in his doctrine and to make vs againste oure aduersaries wyse politike and puissant And therfore with al our possible strength and endeuour to apply our good myndes to folowe the same that althoughe our flesshe seeketh her owne and couereth with the deuil and the worlde to take parte against god to the destructioÌ„ of our soules yet will he assist vs streÌ„gthen vs with the armour of grace that his holye and diuine wil here in earth may be done by vs and amongst vs Math. â— Luc. 11. as in the presence of his glorious maiestie amonge the angels and saintes in heauen leste we be founde to the contrary very rebels in the latter daie and wilfull disobedient children vainely kickyng against the pricke whiche can neuer be aptely atteyned vnto onles the said corruption and blyndnes bee first taken from vs Ephe. â— Iohn â— Iohn 8. and our soules clean purged of the vnfruitefull workes of darknes wherwith we shuld haue no felowship that we may be light in the Lorde walke as the children of lyght by thexample of Iesus Christe the trewe lyghte of the worlde whome if we folowe we shall not walke in darkenes but shall haue the light of life wherby we may the better the more clerely discern in our profession thynges that are euyll to be refused frome thynges that are good to be accepted so to eschew the stuÌ„bling or the doubtful adueÌ„ture at the electioÌ„ of such thyngs as appertaineth in dede to the very profession tru religion of christen men we shall then fynde thereby to the confirmation of oure promise howe verye needefulle it shall be Mat. 13.16 Marc. 9. Luc. 8. Iohn 2. 1. Ioan. 5. Faithe is a liuely and quicke feling knovvlege of the mercye of our heuenly father agreed made at one and moste graciousely reconciled vnto vs by the bloude of our lord Iesus Act. 5. to haue in our hartes an assured and lyuely faithe in god our creatour and heauenly father as his chyldreÌ„ regenerate and new borne to rule vs to dwel and abide in vs And whollye to dedicate oure selues vnto hym both harte and soule our mynde and wytte and that all is within vs as vnto a god of loue mercy and righteousnes whome we euer fynde to bee oure readye helper in all necessities by whose dyuyne power also we lyue we haue oure beeinge and are moued Of whose greate mercye and goodnes towards vs the prophet wrighteth that he lyke a diligente watcheman attendeth euer more vppon his people whether they wake or sleepe and is these strength and mightye defence not onlye against Sathan that olde and maliciouse enemye of mankinde but also againste all other oure aduersaries so that thorow his great mercy and godlye power we be harmeles preserued and are deliuered frome the power of darknes hath translated vs into the kingedome of his deare sonne whose eyes contynuallye respecteth theym that loue hym for their loue agayne is largely required he is their myghty protection and stronge grounde a defence for the heate and a refuge for the hot noone day a succour for stumvlyng Eccle. 34. and an healpe for fallynge He lyfteth vp the soule he lyghteneth the eies he geueth lyfe health strengthe and blessyng And the cause also why the said prophete who alwaies beholdeth the mercies of God in Christe brefely declareth vnto vs that is for our faithfulnes mekenesse and humblenes of spirite for our hartes contrition Psal 1 9.15.25.33.34 37.40.41.84.91.101.103.107.112.116.119 128.145.147 for our constancy in loue and obedience to his commandementes And sainct Paule also saieth That he hath blessed vs with all maner of spirituall blessynges in heauenlye thynges by Christ accordyng as he had chosen vs in hym before the foundations of the worlde were layde that we should be holy and blamelesse before hym thorowe loue Wherby also he hath ordeined vs to be heires vnto hymselfe accordynge to the good pleasure of his will and to thexaltation of his glorye for his grace wherwith thorowe oure Lord Christ he hath made vs accepted c. For these his abundant mercies innumerable benefites and blessyngs poured vpoÌ„ vs most wretched sinners we owe duely vnto hym by the direction of sound clere consciences euen froÌ„ the very depth of our harts soules Deute 10. Eccle. 2.14 Iohn 14. Roma 8. 1. Iohn 4. Iohn 3 Roma 2. 2. Cor. 5. Collos 1. all thankes geuyng praise and glory and with no lesse efficacie force and vertue to loue hym again in wourd deede to loue him feruently aboue all thynges and to keepe his commandementes Whose greate loue apered vnto vs first in that he sent his only begotteÌ„ sonne into the world that we the children of death might haue life and liue thorowe hym Herein appeared the great loue of god to vs ward not that wee loued hym but bycause he loued vs and gaue his onely sonne to make agrement for our sinnes God is loue and he that dwelleth in loue dwelleth in god and God in hym And hereby knowe we that we divelle in hym and he in vs because he hathe geuen vs of his spirite And we knowe and beleue the loue that God hathe to vs. If god so loued vs thenne oughte we also to loue one an other If we loue one an nother God dwellethe in vs and his loue is perfecte in vs. And the perfecte loue of God seekethe not it selfe but frankelye appeareth for all others necessitye It is alwayes charitable and frendelye paciente 1. Cor. 8. and longe sufferynge If a mannne saye I loue God and yet hate hys brother he is a lyar Leuit. 19. Iohn 13. For howe camme he that loueth not his brother whome he hath sâ—ene loue God whome he hathe not seene And this commandement haue we of hom that he which loueth god shoulde loue hys neighbour also Wherby saieth Christe all men shall knowe that ye are my disciples yf ye loue one an other If my wourdes abyde in you then are ye my right disciples and ye shall knowe the truthe and the truth shall make you free and delyuer you You shal be cleane rydde from all bondage of vnrightuousnes ye shall bee possessed with the good spirite of GOD Iohn â— and where the spirite of God is there is freedome And therefore abyde you in Loue Obeye my preceptes and commandementes And this coÌ„mandement geue I vnto you Iohn 15. that ye loue togyther as I haue loued you As ye haue found me to be vnto you a God of mercy and louyng kyndnes and haue alwaies trained ye vp by example and doctrine to thexcercise of godly coÌ„passion and charitie so I requite you and geue coÌ„maundemente vnto you that ye obedientely walke in my waus inseparably to knitte your hartes in vnitie and â—â—saynedly to loue one an other And howe to continue in loue Christe in fewe wordes signifieth vnto vs that is 〈…〉 the preceptes of god 1. Cor. 14. by
be of the coÌ„pany of the aungelies Iohn 1. 1. Cor. 6. 1. Cor. 11. and the sonnes of God the heyres of immortalitie the membres of his body and oure bodies the temples of the holy ghost our myndes the ymages and the secrete habitatle of the deitie 1. Cor. 1. And therfore most worthyly we acknowledge hym to be oure only sauiour and redemption our rightuousnes and sanctification our onely iustifier and reconciliation to god the father and haue therefore promysed to reuerence his glorious and most excellent name Pro. 18. Act. 4. whervnto the rightuous flieth as vnto a stronge castell for theyr strength safegard and saluation whiche is moste blessed and prayse worthy for euer Amen Thus I say yf we the spotted chyldren of our synfull father The remeÌ„braunce of the vvourhes of god leadethe vs to the knovvlege and loue of god woulde happyly remembre as we haue professed the meruaylous woorkes of GOD and the order of his dooynges in the begynnynge as haue been here but briefely touched besydes the innumerable exaumples of his omnipotencye mercy and also his Iustice signified vnto vs throughout his holy scriptures and that we also our selues haue bothe felts and seene in our daies to thexaltation of his owne glorye and to the blessyng greate comfort and reioicing of his deare obedient and most louynge freendes and to thutter ouerthrowe rooting out and destruction of his cursed and moste malicious ennemies Roma 1. we shoulde haue good cause not onely to acknowlede hym an omnipotent God and immortall holy rightuous and mercyfull and therefore in a certain maner for those his moste blessed and singuler graces a farre of with a stipper loue as dyd our father Adam to loue hym agayne but rather wee should haue good occasion to loue hym vnfeynedlye Exod. 2â— Deute 6. as obedient and constant chylderne accordynge to hys mooste holy commaundemente euen wyth all oure heartes wyth all oure soules and with all oure strengthe and power and feare to offende hym because also we know hym to be a iust god and terrible in wourking his reuengement against his enemies for their dissimulation vnthankefulnesse disobedience coldenes and slippernes Then forasmuch as we here see whereby tacknowledge God and his loue and for his loue to loue hym agayn and for his iustice to feare hym I thynke it at this present conuenient some thynge to touche particularly of our loue to God Math. 2â— Eccle. 1. whyche is the fyrste and greattest commaundement as also to ours neighbours and then of the feare of god that shoulde alwaies possesse our heartes whiche is the ryghte and true seruice of god wherby we shal the better knowe our selues oure louely obedience to god and our loue also and duetie towards our neyghbours But before herin I procede any further I make myn huÌ„ble suite vnto you my deere countrey men my neighbours louyng frendes and christen brethern that the ground of your hartes beyng well wrought moilified and softe tempered with the dewe of goddes grace ye wyll nowe paciently heare and aptly receiue this exhortation offered vnto you not from me most wretched synner but rather from hym an by his onely good motion from whom procedeth all vertue and goodnes Philip. 