whereby the true Church of God is discerned from that false and bastard Church which wanteth both true faith Ephe. 3.14 true inuocatiō Now I bowe the knees of my soule to the Father of our Lorde Iesus Christ to the end that according to the riches of his glorie The Pastors of the Church of Orlians that were preserued M. Gallars M. Anton. Chanorrier M. Robert Mason M. Pet. Baron Daniel Toussain he will graunt vs that wee may be strengthened by his spirit that Christ may dwell in you through faith through the which you may be rooted and grounded in all true knowledge of his will And as it hath pleased him in the middest of so manie floudes miraculouslie to keepe the Pastors of your Church whom God be praised he employed alwayes to his seruice that it will please him to shewe you this fauour raysing vp your estate as from death to haue strength to reioyce againe and that quicklie to the end that we may altogether as it were created anew sing vnto him a newe song to his honor vnder the protectiō of the shadow of his winges Frō S. Lābert within the coūtie Palatine this 20. of Iuly 1578. Daniel Toussain THE FOVNDATION and spring of all holy prayers and christian meditatiōs ought to be faith Behold where fore we shall set heere in the entrie the articles of our faith which some call the symbole of the Apostles as in deede they conteine a summarie of the Apostles doctrin as is to be sene of that which is written in the 15. Chap. of the 1. vnto the Cor. vers 3. elswhere it is to be seene by the writings of the elders as by the cathechisme of Cyrill and the treatise of S. Ambrose of Cayne and Abell and in the 8. Chap. of S. Augustines booke named Enchiridion that is to say Manuel that these Articles of the faith were holden amongest them as the true beginninges and foundation of Christian religion I Beleeue in God the Father almightie maker of heauen and earth And in Iesus Christ his onelie sonne our Lord. Which was conceiued by the Holie Ghost borne of the virgine Marie Suffered vnder Ponce Pilate was crucified dead buried he descended into hell The thirde day he rose againe from the dead He ascended into heauen and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almightie From thence shall he come to iudge the quicke and the dead I beleeue in the Holie Ghost The holie Catholike Church The communion of Saints The forgiuenesse of sinnes The resurrection of the bodie And the life euerlasting Amen IN the yeare of our Lord 273. in the Synode of Antioch was condemned the heresie of Samosatenus who would not auowe Iesus Christ to be the worde subsisting but made thereof a sound or decree of God not a seconde person of his diuinity in such sort as against his errours was published a confession by George Neocoefariensis as is to be seene in the 3. booke of Eusebius IN the yeare of our Lord about 332. 1. Synode called vniuersall was vnder Constantine the Great assembled a Synode or Councel to the assisting whereof there were 328. Bishoppes at Nice a citie in Bythinia there where was chieflie condemned the heresie of Arrius who dinied the true sonne of God equall with the father and of the same substance In this Synode were made plaine and cleare against Arrius the Articles of faith which concerne Iesus Christ by a confession as followeth 1 I Beleeue in one God The Symbol of Nice the Father Almightie maker of heauen and earth and of all things visible and inuisible 2 And in one Lorde Iesu Christ the onely begotten sonne of God begotten of his Father before all worldes 3 God of God light of light verie God of verie God begotten not made beeing of one substance with the Father by whome all thinges were made 4 Who for vs men and for our saluation came downe from heauen 5 And was incarnate by the Holie Ghost of the virgin Marie and was made man 6 And was crucified also for vs vnder Poncius Pilate he suffered and was buried 7 And the thirde day he arose againe according to the Scriptures and ascended into heauen and sitteth at the right hand of the Father 8 And he shal come againe with glory to iudge both the quicke and the dead whose kingdome shall haue none ende 9 And I beleeue in the holie Ghost the Lorde and giuer of life who proceedeth from the Father and the Sonne who with the Father and the Sonne together is worshipped and glorified who spake by the Prophets 10 And I beleeue one Catholike and Apostolike Church 11 I acknowledge one Baptisme for the remission of sinnes 12 And I looke for the resurrection of the dead the life of the world to come Amen IN the yeare of our Lorde 386. Seconde Councell there assembled at Constantinople the second Synode called vniuersall which confirmed and ratified the confession made at Nice adding onely that which followeth against the heretike Macedonius who denied the true diuinitie of the holie Ghost We beleeue in the holy Ghost Lorde and giuer of life proceeding from the father and the sonne who with the father the sonne together is worshipped and glorified HEere followeth the Symbole or confession of Athanasius Bishoppe of Alexandria being chosen fiue monthes after the Councell held at Niece who hath abiden great combats for the pure doctrine of the sonne of God against the Arrians WHosoeuer will be saued before all things it is necessarie that he holde the Catholike faith Which faith except euerie one doe keepe holy and vndefiled without doubt hee shall perish euerlastingly And the Catholike faith is this that we worship one God in Trinitie and Trinitie in vnitie Neither confounding the persons nor diuiding the substance For there is one person of the Father another of the Sonne and another of the Holie Ghost But the Godhead of the Father of the Sonne and of the Holie Ghost is all one the glorie equall and the maiestie coeternall Such as the Father is such is the Sonne and such is the Holie Ghost The Father vncreate the Sonne vncreate and the Holie Ghost vncreate The Father incomprehensible the Sonne incomprehensible and the Holie Ghost incomprehensible The Father eternall the Sonne eternall and the Holie Ghost eternall And yet they are not three eternalles but one eternall As also there bee not three incomprehensibles nor three vncreated but one vncreated and one incomprehensible So likewise the Father is almightie the Sonne almightie and the holie Ghost almightie And yet they are not three almighties but one almightie So the Father is God the Sonne is God and the Holie Ghost is God And yet are they not three Gods but one God So likewise the Father is Lord the Sonne Lorde and the Holie Ghost Lorde And yet not three Lordes but one Lorde For like as wee be compelled by the Christian veritie to acknowledge
THE Exercise of the faithfull soule That is to say Prayers Meditations for one to comfort himselfe in all maner of afflictions and specially to strengthen himselfe in faith Set in order according to the Articles of our faith By Daniell Toussain Minister of the worde of God With a comfortable Preface of the Author vnto the poore remnant of the Church of Orlians containing a short recitall of extreme and great afflictions which the said Church hath suffered PSAL. 90. Turne thee againe O Lord at the last How long be gracious vnto thy seruants Comfort vs againe after the time that thou hast plagued vs and for the yeeres wherein we haue suffered aduersitie Englished out of the French almost word for word by Ferdenando Filding Imprinted at London by Henrie Middleton for Henrie Denham 1583. To the right worshipfull and his especiall good master Walter Raleigh esquier RIght woorshipfull the great and good affection which I haue borne to you euer since J was first acquainted with you hath alwaies bin a stirring mee forward to bewray the force of my inward good will by some outward shew and now at length it hath compassed that which it coueted of long and offereth vnto you in value more than great first written in French by a woorthie man whose name and profession it beareth now denized in English almost word for word by a well willer of yours though scant able to reach to the originall depth of the natiue writer Yet J thought it good rather to hazard my owne credite with some note of infirmitie than to haue this