The common protestant likewise cometh short herein for three causes. First whereas in word they acknowledge him to be their Saviour, that hath redeemed them from their evil conversation, yet indeed they make him a patron of their sins. The thief makes him the receiver, the murderer makes him his refuge, bthe adulterer (be it spoken with reverence to his majesty) makes him the bawd. For generally men walk on in their evil ways; some living in this sin, some in that, and yet for all this they persuade themselves that God is merciful, and that Christ hath freed them from death and damnation. Thus Christ that came to abolish sin, is made a maintainer thereof, and the common pack-horse of the world to bear every mans burden. Secondly, men are content to take knowledge of the merit of Christs passion for the remission of their sins, but in the mean season the virtue of Christs death in the mortifying of sin, and the blessed example of his passion, which ought to be followed and expressed in our lives and conversations, is little or nothing regarded. Thirdly, men usually content themselves generally ⟨p. 28⟩and confusedly to know Christ to be their Redeemer, never once seeking in every particular estate and condition of life, and in every particular blessing of God, to feel the benefit of his passion. What is the cause that almost all the world live in security, never almost touched for their horrible sins? surely the reason is, because they did never yet seriously consider that Christ in the garden lay grovelling upon the earth, sweating water and blood for their offences. Again, all such as by fraud and oppression, or any kind of hard dealing suck the blood of poor men, never yet knew that their sins drew out the heart blood of Christ. And proud men and women that are puffed up by reason of their attire, which is the badge of their shame, and never cease hunting after strange fashions, do not consider that Christ was not crucified in gay attire, but naked, that he might bear the whole shame and curse of the law for us. These and such like whatsoever they say in word, if we respect the tenor of their lives, are flat enemies of the cross of Christ, and tread his precious blood under their feet.
The common protestant likewise commeth shorte herein for three causes. First whereas in worde they acknowledge him to be their Sauiour, that hath redeemed them from their euill conuersation, yet indeede they make him a patrone of their sinnes. The theefe makes him the receiuer, the murderer makes him his refuge, bthe adultcrer (be it spoken with reuerence to his maiestie) makes him the bawde. For generally men walke on in their euil waies; some liuing in this sinne, some in that, and yet for all this they perswade themselues that God is mercifull, and that Christ hath freed them from death and damnation. Thus Christ that came to abolish sinne, is made a maintainer thereof, and the common packe-horse of the worlde to beare euery mans burden. Secondly, men are content to take knowledge of the merite of Christes passion for the remission of their sinnes, but in the meane season the vertue of Christs death in the mortifying of sinne, and the blessed example of his passion, which ought to be followed and expressed in our liues and conversations, is little or nothing regarded. Thirdly, men usually content themselues generally ⟨p. 28⟩and confusedly to know Christ to be their Redeemer, neuer once seeking in euery particular estate and condition of life, and in euery particular blessing of God, to feele the benefite of his passion. What is the cause that almost all the worlde liue in securitie, neuer almost touched for their horrible sinnes? surely the reason is, because they did neuer yet seriously consider that Christ in the garden lay groueling upon the earth, sweating water and bloode for their offences. Againe, all such as by fraude and oppression, or any kinde of hard dealing sucke the bloode of poore men, neuer yet knewe that their sinnes drew out the heart bloode of Christ. And proude men and women that are puffed vp by reason of their attire, which is the badge of their shame, and neuer cease hunting after straunge fashions, doe not consider that Christ was not crucified in gay attire, but naked, that he might beare the whol shame and curse of the law for vs. These and such like whatsoeuer they say in worde, if we respect the tenour of their liues, are flatte enemies of the crosse of Christ, and treade his pretious blood under their feete.
- bCalvin. […] Gal. c. 6. 2.Calvin. 〈…〉 Gal. c. 6. 2.
