IF hee to whome the forgiuenes of sinne is giuen, & frō whome sinne is put away, bee happie, as it is sayd in the xxxij. Psalme: Hap­pie is the mā to whom God imputeth no sinne. He nee­deth not to doubt, but on the contrary parte he is vnhappie, which is tyed and bound in sinne, he must looke for none other thing but for his cōdemnation, and ruyne onely. Be it for a time he liues in ease, & takes his plea­sure, and altogether giues himselfe to de­light: though he be increased with honor, and euery bodie doe loue and cheare him: yet he [Page] is neuerthelesse vnhappie, if he be not set at libertie by grace, and forgiuenesse of his ini­quities: for sinne is a burthen so hard, & hea­uie, that no man is able to beare it, pulling downe euery one that is laden with it: from whence it appeareth, that some do bowe vn­der it, and falles into ruine, and brings them selues into dispayre: as it happened to Iu­das. Other being oppressed in such sort, that they cannot scant receiue any comfort and rest. I haue seene a man, which hauing com­mitted, as himselfe doth confesse, some great and notorious faults, was so abated & trou­bled in his spirite by the memorie of them, that he did resemble a poore man, which was indepted, and condemned to a greeuous suf­ferance and shamefull death, he did alwaies grone and sigh with the trouble and paine of his Soule, feeling himselfe so guiltie, and doubting of the mercies of God, for the inor­mitie of his sinnes: in such sort, that he made not any account to eate any meate, and refu­sed to take any nourishment if hee had not beene carefully mooued thereunto by those which did keepe him companie: his heart be­ing so oppressed with dolor, that sometimes he wished that his bodie might bee punished with Iustice, and that hee might suffer some [Page] greeuous paine to make his torment lesse: which hee thought, hee had deserued in his soule: Sometimes in his anguish, he did re­quire to bee comforted, and receiued into the Church by publicke pennance, but he was a straunger, and did but passe away. I haue seene an other, which hauing a long time a­bused the true knowledge of God: yet at the last had such remorse of conscience, which did gnawe his heart so, that he was constrayned to lye as sicke, and out of breath. See there­fore how horrible & heauie sinne is of it selfe, from which whosoeuer is lightned, though he bee neuer so poore, miserable, and dispised of the world, or otherwise afflicted, he is ne­uerthelesse an happie man. The blinde man of this world doth not esteeme nor iudge of these things otherwise then by apparance of deceiptfull vanities, and not in trueth, as it appeareth daylie: but the spirite of GOD doth teach the godly otherwise, as it is afore sayd. That man is then very happy, that fee­leth the grace of God to be such, as to haue his sinne forgiuen him: for then his cōscience is in peace and rest, and he feareth not to pe­rish, neither hath he the iudgements of God in horror, but assureth himselfe of his fauour, and bountifulnesse, which God is to be estee­med [Page] the greatest, that a man can receiue in this mortall world. Among the Sarasines, those which haue not considered of thinges very narrowlie, haue yet well knowne, that it was a precious treasure not to bee trou­bled by any committed forfeite: of which the most wittie and sufficient among them haue made a treatise, which he calleth the quiet­nesse of the Soule: but altogether ignorant of this poynt of the free forgiuenes of sinne, as all other Philosophers, not esteming any other rest of conscience, but in vertue and in­tegritie of life, which is but an imagination of no value before God: for this man is like vnto him, which buildeth without foundatiō, and would make a shew of that thing which is not. For to come then vnto such blessed­nesse, and to inioye so happie felicitie, wee must knowe, that GOD to whom we must giue an accompt, is gentle and mercifull, to whom wee ought to haue all our refuge, be­ing certaine, that he will be quiet and merci­full towards vs: neither imputing our ini­quities, but will forgiue vs them freely.

Then as the m [...]st sicke and lingering de­seased haue more neede of remedies for to be helped, and eased of their griefe and paine: likewise also the most troubled soules, which [Page] are tormented with sorrowe, and anguish by feeling, and acknowledging their greate sinnes, dreading the anger and most feareful iudgement of God, haue more neede of con­solation, and greater assurances of the mer­cie of God, wherevpon their hope should be totally founded and rooted. Who although some times they be debased by diuers temp­tations, yet by the mercies of their God, they neuer fall into any dissolation or confusion by dispaire: although it happen, that the most forwarde in Religion and in the feare of God, haue to susteine many temptations of Sathan, who doth often giue them hotte skirmishes, and shooteth against them his poysoned and mortall arrowes, for to abate their faith, and to cast them into euerlasting distruction, if it were possible for them so to fall, and if they some times seeme to doubt, being trobled by distrust, and fearefulnes, yet it neuer happeneth, that they can fall vtterly from the trust which they once conceiued of the mercies of God. Dauid was not with­out some anguish and perturbation of spirit, when he cried, My soule why art thou ve­xed, and why art thou so disquieted with­in me? But when he addeth by exhortation that it should hope still in God, he declareth [Page] the stedfastnes and constancie of his faith, wherein hee saith, that he was shut vp from the sight of the Lorde, it seemed that by the great aduersitie which hapned to him, that God had cast him of, and quite forsaken him: yet he did not for all this leaue to call and to hope in him: so that in the ende he was highly exalted. And thus it happeneth oftentimes to the children of God, finding them selues intangled with a gulfe of euils, their hope seemeth to bee swallowed vp and drowned, although in the end it freshly appeareth, and lifteth vp the head and comming vnto it selfe againe, wholy trusteth in GOD, and resteth vnremoueable vpon his greate bountie and mercie, in which onely they glade and com­fort themselues, and not by any vertue or de­sert which is in them, aluding to that which is in the 9. Chap: of Ieremie: that he which glorieth may glorie in the Lorde, that is in his blessednes, and in his mercie.

