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:413p. 187

¶ Of the commodity that the faithful may also have of the law, and in how many sorts.

¶ Of the commoditie that the faythfull may also haue of the law, and in how many sortes.

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T. The law is then alway profitable for us. D. Yea, & in sundry wise. For first in declaring to us the good that we are bound to do, and the evil that we ought to flee, she teacheth us to know what great commodity we have lost, and in to what misery & wretchedness we are fallen by mean of sin, to the knowledge whereof she leadeth us. And when she hath brought us to that knowledge, she doth by this mean bring us to humble our selves before God, ⟨p. 188⟩& to demand his grace. For the law showeth us our only refuge to be in Jesus Christ, which is he by whom only ¹we may obtain it. For seeing that her office is to demand of us, to the uttermost, that which we do owe unto God, or else to condemn us for default of the satisfaction which she requireth of us, and that there is none able to satisfy the least point therein contained, she doth plainly show us that we are dead and lost for ever, if we have not refuge and remedy else where. For that cause S. Paul doth call her a Pedagogue, to wit, a leader and a guide, to bring us to Jesus Christ, in whom the help and remedy is set forth unto us. ²T. That is one goodly matter. D. Afterward, for so much as the justification and regeneration which we obtain through faith in Jesus Christ, and through his spirit, is given us to none other end, but only to serve in justice & holiness, where as before we served in injustice and iniquity: & also for so much as that faith (by whose means ³we do receive all these great benefits) can not be idle, nor without bringing forth the fruits of good works the which God requireth of her, and whereof she is the fountain & spring: the law doth greatly serve us to make us to know which be these works, for God requireth none other of us: and faith can bring forth none other but such as God hath declared in his law to be agreeable & acceptable unto him. And for so much as there remaineth continually in our understanding certain of those darknesses, which sin brought with it, and that by means of the same we do oftentimes dishonour God, what good will or intent so ever we have, thinking in deed to honour him:

T. THe lawe is then alway profitable for vs. D. Yea, & in sundry wyse. For first in declaring to vs the good that we are bound to do, and the euil that we ought to flee, she teacheth vs to know what great commoditye we haue loste, and in to what misery & wretchednes we ar fallen by meane of sinne, to the knowledge whereof shee leadeth vs. And when she hath brought vs to that knowledge, she doth by thys meane bring vs to humble our selues before God, ⟨p. 188⟩& to demaund hys grace. For the law sheweth vs our onely refuge to be in Iesus Christ, which is he by whom onelye ¹we may obtayne it. For seing that her office is to demaūde of vs, to the vttermost, that which we do owe vnto God, or els to condemne vs for defaulte of the satisfaction whyche she requireth of vs, and that ther is none able to satisfy the least point therin contained, she doth plainly shewe vs that we are dead and lost for euer, if we haue not refuge and remedy els where. For that cause S. Paul doth cal her a Pedagoge, to wyt, a leader and a guyde, to bring vs to Iesus Christ, in whom the helpe and remedy is set forth vnto vs. ²T. That is one goodly matter. D. Afterward, for somuche as the iustification and regeneracion whych wee obtayne through fayth in Iesus Christ, and through hys spirite, is gyuen vs to none other ende, but onely to serue in iustice & holinesse, where as before wée serued in iniustice and iniquitie: & also for so much as that fayth (by whose meanes ³we do receyue all these great benefites) can not be ydle, nor without bringing forth the fruits of good works the which God requireth of her, and whereof she is the fountayne & spring: the lawe doth greatly serue vs to make vs to know which be these workes, for God requireth none other of vs: and faith cā bring forth none other but such as God hath declared in his lawe to be agreable & acceptable vnto him. And for so muche as there remayneth continually in oure vnderstandinge certayne of those darknesses, which sinne brought with it, and that by meanes of the same we do oftentimes dishonour God, what good wyll or intent so euer we haue, thinking in déede to honour him:

1Rom. iiii. v
2Galat. iii Note this passage
3Rom. 6. 7.

