Moreover, we exercise our selves in the fear of God, and avoid sin as much as we may. If we sin, we sin not of purpose, but of ignorance, and we are sorry for it. We may slip, for the Devil lieth in wait for us both day and night. Also,1 the remnants of sin cleave yet fast in our flesh: therefore as touching the flesh we are sinners, yea after that we have received the holy Ghost. And there is no great difference betwixt a Christian and a civill honest man.2 For the works of a Christian in outward show are but base and simple. He doth his duty according to his vocation, he guideth his family, he tilleth the ground, he giveth counsel, he aideth and succoureth his neighbour. These works the carnal man doth not much esteem, but thinketh them to be common to all men, and such as the heathen may also do.3 For the world understandeth not the things which are of the spirit of God, and therefore it judgeth perversely of the works ⟨image 185⟩of the godly. But the monstrous superstition of hypocrites and their will works they have in great admiration. They count them holy works, & spare no charges in maintaining the same. Contrariwise the works of the faithful (which although in outward appearance they seem to be but vile & nothing worth, yet are they good works in deed, and accepted of God because they are done in Faith, with a cheerful heart, and with obedience and thankfulness towards God), these works, I say, they do not only not acknowledge to be good works, but also they despise and condemn them as most wicked and abominable. The world therefore believeth nothing less then that we have yt holy Ghost. Notwithstanding in the time of tribulation or of the cross, and of the confession of our faith (which is yt proper & principal work of those that believe) when we must either forsake wife, children, goods and life, or else deny Christ, then it appeareth that we make confession of our Faith, that we confess Christ and his word by the power of the holy Ghost.
Moreouer, we exercise our selues in the feare of God, and auoide sinne as much as we may. If we sinne, we sinne not of purpose, but of ignorance, and we are sory for it. We may slippe, for the Deuill lieth in wait for vs both day and night. Also,1 the remnantes of sinne cleaue yet fast in our flesh: therefore as touching the flesh we are sinners, yea after that we haue receaued the holy Ghost. And there is no great difference betwixt a Christian and a ciuill honest man.2 For the workes of a Christian in outward shew are but base and simple. He doth his duetie according to his vocation, he guideth his familie, he tilleth the ground, he geueth counsell, he aideth and succoureth his neighbour. These workes the carnall man doth not much esteme, but thinketh them to be common to all men, and such as the heathen may also doe.3 For the world vnderstandeth not the things which are of the spirite of God, and therefore it iudgeth peruersly of the workes ⟨image 185⟩of the godly. But the monstrous superstition of hypocrites and their will workes they haue in great admiration. They count them holy works, & spare no charges in maintaining the same. Contrariwise the workes of the faithfull (which although in outward appearance they seeme to be but vile & nothing worth, yet are they good works in dede, and accepted of God because they are done in Faith, with a cherefull heart, and wt obedience and thankfulnes towards God), these works, I say, they do not onely not acknowledge to be good works, but also they despise and condemne them as most wicked and abhominable. The world therfore beleueth nothing lesse then that we haue yt holy Ghost. Notwtstanding in the time of tribulation or of the crosse, and of the cō fession of our faith (which is yt proper & principall worke of those that beleue) when we must either forsake wife, children, goodes and life, or else deny Christ, then it appeareth yt we make confession of our Faith, that we confesse Christ and his word by the power of the holy Ghost.
- 1The remnants of sin in the Saints.The remnants of sinne in the Sainctes.
- 2Small difference in outward show between a christian, and a man that is but outwardly and civilly righteous.Smal differēce in outvvard shevv betvvene a christian, and a mā that is but outvvardly and ciuily righteous.
- 31. Cor. 2.14.
