of temptation prepare vs awaye to escape Numc 23 1. Cor. 1.10 1. Thes 5. 2. Pet. 2. he wyl so strengtheÌ„ vs that when his grace is offered vnto vs wee shall not receyne it in vayne hys good spirite shall poisesse vs cleanse oure hartes of the deuelles infections he wyll not suffce vs to be ouercomme or drowned in theym for he wyll sowe in oure hartes the lyuely seedes of his grace and fill vs full of the wisedome of Chryst By thereare of god sin is eschevved he will putte his feare into oure heartes whyche the proude and scornefull people of thys worlde and they that maliciousely meddle against god do want Iob. 18. his grace is taken from such for they dwell without his feare he will so knitte our hartes in vnitie that hauynge but one harte and one waie we shall feare his name all the daies of our lyues that we and oure children after vs Iere. 32. Psal 118. maie bee blessed and prosper the will delyuer vs frome all daungers and misfortune he wil take warre and discention frome vs he will geeue vs victorye ouer our ennemyes he will prepare vs quietlye toâ— inioie oure wynuyngs he wyll not suffre vs to be confouÌ„ded our children destroied our goodes spoiled nor our wyues our daughters our maydens to be rauished and defyled he wyll be our mighty protection at all assaies geeue vs longe life Iob. 8. he will blesse oure posteritie he wil fil our mouthes with laughter and our lippes wyth gladdenesse he wyll blesse the lande wherein we dwel take from vs famine pestilence all strange dyseases specially of the mynde that oure soules beynge fouÌ„d we may behold him with a pure saythe and serue hym ioyfullye wyth a cleane harte he wyll bee vnto vs a GOD of ryghtuousnesse truthe and mercye he wyll be faithfull to fulfill and keepe hys promises He will sette vppe an euerlastynge couenaunt with vs namely that he wil neuer ceasse to doo vs good and that he wyll put his feare into oure hartes Iere. 32. so that hensefoorthe wee shall not runne nor goe astraye frome hym hee wyll make vs walke in the good and perfecte waye and to keepe the pathes of rightuousenes Yea Prou 2. he wyll haue a luste to do vs good and faythfullye to plante vs in the lande of the lyuynge wyth hys whole harte and with all hys soule For lyke as he hathe broughte vppon vs Iere. 32. great and diuers plages so will he also of hys mercye take theym againe frome vs and in steade of hys greate vengeaunce yet to come he will bring vpon vs all the good that he hath promised vnto vs. I foure hartes haue in possession thys precious and lyuelye vertue the feare of God the grace and fauoure of God shall abundauntly be poured vppon vs. Neyther shall we at anye tyme in suche wyse offende him that his wrath shal be kendled ageynst vs. There shall nothinge be wantyng in vs or neadefull for vs that shal bee to the comforte of soule and bodye yf we haue in vs the sayde vertue It is the begynnyng of wisedome Prouer. 1. It is the verye entrye to attayne the fauoure and blessyng of god Iere. 31. psal 24. In whom so euer it abydeth the secretes of our lord god are euer vnlocked vnto theym layed foorthe and spredde amongest theym and sheweth also vnto them Psal 25. Act. 13. psal 23. psal 147. Psal 34. Psal 102. his comfortable and most ioiefull couenaunt Vnto theim also as vnto the faithfull seede of Abraham is the wourd of saluation sente They that feare him and putte their truste in his mercye beholde hys mercyfull eyes are euer fixed towardes theym his delyghtes in theym hys aungell pitcheth his tente round aboute theÌ„ He is their strength and delyuereth theym his saluacion is nygh vnto them And looke how hygh the heauens are in comparison of the â—arth so great is his mercy towardes them that feare him Looke how wide â—he East is from the west so far hathe â—e sette oure synnes from vs yea and like as a father pitieth hys owne chyldren euen so is he merciful vnto them that feare hym psal 103. The mercyfull goodnes of the lorde endureth for euer and euer vppon theym that feare him and his ryghtuousenes vpoÌ„ their childres children psal 111. psal 112.182 He geeueth meate to theym that feare hym and towardes theym he is euer myndefull of hys couenant They are blessed that feare the Lorde The feare of the lorde maketh a longe lyfe Prou. 10. Prou. 14. The feare of the lorde is a well of lyfe to escape the daungers of deathe The feare of the Lord preserueth life yea it geueth plentuousnes withoute the visitation of any plage We are sure it shall goe well wyth theym that feare the lorde because they haue him before their eyes Prou 19. Ecclesi 8. Ecclesi 1. The feare of the lord is wourshyppe and triumphe gladdenes and a ioyfull crowne it maketh a mery hart and it driueth out synne The feare of the lorde is in the hart of the wyse whereby he departeth from euell and walketh in the pathe way of ryghtuonsenes The feare of the lorde is wyth the wyse manne in all hys doynges Prou. 14. Eccle. 28. and in the dayes of transgression he kepeth him self from sinne Eccle. 25. The feare of the lorde setteth it selfe aboue al things It is the beginning of loue and the beginning of faith is to cleaue fast vnto the feare of god The feare of the Lorde wanteth nothyng Eccle. 40 and neadeth no helpe The feare of the lorde is a pleasaunte gardeine of blessing and nothynge is so beautyfull as it is Eccle. 25. psal 128. O blessed therfore is the maÌ„ vnto whom it is graunted to haue the feare of god For as Esay saith it is the power of goddes holy spirite whereby we reuerence god by auoidinge euell and embracynge good accordyng to this sayenge The wyseman feareth god and auoydeth from euell And Iob sayeth Beholde the feare of the lorde is euen verye wisedome it selfe and is wholly coÌ„tinuyng for euer for it is the streÌ„gth of the diuine spirit to the reuerencing and wourshypynge of God whyche strength is not in vs the wourke of nature but the grace of god bath planted not the wil of maÌ„ but the purpose of god towardes his beloued chosen people vnto whom in Iesus Christe pertaineth the great strength myghtys wourkyng of hys graceÌ„ to the renewing of their mindes that through a reuereÌ„t life in rightuousnes the promises of god maye in this lyfe be atrayned vnto and felte And after thys lyfe Math 25. Iohn 5. to haue a ioyfull resurrection into euerlastynge lyfe thorough the onlye merited