argument vnharboured in English with the infinite losse of so great a commodity For what is more profitable to a Christian man than to haue his soule continually exercised in the traine and practise of a liuely faith the performance whereof this treatise vndertaketh whose recommendation I will not meddle with least by saying either too too little or too too base J impaire that which will commend it selfe beyond comparison To the English Christian I discharge my selfe by vttering that in zeale which J conceiue to be most profitable for eche his soule To your worship I recommende my labour as the true signe of a trustie mynde wherein if it shall please you to bestowe some though the least time I dare assure you of great profite for the comfort of your conscience and beautifying of your soule Almightie God prosper you in all your good and vertuous attempts and send you that good which both J wish you and this booke pretendeth London the 14. of Iune 1583. Your obedient seruant Ferdenando Filding PRINCIPALL matters conteined in this booke 1 A Preface brieflie reciting the calamities of the Church of Orlians and the comfortes that wee ought to oppose against the same euill 2 The principall Creedes and confession of the vniuersall Church 3 Manie notable places of the olde newe testament fitly applied to euerie article of our faith inriched with considerations meditations and praiers 4 A comfortable discourse of death 5 Praiers for diuers necessities 6 A Treatise of S. Cyprian concerning praier FINIS ⧠VNTO THE poore remnaunt of the Church of Orlians which are scattered here and there groning with true faith after the Lord grace health comfort and peace from and through our Lorde Iesus Christ ABout tenne yeares past when the Church of Orlians was in her flowers and I then hauing this honour to be one of the Ministers thereof then I set forth certaine Prayers and Meditations vppon certaine notable places of the scripture which I had gathered out and laid aside for mine owne priuate vse yet notwithstanding being requested of sundrie good and godlie men I was content that manie others should inioy the same And that they might be pricked forwardes to ardent prayer and to all holie and Christianlike Meditations who were accustomed to waxe cold or at least but leukewarme in time of prosperitie foreseeing likewise that all the rest wherewith the Church doeth glad her selfe in this world was but a truse and small respit and that it behooued them 2. Timo. 3. ver 12. The late M. Caluin in his preface vpon Daniel 61. truelie aduertised the Churches that they should haue as yet great fightes Psal 66.27 Psal 42. The said Churche was of number a seuen thowsand persons in time past Iames 5. which were determined to serue God purelie to make their account that they must suffer great persecutiōs during which prayer is the verie stay and comfort to the faithfull soule As alas long since wee haue well prooued when that all the billowes and stormes of the Lord sith these x. yeares haue passed not alonelie generallie through out all Fraunce but particularlie vppon this poore Church of Orlians which in times past wee haue seene a garden of great pleasure a retraite to manie good men and of all sortes and conditions to bee short it was as the repaire and fould of the Lordes sheep in the middest of all Fraūce Now wee doe see it turned into dust and ashes and to become the dwelling place of Dragons and Scorpions we I say vnto whome God hath giuen this grace to escape so manie blouddie Alaroms yea so manie fearefull deathes that we haue perceiued of what force earnest praiers be and what satisfying contentation the faithfull soule hath with God when as all other thinges doe seeme to faile him in such sort as we haue matter to say with the Prophet Dauid in the 119. Psal verse 92. Had it not bin that thy lawe was my delight I had euen then perished in my afflictions Now as the true seruantes of God haue a zeale vnto the ashes and ruines of Sion when it is turned into dust Psal 10◠9. and forsaken of all the world So cannot I so long as the soule panteth within me cease euer with a burning desire to pray vnto God or to haue care of this so desolate a Church of Orlians willing truelie to say with the prophet Esaiah in the 62. Chap. For the loue of Sion I will not keepe silence and as cōcerning Ierusalem I will not cease vntill her righteousnesse shine out as the light that her saluation be kindled as a Lampe in such sort as setting before my eies that at no time praiers were euer more necessarie than in these dayes being on euerie side full of calamitie neither yet the vse thereof better vnderstood of the true faithful than whē as men are in their true schoole that is to say vnder the Crosse And being likewise since the decease of this second Iosias so Christiā a prince as the late my Lord Elector Palatine Federick vnder whom I haue had this honor to preach the word of God more thā 4. yeares being as it were into mine owne wildernesse a part drawen to meditate lamēt the miseries of our time I tooke againe into my handes these prayers that heretofore I had set forth brought to light dedicated to the Church
teacheth you Hee would not simplie say that they haue no neede of instruction but that they being kindled by the holy spirite might not suffer themselues to bee deceiued by Antichrist a people altogether rude and ignorant A prayer out of the 51. Psalme Create in me a cleane heart O God and renue a right spirite within me Cast mee not away from thy presence and take not thine holy spirite from me Restore in me the ioie of thy saluation and stablish mee with thy free spirite I beleeue the holy Catholike Church A consideration vpon this Article AS there is but one onely true and verie God to wit these three persons the father the sonne and the holy Ghost euen so there is but one faith whereof it was spoken in the former Articles Wee doe therefore protest now that we do beleeue the Catholike Church for we say not as before time I beleeue in the Church but it is God in whom we do put all our whole trust it is he as wee doe reade in the first Chap. of the Apocalips that is α ω that is to say the beginning and the end And as it is written in the 43. Chap. of Esaiah Before mee there was no God that was the maker of the worlde neither shall there be after me I euen I am the eternall and beside me there is no sauiour What is it then to beleeue the Catholike Church First it is to beleeue that whatsoeuer corruptions ydolatries persecutions and disorders there haue beene in the worlde that this great God creator 1. Peter 2. redeemer and sanctifier hath gotten out his chosen people whom he hath called out of darkenes into his wonderful light Psal 147. vnto whom he is reueiled through his holy testimonies the he hath washed and sanctified 1. Tim. 3. and that is his Church and the house of the liuing God builded vppon the pillar of trueth Matth. 16. vpon this corner stone which is Christ so that the gates of hell shall not preuaile any thing against it because that all things helpe vnto the profite and wealth of the children of GOD Rom. 8. 