not God by the doctrine of his wourde to be a god of loue of vnitie peace and concorde or that we haue not abundantly in Christe Iesus both tasted and felt of the liuely and faste flowynge fountaines of his grace â— Cor. 13 to the greate blessyng sustentation and comfort of body and soule whose coÌ„mandementes also we haue professed and promised to obeye and whose steppes of rightousnesse we ought to embrace and folow In consideration whereof and for the perfourmaunce of ryghtuousnes haue not wee Christians the rather good occasyon well to remembre that when we were professed consecrated wyth the holye mysteries of the founâ—aine of lyfe howe we thenne boundo our selues vnto the good wyll of god Rom. 6. and Christ in all puritie and holynes and to forsake the deuil and al his daÌ„pnable wourkes of darkenes and lyke dilygence and faythfull souldiours of Christ to be alwaies prepared and redie armed wyth the armoure of lighte and rightuousnes to wythstande the cruell assaultes and craftye ingins of Sathan that our most aunciente and mortall enemye And valyauntlye to aduenture our lyues throughout the whole rase and dangerous passage of this shorte lyfe vnder oure victoriouse prince most puissant captain christ to whome oure lyues are double due first because he ons gaue lyfe vnto vs and thaÌ„ being lost to restore it vnto vs agayne Eyther are we forgetfulle agaynste whome wee stryue For we wrastle not agaynste fleshe and bloud but agaynste rule agaynste power againste worldlye rulers euen gouernours of the darkenes of thys worlde and agaynste spirituall craftynesse in heauenlye thinges Wherefore take vnto you the whole armoure of god sayeth saint Paule that ye may be able to resist in the euyll daye Ephe. 6. Luke 18. Thes 5. and stande perfect in al things Stande therfore and your loynes gird with the truth hauing on the breast plate of rightuousnes hauing shoes on your fete that ye may be prepared for the gospel of peace Aboue al things take to you the sheld of faith wher with ye may quench all the fyry dartes of the wicked And take the helmet of saluation the sword of the spirite which is the word of god And Iob saith â—oh 〈◊〉 That the life of manne here vpon th earth is but a continuall warfare or tyme of resistence mightily touer come the stoughtnes of our enemies that no maÌ„ attaineth the croun of victory except in Christ be striue laufully And that we prepare our selues by coÌ„tinuall praier to preuaile against our ennemies as the Israelitê therby preuailed againste the wicked Amalachitê Exod. 17. or other their deadly enmies meÌ„ cioned in the scriptures Wherfore for the more strait loking to of our charge and the more spedye fulfyllyng of our professioÌ„ bond as we wold shew our selfs faithful valiaÌ„t wise souldiors thobedieÌ„t seruantê of god as we wold declare our selfes to be the zelous childreÌ„ of the vprighte and moste pure honourynge of god and as we woulde haue any regarde to the state of our soules and to the lyfe to come whose euerlastyng ioyes no tungue can expresse let vs haue in remembraunce oure sayde promyse 〈◊〉 made to anye earthelye kynge or other vayne creature vnder the sonne nor to any angel in heauen but to the Lord of heauen him self that liueth for euer a god aboue al goddes a righteous god omnipotent and immortall vnto whome let vs acknowledge our owne weakenes and applye our selues chieflye and aboue al thinges humbly to abase our selues to prepare our strength in Christ to seke the mortification of thold man the whole body of synne to seeke newnes of life and to hungre and thirst for the waye of rightuousnes Prayer is the eleuation of the minde to god vvaâ—do vvhereby is secluded al worldly do sires and all carnall and vayne fantasies And vnto the said prayer must be ioyned fastynge and almose dedes Toby 12. lette vs trauell wyth our ful force and strength and with al feruent prayer and bourning desire to god to attayne at his gracious most mercyfull hande to bee partakers of the depthe of hys grace whereby we maye the rather attayne into our hartes the wisedome of his sonne Christ whiche by vs must be reuerently searched for and digged out of the hydde treasures and plentyfulle vaynes of diuine scriptures or wourde of god which is the word of truth the touche-stone of trial the lanterne of light the heauenly foode health strengthe and life to our soules wrought in vs by the spirite of God or mynistred vnto vs by his diuine and faithfull mynisters And by whose clearenes and beautyfull bryght shynyng beames our soules may be pourged frome all impuritie frome the vayne wisedome of the worlde from darkenes and from the fowle stynkynge and blynde thycke myste of ignorance whiche dymmeth in vs the perfect senses and iudgemeÌ„t of reason whiche is wonderfully corrupted against whom sensualitie preuaileth who also of it selfe is not able to healpe and rule it selfe but feebly yealdeth to confusion and therefore muste haue for his assured and perfect guyde a more excellent and wourthy gouernoure For not withstandynge that Baptisme the outewarde signe and lauachre of Regeneration hathe wiped away in vs the greate and foule spotte yet the synne VVee styll possesse the spot of our father AdaÌ„ partlye there remayneth styll of oure progenitoures and first parentes which hath not a litle darkened that soo pure and cleere light of the couÌ„tenance resemblauÌ„ce or similitude of god whyche he hathe wonderfullye shewed and layed vpon vs whereby our courage is greatly enfeabled oure streÌ„gth diminished or the vertue of our wysedome fowlye dysteyned and spotted For the reformacion wherof through the liuely courage omnipotencye and greate wysedome of oure Capitayne Christe and by the vertue heauenlye operacion thereof in vs our hartes by hym shal be cleane pourged and lyghtned to possesse and enioye the spirite of humilitye mekenes Through whyche vertue also we shall bee the rather in Iesus Chryste made more apt vesselles prepared and sanctified to honoure and meete for the vse and seruice of our lord god and to the receyuinge also of hys most holye spyrite Math. 5. Iohn 4. who alwayes reioyceth to reste in the humble and meke harted personne vnto whom Christ hath promised the blessyng of god and to enâ—Ì„erite and possesse the earth Iohn 14. Math. 5. And when our mynds are therby replenished we shall be thaÌ„ the more enforced with all singlenes of hert to marke dilygently by hearyng or readyng the wourde of god what his good wyll and pleasure is should here in this lyfe be done by vs and amongest vs who hath promised vs for our christen obedience humilitie mekenes in acknowlegyng as before oure owne inhabilitie and weakenes trustyng and only leauyng to the power and merites of Christe that he wyl mercifully heare vs when we call vnto hym Iohn 7.9 and teustruct vs
