So be they pronounced both reader and hearer by the holy prophete Ieremie accursed which do the worke of God fraudulently and negligently From the which he defende vs who bought vs with his most precious blood To whom with the father and the holy ghost be all honour and glorie Amen ¶ A Preface into the Byble folowyng OF all the sentences pronounced by our sauiour Christe in his whole doctrine none is more serious or more worthy to be borne in remembraunce then that which he spake openly in his Gospell saying Scrutamini scripturas quia vos putatis in ipsis vitam eternam â—abere et ille sunt quae testimonium perbibent de me Search ye the scriptures for in them ye thinke to haue eternall lyfe and those they be which beare witnes of me These wordes were first spoken vnto the Iewes by our sauiour but by hym in his doctrine ment to all for they concerne all of what nation of what tongue of what profession soeuer any man be For to all belongeth it to be called vnto eternall life so many as by the witnes of the scriptures desire to finde eternall life No man woman or chylde is excluded from this saluation and therfore to euery of them is this spokeÌ„ proportionally yet and in their degrees and ages and as the reason and congruitie of their vocation may aske For not so lyeth it in charge to the worldly artificer to searche or to any other priuate man so exquisitely to studie as it lyeth to the charge of the publike teacher to searche in the scriptures to be the more able to walke in the house of God which is the Church of the lyuyng God the pyller and ground of trueth to the establishing of the true doctrine of the same and to the impugnyng of the false And though whatsoeuer difference there may be betwixt the preacher in office and the auditor in his vocation yet to both it is said Search ye the scriptures whereby ye may fynde eternall lyfe and gather witnesses of that saluation which is in Christe Iesus our Lorde For although the prophete of God Moyses byddeth the kyng when he is once set in the throne of his kingdome to describe before his eyes the volume of Gods lawe according to the example whiche he shoulde receaue of the priestes of the leuiticall tribe to haue it with him and to reade in it all the dayes of his life to th ende that he might learne to feare the Lorde his God and to obserue his lawes that his heart be not aduaunced in pryde ouer his brethren not to swarue eyther on the ryght hande or on the left yet the reason of this precept for that it concerneth all men may reasonably be thought to be commaunded to all men and all men may take it to be spoken to them selfe in their degree Though almightie God him selfe spake to his captayne Iosue in precise wordes Non recedat volumen legis huius ab ore tuo sed meditaberis in eo diebus ac noctibus c. Let not the volume of this booke depart from thy mouth but muse therin both dayes and nyghtes that thou mayest kepe and perfourme all thinges which be written in it that thou mayest direct well thy way and vnderstande the same yet aswell spake almightie God this precept to all his people in the directions of their wayes to himwarde as he ment it to Iosue For that he hath care of all he accepteth no mans person his wyll is that all men shoulde be saued his wyll is that all men shoulde come to the way of trueth Howe coulde this be more conueniently declared by God to man then when Christe his welbeloued sonne our most louing sauiour the way the trueth and the lyfe of vs all dyd byd vs openly Searche the scriptures assuring vs herein to finde eternall life to finde full testification of all his graces and benefites towardes vs in the treasure thereof Therefore it is most conuenient that we shoulde all suppose that Christe spake to vs all in this his precept of searching the scriptures If this celestiall doctour so aucthorised by the father of heauen and commaunded as his only sonne to be hearde of vs all biddeth vs busily to Search the scriptures of what spirite can it proceede to forbid the reading and studiyng of the scriptures If the grosse Iewes vsed to reade them as some men thinke that our sauiour Christ dyd shew by such kynd of speaking their vsage with their opinion they had therin to finde eternall lyfe and were not of Christe rebuked or disproued either for their searching or for the opinion they had howe superstitiously or superficially soeuer some of them vsed to expende the scriptures Howe muche more vnaduisedly do suche as bost them selfe to be either Christes vicars or be of his garde to lothe christen men from reading by their couert slaunderous reproches of the scriptures or in their aucthoritie by lawe or statute to contract this libertie of studiyng the worde of eternall saluation Christe calleth them not onlye to the single readyng of scriptures saith Chrisostome but sendeth them to the exquisite searching of them for in them is eternall lyfe to be founde and they be saith hym selfe the witnesse of me for they declare out his office they commende his beneuolence towardes vs they recorde his whole workes wrought for vs to our saluation Antechriste therefore he must be that vnder whatsoeuer colour woulde geue contrary precept or counsayle to that whiche Christe dyd geue vnto vs. Very litle do they resemble Christes louing spirite mouing vs to searche for our comfort that wyll discourage vs from suche searching or that woulde wishe ignoraunce and forgetfulnesse of his benefite to raigne in vs so that they might by our ignoraunce raigne the more frankly in our consciences to the daunger of our saluation VVho can take the light from vs in this miserable vale of blindnesse and meane not to haue vs stumble in the pathes of perdition to the ruine of our soules who wyll enuie vs this bread of lyfe prepared and set on the table for our eternall sustenaunce and meane not to famishe vs or in steede thereof with their corrupt traditions and doctrines of man to infect vs All the whole scripture saith the holy apostle Saint Paul inspired from God aboue is profitable to teache to reproue to refourme to instruct in righteousnesse that the man of God may be sounde and perfect instructed to euery good worke Searche therefore good reader on Gods name as Christe byddeth thee the holy scripture wherein thou mayest finde thy saluation Let not the volume of this booke by Gods owne warrant depart from thee but occupie thy selfe therein in the whole iourney of this thy worldly pilgrimage to vnderstande thy way howe to walke ryghtly before hym all the dayes of thy lyfe Remember that the prophete Dauid pronounceth hym the blessed man whiche wyll muse in
hath had such care to prescribe these bookes thus vnto vs I say not prescribe them only but to maintaine them and defende them against the malignitie of the deuill and his ministers who alway went about to destroy them and yet could these neuer be so destroyed but that he woulde haue them continue whole and perfect to this day to our singuler comfort and instruction where other bookes of mortall wise men haue perished in great numbers It is recorded that Ptolomeus Philadelphus kyng of Egypt had gathered together in one librarie at Alexandria by his great coste and diligence seuen hundred thousand bookes wherof the principall were the bookes of Moyses whiche reserued not much more then by the space of two hundred yeres were all brent and consumed in that battayle when Caesar restored Cleopatra agayne after her expulsion At Constantinople perished vnder Zenon by one common fire a hundred and twentie thousande bookes At Rome when Lucius Aurel Antonius dyd raigne his notable librarie by a lightning frō heauen was quite consumed yea it is recorded that Gregorie the first did cause a librarie of Rome cōtayning only certaine Paynims workes to be burned to thintent the scriptures of God should be more read and studied VVhat other great libraries haue there ben cōsumed but of late daies And what libraries haue of olde throughout this realme almost in euery abbey of the same ben destroyed at sundry ages besides the losse of other mens priuate studies it were to long to rehearse VVherevpon seyng almightie God by his deuine pouidence hath preserued these bookes of the