2. Tim. 2. and that this foundation resteth sure howe God knoweth those which are his as in the times of Eliah he reserued to himselfe seuen thousande men 1. Kings 19. which hadde not bowed their knees vnto Baal Secondly we doe witnesse protest and beleeue by this article of our faith that we be members of this true Church Heb. 10. and doe ioyne our selues to it to be good faithful citizens therein Heb. 10. following the holy assemblies and making that profession and confession of the name of God that all true faithfull ought to doe Thirdly by this article we doe beleeue and also doe protest that wee doe not acknowledge all assemblies indifferently for the Church of God but that as it is declared in the symbole of Nice that which is Apostolike that is to say which doeth holde it selfe vnto the doctrine of the Apostoles and is not tyed vnto anie certaine place or citie but is vniuersall gathered together by the preaching of the Gospell and through the vse of the holy sacramentes Ephes 1. Colos 1. in all the partes of the worlde vnder this onely heade that is Iesus Christ 1. Colos 12. in whom is grounded this communion of the saintes which in him are made members of one and the selfe same bodie Actes 2. partakers of one and the selfe same spirite of the same Gospell of the same sacramentes howe so euer the outwarde ceremonies be not altogether alike yet are they knit by the same bonde of peace and ioyned through the true loue calling vppon one and the same sauiour and the awayting as brethren for one and the same heritage which is the blessed life For these be the offeringes that God maketh vnto his Church which he hath purchased for himselfe to wit the forgiuenesse of sinnes and the life euerlasting which a man can not finde out of the true Church Whereupon it is to be noted that the faithfull are called holy yea in earth not that they should be perfect and voide of sinne as some do imagine a perfection to be for so should they haue no more neede of the forgiuenesse of sinnes But they are called holy because they are sanctified because of their calling which is holy and to all holinesse whereunto they doe aspire without ceasing not that they haue alreadie apprehended all but because they doe followe after seeking to learne drawing towardes the marke in respect of that heauenly calling as S. Paule sayth in the 3. Chap. to the Philippians Figures of the Church Noes Arke In the 7. Chap. of Genesis By the floud euery thing in whose nostrels breathed life died Noah only remained and they that were with him in the Arke And S. Ierome writing vnto Damasus sayth that there is no saluation without the Churche and as there is but one Arke euen so there is but one Church and as he himselfe writeth vnto Euander we ought not to thinke that the Church of Rome is any other than that which is in other places of the worlde where that Iesus is worshipped be it in Fraunce or in Englande or else where There is the Church where it is bounde in Christ and knit together by the bande of loue But if we must speake of authoritie the autoritie of the worlde is greater than the autoritie of a citie the autoritie of Churches spread throughout the world greater than that which is in one place A Prayer O Lorde our God and father although that thy ordinance is Genes 8. that thou wilt not smite anie more the whole world with the floud of waters and that from hence forwarde the seede time and haruest and cold and heate and summer and winter and day and night shall not cease and that so long as the earth remaineth in confirmation whereof thou hast established the heauenly arke for a signe Notwithstanding O my God what is this poore life but a floud of euilles But in this my soule is comforted then when as namely in thy wrath thou diddest powre out the ouerflowinges of waters vpon the lande then at that time O God thou diddest powre out by thy fauour thy grace and protection vpon the Arke of Noah For why was it that he did not perish with the rest Did he see the same floude Was hee couered with the same waters Yes truely But in his Arke he had thy promise He had thy grace which did defende him in such sort as thousandes fell at his right hande and thousandes at his left hande hee was sure vnder thy wing So Lorde although that in this worlde a like floud of euilles doth fall both vpon the good and the euil Eccle. 3. and that both the one and the other dies yet we knowe that thou wilt saue those which are in the Arke of thy Church and
bee founde a watching faithfull seruaunt And as the prince of this worlde comming towardes thy sonne Iesus Iohn 14. founde nothing what to bite vpon him so also the same enemie may not haue any thing against me seeing that I doe belong to thy sonne Iesus By faith O Lorde haue our fathers ouercome kingdomes and closed the mouthes of the Lyons Therefore O Lorde graunt me grace that I may also ouercome by faith all tentations vntill that this faith being ended I may enter into thy euerlasting â—est A prayer against the sorrowes of Death O Lorde GOD my father who weart willing that thy sonne Iesus should yeelde vppe his spirite to saue me graunt mee grace that I may beare in my heart the remembrance of his bitter sorrowes and passion and that I may forthwith remember the sweete tender affection that thou bearest vnto vs poore sinners sauing them with so pretious a price that of one part I may with a true sorrowe die vnto sinne and forsake all mine iniquities and of the other part the remembrance of thy grace may make my soule liue let thy mercie O good God be vnto me a lampe and light to lighten me in the darkenesse of death vntill that I come vnto thee O Lorde if thou weart vnto me so good a father in life be also the same vnto me in death Leaue me not then when as my strengthes shall faile me And euen then namely when my mouth shal be no more able to speake leaue not off Lord to heare my desires vnto the last breath of my life Comfort againe thy weake creature and receiue my soule into thy glorie who yeeldeth vp to thee Thou O Lorde hast saued mee into thy handes I recommende my spirit Grant me the last words of thy sonne Iesus in his voice vppon his crosse that they may be my last wordes in this life Behold the earthly abode of this bodie which dissolueth it to yeelde my selfe ioiful of this tabernacle most blessed which is not made with mans hands This great prophet Elias when hee was taken vp into heauen let fall his cloke so willingly would I also leaue this garment both earthly and corruptible to bee clothed with immortalitie Heeretofore I was a wayfarer nowe am I come into my true countrey Euen vntill this time was I in fight now go I to triumph with our head Iesus Christ I begin to see alreadie this hauen which I haue so long desired hulling amongst the tempests of the world To be short I ioyfullie passe out of darknesse into light from daungers of this world to a place of assurance out of a lamentable case into a blessed state from battaile to victorie from an earthlie to an euerlasting life Here am I blind and there shall I receiue light In this place was I hacked with manie woundes and there shall I receaue healing O wretched life O fraile and life vncertaine in this world howe deceitfull and yrksome art thou The more thou thinkest or beleeuest the more thou distrustest and misbeleeuest The more one goeth in this world the more is hee charged with faintnesse and miseries Blessed is hee which knoweth the vanitie of this world yet more blessed that dooth not set his affection therein and most blessed which is withdrawen from thence to bee with thee Oh my God and my sauiour A prayer vppon the same Argument Alas when shall I come before the face of my God and when shall I haue my abiding in his house How long shall I bee in this exile whereunto for sinne we were banished But how shall a sinner stand before this great God How shall this poore flesh get vp into euerlasting paradise But praised bee my God who hath giuen vnto vs so good an assurance in his holie word Blessed bee GOD which hath ordained for vs this good ladder by the which wee ascend vp into heauen to wit Iesus Christ so that which was vnto vs impossible is possible to the beleeuer Therefore looke not O Lord into the manifold sinnes that are within me But rather remember that I am thy creature and the worke of thy handes I am vnworthie to bee called thy childe but it hath pleased thee to bee my father Thy will was that thy sonne Iesus should come downe here below to vs to make vs ascend vp to thee I feare not then death seeing I haue life with me Thy son hath destroyed death for all those which doe beleeue in him And albeit that this bodie be gnawen with wormes yet the soul goeth forthwith into rest the body awaiteth the resurrection I do desire therfore to die to beholde thy face and willinglie leaue this life to be with Christ Oh my God if the simple sound of thy worde which I heare on earth doth cause my soule to liue alreadie what life what countenance shall I haue there on high wheÌ„ as I shall receiue it in my heart seeing thy glorie being in so blessed a companie Open vnto me then O Lorde the gate of thy kingdome Make mee to heare this sweete voice which was prepared for the poore thiefe on the