Linguistic DNA - Concept Modelling Demonstrator

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	good_a	lord_n	see_v	4,192	5	3.2926	3	true

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A17692	Foure godlye sermons agaynst the pollution of idolatries comforting men in persecutions, and teachyng them what commodities thei shal find in Christes church, which were preached in French by the moste famous clarke Ihon Caluyne, and translated fyrst into Latine and afterward into Englishe by diuers godly learned men.; Sermons. Selected sermons. English	Calvin, Jean, 1509-1564.; Horne, Robert, 1519?-1580.	1561 (1561)	STC 4438; ESTC S118061	86,020	218

as bouÌ„tiful prodigal in sheddiÌ„g the martyrs bloud as thei wil yet this must be that thei shal make a reckening horrible accompt of the effusion of that deare and precious blood yea euen to the vttermost droppe But nowe in thys time thei do scornefully and proudly laugh when thei burne the faithfull men and after they haue dipt washed them selues in their blood they become so dronken that they care nothing at al what murthers thei do But if we wyll haue this stay and moderation of mind that we can paciently abide god wil at the last declare that it was not without a cause that he so greatly estemed our life and had it in so great honour In the meane while let vs not take it to grief yf it be now bestowed to confirme garnish the gospel which excelleth heauen and earth in worthines And that we may be more surely persuaded that god wil neuer leaue vs as abiectes in the hands of the enemies let vs not forget that same saying of Iesus Christ wherein he saieth that it is he himself whoÌ„ men do persecute in his membres God had said before by Zachary who so toucheth you toucheth the sight of mine eie This is much more expressed if we suffer for the gospell sake it is euen as the sonne of him selfe were and suffered in that affliction Therefore let vs thinke so that Iesus Christ must forget himself if he should haue no care and thought of vs at the time when we be in prison and danger of life for his cause and glory let vs also know that God wyl take al the contumelies and iniuries as done against his owne sonne Let vs come to the seconde place of consolation which is one of the greatest among gods promises that god wyll so hold vs vp wyth the vertue of his spirit in these afflictions that our enemies whatsoeuer they do nor Satan their chiefe captaine shal in any thyng go awaye with the ouerhand And truly we do see howe in that necessitie he doth shew the succour and helpes of his grace For the inuincible stoutnes and constancie of minde which is sene in the true martyrs is a notable token of that same most mighty power which god vseth in his sainctes There be two things in persecutions greuous tediouse intolrable to the flesh whereof the one consisteth in the checkes and rebuks of men the other in the payne tormeÌ„t of the body In both these kinds of temtations god doth promise so his assistaunce that we shal easely ouercom al the infamie violence of the grefes and payn And truly what he promiseth he doth performe in dede with most manifest and assured helpe Let vs then take this bucklere to defend vs against al feare and let vs not measure the power of gods spirit so sclendrely that we shuld not thinke and beleue that he wil easely ouercome all the iniuries bitternes and contumelies of men And of this diuine and inuincible operation emong all other we haue a notable example in this our age A certaine yonge man who liued godlylye here with vs in this cytie when he was taken at Dornick was coÌ„demned with this sentence that yf he wold denye the coÌ„fessioÌ„ of his faith he shuld be but beheaded but yf he perseuered in his purpased opinion he shuld be burned When he was asked whether he wold do he answered plainly he who will geue me thys grace to dye patiently for his name wil also work by the selfe same grace that I may abide broyling and burniÌ„g We oght to take thys sentence not as pronouÌ„ced of a mortall maÌ„ but of the holy gost that we shold thinke that god caÌ„ so wel coÌ„firme make vs ouercom al payns tormeÌ„ts as to moue vs to take any other kinde of meker death in good part Yea we see often times what coÌ„staÌ„cy he geueth to euel wicked men who suffer for their euel dedes and wickednes I do not speake of such as be obstinat hardned in their wickednes which haue no repeÌ„taÌ„ce but of theÌ„ which do perceaue coÌ„solatioÌ„ by the grace of Iesus Christ so do take suffer quietly with good wil most greuous sharpe pain as we see a notable example in the thefe who turned at the death of our lord Iesus christ Wil god who assisteth with so great power wicked men that suffer coÌ„dingly for their euell actes forsake them who defeÌ„d his cause wil he not rather geue theÌ„ inuincible power The third place of promises which god promiseth to his martyres is the fruit which thei oght to loke for of their sufferiÌ„g of death it self yf nede so requier But this fruit is that after they haue set forth honoured gods name edified his church with their testimonie they may be gathered together in immortall glory with the lord Iesus But because we haue spoken largely inough before of this reward of eternal glory it is now sufficient to renue the memorie of those thiÌ„gs that are already spoken Wherfore let the faithful learn to reare vp their head to the crowne of immortall glory whereunto god doeth call them let them not take the losse of this life greuously coÌ„sidering the greatnes and worthines of the reward And that thei may be sure and perfectly persuaded of this so great a good thing as can not be expressed with any speache nor in thought be comprehended nor with any honour inough estemed let them haue continually before their eyes this like and conformable reason with our Lord Iesus Christ that in death it selfe they beholde life as he by ignominie of the crosse infamie came to glorious resurrection wherin all our felicitie triumph and ioy consisteth Amen The thirde Sermon VVHEREIN THE FAITHFVL are admonished how greatly thei oght to esteme it to liue in the churche of god where they may purely and with libertie worship him taken forth of this sentence of the. Psalm 27. One thing haue I demanded of the lorde that wyll I require that I may dwel in the house of the lord al the dayes of my life that I maye see the beautie of the Lorde c. ALthough amonges men there be soche a varietie defference of myndes and desyres that it is a world to se them yet do all consent and agre in this one poynte moste plainly that with hole harte mynde thei are occupied in the worlde Euery one I graunt wyll haue some what apart wherin he doth set his hole felicitie and wherunto he wyll applye and therevpon bestowe all his care and study and the whole trade of hys lyfe But this vanitie beareth rule generally in al that thei seke their felicitie and principal coÌ„moditie none other where but in this present life subiect to corruption The which thing declareth moste euidently that men whiche haue caste downe their myndes hope and iudgemen from the dignitie and excellencye of their nature are so degenerat and growen out

