what murthers they doo But if we will haue this staye and moderation of minde that we can patiently abide God wyll at the last declare that it was not without a cause that he so greatly esteemed our life and had it in so great honour In the meane while let vs not take it to gréefe if it be nowe bestowed to confirme and garnishe the Gospell which excelleth heauen and earth in woorthinesse And that we may be more surely perswaded that God will neuer leaue vs as abiectâ—s in the handes of the enimies let vs not forgette the same saying of Iesus Christe wherein he sayth That it is he himselfe whome men doo persecute in his members God sayde before by Zacharie Who so toucheth you toucheth the sight of mine eye This is much more expressed if we suffer for the Gospel sake it is euen as the sonne of GOD himselfe were and suffered in that affliction Therefore let vs thinke so that Iesus Christe must forget himselfe if he should haue no care and thought of vs at that tyme when we be in prison and daunger of lyfe for his cause and glorie and let vs also knowe that God wyll take all the contumelies and iniuries as doon against his owne sonne Let vs come to the second place of consolation which is one of the greatest among Gods promises that is that God wyll so holde vs vp with the vertue of his spirite in these afflictions that our enimies whatsoeuer they doo nor Sathan theyr chéefe captaine shall in any thing goe away with the vpper hand And trulie we doo sée howe in that necessitie he dooth shew the succour and helpes of his grace For the inuincible stoutnesse and constancie of minde which is séene in the true Martyrs is a notable token of that same most mightie power which God vseth in his Saints There be two thinges in persecutions gréeuous tedious and intollerable to the fleshe whereof the one consisteth in the checkes and rebukes of men the other in the payne and torment of the body In both these kindes of temptations GOD dooth promise so his assistaunce that we shall easily ouercome all the infamy and violence of the gréefes and paynes And truelie what he promyseth he dooth perfourme in déede with most manifest and assured helpe Let vs then take this buckler to defend vs against all feare and let vs not measure the power of Gods spirits so slenderly that we should not thinke and beléeue that he wyll easily ouercome all the iniuries bitternesse and contumelies of men And of this diuine and inuinsible operation among all other we haue a notable example in this our age A certayne young man who liued godlilie héere with vs in this Cittie when he was taken at Dornicke was condemned with this sentence that if he would deny the confession of his Faith he should be but beheaded but if he perseuered in his purposed opinion he should be burned When he was asked whether he would doo he aunswered plainly he who wyll giue me this grace to dye patientlie for his name wyll also worke by the selfe-same grace that I maye abide broyling and burning We ought to take this sentence not as pronounced of a mortall man but of the holy Ghost that we should thinke that GOD can so well confirme and make vs ouercome all paines and tormentes as to mooue vs to take any other kinde of méeker death in good parte Yea we sée also oftentymes what constancie he giueth to euyll and wicked men who suffer for theyr euill déedes and wickednesse I doo not speake of such as be obstinate and hardned in theyr wickednesse which haue no repentaunce but of them which doo perceyue consolation by the grace of Iesus Christe and so doo take and suffer quietlie and with good will most gréeuous and sharpe paine and as we sée a notable example in that theefe who turned at the death of our Lord Iesus Christ Will God who assisteth with so great power wicked men that suffer condignly for theyr euill actes forsake them who defend his cause and will he not rather giue them inuinsible power The thyrd place of promises which God promiseth to his Martyrs is the fruite which they ought to looke for of theyr suffering and of death it selfe if néede so require But this fruite is that after they haue set foorth and honoured Gods name and edified his Church with their testimony they may be gathered together in immortall glorie with the Lord Iesus But because we haue spoken largely enough before of this reward of eternall glorie it is now sufficient to renue the memorie of those thinges that are already spoken Wherefore let the faithfull learne to reare vp theyr heads to the crowne of immortall glorie wherevnto God dooth call them let them not take the losse of this lyfe gréeuouslie considering the greatnes and woorthines of the reward And that they maye be sure and perfectly perswaded of this so great a good thing as cannot be expressed with any spéeche nor in thought to be comprehended nor with any honour enough to be estéemed let them haue continually before theyr eyes this lyke and conformable reason with our Lord Iesus Christe that in death it selfe they beholde lyfe as he by ignominie of the Crosse and infamie came to glorious resurrection wherein all our felicitie triumphe and ioye consysteth Amen FINIS Gods word displaced Idolatrie brought in 2. Tim. 4.2 No man can speake against the truth without great blasphemy to God 〈◊〉 the naâ— of the â—sts to â—er and â—e euill â—e godâ— A compariâ—on between the Phariâ—eis and the popish preâ—ates The Papists haue found out that which the Phariseis neuer heard of The Papists slaundering of the godâ—ie Christe his example a comfort to the godly Matth. 10.24.25.26 A question demauÌ„ded The Aunswer Luke 18.13 Galat. 5.17 â—th 11.19 â—th 9 11. â—th 9.14 â—th 12.2 â—e slandeâ—s speeâ—s of the â—ariseis aâ—nst christ 〈◊〉 the iuâ—ying of â—mselues The intent of the popish hypocrites by their rayling Iohn 9.24 1. Tim. 5.19 Such as theyr Religion is such is their life Iebr. 13.4 The Papists â—biection Aunswer 1 2. Cor. 12.7.8.9 An example of the oath of vnmaried â—riests that 〈◊〉 virgins 〈◊〉 notable â—biection â—hich all â—he Papistes â—re not able â—o deny S. Augusâ— The Papiâ— proued hâ—pocrites s Augustiâ— wordes God knoweth the secretes oâ— all hearts â— Paules â—ctrine to 〈◊〉 Galaâ—ans and â—hessaloâ—ans poyâ—ed by â—se teaâ—ers â—ala 1.10 Thes 2.4 The Papists would rayle against Christe him selfe if they durst but because thei dare not they reuile his word A question demaunded of the Papistes Theyr aunswer Math. 9 17 Why the Papists call the Gospell the new learning The church of Antichrist the continuall enimy to the Gospell Aug. lib. de bap paruul The Papists say they be Peters successours so in some respectes they be The cause why the godly fled in tyme of trouble The Papists cast in prison and banishe the cheefe learned men then cal for disputation when no body is to answere them nor any that they wil suffer to come The practises of the Papistes to vpholde their Religion Acts 16.16 Acts. 19.24 A note of the Aurhor to the noble men Math. 22.17 Mat. 16.26 Math. 19.29 Math. 6.26 1 Tim. 6.7 â— Heb. 13.14 Philip 3.8 Mat. 16.6 Psal 16 4. â— Psal 16.6 Gods honour abused througâ— Idolles â—sal 16.5 Dani. 3. 