and was very man and he toke thys flesh of y e seed of Dauid which was Mary the most pure viâ—â—gine These wordes are open â—nough for them that wyllâ—e A lyke thyng he wryteth to Timothe remember that Iesus Christ is rysen agen froÌ„ death of the seed of Dauid Behold howe he styl maketh mencion of the seed of Dauid because he wold haue vs earnestly imprynte the humanite of Christ in our brestes whych he receaued of the virgine Mary For he dyd afore se in y e spirite that ther shulde aryse certen false Prophetes which should labour to wreste oute of our hartes thys necessary article of Christes humanite To the Galathians also he wryteth on this manner whan the tyme was fulfylled God sente hys sonne borne of a woman or rather as the Greke worde â—enomenon â—ouÌ„deth begotteÌ„ or made Christe by the wounderfull and supernaturall operacion of the holye Ghoste was begotten made man of the virgine Mary yea and that wythoute the seed of ony man He only receaued hys flesh and man heâ— of Mary whiche God so workynge by his holy spirite was so pure clene and vndefyled that there was no spot of vnclennes in her at all And as Christ was begotten of God the father goddes owne sonne and very God from euerlasting yea and that wythoute the coÌ„pany of ony womaÌ„ so was he begotteÌ„ conceaued made borne very man of the moost pure virgine Mary wythout the seed of ony maÌ„ the holy Ghoste dyd so come vpon her and the power of the hyest ouershadowed her And as Christ receaued hys godhed only of God the father â—o receaued he hys manhedâ— onely of the virgine Mary hys mother Wherof we may coÌ„clude the as Christ is very God of God the â—â—â—ther without a mother so is he very man of Mary his mother wythout ony father Therfore maye hâ—â— godâ—hed be as iustly denyed as his 〈◊〉 and fleshe takynge of the blyssed virgine Mary But Christ abydeth very God and very man what so euer the wycked Heretykes bable in thys behalfe I wyll rehearse another text of S. Paule to the Hebrues and make an end of thys matter He was tempted made lyke to vs in all thynges synne alone excepte If he were lyke vnto vs in all thynges synne alone excepte than followeth it that he had a body of flesh as we haue and that there was no differeÌ„ce but that hys moost blyssed body was wythout all synne and our bodyes are synful For he was borne wrapped in cloutes layd in a maunger fedde circumcised embrased in armes grewe was made stronge in y e spirite profited in wisdome age hongred thyrsted wepte was wery reioysed was moued w t wrathe and indignacioÌ„ sorowed was heuy sad at the last suffered the moost spyteful death of the crosse Are not these very signes manifest tokeÌ„s of maÌ„ Coulde he haue done these thynges if he had had eyther a fantastical body or elles a body from heauen Na verely for what fantasticall or heauenly thynge hongreth thyrstethe wepeth slepeth reioyseth c. which all Christ dyd A lytle before hys passhon was he not in such an agony y t his sweat was lyke droppes of bloud tryckelynge downe to the ground Dyd he not so greatly feare deathe that he desyred his father to wythdrawe the cuppe of hys pashon from hym Are not all these euident tokens of a verye man seynge hys flesshe so greatly feared deathe â–ª Seyng than that he was very maÌ„ whense had he thys body but of the moost holy virgine Mary thorowe the meruelous operacioÌ„ of Goddes spirite CoÌ„founded therfore be Manicheus whiche deny the humaniâ—e of Christ. ConfouÌ„ded be Ualentius which affirmed that Christ brought hys bodye withe hym from heauen toke no flesh of the virgine Mary Confounded be the Anabaptistes so many as holde mayntayne this wycked doctrine contrary to Gods trueth For God was shewed in the flesh iustifyed in the spirite sene of Angels preched vnto the Gentiles beleued on in the earthe and receaued vp into glory Thus se you neyghboures that Christ the gyfte of God which bryngeth saluacion to all men hathe appered yea that in the flesh whiche he receaued of the moost blyssed and pure virgine Mary He appered say one S. IohnÌ„ that he myghte 〈◊〉 awaye our synnes yet was there 〈…〉 in hym Agayne for thys cause appered the soÌ„ne of God that he myghte loosen the workes of the dyuell but of all theyse thynges ye haue heard abundaÌ„tly before therfore wyll I go forthe wythe youre newe yeares gyfte It followeth And teacheth vs that we shulde deny vngodlynes and worldely lustes We hearde before that christ beynge borne of the virginne Mary brought health and saluacion to all men bothe Iewe and Gentile Here agayne S. Paule teachethe what pleasure he hathe done vs more He hath not only brought saluacion to vs by that meanes delyuered vs out of the miserable state where w t we were deteined before but he hath also taught vs what we shoulde do that thorowe oure owne faulâ—â— we loose not agen y e dignite whiâ—â— we haue gotten thorowe the fre mercy of God And in this behalfe also are we much bound to thys oure gyfte For what doth it profytte to haue a treasure gyuen vs to loose it agen streyght wayes Are we not muche bound to them which both gyue vs treasures and shewe vs also howe we maye safelye kepe them to oure great pleasure and conforte Howe muche than are we endetted to our sauyour Christ whyche hath not only gyuen vs the treasure of saluacioÌ„ which of all treasures is moost excellent but also taughte vs howe we shall behaue our selues that we lose it not hereafter But let vs heare what he hath taught vs Euse. I pray you speake on for we desyre greatly to heare it Phil. His doctrine is this That we shulde deny vngodlynes and worldely lustes We heare here none vnwrytten verites nor the fansys