One man is become a VVolfe to an other Further as the Desart is waste and barren and besides ouergrowen with Bushes Bryars and Thornes so is thys World manured with no knowledge of God at all but is altogither barren and vnapte to yeelde foorth anye good fruite nay contrariwise scrawleth euerye where ful of the briars of Sinnes and Vices whereby we are so grieuously mangled and torne that commonlye and for the most parte we keepe the scarres of them to oure dying daye I might stande here to shewe howe some of vs nay all in a maner are choaked with the cares of this world and with the deceitfulnesse of riches some caughte in the pitfall of Pride and Ambition some snared wyth the Thornes of Couetousnesse some ouer heade and eares in the Bryars of Voluptuousnesse some saped in the suddes of Sensualitie some smouldered wyth the smoake of Vanitie some drenched in the dregges of Drunkennesse some be-smeared wyth the mudde of Maliciousnesse some imbrued with the bloude not of Beastes but of Men and in a worde not some but a great summe stifled in the stench of all Sinne and Wickednesse I mighte shewe in like maner howe there is nothing vnder the Sunne so excellent no worke of God so wonderfull no blessing so bountifull no creature so beneficiall holesome and good but that through the malice of Sathan and our owne miserable corruption it is tourned cleane contrarye vnto oure greate harme and discommoditie yea euen into a present poyson to infecte vs wythall and into a Scorpion as it were to sting vs to death As much might be said of our own selues in whom there is no parte nor power either of soule or bodye but that through sin they are become euen so manye deadly enimies to hale vs to destruction And herein forsooth appeareth by the way the strangenesse or rather vnnaturalnesse as I may so say of our warfare cleane contrary to the warfare of the worlde For whereas worldly Souldiours take weapon in hand chiefly against forrainers and strangers but neuer againste their owne persons wee on the other side muste not looke so muche what oure enimies do abroade as we muste haue an eye what traytours are at home I meane in our own bosoms that so letting others goe in peace by vs wee maye bende all oure whole force and artillery to the battery of oure owne selues Not as though it were lawfull for anye man to cutte himselfe shorte by vntimely death as manye diuellishe and desperate persons doe but to the intent to gette the mastery ouer our affections to bridle oure lustes to mortify oure olde man to kill oure concupiscence to subdue oure nature and finally to submit all our wil wisedome reason vnderstanding and all that euer we haue either within vs or without vs to the rule and obedience of Gods holy Worde and to the gouernment and direction of his holy Spirite But I feare leaste I haue exceeded alreadye the compasse of an Epistle I will therefore bee as briefe as is possible We haue seene then if I be not deceyued how wofull our originall state and condition is what infinite perils and calamities wee are subiecte vnto what mightye and vnrestfull enimies wee are continuallye matchte wythall and howe little refuge or succoure wee haue to looke for in this worlde or in any thing belonging to the Worlde For the VVorlde passeth awaye and the luste thereof but hee that doeth the will of God abideth for euer The vse of all whyche thynges is to teache euery one of vs howe earnestly we oughte to laboure and contend euery man according to his present necessitie to learne well the lesson taughte vnto Nicodemus namely to be borne againe and to be renued in the spirite of our minde so as we may couet the sincere milke of the word to the intent to grow thereby to be remoued I say from the loue of these earthly things here belowe and to stye vp by the wings Fayth into Heauen where Iesus Christe sitteth on the right hande of God the father finally to purchase the certaintie of a better inheritāce and the assuraunce of a better Country by cause as the Apostle saith VVee haue here no continuing Citie but wee seeke for one to come To the obtayning of all whiche graces as Faith alone in the word and promises of God is sufficient so attaine wee to Faith by no other meanes than by conceyuing the free mercy of God in Christe through the reading hearing and meditation of the holy Scriptures The reason is bycause that Iesus Christe beeing the onelye obiect of oure faith and substance of the whole Scripture we apprehend in him all the treasures of knowledge and wisedome and what soeuer else is necessary to eternall saluation For Hee is of God made vnto vs wisedome and righteousnesse and sanctification and redemption and euen all in all as the Apostle speaketh Who seeth not then what incomparable treasures in comparison whereof all the pompe and glory of the Worlde is nothyng but dung and drosse are comprised in the sacred Scriptures But I maye not stand to amplify this point as by occasion otherwise iustly I mighte considering in very deede a Preface will not beare it I must therefore of necessity referre all this whole matter to the consideration of the godly Reader who may finde euery where in reading plentifull furniture tending to this purpose Only thys I wil adde by way of conclusion that forsomuch as al the holy Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God