cōmaundeth vs all that we haue to be subiecte to y e Kinges graces pleasure Chri. This is trueth nothīg more tru Phil. I beleue verely that what soeuer the subiectes haue are the goodes of such a righteous and godly Prynce as we haue now reynynge amonge vs. Yea if the highe powers were very Tyrauntes and altogyther vnmercifull yet myght we deny them no thyng at al of our goodes if they required them of vs but delyuer them vp into theyr hādes frely to be vsed as it shal please them beynge perswaded that it is for our synnes that God suffereth such Tyrauntes to reygne ouer vs therfore oughte they to be obeyed in all thynges that fyght not with the worde of God nor obscure the diuine glorye thoughe they seme to be neuer so full of tyranny vnmercifulnes But seing we haue such a prīce as loueth his faythful subiectes nolesse than a gētle father doth his natural sonne cherisheth thē no lesse than a nourse doth her chylde preserueth them without daunger no lesse than a trusty shepparde seakethe to kepe his shepe from the rauenynge teth of the wolfe vtterly gyueth hym selfe altogyther vnto vs vnto our commodite profyt what shoulde be the cause that we myght deny any thynge to this our Emperour so mercyful so gentle so boūteous so prudent so wise and so circumspecte in all thynges that pertayne vnto our commodite wealthe To muche beastlyke are they y t consider not the bounte of so excellent a Prynce Blyssed is that londe sayth the wyse manne whose kynge is a man of nobilite whose Princes eat in due seasō for strēgth not for lust But wo be vnto that Realme whose Kyng is but a chyld and whose Prynces are earelye at theyr Banckettes Thus neyghbours haue I declared vnto you accordynge to my promyse your duty toward our moost excellent king such as he appoynteth to be gouernours vnder hym Loke therfore that ye be obediente vnto them feare them honour thē paye what so euer is required of you For vnto all these thynges ye are bound by the holy Scripture which yf ye do the blessyng of God is vpon you If ye do not the curse vēgeaūce of God wil fal on you so that your ende shall be miserable bothe before God man Euse. What soeuer ye haue hitherto taught vs we wyll laboure to the vttermoost of our power to fulfyl it in our quotidiane dayly conuersacion that we may walke blameles bothbefore God and oure Prynce Phile. Nowe doth conueniēt order require that I brynge forth your fourth floure to you seyng that hitherto ye haue learned your dutye bothe toward◠your selfe GOD and our Kynge Theo. I praye you let vs se it ¶ The fourth floure called Redy assistence Philemon BEholde here it is Let euery manne looke not for his oVVne profit but for the profit of other Howe doth y e sauour of this floure please you Euse. How so euer it pleaseth me I thynke verely the ayer breath of this flour is so strong y e few at this presēt tyme can abyde the sauour of it Phil. Why so It is the sayēge of Saynt Paule to the Philippians Euse. I knowe that well but ye should rather haue rehearsed this sayeng in y e same Epistle All seke theyr owne auaūtage not that which is Iesus Christes For this flour do men now a dayes beare chefely in theyr bosome as we may se by dayly experiēce Theyr noses are stopped and they haue lost one of theyr fyue wittes whan ony such floure is offred them for to smell vpon as ye haue nowe gyuen vs. They haue rooted other herbes in theyr hertes vpon whome they smell dayly euen such as theyse are Pecuniae obediunt omnia Bonus est odor lucri ex re qualibet Semper tibi proximus esto Tantū fidei quātum pecuniae Nummi uirum faciunt Virtus post nummos Miser est qui nūmos non habet Quisquis habet nummos secura nauiget aura Fortunamque suo temperet arbitrio That is to saye al thinges are obedient to mony The sauour of lucre is good how so euer a man come by it Be euer nearest moost frend to thy selfe A man shal euē be so much trusted as he hathe monye Mony maketh the man Fyrst monye and afterwarde vertue He is a wretch y t hath no mony Who soeuer hathe monye maye go where he lyste do what so euer he wyll at hys owne pleasure The sauour of these floures hath so infected the senses of many now a dayes that they cā by no meanes smell on this floure whiche ye haue nowe gyuen vs. Phil. It is the more pytye Not withstondynge neyghbours be not ye infected withe lyke pestiferous contagion Remember your profession and followe not the cōmon fasshion vnlesse ye fall into damnacion and lose the fauoure of GOD. Smel wel on this your floure Redy assistence Let euery man looke not for his owne profit but for the profyt of other For seynge ye haue hytherto learned your dutye both toward your selfe ▪ God our kynge ye must now learne also your office duty toward youre neyghboure For God hath also gyuen vs a commaūdemēt to loue our neyghbour Thou shalt loue thy neyghbour as thy selfe sayth the scripture That thou wylte not a nother shoulde do to the do thou not the same to him And this cōmaundement haue we of God that he which loueth God should also loue his neighbour For he y e loueth not his brother whome he seethe God whome he hathe not sene howe can he loue That ye myghte natiuely vnfaynedlye on this sorte loue your◠neyghbour I haue selected this sētēce of s. Paule to put you in remēbrāce of your duty Let euery man loke not for