of men nor yet olde wyues fables and suche thynges as edify not but those thynges that haue ben taught of Moses and the Prophettes many yeres before hys commyng as we maye se in the holy scriptures therfore maye they not be reiecte and cast a waye The olde Ethnyckes harkened not more to the Oracles and answers of Apollo than we oughte to harken gyue eare to the doctrine of this gyfte of God Christ our sauyoure For he is that Prophet which God promised that he would rayse vp and put his wordes into hys mouth so y t who so euer wyll not heare hym God wylâ— be reuenged of hym He is a master sent from God He hath the wordes of euerlastyng lyfe He is the lyghte of the world Who so euer followeth hym walkethe not in darkenes but shal haue the lyght of lyfe â–ª He is the waye trueth and lyfe He is y e God that can not lye He is faythefull in all
hys wordes and holye in all hys workes We are coÌ„maunded of god the father to heare him The spirite of GOD is vpon hym he is sent to preach mery tydynges to the poore that he myghte heale the broken in harte preache delyueraunce to prysoners and syghte to the blynde He is that good shepeherd whose voyce hys shepe heare And euery one that is of the trueth hearethe hys voyce He is that Lord God which techeth vs profitable thynges and gouerneth vs in y e way wherin we ought to walke Seynge than that he is a Lorde of suche and so great authorite excellency puyssaunce seyng also he teacheth nothyng but trueth agayne seyng he hath done so much for vs and teÌ„dereth nothynge more than our healthe and saluacion we were not only to much ingrate and vnkynde towarde hym but also very enemies vnto oure selues yf we should not wyth all diligence apply our selues both to heare hym and also to followe accoÌ„plysh suche thynges as he teacheth vs. Let vs therfore hear what he wylleth vs to do And teachethe vs that we shoulde denye vngodlynesse and worldely lustes Where as our Englyshe translacion hath teacheth the Greke worde is Paideuousa Chri. What signifyeth that I praye you Phil. It signifyeth not only to teache but so to instructe enforme fashon â–ª teache as scolemasters are wonte to do theyr chyldreÌ„ whome they found receaued rude grosse ignoraunt and wythoute all good knowledge both of learnyng manners Euen suche dyd our scolemaster and teacher Christ fynde vs all grosse all rude all barbarous al blynde all ignorant all vnlearned all vnmannered and clene out of fashon Howe coulde it otherwyse be We were darkenesse We walked in the vanite of our mynde blynded in our vnderstandynge beyng straungers from the lyfe which is in God thorow the ignorauns that was in vs and the blyndenes of our hartes so that we gaue ouer our selues vnto wantonnes to worke all manner of vnclennes wythe gredynes For Satan the God of this worlde had blynded our mindes that we should not beleue vnlesse the lyghte of the glorious gospell of Christ whiche is the Image of God should shyne vnto vs. But yet for all thys our rudenes ignorauncy blyndnes Christ that heauenly Doctor doth not disdayne vs. He is contented to receaue vs into hys scole to become oure scole master so y t we wyll leaue our wyckednes and be contented to be reformed Oh what a geÌ„tle poynt is thys of our sauyour Iesus christ not to disdayne vs for al our rudenes ignoraÌ„cy but ioyfully to accepte vs if we wyl follow y e trade of his scole The comoÌ„ sayeng is an honest master loueth to haue honest seruaÌ„tes Nowe who is more honest pure godly innocent and â—autelesse than this master Christ It becometh theÌ„ his seruauntes to practyse follow so nyghe as they can his manners Therfore the fyrst lessoÌ„ that his scollers learne in his schole is to denye vngodlynes wordly lustes They that entende not to do thys they are no fyt scholers for such a scholemaster thoughe they bragge neuer so muche of hys name and call them selues ChristiaÌ„s For not euery one sayth vnto me Lorde Lorde sayth Christ shall enter into heauen but he that dothe the wyll of my father which is in heauen And I pray you marke howe pretely and handsomely the Scripture speakethe That we should deny vngodlynes and worldely lustes As though it should saye although in tymes paste we haue both followed and mayntened vngodlynes ydolatry false worshyppynges of God supersticion confidence in our owne selues and workes and haue lyued after the lustes of the world and the flesh yet now for asmuch as we are come into a newe schole and haue another schole master techer which teacheth hys scholers nothyng but vertue godlynes and all that euer is contrary to vice it becomethe vs to deny forsake yea vtterly to forsweare all vngodlynes and worldly lustes and what so euer is coÌ„trary to the teachynge of thys oure newe scholemaster and neuer to haue to do w t them here after but studiously and wythe all applicacion of mynde to followe the doctrine of thys oure techer Theo. What is it to deny vngodlynes Phil. To deny vngodlynes is vttterly to forsake to cast away all thynges that should obscure deface or in ony poynte hynder the honour and glorye of God For who so euer wyl be Christes scoler he must fyrst seke the glory of God aboue all thynges as it is writen Thou shalt worshyp the Lorde thy God hym only shalt thou serue Euse. which are they that hynder the glory of God Phil. Aske ye which neyghbour Eusebius whan the world is altogither set on wickednes as s. IohnÌ„ sayth They loue the glory of menne more than the glory of GOD as Christ sayth All seake theyr owne and not that which is Iesus Christes sayth S. Paule What a sorte of Idolaters are there in the worlde whyche steale the honour from God gyue it to creatures