to you Iohn 6 that beleue in the name of the sonne of God that you may know that you haue euerlastinge lyfe and that you doe beleue vpon the name of the sonne of God And our sauiour CHRISTE sayth he that beleueth in me hath lyfe euerlastynge and I wyll rayse him from death to life Iohn 6 at the laste daye 1 Cor. 1 S. Paule also sayth that CHRISTE is ordeyned and made of God our righteousnes oure holynes and redemption to the intente that he whyche will glory should glory in the LORDE S. Paul did contemne and set litle by al other thinges esteming them as dunge whiche before he had in very greate pryce that he might be founde in CHRIST to haue euerlastinge life true holynes righteousnes and redemption Finallye S. Paule maketh a playne argument in this wyse Cellos 3 If our heauenly father would not spare his owne natural sonne but dyd geue him to deathe for vs howe can it be that with hym he should not geue vs all thinges Therfore yf we haue CHRIST then haue we with hym and by hym all good thinges whatsoeuer we canne in oure heartes wysh or desyre as victory ouer death synne and hel we haue the fauoure of God peace with hym holinesse wysedome iustice power lyfe and redemption we haue by hym perpetuall health wealth ioye and blisse euerlastinge ¶ The seconde part of the 〈◊〉 of the feare of death IT hath ben heretofore she wed you that there be three causes wherfore men do coÌ„monly feare death Fyrst the sorowful departing from worldly goods pleasure The second the feare of the panges paynes that come with death Last and principall cause is the horrible feare of extreme miserie perpetual damnacion in time to come And yet none of these thre causes troubleth good men because they staye theÌ„ selues by true fayth perfit charitie sure hope of the endelesse ioy and blisse euerlastyng Al those therfore haue gret cause to be ful of ioy that be ioyned to Christe with true faith stedfaste hope perfect charitie not to fere death nor euer lasting daÌ„nation For death cannot depriue theÌ„ of Iesu Christ nor any sinne can condemne theÌ„ that are graffed surely in him which is their only ioy treasure lyfe Let vs repent our sinnes amende our liues trust in his mercy satisfactioÌ„ death can neither take hym from vs nor vs from hym For theÌ„ as s Paule saith whether we liue or dye we be the lordes owne And again he saith Rom. xiiii Christ did die rose againe because he shuld be lord both of the dead quicke TheÌ„ if we be the lordes owne when we be dead it must nedes folow that such teÌ„porall death not only cannot harme vs but also that it shal much be to our profite ioyne vs vnto god more perfectly And therof the ChristiaÌ„ heart may surely be certified by the infallible or vndeâ—â—â—â—â—ble trueth of holy scripture It is God 〈…〉 Paul which hath prepared vs vnto 〈…〉 the same is he which hath geuen vs an earnesse of the spirite Therfore let vs be alwayes of good comfort for we know that so long as we be in the body we be as it were farre froÌ„ god in a strange countrey subiect to many perilles walking with out perfect syght knowledge of almighty God onely seing him by faith in holy scriptures But we haue a courage desire rather to bee at home with God our sauiour Christ farre from the body where we may beholde his God head as he is face to face to our euerlastyng comforte These be S. Paules wordes in effect Pebre xiii wherby we may perceiue that the life in this world is reseÌ„bled lykened to a pilgrimage in a straunge countrey farre from god that death deliuering vs from our bodyes doth sende vs straight home into our owne countrey maketh vs to dwel presently with god for euer in euerlasting rest quietnes So that to dye is no losse but profite winninge to all true christen people What loste the thiefe that hanged on the crosse with Christ by his bodely death yea how much dyd he gayne by it Luk. xxiii Did not our sauiour say vnto him this day thou shalt be with me in Para dise And Lazarus that pitifull person that laye before the riche mans gate Luke .xvi. payned with sores pyned with hunger dyd not death hyghly prosite and promote hym Which by the ministery of Angels sent hym vnto Abrahams bosome a place of rest ioy and heauenly consolation Let vs thinke none other good Christen people but Christ hath prepared and made ready before the same ioy and felicitie for vs that he prepared for Lazarus the thiefe Wherfore let vs sticke vnto his saluation and gracious redemptioÌ„ beleue his word serue him from our heartes loue obey him whatsoeuer we haue done heretofore coÌ„trary to his moste holy Wyl now let vs repent in tyme heareafter study to correct our lyfe doubt not but we shall fynd him as merciful vnto vs as he was eyther to Lazarus or to the thiefe whose examples ar writteÌ„ in holy seripture for the comfort of theÌ„ that be sinners subiect to sorowes miseries calamities in this world that they shuld not dispayre in gods mercy but euer trust therby to haue forgeuenes of their sinnes life euerl â—sting as Lazarus the thiefe hadde Thus I trust euery christen maÌ„perceiueth by the infaflible or vndeceauable word of God that bodely death cannot harme nor hynder theÌ„ that truly beleue in Christ but contrary shall profite promote the christen soules which being truely penitent for their offences depart hence in perfect charitie in sure trust that God is mercifull to theÌ„ forgeuing theyr sinnes for the merites of Iesus Christ his onely naturall sonne The seconde cause why some do feare death The secoÌ„d cause why some do fere death is fore sickenes and greuous paynes which partely come before death partly accoÌ„panieth or cometh with death whensoeuer it commeth This feare is the feare of the frayle fleshe and a naturall passion belongyng vnto the nature of a mortal man But true faith in Gods promises and regarde of the paynes panges which Christ vpon the crosse suffered for vs miserable sinners with consideracion of the ioye euerlastynge lyfe to come in heaueÌ„ wil mitigate asswage lesse those paines moderate or bryng into a meane this feare that it shall neuer be able to ouerthrowe the heartye desyre gladnes the the Christian soule hath to be seperated froÌ„ this corrupt body that it may come to the gracious presence of our sauiour Iesus Christ If we beleue stedfastly the word of god we shal perceyue that such bodely sicknes panges of death or what soeuer dolorous paynes we suffer eyther before or with death be nothing els in christen men but the rodde of our heauenly louyng
