this maner Fayth is a sure confidence of thynges which are hoped for and a certainte of thinges which are not sene Herby we mayese which is the true fayth namely that we abyde loke to optayne mercy of the LORDE where as we fynde nought in vs y t is worthy of Gods mercy nor se the good that God hath promysed vs but onely trust in hym because he is mercyfull Wherfore receauynge the worde that wytnesseth vnto vs and beareth record of his goodnes we haue a sure hope in God by faith that he shall shewe his goodnesse tendernesse toward vs by his boūte ous mercy But hereto is requyted of vs that we reste w t our whole harte vpon this promyse of mercy reioycynge in sprete therin and by fayth rendre vs in loue and thankfulnesse to God Thus haue we a sure testymony that we are come to a good fayth for we can fynde none other fundament wheron the synfull soule may test saue onely yf we can hope that God wyll be a mercyfull father thorowe the death of IESV CHRISTE This is it that Paul sayeth No mā can laye another fundament saue that which is layed already that is CHRIST IESV Suche fayth causeth a man to walke confidently to be sure mynded to Gods goodnesse wherin he can reioyce so farre as he can beleue to optayne so much as God hath declared and promysed by his worde Now because he beleueth the same therfore is his spirite endued with godly ioye by the sprete of God whiche dyd appeare and teache hym the same by fayth Wherfore sayeth Paul Ye haue not receaued the sprete of bondage to feare ony more but ye haue receaued the sprete of adopciō whereby we crye Abba deare father The same sprete certifieth our sprete that we are the chyldren of God Whan a man feleth this by fayth and his harte reioyceth therin then hath he rest and quyetnesse in his consciēce hauynge no respecte to his owne workes or deseruynges but onely to CHRISTE which hath set hym atone with the father throughe his bytter passyon and death Thus geueth he onely CHRIST the glorye of his redēpcyon beholdeth hence forth no creatures more It is sufficient to hym to knowe God in his goodnesse beleuynge that mercy goodnesse shalbe shewed vnto hym of God reioyceth in that he hath a mercyfull father in heauen in all thynges he cōceaueth a good opinion of God his goodnesse Suche fayth causeth hym to rest to be cōtent with all that the LORDES wyl is to do w t hym Whether it be deth hell synne or deuell none can make hym abashed For as longe as a mā clyueth to Gods worde beleuyng y t God hath ouercome all euel thorow his loue to warde mankynde thē is he at rest and peace in all y t can betyde or chaūce vnto hym beyng certified that seynge God loueth hym he sheweth mercy kyndnesse in all that he doth vnto hym and all man kynde Whether it be thā anguyshe painfulnesse or ony daūger that can happen vnto man other in body or soule y t cōmeth al to his auayl Onely yf he cā beleue be persuaded in himselfe y t God loueth him For one frēde forbeareth much of another y ◠which natural loue causeth Wherfore yf naturall loue can forbeare wrōge of a frende how muche more ought we to forbeare y ◠good that is sent vs of God to our saluacyon Seynge fayth is a gyfte geuē of God it is necessarye we turne oure selues lowly vnto the LORDE desyrynge hym humbly to prepare oure hartes and make them wyllynge to accepte his worde with ioye As muche as we loue Gods worde so muche shal we be conforted made glad in sprete by fayth in all that y e worde hath promysed vs. Seynge God is hyd in his worde yee is the worde it selfe therfore yf we receaue the worde then by fayth and with ioye we shall receaue so much as God hath sayd and promysed by his worde CHRIST which is the blessed worde of the father geueth hym self with his goodnesse in to al faythfull hartes and maketh hym selfe with all his goodnesse cōmune takynge vs to his grace yee with all the wyckednesse that is in vs. Whan we haue synned than wyll God haue vs to admonysshe hym of his promyse yf we than praye with a faythfull harte he shall remembre all that he hath promysed and shal haue mercy vpon vs to fulfyll hys promyse and worde Thys knewe Dauid what tyme he sayde The worde of the LORDE is treue and al his workes are faithful Upon thys trusted the same Dauid whan he had synned he put god in mynde of his wordes sayenge Agaynst the onely haue I synned done euell in thy syghte that thou myghtest be iustifyed in thy sayenges and shuldeste ouercome whan thou arte iudged As though he wolde saye LORDE I haue trespassed I praye the remembre thy word that thou haste promysed vnto the synners which turne agayne from theyr synnes namely that thou wilt receaue a sorowfull sprete vnto thy mercy Wherfor thou oughtest to receaue me vnto thy grace that thou myghteste be founde ryghteous Shewenge suche mercye vnto the synner accordynge to thy promyse than shalt thou discomfyte thyne enemyes wyth the treuth which wyl iudge and estyme the as one that doth not accordynge to hys worde Whan Dauid nowe knewe inwardlye that he had optayned mercy of the LORDE than dyd he prayse and thanke God in al his wordes and dedes sayenge The LORDE is gracious and mercyfull longe sufferynge and of greate goodnesse The LORDE is louynge vnto euery man and hys mercye is ouer all hys workes The LORDE is ryghteous in all hys wayes and holy in all hys workes The LORDE is nye vnto all them that call vpon hym Yee all such as cal vpon him faythfully And euen thus is it wyth vs We can prayse and thanke God so earnestlye and reioyce so greatlye in hys goodnesse as we can beleue that mercye and kyndnesse can be shewed by hym Though the lawe dyd vtterlye dāne vs hel wold swalow vs vp though all syn and other enmyes wolde ouerrunne vs yet muste we abyde sure vpon God and se what CHRISTE hath deserued and geuen vs by hys bytter passyon and what he hath promysed thā shal faith worke hyr worke Yf we haue receaued the worde in fayth through the holy goost than shal we optayne mercye and lyfe in the myddes of death and of synne Wythout hope dyd holde vp oure head and the promyses sonke in oure hartes we muste nedes be drowned in despayre Hope sayth My sonne despyse not the selfe in thy syknesse but praye vnto the LORDE and he shal make the whole The synfull man beholdyng God and knowyng him by hys worde that is that he is mercyfull not wyllynge the death of a synner he lyfteth vp hys heade w t a lusty corage sayenge I shall not dye
