THE ENGLISH PHARISE OR RELIGIOVS APE Being the weekes worke of a poore vnlearned professor of the Gospell of CHRIST zealously and truely checking the counterfeit professor but open persecutor of Christs true doctrine and discipline 2. TIM 2. 7. Consider what I say and the Lord giue thee vnderstanding in all things By Iohn Walker dwelling at Leeds in York shire Printed Anno Dom. 1616. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE AND THAT MOST Worthy Gouernor William Greenebâ—…ry Lord Maior of the Citie of Yorke RIGHT HO AMONGST many worthie and true Professors of the Gospel I haue presumed and emboldened my self to dedicate this little book vnto your Hâ—… view and although not worthy your acceptation being not done scholler-like yet for that good wil I beare vnto the truth and for the truthes sake I humbly entreat your Honor to accept thereof and howsoeuer it may seeme distastfull vnto all disobedient and vnsanctified spirits which haue as Saint Iude saith separated themselues yet vnto all faithful Christians which truely fight vnder the banner of Iesus Christ I know that such will not onely accept my good will but likewise louingly and thankfully bee ready to embrace my poore indeuors herein seeing that I haue kept my selfe being guided by the Spirit of God in that sanctified place of Christs Vineyard alone and yet for all this I know that the malice and mischiefe of Sathan is such that from all those haters of their brethren who with hateful Esau haue separated themselues contemned their birth-right I expect no better gratuitie at their hands then deadly hate and reuenge and my reason is this because Grapes cannot grow vpon Thornes nor Figs vpon Thistles If that kingly Prophet DAVID had great cause to complaine of his times how that his enemies were greatly multiplied his sorrowes much increased by how much more hath our most gracious King iust cause to complaine seeing that Sathan now worketh after such a strange and most fearefull manner by his wicked instruments as the like was neuer heard nor seen from the beginning of the world vntill this present time of which times Saint Paul hath truely prophesied should bee most perilous that this is true who is he that liueth in our daies and seeth not that prophesie the which our blessed Sauiour fore-tolde should come to passe euen hard before his comming to Iudgement how that it is now by the children of disobedience most fearefully working amongst ys that is how that the Sunne should be darkned and the Moone should lose her light how that the Starres should fall from Heauen and the powers of heauen should be shaken Againe who is he that doth but look about him and likewise seeth not how that those immediate tribulations the which our blessed Sauior foretold should come to passe euen hard before these fearefull signes are now alreadie finished part of them in our late and gracious Queenes time of famous memorie and likewise the rest of these tribulations being the greatest in his Maiesties time especially since his Highnesse came amongst vs For who is hee that knoweth not how that bloudy Cain that man of sin would not haue left one Abel aliue if that God himself had not stood in the gap for vs Now for these tribulations I doubt not but that the very strengths of them are alreadie past and that this most fearefull plot of Gunpowder Treason what else was the very last shake of the glasse These and such like persecutions and tribulations haue at all times and in all ages displayed themselues against the poore despised Church of CHRIST but of all those engines which Sathan by his instruments hath deuised was neuer the like heard of as that fearfull plot of Gunpowder which they offered to shake vs withall and yet behold most worthy Sir there is such a fearefull shaking by the children of disobedience now amongst vs as for the time neuer was nor I hope neuer shall be untill the day of iudgment we haue but yet spoken of the shaking of our mortall bodies But behold and yee shall see further how that Sathan by his sharpest most hot instruments doth now shake the verie powers of heauen For Iesus Christ who now sitteth in heauen hauing receiued all power from God his Father is so shaken at this present time in his wounded members that except God of his infinite mercy vnto his little Church had appointed and ordained our most gracious King as aspecial meanes to hinder Sathan in his progresse herein I am verily perswaded that hauing preuailed so far alreadie as hee hath done that if hemight but bee suffered to haue his intent further that according to our blessed Sauiours speech no flesh should bee saued and therefore for this cause I most humbly craue vppon my bended knees that as GOD by his mighty power and loue vnspeakeable vnto his church hath so often stood in the gap against