1. Cor. 6.19.20 â— Cor. 7.22 â— 1. Cor. 6.19 Gala. 5.30 Gene. 39. False religion a corrupting of true religion God dooth forbid false religion Iere. 10.11 Masses 〈◊〉 vnlyke to harlottes The maner how the papists do defend them selues Iere. 3.12 Singing in an vnknowen toÌ„gue is an open â—â—ophaning 〈◊〉 Gods â—ord â— Cor. 14. Psal 16.5 Gene. 28.6 7 8 9. â—ds hoâ—ur is to 〈◊〉 preferd â—ore all â—nges â—e 29. All men are careles in a maner and do not delight to reade the Gospell In reading of holy scripture wâ— must thinkâ— vs in a scolâ— of Angels The way â—ow to preâ—are our â—lues vnto â—atience 〈◊〉 we had aâ— regard God we â—uld not â—ne his â—ly gospel â—o lyes â—e conâ—ncie of â—artyrs in â—de time Idolles arâ— to be detested of all men Vertue is be embraced of all God is to be honor with all uerence Heb. 13 13 We are all â—lled to â—ffer perâ—cution â—ll daunâ—ers to be â—ffered for â—e gospell â—ke Rom. 9. â—ffering â—rsecution â—r the gosâ—lles sake 〈◊〉 the iudgâ—ent of the â—orld is the â—eatest inâ—my wee 〈◊〉 suffer Acts. 5.41 1 Pet. 4 15 1â— â—esus Christ 〈◊〉 an examâ—e to vs. God doo shewe vs many causes why wâ— should sufer persecution â—od dooth â—repare for â—is elect a â—owne of â—mortall â—lory Math. 5.10 Math. 10 32 Luke 2. The worst they can dâ— vs is to takâ— away our liues Luke â— 2 â—h 10 32 Gods â—d dooth 〈◊〉 terrifie 〈◊〉 mindes â—hing I terrifie â—n â—br 11. â—at faith Two parteâ— to be considered Psa 129.2 â—al 44.22 â—sal 2.3 â—sa 125.3.5 2. Cor. 4 〈◊〉 1.12 â—euous â—secutions â—ered by 〈◊〉 Iewes Hebr. 11.36 37 3â— â—ompaâ—n beâ—en them 〈◊〉 vs. â—at matâ— cannot 〈◊〉 declared 〈◊〉 they â—ght â—ersecution is a â—ouchstone Euerie maâ— must liue in that simplicity and integritie that God requireth We ought 〈◊〉 commit â—ur lyfe inâ— Gods â—and What this word Martyr signifieth Dani. 3.26 Dani. 6.20 â—l 116.15 â—y 26.21 â—owe the â—apists doo â—lory when â—hey burne â—he faithful Acts. 9.4 Zacha. 2 8. â—wo things â—eeuous in â—rsecution â—od dooth â—omise his â—lpe in â—th kinds The great constancie of the yoâ— man Question Aunswer â—ke 23. â—hat fruit 〈◊〉 Martirs â—ght to â—oke for
godly and Christian lyfe nor maye séeme any thing to hinder vs. We also which liue héere in rest and quiet enioying the vse of the greatest and singular benefites of God let vs not forget that I touched in the beginning that we apply these thinges to our learning that whatsoeuer héereafter befall vs or into whatsoeuer Countrey wee shall be ledde yet wee may alwayes constauntlie abide in the pure confession of our faith detesting all Idolatrous religion superstitions and abuses which are against Gods trueth doo obscure his honour and vtterlie subuert his Religion Amen ⧠A Godly and learned Sermon made by M. Iohn Caluin conteyning an exhortation to suffer persecution that we may therein follow Iesus Christ and his Gospel taken out in this saying in the 13. Chapter to the Hebrewes ver 13. ¶ Let vs goe foorth to him without the gates bearing his opprobrie AL the exhortations which can be made to instruct vs to suffer patiently and constauntlie for Christe Iesus name and his Gospel shall not much moue vs vnlesse we knowe and be perfectly perswaded of the right truth and woorthinesse of the cause wherefore we contend For when we be in that ieoberdy and daunger that we must loose our lyfe we ought to be most certayne of that thing wherefore we enter into so great perill But that constauncie and fyrmenesse of minde cannot be had vnlesse it be déeplie founded in a certainety and sure perswasion of faith There be many which wyll vnaduisedlie and rashlie venter to dye for certayne foolishe opinions inuented of theyr owne brayne But such forewardnesse of minde ought rather to be thought a furiousnesse then a Christian zeale and loue For assuredlie there is no firmenesse eyther of minde or witte or of common sence in these men which doo cast themselues into peryll with such hardy rashnes How so euer it be God will not acknowledge and take vs for his Martyrs and witnesses without a good cause For death is common for all men and also the condemnation of Théeues and of Gods chyldren the sufferaunce of shame and punishment séemeth to be all one but God maketh a difference betwixt them because he cannot denie and forsake his owne trueth This also is required that wee haue a sure wytnesse voide of all errour of that doctrine which we will defende Wherefore as I sayde there is no exhortation so weightie that can mooue and perswade vs to suffer for the Gospell but if a true certayntie of Faith be imprinted in our hearts For to put our lyfe in daunger without any consideration vnaduisedlie and chaunceablie is most against nature And so to doo should be thought rather rashnesse then Christian boldenesse Moreouer God alloweth nothing that we doo vnlesse wee be plainly perswaded that it is for his names sake and for his cause that the world is so against vs and dooth hate vs. But when I speake of such certaintie and perswasion of minde I doo not onelie vnderstande this that wee should knowe to discerne and iudge betwixte the true Religion and the foolishe oppinions and constitutions of menne but also that wee be thorowlie perswaded of euerlasting lyfe and the Crowne promysed vnto vs in heauen after our conflict in this world Let vs nowe marke well that these two reasons doo pertayne to our duetie and must be ioyned togeather that the one maye in no wise be seperated and disioyned from the other It is meete therefore to take our begynning of this that we vnderstand and knowe what is our Christian Religion what Faith it is that we ought to holde and followe what rule of lyfe God hath giuen vs Neither must we onely haue our mindes instructed with this godlie doctrine but also haue our mindes so armed and prepared that we maye fréely and boldly damne all errours lyes and superstitions which Sathan hath brought into the world to corrupt the pure simplicity of Gods doctrine Therefore it is no meruaile that there is so small a number of men that haue a ready minde and desyre to suffer for the Gospel and that the greatest part of them that professe themselues Christians knoweth not the power of the Christian Religion and theyr owne profession All men in a manner are negligent and haue no desyre or verie small to heare and reade who thinketh it sufficient if they haue gotten some small taste of the Christian Faith And this is the cause why there is séene in these no suretie and constancie of minde and that so soone as they come into any conflict they are so abashed as though they should by and by vterlie perishe For which consideration our desyre ought to be greater to pursue and search out most dilligentlie Gods trueth that therewith our hearts may be perswaded without any doubt Neither is this all to haue such knowledge and vnderstanding For we sée many so well trauayled in Gods doctrine that they séeme as though they were stayned and dyed therewith in whome neuerthelesse there is no desyre and loue of GOD no more truelie then if they had knowne nothing at any tyme of the godlie doctrine but by a certaine vnsure lyght and wauering opinion But what other cause is there of this so great vncertaintie and leuitie but that they did neuer perceyue in theyr minde the maiestie of the holie Scripture And truely if we would rightlie weigh that it is God that speaketh to vs therein we would heare him with more dilligence attention and reuerence If we would thinke in reading the Scripture that we are are in the schoole and discipline of Angelles we should haue another manner of desyre to exercise our selues in that doctrine which is set foorth vnto vs to comfort strengthen and instructe our mindes Now we sée what is the waye to prepare our selues to patience and sufferaunce for the Gospell that is so to goe foreward in the doctrine thereof that being thorowlie perswaded of the true Religion and that doctrine which we ought to holde and defend we maye nothing estéeme and despise all the fraudes and illusions of the deuill and all the inuentions of men as thinges not onely of no value but also execrable because they vtterlie corrupt the Christian sinceritie And héerein we differre as true Martyrs of Iesus Christ from the furious and stifnecked men which suffer for theyr owne foolish opinons Secondlie we ought to be so minded that being assured of the right and goodnesse of the cause wee should be enflamed with this due desyre to follow God whether soeuer he shall call vs to embrace his word with such reuerence as it is woorthy and being called backe from the deceytfull fashion of this worlde as men rauished with theyr whole minde and endeuour should be caried to an heauenlie lyfe But O most myserable case that when the lyght of God dooth shine vnto vs in these dayes so bright as it did neuer shine in the remembraunce of men yet so little zeale fauour and loue should be
