Fearest thou not in thy selfe that huge heapes of sinne that wil accuse thee or make the more careful and lowely Neither thy barthen of thy conscience that so fore oppresseth thee and wherby the iustice of god hangeth ouer thee Either wyâ—â—e thou shew thine hart to be hardened against him O fadyng floure erthly creature what meanese thou vnreuarently to forget god thy creator or not to fear hym Thinkest thou that the coÌ„tinuaÌ„ce of thy wil to do wickedly shal euer endure Or why art thou so presumptuous ageinst him Art thou able thou wretched and feeble wourmâ—â— to resiste hys omnipotence or almyghtye power Art thou not in hys hande as a piece of clay in the hand of the potter Esaie 49. Iere 18.19 Rom. 9. Or whyche of all the stought or puyssaunte prynces of the earthe shall not stoupe at hym and obeye hym He trulye is almyghtye and terryble yea the earth trembleth and quaketh for feare of hys greate indignacion and wrath and the people shal not he able to abide hys threatnynge The whole power and strength of all the earth ioyned to Iâ—ther is not able to abyde one blaste of the breathe of goddes mouthe And darest thou thou dustye stubble persist or stand at any time in the state of wickednes before the face of so great and terrible a god Consider therfore thy wilfull malice and folishnes and thy carelesse slippyng from god that is so iust and terrible Examin thy self reuerentlye in the feare of god trye well the state of thy coÌ„science whether thou mayest iustlye saye before heauen and earth O lord thou omnipoteÌ„t terrible god Hiere 17. whose throne is most glorious excelleÌ„t and of most antiquitie which dwellest in the heuens euen in the place of mans holy rest of whoÌ„ thou arte of all goddes moste highely to he feared for thou art a rightous and a iuste god in pouryng thy wrath vpon thyne enmies The repentant sinner yea I must also say that thou art a mercyfull and a louyng god the only comforter and refuge of man his immouable pillour and staye of assurance and the lyuely hope of his helth ioy strength and saluation Therfore O Lorde in acknowledgynge thyne omnipotency and great mercy whervnto I appeale I humbly fly vnto thy mercy seate for succour for myne iniquitie O god is manyfest vnto thee which I confesse before thy diuine maiestie I haue O lord offended against thee I haue forsaken thy lawe and coÌ„mitted iniquitie I haue fledde from thy loue I haue falne from thy word I haue broken my fidelite I haue ben rebellious against thee For myn hart hath wickedly possessed pride and maliciousnes wherby I haue greuousely offended and hurte my neyghbour O Lorde greate therfore is myne iniquitie in thy sight Psal 119. My conscience iustly accuseth me my fleshe treÌ„bleth for feare beefore thee my spirites are troubled within me And the remembraunce of thy Iudgement is terrible vnto me O Lorde myne eies therefore gushe oute with water my sight falleth me I am greuouslye vexed myne harte panteth within me my strength is gone from me my knees are weake my flesshe is dryed vp my beautie is consumed I am weary of my gronynge Alas my griefe alas my fal Alas my great wo and myserye for thys my stroke and wofull plage that thy grace O God should thus be taken frome me wherby I most wretched sinner am forget full of my truthe and obedience of my faythe and promises of thyne infinyte loue and goodnesse towardes me and of thy greate indignation and Iustice for my synne iniquitie Ah who shall geue me water to my head and a fountain of teares to mine eies that I may washe my bedde with teares of sorow and bewayle my sinnes both nighte day wherby thy grace O swete god may yet be returned vnto me and thy iustice agaist me be shortlye preueÌ„ted I make myn huÌ„ble peticion in thy presence with my whole hart the thou wile be merciful vnto me accordyng to the truthe in thy wourde O heauenly father A Prayer lette thy greate mercy in Iesus Christe lyghten vppon me that thy wrathfull indignation preuaile not against me I humbly with repentaÌ„ce acknowledge myne iniquite I coÌ„tesse my sicknes frailtie appeale to thy mercye promysed vnto me in Iesus Christ And if thou O Lorde for his sake wilt assist me Psal 119. order my steppes according to thy wourd my fete shall kepe thy pathes no wickednes shall henseforth haue dominion ouer me O refourme therfore with mercy that is amisse Psal 3â— for thy mercy recheth vnto the heauens and thy faithfulnes vnto the cloudes With the is coÌ„fort the light of life in thy light shal I se light and the workes of darknes shall flie farre from me O turne thee then vnto me Ierem. 