scriptures safe and sounde and that in their natiue languages they were first written in the great ignoraunce that raigned in these tongues and contrary to all other casualties chaunced vpon all other bookes in mauger of all worldly wittes who would so fayne haue had them destroyed and yet he by his mightie hande would haue them extant as witnesses and interpreters of his will toward mankind we may soone see cause most reuerently to embrace these deuine testimonies of his wyll to studie them and to search them to instruct our blinde nature so sore corrupted and fallen from the knowledge in whiche first we were created Yet hauing occasion geuen somewhat to recouer our fall and to returne againe to that deuine nature wherein we were once made and at the last to be inheritours in the celestiall habitation with God almightie after the ende of our mortalitie here brought to his dust agayne These bookes I say beyng of suche estimation and aucthoritie so muche reuerenced of them who had any meane taste of them coulde neuer be put out of the way neither by the spyte of any tiraunt as that tiraunt Maximian destoyed all the holy scriptures wheresoeuer they coulde be founde and burnt them in the middes of the market neither the hatred either of any Porphirian philosopher or Rhetoritian neither by the enuie of the romanystes and of such hypocrites who from tyme to time did euer barke against them some of them not in open sort of condempnation but more cunningly vnder suttle pretences for that as they say they were so harde to vnderstande and specially for that they affirme it to be a perilous matter to translate the text of the holy scripture and therefore it can not be well translated And here we may beholde the endeuour of some mens cauillations who labour all they can to slaunder the translatours to finde fault in some wordes of the translation but them selfe will neuer set pen to the booke to set out any translation at al. They can in their constitutions prouinciall vnder payne of excommunication inhibite al other men to translate them without the ordinaries or the prouinciall counsayle agree therevnto But they wyll be well ware neuer to agree or to geue counsayle to set them out VVhiche their suttle compasse in effect tendeth but to bewray what inwardly they meane if they coulde bring it about that is vtterly to suppresse them being in this their iudgement farre vnlike the olde fathers in the primatiue Church who hath exhorted indifferently all persons aswell men as women to exercise them selues in the scriptures which by Saint Hieroms aucthoritie be the scriptures of the people Yea they be farre vnlike their olde forefathers that haue ruled in this realme who in their times and in diuers ages did their diligence to translate the whole bookes of the scriptures to the erudition of the laytie as yet at this day be to be seene diuers bookes translated into the vulgar tongue some by kynges of the realme some by bishoppes some by abbottes some by other deuout godly fathers so desirous they were of olde tyme to haue the lay sort edified in godlynes by reading in their vulgar tongue that very many bookes be yet extant though for the age of the speache and straungenesse of the charect of many of them almost worne out of knowledge In whiche bookes may be seene euidently howe it was vsed among the Saxons to haue in their Churches read the foure gospels so distributed and piked out in the body of the euangelistes bookes that to euery Sunday and festiuall day in the yere they were sorted out to the common ministers of the Churche in their common prayers to be read to their people Nowe as of the most auncient fathers the prophetes Saint Peter testifieth that these holy men of God had the impulsion of the holy ghost to speake out these deuine testimonies so it is not to be doubted but that these latter holy fathers of the englishe Church had the impulsion of the holy ghost to set out these sacred bookes in their vulgar language to the edification of the people by the helpe whereof they might the better folowe the example of the godly Christians in the begining of the Churche who not only receaued the worde withall redinesse of heart but also did searche diligently in the scriptures whether the doctrine of the Apostles were agreable to the same scriptures And these were not of the rascall sort saith the deuine storie but they were of the best and of most noble byrth among the Thessalonians Birrhenses by name Yea the prophetes them selues in their dayes writeth S. Peter were diligent searchers to inquire out this saluatiō by Christe searching when and at what article of time this grace of Christes dispensation should appeare to the world VVhat ment the fathers of the Church in their writinges but the aduauncing of these holy bookes where some do attribute no certaintie of vndoubted veritie but to the canonicall scriptures Some do affirme it to be a foolishe rashe boldnesse to beleue hym who proueth not by the scriptures that whiche he affirmeth in his worde Some do accurse all that is deliuered by tradition not founde in the legall and euangelicall scriptures Some say that our fayth must needes stagger if it be not grounded vpon the aucthoritie of the scripture Some testifieth that
Christe and his Churche ought to be aduouched out of the scriptures and do contende in disputation that the true Churche can not be knowen but only by the holy scriptures For all other thinges saith the same aucthor may be founde among the heretikes Some affirme it to be a sinfull tradition that is obtruded without the scripture Some playnely pronounce that not to knowe the scriptures is not to knowe Christe VVherefore let men extoll out the Churche practises as hyghly as they can and let them set out their traditions and customes their decisions in synodes and counsayles with vaunting the presence of the holy ghost among them really as some doth affirme it in their writing let their groundes and their demonstrations their foundations be as stable and as strong as they blase them out Yet wyll we be bolde to say with Saint Peter Habemus nos firmiorem sermonem propheticum VVe haue for our part a more stable grounde the propheticall wordes of the scriptures and doubt not to be commended therefore of the same Saint Peter with these wordes Cui dum attenditis ceu lucerne apparenti in obscuro loco recte facitis donce dies illucescat c. VVherevnto saith he whyle ye do attende as to a light shining in a darke place ye do well vntill the day light appeare and till the bright starre do arise into our heartes I or this we know that al the propheticall scripture standeth not in any priuate interpretation of vayne names of seuerall Churches of catholique and vniuersall seas of singuler and wylfull heades whiche wyll chalenge by custome all decision to pertayne to them only who be working so muche for their vayne superioritie that they be not ashamed now to be of that number Qui dixerunt linguam nostram magnificabimus labia nostra a nobis sunt quis noster dominus est VVhiche haue sayd with our tongue wyll we preuayle we are they that ought to speake who is lorde ouer vs. And whyle they shall thus contende for their straunge claymed aucthoritie we will proceede in the reformation begun and doubt no more by the helpe of Christe his grace of the true vnitie to Christes catholique Churche and of the vprightnesse of our fayth in this prouince then the spanishe cleargie once gathered together in counsaile only by the commaundement of their king before whiche tyme the Pope was not so acknowledged in his aucthoritie which he now claymeth I say as surely dare we trust as they dyd trust of their fayth and vnitie Yea no lesse coÌ„fidence haue we to professe that which the fathers of the vniuersall counsaile at Carthage in Affrike as they wryte them selfe did professe in their epistle writteÌ„ to Pope Celestine laying before his face the foule corruption of him selfe as two other of his predicessours did the like errour in falsifiyng the canons of Nicen counsayle for his wrong chalenge of his newe claymed aucthoritie Thus wrytyng Prudentissime enim iustissimeque prouiderunt Nicena et Affricana dicreta quecunque