of the ChaldeaÌ„s It is not reason that the tiranny of men shoulde break or any deal diminish from vs that due honour we ow vnto god Here is no exceptioÌ„ or pretence of preuelege which high or low riche or poore may or ought to vsurpe vnto them selues Let al men therefore bow downe their neck with moste humilitie submit them selues to god Let the poore maÌ„ haue the true fear of god let him not say vnconstantly I know not what to do least god answer him nether know I what to do with thee The riche and wealthy men let theÌ„ not like drunken sloggards slepe in their wealth and consume in their prosperity and abundance of al thynges as it wer in a certain draftubbe but rather after the example of S. Paule let them learn to esteme al that as dirt and dammage which doth withdraw vs from godly christian life or may seme any thing to hinder vs. We also whiche liue here in rest quiet enioyeng the vse of the greatest and singuler benefits of god let vs not forget that I touched in the beginning that we apply these things to our learning that what so euer hereafter befall vs or into what soeuer countrey we shal be led yet may we alwayes constantlye abide in the pure confession of our faith detesting al idolatrous religion superstitions and abuses which are against gods trueth do obscure his honour and vtterly subuert his religion The .ii. sermon conTEINING AN EXHORTATION to suffer persecution that we may therein folow Iesus Christ and his gospell taken of this saying in the .13 Cap. to the Hebrues Let vs go forth to him without the gates and suffer rebuke with him AL the exhortations which can be made to instruct vs to suffer paciently and constantly for Christ Iesus name and his gospel shall not much moue vs onles we know and be perfectly persuaded of the right truthe and worthenes of the cause wherfore we contend For when we be in that Ieoperdie danger that we must loose our lyfe we ought to be most certain of that thing wherfore we enter to so great perill But that constauncye and firmnes of minde caÌ„ not be had onles it be depely fouÌ„ded in a certaintie sure perswasioÌ„ of faith Ther be many which will vnaduisedlyâ— rashly ventre to dye for certain folysh opinions inuented of their own brain But suche forwardnes of minde ought rather to be thought a furiousnes then a christian zeall and loue For assuredly ther is no firmnes other of minde or wit or of common sence in these men which do cast them selues in to peril with such hardie rashnes How so euer it be god wil not acknowlege and take vs for his martirs and witnesses without a good cause For death is coÌ„mon for all men also the condemnation of theues and of gods children the sufferaunce of shame and punishment semeth to be al one but god maketh a difference betwixt theÌ„ because he can not denie and forsake his own truth This also is required that we haue a sure witnes void of al errour of that doctryne whiche we will defend â–ª Wherfore as I said ther is no exhortation so weightie that can moue and perswade vs to suffer for the gospel but yf a true certaintie of faith be imprinted in our hartes For to put our lyfe in danger without any coÌ„sideratioÌ„ vnaduisedly and chaunceably is most against nature And so to do shuld be thought rather rashnes theÌ„ christian boldnes Morouer god aloweth nothing that we do onles we be plainly perswaded that it is for his name sake and for his cause that the world is so against vs doth hate vs. But when I speak of suche certaiÌ„tie and perswasion of minde I do not only vnderstand this that we shuld know to discern and iudge betwixt the true religion and folish opinions constitutioÌ„s of men but also that we be thorowly perswaded of euerlasting lyfe and the â—roune promised vnto vs in heaueÌ„ after â—ure conflict in this world Let vs now marke wel that these two reasons do partaine to oure dutye and muste be Ioyned to gether that the one may â—n no wise be separated and disioyned from the other It is mete therfore to take oure begynning of thys that we vnderstand and know what is our Christian religion what faith it is that we oght to holde and folow what rule of lyfe god hath geuen vs. Nether must we only haue our minds instruct with thys godly doctrin but also haue our mindes so armed and prepared that we maye freli and boldly damne all errours lies and superstitions which Satan hathe brought in to the world to corrupt the pure simplicitie of gods doctrine Therfore it is no meruaill that ther is so small a number of men that haue a ready mid and desier to suffer for the gospell and that the greatest part of them the profese them selues Christans knoweth not the power of the Christian religion and there own profession All meÌ„ in a maner are negligeÌ„t and haue no desier or very small to here and read who thynketh it sufficient yf they haue gotten some small taste of the Christian faith And thys is the cause why there is sene in these no surety and constancie of minde and that so sone as they come in to any conflict they are so abashed as though thei shuld hiÌ„ bi vtterly perish for which coÌ„sideratioÌ„ our desier oght to be greater to pursue and serche oute most diligently gods truth that therw t our hartes may be perswaded with out any doubt Nether is this al to haue suche knowledge and vnderstanding For we see many so well trauailed in gods doctrine that thei seme as though thei were stained died ther with in whom neuer the less there is no desier and loue of god no more truly then if thei had knowen nothinge at any time of the godly doctrin but by a certain vnsure light and wauering opinion But what other cause is there of this so great vncertaintie and leuitie but that thei did neuer perceaue in there minde the maiestie of the holi scripture And truly if we wold rightly waye that it is god that speaketh to vs theirin we wold here him with more diligence attention and reuereÌ„ce If we wold think in reading the scripture that we are in the schole and discipline of angels we shulde haue an other maner of desier to exercise our selues in that doctrine which is set forth to vs to confort strenghtheÌ„ instruct our miÌ„ds now we se what is the wai to prepar our selues to patieÌ„ce sufferauÌ„ce for the gospel that is so to go forward in the doctrine thereof that being throughly persuaded of the true religion and that doctrine which we oght to holde and defende we may nothing esteme and despise al the fraudes and illusions of the deuell and al the inuencions of men as things not only of value but also execrable because they

true fear of god to the loue of the worlde I cofesse in dede that all thinges are as they both thinke and speake But if their body were in daunger they were admonished where they might finde both learned and mete physicions and also propre healthefull remedies other helpes either to restore or preserue their healthe then I saye they woulde not say that thei cared not for it or sette lyght by it because that in all places dyseases may come vnto men I graunt that in what place soeuer we be we shall finde infinite occasions to do euelle corruptions and intisemets of the worlde but ther is great difference whether we haue ayds helpes where with we maye other be kepte in office or eles hauing erred from our office maye be restored or whether we be altogether depriued of them let it be agred that vices nowe doe reigne and are of lyke force in the worlde so that by ther poison the air is infected no lesse theÌ„ with a pestilence are we not in better condition theÌ„ other in that we haue such remedies as are geuen of God to his children wherew t we may ether driue awaye from vs greuous deseases now coming and assauting or els purge and put them awaye being nowe presente Further more I thinke that both the doctrine of the gospell when it is purely preached and also the sacraments when their lawfull vse is kepte and also common praiers and other meanes besydes are alwaes very necessary to styre vs vp and to admonishe vs that we be not infected with the corruptions and tentations of the worlde as it werewith certaine poisons Now all men do know that there is none of all these so great so holsome remedies and benefits in the papistry but coÌ„trarywise all wickednes and extreme danger of losse of life and saluation Wherfore let vs take head that we do not refuse the help that god most mercifully offereth in this great necessitie wherin we stand iÌ„ nead of great help toward our saluation yet ther be some that vomet forth more euidently the fylthe and dissease of their stomake what say thei shal we go to that church wherin with our great grife we shal see those motions and offences which now being vnknoweÌ„ vnto vs do not offend our eies and myndes if there were soche regimeÌ„t and order of the church those places wher the gospell is preached which were to be required for our edification if we were sure to finde none ther but angels which might leade vs into paradise we wolde runne thither with all haste diligence But when we shall come thyther we shall heare many things that shall soore offend vs and see many mo then were necessary Ther wyll be many men prone to al maner of wickednes impudencie which do diffame sklander the gospell by their disolute lyfe vanities pompe pride and