the maners that nowe are vsed ioyned with so great contempâ—e of GODS worde I can hardlye I saye beléeue that they would account vs for their posteritie or take vs in anye wise for Christians So farre forth are wée all for the most part degenerated and gone out of kinde from that godly sinceritie of our elders Neither truely had Lay men and women onelye a colde and slender taste of Gods holy mysteries but a number of them went forwarde with so greate zeale and enforcement of minde in searching the holy Scriptures that by little and little they attayned to suche ripenesse that they became not onely excellently well learned themselues but also were able to teach and instructe others By profiting in the holy Scriptures by prophecie that is to saye by a learned and reuerende interpretation God will haue his Churche as by a certaine marke and peculiar token to be disseuered and discerned from the assemblies of the wicked wherfore to this marke did all the godly bothe in times past ayme and nowe oughte all to leuell to the intente they may not onely become wise prouident for themselues but also for others by admonishing I say by teaching and by what meanes soeuer they can besides Moses when it was tolde him Num. 11. that Heldad and Medad did prophecie or preache the worde of God in their tentes and some looked that he woulde haue forbidden them hée was so farre off from forbidding them that excellent office that hée rather wyth feruent desires sayde Woulde God that all the Lordes people were Prophets and that the Lorde woulde gyue hys Spirite vnto them Paule the Apostle 1. Corinth 14. in saying That all maye prophecie one by one gyueth to vnderstande that there were in olde time a greate number and that at all tymes there should be some in the Churche whiche by the benefite of the holye Ghoste shoulde be adorned with gret grace and dexteritie in teaching and for that their giftes shoulde not vanish away without fruite but rather be encreased thoroughe exercise that there should a place to teache not vnwillingly bée graunted vnto them so that nothing were done confusedly or vnaduisedly but all directed to the edifying of the Church Whosoeuer therfore were from that time forwarde but namelye enlightned with the giftes of the holye Ghoste leaste they shoulde alwayes like children craule vppon the grounde and neuer declare themselues to haue consideration of Gods benefites chéerefully and couragiouslye applyed their wittes to teache and enstructe others For therevnto it is that Saint Chrisostome laboureth to moue his hearers in his seauenth Homilie vppon Genesis whilest hée willeth them al to be of good courage and to prepare themselues to the painefull trauailes of teaching I woulde haue you sayth he yea and I beseeche you all to be in the nuÌ„ber of teachers and not only to be hearers of our sayinges but also to minister our doctrine vnto others and to seke after those that stray that they may returne into the waye of truth and as Paule saith 1. thess. 5. Exhorte yee one an other and edifye one an other and with feare and trembling worke oute youre owne saluation So it will come to passe that GOD shal encrease our number and your shall more plenteouslye bee enriched with his grace hauing greate care and consideration of youre members For in deede GOD woulde not haue a Christian man to be conteÌ„ted only with himself but that hee shoulde also edify others and that as well by doctrine as also by his life and conuersation So saith hée It is euident therefore that whilest the hearers were oftentimes pricked forward after this manner some of the Laitie what by hearing reading and friendelye conferring one with an other aspired to that degrée of Learning and Erudition that they were able as well publikely as priuately wisely to entreate as touchyng the affayres of Religion For verily to some of them it was permitted in Councelles lawfully called and before the whole assemblye of Byshoppes to dispute with the aduersaries othersome were not onely admitted to teache the people in the Churche but also verye gently inuited by the Byshoppes themselues And a greate sorte of them no doubte spedde very well and deserued no small commendation for their godlye diligenâ—e And as touching Disputations that this was founde true in the Nicene Synode Nicephorus Callistus declareth very plainelye in the eighte Booke and fourtéenth Chapiter of hys Ecclesiasticall Historie There are besides two notable examples sette forth in the Tripartite Historie the seconde Booke and thirde Chapiter the one oute of Socrates Constantinopolitanus of a certaine young manne the other oute of Sozomenus of an olde man oute of them bothe it is declared that by means of the Laitie studious of the holye Scriptures and modestly propounding certaine things the pride subtiltie of the Logitians Philosophers was wonderfully detected and beaten downe Albeit we cannot dissemble that they broughte more to passe by the excellencie of their faith and prayers than by the helpe and furtheraunce of Learning in so muche that all theyr dooyngs may séeme rather to be after a sorte miraculous than to procéede of any knowlege Furthermore as touching Laie men that haue taughte publikly in the Church there are extant in Eusebius book 6. Chap. 15. the words of Alexander Bishop of Ierusalem out of a certaine Epistle written to Demetrius Bishop of Alexandrîa I maruell saith he that in your letters you wil seme to affirme that it was neuer heard or done that Laie man shoulde dispute and expound the Scripures in the Churche when the Byshops were present when as this custome was commonly receiued that if there were found any in any place that could instruct the brethren in the Church coÌ„fort the people thei wer alwaies entreated of holy Bishops to haÌ„dle the Scriptures So was Euelpius inuited of oure brother Neon among them of Larandra and so was Paulisius of Celsus at IconiuÌ„ and Theodorus of Atticus at Synada And there is no doubte but that many other also in other places if any there were that coulde conueniently fulfill the worke of God in word and doctrine were to the selfe same end inuited of holy Byshoppes Hitherto Alexander of Ierusalem And that the same thing was euerye where drawen into a custome the councell holden in the time of S. Augustine at Carthage doeth not obscurely proue For thus we reade it enacted in the saide Councell A Laie man in the presence of Clearkes excepte they require him therevnto shall not presume to teache And this they did not for that they accompted it vnlawfull for Laie men to teache but forsomuch as a number of them were learned and alwaies fit and ready to teach they meant to prouide Firste that no manne shoulde vnaduisedly when and where he lifted and wythoute hauing regard of dutie to the Bishops or Clarks yea and peraduenture contrary to their mindes inuegled by Heretikes take vpon him to teach or preache Secondly
