wyth ryghtuousnes Hys death toke awaye synne malediction hys death was the raunsome of them both Hys death destroyed death and ouercame the deuyll whych had the power of death in his subiectioÌ„ Hys death destroyed hell wyth all the damnation therof Thus is death swalowed vp by Christes vic torye thus is hel spoyled for euer Yf any maÌ„ doubt of thys victorye let Christes glorious resurrection declare hym the thynge Yf death coulde not kepe Christ vnder his dominion but that he arose again it is manyfest that hys power was ouercome Yf death be coÌ„quered than must it folowe y t sinne wher fore death was appoynted as the wages must be al so destroyed Yf death and synne be vanished away then is the deuels tyrannye resysted whyche had the power of death and was the author of sinne and the rulet of hell Yf Christe had the victory of them all by the power of hys death and openly proued it by hys valiauÌ„t resurrection as it was not possible for hys great myght to be subdued of them than thys true that Christe dyed for oure synnes and rose agayne for our iustification why may not we that be hys members by true fayth reioyce and boldly saye wyth the prophete Osee the Apostle Paule where is thy darte O death where is thy victory O hell Thankes be vnto God saye they whyche hath gyuen vs the victory by our Lord Christ Iesus Thys myghtye conquest of hys resurrection was not only sygnifyed afore by dyuerse fygures of the olde testa ment as by Sampson whan he slewe the Lyon out of whose mouth came out swetnes and hony and as Dauid bare his fygure whan he delyuered y e lambe out of the Lyons mouth and whan he ouercame slewe the great gyant Goliath and as whan Ionas was swalowed vp of the whales mouth and cast vp agayne on londe to lyue but was also moost clerely prophecied by the prophetes of the olde testament in the newe also confirmed by the Apostles He hath spoyled sayeth saynt Paule rule and power and all the dominion of our spirituall enemyes He hath made a shewe of them openlye and hath triumphed ouer them in hys owne person Thys is the myghty power of the Lorde whome we beleue on By hys death hath he wrought thys victorye for vs and by hys resurrection hathe he purchased euerlastynge lyfe ryghtuousnes for vs. It had not ben ynough to be delyuered by hys death from synne excepte by hys resurrection we had ben endowed wyth ryghtu ousnes And it shulde not auayle vs to be delyueted from death except he had rysen agayne to open for vs the gates of heuen to enter into lyfe euerlastinge And therfore saynte Peter thanketh God the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ for hys abundaunt mercy bycause he hath begotteÌ„ vs â—ayeth he vnto a lyuely hope by the resurrection of Iesus Christe from death to enioye an inheritaunce immortal that shal neuer perysh whych is reserued in heauen for them that be kepte by the power of God thorowe fayth Thus hath hys resurrection wrought for vs lyfe ryghtuousnes He passed thorowe death and hell to put vs in good hope that by hys strength we shall do the same He payde the raunsome of synne that it shulde not be layde to our charge He destroyed the deuell and all hys tyranny and openlye triumphed ouer hym and toke awaye from hym all hys captiues hath raysed set them wyth hymselfe amonges the heauenly cytesins aboue He dyed to destroy the rule of the deuell in vs and rose agayne to sende downe his holy spirite to rule in our hartâ— to endow vs wyth perfyte ryghtuousnes Thus is it true that Dauid songe Veritas de terra orta est iustitia de coelo ê‘spexit The truth of goddes promyse is in erth to man declared or from the earth is the euerla stynge veritie goddes sonne rysen to lyfe the true ryghtuousnes of the holy goost lokynge out of heauen is in moost lyberall larges dealt vpon all the worlde Thus is glorye and prayse reboundinge vp warde to god aboue for hys mercy and truth thus is peace come downe froÌ„ heueÌ„ to meÌ„ of good faithfull hartes â–ª Thus is mercye and veritie as Dauid wryteth met together thus is peace and ryghtuousnes embrasynge and kyssynge themselfe together Yf thou doutest of so great felicitie that is wrought for the O man cal to thy mynde that therfore haste thou receyued into thyne owne possession the euerla stynge veritie our Sauiour Iesus Christe in forme of breade to confirme to thy conscience the truthe of all thys matter Thou hast receyued hym yf in true fayth and repentaunce of harte thou haste receyued hym yf in purpose of amendement thou haste receyued hym for an euerlastinge gage and pledge of thy saluation Thou hast receyued hys body which was oâ—es broken and hys bloud shed for the remission of thy synne thou hast receyued hys body to haue with in the the father the sonne the holy goost to dwell wyth the to endowe the wyth grace to strength the agaynst thy enemyes and to comforte the with theyr presence Thou hast receyued hys bodye to endowe the wyth euerlastyng ryghtuousnes to assure the of euerlastynge blysse and lyfe of thy soule For wyth Christe by true fayth arte thou quyckened agayne sayeth saynt Paule from death of synne to lyfe of grace and in hope translated froÌ„ corporall and euer lastynge death to the euerlastynge lyfe of glorye in heauen where nowe thy conuersation shulde be and thy harte and desyre set Doubte not of the truth of thys matter how great excellent so euer these thyn ges be It becommeth god to do no lytle dedes how impossible so euer they seme to the praye to god that thou mayest haue fayth to perceyue thys greate power of Christes resurrection y t by fayth thou mayest certaynly beleue nothing to be impossible with god Only bringe thou fayth to Christes holy worde and sacrament let thy repentanÌ„ce shewe thy faith let thy purpose of amendement and obedience of thy harte to gods lawe herafter declare thy true beleue Endeuoure thy selfe to saye wyth saynte Paule from henseforth our conuersation is in heuen froÌ„ whence we loke for a sauioure euen the Lorde Iesus Christ whych shall chanÌ„ge our vyle bodyes that they may be fashioned lyke to hys glorious bodye whyche he shal do by the same power wherby he rose froÌ„ death and wherby he shal be able to subdue al thynges vn to hymselfe Thus good christen people for as muche as ye haue herde these so great and excellent benefy tes of Christes myghtye and glorious resurrection howe that he hath raunsomed synne ouercome the deuyll death and hell and hath victoriously obteyned the better hande of them all to make vs fre and saufe from them and knowynge that we be by thys benefyte of hys
