The benefite of Christs death, or the glorious riches of Gods free grace which euery true beleeuer receiues by Iesus Christ, and him crucified. First compiled and printed in the Italian tongue: and afterwards translated and printed in the French tongue: and out of French into English, by A.G.

CHAP. III. How the forgiuenesse of our sinnaes, our iusti∣fication, and our saluation depend vpon Iesus Christ. (Book 3)

VVHen as our God then had sent the said great Prophet which he had promised vs (who is his only Sonne,) to the end that he should set vs free from the curse * 1.1 of the Law, and reconcile vs vnto our God: that he should make our will fit for good workes, healing our free-will, and repairing in vs the foresaid Image of God which we had lost through the fault of our first parents: * 1.2 forasmuch as we know that vnder heauen there is none other name giuen vnto men whereby we may be saued, but the name of Iesus Christ: Let vs runne vnto him with the feet of liuely faith, and cast our selues be∣tweene his armes, sith he allureth vs so graci∣ously, crying: Come vnto me, all you that la∣bour and are heauy laden, and I will refresh * 1.3 you: What comfort or what ioy in this life can be comparable to this his saying there, when as a man feeling himselfe oppressed with the intolerable waight of his sinnes, vnderstandeth so sweet and amiable words of the Sonne of God, who promiseth so

graciously to refresh and rid him of his great paines? But all the matter lyeth in acknow∣ledging our owne weakenesse and misery in good earnest. For he shall neuer know what is sweet, who hath not tasted of the sowre. And therefore Iesus Christ saith: If any man * 1.4 thirst, let him come to me and drinke: as if he had meant to say, If a man know not him∣selfe to be a sinner, nor thirst after righteous∣nesse, he cannot taste of the sweetnesse of Ie∣sus Christ, how sweet it is to talke of him, to thinke of him, and to follow his most ho∣ly life. But when we once throughly know our owne infirmitie by meanes of the Law: let vs hearken to Saint Iohn Baptist, who pointeth vs to the Soueraigne Physician with his finger, saying: Behold the Lambe of God, * 1.5 which taketh away the sinnes of the world. For hee it is that deliuereth vs from the heauy * 1.6 yoke of the Law, abrogating and disanulling the curses & sharpe threatnings of the same: healing all our infirmities: reforming our free-will, returning vs to our ancient inno∣cency, and repayring in vs the Image of our God: insomuch that (according to Saint Pauls saying) like as by Adam wee bee all * 1.7 dead: so by Iesus Christ wee are all quicke∣ned. And it is not to be beleeued that the sin of Adam, which wee haue by inheritance

from him, should be of more force then the righteousnesse of Christ, that which also we inherit by faith. It seemeth that man hath great cause to complaine, that (without any reason why,) he is conceiued and borne in * 1.8 sinne, and in the wickednesse of his parents, by meanes of whom, death reigneth ouer all men. But now is all our sorrow taken a∣way, inasmuch as by a like meane (without any occasion giuen on our behalfe) righte∣ousnesse and euerlasting life are come by Ie∣sus Christ, and by him death is slaine, where∣of Saint Paul maketh a very godly dis∣course, which I purpose to set downe here following. Wherefore (saith he) like as by one * 1.9 man sinne entred into the world, and death by sinne: euen so death went ouer all men, foras∣much as all men haue sinned. For vntill the Law, sinne was in the world: but sinne was not regarded as long as there was no Law. Neuerthelesse death reigned from Adam vn∣to Moses, euen ouer them also that sinned not after the like manner of the transgression of Adam, who was a figure of him that was to come. But yet the gift is not so as is the offence: for if through the offence of one, many be dead: much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace which is by one man Iesus Christ, hath abounded vnto many.

