God Of theyse eyghte therfore wyll I nowe speake in order by the assistence and helpe of Gods moost holy Spiryte whome I moost instātly desyre so to directe my pen that I maye wryte all thynge vnto the glorye of God the profytte of his holy churche Fyrst it is requisyte that he whiche entendeth to pray consydereth deply w t himselfe his state case wherin he stōdeth If he doth thus thā shal◠he fynde that to be true whiche th◠Psalmograph wryteth Euery man that lyueth is nothyng out altogyther very vanite Agayne the chyldren of men are vayne They are lyers false in asmuche that yf y u puttest thē vanite togyther in a ballaunce vanite wyll surely wey them vp All fleshe is grasse all his glory is lyke a floure of the felde Moreouer he shal easely perceyue that all hys senses thoughtes are prone to euell that he is not able of him selfe to thike a good thought Agayne he shall shortely vnderstōde that his herte is wycked inscrutable that ther is no whole parte in hym from the toppe of the head to y e soole of the fote but that in all his thoughetes wordes dedes he is a verye synner greuous offender of the diuyne maiestye Thus must he fyrst of all whā he entēdeth to pray consyder with hym selfe what he is euen a very synner a trangressoure of Gods precepte a breker of the diuyne lawe and a wycked doer in all his actes This consideracion fyrst of all is very necessary For it bringeth a mā to the knowledge of hym selfe makethe hym desyrous for to praye that he maye be deliuered frō this great enormite Certes except a man doth fyrst of all on this wyse iudge vnderstōde perceyue of himselfe he can neuer be trulye bent for to praye For who desyrethe the colour warmenes of clothe that feleth no colde Who longeth for meat drynke that is not hungry thyrsty Who wyssheth helth that is not sycke Who prayeth for remission of synnes that fealeth not himselfe to be a synner Woulde Ezechias haue prayed for health longe lyfe yf he had not felte hymselfe sycke at the poynt of death Woulde Salomon haue desyred wisdōe for the right gouernaūce of his people yf he had not perceiued that he had had nede of it Woulde Dauid when he had played the adulterer with Bethsabe y e wyfe of Urias so greatly haue lamented his synne yf he had not knowē hym selfe to be a greuous synner Would the poore Publican contrary to the māners of the proude Pharise haue stonde a farre of beynge afrayde to lyfte vp his eyes and knockyng his brest sayeng O God be thou mercifull vnto me a synner yf he had not knowen himselfe to be full of synne misery wretchednes Would Mary magdalene haue ben so desyrous of Christes company yf she had not knowen herselfe to be a miserable siner and Christ a bounteous Sauyvor Nay verely Therfore the nexte moost redy waye for a man to prepare hymselfe to praye aright with a feruent spiryte hungry mynde is to knowe graūt hymselfe to be a synner and y e therfore he hath great nede to pray ¶ The. xiiii Chapter SEcōdly whē he hath once thorowly debated beaten w e hiselfe his owne misery wretchednes synne abhominaciō perceyuethe that to be delyuered therof ther is no other waye but only by the mercy of God thorowe prayer he muste streyghte wayes set before his eyes the Commaundement of God which after y e knowledge confession of his synne commaundeth hym to praye And here ought he not a lytle to reioyse For who whā he hath ones offended God durste be so bolde as once to desyre pardon of his offence to pray vnto God for mercy yf God himself had not commaundes him so to do Uerely no man For the transgression of Gods cōmaundement doth so confounde the consicience of y e trāsgressour that it soner dryueth hym vnto desperacion than to any hope of helpe or fauour This is well proued by Adam which when he hadde once broken Gods precepte in Paradyse fled streyghtwayes from y e face of God hyd hym soughte all meanes possible no more to come īto his syght Howe was Caym also confoūded in his conscience whē he had kylled his brother Abell thoughe there was yet no lawe raygnynge Was he not so consternate stryken with suche feare that he sayd Euery one that fyndeth me wyll kyll me was he not ashamed so greatly of his mā slaughter that he sayd mine iniquite is greater thē I maye deserue for gyuenes Dyd he not flye frō y e face of the LORDE so farre as he myght Agayn was not Iudas so ashamed of his dede whan he had solde Christ to the Bysshoppes heade prestes y e he brought the mony agayne to thē sayde I haue synned betrayenge the innocent bloud Dyd not synne so cōfoūd slay his cōsciēce at y e last that he went hāged vp hymselfe when he was hanged dydde not he brast a sūder in the myddes and all his bowels gusshed out Who being a Traytoure dare come before the Kynges maiesty to desyre pardon of his offence Yea who rather beynge fauty in that detestable sinne fieth not from hys graces presence in to straunge countreyes that he maye be free and withoute punyshment For the rewarde of synne is deathe Therfore I saye ought he that knoweth graūteth himselfe to be a sinner very muche to reioyce that God for his offence hath cōmaunded him to praye whiche els durst nothynge lesse than once to attēpte for to approche before the diuyne maiesty w e onye kynde of prayer when synne shall laboure accordynge vnto y e nature therof for to condemne the conscience to expell from the herte all sayth cōfidence trust in God thā to erecte eleuate lyfte vp himselfe by gyuyng sure vndoubted fayth to the cōmaūdement of God which commaundeth hym to praye w e this perswasion that God hath not commaūded him for to praye in vayne He muste therfore put these suche lyke Comaundementes euer before his eyes Aske Seke Knocke watch praye Agayne call on me in the day of trouble Come vnto me al ye that labour are ladē All ye that thyrst come vnto the waters And ye that haue no mony make hast by eate Come bye withoute mony withoute ony marchaundyse wyne and mylke These moost gentle louyng commaundementes of God cōforte the sorowefull mynde of the synner greatly engraffe in him a certayn gladnes hope for to obtayne remissiō of his synnes seyng y e God so boūteonsly commaundeth him to pray ¶ The. xv Chapter THyrdely when he hathe on this maner poudered the cōmaundement of God wherw t he is prouoked to praye than doth cōuenient tyme requyre