2. whiche also woorke the in vs bothe the wyll and also the deede euen of his good wil and fauour that the lyuely seedes or plantes of his heauenly and diuine spirite beyng fyrmly sette or deepe sowen in your hartes faste roote maye there bee taken that naturally in tyme without delay like forward impes and freshe flourishyng braunches in the gardeyn or vine yard of Christe Eâ—dr 5 Iohn 15. the quicke and liuely buddes blossomes leaues and the louely fruites of hys fatherlye encrease and blessyng may appeare wourthys hys gloriouse contentation beautifulle large and seemelye and to the senses of youre owne soules sweete in taste comfortable delicate and deyntie So that the operacion of loue that moste singuler and acceptable vertu to god shal haue power force in you wherof I wyll nowe procede groundynge myne intention onelye vppon the enemytie and malice of mankynde howe agaynste goddes wyll and the lawe of nature our hartes are cursedly bente Thorough small occasioÌ„ our hartes are â—endeled to mischiefe not onelye vppon good occasion or for great causes as we vse to term them but for euery triflinge lyght matter also we wyll quarell and fall oute one wyth an other one countrey or kyngdome agaynst another natural countreimen one against another by mutanies conspiracies ciuill warres and commotions yea natural brotherne one seeke to destroye another suporiours also and inferiours spirituall menne temporall menne Riche men poore menne familiar companions neere Neighbours and frendes And fynallye euen frome the prynce to the poore plough man or moste wretched wandring begger we are all deuided we are all fledde frome Christ the serpent hath deceiued vs for we haue all rebelled and haue broken the bonde of the peace of god Heauen and earth if we list to knowe it beare manifest witnesse agaynste vs of oure cursednes hardenes of harte and maliciousnes Whose vnnaturall and rare seene signes signyfieth vnto vs the yre of god for our chosen way of iniquitie god by his mercy sendeth them vnto vs and before our eyes to admonyshe vs to putte vs in feare and to remember his iustice and that wythoute spedye repentaunce his swifte vengeance by some terrible meane shall shortly ouerrunne and consume vs. Whereof the true mynysters and preachers of the wourde of God Straunge signes signifieth vnto vs the comminge of goddes vvrath hath and doo frome tyme to tyme before the imminence falle of the wrathe of god thundered in our eares our moste detestable and wycked state of lyfe and the terrour also of his most bytter reuengement duely therafter ensuyng Our consciences condemneth Of the whiche also our owne consciences beareth witnesse agaynst vs they preache vnto vs the wourme gnaweth in vs it vexeth and tourmenteth vs and describeth playnly vnto vs our most iust damnation to come And as Sathan hath seemed sleightily to compasse vs and by his craftyingins to wouÌ„d and ouerthrowe vs and leade vs captiue from the lyghtesome and lyuely waie of Christe into his moste lothesome hypathes of dackenes daunger and deathe So we thunexperte souldiors in the campe of Christe and vtterly voyde of the fencible armour of god without resistence cowardely suffer our selues to sustayne the deuyls most damnable and deadly darts and to be vsed as his bond slaues and cursed instrumentes Faynte courage in christen souldiours to wourke in all mischieues his moste noysom appointed purposes And for the probation wherof whether is this truly sayd or not VVe feare neyther god not the feuil God and his lawes we esteeme not of our othes promises we passe not of goddes kingdom we thinke not his power we regard not his only glory we seke not whiche ende go foreward we care not
from my verye hearte with all my power and strength and loue my neyghbour as my selfe to thy glory O god all the daies of my lyfe and for euer in the world to come Thus I say O thou erthly creature dere christen brother that hasardly by due iustice abidest the hard hande of God let daily sorow fasten vppon thee and continuall sadnes poâ—â—eâ—fe thyne hart Offre vnto God the acceptable sacrifice of a troubled spirite of a brokeÌ„ sore vexed and contrite heart till grace bee planted againe in thee and thy synnes thorowe faithe cleane purged and taken from thee And alwaies remembre if thou loue god bicause of his mercy if thou feare hym for his iustice sake or if thou beare any good hart towardes the counsailes or voice of god harden not thy hart as in the day of temptation keÌ„dle not vpon thy self the wrath of god flee from the vengeaÌ„ce to com for otherwise the iustice of God wylle fall faste vppon thee And yf thou as before wilfully dost desire to be mindfull of wrath reuengement or displeasure either of speking or of doing wickedly vse fyrste thy cogitation in this maner folowyng whiche shall bee rather to a godly entent and purpose accordyng to the counsayle of the preacher which is not to be yreful against thy neyghbour to wourke reuengemente agaynst hym for any matter or to wythhold thy charitie from him but to thinke vpon the moste terrible bitter day when thou among the rest shalt be called vppon by the trompe of god Eccle. 18. to appere before his wrathfull indignacion and to remembre the bitternes of his vengeaÌ„ce wheÌ„ he shal turne his face away from thee yea euen froÌ„ thee thou wrathfull and dampnable reiected creature if thou abyde in thy wrath and yf thou with the rest shalte be partaker of thys terrible and moste bytter sentence Awaye ye wicked to the deuell and to hell fyre for euer Yf thou otherwyse haue pleasure to think vpon wrath and to wourke or deuyse mischiefe thereby to the hurte of thy neighboure be thou certaine hereof well assured that suche a matche shall be ioined vnto thee as wyll cruellye in his wrath vexe thee quickly consume thee and violentlye twyne thee euen lyke a rysshe Psal 49. to the sodaine and shorte confusion Euen God hym selfe it is that shal recompence thee thy wickednesse shal destroy thee in thine owne wycked malyce yea it is the Lorde God hym selfe I say that shall vtterlye destroye thee As hatrede enemitie reuengement with suche other are wyeked euils forbidden thee and thervppon agreed with thyne owne consent and promise to a blessed and most happie ende so if thou contemnynge this prohibition dooest swarue frome thy promyse and fidelitie and cleaue vnto suche iniquitie they wyll kendle the wrathe of God agaynste thee Eccle. â—â— to the increace of affliction to the wour kyng of an euyl death and euerlastyng destruction Thou shalte worthily be compted among the numbre of the cursed and vngodly people Vpon whom god in this lyfe shall rayne snares fyre brymstone storme and tempeste whiche shall be their dewe portion to drynke Psal 1â— And suche as be scornefull despisers withoute a cause they shall bee put to confusion Psal 5. Psal 68. Psal 75. neyther shall suche as be mercylesse and cruell stande in the syghte of God For lyke as ware melteth at the greate heate of the fyreâ— so shal â—hun godly perishe at the preseÌ„ce of god come to a terrible and feareful end Fire haile wind earthquake tempest and whirlewind hungre and thirst pestilence murrayn burninge feuers incurable botches swellyngs madnes and suche straunge diseases sodayn fearefulnes strise vnquietnes rigour oppression sworde bloudsheddyng death sodayn death destruction and punishment the teeth also of wild and noysome beastes the scorpions Eccle. 39. serpentes and all suche poisoned and venomous wourmes are created for vengeaunce to the destruction of suche malicious and wicked people If thou wylt not therfore do obserue the will of God and feare to offende the fearefull name of the Lorde thy God Deut. 28. Psal 39. he will sende vpon thee yea and vpon thy seede after thee these foresaid greuous and moste terrible plagues and curses O chaunge therfore thy copy and tourne in tyme. Leaue of frome wrathe what soeuer thou be and lette go displeasure feare god be charitable kepe peace abyde in loue styppe not from it consider it wel and thinke what theron dependeth so shalte thou knowe it yea thou shalt gladly also exeresse it and enioy for euer the delectable fruites of it And if thou wilte further knowe of loue what it is note saint Paule Loue saith he is pacient and curteous 1. Cor. 4. it enuieth not it dooth not frowardly it is not pufte vp it dealeth not dishonestly it seeketh not her own it is not prouoked to anger it thiÌ„keth none euil it reioiceth not ouer iniquitie but in rightuousnes truthe it beareth al thinges 1. Tim. 1. beleueth al things hopethe all thynges and suffere the all thynges And this loue is the whole summe and ende of the lawe that shineth from a pure harte and good conscience and out of an vnfayned faith Rom. 13. For they that loue one an other fulfilleth the law So that the dedes theÌ„ of that fleshe beynge mortitied Gala. 2. we shall haue our conuersation in the spirit and not lyue vnder the lawe These are the fruites of the spirite Gala. 5. loue ioy peace longe sufferynge gentylnesse goodnesse faithefulnesse meekenesse and temperaunce These I saye bee the fruictes of the spirite And those that possesseth them are free and lyue not vnder the law wherby our soules are in rest at peace with god we coÌ„tent well god we reioyce to worke his will to the helpynge and edifyenge of oure neyghboure and to compte of our selues to be as before al membres of one bodye to thinke that we be all but one in Christ Charitie to reioice in our neighbours helth welth coÌ„fort eueÌ„ as we would do of our own to remedy his incoÌ„modities to lameÌ„t hys distresse mysery to aide him and comforte hym or if he erre or go oute of the right way to bewayle frome oure hartes hys greate blyndnes errour to geue him frendlye counsayle and warnynge to admonish him gently to tel him of his faultes soberlye and courteousely to geue hym instructions for his learning according to the veritie of goddes worde wherby oure hartes are illumined yâ— will of the flesh confouÌ„ded finally as the redemed iewel of Christ decely beloued of him to succour him in al necessities Thus if we hereby wel regard the mynde of god hys great loue and mercy towardes vs our obediece vnto hym and oure dueties towardes our neighbours we shal perceiue and easely finde out what heaueÌ„ly doctrin and counsailes among many others these are to be attayned vnto to be beloued embraced