Neither is the gift so as that which entred in by one that sinned. For the fault came of one offence vnto condemnation, but the gift is of many offences to iustification. For if by the offence of one, death reigned through one: much more shall they which receiue the a∣bundance of grace and of the gift of righte∣ousnesse, reigne in life through one, that is, Iesus Christ. Likewise then, as by the of∣fence of one, that fault came on all men to condemnation, so by the righteousnesse of one, the benefit abounded toward all men to the iustification of life. For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one, shall many be also made righteous. Moreouer the Law entred there∣upon, that the offence should abound: neuer∣thelesse where sinne abounded, there grace abounded much more, that as sinne had reig∣ned vnto death, so might grace also reigne by righteousnesse vnto eternall life, through Ie∣sus Christ our Lord. By these words of St. Paul, we manifestly perceiue the thing to be true, which we haue said heretofore: that is to wit, that the Law was giuen to make sinne knowne: which sin we doe also know, not to be of greater force then Christs righ∣teousnesse, where-through we be iustified before God. For euen as Iesus Christ is

stronger then Adam was: so is his righte∣ousnesse more mightie then the sinne of A∣dam. And if the sinne of Adam was suffi∣cient inough to make all men sinners and chil∣dren of wrath without any misdeed of our owne: much more shall Christs righteous∣nesse be of greater force to make vs all righ∣teous and the children of grace, without any of our owne good works: which cannot be good, vnlesse that before we doe them, wee our selues be made good, as Augustine also affirmeth. Hereby a man may know in what * 1.10 errour they be, who by reason of some great offence, despaire of Gods good will, imagi∣ning that he is not willing to forgiue, couer, and pardon all sinne, hauing already punish∣ed and chastised all our sinnes and iniquities in his owne onely begotten and dearely belo∣ued Sonne, and consequently granted a gene∣rall pardon to all mankinde, which euery bo∣dy enioyeth that beleeueth the Gospell, that is to say, which beleeueth the happy tydings that the Apostles haue published through the whole world, saying: We beseech you for Iesus Christs sake, Be ye reconciled vnto God: * 1.11 for he that neuer knew sinne, was made a sa∣crifice for our sinne, that we might become righteous in him. The Prophet Esay fore∣seeing this great goodnesse of God, writeth

these heauenly words, which doe so well paint out the passion of our Lord Iesus Christ, and the cause thereof, as it is not to be found better described, euen in the writings of the Apostles. Who (saith he) will be∣leeue our report, and to whom is the arme of the Lord reuealed? But he shall grow vp before him as a branch and as a root out of a dry ground, he hath neither forme nor beau∣tie: when we shall see him, there shall be no forme that wee should desire him: Hee is despised and reiected of men, he is a man full of sorrowes, and hath experience of infirmi∣ties, we hid as it were our faces from him: he was despised, and wee esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our infirmities and car∣ried our sorrowes, yet we did iudge him as plagued and smitten of God, and humbled: but he was wounded for our transgressions: he was broken for our iniquities. The cha∣stisement of our peace was vpon him, and with his stripes we are healed. All wee like sheepe haue gone astray: we haue turned eue∣ry one to his owne way, and the Lord hath laid vpon him the iniquity of vs all: he was oppressed, and hee was afflicted, yet did hee not open his mouth. He is brought as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a sheepe before the shearer is dumme, so hee openeth not his

mouth. O great vnkindnesse! O thing abo∣minable! that wee which professe our selues Christians, and heare that the Sonne of God hath taken all our sins vpon him, and washed them out with his precious blood, suffering himselfe to be fastened to the Crosse for our sakes: should neuerthelesse make as though we would iustifie our selues, and purchase forgiuenesse of our sins by our owne works: as who would say, that the deserts, righte∣ousnesse and bloodshed of Iesus Christ were not enough to doe it, vnlesse we came to put to our workes and righteousnesse which are altogether defiled and spotted with self-loue, selfe-liking, selfe-profit, and a thousand o∣ther vanities, for which we haue neede to craue pardon at Gods hand, rather than re∣ward! Neither doe we thinke of the threat∣nings, which S. Paul vseth to the Galatians, who hauing beene deceiued by false Prea∣chers, beleeued not that the Iustification by Faith was sufficient of it selfe, but went a∣bout still to be made righteous by the Law. Vnto whom Saint Paul saith, Iesus Christ * 1.12 shall nothing profit you that iustifie your selues by the Law: for you be falne from Grace, because that wee through the Spi∣rit of faith, waite for the hope of righte∣ousnesse. Now if the seeking of righteous∣nesse

