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
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
thenne mooue and shake the earth God diuer sly and oftentymes speaketh vnto vs esther by his faithful ministers accordinge to the scriptures or one godlye man in tymes of necessitie to wright vnto another or conferring and reuerently counsallyng one wyth another eyther as we in readyng to our selues with huÌ„blenes of hart desire to know god to loue and feare hym and obediently to keepe his commaundementes All that is conteyned in the booke of lyfe Psal 116. is written for our learnynge it is the wourde of truthe and the lanterne vnto our feete It lightneth our vnderstandinge It cleanseth vs of al darkenes filth and corruption and guideth vs vnto the lyghte of lyfe healthe strength ioye and euerlastinge saluacion whyche ought to be amongest vs most gladlye retayned reuerently embraced obedientlye folowed and in no wyse to bee in anye thynge contempned Prou. 1â— for he that is an abuser or coÌ„tempner of the wourde of GOD or settethe lyghte by the counsayles of GOD he slippeth frome hys welfare he wandreth astraye and seketh the bye pathes of deathe and destruccion And Chryste our good shepherde and pastoure because he woulde haue vs harken vnto hys voyce and bee obediente to hys call and folowe him he sayeth vnto vs of hym selfe Iohn 10. I am the good sheppeharde and know well my sheepe and they also knowe me and wyll heare my voyce and folowe me And I wyll geeue vnto theym eternall lyfe and they shall neuer perysâ—he I am the waye the truthe Iohn 14. Iohn 8. and the lyfe I am the lyghte of the worlde and he that foloweth me doth not walke in darkenesse but shall haue the lyghte of lyfe c. In consideration of whyche heauenlye and comfortable sayenges and that they maye the rather take good effecte in vs to a good ende lette vs fyxe oure selues to bee reuerentelye constante in the doctrine and waye of Chryst and not be doubtfull of oure preseruation healthe ioye strengthe and saluation by him and so contemptuously thinke Christe and his wourd to be vnto vs onelye a voice or vain sound without significatioÌ„ or good effecte but to be vnto vs in dede al rightuousnes truth and mercy and that be also in his owne person for our liuelye exaumple to be approued charity simplicitie innocency pacience cleannes and finallye what soeuer thing he him selfe vsed most holilye to teache vnto others But as the Iewes which were the peculiar picked out people of god among all nacions of the world Roma 9. the naturall and true Olyue braunches to whom perteined the adoption the glory the couenauntes the law that was geueÌ„ the seruice of god the promises whose also were that auncient holy fathers of whoÌ„ also as concernynge the fleshe Christe came were not spared but sustayned the wrath and heauy hande of god for their incredulitie vnthankefulnesse and dysobedience howe muche more shall wee the vnnaturall and wylte olyue braunches althoughe for a season thorough theyr vnbeleeue we bee grafted into the true perfecte flocke bee torne forthe agayne Iohn 15. Roma 1â— yf wee abyte not greeâ—e and fruitefull braunches in oure callynge but vaynelye bosâ—e oure selues wyth wycked lyues in so holye and most pure profession Verilye strayghte and of greate charge is our bonde to that oure magnificente moste glorious and gelous god before whoms our wayes muste be straighte and right foorth we maye vse no tournyng daliaunce we may not be nowe goyng and sodenly turne backe again we may not stande to day of good assuraunce and fall to morow of very wilfulnes But must leane strongly at all times to our assured and ready stases And all flatterynge fantasies putte a parte to loue and followe oure good guyde Chryste by whose most vertuous and wyse gouernemente we shall haue preste wylles and good encouragement at all tymes to resyste oure enemies and to preuail against them by whome we haue bene dysceyded â—nercome with vanities or blindlye seduced Let vs not to the contrarye so vaynelye bost our selues in name and title of Christ only when in deede our conuersacion appeare cleane contrary Shal we onely glory in our selues and say Are we not called christiaÌ„s Question Beare we not vpoÌ„ vs