The seconde tome or volume of the Paraphrase of Erasmus vpon the Newe Testament conteynyng the epistles of S. Paul, and other the Apostles : wherunto is added a paraphrase vpon the reuelacion of S. John.

The texte.

For Moses writeth of the righteousnes, whiche commeth of the lawe, how that the mā, whiche doeth the thinges of the law, shal liue therby. But the righteousnes which cōmeth of fayth, speaketh on this wyse: say not thou in thine heart, who shal ascende into heauen (that is euen to fetche Christ doune from aboue) either who shall descende into the depth? (that is euen to fetche vp Christ againe from death) but what sayth he? The worde is nigh the, euen in thy mouth and in thy heart.

Both kyndes of iustice did Moses clearely expresse. For the temporal iustice, whiche rested in ceremonies, to be kept but for a season, plainly set∣teth he out in the boke of y^• Leuites, saiyng: kepe my lawes & decrees, this who so doeth shal liue therby. But the true & euerlastyng iustice, whiche we by Christ through a liuely fayth obtaine, in the boke of Deuteronomi expresseth he, when he sayth: neither say thou in thine heart, who shall as∣cende into heauen: for that is euen to fetche Christ doune from aboue. Nor yet say thou, who shal descende and goe doune into the deapth of the yearth, for that were euen to fetche vppe Christ againe from death. Of whiche bothe sortes of questioners, forasmuche as they require of fayth to haue an experiment, neither of both semeth to beleue well.

But, whosoeuer vnfaynedly beleueth, is in suche poyntes more surely and better persuaded, thē is one, which nedeth suche meanes to be taught with, either of this (I saye,) that Christe once descended from heauen, or els of this, that he nowe sytteth at his fathers ryghte hande, thoughe he nomore shewe neither of bothe before mennes iyen. And though it be of men sene nomore, yet beleueth he also, that Christ went downe to hell, and the thyrde daye rose agayne to lyfe. Sufficient is it for vs to beleue, that this was once done. So that this remayneth, that we gyue credence vnto suche, as sawe the same. And to beleue this we nede not to seke ferre. The Iewes sawe, and yet beleued not. Other heard, whiche sawe not, and yet gaue they credence. The scripture recordeth the same, whiche streight after saythe: the worde is nyghe the, euen in thy mouthe and in thy hearte.

Notes

• The monne whiche doeth the thinges of the law shal liue therby. &c
• Saye not y^• in thyne hert who shall as∣cēd into hea∣uen. &c.