and is profitable as Paule saith to teach to conuince to correct and to instructe in righteousnesse that the man of God may be absolute and made perfite to al good workes and againe that whatsoeuer things are written aforetime are written for oure learning that we throughe patience and comforte of the Scriptures mighte haue hope that therefore I say it behoueth al sortes and degrees of men and women whatsoeuer if at leastwise they stand in neede to be taught and informed in the wayes of the Lorde if they haue neede of dayly correction and amendment of life if they be desirous of continuall comforte and consolation and finally of eternall happinesse and saluation to be in loue with the holy Scriptures to embrace them to reuerence them to reade them to heare them to meditate in them and aboue all to liue after thē and euē to expresse them in their whole lyfe and conuersation Whiche godly diligence and indeuour as I wishe vnfainedly from my very hearte to be wrought effectually in mine owne selfe so make I mine humble prayers vnto the Lord that he would vouchsafe in his great mercy to kindle and stirre vppe the same in the heartes of all people to awaken them out of the sleepe of sinne and securitie to drawe them out of the dirty dregges of Popery and superstition wherein Sathan hath of long tyme and yet still keepeth a great number to scatter the cloudes and mistes
hys worde but he prouided especially by his wonderfull prouidence that the same shoulde be committed to writing and so commended to euerlasting memorye For GOD him selfe wyth hys owne finger wrote his Lawe in two tables of stone and then commaunded that by Moyses and the reste of the Prophetes hys sayings and doings shoulde be putte in wryting Exodus 17.24.34 Deutronomie 6.31 Iosue 24. Ieremie 36. Psalme 102. By these what thyngs so euer are written they are called by the name of Scripture Whervpon Christ himselfe by the Scripture vnderstandeth the bookes of Moyses of the Prophetes and of the Psalmes Iohn 5. Luke 24. To the same bookes do the Apostles and Euangelistes wyl vs to haue recourse whylest to the confirmation of theyr owne assertions they oftentimes and that desirouslye alleage the Testimonies of Scripture But wée muste knowe that euen the Bookes of these also are accounted wyth the reste in one and the selfe same order of Scriptures whether they beare the name and tittle of Gospels or Actes or Epistles For it is out of all doubte and controuersie that whatsoeuer is comprehended in the whole bodye of the Canonicall bookes is the verye true and healthsome worde of GOD published and putte forthe by his commaundemente All Scripture sayeth the Apostle 2. Timoth. 3. is enspired of GOD. And Peter in his 2. Epistle Chap. 1. Prophesie sayeth hée came not in olde time by the wyll of man but holy men of GOD spake as they were moued by the holy GHOST And like as the writers as well of the Olde as of the Newe Testament receyued a commaundement from one and the selfe same GOD and our and the selfe same spirite enspired theyr myndes gouerned theyr handes and pennes Psalme 68. Actes 2.1 Corinth â—â— Ephes 4. euen so all the whole Scripture is in a manner one Booke reuealing wyth wonderfull consente thyngs moste diuerse and manifolde as Ieremie expounding the 29. Chapter of Esay and Saint Augustine in hys preface to the 150. Psalme doe learnedly gather Whyche things séeing they are so we doe with greate cause vehementlye speake in the commendation of thys Booke not in respecte of the paper or parchmente and of thys or that tongue or of one kinde of letter or other or of the Golde or diuersitie of colour wherwyth it is garnished and sette forthe but euen in respecte that it conteyneth the moste holye and sacred wordes of GOD hymselfe and therefore doe affirme that out of it men ought to learne both by reading and hearing what GOD hathe decréed of vs and of oure saluation For we muste knowe that to this ende especiallye all Bookes are written euen that they shoulde diligentlye be reade and by often reading ouer be fullye vnderstoode that so desyred fruytes myghte redounde to the vnderstanders of them Nowe there be thrée special causes why we shoulde bestowe more diligence in pervsing this latter Booke than the former FIRST Greater is the dignitie of GODS word than of the whole worlde The world in déede was created of the same that the word came from which we so greatly commende and eyther Booke is indifferentely called the Booke of GOD yet neuerthelesse the latter excelleth for so much as wée finde recyted in it the selfe same worde that GOD vsed when he made the worlde of nothing For we reade GOD sayde Let there bee light and the lighte was made Againe God sayde Let there be a firmamente and there was made a firmament and so forth of other things And whereas by the former Booke we perceyue onely that there is a worlde by the latter we maye perceyue what was before the worlde and from whence and by what meanes the same tooke beginning Therefore whether we were neuer able to aspire in searching of causes by the conducte of naturall reason thyther are wée broughte by Faith whyche Faith is intentiuelye fixed on the worde of GOD reuealed read or harde For Faith commeth by hearing of the worde and by Faith wee vnderstande that the worlde was ordayned throughe the