thriftinesse then he that vnderstandeth no suche matter but hangeth onely vppon the bare name of religion and cleaueth therevnto as to a holy ancker and supposeth the knowledge of GOD to consist only in the bare name of the sect Thys lawe the Emperour commaunded to be openly proclaymed by Ariobindus his Liuetenaunte and other officers and so many as woulde not obey it to forfayte all their goods and to goe into exile But if thys moste holy Emperour was carefull to determyne in what tong the Iewes who at that time as touching that matter contended very odiously among themselues should read the holye Scripture why shoulde not our kings Princes prouide by Lawes firste that all Christians vnder theyr Dominions maye reade then nexte in what tongue they maye reade the sacred Byble not so muche publikely in Churches as priuatelye in their houses And what shall we say of the Emperour Theodosius the seconde who as the reporte goeth and no doubte moued by the commaundement of GOD whyche is extante as touching Kinges Deutronomie 17. wrote out with hys owne hande the Bookes of the Newe Testamente reade euerye mornyng in hys house some parte of them and recyted customarily certaine Psalmes and prayers togither wyth hys wife shée was Eudocia the daughter of Leontius a Philosopher of Athens of whome they say were written right learned Poems and with his sisters But if I shoulde go aboute to produce moe proues tending to thys ende I feare leaste I shoulde incurre offence who especiallye haue excéeded alreadye the compasse of an Epistle Therefore that my speache maye drawe to an ende I am perswaded verylye that it wyll then goe well wyth the Church and with the whole common wealth when as the Kings Princes and all other Magistrates of these our times seriously turning their minds to the Statutes of the Almighty and euerliuing GOD whiche were rehearsed euen nowe out of Deuteronomie and to the examples of the most noble Emperoures of whome wee haue spoken shall beginne to putte forthe and with all godly diligence to commend vnto the people committed to their charge lawes as touching the dayly and domesticall and that perdie in their owne Countrey language reading hearing and meditating of the holye Bible And as for the reasons wherewith men may bée moued to obey their most holesome lawes and decrées I haue in this volume partly out of the most sacred Sermons of the Prophets and Apostles partly out of the Commentaries of the most excellent Doctors packed togither as ye would say in one bundle very many and the same not to be misliked so that this onely remayneth namely that with what willingnesse and desire they are of me offered with the selfe same all menne whensoeuer they shall reade them woulde vouchsafe to receyue them My purpose and scope to dispatche it in a worde is to profite at leastwise somewhat by my labour all sortes of men that are carefull for a better life and for the euerlasting saluation of their soules But vnto your highnesse most noble Prince I haue thought good to consecrate this worke as well for sundry causes and considerations as also especially for twayne which haue in them more force than the rest The one is when I behold and consider the iustice clemencie gentlenesse and other vertues naturally ingenerate in you togither with the notable education and instruction worthy a most famous Prince doubtlesse I am perswaded that your Highnesse may easilie be broughte to this poynte namely that you will not onely exercise your selfe dayly in the reading of the holye Byble according to GODS commaundemente Deuteronomie 17. but also prouoke and stirre vp one whyle by gentle exhortations another while by sharpe and seuere preceptes all the people and inhabitantes of youre Dominion as GOD also hath willed Deuteronomie 6. and. 11. to the doing and practising of the like For what shoulde not I looke for at his hands whose father Friderike Prince Elector Palatine and those twayne of the same house neuer sufficiently praysed supplying before hym the selfesame honoures to theyr innestimable commendation I meane Fridericke and Otho Henry haue accomplished many difficulte attempts for the amplifying of GODS glory and encrease of sincere Religion Neyther haue I anye doubte but that youre Highnesse most noble Father caused therefore of late the Bookes of the Diuine Oracles most cléerely and at his greate charge to bée Printed in the vulgar tong to the intente that both innumerable Copies myght be conueyed and spredde ouer all youre Dominions and other places and also be deuoutely redde of euery man for conscience sake in theyr priuate houses The other cause is so soone as other Potentates shall perceyue you whose glory standeth aloft on a high and stately place to gyue some onset to the trayning of Christian people to the reading and exercising of the holy Scriptures it is very lykely that immediatelye therevppon many of them that are in authoritie wyll stoutely followe in the selfesame rare of godlynesse It happeneth I wote not how that the vertue whiche procéedeth from Princes and greate men casteth forthe farre and néere an incredible brightenesse and as yée would say beames whereby it both rouzeth vp a great number and also allureth them to mutation And euen as wittie Paynters doe choose out all the welfauouredst bodyes they can come by and do lay to gette Tables that haue bin aforehande curiously wroughte by the cunningest Artificers of their occupation to the intente they may drawe forthe and expresse them wyth theyr pencill and couloures so likewise suche men as are of a noble courage and especially of an honourable stocke and Parentage do much more willingly and desirously learne vertue of their equals than of anye other sortes of men besydes whatsoeuer Wherefore I most humbly pray and beséech youre Highnesse to take well in worth my good wyll and meaning héerein The King euerlasting immortall inuisible and GOD onely wise vnto whome alone all honour and glory is due vouchsafe through IESVS CHRIST his sonne to informe your mind with his holy Spirite to good gouernement and to guide and defende you to the ende Farewell moste noble Prince The Ides of march M.D.LXI Of the reading and dayly meditation of the holy Scriptures very requisite and necessarie for all Christians of what estate or condition soeuer The first Booke ALl doe agree in this that Man differeth from other Creatures in vnderstanding and reason But if we shall procéede further and enquire wherein a Christian Godly man may be discerned from an vnchristian and vngodly man verily I do not see what fitter aunswere may be made than in the knowledge if GOD and in the studie of accomplishing his will. For as touching the wicked and vngodly man eyther hee is altogither ignorante of GOD his maker and Creator and vtterly voyde of the knowledge of his wil for else if he can giue any iudgement thereof at all yet is he moued in the meane time with no desire of
the eyes of their mind whereby they may iudge vprightly of al things Further it cānot be denied but that there be many things in the Scriptures of thēselues very plaine and easie to be vnderstoode Likewise there are dyuers and sundrye thynges here and there intermixed whyche who so hathe any iudgement at all doeth soone perceiue where vnto they tende Moreouer there is no man the carrieth not about with hym an expert maistresse of manye secrete and mysticall matters to witte hys owne proper conscience whych doeth ofte times priuily reproue finde faulte with and make ashamed those that pretende that they vnderstand not the holy Scriptures It is a very grieuous offence when thou once vnderstandest the truth to dissemble it to neglect not exercise or deny it and God is wonte to giue vppe those that so doe hauing firste as witnesseth the Apostle Rom. 1. blinded their harts into a reprobate sense Furthermore be shall best prouide for his owne safety that dothe not labour to flye ouermuch alofte but contenteth himselfe in places some what harde and difficulte to drawe forthe the simple and sounde meaning whych the words themselues do signifie wythout any couertures and whyche séeme not to be strange from the minde and purpose of the author To hunt after subtil and straunge interpretations to muse vppon allegories wythout cause why to crake continuallye of mysticall meanings is the property of men that consider not sufficiētly the snares and bayted hookes of the deuill Examples howe suche curiositie and vnaduisednesse hath bin punished God would haue in all ages to be séene Woulde to God we coulde oftetimes call to remembraunce howe greate a benefite it is to be wise to sobrietie He shal not a little be helpen to the collecting of proper sentences that will exactlye marke where the beginnings of sermons disputations and narrations and where the endings of the same bée again where the prefaces propositions confirmations confutations conclusions are distinguished in them Let hym obserue also the proper spéeches and phrases that are familiar in the Scriptures let hym searche diligētly throughout euery member as well the thynges that goe before as also the things that follow after to be short let hym duely examine the causes and circumstances of euery point If after all these things thus discussed there remaine some things yet still hidden it shall be expedient to repeate them oftener than once and the more intentiuely to consider of them Repetition commonlye causeth some things to be more cleare and lightsome and that whyche is harde to daye to morrowe or nexte daye becommeth plaine and easie One daye teacheth an other and one night certifieth an other If the daye as it is saide in the prouerbe taketh away the sicknesse oft he bodye then vndoubtedly taketh in awaye also ignoraunce whyche is a maladie of the minde It shall be verye profitable in lyke manner to conferre diligentlye the playne and agréeable places of the Scriptures wyth that place touching the meaning whereof the question is as Luke reporteth Act. 17. the Thessalonians did If thys conference be in vayne then there is no let but that thou maiste aske the aduice of some other wiser than thy selfe GOD wil bring to passe that when thou thinkest leaste of it thou shalte lighte vpō some Philip that may resolue