Wilson on Article XV: Of Christ alone without Sin

a Necessary it was that what man had offended against God, man should atone and satisfy it. Being made man, he did, as it were, put upon him our person, that he might therein take upon him, bear, perform, and fulfil the parts of our salvation. Nowelly p. 45. See also Article II.

b It behoved that he who should and could satisfy for sins, and entirely restore wicked and damned persons, should not him- self be defiled or blemished with any stain or spot of sin, but be endued with singular and perfect uprightness and innocency. Therefore when the seed of man was wholly corrupt and defiled, it behoved that in the conception of the Son of God there should be the marvellous and secret working of the Holy Ghost, whereby he might be fashioned in the womb of the most chaste and pure Virgin, and of her substance, that he should not be defiled with the common stain and infection of mankind. Christ there- fore, that most pure Lamb, was begotten and born by the Holy Ghost and the conception of the Virgin without sin, that he might cleanse, wash, and put away our spots, who, as we were first conceived and born in sin and uncleanness, so do still from thenceforth continue in unclean life. Nowell, p. 45.

c He is the pure and undenled ” Lamb of God, which taketh

» God was manifest in the flesh, points tempted like as we are, yet

1 Tim. iii.16. The Word was made without sin. Heb. iv. 15. Every

flesh. John i. 14. In the likeness spirit that eonfesseth that Jesus

of sinful flesh. Rom. viii. 3. When Christ is come in the flesh is of God.

he cometh into the world, he saith, 1 John iv. 2.

A body hast thou prepared me. b Which of you convinceth me

Heb. x. 5. A Virgin shall conceive of sin? John viii. 46. Such an

and bear a son. Is. vii. 14. Unto High Priest became us, who is

us a child is born. ix. 6. God sent holy, harmless, undefiled, separate

forth his Son, made of a woman, from sinners. Heb. vii. 26. He

Gal. iv. 4. Made of the seed of did no violence, neither was any

David according to the flesh. Rom. deceit in his mouth. Is. liii. 9.

i. 3. Made in the likeness of men; Who did no sin, neither was guile

and being found in fashion as a man, found in his mouth. 1 Pet. ii. 22.

he humbled himself. Phil. ii. 7, 8. In him is no sin. 1 John iii. 5. He

Forasmuch as the children are par- made him to be sin for us, who

takers of flesh and blood, he also knew no sin. 2 Cor. v. 21. The

himself likewise took part of the prince of this world cometh, and

same. In all things it behoved him hath nothing in me. John xiv. 30.

to be made like unto his brethren. c Whatsoever hath a blemish,

Heb. ii. 14. 17. He was in all that shall ye not offer : for it shall

Lamb without spot, who by d sacrifice of himself

away the sins of the world ;” of whom only it may be truly spoken, that he did all ” things well, and in his mouth was found no craft nor subtilty.” None but he alone may say, ” The prince of the world came, and in me he hath nothing-.” And he alone may also say, ” Which of you shall reprove me of any fault?” Horn. ii. ‘2.

He being guiltless was condemned by the judge’s sentence, that he might before the heavenly judgment-seat acquit and entirely restore us that were guilty, whose cause was convicted and condemned by the judgment of God. For if he had been murdered by thieves, or slain with sword by private men in rn uproar or sedition, such death could have had no form of satis- faction and recompense. Nowell, p. 48.

d So pleasant was this sacrifice and oblation of his Son’s death, which he so obediently and innocently suffered, that he would take it for the only and full amends for all the sins of the world. And such favour did he purchase by his death, of his heavenly Father, for us, that for the merit thereof, if we be true Christians indeed, and not in word only, we be now fully in God’s grace again, and clearly discharged from our sin. Horn,

XXV. 1.

not be acceptable for you. Lev. xxii. 20. Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John i. 29. Redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 1 Pet. i. 19. Judas said, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. Matt, xxvii. 4. Pilate took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying-, I am innocent of the blood of this just person : see ye to it. Matt, xxvii. 24. Pilate said unto fhem the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him. — One of the malefactors said, This man hath done nothing amiss. The centurion said, Certainly this was a righteous man. Luke xxiii. 22, 41,47.

d He was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 1 John iii. 5. God sending his Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. Rom. viii. 3. To finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation

for iniquity. Dan. ix. 24. Now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. — Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. Heb. ix. 26, 28. Christ hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh. 1 Pet. iii. 18. You hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death. Col. i. 21, 22. Christ gave himself for us an offer- ing and a sacrifice to God. Eph. v. 2. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree. 1 Pet. ii. 24. He is the propitiation for our sins ; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John ii. 2. The Son of man gave his life a ransom for many. Matt. xx. 28. This man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sius, for ever sat down on the right hand of God. Heb. x. 12. When he had by himself purged our sins. Heb. i. 3. In whom we have re- demption through his blood, the’ forgiveness of sins. Eph. i. 7. Col. i. 14. The blood of Jesus Christ m 2

once made, should take away the sins of the world : and sin, as Saint John saith, was not in him. cBut all we the rest, although baptized,

They know that Christ (whom they trust upon) appeasing the wrath of his Father, their sins shall never be imputed any more unto them than if the same had never been committed. Howell, p. 33.