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the law doth also serve us to lighten and cleanse these darknesses, & to keep us from choosing the evil in stead of the good, and to correct that zeal without knowledge which may be found in us, On the other side, for so much as it cometh often times ¹to pass that our flesh doth cause our will to resist that very ⟨p. 189⟩knowledge which we have by the law of God: the law is very necessary to show unto us continually that which we yet want, and to bring us by such declaration, to repentance, which is the first part of the preaching of the ²Gospel, to make us ready thereby to obtain the other, which is the remission of since, through the acknowledging of our offences, and the calling upon the grace and mercy of God, through faith in Jesus Christ.

the law doth also serue vs to lighten and clense these darknesses, & to kepe vs from choosing the euyll in steade of the good, and to correct that zeale wythout knowledge which may be found in vs, On the other side, for so much as it cōmeth often times ¹to passe that our fleshe doth cause our will to resiste that verye ⟨p. 189⟩knowledge which we haue by the lawe of God: the law is very necessarye to shew vnto vs continually that which we yet wante, and to bryng vs by suche declaration, to repentaunce, which is the firste parte of the preaching of the ²Gospell, to make vs readye thereby to obtayne the other, which is the remission of synnes, through the acknowledging of our offences, and the calling vppon the grace and mercy of God, through fayth in Iesus Christ.

1•et no•e
2

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¶ Of the agreement of the law and the Gospel, of the old Testament & of the new: and of the turning or change of the law of rigour into the law of grace, & of the law of grace into the law of rigour.

¶ Of the agreement of the lavve and the Gospell, of the olde Testament & of the nevv: and of the turning or chaunge of the lavve of rigour into the lavve of grace, & of the lavv of grace into the lavve of rigour.

:417p. 189–190§29

T. I Do very well know by that which thou sayest, the ignorance of those which speak in this sort of the law and of the Gospel, as hath been already declared. D. Thou doest here see how the law and the Gospel, the old Testament and the new, the law of rigour and the law of grace, Moses and Jesus Christ, do as it were hold ¹hands: and how the Gospel doth there begin where the law doth end, and doth fully make perfect and finish that which the law began, in such sort that the one goeth not without the other. And for that cause, our Lord Jesus Christ did say, that the law and the Prophets had their course until the coming of John Baptiste, in whose ministry the preaching of the law and of the Gospel were joined: and the ministry of the law did end, and the ministry of the Gospel did begin, to prepare men to that same of Christ, the which he himself did establish in his perfection: and then afterward the Apostles did follow and entertain it by the preaching of the Gospel. Thou doest also see how by the same mean the law of rigour is turned into the law of grace, to all such as are made capable thereof through Christ. But to the other sort, it is not only ⟨p. 190⟩not so much turned into the law of grace, as the grace which is brought by Jesus Christ to the faithful, doth the more augment the rigour of the same against the unfaithful, which abuse that grace, and cast it from them. For the more that the light of the knowledge is plenteously spread abroad upon the earth, and that God doth show more abundantly the riches of his grace and mercy, and the more that his Son Jesus, through whom he doth make us part takers of these graces and mercies, hath showed him self unto us familiarly, and is not only more great and more excellent, then all the Patriarchs and prophets, ²yea then the very Angels, the more grievous and fearful shall the punishment be upon him that shall despise so great a grace: For he casteth from him the mean by the which only he may receive that grace. Therefore where as Jesus Christ should be unto him a loving Saviour, he maketh him his rigorous Judge, and turneth that life which he hath brought unto him, into death, and the blessing into cursing. Therefore we ought well to have in mind the warning that the Apostle giveth in his Epistle to the Hebrews, following David, saying:

:418p. 190§29

if you do this days ¹hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as your fathers did in the wilderness.

if you doo thys days ¹heare hys voyce, harden not your hartes, as your fathers dyd in the wyldernes.

1Psal. xcv. Heb. iii. iiii

:419p. 190

¶ Of the books of the great and general Councils of God, containing the decrees and Canons of the same.

¶ Of the bokes of the great and generall Councels of God, contayning the decrees and Canons of the same.

