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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
death_n	age_n	life_n	old_a	5,148	5	5.6715	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A03087	A simple, and religious consultation of vs Herman by the grace of God Archebishop of Colone, and prince Electour. [et] c. by what meanes a Christian reformation, and founded in Gods worde, of doctrine, administration of the deuine sacramentes, of ceremonies, and the hole cure of soules, and other ecclesiastical ministeries may be begon among men committed to our pastorall charge, vntil the Lorde graunt a better to be appoynted either by a free, and Christian cou[n]sayle, general, or national, or elles by the states of the empire of the natio[n] of Germanie, gathered together in the holye Gost; Einfaltigs Bedencken, warauff ein christliche in dem Wort Gottes gegrünte Reformation an Lehr, Brauch der heyligen Sacramenten un Ceremonien, Seelsorg und anderem Kirchendienst, biss auff eines freyen, christlichen, gemeinen oder nationals Concilii, oder dess Reichs Teutscher Nation Stende, im Heyligen Geyst versamelt, Verbesserung, bei denen so unserer Seelsorge befohlen, anzurichten seye, English	Wied, Hermann von.; Melanchthon, Philipp, 1497-1560.; Bucer, Martin, 1491-1551.	1547 (1547)	STC 13213; ESTC S103980	258,817	620

glorifie me This way the crosse is easely suffered and becometh pleasaunt For who woulde not be blynde for a whyle if he knewe that his syght shoulde be restored to him sone after by the hādes of Christ hym selfe and also inwarde syght wyth the outwarde Who woulde not wishe exie and persecution with Dauid if he knewe that he shoulde be merueylously deliuered of God and that he shoulde be extolled to sanctifie his name and dilate his knyngdome Who woulde not chose to be troubled and despiced wyth Iob if he knewe that at length he shoulde be pronounced ryghtuous by the iudgement of the diuine maiestie it selfe and that he shoulde recouer his former dignitie yea and more to both in temporal and euerlasting goodes But we must be as certaine of the healpe of God and deliueraunce as Dauid Iob and other were whose exemples the scripture setteth before vs so that we call vpon God wyth true fayth Wherfore the people muste be often warned hereof bi the ministers that by this meane faith and the inuocation of God beinge nowe welnigh quenched may be raised vp againe and florishe There be some also whiche whyle they are aflicted learne the peculiar loue of god towardes them and gette glorie euen in the crosse as the Apostles Act. v. When they were beaten wyth roddes for the name of Christe and confession of the Gospel went from the councell reioysinge that they were compted worthie to be spitefully handled for his names sake Therefore it muste be ascribed to the peculiar goodnes of god whē he iudgeth vs worthy to be troubled for his names sake for if we suffre wyth hym we shall also be glorified wyth him as Paule witnesseth Ro. viij Surely it was a greate benifitte and greate glorie to the Apostles that they had so great fayth and loue to promote the kingdō of God that they thought they oughte to reioyse and to glorie in the trouble and despite whiche they suffered for the name of Christe whereof vndoubtedly they toke great consolation Therefore christian men muste euer labour to gette suche perfection whiche reade that manie Martyres shewed men women chyldren yonge and olde learned and vnlearned so that we maye once saye wyth Paule Be it farre from me that I glorie sauynge in the crosse of oure Lorde Iesu Christe etc. In this place it shal pertayne to the preachers to arme the people agaynste the errours of the Anabaptistes whiche contende that no crosse auayleth to health sauynge that that is layed vpon vs for faythes sake and for the confession of Christe neither wil they acknowledge anie to be a christian mā which hath not this crosse that he suffre persecution for the cōfession of Christe Whose errour is lyke the erroure of the donatistes whiche as S. Augustine witnesseth draue men euen agaynste theyr wylles to kylle them selues Therfore the preachers muste teache the people three kyndes of aflictions and of the crosse First when we suffre persecution for the confession of Christe and for rightuousnes whiche afliction crosse is moste holesome and most to be wished for accordynge to the saying of Christe Math. v. Blessed be they that suffre persecutions for ryghtuousnes sake etc. The seconde kinde of tribulatiō is wherby God correcteth vs for synne and calleth vs agayne vnto repentaunce as be diseases pouertie hūgre pestilence etc. In these if we shewe patience to God and obey his wyll and seeke his grace in Christe being so pricked wyth true repentaunce of synnes and earnest fayth thys shal be a pleasaunt sacrifice vnto God whiche thynge is toutched in the parable Luke xiij Of the great banekette to whiche the bidden gestes refused to come and the pore lame blynde etc. were brought and compelled to come The thirde kynde of the crosse is when malefactours are punished for their wicked actes as he murtherers adulterers theues robbers Thys kynde of tribulation becometh not christian men Wherfore we must take diligent hede that we be not troubled thys waye as wicked and euylles doers i. Petri. iiij Lette none of you be aflicted as a murtherer as these etc. But if anie man be troubled as a christian let hym not be ashamed but glorifie God in thys behalfe But if anie suche thing chaunce and if some heynous act be committed the person must not despeare therfore but he must acknowledge that he is punished for his deseruing Wher fore he muste haue patience and praye for forgyuenes and so thys crosse though it be brought vpon vs thorowe our wicked actes becometh holie acceptable to God as we may se in the thiefe whiche on the crosse acknowledged and called vpon Christe Here the preachers shall also warne diligently that it is not in our choyse to lay the crosse vpon vs as we liste but that euerie man muste beare that crosse whiche God layeth vpon hym accordynge to the sayinge of Christ he