A declaration of Christ and of his office compiledA declaration of Christe and of his offyce compylyd

Should be satisfied how and wherefore man is justified, so plainly that no adversary of the truth should hurt this infallible verity sole faith to justify. Nicodemus having â good opinion although not â sufficient knowledge of Christ. Came unto him by night and confessed him to be sent from God, and that because of such works and miracles as he had wrought. Christ made answer Truly Nicodemus Isay unto the No man ⟨image 45⟩can see the kingdom of God except he be born from â bove Nicodemus not understanding what Christ meant, Asked him how an old man could be born again, and whether he could enter his mothers belly, and then be born again. Christ bringeth him yet near unto the light that he might know the means and saith I tell the truly Nicodemus that no man can enter the kingdom of God Except he be born of the water and the holy ghost &c. Nicodemus confessed yet again his ignorance, and desired to be father instructed saying. How may these things be. Christ answered. Thou art the great Master and Rabbi in Israel and yet ignorant of these things Meaning that great and horrible must the ignorance of the people be: when there doctors know not the truth. Nicodemus confessing his ignorance, and receiving reproach at Christs ⟨image 46⟩hand, because he toke upon him to teach other and yet â fool him self in the religion of god. Might for shame have left Christ and his gospel eke, because he now is made â scholar that before was for his prudence and learning the chief of the Jews. A pharisee of most notable estimation. Christ straight way comforteth him all other learned and unlearned, and saith. No man ascendeth into heaven, Except he that descended from heaven, the son of man Which is in heaven as though Christ had said thus: discomfort not thy self Nicodemus that although thou be a great learned man and yet ignorant of the ways unto ever lasting lief: for I promise the there is no man learned nor unlearned, that can of his own wit and learning ascend unto the knowledge of lief ever lasting but only he that descended from heaven the son ⟨image 46⟩of man which is in heaven. Now Nicodemus being destitute of all worldly and humane prudence and finding him self full unable by wit or learning to follow the effect of Christs preaching:

Shuld be satisfyed how and wherfore man is iustified, so plainly that no aduersary of the truithe shuld hurt this infallible uerite sole faythe to iustifie. Nicodemus hauing â good opinion althow not â sufficiēt knolege of Christ. Came unto hym by night and confessyd hym to be sent from God, and that because of souche workes and miracles as he had wrowght. Christ made answer Trewly Nicodemus Isay unto the Noman