the power of Sathan and his most wicked instruments to deliuer his Sacred Maiestie from so many eminent dangers that now at last it would please his Grace in some recompence of so many and vn-vtterable great fauours receiued to stand once more in the gap for him then as we haue had alwaies iust cause our comforts beeing increased and our spirits further emboldned to cry still from the bottom of our harts with heartie teares of repentance vnto the Lord of Hosts that as hee hath so many seuerall times miraculously defended and protected his Maiesty so it would please him still for the great honor of his Name and the great comfort and good of his Church to defend protect him still vnder the shadow of his wings and not onely himselfe but likewise our most gracious Queene with that most blessed and hopefull Progenie that it wold so please him to protect them all in safetie peace that neither the wild Bore of the Forrest nor Esau this most wicked hunter which hunteth cruelly within this English Pale may euer preuaile or take any further rooting herein and here once againe let no man bee offended that seeing this vnnaturall brother hath not only broken that vnion which should bee amongst Christs members and so fallen from Christ himselfe but doth likewise dayly withdraw infinite multitudes by his life doctrin to become deadly haters of their brethren in so much that loue charitie hath lost her sight therefore still vpon my bended knees I most humbly craue that seeing the Lord of heauen and earth is by them so greatly dishonored it would please his sacred Maiestie to stop the passage of these violent Hunts-men which wilfully spoile and destroy the game Then according to our blessed Sauiours speech that last signe of the Sonne of Man immediately before his last comming to Iudgement shall more cleerely appeare amongst the clouds then shall there bee such cause of reioycing as meeting Iesus Christ our Redeemer we shall reioyce with him for euermore Our blessed Sauiour saith Hee that is not with
am contented with any thing that is reasonable but because thou doest wrongfully charge me to fauour any religion but that onely which I professe I must tell thee brother before we part seeing that thou art neither conformable vnto the Law of God nor man I say thou art no better then a flourishing tree without fruit Puri Wherein canst thou prooue me a flourishing tree without fruit seeing that I preach the Word of God very zealously and lead my life very strictly PRO. I am able by the Spirit of God to reproue thee both in thy life and doctrine Puri As how PRO. In thy doctrine concerning thy rashe iudgements against the members of Christ and in thy disobedience against man being the principal member thereof In a word I am ready to reprehend thee for thy disobedience against both God and man according to our Sauiour Christs owne words Hee that despiseth you despiseth mee and hee that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me Luk. 10. 16. Puri I perceiue that thou beginnest to bee angrie but if I had better remembred my selfe I would haue giuen thee no aduantage of my words PRO. I looke for no aduantage in thy words for denying in thy practice a thing lawfully commanded it matters not whether thou hold thy peace or seeme to excuse it with thy tongue Puri Wherein canst thou disprooue mee for any thing lawfully commanded PRO. I can iustly reprooue thee in many things but two or three shal be sufficient to proue thee but a flourishing tree and a wandring star first thy disobedience vnto eccle siasticall gouernement which the Church of his Land hath commanded Secondly thy want of charitie hauing seuered thy selfe from Christ in pronouncing rash and accusing iudgements against his members Thirdly thy contradiction against Christ in the length of thy praiers with the manner and likewise of thy behauiour therein Puri I had thought we might haue conferred after another manner but I perceiue now that I haue kept thee cōpany but too long Thou hast promised to goe forward therein thou maist please thy selfe for I am pleased to turne my backe PRO. Brother thou hast not deceiued mee for as Salomon saith Ineuer tooke thee for any other but for such a one as scornes reproofe Prou. 9. 