Of free justification

There hath never been so happy a Generation, but the worser part hath exceeded in number, and always the fewest were pleased with the best things. But I doubt whether ever such abominable Impudence in sinning came to so great a height in any Age. Wherefore I confess, that so much the more their Endeavours should be encouraged, who give all diligence for this purpose, and rebuke with sharpness, that ⟨image 4⟩wickedness may be purged away out of the Christian Common-wealth. For what can they do more agreeably? But yet Christ Should not therefore be expelled from the Church. Yea, if I may be allowed to speak freely, I know not whereunto this so great depravation and overflowing of all most abominable iniquities should be imputed, but that Christ the best Instructor of Life, doth not so reign in the minds of Men, as in right he ought. This World hath its Adorers. But Christ also hath his own miserable and afflicted Elect in the World, the care of whom should not be neglected. Therefore they that are angry at the filthy Manners of this Life, do well therein; but yet they do not ill, that are angry at the corrupt Errors of Doctrine, about which, according to my Opinion, no less care should be taken then about Manners. The Prophet is commanded to declare unto his People their sins. True indeed.

There hath never been so happy a Generation, but the worser part hath exceeded in number, and always the fewest were pleased with the best things. But I doubt whether ever such abominable Impudence in sinning came to so great a height in any Age. Wherefore I confess, that so much the more their Endeavours should be encouraged, who give all diligence for this purpose, and rebuke with sharpness, that ⟨image 4⟩wickedness may be purged away out of the Christian Common-wealth. For what can they do more agreeably? But yet Christ Should not therefore be expelled from the Church. Yea, if I may be allowed to speak freely, I know not whereunto this so great depravation and overflowing of all most abominable iniquities should be imputed, but that Christ the best Instructer of Life, doth not so reign in the minds of Men, as in right he ought. This World hath its Adorers. But Christ also hath his own miserable and afflicted Elect in the World, the care of whom should not be neglected. Therefore they that are angry at the filthy Manners of this Life, do well therein; but yet they do not ill, that are angry at the corrupt Errours of Doctrine, about which, according to my Opinion, no less care should be taken then about Manners. The Prophet is commanded to declare unto his People their sins. True indeed.