singular comfort and vnto the vtter confusion and destruccion of Anti christ and of hys kyngdome ¶ The. viij Chapter ANd albeit that ye do not perceauâ—… ContinuaÌ„câ—… in praiâ—…r Psal. 12â—… remedy straight wayes yet cease not to praye but as the eyes of seruauntes looke to the handes of their masters as the eyes of a mayden vnto the hande of her maystresse euen so let your eyes wayte vpon the Lorde youre God vntill he haue mercy on you He will vndoubtedly come Abac. 2 Heb. 10 not tarrye whan his godly wisdome seeth the tyme yea that on suche sorte as shall make moste for his glory and your coÌ„forte For the poore shall not alway be forgotten the pacient abiding of the meke shal not perish Psalm 9. for euer The Lord will be a defence for the oppressed euen a refuge in due tyme of trouble as he hym selfe witnessâ—…th sayeng For the comforteles troubles sake of the nedye and because of the depe syghynge of Psal. 12. the poore now will I vp sayth the Lorde will helpe euery one froÌ„ him that swelleth againste hym and will set hym at rest Remember this sayeng of the prophete Esaye Esa. 30 In silence and hope shall your strenght be And thise sentence also of Ieremye It is Thre 3. good with sylence to tarrye for the sauyng healthe of God Murmure not agaynste God nor appoynte hym not hys tyme but paciently abyde hys working referring all Pacience thinges to hys godly pleasure and submittinge your wil to his blessed will whiche alwayes both willeth and doeth that thing that is best for hys glory and for oure salua cion In your pacience sayeth our sauiour Christe shall ye possesse your soules We Luc. 21. are commaunded too heare the woorde off God with an honeste and good harte too Luc. 8. kepe it faste and to bringe forthe the frute therof with pacience The tryall of youre fayth sayeth s. Iames bringeth forthe pacience but let your pacience haue a perfect Iac. 1. worke that ye maye be perfecte and whole and sounde on euery parte To the Hebrues Heb. 10 also it is written Caste not awaye youre confidence whiche hath greate rewarde to recoÌ„pence For ye haue nede of pacieÌ„te that after ye haue done the will of God ye might receaue the promyse For yet a littell whyle and he that shal come will come wil not tarry Pray therfore with pacieÌ„ce pacieÌ„tly abyding the good pleasure of God and his most gracious working Let youre fayth hope neuer departe from God but whan thinges become to moste extremitie reasoÌ„ iudgeth hauocke vtterly to be made and all thinges too be paste remedye than sâ—…eke moste faste to God to his promises let not your holde go but in the middes of death hope for lyfe loke for deliuerauÌ„ce at the Lordes haÌ„de Be lyke vnto hym that Iob. 13 sayde Though he kylleth me yet wil I put my trust in hym Saye with the Psalmographe the Lorde is my light my sâ—…luacioÌ„ whom then shall I feare The Lorde is the Psal. 27. strength of my lyfe of whome then shall I be afrayde When the wicked euen myne enemies and my foes came vpoÌ„ me to eate vp my flesh they stoÌ„dled and fell Thoughe an hoste of men were layde agaynst me yet shal not my hart be afrayd though there rose vp warre against me yet wil I put my trust in him For know ye this to be the pro Gods propertie in his seruauntes pertie of God He first casteth doun before he lifteth vp as we may se by Ioseph Dauid Daniel such other And whaÌ„ thinges seme to be past all remedy thaÌ„ he setteth to his haÌ„d maruelously helpeth that he mai shew hiÌ„ self to be an almighty Lord valeauÌ„t ruler of all creatures that there is no wysdome no forecast no couÌ„sâ—… that caÌ„ Prou. 21 preuayle against the Lord as Dauid sayth The Lord bringeth the counsaylles of the Psal. 33. Heathen to nought and maketh the deuyses of the people to be of none effect and casteth out the counsailes of princes But the counsayl of the Lorde shal endure for euer and the thoughtes of hys harte from generation to generation ¶ The. ix Chapter THat God sheweth hys present helpe In greatest extremities God chiefly helpeth moste of all in greatest extremities diuers histories declare euidentlye in the holy scriptures whereof parte briefly to touche it shall not be oute of the waye that we may learne in the middest of greatest euels not to despayr of the mighty workyng of God but to conceaue asure hope and to loke for all good thinges at the haÌ„de of the Lorde our God Who knoweth not vnto what great extremitie the chyldreÌ„ of Exod. 14 Israel were brought after their deliuerauÌ„ce out of Egipte Came they not to this point in their iourneye that before theym there was no waye to go into but the readde sea wherin they must nedes be drouned if they wente forwarde and behynde them was kynge Pharao with all his armye redy to slea them if they tarryed Here naturall reason sawe nothinge but presente deathe Before them was the readde sea vnable to be passed thorowe and behynde them theyr mortals foâ—… with his bloudy cruel hooste redy to kyll them Oh to what extremities are the Israelites come Yet beholde Psal. 145 1. Cor. 10 that mercifull God whiche is euer true faythful in his promises founde a way for them to escape where all reason witte wisedome discrecion experience and pollecye of man coulde do nothing in the matter He caused the sea to diuide it self so that in the middest therof he made a drye pathe for his people safely to passe thorow the sea standing on bothe sydes of them lyke two walles and the Israelites beynge once passed thorowe that whiche was a safegarde too Gods people was an vtter destruccion to their enemies For the sea ate the commauÌ„dement of God closed agayne together and drouned Pharao with all his companye O the wonderful workes of God Agayn when they were come into the wildernes Exo. 16. 17. where neither meate nor drincke was to be gotteÌ„ and they iudging after na turall reason thoughte that euery one off them shoulde there moste miserablye haue dyed for wante of socour how dyd the heauenly father in that extremitie prouide for his people by sending them meate froÌ„ heauen and geuinge them moste pleasaunte swete waters euen out of the harde rocke 〈◊〉 drincke O the excedinge greate ryches of the Lord our God To whome is the historye of Ioseph vnknowen Gene. 39 who beyng miserably kept in pryson certayne yeares withoute iuste cause euery man despayred of hys deliueraunce at any tyme. But whan all thinges semed to be paste remedy and the matter brought to vtter desperacion concerninge his commynge out God setteth too hande dothe not onely deliuer Ioseph out of