negotia in suis locis vbi orta sunt fiâ—ienda nec vnicuiqui prouintiae gratiam sancti spiritus defuturam qua equitas a Christi sacerdotibus et prudenter videatur constantissime teneatur maxime quia vnicuique concessum est si iuditio offensus fuerit cognitorum ad concilia suae prouinciae vel etiam vniuersale prouocare That the Nicen and Affrican decrees haue most prudently and iustly prouided for all maner of matters to be ended in their teritories where they had their beginning and they trusted that not to any one prouince shoulde want the grace of the holy ghost wherby both the truth or equitie might prudently be seene of the christian prelates of Christe and might be also by them most constantly defended specially for that it is graunted to euery man if he be greeued by the iudgement of the cause once knowen to appeale to the counsayles of his owne prouince or els to the vniuersall Except there be any man which may beleue that our Lorde God would inspire the righteousnesse of examination to any one singular person and to denie the same to priestes gathered together into counsaile without number c. And there they do require the bishop of Rome to send none of his clarkes to execute such prouinciall causes lest els say they mought be brought in the vayne pride of the worlde into the Churche of Christe In this antiquitie may we in this christian catholique Church of Englande repose our selfe knowyng by our owne annales of auncient recorde that kyng Lucius whose conscience was muche touched with the miracles whiche the seruauntes of Christe wrought in diuers nations thervpon beyng in great loue with the true fayth sent vnto Eleutherius then byshop of Rome requiring of hym the christian religion But Eleutherius did redyly geue ouer that care to king Lucius in his epistle for that the king as he wryteth the vicar of God in his owne kingdome and for that he had receaued the faith of Christe And for that he had also both testamentes in his realme hewylled him to drawe out of them by the grace of God and by the counsaile of his wisemen his lawes and by that lawe of God to gouerne his realme of Britanie and not so muche to desire the Romane and Emperours lawes in the which some default might be founde saith he but in the lawes of God nothing at all VVith which aunswere the kinges legates Eluanus and Medwinus sent as messengers by the king to the Pope returned to Britanie agayne Eluanus beyng made a byshop and Medwine alowed a publique teacher who for the eloquence and knowledge they had in the holy scriptures they repayred home agayne to kyng Lucius and by their holy preachinges Lucius and the noble men of the whole Britanie receaued their baptisme c. Thus farre in the storie Nowe therfore knowing and beleuing with Saint Paul Quod quecunque prescripta sunt ad nostram doctrinam prescripta sunt vt per pacientiam consolationem scripturarum spem habeamus VVhatsoeuer is afore writteÌ„ is written before for our instruction that we through the pacience and comfort of scirptures might haue hope the only suretie to our fayth and comscience is to sticke to the scriptures VVherevpon whyle this eternall worde of God be our rocke and anker to sticke vnto we will haue pacience with all the vayne inuentions of men who labour so highly to magnifie their tongues to exalt them selues aboue al that is God VVe wil take comfort by the holy scriptures against the maledictions of the aduersaries and doubt not to nourishe our hope continually therewith so to liue and dye in this comfortable hope and doubt not to pertayne to the elect number of Christes Churche howe farre soeuer we be excommunicated out of the sinagogue of suche who suppose them selues to be the vniuersall lordes of all the world Lordes of our fayth and consciences at pleasure Finally to
commend further vnto thee good reader the cause in part before intreated it shal be the lesse needefull hauing so nye folowing that learned preface whiche sometime was set out by the diligence of that godly father Thomas Cranmer late byshop in the sea of Canterburie whiche he caused to be prefixed before the translation of that Byble that was then set out And for that the copies thereof be so wasted that very many Churches do want their conuenient Bybles it was thought good to some well disposed men to recognise the same Byble againe into this fourme as it is nowe come out with some further diligence in the printing and with some more light added partly in the translation and partly in the order of the text not as condemning the former translation whiche was folowed mostly of any other translation excepting the originall text from whiche as litle variaunce was made as was thought meete to such as toke paynes therin desiring thee good reader if ought be escaped eyther by such as had the expending of the bookes or by the ouersight of the printer to correct the same in the spirite of charitie calling to remembraunce what diuersitie hath ben seene in mens iudgementes in the translation of these bookes before these dayes though all directed their labours to the glory of God to the edification of the Churche to the comfort of their christian brethren and alwayes as God dyd further open vnto them so euer more desirous they were to refourme their former humaine ouersightes rather then in a stubborne wylfulnesse to resist the gyft of the holy ghost who from tyme to tyme is resident as that heauenly teacher and leader into all trueth by whose direction the Churche is ruled and gouerned And let all men remember in them selfe howe errour and ignoraunce is created with our nature let frayle man confesse with that great wyse man that the cogitations and inuentions of mortall men be very weake and our opinions sone deceaued For the body so subiect to corruptioÌ„ doth oppresse the soule that it can not aspire so hye as of dutie it ought Men we be all and that which we know is not the thousand part of that we knowe not VVhereupon saith saint Austen otherwyse to iudge then the truth is this temptation ryseth of the frailtie of man A man so to loue and sticke to his owne iudgement or to enuie his brothers to the perill of dissoluing the christian communion or to the perill of schisme and of heresie this is diabolicall presumption but so to iudge in euery matter as the truth is this belongeth onely to the angelicall perfection Notwithstanding good reader thou mayst be well assured nothing to be done in this translation eyther of malice or wylfull meaning in altering the text eyther by putting more or lesse to the same as of purpose to bryng in any priuate iudgement by falsification of the wordes as some certaine men hath ben ouer bolde so to do litle regarding the maiestie of God his scripture but so to make it serue to their corrupt error as in alleaging the sentence of saint Paule to the Romaines the .6 one certaine wryter to proue his satisfaction was bold to turne the word of Santificationem into the word of Satisfactionem Thus. Sicut exhibuimus antea membra nostra seruirae immundicie et iniquitati ad iniquitatem ita deinceps exhibâ—amus membra nostra seruire iustitiae in satisfactionem That is as we haue geuen our members to vncleannesse from iniquitie to iniquitie euen so from hencefoorth let vs geue our members to serue righteousnesse into satisfaction where the true worde is into sanctification Euen so likewise for the aduauntage of his cause to proue that men may haue in their prayer fayth vpon saintes corruptly alleageth Saint Paules text Ad philemonem Thus. Fidem quam habes in domino Iesu in omnes sanctos leauing out the worde Charitatem which would haue rightly ben distributed vnto Omnes sanctos As fidem vnto in domino Iesu VVhere the text is Audiens charitatem tuam fidem quam habes in domino Iesu in omnes sanctos c. It were to long to bryng in many examples as may be openly founde in some mens wrytynges in these dayes who would be counted the chiefe pillers of the Catholique fayth or to note how corruptly they of purpose abuse the text to the comoditie of their cause VVhat maner of translation may men thinke to looke for at their handes if they should translate the scriptures to the comfort of Gods elect whiche they neuer did