his own profyt but for the profit of other Chri. It is a very hard sayeng followed but of few iniquite doth so abound the loue of many abateth and waxeth cold Theo. Me thyncke S Paule would here haue no man prouyde for him selfe but for other And this is contrary to his owne sayeng wher he sayth If ony mā doth not prouyde for thē that do pertayne vnto him he hath forsaken the faythe andis worse than an Infidell Phil. God forbyd that ony contrariete should be founde in the wordes of so noble worthy Apostle In your floure he doth not forbydde you but that ye may with good conscience prouide for your selfe for yours But to admonysh mē of thys so streyghtly as of the other it was not nedeful nor expediēt For we are naturally bēt to seke our owne profyt yea that many tymes to the great hinderaūce vtter decay of our neyghbour neyther nede we a spurre to prycke vs forwarde in this behalfe Which thynge S. Paule replete with goddes spirite consyderynge exorteth men rather to seke for theyr neighbours profyt than for theyr owne
of diuine litterature godly knowlege wherby the faythfull are inserted planted engraffed in our LORDE Sauioure Christ Iesus but they also vituperate discoÌ„mend y e serious payneful endeuours of other which w t al mayne labour to dilate enlarge y e kingedome of God the glory ther of yea and that not without great daunger of theyr helthe as I maye adde nothynge hereto With what spirite such personnes be inflated puffed vp I wyll not here define But certes they very much aberre dissent are estraunged from my seÌ„tence iudgement perswasioÌ„ For I desyre wysh wyth all my herte that all menne lyuinge were in the bowelles of Christ that the word of Christ myght opulently rytchly abundantly dwell in them withe all wisdome knoweledge be they Turkes Iewes SaraceÌ„nes or onye other seynge that there is one LORDE of all sufficiently rytche for so many as call on him in spiryte verite We rede that Moses desired â—o greatly the health saluacioÌ„ eueÌ„ of the grosse Idolaters the Iewes that he estemed his owne wealth fauoure of no price withoute theyr health prosperite yea he wysshed to be blotted out of the boke of lyfe if the people of Israel were not also saued with hym O feruent charite burnynge loue Howe many wayes sought our moost geÌ„tle sauiourâ— Christe also to brynge his enemies to repeÌ„taunce Would not he haue gathered them togither as a henne doth her chyckeÌ„s yet they would not Dyd not he deplore lamente eueÌ„ with profuse moost large teares theyr obstinate blyndâ—nes and blynd obstinacy whaÌ„ he tofore saw the perelles imminent that were redy to faule vpon them Dyd not he praye for them euen whan they had hanged hym on the crosse Dyd not he suffer his moost blyssed body to be brokeÌ„ and his moost precious bloud to be shed for theyr redeÌ„pcioÌ„ If they would conuerte amende yea at the last gyue his owne lyfe for theyr saluacion O loue incoÌ„parable O charite without measure What nede I rehearse S. Paule which so intierly thyrsted the helth of his kynnesmen the Israelites that for theyr saluacion he wysshed not only to be secluded banysshed but also vtterly accursed froÌ„ christ He rather desyred hiÌ„selfe to be depriued of eternal saluacioÌ„ thaÌ„ that so many should be coÌ„iect cast into euerlasting daÌ„nacioÌ„ O true Apostle O spectacle moost worthy to be looked on of all Prelates Bisshoppes Curates Here se we howe ferueÌ„t our desyre shoulde be towarde y e sauyng helth of our christeÌ„ brothers Uerely we oughte not to seake all meanes possible for to brynge them vnto consummate absolute perfecte knoweledge of Christes moost wholesome doctryne but also euen to gyue oure lyues to brynge them vnto Christ as S. Iohn sayth By this we haue knowne loue bycause he hath gyuen his lyfe for vs we are bounde agen to gyue our lyues for the brothers Therfore neyghbours accordynge to the commaundement of that moost noble maÌ„ne which sayd laboure vntyll I come for the right herty zele that I bare towarde your soules I thyncke it my bounden dutye so longe as we dwell togither to talke with you of the worde of lyfe whiche is able to saue your soules Ye know that at Christmasse last paste I made you a Bancket wher in I proponed set before you four dysshes The fyrste contayned into what great misery we were cast by Adam The seconde howe we ware freely saued by the mercy of God y e Father thorowe Iesus Christe In your thyrde dysh I declared howe we mighte obtayne come by this vnmeasurable bouÌ„tie great goodnes of god In the fourth I shewed you what is your duety after we haue receyued these inestimable benefites of God the father thorowe Christ Iesus verely to put of oure conuersacion to become new meÌ„ to be plenteous in good workes to dye vnto synne to lyue vnto ryghteousnes dayly more and more to waxe grande auncient in Christ that at the laste we maye attayne come vnto the very perfeccion of christianite These thinges ye haue not forgotten I am sure neyghebours Euse. God forbid brother Philemon y t we shouldebe negligent in theyse thynges that pertayne vnto the helthe of our soules So might we worthely seme to be moost ennemies of oure owne saluacion Phile. I reioyse very muche at it Moreouer syns that tyme ye knowe that not many wekes paste I made you a Potacion for Lent wherin I set