all that euer he had payment to be made The seruauÌ„t fell downe worshypped hym sayenge LORDE be pacient toward me I wyll paye the all togyther The LORD had pitie on that seruaunt losoned hym and forgaue hym all that he ought But that seruaunte goynge forth founde one of his fellow seruauntes which ought hym an hundred pence and layenge haÌ„d on hym tahiÌ„g him by y e throte he sayde paye that thou â—west Hys fellowe seruaunte fell downe desyred hym sayenge Be pacieÌ„t toward me I wyll paye the all togyther He would not but went his waye cast him ito pryson vntyll he should paye the dette Dhan his fellow seruauntes saw that which was done they lameÌ„ted verye sore came and openned vnto theyr Lorde all those thynges that were done Than dyd theyr LORDE call hym sayde vnto hym thou vngracious seruaunt I forgaue the all that dette wheÌ„ thou desyredst me had it not ben conuenient also that y u shouldest haue had pitie on thy fellow seruaunt And his LORDE beyng angry coÌ„mytted him to the Ialours vntyll he should pay all that was due vnto hym Christe concludethe So lykewyse shall my heauenly father do vnto you yf euery one of you euen from y â— very hert doth not forgyue hys brother theyr offences Hereof doth it appere more clerely than the lyghte that excepte we forgyue we shall neuer be forgyuen neyther can ony thynge please God that we do yf it be done out of charitie For the worde of God abydeth fyrme sure constant for euermore And this sayeng of Christ can not be mocked by onye meanes nor made frustrate so lykewyse shall my heauenly father do vnto you yf euery one of you eueÌ„ from y â— very herte dothe not forgyue his brother theyr offences What S. Paule wrytethe of those workes which are done out of charite in the fyrste Epistle to the Corinthians the thyrtene Chapter it is not vnknowen to them y e reade the holy scriptures God louethe no vncharitable malicious wycked enuious bloudy prayers Euery one that hateth his brother is a maÌ„slayer And ye knowe sayeth S. John y e euery manslayer hathe not euerlastyng lyfe abydyng in hym Agayne If ony man sayeth I loue God and hatethe his brother he is a lyer For he that loueth not hys brother whoÌ„ he hath serâ—e god whom he hath not sene how can he loue And this commauÌ„demeÌ„t haue we of hiÌ„ y e he which loueth God do also loue his brother But let vs heare what oure golden mouthed Doctor sayeth to this matter ¶ The. xxi Chapter IF that we be commauÌ„ded not only to pray for the faythfull but also for the vnfaythful consyder thou how great euell it is to desyre euel agaynst y e brothers What dost thou o manâ— Commest thou to God for to make him mercyfull vnto the dost thou wysh euel to another Excepte thou doste forgyue neyther shall it be forgyuen the. Thou doste not only not forgiue but thou also desirest God that he wyll not forgyue â–ª If it shall not be forgyuen the which dost not forgyue doste thou not alonlye not forgyue but also desyrest GOD not to forgyue If it be not forgyueÌ„ him that doth not forgiue how shal it than be forgyuen him which prayeth the LORDE that he maye not forgyue If it be a shame to haue enemies consyther thou than howe great a synne it is to desyre euell to them whan thou oughteste to pourge thy selfe bycause thou hast enemies dost thou also accuse theÌ„ What forgyuenes shalte thou obtayne detracting reportyng euell of thy neyghbour thefely at such time when thou hast nede of no meane mercye For thou taÌ„mest also to praye for thyne owne synnes Remeber not therfore other mennes fautes vnlesse thyne owne be reserued Thou arte a man vomyte not oute the poyson of adders Thou arte a man playe not the cruell wylde beast Thou haste a mouth made vnto the for thys cause not y e thou shouldest byte but that y â— shouâ— dest heale RemeÌ„ber what God manifestly hath monysshed the to do euen that y u shouldest spare forgiue Agayne in another place he sayth as concernynge that which is wrytten Forgyue vs oure dettes as we forgiue our detters who is he amoÌ„g vs all that dare boldely saye theyse thynges to God For althoughe we do no euell to our enemies detters yet haue we within vs a wounde of offence that is incurable and canne not be made whole But Christ wyll not only that we forgyue them that offendethe vs but also that we loue them praye for them For yf onlye thou dost not hurt hym which hath hurte the yet turneste awaye thy selfe from hym wouldest not gladly se hym without doubte ther abydeth a wounde in thy brest sorowe encreaseth styll in thy herte If it be so certes that is not fulfilled which Christ hath coÌ„mauÌ„ded Wylte thou that God be mercyfull vnto the oâ— such sorte that he shoulde not hurte the yet turne hym selfe awaye froÌ„ the remember thy synnes haue no mynde to se the Therfore euen such one as thou wouldest that god shoulde be vnto the whan thou desyrest forgyuenes of thy synnes suche one oughtest thou to shewe thy selfe vnto them whiche haue offended agaynst the. As a certeyne wyse man wryteth saying he that seaketh ven geaunce shal fynde vengeaunce of y â— LORDE which shall surely kepe hym his synnes Forgyue thy neyghbour the hurte that he hath done the so shall thy synnes be forgyuen the also whan thou prayeste A man that bereth hatred agaynst another how dare he desyre forgyuenes of God â–ª He that sheweth no mercy to a man which is lyke hymselfe howe dare he aske forgyuenes of his synnes If he that is but flesshe beareth hatred kepe it who shall itrete for his â—ines Seynge therfore that excepte we do forgyue our detters oure dettes shall not be forgyuen of God and in asmuch as we shall fynde God suche one to vs as we are to oure neyghbours let vs followe Christ Steuen whiche prayed to God for theyr enemies in the myddes of theyr tormentes that they myghte be forgyuen For let vs know this to be true and nothynge more truer that as a Surgion can not heale perfectely y â— wound so long as any yron is in it so likewyse can not prayer profyt so longe as the mynde is canchred and defyled with gyle fraude deceyte simulacion rancoure hatred malyceâ— emnite suche other wyckednesses There is nothing layth Chrisostoâ— that maketh vs more lyke vnto God than yf we be gentle easy to be intreated of them that be euel and dâ— hurte vs. God is redy to forgyue at al times yf we forgiue God maketh his sonne to shyne both vpon y e good euell sendeth rayne vpon y e righteous vnryghteous Let vs therfore after the example of our heauenly father
vnto deathe Dyd not Ieremye praye vnto God when he was in prysonne Dyd not Christ customably praye on y e mountaynes in the feld Dyd he not pray in the gardyns Dyd he not praye hangynge vpon the crosse Dyd not Stephen pray to God whaÌ„ ne was stoned vnto death Dyd not y e Apostles wyth certayne women Mari the mother of Iesu his brothers praye togither after Christes ascencion in a parloure Dyd not Cornelius the Centurion pray at home in his house Dyd not Peter praye in the ouer parte of the house of Symon the CaÌ„ner Dyd not Paule w t his coÌ„panyons praye in dyuers places as cities townes felde s see baÌ„ckes shyppes prysons c Were not all these heard yes verely theyr peticions graunted them mercifully What do we learne of all these Histories Certes that a faythfull christian is bouÌ„d to no place Wher soeuer a faithful maÌ„ prayeth he shal vndoutedly beheard Christ sayd to the womaÌ„ of Samaria WomaÌ„ beleue me y e houre coÌ„meth whaÌ„ neither in this mountayne nor at IerusaleÌ„ ye shall worshyp the Father Ye worshyp ye knowe not what We worshyp that we knowe For helth is of the Iues. But the houre coÌ„meth nowe it is whaÌ„ true worshyppers shall worship the father in spiryte trueth For y e father also seketh suche y e maye worshyp hym For God is a spiryte and they that worshyp hym muste worshyp him in spirite trueth Saynt Paule also sayth I wyll that men praye in euery place lyftynge vppepure handes wythout wrath conteÌ„cion But let vs heare what Chrisostome sayth ¶ The. xxiii Chapter LEt vs not excuse our selues sayenge that it is no easye thynge for