For even in this one thing chiefly do we differ from the papists, that whereas we be both called Christians, and profess our selves to believe in Christ, they devise to themselves a Christ that is torn, deformed, made void of his strength and power, spoiled of his office: to be short, such a Christ as is rather a ghost or shadow then a Christ in deed: but we embrace him as here he is described and set out by ⟨image 6⟩Paul, namely a lively & effectuous Christ. Therefore, to speak it at a word, this Epistle showeth the difference between the true Christ and the feigned. than which nothing can be wished ether better or more excellent. About the end of the first chapter, he seeketh to win authority unto him again by means of his calling & person: and he doth honourably set out the worthiness of the Gospel. In the second Chapter he openeth more plainly the cause wherefore he did write: namely that he might prevent the danger which he saw to hang over their heads, where by the way he treateth of his love toward them to the•de they might acknowledge he had a care for their safeguard. From that he passeth over to exhorting, wherewith he applieth his doctrine afore going as it were to a present use: For he also biddeth them settle them selves in Christ alone, and condemneth it of vanity, whatsoever it is, that is without Christ. He speaketh by name of Circumcision, abstinence of meats, and other outward exercises: unto which they do overthwartly and amiss bind the service of God. He speaketh also of the preposterous service of Angels whom they dep••ed in Christs room. And being moved by occasion of circumcision he doth also by the way touch what office and nature of ceremonies was. Whereupon he determineth that they were abrogated by Christ. And these things doth he fill the end of the second chapter. In the third chapter, he setteth the true duties of godliness, wherewith the Lord ⟨image 6⟩will have us b•fied, against those vain precepts to the observing whereof the false apostle would constrain the faithful. And he beginneth at the spring head it self, that is to say, at mortification of the flesh & newness of life: from whence he draweth brook, that is to say, particular exhortations: some, which belong to all Christians alike: and some, which privately pertain to certain persons, according to the reason and manner of their calling.
For euen in this one thing ch••fely doe we differ from the papists, that whereas we be both called Christians, and professe our selues to beleeue in Christ, they deuise to themselues a Christ that is torne, deformed, made voide of his strength and power, spoyled of his office: to be short, suche a Christe as is rather a ghoste or shadowe then a Christe in deede: but we embrace him as here he is described and set out by ⟨image 6⟩Paule, namely a liuely & effectuous Christ. Therfore, to speake it at a word, this Epistle sheweth the difference betwene the true Christ and the fained. than which nothing can be wished ether better or more excellent. About the ende of the first chapiter, he seeketh to winne authoritie vnto him agayne by meanes of his calling & person: and he doth honorably set out the worthines of the Gospel. In the seconde Chapiter he openeth more playnely the cause wherfore he did write: namely that he might preuent the daunger which he sawe to hang ouer theire heades, where by the waye he treateth of his loue toward them to the•de they might acknowlege he had a care for their sauegarde. From that he passeth ouer to exhorting, wherewith he applieth his doctrine afore going as it were to a present vse: For hee also biddeth them settle them selues in Christe alone, and condemneth it of vanitie, whatsoeuer it is, that is without Christ. He speaketh by name of Circumcision, abstinence of meates, and other outward exercises: vnto which they doe ouerthwartly and amisse binde the seruice of God. He speak'th also of the preposterous seruice of Angels whom they dep••ed in Christes roome. And being moued by occasion of circumcision he doth also by ye waye touch what office and nature of ceremonies was. Wherevpon he determineth that they were abrogated by Christ. And these things doth he fill ye end of ye second chapiter. In ye third chapiter, he setteth ye true dueties of godlines, wherwith ye Lorde ⟨image 6⟩wil haue vs b•fied, against those vaine precepts to ye obseruing wherof ye false apostle wold constrayn the faithfull. And he beginneth at the spring head it selfe, that is to saye, at mortification of the fleshe & newnes of life: from whence he draweth brooke, that is to say, particular exhortations: some, which belong to all Christians alyke: and some, which priuatly partayne to certayne persons, according to the reason and manner of their calling.
