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The righteousnesse wherby we are to be iustifi∣ed before God, admitteth no encrease as sanctificati∣on doth.
It admitteth no encrease, because it must bee perfect, and the righteousnesse of Christ is alwayes vniforme and alike: if any thing bee taken from it, it is not per∣fect,
and if it be not perfect, it cannot iustifie before God: but to the first grace of san∣ctification, and all the suc∣ceeding increase thereof, is of grace: for God to the thank∣full receiuing and vsing of his gifts, doth adde greater measure thereof;* 1.1 for to him that hath shall bee giuen, yet that which is added is grace for grace, and the rendring of one gift for another gift. God giuing occasion him∣selfe by one gift of the be∣stowing of another, as he gi∣ueth faith: and to faith that which we beleeue, as he gi∣ueth vs to pray, and so praier giueth that for which wee pray: so in all the rest hee gi∣ueth grace, and giueth to vse wel the grace he hath giuen,
and to the wel vsing thereof, hee giueth also further mea∣sure & increase of grace, that both in the gift & in the in∣crease, al praise & glory may redound to him. The meanes in vs whereby this increase is wrought, is faith, which, as it first receiueth the spirit, so receiueth also the increase of it, whilest by the growth thereof, we grow more into Christ, and thereby more & more partakers of his life. By imputation of the merits and obedience of Christ, a man is a righteous the first day of his conuersion, as hee is in the end of his life, how∣soeuer as touching sanctifi∣cation and inherent righte∣ousnesse, he grow much, and therein be renued from day to
day, in putting off the old man, and putting on the new, and stil cleansing from all defilement of the flesh and of the spirit, & finish his sanctification in the feare of God; for euery one that beareth fruit in me, my Father purgeth, that hee may bring forth more fruit. We must then grow in grace and in the know∣ledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect; but one thing I doe, I forget that which is be∣hinde, and endeuour my selfe to that which is before, and fol∣low hard toward the marke: the price of redemption in the shedding of the blood of Christ, one, and alike to all and euery faithfull man, but yet it is not alike apprehen∣ded
by euery one. There is perfect righteousnesse re∣quired of vs, and the same is yeelded vnto vs in Christ: there may be a difference in vs, but Christ cannot be di∣uided, neither is there in him any difference from himself, where hee goeth hee goeth whole; and therfore what he is to the strōg, the same he is to the faint and feeble soule: there is greater and lesse as∣surance, but the matter whereof each doth take as∣surance, is the whole mercy of God in Christ.
Mat. 2, 29