What a nomber are fallen from Christ some puttynge theyr trust in popysh pardons some in y e merites of other some in theyr owne workes some in the obseruauÌ„ces of mens tradicions c What a company also is there y t loue worldly thynges more then God Howe doth the couetous man embrase and loue hys rytches so that it is not w t out a cause sayd of Christ It is more easy for a cable rope to go thorow the eye of a nedle than for a rytche man to enter into the kyngdome of God How doth the glotonne make of his belly and enfarse it wythe all kynde of deynties Howe dothe the prowde parsonne garnysh â–ª hymselfe and delight in precious ornameÌ„tes Howe doth the irefull man set asyde all charite and feare of God seake to be reueÌ„ged AgeÌ„ what a swarme of wycked parsons are ther whiche dishonour the name of oure God by vnlawfull and abhominable othes What thynge in earth do they leaue vnsworne by Yea what parte of y e moost glorious body of our Sauyour Iesus Christ wherby we receaued redempcion and saluacion do they leaue vntowched wythe theyr to moche detestable othes Why do not these wretches call this precepte of God to theyr remeÌ„braÌ„s Thou shalt not take the name of the Lorde thy GOD in vayne For the Lorde wyll not holde hym gyltles y t taketh his name in vayne The wisâ— man also saythe A man that vsethe much swearyng shall be fylled with wyckednes and the plage that is y e vengeauÌ„ce of God shal not go away from hys house Furthermore what a flocke is there that hate the Gods worde so many as laboure to promote and set it forth callynge them Heretykes and felowes of the newe learnyng How lytle pleasure haue these swynysh worldlynges and volupteous bely goddes ether to read the scriptures theÌ„ selues or to
hath my commaundementes sayth Christ and kepeth them he it is that louethe me If ony man loueth me he wyl kepe my worde and my father shall loue hym we wyll come vnto hym dwell wyth hym He that louethe not me kepeth not my wordes Here Christ measureth our loue that we heare toward him by kepyng his word If we kepe his worde than loue we hym but if we kepe it not than loue we hym nothynge at all Agen he saythe I am the vyne and ye are the braunches He that abydeth in me I in hym bryngeth forth much frute Let vs not flatter our selues If we aâ—yde in Christ we brynge forthe muche frute If we brynge forth no frute than abyde we not in Christ. If we abyde not in christ thaÌ„ are we none of christes So followeth it that as withered braunches we shall be gathered and cast into the fyre ther burne for euer S. Paule sayth â–ª not they which heare the lawe are righteous before God but they that expresse the lawe in dedes shall be coâ—ted righteous Although no man be able so longe as he lyuethe in thys worlde to fulfyl the law so thorowly as the purite therof requirethe â–ª yet is it our offyce to laboure vnto the vttermoost of our power to fulfyll the lawe and where we perceaue that we are not able to bring to passe w t so great clennes of hartâ— that which the spirite of the law requireth to bewayle our weakenes â–ª to desyre strengthe to praye vnto God that Christ whiche is the ende and perfecte fulfyllyng of the law maye supply that which wantethe in vs. Agayne he saythe we are buryed wythe hym by Baptisme into death that as Christ is rysen agâ—â—n from death thorow the glory of the father so we shulde walke in a newe lyfe And a litle after recount your selues to be dead vnto sinne but liuing vnto God thorow Iesus christ our Lorde Therfore let not synne raygne in youre mortall bodye for to obey it thorow the lustes therof Neyther gyue ye your members as instrumeÌ„tes of vnrighteousnes vnto synne but gyue your selfes vnto God as they that are alyue from death and gyue youre members as instrumentes of ryghteousnes vnto God Agayne in that same chapter as ye haue gyueÌ„ your members seruauntes to vncleannes to iniquite euen from one iniquite vnto another so now gyue your meÌ„bers seruauÌ„tes vnto righteousnes that ye maye be sanctifyed All these sentences declare vnto vs howe pure innocent and fautles our lyuynge oughte to be If it be the contrary our professioÌ„ profyteth vs nothyng at al. In another place also he sayth If ony man be in Christ he is a new creature that is to say wholly changed froÌ„ his olde maÌ„ners vnto newe He hath no more fellowshyp wythe the vnfruteful workes of darkenes but so composeth appoynteth his lyuyng that he maye appeare to be the lyght of the world Agayne they that are of Christ haue crucifyed y e flesh with the affectes lustes therof If we lyue in the spirite lette vs walk in the spirite For the flesh lustethe agaynst the spirite the spirite agaynst the flesh All they therefore which lyue accordynge to y e appetyte luste and desyre of the fleshe pertayne not vnto Christ. We are y e workemanshyppe of God created in Christe Iesus vnto good worckes whiche God hath prepared that we shulde walke in them Beholde God is oute maker we be made a newe in Christ Iesus vnto good workes So many therfore as apply not theÌ„ selues to do good workes are not engraffed in Christ but remayne styll members of Satan Item I being presoner exhorte you in the Lorde that ye walke worthy your callyng wherin ye are called with all lowlynes mekenes w t softenes of mynd sufferynge one another by charite studyeng to kepe the vnite of y e spirite thorow the bond of peace Here se we with what vertues we ought to garnyshe oure lyfe that we maye walke worthy oure vocacion callyng Howe farre than are they out of the waye whiche defyle them selues wyth all kynde of abhominable vice Be ye sayth S. Paule the followers of God as well