with Chryst to abolisshe the bodye of syn so that here after we be no more bonde men vnto synne Once were we with great paynes perells anxt and heuines brought forthe into this worlde but this carnall birth bringeth not forth els then synners the chylderne of Adam iuged to eternall death dampnacion It is therfore necessarie that we be borne agene of the spirit froÌ„ aboue orels we maye not come into the kingdome of god This our tother spiritual birth and regeneracion bringeth forth iuste and faithfull euen the sonnes of god ordined and predestined vnto eternal lyfe and saluation But as in our naturall natiuyle before we be borne there are not els but sorows heuines anguisshe affliccioÌ„s paâ—ges and perels euen the image of deathe EueÌ„ so must it be with vs in this our spirituall regeneracion before we be fully regenerated of the holy goste as Chryst testifieth For he that shall be borne agene of the spirit must haue his olde man mortifyed be made a newe man dead froÌ„ syn and from this worlde trustinge nothinge to his own strength nor meritis attributinge nothinge to him selfe abnyinge him self renownâ—inge the worlde with all his pleasures onely to folowe Chryst. And thus doinge we incense and prouoke the worlde ageynst vs Whose hatered and wrath we must contemne And if the callinge of god requyreth it father and mother wyfe and childern howse and londis bodye and goodis all must be forsakeÌ„ rather then we shulde falbak from Chryst and frome the doctrine of his gospell All temporall and corporall tranquillite and quietnes commodities be they neuer so pleasaunt and greate all lucre and profite frendes kinsfolke muste be forsaken gladly for the trwths sake yea all things must be left rather then the trw religion worship and doctryne of Chryst shuld be forsakeÌ„ dissembled or râ—canted all things must be cast awaye for the verite aÌ„d glorye of Chryste Wherfore we muste be borne ageyn yf we will be saued we may not now lyue aftir the wille aÌ„d mynde of the flessh but the spirit of god must reigne and dwell in vs. Owr old maÌ„ with his coÌ„cupisceÌ„ses must be crucified in the worl de we must rune our course vnto the ende emonge vipers and sâ—orpions and emonge our â–ª most deadly and cruell enemies We which be regenerated of god may not loke for our paradise vpoÌ„ this sinfull erthe We may not loke here to lyue in peace tranquilyte securite in riches commodities and pleasures For this is not the chaunce and fortune of the very godly vpon this erthe but we must be excercised here with many affliccions calamities persecucions smyten thorowe with anguisshe henines and sorows right greuouse pressed downe with the crosse laid forthe opeÌ„ ageynst many pereles Which crosse is a very bitter herbe vnto the flesshe For the flesshe wolde gladly be at ease salf in reste with out sorowe payne trowble When calamities perels affliccious feare persecucioÌ„s arise and euen the image of terrible death is present then the flessh treÌ„bleth quaketh â—he staggereth flyethe bak falleth downe faynt and feble so impacient and angrye is she vnder the crosse For she had liefer dwell euer in hir olde skinne then to be renewed namely when she seeth them thus cruelly to be handled which embrace the gospel must be thus borne a newe Here here therfore it behoueth the consolacion exhortacioÌ„ of the scriptures whiche bolden and animate vs with the moste ferme aÌ„d present counforte confirminge our heriis so that euermore we may endure constaÌ„t in faith ferme in hope glewed vnto the gospell to perseuere in this stronge ieoperdouse bataile ageynst Satan the worlde and ageynst owr owne selues The first consolacion is That Cryst himselfe hathe also suffred FIrst of all we that be in trouble and heuynes for the trwâ—h must sette the example of Cryst before our eyes I mean not our bodely eyes fastened vpon any image forboden of God but before the eyes of our faithe seynge his passyon paynted and engrauen in his holy worde Paul thus exhortinge vs sayinge In pacience let vs runne in this bataill before vs hauinge respecte vnto the goyd of our faythe and fiuissher of our bataill euen Iesu Chryst which beholdinge the ioye set forth before him suffred the crosse all shame despysed and set a parte and is sitteÌ„ downe on the right hande of the seat royall of god CoÌ„sider and loke well vpon him for it was he that sustayned and suffred so to be ageyn sayd that you shulde not faynte and be feble mynded Here we see Chryst the sone of god euen the powr of god to suffer for vs how he wold for our sakis be humbled and deiected vnder all men euen vnto the death of the crosse to exalt vs into the most highe dignitie and to lifte vs vp into the glorye celestiall And therfore did god exalt him into so highe glorye If Chryst therfore our lorde hathe sufferd for vs so many so great obprobries calamyties ignominyes reuylinges shames iniuries sorowes and euen the moste bitter and ignominiouse death what delicate