That most Princely Prophet Dauid woorshipfull Sir pronounceth al those too bee blessed which dwel in the house of the Lorde that is to say in the Churche of God affirming further that they shal praise him deseruingly world without ende Psalm 83. Surely if the Lorde GOD the holy one of Israel shoulde presently summon the husbandemen of his Vineyearde throughout the worlde too giue perfect reckoning of due fructifying and happy state of his Churche at this day I doubt whether any Nation vnder the Sunne haue founde so greate felicitie and blessinges abounding in them as this little Iland of ours hath had in her of long tyme neither that any Nation hath better cause too praise his holy name for his gracious goodnes then wee haue euen worlde without ende Considering hee hath long since out of this his Vineyearde in Englande pluckte vpp by the roote that vnfruiteful figge tree of the Popes planting Considering also that the vyne of his glorious Gospel hath long florished stil doth without the annoyance of any populer tree of forraine Campania maugre the malice of her malignant aduersaries from day too daye fructifying in the true knowledge of GOD of his righteousnes and vertue vnto immortality Wherefore as euery labourer in this Vineyearde is bounden in duetie too bring with him godly care for conseruation and preseruation of the welfare thereof so ought ech one faythfully to laboure in true godlines and vertue too such effect that whereas oure Sauiour Christe saith there are yet foure Monethes the Haruest wil bee heere anone Wee shoulde therefore be ready too reape the Haruest of the Lorde that wee may receiue reward gather our fruites into the barne of euerlasting beatitude Iohn 4. To this ende and purpose worshipful Sir as one moste simple of many others and bounden in duetie with them of better ability I haue heere not onely brought my best good will but also abillity therewith as too furder the welfare of the Churche of GOD amongst vs if by any meanes it so please GOD may possible I haue therfore pressing my selfe an vnworthy labourer lacking Columellaes cunning in contriuing or trying Palladius his experience in planting and purging and Verroes vertue in aduauncing the beautiful beatitude of a vineyeard simply heere set downe the names natures of a fewe true vyne plantes collected the branches out of sundry testimonies of sacred scriptures and framed in order the fruiteful examples of oure sauiour Christe or of as many most excellēt godly and vertuous persons as out of the scriptures onely sacred I coulde select to beautify and fructifie the state of Gods Church in this my natiue country the patronaige wherof I haue vowed vnto your woorthy woorship as amongst others godly and vertuous Gentlemen my good benefactors at this present chosen for your liuely sinceare zele to Gods trueth your vertuous example of godly conuersation and singular loue to al good learning proceeding from the roote and braunches of your woorthy progeny especially your right worshipful grandfather M. Nicholas Vdale a man for al rare respectes of true Godlines and vertue beloued of God his Prince the renoumed King Henry the VIII his godly and vertuous spowse Queene Katherin and the blessed King Edward the VI. and of al good and godly men whose steypes as you imitate so therefore may you seeme woorthely answerable too the protection of this and farre better trauailes To you therfore I say as a valley replenished with the vertuous plantes of your vertuous progeny and as a florishing plant in these most florishing daies of our diuine Debora Queene ELIZABETH whose gratious and blessed raigne the Lorde prorogate vnto the ende of the world doo I with all humble and hearty good will consecrate this Vineyard of Vertue And bicause good meaning hath many enimies in these dayes and true vertue neuer wanteth vniust enuie I am in duetie bound to praye vnto the Almightie continually that the Vineyard of the Lord so florishing at this day in Englande may be by him still preserued from those same popish perillous Coluoluoli whose propertie is euer to be gnawing vppon fruitfull vines And that my good meaning in this litle labour may be also defended agaynst that combersome neighbour the Collecabedge beeing farther contrariety of nature namely colde and moist alwaies noysome vnto the vine and onely refused of her aboue al other plantes roots or trees Vnto whom for her three harmful discomodities in engendring Melancholy in breeding noisom dreames hurting the lungs in mans body I may wel resemble pale maleuo which cause Christ himselfe affirmed that many sinnes were forgiuen her for she loued much Luke 7. Iohn 11. Paule the chosen Apostle of Christ Iesus confessed that he esteemed all thinges as vile in respect of the loue which he bare to god Phil. 3. For other examples of the loue of God looke Matth. 