and forgiuenesse of sinnes, by the kee∣ping * 1.13 of the Law which God gaue vpon Mount Sinai with so great glory and maie∣sty, be the denying of Christ and of his Grace: what shall wee say to those that will needes iustifie themselues afore God, by their owne lawes and obseruances? I would wish that such folkes should a little compare the one with the other, and afterward giue Iudge∣ment themselues. God mindeth not to doe that honour, not to giue that glory to his owne Law, and yet they will haue him to giue it to mens lawes and ordinances. But that honour is giuen onely to his onely begotten Sonne, who alone by the sacrifice of * 1.14 his death and passion, hath made full amends for all our sinnes past, present, and to come, as S. Paul and S. Iohn declare. Wherefore as of∣ten as wee apply this satisfaction of Iesus Christ, vnto our soules by faith: out of all doubt we obtaine forgiuenesse of our sinnes, and become good and righteous before God, through his righteousnesse. And therefore after that S. Paul hath said, that as touching the righteousnesse of the law, he had liued * 1.15 vnblameable: he addeth, And yet whatsoeuer I haue gained by it, I haue accounted it in all respects to bee but losse, for the loue of Christ. And specially I esteeme all

things to be losse, for the excellent know∣ledge of Iesus Christ my Lord, for whom I haue counted all things to be losse, and deeme them but as dung, so I may win Christ, and be found in him, not hauing mine owne righte∣ousnesse which is of the law, but the righte∣ousnes which is by the faith of Iesus Christ, which righteousnesse is giuen of God, I meane the righteousnesse of faith, that I may come to the knowledge of Iesus Christ. O most notable words, which all Christians ought to haue ingrauen in their hearts, pray∣ing God to make them to taste it perfectly. Loe, how S. Paul sheweth plainely, that whosoeuer knoweth Christ aright, estee∣meth all the works of the law to be hurtfull, forsomuch as they make vs to swarue from our trust in Iesus Christ, to whom euery man ought to impute his saluation, and to trust only vnto him alone. And to inforce this sentence the more, he addeth further, that he esteemeth all things but as dung, so hee may gaine Christ, and be found incorporated in him: declaring thereby, that whosoeuer tru∣steth in his owne works, and pretendeth to iustifie himselfe by them, getteth not Iesus Christ, neither is ingrafted into him. And for∣asmuch as the whole mystery of our faith consisteth in the truth hereof: to the end we

might the better vnderstand what he meant to say: he addeth and repeateth oftentimes, that he had nothing to doe with all the out∣ward iustification and all the righteousnesse that is grounded vpon the keeping of the law, but that he would clothe himselfe with the righteousnesse which God giueth by faith, to all them that beleeue that all our sins are fully chastised and punished in Iesus Christ: and that Iesus Christ (as S. Paul saith) * 1.16 is made our wisedome, righteousnesse, holi∣nesse, and redemption, to the end (as it is written) that he which will glory, should glory in the Lord, and not in his own works. Very true it is, that in the holy Scriptures there are some texts to be found, which be∣ing misunderstood, seeme to gainesay this holy doctrine of S. Pauls, and to attribute iustification and remission of sinnes vnto workes, and to charity. But those authorities haue already beene well expounded by some, who haue shewed plainely, that such as haue vnderstood them in the sense aforesaid, vn∣derstood them not aright. Wherefore my deare-beloued brethren, let vs not follow the fond opinion of the bewitched Galatians, but rather let vs follow the truth which S^t. Paul teacheth vs, and let vs giue the whole glory of our iustification vnto Gods mercy,