a man beynge entaÌ„gled w t worldly businesses to praye seynge that he hath no oratory nor house fytte for prayer nygh vnto hym For wher so euer thou be thou mayst make and appoynt thyne altare For the place hyndereth nothynge neyther dothe the tyme let but though thou doste not bowe thy knees nor knocke thy brest nor stretche out thy handes to heauen yet mayst thou pray aright make thy prayer perfecte so that thou only shewest bryngest forth a ferueÌ„t mynde For thou mayst whaÌ„ thou goest vnto markette walkest by thy selfe alone make longe prayers Thou mayst also syttynge iÌ„ thy shoppe sowynge skynnes dedicate thy soule vnto the LORDE The seruaunt also that byeth or goeth vp downe the Cooke doyng his office whan he can not go to chyrche may make a prayer longe discrete For God disdaineth not the place but requyreth one thynge that is to saye a feruent mynde a pure soule For Paule also not in an Oratory but in the prison lyenge wyde open nor stondynge ryghte vp nor bowynge his knees for the clogge wherwyth his feete were bound dyd not suffer hym yet seynge that he lyenge prayed feruently he shaked the prysonne vnlosoned the foundacions dydde bynd the keper of the pryson afterward brought hym vnto holy religion And Ezechias not stoÌ„ding right vp nor bowynge hys knees but lyeng wyde open in his bedde bycause of his syckenes whaÌ„ he turned hymselfe vnto the wall in asmuche as he called vpon God feruently wyth a pure soule he both called agayne the sentence pronouÌ„ced obtayned much beneuolence was restored to hys olde helth And the these beyng stretched out vpon the crosse wyth fewe wordes purchased the heaueÌ„ly kyngdome And Ieremy in the myre and lake Daniel in the prysone and amonge the wylde beastes And Ionas in the belly of a whale prayeng vnto God dyd both dissolue all maner of euels wherwith they were beseged coÌ„passed set about and also found fauoure at the hande of God what than oughteste thou to saye when thou prayest Uerely euen the same thynge that the woman of Canane dyd For eueÌ„ as she sayd Haue meroye on me my doughter is greuously vexed of a dyuell so say thou lykewyse haue mercye vpon me my soule is very greuously vexed of a diuell For synne is a great dyuell she y â— had the dyuell dyd fynde mercy yet was she hated whaÌ„ she dyd syn Haue mercy on me is but a short saienge yet doth it contayns an whole see of mercy For wher soeuer mercy is ther are all good thiÌ„ges Though thou be without the chyrch cry sayeng haue mercy on me though thou dost not moue thy lyppes but onlye crye in thy mynde For God also heareth them that holde theyr peace Ther is no place to be sought but a begynnyng of a place Ieremy was in the myre he made God bounteous vnto hym by prayer Iob was on y e dunge hyll he made God mercyfull vnto hym Ionas was in the whales bellye he had God gentle to hym Though thou be in a vayne praye Wher so euer thou be praye Thou arte the temple seke no place The see was before the Iewes and the Egipcians behynd at theyr backes Moses in the myddes speking nothynge for he was greatlye troubled in his prayer yet sayd God vnto hym what cryest thou to me In lyke maner thou therfore whan soeuer temptacion shal come vpon the flye vnto God call on the LORDE Is he a maÌ„ that thou shouldest seke after a place God is euer at hande For thou yet spekynge he wyll say Beholde here I am presente Thou hast not yet made thy praier and he bryngethe helpe For yf thou haste a mynde pure from vncleane mocioÌ„s though thou be in the market or in way or in the consystory or in y e see or in the ynne or in the shyppe or in onye other place of the worlde loke where so euer thou calleste on God there mayest y u obtayne thy peticioÌ„ Hytherto haue I rehersed y e wordes of S. John Chrisostome Lyke vnto this wryteth Sayncte AusteÌ„ sayenge Why dost y u seke for a fytte and holy place whan thou shouldest make thy supplicacioÌ„ to God make cleane thy inward partes all eueâ— lustes expulsed from thence prepare thy selfe a secrete place in the peace of thy herte Thou wyllyng to pray in the temple praye in thy selfe and so behaue thy selfe alway that thou mayste be the teÌ„ple of God For God heareth there where he dwelleth Thus seâ—we both by the authoryte of the holy scriptures the auncient fathers that a faythfull Chrysten man may praye lawfully in euery place in asmuch as he is the temple of God as S. Paule sayeth Do ye not knowe that ye are the TeÌ„ple of God the spiryte of God dwelleth in you The Temple of God is holy which you are And this is it y e christ sayth Whan thou shalt praye enter into thy closette the dore sparred praye to thy father whiche is in secrete Therfore let hym y e shall pray nothynge feare to praye vnto God in euery place boldly wyth this perswasion y â— God wil heare hiÌ„
ony thiÌ„g eyther in thought word or dede thaÌ„ let vs not fayle to confesse our synne streyghtway to God w t a contryte sorowfull herte desyryng him moost huÌ„bly for his great mercyes sake to forgyue vs that our iniquite not to be angry with vs but so assyst vs with the influence of his moost holy Spirite that we may in no poynte traÌ„sgresse his moost diuine wyl but worke all thynges that maye be pleasaunt vnto hym Yf we shal at that tyme perceyue that we are at debate with ony maÌ„ let vs noÌ„t go to bed before we be reconciled one to another if it be possible accordynge to the precepte of y e Apostle let not the Sonne faull downe vpoÌ„ your anger If that may not coÌ„uenieÌ„tly be done y t nighte let vs not fayle the nexte mornynge betymes or so sone as we may to go vnto theÌ„ that are offended w t vs or we w e theÌ„ neuer cease tyll we haue made an agremeÌ„t betwene vs beyng perfectly perswaded that we can by no menes please God so long as we be not in loue and charite For as S. IohnÌ„ sayth he that loueth not his brother abideth in death Euery one that hatethe his brother is a manslear ye knowe that euery maÌ„slear hath not euerlastynge lyfe abydynge in hym ☞ Loke what we haue offended god that daye let vs so bewayle our syn take suche thought for y e coÌ„mission of it y t we maye haue no more pleasure to do that offeÌ„ce agayne but rather be made the more circumspecte â— beware afterward y e we be no more oppressed with the subtyle assaultes of SataÌ„ Let vs euery daye dye vnto synne Let vs continually mortyfye the affectes of the olde AdaÌ„ The lenger we lyue the lesser let synne remayne in this oure mortall bodye Let all our meditacioÌ„ study endeuour be nothynge els than a perpetuall care to leade a pure and innocent lyfe ¶ The. xli Chapter BUt yf it so chaunse that whan we haue coÌ„sydered the spending of the daye we perceyue no notable cryme heynous faulte commytted neyther agaynst God nor our neighbour than let vs reioyse gyue God thankes desyre hym so coÌ„tinually to ayde vs withe his diuine helpe y e we maye not onlye continue in that purite of lyfe but also go forth from sayth to sayth from vertue to vertue tyll we waxe auncient in christ become perfette meÌ„ iÌ„ our professioâ— Theise thynges once done let vs than faull to prayer desyrynge God for his great mercies sake thorow Iesus Christe to gyue vs a