A godlye and learned treatise wherein is proued the true iustificacion of a Christian manne to come frely of the mercy of god in Christ, without the deseruyng of man by his merites: and also how good workes oughte to bee done [and] what be true good works in dede. Whereunto is ioyned a co[n]ference betwene the law and the gospel, very profitable for al men to exercise themselues therin.

The Conclusyon or peroration. (Book 22)

(Book 22)

The. 22. Chapter. (Book 22)

THus much at this tyme haue I done concernyng the propertie, nature, di∣sposicion, cause, end and operacion: that is, y^e true & right fashion & measure of good works Out of y^e which, I trust, this may chefelie be vnderstand, how the lorde ascribeth the name of righ∣tuousnes and Iustificacion to the good works of holy mē: And how god in scripture is sayde to geue rewarde: And that neuerthe¦les the right and principall doc∣tryne of our religion stādeth sure and vnmoued: Namelie, that we are iustified out of the grace of god for Christes sake by faith, & not by workes.

Wherfore there remaineth now

nothing els, but that for the true faith in the lord Iesu, by y^e which we are iustified, we fal downe at the lords fete with ernest praier, with feruent and deuoute cryeng & callyng vpon his name: in such forte that we put in practise thys talke and disputaciō had of good works: Namely, that as touching the faith, which we professe in the lorde Iesus Christe, we expresse, shewe forth and garnishe the same with right good workes: Remem∣bring the wordes of the lord Ihe∣sus Christ, who in his gospell sai¦eth: Not euerye one that saieth vnto me, Lorde, lorde, shall entre in to the kyngdome of heauen: but he that doth the will of my father, which is in heauen.

Many shall saye to me in that daye: Lorde, lorde, haue not we

prophecied in thi name? haue not we cast out deuels in thy name? haue not we done manye mightye dedes in thy name? And then wil I knowlege vnto them: I neuer knew you, departe frō me ye wor∣kers of iniquitie. Therfore who so euer heareth of me these wor∣des, and doth the same, I wil lickē him vnto a wise mā, which buylte his house vpō a rocke. And a sho∣wer of rayne descended, and the floudes came, and the wyndes blew, and beat vpon that house, & it fel not, because it was groun∣ded on the rock. And euery one y^t heareth of me these words, and doth them not, shalbe likened vn∣to a foolishe man, which buylte his house vpon sand. And a sho∣wer of rayne descended, and the floudes cāe, & the wyndes blew, and beat vpon that house, and it fell, and greate was the fall of it.

Wherfore let vs applie all oure diligence with holie feruent prai¦e••, with true zeale and godlynes of oure mynde, that we also as ly∣uinge stones, beyng buylded vpō Christ the sure rock of lyfe, maye become a lyuinge house, which maie endure fast in al assaultes of manifolde tentacions: That we (I saie) beinge a spirituall habi∣tacion, and an holy priesthode, maie bring and offre vp to our Redemer & iustifier, Iesu Christ, spiritual & acceptable sacrifices: praise and thankes geuyng, al∣mes and oure own bodies, yea oure selues, fully, wholly, and all to∣gether.

Amen.