that wyl be my disciple let him take vp his owne crosse not Christes crosse or Petres or Paules but his owne Th●refore lette euerie man be contented wyth h●s owne crosse onely lette him ●●w are that he pull not a crosse vpon hym selfe wyth his owne wicked dedes The onely exemple of Iohn the Euangeliste proueth sufficiently that it is not necessarie that euerie man be exercised wyth the crosse for the confession of fayth For thys mā hough he were right deare vnto Christe yet he dyed a naturall death and in extreme age and was not put to death for the confession of fayeth as the moste parte of the other Apostles were Furthermore thys thynge also must be taught about thys place that it is not onely profitable but also necessarie that we be troubled in thys lyfe and exercised with sūdrie aduersities by reason of our naughtie fleshe and olde Adam to whiche it is needefull to be repressed tamed wyth the crosse as meate and drynke be needeful for the bodie For oure olde man in prosperitie for the moste parte wareth riotous and insolent forgetteth God and looseth the brydle to allustes and mischiues as Moyses testifieth Deut. xxxij The beloued was batted and kycked he was batted and made fatte and lefte God his maker and departed from God his health Wherfore Solomon prayeth Pro. xxx Neither pouertie nor rytches gyue me leste I beinge fylled denie the and saye who is the Lorde etc. To auoyed these so great euyls the crosse is surely necessarie so that if God lay vpō vs no peculiar crosse we must humble and chastise our fleshe our selues as Paule wrate of hym selfe i. Cor. ix I chastise my bodie and brynge it into bondage etc. For the olde man must needes be mortified and perishe if the newe shal be renued And thys the holie goste worketh in vs chiefely by the law and aflictiōs wherewith we are moued and nurtured to vnderstande the lawe Wherefore in baptisme we submitte oure selues to the crosse and to death accordynge to the sayinge of Paule Ro. vi As manie of vs as be baptised into Christe are baptised

thorowe the trust of Goddes promises he obtayned the couenaūt of grace and of his saluation and became deare to God yet that he dyed a straunger in the lande promised to hym and to hys posteritie Whō neuertheles though he were a straūger and had no certayne possession in the lande God merueilously guyded wyth his posteritie and defended from all harme and encreased hym wyth as maner of blessinges Of whō singeth the Psal Ciij When they were verie fewe in numbre and went from nation to nation and frō kyngdome to kyngdome he suffered not anie man to do them wronge and he pinished kinges for theyr sakes toutche not myne anoynted and hurte not my prophetes Vnbeliefe was the cause of miseries and punishementes in the olde people Thorowe the same fayth of his grace he gouerned and guided the other patriarches and the vniuersal people of Israell whiche were truly the people of Israel and the childrē of the promises And what so euer calamitie happened vnto them it was a punishment of theyr vnbeliefe bycause they had not obeyed to Goddes voice Finally the cōgregation must be taught thys thinge also diligently that that couenaunte Thorowe Christ all benifittes happened to the fathers of grace and al other benifites were obtained confirmed and exhibited to the fathers by the sonne of God Christ the Lorde the euerlastinge worde of the father Al thei desired to see hys daye and than they beganne to enioye the promised blessinges whan they sawe that daye he speake wyth the fathers he guyded them and fedde thē not onely wyth corporal manna rayninge doune from heauen and wyth water drawne out of the rocke by the power of God but also with spiritual meate and drinke of blessede participation wyth hym and heauenly lyfe whiche he gyueth to his whereof Paule speaketh saiyng Al eate the same spirituall meate and dranke the same spiritual drinke For they dranke of the spiritual stone folowynge them that is of Christ Wherfore they receiued the same spirituall meate and drinke namely Christe the Lorde not onely amonge them selues but also together with vs though that meate and drinke horough vnbeliefe profited not al. Wherfore lette the preachers with al diligence teach and cōfirme this thinge perpetually that al benifittes of God that were exhibited to the fathers frō the beginninge and al that be bestowed vpon vs haue ben gyuen and be gyuen by Christe onely the blessed seede of Abraham the heade and sauiour of the vniuersal churche ¶ Of the difference of the olde and newe Testament FOr as muche as not onelye Saynte Paule but also the prophete Ieremie putteth a playne difference betwene the newe and olde Testamente affirmynge that the newe Testamente pertayneth to the commynge of Christe and the olde to Moses and the olde people the preachers shal diligently obserue this difference that the places of the scripture concerning the olde testamēt and the new and olde people maye be handsomely interpreted that they wythdrawe nothynge from the grace and benifittes of God promised and exhibited either to the fathers or to vs as some are wounte to doe not vnderstandinge sufficiently the wordes of Paule Of which men some affirme that those thinges that God did with the fathers were al only corporall and erathle and so much as they can they ouer throwe or doe not ryghtly regarde manye goodlye benifities of God amonge vs and holesome ordinaunces as officers iudgementes restraynynge of malefactours whiche thynges they saye pertayne not at all to the newe Testament Other thorowe the same ignoraunce of the Gospell and newe Testament gyue more then is conueniente to iudaicall rytes and ceremonies and they set forth the obseruation of them wyth the hurte of fayeth in Christ euē in this time of christian libertie Wherfore the preachers shal obserue that A double vnderstandynge of the olde testamente one as God instituted it an other as men abuse it the prophetes the apostles speake muche otherwise of the olde Testament whē they speake of it as it was at the begyunyng cōfirmed to Abraham Moyses and all the olde people then when they haue