1â— so shall I be tourned heale thou me and I shall bee made whole saue thou me and I shall be saued O be not terrible vnto me after thy rightuous iudgemente Psal 143. Enter not into iudgement with thy seruaunt for then shall I not be iustified in thy syghte Yea if thou O lorde shouldest extremely marke what is doone amysse who could then abyde it But thou arte also a God of mercy yea thou delightest in mercy and with thee is plentuous redemption My soule therfore flieth only vnto thee Psal 130. it wayteth humbly for thee trusteth assuredly in thee Out of the depe doo I call vnto thee O Lorde O here myne humble voyce and lette thyne eares consyder welle the voyce of my complaynte Benignely beholde me with thyne eye of mercy that I I say thyne vnwourthy seruaunt maye bee ioyfull of thy couÌ„tenance O let thine holy spirite possesse my harte to create in me a cleane harte to â—enue within my bowelles a ryghte spiryte that I wretched synner may be quiet in thee maye growe in the true knowledge of thee that I may feruentlye desyre thy kyngedome and that I maye knowe thy wyll and reuerently wourke there after For thorow thyne onelye grace O Lorde and by the vehement impulsion of thyne holye spirite shall myne heart and soule be cleane pourged quiesed quickened strengthned sanctified It is thy spirite O GOD that shal conuerte my soule and guyde me forth in the pleasaunte and playn path waye of rightuousnesse Yea Lorde I wyll therfore be bolde and saye Come thou good spirite of god comme I beseche thee and assiste me with the present healthe of thy grace I haue affiaunce in thee O instruete thou me and strengthen mee refresshe comforte and quiete me replenysshe my soule with ioye and gladdenesse and kendle in me the fyre of thy loue Th n O holy spirit whether in body I wake or sleape my soule shall continuallye watche vnto thee thynke of thee delight in thee depende onely vpon thee yea it shal be fully satisfied in thee and euermore reioyce loue please thee euen
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
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
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
Gene. ◠the redemed mēbres of Iesus Christe our christen brotherne and naturall countreymen but suffer theim wythout cōpassion in suche lamentable wyse to appeare before oure eyes in euery corner In fieldes in high wayes in churches in stretes in by lanes in commē Iaquesses vnder stalles at rych mens doores and vnder their walles Ah most lamentable wofull case wherby if we do enter into oure owne consciences what shall we there fynde What good matter of reioycinge and perfecte peace shall there before god appeare in vs What remaineth in vs wanting the charitie of god to be quiet in our selues and to liue in the state of goddes grace Remaineth there nothyng vprightly in vs What nothing at all No no verily of any inwarde or heauenly ioy but a terrible out cry VVhere the charitie of god remayneth not there the conscience abideth vn quiet and alvvaies in terroui◠and an open accusation agaynste vs and the iust terrour and vengeance of god vppon vs because we haue not in tyme to our powers accordyng to the order of charitie and perfect compassion preuented these most notable and cursed euils or at the least for not preparyng present comfort in suche tyme of necessitie makynge our frendes of wicked mammon whereby the poore myght be relieued that there myght be also layed vp in store for our selues a good foundation in Iesus Christe against the tyme to come Rom. 12. 1 Timo. 6 Eccle. 11. and obtayne-thorough hym euerlastynge lyfe Ryches is a good thing for it is the gift of god and so likewise is pouertie and as god hath made somme men riche with an holye and good spirite to despyse worldlye gooddes so hathe he also appointed some to beare the bourden of pouertie that they might happilye receiue his benefites at suche charitable and rich mennes handes O how blessed are those that haue riches the good gyfte of god where by they maye not only make many frendes to the praise of God Pro. 19. and their owne comforte but seeke also the fauour of the poore that are often through pouerty for saken of their frendes whose continuall praier and swete blessinge by the promises of god shall purchase vnto theym the fauour of god healthfulnes ioy prosperitie and plentifull encreace For the charitable acte of the rightuous godly man god alwayes beholdeth and accepteth as an hygh and wourthie sacrifice whiche he at any tyme vaynelye receyue not and without recompence but as his acte is worshyppeful accordynge to Salomon to doe good and to help the poore in their necessity which be calleth lendinge vnto the Lorde or layed out for a season so the Lord god that is all goodnesse and truths that delighteth in well doing and reioiceth in hys people wyll not wythholde hys bountyfull hande but see him largelye requighted agayne Prou. 19. Prou. 29. Prouer. 