:420p. 190–191

T. Thou hast thoroughly confirmed me, and hast well contented and satisfied my mind in all these matters, and chiefly touching the matter of the Council, I am fully contented with these twain, to the which thou doest direct me, the which I see joined together, even as thou haste said that the law & the Gospel, Moses and Jesus Christ, the old and new Testament were one with an other. D. Thou oughtest not otherwise to understand it. For the ⟨p. 191⟩Canons and decrees of the first, are nothing else then the doctrine of the law and of the Prophets, and of all the old testament, as those of the second are contained in the doctrine of the Gospel, and of the new Testament, beside the which we ought not to look for any other. T. I am very well contented with the same, and I desire God to give me his grace never to turn away from it, nor never to receive any other. But for that that my understanding is very gross, I would desire thee to do such for me, as first to declare unto me the Decrees and Canons of this first Council, which is the law of God, given in the mountain of Sinai: and then I hope when I have once well understood them, that I shall have a good entry into the understanding of those of the other Council, which are contained in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. D. I am very well content. But it seemeth that we shall do well to put it over till an other time, when we shall have more leisure.

T. THou hast thorowly confirmed me, and hast wel contented and satisfied my mynde in al these matters, and chiefly touching the matter of the Councel, I am fully contented wyth these twayne, to the whiche thou doest direct me, the which I see ioyned together, euen as thou haste sayd that the law & the Gospell, Moyses and Iesus Christ, the olde and newe Testament were one with an other. D. Thou oughtest not otherwyse to vnderstande it. For the ⟨p. 191⟩Canons and decrees of the firste, are nothing els then the doctrine of the law and of the Prophetes, and of all the old testament, as those of the second are contained in ye doctrine of the Gospel, and of the new Testament, besyde the which we ought not to looke for any other. T. I am very wel contented wyth the same, and I desire God to gyue me hys grace neuer to turne awaye from it, nor neuer to receaue anye other. But for that that my vnderstandyng is verye grose, I would desire thee to doo so•uch for me, as first to declare vnto mee the Decrees and Canons of thys firste Councell, which is the law of God, gyuen in the mountain of Synaye: and then I hope when I haue once well vnderstoode them, that I shall haue a good entrye into the vnderstanding of those of the other Councel, which are contayned in the Gospell of our Lorde Iesus Christ. D. I am very wel content. But it seemeth that we shall doo well to put it ouer tyl an other tyme, whē we shall haue more leasure.

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The table of this work, containing the principal matters of the same book. The first number declareth the page or side of the leaf, the second the Section.

The table of this woorke, contayning the principall matters of the same booke. The first number declareth the page or syde of the leafe, the second the Section.

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OF blindness & disorder that is among men in matter of religion. | 3. 1 Luthors & causes of all order & disorder. | 3. 2 Of the cause of the fall and reign of mankind. | 4. 3 Of the difficulty that is […] to acknowledge their errors. | 5. 4 Of the process that men bring against God. | 6. 5 How that all false religion may be well defended. | 6. 6 Of the arguments taken of the multitude. | 7. 7 Of the arguments of time and auncienty. | 8. 8 Of the fall of the devil. | 8. 9 Of the predecessors of the wicked. | 9. 10 How that none may so well allege auncienty, as the faithful. | 10. 11 Of the language that is in the hart of the hypocrites & wicked. | 11. 12 Of the persecutors of the verity. | 12. 13 Of such as persecute the truth of a purposed malice. | 12. 14 Of those that resist the truth wittingly. | 14. 15 Of such as do resist the truth, and persecute it through ignorance. | 1516 How that the want of the knowledge of god & his truth. | 15. 17 Of the great care and diligence that is in men. | 17. 18 Of the diligence that is in men to do evil. | 18. 19 Of the vices that make men ignorant of god, & of his truth. | 19. 20 Of such as do contemn the knowledge of God. | 20 21 Of the true knowledge of god. | 22. 22 Of the true study of the holy scriptures. | 23. 23 Of such Christians as are ignorant of the word of God. | 23. 24 How much necessary the study of the word of God is. | 25. 25 Of the desired ignorance. | 26. 26 How that the publication that God hath made of his word. | 27. 27 Of the means by which god hath and doth declare him self daily to men. | 27. 28 Of those that cloak their rebellion against the word and will of God. | 28. 29 Of those which commit idolatries to their princes. | 30. 30 Of the offices of good princes and good subjects. | 31. 31 How those men obey the devil, & not their princes. | 32. 32 Of lawful laws of Christian Princes. | 33. 33 Of unfaithful servants to Princes, & of their councils▪ against God. | 34. 34 Of the judgement of the Christian doctrine, and by whom it must be reported. | 35. 35 Of the causes why the Princes should enquire of the will of god at the mouth of his ministers | 37. 36 Dishonour done to God by such as vouchsafe not to enquire of his will at the hands of his ministers. | 38. 37 What mean and order Princes ought to keep in judgment of things appertaining to religion. | 39.

