An answer to a certain book, writtenAn answere to a certeine booke, written

The Prophet David although he were a holy man, and had not only repented heartily for his wicked deeds, but also brought forth manifold fruits of repentance and regeneration, yet desireth most humbly of the Lord that he would not enter into judgement with him, ¹for so much as if he would so do, neither he nor any man living could escape condemnation. And ⟨p. 415⟩again: If thou (saith he) wilt mark our iniquities, O Lord who can stand before thee? ²Wherein he plainly teacheth, that for a man to trust in his works, how good or glorious soever they are or seem to be, and upon this confidence of his merits to look for heaven as a due reward at gods hands, is not only to deceive himself, but to incur that judgement and condemnation, which the Lord for his sins, and unworthiness, that by examination he findeth in him, might justly cast upon him. Therefore he saith in another Psalm that they are happy, not which have good works wherein to trust,³ but whose sins are forgiven, and whose iniquities are covered. And this have also all the godly fathers of Christs Church evermore confessed, that their works of due and debt deserved nothing of the Lord but punishment, and therefore disclaiming all their merits, and acknowledging their own manifold transgressions and imperfections they fly to the Lords mercy only, and trust to be saved by grace and remission of their sins, not by desert or merit of their righteousness that they have wrought.

The Prophet Dauid although he were a holie man, and had not onelie repented hartelie for his wicked deedes, but also brought forth manifold fruites of repentance and regeneration, yet desireth moste humblie of the Lord that he would not enter into iudgement with him, ¹for so much as if he woulde so doe, neither he nor anie man liuing could escape condemnation. And ⟨p. 415⟩againe: If thou (saith he) wilt marke our iniquities, O Lorde whoe can stand before thee?