In this point then, consisteth our trust, by the which wee must needes see what the foundation is, and how farre it reacheth, if so bee it bee firme and sure, and because wee ought to bee certaine and resolued thereof, for this cause wee will bring foorth the holy Scripture, as wel of the Old as Newe Te­stament, [Page] which are most fit and notable pro­mises of the grace and mercie of God, for the forgiuenes of sinnes, which beeing here set on a rowe one by another, and placed as it were on a table all in sight, it shall serue for the instruction of the poore penitent sinner, and that in this wee may keepe some order, we wil first shewe the testimonies which are apparant of the goodnes of God, which is as it were the surest foundation, and the first cause of all our hope. In the second place we wil adde the causes, which are as it were the matter and substance concerning the desert and intercession of our Lorde Iesus Christ the sonne of GOD, then the causes of faith and repentaunce shall followe, and finally that which belongeth to Inuocation and praier, these are the poyntes and degrees by which the faithfull soule ought to goe vp to the throne, and to the grace of God, for to re­ceiue the consolation and Spirituall health: First therefore it must looke vppon the ob­iects of the loue and mercie of God, and the benefites of Christ, to haue therein a perfect knowledge, then it must by Faith allie, and whollie trust vpon him, with a perfect conso­lation of God in calling vpon him: it must I say perswade it self of the loue and mercie [Page] of God, and after haue full assurance of the merites of Christ, which cānot be done with­out faith: it is therefore requisite to vse this prayer, which followeth.

WHen y ^e Lord passed before Mo­ses face, hee cryed out. The Lord, the Lord strong, mer­cifull, and gracious, slowe to anger, & aboūdant in good­nes & trueth, reseruing mercie for thou­sands, forgiuing iniquitie, transgression, and sinne, & not pardoning the wicked. As God hath created the world, mainteineth and preserueth it, so doth he mainteyne, nou­rish, and giues vs health and prosperitie in this life: wherein he shewes vnto vs his om­nipotent and eternall power, his wisedome and wonderfull foresight, and his great boū ­tie: but in that we haue offended him by our sinnes and iniquities, yet he receiueth vs in­to his mercie againe, reconciling himself to vs, forgiuing vs our transgressions: so that in this hee declareth vnto vs his clemencie and infinite mercie, whereof he certifieth and [Page] giueth vs full assurance in his worde, as he doth in this place to Moses: saying, that hee is not onely the eternall God almightie, but also mercifull and gentle: for to haue mercie and compassion vppon poore miserable sin­ners belongeth to God: and in that he is of great patience, he sheweth a manifest decla­ration, that he neuer punisheth the wicked so soone as they offend, but a long time staieth for their amendment, before he makes them feele his wrath and indignation: by which reason, he accompteth himselfe to bee slowe to anger, and of great patience. And in the ende, that none may thinke his mercie be ei­ther short, or scant, that it cannot suffice for diuers sinners, he also addeth, that he aboun­dant in benignitie: shewing by the same, that his bountie is so full, that it can neuer bee emptied. He is altogether infinite, eternall, and cannot be restrayned, nor contayned in the heauen of heauens, nor determined in the measure of any time: it can neuer be sta­yed, being a liuely flowing spring, which cannot be dryed vp: for most certaintie whereof, he maketh mētion of his fidelitie, repeating vp his promises, by which he may assure vs, that he will mercifull vnto vs: wherein he sheweth himselfe alwaies to be true, in that [Page] he is aboundant in benignitie, and also faith­full in keeping promise: how full of mercie he is, he declareth in that which followeth, that he is mercifull vnto thousands: where­in wee may learne, that he sheweth not his mercies vnto some little number, or some particuler place, but to many hundreth and thousands: shewing by this word an infinite, and the greatest number that can be expres­sed: by which maner of speech, diuersitie of ages, and varietie of liues maye bee vnder­stood, as it is sayd in other places, that he is mercifull, gentle, and faithfull: in which words, he expresseth that he is alwaies prone and readie to forgiue our sinnes, and to par­don our misdeedes: wherein we see that the true and proper effect of God is, to haue for­giuenesse of our sinnes. Then to the ende, that none may think that he forgiueth some light offences onely, he vseth diuers words, which comprehende all kinde of sinnes: not only naming the sinne whereby all offences are shewed, but also the iniquitie, which is done maliciously with deliberation and set­led purpose, when iniurie or hurt is wrought against others. The meaning then of this worde transgression, is a disobedience, or re­bellious action, or intent against God, which [Page] is a greeuous and horrible sinne: which al­though of all others it be most detestable, yet God doth here promise to make full re­mission, and forgiuenes of sinne. Let vs hold this then for a certaine and vnf [...]llible rule, that there is no forfeite so great, or transgres­sion so monsterous, but it is forgiuen by the meere mercie of God. And wheras it is said in the end, that he forgiueth none: it is onely ment of those, which are wicked and obsti­nate in their wickednesse, and those which shall feele finally the seuere vengeaunce of God: For so much then as he is named gen­tle, it is to poore and penitent sinners, which doe repent them of their sinnes committed: so is he also termed a iust Iudge, for to giue punishment to the hard and impenitent sin­ner, to the ende that none should abuse his grace and clemencie ouer much.