and oppresse with pouertie syckenesse or some other aduersitie yet they doo feare death partelyâ— because the fleshe abhorreth naturally his owne sorowfull dissolution whiche death doth threaten vnto them and partelye by reason of such â—â—â—sses and payneful diseases whiche be moste stronge panges and agonies in the flesh and vse commonly to come to sycke men before death or at the leaste accompany death whensoeuer it commeth Although these two causes seme great weighty to a worldly man wherupon he is moued to fear death yet there is another cause much greater then ani of these afore rehersed for which in dede he hath iust cause to feare death and that is the state condition wherunto at the laste ende death bringeth al them that haue theyr heartes fixed vpoÌ„ this world without repentance and amendment This state condition is called the second death whiche vnto al such shall insue after this bodely death And this is that death which in dede ought to be dred feared for it is an euerlasting losse without remedy of the grate and fauour of GOD and of euerlastynge ioye pleasure and felicitie And it is not only the losse for euer of all these eternall pleasures but also it is the condemnation both of body and soule without eyther appellation or hope of redemption vnto euerlastynge paynes in hell Vnto this state death sente the vnmerciful and vngodly ryche man that Luke speaketh of in his gospel Luk 16 who liuinge in al wealthe and pleasure in this worlde and cheryshing himself daylye with dayntye fare and gorgeous apparell despysed poore Lazarus that laye pitifullye at his gate myserably plagued and full of soores and also greuously pyned with hunger Both these two were arrested of death whyche sent Lazarus the poore miserable man by aungels anone vnto Abrahams bosome a place of rest pleasure and consolation But the vnmerciful riche man descended doune into hel beinge in tormentes he cried for comforte complaininge of the intollerable payne that he suffered in the flame of fyre but it was to late So vnto this place bodely death sendeth all them that in this worlde haue theyr ioye felycitie al theÌ„ that in this worlde be vnfaythfull vnto GOD and vncharitable vnto their neighbours so dyinge without repentaunce and hope of GODS mercye Wherefore it is no meruayle that the worldly man feareth death for he hath much more cause so to do then he hym selfe doeth consydre The first Thus we se thre causes why worldly men feare â—eathe One beecause they shall lose thereby theyr worldely honoures riches possessions and all theyr heartes desyres Another Seconde because of the paynefull diseases and bitter pangues which commonly men suffre eyther before or at the time of death but the chiefe cause aboue al other Thyrde is the dreade of the myserable state of eternal damnation both of body and soule which they feare shal folow after theyr departing out of the worldly pleasures of this present lyfe For these causes be al mortal men which be geuen to the loue of this world both in feare state of death through sin as the holy Apostle saith so long as they liue here in this worlde Heâ—â—◠〈◊〉 But euerlastynge thankes bee to almyghtye God for euer there is neuer one of al these causes no nor yet they altogether that can make a true Christian man altayde to dye which is the very membre of CHRIST 1 Co◠〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of the holy gost the son of God the very inherit ours of the euerlasting kingdom of heauen but playâ—â—â— contrary be conceiueth great and many causes vndoubtedlye grounded vpon the infallible and euerlastynge trueth of the worde of GOD whiche moue him not only to put away the feare of bodely death but also for the manyfolde benefyttes and synguler commodities which ensue vnto euerye faythful person by reason of the same to wyshe desyre and long heartely for it For death shall be to hym no death at al but a very deliueraunce from death froÌ„ al paines cares and sorowes myseries and wretchednesse of this worlde and the very entry into reste and a begynnyng of euerlasting ioye a tastyng of heauenlye pleasures so greate that neither toungue is able to expresse neither eye to see nor eare to heare them no nor for any earthly mans hearte to conceiue theim So exceding greate benefites they be whiche God oure heauenly father by his mere mercy and for the loue of his sonne IESVS CHRIST hath layed vp in store and prepared for them that humbly submytte them selues to Gods wil and euer more vnfaynedly loue hym from the botome of theyr heartes And we ought to beleue that death being slayne by CHRIST cannot kepe any manne that stedfastlye trusteth in CHRISTE vnder his perpetual tiranny subiectioÌ„ but that he shall ryse from death agayne vnto glory at the laste daye appoynted by almighty God lyke as CHRISTE our head dyd ryse agayne accordynge to Gods appointement the thyrde daye For saynete Augustine sayth The head goyng before the membres trust to folowe and come after And S. Pauls sayeth if Christe be rysen from the deade wee shall ryse also from the same And to comfort all Christen persones herein holy Scripture calleth this bodely death a slepe wherin mans senses be as it were taken from hym for a season yet when he awaketh he is more freshe then he was when he went to bed So although wee haue our soules seperated frome our bodyes for a season yet at the generall resurrection we shal be more freshe beautifull and perfecte then we be now For now we be mortal theÌ„ we shal be immortall now infecte with diuerse infirmities then clearely voide of all mortall infyrmities nowe we be subiecte to al carnall desyres then we shal be all spirituall desyring nothing but Gods glory and thinges eternal Thus is this bodely death a doore or entring vnto life therefore not so muche dreadful if it be rightly considered as it is comfortable not a mischief but a remedy of al mischief no enemy but a frend not a cruel tyraunte but a gentle guide leadinge vs not to mortalitie but to immortalytye not to sorowe and payne but to ioye and pleasure and that to endure for euer if it be thankfully taken and accepted as gods messenger pacientlye borne of vs for Christes loue that suffered moste payneful death for oure loue to redeme vs from death eternall Accordynge herunto Sayncte Paule sayeth oure lyfe is hid with Christe in God Rom â— but when oure lyfe shall appeare then shal we also appere with him in glory Why then shal we feare to die considering the manifold and comfortable promises of the gospel of holye scriptures Iohn 6 God the father hath geuen vs euerlasting lyfe sayth S. Iohn and this lyfe is in his sonne he that hath the sonne hath lyfe and he that hath not the son hath not life And tâ—â— I wrâ—â—â— sayeth S. Iohn