that name of Christe haue not we the liuinge god to be our God Do we not call him our lord To be called a christian preuaileth nothinge except vve so lovve the steppes of Christ our maister father Are not hys holy lawes and the truth of his wourd more liuelye flourishynge amongeste vs called christians then among other the bar batouse nations of the worlde And is not this our priuslege and profession of all others called moste acceptable most rightuous and holye Yes verilye al this is true Ansvvere there is no religion nor no profession of holynes vnder the sonne what so euer name or vain shew it beare to the face of the world that is like it or to be compared vnto it because it is most straighte moste holye ryghtuous and pure And muste it also be of necessitie that as we haue professed and beare the name of Chryste wee muste take hym for oure patrone embrace hys wourde and follow him in strayghtnesse of lyfe Ye truly onlesse wee shewe oure selues but fained and dyssemblynge christians we must counterfeyte him in conuersacion and followe hys sleppes we muste be obediente to hys voyce and that wyth all synglenesse of harte yf we wyll seeke the fauour of god and his eternall salvacion by the benefittes of his deare sonnes death and passion The true christian obeyeth the voice of Christ and obtaineth by 〈…〉 For what auaileth this title and al thys glorye amongest vs onely in conceipte when in stead of humility loue pacieÌ„ce chastitie godly liberalitie and modestie our hartes are inwardly enforced and rankeled wyth pryde enuye wrathe murther couetousenesse leachery self loue vayne sloughtnes and such like What lothsom spottes are these in the most holy church of Christ and greatlye discentyng from christianitie Shoulde not our lyues so shine in holines Math. â—5 that by the light of good conuersacioÌ„ others might be conuerted vnto christ Do not the chaunge of their incredulitie and corrupted state of lyfe greatelye depende in the puritie and good behauour of our liues Beare we in sufficientlye and onelye the good name of Chryste wythoute regarde of hys heauenly exaumples and doctryne to oure owne greate reproche and to others decaye and fallynge whereby the name of GOD is vnreuerentlye spoken of 1. Peter â— Rom. 2. Esay 42. Lette vs herein iudge truelye of oure selues and examyne rightlye oure vntruth and doublenes what folowshyppe amongest vs hath light wyth darkenes Christe wyth beliall or GOD wyth the deuell Are they at vnitie maye we thinke No no they haue bene deuided froÌ„ the begynninge neither will they euer be at vnitie for the one guydeth vnto lyfe and the other vnto deathe let vs not therefore be
deceyued brotherne God requireth the very hart For it is not the outwarde shew onely and the name or title of Christ that came dyscharge vs and satisfie rightlye a God of ryghtuousenesse who requireth the very harte the whole suÌ„me of faythefull fruites therein conteyned For as the law is boly and our profession of al other most pure so the puritie of oure liues must in suche wise appeare that the law of god and our profession may shyne aboue all other In vayne to the contrary shall we bost of our holynes of god and Chryste and of their moste holy and vndefiled lawes how so euer in accustom we vse to commend them to beare them in oure handes to haÌ„dle theym to carye theym at our gyrdles in our bosomes talke of them here theÌ„ reuerentlye preached of preachers or at any tyme elles read of our selues For the booke or holye table wherein the law of god shoulde be imprinted or depely grauen are the hartes of men and such as he hath chosen to him self which is according to this sayenge of Dauid Psal 36. The law of god is in their hartes From whense procedeth the very perfection and true meaning of the holy law of god to the good exaumple of the heathen or such as know not god for their coÌ„uersion to that praise of god whereunto we are couÌ„sailed of saincte peter to shew forth that truth of our professioÌ„ that is to lead an holy coÌ„uersacioÌ„ amoÌ„g that heathen strauÌ„g natioÌ„s that they which backbighte vs as euell dooers may behold our holy good workes 1 Pet. 2. that the name of god in that day of his visitatioÌ„ amoÌ„gest vs may be lifted vp magnified