Chapter 38

Christ did not his deeds to obtain heaven thereby (that had been a madness) heaven was his already, he was heir thereof, it was his by inheritance: but did them freely for our sakes, considering no thing but our wealth, and to bring the favour of God to us again, and us to God. As no natural son that is his father's heir, doeth his father's will because he would be heir, that he is already by birth: his father gave him that yer he was born, and is lothther that he should go with out it, then he himself hath wit to be: but of pure love doeth he that he doeth. And ask him why he doeth any thing that he doeth, he answereth: my father bade, it is my father's will, it pleaseth my father. Bond servants work for hire, Children for love. For their father with all he hath, is theirs already. So doeth a christen man freely all that he doeth, considereth nothing but the will of God, and his neighbour's wealth only. If I live chaste, I do it not to obtain heaven thereby. For then should I do wrong to the blood of Christ: Christ's blood hath obtained me that, Christ's merits have made me heir thereof. He is both door and way thither wards. Neither that I look for an heir room in heaven, then they shall have which live in wedlock, other then a hoar of the stews (if she repent) for that were the pride of lucifer: But freely to wait on the evangelion, and to serve my brother with all, even as one hand helpeth another, or one member another, because one feeleth another's grief, and the pain of the one is the pain of the other. Whatsoever is done to the least of us (whether it be good or bad) it is done to Christ. And whatsoever is done to my brother (if I be a christen man) that same is done to me: neither doeth my brother's pain grieve me less then mine own. If it were not so: how saith Paul: let him that rejoiceth, rejoice in the Lord: that is to say Christ, which is lord over all creatures. If my merits obtained me heaven, or an higher room there, then had I where in I might rejoice besides the Lord.

((To bynd and lowse.))

Here see ye the nature of the law, and the nature of the evangelion. How the Law bindeth and damneth all men, and the Evangelion lowseth them again. The law goeth before, and the evangelion followeth. When a preacher preacheth the Law, he bindeth all consciences, and when he preacheth the Gospell, he loveth them again. These two salves (I mean the Law and the Gospell) useth God and his preacher to heal and cure sinners withall. The law driveth out the disease, and maketh it appear, and is a sharp salve, and a fretting coursey, and killeth the deed fleshly, and lowseth and draweth the sores out by the roots, and all corruption. It pulleth from a man the trust and confidence that he hath in him self, and in his own works, merits, deservings and ceremonies. It killeth him, sendeth him down to hell, and bringeth him to utter desperation, and prepareth the way of the lord, as it is written of Ihon the Baptist: for it is not possible that Christ should come to a man, as long as he trusteth in him self, or in any worldly thing. Then cometh the Evengelion, a more gentle plaster, which sowpleth, and swageth the wounds of the conscience, and bringeth health. It bringeth the spirit of God, which lowseth the honds of satan, and coupleth us to God and his will thorow strong faith and fervent love, with bonds too strong for the devil, the world, or any creature to lowse them.

((A christen man feeleth the working of the holy ghost in his soul:

and in all tribulations and adversities fealeth God a merciful father and a loving.))

And the poor and wretched sinner feeleth so great mercy, love, and kindness in God, that he is sure in him self how that it is not possible that God should forsake him, or withdraw his mercy and love from him. And boldly crieth out with Paul saying: Who shall separate us from the love that God loveth us withall? That is to say: what shall make me believe that God loveth me not? Shall tribulation? Anguish? Persecution? Shall hunger? Nakedness? Shall a sword? Nay, I am sure that neither death, nor life, neither angel, neither rule, nor power, neither present things, nor things to come, neither high nor low, neither any creature able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Iesu our lord. In all such tribulations a Christen man perceiveth that God is his father, and loveth him, even as he loved Christ when he shed his blood on the cross. Finally, as before, when I was bond to the devil and his will, I wrought all manner evil and wickedness, not for hell's sake which is there ward of sin, but be cause I was heir of hell by birth and bondage to the devil, did I evil. For I would none other ways do; to do sin was my nature. Even so now since I am coupled to God by Christ's blood, do I well, not for heaven's sake: but be cause I am heir of Heaven by grace and Christ's purchasing, and have the spirit of God, I do good freely, for so is my nature. As a good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and an evil tree evil fruit. By the fruits shall ye know what the tree is: a man's deeds declare what he is within but make him neither good nor bad &c. We must be first evil yer we do evil, as a serpent is first poisoned yer he poison. We must be also good yer we do good yer we do good, as the fire must be first hot yer it warm any thing. Take an ensample. As those blind which are cured in the evangelion, could not see till Christ had given them sight; And deaf could not hear, till Christ had given them hearing; And those sick could not do the deeds of an whole man, till Christ had given them health: So can no man do good in his soul, till Christ have lowsed him out of the bonds of satan, and have given him where with to do good, yee and first have poured into him that self good thing which he sheddeth forth afterward on other. Whatsoever is our own is sin. Whatsoever is above that, is Christ's gift, purchase, doing, and working. He bought it of his father derely with his blood, yee with his most bitter death and gave his life for it. Whatsoever good thing is in us, that is given us freely with out our deserving or merits for Christ's blood's sake. That we desire to follow the will of God, it is the gift of Christ's blood. That we now hate the devil's will (where unto we were so fast locked, and could not but love it) is also the gift of Christ's blood, unto whom belongeth the praise and honour of our good deeds, and not unto us.