father wherwith he mercifully correcteth vs eyther to trye and declare the faith of his pacient children that they may be found laudable glorious and honorable in his sight when Iesus Christ shal be openly shewed to be the iudge of all the world or els to chastice and amende in theÌ„ whatsoeuer offendeth his fatherly gracious goodnes least they should perishe euerlastingly And this his correcting rod is common to all them that be truely his Therfore let vs caste away the burden of sinne that lyeth to heauy in our neckes and returne vnto God by true penaunce amendement of our liues Lette vs with pacience runne this course that is appoynted suffering for his sake that dyed for our saluacion all sorowes panges of death and death it selfe ioyfully when God sendeth it to vs hauyng our eyes fyred set fast euer vpon the head captaine of our faith Iesus Christ Who considering the ioy that he shulde come vnto cared neither for the shame nor payne of death but wyllyngly conforming and framyng his wyll to his fathers wyll most paciently suffered the most shamefull and paynefull death of the crosse Phil. ii beinge innocent and harmelesse And nowe therfore he is exalted in heauen euerlastynglye sitteth on the right hand of the throne of God the father Lette vs call to our remembraunce therefore the lyfe and ioyes of heauen that are kept for all them that paciently do suffer here with Christ and consydre that Christ suffered all his paynefull passion by sinners and for synners and then we shall with pacience and the more easelye suffer such sorowes and paynes when they come Let vs not set at lyght the chastysynge of the Lorde nor grudge at hym nor fall from hym when of hym we be corrected for the Lorde loueth them whom he doeth correcte and beateth euery one whom he taketh to be his childe What chylde is that sayth Saint Paule whom the father loueth Hebrâ— xii and doeth not chastice If ye be without Goddes correction which al his welbeloued and true children haue then be you but bastardes smally regarged of god and not his true chyldren Therfore seing that when we haue in earth our carnall fathers to be our correctours we do feare them and reuerentlye take theyr correction shall we not muche more be in subiection to God oure spirituall father by whom we shall haue euerlastyng lyfe And our carnal fathers sometyme correct vs euen as pleaseth them without cause but this father iustelye correcteth vs either for oure sinne to the intent we shoulde amende or for our commoditie and wealth to make vs therby parttakers of his holynesse Furthermore all correctioÌ„ which God sendeth vs in this preseÌ„t tyme semeth to haue no ioy and comfort but sorowe payne yet it bryngeth with it a taste of Gods mercy and goodnesse towardes them that be so corrected and a sure hope of gods euerlastyng consolatioÌ„ in heauen If then these sorowes diseases sickenesses and also death it selfe be nothing els but our heauenlye fathers rod wherby he certitieth vs of his loue gracious fauour wherby he trieth and purifieth vs wherby he geueth vnto vs holynes and certifieth vs that we be his children he our mercifull father shall not we then withall humilitie as obedient louyng children ioyfully kysse oure heauenly fathers rod and euer say in our hearte with our sauiour Iesus Christ Father if this anguishe and sorowe which I fele death which I se approche Mat. xxvi maye not passe but that thy wyll is that I must suffer them thy wyll be done ¶ The thyrde part of the Sermon of the feare of death IN this Sermon agaynste the feare of death twoo causes were declared which commonly moue worldly men to be in much feare to dye yet the same do nothynge trouble the faithfull and good lyuers when death commeth but rather geueth them occasion greatly to reioyce considering that they shal be delyuered from the sorow and miserie of this world and be brought to the great ioy and felicitie of the lyfe to come The third cause why death is to be feared Nowe the thyrde and speciall cause why death in dede is to be feared is the miserable state of the worldly vngodly people after theyr death But this is no cause at all why the Godly and faythfull people should feare death but rather contrarywyse theyr Godly conuersation in this lyfe beliefe in Christ cleauyng continually to his merites should make theÌ„ to long sore after that lyfe that remaineth for them vndoubtedly after this bodely death Of this immortall state after this transitory lyfe where we shall lyue euermore in the presens of God in ioy and reste after victory ouer all sickenesse sorowes sinne death there be many both playne places of holye scripture which confirme the weake coÌ„science againste the feare of al such dolours sickenesses sinne and bodely death to asswage such tremblyng and vngodly feare and to encorage vs with comfort and hope of a blessed â—ate after this lyfe Ephe. i. Saint Paule wisheth vnto the Ephesians that God the father of glory woulde geue vnto them the spirite of wisdome reuelation that the eyes of theyr heartes myght geue lyght to knowe hym and to perceiue howe great thynges he had called them vnto and howe riche inheritaunce he hath prepared after this lyfe for them that perteyne vnto hym Philip. i. And Saint Paule hym selfe declareth the defyre of his heart which was to be dissolued and loosed from his body and to be with Christ which as he said was muche better for hym although to them it was more necessary that he shoulde lyue whiche he refused not for theyr sakes Euen lyke as saint Martin sayde Good Lorde yf I be necessary for thy people to do good vnto them I wyll refuse no labour but els for mine owne selfe I besech thee to take my soule Now the holy fathers of the olde lawe and all faithfull righteous men which departed before our sauiour Christes ascention into heaueÌ„ dyd by death depart from troubles vnto rest froÌ„ the handes of their enemies into the handes of God from sorowes and sickenesses vnto ioyful refreshing into Abrahams bosome a place of all comforte and consolation Sapi. iii. as scriptures do plainely by manifest wordes testifie The boke of wisedome saith that the righteous mens soules be in the hand of god and no torment shal touche them They seemed to the eyes of folishe men to dye and theyr death was counted miserable and theyr departynge out of this worlde wretched but they be in reste And an other place saith that the righteous shall lyue for euer theyr rewarde is with the lorde theyr myndes be with god who is aboue all Therefore they shall receiue a glorious kyngdome a beawtiful crowne Sapi. iiii at the Lordes hand And in an other place the same boke saith the righteous thought he be
