A Treatise Touching the Liberty of a Christian

And this Leviathan and perverse opinion in works cannot possibly be reclaimed, where pure faith wanteth,¹ nor is removable from these holy workmen before that Faith the vanquisher thereof come in place and bear dominion in the heart. Nature is not of it self forcible enough to expel it, no not so much as to take notice thereof, but esteemeth it in place of a most holy will: whereas if custom prevail, & take deep rooting in this perverseness of nature (as is already brought to pass through wicked teachers) it is an incurable disease, and leadeth astray innumerable people into destruction unrecoverable. And therefore albeit it be a commendable thing to preach & write gloriously of repentance, confession, and satisfaction, yet if they surcease here, and proceed no further, even to the instructing of faith: such ⟨p. 54⟩doctrine doubtless is deceivable and devilish: For even so Christ with his beloved John did not only say, Repent ye of your sins: But added also the word of faith, For, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

And this Leuiathan and peruerse opinion in workes cannot possibly be reclaymed, where pure faith wanteth,¹ nor is remoueable from these holy workemen before that Faith the vanquisher thereof come in place and beare dominion in the heart. Nature is not of it selfe forcible enough to expell it, no not so much as to take notice therof, but estéemeth it in place of a most holy will: wheras if custome preuaile, & take déep rooting in this peruersenesse of nature (as is already brought to passe through wicked teachers) it is an incurable disease, and leadeth astray innumerable people into destruction vnrecouerable. And therfore albeit it be a commendable thing to preach & write gloriously of repentance, confession, and satisfaction, yet if they surcease here, and procéede no further, euen to ye instructing of faith: such ⟨p. 54⟩doctrine doubtlesse is deceiueable and deuilish: For euen so Christ with his beloued Iohn did not only say, Repent yee of your sinnes: But added also the word of faith, For, the kingdō of heauē is at hand.

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