Of the benefyt that christians receyue by Iesus Christ crucifyed . The fyrst Chapter . ¶ Of Originall sinne , and of mans wretchednesse .

THe holy Scripture saith , The stat● of man before and after that he had 〈◊〉 . that GOD created man after his owne Image & likenesse , making him , as in respect of his bodie , impossible : and as touching his Soule , rightuouse , true , good , mercifull , and holie . But after that he being ouercome with desyre of knowledge , had eaten of the Apple that God had forbidden him : he lost the sayd image & likenesse of God , and became like the brute beasts , & like the diuel who had abused him . For as touching his Soule , he became vnrightuous , vntrew , cruell , pitilesse , and the enemie of God : and as touching his bodie , he became passible and subiect to a thousand inconueniences and diseases : and not onely like , but also inferiour to brute beasts . And euen as if our forefathers had obeyed God , they should haue left vs their rightuousenes and holines as an heritage : euen so by being disobedient vnto God , they haue left vs the inheritance of vnrightuousenesse , wickednes , and gods displeasure in such sort as it is vnpossible for vs ( through our own strength ) to loue God , or to frame our selues vnto his holy will . Nay we be enemies vnto him , as to one that must punish our sinnes bycause he is a iust iudge , and therfore can we not any more trust wholly to his holy mercie . To be short , our whole nature was corrupted bi Adams sin . And like as erst it had superioritie aboue all creatures , so became it an vnderling to all , the bondslaue of satan , sin , & death , & condemned to the miseries of hell . Also he lost his iudgment altogither , & began to saye that good was euil , and euil good : estéeming falfe things to be trew , & trew things to bée false . Psal. 114. Psal. 14. Which thing the prophet considering , saith : that all men are lyers , and that ther is not one that doth good , bicause the diuel like a stout man of armes ruleth his own palace , that is to wit the world wherof he became the prince and Lord. There is no tunge that can expresse the thousandth part of our miserie , in that we being created by gods owne hand , haue lost the said image of god , and are become like the deuil , and too like to him in nature and condicion , willing whatsoeuer he willeth , & likewise refuzing whatsoeuer he mislyketh . By reason wherof being giuen vp for a prey to that wicked spirit , ther is no sinne so gréeuouse , which euery one of vs would not be redie to doe , if the grace of god stay vs not . Originall s●n . And this our depriuacion of rightuousenes , and this foreward inclination to all vnrightuousnes and naughtines , is called origiall sinne : the which we bring with vs from out of our mother● womb , so as we be borne the children of wrath , and it hath had his first spring from our first fathers , & is the cause and fountaine of all the vyces & iniq●ities that we commit : wherfrom if we wil be deliuered & returne again to our first innocencie , to recouer the image of god : first of all it standeth vs on hand to know our own wretchednes . A verye good compa●ison . For like as no man will euer séeke to the Phisicion , except he know himselfe to be diseased : or acknowledge the excellencie of the Phisicion and how much he is bownd vnto him , except he know his own disease to be pestilent and deadly : euen so no man acknowledgeth Iesus Christ the onely Phisicion of our soules , except he first know his own soule to be diseased : neyther can he perceiue the excellencie of him nor how much he is bound vnto him , except he first enter in to the knowledge of his owne outrageouse sinnes , & of the incurable infirmitie , which we haue receiued through the infection of our first fathers .

The second Chapter . ¶ How the Lawe was giuen by God , to the end that we knowing our sinne and hauing not any hope of ability to make our selues righteouse by our own works , should haue recourse to gods mercie , & vnto the ryghtuousenesse of fayth .

OUR God therfore mynding of his infinite goodnesse & merc●e to send his only Sonne to sette frée the wretched children of Adam : & knowing that first of all it behoued him to make them vnderstand their own miserie : chose Abraham , ( in whose séed he promised to blisse al nacions , ) & accepted his ofspring for his peculiar people , vnto whom , ( after their departure out of Aegypt & deliuerance from the bondage of Pharao , ) he by the meanes of Moyses , gaue the Lawe , which forbiddeth all iusting , and commaundeth vs to loue GOD with all our hart , with all our soule , and with al our strength , in such wise as our whole trust be reposed in him , & we redy to leaue our life for his sake , to suffer all torments in our members , and to be bere●t of all our goods , dignities , & honours for the loue of our god : choosing to dye , rather than to do any thing that may mislike him , be it neuer so little : and doing al things in that behalfe with a merie hart , and with all forewardnes and cherefulnes . Moreouer the Lawe commaundeth vs to loue our neighbour as our selfe , Who is our neybour mening , by the Neyghbour , all maner of men as well frends as foes : & it willeth vs to do to euery man as we wold be done vnto , and to loue other menns caces as our owne . And so by looking in this holye Lawe as in a cléere lookingglasse , man doth out of hand espye his own great imperfection & vnablenes to obey gods commaundements , and to render him the honour and loue which he ought to yéeld to his maker . The 〈◊〉 office or dewtie of the lawe . The first office of the Lawe then , is to make sinne knowen , as sainct Paule affirmeth . And in another place he saith , I had not knowen what sinne is , but by the Lawe . Rom. 3. and 7. The second office of the Lawe , is to make sinne increace , forasmuch as we being quyte g●ne from the obeying of God , The second office of the lawe . and become bondslaues to the diuell , being full of wicked works and inordinate affections , cannot abyde that god shold forbid vs to lust , which increaseth so much the more , as it is the more prohibited : by reason wherof S. Paule sayth , that sinne was dead , but the Lawe came and raysed it vp againe , and so it became out of measure great . The third office of the Lawe , The third office of the lawe . is to shew the wrath and iudgment of God , who threatneth death and euerlasting punishme●t to such as kéepe not the Lawe throughout in all points . For the holy Scripture saith , Deu. 27. Cursed is he that performeth not throughly al the things that are written in the booke of the Lawe . And therfore sainct Paule saith , 2. Cor. 3. that the Law is a ministerie and that it bringeth foorth wrath . The Lawe then hauing discouered sinne and increaced it , and shewed foorth the wrath & indignation of God who threatneth death , The forth office of the Lowe . executeth his fourth office , which is to put a man in feare , who there vppon falleth into sorowfulnes , & would fayre satisfie the Law : but forasmuch as he séeth clerely , that he is not able : he wexeth angry against God , and wold with all his hart , that ther wer no god , bicause he feareth to be sore chastized & punished by him , Rom. 4 according as sainct Paule saith , that the wisedome of the flesh is the enemie of God , bicause it neyther is nor can be subiect to the Lawe of God. The fifth office of the lawe . The fifth office of the Lawe , ( which is the principal ende and the most excellent and necessarie office of it ) is to constraine a man to goo vnto Iesus Christ , in lyke wyse as the Hebrues being dismayed , were constrained to appeale vnto Moyses , saying : Exod. 20 Let not the Lord speake vnto vs , least we dye , but speake thou vnto vs & we will obey thée in al things . And the Lord answered : verely they haue spoken exceding well . Yea they were not praysed for any other thing , than for thēyr desyring of a Mediator betwixt GOD and them , which was Moyses , who represented Iesus Christ , that should be the aduocate & Mediator betwene God and man . In respect whereof God sayd vnto Moyses , I will rayse vp a Prophet among theyr brethren like vnto thée , & I will put my word in his mouth , & he shall speake vnto them all the thinges that I shall commaund him , and I will punish all those that wyll not obey my word which he shal speake in my name .

The third Chapter . ¶ How the forgiuenesse of our sinnes , our iustification , & our saluation depend vppon Iesus Christ .