â— A MYRROVR or cleare glasse for all estates to looke in conteinyng briefly in it the true knovvlege and loue of god and the charitie of a faithfull christian tovvardes his neyghbour Remembre the meruailouse vvorks that he hath done his vvoÌ„ders also and the iugemeÌ„tes of his mouth Psal 105. Make your freÌ„ds vvith thunrightous MaÌ„mon that vvheÌ„ you your selues shal haue nede they may receue you into the euerlasting tabernacles Lu. l. M.D.LX. 〈…〉 dernesse of this 〈…〉 the rather passe foorthe 〈…〉 hyghues name and permission into the handes of other you 〈…〉 faithefull subiectes to the shore 〈◊〉 vertue godly innocenâ—y and more 〈◊〉 strength in the true knowledge 〈…〉 of god and to bee 〈…〉 table after the wyll 〈…〉 thâ— amâ—â—ple of his sonne 〈…〉 moste lyuely and 〈…〉 bly beseche the high 〈…〉 remayne and abyde euer in 〈…〉 hart that ye may haue will and power thorow his strength to resist all â—uyll and ioyfully with peace seke his glorye in rightousnes and the prosperitie and comforte of your commons We your humble seruantes and subiectes will as we are vndoubtedlye in conscience bounde with sounde hartes and with one liuely faithe pray to god for youre highnes longe preseruation and that he wille in tyme so prepare for youre quiete contentation and ioye that the blessyng of god ouer you may apparaÌ„tly shine that all your whole dominions may also therin reioyce Thomas Paulfreyman vnto the christen Reader The maiestie of god hath alvvaies appered vnto man by his omnipotencie mercie and loue AS wee in tyme from tyme to tyme haue alwayes perceiued and felt the great and vnspeakable mercy of god in signifieng vnto vs his creatures thorow his grace his omnipotencie and power and his infinite loue and will prescribed vnto vs in his heauenly and diuine wourde to the manifestation and playne settyng oute before oure eies thexcellency of his moste glorious maiestie and for his vertue and great puissance to be an onely God aboue all goddes who straightly also respecteth the singularitie of his owne glory and seketh therein the onely ioye comforte strengthe and saluation of vs his people The loue of god tovvardes his people vnto whom he commendeth his lawes his truth this promises in whom he only delighteth and vpon whom he gladly pretendeth to synisshe his moste beautifull wourke begun as hereafter shall more largely appeare whereby we should be the rather more aptely enforced and lyuely encouraged The loue of God requireth the knovvlege of god and to be loued againe obeied and folovved worthyly to acknowledge hym euen as he is in his maiestie most dearely to loue him to honour hym to attend alwais vpon hym and reuerently in all thynges to folowe and obey hym as vertue requireth in all good thynges to bee with goodnes agayne requighted So to the contrarye of oure owne rebellious nature and apte Inclination to sinfulnes beyng but bryckle and fraile earth and not thorowly well handled instructed chastised tamed or rightly ruled by the diligence of our almighty creatour our Lorde our maister and ruler but suffre vs withoute regarde punishemente oâ— or sharpe bandes wyth stretched ou ts neckes to vse the reane at lybertye Men of his ovvne nature vvithout goddes gouernement is vvilde vvithout 〈◊〉 son and vntractable or raunge wythoute restranytie we are wilde wanton and skyttishe very brutishe and be astlyke without reason we will appeare vnskylfull and to wante perseuerauÌ„ce and good vnderstaÌ„dyng we wyll forget by whome we lyue we wyll not acknowledge our maker nor remembre oure maister that gentelye speaketh to vs that is carefull for vs that feedethe vs that comfortablye nourisheth vs The fruites that precedeth onely of mans nature and taketh payne about vs we wyll neither regarde hym nor feare hym that is of power to strike destroy vs we will not in any thyng be ruled by hym nor yelde to obeye hym but vnreuerently striue with hym run from hym The hartes of the obstinâ—te and â—â—ylful people are 〈…〉 â—â—uffe at hym or tourne our heeles against hym as experience with wo hath taught throughout all generations from the beginnyng vntyl this present day specially the headstronge and wylfulle obstinate people of this worlde that holde their onely felicitie vpon the pleasures of this lyfe whose hartes are hardened agaynst God their maker maliciousely in blyndenesse to repugne his wyll and flye from hym no diligence wyll wynne them no doctrine reforme theim nor no correction amend them so damnable is their state and great stoutenes of will to wickednes whereby the myghty and horrible plagues of god hath fallen for their sakes vpon the earthe to the destruction of whole nations countreis and kyngdoms as the scriptures and other stories mencioneth playnely to vs to put vs in feare of his omnipotency sharpnes of iustice and to tourne vs backs from our vayn and beastly foolishnes The exceedinge mer-of God at our return to god whose fast folowynge fountaines also of mercy at oure retourne so farre haboundeth the iniquitie of man when it is at the very rypest or hyghest that he then continually calleth and as it were painfully trauaileth by certain means to th ende he may wynne vs and safely delyuer vs frome she daunger of disobedience if we wyl yelde to his mercy who will ioyfully receaue vs clearely remit vs reward vs with euerlasting felicitie The order wherof and thexcellency of his works is signified vnto vs at large in the booke of lyfe Of the whiche gentil reader I haue at the begyunyng of this my sclender laboure made brefe relation takyng it for a conuenient and moste certayn grounde to plante on my foundation seeyng that chiefly and aboue all thynges the vertue of christianitie and holynes consisteth by diuine influence in the knowledge of the maiestie of God whyche can bee by no meanes so directe as to note well the meruaylous order of the workes of God whiche are greate and meruallous woorthy to bee praised and had in honour and to bee sought out of all theym that loue them and haue pleasure in them by the whiche also we see his omnipotente state and power the gentlenes of his most gracious and diuine nature the myldnes of his mercy and the sharpenes of his iustice wherby we labour with reuerence not only for the true knowledge of his wyl how to honour hym or in what maner we shall lyue before hym Our ovvne feeblenes driueth vs to god for strength to the vvorkinge of rightuousnesse but also feelyng in oure selues our owne great frailtie and feeblenes we sue for his assistence and strength that our faith loue and obedience may euer be liuely constant and perfect before hym and so foorthe in other vertues that the seruice of rightousnes may ioyntly appere right from rightuous men in such rightuous and moste pure profession before so rightuous and holye a God And so I passe forthe declaryng the grounde of myne entent and
meanynge howe the diuel the sower of sedition and worker of all mischief hath meruailousely preualled agaynst vs and howe he hathe made diuision amongest vs to the rentyng and tearyng in peces the straight bonde of our peace to God I haue noted also our loue duetie towardes our neighbours and howe greatly therein we haue disobeyd the wyll of God declaryng also certain impediments presently raignyng emongest vs that hindereth muche the true charitie of God c. And wherein soeuer in this woorke of godlynes I haue seemed to swarue frome due order not vsynge and temperynge the matter in suche wyse as wysedom experience and greate learnyng wold require to theedifyeng and godly profytynge of the diligente and faithfull reader A requeste to the reder I humbly beseeche the charitable and louyng frende that arte zelous to vertue and godlynes to beare with my faultes to take in good parte the vertue of my good will and contentedly ioyn thy wyl to the gracious good wyll of god from whom all vertue procedeth who chargeth and strayghtlye commaundeth thee that in whatsoeuer thyng thy conscience shal herein iudge vnto thee to bee good agreable to hys wourde thou do in no wise contemne it hauyng respecte to persones but imbrace it and preferre it for his glorye prayse sake It is the ende of my trauail and thouly straight marke wherevnto tendeth the effecte of my good wyll If it shall please thee of thy goodnesse to ioyne with me in that behalfe seyng that nothynge is more expedient in the the life of a christian man Nothing is more expedieÌ„t in the life of a christen maÌ„ than to be mindful of god agreable to to his profession or the more beautifieth his honest estimation then in al his doynges to be myndfull of God in such wyse to vse them that God therby may bee alwayes contented and his name woorthyly praised and magnified So that suche simplicitie and faithful plainnesse dedicated frome our hart to God and agreablye amonge oure selues to beare one with an other respectynge contynuallye the rewarde of the ende there shall not then bee seene in vs any spotte of reproche or any blemysshe of deformitie whether of scornefulnesse contempte Fruites froÌ„ aÌ„ vvicked hart or disdaynefulnesse one agaynst an other whiche are approued euylles spryngynge from wycked hartes frome whens proceede the defamation rashe iudgemente sclaunder detraction and euyll reporte to the great hynderyng pluckyng backe and discouragyng of faythfull and willyng hartes that are at all tymes aptly bent to bee seruisable for the praise of god to the commoditie or coumforte of his people for whose sakes and godly edifyeng the fruites of righteousnes appereth frome the ryghtuous as god shall plant in theim the plentyfulnesse of his grace the distribution wherof appeareth not vppon all men alyke If God therefore christen reader haue poured vpon thee more abundantly the giftes of his grace that thou seest and knowest to his praise that which I or many others neyther yet haue seene or knowen whether by great wysedome profounde learnynge or holynes of lyuyng with a mortified or subdued body wherby the lyght also of thy lyfe more clerely shineth before the worlde to the commendation of God and man and that thou passest forth thy tyme apointed of God with inward ioy of thy conscience as one that were conuersaunt with god in heauen wholly neglocting the fugitiue pleasures of this lyfe whiche seemeth to be of myghtie force and annexed