places it is not obscurely signified firste that the Bookes of holy Scripture were in times paste by Readers from an hyghe Pulpit with a cleare voice whyche all myghte heare and in the common tongue whyche all might vnderstande accustomed to be recited Secondlye that by name were rehearsed Moses the residue of the Prophets the Psalmes the Gospels the Actes of the Apostles the Apostolicall Epistles and that for the moste parte these bookes were read through from the beginning to the ende Lastly that this order was obserued that the reading wente alwaies before and then followed a more large declaration of the thinges that were read by some one that was excellent in the gifte of Prophecie In the meane time the godly Doctors and Teachers neuer ceassed to exhorte their godlye hearers that they woulde daylye also reade ouer the holy Scriptures at home at their owne houses that they woulde priuatelye call to minde the things that they hadde publikely heard and that by the example of those of Berea they would duly weigh and examine them by the ballaunce and touchstone of the Scriptures And of the peoples diligence profiting at that time in reading the holy Scriptures this is no doubtfull argument for that it was not néedfull for the Doctours themselues thoughe some men in these oure dayes doe very weywardly and importunately vrge it to expresse at all times the names of the Authours and Chapters of the holy bookes In as much as the people themselues so soone as they hadde hearde any place alleaged and broughte forth by and by vnderstood in what Author in what booke and in what parte of the booke the same was to be founde as they that were verye well exercised by reason of their daylye and domesticall reading Therefore the thinges that in so many ages and in euerie place were with singular care great commendation and with no lesse fruite accustomed to be done in sacred assemblies or méetings wherevnto all Christians of all estates and degrées whatsoeuer vsually came togither We may iudge also to be verye séeming and sitting for all the professours of Christianitie in these oure dayes neither can we suppose them to bée within the compasse of Christes flocke or folde that shall contemptuouslie refuse eyther to heare the holy Scriptures in the Churche or to reade them oftentymes at home by themselues Wherefore if thou dwellest in suche a place where as the Propheticall and Apostolique writings are not accustomed to bée recited in holy publike assemblies then forsooth is it most requisite and necessarie that thou shouldest prescribe vnto thy selfe a perpetuall and vnchangeable Lawe as touching the dayly reading of them at home at thy house But if thou dwellest where they are publikelie recited in a tong knowen vnto thée it is well and thou hast good cause to reioyce wyth thy selfe as one in farre more happie estate than infinite thousands of men whome a man may finde euery where in Cities Townes Villages and stréetes vtterly voyde and destitute of the knowledge of Heauenly and Spirituall thyngs but thou must prouide neuerthelesse with all possible diligence that thou mayest profite and goe forwarde in the wholesome doctrine of GODS worde not onely in the Lordes house or Temple but also in thine owne priuate house by all occasions and to the vttermost of thy power according to the holye admonitions of godly and learned Pastors For true Christianitie consisteth not in thys that a man doth oftentimes conueygh hymselfe bodilie from hys House to the Churche but in that a man both at home and in the Churche shoulde bende hys whole heart and mynde to the true vnderstanding of the mysteries of GODS holye worde But why doe we not alleadge some of the exhortations that the holy Fathers vsed to make to their hearers when they coueted to stirre them vp to the priuate reading of the sacred Scriptures forsooth I trust they wyll no lesse profite now a great number than it is certayn they profited in times past For they prouided their painefull workes both for vs and our whole posteritie And certes for mâ—ne owne part I confesse I coulde not deuâ—se either more pithy or profitable exhortations than thâ—irs are OrigeÌ„ therfore about the yeare of our Lord 230. being a Doctor of the famous schole and Church of Alexandria from when his voyce sounded into the whole world namely whilest out of his Auditory there came on euerye side innumerable wise gouernours of Churches whom also Mammea mother of AlexaÌ„der Seuerus the Emperor called vnto hir for a time to Antioch whilest hir desire was to be instructed of hym the same OrigeÌ„ I say expounding the booke of Leuiticus in his homilie 9. hath these words For those only doeth the high Priest aduocate propitiator Christ pray that are the Lords inheritaunce that wayte for him before the gates that depart not froÌ„ the teÌ„ple but giue theÌ„selues to fasting and prayer Dost thou thinke that scarcely coÌ„mest to the Church on holy and festiual dayes neyther giuest thy selfe to heare the word of God nor applyest thy diligeÌ„ce to keepe his coÌ„maundements that the Lords inheritance can light vpon thee Neuerthelesse we wish that by the hearing of these things you would bend your selues not only in the Church to hearken to the worde of God but also in your own houses to be exercised and to meditate in the law of the Lord day night for Christ is eueÌ„ there also and euery where present to all those that seeke after him For therfore is it commaunded in the law that wee should thinke vpon it when we go by the way when we sit in the house and when we ly in our bed and when we rise vp and this is in very deed truely to waite before the dores for the high Priest tarying within in the holye place and to become the Lords inheritaunce Againe in the self same homilie not much after he inueigheth sharply against those the when they heare the Scriptures red do not as they ought to do giue diligent héed vnto theÌ„ And at length hauing exhorted theÌ„ to bridle the flesh to stir vp the spirite he addeth immediatelye these wordes as touching the hearing reading of the word of GOD If thou coÌ„mest often to the Church loke thou giue eare to the hearing of the holy scriptures see thou takest hold of the meaning of the heauenly coÌ„maundements For as the flesh is nourished with meat drinke eueÌ„ so is the spirite strengthned with the liuely sense and working of the word of God which being made more stroÌ„g wil enforce the flesh to stoop vnto him to be obedieÌ„t to his laws The nourishments therfore of the spirite are the reading of the Scriptures coÌ„tinual prayers teaching coÌ„ference of the word With these meats it is norished with these it is streÌ„gthned with these it getteth the vpper haÌ„d Which things bycause ye do not loke ye coÌ„plaine not of the infirmitie of your flesh The same
simply a Brightnesse or Cléerenesse and Thummim Innocencie Integritie Perfection Besides all thys the Prelates of the Christian Churches not intending to beare with so greate a reproche of ignoraunce and blindnesse haue put forthe dyuers and sundrye Cannons whereby they giue commaundement that such as are chosen to the gouernment of the Church in cace they be founde not sufficiently learned and especiallye ignorante of the holy Scriptures shoulde be remeued from their place and dignitie There are extante ouer and beside the Cannons of generall Councelles sundry prescriptes of Byshoppes sentences also and resolutions of certayne of the fathers as maye appeare Distinction 36.37.38 againe in the Decretalles as touchyng the election and power of the elected as touchyng the age and qualitie of those that are to receyue orders The Histories in like manner and Epistles of the Byshoppes doe testifye that some haue nowe and then bin deposed from the Ecclesiastical Ministery among whome was the Byshoppe of Catina deposed by Honorius the thirde of whome wée maye reade in the Decretals Can. Quamuis multa And vnlesse that euen in these our dayes also that laudable custome of excluding vnfitte and vnable Ministers maye as it were after long banishement be reduced into oure Churches it is not likely that theyr aucthoritie can any long time continue in safety Euery vnlearned ydeot do now offer themselues to the Ministery and are admitted wythoute any difference no lawfull triall beyng had before of theyr profyting in Diuine knowledge and being once admitted they then thinke that they are cocke sure as they saye and euen conclude wyth themselues that they can neuer afterwarde bée remoued By whyche reasons and consideration it is too too euident that they are bothe hardened in slouthfulnesse and in contempte as yée woulde saye of all good studies and exercises and also enboldened to atttempt and committe any euill and disorder whatsoeuer thoughe neuer so shamefull and desperate And certes I do not alittle maruaile oftetimes with my selfe that no Ministers of Churches in a manner