him In him only resteth the whole riches of Gods treasure he is the only way to euerlasting life wherevnto who so will attaine must séeke it in the Scripture in the Gospell of Christ and not in the filthy damnable traditions and deuillish doctrine of the Papists Wherfore déere brethren séeing you haue tasted of y e swéete bread of life Gods most holy word take heede of the Papists sower leuen that worketh death And because I would you should not be ignorāt howe you ought to behaue your selues where so much Idolatrie is openlie commaūded and how to learne your Christes crosse a new I meane to beare Christes crosse layd on your backes to followe him strongly and not to faint I haue translated for you two Sermons of that great learned and godly man I. Caluin made for that purpose and these haue I doone trauailing hauing no place certaine where I wil remaine but I trust shortly to be where I wil sticke downe the stake till God call me home againe But for so much as the Bishop of Duresme did opēly to my face cal the doctrine which I had taught in his Dicoces as touching the popish Masse heresie I shall by Gods grace good Christian brethren declare and prooue by the Testimonie of the Scriptures and also of the auncient fathers of Christes Church that the popish Masse is the greatest heresie blasphemie and Idolatrie that euer was in the Church which shal be the next thing that you shall looke for from me by God grace In the meane season remember good brethren that our vnthankefulnes was the cause of this our plague Let vs cry therfore vnto the Lord powringe foorth before him faithfull teares and hee will deliuer vs that we may truely honour him in the gates of the daughter of Syon that is openly in the middest of the faithfull congregation Amen ¶ A Godly and learned Sermon made by Maister Ihon Caluin wherein all Christians are admonished to flie outward Idolatrie Taken out of the thirde verse of the sixteene Psalme I will not communicate with theyr bloody sacrifices neither will I take their names in my mouth THe doctrine which we shal entreat in this place is plaine inoughe and easy sauing that the greatest part of those that professe themselues to bee Christians doo séeke out and bringe I can not tell what subtilties to cloake theyr euill withall But the sum of this whole doctrine is that after we knowe the liuing God to be our father Iesus Christ our redéemer we ought to consecrate bothe bodie and soule vnto him who of his infinite goodnes hath taken vs into the number of his sonnes and to acknowledge with all kind of beneuolence honour and obedience the same benefite which our most déere Sauiour did vouchsafe to bestowe on vs after he had bought it with so great a price And because we are bounde not onely to renounce all infidelitie but also to seperate our selues from all superstitions which do as well disagree with the true seruice of God as the honour of his Sonne which can by no meanes agrée with the pure doctrine of the Gospel and true confession of the faith I sayd this doctrine of it selfe to be so easie that onelie the practise and exercise therof ought to remaine vnto vs sauing that many men doo séeke certayne deceytfull shiftes thorow which they will not be ouercome in that thing the which is most chéefely condemned by Gods own mouth This cause constraineth vs at this time to tarie longer in the declaration of this matter that euerie man may knowe his owne duetie and deceyue not himselfe thinking that he is escaped when he is couered as the common saying is vnder a wet sacke But for that there be many of this opinion whose Churches are thorowlie purged from the filthinesse and Idolatries of the Papisme that this argument or Treatise is but superfluous before we passe any further it is not vnprofitable to declare such men most fowlie to be deceiued First when it is declared how great an offence it is for vs to be polluted and defiled with the Idolaters feyning our selues to cleaue and consent to theyr impieties we are admonished to mourne for our former sinnes and to aske of God forgiuenesse of them with all humblenesse and in this thing to acknowledge the singular benefite which hee gaue vnto vs drawing vs foorth of that same filth wherin we were holden downe and drowned For we truelie are not able to set foorth this so great a benefite woorthely inough And for that we knowe not what shall happen vnto vs and to what ende GOD dooth reserue vs it is verie expedient to be prepared and armed in tyme that into what state soeuer we shall come or with whatsoeuer temptations we maye be oppugned we neuer swerue from the pure word of God Fyrst it may be that many of this our Church and Congregation shall trauaile into some Papisticall countrey who ought greatly now to bee in a readines and armed to battell Then albeit God dooth giue vs at this time liberty to serue him purely and godlily yet we know not how long this benefit shall continue Let vs therefore take this time of our quietnes and tranquilitye not as though it shal alwaies last but as it were a time of truce wherein God dooth giue vs leasure to strengthen our selues least when we shall be called to vtter the confession of our faith we be found new vnprepared because we contēned the meditation of that matter in due time Neither truely ought we to forget in the meane while our brethren which are kept vnder the tiranny of Antichrist oppressed with most miserable bondage but to take care remembraunce pittie ouer them and so pray God to strengthen them with that constancye which hee requireth in his worde We must also admonishe and solicite them by all wayes not to rest in places where men are faste on sléepe in their voluptuousnes but to apply dilligentlie thought this and will that they confesse the glorie due vnto God For we are not taught of God onelye for our selues but that euery man after the measure of his faith should brotherly communicate with his neighbours and distribut vnto them that thing he hath learned and knowen in Gods schole Now sée we then that it is profitable yea truely necessarie so well to our selues as to our brethren that the remembraunce of this doctrine should bée renued very oft especially séeing the text it selfe which wée shall expound dooth leade vs to the same purpose Dauid dooth openly protest and as it were dooth make a sollem vowe That hee will neuer be partaker in the Sacrifices of Idolaters and also that he will so detest and greeuously hate the Idoles that hee will not at any time once name them as though he should defile his mouth in naming them This is not the facte of some one meane man but the example of Dauid the most excellēt King and