prosperous quiet nyght that neyther Satâ— nor none of his Aungels do trouble vs but that thoughe the bodye take rest slepe yet the mynde the herte the inwarde man may alway watch to him delight in hi perpetually After oure prayers let vs coÌ„myt oure selues to the tuicion of God so swetely gyue our selues to reste And let this be our dayely exercyse D LORDE God yf we would do this with a serueÌ„t herte burnyng loue towarde God it can not be expressed that greate singulare coÌ„modities would ensewe To do thus is y e dutye of vs all but whyther we haue done it or not let euery man search his owne conscience and amende Thus haue I declared what tymes I thyncke moost coÌ„uenient for prayer how we should behaue ourselues in y e tyme of pray eng I haue not done this to bynde snarlethe conscience of ony christeÌ„ man which oughte to be free to serue God at all houres but to helpe the infyrme and weake Christians that they fyrst vsynge these tymes certayne introduccions maye afterward come vnto the perfeccion of worshyppynge God at all tymes For a christen maÌ„â—hall haue abundant occasions at all houres to call on y e name of y e LORD for helpe Notwithstandynge yf ony man shall loke vpon these thynges y e I haue here wrytten with a syngle eye he shall not fynde theÌ„ altogyther superuncaneous vayne God giue vs all grace to so followe theÌ„ or better yf we maye ¶ Of thankes gyuynge ¶ The. xlii Chapter NOwe begynne the oure worke to draw vnto an ende I haue declared sufficiently heretofore as I trust all thynges that moost principally pertayne vnto prayer that is to say vnto asking ony thynge of God It remaynethe nowe therfore that I intreate somewhat of thanckes gyuynge to God For it is conuenient y e we also gyue thanckes vnto God for the gyftes benefytes that we receyue of hym or els we maye iustely seme to be vnworthy ony parte of Gods kyndnes For what haue we y e we haue not receyued The wyfe maÌ„ oughte not to â—â—oyse in his wisdome nor the stroÌ„g 〈◊〉 his strength nor yet y e rytch 〈…〉 spiches but only in our LORDE God from whom euery good perfecte gyfte descendeth and commeth downe What haste thou that y u haste not receyued sayeth Paule If thou haste receyued it wherfore doste thou reioyse as though y u haddest not receyued it Let not y e wyse man sayth God by his Prophet reioyse in his wisdome nor let not the strong man reioyse in his strength nor let not the rytch man reioyse in his rytches But let him that reioyceth reioyse in this yf he vnderstoÌ„d knowe me For I am the LORDE which doth mercye iudgement and righteousnes in y e earth these are those thynges that I desyre saythe the LORDE Seynge than y u all our glory and reioycyng ought to be in our LORDE God alone as S. Paule sayeth reioyse in the LORDE al way agayne I saye reioyse feynge also y e what so euer goodnes is in vs 〈◊〉 ly of him â—eâ—ely me ougâ—â— at all houres to reioyse in hym as the 〈◊〉 blessed virgin Marye dyd sayengeâ— my soule magnifyethe the LORDE my spiryte hath reioysed in God my sauiour to gyue to him thankes to synge to his name so long as our lyfe lasteth perpetuall encomies laudes coÌ„mendacion and prayses If we wyll be moued to gyue god thanckes at any tyme as we ought to do alwaye it shall be fyrste conuenient to perpende weye consyder his manifolde goodnes towarde vs. Fyrste howe at the begynnynge he made vs not lyke vnto brute bestes but lyke vnto his owne symilytude Image And he made vs not to be fyre brondes of hel but inheritours of euerlastyng glory For he gaue vs a body muche more beautyfull and pleasauÌ„t in aspecte than any other lynynge creature hath He gaue vs a mynd â—â—â—rendued with wytte reason discreâ—â—â— wisdom vertu knowledge cunnynge immortalite godlines c He set vs in Paradyse and gaue vs rule power dominioÌ„ ouerall the fysshes of the see the byrdes of the ayre ouer all lyuynge creatures that moue vpon the earth Agayne whan we in our pareÌ„tes had traÌ„sgressed his moost godly precepte therby
deserued eternall daÌ„nacion he dydde not streyghtwaye with the same rigoure fearcenesse wherwith he condeÌ„ned the Aungels for theyr disobedient arrogaÌ„cy caste vs awaye into the fyre of Hell but full gentely sent vs into this vale of misery for to repeÌ„t that afterward he myght saue vs yet constitutyng appoyntynge vs styll Lordes rulers oueral lyuyng creatures ¶ The. xliii Chapter MOreouer whaÌ„ it was not possible bycause of the great enormite of our synne that we coulde of our owne power strength merytes deseruynges good workes saue wynne our selues agayne into y e fauour of God howe louyngly w toute ony desertes of our parte eueÌ„ of hys owne mere goodnes and free mercy did he promise to saue vs by his derely beloued sonne oure LORDE Iesus Christ at his tyme predefined and appoynted from euerlastynge sente him downe in â—â—his worlde Which for our sake vnfaynedly by the wonderfull operacion of the holy Ghoste toke flessh of the moost blessed moost pure vndefyled virgyn Marye became very man lyke vnto vs in althynges sinne alone excepte Which also after he had lyued here certayne yeares eueÌ„ of his owne free wyll w tout any compulsion for the feruent vnspekable loue that he euer bare towarde vs gaue hymselfe vnto the very 〈◊〉 yea euen the moost spite full 〈◊〉 deathe of the Crosse. He offered 〈◊〉 â—oost blessed bodye a swete smellynge Sacrifyce to God the father for oure wyckednesse He suffred his moost precious bloude to be shed vpoÌ„ the Altare of the Crosse to paye the rauÌ„some for our synnes He refused no kynd of paynful grefe greuous payne to apease Goddes wrath to reconcyle vs vnto his celestiall father O good Iesu sayethe S. Bernard howe greatly were we endetted to the yet dost thou paye oure dette We haue synned thou arte punysshed This is a worke w tout exaÌ„ple a grace without meryte a charite without measure Uerely verely not the prodicioÌ„ betrayenge of Iudas not the furye cruell malyce of the Pharises and Bysshops not the wycked and false witnesses not the vnryghteous accusers not the cruell vnmercyfull iudges dyd put Christ to death but we our selues our synne our iniquite our vngodlynes our abhominacion our corrupte maÌ„ners dyd slaye hym put hym to that moost cruell deth We are they that dyd kyl him We soughte his deathe We dyd betray hym We dyd falsely accuse him We nayled him vpon the Crosse. We scourged his moost blessed body We shed his moost precious bloude We dyd cleue asunder his moost blessed herte with a speare oute of y t which raÌ„ne both water bloude We gaue hym Eysell Gaull to dryncke We scorned him we mocked him we dyd spit on his moost swete face We buffetted hym we brused hym we were the Authors of all y t tyranny which was wrought agaynst hym Yet for y â— loue that he bare towarde vs dyd not he disdayne to suffer all these in tollerable paynes by whose passioÌ„s suffrynges we are perfectly made whose by whose moost blessed bloud all oure synnes are wasshed awaye by whose deth euerlasting lyfe chauÌ„seth abundantly vnto vs. O vnmesurable kyndnes What a loue hath God to vs that he spared not his only sonne but gaue hym for vs all y t so many as beleue in hym maye not peryshe but