before you manye godlye thynges moost worthy to be knowne concerning that tyme of lent Of the holy Sacrament of Penance the partes therof I talked much with you I taught you also howe ye shoulde â—aste accordyng to the wyll of God I also openned vnto you the misteries significicacions of certayne Ceremonies vsed in the TeÌ„ples for the tyme of Lent Last of all I de-declared vnto you howe ye shoulde prepare your selues worthely to receue at y e time of Easter y e most blyssed sacrameÌ„t of the Altare Al these thynges haue I taught you yea that not in vayne as your quotidâ—ane fruytes do manifestlye shewe For ye seme vnto me dayely more more to expresse manners worthye your profession so that I perceaue the word of God is not sent to you in vayne but that it briÌ„geth for the much fruyte in you vnto the glory of God the conforte of the faythful the saluacioÌ„ of your owne soules If all men vnto theyr vttermooste possibilite wold likewyse endeuour them selues to bryng forth fruytes accordynge to theyr knowledge verely it should be an occasion that y e Gospell of Christ should excite and store vp meruaylous loues so that it should haue in short space mo freÌ„des fewer enemies yea and they y t studye to haue Christes doctryne both truely knowne earnestly followed shoulde also no more be blasphemed detracted rayled vpoÌ„ and yll spoken of but rather animated encouraged to proceade in theyr mooste godly and vertuous enterprises Nowe neyghbours seynge that hyther to ye haue ben no forgetful hearers but obsequious followers and diligente doers of the thynges taught you I thought it not vnfyttyng to caull you once agen vnto me and accordynge to the tyme of the yere to gyue you a Nosegay full of moost redoleÌ„t odoriferous floures which maye both expell all pernicious hurtefull sauours also conserue kepe your incolumâ—te valeauÌ„ce both of body mynd Theo. Nothynge can be gyuen to vs more grate acceptable pleasauÌ„t than this your gyfte nowe promised neyther can any thyng at this present beatify vs on suche sorte Chri. No verely this is wtout dout Phil. I shall be the gladder to iÌ„partâ— it to you But neyghbours knowe this one thyng that euen as your Banket PotacioÌ„ were not made of corruptible meate but of suche as permayneth
spiritual rocke which accompanied them Christ was y â— rocke It is a good coÌ„sequence therfore that it is all one chyrche bothe of them that beleued than in Christ of them whiche are nowe whiche chyrch is gathered togyther iÌ„ one the very same spirite so y t they be a lyke faythfull christeÌ„ hauyng one fayth one professioÌ„ one religioÌ„ one God one Lorde one sauioure one hope But I wyl come to y e new TestameÌ„t Was not Nichodemus Ioseph y e noble maÌ„ which was ChaÌ„berlayne of great authorite wtCaÌ„dace y t quene of y e loÌ„de of y e MoriaÌ„s which was baptized of Philip receaued into Christes flocke christeÌ„ faythful meÌ„ Yet were they magistrates Was not Cornelius which called Peter vnto him was baptized of hym a christeÌ„ maÌ„ Yet dyd he vse publique offices Was not Sergius Paulus Erastus w t dyuers other christeÌ„ meÌ„ And yet officers in y e coÌ„moÌ„welth Chri. All these thiÌ„ges are true Phil. Wel thaÌ„ let vs coÌ„clude if it were lawful at y e time for a christeÌ„maÌ„to bear rule iÌ„ y e coÌ„moÌ„ wele hou is it now become vnlawful Is ony maÌ„ more fyt to reigne rule amoÌ„g christeÌ„ meÌ„ thaÌ„ he which is of y e same profession fayth religioÌ„ Is it coÌ„uenieÌ„t for the wicked vnfaythful to haue dominioÌ„ ouer y e ryghteous christeÌ„ rather thaÌ„ they whiche desyre nothyng more thaÌ„ the glory of god the helth of theyr ChristeÌ„ brothers O extreme blindnes If that should come to passe who wuld not wish rather to be an vnfaythful painim thaÌ„ a faythful christiaÌ„ Behold to what poynte these wycked order breakers bryng the Christen religion whyle they wyll seme to fyghte moost chefelye for the glorious furtheraunce of it O foxysh Hypocrites Who perceyueth not theyr subtylite Who smellethe not they re crafte Who espyeth not theyr false hode Whyle they go aboute to syn without punishmeÌ„t to haue al thinges in coÌ„mon to lyue of the sweate of other meÌ„nes browes to lyue frely in al kynde of beastlike pleasure to defyle other meÌ„nes wyues maydens doughters seruauntes c. beholde to what poynte these grossâ— Gospellers these shamelesse Schismatykes these brutall bely Gods brynge the publique weaâ—e of Christendome God moughte once rootâ— suche Pestilences out of the earth that we maye according to our duty withe all submission of mynde faythefull obedience honoure and magnify y â— pyblique Magistrates Thus haue I neighbours grossely but faythfully rudely but truely proued to you by the iÌ„fallible verite of Gods worde that the hyghe powers are ordeyned of God and y t theyr office pleaseth God is agreable in all poyntes w t the holy scriptures both of the olde new Testastament Now accordyng to my promyse wyl I in thre wordes as they saye declare howe necessarye the office oâ— the publique magistrates is for the ryght institucion prosperous preseruacion of the common weale Euse. I praye you lette vs heare Phil. The office of the hyghe powers euidently declareth what innumerable coÌ„modities pleasures y â— christeÌ„ publique weale receueth by theÌ„ Moses whan he