thée of thy most intricate doubtes Act. 8. Hée that wanteth altogither the helpe of a teacher let hym looke ouer the Commentaries or Annotations of the choicest interpretres that hée can come by Laste of all if all thy labour in searching of some hidden mysteries proue voyde and of none effecte and that mannes industry as ye woulde saye be mocked and deceyued then doubt thou not that it commeth to passe for some benefite of thine that some thinges whyche thou soughtest verye desirously to knowe doe remaine still vnknowen vnto thée It is profitable that thou shouldest knowe by this meanes the infirmitie and ignorance as well of all mankinde as also of thy selfe Hereby also thou learnest how highly thou oughtest to estéeme the giftes of the holy Ghoste who enlightneth the myndes of the godly Thou vnderstandest agayne that the same gifts are giuē to euery man according to the measure of Faith. Further thou haste in admiration eayl◠more and more the maiestie of the things comprehended in the sacred Scriptures And there are in verye deede some things in them whych ought of vs rather to be beleeued than perceiued like as also certaine pointes are onely touched by the way but not fully declared Neither truely is it to be doubted but that many before thée haue sticked and stammered at the selfe-same places Yea euen the diligentest of al other do oftetimes stumble and are deceyued Therefore the wante of knowledge of some certaine places doeth by no meanes giue thée occasion to caste awaye the holye Bookes but rather thou muste so muche the more diligentlye and constantlye goe forwarde to pervse them as thou arte sure and certaine that there wyll be alwayes a number of thynges whyche thou shalte neuer bée able to attayne vnto and that a Christian manne oughte all hys lyfe long to bée a Scholler of the holye Ghoste But to declare howe and by what meanes thou mayste reape a Spirituall profite by the thynges whyche thou readest and indifferently at the leaste vnderstandest althoughe a man myghte stand long vppon thys matter yet I will saye so muche in effecte as I truste for this present time shall be sufficient Firste all menne oughte to be perswaded of this that the effectualnesse of prayer poured from the hearte vnto GOD is very greate for whyche cause we haue a little before admonished that so ofte as we come to the readyng of the holye Bookes wée shoulde in anye case to beginne wythall vse some forme of prayer Secondly there lyeth hidden in the worde of GOD it selfe when it is read or hearde or when it is duely examined a certaine wonderfull power of the spirite where with the mindes of men are stricken and after an vnspeakable maner moued drawen Whiche thing doubtlesse we woulde by no meanes affyrme except it were found expressed in the sacred Scriptures and except further it were manifest that many good mē had at all tymes proued the selfe same thyng to be true Hearken I praye you what the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrewes Chap. 4. sayth The worde of GOD is liuely and mighty in operation and sharper than anye two edged sworde and entreth throughe euen to the diuiding asunder of the soule and the spirite and of the ioyntes and the marow and is a discerner of the thoughtes and of the intents of the heart Neyther is there anye creature whyche is not manifest in his sight but al thyngs are naked and open to hys eyes wyth whome wee haue to do In whyche place there are two things of vs to be obserued The one that vnto the worde of GOD are ascribed life and other effectes of verye great
¶ THE COVRSE of Christianitie or As touching the dayly Reading and Meditation of the holy Scriptures very requisite and necessary for all Christians of what estate or condition soeuer TVVO BOOKES Translated out of Latine into English by Iohn Ludham Vicar of Wethersfeld 1579. The commaundement of God in the olde Testament Deut. 6. 11. These wordes whyche I commaunde thee this daye shall be in thine heart and thou shalte rehearse thē continually vnto thy children and shalt talke of them when thou tariest in thine house and when thou walkest by the waye when thou lyest down and when thou risest vp c. The commaundement of God in the nevve Testament Ioan. 5.39 Searche the Scriptures for they they be that testifye of mee Printed at London by Henry Bynneman 1579. TO THE RIGHT VVorshipful Vertuous and my very good Lady the Lady Mary Wroth late vvife to the right vvorshipful Sir THOMAS WROTH Knight of godly memorie deceassed Iohn Ludham wisheth continuaunce of health and al things prosperous in Christe Iesus WHat greate cause there is right worshipfull and my very good L. why all men of all sortes should be exhorted and earnestly excited to the daily readyng and meditation of the holy Scriptures the infinite perilles and calamities wherevnto we are al of vs continually subiect do moste plainely and plentifully declare For why who seeth not howe combersome and perillous a state they enter into that take vpon thē to trauaile in the Wildernes in the night season without the helpe either of Moone or Starres or any other light to direct them by Goe they not oftentimes out of the way Doe they not manye tymes stumble and stagger like men berefte of their senses Are they not euer and anone caughte in the Bryars and there pitiously tattred and torne Be they not like from time to time to run themselues either againste some Rocke Blocke or Tree standing before them wherby they get one while perhaps a shrewde rushe on the sides an otherwhile a curst thwacke ouerthwarte the shinnes now and then a sore bounse on the breaste by and by a dreadefull duste on the necke and shoulders straightwayes and odde blowe crosse the face and euen immediately an auke rap vpon the nose or some one dash or other in the eies eares or teeth But what are these in comparison of the rest very fleabitings For if they escape either with some or with all these hurts and annoyances which we haue now mētioned they may say and that truly they haue played the tall fellowes But ouer and besides these they light many tymes vppon some daungerous quagmire foregrowne Lake or Pitte wherein they sticke faste and are not able to winde themselues out againe no not to the death What shall I say of the huge multitude of Beastes so fierce and terrible in their kindes Are they not like euery moment to be deuoured of them Howe is it possible they should escape so many roaring Lions so many rauening Wolues so many bloudy Beares boy sterous Bulles cruell Tygres Panters Pardals Leopardes Serpentes Dragons and suche like and not become a pray vnto them I say nothing all this while of a daunger as greate as any other namely of the theeues and robbers cormorants and caytifes that lurke in obscure places gaping for the spoile of wayfaring men of whom notwithstanding they are cruelly rifled and haue oftetimes their throates miserably cut But who is able to expresse all the harde happes and hazardes whyche they throw themselues into that iourny by night in the Desart as is aforesaide Verily I suppose not Syluanus hymselfe Nowe then if incace the state of these menne be so difficulte and daungerous that are in hazarde onely of a bodily death howe muche more perillous and pernitious is the case of all those that remaine in suche continuall ieopardy bothe of bodye and soule Suche doubtelesse is the plighte of all Adams children euen from the tyme of their byrth to the daye of their death Such is the case and conditiō both of high and low rich and poore noble and base bonde and free Iewe and Gentile al and some one and other For why so soone as wee are borne we enter into thys worlde as into a huge Wildernesse where we are eftesoones environed with innumerable straites of the body with innumerable perplexities of the soule As touching the bodye we come naked into the worlde without either mantell to couer vs or strength to defende vs or discretion to guide vs or prouision to succour vs in whiche behalfe the very brute beastes do far-away surmount vs And wee be no sooner crawled foorth of our mothers womb but wee sette oute oure throates and crye euen thereby bewraying bothe oure present misery and oure wretchednesse to come As we growe vppe in yeares so increase oure troubles Troubles within vs troubles withoute vs troubles aboue vs troubles beneath vs troubles behinde vs troubles before vs troubles on the righte hande troubles on the lefte and euerye where troubles Within vs all manner of maladies and disseases proceedyng of inwarde causes whyche in verye deede are so manye in number as the verye Phisitions themselues coulde neuer as yet find oute propre names ynoughe for them much lesse prescribe any sitte remedies to heale them Without vs all kinde of outwarde crosses and distresses as hunger thirst colde nakednes woundes soares botches blaynes blindenesse lamenesse deafnesse dumbnesse perills of sworde perilles of fyre perilles of water c. Aboue vs are the Heauens as yee woulde saye armed againste vs the Firmament frownyng vppon vs the Ayre distempered the Windes wrastling the Thunders roaring the Lightnings flashing the Comettes and blazing Starres lowting the Sunne eclipsed the Moone depriued of hir light and all tokens of calamities vnto vs. Beneath vs is the earth oftetimes trembling and quaking many times sindged and scorched diuers times ouerflowen surrounded sometimes opening and swallowing vp all that euer is not seldome times breathing out pestilent vapours and exhalations to the destruction of whole Cities and Townes Behinde vs are al troubles vnlooked for Before vs all troubles foreseene On the right hande our friendes On the lefte hande oure foes Yea and which way soeuer we turne vs troubles vppon troubles trials vpon trials one vexation vppon an other and euen death it selfe cōtinually pursuing vs And thus fareth it with vs as touchyng our bodies But as concerning our soules the case is so muche the more dangerous as the enimies are pernitious and calamities grieuous whervnto they are subiect Subiect I say not by creatiō but by deprauatiō or rather by originall corruption For in deede if they be considered accordyng to that excellent nature wherein they were first created before the fall of Adam it will appeare that as in substance spirituall and in qualitie immortall so were they indued also with singular ornaments and heauēly vertues as whereby they resembled the image euen of God himselfe But alas euer since that fatall ruine and dismall
