that hath ben bothe quicke and deade wrapped in dust and horselytter amonge the dogges pygges and fylthye swyne O howe lamentable is it to heare and vnderstande of the greate fall of Englande from the grace of God O the hardnesse of our hartes that hasteneth vnto vs the wrathe of God O howe greattely appeareth the yre of God to hange ouer vs Yea howe heauyly already layeth he is hande vpon vs Math. 18. O cursed be the occasion by synne for euer that goddes heauy indignation should so lyght vpon vs and his grace so clerely withdrawen from vs that we haue no pity vpon our poore neighbours but suffre theim in suche wyse to wourke desperatelye agaynste nature the parentes to forsake theyr chylderne and the childerne to bewaile the losse of theyr parentes lamentablye sorowynge crying yellyng sighing sobbyng and groning on both sides the one for the other the one not able to help thether but abide to the death the bitternesse or their hard most wretched fortune O dolefull desteny most heuy adueÌ„ture O lameÌ„table losse and most greuouse departure O pitifull parentes O forsaken comfortlesse infantes O reÌ„der meÌ„bres of Iesus Christ feâ—ly creping always for lyfe and findyng in theno nothing but death whose irremediable and moste wofull signes ye beare Miserable pouerue apparaunt pearcynge lookes pale faces leane chekes wanne lippes torne coates gante bealies withered skins bodies consumed to the bones and waightynge alwayes deathes mooste deadly brunt for the banefull breache of lyfe O lorde if we now lyuyng in these daies in the â—yme also of lyght and knowledge of the gospell shonsds but in this one onely point coÌ„pare our selues with the good disposition of the people in other ages past although in the daies of vtter darknes and ignoraÌ„ce for the great pitie tender coÌ„passion that was amongst them towardê the coÌ„mon welthe for thadusidyng of suche vnnaturall most horrible and monstrouse sightes amonge the poore membres of Christ and of the commoÌ„ wealth what an vntowarde most pitt les and vnnaturall generation shuld we now thinke our selues to be in coÌ„parison of the other but rather muche more wicked moste wourthie also the wrath of god most wourthie reproche among the very Infidelles yea to be reproued also of the vnreasonable and very brutishe wilde beastes of the field whiche against nature to the reprofe of their owne beastelye natures committeth not at any time any one suche wretched euyll but wylle naturally seke to nourishe saue and defend that thinge which nature hath naturallye in their owne kynde most gladly desyred most aptlye framed inwardly preserued tenderly nourished brought vp in tyme amongest theim by whose vertue also constancie and tendernes in their rude natures the name of god their maker or is or should be praised magnified by mankynde the only reasonable creature and Lord of all creatures nexte vnder hym as by the chiefe louer and speciall maynteyner of all causes necessarye to natures good affecte O what natural good man then or man of god except he were the verye deuell hym selfe or the diuelles owne dearelynge in whome restethend possibilitie of pitye or good nature but woulde lamente and haue compassion vpon these good creatures of god in such necessitie namely of mankinde theyr owne flesshd and bloude whom God hym selfe so derely loueth for our example whome he so blesseth and vpon whome he poureth so abundantly his good graces and gyftes aboue all other his creatures Doo not as I sayd the lyke of kynd helpe their lyke The loue of beastes Are there anye so brute beastes vnder the sonne or vyle crepyng wormes vpon thearthe but wold in their kynd loue one an other and ioyn their hartes in amitie to withstand to their power the crueltie of vnnaturall and straunge aduersaries Are there amoÌ„g wourmes and beastes of the earthe more cruell or vnnatural aduersaries one strang beast or worm against another then is either nakednes colde or famine against mankynd whose furious and deadly force we oughte euery of vs myghtily withstand accordyng to the wyll of god for one an others preseruation Dishonour to mannekinde Can there be greatter shame and dishonour to mankynd the lorde ruler ouer al vnder god thaÌ„ to be reproued in this special point of natural amitie of most inferiour base creatures Truly I am of this opinioÌ„ before heauen and earthe and thynke in coscience I offed not that as god neuer sent his sharpe plages cruel chastismentes vniustly vpon the earth but wourthili by his iustice for the punishment of synne and that vpon all estates and degrees of men whether it be by warres pestilence or famine all or some at ones as hys iustice notwythstanding hys greate mercy respecteth the stonye and harde heapes of synne whereby hys wrath is the more largelye kendled vpon this or other regios so wyth the greate and moste wycked offendours The innoâ—â—â—â— vvith the 〈…〉 are plagâ—d And vvhy the innocentes I so term them in respect of the other offendors are also then plaged to this good ende and purpose that the godly and repentaunte synners and suche as are of sufficient habilitie shoulde wyth prayer and fastinge bountifully and freelye reache forthe their hande of compassioÌ„ to the poore and nedy personnes whiche by warres are eyther wounded or maimed by dyuers diseases visited or elleâ— greuously by famine afflicted to the asswagynge of goddes greate furye and wrath and that the spirit of desperation therby put a parte the good creature of god maye haue pacience in pouertie and thankfully reioice in his mercye which aboundantly spreadeth ouer all fleshe whereas the onely compassioÌ„ and mercy of maÌ„ so to succour helpe his poore and neady neighbour vpon whome our eies with compassion ought to be euer fixed Eccle. 