beloued chyldren walke in loue as Christ hath loued vs. If it be our duty to â—e the followers of God so must we practise his goodnes follow his innocency purite so muche as lyghethe in our power or els we are not y e soÌ„nes of God Our celestial father is pure holy shal we his chyldreÌ„ be prophane vnholy Our heuily father is good godly mercyful pacieÌ„t al spirite shal we hys soÌ„nes be euel wycked rigoroê° impacieÌ„t al flesh Be ye holy sayth he for I am holy Ye shall be perfecte sayth Christ as your heauenly father is perfecte Moreouer S. Paule wrytethe Be ye pure and suche as no man can be offended wyth you agaynst the day of Christ fylled full of the fruyte of ryghteousnes which chaunseth thorowe Iesus Christ vnto the glory prayse of God Agayne do all thynges without grutchynge and disputacion beyng such that no man can complayne of you and pure the sonnes of God fautles in the myddes of a frowarde and crokedde nacion amonge whome shyne ye as lyghtes in the worlde holdyng fast the word of lyfe It is not without a cause y t your newe yeres gyfte teacheth vs to be earnest folowers of good workes seynge that so great purite and cleÌ„nes of lyfe is required of vs. â—o worthe those fylthye swyne whiche walowe and tomble them selues in all kynde of fleshly vnclennes vnto the great slaunder of Christes Gospell IteÌ„ Mortify your earthly meÌ„bers whoredome vncleannes couetousnes c. For god hath not called vs vnto vnclennes but vnto sanctificacioÌ„ All ye are the soÌ„nes of lyght sayth he and the sonnes of the day we are not of the nyghte nor yet of darkenes Therfore let vs not slepe as other do but lette vs watch and be sober Seyng y t we are no more y e worldes seyng also we haue gyuen ouer Satan and the fleshe wyth all theyr workes pompes plesures it becommeth vs so to walke in al our lyfe conuersacion that we be not found lyke Satans seruauÌ„tes nor the volupteous worlde lynges nor yet ony suche as lyue 〈◊〉 the flesh and not after the spirite but pure clene honest fauteles godly and as I maye so speake euen lyke another christ S. Peter also sayth giue not your selfes to your olde lustes wher wyth ye were ledde whan ye knewe not Christ but as he that called you is holy so be ye also holy iÌ„ al your coÌ„uersacion for it is wrytten be ye holy for I am holy Here are we taught to forsake our olde synfull lyuynge and to fashon our selues lyke vnto the manners of God which is holy righteous perfecte abundantly good in all thynges Furthermore saynt IohnÌ„
Mary Peter Iames Michael FrauÌ„ces Dominicke AusteÌ„ or ony other He shal both saâ—e and lede his people wythâ— hym into eternall glorye For as hâ— shall saye to the wycked Departe go awaye froÌ„ me ye cursed into euer lastynge fyre which is prepared foâ— the dyuell his aungels so shall he faye to his faythful people Come yâ— blyssed chyldren of my father inherite the kyngdome which was prepared for you from the begynnynge of the worlde O swete sayeng more full of ioye conforte than it can be expressed Chri. Lorde I beseche the for thy great mercyes so to assyst vs with thy holy spirite that we maye so walke before the in this lyfe accorâ—dynge to thy moost holy worde y t wâ— may be found in y e noÌ„ber at that day of thy blyssed chyldren to whome â— of thy fre grace shalte gyue y e moost glorious inheritaunce Phil. Your deâ—syre is godly Ye shall heare more of your new yeares gyfte for it begynnethe to drawe vnto an ende Euse. I praye you lette vs heare Phile. whyche gaue hymselfe for vs to redeme vs from all vnrighteousnes That there can be no sauyour for vs but christ alone these word is proue manifestly for asmuch as none other but he only gaue him selfe for vs to redeme vs from al vnrighteousnes Was Paule crucifyed for vs Or were we baptised in y e name of Paule What saynt at ony tyme thought hymselfe so pure immaculate and wythout all spotte of synne that he durst presume to dye for vs to auouche hys death to be an oblacion sacrifyce for oure synnes to god the father excepte peraduenture we wyll admytte for good payment these suche lyke blasphemies which were wonte full solemly to be songe in the temples vnto y e great ignominy of y e glorious name of God the dishonoure of Christes moost precious bloud Iesu bone per Thomae merita nostra nobis dimitte debita Eta trina morte nos suscita Agen Iesu bone per Thomae uulnera quae nos ligant relaxas celera Item Thomae cedunt parent omnia Pestes morbi mors demonia Ignis aer tellus maria Thomas munduÌ„ repleuit gloria MuÌ„dat lepra conspersos maculis soluit mortis ligatos uinculis I let passe many mo whiche are very easye to be searched founde oute What are if these be not blasphemies What obscure the price of Christes death if these wycked senteÌ„ces do not Ah Lord what blyndenes occupyed the world whaÌ„ suche wycked doctrine crept in and was receaued into the chyrche and made in a manner of equall authorite wyth the holy scripture Oh Satan great is thy crafte vnsearcheable is the suttelty of thy wicked imaginacions Chri. Here are some of vs whyche vnderstande not the Latin tonge Englyshe therfore the aforesayd sentences Phil. I wyl do it in order O good Iesu forgyue vs oure dettes thorowe the merites of Thomas And reyse vs vp from the thre folde death O good Iesu release vs of our synnes whiche bynde vs thorowe Thomas woundes All thynges gyue place and obeye Thomas Pestilences diseses death dyuels Fyre ayre earth the sees Thomas fylled the world full of glory He maketh clene lepers He losoneth them that are bounde from the bondes of death Howe saye ye to thys geare Is it not good stuffe Euse. Let God be but a lytle mercifull vnto me yf