prysonne Gene. 41 but he also bringeth hym to suche honoure and dignitie that he is made chiefe ruler ouer all the lande of Egipte nexte vnto the Kynge O the singular good will of the Lord our God towarde his faithfull and louing seruauntes What shall I speake of that moste noble 4. Re. 18. and faythful kyng Ezechias which beynge in moste greuous daunger bothe he hys contries thorow the tyranny of Sennacherib that moste proude kyng of the AssyriaÌ„s which was at hande to destroy both hym hys realme not perceauing how he hys people with al their witte pollecy streÌ„ght were able to enter battel with so mighty an enemy vtterly despairing of his own might power lameÌ„ted his cause vnto the Lorde his God which so petied the sorowful estate of kyng Ezechias of his people that euen the same night he sent his auÌ„gel which slew 4. Re. 19. in the hooste of the AssyriaÌ„s an c. lxxx and fyue thousand so that Sennacherib with the rest of his hooste fled which shortly after as he was worshipping his fals God was slayne of his owne sonnes in the idolatrous teÌ„ple O the pricelike puissauÌ„ce of the Lord our God in defending hys faithefull people Notable is the historie coÌ„tayned in the boke of Hester concerninge the Iewes which were the people of God where we Hest. 〈◊〉 rede that wicked AmaÌ„ beyng hyest in autho rite with kyng Ahasuerus for displeasure that he bare vnto Mardocheus the Iewe because he wold not bowe the knee vnto hiÌ„ reuereÌ„ce him procured of the kynge a coÌ„mauÌ„dement to be directed vnto all his officers magistrates that all the Iewes that were within the kynges dominions should be destroyed And as for Mardocheus AmaÌ„ had prepared for him a new payre of galowes of l. eubites hye purposinge to hange hym the next days folowing Here was nothing at haÌ„de nor to be loked for but present death and destruccion All was lyke to go to hauocke all thynges were brought to such an extremitie The commission is written and sealed with the Kynges owne rynge Postes are sente wyth it into all the kynges landes the daye is appoynted that all Iewes both yonge and oldechyldren and women should be destroyed in one daye What is here too be sene but present death The Iewes are not an handfull in comparison of their enemies so that vtter destruccion lygheth bent out for them no way there is to escape it so farre as rea son can iudge But now behold Gods workinge and here shall ye fynde that thynge true whiche Salomon hath The kynges Pro. 21. hart is in the hande of the Lord lyke as are the ryuers of water he may turne it whyther so euer he will Aman whiche before Hest. 7. was so muche set by of the kynge is nowe sodenly so farre fallen from the kynges fauoure Bevvare ye papistes that he is commaunded to be haÌ„ged vpon those same gallowes that he had set vp for good Mardocheus so that Mardocheus was made ruler of all that AmaÌ„ had was exalted vnto hye dignitie that that maye be founde true whiche we rede in the Psalme I sayde vnto the fooles deale not Psal. 75. so madly to the vngodly set not vp your borne Set not vp your horne on hye and speake not with a styffe necke For promocion coÌ„meth neither from the East nor froÌ„ the West nor yet frome the Southe And why God is the Iudge he putteth doune Psal. 37. one and setteth vp another Agayne the vngodly seeth the righteous and seketh occasioÌ„ to slea hym But the Lorde will not leaue hym in his hande nor condemne him whaÌ„ he is iudged Immediatly after also was a contrary commauÌ„dement sent out by the Hest. 8. 9 postes with all haste froÌ„ the king streightly charging all the inhabitantes of the kinges Maie not God thus vvorbe in the Oâ—…enes hart for his faithful seruauntes in time to come dominions by no meanes to trouble or too vexe the Iewes but to take them as moste dere faithfull and louinge subiectes of the Kinge and if anye wolde withstande the Kinges commaundement in this behalfe that the Iewes shoulde gather them selfes together and slea their enemies and take awaye their goodes Thus sodenly was sorow turned into ioye heauines into myrth sadnes into gladnes slauery into honoure darkenes into lighte and deathe into lyfe O the vnspeakable power of the Lord oure God To whome is the historie of the. iij. iong Dan. 3. men vnknowen which because they wold not worship the goldeÌ„ Image at the kinges commaundement were cruelly caste into an whote breÌ„ning ouen Who wolde not haue iudged their lyfe vtterly loste But God which helpeth in moste extremities so prouided that the fyre did hurte them nothing at all no not so muche as an hayâ—…e of their head perished with the fiire nor no parte of their garmentes Whole sounde came thei out of the brenninge fornace vnto the great glory of God O the fatherly care of the Lorde our God for all such as cleue to hys holy and blessed worde The history of casting the prophet Daniel Dan. 6. into the denne of Lyons because contrary to the Kynges commaundement he prayde vnto the Lorde hys God is not vnknowen to them that rede the holy scriptures Who durst haue promysed Daniel any lyfe beiâ—… thus caste doune vnto the hungrye cruell Lyons yet God was present with hym stopped the Lyons mouthes that they dyd not once hurte hym O the louing kyndnes of the Lorde oure God towarde