WHen as our God then had sent the said great Prophet which he had promised vs , ( who is his onely sonne , ) to the end that he shold set vs frée from the curse of the Law , Coloss. 3 and recon●yle vs vnto our God : that he shold make our will fit for good woorkes , healing our frée will , and repayring in vs the foresaid image of god which we had lost through the fault of our first parentes : Act. 4. forasmuch as we knowe that vnder heauen there is non● other name giuen vnto men wherby we may be saued , but the name of Iesus Christ : Let vs ronne vnto him with the feete of lyuely fayth , Mat. 11. & cast our selues betwen his armes , sith he allureth vs so gracious●i , crying : come vnto mée all you that labour and are heauy loden , and I wyll refresh you : What comfort or what ioy in this lyfe can be comparable to this his saying there , when as a man feling himselfe oppressed with the intollerable wayght of his sinnes , vnders●andeth so swéete and amyable words of the Sonne of God , who promiseth so graciously to refresh & rid him of his great peyns ? But al the matter lyeth in acknowledging our owne weaknesse & miserie in good earnest . For he shall neuer knowe what is swéete , who hathe not tasted of the sowre . And therfore Iesus Christ sayth : If any man thirst , Iohn . 7. let him come to me and drink : as if he had ment to say , if a man know not himselfe to be a sinner , nor thirst after rightuousenesse , he cannot taste of the swéetnesse of Iesus Christ , how swéete it is to talke of him , to thinke of him , and to follow his most holy lyfe . But when we once throughlye knowe our owne infirmitie by meane of the Lawe : let vs herken to sainct Iohn Baptist , Iohn . ● . who poynteth vs to the souerein Phisicion with his fingar , saying : Beholde the Lamb of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world . For he it is that deliuereth vs from the heauie yoke of the law , Gal. 3. abrogating and disanulling the curses and sharp threatnings of the same : healing all our infirmities : reforming our frée will , returning vs to our auncient innocencie , and repayringe in vs the image of our God : Iohn . 8. insomuch that ( according to sainct Paules saying ) lyke as by Adam we be all dead : 1. Cor. 15. so by Iesus Christ we are all quickened . And it is not to be beléeued that the sinne of Adam , which we haue by inheritance from him , should be of more force then the ryghtuousnes of Christe , the which also we inherit by fayth . It séemeth that m●n hath great cause to complayn , that ( without any reason why , ) he is conceiued & borne in sinne , Psal. 50 and in the wickednesse of his parents , by meanes of whom death reigneth ouer all men . But now is all our sorow taken awaye , inasmuch as by a lyke meane ( without anye occasion giuen on our behalf , ) rightuousenesse & euerlasting lyfe are come by Iesus Christ , and by him death is s●ayne , whereof sainct Paule maketh a verie goodly discourse , which I purpose to set downe here folowing . Rom. 5 Wherefore ( sayth he ) lyke as by one man sinne entred into the world , and death by sin : euen so death went ouer al men , ●orasmuch as all men haue sinned . For vntill the Lawe , sinne was in the worlde : but sin was not regarded as long as ther was no law . Neuerthelater , death reigned from Adam vnto Moses , euen ouer them also that sinned not after the like maner of the transgression of Adam , who was a figur of him that was to come . But yit the gift is not so as is the offence : For if through the offence of one , manie be dead : much more the grace of God and the gift by grace which is by one man Iesus Christe , hath abounded vnto many . Neyther is the gift so as that which entred in by one the sinned . For the fault came of one offence vnto condemnation , but the gifte is of many offences to iustification . For if by the offence of one , death reigned through one : much more shall they which receiue the abondance of grace and of the gift of rightuousnes , reigne in life through one , that is Iesus Christ. Likewise then , as by the offence of one , the fault came on all men to condemnation , so by the ryghtuousenes of one , the benefyte abounded toward all men to the iustification of life . For as by one mans disobedience many wer made sinners , so by the obedience of one shall many also be made righteous . Moreouer the law entred ther vppon , that the offence shold abound : neuertheles where sinne abounded ther grace abounded much more , that as sinne had reigned vnto death , so might grace also reigne by rightuousenes vnto eternal lyfe through Iesus Christ our lord . By theis words of saint Paule we manife●tlye perceiue the thing to be trew which we haue said heretofore : that is to wit , that the lawe was giuen to make sinne knowen : which sinne we do also know , no to be of greater force than Chris●es rightuousenes , wherthrough we be iustifyed before God. For euen as Iesus Christ is stronger than Adam was : so is his ryghtuousenes more mightie than the sinne of Adam . And if the sinne of Adam was sufficient ynough to make al men sinners & children of wrath without ani misdéed of our own : much more shall Christes ryghtuousnes be of greater force to make vs all rightuouse and the children of grace , without any of our owne good workes : which cannot be good , vnlesse that before we do them , we our selues be made good , The greatne●●e of sin 〈◊〉 not to cause despayre . as Awstin also affirmeth . Hereby a man may know in what an errour they bée , who by reason of some great offence , despayre of gods good wil , imagining that he is not willing to forgiue , couer , and pardon all sinne , hauing alredie punished and chastized al our sinnes and iniquities in his owne onely begotten and déerebeloued sonne , and consequently graunted a generall pardon to all mankinde , which euery bodye inioyeth that beleueth the Gospell , that is to say , which beléeueth the happie tydings that the Apostles haue published through the whole worlde , ● . Cor. 5. saying : We beséeche you for Iesus Christes sake , be yée recon●yled vnto God : for he that neuer knew sinne , was made a sacrifyze for our sinne , that we might become rightuouse in him . The Prophet Esay foreséeing this great goodnes of God , writeth these heauenvly words , which do so well peynt out the passion of our Lord Iesus Christ , and the cause ther of : as it is not to be found better descrybed , euen in the writings of the Apostles . Who ( sayth he ) will beleue our report , & to whom is the arme of the Lord reueled . But hée shall grow vp before him as a braunche and as a roote out of a drye gdound , he hath neyther forme nor beautie : when we shall sée him , ther shal be no forme that we should desire him : He is despized and reiected of men , he is a man full of sorowes , and hath experience of infirmities , wée hidd as it were our faces from him : he was despized & we estemed him not . Surely he hathe borne our infirmities and caried our sorowes , yit we did iudge him as plaged and smitten of god , and humbled : but he was wounded for our transgressions : he was broken for our iniquities . The chasismēt of our peace was vppon him , and with his stripes we are healed . All we like shéepe haue gone astraie : we haue turned euery one to his owne waye , and the Lord hath layde vppon him the iniquitie of vs all : he was oppressed & he was afflicted , yit dyd he not open his mouth . He is brought as a shéepe to the slaughter and as a shéepe before the shearer is dumme so he openeth not his mouth . O great vnkindnes . O thing abhominable ? that we which professe our selues Christians , and here that the sonne of God hath taken al our sinnes vppon him , & washed them out with his preciouse blud , suffering himselfe to bée fastened to the crosse for our sakes : should neuertheles make as though we would iustifie our selues & purchace forgiuenes of our sinnes by our our owne workes : as who would say , that the deserts , ryghtuousenes and bludshed of Iesus Christ were not ynough to do it , vnlesse we came to put to our workes & ryghtuousnes which are altogither defiled and spotted with selfeloue , seflyking , selfeprofit , and a thousande other vanities , for which we haue néede to craue pardon at GODS hande , rather than reward . Neyther do we thinke of the threatnings which saint Paule vseth to the Galathians : who hauing bin deceiued by falseprechers , beleued not that the iustification by fayth was sufficient of it selfe , but went about stil to be made rightuous by the Law. Unto whom S. Paule saieth : Gala ● Iesus Christe shall nothing profyt you that iustifie your selues by the Lawe : for you be falne from grace , bicause that we thorough the spirit of fayth wayte for the hope of rightuousnesse . An excellent comparison of the ●●●bilitie of our owne woorks . Now if the séeking of rightuousnesse & forgiuenes of sinnes by the kéeping of the lawe which God gaue vppon mount Sinai with so great glorie and maiestie , be the denying of Christ and of his grace : what shal we say to those that will néedes iustifie themselues afore God by their owne lawes and obseruances ? I would wish that such folkes should a little compare the one with the other , and afterward giue iudgment themselues . God myndeth not to doe that honour , nor to giue that glorie to his owne lawe , and yit they will haue him to giue it to mennes lawes & ordinances . But that honour is giuen onely to his onely begotten sonne , who alone by the sacrifice of his death and passion , hath made full amends for all our sinnes , past , present , Hebr. 7. and to come , as sainct Paule and sainct Iohn declare . Iohn . 