preuented with sodaine death neuerthelesse he shal be there where he shal be refreshed Of Abrahams bosome Chrystes wordes be so playne that a christian man nedeth no more profe of it Nowe then if this were the state of the holye fathers and righteous men before the commyng of our sauiour before he was glorified how much more then ought all we to haue a stedfast faith a sure hope of this blessed state and condicion after our death Seing that our sauiour nowe hath perfourmed the whole worke of our redemption and is gloriouslye ascended into heauen to prepare our dwellyng places with hym Ioh. xvii and sayd vnto his father Father I wyll that where I am my seruauntes shal be with me And we knowe that whatsoeuer Christ wyll his father wyll the same wherefore it cannot be but if we be his faithful sernauntes oure soules shal be with him after our departing out of this present life Sainct Stephin when he was stoned to death euen in the middest of his tormentes what was his minde moste vpon When he was ful of the holy gost Acâ—â—â— vâ—â— saieth holy scripture hauing his eies lifted vp into heauen he sawe the glory of god and Iesus standinge on the righte hande of god The whiche trueth after he had confessed boldly before the enemies of Christ they drew him out of the citie and there they stoned him who cried vnto God sayinge Lorde Iesu Christe take my spirite And doeth not our sauiour say playnly in S. Iohns gospel Verely verely I say vnto you he that heareth my worde and beleueth on him that seÌ„t me hath euerlasting life cummeth not into iudgement Iohn .v. but shal passe from death to life Shal we not then thinke that death to be precious by the whiche we passe vnto life Therefore it is a true saying of the Prophete the death of the holy and righteous men 〈◊〉 cxvi is precious in the lordes sight Holy Simeon after that he had his heartes desier in seing our sauiour that he euer longed for al his life he embraced or toke him in his armes and said Now lord let me departe in peace Luke â—â— for mine eies haue beholden that sauiour whiche thou hast prepared for al nacions It is trueth therfore that the death of the righteous is called peace and the benefite of the Lord Psal cxiiii as the churche saieth in the name of the righteous departed out of this world my soule turne thee to chyreste for the Lorde hath bene good to thee and rewarded thee And we see by holye scripture other auncient Histories of Martirs that the holy faithful and righteous euer sins Christes ascencion or going vp in their death did not doubt but that they went to be with Christ in spirite whiche is our lyfe health wealth saluacion Iohn in his holy reuelacion saw an C. xl and .iiii. M. virgins innocentes of whom he sayd Epo xiiii these folowe the laÌ„be Iesu Christe whersoeuer he goeth And shortely after in the same place he saieth I heard a voice from heauen saying vnto me write happy and blessed ar the dead which die in the lord from henceforth surely saieth the spirite thei shal rest from their paines and labours for their workes doe folowe them So that then they shal reape with ioy and comfort that which they sowed with labors and paynes They that sow in the spirite of the spirite shal reape euerlasting life Let vs therfore neuer be werye of well doing for when the time of reaping or reward commeth we shal reape without any werines euerlastinge ioye â—ola vi Math. vi Therefore while we haue time as S. Paule exhorteth vs let vs doe good to all men and nor laye vp our treasures in earth where ruste and mothes corrupt it Iames .v. which rust as S. Iames sayeth shall beare witnesse agaynst vs at the great day coÌ„demie vs and shall like moste brenninge fier tormente our fleshe Let vs beware therfore as we teÌ„der our owne wealth that we be not in the number of those miserable couetousse and wretched menne whiche S. Iames byddeth mourne and lament for theyr gredye gatherynge and vngodlye kepynge of goodes Lette vs be wyfe in tyme and learne to folowe the wyse example of the wicked stewach Let vs so wisely order our goodes and possessions committed vnto vs here by god for a season that we may truely heare and obeye thys commaundemente of our sauioure Chryste I saye vnto you sayeth he make you frendes of the wicked Mammon Luke xvi that they may receiue you into euerlastinge tabernacles or dwellynges Richesse he calleth wicked beecause the world abuseth them vnto al wickednes which at otherwise the good gifte of God the instrumentes wherby goddes seruauantes doe truely serue hym in vsing of the same He commaunded theÌ„ not to make them riche frendes to gette highe dignities and worldly promotions to geue greate giftes to ryche men that haue no nede therof but to make them freÌ„des of poore and miserable men vnto whom whatsoeuer they geue Chryst taketh it as geuen to himselfe And to these freÌ„des Christ in the gospel geueth so great honor and preeminence that he sayeth they shall receyue them that doe good vnto them into euerlasting houses not that meÌ„ shal be ourrewarders for our wel doyng but that Chryst wil rewarde vs and take it to be doen vnto himselfe whatsoeuer is doen to suche frendes Thus makyng poore wretches our frendes we make oure sauioure Chryste oure frende whose meÌ„bers they are whose miserye as he taketh for hys owne myserye so theyr relyefe succoure and helpe he taketh for hys succoure relyefe and helpe and wyll asmuche thanke vs and rewarde vs for oure goodnes shewed to them as if he himselfe had receiued lyke benefyte at oure handes as be wytnesseth in the gospel 〈◊〉 xxv saying whatsoeuerye haue doeÌ„ to any of these simple persons whiche dooe beleue in me that haue ye doen to my self Therfore let vs diligently foresee that oure faith and hope whiche we haue conceiued in almightie god and in our sauiour Christ waxe not fainte nor that the loue whiche we beare in hande to beare to him waxe not colde but let vs study daily and diligently to shew oure selues to be the true honourers louers of god by kepinge of his commaundementes by doing of good dedes vnto our nedy neighbours releuing by all meanes that we can their pouertie with oure aboundaunce and plenty their ignoraunce with our wisedom and learning and comforte their v eakenes wyth oure strength aucthoritie calling all men backe froÌ„ euill doing by godlye counsaile and good exaÌ„ple perseuering still in well doing so long as we lyue So shall we not nede to feare death for any of those thre causes afore meÌ„cioned nor yet for any other cause that can be imagined But contrary considering the manifold sickenesses troubles and sorowes of this present life the daungers of this