and death of hys dearelye beloued sonne Iesus Christ our lorde and sauiour who liueth and raigneth wyth hym in the vnitye of the holys ghost most blessed for euer and euer Amen The grace of god O dearelye beloued abounde in oure hartes to the shewing forth of hys glorye in rightuousnes that all we knowynge our duties and obedience to hys dyuyne and most gloriouse maiestie may be ryche and plentyfull in all good wourkes to the pleasynge of oure neighbours for their wealth and coâ—yeng Roma 15. Gala. 15. accordyng to the exaumple of Iesus Chryste the true patrone comforter and sauioure of the worlde who for the tendernesse of compassion that he had to hys people and to saue them from destructioÌ„ sought not to please hym selfe but beeyng innocent and a lambe vnspotted suffered as a wicked offendour moste shamefull reproche bitter tormentes and paynes in the flesh as also bodilye death as it was written of hym by the prophet The rebukes of them wihche rebuked thee sel on me psal 69. Roma 4. What so euer thynges are wrytten aforetyme they are written for our learning that thorough pacience comfort of the scriptures we myght haue hope The god of hope pacience and consolatioÌ„ fil vs wyth all ioye and peace in beleuynge that we may be ryche in hope thorow the power of the holy ghost Leuit. 19. and be like mynded one towardes another after the ensaumple of Christ that we al together agreeyng in vnitye may wyth one mouthe praise God the father of our lorde Iesus Amen The God of peace treade Sathan shortelye vnder our feete Roma 6. FINIS Fautes escaped in pryntyng ¶ In the leaf of A. the .xii. page the .xi. lyne of the Queenes epistle for into reade vnto In the leafe of B. the iii. page the xvii line or to muche In the leafe of B. the iii. page the .xx. line reade for restranitie restraint In the leafe of D. the .x. page the .xv. line for his pathes reade bypathes In the leafe of D. the .xi. page the .ix. line much to muche And in the xxv line for wrathe reade wroth In the leafe of D. the xiiii page the vii line for co reade to In the leaf of d. the xv page the xxii line for al as reade as all Note also the x. page of F the iii. lyne for in thys maner reade he teacheth vs in thys maner In the leafe of G. the v. page the â— liue for confession reade profession In the leafe of G. the xv page the xxiii line for thy reade the. In the leafe of H. the xii page the xxv line the 〈◊〉 or is to much And in the xi lyne before in the same for yf reade that In the leafe of L. the iii. page the .xix. lyne for he to hys electe reade he hath to hys electe In the leafe of N. the 14. page the .v. line for a glorious reade glorious FINIS ⧠Imprinted at London by Henrye Sutton at the costes and charges of Myghell Lobley and Ihon Waley The .vii. daye of Maye in the yeare of our Lorde a thousande v. hundred and syxtye And also perused and allovved accordynge to the Queenes maiesties iniunctions
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
and frendely one to an nother and to prepare for the nedefull sustentation of the poore membres of Iesus Christe who miserablye perisheth for wante of succor that the blessyng of God the father in his sonne our Lorde and sauior may plentifully descende down amongest vs and vpon vs al The mercy of god tovvards the Quene to the preseruation chieflye of the Quenes most royal maiestie whom god hath hitherto nourisshed blessed and mightily preserued thorowe hys mercye and according to the lyuelye faithe and hope of innumerable her true frendes and obedieÌ„t subiectes and contrarye to the expectation of manye thousandes her maliciouse most cruell enemyes our Lorde for the greatnes of hys mercyes sake wourks in them Repentaunce to the tournyng of their heartes and prepare them to be now appliable and obedient subiectes that we may altogether in vnitie wyth faythfull and true Englishe heartes be thankefull vnto God for her grace to leane to her and with a louelye feare to obeye her to honour her to healpe her and reioyce in her our chief souerayne and onelye high maiestrate nexte vnder god whome he with hys stretched oute arme and almyghtie power and without the effusion of anye christen bloud or occasion minystred to the same hath quietly stablished her and brought her to her imperial throne so greately hath he vanquished the harts of her enemies signifienge thereby vnto vs all her true englishe The pourpose of god tovvardes the Quene and christen subiectes that she is of purpose elected raised vp and preserued by god to this imperial dignity as the appointed seruaunie or high mynyster of God for the supportacion of peace and to take the swourd of auctoritie in her owne hande to the erecting or reedifying agayne of hys glorye in peace and righteousnesse takynge hys wourde of trueth to be her assured good guide aide and strength by the vertu and Inuincible power thereof to supplante and treade vnder foote The verâ—â—e of goddes vvorde all vaine deuised fantasies crastye collusions proude vsurpacions to the reioyeing of Christies faithfull seruauntes his true frendes and ministers and to the reformation or amendement of all other his disobedient and blynde ignorant ennemies if the spirite of grace wyl so work in them for their happy conuersion as the newe borne children of god and by her to be supported preserued and safelye defended by the auctoritie aforesayde grounded vpon god and her gracious mooste godlye lawes Withoute whiche holye conuersion and humble submission leauynge all wycked affectes apertlye or secreatlye repugnynge murmurynge conspiringe subtle dyssemblynge or wyckedlye rebellynge againste god and hys true procedynges reueled and sette soorthe from tyme to tyme by hys appointed and chosen mynisters for hys owne gloryes sake in righteousnesse In vvhat vvise god hath raised vppe the Queene not raysed vp wyth cruell rage by vs mooste maliciouse and wretched creatures wyth speare and shseide or wyth spre and swourde but peaceablye preserueâ— and therein supported by the only vertue of goddes diuine power who wil stire vp whom he suâ—ceth and wil haue his truth to raign and flouryshe maugre our heades that hath had or haue cursed beate hartes to the contrary that are so wifully blindly addicted to our fathers old fossty customes crepte in amongeste vs by the diuelles deuyse and receyued or