their great anguish dolour in soule body as we would wyshe vnto our selues beynge now altogether in the handes of god if we were in the lyke aduersitie Let it not nowe be spoken by any tonge from an vnfained hart Eccle. 31 Tobi. 4. Math. 7. Luke 6. VVe muste doo as vve vvoulde be done to that euer specially within the mind of maÌ„ in this famous region and noble angle of the worlde a countreye heretofore no lesse feared then beloued of all nations for our vertues strengthe and great wealth was sene the like multitude of pouertie Pouertie raysed vp encreaced and spred for the amongest vs by gods sufferance and visitation through the hardnes of our hartes through forced warres greate speknesses and faminâ— where shal a man now wtin these dominions eyther ryde or go but stil there shall be great occasion ministred vnto hym of pitie Which way shal he now turne his face but the poore membres of Christe shall appeare before hym in extreme necessitie and miserye and cal vpon him for his charitie in the name of Iesus christ whose name we ought to reuerence â—say 65. Math. 1. Roma 14 Philip. 2. and to extende freely for his sake our charitie according to our habilitie and as we see iustly occasion of necessitie to content well god Or at what time shal we in conscience better dispose oure charitye to the people of god Was there euer by theym the like wofull attempte O that the spirit of god our synnes through his mercy beynge remitted woulde yet happilye descende vppon vs and amongest vs to wourke in vs and to pourge and mollifie our corrupted and flintie hartes of impietie vnnaturall slackenes selfe loue and all vayne affectes A nedefull request of God that wee maye wyth the more lyuelye diligence in the fears of GOD tender hys beeloued people and so prepare for theym that oure holye and moste iuste GOD maye in all oure dooynges be well contented and pleased O howe happy shoulde we bee to fulfill the wyll of GOD yf oure eares were opened and oure heartes by the dewe of goddes grace softe tempered that wee myght aptlye heare and worthily receyue the voice of god â—hâ—e calleth vnto vs sayenge Be not ashamed of thy neygboure in hys dystres and miserye Defende the poore and father lesse Delyuer the out caste and poore Shutte not thyne hande whenne thou shouldest geeue Eccle. 4. psal 82. Eccle. 4. Distribute thy breade vnto the poore and hungry bringe the poore fatherles home into thine house geeue hym lodgynge clothe hym yf he hee naked Esay 18. and tourne not thy face frome thyne owne fleshe that is to saye from thy poore neyghboure thy Chrysten brother or Syster And lykewyse to hyde thyne Almase in the bosome of the poore that god may be blessed and thy synnes pourged Not by thy merites I saye but tho rough the lyuely faithe and loue that is in thee towardes Iesus Christ and for his onely merites sake who loued thee fyrst who preciously with his bloud hath redeemed thee and inspireth thee with his holy spirite to loue agayne and thankefully to wourke his wyll wherby thou maiest than vnderstand that as water queÌ„cheth fire so almose deedes also proceedynge from suche a louely faith quencheth synne and asswageth the wrathe of god Luke 11. Geue al mose therfore by this lyght of grace foreshynyng in thee and then as shal be pure and cleane vnto thee And although he be thyne ennemye yet forgeue hym for the loue thou haste to Christe and yf he bee in necessitie and hungry yet feede hym for his sake If he be thirsty geue him drinke if he be naked cloathe hym or if he be in prisone visite hym For in so doyng the charitie of god shall cleerely shyne in thee and thou shalt heape coales of fyre vpon his head Prouer. 25 The grace of god is offered vnto thee Prou. 25. Roma 12. Eccle. 34. psalm â—â— bee not ouercome myth euil but do thou ouercome euyll with good For therevpon dependeth the blessinge of god as vnto the charitable and rightuouse man accordinge to this sayenge The blessinge of God hastneth to the rewarde of the ryghtuouse maketh his fruites to flourishe and prosper Agayne blessed is he that considereth the poore and neady for in the troublesome day the lorde shal delyuer him And contrary wise he that stoppethe hys eares at the crye of the poore he hym selfe shall also cry in the day of necessitie but the lorde shal not heare hym For the whole congregation of the people of God are euer cryinge out wyth great lamentation and sighinge agaynst hym or agaynste the whole rablement of them that are so wicked and harted agaynst them For they are the cause in deede that so many men are hungrye naked and bare or to wante sufficiencie for their naturall succoure and comforte Iob. 24. Eccle. 13. Those are they that detest or abhorre the poore nedye man They are proude stought blasphemouse and scornefull They be vnkynde pitilesse and reioyce at the decaye of the rightuous But the lorde laugheth them to scorne and his vengeaunce lurketh for theim Eccle. 27. euen as a lyon They shal be taken in the snare and anguyshe of hearte shall consume theym before they dye It highlye dyspleaseth the ryghtuous and most iuste god when we whome he hathe made of habilitie sittyng at home at ease and in securitie be not moued with pity at the great calamitie miseries and troubles of the poore people of god as the prophete Amos complayneth Amos. 6. saying Wo be to the people that are of habilitie and wealthie whiche are not moued wyth heauines compassion and pitie to se the poore creatures and people of God in wofull distresse affliction and misery and will not with tendernesse of their hartes seeke meate and necessaries to ease them relieue theim and comforte theim O that our The curse of god folovveth mannes iniquitie vntowardnesse with tremblyng feare woulde suffre vs to waye well this wo or curse of God whiche signifieth vnto vs the greatnes of this our iniquitie howe largelye in tyme his vengeaunce is lyke to fall vpon vs. And howe outwarde so euer we bee in deede and without regard in this wise to mynister vnto the poore membres of Chryste and to seeke or deuise by all meanes possible to helpe and relieue theym yet our consciences therein alwaies openeth vnto vs the good mind of God whyche before hym condempneth vs vtterlye of oure disobedience ingratefulnes and most wylful slacknes of what so euer estate and degree we be of or of habilitie in the commen wealthe For the charitie of God vninersally of duetie tendeth to all estates and degrees of men frome the higheste to the lowest Charity be longeth to all estates but it appereth not from al mâ— alike that haue professed hys name And it is rather apparannt by due ordre in some
