Moreover Paul calleth them the rudiments of the world,1 for that all that observing of the law, which men not yet renewed by the spirit do perform, doth consist in worldly things, to wit, in places, times, apparel, persons, vessels, and such like. But faith resteth in no worldly thing, but in the only grace, word, and mercy of God, neither doth it make a man righteous and safe by any outward thing, but only by the invisible and eternal grace of God: Wherefore it counteth a like, days, meats, persons, apparel, and all things of this world. For none of these by it self doth either further or hinder godliness & salvation, as it doth the righteousness of those of Cains brood, which is as it were tied to these outward things. Faith therefore deserveth nothing less then to be called the rudiments of the world, by which we obtain the fullness of heavenly good things: and albeit it be occupied also in outward things, yet is it addicted to no outward thing, but doth freely in all things that which it seeth may be done to the glory of God, and profit of our neighbours, always continuing free and the same, and yet is made all things to all men, that so the conversation thereof may want all peculiar respect and difference. With those of Cains brood it agreeth neither in name, nor in any thing: one of them eateth flesh, an other abstaineth from it: one weareth black apparel, an other white: one keepeth this day holy, an other that: every one hath his rudiments, under which he is in bondage: all of them are addicted to the things of the world, which are frail and perish in an hour. Wherefore they are no other but servants of the rudiments of the world, which they call holy orders, godly ordinances, and ways to go to heaven. Against these Paul speaketh Colos. 2: Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why as though ye lived in the world, are ye burdened with traditions? As, Touch not, Taste not, Handle not: which all perish with the using, and are after the commandments and doctrines of men. Which things have in deed a show of godliness, when as they are mere superstition, whereby the mind is in vain pressed down to these outward things, &c.
Moreouer Paule calleth them the rudiments of the world,1 for that all that obseruing of the lawe, which men not yet renued by the spirit doe performe, doth consist in worldly thinges, to wit, in places, times, apparell, persons, vessells, and such like. But faith resteth in no worldly thinge, but in the onely grace, worde, and mercy of God, neither doth it make a man righteous and safe by any outward thing, but onely by the inuisible and eternall grace of God: Wherefore it counteth a like, dayes, meates, persons, apparell, and all thinges of this worlde. For none of these by it selfe doth eyther further or hinder godlines & saluation, as it doth the righteousnes of those of Cains brood, which is as it were tyed to these outward thinges. Faith therefore deserueth nothing lesse then to be called the rudiments of the worlde, by which we obtayne the fulnes of heauenly good thinges: and albeit it be occupied also in outward thinges, yet is it addicted to no outward thinge, but doth freely in all thinges that which it seeth may be done to the glorie of God, and profit of our neighbours, alwayes continuing free and the same, and yet is made all thinges to all men, that so the conuersation thereof may want all peculiar respecte and difference. With those of Cains brood it agreeth neyther in name, nor in any thinge: one of them eateth flesh, an other abstayneth from it: one weareth blacke apparell, an other white: one keepeth this day holy, an other that: euery one hath his rudiments, vnder which he is in bondage: all of them are addicted to the thinges of the world, which are frayle and perish in an houre. Wherefore they are no other but seruaunts of the rudiments of the worlde, which they call holy orders, godly ordinaunces, and wayes to goe to heauen. Against these Paule speaketh Colos. 2: VVherefore if ye be deade with Christ from the rudiments of the worlde, why as though ye liued in the worlde, are ye burdened with traditions? As, Touch not, Tast not, Handle not: which all perish with the vsing, and are after the commaundements and doctrines of men. VVhich thinges haue in deede a shewe of godlines, when as they are meere superstition, whereby the mind is in vayne pressed downe to these outward thinges, &c.
- 1The rudiments of the world why so called.