crosse To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Alas Lorde I am vnworthy thereof yet thy mercie giueth me assurance Grant me also O father streÌ„gth to perseuere giue me daily this desire of the life to come for if we be so much affectioned to this earthly life that is but for a day ful of miseries with what wish ought I to desire that glorious life which thy sonne Iesus hath purchased for vs Other short praiers for certaine necessities of the Churches To demand perseuerance Almightie God seeing we be knit together by the guide and counsell of thy sonne to this bodie of the Church which was so often scatered and dispersed graunt that we may abide in this vnitie of faith and that wee may constantly fight against all temptation of this worlde and that wee may not turne away from a true and right intent though it come to passe that troubles vppon troubles doe happen offences vpon offences seeing our faith is not builded vpon the holinesse of man or vpon their persons but vppon thee O true and almightie God And whatsoeuer euilles or deathes that shal be offered vnto vs we may not be possessed with such feare as may plucke away our hope out of our heartes but that we may rather learne to lift vp our eies yea our vnderstanding all our wittes vnto this thy power by the which thou quicknest the dead raisest vp that which was of nothing that our spirites may alwaies aspire vnto euerlasting rest albeit it behooued vs daily to die vntill at the last thou shalt shewe how thou art the true fountaine of life granting vnto vs the immortalitie through thy sonne Iesus Christ A prayer to haue stedfastnesse and constancie EVerlasting and almightie God al good and mercifull seeing we be heere subiect to so great aduersities and of so many sortes
to stirre vp through our prayers those mercies and bowels of compassion in the diuine Maiestie For wee must well remember in this behalfe the place that is in the 14. Chap. of the Prophet Osee Who is wise shall vnderstand these things and prudent and shall know thē A consolation against the extreme miseries wherewith God doeth exercise his children For the waies of the Lord are right and the iust also shall walke in them But the vngodlie shall fall therein By which wordes it is shewed vnto vs that it is a great wisedome rightlie to marke the proceedings of our God and to vnderstand the end of them as well in his promises as in his threateninges for they be alwayes iust and right and there are none but Infidels and wicked men which stumble and fall in them But men commonlie offend in this that they measure the thoughtes of God according to the thoughtes of men doe perswade themselues that thinges ought to goe and to take such course as they imagine in their vnderstanding the which is altogether contrarie to the Scripture For my thoughtes saith the Lord are not your thoughtes Esai 55.8 neither my wayes your waies For as the heauens are higher than the earth so bee my wayes higher than your wayes and my thoughtes aboue your thoughtes Nowe wee know that the thoughtes of our God are not to destroy his Church Mat. 16. against which the gates of hell can haue no power and for this cause we are commaunded to beleeue the Church howsoeuer she seeme not to appeare in the world as faith is not of thinges which bee apparant vnto carnall eyes Although then that sometimes stormes tempestes and calamities bee so extreme as it seemeth that there is no more face neither anie tract or footing of a Church on the earth and moreouer that GOD hath left his house and as it were altogether forsaken his heritage and as it might be leauing the welbeloued of his soule in the handes of his enemies Loe the verie wordes that the Lord vseth in the 12. of Ieremie yet will hee dailie haue as it is said in the 6. Chap. of Esaiah a tenth part And the Church shal bee made bare as a Birch or as an Oke when they shall cast their leaues and yet there shall be substance within euen so shall bee the substance of the Church a holie seede So that euen then when she shall walke in the middest of aduersitie Psal 138. the Lorde shall quicken her The meaning of the Lorde in sending calamities and shall not leaue the worke of his handes I say hee shall quicken her no otherwise than if of dead and drye bones being inspired with a new soule and strength they should bee gathered together and liue as it is said in the 37. Chap. of the Prophet Ezechiel And as concerning the Lordes purpose when hee sendeth such deluges and floudes to come among vs it is partlie to the end to shewe forth vnto the whole world his power prouidence goodnesse and righteousnesse partlie to the end that wee should learne to walke by faith to renounce our selues and in this so fraile and miserable a life to aspire vnto that which is euerlasting Hee sheweth his power when hee vpholdeth his Church in the middest of so manie euils and diseases when as hee shall raise it vp as it were from the dead Psal 68.2 when as in a moment hee shall make his enemies to vanish as a heape of smoke Hee testifieth his prouidence when as hee maketh the determined season come to deliuer his And contrariewise Psal 102. when hee bringeth the appointed day vpon his aduersaries as it is said in the lamentation of the Prophet Ieremie the 1. Chapter Hee likewise sheweth his prouidence in that of euill hee can drawe forth good Rom. 8.28 and make all thinges to worke to the good and saluation of his drawing out of afflictions remedies and profitable medicines for his Church Hee sheweth also his goodnesse first in that hee tempereth his corrections and in the middest of the greatest fiers hee comforteth and sustaineth his children as it is said in the 94. Psalme When I had manie thoughtes in my selfe thy comfortes haue recreated my soule His goodnesse shineth also in that he hath appeased his owne wrath putting an end to all calamities as it is said in the 30. Chap of Esaiah Therefore doth the Lorde put off to the end that hee may haue mercie vppon you and likewise that he may bee exalted when hee doeth pardon vs. Hee maketh his righteousnesse appeare when as hee spareth not no not his owne children making his iudgementes to beginne at his owne house euen as S. Peter saith in his first Epistle and 4. Chap. But in asmuch as hee hath established a couenant with his Church the which is not grounded vpon our workes or woorthinesse but vppon his welbeloued sonne Iesus Christ in whom hee hath chosen vs loued and blessed vs this couenant is euerlasting Ephes 1. ◠And for the loue thereof he turneth himselfe towardes his people and he maketh them this goodlie certaine promise that is in the 89. Psalme I will visite their offences with a rod and their sinne with scourges But I will not vtterlie take my louing-kindnesse from him nor suffer my faith to faile him And in the 54. Chap. of Esaiah Although the mountaines shall remoue and the hilles shall fall downe yet my louing kindnesse shall not moue and the couenant of my peace shall not fall downe from thee saith the Lord who hath compassion of thee Behold thou poore vexed despised without anie consolation I will make thy walles of pretious stones and thy foundation of Saphires c. Nowe the whole is that wee awaite for him as it is said in the 30. of Esaiah Blessed are all they that waite for him But man is of a nature first The imperfections of man Lib. De patientia Rom. 8. verie impatient so as Tertullian hath not said without cause that impatiencie is the cause of all euils Secōdlie man is of this nature that he will not beleeue but that which he seeth a thing altogether contrarie vnto faith For that faith and hope which ground thēselues vpon that which is seene are properlie neither faith nor hope Thirdlie man is so corrupted as S. Chrysostome saith verie well in his 4. Homilie vnto the people of Antioch that he feareth that that he ought not to feare feareth not that which hee ought most to feare Men feare death and miseries that in deede bee nothing for they cannnot separate vs from the grace of God and they are so farre off from being able The vse of afflictions saith Chrysostome to separate vs that if thou haue manie vices afflictions will tame them if thou haue vertues afflictions will make them shine and appeare But men feare not sinne which maketh a diuision betwixt God and vs and the reward thereof