worde of GOD so that the thyngs which are seene were made of things that appeared not Rom. 10. Heb. 11. SECONDLY Whatsoeuer thyngs are necessary to be knowen as touching the will of GOD and oure saluation are clearelye and expreslye declared in the written worde of GOD but howe farre shorte should we come to thinke that the same are as apparantly represented in the frame of the worlde Greate is the darkenesse of mennes mindes and oft times euen in those thyngs that are supposed to be moste manifeste by Nature they are more blynde than is the Owle in the noone dayes And then doe we all commonlye moste fouly ouershoote and deceiue our selues when we beginne once to dispute of GOD and of matters appertayning to saluation For proofe whereof are so manye and so absurde fonde and fantasticall I wyll not saye ridiculous opinions whyche the Philosophers deuised as touching GOD and their Summum bonum whereof the number grewe as Marcus Varro recounteth in Augustine in his Booke 19. Chapter 1. Of the Citie of GOD to a hundred fourescore and eighte And Hermias a Christian Philosopher reconed vp some of them and laugheth them well fauouredlye to scorn in his booke entituled A deriding of the prophane Philosophers But vndoubtedly hée shall at length be frée from all error and shall gather to hymselfe substantiall knowledge that neuer at anye tyme departeth from the footesteppes of the Prophetes and Apostles It were a haynous offence to determyne anye thyng of Religion or of the state of a better lyfe onlye by the direction of Nature excepte the censure bée giuen out of the tables of GODS worde and as well the Scripture it selfe as nature bee founde to sumpe togyther in one And therefore wisely the Prophete Psalme 19. After discourse hadde of the glory of GOD to be discerned by the workemanshippe of the Heauens and of the Firmamente addeth immediately a commendation of the Lawe and written worde of god The Lawe of the Lorde sayeth he is vndefyled conuerting the soule the testimonie of the Lorde is sure giuing wisedome to the simple the Statutes of the Lorde are right reioycing the heart the precepts of the Lorde are pure giuing light to the eyes As though he shoulde say we can by no meanes atteyne to the Sanctuarie of the eternall and simple truth without the brighte brands of Scripture burning before vs Which thing no doubte was signifyed by those wise men who comming from the East parts of the worlde although for a space they rightly followed the Starre as the rule of reason yet was it néedefull for them to the intente they myghte fynde out CHRIST the Kyng and worship him to be resolued out of the Oracles of the Prophetes as concerning the place where hée shoulde bée borne Math 2. The holy man Antonius myghte in déede saye wyth a safe conscience that thys huge and vnmeasurable Worlde was to him in stead of a Booke for so muchâ— as
togither let vs giue good heede to the things that are read that hauing reaped the greater fruite thereby we maye so depart And not much after he addeth That wee oughte so to giue our selues to the studies of holye Scripture as that we maye haue things not only sufficient for our owne vse but what also wee maye minister vnto others as well sayth he in reforming of our wiues children and seruants as also of our neyghbours friends and enimies For such is the nature of spiritual doctrines that they may be propounded in common to al there is no diuersitie in them except it be when one bringeth a minde more attentiuely bente than another and whē one surmounteth another with a more feruente desire c. Neyther can I ouerpasse the chiding speache or expostulation that the same holye father in his thirtéenth Homily vppon the Gospell of Iohn sometyme vsed although it be somewhat long and tedious Let vs blushe sayeth he and be ashamed the woman that had had fiue husbandes and was a Samaritane vseth so greate diligēce in learning that shee coulde neyther in the time of the daye nor by any other lettes or occasions be withdrawn from the doctrine of Iesus Whereas wee doe not onlye not enquire after any thyng that might tende to oure instruction in heauenly things but also are verye carelesse in all thynges and alwayes like affected and therefore passe for no manner of thyng that good is Which of vs I praye you when hee commeth home taketh in hande anye worke worthy of a Christian who searcheth for the meaning of the Scriptures None truely but as for dice and tables we finde them commonly bookes verye seldome which yet if any haue they keepe as though they hadde them not close in theyr Coffers or else all theyr studye consistes in setting forth the leaues and couers and in making the letters beautifull to the eye not to the intent to reade them neyther to gette any profite by them but to vaunte of their riches to shewe their ambition therefore studye they in them So greate is their vaine glorie I heare of no ambitious person that vnderstandeth his booke but hee is in loue onely with the glittering glose of the golden letters What gaine call yee this I beseeche you The Scriptures are not therefore giuen vs that we should haue them in bookes alone but that we shoulde engraue them in our heartes Therefore this outwarde possession of bookes is a token of the ambitiousnesse of the Iewes to whom the commaundemēts were giuen in