dronkenes wylbe more coÌ„mon then were conuenient Moreouer which is moste greuous and intollerable of all many shall shew themselues there so vnruly outrageous contemners of god the more wickednes shall appeare in their lyues then emongs the papists forthermore emongs the magistrates and them that should execute iudgement ther wil be found as much corruption disorder vnrightousnes as iÌ„ other places And also in theÌ„ that are apointed to preach the gospel many things shal appear which shal seme worthy of reproche rebuke For some of theÌ„ wil be neglent in the ministry or so occupied iÌ„ their priuat domestical busines that the fidelitie diligeÌ„ce sincerity that thei shuld sew forth shal not be much regarded of theÌ„ And which is the worst of al amoÌ„g this kind of meÌ„ ther be som so geuen to pleasures that they are prone to al lustes of the flesh belly chere care for nothing els but to liue at ease and to pamper the fleshe and that thei may doe this at more libertie they ioyne theÌ„selues with wicked meÌ„ hauÌ„t their coÌ„pany in all mischief vilany Well let vs grant so that there is ten times more euill there then ther is in dede or then men do phaÌ„tasy yet must this excuse be vain alwais vnto theÌ„ which make them lets impediments vnto them that thei shold not com to the church of god And that we maye proue this matter let vs mark the example of Dauid that we haue in hand with more depe coÌ„sideration diligence Was ther such iustice integritie obserued in the daies of Saull I besech you in the iudgement other offices as the state of the common welth the dignitie of the church required Nay coÌ„trariwise we do hear the great coÌ„plaints which dauid maketh ofteÌ„times of the malice of the frauds deceits of the fearcenes the pride both of the king of others that wer iÌ„ autoritie iÌ„ iudgemeÌ„t in coÌ„mon offices And for the priests and Leuites did thei the office of the priesthod ministery of holy things so purely and godly the thei had iust cause to reioyse for theÌ„selues the church Or may we not rather gather that the most part of theÌ„ did folow the coÌ„mon vices corruptioÌ„s yea by their flattery fostred nourished wickednes And as touching the people common multitude thei wer ful of hipocrisie manifold sins crimes most manifest yet for all that Dauid doth not therfore abhorre that assembly nether refuseth to com entre into the church nether yet quensheth nor diminisheth his desire that he had to se it It is a very greiuous sore tentation I do grant For the more earnestly that a maÌ„ is moued with the zele desire of the honor of god the more great cause hath he to sorow morne wheÌ„ in the polutioÌ„ of his church he doth se him most greatly to be dishonored but the meanes to ouercom all these incoÌ„modities impediments is declared by Dauid to wit that we seke the face of the lord that we set al our pleasur and felicitie of life fully contented in the sight beholding therof that against al the greues that sataÌ„ doth raise against vs we determine coÌ„clude that nothiÌ„g is more pleasant nor delectable then to dwel in the temple of god wher his face mai be sene thus shal we remeÌ„bre as oft as such offeÌ„cs ar offred vnto vs that sataÌ„ laboreth after his vsual maner to dazel our eies to troble vs But herein let vs be wise constant the we be neuer drawen away from the coÌ„templation therof but that we take our hole and full pleasure of the moste comfortable beholdyng of the same The miserable ydolaters oght to make vs ashamed For if any of them after he haue consumed bothe his body in goyng a folish pilgrimage when he commeth vnto that place whither he purposed do finde an hoste which doth aske money of hym out of all reason or verlets and cruell knaues which doth him iniurie or couetous priests that

constancie which he requireth in his word We muste also admonishe and solicite them by al wayes not to rest in places where men are fast on slepe in their voluptuousnesse but to applie diligently this thought and wyl that thei confesse the glorie due vnto god For we are not taught of god onely for our selues but that euery man after the measure of his faith shuld brotherly communicat with his neighbors and distribute vnto them that thing he hath learned and knowen in gods schole Nowe se we then that it is profitable yea truly necessary so well to our selues as to our brethren that the remembrance of this doctrine shulde be renued very oft especiallye seyng the text it selfe which we shal expound doth leade vs to the same purpose Dauid doth openly protest and as it wer doth make a solemne vow that he wil neuer be partaker in the sacrifices of Idolaters and also that he wyll so detest and greuously hate the idols that he wyl not at anye time once name theÌ„ as though he shuld defile his mouth in naming them This is not the fact of som one man but the example of Dauid the most excellent kinge and prophet which oght to be vnto al gods children a certain comon rule to ryght and godly life And to th entent we may the better perceaue this thyng and more vehemently be moued with the true fear of god the cause is to be noted which he addeth wherein truly resteth as it were a certain foundation of that same alienation and offence wherby he doth most greatly abhorre the communion of idolatours The lorde saieth he is myne enheritaunce But is not this thing comon to all faithful and godlye men There is no man truly whych wold not glorie in so excellent athyng And this is sure without al doubt that god being once geuen vnto vs in the person of his sonne doth dayly entise vs to possess him But ther be veray fewe which ar so affected in this part as the greatnes and worthines of this same mater shuld seme to aske and deserue Nether truly can we by any meanes possess god onles on this condition that we also be come hys Dauid therfore of good right and worthely did set the foundation of hys godlynes and religion in this sentence and reason seing that god is his enheritaunce he wil refrain from all pollutions of idoles which do turne vs from God hymselfe This is the cause why the prophet Esay when he had vpbraided the iewes that they had geuen themselues to fals and strange goddes whoÌ„ they had made added afterwarde theis saith he ar thy portion signifieng by these words that god doth deny to the worshippers of idoles all bond felowshyppe of couenante and disenheryteth them and vtterly depriueth them of that so infinitly great benefite whiche he wold haue bestowed on them geuing him selfe vnto them Som man will except and sai that the prophet entreateth in that place only of them which put their affiance in idoles and deceaueth them selues thorow opinion and incredulitie I graunt but this also I answar yf they that do transferre gods honour vnto idoles are vtterly separated and cut of from his felowship they also doe are and decline some what from him which doe feine them selues to consent to supersticions thorow feare and weakenesse of mynde For no man can in heart or any conformable fashion or in wyll and in purpose of minde or faining or by any true or fained waye approch to idols but he must so far go back froÌ„ god Wherefore let this sentence be thorowly persuaded and remaine depely printed in our heartes that thei which seke god with a tru and pure minde to the ende to possesse him for their enheritance wyll haue no communion and felowship with idoles with whome god hath that diuorce and debate that he wold haue al his to proclaim and make continuall and deadlye war vpon them And in this place Dauid by name doth expresse that he wyll neuer be partaker of their oblations nether haue theyr names in his mouth and talking He might haue said on this wise I wil not deceyue my self with vnwise and folishe deuocions of the vnbeleuers I will not put my trust in suche abuses nor I wil neuer forsake goddes truth to folow these lies but he speaketh not on this maner but doth rather promise constantly that he wyll neuer be coÌ„uersant among theyr ceremonies Therfore he doth testifie so far furth as concerneth the seruice of god he will abide continually in al puritie and holynes both of bodye and soule And first in this place we muste consider whether this be not idolatrie to