28. that God in our charitie maye bee blessed O howe faire a thing is mercy pitie in that time of necessitie in the tyme of heauynes Eccle. 25. anguyshe and trouble Is it not lyke a cloude of rayne that commeth in the time of drought But alas how greatlye to the contrary hath the diuel now bliÌ„ded our eies robbed vs of our good vnderstandyng and memory and hath also stripte vs naked and bare of all compassion and charitie What pitiles seedes hath he sowen in our harts What scornefulnesse and contempte What nicetie leude wantonnesse and foly O what may we thynke of oure selues that glory so muche to be called christians that cannot abide the name of hereticke turke scismaticke or papist that so muche deny Christ in conuersacion beynge vtterlye conuerted into wourse state and behauioure then the most vyle estate of Ethnickes and infidelles and suffre our selues to bee reproued of beastes and ouercomme with these most horrible monsters fylthie couetousnesse pride and excesse to be blyndelye ledde in suche singuler and vaine affectes that we regard not but rather contempne the most gloriouse and lyuelye Images of God
set man whom he had fourmed to dresse it to keepe it and to enioye all the louely pleasures therof onely one thynge excepted from the which because he wolde ther shuld be signified vnto hym wyth reuerence lowe submission as vnto God his maker and his duetie in obedience he streyghtned the reane of his freely vertie and layed the burdeyne of his greuous commandement vpon his shoulders sayeng vnto him Gene. 5. Eccle. 11. Of al the trees of the gardeyn thou shalt eate and vse at libertie for the accomplisshement of thy full delight and pleasure but of the tree of Knowledge of good and euyll thou shalte not eate and gaue hym further a sharpe and mooste bitter threate saying Take hede and be well ware of this my commandement for the same day thou eatest of that tree thou shalte die the death It is here then to be noted after this straight precept of God what greate daunger through disobedience man stoode in and howe the most subtil and malicious serpent the deuyl and onnemye to mankynde who alwaies and by al meanes possible despightfully seeketh his destruction watched his time and immediatly deuysed to worke his present coÌ„fusion through his sleigh tie sweete sugred tale vnto the weake fraile woman Gene. 3. 2. Cor. 11. tellyng her they should be as goddes and know both good and euyll not withstandyng the commandement of god if they wold eate of that fruite wherby without fearyng god forgetfull of his former loue towardes theim of theyr most blyssefull and high estate and of the place of great plesure where he had planted them neither yet remembryng his straight commandement and most terrible threatenyng of death theyr heartes were sore blynded they were vtterly deceyued they receaued the foule spotte of the serpent they were desyled with disobedience pride and hastened to leaue God theyr maker theyr dere and most louyng fronde and folowed the dyuell and his moste cursed suggestions beeyng theyr mortall and deadly ennemie and to tast of that moste bytter and forbydden fruicte of deathe and euerlastynge dampnation whiche by the iustyce of God and accordyng to the doome of theyr own consciences through theyr most wretched disobedience they had duely deserued Gene 2. for their faultes were thenne opened vnto theym they knewe assuredly they had doone amisse and therfore they sled and ran into corners to couer and hide theÌ„selues with leaues and amonge the trees from the face and presence of god as in themselues already condemned moste disobedient to the voyce of god and wretched synners and durste not appeare nor shewe their faces so lothesome and foule was their spotte apparant in their owne eies And God that created theÌ„ not yet forsaking them Esay 40. Iere. 30. but stil bearyng his tender coÌ„passion mercy towardê maÌ„ wold not yet leaue him but sought him out where he had hidde himselfe he called vnto him he gently talked with him herd the grounde of that most hainous great offence And so consequently according to his diuine wille and iustyce rewarded euery of theim the malicious serpente for his part the fraile woman for hir part Gene. 3. and lykewise the vnhappy manne with the malediction of god vpon th earth and for his parte also depriued from his former most blisseful estate cast out of the gardeyne of pleasure and constrained to labour and to tylle the earthe frome whence he was taken and so myserably with great trauayle and sorow and wyth the sweat of his owne browes to get his breade So that vnto man that sorowful reiected creature ther apered then no hope of redresse in that his present distresse and moste wofull misery but rather vtter desperacion and encreace of all forowe continuall tribulation and trauayle paine and anguish in bodye and soule corporall death and eternall damnation tyll God still renuyng his loue whiche is vnspeakable and infinite made promise vnto man that Christ the seconde Adam Rom. 5. Colos 1. Luc. 11. the seede of the woman and sauior of the world shoulde in