decay of our great vnhappy graundfather Adam they haue not onely bin depriued of all those ornamēts and graces which before they had but also infected with contrary vices and deformities so as in stedde of light they are become darke in stedde of pure they are become obscure in stedde of holy they are become prophane in stedde of vprighte iust perfit happy blessed the image of the eternall God they are become pieuish peruerse vnperfect vniust accursed the Image of the infernall Sathan And this forsooth generally is the state wherein we stand both in respect of our soules and bodies For the more manifest proofe wherof the Scriptures are plentifull especially where they painte foorth man in his naturall coloures and set him vp as it were on a stage to be seene For they teache that there is no sounde or whole parte in him from the crowne of the heade to the soale of the foote For why VVe are all the sorte of vs corrupte we haue all gone astray wee are all become abhominable there is none that vnderstandeth or seeketh after God there is none that doth good no not one Our mindes are distract within vs our memories are maymed oure reason vnreformed our vnderstanding vnperfite our wisedome foolishnesse oure heartes vncircumcised our iudgementes vniuste oure wils waywarde oure thoughtes vaine oure imaginations wicked our conceites carnall our fansies frustrate oure affections euil oure lusts vnbrideled our throats an open sepulchre our tongs haue vsed deceit the poison of Aspes is vnder our lippes our mouths are full of cursing and bitternesse oure handes are filled with cruelty and our fingers with iniquitie our feete are swifte to shed bloude destruction and calamitie are in oure wayes the way of peace we haue not knowen and there is no feare of God before oure eies These and such like are the excellent titles and prerogatiues wherewith the holy Ghost adorneth vs in the Scriptures These are in deede the true markes and monuments of our antiquitie the peculiar badges of our brauery the right Coat-armour of al Adams offspring Whereof leaste any man shoulde doubte and pretende I wote not what priuiledges for himselfe as thoughe he were exēpted out of the common aray of all fleshe the Scripture dealeth yet more plainely with vs and telleth vs that we are not only wretched and miserable by nature as being all conceiued of vncleane seede and all borne the children of wrath and perdition but also that wee haue al sinned where this worde All is referred to euery particular person whether he be Iewe or Gentile and are depriued of the glory of God that we are al workers of wickednes al shrinking and rebellious children lyars and lighter than vanitie it selfe all hatchers of Cokatrice egges and weauers of the Spiders webbe as the Prophet speaketh and to be shorte all subiect to the curse and malediction of God and so consequentlye to endlesse confusion both of soule and body For the rewarde of sinne is death and euery soule that sinneth shal dye saith the Lorde These things thus brieflye premised although they may seeme sufficient to strike as it were an Alarum into al mens consciences and to make them looke about them if haply they may espy any remedy yet ouer and besides these if wee will weigh and consider what an vnmercifull number of spirituall ennimies we haue to deale and encounter with how subtilly they lye in wayte to entrappe vs howe vncessantly they assayle vs howe greedily they gape to deuoure vs wee shall bee muche more inflamed as I thinke to prepare oure selues to the battaile and to stand vppon our guarde if at leaste we haue either anye care of oure owne welfare or dread of our own distruction For if so be wee haue not vnfitly compared the worlde vnto a Wildernes where men wander in the middest of innumerable dāgers are euen subiect cōtinually to a thousande deathes then maye it appeare sufficientlye what oure lotte and portion is in this life and howe hardlye we are like to be dealte withall vnlesse wee walke maruellous warily and circumspectly and bee throughlye fenced and fortified at all assayes We haue to consider that as there the wayes and pathes are verye doubtefull and vncertaine by reason of manifolde crinkes and turnings so here we are to mete with infinite Mazes Labyrinths of superstitions and false opinions so as there is nothing more harde and difficult than for a man amongst them to keepe the straighte course to eternall saluation Againe as the desart places are ful of horrible daungers as well in respecte of the wilde and fauage beastes as also of the Theeues and Robbers that lurke in them euen so are wee in this worlde enuironed about on euery side with farre more grieuous enimies as which for their crueltie and more than bloudy desire of destroying all that euer come in their wayes doe far-awaye exceede the saluagest beastes and cruellest cut-throates that bee For euen amongest vs rangeth that olde manqueller the Diuell who as Peter sayth goeth aboute like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may deuoure And hee is not alone but hee hathe an infinite rable and euen the Deuill and all of wicked Angels and vncleane Spirites to do him seruice so as he is not without good consideration called a Potentate the Prince of darknesse the Gouernour of this world the spirite that ruleth in the Ayre c. to note vnto vs the wonderfull force and puissance that he is of like as in other places for his malice and subtilty he is termed a Serpent for his crueltie a Lion and for all togither a greate redde Dragon hauing seauen heades and ten hornes and seauen Crowns vpon his heads c. There are also belonging to his hellish conduct and Kingdome an innumerable sorte of wicked doers whiche hauing vtterly reiected all sense of Humanitie and Godlinesse are degenerated into wilde saluage beastes For we may see euery where a ranke route of leacherous monsters to grunt like Hogges and Swine a huge throng of wrathfull Termagaunts to yell out lyke Beares a beastly company of Backbiters to barke abroade like Dogges a rauening sorte of Cormorants to houle out like Wolues a fierce and frantike multitude to take on like vntamed Tygres a number to play the parts of the nimble sighted Lynxes a slie and subtill sorte to fare like Foxes a tetchy and kicking kinde of Asses to bray a venemous sighte of Serpents to hisse and to be shorte such a huge rabble of stinking Goates bellowing Bugles puffing Panters and all manner of vncleane Beastes that a man shall walke muche safer in the Wildernesse amongst the wilde beastes in deede than hee can doe in the world amongest men of so beastly conditions neyther haue we to feare so great danger from the very Beasts themselues as we haue to doubt and dreade those that are of the selfe same nature with vs Insomuch that the olde fathers said not without a cause
shew mercy iudgement and righteousnesse in the earth and in these things I delight saith the lord And as touching the knowledge of his sonne the same God Esay 53. sayeth By hys knowledge shall my righteous seruant iustifie many and he shall beare their iniquitie But all this matter our sauiour CHRIST dispatcheth very roundly where he speketh to his father in these words Iohn 17. This is eternal life that they know thee to be the onely true GOD and whome thou hast sent IESVS CHRIST But now remaineth this thing to be discussed will some man say to witte from whence we haue to fette the knowledge of GOD the Father and of his sonne CHRIST and from whence we may readily learne how GOD will be worshipped of vs This matter is easily answered and determyned And soothly it is best for vs in thys behalfe to heare men inspired with the spirite of GOD rather than any other else whatsoeuer Therefore the authour of the 19. Psalme would haue vs to flee to the very law and testimonie vttered by GOD himselfe The Lawe of the Lord sayth he is vndefiled conuerting the soule the testimonie of the Lorde is sure and giueth wisedome to the simple The statutes of the Lord are right reioycing the hearte the commaundement of the Lord is pure and giueth light vnto the eyes The fear of the Lord is clean and endureth for euer the iudgements of the Lorde are true and righteous altogither More to be desired are they than golde yea than muche fine gold sweeter also than hony and the hony combe Moreouer by them is thy seruaunt taught and in keeping of them there is great rewarde Many things spoken to this effect in the 119. Psalme I purposelye passe ouer In Esay Chap. 8. Whosoeuer by GODS disposition do offer themselues vnto CHRIST to be taught as being desirous to learne the trueth are commaunded to resort for councel to the lawe and to the testimony And he whose integritie is renoumed in the Sermons of the Prophets Apostles I meane Abraham the common father of all the faythfull Luke 16. to those that are carefull to prouide and foresée least they fall into endlesse paines and torments giueth in charge that they heare attentiuely Moses and the Prophetes Last of all CHRIST speaketh expreselye Iohn 5. saying Searche the Scriptures for they are that testify of mee Then the matter is brought to this pointe that so many Kings and Princes as are desirous to rouze vp men to the purchasing of the knowledge of the true and euerlyuing GOD and of hys sonne IESVS CHRIST and to bring them home to a sounde and sincere religion haue néede especiallye for manye greate causes and considerations to become authours themselues vnto all their subiectes and euen to as manye as they maye that they and euery of them to the vttermost of their power maye applye their diligence continuallye to the reading hearing examining and meditating of the holy Scriptures Other waye than this wherein a man might walke safely as in respecte of knowing the true GOD and of puchasing saluation without feare of erroure or anye other daunger can none be shewed And vndoubtedly this businesse is in it self of such great excellencie dignitie that it is a thing well worthy wherof Christian Kings and Princes shoulde by a speciall