stablished by menne wyth their consent coÌ„men couÌ„sails and agrement wythout true triall auctoritie by the wourd of god or prefermeÌ„t by the spirite of truth althoughe we call theym suche holye fathers and so many in number gathered togyther at certayn tymes and places who sought to vpholde the swetenesse of their terrestriall kingdome through couetousnes and theyr fayre coloured wourdes and goodly painted shewes makyng marchaÌ„dise of vs whose iudgemente is not farre of and their iuste dampnacion sleepeth not for the breath of God I say wyll confound such doinges and oure stubbourne disobedience shal be visited with the sword I shal not here neede by expresse wordes to make mention of the greeuous and moste terrible destruction speciallye of gods peculiar people the Iewes amonge other nations for their greate dysobedience wilfulnes pryde and vnthankefulnes Consider also that god hath now of late begonne agayne with his owne church sharpelye to visite them and diuersely for their greate vnthankfulnes VVilful and christinate rebellions shal be 〈…〉 1. The vvrath of god tovvardes his people in the dayes of hys grace and dydde therfore styrre vp his ministers of vnrighteousnes diuerslye most cruelly and impituouselye to vexe them to tormente them and moste shamefully to destroye them as shepe appointed to the slaughter and in suche wyse their mercyles crueltye did abounde that the fauourers of their religion a great numbre of them in the daies of kynge Edwarde fledde frome them they vtterly forsoke theÌ„ for their hartes dyd abhorre them in their doynges OccasioÌ„ of the peoples conuersion and were thorowly perswaded in their consciences that yf they or their religion had ben of god thei wold haue been muche more pitifull and not with such tyranny destroy the professours of Christ so great was the wrathe of god ouer his people and flock for thabusing of his grace and not wel ordryng them selues in suche holy profession Frome whome he hath now ones more withdrawen his wrathe God hatiâ—â— retourned his mercy thorowe his greate mercy in Iesus Christ and at the humble intercession in hym of his moste greuous afflicted saintes to the cleare shynyng ones agayne of his glorye in truthe amongest them for their further instruction and more reuerente obedience to his lawes If God so bytterlye vexed them whoms he so dearely loued the louers of his gospell for their disobedience sake aad dissimulation or doublenes how much more shall the fire of hys merciles wrath be kindled agaynst vs that haue ben before obstinate The vvrath of God agaynste his obstinate and vvilful enemies wilfull and olde repugners of ryghtuousnes hynderers blasphemers consentours to bloud shedde and moste cruell persecutours to the deathe of his true ministers faithefull prophetes preachers and dearely beloued membres although we spightfully reuiled them mocked them and called them seismatikes and a thousande heretikes with rathe iugement to damnation for euer not takyng heauen nor purgatory charitably in our waie and that notwithstandyng suche thynges are nowe called agayne in peace and wyl yet perseuer in suche wickednesse and wilfully kicke against the pricke Truely truly we are well warned by the significations of god VVhat the mercyes of God 〈…〉 vs doâ— signifie according to his mercy to be better scooled learned and practised in the doctrine and rules of Christe and to feare the swourde of goddes vengeance that hangeth by a feble threde redy to fal vpon vs. God is the god of saluation to all them that wil harken and tourne vnto him to leane vnto his examples of mercy to flie from tyranny or consent to bloudshed with such like accordynge
set man whom he had fourmed to dresse it to keepe it and to enioye all the louely pleasures therof onely one thynge excepted from the which because he wolde ther shuld be signified vnto hym wyth reuerence lowe submission as vnto God his maker and his duetie in obedience he streyghtned the reane of his freely vertie and layed the burdeyne of his greuous commandement vpon his shoulders sayeng vnto him Gene. 5. Eccle. 11. Of al the trees of the gardeyn thou shalt eate and vse at libertie for the accomplisshement of thy full delight and pleasure but of the tree of Knowledge of good and euyll thou shalte not eate and gaue hym further a sharpe and mooste bitter threate saying Take hede and be well ware of this my commandement for the same day thou eatest of that tree thou shalte die the death It is here then to be noted after this straight precept of God what greate daunger through disobedience man stoode in and howe the most subtil and malicious serpent the deuyl and onnemye to mankynde who alwaies and by al meanes possible despightfully seeketh his destruction watched his time and immediatly deuysed to worke his present coÌ„fusion through his sleigh tie sweete sugred tale vnto the weake fraile woman Gene. 3. 2. Cor. 11. tellyng her they should be as goddes and know both good and euyll not withstandyng the commandement of god if they wold eate of that fruite wherby without fearyng god forgetfull of his former loue towardes theim of theyr most blyssefull and high estate and of the place of great plesure where he had planted them neither yet remembryng his straight commandement and most terrible threatenyng of death theyr heartes were sore blynded they were vtterly deceyued they receaued the foule spotte of the serpent they were desyled with disobedience pride and hastened to leaue God theyr maker theyr dere and most louyng fronde and folowed the dyuell and his moste cursed suggestions beeyng theyr mortall and deadly ennemie and to tast of that moste bytter and forbydden fruicte of deathe and euerlastynge dampnation whiche by the iustyce of God and accordyng to the doome of theyr own consciences through theyr most wretched disobedience they had duely deserued Gene 2. for their faultes were thenne opened vnto theym they knewe assuredly they had doone amisse and therfore they sled and ran into corners to couer and hide theÌ„selues with leaues and amonge the trees from the face and presence of god as in themselues already condemned moste disobedient to the voyce of god and wretched synners and durste not appeare nor shewe their faces so lothesome and foule was their spotte apparant in their owne eies And God that