AL that we have hitherto said of Christ, is to be directed to this mark, that being damned, dead, and lost in our selves, we may seek for righteousness, deliverance, life and salvation in him: as we be taught by that notable saying of Peter,1 that there is none other name under heaven given to men where in there must be saved. Neither was the name of Jesus given him unadvisedly, or at chaunsable adventure, or by yt will of men, but brought from heaven by the Angel the publisher of Gods decree, and with a reason also assigned: because he was sent to save the people from their sins.2 In which words that is to be noted, which we have touched in an other place, that the office of redeemer was appointed him, that he should be our saviour: butte in the mean time our redemption ⟨p. 95⟩should be but unperfect, unless he should by continual proceedings convey us forward to the uttermost mark of salvation. Therefore, so soon as we swerve never so little from him, our salvation by little and little vanisheth away, which wholly resteth in him: so that all they wilfully spoil them selves of all grace, that rest not in him. And that admonition of Bernard is worthy to be rehearsed,3 that the name of Jesus is not only light, but also meat, yea and oil also, without which all the meat of the soul is dry, and that it is also salt without the seasoning, whereof all that is set before us is unsavoury. Finally, that it is honey in the mouth, melody in the ear, and joyfulness in the heart, and also medicine, and that whatsoever is spoken in disputation is unsavoury, but where this name soundeth. But here it behoveth to weigh diligently, how salvation is purchased by him for us: that we may not only be persuaded that he is the author of it, but also embracing such things as are sufficient to the steadfast uphold in of our faith, we may refuse all such things as might draw us away hither or thither. For sith no man can descend into him self, and earnestly consider what he is, but feeling God angry and bent against him, he hath need carefully to seek a mean and way to appease him, which demandeth satisfaction: there is no common assuredness required, because the wrath & curse of God lieth alway upon sinners, till they be loose from their guiltiness:
AL that we haue hetherto saide of Christe, is to be directed to this marke, that being damned, deade, and loste in oure selues, we maie seke for rigteousnesse, deliuerance, life and saluation in him: as we be taught by that notable saing of Peter,1 that ther is none other name vnder heauen geuen to men wher in ther must be saued. Neither was the name of Iesus giuen him vnaduisedly, or at chaunsable aduenture, or by yt will of men, but brought from heauen by the Angell the publysher of Gods decree, and wyth a reason also assigned: bicause he was sent to saue the people from their sinnes.2 In which wordes that is to be noted, whiche we haue touched in an other place, that the office of redeemer was appoynted hym, that hee shoulde bee oure sauioure: butte in the meane time oure redemptiō ⟨p. 95⟩shoulde be but vnperfect, vnlesse hee should by continuall proceedynges conuey vs forwarde to the vttermoste marke of saluation. Therefore, so sone as we swarue neuer so lyttle from hym, oure saluation by lyttle and lyttle vanisheth awaie, whiche wholly resteth in hym: so that all they wilfully spoile them selues of all grace, that reste not in him. And that admonition of Bernarde is worthy to be rehersed,3 that the name of Iesus is not onely lyght, but also meate, yea and oile also, without which al the meate of the soule is drye, and that it is also salte without the seasoning, wherof al that is set before vs is vnsauorie. Fynally, that it is hony in the mouth, melodie in the eare, and ioyfulnesse in the hearte, and also medicine, and that whatsoeuer is spoken in disputation is vnsauorie, but where thys name soundeth. But here it behoueth to weie diligently, howe saluation is purchased by him for vs: that we may not onely be perswaded that he is ye author of it, but also embracing such thinges as are sufficient to the stedfast vphold in of our faithe, wee maye refuse all suche thinges as myghte drawe vs awaye hether or thether. For sithe no man can descende into him selfe, and earnestly consider what he is, but feelinge God angry and bent agaynste hym, he hathe neede carefully to seeke a meane and waye to appease him, whiche demaundeth satisfaction: there is no common assurednesse required, bicause the wrathe & curse of God lyeth alwaie vpon sinners, tyll they be loose from their gyltenesse:
- 1Act. ii•i.xii.
- 2Mat. i.xii. Lu. xxxi.
- 3Ber. in. can. sermo. 15.