Prophet which ought to bee vnto all Gods Children a certaine common rule to right and Godly life And to the entent we may the better perceiue this thing and more vehemently be mooued with the true feare of God the cause is to be noted which he addeth wherein truely resteth as it were a certaine foundation of that same alienation and offence whereby he dooth most greatlie abhorre the Communion of Idolaters The Lord sayth he is mine inheritaunce But is not this thing common to all faithfull and godlie men There is no man truelie which would not glorie in so excellent a thing And this is sure without all doubt that God being once giuen vnto vs in the person of his Sonne dooth daylie entise vs to possesse him But there be verie fewe which are so affected in this parte as the greatnesse and woorthinesse of this same matter should séeme to aske and deserue Neither truelie can we by any meanes possesse God vnlesse on this condition that we also become his Dauid therefore of good right and woorthelie dyd set foorth the foundation of his godlinesse and Religion in this sentence and reason séeing that God is his inheritance he will refraine from all pollutions of Idolles which doo turne vs from God himselfe This is the cause why the Prophet Esaie when he had vpbraided the Iewes that they had giuen themselues to false and strange Gods whome they had made added afterward these sayth he are thy portion signifying by these wordes that God dooth deny to the worshippers of Idolles all bonde and fellowshippe of couenaunt and disenheriteth them and vtterlie depriueth them of that so infinitlie great benefite which he would haue bestowed on them giuing himselfe vnto them So man will except and saye that the Prophet entreateth in that place onelie of them which put theyr affiaunce in Idolles and deceyueth themselues thorowe opinion and incredulitie I graunt but this also I aunswere if they that doo transferre Gods honour vnto Idolles are vtterlie seperated and cut off from his fellowshippe they also doo erre and declyne somewhat from him which doo feine themselues to consent to superstitions thorowe feare and weakenesse of minde For no man can in heart or any conformable fashion or in wyll and in purpose of minde or feyning or by any true or feyned waie approche to Idolles but he must so farre goe backe from God Wherefore let this sentence be thorowlie perswaded and remaine déepelie printed in our hearts that they which séeke God with a true and pure minde to the ende to possesse him for theyr enheritaunce wyll haue no communion and fellowship with Idolles with whome God hath that diuorce debate that he would haue all his to proclaime and make continuall and deadly warre vpon them And in this place Dauid by name dooth expres That hee will neuer be partaker of theyr oblations neither haue theyr names in his mouth and talking He might haue saide on this wise I will not deceyue my selfe with the vnwise and foolishe deuotions of the vnbeléeuers I will not put my trust in such abuses nor I will neuer forsake Gods trueth to follow these lyes but he speaketh not on this manner but dooth rather promise constauntlie that he will neuer be conuersaunt among theyr Ceremonies Therefore he dooth testifie that so farre foorth as concerneth the seruice of God he will abide continually in all puritie and holinesse both of body and soule And first in this place we must consider whether this be not Idolatrie to signifie and declare by outward tokens our agréement with those Superstitions wherewith the seruice of God is corrupted and vtterlie peruerted They that swim as the common saying is betwixt two waters alledge this saying séeing that God would be honoured in spirite Idolles can by no wayes be honoured vnlesse a man put his trust in them But to this maye be easilie aunswered that God dooth not so require the spyrituall seruice and adoration of the minde that he graunteth and remitteth the other parte of our nature vnto Idolles as though that parte should séeme nothing at all to belong vnto him For it is sayde in many places that the knées must be bowed before GOD and also the handes lyfted vp to heauen What then Surely the chéefe honour that God requireth is spirituall but the outward signification whereby the faithfull doo testifie that it is God onely whom they serue and honour must so immediatlie followe that they must at one tyme be ioyned together But one place shall so suffice for all to confute that obiection which they snatch of one worde that they shalbe plainlie rebuked and conuicted In the thyrd Chapter of Daniell it is written that Sidrach Misach Abâ—dnago refused and denied vnder any maner of colour to consent vnto the superstition set vp and erected by Nabuchodonozor Declaring that they would in no wise honour his Gods If these goodlie wittie Sophisters had béene there at that tyme they would haue laught to scorne the simplicitie of these thrée seruauntes of God For I suppose they would haue taunted them with such lyke wordes you foolishe men this truely is not to honour them séeing you put no affiaunce in these thinges There is no Idolatrie but where there is deuotion that is to saye a certaine bending and application of the mind to honour and worship the Idolles But these godlie men dyd followe a better and wiser councell for this aunswere which they made procéeded not of theyr owne witte but rather of the holy Ghost which moued them thus to speake whome if we wyl not resist we must accept this place and this example as a certayne rule and definition that Idolatrie is an outwarde action against Gods honour yea although it procéed not from the wyll and purpose of the minde but be onelie colourable and feined In which matter they make goodlie cauillations that there is no Idolatrie at all when as our affiance is not put in Idols Yet shall these men continuallie remaine condemned by the sentence which the mightiest Iudge hath pronounced But these men doo contende onelie for that name onely going about somewhat to lesson theyr faulte which they can by no meanes defend nor excuse Yea they will graunt that this thing is euill doone and not rightlie yet notwithstanding they would haue this fact to be iudged as a certaine veniall sinne But although we graunt them as touching the name that thing they aske yet they shal not get so much therby that they may make theyr cause much the better Let vs saye thus that such manner of feined worshipping of Idolles is not called Idolatrie yet neuerthelesse it shall be a trayterous enterprise against God a certaine fact repugnaunt to the confession of faith and a fowle filthy pollution most full of wicked sacriledge I praye you when the most sacred seruice and honour of God is so violated that we falselie breake that promise we made to him that thorow cowardise and
benefite with that part of themselues which is so bountifuly nourished of him Why doo they rather obey and serue the deuil with theyr bodies If these men were in any parte Christians I would vse with them more waighty and higher reasons and I would aske of them to what ende we liue in this world and wherevnto our lyfe ought to be referred But Oh myserable case that they which with subtilties and shifts wyll dally with GOD are so brutishe that they must be handled as men not onely destitute of Gods spirite but in a maner voide of naturall common sence They thinke this is a sufficient excuse to saye they doo nothing in this kinde but for feare of perill and daunger but if this colour may take place then must we say That Ioseph should haue doone none euyll if he had committed whoredome with his Mistresse when it was violentlie offered him seeing he should not haue followed his owne wyll but haue giuen place to necessitie and violence which she did vnto him It should haue béene a foolishe fact of him to enter such peryl and infamie as afterward he suffered by the false accusation of that naughtie woman séeing he might haue escaped those euilles if he had accomplished her wyll But we ought rather to followe the example of Ioseph and allowe the testimony of the holy Ghost who dooth commend his constancie If there be no wickednesse in taking vppon vs Idolatrous religion when we doo it to auoide the raging cruelty of the Papistes the seruaunt shall not sinne who for his Maisters pleasure shall playe the bawde kyll and playe the traytour for feare to displease him vnder whose power he is But I abyde too long in this matter wherein as I sayde before there is no doubt or difficultie It shall not be farre from the purpose to consider into how great confusion they fall which trauayle with all theyr craftes to escape Gods iudgement Others there be that haue founde an other shifte and starting hole they graunt that the superstition of the Gentiles is a wicked and detestable Religion but it is not all one reason of these and