to ioyes incomparable consider then I humbly beseeche thee wyth thyne accustomed thankfulnes to god the dewe office of these sayde vertues nowe abiding in thee and the heauenly operation of them which at no tyme or in any thynge who soeuer haue them in possession Neyther vvisedome learninge nor holienesse of liuing slepe in priuate idlenes sleepe in priuate ydlenesse or properlye serue for one onelye mannes strength and commoditye to staye hym or wourke force in hym to his contentation and purpose or to the well lykynge onelye of hym selfe in all thinges and scornefully reprouinge others whyche shoulde seeme to bee the fruites of a vaine and vnfrendly spirit and greatelye dissentinge from the spyrite of grace but to beare charitablye with others Ignoraunce basenesse of knowledge or imperfection of holines tenderly taking in good part their present appointed talente whych god hath geuen vnto theun after the measure of his grace The charitie of the vvise and godlie learned for therby truly thy lernyng thy wysedom and thy verruous liuyng shall be the rather approued to thvse of god and for the great comfort and good encouragemente of me and suche other like to be diligent by the helpe of God and to growe to further strengthe and godlye perfection to the prayse of God And in the meane while where this my presente doynge shall in deede seeme vnto thee to be but grosse vnpleasant dull and vnwitty voyde of good order and barrayne of eloquencye whyche are reprochefull impedimentes in the skylful and learned wrighter as I contentedly herein by thy vertue and wisedome beare thy pacyente and learned iudgemeÌ„t thys coÌ„modytie thereby shal redounde towardes thee that thorowe suche vnseemelines disorder and rudenesse of thys my sleightie and sleander doynges the excellencie of thy lyuelye diligence and profounde wysedome in thy learned trauayles shall appeare muche more beautyfull and seemelye and more clearelye to shyne to thy glorye and immortall fame beynge nowe so rychelye possessed adourned and beautified wyth so precious and pearelesse treasures planted in thee from the God aboue Who gentlye at all tymes of hys mooste mylde nature taketh in good parte suche retourned fruites as he beefore hathe bee gonne and sette in oure heartes accordynge to the depth of hys grace by whose heauenlye and diuyne influence hys faste sette roote of ryghteousnesse he mercyfullye preserueth nourisheth watâ—reth and prospereth with his celestiall distillyng moysture or dewe of life that to one or other from the highest to the lawest from the moste perfecte taster to the moste insensible creature choyse shall styll reygne to chose that at the least some swetenes or good repast may ioyfully fal to som This consydered I for my parte am the rather encouraged or by Goddes good motion enforced I am bolde so to terme it for as much as no goodnes procedeth from the harte of man without his assistence and greate strengthe thereby to spende in this behalfe some pâ—rcell of my tyme to shewe forthe the prayse of god in the works of his grace thorough the increace of vertue by the power of his holye spirite that the deuils moste vyolent and damnable dartes woundyng our consciences to euer lastyng death beyng putte by and vanquished the lyfe of righteousnes maye flowe in vs to the knowledge and loue of god and that we may in the feare of God seke his peace and vnitie to loue one an other and not to be in any wyse deuided but to bee charitable pitifull
to his lawes and testimonies whiche shall euer rise vp againste vs for our condemnation byeause we haue in theim so greatly disobeyed the will of god obstinately flyenge frome hym in the true faith and conuersation of his soonne Iesus the heade corner stone whiche the buylders refused and moste shamefully contemned and abused whome he onely appoynted to bee the foundation of our reste and perpetuall mansion Against whiche in any one parte therof we may not spurne to breake God handleth al thinges according to hye vvil among the povvers in heauen and among the inhabitours of the â—â—â—the and therâ—â—nonâ— that may resist his had 〈◊〉 say what doest thouâ— Daniel 4 nor seeke by any meanes to spot and deface but thankefully embrace and be ioyfull of goddes disposed wyll consideryng it is his owne doyng euen for his glories sake although it appere neuer so meruailous in our eies he wil haue it knowen that it is the onely power of his right hand that he himself hath don it Psal 10â— His works ar meruailous his right haÌ„d bringeth mighty thinges to passe yea the right hand of the Lord hath the preemineÌ„ce for the helth saluacion of his people he myghtily preuaileth in al his enteÌ„ts Ps 118. Therfore to coÌ„clude without long depeÌ„ding in admiration seing that Goddes determinatioÌ„s in rightousnes as he himself is a God of rightousnes must most certaynly appere in brightnes and of necessitie be accomplished a mongest vs againste whose will in his woorkes no man may without daunger rebel let vs examine wel our selues and trie our saluacion in truthe by the assistence of the spirite of truthe and therby know our assured leanynge staye and which way we shall rightly walke and not stand so fast in assuraunce to our aunciente termed customes and bycause the greate parte of christendome thorow simple or wilfull ignoraunce reeleth blindelye that waies nor remembryng the smalnesse and myld trade of Christes stable flocke howe pacientely they beare the crosse of Christ and suffer rather to bee persecuted then persecute vnto whome god promised strength and to be amongest theim for their coumforte euen in the middest of the tire although we wickedly iudge of them to dye obstinately vayne gloriouselye desperately most beastly VVicked vvourkers iudge vvickedly like a sort of dogs or very helhouÌ„des with such other malicious rashe and most cursed railynge iudgemente contrarye to god and the heartes of all godly men neither regarde we the example and steppes of their conuersacion The coÌ„uersation of the vvicked through shamelesse pride ambition stoughtnes couetousnes outwarde holynes vnclennesse maliciousnes cruel murther with suche lyke wickednesse spronge vp in the churche of Christe whiche are the fruites of the dyuel and thincensementes of a wicked spirit and therfore refused of the perfect and rightuous christians because they bee contrary to thexample of Christ and his holye Apostles who teacheth vs to trye spirites and to knowe the tree by the fruite but to yelde vs wyth all humblenes bothe bodye and soule Hovve to attaine the grace of god into the handes of god and referre wyth reuerence in suche tyme of controuersie theffect of our whole faith and saluacion to the wourkynge of his grace by the power of his holy spirite to the lyghtnyng of our vnderstanding and to put by doubtfulnes all controuersies sectes and diuisions One God that as we haue but one onely God god our heauenly Father Christ our onelye sauiour and the holy spirite our comforter all thre in glory equall all one in substaunce and in vnitie also all one and vndeuided One faith So we the professours of his name may haue but one onely quicke and lyuely faith in one religion the true rule of christ to the knit tyng of oure hartes in christen vnitie and to bee vndeuided The vertue of christen vnitie to the feclyng in our selues the true peace of God and thexercise of goddes heauenly charitie wherby our eyes shall ber opened to see and receyue his very perfecte and louely obedience reuerently to submytie our selues to all his holy and most godly ordinaunces and with a thankefull and mylde christen spirite accordyng to our most bounden duetie to pray for the Queenes moste excellent maiestie that God for the greatnes sake of his mercy wyll hencefoorth blesse hir preserue her and prepare so for her that her reigne maye bee longe and prosperous amongest vs with muche ioy honour wealthe strengthe and victorie ouer her ennemies that she maye the more quietely in the feare of God seke aboue all thynges the glory of God in rightuousnes accordyng to the truthe of his wourde and that his ministers also vnder her may bee endued with the spirite of truthe that his truthe in rightousnesse maye beautyfully and cleerely shyne thoroughout her graces dominions to his euerlastynge prayse and that we beeynge also blessed vnder her higâ—es hande with ready prepared hartes for the grace of God may haue sufficient of all thynges to the sustentation of oure earthely bodyes subduynge alwayes the enemies of the common wealthe that we her humble and louynge subiectes maye reioyce thorowe hir highnesse in the greate mercies of God and be thankefull louyng more perfectly one another and applye oure selues with more pitifull and tender heartes to see oure poore neyghbours and christen brotherne better relieued and prouyded for that God in Iesus Christe maye styll vnto the ende holde his mercyfull hande ouer vs and finishe his good wourke vpon vs newly agayne begunne to the exaltation prayse and glorye of his moste blessed holy name whiche alone is worthy all honour and glory Amen The peace of God the father through our lord Iesus Christ by the workyng of his holy spirite in you abyde in all your harts and kendle in you the fyre of his loue Amen IF we the chyldren of Adam depely wold consyder and ponder diligently from the beginnyng the maiestie of thimmortall God In beholdyng symply and with all humblenes both externely and with our inward senses his omnipotent power and workemanship in heauen and in erth the merueilouse order of his doynges Gene. 1. and his most happy entent towardes mankind in the same what greate appearaunce there was of his moste deere and syngular loue that after the creation first of heauen and earth as also the depe and bottomlesse seas and all thynges innumerable in theym conteyned and by hys blessynge tencreace and multiply for the redy vse seruyce and pleasure of man howe he then in tyme made man a creature amonge all other his louelye creatures moste glorious beautyfull and semely yea and after his owne ymage and symilitude a liuyng soule breathyng into him the breath of life Gene. 2. Eccle. 32. 1. Cor. 15. how he made him lorde and ruler and to haue dominion ouer all gaue names vnto all maner of cattall fowles of th aire and beastes of the fielde how he planted a gardeyn of pleasure and there
