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.

¶ And the gyfte is not ouer one synne: as death came through one sinne of one, that synned. For damnation came of one synne vnto condemnation: but the gyfte came to iustifie from many synnes. For yf by the synne of one, death raigned by the meanes of one, muche more they (whiche receaue aboundaunce of grace & of the gyft of righteous∣nes) shall raigne in lyfe by the meanes of one (that is to saye) Iesus Christe.

Agayne thoughe throughe Adams onlye offence damnation entred, and through innocēt Christe, saluation: yet is not one equal to another. For in suche sorte had damnacion her begynnyng, that the synne of one man issued into al his posteritie, by meane wherof it might in continuaūce

of tyme, at the last haue made the whole world thrall to synne: but y^• bene∣fite of god cōtrarywyse is in suche sorte gyuen, y^• the sinnes of al the world then gathered together, and growen strong are at once by Christes death wyped awaye, and not only so, but also righteousnes is gyuen. And ther∣fore albeit the synne of onlye one man had suche a power, that it brought all men vnder the tyranny of death, so that all suche as had offended, as Adam did, could not be, but vnder the same yoke, that he was, yet muche more receaue we through the bountifull and ouer flowyng mercy of god, whiche is, that all suche as folowyng the example of Christ, liue iustlye & innocently, shall not only be free from the tyranny of synne and death, but also through him, whiche is the onely authour of our felicitie and welthe raigne themselfes in lyfe euerlastyng.

Notes

• For if by the synne of one death raigned by y^• meanes of one, muche more. &c.