time be raysed vppe to ouâ—â— come synne and lyke a valyant most puissaunt conqueror to destroye the anuyll deathe hell and damnation 〈◊〉 that also by hym shal be restorâ—◠〈◊〉 through a liuelye faith the graâ—◠〈…〉 heauenly father peace and 〈…〉 conscience Esay 53. Iohn 3. Act. 10. and eternall saluation 〈◊〉 che he vndoubtedly did then 〈…〉 therfore obteined grace whole 〈◊〉 also we are and spotted impes spryngyng out frome that olde crooked and stoupyng tree a stocke vnstable waueryng and alwaies leanynge and ready with euery storme and tempest of tentation to fall suche is the feblenes therof and corrupted nature whose fruictes continually are none other but rotten and vnsauery wourkes as blynde ignoraÌ„ce disobedience pride stoughtnes mistrust contempt of god and godlie thinges feruent lusting after carnal thynges scornefulnes hatred and malice selfe loue with innumerable suche other odible stuffe and stinkynge store and therefore most worthye the banishmente of all pleasure and the presence of god to wander the earth in misery and to susteyn as rotten braunches the stroke of the axe Math. 7. Luke 3. and to be cast for euer into hell fyre For the which and frome the daunger wherof we also know non other remedy yf we desyre the fauoure of God to be his faithfull seruauntes his obedient children and heires of his kyngdome but to seke our pourgation in Iesus Christe whose name we haue professed whome we acknowledge to come frome aboue the sonne of God Esay 7. and verye God and to be incarnate in the wombe of the virgin Esay 7. Luke 20. Iohn â— Rom. 8. Philip. 2. that he here lyned perfecte man amongest vs in the fleshe immaculate and vnspotted and suffred al kind of affliction in the fleshe yea euen very death and that the most cruell and shameful death of the crosse for the redemption and freedome of vs disobediente and wretched synners to pourge vs Esay 54 and with the effusion of his bloud to wash and make cleane our spotted and moste fylthy soules and so to restore vs agayne to the grace of our heauenly father from whom with our synneful father lyke frayle and vnthaÌ„kful creatures we were sled and through our instabilitie and lightnes lyke ruÌ„nagates rebellious and presumptuous chyldren Esay 23. Psal 119 wandrynge a strate lyke loste shepe falne eueÌ„ into the lap or mouth of the roryng and deuouryng lyon the deuyll whose tearyng teethe and insaciable throte is alwaies wyde strained and firmely fixed impituously to rente deforme and deuoure the beautie of goddes creation vnto whom we were in most bytter thraldom his seruile and very bond slaues the children of sinne and deathe and for euer thunquenchable tyrebrandes of hell From the whiche he hath mercifully delyuered vs restored vs vnto strength peace and quietnes of mynde he hath fylled vs full of ioye he hath made vs to
this vale of misery in many daÌ„gers of the flesh vncertaine to attaine the hungry delightes of the fleshe and of a few things doutfully attained vnto we do not onely doubtfully kepe theÌ„ therby to enioy the fruites of our trauail to take the sweete with the soure for as we haue the proofe in getting theÌ„ with perils so we often also in perils for go them whych sygnifieth vnto vs most manifest and open misery besides the vncertayne howre of the bodyes most certayne deathe and that as we heere lyue a whyle deliciously we sodaynly departe hense most bitterly but we be also in further daunger by gods sharp and extreame iudgement in the latter daye Esay 52. Apoca. 1. The revvarde of the vvicked of the seconde deathe that is the death of the soule A death most dolorouse A deathe most horrible euerlastyng euer more in tormentes euer dyenge and neuer to dye whose intollerable paynes no hart can thinke nor tonge can expresse In vayne shall we their 〈◊〉 â—â—laine and lament our grieses and wycked state of lyues Sapi. 4. psal 49. Sapi. 4. 4. Esdr 16 psal 49. we shal lye for euer amonge the dead in shame and dishonoure hell shal be our dwellyng we shall for euer be laied waste vnto the highest we shall now mourn for euermore and our memoriall shal peryshe We shall remember our sinnes and our owne wickednes shall euer condempne vs we shall lye in hell lyke sheepe death shal gnawe vpon vs incurable shal be oure woundes most outragyouse and stoughte shal be the strokes of goddes myghtye arme vppon vs to dryue vs downe headlonge into the dolefull dungeon and deepe botomelesse pyite where perpetuallye is stynche darkenesse languysshynge and yellynge endles horrour Math. 13.22.25 2. Pet 2. Iude. 1. and gnashynge of teethe Frome whense wee shall beholde wyth the eyes of oure tormented and most wicked soules the buckled browes and moeste terryble countynaunce of that rightuous and iuste GOD by whose irreuocable sentence thoroughe oure owne wyckednesse we shall for euer lye bourninge in the perdurable lake and vnquencheable fyre of hell Hebre 10. a place prepared for the deuell and hys Aungelles hys moste fylthys and malygnaunte membres the dungehylles of synne the vesselles of venguaunce the chyldren of perdicion and the mooste cursed aduersaries of Chryste and of hys dearelye beloued churche As the blessing toye and saluacion of god shall comme vppon all them that hunger and thirst for ryghtuousenesse and preuayleth in syght agaynste the furiousenes of our bodylye and ghostlye enemyes hauyng the eternall God to be theyr God their onlye waye and theyr onelye strengthe thoroughe hope as the children of hys kyngedome Apoca. 