8. But seeing that thou hast so scornfully turned thy backe and separated thy selfe without iust cause denying to haue any more conference wherein thou deseruest iustly to bee reproued I will not faile by Gods assistāce to let the world see that thou art no better as Saint Iude saith Then a whithered tree twice dead and fit to bee plucked vp by the rootes Iude 13. v. Now because thou shalt take no exception wherein I may offer thee the least wrong I am ready to reprehend both thy life and doctrine onely by example in the Scripture and therefore let mee intreate thy patience if thou haue any for the thing that I ayme at is thy conuersion and not thy destruction And as wee are taught in the Word of God to reproue either friend or foe with the words of meekenesse euen so my elder brother I am willing and ready to reprehend thee onely with the words of meeknesse and loue and although thou doest not thinke thy selfe vnworthy of reprehension because thou carriest thy offences behinde thee yet seeing that others doe see that in thee which thou canst not perceiue thy selfe I haue presumed to lay open vnto the view of the whole world that a publike offence deserues an open rebuke LOuing and faithfull Christian I must tell thee before I goe any further that whereas I was determined to goe forward after a dialogue maner thou seest here how that my elder brother hath already preuented mee and therefore am constrained to take another course intending by God◅ permission to goe forward wherein I haue promised The Spirit of God saith I haue chosen the foolisb things of this world to confound the wise and weak things to confound the mightie Louing Christian beeing no Scholler thou must not expect that at my hand◅ which I haue not onely my good will wherein the Lord hath enabled me by his holy Spirit that specially by his especiall grace I will freely offer thee but being not fit to ◅iscourse of things at large I will only point at some heads wherin thou maist plainly perceiue the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error and for this purpose thou must vnderstand that there are in this land two sorts of teachers amongst vs the one sort is reformed and the other sort much deformed the one sort doth teach in Christs Schole with the words of meeknesse the other seemeth to teach therein with the words of accusing Iudgements the one is guided with the spirit of humilitie the other with the spirit of iniquitie the one with the spirit of obedience the other with the spirit of disobedience the one teacheth and resteth himselfe in the schole of Christ the other maketh but a proud flourish therein resting himself in hi◅ owne conceite in a word the one hath the Spirit of truth and the other but the spirit of error And first against the spirit of errour our blessed Sauiour himself Saint Paul Saint Peter Saint Iohn and Saint Iude with others hauing prophesied of these very last times wherein we liue doth tel vs in plaine words the qualities and conditions of such false prophets as are now resident amongst vs. And now to our elder brother to whom I must tell thee before I proceede that seeing it is a thing subiect to flesh and bloud not onely to passe ouer offences vnto others from themselues but likewise imputeth many faul◅s only to one whi◅h somtimes appertaine vnto diuers herein doth shew it self ◅ great indiscretion of iudgement as appeareth sometimes in quotation of our English Bibles for example S. Peter saith in the◅e words and chiefly th◅m which walk after the flesh in the l◅st of vncleann◅sse and d◅spise gouernmen◅ which are bold and stand in their owne conceit not fearing to speake euill of dignities 2. Pet. 2 10 Herein I know that the Church of Rome iustly and worthily deserues this imputation Now who is so blind and seeth not how that thou likewise art not onely fleshly minded and despisest dominion as S. Iude saith but likewise agreeable vnto Saint Pauls words resistest the ordinance ordained of God Rom. 13. 2. And to proue this further bec◅use thou art ready to take exception without cause S. Peter speaking of the Ministery doth seeme to teach thee thy dutie both to superiour and inferiour Magistrates his words are these Submit your selues vnto all manner ordinance of man for the Lords sake 1. Pet. 2. 13. And in the verse going before he giues a reason why the words are these That they which speake euill of you as of euill doers may by your obedience which they shall see glorifie God in the day of visitation therefore saith hee submit your selues 1. Pet. 2. 12. This word
contrary thou art to Icsus Christ and to his followers doth appeare by the fruits of thy doctrin who by thy accusing and condemning iudgemeÌ„ts hast not only caused many to fall from Christ vnto desperation which is most fearefull but likewise for all the rest which take liking to the same which are infinite in multitudes are becom such deadly haters of their Brethren euen vnto that height of sinne that they blush not to make good their hateful minds by the Scripture the place they alleage where Dauid by a most prophetical spirit against the enemies of God being bloud-thirsty men desired God not only to slay those wicked people but hâ—…e goeth on further in the sincerity of his hart as prophesying of them what should become of such saying Do not I hate them O God that hate thee yes O Lord I hate them with â—…n unfaâ—…ed