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…

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.

To induce men to fidelitie, Christ addeth a most forcible reason: promising thereunto, The crowne of eternall life. Hence the Papists conclude, that Martyrs by suffering martyrdome doe merite the kingdome of heauen; because it is called a crowne, therefore say they it is a reward. Whereto I answere two wayes: I. The kingdome of heauen is called a crowne onely in resemblance, because as with men after the race is run, they receiue the garland; euen so after men haue fought the good fight of faith, and kept good conscience in this life, then in the life to come they receiue the crowne of glorie. For the keeping of faith & good conscience is not the cause, but the antecedent of eternall life. Secondly, the reward is promised not to the martyrdome but to the martyr; and yet not for his sufferings, but because hee is a member of Christ, and by suffring death hath shewed his faith in Christ; for whose merit alone hee is so rewarded. And so must this and all other promises of like sort be vnderstood: for the Papists do foulely erre, when they apply the promises vnto the workes, which are made vnto the workers. By this promise, wee all that haue made our vow to God in baptisme, must learne to become faithfull in keeping the same vnto the end. It is a shame for a man to be vnfaithfull vnto men, much more with God. And the more fearefull is this sinne, because onely the faithfull shall inherite eternall life. Secondly, all such as haue made a shew of good things heretofore, and now doe suffer the same to decay, must call to mind from whence they are fallen, and become faithfull keepers of the graces of God, holding fast true religion and good conscience, and walke constantly in obedience: and then shall they haue the crowne of life, though not for their deserts, but only for the merits of Christ.