The Pope confuted The holy and apostolic Church confuting the Pope. The first action.…The Pope confuted The holy and apostolique Church confuting the Pope. The first action.…

Whereupon that deep divine whosoever he be, seemeth not to have said altogether nothing to the matter, who in his books entit•led de Justitia, ¹debateth of righteousness on this wise: If faith only (saith he) do suffice, and so all the actions that we undertake be unprofitable and defiled, then is it a plain consequent, that all whosoever do embrace this counterfeit faith, do utterly shake of all endeavour to work well &c. Truly I confess this to be most truly spoken. Wheresoever salvation is preached to proceed freely from faith only: It can not otherwise be, but that the who•e desire of works will wax somewhat cold. But what •orkes I pray you? forsooth such works as the Romish Synagogue •oth broach unto us. But if the question concern th•se works, which are prescribed by the most holy law of God, it is so far of, that faith only may make to relent any jot of such good endeavour as that it will work in them a greater cheerfulness too do their duties. Too make this more evident, let this suffice for proof. ⟨image 71⟩For if our heavenly father have made us inheritors of eternal li•e, of his own proper gracious mercy, so that the possession of heaven become none otherwise ours then as the state of inheritance is due unto the son directly from the father by the law civill (as saint Paul witnesseth) who doth boldly pronounce that we be all the sons of God through faith in Christ, and heirs according the promise. ²Now then let this notable Philosopher of righteousness answer me hereunto. Whether the natural son standing assured of his inheritable estate will be more negligent to do the will of his father, or some other strange hireling waged for money, or enforced through fear of the eudgell.

Whereupon that deepe diuine whosoeuer he be, seemeth not to haue sayde altogether nothing to the matter, who in his bookes entit•led de Iustitia,