regarde make decrées in their publike edictes and actes of Parliament Neyther in verye déede are they ignoraunt how it is the moste sage and sacred commaundemente of GOD himselfe that so manye as are desirous to bée enrolled and registred in the blessed Common weale and Citie of GOD shoulde continuallye exercise themselues in learning and meditating the lawe of GOD that is to saye the holy Scripture These words whiche I coÌ„maund thee this day sayth GOD alwayes our most noble Emperoure Deutronomie 6. shall be in thyne hearte and thou shalte rehearse them continually to thy children and shalte talke of them when thou tariest in thy house and when thou walkest by the waye when thou lyest downe and when thou risest vp Which decrée we finde to be repeated in the 11. Chapter of the same Booke that euen hereby it may be apparant that it is a matter very earnestly vrged of god Wherfore if Christian Magistrates doe at any tyme make lawes for theyr people wherein they shall no lesse seuerelye than grauelye commaunde that all and euerye householder and gouernours of familyes shall daylye in theyr seuerall houses ordinarilye reade heare and examine from tyme to tyme certaine Chapters of the holye new Scriptures they can not bée sayd to attempt anye matter or straunge from theyr office and callyng but with all faythfull diligence to propounde commende and putte in execution the moste aunâ—â—ent ordinaunce and decrée euen of GOD hymselfe by whose grace and fauoure they so ofte confesse themselues to be aduaunced to theyr hyghe and moste honourable estate And in good sooth if Magistrats woulde duely consider with themselues by howe solemne an othe and for howe manye causes they are bounde and beholden vnto GOD againe if they woulde call to minde howe néedefull a thyng it were especiallye in these dayes for all menne to bée trayned vppe in the doctrine of true Religion and besydes howe manyfolde commodities myghte by this moste holesome enterprise redounde vnto all estates they coulde by no meanes abyde to be counted slacke or negligente in thys behalfe But rather they woulde wyth all godlye care and so long time putte foorth Lawes touching the reading and meditation of the Scriptures vntyll they shoulde sée menne to bée more in loue with Diuine matters than nowe they are to profitte somewhat like in the Doctrine of Fayth and Christianitie and to amende their manners whyche we sée nowe euerye where oh vnhappye age of ours to be ouermuche corrupted and plainely abhominable And questionlesse it becommeth Magistrates wyth greate courage and constancye to goe forwards in thys office for so muche as they vnderstande that it is euen by name enioyned vnto them also of GOD that they shoulde continuallye be occupyed in readyng the sacréed Bookes For thus doeth GOD the supreme lawgiuer Deutronomie 17. say vnto them When the king shall sitte vpon the throne of his kingdome then shall he write him a copie of this Lawe in a booke by the Priestes of the Leuites and ye shal be with him and hee shall reade therein all the dayes of his life that he maye learne to feare the Lorde his GOD and to keepe al the wordes of this Lawe and these ordinaunces for to doe them That his hearte bee not lifted vp aboue his brethren and that he turne not from the commaundemente to the right hande or to the lefte but that hee maye prolong his dayes in his kingdome hee and hys sonnes in the middest of Israell They then are more grosely deceiued thaÌ„ that they shal néed with any long processe to be confuted whosoeuer they be that imagine this commaundement to belong in no wise vnto Christian Magistrates
hys worde but he prouided especially by his wonderfull prouidence that the same shoulde be committed to writing and so commended to euerlasting memorye For GOD him selfe wyth hys owne finger wrote his Lawe in two tables of stone and then commaunded that by Moyses and the reste of the Prophetes hys sayings and doings shoulde be putte in wryting Exodus 17.24.34 Deutronomie 6.31 Iosue 24. Ieremie 36. Psalme 102. By these what thyngs so euer are written they are called by the name of Scripture Whervpon Christ himselfe by the Scripture vnderstandeth the bookes of Moyses of the Prophetes and of the Psalmes Iohn 5. Luke 24. To the same bookes do the Apostles and Euangelistes wyl vs to haue recourse whylest to the confirmation of theyr owne assertions they oftentimes and that desirouslye alleage the Testimonies of Scripture But wée muste knowe that euen the Bookes of these also are accounted wyth the reste in one and the selfe same order of Scriptures whether they beare the name and tittle of Gospels or Actes or Epistles For it is out of all doubte and controuersie that whatsoeuer is comprehended in the whole bodye of the Canonicall bookes is the verye true and healthsome worde of GOD published and putte forthe by his commaundemente All Scripture sayeth the Apostle 2. Timoth. 3. is enspired of GOD. And Peter in his 2. Epistle Chap. 1. Prophesie sayeth hée came not in olde time by the wyll of man but holy men of GOD spake as they were moued by the holy GHOST And like as the writers as well of the Olde as of the Newe Testament receyued a commaundement from one and the selfe same GOD and our and the selfe same spirite enspired theyr myndes gouerned theyr handes and pennes Psalme 68. Actes 2.1 Corinth â—â— Ephes 4. euen so all the whole Scripture is in a manner one Booke reuealing wyth wonderfull consente thyngs moste diuerse and manifolde as Ieremie expounding the 29. Chapter of Esay and Saint Augustine in hys preface to the 150. Psalme doe learnedly gather Whyche things séeing they are so we doe with greate cause vehementlye speake in the commendation of thys Booke not in respecte of the paper or parchmente and of thys or that tongue or of one kinde of letter or other or of the Golde or diuersitie of colour wherwyth it is garnished and sette forthe but euen in respecte that it conteyneth the moste holye and sacred wordes of GOD hymselfe and therefore doe affirme that out of it men ought to learne both by reading and hearing what GOD hathe decréed of vs and of oure saluation For we muste knowe that to this ende especiallye all Bookes are written euen that they shoulde diligentlye be reade and by often reading ouer be fullye vnderstoode that so desyred fruytes myghte redounde to the vnderstanders of them Nowe there be thrée special causes why we shoulde bestowe more diligence in pervsing this latter Booke than the former FIRST Greater is the dignitie of GODS word than of the whole worlde The world in déede was created of the same that the word came from which we so greatly commende and eyther Booke is indifferentely called the Booke of GOD yet neuerthelesse the latter excelleth for so much as wée finde recyted in it the selfe same worde that GOD vsed when he made the worlde of nothing For we reade GOD sayde Let there bee light and the lighte was made Againe God sayde Let there be a firmamente and there was made a firmament and so forth of other things And whereas by the former Booke we perceyue onely that there is a worlde by the latter we maye perceyue what was before the worlde and from whence and by what meanes the same tooke beginning Therefore whether we were neuer able to aspire in searching of causes by the conducte of naturall reason thyther are wée broughte by Faith whyche Faith is intentiuelye fixed on the worde of GOD reuealed read or harde For Faith commeth by hearing of the worde and by Faith wee vnderstande that the worlde was ordayned throughe the worde of GOD so that the thyngs which are seene were made of things that appeared not Rom. 10. Heb. 11. SECONDLY Whatsoeuer thyngs are necessary to be knowen as touching the will of GOD and oure saluation are clearelye and expreslye declared in the written worde of GOD but howe farre shorte should we come to thinke that the same are as apparantly represented in the frame of the worlde Greate is the darkenesse of mennes mindes and oft times euen in those thyngs that are supposed to be moste manifeste by Nature they are more blynde than is the Owle in the noone dayes And then doe we all commonlye moste fouly ouershoote and deceiue our selues when we beginne once to dispute of GOD and of matters appertayning to saluation For proofe whereof are so manye and so absurde fonde and fantasticall I wyll not saye ridiculous opinions whyche the Philosophers deuised as touching GOD and their Summum bonum whereof the number grewe as Marcus Varro recounteth in Augustine in his Booke 19. Chapter 1. Of the Citie of GOD to a hundred fourescore and eighte And Hermias a Christian Philosopher reconed vp some of them and laugheth them well fauouredlye to scorn in his booke entituled A deriding of the prophane Philosophers But vndoubtedly hée shall at length be frée from all error and shall gather to hymselfe substantiall knowledge that neuer at anye tyme departeth from the footesteppes of the Prophetes and Apostles It were a haynous offence to determyne anye thyng of Religion or of the state of a better lyfe onlye by the direction of Nature excepte the censure bée giuen out of the tables of GODS worde and as well the Scripture it selfe as nature bee founde to sumpe togyther in one And therefore wisely the Prophete Psalme 19. After discourse hadde of the glory of GOD to be discerned by the workemanshippe of the Heauens and of the Firmamente addeth immediately a commendation of the Lawe and written worde of god The Lawe of the Lorde sayeth he is vndefyled conuerting the soule the testimonie of the Lorde is sure giuing wisedome to the simple the Statutes of the Lorde are right reioycing the heart the precepts of the Lorde are pure giuing light to the eyes As though he shoulde say we can by no meanes atteyne to the Sanctuarie of the eternall and simple truth without the brighte brands of Scripture burning before vs Which thing no doubte was signifyed by those wise men who comming from the East parts of the worlde although for a space they rightly followed the Starre as the rule of reason yet was it néedefull for them to the intente they myghte fynde out CHRIST the Kyng and worship him to be resolued out of the Oracles of the Prophetes as concerning the place where hée shoulde bée borne Math 2. The holy man Antonius myghte in déede saye wyth a safe conscience that thys huge and vnmeasurable Worlde was to him in stead of a Booke for so muchâ— as