to his lawes and testimonies whiche shall euer rise vp againste vs for our condemnation byeause we haue in theim so greatly disobeyed the will of god obstinately flyenge frome hym in the true faith and conuersation of his soonne Iesus the heade corner stone whiche the buylders refused and moste shamefully contemned and abused whome he onely appoynted to bee the foundation of our reste and perpetuall mansion Against whiche in any one parte therof we may not spurne to breake God handleth al thinges according to hye vvil among the povvers in heauen and among the inhabitours of the â—â—â—the and therâ—â—nonâ— that may resist his had 〈◊〉 say what doest thouâ— Daniel 4 nor seeke by any meanes to spot and deface but thankefully embrace and be ioyfull of goddes disposed wyll consideryng it is his owne doyng euen for his glories sake although it appere neuer so meruailous in our eies he wil haue it knowen that it is the onely power of his right hand that he himself hath don it Psal 10â— His works ar meruailous his right haÌ„d bringeth mighty thinges to passe yea the right hand of the Lord hath the preemineÌ„ce for the helth saluacion of his people he myghtily preuaileth in al his enteÌ„ts Ps 118. Therfore to coÌ„clude without long depeÌ„ding in admiration seing that Goddes determinatioÌ„s in rightousnes as he himself is a God of rightousnes must most certaynly appere in brightnes and of necessitie be accomplished a mongest vs againste whose will in his woorkes no man may without daunger rebel let vs examine wel our selues and trie our saluacion in truthe by the assistence of the spirite of truthe and therby know our assured leanynge staye and which way we shall rightly walke and not stand so fast in assuraunce to our aunciente termed customes and bycause the greate parte of christendome thorow simple or wilfull ignoraunce reeleth blindelye that waies nor remembryng the smalnesse and myld trade of Christes stable flocke howe pacientely they beare the crosse of Christ and suffer rather to bee persecuted then persecute vnto whome god promised strength and to be amongest theim for their coumforte euen in the middest of the tire although we wickedly iudge of them to dye obstinately vayne gloriouselye desperately most beastly VVicked vvourkers iudge vvickedly like a sort of dogs or very helhouÌ„des with such other malicious rashe and most cursed railynge iudgemente contrarye to god and the heartes of all godly men neither regarde we the example and steppes of their conuersacion The coÌ„uersation of the vvicked through shamelesse pride ambition stoughtnes couetousnes outwarde holynes vnclennesse maliciousnes cruel murther with suche lyke wickednesse spronge vp in the churche of Christe whiche are the fruites of the dyuel and thincensementes of a wicked spirit and therfore refused of the perfect and rightuous christians because they bee contrary to thexample of Christ and his holye Apostles who teacheth vs to trye spirites and to knowe the tree by the fruite but to yelde vs wyth all humblenes bothe bodye and soule Hovve to attaine the grace of god into the handes of god and referre wyth reuerence in suche tyme of controuersie theffect of our whole faith and saluacion to the wourkynge of his grace by the power of his holy spirite to the lyghtnyng of our vnderstanding and to put by doubtfulnes all controuersies sectes and diuisions One God that as we haue but one onely God god our heauenly Father Christ our onelye sauiour and the holy spirite our comforter all thre in glory equall all one in substaunce and in vnitie also all one and vndeuided One faith So we the professours of his name may haue but one onely quicke and lyuely faith in one religion the true rule of christ to the knit tyng of oure hartes in christen vnitie and to bee vndeuided The vertue of christen vnitie to the feclyng in our selues the true peace of God and thexercise of goddes heauenly charitie wherby our eyes shall ber opened to see and receyue his very perfecte and louely obedience reuerently to submytie our selues to all his holy and most godly ordinaunces and with a thankefull and mylde christen spirite accordyng to our most bounden duetie to pray for the Queenes moste excellent maiestie that God for the greatnes sake of his mercy wyll hencefoorth blesse hir preserue her and prepare so for her that her reigne maye bee longe and prosperous amongest vs with muche ioy honour wealthe strengthe and victorie ouer her ennemies that she maye the more quietely in the feare of God seke aboue all thynges the glory of God in rightuousnes accordyng to the truthe of his wourde and that his ministers also vnder her may bee endued with the spirite of truthe that his truthe in rightousnesse maye beautyfully and cleerely shyne thoroughout her graces dominions to his euerlastynge prayse and that we beeynge also blessed vnder her higâ—es hande with ready prepared hartes for the grace of God may haue sufficient of all thynges to the sustentation of oure earthely bodyes subduynge alwayes the enemies of the common wealthe that we her humble and louynge subiectes maye reioyce thorowe hir highnesse in the greate mercies of God and be thankefull louyng more perfectly one another and applye oure selues with more pitifull and tender heartes to see oure poore neyghbours and christen brotherne