can with so manye reasons hitherto aleadged â—ée rouzed vppe and prouoked to the loue and practise of the holy Scriptures They haue the manifest precepts of GOD they haue the exhortations promises threatnings of the Prophetes and Apostles they haue the decrées published in councelles by Byshoppes Moreouer they sée and perceyue that they are contemned and derided of all men for their ignoraunce they sée that they are troubled and ouercrowed of Laye menne and Heretikes whyche doe obiecte for themselues the Scriptures but for the moste parte wickedly wrested they sée a number of Churches vtterlye decayed and to be wythout possibilitie of any repayring or amending excepte sounde Doctrine be restored againe to hir former puritie they sée that they cannot gyue a fitte answere to those that aske a question and requyre anye counsell or comforte at their handes they sée finallye that they can by no meanes performe the thynges that pertayne to theyr office and callyng so long as they are destitute of the knowledge of the Propheticall and Apostolike doctrine I saye nothyng all thys whyle as touchyng the oportunitie of learnyng whyche nowe by the wonderfull goodnesse of GOD is offered euerye where in greate measure For GOD hathe vouchsafed to rayse vppe as a man woulde saye from Hell the studies of good Artes and Disciplines whyche were before euen as good as deade and of long tyme vtterly buryed barbarous Sophistry and vaine iangling subtilties doe no more kéep a quoyle in the Schooles as tofore they haue done againe in manye places the studies and exercises of Diuinitie are méetely well scowred from many corruptions so that men hauing ouersayled the maine Sea of colde questions and doubtes flowing from the sentences of Peter Lombard they are come directly to the cleare and swéete fountaines of the sacred Scripture moreouer in manye Countries and Regions the mindes aswell of the teachers as of the learners are effectually long since stirred vppe by Gods spirite to embrace and sette forth the holy Scriptures yea and the tongues prophecie and other spirituall giftes wherewyth it behoueth Churches to bée enlightned and adorned are séene dayly more and more as it were wyth full streame to breake in into them also to the furtheraunce hereof serue not alittle the godlye desires of a greate number of good menne and theyr incredible expectation as touchyng the reformation of the Churche Certainely they that with these and suche like reasons and argumentes féele not themselues to bée awaked and stirred vppe muste néedes bée verye senselesse and blockishe But if they doe féele the force of them and yet wyll not yéelde vnto them then muste they of necessitie bée verye wicked and insolent I for my parte woulde suppose them to bée intoxicate wyth nightshade or some suche like poyson and in verye déede to bée rightelye madde as Pâ—inie speaketh and to bée vtterlye bereafte of theyr righte minde For why that it is no small or light offence to neglecte the occasion offered to despise so manye and so excellent giftes of the holye Ghoste euerye one of you maye easilye consider thoughe I holde my peace The Ciuilians to the intente they maye gette commendation in their kinde of studies sticke not to spende whole twentye yeares togyther in the huge and intricate Volumes of the Imperiall Lawes It grieueth not the Phisitions to bestowe a good parte of theyr tyme in reading of Hipocrates and the tedious workes of Galen Where if it so were that they had al the rules of theyr profesion comprised in so small a Booke as is the holy Bible I beléeue verilye that they woulde then konne them all and euerye of them perfectlye at theyr fingers endes and wée shoulde sée those I mean the Lawyers to be able out of hand and quickly and as it were wyth one breathe to recite the lawes bothe olde and newe and these namely Phisitions no lesse promptely and readily to repeate Aphorismes and preceptes as touchyng any matter propounded or fallyng into question whatsoeuer Those that woulde gladly be counted Ciceronians doe as wée maye sée apply themselues continually to the Bookes of Cicero and often tymes reade them al ouer not slightly and by startes but wyth so great attention and indeuour as that they obserue not onely the matters but also euerye word and sentence and as well the sense and meaning as also the order and placing of them Whiche trauaile and diligence though it bée very painefull and not greately néedefull to the ordering of the Church or Common weale yet we sée that it is verye well lyked and approued of all learned men If then the case standeth thus why doe not those that oughte to be Doctors and Teachers of Christian Churches vse the lyke diligence in learning the small yea easie and passable worke of the holy Bible by the opening whereof not onelye Churches but also common weales may verye muche be furthered and holpen A foule shame is it for Ministers of
thriftinesse then he that vnderstandeth no suche matter but hangeth onely vppon the bare name of religion and cleaueth therevnto as to a holy ancker and supposeth the knowledge of GOD to consist only in the bare name of the sect Thys lawe the Emperour commaunded to be openly proclaymed by Ariobindus his Liuetenaunte and other officers and so many as woulde not obey it to forfayte all their goods and to goe into exile But if thys moste holy Emperour was carefull to determyne in what tong the Iewes who at that time as touching that matter contended very odiously among themselues should read the holye Scripture why shoulde not our kings Princes prouide by Lawes firste that all Christians vnder theyr Dominions maye reade then nexte in what tongue they maye reade the sacred Byble not so muche publikely in Churches as priuatelye in their houses And what shall we say of the Emperour Theodosius the seconde who as the reporte goeth and no doubte moued by the commaundement of GOD whyche is extante as touching Kinges Deutronomie 17. wrote out with hys owne hande the Bookes of the Newe Testamente reade euerye mornyng in hys house some parte of them and recyted customarily certaine Psalmes and prayers togither wyth hys wife shée was Eudocia the daughter of Leontius a Philosopher of Athens of whome they say were written right learned Poems and with his sisters But if I shoulde go aboute to produce moe proues tending to thys ende I feare leaste I shoulde incurre offence who especiallye haue excéeded alreadye the compasse of an Epistle Therefore that my speache maye drawe to an ende I am perswaded verylye that it wyll then goe well wyth the Church and with the whole common wealth when as the Kings Princes and all other Magistrates of these our times seriously turning their minds to the Statutes of the Almighty and euerliuing GOD whiche were rehearsed euen nowe out of Deuteronomie and to the examples of the most noble Emperoures of whome wee haue spoken shall beginne to putte forthe and with all godly diligence to commend vnto the people committed to their charge lawes as touching the dayly and domesticall and that perdie in their owne Countrey language reading hearing and meditating of the holye Bible And as for the reasons wherewith men may bée moued to obey their most holesome lawes and decrées I haue in this volume partly out of the most sacred Sermons of the Prophets and Apostles partly out of the Commentaries of the most excellent Doctors packed togither as ye would say in one bundle very many and the same not to be misliked so that this onely remayneth namely that with what willingnesse and desire they are of me offered with the selfe same all menne whensoeuer they shall reade them woulde vouchsafe to receyue them My purpose and scope to dispatche it in a worde is to profite at leastwise somewhat by my labour all sortes of men that are carefull for a better life and for the euerlasting saluation of their soules But vnto your highnesse most noble Prince