¶ Certayne Sermons appoynted by the Quenes Maiestie to be declared and read by all Persones Vycars and Curates euery Sonday and holy daye in theyr Churches And by her Graces aduyse perused ouersene for the better vnderstandyng of the simple people Newly Imprynted in partes accordyng as is mencioned in the booke of Commune prayers Anno. M.D.L .ix. Cum priuilegio Regiae Maiestatis OMNIA DESVPER R.I. ¶ A taâ—â—e of the Sermons conteyned in this present volume i A Fruitefull exhortacion to the readyng of holy scripture ii Of the misery of al mankynd iii Of the saluacion of all mankynde iiii Of the true and lyuely fayth v Of good workes vi Of Christian loue and charitie vii Agaynst swearyng and periury viii Of the declynyng from god ix An exhortacion agaynst the feare of death x An exhortacion to obedience xi Agaynst whordome and adulterye xii Agaynst strife and contention Finis tabulae COnsydering howe necessary it is that the worde of GOD which is the onely foode of the soule and that moste excellent lyght that we muste walke by in this our moste daungerous pilgrimage should at all conuenient tymes be preached vnto the people that therby they may bothe learne theyr duetie towardes God theyr Prynce and theyr neighbours accordyng to the mynde of the holy ghoste expressed in the scriptures And also to auoyde the manifolde enormities whiche hearetofore by false doctrine haue crepte into the Churche of God and howe that all they whiche are appoynted ministers haue not the gyft of prechyng sufficiently to instruct the people which is commytted vnto them whereof great inconueniences myght ryse and ignoraunce styll be mayntayned yf some honeste remedye be not speedely founde and prouyded The Quenes moste excellent Maiestie tenderynge the foule health of her louyng subiectes and the quietynge of theyr consciences in the chiefe and pryncypall poyntes of Christian Religion and wyllyng also by the true settyng foorth and pure declaryng of Gods word which is the principall guyde and leader vnto all godlynesse and vertue to expell and dryue aware aswell all corrupt vicious and vngodly lyuynâ— as also erronious and poysoned doctrines tâ—â—â—dyng to superfficion and Idolatry hath by thâ—â—uyse of her moste honourable comisâ—â—◠〈…〉 her discharge in this behalfe caused a 〈…〉 â—â—melies which heretofore was sette 〈…〉 moste louynge Brother a Prince of moste worthy memorye Edward the syxt to be prynted a newe wherein are conteyned certaine wholsome and godly exhortacions to moue the people to honour and worshyppe almyghty God and diligently to serue hym euery one accordynge to theyr degree state and vocation All whiche Homelies her Maiestie commaundeth and strayghtly chargeth all persons vycars curates and all other hauyng spirituall cure euery Sonday and holy day in the yere at the ministryng of the holy communion or if there be no Communion ministred that day yet after the Gospell and Crede in suche order and place as is appoynted in the booke of Common prayers to reade and declare to theyr paryshyoners playnely and distinctly one of the sayde Homelies in such order as they stande in the booke except there be a Sermon according as it is inioyned in the boke of her hyghnesse Iniunctions and then for that cause onely and for none other the readyng of the sayde Homelye to be differred vnto the next Sonday or holy day folowyng And wheÌ„ the foresayde booke of Homelies is read ouer her Maiesties pleasure is that the same be repeated and read agayne in such lyke sort as was before prescrybed Furthermore her hyghnesse coÌ„maundeth that notwithstandynge this order the sayde Ecclesiasticall persons shall reade her Maiesties Iniunctions at such tymes and in suche order as is in the booke thereof appoynted And that the Lordes prayer the Articles of the fayth and the ten commaundementes be openly readde vnto the people as in the sayde Iniunctions is specified that all her people of what degree or condicion so euer they be maye learne howe to Inuocate and call vpon the name of Godde knowe what duetie they owe both to God man So that they maye pray belieue and worke accordyng to knowledge whyle they shall lyue heare and after this lyfe be with him that with his bloud hath bought vs all To whom with the Father and the holy ghost be al honor and glory for euer AMEN 〈…〉 the â—eadyng and knowledge of holy Scripture The prais of holye scripture VNto a Christian man there can be nothyng eyther more necessary or profitable then the knowledge of holy scripture forasmuch as in it is conteyned Gods true word setting foorth his glory also mans duetie And there is no trueth nor doctrine necessary for our iustification The perfiction of holy scripture and euerlastyng saluation but that is or may be drawen out of that fountaine and wel of trueth Therfore as manye as be desyrous to enter into the ryght and perfect way vnto God The knowledge of holy scripture is necessary must apply theyr myndes to knowe holy scripture without the whiche they can neyther sufficiently knowe God and his wyll To whom the knowledge of holy scripture is swete and pleasaunt Who be enemies to holy scripture neyther theyr office duetie And as drynke is pleasaunt to them that be drye and meate to them that be hungry so is the readyng hearyng searchyng and studying of holy scripture to them that be desirous to knowe God or them selues to do his wyll And theyr stomackes onely do loth and abhorre the heauenly knowledge and foode of Gods worde that be so drowned in worldly vanities that they neyther fauour God nor any godlynesse For that is the cause why they desyre such vanities In apt similitude declarinâ— of whom the scripture is oâ—horrid rather then the true knowledge of God As they that are sicke of an ague whatsoeuer thei eate or drynke though it be neuer so pleasaunte yet it is as bytter to them as wormewood not for the bytternesse of the meate but for the corrupte 〈◊〉 â—ytter humour that is in theyr owne tongue â—â—â—nduth than so is the swetenesse of Gods worde bitter not of it selfe but onely vnto theÌ„ that haue theyr myndes corrupted with longe custome of sinne and loue of this worlde Therfore An â—â—â—â—tucion vnto the diligent redâ—â—dyng and scâ—rchâ—ng â—f the holy 〈…〉 forsaking the corrupt iudgement of fleshely men which care not but for theyr carhasse let vs reuerently heare and reade holye scriptures whiche is the foode of the soule Let vs diligently search for the well of lyfe in the bokes of the newe and olde Testament and not runne to the stynkyng puddels of mennes tradicions deuysed by mans imaginacion for our iustification and saluacion The holy scripture is a suffiâ—â—ent doctrâ—ne for ouâ— saluation What thynges we may learne 〈◊〉 the holy scriptâ—â—â— For in holy scripture is fully conteined what we ought to do and what to eschewe what to beleue what to loue what to loke for at