better relieued and prouyded for that God in Iesus Christe maye styll vnto the ende holde his mercyfull hande ouer vs and finishe his good wourke vpon vs newly agayne begunne to the exaltation prayse and glorye of his moste blessed holy name whiche alone is worthy all honour and glory Amen The peace of God the father through our lord Iesus Christ by the workyng of his holy spirite in you abyde in all your harts and kendle in you the fyre of his loue Amen IF we the chyldren of Adam depely wold consyder and ponder diligently from the beginnyng the maiestie of thimmortall God In beholdyng symply and with all humblenes both externely and with our inward senses his omnipotent power and workemanship in heauen and in erth the merueilouse order of his doynges Gene. 1. and his most happy entent towardes mankind in the same what greate appearaunce there was of his moste deere and syngular loue that after the creation first of heauen and earth as also the depe and bottomlesse seas and all thynges innumerable in theym conteyned and by hys blessynge tencreace and multiply for the redy vse seruyce and pleasure of man howe he then in tyme made man a creature amonge all other his louelye creatures moste glorious beautyfull and semely yea and after his owne ymage and symilitude a liuyng soule breathyng into him the breath of life Gene. 2. Eccle. 32. 1. Cor. 15. how he made him lorde and ruler and to haue dominion ouer all gaue names vnto all maner of cattall fowles of th aire and beastes of the fielde how he planted a gardeyn of pleasure and there
No it playnly seemeth in dede amongest vs that hel fyro also we fear not Wherby we shew our selues not onlye to be of our selues very corruptioÌ„ the sede and frayle fleshe of our disobedient father Adam but rather the naturall brotherne and ryghte companions in deede of cursed Cayne VVe are coÌ„paâ—â—â—ns and natural brotherâ— to to Come the serpentes seede whose poysoned nature cancred rebellion wilfull disobedience pretenced malice murmuryng and murther breake forth in tyme to the kendlyng vpon hym self the heauy indignation and wrathe of god whose vilitie also and noysome state of lyfe oure hartes wyl seeke to folowe to the purchasing vnto our selues the lyke damnable rewarde and assured end of destruction Verily if we the children of Adam engendred of moste frayle fylthynes and wonderfully defiled with SathaÌ„s sleightes were not thereby approued and knowne cursed Caynites that is to safe the apte companyons and vnfayned folowers of wycked Caynes affecte and dyd detest vtterly the vncleane steppes of Cayn but were the lyuely and true chyldren of peace and the mylde folowers of ryghtuousnes with blessed Abel guyded by the good spirite of God we wold not be as we are so hatefull suche seckers of varyaunce kendlers of diuision wourkers of mischiefe nor suche mercyles committers of vnnatural and deadly murders as the euyll ympes of Sathan and the wylfull destroyers of the christen Abelles Namely the faithful meÌ„bres of Iesus Christ hindered conspired against rasshely iudged and murdred by the diuel and by vs his naughty noisome membres For in steade of thalowed true loue of christ wherby we shuld blesse preserue succor our brother Gene. 4. we haue the hatefule lothsom loue of Cayne whereby we curse annoy destroy our brother And the cause also why we our selues do know that is because our owne wourkes beinge euil caÌ„not abide 1. Ioan. 3. but haue in vtter detestatioÌ„ our brothers most godlye and rightuous wourkes Therfore vnto the deare louers frendes of god it is nothing at al merueilouse that they be in such wise hated in daÌ„ger of the vnrightuous most wicked worldlinges by whoÌ„ as I said they are coÌ„tinually assaulted bewrapt in misery Of whose further coÌ„uersacioÌ„ or vnkiÌ„dnes namely of the wicked through corruptioÌ„ of nature in other ê‘ticuler euil to their own great hurte to the vtter discoÌ„forte or hurt of gods peple shal in diuers pointes hereafter more plaiÌ„ly be manifest neither is this here spokeÌ„ properly in the respect of any one maÌ„ or of a few persons either only of the clergie or of the laitie for the due execution of iustice in honest godly causes nether is ther here anye thinge spoken againste the noble vertue of magnanimitye valiaunte stoughtnes or couragious resittynge wicked enmies at due times in necessary causes in the fear of god whether onely for particular cases or for the moste nedefull defence of a countrey or commune wealthe Neither nowe of this presente tyme or onely here of Englande one christen region so called among the rest or otherwyse solye and generally of all barbarous nacions besides our selues that haue not knoweÌ„ god but specially of the whole and vniuersall dispersed churche of all Christendome whyche shoulde moste clearelye shyne in rightuousnesse hath been and is sowly contaminated and the whole bodye thereof embrued with these most dampnable and dyueilishe spottes of maliciousnes wrathe and murther yea they seme to be spottes alas for pitie so depely sette dryed vp and inward lye rankeled that they are vtterly to be immundified and irradicable as though god had clearely withdrawne the plentyfulnes of the moisture of his grace froÌ„ vs to purge waste and consume all fylthy affectes in vs bycause he hath called vnto vs and we wickedly abusyng our senses haue not endeuored our selues to here and vnderstande his will for our christen conuersion and sauynge health but haue not withstandyng styll with rage hungrely huÌ„ted to spy our pray and in spyeng we haue falne to scaterynge and in scatterynge withoute ceassyng haue falne to chasynge violent stronge straynyng and short breathyng tyll we haue at the leaste fore wearied greuously pinched piteously wounded or elles most gredily deuoured yea we are therefore no lesse knowen and wel tryed then very forward impes approued swift folowers skilfull and conninge hunters and vnfained louers of this oure forefixed and most merciles wicked game And certenly if thei whom we haue in chase escape at our handes a mischeuouse or deadlye daunger as truelye they seldome dooe we maye then saye as they haue alwaies said Go thy waies thou hast escaped a scouringe or passed thorough the pykes For in our natures from the