the superstitions which are in the Papisme As though all the false religion that euer was among the Heathen was not a corrupting and deprauation of the true Religion of God From whence did the Heathen drawe and take to themselues theyr Ceremonies but of the holie Fathers In which dooing this was theyr great fault that they depraued and vtterly peruerted those thinges which they had receyued well and wisely instituted of God But yet all the abhominations that euer were in the world haue béene cloaked with a beautifull tytle of God himsefe and the culture of his Religion But those counterfeite Religions had neuer that commendation power and aucthoritie that God dyd any tyme approoue those seruice◠and congregations or that faithfull men did vse and frequent them Go too let vs procéede further Although I should graunt the Idolatrie of the Papistes to be vnlyke and differre from the superstition of the olde Gentyles yet can they not deny but God so earnestly dyd forbidde the Religion wickedly set vp in Bethel as all other superstitions which were instituted and celebrated in other places When the Calues were erected in Dan and Bethel this was instituted and done vnder a certaine colour of his name which had brought his people out of Egipt and yet the same Religion which was there appointed is manifestly against the doctrine of the lawe God dooth condemne all those that goeth thyther to defyle and pollute themselues And truely the Supper of Iesus Christ and the popishe Masse are no lesse repugnaunt and contrarie the one to the other then the Sacrifices of Moses and Ieroboam From whence then is this dispensation and lycense to goe and heare Masse vnder this colour that the Supper of Iesus Christe is but transfourmed yea rather in déede defourmed But I saye and affyrme contrariwise that all they that doo feare GOD truelie and honour him godlilie ought so much the more to hate and detest it for that it dooth more openly violate and prophane the holy institution of Iesus Christe then if it were not so repugnaunt and contrary vnto the same Wherefore let vs kéepe this common rule generally that all the ordinaunce and inuencions of men proponed and taken in hande to corrupt the simple trueth of Gods worde and to peruert that Religion which he requireth and alloweth are verie sacriledges with which the Christian man may in no wise communicate without that iniurie and contumelie which treadeth vnder féete Gods honour most wickedlie I know wel inough how gréeuous and vntollerable this seuere iudgement seemeth to them which would after theyr owne lust and delycate minde be more nicely and méekely spoken too and taught VVherein what would they I should doo What moderation and lenity should I vse Truely now I perceyue how tender and deinty they are I couet so much as may be to spare them but both I and they must be condemned so soone as God hath spoken therefore if we wyll tender our owne saluation let vs take it in good part They saye they finde no man more seuere and sharpe then I am but I will declare vnto them on the other part that I handle them more méekely and tenderlie then the trueth of the cause the woorthynesse of Gods name and theyr saluation dyd require Which thing beeing so in déede truely they cannot excuse and delyuer themselues from the necessitie of that duetie and testimony that the Prophete Ieremie dooth require of the Iewes captiues in Babylon whome hee not onelie forbiddeth to come néere the abhominations of the Chaldeans or colourablie or feinedlie to giue any consent to them but also doth giue a plaine commaundement that they should declare the wicked Religion of the Chaldeans to be vnto them a most filthy sauour You shall say to them sayeth the Prophete Ieremie the Gods which haue not made heauen and earth shall perish both out from the earth and also from vnder heauen There is also in this place an other cyrcumstaunce to be marked that when the Prophete had written his booke in Hebrue yet he put in this sentence exprest in the common vulgar spéeche of the Chaldeans as though he would by this means constraine the Iewes to chaunge from theyr tongue to the ende they might more apertlie professe the hatred and disagréement they haue with the wicked Idolatours Now let our nice yonglings complaine of me as though my aduertisement excéedeth all measure yet I haue not at any tyme desired the halfe part of that duetie which the Prophete requireth and asketh so earnestlie But whatsoeuer be the manner eyther of my saying or moderation or else of my silence and taciturnitie neuerthelesse we are tyed and bounde to that lawe which God dooth giue vnto vs. And truelie it is not without a cause that God speaking to his faithfull sayeth to them You
and decking of the body without all dissolute and sumptuous trimming they would haue the Preacher to make their hose and sewe theyr shoes Well what must we doo then In this matter there is a certaine thing set before vs wherevnto we ought to dyrect and conferre our whole minde studie and thought That is that the zeale of Gods house may eate vp our heart and so moue vs that we beare and take vppon our selues all dishonours contumelies and opprobries which are doone most vnwoorthily against Gods holy name When such desire of Gods honour and feruent loue shalbe kindled in our hearts not like drie stubble soone set on fyre and easilie extinguished but lyke a fyre that burneth continuallie a man shall be so farre from suffering or approouing these abhominations wherewith the name of GOD most shamefullie and vnwoorthilie is polluted that when he shall beholde them he shall be able in no wise to suffer dissimulation silence and taciturnitie And it is dilligentlie to be marked that he sayth The zeale of Gods house that we should knowe that to be referred vnto the outward order which is instituted in the Church that we should exercise our selues in confession of our Faith I doo not weigh the mockers which say that I my selfe lyuing héere without any daunger yea rather in great quietnesse doo talke goodlily of these matters I am not hee with whome these men haue any thing to doo For this is well knowne I haue héere no lande of mine owne So may wee thinke and saye of all these Philosophers which giue theyr iudgement without knowledge of the cause For seeing they will not heare GOD who dooth now truely speake so gently to them to teache them I doo declare the day and iudgement at what time béeing called before the iudgement seate of GOD they shall heare that sentence against the which there shall bee no answer nor defence For séeing they will not heare him as the best and most méeke maister they shall then knowe at the last and féele him as theyr most seuere and iust Iudge At which tyme the stoutest and the craftiest of them shall perceyue and knowe that they were deceyued in theyr opinions Let them bee so well exercised and prepared as they will to obscure or subuert iustice and equitie yet their lawlike and iudiciall ornaments and the badges of the great dignitie and power wherewith they now proudly wax insolent shall not then giue them the victory I speake this because Counsailours Iudges Proctours aduocates and such other bearing the swinge in Courtes and iudgements are not onelie bolde to stryue with God and so to contend that they would séeme to haue gotten a certayne right to scorne and mocke his Maiestie but also reiecting all holie Scripture doo spue out theyr blasphemies as the greatest sentenses of the Lawe and most high Decrées These men whome the world dooth honour as certayne Idolles so soone as they haue spoken one worde cannot suffer reason and trueth to haue any place to rest in But yet by the way I doo admonish and warne them beforehand that it shall be better for them to haue some remembraunce of that same horrible vengeance which is ordeined for them that chaunge iustice with iniquitie