A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

Against this precept, three sorts of men offend, and be unfaithful unto God. I. Those that being baptized, do yet live in ignorance and security, never seeking to know God, or to understand his will, no not so much as for their own vow in baptism; though none will brag more of fidelity unto God, than these men do. II. Those that have knowledge and understanding in Gods will, and yet make no conscience to live accordingly. III. Those that for a time show forth many good things, as care to get knowledge, and to keep faith and a good conscience, but after suffer themselves to be entangled and drawn away with the profits and pleasures of the world, or else to be driven back by trials and persecutions. And of these three sorts be most men generally: whose case is fearful and dangerous, for they shall never have the crown of life, if they continue thus unfaithful.

Against this precept, three sorts of men offend, and bee vnfaithfull vnto God. I. Those that being baptized, doe yet liue in ignorance and securitie, neuer seeking to know God, or to vnderstand his will, no not so much as for their owne vow in baptisme; though none will brag more of fidelitie vnto God, than these men do. II. Those that haue knowledge and vnderstanding in Gods will, and yet make no conscience to liue accordingly. III. Those that for a time shew forth many good things, as care to get knowledge, and to keepe faith and a good conscience, but after suffer themselues to be intangled and drawne away with the profites and pleasures of the world, or els to bee driuen backe by trials and persecutions. And of these three sorts be most men generally: whose case is fearefull and dangerous, for they shall neuer haue the crowne of life, if they continue thus vnfaithfull.

To induce men to fidelity, Christ addeth a most forcible reason: promising thereunto, The crown of eternal life. Hence the Papists conclude, that Martyrs by suffering martyrdom do merit the kingdom of heaven; because it is called a crown, therefore say they it is a reward. Whereto I answer two ways: I. The kingdom of heaven is called a crown only in resemblance, because as with men after the race is run, they receive the garland; even so after men have fought the good fight of faith, and kept good conscience in this life, then in the life to come they receive the crown of glory. For the keeping of faith & good conscience is not the cause, but the antecedent of eternal life. Secondly, the reward is promised not to the martyrdom but to the martyr; and yet not for his sufferings, but because he is a member of Christ, and by suffering death hath showed his faith in Christ; for whose merit alone he is so rewarded. And so must this and all other promises of like sort be understood: for the Papists do foully err, when they apply the promises unto the works, which are made unto the workers. By this promise, we all that have made our vow to God in baptism, must learn to become faithful in keeping the same unto the end. It is a shame for a man to be unfaithful unto men, much more with God. And the more fearful is this sin, because only the faithful shall inherit eternal life. Secondly, all such as have made a show of good things heretofore, and now do suffer the same to decay, must call to mind from whence they are fallen, and become faithful keepers of the graces of God, holding fast true religion and good conscience, and walk constantly in obedience: and then shall they have the crown of life, though not for their deserts, but only for the merits of Christ.