all theym that call on hys holy name and putte theyr truste in hym I passe ouer the histories of the cytiesins of Bethulia of Iob of Thoby of Susan and of diuers other contayned in the olde testament which in al their necessities and troubles calliÌ„g on the name of god proued hys presente helpe whyche by no meanes wolde suffer them to perish All these thinges Rom. 14 are written for our learnyng that thorow pacience and comfort of the scriptures we should haue hope ¶ The. x. Chapter TAke one or twoo examples out of the new Testament for the confirmatioÌ„ of our faythe in this behalfe that we maye learn God to be one and the same louing Mala. 3. father in all ages neuer more doubt of his fatherly goodnes towarde vs but coÌ„ ceaue an assured hope and perfect truste off hys present helpe euen in the depest of our aduersities as he sayeth Though I walke thorow the valley of the shadow of deathe I wyll feare no euell for thou arte wyth Psal. 23. me Whan Christ and hys disciples were in the shippâ—… Christe at a certayn tyme slept In the meane whyle their arose a greate Math. 8. tempeste in the sea in so muche that the shyppe was couered wyth the waues The disciples perceauynge them selfes too be in greate daunger and peryll of drownynge and not knowynge what to do nor how
deuoured of wylde beastes Were not the people of the olde worlde worthye too be Gen. 7. 2. Pet. 2. ouerwhelmed with waters which beynge of righteous No he so ofte afore admonisshed wolde not repent and make prouisioÌ„ for the auoyding of that plague Were not the filthy Sodomites worthy to be consumed Gen. 19. 2. Pet. 2. with fyre and brymstone from heaueÌ„ which being afore tolde of their destructioÌ„ wolde not cease thorowe their abhominable liuynge to prouoke the heauy wrathe fearse vengeaunce of God agaynste theim Were not the Israelites worthy to be plagued euen vnto the death whan they despisyng lothyng abhorring Manna which Exod. 17 came doùne from heauen lusted after the vile flesh of the earth Were not the Iewes worthy to be ledde awaye miserable captiues wretched prysoners to serue strauÌ„ge princes in farreyne countryes which wold 4. Re. 25 not serue their Lord God in theyr owne couÌ„ trye a lande that floweth with mylke and hony Was it not conuenient that the Matt. 21. Marc. 12. Luc. 20. people of Iuda shoulde be oppressed yea destroyed bothe they and their cyâ—…es of theyr enemyes the Romaynes which refused Ie sus Christ their trueliege and soueraygâ—…e Lorde to reygne ouer them most cruelty put hym to death Were they not worthye Mat. 〈◊〉 to be seduced by a sorte of fals raâ—…es as they are at thys daye whâ—…che wolde neueâ—… geue eare too the true Prophetes of God but miserably kylled them â—…s it not also mete that they lyke vagabundes shoulde Acto 7. wander thorowoute the worlde withoute priesthode kyngedome or common weale that wolde neuer truly serue hym which before all other nacions dyd chose them 〈◊〉 be hys peculiare people geuiÌ„g them a â—…e that flowed wyth the abondauÌ„ce of all thin ges Are they not worthy to walke in â—…kenes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 â—…f 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which willingly despise the light tâ—… taste â—…oure thinges whiche abhorre the swete to wander out of the waye whiche râ—…fuse the playne pathe Euen so is it come to passe lykewise with vs at this day We abhorred the light of Goddes worde therfore are we now iustly ouerwhelmed with the darkenes of mens tryffeling 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 decrees We lightely 〈◊〉 the godly prayers and thankes geuinges 〈◊〉 oure Engliâ—… tounge wherby we 〈◊〉 Latin seâ—… 〈◊〉 haue bene greatly 〈◊〉 therefore are we now fedde with Latyn seruice whiche â—…e know not whether it be blessing or cursiâ—… Certeyn are weÌ„ that it is altogether with out edifyeÌ„g clean coÌ„trary to the coÌ„mauÌ„de 1. Cor. 14 meÌ„t of God the doctrine of the holy Aposâ—…le â–ª which wolde nothiÌ„g to be spokeÌ„ in the coÌ„gregacioÌ„ but in such a toÌ„ge as al the people vnderstaÌ„d that al may be edified We set nought by the ministracioÌ„ of the holy bles Maâ—… â–ª 〈◊〉 sed coÌ„munioÌ„ therfore this plage is worthe ly come vpoÌ„ vs that in the stead of the Lordes supper we haue moste wicked abhomi nable masses setvp inueÌ„ted by the deuel bro ught in by Antichrist practised by his shorne shaueâ—…iÌ„ges maintained by such as haue receaued the beastes marke full of supersticion Idolatrie blasphemie spiritual whor dome and of all that displeaseth God is horrible in the iudgement and sighte of all good men We regarded not the godly learned and fatherly Bisshops nor the faythfull verteous ministers of Gods worde whiche fedde vs with the pure wheate off Christes gospel and taught vs the holy ordinaunces of God RepeÌ„tauÌ„ce fayth loue inuocation of the name of God mortification of the olde man brotherly charitie pa cieÌ„ce loÌ„g suffering obedieÌ„ce ioy in the holy Ghost the true Christen good workes such other fâ—…utes of the spirite wherby we might learne to serue the Lord our God in Luc. 1. holynes righteousnes all the daies of our lyfe therfore al those meÌ„ of God being put to silence someÌ„ out of office some in exile some in pryson abyding the good pleasur of God euen as shepe apoynted to be slayne Psal. 44. Rom. 8. we are coÌ„â—…elled dayly to heare suche AntichristiaÌ„ troÌ„petâ—…lowers such caÌ„ckred cormorauÌ„tes such Caymlyke caterpyllers suche idle Idols such loytering lordennes suche lecherous lubbers such deuelâ—…h destroiers of ChristeÌ„ meÌ„s soules as the eares of agood Christian abhorre for too heare the eyes to beholde the fete to go vnto O miserye passing all miseries that flocke whiche the hye bishop Christ purchased with his most Acto 20 precious bloud to be scattered reÌ„t torne deuoured of those cruel lyoÌ„s raueniÌ„g wol fes who lameÌ„teth not