haue euerlastynge lyfe And as God the father gaue hys sonne Christ vnto death for our synnes so dyd he rayse hym vp agayne by his moost puissaunt power from death for our iustificacioÌ„ He is oure peace howe than can we be sadde heuy He is our Sauiour howe theÌ„ can we despayre He is oure waye howe than can we erre He is oure trueth howe than can we be deceyued He is our lyfe howe thaÌ„ can we dye He is oure Resurreccion howe thaÌ„ can we slepe in synne He is our Phisicion how thaÌ„ caÌ„ we be sycke diseased He is our lyght howe than caÌ„ we walke in darkenes He is our bread howe thaÌ„ can we be hungrye He is oure defender howe than can we be afearde He is oure wisdome howe than can we be ignorante He is our righteousnes howe than can we be vnrighteous He is our sanctificacion howe than can we be prophane vnholy He is our redeÌ„cion howe than can we be damned He is our rytches howe than can we be pore He is oure beautye howe than can we be deformed yll fauoured He is our mediatour and aduocate howe than can oure matters be vnhearde He is oure head howe than can we his members perysh He is our Bysshop Curate of our soules howe than can we wante spirituall doctryne He is our dore how than can we but enter into the kyngdom of heauen To conclude he is altogither oures all that euer he hathe how than can we but sayle in a safe quiette hauen Howe than can we but haue all thynges prosperous fortunate Thus se we what an hye treasure Christ is to vs. Yf any maÌ„ desyreth to knowe more of Christ what benefites we haue receiued by let hym read my worke of y e Newes out of heaueÌ„ where he shall se Christ truly lyuyshly paynted as alone perfecte redemer a plenteous and an omnisufficient sauiour for al theÌ„ that faythfullye repente and lede a newe lyfe Would not all these so great commodities large benefytes whiche we receyue of God y t father thorowe Iesus Christ moue ony christeÌ„ hert in the worlde to be thankful and to syng perpetuall prayses vnto God For we haue lerned here that al our saluacion coÌ„meth only from God y e father thorow Iesus Christ that he saued vs mercifully wheÌ„ we were loste miserablye But let vs beholde more of Goddes kyndnesse that we maye learne that thankes ought to be gyuen vnto hym seriously ¶ The. xliiii Chapter ALthough by Christ we be sette agayne at lybertye receyue our manumissioÌ„ fredome froÌ„ that captiuitie wherunto we were made honde by the synne of Adam so sone as we are regenerate borne a new by y e honorable Sacrament of Bapâ—tisme and the holy Ghost yet in as much as afterward thorow our fragilite weakenes we fall agayne in to synne deserue therby also to beâ— cast from the fauour of God to be dampned perpetuallye yf God dyd not also healpe vs in this behalfe Oâ— LORDE God in how miserable a casâ— are we What should it profytte vs by Christ to be delyuered from that wretchednes into the whiche Adam dyd caste vs yf there were not also a remedy to expulse that daunger into the which we cast our selues thorowe synne after Baptisme Therfore here also dothe the goodnesse of God appere very large bountious toward vs. For though we synne after baptisms neuer so greuously yeâ— doth not he streyght wayes take
destruccioÌ„ For God sawe that they woulde by no meanes amende but styll persyste in theyr abhominacion he repeÌ„ted hym that euer he made maÌ„ and shortely after sent such a floude vpoÌ„ the earth that it ouerflowed drowned all the worlde Nohe w t certayne other only reserued thorowe y e great goodnes of god D terrible Hystory Whose harte quakethe not for feare at the hearynge of this Historys ' Certes it is a terrible Hystory for the aduersaries of Gods worde and for all wicked lyuers WhaÌ„ the Sodomites lyued so ab hominablye that the uery uoyce of theyr synne came vp vnto heauen pearsed the diuynerares cryed for uengeaunce to faull vpon them not only Abraham increaced for theÌ„ but also Lothe preached vnto theÌ„ exhortynge them to leaue theyr to muche detestable abhominable vncleÌ„nes to take the feare of God vnto theÌ„ the study of a pure innocent life But they woulde not For the more that Loth rebuked theÌ„ sor theyr wickednes the more pleasure had they in it They delighted in theyr nough tynes reioysed whaÌ„ they had done euell They had no feare of God before theyr eies Yea they so lyued as though there were no God at all Therfore God y e ryghteous LORDE seynge theyr detestable purpose styll to remayne in theyr abhominable lyuynge no repentaunce was of uery iustyce compelled to destroye theÌ„ by sendynge fyre brymstone from heauen so that both Sodome Gomorre with all the inhabitaÌ„tes ther oâ—â— all that euer pertayned to theÌ„ were vtterly coÌ„slimed with fyre and brymstone from heaueÌ„ O dolorous spectacle hâ—â—y fight This is an example as S Peter sayth for all theÌ„ that do vngodly Oh what it is to contemne the worde of God and the true preachers therof ¶ The. Li. Chapter AGayne whan Moses Aaron at the coÌ„maundement of God preached to the Egipcians myssed them to lette the people of Israelâ—â—go oute of captiuite that they myghte come do Sacrifyce to theyr LORD God how lytle was theyr preaching regarded â–ª god plaged theÌ„ yet would they not amende At the laste whan he sawe none amendement in them dyd not he by stroÌ„g hand delyuer theÌ„ out of captiuitie drowned al theyr aduersaryes â–ª This came to passe vndoutedly yf they would haue ben or bedieÌ„ts to his voyce by y e mouthe of his Prophetes they had neuer bene plaged nor yet so finallye destroyed â–ª Let all â—â—yâ—sers kickers therfore y e spurne agaynste the trueth learne here what it is to despyse the worde of God and the faythefull preachers therof Moreouer as ofte as the chyldreÌ„ of Israel dyd forsake theyr true god which brought them oute of y e lorde of Egypt raâ—â—ne an whore huÌ„tyng after straung gods followed theyr owne fantasies contrary to the prescripte of Gods worde God sent his Prophetes vnto them for to admonysh them of theyr duty to reduce brynge them agayne into the true waye But they woulde not heare them but persecuted them entreated them vngently prisoned them neuer ceased froÌ„ theyr crudelite vntyll they had slayne them God therfore seynge howe stysseuecked hard harted they were sent in theyr enemies on euery syde which destroyed theyr Cyties spoyled theyr goodes slewe innumerable led the residue awaye captyue for theyr disobedieÌ„ce and ingratitude At the laste God sent vnto y e Jewes his owne soÌ„ne that they might repent coÌ„uerte amend But hewe thanckefully they receyued his commynge the Scriptures shewe more euidently than it nede here to be rehersed What followed Uerely the vtter destruccion almoost of theÌ„ all as the Histories make meÌ„cion The ende of them was so lameÌ„table yea miserable that no man can reade the History withoute teares and we pynge eyes Are not all theyse terryble Histories for the despisers of goddes worde Let vs not flatter oure selues nor make to much of our painted â—â—ethe as they saye For surely y â— God which in times paste sent vengeaunce vpon the earth for disobeyenge conteÌ„nynge of his word wyll nowe also poure oute his fearce plages vpon vs yf we