I haue ether heard or read more pestilent abhominable blasphemies thaÌ„ these are Is this ony other thaÌ„ as Lucifer sayd I wyll clyme vp in to heuen make my seat aboue the starres of God I wyll sytte vpon y e glorious mount toward the North. I wyl clyme vp aboue the clowdes and wyll be lyke the hygheste of all Is not this the office of God to forgyue vs oure dettes for the merites of Christ Doth it not pertayne vnto God to reyse vs vp from deathe Are not our sinnes only released for Christes woundes sake Is not all power gyuen vnto Christ both in heuen and in earthe Are not all thynges in the hande of God to do withe them what so euer hys moost godly plesure shal be Is it not God alone that losoneth the synfull from y e bondes of deathe Howe than can these thynges be iustly ascribed to a mortall creature begotten conceaued borne in synne yea as some iudge of him Tratour both to God and his Prynce Is a synner fyt to pay a synners rauÌ„some Is a Traytouâ— a conuenient parson to make meaÌ„s for another Traytour vnto a kyng whome both of them haue offended What Prynce can awaye with the syght of theÌ„ Phil. Ye say trueth It therfore foloweth wel y t nether Thomas Fraunces Dominicke AusteÌ„ nor any other creature nether in heuen nor in earth were they neuer so holy suffered they neuer so greate paynes could be our sauiour but christ alone y e pure iÌ„maculate laÌ„be of God which gaue himselfe for vs as your newe yeares gyfte sayth to redeme vs from al vnrighteousnes Marcke that he saythe whych gaue hym selfe for vs. These wordes expresse the vnspeakeble kyndenes of Christ towarde vs seynge that whan we had deserued no suche gentylnes he was contented to come downe from the glorye of his father and to become man for oure sake yea to gyue hymselfe vnto the deathe to reconcyle vs vnto God the father and to make an attonement betwene hiÌ„ vs. He gaue hym selfe for vs. He suffered deathe wyllyngly It was not the violence of the Iewes that drewe hym vnto his passion but hys owne voluÌ„tary wyll The seruent brennyng loue that he had in hys brest toward maÌ„kynde caused hym to take the death vpon hym and to suffer those moost cruell paynes So that he dydde all thinges wyllyngly as the Prophet sayth He was offred because it was his pleasure and he dyd not once opeÌ„ his mouth Christ hiÌ„selfe also sayth Therfore doth my father loue me bâ—cause I put my lyfe from me that I myght take it agayne No man takethe it from me but I putte it awaye of my selfe I haue power to put it from me and haue power to take it agayne Thus se we y t Christ wythoute ony compulsion suffered death for our sake He gaue himselfe and no Aungell nor ony other creature nether in heauen nor in earth for vs for vs I saye men although neuer so greuous synners if we repent beleue amende O moost precious incomparable gyâ—te There is one god sayth S. Paule and one attonement maker of God and meÌ„ euen the man Christ Iesus whyche gaue hymselfe a rauÌ„some for all meÌ„ Christ gaue hiÌ„selfe for vs. wherfore To redeme vs froÌ„ all vnrighteousnes Theo. What is it to redeme vs Phile. To redeme vs is to bye vs agayne whaÌ„ we are loste to pay our raunsome to satisfy for our syn to delyuer vs oute of captiuite to brynge vs home agayne to our
heare other Yea I would there were not whiche nether wyll read the moost holy Bible theÌ„ selues nor yet suffer wyth a gladde mynde other to read Agaynst all such dothe Christ thonder in the gospell sayenge Wo be to you Scribes and Pharises hypocrites which haue taken awaye y e keye of knowledge and speared the kyngdome of heauen before men Ye your selues do not enter nor yet sufferre them that come to enter Do not alâ— these thinke you as I may let passe many other greatly dishonour God and obscure his glory These are no fytte scholers for Christes schole excepte they repent and amend Therfore as I sayd vnto you before who so euer wyll be Christes scholler he must fyrste seake the glory of God aboue all thynges He must loue god aboue all thynges ether in heuen or in earth beleue hym to be hys alone sauyoure and aske and looke for all good thynges of him alone He must honour hys name and seake the glory therof in al thynges that he doth Yea for the glorye of thys hys God he must be contented not only to bâ—stowe his goodes but hys very lyfe also if the honoure of God so requireth He must loue the worde of god as the alone tresure of his soule study in it daye and nyghte talke of it with other exhorâ—e his christen brothers vnto the readyng of it reioyse whan he se men haue a plesure in iâ— and encourage them so to continew to followe that whiche they read â–ª They that do thys denye vngodlynes vnfaynedly seake the honour and glory of God Chri. I besâ—ch god that we all may haue grace thuâ— to do Phil. For asmuch as we walke not only before God but also before meÌ„ therfore doth your new yeres gyfte I meane Christ youre scholemasteâ— not only teache you to deny vngodlynes but also worldely lustes Theo. What meaneth he by that Phil Euen the very same that S. Paule dothe wrytynge to the Collossians â–ª Mortify sayth he youre members â–ª whiche are on the earth fornicacion vnclennes vnnaturall lust euell coÌ„cupiscence and couetousnes which is worshyppyng of Idols for which thynges the wrath of God comethe on the childreÌ„ of vnbelefe In which ye walked once wheÌ„ ye lyued in theÌ„ But nowe putte ye also away from you all thynges wrath fearcenesse maliciousnes cursed speakyng fylthy talke out of your mouthes Ly not one to another after y t ye hauâ— putte of the olde man with his workes and put on the newe whiche is renewed in knowledge after y e image