matter in hande conceruyng the Iewes whiche brake thys couenaunte in dede and onely bosted outwarde ceremonies wythout fayeth in Christe and true obedience towardes God For when they speake of the olde Testament after the first maner that is to saye as it was deliuered from God to the fathers they testifie that it is the couenaunte of the grace of God and that it conteyneth in it the promises of Christe the Mediatoure They call the people that keepe it the fyrst begotten and peculiar people of God the kinglie priesthode the holy people to whom in thys promise I wyll be your God etc. God promised thorowe his sonne his euerlastyng mercie remission of synnes adoption to be sonnes and heyres and therfore a newe and blessed lyfe For God bestoweth all these benifites vpon them to whom he sheweth hym selfe God Which thing may appeare hereby that Christe proueth to the Saddnceis the blessed resurrection of saintes which is a passage into a newe and blessed lyfe by thys that God testified that he was the God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob which then were deade in theyr bodies For it was knowen euen amonge the Sadduceis that God is not the God of the dead but of the quycke that is to saye of them that lyue well and blisfully Thys folowed then euidently that al they to whō suche promise was made muste necessarely be raysed from death to lyfe wherein they should be heyres euē after the fleshe of saluation and euerlastyng lyfe whiche God promised them whē he testified that he was theyr God Wherfore that olde couenaūt or Testamēt made with the fathes cōprehēdeth also remission of sinnes grace and adoption into the children of God the gyuinge of the holye goste by whome he circumcided and renued theyr hertes and certified them of saluation and perpetual gouernaunce and protection And for the confirmation of thys grace he deliuered vnto them the whole religion the lawe and the possession of the lande of Canaan al that did he thorough Christe our onely mediator and sauioure and for this cause god setteth forth so greatly this his leige and he calleth the lawe and his statutes the couenaunte of life and wysedome wherein the people of Israel excelled a● nations he wytnessed wyth thys leige that he is presēt with his that he dwelleth amonge them heareth theyr prayers and deliuereth them from al daungers For whiche causes Paule also wrote of the Iewes Romano iii. and ix cha that the oracles of God were deliuered vnto them and adoption and the glorye of the childrē of God and the worshippinge of God and that Christ the Lorde was gyuē them with all the benifittes of God For thys cause also he declareth and proueth to the Gala. iii. that we whiche beleue in Christe be the children of Abraham and of the new testament after that we haue putte on Christe thorough

euerlastynge lyfe and part takers of all his benifittes bycause we be the coheyres of his Christe beinge deliuered from the tirannie of the diuell synne death and hell Wherefore I beseche you for Gods sake and your saluation that ye wyll worthely esteme and thankefully embrace so wonderfull abundaunt grace of God whiche is exhibited in thys Sacrament For Baptisme is a greate comforte vnto vs in oure daungers and afflictions and it is the fyrste entraunce vnto all the benifittes of God and to the blessed feloshyppe of all saintes Therefore that we maye considre thys vnspeakeable benifitte of God wyth a presenter minde and greater religion we must fyrste remembre into howe greate euyls the fall of Adam thrue vs. And contrariewyse how vnmeasurable grace God exhibited to mankynde thorow his sonne in that that he hath redemed vs from the same euylles by baptisme Thirdly howe thys so great mercie of God ought to be euer before our eyes in all perilles and with howe great prayses we should magnifie the grace of god which we haue receyued thorowe baptisme Fyrste then we muste considre wyth all diligence that all we thorowe the synne of Adam and enuie of Satan be subiect to the wrath of God and moreouer damned and be holden prisonners vnder the power and kyngdome of the diuell vndre death synne and hell so that we being by nature the children of wrath coulde appease God by no strength of man no vertues or workes For all that is in vs and all our workes be cursed of God and subiecte to the tirannie of Satan by reason of our corrupted nature For seinge that thorowe the inobedience of our fyrst Adam of whō we are all borne into this natural and earthlie lyfe we come al into the worlde giltie and cursed of God so that we muste all dye in hym and beare his earthie Image in thys mortall bodie it feloweth that all our lyfe and all the dedes of our nature so corrupted be condemned of God though they appeare neuer so godlie and holie before men For what so euer is borne of fleshe is flesh that is to say straūge from God repugning to the spirite and adiudged to death and hell Wherefore fleshe and bloud shal not atteine to the kyngdome of God For whatsoeuer is fleshe it sauoureth fleshely thynges and so lyueth it is an aduersarie to God for it is not subiecte to the lawe of God Wherefore they that be fleshely can not please God the wysedome of the fleshe is death And therefore oure Lorde Christe disputyng wyth Nicodemus concludeth thus Verely verely I saye vnto the excepte a man be borne agayne of water and of the spirite he can not entre into the kyngdome of God Secondly we must considre howe plentifull the grace of God gyuen to vs in baptisme is wherin his bountuousnes and loue towardes men truly appeareth in asmuche as he hath saued vs not thorowe the workes of ryghtuousnes whiche we had done but accordyng to his mercie by the lauer of regeneration and renouation of the holie gost For he thorow the vertue of his worde washeth awaye and abolisheth whatsoeuer maketh vs giltie and condemneth vs as in olde tyme he drouned in the redde sea the enemies of his people and destroyed al mākynde wyth the floude eyghte soules reserued whiche were saued in the arke So this lauer of water saueth vs thorow the word not in washyng away the fyl●h of the fleshe as it