created theÌ„ not yet forsaking them Esay 40. Iere. 30. but stil bearyng his tender coÌ„passion mercy towardê maÌ„ wold not yet leaue him but sought him out where he had hidde himselfe he called vnto him he gently talked with him herd the grounde of that most hainous great offence And so consequently according to his diuine wille and iustyce rewarded euery of theim the malicious serpente for his part the fraile woman for hir part Gene. 3. and lykewise the vnhappy manne with the malediction of god vpon th earth and for his parte also depriued from his former most blisseful estate cast out of the gardeyne of pleasure and constrained to labour and to tylle the earthe frome whence he was taken and so myserably with great trauayle and sorow and wyth the sweat of his owne browes to get his breade So that vnto man that sorowful reiected creature ther apered then no hope of redresse in that his present distresse and moste wofull misery but rather vtter desperacion and encreace of all forowe continuall tribulation and trauayle paine and anguish in bodye and soule corporall death and eternall damnation tyll God still renuyng his loue whiche is vnspeakable and infinite made promise vnto man that Christ the seconde Adam Rom. 5. Colos 1. Luc. 11. the seede of the woman and sauior of the world shoulde in time be raysed vppe to ouâ—â— come synne and lyke a valyant most puissaunt conqueror to destroye the anuyll deathe hell and damnation 〈◊〉 that also by hym shal be restorâ—◠〈◊〉 through a liuelye faith the graâ—◠〈…〉 heauenly father peace and 〈…〉 conscience Esay 53. Iohn 3. Act. 10. and eternall saluation 〈◊〉 che he vndoubtedly did then 〈…〉 therfore obteined grace whole 〈◊〉 also we are and spotted impes spryngyng out frome that olde crooked and stoupyng tree a stocke vnstable waueryng and alwaies leanynge and ready with euery storme and tempest of tentation to fall suche is the feblenes therof and corrupted nature whose fruictes continually are none other but rotten and vnsauery wourkes as blynde ignoraÌ„ce disobedience pride stoughtnes mistrust contempt of god and godlie thinges feruent lusting after carnal thynges scornefulnes hatred and malice selfe loue with innumerable suche other odible stuffe and stinkynge store and therefore most worthye the banishmente of all pleasure and the presence of god to wander the earth in misery and to susteyn as rotten braunches the stroke of the axe Math. 7. Luke 3. and to be cast for euer into hell fyre For the which and frome the daunger wherof we also know non other remedy yf we desyre the fauoure of God to be his faithfull seruauntes his obedient children and heires of his kyngdome but to seke our pourgation in Iesus Christe whose name we haue professed whome we acknowledge to come frome aboue the sonne of God Esay 7. and verye God and to be incarnate in the wombe of the virgin Esay 7. Luke 20. Iohn â— Rom. 8. Philip. 2. that he here lyned perfecte man amongest vs in the fleshe immaculate and vnspotted and suffred al kind of affliction in the fleshe yea euen very death and that the most cruell and shameful death of the crosse for the redemption and freedome of vs disobediente and wretched synners to pourge vs Esay 54 and with the effusion of his bloud to wash and make cleane our spotted and moste fylthy soules and so to restore vs agayne to the grace of our heauenly father from whom with our synneful father lyke frayle and vnthaÌ„kful creatures we were sled and through our instabilitie and lightnes lyke ruÌ„nagates rebellious and presumptuous chyldren Esay 23. Psal 119 wandrynge a strate lyke loste shepe falne eueÌ„ into the lap or mouth of the roryng and deuouryng lyon the deuyll whose tearyng teethe and insaciable throte is alwaies wyde strained and firmely fixed impituously to rente deforme and deuoure the beautie of goddes creation vnto whom we were in most bytter thraldom his seruile and very bond slaues the children of sinne and deathe and for euer thunquenchable tyrebrandes of hell From the whiche he hath mercifully delyuered vs restored vs vnto strength peace and quietnes of mynde he hath fylled vs full of ioye he hath made vs to
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
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
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
springeth wyth beautie the comfortable free lyuely fruites of compassion christen charity and frendly liberality and vnto whom aboue all others most wourthilie doo appertayne such thinges as hereafter foloweth accordinge to their right reuerend estate and dignitie In whome goddes people reioiceth vnto whom they owe due honor harty prayse and dayly praier amongest whome also I meane nothinge lesse then arragantely to kendle herein offence against theÌ„ or against any godlye man of anye degree but charitablie with humblenes do touche in fewe wourdes this familiar abuse which is whereof it coÌ„meth that among the riche and wealthy meÌ„ of this world we se for their pleasures wythoute numbre their fatte fed dogges of euery kind their pampered horses their fair mules gay glisteriÌ„g Genettes And to the contrary is many starned forlorn creatures christeÌ„ soules miserablie passing by theÌ„ lyenge in the stretes before theÌ„ or standing at their gates to try them with pituouse cries in their necessitie through sorenes huÌ„gre and nakednes and rather receiue succour of the dogges then of them selues if in their kyndes their toungues licking wyll ease asswage these griefes so pitiles are they and colde of charitye to the comforte or mankynde in his necessitie And to aunswer truelye the question what other cause is there then that they are more affected vnto them their hartes are bente towardes them they glory in theÌ„ haue their felicity and pleasure in them as they are in deede in their kynde and creation for their good gyftes of nature wourthie to bee beloued and estemed to be prepared for and nourisshed but how much more shoulde manne that noble and most excellent creature aboue all other his creatures be looked vnto be beloued prepared for and nourished if we thinke it conuenient to make preparation for the nourishement of beastes that are seruiseable to vs earthely mortall creatures how muche more one man for an other after thensample of Christ that hath entred the bondes of christen amitie and