haue beleued also on IESVS CHRIST that we myght be made ryghteous by the fayth on CHRIST and not by the dedes of the lawe Ihon also sayeth All that is borne of God ouercoÌ„meth the worlde and this is the victory that ouercoÌ„meth the worlde euen our fayth Who is it that ouercoÌ„meth the worlde but he which beleueth that IESVS is the sonne of God And further in the same chapter These thynges haue A writteÌ„ vnto you which beleue on the name of the sonne of God that ye maye knowe how that ye haue eternall lyfe and that ye maye beleue on the name of the sonne of God And this is the fre boldnesse whiche we haue towarde hym that yf we aske ony thynge accordyng to his wyl he heareth vs. Lo how yf a man beleueth that is yf he setteth his trust vpon the goodnesse of God only he is herde and optayneth all that he requyreth of the LORDE as Marke also wytnesseth Paul what tyme he preached the forgeuenesse of synnes he dyd alwaye ascribe it vnto faith that we myght knowe the vertue power of CRISTES death and that we shulde geue all glorye and praise vnto hym which hath receaued vs vnto the fayth by his goodnesse IESVS preached the Gospell of y e kyngdome of God sayenge The tyme is â—ulfylled and the kyngdome of god â—s at hande amende your selues beleue the gospel Here myght some men saye ye speake so much of fayth that man â—s iustified by fayth onely and not by workes Where as saynt Iames neuerthelesse sayeth that fayth with but workes is dead Trueth it is he sayeth well For without ther ensue forsakynge and lothsomnesse of synnes and without a man rest and reioyce onely in God hauynge respecte to none other creature sekyng helpe or conforte at the same Then is it a tokeÌ„ that he is not wholy fixt vpon God nor putteth his trust in hym So longe as a man reioyceth in synnynge so longe is not God his ioye As longe as man coÌ„meth not to God with more loue thankfulnesse nor can quyete hym selfe with God so longe hath he not the trewe fayth The trew fayth mortifyeth the synnes that the outward workes maye testifye of the inward fayth Thus doynge optayneth God the glorye whiche wyll worke wonderously in all them in whom he hath poured his worde by fayth Therfore sayd CHRIST Let youre lyght so shyne before men that they mayese your good workes and glorifye youre father which is in heauen Scripture wytnesseth euery wher y t fayth must make new creatures orels shuld it not work y e worke wherfore God sent his worde Not that workes iustyfye a man But seynge man is iustyfyed by fayth therfore is he called iustifyed or ryghteous for doynge the workes of fayth For the workes be called ryghteous before God by reason of fayth Here vpon bryngeth saynt Iames Abraham and Rahab as proues sayenge Wylte thou vnderstonde O thou vayne man that fayth without dedes is dead Was not oure father Abraham iustyfyed thorowe workes whan he offred Isaac his sonne vpon the altare Thou seyst how that faith wrought with his dedes through the dedes was the fayth made perfecte and the scripture was fulfylled whiche sayeth Abraham beleued God and it was reputed vnto hym for ryghteousnesse and he was called the frende of God c. Yf Abraham had douted on Gods promyse whan he wolde haue offered his sonne then hadde not his faythe bene ryghte nor sufficyent Rahab also shewed hyr fayth where by she let the spyes go shewynge them whiche waye they shulde go She beleued stedfastly that God shulde cause the chyldren of Israell to wynne the cytie of Iericho and by y t fayth was hyr faythfull worke accepted before God God loked first vpon Abell and then vpon his gyfte The scripture hath shut vp al vnder synne that the promyse shuld come by fayth on IESVS CHRIST geuen vnto them that beleue Hereby we maye se that fayth only iustifieth that is Whan we forsake all creatures submyttynge out selues and passe by all mans inuencyons or holynesse fallynge and leanynge to CHRIST only sayenge O LORDE I knowlege health to be happened vnto me by the. LORDE augmeÌ„t thou my fayth CHRIST sayd I am the lyght of the worlde he that foloweth me shall not walke in darkenesse but shal haue the lyght of lyfe And agayne in the same chapter Yf ye continue in my worde then are ye my disciples and ye shal knowe the trueth and y t trueth shal make you fre Though the faythfull fell to synnynge yet remayneth God a frende vnto the fayth and loue that he fyndeth in a maÌ„ his promyses vnto theÌ„ that beleue are so manyfold Dauid sayeth Yf the ryghteous falleth he shall not be brused for the LORDE doth staye hym with his haÌ„de Paul sayeth Then is ther now no damna cyon vnto them that are in CHRIST IESV which walke not after y e flesh but after the sprete For the lawe of the sprete y t bringeth lyfe in CHRIST IESV hath made me fre from y t lawe of synne and death Saynt Ihon also wrytteth sayenge Who so euer is borne of God synneth not for his sede remayneth in hym he can not synne because he is borne of God Though a man be weake after the fleshe and thereby fall to synne yet doth God loue a man for the fayth wherby he loueth God Whan he falleth his fall is not vnto dead for his sprete is without gyle The LORDE suffereth the ryghteous to fall leste he stonde to muche in hys owne conceate but that he aske mercy with all his harte The ryghteous falleth seuen tymes in one daye and ryseth agayne The LORDE taketh the faythfull for his best beloued and reserueth hym to his mercy Salomon sayeth The ryghteous laboureth to do good but the vngodly vseth hys increase vnto sinnes Oure prayer is that we maye abyde by the gladde and ioyfull tydynges of the gospell For he that beleueth and is baptysed shall be saued I brynge you tydynges of great ioye which shal happeÌ„ vnto al people for vnto you is this daye borne the Saueoure euen CHRIST the LORDE Thus farre is now sayde of the mercy which we vptayne by fayth For true fayth ioyfuily receaued excludynge al y e is contrary to CHRIST bryngeth a greate health wyth her ¶ The thyrde chapter shall treate how hurtefull vnbelefe is and what is the cause that men be so colde and straunge in Godly matters and in loue towarde God WHan we consydre our fyrste progeny then is it euydent vnto vs that the nature of man is created to y e lykenesse of God in wyll reason and vnderstandyng folowynge God through wysedom and by knowledge of the creatures And that man was ioyned w t a perfecte hart vnto God vsynge hym w t a coÌ„plete knowlege Upon this hath God set him in the paradyse of pleasure geuynge
through hys mercye wyll receaue a synner to grace and that he maye come to the fauour of God Suche fayth causeth a man to reste and â—cane on God only and so earnestlye to reioyce in the goodnesse of God as doth he that fyndeth a treasure of greate value We speake not of a fayned faith as the deuels haue or as the wycked do beleue nor of suche an hystorycall faythe as to beleue that CHRISTE was crucyfyed but we speake of suche fayth and confydence wherebye we are assured that the goodnesse and mercye of God is oures and that all is oures that is in God that he is mercyfull vnto vs that we can reioice in him and walke confydently in hym all thys is the operacyon of faythe Suche faythe causeth mortyfycacyon of the fleshe wyth all hys concupiscence whan he hath felte once by faythe the exeeadynge goodnesse that he hath founde by the LORDE Shulde not suche a faythfull soule reioyce in the LORDE his God by true loue vse all spirituall glory Suche fayth causeth a man to captiuate and presone his witte vnderstonding wyl wholy vnder Gods worde and reioyce only in God sayenge with Dauid My soule wayteth onely vpon God for of hym coÌ„meth my helpe He onely is my strength my saluacyon my defence so y t I shall not greatly fal And agayn Turne agayne then to thy reste O my soule for y e LORD hath geuen the thy desyre And why thou hast delyuered my soule from death myne eyes from teares and my fete from fallynge I wyll walke before the LORDE in the lande of the lyuynge Paul what tyme he was come to such earnest fayth sayd very ioyfully I shewed not my selfe amonge you as though I knewe