those people whom God hath chosen for his enheritauÌ„ce to be seduced led out of the way by suchâ—… ministers of sathaÌ„ as clothe theÌ„ selfs outwardly with shepes apparel inwardly are â—…auenig Math. 7. Math. 2â—… wolfs ful of hipocrisy rauyn deceate of al fylthines whose hart distilleth not droppes of bloude to consider O to muche lamentable case The. iij. Chapter FOr what other thing do the lyeÌ„g blo dy papistes teache at this day thaÌ„ the very lyes dreames and fantasyes of Antichrist the bishop of Rome and his adherentes The doctriâ—… ne of the pa pistes as setting vp of aultars taberna cles Images and roode loftes hanging vp of the pyre setting vp of candles before Ido les and â—…awmettes halowyng of bread salte water palmes fyre asâ—…es oyle crisâ—…e rynges candles c. Ladyes psalters s â–ª katerines knotâ—…es intercessions and merites of sainctes Purgatorye prayenge for the dead trentalles diriges commendacions masses of RequieÌ„ masses of Scala celi masses of Recordare masses of Si iniquitates masses for all diseasâ—…s masses for all thinges good or badde auriculare confession crepyng to the crosse with candles egges money c. Iustification of workes fre will popysh fâ—…inge prayers withoute vnderstanding fayth withoute knowlege deuocion without the sprete 〈◊〉 masses propâ—…atory sacrifices done by Sodomiticall priestâ—…s 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Sacramentall breade thâ—… reall corporall substanciall carnall naturall and sensâ—…ble presence of Christe in the Sacrament so that we breake hym on peces with oure handes teare hym with our tethe and swallowe hym into the maâ—… and so digeste hym and sende hym I can not tell whyther with an whole sea of lyke errouâ—…s and heresys whiche the pylde peuyâ—… 〈◊〉 papistes teache without the authorâ—… of Gods woorde euen of theyr owne â—…ayne and fantasye vnto the great dishonour of God and the vtter damnacion of their soules whichâ—… heare beleue folowe the doctrine of those Antichristes And whence commeth it to passe that we which before were blessed of God with so many heauenly benefites are nowe moâ—…e miserably compassed about with all kynde of euilles and become the very bonde slaues of these Antichristes and spiritual shameles shauelynges as men wholy estrauÌ„ ged from God and vtterly banished frome The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 avvaye thâ—… true religioÌ„ from
that are off a troubled hart and the broken in spirite will he heale and saue ¶ The. v. Chapter SEcondly to this harty repentauÌ„ce muste a true and Christen faythe be annexed Faythe whiche apprehendeth and layeth hande on the mercifull promises of God frelye setforth to all faythefull penitent synners in Christes dere harte bloude For without this fayth and perfect perswasion of Gods fauour toward vs RepeÌ„tauÌ„ce is vayne as RepeÌ„tauÌ„ce and faithe muste go together the histories of Caym Esau Saul Achab Iudas and of suche other do manifestly declare In consideracion whereof our Sauioure Christ whan he beganne to preach sayde not onely to hys hearers Repente but he added And beleue the Gospell teachynge that true repentaunce muste be ioyned Mar. 1. with Christen fayth or els it profiteth nothing An example hereof besydes many other haue we in the history of the synfull womaÌ„ in the Gospel of sainct Luke which Luce. 7. dyd not onely repent earnestly as her bitter teares sorowefull sobbynges and depe syghynges do playnely declare but she also faythfully beleued beynge constantly perswaded that she althoughe a moste wicked syâ—…er shoulde obtayne remission of all her synnes at God the fathers hande for Iesus Christes sake hys derely beloued sonne whose fete at that present she ceased not too kysse whose fete she washed with her teares wyped with her hayre and annoynted with moste precious pleasaunte oyle Our Sauioure Christe therfore beholding her true repentaunce conioyned wyth vndoubted faythe sayde not onely to her Thy synnes are forâ—…euen the but he added Thy saythe hathe saued the departe wyth peace that is too saye with a quiet free ioyefull and merrye conscience Let vs brynge for the thys faythefull repentaunce Note and repentaunte faythe and wyth all humilitie poure oute oure synnes before the gracious throone of Goddes Maiestye and hartelâ—…e craue remyssyon and forgeuenes off all oure synnes in the precious bloude off oure Sauioure Ihâ—…u Christ and without all doubte God wil â—…e fauourable vnto vs haue pytie on vs and lighten hys chereful countenaunce once agayne vpon vs that we on the earthe maye knowe hys wayes and hys sauinge healthe among all nations For the Lord oure God is full of compassion and mercy long suffering and of great goodnes He will not alwaye be chyding neither kepeth he his anger Psal. 103. for euer He wil not deale with vs after oure synnes nor reward vs accordinge too our wickednes For loke how hye the heaueÌ„ is in câ—…parison of the earth so great is hys mercye also toward them that feare hym Loke howe wyde also the Easte is fâ—…om the West so farre will he set our synnes from vs. Yea lyke as a father pitieth hys owne chyldren euen so will the Lord be mercifull Esa. 38. Miche 7 vnto them that feare hym All oure synnes will he cast behynde his backe into the bottome of the sea wil he throw them neuer remember them more yea yf oure synnes as the Prophet sayth be as redde as sâ—…arlet Esa. 1. yet shall they be made whyther then snowe And yf they were lyke purple yet shal they be lyke whyte wolle yf we vnfainedly repente turne vnto the Lorde oure God beleue hys promises and craue mercye of hym for Christes sake ¶ The. vi Chapter THyrdly earnest diligence must be geâ—…en Good vvor â—…es that according to this true repetaunce and vnfayned fayth we bring forth good workes For the nature of harty repentaunce and of Christen faythe is not to be idle but mightely to worke to chauÌ„ge the penitente creature and to transforme hym into a newe man that he maye serue the Lorde hys God in holynes righteousnes all the dayes of his lyfe If there be not an alteracioÌ„ of lyfe if the olde man be not Ephe. 4. put of with all hys workes and the nâ—…we man put on which is made according vnto God thorow righteousnes if those 〈◊〉 Roma 6. which afore were seruauntes to vnclennes and vnrighteousnes do not nowe become seruauntes to cleÌ„nes righteousnes holynes withoute all doubte we haue neyther true repentauÌ„ce nor vnfayned fayth whose nature and propertie is to bring forth newe spirituall and godlye frutes as the Apostle sayth If any man be in Christ he is a new creature Agayne they that are of Christe 2 Cor. 