mercy forgyuenes of synnes layd vp for vs in store if that we repent coÌ„fesse our faultes entend vnfaynedly to amende our lyues I haue not done thys to engraffe in you a vayne hoope to encourage you to haue y e more plesure to remayne iÌ„ your olde wyckednes but I wryte these thynges vnto you y t ye should not synne I haue set forth the kyndnes of God towarde you y t ye shulde endeuour youre selues to lyue worthy of it But for asmuch as there lyueth no man in thys world whyche synneth not seynge we canne not walke so purely but y t at sometyme we must nedes fall therfore because ye shoulde not dispayre but be assuredly persuaded that there remayneth health for you wyth the Lorde god I certefy you that we haue one which is our aduocate wyth the father which pleateth our matter before the throne of the diuine maieste whiche is ready to healpe vs whiche ceaseth not makyng intercession for vs vntyll he be hearde and this is not such one as hath also offended but Iesê° christ y t righteoê° one which is godly innocent vndefyled pure clene fautles immaculate so wtout all spotte of vice that euen for his owne dignite worthynes innoceÌ„cy he is worthy to obtayne what so euer he asketh And I saye moreouer vâ—to you y t not our owne workes nor y e merites of other but that righteous one Christ is that verye sacrifice which apeseth Gods wrath whome we haue prouoked vnto anger wyth the synnes whiche we do comitte after Baptisme and satisfyeth for oure synnes Yea he makteh not only a sufficient plenteous amendes for our synnes but also for all y e whole worldes I mean so many as repent them of ther wicked liuing confesse ther fautes beleue desyre forgyuenes and laboure to leade a newe lyfe what wyll we haue more Doth not S. IohnÌ„ declare here euidently y t oure synnes whaÌ„ so euer they be coÌ„mitted or done are forgyueÌ„ vs of god thorow Iesê° Christ which is oure aduocate and that sacrifice whyche apeaseth god the fathers wrath plenteously satisfyeth for our synnes So doth it than manifestly appeare that christ hath not only redemed vs satisfyed to God y e father for originall syn but also froÌ„ al other But let vs yet heare more what he sayth I wryte vnto you lytle chyldren that youre synnes are forgyuen for hys names sake Ergo our synnes and not one synne alone are forgyueÌ„ vs not for our owne workes merites but for Christes name that is to saye for y e dignite worthynes excellency merites and deseruynges of Christ. AgeÌ„ In thys thynge appeared the loue of God towarde vs that he sent his only begotten sonne into the world that we shoulde lyue thorowe hym In thys is loue not that we loued God but that he loued vs and sent his sonne to be a sacrifice both to appease hys wrathe and to satisfye for our siÌ„nes what do I Paper yncke penne and tyme shall fyrst want vnto me than I shall may be able to reherse all the testimonies wherwith it is euidentely proued that Christ hath not only by his moost blyssed precious bloud redemed vs froÌ„ originall syn as some wickedly dreame but also from all other by what so euer name they be called the synne of the holye Ghoste excepted that whan so euer we repent beleue and amende God the father forgyuethe vs also those synnes whiche we commit after baptisme not for our own dedes workes and merites whiche be more vnpure than they maye be able to stonde in the syghte of God which is a consumyng fyre a ielous God great in strength iudgemente and righteousnes and with whome there is none innocente but for the swete smellyng sacrifyce which Iesus Christ his welbeloued sonne offered for our synnes vpoÌ„ the altare of the crosse once for all whose vertu and strength abydeth so perfecte for euermore that by it the sinnes of so many as with a truly faythfull and repentaunte harte come vnto God are forgyuen forgotten and neuermore remembred And thus se you that Christ is a perfecte Sauiour whiche as youre newe yeares gyfte sayth hath by his bloud redemed vs from all vnrighteousnes that is to saye from all synne both originall actuall mortall veneall c. yea and y t not onely before but also after baptisme So that as S. Peter sayth there is saluacioÌ„ in none other but only iÌ„ Christ Iesus Nether is ther ony other name gyueÌ„ to men vnder heauen wherin we muste be saued Chri. We haue now hearde it euideÌ„tly proued by the holye scriptures y t we thorowe Christ are delyuered froÌ„ all synne both originall actual mortall veniall c. So that all y e whole glory of our saluacion is to be giueÌ„ and ascribed vnto God alone as he sayth by the Prophet O Israel thy destruccioÌ„ commeth of thy selfe but thy health and saluacion commeth only of me This thynge maketh all sayntes and y e truly faythful to say not to vs O Lord not to vs but to thy name gyue y e glory for thy merci truthes sake Phi Wel thus haue ye hearde grossely and rudely but yet faythfully and truly vttered of me what the holye scriptures do determyne concernynge the remission of synnes by Christ and that by hym we are not only delyuered from originall syn as some wickedly dreame but also from all other by what soeuer name they be called Nowe because ye shal not thyncke y t I wreste the scriptures whome all meÌ„ ought to handle reuerently and incorruptly I wyll rehearse a sayenge or two vnto you of the Doctors Hylichius sayth Not one synne only but many are forgiuen vs thorow the sacrifice of Christ whiche is the onely begotten sonne of God If not one syn only but many are forgiuen vs thorowe the sacrifice of Christ it followeth than that by Christes deathe we are not only redemed from originall synne but also from all other Hereto agreeth the sayeng of saynt Ambrose The grace of God thorow Christ hath iustifyed men not from one synne alone but from many by gyuynge them remission of synnes Not from one synne only sayth S. Ambrose hath God of his grace thorowe Christ iustified and made vs ryghteous but from many by gyuyng vs remission of synnes Nowe gather who luste The wordes are playne ynough But I wyll reherse S. Austen one of the best amonge y e auncient Doctors and moost faythfull expositour of y e holy scriptures S. Austen wrytyng agaynst y e Pelagians Manicheys hath on this manner what is this to saye of one faulte vnto condemnacioÌ„ but y e fault wherw t AdaÌ„ offeÌ„ded And what is it to say from many faultes to iustificacion but that the grace of Christ hath not onlye loosoned that fault wherwith infantes be bouÌ„de which hadde theyr begynnyng of that one man but also many faultes whiche after y e men
crosse the vertue strengthe wherof abydeth in so full power that iâ— is able to saue so many as repent bâ—leue labour to lead a good and innocent lyfe for euermore Neyther haue I spoken theyse thynges to discorage ony man from doyng good workes but for â—o set forth christ to be a perfecte sauyoure agaynst the wycked doctrine of the Anabaptistes which nowe begyn to crepe in amonge vs vnto the great dishonour of God y e extreme blasphemy of Christes most precious bloud noysome perturbacioÌ„ of the holy catholyke chyrche And as I maye knytte vp all thys matter in fewe wordes know good brothers that in Adam all we were damned so that thorowe his wickednes we were begotten conceaued borne in synne yea by nature the very sonnes of wrathe Nowe to be delyuered from this miserable state wherinto we were caste by Adâ—Ì„ we of our owne wytte polecy wisdome â—olynes ryghteousnes c. could inuent no means but so styll remayned in the daunger of euerlastynge daÌ„nacioÌ„ Therfore God moued w t pitie towarde mankynde euen of hys owne free mercy goodnes wtoute ony of our desertes sent downe his only begotten sonne Iesus christ in to â—his vale of misery which for our sake toke flesh of the moost holy and pure virgin Mary thorow the operacion of the holy ghost became maÌ„ at the tyme to fore appoynted he offered voluntaryly his moost blyssed â—ody an acceptable swete smellynge Sacrifice to God the father which was is of so great vertue power that by it alone all our synnes are putte awaye not only that which we committed in Adam but those also whiche we oure selues in processe of tyme do perpetrate coÌ„mit Now so many of vs as are baptised in the name of the father of y e sonne of the holy Ghost and haue taken vpoÌ„ vs a newe lyfe forsakyng y e world y e deuil the flesh w t al theyr poÌ„pes workes haue at that verye tyme of Baptisme all theyr synnes forgyuen them and are so clerely redemed deliuered and made fre from all vnryghteousnes be they yonge or olde as though they had neuer coÌ„mitted ony of them at all And this is it that S. Paule sayth christ loued the congregacion gaue hymselfe for it to sanctifye it and cleÌ„sed it in y e fountayne of water thorowe the worde to make it vnto hymselfe a glorious congregacion wythoute spot or wryncle or ony suche thyng but that it shulde be holy and without blame Nowe if whan they be once baptised