begynnynge we haue ben so mischieuous cankred and furious rooted in vnhappynes wedded to wickednes and imaginynge mischiefe as lawe Psal 94. that if we can gette them at aduantage or cote theim in their rase that God assist theim not mightilye in their course we wyll assuredlye ouerthrowe them with lyngryuge paynes tormente theym and gredllye gnashe in the ende their bones in sonder Vpon whose abhominable outrage fylthie affecte and corruption god loked downe from heauen to beholde amongest vs the state of our vnderstanding our desire to knowe hym and our diligence in seking after him But he perceyued playnelye that we were al out of the waye that we were treaders of hys pathes that we were altogether becoÌ„me abhominable that there was none of vs good that oure throates were as the open sepulchres howe wyth our tongues we had deceyued Psal 14. that the poysone of aspes was vnder our lips that our mouthes were full of cursynge venome and bitternesse that oure feete were swyfte to shedde blonde that destruction and vnhappynesse was in oure wayes that the waye of peace was vnknowne to vs and that we had not beefore oure eyes the reuerende feare of God What can we saye but that all these and suche other lyke euylles mencioned in goddes holy wrytte of this generation haue been felt from tyme to tyme throughout christendome generally and in all ages haue they not beene fulfylled It were happye for vs in these our dayes yf we coulde saye it were not so But wee muste needes saye as experience hath moste trewely with bytternesse taught to the contrary For we may auouche with teares that the soules of the ryghtuous Psal 120. and the true louers of God hath long dwelte with wo and greate myserye amongest them that are enemyes vnto the peace of god Vnto whome notwithstandynge when dylygent suite and labour hath been most most humbly made by the rightuous for the vpholdyng of this peace tendyng to the glory of god and theyr owne saluation they haue chaunged theyr countenaunces with Cayne Genes 4. they haue growen exceedynge wrathe they haue gnashed theyr teeth at them they haue stopped their eares agaynst them and haue prepared them selues immediatly to bloudye battayle or murther And haue shewed hatrede with cursed Caine
from my verye hearte with all my power and strength and loue my neyghbour as my selfe to thy glory O god all the daies of my lyfe and for euer in the world to come Thus I say O thou erthly creature dere christen brother that hasardly by due iustice abidest the hard hande of God let daily sorow fasten vppon thee and continuall sadnes poâ—â—eâ—fe thyne hart Offre vnto God the acceptable sacrifice of a troubled spirite of a brokeÌ„ sore vexed and contrite heart till grace bee planted againe in thee and thy synnes thorowe faithe cleane purged and taken from thee And alwaies remembre if thou loue god bicause of his mercy if thou feare hym for his iustice sake or if thou beare any good hart towardes the counsailes or voice of god harden not thy hart as in the day of temptation keÌ„dle not vpon thy self the wrath of god flee from the vengeaÌ„ce to com for otherwise the iustice of God wylle fall faste vppon thee And yf thou as before wilfully dost desire to be mindfull of wrath reuengement or displeasure either of speking or of doing wickedly vse fyrste thy cogitation in this maner folowyng whiche shall bee rather to a godly entent and purpose accordyng to the counsayle of the preacher which is not to be yreful against thy neyghbour to wourke reuengemente agaynst hym for any matter or to wythhold thy charitie from him but to thinke vpon the moste terrible bitter day when thou among the rest shalt be called vppon by the trompe of god Eccle. 18. to appere before his wrathfull indignacion and to remembre the bitternes of his vengeaÌ„ce wheÌ„ he shal turne his face away from thee yea euen froÌ„ thee thou wrathfull and dampnable reiected creature if thou abyde in thy wrath and yf thou with the rest shalte be partaker of thys terrible and moste bytter sentence Awaye ye wicked to the deuell and to hell fyre for euer Yf thou otherwyse haue pleasure to think vpon wrath and to wourke or deuyse mischiefe thereby to the hurte of thy neighboure be thou certaine hereof well assured that suche a matche shall be ioined vnto thee as wyll cruellye in his wrath vexe thee quickly consume thee and violentlye twyne thee euen lyke a rysshe Psal 49. to the sodaine and shorte confusion Euen God hym selfe it is that shal recompence thee thy wickednesse shal destroy thee in thine owne wycked malyce yea it is the Lorde God hym selfe I say that shall vtterlye destroye thee As hatrede enemitie reuengement with suche other are wyeked euils forbidden thee and thervppon agreed with thyne owne consent and promise to a blessed and most happie ende so if thou contemnynge this prohibition dooest swarue frome thy promyse and fidelitie and cleaue vnto suche iniquitie they wyll kendle the wrathe of God agaynste thee Eccle. â—â— to the increace of affliction to the wour kyng of an euyl death and euerlastyng destruction Thou shalte worthily be compted among the numbre of the cursed and vngodly people Vpon whom god in this lyfe shall rayne snares fyre brymstone storme and tempeste whiche shall be their dewe portion to drynke Psal 1â— And suche as be scornefull despisers withoute a cause they shall bee put to confusion Psal 5. Psal 68. Psal 75. neyther shall suche as be mercylesse and cruell stande in the syghte of God For lyke as ware melteth at the greate heate of the fyreâ— so shal â—hun godly perishe at the preseÌ„ce of god come to a terrible and feareful end Fire haile wind earthquake tempest and whirlewind hungre and thirst pestilence murrayn burninge feuers incurable botches swellyngs madnes and suche straunge diseases sodayn fearefulnes strise vnquietnes rigour oppression sworde bloudsheddyng death sodayn death destruction and punishment the teeth also of wild and noysome beastes the scorpions Eccle. 