are sworne seruantes to the celestiall and euerlyuyng god What lefull let is there to the contrarye Beastes in their kinde ought to be beloued but that we maye and oughte by natures good consente to loue euerye creature of God in their kynde and be carefull for them specially for those by whom we fele not only to haue great pastime and pleasure but suche also as bryngeth vs muche profite and welfare whether it bee by laborious tillyng the earth by payneful trauailing in iourneis by greuous caryeng of burdeyns by couragious reâ—iâ—tynge enemyes VVe maye not be so affected to fantasies that vve leaue the people of god vnprouided for or such as also serueth to feede our bealies All whiche are louelye necessarye and wourthye due preparation with thanks geuyng to god yet we maye not so loue theim and haue theym in price nor seeke so with excesse to fufyll our affectes that we forget or neglecte our high charge and duetie towardes our poore neighbours and christen brothern whervnto we are bounde by goddes will and the lawe of nature And whome god aboue all other hys creatures so dearely loueth and whome he hath so beautifullye adourned wyth reason with wytte wysedome and vnderstanding by whose vertue also and deuine state of life Psalm 9. the glory of god doth shine In whome through Chryst he is well pleased he sheweth his ioyfull countenance vpon vs he plucketh hys wrath from vs he blesseth vs and hathe also mercy vppon vs. And although we in our health wealth vain felicitie thorough the hardenes of oure hartes bee vnmindeful of them regarde them not nor passe anye thinge of them in theyr greate extreme agony and misery beatinge alwayes oure heades to the supportation of our owne state to the encreace of our owne felicitie and vayne pleasure and to stablishe our posterity in the estimation glory of the worlde as though oure doynges therein were sure and founded vpoÌ„ an immouable rock yet god that is omnipotent rightuouse and mercifull who iustly waieth the true ordre and meanynge of all oure carnall ententes will accordinglye preuent vs and with the vehement storme of his furye beate downe ouer throw and destroy our sandy and stubble foundatioÌ„ And at the day or houre when he shall make inquisâ—tion for the bloude of hys saynctes and call to remembraunce the complayntes of the poore and how wyckedlye we haue in this life abused theym he will bee aduenged of them for the euerlastinge loue that he hathe towardes theym he will haue mercy vpon them he will be perpetuallye myndfull of them he wil regarde and visite theym and not forsake them in such tyme of trial psalm 14. psal 106. psal 138. psal 140. but geueth them the comfort and strength of his spirite pacientlye a shorte tyme to beare the crosse of Christ and the extremitie of their great payne and pouertie through the vnkyndnes of vnnaturall and pitiles people and that their ioyes eternallye shal be afterwardes with him in heaueÌ„ For he is alwayes the comforte preseruation strength and defence of all suche as pacientlye beare the hande of GOD abyde hys wyl and walke alwaies innocentlye beefore hym He is attendannte vpon theim he guideth theim he keepeth them in the right pathe and preserueth the waie of his sainctes vnto whom he gyueth thunderstandyng of rightuousnes Psal 9.14 Prouer. 2 iudgement and equitie yea and euery good pathe and deliuereth the poore when he crieth the nedy and hym that hath no helper for he shall be fauourable and frendly to the simple and nedy and shall preserue also the soules of the poore Of whome in their great agony and bytternes of paine he torneth forth other whiles with out numbre before our eies and in suche misery to th ende we shuld beholde in theim as in a glasse the face of Iesus Christe his greate pouertie and moste greuous afflictions and tourmentes Vnto whome as vnto Christ hymselfe in their hungre thieste and nakednes we ought chariâ—ably to minister breade drynke and cloathe as also in their sycknes to confort theim Math. 25. and in their bands and imprisonment to visite theim They are the price and redemption of Christe they beare before oure eyes the Image of Christe and also in whome we partely doo se the great anguysh dolour of Christe And what so euer we be hold in theim we beholde in Chryste and what so euer we geue vnto them we geue vnto Christe Math. 25. And what so euer wee wythdrawe from them we withdraw from Christ for those are they whoÌ„ Christe spake of to be lefte alwayes amongest vs his beloued poore membres representinge his most deare personne and vpon whome we shoulde for hys sake and in the remembrance of him haue compassion vpon them vse frendly familiaritie amongest them and dispose our godlye charitie to the vpholdynge of their lyues and the asswagynge of their most wofull payne and miserye
mouthe of the prophete who narowly respecteth thyne euell fixed state and wicked vayne lyfe These things saieth he hast thou done Psal 50. And because in thy doynges I staied my tong against thee and haue not presently according to iustice reproued thee and poured my plages vpon thee but haue gently delayed to trye thee after the greatnes of my mercye for thy better amendement thou haste therein contempned me thou haste vnthankfully forsaken me and repined agaynste me thou haste abused this my blissefull state of gentlenesse longe susterynge and pacience and hast styll moste wyckedly contynued and wandred forth in wickednes in vnfaithfulnes pride lieng and deceitfulnes thoughtest me thy creatour thy rightuouse Lorde merciful and omnipotent god to be as no God or to bee euen lyke vnto thy self that ys vnrightuouse verye vaine most feble fantasticall and foolyshe and to be but a sleepinge double faced or drousie god either not to know thy dooinges or wantonly wynkyng at thy wickednes as one that alwaies looketh thorow the fingers at thee as though I were but a dalier with thee forgetfull of thee an hider of my face from thee or without earnest regarde of thy behauour and not recompensing thy condicion in th ende But be thou well assured O thou very worldelyng and most vaine creature that as thou art vtterly deceyued greatly blinded and wilfullye led in the damnable waies of darkenes so shalt thou vtterly be vnexcused For if thou in suche wise thou earthie slime and slipper filthines wilt nedes be ignorant