But yet Christ always offereth himself to poor sinners which are fallen into some one kind of sin or other, so as ⟨p. 223⟩they need not seek any other sacrifice to take and put away their sins. He saith then, that there remains no more sacrifice for them, who turn away themselves from the death of Christ: which a man never comes to do by one particular sin; but when therewithal faith is wholly renounced. Now howsoever this severity of God be fearful and horrible, and is set forth to fear men, yet it cannot be accused of cruelty. For seeing the death of Christ is the only remedy by which we are delivered from eternal death, those who endeavour as much as they can to abolish the same; with the virtue and benefit of it, do they not deserve that despair only should be allotted for them? God doth always draw them to reconciliation with him, who abide in Christ, they are sprinkled with his blood, their sins are always blotted out by his perpetual sacrifice. And if it be so, that we must not seek salvation out of him, let us not won der if all those who willingly forsake him, are deprived from all hope of pardon. So much signifies this word no more. For the sacrifice of Christ is available to the faithful, even to the very last breath, although they sin often: and even for this cause it is, that it always holds his strength and vigour, because it cannot be avoided that they should not be subject to sin, as long as they dwell in the flesh. The Apostle speaks then of them only, who woefully abandoning Christ, do deprive themselves of the benefit of his death. This member, After they have acknowledged the truth: is put to aggravate their ingratitude. For he who willingly and of deliberate malice quencheth the light of God kindled in his heart, what excuse hat he, or can he allege for himself before God? Wherefore, let us learn not only with reverence, and a ready teachableness to receive the spirit of truth which is offered us, but also constantly to persevere in the knowledge of it, to the end this sharp vengeance of the contempt thereof fall not upon us.
But yet Christ alwaies offereth himselfe to poore sinners which are fallen into some one kinde of sinne or other, so as ⟨p. 223⟩they neede not seeke any other sacrifice to take and put away their sinnes. He saith then, that there remaines no more sacrifice for them, who turne away themselues from the death of Christ: which a man neuer comes to doe by one particular sinne; but when therewithall faith is wholy renounced. Now howsoeuer this seueritie of God be fearefull and horrible, and is set forth to feare men, yet it cannot be accused of crueltie. For seeing the death of Christ is the only remedie by which we are deliuered from eternall death, those who endeauour as much as they can to abolish the same; with the vertue and benefit of it, doe they not deserue that despaire onely should be allotted for them? God doth alwaies draw them to reconciliation with him, who abide in Christ, they are sprinkled with his blood, their sinnes are alwaies blotted out by his perpetuall sacrifice. And if it be so, that we must not seek saluation out of him, let vs not wō der if all those who willingly forsake him, are depriued from all hope of pardon. So much signifies this word no more. For the sacrifice of Christ is auaileable to the faithfull, euen to the very last breath, although they sinne often: and euen for this cause it is, that it alwaies holds his strength and vigour, because it cannot be auoided that they should not be subiect to sinne, as long as they dwell in the flesh. The Apostle speakes then of them onely, who wofully abondoning Christ, doe depriue themselues of the benefit of his death. This member, After they haue acknowledged the truth: is put to aggrauate their ingratitude. For he who willingly and of deliberate malice quencheth the light of God kindled in his heart, what excuse hat he, or can he alleadge for himselfe before God? Wherefore, let vs learne not onely with reuerence, and a readie teachablenesse to receiue the spirit of truth which is offered vs, but also constantly to perseuere in the knowledge of it, to the end this sharpe vengeance of the contempt thereof fall not vpon vs.
