CHrist our Lord and master dothe not wyth out a cause compare & resemble the 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 , Math. xiii . Mar● . i●ii . Luke . viii . that is greued & hurte with 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 men is so miserably assayled , & so ofte put in daunger . The ritches & pleasures of this world , seme to the flesh to be thinges of much pleasauns & great delectacion , but they be nothyng els than entysyng and flatteryng mooremaydes , which syngyng songes pleasaunt to the eare , bryng destruccion to so many as be herers of them 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 : i. Timo. vi . They that haue a pleasure to waxe rytche , fall into temptacion & snares , & into many folysh and noysome lustes , which drowne men into destruccion & damnacion . 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. Iohn , i. Ioan. ii Loue not the world , nor those thinges that are in the world If ony man loueth the worlde , the loue of the father is not in hym . For all that is in the worlde ( as the lust of the flesh , & the concupiscence of the eis , & the pryde of the lyfe ) is not of the father , but of the worlde , & the worlde passeth away , Psal. lxxxix ● . Cor. vii Esa● . xl . Ioan. vi . & the lust therof . But he that fulfyllethe the wyll of God , abydeth for euer .

I haue not spoken these thynges with out a cause , I thanke my lord God of his gyfte , I haue bene from my yought studious of the 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 , recountyng 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 with bread alone , Deut. viii . Math iiii . Marc. i. Luke . iiii . but wyth euery worde that cometh out of the mouthe of God . But lo , no man in this world is so happy , that he canne haue hys mynde satisfyed in all poyntes . Nemo exom ni parte beatus . For I desyrynge nothyng more than to be quiet , that I myghte frely gyue my mynde to the studye of the holye scriptures , & sometyme comon of them wythe my neyghbours , haue ben so turmoyled & vexed wythe the cares & troubles of this worlde for the space of syxe or seuen monethes , that I haue had no lesure almoost ones to thinke of the holy scripture . O Lord what is it to liue in this wretched world ? What it is to lyue in this worlde . 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 hauen 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 certen monethes hathe not wanted in me , so prone & redy are we to faull from goodnes vnto lewdnesse , if we haue not the 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 them 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 long . What do I saye , tary long ? Me thinke I heare theyr voyces euen nowe at the dore . It are they . Neyghbours euen with one worde , welcome vnto you all .

Brother Philemon right hartely we thancke you .

Wyl it please you to take the payne , for to come wythe me into my parloure ?

We follow you gladly .

Neybours yet once agayne welcome . I praye you take euery man a chayre & syt downe quietly . For I entende to talke with you .

We are all set , speake what it shall please you .

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 .

we are not ignorant of this brother Philemon , and we all giue you ryghte hartye thanckes for it .

I haue done nothyng but my duty , & I confesse my selfe to be an vnprofitable seruaunt . Luke . xvii . Notwithstandynge neyghbours thys greuethe me very muche , that I haue ben so negligent these certayne monethes in doynge my duty toward you .

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 with diuers businesses for a great space .

Ye say trueth , but nowe heare the cause of my sendynge for you . Twelue monethes passed , if ye do remember 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 Potacion , wherat I trust ye tasted of the wyne , which maketh the spirite mery . The May followyng at myne instaunce full gentylly 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 .

We remember all these thynges wel , nether haue we forgotten , what you taught vs in them .

It maketh me greatly to reioyse for to heare these thynges of you . For nowe I perceaue full well , Iacob . ● . that ye are no forgetfull hearers , but diligent fulfyllers of such thinges , 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 .

Can ony thyng● be more welcome to vs than suche a gyfte , commyng 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 wy● & wysshe that all good & prosperous thynges maye chaunse to theyr frendes all the whole yeare longe . Therfore in gyuyng vs this gyfte , we do not only acknowledge your accusto●med gentylnes toward vs , but also confesse our selues to be more ende●●ted toward you , than we may at any tyme be able to recompence your kynd●nes .