letters to vs are they not so giuen but in fleshly tables of the heart Howbeit I forbidde no manne to buye bookes but I admonishe and with all my heart desire that we may buye them yet so as we maye oft times ponder both the letters and their meanings in our mindes and by thys meanes haue a pure minde wrought within vs For if in what house so euer the Gospell be there the Diuel dare not enter then how muche lesse power shall the Diuell or Sinne haue ouer that soule that is acquainted with it by continuall readings Sanctify therefore they soule san̄ctifye thy body this shall come to passe if thou haue alwayes the Gospell both in thy heart and tongue Where if the filthinesse of thy tong defyleth the soule if it call vppon Diuels it is euident that by spirituall reading the same is sanctified and the grace of the holy Ghost abundantly powred into it The Scriptures be as it were diuine charmes From them let vs fetch a remedy for our griefe for the maladies of our soule the vtilitie wherof if we would consider we should with attentiuenes apply oure study in them These things I oftentimes touch Is it not a thing very preposterous that common market menne shoulde beare in minde the names of Cartars and Dauncers their kinds countreis actions maners and tell likewise of the prowesse of horses and what euerye one coulde doe and they that come hither goe their wayes knowing nothing at all no not so muche as the number of the holy Bookes Thus muche hath this most excellent Preacher questionlesse in that place who in other places also ofte times singeth the selfe same song as in verye déede that song is neuer thoughte to be oute of season whych is acceptable to the eares of all men especiallye of suche as are skilfull in Musicke and is of it selfe verye swéete and delectable for in his two and fiftith Homilie vppon Iohn he againe wisheth all men to haue the Bookes of holye Scripture in their houses and diligentlye to peruse them throughe In hys fourtéenth Homilie hée requireth greate diligence to be bestowed in searching of the Scriptures And euerye where in the beginnings of hys Sermons and likewise in the latter endes or perorations hée entreateth of the manifolde vse of the Scriptures Vppon whyche occasion hée eftesoones vrgeth requyreth enforceth and pricketh forwarde all menne that whensoeuer oportunitie shall serue they woulde as well at home as abroade conferre togither of the doctrine of godlynesse that they would as touching doubtfull places both aske the opinion of others and also now and then shew their owne iudgement that they would draw this practise as a custome and perpetually kéepe it in vre But what if yée shoude haue hearde Chrysostome himselfe vttering his owne words for let it be lawfull to me I beséeche you to vsurpe the selfesame words of this mā that Aeschines sometimes did of Demosthenes whome he enuied onely for desire of glorie Albeit we haue this priuiledge after a sort graunted vnto vs euen to heare hym also whylest the things whiche he moste swéetely pronounced in the chiefe Citie and seate of a most mightye Empire we may reade in Authētical writing published throughout the whole worlde euen in like sorte as the edictes and proclamations of kings and princes are out of one notable place heard a farre off and take effect in all prouinces But least any man shoulde suppose that the Gréeke writers and Doctours of the East Churches whome otherewise some affirme let them sée with what iudgemēt and with what right they speake it to disagrée and erre in many things from the Latines and west Churches were only and altogither of this minde heare I beséech you likewise the voyces of the Latine writers as touching the selfe same cause What accompt makest thou of Hierom what of Augustine Thou grauntest them I am sure to be of the number of the chiefe and principall Diuines Then marke what Hierome hathe noted vppon those wordes of the second Epistle to the Corinthians the thirtéenth Chapter Laste of al my brethren fare yee well bee perfect be of good comforte It is to be noted sayth he that writing to the whole Churche he telleth them they oughte to be perfite and that the Laitie ought one to exhort an other Again vpon those words of Paule to the Colossians Cap. 3. Let the word of Christ dwel in you Here it is shewed that
Churches if so be they suffer theÌ„selues to be ouercome in the exercise of reading of Lawyers Phisitions Orators Oh howe truly and grauely is it sayde of Byshoppe Leo the firste in hys Epistle 22. to the Cleargie and people of Constantinople If Ignoraunce seeme intollerable in the Laitie then howe muche more is it vnworthye eyther of excuse or pardon in those that haue the ouersighte of Churches But it is not néedefull that wée shoulde stande longer in handling of thys cause woulde GOD the things that wée haue presentlye touched myghte bée well layde vppe and faste fixed in memorye and then at least-wise some Ministers of Churches woulde wyth these reasons whyche wée haue alleadged bée rouzed vppe and indeuoure to become not onelye readers of the holye Scriptures themselues but also Readers and Expounders of the same vnto others But wée muste not thinke that hereby it is proued that those whyche they call Laie menne are by the like reason discharged and maye passe theyr tyme wythout the pervsing and