I haue thought good to consecrate this worke as well for sundry causes and considerations as also especially for twayne which haue in them more force than the rest The one is when I behold and consider the iustice clemencie gentlenesse and other vertues naturally ingenerate in you togither with the notable education and instruction worthy a most famous Prince doubtlesse I am perswaded that your Highnesse may easilie be broughte to this poynte namely that you will not onely exercise your selfe dayly in the reading of the holye Byble according to GODS commaundemente Deuteronomie 17. but also prouoke and stirre vp one whyle by gentle exhortations another while by sharpe and seuere preceptes all the people and inhabitantes of youre Dominion as GOD also hath willed Deuteronomie 6. and. 11. to the doing and practising of the like For what shoulde not I looke for at his hands whose father Friderike Prince Elector Palatine and those twayne of the same house neuer sufficiently praysed supplying before hym the selfesame honoures to theyr innestimable commendation I meane Fridericke and Otho Henry haue accomplished many difficulte attempts for the amplifying of GODS glory and encrease of sincere Religion Neyther haue I anye doubte but that youre Highnesse most noble Father caused therefore of late the Bookes of the Diuine Oracles most cléerely and at his greate charge to bée Printed in the vulgar tong to the intente that both innumerable Copies myght be conueyed and spredde ouer all youre Dominions and other places and also be deuoutely redde of euery man for conscience sake in theyr priuate houses The other cause is so soone as other Potentates shall perceyue you whose glory standeth aloft on a high and stately place to gyue some onset to the trayning of Christian people to the reading and exercising of the holy Scriptures it is very lykely that immediatelye therevppon many of them that are in authoritie wyll stoutely followe in the selfesame rare of godlynesse It happeneth I wote not how that the vertue whiche procéedeth from Princes and greate men casteth forthe farre and néere an incredible brightenesse and as yée would say beames whereby it both rouzeth vp a great number and also allureth them to mutation And euen as wittie Paynters doe choose out all the welfauouredst bodyes they can come by and do lay to gette Tables that haue bin aforehande curiously wroughte by the cunningest Artificers of their occupation to the intente they may drawe forthe and expresse them wyth theyr pencill and couloures so likewise suche men as are of a noble courage and especially of an honourable stocke and Parentage do much more willingly and desirously learne vertue of their equals than of anye other sortes of men besydes whatsoeuer Wherefore I most humbly pray and beséech youre Highnesse to take well in worth my good wyll and meaning héerein The King euerlasting immortall inuisible and GOD onely wise vnto whome alone all honour and glory is due vouchsafe through IESVS CHRIST his sonne to informe your mind with his holy Spirite to good gouernement and to guide and defende you to the ende Farewell moste noble Prince The Ides of march M.D.LXI Of the reading and dayly meditation of the holy Scriptures very requisite and necessarie for all Christians of what estate or condition soeuer The first Booke ALl doe agree in this that Man differeth from other Creatures in vnderstanding and reason But if we shall procéede further and enquire wherein a Christian Godly man may be discerned from an vnchristian and vngodly man verily I do not see what fitter aunswere may be made than in the knowledge if GOD and in the studie of accomplishing his will. For as touching the wicked and vngodly man eyther hee is altogither ignorante of GOD his maker and Creator and vtterly voyde of the knowledge of his wil for else if he can giue any iudgement thereof at all yet is he moued in the meane time with no desire of
the Laitie ought to haue not onely sufficiently but abundauntly also the worde of Christe dwelling in them and that they ought to teache or admonishe one an other But what me thinketh thou bitest in thy lippe and couertly mockest me crying out against me that there is not so muche as one crumme of Hieroms meaning in those Commentaries Go to verily if thou wilte be it so But what if we sette downe other things whiche thou neuer darest to reiect as straunge or counterfaite and yet haue the selfe same meaning that the wordes goyng before haue Heare what hée sayth expounding the seconde Chapiter of the Epistle to Titus Lette the senses bee exercised and the minde dailye fedde with diuine readings and so shall our questions not become foolishe There is no man in a manner but knoweth the learned and long Epistle of Hierome written to Paulinus In this is contayned a huge heape of moste excellent reasons prouoking to the study of the holy Scriptures where are so digested and putte in order that the whole Epistle séeth not to bée written to Paulinus alone but generallye also to all Christians In consideration wherof it came to passe also that our auncestours nowe for certaine ages paste whoulde haue the same as a most profitable instructiō like as it is in very déed to be prefixed set before the holy Bible And albeit in the same Epistle he somwhat sharply inueyeth against the impudency and rashnes of some men which take vpon thē to teach the Scriptures before they haue learned thē cōplayneth that they to wit the holy Scriptures are of euery pratling Gossup doting olde man babling Sophister finally of all sortes of people too too vnreuerently handled and mangled yet neuerthelesse intending to signify that no manne of what state or condition soeuer oughte to be restrayned from the reading of them hée addeth immediatelye after That in them doe therefore appeare a certaine simplicitie and basenesse of wordes to the intent the rude and rusticall people mighte the more easily bee instructed and not only the learned but also the vnlearned receiue profite euerye one according to their capacitie And to learne verily it lyeth al mē vpon indifferently to teach not so But there is moreouer in Hieroms iudgement somewhat peraduenture that the haters of holy Doctrine will more maruaile at In as muche as he doeth not onely couet to haue men to exercise themselues in reading the holy Bookes But also he exhorteth commaundeth and vehemently vrgeth that Virgins that matrones entangled with the cares of houshould matters that widowes would giue themselues to the selfe same studies of holy scripture For so he writeth to Demetriades in his Epistle or booke De Viginitate seruanda This one thing O thou daughter of God And chiefly loe this one I will thee tell and ofte thee warne The same to thinke vpon Namely that thou occupy thy mind in the loue of holy reading neither suffer the good grounde of thy hart to bee infected wyth the seede of Darnell and Tares Leaste the goodman of the house beyng asleepe which is Nous that is to saye the minde alwayes cleauyng to God the enimy come and sowe Cockle in it c. Againe he sayeth Determine with thy selfe howe many houres thou oughtest to bestowe in learning the holye Scripture howe muche time in reading not to wearye thee but to delighte and instructe thy soule Straighte after there followe preceptes as touching handye laboure as of Spinning Weauing and so forthe Then in the latter end of the same Epistle Ioine saith hée the end to the beginning neither am I content once to haue admonished thee loue the holy Scriptures and Wisedome will loue thee loue hir and shee will saue thee honour hir and shee will embrace thee Furthermore in Epistola ad Celantiam matronam whiche is entituled Of the Institution of a good Huswife for whether it bée Hieroms as some thinke or of Pautinus doyng as othersome will haue it I neyther nowe dispute neither doth it greately skill séeing it is agréede vppon among all