hym in euerlastynge lyfe Yf ye refuse so great grace wherto ye be called what other thynge do ye then heape your damnation more and more and so prouoke God to caste hys displeasure vnto you and to reuenge thys mockage of hys holy sacramentes in so great abusyng of them Applye your selfe good frēdes to lyue in Christ that Christ may styl lyue in you whose fauour and assistēce yf ye haue thā haue ye euerlastynge lyfe alredy wythin you than can no thynge hurte you What soeuer is hytherto done and cōmytted Christe ye se hath offered you pardon and clerly receyued you to hys fauoure agayne in full suertye wherof ye haue hym nowe uihabytynge and dwellynge wythin you Only shewe you youre selfe thankeful in your lyues cōpounde wyth youre selfe to refuse and auoyde al such thynges in youre conuersations that shuld offende hys eyes of mercy Endeuoure your selfe that waye to ryse vp agayne whych waye ye fell into the well pyt of synne Yf by your tonge ye haue offended now therby ryse agayne and glorifye God therwyth Accustome it to laude and prayse the name of God as ye haue therwyth dishonoured it and as ye haue hurte the name of your neghboure or otherwyse hyndered him now entende to restore hym agayne for wythout restituci on God accepteth not your shryft nor yet your repētaunce It is not ynough to forsake euell except ye set your corage to do good By what occasiō so euer ye haue offended tourne now the occasion to the honourynge of God profytynge of your neyghbour Truth it is that synne is stronge and affections vnruly harde to subdue resyst our nature so corrupte leuened w t the soure bitternes of the poyson which we receyued by the inheritan̄ce of our olde father Adam but yet take good corage sayeth our Sauiour Christ for I haue ouercommed the world al other enemyes for you Synne shall not haue power ouer you for ye be now vnder grace sayeth saynt Paule Though your power be weake yet Christ is rysen a gayne to strength you in your batel hys holy spirite shall helpe your infirmities In trust of hys confidence take you in hande to purge thys olde leuen of synne that corrupteth soureth the swetnes of your lyfe before God that ye maye be as newe and freshe dowe voyde of all soure leuen of wyckednes so shall ye shew your self to be swete bred to god to haue his delyte in you I say kyl offer you vp the worldly erthly affectiōs of your bodyes for Christ our Ester lambe is offred vp for vs to flee the power of synne to delyuer vs from the daunger therof and to gyue vs exemple to dye to synne in our lyfe As the Iues dyd eate theyr Ester lābe kept theyr fest in remembraūce of theyr deliueraūce out of Egypt Euē so let vs kepe our Ester feast in y t thankfull remēbraunce of Christes benefytes whych he hath purchased for vs by hys resurrectiō passyng to hys father wher by we be deliuered from y e captiuitie thraldome of al our enemyes Let vs in like maner passe ouer the affections of our olde conuersacion to be delyuered from y e bondage therof to tyse w t Christ. The Iues kept theyr feast in absteynynge from leuened breade by the space of vij dayes let vs christen folke kepe our holy day in a spiritual maner y t is in absteining not from material leuened bread but from the olde leuen of synne the leuen of maliciousnes wyckednes Let vs cast frō vs y t leuen of corrupt doctrine y t wyl iufect our soules Let vs kepe oure feast y t hole terme of our lyfe w t eatynge the bred of purenes of godly lyfe truth of Christes doctrine Thus shall we declare y t Christes gyftes graces haue theyr ef fect in vs. that we haue y t right beleue knowlege of his holy resurrection whervnto yf we applye our fayth to y t vertue therof in our lyfe cōforme vs to the exemple signification ment therby we shalbe suer to ryse hereafter to euerlastynge glorye by the goodnes and mercy of our Lorde Iesus Christe to whome wyth the father and the holy goost c. The Epistle on the fyrste sondaye after Ester daye called lowe sondaye The fyrst Epistle of Iohn and the. v. Chapter Thargument of thys Epistle ☞ Of the excellency of fayth and how it ouercōmeth the worlde MOst dere beloued brethren al that is borne of God ouercōmeth the worlde And this is the victory that ouercōmeth the world euē our faith Who is it that ouercommeth the worlde but he whyche beleueth that Iesus is the sonne of God Thys Iesus Christe is he that came by water and bloud not by water onely but by water bloud And it is the spirite that beareth wytnesse because the spirite is trueth for there are thre whiche beare recorde in heauen the father the worde and holy goste And these thre are one And there are thre whyche beare record in erth the spirite water and bloud and these thre are one Yf we receaue the wytnes of men the wytnes of God is greater For thys is the wytnes of God that is greater whyche he testifyed of hys sonne He that beleueth on the sonne of god hath the wytnes in hymselfe An exhortation vpon thys Epistel OUre Epistle taken out of the first epistle catholyke of saint Iohn good christen brethern doth shewe vnto vs that we haue a generation from god which is that which procedeth of faith this ouercommyth the worlde that is to saie the concupiscences of syn̄es which be pryde couetous and lecherye Assuredly my frendes ther is I trust noman amonges vs but knoweth that of nature we be al born in synnes in vnrightuousnes in vtter ignorance of al ghostly and spiritual thinges And therfore Sainct Austine wryteth on this wise Beholde my brethern beholde the generacion of mankynde from the firste death of that first man For synne from the first man hath entred into this world and by syn̄e hath death entred and so hath passed thorough all men as witnesseth thapostle But marke sayth saynte Austine this worde passed through Synne is rūne through vpon all the ofsprynge of Adam and for this cause is the new borne chylde gylty of eternal damnation he hath not yet done syn but he hath caught synne For surely that fyrst synne of oure foreparentes dyd not styll remayne in the headsprynge but it passed through into the ofsprynge not into hym and hym but into al men The fyrst synner the fyrst trāsgressour begat synners subiecte to death Than came the Sauiour of a virgine to heale saue them he came to the but not the waye that thou cāmest For he proceded not of the concupiscēce of the male and female he came not of that bonde of concupiscence Bycause therfore he came to the not by y t waye that
of hys disciples whyche are not wrytten in thys boke These are written that ye might beleue that Iesus is Christ the sonne of God and that in beleuynge ye myght haue lyfe thorowe hys name An exhortacion vpon thys Gospel THe Gospell of thys daye good people doth declare vnto vs the appearyng of our Lorde Ie su Christ vnto hys disciples after hys resurrection that is to wyt how he came and shewed hymselfe vit to them the dores beynge shut for feare of y e Iues. And here truly he dyd shew the diuersitie of bodyes and what difference there shalbe betwene the sensuall bodyes and betwene the spirituall betwene the materiall and corruptible bodyes in thys worlde betwene the spirituall bodyes and incorruptible after the resurrection Trouth it is also that we ought not to suffer any â—nfideles as were the Iues to enter in amonges vs from whome the Apostles dyd shut theyr dores Nowe Iesus beynge in the myddes of them dydde salute them in gyuynge vnto them hys peace wyth whych grâ—tynge or salutation he confor ted and confirmed hys disciples myndes that they shulde nothynge doubt of hys resurrectioÌ„ whych as the Euangelist Luke wytnesseth they counted but for a dreame Wherfore he shewed vnto them hys handes and hys syde perced And by thys shewynge of hys handes and feere Christe openeth two thynges Fyrst by these sygnes he wolde be knowen For in affliction is Christ truly kâ—owen Seconde by them he wolde assure hys disciples of hys glorious resurrection And verely thys shalbe the signe of sal uation vnto the faithful at the greate daye of iugement and the signe of lamentation and of sorowe vnto the infidels which thaÌ„ shal