saye corrupte bothe the bodye and soule of manne and make them of the temples of the holy Ghoste the fylthye dunghill or dungeon of all vncleane spirites of the house of God the dwelling place of Sathan Agayne in the gospell of Saincte Iohn IhoÌ„ viii when the womanne taken in adulterye was broughte vnto Christe sayde not he vnto her Goe thy waye and sinne no more Dooeth not he here call whoredome sinne Rom. vi And what is the rewarde of sinne but euerlasting death If whoredome be sinne then is it not lawfull for vs to commit it 1. IhoÌ„ iii. For S. Iohn saieth hee that committeth synne is of the deuill And oure sauiour sayth euery one that coÌ„mytteth sinne is the seruauÌ„t of sinne Iohn viii Rom. vi If whordom had not bene sinne surely s Iohn Baptist would neuer haue rebuked kinge Herode for takinge hys brothers wife but he tolde him playnely that it was not lawful for him to take his brothers wife He winked not at the whoredome of Herode although he wer a kinge of great power but boldlye reproued him for his wicked and abhominable liuynge althoughe for the same he loste hys heade But he woulde rather suffer deathe then see God so dishonored by the breakinge of his holy precept or coÌ„maundemeÌ„t theÌ„ to suffer whoredom to be vnrebuked eueÌ„ in a king If whordom had been but a pastime a daliauÌ„ce a thing not to be passed of as many coumpt it now a daies truely Iohn had bene more then twise madde if he woulde haue had the displeasure of a kinge if he would haue bene cast in to prieson and loste his heade for a trifle But Iohn knew right wel how filthy stinkinge and abhominable the sinne of whoredom is in the sight of god therefore would not he leaue it vnrebuked no not in a kynge If whoredome bee not lawefull in a king neither is it lawefull in a subiect If whoredome bee not lawful in a publique or coÌ„mune officer neither is it lawful in a priuat persoÌ„ If it be not lawful neither in king nor subiecte neither in common officer nor priuate persoÌ„ truelye theÌ„ is it lawefull in no man nor woman of whatsouer degree or age they bee Furthermore Actes â—â—â— in the actes of the Apostles we reade that when the Apostles and elders with the whole congregacion were gathered together to pacyfye the hertes of the faithful dwelling at Antioche which wer disquieted through the false doctrine of certain Iewish preachers they sent worde to the brethren that it semed good to the holye ghoste and to them to charge them with no more then wyth necessarye thinges emonge other they willed them to abstayne from Idolatry and fornicacion from whiche sayde they if ye kepe your selues ye shall do well Note here howe these holy and blessed fathers of Christes churche woulde charge the congregacyon with no mo thynges then were necessarye Marke also how emong those thinges from the which they commaunded the brethren of Antioche to absteine fornication and whoredome is numbred It is therfore necessary by the determination and consente of the holy ghost and the apostles and elders with the whole congregacion that as from Idolatrye and superstytion so likewise wee muste absteyne from fornication and whoredom Is it necessary vnto saluation to absteine from Idolatry So is it to absteine froÌ„ whoredome Is there any nygher waye to leade into damnation then to be an Idolater No euen so neyther is there a nerer waye to damnacyon then to be a fornicatour and an whoremonger Nowe where are those people which so lightly esteme breaking of wedlocke whoredome fornication and adultery It is necessary sayeth the holy ghoste the blessed apostles the elders with the whole congregacion of Christe it is necessary to saluation say they to absteyne from whoredome If it be necessary vnto saluation then woe be to them whiche neglecting their saluacion geue their mindes to so fylthy stinking sinne to so wicked vice to suche detestable abhomination ¶ The second parte of the Sermon against Adultery YOu haue bene taught in the fyrste parte of this sermon agaynst adultery how that vice at this day reigneth most aboue all other vyces And what is meÌ„t by this worde adultery how holy scripture disswadeth or discouÌ„seyled from doing that filthy sinne finally what corruptioÌ„ cuÌ„meth to mans soule through the sinne of adultery Now to procede further let vs heare what the blessed apostle S. Paule saith to this matter Wryting to the Romaines he hath these woordes Rom. iiii Let vs cast away the workes of darknes put on the armours of light Let vs walke honestly as it were in the daye time not in eating and drynking neither in chaumbringes and wantonnes neyther in strife enuying but put ye on the lord Iesu Christe and make not prouision for the fleshe to fulfill the lustes of it Here the holy apostle exhorteth vs to cast away the workes of darkenesse whiche emonge other he calleth gluttonous eatynge drynking chaumberinge and wantonnesse whiche are all ministers vnto that vyce and preparacyons to induce and bringe in the fylthye synne of the fleshe Hee calleth them the dedes and workes of darkenesse not onely because they are customablye doone in darkenesse Ihon. iii. or in the night time for euery one that doth euyl hateth the light neither cummeth he to the light leste his workes should be reproued but that they leade the righte way vnto that vtter darkenes Mathe. xiii where wepynge and gnashinge of teeth shal be And he saieth in an other place of the same Epistle They that are in the fleshe can not please god We are detters not to the fleshe that we shoulde liue after the fleshe for if ye lyue after the fleshe â—o viii ye shal dye Agayne he sayeth flye from whoredome for euery synne that a manne committeth is without his body but whosoeuer coÌ„mitteth whoredome sinneth agaynst his own bodye Doe ye not knowe that youre membres are the temple of the holy ghoste whiche is in you whome also ye haue of god Cor. vi and ye are not youre owne For ye are derely boughte glorifie GOD in your bodyes c. And a little before he saieth Doe ye not knowe that your bodyes are the membres of Christe Shall I then take the membres of Christe make them the membres of an whore God forbid Do ye not know that he whiche cleueth to an whore is made one bodye with her There shal be two in one fleshe saieth hee but he that cleueth to the lord is one spirite What godlie reasoÌ„ns doth the blessed Apostle S. Paule bring forth here to disswade or discounseylle vs froÌ„ whoredome and all vnclennes youre membres sayeth hee are the temple of the holye ghoste whiche whosoeuer doth defile god wil destroy him as sayethe Saincte Paule If we be the temple of the holye goste howe vnsitting then is it to dryue that holy spirite froÌ„ vs throughe