signifie and declare by outward tokens our agremeÌ„t with those supersticions wherwith the seruice of god is corrupted vtterly peruerted Thei that swim as the coÌ„mon saying betwixt two waters allege this saiyng seing that god wold be honored in spirit idols caÌ„ by no meanes be honored vnles a maÌ„ put his trust in theÌ„ But to this may be easly answered that god doth not so require the spiritual seruice adoration of the minde that he granteth and remitteth the other part of our nature vnto idols as though that part shuld seme nothing at al to belong vnto him For it is said in many places that the knees must be bowed before god also the hands lifted vp to heauen What then surely the chief honor that god requireth is spiritual but the outward signification wherbey the faithful do testifie that it is god only whoÌ„ thei serue and honour must so immediatly folow that thei must at one time be ioined together But one place shal so suffice for al to coÌ„fute that obiection which thei snatch of one word that thei shal be plainly rebuked conuict In the .iii. chap. of Daniel it is writteÌ„ that Sidrach Misach Abdenego refused denied vnder any maner of colour to consent vnto the superstition set vp erected by Nabuchodonosor declaring that thei wold in no wise honor his gods If these goodly wittie sophisters had bene there at that time wold haue laught to scorne the simplicitie of these thre seruants of god For I suppose thei wold haue taunted them with such like words you folish meÌ„ this truly is not to honor them seing you put no affiance in these thynges There is no idolatrie but where there is deuocioÌ„ that is to say a certain bending application of the minde to honour and worshippe the idoles But these godly men did folowe a better wiser counsell for this answer which thei made proceded not of their owne wit but rather of the holy gost which moued theÌ„ thus to speake whoÌ„ if we wil not resist we must accept this place this example as a certen rule definicion that idolatry is an outward action against gods honor yea although it procede not froÌ„ the wil and purpose of the mind but be only colourable and feined In which matter thei make goodly

vtterly corrupt the christian sinceritie And here in we differ as true martyres of Iesus Christ from the furious and stifnecked men which suffer for their owne folishe opinioÌ„s SecoÌ„dly we ought to be so minded that being assured of the right and goodnes of the cause we shoulde be enflamed with this due desier to folowe god whither so euer he shal cal vs to embrace his word with suche reuerence as it is worthy and being called backe froÌ„ the deceitfull fashion of this worlde as men rauished with their whole minde and endeuour should be caried to an heauenly lyfe But O most miserable case that when the lighte of god doth shine vnto vs in these daies so bright as it did neuer shine in the remembrace of men yet so litle zeale fauour and loue should be founde Wherein our miserie is so much the greater that in so great filthines vnthankfulnes we are not ouerwhelmed with blushing shame For we must shortly come before that iudge before whom our vice and euell which we by all meanes go about to hide shal be brought forth with that rebuke check wherby the iust cause of our destruction shal appeare For if we be so endetted bounde to god that for the knowledge he hath geuen vs we ought to geue to him honourable and thankfull testimony why is our stomak so abashed fearful to entre into the battell Especially seing god in this our age hath so opened himself that it may be rightly sayd and truly that he hath opened plainly set furth the greatest treasures of his secretes May not this be said that we so think of god as thogh we semed to staÌ„d no nede of him at all For if we had any coÌ„sideratioÌ„ of his maiestie we durst neuer be so bold to turn the doctrine which procedeth out of his mouthe into philosophie and vain speculation In fine we can haue no excuse but this must be vnto vs the greatest shame yea an horrible condemnatioÌ„ that in so great knowledge obtained by the singular goodnes of god we haue so litle loue minde to defend kepe the same For first yf we wil call to our remeÌ„brance the martyrs of old time coÌ„pare their wonderful coÌ„stancie with this our tender slouthfulnes we shall finde passing great cause to detest our own filthines For thei wer not for the most part so trauailed exercised in the scriptures that thei could lernedly despute of al matters But first of al thei knew held fast this that there is one god whoÌ„ thei oght to serue and honor then that thei were redemed with the blood of Iesus Christ that in him only in his grace thei shulde put their affiaunce and trust of saluacion Moreuer they did iudge all other inuencions and ordinances of men to worship god so vnworthy filthines that thei coulde easly condemne al idolatries superstitions to coÌ„clude in few words this was their deuinitie ther is one only god the maker of the whole world which hath declared vnto vs his wil by Moses the prophets then by Iesus Christ hys apostles We haue one redemer wyth whose blood we wer bought by whose grace we hope to be saued Al the idoles of the worlde are to be detested accursed Thei came stoutly and boldly to the fier or other kinde of death and punishment instructed with no other doctrine and more hidden knowledge And the numbre of theÌ„ was not smal as of two or thre but so great that the multitude of theeÌ„ which were cruelly vexed tormented of the tyrants semed innumerable and infinite But we are so taught instructed that we passe all our auncetours in knowledge vnderstanding of holy scripture We thinke in our selues and it is true as touching the vnderstaÌ„ding of the scripture god hath endued vs with so much knowledge as he hath geueÌ„ to any age at any time And yet there is in vs scantly the least droppe of feruent loue towards god Ther is no reasoÌ„ whi we shulde norish this nice cowardnes of minde onlesse we wold willingly wittingly prouoke the wrath vengeance of god against our selues What must we then Truly we must take to vs a stout bold coÌ„staÌ„t mind We must chefly coÌ„sider how precious honorable the coÌ„fessioÌ„ testificatioÌ„ of our faith is befor god For we do litle know howe god doth esteme this coÌ„fession when our life which is of no value is more set by deare vnto vs. Wherein our wonderfull and beastly folishnes is shewed for we can not in this sort spare our life but we must nedes confesse that we set more thereby then by gods honour and our owne saluacion A certain heathen man could vse this saying that it is a miserable thing to forsake betray the causes why we life for the conseruacion of life Yet he and his like did neuer know truly to what end meÌ„ wer set in the world and wherefore thei lyued therein Thei might wel say that vertue is to be estemed and folowed that we oght to liue an honest life without blame But all their vertues were nothing els but colours and shadowes But we haue better vnderstanding whereunto our life must be referred which is that we honour god with al praise and glory that he himself may be our glory Without him our life is miserable the which we can not continue the least moment but we shall heape vpon our selues a perpetuall malediction And yet we ar nothing ashamed for the winning of a few dayes for this feble life to refuse the eternal kingdom to seperat our selues from him by whose power we are continued in this life Yf a maÌ„ shuld examine the most vnlerned yea those whose wit is so dased and whose life is so voluptuous that they be most like to brute beasts what maner of life is appointed them they durst not say plainly openly that it should consist only in eating drinking and sleping For thei knowe that they are created to a better worthier and more higher thyng which is nothing els but to serue and honour god with al kinde of honour to suffer our selues as good children to be ordered and ruled by our most benigne father that after the end of thys frail and vnsure life we may be receiued into his eternall heretage In the appointyng winning of this end consisteth the chefest and greatest point of our felicitie yea all the whole weight of euerlasting life But when we cary our mindes and thoughts another wai do snatche fast hold of this preseÌ„t life worse theÌ„ a thousand deathes what excuse caÌ„ we haue For to lyue and be ignorauÌ„t of that causes wherfore we lyue is vnnatural But to forsake the causes wherfore we liue here for the desier and loue to proloÌ„g our life as it wer for thre daies in this deceatful world and to be separated from god the author of lyfe is suche a bewitching and furiouse