preheminence saueth thee but Thy faith hath saued thee Wherefore was the Bible And behold wherefore all the Bible is written to wit that wee might beleeue howe Iesus Christ is the Sonne of God and that beleeuing therein we might haue euerlasting life O therefore howe much is the doctrine of the Gospell necessarie and fit for vs seeing that it is as Paule saieth in the 10. to the Romanes the woorde of Faith whereby the Lorde kindleth and maintaineth faith in our hearts O how great also is the vnspeakeable goodnes of this mightie God which giueth vs blessednes and euerlasting life for nothing and requireth no other thing of vs but that we put our trust in him and that we doe beleeue in his worde O blessed we for whose sake he hath so louinglie spoken yea sworne and made an othe that hee would be vnto vs a father and sauiour But woe more than accursed are those that beleeue not in the Lorde who hath confirmed and ratified so manie goodlie and solemne promises by oth yea by the precious bloud of our Sauiour What Faith is For Christian faith is not an opinion or light beleefe of all that a man might set before vs but it is the gift of God Ephes 3. and a worke of God Iohn 6. by which gift and woorke of the Lord wee are brought vnto a certeine knowledge of his will by the meanes of his holie promises made in his woorde as S. Peter in the sixt of S. Iohn saieth Wee haue beleeued and doe knowe that thou art Christ and S. Paule in the first of the second to Timothie He hath giuen vs a spirite of a sounde minde and wee knowe verie well in whome wee haue beleeued and wee are persuaded that hee is able to keepe that gage c. Rom. 4 2â— And therefore we giue glorie vnto God beleeuing in the promises of our God being certeine and fullie assured that that which hee hath promised vnto vs hee will and can doe it to wit to forgiue vs our sinnes The effects of Faith and euerlasting life through Iesus Christ who was deliuered to death for our sinnes and rose againe for our iustification by whom also wee haue peace with God and haue accesse through faith vnto his grace wherein we stand and reioice vnder the hope of the glorie of GOD to come calling also vpon his name in all our needes and necessities as it is said in the Psalme 116. I haue beleeued and therefore haue I spoken and in the tenth of the Rom. Let vs call on him in whom we doe beleeue Things contrarie vnto faith By this it appeareth that there are three things which cheeflie are contrarie vnto faith First the despising of Gods word and of the preaching of the Gospell seeing that the Lord inspireth our harts by this meane and giueth vs also faith not willing that our beliefe and saluation should bee builded vpon mans discourse or fleshlie wisedome but vpon him alone Secondlie the doubts distrusts are contrarie vnto faith if a man doe not resolue himselfe in GOD if a man walke in vncertaintie Double errours in the Papaltie in the maner of Faith if a man doe not assure himselfe of his saluation as it is seene in the Papistes howe they in this behalfe doe commit a double fault In the first place as it is to be seene in the sixt session of that goodlie councel of Trent 9. Chapter They taught how it was a vaine trust when as men did fullie assure themselues of Gods grace and that none could knowe an assurednesse by faith that he had the grace of God O how bare weake and vnable of power should our consolation bee against sinne the diuell and hell namelie in the article of death if this doctrine tooke place For that which they say howe man because of his infirmitie cannot so assure him in his God The aunswere is easie to wit that the certaintie of faith is of God and of his word and not of our strength and merites or deseruings and therefore it ouercommeth all our weakenesse For we be also saued not after the greatnesse and weakenesse of our beliefe but through the excellencie and mightinesse of him in whom we doe beleeue that is to wit Iesus Christ in such sort as weake faith leaueth not off to be a faith to saluation because it apprehendeth the euerlasting sonne of God The other errour of the Papists is that not fullie trusting in the Lord they cal vpon Saints of both kindes not considering how that we do beleeue in one onelie God and we must also call vpon God alone For we doe call vpon him in whom we doe beleeue and fully put our assurance Rom. 10. as also in the 44. Psalme The Church protesteth not to haue lifted vp hir handes to a strange God To be short there is nothing more contrarie vnto faith than the distrust of the goodnesse fauour and assistance of our God or to think that he hath not heard our praiers seeing that it is his propertie to heare them as Dauid saith in the 65. Psalme All creatures shall come vnto thee because thou hearest their prayers They sinne there also against the nature of faith which do not beleeue that which they doe see and so soone as they see no succour prosperitie and riches they are discouraged and leaue religion And as it is said in the eleuenth Chapter to the Hebrues there prooued by manie goodlie examples that faith is the rest or stay of the thing a man hopeth for a shew of things a man seeth not For S. Augustine saith Man beleeueth with the heart not by the hand vnto righteousnes so as diuers beleeue not that which they doe touch with the hand or doe see with the fleshlie eie Thirdlie this of all other is contrarie vnto faith to purpose or to set foorth or to establish anie other thing than Christ the sonne of God Rom. 10. vpon whom we ought to trust be they our works riches or men for establishing vs vpon our selues we doe ouerthrowe so much as lieth in vs the righteousnes of God And so we deceiue our selues because that there is none other name but the name of Iesus Acts. 4. by whom wee shall haue life prosperitie saluation and in summe all maner of blessings A Praier vnto God to obtaine true Faith and encrease therein OVR Lorde God Father of light from whom proceedeth euerie good and perfect gift S. Iames. 1.17 which hast promised to powre vpon thy seruaunts the spirite of grace and of prayer Zach. 12.10 we most humblie beseeche thee Ephes 1. that for the loue of thy sonne Iesus by whom it hath pleased thee to choose vs and to blesse vs in all spirituall blessing let it please thee also to giue vs a truenesse of faith by the which wee may comprehend this largenesse depth length and height of thy delight towards vs to trust and comfort
For so is there none other meane to finde saluation life Or whither shall we goe elswhere He hath the wordes of euerlasting life as S. Peter saith in the 6. Chap. of S. Iohn But it is not with the feete of the bodie that we goe to him it is the soule that ought to march forwardes and to drawe neere to him by faith who dooth approch so neere vnto him that it ioyneth and buindeth vs with him yea it dooth graft vs in him euen as the branches are grafted in a vine stock Iohn 15.2 that in him wee might haue good consciences bring forth fruites agreeable or pleasing vnto God So might we then well say O Lord thou which doost call vs Peter drawe vs if it please thee vnto thee drawe turne our spirites willes vnto thee Be thou thy selfe the Adamāt Rom. 9. which drawest our heartes more harder than iron Rom. 9. For alas it is not in him that willeth nor in him that runneth but in thee O God that shewest mercie And because thou pitiest not the proud high-minded that feele not the charge of their sinnes Zacha. 