it is certain that thing §30showeth, that God hath given them the upper hand of sin, and that his power is resident in them, and that they be stout champions to fight against Satan: but yet doeth it not follow, that they be clear from all fault, and that they can pluck up sin, and fully deliver themselves from it, as though there were not any spot or blemish more in them. Alas, we come far short of that. For surely on the one side we have cause to praise God, for giving us the grace by his holy §40spirit to overcome all wicked affections. But yet must we sigh with all humility, acknowledging our selves to be weak on our part, and that if he pitied us not, we have such a wicked mind already in us, as provoketh his vengeance against us, so as we should well deserve to be utterly destroyed at his hand. Moreover it was requisite that God should discover the shame of the popedom, and show that the greatest clerks there, are duller witted than the silly Infidels that never §50hard one word of holy scripture. Why so? For we must take that which is written in the Law. It is said that the whole sum of the law is that we should love God with all our heart, with all our soul,1 with all our mind, and with all our powers. If it had been said, Thou shalt love GOD with all thy heart: very well, a man might have concluded, that it is no sin unless the will do fully resolve upon it and purpose it. For although the word Heart, do sometime §60signify the understanding: yet doth the holy scripture take it also for the will. Now then a man might allege this shift: it is said that we must love God with all our heart: therefore so we have not our will bent contrary to goodness, it is enough, we be quite discharged before GOD. For men would take the will for the wicked affection, and so it would seem that the wicked lusts which stir us up and provoke us, are not comprised under the name of sin, so long as they hold us not captive. But when as he addeth, with all thy heart, with all thy thoughts, and with all thy powers: let us see whether a piece of my soul or mind be not already corrupted, when I conceive any thing against God, or when I conceive any wicked lust of whoredom or robbery, although I stick not to it. Is it to be said that I love God with all my heart, when a piece of my mind is bent against him?
it is certaine that thing §30sheweth, that God hath giuen them the vpper hande of sinne, and that his power is resident in them, and that they be stout champions to fight against Satan: but yet doeth it not followe, that they bee cleare from all fault, and that they can pluck vp sin, and fully deliuer themselues from it, as though there were not any spot or blemish more in them. Alas, we come farre short of that. For surely on the one side wee haue cause to praise God, for giuing vs the grace by his holie §40spirite to ouercome all wicked affections. But yet must wee sigh with all humilitie, acknowledging our selues to be weake on our part, and that if he pitied vs not, we haue such a wicked minde alredy in vs, as prouoketh his vengeance against vs, so as we shoulde well deserue to be vtterly destroied at his hande. Moreouer it was requisite that God should discouer the shame of the popedome, and shewe that the greatest clarks there, are duller witted than the sillie Infidels that neuer §50hard one word of holy scripture. Why so? For we must take that which is written in the Law. It is saide that the whole summe of the lawe is that wee shoulde loue God with all our heart, with al our soule,1 with all our minde, and with all our powers. If it had beene saide, Thou shalt loue GOD with all thy heart: very well, a man might haue concluded, that it is no sinne vnlesse thewil doe fully resolue vpon it and purpose it. For although the word Heart, doe sometime §60signifie the vnderstāding: yet doth the holy scripture take it also for the will. Nowe then a man might alledge this shift: it is saide that wee must loue God with all our heart: therfore so we haue not our will bent contrarie to goodnesse, it is ynough, we be quite discharged before GOD. For men woulde take the wil for the wicked affection, and so it woulde seeme that the wicked lustes which stirre vs vp and prouoke vs, are not comprised vnder the name of sinne, so long as they holde vs not captiue. But when as hee addeth, with all thy heart, with all thy thoughts, and with all thy powers: let vs see whether a peece of my soule or minde be not alreadie corrupted, when I conceiue any thing against God, or when I conceiue any wicked lust of whoredome or robberie, although I sticke not to it. Is it to bee saide that I loue God with all my heart, when a peece of my minde is bent against him?
- 1[…]. 6.5. & […]. 22.37〈…〉. 6.5. & 〈…〉. 22.37