Neighbour Philemon , th● daye passethe awaye , let vs therfo●● I pray you , se our New yeres gifte . For there is nothyng that can offer it selfe more welcome to these our e●●es .

Trueth is this , & nothynge more true .

Youre Newe yeares gyfte is red in the chyrche on Christmasse day in the mornyng at the fyrst masse for the Epistle , & it is wrytten of S. Paule in the second Chapter of his Epistle to Bisshoppe Titus .

I pray you let vs heare it .

Behold take your new yeres gyfte .

The gyft of God that brigeth saluacion vnto all men / hath appeared / and teacheth vs● that we shoulde deny vngodlynes and worldly lustes & that we shoulde lyue sober●y / ryghteously / and godly in ●his present worlde / lookyng ●or that blyssed hope and appearynge of the glorye of the greate GOD / and of ●ure Sauiour Iesus Christ / whych gaue hymselfe for vs maner : Esa ix . A yonge chylde is 〈◊〉 for our sake , and a sonne is gyuen ●●to vs . Rom. viii . Also S. Paul , God hath 〈◊〉 ●●red his own son , but hath gyu●● 〈◊〉 for vs all , how is it than possibl●●ut that he must gyue vs all thynge 〈◊〉 hym ?

Is Christ frely gyuen 〈◊〉 to vs ?

Yea verely neyghbour● Eusebius Neuer was ther any thing so frely gyuen vnto you , as Christ is .

The goodnes than of God the father appearethe here towarde vs great & vnmesurable .

It muste nedes be great & vnmesurable , seing that he loued vs , whan we were siners Beholde , Rom. v. i. Ioan. iii. sayth s. Iohn , what a loue the father hath giuen vnto vs , that we should be called the sonnes of god . And that ye maye well knowe that Christ is the fre gyfte of God , giuen vs wythoute ony desertes , caull , I praye you , to remembraunce the faull of Adam , in whome all we haue synned , and deserued lyke damnacion . What had he done to pacify the wrath of God & to recouer his fauour , when God made hym this moost confortable promyse , I wyll sette emnite betwene the & an woman , betwene thy seed and hyr seed . Gen. iii. And that selfe seed shal tread downe thy head ?

For sothe I thyncke very lytle .

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 .

Ye saye trueth .

What had Abraham deserued , whan God made him this promyse of Christ , Gen. xxii . Gen. iii. Gen. xv . Roma iiii . Gala. iii. Iaco. ii . Ephe. i. sayenge : 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 , that we should be holy & fautles before him . Agen , we were by nature , the chyldren of wrath , euen as other were . But God , whiche is ritche in mercye , Ephe. ii . for his greate loue wherwith he loued vs , euen them , when 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 in kyndnes toward vs in Christ Iesu. For by grace are ye saued thorow fayth & that not of your selues . For it is the gyfte of god & commeth not of workes , least an● man shoulde boast hymselfe . Tit. iii● Also in another place , after that the goodnesse & loue the 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 the fountayne of the newe byrth , Ioan. iii Ephe. v & renewynge of the holy Ghost , which he shed on vs abundantly thorow Iesus Christ our sauiour , Act. xv . Ephe. i● 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 . Ioan. iii Rom. v Christ himselfe also sayth , God loued the worlde so intierly , that 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 the 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 ▪ frely giuen vs for our great conforte & saluacion .

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 .

Y wyl say so whan ye haue once hear● what a treasure this youre gyfte 〈◊〉 vnto you , & howe many pleasures & commodities ye receaue by hym .

I pray you let vs heare .

It followeth : That bryngeth saluacion vnto all men . Beholde , youre newe yeares gyfte , that God the father hath giuen you , bryngeth saluacion vnto all men . 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 , destruccion & 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 , whan ther was no hope of health , but all thynges yoked in the bond of desperacion , synne bare rule , & Satan triumphed ouer mankynd as his bond captiue , than came the gifte of God , whiche droue synne out of place , vanquished 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 the name of this our gyfte , IESVS , gyuen hym of God the father , what Iesus signifieth . & published by his Aungell & Embassadoure Gabriel ? And what other thyng , I pray you , soundethe IESVS , than a sauioure ? This our gyfte Christ , Math. i. is a sauiour . For he saueth his people from theyr synnes . Feare ye not , sayth the aungell . For beholde , Luke . ii . 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 the 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 . All saluacion muste be loked for of Christ

Is there no saluacion to be loked for , but only at the hand of Christ ?

