Now, if the Gospel be the revealing of the son of God (as Paul defineth it in this place), then surely it accuseth not, it feareth not the conscience, it threateneth not death, it bringeth not to despair, as the law doth: but it is a doctrine concerning Christ, which is neither law, nor work, but our righteousness, wisdom, sanctification & redemption.1 Although this thing be more clear then the sun light, yet notwithstanding the madness and blindness of the Papists hath been so great, that of the Gospel they have made a law of charity, and of Christ a lawgiver, which should give more strait and heavy commandments then Moses himself. But the Gospel teacheth that Christ came not to set forth a new law, and to give commandments as touching manners:2 but that he came to this end, that he might be made an oblation for the sins of the whole world, and that our sins might be forgiven, and everlasting life given unto us for his sake, and not for the works of the law, or for our righteousness sake. Of this inestimable treasure freely bestowed upon us, the Gospel properly preacheth unto us.3 Wherefore it is a kind of doctrine that is not learned or gotten by any study, diligence or wisdom of man, nor yet by the law of God, but is revealed by God himself (as Paul saith in this place), first by the eternal word: then by the working of Gods spirit inwardly. The Gospel then is a divine word, that came down from heaven and is revealed by the holy Ghost (who was also sent for the same purpose): yet in such sort notwithstanding, that the outward word must go before. For Paul himself had no inward revelation until he had heard the outward word from heaven, which was this: Saul Saul why persecutest thou me? 4First therefore he heard the outward word, then afterwards followed revelations, the knowledge of the word, faith, and the gifts of the holy Ghost.
Now, if the Gospell be the reueiling of the sonne of God (as Paule defineth it in this place), then surely it accuseth not, it feareth not the conscience, it threateneth not death, it bringeth not to despaire, as the law doth: but it is a doctrine concerning Christ, which is neither law, nor worke, but our righteousnes, wisedome, sanctification & redēption.1 Although this thing be more cleare then the sunne light, yet notwtstanding the madnes and blindnes of the Papistes hath bene so great, that of the Gospell they haue made a lawe of charitie, and of Christ a lawegiuer, which should giue more streit and heauy commaundements then Moses himselfe. But the Gospell teacheth that Christ came not to set forth a newe law, and to geue commaundements as touching maners:2 but that he came to this end, that he might be made an oblation for the sinnes of the vvhole vvorld, and that our sinnes might be forgeuē, and euerlasting life giuen vnto vs for his sake, and not for the works of the lawe, or for our rightesousnes sake. Of this inestimable treasure freely bestowed vpon vs, the Gospell properly preacheth vnto vs.3 Wherfore it is a kind of doctrine that is not learned or gotten by any studie, diligence or wisdome of man, nor yet by the lawe of God, but is reueiled by God himself (as Paule saith in this place), first by the eternal word: then by the working of Gods spirite inwardly. The Gospell then is a diuine word, that came downe from heauen and is reueiled by the holy Ghost (who was also sent for the same purpose): yet in such sort notwithstanding, that the outward word must goe before. For Paule himselfe had no inward reuelation vntil he had heard the outward word frō heauen, which was this: Saule Saule vvhy persecutest thou me? 4First therfore he heard the outward word, thē afterwards folowed reuelations, the knowledge of the word, faith, and the giftes of the holy Ghost.
- 11 Cor. 1.30. The crafty Sophists have turned the Gospel into the law of love, and Christ into Moses.1 Cor. 1.30. The craftie Sophists haue turned the Gospell into the lavve of loue, and Christ into Moses.
- 2Heb. 10.10.
- 3The Gospel is not learned by any study of man, but is taught from above, of God.The Gospell is not learned by any studie of man, but is taught from aboue, of God.
- 4Acts. 9.4.