Roma 2. Iacob 1. Math. 7. And S. Paul saith Not that herers of the law but that fulfillers of the law shal be iustified before god neither shal euery one that saith lord lord enter into the kingdoÌ„ of heueÌ„ but such as do that wil of our father which is iÌ„ heueÌ„ those are they also whome Dauid speaketh of to be vndefiled in the way of the lorde Psal 119. and that they shal be blessed beecause they keepe hys testimonies they committe no wickednesse neyther are they double faced disseÌ„blers but seeke hym right forth simplye wyth their whole hartes whose heartes are sounde and pure and vnto whome in such wise belongeth the blessynge of god that they shall cleerely see the face of god Math 5. The ioyes whereof no eare hathe herde no tongue can speake nor the hart of man at any tyme can thinke which ioy and euerlasting rewarde god the father in Iesus Chryste hath promised vnto the rightuous for their obedient and holy lyues for the cleannes and puritye of their hartes by the power of hys holye spirit and shal be perfourmed trulye vpon theÌ„ at his gracious and most godly appointed time But if we that haue professed the law of god only beare an outwarde face of loue towardes god confessynge hym wyth oure mouthes and denye hym inwardlye in our hartes thorough oure euell and corrupted conuersation wourke we not then rather oure iust dampnation then saluacion or rather to be cursed of god then blessed The true knowledge and lous of GOD amongeste vs effectuallye consisteth herein that is in wourking in folowynge and in good ordre of lyuynge accordyng to his most perfecte exaumple by the rule of hys wourd rather then in vayne talking â—ayned fauouring or in colde or slipper louing 1. Cor 4â— And touchynge the sayde capital vice of pryde amongest others A poisoned 〈◊〉 of perdicion If we woulde happily enter into our selues 〈◊〉 with sincere iudgemente and secrete examination what we bee of oure selues what substaunce wee are made of of what base matter of how fraile and fylthye flesh what lothsome frutes commeth thereof vnto how many miseryes diseases and daungers we be in subiection vnto lyuyng in the fleshe The misery of makind in this life the filthines of our conception the place and manner of our byrth wyth how great daunger we be borne ryther touchynge our selues or our mothers that beareth vs how naked we also are howe neadye how brutishe how sore how wretched and howe myserablye we creepe into thys chaungeable lyghte of lyfe and that oure race then beynge but shorte death in the ende must of necessitye ouercome vs These few thinges I say among other well noted of vs would some thing mortifie in vs I think our corrupted grosse affects they would be a meane the rather to cleanse in vs among the rest that pestilent insectioÌ„ of pryde a vyce moste ougly hatefull and detestable before God and man the originall of all synne whereby also we are fylled wyth the cursynges of God Eccle. 1â— who hathe promised that greate wretchednes and misery shall come vpoÌ„ vs that in the latter time shal dwel in the worlde for the greatnes sake of that lothsome and cursed vyce And how it aboundeth now in these daâ—es Esdâ—as 8. we maye well note and thinke the appointed tymes of gods vengeaunce to be wourthilye entred amongest vs. And because that in the lyfe and welfare of the proud people of this world dependeth greate and manye mischieues to the griefe and vexation of the poore and rightuous the prophet crieth in this wyse for the hastenynge of Gods vengeance amoÌ„gst theÌ„ Psal 9â— Arise O lord thou iudge of the world recompence in thy fury the great pride of this people euen after their just deseruing O forget not the voice of thyn enemies for the presumption of theÌ„ that be hatefull agaynst thee encreaceth yet stylle more and more Again Let the proude be confouÌ„ded O Lord for they go wickedly about to destroy me And tholde sayenge hathe bene from the begynnyng Pride wyl haue a fall Whiche agreeth to the saying of SalomoÌ„ PresuÌ„ptioÌ„ goth before shame destrucitoÌ„ after a proud stomack ther foloweth a fal May we not no we think it at the highest and neuer so like to fall Pro. 21.29 Was there euer sens god created heuen and earth that like abuse abhomination wtout measure