appoynted certen rulers ouer the Israelites coÌ„mauÌ„ded theÌ„ that they should iudge righteouslye that they shoulde not be parciall in theyr iudgementes but heare all indiffereÌ„tly not estemyng nor preferrynge the man of power and nobilite before the poore base perâ—on nor yet feare the persoÌ„ne of ony man for it is the iudgement oâ— GOD sayth he Agayne that they should receaue no gyftes for giftes do blynde the eies of the wyse depraue the causes of the ryghteous but alwaye pursewe follow that which is accordyng to iustice hauâ— euer wyth them the boke of y e lawe of the LORDE reade it all the dayes of theyr lyfe that they maye learne to feare the LORDE theyr God and to kepe all the wordes of hys lawe ordinauÌ„ces therof that they may do them The Prophet Ieremy also commauÌ„deth kynges other rulers to minister righteousnes to deliuer the oppressed from violent power to kepe equite not to greue nor oppresse the straunger the fatherles nor the wydowe nor yet to shed innocent bloud Here maye ye se in fewe wordes how necessary the office of the publique magistrates is for the ryghte institucion prosperous preseruacion of the common weale Howe expedient is it thinke you in matters of coÌ„trauersy that all thynges be iudged reconciled accordyng to equite iustice How necessary is it that y e poore oppressed be delyuered froÌ„ y â— violent bloud soupers How coÌ„uenient is it that the straunger wydowe fatherles be holpen prouided for How profitable is it that vnite coÌ„cord loue beneuolence frendshyppe amite be mayntayned and debate discorde stryfe maleuolence ire wrath contencion hatred emnite be exiled How necessary is it y e vertue reygneth vice be banyshed How semely is it that an order be kepte confusion dryuen oute of the publique weale â–ª By the godly office authorite of y â— hygh powers al these good thynges are broughte to passe and wythoute that what can there remayne in ony publique weale iÌ„ safe estate comely order As SalomoÌ„ sayth where ther is no gouernour there the people must nedes decay But wher as are many that canne gyue councell there is wealthe as Chrisostome sayth If thou takeste awaye the iudicial seates the offices of the lawe so hast thou vtterly destroyed all the order of oure lyfe And as if thou seperatest pluckest away from the shyppe the mayster stereman of it thou hast drowned the shyp as if thou leadest awaye the captayne from the armye thou haste made the Souldiours to be ouercome of theyr enemies So like wyse if thou takest awaye y e rulers oute of the Cyties we shall leade a lyfe more vnreasonable thaÌ„ the very brute bestes euer snatchyng onâ— at another bytynge deuourynge one another so that the man of the greater power shal subdue the poorer the bolder shall ouercome the meker spirited They therfore that go about to take awaye the publique magistrates maye iustely seme to be y e moost exstreme pestileÌ„ces of y e coÌ„moÌ„ weale to destroy y t which is no lesse profitable for our preseruacion safegarde and health than the sonne fyre or water is or what so euer can be rekened moost necessary for this oure nedy lyfe For by them is publique innocency honest behauour godly learnynge vertuous knoweledge syncer erudicion necessary artes fruytfull occupacions mayntayned By theÌ„ we lyue in tranquilite peace By them we enioye our owne possessions wtoute ony disturbaunce By them we are preserued from all iniuries cruell oppressioÌ„s By them oure Realmes are defended froÌ„ the iÌ„uasion of cruell Tyrauntes By them the glory of God floryssheth By theÌ„ the Gospell of Christ triumpheth all sectes heresies are extyrped plucked vp by the rootes To conclude by them
meanynge that they shoulde not be so bent to seke theyr owne auauntage that they should vtterly neglecte the profyt of theyr christen brother For y e very same mynd ought to be in vs that was in Christ Iesu whiche beynge in the shape of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God but made hym selfe of no reputacioÌ„ toke vpoÌ„ hym y â— shape of a seruaunt became like a nother man was founde in his apparel as a man He humbled hym selfe became obedieÌ„t vnto the death eueÌ„ the death of y â— Crosse. Here is youre floure Redy asistence Here is an example that ye shoulde be redy to assist helpe your neyghbour at al tymes Howe dyd our moost blyssed Sauiour Christe vtterly neglecte caste awaye as I may so speke his owne glory honour and worshyp to seke our health conforte saluacion This redy assistence helpe oughte also to be in vs yf we pertayne vnto Christ. For we oughte to haue y â— care for our neighbour that Christ had for vs or elles we walke not accordynge to Charite This redy assistence also se we in that Samaritane of the Gospell which seynge a certayne man spoyled robbed greuouslye wounded and halfe deade had pytye on hym came vnto hym bounde vp his woundes powred in oyle wyne layenge hym on hys beaste brought hym vnto an Inne made prouision for hym Here is a nother godlye example of redy assistence Here is a myrrour for all menne to looke in Here is a payre of spectacles for to shewe euery man what his dutye is toward his neyghbour Euse. As how I pray you for an example Phil. Certes as this Samaritane dyd To be bent at all tymes to healpe so manye as hath nede of our helpe to procure no lesse the