of me not knowynge or rather not regarding the state of myne eternitie greate power and maiestie but styll euyl affected to fondenes and vanitye neyther yet confessing thy faultes before me wyth repentaunce and huÌ„ble submission thou shalt both know and feele that I the onelye omnipotente rightous and most true god do plain lye perceiue thee and as my soule doth abhorre thee so wyll I duelye also reproue thee and vnwares set before thy face to thy confusion the wickednesse whiche thou haste done yea I wyll in deede so visite thee and lay iustly mine hande vpon thee that I wil make thee as the filthy rotteÌ„ duÌ„g vpoÌ„ the erth or as the light flieÌ„g stubble before the face of the wynde For I do thee truely to vnderstaÌ„d that as I the great god of heuen and earth haue sworne by myne holines to kepe faithfully my promises to be merciful vnto the charitable and faithfull christians the generation of the rightuouse that wyllynglye wyll walke in the right waye so will I also vpon all fleshe and al faithles and pitiles generations that leadeth vnkindlye their liues in wickednes performe straightly the rigoure of my iustice in the truth of my promises For as mercye is highly annexed to the exaltatioÌ„ most wourthy aduauncemeÌ„t supportation of myne eternall glorye or the excellency of my diuine maiesty in the incomprehencible state of my deitie among such as loue me treade gladly th appointed plain pathes of piety so the brightnes also of my glory my potent power or omnipoteÌ„cy my wisedoÌ„ godly loue faithfulnes veritie hath ben is and for euer shal be both sene selte knowne embraced aduaunced hyghlye and feared most emdeÌ„tly because iustice is ioyned so aptlye to mine etertistie for the defence of my louing treÌ„des against the ennemye whose lyues hath bene traded euell spent wasted in the hurtefull steppes of impietie The Prophete therfore goeth loorthe with this most gentle and myld exhortation sayeng Regarde and consider this O ye the forget god of what estate or degree so euer ye be whether ye bee hyghe or lowe ryche or poore of the clergy or laitye natural countrey meÌ„ or strangers the haue office auctoritie or any kynde of ministery in the churche of God and in the coÌ„mon wealth of his people least his wrathe be thus kendled against you and that he sodeÌ„ly reÌ„t you pluck you away not one els of powerable to help or deliuer you c. For touchuiÌ„g this point of ingrate fulnes what thiÌ„g is it coÌ„mitted by vs amongest vs vpon th earth through out all degrees that more greuousely offendeth God causeth him to tourn vpon vs the terrible face of his iustice then the want of an vniuersall eare to thvse of gods charitie naturall frendship amite wherby the coÌ„mon welth is vpholden florisheth Hath not the wrath of god falne vpon great cities whole kingdoms couÌ„treis for vsing themselfes to the coÌ„trary Either hath not particularly suche wicked people ben worthily plaged that hath waÌ„ted this vertue of charitie we fele daily if we haue wyll to regarde it the swete fauour of god for chuse of vertue procedyng from the true faith in Christ what displeasure also by his iustice doeth fall vpon vs The 〈◊〉 of god respecteth not 〈…〉 for our incredulitie vice great wickednes The iustice of god haÌ„gith by egal balaÌ„ce nuer aÌ„l flesh that disobeieth his holy preceptes and lawes And lyke as his iustice for oure Ethnike disobedience is ready to fall vpon vs so his mercy for our christen obedience shall euer remayne amongest vs. Looke whiche waie we apply our selues and dispose oure lyues either wickedly or in the waie of godlynes so our rewards with ioy or paine are accordyngly prepared vs and shal assuredly lyght vpon vs at his appointed and most certain tyme Are we not at libertie to sinke or swymme and to ascende or descende through our behauiour to God or to the diuell Either wyll we nedes wylfully walke in the waye of wickednes Let vs leaue god if we lyste Note 〈…〉 let vs set lyght by Christe and his wourd let vs folow the dyuel let vs styll loue the worlde let vs yet leane to our old lewd lustes and flesshly foolishnes with obstinate and hard hartes so to accomplysshe the fulnesse of our moste fickle and vayne affectes through our filthte auarice pride and excesse that we elles regard nothing in this lyfe touching eyther god and chriâ—t or his poore afflicted membres but suffre them without compassion to wander abrode and perysh or to minister occasions whereby the commen wealth shal decay by his iussice I say he wyll also leaue and forsake vs He will wythdrawe his grace frome vs we shal be vnwourthi the ioy of his couÌ„tinaunce Math. 18. Iacob 2. And as we shewed no mercy or comfort vppon his poore people according to his word nor were studious for their naturall preseruation but with drewe our carefull diligence and charitye both to the losse and greate daunger of their bodies and soules so wyll he also withholde his mercy from vs and poure duely his heauy indignation vppon vs he wil be vnmyndeful to doo vs good he wil diuersly visite vs Leuiâ— 26 Deuâ— â—â— Iob. 7. he will not cease his wrath ouâ—r vs he wil vexe our spirites and fyll vs wyth bitternes he will sodenly shorten oure daies he wil plucke vs from
this vale of misery in many daÌ„gers of the flesh vncertaine to attaine the hungry delightes of the fleshe and of a few things doutfully attained vnto we do not onely doubtfully kepe theÌ„ therby to enioy the fruites of our trauail to take the sweete with the soure for as we haue the proofe in getting theÌ„ with perils so we often also in perils for go them whych sygnifieth vnto vs most manifest and open misery besides the vncertayne howre of the bodyes most certayne deathe and that as we heere lyue a whyle deliciously we sodaynly departe hense most bitterly but we be also in further daunger by gods sharp and extreame iudgement in the latter daye Esay 52. Apoca. 1. The revvarde of the vvicked of the seconde deathe that is the death of the soule A death most dolorouse A deathe most horrible euerlastyng euer more in tormentes euer dyenge and neuer to dye whose intollerable paynes no hart can thinke nor tonge can expresse In vayne shall we their 〈◊〉 â—â—laine and lament our grieses and wycked state of lyues Sapi. 4. psal 49. Sapi. 4. 