chaunseth in all other washynges but thorowe the certification of a good cōscience towardes God by the resurrectiō of Iesus Christ For by the vertue of Goddes couenaunt we are cleansed in our cōsciences and we are certified both thorow the worde and an outwarde signe that all the synnes that defiled and condemned vs be playnly abolished bycause they be forgyuē and be dead Therfore thorowe baptisme we determine certeynly that we are acceptable vnto God and ioyned vnto hym wyth an euerlastyng couenaunt of grace so that nothynge can seperate vs frō hym or condemne vs. Wherfore hensforth we muste not onely eschewe synnes but also feare them and abhorre frō them none otherwyse then from hel as men dead vnto synnes For all we as S. Paule wytnesseth whiche be baptised into Christe Iesus be baptised into his death for we are buryed wyth hym into death Therfore we be dead to synne and to the whole olde mā and broughte forth in Christe so farre that nothynge can condemne vs or seperate vs from the grace of God For he that is deade is iustified from synne he is no more subiecte to the tirannie of synne death and hell though he feele the remnauntes of synne in the fleshe yet those be not imputed vnto cōdemnation by reason of the iustification of the spirite in Christe Furthermore Baptisme worketh a newe lyfe in vs and acceptable to God For as Christe was reysed from the deade by the glory of the father so he worketh in vs with his spirite that we also maye walke in newnes of lyfe For if we be grafted in hym by the lykenes of his death surely we shal also be part takers of his resurrection vnto euerlastyng lyfe knowinge thys that oure olde man is crucified wyth him that the bodie of synne should be abolished that hereafter we serue not vnto synne Wherfore let vs recōpte that we be dead to sinnes in dede and liue to God in Christ our Lorde in whom also we be circumcised wyth a circūcision made wythout handes whyle we put of the bodie of synnes thorow the circūcision of Christ We are buried wyth hym thorow baptisme wherein we haue also rysen agayne wyth hym by the fayth of the workynge of God For God whiche raysed Christe from the deade hath quickened vs with him euen when we were dead thorowe synnes by the vncircumcision of the fleshe or fleshly lyfe For though our lyfe be hidden in God with Christ yet whē Christe our lyfe shall appeare then shall we also in hym be manifested in glorie as men whom God of his exceadyng mercie hath begotten agayne into a lyuely hope thorow the resurrection of Iesus Christe from the dead vnto I saye an incorriruptible inheritaunce vndefiled and that fadeth not away not of corruptible seede but vncorruptible namely the lyuely worde of God by which worde baptisme consisteth and worketh all the forsayed thynges in vs truely and effectuously Thyrdly we shall cōfort our selues with so great excellencie of the grace of God and benifittes bestowed vpon vs thorowe baptisme and we shall euer thanke God and that so muche the more studiously as we shall be oppressed wyth more greuous calamities confirmynge our fayth hereby that God worketh in vs mortifieth the olde mā and repayreth the newe though not after a visible sorte yet by the vertue of baptisme thorowe the worde and the spirite Wherefore lette vs confirme oure consciences and thynke that God careth for vs and that for the merite of his sonne we be acceptable and deare to hym and when we be

body shal ryse agayne thorowe the power of God but neuertheles it shall not be subiecte to any incōmoditie or miseries wherwith it is now afflicted yea rather it shal be clarified wyth so great and so excellēt glorie as mānes minde cā atteine with no thought Paule then speaketh after this sorte It is sowen in corruption and riseth againe in incorruptibilitie it is sowen in dishonour and riseth in glorie it is sowen in weakenes and ryseth in power it is sowen a natural bodie and riseth agayne a spiritual body etc. Iohn also writeth thus Now we are the chyldrē of god and it hath not yet appeared what we shall be But we know that when he shal appeare we shal be lyke vnto hym etc. Seing then that so singuler and excellent glorie is layed vp for vs thorow Christ Iesus and nothinge ought to be more certeine vnto vs thē this redemption frō death and resurrectiō vnto eternal saluation not surely for ani of our merites towards god but for Christes sake in whō we beleue Vndoubtedly we oughte to endeuour our selues by all meanes that some fruites of thys glorious resurreccion may appeare in vs thorow the holy goste euen in thys temporall lyfe that is to say that we rise agayne frō sinnes and liue a blameles lyfe that we doubte not and despeyre wyth the vnfaythfull but loke for the cōminge of oure Lorde Iesu Christe wyth a sure truste This our brother also whō we brought forth euen nowe to be buried seinge that beinge baptised he acknowledged and professed the same Iesus Christ to be the true and onely authour of his saluatiō we ought not to doubt but that he is coupled to the death and resurrection of Iesus Christe that now thorowe Christe he hath obteyned remission of his sinnes and hath receiued with Christ and all the sayntes the enheritaunce of euerlastyng lyfe and peace Wherfore let vs all gyue God thākes together and let vs pray hym to mainteyne true and certeyne knowledge of Christe in vs and to make the same effectuous in vs thorowe his resurrection Praye ye and saye the Lordes prayer ❧ An other sermon at a burial of a yonge man or yonge woman Christian loue cōpassion hath brought vs to thys place to the buryall of a yonge man in Goddes name Seinge then that we can do nothynge that maye be either more fruitefull or more comfortable to vs then if we exercise oure selues in Goddes worde and considre the doctrine and actes of oure Lorde Iesu Christe diligently lette vs sette before vs that lesson of the Gospell whiche is wrytten in Luke Chap. vij And it came to passe afterwarde that Iesus went into a Citie called Naim and many of his disciples wente wyth hym and a great multitude And as he approched to the gate of the Citie beholde a corpse was