and growne vppe in age they thorow eyther fragilite or ignorancy do agen offende breake the lawe of God contrarye to theyr profession vow made at baptisme than haue they an holye anchore â—o flye vnto whiche is the holye sacrament of Penaunce so that if they truly repent be sory for the faultes committed bewayle theyr synful lyuynge mortifye theyr carnall affectes slay theyr worldly lustes banish theyr dyuellysh concupiscences confesse theyr wyckeâ—nes flye vnto the mercy of god beleue to haue forgiuenes and take a newe lyfe vpon theÌ„ God the father wyll surely forgyue them theyr synnes be they neuer so great or many yea and that for the dignite of that one sacrifice whyche hys only begotteÌ„ sonne offered once for all vpon the altare of the crosse So that if repentaunce amendement of lyfe come christes sacrifice serueth to put away sinnes for euer euer But as the bloud of christ is sufficient to pacify y e father althogh one man had coÌ„mitted so many offeÌ„ces as all the worlde hathe done or shall do vnto y e very ende of y e world so lykewyse is ther no saluacioÌ„ layd vp for hym in store which wyll not repent nor cease to synne although christ shuld suffer an hondred thousande tymes For christ is a sauiour to penitent synners and not to the wicked vngodly And as there is no damnacion to them that are engraffed in christ Iesu whiche walke not after y e flesh but after y e spirite so is there no helth nor saluacion to them that lyue after y e flesh though they bable neuer so muche of christ of christes passion bloud death of the remission of sinnes of the mercy of God of the gospell of y e swete promiseâ— of God of euerlastyng lyfe God hath not called vs y t we shulde be vnclene but holy and vertuous God sayth S. Peter sent his sonne to be a beneficial sauiour vnto you that euery one of you should turne from his wyckednesse But of thys we wyl speake more hereafter Therfore brothers whan so euer ye perceaue y t ye offend God in ony thyng dispayre not flye vnto that blyssed sacrament of Penaunce bâ— sory for your synful lyuynge bewayle your wycked maÌ„ners thyrâ—t after streÌ„gth to do the wyll of God confâ—sse your synnes from the very harte call for grace desyre mercy and praye vnto God y t he wyl forgyue you your faultes he wyll vndoubtedly remit forgyue you al the faultes synnes trespasses that ye euer coÌ„mitted agaynst hym for the loue that he beareth towarde his sonne our Lord sauiour Iesus christ which as your newe yeres gyfte sayth hathe redemed vs from all vnrighteousnes y t is to say both from originall synne and all other Euse. Brother PhilemoÌ„ we shal neuer be able to recompense thys your kyndenes which so gentylly at our request hathe declared this matter vnto vs concernyng y e remission of synnes thorowe christ I beseche God gyue vs all grace so to institute order our lyfe that we maye be found in the nomber of theÌ„ whose synnes are put away by this moost holy sacrifice of christes blyssed bodye whose wyckednesses are washed awaye by christes moost precious bloude Chri. Amen For than shall we be sure not only to be delyuered from all our synnes but also to enioye euerlastyng lyfe which is the gyfte of GOD thorowe Iesus Christ oure Lorde Phil. We wyll go forthe wyth your newe yeares giftâ— and make an ende It followethe And to pourge vs a peculier people vnto hym selfe Christ gaue not hymselfe only vnto death for to redeme vs from all vnrighteousnesse but also to pourge vs a peculiare people to hymself For as he hath redemed vs by hys death so hath he pourged purified made vs cleane by his bloud as S. IohnÌ„ sayth the bloude of Iesus christ makethe vs cleane from all synne For what entent hath he thus pourged and made vs clene Uerely that we should be a peculiare people vnto hiÌ„ selfe Chri. What is mente by that I praye you Phil. To be the peculiare people of God is to be chosen out of the company of the vnfaythful and wycked people and to be coÌ„secrated dedicated wholly gyuen to serue God to seake his glory to magnify his moost blyssed name and to do al thynges accordyng to his worde as the Iewes in tymes
there is but one God so is there but one attonemeÌ„t maker and this is Iesus Christ by whoÌ„e alone we are redemed We are saÌ„ctifyed by y e oblacioÌ„ of y e bodye oâ— Iesê° christ done once for al. Wyt one oblacion hath christ made ther perfecte for euermore that are sanctifyed Ergo so many as are made holye haue obtayned that holynes only by the sacrifyce of christ which he once for all offered on the Aâ—tare of the crosse so coÌ„sumate perfecte that ther remayneth none other sacrifyce for syn We are not redemed from our vayne coÌ„uersacion whiche we receaued thorow the tradicioÌ„ of the fathers with corruptible syluer golde but with the precious bloud of christ as of an innocent vndefyled laÌ„be Ergo by christes bloud are we redemed from all vayne thinges wherwith before we were entaÌ„gled The bloude of Iesus christ makethe vs clene from all syn Ergo by christes bloud are we made clene purified froÌ„ al our sinnes If ony maÌ„ sinneth we haue an aduocate w t the father Iesê° christe y e righteous one â—e it is that obtaineth merci for our synnes not for our synnes only but also for al y e worldes Ergo so oft as we sinne by our aduocate christ are our synnes put awaye There is saluacion in none other but in Christ. Nether is there ony other name giuen vnto men vnder heuen wherin they must be saued but only y e name of christ Iesus Ergo who so euer is saued receaueth his saluacion onely by the name of christ our Lorde As I maye tary no longer aboute this matter al y e Prophettes saith saint Peter beare wytnes of christ that thorowe his name euery one y t beleueth in hym shall receaue the remission of synnes If all the Prophetes beare wytnesse of this thynge who dare be bolde once to opeÌ„ his mouth to speake agaynst it except he be at defyaunce open warre wyth God his sonne Iesus Christ our Lorde sauioure But withe suche I loue not to meddle God blysse me from them Do ye not perceaue nowe y t thys gyfte of God the father whiche he hath frely gyueÌ„ you I meane christ is thalone sauiour and that ther is no helth saluacion conforte and remission of siÌ„nes to be looked for but onely at his hande Euse. We were to much blynd yf we dyd not perceaue it ye haue made the matter so open w t playne euident scriptures Chri. O Lord what blyndnes was ther iÌ„ the world whan some dyd put theyr hope of saluacioÌ„ in stockes stones olde rotten bones in gaddynge of pylgrymage in gyldyng of Images in sayntes reliques hallowed stickes popysh pardons in other mennes workes in fansyes inuented of men c. Yea there haue not wanted whiche sought saluacion in a Graye â—ryers cowle trustynge assuredly y t yf they were buryed in y t they could by no meaÌ„s be damned Phil. Al these were greatly deceaued But that ye maye knowe that there can be no sauiour but this gyfte of God Christ alone marke a fewe wordes that I shall nowe saye vnto you Fyrst he y t shall be a sauioure saue men from theyr synnes muste be withoute all synne hym selfe Secondly he must be both God maÌ„ Thyrdly he must by his innocency delyuer vs from y e cursse of the law yea and fulfyll the lawe for vs that the aduersary may laye nothyng agaynst vs. Fourthly he must by his puyssaunce power vanquysh subdue all the power of Satan Fyftly he must slaye death y t it may haue no more power ouer y e faythfull Syxtly it must be in his power to gyue vnto hys people the holy Ghost to gouern kepe them iÌ„ a ryght trade of lyuyng To coÌ„cludâ— he must be suche one that whaÌ„ they that beleue in hym do offende prouoke the heauenly father vnto anger he maye at all tymes he both redy able to make an attonement betwene God and the offenders If ye can fynde ony suche as I haue here described besydes Christ wel I wil thaÌ„ also grauÌ„t y t he is a sauiour Untyll that tyme wyll I say with all the Prophettes Apostles our Doctor Paule that this gyfte of God christ Iesus is thalone sauiour bryngeth helth that there is no saluacion to be gotten but only thorow hiÌ„ Theo. This thyng is now more manifest then it may be doubted of or called into questioÌ„ Phil. It followeth in your new yeares gyft To all men Note that he saythe not to the wycked damned spirites which shall neuer recouer theyr health saluacion what so euer the Origenistes tryfle in thys behalfe but to al men yea and that those only which repent beleue and leade a good lyfe For to wycked meÌ„ and vngodly persons is christ no sauioure excepte they repeÌ„t beleue amend It is not to be passed ouer lyghtly y t the scriptures spekethe generally and vniuersally wtout ony excepcioÌ„ To all men Christ bryngeth saluacion to all menne These wordes proue manifestly that as christ is a sauiour so are all men synners and agayne that there is no man but y e receaueth saluacion of christ if he be saued Where are