21. 1. Iohn 4 ¶ As the great and inestimable loue of Christ the true Sámaritane appeare towardes vs in creating redeeming and preseruing vs from death to life so should we with mutuall loue help ayde and comforte our neighbours in all good and needefull cases Luk. 10. The Centurion loued so his neighbours and the nations neere adioyning that hee builded a Synagogue for them so that too shewe their mutuall loue towardes him they came to Christ besought him that he would vouchsafe to heale the Centurions seruaunt lying sick which thing hee accomplished Luk. 7. The Samaritan expressed a notable testimony and example of godly loue towards the man which trauailed from Hierusalem to Hierico who beeing robbed spoyled and wounded by those theeues was there pyttied by the Samaritane in such manner that he went to him bounde vp his wounds powred wine and oyle therinto set him on his own beast brought him to a common Inne and made prouision for him to his greate reliefe and comforte Luke 10. Thomas the Apostle surnamed Didimus what time our sauiour Christ came to Lazarus and said plainly that hee was dead he for the loue that he bare as it semed vnto Lazarus said vnto the rest of his fellowe Apostles Let vs also goe that we may dye with him Iohn 11. For other examples of loue towards our neighbour looke in Abraham Gen. 18. Moses Exo. 32. Ionathas 1. Reg. 18. and Nehemias 2. Reg. 19. The iiii Plant Hope or trust in God. Definition HOpe the very author of a Christian life tossed and turmoyled with chaunces hazards perils sorrowes myseryes calamities and troubles in this world is the assured stay and comfort of mans helpe and recouery in the Lord which hope beeing extinguished neither may chaunces casuall bee tollerate hazardes eschewed perils preuented sorrowes assuaged myseries remedied calamities comforted nor troubles restrained For as S. Paule saith this vertue Hope may well bee termed the Helmet of saluation But this hope which hee so calleth is also gouerned by the assured promises of the true God and by precise bounds is to bee discerned from
humane hope which is false vncertaine which Aristotle termeth The Dreame of him that waketh For he counteth the hope of man in man to be nothing esse but golden blastes of leaues which nowe then shake now and then are still and within a while are vtterly blowen away Wherfore mans speciall hope and trust ought to bee in God whiche neuer fayleth his faithfull ones neither in this transitory life nor in the life eternall Testimonies Haue hope and confidence in the Lord with all thy heart and leane not vnto thine owne wisdome think vpon him in all thy wayes and he shal direct and guide thy footesteppes Prou. 3. They that hope in the Lorde shall chaunge their courage they shall take them wings as Eagles they shall run and not labour they shall walke and not be weary Esa. 40. Hee that ploweth ought to plowe in hope to reape the fruite of his trauaile Cor. 9. Blessed is the man whose hope is in the name of the lord Psal. 39. Who so trusteth in the Lord mercy embraceth him on euery side Psa 31. Blessed is the man which putteth his trust in the lord Hierem. 17. By hope in the Lorde we are saued Rom. 8. Examples Abraham hoped against hope that is he looked for the thing which was to bee hoped for in the promise of God yea although the thing represented before his eyes expressed no cause of hope namly that he should bee the father of many nations c. Gen. 13. 17. 22. Dauid amongst so many conflictes with his enemyes seeing that his hope trust in the Lorde was neuer made frustrate taking great consolation therin amongest others burst out with these words namely For this cause is my heart ioyfull and my tongue reioyceth yea and moreouer my fleshe shall reste in hope Psal. 15. Iob the seruaunt of God a perfect paterne of patience beeing oftentimes diuersly and greeuously afflected acknowledging the great mercies of God to be more then mans miseries confessed his hope to be such that hee was sure his redeemer liued and that he should rise againe out of the earth at the latter day c. Iob. 19. For other examples of Hope looke Iudi. 20. Tob. 2. Symeon Luke 2. of Paule Actes 13. and his