vnderstandyng of the holye Scriptures For wiselye didde Byshoppe Leo of whome wée hearde euen nowe ioyning the cause of the Laitie wyth the cause of the Ministers of the Churche determine that ignorance of the Scriptures is intollerable euen in Layemenne also Truelye they are verye fonde that doe thus reason The Pastors of Churches oughte continuallye to bée occupyed in reading the word of GOD therefore the Laitie néede not so to doe These men shoulde haue remembred that some dueties are for iuste and wayghtye causes so inioyned to a certaine kynde of menne as thoughe they agréed peculiarlye vnto them alone when as in the meane tyme by reason they are directed vnto Vertue that is to Faith Hope and Charitie they are common to moe yea to all menne vniuersallye wythoute exception and agayne they shoulde haue considered that for iuste causes and considerations certayne vices are in such wise forbidden as thoughe a peculiar sorte of menne onelye oughte to beware of them and yet in verye déede they are forbidden indifferentlye to all But by examples produced wée shall bring to passe that euerye manne maye perceiue it to be true that wée saye The fifte commaundement in the Decalogue séemeth to prescribe onely vnto them of Obedience whose naturall parentes of whome they are begotten bée aliue Honour sayth it thy Faaher and thy Mother But yet no man can deny that in the self same precept it is commaunded that all inferiour persons generallye shoulde yéelde honour and obedience to their superiors For why al muste obey the Magistrates and the Prelates of Churches againe Wardes must obey theyr Gardians Disciples their Tutors Souldiours theyr Capitaine Craftsmen theyr Craftsmayster Marriners theyr Pylot Seruantes and Handmaydens their Maisters and Maistresses and so forth of other degrées But namely and especiallye the example is set downe as touchyng chyldren forasmuche as in them it is conuenient that a greater obedience doe shine forth than in any others In the seauenth commaundement GOD forbiddeth that anye man shoulde breake Wedlocke or commit Adultry Some man perhaps therefore would thinke that it is meante onelye of them that are maried and that Adultry and not Fornication whyche is properly of them that are single and vnmaryed is condemned But we learne partly out of Histories partly oute of the holy sayings of the Scriptures that al carnall company of man and woman out of lawful Wedlocke that is to saye not marryed togyther according to GODS ordinaunce is forbidden and as well Fornication as Adultry howsoeuer they be extinguished are punished of GOD alike 1. Corinth 6 Hebr. 13. But it pleased the holy Ghoste to giue forth this commaunment in suche a forme of wordes for that whereas all men and women oughte to be embracers of Cleanesse and Chastitie yet oughte marryed folkes inespecially to be giuen therevnto Hebr. 13. In like maner Exod. â—8 23 Leuit. 19. It is commaunded that suche Iudges shoulde be ordeyned as feare GOD as are louers of the truth and as are frée from couetousnesse Nowe these things are not so required of Iudges as though it were lawfull for other men to doe the contrarie without controlement but for so muche as when GOD requireth those vertues of all yet he woulde haue them to be séene especially in Iudges Of the same sorte it is that the Apostle 1. Timoth. 3. willeth suche a one to bee chosen Bishop as is vnreproueable the husbande of one wife sober not giuen to ouermuch Wine no fighter Nowe shall a man leaning vpon these wordes cauill and saye that it is lawfull for other whiche are no Bishops to defile themselues with the dregges of all manner of vncleanesse to be caried away wyth wandring lustes to be desguised with drinke and surcharged with Wine not to bridle their furie to flye vppon others with their fistes féete staues kniues and with whatsoeuer else commeth next to hande No but wée must vnderstande that there are required in all men maners vnreproueable chast sober discrete peaceable and that Bishops ought for these vertues to be commended and well spoken of before others After the same manner therefore must we interprete that the Ministers of Churches ought in déede of all other most diligently to searche and ransacke the Bookes of holye Scripture as to whose dutie it belongeth to teache the whole multitude but not so that the Laitie therefore are to be restreyned from the felowship thereof nay rather that the precepte as touching the reading of the Scriptures doe apperteyne to them also and that they ought to labour so far forth in accomplishâ—ng of it 〈◊〉 they may both more easilie vnderstand the publike teachers and also be able after a sort to instruct and 〈◊〉 at the least those of their owne householdes 〈…〉 â—es Wherefore the Apostle whiche willed Tiâ—â—â—â—â— and with him all the Ministers of Churches 1. Tim 4. to applye himselfe busilie to the reading of the Scriptures the same also commaundeth Coloss 3. men of all states and conditions to teach and admonish one another through the word of CHRIST dwelling in them And in the old Testament the only Tribe of Leuie had power and authoritie to deale with the Priesthode with the Sacrifices with the holy rites and to interprete the Lawe of GOD but yet to reade the holye Scriptures and likewise publikely to teach them when oportunitie serued it was left frée to euery mans choice and vnto all the Tribes indifferently to do it For why that there haue come forthe no small number of Prophets euen out of other Tribes also Epiphanius declareth in his Booke De vitis Prophetarum and Christ being descended of the Tribe of Iuda taughte openly in the Temple and in the Sinagogs no man forbidding him Paule in like sorte of the tribe of Beniamin was required oft times very curteously of the chiefe of the Iewes to speake vnto the people So then albeit it be verye requisite and necessarie that in euery felowship societie of men there