nor be not like to purpose it but be rather studious only to seeke quarrels in other mens well doynges to picke fault where none is And where any is escaped through humaine negligence there to crye out with their tragicall exclamations but in no wyse to amende by the spirite of charitie and lenitie that whiche might be more aptly set VVhervpon for frayle man compassed hym selfe with infirmitie it is most reasonable not to be to seuere in condemning his brothers knowledge or diligence where he doth erre not of malice but of simplicitie and specially in handeling of these so deuine bookes so profounde in sense so farre passing our naturall vnderstanding And with charitie it standeth the reader not to be offended with the diuersitie of translatours nor with the ambiguitie of translations For as Saint Austen doth witnesse by Gods prouidence it is brought about that the holy scriptures whiche be the salues for euery mans sore though at the first they came from one language and thereby might haue ben spread to the whole worlde nowe by diuersitie of manye languages the translatours shoulde spreade the saluation that is contayned in them to all nations by suche wordes of vtteraunce as the reader might perceaue the minde of the translatour and so consequently to come to the knowledge of God his wyll and pleasure And though many rashe readers be deceaued in the obscurities and ambiguities of their translations whyle they take one thing for another and whyle they vse muche labour to extricate them selues out of the obscurities of the same yet I thinke saith he this is not wrought without the prouidence of God both to tame the proude arrogancie of man by his suche labour of searching as also to kepe his minde from lothsomnesse and contempt where if the scriptutes vniuersally were to easie he woulde lesse regarde them And though saith he in the primatiue Churche the late interpreters whiche did translate the scriptures be innumerable yet wrought this rather an helpe then an impediment to the readers if they be not to negligent For saith he diuers translations haue made many tymes the harder and darker sentences the more open and playne So that of congruence no offence can iustly be taken for this newe labour nothing preiudicing any other mans iudgement by this doyng nor yet hereby professing this to be so absolute a
wherof there remaine yet diuers coppies founde lately in olde abbaies of suche antique maner of writing and speaking that fewe men now ben able to reade and vnderstand them And when this language waxed olde and out of common vsage because folke should not lacke the fruite of reading it was againe translated into the newer language whereof yet also many copyes remayne and be dayly founde But nowe to let passe custome and to way as wise men euer shoulde the thyng in his owne nature let vs here discusse what it auayleth scripture to be had and redde of the lay and vulgar people And to this question I intende here to say nothyng but that was spoken and written by the noble doctour and most morall diuine saint Iohn Chrisostome in his third sermon de Lazaro albeit I wyll be some thing shorter and gather the matter into fewer wordes and lesse rome then he doth there because I woulde not be tedious He exhorteth there his audience that euery man shoulde reade by him selfe at home in the meane dayes and time betweene sermon and sermon to the intent they might both more profoundly fixe in their mindes and memories that he had saide before vpon such textes whereupon he had alredie preached and also that they might haue their mindes the more redie and better prepared to receaue and perceaue that which he should say from thencefoorth in his sermons vpon such textes as he had not yet declared and preached vpon therfore saith he there My comon vsage is to geue you warning before what matter I entende after to entreate vpon that you yourselues in the meane dayes may take the booke in hand reade waye and perceaue the summe and effect of the matter and marke what hath ben declared and what remaineth yet to be declared so that thereby your minde may be the more furnished to heare the rest that shal be saide And that I exhort you saith he and euer haue wil exhort you that you not only here in the Churche geue eare to that that is sayd by the preacher but that also when ye be at home in your houses ye apply your selues from tyme to tyme to the readyng of holy scriptures which thyng also I neuer lin to beate into the eares of them that be my familiers and with whom I haue priuate acquaintaunce and conuersation Let no man make excuse and say saith he I am busied about matters of the common wealth I beare this office or that I am a craftes man I must applie mine occupation I haue a wyfe my children must be fed my housholde must I prouide for Briefly I am a man of the worlde it is not for me to reade the scriptures that belongeth to them that haue bidden the worlde farwell which lyue in solitarinesse and contemplation and haue ben brought vp and continually nosilled in learnyng and religion To this aunsweryng What sayest thou man saith he is it not for thee to study and to reade the scripture because thou art encumbred and distract with cares and businesse So much the more it is behouefull for thee to haue defence of scriptures howe much thou art the more distressed in worldly daungers They that be free and farre from trouble and entermedlyng of worldly thynges lyue in safegarde and tranquilitie and in the calme or within a sure hauen Thou art in the middest of the sea of worldly wickednesse and therfore thou needest the more of ghostly succour and comfort They sit farre from the strokes of battayle and farre out of gunne shoote and therfore they be but seldome wounded Thou that standest in the forefront of the hoast and nyest to thine enemies must needes take nowe and then many strokes and be greeuously wounded and therfore thou hast most neede to haue thy remedies and medicines at hande Thy wyfe prouoketh thee to anger thy chylde geueth thee occasion to take sorowe and pensiuenesse thine enemies lye in wayte for thee thy friende as thou takest hym sometyme enuieth thee thy neyghbour misreporteth thee or picketh quarels agaynst thee thy mate or partener vndermineth thee thy lorde iudge or iustice threatneth thee pouertie is paynefull vnto thee the losse of thy deare and welbeloued causeth thee to mourne prosperitie exalteth thee aduersitie bringeth thee lowe Briefly so diuers and so manifolde occasions of cares tribulations and temptations beset thee and besiege thee rounde about Where canst thou haue armour or fortresse agaynst thine assaultes Where canst thou haue salues for thy sores but of holy scripture Thy fleshe must needes be prone and subiect to fleshly lustes which dayly walkest and art conuersaunt among women seest their beauties set foorth to the eye hearest their nice and wanton wordes smellest their baulme ciuet and muske with many other lyke prouocations and stirringes except thou hast in a redinesse wherwith to suppresse and auoyde them which can not elswhere be had but only out of the holy scriptures Let vs reade and seke all remedies that we can and all shal be litle inough Howe shall we then do yf we suffer and take dayly woundes and when we haue done wyll sit styll and searche for no medicines Doest thou not marke and consider howe the smith mason or carpenter or any other handy craftesman what neede soeuer he be in what other shift so euer he make he wyll not sell nor lay to pledge the tooles of his occupation for then howe shoulde he worke his feate or get his lyuyng therby Of lyke mynde and affection ought we to be towardes holy scripture For as mallets hammers sawes chesils axes and hatchets be the tooles of their occupation So be the bookes of the prophetes and Apostles and all holy writers inspired by the holy ghost the instrumentes of our saluation Wherfore let vs not sticke to bye and prouide vs the Byble that is to say the bookes of holy scripture and let vs thinke that to be a better iewell in our house then either golde or siluer For lyke as theeues be loth to assault an house where they knowe to be good armour and artillerie so whersoeuer these holy and ghostly bookes be occupied there neither the deuyll nor none of his angels dare come neare And they that occupy them be in much safegarde and haue a great consolation and be the redier vnto all goodnesse the slower vnto all euyll and yf they haue done any thyng amisse anone euen by the syght of the bookes their consciences be admonished and they waxe sory and ashamed of the fact Peraduenture they wyll say vnto me howe and yf we vnderstande not that we reade that is conteyned in the bookes What then Suppose thou vnderstande not the deepe and profounde misteries of scriptures yet can it not be but that much fruite and holinesse must come and growe vnto thee by the readyng for it can not be that thou shouldest be ignoraunt in all thynges a lyke For the holy ghost hath so ordered and attempred the scriptures that in