admonition 1. Tim. 6. The v. Plant The feare of God. Definition GOD hath so created men that in their mindes as it were certaine beames of light should enflame their affections to bee earnestly mooued with the knowledge of Gods wrath iustice seuerely beholding all thinges doone in his sight which are against his prescribed will and ordinaunce and that men knoweinge what doeth please him shoulde feare to violate or transgresse from his gratious pleasure and knowing also what doth displease him shoulde seeke all meanes to auoyde the daunger of his displeasure For as his holy worde is a woorthy witnesse of his will so ought wee to take good courage vnto vs in fulfilling the same and tremble with feare to followe a wrong way Testimonies The beginning or ground of wisdome is the feare of the Lorde that is to gouerne our life by the worde of God so to obey God and his holy will. Prou. 1. The feare of the Lorde is a stronge holde and his Children are vnder a sure defence The feare of the Lorde is a well of life to auoyde the snare of death Prou. 14. The feare of the Lorde is the right Gods seruice that preserueth iustifieth the heart and giueth mirth and gladnesse c. The feare of the Lord is the roote of wisdome and her braunches are long life Ecclesiasticus 1. Whoso feareth the Lord he shall be happy and when hee hath neede of comfort he shall be blessed Ibidem I wil shew you whom you shall feare feare him which after hee hath slaine hath power to cast the same into hell fire So I say vnto you feare him Lu. 12 Thou shalte feare the Lorde thy god Deut. 6. 10. Feare not him which killeth the body onely but rather feare him which can destroy bothe body and soule in Hell fyer Matt. 10. Examples The Lord God of Israel after hee had drowned Pharaoh and his hoast in the red sea was more feared of those Israelites they beleued in God and gaue credite vnto the words of Moyses his seruant Exo. 14. 19. and 20. Abdias the steward of the house of Achab feared greatly the Lord God of Israel for when wicked Iezabel had slaine the prophets of the Lord he led with him 100. of those Prophets hid them from persecution was afraide 3. Kings 8. Tobias the elder taught his sonne Tobias also euen from his infancy to feare the Lord made to be called vnto his feast such persons as feared god Yea more fearing God then the king vnder whose iurisdiction he lyued he tooke away the bodies of those that were slaine by the enemyes of Gods church buryed them Tobi. 1. Other notable Examples of the true feare of God are commemorated in Iudith 8. in Iob. 1. 2. 31. Iosaphat 2. Chr. 19. Loth Gen. 19. The midwiues for whome the Lorde erected dwelling houses Exod. 1. Sara the daughter of Raguel Tobi. 3. and in yong Tobias as it appeareth Tob. 9. The vi Plant Humilitie Definition CHriste God and man our onely sauiour redeemer the very fountaine of all perfect felicitie exhorteth vs vnto true Humilitie and for that cause tryeth and exerciseth vs by so many miseries as we bothe naturally feele in the fleshe and in the world also So that least wee should be either presumptuous too much in pride of hearte and ouermuch disdaining others the Lorde doeth by diuerse meanes reclaime vs to knowe his soueraigne salue by planting this vertue humilitie in our hearts whereby wee acknowledge our sinnes towards God and man our infirmitie of nature and the filthynesse thereof and fortifie our mindes and soules in the feare of God and in confidence of his onely diuine helpe and whereby also we are moued to performe the dueties of our vocation in farre better manner without disdayning others to help them what lyeth in vs and in all aduersities casualties or miseryes to bee subiect and humbly to submit our soules bodyes and goodes vnto the gratious good will of the same our God and mercifull sauiour which will not suffer vs to be tryed tempted nor troubled beyonde our strength and abilitie of sufferaunce Testimonies Blessed are the meeke and humble of heart for they shall receiue the inheritance of the earth Matth. 5. The Prayer of him that humbleth himselfe in the sight of God pearceth the very cloudes til she come nigh she will not bee comforted nor goe her waye till the hyghest God haue respect vnto her Ecclesi 35. Howe much greater thou art so much the more humble thy selfe towards all men and thou shalt finde fauour in the sight of God because great is the power of God only and he shall be honoured of men Ecclesiastes 3. Whoso exalteth him selfe shall bee brought