No verely , ye heard , that the gyfte of God , which is Christ bringeth saluacion . It is Christes office alone to saue , & besydes hym is ther no sauiour neither in heauen nor in earth . Who so euer seaketh saluacion at the hande of ony other , Marke wel . 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 the whole misterye of Christes incarnacion .

It were pite that ony man shuld be of this mind .

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 the lawe , Gala. ii . Gala. ● . than dyed Christ in vayne . Agayn , ye are gone quyte from Christ so many of you as wyl be made righteous by the lawe , & are fallen from grace .

Let vs hear it proued by the scriptures , that ther is no saluacion , but by this gifte of God Christ alone .

The matter is more euident , than it neadeth ony probacion to the faythful , & as for them that are obstinately blynd , all the scriptures in the worlde can profit nothyng at al. Notwithstondyng to satisfy your godly desyre , of many , I wyl reherse a fewe , yea and those , that shall seme moost fyt for the purpose . Christalone saueth .

I pra● you let it so be .

Whense shall I take my begynnyng , but of the Pr●●phet Esaye , whome Christ our sau●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 . Esa. xliii . Agayne in tha● same chapter , I am , I am he , which putteth away thyne iniquities , yea & that for myne owne sake , & wyll remember them 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 ? Esa. x●v . 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 the same Prophet he saythe , Esa. lxiii . 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 , Luke . xix . 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 , Ioan. i. 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 othe● sacrifyce for synne , but Christ alone No man goeth vp into heauen , Ioan. iii. but he that came downe from heauen , the 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 the wrathe of GOD abydeth vpon hym . Ergo they alone shall be saued , whiche with 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 . Ioan. iiii 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 man eateth of that bread , he shal lyue for euermore . Ergo he that tasteth Christ aryght , Ioan. vi . nede the none other sauiour to gyue him euerlastyng lyfe . Christ is that good shepeherde , whiche gyueth his lyfe for his shepe . Ioan. x. Ergo so many as are saued , are saued by Christes death . Christ is the resurreccion & lyfe . Ioan. xi . Ergo by him w● ryse out of syn , & obtayne lyfe eternall . Christ is the waye , trueth and lyfe . No man commeth to the father but by him . Ioan. xiiii . Ergo by christ alone we ascende & go vp vnto the presence of the father . Without christ we can do nothing . Ergo without him we can not be saued . Christ is the vine . He that abideth in him , Ioan. xv . bryngeth forthe muche frute . Ergo he that casteth away christ , & seketh ony other sauyour , is the tre , which bringeth forth no frute , Math. iii. & therfore shall he be hewen downe & cast in to the fyre . Christ dyed for our synnes & rose agen for our iustificacion . 〈◊〉 go by christes deth are we 〈◊〉 from our sinnes , Rom. iiii . & by his resurre●cio● iustified & made righteous . We beyng iustified , Rom. v. by fayth haue peace toward god thorowe our Lord ●●●us christ Ergo christ it is which m●keth the attonement betwene god the 〈◊〉 & vs . By the synne of Adam alone came damnacion on all men , euen so by the righteousnes of christ alone came the iustificacion of lyfe vpon all men . Ergo as we were damned by the syn of Adam alone , so are we saued , iustified & preserued vnto euerlastyng life by the righteousnes of christ alone . Euerlasting lyfe is the gyft of god thorowe christ Iesus our Lord. Rom. vi . Ergo so many as obtayne euerlasting lyfe cometh vnto it by the fre gyft of god , yea & that for our Lord Iesus Christes sake . Christ is appoynted of god to be our wysdom righteousnes , i. Cor. ● . sāctificacion & redemcion . Ergo by Christ are we made wyse , ryghteous , holy , & the chyldren of redemcion . We are washed , i. Cor. vi . we are sanctifyed , yea we are made ryghteous thorow the name of the 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 , ii . Cor. v. 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 the sacrifyce of christ . Christ whan he was ritche , ii . Cor. viii . 