se whome they haue percyd The faithfull shalbe gretly coÌ„forted in seing him as his diseiples were at this tyme. To these disciples I saye he did ones gyue his peace and made them his apostles that is to saye his legates or ambassadours not onely of Iurye but of al the worlde in lyke maner as god the father had sent him and made hym apostle in the worlde And he gaue them the holy gost for to remytte synnes and to pardoÌ„ in his name and whose synnes so euer they pardoned shuld be forgyuen in heauen The pardone of the apostles assuredly was but a signe of the trewe pardone which was made on hygh alredye And vnto them to whome they wolde not remytte here in erthe they shulde not be remytted nor pardoned in heuen And this that they did not pardon them was signe that they were not pardonyd on hygh Suerly it is not man that foregyueth or reteyneth but God For as saynt Cypriane sayth Non potest seruus remittere quod in dominum coÌ„missum est that is to say the seruauut cannot pardon the thynge that is trespassed agaynst y e maister And saynt Ambrose sayth in his boke of Cain and Abell that synnes be foregyuen by the worde of God wherof the prest is but an interpretour and as a certiane executour But I praye you good frendes who were they whome they dyd not forgyue Truly all those whych dyd not beleue in their worâ—â—s And in this apperynge Thomas called Didimus was not presente Wherfore when the disciples did shewe him that they had sene our Lorde rysyn agayne to liefe whych had shewed vnto them both his handes and his syde percyd he dyd aunswere that he wolde not beleue them onles he myght se hym and put his fynger into the holes of the nayles and his hande into hys syde Eyght dayes after our Lorde the dores beyng shutte dyd eftsones apere in the myddes of them as he hadde done before and gaue them for salutinge hys peace according to the vsage of the Iues by whych is vnderstande tranquyllitie of conscience and all goodnes And Thomas was there also vnto whome he sayde aunswering hym vnto the wordes whyche he had sayde by his infidelite behold my handes and put thy fynger into the holes holde forth thy hande and put it into my syde Be no more in mysâ—eleue but faythfull Declaryng vnto hym that he seeth al that he heareth all that he is in all places and that he may do al. And thys done Thomas dyd confesse him to be his Lorde and hys God And truly not so moch Thomas as the spirite of fayth whyche with the fayth entred into hym At that tyme our Lorde gaue witnesse of fayth vnto Thomas whyche hath beleued in seynge of hym but he doth gyue farre greater prayse and coÌ„mendation vnto them whiche haue beleuyd and yet haue not sene him corporally but only spiritually with the eye of faythe and also vnto them whych shal beleue hym Then let vs beleue him by seyng him spiritually and so doyng we shalbe more happy then Thomas in thys that he hath sene hym corporally Now sayth the Euangelyst al these thynges be wrytten vnto vs to thende that we beleue that Iesus is Christe the sonne of God and in beleuynge thys that we shall haue the liefe eternall by hys name Forasmoche as the ende and vse of al the signes and miracles of Christe is that by them we shuld be brought and allured to be leue on Christe whyche thynge only shall make vs haue euerlasting blysse through his name that is to wit by hys worde For the worde is the vertue and power of God vnto the health and saluation of all that beleue on Christ Iesus our Lord and redemer To whome with the father and holy ghost be glorie and prayse c. The Epistle on the seconde sondaye after Ester The. i. Epistle of Peter the. ij chapter Thargument ☞ The Apostle sait Peter doth exhorte vs here to folowe Christ in al thynges euen as shepe do folowe theyr shepeherde MOst derely beloued brethren Christ also suffered for vs leauyng vs an exeÌ„ple that ye shulde folowe hys steppes whych dyd no synne neyther was there gyle founde in hys mouth whych whan he was reuyled reuyled not agayne whan he suffered he threatened not but commytted the vengeaunce to hym that iudgeth ryghtuously whych his owne selfe bare our synnes in hys body on the tree that we beynge delyuered from synne shulde lyue vnto ryghteousnes By whose strypes ye were healed For ye were as sâ—epe goynge astraye but are nowe turned vnto the sheperde bysshop of your soules THe Epistle of thys daye good christen people whyche is of saynt Peter doth put before oure eyes the liefe of oure Lorde Iesu Christ to the effect and purpose that we shuld folowe him as a perfecte president and exemplar For it is he whyche is deed for vs whych hath done no synne accordinge to the sayeng of the prophete Esaye and in whose mouthe hath bene founde no gyle nor deceipte The whyche when any sayde harme by hym he sayde no harme agayne When he suffered he dyd not threaten but he commytted the vengaunce vnto him that iugeth iustely that is to wyte vnto God No doubte God iugeth ryghtly
resurrection rysen wyth hym by our fayth to lyfe euerlastynge beynge in full suretie of oure hope that we shall haue oure bodyes lykewyse reysed agayn from death to haue them glorifyed in immortalitie and ioyned to hys gloryouse body hauynge in the meane whyle hys holye spirite wythin out hartes as a feaâ—e and pledge of our euerlasting inheritaunce by whose assistence we be replenyshed wyth all ryghteousnes by whose power we shall be able to subdue al our euel affections y t ryse againste the pleasure of God These thynges I saye well coÌ„sydered let vs nowe in the reste of oure lyfe declare our fayth y t we haue to thys moost furtefull article by conformyng vs therunto in rysynge dayly from synne to ryghtousnes and holynes of lyfe For what shall it auayle vs sayeth S. Peter to be escaped and delyuered from y e fylthynes of the worlde thorough the knolege of the Lorde Sauiour Iesus Christe yf we be enâ—augled agayne therwyth be ouercome agayne it had bene better sayeth he neuer to haue knowen the waye of ryghteousnes than after it is knowen and receyued to torne backewarde agayne from the holy coÌ„maundemente of God gyuen vnto vs. For so shall the prouerbe haue place in vs wher it is sayd y e dogge is retorned to hys vomyte agayn and the sowe that was washed to her wallowynge in the myre agayne What a shame were it for vs beynge thus so clerely and frelye washed from oure synne to retorne to the fylthynes therof agayne What a foly were it thus endowed wyth ryghtousnes to loâ—e it agayne What madnes were it to lose the enherytaunce that we be nowe set in for the vyle and transytory pleasure of synne And what an vnkyndnes shulde it be where our Sauiour Christ of hys mercy is come to vs to dwell wythin vs as our geste to dryue hym from vs and to expell hym violentlye out of our soules in stede of hym in whom is all grace and vertue to receyue the vngracyouse spirite of the deuyl the autor of al naughtynes and myschefe How can we fynde in our hartes to shewe such extreme vnkyndnes to Christ which hath now so gently called vs to mercy offered hymselfe vnto vs and he now entered wythin vs. Yea howe dare we be so bolde to renounce the presence of y e father the sonne and the holy goost nowe receyued in thys holy sacrament for where one is there is God al hole in maiestie together w e al his power wyldoÌ„ goodnes feare not I saye the dauÌ„ger