3. which are more heauie than a great lumpe of lead but shewest mercie to the broken contrite and sorowfull soule and beholdest all those that doe grone vnder the burthen of their sorowfull sinnes giue vs grace to humble our selues that we may be exalted and to feele our death that thou maist quicken and make vs a liue that O Lord wee doe not despise or refuse thy yoke seeing that it is an easie yoke when as by thy spirit thou wilt guide vs and by thy word gouern vs giuing vs a daughterly spirit which is the spirit of adoption seeing also that to serue thee is to raigne to obay thee is to rule and so to triumph ouer the diuell sinne This is not the fearefull yoke of the law that threatened condemnation to all those which did not fulfill it This is not the damnable yoke wherewithall the sinners are wrapped in whereof is spoken in the 1. Chap. of Ieremies Lament The yoke of my transgressions is bound vppon my hand they are wrapped and come vp vppon my necke But Lord who would refuse thy yoke which is so easie seeing it giueth rest vnto the soule seeing it vnbindeth and riddeth vs out of the diuels yoke and from the oppression as it is said in thy Prophet Esai 9. Chap. Therefore receaue againe vnto thee thy poore creatures and bring vs O Lord and gather vs together as the poore straying sheepe vnto that great shepheard Iesus Christ Of the continuaunce which is required in the Christians taken out of the 24. of S. Matthewe IEsus aunswered and sayde vnto them Take heede that no man deceiue you for many shal come in my name saying I am Christ shall deceiue manie And ye shal heare of wars rumors of wars see that you be not troubled for all these thinges must come to passe but the end is not yet For Nation shal rise against Nation Realme against Realme there shal be pestilēce famin earthquakes in diuers places and all these are but the beginninges of sorrowes Then shall they deliuer you vp to be afflicted and shall kill you and ye shal be hated of all nations for my name sake And then shal many be offended and shall betraie one another Furthermore manie false prophetes shal arise and shall deceiue many and because iniquitie shall be increased the loue of many shall wax colde but he that endureth to the ende hee shall be saued A MEDITATION vpon the same Text or place The verie same we doe see in worldly affaires that it is nothing to beginne except a man guide his enterprise vnto the full And when a man freeth himselfe of one leape he looketh not vnto the difficulties but he resolueth to passe further So sayth S. Cyprian in the 5. Epistle of his first booke Faith saueth vs not Ad Furiam to be receiued only once but to be kept For as S. Ierome writeth Men seeke not the beginning of Christians but the ende S. Paule had ill begunne but he ended well Contrariwise Iudas had a good beginning but his ende was verie euill Therefore it is a speciall gift of God to be able to holde out and in such sort to runne in this race 1. Cor. 9. as wee may be able to get the wager For heere wee must beware of presumption and in all humblenesse to aske of God that he will make vs strong Men doe see how S. Peter did make himselfe resolute yet did the voyce of a chamber mayde astonie him Beholde what our weakenesse is Besides that it offereth vnto vs fightings without and feares within as S. Paul declareth in the 7. Chap. of the 2. to the Corinthians in such sort as there is no occasion to thinke well of ourselues Philip. 4. and to resolue vs against such difficulties distrusting of ourselues Rom. 16.20 vnlesse wee take courage and boldenesse in him by whom wee may doe all and that will also treade downe Sathan vnder our feete Nowe to the ende that all may bee prepared to fight the good fight and that to a holy perseueraunce Iesus Christ hath foretolde vnto vs the Allarmes that wee shall haue namely in the later daies wherin the backeslidinges reuoltinges and most daungerous temptations shall be seene Hee foretelleth of the one side that there shall be seducers that shall haue faire outwarde shewe but will shewe themselues in the end robbers of the Church pretending reformation as is seene howe the Anabaptistes and Schwencfeldiens lamented the corruptions Anabaptistes maners and offences which were in the Church and of the misusing of those which did abuse the Gospell and therewith did not onely hatch vp in them an intollerable pride presumption but also strong errours ouerthrowing the foundations of faith and all policie All this ought to make vs practise that which is sayde in the 4. Chap. of the 1. Epistle of S. Iohn Deerely beloued beleeue not euerie spirit but trie the spirites whether they are of God for many false prophets are gone out into the worlde Moreouer good heede must bee taken therein because that besides the manifest ydolaters as the Papistes are besides open heretikes and blasphemers as the Arrians be denying the true diuinitie of the sonne of God and other like that are founde in the middest of the Church which daily shall make diuisions and will preferre their discourses as Oracles willing that men should beleeue them as Gods word and will defend frowardly obstinately their goodlie interpretations that rather than they will yeelde they would set before the olde heresies euen as it is to be seene in many who stubbornely willing to defende the opinion of Luther in the point of the supper which is altogether builded vpon the doctrine of Pope Nicolas as Luther confesseth it in his great confession haue inuented
that that which is an offence vnto the worlde 1. Cor. 1. to wit the Gospell of the crosse may bee my comfort and my treasure that I may feele the vertue power and strength of this thy woorde euen in all the partes of my soule from this time foorth and for euer more So be it Of the vse of the holie Scripture Out of the 3. Chap. of the 2. Epistle of S. Paul vnto Timothee The whole scripture is geuen by the inspiration of God and is profitable to teach to correct and to instruct in righteousnesse that the man of God may be absolute being made perfect vnto all good workes The first vse of the scripture is to teach vs for where is it that a man shall finde in other bookes the secretes that the scripture teacheth vs It learneth vs on the earth a science which shall remaine in heauen as S. Ierome sayth it teacheth vs to knowe Christ and in him the life euerlasting The Angelles doe woonder at this same doctrine as it is sayde in the 1. Chap. of the 1. Epistle of S. Peter We ought therefore to bring our children vnto this schoole and the eldest also haue to learne in this science all the daies of their liues The scripture is also giuen to confute the gaine sayers to ouercome heretiks to correct vices and to hew them downe as it is sayde in Hosea Hoseah 6. for in teaching that which is good it turneth vs from euill It is also fitte to instruct vs and to giue manie aduertisementes for the gouernement of our liues towardes magistrates fathers of houshouldes and vnto other particular persons A meditation vpon the holy supper whereby we do grow in the Church and doe strengthen our faith drawen for the most part out of S. Cyprian WHen as this good sauiour went to take the cuppe and drinke so bitter of his death and passion his pleasure was to ordaine and offer vnto vs the sweete wholesome lyquor of his bloud with the partaking of his body He raised vp Lazarus going to death and appointed the supper to make our soules to liue Hee then that gaue life vnto others could he not well defende himselfe against death could it haue beene any other than a willing obedience whereby hee would so fulfill our redemption O howe great was the prouidence of this good sauiour which hath giuen vnto vs the partaking of his body before his death to shewe vnto vs that by death hee should not be destroyed and that he would neuer leaue his Church But how What banquet is this heere to eate the flesh of the Lorde and to drinke his bloud Truely it is a woonderfull thing as we doe see in the 6. Chap. of S. Iohn that the Capernaits coulde not comprehende But beholde the secret Iesus Christ spake of his flesh notwithstanding he did not speake fleshlie he spake to eate but it was not for our teeth neither for our bellies concerning the substance of this sacrament his wordes are spirite and life So as these sacred meates be of none other tast nor of any other sauour vnto a carnall and sensuall man But whereas humane sense cannot pearce through there can faith enter and the maner of speaking which seemeth harde vnto vs at the first sight we shall finde them fitly applyed if wee doe vnderstande the language of the scripture Therefore the worde of God sometimees calleth this sacrament bread and sometimes bodie and flesh that by the helpe of these knowen