and trueth with lying Neither the Doctors and Chamber-masters the delitious banquettours and verie voluptuous men take any higher degrée héere then that they may chatter in theyr feasts and banquettes and bable foorth theyr wordes against the heauenlie Maister to whome truelie all men ought to giue most diligent eare Neither can their goodly famous titles plucke any man from this iudgement in which the Lordly and reuerent Abbottes Priours Deanes Archdeacons as chéefe Maisters of the game shall be compelled to leade the daunce in that condemnation which God shall make most gréeuous Now although the Courteours are woont to gratifie men with the sprinckling of theyr holie water let them not thinke that they can with that kinde of dooing satisfie God To conclude all iesters and praters let them holde theyr tongue and boast not out theyr merie wittie sayinges vnlesse they will féele his mightie hand at whose word they ought to tremble Wherein theyr errour is too much foolishe that beléeueth because they take me for theyr aduersary therefore they shall not haue God to be theyr Iudge Let them scrape my name out of theyr bookes and vtterlie blotte it foorth speciallie in this kinde of cause and question wherein my purpose is onelie that God be heard and obeyed not that I should rule mennes consciences after my lust and charge them with any necessitie or lawe As for all others which doo not so proudlie despyse Gods word and yet are so delicate and weake that they can in no wise be mooued I doo most heartilie beséeche them that they wyll take more thought and regarde to theyr owne duetie saluation and Gods honour and doo more flatter themselues as they haue doone hytherto Let them therefore open theyr eyes and reare vp themselues that they maye beholde the myserie wherein they are I knowe well inough the euylles diffyculties and stoppes wherein they be wrapt among the Papists I doo not speake vnto them as though it were an easie matter in the middes of the Idolaters to take vppon them and defend the pure and sincere Religion of GOD but if they lacke strength I aduertise them to flie vnto God the aucthour of all power that they may be made strong by him and learne to preferre his glorie before all things of this world For I doo earnestlie desyre that all faithfull men which are myserablie afflicted in the Papisme should vnderstande and knowe this howe that the Prophete Ieremie remaining at Ierusalem in Iewrie dyd send this aduertisement and exhortation vnto the people which were holden captiue and oppressed in Babilon If the tyranny of the Pope and of all his ministers be to them sharpe and cruell they must consider that the Iewes also of that tyme suffered heauy and bytter bondage and yet they are commaunded in the vulgare spéeche of the Country to execrate the Idolatrie of the Chaldeans It is not reason that the tiranny of men should breake or any deale diminish from vs the due honour we owe vnto GOD. Héere is no exception or pretence of priueledge which high or lowe ritch or poore may or ought to vsurpe vnto themselues Let all men therefore bowe downe theyr necke and with most humilitie submitte themselues to God Let the poore man haue the true feare of God let him not say vnconstantly I know not what to doo least God aunswer him neyther knowe I what to doo with thée The ritch and wealthy men let them not lyke dronken sluggardes â—léepe in theyr wealth and consume in theyr prosperitie and aboundaunce of all thinges as it were in a certayne draffe tubbe but rather after the example of Saint Paule let them learne to estéeme all that as dyrte and dammage which dooth withdrawe vs from
founde Wherein our misery is so much the greater that in so great filthinesse and vnthankfulnesse we are not ouerwhelmed with blushing shame For we must shortlie come before that Iudge before whome our vice and euyll which wee by all meanes goe about to hide shall be brought foorth with that rebuke and checke whereby the iust cause of our destruction shall appeare For if we be so endebted and bound to GOD that for the knowledge hee hath giuen vs wee ought to giue to him honourable and thankefull testimony why is our stomacke so abashed and fearefull to enter into the battell Especiallie séeing GOD in this our age hath so opened himselfe that it may be rightly sayde and trulie that he hath opened and plainlie set foorth the greatest treasures of his secretes May not this be sayd that we so thinke of God as though we seemed to stande in no néede of him at all For if we had any consideration of his Maiestie we durst neuer be so bolde to turne the doctrine which procéedeth out of his mouth into Philosophie and vaine speculation In fine we can haue no excuse but this must be vnto vs the greatest shame yea an horrible condemnation that in so great knowledge obtained by the singuler goodnesse of GOD we haue so lyttle lâ—ue and minde to defend and kéepe the same For first if we will call to our remembraunce the Martyrs of olde tyme and compare theyr wonderfull constauncie with this our tender slouthfulnesse we shall finde passing great cause to detest our owne filthinesse For they were not for the most part so trauailed and exercised in the Scriptures that they could learnedly dispute of all matters But first of all they knewe and helde fast this that there is one God whome they ought to serue and honour then that they were redéemed with the blood of Iesus Christe that in him onelie and in his grace they should put their affiaunce and trust of saluation Moreouer they dyd iudge all other inuentions and ordinaunces of men to worshippe God so vnwoorthy filthinesse that they could easilie condemne all Idolatries and superstitions to conclude in few wordes this was theyr Diuinitie there is one onelie God the maker of the whole world which hath declared vnto vs his will by Moses and the Prophetes and then by Iesus Christe and his Apostles We haue one redéemer with whose blood we were bought and by whose grace we hope to be saued All the Idols of the world are to be detested and accurssed They came stoutlie and boldlie to the fyre or other kinde of death and punishment instructed with no other doctrine and more hidden knowledge And the number of them was not small as of two or thrée but so great that the multytude of them which were cruellie vexed and tormented of the tyraunts séemed innumerable and infinite But we are so taught and instructed that we passe all our auncetors in knowledge and vnderstanding of holy Scripture We thinke in our selues and it is true as touching the vnderstanding of the Scripture God hath endued vs with so much knowledge as he hath giuen to any age at any tyme. And yet there is in vs scantlie the least droppe of feruent loue towardes God There is no reason why we should nourish this nice â—owardnesse of mind vnlesse we would willingly and wittingly prouoke the wrath and vengeaunce of God against our selues What must we then doo Truely we must take to vs a stoute bolde and constant minde We must chéefely consider how precious and honorable the confession and testification of our faith is before God For we doo lyttle knowe how God dooth estéeme this confession when our lyfe which is of no value is more set by and deare vnto vs. Wherein our wonderfull and beastlie foolishnesse is shewed for we can not in this sort spare our life but we must néeds confesse that we set more thereby then by Gods honour and our owne saluation A certayne Heathen man could vse this saying that it is a myserable thing to forsake and betraye the causes why we lyue for the conseruation of lyfe Yet hee and his lyke dyd neuer knowe truelie to what ende menne were set in the world and wherefore they lyued therein They might well say that vertue is to be estéemed and followed and that we ought to liue an honest lyfe without blame But all theyr vertues were nothing else but