12. Wherfore as often as we apply this satisfaction of Iesus Christs , vnto our soules by fayth : out of all dout we obteyne forgiuenes of our sinnes , and become good & rightuouse before God , through his ryghtuousnes . Phil. 3 And therefore after that sainct Paule hathe said , that as touching the ryghtuousenes of the lawe , he had liued vnblameable : he addeth , & yit whatsoeuer I haue gayned by it I haue accounted it in al respects to be but losse , for the loue of Christ . And specially I esteme al things to be losse , for the excellent knowledge of Iesus Christ my Lord , for whome I haue counted all thinges to be losse , & déeme them but as dung , so I may win Christ , & bée found in him , not hauing myne owne rightuousenesse which is of the lawe , but the righteousnesse which is by the fayth of Iesus Christ , which rightuousnes is giuen of god , I mene the rightuousnes of faith , that I may come to the knowledge of Iesus Christ. O most notable wordes , which all Christians ought to haue ingrauen in their hartes , praying God to make them to tast it perfectly . Lo , how S. Paule sheweth plainly , that whosoeuer knoweth Christ aright estéemeth all the works of the law to bée hurtful , for so much as they make vs to swarue from our trust in Iesus Christ , to whom euery man ought to impute his saluation , & to trust only vnto him alone . And to inforce this sentence the more , he addeth further , that he estéemeth all things but as dung , so he may gayne Christ and be found incorporated in him : declaring thereby that whosoeuer trusteth in his own workes , and pretendeth to iustifie him selfe by them , getteth not Iesus Christ nother is ingreffed into him ▪ And forasmuch as the whole mistery of our faith consisteth in the truth hereof : ●o the end we might the better vnderstand what he ment to say : he addeth and repeteth oftentimes , that he had nothing to doo with al the outward iustification & al the rightuousnes that is grounded vppon the keping of the law , but that he wold cloth him selfe with the rightuousnes which God giueth by faith , to al them that beleue that all our sinnes are fully chastized & punished in Iesus Christ : ● . Cor. 1. & that Iesus Christ ( as S. Paule saieth ) is made our wisdome , rightuousnes , holines , & redemption to the end , ( as it is written ) that he which will glorie should glorie in the lord & not in his own workes . Uery true it is , that in the holy scriptures ther are some texts to be found , which being misvnderstode , séeme to gaynsay this holy doctrine of S. Paules , & to attribute iustification & remission of sinnes vnto works , & to charitie . But those authorities haue alredy bin wel expounded by somme who haue shewed playnly , that such as haue vnderstode them in the sence aforesaid , vnderstode them not aright . Wherfore my déerebeloued brethren , let vs not folow the fond opinion of the bewitched Galathians , but rather let vs folow the truth which s. Paul teacheth vs , & let vs giue the whol glorie of our iustification vnto Gods mercy & to the merits of his sonne , who by his own bludshed hath set vs frée from the souereintie of the law , & from the tyrannie of sin & death : & hath brought vs into the kingdom of god , to giue vs life and endlesse felicitie . I say yet further , that he hath deliuered vs from the dominion of the lawe , insomuch as he hath giuen vs his holy spirit , who teacheth vs all truth , and that he hath satisfied the lawe to the full , & giuen the same satisfaction vnto al his members , ( that is to wit to all true Christians , ) so as they may safely appéere at Gods throne , bicause they be clothed with the rightuousnesse of hys Christ , How man is deliuered and set free from the curse of the lawe . and by him deliuered from the curse of the lawe . Then cannot the lawe any more accuse vs or condemne vs , nor moue our affections or appetites , nor increase sin in vs . And therefore Sainct Paule saieth , that the Obligacion which was against vs is cancelled Gal. 3. by Iesus Christ & discharged vppon the trée of the crosse , Rom. 8. insomuch as he hath set vs fr●e from the subiection of the lawe , Colost . 2 and consequently from the tyrannie of sin & death , which can no more hereafter hold vs oppressed bicause it is ouercome by Iesus christ in his resurrection , & so consequently by vs which are his members , in such maner that wée may say with Saincte Paule , and with the Prophet Osee , 1. Cor. 15 Death is quyt● vanquished & destroyed . O Death , wher is thy 〈◊〉 ? O Hel , wher is thy victorie ? The sting of Death is ●in , and the strength of sin is the lawe . But God bée praysed who hath graunted vs vic●orie by our Lord Iesus Christ. Gen. 3 He is the bles●ed séede that hathe crusshed the head of the ve●emous Serpent , that is to wit of the Diuell , insomuch that all those which beléeue in Ie●us Christ , reposing their whole trust in his grace , doo ouercome sin , death , the Diuel and Hell , as Christ hath done . Hée is that blessed séede of Abraham , in the which god hath promised blissednesse to all Nacions . It behoued euery particuler person to fight with the sayd horrible Serpent , and too deliuer hym selfe from that curse . But that enterprise was so great , that all the force of the whole world knitte together was not able too go through with it . Wherfore our God the father of mercie , being moued with compassion of our miseries , hath giuen vs his only begotten sonne , who hath deliuered vs from y● veni● of the Serpent , & is him selfe become our blissednesse & rightuousnes , condicionally that we accept the same , renouncing al our own outward iustifications . Then my déere bréethren let vs imbrace the rightuousnesse of our Lorde Iesus Christ , and lette vs make it ours by means of fayth : let vs assure our selues that we bée rightuouse , not for our owne works , but through the merites of Iesus Christ , & let vs liue merily & assured that the rightuousnes of Iesus Christe hath vtterly done away all our vnrightuosnes , & made vs good , rightuouse , and holie before God , who beholding vs ingreffed into his sonne by fayth , estéemeth vs not now any more as the children of Adam , but as his owne children , and hath made vs heirs of al his riches , with his own begotten sonne .

The fourth Chapter . ¶ Of the effectes of liuely faith , and of the vnion of mans Soule with Iesus Christ .

THis holie faith worketh after such a sort in vs , How we 〈◊〉 the likenesse of God. that he which beleueth that Iesus Christ hath taken all his sins vppon him , becommeth like vnto Christ , & ouercommeth sin , the diuel , death , & Hell. And the reason thereof is this : namely that the church ( that is to wit euery faithfull Sowle ) is Christes wyfe , A very good s●militude expressing the maner how our 〈◊〉 are taken away by Christ. & Christ is hir husband . For we know how the lawe of mariage is , that of two , they become one selfesame thing , being two in one flesh , and that the goods & substance of either of them become comon to them both : by means wherof the husband saieth , that the dowrie of his wyfe is his , & likewise the wyfe sayeth that hir husbands house & all his riches are hirs : and of a truth so they are : for otherwise they should not be one flesh , as the scripture saith . After the same maner hath God maryed his onlibegotten & déerbeloued sonne to the faythful soule , which hath not any other thing peculiar of hir own , saue only sin , & yit the sonne of God hath not disdeyned to take hir for his welbeloued spowse , togither with hir peculiar dowrie , which is sin . And now by reason of the vnion which is in this holie mariage , looke what y● on hath , is also that others . Iesus christ therefore saieth thus : The dowrie of mans soule my déere wife , ( that is to wit hir sins and transgressings of the lawe , Gods wrath ageinst hir , the boldnes of the diuill ouer hir , the prison of Hell , and all other hir euils ) are become myne & are in my power to do what I list with them . Wherfore it is at my choyse to deale with them at my pleasure , and therfore I will put out the hand writing which is agaynst the soule ●y wyfe , I will take it oute of the waye , I wyll fasten it too my crosse in myne owne bodie , and in the same wyll I spoile principalities and powers and make a shew of them openlye & triumphe ouer them and consume them vtterly vnto nothing .

