A13862:62
The testament of master William Tracie esquire, expounded bothThe testament of master Wylliam Tracie esquier, expounded both
The testament of master William Tracie esquire, expounded both by William Tyndale and Iho[n] Frith. Wherein thou shalt perceive with what charity y[e] chancellor of Worcester burned when he toke up the deek carcass and made ashes of hit after hit was buriedThe testament of master Wylliam Tracie esquier, expounded both by Willism Tindall and Iho[n] Frith. Wherin thou shalt perceyue with what charitie y[e] chaunceler of Worcester burned whan he toke vp the deek carkas and made asshes of hit after hit was buried
Antwerp : H. Peetersen van Middelburch?, M.D.xxxv. 1535
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Frith.
There is no man doubteth but that faith is the root of the tree / and the quickening power out of which all good fruits spring therefore it is necessary that this faith be present or else we should look for good works in vain: for without faith it is impossible to please god. Heb. xj. in so much that S. Austin called those works that are done before faith / swift running out of the way. Moreover that our merit cannot properly be ascribed unto our works doth the Evangelist teach us saying / when ye have done all things that are commanded you / say we are unprofitable servants / we have done but our duty. Luke .xvij. By the which saying he doth in a manner fear us from putting any confidence in our own works: And so is our glorious pride / and high mind excluded. Then where is our merit •harke what S. Austin saith: The death of the Lord is my merit: I am not with out merit as long as that merciful Lord faileth me not &c̄. This death of the lord cannot profit me / except I receive it through faith / and therefore he reckoneth right well that the faith in Christ is all his merit / I mean the faith which worketh through charity / that is to say faith / formed with hope & charity / & not that dead historical faith which the devils have and tremble. Jaco. ii. Furthermore what ⟨image 18⟩what S. Austin judgeth of our merit he expresseth in these words: mark the Psalm / how the proud head will not receive the crown / when he saith he that redeemed thy life from corruption: which crowneth the (saith the Psalm) here upon would a man say / which crowneth the / my merits grant that / my virtue hath done it / I have deserved it / ye is not freely given / but give care rather to the pleasure / for that is but thine own saying / and every man is a liar / but hear what God saith / which crowneth the in compassion and mercy / of mercy he crowneth the / of compassion he crowneth thee / for thou wast not worthy that he should call the / and whom he should justify when he called thee / And whom he should glorify when he justifieth thee: For the remnants are saved by the election which is by grace favour.