Fifty Godly and Learned Sermons (The Decades)

But that there may be no cause of doubt or darkness left in the mind of any man, that which I have already spoken generally, by the parable and similitude fetched from our common law. I will here particularly bring into certain parts confirming and manifestly proving every one of them severally, out of the holy Scriptures, so that even to the stoutest wits the power of faith and work of justification, may be most evident.

But that there may be no cause of doubt or darkenesse left in the mynde of any man, that which I haue already spokē generally, by the parable and similitude fetched from oure common lawe. I will here particularly bring into certaine partes confirming and manifestly prouing euery one of them seuerally, out of the holy Scriptures, so that euen to the stoutest wittes the power of fayth and worke of iustification, may be most euident.

And first I will show unto you that this term of justification, is taken in ¹this present treatise for the absolution and remission of sins, for sanctification and adoption into the number of the sons of God. In the .xiij. of the Acts, the Apostle Paul saith: Be it known unto you men and brethren, that through this Lord Jesus Christ, is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by him, all that believe are justified from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses. See, in Christ is preached unto us the forgiveness of sins, and he that believeth that, Christ preached, forgiveth sins, is also justified. It followeth therefore, that justification is the remission of sins. In the fifth Chapter to the Romans saith the same Apostle. Being justified by the blood of Christ, we shall be saved from wrath through him. But the blood of Christ washeth away sins. Justification therefore is the washing away or forgiveness of sins. And again, in the same Chapter saith he more plainly, Judgement entered by one offence unto condemnation, but the gift of many sins unto justification. He maketh justification the contrary to condemnation: therefore, justification is the absolution and delivery from condemnation. What say ye to this moreover, that he doth plainly call justification a gift, that is, the forgiveness of sins. Hereunto also belong those words of his, Even as by the sin of one, condemnation came on all men: so by the righteousness of one, good came upon all men to the justification of life. Here again is the justification of life made the contrary of condemnation unto death set as a pain upon our heads, because of the transgression: justification of life therefore is an absolution from sins, a delivery from death, a quickening or translating from death to life. For in the fourth to the Romans, the same Apostle expoundeth justification by sanctification, and sanctification by the remission of sins. For entreating of faith, whereby we are justified, or which God imputeth to us for righteousness without works, he saith, Even as David also doth expound the blessedness of that man to whom the Lord imputeth righteousness without works, saying: Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. What could be more plainly spoken then this?