MOses speaketh this here in y ^e name and authoritie of GOD, as a Prophet, assu­ring [Page] the people of Israell, that after GOD hath visited them with his rod, and punished them with sudden and straunge calamities for their misdeedes, he would also make pu­nishment of their enemies, and deliuer them from their miseries and tribulations, being mercifull vnto the land: that is, to the inha­bitants of the land. The Children of Israell hauing purged themselues, and made them cleane of their sinnes by Gods mere fauour and onely mercie that he might bee alwaies fauourable towards them, and that forraine nations and straunge people might praise the children of God, and haue them in esti­mation, and accompt them happie in hauing the fauour of such a mightie God, and that thereby others should haue occasion to re­ioyce together for so great and bountifull benefites frō the Lord. If then the Gentiles had receiued such ioye, as to be partakers of so great happinesse, we must needes esteeme this promise to pertaine to vs also, and that continually, though he doth afflict vs, which is not but in good cause, and iustly for to cor­rect vs for our offences. Yet he is gentle, and very ready to receiue vs into fauour of his bountifull fauour, not imputing vnto vs our iniquities, whereof wee maye haue alwaies [Page] cause to praise our God eternally, after that he hath drawne vs forth out of the handes of the oppressors and calamities of this world, and hath receiued vs into his eternall rest.