and to the merits of his Sonne, who by his owne bloodshed hath set vs free from the Soueraignty of the Law, and from the tyran∣ny of sinne and death: and hath brought vs into the Kingdom of God, to giue vs life and endlesse felicity. I say yet further, that he hath deliuered vs from the dominion of the law, insomuch as he hath giuen vs his holy Spi∣rit, who teacheth vs all truth, and that he hath satisfied the Law to the full, and giuen the same satisfaction vnto all his members, (that is to wit, to all true Christians) so as they may safely appeare at Gods Throne, because they be cloathed with the righteousnesse of his * 1.17 Christ, and by him deliuered from the curse of the Law. Then can not the law any more accuse vs or condemne vs, nor mooue our af∣fections or appetites, nor increase sinne in vs. And therefore S. Paul saith, that the obliga∣tion which was against vs, is cancelled by Ie∣sus Christ, and discharged vpon the tree of the Crosse, insomuch as he hath set vs free from the subiection of the Law, and conse∣quently from the tyranny of sinne and death, which can no more hold vs oppressed, because it is ouercome by Iesus Christ in his resur∣rection, and so consequently by vs which are his members, in such manner, that wee may say with Saint Paul, and with the Pro∣phet

Osee, Death is quite vanquished and destroyed. O death, where is thy sting! O Hell where is thy victory! The sting of Death is * 1.18 sinne, and the strength of sinne is the Law. But God be praised, who hath granted vs victory by our Lord Iesus Christ. Hee is * 1.19 the blessed Seede that hath crushed the head of the venemous Serpent, that is to wit, of the diuell, insomuch that all those which beleeue in Iesus Christ, reposing their whole trust in his grace, doe ouercome sinne, death, the Diuell and hell, as Christ hath done. He is that blessed Seede of Abraham, in the which God hath promised blessednesse to all Nations. It behooued euery particular person to fight with the said horrible Serpent, and to deliuer himselfe from that curse. But that enterprize was so great, that all the force of the whole World knit together, was not able to goe tho∣row with it. Wherefore our God the Fa∣ther of mercy, being mooued with com∣passion of our miseries, hath giuen vs his onely begotten Sonne, who hath deliue∣red vs from the venime of the Serpent, and is himselfe become our Blessed∣nesse and Righteousnesse, conditionally that we accept the same, renouncing all our owne outward iustifications.

Then my deare brethren, let vs imbrace the righteousnesse of our Lord Iesus Christ, and let vs make it ours by meanes of faith: let vs assure our selues that we bee righteous, not for our owne workes, but through the merits of Iesus Christ, and let vs liue merrily and assured, that the righteousnesse of Iesus Christ hath vtterly done away all our vn∣righteousnesse, and made vs good, righteous, and holy before God, who beholding vs in∣grafted into his Sonne by faith, esteemeth vs not now any more as the children of Adam, but as his owne children, and hath made vs heires of all his riches, with his owne begot∣ten Sonne.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Coloss. 3.
• * 1.2

  Acts 4.
• * 1.3

  Matth. 11.
• * 1.4

  Iohn 7.
• * 1.5

  Iohn 8.
• * 1.6

  Gal. 3.
• * 1.7

  1 Cor. 15.
• * 1.8

  Psal. 50.
• * 1.9

  Rom. 5.
• * 1.10

  The greatnes of sinne ought not to cause de∣spaire.
• * 1.11

  1 Cor. 5.
• * 1.12

  Gal. 5.
• * 1.13

  An excel∣lent com∣parison of the vna∣bility of our owne workes.
• * 1.14

  Hebr. 7. Iohn 12.
• * 1.15

  Philip. 3.
• * 1.16

  1 Cor. 18.
• * 1.17

  How man is deliue∣red and set free from the curse of the Law. Gal. 3. Rom. 8. Col. 2.
• * 1.18

  1 Cor. 15.
• * 1.19

  Gen. 8.