menne that it is bothe godly and learned and also compiled in that age we reade thus Let thy chiefe and principall care bee to knowe the lawe of God by the whiche thou mayste as it were beholde the present examples of the saintes before thine eyes Learne by the counsell thereof what thou oughtest to doe and what thou oughtest to leaue vndone For the greatest furtheraunce to righteousnesse that can be is to replenishe the harte and soule with the sweete testimonies of the Lord and that which thou couetest to execute indeede alwaies to ponder and meditate in thy minde To the people yet rude and not vsed to obedience it is commaunded of the Lorde by Moses that for a token of memorie wherby they might remember the commaundementes of the Lorde they should throughout the skirtes of their garmentes haue certaine ornamentes of purple and scarlet coloure indifferently meynte that euen when they looked by chaunce hither and thither they mighte still bee putte in minde of the heauenly commaundements And straitwayes after a fewe words comming betwéene hée sayth Seeing thou keepest not nowe the preceptes of the Letter but of the Spirite thy mindefulnesse of the diuine commaundements is spiritually to bee garnished whereby thou haste not so often to recorde the precepts of the Lorde as alwayes to thinke vppon them Let the holy Scriptures therfore be euermore in thy handes and ponder them continually in thy minde thinke it not ynoughe for thee to keepe the commaundements of God in thy minde and in thy deeds to forgette them But for this cause learne to know that thou mayst do whatsoeuer thou haste learned to be done Againe in the same place So farre forth be careful for thy house as thou mayst notwithstanding bestow some tyme in caring for thy soule Choose to thy selfe some fitte place somewhat remoued from the noyse of thy family wherevnto as vnto a Hauen as a man whoulde saye oute of a huge tempeste of cares conuey thy selfe and the waues of thy thoughtes that were raysed withoute dispose thou within to tranquilitie and quietnesse See thou bestowe there so much study in holy reading so often and plentifull prayers so firme and precise consideration of things to come as that thou mayste easilye by this occasion make amendes for all the lettes of the residue of thy tyme. Thus much hathe hée there Nowe let vs sée what Hierome requireth of widowes in this behalfe ad Saluinam de viduitate seruanda hée sayeth Bee alwayes occupied in reading the holy Scriptures and vse so often and feruent prayers that al the dartes of euill thoughts wherewith youth is wonte to bee pierced thoroughe maye with this shield bee beaten backe Likewise to Furia the widowe hée sayeth When thou goest to meate remember that by and by thou oughtest to praye and euen forthwith also to reade Oute of the holye Scriptures haue a certaine number of verses fixed in
thee to sende thy children to learning and to prouide them Scholemaysters and to see that nothing bee wanting for their instruction and in the meane time not to bring them vp in the nourture and chastisement of the Lorde Therefore do euen we first of all reape the fruite of this thing that is to say through our owne defaulte we haue harebraynd vngracious disobediente and vnmanerly children Let vs not then thus do but let vs obey this blessed Apostle who giueth vs good councell let vs bring them vp in the instructiō and information of the lord Let vs set before them an example causing them from their tender youth diligently to apply the reading of the Scriptures Wo is me whilest I am thus continuallye speaking I seeme to do nothing else but trifle howbeit I will not ceasse for all that to do that which mine office bindeth me to do These things hath he All that Sermon of his is very worthye to be read as in whiche hée sheweth with manye reasons that those when all is said do best prouide for their children and lay open vnto them the way to riches peace and tranquilitie of life happie estate and to preferment in Princes courts whiche haue a care ouer them that they be instructed euen from their infancie in the holy Scriptures To bée short the husbande and the wife the parentes and children the maisters and seruantes the mistresses and maydes may find in the holy Bookes infinite as well preceptes as examples whiche it is not néedefull to rehearse as touching all those things that it behoueth euery one of them to doe in their seuerall state and calling The same must thou thinke to be spoken both vnto widowes and virgins of whose care and diligence like as also of the instruction of children in the holye Scriptures we haue aboue somewhat discoursed So far-forth therefore is that true which Saint Augustine sayth De verbis Domini Sermone 19. namely that vnto all estates of mē there is prescribed in the sacred bookes a rule to liue by and that all and euery sexe age and degree is prouoked to leade an vprighte and godly life Therefore as we began to saye before not onely those that are appoynted to the Ecclesiasticall ministerie but also generally all Christians of what estate or condition soeuer they be ought dayly to bestow sometime at the least in reading and pervsing the Bookes of the Prophets and Apostles The continuall meditation of the Scriptures is not the priuate and peculiar office of some fewe persons but the common and publike dutie of all Christians I graunt in déede that the godly and learned Pastors of Churches shoulde goe before but yet muste all other states and degrées followe after There is none neyther one nor other that can bée debarred from this daunce There is no man in this life in all respectes so perfite vnto whome remayneth not some thing more to be learned no man so exactly accomplisheth his dutie but that some good man for I speake not of anye slaunderous and enuious cauiller may say vnto him this would be amended Wherefore I beléeue there is not any man liuing whiche by the rules and exhortations of the holy Scriptures may not onely become better learned but also better qualified and which by reading of the word of God may not bée made more strong and couragious to all good actions of life whatsoeuer A greate offence it were doubtlesse to surmise that the Philosophers or anye other persons besides shoulde be able better to prescribe what euerie one ought to do or to leaue vndone than God himselfe Certes the Philosophers Lawmakers and other worldly wise men when they dispute of duties doe oftentimes erre Euidente proofes héereof we haue in Plato Aristotle Panaetius Cicero and such like whyche doe commonly one carp and controll another Neyther doe they commend any thing as comely and honest but so far-forth as it is déemed to be suche by the opinion of men But the Prophetes and Apostles coulde not erre bicause they were taught by the holy Ghost who is the spirit of truth and voyd of all error yea they so vrged commanded all things as they knew the same to be allowed of god But to frame the life and maners in suche wise as God maye be pleased with them is no doubte a most soueraigne thing highly to be desired of all men And in déede the Philosophers cā after a sort tell vs what one man oweth vnto another but what mā oweth vnto god how God shuld rightly be worshipped of true faith in God remissiō of sins of the inward spirituall righteousnesse of the heart of other things like vnto these they do not so much as make any mētion at al much lesse cā they perfitly declare thē As oft as in the writings of the Philosophers ther happen any place as touching God or as touching the duty of man towards God we sée how coldly slenderlye and obscurelye they runne ouer it Which truely that it shoulde so come to passe God vndoubtedly had ordeyned that eyther for bycause they were conuicted in their owne cōsciences and stayed not vpō any sure foundation in these their disputations or else for that it was not their proper charge but was reserued for others the Prophets I meane Apostles their Disciples and finally for so much as God would haue all men to be admonished by this meanes that the perfite knowledge of God and of his will is to be learned not out of the Bookes of the Philosophers but only and alone out of the holy Scriptures And this is that in effect whiche the Apostle meaneth 2. Timoth. 