colours and shadowes But we haue better vnderstanding wherevnto our life must be referred which is that we honour GOD with all prayse and glorie that hee himselfe may bee our glorie Without him our lyfe is miserable the which we cannot continue the least moment but wee shall heape vppon our selues a perpetuall malediction And yet wee are nothing ashamed for the winning of a fewe dayes for this féeble lyfe to refuse the eternall kingdome and to seperate our selues from him by whose power we are and haue our being in this lyfe If a man should examine the most vnlearned yea those whose wit is so dased and whose life so voluptuous that they be most lyke to brute beastes what manner of lyfe is appointed them they durst not saye plainelie and openlie that it should consist onelie in eating drinking and sleeping For they knowe that they are created to a better woorthier and more higher thing which is nothing else but to serue and honour God with all kinde of honour and to suffer our selues as good chyldren to be ordered and reuealed by our most benigne Father that after the ende of this frayle and vnsure lyfe wee maye be receyued into his eternall heritage In the appointing and winning of this ende consisteth the chéefest and greatest point of our felicitie yea all the whole weight of euerlasting lyfe But when we carrie our mindes and thoughts another waye and doo snatch fast holde of this present lyfe wurse then a thousande deathes what excuse can we haue For to liue and be ignoraunt of the causes wherefore we liue is vnnaturall But to forsake the causes wherefore we liue héere for the desyre and loue to prolong our lyfe as it were for thrée dayes in this deceytful world and to be seperated from God the aucthour of lyfe is such a bewitching and furious madnesse that I know not with what wordes we ought to expresse and shewe it But whatsoeuer knowledge we haue and how soeuer our lyfe is appointed for so much as notwithstanding the persecutions are no lesse and bytter let vs consider how and by what meanes the Christian men maye confirme them selues in patiencie and so strengthen theyr mindes that they maye constantly venter to daunger theyr lyfe for Gods trueth This same Text which we haue recyted being well vnderstanded may bring vs to that indifferencie of minde yea to that willingnesse that we shall not refuse to suffer death for Gods name Let vs goe foorth of the Cittie sayth the Apostle after the Lord Christe bearing his opprobrie Fyrst
vanities and lyes yet God will haue his trueth defended by vs which is truely so great honour that it séemeth not to pertaine to the Angelles in heauen This one reason well considered ought it not to enflame and styrre vp our mindes to offer our selues wholie to God and to shew our whole endeuour in so holie and excellent a matter to please him And yet many cannot forbeare but that they will speake against God or at the least they will complaine that he hath no greater regard to ease theyr imbecillitie It is a meruailous matter saye they that séeing God hath borne vs thus much fauour that he hath chosen vs to be his chyldren yet hee will suffer vs to be so cruellie vexed and oppressed of wicked men I doo yet aunswere these men that although we knewe no reason why GOD dooth so deale with vs yet his aucthoritie should be such with vs that we should apply and conforme our selues to his wyll But now when we sée Iesus Christe to be set for an example to vs least we should séeke any other ought we not to thinke our selues greatlie happy that we be so drawne after his Image and lykenesse Moreouer God dooth set foorth and shewe plaine and manifest causes wherfore he will haue vs to suffer persecution among which if there were none other but that reason and aduertisement which Saint Peter giueth We must needes be verie peeuishe and sturdy vnlesse we be satisfied therewith This is his reason that séeing gold and syluer which are corruptible mettalles are purged and tryed in the fyre it is reason that our faith also which in value excelleth all ritches be tryed and approoued with such perrilles of lyfe and gréeues He could by and by after our calling without any conflict and suffering of these callamities haue crowned vs. But as he would haue Christe to raigne in the middes of his enimies euen so he would haue vs also dwelling among the selfe same to beare and suffer theyr violence and oppression vntyll we be delyuered from these afflictions and callamities by him Ind I am not ignoraunt that the flesh wyll then greatlie spurne and refuse to be ruled when it must be brought into this state but yet the will of God must rule all our thoughts and lustes If wée féele in our selues some contradiction and resistaunce it is not greatly to be meruailed at For that is planted and engrauen in our nature to flie the Crosse Yet let vs not abyde styll in that tendernesse of the fleshe but let vs goe on forewarde knowing that our obedience is thankefull and acceptable to GOD so that we cast downe our sences and appetites and doo so subdue them that they be vnder his power Neyther did the Prophets and Apostles come to death with minde that they dyd not perceyue theyr will to be against it and enclining an other waye They shall leade thee whether thou wouldest not sayth our Lorde Iesus to Peter So when such feare of death dooth pricke our mindes let vs labour by all meanes that we maye haue the ouerhande or rather that GOD maye ouercome and in the meane while let vs thus perswade our selues that it is to him a most pleasaunt Sacrifice when we resist our appetites and doo so withstande them that by this meanes being subdued vnder his power we may order and leade our lyfe after his will and pleasure This is the chéefest and greatest battell wherevnto God will haue all his with all theyr power to applie to the end they maye labour to cast downe and depresse all that which dooth so much exalt it selfe in theyr sences wittes and appetites that it dooth carrie and withdrawe them from the way which God doth shew to them In the meane season the consolations are so great and weightie that it can not be expressed how much deintie cowardnesse is in vs when we wexe faint hearted and giue ouer for these perylles and troubles In olde tyme the number was almoste infinite of them which for the desyre of a Garland made of corruptyble leaues dyd refuse no labour payne and wrastlynge and also dyd so suffer Death it selfe that they might séeme to haue theyr lyfe in no price And yet there was none of them but did contend chaunceably being vncertayne whether he should win or lose the game GOD dooth set before vs an immortal◠crowne wherein we maye obtaine his owne glorie And he hath not appoynted vs an vncertayne and chaunceable conflict but dooth promise such a reward to the which we ought to conferre all the counsayles studies and desires of our life What is the cause that wee are so faynt harted in the largenesse and woorthinesse of this honour which is certaine and eternall Doo we thinke that this was spoken in vaine that wee shall liue with Christe if we be dead with him The triumph is prepared for vs but we so much as we maye doo flye from the conflict and battell But this doctrine is such that it seemeth plainely to disagrée with mans iudgement This is true Neither also Christ when he pronounceth them Blessed which suffer persecution for righteousnesse sake dooth propound such a sentence as the opinion of the world would alowe or receyue Yea he will haue vs to thinke that to be the chéefest felicitie which we iudge the greatest myserie We thinke our selues most myserable when God dooth suffer vs to be afflicted and oppressed with the tyranny and crueltie of our enimies But we doo wonderfully erre in this that we set not before our eies Gods promises which doo plainelie confirme vnto vs that all thinges shall come to our profite ioy and saluation