Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Howbeit we must mark,¹ that there is a refuge given us which is to resort to the forgiveness of our sins, which is granted us in our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore when we have acknowledged our selves to be utterly forlorn and damned in our own nature▪ and thereupon repair to our Lord Jesus Christ, sewing to be partakers of his righteousness, and to be justified by virtue of the obedience which he yielded to God his father: then GOD not only receiveth us to mercy, and covereth us with the perfection that is in our Lord Jesus Christ, as with a cloak, to the intent we should obtain salvation: but also taketh our works in good worth. And although we perform not the Law, but come loitering aloof after it, so as there is great store of vices in us, wherewith our works are blemished: yet notwithstanding GOD accepteth them, and promiseth that we shall not loose our labour, insomuch that our works shall be taken for righteous before him. Albeit that they be worthy to be taken for stark filth, because there is always somewhat in them that God may condemn: yet this keeping of the Law which we perform (unperfect as it is) shall not fail to be taken for righteousness. The reason is, because Jesus Christ supplieth our default. Then doth not our righteousness consist in the worthiness of our own works:² but inasmuch as they be sanctified in the name of Gods son, & forasmuch as we be his members. [both they &] we be admitted for righteous, because of the obedience which he yielded unto God. And that obedience is communicated unto us, as if it were our own. Thus ye see how the promises that are made unto us, do assure us that God will accept the things for righteousness, which we do in endeavouring to serve him. For such promises are not vain nor fruitless, so our Lord Jesus Christ be or mediator, and perform that which wanteth on our behalf. For without that, all the law will serve us to none other purpose but to condemn us, as hath bin showed afore.

Howbeit wee must marke,¹ that there is a refuge giuen vs which is to resort to the forgiuenesse of our sinnes, which is graunted vs in our Lorde Iesus Christ. Therefore when we haue acknowledged our selues to bee vtterly forlorne and damned in our owne nature and thereupon repayre to our Lord Iesus Christ, sewing to bee partakers of his righteousnesse, and to bee iustifyed by vertue of the obedience which hee yeelded to God his father: then GOD not onely receiueth vs to mercy, and couereth vs with the perfection that is in our Lorde Iesus Christ, as with a cloake, to the intent wee shoulde obtaine saluation: but also taketh our workes in good woorth. And although wee performe not the Lawe, but come loytering aloofe after it, so as there is great store of vices in vs, wherewith our workes are blemished: yet notwithstanding GOD accepteth them, and promiseth that we shall not loose our labor, insomuch that our workes shall be taken for righteous before him. Albeit that they bee worthie to bee taken for starke filth, because there is alwayes somewhat in them that God may condemne: yet this keeping of the Law which we performe (vnperfect as it is) shall not faile to bee taken for righteousnesse. The reason is, because Iesus Christ supplyeth our default. Then doth not our righteousnesse consist in the worthynesse of our owne workes: