in_o the_o same_o kingdom_n in_o the_o same_o city_n nay_o in_o the_o same_o family_n there_o be_v several_a religion_n or_o at_o the_o least_o several_a opinion_n about_o religion_n reign_v so_o that_o what_o saint_n austin_n complain_v of_o in_o his_o time_n be_v true_o verify_v in_o these_o epist._n 147._o thou_o see_v say_v he_o with_o how_o great_a and_o miserable_a distraction_n christian_a house_n and_o family_n be_v divide_v &_o trouble_v husband_n and_o wife_n can_v agree_v well_o enough_o to_o go_v to_o bed_n together_o but_o they_o can_v agree_v to_o go_v to_o christ_n altar_n together_o there_o they_o swear_v peace_n one_o to_o another_o but_o here_o they_o can_v have_v no_o peace_n parent_n and_o child_n live_v well_o enough_o together_o in_o one_o house_n of_o their_o own_o but_o one_o house_n of_o god_n will_v not_o hold_v they_o both_o their_o desire_n be_v that_o those_o shall_v succeed_v they_o in_o their_o own_o inheritance_n who_o yet_o think_v they_o have_v no_o inheritance_n with_o christ._n master_n &_o servant_n divide_v the_o common_a lord_n and_o master_n of_o we_o all_o who_o yet_o take_v upon_o he_o the_o form_n of_o a_o servant_n that_o so_o he_o may_v free_v all_o i_o say_v never_o more_o full_o verify_v then_o in_o these_o day_n for_o in_o how_o many_o family_n shall_v we_o observe_v this_o great_a division_n the_o husband_n go_v to_o church_n and_o the_o wife_n stay_v at_o home_n or_o the_o wife_n go_v to_o church_n and_o the_o husband_n stay_v at_o home_n and_o so_o between_o parent_n and_o child_n master_n and_o servant_n the_o father_n will_v give_v his_o son_n the_o portion_n of_o his_o land_n who_o yet_o think_v he_o shall_v have_v no_o portion_n in_o the_o land_n of_o the_o live_n the_o great_a division_n of_o the_o christian_a world_n be_v first_o between_o the_o east_n and_o west_n church_n and_o this_o west_n have_v be_v since_o subdivide_v into_o the_o roman_a and_o the_o reform_a religion_n so_o that_o the_o division_n among_o christian_n which_o be_v considerable_a be_v but_o into_o three_o part_n the_o eastern_a the_o romanist_n &_o our_o reform_a all_o christian_a church_n and_o so_o far_o forth_o the_o member_n of_o they_o brethren_n and_o sister_n and_o not_o only_o christian_a church_n but_o also_o catholic_a &_o orthodox_n in_o these_o point_n wherein_o they_o agree_v one_o with_o another_o &_o with_o the_o primitive_a church_n why_o may_v it_o not_o be_v with_o these_o church_n as_o it_o be_v with_o those_o seven_o church_n of_o asia_n which_o s._n john_n write_v unto_o in_o which_o there_o be_v some_o thing_n commendable_a &_o other_o thing_n amiss_o they_o be_v encourage_v in_o the_o former_a and_o reprove_v for_o the_o latter_a and_o although_o some_o of_o they_o be_v better_a than_o other_o yet_o you_o shall_v scarce_o find_v one_o of_o they_o to_o which_o he_o do_v not_o say_v habeo_fw-la adversus_fw-la to_o pauca_fw-la i_o have_v a_o few_o thing_n against_o thou_o and_o yet_o we_o shall_v find_v that_o christ_n himself_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o these_o seven_o church_n for_o he_o be_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n revel_v 1._o 13._o and_o have_v in_o his_o right_a hand_n seven_o star_n revel_v 1._o 16._o for_o write_v to_o the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n