The Vineyarde of Vertüe collected composed and digested into a tripartite order conteining XXXII most excellent plants of fruitful vertue In most beautiful and blessed maner enuironing the true elect Churche of God vpon earth Euery Plant conteining this tripartite order Namely Definition Testimonie Examples of vertue By R. R. Iohn .. 15. I am the true Vyne and my father is the Husbandman Euery branch that bringeth not foorth good frute doeth my father plucke away and euery branch that beareth frute dooth my father purge that it may bring foorth frute more abundantly Imprinted by Thomas Dawson To the Godly Vertuous and woorshipful Gentleman M. Edmund Vvedale aliâs Vdale of Shirburne in Dorsetshier long and happy increase of corporall and spirituall good graces in this lyfe with the participation of eternall beatitude in Christe Iesus for euer and euer WEE are taught in that sacred booke of diuine Wisdō this most sacred lesson worshipful Sir Sapient 15. Too knowe God is perfect rightuousnes and to knowe his rightuousnes vertue is the roote of immortality A sentēce surely not so shorte and sweete as effectually and at large comprehending firme comforte from the Creator God vntoo the creature man From which God as we may define godlynes to proceed touching his Godhead and vertue also as touching his manhood so this godlines and vertue including his perfect righteousnes is according to the measure of his grace nowe and then infused vppon mankinde Lactantius Firmianus seemeth to affirme this by his testimony in libro de opificio Dei cap. 12. Where he saith Vir dicitur eò quòd maior vis est in eoquā in foemina hinc virtus nomen accepit And although here man seemeth to haue the prerogatiue of vertue as of most fortitude valiancy or manhood in him yet we must not any thing exclude the feminin sexe from the benefit of vnited godlines vertue in the lord For asmuch as God by the mouth of his Prophet Dauid auoucheth by example too compare as wel the godly vertuous womā as the godly and vertuous mā Like vnto the tree planted by the riuer side which bringes foorthe his frute in due tyme tyde Psa 1. ve 3. But as this true tree of godlynes and vertue according to the prouerb may be planted by Paule that is to say by the holy Ghoste watered by Apollo that is by mans continual exercise and by God and from God receaueth her increase so it is oftentimes seene where God hath his Church there wil the Deuil haue a Chappel Yea where hath any goodnes godlynes or vertue takē root or florished at any tyme or in any age but euen there also enuy malice mischief would haue a fling Plutarch in his morals could say that as the shadowe followeth the body so enuy euermore accompanieth vertue and as where is no body there is no shadow so where is no felicity there is none enuy For the holynes of Dauid innocency of Iob wisedome of Solomon fortitude of Sampson and vertue of the moste vertuous amongst mankinde could not auoide enmity sufficiently when the almighty Iehouah and most holiest Messias had his moste cruell and spiteful enemies the Iewes Scribes Pharisees euer emong inuaying against him circumuēting of him subuerting his doctrine Of the true knowledge of God of his rightuousnes and vertue rooted vnto immortality in the hearts of those that beleeued in him But in their greatest iolity of iustifying their owne wickednes seeming to thēselues to haue perfect holines when they had not bearing the worlde in hande that they brought forth sounde frutes of vertue whē they were filthily corrupted with alkind of vice Our sauiour Christe euen then and therefore scourging them out of the Temple of Hierusalē to their shame and reproch put foorth the parable of the Vineyeard and of the labourers Luc. 19. as thereby not onely confounding their falshood and reuealing their painted hypocrisie but also vtterly discouered thē to be voide of al true godlines vertue yea also the most extreme enemies thereof Touching the defect of this tree of true godlines and vertue amōgst the worldly wyse Philosophers it hath beene from tyme too tyme apparantly prooued that neither the Academici resident in place where they taught morall vertue the Peripatetici preiudicating euentes the Cynici of baser cōuersatiō the Eudomenees for al their woorking good effectes the Philotethes for al their arrogant glory in themselues disdaining others as though they only had perfect zeale of trueth the Phisici for al their skilfull knowledge in thinges natural neither the Ethici which taught their rules of good life and manners neither yet