ony thinge saue onely IESVS CHRIST euen the same that was crucyfied It is not sufficient to saye I beleue that the holy church beleueth or as myne elders haue beleued but a man muste searche and proue how he beleueth For by his owne fayth shall a man be acceptable to God Yf he wyl procure to optayne ought of God he must turne hym to God and knowlege hym by his owne fayth that he is his LORDE and redimer AbrahaÌ„ saw God in sprete through his lyuely fayth and reioyced This fayth â—orageth a man agaynst death in it a man seyth his lyfe For according to the wytnesse of all scriptures The iust lyueth by his fayth This fayth is not subdued vnto the lawe for the faythfull accomplissheth the LORDES wyll in the sprete through loue So that he fulfylleth all that the lawe coÌ„maundeth Not â—ecause it is a commaundement of â—he lawe for the lawe geueth onely knowlege of synne but because he â—ath a loue to the commaundementes and is ready to do all that is acceptable to God Wherfore sayeth Paul Thorow the lawe I am dead vnto the lawe that I myghte lyue vnto God I am crucyfyed with CHRIST yet do I lyue Neuertheles now not I but CHRIST lyueth in me for the lyfe which I lyue now in y â— fleshe I lyue in the fayth of the soÌ„ne of God whiche loued me and gaue himselfe for me Agayn sayeth Paul that God hath made vs accepted in the beloued soÌ„ne in whom we haue redempcyon thorow his bloude namely the forgeuenesse of synnes accordyng to the ryches of his grace Seynge then that accordyng to these testimonies of scripture the worke of our redempcyon is accomplyshed in vs by CHRIST therfore must oure synfull soule knowlege y t excelleÌ„t worke in CHRIST only and in hym only rest by fayth For CHRIST sayd No man commeth to the father but only by me And yf ye are the father ought in my name he shal geue it you But seyng faith is a gyfte of God therfore muste we lowly and humbly praye the LORD to haue pyte vpon vs and increase oure faith y t we may know his goodnesse dewly by fayth and reioyce in hym Of this gyft speaketh Paul sayeng By grace are ye saued thorow fayth and that not of youre selues For it is the gyft of God not of workes lest ony man shulde boast hymselfe For weare his workemanship created in CHRIST IESV vnto good workes to the which God ordeyned vs before that we shulde walke in them Whan man fyndeth rest and quietnesse in his conscience by fayth beleuynge that all that is in God is to mans behofe that is a sure token that such a man is come to the faith whiche geueth health For fayth certifyeth hym that CHRISTE hath ouercome death hell synne and the deuyll for hym As great as his faith is so much also can he reioyce in God Prayse God and thanke God whiche hath receaued his synfull soule to mercy not for the workes of ryghtwysnesse that we haue done but accordynge to hys mercye hath he saued vs. Thus muche nowe is sayde to knowe the trew faith namely to rest onely vpon CHRIST and to knowlege oure redempcion and saluacion by CHRISTES death according to hys worde The whiche graunte vs the father thorowe hys welbeloued sonne CHRIST Amen ¶ The secoÌ„d Chapter treateth of y t inestimable greate mercye that we do purchase and optaine by the lyuely fayth For true saith caÌ„ not be ydle but bryngeth vnto hym that possesseth her plenteous saluation WHan Paul wolde comforte the sycke or stablyshe the weake in faith more more than dyd he ofte rehearse and as a man myghte saye bette in them the glad tydinges of the Gospell Certifienge them to what greate mercye they were called whan God geueth them a good wyll to receaue hys worde with ioye and to reioyce ouer all the goodnesse that the Gospel assureth vs of Thys frute which the Gospel bringeth with it and geueth vs oughte we hyghelye to thanke God for and to reioyce for cause of so manyfolde gyftes and treasures minystred and geuen vs by hym thankynge and praysynge God whiche hath opened oure eyes and inwarde syghte So that we maye dewlye knowlege oure saluation by CHRIST IESV reioyce in him only This is the intent now wherfore Paule doth so earnestly admonyshe vs not to receaue such gyftes in â—ayne but that the worde of God be frutefull in vs by fayth and loue that God myghte be praysed thanked and honoured for hys workynge so wonderfullye mercyfully and gloriouslye in all faithfull hartes Therfore sayeth Paull We are bounde to geue thankes al waye vnto God for you brethren beloued of the LORDE because that God hath from the beginninge chosen you to saluation in the sanctifyenge of the spirite and in beleuinge of the treuth whereunto he hath called you by oure Gospell to optayne the glorye of oure LORDE IESVS CHRIST Farther more saieth Paul After that ye herd y e worde of treuth namely the gospell of youre saluation wherin whan ye haue beleued ye were sealed with the holy sprete of promesse whiche is the earneste of oure enheritaunce to oure redemption that we mighte be his
mystruste his worde and they that loue hym wyll kepe his coÌ„maundements c. Thus is it euydent that fayth muste nedes be a worke glorious puyssaunt wherby man optayneth so much of the LORDE How coulde ony maÌ„ comprehende and perceaue the power of faith and that by fayth we are one with God Ihon sayeth That God hath geuen all meÌ„ power to be the chyldreÌ„ of God Christ sayd All thynges are possible vnto hym that beleueth And agayn Yf ye beleue ye shall se the glorye of God And agayne Yf ye haue fayth as a grayne of mustarde sede ye maye saye vnto this mountayne Remoue hence to yonder place and he shall remoue nother shall ony thynge be vnpossible vnto you Now seynge God worketh so gloriously in all faythfull hartes then is it conuenient that we humbly beseke hym to teach vs to trust in his worde For we shall reioyce so much in his goodnesse loke for so much aide coÌ„forte at his haÌ„de as we can trust in hym and in his worde We â—ede of SusaÌ„na that what tyme she was in hir moost distresse anguish beyng iudged wrongfully to death she syghed and prayed to God trustyng stedfastly in him and y e LORD delyuered her Daniel also whan he was cast in y e LyoÌ„s denne was not hurte of them for he trusted in God The godly worde commeth not for nought it worketh wonderfully whan it is receaued in fayth Therfore doth saynt Iames erhorte vs to receaue with mekenesse the word that is grafted in vs whiche is able to saue our soules A man can not erre so longe as he can testyfye hys lyfe to be led accordynge to Gods worde Yf a man haue his myndefixed vpon mans inuencyons or inuented holynesse he maye surely be dysquyete and confortlesse But so longe as a man hath his eyen fixed vpon God and his worde bearynge Gods commaundementes in his harte so longe doth that man walke in sekernesse beynge assured of all y e is expressed by Gods worde and is sure of his sauegarde and coÌ„forte accordynge as Paul sayeth All men are lyars but God is true The sonne of God is the wysedome of y e father Who so now doth yelde hym selfe vnto the word receauyng therby the wysedome of the father the same is dryuen from death vnto lyfe by the sprete of God Syrak sayeth that wysedome breatheth lyfe in to hyr chyldren receaueth them that seke her It foloweth then that they which haue once assayed god by his worde