21 so the louers of wyckednes the coÌ„tempners of rightuousnes the fearefull the vnbeleuers and the abhominable and murderers adulterers filthy whoremongers beastlye drunkardes sorcerers deceyuers idolatoures scorners lyars flatterers all wrongefull dealers shal haue their parte in the lake that bourneth wyth tyre and brymstone Psal 89. whyche is the seconde and euerlastynge death Ah terrible is the Lorde our God and greatlye to be feared among his sainctes of whom he must be pleased and reuerenced with godlye feare yea I saye he must be feared his great wrathe thorough his grace preuented for he is against his enemies in cases of reuengemeÌ„t Deut. 4. Psal 105. a terrible coÌ„suming fire whose mighty arme most sharp punishmentes are felt through out the whol world Therfore in â—ope of goddes mercy although we haue committed iniquity haue paumpered our flesh deliciously and withdrawne our godly charitie And therfore haue or doo sustayne in this lyfe greate affliction and miseryeâ— in the fleshe for our whole imperseend truly and vnrightuousenes of lyfe so marueilousely hath iniquity preuailed amongest vs Iere. 〈◊〉 to the hastnyng vpon vs the sharpe Iustice and wrath of god yet let euery of vs yea the most rightuouse of vs wythout seekynge the condempnacion of others straightlye appeale to the iudgemente of our owne coÌ„nsciences and there see Esâ—v â—4 how verye foule and filthye we are as witnesseth the prophet in the sight of god whose most cleare and lyuely quicke eies penetrateth the heues where through he seeth sercheth the secretes of the hartes raines Iere. 1.27 Psal 3 before whoÌ„ also notwithstandinge his diuine counsailes and moste bitter threatnynge often ryngynge in oure tares we shew our selues inflexible stought stonye harted and sturdy vntowarde sloughthful and vnprofitable seruantes And doo the rather merite to haue poured vpon vs the vialles of his heauye indignaion and wrath throughout the race of this shortlyfe and in the ende corporall death yet let vs I saye reuerentlye in tyme Psal 119. Iere. 4. haue peace wyth God seeke to content wel God with troubled spirytes broken contryte and meeke hartes lette vs mourne and weepe let our laughter oure lyghtenesse and oure folitye bee tourned into lamentation and mournyng and our earthly ioies and vaine foolyshenesse in to bytter weepynge and heauines let vs plucke down our pryde Iacob 4. lette vs subdue the lustes of the fleshe and vse temperaunce in all our affectes accordynge to oure honest estate and calling let neither pride nor excesse in suche wise preuayle against vs but that vertue and reason maye partely beare rule lette vs be charitable and loue better one another let vs bee more liberall to the comforte of the poore that GOD may agayne blesse vs and wythorawe hys furye frome vs. And if he will feeme yet further to visite vs then pacientlye wyth repentance to beare al kynde of affliction and the crosse of Chryste Hebro 12. for we maye not despise the chastisinge of the lorde neyther fainte when we are rebuked of hym for whome the lorde loueth hym doothe he chastise yea he scourgeth euery son that he receiueth Prouer. 3. Whereby we doo and shall feele the loue of God in Christ and his fatherlye kyndenesse towardes vs who by hys sharpe rodde of iustice Iacob 4. Iob. 13. Psal 32. Luke 15. 1. Iohn 1. putteth vs in remembraunce of oure iniquitye a way to prepare vs vnto repentance wyth all lowlynesse also and humble submission to fall prostrate beefore hym to confesse from our hartes oure synnes to acknowledge our weaknes and to appeale to his grace for mercy and forgeuenes that by hastnyng his heauenlye benediction and the wourkynge of his spiryte in vs we tourne from presumption to humilitie To be tourned frome oure vvyeâ—ednes and sinne is the gift of god Iere. 31. from carnall fooolyshenes to cleannes and puritye frome vayne superfiuitie to temperaunce and modestie from vnmercifulnes to compassioÌ„ pity froÌ„ enemity to amitie from discorde discentioÌ„ to peace vnitie and so foorthe froÌ„ streÌ„gth to streÌ„gth to the happy ameÌ„d meÌ„t of our vntoward most peruerse liues Iere. 3â— And though we haue long tyme heretofore stopped our eares Let
myghtye hande and power Haste thou not sent by all meanes possyble the experience of thys bryckle lyfe Remembrest thou not that with one only blast Iob. â—â— the dimme lyghte of thy candle of lyfe is vtterlye extincts and put oute And that it is in suche wyse dynged that there remayneth in it no spark of hope for thy light to retourne agayn And that the lyght beyng ones loft the waxe lieth waste the heate abateth the â—nuffe smoketh it corruptly stinketh it quickly consumeth and sodeinely falleth to asshes Haste thou not thus thought of mans mortalitie and falle Eyther haste thou presumed vppon Goddes sufferaunce or wantonly fyxed thyne hart to daliaunce Hast thou not yet aptely prepared thy selfe to God a repentant synner for the multitude of thy sinnes and iniquities Haste thou not in thee the charitie of god Haste thou presently wrath in thee agaynst thy neyghbour Either hast thou maliciouslye of wicked set purpose detracted thy neighboure to the spoylyng of hys good name and same He that is stiffenecked and vvill not yeld to the grace of god and he reformed shal sodainly vvithout helpe bee rooted out and destroyed Prou. 29. losse of goodes losse of