A path way i[n]to the holy scripture

¶ The law (saith Jo. in the first •ha) was given by Moses: but grace and virtue by Jesus Christ. The law (whose minister is Moses) was given to bring us unto the knowledge of our selves / that we might thereby feel & perceive what we are of nature, The law condemneth us & all our deeds / & is called of Paul (in the third cha. of the. ii. pistle unto the corinthians) the ministration of death. For it killeth our consciences and draweth us to desperation / in as much as it requireth of us / that which is unpossible for our nature to do. It requireth of us the deeds of an hole man. It requireth perfect love from the low bottom and ground of the heart / as well in all things which we suffer as in tho things which we do. But saith John in the same place▪ grace and verity is given us by Christ / ⟨image 6⟩so that wha• the law hath passed upon us / & condemned us to death (which is his nature to do) than have we in Christ grace / that is to say favour / promises of life / of mercy / of pardon / freely by the merits of Christ / & in Christ have we verity and truth / in that god for his sake fulfilleth all his promises to them that believe. Therefore is the gospel the ministration of life. Paul calleth it in the fore rehearsed place of the second ••ap. to the Corinthians. the ministration of the spirit▪& of righteousness. In the gospel when we be leve the promises / we receive the spirit of life / and are justified in the blood of Christ from all things whereof the law condemneth us. And we receive love unto the law and power to fulfil it / & grow therein daily. Of Christ it is written in the fore rehearsed first chapter of ⟨image 7⟩John: this is he of whose abundance or fullness / all we have received grace for grace / or favour for favour. That is to say / for the favour that god hath to his son christ / he giveth unto us his favour & good will / & all gifts of his grace / as a father to his sons. As affirmeth Paul / saying: which loved us in his beloved before the creation of the world. So that Christ bringeth the love of god unto us / and not our own holy works. Christ is made lord over all / & is called in scripture / God's mercy stole. whosoever therefore flieth to christ / can neither here nor receive of god any other thing save ¶ In the old testament (mercy.