12 The poore and the lender ofte meete together but it is the Lorde that lightneth both their eyes It is the lord that prepareth pouertie It is the lord that geueth vnto the poore strengthe and consolation thoroughe faith by the power of his spirite to ask in his name and to attaine reliefe It is the lord also that geueth ryches Eccle. 17. and wourketh in the hartes of the rich tender compassion and mercye towardes the poore by the same spirite whereby hys name in theym bothe is hyghlys reuerenced and magnyfied And he that thus geeueth or lendeth vnto the poore in the name of God shal be blessed and not want him self For the mercye that a mercifull man sheweth here vnto his neighbour in these terrestrial vain earthly thynges is as it were a purse wyth hym or a treasure house plentuousely stuffed with thin comparable and endlesse treasures of god the father in and by oure Lorde Iesus Christe thorowe the loue and faith in whom a mans good dedes preserueth hym euen as the apple of an eye So that al vertuous and charitable dedes God louyngely beholdeth in Christe and largely agayn requiteth If grace wer amongst vs to consider the same and practise it But we are I saye to the contrary so blynded and sore infected with earthely and vayne affectes and felse loue so preuayleth our senses to rule that wee forgette god and his wourde we neglecte Christe and his gospelle we haue embraced but a benummed and deade faythe wee haue not reuerentely in price the onely merites of Christes deathe but wee rather heare the name of Christyanitie and holynesse secludynge the true faithe in the waye of rightousnes and are in deede enuironned and cloked in with all kyndes of maliciousnesse and wickednesse we haue professed in Iesus Christ to loue god aboue all thynges and our neighbours as our selues but we contempne God and Christe our creatour and sauioure and the rather neglecte oure poore neighboures and christen brotherne our companions in Christ and felowe heyres with him in his kyngedome bendynge our whole affectes to the onely dead will of the flesh we loue so much the world the diuelles snares hath caught vs The deuell the vvorlde and the flesh preuaileth against vs. Ena hath deceyued vs light fātasies are obeyed excesse beareth rule our callinges are abused our eies must be satisfied our bodyes must go gaye our feding must be fyne our pastymes must be kepte and what so euer earthly vanitie the deuill motioneth the worlde proeureth or the fleshe coneteth therevnto our corrupted hartes immediatlye consenteth Trulye Sathan that cursed enemy and prynce of impietie syns his firste fall from the kingdome of god into vtter darkenes neuer better bestirred hī to the nereace of his helly kingdom thē now in these our pitiles and most vnhappy daies And how he preuaileth and in victory triūpheth god to oure plage suffereth his grace he withdraweth which our wickednes serueth and that the godlye most greuously feeleth and with teares also lamenteth And if herein we now consider mennes ingratitude amongeste whome in their degrees they greatlye differ as some are muche more to bee noted then some namelye of such thinges as shal immediatly folowe considering how merueilously we be mixed with what diuersitie of spirites we bee guided and how variable in al our doynges we are alwais affected for we haue not amōgest vs one only faith we leane not zelously to one only true god neyther doo we seeke one onelye eternall and heauenlye father whose wyll of all men shoulde onely be receyued folowed if our hartes in dede were onlye to him vnited But as we bee apparauntly and to euel deuided and some to one way and some to another addicted so the powers of darkenesse hathe mightilie preuailed and wroughte open contempte to our iust reproche Therfore respectinge these two natures thus deuided I wyll humbly now wyth reuerence leaue here wourthylye vntouched all vertuous ryghte prudente honourable and godlye gouernours whose harts I acknowlege in their doinges to be alwayes moste aptly tempered with the reuerēd feare of God from whome