helthe furtherance of other than of our selues As for an example Arte y u a Iudge a Iustice of peace a Constable a Baliffe or ony other coÌ„moÌ„ officer So hast y u y e lawe in thy hande Matters of contrauersye are broughte before the. Looke therfore that thou iudgeste all thynges accordynge to equite Be not parciall Fauoure not one parte more than another Shewe indifferency Do as ryght require Gyue no wronge sentence neyther for feare nor loue of ony parsonne Practise none iniquite Condemne not the innoceÌ„t for lucres sake Be not corrupt with gyftes Eate not the poore maÌ„ neyther deuour thou his substauÌ„ce but helpe to sustayne hym in his ryght agaynste the violence of the wicked Tyrantes and cruel oppressours accordyng to thy office yf thou doste this than haste thou this flour Redy assistence about the doste to thy neyghboure as y u arte bound by the commaundemeÌ„t of God If thou doste this that is iudge contrary to equite suffer the poore to be oppressed for fauoure or lucres sake or els bycause thou bearest a cruell harte and spytefull stomacke agaynst the parte so gettest thou the great displeasure of God hepest vp to thy selfe euerlastinge damnacion Arte thou a Bysshop prest or spirituall minister of Goddes worde looke than well to thy office RemeÌ„ber that it is thy dutye reuerently to minister y e moost blyssed Sacramentes of Christes Chyrche and to preach the worde of God to y â— flocke vpon whome the holy Ghoste hath made the ouerseare to gouerne the congregacioÌ„ of God whome he purchased with his bloude Remember that it is sayd vnto the Pasce Pasce Pasce fede fede fede Fede ther fore thy Paryshe with good exaÌ„ple of vertuous lyuinge Fede them w t the pure EuaÌ„gelion true Gospell of Christ. Fede theÌ„ also w t corporall foode thorowe the mayntenauÌ„ce of hospitalite Teache them to forsake all Idolatry supersticion only to cleaue to the true lyuing God the alone and omnisufficient sauiour Teache them to honoure call on the name of theyr LORDE God in all theyr aduersities and troubles Teach them faythful obedience toward theyr superiours Teache theÌ„ to loue theyr wyues as theyr owne flesh to brynge vp theyr chyldren familye in the feare nourtoure of the Lord. Teach theÌ„ to labour for theyr lyuiÌ„g not to takeaway ony mans goodes vniustly Teache theÌ„ to testify the truethe to beare no false witnes Teache them to be no manâ—lears but to loue al men with a pure harte Teache them to lyue of theyr owne not to couyt that which pertayne to other meÌ„ Teach them to walke streyght in the path wayes of the LORDE al the dayes of theyr lyfe vnlesse the fearce plages cruel veÌ„geaunce of God fall both vpon the them Crye cease not Shewe to the people theyr synnes offenses wickednesses CoÌ„maund the wicked to forsake hys iniquite Exhorte the rytche man vnto the glad redy distribucion of his goodes to y e poore people Fede y e flocke of Christ so muche as lyethe in thy power Be an example of the fayth full in word in coÌ„uersacion in loue in spirite in fayth in purite clennes of lyfe Gyue attendaunce to thy selfe to doctrine continew in these Reproue them that synne opeÌ„ly before all men that y â— other may be afeard Kepe thy selfe pure clene honest Suffer affliccioÌ„ trouble as a goodsouldiour ofIesus Christ Study to shewe thy selfe acceptable to God a workemaÌ„ that nedeth not to be ashamed deuydynge iustly the worde of trueth Flye the lustes of yongthe followe righteousnes fayth charite peace with them that cal on the LORDE wyth a pure harte Reproue the ennemyes of trueth fearsely that they maye be whole in faythe Speake y u those thiÌ„ges that become wholesome doctrine but aboue all thynges be an exaÌ„ple to other of good workes Be not absent from thy benefice Liue not dissolutely at the vniuersite or els wher Be not that Spheppard and Idol that forsaketh his flocke but gyue them meate in due tyme. Suffer not y e wolfe to deuour Christes shepe whome he bought wythe no lesse pryce than wythe his owne most precious bloud DefeÌ„d the glorye of GOD and not thyne owne dignite Striue for the helth of thy flocke not for thy rytchers possessions The synful of thy flocke exhorte vnto faythfull repentaunce The desperate prouoke thou vnto y â— trust of Gods mercy The weake make y u stronge The diseased looke thou heale The bloudye wounded looke thou cure The broken looke thou make whole The imperfecte loke thou make perfecte The stroÌ„g in Christ loke thou make auÌ„ciente To conclude if thou be a true Bisshop a faythful ouerseare a diligeÌ„t Curate a trusty shepparde rather gyue thy lyfe spend all the bloud in thy body than that one of y e least of Christes flocke should perysh thorowe thy faute So mayst thou be sure whan that Prynce of sheppardes shall appeare to receyue the immarcessible crown of glory if y u dost not these thynges