reignyng Can it by any meanes more horribly appere amoÌ„gst vs Can it with possibilitie Excesse in pride froÌ„ any faÌ„tastical head that beareth life be more diuersly deuised chargeably to the painting forth setting out of our rotteÌ„ carrainly carcases Or can it be by other more vainly or foÌ„dly deuised thaÌ„ is of our selfs foÌ„dly coÌ„seÌ„ted to receued Of ther coÌ„sider we as we ought in al such our doinges our poore and hase estate or the sleandernes of our habilitie for the supportation of such a chargeable fantasie In pride vve forget poâ—â—â—tie And dothe it not also by oure wourkes appeare that as we are gloriouse gaye and ryche without our hartes are wretched deformed and full of pouertye wythin yes vndoubtedlye both in the presence of god and all godly men
reuerence set his hope in the lord god hath not tourned vnto the wais of the proude For vndoubtedly when the wrath of god shall fall by his iustice vpon thys generation for the synne of disobedience pride as in all ages before it hath ben greuously felt O how great shall the fall thereof be vpon vs yea how alas shall we wretched creatures bee able to abyde it The olde sayenge hathe bene from the begynnyng Pride wyl haue a fall Pre. 21 2â— Whiche agreeth to the saying of SalomoÌ„ Presumption goeth bee fore shame and destruction and after a proude stomack ther foloweth a fall Maye wee not nowe thinke it at the higheste 〈…〉 pride and neuer so lyke to fall Was there euer sens GOD created heauen and earth the like abuse and abhomination with oute measure raignynge Canne it by anye meanes moare horribly appeare amongeste vs Canne it wyth possibilitie from anye fantasticall heade that beareth lyfe bee more dyuerslye deuysed and chargeablye to the payntynge foorthe and fettynge oute of oure rotten carraynlye carcases Or can it bee by other more vainely or fondly deuysed then is of our selues fondely conseÌ„ted to and receyued Eyther consyder we as we oughte in all suche our dooynges oure poore and base estate or the sleandernes of our habilitie In prvde vve forget pouâ—â—â—tie for the supportation of such a chargeable fantasie And dothe it not also by oure wourkes appeare that as we are gloriouse gaye and ryche without our hartes are wretched deformed and full of pouertye wythin yes vndoubtedlye both in the presence of god and all godly men it is to to plain and euideÌ„t and that we are presently thereby among other euelles greately entred into the hatred of god Our Lord haue mercye vpon vs for his sonne Iesus Chrystes sake and temper oure heartes wyth the spirit of his feare that we may in al our doynges better consider our christen profession and declare it more holylie in our outward conuersatioÌ„ that the terrible thretnynges of gods vengeaunce do not light vpon vs. Temperance in the lyfe of a christiaÌ„ is a moste precious and bright shynynge vertue to shew forth gods glori and to declare the beautifull lyuely state of the christeÌ„ commen wealth It is a true sayenge that the wourdes countinaunce gesture and the apparell of the outward man expresseth plainelye the naturall disposition and lust of the inward man But what diuersitie is there now touching the present state of our liues betwixte vs VVe diffre nothinge froÌ„ the sodomites the most vyle people some tyme of the world that were moste detestable in the light of god for the gretnes of their wicked company and the multitude of their terrible synnes ouer whome god rained from heauen sulpher fyre brymstone wyth great darkenes and horrible stinch for their reward and destruction namely the filthy sodomites and stinking Gomorreans whose ioy and felicitie was in pride delicacie fulnes of meate abundaunce and ydlenes neither reached they their hande to the poore but were harde harted and pitiles and full of al fylthye abhomination Vnto whom in the fulnes of their pride and stynkyng felicitie the Prophetes of God preached repentance to tourne them from their great abhominatioÌ„ wickednes and to escape the heauye wrathe of God presentely hanging ouer them if they could haue preuailed whose heueÌ„ly doctrines from time to time sharpe threatninges geÌ„tle warnings faire promises from god offered vnto them Preaching preuailed not against the Sodomites