repent not shortely amende For after so great light of Gods worde yf it be not thanckefully receyued obeyed followed coÌ„meth vndoubtedly alwaye a great greuous plage whiche is ineuitable and can not be exchewed excepte the amende Let us therfore with foâ—efull hertes receyue the doctryne of God feâ—eah meanes possible to pro 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thereafter practyse it in 〈…〉 wyn other me to it by out godly conuersacion Let vs not onlye sayâ—◠〈◊〉 we are fauourers of Gods worâ—â— crake much of fayth but let vs 〈◊〉 soberly righteously godly in this present world For to read the Scriptures to talke of theÌ„ to best our selues of fayth is notâ—ig to the purpose excepte we indicate oure lyfe dayly accordynge to Gods worde He thaâ— hath my coÌ„maundementes sayth Christ â—epeth them he it is that loue the me Not eâ—erye one that sayth to me LORDE LORDE shall enter into the kyngeÌ„dome of heuen but he that doth the wyll of my father which is in heauen These thynges haue I spoken to admonyshe men of theyr dutye that they maye not abuse this singulare benefyte of Gods word that is now come amonge vs but lyue worthy y e kyndenes of God gyue hym righte herty thanckes to be haue them selues that God maye not take awaye this his inestimable benefyte froÌ„ vs but rather encrease it vnto the glory of his name the helth of our soules But it wyll returne to our matter and make an ende ¶ The. Lii Chapter THus se we what greate causes â—e â—aue to gyue thanckes vnto God yf foe consyder hys many solde benefytes wher with he garnyssheth vs dayly He made vs fyrst of all not only lyke vnto his owne ymage but also when thorowe the synne of AdaÌ„ we were loste and damned he saued vs agâ—â—yne freely of his great mercy by Iesus Christe And thoughe we synne sometyme thorowe the fragelite of humayne nature contrary to oure promyse at Baptisme yette irâ— hath mercy for vs layd vp in store if we faythfully repent amende our lyues He preserueth vs from many greuous enormities into the which we shoulde vndoubtedly faulâ— headlonge yf we were not preserued by his goodnes He lyke a moost gentle father sedeth vs sendeth vs al thiges necessary for this indygent and poore lyfe He appoyntethe his holy Jungell to wayte vpon vs that we maye be oppressed with no euell He gyuethe vs fauoure in the syghte of meÌ„ He seÌ„deth to vs helth both of hody soule He grauÌ„tethe vs what so euer we aske in the name of his soÌ„ne Iesus Christ. What would we haue more Yea that whiche to a christeÌ„ man would be moost acceptable and thanckefull he hath prepared for vs an euerlastynge kyngedome full of all ioye
that he also consydereth the moost louynge gentle bounteous promises of God in the which he promyseth for to heare vs to graunte vs oure peticions For what doth it profyt for to aske not to obtayne If God had only cōmaunded vs to praye and not also promysed for to heare vs gentelly to gyue vs oure desyres what greate pleasure had he done for vs what had he done for the which we had nede once to saye LORDE God a mercy What syngulare benefite had we receyued of hi But although y e Cōmaundement to pray putteth vs i good confort yet whā we are promysed also graciously to be heard this maketh vs vnfainedly to reioyce seriouslye to tryumph This maketh vs to put oure of oure herte all doloure sadnes to be replete with all myrthe gladnes The promyses of God brynge quietnes to the conscience huarite to the herte tranquilitie peace to the soule No man is able to expresse howe much howe great ioye lyeth buried vp in the diuyne promises how feruent consolacion the synner taketh by the hearyng of thē What ioye thynke ye was thys vnto Adā for to heare after his offence that y e sonne of GOD should be borne of a pure mayde tread downe the Serpētes head that is subdue Satā deliuer Adam w t all his posterite frō his tyranny bryng thē agayne into the fauoure of God make thē heyres of eternall glory What cōforte I praye you was this to faythefull Abrahā for to heare that in his seed all nacious of the earthe shoulde be blessed What a great pleasure was this to y e Israelites whē they were greuously stynged slayne of the fyry serpentes for theyr disobedience to heare this promyse of God make a brasē serpēt set it vp for a signe He that is stryken loketh vpon it shall lyue What exceadyng cōforte receyued Iosue by thys promyse of God vnto him I wyll not leaue the neyther wyll I forsake the. Be therfore strōge take a good herte vnto the As I maye come nerer to oure matter howe much ioye consolaciō pleasure haue the faythfull fealte of this one promyse of God Euerye one that callethe on the name of the LORDE shall be saued Therfore in this behalfe the promises of God must be earnestly wayed pondered consydered In them must we reste dailye as in a moost pleasaūt Herboure In thē must we repose oure selues In them must be all oure delyghte pleasure felicite The chefe promises concernynge Prayer are these Delyghte thou in the LORDE he shall giue the the peticiōs of thy herte Call on me sayth God in the daye of thy trouble I wyll delyuer the and thou shalte honour me Agayne he sayth Seynge that he hath put his truste in me I wyll delyuer hym I wyll defende hym in asmuche as he hath knowen my name He cryed vnto me and I wyll graciously heare hym I am w e hym in tribulacion I wyll delyuer hym glorify hym With the length of dayes wyll I replenysh hym and shewe hym my sauynge helth Christ also saith Come vnto me all ye that labour are laden I shall refresh you Euery one that is a thyrste let hym come to me drynke Agayne aske it shall be gyuen you Seke ye shall fynde Knocke it shall be opened vnto you For euery one that asketh receyueth he that seketh fyndeth to hym y e knocketh it shal be opened If the sone asketh breade of ony of you whiche is his father wyl ye profer him a stone or yf he asketh fysh wyll ye gyue hym a Serpent or yf he aske an Egge wyll ye profer hym a Scorpion If ye than which are euell know howe to gyue good gyftes to your chyldren howe much more shall your father celestiall gyue the holy ghost to them that desyre it of hym These suche lyke promises of God must he that intēdeth to pray set before his eyes that he cōforted with the remembraunce of them maye with the more frācke courage gyue himselfe to godly and deuout prayer at all tymes ¶ The .xvi. Chapter FOurthly when he hath on this maner confyrmed establyshed his mynde with the contēplacion beholdynge of the diuyne promises he maye not dout any thynge at all of them but faythfully beleue vndoutedly perswade hymselfe y e they are true in asmuch as they are the promises not of man but of GOD which cā not lye whiche is true yea whiche is the selfe trueth whiche is faythfull in all his wordes holy in al his workes whose worde trueth also abyde for euer and euer For though God be neuer so mercyfull bounteous in gyftes yet yf we do not beleue that his mercy bounte pertayne also to vs we are neuer y e better Let it so be that whā a tray tour for his offence cōmitted agenst the Kynges maiesty flyeth beyonde the sees into a straung countrey by cause he wyll eschewe the daunger of the lawe escape