peryl of so traytorous a defiance Good christeÌ„ brethreÌ„ systers aduyse your selfe coÌ„syder y e dignitie y t ye be now set in Let not foly lose the thynge y t grace hath so preci ously offered and purchased Let not wylfulnes and blyndnes put out so great lyght that is now shewed vnto you Only take good hartes vnto you and put vpon you all the armoure of God that ye may staÌ„de agaynst your enemyes whych wolde agayne subdue you and brynge you into theyr thraldome RemeÌ„ber ye be bought from your bayne conuersation your fredome purchased neyther wyth golde nor syluer but wyth the price of y e precious bloud of that moost innocent lambe Iesus Christ whych was ordeyned to thys same purpose before the worlde was made but was so declared in the later tyme of grace for your sakes whych by hym haue your fayth in God who hath raysed hym from death hath gyuen hym glorye that you shulde haue your fayth and hope to ward god Therfore as ye haue hytherto folowed y e vayne lustes of your myndes and so displeased god to the dauÌ„ger of your soules now lyke obedieÌ„t chyldren thus purifyed by faythe gyue youre selues to walke that waye whych god moueth you to that ye maye receyue the ende of your faith the saluation of your soules And as ye haue gyuen your bodyes to vnryghtuousnes to synne after synne nowe gyue youre selfe to ryghtuousnes to be sanctifyed therin Yf ye delyte in thys artycle of youre faythe that Christ is rysen agayne from death to lyfe So folow you the exemple of hys resurrection as S. Paul exhorteth vs sayng As we be buryed with Christ by our baptisme into death so let vs dayly dye to sinne mortifynge and kyllynge the euell desyres and motions therof And as Christ was raised vp froÌ„ death by the glory of the father so let vs ryse to a new lyfe walke coÌ„tinually therin that we may lykewyse as natural chyldren lyue a coÌ„uersacion to moue men to glorifie our father whych is in heuen Yf we then be rysen w t Christe by oure fayth to the hope of euerlastynge lyfe so let vs ryse also wyth Christ after hys exemple to a new lyfe leue our olde We shal then be truly rysen yf we seke for thynges that be heuenly yf we haue our affection vpoÌ„ thynges y t be aboue and not on thynges that be on erth Yf ye desyre to know what these erthly thynges be whych ye shuld put of and what be the heuenly thynges aboue that ye shulde seke and ensue S. Paule in y e epistle to the Collossians declareth whan he exhorteth vs thus Mortifie your erthly meÌ„bers and olde affections of synne as fornication vnclennes vnnaturall lust euell concupiscence and couetousnes whyche is worshippynge of ydols for whych thynges the wrath of God is wont to fal on the chyldren of vnbeleue In whyche thynges ones ye walked whan ye lyued in them but nowe put ye also awaye from you wrathe tearsenes maliciousnes cursed speakynge fylthye speakynge out of your mouthes Lye not one to an other that the olde man wyth hys workes be put of and the newe put on These be the earthly thynges whych saynt Paule moueth you to caste from you to plucke your hartes from For in folowynge these ye declare your selues earthly and worldly These be the frutes of the earthly Adam These shulde ye dayly kyll by good diligence in wythstandynge the desyres of them that ye myghte ryse to ryghtuousnes Let your affection from henceforth be set on heuenly thynges Sue and serch for mercy kyndnes mekenes paciens forbearynge one another and for gyuynge one another Yf any man haue quarell to another euen as Christ forgaue you euen so do ye Yf these and such other heuenly vertues ye ensue in the residue of your lyfe ye shall shewe playnly that ye be rysen wyth Christ and that ye be the heauenly chyldren of youre father in heauen froÌ„ whom as froÌ„ the gyuer commeth these graces gyftes Ye shall proue by thys maner that your coÌ„uersacion is in heuen where your hope is and not on earth folowing the beastly appetites of the flesh Ye must consyder that ye be therfore clensed renewed that ye shulde from henceforth serue God in holynes ryghtuous nes all the dayes of your lyues that ye may targue wyth
lord than expresseth and declareth to hys apostles where in they beleued not and what they wanted whyche doubtles was that they perfytly beleued not his resurrection For albeit they beleued all the rest yet in thys behalfe they remayned infideles For happely they beleued also thys that God wolde be mercyfull vnto them but yet this was not ynough For it was necessary also that they shulde beleue Christes resur rection Wherfore he vpbraydeth them of theyr infidelitie sayenge that albeit they had sene altogether yet they beleued it not and that they yet wāted thys article of resurrection What is it than to beleue the resurrection of Christ whych beareth so great a stro ke and is of such importaunce that y e disciples were called infideles and mysbeleuynge persones for the defaute of it Certes to beleue the resurrection of Christ is nothynge els than to beleue we haue a reconciler before God whych is Christ whych maketh vs at one wyth God the father and iustifyeth vs in hys syght For what so euer is in man of hys owne nature and byrth wythout regeneratiō is but synne and death whereby he heapeth vpon hymselfe gods vengeaunce Agayne God is the eternal iustice and clerenes whych of hys nature hateth synne Hereof it commeth that betwene God and man is perpetuall enmitie neyther can they be frendes or agre together Christe therfore beynge incarnate dyd bothe translate our synnes vpon hymselfe and drowned y e wrath of the father in himselfe to reconcile vs to his father Wythout thys fayth we be y e chyldren of vēgeaunce we can do no good worke that maye be acceptable to God neyther wyll God heare our prayers For thus in the. xviij psalme it is wryttē They cryed and ther was no helper to the Lorde and he answered them not Yea the moost excellente worke wherby we thought to obtayne grace helpe comforte of God was imputed vnto vs for synne as the prophete in the. cix psalme sayth Oratio eius in pec catum fiat Be hys prayer counted for synne for surely we can not wyth al our powers of our owne na ture pacifie god We neded therfore Christ to be me diatour for vs to the father and to make vs at one wyth hym and finally to obtayne what so euer is ne cessary for vs. By the same Christ it behoueth vs to aske of God what so euer thynge we nede as Christ hymselfe enstructeth vs sayenge What so euer ye aske the father in my name it shalbe done vnto you What soeuer we demaunde of God surely by thys Christ which hath satisfied for our synnes we must obteyne and get it For Christ is he whych layeth a garison about vs he is the defēce and bukler vnder whome we be hydden euen as the chekens be nouryshed and hydde vnder the wynges of the henne By him only our prayer is allowed before God By hym onely we be herde and get the fauoure grace of the father Thys is now to beleue vpon Christes resurrection yf as it is recited we beleue that Christ hath borne vpon hym aswell our synnes as the syn nes of the hole worlde hath drowned in hymselfe the one and the other and also the yre of the father wherby we be reconciled to God and made ryghtuouse before hym Now ye se your selues howe fewe christian men and wemen there be whych haue thys fayth wherby all men be delyuered from theyr synnes