hatred This exposition of this place of scripture which both thy self and those thy followers doe thus interpret is hatcht and fetcht froÌ„ the deuill and thy deuillish conceit for seeing thou canst neuer proue thy self to be of that Spirit which Dâ—…uid had nor likewise canst neuer proue vs thy Brethren to deserue such imputation which those manslaiers the 〈◊〉 of God did how impudent and cruell art thou aboue measure to censure and iudge thus vncharitably against the members of Iesus Christ Again many of thy followers goe further and say that of their owne Parents being Protestants that they are already damned and that this is too true by wofull experience many places of this Land with the place where Idwell doe manifest the same That blessed Apostle S. Paul saith Let your patient mind be knowne vnto all men the Lord is at hand Phil. 4. 5. But thou by a contrarie spirit sayst vnto thy followers Let your hatred and malice bee knowne vnto all men and therefore thou hast iust cause to thinke that the Deuill is at hand This thy hatred hath so spred it selfe throughout the whole land that it cannot bee denied without a brazen face and that this is true I can shew thee an instance of experience offered against my selfe for taking occasion being moued by the Spirit of God as now to write this little booke I writ my letter vnto a principall man of thy sect and although reproouing him after a friendly manner his rage was so kindled thereat that his answere was that if he liued hee would reuenge it but if hee died let GOD reuenge it Againe another of thy Sect standing by did giue mee such cruell and disgracefull wordes that nothing did appeare but hatred and malice And amongst the rest of his speeches for writing that Letter hee iudged mee worthy to die some sodaine death I haue noted these words that the world may see what spirits the Diuell doth hatch in these very last times and likewise to let all men see how contrarie thou and thy Sect are vnto Iesus Christ and his followers who from the spirit of humilitie doth teach with patieÌ„ce beeing so farre off from reuenge that they are alwaies ready to forgiue their enemies Saint Iude speaking against disobedient spirits of authoritie saith That their rage is such that they fome out their owne shame Iude the thirteenth verse And that this is true of thy Sect one of thy Brothers hath alreadie spoken his malice against one of the chiefest pillars of this Land and I will tell thee how taking exception against a poore man but for a supposed fault got him bound ouer vnto the Sessions where his proofe failed but being not satisfied the poore man was troubled further where thy brothers proofe failing the second time to satisfie his reuenge further another Iustice warrant was sent for Now the poore man being in the fire twice before beeing driuen into great distresse he bethought him of a friend at London therefore he went trudging vnto him made his case knowne and beeing truely perceiued appearing more malice theÌ„ matter his friend procured a Supersedâ—…as for him vpon bayle giuen for his good behauiour as the vsuall manner is so that hee tooke his leaue and came trudging home againe and he no sooner approched but intelligence was giuen and needelesse to bid thy brother prosecute this warrant must presently be serued But the Constable perceiuing seeing a Supersedeas made it knowne Wherupon thy brothers rage beeing kindled to please the pride of his humour writ his Letter vnto the Iustices Clarke after this manner Friend whereas a warrant was directed from your Master against such a one it wil take no place for hee hath gotten a Suâ—…ersedeas I thinke hee hath beene at the Pope and gotten a Pardon for his sinnes past and to come And that this is true there is sufficient testimonie to proue the same I haue noted this First to discharge my conscience who ought not to keepe such words secret Secondly that the world may perceiue how that pride vaine-glory with an inuetered malice doth so raigne in the children of disobedience thatthey are ready likewise to burst forth into cursed speeches against Principalities and Powers O wickâ—…d generation aboue measure what may bee expected at thy hands if thou shouldst be suffred and mightst but haue thy owne will that from thy disloyall disobedience and rash accusing Iudgements such fruits as these doe spring there doth nothing appeare in thee but disobedience rash accusing Iudgements hatred and malice and cruell reuenge and all against the poore members of Iesus Christ whose number by thy inchanted doctrine thou hast so diminished that those of thy hatefull sect are growne infinite in multitudes Thou hinderest the fruits of the Gospel Thou causest the Ministerie to be euill spoken of thou resistest the truth by setting vp an Idol of thy owne imagination thou art so deepely plunged in the depth of thy owne conceit that as Salomon saith There is more hope in a foole then in him that is conceited Prou. 26. 