OF blyndnes & dysorder that is amonge men in matter of religion. | 3. 1 Luthors & causes of all order & disorder. | 3. 2 Of the cause of the fall and raigne of mankinde. | 4. 3 Of the difficulty that is 〈…〉 to acknowledge their errors. | 5. 4 Of the proces that men bring against God. | 6. 5 How that al false religion maye be wel defended. | 6. 6 Of the argumentes taken of the multitude. | 7. 7 Of the argumentes of tyme and auncienty. | 8. 8 Of the fal of the deuil. | 8. 9 Of the predecessours of the wycked. | 9. 10 How that none may so wel alledge auncienty, as the faithful. | 10. 11 Of the lāguage that is in the hart of the hipocrites & wicked. | 11. 12 Of ye persecutors of ye veriti. | 12. 13 Of suche as persecute the truth of a purposed malice. | 12. 14 Of those that resist the truth wittingly. | 14. 15 Of such as do resist the truth, and persecute it through ignorāce. | 1516 How that the want of the knowledge of god & his truth. | 15. 17 Of the great care and diligence that is in men. | 17. 18 Of the diligence that is in men to do euyll. | 18. 19 Of the vices that make men ignorant of god, & of his truth. | 19. 20 Of such as do contemn the knowledge of God. | 20 21 Of the tru knowlege of god. | 22. 22 Of the true study of the holy scriptures. | 23. 23 Of such Christians as are ignorāt of the word of God. | 23. 24 How much necessary the study of the word of God is. | 25. 25 Of the desired ignorance. | 26. 26 How that the publicatiō that God hath made of hys word. | 27. 27 Of the meanes by which god hath and doth declare him selfe dayly to men. | 27. 28 Of those that cloke their rebellion agaynst the woord and wyll of God. | 28. 29 Of those whiche cōmit idolatries to their princes. | 30. 30 Of the offices of good princes and good subiectes. | 31. 31 How those men obey the deuill, & not their princes. | 32. 32 Of lawfull lawes of Christian Princes. | 33. 33 Of vnfaythful seruantes to Princes, & of their councels agaynste God. | 34. 34 Of the iudgement of the Christian doctrine, and by whom it must be reported. | 35. 35 Of the causes why the Princes shuld enquire of the wil of god at the mouth of his ministers | 37. 36 Dishonour done to God by suche as vouchsafe not to enquire of his wyl at the handes of his ministers. | 38. 37 What meane and order Princes ought to kepe in iudgmēt of thinges apertaining to religiō. | 39.

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38 Howe men ought to have greater care for matters appertaining to religion. | 41. 39 How that men make more account of their promises, then of their consciences. | 42. 40 Of the care that ought to be had ⟨image 111⟩to know y• way of salvation. | 44. 41 Admonitions in the holy Scriptures against false Prophets. | 45. 42 How great business letteth y• hearing of the word of God. | 46. 43. Means to advance or hinder the business of men. | 48. 44. Mockers and haters of the Gospel, and will seem no. | 49. 45 Of Epicurians among the Christians & their diversity. | 50. 46 Testimonies of Epicurians & of Gods providence & justice against their false opinions. | 51. 47 Light of gods word given to men & the nature of the same. | 52. 48 The authority of holy scripture. | 53. 49. Devilish perversity of Epicurians their agreement with the doctrine of Mahomet. | 56. 50 Of mans traditions. | 57. 51 How we ought not to do y• which seemeth good only in our own sight and opinion | 58. 52 Of the works that are done to a good intent. | 60. 53 To understand whether god have ordained sundry religions or no | 61. 54 Of the causes of the diversity of the positive laws | 62. 55 Of the agreement of the positive laws with the Ceremonial laws. | 63. 56 What liberty God hath given in the usage of ceremonies. | 65. 57.

