeth vs to deny worldly fleshly lustes For if the hart be not refrayned froÌ„ euell concupiscences kepte cleane it is not possible that we can eyther speake or do ony thynge at all that shoulde â—e good or godly For of the abundaunce of the herte the mouth speaketh A good man out of y e good tresure of hys harte bryngeth forth that is good And an euell man out of the euel tresure of hys harte bryngeth forth that is euell Euery tree is knowne by her fruyte Therfore muste we aboue all thynges watche that no euell lust crepe into our hartes ether thorow the entysâ—ment of the flesh or the flattering of y e world or yet the craftye suggestion of Satan Be sober saythe S. Peter and watche For your aduersary the dyuell goeth about lyke a rorynge lyoÌ„ seakynge whome he maye dâ—uoure Iâ— the harte be once corrupte wythe wâ—rldely lustes than goeth all to hauocke â–ª as S. Iames saythe After y e lust hathe conceaued she bryngethe forthe â—ynne and synne whan iâ— is fynyshed bryngethe forthe deathe Blyssed is that man that can kepe hys haâ—â—e fre from worldly lustes vnlawfull desyres For he is a fytte scholler to be in Chriâ—tes schole yea it is an euident token that he hathe learned wyth Christ alredy hathe well profyted in godly knoweledge And that you may do thys set euer before the eyes of youre mynde this sayenge of S. IohnÌ„ Loue not the world noâ— those thynges that 〈…〉 the worlde If ony man louethe the worlde the loue of the father is not in hym For all that is in the world as the concupiscence of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pryde of the life is not of the father but it is of the world And the world passeth away the lust therof But he that dothe the wyll of God abydethe for euermore Euse. Is it not lawfull for vs to couytte desyre such thynges of y e worlde as are necessary for our lyuynge Phil. To desyre to haue meat dryncke clothe wythout y e whiche ye canne not lyue in the worlde it is lawfull Salomon and Iacob prayed for them vnto God Christ also in the Pater noster taught vs to pray on this manner Gyue vs this daye our dayly bread S. Paule also sayeth If ony man dothe not prouyde for hys houshold he hath denyed the fayth and is worse than an infidell Therfore is it lawful both to desyre praye and make prouision for them so that it be done in fayth of a single harte For all the creatures of god are good as the scripture sayth God beheld all thynges that he had made and they were very good All thinges are pure to them y t are pure No thynge is to be cast awaye that is receaued wyth thankes gyuyng To desyre these thynges I say yea and to haue the vse and possession of theÌ„ ye are not forbyddeÌ„ but to lust desyre worldly rytches wyth a couetous and insatiable mynde that ye maye ioyne house to house londe to lande ferme to ferme to desyre to be reuenged when all vengeaÌ„ce pertayneth to God as he sayth vengeance is mynde and I wyll reward to lust after
knowe that Christ is the fre gyfte of God giuen vs wythoute ony desertes caull I praye you to remembraunce y e faull of Adam in whome all we haue synned and deserued lyke damnacion What had he done to pacify y e wrath of God to recouer his fauour wheÌ„ God made hym this moost confortable promyse I wyll sette emnite betwene the an womaÌ„ betwene thy seed and hyr seed And that selfe seed shal tread downe thy head Chri. For sothe I thyncke very lytle Phil. Ye myghte haue sayde nothynge at all ryght well excepte ye thyncke thys somewhat whan he had once offended to put his head in a bush not to knowledge his fault nor once to dare to come in syghte Euse. Ye saye trueth Phil. What had Abraham deserued whaÌ„ God made him this promyse of Christ sayeÌ„ge in thy seed all nacions of the earth shal be blyssed Uerely nothyng at all only he beleued the promyse of God it was rekened vnto him vnto righteousnes He chosed vs sayth saynt Paule in Christ before the foundacions of the world were layd y t we should be holy fautles before hiÌ„ AgeÌ„ we were by nature the chyldren of wrath euen as other were But God whiche is ritche in mercye for his greate loue wherwith he loued vs eueÌ„ theÌ„ wheÌ„ we were dead thorowe synne quickened vs with Christ for by grace are ye sauid hathe raysed vs vp with him in heauenly thynges thorowe Christ Iesus that in tymes to come he myghte shewe the excedynge ritches of his grace iÌ„ kyndnes toward vs in Christ Iesu. For by grace are ye saued thorow fayth that not of your selues For it is y e gyfte of god commeth not of workes least anâ— man shoulde boast hymselfe Also in another place after y t the goodnesse loue y e God our sauioure hath towarde men dyd appeare not of the workes of righteousnes whiche we haue done but according to his mercy hath he saued vs by y e fountayne of the newe byrth renewynge of y e holy Ghost which he shed on vs abuÌ„dantly thorow Iesus Christ our sauiour that we beynge made righteous by his grace shulde be heyres of eternall lyfe accordynge to hoope This is a sayenge not to be doubted of Christ himselfe also sayth God loued the worlde so intierly y t he gaue his only begotten sonne that euery one that beleueth in him shulde not peryshe but haue euerlastynge lyfe For God sent not his sonne into the worlde to condemne the world but that the worlde shoulde be saued by him Of these scriptures heretofore rehearsed is it euident that Christ is frely giuen vnto vs of God y e father yea that without oure merites or desertes For whan we were vtterly damned knewe not howe to recouer ony parte of our helpe God the father of his own gracious goodnes gaue vs his sonne Christ to be oure Sauioure So that as the beginnynge of youre Newe yeares gyfte is Christ is vnfaynedly the gyft of God â–ª frely giuen vs for our great coÌ„forte saluacion Chri. It can not be expressed howe much we are bounde to God the father for this his gyfte seynge that he gaue vs not an Aungell or ony other celestiall creature but his onlye begotten sonne euen the higheste and mooste precious treasure that he hadde Philemon Y wyl say so whan ye haue once hearâ— what a treasure this youre gyfte 〈◊〉 vnto you howe many pleasures commodities ye receaue by hym Euse. I pray you let vs heare Phil. It followeth That bryngeth saluacion vnto all men Beholde youre newe yeares gyfte that God the father hath giuen you bryngeth saluacion vnto all meÌ„ It is no idle vnprofitable gifte but commodious necessary For it worke the vs health saluacion The giftes of the world bring many times perdicion destruccioÌ„ damnacion but this gyft of God bringeth lyfe health ioye pleasure saluacion an whole sea of good thynges It bringeth saluacion sayth the scripture Note this worde bringeth As though it shoulde be sayd whaÌ„ ther was no hope of health but all thynges yoked in