he_o make_v this_o one_o of_o his_o attribute_n apoc._n 21._o these_o thing_n say_v he_o who_o hold_v the_o seven_o star_n in_o his_o right_a hand_n who_o walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o the_o seven_o golden_a candlestick_n so_o that_o our_o saviour_n walk_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o all_o these_o church_n even_o in_o that_o lukewarm_a church_n of_o laodicea_n which_o he_o threaten_v to_o spew_v out_o of_o his_o mouth_n and_o let_v rome_n tell_v we_o never_o so_o much_o of_o her_o infallibility_n and_o unerring_a chair_n yet_o questionless_a there_o be_v none_o of_o our_o church_n no_o not_o the_o best_a of_o they_o that_o our_o saviour_n may_v not_o say_v to_o she_o habeo_fw-la adversus_fw-la to_o pauca_fw-la i_o have_v a_o few_o thing_n against_o thou_o and_o as_o those_o several_a church_n though_o some_o of_o they_o very_o faulty_a yet_o be_v all_o several_a member_n of_o christ_n and_o help_v to_o make_v up_o one_o body_n so_o all_o those_o church_n though_o some_o of_o they_o much_o to_o blame_v yet_o may_v all_o help_v to_o make_v up_o one_o chatholique_a church_n and_o why_o may_v it_o not_o be_v so_o in_o these_o church_n i_o speak_v of_o for_o first_o they_o all_o agree_v in_o that_o one_o and_o only_a foundation_n of_o religion_n jesus_n christ_n as_o the_o apostle_n call_v he_o no_o other_o foundation_n can_v any_o other_o man_n lay_v then_o that_o which_o be_v lay_v to_o wit_n jesus_n christ_n and_o this_o no_o doubt_n be_v a_o sure_a and_o good_a foundation_n and_o this_o make_v they_o to_o be_v christian_a church_n they_o be_v all_o baptize_v into_o christ_n and_o look_v to_o be_v save_v by_o his_o suffering_n and_o think_v not_o this_o to_o be_v a_o small_a matter_n for_o s._n paul_n desire_v to_o know_v nothing_o else_o i_o esteem_v not_o say_v he_o to_o know_v any_o thing_n among_o you_o but_o jesus_n christ_n and_o he_o crucify_v and_o it_o work_v upon_o his_o affection_n as_o much_o as_o upon_o his_o understanding_n god_n forbid_v that_o i_o shall_v rejoice_v say_v he_o save_v in_o the_o cross_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ_n gal._n 6._o 14._o that_o be_v in_o christ_n crucify_v beside_o this_o one_o foundation_n they_o all_o embrace_v the_o two_o testament_n the_o three_o creed_n and_o the_o four_o first_o general_a counsel_n and_o many_o other_o very_o material_a point_n the_o discord_n among_o we_o christian_n have_v be_v long_o ago_o object_v to_o we_o and_o certain_o there_o have_v nothing_o so_o much_o draw_v some_o out_o of_o the_o church_n and_o keep_v other_o from_o come_v to_o the_o church_n as_o these_o quarrel_n among_o ourselves_o unto_o who_o i_o brief_o answer_v if_o they_o like_v not_o our_o difference_n let_v they_o join_v with_o we_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o we_o agree_v and_o that_o be_v to_o be_v christian_n to_o believe_v in_o christ_n and_o he_o crucify_v and_o those_o other_o principal_a point_n whereof_o i_o speak_v and_o to_o strive_v to_o imitate_v christ_n to_o their_o power_n and_o then_o our_o discord_n will_v less_o trouble_v they_o it_o be_v true_a we_o have_v not_o all_o build_v alike_o upon_o this_o foundation_n but_o some_o no_o question_n have_v build_v wood_n and_o straw_n as_o well_o as_o