in cariynge forth etc. ❧ If it be a yonge mayden let the Gospel of Mathew be reade Chapiter ix A certeine Prince came to Iesus and worshypped hym sayinge my daughter dyed euen nowe but come and lay thy hande vpō hir and she shall lyue etc. Thys present historie of the Gospell setteth before vs a notable miracle of a maiden raysed vp agayne by Christ Whiche deede we muste not so take as though Christ dyd signifie that all deade men before they be buried muste be called agayne into this life whiche is temporall wretched and subiecte to death but his purpose was to stablishe the truth of his Gospell and by the waye to declare also thys thynge that the fruite of his Gospell and heauenlie ryches perteyneth not only to aged mē but also to yonge personnes And where as we see both olde men and yonge to dye thereof we may gather that the same cometh not to passe at all auentures and by chaunce but by a certeine wōderful wysedome and purpose of God God also wyll sette before our eyes thorowe suche exemples howe vncerteyne the lotte of thys lyfe is and admonishe vs therwyth that we passe not ouer thys lyfe wyth negligence and sluggishnes but seing wythout Christe there is no saluation nor blisfulnes that we prepare our selues to the true knowledge of Christe and to christian obedience Furthermore he woulde declare the greatnes of original synne by the death of thys yonge personne For though after mannes iudgement there be greater hope of saluation in the death of a yonge man in whom so greate outwarde synnes be not founde as in men of more age yet in theyr causes we muste vse Goddes iudgemente and not mannes Neither oughte we in anie wyse to thynke that anie man shall obteyne saluation thorowe his owne innocencie But seinge that death whiche is the rewarde of synne inuadeth both yonge and olde it is a playne testimonie that they be not free frō synne but are comprehended in that general sentence of Paule to the Romaines where he sayeth by one man synne entred into the world and death thorow sinne and so death went ouer all men forasmuche as we haue synned Furthermore the nature of sinne vttereth it selfe euen in chyldrē as they growe in age by sundrie fruites of vices Wherfore God forfende that we should thynke that yonge men obteyne saluation thorowe the merite of their owne innocencie Yea they oughte aswell as olde menne to acknowledge that they receyue theyr whole saluation thorowe the innocencie of Christ Wherfore that yonge men maye be saued they muste needes enioye the innocencie of Christe For as Peter sayeth there is none other name gyuē to men wherein they must be saued but in the name of Iesus Christe Nowe yonge folke are so planted in Christe thorowe Baptisme that they are made his lyuely mēbres by that meanes haue right to all his goodes For Paule sayeth al you that be baptised haue putte on Christe For as before God there is neither bondmā nor free neither male nor female so there is neither chylde nor olde man but all we be one in Christe Iesu Vndoubtedly Christe hath deserued thorowe his death forgyuenes of synne and is rissen agayne from death Wherefore it is a thynge ryghte certeyne that younge folke also beinge Baptised in Christe haue alreadie obteyned remission of synnes and that it is not possible that they shoulde vtterly perishe in death but contrarie wyse they muste needes be raysed vp agayne frō death to life thorowe Christ For so Paule sayth we are buried with him thorowe Baptisme vnto death If we be grafted in hym by the lykenes of his death we shall also be partakers of his resurrection Seinge then thys yonge personne whose corpse we broughte forth euen nowe was baptised in the name of Christ and brought vp in Christian doctrine and moreouer acknowledged Christ to be his only saluation and openly declared this his fayth by communicatynge at the Lordes Supper surely we haue a good hope that this death is not death in deede but rather is a sleepe vnto hym out of whiche sleepe he shall be raysed inconuenient tyme vnto

true and liuelie fayth they shoulde acknowledge oure Lorde Iesus Christ and confesse him to be the only sauiour and calle for his helpe in al trobles with a verie trust and exercise them selues in such worckes as in dede be good and fruteful in the holye sacramētes and other ceremonies of the church accordinge to Christes institution that godlines maie daily encrease more and more and that al thinges which be contrarie to Godes worde all sinnes and offences that be crept in to the church of God maye be abolisched wherefore attributinge nothinge ether to our wisdome or to the wisdome and doctrine of other but only encouraged and trusting in the true grace and sure promise of God the father and in the merite and strenghth of our Lord Iesus Christ the only hed and vigilant pastour of hys comgregation we haue determined to set furth accordynge to oure simplicite these thynges thus gathered after diligent deliberacion and correction asmuch as coulde be done in shorte tyme and asmuch as God helped vs wyth hys grace for some reformacion of Christian discipline For we graunte that it is our office to fede christes shepe and faithfully to loke to the congregacions cōmitted vnto vs. And we cal God our creator to witnesse whiche is euerlastinge truth and knoweth the hertes and seeth al thoughtes that we in al this matter of reformation seke nether our owne glorie nor oure priuate commodite but only haue respecte hereunto that the glorie of the almightie maye bee mooste largely set furth to the euerlastinge saluacion of oure men Therfore we besech al christen men of what condicion soeuer thei be which shal reade o● heare this our preparation of a reformation by our Lord Iesus Christ whose cause matter and busines is hādled in this boke if thei shal finde anie thinge in it that shal not seme to be agreable to goddes worde and make to the true edificacion of fayth in Christe whiche resteth in the augmentacion of goddes encrease that they wil certifie vs thereof and gently teach vs out of the holie scriptur We wyll take the same by goddes grace in good parte and gladli