in the wysedome of God that those I saye maye come to complete lyfe But it is contrarye with the worldly wysedome as wytnesseth Paul sayenge In so muche as the worlde by the wysedome ther of knewe not God in his wysedome it pleased God thorowe folyshe preachynge to saue them that beleue Whan Paul was mynded to conuerte ony man then wolde he laye nothynge before hym saue onely Gods worde sayenge I haue begotten you in CHRIST IESV thorowe the gospell Wherfore I exhort you be ye my folowers as I am IESV CHRISTES So longe as a man redresseth hys lyfe accordyng to Gods worde so longe shall he come walkynge the ryghte waye of saluacyon and reioyce in his conseyence For all that the worde of God doth vtter is concernynge ether mercy or in warde consolacyon Peter sayeth Ye knowe of the preachynge y t God sent vnto the chyldreÌ„ of Israel preachyng peace thorow IESVS CHRIST Of hym beare al the prophetes wytnesse that thorow his name all they that beleue in hym shall receaue remission of synnes Luke also wrytyng CRISTES wordes saieth Thus is it wrytten and thus it behoued CHRIST to suffre and the thirde day to tyse agayne from the dead and to let repentaunce and remyssioÌ„ of synnes be preached in his name amoÌ„geal nacions This knewe Esay afore hande whan he sayde Lyke as the rayne and snowe commeth downe from heauen and returneth not thy ther againe but watereth the earth maketh it frutefull and grene that it maye geue corne and bread vnto the so wer So the worde also that coÌ„meth out of my mouth shall not turne vnto me voide agayn but shal accomplyshe my wyll and prosper in the thynge whereunto I sende it Hereby we are taughte that like as the earthe is made frutefull of the rayne that God sendeth so shall we also be renewed and be frutefull yf we knowlege God a ryghte by hys worde and reioice in al that he hath wytesafe to warne vs of by hys worde Yee we shall mortifye the fleshe wyth all hys desyres and he ioyned to God He that cleueth vnto god becommeth one sprete wyth hym and optayneth all goodnesse wyth hym A man reioyceth so muche in God as he is knytte wyth him by fayth and is diligent in all thynges to forther hys glorye The olde father Symeon beholdynge the lytle babe and beynge sure in wardlye that he was hys saueoure for he loked for hym by hys fayth reioyced in hys harte desyrynge to go to hys reste by bodely death for his eyen had sene the saue garde of men Euen so lykewyse we yf we had sene by fayth the loue which God beareth to ward vs how hartelye shulde we then yelde oureselues vnto death For fayth certyfyeth the harte that God is a mercy full father and that mercye shall be shewed vnto vs by y e death of IESV CHRISTE We can optayne no greater rewarde than to beleue that God is wyth vs and we beynge wyth the LORDE are safe Steuen seynge heauen open by fayth sayde incontinentlye LORDE receaue my sprete For thys cause sayde Paule Because therfore that we are iustyfyed by faythe we haue peace wyth God thorow oure LORDE IESVS CHRISTE by whom also we haue an entraunce in faythe vnto thys grace wherein we stonde Here lo is no mencyon of workes or of y â— lawe for by the workes is noman iustyfyed But the workes muste breake oute thorowe loue and declare oure inwarde fayth by workynge of charitable dedes Iob was ashamed of all hys workes and was not so bold as to lyfte vp hys heade before hys LORDE God but submitted hymselfe lowly vnto him ye though ther had ben founde some right wy sucsse in hym Dauid also sayde LORDE entre not in to iudgemente with thy seruaunte for in thy syghte shall noman lyuynge be iustifyed Neuerthelesse God wyllynge to certifye vs what we maye optayne by fayth he shewed vs that by pure and onely loue and mercye he taketh the synner to grace wythoute ony regarde of dedes so that mercye shulde be shewed to vs of promyse and not of dewtye Therfore ought we to geue all glorye vnto God onely Dauid wytnesseth thys same sayenge Blessed are they whose vnryghteousnesse is forgeuen and whose sinnes are couered Blessed is the man vnto whome the LORDE imputeth no syn and in whose sprete ther is no gyle Herin maye you perceaue the maner of tustifienge namely
hym a coÌ„mauÌ„dement namely y e he shuld not eat of the tre of knowlege of good euell This coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„t was geueÌ„ vnto AdaÌ„ by God to y e entent y e he wolde proue whether he wolde abyde stedfast by his word coÌ„mauÌ„dmeÌ„t or not But y e deuel which was minded to bring synne deathe in to the worlde thorow vnbelefe occasioned to it by his enuye to mankynde he hath stered the serpent which was the sotyleste creature of all creatures to saye vnto the woman Yee hath God sayd in dede Ye shall not eate of all maner trees in the garden Then sayd the woman vnto the serpent We eate of the frute of the trees in y â— garden But as for the frute of the tre that is in the myddes of the gardeÌ„ God hath sayde Eate ye not of it touche it not lest ye dye Whan the Serpent now perceaued that Euastode weakely vpon Gods worde for she sayde lest we dye where God neuerthelesse hadde sayde Loke in what daye so euer thou eatest therof thou shalt dye the death he dyd assault Eua fyrst to make her dout in Gods worde and to brynge her froÌ„ it Now whan he had her so farre than brought he her yet farther sayenge Tush ye shall not dye y e death For God knoweth that in what daye so euer ye eate of it youre eyes shalbe opened and ye shalbe as God and knowe both good euell And the woman sawe that the tre was good to eate of and lusty vnto y e eyes and a pleasaunt tre to make wyse and toke of the frute of it and dyd eate gaue vnto hit husbande also therof and he dyd eate Thus haue they both lefte Gods worde and haue done theyr wyl and fulfylled theyr desyre and lust Thus hath man cast hym selfe awaye thorowe mysbelefe transgressyng gods worde and coÌ„maundement The lust and desyre that Adam conceaued in his fyrst appetite doth yet remayne in hym for we are of the same fleshe and substaunce and also folow theÌ„ ature of it We are so sore wrapped in mysbelefe that it is also vnto vs the cause and occasyon of all synne so that we be naturaly chyldren of wrath by inspiracyon of y t prynce of the ayre which is a sprete workynge in the chyldren of mysbelefe fulfyllynge the pleasure of the fleshe for the whiche the wrath of God commeth vpoÌ„ the chyldren of vnbelefe Whan man now leauynge the worde of God regardeth not God folowynge hys owne wytte and wysedome than is his harte and mynde darkened and drawen awaye trustynge more to his owne wysedome then to his LORDE his God And his harte conceaueth nothynge saue the lust and desyre of the fleshe of the which he is ledde captyue so that he axeth no more counsell at God This doth Dauid complayne sayenge The foolysh bodyes saye in theyr hartes Tush ther is no God They are corrupte and become abhominable in theyr doynges ther is not one that doth good The LORDE loked downe from heauen vpon the chyldren of men to se yf ther were ony that wolde vnderstand and seke after God But they are all gone out of the waye they are altogether become vnprofitable ther is none that doth good no not one All this commeth by mysbelefe and whan man setteth no more by God