eueÌ„ to those that were ouercome than if we shoulde perpetuallye striue with them by the doubtefull dint of sword It falleth not out alwayes well on our sides when wée indeauor to driue away force perforce craft with craft and as it is sayde in the prouerbe one nayle with another It behoueth a wise man first to trye all things before hée fall to they hazard of battel But especially when the case concerneth the affayres of religion or the saluation of soules then of necessitie must swordes giue place to doctrine rage to reason crueltie to humanity warres to peace In the Counsell holden at Vienna a Citie of Gallia Narbonensis in the yeare 1310. it was ordeyned that in al the noblest vniuersities of Europe thâ—re should be maintained professors of the Arabicke tong whyche tongue it is certaine that the Turkes doe vse in their Ceremonies and this cannot I construe to be done for anye other cause or consideration than that our Countreymen mighte be prouided and enstructed aforehande to common and treate at one time or other with the Turkes especially in the cause of religion But it belongeth not to this place to search ouer busily how the Turkes being the sworne enimies of our religion maye be reduced to a better minde and conioyned with vs in rites and doctrine It shal be good rather to speake vnto those that do proudely challendge to themselues the surname of Christians and yet in the meane time of nothing are lesse carefull all theyr life long than of the knowledge of CHRIST out of the holy Scriptures Gladly therefore woulde I learne of you what mindes ye would be off what aduice ye woulde take if at anye time being helde Captiue vnder the yoke of the Turkes yée should be driuen to such a straight as that ye should be suffred neyther to haue any bookes nor yet to heare any Christian preachers Truely I praye vnto GOD that hée woulde vouchsafe to withholde so great a mischiefe froÌ„ the neckes of all Christians neuerthelesse séeing there is none of vs all that oughte to stande in feare of the same or not muche vnlike misfortune distresse there is good cause why euery man should at the least in thoughte consider and deuise with himselfe what he woulde doe if at any time he were in that estate Thou therefore being driuen into miserable bondage and perchaÌ„ce fast fettered in yrons if thou shouldest heare dayly villanous opprobries vomited out against the sacred name of CHRIST if thou shouldest heare al the parts of our religion to be shamefullye intreated and misused wyth tauntes and mockes if sundry arguments should dayly be obiected to carry thée away from godly sinceritie if thou shouldest continually be commpelled to sée heare and doe those things that are altogither vnméete for Christians that is to say for Godly vertuous minds tell me I pray thée how and by what meanes wouldst thou then confirme and establishe thy hearte in Faith how any by what meanes wouldest thou be comforted in the middest of so many temptations that from thy childhode neuer learnedst anye thing at all out of the Bookes of the Prophets and Apostles that mighte help thée therevnto I am sure and certayne whosoeuer will weigh and consider these things vprightely as is méete he shall be enforced to confesse that in very déede there is nothing more miserable than a Christian man oppressed and consumed in a manner wyth suche anguishes both of body and mind and all bycause he is vtterly destitute of all solace and coÌ„fort of GODS word For as muche therefore as it is very playne and euident that the diligence of Laie men in learning the holye Scriptures is verye requisite and necessarie as well to the conseruation of the succession of ministers in Churches as also most profitable and commodious to the adorning of Common Weales and to the amplifying or rather pacifying of Kingdomes and Empires Let all both Kings and Prelates not withoute good cause in a common Councell determine and declare that all Christians withoute exception of what estate or condition soeuer they be ought so long time to be instructed in the holy Scriptures as they maye atteyne at the least some indifferent knowledge of the articles of our Religion and become able after a sorte to declare the same vnto others And would to God that all good men and especially those that are in authoritie aboue the rest would sufficiently consider how necessarie it were for them oftentimes to consult and deliberate about this matter No man is ignorant how in certaine ages past Churches were possessed of vnlearned ideotes and of meÌ„ without all religion such for the most parte as haue lepped out of Kings and Bishops Courtes Pantries Buttries wrastling places banquetting houses nourceries by whose meanes the pure doctrine of the Gospell yea all the whole order of preaching hath bin vtterly banished out of holy assemblies neyther did they busie themselues about any thing else saue the stincking traditioÌ„s of men and a number of colde ceremonies whereof in some there was a great deale more superstition I had almost said sacrilege than was in times past in the fond obseruatioÌ„s of the Heathen And as for the Scholes theÌ„selues what should a maÌ„ haue found in them but vgly rudenesse holding the highest roome togither with vnsauery and yet subtill sophistrie Againe the Romaine Empire hath with shame ynough for the space of these 4. C. yeares bin thrust out of ioynt shakeÌ„ torne in sunder and the partly by the Turkes who taking occasioÌ„ by our sinnes haue purloined froÌ„ vs now these prouinces nowe those partly by Christian Princes themselues through whose vnquenchable discordes the sinewes of the Christian coÌ„mon weale haue bin cut asunder and the whole strength therof vtterly wasted and consumed to speake nothing in the meane time of a million of mischiefes broughte into Europe by the ambition pride of certain Bishops To be short such hath of loÌ„g time bin the state of things amoÌ„g Christians as we reade to haue bin amoÌ„g the Iewes when they were oppressed with the hard yoke of Ieroboam Achab Manasses the Kings of Babylon and such like for why ouer besides most cruell warres innumerable slaughters common calamities not to be named the sincere worship of the true GOD hath bin quite and cleane abolished superstitioÌ„s haue borne the greatest sway faithfull teachers haue bin flayne or thrust out of their places finally the very Bookes of holy Scripture themselues haue bin vtterly lost and rare in very déede was that man to be founde that thoughte anye better of Religion than did godlesse Diagoras For soothly so it is when it pleaseth GOD to punishe barbarous and faithlesse men he strippeth them starke naked as a man would saye and depriueth them of all power But when he determineth to punish his own those people whether they be of the Iewes or Gentiles he bereaueth them of the noble and pretious treasure of his worde whyche
truth both of sayings and doings maye appeare in all his actions which then chiefly commeth to passe when he inforceth himselfe to abide by his worde and couenant when hée dothe not counterfet or adulterate the wares broughte home from anye place but without vanitie withoute fraude or guile withoute the conceyte of filthy gayne vttereth and selleth the same But that any man should in this wise giue both vnto God that whiche is Gods and vnto men the things that are mens it is very vnlikely nay it is impossible except he shall firste déepely imprint in his mind the commaundements of God put forth in the holy Scriptures as touching buyings and sellings as touching diuers and sundry kindes of contractes or bargaynes Leuit. 25. and elsewhere of payments Leuit. 19. Deut. 24. of pawnes or pledges Exo. 22. of iustice and equitie in weightes and measures Leuit 19. Deut. 25. Prouer. 11.20 out of whiche oracles as out of welsprings doe flow all ciuill lawes deuised and made of like matters The selfesame iudgement is to be giuen of all artificers and craftesmen in generall Where if it were so nowe that husbandmen knewe howe greatly their state and condition is euery where commended in the holy Scriptures but who is able to recken vp the places wherein are propounded and put forthe examples sentences precepts comparisons parables taken and drawen from matters of husbandry if they knewe likewise what duties of godlynesse are prescribed vnto them towardes the pore and towarde strangers Leuit. 23. they woulde no doubt make muche of those Bookes and suffer no daye to escape wherein they would not bestow some time at home eyther euening or morning in reading and meditating the worde of god Doubtlesse the things that are conteyned in theÌ„ be farre more excellent than those whiche Chrysostome in hys 19. Homilie to the people of Antioch setteth downe as touching the honestie and vertuous conuersation of Husbandmen though I graunt his allegations are not to be despised yet for breuities sake I will not héere insert them And for so much coÌ„monly as these kind of men do inhabit and dwell farre off froÌ„ neybors and besides haue not alwayes the Ministers of theyr Churches néere hand vnto theÌ„ it caÌ„ not be but very requisite and necessarie that at leastwise the good man of the house himself especially where there is great store of children a seruants many workemen are dayly hired as it vâ—ually coÌ„meth to passe in husbaÌ„dry being for this cause very worthy of commendation should so profite go forward in the doctrine of ReligioÌ„ that he might be able to goe before his houshold and familie in inuocatioÌ„ prayer sometimes to opeÌ„ and declare the chief points principles of faith and in case anye casualtie or misfortune so require to lift vp him that is beaten downe with affliction or other necessitie to comfort those that be sicke and like to die whether they be in his owne or in his neyghbours house to arme and strengthen wyth places of holy Scripture the partie that wrastles in the last agonie of deathe to instructe his children in some measure in the wayes of godlynesse and when they of his housholde are letted by vuseasonable weather or other occasion wherby they can not resort