12. Thouhast giuen vs great cause to complaine as Saint Paul did of Alexander the Copper-Smith Thou hast done vs much hurt But as he said I trust the Lord will reward thee thereafter 2. Tim. 4. 14. And yet for al this although thou hast caused Gods Name greatly to be dishonoured and loue and charitie smothered notwithstanding all this thou art still readie with those conceited Iewes who cryed The Temple of the Lord to excuse thy selfe and say The Lords Anointed the Lords Anointed Now if it were not that the god of this world had bewitcht thy thoughts thou wouldst blnsh for shame to make such a cry amongst them which know thee better then thou knowst thy selfe Suppose thou couldst speak as S. Paul saith with the tong of men Angels haue not loue thou art no better then sounding brasse or a tinckling Cimbal 1. Cor. 13. 1. Thou saiest thou preachest Christ it is true And as Saint Paul saith I reioyce thereat But what of this seeing that thou hast not onely
separated thy selfe from the body of the Church but likewise wantest humilitie patience and charitie thou doest no better then the same Apostle saith Then preach Christ of enuie and contention Phil. 1. 15. If thou wouldst giue vs cause to reioyce with S. Paul how that thou preachest Christ as thou doest thou must get thy selfe to Virginia or some other place where Christ was neuer heard before where no doubt their good workes far exceede thine then would be iust cause of reioycing where Gods Name would become greatly more honoured and they and we both more comforted But to stay heere like an vnskilfull Physicion amongst the wounded members of Christ powring in the wine of Gods Iudgements reseruing the oyle of Gods mercies vnto thy selfe I will vndertake whereas thou curest one soule thou killest a thousand so that in stead of reioycing there is nothing to be expected from thee but iust cause of great sorrow therefore as Saint Paul saith We haue good cause to refuse thy company 2. Tim. 3. 5. Saint Iohn saith If wee walke in the light as hee is in the light wee haue fellowship one with another and the blood of Iesus Christ his Sonne clenseth us from all sinne I. Ioh. 1. 7. Brother thou beleeuest that the bloud of Iesus Christ the Sonne of God doth clense vs from all sinne And thou canst not deny but that I beleeue the same Now a question may arise wherin are wee separated and whether of vs haue separated our selues I haue alreadie shewed the difference herein sufficiently For the tree is known by his fruit But I will tell thee Brother if that thou hadst looked as seriously and stayed thy self in the beginning of this verse as thou hast done in the latter end thou mightst better haue perceiued not onely who it is that goeth about to breake this vnion which is betwixt Christ and his Church butlikewise who it is that doth separate themselues herein This Verse is sufficient to confute and confound both the Pope of Rome and thy selfe the latter end is sufficient to confute him the fore-end sufficient to confound thee he hath cut off himselfe in denying that the blood of Christ doth clense vs from all sinne and thou hast cut off thy selfe beeing separated from the fellowship of thy brethren according to Saint Iohns words Hee that hateth his brother is in dâ—…rkenesse and walketh in daâ—…kenesse and knoweth not whither hee goeth because that drakenesse hath blinded his eies 1. Ioh. 2. 1. 〈◊〉 I haue sufficiently shewed how that thou hast not onely separated thy selfe from vs but likewise prooued by the fruit of thy accusing Iudgements how that both thou and thy followers are become deadly haters of thy brethren and thus the world may plainely see how that by hating ofvs thou art become as Saint Paul saith Onely a louer of thy selfe 2. Tim. 3. 2. Our blessed Sauiour saith Blessed are the meeke far they shall inherit the earth Maâ—…th 5. 5. Vpon these words I gather that thou art but an intruder in thy calling and liuest by the sweate of other mens browes that as the wandring and sturdy begger doth eate the bread of others so thou beeing but a wandring Starre and impatient doest eate the bread of thy brothers Thou preachest long Sermons and often therein I blame thee not it is the manner only that marres all for in steade of that fierie Spirit of zeale and sinceritie of the heart to preach Christ in loue and humility thou preachest Christ in accusing and condemning iudgements with the fiery spirit of iniquitie And heere thou makest the verie powers of heauen to shake Matth. 24. 29. But Saint Paul being of a contrary spirit saith To the weake I become as weake that I may win the weake I am made all things to all men that I might win some 1. Cor. 9. 