39. serpentes and all suche poisoned and venomous wourmes are created for vengeaunce to the destruction of suche malicious and wicked people If thou wylt not therfore do obserue the will of God and feare to offende the fearefull name of the Lorde thy God Deut. 28. Psal 39. he will sende vpon thee yea and vpon thy seede after thee these foresaid greuous and moste terrible plagues and curses O chaunge therfore thy copy and tourne in tyme. Leaue of frome wrathe what soeuer thou be and lette go displeasure feare god be charitable kepe peace abyde in loue styppe not from it consider it wel and thinke what theron dependeth so shalte thou knowe it yea thou shalt gladly also exeresse it and enioy for euer the delectable fruites of it And if thou wilte further knowe of loue what it is note saint Paule Loue saith he is pacient and curteous 1. Cor. 4. it enuieth not it dooth not frowardly it is not pufte vp it dealeth not dishonestly it seeketh not her own it is not prouoked to anger it thiÌ„keth none euil it reioiceth not ouer iniquitie but in rightuousnes truthe it beareth al thinges 1. Tim. 1. beleueth al things hopethe all thynges and suffere the all thynges And this loue is the whole summe and ende of the lawe that shineth from a pure harte and good conscience and out of an vnfayned faith Rom. 13. For they that loue one an other fulfilleth the law So that the dedes theÌ„ of that fleshe beynge mortitied Gala. 2. we shall haue our conuersation in the spirit and not lyue vnder the lawe These are the fruites of the spirite Gala. 5. loue ioy peace longe sufferynge gentylnesse goodnesse faithefulnesse meekenesse and temperaunce These I saye bee the fruictes of the spirite And those that possesseth them are free and lyue not vnder the law wherby our soules are in rest at peace with god we coÌ„tent well god we reioyce to worke his will to the helpynge and edifyenge of oure neyghboure and to compte of our selues to be as before al membres of one bodye to thinke that we be all but one in Christ Charitie to reioice in our neighbours helth welth coÌ„fort eueÌ„ as we would do of our own to remedy his incoÌ„modities to lameÌ„t hys distresse mysery to aide him and comforte hym or if he erre or go oute of the right way to bewayle frome oure hartes hys greate blyndnes errour to geue him frendlye counsayle and warnynge to admonish him gently to tel him of his faultes soberlye and courteousely to geue hym instructions for his learning according to the veritie of goddes worde wherby oure hartes are illumined yâ— will of the flesh confouÌ„ded finally as the redemed iewel of Christ decely beloued of him to succour him in al necessities Thus if we hereby wel regard the mynde of god hys great loue and mercy towardes vs our obediece vnto hym and oure dueties towardes our neighbours we shal perceiue and easely finde out what heaueÌ„ly doctrin and counsailes among many others these are to be attayned vnto to be beloued embraced
Gene. ◠the redemed mēbres of Iesus Christe our christen brotherne and naturall countreymen but suffer theim wythout cōpassion in suche lamentable wyse to appeare before oure eyes in euery corner In fieldes in high wayes in churches in stretes in by lanes in commē Iaquesses vnder stalles at rych mens doores and vnder their walles Ah most lamentable wofull case wherby if we do enter into oure owne consciences what shall we there fynde What good matter of reioycinge and perfecte peace shall there before god appeare in vs What remaineth in vs wanting the charitie of god to be quiet in our selues and to liue in the state of goddes grace Remaineth there nothyng vprightly in vs What nothing at all No no verily of any inwarde or heauenly ioy but a terrible out cry VVhere the charitie of god remayneth not there the conscience abideth vn quiet and alvvaies in terroui◠and an open accusation agaynste vs and the iust terrour and vengeance of god vppon vs because we haue not in tyme to our powers accordyng to the order of charitie and perfect compassion preuented these most notable and cursed euils or at the least for not preparyng present comfort in suche tyme of necessitie makynge our frendes of wicked mammon whereby the poore myght be relieued that there myght be also layed vp in store for our selues a good foundation in Iesus Christe against the tyme to come Rom. 12. 1 Timo. 6 Eccle. 11. and obtayne-thorough hym euerlastynge lyfe Ryches is a good thing for it is the gift of god and so likewise is pouertie and as god hath made somme men riche with an holye and good spirite to despyse worldlye gooddes so hathe he also appointed some to beare the bourden of pouertie that they might happilye receiue his benefites at suche charitable and rich mennes handes O how blessed are those that haue riches the good gyfte of god where by they maye not only make many frendes to the praise of God Pro. 19. and their owne comforte but seeke also the fauour of the poore that are often through pouerty for saken of their frendes whose continuall praier and swete blessinge by the promises of god shall purchase vnto theym the fauour of god healthfulnes ioy prosperitie and plentifull encreace For the charitable acte of the rightuous godly man god alwayes beholdeth and accepteth as an hygh and wourthie sacrifice whiche he at any tyme vaynelye receyue not and without recompence but as his acte is worshyppeful accordynge to Salomon to doe good and to help the poore in their necessity which be calleth lendinge vnto the Lorde or layed out for a season so the Lord god that is all goodnesse and truths that delighteth in well doing and reioiceth in hys people wyll not wythholde hys bountyfull hande but see him largelye requighted agayne Prou. 19. Prou. 29. Prouer. 12 The poore and the lender ofte meete together but it is the Lorde that lightneth both their eyes It is the lord that prepareth pouertie It is the lord that geueth vnto the poore strengthe and consolation thoroughe faith by the power of his spirite to ask in his name and to attaine reliefe It is the lord also that geueth ryches Eccle. 