softlings be we if ayen for his sake we refuse thorowe lyke affliccions to go to him bi the same waye For verely we be called vnto the same pathe peter thus affirminge Chryst to be â—courged and afflicted for vs leauinge vs an example to folowe his steapes euen to suffer affliccions also in this worlde The worlde hated Chryst and no doute but it will neuer loue his members but with the same bitter hatered persecute vs which be Chrystes floke The worlde loueth his owne And because we be not the worldis but chosen out of it therfore dothe the worlde hate vs. Let vs not forgete these wordes of owr sauiour Chryst. The seruant is not beter then his master If they haue persecuted me they shal persecute you also Wherfore and if there be no persecucion at any tyme in Englond so is there nether Chryste nor any of his members This therfore is vnto vs all the most greateste counfort That if we suffer with Chryst for his names glorye sewer and certayn be we that god loueth vs aÌ„d hath chosen vs to be his sonnes aÌ„d ayers of the celestiall kingedom and that he hathe put vs a parte from this sinfull dampnable worlde that we shuld not be daÌ„pned with the wyked but glorifyed with Christe Thus did Paul sende his sone Timothe to the Thessalonions to counfort and coÌ„firme them in faith exhortinge theÌ„ to constancye in their affliccions and persecucions which theyr owne countrymen and kynsfolke brought vpon them thus wrytinge to them Your selues knowe it that we be ordined vnto this vse For wheÌ„ we were with yon we tolde you before in our sermons that we and you shuld suffer trouble and persecucion Also when Paul and Baruabas came to listram Iconiun and to Antioch to confirme the brethern they exhorted them to perseuere in faith and not to be plukt from
with his faith he shal neuer despeper For certain it is the some of our helthe to staÌ„d vpon fayth in Iesu Chryste vpon this growndsole is the dore of our saluacion turned and returned Let vs therfore apprehende with our faith this diuine promise whiche we nother may nor can deser ue and we haue all these celestiall benefitis euen remission of our sinnes the holy goste and eternall lyfe All these hath god promised vs in Christe and for Chrystis sake In this promise consisteth all our coÌ„solacion our hope our rightwysenes reconciliacion and helthe Beleue god to be trwe of his promise and caste not awaye the gospell of his sone preched vnto the but receyue it thankfully with all thy herte enbrace it with bothe thyne armes aÌ„d dout it not this gospell to be as well thyne as Pauls and Steuens as mightely to saue the as it saued them Doute not of the grace mercye powr trowth of God and thou art iustifyed and as salfe as is Abraham and all the sayntis in heuen To do good workes commanded of god studye and endeuour thy selfe ernestly with all diligence so that thou doiste nothinge els but well Studye to excell almen in innocencye of lyuinge in alâ—ose dedis doing be merciful counfortable piteouse and helping all men yea and euen thyne enemyes But vse these deadis continually as thy dewtye seruice dewe vnto god as testimonyes of thy faithe and obedience vnto his lawes Euermore aknowledginge them to be farre inferiour vnpurer weaker and vnperfitter then that thou maist of them reioyse and glorye before god or by theÌ„ to deserue any rightwysenes Think thy self an vnprofitable seruant yea when thou haste done all which is but thy dewtye and no deseruinge And beware lest thou thinkest thy workis to be meritis of right wysenes and helthe before God For this opinion and persuasion is an vngodly blasphemie ageynst Chryste For in the cause of our saluacioÌ„ we may not truste in any parte to our owne workis but onely by faithe cleaue to the promises of God in Chryst. The workis merits of Christe onely geue vs frely our saluacion not ours nor yet the workes of any creature els Let vs therfore with faithset fast holde vpon the promyses of god in the gospell nether be we diuelled from them by any engyne of tentacion or persecucion Let vs consyder the verite of God to be inuiolable promisinge and geuinge vnto vs his faithfull in Chryste lyfe eternall for Chrystis sake It is he onely that hath deserued it for vs. It is his onely benefit vnto him onely must we â—â—â—der the thankis Unto him onely must we cleaue by faith And so shall we with stand all temtacions wrestle out of and ouercome all difficulties If the promyse as concerninge vs shulde not be out of fauour frely made so could it not be ferme and certayn because our workis and obedience to the lawe of god be so vnpure miserable filthei and so imperfit and naught if they shulde be compared layd ageynst the severe iugement and extremite of the lawe of god Thus therfore dothe the holy goste counfort vs vtwardly in the holy scryptures and inwardly with this lyuely testimonye of the spirit as Paul affirmeth sayinge Ye haue not receyued the spirit of bondage ageyne vnto feare But ye haue receyued