the cause why S. Peter after he had moued vs to lyue a godly holy lyfe in the fear of god farr from that lyfe wherfore other men as theues whormongers adulterours and menkillers suffer by and by addeth this yf we muste suffer as christen men there in we geue glory to god for that great and singuler benefite which he hath bestowed on vs. Nor it is not for nothing that the holy man speaketh thus what are we I pray you that we shuld be witnesses of gods truth as it were proctours apointed to defeÌ„d his cause Behold we be miserable men as it were wormes of the earth creaturs full of vanities lies yet god will haue his truth defended by vs which is truly so great honor that it semeth not to pertaiÌ„e to the angells iÌ„ heueÌ„ This one reasoÌ„ wel considered oght it not to enflame stire vp our mindes to offer oure selues wholy to god to shew our wholl endeuoire in so holy and excelleÌ„t a matter to please him And yet many caÌ„ not forbear but that thei wil speak against god or at the least thei wil complaine that he hath no greater regard to ease their imbecillitie it is a merueilous mater sai thei that seiÌ„g god hath borne vs thus much fauour that he hath choseÌ„ vs to be his childreÌ„ yet he wil suffer vs to be so cruelly vexed oppressed of wicked men I do yet answer these men that although we know no reason why god doth so deal with vs yet his authoritie shuld be such with vs that we shuld applye and coÌ„forme our selues to his wil but now wheÌ„ we se Iesus christ to be set for an example to vs least we should seke any other oght we not to thiÌ„k our selues greatly happye that we be so drawen after his image and liknes Morouer God doeth set forth and shewe playne and manifest causes wherefore he will haue vs to suffer persecution emonge which yf there were non other but the reason and aduertismeÌ„t which S. Peter geueth we must nedes be very peuish sturdy onles we be satisfied therw t This is his reasoÌ„ that seing gold siluer which are corruptible matals are purged and tried in the fier it is reason that our faith also which in value excelleth all riches be tried and approued wyth such perils of lyfe and greues He could by and by after our calling without any conflict sufferyng of these calamities haue crowned vs. But as he wolde haue Christ to raigne in the middest of his enemies euen so he wolde haue vs also dwelling amonge the selfe same to bear suffer their violence oppression vntil we be deliuered from these afflictions calamities by him And I am not ignorant that the flesh wil then greatly spurne and refuse to be ruled when it must be brought into this state but yet the will of god must rule al our thoghts and lustes Yf we fele in our selues som contradiction resistance it is not greatly to be merueyled at For that is planted engrauen in our nature to flye the crosse Yet let vs abide still in that tendernes of the fleshe but let vs go on forwarde knowing that our obedience is thankful acceptable to god so that we cast down our senses appetites dâ—â— so subdue them that thei be vnder his power Nether did the prophetes and apostles come to death with minde that they did not perceaue their will to be against it enclining another way They shal lead the whether thou would not sayde our lord Iesus to Peter So when such fear of death doth pricke our mindes let vs labour by all meanes that we maye haue the ouerhande or rather that god mai ouercome in the meane while let vs thus persuade our selues that it is to him a most pleasaunt sacrifice when we resist our appetites do so withstande theÌ„ that by this meanes being subdued vnder his power we may order leade our life after his wil pleasure This is the chefest greatest battel wherevnto god wil haue al his with al their power to applie to th ende thei mai labour to cast downe depresse all that which doth so much exalt it self in their sences witts appetites that it doth cary wtdraw them froÌ„ the way which god doth shew to theÌ„ In the mean seasoÌ„ the consolatioÌ„s are so great weighty that it can not be expressed how much deinty cowardnes is in vs when we waxe faint hearted and geue ouer for these perils and troubles In olde time the numbre was almost in finite of them which for the desier of a garland made of corruptible leaues did refuse no laboure paine and wrastlinge and also did so suffer death it selfe that thei might seme to haue their lyfe in no price And yet ther was none of them but did contend chanceably being vncertaine whether he should winne or lose the game God doth set before vs an immortall crown wherin we may optaine his own glorye And he hath not apointed vs an vncertaine and chanceable coÌ„flict but doth promise such a reward to the which we ought to confer all the couÌ„seills studies and desiers of our lyfe What is the cause that we ar so faynt herted in the largenes and worthines of this honour which is certaine eternal Do we think that this was spoken in vaine that we shal lyue with Christ yf we be dead with hym The triumph is prepared for vs but we so much as we may do flye from the conflycte and battell But thys doctrine is suche that it semeth plainlye to disagre with mans Iudgement Thys is true Nether also Christ wheÌ„ he pronounceth them blessed which suffer persecution for righteousnes sake doeth propound such a sentence as the opinion of the worlde wold allow or receyue Yea he wil haue vs to thinke that the chefest felicitie which we iudge the greatest miserie We thinke our selues most miserable when god doth suffer vs to be afflicted and oppressed with the tyrany and crueltie of our enemies But we do wonderfully erre in this that we set not before our eies gods promises which do plainly confirme vnto vs that al things shal come to our perfect ioy and saluacion We cast down our stomackes and dispaire when we see wicked and noughty men to haue the ouer haÌ„d on vs to do that crueltie to vs that thei seme to treade down our necke with their feet But thys same most cruel vexation of the wicked so great trouble confusioÌ„ of things as S. Paul warneth oght rather to confirme our mindes raise vp lift theÌ„ into heauen For because of our own nature we ar bent to the study loue of things preseÌ„t ar so iÌ„flamed that with our whole knowledge minde cogitatioÌ„ we ar occupied in to much louiÌ„g vsing this vanitie god when he suffreth vs to be thus eueâ— vexed and handled the wicked to grow and florish in al

cause they continued constaunt In paciencye I do entreat this first part of my exhortacion briefly that I maye come the soner to the second which doth more pertaine to the purspose And that is that we applie certaine examples of the martyres which were before vs to our consolacion comfort And in this kinde or numbre there be not two or three but a great thicke cloude as the apostle writeth to the Hebrues .xii. Whereby he signifieth that ther is so great a multitude of them which haue suffered for the testimonie of the truth that so wel the abundance of excellent examples as the most graue authority ought to prouoke vs to contentacion pacience and moderation of minde And least my oration shold waxe to long in heaping vp together an infinite multude of examples I wil only speake of the Iewes which suffered most greuous persecution for the true religion both vnder the tiranny of king Antiochus also shortly after his death We can not say that the numbre of the afflicted men was smal when a great mighty armye as it were of martyrs was prepared to maintain defend the religion Nether can we alledge that they were certaine excellent prophets whoÌ„ god had chosen forth and separated frome the comon sort of people for there were women boyes and infantes also in that number of martyrs Nether will we say that thei passed thorow that persecution