THe more a man is miserable and worthy of death and damnation, the more the mercie of God sur­mounteth and ouerpasseth our miserie and calamitie, which is declared vn­to vs in diuers places of holy Scriptures, as it may appeare in that, which wee haue heretofore spoken of. Exod. 34. which porti­on of Scripture is agreable vnto this, al­though [Page] it containe a more ample declara­tion (so great is the mercies of God) to ad­uaunce and amplifie the time & knowledge of him, & his clemencie towards his people by the ministrie of his Prophetes, by whom the mercy of God is shewed vnto vs, either by a singnall promise by holy scripture, and marueilously amplified by comparisons, & parables both fit and excellent to this ende, that we may be better perswaded of y ^e Lord, and his mercie as Dauid confesseth, saying, The Lord is mercifull, gentle, slow to an­ger, and of great compassion. These are the very selfe same titles which God doth at­tribute vnto himselfe in the place aforesayd, wherein his nature is described vnto vs, be­cause this matter concerneth our saluation principally, for this thing is shewed plain­ly by his effectes, in that he saith, That he is not alwaies angrie, &c. for seeing we be disobedient and rebellious vnto him, and do not giue him such honour as wee ought, yet he pleadeth not in his wrath against vs, for to haue his right, and that which especially doth pertaine vnto him, but that which hee doth, he doth by admonitions, reprehensions, threatnings of his worde, corrections: that her by he may punish the transgressors, and [Page] in this maner it is sayd, that by the space of fourtie yeeres, he striued in the Wildernes with a stubber generation, an vnthankfull people of Israel, as the Prophet witnesseth in the 95. Psal. vers. 10. Neither leaueth he here, but doth the like with their posteritie and ofspring, in forbearing with their sinnes and wickednes, as it appeareth in the first verse of the 4. Chap. of Hoseas, in all which places hee sheweth himselfe marueilous pa­tient, when being Lord almightie, and soue­raine iudge of all the earth, yet abaseth him selfe so much as to contende and maintaine his right against so poore and feeble creatu­res, whome he might haue destroyed and o­uerthrowen in a moment, if he had extended his iust iudgement & seueritie against them, for although hee might iustly complaine of vs at all times, and at euery hower, because of our wickednesse, yet hee is so mercifull, that he chideth vs not continually, but many times demisseth all complaints and suites, and yeeldeth vp his owne right, because his mercie endureth for euer, neither doth he correct vs continually as we deserue, neither is he angrie with vs for euer, and although he punish vs for our iniquities, yet not accor­ding to the custome of men, who suffer them [Page] selues to bee caried away, by the rage and strength of her violence and excessiue affec­tions, but according to the reprehension and feeling of those, which hee striketh with his rodde, and visiteth with his Plagues, if hee seeme to be angrie, it is for a time, it can not continue for euer, neither last long. Where­fore they which be striken by him, doe truely feele it, and makes their cōplaint vnto God saying, why? dost thou continue thine anger for euer? or shal thy wrath burne against the sheepe of thy pasture? Psal. 74. How long Lord shal thine anger continue without cea­sing? Psal. 79. vers. 5. But if we consider the greatnesse and multitude of our sinnes, wee shall finde, that the wrath of God is of smale continuance towards vs, seeing we bee not consumed of him, we may finde him as wee imagine sharpe, whereas on the contrary, we shall thinke him in his great and inestimable goodnes freely to forgiue vs, after so many sorts and fashions. For this cause it is saide, that his wrath continueth but a short time, but in his fauour resteth life euerlasting: Heauines may lodge with a man one night, but ioye commeth in the morning: as it ap­peareth by this which followeth. The church speaking vnto God, by declaring his euerla­sting [Page] mercie, that although he hideth his face [...]rom them, and consumeth them because of [...]heir sinnes: yet in as much as they bee the worke of his owne hands, he will not suffer [...]he Cittie of his Sanctuarie to lye waste. Esay. 54. For after that GOD had afflicted Israel by the Asserians, and troubled them [...]y the Madianites, by the Philistines, Moa­ [...]ites, and such other nations that knew not him, he sufficiently sheweth, that he was an­grie against his people: yet in that he raised vp Iudges, Heads and Captaines, by whom he deliuered thē from the hands of their op­pressors, and gaue them quietnes and peace in the Land, wherby he caused them to know that his indignation was past, neither did it continue or last for euer: The captiuitie of Babilon was an euident testimony of the wrath of God against the Iewes: yet by the Commaundement and Edict of Cyrus hee brought them backe againe into their coun­try, and caused the people to knowe that hee had altogether ceased from his anger, and put away the burning of his indignation, as he sheweth in the 85. Psal. vers. 4. See how he hath quieted himselfe, and doth not hould his anger for euer. But all this which is spo­ken, toucheth the faithfull onely, as for the [Page] vnfaithfull, which do not beleeue the wrath of God remaynes on them, as it is said. Ioh. Cha. 3. ver. 36. The third effect of Gods cle­mencie, & the cheefest towards vs is, that he rewardeth vs not acccording to our wicked­nes, neither correcteth vs according to our sinnes, for the fruites and reward of sinne is anguish, tribulation, damnation, and death on euery soule as it is written to the Rom. Chap. 2. ver. 9. and Chap. 6. vers. 23. Then if God should punish vs, and handle vs accor­ding to our deserts, we should be excessiuely afflicted, and continually in anguish with­out ende: yea, one should bee alreadie ouer­throwen and destroyed, but in as much as he spareth & forbeareth vs, defending vs from so many perrils, and deliuering vs from so manyfold dangers, and which is more, that he maketh vs knowe that we be his, and ad­orneth vs with all the giftes of his holy spi­rite, and putteth vs in hope of life euerla­sting: he sheweth manifestly by these, that he doth not reward vs according to our deserts, neither recompence vs as we haue deserued. By nature therefore we doe nothing but of­fend, yet for our vnhappines hee restoreth goodnes againe. Wherefore it is sayde, that there is great mercie with the Lorde, true it [Page] is, that sometimes hee correcteth vs for our wickednes, but neuer chasteneth nor puni­ [...]heth vs according to our desertes: no more then if he had not regarded them, or as they had neuer bene cōmitted, seeing then that he remits & wholy forgiues vs, by which it is sayd, that the mercies of the Lord is ouer all his workes, and his goodnes reacheth vnto the cloudes, not that it endeth there, for it can not be contayned in the Heauen of heauens, but because in this world nothing can seeme higher then Heauen, which is raysed aboue the earth by an incomprehensible distaunce, as it is said in the Psal. 36. that the goodnes of God reacheth vnto the heauens, therefore it is added afterward, that it is excellent, it is ouer our heades, it doeth ouerpasse our sight, it is altogether to be marueled at, this is the height, the breadth, the deapth of the loue of Christ, which is spoken of in the 3. Chap. to the Ephes. It is marueylous high and wonderfull to behold, it reacheth to the deepes beneath, there is nothing which the spirite of man can Imagine to bee greater, but onely Gods loue and bountie towardes vs, who from the highest Heauens, from his celestiall and glorious throne vouchsafeth to come to the bottomlesse Pit of the earth, to [Page] drawe vs from it, and to make vs ascende [...] where hymselfe abideth, it scatereth it selfe here and there, in length infinite, in breadth wonderfull, so that among so many regions the people may feele the vertue of it in their hearts by the holy ghost, and yet wee must knowe, that God neuer vseth this clemencie to them which shewe themselues profayned and cōtemners of his grace, but those which doe feare him and sheweth him honour and reuerence, therein lyeth properly the great­nesse of the bountifulnesse of the Almightie. This is againe shewed by a notable effect, when it is sayde, that hee casteth from vs our offences: as for the wicked, their malice doth not remoue, but remaynes still, lying euen at the gate: as the Lord speaketh of the sinne of Cain Gen. Chap. 4. ver. 7. concerning the offences of the faithfull, although they be set before thē, and that they doe present them selues oftentimes before the eyes of y ^e soule: as it happened to the Prophet, when he said, that his sinnes was continually before him. Psal. 51. ver. 5. which is nothing vnto them, but an exercise of true repentance, to bring them vnto humilitie, and after makes them more circumspect: yet neuerthelesse, in re­spect of Gods mercie, they be all put away: [Page] for he putteth them farre from him, scatte­reth them abroade, and casteth them behinde [...]im, neuer to be remembred againe. Which is shewed by a comparison of the distaunce betweene the East and the West, which is the farthest distaunce that can bee imagined vnder the Sunne: euen so then, as the East is farre from the West, and the West farre from the East by a separation and great di­stance: euen so farre GOD doth cast all our sinnes away from vs: yea so farre, that they cannot be perceiued or no more appeare, thē that which is carried away from one ende of the world vnto the other. And to confirme al that is spoken before, God is in holy Scrip­ture compared vnto a father, which is merci­full vnto his children: for as you see a father couer many of his sonnes imperfectiōs, nei­ther vseth such rigour and seueritie towards them as he might, but spareth them as much as possiblie he can. In like maner also, God (who is our great and celestiall father) is moued with all pittie & compassion towards vs, and readie to forgiue vs all our sinnes: so that wee feare to offend him, neither doe a­bound in our iniquities.