〈◊〉 Galat. 5. haue crucifyed the flesh with the affectes lustes therof Therefore the holy preacher Ihon Baptiste that priestes sonne dyd not Math. 3. onely exhorte his hearers vnto repeÌ„tauÌ„ce but also vnto amendemente of lyfe vnto the bringing forth of such frutes as become true and faythfull repentaunce Brynge forthe frutes saythe he worthye of repentaunce Math. 3 c. For nowe is the axe layde at the roote of the trees Euery tree therfore that bringeth not forthe good frute is heweÌ„ vp and caste into the fyre And oure Sauiour Christe sayeth Not euery one that sayethe Math. 7. vnto me Lorde Lorde shall enter into the kyngdome of heauen but he that dothe the will of my father whiche is in heauen Agayne ye are my frendes if ye do those Ioan. 15. Ioan. 14. thynges whiche I commaunde you Item he that hath my commaundementes and kepeth them he it is that loueth me Also in another place Let youre lyghte so shyne Math. 5. before men that they maye se youre good workes and glorifye youre father whyche is in heauen These frutes of faythefull repentaunce whyche are the true good workes that God requireth of vs too be done in the holy scripture and not suche as good entent blyndezele or mannes idle imaginacioÌ„ fantasyeth ought to be brought forth whan tyme requireth of euery true Christen man to declare that hys faythe repentaunce is true and vnfayned We maye not therfore if we tender oure owne saluacion and will recouer the fauoure of God be â—…lacke and sluggyshe in bringynge forthe these weyghty frutes of repentauÌ„ce and faythe but so adourne garnyshe decke Note trymme and setforth oure lyfe with them that it maye appeare too all men yeâ—… too the very aduersaries of God that oure repentaunce is true and oure faythe vnfayned and that we be true Christians not onely in name but also in dede â–ª and not off the number of those of whome the Apostle wryteth on this manner They professe with their mouthe that they know God Titus 1. but with they bebes they denye hym And albeit at all tymes it were conuenient that the true Christians shouldbe brynge forthe the workes of repentaunce and the frutes of faythe and lede a lyfe worthy their profession yet in these oure dayes it is moste requisite For who consydereth not wyth how great a number of enemies I meane the deuill and the papistes the true Christians are enuyroned and be set in these our dayes which do nothinge els but diligently marke what they may fynde in vs â–ª worthy to be rebuked â–ª that by 〈◊〉 means
kepers set before the dore to kepe the prysō All thinges were as sure as might be Peter was paste all hope of deliueraunce He committed the matter vnto God gaue him self to reste loking the next daye after to haue bene slayne And whyle Peter was Note vve◅ despaire no◅ a slepe and had geuē ouer the matter God wrought and sent his aungell into pryson vnto Peter which wonderfully broughte him out of pryson and deliuered him from all daunger Rede the chapter O the almighty power of the Lord our God in the deliueraunce of his seruauntes If God de termineth too saue alyue who is able too put to death Here se we the sayeng of oure Math. 1◅ Sauiour Christ to be true that all the hay res of oure head are numbred and that not ◅ne of them shall perishe without the good will of our heauenly father Here is that verified which is spokē by the Psalmogra Psal. 34. phe the aungel of the Lord py◅cheth his tēt rounde about them that feare him deliuereth them Great are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord deliuereth thē out of all He kepeth all theyr bones so that not one of them shal be brokē The Lord deliue reth the soules of his seruaūtes all they that put their trust in him shall not be forsaken The tyrauntes of this worlde maye threaten persecute empryson chayn locke Not◅ beate buffet c. But the lyfe of a Christen man can they not take awaye before the tyme commeth that God hath appoynted If the deuitles coulde not enter intoo the swyne and so droune them before Christ Math. 8. gaue them leaue much les can the lymmes of the deuyll kyll any faythfull man before God geueth them lycence What coulde sathan do to Iob before God gaue hym libertie to plague hym and yet coulde he exercyse Iob. 1. 2. hys cruelnes agaynste Iob no further thā he was appoynted of God Saul persecuted Dauid purposynge cruelly too kyll hym but Dauid escaped hys handes That wicked quene Iesabell threatned and 1. Reg. 19 3. Reg. 19 sware too slea the prophete Helias but the Lorde preserued hym and she afterwarde was moste miserably slayne The Godly woman Susanne thorow false accusatiōs of the two wicked Iudges was at the point Dan. 13. to be stoned vnto death but God wonderfully deliuered her from the handes of her enemies Esau burned with an immortall hatred agaynste hys brother Iacob because Gen. 33. of the blessynge wherewyth hys father had blessed hym and purposed fully to kyll hys brother But Iacob prayed to the Lord and so mollifyed Esaus harte in so muche that when Iacob thought that both he and hys shoulde haue bene slayne hys brother Esau came gentilly vnto hym louingelye embrased hym kyssed hym frendly and for very ioye