they nowe y t wyll iustify them selues and sel theyr merites and good dedes to other The scriptures sayth we be all synners There is no differeÌ„ce sayth s. Paule All haue synned wante the gloryâ— of God What is this sayth S. Austen and want the glory of God but the grace of God the father by Iesus christ which is the glory of God the father And what meaneth this they wante or haue nede sayth he but that no maÌ„ of himselfe because he is borne carnally is able to recouer the lyfe lost no though he bryngeth the workes of merites excepte he be spiritually borne a new by our Lorde Iesus christ whiche came w t the vndetted mercy of the father of his owne and of the holy ghost to saue seake that whiche was loste What was lost Unreasonable beastes Hathe God also care for oxen Uerely mankynde was lost thorow synne in consideracioÌ„ wherof christ beynge wythout spotte euen of hys owne fre wyll gyuyng hym selfe to the death rysyng agayne hath redemed man from synne death eueÌ„ly the largenes of fre grace These are the wordes of S. Austen which â—hewe euidently what we are of our selues and what by Christ â–ª But let vs heare mo scriptures Euery maÌ„ is a lyare God alone is true The scripture hath coÌ„cluded all thinges vnder sin y t y e promyse by y e faithe of Iesê° christ shuld be gyueÌ„ to y e faythful God hath comprehended all meÌ„ vnder incredulite vnfaythfulnes that he myght haue mercy on al meÌ„ Here se we that all men were found synners vnfaythfull that they are saued only by the great mercies of God All our righteousnesses are
commaunded hys Apostles after his Resurreccion to preache repentaunce and remissioâ— of synnes in his name vnto all 〈◊〉 For he is that sauioure y t 〈◊〉 haue almeÌ„ to be saued to coÌ„e vntâ— y e knolege of y e trueth In y e old lawe he was onely knowen preached tâ— be the sauiour of the iewes for God was knowen but in Iewrye â–ª and in Israel was his name great He shewed his worde to Iacob his righteousnes iudgementes to Israel â–ª He dyd not so to euery nacion neyther dyd he open vnto them hys ordinauÌ„ceâ— â–ª but nowe he is a sauyour to all kynde of people Christ before hys death sayd to hys disciples whaÌ„ he sene them forthe to preache Go noâ— among y e Gentiles nor Sain◠〈◊〉 but go rather to y e lost shepe of 〈◊〉 of Israel but after his resurreâ—â—ion he sayd â–ª Go thorowe out all the worlde and preache the gospell to euery creature For there is now no differeÌ„ce betwene the Iewe and â—he Gentyle For one is Lorde of al 〈◊〉 ynoughe for so many as call 〈…〉 For euery one that callethe on the name of the Lorde will be saued â–ª And this is it that the Prophet sayth 〈◊〉 people y t walked in darknes 〈…〉 lyghâ— to theÌ„ which sâ—t in the region and shadow of deathe lyght is spronge risen vnto them This is greate consolacion and conforte for vs that this gyfte of God Christ bryngeth saluacioÌ„ to all meÌ„ so well Gentile as Iewe or els had we which were Gentiles bene damned for euer and euer Theo. Blyssed be God for the rytches of his grace wherwyth he hath frely called iustifyed saued and glorifyed vs thorow Iesus Christ our Lord â–ª Well neyghbours seynge that Christ is a sauiour bryngeth saluacion to all meÌ„ so endeuoure your selues y t ye maye be found worthy to be of that nomber which shal receaue saluacioÌ„ 〈◊〉 saued RepeÌ„t ye of your old wyckeâ— lyuyng Beleue to haue remission oâ— all your synnes thorowe the name of Christ. Haue no more to do with the worlde the dyuell and the flesh â–ª but euermore garnysh youre lyfe conuersacion with the frutes of the spirite that ye maye be fyt vessels into whome God maye powre hys grace Chri. I beseche God gyue vs grace to do this Phil. Nowe marke what this gyfte of God hath done It hathe appeared The gyfte of God sayth the scripture that bryngethe saluacion vnto all menne hathe appeared Christ hath appeared saythe youre newe yeares gyfte In the olde law he appeared by figures types cloudes shadowes as by Manna the Rocke the Paschall lambe the brasen serpent c. which all prefigured Christ and by them dyd he appeare to the faythfull which beleued and looked for his commynge but nowe he hath appered personally euen in his owne flesh He that hath bene so longe looked for is nowe come very God and very man He hathe appered he hath ben sene and hearde He hath preached He hath wrought miracles He hathe suffered dyed for vs. He is rysen agen and ascended vp into heueÌ„ where he sytteth now on the ryght hand of god his father All this was not fantastically done but truely and vnfaynedly He appered very man in the fleshe whiche he receaued of y e blyssed virgine Mary hauyng his godhed conioyned w t hys humanite so that he was and is very God very man Euse. Ther wante not nowe a dayes as I haue hearde whiche playnely deny that Christ toke ony fleshe of the virgine Mary and as for that body that he had he broughte downe wythe hym from heauen Phil. Thys is no newe heresy althogh it be lately renewed by the wycked and pernicious 〈◊〉 of the vngodlye Anabaptistes 〈◊〉 spronge vp among the olde Heretykes shortely after the ascencion of Christ. Would God I had sufficient tyme and conuenient leasure to vtter my mynde fullye concernynge this matter But for asmuche as I knowe and am perfectly perswaded that none of you are addicte nether to thys nor none other opinioÌ„ that they mayntayne holde coÌ„trary to the rule of the catholyke fayth and y e determinacion of christes church I wyll not laboure muche in the confutacion of thys theyr daÌ„nable heresy but onely rehearse certayne Scriptures vnto you that ye may in fewe wordes perceaue how greatly they swarue froÌ„ the verite of goddes worde Fyrst I wyll reherse vnto you the wordes of god the father spoken to the serpent shortely after the fall of man I wyll set emnite betwene the and an woman betwene thy seed and her seed And that selfe seed shall â—read downe thy head This seed to be Christ no man doubteth that is faythfull Marke now that he calleth christ the seed of a woman he meneth the moost glorious virgine Mary If christ be the seed of this woman Marye than dyd he take hys flesshe humanite of her So doth it than folowe ryght well that they erre whiche affyrme that christ brought his body wythe hym from heauen and toke no flesshe of this moost blyssed and vndefiled virginâ— For howe can he be named to be the seed of a woman if he had no parte of her Canne a woman truly saye thys is myne owne and naturall sonne whan she neuer broughte hym forth 〈◊〉 Abraham also God the father sayd â–ª In thy seed all nacions of the earth shall be blyssed â–ª This seed is christ as S. Paule declareth to the Galathians whiche beynge borne of the virgine Mary came of the seed of Abraham Nowe iâ— christ had taken no flesh of Mary howe could he haue come of the seed of AbrahaÌ„ The Prophet Esaye also sayth Beholde a mayden shall coÌ„ceaue bryng forth a sonne and his name shall be called Emanuel Are not these wordes playne ynoughe Coulde this glorious virgine bothe haue conceaued and brought forthe Christ and yet Christ haue takeÌ„ no parte of her This had bene a merualous coÌ„cepcion and a wonderfull â—yrth seyng that all the scriptures â—yghte agaynst it But let vs come â—â— the newe Testament S. IohnÌ„ in his Gospell sayth The worde meaâ—yng Christ became fleshe dwelte among vs. As though he shuld say The worde whyche is the sonne of God and the seconde parson in Trinite toke flesh of the virgine Mary and became by that means very maÌ„ for our sake and lyued here amonge vs on the earth and wrought suche thynges as was the wyll of his heauenly father Marke that he sayth the worde became flesshe that is the sonne of God became very maÌ„ How came thys to passe that he was not only God but also very man Uerely in asmuch as he toke fleshe of that moost pure virgine Mary thorowe the wonderfull operacion of the holy Ghoste Saynt Paule also sayth Christ also sayth Christ was begotteÌ„ of the seed of Dauid after y e flesâ— â–ª Here S. Paule confessethe y t Chriâ—â— had fleshe