of hym that made hym Of these wordes may ye learne what it is to deny worldly lustes Uerely to mortify all carnal affectes which stryue agaynst the spirite For the fleshe lustethe coÌ„trary to the spirite and the spirite contrary to y e flesh But they that pertayne vnto Christ haue crucifyed the flesh with the affectes and lustes therof If ye lyue after y e flesh ye shal dye But if ye mortify the dedes of the body in the spirite ye shal lyue For who so euer are led wythe the spirite of God they are the sonnes of God Here may ye se what purenes bothe of body miÌ„d god requireth of vs seiÌ„g we may not so much as once noryssh a worldely carnall lust in our hartes How muche lesse than is it lawefull for vs to accomplysh them in dede and to bryng theÌ„ forth in externall acte Hereto pertayneth the coÌ„maundement Thou shalte not couyt or lust Our scholemaster also in the Sermon that he made in the mountayne sayth who so euer looketh on another mannes wyfe lustyng after her hath comitted adultry alredy in hys harte It is not wtout a cause y t Christ techeth vs to deny worldly fleshly lustes For if the hart be not refrayned froÌ„ euell concupiscences kepte cleane it is not possible that we can eyther speake or do ony thynge at all that shoulde â—e good or godly For of the abundaunce of the herte the mouth speaketh A good man out of y e good tresure of hys harte bryngeth forth that is good And an euell man out of the euel tresure of hys harte bryngeth forth that is euell Euery tree is knowne by her fruyte Therfore muste we aboue all thynges watche that no euell lust crepe into our hartes ether thorow the entysâ—ment of the flesh or the flattering of y e world or yet the craftye suggestion of Satan Be sober saythe S. Peter and watche For your aduersary the dyuell goeth about lyke a rorynge lyoÌ„ seakynge whome he maye dâ—uoure Iâ— the harte be once corrupte wythe wâ—rldely lustes than goeth all to hauocke â–ª as S. Iames saythe After y e lust hathe conceaued she bryngethe forthe â—ynne and synne whan iâ— is fynyshed bryngethe forthe deathe Blyssed is that man that can kepe hys haâ—â—e fre from worldly lustes vnlawfull desyres For he is a fytte scholler to be in Chriâ—tes schole yea it is an euident token that he hathe learned wyth Christ alredy hathe well profyted in godly knoweledge And that you may do thys set euer before the eyes of youre mynde this sayenge of S. IohnÌ„ Loue not the world noâ— those thynges that 〈…〉 the worlde If ony man louethe the worlde the loue of the father is not in hym For all that is in the world as the concupiscence of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pryde of the life is not of the father but it is of the world And the world passeth away the lust therof But he that dothe the wyll of God abydethe for euermore Euse. Is it not lawfull for vs to couytte desyre such thynges of y e worlde as are necessary for our lyuynge Phil. To desyre to haue meat dryncke clothe wythout y e whiche ye canne not lyue in the worlde it is lawfull Salomon and Iacob prayed for them vnto God Christ also in the Pater noster taught vs to pray on this manner Gyue vs this daye our dayly bread S. Paule also sayeth If ony man dothe not prouyde for hys houshold he hath denyed the fayth and is worse than an infidell Therfore is it lawful both to desyre praye and make prouision for them so that it be done in fayth of a single harte For all the creatures of god are good as the scripture sayth God beheld all thynges that he had made and they were very good All thinges are pure to them y t are pure No thynge is to be cast awaye that is receaued wyth thankes gyuyng To desyre these thynges I say yea and to haue the vse and possession of theÌ„ ye are not forbyddeÌ„ but to lust desyre worldly rytches wyth a couetous and insatiable mynde that ye maye ioyne house to house londe to lande ferme to ferme to desyre to be reuenged when all vengeaÌ„ce pertayneth to God as he sayth vengeance is mynde and I wyll reward to lust after
at the wyne and seake out wher the best is Therfore kepe no company wythe wyne bybbers and ryotous eaters of flesh for suche as be dronckardes ryotous shall come to pouerte Iesus y e sonne of Syrach also sayth Be not gredy in euery eatynge be not to hastye vpon all meates For excesse of meates bryngeth syckenes glotony coÌ„meth at the last to an vnmesurablâ— heate Thorow glotony haue maâ—â— peryshed but he that dyeâ—e the hym 〈◊〉 â—eÌ„peraâ—ely prolongeth his lyfe Therfore good neighbours that wâ— maye eschewe all these great perels let vs caste awaye all glotony droÌ„â—kennes lyue soberly practyse modâ—â—rate temperauns so embrace christen sobriete that we maye be sober bothe in body mynde So shall we be the more able to do oure duty toward our neighbours Theo. Trueth it is For he that can not order hym selfe well toward himselfe shal euell do his duty toward hys neyghbour I praye God gyue vs grace fyrst to looke vpon our selues as we ought to do afterwarde to behaue oure selues towarde our neyghbours aâ— it becommeth vs. Phil. This is a godly desyre We are taughte of Christ our scolemaster not only to lyue soberly whiche concerneth our selues but also ryghteously whiche to wecheth oure neyghboures Euse. What is it to lyue ryghteâ—usly Phil. To do to euery maÌ„ as we are bouÌ„d by y e commaundement of God For the offyce of ryghteousnesse is to gyue euery one his owne This oure lesson that we should lyue ryghteously comprehendethe all the seconde table of the ten commaundementes For iustice and ryghteousnes requirethe that we honour our father mother reuerence theÌ„ and do for them what so euer lygheth in our