38 Howe men ought to haue greater care for matters appertayning to religion. | 41. 39 How that men make more accoūt of their promises, then of theyr consciences. | 42. 40 Of the care that ought to be had ⟨image 111⟩to know y• way of saluatiō. | 44. 41 Admonitions in the holye Scriptures against false Prophetes. | 45. 42 How great busines letteth y• hearing of the word of God. | 46. 43. Meanes to aduaunce or hinder the busines of men. | 48. 44. Mockers and haters of the Gospel, and wil seme no. | 49. 45 Of Epicurians amōg the Christians & their diuersitie. | 50. 46 Testimonies of Epicurians & of Gods prouidence & iustice against their false opinions. | 51. 47 Light of gods worde geuen to mē & the nature of the same. | 52. 48 The authoritie of holy scripture. | 53. 49. Diuelish peruersitie of Epicuriās their agreement with the doctrine of Mahomet. | 56. 50 Of mans traditions. | 57. 51 How we ought not to do y which semeth good onely in our owne sight and opinion | 58. 52 Of the workes that are done to a good intent. | 60. 53 To vnderstand whether god haue ordained sundry religions or no | 61. 54 Of the causes of the diuersitie of the positine lawes | 62. 55 Of the agreemente of the positiue lawes wyth the Ceremoniall lawes. | 63. 56 What libertie God hath geuen in the vsage of ceremonies. | 65. 57.

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❧ The second Dialogue. OF the reasons which cause many to desire and wait for a Council. | 68. 1 Of the difference that is in Christendom in matters of religion, and what it doth. | 69. 2 What profit the Church of God may receive of Councils, and of their issues. | 70. 3 Of the hope that men may have of the council in these days. | 72. 4 Of the means of the enemies of the truth for the maintenance of their kingdom & false religion. | 73. 5 Of the danger into the which they cast themselves which attend only upon Councils. | 74. 6 Of christian princes to reform the Church by mean of a general •o••cell. | 75. 7 Of […] negligence and want that […] •he ministers of the church | 76. 8 Of the impeachments of men in y• reformation of the church. | 78. 9 How difficult it is to assemble a lawful Council at this day. | 79. 10 How the Christians hinder the reformation of the Church. | 81. 11 What Counsel the true christians ought to follow. | 83. 12 Of such as would agree the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and that of Antichrist together. | 84. 13 The Interim may not be received neither into the Church of christ, ne yet of Antichrist. | 85. 14 Of such christians as be Neuters and indifferent. | 86. 15 For what cause the Interim hath his name of an adverb. | 88. 16 The profit that those that be instructed in Gods word, may receive by the Councils. | 89. 17 We ought not to be the disciples of men but of Jesus Christ. | 90. 18 The word of God doth authorise it self. | 92. 19 What goodness men may receive of a good Council, and what evil of an evil Council. | 93. 20 What the good Councils may do to the wicked. | 94. 21 What fruit the church may receive of the lawful Councils. | 96. 22 What praise is due to good princes and magistrates. | 97. 23 Hypocrisy of such as depend upon ⟨image 112⟩men in matter of religion. | 98. 24 How we are disciples of men, and how of Jesus Christ. | 100. 25 Of the nature and virtue of true faith. | 101. 26 Of the honour that is due to good & true teachers in the church. | 103. 27 Of the difference of the apostles & prophets: and of those that came after them. | 105. 28 The Counsel of S. Au••••yne concerning Councils […] ••itings of the Fathers. | […]