to the Church to heare the worde of God expounded by the Minister then he to reade somethingâ— vnto them out of the holye Scriptures after whiche sort truly we knowe that the holy Patriarkes and innumerable others haue in olde time bin accustomed to do What shall I say further There is no house that can rightly be called a ChristiaÌ„ house except the worde of Christ dwell in it and something be dayly vttered hard as touching holy matters or points of Diuinitie Euery wel ordered true Christian familie ought to represent the forme similitude as well of the common weale as also inespecially of the Church and that most chiefly by the continuall haÌ„â—â—ing intreating of the word of god Neither caÌ„ it be preteÌ„ded that any person is vnapt or vnfit to be taught If it to fall out that euen little children doe soone perceyue wordes tending to laughter or otherwise vnprofitable lighte I will not say lewde and filthy and caÌ„ find the meanes readily ynough to râ—peate them agayne why shoulde they not as well learne nowe and then somewhat as touching godlynesse of life and Christian Religion wherefore Chrysostome in his 2. Homilie vpon Iohn with a very sharp and controlling kind of spéech ratleth vp parents saying That they do prouoke Gods wrath against themselues more than they would thinke when they count it to be troublesome and ouertimely to haue their children trayned vp in the exercise of sprituall things Do not so accompte it sayth he do not so esteeme it This age doth of all other stand most chiefely in neede of Spirituall admonitions it is greene and tender and quickly drincketh in the liquors that are dripped into it If any man wil go about to draw them euen from their cradles and as yee would say from the very traces of sinne vnto the way of vertue he shal confirme them in a certayne stayednesse and nature of godly liuing Neyther will they lightly of their owne accorde fall into a worser biasse where they haue with suche a custome as this bin allured from their tender yeares vnto vertue By this meanes also they shall the more willingly both honour and reuerence their elders Agayne they shall be made more fitte to deale in any worldly affayres Thus much hath he there I am compelled to adde heerevnto out of the same Authoure that is to say the golden wordes of his golden mouth written in his 21. Homilie vppon the Epistle to the Ephesians Wouldest thou haue sayth he thy sonne to be well nurtured bring him vp froÌ„ his youth in the feare and nourture of the lord Thinke it not to be superfluous if hee heare the holy Scriptures for there shall be first heare this Honour thy Father and thy Mother Therefore this is done for thy behoofe Say not it belongeth to Monkes to heare the Scriptures Shal I make my sonne a Monke No it is not needefull for him to be a Monke Why fearest thou that whiche is greatly for his profite Make him a Christian It is chiefely requisite for worldly folkes to knowe what things are taught them out of the Scriptures especially for children for there is muche folly in that age And that folly of children is muche encreased euen in outward things when they once know that those noble men also whome they haue in admiration are subiect to infirmities and afrayd of deathe Of which sort was this that Achilles when he saw that hee must now dye for his concubine repented him then of his deede of which sort is this also namely when one is drunke and manye other suche things are committed These medicines therefore are needefull For is it not to be thought a poynt of greate folly in
by what meanes a man may pick out leysure and oportunitie to reade the holy Scriptures Verily I dare auouch that there is no kind of calling so vnwrapped or intangled in businesses wherein may not be had a conuenient respite to think vpon and accomplish somthing for the safetie and preseruation of the soule Among the offices that are full of difficulties and daungers maye be reckoned the kingdome the state of Consuls Lieutenauntes Iudges the gouernement of armies and if there bée anye honourable function besides in a great and mightie Commonwealth And it is euident that a greate number of men béeing in the sayde seuerall authorities verye famous and renoumed euen in the troublesome state of things and in the greatest flouds of cares and perplexities gaue notwithstanding a certaine portion of time to reading writing meditation consultatioÌ„ of coÌ„cerning difficult weighty affaires Examples of the Gentiles if any be delighted to heare he shall not néede to séeke farre for them It is reported that Alexander the Greate euen whilest he was busie in leadyng aboute his royall army of souldiours vsed to reade and write diuers and sundrye things and that if at anye tyme he was to ioyne battell with his enimy he woulde snatche vp some one booke or other for his purpose and reade whereby as by a counsailer and encourager he might be made both more apt and also more couragious to fight Octauius the Emperour if we maye credite Suetonius in a moste cruell battaile holden at Mutina a Citie of Gallia read wrote and declaymed dayly in the night time being awaked oute of sléepe he vsed a reader of Commentaries and when he was at home he would recite certaine writings of his owne to his familiar friends as vnto hearers in the Schooles Iulius Caesar as he happily fought sundry battells so put he the same himselfe as elegantly in writing and that euen in his Tentes in the noise of Trumpettes and in the confused clattering of armour and weapons so farre foorthe that a man maye doubte by whether of the two things he attained greater commendation And before thys man Cato Censorius famous for his skil both of warre and peace read very much year learned the Gréeke tong perfectlye when he was an olde man as afterwarde his graundchilde whome they called Vticensis wayting in the Courte till the Senate shoulde come togyther hadde his Bookes with him leaste any parte of the hour-glasse shoulde come forth without fruite Plinius Veronensis albeit hée was intangled with the affaires of the Courte of the lawe and of warfare yet didde hée neuer refraine hymselfe from Philosophie and from the insearching of hidden thyngs but whither he were taking his meate or iorneying or doing of some other thing he eyther read or hearde one reading wrote or indighted to one writing for him But omitting these Gentiles in whom no doubt shineth forth a wonderful industrie and care of good learning I thinke it muche better for godly and Christian people to haue the examples of godly men expounded that euen for the likenesse of religion and doctrine which they follow the mindes of all may become the more prompt and readie to imitate and imbrace the same Set before your eyes therefore the noble king Dauid a man strong and valiaunte both in war and in peace and right notable in battels and conquestes For hée whether it were so that flying the tyraunt Saule he one while wandered in obscure and forborne places another while susteyned woful banishment with the king of Geth or whither that he feared himselfe by reason of his sonne Absolon kindling the coaâ—s of ciuill warre against him or whither he should stande to the triall of battell abroade with his enimies or whither he ruled at home the raines of his kingdom was not only bent and inclined continually to the law which he had always about with him by gods coÌ„mÌ„adement but also in those most dolefull troublesome turmoyles he wrote and sang manifolde Psalmes Hys sonne and successour Salomon so administred his kingdome that he brought the same to a peaceable and most flourishing estate he was in his owne person the chiefe dealer in matter of iustice and equity the ambassadors whych kings and Princes sent vnto him as desirous to heare his wisdome and Councels he most wisely aunswered he builded moreouer most gorgiously and sumptuouslye but in al these things he omitted nothing as touching his manner of reading and pervsing the holy lawe yea he put forth parables and verses or sentences in great number he disputed most sharpely as touching summum bonum or the chiefe ende of man as is to be séene in Ecclesiastes as touching trées and plantes of beastes of birdes of wormes of fishes 1. King. 4. And what thinke yée did Ezechias and Iosias during the time of their seuerall gouernements in the studye and meditation of the holye Scriptures who to the reforming and preseruing as well of the Churche as of the common wealth vsing the counsell and aduice of the wisest of the Priestes and Prophets that age was ennobled by the excellent Prophetes Esaias Hoseas Micheas Ieremias lefte no way vnsoughte nor no stone vnturned But yet before a greate number of other that honourable Eunuch for his wonderfull diligence deserueth commendation who was the chiefe treasourer to a Quéene and alwayes occupyed in giuing and taking in casting and recasting of accomptes whyche is a moste troublesome office especiallye in a womans Courte and yet not so muche as euen then whâ—â— hée iourneyed by the waye and rode in a Chariot suffered hée the time to passe awaye withoute the reading of the Scriptures Of whome forbycause we haue spoken before nowe it shall be sufficient briefly to haue repeated thus much Notable is the praise of Cornelius the Centurion Captaine of the Italian band whom Luke Acts 10. setteth forth to haue béen a louer of sincere religion to haue feared and worshipped GOD wyth al his house which himselfe no doubt had so taught enformed to haue giueÌ„ willingly almes to the poore and finally wyth feruent prayers to haue called vpon God withoute ceassing But that he was suche a one withoute the reading and vnderstanding of the Scriptures wée canne by no means suspect séeing that euen Peter in his oration whiche he made to those that were assembled in the house of Cornelius saith playnely that the word which the Lord sent to the children of Israel preaching Peace by Iesus Christe the Lorde of all men was knowen vnto them Thou sést therfore that Kings and Princes Courtiers Lieutenaunts Capitaines whome no man can deny to be euermore distracted into manye and diuers affayres euen at what time they were in a maner oppressed with the waighte and burthen of businesses coulde finde some oportunitie to the readyng and meditation of Gods word how can then the colde and far fetched reasons take place that a number doe alleadge in greate plenty and I wote not withoute what coloured pretences to excuse