spirite to others decay to iudge of our selues leste we bee in dede iudged of the lorde whose iudgementes are infallible and ryghtuous altogither WheÌ„ our own eies ar opened cleere vnspotted and pure oure hartes cleane purged of all impuritie then it shall beautifully appeare in suche thynges as we shall haue to dooe that we possesse a good spirit by whose power and holynesse all our dooinges shal be comely and well doon euen accordyng to the diuine nature thereof But to the coÌ„trary if our eies be wicked or our owne hartes foule and corrupted we shall shew forth the fruites of an euil and wicked spirite whether it be by hasty iudgemeÌ„t lyeng detraction fals accusation c. which ar notable euils not beloÌ„ging to vs that haue professed Christe who by his wourde hath coÌ„manded vs to seke peace quietnes to loue one another and to kepe our selues froÌ„ murmuring which profiteth nothing to spare our tongs froÌ„ sclaunderouse reportes and backbyghtynges for an ydle worde shal not passe in vayne and the mouthe that speaketh lyes sleeth his own soule Sapi. 1. who art thou saith saint Paul that iudgest another mannes seruaunt Rom. 1â— He standeth or talleth vnto his Lorde yea he maye well stande for god is able to make him staÌ„d There is one lawe geuer iudge Iacob 5. whyche is onely able to saue and to destroy What arte thou then that iudgest another Eccle. 18. Iudge firste thy selfe beefore the iudgement com so shalt thou be sure to fynde grace in the syght of God Ephe. 4. Iudge not therfore I require the that thou be not iudged agayne Walke as it becommeth your callynge wherein ye ar called Ezechi 18 Gal. 〈◊〉 wyth al humblenes of mynd mekenes and longe sufferynge forbearinge one another in loue and be diligente to keepe the vnitie of the spirite thorough the bonde of peace for euery man shall beare his own burthen and receiue his rewarde accordingly Therfore spende your tymes in the conteplacion of beueÌ„ly thinges be frendly loue togyther wyth pacyence and praye one for an other that ye maye all bee saues In loue and peace the good sowle reioyceth Iacob 5. Rom. 16. Ephe. 2. and oure hartes by loue and peace are vnited to the god of peace In whome peace abydethe there the grace of God aboundantly floweth And the possessours thereof purchase vnto theim selfes to be called the sonnes of God Math. 5. Whose godly and diuine myndes are alwaies bent to doo well and not to consente to any euyll they are paciente there is in them no desire of reuengement no murmuryng no rebellion no discorde no discention or variance abydyng Among many vertues that god gyueth vnto menne his faythfull and speciall good frendes in whom through Christe he delighteth are chiefely knowen in this lyfe by hauyng in them these thre principall vertues Thre vertues .. that is loue peace and pacience Whiche comfortablye shyneth frome the hartes of the righteous in greate beautie and clearenesse before the face of god to the reioycyng and comforte of his people and to the greate laude and prayse of his name Wherby also the world for alyght and example vnto it may well see whome they do possesse what good spirite guideth them and to what godly ende they are so guided For by their sayd vertue of loue Loue. they ioyefully passe foorth their tyme and spende their lyues with inwarde trauayle or outewarde payne in the fleshe not proprely in any thyng touchynge them selues or for their owne singular gayne and commoditie but fyrst respectynge the knowen wyll of God they obedientely to his praise in all poyntes easily performe the onely straight named bond of charite They are so lyuely possessed with the good spirite of God that touchyng theyr inwarde man they freely with ioye sette foorthe thacceptable good wourkes of god And as loue in all cases of necessitie is presentely apte to succour and comforte without respect of persons Peace so peace also adioyned to loue bothe deriued from the loue of god sorcibly ioyne them selues togither to preuent dangers that inwardely bredeth in the conscience through thinfirmite of the flesshe or suche also as hyndereth the continuance of our naturall lyues in the fleshe â—acience And touchyng pacience in thapproued man of God 3. Reg. 21. 4. Reg. 14. Esdras 18. Psal 44. Roma 8. what frende or enemy by word or dede can plucke him backe froÌ„ the bond of loue frendeship or amitie What vexation or forment in the flesshe suffereth god to bee layde vppon hym but he will contentedly beare it and that for the loue of God so deepely in suche hath he planted his grace But we coÌ„monly from whem as it semeth god for our greate wickednes sake hath withdrawne his grace are so pufte vp with the poysoned venym of the serpent and our hartes so strained with thanguishe of syn that health is taken frome vs our soules are sicke we ar fled from the helthfull and sweete foode of lise VVe haue refused the grace of god vnto the noisom and most tart tast of death In steds of goddes heuenly loue and charitie our harts are wickedly possessed with willful malice enmite for peace warre discention for pacience in aduersitie murmuringe detraction lyeng spightful reuengemeÌ„t slippyng frome god or in steade of frendly familiaritie vayne contempt strangenes O the subtiltie of the moste sleighty and malicious serpent the great soly frailtye or blindenes in our flesshe Euell are those seedes by appeeraunce and of poysoned nature Esdras 4. that hath ben sowne frome the begynnynge in the hart of man whose estate doubtles ys moste miserable whenne thorowe the wante of vertue and the lighte of gods grace he forsaketh the plesant plaine pathe way of pietie which is that reuereÌ„t seruice honour and obedience Math 7. Luke 13. Psal 10. due vnto god falleth into the daÌ„gerous stonye harde bestubbed way of iniquitye the very bonde slauery and dirtye drudgerye of the dyuell I onsure you louyng brotherne oure ease is to manifeste that onles Sathan the prince of darkenes had thorowly bewitched vs blynded oure eyes darkened oure vnderstaÌ„ding as it were to distaine the stoughtnes couragious estate of christeÌ„ souldiours robbing vs of oure memory and to tourne and winde vs like a sort of effemmate feeble light persons at his pleasure where he lusteth to our vtter derogation shame and dishonor we wold not be so strongly deluded ouerrun blindely seduced in suche snarlyng and impious pathes that leadeth vnto the lake of perpetuall payn and pardition whervnto the very order truely and continuance of our stiffenecked wickednes VVe vvilfully vvalke the vvay of vvickednes declareth playnely what pathes we treade and whose steppes to the deathe we wylle seeme frankely and very wylfully folowe For the auoydyng wherof we cannot saye to excuse our selues of ignoraunce or that we knowe
kepyng his preceptes and commandementes Moste precious in the sight of God are these three vertues Faythe Hope and Charitie and of theim all the laste excelleth and hath the souerayntie Miche 6. Micheas the prophet of god cryeth vnto vs sayeng I wyll shewe thee O man what is good and what the Lorde requireth of thee namely that thou trade thy selfe in rightousnes that thou be humble and lowly that thou haue pleasure in mercy ionyng kyndnes to walke with the Lorde thy God O the heauenly voyce and counsayle of God that soundeth vnto vs for our sauynge healthe and wherein is comprehended the wholle summe of our duetie Whiche with all humblenes we oughte to receyue whervnto we shuld with reuerence be obedient and to exalte therefore at all tymes his moste glorious name and beyng myndefull of his mercy to bee hartily thankefull as well in all kyndes of aduersitie and dolour as otherwise in any manner of prosperitie or pleasure and then for his greate mercy and loues sake to loue hym agayn Whiche can bee by no better meane To 〈◊〉 god ready is 〈◊〉 be 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 then to showe our selues frendely and charitable vnto all men what soeuer they be without exception bicause thei are of his creation and image and preciousely redemed also by Christ as we our selues hope to be Whom the charitable heart imbraceth indifferently yea euen the whole kynde of manne whose state whether it standeth highe or low right or wrong wel or euill al must be referred to the good wil disposition grace of god we must therfore respecting herein the will of God and the stoughtenes of our bonde and promise deuise with our selues how and by what meane we myght happily do good vnto all men to the vttermost of oure power VVe muste haue feruent loue amōg oure selues for the saide loue shall couer the multitude of oure sinnes 1. Pet. 4. and by no meanes no not by thoughte yf it were possible for the clearenesse of oure owne conscience sake to hurte anye manne For as the bande of charitye is to loue god wyth all oure heartes wyth all oure lyues and wyth all oure power and strength so charitie also in Chryst doeth further extend to the loue of euery man poore or ryche good or badde holye or vnrightuouse protestante or catholyke frenche manne or spaniard chrysten or heathen faythefull or vntrue bonde or free kynsefolkes or straungers no personne excepted And as the fygure of GOD is perfecte and equall in all so lykewyse vncorruptelye wythoute affection indyfferentelye to fauoure all Whyche is agreable to the example of Chryste who woulde all menne indifferentlye without any respecte of personnes to haue the benefytte of hys holye lyfe and passion and to bee saued thorowe faythe in his bloude so great was his loue towardes vs by whose exaumple he woulde haue vs in lyke maner indifferently gladdely and with good wyll to spreade foorthe oure affections to all man after the free and most liberall distribution of charitie And what soeuer cause be geuen to the contrary yet neuerthelesse accordyng to the will of God and thorowe the vertue of pacience to beare good harte and wyll vnto euery man to vse oure selues well and to be fauourable vnto theym not onely in cherefull wordes Rom. 12. and by outward familiaritie and countenaunce whereof otherwhyles we make very nyce and straunge but also in other oure actes and deedes euen frome oure veraye hartes If they bee good menne to loue theym in Christe and yf they be euyll men to loue theim also for Christes sake And whenne they haue deserued hurt or disfauoure or that occasyon be geuen by theym of reuengemente and displeasure yet we shoulde not withdrawe oure frendeshyp frome theym and to hurte or hynder theim but to doo good vnto them Rom. 12. though they haue not deserued it For to ouercome euyll with goodnes and malice with kindnes is truely to counterfayte the perfect charitie of Iesus Christ the sonne of God the sauiour of the worlde and patron of all pietie Esa 53. Math. 26. Act. 8. Eccle. 