❧ The second Dialogue. OF the reasons which cause manye to desire and wayte for a Councell. | 68. 1 Of the difference that is in Christendom in matters of religion, and what it doth. | 69. 2 What profite the Church of God may receiue of Councels, and of their issues. | 70. 3 Of the hope that menne may haue of the coūcel in these daies. | 72. 4 Of the meanes of the enemies of the truth for the maintenance of their kingdō & false religiō. | 73. 5 Of the daūger into the which they cast thēselues which attēd onelye vpon Councels. | 74. 6 Of christiā princes to reforme the Church by meane of a generall ocell. | 75. 7 Of negligence and want that he ministers of the church | 76. 8 Of the empeachments of men in y reformatiō of the church. | 78. 9 How difficulte it is to assemble a lawful Coūcel at this day. | 79. 10 How the Christians hinder the reformation of the Church. | 81. 11 What Councel the true christians ought to follow. | 83. 12 Of such as woulde agree the doctrine of Iesus Christe, and that of Antichrist together. | 84. 13 The Interim maye not be receyued neither into the Churche of christ, ne yet of Antichrist. | 85. 14 Of such christians as be Newters and indifferent. | 86. 15 For what cause the Interim hath his name of an aduerbe. | 88. 16 The profite that those that be instructed in Gods word, may receiue by the Councels. | 89. 17 We oght not to be the disciples of mē but of Iesus Christ. | 90. 18 The word of God dothe authorise it selfe. | 92. 19 What goodnes men may receyue of a good Coūcel, and what euil of an euil Councel. | 93. 20 What the good Councels may do to the wycked. | 94. 21 What frute the church may receue of the lawful Councels. | 96. 22 What prayse is due to good princes and magistrates. | 97. 23 Hipocrisy of such as depend vpon

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❧ The third Dialogue entitled, The authority of Councils. OF the assistance of the holy ghost in lawful Councils. | 109. 1 What is to be desired in Councils those which are most excellent. | 111. 2 Of the weaknesses which were in the Council of Nice. | 112. 3 Of the contrarieties between the bishops & ministers that have been in many ancient Councils. | 113. 4 Of the contradictions of the popes and their decrees. | 114. 5 Of the contrariety of the decrees of many Councils. | 116. 6 Of the contrariety of certain coū cels concerning the difference of meats. | 118. 7 Of the decrees of the Councils of Constance and Basel touching the Lords supper under both kinds. | 119. 8 Contrariety in many Councils concerning Images. | 120. 9 Of the Council of Carthage concerning the Baptism, administered by heretics. | 121. 10 Opinion of the papists, concerning general and particular Councils | 122. 11 Of the abuses and errors which have ben brought into the church | 122. 12 Of those that would have the prelates of the church to correct the abuses that therein are. | 124. 13 Things of them selves sufficiently resolved without resolution of the Council. | 125. 14 The liberty of Christians in reforming abuses. | 127. 15 The passages which the Papists allege to authorise their Councils. | 129. 16 The holy ghost is not bound to any kind of person or estate. | 1•9. 17 Of the assembles of y• faithful. | 131. 18 Of the Councils of the heretics, condemning the Councils of the faithful. | 132. 19 The contradictions of the ancient Councils, declare that the councils may err. | 134. 20 No hope for the Christians to have a lawful Council. | 136. 21 What prayers men ought to make for their Princes. | 138. 22 What Counsel they ought to follow that have princes which are enemies to the Gospel. | 139. 23 Of the study of the holy scriptures and of the decrees of the Council of Nice concerning the sam. | 140. 24 Of the true Councils which excel all the rest in authority. | 142. 25 The authority of Princes & Popes concerning councils. | 143. 26 Of the manner of the proceeding of the Papists in their Councils. | 144. 27 Prudence required in disputation in the papistic councils. | 145. 28 Resolution of the papistical councils. | 146. 29 What discords may be in the councils of the Papists. | 147. 30 Of the Popes practises for his determination and conclusion of Councils.

