Sermons upon Deuteronomy

Now concerning the second; we must understand, that by his rising again he hath purchased righteousness unto us, and thereby showed himself a conqueror over sin and death: and his resurrection doeth also import that he §30is ascended into heaven, of purpose to take the possession of that inheritance, which he will make common unto us, and of the which he will make us partakers with himself. This is the substance of our faith. Now it behooveth to have this faith both in our heart and in our mouth. Truly it were to small purpose if we did but talk of the graces and blessings which our Lord Jesus Christ hath brought unto us; as we see a great number of babblers do; they §40talk much thereof, but what are they the better for it, saving that it increaseth their condemnation? It is no great matter then to have the confession of faith on the tip of the tongue before men: for it must be rooted in the heart, we must (say I) have the virtue of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ imprinted within us, and saint Paul sayeth, that that serveth us for righteousness. And why? Because we know that we be reconciled to §50GOD, insomuch that Christ hath taken our burden upon him, so as we being thereof discharged are become acceptable unto God, so that he will no more impute our sins unto us. And why? For Christ should have suffered in vain for us, if we should now be called to reckoning for our sins. Thus then we stand acquitted through the satisfaction made for us by Christ Jesus: and that is the righteousness whereof Saint Paul speaketh. For when we receive Jesus §60Christ, it is certain, that he reneweth us by his holy Spirit. And we be not only adopted to be the children of God by his means: but also we receive therewith the warrant of our Election, which is that we be reserved for the inheritage of God. So then let us understand, that there is none other mean whereby we may attain to righteousness, but by believing with the heart.

Nowe concerning the seconde; wee must vnderstande, that by his rising againe he hath purchased righteousnesse vnto vs, and therby shewed himselfe a conquerour ouer sinne and death: and his resurrection doeth also import that hee §30is ascended into heauen, of purpose to take the possession of that inheritance, which hee will make common vnto vs, and of the which hee will make vs partakers with himselfe. This is the substance of our faith. Nowe it behooueth to haue this faith both in our heart and in our mouth. Truely it were to small purpose if wee did but talke of the graces and blessings which our Lorde Iesus Christ hath brought vnto vs; as wee see a great number of bablers doe; they