and was very man and he toke thys flesh of y e seed of Dauid which was Mary the most pure viâ—â—gine These wordes are open â—nough for them that wyllâ—e A lyke thyng he wryteth to Timothe remember that Iesus Christ is rysen agen froÌ„ death of the seed of Dauid Behold howe he styl maketh mencion of the seed of Dauid because he wold haue vs earnestly imprynte the humanite of Christ in our brestes whych he receaued of the virgine Mary For he dyd afore se in y e spirite that ther shulde aryse certen false Prophetes which should labour to wreste oute of our hartes thys necessary article of Christes humanite To the Galathians also he wryteth on this manner whan the tyme was fulfylled God sente hys sonne borne of a woman or rather as the Greke worde â—enomenon â—ouÌ„deth begotteÌ„ or made Christe by the wounderfull and supernaturall operacion of the holye Ghoste was begotten made man of the virgine Mary yea and that wythoute the seed of ony man He only receaued hys flesh and man heâ— of Mary whiche God so workynge by his holy spirite was so pure clene and vndefyled that there was no spot of vnclennes in her at all And as Christ was begotten of God the father goddes owne sonne and very God from euerlasting yea and that wythoute the coÌ„pany of ony womaÌ„ so was he begotteÌ„ conceaued made borne very man of the moost pure virgine Mary wythout the seed of ony maÌ„ the holy Ghoste dyd so come vpon her and the power of the hyest ouershadowed her And as Christ receaued hys godhed only of God the father â—o receaued he hys manhedâ— onely of the virgine Mary hys mother Wherof we may coÌ„clude the as Christ is very God of God the â—â—â—ther without a mother so is he very man of Mary his mother wythout ony father Therfore maye hâ—â— godâ—hed be as iustly denyed as his 〈◊〉 and fleshe takynge of the blyssed virgine Mary But Christ abydeth very God and very man what so euer the wycked Heretykes bable in thys behalfe I wyll rehearse another text of S. Paule to the Hebrues and make an end of thys matter He was tempted made lyke to vs in all thynges synne alone excepte If he were lyke vnto vs in all thynges synne alone excepte than followeth it that he had a body of flesh as we haue and that there was no differeÌ„ce but that hys moost blyssed body was wythout all synne and our bodyes are synful For he was borne wrapped in cloutes layd in a maunger fedde circumcised embrased in armes grewe was made stronge in y e spirite profited in wisdome age hongred thyrsted wepte was wery reioysed was moued w t wrathe and indignacioÌ„ sorowed was heuy sad at the last suffered the moost spyteful death of the crosse Are not these very signes manifest tokeÌ„s of maÌ„ Coulde he haue done these thynges if he had had eyther a fantastical body or elles a body from heauen Na verely for what fantasticall or heauenly thynge hongreth thyrstethe wepeth slepeth reioyseth c. which all Christ dyd A lytle before hys passhon was he not in such an agony y t his sweat was lyke droppes of bloud tryckelynge downe to the ground Dyd he not so greatly feare deathe that he desyred his father to wythdrawe the cuppe of hys pashon from hym Are not all these euident tokens of a verye man seynge hys flesshe so greatly feared deathe â–ª Seyng than that he was very maÌ„ whense had he thys body but of the moost holy virgine Mary thorowe the meruelous operacioÌ„ of Goddes spirite CoÌ„founded therfore be Manicheus whiche deny the humaniâ—e of Christ. ConfouÌ„ded be Ualentius which affirmed that Christ brought hys bodye withe hym from heauen toke no flesh of the virgine Mary Confounded be the Anabaptistes so many as holde mayntayne this wycked doctrine contrary to Gods trueth For God was shewed in the flesh iustifyed in the spirite sene of Angels preched vnto the Gentiles beleued on in the earthe and receaued vp into glory Thus se you neyghboures that Christ the gyfte of God which bryngeth saluacion to all men hathe appered yea that in the flesh whiche he receaued of the moost blyssed and pure virgine Mary He appered say one S. IohnÌ„ that he myghte 〈◊〉 awaye our synnes yet was there 〈…〉 in hym Agayne for thys cause appered the soÌ„ne of God that he myghte loosen the workes of the dyuell but of all theyse thynges ye haue heard abundaÌ„tly before therfore wyll I go forthe wythe youre newe yeares gyfte It followeth And teacheth vs that we shulde deny vngodlynes and worldely lustes We hearde before that christ beynge borne of the virginne Mary brought health and saluacion to all men bothe Iewe and Gentile Here agayne S. Paule teachethe what pleasure he hathe done vs more He hath not only brought saluacion to vs by that meanes delyuered vs out of the miserable state where w t we were deteined before but he hath also taught vs what we shoulde do that thorowe oure owne faulâ—â— we loose not agen y e dignite whiâ—â— we haue gotten thorowe the fre mercy of God And in this behalfe also are we much bound to thys oure gyfte For what doth it profytte to haue a treasure gyuen vs to loose it agen streyght wayes Are we not muche bound to them which both gyue vs treasures and shewe vs also howe we maye safelye kepe them to oure great pleasure and conforte Howe muche than are we endetted to our sauyour Christ whyche hath not only gyuen vs the treasure of saluacioÌ„ which of all treasures is moost excellent but also taughte vs howe we shall behaue our selues that we lose it not hereafter But let vs heare what he hath taught vs Euse. I pray you speake on for we desyre greatly to heare it Phil. His doctrine is this That we shulde deny vngodlynes and worldely lustes We heare here none vnwrytten verites nor the fansys of men nor yet olde wyues fables and suche thynges as edify not but those thynges that haue ben taught of Moses and the Prophettes many yeres before hys commyng as we maye se in the holy scriptures therfore maye they not be reiecte and cast a waye The olde Ethnyckes harkened not more to the Oracles and answers of Apollo than we oughte to harken gyue eare to the doctrine of this gyfte of God Christ our sauyoure For he is that Prophet which God promised that he would rayse vp and put his wordes into hys mouth so y t who so euer wyll not heare hym God wylâ— be reuenged of hym He is a master sent from God He hath the wordes of euerlastyng lyfe He is the lyghte of the world Who so euer followeth hym walkethe not in darkenes but shal haue the lyght of lyfe â–ª He is the waye trueth and lyfe He is y e God that can not lye He is faythefull in all
hath my commaundementes sayth Christ and kepeth them he it is that louethe me If ony man loueth me he wyl kepe my worde and my father shall loue hym we wyll come vnto hym dwell wyth hym He that louethe not me kepeth not my wordes Here Christ measureth our loue that we heare toward him by kepyng his word If we kepe his worde than loue we hym but if we kepe it not than loue we hym nothynge at all Agen he saythe I am the vyne and ye are the braunches He that abydeth in me I in hym bryngeth forth much frute Let vs not flatter our selues If we aâ—yde in Christ we brynge forthe muche frute If we brynge forth no frute than abyde we not in Christ. If we abyde not in christ thaÌ„ are we none of christes So followeth it that as withered braunches we shall be gathered and cast into the fyre ther burne for euer S. Paule sayth â–ª not they which heare the lawe are righteous before God but they that expresse the lawe in dedes shall be coâ—ted righteous Although no man be able so longe as he lyuethe in thys worlde to fulfyl the law so thorowly as the purite therof requirethe â–ª yet is it our offyce to laboure vnto the vttermoost of our power to fulfyll the lawe and where we perceaue that we are not able to bring to passe w t so great clennes of hartâ— that which the spirite of the law requireth to bewayle our weakenes â–ª to desyre strengthe to praye vnto God that Christ whiche is the ende and perfecte fulfyllyng of the law maye supply that which wantethe in vs. Agayne he saythe we are buryed wythe hym by Baptisme into death that as Christ is rysen agâ—â—n from death thorow the glory of the father so we shulde walke in a newe lyfe And a litle after recount your selues to be dead vnto sinne but liuing vnto God thorow Iesus christ our Lorde Therfore let not synne raygne in youre mortall bodye for to obey it thorow the lustes therof Neyther gyue ye your members as instrumeÌ„tes of vnrighteousnes vnto synne but gyue your selfes vnto God as they that are alyue from death and gyue youre members as instrumentes of ryghteousnes vnto God Agayne in that same chapter as ye haue gyueÌ„ your members seruauntes to vncleannes to iniquite euen from one iniquite vnto another so now gyue your meÌ„bers seruauÌ„tes vnto righteousnes that ye maye be sanctifyed All these sentences declare vnto vs howe pure innocent and fautles our lyuynge oughte to be If it be the contrary our professioÌ„ profyteth vs nothyng at al. In another place also he sayth If ony man be in Christ he is a new creature that is to say wholly changed froÌ„ his olde maÌ„ners vnto newe He hath no more fellowshyp wythe the vnfruteful workes of darkenes but so composeth appoynteth his lyuyng that he maye appeare to be the lyght of the world Agayne they that are of Christ haue crucifyed y e flesh with the affectes lustes therof If we lyue in the spirite lette vs walk in the spirite For the flesh lustethe agaynst the spirite the spirite agaynst the flesh All they therefore which lyue accordynge to y e appetyte luste and desyre of the fleshe pertayne not vnto Christ. We are y e workemanshyppe of God created in Christe Iesus vnto good worckes whiche God hath prepared that we shulde walke in them Beholde God is oute maker we be made a newe in Christ Iesus vnto good workes So many therfore as apply not theÌ„ selues to do good workes are not engraffed in Christ but remayne styll members of Satan Item I being presoner exhorte you in the Lorde that ye walke worthy your callyng wherin ye are called with all lowlynes mekenes w t softenes of mynd sufferynge one another by charite studyeng to kepe the vnite of y e spirite thorow the bond of peace Here se we with what vertues we ought to garnyshe oure lyfe that we maye walke worthy oure vocacion callyng Howe farre than are they out of the waye whiche defyle them selues wyth all kynde of abhominable vice Be ye sayth S. Paule the followers of God as well beloued chyldren walke in loue as Christ hath loued vs. If it be our duty to â—e the followers of God so must we practise his goodnes follow his innocency purite so muche as lyghethe in our power or els we are not y e soÌ„nes of God Our celestial father is pure holy shal we his chyldreÌ„ be prophane vnholy Our heuily father is good godly mercyful pacieÌ„t al spirite shal we hys soÌ„nes be euel wycked rigoroê° impacieÌ„t al flesh Be ye holy sayth he for I am holy Ye shall be perfecte sayth Christ as your heauenly father is perfecte Moreouer S. Paule wrytethe Be ye pure and suche as no man can be offended wyth you agaynst the day of Christ fylled full of the fruyte of ryghteousnes which chaunseth thorowe Iesus Christ vnto the glory prayse of God Agayne do all thynges without grutchynge and disputacion beyng such that no man can complayne of you and pure the sonnes of God fautles in the myddes of a frowarde and crokedde nacion amonge whome shyne ye as lyghtes in the worlde holdyng fast the word of lyfe It is not without a cause y t your newe yeres gyfte teacheth vs to be earnest folowers of good workes seynge that so great purite and cleÌ„nes of lyfe is required of vs. â—o worthe those fylthye swyne whiche walowe and tomble them selues in all kynde of fleshly vnclennes vnto the great slaunder of Christes Gospell IteÌ„ Mortify your earthly meÌ„bers whoredome vncleannes couetousnes c. For god hath not called vs vnto vnclennes but vnto sanctificacioÌ„ All ye are the soÌ„nes of lyght sayth he and the sonnes of the day we are not of the nyghte nor yet of darkenes Therfore let vs not slepe as other do but lette vs watch and be sober Seyng y t we are no more y e worldes seyng also we haue gyuen ouer Satan and the fleshe wyth all theyr workes pompes plesures it becommeth vs so to walke in al our lyfe conuersacion that we be not found lyke Satans seruauÌ„tes nor the volupteous worlde lynges nor yet ony suche as lyue 〈◊〉 the flesh and not after the spirite but pure clene honest fauteles godly and as I maye so speake euen lyke another christ S. Peter also sayth giue not your selfes to your olde lustes wher wyth ye were ledde whan ye knewe not Christ but as he that called you is holy so be ye also holy iÌ„ al your coÌ„uersacion for it is wrytten be ye holy for I am holy Here are we taught to forsake our olde synfull lyuynge and to fashon our selues lyke vnto the manners of God which is holy righteous perfecte abundantly good in all thynges Furthermore saynt IohnÌ„
¶ A new yeares gyfte more precious than golde worthy to be embrased no lesse ioyfully than thaÌ„kfully of euery true christeÌ„ man newly published by Theodore Basille Esa. 9. A yong chylde is borne for oure sake and a sonne is gyuen vnto vs. ¶ The newe yeares gyfte speaketh A Newe yeares gyfte more precious Than golde or pearle certes am I For I bryng forth the Lorde Iesus Which of all treasures is moost hygh Many in thynges of vanite Do reioyse and delyght greatly Such can haue no pleasure in me For I teach Christ that Lorde moost hygh Christ and Christes doctryne shalt thou heare Learne yf thou wylte vnfaynedly Wherby thou mayst become ryght deare To God and his sonne that Lord moost hygh To mortify thy lustes carnall And to walke aye innocently Teache the also godly I shall That thou mayst please that Lord moost hygh To good workes also I shall the moue In them euermore to be busy That God the father maye the loue And his sonne Christ that Lorde moost hygh If thou therfore louest godlynes Take me vnto the ioyfully I shall fyll thy harte with gladnes And ioyne the w t Christ that Lord moost hygh ¶ To the ryght worshypfull Master Thomas Roydon Esquyer and Iustice of peace Theodore Basille wyssheth long lyfe continuall health and prosperous felicite I Canne none otherwyse but highly prayse the honest fashons commendable vsages and frendely customes that our auncetours elders haue vsed heretofore vnto the greate example of theyr posterite for y e mayntenaÌ„ce of all humanite geÌ„tylnes Among many other who wyl not recouÌ„t y e cuâ—toÌ„e of gyuyng newe yeres gyftes to be so commendable and prayse worthy that he maye seme to be estrauÌ„ged from all ciuilite that dothe not obserue it vnto the vttermost of his power For what other thing do we meane by geuyng mutuall giftes in the begynnyng of a newe yeare thaÌ„ that we desyre that all good lucky prosperous and fortunate thynges maye chaunse that yere vnto euery one of vs and that one wylleth wysheth desyreth well to another is redy to do good one to another and to healpe what so euer lyethe in hys power This vndoubtedly was the meanyng of theÌ„ that fyrst were the inueÌ„tours of this moost honest and frendly custome to this ende hath it ben obserued kept mayntayned hytherto Whan I consydered this but lately iudged y e custome to 〈◊〉 both good and godly and nothynâ— more mete for the preseruacion anâ— coÌ„ciliacioÌ„ of amite I thought thaâ— for asmuch as I was not able accoâ—dyng to my wyll to gyue such new yeares gyftes as commonly be sen from one to another Yet I would prepare somthyng wherby I might shewe my selfe to wysh well vnto all men and to beare an honest frendly hart to my coÌ„trey meÌ„ of EngloÌ„d I haue therfore prouided a newe yeres gyfte not of corruptible gold or syluer but of the moost sacred scriptures whiche as Dauid saythe are much more worthy to be desired theÌ„ golde or precious stonne are sweter then the hony hony combe In this my newe yeares gyfte I haue openned many goodly godly thynges Amonge all other I haue declared what a precious treasure Christ is vnto vs whiche was gyueÌ„ vs of God the father for our new yeres gyfte and how many benefites we haue receyued by hym I haue also described the whole lyfe of a christen maÌ„ shewyng what we must do if we wyll enioy so great benefites Agen I haue exhorted men to mortify theyr carnal affectes worldly lustes and shewed them howe they must walke both toward theÌ„selues theyr neyghbour God if they wyl haue the fruicion of the celestiall enheretauÌ„ce To coÌ„clude as I haue shewed that all saluacion commeth by Christ so haue I proued that Christ is no sauiour but to theÌ„ that repeÌ„t beleue lede a vertuous lyfe be pleÌ„teous in doyng good workes These thinges with diuers other not to be despised shal be fouÌ„d in this my new yeares gyfte so that I doubte not but that it shall be no les profitable for the soule than other worldly giftes shall be for the body This my labour employed herein after myne so greuous troublous syckenesses I dedicate and sende to your ryght worshypfull mastershyp for a newe yeares gyfte desyrynge you to accepte it wyth no lesse good mynde than it is offered to your geÌ„tylnes If I shal may perceaue that this my lytle gyfte is acceptable vnto you it shall not only not repente me but also cause me very much to reioyse of my trauayle iÌ„ this behalf GOD the Author of euery yere mought vouchesafe to graunt that this newe yeare wythe many other maye euer begynne vnto you withe good fortune procede wyth better ende with that which is best and alway be fortunate vnto you so long as they last so y t ye maye alway enioye coÌ„tinual helth prosperoê° felicite accordyng to y e wyll of God to whome be all honour glory AMEN The newe yeres gyfte ¶ Philemon the gyuer of the newe yeares gyfte Theophile Eusebius Christopher his frendes Philemon CHrist our Lord and master dothe not wyth out a cause coÌ„pare resemble y e cares rytches pleasures of thys lyfe to thornes in his moost holy gospel For as thornes prycketh the flesh suffer him not to be in quiet that is greued hurte w t them so lykewise the cares rytches and pleasures of this world wyl not suffer by ony menes that man to enioye tranquilite rest peace that is turmoyled with them Happy is he that appoynteth him selfe such kynde of lyuyng that he maye be fre from these great waues rockes wherwythe the lyfe of mortall meÌ„ is so miserably assayled so ofte put in dauÌ„ger The ritches pleasures of this world seme to y e flesh to be thinges of much pleasauÌ„s great delectacion but they be nothyng els thaÌ„ entysyng and flatteryng mooremaydes which syngyng songes pleasaunt to the eare bryng destruccion to so many as be herers of theÌ„ Blessed is hetherfore which after the example of Ulisses can stop his eares with waxe so passe by beynge nothynge moued withe theyr vayne flatterynge entisementes For as S. Paule saythe They that haue a pleasure to waxe rytche fall into temptacioÌ„ snares into many folysh and noysome lustes which drowne men into destruccion damnacioÌ„ For couetousnes is the roote of all euell which whyle some lusted after they erred from the fayth and entangled them selues wythe many sorowes Hereto pertayneth the sayeng of S. IohnÌ„ Loue not y e world nor those thiÌ„ges that are in y e world If ony maÌ„ loueth the worlde y e loue of the father is not in hym For all that is in the worlde as the lust of y e flesh the concupiscence of the eis the pryde of the lyfe is not of y e father but of the worlde the worlde passeth away