silver_n and_o gold_n yet_o all_o of_o we_o no_o doubt_n do_v strive_v to_o imitate_v christ_n as_o near_o as_o we_o can_v both_o in_o our_o doctrine_n and_o in_o our_o practice_n and_o certain_o in_o these_o superstructure_n of_o religion_n good_a intention_n must_v go_v far_o or_o else_o it_o will_v go_v hard_a with_o many_o of_o we_o not_o that_o they_o altogether_o excuse_v the_o fault_n but_o doubtless_o they_o take_v off_o much_o from_o the_o punishment_n there_o be_v a_o difference_n between_o the_o east_n and_o west_n church_n in_o what_o kind_n of_o bread_n the_o eucharist_n be_v to_o be_v receive_v thâ—_n east_n receive_v in_o unleavened_a bread_n the_o west_n in_o leaven_a and_o herein_o though_o they_o differ_v among_o themselves_o yet_o theâ—_n both_o strive_v to_o imitate_v christ_n because_o the_o one_o church_n think_v our_o saviour_n use_v then_o the_o bread_n that_o be_v leaven_v the_o other_o that_o which_o be_v unleavened_a either_o church_n be_v the_o less_o unblamable_a because_o they_o think_v both_o that_o they_o follow_v our_o saviour_n example_n s._n austin_n in_o like_a manner_n do_v pretty_o reconcile_v a_o difference_n between_o some_o concern_v the_o time_n how_o often_o we_o shall_v receive_v the_o holy_a sacrament_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n for_o some_o it_o seem_v in_o his_o time_n think_v we_o be_v bind_v to_o receive_v the_o eucharist_n every_o day_n other_o but_o now_o and_o then_o some_o say_v he_o epist._n 118._o communicate_v daily_o other_o but_o upon_o certain_a day_n some_o will_v omit_v no_o day_n other_o will_v only_a receive_v on_o the_o sabbath_n and_o the_o lord_n day_n there_o be_v a_o freedom_n to_o be_v use_v in_o both_o these_o some_o will_v say_v we_o must_v not_o daily_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n because_o we_o ought_v to_o select_v and_o set_v apart_o some_o day_n wherein_o we_o must_v live_v more_o careful_o and_o religious_o and_o so_o come_v to_o the_o sacrament_n more_o worthy_o and_o with_o great_a devotion_n on_o the_o other_o side_n another_o tell_v we_o yea_o but_o if_o the_o plague-sore_n of_o sin_n and_o violence_n of_o the_o disease_n be_v so_o great_a and_o dangerous_a such_o sovereign_a medicine_n as_o these_o be_v not_o to_o be_v defer_v of_o both_o these_o say_v he_o
her_o mother_n child_n why_o then_o do_v she_o make_v such_o a_o involve_a speech_n of_o it_o my_o mother_n child_n be_v angry_a with_o i_o true_o indeed_o though_o they_o can_v choose_v but_o be_v her_o brethren_n as_o be_v her_o mother_n child_n yet_o she_o do_v not_o she_o dare_v not_o call_v they_o brethren_n for_o they_o will_v not_o acknowledge_v it_o they_o hate_v the_o name_n of_o brethren_n and_o make_v themselves_o profess_v enemy_n and_o therefore_o she_o be_v force_v to_o leave_v out_o this_o love_a and_o affectionate_a compellation_n of_o brethren_n and_o say_v in_o a_o kind_n of_o strange_a phrase_n my_o mother_n child_n be_v angry_a with_o i_o yet_o shall_v no_o man_n be_v discourage_v from_o perform_v so_o worthy_a a_o duty_n for_o though_o there_o be_v a_o persecution_n that_o attend_v upon_o peacemaker_n here_o yet_o be_v there_o a_o blessing_n promise_v they_o hereafter_o and_o see_v our_o bless_a lord_n and_o master_n christ_n jesus_n when_o he_o be_v about_o to_o