which hytherto I haue rehearsed than looke thou for none other but wythe that vnprofitable seruaunt to be cast into vtter darkenes where wepynge gnasshynge of teth shal be Arte thou a ritch man So hath God set the in a perillous state excepte thou be ware To auoyd ther fore all daūger loke that with thy possessions rytches thou helpeste thē that haue nede For vnto this ende hath God indewed the wyth y ◠goodes of this world Be not proud for thy rytches sake nor putte not thy truste in vncertayne rytches but in the lyuynge God Be rytche ī good workes Be redy to minister vnto the necessite of other y t wante For God loueth a cherfull gyuer Breake thy bread to the hongrye lead in the nedy poore wayfaring into thy house whā thou seest a naked man couer hym thou shalte not despyse thy flesh Geue to euery one that askethe from hym that wyll borowe turne not awaye thy face but lende hym thy monye yea that without ony vsurye Ioyne not house to house nor lond to lond Couytte not to reygne alone in a towne Suffer other mē to lyue by the yea that of theyr owne Helpe them to make prouision for theyr family y t they may kepe the better hospitalite be the more able to helpe the confortles Let not oute thy lōdes houses on such price that the fermers shall neuer be able to paye the or els to do no good vpon them So let them hyer thy fermes that they maye not be empoueryshed as they are now a dayes for the moost parte but rather enryched y t they maye be the more able vertuouslye to bryng vp theyr chyldren in good artes godly sciēces to helpe theyr poore neyghbours to kepe hospitalite to beare the charges of the cōmon weale for theyr porcion whan tyme requireth For this shal make a florysshynge wealthye Realme abundāt in al thynges Thus shalt thou also greatlye please God he agayne for this thy boūteous liberalite shewed towarde thy neyghboures wyll open his hande blysse the all that pertayne vnto the fauoure the make the to be plenteous in all thynges So that what so euer thou goest about shall prosper come vnto a fortunate good ende Neyther shalte thou nede to doubte of theyse thynges For God hath so promised which can not ly but is faythefull in all his wordes If thou doste contrary hereunto abusest the ritches which god hath put into thy hande of whome he hath only made the his steward so that thou art vnmercyful hydest vp thy treasure knoweste not for whome wylte by no meanes bestow them as God hathe appoynted the than be thou certen sure that lyke an vnmercifull thefe and cruell bloudye Bocher thou shalte be hanged in hell The fyre wherw t thou shalt be tormented shal neuer be quenched The worme that shal gnawe thy conscience shall neuer dye The paynes shal be infinite nether shalte thou at ony tyme be releued of thē but with that vnmerciful rytche gloton in the Gospel of Luke lyghe cryenge waylyng in perpetual tormentes worldes with out end Therfore beware betymes saye not but y t thou arte warned To be shorte consider withe thy selfe in what state condicion God hath set the vse that euer vnto y e glory of God and the profyt of thy neyghboure For knowe that what so euer God hath gyuē the he hath gyuen it the for the profytte of thy neyghbour also Hathe God gyuen the strength than must thou helpe the weakenes of thy brother Arte thou wyse eloquent So muste thou make good that whiche wanteth of them in thy neyghbour Art thou rytche So muste thou conforte the nedy Arte thou learned So must thou instructe and teache the ignoraunt Arte thou a rulare So must thou be fauourable to thē of the inferioure sorte Arte thou a mā of nobilite So muste thou not despyse thē of ignobilite Hast thou creditours and detters So muste thou not draw thē cruelly streyght wayes into the lawe but fauoure them entreate them gentylly and gyue thē respyte vntyll they may◠paye the conueniētly without daūger or losse of theyr substaūce Haste thou receaued ony talente or gyfte at all of God Use that same to the profyt of thy neyghbour so shalt thou well please God To make an ende be the very same to thy neyghbour that God is to the. Consyder what kyndnes God sheweth to the shewe thou the very same agayne to thy Christē brother And wylt y u heare me Be euen another Christe to thy neyghboure Thus much dere brothers haue I spoken concernynge thys youre floure Redy assistence of the which ye maye easely learne to knowe youre duty toward your neyghbour and howe ye ought to behaue youre selues in all poyntes toward hym accordynge to the wyll of God Theo. Undoubtedly neighbour Philemō ye haue gyuen vs many godlye lessōs I besech God we may so walke in our conuersacion in all our actes towarde our neyghboure that we maye in al thynges followe and practyse this your moost godly doctrine be redy at all tymes bothe in thoughte worde dede redely to assist helpe oure neyghboures no lesse thā we desire that god should assist help socoure vs whā we haue nede P. It is very godly spokē God gyueyou grace no lesse to do work Nowe remayneth your laste floure to be gyuen to you Chri. I woulde very gladdely se it Euse. The verye same also do I desyre ¶ The fyfte floure called Christen Charite Philemon AT hande it is euen here redy ▪ Take it I pray you Let Vs not loue in vvorde nor tonge but in vvoke and trueth Theo. This floure maye be called Christen Charite in dede aright Phil. It is not without a cause that I haue gyuen you this floure For the sauour of all your aforsayd floures profyteth without this but lytle This floure is the very same to your Nosegay that a precious stone a costious pearle a goodly owch is to a ryng or ony other Iewel With out this floure all y e other wyll sone wyther awaye come to noughte But so longe as the beauty of this your flour lasteth so longe can not your Nosegaye decaye perysh Cā ony thynge be good godly where loue Charite wantethe And bycause ye shoulde knowe y t I meane none vnfayned loue I haue named your floure Christen Charite For our Charite loue ought not to be carnall fleshly beastlyke worldly fayned vncleane flyttynge but spirituall ghostly christē heauēly true pure abydyng for euermore And this is that Christē Charite wherof your floure speketh Let vs not loue in vvorde nor tonge but in VVork trueth Withoute this Charite S. Paule affirmethe in his Epistle to the Corinthiās that no worke seme it neuer so