y e payne due for his offence the Kynges grace hathe pitie on hym pardon his faulte and sende ouer his letters vnto hym wherī is declared the kynges great mercy gentlenes toward him and wylleth hym to returne into his natyue countre there agayne to enioye the benefytes of the same of all other that he possessed before yea that with no lesse fauoure than he dydde in tymes paste whan he was mooste estraunged from that faulte of treason yf the Traytour not beleuynge the wordes of the moost gracious free pardon woulde contēne despyse it recountyng it to be but a vayne gloose of no trueth what should the kynges gentlenes in this behalfe profytte hym The kynge is mercyfull but the traytoure is vnfaythfull Therfore receyueth he no commoditie by the kynges pardon And yet is not the faulte in y e kyng but in the traytour which beleueth not that glad and merye tydynges Agayne Be it in case that a cunnyng learned Phisiciō come vnto a sycke man promisynge hym helpe delyueraunce of his dysease yet yf the sycke parsō beleueth hym not but setteth nought by hym despyseth his medicines what doth it profytte him What is he holpen by the presence of the Phisiciō be he neuer so cūnynge What doth the redines of helpe profyt him yf he refuseth to take enioye it Uerely nothyng at all In lyke maner be God neuer so mercyfull boūteous neuer so redy to helpe vs yet yf we beleue hym not to be so his mercye bounty and assistēce profyt vs nothynge at all The Psalmograph sayeth not only the LORDE is nygh to all that cal on hym but he addeth to al that call on hym in trueth What is it to call on God in trueth but to beleue earnestly that
grafit hiÌ„ his hertes desyre i what soeuer place he be ¶ The xxiiii Chapter I Haue not spokeÌ„ these thynges to make ony psoÌ„ for to haue y e lesse deuocion to go vnto the Chyrche accustomed place of prayer when time requyâ—eth whiche thynge God forbyd that anye man contrary to my meanyng should gather of these my wordes or thereby be occasioned the lesse to obserue and kepe the commendable order of thys Realme nowe a dayes vsed among vs but to shewe that a faythefull Chrysten man maye lawefullye by Goddes worde praye in euery place w t thys perswasioÌ„ y e God wyl also heare him in euery place yea that whan soeuer he prayeth so that his prayer be made accordynge vnto the wyll of god as I haue taught heretofore For we reade that Christ at dyuers tymes dyd so approue allowe the temple of Ierusalem that of the very same place he rehearsed this text of the holy scripture my house shall be called the house of prayer Agayn he droue out with whyppes such as dyd bye sell in the teÌ„ple declaryng thereby that it was a place of more holines of greater pryce in y e sight of God than that ony prophane businesses myght lawfullye be in it exercysed He also many tymes preached in the Temple it is not to be doubted but that he also vsed there to praye Agayne we reade that the Apostles after Christes ascension repared thyther oftentymes bothe to preach praye Places therfore dedicated to prayer ought not to be despysed nor abhorred but vsed vnto y e end for y e which they were instituted Christ sayth wher soeuer two or thre shalbe gathered togyther in my name there am I in the myddes of them Nowe in Chyrches it is to be thought that many are gathered togyther in Christes name therfore is Christ there amonge them Seyng that he is so euery man ought ioyefully to repare thyther whan they maye conueniently but chefely wheÌ„ the tyme publyque order doth require ther both faithfully to pray deuoutly to be present at y e ministracioÌ„ of the moost blessed Sacrament of the altare Christes very body and bloud dilygently to read or heare the worde of God furthermore to do such thinges as the place tyme shall than requyre At all other tymes whan so euer a christen maÌ„ shal be desposed to praye let hym praye boldely and althoughe he be not in the chyrche yette let hym nothynge doute but that his prayer shall ther also be hearde and graunted ¶ After what maner a chrysten man ought to pray ¶ The .xxv. Chapter NOwe it remaynethe to declare after what manner a ChristeÌ„ maÌ„ ought to pray In the declaraâ—ion hereof it shall be necessary that he whiche wyll praye aryght doth fyrst coÌ„syder what he is to whome he muste praye Agayne what he hym selfe is that prayethe It is no man nor Aungel but God which is prayed vnto whome the angelike potestates do reuereÌ„tly feare whom all the whole company of heauen do magnify commende prayse worshyp honour whom the diuels do feare tremble shake for dreade in whose name euerye knee bothe of thynges in Heauen of thynges in earth of thynges vnder the earth do bowe whiche is of puyssaunt power i holynes terrible al prayse worthy doynge meruaylous thynges which is a consumynge fyre whiche is a great LORDE aboue all y e Gods which is the LORDE of all thinges no man can resyst his maieste which is great in strength iudgement and ryghteousnes whose eyes are open vpon all the wayes of the sonnes of Adam in whose syght no creature is innocent Whan he hath on this manner coÌ„sidered of God than must he ponder what hym selfe is euen a very miserable siÌ„ner destitute of all goodnes voyde of all godlynes vnworthye to approche vnto the throne of y e diuyne maiesty For this humiliacion of our selues helpeth greatly to the auauÌ„cement of our prayer For the more that ony man deiecteth throweth downe himselfe the nerer is he made vnto God The Pharise was farre of from god although he stode nexte vnto the Propiciatory remeÌ„brynge his good dedes despisynge other men in coÌ„parison of hymselfe The Publicane which stondynge a farre of prayed came nygher vnto God For the LORDE is hyghe yet doth he beholde humble thynges he knoweth high thynges a farre of he despyseth the hawty loketh on the prayer of y e huÌ„ble the prayer of theÌ„ doth not he despyse Wylte y â— heare howe hygh a thynge the prayer of a man whiche humbleth hymselfe is The wyse man teacheth this thyng sayenge The prayer of hym that huÌ„bleth hymselfe shall pearse go thorowe the cloudes tyll it draweth nyghe it shall not be conforted and it shall not comme downe vntyll the moost hyghest doth looke vpon it This humilitie do we reade to be much vsed amonge holy men in tymes past Daniel prayed on this maÌ„ner not in our owne ryghteousnesses O LORDE do we powre oute oure prayers before the but in thy great mercyes Heare vs O LORD LORDE be mercifull vnto vs. Heare vs and do these thynges that we aske yea that for thyne owne sake Also Baruch the soule sayth he that is bered for the multytude of her synnes which goeth on heuely and wekely whose eyes begynne to fayle surely such a soule ascrybeth prayse glory ryhhteousnes vnto the O LORDE Not for the ryghteousnes of our fathers do we powre out our prayers in thy syght aske mercy before thy face O LORDE our God but bycause thou arte mercyfull Haue therfore mercy on vs for we haue synned before the. This coÌ„sideracion once had both of god of hymselfe wherby he hath learned God to be ryghteous hymselfe vnryghteous God to be good hymself euel God to be holy himself prophane God to be honorable hym selfe miserable God to be pure hym selfe vnpure God to be immaculate hymselfe spotted wyth all kynde of synne God to be hyghe nothynge more hygh hymselfe to be vyle nothynge more vyle than must he before his praier vse some menes wherby he maye excyte stoore vp the beneuolence and good wyll of God towarde hym so adourne garnysh hymselfe with ghostlye operacion y e both he his prayer maye be y e more acceptable in the syght of God For who dare coÌ„e vnto a Kynges or Emperoures presence for to desyre onye thynge of them excepte fyrste of all he so composeth hymselfe y t nothing maye offend theyr eyes He putteth on clenly apparell he kymbethe his head he wassheth his body yea also perchaunse annoynteth it and so appoynteth hymselfe in euery condicion that nothynge maye displease them but rather allure them to the syght of hym the hearynge of hys peticion Semblablye it shalbe conuenient for hym that wyll pray vnto God with fruyte hath