the Dialectici of singular dexterity in disputing and reasoning causes naturall coulde euer sauoure the taste of the true knowledge of GOD and of his righteousnesse and vertue rooted vntoo immortality although in deede they tooke vppon them a kind of prophane godly and vertuous lyfe which they thought in themselues to bee righte which also they taught vntoo the worlde in their tyme. But they were farre wyde from the marke they wādered in darknes for want of light they swallowed the sowre grape in wāt of the sweet and they crackte the shel but founde no kernell they were alwaies learning but neuer learned in the lawe of the Gospell of Christe the Lampe of light vnto saluation for as Lactantius Firmianus saieth libro 3. diuinarum institutionum they saw but a shadow of true godlynes vertue and not the light therof it selfe and they laboured al their life for it but they coulde neuer finde it Bicause saith he they eyther retained an vngodly religion or else altogither maintained the same But the Romishe Antichrist and his cursed crew the suckblood successors of the Scrybes Pharisees the broode of Belial Nemrods neare kinsmen and adherents of wicked Achab haue from tyme to tyme hearde seene knowen and perceaued The affspring of the roote of Iesse which as Esay saith shoulde ryse too beare rule ouer the Gentiles and in whome the nations shoulde beleeue Also they haue bene toulde by the Doctrine of our sauiour Christ in his sacred Gospel and by the testimonies of his Apostles Patriarcks and Prophets who was and is and euer shal bee the true vyne The true husbandman and the true labourers yet of wilful blindnes haue they refused too bee ingrafted in the vyne of the true knowledge of God of his righteousnes and vertue rooted vntoo immortality Yet of obstinate malice haue they not onely refused the calling of the heauenly husbande man Christ Iesus to come as labourers intoo his vinyearde But also with the wilde bore rooted vp euery vyne of good doctrine in the Churche of God with the wicked husbādmen slaine not only their Maisters seruauntes that is too say a nūber of godly preachers and vertuous persons sent vntoo them but also crucified the sonne of God anew by their horrible disordered institutions in their Churches and Synagogues
afterwards stoned to death of the people Iosu 7. Saule offering burnt sacrifice against the commaundement of Samuel appointed of the Lord was made a reprobate Likewise because he spared Agag the king of Amelech the stock of sheepe and other precious things and then said Samuel vnto him Obedience is better then sacrifice 1. King. 13. The Apostles obediently left their nettes followed Christ our lord Matt. 4. For other examples of Obedience looke Abraham Ge. 17. 22 Moyses Exo. 34. Numb 9. Dauid 1. King. 15. 17. the man of God 3. Reg. 13. Naaman 4. King. 5. Tobias 1. Hester 2 and the Recabites Iere. 35. The xiiii Plant Concorde Definition COncorde is a vertue which esteeming very humbly of her selfe restrayneth and moderateth anger charitably bearing with others infirmities forgiuing very iniuryes maintaineth peace of conscience and common tranquilitie and is earnestly stubious that neither any thing be committed by vs offensiue to the state of the Church and cōmon wealth neither that any iniury shall be offered by one or other to the disturbance let or hynderaunce of any good proceeding which is a gift so excellent beseeming men that in the increase thereof the societie of mankinde is compared to a second heauen euen vppon earth and euery soule that seeketh the due obseruation of Concorde is compared to an Angell of Heauen For as the three persons intrinitie is one Godhead and one maiestie diuine vnder whome all the Angels in heauen agree in mutuall vnitie and concorde of minde So ought mankinde vpon earth seruing this God in trinitie and trinitie in vnitie be of mutuall concorde in him in all thinges which he bestoweth vppon vs for our welfare to showe naturall agreement of minde one towardes an other to his glory Testimonies Be you of like minde one towards an other hauing charitie beeing of one wil and of one vnderstanding let euery one by lowlynesse deeme others to be better neither let any of you regarde his owne cōmoditie so much but euery one of you regard the commoditie of others Phi. 3. I beseech you for our Lorde Iesus Christs sake that you be at concorde and vnitie one with an other that there be no discentions amongst you but that you be all one perfect body of one minde purpose in the Lord. 1. Cor 