Now when GOD sawe his sonne who knewe no ●nne , neither had any sin in him , thus wyllingly taking on him the fowlenes of our iniquitie , he made him to be sinne for vs euen the very sacrifice for our sinne : & did sharply punish our sinne in him , putting him to death , euen the death of the crosse . Howbeit forasmuch as hée was his welbeloued & obedient sonne , Math. 28 hée would not leaue him in death nor suffer his holy one to sée corruption : Phil. 2 but raysed him vp from death to lyfe , giuing him al power in heauen and earth , and set him at his ryght hand in glory . Now then the wyfe likewise with exceding great ioye doth saye : the Realmes and Kingedomes of my most déere husband and sauiour are mine , by him I am an heire of heauen , my husbands riches , ( that is to wit his holines his innocencie , his rightuousenes & his godhead , togither with al his vertue & myght , ) are mine and for me : and therfore in him I am holie , innocent , ryghtuouse , and godly , & ther is not any spot in mée . I am well fauored & fayre , inasmuch as my lawful husband hath not any blemishe in him , but is altogither goodly and fayre . And sith that he is wholly myne , and so consequently all that he hath is myne , and all that he hath is pure and holie : it foloweth that I also am pure and holie . Therfore to begin at his most innocent birth● he hath thereby sanctifyed the birthe of his spouse conceiued in sinne . The godly chyldhod and youth of the brydegroome , hath iustified the childish and youthful lyfe of his déerbeloued bryde . For the loue and vnion that is betwixt the sowle of a trew christian and the bridegroome Iesus Christ , maketh al the woorks of eyther of them , to be comon to them bothe . By reason wherof when a man saith , Iesus Christ hath fasted , Iesus Christ hath prayed , Iesus Christ was herd of the father , raysed the dead , draue diuells out of men , healed the sicke , dyed , rose again , and ascended into heauen : Likewise a man may say , that a Christen man hath done all the selfe-same woorkes , forasmuch as the workes of Christ are the workes of the Christian , bycause he hath doone them for hym . Uerely a man may say that the Christian hath bin nayled too the crosse , buried , raysed again , is gone vp into heauen , become the child of God , and made partaker of the Godhead . On the other side , all the workes that a Christian man doeth are Christes workes , bycause it is his will to take them for his . And forasmuch as they be vnperfect , and he throughly perfect , & cannot away with any vnperfect thing : he hath made them perfect with his vertues , to the end that his wife should be alwaies ioyful & well contentid and not be afraid of any thing assuring hirself , that although ther be yit stil some default in hir workes , yitnotwithstanding they be acceptable to God in respect of his sonne , vppon whom he hath his eyes alwais fastened . O the vnmeasurable goodnes of god ? how greatly is the christian bound vnto god ? Ther is no loue of man , be it neuer so great , that may be compared with the loue that god beareth to the sowle of euery faythfull christian , wherof Christ is the bridgrome . Whervppon s. Paule sayeth , that Iesus Christ hath so loued his wif the church which is builded of liuing stones ( that is of the soules of the beleuing christians ) that for to sanctifie hir , Ephe. 5. ● he hath offered himself to the death of the crosse , clenzing hir with the washing of water , by his word , to ioyne hir to himself a gloriouse church without spot or wrincle or other like thing : but that she should be holie and vnblamable ( that is to wit like vnto him in holinesse & innocencie ) and also be the trew and lawfull daughter of god , who hath loued the world so well , that ( as Iesus Christ himself saieth ) he hath giuen his onlibegotten sonne , Iohn . 3. to the end that euerie one which beleueh in him should not perish , but haue lyfe euerlasting . For God sent not his sonne into the world to condemne the worlde : but to the ende that the Worlde myght bée saued by him , insomuch that he which beléeueth in him shall not bée damned . How the faithfull mans sowle is assu●ed of his being maried vnto Christ. Some man might demaund after what maner the vnion of this holie Mariage is made , and how the Sowle which is the Bryde , and hir Bridegrome Iesus Chryste are knitte togither . What assurance can I haue , that my Sowle ys vnited vntoo Iesus Christe , and become his Spowse ? How can I assuredly glorie that I am Quéene and Mistresse of his greate riches , as a wyfe maye ? I can easly beléeue that otherfolkes shall receyue this honour and glorie : but I cannot perswade my selfe that I am one of th●se same to whome GOD hathe gyuen so greate grace : For I knowe myne owne wretchednesse and imperfection . My der●beloued brother , I answer thee that thyne assurance consisteth in trew and liuely fayth , wherwith ( as Sainct Peter sayeth ) God clenzeth mens harts : Act. 5 And this sayeth is grownded in the be leuing of the Gospell that is to saye , in the beleuing of the gladde tydings which hathe bin published on GODS behalf throwgh the whole world : which tydings conteyneth in effect , that god hath vsed the rigorousenes of his iustis against Iesus Christ , chastizing & punishing all our sinnes in him . Mat. 2 And whosoeuer receiueth this good tydings & beléeues it stedfastly , hath the true fayth and doth inioye the forgiuenes of his sinnes , and is also reconciled vnto GOD : and of the chylde of wrath , is become the chyld of grace : and recouering the image of God , entereth into the kingdome of God , and is made the temple of God , 2. Cor. 3. who maryeth mans soule to his onely Sonne , by the meane of this fayth , which fayth is a worke of God and the gift of god , as sainct Paule saieth oftentymes . And God giueth it vnto those whom he calleth to him , of purpose to iustifie them & to glorifie them , & to giue them euerlasting lyfe , according as our Lorde Iesus Christ witnesseth saying : This is the will of him that sent mée , Iohn . 6 euen that euery one which séeth the sonne and beleueth in him , should haue euerlasting lyfe , and I wyll rayse him vp agein at the latter day . Iohn . 3 And lyke as Moses lifted vp the Serpent in the Wildernesse : so must the sonne of man be lifted vp , to the ende that euery one which beleueth in him might not perish but haue lyfe euerlasting . Also he sayeth to Martha : Iohn . 11. He that beleueth in me shall liue , although he wer dead , and euery one that liueth & beleueth in me shall not dye for euer . And to a companie of the Iewes he sayeth : Iohn . 12. I am come a lyght into the world , to the ende that euery man which beleueth in me , shold not abide in darknes . And sainct Iohn in his Epistle saieth : 1. Iohn . 4 Herein appéered the loue of god towards vs , for that god is loue and sent his only begotten sonne into this world , that we might liue through him . And héere in is loue knowen , not in that we loued God , but in that he loued vs & sent his sonne to make attonement for our sinnes . And moreouer , he sent him to destroy our enemies . For the bringing wherof to passe , he made him parttaker of our fleshe , and of our blud , as sayeth sainct Paule , to the ende that by his death he myght destroy him that had the dominion of death , Hebr. ● . that is to wit the diuel , and set al such at libertie , as were subiect to bondage al their lyfe long , for feare of death . Seing then that we haue records of the holy Scripture , concerning the promises , whereof we haue spoken heretofore , and concerning many other promyses that are dispersed in diuers places of the same : we cannot dout of it . And forsomuch as the Scripture speaketh to all ingenerall , none of vs oughte to distrust in himselfe , that the selfsame thing which the Scripture sayeth , should not belong perticularly to him selfe . And to the ende that this point , wherin lyeth and consisteth the whole misterie of our holie faith , may be vnderstod the better : A very goodly s●●ilitude & ●it for the expressing of the free for giuensse of si●●es for Iesus Christes sake . Let vs put the cace that some good & holie King , cause proclamation to be made through his whole Realme by the sound of a Trumpet , that all Rebels and banished men shall safely returne home to their howses , bicause that at the sewt & desert of some dere fréend of theirs , it hath pleased hym to pardon them : certeinly none of those Rebels ought to dout , of the obteyning of trew pardon of his rebellion , but rather ought assuredly to returne home to his howse , to lyue vnder the shadowe of that holie king . And if he will not returne , he shall beare the penaltie of it , bicause that through his own vnbelefe he dyeth in exyll and in the displeasure of his prince . But this good king is the Lorde of Heauen and Earth , who for the obedience and desert of our good brother Iesus Christe , hath pardoned vs all our siunes , and ( as we haue sayd afore ) hathe made open proclamaction through the whole world , that all of vs may safely returne into his kingdome . Wherfore he that beléeueth this proclamacion , dooth streytwayes return into Gods kingdome ( whereoutof we were driuen by the offence of our first parentes , ) and is blissedly gouerned by gods holy Spirit . And he that giueth no credit to the sayde proclamacion , shall neuer inioy the sayd geuerall pardon : but for his vnbelefes sake shall abyde in banishment vnder the tyrannie of the diuel , and liue and dye in extreme miserie , liuing and dying in the di●pleasure of the king of heauen and earthe : and that iustly . For we cannot commit a greater offence against this good God , that to account him as a lyer and deceiuer : which verely we doo , in not giuing credit to his promises . O how passing heauie is this deadly sinne of vnbelefe ? which ( so farre foorth as is possible ( beréeueth God of his glorie and perfection : besydes the greate harme that it doeth to a mans selfe , which is his owne damnation and the endlesse torment of his soule , which the miserable conscience féeleth euen in this lyfe . But on the contrarie , he that commeth vnto GOD with assurednesse of this fayth , beléeuing him without anye mistruste or dowt of his promises , and warranting himselfe for a certeyntie , that God will performe al that euer he hath promised him : giueth all the glorie vnto God , and liueth continually in rest and endles ioy , euermore praysing and thanking the Lorde God for choozing him to the glorie of the eternall lyfe . ● . Cor. 1. And hereof they haue an assured earnestpeny and gage , that is to wit the sonne of god , whom they take for their most louing Brydegrome , the blud of whom hath made theyr hartes so drunken : that through this passing holie belefe there is in the christen hart ingendred so lyuely a hope and so certeine a trust of gods ●ercie towards vs , and such an operation is wrought in vs , as we rest our selues wholly vppon God , leauing the whole care of vs vnto him in suche wyse that being throughly assured of Gods good wil , we are not afraid , nother of the diuel , uor of his ministers , nor of death . Which holie and stedfast trust of Gods mercie , inlargeth our hart , chéereth it vp , and with certeine marualouse swéete affections dyrecteth it vnto GOD , filling it and setting it on Fyre with an exceding feruent loue . Heb. 4 And therefore Paule incourageth vs to goe with all boldnesse to the throne of grace : & he counselleth vs that wée should not shake it of , nor make lyght of our trust , which hath great recompence & reward . But thys so holy and diuine affiance is gendred in our harts by the working of the holie ghost , who is communicated vnto vs by fayth , Heb. 10. which neuer goeth without the loue of God. And hereof it commeth , that wée bée prouoked to dooe good works with a certeine liuelines and effectuall cherefulnes : wherby we gather such a strength and inclinacion to doo them , as wée be throughly redie and foreward to doo and suffer all intollerable things for the loue and glorie of our moste graciouse and mercyfull father , who hath inryched vs wyth so abundaunt grace through Iesus Christ , and of his enemies made vs hys moste déere children . This treue fayth is no sooner gyuen a man , but he is by and by indewed and imprinted with a certeine violent loue of good works , to yéeld right swéet and amiable frutes both vnto God and likewise to his Neybour , as a verie good & frutefull trée . And it is no more possible that he should bée otherwise , than it is possible that a fagot should be set on fyre & not cast light immediatly . Heb. 8 This is the holye fayth without the which it is vnpossible that anie man should please God , and wherby all the holie men ( as well of the old Testament as of the new ) haue bin saued , according as Sainct Paule witnesseth of Abraham : Rom. 4. concerning whome the Scripture sayeth , Gen. 1● . that Abraham bel●●ued GOD , and it was reckened too him for rightuousenesse . And therfore hée sayth a little before : We beléeue that a man is iustified by fayth without the déedes of the Lawe . Rom 2. And in another place he saith : Sothen in that time shall the remnant be saued , according to the election of grace : and if they be saued by grace , then is it not by workes , for then were grace no grace . And to the Galathians he sayeth , Gala. 3. it is a manifest matter that no man becommeth rightuouse before God by the Lawe , Abac. 2. bicause the rightuouse liueth by faith . And the lawe consisteth not in beleefe , but he that performeth the thinges that the Lawe commaundeth , Gal. 3. shall liue by that performance . And further hée sayeth that a man cannot become rightuouse by the déedes of the law , but onely by beléeuing in Iesus Christ. Agein , a little after he sayeth , that if a man can become rightuouse by the Lawe , Iesus Christ dyed in vayne . Moreouer , Rom. 10. to the Romaines , making comparison betwene the rightuousnesse of the Lawe , and the rightuousnesse of the Gospell , he sayeth that the one consis●eth in the dooing of workes , and the other in beleuing . For if thou confesse our Lord Iesus Christ with thy mouth , and beleue in thy hart that God hath raysed him vp from death : thou shalt be saued . For the beléef of the hart maketh a man rightuouse , and the confession of the mouth maketh him safe . Lo how this good teacher Sainct Paule sheweth euidently , that faith maketh a man rightuouse without any workes . And not only Sainct Paule , but also the holy Doctors that came after him haue confirmed and allowed this most holy trueth of Iustification by fayth : among whome Sainct Augustin is the chiefe , S. Augustin who in his booke of fayth and workes , and in his booke of the Spirit and the Letter , and in his booke of fourescore and thrée questions , and in his booke which he did write to Boniface , and in his treatise vpon the xxxj . Psalme , and in many other places , defendeth this article , shewing that we become rightuous by faith without any help of good works : howbeit that good works are the effects of rightuousnesse , and not the cause of it . And he sheweth that the wordes of S. ●ames being soundly vnderstood , are nothing contrary to this article . Origen Whith thing Origen doth also affirme in his fourth booke vpon the Epistle to the Romanes , saying y● S. Paules meaning is , that fayth only is sufficiente to make men rightuouse , insomuch that a man becommeth rightuouse , only by beléeuing , although he haue not doone anye good work at all . For so it is , that the théefe became rightuouse without the workes of the lawe , forasmuch as the Lord sought not what good workes he had done in time past , nor wayted vntill he had done any after he had beléeued , but hauing accepted him for rightuouse vpon his only confession , tooke him for hys companion euen when he should enter into Paradyse . Likewise , that so renowmed * * Marie magdalen . woman in the gospel of Sainct Luke , Luke . 6. while she was yit at the féete of Iesus Christ , herd it sayd vnto hir , thy sins are forgiuen thée . And a little after he saieth vnto hir , thy faith hath saued thée , goo thy way in peace . Afterward Origen sayth . In many places of the Gospel a man may sée how our Lord Iesus Christ hath spoken in such wise , as he sheweth that fayth is the cause of the saluation of the beleuers . Then is a man made rightuouse by faith , Fayth is the mark of those that are iustified and the workes of the lawe further him nothing at all . On the contrarie , where faith is not , ( which faith maketh the beléeuer rightuouse , ) although a man doo the workes which the law commaundeth : yit notwithstanding , forasmuch as they be not builded vppon the foundation of faith , albeit y● to outward appearance they séeme good , yit can they not iustifie him that doeth them , bicause he wanteth fayth , which is the marke of them that are become rightuouse before God. And who is he that can boast himselfe to be rightuouse , when he hereth God say by his Prophet ●say , Esai . 