17. who hath taught the very same doctrine for our erudition and learnyng that haue earnestlye professed his name whiche also to our example in his owne persone performed in very deede although the malicious and proude people of this world that vainly boast of Christe and hath their whole felicitie onely fixed vppon earthly vanities are the sworne seruātes of Sathan who was a dissembler proude malicious and a murtherer from the beginning by whose corruption and malice is engendred in oure hartes priuie hatred open contempt secrete murmuryng selaunder detraction sedition false accusation and finally wylfull consent to murther Suche among many other are the woorkes of the deuil and of his malignāt bloudy membres from the beginning vpon the earth And lyke as is the minister suche are the seruauntes If 〈◊〉 therfore be in deede of Christ and 〈◊〉 vnfeyned professours of his name we are also the true seruauntes of Christ and beloued of hym whome we take to be our Lorde maister our marke and perfect exaumple of lyuynge and whome we ought alwaies to haue before our eies as the only patrone of all holy conuersacion and godlye state of lyfe that euen as he hath geuen vs exaumple so we shoulde also doo Iohn 3. Ephe. 5. 1. Pet. 2. Vnto whome and beefore whose presence oure myndes shulde wholly and at all tymes appeare vncorrupted and oure soules contynuallye occupied in the meditation of celestyall or heauenlye thynges reiectynge frome vs violentlye as drosse all vayne and vnfruitful studies al hatred enmity and malice or other kyndes of fylthynes and to direct onely vnto hym all our enforcements al our pastymes and pleasures all our ententes and purposes all our rest and quietnes and finally also all the whole summe of our busines For touching proprely the perfectiō of the saide loue and charitie that we ought to haue amonge our selues and eche to other in this maner sayenge Ye haue hearde it taught in tymes paste thou shalte loue thy frende Math. 5. and hate thine enmy But I say vnto you Loue your enemy Speake well of theym that defame you Rom. 12. and speake euyll of you Blesse them that curse you doo well to theim that hate you praye for theym that vexe and persecute you that ye maye be the chyldren of your father whyche is in heauen For he maketh his Sunne to ryse bothe vppon the good and badde and sendeth raine to the iuste and vniuste For yf ye do but loue theym that loue you what rewarde shall ye haue Dooe not the Publicanes lykewyse And yf that ye speake well of theym that bee youre bretherne and dearely beeloued frendes what greatte mattier is that Do not the Heathen the same also Math. 6. Agayne If you forgeue menne theyr faultes your heauenlye father shall also forgeue you youre faultes For if our fautes shoulde trouble
our consciences thenne we in this thynge thoroughe Faythe oughte to knowe as by a sure and a moost certayn token of comforte that oure trespasses he forgeuen vs of GOD yf we firste forgeue oure Neyghbours their tresspasses wherein so euer they haue offended vs howe greate so euer the trespasse bee and muche moore for tryfelynge cases or as I maye say for womannelye quarellynges I doo speake wythoute offence to he wyse And we in oure daylye prayer require of GOD to bee forgeuen of hym of oure dayelye and contynuall wyckednesse as wee forgeue other their faultes commytted agaynste vs. So that beefore we praye Prayer whyche we are alwayes bounce to doo and of all thynges moste needefull and that not tediouselye stoughtlye faynedlye doubtiullye neyther yet maliciouselye but cheerefully reuerentlye heartylye faythfullye and charitablye wyth a freendelye and louynge hearte oure prayers I saye when we doo praye must either with the charitie of God in suche wyse bee tempered that we can frely forgeue if offence be committed agaynst vs Math. 21. Iohn 15. 1. Iohn 3. Iacob 1. or elles wourthyly secke for our malyce sake and stiffenecked wickednesse not onely to susteyne the losse of our present suite and desyre but also encreace of the vengeaÌ„ce and wrath of god the more abundantly to fal vppon vs. For onelesse we forgeue vnto others theyr offences Math. 6.11.18 god our heauenly father wil not forgyue vs our offences And whe ther we haue offended theym or they haue offended vs we must seeke the vnitie and peace of Christ yea I say agayn we must seeke it except we will seeme wylfully to runne headlonge to the deuill and damnation we may not be deuided we may not breake the boÌ„d of the felowshyp of Christe we are all membres incorporate into the body of Christe we must thruste backe stately courage and thestimation of wealth we muste herein laye our malice and pride aparte we may not bee quoy or nyce in these straighte cases of god nor vaynelys shamefaste wee maye not daly wyth GOD we may not thynke of oure paynted sheathe but all peenyshe fantasies worldlye vanities and flesshely affectes set asyde wee must symplye and wyllynglye wyth at diligence prosecute the good work whiche God describeth vnto vs and oure owne consciences also most plainly directeth Beefore thou prayeâ—â— therfore Ecclesiastic 18. prepare thy soule in anye wyse to contence well god and dalye not with him as one that tempteth hym but simplye or reuerentlye looke to thy charge Humble thy selfe bee obedience to hys voyce imprint or engraue in thine hart his most fruitful and diuyne sentences We are taught to bee of lyke affection Rom. 12. one towardes another and not to bee hygh minded proude and stought but humblye abasinge our selues to bee equall wyth them of the lower sort We may not be wyse in our own opinions neither recoÌ„pence vnto any man euyll for euell we may not by double minded for our loue must be perfecte and sound without dissimulation We must be feruente in the spirite applye to the tyme and lyue peaceably wyth all menne And yf we wyll take Christ for our patrone and exaumple of lyse we must reuerence him and obey hym also in his wourde who saieth vnto vs also in this wyse Beholde I am the lyghte of the worlde c. Take me for youre guyde Learne of me for I am not proude Math. 11. I am not haute mynded disdaynfull nor scornefull but gentyll lowely and meeke in hearte And yf we that are the folowers of Christe wyll seeke or desyre any thynge at the hande of God the father for Christes sake we must reuerently seeke to content his will we must tast and sauour of hym in goodnes we muste manyfest oure selues to bee the folowers in deede of his glorious and most beautifuile steppes we muste rente frome our hartes and treade with force vnder foote these our moste poisoned ragyng euylles namely the deadly and venomous prickyng priuy lukynge secrete annoyeng inwarde fretrynge outward defacing disteinyng swelliÌ„g disgracyng reÌ„ting tearing choking thornes thistles braÌ„bles burres briers such other shameles endles noisom shrubs of our monstrous beastly pride cancred maliciouines moste vain foolishe stoutnes which are thincensementes of Sathan and his only vehement motioÌ„s in vs to the stirring vp of disobedience and stryfe of which more shall hereafter be somme thinge touched and seeke him simplie that is simple and lowely wyth al simplenes lowlynes and mekenes of harte Prou. 28. For he appeareth and is onelye founde of them that tempteth him not Sapi. 1. but reuerentelye feareth hym and beleueth in hym that reioyceth to please him and loth to offend him And if we think it a great thyng to remit thoffences coÌ„mitted againste vs by others respectings this or that offeÌ„ce or the basenes of the party that offendeth vs thinking therby that our estimatioÌ„ or honesty shuld be greatly diâ—â—eined if we dydde seks to coÌ„ferrs with him If vve consider the darkenes and vvickednes of our ovvne liues other mennes liues shal be fore God seeme vnto vs so much the purer although for concord charities sake how much more ought we rather to coÌ„sider remeÌ„bre our owne notable most vile state of life that heapes of offences which we daily coÌ„mit against god and in the presence of his mooste glorious and excellente maiestie who respecteth no persones but knoweth reproueth thiniquitie and frailtie of all fleshe notyng by his iustyce what is dewe vnto theym and that he not withstandynge of his 〈◊〉 â—lemency and mercye beholdeth 〈…〉 Christe and dooeth forgeue vs 〈…〉 with repentaÌ„ce we praye 〈…〉 vnto hym Let vs therfore in 〈◊〉 callyng examyne well our selues 〈◊〉 men in anctoritie he so vvill the people bee Orce 4. and consider the great mercye of god and his exaumple to charitie and the greater we be of byrth among many others in estimacion of men in anctoritie or welthy that the prayse of god may shyne amongest vs so much the more to consider our estate to god-warde we oughte to submytte our selues to hys wyll and in charitye to apply our selues to the good exaumple of all men that the peace of god and godly amitie maye bountifully flourishe and abounde lyuelye amongest vs. Whose mynde in hys diuyne wourde and manifest exaumples of hys mercy he hath thus as before sygnified vnto vs touchynge oure loue and charitie that we owe to oure neyghbours And there vnto saint Paule counsaileth vs satenge 〈…〉 Bee ye therefore folowers of God as deare children and walke in loue eueÌ„ as Christ loued vs and gaue hymselfe for vs an offerynge and a sacrifice of a swete sauour to god Heâ— â—â— Iacob â—â— Let brotherlye loue and peace continue amongest you for the fruites of rightuousnes are sowen in loue and peace of theim that are the louers and maiâ—â—â—eâ—ers of peace Of which peace brotherly