vengeaunce on vs caste vs headlonge â—nto heâ— fyre as he dyd y e auÌ„gels but he pacieÌ„tly abydeth our coÌ„uersioÌ„ loketh dayly whan we wyll repent and amend as the Prophet sayth y â— LORDE longe abydeth vs y e he maye haue mercy on vs. Also the Psalmogra\`ph The LORDE is gentle mercifull pacient of great pitie The LORDE is good gentle to all men his reÌ„der mercies are stretched forth vpon all his workes Ieremy also saieth It are the mercies of the LORDE that we are not consumed Yea he exciteth storeth vs vp by his holy spiryte and gyueth vs grace to repent turne amende as he sayeth by his Prophet I wyl gyue them an herte a new spiryte wyl I gyue in theyr in warde partes I wyll take away the stony herte from theyr flesh and giue them a fleshly herte y e they may walke in my preceptes and kepe my iudgementes do them And they shall be my people I shâ—ll be theyr God Agayne I wyll powre out vpoÌ„ you cleane water ye shall be made cleane from all youre vncleannes from all youre Idolles wyll I make you cleane I wyll gyue you a new herte a newe spiryte wyll I putte in the myddes of you I wyll take awaye the stony herte from the flesh gyue you a fleshly hert and I wyl putte my Spiryte in the myddes of you I wyll make you to walke in my preceptes kepe and worke my iudgemeÌ„tes ye shal dwel in y e laÌ„d y e I gaue to your fathers ye shall be my people I shalbe your God and I shall saue you from all youre vnclennes Moreouer he styll calleth vpoÌ„ vâ— to come vnto him sayenge Turne repente you of all youre iniquities And youre iniquite shall worke you â—â—spleasure Caste awaye from you â—l your wickednesses in the whiche â—e haue offended make you a new â—erte a new spirite Wherfore wyâ—â—e dye O ye house of Israell For I â—yll not that any shoulde dye sayth â—he LORDE GOD. Retourne and â—â—ue Agayne it is commonlye sayde â—f a man leaue his wyfe and she going away marieth another husbod â—hal he returne any more agayne vn â—o her Shall not the woman be polâ—ted defyled But thou hast playâ—d the whore with many louers yet â—eturne agayne vnto me sayeth the â—ORD I wyll receyue the. O moost â—were coÌ„fortable sayenge O moost â—entle Sauyour worthy all prayse â—lory and honoure Here maye ye se howe greatly we â—re bounde to God and howe great â—hanckes we ought to gyue hym seâ—ng that he so greatly desyreth oure â—elth lyfe saluacion wyllethe by no meanes our decaye death damnacion He is y e gentle father which ioyefully receyueth agayne his loste sonne moost louyuglye enbrase theâ— hym He is that shepehearde whiche bryngeth home agayne on his shoulâ— ders that shepe that was wandered awaye He is that Phisicion y e healeth the sycke diseased He is y e Sauiour which came not to call y â— righteous but synners vnto repentauÌ„ce He is that helper whiche dayly cryeth come vnto me all ye that labour are laden and I shall refresh you Seke therfore the LORDE whyle he maye be founde Call on hym whyle he is nygh Let the vngodly forsake his waye and the wycked man his thoughtes let hym returne to the LORDE he shall haue mercy on him yea but let hym not fayle to turne vnto our God For he is bounteous very redy to forgyue ¶ The. xlv Chapter FUrthermore who is able to expresse howe greatly we are bouÌ„d vnto God for his diligent conseruacion kepynge vs If we were not preserued kepte of hym into howe many euels shoulde we faull Howe were it possible for vs to be fre from the captiuitie of Satan to be pure from the fylthynesse of the flesshe to be kepte harmeles from the tyranny of the world yf God dyd not defend vs Howe many kynde of euelles do we se dayely perpetrated done before our eyes as theft murder treason adultrye fornicacion couetousnes glotony droÌ„ckenshyp c. which all vndoubtedly we should lykewyse do yf we were not preserued froÌ„ theÌ„ by the goodnes of God For the fragilite of nature the pronyte vnto euell is all one in them in vs yf we be lefte vnto our selues Our perdicion commeth of our selues but our saluacion commeth only of God as the Prophet sayth Excepte y â— LORD sayeth Esaie had lefte vnto vs seed we had ben as Sodome we might well haue ben lykened vnto Gomorre Therfore seyng that God kepeth vs from theyse great enormities we are very much bounde to gyue hym right herty thanckes Agayne with howe many gyftes doth he enduâ—e vs dayly What haue we y t is not his gyftes yf it be good godlye He engraffeth in vs by hys moost holy spiryte Fayth hope charite peace ioye pacience longe sufferynge mekenes leuite softenes modesty honest behauour c. He giueth vs helth for our body He gyueth vs spirituall gladnes for our soule He prepareth all thynges necessarye for this our nede lyfe He getteth frendes for vs. He defeÌ„deth vs from our enemies He preserueth vs iÌ„ all goodnes To conclude loke what a moost naturall father is vnto his moost entierlye beloued sonne the verye same is he vnto vs. So y e what soeuer we haue beyng good eyther pertayning to the soule or to the body we altogither receyue it of this oure celestiall father What great thanckes therfore he is worthi to haue who perceiueth not S. Bernarde sayth let vs gyue thaÌ„ckes to our God for y e good thiÌ„ges y e we do let vs huÌ„bly say to hiÌ„ w t Esay the Prophet All our workes haste y u wrought in vs O LORDE our God Herto pertayneth the sayenge of S. Gregory It is coÌ„uenieÌ„t y t we gyue thanckes alway to God which neuer ceseth to do wel except he be letted hyndred thorowe the noughtines of men Therfore what soeuer worke y u shalte begynne fyrst call on God cease not to gyue thaÌ„kes whan thou hait fynysshed it ¶ The. xlvi Chapter ALthough it be so y t all nacions of y e world euen from the Easte to the West ought to prayse y â— name of the LORDE for his iÌ„numerable benefytes that they without desertes receyue of him dayly yet I thyncke ther is no Realme thorowe out Christendome that hath so many vrgent weyghty necessary causes to gyue God thanckes as we Englyshe men haue at this present To whome is it vnknowen with howe miserable captiuitie we haue ben detayned suppressed theyse many hundred yeares thorowe the vsurped power and greuous tyrany of y c Bysshop of Rome Who knoweth not howe greatly the consciences of Christen menne were snarled yea