only with some light losse wtout great peril of lyfe without great paines and torments of bodies seing ther was no kinde of cruelty vpproued in afflicting vexing tormeÌ„ting them Let vs here also what the apostle doth saye of them and doth set forth for vs to folow Some faith he were hanged vp like belles and stretched dispising to be deliuered that they might optaine a better resurrection other were proued with opprobrious wordes and strippes or with bondes prisonment other were stoned or cutt insonder or killed with the swerd other some went wandering hether and thether thorowe hilles and caues of the earth Let vs now come to make comparison betwixt them and vs. Yf they suffred so many and great tormentes for the truth which was as then but obscure what oght we to doe in this great light which hath shined vnto vs in this time God speaketh vnto vs nowe as with full mouth The greatest gate of the kingdom of heauen is made open vnto vs. Iesus Christ comen from heauen vnto vs doth so call vs to him that we haue him present as it were before our eies In to how great ingratitude shameful wickednes shal we runne into if we haue lesse stomake loue to beare and suffer for the gospell then thei had which dyd beholde the promises of god but as it were a farre of who had but a very lytle dore opened to inter into the kingdom of god who had receaued only a remembrance and obscure testimonie in figures of Iesus Christ These great matters can not be declared and expressed with any wordes as thei be worthy Wherefore I leaue them to be weied in euery mans thoughts and meditacioÌ„s This doctrine as it hath a common and vniuersall reason so it must be referred to the exercise order of euery maÌ„s life But euery man must apply it to his propre vse profit apt for his owne consolation And I speake this for this cause least that they which see them selues to be in no manifest peryll should suppose this doctrine to be vaine and not to pertaine to them Nowe they are no in the hands of tirantes but what know they how god wil deale with them herafter Therfore we must be of that minde and iudgemeÌ„t that if any persecutioÌ„ which we loked not for happen vnto vs that we fall not therein to vnwares and vnprouided but that we come to it prepared long before hand But I feare there be many deaph eares to whom this my oration is made without fruit For theiÌ„ that liue in quiet hauing all thinges at wil are so far from preparing them selues to take and suffer death when nede shal be that thei haue no care nor thoght of seruing god at all But this ought to be al our study continually especially in these great troblesom times wherin we liue in great peryll In the meane time thei whome god calleth to suffer for the testimonye of hys name must thinke in very dede that thei were prepared long be fore and broughte to this sufferance of euils by the mocion certain iudgement of the spirit that they might bear them selues therin boldly and constantly Then also they must diligently call to the remembrance al the exhortations which they haue herd before and be so stirred with the aduertisment of them as the valiaunt souldiare to take his armour when he hereth the trumpet blowe But what seke we Truly in these perils we do nothing ells but seke shiftes waies how to escape I meane this by the most part of men For this same persecution is as it were a touche stone wherwith god doth trye and proue who be his but ther are fewe found of that faith cowrage and godlines towardes god that they will offer them selues frankely and freely vnto death for his names sake This is a thing almost incredible that they which do glory that they haue some knowlege in the gospell are so impudent and vnshamfast they wil vse such cauillatioÌ„s Some wil say what shal it auail to coÌ„fess our faith before those stubborne stifnecked men whiche are purposed to warre agaiÌ„st god himselfe Is not this to cast pearles before swine As who wolde say Iesus Christ doth not most plainly declare that he doth requier of vs the coÌ„fessioÌ„ of his name yea amoÌ„g most perverse wicked men But if this our testimony do nothiÌ„g profit to their edifiing yet shall it profit to their coÌ„fusioÌ„ Alwaies the coÌ„fession of our faith doth sauour swetly before god although it briÌ„ge death and destruction to wicked men There be other also which will say this what shall our death profite when it shall seme to geue more offence then vtilitie As though god hath left to them selues fre choyse to dye wheÌ„ they will or when they shall think it the most apte time of death But we contrarie wise do obei him but as for the fruit that must come by our death we leaue to the hand prouidence of god Wherfore the christian man must most chifly in what place so euer he be diligently se that he lyue in that simplicitie and integritie that god requireth and that he be not brought from that mind maner of godly and holy life at any time with any daungers or threatninges Let him eschue so muche as is possible the ragiÌ„g madnes of the wolues so that the same warenes be not ioyned with the prudence and craftines of the flesh Fyrst of al let him do this that he geue ouer and resigne his lyfe into the hands of god the most

faithfull keper When he hath ordeined and kept diligentlye this maner and fashion of lyfe yf afterward he fal in to the handes of enemies let him thinke and persuade himselfe that he is brought into that place of god for this cause that he mai haue him a witnes of hys sonne Therefore seing he is called and brought to that confession by the certain decree of god there is no way to go backe onles he wil be vnfaithfull vnto him to whome we haue promised all our endeuours both to liue and dye yea whos 's we are although we had promised nothing at all I meane not hereby to driue euery man of necessitie at all time to geue a full and perfect confession of their faith no not some times when thei be asked For I knowe-what measure and moderatioÌ„ S. Paule vsed who was as ready with heart and minde to defende the gospell as any other Neither was this spoken by the Lorde Iesus and promised without a cause that god woulde geue vs in that tyme and matter a mouth and prudence As though he would haue sayde the office of the holy ghost is not onely to confirme vs that we may be willing bolde and stronge but also it consisteth in geuing vs iudgement prudence and counsail how we may as it becometh vs gouerne and rule our selues in so great and so harde a matter Truly this whole treatise is to this end that they that be in such distresses shoulde desier and receyue from heauen that moderacion and prudence not folowynge the counsel of the fleshe to seke some shiftes to escape But ther be that do obiect in this place that the lorde Iesus yea wheÌ„ he was asked woulde make to them no answere But I saye that this sufficeth not to take awaye that rule which he hath geuen to vs to witnes our fayth then when the confession thereof is necessarily required Furthermore that he did neuer dissemble or kepe silence for this purpose to saue hys lyfe Last of all that he dyd neuer make so doubtfull an answere but it conteined an apt testimonie of that which he had spoken before or els did first satisfie theÌ„ that lay in waite to marke both his words dedes Wherfore let al christiaÌ„s be wel persuaded sure of this thing that no man oght more to esteme his life then the testimonie of the truth wherin god wil haue the praise glory of his name to appear Is it without a cause that he calleth his witnesses for this doeth the worde martyr signifie who are broughte to make answere before the enemies of faith and religion Or is not this rather the cause for that he wold vse al their speakyng and whole course of life to the confession of his name Wherein euery maÌ„ must not so loke to his neighbour felow that he will seme to do nothyng at al without his example and testimonie And this curiositie is so much the more to be eschued because we are prone to this vice of our own nature Peter wheÌ„ he had heard of Christ that he should be led in his old age whether he would not he enquired what shuld become of Iohn his felow coÌ„panion There is none of vs which to auoide perill and daunger woudl not