THere is none of vs, which are not in daunger to fall into e­ternall ruyne and destruction, if God should looke narrowly into our sinnes and offences, to examine them in seueritie, and execute a iust punishment for them: for there is no man that could stand before his tribunall Seate, nor bee able to iustifie himselfe by his owne righteousnesse. Therefore Dauid in his pra­yers and supplications to the Lord, desireth him not to enter into iudgement with him, as he had deserued. Psal. 144. ver. 2. neither may this seeme straunge, or spoken without speciall purpose, but it is the same in sub­stance, which the author of this Psalm spea­keth of here: which is done for our consola­tion and trust, that forgiuenes of our sinnes only cōmeth from the Lord: neither doth he [Page] take any heede of them therby to condemne vs, but he sheweth himselfe gentle, and mer­cifull to vs: which made the Prophet in con­clusion to say, That because there is mercie with God, therefore he should be feared. And that this might not be done in himselfe one­ly, he stirreth vp all sortes of men, and euery state and cōdition of nations to the due feare and true reuerence of his Maiestie, thereby that high and lowe, rich and poore, one with an other might wholly giue themselues to serue him in thankfulnesse and heauenly me­lodie: for the more he powreth on vs his boū ­tifull and mercifull liberalitie, the more we are bound to him, and ought to be much more desirous to serue him in holinesse and righ­teousnesse all the daies of our life. So that the forgiuenesse of our sinnes is ioyned with the honor and glorie of GOD, and our obe­dience, which ought to followe his grace, not onely particulerly, but also generally a­mong all true Christians. For, for this cause Dauid doth giue certaine assuraunce vnto the Catholicke Church of GOD, vnder the name of Israel: saying, that the Lord would deliuer Israel from all his iniquities, and purge them from all their sinnes: & although the Church be not without sinne during the [Page] time that it is in this earthly perigrination, but hath wrinckles and spots subiect to ma­ny infirmities and transgressions, by whom it is as it were made captiue and brought in­to bondage: yet God will deliuer it continu­ally out of such miserie, and by his infinite mercie forgiue it not some faults onely, but all her iniquities how great soeuer they bee, and of what number soeuer. Vpon this hope then, the Prophet exhorteth the Church to trust in the Lorde, hoping in him in time of oppression, when wee are in distresse and ex­treame affliction. In as much as there is a­boundance of mercie with him, he wanteth no meanes to redeeme and drawe his out of anguish and tribulation: his waies are infi­nite, he needeth no good affection, being in­clined and giuen by his owne nature to cle­mencie and mercie.

THis is an excellent and comforta­ble promise, which God hath made to his auncient people, that of his [Page] mercie he hath put all their sinnes out of ac­compt, euen as though they had neuer bene committed: were they neuer so great and fil­thie, yet Gods mercie is greater: & therfore they ought not to dispayre. The Prophet de­clareth the small honor they shewed to God, and their wonderfull imperfections, when he giueth vnto them such opprobrius titles, calling them rebellious Children, a gene­ration of Vipers, a people altogether giuen to iniquitie, a wicked seede, base borne, cor­rupt children, yea, sparing none, no not one: he sayth that they are all naught, from the greatest to the lowest, from the head to the foote, both Priest and people, Magestrate and subiect are like to them of Zodome, and as the inhabitaunce of Gomorra, all defiled with murther, & shedding of innocent blood: yet GOD doth promise that he will neuer bring their sinnes to accompt, bee their ini­quities neuer so greeuous and monstrous, as the comparison of colours, euen of the red and bloudy colour, of the Skarlet and Pur­ple dye sheweth: yet the Lord will make thē as wooll, yea, as white as the driuen snowe, then the which, what can be whiter? There­fore the Lord setteth downe these wordes, to assure vs, by fit and probable similitudes, that [Page] although their sinnes were ripe, and as it were dyed in graine, which will not easily alter or chaunge the colour: yet they shall be no more remembred, nor once appeare again before him, no more then the olde colour is knowne which hath taken on it a newe dye: So all the filthinesse and infamie that was found in them shall bee made very pure, and very cleane. And after this sort doth y ^e Pro­phet pray, that if God would wash, purifie, and make him cleane againe from his sinne, then he should bee whiter then Snowe, and clearer, yea farre clearer then the Christall glasse. Psal. 51. ver. 9. And although it may seeme, that this promise was made particu­lary to the Iewes: yet notwithstanding it doth appertaine to vs also, that hereby wee might knowe, that the mercie of God is no lesse towardes vs, nor his arme shortned in our daies: but rather more amply declared, and shewed by the comming of his Sonne, and our Sauiour Iesus Christ.