thorough with it once in a tweluemonths space If thou pervse ouer ten Chapters thou shalt go thorough with it twice and one only day shal be left to spare If fiftéene Chapters thou shalt accomplishe it thrice If twentie thou shalte accomplish it foure times These things being thus declared it remayneth that euery godly man do repute with himselfe howe oft hée will reade ouer the holy Psalmes howe ofte the bookes of the olde Testament howe oft the newe Testamente in a yeares space Of whiche pointe when he hath once determined then shall it be néedefull for him to limit out the Chapters of the bookes according to the wéekes and dayes of the yeare after that forme and order whiche wée haue shewed in the premisses Howbeit partly to the intent the godlie disposed may the more willingly and easilye imbrace our counsayle and aduice partly leaste those that haue alreadye attempted to reade dayly the holye Byble at houres appointed should alleage for excuse that they do sooner than a man would thinke fayle and misse in the order or number of the Chapters I haue prouided a Calendar wherein for euery daye in euery moneth are noted and set downe certaine Chapters as wel of the worke of the Psalmes as of the other bookes of the old and new Testament and the same truely so digested and distincted in number that thou mayste verye well reade and pervse ouer once or oftner in a yeare as thou thinkest good al the said bookes of the holy Bible or at leastwise so many of them as thou hast most fancie to and canst best like of And in this order is this Calendar made First and foremost we haue giuen to euerye moneth two litle pages or sides of a leafe the one answering to the other and either of them with lines from aboue drawn directly downewarde disseuered and diuided into Columnes or pillers In the former page of the left side are drawen two suche lines betwéen which for as muche as they represent and make a very small and slender piller there is no greater space or distaunce than that by descending from the heade to the foote the letters A. b.c.d e. f g. A b.c. c whereby are wont to be noted in common Calendars the spaces of the wéekes and number of the dayes maye be writen But before this same piller towarde the left side there are set down certaine notes of numbers which whilest they aunswere to the sayde letters doe at the firste sighte declare what day of the moneth euerye daye in the wéeke is From the seconde line to the vttermost parte of the same side towarde the right hande is a great deale of space left wherein whosoeuer list maye at his owne choyce and libertie note the publike feasts and holydayes hapning throughout the whole yeare Though I who am fully resolued to consecrate this labour whatsoeuer it bée to the reading of the Scriptures and for this cause haue willinglye called it a Calendar of the holy Scripture do set downe the things memorable whiche the holy bookes reporte to be done on certaine dayes adding also some things in some places whiche the opinion onely of the learned warranteth to be done on the same dayes of which sort are the natiuitie and death of CHRIST the murther of Stephen the calling of Paule c. as touching whych things verile the holy Scripture expresseth no certain dayes and yet by the common consentes of all menne there are some certaine dayees appointed Thus much of the former â—age On the other side or page which stretchesh towarde the right hande there follow foure other distaunces or pillers marked out with fiue lines let downe to rights in manner of a plum line And of all of them well néere the bredth is alike sauing that the first is discerned to be somwhat narrower Whiche first is appointed only to the worke of the Psalmes and it conteyneth in suche wise the number and order of Psalmes affixed on certaine dayes as all men may pervse them ouer once euerye yeare But if a man be disposed to reade them twice or thrice or fouretymes in a yere there is no cause to the contrary but that he by his own choyce and industry multiplying the numbers of the Psalmes according to the rate and proportion of euery wéeke may frame to himselfe papers with columnes or pillers correspondent and fixe them in a table to his own vse concerning which thing we haue touched somewhat also aboue Next foloweth the seconde Columne wherein are placed the bookes of the olde Testament whiche our auncesters the most holy gouernours of Churches haue acknowledged to be Canonicall The names therefore of these bookes we haue sette downe in a decent order and likewise what and howe manye Chapters of them maye conuently be reade euerye daye The third Columne we haue giuen to the bookes of the Olde Testamente no numbred in the Canon wherof the titles and Chapters are in a number certaine distributed throughout the wéekes of euerye moneth And we haue purposelye sundered these bookes from the former neyther woulde wée mingle them togither in one and the selfesame distance For it came to my remembraunce to feare that that woulde not onely haue bin vnséemely but also to some very gréeuous For what if some mans stomacke could not well brooke the Bookes of the latter kinds or at least not thinke them worthy the reading euery yere Truely I for my parte will interprete my successe to be happy and my labour and diligence not to be vtterly loste if so be I shall obtaine but thus muche of good folkes namely that they will euen once in a yere reade ouer all the Canonicall Bookes Furthermore the fourth columne is dedicated to all the Bookes whyche are nowe euery where by a custome receiued ascribed to the new Testament the Chapters whereof we haue in such wise digested and disposed as that they may once in a yeares space be read ouer without any paines But if any mans minde shall be inflamed with so seruent a desire of reading the holy mysteries that he wyll assay to attempt greater matters and like as the Psalmes so peraduenture also couet to go through a twice or thrice wyth the Canonical Bookes of the olde and newe Testament it shall be an easie matter for him by doubling the numbers whiche we haue put or by conueying them somewhat otherwise to deuise an other way fit and profitable for hys purpose and to make another Calendar Moreouer aboue these Columnes in the pages of euery moneth there are fixed of vs in steade of pillar coronets certaine titles The firste and highest line extended throughout both the pages containeth the name of euery moneth in Latine and English then next how the Hebrues do call the same how many it is with theÌ„ in number finaly howe it is termed in the Atticke tongue of the Gréeks The line that is vnderneath this I meane in the former page ouer and aboue the firste
minde vnto GOD and behold wonder at anwadore his goodnesse power Wisdome righteousnesse c. And truely howe it commeth to passe I knowe not the verye sighte of the holye Bookes themselues doeth sodainelye strike as it were priuilye a Whiche thing Chrisostome also in his thirde homilie of Lazarus testifieth Let vs not hoorde vp golde saith he but let vs lay vp for our selues the treasure of the spiritual Bookes As for gold verily when it encreaseth most thē doth it moste of al endanger the possessors of it But the Bokes beyng well laide vp do bring muche profite to the owners of them For euen as when the warlike weapons of a King are bestowed although there be none to possesse thē yet do thei minister great safetie preseruation to those that dwell in the house where they are laid vp whiles neither theeues nor breakers down of walles nor any other malefactor dare once venture vpon that house so wheresoeuer the spirituall Bookes are founde from thence is expelled all the power of the Diuell and greate consolation offred to the inhabitants Inasmuche as euen the verye beholding also of the Bookes maketh vs to be more slowe to sinne For whither we haue committed any thing that is forbiddē and defiled ourselues yet being returned home and hauing looked vpon the Bookes oure conscience doeth more fiercely condemne vs and we are made afraide to committe the like againe whither we haue continued in godlinesse of life by the Bookes wee become more strong and stedfast For so soone as a man hathe touched the Gospell by and by he hathe disposed his owne mind and withdrawen it from worldly affayres and that onely by the sighte thereof But if he shall adde diligent reading then as the soule that is occupyed in the holye mysteries and matters of GOD so is he purged and made better GOD talking wyth hym throughe those Scriptures So sayth Chrisostome whose wordes it is méete we shoulde reade wyth suche an affection as he himselfe vttered them in that is to saye a godly and religious and voyd of all superstition Now albeit the dignitie of the holy Books be greater far-awaye than wee are able to expresse in wordes yet there is no cause why anye man shoulde mistruste but that the vnderstāding of them may be opened vnto him God indéede speaketh himselfe in them but the same God doeth wonderfullye apply hymselfe vnto vs and euen willinglye abateth hys talke to our capacitie As mothers knowe howe to stutte and stammer with their stutting and stammering infants euen so doeth God vouchsafe to debate manye thynges wyth vs after the manner of menne whilest namely of the things that are common amongst vs he borroweth examples similitudes sentences and many other things moe profitable to an easie and plaine methode of teaching Yea and moreouer the writers that firste of all compiled the sacred Bookes whome hée woulde haue to bée as hys Vshers and substitutes to teach vs in the Schoole of his Churche he hathe chosen to be suche as were not famous wyth anye notable learning but of vile and base condition and vtterly voyde in a maner of al knowledge and erudition Moses whom a number do suppose to be the Author not onely of the fiue Bookes commonlye ascribed vnto him but aso of the Booke of Iob likewise Dauid and Amos were renowmed thoroughe feeding of cattell Peter the Apostle and Iohn the Gospel writer lyued by the trade of Fishing