power It requirethe of vs that we also haue in honour all temporall magistrates so many as be our superious It requireth agayne that we giue to the ministers of Gods worde double honour that is to saye both an harty externall reuerence and also all thinges that are necessary for theyr lyuynge that theyr moost godly exercyses maye not be letted It requireth that we slay no man nor do no man no harme but walke charitably towarde all men speke reporte well of all men healpe conforte and socour theÌ„ yea though they be ourâ— extreme enemies seake our death For the coÌ„mauÌ„dement of our scholemaster is this Loue your enemies pray for theÌ„ that curse you do good to them that hate you c. It requireth that we commit none adultry but that euery man haue hys owne wyfe euery woman her owne husbonde It requirethe that we do no theafe nor steale ony thynge from our neyghbour nor brybe away his goodes vniustly nor deceue hym in bargaynyng but healpe hym mayntayne hym socour hym do for him vnto the vttrmoost of our power y t he may want no good thynge It requireth that we beare no false wytnes agaynst our neyghboures nor obscure hys good name nor yet do ony thynge at all that maye turne hym to displeasure but both thynke speake of hym gentylly frendly charitably enterpretynge all thynges vnto the best and coueryng his fautes where there is hope of ameÌ„dmeÌ„t It requireth of vs that we do not couyt oure neyghboures house wyfe seruaunt handmayd nor ony thyng that is his but that we wysh well vnto hym to all that he hath beynge contented wyth that y e God hath gyuen vs be it lytle or muche To be shorte to lyue ryghteously is to do vnto other as we woulde they shoulde do vnto vs. He y t doth these thynges aforesayde lyueth ryghteously behaueth hym selfe towarde hys neyghbour as he is bound by y e commauÌ„dement of God Chri Nowe haue we learned our duty bothe toward our selues our neyghbours Let it nowe be declared vnto vs I praye you how we ought to behaue our selues toward God Phil. Christe our scholemaster techeth vs not only to lyue soberly and ryghteously but also godlye Theo. What is it to lyue godly Phil. To lyue godly is to beleue that ther is but one true lyuyng God to cleaue vnto hym as the fouÌ„dacioÌ„ of all goodnes to looke for all health saluacioÌ„ at his hand to loue hym with the whole mynde harte power soule to call vpoÌ„ his moost blyssed name to prayse hym in all kynde of fortune to seke his glory aboue all thynges to serue him accordynge to his worde Euse. Blyssed is y e man to whome it is gyuen thus godly to lyue Phil. Neighbours nowe haue ye learned y e whole trade of Christes schole what he techeth Hys doctrine is this that ye should deny vngodlynes worldly concupisceÌ„ces that ye should lyue soberly ryghteously godly Looke therfore that ye followe thys teachynge practyse it in your dayly coÌ„uersacion that ye maye be founde no forgetfull hearers but ferueÌ„t doers of suche thinges as ye haue heard and learned Deny vngodlynes and for sake all y t euer is contrary to Gods honour prayse worshyp and glory Mortify youre carnall affectes and worldely lustes Become newe men in your lyuyng Awaye w t the workes of darkenes on wyth the frutes of the spirite Put on the armoures of lyght and cast awaye the workes of darkenes Be no loÌ„ger darkenes but lyght in the lorde Shyne in the worlde as great lyght Glorify God in your body in youre spirite whiche are Gods Lette youre lyght to shyne before men that they maye se your good workes glorify your father whyche is in heauen Lyue soberly modestly temperatly discretely â—agely toward your selues Do nothyng wherof your conscience maye eyther condemne or accuse you Lyue righteously toward youre neyghboure Do none otherwyse vnto hym than ye woulde he should do vnto you Lyue godly towarde God Seake hys glory in all thynges worshyp hym accordyng to hys word not after your blynd fansy fleshly ymaginacion Thus doyng ye shall shew your selues scholers not altogyther vnworthy suche a scholemaster But ye must note y t all these thiÌ„ges must be done in this present worlde as your newe yeres gyfte hathe For this is the tyme of grace fauour conforte and remissioÌ„ of synnes as God sayth by the Prophet I haue heard the in a tyme accepted in y e day of saluacion haue I socoured the. Behold now is that well accepted tyme behold now is y e day of saluacion Seake the Lorde whyle he maye be founde In thys world ther is tyme of mercy fauour grace Here is it lawful to lament our synnes Here maye we vndoubted beleue trust obtayne remissioÌ„ of our synnes After this lyfe there remayneth nothyng but ether euerlastynge payne or eternall glory as S. Ciprian sayth WhaÌ„ we go once out of thys worlde there is no more place of repentaÌ„ce there is no more satisfaccion to be made For lyfe is here ether lost or gotten here is prouision made for eternall