the bond of desperacioÌ„ synne bare rule Satan triuÌ„phed ouer mankynd as his bond captiue than came the gifte of God whiche droue synne out of place vaÌ„quished Satan destroyed the powers of hel brought saluacion to man which loked only for damnacion yea that frely without ony desertes euen of mere grace pure mercye O the inestimable excellency of this gifte which both wyllyngly frely bryngeth saluacion to mankynde Howe can it otherwyse be Is not y e name of this our gyfte IESVS gyuen hym of God the father published by his Aungell Embassadoure Gabriel And what other thyng I pray you soundethe IESVS than a sauioure This our gyfte Christ is a sauiour For he saueth his people from theyr synnes Feare ye not sayth the aungell For beholde I shewe vnto you a great ioye which shall chaunse to all people For this day is borne vnto you a sauiour whiche is Christ y e Lorde of the cytye of Dauid Thus sewe that Christ is a sauiour Therfore maye he righte well brynge saluacion saue so many as beleue in hym Theo. Is there no saluacion to be loked for but only at the hand of Christ Phil. No verely ye heard that the gyfte of God which is Christ briÌ„geth saluacion It is Christes office alone to saue besydes hym is ther no sauiour neither in heauen nor in earth Who so euer seaketh saluacioÌ„ at y e hande of ony other but at Christes alone he doth not only deceaue hym selfe but also robbe christ of his office depriue him of hys glory blaspheme his blissed name tread vnder foote his moost precious bloud vtterly maketh of none effecte y e whole misterye of Christes incarnacion Euse. It were pite that ony maÌ„ shuld be of this mind Phil. You say trueth Notwithstandyng there haue bene that haue sought health at other besydes Christ would God there were none at this day S. Paule feareth not to saye if righteousnes cometh by y e lawe thaÌ„ dyed Christ in vayne Agayn ye are gone quyte froÌ„ Christ so many of you as wyl be made righteous by the lawe are fallen from grace Chri. Let vs hear it proued by the scriptures that ther is no saluacion but by this gifte of God Christ alone Phil. The matter is more euident than it neadeth ony probacion to the faythful as for theÌ„ that are obstinately blynd all the scriptures in the worlde can profit nothyng at al. NotwithstoÌ„dyng to satisfy your godly desyre of many I wyl reherse a fewe yea and those that shall seme moost fyt for y e purpose Theo. I praâ— you let it so be Phil. Whense shall I take my begynnyng but of the Prâ—â—phet Esaye whome Christ our sauâ—oure had so ofte in his mouthe By hym Christ speaketh on this
maner I am I am the Lorde there is no sauiour besides me Agayne in thaâ— same chapter I am I am he which putteth away thyne iniquities yea that for myne owne sake wyll remember theÌ„ no more Put me in remembraunce let vs be iudged togyther Tell me if thou haste anye thynge whereby thou mayeste be iustified Thy fyrst father synned and thy Prophettes haue trespassed agenst me Also in another place Am not I the Lord Is there any other God besydes me A righteous God such one as saueth there is none but I alone Tourne vnto me and ye shall be safe o all ye coastes of the earth for I am God there is none other Once agayne by y e same Prophet he saythe I alone haue troden downe the wyne presse there was none at all that dyd healpe me Are not al these scriptures playn inugh to declare that Christ is the sauiour that there is no saluacion but by easeth refreshethe conforteth the conforteles Christ the sonne of man came to seke saue that which was lost Ergo what so euer is lost saued agen is saued by Christ. Christ is that true light which lighteneth euery man that commeth into this worlde Ergo they that are not lightened by Christ remayne styl in darkenes Christ gaue to so many as receaued hym power to be made the sonnes of God because they beleued in his name Ergo they that receiue not him to be theyr sauiour and beleue that theyr synnes are only put awaye by his name are not the sonnes of God Christ is that lambe 〈◊〉 God that taketh away the fynne 〈◊〉 the world Ergo there is none otheâ— sacrifyce for synne but Christ alone No man goeth vp into heauen but he that came downe from heauen y e sonne of man whiche is in heauen Ergo so many as go vp into heuen go vp onely by Christ. He that beleueth in the sonne hath euerlastyng life But he that beleueth not in the sonne shall not se lyfe but y e wrathe of GOD abydeth vpon hym Ergo they alone shall be saued whiche w t a stronge faythe beleue Christ to be theyr Sauioure Euery one saythe Christ that drynketh of the water that I gyue hym shall neuermore thyrst Ergo Christ is a sufficient sauiour for so many as repent and beleue Christ is that lyuynge bread which came downe from heauen yf ony maÌ„ eateth of that bread he shal lyue for euermore Ergo he that tasteth Christ aryght nede the none other sauiour to gyue hiÌ„ euerlastyng lyfe Christ is that good shepeherde whiche gyueth his lyfe for his shepe Ergo so many as are saued are saued by Christes death Christ is the resurreccion lyfe Ergo by him wâ— ryse out of syn obtayne lyfâ— eternall Christ is the waye trueth and lyfe No man commeth to the father but by him Ergo by christ alone we ascende go vp vnto the presence of the father Without christ we caÌ„ do nothing Ergo wtout him we caÌ„ not be saued Christ is the vine He y t abideth in him bryngeth forthe muche frute Ergo he y t casteth away christ seketh ony other sauyour is y e tre which briÌ„geth forth no frute therfore shall he be heweÌ„ downe cast in to y e fyre Christ dyed for our synnes rose agen for our iustificacion 〈◊〉 go by christes deth are we 〈◊〉 froÌ„ our sinnes by his resurreâ—cioâ— iustified made righteous We beyng iustified by fayth haue peace toward god thorowe our Lord â—â—â—us christ Ergo christ it is which mâ—keth y e attonemeÌ„t betwene god y e 〈◊〉 vs. By the synne of AdaÌ„ alone came daÌ„nacioÌ„ on all meÌ„ eueÌ„ so by y e righteousnes of christ alone came y e iustificacioÌ„ of lyfe vpoÌ„ all meÌ„ Ergo as we were daÌ„ned by the syn of AdaÌ„ alone so are we saued iustified preserued vnto euerlastyng life by y e righteousnes of christ alone Euerlasting lyfe is the gyft of god thorowe christ Iesus our Lord. Ergo so many as obtayne euerlasting lyfe cometh vnto it by y e fre gyft of god yea y t for our Lord Iesus Christes sake Christ is appoynted of god to be our wysdom righteousnes saÌ„ctificacioÌ„ redeÌ„cioÌ„ Ergo by Christ are we made wyse ryghteous holy the chyldreÌ„ of redeÌ„cioÌ„ We are washed we are saÌ„ctifyed yea we are made ryghteous thorow the name of y e Lord Iesus the spirite of our God Ergo by christes name and the spirite of God are we made pure holy righteous Christ whiche knowe no synne became syn for oure sake that is