The destruccion of the sodomites were no lesse bytter and vnsauery vnto theim then their accustomed haunted fleshlines or beastly filthines was pleasaunt and sweete vnto theim And so without leauing of or fearing daunger they stil contynued in their beastelye wickednes vntill the vnquencheable fyre of gods vengeaunce fell down vpon them to their perpetual confusion of body and soule The signe of whiche horrible destruccion and great veÌ„geance of god remayneth in the place vnts thys daye for an exaumple vnto the wycked inhabitours of the earthe wherebye they maye learne to knowe and feare the mighty at me of so terrible and iuste a God agaynst hys obstnate styffenecked VVe are carelesse of gods vengeaunce proude vncharitable and filthy enemies O howe careles also are we of such thinges Howe slacke and farre of are we from due cogitation of that mightie god and of his iustice that shoulde bee alwayes a terrour in our consciences And of his humilitie and great example also of loue lowlynesse cleannes and puritye that should mooue vs to charitie mekenes holynesse and chastitie Neyther consyder wee the frailtie rebellion and vilitie of our fickle and frayle flesshe VVe seeke not to vvith stande the rebellion and greate frailetie in our fleshe to withstand the corrupt motions therof that euer yeldeth to euyll and reeleth alwayes wyth greate daunger to fall Yea and other whyles the fall is suche as we maye here and knowe through our willfull presumption longe suffering lyngerynge daliaunce or fylthye wantonnes that it descendethe frome synne to sinne VVe fal thoroughe the flesh neuer to ryse againe and from one iniquitie to another tyll the staye of gods grace be vtterly takeÌ„ away so neuer to rise again but fal with the sinking Sodomites by what ordre of corporall deth so euer it be froÌ„ god to the deuel to eternal deth hel daÌ„pnacion for euer O pleasaunt purchaced end wourthy reward for such pleasures Hath it not ben as wel truly known as often spoken the sweete meate wil haue sharpe soure sauce haue we not also knowne that after a few vain short foolish pleasures there foloweth many bitter woful and endles miseries the after laughter ioy iolitie there foloweth lamentacion greuous cruel desteny that after health wealth and worldlye prosperitie there foloweth the troden trace of infelicitie And finally after an vnrepeÌ„tant wycked shorte lyfe there foloweth gods iuste iudgemeÌ„t to eternal death These thinges wel noted May we not thinke our tymes welle spente that serueth for so louely recompence For a fewe dayes of vain pleasures to enioy euer lasting paines Thou O man that art in such wise disobedient a contempner of god a refuser of hys grace or obstinate and heady agaynst hym that is so mightye so mercifull pitifull and gentle thou an apt folower of the deuel that is so merciles and cruell a tiraunts be thou well assured hereof that in thys case thorough thyne owne wylfull malyce and beastly obstinacie both their mindes shal be sette and ioyned together agaynste thee that is the one to wythdrawe hys mercye from thee God fotsaketh the refuser of his grace The deuell receiueth him and vtterly to forsake thee and the other maliciously to take thee and mercilesse to torment thee Thou shalt not deuise to do more wickedly then he wil prepare wayes to cruciate thee And thoughe thy tyme of fylthy pleasures and to do wickedly be but
Iere. 13. Act. 12. that is onelye wourthye all exaltation and glorye Let no mariesteeme more of him selfe then becommeth hym Erre not my brotherne Euerye good gifte and euery perfect gyste is from aboue cometh down froÌ„ the father of light Prou. 2. Iohn 3. We must be in submission therfore vnder the mighty haÌ„d of god that he in time to come may exalte vs For as God resisteth the proude Iacob â—â— so geueth he grace to the huÌ„ble Haue we not often experieÌ„ce of gods doings in his wrath the long before age or deth or other whiles by death for vnthankefulnesse sake the honourable of this world men in auctority are thrown down al theyr glory troden in the duste Psal 14â— that of tyche men there haue becomme poore men Of the vs neglorious most witty and wise personnes 1 Cor. â— theyr wysedomes are tourned to foolyshnes that healthfull