and be made ryghtuouse For they beleue not in the resurrection of Christe that theyr synnes be taken awaye also by Christe but go about to be iustifyed by theyr owne workes Thys man entreth into the cloyster is made a monke or freer she a nonne some one thynge some another that they may be de lyuered from theyr synnes and yet they saye they be leue in the resurrection of Christe where theyr workes do shew cleane contrary Wherfore thys article haue the holy fathers preached and inculked specially before other For thus saynt Paule in the. xv chapter of hys fyrste epistle to the Corinthi sayeth Yf Christ hath not rysen frō death to lyfe thā vayne is our preachynge vayne also is your fayth And a lytle after Yf Christ haue not rysen vayne is youre fayth ye be yet in your sines What maner cōsequēs is thys how do thys folowe Thus truly yf Christe rose not from death to lyfe it foloweth that synne death dyd swalowe hym vp and kylled hym After that we could not ryd our selues out of our synnes Iesus Christ toke them vpon hym to treade vnder hys fete death and hell and to be made Lorde ouer them Now yf he rose not agayne than surely he ouercame not synne but was ouercome of synne And yf he rose not agayne he redemed vs not and so we be yet in our synnes Furthermore in the tēth to the Romaynes he sayeth thus Yf thou confessest wyth thy mouth Iesus to be the Lorde and beleuest in thy harte that God hath raysed hym from death thou shalt be saued Here vnto agreeth all scripture both olde and newe But it is not yet suffi cient to beleue the resurrection of Christ. For al wic ked persones beleue thys yea Satan doubteth not but that God suffered rose agayne But we must also beleue the summe of the resurrection and also what frute and profyte we haue taken therby that is to saye pardon of our gylt and as it were a gayle delyuerey of all our synnes that Christe passed thorough death and by it ouercame synne death yea and what so euer coulde hurt vs he trode vnder his fote and is constitute and made at the ryght hande of the father in heauen the myghty Lorde ouer syn Satan death hell and what soeuer hurteth vs and that all these thynges be done for our sake whyche thynge the wycked persons beleue not Ye se than my frēdes how much is layde in thys artycle of resurrection so that we may better wante all the reste than thys one article For what were it to beleue all the artycles as that God was borne of the virgine Mary that he dyed and was buryed yf thou doest not also beleue that he rose agayne And thys God meaneth in Abacuc where he sayeth I shall worke a worke in you whych no man shall beleue whan it shalbe tolde And thys is the cause why Paule in al hys epistles handleth no worke or myracle of Christ so diligently as he doth the resurrection of Christ. Yea he letteth passe all the workes and myracles of Christ and chefly teacheth vs the frute of it so that none of thapostles hath so paynted Christ vnto vs as Paule Wherfore not wythout cause Christ sayd to Ananias Thys is my vessell of election to beare my name before the Hethen people and kinges and the chyldren of Israell It foloweth in the texte Go ye into the hole worlde and preach the Gospell to euery creature What shall they preach
neyther regardynge mens persons as doth the worlde neyther only after the outward workes but after the harte and outwarde workes to And therfore is godes iugement accordinge to y e trouth as Paule sayth Furthermore it is Christe whych hath borne our synnes on y e wode of y e crosse to thende that our synnes myght be by hym takeÌ„ awaye and we beynge deade wyth synne shulde lyue vnto iustice But what iustice Truly iustice of faith whych is from aboue and whych is hymselfe For we be healed of our synne by hys woundes by hys passion by hys hostie and oblation For surely thys is the fynall vse of our delyuerauÌ„ce or iustification by Christ that we shulde no longer lyue vnto sinne but vnto iustice and vertue As though saynt Peter wolde saye Ye wol be christians whom Christ hath redemed than go to it shall not become you any lon ger by disobedience towardes your rulers and supe riours to lyue vnto synne but vnto righteousnes to thintent ye be obedient vnto them and suffre persecution vexacion and crosse of them yf occasioÌ„ be gy uen eueÌ„ as Christ dyd And truly thys is euen the ryght vse of Christes passioÌ„ I meane to lyue a new lyfe to become iust ryghtuous in al our lyuynge For as the Apostle saynt Paule testifyeth wrytynge to the Ephesians we be the workmanshyp of God created made to do good workes But to returne to the texte S. Peter allegeth here vnto you good people the wordes of the prophete Esaye where he sayeth that by the strypes woundes of Christe ye were healed O moost comfortable wordes Bytter verely were these strypes to our Sauioure Christe but they were swete to vs so swete y t wythout them we shulde haue ben in moost paynfull mysery anguysh Let vs than neuer put out of our myndes thys moost comfortable tydynges thys swete meâ—â— Gospell that Christ bare our synnes in hys body on the tree Thys treasure I meane the knowlege of thys thynge who so wanteth is most nedy pore yea he hath nothynge at all For thys is no doubt that preciouse perle that Christe speaketh of in the Gospel of Matheu where he sayth y t the kyngdom of heauen is lyke vnto a marchaunt man sekynge goodly perles whych whan he founde one precious perle wente and solde all that he hadde and bought it Nowe thoughe thys thynge be playne ynoughe and apparaunt yet wyth youre pacience I wyll declare vnto you what the moost excellente doctoure of the churche saynte Hierome wryteth vpon thys place Surely sayeth saynt Hierome there is one perle moost preciouse of all that is to wyte y e knowlege of oure Sauioure and the mystery of hys passion and resurrection whyche whan a marchaunte man hath founde as saynt Paule the Apostle dyd he despyseth al the mysteryes of the law prophetes and hys olde obseruauncies wherin he lyued wythout reproche yea and he regardeth them â–ª no better than the parynges of his nayles or chyppes to thin tent to wynne Christe vnto hym Thys Christe as Thon baptist wytnesseth is the lambe of god which taketh awaye the synne of the worlde Where as before hys commynge we were as shepe wanderynge wythout sheperde but nowe by faythe we be conuerted vnto oure shepeherde whych is the onely good shepeherde and vnto the byshop of our soules which is eternal alwayes mediatour intercessour for vs alwayes presentyng offrynge himselfe for vs. Let vs thaÌ„ good people folow hys coÌ„uersation Let vs beare paciently all thynges for the loue of hym whych hath suffered so many tribulations and extreme paynes for vs. Let vs not synne wyllyngly Let vs not speake any vntrouth fraude deception and lyes Let vs not curse yf any saye euyll of vs. Let vs not threaten yf any do greue vs. Let vs remytte and commytte all vengeaunce vnto God Let vs haue remembraunce of the benefytes whyche he hath done to vs by hys glorious passion that we maye be deade wyth hym as to hym let vs be mor tifyed by hys spirite as to vs. Let vs not lyue nomore to our selues but let vs lyue to hym whych is our iustice for we be the shepe whych he hath coÌ„uerted from wanderynge forth of the ryght pathe from errour and infidelitie vnto fayth He is our shepeherde