gladly make answere in that wise because when we shoulde suffer any thing by and by this cometh into our minde what is the cause wherefore I shoulde suffer more then others But Iesus Christ doth couÌ„sel monish other wise vs al in comon and euerie man priuatly to be prepared and readie that as he calleth one or other so euerie maÌ„ comforth in his ordre And I haue shewed this before that we shal be vnarmed and vnprepared to take and suffer martyrdoÌ„ onlesse we be feÌ„sed and armed with the promises of god Now remaineth to declare plentifully such promises not that we wil sett forth euerie one exactli but to shewe the chefe and most excellent thing wich god wold haue vs to hope for to comforte vs in our calamities And there be thre such thinges the first that seing al the times both of our lyfe and death do consist in his haÌ„d he wil so defend vs by his power that not one heare of our head shal fall but after hys wyll Wherfore al faitfull men oght thus to be perswaded in whose handes so euer they be tossed that god in no wise will lay a side that gouernaunce custodie which he hath taken vpon him for them with so great care Yf this perswasion of gods fatherly care and prouideÌ„ce did rest and cleaue depe in our hartes we shuld be deliuered out of hand of the greatest part of these doubtes difficulties which do now trouble hinder our duty We behold now the bitterness of the tyraunts vnbridled crueltie brawling pinishly in al sharpnes of punismeÌ„ts And here by we iudge that god hath no more care nor regard to defend and kepe vs in sauetie And therfore we be so stirred prouoked by our own reasons to looke and prouide for our selues as though the whole hope of gods helpe and succour were clean taken awaie But on the other part the so great prouidence of god as he hath shewed vnto vs oght to be vnto vs like a stronge fenced castle which can be ouercome with no power Let vs therefore learn and hold fast thys short sentence that our bodies are in his hand power who also did creat them And this is the cause wherfore god hath deliuered hys after a merueilouse sorte and contrarie the opinyon and hope of all men as Sydrach Misach and Abdenago forth of the burning ouen Daniel out of the lions denne peter out of Herods prison where in he was short watched most diligeÌ„tly fast bouÌ„d in chaines By these examples he wold declare vnto vs that he could staye our enemies as it were with a certaine bridle and that he had that power that when he wold he could preserue and as it were pluk vs out of the mouth of death it self Not that he doeth alwaies thus deliuer his from such perils but of right hauing the autoritie to apoint our life death he will haue vs persuaded that we are so continued and kept vnder his custodye and tuition that what so euer the tyraunts do inueÌ„t or with what furie so euer thei set vpon vs yet it is only in his hand to apoint lyfe or death and therefore thys mater oght onely to be refferred to hys wil. But yf he suffer the teraunts to kyl vs yet our life is vnto him deare much more sett by of hym then it is worthie The which he did plainly declare to be so when he pronouÌ„ced by the mouth Dauid that the death of his saints was honourable and preciouse in his sight And also wheÌ„ he say by esay that the earth it self shuld shew forth the bloud that was shedde which semeth al to gether hidden Now then let the enemies of that gospel be

man can let him that is to say that he mourne day night with dauid Thine altars o lorde There is none other thing that I desyre but thine altars o my God and my kinge And the fere of this most holy loue and desire oght so enflame al good hearts that thei shold not thinke it painfull to suffer ani thiÌ„g that can come no not to consume themselues wholy by this so great zele and desyre neither that there sholde be any tyme so long differred which shold quenche or diminishe this feruent desyre but rathere continally require this thing most carefully that they maye once be broght vnto Christes folde Moreouer euery man oght to considre thys by hymselfe howe he maye moste speadily get himselfe to the standerd so soone as our lord shal graunt any liberty to come therunto Finalli to make an end of this exhortatioÌ„ now it remaiÌ„eth that we do diligeÌ„tly note that which dauid adioygneth that is That he will behold the beawty of the lord consider his temple For it is not enoghe that we shulde be exercised in the outward order discipline of the church except we haue our eies bent and speciall regarde to this end that we maye know god himselfe euer more and more There be two thinges which are heare required the one that we do occupy the time of the preachings publike praiers with all care diligence the other that we do vnderstand the cause of our assemblies comming together in the churches For many do come thither drawen with a certane folishe deuotion thinking that thei haue done their hole deuty yf they come forthe into that place shew theÌ„selues once in the temple let vs take heade therfore diligently deare brethren that we do not fal into any fault of negligence of ignoraunce or of folishnes For it is greatly to be feared lest the most part of theÌ„ that ar herew t vs mai be coÌ„demned in the one of these two vices that either thei are negligeÌ„t to come to these assembles in the church or els they do not whaigh with themselues nor well vnderstaÌ„d wherfore thei do come thither How many are they the come to the sermones which wold be most glad neuer to heare of any sermons But I will not speake of theÌ„ which in the hole course of their life do shew theÌ„selues manifest contemners of God I do speake of the contempte which is many who wolde neuer remeÌ„bre to come to the sermon but that the sonday doth monishe them moue them to com thither and that for maner sake only as thoghe they wolde then make vp the nomber of mani runiÌ„g together to god The bell may well ring daily call theÌ„ together But it is sufficient for suche if then at last they come forth in the ende of the weke vnto the church company of the coÌ„gregation Thei are called four times euery soÌ„day but thei come very notably if thei once may be seene to haue beene there For there be many of them also whych take to them thys lyberty that they wyll scarse come euery .xv. Daye And surelye the moste parte prooueth thys prouerbe to be trewe that beyng nygh to the Churche they are verye farre from god And some of them be of that sort which haue lefte their contrey that they might serue god who yet in this part of gods seruice do shew theÌ„selues ouer negligent What oght we thaÌ„ to do Seing god doeth so shew himselfe vnto vs let vs beholde his beauty not passe by the meanes whereby we may most clearely haue the fruition coÌ„templation of this his beautie That is to say to that we may be moued as it were rauished with the loue of him as S. Paul saith that we be transformed changed into his simitude likenes And to come to this point we must consider more diligently earnestly then we haue accustomed what god doth propouÌ„d vnto vs in his church For what is the cause I pray you why we do take so smale profit of the sermons sacrameÌ„ts but that we giue no diligence to the things that are their spoken done We haue our eares beaten with continual doctrine wheras our minds are voide barren of good mocions not touched with any good affection Moreouer also there be some that here neuer the whole sermon but here there a word or half a word rather with out regard Wherfore Dauid saieth not without great cause that he woulde go to the temple of the lord to visit and regard it with great care diligence and the whole study of his minde And doubtles the excellent treasures of the great wisedome of god which are therein set forth vnto vs are most worthy to haue the eies of our minds wholy bent set thervpoÌ„ But as I haue now touched god would not haue vs to beholde these treasures only to please our eies so to depart wtout any profit Let vs therefore vnderstand that the doctrine of christ hath then shewed in vs her force fruit when our mindes life maners are so chaunged that we can worship god purely serue him wtout corruption And this is it that Dauid saith psalm lxxxiiii That thei