frendes or losse of lyfe Haste thou not soughte with a sorowfull harte to bewaile thy wickednesse to God and to be reconciled agayne vnto thy neighbour accordyngs to the wyll of god Hath the deuell so blynded thee or poysoned thine harte wyth pryde malyce contempt or scornefulnes that then wylt contynue in stoughtnesse and be ashamed of well dooynge to knytre thy selfe in the bonde of peace and amitie wyth thy frend or enemy thy poore neighbour thy christeÌ„ brother or sister Hast thou oppressed hym or craftilye deceyued hym Hast thou bene slacke in doynge thy duetie to hym Hast thou ben pittles or vncharitable to hym Hast thou thus sette at naught the preceptes and holye counsailes of God Eyther haste thou so fyred thy selfe to the worlde refusynge the grace of GOD that thou hast not yet found time to be stowe and set in good ordrs to his glorie the vaine things of this world fore seing the sodaine visication of God or the swiftnes cruelty of me deathe Eccle. 24. Eccle. 41 the messenger of god Hast thou not herd that at my commyng I tary not Hast thou not bene taughte to byspase thy goodes and to be charitable vnto thy freende and accordynge to thyne habilytye to reache out thyne hande and geeue vnto the poore and to wourke ryghteousnesse before thy death to the saÌ„ctifieng of thy soule in Iesus christ Examine thy self what thinkest thou Feelest in thy coÌ„science the due iustice of god and the terrour of me deth hys messeÌ„ger Doth the sorows of deth now compasse thee and the huge flouds of iniquity make the afraid hath the paines of hel fastned vpoÌ„ thes the straÌ„gling snares of deathe ouertaken ther Shrinkest thou now at mee Feelests now in thine hart my deadlye gripes Seest thou nowe no waye to flye nor longer dayes to amende thy lyfe And is ther therfore now in thee a feareful hope of ioyful life and condempnatioÌ„ in thy conscience to eternall death for thy leuds folly and forgetfulnes of the wille of God Ah the more accursed and dampnable is thine estate neither do I pitie thee no no lette hell fyre deuoure thee or all the tormentes of hell fasten vpon thee for as I fynde thee so muste I surelye take thee I maye not passe the boundes of my commission And as I thy mortal enemye Death 〈…〉 regarde not thy present state of dampnacion to eternal death so wyll I now not defer so â—â—uruec thy soule from thy body and wyl byolently wyth my force deforme thee waite and consume thy beautye and take from thee my breath of lyfe And as thou hast hath hards and seene or manye that haue sustayned my pâ—â—â—es â—urye and ouerage so wyth 〈◊〉 my moste violent cruetâ—â—â— I new take â—â—om thee thy me O the arear terrour and sharpenes of â—eam 〈…〉 O sodayn and â—â—râ—or crueltie O the mercyles meisenger or the 〈◊〉 most â—euere god than thus in â—oâ—yne cutteth vs thorre from 〈◊〉 curshly reiâ—â—â—e â—eâ— rather wer may â—ny with lamentation We for euer â—ee 〈◊〉 thâ—ie 〈◊〉 and damnnable sowles whose benummed and dull senses hath ben wylfully stopped from the apte seelynge and receiuyng of the diuine grace and voice of god wrootyng and cumblyng lyke swine in the myre of their carnall and filthye affectes wandryng the byepathes of Sathan refusyng the straight wate of Christe and contempnyng the moste pure and vndefiled law of the higheâ—â— Whose byrthe whenne they be borne 〈…〉 shall bee to cursynge and when they dye the curse shal be their portion For horrible is the death of the vnrightuous He shall neuer come our of darknes the flame shall drie vp his braunches and with the blast of the mouthe of god he shal be taken awaâ—e O â—ure wilful and stiffnecked wickednes that hasteneth vpon vs goodes heauy â—â—â—oâ—gnation and wrath heapes of his plagues to torment our flelâ—he the violence of deathe to shorten this lyfe If we aâ—â—er escape euerlasting death For as â—ynne preuaileth against vs to the iustice of God hangeth ouer vs. And because we are the seruauntes of 〈◊〉 we shal also receiue the reward of 〈◊〉 whiche is death Rom. â— 6 as it was playnely signified vnto vs from the beginnynge by the mouthe of God Gene. 2. when Adam whose children we are disobeied and transgressed the wourde of God We with our forefathers to the destruction of thys lyfe must all drynke of the cuppe of death VVe muste drinke all of the cup of death who dyuersely knocketh before he stryketh to warne vs of our ende But who regardeth that Who harkeneth gladly to the knocke or call of death Eyther who alwaies duely receiueth that monishementes of deathe for a remembrance of his ende by deathe thorough innumerable sygnifications and exaumples of lyuynge thynges whether it hee in their rysynge or fallynge in theyr quicknyng or decaying or in their vncertaine liuyng and moste certain dying besides the fickle course of mans short life felt approued in al times ages eueÌ„ froÌ„ the yong tender infant to the youthful middle age so forth to the gray heded croked old age as also these daily familiar messengers that is Many strange diseases violent plagues great perils hard fortunes sodein deathes with such other like as before mencioned prepared for sinne eyther partly worthily felt vpon his owne flesshe or fully performed before his face vpon others whâ— I therfore consider but a little the forgetfulnes great frailtie and vsual disorder of mankynd in this behalfe and behold to the contrary the great workes of God and the most mercyful order of all his doynges towards man for thvpright conuersation good life and saluation of man As I can not herein but highely magnifie praise the