17. and wourketh in the hartes of the rich tender compassion and mercye towardes the poore by the same spirite whereby hys name in theym bothe is hyghlys reuerenced and magnyfied And he that thus geeueth or lendeth vnto the poore in the name of God shal be blessed and not want him self For the mercye that a mercifull man sheweth here vnto his neighbour in these terrestrial vain earthly thynges is as it were a purse wyth hym or a treasure house plentuousely stuffed with thin comparable and endlesse treasures of god the father in and by oure Lorde Iesus Christe thorowe the loue and faith in whom a mans good dedes preserueth hym euen as the apple of an eye So that al vertuous and charitable dedes God louyngely beholdeth in Christe and largely agayn requiteth If grace wer amongst vs to consider the same and practise it But we are I saye to the contrary so blynded and sore infected with earthely and vayne affectes and felse loue so preuayleth our senses to rule that wee forgette god and his wourde we neglecte Christe and his gospelle we haue embraced but a benummed and deade faythe wee haue not reuerentely in price the onely merites of Christes deathe but wee rather heare the name of Christyanitie and holynesse secludynge the true faithe in the waye of rightousnes and are in deede enuironned and cloked in with all kyndes of maliciousnesse and wickednesse we haue professed in Iesus Christ to loue god aboue all thynges and our neighbours as our selues but we contempne God and Christe our creatour and sauioure and the rather neglecte oure poore neighboures and christen brotherne our companions in Christ and felowe heyres with him in his kyngedome bendynge our whole affectes to the onely dead will of the flesh we loue so much the world the diuelles snares hath caught vs The deuell the vvorlde and the flesh preuaileth against vs. Ena hath deceyued vs light fātasies are obeyed excesse beareth rule our callinges are abused our eies must be satisfied our bodyes must go gaye our feding must be fyne our pastymes must be kepte and what so euer earthly vanitie the deuill motioneth the worlde proeureth or the fleshe coneteth therevnto our corrupted hartes immediatlye consenteth Trulye Sathan that cursed enemy and prynce of impietie syns his firste fall from the kingdome of god into vtter darkenes neuer better bestirred hī to the nereace of his helly kingdom thē now in these our pitiles and most vnhappy daies And how he preuaileth and in victory triūpheth god to oure plage suffereth his grace he withdraweth which our wickednes serueth and that the godlye most greuously feeleth and with teares also lamenteth And if herein we now consider mennes ingratitude amongeste whome in their degrees they greatlye differ as some are muche more to bee noted then some namelye of such thinges as shal immediatly folowe considering how merueilously we be mixed with what diuersitie of spirites we bee guided and how variable in al our doynges we are alwais affected for we haue not amōgest vs one only faith we leane not zelously to one only true god neyther doo we seeke one onelye eternall and heauenlye father whose wyll of all men shoulde onely be receyued folowed if our hartes in dede were onlye to him vnited But as we bee apparauntly and to euel deuided and some to one way and some to another addicted so the powers of darkenesse hathe mightilie preuailed and wroughte open contempte to our iust reproche Therfore respectinge these two natures thus deuided I wyll humbly now wyth reuerence leaue here wourthylye vntouched all vertuous ryghte prudente honourable and godlye gouernours whose harts I acknowlege in their doinges to be alwayes moste aptly tempered with the reuerēd feare of God from whome
of temptation prepare vs awaye to escape Numc 23 1. Cor. 1.10 1. Thes 5. 2. Pet. 2. he wyl so strengtheÌ„ vs that when his grace is offered vnto vs wee shall not receyne it in vayne hys good spirite shall poisesse vs cleanse oure hartes of the deuelles infections he wyll not suffce vs to be ouercomme or drowned in theym for he wyll sowe in oure hartes the lyuely seedes of his grace and fill vs full of the wisedome of Chryst By thereare of god sin is eschevved he will putte his feare into oure heartes whyche the proude and scornefull people of thys worlde and they that maliciousely meddle against god do want Iob. 18. his grace is taken from such for they dwell without his feare he will so knitte our hartes in vnitie that hauynge but one harte and one waie we shall feare his name all the daies of our lyues that we and oure children after vs Iere. 32. Psal 118. maie bee blessed and prosper the will delyuer vs frome all daungers and misfortune he wil take warre and discention frome vs he will geeue vs victorye ouer our ennemyes he will prepare vs quietlye toâ— inioie oure wynuyngs he wyll not suffre vs to be confouÌ„ded our children destroied our goodes spoiled nor our wyues our daughters our maydens to be rauished and defyled he wyll be our mighty protection at all assaies geeue vs longe life Iob. 8. he will blesse oure posteritie he wil fil our mouthes with laughter and our lippes wyth gladdenesse he wyll blesse the lande wherein we dwel take from vs famine pestilence all strange dyseases specially of the mynde that oure soules beynge fouÌ„d we may behold him with a pure saythe and serue hym ioyfullye wyth a cleane harte he wyll bee vnto vs a GOD of ryghtuousnesse truthe and mercye he wyll be faithfull to fulfill and keepe hys promises He will sette vppe an euerlastynge couenaunt with vs namely that he wil neuer ceasse to doo vs good and that he wyll put his feare into oure hartes Iere. 32. so that hensefoorthe wee shall not runne nor goe astraye frome hym hee wyll make vs walke in the good and perfecte waye and to keepe the pathes of rightuousenes Yea Prou 2. he wyll haue a luste to do vs good and faythfullye to plante vs in the lande of the lyuynge wyth hys whole harte and with all hys soule For lyke as he hathe broughte vppon vs Iere. 32. great and diuers plages so will he also of hys mercye take theym againe frome vs and in steade of hys greate vengeaunce yet to come he will bring vpon vs all the good that he hath promised vnto vs. I foure hartes haue in possession thys precious and lyuelye vertue the feare of God the grace and fauoure of God shall abundauntly be poured vppon vs. Neyther shall we at anye tyme in suche wyse offende him that his wrath shal be kendled ageynst vs. There shall nothinge be wantyng in vs or neadefull for vs that shal bee to the comforte of soule and bodye yf we haue in vs the sayde vertue It is the begynnyng of wisedome Prouer. 