the lust therof But he that fulfyllethe the wyll of God abydeth for euer I haue not spoken these thynges w t out a cause I thanke my lord God of his gyfte I haue bene from my yought studious of y e holy Scripture and very glad whan I might eyther reade it my self common of it wyth my neyghbours or els hear other preache and talke of it that I myght be edifyed therby recouÌ„tyng that daye but a lytle fortunate vnto me that was transacted and passed ouer without some repast of goddes worde seyng that man lyueth not w t bread alone but wyth euery worde that cometh out of y e mouthe of God But lo no maÌ„ in this world is so happy that he canne haue hys mynde satisfyed in all poyntes For I desyrynge nothyng more than to be quiet that I myghte frely gyue my mynde to the studye of the holye scriptures sometyme comoÌ„ of theÌ„ wythe my neyghbours haue ben so turmoyled vexed wythe the cares troubles of this worlde for y e space of syxe or seuen monethes y t I haue had no lesure almoost ones to thiÌ„ke of the holy scripture O Lord what is it to liue in this wretched world ony other thyng than dayly more more to be plucked awaye estraunged from the to heape synne vpon synne prouoke thyne anger more feruently agaynst vs But now seyng it hath pleased God partely to deliuer me out of the troublous waues of this occean and to bryng me into an haueÌ„ of some quietnes I entend to repare vnto myne olde studies to participate them with my neyghbours as I was wonte to do heretofore For I feare much vnlesse that dissolucion slackenes maye also be found in them that these certeÌ„ monethes hathe not wanted in me so prone redy are we to faull from goodnes vnto lewdnesse if we haue not y e spurre of gods grace to pricke vs forwarde Syns I gaue them a nosegaye I neuer spake vnto them but good euen good morow Therfore haue I nowe sent for theÌ„ by my seruaunte to come vnto me that I maye imparte and gyue them some spirituall treasure for theyr new yeres gyfte this holye tyme of Christmas I trust they wyl not tary loÌ„g What do I saye tary long Me thiÌ„ke I heare theyr voyces euen nowe at y e dore It are they Neyghbours euen with one worde welcome vnto you all Theo. Brother PhilemoÌ„ right hartely we thancke you Phil. Wyl it please you to take the payne for to come wythe me into my parloure Euse. We follow you gladly Phil. Neybours yet once agayne welcome I praye you take euery man a chayre syt downe quietly For I entende to talke w t you Chri. We are all set speake what it shall please you Phil. Neyghbours and brothers it is not vnknowen vnto you how desyrous I haue euer ben syns oure fyrst acquayntaunce to seake no lesse youre soules healthe than myne owne Euse. we are not ignorant of this brother Philemon and we all giue you ryghte hartye thanckes for it Phil. I haue done nothyng but my duty I confesse my selfe to be an vnprofitable seruaunt Notwithstandynge neyghbours thys greuethe me very muche that I haue ben so negligeÌ„t these certayne monethes in doynge my duty toward you Theo. No duty brother Philemon It commethe of your mere goodnes what so euer ye do toward vs. But it is not vnknowen vnto vs howe greatly ye haue ben disquieted w t diuers businesses for a great space Phil. Ye say trueth but nowe heare the cause of my sendynge for you Twelue monethes passed if ye do remeÌ„ber neyghbours at this tyme of the yere I made you a Christmas banckette which as I haue syns perceaued ye haue ryght well digested The Lent ensewyng I called you all to a PotacioÌ„ wherat I trust ye tasted of y e wyne which maketh the spirite mery The May followyng at myne instauÌ„ce full geÌ„tylly ye resorted vnto myne house accordynge to season of the yeare I gaue you a Nosegay All these were not for the bodye but for the soule yea rather both for body and soule Euse. We remember all these thynges wel nether haue we forgotteÌ„ what you taught vs in them Phil. It maketh me greatly to reioyse for to heare these thynges of you For nowe I perceaue full well that ye are no forgetfull hearers but diligent fulfyllers of such thiÌ„ges as are taught you therfore are ye blissed in your acte Well neyghbours my loue toward you is nothyng abated I desyre your furtherauns in the knowledge of Gods worde euen nowe so muche as I haue done heretofore In consideracion wherof I entend at thys present to gyue you a newe yeares gyfte Theo. Can ony thyngâ— be more welcome to vs than suche a gyfte coÌ„myng from so dere a frend and so in tyme place It is now a newe yeare and men vse customably to gyue gyftes one to another wherby they declare theyr good wyâ— wysshe that all good prosperous thynges maye chaunse to theyr freÌ„des all the whole yeare longe Therfore in gyuyng vs this gyfte we do not only acknowledge your accustoâ—med gentylnes toward vs but also confesse our selues to be more endeâ—â—ted toward you thaÌ„ we may at any tyme be able to recoÌ„peÌ„ce your kyndâ—nes Chri. Neighbour Philemon thâ— daye passethe awaye let vs therfoâ—â— I pray you se our New yeres gifte For there is nothyng that can offer it selfe more welcome to these our eâ—â—es Euse. Trueth is this nothynge more true Phil. You re Newe yeares gyfte is red in the chyrche on Christmasse day in the mornyng at y e fyrst masse for the Epistle it is wrytten of S. Paule in the second Chapter of his Epistle to Bisshoppe Titus Theo. I pray you let vs heare it Phil. Behold take your new yeres gyfte The gyft of God that brigeth saluacion vnto all men hath appeared and teacheth vsâ— that we shoulde deny vngodlynes and worldly lustes that we shoulde lyue soberâ—y ryghteously and godly in â—his present worlde lookyng â—or that blyssed hope and appearynge of the glorye of the greate GOD and of â—ure Sauiour Iesus Christ whych gaue hymselfe for vs maner A yonge chylde is 〈◊〉 for our sake and a sonne is gyuen â—â—to vs. Also S. Paul God hath 〈◊〉 â—â—red his own son but hath gyuâ—◠〈◊〉 for vs all how is it thaÌ„ possiblâ—â—ut that he must gyue vs all thynge 〈◊〉 hym Euse. Is Christ frely gyuen 〈◊〉 to vs Phil. Yea verely neyghbourâ— Eusebiê° Neuer was ther any thing so frely gyueÌ„ vnto you as Christ is Theo. The goodnes than of God the father appearethe here towarde vs great vnmesurable Phil. It muste nedes be great vnmesurable seing y t he loued vs whan we were siners Beholde sayth s. IohnÌ„ what a loue the father hath giuen vnto vs that we should be called y e sonnes of god And that ye maye well
knowe that Christ is the fre gyfte of God giuen vs wythoute ony desertes caull I praye you to remembraunce y e faull of Adam in whome all we haue synned and deserued lyke damnacion What had he done to pacify y e wrath of God to recouer his fauour wheÌ„ God made hym this moost confortable promyse I wyll sette emnite betwene the an womaÌ„ betwene thy seed and hyr seed And that selfe seed shal tread downe thy head Chri. For sothe I thyncke very lytle Phil. Ye myghte haue sayde nothynge at all ryght well excepte ye thyncke thys somewhat whan he had once offended to put his head in a bush not to knowledge his fault nor once to dare to come in syghte Euse. Ye saye trueth Phil. What had Abraham deserued whaÌ„ God made him this promyse of Christ sayeÌ„ge in thy seed all nacions of the earth shal be blyssed Uerely nothyng at all only he beleued the promyse of God it was rekened vnto him vnto righteousnes He chosed vs sayth saynt Paule in Christ before the foundacions of the world were layd y t we should be holy fautles before hiÌ„ AgeÌ„ we were by nature the chyldren of wrath euen as other were But God whiche is ritche in mercye for his greate loue wherwith he loued vs eueÌ„ theÌ„ wheÌ„ we were dead thorowe synne quickened vs with Christ for by grace are ye sauid hathe raysed vs vp with him in heauenly thynges thorowe Christ Iesus that in tymes to come he myghte shewe the excedynge ritches of his grace iÌ„ kyndnes toward vs in Christ Iesu. For by grace are ye saued thorow fayth that not of your selues For it is y e gyfte of god commeth not of workes least anâ— man shoulde boast hymselfe Also in another place after y t the goodnesse loue y e God our