the vines for our vines beare blossomes 16 * My loue is mine I am his whiche feedeth among the lillies vntill the day breake and till the shadowes be gone 17 Come agayne O my beloued and be lyke as a roe or a young hart vpon the wyde mountaines ¶ The .iij. Chapter 1 The Churche desireth to be ioyned inseparably to Christe her husbande 6 Her deliueraunce out of the wyldernesse 1 BY night in my bed I sought hym whom my soule loueth yea diligently sought I him but I found him not 2 I will get vp thought I go about the citie in the wayes in all the streates wyll I seeke hym whom my soule loueth but when I sought him I founde him not 3 The watchmen also that go about the citie founde me to whom I sayde Sawe ye not hym whom my soule loueth 4 So when I was a litle past them I founde him whom my soule loueth I haue gotten holde vpon hym and wyll not let him go vntyll I bryng him into my mothers house and into her chaumber that bare me 5 I charge you O ye daughters of Hierusalem by the roes and hyndes of the fielde that ye wake not vp my loue nor touch her till she be content her self 6 Who is this that commeth vp out of the wyldernesse like vapours of smoke as it were a smell of myrre frankensence and all maner spices of the Apothecarie 7 Beholde about Solomons bedsteede there stande threescore valiaunt of the most mightie in Israel They holde swordes euery one and are expert in warre 8 Euery man also hath his sworde vppon his thigh because of feare in the night 9 Kyng Solomon had made him selfe a pallace of the wood of Libanus the pillers are of siluer the couering of golde the seate of purple the grounde is pleasauntly paued with loue for the daughters of Hierusalem 10 Go foorth O ye daughters of Sion and beholde king Solomon in the crowne wherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his mariage and in the day of the gladnesse of his heart ¶ The .iiij. Chapter 1 The prayses of the Churche ◠She is without blemishe in his sight 9 The loue of Christe towardes her 1 O Howe fayre art thou my loue howe fayre art thou thou hast doues eyes beside that which lyeth hid within Thy heerie lockes are lyke the wooll of a flocke of goates that be shorne vpon mount Gilead 2 Thy teeth are like a flocke of sheepe of the same bignesse whiche went vp from the washing place where euery one beareth two twinnes and not one vnfruitfull among them 3 Thy lippes are lyke a rose coloured ribande thy wordes are louely thy cheekes are like a peece of a pomegranate within thyne heere 's 4 Thy necke is like the towre of Dauid buylded with costly stones lying out on the sides wherevpon there hange a thousande shieldes yea all the weapons of the giauntes 5 Thy two breastes are lyke two twinnes of young Roes whiche feede among roses 6 O that I might go to the mountaine of myrre and to the hil of frankencense til the day breake and til the shadowes be past away 7 Thou art all fayre O my loue and no spot is there in thee 8 Come to me from Libanus O my spouse come to me from Libanus looke from the top of Amana from the top of Sanir and Hermon from the lions dennes and from the mountaines of the leopardes 9 Thou hast with loue bewitched my heart O my sister my spouse thou hast bewitched my heart with one of thyne eyes and with one chayne of thy necke 10 O howe fayre are thy breastes my sister my spouse Thy breastes are more pleasaunt then wine and the smell of thyne oyntmentes passeth all spices 11 Thy lippes O my spouse drop as the hony combe yea mylke and hony is vnder thy tongue and the smell of thy garmentes is like the smell of Libanus 12 A garden well locked is my sister my spouse a garden well locked and a sealed well 13 The fruites that are planted in thee are lyke a very paradise of pomegranates with sweete fruites as Camphire Nardus Saffron Calamus Sinamom with all sweete smellyng trees Myrre Aloes and all the best spyces a well of gardens a well of liuing waters which runne downe from Libanus 14 Vp thou north winde come thou south winde and blowe vpon my garden that the smell therof may be caryed on euery side yea that my beloued may come into his garden and eate of the sweete fruites that growe therein The .v. Chapter 1 Christe calleth his Churche to the participation of all his treasures 2 She heareth his voyce 6 She confesseth her nakednes 10 She prayseth Christe her husbande 1 I Am come into my garden O my sister my spouse I haue gathered my Myrre with my spice I haue eatē hony with my hony combe I haue drunke my wine with my milke Eate O ye frendes drinke and be merie O ye beloued 2 I am a sleepe but my heart is waking I heare the voyce of my beloued when he knocketh saying Open to me O my sister my loue my doue my dearling for my head is full of deawe and the lockes of my heere are full of the nyght doppes 3 I haue put of my coate howe can I do it on agayne I haue washed my feete howe shall I fyle them agayne 4 My loue put in his hande at the hole and my heart was moued within me 5 I stoode vp to open vnto my beloued and my handes dropped with Myrre the Myrre ranne downe my fingers vpon the locke 6 I opened vnto my beloued but he was departed and gone his way Now whē he spake my heart was gone I sought him but I coulde not finde him I cryed vpon hym neuerthelesse he gaue me no aunswere 7 So the watchmen that went about the citie founde me smote me and wounded me yea they that kept the walles toke away my kerchaffe from me 8 I charge you therfore O ye daughters of Hierusalem yf ye fynde my beloued that ye tell hym howe that I am sicke for loue 9 What maner of man is thy loue aboue other louers O thou fairest among women Or what can thy loue do more then other louers that thou chargest vs so straytly 10 As for my loue he is whyte and red coloured a goodly person among tenne thousande 11 His head is as the most fine golde the lockes of his heere are busshed blacke as a crowe 12 His eyes are as the eyes of doues by the water brookes as though they were wasshed with mylke and are set lyke pearles in golde 13 His cheekes are lyke a garden bed wherin the Apothecaries plant all maner of sweete thynges 14 His lippes are lyke lilies that droppe sweete smellyng Myrre His handes are lyke golde rynges hauyng inclosed the precious stone of
