A Golden Chain

Euseb. As touching good works by that measure of knowledge that god hath given me, I think that all works are good which are done according to the obedience of Gods law in faith and with thanksgiving to God, and with a mind desirous of his glory alone, and I think that I or any man else in doing them please God whatsoever I do within the law of God, as when I make water. And trust me if either wind or water were stopped, I should feel what a precious thing it were to do either of both, and what thanks ought to be given God therefore. Moreover, I put no difference between works, but whatsoever cometh into my hands that I do as time, place, and occasion giveth, and according to my degree. For as touching to please God there is no work better then other: God looketh not first on my works as the world doth, or as though he had need of them: but God looketh first on my heart what faith I have to his word, how I believe him, trust him, and how I love him, for his mercy that he hath showed to me, he looketh with what heart I work, and not what I work, how I accept the degree he hath put me in, not of what degree I am. Let us take example. You are a minister and preach the word, I am a kitchen boy, and wash my masters dishes. Of the Ministry hark what the Apostle saith: If I preach I have naught to rejoice in, for necessity is put upon me: If I preach not the gospel; as who should say, God hath made me so, woe is to me if I preach not. If I do it willingly (saith he) then I have my reward: that is, then I am sure that Gods spirit is in me, and that I am elect to eternal life. If I do it against my will, the office is committed to me, that is, I do it not of love to God, but to get a living thereby, and for a worldly purpose, and had rather otherwise live: then do I that office which God hath put upon me, but do not please God. So then if you preached not, or in preaching had not your heart aright, you minister the office, and they that have the spirit of God hear his word, yea, though it were spoken by an Ass, and the woe belongeth to you: but and if you preach willingly with a true heart and conscience to God, then you shall feel the earnest of eternal life, and the working of the spirit of God in you, and your preaching is a good work in you.

Euseb. As touching good workes by that measure of knowledge that god hath giuen me, I thinke that all workes are good which are done according to the obedience of Gods law in faith and with thanksgiuing to God, and with a minde desirous of his glorie alone, and I thinke that I or any man els in doing them please God whatsoeuer I doe within the lawe of God, as when I make water. And trust me if either wind or water were stopped, I should feele what a pretious thing it were to doe either of both, and what thankes ought to bee giuen God therefore. Moreouer, I put no difference betweene workes, but whatsoeuer commeth into my hands that I doe as time, place, and occasion giueth, and according to my degree. For as touching to please God there is no worke better then other: God looketh not first on my workes as the worlde doth, or as though he had neede of them: but God looketh first on my heart what faith I haue to his word, how I beleeue him, trust him, and howe I loue him, for his mercie that he hath shewed to me, hee looketh with what heart I worke, and not what I worke, how I accept the degree he hath put me in, not of what degree I am. Let vs take example. You are a minister and preach the word, I am a kitchin boy, and wash my masters dishes. Of the Ministery harke what the Apostle saith: If I preach I haue naught to reioice in, for necessity is put vpon me: If I preach not the gospel; as who should say, God hath made me so, woe is to me if I preach not. If I do it willingly (saith he) then I haue my reward: that is, then I am sure that Gods spirit is in me, and that I am elect to eternall life. If I doe it against my will, the office is committed to me, that is, I doe it not of loue to God, but to get a liuing thereby, and for a worldly purpose, and had rather otherwise liue: then doe I that office which God hath put vpon me, but doe not please God. So then if you preached not, or in preaching had not your heart aright, you miniser the office, and they that haue the spirit of God heare his word, yea, though it were spoken by an Asse, and the woe belongeth to you: but and if you preach willingly with a true heart and conscience to God, then you shall feele the earnest of eternal life, and the working of the spirit of God in you, and your preaching is a good worke in you.