A17218:79
Look from Adam, and behold the Protestants faith and religion evidently proved out of…Looke from Adam, and behold the Protestants faith and religion evidently proued out of…
Look from Adam, and behold the Protestants faith and religion evidently proved out of the holy Scriptures against all atheists, papists, loose libertines, and carnal gospellers: and that the faith which they profess, hath continued from the beginning of the world, and so is the true and ancient faith. Herein hast thou also a short sum of the whole Bible, and a plain manifestation, that all holy men who have pleased God, have been saved through this Christian faith alone.Looke from Adam, and behold the Protestants faith and religion evidently proued out of the holy Scriptures against all atheists, papists, loose libertines, and carnall gospellers: and that the faith which they professe, hath continued from the beginning of the world, and so is the true and ancient faith. Herein hast thou also a short summe of the whole Bible, and a plaine manifestation, that all holy men who have pleased God, have beene saved through this Christian faith alone.
London: printed by John Haviland for Thomas Pavier, 1624London: printed by Iohn Haviland for Thomas Pavier, 1624
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But here might one ask;1 Seeing that the salvation is clearly enough expressed afore the Law, and is ascribed only unto the grace of God, why would God then add the Law? why was he not content with the Testament alone?2 Therefore followeth it now in Paul: Why then serveth the Law? 3It was added because of transgressions, till the seed came that was promised. These are Pauls words, which are thus to be understood: The Law was not given because of the promise, to make it of none effect, and to teach that men are saved by works, and not through the grace and free liberty of God:4 but it was given because of transgression, that is to say, because that the people of God in Egypt had ⟨p. 44⟩transgressed the way and truth of their Fathers, and knew no more what was sin, right or unright, wherein stood salvation or damnation: for they were corrupt through the long dwelling among the Idolaters of Egypt. Therefore did God ordain them the Law, out of the which they might learn the will of God, what sin, right or unright is, and to know themselves, to go into themselves, and to consider how that the holy works which God requireth, are not in their own power; for the which cause all the world have great need of a Mediator.5 And thus the Law was given to further the promise, namely, that we through the Law might be led only unto Christ. For thus followeth it in Pauls words:6 And it was given of Angels by the hand of a Mediator. A Mediator is not a Mediator of one only: but God is one. Is the Law then against the promises of God? God forbid. Howbeit, if there had been given a law, which could have given life, then no doubt righteousness should come of the Law. But the Scripture hath shut up all under sin, that the promise should come by the faith on Jesus Christ, given unto them that believe. Before faith came (that is to say, Jesus Christ in whom we believe) we were kept and shut up under the Law, unto the faith which should afterward be declared. Thus was the Law our School-master unto Christ, that we might be made righteous by faith, &c. By these words of Paul may every man understand now for what cause the Law was given, and how it is not contrary to the promise of the foresaid seed, but rather bringeth us from our selves, and from all creatures, only unto Jesus