leave_v his_o apostle_n and_o disciple_n he_o leave_v unto_o they_o this_o golden_a legacy_n joh._n 14._o 27._o peace_n i_o leave_v with_o you_o my_o peace_n i_o give_v unto_o you_o o_o how_o well_o will_v it_o become_v we_o his_o priest_n to_o be_v man_n of_o peace_n to_o write_v for_o the_o peace_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o pray_v for_o the_o peace_n of_o jerusalem_n for_o they_o shall_v prosper_v that_o love_n it_o psal._n 122._o 6._o i_o will_v begin_v this_o exhortation_n unto_o peace_n and_o charity_n from_o that_o common_a name_n which_o we_o all_o bear_v in_o that_o we_o be_v call_v christian_n and_o do_v all_o pretend_v to_o imitate_v christ_n in_o our_o doctrine_n and_o practice_n there_o be_v a_o time_n indeed_o when_o this_o name_n be_v much_o take_v notice_n of_o and_o great_a danger_n for_o any_o man_n to_o own_o it_o when_o they_o have_v no_o other_o argument_n then_o nor_o any_o other_o cause_n of_o their_o cruel_a persecution_n but_o to_o hear_v a_o man_n confess_v christianus_n sum_n i_o be_o a_o christian_n but_o when_o these_o storm_n be_v blow_v over_o and_o the_o church_n begin_v to_o be_v in_o peace_n this_o name_n of_o christian_a be_v not_o so_o much_o regard_v and_o yet_o methinks_v the_o very_a name_n of_o christian_a be_v not_o altogether_o to_o be_v contemn_v for_o unless_o i_o be_o deceive_v whosoever_o have_v but_o this_o appellation_n may_v challenge_v a_o brotherhood_n with_o i_o for_o in_o scripture_n i_o find_v a_o brother_n and_o a_o christian_n to_o be_v the_o very_a same_o so_o that_o whosoever_o be_v a_o christian_n will_v necessary_o be_v my_o brother_n 1._o cor._n 7._o 12._o 13._o if_o any_o brother_n have_v a_o wife_n say_v the_o apostle_n that_o believe_v not_o and_o she_o be_v please_v to_o dwell_v with_o he_o let_v he_o not_o put_v she_o away_o and_o if_o the_o woman_n have_v a_o husband_n which_o believe_v not_o if_o he_o be_v please_v to_o dwell_v with_o she_o let_v she_o not_o leave_v he_o but_o if_o the_o unbelieving_a depart_n let_v he_o depart_v a_o brother_n or_o a_o sister_n be_v not_o in_o bondage_n in_o such_o case_n where_o the_o apostle_n plain_o show_v that_o a_o brother_n and_o a_o sister_n be_v such_o as_o be_v christian_n and_o opposite_a only_a to_o infidel_n and_o unbeliever_n neither_o ought_v we_o to_o take_v that_o exhortation_n of_o saint_n paul_n 1_o pet._n 2._o 17._o when_o he_o say_v love_v the_o brotherhood_n in_o any_o narrow_a sense_n but_o that_o we_o shall_v love_v every_o one_o that_o be_v a_o christian_n not_o only_o because_o he_o agree_v with_o i_o in_o some_o opinion_n concern_v religion_n but_o i_o ought_v to_o love_v he_o in_o that_o respect_n he_o be_v a_o christian_n and_o profess_v christ_n crucify_v neither_o ought_v we_o to_o love_v he_o thus_o with_o a_o ordinary_a kind_n of_o love_n in_o wish_v he_o well_o and_o do_v he_o good_a for_o so_o we_o ought_v to_o love_n and_o do_v good_a to_o all_o but_o there_o be_v a_o more_o strict_a tie_n of_o love_n that_o lie_v upon_o we_o christian_n one_o to_o another_o and_o therefore_o although_o the_o apostle_n wish_v we_o to_o do_v good_a to_o all_o man_n yet_o especial_o to_o the_o household_n of_o faith_n gal._n 6_o 10._o that_o be_v to_o such_o as_o be_v christian_n be_v this_o precept_n of_o the_o apostle_n