1. It is the verye entrye to attayne the fauoure and blessyng of god Iere. 31. psal 24. In whom so euer it abydeth the secretes of our lord god are euer vnlocked vnto theym layed foorthe and spredde amongest theym and sheweth also vnto them Psal 25. Act. 13. psal 23. psal 147. Psal 34. Psal 102. his comfortable and most ioiefull couenaunt Vnto theim also as vnto the faithfull seede of Abraham is the wourd of saluation sente They that feare him and putte their truste in his mercye beholde hys mercyfull eyes are euer fixed towardes theym his delyghtes in theym hys aungell pitcheth his tente round aboute theÌ„ He is their strength and delyuereth theym his saluacion is nygh vnto them And looke how hygh the heauens are in comparison of the â—arth so great is his mercy towardes them that feare him Looke how wide â—he East is from the west so far hathe â—e sette oure synnes from vs yea and like as a father pitieth hys owne chyldren euen so is he merciful vnto them that feare hym psal 103. The mercyfull goodnes of the lorde endureth for euer and euer vppon theym that feare him and his ryghtuousenes vpoÌ„ their childres children psal 111. psal 112.182 He geeueth meate to theym that feare hym and towardes theym he is euer myndefull of hys couenant They are blessed that feare the Lorde The feare of the lorde maketh a longe lyfe Prou. 10. Prou. 14. The feare of the lorde is a well of lyfe to escape the daungers of deathe The feare of the Lord preserueth life yea it geueth plentuousnes withoute the visitation of any plage We are sure it shall goe well wyth theym that feare the lorde because they haue him before their eyes Prou 19. Ecclesi 8. Ecclesi 1. The feare of the lord is wourshyppe and triumphe gladdenes and a ioyfull crowne it maketh a mery hart and it driueth out synne The feare of the lorde is in the hart of the wyse whereby he departeth from euell and walketh in the pathe way of ryghtuonsenes The feare of the lorde is wyth the wyse manne in all hys doynges Prou. 14. Eccle. 28. and in the dayes of transgression he kepeth him self from sinne Eccle. 25. The feare of the lorde setteth it selfe aboue al things It is the beginning of loue and the beginning of faith is to cleaue fast vnto the feare of god The feare of the Lorde wanteth nothyng Eccle. 40 and neadeth no helpe The feare of the lorde is a pleasaunte gardeine of blessing and nothynge is so beautyfull as it is Eccle. 25. psal 128. O blessed therfore is the maÌ„ vnto whom it is graunted to haue the feare of god For as Esay saith it is the power of goddes holy spirite whereby we reuerence god by auoidinge euell and embracynge good accordyng to this sayenge The wyseman feareth god and auoydeth from euell And Iob sayeth Beholde the feare of the lorde is euen verye wisedome it selfe and is wholly coÌ„tinuyng for euer for it is the streÌ„gth of the diuine spirit to the reuerencing and wourshypynge of God whyche strength is not in vs the wourke of nature but the grace of god bath planted not the wil of maÌ„ but the purpose of god towardes his beloued chosen people vnto whom in Iesus Christe pertaineth the great strength myghtys wourkyng of hys graceÌ„ to the renewing of their mindes that through a reuereÌ„t life in rightuousnes the promises of god maye in this lyfe be atrayned vnto and felte And after thys lyfe Math 25. Iohn 5. to haue a ioyfull resurrection into euerlastynge lyfe thorough the onlye merited and death of hys dearelye beloued sonne Iesus Christ our lorde and sauiour who liueth and raigneth wyth hym in the vnitye of the holys ghost most blessed for euer and euer Amen The grace of god O dearelye beloued abounde in oure hartes to the shewing forth of hys glorye in rightuousnes that all we knowynge our duties and obedience to hys dyuyne and most gloriouse maiestie may be ryche and plentyfull in all good wourkes to the pleasynge of oure neighbours for their wealth and coâ—yeng Roma 15. Gala. 15. accordyng to the exaumple of Iesus Chryste the true patrone comforter and sauioure of the worlde who for the tendernesse of compassion that he had to hys people and to saue them from destructioÌ„ sought not to please hym selfe but beeyng innocent and a lambe vnspotted suffered as a wicked offendour moste shamefull reproche bitter tormentes and paynes in the flesh as also bodilye death as it was written of hym by the prophet The rebukes of them wihche rebuked thee sel on me psal 69. Roma 4. What so euer thynges are wrytten aforetyme they are written for our learning that thorough pacience comfort of the scriptures we myght haue hope The god of hope pacience and consolatioÌ„ fil vs wyth all ioye and peace in beleuynge that we may be ryche in hope thorow the power of the holy ghost Leuit. 19. and be like mynded one towardes another after the ensaumple of Christ that we al together agreeyng in vnitye may wyth one mouthe praise God the father of our lorde Iesus Amen The God of peace treade Sathan shortelye vnder our feete Roma 6. FINIS Fautes escaped in pryntyng ¶ In the leaf of A. the .xii. page the .xi. lyne of the Queenes epistle for into reade vnto In the leafe of B. the iii. page the xvii line or to muche In the leafe of B. the iii. page the .xx. line reade for restranitie restraint In the leafe of D. the .x. page the .xv. line for his pathes reade bypathes In the leafe of D. the .xi. page the .ix. line much to muche And in the xxv line for wrathe reade wroth In the leafe of D. the xiiii page the vii line for co reade to In the leaf of d. the xv page the xxii line for al as reade as all Note also the x. page of F the iii. lyne for in thys maner reade he teacheth vs in thys maner In the leafe of G. the v. page the â— liue for confession reade profession In the leafe of G. the xv page the xxiii line for thy reade the. In the leafe of H. the xii page the xxv line the 〈◊〉 or is to much And in the xi lyne before in the same for yf reade that In the leafe of L. the iii. page the .xix. lyne for he to hys electe reade he hath to hys electe In the leafe of N. the 14. page the .v. line for a glorious reade glorious FINIS ⧠Imprinted at London by Henrye Sutton at the costes and charges of Myghell Lobley and Ihon Waley The .vii. daye of Maye in the yeare of our Lorde a thousande v. hundred and syxtye And also perused and allovved accordynge to the Queenes maiesties iniunctions