wepte so myghty is God to mollefye tyrauntes hartes whan it pleaseth hym and to make them gracious and fauorable too hys seruauntes Howe ofte rede we in the historye of the Gospell that the Iewes wente aboute too kyll Christe and yet layde they no hande on hym The Euangeliste sheweth the cause sayenge For Ioan. 7. hys houre was not yet come But whan the tyme came that God hadde appoynted from euerlastynge than preuayled the wycked agaynste the manhoode of Christe layde hande on hym bounde hym and fynally putte hym too death as Christ sayde vnto them Ye become out as vnto a thefe Luce. 22. wyth sweardes and staues Whan I was bayly with you in the Temple ye stretched forthe no hande agaynste me But thys is euen youre houre and the power of darkenesse Certayne of the Phariseis sayde vnto Christe Get the out of the waye and Luc. 13. depart hēce For Herode wil kil the. Crist aū swēred Go tel the foxe behold I cast out deuels heal the people to dai to morow the. iij. day I make an ende For it can not be that the Prophet perish any other wher then at Ierusalē Here se we both the tyme the place apoīted where Crist shuld dye Euen so goeth it with the faithful Where No◅ whā God appointeth the membres off Christ likewise shall dye For it lygheth in no tyrauntes power to take awaye the lyfe of the faythfull tyll God appointeth bothe the tyme place as Christ sayde vnto Pylate Thou couldest haue no power at all against Ioan. 19. me excepte it were geuen the frome aboue God alone hath the keyes of death Apoc. 1 hell Rede we not in the Actes of the Apostles that certayn men about the number of xl conspyred Paules death and made a Acto 23. vowe that they wold neither eate nor drink tyll they had kylled Paule Yet for all their solēne vowe they were deceaued For God deliuered Paule out of their hādes Could ◅sau hurt Iacob the sea hynder the Israe lites the whale destroye Ionas the fyre cōsume Gene. 33. Exod. 14 Ionas 2. Dan. 3. 6 act 12. 28 the. iij. ionge men the Lyons deuour Daniel the falsse Iudges slea Susanna Herode kyll Peter the venomous adder destroye Paule at Milete Nothinge les God hath the deuell the worlde the fleshe and all thynges that are in hys power and ruleth them all at hys pleasure Loke how farre he suffer thē to go and to do so farre go they and do they and no further seme they to rage neuer so muche as Dauid witnesseth the Lord hath geuen a commaunde Psal. 148. ment and none shall go beyonde it Fyre hayle snowe yse vaporous stormy wyndes accōplish hys worde Agayne thou hast Psal. 118. limited the waters theyr boundes whyche they maye not passe God gaue vs oure Note lyfe no man therefore can take it awaye withoute hys appoyntemente We are Gods people he therefore will defende vs from all euell We are the workemanshyppe of Gods handes no man therefore shall destroye vs I speake of oure bodyes withoute hys fatherly prouidence We are shepe of Gods pasture no wolfs therfore shall deuoure vs but at hys appoyntetement The Aungels of God haue chardge Psal. 34 ouer vs they pytche their tentes rounde aboute vs and watche continually for the saffegarde and defence of vs what thā can miserable man do agaynste vs be he Emperoure Kynge Pope Bishop or any other tyraunte If the deuell the Lyons the sea the fyre the wyndes the serpentes c. can do no harme to the faythfull without bothe the sufferaunce and determination of God let vs not feare the worldlye tyraūtes although neuer so mighty fearce and cruel whyche are nothyng els but vyle fleshe earth asthes duste and dong whose tyranny is lyke too a staffe of rede whose imaginacions counsayles and deuyses are vayne folyshe and of none effect whan the Lorde God take the parte agaynste them whose glorie was the floure of the felde For they shall do no more against the ellecte and chosen people of God than
God both suffereth and appoynteth Whan Pylate sitting in iudgement sayde to our sauiour Christ knoweth thou not that I haue power Ioan. 19 to crucifye the and haue power to deliuer the Christ aunswered thou couldest haue no power at all agaynst me excepte it were geuen the from aboue Euen so maye we saye of the worldly tyrauntes Thei shal haue no power at all against vs except it be geuen them from aboue And the holy apostles in their prayer vnto God sayde that whatsoeuer Herode and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and people of Israel did Act. 4. against Christe they did nothinge but that the hande and the counsayl of God had determined before to be done No more shall the tyrauntes of this worlde do any thynge agaynste vs but that whiche God before hath determined to be done froÌ„ euerlasting Of this historie of Peter therfore may we learn two notable thinges Fyrst that God than moste chiefly helpeth whan thinges be brought to greatest extremities SecoÌ„dly that the tyrauntes of this worlde can not take away a Christen mans lyfe nor yet do any more agaynste hym than the good wil pleasure determinacioÌ„ appointement off God is in whose hande alone as the wyse Eccle. 