0 Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesu Christ ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Com. Service.

e Q. Is this holiness which thou dost attribute to the Church, already upright and in all points perfect? A. iNot yet: for so long as we live a mortal life in this world, such is the feebleness and frailty of mankind, we are of too weak strength wholly to shun all kinds of vices. Therefore the holiness of the Church is not yet full and perfectly finished, but yet very well begun. But when it shall be fully joined to Christ, from whom she hath all her cleanness and pureness, then shall she be clothed with innocency and holiness in all points full and perfectly finished, as with a certain snowy white and most pure garment. Nowell, p. 65.

So long as we live in this world, we are far from the perfec- tion and full attaining of spiritual rest ; and here is given us but a certain taste of that rest which we shall enjoy perfectly, fully, and most blessedly in the kingdom of God. Nowell, p. 19.

There liveth no mortal man that doth not oft slip in doing his duty, and that doth not oft and grievously offend God. Noivell, p. 94.

In very deed the life of all men, even of the devoutest and most Christian, both is, and evermore hath been, such, as one may always find some lack, even in the very best and purest conversation. Jewell.

We do daily and hourly, by our wickedness and stubborn disobedience, horribly fall away from God ; thereby purchasing unto ourselves — if he should deal with us according to his justice — eternal damnation. Horn, xxxii. 1. See also Article XIV. c.

cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John xxvi. 28.

i. 7. How much more shall the « The Scripture hath concluded blood of Christ, who through the all under sin. Gal. iii. 22. There eternal Spirit offered himself with is no man that sinneth not. 1 Kings out spot to God, purge your con- viii. 46. There is not a just man science from dead works. Heb. ix. upon earth that doeth good and 14. This is my blood of the new sinneth not. Eccles. vii. 20. In testament, which is shed for many, many things we offend all. James for the remission of sins. Matt. iii. 2.

and ‘born again in Christ, vet offend in many things; and if g\ve say we have no sin, we de- ceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

f See Article XVII. s. XXVII. g.

s Under the name of sin, not only those gross words and deeds, which by the common judgment of men are counted to be filthy and unlawful, and so consequently abominable sins ; but also the filthy lusts and inward concupiscences of the flesh ; which, as St. Paul testifieth, do resist the will and Spirit of God, and therefore ought earnestly to be bridled and kept under. (Gal. v. 17.) Horn, xxxii. 1. See also Article IX.

Truth it is that sin is strong and affections uuruly. (Psalm xxxvi. 1.) Hard it is to subdue and resist our nature, so cor- rupt and leavened with the sour bitterness of the poison, which we receive by the inheritance of our old father Adam. 44 But yet take good courage,” saith our Saviour Christ, 44 for I have overcome the world, and all other enemies for you.” (John xvi. 33.) ” Sin shall not have power over you, for ye be now under grace,” saith St. Paul. (Rom. vi. 14.) Horn. xxvi.

As for them that do not confess that they have sinned, nor do crave pardon of their defaults, but with that Pharisee do glory in their innocency and righteousness before God, or rather against God, they exclude themselves from the fellowship of the faithful, to whom this form of prayer (the Lord’s prayer) is ap- pointed for them to follow, and from the haven and refuge of safety. For this is it that Christ saith, 44 That he came into this world, not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Nowell, p. 94.

Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wick- edness ; and that we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of Almighty God, our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart ; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his in- finite goodness and mercy. Exhortation.

Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done ; aTid we have done those

f There is none righteous, no, Ps. xix. 12. The flesh lusteth

not one. Rom. iii. 10. Who can against the Spirit, and the Spirit

say, I have made my heart clean, I against the flesh 5 and these are

am pure from my sin. Prov. xx. 9. contrary the one to the other, so

Who can understand his errors5 that ye cannot do the things that

Cleanse thou me from secret faults, ye would. Gal. v. 17. We are all

things which we ought not to have done ; and there is no health in us. Confession.

Remember not, Lord, our offences, nor the offences of our forefathers ; neither take thou vengeance of our sins : spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us for ever. Litany.

0 God, whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive, receive our humble petitions ; and though we be tied and bound with the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of thy great mercy loose us, for the honour of Jesus Christ our Mediator and Advocate. Amen. Occasional Prayer.

Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace ; that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Coll. for the twenty-first Sunday after Trinity.

O Lord, we beseech thee, absolve thy people from their of- fences ; that through thy bountiful goodness we may all be delivered from the bands of those sins, which by our frailty we have committed. Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour. Amen. Coll. for the twenty-fourth Sunday after Trinity.

Wash it, we pray thee, in the blood of that immaculate Lamb, that was slain to take away the sins of the world ; that whatso- ever defilements it may have contracted in the midst of this mi- serable and naughty world, through the lusts of the flesh, or the wiles of Satan, being purged and done away, it may be pre- sented pure and without spot before thee. Visitation of the Sick.

as an unclean thing-, and all our say that we have no sin, we deceive righteousnesses are as filthy rags, ourselves, and the truth is not in Isa. lxiv. 6. I find a law, that, us. — If we say that we have not when I would do good, evil is pre- sinned, we make him a liar, and his sent with me. Rom. vii. 21. If we word is not in us. 1 John i. 8, 10.