that hath ben bothe quicke and deade wrapped in dust and horselytter amonge the dogges pygges and fylthye swyne O howe lamentable is it to heare and vnderstande of the greate fall of Englande from the grace of God O the hardnesse of our hartes that hasteneth vnto vs the wrathe of God O howe greattely appeareth the yre of God to hange ouer vs Yea howe heauyly already layeth he is hande vpon vs Math. 18. O cursed be the occasion by synne for euer that goddes heauy indignation should so lyght vpon vs and his grace so clerely withdrawen from vs that we haue no pity vpon our poore neighbours but suffre theim in suche wyse to wourke desperatelye agaynste nature the parentes to forsake theyr chylderne and the childerne to bewaile the losse of theyr parentes lamentablye sorowynge crying yellyng sighing sobbyng and groning on both sides the one for the other the one not able to help thether but abide to the death the bitternesse or their hard most wretched fortune O dolefull desteny most heuy adueÌ„ture O lameÌ„table losse and most greuouse departure O pitifull parentes O forsaken comfortlesse infantes O reÌ„der meÌ„bres of Iesus Christ feâ—ly creping always for lyfe and findyng in theno nothing but death whose irremediable and moste wofull signes ye beare Miserable pouerue apparaunt pearcynge lookes pale faces leane chekes wanne lippes torne coates gante bealies withered skins bodies consumed to the bones and waightynge alwayes deathes mooste deadly brunt for the banefull breache of lyfe O lorde if we now lyuyng in these daies in the â—yme also of lyght and knowledge of the gospell shonsds but in this one onely point coÌ„pare our selues with the good disposition of the people in other ages past although in the daies of vtter darknes and ignoraÌ„ce for the great pitie tender coÌ„passion that was amongst them towardê the coÌ„mon welthe for thadusidyng of suche vnnaturall most horrible and monstrouse sightes amonge the poore membres of Christ and of the commoÌ„ wealth what an vntowarde most pitt les and vnnaturall generation shuld we now thinke our selues to be in coÌ„parison of the other but rather muche more wicked moste wourthie also the wrath of god most wourthie reproche among the very Infidelles yea to be reproued also of the vnreasonable and very brutishe wilde beastes of the field whiche against nature to the reprofe of their owne beastelye natures committeth not at any time any one suche wretched euyll but wylle naturally seke to nourishe saue and defend that thinge which nature hath naturallye in their owne kynde most gladly desyred most aptlye framed inwardly preserued tenderly nourished brought vp in tyme amongest theim by whose vertue also constancie and tendernes in their rude natures the name of god their maker or is or should be praised magnified by mankynde the only reasonable creature and Lord of all creatures nexte vnder hym as by the chiefe louer and speciall maynteyner of all causes necessarye to natures good affecte O what natural good man then or man of god except he were the verye deuell hym selfe or the diuelles owne dearelynge in whome restethend possibilitie of pitye or good nature but woulde lamente and haue compassion vpon these good creatures of god in such necessitie namely of mankinde theyr owne flesshd and bloude whom God hym selfe so derely loueth for our example whome he so blesseth and vpon whome he poureth so abundantly his good graces and gyftes aboue all other his creatures Doo not as I sayd the lyke of kynd helpe their lyke The loue of beastes Are there anye so brute beastes vnder the sonne or vyle crepyng wormes vpon thearthe but wold in their kynd loue one an other and ioyn their hartes in amitie to withstand to their power the crueltie of vnnaturall and straunge aduersaries Are there amoÌ„g wourmes and beastes of the earthe more cruell or vnnatural aduersaries one strang beast or worm against another then is either nakednes colde or famine against mankynd whose furious and deadly force we oughte euery of vs myghtily withstand accordyng to the wyll of god for one an others preseruation Dishonour to mannekinde Can there be greatter shame and dishonour to mankynd the lorde ruler ouer al vnder god thaÌ„ to be reproued in this special point of natural amitie of most inferiour base creatures Truly I am of this opinioÌ„ before heauen and earthe and thynke in coscience I offed not that as god neuer sent his sharpe plages cruel chastismentes vniustly vpon the earth but wourthili by his iustice for the punishment of synne and that vpon all estates and degrees of men whether it be by warres pestilence or famine all or some at ones as hys iustice notwythstanding hys greate mercy respecteth the stonye and harde heapes of synne whereby hys wrath is the more largelye kendled vpon this or other regios so wyth the greate and moste wycked offendours The innoâ—â—â—â— vvith the 〈…〉 are plagâ—d And vvhy the innocentes I so term them in respect of the other offendors are also then plaged to this good ende and purpose that the godly and repentaunte synners and suche as are of sufficient habilitie shoulde wyth prayer and fastinge bountifully and freelye reache forthe their hande of compassioÌ„ to the poore and nedy personnes whiche by warres are eyther wounded or maimed by dyuers diseases visited or elleâ— greuously by famine afflicted to the asswagynge of goddes greate furye and wrath and that the spirit of desperation therby put a parte the good creature of god maye haue pacience in pouertie and thankfully reioice in his mercye which aboundantly spreadeth ouer all fleshe whereas the onely compassioÌ„ and mercy of maÌ„ so to succour helpe his poore and neady neighbour vpon whome our eies with compassion ought to be euer fixed Eccle. 28. that God in our charitie maye bee blessed O howe faire a thing is mercy pitie in that time of necessitie in the tyme of heauynes Eccle. 25. anguyshe and trouble Is it not lyke a cloude of rayne that commeth in the time of drought But alas how greatlye to the contrary hath the diuel now bliÌ„ded our eies robbed vs of our good vnderstandyng and memory and hath also stripte vs naked and bare of all compassion and charitie What pitiles seedes hath he sowen in our harts What scornefulnesse and contempte What nicetie leude wantonnesse and foly O what may we thynke of oure selues that glory so muche to be called christians that cannot abide the name of hereticke turke scismaticke or papist that so muche deny Christ in conuersacion beynge vtterlye conuerted into wourse state and behauioure then the most vyle estate of Ethnickes and infidelles and suffre our selues to bee reproued of beastes and ouercomme with these most horrible monsters fylthie couetousnesse pride and excesse to be blyndelye ledde in suche singuler and vaine affectes that we regard not but rather contempne the most gloriouse and lyuelye Images of God
their great anguish dolour in soule body as we would wyshe vnto our selues beynge now altogether in the handes of god if we were in the lyke aduersitie Let it not nowe be spoken by any tonge from an vnfained hart Eccle. 31 Tobi. 4. Math. 7. Luke 6. VVe muste doo as vve vvoulde be done to that euer specially within the mind of maÌ„ in this famous region and noble angle of the worlde a countreye heretofore no lesse feared then beloued of all nations for our vertues strengthe and great wealth was sene the like multitude of pouertie Pouertie raysed vp encreaced and spred for the amongest vs by gods sufferance and visitation through the hardnes of our hartes through forced warres greate speknesses and faminâ— where shal a man now wtin these dominions eyther ryde or go but stil there shall be great occasion ministred vnto hym of pitie Which way shal he now turne his face but the poore membres of Christe shall appeare before hym in extreme necessitie and miserye and cal vpon him for his charitie in the name of Iesus christ whose name we ought to reuerence â—say 65. Math. 1. Roma 14 Philip. 2. and to extende freely for his sake our charitie according to our habilitie and as we see iustly occasion of necessitie to content well god Or at what time shal we in conscience better dispose oure charitye to the people of god Was there euer by theym the like wofull attempte O that the spirit of god our synnes through his mercy beynge remitted woulde yet happilye descende vppon vs and amongest vs to wourke in vs and to pourge and mollifie our corrupted and flintie hartes of impietie vnnaturall slackenes selfe loue and all vayne affectes A nedefull request of God that wee maye wyth the more lyuelye diligence in the fears of GOD tender hys beeloued people and so prepare for theym that oure holye and moste iuste GOD maye in all oure dooynges be well contented and pleased O howe happy shoulde we bee to fulfill the wyll of GOD yf oure eares were opened and oure heartes by the dewe of goddes grace softe tempered that wee myght aptlye heare and worthily receyue the voice of god â—hâ—e calleth vnto vs sayenge Be not ashamed of thy neygboure in hys dystres and miserye Defende the poore and father lesse Delyuer the out caste and poore Shutte not thyne hande whenne thou shouldest geeue Eccle. 4. psal 82. Eccle. 4. Distribute thy breade vnto the poore and hungry bringe the poore fatherles home into thine house geeue hym lodgynge clothe hym yf he hee naked Esay 18. and tourne not thy face frome thyne owne fleshe that is to saye from thy poore neyghboure thy Chrysten brother or Syster And lykewyse to hyde thyne Almase in the bosome of the poore that god may be blessed and thy synnes pourged Not by thy merites I saye but tho rough the lyuely faithe and loue that is in thee towardes Iesus Christ and for his onely merites sake who loued thee fyrst who preciously with his bloud hath redeemed thee and inspireth thee with his holy spirite to loue agayne and thankefully to wourke his wyll wherby thou maiest than vnderstand that as water queÌ„cheth fire so almose deedes also proceedynge from suche a louely faith quencheth synne and asswageth the wrathe of god Luke 11. Geue al mose therfore by this lyght of grace foreshynyng in thee and then as shal be pure and cleane vnto thee And although he be thyne ennemye yet forgeue hym for the loue thou haste to Christe and yf he bee in necessitie and hungry yet feede hym for his sake If he be thirsty geue him drinke if he be naked cloathe hym or if he be in prisone visite hym For in so doyng the charitie of god shall cleerely shyne in thee and thou shalt heape coales of fyre vpon his head Prouer. 