4. Esdr 16 psal 49. we shal lye for euer amonge the dead in shame and dishonoure hell shal be our dwellyng we shall for euer be laied waste vnto the highest we shall now mourn for euermore and our memoriall shal peryshe We shall remember our sinnes and our owne wickednes shall euer condempne vs we shall lye in hell lyke sheepe death shal gnawe vpon vs incurable shal be oure woundes most outragyouse and stoughte shal be the strokes of goddes myghtye arme vppon vs to dryue vs downe headlonge into the dolefull dungeon and deepe botomelesse pyite where perpetuallye is stynche darkenesse languysshynge and yellynge endles horrour Math. 13.22.25 2. Pet 2. Iude. 1. and gnashynge of teethe Frome whense wee shall beholde wyth the eyes of oure tormented and most wicked soules the buckled browes and moeste terryble countynaunce of that rightuous and iuste GOD by whose irreuocable sentence thoroughe oure owne wyckednesse we shall for euer lye bourninge in the perdurable lake and vnquencheable fyre of hell Hebre 10. a place prepared for the deuell and hys Aungelles hys moste fylthys and malygnaunte membres the dungehylles of synne the vesselles of venguaunce the chyldren of perdicion and the mooste cursed aduersaries of Chryste and of hys dearelye beloued churche As the blessing toye and saluacion of god shall comme vppon all them that hunger and thirst for ryghtuousenesse and preuayleth in syght agaynste the furiousenes of our bodylye and ghostlye enemyes hauyng the eternall God to be theyr God their onlye waye and theyr onelye strengthe thoroughe hope as the children of hys kyngedome Apoca. 21 so the louers of wyckednes the coÌ„tempners of rightuousnes the fearefull the vnbeleuers and the abhominable and murderers adulterers filthy whoremongers beastlye drunkardes sorcerers deceyuers idolatoures scorners lyars flatterers all wrongefull dealers shal haue their parte in the lake that bourneth wyth tyre and brymstone Psal 89. whyche is the seconde and euerlastynge death Ah terrible is the Lorde our God and greatlye to be feared among his sainctes of whom he must be pleased and reuerenced with godlye feare yea I saye he must be feared his great wrathe thorough his grace preuented for he is against his enemies in cases of reuengemeÌ„t Deut. 4. Psal 105. a terrible coÌ„suming fire whose mighty arme most sharp punishmentes are felt through out the whol world Therfore in â—ope of goddes mercy although we haue committed iniquity haue paumpered our flesh deliciously and withdrawne our godly charitie And therfore haue or doo sustayne in this lyfe greate affliction and miseryeâ— in the fleshe for our whole imperseend truly and vnrightuousenes of lyfe so marueilousely hath iniquity preuailed amongest vs Iere. 〈◊〉 to the hastnyng vpon vs the sharpe Iustice and wrath of god yet let euery of vs yea the most rightuouse of vs wythout seekynge the condempnacion of others straightlye appeale to the iudgemente of our owne coÌ„nsciences and there see Esâ—v â—4 how verye foule and filthye we are as witnesseth the prophet in the sight of god whose most cleare and lyuely quicke eies penetrateth the heues where through he seeth sercheth the secretes of the hartes raines Iere. 1.27 Psal 3 before whoÌ„ also notwithstandinge his diuine counsailes and moste bitter threatnynge often ryngynge in oure tares we shew our selues inflexible stought stonye harted and sturdy vntowarde sloughthful and vnprofitable seruantes And doo the rather merite to haue poured vpon vs the vialles of his heauye indignaion and wrath throughout the race of this shortlyfe and in the ende corporall death yet let vs I saye reuerentlye in tyme Psal 119. Iere. 4. haue peace wyth God seeke to content wel God with troubled spirytes broken contryte and meeke hartes lette vs mourne and weepe let our laughter oure lyghtenesse and oure folitye bee tourned into lamentation and mournyng and our earthly ioies and vaine foolyshenesse in to bytter weepynge and heauines let vs plucke down our pryde Iacob 4. lette vs subdue the lustes of the fleshe and vse temperaunce in all our affectes accordynge to oure honest estate and calling let neither pride nor excesse in suche wise preuayle against vs but that vertue and reason maye partely beare rule lette vs be charitable and loue better one another let vs bee more liberall to the comforte of the poore that GOD may agayne blesse vs and wythorawe hys furye frome vs. And if he will feeme yet further to visite vs then pacientlye wyth repentance to beare al kynde of affliction and the crosse of Chryste Hebro 12. for we maye not despise the chastisinge of the lorde neyther fainte when we are rebuked of hym for whome the lorde loueth hym doothe he chastise yea he scourgeth euery son that he receiueth Prouer. 3. Whereby we doo and shall feele the loue of God in Christ and his fatherlye kyndenesse towardes vs who by hys sharpe rodde of iustice Iacob 4. Iob. 13. Psal 32. Luke 15. 1. Iohn 1. putteth vs in remembraunce of oure iniquitye a way to prepare vs vnto repentance wyth all lowlynesse also and humble submission to fall prostrate beefore hym to confesse from our hartes oure synnes to acknowledge our weaknes and to appeale to his grace for mercy and forgeuenes that by hastnyng his heauenlye benediction and the wourkynge of his spiryte in vs we tourne from presumption to humilitie To be tourned frome oure vvyeâ—ednes and sinne is the gift of god Iere. 31. from carnall fooolyshenes to cleannes and puritye frome vayne superfiuitie to temperaunce and modestie from vnmercifulnes to compassioÌ„ pity froÌ„ enemity to amitie from discorde discentioÌ„ to peace vnitie and so foorthe froÌ„ streÌ„gth to streÌ„gth to the happy ameÌ„d meÌ„t of our vntoward most peruerse liues Iere. 3â— And though we haue long tyme heretofore stopped our eares Let
