A confession of faith made by common consent of divers reformed churches beyond the…A confession of fayth made by common consent of diuers reformed churches beyonde the…

The said Apostle affirmeth, faith ¹to be of great efficacy, declaring it self by Love: Faith quieteth the conscience, openeth to us a free entry unto GOD, that we may come to him with boldness, and obtain of him profitable, and necessary things: It keepeth us in doing our duty, that we owe to God, and our neighbour: In adversity, it strengtheneth us with patient, factioneth and formeth in us true confession: and to speak all at a word, saith bringeth forth all kind of good ⟨image 89⟩²fruits, and good works in us. For we teach, that true good works, do spring of a lively faith, by the working of the holy ghost, and are done of the faithful, according to the will or rule of God his word. For Peter the Apostle faith, give all diligence ³thereunto, and join virtue with your faith, and with virtue knowledge, & with knowledge temperance. &c. We said before, that the Law of GOD, which is the will of God, doeth prescribe unto us, a pattern of good works. And the Apostle affirmeth, this is ⁴the will of God, your sanctification, and that ye should abstain from uncleanness, that no man oppress, or defraud his brother in any matter: For God ⁵alloweth not those works, those worshippings, which we chose of our own head, which Paul calleth, voluntary religion. Whereof the lord ⁶also in the gospel saith. They worship me in vain, teaching the doctrine, and precepts of men. We reprove therefore such works, but we highly con mend, and earnestly require those ⟨p. 45⟩works, which be according to the will and commandment of God. ⁷We must therefore do good deeds, yet not to merit thereby life everlasting (for as the Apostle sayeth. Life everlasting is the gift of God) nor to make our boast or brag thereof, which