which dwell in the house of the lord shall prayse him for euer Wherfore theÌ„ do we assemble our selues iÌ„to one place whi is that gospel preached vnto vs why do we vse baptisme the lords supper but that god shuld be praised magnified by vs with all kind of praises the which praise standeth not only in the lips but continueth al the life long and florisheth for euer Therefore saith he in another place I wil wash my hands O lord in innocencie then wyll I enter vnto thyne altare Now do we see what is the true lawfull vse of all the order in the church to wit that we beyng diligently instructed therein may worshyp God purely and as becometh hys seruaunts In the olde time vnder the law thei that came to the temple to worship god especially the preistes wheÌ„ thei shuld execute their office they continually washed them selues This ceremony in dede is passed awaye but the truth that yet remaineth oght of vs alwayes to be mainteyned and practised And because we nowe do knowe all the wais meanes wherby we may atteyn to the most perfit pure worship of god wherefore we must enter and holde the way of life more warely theÌ„ others For the more furtherance that we haue graunted vs by god so much lesse of excuse shal be left onles we do appli the same both vnto our vse profite also to the true worship of god For if we do stumble by the waye it is not because we doe not see a plain troden way before our fete And if we do stray forth of the way wander without assuraunce we can not blame god therfore as though he did not continually set vp the clear light of

pretence of obedience vnto worldly prince do peruerte al the order of nature For that lawfull prayer which God allowethe that we shulde make for our princes is agreable and veray conuenient both to their authoritie which he giueth them and also to the office wherwith he hath bound charged vs towardes them Thus S. paul dothe exhort vnto prayers to be had and made for kings magistrates that we may lead a godly quiet peaceable life with honesty the fear of god But this amplificatioÌ„ setting forth of the obedieÌ„ce vnto erthly princes is to far aboue measure whan it is ioyned with the departing froÌ„ god the diminishing of the honor worship which is dew to the heauenly king The miserable Iewes in dede wer coÌ„pelled to remain so long in the bondage of Babilon whiles the time was fulfilled which was appointed of god to suffre the miserable captiuiti but let these meÌ„ that talke so much of maÌ„s law and obedience with whoÌ„ I haue to do declare that we christians are bownd so far by like obedience that of our own accorde we must depriue our selfes of those spiritual benefites which god geueth most liberally to his children They do feele a great necessite wherew t they are soore pressed thei are greatly enticed by their owne infirmitie but god sheweth theÌ„ the remedy for these so great euils What is the cause that thei despice these so great helpes benifites for the obedience seruice of theÌ„ that take their bread forthe of their hands The cause is greater of a man towarde his wife or of the wife towarde the husbande For seing that god hath ioyned theÌ„ together into one flesh the one caÌ„ not do well in any case to forsake the other vnder a certain colour to seke god Not only that thei may not depart far a sunder to let the dutye betwixt man wife but that eueri one oght rather by al meanes and with all diligence to labor that he may draw and bring the felow companion of that holy lyfe to the worship of god This then is the dutye that the one oweth to the other that the husbaÌ„d mai declare vnto the wife how miserable vnhappy thei are because thei want the holy company felowship of the faithfull because thei are destitute of the sacrameÌ„tes and sermons which are most sure signes pledges testimonies be fully assured wherby we may know that god dwelleth amoÌ„gs vs again he muste exhort her that she do not dispaire nor distrust but trust in gods mercies And if he can not persuade her nor win her so sone as he wolde let him neuer be wery whiles he haue gotteÌ„ his purpose And althogh his wife do resist his purpose most earnestly neuertheles let not the man cease importunately to attempte the mater with her and to proue her minde by al means vntyll she do shew her lelfe wylfull and abstinate in her wicked purpose When he hath assaied and attempted all that may be doone by hym yf he can tary there no longar then is he free and vtterly deliuered from all the lawe of mariage and necessitie of tariyng because he hath done all his duety and nothing wanted of his part but that his wife might haue folowed him as her duety required Althogh yet this departing of the man froÌ„ the wife is no diuorse but the housband goeth before whither God calleth that he may shew the wai to his wife And as touching the maryed woman she is yet bouÌ„de with a more strait bonde of mariage because she is the inferior and must worthely acknowledge her housband as her heade and reuerence hym Therefore muste shee by all meanes possyble brynge her housbande in to the mynde and meanes that he wyll restore and set them bothe at liberty And when shee hathe doone all that euer shee canne yet is shee not at lyberty and set fre that she may forsake him to whome she is bounde and subiect onles some persecution be raised wherein the danger is manifest and specially yf her owne husbande be most ready to pursue her vnto death for then she departeth not from her husbande but she auoideth that euill that is prepared for her and the furious rage of her enemies which god permitteth and alloweth Finally that great danger and violence which is intended towards her doth discharge her and deliuer her from the bonde of suche a bitter and dangerous lyfe notwithstanding when al thinges are well wayghed consydered no worldly cause ought either to withdrawe man or wyfe the one from the other but onely that mutuall beneuolence loue and charitie which the one oweth of dewtye to procure the saluation of the other For if it be necessary that a man shoulde so forget himself that he should haue no regarde of the thinges that pertayne to this earthly life and to the body he oght also likewise to forget and contemne those thinges which are about him Therfore let vs retourne to that acount which Dauid maketh that the face of the Lorde shoulde be soughte as also he sayeth in the .lxxxiiii. Psalme where he sayeth it is better to lyue one day in the courtes of the Lorde then a thousande beyng therefrom whereby he declareth that the lyfe of the faythfull can not be to shorte so that God graunt them this grace that whiles thei liue in this world they may exercise them selues in hys seruice and honour and establishe themselues wyth his promises celebratyng hys name with all godly confession praise If a man obiect that this mai be done in some deserte place or amongest the enemyes of the fayth I answere that it is not wythoute cause that Dauid doeth speake namely of the courts of the temple For he doeth consider howe necessary the order of the church is vnto mortall men specially because he knoweth their rude and weake nature but if this oration and admonicion were so altogether fired in all mens heartes that all men woulde come at the least to some christian church where they myght dye quietly and peaceably there woulde be none which would not easely and quicklye gather vp their burden and prepare them selues But what do we seke Euery man wyl lyue and that with all ease and pleasure euery man in that kynde of pleasure and luste wherewith he is led and drawen This is cause wherfore the church of god so much is contemned and reiected to day Yea and there ar many wittie and subtell to inuent and set before their eyes such lettes and hynderances as may bring them from that study of godlines that was in Dauid Moreouer thei bring this in what shall we profit say they if we do chaunge places Whether soeuer we go we shal find the worlde no lesse then in our countrie There is at this time a wonderfull corruption of maners and of al things All things ar full of offences teÌ„tations and such corruptions whereby mens minds may easely fal from the

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