it repeÌ„t you and be conuerted sayeth Christ that your sinne and iniquities may be done avvay Math. 4. Act. 3. tourned oure faces and fledde backe from the voice of our most holy and rightuouse God in the lare dayes specially of hys mercyfull visitation yet lette vs repentauntely tourne in tyme and embrace hym moste louely with our readye spreadde armes of faith charitie and constancye And as we haue ouer longe wyth corrupted and vaine hartes bene vaynely addicted to vaine thynges and our wylles greatly dissenting from the wil of god so let vs now make haste that wyth all puritie and cleannes of harte suche fondnesse and impuritie may be refected and goddes most diuine wyll obediently retayned Yea and though God in deede by his iustice hathe some thing of late dayes and preseÌ„tly also touched vs Gods heauye and bitter vvrathe vpon Englande and hath seemed to laye vpon vs cruell strokes and rough chastisementes whether by our late kynges death that most godly and christeÌ„ prince either by the breach of vertuous and good lawes by the alteration of Chrystes holy religion by takinge awaye the lyght of the gospel by cruell persecution and destruction of the pastoures and flocke of Christe And in stead of mercy and pitie bitter tyrannye and most shamefull effusion of innocente and christen bloude by bournynge famishinge in prysons buryenge in dungehylles rackynge headinge drawynge hangynge and quartering as in the dayes of goddes slaughter by his greate and most heauie indignacion besides strange diseases sodein deathes dishonorable warres greuouse exactions meynteinyng of straungers vniuersal famyne losse of goods losse of frends or otherwise yet for the auoidynge of further daungers that by the bytternes of his wrath maye yet fall vpon our fleshe and specially escapynge the second death secludinge wilfull ignoraunce obstinatie Good couÌ„sayle and stiffeneckednes let vs humbly geue thankes vnto gods diuine maiestie for all thinges and namely for the present shewe and ioiefull lyght of his countynaunce now shynynge agayne vpon vs dailye besechinge him to contynue his goodnesse to assiste vs wyth his grace and to prepare vs lyuelye and apte folowers of his holye and diuine wylle wythout murmurynge vnreuerente talkynge secrete conspirynge or cursed rebellynge for they are euelles greately dyspleasing god and wourkes of the deuell and of hysedicious membres vpon whome he wyl assuredly poure downe his determinate plages to their swyfte confusion of bodye and soule Lette vs feare therefore to offende the maiestie of so mighty a God VVe maye not vvith stande the vvil of god who is rightuous and a ieolous god ouer rightuousnes let vs not repugne his wyll or stryue against the streame preparyng newly vnto our selfs the cup of gods wrath and to drynke double the dregges of his vengeaunce but spedyly with a lyuely faythe to retourne and leane towardes hym and not be doubtefull of his mercy for he hath promised in Iesus Christe that our synnes shall be consumed oure transgressions couered and oure iniquities pourged He is mercyfull Daniel 9. he beholdeth vs in Christe and reioyceth in the conuersion of synners he wyll haue mercye vppon vs after the multitude of his mercyes whyche wyll not the death of synners Math. 3. Eze. 18.33 1 Timo. 〈◊〉 1. Peter 3. The tyme and houre vvhen god vvill vifite vs and take accomptes of vs vvee knovv not but rather that they repentantly tourne and lyue and aptly receyuynge the grace of god readily to prepare theim selues that in what so euer tyme and place deathe by the hande of God shall assaild them they bee not founde vnprepared in that so shorte and sodayne warnyng And not withstandinge this moste apte preparacion touchyng lyfe and death or tymes appointed for them let vs referre all with a liuely hope to the good disposition and wyll of god and say with saint Pauie whether welyue or whether we die to god and to goddes good pleasure wee lyue or dye For herein shall consist greate perfection in oure spirituall profession if in our redines and moste apte preparacion we humblye embrace rightuousnes shewyng our selues always well pleased and reioycing in god and desire accordynge to the wyll of god to be dissolued from this frail and corruptible body and to lyue vncorruptible wyth Chryst for euer And we may be sure yf god see in vs such apt towardnes that we hunger thirst for the waye of ryghtuousnesse and that we earnestly seeke the mortification of our olde grosse affectes and shake frome oure shoulders that greuous packe and reprocheful bourthen of malice Collos 3. fearcenes wrath bloudshed cursed speaking coÌ„spiring rebelling lieng octractioÌ„ false accusation pride couetousnes druÌ„kennes vncleannes selfe loue vayne affection and suche lewde fondnes and in respect of gods he auenly felicite and endles treasure to neglect the fugitiue and shorte pleasures of this life he will not deferre to help vs to assist vs and streÌ„gthen vs such is the accustomed goodnes of his deuine nature towardes vs but wyll be myndefull of hys promyse to haue mercy vpon vs as he in thys wise sayeth of hym selfe by the prophet Esaye I haue forsaken you sayeth hee for a small season Esay 〈◊〉 I haue tourned my face from you I haue sharply with plages visited you haue stretched out myne arme agaynste you to stryke