Tharsis 15 His body is as the pure iuorie dect ouer with Saphires His legges are as the pillers of Marble set vpon sockettes of golde 16 His face is as Libanus and as the beautie of the Cedar trees 17 The wordes of his mouth are sweete yea he is altogether louely Such a one is my loue O ye daughters of Hierusalem such a one is my loue The .vi. Chapter 2 The Church assureth her selfe of the loue of Christe 3 The prayses of the Church 8 She is but one and vndefiled 1 WHyther is thy loue gone then O thou fairest among women whyther is thy loue departed and we wyll seke hym with thee 2 My loue is gone downe into his garden vnto the sweete smellyng beddes that he may refreshe hym selfe in the garden gather lilies 3 My loue is myne and I am his which feedeth among the lilies 4 Thou are beautifull O my loue as is the place Thirza thou art faire as Hierusalem fearefull as an armie of men with their banners 5 Turne away thine eyes from me for they haue set me on fire Thy heery lockes are lyke a flocke of goates shorne vpon the mount of Gilead 6 Thy teeth are lyke a flocke of shorne sheepe which go out of the wasshyng place where euery one beareth twinnes and not one vnfruitfull among them 7 Thy cheekes are like a peece of a pomegranate within thy lockes of heere 8 There are threescore queenes fourescore wiues and damselles without number 9 One is my doue one is my dearlyng She is the only beloued of her mother and deare vnto her that bare her When the daughters sawe her they sayde she was blessed yea the queenes wiues praysed her 10 What is she this that loketh foorth as the mornyng faire as the moone cleare as the sunne and fearfull as an armie of men with their banners 11 I went downe into the nut garden to see what grewe by the brookes and to loke yf the vineyarde florished or yf the pomegranates were not foorth 12 I knewe not that my soule had made me the charyot of the people that be vnder tribute 13 Turne agayne turne agayne O thou perfect one turne agayne turne agayne and we wyll loke vpon thee What will ye see in the Sulamite She is lyke men of warre singing in a companie The .vij. Chapter 1 The beautie of the Churche in all her members 1◠She is assured of Christes loue towardes her 1 O Howe pleasaunt are thy treadynges with thy shoes thou princes daughter the ioyntes of thy thighes are like a faire iewell which is wrought by a cunnyng workemaister 2 Thy nauell is lyke a rounde goblet which is neuer without drynke 3 Thy wombe is like a heape of wheate that is set about with lilies 4 Thy two breastes are lyke two twinnes of young roes 5 Thy necke is as it were a towre of iuorie thine eyes also are lyke the water pooles that are in Hesebon beside the port of Bathrabbim thy nose is lyke the towre of Libanus which loketh towarde Damascus 6 That head that standeth vpon thee is lyke Carmel and the heere of thy head is like purple and like a kyng dwellyng among many water conduites 7 O Howe faire and louely art thou my dearlyng in pleasures 8 Thy stature is lyke a paulme tree and thy breastes lyke the grapes 9 I sayde I wyll climbe vp into the paulme tree and take holde of his hye braunches 10 Thy breastes also shal be as the wine clusters the smell of thy nosethrilles like as the smell of apples 11 And thy rooffe of thy mouth lyke the best wine which is meete for my best beloued pleasaunt for his lippes and for his teeth to chawe 12 I am my beloueds and he shall turne hym vnto me 13 O come on my loue we wyll go foorth into the fielde and take our lodgyng in the villages 14 In the mornyng wyll we go see the vineyarde we wyll see yf the vine be sprong foorth yf the grapes be growen and yf the pomegranates be shot out 15 There will I geue thee my brestes the Mandragoras geue their sweete smell and besyde our doores are all maner of pleasaunt fruites both newe and olde which I haue kept for thee O my beloued The .viij. Chapter 2 The Church wyll be taught by Christe 3 She is vpholden by hym 6 The vehement loue wherwith Christe loueth her 1◠She is the vine that bryngeth foorth fruite to the spirituall Solomon which is Iesus Christe 1 O That I might finde thee without and kisse thee whom I loue as my brother whiche suckt my mothers brestes and that thou shalt not be dispised 2 I wyll leade thee and bryng thee into my mothers house that thou myghtest teache me and that I myght geue thee drynke of the spiced wine and of the sweete sappe of my pomegranates 3 His left hande shal be vnder my head and his ryght hande shall imbrace me 4 I charge you O ye daughters of Hierusalem that ye wake not vp my loue nor touche her tyll she be content her selfe 5 What is she this that cometh vp from the wildernesse and leaneth vpon her loue I wake thee vp among the apple trees where thy mother conceaued thee where thy mother I say brought thee into the worlde 6 O set me as a seale vpon thine heart and as a seale vpon thine arme for loue is myghtie as the death and gelousie as the hell 7 Her coales are coales of fire and a very vehement flambe of the Lorde so that many waters are not able to quenche loue neither may the streames drowne it Yea yf a man woulde geue all the good of his house for loue he shoulde count it nothyng 8 Our sister is but young and hath no brestes what shall we do for our sister when she shal be spoken for 9 If she be a wall we shall builde a siluer bulwarke thervpon yf she be a doore we shall fasten her with boordes of Cedar tree 10 I am a wall and my brestes lyke towres then was I as one that hath founde fauour in his syght 11 Solomon hath a vineyarde at Baal-Hamon and this vineyarde deliuered he vnto the kepers that euery one for the fruite therof shoulde geue hym a thousande peeces of siluer 12 My vineyarde which is myne is in my syght thou O Solomon must haue a thousande and the kepers two hundred which kepe the fruite 13 Thou that dwellest in the gardens O let me heare thy voyce that my companions may hearken to the same 14 O get thee away my loue and be as a roe or a young hart vpon the sweete smellyng mountaynes A. P. E. The ende of the ballet of ballettes of Solomon called in latine Canticum Canticorum ⧠The booke of the prophete Esai The first Chapter 2 The prophete accuseth the sinnes of the
are not comely 14 I wyll therefore that the yonger women do marrie to beare chyldren to guyde the house to geue none occasion to y e aduersarie to speake slaunderously 15 For certaine of them are alredy turned backe after Satan 16 Yf any man or woman that beleueth haue wydowes let them susteine them let not the Churches be charged that there maye be sufficient for them that are wydowes in deede 17 The elders that rule well are worthy of double honour most speciallye they which labour in the worde teachyng 18 For the scripture sayth Thou shalt not moosel the oxe that treadeth out the corne And the labourer is worthy of his rewarde 19 Agaynst an elder receaue none accusation but vnder two or three witnesses 20 Them that sinne rebuke before all that other also may feare 21 I testifie before God and the Lorde Iesus Christe and the elect angels that thou obserue these thinges without hastynesse of iudgement and do nothyng after parcialitie 22 Lay handes sodenly on no man neither be partaker of other mens sinnes Kepe thy selfe chaste 23 Drinke no longer water but vse a litle wine for thy stomackes sake thine often diseases 24 Some mens sinnes are open beforehande hastyng before vnto iudgement and in some they folowe after 25 Lykewise also good workes are manifest before hande and they that are otherwyse can not be hyd ¶ The .vj. Chapter 1 The duetie of seruauntes towarde their maisters 3 Agaynst such as are not satisfied with the worde of God 6 Of true godlynesse and contentation of mynde 9 Agaynst couetousnesse 11 A charge geuen to Timothie 1 LEt as many seruauntes as are vnder the yoke count their maisters worthy of all honour that the name of god and his doctrine be not blasphemed 2 And they whiche haue beleuyng maisters despise them not because they are brethren but rather do seruice forasmuch as they are beleuyng and beloued and partakers of the benefite These thynges teache and exhort 3 Yf any man teache otherwyse and consenteth not vnto the wholsome wordes of our Lorde Iesus Christe and to the doctrine whiche is accordyng to godlynesse 4 He is puft vp knowyng nothing but dotyng about questions and strifes of wordes wherof commeth enuie stryfe raylynges euyll surmysynges 5 Vayne disputations of men of corrupte myndes destitute of the trueth thynkyng lucre to be godlynesse From suche be thou separate 6 Godlynesse is great lucre if a man be content with that he hath 7 For we brought nothyng into the worlde and it is certayne that we may carry nought away 8 But hauyng foode and rayment we must therwith be content 9 For they that wyll be riche fall into temptations and snares and into many folishe noysome lustes which drowne men in perdition and destruction 10 For loue of money is the roote of all euyll whiche whyle some lusted after they erred from the fayth pearced thē selues through with many sorowes 11 But thou O man of God flee these thynges and folow after righteousnes godlynes faith loue pacience mekenes 12 Fight the good fight of faith lay hand on eternall lyfe wherevnto thou art also called and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses 13 I geue thee charge in the sight of God who quickeneth all thynges and before Iesus Christe which vnder Pontius Pilate witnessed a good profession 14 That thou kepe the commaundement without spot vnrebukeable vntyll the appearyng of our Lorde Iesus Christ 15 Which in his tymes he shall shewe that is blessed and prince only the kyng of kynges and Lorde of Lordes 16 Who only hath immortalitie dwelling in the light that no man can attayne vnto * Whom no man hath seene neither can see vnto whom be honour power euerlastyng Amen 17 Charge them which are riche in this world that they be not hie minded nor trust in vncertayne riches but in y e lyuyng God which geueth vs aboundauntly all thinges to enioy 18 That they do good that they be riche in good workes that they be redye to geue glad to distribute 19 Laying vp in store for them selues a good foundation agaynst the tyme to come that they may lay holde on eternall lyfe 20 O Timotheus saue that which is geuen thee to kepe auoydyng prophane and vayne bablynges and oppositions of science falslie so called 21 Which some professyng haue erred concernyng the fayth Grace be with thee Amen ¶ Sent from Laodicea which is the chiefest citie of Phrygia Pacaciana The seconde Epistle of the Apostle Saint Paul to Timothie ¶ The first Chapter ¶ 6 Paul exhorteth Timotheus to stedfastnesse and patience in persecution and to continue in the doctrine that he had taught hym 12 wherof his bondes afflictions were a gage 16 A commendation of Onesiphorus 1 PAul an Apostle of Iesus Christe by the wyll of God according to the promise of lyfe which is in Christ Iesus 2 To Timothie a beloued sonne Grace mercy and peace from God the father and Christe Iesus our Lorde 3 I thanke God whom I worshippe from my forefathers in pure conscience that without ceassyng I haue remembraūce of thee in my prayers night day 4 Desiryng to see thee myndefull of thy teares that I may be fylled with ioy 5 When I call to remembraunce the vnfaigned fayth that is in thee whiche dwelt first in thy graundmother Lois and in thy mother Eunica and I am assured that it dwelleth in thee also 6 Wherfore I put thee in remēbraunce that thou stirre vp the gyft of God which is in thee * by the puttyng on of my handes 7 * For God hath not geuen to vs the spirite of feare but of power and of loue and of a sounde mynde 8 Be not thou therfore ashamed of the testimonie of our Lorde neither of me his prisoner but suffer thou aduersitie with the Gospell accordyng to the power of God 9 Who hath saued vs called vs with an holy callyng not accordyng to our workes but accordyng to his owne purpose and grace which was geuen vs in Christe Iesus before the world began 10 But is nowe made manifest by the appearyng of our sauiour Iesus Christ who hath put away death and hath brought life and immortalitie vnto light through the Gospell 11 Wherunto I am appoynted a preacher and Apostle and a teacher of the gentiles 12 For the which cause I also suffer these thynges Neuerthelesse I am not ashamed For I knowe whom I haue beleued and I am perswaded that he is able to kepe that which I haue committed to hym agaynst that day 13 See thou haue the paterne of wholesome wordes which thou hast hearde of me in fayth loue that is in Christe Iesus 14 That good thyng which was committed to thy keping holde fast through the holy ghost which dwelleth in vs. 15 This
12 He that hath the sonne hath lyfe and he that hath not the sonne of God hath not lyfe 13 These thynges haue I written vnto you that beleue on y e name of the sonne of God that ye may knowe howe that ye haue eternall lyfe and that ye may beleue on the name of the sonne of God 14 And this is the trust that we haue in hym that yf we aske any thyng accordyng to his wyll he heareth vs. 15 And yf we knowe that he heare vs whatsoeuer we aske we know that we haue y e petitions that we desire of hym 16 If any man see his brother sinne a sinne not vnto death let hym aske and he shal geue him life for them that sinne not vnto death There is a sinne vnto death I say not that thou shouldest pray for it 17 All vnrighteousnes is sinne and there is sinne vnto death 18 We knowe that whosoeuer is borne of God sinneth not but he that is begotten of God kepeth hym selfe and that wicked toucheth hym not 19 We knowe that we are of God the whole worlde c lieth in wickednesse 20 We knowe that the sonne of God is come hath geuen vs a minde to know hym which is true and we are in hym that is true through his sonne Iesus Christe This same is very God and eternall lyfe 21 Babes kepe your selues from idols Amen ⧠The seconde epistle of Saint Iohn 1 He writeth vnto a certayne Lady 4 reioycyng that her chyldren walke in the trueth 5 and exhorteth vnto loue 7 warneth them to beware of such deceauers as denie that Iesus Christ is come in the fleshe 8 prayeth them to continue in the doctrine of Christ 10 and to haue nothyng to do with them that bryng not the true doctrine of Christe Iesus our sauiour 1 THE elder to the elect Lady her chyldren whom I loue in the trueth and not I only but also all that haue knowen y e trueth 2 For the truthes sake which dwelleth in vs and shal be in vs for euer 3 Grace be with you mercie and peace from God the father from the Lorde Iesus Christe the sonne of the father in trueth and loue 4 I reioyced greatly that I founde of thy chyldren walkyng in trueth as we haue receaued a commaundement of the father 5 And nowe beseche I thee Lady not as though I wrote a newe commaundement vnto thee but that same which we haue had from the begynnyng that we shoulde loue one another 6 And this is the loue that we shoulde walke after his cōmaundement This commaundement is that as ye haue hearde from the begynnyng ye shoulde walke in it 7 For many deceauers are entred into the worlde which confesse not that Iesus Christe is come in the fleshe This is a deceauer and an antichriste 8 Loke on your selues that we loose not that we haue wrought but that we may haue a full rewarde 9 Whosoeuer transgresseth and bideth not in the doctrine of Christe hath not God He that endureth in the doctrine of Christe hath both the father and the sonne 10 If there come any vnto you and bring not this learnyng hym receaue not to house neither byd hym God speede 11 For he that byddeth hym God speede is partaker of his euyll deedes 12 I had many thynges to write vnto you neuerthelesse I woulde not write with paper inke but I trust to come vnto you and speake with you mouth to mouth that our ioy may be full 13 The sonnes of thy elect sister greete thee Amen ⧠The thirde epistle of Saint John 2 He is glad of Gaius that he walketh in the trueth 8 exhorteth to be louyng vnto the poore Christen in their persecution 9 sheweth the vnkynde dealyng of Diotrephes 12 and the good report of Demetrius 1 THe elder vnto y e beloued Gaius whom I loue in the trueth 2 Beloued I wishe in all thynges that thou prosperedst and faredst H. L. well euen as thy soule prospereth 3 For I reioyced greatly when the brethren came testified of the trueth that is in thee how thou walkest in y e trueth 4 I haue no greater ioy thē for to heare how that my sonnes walke in veritie 5 Beloued thou doest faythfully whatsoeuer thou doest to the brethren and to straungers 6 Which beare witnesse of thy loue before the Churche Which brethren yf thou bryng forwardes of their iourney after a godly sorte thou shalt do well 7 Because that for his names sake they went foorth and toke nothyng of the gentiles 8 We therfore ought to receaue such that we myght be helpers to the trueth 9 I wrote vnto the Churche but Diotrephes which loueth to haue the preeminence among thē receaueth vs not 10 Wherfore yf I come I wyll declare his deedes which he doth iestyng on vs with malicious wordes neither is therwith content not only he hym selfe receaueth not the brethren but also he forbiddeth thē that woulde and thrusteth them out of the Churche 11 Beloued folow not that which is euyl but that which is good He that doth well is of God but he that doth euyll seeth not God 12 Demetrius hath good report of all men and of the trueth it selfe Yea and we our selues also beare recorde and ye knowe that our recorde is true 13 I haue many