the eyes of their mind whereby they may iudge vprightly of al things Further it cānot be denied but that there be many things in the Scriptures of thēselues very plaine and easie to be vnderstoode Likewise there are dyuers and sundrye thynges here and there intermixed whyche who so hathe any iudgement at all doeth soone perceiue where vnto they tende Moreouer there is no man the carrieth not about with hym an expert maistresse of manye secrete and mysticall matters to witte hys owne proper conscience whych doeth ofte times priuily reproue finde faulte with and make ashamed those that pretende that they vnderstand not the holy Scriptures It is a very grieuous offence when thou once vnderstandest the truth to dissemble it to neglect not exercise or deny it and God is wonte to giue vppe those that so doe hauing firste as witnesseth the Apostle Rom. 1. blinded their harts into a reprobate sense Furthermore be shall best prouide for his owne safety that dothe not labour to flye ouermuch alofte but contenteth himselfe in places some what harde and difficulte to drawe forthe the simple and sounde meaning whych the words themselues do signifie wythout any couertures and whyche séeme not to be strange from the minde and purpose of the author To hunt after subtil and straunge interpretations to muse vppon allegories wythout cause why to crake continuallye of mysticall meanings is the property of men that consider not sufficiētly the snares and bayted hookes of the deuill Examples howe suche curiositie and vnaduisednesse hath bin punished God would haue in all ages to be séene Woulde to God we coulde oftetimes call to remembraunce howe greate a benefite it is to be wise to sobrietie He shal not a little be helpen to the collecting of proper sentences that will exactlye marke where the beginnings of sermons disputations and narrations and where the endings of the same bée again where the prefaces propositions confirmations confutations conclusions are distinguished in them Let hym obserue also the proper spéeches and phrases that are familiar in the Scriptures let hym searche diligētly throughout euery member as well the thynges that goe before as also the things that follow after to be short let hym duely examine the causes and circumstances of euery point If after all these things thus discussed there remaine some things yet still hidden it shall be expedient to repeate them oftener than once and the more intentiuely to consider of them Repetition commonlye causeth some things to be more cleare and lightsome and that whyche is harde to daye to morrowe or nexte daye becommeth plaine and easie One daye teacheth an other and one night certifieth an other If the daye as it is saide in the prouerbe taketh away the sicknesse oft he bodye then vndoubtedly taketh in awaye also ignoraunce whyche is a maladie of the minde It shall be verye profitable in lyke manner to conferre diligentlye the playne and agréeable places of the Scriptures wyth that place touching the meaning whereof the question is as Luke reporteth Act. 17. the Thessalonians did If thys conference be in vayne then there is no let but that thou maiste aske the aduice of some other wiser than thy selfe GOD wil bring to passe that when thou thinkest leaste of it thou shalte lighte vpō some Philip that may resolue thée of thy most intricate doubtes Act. 8. Hée that wanteth altogither the helpe of a teacher let hym looke ouer the Commentaries or Annotations of the choicest interpretres that hée can come by Laste of all if all thy labour in searching of some hidden mysteries proue voyde and of none effecte and that mannes industry as ye woulde saye be mocked and deceyued then doubt thou not that it commeth to passe for some benefite of thine that some thinges whyche thou soughtest verye desirously to knowe doe remaine still vnknowen vnto thée It is profitable that thou shouldest knowe by this meanes the infirmitie and ignorance as well of all mankinde as also of thy selfe Hereby also thou learnest how highly thou oughtest to estéeme the giftes of the holy Ghoste who enlightneth the myndes of the godly Thou vnderstandest agayne that the same gifts are giuē to euery man according to the measure of Faith. Further thou haste in admiration eayl◠more and more the maiestie of the things comprehended in the sacred Scriptures And there are in verye deede some things in them whych ought of vs rather to be beleeued than perceiued like as also certaine pointes are onely touched by the way but not fully declared Neither truely is it to be doubted but that many before thée haue sticked and stammered at the selfe-same places Yea euen the diligentest of al other do oftetimes stumble and are deceyued Therefore the wante of knowledge