22. Saint Paul heere to winne men vnto Christ did not respect these outward things of indifferencie but is content to obserue all times and to eate and drinke with all sorts of people to winne some vnto God And for this ende our Sauiour Christ was content to debase himselfe To conuerse and to eate and drinke with Publicans and sinners Luk. 5. 29. But thou who scornest all company but those of thy owne sect Bindest heauie burdens and layest them on mens shoulders but as for thy selfe thou wilt not mooue them with one of thy fingers Matth. 23. 4. Thou like the proud Pharise preachest the Law very strictly and thou seemest in outward shew to goe before vs and if wee doe not make an outward appearance as thou doest then presently thou entrest into vncharitable iudgement of condemnation and yet who seeeth not how fleshly-minded thou art both in thy wordes and deedes and how thou temptest God to lay a yoke on the Disciples neckes which neither our Fathers nor wee are able to beare Acts 15. 10. Beeing contrarie to Christs words who saith My yoke is easie and my burden light Matth. 11. 30. Saint Paul saith Who art thou that iudgest thy brother or why doest thou set thy brother at nought we must all appeare before the Iudgement seat oâ—… Christ Rom. 14. 10. Herein thou hast caused vs with Saint Paul to bring thy name in question and to say Who art thou as though wee knew thee not but the truth is wee know thee but too well for we finde thee altogether as Saint Paul saith Without naturall affection 2. Tim. 3. 3. But alas what hast thou done in iudging thus vncharitably Thou hast done no lesse then ioyned thy selfe with the Pope of Rome who is ready to iudge all but will be iudged of none and therefore making thy selfe hayle fellow well met with him thou hast with him and all the rest of the whole world which doe oppose themselues against the LORD and his Anointed yeelded your selues so farre vnto the vanitie of your owne imaginations that yee wilfully haue drowned your selues in the redde sea of Iudgements And thus I haue let thee see first thy disobedience secondly thy impatient and accusing iudgements wherein the world may plainely perceiue how that nothing doth proceed nor can be gathered from them but contention enuie hatred and such inuetered malice that thereby thou hast caused the Sunne to be darkened the Moone to lose her light and the very powers of heauen to shake In a word thou hast iustly caused Gods most sacred name so greatly dishonored that without a very speedy and suddaine repentance thou shalt haue for thy better satisfaction as Saint Paul saith such a recompence of reward as is prescribed in these two wordes Indignation and wrath Rom. 2. 8 Now Brother concerning these thy most cruell iudgements against the members of Iesus Christ which are now liuing thou hast not contayned nor contented thy self hâ—…rein For one of thy Sect taking occasion in a publike Sermon to speake of the yong man in the Gospell who came to our blessed Sauiour Christ to know what
dead and plucked vp by the roo◅s Iude 12. verse Euen of whom Saint Paul saith For these things whose mindes cogitations being vnsanctified the wrath of God is fallen vpon you being the children of disobedience Col. 3. 6. And therefore to giue thee a Title of an English Pharise or but an imitator of Religion all such which truely perceiue any thing may plainely see that I haue done thee no wrōg at al. And now at last because thou art conceited in thy selfe Of such Salomon saith there is no hope hauing ioyned thy selfe with the Pope of Rome in your false imaginations wherein yee thinke that yee doe God good seruice I must of necessitie seeing that the god of this world hath thus darkened your vnderstandings leaue you at your study of vanities to ponder vpon these places of Scripture vnder-written Iude 12. verse latter end 2. Pet. 17. latter end Rom. 13. 2. latter end Luk. 13. 27. latter end Mat. 7. 2. Rom. 2. 1. 1. Cor. 4. 5. For I must turne my selfe vnto such of whom as Saint Paul saith I perswade my self better things Heb. 6. 9 And who haue not thus learned Christ Ephes. 4. 20. which beeing taught by him walke as the truth is in Iesus Ephes. 4. 21. being renewed in the Spirit of their mindes Ephes. 4. 23. walke so as they haue Iesus Christ for an example who hauing put off that old man of sinne are now become so sanctified in their liues and conuersations that beeing clothed with that glorious garment and robes of righteousnes do walk worthy of their calling in true holinesse of life And now faithfull Brethren in Christ of whom I wish as to my owne soule seeing that this our elder brother doth so rest himselfe in this word only in Christ that neglecting such duties required at his hands runnes into all manner of sinne Let it be your speciall care and such a warning vnto you that you neuer cherish or har bour any one sinne at all and that not any one sinne may seeme pleasing in your eyes striue and endeuour against all sin For without holinesse no man shall see the Lord. And againe seeing that Christ doth command vs not onely to beleeue in him but to loue one another 1. Ioh. 3. 