embrace those thinges that we shal perceiue to helpe to the reparation of the church and we be readie to do them more diligently than it is set furth in this boke that nothinge wante to the nessarie reformacion of the church And contrarie wise we require of them that if they shal perceiue that the Lord hath mercifully giuē vs to attain his meaninge and wil they wil helpe vs wyth their beniuolence and diligence asmuch as they maye that these thinges as the holsome commaundementes of oure maker redemer iugde Iesus Christ maye be sette furth chiefely seing that they vnder stand that it becōmeth vs in nowyse in those thinges whiche we surely knowe to be enioyned and commaunded vnto vs by oure God and sauiour out of hys worde to differ any lōger either for the authorite and power of anie men or for the expectacion of a councell generall or nationall the thinges which perteine to the glorie of God and of his most dere sonne and the saluation of the people but rather as commodiously as we maye to propone the same to be obserued of our men and other asmuch as the almightie will helpe vs with hys diuine grace whiche we wishe to al them that seke the same truly thorough our Lord Iesus Christ As we cōmende vnto them this our obedience such as it is in this our purpose whiche we owe to the diuine maieste with al our subiectes and our office desiringe the same children of god which with a sincere herte wishe the amplification of Christes kingdom to whome vndoubtedly our necessarie diligence though it be slender shal be acceptable that they with their godlie praiers will diligentlye ayde in this our purpose and ministerie vs and our subiectes Which thinge how acceptable it was vnto vs we desire to declare to euerie one whan we shal be able ❧ Giuen at Buschonie ❧ A Table of the principall Articles in this boke of a Reformacion OF Doctrine That some Lesson muste be resited out of the holye Scripture before a Sermon and declared vnto the people That al Sermōs must be made to the magnifiyng of the Lord Christ Of the Trinitie Of the creacion and gouernaunce of all thynges Of the cause of synne and death Of original sinne and mannes wekenes before regeneration Of the olde Testament Of the difference of the olde and newe Testament Of preachyng peculiar to the newe Testament Of the preachyng of Repentaunce Of the true and proper vse of Goddes lawe A short exposition of the .x. commaundementes Of remission of synnes and iustification Of good workes Of the true and natural significatiō of this worde fayth Of the crosse and tribulations Of the church of God Of the vnitie or concorde of the church Of christian prayer A short exposition of the Lordes praier Of the abuse in prayer Of the true and false vse of Images Of Christian fast Of holy offerynges A premoniciō and commaundement against the errours of the Anabaptistes Of the administration of religion Of Sacramentes generally Of Baptisme The fourme of a Catechisme before Baptisme The exorcisme Of the administration of Baptisme Howe Baptisme must be administred at times not prescribed Of Confirmation Of the Lordes Supper At what tyme the Lordes Supper ought to be celebrated Of the cōmuniō of straungers and sickfolke Howe sicke persōs must be visited and how we must celebrate the cōmunion with thē Of communion in priuate houses for menne in health Of turning from sins and true repentaunce Of excommunication Of the makyng of Pastours Of the blessyng of Mariages Of Buriyng Of holy and feastful dayes Of fastyng dayes and Lent Of the difference of meates Of certayne other ryghtes or ceremonies of the church Of ecclesiastical rites vpon working daies Of peculiar dayes of procession Of Letany Of commune almes Of scholes for chyldren Of scholes of Diuinitie Of disputation By what meanes a christian reformation of holy ministerie and cure of soules maye be begunne and practised in parishes Of refourmyng of canonical colleges Of the reformation of monasteries both of men and women Of free and not Monasticall Colleges of virgins Of the ordre of selbrethren and laye brethrē The ende of the table Of Doctrine OUR sauiour Gods sonne Iesus Christ which cam into this world to the intent to open that wonder ful and hyd wil of God concernyng the saluation of mankynd after this sort spake to his disciples and to all them that are called to the ministery of his Gospel As the father hath sente me so I sende Iohn x. Marke the last Chap. you And in another place Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to euery creature teachyng theim to kepe all thynges that I haue cōmaunded you Further God eternal the father of our Lord Iesu Chryst Mat. iii. xvii spake thus from heauen of hys sonne Him heare

into his death etc. And a litle after we knowe that our olde man is crucified wyth hym that the bodie of synne myght be abolished that hereafter we serue not synne that is to saye that God hath set vs forth an exemple in Christe in whom we shoulde learne that our olde man must dye and that therefore he is euer subiecte to the crosse For he that is dead sayeth Paule is iustified from synne Therfore as necessarie as it is that oure olde man dye and cease from synnes so necessarie is the crosse without whiche the olde man can neither be tamed nor mortified Besyde thys profitte and necessitie of the crosse the dignitie also and glorie of the same muste be diligently commended to the people For God woulde haue his owne sonne in whom he had delite as he testified wyth a voice from heauen to be exalted by the crosse and death and to be crouned with glorie and honour Hebr. ij If then the sonne of God suffered so horrible thynges and th●rowe the crosse entred into glorie the disciple is not greater nor ought to be in better case then the maister Wherefore thoughe there were none other profitte in the crosse yet for thys cause onely we oughte to suffre it patiently and gladly that we maye be made lyke vnto Christe For seinge that Christ was ryght deare and acceptable vnto God thorowe obedience of the crosse the fathers wyll was that al whiche shoulde be glorified wyth him should suffre with him as