to saye a sacrifyce for our synnes Ergo those synnes that are putte awaye are putte awaye by y e sacrifyce of christ Christ whan he was ritche became pooore for our sake that by his pouertie he should make vs ritch Ergo so many as be made ritche are enrytched by christ If righteousnes cometh by y e lawe than dyed christ in vayne Ergo they that are made rygheteous are made righteous by the death of christ And who so euer seketh to be iustified by ony other meanes than by the deth of christ he goeth about to make christes deth of none effect and so is he a playne Antechrist By christ we haue redempcion by his bloude remission of synnes Ergo by christ is our raunsome payd and by his bloud are oure synnes forgyuen vs. Christ is our peace Ergo by him haue we tranquilite quietnes and rest in our coÌ„scieÌ„ces By christ haue we free entraunce vnto the father Ergo so many as come vnto the father come by Christ. Christ is gone vp on high and hath led away captiuite captiue and hath giuen gyftes vnto men Ergo he it is that giueth remission of synnes Christ loued vs and gaue hymselfe for vs to God an offeryng swete smellynge sacrifyce Ergo for this swete odoriferous sacrifice of christ God the father pardoneth our siÌ„nes Christ is the head of the body of the congregacioÌ„ Ergo he it is that saueth his members It hath plesed the father that in christ al fulnes shuld dwel that by him all thynges should be reconcyled vnto hiÌ„selfe whyther they be thynges vpon earth or in heaueÌ„ y t thorowe the bloud of his crosse he myght make peace euen thorow his owne selfe Ergo all they y t are reconcyled set at one w t God the father haue obtayned thys by y e bloude of christ This is a true sayeng by al means worthy y t we should embrace it y t Christ Iesus came into y e world to saue synners Ergo Christe it is y t saueth sinners Ther is one God one attonemeÌ„t maker betwene god men euen the man Christ Iesus whyche gaue hym selfe a raunsome for all meÌ„ Ergo as
there is but one God so is there but one attonemeÌ„t maker and this is Iesus Christ by whoÌ„e alone we are redemed We are saÌ„ctifyed by y e oblacioÌ„ of y e bodye oâ— Iesê° christ done once for al. Wyt one oblacion hath christ made ther perfecte for euermore that are sanctifyed Ergo so many as are made holye haue obtayned that holynes only by the sacrifyce of christ which he once for all offered on the Aâ—tare of the crosse so coÌ„sumate perfecte that ther remayneth none other sacrifyce for syn We are not redemed from our vayne coÌ„uersacion whiche we receaued thorow the tradicioÌ„ of the fathers with corruptible syluer golde but with the precious bloud of christ as of an innocent vndefyled laÌ„be Ergo by christes bloud are we redemed from all vayne thinges wherwith before we were entaÌ„gled The bloude of Iesus christ makethe vs clene from all syn Ergo by christes bloud are we made clene purified froÌ„ al our sinnes If ony maÌ„ sinneth we haue an aduocate w t the father Iesê° christe y e righteous one â—e it is that obtaineth merci for our synnes not for our synnes only but also for al y e worldes Ergo so oft as we sinne by our aduocate christ are our synnes put awaye There is saluacion in none other but in Christ. Nether is there ony other name giuen vnto men vnder heuen wherin they must be saued but only y e name of christ Iesus Ergo who so euer is saued receaueth his saluacion onely by the name of christ our Lorde As I maye tary no longer aboute this matter al y e Prophettes saith saint Peter beare wytnes of christ that thorowe his name euery one y t beleueth in hym shall receaue the remission of synnes If all the Prophetes beare wytnesse of this thynge who dare be bolde once to opeÌ„ his mouth to speake agaynst it except he be at defyaunce open warre wyth God his sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde sauioure But withe suche I loue not to meddle God blysse me from them Do ye not perceaue nowe y t thys gyfte of God the father whiche he hath frely gyueÌ„ you I meane christ is thalone sauiour and that ther is no helth saluacion conforte and remission of siÌ„nes to be looked for but onely at his hande Euse. We were to much blynd yf we dyd not perceaue it ye haue made the matter so open w t playne euident scriptures Chri. O Lord what blyndnes was ther iÌ„ the world whan some dyd put theyr hope of saluacioÌ„ in stockes stones olde rotten bones in gaddynge of pylgrymage in gyldyng of Images in sayntes reliques hallowed stickes popysh pardons in other mennes workes in fansyes inuented of men c. Yea there haue not wanted whiche sought saluacion in a Graye â—ryers cowle trustynge assuredly y t yf they were buryed in y t they could by no meaÌ„s be damned Phil. Al these were greatly deceaued But that ye maye knowe that there can be no sauiour but this gyfte of God Christ alone marke a fewe wordes that I shall nowe saye vnto you Fyrst he y t shall be a sauioure saue men from theyr synnes muste be withoute all synne hym selfe Secondly he must be both God maÌ„ Thyrdly he must by his innocency delyuer vs from y e cursse of the law yea and fulfyll the lawe for vs that the aduersary may laye nothyng agaynst vs. Fourthly he must by his puyssaunce power vanquysh subdue all the power of Satan Fyftly he must slaye death y t it may haue no more power ouer y e faythfull Syxtly it must be in his power to gyue vnto hys people the holy Ghost to gouern kepe them iÌ„ a ryght trade of lyuyng To coÌ„cludâ— he must be suche one that whaÌ„ they that beleue in hym do offende prouoke the heauenly father vnto anger he maye at all tymes he both redy able to make an attonement betwene God and the offenders If ye can fynde ony suche as I haue here described besydes Christ wel I wil thaÌ„ also grauÌ„t y t he is a sauiour Untyll that tyme wyll I say with all the Prophettes Apostles our Doctor Paule that this gyfte of God christ Iesus is thalone sauiour bryngeth helth that there is no saluacion to be gotten but only thorow hiÌ„ Theo. This thyng is now more manifest then it may be doubted of or called into questioÌ„ Phil. It followeth in your new yeares gyft To all men Note that he saythe not to the wycked damned spirites which shall neuer recouer theyr health saluacion what so euer the Origenistes tryfle in thys behalfe but to al men yea and that those only which repent beleue and leade a good lyfe For to wycked meÌ„ and vngodly persons is christ no sauioure excepte they repeÌ„t beleue amend It is not to be passed ouer lyghtly y t the scriptures spekethe generally and vniuersally wtout ony excepcioÌ„ To all men Christ bryngeth saluacion to all menne These wordes proue manifestly that as christ is a sauiour so are all men synners and agayne that there is no man but y e receaueth saluacion of christ if he