thinges and visible we may comprehende the thinges that are inuisible and spirituall For as the bread nourisheth the bodie euen so doth Christ nourish the soule As the flesh is a substance so is it not by imagination that our soules are nourished but the sonne of GOD incarnate is the cause of this so substantiall a foode of our soules because that he was crucified for vs. As the life is in the bloud so Christ also by his bloud hath giuen vnto vs life and is our life our fleshe our bloud and our life was of a wretched condition but by Christ all the partes of our life are restored But from whence commeth this newe commaundement to partake with the bloud of Christ Was it not forbidden in the lawe to eate the bloud of any beast because that the life was in the bloud Beholde also the vndefiled Lambe The bloud of beastes did shewe vnto vs that our life ought not to be brutish or that we should be giuen to crueltie And the bloud of Christ which wee are commaunded to drinke teacheth vs howe our liues ought to be Christian like and pure that wee might say with S. Paul in the 2. Chap. to the Galathians It is not I that liue but Christ liueth in me Therefore this communion is not a consubstantiation with the Trinitie for there is but the father the sonne and the holy Ghost which are consubstantiall It is not a confusion of persons in Christ but it is an vnion of the heade with the members it is an vnion of affections and of willes a partaking together of the euerlasting riches and in the life of Christ This is a warning to be short that we must not liue vnto our selues but vnto God And as they that haue eaten some excellent meate that hath in it some good sauour doe feele there in a good nourishment and sweetenesse of breath euen so must it be that they which are sedde with this sacred meate and wherein Christ dwelleth that in all their wordes and deedes a man may feele a good smell and that may increase to edification and that all that which they doe may bee vnto the glorie of this great GOD. And so we doe see that it is not the teeth which wee doe sharpen comming vnto this holy banquet but that we do bring hither faith to distinguish the sacramēt from the thing of the sacrament the earthly element from that which is diuine and heauenly and so to consider in one onely Christ the vnion of two natures diuine and humane For altogether like as in the person of Christ Note this comparison of S. Cyprian the humane nature was seene here belowe and the diuinitie was not seene yet did it not leaue to worke great thinges without the chaunging of one nature into another so in the supper we doe see bread and wine but the bodie of Christ we doe not see yet doth it not leaue to worke in vs nowe that he is ascended into heauen And as the bodie of the light which is on high is intire in himselfe howe so euer it be spreade abroade heare beneath So is Christ intire there on high and yet leaueth hee not to partake himselfe fully to euery one of vs without lessening himselfe when as hee giueth himselfe vnto vs which be weake without being inclosed in the bread whē as he is notwithstanding receiued by vs without darkening his maiestie when hee entereth into our small tabernacle and when he will that
death and shewing that she had no more power sith that Christ is risen againe Nowe will some say howe doth this place agree with S Paule Wee must consider the thinges more neerer It was sayde that if the people had turned to God he had deliuered them through his diuine mercie But forasmuch as there was nothing in vs but sinne and so likewise death it behoueth vs to looke vpon Christ who hath ouercome death and vanquished Hell in such sort as they cannot hurt the children of God For being graffed in Christ we feare nothing Wherefore S. Paule who reioyceth himselfe in Christ and in his righteousnesse and who considereth that through him saluation is giuen vnto vs doth with good right dispite and tryumph ouer death and as concerning him he doth not recite the wordes of the prophet worde for word but he hath a respect to the intent and meaning of them By Christ then are we quickened therefore haue we sure hope of the resurrection so as that which the righteousnesse of the lawe could not do is fulfilled and wrought through Christ in whome wee feare not death Thus by faith we are deliuered from the whole curse Out of the 22. Chap. of S. Matthew Iesus disputing of the resurrection against the Sadduces sayde And concerning the resurrection of the dead haue ye not read what is spoken vnto you of God saying I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaae and the God of Iacob God is not the God of the dead but of the liuing Out of the 5. of S. Iohn The houre shall come in the which all that are in the graues shal heare the voice of the sonne of man And they shall come foorth that haue doone good vnto the resurrection of life but they that haue doone euill vnto the resurrection of condemnation Excellent witnesses of the resurrection out of the 15. Chapter of the first Epistle to the Corinthians If there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen But Christ is risen was seene of manie Then is there a resurrection of the dead If we haue our only hope in this life we shall be most miserable of all mankinde But our faith is not in vaine neither the witnesse that the holy Ghost doth yeelde vnto our heartes that wee be the children of God Then is there another entire life of man and consequently a resurrection The seconde Adam is truly as mightie at the least as the first Nowe all these die which are borne of Adam it followeth then that they which be borne againe in the seconde Adam which is Christ are also made liuing after the bodie and soule The sacrament of Baptisme is vnto vs also a sacrament which doth represent vnto vs our mortification our life and resurrection when the people were drawen through the water The saintes and faithfull neither fought nor suffered in vaine For if there were not another life in vaine should they suffer euen vnto death We haue likewise saith S. Paul an example of the resurrection in the graine of corne and in other seedes which die in the grounde and in dying doe in the spring time rise againe more fairer wherefore is it that that should not so likewise happen vnto our bodies Out of the 3. Chap. of the Epistle of S. Paule to the Philippians Our conuersation is in heauen from whence also we looke for the sauiour euen the Lorde Iesus Christ who shall change our vile bodie that it may be fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all thinges vnto himselfe Out of the 2. Chapter of the 2. Epistle to Timothie S. Paule reproueth Hymeneus and Philetus which haue erred from the truth saying that the resurrection is past alreadie and doe destroy the faith of certaine I beleeue the life euerlasting Euerlasting saluation is the ende of our faith as sayeth S. Peter in the 1. Epistle and 1. Chap. This is truely the glorie of God which ought to be our ende and that whereunto wee doe aspire euen the price which is promised to this militant Church that is life euerlasting The soule of Lazarus separated from the bodie Luke 16.22 was receaued to euerlasting rest It was said vnto the good thiefe as he is called which confessed Christ with repentance To day shalt thou bee with me in paradise Now who is hee which could expresse the blessednes of the life euerlasting For this word Life comprehendeth all ioy peace glorie and honor as S. Paul saith in the 2. Chap. to the Romans Vnto those which with patience are giuē to goodnes shall bee giuen Glorie honor immortalitie and life euerlasting And they shall shine as the sunne in the kingdome of their father as it is said in the 13. of S. Matthew Contrariwise the Infidels shall bee cast out from the face of the Lorde with anger with euerlasting tormentes where shall bee weeping and gnashing of teeth Behold what is the auncient faith that the Apostles haue held and S. Peter hath preached for the which our Churches are persecuted and wee are called heritikes But what Wee oftentimes call to remembrance that goodlie admonition that S. Paul made to Timothie in the 6. Chap. of his first Epistle Fight the good fight of faith Lay hold of eternall life whereunto thou art also called and of that which Dauid speaketh in the 138. Psalme Lorde though I walke in the middest of trouble yet wilt thou reuiue me And of this goodlie place which is in the 25. of Esai The Lorde will destroy death for euer and will wipe away the teares from all faces and the rebuke of his people wil he take away out of all the earth And in that day shall men say Lo this is our God wee haue awaited for him and hee will also saue vs. This is the Lorde wee haue awaited for him wee will also bee ioyfull and reioyce in his saluation And though wee bee deliuered to death for the name of Iesus yet doe wee know that his life shall bee manifested in our mortall flesh as it is said in the 4. Chap. of the 2. to the Corinth But the fearefull and vnbeleeuing the abominable and murtherers and whoremongers and sorcerers Idolaters and lyers shall haue their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death Apoca. 