and stronge menne by syckenes and manye daungers are made weake and enfeebled that of semelye personages becommeth deformed creatures Yea and of faire faces lothesome and fowle visages Are not these the wourkes of God to a good ende wourthye the notinge of vs And yf we only consider the state of our flesh wherein we so greatly glorye and delight Gene 6 Râ—m 〈◊〉 nourysshing it and settinge it forth wythoute respect of charge what are we What appeareth in vs Are we any thing els theÌ„ erthly creatures in the haÌ„ds of that creatour and as the clay pot in the handes of the potter Are oure bodyes anye other then earthly vesselles duelye proportioned of the maker Iob. 10. VVhat vve are toâ—â—â— my only the fleshe couered wyth skynne and fleshe and ioined together wyth synewes and bones Eyther are we any better then very dungeons of darkenes vile donghilles of all filthynes and stinche wourmes meate and a fowle synke or puddle that floweth wyth infections and all noysome corruptions Are not our bodies flesh and bloude of lesse substaunce thenne shadowes The shornes of mannes lyfe our lyues more swiftlye vanishynge then the smoke or of as shorte contynuaunce as the sodayne ryuyttyng bubbles Are we not also compared for our shorte abydyng to the swift trace of a cloud to a consuming mist to a vapoure or smoke to a lighte flyeng lease to drye dustie stubble Sapi. 2. Iob 1â— to wythered hay or to the floures and grasse of the fielde whose flouryshyng times are but shorte and that the swaye of death in tyme by the sickle or sithe do lyghte vpon theim Psal 〈…〉 Eccle. 14 Iacob 1. 1. Pet. 1. Are not the cruell strokes of the ineuitable dart of death in all tymes frome the firste lyfe of the younge and tender infante vnto the last breath of the most old and crooked aged maÌ„ felte with most dolorous paÌ„ges to end this life What are al these discriptions vnto vs and innumerable suche other but familiar and lyuelye exaumples perfecte and true layinges to make vs myndefull of god to knowe well our selues and to remenbre oure ende to fashion our wylles to his wyll and to wythdrawe wythoute delaye oure fyxed hartes from vayne thinges Maye it no the thought verye madnes and a greate folye in vs to be vnmyndefull of suche thynges as wee daylye bothe feele and see or to be forgetfull of oure saylynge wyth paynfull trauailes It is greate follye not to remember the dangers of this life and that vve Shall dye thorough the great and daungerous perilles of this life And that wee are sodeynely at one becke commaunded in tyme of necessitie to take lande to discharge vs of oure flesh and to take the earth in the sepulcre The myghty lorde and creatoure the rightuouse god and iust iudge him selfe hath thus plainely determined against vs and hath geuen euer vs touching our end shorte and terrible sentence sayenge The determinate sentence of god Thou shalte dye the death Thys his briefe sentence is irrevecable It is not nowe but hath bene experimented vpon all fleshe from the begynnyng neyther wyl his ambassadour be corrupted in hys Embassage with gold nor siluer nor for the whole treasure vpon the earth to withdrawe one title or iote of hys commission Deathes extremities vvithoute respecte of personnes but wyll wyth all rygoure and sharpened execute the extremitie of hys apointed office not respectinge the vayne estate or stoughtnesse of anye personne violentelye he stryketh theym he cruellye wyth hys deadely darte yearceth their hartes in sonder he ryddeth theym of their lyues and rolleth theim together in the dust It is the fatal destiny of vs all earthly creatures that we must nedes dye we ar borne to dye And as we haue known the death of many so manye also shall knowe vs dye VVorldlye â—ros◠〈◊〉 We are nowe youthfull lyuelye and at lybertie healthfull wealthye and full of solitie we haue presently all thynges at pleasure and lyue in securitie yea we wysshe not for anye thynge but it frameth luckily suche is the good disposition of god otherwhiles vppon vs to put vs in remembraunce of hys goodnes wyth due reuerence and thankesgeuing but what doth thaÌ„ ensu 〈…〉 Note the vntowardnesse the cursed abuse and vnthankefulnes of mankind We are so rapte and ouer ronne wyth our own blindnes wyth