be saued Where are they nowe y t wyll iustify them selues and sel theyr merites and good dedes to other The scriptures sayth we be all synners There is no differeÌ„ce sayth s. Paule All haue synned wante the gloryâ— of God What is this sayth S. Austen and want the glory of God but the grace of God the father by Iesus christ which is the glory of God the father And what meaneth this they wante or haue nede sayth he but that no maÌ„ of himselfe because he is borne carnally is able to recouer the lyfe lost no though he bryngeth the workes of merites excepte he be spiritually borne a new by our Lorde Iesus christ whiche came w t the vndetted mercy of the father of his owne and of the holy ghost to saue seake that whiche was loste What was lost Unreasonable beastes Hathe God also care for oxen Uerely mankynde was lost thorow synne in consideracioÌ„ wherof christ beynge wythout spotte euen of hys owne fre wyll gyuyng hym selfe to the death rysyng agayne hath redemed man from synne death eueÌ„ly the largenes of fre grace These are the wordes of S. Austen which â—hewe euidently what we are of our selues and what by Christ â–ª But let vs heare mo scriptures Euery maÌ„ is a lyare God alone is true The scripture hath coÌ„cluded all thinges vnder sin y t y e promyse by y e faithe of Iesê° christ shuld be gyueÌ„ to y e faythful God hath comprehended all meÌ„ vnder incredulite vnfaythfulnes that he myght haue mercy on al meÌ„ Here se we that all men were found synners vnfaythfull that they are saued only by the great mercies of God All our righteousnesses are
helth wyth the worshyppynge of God and the 〈◊〉 of fayth Let no maÌ„ discorage hym selfe because of the multitude of his synnes or by y e reasoÌ„ y t he hath bene so longe a synner thynkynge y t by this means he shal obtayne helth the lesse For so long as we are iÌ„ this worlde there is no repentaunce to late There is a waye to obtayne â—auoure and they that seake vnderstand the trueth shall soone come by it Therfore in this worlde must we deny vngodlynes worldely lustes In this world must we lyue soberly righteously and godly So doynge we maye with a good fre conscieÌ„ce do that which foloweth Chri. I pray you lette vs heare what it is Phile. LokiÌ„g for y e blyssed hope apperyng of the glory of y e great God and of oure Sauyoure Iesus Christ. A good seruaunte nedeth not to feare his masters commynge For in hys absence he hathe bene faythfull diligent to do that thyng which his master wylled him to do Therfore maye he lawfully euen with ioye gladnes loke for his masters retourne So lykewyse a christen maÌ„ that walketh in y e waye of the Lorde dothe that which he is appoynted by the lawe of God seaketh aboue all thinges thaccomplyshment of his masters wyll may with a fre glad and mery conscience looke for the commynge of Christ at the day of iudgement which shal be terrible to the wycked but confortable to the faythefull And verely so many as hope to be saued at y e great day ought so to behaue them selues in this worlde that they maye with â—oye at all tymes looke for it And they ought to be so muche the more diligent seing the tyme is vncerten whaÌ„ it shal be Of y e dai time sayth Christ knoweth no man no not the Aungels which are in heueÌ„ nether the sonne hymselfe saue only the father Take hede watch pray for ye know not when y e tyme is As a man which is gone into a strauÌ„ge countrey hath lefte his house and gyuen authorite to his seruauntes and to euery man his worke commaunded the porter to watche Watche therfore â–ª for ye knowe not whan the mayster of the house wyll come whyther at euen or at mydnyghte whyther at the cocke crowyng or in the dawninge leaste yf he come sodeÌ„ly should fynd you slepyng And that I say to you I saye to all watche It is to be noted that the Scripture calleth y t a blissed hope wherw t we hope and looke for the glorious commyng of oure Lorde sauioure Iesus Christ vnto the iudgemente And not wtout a cause For althogh a Christen man be neuer so greatly vexed in thys worlde yet whan he casteth the eyes of hys faythe vpon that daye and hope the that Christ shall come gyue hym eternall glory accordynge vnto his fayth thys maketh hym blyssed ioyfull quiet mery and contented wyth a gladde harte paciently and thaÌ„ckefully to beare what soeuer crosse God layeth on hys backe We are saued thorow hope sayth S. Paule Derely beloued sayth S. IohnÌ„ We are now y e sonnes of God it hathe not yet appered what we shal be But we know that if he once appeare we shall be lyke vnto him for we shal se hym as he is And euery one that hath this hope in hym purifieth hym selfe eueÌ„ as he is pure The hoope of sayntes is ful of immortalite sayth the wyse manne It followeth And the appearyngâ— of the glory of the great god and of our sauyoure Iesus Christ. At Christes commynge into thys world he came altogyther poorely He was borne of a poore mayd in a stable wrapt in simple clowtes and layd in a maunger amonge brute bestes He was brought vp homely lyued hardely not hauynge where once to reast his head All the tyme of hys lyfe he was of suche ignominy among the Byshoppes Prestes hed rulars Scribes Pharises and Saduces that at the laste they put hym vnto the moost spytefull death of the crosse as a pestiferous malefaâ—toure a deceyuer of the people a techer of newe learnyng an enemy to our mother the holy chyrche c. But whan he shall appeare agayne come vnto the iudgement his appearyng shall be glorious his commyng shall be royal victorious and triumphant He shal not come humbly and simply as a base person but lyke a great and almyghty GOD lyke a Lorde full of all puyssaunce myghtye and power terrible to the wycked and amiable to the faythefull He shall come in his glory and all the holy aungels wyth hym thaÌ„ shal he syt vpon the seat of his glory there shall be gathered before hym all nacions He shall shewe hymselfe to be a great God and suche one as none is able to be coÌ„pared vnto him It shal wel be knowne at that tyme that he was and is the true sonne of god that very true Messias which was promised of God by the Prophetes what so euer the wicked Iewes saye vnto the contrary Than shall it be manifest to al men that y e gods of the Gentiles are dyuels and that there is no other God but this oure God alone Than shal they that are the aduersaries of hys trueth enemies of his moost holy Gospel know howe greatly they haue erred blasphemed y e diuine verite persecuted his faythful seruauÌ„tes maintained pernicious doctrine yea than shall they receaue a reward worthy theyr wyckednes tyranny He shal shew hym selfe suche a great God that it shall lyghe in his power to gyue to y e faythfull euerlastynge lyfe to the wycked eternall daÌ„nacioÌ„ Oh great is the Lord worthy