A Treatise Touching the Liberty of a Christian

But to return to our purpose again.¹ I suppose that by the foresaid demonstrations it is made manifest, that it sufficeth not to a true Christian man to preach the works, life, and doctrine of Christ, after an historical manner, and utter the same, as in telling of tales, as though ⟨p. 36⟩to know them to be patterns of framing our lives, were enough (like as they use to preach which are now accounted the best) much less if it be utterly concealed, and instead thereof mens constitutions and traditions be taught to supply the place. There be some now a days, and they not a few, which to this purpose do preach and teach Christ, that they may move the affections of the people to bewail the passion and torments which Christ suffered, and to be displeasant against the Jews, and such other childish and fond matters of no great importance. But Christ ought to be preached to this end, that faith in him may increase, that it may appear, that it is not enough, that there is a Christ, but that he may be a Christ (which is a Saviour) unto thee and unto me: And that he doth work the same in us, which is mentioned of him, & is agreeable to the name whereby he is named: which faith springeth, florisheth, and is preserved by this, if the preaching do notify the cause wherefore Christ ⟨p. 37⟩came, what he brought with him, what he gave, and to what use and purpose he is to be embraced. And this cometh to pass, where Christian liberty (which we do attain by him) is truly taught: and by what means all we Christians are Kings and Priests: wherein also we be Lords over all: and upon what this our affiance (that whatsoever we do is well pleasing and acceptable to GOD) is grounded, as I have said before.

But to returne to our purpose againe.¹ I suppose that by the foresaid demonstrations it is made manifest, that it sufficeth not to a true Christian man to preach the workes, life, and doctrine of Christ, after an historicall manner, and vtter the same, as in telling of tales, as though ⟨p. 36⟩to know them to bee patternes of framing our liues, were enough (like as they vse to preach which are now accompted the best) much lesse if it bee vtterly concealed, and instéede thereof mens constitutions and traditions bee taught to supply the place. There bée some now a dayes, and they not a few, which to this purpose doe preach and teach Christ, that they may mooue the affections of the people to bewaile the passion and torments which Christ suffered, and to bee displeasant against the Iewes, and such other childish and fond matters of no great importance. But Christ ought to be preached to this end, that faith in him may encrease, that it may appeare, that it is not enough, that there is a Christ, but that hee may bee a Christ (which is a Sauiour) vnto thee and vnto me: And that he doth work the same in vs, which is mētioned of him, & is agréeable to the name whereby hee is named: which faith springeth, florisheth, and is preserued by this, if the preaching doe notifie the cause wherefore Christ