the spirit of adopcion by whom we crye father father The same spirit witnesseth vnto ours that we be the sonnes of god If we be his sonnes so be we the ayers of god and euen the felowe ayers with Chryste if we suffer with him to be also glorifyed with him Which con firmeth vs also in Cryst for it is god that hath anoynted vs and sealled vs vp geuen vs the pledge of his spirit in ouâ— hertis Agene saith Paul Aftir ye had beleued the gospell of your saluacion ye were vp sealed with the holy promised spirit which is the pledge of our heretage into the redempcion of our purchased possession into the prayse of his glorye Also the spirit helpeth our weaknesses For trewly the thinge that we shuld prayfore and how to aske it we knowe not But the spi rit him selfe maketh intercession for vs with sythes vnable to be expressed Nether is it any lesse counfort whiche our god and father hath ordined for vs in his great felowship emonge the faithfull congregacioÌ„s of whom mencion is made emonge the articles of our faithe We beleuinge theÌ„ to be the holy catholyke chirche Whiche all be our members we all togither beinge one bodye as techeth vs Paul right counfortably i. Cor. xij One meÌ„ber to be carefull for a nother of whiche if one of vs suffer all the rest haue compassion and if one of vs be hole and well all the other membres reioyse with the fame So that we beinge thus kâ—it to gither with the bondis of loue haue all thing is hothe mierth and sorowe heuines and ioye comon And if one of vs suffer for Chrystis sake in EngloÌ„d all the trwe brethern and sisters in the same londe in France in Germany orels where suffer the same And where one of vs being pâ—â— sent cannot counfort another yet beinge neuer so farrof we praye incessauntly one for other vnto god our father to be counforted with his holy spirit that it wolde please his goodnes for Chrystes sake to lyft vp to restore and confirme our persecuted brethern and systeâ—â— and to make theÌ„ constaÌ„t in all Crysten pacieÌ„ce strongly in faithe to endure in our affliccion to perseuer â—o bere awaye a gloriouse victorye And if the prayer of one faithfull maÌ„ may do so miche with god as the scripture teacheth of howe mighty efficacye muste then be the comoÌ„ prayers of all the hole holy congregacions ioyned togither in faith and loue Uerely we are not a loue in our affliccions we wrestle and fight not aloue in these labours nether suffer we a lone persecucions But euen Chryste suffereth with vs. For who so thus per secuteth and molesteth vs he iniuriethe persecuteth Christ and all the hole chirches of Chryst. For we be al one bodye hauinge one head euen Chryst one holy spirit withe all his spirituall giftis comon to vs all And whiles we thus praye together we doutles be herde of god For we haue the moste grave and plentuouse yea many aÌ„d that the moste present promises of god full of all consolacion that he will heare our mutuall prayers aÌ„d be present with his helpe in all our distresses nede and trouble If we shuld here a lone wrestle and buckle with Satane we were all to weake and shulde despayer ouercomen in our affliccions whiche is our own pusillaâ—iâ—ite and naturall feare But sith we be sewer to haue Chryste with all the hole chirche of Chryst on ower sydes to fyght for vs with their mutuall and continuall prayers yea and all the aungels of heuen defending and fightinge for vs howe can we
lesse valewe sithe he hath geueÌ„ vs so riche a treasure Who coÌ„sideringe these inestimable benefit is can be careful heuye false herted hopelesse If many worldis were ageynst vs all the wiked spirites of helleet lose to deuou â—e vs yet is there no perell towerd vs if Chryst be on our parte Thorowe Cryst haue we peace For this his derely beloued sones sake god our father loueth vs. For the preciouse blodis sake of his own innoceÌ„t sone we obtayn remissioÌ„ of al our synnes also victory agenst deathe sataÌ„ For where as synne hath no dominioÌ„ there bere deathe no rule there hath Satan lost his powr What theÌ„ shuld we feare shulde we feare this temporall deathe No. For that is nowe to vs but a sleape reste For Christe hathe so ouercomeâ—â—t that vnto vs whiche be his faithful death is become an ingresse vnto saluacion and lyfe eternall For Christe hath abolesshed and destroyed the body of syn to thenâ—eÌ„t we shuld be led into lyfe Wherfore let vs with constant faith cleaue vnto our lorde Chryst besechinge our father in heueÌ„ for Chrystes sake to augment our faithe Which thinge if we do it so be we salfe without all feare and perell sewer enoughe ageynst all stormye tempestes If our synnes feare and trouble vs let vs sette vp ageynst them the inuincible innoceÌ„cye and infinite rightwysenes of our Lorde Iesus Chryst geuen vs of his father to be our rightwysenes Which once done our sinnes a non vanisshe awaye as dothe waxe ageynst the fyer For Chryst verely is by an holy othe coÌ„stituted of the father to be an euerlastinge