you and make you stoupe for the greatnesse of your pryde and iniquity ye haue bene agaynste me so stoughte so stonye harted and sturdye but now I see you agayne relented repentaunse for your synnes and tourned agayn vnto me I wyl with great mercyfulnes tourne me vnto you embrace you receyue you take ye vppe agayne vnto me and for euer holde ye vp and preserue you And where in my wrathe as it were the twyncklynge of an eye I hydde my selfe frome you I haue nowe thoroughe myne euerlastynge goodnesse tourned me agayne vnto you and pardoned you sayeth the LORDE GOD youre auenger I am he Psal 102. I am he sayeth the Lorde whych taketh awaye your iniquities for mine owne sake and will no more remember youre synnes Thus we vnderstande the greate mercye and goodnesse of God towarde vs dysobediente and wretched synners who wylle not onelye here vs and tourne hym mercyfullye agayne vnto vs by oure humble sute and peticion or by oure happye amendmente of lyfe thoroughe the true faythe and loue in Iesus Chryste and staye his presente indignacion now raygnynge vppon vs and the greate terroure of hys vengeaunce to comme eyther in cases generall touchynge thys our already afflicted realme or countrey our lord blesse it and defende it or properly touchâ—â—â—â— our owne personnes for euerye of vs see in our selues our due dosertes but wyll henseforthe blesse vs he wyll renewe styll hys ioyfull countynance vpon vs he wyll wythdraw the power of the diuell from vs that he preuayle not agaynst vs in no kynde of temptacion he wyll not suffre vs to be tempted aboue our strength but wyl in the myddeste
of temptation prepare vs awaye to escape Numc 23 1. Cor. 1.10 1. Thes 5. 2. Pet. 2. he wyl so strengtheÌ„ vs that when his grace is offered vnto vs wee shall not receyne it in vayne hys good spirite shall poisesse vs cleanse oure hartes of the deuelles infections he wyll not suffce vs to be ouercomme or drowned in theym for he wyll sowe in oure hartes the lyuely seedes of his grace and fill vs full of the wisedome of Chryst By thereare of god sin is eschevved he will putte his feare into oure heartes whyche the proude and scornefull people of thys worlde and they that maliciousely meddle against god do want Iob. 18. his grace is taken from such for they dwell without his feare he will so knitte our hartes in vnitie that hauynge but one harte and one waie we shall feare his name all the daies of our lyues that we and oure children after vs Iere. 32. Psal 118. maie bee blessed and prosper the will delyuer vs frome all daungers and misfortune he wil take warre and discention frome vs he will geeue vs victorye ouer our ennemyes he will prepare vs quietlye toâ— inioie oure wynuyngs he wyll not suffre vs to be confouÌ„ded our children destroied our goodes spoiled nor our wyues our daughters our maydens to be rauished and defyled he wyll be our mighty protection at all assaies geeue vs longe life Iob. 8. he will blesse oure posteritie he wil fil our mouthes with laughter and our lippes wyth gladdenesse he wyll blesse the lande wherein we dwel take from vs famine pestilence all strange dyseases specially of the mynde that oure soules beynge fouÌ„d we may behold him with a pure saythe and serue hym ioyfullye wyth a cleane harte he wyll bee vnto vs a GOD of ryghtuousnesse truthe and mercye he wyll be faithfull to fulfill and keepe hys promises He will sette vppe an euerlastynge couenaunt with vs namely that he wil neuer ceasse to doo vs good and that he wyll put his feare into oure hartes Iere. 32. so that hensefoorthe wee shall not runne nor goe astraye frome hym hee wyll make vs walke in the good and perfecte waye and to keepe the pathes of rightuousenes Yea Prou 2. he wyll haue a luste to do vs good and faythfullye to plante vs in the lande of the lyuynge wyth hys whole harte and with all hys soule For lyke as he hathe broughte vppon vs Iere. 32. great and diuers plages so will he also of hys mercye take theym againe frome vs and in steade of hys greate vengeaunce yet to come he will bring vpon vs all the good that he hath promised vnto vs. I foure hartes haue in possession thys precious and lyuelye vertue the feare of God the grace and fauoure of God shall abundauntly be poured vppon vs. Neyther shall we at anye tyme in suche wyse offende him that his wrath shal be kendled ageynst vs. There shall nothinge be wantyng in vs or neadefull for vs that shal bee to the comforte of soule and bodye yf we haue in vs the sayde vertue It is the begynnyng of wisedome Prouer. 1. It is the verye entrye to attayne the fauoure and blessyng of god Iere. 31. psal 24. In whom so euer it abydeth the secretes of our lord god are euer vnlocked vnto theym layed foorthe and spredde amongest theym and sheweth also vnto them Psal 25. Act. 13. psal 23. psal 147. Psal 34. Psal 102. his comfortable and most ioiefull couenaunt Vnto theim also as vnto the faithfull seede of Abraham is the wourd of saluation sente They that feare him and putte their truste in his mercye beholde hys mercyfull eyes are euer fixed towardes theym his delyghtes in theym hys aungell pitcheth his tente round aboute theÌ„ He is their strength and delyuereth theym his saluacion is nygh vnto them And looke how hygh the heauens are in comparison of the â—arth so great is his mercy towardes them that feare him Looke how wide â—he East is from the west so far hathe â—e sette oure synnes from vs yea and like as a