Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

Aunswer.

I say not so, but I say we should doe no good workes,* 1.1 for the intent to get the inheritance of heauen, or remission of sinne. For if we beleue to get the inheritaunce of heauen through good workes, then we beleue not to get it through the promise of God. Or if we think to get remission of our sinnes by our dedes, then we beleeue not that they are for∣geuen vs, and so we count God a lier. For God sayth thou shalt haue the inheritaunce of heauen for my sonnes sake, thy sinnes are forgeuen thee for my sonnes sake: and you say it is not so, but I wil win it through my works. Thus you see I cōdemne not good dedes,* 1.2 but I condēne the false trust in any workes, for all the workes wherin a man put∣teth any confidence, are therwith poysoned & become euil,

Wherfore, thou must do good works, but beware thou do them not to deserue any good thorough them, for if thou doe, thou receiuest the good, not as the giftes of God, but as dette to thee, and makest thy selfe fellow with God, be∣cause y^u wilt take nothing of hym for nought. And what needeth hee any thing of thine, which geueth all thyng and is not the poorer?

Therfore do nothing to him, but take of hym, for he is a gentle Lord, and with a gladder will geueth vs al that we neede, then we can take it of hym: if then we want ought, let vs wite our selues.

Presse not therefore to the inheritaunce of heauen tho∣rough presumption of thy good works, for if thou do, thou countest thy selfe holy and equal to God, because thou wilt take nothing of hym for noughte, and so shalt thou fall as Lucifer fell for his pride.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Good workes excluded not to be lefte vndone but not to iusty¦fie vs, whē the•• are done.
• * 1.2

  Not the doing of good workes, but the trusting in good workes condemned.