25 The grace of god is offered vnto thee Prou. 25. Roma 12. Eccle. 34. psalm â—â— bee not ouercome myth euil but do thou ouercome euyll with good For therevpon dependeth the blessinge of god as vnto the charitable and rightuouse man accordinge to this sayenge The blessinge of God hastneth to the rewarde of the ryghtuouse maketh his fruites to flourishe and prosper Agayne blessed is he that considereth the poore and neady for in the troublesome day the lorde shal delyuer him And contrary wise he that stoppethe hys eares at the crye of the poore he hym selfe shall also cry in the day of necessitie but the lorde shal not heare hym For the whole congregation of the people of God are euer cryinge out wyth great lamentation and sighinge agaynst hym or agaynste the whole rablement of them that are so wicked and harted agaynst them For they are the cause in deede that so many men are hungrye naked and bare or to wante sufficiencie for their naturall succoure and comforte Iob. 24. Eccle. 13. Those are they that detest or abhorre the poore nedye man They are proude stought blasphemouse and scornefull They be vnkynde pitilesse and reioyce at the decaye of the rightuous But the lorde laugheth them to scorne and his vengeaunce lurketh for theim Eccle. 27. euen as a lyon They shal be taken in the snare and anguyshe of hearte shall consume theym before they dye It highlye dyspleaseth the ryghtuous and most iuste god when we whome he hathe made of habilitie sittyng at home at ease and in securitie be not moued with pity at the great calamitie miseries and troubles of the poore people of god as the prophete Amos complayneth Amos. 6. saying Wo be to the people that are of habilitie and wealthie whiche are not moued wyth heauines compassion and pitie to se the poore creatures and people of God in wofull distresse affliction and misery and will not with tendernesse of their hartes seeke meate and necessaries to ease them relieue theim and comforte theim O that our The curse of god folovveth mannes iniquitie vntowardnesse with tremblyng feare woulde suffre vs to waye well this wo or curse of God whiche signifieth vnto vs the greatnes of this our iniquitie howe largelye in tyme his vengeaunce is lyke to fall vpon vs. And howe outwarde so euer we bee in deede and without regard in this wise to mynister vnto the poore membres of Chryste and to seeke or deuise by all meanes possible to helpe and relieue theym yet our consciences therein alwaies openeth vnto vs the good mind of God whyche before hym condempneth vs vtterlye of oure disobedience ingratefulnes and most wylful slacknes of what so euer estate and degree we be of or of habilitie in the commen wealthe For the charitie of God vninersally of duetie tendeth to all estates and degrees of men frome the higheste to the lowest Charity be longeth to all estates but it appereth not from al mâ— alike that haue professed hys name And it is rather apparannt by due ordre in some
Fearest thou not in thy selfe that huge heapes of sinne that wil accuse thee or make the more careful and lowely Neither thy barthen of thy conscience that so fore oppresseth thee and wherby the iustice of god hangeth ouer thee Either wyâ—â—e thou shew thine hart to be hardened against him O fadyng floure erthly creature what meanese thou vnreuarently to forget god thy creator or not to fear hym Thinkest thou that the coÌ„tinuaÌ„ce of thy wil to do wickedly shal euer endure Or why art thou so presumptuous ageinst him Art thou able thou wretched and feeble wourmâ—â— to resiste hys omnipotence or almyghtye power Art thou not in hys hande as a piece of clay in the hand of the potter Esaie 49. Iere 18.19 Rom. 9. Or whyche of all the stought or puyssaunte prynces of the earthe shall not stoupe at hym and obeye hym He trulye is almyghtye and terryble yea the earth trembleth and quaketh for feare of hys greate indignacion and wrath and the people shal not he able to abide hys threatnynge The whole power and strength of all the earth ioyned to Iâ—ther is not able to abyde one blaste of the breathe of goddes mouthe And darest thou thou dustye stubble persist or stand at any time in the state of wickednes before the face of so great and terrible a god Consider therfore thy wilfull malice and folishnes and thy carelesse slippyng from god that is so iust and terrible Examin thy self reuerentlye in the feare of god trye well the state of thy coÌ„science whether thou mayest iustlye saye before heauen and earth O lord thou omnipoteÌ„t terrible god Hiere 17. whose throne is most glorious excelleÌ„t and of most antiquitie which dwellest in the heuens euen in the place of mans holy rest of whoÌ„ thou arte of all goddes moste highely to he feared for thou art a rightous and a iuste god in pouryng thy wrath vpon thyne enmies The repentant sinner yea I must also say that thou art a mercyfull and a louyng god the only comforter and refuge of man his immouable pillour and staye of assurance and the lyuely hope of his helth ioy strength and saluation Therfore O Lorde in acknowledgynge thyne omnipotency and great mercy whervnto I appeale I humbly fly vnto thy mercy seate for succour for myne iniquitie O god is manyfest vnto thee which I confesse before thy diuine maiestie I haue O lord offended against thee I haue forsaken thy lawe and coÌ„mitted iniquitie I haue fledde from thy loue I haue falne from thy word I haue broken my fidelite I haue ben rebellious against thee For myn hart hath wickedly possessed pride and maliciousnes wherby I haue greuousely offended and hurte my neyghbour O Lorde greate therfore is myne iniquitie in thy sight Psal 119. My conscience iustly accuseth me my fleshe treÌ„bleth for feare beefore thee my spirites are troubled within me And the remembraunce of thy Iudgement is terrible vnto me O Lorde myne eies therefore gushe oute with water my sight falleth me I am greuouslye vexed myne harte panteth within me my strength is gone from me my knees are weake my flesshe is dryed vp my beautie is consumed I am weary of my gronynge Alas my griefe alas my fal Alas my great wo and myserye for thys my stroke and wofull plage that thy grace O God should thus be taken frome me wherby I most wretched sinner am forget full of my truthe and obedience of my faythe and promises of thyne infinyte loue and goodnesse towardes me and of thy greate indignation and Iustice for my synne iniquitie Ah who shall geue me water to my head and a fountain of teares to mine eies that I may washe my bedde with teares of sorow and bewayle my sinnes both nighte day wherby thy grace O swete god may yet be returned vnto me and thy iustice agaist me be shortlye preueÌ„ted I make myn huÌ„ble peticion in thy presence with my whole hart the thou wile be merciful vnto me accordyng to the truthe in thy wourde O heauenly father A Prayer lette thy greate mercy in Iesus Christe lyghten vppon me that thy wrathfull indignation preuaile not against me I humbly with repentaÌ„ce acknowledge myne iniquite I coÌ„tesse my sicknes frailtie appeale to thy mercye promysed vnto me in Iesus Christ And if thou O Lorde for his sake wilt assist me Psal 119. order my steppes according to thy wourd my fete shall kepe thy pathes no wickednes shall henseforth haue dominion ouer me O refourme therfore with mercy that is amisse Psal 3â— for thy mercy recheth vnto the heauens and thy faithfulnes vnto the cloudes With the is coÌ„fort the light of life in thy light shal I se light and the workes of darknes shall flie farre from me O turne thee then vnto me Ierem. 1â— so shall I be tourned heale thou me and I shall bee made whole saue thou me and I shall be saued O be not terrible vnto me after thy rightuous iudgemente Psal 143. Enter not into iudgement with thy seruaunt for then shall I not be iustified in thy syghte Yea if thou O lorde shouldest extremely marke what is doone amysse who could then abyde it But thou arte also a God of mercy yea thou delightest in mercy and with thee is plentuous redemption My soule therfore flieth only vnto thee Psal 130. it wayteth humbly for thee trusteth assuredly in thee Out of the depe doo I call vnto thee O Lorde O here myne humble voyce and lette thyne eares consyder welle the voyce of my complaynte Benignely beholde me with thyne eye of mercy that I I say thyne vnwourthy seruaunt maye bee ioyfull of thy couÌ„tenance O let thine holy spirite possesse my harte to create in me a cleane harte to â—enue within my bowelles a ryghte spiryte that I wretched synner may be quiet in thee maye growe in the true knowledge of thee that I may feruentlye desyre thy kyngedome and that I maye knowe thy wyll and reuerently wourke there after For thorow thyne onelye grace O Lorde and by the vehement impulsion of thyne holye spirite shall myne heart and soule be cleane pourged quiesed quickened strengthned sanctified It is thy spirite O GOD that shal conuerte my soule and guyde me forth in the pleasaunte and playn path waye of rightuousnesse Yea Lorde I wyll therfore be bolde and saye Come thou good spirite of god comme I beseche thee and assiste me with the present healthe of thy grace I haue affiaunce in thee O instruete thou me and strengthen mee refresshe comforte and quiete me replenysshe my soule with ioye and gladdenesse and kendle in me the fyre of thy loue Th n O holy spirit whether in body I wake or sleape my soule shall continuallye watche vnto thee thynke of thee delight in thee depende onely vpon thee yea it shal be fully satisfied in thee and euermore reioyce loue please thee euen