practise_v as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v there_o will_v not_o be_v so_o much_o uncharitableness_n nor_o peradventure_o so_o much_o dissension_n among_o christian_n why_o can_v we_o not_o consider_v one_o another_o as_o unite_a in_o this_o bless_a name_n of_o christian_a and_o set_v aside_o for_o a_o time_n those_o name_n of_o faction_n and_o division_n why_o shall_v we_o not_o rejoice_v awhile_o in_o those_o thing_n wherein_o we_o agree_v and_o not_o always_o be_v wrangle_v about_o those_o thing_n wherein_o we_o differ_v of_o what_o moment_n those_o opinion_n be_v wherein_o we_o disagree_v i_o be_o not_o able_a to_o determine_v this_o i_o dare_v be_v bold_a to_o say_v that_o the_o point_n wherein_o we_o be_v friend_n be_v of_o far_o great_a consequence_n than_o those_o be_v wherein_o we_o fall_v out_o and_o yet_o we_o so_o eager_o contend_v one_o with_o another_o and_o damn_v each_o other_o to_o the_o pit_n of_o hell_n as_o though_o our_o difference_n be_v very_o important_a &_o our_o agreement_n not_o worth_a the_o talk_n of_o for_o my_o part_n i_o shall_v be_v loath_a to_o exclude_v any_o visible_a christian_a church_n from_o all_o hope_n of_o salvation_n and_o if_o i_o must_v needs_o offend_v i_o have_v rather_o give_v account_n to_o a_o merciful_a god_n for_o too_o much_o mildness_n and_o charity_n than_o too_o much_o fierceness_n and_o severity_n yet_o i_o hope_v to_o make_v it_o appear_v that_o my_o opinion_n of_o charity_n shall_v not_o exceed_v the_o bound_n of_o verity_n a_o chief_a cause_n of_o the_o continuance_n of_o these_o dissension_n be_v that_o man_n mind_n not_o so_o much_o the_o common_a cause_n of_o christianity_n as_o their_o own_o particular_a engagement_n nor_o stndy_a how_o they_o may_v agree_v one_o with_o another_o as_o how_o to_o uphold_v the_o side_n they_o be_v on_o whereas_o will_v they_o set_v aside_o prejudice_n and_o partiality_n and_o cast_v a_o equal_a eye_n upon_o all_o the_o church_n they_o will_v not_o spy_v so_o many_o fault_n abroad_o and_o so_o few_o at_o home_n but_o will_v free_o confess_v there_o may_v be_v great_a concord_n among_o christian_n then_o now_o there_o be_v no_o other_o unity_n do_v i_o labour_v for_o at_o this_o time_n but_o that_o of_o charity_n that_o christian_n will_v not_o for_o some_o difference_n in_o opinion_n pronounce_v such_o a_o heavy_a sentence_n upon_o one_o another_o as_o be_v that_o of_o damnation_n if_o god_n shall_v deal_v with_o we_o as_o we_o deal_v with_o one_o another_o if_o he_o shall_v censure_v we_o all_o as_o we_o censure_v one_o another_o i_o know_v not_o who_o shall_v be_v save_v the_o papist_n damn_v the_o protestant_n and_o some_o among_o we_o the_o papist_n and_o both_o of_o they_o any_o other_o that_o shall_v differ_v from_o they_o both_o but_o my_o hope_n be_v and_o my_o hearty_a prayer_n to_o god_n shall_v be_v that_o he_o will_v be_v more_o merciful_a to_o all_o these_o than_o they_o be_v one_o to_o another_o when_o i_o consider_v with_o myself_o the_o manifold_a distraction_n of_o christian_n about_o religion_n and_o the_o great_a fierceness_n and_o violence_n use_v on_o all_o side_n every_o one_o think_v his_o own_o opinion_n true_a and_o consequent_o damn_v all_o other_o that_o differ_v from_o he_o i_o can_v not_o but_o call_v to_o mind_v that_o prophecy_n