kinge preiste whiche for our synnes offred vp him selfe the very sacrifice of our reconciliacion aÌ„d expiacion by the shedinge of his preciouse blode and sitteth on the right hande of the diuine highe maiestye there makinge intercession for vs he beinge our lorde almyghtye all thinges subiecte vnto him bothe aungels and powres celestial at his bek i. Pet. iij. If death feareth vs. Let vs remember Chryst to be our lyfe It is he that once dyed for our synnes and is rysen ayen neuer more to dye It is he that hathe swallowd vp death and hath casten it vnder his fote for euer If aftir this lyfe there were no nother then might we worthely sorowe and feare then were we the moste miserable of all creatures But for asmiche as our lyfe heginneth aftir this is here ended let vs be layd downe in bodye to sleap in the ferme hope of our resurreccion and be neuer afraide to dye Christ our head is rysen we being his bodye and meÌ„bers muste folowe our head Which said I am the resurreccion which is lyfe Who so beleue in me he shall lyue yea although he were dead And all that beleue in me shall neuer dye We verely knowe and beleue the resurreccion of our bodyes and to haue lyfe eternal promised in Chryst and for christes sake And therfore our faith cannot be frustrated For he that beleueth in criste hath lyfe eternall These be crystes owne wordes whiche is the verite and may not lye What nowe can death to vs in his moste furye Uerely nothinge els then for a litle tyme separat our bodies from our soulis so sende owr soulis out of this miserable synfull lyfe combred with all calamites vnto that moste blessed felicite Our bodyes cannot be so vtterly destroyd but they shalbe once restored gloriously vnto our soulis Nether may they slaye our soulis for thei be immortall Thei can not take our bodyes nor soulis out of the haÌ„dis of god Whiche if we be kept in the haÌ„dis of god as in the bosome of our most louing father if we abyde in Cryst Chryste in vs sewerly we shall lyue for euer Chryst thus affirminge My shepe he are my voice I knowe them thei folow me and I geue them euerlastynge lyfe Nether shall they be lost nor noman shall pluk them out of my handis Wherfore let the wiked haithen vnbeleuers be afraid tormeÌ„ted and be with out hope at the syght of dethe which knowe not god in Chryst whiche when they knowe not Chryst to be their very rightwysenes their lyfe their onely sauiour nor beleue not in him thei must nedis abide perisshe in their sinnes in deathe and in eternall dampnacion But we ought not to feare nor to be heauye and tormented in mynde as do thei which haue no hope for we se a beter lyfe aftir this abydinge vs. Whiche the ignorant vnbeleuers in Chryste know not And albeit here for a tyme we passe forthe laid agaynst many perells molested and whetted with diuerse and many greuouse affliccioÌ„s yet at last all the laboriouse myseries of this lyfe passed ouer the glorye of the sonnes of god shall be shewed and declared vpon vs euen as we here vpon erthe haue ben in hope salfe and blessed Nowe we wepe and be heuye but the daye of our gladnes is not farre of in the whiche our Lorde God shall wype awaye the teares from the chekis of vs that beleue in him and shall happely change our heuynes into an infinite perpetuall ioye then to singe this triumphe Death is swallowed vp into victorye Oh deth where is thy stinge Oh hell where is thy victorye Oh syn where is now thy myght ThaÌ„kes be to our God and father which hath geuen vs the victory by our Lorde Iesus Chryste i. Corin. xv If the feare of dampnacion and perpetuall death shulde vexe vs then let vs remember our selues to haue ben baptyzed into Chryst ingraffed into his death owr synnes buryed in his woundes and rysen with him into glorye and lyfe And so is there no condempnacion as saynt Paul sayth vnto them whiche are thus by faith ingraffed into Iesu cryste which walke not after the flesshe but aftir the spyrite In this our swete and plentuouse vynestok yf we as lyuely faithfull braunches abyd by constant faithe our sinnes are neuer more imputed vnto vs. By this faithe we be made the sonnes of god and the ayers of eternall lyfe euen the felowe ayers with Christe If we haue Chryst in vs by faith we fele him preseÌ„t in our hertes so feare we no condempnacion For Chryst is our lyfe and our sauinge helthe eternall dwellinge in vs ageynst whom nether hell nor death nor synne can preuaile Let vs thefore abyde by constant faith in our sauiour Chryst walkinge in him roted aÌ„d framed vpon him perseueringe in faithe coÌ„stantly cleauinge to him committing our selues hole vnto his goodnes mercye and let vs with hert mouth and lyfe testifye and declare our faith obedience and thankfulnes vnto him for his inestimable ryches of his gospell now geuen vs. What can I more saye We haue our celestiall father our father I say of an infinite clemencie goodnes and mercye which can no lesse forget vs then any erthely father his owne derely