2. Followe peace and concorde with all men and embrace holinesse of life without which no man shall see god Heb. 12. He that hath not peace in heart word and work ought not to be called a Christian he that hopeth not in this putteth bothe his foote yea and his whole life in a slippery place he anchoureth his Ship in a tempestuous Sea he ensnareth himselfe in the pit of destruction and soweth his seede in the sand Augustinus As there is nothing more precious vnto God thē the vertue of louing concord so the deuill desireth nothing more then the extinction of louing concord Gre. in Past Blessed are the peacemakers for they shal be called the children of god Mat. 5. Examples Our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus commaunded his disciples to haue peace amongest themselues Mar. 9. When the fiftie dayes were come to an end the Apostles were all of one minde at Hierusalem and there appeared vnto them clouen tongues like fire they lighted vpon them they were all filled with the holy Ghost Act. 2. The Angels at the birth of Christ brought glad tydings of peace saying Glory to God on hye on earth peace and vnto men a good will. Luc. 2. The Gabaonites hearing what Iosua had doone at Hierico and at Hai came vnto him and as his seruants made an acceptable peace with him Iosu 9. Phinees others the Embassadors which were sent vnto Rubens sonnes hearing their excuse were pacifyed and heard their wordes with a great good will. Iosu 22. The people blessed all those persons which offered themselues voluntarily to come and dwell in Hierusalem which was interpreted the vision of peace Nehemi 11. The cause of peace which was in the time of Onyas is excellently descrybed namely the ready gratious good will of a wise and godly prince the goodnesse of such subiects 2. Mach. 3. God is greatly to be praised when he giueth to his people quietnesse peace concorde as it was with Solomon his people 3. Kin. 5. Dauid exhorteth the faithful to pray for the peace of Israel Psal. 121. The xv Plant Amitie Definition AMitie or friendship is a vertue which rendreth due beneuolence for mutuall good wil receiued betweene man and man and bringeth foorth the communicating of humane societie after such sorte that in nature it sociateth man with God it maketh the Country church and common wealth in respecte of the Law equall to the heauenly habitacle of the most highest and in vse it maketh neighbours companions of one office and brothers of one societie to prosper with many mutuall benefites vpon Earth so as in common shee maketh a firme knot of indissoluble felicitie vppon earth Especially if they holde fast the linck of fidelitie which ought to appeare in worde work and good wil for this vertue hath woonderfull effectes euen in the very brute and vnreasonable creatures which doe associate themselues with their like of kinde which doe nourish and defend one another and which do as it were striue with nature to ouercome nature in naturall affections and naturall conditions Howe much more then in due beneuolence one towardes another ought the woorthy will and minde of man resembling outwardly the image of the Creator of all creatures both by word and work recompence al dutiful desertes deserued good will from time to time Testimonies Thou shalt loue thy friende as thy self Leuit. 19. Study not to work any euil against thy frend seing he puts his trust in thee Pro. 3 Who so is a freind indede at all times wil shewe friendship a brother is tryed and knowen in aduersitie Prou. 18. A faithful friend is a strong defence who so findeth such a one findeth a treasure Eccle. 6. Who so taketh away or withdraweth mercie from his friende forsaketh the feare of god Iob. 7. Better are the zealous stripes of him that loueth faithfully then the flattering kisses of him that hateth extremely Pr. 17 Amitie is sweete by reason of the vnity of many mindes Augst lib. 3 conf A certain person spake rightly wel of his friend when he tearmed him the one half of his soule for I vnderstand that my soule and the soule of my friend are both one soule in two bodyes by reason of the earnest affection of loue Ibidem That is a right and necessary member of amitie which is ioyned with the glewe of Christe which not the vtilitie of worldly substance not the present of bodyes onely nor the deceitful and hollow-harted flattery but with the feare of God and zeale of his holy woorde coupleth togither Hier. ad Paulinum Examples The Galathians shewed such tokens of true friendship vnto Paule as