We cast downe our stomacks and dispayre when we sée wicked and naughtie men to haue the vpperhand on vs and to doo that cruelty to vs that they séeme to treade downe our necke with theyr féete But this same most cruell vexation of the wicked and so great trouble and confusion of things as Saint Paul warneth Ought rather to confirme our mindes rayse vp and lyft them into heauen For because of our owne nature we are bent to the study and loue of thinges present and are so enflamed that with our whole knowledge minde and cogitation we are occupied in to much lyuing and vsing this vanitie God when he suffereth vs to be thus euill vexed and handled and the wicked to growe and flourishe in all thinges dooth teach and admonishe vs by these plaine and notable signes of his most iust iudgement that that daye shall once come when all thinges that be now troubled and confused shalbe setled But if that same time seeme farre and long too let vs flie to that remedy and let vs not flatter our selues in our vice For this is certayne that we haue no faith at all vnlesse we cast the eyes of our minde to the honourable comming of Iesus Christ And because God would leaue out no consideration that might be apt to mooue and styrre vs he
a multitude of them which hath suffered for the testimony of the trueth that so well the aboundaunce of excellent examples As the most graue aucthoritie ought to prouoke vs to contentation patiencie and moderation of minde And least my Oration should wexe too long in heaping vp together an infinite multitude of examples I will onelie speake of these Iewes which suffered most gréeuous persecution for the true religion both vnder the tyranny of King Antiochus also shortlie after his death We cannot say that then the number of the afflicted men was smal when a great mighty army as it were of Martyrs was prepared to maintaine and defend the religion Neyther can we alledge that they were certayne excellent Prophets whom God hath chosen forth and seperated from the common sort of people for there were women boyes and infantes also in that number of Martyrs Neither wyll wee say that they passed thorow the persecution onely with some lyght losse without great peryll of lyfe without great paines and torments of bodies séeing there was no kinde of crueltie vnprooued in afflicting vexing and tormenting them Let vs heare also what the Apostle dooth saye of them and dooth set foorth for vs to followe Some sayth he were hanged vp lyke belles and stretched despising to be delyuered that they might obtayne a better resurrection Other were prooued with opprobrious wordes and stripes or with bonds and prisonment Other were stoned or cutte in sunder or kylled with the sword Othersome went wandering hyther and thether thorowe hylles and caues of the earth Let vs now come to make comparison betwixt them and vs. If they suffered so many and great torments for the trueth which was as then but obscure what ought we to doo in this great lyght which hath shined vnto vs in this tyme God speaketh vnto vs now as with ful mouth The greatest gate of the kingdom of heauen is made open vnto vs. Iesus Christe comming from heauen vnto vs dooth so call vs to him that we haue him present as it were before our eyes Into howe great ingratitude and shamefull wickednesse shall we runne into if we haue lesse stomacke and loue to beare and suffer for the Gospell then they had which dyd beholde the promises of God but as it were a farre off who had but a very lyttle doore opened to enter into y e kingdome of God who had receiued onely a remembraunce and obscure testimony in figures of Iesus Christe These great matters cannot be declared expressed with any wordes as they be worthy Wherfore I leaue them to be weighed in euery mans thoughtes and meditations This doctrine as it hath a coÌ„mon and vniuersall reason so it must be referred to the exercise and order of euery mans life But euery man must apply it to his proper vse profite apt for his owne consolation And I speake this for this cause least that they which sée themselues to be in no manifest peryll should suppose this doctrine to be vaine not to pertaine to them Now they are not in the handes of tyrantes but what know they how GOD will deale with them heereafter Therfore we must be of the minde that if any persecution which we looked not for happen vnto vs that we fall not thereinto vnwares vnprouided but that wee come to it prepared long before hand But I feare there be many death eares to whome this my oration is made without fruit For they that liue in quiet hauing all things at will are so far from preparing themselues to take suffer death when néed shalbe that they haue no care nor thought of seruing God at all But this ought to be all our study continually especially in these great troublesome times wherein we liue in great peril In the meane time they whome God calleth to suffer for the testimony of his name must thinke in very déed that they were prepared long before and brought to this sufferaunce of euylles by the motion and certaine iudgement of the spirite that they might beare themselues therin boldlie and constantlie Then also they must dilligently call to their remembrance all the exhortations which they haue heard before and be so styrred vp with aduertisement of them as the valiant Soldiour to take his armour when he heareth the Trumpet blowe But what seeke we Truely in these perilles we doo nothing else but séeke shiftes and wayes how to escape I meane this by the most part of men For this same persecution is as it were a touch stone wherewith God dooth trie and prooue who â—e his but there are few found of that faith courage and godlynesse towardes God that they will offer themselues franckly and fréely vnto death for his names sake This is a thing almost incredible that they which doo glorie that they haue some knowledge in the Gospell are so impudent and vnshamefast they wyll vse such cauillations Some wyll say what shall it auayle to confesse our faith before those stubborne styfnecked men which are purposed to warre against God himselfe Is not this to cast pearles before Swine As who would saye Iesus Christe dooth not most plainlie declare that he dooth require of vs the confession of his name yea among most peruerse and wicked men But if this our testimony doo nothing profite to theyr edifying yet shall it profite to theyr confusion Alwayes the confession of our faith dooth sauour swéetlie before God although it bring death and destruction to wicked men There be other also which will say this what shall our death profite when it shall séeme to giue more offence then vtilitie As though God hath left to themselues frée choyse to dye when they wil or when they shall thinke it the most apt time of death But we contrariwise doo obey him but as for the fruite that must come by our death we leaue to the hand and prouidence of God Wherfore the christian must most chéefly in what place soeuer he be dilligentlie see that he liue in that simplicitie integrity that God requyreth and that he be not brought from the minde manner of godly and holy lyfe at any time with any daungers or threatnings Let him eschue so much as is possible the raging madnes of the woolues so that the same warinesse be not ioyned with the prudence and craftinesse of the fleshe First of all let him doo this that he giue ouer and resigne his lyfe into the handes of God the most faithfull kéeper When he hath ordayned and kept dilligently this manner and fashion of lyfe if afterward he fall into the handes of enimies let him thinke and perswade himselfe that he is brought into that place of God for this cause that he maye haue him a witnesse of his sonne Therefore seeing he is called and brought to the confession by the certayne decree of God there is no way to goe backe vnlesse he will be vnfaithfull vnto him to whome