Phi. Be on good comfort neighbour Epaphroditus, there is no repentance and conversion to late in this world▪ ⟨p. 421⟩so that it be true & proceedeth from a contrite heart & humble spirit. For at whatsoever hour a sinner doth mourn and lament for his sins,1 God promiseth, that he will so forgive him his iniquities that he will never remember them more.2 And Christ saith.3 Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. In the holy scriptures God doth very often call us unto repentance, but he appointeth not ether this or the time, day & hour, but he willeth us to repent, and promiseth that whensoever we return unto him, we shall be safe and escape from death unto life.4 Our saviour Christ also biddeth all that are diseased, come unto him, and promiseth that he will ease them, but he assigneth no time, but at all hours he promiseth grace, mercy, favour, help, and con •ort. Christ is a saviour for all ages, ⟨p. 422⟩& refuseth no conversion, although never so late. If we come in childhood, in youth, in middle age, or in old age, whensoever we come, we shall be received. Only let us come. It is better late then never. God is a like merciful, in all ages. Christ is a saviour able enough to save at all times.5 He ceaseth not to be called Jesus, that is to say, a saviour: neither ceaseth he at any time to save, as the Apostle saith, Jesus Christ yesterday & to day,6 and the same continueth for ever. If Christ were appointed of God the father a saviour for certain times, & not for all times: so should he be no perfect saviour.7 If he could not as effectually save at the hour of death as at the hour of the birth: he were unworthy the name of a saviour. But he abideth a saviour for all ages and for all kind of people, so that they unfeignedly ⟨p. 423⟩repent, believe, and turn. Set before your eyes the parable,8 which we read in the gospel, of them that were hired to work in the vineyard. Some came early in the morning, some about the third hour, some about the .vi. and .ix. hour, and some about the .xi. hour. And when night once came, that they should receive their wages, all had like reward. When they that came first saw that they that came last & wrought but one hour, were equal unto them, which had borne the burden and heat of the day, & received like reward: one of them murmured & grudged at the matter: but it was answered. Friend I do the no wrong.
Phi. Be on good comfort neighbor Epaphroditus, there is no repentaūce and conuersion to late in this worlde▪ ⟨p. 421⟩so that it be true & proceadeth frō a contrite heart & humble spirite. For at whatsoeuer hour a sinner dooth mourne and lamente for his sinnes,1 God promyseth, that he will so forgeue him his iniquities that he will neuer remember thē more.2 And Christe saithe.3 Blessed are they that mourn, for they shal be comforted. In the holy scriptures God doth very often call vs vnto repentaunce, but he appoynteth not ether this or ye time, day & hour, but he willeth vs to repent, and promiseth that whensoeuer we returne vnto him, we shall bee safe and escape from death vnto life.4 Our sauiour Christ also biddeth al that are diseased, come vnto him, and promiseth that he wil ease thē, but he assigneth no time, but at all houres he promyseth grace, mercy, fauour, help, and cō •ort. Christ is a sauior for al ages, ⟨p. 422⟩& refuseth no cōuersion, although neuer so late. If we come in childhode, in yougth, in middle age, or in olde age, whensoeuer we come, we shall be receiued. Only let vs come. It is better late then neuer. God is a like merciful, in al ages. Christ is a sauiour able inough to saue at all tymes.5 He ceaseth not to be called Iesus, that is to say, a sauiour: niether ceaseth he at any time to saue, as ye Apostle saith, Iesus Christ yesterday & to daye,6 and the same continueth for euer. If Christ were appoynted of God the father a sauioure for certaine times, & not for all times: so shuld he be no perfect sauiour.7 If he could not as effectually saue at the hour of death as at the hour of the birth: he were vnworthy ye name of a sauiour. But he abideth a sauiour for all ages and for all kind of people, so that they vnfainedly ⟨p. 423⟩
- 1Jere. xxx• ▪Iere. xxx• ▪
- 2Ezech. xv••• ▪
- 3Math. v.
- 4Math. •••
- 5Math. i.
- 6Hebr. xiii.
- 7• Note.
- 8Math. xx.