ê‘ceyue that he is gyuen altogyther to wickednes and wyll not gladlye heare anye wholesome admonicion yette cease not to praye for him as Abraham dyd for the fylthy Sodomites and Moses for the disobedient Iewes Yea thogh he be your extreme enemye and seaketh youre lyfe yet wysh wel vnto hym praye for him and desyre God to forgyue him as Christ and Steuen dyd Agayne yf ye perceyue that he is poore hath nede of your helpe fayle not to succoure his miserye and to helpe hym in his nede euen to the vttermoost of youre power to make an ende yf ye perceyue that youre neyghboure hath nede of any thyng that ye are able to do for hym I charge you in Goddes behalfe that ye with al expedicion helpe and conforte hiÌ„ If ye do this thaÌ„ do ye smel aright on this your flour ChristeÌ„ Charite shal receyue rewardes abuÌ„daÌ„t for your good dedes but if ye do it not know y t though ye bost neuer so muche in word and tong of your loue towardes god your neyghbour yet shal ye go to the dyuel headlong lyke abhominable Hypocrites and wycked dissemblers shall receaue greater damnacion than they which neuer knewe truelye no parte of God seing your loue is only in worde and tong but not in spirite and trueth Euse. As concernynge oure loue towarde God we wyll employe al our industrye and laboure to haue that loue toward hym which Peter had whan he sayde vnto Christ LORDE thou knoweste that I loue the as towchynge our neyghbour we wyll labour no lesse hartely to loue him than Ionathas dyd Dauid which as the Scripture sayth loued him as his owne lyfe Phile. Theyse are goodly exaÌ„ples vndoubtedly neighbours Loke therfore that ye folow them If ye bryng out of your loue suche dedes as Peter dyd thaÌ„ may ye be bolde to say that ye loue God vnfaynedly Agayne yf ye shew by youre outwarde workes suche loue towarde your neyghbour as Ionathas dyd to Dauid thaÌ„ nede ye not feare to saye y t ye loue youre neighbour in worke truethe so are ye perfecte and true christen men and maye be certayne after the departure oute of this transitorye lyfe yf ye so continue vnto the ende for to receaue the crowne of life which the LORDE hathe promised to them that loue hym as S. Iames sayth Here is nowe your Nosegay perfecte For I haue gyueÌ„ you al your fyue floures as I promised you at your fyrst coÌ„mynge Chri. We thaÌ„ke you right hertely for this Nosegay Euse. I thynke such a Nosegay was neuer gyuen before of onye man to his frende as you haue nowe gyueÌ„ vs. Theo. I beseche GOD gyue vs grace so to smell on this Nosegaye that the sauoure of it maye euer abyde in vs neuer departe nor go awaye from our hartes So maye we be sure neyther at onye tyme to offende our selues God our Kyng nor our neyghbour but leade suche a lyfe as wherwith bothe God and man shall be well pleased Phil. All this that ye haue hytherto spoken is true For I haue taughte you no thyng of myne owne brayne fantasye but onelye the pure worde of God the sentences myndes of y e holy and catholyke Doctors Therfore I pray you hertely good neyghbours be as diligent to obserue and kepe these floures as I haue ben studious to gather them togyther for you so shall I both thyncke my laboure well bestowed ye also of all pleasures shall do me the greateste Well I wyll nowe rehearse to you in fewe wordes what youre whole Nosegaye contayneth in many Your fyrst floure is called Vnfayned Humilite Hereof haue ye learned y e true knowledge of youre selues that ye ought not to be proud of ony thynge but enbrasynge Humilite lowlines of mynd alwayes coÌ„fesse that what so euer ye haue be it neuer so good precious it is the gyfte of GOD commynge downe froÌ„ the father of lyghtes and that therfore ye oughte studiously to laboure aboue all thynges that it be bestowed accordynge to the wyll of God that is vnto the glory of God the profitte of youre neyghboure the saluacion of your owne soules Your seconde flour called Pure Innocency Of this ye haue lerned your duty toward God howe ye ought to walke before hym accordynge to his worde and be perfecte Of your thyrde floure which is Faythfull Obedience Ye haue learned your duty toward our moost puissaunt excellent kynge all those ciuile magistrates heade officers which are appoynted to rule gouerne the matters of the publique weale vnder his graces maieste Ye learned also that by the worde of GOD ye owe to them obedience feare honour and tribute Your fourthe floure called Redy assistence â–ª taught you your dutye towarde youre neyghbour howe ye oughte to serue hym accordynge to the rule of the Gospell seakynge no lesse his profyt than your owne Your fyfte laste floure called Christen Charite declared to you that withoute this true christen pure loue all youre other floures profyt but lytle neyther can