his worde nor hath no more lust vnto hym For yf man dyd abyde by God beheld alway the wonderous and glorious workes whiche the LORDE hath declared vnto vs by his benefytes and goodnesse it were not possible that he shulde forsake his LORDE his God but shulde alwaye be gyded of God and his worde sekynge at hym onely all his comforte and health But seynge he is deceuered from God and his worde and wyll stande to his owne wysedom which is but playne â—oly therfore is he rest lesse and to his LORDE his God is he vnfaythfull as wytnesseth Esaye sayenge He that is vnfaythfull dealeth vnfaythfully Dauid also sayeth They kepte not the coÌ„uenauÌ„t of God and wolde not walke in hys law They forgat what he had done and the wonderfull workes that he hadde shewed for them In all this haue they synned and dyd not beleue in his wonderfull workes for the soule of the vnfaythfull is not stedfaste nor trewe in hyr selfe By all these euydences and reasons are we taught that all wyckednesse is come in the worlde by mysbelefe for thorowe mysbelefe hath man but slender knowlege of God and accordynge as he hath knowlege of God so muche loueth he God and reioyceth in his goodnesse This mysbelefe doth so kepe a man bouÌ„d in synfulnesse that he can not fele or perceaue ony goodnesse to come vnto hym from the blessed LORDE Thoughe he saye that he beleueth CHRIST to be crucyfyed and that he hath suffred the paynfull death which the deuyls also beleue yet beleueth not he so as one y t can rest in this deth only as one y t is fully per suaded to haue mercy forgeuenes therby of y e LORDE For yf he coulde beleue this he shuld both loue God and reioyce wholye in hym not lokynge aboute for to optayne ony other mercye of what creature soeuer it were It shuld suffise him to know God which will receaue him to hys mercy Wherfore the cause why meÌ„ be so coulde in loue towarde God and so straunge from him is that they knowe him so lytle that they haue so smal perceuerauÌ„ce of y t loue that he hath towarde vs. Lo what vnkindnesse commeth by mysbelefe as whan man is not fully certyfyed in his harte that God will geue vs so much as he hath promysed vs by hys worde yee so litle is maÌ„ inwardlye reioyced and comforted as he doth beleue and is assured in his coÌ„science that God is will be good vnto vs. For yf he knoweth not God in hys goodnesse howe can he reioyce in hys goodnesse Thus is it euydent that man abydeth presoned of hys owne wytte and wysedome thorowe vnbelefe Thys caused Esaye to saye Therfore commeth my people also in captyuyte because they haue no vnderstondynge Dauid also speaketh of thus myserable estate sayenge O LORDE howe glorious are thy workes thy thoughtes are very depe An vnwyse man wyll not knowe thys and a foole wyll not vnderstonde it And agayne in another place They wyl not be learned and vnderstonde but walke on styll in darknesse Who so is not lyghtened thorowe the worde of the LORDE to knowe the LORDES waye and to perceaue hys saluacyon by the faythe in God that man walketh in darknesse altogether fyndynge no restynge place for hys synfull soule hauynge a weake hope to fynde saluacyon by the LORDE Thys is it that Dauid sayde They beleued not in God and put not theyr truste in hys helpe Esaye calleth vs oute of thys darknesse sayenge Who so walketh in darknes and no lyghte shyneth vpon him let hym hope in the LORDE
of Egipte that ledde vs thorow the wyldernes thorow a desert rough lande c. And continently after in y e same place For my people hath done two euels They haue forsaken me the wel of the water of lyfe and dygged them pyttes Yee vyle and broken pyttes that holde no water And it foloweth also Thyne owne wyckednesse shal reproue the and thy turnynge awaye shall condempne the that thou mayest know and vnderstande how hurtefull a thynge it is that thou hast forsaken the LORDE thy God not feared hym sayth y e LORD God of hoostes Wherfore whan we beholde oure selues duely remembrynge the worthynes and excellency of y â— chosen soule whiche of ryght shulde be a bryde of IES VS CHRISTE for of nature can not she be refresshed nor comforted but onely of God What so euer she seketh besyde hym that maketh her disquyete and comfortlesse For this cause is it nedefull for vs to lyfte oure eyen vp towarde heauen besekynge hym humbly to conforte vs wyth his owne presence Nother is this accomplyshed but onely whan the LORDE declareth his goodnesse vnto vs by his word and that we then reioyce in all the goodnesse which he hath promysed vs therin Yf we forsake y e worde then shal the soule become cold strauÌ„ge froÌ„ god This confirmeth Ieremy sayenge I wyll cast you out of this lande in to a lande that ye nor your fathers knowe not and there shall ye serue straunge goddes day nyght there wyll I shewe you no fauoure That man verely hath no rest whiche falleth to ony shapeÌ„ creature or to ony inuencion ymaginacyon of man Where maÌ„ doth yet procure ryghteousnesse saluacyoÌ„ by his owne mother wytte wysedome there doth not god work his worke This may be tried by many places of scripture CHRIST dyd not shewe many tokeÌ„s there where was no faith because y e they knowynge y t ther is one God haue not praysed hym as God nor thanked hym but became vayne in theyr ymaginacyoÌ„s theyr folyshe hart was blinded WhaÌ„ they couÌ„ted theÌ„selues wyse they became fooles And why EueÌ„ because saith Paul they knowe not the ryghteousnesse which auayleth before God go about to mayntayne theyr owne righteousnesse thus are not they subdued vnto y e ryghteousnesse whiche is of value before God CHRIST is y e ende of the law vnto-ryghteousnesse for euery one y t beleueth For God so loued the world that he gaue his only sonne that wo so euer beleueth in hym shulde not peryshe but haue euerlastynge lyfe Lo how saluacyoÌ„ commeth by fayth Who so therfore doth not receaue the worde by fayth the same abydeth in darknesse daÌ„ynacion as CHRIST wytnesseth in the same place sayenge But he that beleueth not is condempned already because he beleueth not on y e name of the onely sonne of God But this is the condemnacion that the lyght is come in to the worlde and men loued the darcknesse more then the lyght for theyr workes were euell Who so euer doth euell hateth the lyght and commeth not to y e lyght that his dedes shulde not be reproued Here in are we enformed that it is Gods wyll that all men be saued and that we shall knowlege the fathers loue whiche hath geuen vs CHRISTE to be oure Saueoure and that we shulde knowlege oure saluacion to come by hym whiche hath accomplyshed the worke of oure health in vs. But seynge many men do not turne them selues to God warde walkynge after theyr owne wyll and desyre therfore cannot they haue knowlege of the saluacyon that is promised and geuen vs by CHRIST Man muste vtterly forsake hym selfe with all that is in hym and rest vpon CHRISTE onely by whose death we maye fynde sauynge health But alas for pytie ther be many vayne and pufte vp in theyr fleshly myndes which holde not them selues to the heade and worde nother come to CHRISTE to be humbly taught of hym This is the cause why y e Pharises came not to God but sayde it that Iob dyd prophecy aforehande sayenge They saye vnto God Go froÌ„ vs we desyre not the knowlege of thy wayes What maner of felowe is y e Almyghty that we shulde serue hym What profyte shuld we haue to submytte oure selues vnto hym Esaye also sayeth Thou hast hadde trouble for the multitude of thyne owne wayes yet saydest thou neuer I wyll leaue of Thou thynkest to haue health or lyfe of thy self and therfore thou beleuest not that thou arte sycke Yee heare what O see the prophete sayeth I droue Ephraim Iuda plowed and Iacob played the husbandman that they might so we vnto righteousnes and reape the frutes of weldoynge that they myghte plowe vp theyr fresshe new tylled lande and seke the LORD tyll he came taught theÌ„ ryghteousnesse But now they haue plowed them wickednesse therfore shall they reape synne and eat y e frut of lyfe Seynge thou puttest thy coÌ„fidence in thyne owne wayes leanest to the coÌ„fideÌ„ce of thy worthies ther shall growe a sedicyon amonge thy people By this is it euideÌ„t that man remayneth in his vnfaythfulnesse thorow his owne wysedome For the LORDE wyll teache vs w t his worde only yf we couet to walk aryght in his way Al is but foolyshnesse be man neuer so well learned yf he knewe nought of God Therfore sayeth Paul The worde of the crosse is foolyshnesse vnto theÌ„ y t perish but vnto vs that are saued it is the power of God For it is written I wyl destroye the wysedome of the wyse and wyll cast away the vnderstandyng of the prudeÌ„t For so much as the worlde by the wysedome therof knewe not God in his wysedom it pleased God thorowe foolysh preachynge to saue them that beleue Yf oure Gospell be yet hyd it is hyd in them that are loste amonge whome the God of thys worlde hath blynded the myndes of them whiche beleue not that the lyghte of the Gospell of the glorye of CHRISTE whiche is the ymage of God shuld not shyne vnto them And in another place saieth Paul Because they receaued not the loue of the treuth that they myghte haue bene saued therfore shall God sende theÌ„ stronge delusyon that they shulde beleue lyes that all they myghte be damned whiche beleued not the treuthe but had pleasure in vnryghteousnesse It hath bene the LORDES wyll alwaye to draw euery man vnto hym both by benefytes and wordes But whan he seyth the hartes to remayne styll harde and peruerted than threateneth he the vnbeleuynge y t they shall come to naught yf they do not receaue hys worde sayenge The kyngdome of God shall be takeÌ„ from you shalbe geueÌ„ vnto y â— Heythen which shal bryng forth y e frutes of it And who so falleth vpoÌ„ thys stone that is CHRIST shalbe brokenâ—â— peces and loke vpon whoÌ„ it falleth it shal grynde him to poulâ—â—r This is fearful to heare of him
youre selues humblye to the blessed LORDE desyrynge hym to make youre hartes wyllinge to receaue his worde ioyfully and to knowlege that loue in the spirite by fayth the whiche the LORDE shewed vs so frendlye thorow his worde Hys loue is not knowen but onely thorowe hys worde the which onely geueth vs true wytnesse that God loueth vs. So farre stretcheth oure knowlege of hys loue as we haue gotten it oute of hys wordes by fayth The LORDE sheweth vs suffycyentlye in hys wordes that he loueth vs. As God is trewe and faythful in hys promises so maye we lyghtelye gette perceueraunce of hys loue by hys own wordes Yee euen that god hath promysed that he loueth vs were ynoughe to reioyce in yf we coulde beleue dewly and not to seke about for ony other louers It shuld be ynough for vs that God loueth vs and we shuld reioice in his loue For hys loue is onely trewe bounteous holye and good That the worlde and al men do loue me that doth not auayll me nother doth it comfort nor saue me but that God doth loue me y t is a cōfort vnto my sinful soul For god geueth saluaciō holynesse righteousnesse redēptiō thorow his loue The world with al hyr louelynesse geueth nought saue dānacion hell synne death Therfore can y e soule finde nother rest nor peace therin For the soule maye be comforted in hyr owne nature and strengthe with God onely and with his loue Nowe whan man heareth this and perceaueth it than muste his harte leap vp for ioye towarde God whiche loueth him Thus becommeth be equall and lyke vnto God so y ◠he is so mynded in loue to Godwarde as God agayne is mynded to him sayenge with chearefulnesse Is it not a greate thinge that such a LORD loueth me that draweth all men to him and that because I shulde be partaker of all the good that of hys loue he hath promysed to geue vnto all them that knowlege hym by hys loue He that is sure of thys loue sayeth boldelye Who can now daunger me Who cā condemne me For God so loueth me y ◠he will saue me Now do I feare no ther death nor hell For God that loueth me hath ouercome death hell and synne for me Let aryse nowe agaynste me castels stronge holdes yee the gates of hell and though I were i y ◠middes of death yet shal not they hurte me For God that hath al powers in his hande doth loue me Them that God hath electe chosen them hath he called and whome he hath called thē hath he also made righteous and whom he hath made righteous them hath he glorified also What shall we say than vnto these thinges yf God be on oure syde who can we be agaynst vs whiche spared not his owne sonne but hath geuen hym for vs all howe shal not he geue vs all thynges also wyth hym Who wyll laye ony thynge to the charge of Gods chosen It is God that maketh ryghteous who wyll then condemne For as muche than as the chylderen haue fleshe bloude he also hymselfe lykewise toke parte with them that he thorowe death myghte take awaye the power of hym which had lordshyppe ouer death that is to say the deuyll and that he myghte delyuer them whiche thorowe feare of death were al theyr lyfe tyme in daūger of bondage For he in no place taketh on hym the angels but y ◠sede of Abrahā taketh he on hym Wherfore in all thynges it became hym to he made lyke to his brethren that he myght be mercyfull and an Hyghe Preste in thynges concerninge god to make agrement for the synnes of the people For us that he hymselfe suffered and was tempted he is able to succurre them that are tempted Who coulde now be comfortlesse yf he were perswaded in hys mynd hereof Who could not reioice in spret hauynge founde suche a redemer Who sawe euer such a loue Herein is loue not that we loued god but y e he loued vs sente his son to make agrement for oure sinnes The loue of God is shed a brode in our hartes by the holy goost which is geuen vn to vs. For whan we were yet weake according to the tyme CHRIST dyed for vs vngodly Whan we were yet enmyes CHRIST recōcyled vs vnto the father which was geuē for oure synnes and raysed vp for oure ryghteousnesse sake Oboūteful LORD how dyd loue driue you to vs ward what tyme ye dyd loke so louingly vpō vs w t your fatherly pitie For because ye might shew your moost excellent loue y t ye beare toward vs therfor dyd ye yeld your selues vnto y e bitter death y t we might knowlege al our saluacion redēptiō in you only reioycei you Oh who cā fele y e bottō of your loue what tym as we se perceaue what inestimable price ye gaue for our redēciō w t your faithful trew worde haue ye assured vs of youre loue w t your precious bloude haue ye scaled it w t your death haue