thynges to write but I wyll not with inke and penne write vnto thee 14 I trust I shal shortly see thee and we shall speake mouth to mouth Peace be vnto thee The louers salute thee Greete the louers by name ¶ The epistle of Saint Jude ¶ Saint Iude admonisheth all Churches generally to take heede of deceauers which go about to drawe away the heartes of the simple people from the trueth of God wylleth them to haue no societie with such whom he setteth foorth in their liuely colours shewyng by dyuers examples of the scriptures what horrible vengeaunce is prepared for them finally he conforteth the faythfull exhorteth them to perseuer in the doctrine of the Apostles of Iesus Christe 1 IVde the seruaunt of Iesus Christe the brother of Iames To them which are called and sanctified in God the father and preserued in Iesus Christe 2 H. L. Mercy vnto you and peace and loue be multiplied 3 Beloued when I gaue all diligence to write vnto you of the common saluation it was nedeful for me to write vnto you to exhorte you that ye shoulde earnestly contende for the fayth which was once geuen vnto the saintes 4 For there are certayne vngodly men craftily crept in which were before of olde ordeyned to this condemnation They turne the grace of our God vnto wantonnesse and denye God which is the only Lorde and our Lorde Iesus Christe 5 My mynde is therfore to put you in remembraunce forasmuch as ye once knowe this howe that the Lorde after that he had delyuered the people out of Egypt destroyed thē which afterward beleued not 6 The Angels
and misteries (e) Blacke thorowe the spottes of sinne and persecution (f) Fayre thorow fayth in the blood of Christe (g) After the doctrine of the Apostles Exo. xiiii c. (h) So long as y e Churche foloweth Christe she shall not erre from the true fayth of saluation Cant. iiii a. (a) Christe among his enemies (b) The loue of the Church towarde Christe (c) His fruite that is his worde 〈…〉 e His 〈◊〉 was hidden vnder our fleshe We can not knowe hym in this lyfe perfectly (g) That is sinne and infidelitie is put away by Christe (h) Good workes (i) The voyce of the holy ghost k Suppresse the heretikes at the beginning when they preache false doctrine (l) The Church prayeth Christe to be a present helpe alwaies in tyme of neede (a) Christe is not founde by carnal reason but by the scripture (b) We must continue in prayer though we feele no comfort at the first Cantâ— ii b. (c) By this is vnderstanded the chyldren of Israel whiche in the wyldernes did folow Christe (d) By Solomons bedsteede is vnderstanded the temple of Solomon the whiche is defended by the sword that is by the worde (e) Euery man must learne the word of God by the whiche he shal be defended in the time of temptation “ Some reade the pauement of golde the couering of purple (f) Ye that be of the number of the faythful Christe 〈◊〉 his Churche wherein he hath great delight A simple fayth and 〈◊〉 The fruites of a true fayth (d) By the teeth is signified fayth by the whiche we are all made the sonnes of God equally (e) By the necke are signified the preachers (f) The two breastes signifie the two testamentes (g) The preachyng of the Gospel bringeth forth much consolation profite (h) The Churche is defended by Christe (i) He prayeth for the grace of the holy ghost towarde the Churche without the whiche nothing can prosper in it (a) The garden signifieth the Churche of God in the whiche Christe bestoweth his singuler benefites b Christe doth leaue his for a tyme for that he would stirre vp in them a greater desire of hym (c) The Church setteth foorth Christe to be of most perfection comlinesse “ Some reade and remayne by the fulâ— vessels (a) Christe is conuersant in his Churche which is directed by his scriptures Or ouercome me (b) There be many in the Churche of God diuers orders and degrees therin (c) Diuers perticuler Churches dispersed maketh but one catholike Churche (d) Christe loketh vpon his Church subiect to affliction what fruite it bryngeth e Sulamite that is Hierusalem the which was Shalem that signifeth peace (a) Thy nauell is replenyshed with the rich knowledge of Gods worde heauenly desires (b) The Church is ful of spirituall treasures (c) The two testamentes coÌ„meth from God and they be of equall aucthoritie The preachers ought to be pure (e) The magistrates must he well instructed in the worde of God (f) Thy iudges of good and euyll (g) The prince that alwayes standdeth aboue lyke a watchman to defend the body (h) The Churche doth encrease the more it is pressed and persecuted h 〈…〉 the sacramentes must folowe the pure word of god alway (i) Christe wyll call them that professe his worde to accompt what fruite they do bryng (k) God geueth his graces to the faythfull the which be in his Church (a) The fathers of the olde testament desireth to see the incarnation of Christe Cant. ii a. (b) His gratious fauour shall preserue me from desperation in aduersitie and froÌ„ presumption in prosperitie (c) The Churche desireth to be ioyned vnto Christe by the seale of the holy ghost d The Iewes Church speâ—keth this 〈◊〉 Church 〈◊〉 Gentiles 〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 both testamentes The Apostles preacheth to them that are called inwardlye of God to saluation (f) By this thousand is signified the greatest profite which is lyfe euerlastyng which is obteined by the grace of God not by our merites (g) Christe dwelleth in his Church and his sheepe heare his voyce (h) The Church doth pray that Christe departing with his bodyly presence he woulde assist her in all kinde of necessites with the grace of his heauenly spirite (a) A reuelation or prophecie 〈…〉 Christe his Church his wordes (b) The causes why God forsaketh his people is idolatrie heathenishe superstition couetousnesse and trust in other thinges then in God alone (a) The prudent that is such â—s can 〈◊〉 by their prudencie â—ges to come The incarnation of Christe is the ioy of the faythfull â–ª (b) They are saued whose sinnes are remitted and washt away with the blood of Christe (c) Christe wyll preserue and defende the glorie tâ— is the faithâ— in all troubles temptations (a) God loketh to receaue of his people the thankefull fruites â–ª of fayth and not the vnpleasant workes of faythlesse ingratitude (b) Their glorie their noble and honorable personages (c) The 〈◊〉 of Iuda 〈◊〉 be ouerwhâ—med with â—iserable affliction (a) Gods sacramente◠〈◊〉 not bare signes but with the sigâ— and the worâ— the matter siâ—nified is exâ—bited to the faythfull (a) Dauids house that is Ahaâ— (b) The heere of the head and the beard the prâ—â—â—smâ—n of authoritie â–ª 〈◊〉 feete the â—â—â—mon sort of people (a) Mans policie and deuise without God preuayleth not (b) Affiaunce is to be put in God and not â—n mans poliâ—â—â— or helpe (c) The wordes of Christ (d) We must seeke in Gods word what to folowe for in meanes without Gods worde there is no light (a) Christe his kingdome and his names (a) Christe shal be borne of the seede of Esai (b) The armour of Christe and of his kyngdome (c) The tongue that is the arme of the sea that hindereth the passage (a) Burthen that is the prophecie (a) The carelesse and obstinate dispisers of tymely repentaunce moued by the preachyng of gods worde shall repent when it is to late 〈…〉 and idoâ— haue 〈◊〉 â—rust 〈…〉 idoâ— and 〈◊〉 some one 〈◊〉 â—en â—n 〈…〉 ther◠〈…〉 in â—ayâ— (b) Not be able through weerinesse â–ª or it shall not profite him 〈◊〉 the â—ead and braunche â—re meaâ— the honorable and chiefest of the â—ande â–ª by the â—andâ— reede the multitude and lower sort of 〈◊〉 â–ª a The waste sea is Babylon or Chaldee (a) Hierusalem is meant by the valley of vision Luk. xix f. Iere. ix a. b The armourie that Solomon made and furnished with munition â— Reg â— (c) The Lorde doth not forbyd to make prouision of sure defence agaynst the enemies so that our trust be put in him â–ª and not in our fortresses and strong holdes 〈…〉 b. Esai 36 a. Iob. xii b. Apoc. iii. b. Eâ— xxâ—â— a 〈…〉 and the strength of the â—ea â—s meant Tyrus (b) That crowneth her selfe that is which boasted her selfe to be as it were the Queene of all cities on the sea coast Luk. xxi c. Esai xxvi a Luk. xiiii d.