only a performer of good works. Whereby we know, that although we be delivered from the malediction, curse, and damnation of the law, so that we retain a true faith, and with confidence in Christ repugn sin and overcome the terrors thereof; yet are we bound to the obedience of the law, which is God's will to keep us from living ill. And the more the justified man beholdeth the law, the more increaseth the knowledge of sin; the more he beholdeth the mercy of God in Christ, the more is his faith increased.

The law is also necessary for the justified man, to teach him with what works he should exercise his faith withal and obedience unto God. We may not choose works of our own wisdom to serve him withal; but he would us to be governed by his word, as David saith, "Thy word is a light to my feet." Also, "In vain they worship me, following the traditions of men." The wisdom of man, not governed by the word of God, doth soon err. It is carried for the most part with affections, and chooseth the works that be contrary to the law of God. Therefore this is true, that the ordinance of God still remains in the justified man immutable, that he must obey the law and serve in his vocation according to the Scripture; that the exterior facts may bear testimony to the inward reconciliation.

The Scripture is more diligent and more ample in teaching the Christian justified man obedience unto God and a virtuous life, than it is to shew us our salvation in Christ; and that is for this purpose only, that we should not by our licentious. liberty receive the grace of God in vain. It is more easy for man to know the Gospel, than to follow the life of the Gospel. Another man may

The science of the Scripture is practical and not speculative; it requireth a doer and not a speaker only.

There be many that dissemble faith, and have a certain show of religion, when indeed in the inward man there is no faith at all. Let every man therefore search his own conscience, with what faith he is endued, and remember that Christ said, "It is a strait way and narrow that leadeth to life (Matt. vii.), and but a few that walk therein." Therefore our only remedy is to pray for grace and

amend.

Printed in Zurich by Augustine Frics,
A. D. 1547.

GODLY CONFESSION

AND

PROTESTATION

OF THE

CHRISTIAN FAITH.

MADE BY

JOHN HOOPER.

WHEREIN IS DECLARED WHAT A CHRISTIAN MAN IS BOUND TO BELIEVE OF GOD, HIS KING, HIS NEIGHBOUR, AND HIMSELF,

"The heart believeth to justice, confession by the mouth is to salvation." Rom. x.

Imprinted at London by John Day, dwelling over Aldersgate, A. D. 1550.

ཀ་

A GODLY CONFESSION, &c.

DEDICATION.

To the most virtuous and mighty Prince Edward the Sixth, our most redoubted Sovereign Lord, King of England, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, and in earth, next and immediately under God, the supreme head of the churches of England and Ireland and also to the most wise, godly, and honourable Lords of his Highness's Privy Council, and unto the rest of the most wise, godly, and learned assembly of all the Honourables and others appointed to be of His Majesty's most high and godly court of Parliament; I, John Hooper, his most humble, loving, and obedient subject, wish all grace and peace from God, with long, godly, and most prosperous reign over us in all godly knowledge, honour, health, and perpetual felicity.

The wise man Cicero (most gracious and mighty Prince) saith, that he doth not only wrong, that by violence oppresseth wrongfully another man; but also he that defendeth not (if it lie in his power) the wrongs offered, and is no less faulty than though he had forsaken parents, friends, or country. The same doctrine practised he in defence and propulsing the injuries and wrongs attempted wrongfully against Milo by the friends of Clodius, as it appeareth by his eloquent and facundious oration made for that purpose in the senate of Rome. The same kind of injuries other godly men in the Scriptures of God have always, according to the law, eschewed: for it is written; "If a man see his neighbour's ass fall under his burden, or his ox to go astray, his neighbour is bound to help them both, the ass from burden,