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.
Pages:
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632