of_o our_o bless_a saviour_n mat._n 24._o 12._o concern_v these_o latter_a and_o worse_a time_n because_o iniquity_n shall_v abound_v say_v he_o the_o love_n of_o many_o shall_v wax_v cold_a for_o although_o charity_n of_o itself_o be_v of_o a_o hot_a and_o diffusive_a nature_n yet_o now_o clean_o contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o it_o it_o be_v in_o most_o man_n grow_v cold_a it_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o cold_a to_o contract_v and_o combine_v to_o congeal_v and_o draw_v into_o a_o narrow_a room_n thus_o be_v it_o now_o with_o our_o charity_n for_o whereas_o like_o the_o heat_n in_o our_o natural_a body_n it_o shall_v diffuse_v itself_o into_o all_o the_o member_n thereof_o unto_o the_o whole_a christian_a church_n yet_o i_o know_v not_o how_o it_o have_v take_v cold_a for_o man_n contract_v their_o love_n now_o into_o a_o very_a small_a compass_n and_o narrow_a room_n that_o be_v to_o no_o more_o than_o to_o such_o who_o jump_v with_o they_o in_o the_o same_o opinion_n about_o religion_n leaving_z other_o who_o differ_v from_o they_o to_o nothing_o but_o death_n and_o damnation_n for_o not_o only_o in_o several_a country_n but_o
the_o imitation_n of_o christ_n divide_v into_o four_o book_n write_a in_o latin_a by_o thomas_n à _fw-fr kempis_n and_o the_o translation_n of_o it_o correct_v &_o amend_v by_o w._n p._n oxford_z print_v by_o leonard_n lichfield_n printer_n to_o the_o famous_a university_n for_o edw._n forrest_n 1639._o to_o the_o right_n reverend_a father_n in_o god_n walter_n lord_n bishop_n of_o winchester_z prelate_n of_o the_o noble_a order_n of_o the_o garter_n my_o singular_a good_a lord_n and_o patron_n right_o reverend_a father_n in_o god_n and_o my_o very_a singular_a good_a lord_n set_v aside_o more_o serious_a study_n and_o be_v desirous_a to_o recreate_v myself_o with_o some_o book_n of_o meditation_n it_o be_v my_o good_a hap_n to_o meet_v with_o this_o little_a tract_n of_o the_o imitation_n of_o christ_n and_o have_v look_v over_o some_o of_o it_o i_o begin_v to_o admire_v both_o the_o plainness_n and_o the_o pythinesse_n of_o it_o be_v so_o well_o fit_v to_o the_o capacity_n of_o the_o ignorant_a and_o yet_o not_o unworthy_a the_o perusal_n of_o the_o learned_a insomuch_o that_o i_o find_v it_o to_o be_v true_a by_o my_o own_o experience_n that_o the_o high_a commendation_n so_o many_o have_v give_v of_o it_o be_v not_o without_o just_a cause_n for_o i_o must_v confess_v to_o the_o glory_n of_o god_n and_o my_o own_o comfort_n that_o i_o have_v profit_v more_o in_o the_o course_n of_o christianity_n by_o the_o perusal_n of_o this_o one_o small_a book_n of_o devotion_n then_o by_o turn_v over_o many_o volume_n of_o controversy_n for_o i_o find_v in_o it_o great_a motive_n to_o selfe-deniall_n humility_n obedience_n and_o devotion_n to_o humility_n in_o ourselves_o to_o obedience_n towards_o superior_n to_o devotion_n towards_o god_n i_o then_o begin_v to_o inquire_v whether_o it_o be_v translate_v or_o no_o and_o i_o find_v it_o be_v translate_v into_o all_o language_n and_o into_o english_a several_a time_n yet_o can_v none_o of_o these_o altogether_o please_v i_o for_o i_o perceave_v some_o of_o they_o to_o stick_v too_o close_o to_o the_o letter_n &_o other_o fly_v too_o far_o off_o