father pitieth hys owne chyldren euen so is he merciful vnto them that feare hym psal 103. The mercyfull goodnes of the lorde endureth for euer and euer vppon theym that feare him and his ryghtuousenes vpoÌ„ their childres children psal 111. psal 112.182 He geeueth meate to theym that feare hym and towardes theym he is euer myndefull of hys couenant They are blessed that feare the Lorde The feare of the lorde maketh a longe lyfe Prou. 10. Prou. 14. The feare of the lorde is a well of lyfe to escape the daungers of deathe The feare of the Lord preserueth life yea it geueth plentuousnes withoute the visitation of any plage We are sure it shall goe well wyth theym that feare the lorde because they haue him before their eyes Prou 19. Ecclesi 8. Ecclesi 1. The feare of the lord is wourshyppe and triumphe gladdenes and a ioyfull crowne it maketh a mery hart and it driueth out synne The feare of the lorde is in the hart of the wyse whereby he departeth from euell and walketh in the pathe way of ryghtuonsenes The feare of the lorde is wyth the wyse manne in all hys doynges Prou. 14. Eccle. 28. and in the dayes of transgression he kepeth him self from sinne Eccle. 25. The feare of the lorde setteth it selfe aboue al things It is the beginning of loue and the beginning of faith is to cleaue fast vnto the feare of god The feare of the Lorde wanteth nothyng Eccle. 40 and neadeth no helpe The feare of the lorde is a pleasaunte gardeine of blessing and nothynge is so beautyfull as it is Eccle. 25. psal 128. O blessed therfore is the maÌ„ vnto whom it is graunted to haue the feare of god For as Esay saith it is the power of goddes holy spirite whereby we reuerence god by auoidinge euell and embracynge good accordyng to this sayenge The wyseman feareth god and auoydeth from euell And Iob sayeth Beholde the feare of the lorde is euen verye wisedome it selfe and is wholly coÌ„tinuyng for euer for it is the streÌ„gth of the diuine spirit to the reuerencing and wourshypynge of God whyche strength is not in vs the wourke of nature but the grace of god bath planted not the wil of maÌ„ but the purpose of god towardes his beloued chosen people vnto whom in Iesus Christe pertaineth the great strength myghtys wourkyng of hys graceÌ„ to the renewing of their mindes that through a reuereÌ„t life in rightuousnes the promises of god maye in this lyfe be atrayned vnto and felte And after thys lyfe Math 25. Iohn 5. to haue a ioyfull resurrection into euerlastynge lyfe thorough the onlye merited and death of hys dearelye beloued sonne Iesus Christ our lorde and sauiour who liueth and raigneth wyth hym in the vnitye of the holys ghost most blessed for euer and euer Amen The grace of god O dearelye beloued abounde in oure hartes to the shewing forth of hys glorye in rightuousnes that all we knowynge our duties and obedience to hys dyuyne and most gloriouse maiestie may be ryche and plentyfull in all good wourkes to the pleasynge of oure neighbours for their wealth and coâ—yeng Roma 15. Gala. 15. accordyng to the exaumple of Iesus Chryste the true patrone comforter and sauioure of the worlde who for the tendernesse of compassion that he had to hys people and to saue them from destructioÌ„ sought not to please hym selfe but beeyng innocent and a lambe vnspotted suffered as a wicked offendour moste shamefull reproche bitter tormentes and paynes in the flesh as also bodilye death as it was written of hym by the prophet The rebukes of them wihche rebuked thee sel on me psal 69. Roma 4. What so euer thynges are wrytten aforetyme they are written for our learning that thorough pacience comfort of the scriptures we myght haue hope The god of hope pacience and consolatioÌ„ fil vs wyth all ioye and peace in beleuynge that we may be ryche in hope thorow the power of the holy ghost Leuit. 19. and be like mynded one towardes another after the ensaumple of Christ that we al together agreeyng in vnitye may wyth one mouthe praise God the father of our lorde Iesus Amen The God of peace treade Sathan shortelye vnder our feete Roma 6. FINIS Fautes escaped in pryntyng ¶ In the leaf of A. the .xii. page the .xi. lyne of the Queenes epistle for into reade vnto In the leafe of B. the iii. page the xvii line or to muche In the leafe of B. the iii. page the .xx. line reade for restranitie restraint In the leafe of D. the .x. page the .xv. line for his pathes reade bypathes In the leafe of D. the .xi. page the .ix. line much to muche And in the xxv line for wrathe reade wroth In the leafe of D. the xiiii page the vii line for co reade to In the leaf of d. the xv page the xxii line for al as reade as all Note also the x. page of F the iii. lyne for in thys maner reade he teacheth vs in thys maner In the leafe of G. the v. page the â— liue for confession reade profession In the leafe of G. the xv page the xxiii line for thy reade the. In the leafe of H. the xii page the xxv line the 〈◊〉 or is to much And in the xi lyne before in the same for yf reade that In the leafe of L. the iii. page the .xix. lyne for he to hys electe reade he hath to hys electe In the leafe of N. the 14. page the .v. line for a glorious reade glorious FINIS ⧠Imprinted at London by Henrye Sutton at the costes and charges of Myghell Lobley and Ihon Waley The .vii. daye of Maye in the yeare of our Lorde a thousande v. hundred and syxtye And also perused and allovved accordynge to the Queenes maiesties iniunctions