3. when he saith That the holy Scripture inspired of God is profitable to instruct in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect and prepared to all good works Wherevnto Sainct Augustine hauing respecte in hys 2. Sermon vpon the 90. Psalme very wittily said That the holy Scriptures are letters patents sent downe from the heauenly Citie to vs which do exhort vs all to lyue well Wherfore whosoeuer coueting to reade the holy Bible wherein is most absolutely cōprised all the discipline cōcerning the duties of all and euery Christian as wel towards God as towards men and to reforme his maners accordingly requireth the same Bible to bée reached vnto him he shal more truely a great deale say of it Giue me my Maister then long ago Cyprian vsurped the like saying as oft as he meant or spake of the most famous writer Tertullian if we may credit Hierome But I will procéede somewhat further to speake of certayne dueties which are common to all Christians and yet in the meane time can not rightly be performed of any man without the reading and knowledge of the Scriptures Howbeit I will speake only of the chiefe principall wherevpon depend other almost infinite In the explication whereof we will gather togither those reasons wherewith the consciences I hope of
saith he more fonde than children that saye Blessed is euerye soule that is simple and hee that walketh in Simplicitie walketh in Faith. This truelye is the cause of all calamities that a great number can no skill to alleadge fitte testimonyes of Scripture for matters in question For the simple in that place is not to be taken for the Foole and for hym that knoweth nothing at all but for hym that is not euill for hym that is not craftye For if it shoulde so bee vnderstoode it hadde beene superfluous to saye Be yee wise as Serpentes and simple as Doues But nowe oughte euerye man very carefully to beware and take héede leaste he erre in anye wise in the Doctrine of Faith or be deceyued and beguiled of others The Angell of darkenesse oft times changeth himselfe into the likenesse of an Angell of lighte In these dayes are to be séene euery where greate swarmes of Hipocrites false teachers and enuious mē whiche doe breake into the Lords field by night and there sow darnell Againe there is no man priuie in his owne conscience that he is on euery side so confirmed in sound doctrine but that he may both be deceyued of others and also deceyue others yea and euen himselfe to Our firste Parentes Adam and Eue whome God had adorned as well with perfite righteousnesse as also with a most plentifull knowledge of all goodnesse and many other spirituall graces were notwithstanding beguiled of the subtil serpent and euen forthwith withoute any great striuing gaue consent to hys treacheries and illusions How and by what meanes therefore may we warrant our selues that we shall in no case be insnared or intangled when as we are both farre more weake than they and the old serpente dothe nowe no lesse craftily than in times past endeuoure by Heretikes and false teachers to intrap and circumuent vs He then may séeme rightly to be out of his wittes and euen to striue with reason it selfe whosoeuer feareth not ne standeth in doubte of suche a daunger And soothly that thou mayest arme thy selfe substancially against all pestilent opinions that thou mayst be able to auoyde to preuente and beate backe the strokes of the aduersaries who séeke on euery side with the enuenomed dartes of wicked arguments to assayle and set vpon thée and mayst stande so fast and perseuer so vnvanquishable in sound doctrine as is most méete and requisite thou hast néede to put on spirituall weapons the shield of faith the helmet of saluation but especially the sword of the spirit which is the word of God as the Apostle teacheth and commaundeth in the sixte of the Ephe. But thus doth he arme and defend himselfe that dayly and duly heareth readeth meditateth learneth the worde of GOD set forth in the bookes of holy Scripture For the Apostle Paul in the second Epistle to Timothy and third Chapter sayth very well that the Scripture is profitable to reproue and confute those that casting abrode the nettes of false opinions goe about to beguyle to maske and destroy the vnwary and weake What doctrine soeuer is first brought in it is necessarye that the same be tried by the touchstone of the holy Scripture as by a most absolute rule And there are to be found euery where in the sacred bookes as wel exhortations which do plainely shewe with what great héedfulnesse the authours of sects are to be auoyded as also counsels and certaine reasons whyche doe no lesse euidently declare how wisely and circumspectlye the same ought to be resisted Whych things do verye plainely proue that it is a most vaine toy that a number to beguile simple people withall do oft times iangle off and haue continually in their mouthes reading of the Scriptures doe by by become Heretickes But this speach is more worthy to be abhorred and abandoned than to be answered For what other thing else is this than to saye that the Phisicke wisely giuen and ministred of GOD himselfe is poyson and that sicknesse death is procured by that thing which is prouided to the furtherance of health and preseruation of life Shall we thinke him that we haue oftentimes spoken off Iohn Chrisostome to haue bene beside himselfe and voyde of reason who following the iudgement of the Apostle by howe muche more he sawe many Heresies to growe vppe in his time and in manner of the disease called the canker to créepe further and further by so muche more thought it necessarie to haue his hearers admonished that they shoulde diligently apply themselues to the reading of the holye Scriptures There were in déede at that time no small number of Heretikes as namely the Manichees the Anomaeans the Arians Aetians Eunomians Valentinians and Marcionites the Marcellians and Sabellians the Acoluthiās there were to be short Gentiles and such as following the Emperoure Iulianus had reuolted from the Tentes of the Christians for with all these it is euident that hée encountred by sharpning his penne againste them and so much the rather for that they vnmeasurably vexed the Churches of Constantinople and else where ouer all Greece and verye manye menne being otherwise not euill were seduced by them This necessitie therefore draue the most vigilant Bishoppe to stirre vp all mens mindes as well by bookes notoriously written as also by publike preachings and Sermons to the continuall reading of the propheticall and Apostolicke wrytings as wée haue more than once or twice here alreadye And in one place hée pronounceth that is we intende to resiste Heresies and to descerne the true Churche from the conuenticles of Heretikes we haue néede especially to the doing of it of the ayde and furtheraunce of the Scriptures Hys words in the exposition of the foure and twentie Cha. of Math. Homilie 49. are these In these dayes since Heresie inuaded the Churches there can no triall bee hadde of true Christianitie neyther is there any other refuge for Christians desirous to knowe the variety of Fayth than the holy Scripture of god Before indeed it was shewed many wayes whych was the Churche of CHRIST and whiche was Gentilitie but nowe it can no waye bee knowen of anye whyche is the true Churche of CHRIST but onely by the Scriptures And why Bycause that all these thyngs whyche are properlye Christes in trueth those Heresies haue also in Schisme they haue Churches alike and the holy Scriptures themselues they haue Bishops alike and other orders of Clearkes they haue Baptisme alike they haue the Eucharist alike and al other things and finally euen Christ himselfe A man therefore desirous to know which is the true Chuche of Christ howe shall he knowe in so great a confusion of likenesse but only and alone by the Scriptures Againe before tyme the Churche of Christ was knowen by hir very maners and conditions when the conuersation of Christians either of al or of the most was holy and blamelesse which was not so among the vngodly But nowe Christians are become as euill or worse than are