at this presente abhorreth all maner of vncleannesse no lesse then he did in the olde lawe and will vndoubtedly punishe it both in this world and in the worlde to come â—â—ful v. For he is a God that can abide none wickednesse therefore oughte it to bee eschewed of all that tendre the glory of God and the saluacion of their owne soules Saincte Paule saieth i Cor. x. al these thinges are wriâ—ten for oure example and to teache vs the feare of god and the obedience to his holy lawe For if god spared not the naturall branches neither will he spare vs that be but graftes if wee commit like offence If god destroied many thousandes of peopâ—â— many cities yea the whole world for whoredom let vs not flatter our selues and thinke we shall escape fre and without punishement For he hathe promised in his holy lawe to sende most grieuous plagues vpon them that transgresse or breake his holy commaundementes Thus haue we hearde howe God â—unisheth the sinne of adultery let vs nowe heare â—ertaine lâ—â—es whiche the ciuil Magistrates deuised in diuerse couÌ„treyes for the punishment therof that we may learne how vnclennes hath euer bene detested in all well ordred cities and commen wealthes and emonge all honeste persons The lawe emong the Lepreians was this that wheÌ„ any were taken in adultery Lawes deâ—â—sed for â—unishment â—f whordoÌ„ they were bound and caried thre daies through the citie and afterwarde as longe as they liued were they despised and with shame and confusion coumpted as persones voide of all honestye Emonge the Locrensians the adulteres haue bothe their eyes thruste oute The Romanes in times paste punished whoredome sometime by fire sometime by sweorde If a manne emonge the Egipcians hadde been taken in adulterie the lawe was that he shoulde openly in the presence of al the people be scourged naked with whippes vnto the numbre of a thousande stripes The woman that was taken with him had hert nose cutt of whereby she was knowen euer after to bee an whore and therfore to be abhorred of all men Emong the Arabians they that wer taken in adultery hadde their heades striken from their bodies The AtheniaÌ„s punished whoredome by death in like maner So likewise did the Barbarous Tartarians Emonge the Turkes euen at this day they that be taken in adultery both man and womaÌ„ are stoned streightwaies to death without mercy Thus see we what godlye actes wer deuised in times past of the high powers for the putting away of whoredome for the maintaining of holi matrimony or wedlock pure coÌ„uersacion And the auctors of these actes were no Christians but heathen yet were they so enflamed wyth the loue of honestye and purenes of life that for the maintenaunce and conseruacioÌ„ or keping vp of that they made godly statutes suffering nether fornicacion nor adultery to reigne in their realmes vnpunished Christ said to the people the Niniuites shal rise at the iudgement Luke xi with thys nacion meaning the vnfaithful Iewes shal condemne theÌ„ For they repeÌ„ted at the preachyng of Ionas but behold saith he a greater than Ionas is here meaning himself and yet they repent not Shal not thinke you likewise the Locrensians Arabians Athenians with suche other rise vp at the iudgemente and condemne vs forasmuch as they seaced from whoredom at the coÌ„maundement of man and we haue the lawe and manifest preceptes and commaundementes of god and yet forsake we not our filthy conuersacion Truelye truely it shal be easier at the day of iudgement to these heathen theÌ„ to vs except we repent and amend For although death of body semeth to vs a grieuous punishment in this world for whoredome yet is that payne nothing in coÌ„parisoÌ„ of the grieuous tormeÌ„tes which adulters fornicatours and al vncleane persones shall suffer after thys lyfe For al suche shal be excluded and shut out of the kingdome of heauen as Saincte Paule sayeth be not deceiued 1. Cor. vi Golâ— v. Ephe. v. for neyther whoremoÌ„gers nor worshippers of Images nor adulterers nor softlynges nor sodomites nor threues nor couetousse persons nor dronkardes nor cursed speakers nor pyllers shall inherite the kingdome of God And S. Iohn in his reuelacion sayeth Epo xxi that whoremongers shall haue their parte with murderers sorcerers enchaunters liars idolaters suche other in the lake whiche burneth with fier brymstone which is the seconde death The punishmente of the bodye althoughe it be death hath an ende but the punishment of the soule which S. Iohn calleth the seconde death is euerlasting there shal be fier brimstone Mat xui Luke .iii. there shal be weping gnashing of teeth the worme that shal there gnaw the conscience of the damned shall neuer dye O whose heart distylleth not euen droppes of bloud to heare and consider these thynges If we tremble and shake at the hearing and naming of these paynes oh what shal thei doe that shall fele them that shall suffre them yea euer shall suffer worldes withoute ende God haue mercy vpoÌ„ vs. Who is now so drowned in sinne and paste all Godlynesse that he wyl set more by a filthy and stynkyng pleasure whych soone passeth away then by the losse of euerlastyng glorye Agayne who wyll so geue hymselfe to the lustes of the fleshe that he feareth nothyng at al the paynes of hell fier But let vs heare how we may eschewe the sinne of whordome and adulcery that we maye walke in the feare of god and be free from those most grieuous and in tollerable tormentes whyche abide al vncleane persons To auoyde fornicacion adulterye and all vnclennes let vs prouide Remecies whereby to auoyde fornicacion adulterye that aboue all thynges we maye kepe our heartes pure and cleane from al euil thoughtes and carnal lustes For if that be once infected and corrupte we fall headlong into al kynde of vngodlynesse Thys shall we easelye doe if when we fele inwardlye that Sathan oure olde enemye tempteth vs vnto whoredome we by no meanes coÌ„sente to hys craftye suggestions but valyauntly resyste and withstande hym by stronge faythe in the worde of God aleadgynge a gaynste hym alwayes in oure hearte thys commaundement of god Scriptum est non mae chaberis It is written thou shalt not commit whoredome It shal be good also for vs euer to lyue in the feare of god and to sette before oure eyes the grieuous threatnynges of god agaynste all vngodly synners and to consyder in our mynde how filthy beastely and shorte that pleasure is whereunto Sathan moueth vs. And againe howe the payne appoynted for that synne is intollerable and euerlastyng Moreouer to vse a temperaunce and sobrietie in eatynge and drynkyng to eschewe vncleane communicacion to a noyde all filthy company to flee idlenes to delighte in readyng holy scripture to watch in godly praiers and vertuouse meditacions and at al tymes to exercyse some godly trauayles shall helpe greatlye vnto the esche wing of