it is to to plaine and euideÌ„t and that we are presently thereby among other euelles greately entred into the hatred of god Our Lord haue mercye vpon vs for his sonne Iesus Chrystes sake and temper oure heartes wyth the spirit of his feare that we may in al our doynges better consider our christen profession and declare it more holylie in our outward conuersatioÌ„ that the terrible threatnynges of gods vengeaunce do not light vpon vs. Temperance in the lyfe of a christiaÌ„ is a moste precious and bright shynynge vertue to shew forth gods glori and to declare the beautifull lyuely state of the christeÌ„ commen wealth It is a true sayenge that the wourdes countinaunce gesture and the apparell of the outwarde man Gods vengeance amoÌ„gst theÌ„ Arise O lord thou iudge of the world recompence in thy fury the great pride of this people euen after their iust deseruing O forget not the voice of thyn enemies for the presumption of theÌ„ that be hatefull agaynst thee encreaceth yet stylle more and more Again let the proude be confouÌ„ded Psal 〈…〉 O Lord for they go wickedly about to destroy me And the prophete also foreseing iÌ„ hiÌ„selfe by the spirite of god how horrible and lothsome this synne of pryde was in the sight of god and how hurtful and daungerous a thyngâ— it was both touching the poisoned nature thereof either raingning in him self or iÌ„ any other persoÌ„ what power also to mischiefe was therein approued ofteÌ„ he cryed in this maned vnto god sayeng O Lord that art my strength keepe me thy seruaunt I beseche thee from the sinnes of presumption O defende me leaste they get the dominion ouer me then shall I O god be cleane innocent and vndefiled end from the great offence O lette not the foute of pride come against me neither lette the hande of vngodly crosse ouerthrowe me and cast me downe Thus this good man of god for his own safegarde and defence and for the auoyding of goddes vengeaunce declareth his owne weakenes and crieth vpon god for hys assistence and strength against this pestilent vyce and against the possessoures thereof leaste by fastnyng specially vpon hymselfe susteining thereby the violence of hys ennemyes he shoulde bee confounded and throwne downe as experience diuerslye hath taught at all tymes and vpon all estates either vpon the proude people them selues by goddes only hand for the proude to be plaged and subuerted by the proude or also vpon anye other that haue sustayned in innocencie the violente crueltie of the proude And because as he him self was a fearer and feruents louer of god and had experience as before meÌ„tioned of this infectuous vyce and woulde haue all men in lyke maner to reuerence God to loue hym and to eschewe the daungers of this vice what the nature therof is what it wourketh in theym that possesseth it and what they coÌ„menlye are that sustayne the violence thereof and what the rewarde also shal be vnto theym that embraceth this euell he him self besides other wrighteth thereof in this maner Pride saith he engendreth forgetfulnes of god Pride wourketh in the hartes of the wicked coÌ„teÌ„pt of god Neither is God in the thoughtes of the proude Their waâ—es are continually greuouse Their mouthes are full of cursing spight bitternes scornefulnes wilines lyeng deceipte fraud vnder their tonges is vngodlines and vanitie they are lurkers they are dyggers of pyttes setters of trappes and layers of snares to catche the rightuous and lowlye they are priuye murtherers of the innocent and they haue their eyes fyxed and full bente to the destruction of the poore Psal 〈…〉 c. What euelles are there that bee noysom vpon the earthe to the hurte of man the springeth not froÌ„ the hart of the wicked proude maÌ„ For pride is the original of al sin wickednes the begynnynge whereof is wickedly to slippe and fall from God his creatoure and maker for his hart is wythdrawne from dym Ecclesi â—â— There is no feare of God before his eyes The proude flatter theimselues in their owne syght euen tyll their abhominable synnes be found out Tush say they in the pride of their heartes we shall neuer bee caste downe there shall no harme happen vnto vs God hath forgotten he hydeth awaye his face and he shall neuer see it Psal 10. But contrarywyse the holy ghost men cloneth of the proude respectyng the affectes of their corrupted hartes that the myghtye hande of God scattereth theim in the imagination of their hartes Luke i. The Lorde shall roote out all wycked and deceiptful lyppes and the tungues also that speakethe suche prowde thynges Psalm 12. Agayne as God beyng