BY JOHN FOX.

TO THE CHRISTIAN READER, COMFORT IN CHRIST JESUS.

SUCH is the force of flesh, christian reader, especially when the spirit doth make resistance, that what we would not, and should not do, that we do, Romans 7. A subtle and most wily serpent, who in security is well pleased to be secure, and to them that sleep is also favorable to underlay a cushion. But when the stronger man, Luke 11. Jesus Christ, cometh upon them both, and with God’s finger awaketh the one, and dispossesseth the other, then he playeth the old devil, and winding his tail plump round, with greater force doth hiss at, leap at, and bruise the stronger man’s heel, because the stronger man broke his head, Genesis 3.

And herein consider the wisdom of God’s Spirit in these speeches of bruising the heel and breaking the head, as therein lively expressing the victory of Jesus Christ, Satan’s overthrow, and the special comfort of a mourning conscience. For it was Satan’s power, of God, to bruise Christ’s heel, to beat, buffet, hiss at, spit at, scourge, and persecute him in the flesh, to shame him on the cross, to gore his side, to pierce his head, heart, and hands, to shed his blood; yet the same Jesus Christ triumphantly rose again with the same his flesh, ascended with the same, and with the same doth there remain at God’s right hand, Lord of heaven and earth. In taking of which bruised heel, albeit he sometimes fainted in the infirmity of the flesh, and as it were called foot back again at the first touch or step, because of the sharp sting which he felt (for his own reverence cried at the entrance of his passion, saying, Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass, Matthew 26) yet he willingly, for our only cause and benefit, continued to be bruised on the heel; manfully spoiled the enemy of harness wherein he trusted, Luke 11, trod under the red dragon, Psalm 91, and, finally, brake and crushed his head; that is, the rigor of the law, the strength of sin, and the sting of death.

In the same ease and cause of quarrel which he had with our Master, he laboreth to master us, using his force in and upon our flesh, giving us often in conflict a foil or a fall; but it is the fall of the flesh, not of the spirit; of the body, not of the soul; of Adam, the old and outward man, not of Christ, the inward and the new. For the same heel, or flesh, bruised by the fall, “through the law in itself” (the corruption that yet remaineth even in the elect) “rebelling against the law of our mind,” albeit it hold us captive, and make us dead through trespass (for it standeth not with the riches of God’s mercy and grace, neither with the kindness which he showed unto us in Christ Jesus, that we should be perfect in this flesh,) yet it hath no dominion, it “quickeneth, and riseth again, and is made to sit in heavenly places,” Ephesians 2.

Where note, christian reader, that the Holy Ghost saith, it is made to sit, it sitteth not itself. How then, or of whom cometh the healing of this bruise? the recovery of this fall? the delivery from this body of death? and albeit our enemies make often and strong invasions or incursions, yet whence is the final victory? I thank my God, saith St. Paul, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 7. First, he thanketh — a note of grace and free gift, not of desert or duty; for who giveth another thanks for that which of necessity and desert is his own? Secondly, he giveth thanks to God, not to himself; and he thanketh not God, but in Christ Jesus our Lord; so that in ourselves there is nothing, in God the Father standeth the gilt, but Jesus Christ is all in all. For God will not, neither can he be pleased, but only when Christ makes intercession. Mark the course and doctrine of the scripture. It is God, indeed, who hath raised us up together, and hath made us sit together in the heavenly places. But did he this for that we pleased him? or for that some great saint did make entreaty? No: he made us sit there, saith the text, in Jesus Christ; in no other. And why so in Jesus Christ? Forsooth, that he might show in ages to come the exceeding riches of his grace, through his kindness toward us, in Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2. So that his kindness, grace, riches, and whatsoever his blessings which we have, or shall have at his hands, it is only for his well-beloved Son’s sake; who only made us, who were far off, near unto his Father; and reconciled us that were in his hatred, and children of wrath, by his cross and precious blood.

Without having him in thy mind or heart, it is a horrible and fearful thing but to think of God: a God of wrath and severe justice, unless only in his Son Christ, in whom he is well pleased.

Pleased F49 he is, we all confess, and not only for original sin alone, (as some do affirm, thereby teaching that what sin we commit alter our baptism, we ourselves, or the priest for us, having his hire, must redeem, and not Christ,) but also for all other sin in course of life committed. For, by grace we are saved, saith the text, (not washed,) and that through faith.

Which faith cometh not by often working well, (for we might well argue that we are saved by works, if that we are saved by faith, as the fruit of our works,) but it is the gift of God, saith the scripture in the same place, and not our works. And why? lest any man should boast of himself.

For thy works, therefore, and for thy faith, thank God, and thank God through Jesus Christ. He only is that good and pitiful Samaritan, who, when we have taken the foil, or the fall, being sore wounded in this conflict of the flesh and spirit, and so east as forlorn to the hedge, cloth wash and heal our sores and wounds with his most pure and blessed oil; his sweet heart-blood paying the uttermost farthing of our debt: to him be all honor, glory, and triumph, for ever! Amen.

Of this I thought good to admonish thee, christian reader, desirous with thee to rejoice in the wonderful works of mercy wrought by this our great champion, Jesus Christ; whose victory is our victory; and though we sin of infirmity, yet he is perfect. Read, and accept this comfortable treatise which I have translated; therein shalt thou find faithfully set before thine eyes, what Christ hath done for us in his passion, and what he requireth of us again, for being made partakers of the fruits of his passion.

The same Lord Jesus Christ bless thy body and soul to life everlasting!

Amen.

In whom I most heartily bid and wish thee farewell. RICHARD DAY.