ye cōfirmed it bequiethed left vs the testament of loue to the forgeuenesse of synnes O howe glorious are we estymed in roure syghte father euen as electe and chosen chylderen had in greate reputacyon of you thorowe loue Lo what loue the father hath shewed vs that we shulde be called the chylderen of God and also be the same We are nowe the childeren of God and yet hath it not appeared what we shall be But we know that whan he shall appeare we shall be lyke him for we shal se hu◠as he is O wonderful loue Who coulde comprehende and vnderstande that the naturall man which was so pytyfully destroyed thorowe Adams synne and comme in the deuils power shulde so be lykened vnto God and to haue optayned suche fellowshyppe and communiō with hys inestimable goodnesse By nature we were chylderen of the wrath of God and coulde not ryse agayne by oureselues But God not wyllynge to be wroth foreuer vpō his handy worke hath called to remembraūce his naturall loue and pytie and thought how that he hadde created vs after his lykenesse after he had once poured hym selfe in vs thorowe his tender loue Thus was he myndefull of vs thorow hymselfe dyd shewe mercy his loue steared hym to it our fraylnesse hath he taken to his mercy For he sawe we were fleshe faydynge heye not beynge able to stande without y e assystaunce of his goodnesse He was also myndful of that which he promysed vnto man hearynge the depe desyres and the humble syghinge of the ryghteous which longynge for his cōmynge did cal for him y t he shuld she we his loue to the strayeng and lost nature Wherfore the father hath opened his fatherly harte sendynge vs his worde his only sōne that he myght be for vs y ◠onely mediatour speche man and swager of Gods wrath which shulde ouercome death hell synne and the
wonderfull gyftes O incoÌ„prehensible treasure How happy is y e man to whoÌ„ it is geueÌ„ to haue a perceuerauÌ„ce of thys Who came euer to hygher saluacioÌ„ Who reioyced euer more thaÌ„ he y e faÌ„d god wich loueth vs euen a father Fulfeatlye doth Salomon saye Sett me as a seale vpon thyne harte as a seale vpon thyn arme for loue is as mighty as the death gelousy as the hel Hyr coales are of fire a very flaÌ„me of the LORDE so that many waters are not able to quenche loue nother maye the streames drowne it Yee yf a man wolde geue all the goodes of his house for loue he shulde counte it nothynge He that confesseth that IESVS is the sonne of God in hym dwelleth God and he in God we haue knowen and beleued the loue that God hath to vs. God is loue he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in god god in hym Herin is the loue perfect with vs that we shuld haue a fre boldnesse in the daye of iudgement Herby is the synful conscience coÌ„forted namely yf we can perceaue by fayth that the LORD wyl receaue the sinner to grace thorow his loue And agayn yf we haue made vs vnworthy of his loue then let vs humble ourselues before y e LORDE syghynge for our mysoedes and his loue shall conforte vs agayne Unto him that loued vs and clensed vs from synne by his bloude and hath made vs kynges and prestes namely vnto God and his sonne be glory prayse for all his goodnesse Amen Hetherto haue we sayde how well God loueth vs and how we maye truste in his loue Now shall we shewe that as God hath wrought and done great mercy vnto vs eueÌ„ so must y e same loue worke in vs also toward God our neghboure wherby loue is vttered what she is This namely is whan we rendre prayse honoure and than kes vnto y e LORDE God which hath made our hart wyllynge in his loue thorow the worde so that we beleue to receaue hym to knowlege his loue therin The loue of God doth worke so much in vs to our saluacyon as we can beleue and be persuaded that God loueth vs that we can reioyce in his loue onely beyng assured that we can optayne nother mercy nor fauout saue only thorow his loue y t whiche he declared so louyngly toward vs in suffring death Wherby we may be assured that he doth loue vs without gaynsaynge y t he wyll geue vs so muche goodnesse as he hath promysed by his worde As we knowlege our saluacyon redeÌ„pcion by his loue so shal we yelde hym only y e glory of our saluacyon Seynge he only is a geuer of al goodnes thorow his loue therfore ought we to glorye reioyce in hym onely He y t could vnderstande this duely in sprete by fayth y e same shuld rest vpoÌ„ CHRIST in al peaceablenes knowleging his saluacyoÌ„ to come by him only require mercy grace of hym onely For this cause wyll God thus declare his loue to vs y t we shuld know how to reioyce namely y t god loueth vs that we know our redeÌ„pcioÌ„ to be by his loue Wold God euery maÌ„ knewe y e power of y e loue y t god hath toward vs for then shulde we be euer prayeng and euer readyng scripture that we might learne how to knowe God in his loue by his word and to reioyce in hym For nother of God nor his loue are we assured inwardly saue onely by the worde where vnto we geue faith and credence And as the loue of God is in our harte and as we knowlege his loue perfectly so is oure harte agayne steared with loue towarde God beynge ready wyllynge to do all that is acceptable vnto hym that all loue thankfulnesse myght be recompensed him agayne which hath heaued and exalted vs so hyghly by hym thorowe great loue hereby do we know that God hath wrought a woÌ„derful glorious worke in vs. Seynge the ther is no goodnesse in maÌ„ therfore must all his dedes be assured and sealed with fayth yf they shalbe acceptable vnto god And in this fayth we shal beleue y t God doth worke in vs both to wyll and to fulfyll It is God y t hath accomplyshed the worke of saluacyon in vs. What worke of saluacyon that euer we can deuyse or requyre that hath CHRIST accoÌ„plysshed in vs. Yf we beleue this thorowe loue vtter it then are we iustified saued not for the dede or workynge but because we are ryghteous thorow fayth thefore be the dedes of loue or charite ryghteous also For a faythfull man doth alway beholde his owne ryghteousnesse in god ascrybyng to his goodnes only all honoure and vnto hym selfe nothynge but synne confusyon that God onely maye haue the glorye Paul doth demaunde saye What hast thou that thou hast not receaued yf thou haste receaued it why makest thou theÌ„ thy boast as thoughe thou haddest not receaued it Agayne sayeth Paul Suche trust haue we thorow CHRIST to God warde not that we are sufficient of our selues to thynke ony thynge as of our selues but our ablenesse commeth of God The LORDE also exhorteth vs by Ieremy saieng Let not y â— wyseman reioyce in his wysedome nor the stronge man in his strength nor the rych man in his ryches But who so euer wyl reioyce let hym reioyce in this that he vnderstandeth knoweth me for I am the LORDE which do mercy equyte ryghteousnesse vpon earth All these places testify that we must loke vpoÌ„ CHRIST beleuynge that we be saued only by his loue yf we couet to seke rest and peace in oure conscience Therfore doth Ieremy agayne speake confortably sayeng The mercyes of y e LORDE are not clene gone his louinge kyndnesse ceasseth not His faythfulnesse is great reneweth it selfe as the mornynge The LORDE is my porcyon sayeth my soule therfore wyll I hope in him O how good is the LORDE vnto theÌ„ that put theyr trust in hym to the soule y t seketh after hym Seyng now that God is alwaye workynge w t his loue therfore muste we coÌ„fesse and knowlege all our saluacyon to be onely by the workynge of his loue so doynge we geue hym onely the glorye of all the goodnes that is in vs. This loue shall stear our hartes to fulfyll the LORDES wyll cause man not to remayne ydle in y t loue where vnto y e worde of y e LORD doth exhort him so louyngly Loue coueteth to come to perfectnes desyryng alway to be so mynded iÌ„ loue to god ward as god by his loue is minded to vs hoÌ„geryng alway to be equall w t God in loue The spret exhorteth vs to end euoure vs thorow loue to please God euen as he thorowe his loue hath done well by vs. A oâ—e is mery coÌ„meth froÌ„ a ioiful hart For loue causeth a maÌ„ to