sauioure hath towarde men dyd appeare not of the workes of righteousnes whiche we haue done but according to his mercy hath he saued vs by y e fountayne of the newe byrth renewynge of y e holy Ghost which he shed on vs abuÌ„dantly thorow Iesus Christ our sauiour that we beynge made righteous by his grace shulde be heyres of eternall lyfe accordynge to hoope This is a sayenge not to be doubted of Christ himselfe also sayth God loued the worlde so intierly y t he gaue his only begotten sonne that euery one that beleueth in him shulde not peryshe but haue euerlastynge lyfe For God sent not his sonne into the worlde to condemne the world but that the worlde shoulde be saued by him Of these scriptures heretofore rehearsed is it euident that Christ is frely giuen vnto vs of God y e father yea that without oure merites or desertes For whan we were vtterly damned knewe not howe to recouer ony parte of our helpe God the father of his own gracious goodnes gaue vs his sonne Christ to be oure Sauioure So that as the beginnynge of youre Newe yeares gyfte is Christ is vnfaynedly the gyft of God â–ª frely giuen vs for our great coÌ„forte saluacion Chri. It can not be expressed howe much we are bounde to God the father for this his gyfte seynge that he gaue vs not an Aungell or ony other celestiall creature but his onlye begotten sonne euen the higheste and mooste precious treasure that he hadde Philemon Y wyl say so whan ye haue once hearâ— what a treasure this youre gyfte 〈◊〉 vnto you howe many pleasures commodities ye receaue by hym Euse. I pray you let vs heare Phil. It followeth That bryngeth saluacion vnto all men Beholde youre newe yeares gyfte that God the father hath giuen you bryngeth saluacion vnto all meÌ„ It is no idle vnprofitable gifte but commodious necessary For it worke the vs health saluacion The giftes of the world bring many times perdicion destruccioÌ„ damnacion but this gyft of God bringeth lyfe health ioye pleasure saluacion an whole sea of good thynges It bringeth saluacion sayth the scripture Note this worde bringeth As though it shoulde be sayd whaÌ„ ther was no hope of health but all thynges yoked in the bond of desperacioÌ„ synne bare rule Satan triuÌ„phed ouer mankynd as his bond captiue than came the gifte of God whiche droue synne out of place vaÌ„quished Satan destroyed the powers of hel brought saluacion to man which loked only for damnacion yea that frely without ony desertes euen of mere grace pure mercye O the inestimable excellency of this gifte which both wyllyngly frely bryngeth saluacion to mankynde Howe can it otherwyse be Is not y e name of this our gyfte IESVS gyuen hym of God the father published by his Aungell Embassadoure Gabriel And what other thyng I pray you soundethe IESVS than a sauioure This our gyfte Christ is a sauiour For he saueth his people from theyr synnes Feare ye not sayth the aungell For beholde I shewe vnto you a great ioye which shall chaunse to all people For this day is borne vnto you a sauiour whiche is Christ y e Lorde of the cytye of Dauid Thus sewe that Christ is a sauiour Therfore maye he righte well brynge saluacion saue so many as beleue in hym Theo. Is there no saluacion to be loked for but only at the hand of Christ Phil. No verely ye heard that the gyfte of God which is Christ briÌ„geth saluacion It is Christes office alone to saue besydes hym is ther no sauiour neither in heauen nor in earth Who so euer seaketh saluacioÌ„ at y e hande of ony other but at Christes alone he doth not only deceaue hym selfe but also robbe christ of his office depriue him of hys glory blaspheme his blissed name tread vnder foote his moost precious bloud vtterly maketh of none effecte y e whole misterye of Christes incarnacion Euse. It were pite that ony maÌ„ shuld be of this mind Phil. You say trueth Notwithstandyng there haue bene that haue sought health at other besydes Christ would God there were none at this day S. Paule feareth not to saye if righteousnes cometh by y e lawe thaÌ„ dyed Christ in vayne Agayn ye are gone quyte froÌ„ Christ so many of you as wyl be made righteous by the lawe are fallen from grace Chri. Let vs hear it proued by the scriptures that ther is no saluacion but by this gifte of God Christ alone Phil. The matter is more euident than it neadeth ony probacion to the faythful as for theÌ„ that are obstinately blynd all the scriptures in the worlde can profit nothyng at al. NotwithstoÌ„dyng to satisfy your godly desyre of many I wyl reherse a fewe yea and those that shall seme moost fyt for y e purpose Theo. I praâ— you let it so be Phil. Whense shall I take my begynnyng but of the Prâ—â—phet Esaye whome Christ our sauâ—oure had so ofte in his mouthe By hym Christ speaketh on this
be truely vnderstand For by this word synne doth S. IohnÌ„ vnderstaÌ„de the whole loÌ„pe of synne that is in the worlde whyther it be that which we committed in Adam or elles those whiche after oure baptisme thorowe the ragynge carnal affectes that are in vs we coÌ„myt in thoughte worde or dede All thys whole loÌ„pe of synne that is to saye all that euer is contayned vnder thys worde synne or yet pertaynethe vnto synne doth Christ y e laÌ„be of God at all tymes take awaye What authorite of the scripture caÌ„ be recited more open euideÌ„t agenst theÌ„ Chri. Ye saye trueth But let vs heare mo scriptures that we maye be thorowly satisfyed in this poynt Phil. Whan Christ hangynge vpon y e crosse had payd a sufficient rauÌ„some for oure synnes by the sheddynge of his moost precious bloud he coÌ„mendethe hys spirite into the handes of his heauenly father and bowynge downe hys head sayd Tetelestai that is to saye euery thyng is nowe consuÌ„mate perfecte and fully fynished The sacrifyce for synne is offered a plentefull raunsome is payde so y t nowe all sacrifyces all oblacions for synne cease This one sacrifice thys one oblacion whyche I haue made vpon the altare of the crosse fynyssheth maketh perfecte all thinges so that there remayneth after thys none other sacrifice for ony kynde of synne Hereto agreeth the saynge of S. Paule Christ oure Byshop abydeth for euer hath an euerlastyng prestehode so that he is able to saue euen at the full them that come vnto God by hym euer lyuynge that he may make intercessioÌ„ for vs. Agen Christ by his owne bloud entered into the holy place once for al found euerlastyng redemcion Item with one oblacion hathe Christ made theÌ„ consuÌ„mate perfecte for euermore that are saÌ„ctifyed Thus se we that all thynges are thorowly fynyshed made consummate and perfecte by Christ so that there is no more sacrifice for synne leaâ—te behynde to put awaye synne but if we wyll haue remissioÌ„ of our wyckednesses we must ruÌ„ne wyth the fete of our mynde to that sacrifice whiche Christ offered once for all vpoÌ„ the altare of y e crosse that he myght put syn to flyght for euermore Nowe if Christ had putte awaye onely originall synne by hys death thaÌ„ had he not made all thinges perfecte For he had lefte mo synnes vnforgyuen than were forgiueÌ„ by his deathe Howe great and infinite is the nomber of those synnes which we commit after baptisme in coÌ„parison of this one originall syn This were but a slender consummacion makynge perfecte so to leaue vs in mo synnes thaÌ„ we ware fouÌ„d But Christ saueth at the ful He maketh theÌ„ perfecte for euermore that are sanctifyed The vertue of Christes sacrifice is so great of so much dignite before God the father that it lastethe euer in full strengthe to put awaye synne yea and that not only before but also after baptisme Euse. Let vs here what s. Paul saith to this matter Phil. Paul as a good faythfull seruauÌ„t doth agre wyth his master ye maye be sure Notwtstandyng I wyll gyue you a taste of his doctrine concernyng thys matter Theo. Lette it so be I praye you â–ª To the RomaÌ„s he sayth on this maÌ„ner God setteth forthe hys loue towarde vs in that Christ dyed for vs whan we were yet synners Muche more than shall we be sauedde from wrathe by hym seynge we are nowe made righteous thorowe his bloud For if we were reconciled vnto god by the deathe of his sonne whan we were yet enemies muche more shall we be saued by hym nowe that we are reconciled Here S. Paule proueth y t as we are reconciled to God the father by the death of his sonne Christ so are we also by hym saued from all wrath and displeasure that shoulde fall vpon vs. Are not these wordes playne ynoughe At baptisme we are purged thorowe Christes bloud from originall syn all other that we haue committed before so y t we are recoÌ„ciled to God recouÌ„ted for righteous Nowe by Christ also are we preserued from the wrath of God which we deserue thorowe the wyckednes whiche we do after baptisme Hereof than maye we gather that Christ is not only a sauiour vnto vs before but also after baptisme So maye we conclude that by Christes death we are not only