i_o have_v therefore_o take_v a_o little_a pain_n to_o fit_v it_o to_o our_o own_o language_n and_o yet_o not_o leave_v the_o author_n too_o much_o and_o because_o the_o author_n thereof_o be_v too_o much_o addict_v to_o one_o side_n i_o make_v bold_a to_o leave_v out_o that_o which_o may_v offend_v any_o christian_a palate_n and_o have_v endeavour_v that_o it_o shall_v look_v with_o a_o equal_a and_o unpartial_a eye_n upon_o all_o good_a christian_n and_o it_o be_v to_o be_v wish_v that_o we_o have_v more_o book_n in_o this_o kind_n and_o that_o we_o do_v especial_o apply_v ourselves_o to_o such_o kind_n of_o book_n for_o man_n now_o adays_o be_v immoderate_o wed_v to_o their_o own_o opinion_n they_o labour_v to_o dispute_v well_o not_o to_o live_v well_o and_o delight_v more_o in_o book_n of_o controversy_n to_o strengthen_v they_o on_o that_o side_n they_o be_v then_o in_o book_n of_o devotion_n to_o teach_v they_o what_o each_o good_a christian_n shall_v be_v so_o that_o the_o admonition_n of_o the_o apostle_n be_v never_o more_o seasonable_a than_o now_o let_v your_o moderation_n be_v know_v unto_o all_o man_n phil._n 4._o 5._o that_o therefore_o other_o may_v be_v the_o better_o encourage_v to_o peruse_v this_o so_o plain_a and_o profitable_a a_o book_n i_o have_v presume_v to_o shelter_v it_o under_o your_o lordship_n gracious_a protection_n and_o to_o who_o can_v i_o more_o fit_o dedicate_v so_o pious_a a_o work_n then_o to_o your_o lordship_n in_o who_o humility_n piety_n and_o devotion_n join_v with_o a_o singular_a temper_n and_o moderation_n be_v so_o well_o meet_v together_o the_o assure_a confidence_n of_o all_o these_o do_v give_v great_a assurance_n that_o you_o will_v favourable_o accept_v of_o the_o weak_a endeavour_n of_o your_o lordship_n humble_o devote_a chaplain_n william_n page_z to_o the_o christian_a reader_n and_o to_o who_o shall_v i_o more_o fit_o commend_v this_o pious_a work_n of_o the_o imitation_n of_o christ_n then_o to_o thou_o good_a christian_a reader_n whosoever_o thou_o be_v and_o wheresoever_o thou_o dwell_v i_o say_v wheresoever_o thou_o dwell_v for_o nowadays_o it_o be_v a_o hard_a matter_n to_o find_v a_o good_a christian_a the_o prophet_n bid_v they_o run_v to_o &_o fro_o through_o the_o street_n of_o jerusalem_n and_o seek_v in_o the_o broad_a place_n thereof_o if_o they_o can_v find_v a_o man_n jer._n 5._o 1._o they_o be_v not_o so_o much_o trouble_v to_o find_v out_o a_o man_n as_o we_o shall_v be_v to_o find_v out_o a_o christian._n we_o so_o busy_v ourselves_o about_o controversy_n that_o we_o forget_v to_o be_v good_a christian_n there_o be_v a_o time_n indeed_o when_o the_o name_n be_v first_o give_v at_o antioch_n act._n 11._o 26._o that_o it_o be_v then_o well_o set_v by_o but_o this_o last_v not_o long_o for_o present_o after_o they_o fall_v a_o side_v among_o themselves_o and_o one_o cry_v i_o be_o of_o paul_n another_o i_o be_o of_o apollo_n and_o another_o i_o be_o of_o cephas_n and_o another_o i_o be_o of_o christ_n and_o much_o ado_n have_v s._n paul_n 1_o cor._n 1._o 12._o to_o appease_v these_o faction_n for_o present_o after_o they_o fall_v to_o they_o again_o and_o have_v so_o continue_v yea_o and_o increase_v in_o they_o even_o unto_o this_o day_n but_o christ_n be_v not_o divide_v say_v the_o same_o