thys agayne is oure comforte namelye that the father hathe geuen vs CHRISTE the whiche hath geuen hymselfe ouer vnto the bitter death to declare hys excellent loue vnto vs that we myghte knowlege our saluaciō in his loue by faith accomplyshynge hys wyll and pleasure Unto hym that of his loue hath called vs so gentelye by hys worde vnto all mercye vnto hym I say be thankes prayse honoure and glorye both by vs and by all other creatures nowe and for euer Amen ¶ Hereafter shall we treate howe hurtefull the loue of the worlde is and howe we maye despyse it SEynge that we haue spoken so largely of the loue y e God hath towarde vs and howe stronglye the same loue worketh in vs we shall therfore now treate how daungerous worldlye loue is that is that ether the worlde loueth vs or that we loue it Whan man doth consydre the worlde and all that is therin than findeth he nought for hys soule to cōforte to rest or to satisfye herselfe in He that doth beholde the world duely maye se that it is hurtefull faydyng with all that belongeth thereto Yee al such as wil ether seke folowe loue serue or please y e world must stayne ioyne thē selues w t the same It is al vanyte vexacion of mynde that is vnder the skye What ioye or glorye shulde man fele inwardlye whan he consydereth that he serueth such a lord as bryngeth nought saue damnacion hel and sinne with him As the soule is noble and heauenly euen so can she fynde nothynge amonge these earthlye creatures wherein she myghte vse true glorye and ioye And seynge the soule cā refresh herselfe in nothynge that is transytory therfore must she forsake al creatures and knowledge God to be glotious in all that he hath declared and wroughte in hys creatures for he is wonderfull in hys power wysedome and goodnesse wherebye al creatures haue receaued theyr bewty growynge fashyon and lyfe The creatures call to vs sayēg We geue nothinge that may satisfye you saue onelye the eye syghte By vs may ye perceaue God to be wonderfull and glorious in all hys workes Yf ye re mayne and abyde w t vs and go not vnto God by vs For he wyll be knowen in his loue by vs than shal ye be restlesse surely seynge we geue nought wheron youre soules maye rest Yf man coulde consyder this dewly then shulde he se euidently y t he was neuer aryght conforted that sought to fulfyll his lust and pleasure in ony creature The worlde smyleth and promyseth a mā much but seynge ther is nothynge stable in it therfor can not it also geue ony thynge to rest vpon Thoughe all the worlde dyd loue vs yet shulde it not be profytable and auaylynge to our saluacyon but rather a stoppe or lette of the same makynge man vnworthy of the loue of God For God doth not poure his loue in that harte wherin the worlde with his loue is abydynge This wytnesseth saint Ihon warnyng vs lest we suffre vs to be begyled of the worlde sayeng Se that ye loue not y ◠world nother the thynges that are in the worlde Yf ony man loue the worlde the loue of the father is not in hym for all that is in y e worlde namely y e lust of the flesh the lust of the eyes the pryde of lyfe is not of the father but of the worlde And the world passeth awaye and the lust therof but he that fulfylleth the wyll of God abydeth for euer Iames confirmeth thys sayenge Who so euer wyll be a frende of the world is made the enemye of God This is the profyte that we haue by y e loue of the world namely that for the loue of the same we do become enemyes to God For this cause sayd Paule Yf I shulde yet please men I were not the seruaunt of CHRISTE The apostles also what tyme they were chosen and sundered they were hated of the worlde For it coulde not agre to be atone wyth God and to haue frendshippe wyth the world Yf ther shal be an atonement wyth y e world then muste ther be also a consente to his synfulnes And bycause that nother CHRIST nor his disciples were of the worlde nor consented to the lust of the same therfore doth he admonishe and conforte his disciples at his departynge sayenge Yf the world hate you thē knowe y e it hath hated me before you Yf ye were of the worlde the world wolde loue his owne Howbeit because ye are not of the worlde but I haue chosen you from the worlde therfore the worlde hateth you And the prophetes all though they were hated of y e worlde yet were not they sory for it For yf they wolde haue procured the loue of the worlde then shulde not they haue rebuked the synnes of y e world but lyued in synfulnesse with them and forsakē God nother shulde they haue reioyced in his spret The loue of God no doute ouercame the loue of the worlde This is euident in many patriarches prophetes and holy men and wemen y e which were al slayne for rebukyng of the world and because they folowed not the lustes of it as namely Abell Esay Ieremy Helyas Micheas Susanna Daniel with diuers other that haue bene slayne and persecuted of the worlde The world therfore is a wycked thynge for it geueth nought wherin mā myght reioyce by ony meanes but his rewardes be synne hell and damnacyon and itselfe is altogether set on wyckednes The nature of man is cōmunely such that it is chaunged in to it where his loue is moost set on But what ioye can a man vse in that thynge that is wycked of itself The worldly wysedom coulde not brouke CHRIST nother coulde the worldly holynesse rendre all glorye vnto CHRIST only Yee because CHRIST dyd rebuke wyckednesse and fayned holynesse therfore rose y ◠worldly men agaynst CHRIST and haue determined to slaye hym This one thynge myght of ryght open the eyen of many men Seynge the loue of y e world was neuer good nor profytable how myght we then get ony goodnesse by fulfyllyng his lustes as Paul sayeth What frute had ye at that tyme in those thinges wherof ye are now ashamed for the ende of suche thynges is death O death how bytter is the remēbraūce of the to a man that seketh rest and comforte in his substaunce and ryches for death is the rewarde of syn Whan lust hath conceaued she bringeth forth synne and synne whan it is fynyshed bryngeth forth death Whan a man now hath well cōsydered the worlde and begynneth to perceaue that it is nothynge but vanite and hartes grefe then beginneth he to withdrawe his hart from it Wherfore yf he can then praye to God entierly and hartely he shall se how glorious and nobell he is esty med in the syghte of God namely that he is a vessel of synne where as God notwithstandynge hath created