23. Let it not be as Saint Iohn saith in word and in tongue onely but in deede and in truth 1. Iohn 3. 18. For hee that hath this worlds goods and seeth his brother haue need and shutteth vp his compassion from him how dwelleth the loue of God in him 1. Ioh. 3. 17. Therefore I humbly intreat you in the bowels and compassion of Iesus Christ as you tender your owne soules that ye walk worthy of your vocation whereunto ye are called with all humblenesse of minde in meekenes with long suffering supporting one another through loue alwaies endeuoring to keepe the vnitie of the Spirit in the bond of peace hauing your lamps with those fiue wise Virgins so furnished with the oyle of Gods graces that our blessed Sauiour at his generall appearance may haue iust cause to say Come yee blessed of my Father possesse the Kingdome prepared for you before the foundations of the world Mat. 25. 34. For when I was an hungred ye gaue mee meate I thirsted and yee gaue mee drinke I was a stranger and ye lodged me I was naked and yee clothed mee I was sicke and yee visited mee I was in prison and yee came vnto mee Mat. 25. 35 36. Now enter into your masters ioy vnto the society of that blessed company of Angels Archangels and all holy men and women and children departed there to remaine in euerlasting comforts for euermore And here my faithfull Brethren I trust in Christ Iesus that we shall meete there very shortly to sing with that holy company euerlasting praise to the whole Trinitie to God the Father who hath created vs to God the Sonne who hath redeemed vs and to God the holy Ghost our comforter who hath doth sanctifie vs to whom bee endlesse praise for euer and euer And now at last that this glorious Kingdome may bee increased let mee intreat you once againe to ioine with me in our continuall prayers in often remembrance vnto this holy Trinitie that this little number which being the signe of the Son of man may be so aduanced now hard before hiscomming that these thicke cloudes of iniquitie being dispersed it may appeare more cleare vnto the view of the whole world And that this may be the better and sooner effected I most humbly desire the Lord of Hosts from the very bottom of my heart with heartie teares of humilitie vpon my bended knees that it would please him of his infinite mercy so to grace our most gracious and reuerend Bishops of this Land that they all in generall both in word and deede may bee so readie to stop the passage of these mystie cloudes of darknesse that the Gospell of Iesus Christ being the true light may shew it selfe like the bright morning Starre now at his last cōming to iudgement And againe grant deare Father for thy honour and blessed names sake vnto our most gracious and reuerend Bishops of this Land with all reformed Ministers of the same such a powerfull spirit of humilitie that they being able to beate downe these transcendēt spirits of iniquity thy glorie shining more cleerly the power of sinne and Satan may bee darkened speedily and that these most sinfull times may haue a speedie ende I humbly desire with thy seruant Iohn in the Reuelation Come Lord come Lord Iesus come quickly Amen To the Puritane THy disobedience it doth reach in height aboue the skies Thy hie conceit doth please thee well and therein thou art wise Disdaine within thy heart doth dwel fraught with reuenge an dire Thy words burst out in iudgements as hot as any fire deepe With singular eie thou do'st espy great beames in others sight And therin do'st thy self much boast with rayling words of might Leaue off for shame thou hast disgrast thy selfe in open view The Scripture doth reueale thee plain and therefore is most true Thy prayers long doe please thee wel against the Word of Christ In him thou wilt not rest alone by Satan thou art tiste Thou wilt stand vp in thy conceite in begging for thy neede Without remēbrance where thou art in full hope for to speede But hee that doth behold thy face whose face thou do'st not feare Will send thee away to thy disgrace where want shall be thy cheare Where t◅ou must stay and then subthy selfe in thra'l to dwell mit Where nothing is but fearefullcries in that deepe pit of hell Thus hauing climde in thy conceite in height aboue thy reach And with misconstring of the same the Scriptures for to search Thy height of pride hath brought thee for want of penitent speed low Wherein thou hast thy selfe disgrast thy humours for to feede To all A word or two in generall to whom these verses heere