(Preface of the Worms octavo edition of 1526.)

To the Reader.

Give diligence, reader (I exhort thee) that thou come with a pure mind, and, as the Scripture saith, with a single eye, unto the words of health and of eternal life, by the which (if we repent and believe them) we are born anew, created afresh, and enjoy the fruits of the blood of Christ. Which blood crieth not for vengeance, as the blood of Abel, but hath purchased life, love, favor, grace, blessing, and whatsoever is promised in the Scriptures, to them that believe and obey God, and standeth between us and wrath, vengeance, curse, and whatsoever the Scripture threateneth against the unbelievers and disobedient, which resist, and consent not in their hearts to the law of God, that it is right, holy, just, and ought so to be.

Mark the plain and manifest places of the Scriptures, and in doubtful places see thou add no interpretation contrary to them; but (as Paul saith) let all be conformable and agreeing to the faith.

Note the difference of the Law and of the Gospell. The one asketh and requireth, the other pardoneth and forgiveth. The one threateneth, the other promiseth all good things to them that set their trust in Christ only. The gospel signifieth glad tidings, and is nothing but the promises of good things. All is not gospel that is written in the gospel book: for if the law were away, thou couldest not know what the gospel meant, even as thou couldest not see pardon, favor, and grace except the law rebuked thee, and declared unto thee thy sin, misdeed, and trespass.

Repent and believe the gospel, as saith Christ in the first of Mark. Apply alway the Law to thy deeds, whether thou find lust (1) in the bottom of thine heart to the law-ward, and so shalt thou no doubt repent, and feel in thyself a certain sorrow, pain, and grief to thine heart, because thou canst not with full lust do the deeds of the law. Apply the gospel that is to say the promises unto the deserving of Christ, and to the mercy of God and his truth, and so shalt thou not despair, but shall feel God as a kind and a merciful father. And his spirit shall dwell in thee, and shall be strong in thee, and the promises shall be given thee at the last (though not by and by, lest thou shouldest forget thyself, and be negligent) and all threatenings shall be forgiven thee for Christ's blood's sake to whom commit thyself altogether without respect either of thy good deeds or of thy bad.

Them that are learned Christianly I beseech forasmuch as I am sure, and my conscience beareth me record, that of a pure intent, singly and faithfully I have interpreted it, as far forth as God gave me the gift of knowledge and understanding that the rudeness of the work now at the first time offend them not, but that they consider how that I had no man to counterfeit, neither was helped with English of any that had interpreted the same or such like things in the Scripture beforetime. Moreover, even very necessity and cumbrance (God is record) above strength which I will not rehearse, lest we should seem to boast ourselves caused that many things are lacking which necessarily are required. Count it as a thing not having his full shape, but as it were born before his time, even as a thing begun rather than finished. In time to come (if God have appointed us thereunto) we will give it his full shape, and put out if aught be added superfluously, and add to if aught be overseen through negligence, and will enforce to bring to compendiousness that which is now translated at the length, and to give light where it is required, and to seek in certain places more proper English, and with a table to expound the words which are not commonly used and shew how the Scripture useth many words which are otherwise understood of the common people, and to help with a declaration where one tongue taketh not another; and will endeavor ourselves, as it were, to seeth (2) it better, and to make it more apt for the weak stomachs; desiring them that are learned and able, to remember their duty, and to help thereunto, and to bestow unto the edifying of Christ's body (which is the congregation of them that believe) those gifts which they have received of God for the same purpose. The grace that cometh of Christ be with them that love him. Pray for us.

(1) "Lust" here is used in a good sense: eagerness to obey.

(2) "Seeth" means "boil, cook."

THE NEW TESTAMENT

as it was written, and

caused to be written,

by them which heard it. To whom

also our saviour

Christ Iesus

commanded that

they should preach it unto all

creatures.

