An apology or answer in defence of the Church of England with a brief…An apologie or answere in defence of the Churche of Englande with a briefe…

We say also, that every person is borne in sin, and leadeth his life in sin: that no body is able truly to say, ⟨image 35⟩his heart is clean. That the most righteous person is but an unprofitable servant: That the law of God is perfect, and requireth of us perfect and full obedience: That we are able by no means to fulfil that law in this worldly life: That there is no one mortal creature which can be justified by his own deserts in God's sight, and therefore that our only succour and refuge is to fly to the mercy of our Father by Jesus Christ, and assuredly to persuade our minds, that he is the obtainer of forgiveness for our sins. And that by his blood all our spots of sin be washed clean: That he hath pacified and set at one all things by the blood of his Cross: That he by the same one only Sacrifice which he once offered upon the Cross, hath brought to effect and fulfilled all things, and that for that cause he said when he gave up the Ghost, It is finished▪ as though he would signify that the price and ransom was now full paid for ⟨image 36⟩the sin of all mankind. If there be any then that think this sacrifice not sufficient, let them go in Gods name and seek an other that is better. We verily, because we know this to be the only sacrifice, are well content with it alone, and look for none other: and forasmuch as it was to be offered but once, we command it not to be renewed again. And because it was full & perfect in all points and parts, we do not ordain in place thereof any continual succession of offerings.

We saye also, that euery person is borne in sinne, and leadeth his lyfe in sinne: that no body is able truely to saye, ⟨image 35⟩his hearte is cleane. That ye most rightuous persone is but an vnprofitable seruaunte: That the law of God is perfite, and requireth of vs perfit and full obedience: That we are able by no meanes to fulfill that lawe in this worldly lyfe: That there is no one mortall creature whiche can be iustified by his owne desertes in goddes sight, and therfore that our only succour and refuge is to flye to the mercy of our Father by Iesu Christ, and assuredly to perswade our myndes, that he is the obtayner of forgiuenes for our sinnes. And that by his bloud al our spottes of sinne be washed cleane: That he hath pacified and set at one all thinges by the bloud of his Crosse: That he by the same one onely Sacrifice whiche he once offered vppon the Crosse, hath brought to effect and fulfilled al things, and that for that cause he sayd when he gaue vp the Ghoste, It is finished as though he woulde signifie that the price and ransome was nowe full payde for