obstinacy pryde and beastlye folly swymminge in vanities and earthly felicite that we are then forgetfull of god vnkynde vnreÌ„uerent stiffenecked and brutishe 〈…〉 And as wee at suche tymes are vnmyndefull of GOD and of death the messenger of god and thynke all thinges to be coch sure on our side saieng with in our selues tusshe let vs be mery let vs be iocunde lustye and liuely what impedimentes are there to the contrary we haue peace al thynges are safe we stande in no perel we thynke of no daunger we care for no chaunge wee passe of no warres wee remembre no famin neither pestilence or murrain we dread no subuersion nor feele none affliction So destruccion or sorow hastille approcheth vs or death immediatlye by the will of god cometh swiftlye vppon vs lyke an outragious and moste vehemente runnynge streame wyth hys terrible chastisementes and wyth hys impytuous and mooste roughe rorynge soundes of horroure and desperation renewinge into our conscyences the sharpo sentence of GOD sayenge vnto vs Thou shalte dye The 〈…〉 Thy time is nowe expired therfore nedes muste thou dye I death the messenger of the most high immortall and iuste GOD am sente vnto thee for thy presente confusion My charge and and comyssion is so grayghte agaynste thee that I maye not deferre to styfle thee or geeue thee thy deadly wounde Nay nay striuing preuaileth not ther is now no remedye for the swourde of god is wheâ— against the. What couldest thou not haue thought of thys before Hast thou not ben often aduertised to remembre the ende Hast thou not had by the doome of thy conscience often and sufficiente admonition of goddes
good name of god for such his fauorable most gracious doinges So again I must most greuously lament bewaile sorowfullye the fraile state of man through vnthankfulnes disorder of lyfe and great forgetfulnesâ— namely of goodes determination touchyng our short and familiar passage or th end of this life wherby with godly good vnderstanding we should alwais the better frame our selues in liuynge and with the more ioyfulnes peace quietnes of conscience that the terror of deth also shuld euer the lesse molest vs by whome we feele in oure selues that moste horrible and poysoned bitter stinge which so defileth and woundeth oure weake consciences drawynge vs to enemitye to impaciencie and rebellion to forgetfulnes to incredulitie and distruste of gods mercye wyth suche other euen the spottes and foule deformities of synne and iniquitie whereby also we muste iudge that iustly of our selues to be but the seruaÌ„tes of sin stand therfore in dauÌ„ger of gods wrathfull iudgemeÌ„t to eternal death and occasion therfore geuen to expresse wyth sorow and wo our most wretched and frayle estate feelinge in oure selues iuste reproche shame and confusion of face fearefull trembling deadly sighing bitter wayling most harty and inwarde gronynge for thys our weakenes and greate imperfection These thynges I saye thus consydered of vs how caÌ„ we in suche distres but lamente all the sorte of vs and say wyth groninge desires for grace and better memorye as subiectes continuallye in handes to the slaughter vnder suche a careles most pitiles and publique enemy O death deth thou most cruell and deadly aduersarye seeynge we are not at any tyme of power able to preuayl bodily against thee or with force to wythstande thee Iere. 13. Act. 12. nor can finde fauoure in thy sight to staye thee neyther canne wage thee by anye meanes to deferre thy doynges I woulde most ioyefully wyshe that we were at least so happye alwayes to remember thee for our health and felicitie as we continually haue experieÌ„ce of thee Prou. 1. Iohn 3. seeing we must assuredly and vnwares abide thy dint I say therfore how it is ordeined that we shal al die neither may we escape in the ende the force of deathe Iacob 5. For we plainly se from tyme to tyme that goddes power by death shal styfle our breath and fynyshe our ende Ah what shall we then sale Seynge there is no resystence agaynste the violente force of thys messenger deathe Psal 147. what shall we then vnreuerentlye agaynste god esteeme of our selues What shal then auaile amongest vs 1. Cor. 1. our vnprofitaÌ„ble and vayne studies and our busied heades for fantasies Where