64. that all our rightuousnesse is as a defiled cloth of a menstruouse woman ? Then can wée not iustly glorie in our selues but in that only faith of the crosse of Iesus Christ. S. Basill in hys Homilie of humilitie , S. Basil. sayeth that the Christian ought to hold himself for rightuouse through beléefe in Iesus Christ , and his wordes are theis . The Apostle sayeth that he which glorieth should glorie in the Lord , in that God hath made Iesus Christ to be our wisedome , rightuousenes , holinesse , and redemption , to the end that he which would glorie should glorye in the Lord , bicause that the perfect and sound glorying is to glorye in the Lord. For in so doing , a man presumeth not vppon his owne rightuousenes , but acknowledgeth his want of the true rightuousenes , and that he is made rightuouse , only by beléeuyng in Iesus Christ. And Sainct Paule gloryeth of the despyzyng of hys owne rightuousenesse , and of his séeking of Christes rightuousnes , by fayth which commeth of GOD. Sainct Hilary in his ninth Canon vppon the exposition of Sainct Matthew sayeth these words : S. Hilary The Scribes considering Iesus Christe but only as man , were troubled , that a man should forgiue sinnes , and pardon that thing which the Lawe could not doe , bicause that onely fayth iustifieth . S. Ambrose . Sainct Ambrose in expounding these wordes of Sainct Paule ( vnto him that beleeueth in him which iustifieth the vngodly , Rom. 4 his fay the is accounted for rightuousnesse , according to the purpose of Gods grace : like as Dauid also sayeth , that the man is blissed whom God accompteth rightuouse without workes ) writeth thus . Saint Paule sayeth , that vnto him which beleueth in Iesus Christ ( that is to wit to the Gentile ) his fayth is imputed for rightuonsnes , as it was vnto Abraham . In what wise then thinke the Iewes to become rightuous by the woorkes of the Lawe : and yit to be rightuous as Abraham was , séeing that Abraham became not rightuouse by the déedes of the Lawe , but onely by fayth ? Then is not the Lawe néedefull , forasmuch as the sinner becommeth rightuouse before God through onely fayth , according to gods graciouse purpose , as Dauid sayeth . The Apostle coufirmeth that which he hath sayde , by the Prophetes example , Psal. 31 saying : Blissed is the man whome God accepteth for rightuouse without workes : wherby Dauid méeneth , that those men are very happy , whom GOD hath determined to accept for rightuouse before him , by onely fayth without any paynes taking or obseruation of the Law on their behalfe . Thus sheweth he the blissednesse of the time wherein Christe was borne , in so much as the Lord himself saith : Many rightuouse men and Prophetes haue coueted to sée the thinges that you sée , and to heare the thinges that you heare , and haue not heard them . The selfesame thing sayeth Sainct Ambrose in expounding the first chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians , affirming openly that whosoeuer beléeueth in Iesus Christe , is become rightuous without workes and without any desert , & receiueth forgiuenes of his sinnes by faith alone . Also he affirmeth the same thing in an epistle which he writeth to Ireneus saying : let no man boast of his owne workes , for no man becommeth rightuous by his own works : but he that hath righteousnes , hath it of frée gift● forsomuch as he is made rightuouse by Iesus Christ. Then is it fayth that deliuereth by Christes blud : for happie is he whose sin is forgiuen and pardoned . S. Bernard . And S. Bernard in his thréescore and seuentéenth Sermon vppon the Ballet of Ballets , confirmeth the same , saying that our own merites beare no sway at all in making vs rightuouse , which thyng m●st be attributed wholly vnto grace which maketh vs rightuouse fréely , and lykewyse dischargeth vs from the bondage of sin . And he addeth , that Iesus Christ marieth the soule and cupleth it vnto himselfe by fayth , without that anie desert of our workes oughte or can come betwene . But bicause I will not be to long , I wil make an ende of mine allegations , when I haue vttered one verie notable and good saying of Sainct Ambrosis in his booke intituled of Iacob concerning the blessid life . Gen. 17. The saide holie man saith , that like as Iacob hauing not on his owne behalfe deserued the birth right , A very good comparison how we be clothed with the rightuousenesse of Iesus Christ . shrowded himself vnder the apparel of his brother , & clothed himself with his garment which yelded a verie swéete sent , and in that wise presented himself to his father to receiue the blissing vnder another mans person to his own behoof : euen so is it requisite for vs to clothe our selues with the rightuousenesse of Iesus Christ by faith and to shrowd our selues vnder the diuine purenes of our eldest brother , if we wil be receyued for rightuouse afore God. And certeinly this is true . For if we appéere before God vnclothed of the rightuousenes of Iesus Christ : but of all dout we shal be iudged worthy of euerlasting damnation . But contrariwise , if God sée vs appareled with the rightuousenes of his sonne Christ : then wil he surely take vs for rightuouse , & holie , and worthy of eternall lyfe . And verely it is a great rashnesse in such as pretend to attein to rightuousenes by the keping of gods commaundements , which are al comprehended in louing God with all our harte , with all our soule , and wyth al our strength , & our Neybour as our self . But who is so arrogant or so mad , No man 〈◊〉 boast of the performance of gods lawe . as to presume that he is able to performe those commaundements to the ful ? Or who séeth not that gods lawe requyreth perfect loue , and condemneth all vnperfectnes ? Let euery man consider well his owne workes , which partly shall séeme good vnto him : and he shall fynd that they ought rather to be called transgressions of that most holie Lawe , according also as they be altogither vnclean and vnperfect , so that he must be fayne to vtter this saying of Dauids , Psal. 102. Enter not into iudgment with thy seruant O Lord , for no man liuing shal be found ryghtuouse in thy sight . And Salomon sayth who is he that may say , Pro. 20. my hart is cleane ? And Iob cryeth out , Iob. 1● . ●hat man is he that can be vndefyled , and what man borne of woman can shew himselfe rightuouse ? Behold he found no stedfastnes among his saincts , yea the heauens are not cleane in his syght . How much more abhominable and filthy is man , who drinketh iniquitie as it were water ? And sainct , Iohn sayeth , ●●ohn . 2. if we say we be without sinne , we deceiue our selues . Math. 6. And specially our sauiour Iesus Christ teacheth vs to say , as often as we pray , Forgiue vs all our trespasses as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs ▪ And hereby may well be gathered the folie of those that make merchandyse of their works , presuming to saue by them , not onely themselues , but also their neibours , as though our Lord Iesus Christ had not sayd vnto them . When ye haue done all that euer is commaunded you , Luke . 17 say ye , we be vnprofitable seruants : we haue done but as we ought to doe . Ye sée that although wée had performed gods law to the full , yit neuertheles we shold esteme & call our selues vnprofitable seruants , Now then , seing that men are so farre of from this full performance : who is he that dareth be so bold as to glorifie himselfe that he hath added so great an ouerplus of deseruings aboue the ful measure , as he may haue to deale abrode vnto others ? But to returne to our purpose , I would that the proude sinner which beareth himself in hand that he maketh himself rightuouse before God by doing some works which are allowable to the world , wold consider that al the works which procede out of an vncleane and soule hart , are also vncleane & filthie , and consequently cannot be acceptable vnto God , nor haue any power to make the partie rightuouse . Therfore we must first of all clenze y●●art , if we mind that our works should please God. The clenzing of the harte procedeth of faith , as the holy gost affirmeth by the mouth of S. Peter ? Then must we not say that the vnrightuouse person and the sinner becommeth rightuouse , Acts. 1● . good , and acceptable vnto god by his owne workes : but we muste of necessitie conclude , that fayth clenzeth our hartes , and maketh vs good , ryghtuouse and acceptable before GOD , and furthermore cawseth our workes to please hym , notwithstanding that they be altogither vnprofitable and vnperfit . For inasmuch as we be become the children of god through faith : he considereth our workes , not as a seuere and rigorouse iudge , but as a most merciful Father , hauing pitie of our fraylenes , & regarding vs as the members of his eldest sonne , whose perfection & rightuousenes doth supply all our vnclennes & imperfection , which are not laied to our charge forsomuch as thei be couered vnder the pur●nes and innocencie of Iesus Christ , and come not to iudgement before God. And hereuppon it commeth to passe , How the workes of the faithfull , though thei be vnperfect , please GOD. that all our workes which procede of trew faith , ( notwithstanding that they be wholly sinfull and corrupt of themselues , ) shall neuertheles be praysed & allowed by Iesus Christ in the generall iudgement , bicause they be the fruites and testimonies of our fayth wherby we be saued . For insomuch as we haue loued the brethren of Iesus Christ , we shal shewe euidently , that we haue also bin faithful , and brethren of Christ , and therefore by fayth we shal be put in full possession of the euerlasting kingdome , which our souerein Lord god hath prepared for vs before the creating of the world : Math. 2● not for our merits sakes , but through his mercie , wherby he hath chozen vs , & called vs to the grace of his gospel , and made vs ryghtuouse , to the intent to glorifie vs euerlastingly with his only begotten sonne Iesus Christ , who is the holines and rightuousenes of vs , but not of them which wyll not confesse that faith is sufficient of it selfe to make a man rightuouse and acceptable to the Lord God , who through his fatherly goodnes and louingkindnes offereth & giueth vs Iesus Christ with his rightuousenes , without any desert of our owne workes . What thing can worke or cause a man to deserne so great a gift & treasure as Iesus Christ is ? This treasure is giuen only through the grace , fauour , In wha● maner faith iustify●th . & mercifulnes of god : and only faith is the thing that receiueth such a gift , as to make vs inioy the forgiuenes of our sinnes . And therfore when S. Paule & other doctors say , that on●ly ●ayth maketh men ryghtuouse , without workes : they mene that it maketh vs to inioy the generall forgiuenes of our sinnes , & to● receiue Iesus Christe , Ephe. 3. who ( as saieth sainct Paule ) dwelleth in our hartes by fayth , & ouercomming and pacifying the trubbles of our consci●̄ces , satisfieth gods iustice for our sinnes . Furthermor it appeaseth gods wrath iustlimoued ageinst vs , quencheth the fyre of hell wherin ? our natural corruption did throw vs headlong , & chéerfully destroieth & ouerthroweth the Diuel , togither with al his power and tiranny : Which thinges , all the works that all the men in the world can lay togither , are not able to deserue nor to bring to passe . That glory and that prerogatiue is reserued alonly to the sonne of God , that is to wit to the blissed Iesus Christ , who hath power aboue all the powers that are in Heauen , in Earth , and in Hell , and giueth himself & his merits , to al such as distrusting in themselues do set their whole hope of being saued , in him and in his merits . And therefore let no man begwyle himselfe when hée hereth it sayd , that only faith iustifieth without works : and think as fal●e christians doe , ( who drawe al thinges to liue fleshly ) that the trew faith consisteth in beleuing the bare storie of Iesus Christ , after the same maner as men beleue the storie of Caesar or of Alexander . Such maner of beléef is but an historicall beléef , grounded merely vppon the report of men , and vppon their writinges , & lighly imprinted in our conceyt by a certeint custome , & is like to the faith of the Turkes , who for the lyke reasons beleue the fables of their Alcorane . And suche a fayth is but an imagination of man , which neuer reneweth the hart of mannor warmeth it with the loue of God , neyther do any good works insew or any chaunge of life which faith should bring forth . And therfore they fal●●y hold opinion , ageinst the holy scripture and ageinst the holy Doctors of the church , that only faith maketh not men rightuouse , but that they must also haue works Unto whom I answer , that this historicall and fond beleef , and all the works that insew thereof , are not only vnable to make a man rightuouse : Mat. 12. but also do cast the parties headlong to the bottom of hel , like vnto those that haue none oile in their Lampes , that is to say , no liuely faith in their harts . The fayth that maketh men rightuouse , Rom. 6. is a work of God in vs wherby our old man is crucified , and wée being transformed in Iesus Christ , become new creatures , and the derebeloued children of God. This heauenly fayth is it that graffeth vs into the death and resurrection of Iesus Christ , and consequently mortifieth our flesh with the effectes and lustes therof . For when we by the operation of fayth do know our selues to be dead with Iesus Christ : we are at a full point with our selues and with the world , and are throughly resolued how it is méet that they which are dead with Iesus Christe , should mortifie their earthly● members , that is to wit the sinfull affections of their mynd , and the lustes of the flesh : and forasmuch as we know we be raysed again which Christ , we bend our selues to the leading of a spirituall and holie lyfe , like vnto that which we shall liue in heauen , after the last resurrection . This holie faith making vs to inoy the generall pardon that is published by the gospel , bringeth vs into the kingdome of our good god , and pacifyeth our consciences , mainteyning vs in continewal ioy and holie and spiritual swéetnes . This selfe same faith knitteth vs vnto god , and maketh him to dwell in our harts , and clotheth our sowle with himself , so as thenseforth the holie Ghost moueth vs to doo the same thinges wherunto he moued Iesus Christ whyle he was in this world & was conuersant among men : that is to wit , vnto lowlines , mekenes , obedientnes vnto God , louingnes , and other perfections , wherthrough we recouer the image of god . For this selfesame causes Iesus Christ did rightly attribute blissednes vnto this inspyred fayth : which blissednes cannot be without good works & holines of lyfe . And how can it be that a christian shold not become holie , seing that Iesus Christ is become his holines through fayth ? Therfore by fayth we be iustified and saued , Sainct Paule calleth them Sainctes whom we call Christians . and therfore S. Paule doth in a maner alwaies call those Saincts , whom we call now christians : who , if they haue not Christes spirit , are none of Christes , and consequently no christians at all . But if they haue the spirit of Iesus Christ to rule and gouerne them : we must not dowt , He that beleueth cannot be with out good workes . but that although they know well that they be made rightuouse thorough fayth onely : yit for all that they will become neuer the more slouthfull to do good workes . For Christes spirit is the spirit of loue : and loue cannot be ydle , nor cease from the dooing of good workes . But if we will say the truth , a man can do no good workes , except he first know himselfe to be become ryghtuouse by fayth : for before he knoweth that , his doing of good workes is rather to make himselfe ryghtuouse than for the loue and glorie of God : and so he defyleth al his works with selfeloue for the loue of himself & for his own profite . But he that knoweth himselfe to bée become ryghtuouse by the merites & rightuousenesse of Christ , ( which he maketh his owne by fayth ) laboreth happily , and doeth good works alonly for the loue and glorie of Christ , and not for loue of himselfe , nor to make himselfe rightuouse . And theruppon it commeth , that the true christian , ( that is to wit , he that accounteth himself rightuouse by reason of Christes rightuousenesse ) asketh not whither good works be commaunded or not : but being wholly moued & prouoked with a certeine violence of Godly loue , he offereth himselfe willingly to do all the workes that are holy and christianlyke , and neuer ceaseth to do well . He therefore which féeleth not the meruelous 〈◊〉 by his fayth which we haue heretofore ●eclared that the inspired faith worketh in the hart of the christian . Let him assure himself , that he hath not the christian faith , and let him pray earnestly vnto God to giue it hym , saying : Lord , Mark● 9. help myne vnbeléef . And when he herereth it said that only faith maketh men rightuonse : let him not deceiue himself & say , what nede I to wery my self in doing good works , faith is inough to send me to Paradyse ? to such a one I answere , that only fayth sendeth vs to Paradise : but yit let him take good hede for the diuels do also beleue & tr●ble , as saieth sainct Iames. Iames. 2. O miserable man wilte thou go with them to Paradise ? By this false conclusion t●ou maiest know , ( my brother , ) in what an errour thou art , for thou wéenest to haue the fayth that maketh men rightuouse , and thou haste it not . Apoc. 3. Thou sayest thou art ryche and hast no nede of any thing : : and thou séest not how thou art pore , wretched , blynd , and naked . I counsell thée to bwy gold of GOD , that is throughly fired with fyre , ( that is to say , trew faith set on fyre with good works , ) to the intent thou mayest become riche : and to clothe thy self with white rament , ( that is to wit with Christes innocencie , ) to the end that the shame of thy nakednesse , ( which is the greate filthinesse of thy sinnes ) be not séene to the whole world . Then is the iustifying fayth as it were a flame of fyre , which cannot but cast forth brightnes . A liuely comparison And lyke as the flame burneth the wood without the help of the light , and yit the flame cannot be with out the light : so is it assuredly trew , the fayth alone consumeth & burneth away sinne with out the helpe of works , and yit that the same fayth cannot be without good works . Wherfore , like as if we sée a flame of fyre that giueth no light , we knowe biandby that it is but vayne and painted : euen so when we sée not some light of good works in a man , Wh●t S. Iames ment concerning workes . it is a token that he hath not the true inspired fayth , which god giueth to his chozen , to iustifie and glorifie them withall . And hold it for certeyne , that Saincte Iames ment so when hée sayd , Iames. 