moste hygh respecteth gently the humble and lowely so beholdethe he the wyckednesse of the prowde people afarre of Psal 138. And agayne who so hathe a prowde â—oke and an hyghe stomacke hym wyll I not suffer sayeth the Lorde Psal 101. And in an other place The glorye of the Lordes maiestie casteth downe the â—aute and hygh lookes of the presumptuous and bryngeth full lowe the vayne pride of man Esay 2. And this also in an other place All people that are forgetfull of God and of their duetie in humilitie and obedience vnto hym shall bee tourned into hell Note also touchynge pride Psal 9. amonge other places of the scriptures what the prophete Esaye saieth and what the terriblenes of gods wrathe is there mencioned agaynst the same And here also I thynke it not oute of the way Esay 3. that we coÌ„syder and note wel the blyssefull state sometyme of the mosse glorious cleare and beautyfull creature Lucyfer that gloried so muche in hym self and sought in his pride beyng but a creature to aduance and to exalte hym selfe vp into heauen and to sette his throne besydes the starres of God his Creator and maker He desired in his proud hart to clyme aboue the cloudes and to bee in comparison lyke vnto the mooste hyghe God But what happened therby vnto hym Receiued he not his reward accordingly wheÌ„ he was wourthily thrown down euen to the verye deapthe of helle where he remayneth in steade of a fair bryghte aungell of heauen an horrible fowle deuell of hell abyding in dampnacion and darkenes wyth hys companions for euer the ryghte father of pride and of al wycked presumptuous persons and the onelye rynge leader high capitaine prince and ruler of all abhomination and iniquitie Esay 14 Seynge then that the apparaunte and iust vengeaunce of god hath bene felt from the begynnynge for such disobedience and pryde and that he hath promised by hys wourd to perfourme truly hys wrathe for suche wycked offences O why woulde pride spring by anye meanes from the harte of man ouer whome hangeth the yrefull power of so terrible a god man beyng of hym selfe most feeble and a frayle creature very corruption earth and asshes Eccle. 10. O blessed therfore is the maÌ„ that is lowly meeks spirited the hathe only with
reuerence set his hope in the lord god hath not tourned vnto the wais of the proude For vndoubtedly when the wrath of god shall fall by his iustice vpon thys generation for the synne of disobedience pride as in all ages before it hath ben greuously felt O how great shall the fall thereof be vpon vs yea how alas shall we wretched creatures bee able to abyde it The olde sayenge hathe bene from the begynnyng Pride wyl haue a fall Pre. 21 2â— Whiche agreeth to the saying of SalomoÌ„ Presumption goeth bee fore shame and destruction and after a proude stomack ther foloweth a fall Maye wee not nowe thinke it at the higheste 〈…〉 pride and neuer so lyke to fall Was there euer sens GOD created heauen and earth the like abuse and abhomination with oute measure raignynge Canne it by anye meanes moare horribly appeare amongeste vs Canne it wyth possibilitie from anye fantasticall heade that beareth lyfe bee more dyuerslye deuysed and chargeablye to the payntynge foorthe and fettynge oute of oure rotten carraynlye carcases Or can it bee by other more vainely or fondly deuysed then is of our selues fondely conseÌ„ted to and receyued Eyther consyder we as we oughte in all suche our dooynges oure poore and base estate or the sleandernes of our habilitie In prvde vve forget pouâ—â—â—tie for the supportation of such a chargeable fantasie And dothe it not also by oure wourkes appeare that as we are gloriouse gaye and ryche without our hartes are wretched deformed and full of pouertye wythin yes vndoubtedlye both in the presence of god and all godly men it is to to plain and euideÌ„t and that we are presently thereby among other euelles greately entred into the hatred of god Our Lord haue mercye vpon vs for his sonne Iesus Chrystes sake and temper oure heartes wyth the spirit of his feare that we may in al our doynges better consider our christen profession and declare it more holylie in our outward conuersatioÌ„ that the terrible thretnynges of gods vengeaunce do not light vpon vs. Temperance in the lyfe of a christiaÌ„ is a moste precious and bright shynynge vertue to shew forth gods glori and to declare the beautifull lyuely state of the christeÌ„ commen wealth It is a true sayenge that the wourdes countinaunce gesture and the apparell of the outward man expresseth plainelye the naturall