It may very truely bée sayde that it lyeth for the most parte in vs that a thing be made to be eyther easie or hard The gate vnto well doing is alwayes open so that we our selues do not shutte it vp or of our owne accord turne aside from it But I heare incontinently one that sayth vnto mée the reading whiche you so greately vrge hathe no little laboure and painefulnesse in it further it requyreth good leysure and oportunitie Verily to the intent I maye cutte off whatsoeuer appertayneth to thys excuse I will indeuoure in fewe wordes to shewe howe a man maye prouide that in reading hée shall féele neither laboure nor yrkesomnesse then next that it is not so harde a matter to finde both leysure and oportunity I will in one worde declare that whiche maye séeme sufficient Bring with thée to the reading of holy thyngs a godlye and willing minde and thou haste in effecte vtterly remoued all manner of incombraunces There are some diseases if we maye beléeue Galen writing De locis adfectis lib. 3. Cap. 6. in whyche the powers of the senses are so damnified and hurte that the patientes for so muche as they are continuallye attached wyth a kynde of heauinesse and feare doe imagine whatsoeuer they sée to be sharpe bitter and altogyther agaynste them wherefore they haue in suspition and ielousy all thynges that are done or sayde and doe eschue and abhorre the presence and company of men but yet after a while they are healed and deliuered froÌ„ thys maladie Euen in like case saye I the reading of the Scriptures séemeth harde and painefull vnto thée bycause forsooth thou doest so imagine it to be some euill spirite peraduenture beguiling and bewitching thy senses but the same no doubte will become swéete easie yea and pleasaunte also vnto thée when by the helpe of the holye Ghoste thou hast cast from thy mind that imagination And to what ende I beséeche you shoulde anye man thus colourably pretende these thinges sith wée maye sée daylye a greate number that thinke not the time long a whit when they reade the long and tedious tales stuffed wyth lies of certayne old Gréekes and the fantasticall Asse of Apuleius and the fonde dotages of Lucian I saye nothing al this whyle of the most vaine figmentes of Florandus Syr Lancelot Syr Tristram king Arthur the foure sonnes of Aymon of Magelona Melucina the rounde table I speak nothing of Amorous or rather venemous books ouerflowing in lasciuiousnesse and vncleanesse of the hundred Nouels of vnsauerie and ribaldly â—estes and of other dregges of like stampe whiche it were far better to be abolished with fire the so ofte times to be putte forth in print And in these toyes whylest Courtiers whylest noble men noble women yong men maydes whilest the worshipfull whilest the common sorte of men do spend certaine houres in the fore noone certaine in the afternoone again some after supper and oftimes a greate parte of the night there is not so much as one word whispered as touching any labour or pain in reading but as well the eyes as the eares yea and mindes both of the reader and also of the whole company sitting about him do abide intentiuely fixed vpon these trifles and neyther the noyse of the houshold nor the comming in of others can possibly breake off the base and loude-sounding voyce of the speaker And moreouer the labour of reading if at leastwise it deserueth to be called labour thou mayst now then diuide with the residue of thy familie so that thou that art gouernour of the house mayst read one while another while some one of thy company another while thy sonne or thy daughter another while thy wife another whyle some other in the house that can skill of reading As in other actions so in this also may one not without a cause succéede another resembling as a man wold say Hercules who as the Poets imagine rescued wearye Atlas by bearing vp heauen with hys shoulders Neyther truely oughte it to séeme a thing straunge or remoued from the vsage of the godly to commitet the office of reading and recyting holy bookes vnto wiues children seruaunts and other in the house Again if the reading of the scriptures be fitly pointed out and distinguished into certaine peculiar houres as it is expedient it should be then maist thou haue sufficient space both to breath in and also to recouer the powers of thyne eyes the sight whereof peraduenture is dazeled or of thy voyce if it be thy hap to read in the presence of other and this mayst thou doe albeit thou hast determyned to pervse ouer dayly many Chapters Moreouer there is no let to the contrarie but that thou mayst now and then to auoyde yrkesomnesse chaunge places For thou mayst very wel reade in thy chamber when as eyther thou risest in the morning or goest to bed at night in the Churche when there is eyther nothing or very little out of the Scriptures as it oftimes commeth to passe red or expounded to the people in thy parlour so long as thy dinner or supper is in makyng readie vntill thou be about to take thy meate whilest the dishes are brought too or carried from the table in thy Studie in thy garden to be short wheresoeuer thou wilt and art disposed Saint Augustine euen before the time of hys Baptisme reade with great feruencie and at all times and in euery place the holy bookes hée disputed as touching the sayings of the Prophetes and Apostles He reporteth in the 8. booke and 6. Chapter of his Confessions that he read Paules Epistles at the table Chap. 22. that he tooke in hand oft times the new Testamente in his Ortchard where he hearde once a voyce froÌ„ heauen saying vnto him Take read Wherby hée was vehemently moued prouoked to imbrace Christian religion as he recordeth also in other places moe Again being awaked in the night in the morning after dinner after supper and one while alone another while with his most swéete companions Licentius Trigetius Nauigius Alipius Nebridius and others he vsually and often and with an incredible desire of learning conferred as teaching the word of god By these meanes therefore the difficultly and tediousnesse if any be thought to spring out of reading is easilye eyther diminished or vtterly takeÌ„ away For as the mouth that is out of taste can not away with anye meate thoughe neuer so deintie and holesome but when it is recouered is refreshed there with and can scarcely be satisfied so when a man beginneth first to read the holy scriptures he quickly loatheth them but when he hath once tasted the swéetenesse of the spirituall doctrine then he féeleth dayly more and more all things to become more pleasant acceptable vnto him and then singeth he with the Psalmist How sweete are thy testimonies to my throate yea they are sweeter than hony to my mouth But it remayneth nowe that we shewe howe and