Paule fayeth Ro. viij Whom he knewe aforehande the same he preordined lyke the Image of his sonne etc. And a litle after And if we be chyldren then be we heyres heyres I saye of God and coheyres wyth Christe if we suffre wyth him that we may be glorified wyth hym Our afliction also is planted in the passion of Christe for thorow baptisme we are grafted into his death Ro. vi So that we maye knowe certaynly that our crosse sufferinges please God as the passion of his sonne pleased hym For he is our head and we are his membres wherfore aflictions are come to both For whiche cause it was sayed to Paule persecuting the christiās Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Wherfore if the heade if selfe were subiecte to the same as Paule witnesseth Cor. i. I reioyse in my tribulations for you etc. The crosse then is an entraunce to glory and lyfe as Paule saye●h ij Timo. ii Thys is a sure saying if we be dead with him we shall lyue wyth hym if we suffre we shall reygne wyth hym etc. Neither is our tribulation at anie tyme equal wyth the greatnes of glorie according to the sayinge of Paule Ro. viii I compte that the aflictions of thys present worlde are not equall wyth the glorie whiche shal be reueyled towardes vs. Seinge then that euerie crosse is from God and Satan wyth the whole worlde can not hurte one heare of oure heade wyth out the wyll of our father men oughte to be warned diligētly that in trouble they turne not their eyes so muche vpon the malice of Satan and wicked men as to the good wil and fatherly affection of God whiche aflicteth vs for thys purpose that we maye acknowledge our synnes and weakenes that we may be moued to true and holesome repentaunce of our sinnes and driuen to seeke grace in Christe and that we maye go forwarde in al godlines fayth inuocation and magnifiyng of Goddes name mortifiynge the fleshe and euer more fully facionynge our selues to the Image of Christe that beinge dayly more and more werie and full of thys lyfe we maye more gredely desire the lyfe to come and sone after enioye it plentuousely and reygne wyth Christe in euerlastyng glorie If these thynges shal be prynted in men diligently and commended vnto them they shal be easely retayned that they be not discouraged in aduersities that some fall not into impatiencie some slee to vngodlie aides agaynst affictions but hauing their mindes stablished wyth the trust of Goddes goodnes they shall gladly submitte them seues to the yoke of the Lorde and shall fynde rest to theyr soules Mat. xi Chiefely seinge that we haue thys cōsolation that God is faythfull whiche wyll not suffre vs to be tempted aboue that that we be able to beare yea wyth tentation he shal make away out that we maye suffre Besydes thys we haue an healpe and moste present counsell ordeined of God in al maner of persecutions as agaynst the Deuyll hym selfe we haue the Lordes worde agaynst violent and wycked men we haue officers ordeined of God agaynste diseases we haue sundry remedies and the arte of phisicke Finally agaynst al these togythrr we haue a mightie weapon the prayer of fayth Wherefore there is no cause why we should aske healpe of Satan in aduersitie or of magike or of other which serue the deuyll and not God as all they be that labour to seduce vs or to dryue vs frō the obedience of God Wherfore let vs vse the saied remedies commended of God agaynst the euyls that vexe vs and lette vs vse them accordynge to the worde of God wyth a good and simple conscience and if God wyl not streyght waye take our aflictions from vs by those remedies whiche he hym selfe hath ordeyned and appoynted to put awaye such euyls let vs suffre styll the hande of the Lorde with a contented mynde and neuerthelesse let vs aske cōsolation and healpe of hym with cōtinuall and buruyng praiers thorow our Lorde Iesus Christ our onely Sauiour Vndoubtedly at length he shall turne all our aduersities to our health and profitte both present and to come ¶ Of the churche of God THe visible churche of God in this life is a cōpany of personnes truly beleuyng the worde of God deliuered vnto vs by Christe and the Apostles of personnes borne agayne thorowe the holy goste In whiche companie manie abyde in thys lyfe not borne agayne hauyng sinnes agaynst theyr conscience and yet cōsentyng in doctrine and true vse of the sacramentes As in Paules tyme there were at Corinthe and in other places amonge christians both godlie men hauing the holie goste and also some that synned agaynste theyr conscience whiche neuertheles spake not agaynst the true doctrine and ryght vse of the sacramentes but toke them wyth other in the congregation And it is receyued by custome that the godlie be called the quicke mēbres of the churche These men whyle they be not excommunicated may execute ecclesiastical offices in teaching and ministringe the sacramētes neither shal theyr vngodlines hurt the godlines of them whiche vse theyr ministerie wythout allowyng of their vngodlines Al be it then that the congregations and ministers of the same ought to take diligent hede that vnworthy men be not receyued to the holie ministerie and if they be receyued that as sone as theyr vngodlines is spied they be remoued from the same agayne neuertheles of what meane sorte so euer they be that ministre in holie thynges