disposition and lust of the inward man But what diuersitie is there now touching the present state of our liues betwixte vs VVe diffre nothinge froÌ„ the sodomites the most vyle people some tyme of the world that were moste detestable in the light of god for the gretnes of their wicked company and the multitude of their terrible synnes ouer whome god rained from heauen sulpher fyre brymstone wyth great darkenes and horrible stinch for their reward and destruction namely the filthy sodomites and stinking Gomorreans whose ioy and felicitie was in pride delicacie fulnes of meate abundaunce and ydlenes neither reached they their hande to the poore but were harde harted and pitiles and full of al fylthye abhomination Vnto whom in the fulnes of their pride and stynkyng felicitie the Prophetes of God preached repentance to tourne them from their great abhominatioÌ„ wickednes and to escape the heauye wrathe of God presentely hanging ouer them if they could haue preuailed whose heueÌ„ly doctrines from time to time sharpe threatninges geÌ„tle warnings faire promises from god offered vnto them Preaching preuailed not against the Sodomites The destruccion of the sodomites were no lesse bytter and vnsauery vnto theim then their accustomed haunted fleshlines or beastly filthines was pleasaunt and sweete vnto theim And so without leauing of or fearing daunger they stil contynued in their beastelye wickednes vntill the vnquencheable fyre of gods vengeaunce fell down vpon them to their perpetual confusion of body and soule The signe of whiche horrible destruccion and great veÌ„geance of god remayneth in the place vnts thys daye for an exaumple vnto the wycked inhabitours of the earthe wherebye they maye learne to knowe and feare the mighty at me of so terrible and iuste a God agaynst hys obstnate styffenecked VVe are carelesse of gods vengeaunce proude vncharitable and filthy enemies O howe careles also are we of such thinges Howe slacke and farre of are we from due cogitation of that mightie god and of his iustice that shoulde bee alwayes a terrour in our consciences And of his humilitie and great example also of loue lowlynesse cleannes and puritye that should mooue vs to charitie mekenes holynesse and chastitie Neyther consyder wee the frailtie rebellion and vilitie of our fickle and frayle flesshe VVe seeke not to vvith stande the rebellion and greate frailetie in our fleshe to withstand the corrupt motions therof that euer yeldeth to euyll and reeleth alwayes wyth greate daunger to fall Yea and other whyles the fall is suche as we maye here and knowe through our willfull presumption longe suffering lyngerynge daliaunce or fylthye wantonnes that it descendethe frome synne to sinne VVe fal thoroughe the flesh neuer to ryse againe and from one iniquitie to another tyll the staye of gods grace be vtterly takeÌ„ away so neuer to rise again but fal with the sinking Sodomites by what ordre of corporall deth so euer it be froÌ„ god to the deuel to eternal deth hel daÌ„pnacion for euer O pleasaunt purchaced end wourthy reward for such pleasures Hath it not ben as wel truly known as often spoken the sweete meate wil haue sharpe soure sauce haue we not also knowne that after a few vain short foolish pleasures there foloweth many bitter woful and endles miseries the after laughter ioy iolitie there foloweth lamentacion greuous cruel desteny that after health wealth and worldlye prosperitie there foloweth the troden trace of infelicitie And finally after an vnrepeÌ„tant wycked shorte lyfe there foloweth gods iuste iudgemeÌ„t to eternal death These thinges wel noted May we not thinke our tymes welle spente that serueth for so louely recompence For a fewe dayes of vain pleasures to enioy euer lasting paines Thou O man that art in such wise disobedient a contempner of god a refuser of hys grace or obstinate and heady agaynst hym that is so mightye so mercifull pitifull and gentle thou an apt folower of the deuel that is so merciles and cruell a tiraunts be thou well assured hereof that in thys case thorough thyne owne wylfull malyce and beastly obstinacie both their mindes shal be sette and ioyned together agaynste thee that is the one to wythdrawe hys mercye from thee God fotsaketh the refuser of his grace The deuell receiueth him and vtterly to forsake thee and the other maliciously to take thee and mercilesse to torment thee Thou shalt not deuise to do more wickedly then he wil prepare wayes to cruciate thee And thoughe thy tyme of fylthy pleasures and to do wickedly be but