It is he to whom it belongeth too search the heart, as the Scripture attributeth unto him. And besides this, we discern not so well between vices and virtues as we ought to do. That point therefore must be reserved unto him. And wherefore discern we them not? If we will judge well and rightly of all our works, it standeth us in hand to know what perfection is. For without perfectness there is nothing good before God: that is to say, all is but filthiness [where there wants perfection.] And who is he that deserveth to be allowed of God, if this perfection show not itself in him? But now how shall we know what perfection is, considering that our eyesight is so dim, and that we see but as it were in the twilight? Although God enlighten us, yet have not we so pure and clean a sight, as can use the brightness which he showeth us. True it is that the word of God entereth into the bottom of our hearts, and pierceth through our bones and the marie, and all that is in them. True it is, that it is a burning cresset, true it is that Jesus Christ is called the daysunne, and that he shineth over all: but yet for all that, our eyesight ceaseth not to be dim still. Therefore it standeth us greatly in hand to know what perfection is. And hereby we be put in mind, that when ⟨p. 169⟩soever we take things to be good, and perceive not any fault in them, yet are they not therefore without fault, for we know not the perfection that God requireth. To be short, there is none but only God that knoweth what perfection and soundness is. And why? It is in him, he knoweth it, and we be too feeble to attain unto it. That is the cause why it is said that we may well set a fair face upon the matter, but we shall not be able to answer one poor point of a thousand that shall be alleged and laid afore us. And I have told you already, that §10men are warned, that if they will plead with God, they shall always find themselves confounded to their damnation. Howbeit all to late. And this warning is very profitable for us: what is the reason? To the intent that before the blow come, every man should hold himself within the bounds of soberness and modesty, to say, Alas, what a thing is it for us to go to law with our God? Think we to get the upper hand of him? nay, clean contrariwise God shall overwhelm us.
It is he to whome it belongeth too search the heart, as the Scripture attributeth vntoo him. And besides this, wee discerne not so well betweene vices and vertues as we ought to doe. That poynt therefore must be reserued vnto him. And wherefore descerne we them not? If we will iudge well and rightly of all our works, it standeth vs in hand to know what perfection is. For without perfectnesse there is nothing good before God: that is to say, all is but filthynesse [wher there wants perfection.] And who is he that deserueth to be allowed of God, if this perfection shewe not itselfe in him? But nowe howe shall we know what perfection is, considering that our eysight is so dim, and that we see but as it were in the twylight? Although God inlighten vs, yet haue not wee so pure and cleane a sight, as can vse the brightnesse which hee sheweth vs. True it is that the worde of God entreth intoo the bottome of oure heartes, and perceth through our bones and the marie, and all that is in them. True it is, that it is a burning cresset, true it is that Iesus Christ is called the daysunne, and that he shineth ouer al: but yet for all that, our eysight ceasseth not to be dim stil. Therefore it standeth vs greatly in hande to knowe what perfection is. And hereby we be put in mynde, that when ⟨p. 169⟩soeuer we take things to bee good, and perceyue not any fault in them, yet are they not therefore without faulte, for we knowe not the perfection that God requireth. To be shorte, there is none but only God that knoweth what perfection and soundnesse is. And why? It is in him, hee knoweth it, and we be too feeble to atteyne vnto it. That is the cause why it is sayde that wee may well set a fayre face vpon the matter, but we shall not be able to answer one poore poynte of a thousand that shall bee alledged and layde afore vs. And I haue tolde you already, that §10men are warned, that if they will pleade with God, they shall alwayes find themselues confounded to their damnation. Howbeit all to late. And this warning is very profitable for vs: what is the reason? To the intent that before the blowe come, euery man shoulde holde himselfe within the boundes of sobernesse and modestie, to say, Alas, what a thing is it for vs to go to law with our God? Thinke we to get the vpper hande of him? nay, cleane contrariwise God shall ouerwhelme vs.
