4. The fourth branch is,1 to teach and inform us (to whom these benefits of Christs Passion and victory do appertain) by what means the same is applied & redoundeth unto us: which means is only one, that is only faith, in Christ Jesus,2 and no other thing. Which faith it pleaseth almighty God, to accept for righteousness. And this righteousness it is, which only standeth before God and none other, as we are plainly taught by the Scriptures, and especially by the doctrine of S. Paul. Which righteousness thus rising of faith in Christ. S. Paul calleth the righteousness of God, where he speaketh of himself, utterly refuseth the other righteousness which is of the law, that the might be found in him, not having his own righteousness which is of the law, but the righteousness of Christ, which is of faith. Phil. 3.3 Again, the said Apostle writing of the Jews, which sought for righteousness and found it not: and also of the Gentiles which sought not for it, and yet found it, showeth the reason why: because (saith he) the one sought it as by works and the law, and came not to ⟨p. 22⟩it, who not knowing the righteousness of God, and seeking to set up their own righteousness,4 did not submit themselves to the righteousness which is of God: The other, which were the Gentiles, and sought not for it, obtained righteousness, that righteousness, which is of faith. &c. Ro. 9. Also in an other place, Saint Paul in the same Epistle writing of this righteousness which cometh of faith, calleth it the righteousness of God, in these words. Whom God (saith he) hath set up for a propitiation by faith in his blood, 5whereby to make manifest the righteousness, which is of himself in tolerating our sins. &c. Rom. 3. By the which righteousness it is evident that S. Paul meaneth the righteousness of faith,6 which almighty God now revealeth & maketh manifest by preaching of the Gospel. Wilt thou see yet more plainly this righteousness of God how it is taken in S. Paul, for the righteousness of faith, & therefore is called the righteousness of God, because it is imputed only of God to faith, and not deserved of man? In the same Epistle to the Romans and in the 3. chap. aforesaid, his words be manifest: The righteousness of God (saith he) is by faith of Jesus Christ, 7in all, and upon all that do believe. &c.
4. The fourth branch is,1 to teach and informe vs (to whō these benefites of Christes Passion and victory do apperteine) by what meanes the same is applied & redoundeth vnto vs: which meanes is onely one, that is onely faith, in Christ Iesu,2 and no other thing. Which faith it pleaseth almightie God, to accept for righteousnes. And this righteousnes it is, which onely standeth before God and none other, as we are plainly taught by the Scriptures, and especially by the doctrine of S. Paule. Which righteousnes thus rising of faith in Christ. S. Paule calleth the righteousnes of God, where he speaketh of himselfe, vtterly refuseth the other righteousnes which is of the lawe, that the might be found in him, not hauing his own righteousnes which is of the law, but the righteousnes of Christ, which is of faith. Phil. 3.3 Againe, the saide Apostle writing of the Iewes, which sought for righteousnes and found it not: and also of the Gentiles which sought not for it, and yet found it, sheweth the reason why: because (saith he) the one sought it as by workes and the lawe, and came not to ⟨p. 22⟩it, who not knowing the righteousnes of God, and seking to set vp their owne righteousnes,4 did not submit themselues to the righteousnes whiche is of God: The other, which were the Gentiles, and sought not for it, obteined righteousnes, that righteousnes, which is of faith. &c. Ro. 9. Also in an other place, Saint Paule in the same Epistle writing of this righteousnes which commeth of faith, calleth it the righteousnes of God, in these wordes. Whome God (saith he) hath set vp for a propitiatiō by faith in his bloud, 5whereby to make manifest the righteousnes, which is of himselfe in tollerating our sinnes. &c. Rom. 3. By the which righteousnes it is euident that S. Paule meaneth the righteousnes of faith,6 which almightie God nowe reuealeth & maketh manifest by preaching of the Gospell. Wilt thou see yet more plainely this righteousnes of God howe it is taken in S. Paule, for the righteousnes of faith, & therefore is called the righteousnes of God, because it is imputed onely of God to fayth, and not deserued of man? In the same Epistle to the Romanes and in the 3. chap. aforesayd, his wordes be manifest: The righteousnes of God (sayth he) is by faith of Iesus Christ,
- 1The fourth branch.The fourth braunch.
- 2Faith only the mean cause of salvation and nothing else.Fayth onely the meane cause of saluation and nothing els.
- 3Phil. 3. The righteousness of the law.Phil. 3. The righteousnes of the law.
- 4The righteousness of the gospel. Rom. 9.The righteousnesse of the gospell. Rom. 9.
- 5The places of S. Paul. Rom. 3. expounded. Rom. 3.
- 6The righteousness of faith, why it is called Gods righteousness. Rom. 3.The righteousnesse of fayth, why it is called Gods righteousnes. Rom. 3.
- 7A lesson out of S. Pauls doctrine, of all Christians to be observed.A lesson out of S. Paules doctrine, of all Christians to be obserued.