shall then become our nice and light affections our solitie our deyntie desires earthelye delyghtes What shall wee then gaine by our haught courage the moste foolyshe and vayne brute of stoughtnesse Where shall thenne lye our lifted vp heades our hygh lookes our forged canntynaunces our fayre faces and our stretched out neckes Euen there full lowely truely where our â—â—mble and fyne feete oure tripping toes and the whole body of erth shallye By the order and decaye of all things mâ—nes deathe is signified The ordre and state of al thinges vpon the earth beynge or lyuyng in theyr kynde vppon the earth dothe playnelye signifie vnto thee O thou man or woman euen in the middest of she ruste and folitie what thou arte and whereunto also thou shalte For as they are altogether but earthly verie vanitie transitorious and flitting sommetime beautifull and seemelye frethely in floures flourishyng youthfull frutefull and well pleasynge the eye healthfull puissaunte fortunate and happy to the contrarye in tyme foule and vnseemelye wythered and deformed â—loe and vnfrutefull infected enfebled Man is in the number of vayne thynges infortunate vnhappy So thou also in the numbre of vaine thinges although of greater estimation and price before god who hath endued thee wyth hys good graces and gyftes aboue all the rest of his creatures to hys prayse and thy ioye if thou well note it haste thine order and turnes in tymes prescribed thee nothyng auaileable to grounde vpon nothyng certain or sure nor neuer abide in one state God Goddes immortalitie is not more certayne then the mortalitie of man is certaine touchynge the state of hys most pure immortall and incomprehensible maiesty is not more certaine by hys own power for euer to endure and raigne in glory wyth his aungels and blessed sainctes in heauen worlde wythout ende then thou corruptible mortall and earthelye creature shalt here holde thy felicity but earthly and at aduenture nothynge certayne nor stable nothyng pleasaunte or sweete nor nothynge wourthye any hungrys delyghte whereunto thou maiest happily cleaue or leaue of assuraÌ„ce but altogether shal be vnto the but vnstable lightnes vanity very foÌ„dnes misery and most certainlye to ende It maye well bee sayth of those that onely seke this lyfe and glory in the pleasures of thys worlde they folowe but fantasies and a vayne shad owe Whyche when they thynke to be surest of vanyssheth away and is nothynge For let vs nener so muche applye to thys lyfe beewrappe oure selues Vayne trauell frame fashion and flatter oure selues wyth the vayns delyghtes thereof and seeke by al meanes possyble to now sell and stablysâ—he oure selues therein in vayne and most foolyshe shall be our trauaile we haue our tymes prescribed to dye we are al planted within the limits of death all flesshe is but as grasse death muste be oure ende frome the earthe we came yea verye earth we are And as we beynge but earthe were bredde in the entrayles of the earth and are nourished vppon the earthe and by the earthe so are we also cyted by deathe to retourne to the earthe agayne For the graue muste bee oure house Eccle. 11. Psal 104. Iob. 16. Iob. 7. and from whense also wee shall neuer retourne agayne vntill the day of Christes generall iudgemente Neyther shall oure eyes see any more the vayne piâ—asures of the earthe O full well described Ieremy of oure vnstable lumpysshe and moste grosse nature Iere. 22. and of the shorte contynuaunce of our lyues when he called vnto vs in fewe wourdes faleng O thou earth earth earth And as we earthlye creatures are not able to saye that we holde any thynge certaine in this lyfe whether it be life yt selfe tymes belongynge to lyfe or thinges necessary for this life so there is nothynge so certayne against life Luke 12. as death though the times of death be vn certayne in what kynde so euer we sustayne hys force either in bedde or out of bedde by force of lawe by dinte of swourd by rage of fyre by peril of water or by innumerable other wais and casuall chaunces vnder all whiche Roma 5. Hebre. 9. we liue in subiection to dye And notwithstandinge that wyth greate griefe and careful studies in the fiesh we rub thorough
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