21.8 Comfortes against death taken out of manie auncient Doctors IT is not without great reason that the great philosopher Plato saith that the life of a wise man ought to passe in a continuall meditation of death For wee shall in deede auoid a number of offences if we haue in remembrance our end and the estate of this life which is so short as it is said in the 7. of Ecclesiast Nowe it is a strange thing to consider the blockishnesse of men in this case which by dailie experience well see that they must die They see well that our bodies bee not
brethren A citie is not vnhappie to be vnwalled spoyled A city whē he is vnhappie robbed and outwardly ruined and sacked but if it be depriued of the fauor of God if it be filled full of ydolatrie with vanitie with theft bloud and with pride Furthermore if we doe feele our selues verie weake to sustaine the assaults threateninges and feares amongest cruell Idolaters why doe we tempt God in dwelling amongest them Heb. 13. Why doe wee not come out of our tentes to beare the rebuke of Christ Why goe we not out of Babylon to the ende we be not partakers of her sinnes and that wee receiue not of her plagues Howe many meanes might a man haue had since this fiue yeares to haue retired himselfe from amongest these fleshlie people so thirstie after the bloud of the faithfull Who is he that would abide one night amongest Scorpions Who is hee which would not quickelie vnharbour himselfe Dwelling amongest Idolaters verie dangerous seeing his house on a fire how deere soeuer it were vnto him Who is hee which would remaine in the fairest citie of the world in which hee could haue no bread What order then is there that they shoulde soiourne amongest them so long time Dwelling amongest Idolaters is verie daungerous amongest whom there can be founde no true bread and amongest whom there is neither faith nor loue nor yet respect of anie person We are in this worlde to knowe and serue God and the time of our life being so short ought we not to enforce our selues to the vttermost to bestowe that as well as is possible For as S. Cyprian hath verie well sayde in his treatise of twofoulde Martyrdome All the life of man ought to giue witnesse to GOD not that he hath any neede or maketh much reckoning of our Martyrdome or witnessing of him but that it pleaseth him that his glorie should be thus aduaunced and declared amongest men by men Nowe my brethren Whence infirmities proceede considering that these great infirmities which are at this day founde in many proceede from no other thing but onely through default of not being well grounded and rooted in the faith and also because we pray not vnto God Mark 9.23 so often and so earnestlie as were requisite For all thinges are possible to the beleeuer and the beleeuer also hath this aduauntage that God heareth and fulfilleth his desires I haue thought to comfort and to strenthen more and more those which through the grace of GOD remaine firme and constant vntill this present Psal 145. The purpose of the Author in this booke as also to giue courage againe vnto them which haue lost it and suffer themselues willinglie to be borne with the tempest of Idolatrie that there is nothing more fitte and to the purpose than to set before your eies the Articles of our faith with short meditations and prayers that shall giue vnto you a briefe knowledge and vnderstanding thereof being as it were the verie iuice and substance to the ende also that this may shortly put you in remembraunce of the pure doctrine which was preached vnto you For this is our glorie 2. Cor. 1. euen of vs all which haue beene your Pastors the testimonie of our conscience that in simplicitie and godlie purenesse wee haue beene conuersant amongest you preaching vnto you the word of God And wee are not ignorant in meane while that this is an auntient subtiltie and craft of the Diuel and of the wicked The slaūders of the aduersaries in the middest of their greatest wickednesse to slaunder good men and the trueth So was Elias slaundered by Achab as a seditious person so was Iesus Christ charged with faultes So did that abhominable Nero who hauing set the citie of Rome on fire layd all the fault vpon the poore Christians Wee doe not doubt at all but a man may finde some of our renegates which to receiue the seruice to the contrarie side and to reape the benefite of a flattering tongue both haue and doe straine themselues to misuse vs in speach and not onely with the like speach falselie to misuse vs but also to make odious euen the whole doctrine of the holie Gospell But he whome we doe serue knoweth vs and we call none other but the conscience of those who haue hard vs and haue seene our behauiours in witnesse of our affection towards you of our chearefulnesse and readines wherewith all we haue beene alway accōpanied preaching vnto you the pure word of God so much as was possible for vs and that you could be suffered to heare the same The worlde hath also seene knowen of long time the impieties of this seat of Rome many Emperours yea and many kinges of Fraunce haue prooued their insolencie and crueltie Fraunce alas seeth at this day the detestable vntrustinesse treasons violences and murthers the like not hearde which that Apostaticall Romish seate hath bredde and brought forth vnto vs and for the which they haue many times made bonfires yea and great triumph but all in vaine wee shall weepe and the worlde shall laugh in the meane time our heauinesse shall one way bee turned into ioy which the world shall not be able to spoile vs of And how much better shall it bee to weepe in this world than in the other and to reioyce in the life to come than in this vale of miseries The order then that wee keepe in this booke is The order kept in this booke that wee drawe to the Articles of the faith as close as is possible certaine places of the holie scripture which serue best to explane them and make them cleare with prayers and meditations to that purpose to the end that as faith and prayer ought to be ioyned together so euerie one might bee resolued in the faith be pricked forward to prayer True it is that in that which tyed me to those prayers and meditations which were before imprinted I haue not altogether kept such order as I desired neuerthelesse these prayers nowe are brought into a better order than those that were before and are augmented with manie goodlie places And this booke will serue as a Christian Manuel to the end to teach euerie one to see euerie houre of the day and euerie Moneth of the yeare that is to say continuallie what hee ought to beleeue and meditate vpon as also what was the whole Catechisme or maner of instruction of youth vsed by the ancient fathers like as Augustine witnesseth in his Enchiridion that is to say in his Manuel that it contained the meaning and exposition of the Creede and the Lordes prayer Wherefore I hope that this little treatise so reuiewed and digested into such order will serue not onelie to direct vs how to make our prayers for all kinde of necessities and wantes but also for an instruction more and more to confirme those that are the true faithfull in the principal pointes of our saluation