11 man sayeth is bothe prosperite aduersite lyfe death ¶ The. xij Chapter SEyng whan that we are taughte by so many credible histories that God dothe at all tymes helpe but chiefly whaÌ„ thinges be broughte vnto an extremitie agayne that no man can take away the lyfe of any faythfull man tyll God apoynteth let vs not doubte but that God will bothe heare oure prayers and helpe vs also and deliuer vs althoughe for a season he semeth to differre hys helpe and to leaue vs in the bryers He is the father of mercye and God 2. Cor. 1. Esa. 39 of all consolacion Hys haÌ„de is not so shortened but that he is able too helpe neither is hys eare so stopped but that he both can and will heare vs. God is faytheful saieth 1. Cor. 10 the Apostle whiche will not suffer you too be tempted aboue your strengthe but shall in the middes of the temptacion make a waye that ye maye be able to beare it Let vs not therefore despayre though presente helpe commeth not from God at the fyrste callynge but rather go for the to praye vnto God after the example of the Cananite and not to be weary tyll we haue obtayobtayned Math. 15. our request of the Lord our God folowyng the counsayll of the Psalmographe whych sayeth O tarrye thou the Lordes leasure be strong take a good hart vnto Psal. 31. the and paciently abyde the pleasure of the Lorde In silence and hope sayeth the Prophet Esaye shall be youre strengthe Here to pertayneth the sayeng of Ieremy It is Esa. 30. LameÌ„ 3. good wyth silence too abyde the sauynge health of the Lorde If we on this manner behaue our selfs toward the Lord our god we shal without fayle shortely beholde the wonderfull workes of God We shal se the doune falle of oure enemies with all theyr tyranny papistrie Idolatrie supersticion ceremonies masses decrees counsaylles customes c. We shall se the glorious Gospel of our Sauiour Christ spring agayne growe encreace prosper florish and tryum phe We shall se God truly honored not after the fonde fantasye of men but accordinge to hys blessed will and commaundement We shall se Antichrist that sonne of 2 Thes. 2 perdicioÌ„ slayne wyth the breath of the Lordes mouth and sathan troden vnder oure fete God graunte it maye be shortely Amen ¶ A brief rehersall of the whole Epistle THus haue ye hearde moste dere brethren howe it came to passe that the true re ligioÌ„ of our Sauiour Christ was taken awaye from vs and in the stead therof a supersticious and idolatrous kynde of worshippyng God placed amonge vs vnto the great disconforte and vnspeakable sorowe of all faythfull Christians Ye haue hearde also by what meanes this plague maye be turned awaye and howe the true and syncere doctrine of Christe maye be restored vnto vs. The cause of Gods wrath toward vs as ye hearde was oure ingratitude and vnthankefulnes yea oure synnefull lyfe wickednes whiche was groune vp vntoo suche an heyghte that God coulde no longer dissemble the matter but muste nedes take awaye hys blessing from vs. We were vnthankefull for the heauenly benefyte off hys blessed worde yea we in a manner lâ—…thed and abhorred hys Godly ordinaunces euen as the vngodly Israelites were weary Nâ—…me 11 of the celestial Manna agayn our lyfe was nothynge agreable to the holy wil of God but defyled with pryde enuye couetousnes fornication adultery swearing glotonye dronckennes With all their kynde of wyckednes vnto the greate dishonoure of the name of God whiche we professe it therefore coulde none otherwyse but come too passe that God should be auenged of these thynges take awaye his holy woorde and throwe vs agayne into the deuelishe darkenes of the papishe Egipte For as he fylleth Luc. 1. the hungry with good thynges so sendeth he the ryche emptye awaye And as our Sa Math. 5 uioure Christe pronouncheth them blessed whiche hunger and thyrste after righteous nes and promiseth that all suche shal be satisfyed and haue their desyre euen soo are they cursed whiche haue no delighte in the worde of God and from such shal the bles singe of Christes Gospel be taken awaye and the cursed tradicious of menne shal be throwen vpon them as the Psalmographe sayeth he wolde none of the blessing it shal therfore be taken awaye from him Hereto Psal. 109. agreeth the saying of our Sauiour Christ the kyngdoÌ„ of God shall be taken froÌ„ you Math. 21. shal be geuen to a natioÌ„ that bringeth forth the frutes of it Agayn this is condeÌ„nation that lighte is come into the worlde men haue loued darkenes more than lyghte For Ioan. 3 their workes were euel Nowe to recouer the fauoure of God and to turne awaye hys heauy displeasure from vs that he maye once agayne lyghten hys glorious louing countenaunce vpon vs and blesse vs with the moste blessed benefite of hys sonnes Gospell the meanes as ye hearde is earnest repentaunce of oure former lyfe humble knowledginge of oure synnes vnto God vndoubted faythe in the mercifull promises of God the father setforth vnto vs in the moste precious bloude of oure Sauiour Christe diligent inuocation and constante callinge on the name of God for remission of our synnes for mercye grace fauoure peace reste of conscieÌ„ce c. Pacient abyding of the Lordes leasure and fynally a continuall meditacion practise of a new lyfe If we on thys manner returne vntoo the LORDE oure God let vs not doubte but that he will shortly turne vnto vs mer cifully beholde vs and once agayne blesse vs wyth the heauenly benefyte of hys blessed woorde that we here on earthe maye knowe hys wayes and hys sauynge
healthe amonge all nacions Turne vntoo me sayeth the LORDE of hostes and I wyll turne vnto you Zacha. 1. Remember howe fauorably God at all tymes dealte with hys people bothe whan they were captiues in Egipte and also in Babylon yea and at all other tymes whaÌ„soeuer they were in anye distresse For though he worthely plagued them for their wickednes yet so sone as they vnfaynedlye returned vnto hym he deliuered them froÌ„ their enemies and gaue them their hartes desyre For God is neuer so angry with his people but that in the myddes of hys anger he wyll remember hys mercie And though he somtyme punisheth vs yet will he be pleased agayn if he seeth oure vnfayned coÌ„uersion as Tobie sayde in his praier Tobi. 3. After a storme O Lorde thou makest the weather fayre and calme After weping and heauines thou geuest great ioye Thy name O God of Israell be praysed for euer Onely let vs returne vnto the Lorde oure God and become new men and withoute all doubt we shall se out of haÌ„de the myghtye working of God Repent betymes therfore repent humble your selfs in the sight of God beleue hys promyses call on hys holy name abyde paciently hys godly pleasure become new men in lyfe and conuersacion walke worthy your profession and so behaue youre selfes in all