The Books Contained in the new Testament

i The gospell of Saynct Mathew ij The gospell of S. Marke iij The gospell of S. Luke iiij The gospell of S. Ihon iv The acts of the apostles written by S. Luke vj The epistel of S. Paul to the Romans vij The first epistel of S. Paul to the Corrinthians viij The second epistel of S. Paul to the Corrinthians ix The pistel of S. Paul to the Galathians. x The pistel of S. Paul to the Ephesians. xj The pistel of S. Paul to the Philippians xij The pistel of S. Paul to the Collossians xiij The first pistel of S. Paul to the Tessalonians xiiij The second pistel of S. Paul to the Tessalonians xv The first pistel of S. Paul to Timothe. xvj The second pistel of S. Paul to Timothe. xvij The pistel of S. Paul to Titus xviij The pistel of S. Paul unto Philemon xix The first pistel of S. Peter xx The second pistel of S. Peter xxj The first pistel of S. Ihon xxij The second pistel of S. Ihon xxiij The third pistel of S. Ihon

The pistel unto the Ebrues The pistle of S. Iames The pistle of Iude The revelation of Ihon.

The gospell of Saynct Mathew

The first Chapter.

This is the book of the generation of Iesus Christ the son of David, the son also of Abraham.

Abraham begat Isaac:

Isaac begat Iacob:

Iacob begat Iudas and his brethren:

Iudas begat Phares: and Zaram of Thamar:

Phares begat Esrom:

Esrom begat Aram:

Aram begat Aminadab:

Aminadab begat Naasson:

Naasson begat Salmon:

Salmon begat Boos of Rahab:

Boos begat Obed of Ruth:

Obed begat Iesse:

Iesse begat David the king:

David the king begat Solomon, of her that was the wife of Ury:

Solomon begat Roboam:

Roboam begat Abia:

Abia begat Asa:

Asa begat Iosaphat:

Iosaphat begat Ioram:

Ioram begat Osias:

Osias begat Ioatham:

Ioatham begat Athas:

Athas begat Ezechias:

Ezechias begat Manasses:

Manasses begat Amon:

Amon begat Iosias:

Iosias begat Iechonias and his brethren about the time of the captivity of Babylon.

After they were led captive to Babylon, Iechonias begat Salathiel:

Salathiel begat Zorobabel:

Zorobabel begat Abiud:

Abiud begat Eliachim:

Eliachim begat Azor:

Azor begat Sadoc:

Sadoc begat Achin:

Achin begat Eliud:

Eliud begat Eleasar:

Eleasar begat Matthan:

Matthan begat Iacob:

Iacob begat Ioseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born that Iesus which is called Christ.

All the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations. And from David unto the captivity of Babylon, are fourteen generations. And from the captivity of Babylon unto Christ, are also fourteen generations.

The birth of Christ was on this wise, when his mother Mary was married unto Ioseph, before they came to dwell together, she was found with child by the holy ghost. Then her husband Ioseph being a perfect man, and loth to defame her, was minded to put her away secretly. While he thus thought, behold, the angel of the lord appeared unto him in sleep saying: Ioseph the son of David, fear not to take unto thee, Mary thy wife. For that which is conceived in her, is of the holy ghost. She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Iesus. For he shall save his people from their sins.

All this was done to fulfil that which was spoken of the lord, by the prophet saying: Behold a maid shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shalt call his name Emanuel, which is as much to say, by interpretation, as God with us.

Ioseph as soon as he awoke out of sleep, did as the angel of the lord bade him, and took his wife unto him, and knew her not, till she had brought forth her first son, and called his name Iesus.

The Second Chapter.

When Iesus was born in Bethlehem a town of Iury, in the time of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Ierusalem saying: Where is he that is born king of the jewes? We have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Herod the king, after he had heard this, was troubled, and all Ierusalem with him, and he sent for all the chief priests and scribes of the people, and demanded of them where Christ should be born. They said unto him: in Bethlehem a town of Iury. For thus it is written by the prophet: And thou Bethlehem in the land of Iury, shalt not be the least as pertaining to the princes of Iuda. For out of thee shall come a captain, which shall govern my people Israhel.

Then Herod privily called the wise men, and diligently enquired of them, the time of the star that appeared. And sent them to Bethlehem saying: when ye be come thither search diligently for the child. And when ye have found him bring me word, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed, and lo the star which they saw in the east went before them, until it came and stood over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were marvellously glad. And entered into the house, and found the child with Mary his mother, and kneeled down and worshipped him, and opened their treasures, and offered unto him gifts, gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And after they were warned in their sleep, that they should not go again to Herod, they returned into their own country another way.