ALthough our sinnes be as thei were written with a pen of I­ron, & with a diamond poynt, and profoundly engrauen in the tables of our harts, and in our soules, & noted by too much apparance: neuerthelesse the Lord our God doth certifie vs here, of the forgiuenesse of thē, saying y ^t it is himselfe, which doth blot, put out, & rayse them in such sort, that they are not to be per­ceiued any more, neither doe they appeare at any time before his face, no otherwise thē if they had neuer bene committed, hee I say blotteth them out, not for one day, nor for certaine monethes or yeres, or for some space of time prescribed or limited, but continual­ly and to the last gaspe, which is shewed by this phrase of speaking, for this word to blot out, is a perpetuall extinguishing of that, which hath bin manifested neuer to be in the like state againe, whereby we may learne, y ^t we haue al neede of his great grace, not for a time, but vnto the end of our life, yea so long [Page] as sinne shal remaine in vs, for wee are euer molested and greeued, and therforefore haue neede of mercie, as it is declared in the Ro­mans. Chap. 7. vers. 23.24. and in that hee saith, that it is he himselfe, which blotteth out our iniquities, he sheweth none other can do it but he, neither is there any creature either in heauen or in earth, that hath such power either in themselues, or from themselues. Now then we must learne, how this can be true, seeing it is sayd, that the Apostles and Shepherds of the Church of God haue re­ceiued such authoritie to forgiue sinnes, as in S. Math. Chap. 18. vers. 18. and S. Iohn. Chap. 20. vers. 23. but this is by reason of their charge and ministry, and not that it be­longeth to them selues properly, they may in deede remit the offences committed, but by and in the name of the Lorde, to whome they be Herraltes and Ambassadours, it then belongeth vnto God onely to remit sinnes, for the which he will haue vs to be fully assu­red, in considering that it is himselfe which doth speake it, and which maketh this pro­mise, euen he, which is eternall and euerla­sting: euen he, which is good and full of mer­cie: this repetition and maner of speaking belongeth to him, in that it is sayde: I my [Page] selfe forgiue sinnes to this end, that we may not in any wise doubt, but therein wholy be perswaded by what meanes he is moued and stirred vp, for in blotting out our sinnes, hee declareth that it is for his name sake, it is not then for any worthinesse in vs, nor in consi­deration of any deserts of ours: Neither ob­tained by any Saints or indulgences found out by mans imagination, but by his free bountie, according to that which Dauid doth desire of the Lord, that according to his great compassion, hee would blot out our iniqui­ties. Psalme. 51. vers. 3. He addeth also for the confirmation of this, that which is spo­ken before, that he will not bring our sinnes to account, not that he is forgetfull, for wee must knowe, that all things be present vnto him, and before his eyes: but this is to shew, that he will not bring them to account, for to make punishment of them againe.

FOrasmuch as sinne is nothing but filth and durt, wherewith we be all infected and abhominably polluted, behold God [Page] which saith that hee himselfe blotteth them out, not in halfe, nor in some part, but wholy, and altogether: neither more, nor lesse, but as a very thicke and darke cloude, which by the abundance and force of raine, and ouer­flowing waters doe take and carry away with them selues the filthines of the earth: so we when we be washed, and purified from such filthines, and faultes, hee will not haue vs returne backe againe vnto the mud, there to defile our selues, but willeth vs to cōtinue with him, setting vs in y ^e faire way and obe­dience, which doth appertaine vnto him, not onely by nature & creation, but also by right of redemption, for he is our redeemer, and our pledge, which hath redemed vs, and kee­peth vs against all enimies.

TRuely there is none that may bee cō ­pared vnto God, either in gentlenes, or in power: for he and none other re­mitteth sinne, and although he met a sinner in the way, (because all thinges bee present vnto him) yet he will not stay himselfe to pu­nish, but depart farther of, as though he took no heede what is done, and leaue behind him the offence committed. By this maner of speech it is sayd, that God casteth our sinnes backe from him. Esay Chap. 38. ver. 17. yet onely to those which do properly appertaine vnto him, whom he doth auouch & acknow­ledge for his inheritance, and peculiar peo­ple, who are of that Church, to whome hee graunteth grace, from which all others bee sequestred. And be it, that sometymes he doth anger himselfe, and his wrath be mooued a­gainst his owne iustly: yet it is not of long continuaunce, in so much that hee is rather prone to mercie and clemencie, then to seue­ritie and rigor. And although he seeme by our offences and vices to turne himself back from vs, and to afflict vs, as we deserue: yet he will returne againe, and wil shewe vs the [Page] cherefull and comfortable light of his coun­tenance, in shewing compassion on vs, he for­giueth all our sinnes, by putting downe and destroying all the violēce and force of death: so that we are no more houlden in captiuitie and bondage, but made free, and set at liber­tie by him, not by casting them on the groūd onely, but by destroying, and deliuering vs from them, by throwing them into the bot­tome of the Sea, that they may appeare no more, but the memorie of them passe away, as a thing which is bound vp and cast into the deepest Sea. And in this we see, that he is not mooued for any worthinesse that is in vs, but of his onely bountie and clemencie, being gentle and full of mercie, slowe to an­ger, and of great goodnesse by nature, faith­full in his promises which he made vnto the fathers, and cōfirmed by his oth, and in these latter tymes fulfilled the bountifulnesse of his mercie in his onely Sonne: who is the onely pledge to assure vs of the forgiuenesse of our sinnes. And wheras the Prophet saith that God doth not onely forgiue our sinnes, but passeth them ouer, not by putting them downe onely, but casting them into the bot­tome of the Sea, for to abolish them wholly: it cannot be more plainly expressed or decla­red, [Page] how God forgiueth vs. Then, if in the tyme of the lawe and shadowes, his promise was not in vaine: how much ought we now to be more certaine of it vnder the kingdome of Christ, by whome wee obtaine trueth and grace?

The grace of GOD towardes vs, by meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ.

