And here we see first of all, the thing that I have touched already heretofore: namely, that if we knew well what our Lord Jesus ⟨p. 144⟩Christ is, we would easily give over all other things, according as it is said in the third too the Philippians,1 that S. Paul counted all his former high esteemed things as loss and dung, to the end he might hold himself too Jesus Christ, and that he went forward therein all the time of his life, yea and did as it were hold his arms stretched out too catch it, as he himself protesteth. Ye see then, that the thing which we have too mark here, is, that when we once know that Jesus Christ, and the benefits that he bringeth us, namely that we may resort too God in his name with full trust: we shall no more have our minds so vexed with unquietness, but we shall stand fast and steady in pure simplicity of the Gospel. Howbeit, for the better understanding hereof, let us see how men speak of our Lord Jesus Christ. In deed they will call him the son of God, and they will take him for their Redeemer: but in the mean while they will make a dole of his offices, and part them here and there as a pray. The holy Scripture calleth him the only Priest, because it belongeth only unto him too reconcile us unto God. And how many do now adays take that upon them? Even as many Monks, Friars, Mass Priests, and Hypocrites as be in the world: for they sell their prayers, as though Jesus Christ had resigned his place unto them. And under pretence thereof, they devour all the wealth of the world, and in the mean while Jesus Christ is thrust a great way of. Again, it is said, that by the one sacrifice which he offered once for all, he hath gotten us grace and salvation, yea even for ever, so that his death and passion appeaseth Gods wrath, because that thereby we have full righteousness. But yet for all this, the Mass is brought in, as though the sacrifice that Jesus Christ offered in his own person, were but a bare figure, and that the thing which the Papists have invented, were the only mean (as they say) too purchase favour at Gods hand. For the whoremaster goes thither too pay his ransom: so does the drunkard, the wicked swearer, the loose liver, the pillar and poller, the quarreller, the glutton, the eater up of his neighbour:
And heere wee see first of all, the thing that I haue touched already heeretoofore: namely, that if wee knewe wel what our Lord Iesus ⟨p. 144⟩Christ is, wee would easly giue ouer all other things, according as it is sayd in the third too the Philippians,1 that S. Paule counted all his former high esteemed things as losse and dung, to the end he might hold himself too Iesus Christ, and that he went forewarde therein all the tyme of his life, yea and did as it were hold his armes stretched out too catch it, as he himself protesteth. Yee see then, that the thing which wee haue too marke heere, is, that when wee once knowe that Iesus Christ, and the benefits that he bringeth vs, namely that wee may resort too God in his name with full trust: we shall no more haue our mynds so vexed with vnquietnesse, but wee shal stand fast and stedy in pure simplicitie of the Gospell. Howbeit, for the better vnderstanding hereof, let vs see how men speake of our Lord Iesus Christ. In deede they wyll call hym the sonne of God, and they wyll take hym for theyr Redeemer: but in the meane whyle they wyl make a doale of his offices, and part them here and there as a pray. The holy Scripture calleth him the onely Priest, bycause it belongeth alonly vntoo him too reconcyle vs vntoo God. And how many doo now adayes take that vppon them? Euen as many Moonks, Freers, Masse Priests, and Hipocrites as bee in the world: for they sell their prayers, as though Iesus Christ had resigned his place vnto them. And vnder pretence therof, they deuoure all the wealth of the world, and in the meane whyle Iesus Christ is thrust a great way of. Agein, it is sayd, that by the one sacrifize which he offered once for all, he hath gotten vs grace and saluation, yea euen for euer, so that his death and passion appeaseth Gods wrath, bycause that therby we haue full rightuousnesse. But yit for all this, the Masse is brought in, as though the sacrifize that Iesus Christ offered in his owne person, were but a bare figure, and that the thing which the Papists haue inuented, were the only meane (as they say) too purchace fauour at Gods hand. For the whoremaster goes thither too pay his raunsome: so does the drunkard, the wicked swearer, the looce liuer, the piller and poller, the quareller, the glutton, the eater vp of his neighbour:
- 1Phil. 3. b. 8.