After that they were departed, lo the angel of the lord appeared to Ioseph in his sleep saying: arise and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt, and abide there till I bring thee word. For Herod will seek the child to destroy him. Then he arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt, and was there unto the death of Herod, to fulfil that which was spoken of the lord, by the prophet, which saith: out of Egypt have I called my son.

Then Herod perceiving that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, as many as were two year old and under, according to the time which he had diligently searched out of the wise men.

Then was fulfilled, that which was spoken by the prophet Ieremy, saying: On the hills was a voice heard, mourning, weeping, and great lamentation. Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they were not.

When Herod was dead, lo an angel of the lord appeared unto Ioseph in Egypt saying: arise and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israhel. For they are dead, which sought the child's death. Then he arose up, and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israhel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Iury, in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither. Notwithstanding after he was warned in his sleep, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee, and went and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, to fulfil, that which was spoken by the prophets: He shall be called of Nazareth.

The third Chapter.

In those days Ihon the Baptizer, came and preached in the wilderness of Iury saying: repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. This is he of whom it is spoken by the prophet Isay, which saith: The voice of a crier in wilderness, prepare the lorde's way, and make his paths straight.

This Ihon had his garment of camel's hair, and a girdle of a skin about his loins. His meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Ierusalem, and all Ieury, and all the region round about Iordan, and were baptised of him in Iordan, knowledging their sins.

When he saw many of the pharisees and of the Saduces come to his baptism, he said unto them: O generation of vipers, who hath taught you to flee from the vengeance to come? bring forth therefore the fruits belonging to repentance. And see that ye once think not to say in yourselves, we have Abraham to our father. For I say unto you, that God is able of these stones, to raise up children unto Abraham. Even now is the axe put unto the root of the trees: so that every tree which bringeth not forth, good fruit, shall be hewn down, and cast into the fire.

I baptise you in water, in token of repentance, but he that cometh after me, is mightier than I: whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptise you with the holy ghost, and with fire, which hath also his fan in his hand, and will purge his flour, and gather the wheat into his garner, and will burn the chaff with everlasting fire.

Then came Iesus from Galilee into Iordan to Ihon, for to be baptised of him. But Ihon forbade him saying: I ought to be baptised of thee: and comest thou too me? Iesus answered and said to him, let it be so now. For thus it becometh us, to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Iesus as soon as he was baptised, came straight out of the water: And lo heaven was open unto him: and he saw the spirit of God descend like a dove, and light upon him. And lo there came a voice from heaven saying: this is that my dear son, in whom is my delight.

The fourth Chapter.

Then was Iesus led away of the spirit in to a desert, to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, at the last he was an hungered. Then came until him the tempter, and said: if thou be the son of God, command that these stones be made bread. He answered and said: it is written, man shall not live only by bread, But by every word that proceedeth out of the mought of God.

Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him: if thou be the son of God, cast thyself down. For it is written, he shall give his angels charge over thee, and with their hands they shall stey thee up, that thou dash not thy foot against a stone. Iesus said to him, it is written also: thou shalt not tempt thy lord God.

The devil took him up again and led him into an exceeding high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the beauty of them, and said unto him: all these will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then said Iesus unto him, avoid Satan. For it is written, thou shalt worship thy lord God, and him only, shalt thou serve.

Then the devil left him, and lo the angels came and ministered unto him.

When Iesus had heard that Ihon was taken, he departed into Galilee, and left Nazareth, and went and dwelt in Capernaum, which is a city upon the sea, in the coasts of Zabulon and Nephthalim, to fulfil that which was spoken by Isay the prophet, saying: Behold the land of Zabulon and Nephthalim, the way of the sea beyond Iordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people which sat in darkness, saw great light. And to them which sat in the region and shadow of death, light is sprong.

From that time Iesus began to preach, and to say: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

As Iesus walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren: Simon which was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishers) and he said unto them, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

And he went forth from thence, and saw other two brethren, Iames the son of Zebedee, and Ihon his brother in the ship, with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and called them. And they without tarrying left the ship and their father and followed him.

And Iesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness, and all manner diseases among the people. And his fame spread abroad throughout all Syria. And they brought unto him all sick people, that were taken with divers diseases and gripings, and them that were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy. And he healed them. And there followed him a great number of people, from Galilee, and from the ten cities, and from Ierusalem, and from Iury, and from the regions that lie beyond Iordan.

The fifth Chapter.

When he saw the people he went up into a mountain, and when he was set, his disciples came to him, and he opened his mouth, and taught them saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the maintainers of peace: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which suffer persecution for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall falsely say all manner of evil sayings against you for my sake. Rejoice, and be glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For so persecuted they the prophets which were before your days.