the Sacramente of Christes bodie and bloude The olde fathers administred thys Sacramente of the supper of the Lorde euen to infantes wyth Baptisme But seynge that that custome is worne awaye not wythout a cause it is conuenient and it perteyneth to godlines that the parētes wyth the godfathers and the kinsfolke whiche obteyne the moste holie Sacrament of regeneration for theyr infantes shoulde vse the supper of the Lorde wyth singuler desire of the spirite that they maye receyue the communion of Christe to them selues whiche they obteyne in Baptisme for theyr infātes Which thing healpeth to the edification of other also yea of the whole congregation and it commendeth the holie cōmunion of Christe to other Therfore that all thynges maye be done more diligently and wyth greater religion in the administration of holie Baptisme we wyll that when so euer it maye be conueniently done the Catechisme or instruction of the parentes and godfathers and the exorcisme of the infātes be exhibited the day before the holie daye or sunday that baptisme shal be ministred For seinge that Baptisme muste be ministred in an high administration whē al the church is gathered togither it is cōuenient that in these holie actions suche moderation of both the sacramētes be vsed that maye healpe to steare vp the deuotion of the people and that thorowe longe taryinge it gyue not some occasion of negligēce or of diminishynge the godlie feruentnes of the mynde Wherefore when it maye so be it shall be profitable to seperate in tyme the handlinge of the Catechisme and exorcisme from the ministration of baptisme after the custome of the olde fathers But when the people can not be commodiously present bicause that manie of them dwell farre from the temple or for some other iuste cause then the exorcisme and Catechisme may be handled wyth Baptisme Howe be it the pastours shall laboure as muche as is possible that thys moste holie Sacrament of Baptisme whiche is the first adoption receyuyng and entrynge into the kyngdome of Christe be not administred and receyued but before the whole congregation wyth greate grauitie and reuerence Whē the Catechisme then and exorcisme shal be handled the daye before Baptime let the infantes be brought forth at the euening assēble at the whiche people bycause of the holie day folowyng or sundaye is wont to be present The parentes and the kinsfolke after the exemple of the olde saintes muste also be presente and brynge theyr Infantes to the temple Which and other being come togyther the pastours and ministers muste fyrste playnely declare the misterie of holie Baptisme and the exceadynge benifittes of God exhibited therein to them whiche brought the chyldren and to the reste of the people with singuler grauitie and religion Secondly they shal exhorte thē to a godlie and faythfull receyuyng of so greate a Sacramente and so inestimable benefittes of Christe Then they shall require of the parētes godfathers to renounce Satā the worlde and to confesse the principal articles of our fayth and religion whiche confession and renunciation they muste make playnly and grauely before the whole congregation ¶ A fourme of Catechisme that is to saye of institution exhortation and demaundes made to the godfathers and all them that brynge infantes to holie Baptisme FYrste the pastoure other ministers standynge by hym shall thus exhorte them whiche brynge the infantes to Baptisme Beloued in Christe Iesu we heare dayly out of the worde of God and learne by our owne experience that all we from the fal of Adam are conceyued and borne in synnes that we are giltie of the wrath of God and damned thorowe the synne of Adam except we be deliuered by the death and merites of the sonne of God Christe Iesu our onely sauiour Seinge then that these present infantes be borne in the same state and condition that we were it is playne that they also be spotted wyth originall synne and disease and that they be subiecte to eternall death and damnation But God the father accordynge to his vnspeakeable gentlenes and mercie towardes mankynde sent his sonne to saue the worlde Wherfore he wyll also that these infantes be saued He bare the synnes of all the worlde and deliuered and saued aswell the infantes as vs whiche be of greater age from synnes death the diuel and euerlastynge damnation which would haue the infantes to be offered vnto hym that he myghte gyue them his blessynge Wherfore according to your christiā godlines take thys childe bryng him vnto Christ and offre hym wyth your godly prayers that he may obteyne of him remission of his synnes and be remoued into the kyngdome of grace beinge deliuered from the tirrannie of Satan and that he maye be made heyre of eternal saluation And be ye most certeine hereof that oure Lorde Iesus Christe wyll mercifully regarde thys worke of your charitie towardes thys infant and that he wyll heare your prayers for he him selfe thus cōmaunded wyth hys worde Suffre the litleones to come vnto me for vnto such perteyneth the kingdome of God Wherefore beloued I exhorte you and beseche you as manie as be present that you wyll religiously considre wyth your selues the greatnes of thys ministration and worke that we go aboute For ye se howe the churche humbly but constantly bryngeth hither these miserable weake infantes destitute of al strēgth Wyth whiche dede they confesse playnely that they be the childrē of the wrath of God of synne and euerlastyng death They pray for them wyth godlie and feruent wishes desiring to obteyne for them the grace and healpe of God that thorowe baptisme beinge borne agayne of God they may be the chyldren of God Thynke not then that anie triflynge or chyldishe thynge is handled in thys holie administration wherein warre is taken in hande agaynste Satan wherein he is not onely dryuen out of the infant but the infant is bound with an othe that he euer warre agayng hym as the enemie of his kynge Christ vnto his last breath wyth all his power Wherefore God must be called vpon wyth greate confidence and moste feruent prayers that he wyll not onely deliuer thys chylde from the power of Satan but also strēgthen and defende hym that thorowe out all his lyfe and chiefely in the poynt of death he maye stande fyght agaynst Satan valiauntly Wherefore lyfte ye vp your myndes also and thynke that you muste in thys place heare the worde of God wyth singuler deuotion that you muste call vpon God with lyuely fayth and that here you are prouoked to prayer for a moste weightie cause Therefore behaue your selues so that God maye se your religion and allowe it neither suffre ye that thys moste holie Sacramente of Baptisme be vnworthelie handled thorowe you and be made a mocke vnto Satan and so shame be done to God whiche here powreth forth so greate ryches of his grace For he hym selfe calleth thys Sacramente the lauer of regeneration whereby he maketh vs his owne sonnes heyres of