Paule exercised Tent-makyng Luke publikely dealte with Phisicke albeit there be some not wanting whyche contende that he was also a Paynter Matthewe played the Publican or Tolgatherer Loo◠what crue and fraternitie the moste excellent writers were Nowe then they vsed a kinde of speache that was agréeable to themselues and to their likes that is to saye familiar plaine and sauoring euerye where of suche a certaine ordinarye simplicitie as wée reade that S. Augustine and certaine other fauourers of eloquence durst for a tyme contemne the holy Scriptures by reason of their beggerly phrase créeping vppon the grounde and destitute of all Rhetoricall beauty All men and women therefore oughte assuredlye to truste yea euen the homely husbandmen shéepe-beardes Fishermen Bakers Bruers Paynters Carpenters Fullers Corriers Tanners and all inferiour craftsmen whatsoeuer also Wyues Widows Virgins that they and euerye of them so they haue heartes desirous to learne maye quickely profite in reading of the Scriptures And ofte tymes whereas somthings escape vs not GOD but we our selues are in the faulte For why it is not wythout a cause that he complayneth or the vngodly who sayeth that they would not vnderstande to doe good but hardened theyr heartes bycause they regarded not the voyce of the Lorde Psalme 36.95 Moreouer there are preceptes extante whereby wée are commaunded to craue GODS ayde in thys behalfe there are promises also whyche doe put vs in sure and certaine hope that nothyng shall bée denyed vnto vs Aske sayth CHRIST and it shall bee giuen you Knocke and it shall bee opened vnto you Matth. 7. Luke 11. And Iames Chap. 1. If anye of you lacke Wisedome let hym aske of him that giueth it namely GOD who gyueth to all menne indifferently and casteth no manne in the teeth Who then woulde bée grieued when he commeth to reade the holye mysteries to vse firste some shorte fourme of Prayer And manye formes of praying may be gathered out of the hundred and ninetéene Psalme alone to the intent I maye speake nothyng of other places No man I trowe will thinke muche to saye Blessed art thou O Lorde teach me thy statutes or Open thou mine eyes O Lorde that I maye see the wonderfull things of thy lawe or O Lorde make me to vnderstande the waye of thy commaundements or Teache me O Lorde the waye of thy statutes and I will keepe thy lawe yea I wil keepe it with my whole heart Cause me to walke in the path of thy commaundements for I am well pleased in it or The earth O Lord is filled wyth thy goodnesse O Lorde teach me thy statutes or Thy handes O Lorde haue made me and fashioned me giue me vnderstanding that I may learne thy commaundementes or Deale wyth thy seruaunte according to thy goodnesse and teache me thy statutes I am thy seruaunte giue mee vnderstanding that I maye knowe thy testimonies or The righteousnesse of thy iudgementes O Lorde abideth for euer giue mee vnderstanding and I shal liue c. Also out of the Ps. 25. Shew thy wayes vnto me O Lorde and teache me thy pathes Leade me in thy truth and teache mee for thou arte the God of my saluation Againe in the same Psalme The Lord is good and gratious and therefore will hee teache sinners in the waye He will direct the meeke in iudgement and teache his way vnto the lowly All the wayes of the Lorde are Mercy and Truth to them that keepe his couenaunte and his testimonies Thus whosoeuer shall praye with an assured confidence God will open
and defende their own slouthfulnesse withall To be shorte there is no state or condition no function or office no laboures no causes incident either to publike or priuate dealings that can minister anye excuse sufficiently lawfull to discharge anye Christian from the reading and pervsing of the Sacred Bookes Nowe sith it is euident that no excuse or allegation whatsoeuer wyll goe for payment it is méete and requisite that euery man doe so distribute the times houres of hys actions as of them he may giue some daylye to the searching of the writings of the Prophets and Apostles And in good sooth it is not likely that the thinges shoulde otherwise be well done that are not accomplished in order and in a tyme appointed Some things are fit to be done in the nighte othersome in the dawning othersome in the morning othersome at noonetide othersome in the euening And looke howe muche more laborious the businesses are or labours busie whych it behoueth to deale withall so muche more duly shalte thou seuer and diuide them and indeuoure to execute euerye thing in certaine houres and peculiar distances of times and seasons We reade in Ammianus Marcellinus that Alexander the greate Iulius Caesar and the Emperour Iulianus who laboured to immitate those former in manye thinges diuided the nightes while they laye in their campes into thrée partes wherof the first parte they gaue vnto rest and to the satisfaction of nature the seconde to the doing of things néedefull the thirde to the studye of good artes and sciences But why doe we not rather turne our consideration vnto Christian princes Therefore to speake of Alfred king of Britain who first of all founded the famous schole at Oxforde we finde it recorded that he in like manner disseuered all the time into thrée portions and gaue eight houres dayly to the minde to read pray and meditate in other eight to the administration of his kingdome and the residue to bodily exercises Not muche vnlike vnto this man was Charles the great who vsed to féed his minde with good studies and meditatiōs but especially with the reading of the holy Scriptures and which not a fewe haue reported of him in the time of dinner and supper he wold alwayes haue some things recyted as well out of the sacred Bible as also out of the workes of Saint Augustine It is plain and euident that many other princes mo besides haue in learning the duties of godlynes out of the holy Scriptures troden the salfe same pathe Why do not euery one of vs therefore after the example of so worthy men especially of Alfred and Charles kings that deserued excéedinglye wel of Christian religion take counsel by by as touching ordinary houres to be appointed to the reading of the holy Bible I doe very willingly and euen purposely rehearse the factes of kings and princes in this cause partly to the intent the kings princes and noble men of our days may perceiue that they also are prouoked by the authoritie princely presidents of their auncestours to the like diligence in learning the doctrine of religion and partly to the ende that inferioure persons who are by no meanes like princes surcharged and in a maner ouerwhelmed with the waues of manifolde and difficult affayres may vnderstand and wil they nil they confesse that they haue no manner of excuse left vnto them wherby they might pretend that they want fit time and oportuniti to reade the holy Scriptures Be it therefore concluded and determined that it is no harde matter for any Christian to finde fit places times and houres to pervse ouer the bookes of the heauenly Philosophy that at leastwise considering what other excellent men haue done in the same matter will not sticke valiantlye to pricke forwarde himselfe to the doing of the like Therefore now as one letting his sute fall and acknowledging himselfe to be vanquished and ouercome some man demaundeth and would gladly learne of vs what time or what houres we déeme conuenient to be chozen to the reading of the sacred bookes I wil in few wordes declare what I thinke to be moste expediente The choyse ought especially to be in thy selfe to determine of the houres according to the manner of the fūction whiche thine office or kinde of life doeth require Doubtlesse GOD himselfe séemeth greatly to commend the time of the morning and euening when a Deut. 6. and 11. he sayth ye shall lay vp my words in your heart and in your soule And ye shall teache them your children speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house when thou walkest by the way when thou liest down and whē thou risest vp Thou séest the times to be pointed out which euery man euen without any informer shoulde effectuallye in déede consecrate vnto prayers thankesgiuing and meditation of things spirituall and heauenly Albeit where the Lorde addeth that when a man sitteth at home in his house and when he trauelleth by the way he oughte to talke of his word he doth not obscurely signify that not only in the morning and euening but also at all other times and houres whatsoeuer men may profitably be excused in learning the lawe of God and therefore that it muste be leafte frée to euerye manne to appoint certaine houres accordyng to the trade of hys lyfe and varietie of businesses whyche happen therein That whyche is of it selfe holesome and fruitefull at what time soeuer it be done is well done Let thy chiefe studye and care be this that what houres thou haste once appointed thou mayste without interruption and manger all lettes and impedimentes perpetually obserue For why all things that shall once in this behalfe reuerently be decréede are as by an inuiolable lawe and yet withoute superstition to be reteyned and kepte And if at any time peraduenture some odde businesse and vnlooked for doe fall out to the contrary then it behoueth theé very carefully to prouide that at some other tyme the want be supplied But againe thou askest howe muche shall I reade euerye daye in what space shall I once peruse ouer all the whole Bible I aunswere that as I vnderstand it was an ordinary matter with oure auncestours once in a yeares space to haue the Bible from the beginning to the ende publikely recited in holy assemblies to the common instruction of all that were present For to the intēt that thing might the more commodiously be done they admitted in those daies no other Psalmes or Books of Scripture in the sayde assemblies but suche as were Canonicall as wée haue shewed in the former Booke And that the same moste commendable vsage was kepte and continued manye ages following it is not to bée doubted For euen Gratian himselfe distinct 15. declaring what Bookes of holy Scripture were wonte to be read in hys tyme that is to say about the yeare after Christes byrth .1160 signifyeth that there was made onelye a verye small chaunge From Septuagesima sayth he