THis is the holy and happie alliaunce, that wee obtaine with God by Iesus Christ his Sonne, by whome, albeit we bee sufficiently taught, and instructed in the knowledge of his trueth, both in wil and affection to obey him, according to his com­mandements, yet we goe oftentimes astray, and doe against his deuine precepts, by the wickednesse and imperfections which re­maynes [Page] in vs: wherefore we haue alwayes neede of his grace, for the remission of our sinnes, in the promise which hee hath made vnto vs, as wee are taught in this place of Scripture: which although it was made in the auncient couenant of the lawe wherein al things also are included, yet it partaineth properly vnto the newe promise, obtained by Iesus Christ the very Sonne of GOD, the sure foundation and perfect substance of our saluation: for he is the mediator of the newe Testament, as it is sayd in the Epistle to the Heb. Chap. 9. It is he by whose desert all our sinnes are forgiuen, which could not bee remitted by the outward figures, and vaine shadowes of the lawe.

AS God is by nature gentle and merci­full, so is he a seuere and iust Iudge: for [Page] he leaueth not sinne vnpunished, but layeth the punishment of it vpon his onely Sonne, who in the fulnesse of time deliuered him for vs vnto the shamefull and accursed death of the Crosse, wherein his iustice and mercie is founde by ioyning both together in an inse­perable bond of vnitie. And first in that, that Iesus Christ suffered for our iniquities: the other in that, that he was well pleased to suf­fer his Sonne to be a pledge, and an attone­ment for vs. This then the Prophet teacheth in this place, that Christ hath suffered for vs an infinite number of greefes, torments, and punishments, as touching his soule: he suffe­red a death full of shame and reproch in the worlde, to iustifie and deliuer vs from dam­nation and eternal death, acquiting vs from the wrath of God. Seeing then, that in hart and affection wee acknowledge him for our tru [...] Sauiour and Redeemer, we neede not to feare, although we shall perceiue, and ac­knowledge our selues to be guiltie: yet wee may bee assured, that wee are in peace with God, because Iesus Christ our Redeemer hath borne the paines due for our iniquities. If Sathan then doe assaile vs by terrible i­maginations of the paines and torments, which we haue iustly deserued in respect of [Page] our iniquities, let vs present our selues in the rightuousnesse and holinesse of Iesus Christ: for he hath borne our greefes, & layde our sorowes on him: he hath bene wounded, hurt, and murthered: he died for vs which are vniust, and rose againe for our sanctification, to the end he might iustifie and absolue vs.

THis is the fayre and cleare fountaine of grace, the liuely water that floweth to vs by Iesus Christ, by the shedding of his precious blood, which is opened to all those which are of the houshold of God, and made Citizens of the heauenly and spiritu­all Ierusalem, which is the true Church wherein they wash and purge their sinnes. Let vs therefore goe vnto this liuely water, and into this life euerlasting, where the one neuer stayeth running, and cannot be dryed vp, nor the possessors of the other shall euer taste of the second death: for this spring flo­weth in great aboundance, so that we shalbe washed faire and cleane, bee our iniquities neuer so foule and polluted.

THe admirable and bountifull loue of the Lorde Iesus is in this place shewed, in that he vouchsafeth to helpe and suc­cour those, which be poore and in miserie, he will not cast them away, nei­ther send them to others to make their mone and complaints: but he calleth them himself vnto him, I say he, which is the very Sonne of God, the Lord of glory, calleth those vnto him which are oppressed, & troubled in their consciences by the feeling of their sinnes, and therefore promiseth to ayde them, and giue them rest, the true tranquilitie and hap­pie quietnesse of the soule: Let vs goe there­fore to Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour and redeemer: let vs goe in a true faith, and ear­nest repentāce, seeing he stretcheth forth his armes to receiue vs: seing he is sweet, gētle, mercifull, of great goodnesse. Are we there­fore heauy loden with the burthen of our sinnes? he will deliuer vs from the yoke and seruitude of the house of bondage. Are we o­uer hayled, and tyed by the tyrannie of sinne [Page] and death? he will preserue vs from the ser­uitude of the one, and from the deadly sting of the other.

THis is the testimonie that Iohn the Baptist witnesseth openly of our Lord Iesus Christ, who was orday­ned and sent of God to be the Lambe (with­out fault, without spotte) which in former times was figured in sundry Sacrifices of the law, yet more especially in the Passouer or Lambe, which was offred euery day, mor­ning, and euening for y ^e sinnes of the Priest, and people: but this Lambe, when none was worthy to offer him vp to his father, hath wil­lingly offered himselfe, that by dying once for al, he might obtaine forgiuenes of sinnes for all: and by this meanes he hath brought vs vnto God the father, that he might conti­nually, not for once acquite, and deliuer vs frō our sinnes, which is shewed more forcea­ble, if wee marke the worde which he vseth (he doth take away) which is declared in the tyme present, and that by the merite of his death, which is alwaies of one and the [Page] same vertue, and perpetual efficacie, where­by we obtaine our eternall redemption: as it is sayd by the author to the Heb. Chap. 9. And this benefite being so precious & great, serueth not for one, or two onely, neither for one onely Nation, but reacheth ouer al peo­ple, and euery Nation of the earth, as this word (world) proueth. Let vs not then doubt that our sinnes are remitted by the death of Christ, whose death should nothing auayle vs, if we should not receiue the fruite of it by faith in his promises, seeing that sinne dwel­leth in vs continually, as it is prooued in the 7. Chapter to the Romaines. Therefore we receiue pardon for them continually by him, who hath brought vs to the throne of grace, where with boldnesse we may call his father abba our father.