let vs folowe hym vnto the pasture of lyfe He is our byshop our mediatour our intercessour oure hostie And how do we feare that we shuld not be ex alted Let vs haue thys fayth that none is refused none goeth awaye with out beyng exalted Who so euer hath thys fayth in him cannot peryshe yea ther was neuer so greate a synner but that this mediatour and raunsomer hath satisfied for hym yf he hath this fayth Our epistle willyth that we vnderstande this vnto the glory of hym whych is al vnto vs by the wyl of the eternal father to whoÌ„ be glorye without ende in secula seculorum Amen The Gospel on the secoÌ„de sonday after Ester daye The. x. chapter of Ihon. Thargument ☞ Christ is the true shepherd IEsus sayd to hys disciples I am the good shepe herde A good shepeherde giueth his lyfe for the shepe An hyred seruaunt and he whych is not the shepherd neither the shepe are hys owne seeth the wolf coÌ„myng leueth the shepe and flyeth the wolfe catcheth and scattereth the shepe the hyred seruaunt flyeth bycause he is an hyred seruaunt careth not for the shepe I am the good shepeherde and knowe my shepe and I am knowen of myne As my father knoweth me euen so know I also my father And I geue my lyfe for the shepe and other shepe I haue whych are not of this fold Them also muste I brynge and they shall heare my voyce and ther shall be one folde and one shepeheerd IN this Gospell good people our Lord doth shew vs that he is the true and ryght shepherd And it is good reason for he onely hath geuen hymselfe vn to the death and hath quyckened all his shepe He alonly doth nourish with his doctrine all his shepe wyth y e fode of eternall lyfe Yf the wolfe doth come that is the great deuell of hell or any of hys members he neuer forsaketh hys shepe but doth defende and delyuer them from the puissaunce and myghte of the enemye for he is stronge aboue all is more myghty then all And also the shepe be hys and he hath bought them wyth a great pryce whyche is aboue all prices He doth loue them accordyng to the price y t is to saye more than any thought can thinke or tonge expresse And he hath not alonly bought them agayne but he hathe made them and created them they be his owne workes and his owne shepe It is the shepherde by whome al thinges hath bene made Wherfore naturally he cannot hate them He is no forgetful shepherd but he is a shepherd know yng al he cannot forgette any
thynge For as the eternall father knoweth al in lyke maner he knowith all As the father eternal knowyth al in gyuing him all in lyke maner he knowyth his shâ—pe in gyuinge them all For he gyueth them liefe wisdome myght Yea and such liefe wisdom and myght as is aboue the world For those that be according to the worlde be but shadowes of theÌ„ And by this wisdom whych surmountyth the world hys shepe doth knowe him This is the good herdman gyuing liefe to al know ing all which is alinyghty But the hyred shephard is none such He doth not dye for his shepe He doth not gyue them liefe And when the wolfe commyth he doth leaue them They be not his owne He hath nother made them nor yet bought them agayne He connyth awaie He letteth them be lost and suffereth them to be deuoured wyth the wolfe and fynally to go into eternall damnation He is vnmyghty He is ignorant cleane vnlyke vnto the good herdman The hyred shepherd hath but a lytle and a particuler flocke But y e good herdmaÌ„ hath a greate flocke he hath the flocke of y e nation of Israel of al other nations He hath the vniuersall flocke the whych from daye to daye he leadyth gatheryth together for to here hys swete voyce and hys holy doctryne whych is the doctryne of the gospell vnto the tyme that all the worlde shalbe but one flocke and that there shulde be but one herdman which is our Lord Iesu Christe as it is sayde here And there shalbe made one shepecote and one herdman Now by this parable good frendes we be taught and enformed of the true office of Christ and wherfore he came into thys worlde Hys office whervnto he was sent of hys father was to teach vs and also to saue vs. As touchynge hys doctrine and teachynge who euer in fedynge of hys flocke was more vigilant more busy more paynfull than he was Who euer ministred to hys shepe more diligently the fode of the euange licall veritie All that herde hym speake and preach were astonnyed vpon hys doctrine For he taught them not after the fashion of the scribes and pharisees whych neuertheles were the greate doctours learned men of the lawe but as one hauynge a won derfull grace and authoritie Yea euen his very ene myes were coÌ„pelled to testifie of hym that he taught the waye of God in trouth as appeareth in the .xxij. thapter of Matheu Neyther dyd Christ only teach hys shepe that is to saye those that folowed hym lyke shpe that were well nere lost but he also healed them bestowynge euen hys very lyfe for them For I praye you dyd he not dye for our synnes Was it not he only which with his bloude wasshed awaye the fylthynes of oure synnes Yea doubtles But who be these hyrelynges whyche whan they se the wolfe come to deuoure the shepe they ruÌ„ne theyr waye Surely these be those whych preach y e worde and that also purely and syncerely but they prech it for lucre for honoure for glorye or for the belyes sake These I saye be no true herdmen but hyrelynges for these dryue not awaye the rauenous wolues that is to saye the deuyll and hys lymmes I meane the Antichristes whych persecute deuourâ— Christes flocke but as soone as persecution trouble for the worde commeth anone they are gone Of these do the prophete Ieremy speake sayenge Wo be vnto the shepeherders that destroye and skatter my flocke I wyll therfore vysite the wyckednes of theyr ymaginations It is true that the Apostle wry teth Qui episcopatuÌ„ desiderat bonuÌ„ opus concupiscit that is to saye He that desyreth an ouersyght or a cure ouer a flocke whych after the greke worde is called a byshoprych coueteth a good worke Lo sayeth saynt Ierome wrytynge to Oceanus the Apostle calleth a byshopryke a worke and not a digni tie a laboure and not a deyntenes a worke wherby through humilitie he muste be lowly not to swelle in pryde For a byshop or curate must be fautles sobre full of good doctrine not gyuen to foule and fyl thy gaynes but meke diligent full of charitie accor dynge to thexemple of Christ the hygh and supreme shepeherde of all and the shepeherde of shepeherdes whych as thys Gospell sayeth gaue hys owne lyfâ— for the sauegarde and health of hys shepe that is to saye of all vs that folowe and beleue on hym Wheâ— fore my brethren and systers to conclude how happy be we for to haue suche a herdman for to know to loue to folowe to heare hys swete voyce that gyueth lyfe to heare hys doctrine to be refectioned fedde wyth the meate whyche gyueth euerlastynge lyfe to haue wysedome and myght that surmouÌ„teth the worlde by the sayd our herdmen lyghtenyng vs in hym by fayth drawynge vs to hym by hope inflamynge vs by charitie Unto hym therfore be glorye in all the nations wythin the compasse of y e erth for euer and euer Amen The Epistle on the .iij. sonday after Ester The fyrst epistle of saynt Peter the .ij. Chapter Thargument ☞ Peter exhorteth to laye asyde all vyce to absteyne from fleshly lustes and to obeye worldlye rulers DEarely beloued brethreÌ„ I besech