of some certaine places doeth by no meanes giue thée occasion to caste awaye the holye Bookes but rather thou muste so muche the more diligentlye and constantlye goe forwarde to pervse them as thou arte sure and certaine that there wyll be alwayes a number of thynges whyche thou shalte neuer bée able to attayne vnto and that a Christian manne oughte all hys lyfe long to bée a Scholler of the holye Ghoste But to declare howe and by what meanes thou mayste reape a Spirituall profite by the thynges whyche thou readest and indifferently at the leaste vnderstandest althoughe a man myghte stand long vppon thys matter yet I will saye so muche in effecte as I truste for this present time shall be sufficient Firste all menne oughte to be perswaded of this that the effectualnesse of prayer poured from the hearte vnto GOD is very greate for whyche cause we haue a little before admonished that so ofte as we come to the readyng of the holye Bookes wée shoulde in anye case to beginne wythall vse some forme of prayer Secondly there lyeth hidden in the worde of GOD it selfe when it is read or hearde or when it is duely examined a certaine wonderfull power of the spirite where with the mindes of men are stricken and after an vnspeakable maner moued drawen Whiche thing doubtlesse we woulde by no meanes affyrme except it were found expressed in the sacred Scriptures and except further it were manifest that many good mē had at all tymes proued the selfe same thyng to be true Hearken I praye you what the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrewes Chap. 4. sayth The worde of GOD is liuely and mighty in operation and sharper than anye two edged sworde and entreth throughe euen to the diuiding asunder of the soule and the spirite and of the ioyntes and the marow and is a discerner of the thoughtes and of the intents of the heart Neyther is there anye creature whyche is not manifest in his sight but al thyngs are naked and open to hys eyes wyth whome wee haue to do In whyche place there are two things of vs to be obserued The one that vnto the worde of GOD are ascribed life and other effectes of verye great
thrusteth forthe one while verily suche as are approued in opinion for their notable wisedome another while swinishe haters and contemners of all holy things an other while Hypocrites puffed vp with a vaine shew of holynesse and therefore maruellous fit instrumentes to beguile the simple by whose painted and smooth persuasions and by other crafty conueyances the vnwarie sort maye be broughte to the neglecting and open hatred of the Scriptures but it is your partes with these reasoÌ„s and instructions whereof you haue hitherto heard many and sundry as well out of the sacred Scriptures theÌ„selues as also out of the moste godly and learned fathers to shoare vp and fortify your minds and euen in spight of all the rablement of the wicked whome Sathan subborneth and armeth dayly against vs to stirre them vp to the loue and study of Gods word Let vs coÌ„sider that CHRIST doth euen now also without ceasing preache vnto vs which in very déede he doth not after one waye or manner and that there is no precepte of him oftner vrged and repeated than this wherein he sayeth to all Christians Searche the Scriptures for they are they that testifye of me This voyce of CHRIST for so much as his heauenly father hath so coÌ„maunded let vs heare with patient and stayed mindes and with al reuerence and submission obey it finally in comparison of that let vs refuse and abandon all mens pesuasions preceptes counsels flatteries threatnings curses and tormentes whatsoeuer For he that maketh none accompt of thys voyce of CHRIST there is no doubt but that his name shall oneday be vtterly scraped and raced out of the register of Christians that is to saye out of the booke of life whiche GOD himselfe hath written and that at the laste iudgement of the great day he shal heare froÌ„ the mouth of the same CHRIST a far other manner of voyce namely a heauye and a horrible voyce as touching the suffering and enduring of euerlasting fire THE ENDE Ps. 14.2.3.4 Psâ—l 53.4 Ps. 5.10 and 140.2 and 10.7 Prou. 1.16 Iam. 4.8 1. Cor. 1.20 2.14 Iere. 9.26 Deut. 10.16 Eccles 11.33 Genes 6.5.11.12 and 8.21 Psal. 36.1 Esa. 59.3.7 Rom. 3.10.11.12.13.14.15.16.17.18 Psalm 51.5 Eph. 2.1.3.5 Rom. 3.9 Galath 3 22 Rom. 2.22 Psalm 116.11 Rom. 3.4 Esa. 59.5 Deut. 27 Galath 3.10 Coloss 2.13 Ephes 2.12 Rom. 6.23 1 Pet. 5.8 Ephes 6.12 Ephes 2.2 Genes 3.1 1. Pet. 5.8 Apocal. 12 3 Ioan. 3.3 Ephes 4.23 1. Pet. 2.2 Hebr. 13.14 â— Corinth 1.10 11. Time. 3.16 Rom. 15.4 Man is created to the knowledge of GOD and of his will. Ouid. Metamorph Lib. 1. Of the former booke which is the whole world Of the later booke to wit the holy Scripture VVe must giue more attendaunce to the latter booke of the holy Scripture than to the former and that for three causes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 III. It behoueth all men to reade the word of GOD in that it is graunted to them only to speake and vnderstand They must especiallye read the holye Scriptures which professe themselues to be Christians It is a shame for a Christian to be ignorant of the things that Christe commaundeth The Iewes reade the Scriptures painefully God commandeth in the Lawe the bookes of holy Scripture to be read