THe Empyre and soueraigne dominion of Christ is here shewed vnto vs by S. Peter, to the ende, he might declare vnto vs the po­wer [Page] & spirituall libertie, which he bestoweth on his Church, meaning his people of Is­rael: that is to say, that by him our sinnes are remitted, with chaunge of newnesse of life, promised to our eternall saluation. These two graces then being ioyned together, can neuer bee seperated, that thereby none may doubt of the obtayning of this excellent be­nefite purchased by the Lord Iesus: which o­therwise would pull back from his highnes, and debate his power, who will for these be­nefites be honoured in word, and glorified in deede.

THis place is like vnto the former, concer­ning the benefite purchased by Christ, by whom we obtayne forgiuenes of our sinnes: a thing worthy of all men to bee had in me­morie, of the which euery man ought to bee certaine, and resolued in the assurance of his saluation.

THis is to assure vs of y ^e loue and mercie of God towardes vs, and of our saluation, when we consi­der what Christ Iesus hath done for vs, who beeing the Sonne of God, iust, and innocent, suffered so many torments for vs vniust, and guiltie, so that now wee are purged, and made cleare of al our faults and iniquities: yea, we are acquited and absolued from the wrath and anger of GOD: who is wholly quieted, peace being made betweene him and vs by the reconciliation of the Lord Iesus, who is the meanes, by the vertue of his death, and preseruer of our life by y ^e ver­tue and power of his dietie: for our life is hid in him, & our death is buried in him: in him [Page] therefore all our glory consisteth, for there is nothing wherein wee may glory our selues, nor our works, but onely in the great fauour and mercie of our God, and in the grace and mercie of our Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christ.

ALthough we bee guiltie, and pol­luted with many sinnes, which are in the eyes of the Lorde stay­ned and filthie: yet the holy Apo­stle doth assure vs, that wee are washed and purified from them, not by any counterfeite water of mans fancie, nor by a fayned ima­gination of fire in Purgatorie, in any other worlde, neither by the blood of Martyrs, as some haue falsly taught, but only by the pre­cious blood of the Sonne of God: which is of such efficacie, and continuall vertue, that he can blot out our sinnes perticularly how many soeuer they be.

THere is none without sinne, and conse­quently al are guiltie before GOD: yet behold the Apostle witnesseth, that the Lord Iesus Christ doth pray, and make request for vs: as it is sayd in the Epistle to the Ro­maines Chap. 8. and to the Heb. Chap. 7. which intercession betweene God and man was of such force and vertue, that no others but he was found worthie and able to make vs vnderstande the gentle and fauourable goodwill of God the father: for he dyed for our sinnes, & vndertooke to make an agree­ment and reconciliation for our misdeedes to God: which excellent and worthy desert is not onely restrayned to some particuler person, but reacheth to all generally, that all might perceiue the loue of their Redee­mer.

THis place is like vnto the place afore re­hearsed, contayning more fully the loue, and mercifulnesse of GOD towards vs, in that he hath brought vs againe vnto him by his welbeloued Sonne, who gaue himselfe for vs.

THe beginning and first cause of our sal­uation is in GOD, who in his mercie and fatherly loue saued vs. The second is in Christ, who by the merite of his death & pas­sion redeemed vs: the onely instrument and meanes to obtain such great good is by faith in Iesus Christ, which is of such vertue and efficacie, that by it man is reconciled vnto [Page] God by the free remission of sinne: wherfore he cannot fall vtterly in as much as he is de­liuered from eternall death, and made par­taker of an happie life.

THis is to confirme our selues in the assurance wee haue in Christ, and in the certaine perswasion of his doc­trine, when as wee doe vnderstand that our faith resting in him, is not founded vppon a mortall man, but on the very and true sonne of God, wherefore it is sayde that we are iu­stified: that wee are sanctified in and by the bloud of Christ Iesus. Rom. Chap. 3. vers. 27. we be absolued from our sinnes, neither can bee condemned any wise, beeing so war­ranted by him, which is eternall, by whome we obtaine life and felicitie, which continu­eth for euer.

HOw easie the way of saluation is vn­to vs, S. Paule sheweth in this place, not vsing many words, neither sen­ding vs backe to the profound and deepe se­crets of almightie God, but giueth vs to vn­derstand, that by the grace of God which is in vs, we are saued if so be we hould fast the faith, not lightly in the Braine, but rooted profoundly in the heart, apprehending per­fectly Iesus Christ: which once died for our sinnes, and rose againe for our iustification, as it is in the 4. Chap. of this Epistle. And although the confession of the mouth bee re­quired: which principally serueth for an out­ward testimony, and a manifest declaration of the hope which is in vs, yet especially wee must haue the heart lyne lye touched with a sure perswasion of faith, whose mouth will not bee stopped. Seeing that with the heart we beleeue: and with the mouth declare our iustification, & as the Prophet saith in 116. Psalme. vers. 10. I haue beleeued, and there­fore I haue spoken.

IT is thē by the meanes of faith in Christ, that we doe obtaine forgiuenesse of sinne if so be we assure and rest our selues who­ly vppon the merrit and intercession of him, following the predictions and writings not only of the Prophets, but of those also which haue Prophesied in the vnitie of the same spirite, whereby we attaine fully all the pro­mises of eternall life, by and through the meanes of Christ Iesus, and let this be for a full confirmation of this Article.