A Christian instruction, containing the law and the Gospel Also a summary of the…

M. Thou meanest then in mine opinion, that the very reprobates may be called by outward vocation, but that it profiteth them nothing, except the inward be there joined with it.¹

M. Thou meanest then in myne opinion, that the very reprobates maye be called by outewarde vocation, but that it profiteth them nothing, except the inward be there ioyned with it.¹

1. 1John. 3. e.Iohn. 3. e.

P. As concerning them, it serveth them but to their greater condemnation. For it is to their greater condemnation, for so much as the grace of God was offered unto them, & that they have rejected it through their ingratitude and unbelief, as though it had never ben offered unto them, yet in the mean time, it is not altogether in vain,

P. As concernyng them, it serueth them but to their greater condemnation. For it is to their greater condemnation, for so muche as the grace of God was offered vnto them, & that they haue reiected it thorowe their ingratitude and vnbeléefe, as though it had neuer ben offered vnto them, yet in the meane tyme, it is not altogether in vayne,

M. Whereunto doth it then serve?

M. Whervnto dothe it then serue?

M. It then followeth by that which thou haste said, that those which are not called, but only by this outward calling, are not also justified, nor consequently glorified?

M. It then followeth by that which thou haste sayde, that those which are not called, but only by this outwarde calling, are not also iustified, nor consequentlye glorified?

P. It is easy to judge. For if they were justified, they should have also received the word of God through faith, which only doth justify, and without the which none can be justified, as thou haste here before heard. And if they had the faith whereby man is justified, they should not be only called by that outward calling, but also by the inward, which is ever joined with faith, of the which the faith is a sure testimony.

P. It is easye to iudge. For if they were iustified, they should haue also receyued the worde of God through fayth, which only doth iustifie, and without the whiche none can be iustified, as thou haste here before heard. And if they had the fayth whereby man is iustified, they shuld not be only called by that outwarde callyng, but also by the inwarde, whiche is euer ioyned with faith, of the whiche the faith is a sure testimonie.

Of the cause of unbelief, and of Faith.

Of the cause of vnbeleefe, and of Faythe.

M. And what is the cause that the one sort through unbelief do reject the Gospel when it is offered them, and that the others receive it by faith?

M. ANd what is the cause that the one sorte thorowe vnbeléefe do reiecte the Gospell when it is offered them, and that ye others receyue it by fayth?

P. It is ⟨p. 158⟩not to be marvelled at, when men by their unbelief and unkindness reject the Gospel: but it is marvel when some are found that do receive it by faith.

P. It is ⟨p. 158⟩not to be maruelled at, when menne by their vnbeleef and vnkindnesse reiect the Gospell: but it is maruell when some are founde that doe receyue it by faithe.

M. Why sayest thou so?

P. For that that man being corrupted through sin,¹ is of such nature, that he doth not only not understand any thing of Gods matters, nor of his word: and in very deed he can not, but that which is worse, he will understand nothing of it, but doth hate and deride it.

P. For that that man béeing corrupted thorow sinne,¹ is of suche nature, that he doth not onely not vnderstand any thing of Gods matters, nor of his worde: and in very deede he can not, but that which is worsse, he will vnderstande nothing of it, but doth hate and deride it.

1. 11. Cor. 1. a. d &. 2. d Roma. 8. b.

M. Seeing that all men are corrupted by sin, it then followeth necessarily, that they be all naturally as perverse and wicked the one as the other, & that they can not nor will not believe in God, nor follow his word.

M. Seing that all men are corrupted by sinne, it then followeth necessarily, that they be al naturally as peruerse and wicked the one as the other, & that they can not nor will not beléeue in God, nor followe his worde.

P. It is even so.

P. It is euen so.

M. How is it then that many of contrary nature are found, which not only receive by faith the word of God, and Jesus Christ our Lord, but are also ready to lay down their life, and to abandon the same for the confession of their faith?

M. How is it then that many of contrary nature are found, whiche not only receyue by faith the worde of God, and Iesus Chryst our Lord, but are also readie to lay downe their lyfe, and to abandon the same for the confession of their faith?

P. Thou must understand that they which do this,¹ that thou speakest of, are not such of nature, but by the grace of God, by the which they are renewed and ⟨p. 159⟩transformed into a new nature, and are made new creatures. For it is not flesh and blood that hath revealed it unto them, but the heavenly father.

P. Thou must vnderstande that they which do this,¹ that thou speakest of, are not such of nature, but by the grace of God, by the which they are renued and ⟨p. 159⟩transformed into a new nature, and are made newe creatures. For it is not flesh and bloud that hath reueled it vnto them, but the heauenly father.

1. 1Matth. 16. c.

Of the renewing of man, and of the gift of faith.

Of the renewing of man, and of the gifte of faith.