thrusteth forthe one while verily suche as are approued in opinion for their notable wisedome another while swinishe haters and contemners of all holy things an other while Hypocrites puffed vp with a vaine shew of holynesse and therefore maruellous fit instrumentes to beguile the simple by whose painted and smooth persuasions and by other crafty conueyances the vnwarie sort maye be broughte to the neglecting and open hatred of the Scriptures but it is your partes with these reasoÌ„s and instructions whereof you haue hitherto heard many and sundry as well out of the sacred Scriptures theÌ„selues as also out of the moste godly and learned fathers to shoare vp and fortify your minds and euen in spight of all the rablement of the wicked whome Sathan subborneth and armeth dayly against vs to stirre them vp to the loue and study of Gods word Let vs coÌ„sider that CHRIST doth euen now also without ceasing preache vnto vs which in very déede he doth not after one waye or manner and that there is no precepte of him oftner vrged and repeated than this wherein he sayeth to all Christians Searche the Scriptures for they are they that testifye of me This voyce of CHRIST for so much as his heauenly father hath so coÌ„maunded let vs heare with patient and stayed mindes and with al reuerence and submission obey it finally in comparison of that let vs refuse and abandon all mens pesuasions preceptes counsels flatteries threatnings curses and tormentes whatsoeuer For he that maketh none accompt of thys voyce of CHRIST there is no doubt but that his name shall oneday be vtterly scraped and raced out of the register of Christians that is to saye out of the booke of life whiche GOD himselfe hath written and that at the laste iudgement of the great day he shal heare froÌ„ the mouth of the same CHRIST a far other manner of voyce namely a heauye and a horrible voyce as touching the suffering and enduring of euerlasting fire THE ENDE Ps. 14.2.3.4 Psâ—l 53.4 Ps. 5.10 and 140.2 and 10.7 Prou. 1.16 Iam. 4.8 1. Cor. 1.20 2.14 Iere. 9.26 Deut. 10.16 Eccles 11.33 Genes 6.5.11.12 and 8.21 Psal. 36.1 Esa. 59.3.7 Rom. 3.10.11.12.13.14.15.16.17.18 Psalm 51.5 Eph. 2.1.3.5 Rom. 3.9 Galath 3 22 Rom. 2.22 Psalm 116.11 Rom. 3.4 Esa. 59.5 Deut. 27 Galath 3.10 Coloss 2.13 Ephes 2.12 Rom. 6.23 1 Pet. 5.8 Ephes 6.12 Ephes 2.2 Genes 3.1 1. Pet. 5.8 Apocal. 12 3 Ioan. 3.3 Ephes 4.23 1. Pet. 2.2 Hebr. 13.14 â— Corinth 1.10 11. Time. 3.16 Rom. 15.4 Man is created to the knowledge of GOD and of his will. Ouid. Metamorph Lib. 1. Of the former booke which is the whole world Of the later booke to wit the holy Scripture VVe must giue more attendaunce to the latter booke of the holy Scripture than to the former and that for three causes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 III. It behoueth all men to reade the word of GOD in that it is graunted to them only to speake and vnderstand They must especiallye read the holye Scriptures which professe themselues to be Christians It is a shame for a Christian to be ignorant of the things that Christe commaundeth The Iewes reade the Scriptures painefully God commandeth in the Lawe the bookes of holy Scripture to be read and perused of all people For what cause and coÌ„sideratioÌ„ God woulde haue his doyngs and sayings committed to writing The Fathers albeit they were without Bookes yet taught they most diligently the doctrine of religion then what ought not wee to do that haue Bookes graunted vnto vs. The commandement of God as touching the reading of the Scriptures belongeth not only to Iewes Christ also commaundeth vs to reade the Scriptures In the Apostles time all the Godly read the Scriptures most diligently The holy Ghost is giueÌ„ to the beleuers to the intent they may learne and vnderstande the Scriptures â–ª Euen the Gentiles also in these dayes vsed to reade the Scriptures albeit they were extance onely in the Greeke tong In these dayes wee haue the holy Scripturs extant in all tongues And after the Apostles time all the godly serched continualy the Scriptures Exhortations of the holy Fathers as touching the reading of the holy Scriptures priuatly in houses Origen Eusebius â—â—misenus Iohn Chrisostome Augustine Ambrose Now a dayes some Bishops there be that forbid the holy Scriptures to be read The neglecting of the Scriptures of this time if it be compared with the diligence of the auntient people is verie shamefull and ignominious The Lâ—â—ie is profited 〈◊〉 dâ—â—g of the Scriptures that they were able also to teache others Laie men skilful of the holy Scriptures in times paste taughte in Churches and were chosen to thâ— goueâ—â—emet of the same The barbarus enimies of Christian religion oughte sooner by orderly teching of sounde doctrine than by force of armes be won and vnited vnto vs. The very consideration of the times present doth require that all should applye themselues to the studie of the holye Scriptures The answere It behoueth the Ministers of the Church to bee exercised in the holy Scriptures aboue all other The Ecclesiasticall Ministery consisteth not in songs or colde ceremonies The Minister ignorant of the holye Scriptures can not conuince false opinions The Minister that is without the knowledge of the Scriptures can not wisely reproue sinne The Minister that is ignorant of the Scriptures can not confer with others of godlynesse and pietie The Minister can giue no counsell to carefull consciences that is not conuersant in the Scriptures The Minister that he may be able to coÌ„fort the afflicted must of necessitie haue experience in the Scriptures To haue the name of the Ministerie without the substance of it is an absurde thing They that can not perfourme the office of the Ministerie must not reape the fruites of it The Ministers that are vnskilfull of the Scriptures oughte to bee remoued from their places They do moste grieuoâ—sly offende whiche beeing placed in the Ecclesiasticall Ministery doe still neglect the holy Scripture Albeit the studye of the holy Scripeurs doe especiallye become the Ministers of the worde yet maye not the Laitie therefore reiect it There is no degree of men among Christians to whome it perteyneth not exactly to learne the holy Scriptures Kings and Princes must reade also the holy Scriptures All Câ—urtiers and noble men must diligently reade the holy Scriptures Iudges Consuls Pretors must exercise themselues in reading the holy Bible Neither must souldiors neglecte to reade the holy Scriptures Lâ—wiâ—rs ougâ—â— to be familiarly acquainted with the holi Scripturs Phisitions also muste deuoutly trauâ—ile in the Scriptures It is expedient that Merchant men also and Artificers should profit in the Scriptures To husbandmen also is commended the reading and hearing of the Scriptures It is expedient that Boyes and Mothers also be instructed in the holy Scriptures There be certayne duties common to all Christians whiche it is needefull for theÌ„ to learne out of the holy Scriptures All Christians muste endeuor to shewe themselues to be true members of the Churche Euerye Christian ought to bee readye to render a reason of hys Fayth to euerye one that asketh it Euery Christian ought to foresee prouide that hee erre not or be not deceiued in the doctrine of Religion There is no ChristiaÌ„ that standeth not in neede to be reproued for his sinnes and oft times to be admonished No Christian caÌ„ be without comfortes The Conclusion The willing mind easilie findeth oportunitie to do well It is false to saye that in reading there is labour and griefe How we maye get leysure oportunitie to read the holie Scriptures That a time certain ought to be giuen to the reading of the Scriptures VVhat time most apt to the reading of the Scriptures How much euery day to be read The Canonical bookes of the olde Testament Let a man read dayly certaine chapters but vvithout superstition The depth and maiestie of the holy Scriptures ought not to fray vs froÌ„ the reading of theÌ„ No maÌ„ ought to complayne that he cannot vnderstaÌ„d the Scripturs howe we maye attayne to the vnderstaÌ„ding of them Some thinges we are ignoraÌ„t of to cure benefite Howe thou mayste gather spirituall profite by the thyngs that thou readest The power of the spirite worketh priuiely through the worde is the heartes of the readers and hearers Certain Chapters or fountains to which all things in the holy Scriptures ought to be referred Teaching Reprouing Instructing Correcting Comforting Conclusion Jmprinted at London by Henry Bynneman 1579.