sayth if we say that we haue fellowshyp with Christ yet walke in darknes we lye do not y e trueth But if we walke in the lyght as he is in the lyght we haue felloweshyp one wyth another and the bloud of Iesus Christ gods owne sonne maketh vs cleane from all synne This texte prouethe manifestly that we haue no feloweshyp wythe Christ so long as we walke in darkenes that is in synfull lyuynge agayne that the bloude of Christe profytethe vs nothyng at all excepte we walke in the lyght of Gods worde laboure to fulfyll hys holye preceptes For sayth S. IohnÌ„ by this do we know y t we haue known hiÌ„ if we kepe hys coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„tes He y t sayth I know hiÌ„ kepeth not hys coÌ„mauÌ„demeÌ„tes is a lyare and the truethe is not in hym But he that dothe hys worde trulye in hym is the loue of God perfecte By this do we knowe that we are in hym He that sayth he abydeth in hym oughte to walke euen as he walked Of this all the other textes which I haue hitherto rehearsed we may easly learne what is our duty and howe earnestly we oughte to seake occasions for to do good Seyng we are y e peo-people of God yea hys peculiare oute chosen people we muste nedes shewe oure selues earnest followers of good workes or elles haue we no fellowshyp wyth Christ. God the father is not oure father nether are we christes brothers nor yet fellow heyres wyth hym if we seake not to lead a godly and vertuous lyfe Let vs neuer crake of the iustificacioÌ„ of fayth of y e fre mercy of God of christes pashoÌ„ bloud death merites c. we lead a lyfe worthy the kyndenes of God Lette vs neuer reioyse that we are delyuered from the power of SataÌ„ synne deth hell for so long as we coÌ„tinue in our olde synnefull lyuynge and wycked manners we pertayne not vnto Christ but are y e bonde slaues of Satan very fyre brondes of hell For as y e good preste Zachary father to S. IohnÌ„ Baptist sayth God hath perfourmed the othe whiche he sware to our father Abraham for to gyue vs that we delyuered out of the haÌ„des of our enemies myght serue hym wtout feare all the dayes of oure lyfe in holynes righteousnes Hereto agreeth the sayng of s. Paule the bloud of christ whyche thorow the euerlastyng spirite hathe offered hymselfe pure to God shall pourge youre conscience from dead workes for to serue the lyuynge God Here learne we y t christ hathe delyuered vs from the power of our enemies that we should serue him in holines and righteousnes all the dayes of oure lyfe Nowe if ony be not giuen to the seruyse of God surely he is not free but abydethe styll the miserable captiue bonde presoner of his enemies Let all meÌ„ therfore take hede prepare theÌ„ selues to lede a godly lyfe y t they maye be earnest followers of good workes or elles nether theyr baptisme nor Christ nor yet ony thyng that euer Christ dyd shall profytte them ony thynge at all Chri. O good Lorde how greatly be many deceued whiche put theyr trust in Christ crake muche of fayth yet continue styll abhominable lyuers thynkyng not with stondynge all this theyr great wyckednes to be saued Phil. To repeÌ„taunce â—aythe and amendement of lyfe mercy is neuer denyed But be not you deceaued neyghbours For not they whiche heare the lawe are righteous before god but they that expresse the law in dedes shall be coÌ„ted righteous Be ye the doers of y e worde and not the hearers only deceauyng your selfes Theo. God gyue vs grace thus to do that we maye garnysh the doctrine of God our sauioure in all thynges Euse. Amen I beseche the good Lorde Phil. Uerely there are many causes yea those vrgent and necessary why Christen men shoulde bryng forth good workes if they dyd consider theyr vocacioÌ„ callyng wel Fyrst because it is the wyll of God God hath coÌ„mauÌ„ded so by his holy worde For what chylde accoÌ„plysheth not his fathers wyll for the loue that he beareth towarde hym What seruaunt fulfylleth not his masters coÌ„maundemeÌ„t if he do but onely feare hym â–ª Hoâ—â— muche more than ought we wâ—â—che haue so louynge a fatheâ— and so puyssauÌ„t a Lorde and beneficiall a master for the loue 〈◊〉 â—earâ— that we beare toward hym shewe our 〈◊〉 obedient to his holy wyll fulfyl it to y e vttermoost of our power â–ª Where ether â—earâ— or loue of God is there must the â—ulfyllynge of Gods lawe nedes followe If so doth not neuer let vs confesse oure selues eyther to feare or loue god truly The sonne honoureth his father and the seruaunte his Lorde If I than be youre father where is my honoure â–ª And if I be your Lord where is my feare sayth y e Lord or Hoâ—stes Not euery one that sayth vnto me Lord Lorde shall enter into y e kyngdome of heauen sayth Christ but he thaâ— doth the wyll of my father which iâ— in â—eauen The holy 〈…〉 bryng forth frutes of repentaunce And christ sayth as my father gaue me commaundement so I do Agen I haue not spokeÌ„ of my selfe but he that sent me that is to saye my father he gaue me commaundement what I shoulde do what I should speake A christeÌ„ man therfore must do good because it is the commaundement and wyll of God Secondely we ought to do good workes that God may be glorifyed thorowe them as Christ sayth Let your light so shyne before men that they may se your good workes and glorify your father which is in heauen Also S. Peter se that ye haue as honest conuersacion amonge the Hey then that they whiche backe by tâ— you aâ— euell doers may sâ— your good workes and prayse God in the day of visitacion For what greater dishonour â—â—ther be done to god thaÌ„ to professe the name of God iâ—nominâ—â—usly to deface and obscure the glory of it thorowe our wycked and vngodly conuersacion Theyr rulars do vnrighteously sayth y e lord and by this means my name is blasphemed coÌ„tinually euen all y e whole daye longe S Paule also sayth the name of GOD is euell reported for you among the Hethen Agen what greater honour can there be gyueÌ„ to God of vs thaÌ„ to lede a godly lyfe to expresse the manners and lyuysh Image of our heuenly father in all our lyfe By the one God is dishonored by the other he is greatly honored praysed and magnified Thyrdely it is oure dutye to do good workes that we maye be certeÌ„ that our fayth is right true lyuysh and workynge For as there is not a more certen argument sure tokeÌ„ that a tree is good thaÌ„ by bringing â—orth good â—â—â—te so is ther not a better probacioÌ„ that our fayth is true 〈…〉 than whan we worke the