you as strauÌ„ gerâ— and pylgrems abstayne froÌ„ fleshly lustes which fyght agaynste the soule and se that ye haue honest conuersacioÌ„ among the Gentils that where as they backbyte you as euyll doars they maye se your good workes and prayse God in the daye of visitation Submytte youre selues therfore vnto al maâ—er ordinauÌ„ce of man for the Lordes sake whe ther it be vnto the Kynge as vnto the chiefe heed other vnto rulars as vnto theÌ„ that are sent of hym for the punyshemeÌ„t of euyl doars but for the laud of them that do well For so is the wyll of God that wyth well doynge ye maye stoppe the mouthes of folysh and ignoraunte men as fre and not as hauyng the libertye for a cloke of maliciousnes but euen as the seruauÌ„tes of God Honoure al men Loue brotherly feloshyp Feare God honoure the Kynge Seruauntes obey your masters wyth feare not onely yf they be good and courteous but also thoughe they be frowarde For it cometh of grace in Christ Iesus our Lorde THys Epistle good christian brethern systers is very excellent and notable For in it is handeled the second part of Christianitie that is to wit how in thys liefs after we haue ones receyued and taken the euangell or glad tydynges of oure saluation whych thyng we call commonly in englyshe a gospell we ought to lyue In the processe that goeth before thys epistle saynt Peter taught and shewed y e other parte of Christianitie whych is of fayth and howe we ought to beleue the gospell and also how we be edified and buylded vpon Christ the corner stone wheras before that tyme we were the chyl dren of vengaunce and as abâ—ectes and
we do fynde for god maketh vs here aboundauntly in this behalfe to enioye our requestes and desyres and doth minister al thynges to the bodye wyth a large blessynge whyche thynge neuerthelesse is moost present poyson and pestilence to the soule and it is the occasion of great myschefe For doubtles surfettynge and ydelnes of all nough tynes be the rotes and the fountaynes of all euels But alake alake thys goostly infection we nothing at all regarde we passe not of it The pestileÌ„ce which noyeth the body we eschue it with great care and we study to dryue it awaye wyth often prayers and sup plications laynge vnto it all the medicines and remedies we can deuyse But in thys spirituall pestilence we go styll on and procede wythout care or thought and euen for thys purpose as it semeth we desyre of God large sustentacion and aboundaunce of â—l thynges and to be delyuered from the corporal pestilence and infections that we maye the more frely and aboundauÌ„tly endure after a delicate sorte in y t spirituall infection But assuredly my frendes almyghty god the sercher of hartes whyle he seyth vs slepynge in such careles wyse and that we nothynge regarde thys so pestilent a pestileÌ„ce he also winketh at our destruction accordynge to our owne vowes requestes he graunteth vs copye and aboundaunce of all thynges and so blyndeth vs wyth the prosperous successe of all thynges and drowneth vs in the synke and puddell of synnes tyll at last oure synnes by longe vse runne into a custome and that the name of synne be forgotten Wherfore moost dearely beloued brethren and systers albeit euery day we ought to exhibite suppli cations and prayers to the Lorde wyth a rough cha stisement of our body to dryue awaye froÌ„ vs so horrible floudes of all myschefe namely in thys region moost addict and gyuen to coÌ„messacions to bankettynges to reuelynges to surfettynges to ydelnes to the vyces that â—nsue of them to thintent that god ones at laste maye lyghten vs wyth hys grace that we maye vse his gyftes to the helth of our soule and to the holsomnes of our body in suche sorte as these goodes of the contrey I meane our corne and cattel myght be auaylable aswell to the tuicion and defeÌ„ce of our body as to our soules health But as I haue sayd and saye agayne God hath made vs so blynde and so vnsauery that we are waxen playne Epicures vtterly voyde of all feare or care of God mooste shamefully abusynge hys gyftes to the ryot of the body and destruction of the soule And for asmuche as thys our detestable wickednes and abuse of this godly institucion is not amended but waxeth yerly worse and worse therfore God hath gyuen vs vp in to a disalowed mynde so y t we make these letanyes and rogation dayes by our synnes vtterly vnprofy table and vnfrutfull vnto vs. Beholde how angrye and how sore displeased God is wyth vs neyther is there any to aswage and appeace hys fury syth our letanyes our supplications processions prayers wherewyth we rather mocke god thaÌ„ worshyp hym spendynge our tyme and abusynge hys benefites in thys wyse be rather kyndlynges and nouryshmentes of goddes indignation and vengeaunce thaÌ„ mitigacions and swagynges therof God graunt therfore and be presently at haÌ„de assystent to vs good people that ones at last we may come home againe to our selues and to returne to the hart and that we may beynge instincted and kyndled wyth ernest and sure fayth put from vs hys wrath and displeasure to whome be prayses and glory in secula seculorum Amen The epistle on the Ascension daye The fyrst chapter of the actes of the Apostles Thargument ☞ Christes Ascension into heauen is here described IN the former treatyse Deare Theophylus we haue spoken of all that Iesus beganne to do and teach vntyll the daye in whych he was taken vp af ter that he thorow the holy goost had gyuen com maundemente vnto the Apostles whome he hadde chosen to whom also he shewed hymselfe alyue af ter hys passion and that by many tokens appearynge vnto them fourtye dayes and speakynge of the kyngdome of God and gathered them to gether and commaunded them that they shulde not departe froÌ„ IerusaleÌ„ but to wayte for the promise of the father wherof sayth he ye haue herd of me For â—hon truly baptysed with water but ye shalbe baptised wyth the holy gost after these few dayes Whan they therfore were come together they asked of hym saynge Lorde wylt thou at this tyme restore agayne the kyngdom to Israel And he said vnto them It is not for you to knowe the tymes or the seasons whych the father hath put in hys owne power but ye shall receaue power after that the ho ly goost is come vpon you And ye shalbe wytnesses vnto me not only in Ierusalem but also in all Iewry and in Samary and euen vnto the worldes ende And whaÌ„ he had spokeÌ„ these thynges whyle they behelde he was taken vp an hye and a cloude receaued hym vp out of theyr syght And whyle they loked stedfastly vp toward heaueÌ„ as he went beholde two men stode by them in whyte apparell whych also sayd ye men of Galilee why stande ye gasynge vp into heauen Thys same Iesus whyche is taken vp from you into heauen shall so come euen as ye haue sene hym go vp into heauen WElbeloued brethren and systers in our Sauiour Christe thys daye is called the Ascension daye because that as thys daye Christe our Sauiour and redemer mounted or styed vp to heauen after hys resurrection leauynge hys Apostles and disciples vpon the earth whych thynge is one of the ar ticles of our Crede or beleue And albeit saynt Luke the holy EuaÌ„gelist doth ascertayne vs of this thing in the ende of hys Gospell whych he wrote of the actes and lyfe of Christ yet for asmuche as he touched the thynge but brefly and lyghtly there therfore he doeth here in the lesson of thys daye whych is the be gynnynge of an other boke that he wrote for our instruction of the dedes and actes of the Apostles intreate the mater more at large Fyrst therfore ye shall marke and obserue good people that the Euangelical histories do paynt out Christ vnto vs as yet couered wyth the burthen of y e fleshe as yet not glorifyed how be it in the meane season he declared hymselfe aswell by hys heauenly doctrine as by many hys myracles which he shewed that he was very God But in the actes of the Apost lâ—s he is described and set forth vnto vs as one that nowe raygneth is glorifyed Thus therfore saynt Luke begynneth hys description In the former treatyse or boke whych I wrote dearly beloued freÌ„d Theophilus whych by interpretation sygnifyeth a louer of God we haue spoken of all that Iesus beganne to do and teache He sayeth not of all