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 . Gala. ii . If righteousnes cometh by the 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 , Ephe. i. & by his bloude remission of synnes . Ergo by christ is our raunsome payd , and by his bloud are oure synnes forgyuen vs . Ephe. ii . Christ is our peace . Ergo by him haue we tranquilite , quietnes and rest in our consciences . By christ haue we free entraunce vnto the father . Ephe. ii . iii . Ergo so many as come vnto the father , come by Christ . Christ is gone vp on high , Ephe. iiii . and hath led away captiuite captiue , and hath giuen gyftes vnto men . Psa. lxvii . Ergo he it is that giueth remission of synnes . Christ loued vs , and gaue hymselfe for vs to God an offeryng & swete smellynge sacrifyce . Ephe. v. Ergo for this swete & odoriferous sacrifice of christ , God the father pardoneth our sinnes . Christ is the head of the body of the congregacion . Ergo he it is , Colos. i. 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 himselfe , whyther they be thynges vpon earth or in heauen , that thorowe the bloud of his crosse , he myght make peace euen thorow his owne selfe . Ergo all they that are reconcyled & set at one with God the father , haue obtayned thys by the bloude of christ . i. Tim. i. This is a true sayeng , & by al means , worthy that we should embrace it , that Christ Iesus came into the world to saue synners . Ergo Christe it is , that saueth sinners . i. Tim. ii . Ther is one God & one attonement maker betwene god & men euen the man Christ Iesus , whyche gaue hym selfe a raunsome for all men . Ergo as there is but one God , so is there but one attonement maker , and this is Iesus Christ , by whome alone we are redemed . We are sanctifyed by the oblacion of the bodye o● Iesus christ , Heb. x. 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 A●tare of the crosse , so consumate & perfecte that ther remayneth none other sacrifyce for syn . i. Pet. i. We are not redemed from our vayne conuersacion ( whiche we receaued thorow the tradicion of the fathers ( with corruptible syluer & golde , but with the precious bloud of christ , as of an innocent & vndefyled lambe . Ergo by christes bloud are we redemed from all vayne thinges wherwith before we were entangled . The bloude of Iesus christ makethe vs clene from all syn . i. Ioan. i. Ergo by christes bloud are we made clene & purified from al our sinnes . If ony man sinneth , we haue an aduocate with the father , Iesus christe the righteous one , i. Ioan. ii . & ●e it is , that obtaineth merci for our synnes not for our synnes only , but also for al the 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 , Act. iiii . but only the 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 the Prophettes , saith saint Peter , Act. ● . beare wytnes of christ , that thorowe his name , euery one that beleueth in hym , shall receaue the remission of synnes . If all the Prophetes beare wytnesse of this thynge , who dare be bolde once to open 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 that thys gyfte of God the father , whiche he hath frely gyuen you , I meane christ is th alone sauiour , and that ther is no helth , saluacion , conforte , and remission of sinnes to be looked for , but onely at his hande ?

We were to much blynd , yf we dyd not perceaue it , ye haue made the matter so open with playne & euident scriptures .

O Lord , what blyndnes was ther in the world , whan some dyd put theyr hope of saluacion 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 ●ryers cowle , trustynge assuredly , that yf they were buryed in that , they could by no means be damned .

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 that shall be a sauioure , & saue men from theyr synnes , muste be withoute all synne hym selfe . Secondly he must be both God & man . Thyrdly he must by his innocency delyuer vs from the 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 , that it may haue no more power ouer the faythfull . Syxtly , it must be in his power to gyue vnto hys people the holy Ghost , to gouern & kepe them in a ryght trade of lyuyng . To conclud● he must be suche one , that whan 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 than also graunt that 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 th alone sauiour , bryngeth helth , & that there is no saluacion to be gotten , but only thorow him .

