So that the Word whereby Christ reforms, is not the Word with∣out
us, as the Word of the Law is; but the Word within us, as it is
written, The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart;
and this is the word of Faith: If thou live under the Word many
years, and if it come not into thy Heart, it will never change thee,
nor reform thee. And therefore the reforming Word is the Word
within us, and the Word within us is the Word of faith.
2. The Gospel reformes, because it doth not only reveal Christs
righteousness, as it is written, The righteousness of God is revealed
from faith to faith; but also it communicates it to us; And there∣fore
it is called the Word of righteousness, because it works righte∣ousness.
So that Christ, the righteousness of God, is conveyed to
us through this Word of righteousness. And when the righteousness
of God, revealed in the Gospel, comes and dwels in us, what Refor∣mation
of sin doth this work? all sin perisheth, at the rebuke of his
countenance: for the righteousness of God will endure no sin in us;
And so the Gospel reforms by working righteousness in us.
3. The Gospel reforms, because it shews us Christ; and by shew∣ing
us him, it changeth us into his Image: the more we see Christ
in the Gospel, the more are we made like unto him, that as we have
born the Image of the earthly, so we may bear the Image of the
Heavenly Adam.
2. Yea the Gospel shews us God in Christ in all his glory, and
changeth us into that glory of God which is shewen us; we all saith
Paul, with open face, beholding as in a glass (and this glass is the
Gospel) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same Image
from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord: so that, the
Gospel by shewing us God, changeth us into the Image of God;
and God through the Gospel, ariseth on us, till his glory be seen up∣on
us.
And thus you see the grounds of the Gospels Reformation.
So that now the Word of the Gospel, is the only Reforming
Word: and if there be never so much preaching, if it be but Legal,
it will reform no body aright; because there can be no working
Faith, nor communicating righteousness, nor changing men into
Gods Image, and so there can be no true Reformation.
And thus much for the first Means of Reformation which
Christ useth, which is the Word, and this Word the Gospel.