commaund the cloudes that they shall not raine vpon it wherby is signified the teachinge of his holy word which S. Paule after a lyke maner expresseth by planting and watering meaning that he wylcake that away from theÌ„ So that they shal be no lenger of his kingdome they shal be no leiger gouerned by his holy spirites they shal be frustrated of the grace and benefites that they hadde and tuer mighte haue enioyed throughe Christe They shal be depriued of the heauenly light and life which they had in Chryst whiles they abode in him They shal be as they were once as men without GOD in this world or rather in woorse takynge And to be short they shal be geuen into the power of the deuyl which beareth the rule in al theÌ„ that be cast awaye from GOD as be dyd in Saul Iudas and generally in al suche as worke after their owne wylles 1. Re 25. the children of diffidence and infidelitie Let vs beware therefore good christyan people lest that we reiecting GODS woord by the whyche we obteine and reteine true faith in GOD be not at length cast of so farre that we become as the chyldren of infidelitie which be of two sortes farre dyuerse yea almost cleane contrary and yet both bee verye farre from returning to GOD. The one forte onelye waying their sinful detestable liuing with the right iudgment straightnes of GODS righteousenes be so destitute of counsail and be so comfortles as all they must nedes be from whom the spirite of counsayl and comfort is gone that they will not be perswaded in their hertes but that either GOD cannot or els that he wil not take them agayne to his fauor and mercye The other hearyng the louing large promises of GODS mercye and so not conceiâ—â—nge a right faith therof make those promises larger then euer GOD did trusting that although they coÌ„tinue in their sinful and detestable liuinge neuer so longe yet that GOD at the ende of their lyte wil shewe hys mercy vpon them and that then they wil returne And doth these two fortes of men Eze. 18. and. 33. de in a dawnable state and yet neuer thelesse GOD who willeth not the deth of the wicked hath shewed meanes wherby both the same if they take hede in season may escape A gaynst desperation The fyrst as they doe dread GODS rightefull iustice in punishing sinners wherby they shuld be dismaid and shuld despayre indeoe as touching any hope that may be in themselues soo if they woulde constantly beleue that GODS mercy is the remedye appoynted agaynst such despayre and distrust not onely for them but generally for al that be forye and truely repentant wil therwithall sticke to GODS mercy they may be sure they shal obtein mercy and enter into the porte or hauen of sauegarde into the which whosoeuer doth come be they defore time neuer so wicked they shal be oute of daunger of euerlasting damnation Eze. 33. as GOD by Ezechiel saith what time soeuer the wicked doth returne take earnest and true repentauÌ„ce I wil forget al his wickednes Agaynste presumptyon The other as they be ready to beleue GODS promises so they shuld be as ready to beleue the threatninges of GOD aswel they should beleue the lawe as the gospell aswell that there is an bel and euerlasting fyre as that there is an heauen and euerlastynge ioye aswel they should beleue damnation to be threatened to the wicked and euill doers as saluation to be promysed to the faythful in worde and workes aswell they should beleue God to be true in the one as in the other And the sinners that continue in theyr wicked lyuyng ought to thynke â–ª that the promises of Goddes mercy and the Gospel perteyne not vnto them beynge in that state but onely the lawe and those scriptures whiche conteine the wrathe and indignation of GOD and his threateninges whiche should certifie them that as they do ouer boldely presume of GODS mercye liue dissolutely so doth GOD â—tyl more and more withdrawe his mercy from them and he is so prouoked therby to wrathe at lengthe that he destroieth suche presumers many tymes sodayâ—lye For of suche Saynct Paule sayde thus when they shall saye it is peace 1. Cess 5 there is no daunger â–ª then shall sodaine destruction come vpon them Let vs beware therefore of suche naughtye boldenesse to synne for GOD which hath promysed his mercy to them that bee truely repentaunte althoughe it be at the latter ende hath not promised to the presumtuous sinner eyther that he shal haue longe lyfe or that he shal haue true repentaunce at the laste ende But for that purpose hath he made euerye mannes death vncertaine that he should not put his hope in th ende and in the meane season to GODS hyghe displeasure lyue vngodlye Wherfore let vs folowe the counsayle of the Wyseman let vs make no tarying to turne vnto the lord let vs not put of from day to daye for so daynly shall hys wrath come â–ª and in tyme of vengâ—â—nce he wyll destroy the wicked Let vs therfore turne betymes and wheÌ„ we turne â—se 14 let vs praye to GOD as Dzeâ— teacheth saying Forgeue vs al our sines â–ª receiue vs graciouslye And if we turne to him with an humble a very penitent heart he wyl receiue vs to hys fauour and grace for hys holye names sake for hys promyse sake for his trueth and mercyes sake promised to all faythful beleuers in Iesus Christe his onely naturall sonne To whom the only sauiour of the worlde with the father and the holy ghoste bee all honour glory and power worlde without ende Amen An exhortation agaynste the feare of death IT is not to be merueiled that worldlye men doe feare to dye For death depryueth theim of all worldlye honours ryches and possessions in the fruition whereof the worldely man counteth hym self happy so longe as he maye enioye theim at his owne pleasure and otherwise if he be dispossessed of the same withoute hope of recouâ—rye then he can none other thinke of him self but that he is vnhappy â–ª because he hath lost his worldlye ioye and pleasure Alas thinketh this carnall man shall I nowe depart for euer froÌ„ al my honours al my treasure from my country frendes riches possessions and worldlye pleasures whiche are my ioye and heartes delyghte Alas that euer that daye shall come when all these I muste byddâ— fare well at once and neuer to enioye anye of them after Wherefore it is not withoute great cause spoken of the Wise man O death howe bytter sower is the remembraunce of thee to a man that liueth in peace and prosperytie in his substaunce Ecct. 41. to a man liuinge at ease leadyng his lyse after hys owne mind withoute trouble and is there withall well pampered and fedde There be other menne whome thys worlde doth not so greatlyâ— laugh vpon â–ª but rather bere