redemed from originall synne but also from all other by what so euer names they be called Agayne he sayth it is not with the gyfte as with the synne For if thorowe the syn of one many be dead yet much more plenteously came the grace and gyfte of God vpon many by the fauour that belonged vnto one maÌ„ Iesus christ And the gyfte is not onely ouer one synne as deathe came thorowe one synne of one that synned For the iudgement came of one synne vnto condemnacion but the gyfte to iustify froÌ„ many synnes Do not these wordes euidently shewe y t by Christ we are iustifyed made ryghteouse from many synnes If from many synnes than not from one synne alone Agen to the Corinchians fyrst of all I delyuered vnto you y t which I also receaued how that Christ dyed for oure synnes accordynge to y e scriptures Marke that S. Paule sayth for our synnes not for oure synne wherwithe we all offended in AdaÌ„ To the Collossians also he wryteth on this manner By Christ we haue redeÌ„cion by his bloud remission of sines Note by Christes bloud we haue remissioÌ„ of synnes not only originall but also actuall mortall veneall c. and not by the worckes wich we do after baptisme as thogh it laye in oure power to fulfyll the lawe to satisfye the wyll of God to apease y e diuine wrath to obtayne euerlastiÌ„g lyfe For al these thynges chaunse vnto vs by Christ are obtayned for vs by Christes deathe not by ony workes or merites of maÌ„ as S. Paule sayth if righteousnes coÌ„meth by the lawe thaÌ„ dyed Christ in vayne Igen we knowe that maÌ„ is not iustifyed by the workes of the lawe but by y e fayth of Iesus christ we beleue in Christ Iesu that we myght be iustifyed by the faythe of Christ not by the workes of y e law because that no man shall be iustified by the workes of the lawe Item ye are gone quyte froÌ„ Christ as many of you as wyl be made righteous by the lawe yea ye are fallen from grace Agayn in another place they not knowynge the righteousnes of God labouryng to establysh theyr owne righteousnes were not obedient to the righteousnes of God For Christe is the perfeccion of the lawe vnto iustificacioÌ„ for euery one that beleueth Once agayne if saluacion commeth of grace than is it not oâ— workes elles were grace no grace But if it come of worckes than is grace nothynge All these sentences teache vs that we are delyuered froÌ„ all our synnes by Christ
a Prophet he shall receaue the rewarde of a Prophet And he y t receauethe a ryghteous man in the name of a righteous man he shall receaue y e rewarde of a righteous maÌ„ And who so euer shal gyue to one of these lytle ones a cuppe of colde water to dryncke onely in the name of a disciple verely I saye vnto you he shall not loose his rewarde Also in another place who so euer shal giue to you a cuppe of water to dryncke in my name because ye are of Christ â—erely I saye vnto you he shall not loose his rewarde Euery man shall beare his owne burdeÌ„ Al of vs must stonde opeÌ„ly before y e iudgyng place of Christ y t euery one maye receaue accordynge to that whiche he dydde whan he was alyue whyther it be good oâ— euell Christ the sonne of maÌ„ shall come in the glory of his father wyth his Aungelles and than shall he gyue to euery one accordynge to theyr workes The hour commethe in the whiche all that are in the graues shall heare the voyce of Christ they that haue done good shal come forth into the resurreccion of lyfe they that haue done euel into the resurreccion of damnacion To them that haue done the workes of mercy shall euerlastynge glory be gyuen at the day of iudgement to y e vnmercifull eternall damnacion So that they which do good workes in thys worlde shall receaue a glorious and euerlastynge rewarde in the worlde to come Of this had â— Paule a certen assurauÌ„ce whan he sayd I haue â—ought a good fyghte and haue fulfylled my course and haue kepte the sayth From henseforth is layde vp for me a crowne of ryghteousnesse whyche the Lorde y t is a ryghteous Iudge shall gyue me at that daye not to me onelye but vnto all them that loue his commynge Thus muche haue I spokeÌ„ coÌ„cernynge good workes here haue ye now your new yeres gyft coÌ„plete ê‘fecte Theo. Blyssed be God for thys our new yeres gyfte which is more precious thaÌ„ golde perle precious stone god mought gyue you an heaueÌ„ly gyfte for this your newe yeres gifte wherw t this day ye haue enryched vs. Phil. The christeÌ„ loue teÌ„der affeccioÌ„ wherw t I loue you all hath moued me to do that I haue done If I haue done you ony pleasure to the reioysyng of your spirite I am glad If I haue not in al poyntes satisfyed your desyre expectacioÌ„ yet accepte my good wyll For he is not altogyther to be blamed whiche entendeth well although all thynges do not thorowlye answere to his intent Well neyghbours I wyll now knyt vp in few wordes that I haue sponne in many shewe you breuely the whole effecte of your new yeres gyfte Ye haue learned y e Christ is the gyfte of God frely gyuen you of God the father for your newe yeres gyfte So that not only he but all that euer he hath in asmuche as he is man is ours his fastyng watchyng prayenge hys mercye goodnes purite innocency hys pashon bloude deathe resurreccion and all y t euer he hath besydes All is â—ures God hath gyuen vs all thyng with hym as S. Paule sayth This gyft of God Christ our new yereâ— gyfte hath appeared no more by tyâ—es figures clowdes and shadowes but in his flesh He hath taken flesh of y e moost holye and pure virgine Mary and is become very man for oure sake lyke vnto vs in al thynges syn alone excepte And y t we maye 〈◊〉 that he is a precious gyfte vnto vs he bryngeth helth vnto all menne not onely vnto the Iewes but also to the Gentiles so that who so euer calleth on the name of the Lorde he shall be saued be he Ieweor GeÌ„tile free or bonde noble or vnnoble For he is thalone sauiour None saueth but he alone nether is there ony saluacioÌ„ but in hym alone nor yet ony name gyueÌ„ vnto men vnder heaueÌ„ wherin they muste be saued but in his name alone Moreouer ye haue lerned that he is not only a sauiour bryngeth saluacion to al men but he is also a scholemaster vnto vs. For he teacheth vs y t fyrst we shulde deny vngodlynes worldly lustes and afterwarde lyue soberly ryghteously and godlye in thys â—â—esent world What so euer vice hath reygâ—ned in vs iÌ„ times past we must now vtterly put it awaye frâ—m vs were it Idolatry false worshâ—ppynge of God supersticion confidence in ceremonies despisyng of Gods word swearyng by hys moost blyssed name brekiÌ„g of y e saboth dâ—y c. or els vncleÌ„nes carnall affectes worldly lustes dyuellysh mocioÌ„s whordome theafte couetousnes dronckeÌ„shyp glotonny wrathe contencioÌ„ bloud sheddynge c. and gaâ—nysshe oure lyues wythe all kynde of vertues sobriete iustice godlynes purite innocency pacience longe sufferynge charite peace goodnes fayth temperaunce mekenes and wyth al theâ— other frutes of the spirite that â— good consciences and fre hartes we maye looke for that blessed hope and glorious appearyng of y e great God our sauiour Iesus Christ whiche wyllyngely and wythout ony compulsion gaue no aungell nor man but hym selfe for vs to redeme vs from all vnrighteousnes that is to saye from all synne â—oth originall mortal veniall or ony other so that we repente beleue aske marcye and amende our synfull lyuyng and to pourge vs a peculiare people vnto hymselfe to do hym seruyce none other and euen suche as wythoute any fayning or cloked holynes shuld be earneste followers not of theyr 〈◊〉 wylles fansys and fleshly plesures but of good workes eueÌ„ such workes as God commaundeth and â—â—â— accepted be fore hym not such â—s dame Good entent and her self or 〈◊〉 zele imaginethe and 〈◊〉 of theyr own braynes without â—he authorite of Goddes worde Thus haue ye neighbours in 〈◊〉 workes that ye receaued before in many What nowe reâ—â—yneth but that seyng God the father hath shewed vs so great kyndenesse by hys sonne Iesus Christ we do as y e new yeares gyfte teacheth vs that is 〈◊〉 saye deny vngodlynes and 〈◊〉 lustes lyue soberly righteously and godly in thys present â—â—â—ld and be earnest followers of good workes â–ª we may with a good conscience and mery harte looke for y e blyssed hope and glorious apperyng of the great God and our sauiour Iesus Christ. RemeÌ„ber that to be called a christâ—â—â— man anauayleth no thyng exceptâ— we lyue accordyng to our name and profession Remember that to rede the scriptures to haue the knowledge of them profyteth nothyng at all excepte we fashon our lyfe 〈…〉 dyng to the doctrine therof RemeÌ„ber that to crake of sayth of oure â—ustificacion by it is nothing to the purpose except we brynge forth the frutes of fayth Remember that to glory of our saluacion purchased by Christ auaylethe nothynge excepte me chaunge our olde lyuyng and become newe men Remember that al the benefites of christ serue only