any worke beinge done of a malicious harte and out of Charite please God Agayne ye hearde that your loue bothe toward God your neyghbour was declared to be vnfayned yf ye dyd expresse it outwardly in suche workes as are prescribed of God in the holy Scriptures this is the whole summe of your Nosegaye Nowe deare brothers I beseche you by the great mercyes of God y t ye wyl by no meanes suffer y e smell odoure sauour of these herbes to faull oute of your brestes but that you alwaye beare this youre Nosegay about w t you smel on it at al tymes wtout ceasyng For these are those floures whiche shall preserue you from all pestiferous and contagious ayres from all perelles and daungers from al mischauÌ„ces and euell fortunes They also shall enspire and breath into you such confortable odoures swete sauours that ye shall by no meanes be so infected that ye maye eyther offende your selues God the kyng or your Neygheboure but what so euer ye worke shall be accceptable bothe to God and man What wyll ye haue more Thus muche haue I done nowe for you neyghbours and am redy at al tymes to do what soeuer lyethe in my power whan occasion shall be gyuen desiryng you fauourably to accepte this my good wyll towarde you as of one which wyssheth no lesse well to you thaÌ„ to him selfe tendereth your health no lesse than his owne seakethe youre true knoweledge in Christe Iesus euen as his owne to conclude whiche is redy at all tymes both to gyue him selfe and all that he hath so that ye may be in the moost gloryous bowels of oure Sauioure Christe and therin continewe vntyl the daye oâ— his tryumphant apperyng Which thynge moost deare brothers that it maye come to passe I wyll not cease neyther night nor daye to
xvii Mat. xxix Luke xviii A brefe rehersal of this floure Ioan. iiii An exhortaâ—ion vnto true fayth good workes Rom. xiii Sap. vi â— Pet. ii The Anabaptistes The contentes of thys floure Mark well Exo. xiii Exo. xviii Deu. xxviii 1. Reg. viii 1. Reg. â— Gen. xlix Pro. viii Sap. vi ii Par. ix Psal. lxxxi Mat. xxiii Luke xxii The obiecâ—ions of y e Anabaptistes Ioan. vi Ioan. xviii The confutacion Mark well The office of christes Aposâ—les i. Cor. iiii Ioan. xix Math. xxii Mark xii Luke xx Rom. xiii i. Pet. ii The newe testament also approue the authorite of y e Magistrates i. Cor. â— Deut. i. Deut. xvii Ie xxi xxii Esa. i. zaâ—ha vii Howe necessary y e office of the ciuile Magistrates is Prouer. xâ—â— Hom. vi ad Pop. de eo quod vtilis sit principuÌ„ terror Behold what coÌ„modities we receaue by the high power â–ª Pro. xvi Rom. xiii Psal. xviii Deut. i. Rom. xiii Of faythful obedience Note Rom. xiii No parson is excepted from obedience vnto y e powers De correct Donatist ad bonifaâ— capi vi The spiritu alte also must obeye O abhominacion Theophilacte iii. Esd. iiii Exo. xxxii i. Reg. xxii ii Pa. viii ii Pa. xix ii Par. xxix xxx xxxi i. Math. x. xiiii vii The Anabaptistes Luke ii Math. xvii Math. xxii Mar. xiiii Luke xxii Ioan. xviii Act. xxiii xxv Dan. ix Esa. xi ii Thes. ii Math. xxii Rom. xiii Titus ii i. Pet. ii What oure dutye is toward y e high powers Rom. xiii â–ª Offeaâ— â–ª Rom. xiii Pro. xx Pro. xxiiii Mark well Numer vi iii. Reg. xvi Experience of our time God watcheth vpon hys ministers y t no euyl chaunce vnto theÌ„ Psal. xxxiii Math. x. Luke xii Note this sâ—â—militude Eccl. vii Eccl. x. Math. x. Luke xii What feare we ought to haue toward y e high powers Ofhonour Rom. xiii â–ª i. Pet. ii What it is to honoure the kynge i. Reg. xxvi ii Reg. i. Note Deut. xxxii Rom. xii Heb. x. Rom. xiii Of tribute Rom. xiii What is ment by this worde tribute Note why we ought to paye tribute Math. xvii Math. xxii i. Reg. viii An obiecâ—ioÌ„ Theanswer Our libertâ— is spirituall not carnal Rom. x. Gala. iii. i. Cor. xv Ose. xiii Heb. ii Act. x. Ioan. viii Gala. v. i. Pet. ii In liâ— ad Rom. propâ—sit lxxii Contra aux entium xi Quest. i. Canon sitributiâ—n Ibidem CaÌ„ magnuÌ„ Math. xvii In Lucam cap. xx Math. xxii Mark well The charges whyche the kynges grace fuâ—tayneth for y e comon weale Note Iob. xxxiiii Pro. xxviii Esa. iii. Act. iiii v. Eccle. â— Phil. iâ— â–ª Eccl. x. Lato. lib. i. Menander Inuenalis Phil. ii Leuit. xâ—x Math. xxii Rom. xiii Iacob ii i. Ioan. iiii Phil. ii Mat. .xxiiii i. Tim. v. Mark well Phil. ii Luke x. What oure duty is toward our neyghboure The duty of a iudge Iustice of peace c. The office of a Byshop prest or spiritual minister Act. xâ— Ioan. xxi Esay â—viii i. Tim. vi i. Pet. v â–ª i. Tim. iii â–ª i. Tim v. ii Tim. ii i. Tim. vâ— Zacha. xi Ioan. x. Mark well i. Pet. v. The dutye of a rytch man Eccl xxxv ii Cor. ix Esa. lviii Luke vi Psal. xiiii Esa. v. Deu. xxviii Titus i. Psal. cxliiii Esa. lxvi Luke xvi A good lessoÌ„ i. Ioan. iii. Behold y â— excellency of Charite What loue we ought to haue amoÌ„ge vs. i. Ioan. iii. i. Cor. xiii Rom. xiii i. Tim. i. Ioan. xiiii xv.xvi i. Ioan. iiii â— Pet. iiii Rom. xii Coâ— iii. What y â— loue of god doth what y â— loue of our neighbour doth Ioâ—n xiiii i. Ioan. iii. Phil. ii Titus i. i. Ioan. iii. Mark well Gregorye i. Cor. xiii Note thys well i. Ioan. iii. Ofloue toward God Ofloue toward oure neyghbour Psal. xlix Gen. xvii â–ª Exo. xxxii Luke xxiii Acâ— vii Note Ioan. xxii ii Reg. xviii Iacoâ— i. A brefe rehersal of the Nose gaye Iaco â–ª i.