very much to be praysed there is no ende of hys greatnes sayth the Psalmographe Nedes must our Lord god be great seyng he replenysheth bothe heauen and ear the withe the maieste of hys glory No place is there ony where but that hys power retchethe vnto it Heuen is my seate earth is my footestoole what house wyl ye bylde for me sayth y e Lorde or what place is it that I should rest in Hath not my hande made all these thynge But it is to be noted y t Christ is not onely called a great God but also a sauiour ye y e our sauiour So y t at y e day of iudgemeÌ„t he shal not onely appere a great myghty God to al men but also a bounteous mercifull sauiour to the faythfull as S. Paule witnesseth our conuersacion is in heauen sayth he from whense we also looke for a sauiour euen the Lord Iesus Christ which shall chauÌ„ge our vile bodyes that they maye be fashoned lyke vnto hys glorious body accordyng vnto the workyng wherby he is able to subdue al thinges vnto hym selfe Agayne whan Christ whiche is our lyfe shall shew him selfe than shal ye also appere w t him in glory Thys great god christ is our sauiour and not
Mary Peter Iames Michael FrauÌ„ces Dominicke AusteÌ„ or ony other He shal both saâ—e and lede his people wythâ— hym into eternall glorye For as hâ— shall saye to the wycked Departe go awaye froÌ„ me ye cursed into euer lastynge fyre which is prepared foâ— the dyuell his aungels so shall he faye to his faythful people Come yâ— blyssed chyldren of my father inherite the kyngdome which was prepared for you from the begynnynge of the worlde O swete sayeng more full of ioye conforte than it can be expressed Chri. Lorde I beseche the for thy great mercyes so to assyst vs with thy holy spirite that we maye so walke before the in this lyfe accorâ—dynge to thy moost holy worde y t wâ— may be found in y e noÌ„ber at that day of thy blyssed chyldren to whome â— of thy fre grace shalte gyue y e moost glorious inheritaunce Phil. Your deâ—syre is godly Ye shall heare more of your new yeares gyfte for it begynnethe to drawe vnto an ende Euse. I praye you lette vs heare Phile. whyche gaue hymselfe for vs to redeme vs from all vnrighteousnes That there can be no sauyour for vs but christ alone these word is proue manifestly for asmuch as none other but he only gaue him selfe for vs to redeme vs from al vnrighteousnes Was Paule crucifyed for vs Or were we baptised in y e name of Paule What saynt at ony tyme thought hymselfe so pure immaculate and wythout all spotte of synne that he durst presume to dye for vs to auouche hys death to be an oblacion sacrifyce for oure synnes to god the father excepte peraduenture we wyll admytte for good payment these suche lyke blasphemies which were wonte full solemly to be songe in the temples vnto y e great ignominy of y e glorious name of God the dishonoure of Christes moost precious bloud Iesu bone per Thomae merita nostra nobis dimitte debita Eta trina morte nos suscita Agen Iesu bone per Thomae uulnera quae nos ligant relaxas celera Item Thomae cedunt parent omnia Pestes morbi mors demonia Ignis aer tellus maria Thomas munduÌ„ repleuit gloria MuÌ„dat lepra conspersos maculis soluit mortis ligatos uinculis I let passe many mo whiche are very easye to be searched founde oute What are if these be not blasphemies What obscure the price of Christes death if these wycked senteÌ„ces do not Ah Lord what blyndenes occupyed the world whaÌ„ suche wycked doctrine crept in and was receaued into the chyrche and made in a manner of equall authorite wyth the holy scripture Oh Satan great is thy crafte vnsearcheable is the suttelty of thy wicked imaginacions Chri. Here are some of vs whyche vnderstande not the Latin tonge Englyshe therfore the aforesayd sentences Phil. I wyl do it in order O good Iesu forgyue vs oure dettes thorowe the merites of Thomas And reyse vs vp from the thre folde death O good Iesu release vs of our synnes whiche bynde vs thorowe Thomas woundes All thynges gyue place and obeye Thomas Pestilences diseses death dyuels Fyre ayre earth the sees Thomas fylled the world full of glory He maketh clene lepers He losoneth them that are bounde from the bondes of death Howe saye ye to thys geare Is it not good stuffe Euse. Let God be but a lytle mercifull vnto me yf I haue ether heard or read more pestilent abhominable blasphemies thaÌ„ these are Is this ony other thaÌ„ as Lucifer sayd I wyll clyme vp in to heuen make my seat aboue the starres of God I wyll sytte vpon y e glorious mount toward the North. I wyl clyme vp aboue the clowdes and wyll be lyke the hygheste of all Is not this the office of God to forgyue vs oure dettes for the merites of Christ Doth it not pertayne vnto God to reyse vs vp from deathe Are not our sinnes only released for Christes woundes sake Is not all power gyuen vnto Christ both in heuen and in earthe Are not all thynges in the hande of God to do withe them what so euer hys moost godly plesure shal be Is it not God alone that losoneth the synfull from y e bondes of deathe Howe than can these thynges be iustly ascribed to a mortall creature begotten conceaued borne in synne yea as some iudge of him Tratour both to God and his Prynce Is a synner fyt to pay a synners rauÌ„some Is a Traytouâ— a conuenient parson to make meaÌ„s for another Traytour vnto a kyng whome both of them haue offended What Prynce can awaye with the syght of theÌ„ Phil. Ye say trueth It therfore foloweth wel y t nether Thomas Fraunces Dominicke AusteÌ„ nor any other creature nether in heuen nor in earth were they neuer so holy suffered they neuer so greate paynes could be our sauiour but christ alone y e pure iÌ„maculate laÌ„be of God which gaue himselfe for vs as your newe yeares gyfte sayth to redeme vs from al vnrighteousnes Marcke that he saythe whych gaue hym selfe for vs. These wordes expresse the vnspeakeble kyndenes of Christ towarde vs seynge that whan we had deserued no suche gentylnes he was contented to come downe from the glorye of his father and to become man for oure sake yea to gyue hymselfe vnto the deathe to reconcyle vs vnto God the father and to make an attonement betwene hiÌ„ vs. He gaue hym selfe for vs. He suffered deathe wyllyngly It was not the violence of the Iewes that drewe hym vnto his passion but hys owne voluÌ„tary wyll The seruent brennyng loue that he had in hys brest toward maÌ„kynde caused hym to take the death vpon hym and to suffer those moost cruell paynes So that he dydde all thinges wyllyngly as the Prophet sayth He was offred because it was his pleasure and he dyd not once opeÌ„ his mouth Christ hiÌ„selfe also sayth Therfore doth my father loue me bâ—cause I put my lyfe from me that I myght take it agayne No man takethe it from me but I putte it awaye of my selfe I haue power to put it from me and haue power to take it agayne Thus se we y t Christ wythoute ony compulsion suffered death for our sake He gaue himselfe and no Aungell nor ony other creature nether in heauen nor in earth for vs for vs I saye men although neuer so greuous synners if we repent beleue amende O moost precious incomparable gyâ—te There is one god sayth S. Paule and one attonement maker of God and meÌ„ euen the man Christ Iesus whyche gaue hymselfe a rauÌ„some for all meÌ„ Christ gaue hiÌ„selfe for vs. wherfore To redeme vs froÌ„ all vnrighteousnes Theo. What is it to redeme vs Phile. To redeme vs is to bye vs agayne whaÌ„ we are loste to pay our raunsome to satisfy for our syn to delyuer vs oute of captiuite to brynge vs home agayne to our