apostle_n neither_o be_v this_o to_o imitate_v christ_n the_o god_n of_o love_n and_o peace_n who_o love_v we_o when_o we_o be_v his_o enemy_n and_o the_o apostle_n make_v a_o good_a inference_n of_o imitation_n upon_o it_o 1._o john_n 4._o 11._o belove_a if_o god_n so_o love_v we_o we_o ought_v also_o to_o love_v one_o another_o nay_o as_o though_o there_o be_v nothing_o else_o require_v of_o a_o good_a christian_a and_o a_o follower_n of_o christ_n our_o saviour_n say_v joh._n 13._o 15._o by_o this_o shall_v all_o man_n know_v you_o be_v my_o disciple_n if_o you_o have_v love_v one_o to_o another_o see_v then_o this_o be_v the_o proper_a and_o peculiar_a badge_n and_o cognisance_n of_o a_o disciple_n of_o christ_n to_o love_v his_o fellow_n disciple_n what_o preface_n will_v be_v fit_a here_o than_o a_o introduction_n to_o all_o christian_n to_o be_v in_o peace_n and_o charity_n one_o with_o another_o but_o alas_o how_o unwelcome_a a_o task_n be_v it_o to_o entreat_v of_o peace_n and_o charity_n for_o he_o that_o go_v about_o to_o part_v a_o fray_n in_o all_o likelihood_n will_v have_v blow_n on_o both_o side_n especial_o where_o the_o opposite_n &_o combatant_n be_v fierce_a and_o violent_a he_o that_o be_v eager_a on_o any_o one_o side_n shall_v be_v sure_a to_o find_v some_o fast_a friend_n but_o he_o that_o bewail_v the_o miserable_a distraction_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o do_v but_o set_v a_o foot_n forward_o to_o make_v up_o the_o breach_n will_v find_v few_o to_o take_v his_o part_n but_o shall_v be_v sure_a to_o have_v many_o about_o his_o ear_n and_o therefore_o we_o may_v observe_v that_o present_o after_o our_o saviour_n have_v say_v bless_a be_v the_o peacemaker_n mat._n 5._o 9_o 10._o he_o immediate_o add_v bless_a be_v they_o that_o be_v persecute_v for_o righteousness_n sake_n know_v well_o enough_o that_o if_o a_o man_n will_v undertake_v to_o be_v a_o peacemaker_n he_o must_v present_o prepare_v to_o suffer_v persecution_n and_o i_o know_v none_o great_a than_o that_o of_o peacemaker_n in_o religion_n for_o they_o suffer_v on_o all_o side_n either_o by_o sharp_a and_o bitter_a word_n or_o by_o scoff_v &_o jeer_a speech_n for_o although_o the_o hot-spurre_n of_o these_o time_n be_v at_o deadly_a feud_n and_o bitter_a enmity_n one_o with_o another_o yet_o will_v they_o like_o herod_n and_o pilate_n join_v together_o and_o muster_v up_o their_o force_n against_o those_o who_o labour_v any_o kind_n of_o pacification_n and_o desire_n to_o be_v quiet_a in_o the_o land_n we_o be_v i_o say_v david_n ps._n 120._o 4._o 5_o 6._o that_o i_o be_o constrain_v to_o dwell_v with_o mesech_n and_o to_o have_v my_o habitation_n among_o the_o tent_n kedar_n my_o soul_n have_v long_o dwell_v among_o they_o that_o be_v enemy_n unto_o peace_n i_o labour_v for_o peace_n but_o whn_n i_o speak_v unto_o they_o thereof_o they_o make_v they_o ready_a to_o battle_n never_o can_v the_o pious_a and_o peaceable_a christian_n more_o true_o cry_v out_o then_o now_o my_o mother_n child_n be_v angry_a with_o i_o cant._n 1._o 5._o a_o strange_a speech_n to_o call_v they_o mother_n child_n have_v it_o not_o be_v a_o more_o easy_a &_o familiar_a way_n to_o say_v my_o brethren_n or_o my_o sister_n be_v angry_a with_o i_o for_o so_o they_o must_v be_v if_o they_o be_v