2. shewe me thy fayth by thy works , and I wil shewe thée my fayth by my workes . For his mening was , that he which is plundged in ambitionsenes , and worldly pleasures , beleueth not , though he say he beleue ) forasmuch as he sheweth not in himself the effects of faith . ● heauenly 〈◊〉 . Also we may liken this holy faith to the godhead which is in Iesus Christ : who being very man ( but withoute sin ) dyd wonderfull thinges , healing the sicke , giuing sight to the blind , walking vppon the water , and raising vp the dead , vnto lifte agein : & yit theis maruelouse workes were not the cause that hée was GOD. For before he did anie of those things , he was God and the lawfull and onlibegotten sonne of God , and he neded not to work those miracles to make himself god bi them , but forasmuch as he was god , therfore he did them . And so , the miracles that Christ wrought made him not to be god , but shewed openly that he was God. In likewise , trewe faith is as it were a godhead in the sowle of a christian , which doeth wonderouse works and is neuer weary of well doing : and yit those works are not the cause that a christian is a christian , ( that is to wit , that he is rightuouse good , holy , and acceptable vnto God , neither néedeth he to worke all those good workes to become such a one . But forasmuch as he is a Christian by fayth , like as Iesus Christ being a man was also God by his Godhead : he doeth all those good workes , which make not the christian to be rightuouse and good , but shewe him to be good rightuouse & holie . So then , like as Christes Godhead was the cause that he wrought miracls : euen so faith working through loue , is the cause of the good works that a chzisten man doeth . And like as a man may say of Iesus Christ , that he hath done this miracle or that , and that those miracles , besides that they glorified God , were also a great honor vnto Iesus Christ as he was man , who for his obedience euen vnto death , was recompenced at gods hand in his resurrection , and had gyuen vnto him all power but in heauen and earth , which he had not afore as in respect of his manhod , but deserued it by the vnion which is betwixt the word of God and the manhod of Christ : So doth faith in a christian , which faith by reason of the vnion that it hath with the soule , attributeth the thing to the one which is proper to that other : whervppon it commeth , that the holy scripture promiseth the christian euerlasting life for hys good works bicause good works are the frutes and testimonies of liuely fayth , & procede of it as light procedeth from a flame of fyre , according as I haue sayd heretofore . And by this holy faith which imbraseth Iesus christ it commeth to passe that our sowle is ioyned with Christ and is so vnited and knit to him , that whatsoeuer Christ hath merited & deserued , the same is imputed vnto the soule as though it had merited & deserued it . And therfore S. Austin sayth that God crowneth his owne giftes in vs . Iohn . 17. Of thys vnion of the soule with Iesus Christ , Christ himself beareth good record wher he prayeth to his Father for his Apostles , and for suche as should beleue in him by their preaching . I pray not ( sayeth he ) for them only : but also for all those that shall beleue in me through their word , to the end they may be al one thing , that like as thou my Father arte in me & I in thée , so they also may be one in vs , & that the world may beleue that thou hast sent mée , and that I haue giuen them the glorie which thou haste giuen mée , so as they should be one selfsame thing like as thou and I are one . Wherby it appereth euidently , that if we beleue the word of the Apostles , Rom. 4. ( who preached that Iesus Christ died for our sinnes and rose agein for our iustification ) we become all one thyng with him : and forasmuch as he is all one with Go● . we also become all one with God by the meane of Iesus Christ. 2. Cor. 6. O wonderfull glorie of the christian , to whom it is graunted through fayth , to possesse the vnspeakable benefites which the Angels long to beholde . By this present discourse a man may playnly perceiue the difference , that is betwixt vs and them that defend the iustification by fayth and work●s togither Herein we agrée with them , that we stablish works , affirming that the fayth which iustifieth cannot be without good works , and that those which are become rightuouse are they that doo the good workes that may rightly be called good workes . 1. Peter . 2 But we differ from them in this , that we say , that faith maketh men rightuouse withoute the helpe of workes . And the reason is redy : namely bycawse that by fayth wée putte on Christ , Gala. 3. and make hys holyness and rightuousenesse to bée ours . And seyng the cace so standeth , that Christes rightuousenesse is gyuen vs by faith : Wée cannot be so thanklesse , blynde , and vnhappye as not to beleue that he is of suffycient abilitie , to make vs ( acceptable and ryghtuouse before GOD. Lette vs saye with the Apostle , Hebr. 9. if the blud of Oxen and Gotes and the asshes of a Cow sprincled , clenzeth the vncleane , as touching the clenzing of the flesh : how much more shal the blud of Iesus Christ who by the euerlasting spirit offered himselfe vndefiled vnto God , clenze our consciences from dead workes to serue the liuing God ? I prey thée now , thou good & deuout christian , consider well which of theis two opinions is the trewest , holyest , and worthiest to be preached : Ours , which aduaunceth the benefyte of Iesus Christ , & pulleth down the pride of man which would exalt his owne works ageinst Christes glorie : or the other which by affirming that fayth of it self iusti●ieth not , defaceth the glorie and benefyte of Iesus Christ and puffeth vp the pryde of man , who cannot abyde to be iustified fréely by our Lorde Iesus Christ , without some merit of his owne . But ( saye they ) it is a gret quickning vp to good works , to say that a man maketh himself rightuouse before good by means of them . I answer , that we also confesse that good workes are acceptable to god , & that he of his mere grace and frée liberalitie recompenseth them in Paradise . But we say moreouer , that no workes are good , sauing those that as ( S. Austin saieth ) are done by them that are become rightuouse through fayth , bicause that if the trée be not good , it cannot yeld good frute . And furthermore we saye that such as are become ryghtuouse through faythe , forasmuch as they knowe themselues to be ryghtuouse through Gods rightuousnesse purchased by Christe : make no bargayning with GOD for their workes , as though they would bwy their maner of iustification suche as it is , with them : but being inflamed with the loue 〈◊〉 GOD , and desirouse to glorifie Iesus christ who hath made them rightuouse by giuing them his merites and riches , they bestow 〈◊〉 their whole study and labor to doe gods wil , fighting manfully against the loue of themselues , and against the world and the Diuell . And when they fall throughe frayltie of the flesh , thei recouer themselues by and by , and are so much the more desirous to doe good , & so much the more in loue with their God , considering that he layeth not their sinn●● to their charge , bicause they be ingraffed 〈◊〉 Iesus Christe , who hath made full 〈◊〉 for all his members vppon the tree of his crosse , and maketh continuall interce●●● for them to the eternal Father , who for the loue of his onely begotten sonne , beholdeth them alwayes with a gentle countenance , gouerning and defending them as his most deare children , and in the end giuing them the h●ritage of the world , making them like fashioned to the glorious Image of Christ . These louing motions are the spurs that prick forward the true christians to do good works : who considering that they are become the children of god through faith , & made partakers of his diuine nature , are sturred vp by the holy ghost dwelling in them , to liue as it becommeth the children of so great a lord , and are greatly ashamed that they maintein not the beauty of their heauenli noblesse : & therfore they imploy their whole indeuer to the folowing of their first-born brother Iesus christ , liuing in gret low lines & méeknesse , in al things séeking the glory of God , giuing their liues for their brethren , dooing good to their enemies , glorying in the sufferance of reproches , Gala. 6. & in the crosse of our Lord Iesus christ , Luke . 2. & saying with Zacharie : We be deliuered out of the hand of our enimies , to serue god without feare , in holines and rightuousenesse all the dayes of our life . They say with Sainct Paule : The grace of the Lord is appeared to abolishe all wickednesse and all worldly desires in vs , Tit. 2. to the end we should liue a sobre , holy and honest lyfe in this world , wayting for the blissed hope , and for the gloriouse appearing of the great God and Sauiour . There & such other like thoughtes , desires and affections are wrought by inspired fayth in the soules of them that are become right●●use . And as for him that either wholly or partly féeleth not these godly affections and operations in his hart , but is gyuen ouer to the fleshe and the world : let him assure himselfe that hée hath not yit the iustifying faith , nor is the member of Christ , bicause hée hath not Christes spirit , Rom. 8. and consequently is none of his , and he that is none of Christs , is no christian . Then let mans wisdome cease henceforth to fight agaynst the rightuousenesse of the most holy faith , and let vs giue all the glorie of our iustification , to the merits of IESUS Christ , Gala. 3. with whom we bée clothed thorough faith .