it repeÌ„t you and be conuerted sayeth Christ that your sinne and iniquities may be done avvay Math. 4. Act. 3. tourned oure faces and fledde backe from the voice of our most holy and rightuouse God in the lare dayes specially of hys mercyfull visitation yet lette vs repentauntely tourne in tyme and embrace hym moste louely with our readye spreadde armes of faith charitie and constancye And as we haue ouer longe wyth corrupted and vaine hartes bene vaynely addicted to vaine thynges and our wylles greatly dissenting from the wil of god so let vs now make haste that wyth all puritie and cleannes of harte suche fondnesse and impuritie may be refected and goddes most diuine wyll obediently retayned Yea and though God in deede by his iustice hathe some thing of late dayes and preseÌ„tly also touched vs Gods heauye and bitter vvrathe vpon Englande and hath seemed to laye vpon vs cruell strokes and rough chastisementes whether by our late kynges death that most godly and christeÌ„ prince either by the breach of vertuous and good lawes by the alteration of Chrystes holy religion by takinge awaye the lyght of the gospel by cruell persecution and destruction of the pastoures and flocke of Christe And in stead of mercy and pitie bitter tyrannye and most shamefull effusion of innocente and christen bloude by bournynge famishinge in prysons buryenge in dungehylles rackynge headinge drawynge hangynge and quartering as in the dayes of goddes slaughter by his greate and most heauie indignacion besides strange diseases sodein deathes dishonorable warres greuouse exactions meynteinyng of straungers vniuersal famyne losse of goods losse of frends or otherwise yet for the auoidynge of further daungers that by the bytternes of his wrath maye yet fall vpon our fleshe and specially escapynge the second death secludinge wilfull ignoraunce obstinatie Good couÌ„sayle and stiffeneckednes let vs humbly geue thankes vnto gods diuine maiestie for all thinges and namely for the present shewe and ioiefull lyght of his countynaunce now shynynge agayne vpon vs dailye besechinge him to contynue his goodnesse to assiste vs wyth his grace and to prepare vs lyuelye and apte folowers of his holye and diuine wylle wythout murmurynge vnreuerente talkynge secrete conspirynge or cursed rebellynge for they are euelles greately dyspleasing god and wourkes of the deuell and of hysedicious membres vpon whome he wyl assuredly poure downe his determinate plages to their swyfte confusion of bodye and soule Lette vs feare therefore to offende the maiestie of so mighty a God VVe maye not vvith stande the vvil of god who is rightuous and a ieolous god ouer rightuousnes let vs not repugne his wyll or stryue against the streame preparyng newly vnto our selfs the cup of gods wrath and to drynke double the dregges of his vengeaunce but spedyly with a lyuely faythe to retourne and leane towardes hym and not be doubtefull of his mercy for he hath promised in Iesus Christe that our synnes shall be consumed oure transgressions couered and oure iniquities pourged He is mercyfull Daniel 9. he beholdeth vs in Christe and reioyceth in the conuersion of synners he wyll haue mercye vppon vs after the multitude of his mercyes whyche wyll not the death of synners Math. 3. Eze. 18.33 1 Timo. 〈◊〉 1. Peter 3. The tyme and houre vvhen god vvill vifite vs and take accomptes of vs vvee knovv not but rather that they repentantly tourne and lyue and aptly receyuynge the grace of god readily to prepare theim selues that in what so euer tyme and place deathe by the hande of God shall assaild them they bee not founde vnprepared in that so shorte and sodayne warnyng And not withstandinge this moste apte preparacion touchyng lyfe and death or tymes appointed for them let vs referre all with a liuely hope to the good disposition and wyll of god and say with saint Pauie whether welyue or whether we die to god and to goddes good pleasure wee lyue or dye For herein shall consist greate perfection in oure spirituall profession if in our redines and moste apte preparacion we humblye embrace rightuousnes shewyng our selues always well pleased and reioycing in god and desire accordynge to the wyll of god to be dissolued from this frail and corruptible body and to lyue vncorruptible wyth Chryst for euer And we may be sure yf god see in vs such apt towardnes that we hunger thirst for the waye of ryghtuousnesse and that we earnestly seeke the mortification of our olde grosse affectes and shake frome oure shoulders that greuous packe and reprocheful bourthen of malice Collos 3. fearcenes wrath bloudshed cursed speaking coÌ„spiring rebelling lieng octractioÌ„ false accusation pride couetousnes druÌ„kennes vncleannes selfe loue vayne affection and suche lewde fondnes and in respect of gods he auenly felicite and endles treasure to neglect the fugitiue and shorte pleasures of this life he will not deferre to help vs to assist vs and streÌ„gthen vs such is the accustomed goodnes of his deuine nature towardes vs but wyll be myndefull of hys promyse to haue mercy vpon vs as he in thys wise sayeth of hym selfe by the prophet Esaye I haue forsaken you sayeth hee for a small season Esay 〈◊〉 I haue tourned my face from you I haue sharply with plages visited you haue stretched out myne arme agaynste you to stryke you and make you stoupe for the greatnesse of your pryde and iniquity ye haue bene agaynste me so stoughte so stonye harted and sturdye but now I see you agayne relented repentaunse for your synnes and tourned agayn vnto me I wyl with great mercyfulnes tourne me vnto you embrace you receyue you take ye vppe agayne vnto me and for euer holde ye vp and preserue you And where in my wrathe as it were the twyncklynge of an eye I hydde my selfe frome you I haue nowe thoroughe myne euerlastynge goodnesse tourned me agayne vnto you and pardoned you sayeth the LORDE GOD youre auenger I am he Psal 102. I am he sayeth the Lorde whych taketh awaye your iniquities for mine owne sake and will no more remember youre synnes Thus we vnderstande the greate mercye and goodnesse of God towarde vs dysobediente and wretched synners who wylle not onelye here vs and tourne hym mercyfullye agayne vnto vs by oure humble sute and peticion or by oure happye amendmente of lyfe thoroughe the true faythe and loue in Iesus Chryste and staye his presente indignacion now raygnynge vppon vs and the greate terroure of hys vengeaunce to comme eyther in cases generall touchynge thys our already afflicted realme or countrey our lord blesse it and defende it or properly touchâ—â—â—â— our owne personnes for euerye of vs see in our selues our due dosertes but wyll henseforthe blesse vs he wyll renewe styll hys ioyfull countynance vpon vs he wyll wythdraw the power of the diuell from vs that he preuayle not agaynst vs in no kynde of temptacion he wyll not suffre vs to be tempted aboue our strength but wyl in the myddeste