his ryghteousnes not by our owne workes and deseruynges Moreouer S. Paule sayth whaÌ„ ye were dead thorowe synnes the vncircuÌ„cision of the flesh God quickened you with christ forgaue vs all our synnes put out the handewrytyng that was agaynst vs contayned in the lawe wrytten that hath he taken oute of the waye and fastened it to the crosse hath spoyled rule and power and hath made a shewe of them openly triumphed ouer them in hys owne person God hathe forgyuen vs all oure synnes thorow christ sayth S. Paule here Where is ony excepcion If there be mo synnes than the originall synne as there are them also hath God the father forgyuen vs thorowe Iesus Christ oure Lorde To the Hebrues agayne he wrytethe Christe in hys owne parson pourged our synnes is set on the righte hande of the maiestye on hygh FroÌ„ our synnes hath Christ made vs clene and not from one synne onely Christ was offered once for all to take away the synne of many All shal not be saued for al not beleue but many shall be saued they haue not only originall synne but also al theyr other siÌ„nes takeÌ„ away by Christ. AgeÌ„ euery prest is redy dayly ministriÌ„g ofteÌ„times offereth onemaÌ„ner of ofâ—eriÌ„ges which canne neuer take awaye sinne But this man Christ whaÌ„ he had offered for â—ynnes one sacrifice which is of value for euer satte hym downe on the right hand of God from hense forth taryeth tyll hys foes be made his footstoole For with one ofâ—ryng hath he made perfecte for euermore them that are sanctified S. Paule here coÌ„pareth Christ the euerlasting Byshop preste wyth the prestes of the olde lawe He sheweth that they offered sacrifices dayly yet coulde they neuer put awaye synne by theÌ„ No maruayle for they were only shadowes of good thynges to come But this our hed preste Christ hath offered but one sacrifice not for the originall synne only but for synnes sayth he yet is it of so great vertu and strength that it is of value for euer the power of it neuer decayeth it abydeth in full strengthâ— so longe as ony synne remayneth so that it nedeth not ofteÌ„ tymes to be offered as the sacrifices of y e old lawe were For withe this one sacrifice whiche was the oblacion of hys body hathe he made them for euer so perfecte y e are sanctifyed that they nede none other sacrifice to make them holy acceptable in the syghte of God All that haue had theyr synnes forgyueÌ„ theÌ„ from the beginnyng of y e worlde vntyll this daye or shall haue vnto the ende of the world haue had and shall haue all theyr synnes forgyueÌ„ theÌ„ thorowe this one sacrifice of Iesus Christ. And that ye maye know thys to be true consyther thys one thyng that I shall nowe saye vnto you Who was more faythfull thaÌ„ AbrahaÌ„ more derely beloued w t God than Dauid more holye than IohnÌ„ Baptist Yet could nether they nor none other enter into heaueÌ„ vntyll Christ had suffered hys pashon and offered hys bodye a swete smellyng sacrifyce for vs vnto God the father Thus haue I opened vnto you y e mynd of S. Paule concerning this matter Euse. Hys sayeÌ„ges proue manifestly y t we are redemed by Christ not only from originall synne but also from all other â–ª Philemon You say truth Wel ye shal heare now y e myndes of the other Apostles S. Peter sayth christ his owne selfe bare our synnes in his body on the tree that we beynge delyuered from synnes shuld lyue vnto righteousnes Note how Peter agreeth in euery poynt with hys fellowe Paule He styffely affyrmeth that christ his owne selfe and none other bare our synnes in his bodye not our originall synne alone By his strypes we were made so whole that there remayned not so muche as a scarre of all our sores botches woundes S. IohnÌ„ also sayth the bloud of Iesus Christ maketh vs thorowly cleane yea thaâ— from all synne Can ony thynge be spokeÌ„ more generally If the bloude of Iesus christ maketh vs clene froÌ„ al syn what remayneth ther behynde I praye you So followethe it that both the synne originall actuall mortal veneall what not is washed awaye by Christes bloude Agayne if we confesse oure synnes God is faythfull and ryghteous to forgiue vs our synnes and to make vs cleane from all wickednes This one texte alone of S. IohnÌ„ is able to subuerte ouertople and throwe downe all the byldynge shores and proppes wherwithe these sleyghtye daubers vpholde theyr enterprises If we confesse our synnes sayth he If which we if we that professe the christen religioÌ„ and yet thorow our fragilite and weakenesse of nature haue offended God after oure baptisme contrary to our vow and promyse made thereat if we I saye after that we haue fallen confesse our synnes God is faythfull and ryghteoê° what to do to forgyue vs our synnes Note our synnes to make vs cleane from all vnrighteousnes What synne is it than I praye you from the whiche he dothe not make vs clene This sentence must nedes be vnderstonde of theÌ„ which offende after baptisme Nowe sayth s. IohnÌ„ although we synne after baptisme yet lette vs not dispayre but rather repent bewayle our synfull lyuyng detest our wycked manners turne vnto God coÌ„fesse our synnes vnto hym If we do this doubt we not but y e God which is faythfull in performyng his promyse he hathe promised them that come vnto hym w t a faythfull and repentauÌ„t harte remissioÌ„ of theyr synnes ryghteous in forgyuyng the penitent sorowfull synner in condemnynge the wycked which continewe in his vngodlines wythout ony confession of his faulte and amendement of lyfe wyll forgyue vs oure synnes yea make vs clene from all vnrighteousnes These wordes proue manifestly that God forgyueth oure synnes after baptisme if we repent coÌ„fesse and amende Wherof comethe this of the merites of our workes or rather of the free grace mere mercye of God purchased for vs by Iesus Christ for whose sake the wrathe of God the father is pacified and he is wel pleased fully contented w t maÌ„ Uerely for Christes sake dothe God shew to vs this excediÌ„g great mercy in forgiuyng vs our synnes wheÌ„ so euer we call vnto hym wiâ—h a contrite sorowfull harte as S. IohnÌ„ proueth by the wordes that follow My lytle childreÌ„ I wryte these thinges vnto you y t ye should not synne And if ony man synne we haue an aduocate wythe the father Iesus Christ that ryghteous one And he is that sacrifice which apeaseth goddes wrath satisfyeth so soundethe the Greke word Hilasmos for our synnes not for our synnes only but for al y e worldes As though he shuld say My lytle chyldreÌ„ I haue declared vnto you that although we syn after baptisme contrary to our professioÌ„ yet that ther is grace fauour