This thyng is now more manifest , then it may be doubted of , or called into question .

It followeth in your new yeares gyft , To all men . Note that he saythe not , To whome Christ is a Sauyour 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 men and vngodly persons is christ no sauioure , excepte they repent , beleue & amend . It is not to be passed ouer lyghtly , that the scriptures spekethe generally and vniuersally without ony excepcion To all men . Christ bryngeth saluacion to all menne . As christe is a sauiour so are al men synners . These wordes proue manifestly , that as christ is a sauiour , so are all men synners , and agayne , that there is no man but the receaueth saluacion of christ , if he be saued . Where are they nowe that wyll iustify them selues , and sel theyr merites and good dedes to other ? The scriptures sayth , we be all synners . There is no difference , Rom. iii. sayth s. Paule All haue synned & wante the glory● of God . Hyponost . Lib. iii. 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 man 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 with the vndetted mercy of the father , & of his owne , Luke . x●x . and of the holy ghost to saue & seake that whiche was loste ? What was lost ? Unreasonable beastes ? Hathe God also care for oxen ? i. Cor. ix . Uerely mankynde was lost thorow synne , in consideracion 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 euenly the largenes of fre grace . These are the wordes of S. Austen , which ●hewe euidently what we are of our selues , and what by Christ ▪ But let vs heare mo scriptures . Psal. cxv . Rom. iii. Euery man is a lyare , God alone is true . The scripture hath concluded all thinges vnder sin , Gala. iii. that the promyse by the faithe of Iesus christ shuld be gyuen to the faythful . God hath comprehended all men vnder incredulite & vnfaythfulnes that he myght haue mercy on al men Here se we that all men were found synners & vnfaythfull , & that they are saued only by the great mercies of God . Rom. xi . All our righteousnesses are as a cloth polluted wyth menstrue . We were conceaued & borne in syn . The imaginacions and thoughtes of mannes harte are prone vnto euell euen from his yonge age . Esa. liiii . Esay . l. Gen. viii . Ex xxxiiii . lii . Ro. viii . Eccle. vii . There is no man innocent before God , there is no man but that synneth . There is not a righteous man on the earth that doth good , and synneth not . Euery one is an hypocrite & wicke● and the mouthes of them all haue spoken folyshnes . Esay . ix . All we haue erred and gone astraye lyke shepe , euery one hath followed his owne fansye . The harte of man is wicked & in●crutable . No man is pure from synne , Esa. liii . Hiere . xv●i no the starres are not clene in his sight howe much more is man fylthy and vnclene , which is nothyng but corrupcion & a very worme in comparison of God ? Iob. xxv . Prou xx Math. xix . Mar. x. Luke . xvii . psa. xiii . lii Who is able to say , my harte is clene , and I am pure from syn ? No man is good but God alone . We are al vnprofitable seruauntes . The Lorde looked downe from heauen vpon the chyldren of men , to se yf there were ony one , that had vnderstandyng or saught after God . But all are swarued & clene gone oute of the waye , they are become all togyther vnprofitable , there is ▪ none that dothe good , no not one . They are corrupt , & become abhominable in theyr studies : Theyr throte is lyke a wyde mouthed graue , Psa. v. Psa. cxxxix they worke de●eate with theyr tonges , the poyson of adders is vnder theyr lyppes Theyr mouthe is full of cursynge & bytternes , Psal. ix . Prouer. i. Esa. ●i● theyr feete are swyfte to shed bloude . Destruccion and werynes are in theyr wayes , the waye of peace haue they not knowne . Ther is no feare of god before theyr eyes . Howe lyke ye these scriptures ? Psa. xxxv . i. Cor. iii. Do they not paynte oute man in his natiue colours ? What haue we of oure selues to reioyse & boste of .