thou cammest therfore he delyuered the. But where dyd he fynde the He founde the solde vnder synne lyenge in the death of the fyrste man drawynge vp the synne of the fyrst maÌ„ beynge gylty and hauynge condemnation yet thou couldest discerne good and euell asunder Hetherto I haue rehersed vnto you the wordes of saynt Austyne Wherfore to retourne to my purpose forasmuch as we be borne in synne whych bryngeth wyth it ignoraunce blyndnes and infidelitie therfore we can not chalenge thys to our owne power and vertue that we beleue Iesus to be Christ but for the beleuynge herof we haue nede to be borne agayne and to be renewed through the holy goost and by y e worde of God to thintent we may purely vnderstande the thynges that be of God and that we maye by faythe take holde of the promyses of Christ and so finally wyth sure confidence determine wyth ourselues that Iesus is Christe that is to saye the annoynted kynge and Sauioure of the worlde For no doubte before we be thus borne agayne we be all but Nicodemes that is to saye we maye well beleue that Christ came as a greate mayster from God and that nomaÌ„ coulde do the sygnes and myracles that he dyd But thys is but an historial fayth and they that haue it do as yet walke out of the kyngdom of heuen wyth Nicodemus to whoÌ„ Christ answereth Uerely verely I saye vnto the onles a maÌ„ be borne agayne from about he can not se the kyngdome of God whych selfe thynge the holy apostle saynte Ihon doth in thys place declare in other termes saynge he can not beleue Iesus to be Christe For he that beleueth not thys can not se the kyngdome of god To beleue y t Iesus is Christe is surely to determine and conclude wyth thy self that Iesus is fyrste to the a Sauiour and secoÌ„dly that he is a kynge anoynted w t the oyle of gladnes perpetually to rule to preserue to defend the so saued by hym And here saynt Ihons entent and purpose is to declare vnto vs a difference betwene the historiall faythe concernynge Christe whyche the deuyll also hath and so all hypocrites and betwene y t true and sauynge fayth whych beleueth that Christ doth both saue vs and also taketh a continuall charge regard of our saluation To thys fayth we be borâ—e agayne when through the holy goost we be casted by the worde to the knowlege of Gods wyll to thuâ— tent we maye vnderstande that Iesus is Christe I meane that he is such one in whome is reposed all grace helth defense and sauegarde agaynste synne death Satan the worlde and so forth This he that beleueth is sayd to be borne of god as though saint Ihon shulde say To beleue y t Iesus is Christ is not a worke of humane power strength but it is suche a worke whervnto is requyred the power of God an heauenly renewyng or regeneration wherby the holy goost transformeth vs into newe creatures And what is this faith whiche is so myghty It is as I haue sayde the fame that maketh vs beleue that Iesus is the sonne of god that was baptysed which thinge is to be comen by water that suffered death and passion for the redemption of men which is to be comen by bloude That Iesus Christ is verite for the holy ghost doth witnesse it that is to say both trew god and trewe man And that he is trewe god thre thinges doth witnesse it in heueÌ„ the father the sonne which is him selfe and the holy ghost and these thre be one selfe witnesse And that he is trewe man thre thinges doth witnesse it in erth the spirite which he hath bequethed into the handes of his father at his death the water with which he was baptised and the bloude which he hath shed with water when his syde was percyd after that he was deade And these thre thinges be one selfe witnesse And if we receyue the witnesse of menne why shuld we not take the witnesse of god which is infinitely greater than maÌ„s that he is the sonne of god This witnesse was made by god the father in his baptisme And also he hath testified yt in the mountaine he hath testified it by the lawe by the prophetes Who so euer then beleueth that he is the sone of god he hath the witnesse of god in him he receyueth the recorde and testimonye of god he is borne of god and in the spirite of his faith he is farre stronger ouer y e world and victorious of the worlde Folowe we then good brethren and systers this generation of God of fayth and of baptisme and lo we haue ouercome all thynges that is to wytte the worlde the fleshe and the concupiscences Nowe yf we be rydde and not combred wyth these thynges surely the yuel spirite can haue nothynge in vs but than the spirite of god only may all and doth all in vs. Unto god then be all thankes honour and glory accordingly Amen The Gospell on the fyrst sondaye after Ester daye called lowe sondaye the. xx chapter of Ihon. Thargument of thys Gospell ☞ How Christ appeareth to hys disciples which were assembled togyther and of theyr coÌ„mission that was gyuen them to preache THe same daye at nyght whyche was the fyrst daye of the Sabbothes whan the dores were shut where the disciples were assembled together for feare of the Iewes came Iesus and stode in the mydde and sayeth vnto them Peace be vnto you And whan he had so sayd he shewed vnto them hys handes and hys syde Then were the disciples glad whaÌ„ they sawe the Lorde Than sayd Iesus to them agayn Peace be vnto you As my father sent me euen so sende I you also And wha he had sayd those wordes he brethed on them and sayeth vnto them Receyue the holy goost Whosoeuers synnes ye remytte they are remytted vnto them And whosoeuers synnes ye retayne they are retayned But Thomas one of the twelue whych is called Di dimus was not wyth them whan Iesus came The other disciples therfore sayde vnto hym we haue sene the Lorde But he sayde vnto them excepte I se in hys handes the prynte of the nayles and put my fnnger into the prynt of the nayles and thurst my hande into hys syde I wil not beleue And after eyghte dayes agayne hys disciples were wyth in and Thomas wyth them Then came Iesus when the dores were shut and stode in the myddes and sayde peace be vnto youe After that sayde he to Thomas brynge thy fynger hyther and se my han des and reache hyther thy hande and thurste into my syde and be not faythlesse but beleuyng Tho mas answered and sayd vnto hym my Lorde and my Cod Iesus sayth vnto hym Thomas because thou haste sene me thou haste beleued blessed are they that haue not sene and yet haue beleued And many other sygnes truly dyd Iesus in the presence