crosse the vertue strengthe wherof abydeth in so full power that iâ— is able to saue so many as repent bâ—leue labour to lead a good and innocent lyfe for euermore Neyther haue I spoken theyse thynges to discorage ony man from doyng good workes but for â—o set forth christ to be a perfecte sauyoure agaynst the wycked doctrine of the Anabaptistes which nowe begyn to crepe in amonge vs vnto the great dishonour of God y e extreme blasphemy of Christes most precious bloud noysome perturbacioÌ„ of the holy catholyke chyrche And as I maye knytte vp all thys matter in fewe wordes know good brothers that in Adam all we were damned so that thorowe his wickednes we were begotten conceaued borne in synne yea by nature the very sonnes of wrathe Nowe to be delyuered from this miserable state wherinto we were caste by Adâ—Ì„ we of our owne wytte polecy wisdome â—olynes ryghteousnes c. could inuent no means but so styll remayned in the daunger of euerlastynge daÌ„nacioÌ„ Therfore God moued w t pitie towarde mankynde euen of hys owne free mercy goodnes wtoute ony of our desertes sent downe his only begotten sonne Iesus christ in to â—his vale of misery which for our sake toke flesh of the moost holy and pure virgin Mary thorow the operacion of the holy ghost became maÌ„ at the tyme to fore appoynted he offered voluntaryly his moost blyssed â—ody an acceptable swete smellynge Sacrifice to God the father which was is of so great vertue power that by it alone all our synnes are putte awaye not only that which we committed in Adam but those also whiche we oure selues in processe of tyme do perpetrate coÌ„mit Now so many of vs as are baptised in the name of the father of y e sonne of the holy Ghost and haue taken vpoÌ„ vs a newe lyfe forsakyng y e world y e deuil the flesh w t al theyr poÌ„pes workes haue at that verye tyme of Baptisme all theyr synnes forgyuen them and are so clerely redemed deliuered and made fre from all vnryghteousnes be they yonge or olde as though they had neuer coÌ„mitted ony of them at all And this is it that S. Paule sayth christ loued the congregacion gaue hymselfe for it to sanctifye it and cleÌ„sed it in y e fountayne of water thorowe the worde to make it vnto hymselfe a glorious congregacion wythoute spot or wryncle or ony suche thyng but that it shulde be holy and without blame Nowe if whan they be once baptised and growne vppe in age they thorow eyther fragilite or ignorancy do agen offende breake the lawe of God contrarye to theyr profession vow made at baptisme than haue they an holye anchore â—o flye vnto whiche is the holye sacrament of Penaunce so that if they truly repent be sory for the faultes committed bewayle theyr synful lyuynge mortifye theyr carnall affectes slay theyr worldly lustes banish theyr dyuellysh concupiscences confesse theyr wyckeâ—nes flye vnto the mercy of god beleue to haue forgiuenes and take a newe lyfe vpon theÌ„ God the father wyll surely forgyue them theyr synnes be they neuer so great or many yea and that for the dignite of that one sacrifice whyche hys only begotteÌ„ sonne offered once for all vpon the altare of the crosse So that if repentaunce amendement of lyfe come christes sacrifice serueth to put away sinnes for euer euer But as the bloud of christ is sufficient to pacify y e father althogh one man had coÌ„mitted so many offeÌ„ces as all the worlde hathe done or shall do vnto y e very ende of y e world so lykewyse is ther no saluacioÌ„ layd vp for hym in store which wyll not repent nor cease to synne although christ shuld suffer an hondred thousande tymes For christ is a sauiour to penitent synners and not to the wicked vngodly And as there is no damnacion to them that are engraffed in christ Iesu whiche walke not after y e flesh but after y e spirite so is there no helth nor saluacion to them that lyue after y e flesh though they bable neuer so muche of christ of christes passion bloud death of the remission of sinnes of the mercy of God of the gospell of y e swete promiseâ— of God of euerlastyng lyfe God hath not called vs y t we shulde be vnclene but holy and vertuous God sayth S. Peter sent his sonne to be a beneficial sauiour vnto you that euery one of you should turne from his wyckednesse But of thys we wyl speake more hereafter Therfore brothers whan so euer ye perceaue y t ye offend God in ony thyng dispayre not flye vnto that blyssed sacrament of Penaunce bâ— sory for your synful lyuynge bewayle your wycked maÌ„ners thyrâ—t after streÌ„gth to do the wyll of God confâ—sse your synnes from the very harte call for grace desyre mercy and praye vnto God y t he wyl forgyue you your faultes he wyll vndoubtedly remit forgyue you al the faultes synnes trespasses that ye euer coÌ„mitted agaynst hym for the loue that he beareth towarde his sonne our Lord sauiour Iesus christ which as your newe yeres gyfte sayth hathe redemed vs from all vnrighteousnes y t is to say both from originall synne and all other Euse. Brother PhilemoÌ„ we shal neuer be able to recompense thys your kyndenes which so gentylly at our request hathe declared this matter vnto vs concernyng y e remission of synnes thorowe christ I beseche God gyue vs all grace so to institute order our lyfe that we maye be found in the nomber of theÌ„ whose synnes are put away by this moost holy sacrifice of christes blyssed bodye whose wyckednesses are washed awaye by christes moost precious bloude Chri. Amen For than shall we be sure not only to be delyuered from all our synnes but also to enioye euerlastyng lyfe which is the gyfte of GOD thorowe Iesus Christ oure Lorde Phil. We wyll go forthe wyth your newe yeares giftâ— and make an ende It followethe And to pourge vs a peculier people vnto hym selfe Christ gaue not hymselfe only vnto death for to redeme vs from all vnrighteousnesse but also to pourge vs a peculiare people to hymself For as he hath redemed vs by hys death so hath he pourged purified made vs cleane by his bloud as S. IohnÌ„ sayth the bloude of Iesus christ makethe vs cleane from all synne For what entent hath he thus pourged and made vs clene Uerely that we should be a peculiare people vnto hiÌ„ selfe Chri. What is mente by that I praye you Phil. To be the peculiare people of God is to be chosen out of the company of the vnfaythful and wycked people and to be coÌ„secrated dedicated wholly gyuen to serue God to seake his glory to magnify his moost blyssed name and to do al thynges accordyng to his worde as the Iewes in tymes