thinges that God maye be glorified by you Fare ye well dere Brethren and accordynge too the admonicion of the holy Apostle watche ye 1. Cor. 16 stande faste in the faythe quyte you lyke menne and be stronge The Grace of the Lorde Iesus Christe be wyth you all Amen ¶ Gyue the glorie to GOD alone ¶ Manne Howe longe o Lord Psal. 13. Christe I come quickely Apoc. 22 Manne Oh come Lord Iesu. Apo. 22. Prophet He will come and not tarye Abac. 2. ☞ The C. iij. Psalme made in Englishe meter by Thomas Becon for a thankesgeuing vnto God immediatly after hys deliueraunce out of pryson whose emprysonmente began the. 16. daye of August the yeare of oure Lorde 15 53. and ended the 22. of Marche then nexte ensuynge ¶ Psalm 103. BE thanckefull o my soule vnto the LORDE And all that within me haue theyr beynge Laude prayse magnifye with one accorde Hys holy blessed name aboue all thynge O my soule once agayn to the I saye Be thankeful vnto the Lord euer more And looke thou forget not night nor daye All hys benefites that thou haste in store For he it is yea he it is alone Which pardoneth al thy synnes both more and les He deliuereth the from all griefe mone And sendeth the health in tyme of sykenes He saueth thy lyfe from destruccion Which otherwyse should perish withoute doubte He of mere ' grace ' and tender compassion Crouneth the with louing kyndnes round aboute He with good thinges thy mouth doth satisfye To eate drinke gyuing the abundance He maketh the ioyful yonge and lustye Euen as an Egle that is ful of pleasaunce The LORD dothe minister iustice and iudgement To suche as are oppreste with violence He defendeth the good and innocent But the wicked he casteth froÌ„ his presence He shewed hys wayes vnto faythfull Moses And his workes to the sonnes of Israel That all hys people myghte knowe bothe more and les In all kynde of vertue for to excel O the Lord God eueÌ„ of his own nature Is bent vnto gentilnes and mercye Yea frendly is he aboue all measure Longe suffering eke of great petye For though oure synnes be bothe greate and many Yet wil not the Lord be alway chyding Neither will he for euer be angry But shew him self toe vs bothe gentle and louyng After our synnes he dealeth not with vs Neither according to our wickednes But lyke a father bothe gentle gracious He forgeueth al our sinnes both more les For loke how hye is the heauen supernal In comparison of the earth full lowe So great is hys mercy toward them all That feare hiÌ„ wickednes away throwe And loke howe wyde the Easte is frome the West So farre hath he set all our synnes froÌ„ vs Because oure conscience should be at rest And nomore trobled with workes odious Yea lyke as a father gentle and tender Pittieth hys owne chyldren natural Euen so is the Lorde merciful euer Unto theÌ„ that feare him both great smal For he beyng our maker knoweth cerâ—…es Of what mater we be made and formed He remembreth we are but dust and ashes All of vyle and slymye earth created A man in his lyfe is like vnto grasse Hys dayes are few but a whyle endure Lyke the floure of the felde awaye he passe Floriâ—…ing for a tyme but nothing sure For as a flour with fears wâ—…d assayled Fadeth shortly away cometh to nought So dothe man of cruel death oppressed Departe heÌ„ce vnto nothing is brought But the mercifull goodnes of the Lorde Dothe continew for euer and euer Upon theÌ„ that feare him with one accorde And hys iustice vpoÌ„ their chylders chylder I meane vpon such as kepe his coucnauÌ„t And do them selfs diligently applye To kepe hys preceptes likewise do grauÌ„te To frame their whole lyfe accordingly In heaueÌ„ hath the Lorde a seat prepared For him self both glorious and royall And his prince like power is so outstretched That it raygneth ruleth ouer all O prayse the Lorde all ye aungels of hys Ye that excel bothe in strengthe and vertue Ye that do hys will without any mys Ye that harken to hys voyce that ensue O prayse the Lorde our God omnipoteÌ„t All ye hys hostes and armies supernall Ye seruauntes of hys whiche alwayes are bent To do hys wil o prayse the Lord aboue all Yea all thinges that euer God created Prayse ye the Lorde that God of myghte and poure But thou o my soule with hart vnfayned Looke that thou prayse the LORDE at euery houre ¶ Geue the glory to God alone ¶ Psal. 112. O Blessed is the man at eche season That feareth the LORDE God omnipotent For suche one hath all his delectation To accomplysh the Lordes commauÌ„demeÌ„t Hys sede vpon the earth shall be mighty Florishing aye lyke the grene olyue tree The generacion of the godly Shall be blessed in euery degree Suche a man in hys house shall haue alwaye Of honour and ryches great abundaunce And hys righteousnes shall neuer decaye But in all ages haue continuaunce Whan that other in darkenes do remain Unto the godly pleasaunt light shal spyne For such one dothe loue mercy to mayntain To kyndnes iustice his hart he enclyne A good man is bent all vnto mercy And gladly lendeth to such as haue nede As for his talke he ordreth discretly So that his wordes vnto vertue do lede From hys place shal he neuer be moued But alway abyde both constante sure The remeÌ„braunce of the iuste true harted Shall for euer and euer styll endure The righteous shal be nothinge afrayde Of any euel tidinges whaÌ„ they be brought For hys hart on the Lord is wholy stayde Thorow stronge faythe that God therein hath wrought Yea his hart is so throughly stablished That he wil not thrynke in no condicion Untyl he seeth hys desyre satisfyed On hys enemies and their destruccion He disperseth abrode plenteously And geueth to the pore their nede to sustain Remembred therfore continually Shal he be his prayse euer remayn The vngodlye seynge these thinges shall ware woode Gnathe with hys teeth consume away Yet shal the vngodly with all his moode Shortely come to nought perish decay ¶ Geue the glorie to GOD alone