❧ The third Dialogue intituled, The authoritie of Councels. OF the assistance of the holy ghost in lawful Councels. | 109. 1 What is to be desyred in Coūcels those which are most excellent. | 111. 2 Of the weakenesses which wer in the Councel of Nice. | 112. 3 Of the contrarieties betwene the bishoppes & ministers that haue bene in many aunciente Councels. | 113. 4 Of the contradictiōs of the popes and their decrees. | 114. 5 Of the contrarietie of the decrees of many Councels. | 116. 6 Of the contrarictie of certain coū cels concernyng the difference of meates. | 118. 7 Of the decrees of the Councels of Constance and Basle touchyng the Lordes supper vnder bothe kyndes. | 119. 8 Contrarietie in many Coūcels cō cernyng Images. | 120. 9 Of the Councel of Carthage concerning the Baptisme, administred by heretiques. | 121. 10 Opiniō of the papists, concerning general and particular Coūcels | 122. 11 Of the abuses and errors whiche haue ben broght into the church | 122. 12 Of those that would haue the prelates of the church to correct the abuses that therin are. | 124. 13 Thinges of them selues sufficiently resolued without resolution of the Councel. | 125. 14 The liberty of Christians in reforming abuses. | 127. 15 The passages which the Papistes alledge to authorise their Councels. | 129. 16 The holy ghost is not bounde to any kind of persō or estate. | 19. 17 Of ye assēbles of y faithful. | 131. 18 Of the Councels of the hereticks, condemning the Coūcels of the faythful. | 132. 19 The contradicions of the aunciēt Councels, declare that the councels may erre. | 134. 20 No hope for the Christiās to haue a lawful Councel. | 136. 21 What praiers men ought to make for their Princes. | 138. 22 What Councel they ought to follow that haue princes whych ar enemies to the Gospel. | 139. 23 Of the studi of the holy scriptures and of the decrees of the Coūcel of Nice cōcerning the sam. | 140. 24 Of the true Councels which excel al the rest in authority. | 142. 25 The authoritye of Princes & Popes concerning councels. | 143. 26 Of the maner of the proceedyng of the Papistes in their Councels. | 144. 27 Prudence required in dispuaion in the papistik councels. | 145. 28 Resolucion of the papistical councels. | 146. 29 What discords may be in the councels of the Papists. | 147. 30 Of the Popes practises for his determination and conclusion of Councels.

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| 149. 31 ⟨image 112⟩Of the ignorance of the popish bishops. | 150. 2 Of the final conclusion and resolution of the Council of the Papists. | 151. 33 The order of the bishops in giving their consent in the papistical Councils. | 153. 34

| 149. 31 ⟨image 112⟩Of the ignorance of the popish byshops. | 150. 2 Of the final conclusion and resolucion of the Councell of the Papistes. | 151. 33 The order of the bishops in giuing their consent in the papisticall Councels. | 153. 34

T. I Doe very well knowe by that which thou sayest, the ignoraunce of those which speake in thys sorte of the lawe and of the Gospell, as hath bene alreadye declared. D. Thou doest here see howe the lawe and the Gospell, the olde Testament and the newe, the lawe of rigour and the lawe of grace, Moyses and Iesus Christ, do as it were hold ¹handes: and howe the Gospell doth there beginne where the lawe doth ende, and doth fullye make perfecte and finyshe that which the lawe beganne, in such sorte that the one goeth not without the other. And for that cause, our Lorde Iesus Christ dyd saye, that the lawe and the Prophets had their course vntill the comming of Iohn Baptiste, in whose ministery the preaching of the law and of the Gospell were ioyned: and the ministerye of the lawe dyd end, and the ministerye of the Gospell did beginne, to prepare men to that same of Christ, the which he himselfe dyd establyshe in hys perfection: and then afterward the Apostles dyd follow and entertayne it by the preaching of the Gospell. Thou doest also see how by the same meane the lawe of rigour is tourned into the lawe of grace, to all such as are made capable therof through Christ. But to the other sorte, it is not onely ⟨p. 190⟩not so muche turned into the lawe of grace, as the grace which is brought by Iesus Christ to the faythfull, doth the more augment the rigour of the same against the vnfaythfull, which abuse that grace, and cast it from them. For the more that the light of the knowledge is plenteouslye spread abroade vpon the earth, and that God doth shewe more aboundantlye the riches of hys grace and mercye, and the more that hys Sonne Iesus, through whom he doth make vs part takers of these graces and mercies, hath shewed hym selfe vnto vs familiarly, and is not onely more great and more excellent, then all the Patriarches and prophets, ²yea then the verye Aungels, the more greuous and fearefull shall the punishment be vpon hym that shall despise so great a grace: For he casteth from hym the meane by the which onelye he may receaue that grace. Therefore where as Iesus Christ should be vnto hym a louing Sauiour, he maketh hym hys rigorous Iudge, and turneth that lyfe which he hath brought vnto hym, into death, and the blessing into curssing. Therfore we ought wel to haue in mind the warning that the Apostle gyueth in hys Epistle to the Hebrewes, folowing Dauid, saying:

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36

The first part of the Christian instruction, and general so[m]me of the doctrine, contained…The firste parte of the Christian instruction, and generall so[m]me of the doctrine, conteyned…