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„
the lust therof But he that fulfyllethe the wyll of God abydeth for euer I haue not spoken these thynges w t out a cause I thanke my lord God of his gyfte I haue bene from my yought studious of y e holy Scripture and very glad whan I might eyther reade it my self common of it wyth my neyghbours or els hear other preache and talke of it that I myght be edifyed therby recouÌ„tyng that daye but a lytle fortunate vnto me that was transacted and passed ouer without some repast of goddes worde seyng that man lyueth not w t bread alone but wyth euery worde that cometh out of y e mouthe of God But lo no maÌ„ in this world is so happy that he canne haue hys mynde satisfyed in all poyntes For I desyrynge nothyng more than to be quiet that I myghte frely gyue my mynde to the studye of the holye scriptures sometyme comoÌ„ of theÌ„ wythe my neyghbours haue ben so turmoyled vexed wythe the cares troubles of this worlde for y e space of syxe or seuen monethes y t I haue had no lesure almoost ones to thiÌ„ke of the holy scripture O Lord what is it to liue in this wretched world ony other thyng than dayly more more to be plucked awaye estraunged from the to heape synne vpon synne prouoke thyne anger more feruently agaynst vs But now seyng it hath pleased God partely to deliuer me out of the troublous waues of this occean and to bryng me into an haueÌ„ of some quietnes I entend to repare vnto myne olde studies to participate them with my neyghbours as I was wonte to do heretofore For I feare much vnlesse that dissolucion slackenes maye also be found in them that these certeÌ„ monethes hathe not wanted in me so prone redy are we to faull from goodnes vnto lewdnesse if we haue not y e spurre of gods grace to pricke vs forwarde Syns I gaue them a nosegaye I neuer spake vnto them but good euen good morow Therfore haue I nowe sent for theÌ„ by my seruaunte to come vnto me that I maye imparte and gyue them some spirituall treasure for theyr new yeres gyfte this holye tyme of Christmas I trust they wyl not tary loÌ„g What do I saye tary long Me thiÌ„ke I heare theyr voyces euen nowe at y e dore It are they Neyghbours euen with one worde welcome vnto you all Theo. Brother PhilemoÌ„ right hartely we thancke you Phil. Wyl it please you to take the payne for to come wythe me into my parloure Euse. We follow you gladly Phil. Neybours yet once agayne welcome I praye you take euery man a chayre syt downe quietly For I entende to talke w t you Chri. We are all set speake what it shall please you Phil. Neyghbours and brothers it is not vnknowen vnto you how desyrous I haue euer ben syns oure fyrst acquayntaunce to seake no lesse youre soules healthe than myne owne Euse. we are not ignorant of this brother Philemon and we all giue you ryghte hartye thanckes for it Phil. I haue done nothyng but my duty I confesse my selfe to be an vnprofitable seruaunt Notwithstandynge neyghbours thys greuethe me very muche that I haue ben so negligeÌ„t these certayne monethes in doynge my duty toward you Theo. No duty brother Philemon It commethe of your mere goodnes what so euer ye do toward vs. But it is not vnknowen vnto vs howe greatly ye haue ben disquieted w t diuers businesses for a great space Phil. Ye say trueth but nowe heare the cause of my sendynge for you Twelue monethes passed if ye do remeÌ„ber neyghbours at this tyme of the yere I made you a Christmas banckette which as I haue syns perceaued ye haue ryght well digested The Lent ensewyng I called you all to a PotacioÌ„ wherat I trust ye tasted of y e wyne which maketh the spirite mery The May followyng at myne instauÌ„ce full geÌ„tylly ye resorted vnto myne house accordynge to season of the yeare I gaue you a Nosegay All these were not for the bodye but for the soule yea rather both for body and soule Euse. We remember all these thynges wel nether haue we forgotteÌ„ what you taught vs in them Phil. It maketh me greatly to reioyse for to heare these thynges of you For nowe I perceaue full well that ye are no forgetfull hearers but diligent fulfyllers of such thiÌ„ges as are taught you therfore are ye blissed in your acte Well neyghbours my loue toward you is nothyng abated I desyre your furtherauns in the knowledge of Gods worde euen nowe so muche as I haue done heretofore In consideracion wherof I entend at thys present to gyue you a newe yeares gyfte Theo. Can ony thyngâ— be more welcome to vs than suche a gyfte coÌ„myng from so dere a frend and so in tyme place It is now a newe yeare and men vse customably to gyue gyftes one to another wherby they declare theyr good wyâ— wysshe that all good prosperous thynges maye chaunse to theyr freÌ„des all the whole yeare longe Therfore in gyuyng vs this gyfte we do not only acknowledge your accustoâ—med gentylnes toward vs but also confesse our selues to be more endeâ—â—ted toward you thaÌ„ we may at any tyme be able to recoÌ„peÌ„ce your kyndâ—nes Chri. Neighbour Philemon thâ— daye passethe awaye let vs therfoâ—â— I pray you se our New yeres gifte For there is nothyng that can offer it selfe more welcome to these our eâ—â—es Euse. Trueth is this nothynge more true Phil. You re Newe yeares gyfte is red in the chyrche on Christmasse day in the mornyng at y e fyrst masse for the Epistle it is wrytten of S. Paule in the second Chapter of his Epistle to Bisshoppe Titus Theo. I pray you let vs heare it Phil. Behold take your new yeres gyfte The gyft of God that brigeth saluacion vnto all men hath appeared and teacheth vsâ— that we shoulde deny vngodlynes and worldly lustes that we shoulde lyue soberâ—y ryghteously and godly in â—his present worlde lookyng â—or that blyssed hope and appearynge of the glorye of the greate GOD and of â—ure Sauiour Iesus Christ whych gaue hymselfe for vs maner A yonge chylde is 〈◊〉 for our sake and a sonne is gyuen â—â—to vs. Also S. Paul God hath 〈◊〉 â—â—red his own son but hath gyuâ—◠〈◊〉 for vs all how is it thaÌ„ possiblâ—â—ut that he must gyue vs all thynge 〈◊〉 hym Euse. Is Christ frely gyuen 〈◊〉 to vs Phil. Yea verely neyghbourâ— Eusebiê° Neuer was ther any thing so frely gyueÌ„ vnto you as Christ is Theo. The goodnes than of God the father appearethe here towarde vs great vnmesurable Phil. It muste nedes be great vnmesurable seing y t he loued vs whan we were siners Beholde sayth s. IohnÌ„ what a loue the father hath giuen vnto vs that we should be called y e sonnes of god And that ye maye well