and perused of all people For what cause and coÌ„sideratioÌ„ God woulde haue his doyngs and sayings committed to writing The Fathers albeit they were without Bookes yet taught they most diligently the doctrine of religion then what ought not wee to do that haue Bookes graunted vnto vs. The commandement of God as touching the reading of the Scriptures belongeth not only to Iewes Christ also commaundeth vs to reade the Scriptures In the Apostles time all the Godly read the Scriptures most diligently The holy Ghost is giueÌ„ to the beleuers to the intent they may learne and vnderstande the Scriptures â–ª Euen the Gentiles also in these dayes vsed to reade the Scriptures albeit they were extance onely in the Greeke tong In these dayes wee haue the holy Scripturs extant in all tongues And after the Apostles time all the godly serched continualy the Scriptures Exhortations of the holy Fathers as touching the reading of the holy Scriptures priuatly in houses Origen Eusebius â—â—misenus Iohn Chrisostome Augustine Ambrose Now a dayes some Bishops there be that forbid the holy Scriptures to be read The neglecting of the Scriptures of this time if it be compared with the diligence of the auntient people is verie shamefull and ignominious The Lâ—â—ie is profited 〈◊〉 dâ—â—g of the Scriptures that they were able also to teache others Laie men skilful of the holy Scriptures in times paste taughte in Churches and were chosen to thâ— goueâ—â—emet of the same The barbarus enimies of Christian religion oughte sooner by orderly teching of sounde doctrine than by force of armes be won and vnited vnto vs. The very consideration of the times present doth require that all should applye themselues to the studie of the holye Scriptures The answere It behoueth the Ministers of the Church to bee exercised in the holy Scriptures aboue all other The Ecclesiasticall Ministery consisteth not in songs or colde ceremonies The Minister ignorant of the holye Scriptures can not conuince false opinions The Minister that is without the knowledge of the Scriptures can not wisely reproue sinne The Minister that is ignorant of the Scriptures can not confer with others of godlynesse and pietie The Minister can giue no counsell to carefull consciences that is not conuersant in the Scriptures The Minister that he may be able to coÌ„fort the afflicted must of necessitie haue experience in the Scriptures To haue the name of the Ministerie without the substance of it is an absurde thing They that can not perfourme the office of the Ministerie must not reape the fruites of it The Ministers that are vnskilfull of the Scriptures oughte to bee remoued from their places They do moste grieuoâ—sly offende whiche beeing placed in the Ecclesiasticall Ministery doe still neglect the holy Scripture Albeit the studye of the holy Scripeurs doe especiallye become the Ministers of the worde yet maye not the Laitie therefore reiect it There is no degree of men among Christians to whome it perteyneth not exactly to learne the holy Scriptures Kings and Princes must reade also the holy Scriptures All Câ—urtiers and noble men must diligently reade the holy Scriptures Iudges Consuls Pretors must exercise themselues in reading the holy Bible Neither must souldiors neglecte to reade the holy Scriptures Lâ—wiâ—rs ougâ—â— to be familiarly acquainted with the holi Scripturs Phisitions also muste deuoutly trauâ—ile in the Scriptures It is expedient that Merchant men also and Artificers should profit in the Scriptures To husbandmen also is commended the reading and hearing of the Scriptures It is expedient that Boyes and Mothers also be instructed in the holy Scriptures There be certayne duties common to all Christians whiche it is needefull for theÌ„ to learne out of the holy Scriptures All Christians muste endeuor to shewe themselues to be true members of the Churche Euerye Christian ought to bee readye to render a reason of hys Fayth to euerye one that asketh it Euery Christian ought to foresee prouide that hee erre not or be not deceiued in the doctrine of Religion There is no ChristiaÌ„ that standeth not in neede to be reproued for his sinnes and oft times to be admonished No Christian caÌ„ be without comfortes The Conclusion The willing mind easilie findeth oportunitie to do well It is false to saye that in reading there is labour and griefe How we maye get leysure oportunitie to read the holie Scriptures That a time certain ought to be giuen to the reading of the Scriptures VVhat time most apt to the reading of the Scriptures How much euery day to be read The Canonical bookes of the olde Testament Let a man read dayly certaine chapters but vvithout superstition The depth and maiestie of the holy Scriptures ought not to fray vs froÌ„ the reading of theÌ„ No maÌ„ ought to complayne that he cannot vnderstaÌ„d the Scripturs howe we maye attayne to the vnderstaÌ„ding of them Some thinges we are ignoraÌ„t of to cure benefite Howe thou mayste gather spirituall profite by the thyngs that thou readest The power of the spirite worketh priuiely through the worde is the heartes of the readers and hearers Certain Chapters or fountains to which all things in the holy Scriptures ought to be referred Teaching Reprouing Instructing Correcting Comforting Conclusion Jmprinted at London by Henry Bynneman 1579.