geue me his holy spirit to teache me to auowe that Christ is the sauiour of the worlde and to vtter these wordes the lorde Iesus and finally to helpe myne infirmities and to intercede for me For I am mooste certayne suer that no creature in heauen nor earth is of power or can by any meane helpe me but god who is omnipotent almighty beneficyall and mercyfull wel willing and louing to all those that call and put their whole confidence and trust in hym And therfore I wil seke non other meanes nor aduocate but Christes holy spirite who is only the Aduocat and mediatour betwene god and man to helpe and relyue me But nowe what maketh me so bolde hardy to presume to cum to the lord with suche audacitie boldnes beyng so greate a Sinner trulye nothinge but hys owne woorde for he sayeth Cum to me al ye that labour and ar burdened and I shall refresshe you What gentle mercyfull coÌ„fortable wordes ar â—hese to all sinners were he not a frantick mad beastly folysh man that would runne for ayde helpes or refuge to any other creature What a most gracious comfortable and geâ—tle saying was this w t suche pleasant and swete wordes to allure his enemies to cuÌ„ vnto him Is there any worldlie prince or magistrate that woulde shewe suche clemencie mercie to their disobedient and rebellious subiectes hauyng offended theym I suppose they woulde not with suche woordes allure theÌ„ excepte it were to calle theym whom they can not take punishe theym beyng takeÌ„ But euen as Christe is Prince of Princes and lorde of lordes so his charitie mercy excedeth surmounteth all others Christ saith if carnall fathers do geue good giftes to their childreÌ„ wheÌ„ they aske them howe muche more shall your heauenly father being in substance al holie most highly good geue good giftes to all them that aske hym It is no smal nor litle gift that I require neyther thinke I my selfe worthy to receyue suche a noble gift being so ingrate vnkinde and wicked a chylde But when I behold the benignitie liberalitie mercy and goodnes of the lorde I I am encoraged boldened and stirred to aske suche a noble gift The lorde is so bountefull and lyberall that he will not haue vs satisfyed and contented with one gyft neyther to aske simple and small giftes And therfore he promiseth and bindeth him selfe by hys worde to geue good and beneficiall giftes to all them that aske hym with true fayth without whiche nothing can be doen acceptable or pleasing to god For fayth is the foundacion and grounde of all other giftes vertues and graces and therfore I wil saye Lord encreace my fayth For this is the life euerlastynge lord that I must beleue the to be the true god whom thou didest sende Iesu Christ. By this fayth I am assured and by thys assurance I fele the remission of my sinnes this is it that maketh me bold this is it that coÌ„forteth me this is it that quencheth all dispayre I knowe O my lorde thy eyes looke vpoÌ„ my fayth Saynt Paule sayeth we be iustified by the fayth in Christe not by the deades of the lawe For if rightwisenes cum by the lawe then Christ died in vayne S. Paule meaneth not here a dead humain historical fayth gotteÌ„ by humain industrie but a supernall liuelye fayth which worketh by charitie as he him selfe plainly expresseth This dignitie of fayth is no dirogacioÌ„ to good workes for oute of this fayth springeth all good workes Yet we may not impute to the worthines of fayth or workes our IustificacioÌ„ before god but ascribe and geue the worthynes of it wholy to the merites of Christes passion and referre and attrybute the knowlege and perceyuyng therof onely to fayth whose very true only propertie is to take apprehende and holde fast the promyses of goddes mercie the whiche maketh vs rightwise and to cause me continually to hope for the same mercy and in loue to worke all manner of wayes allowed in the scripture that I may be thankfull for the same Thus I feele my selfe to cuÌ„ as it were in a newe garment before god and nowe by his mercye to be taken iuste and rightwise whiche of late without hys mercy was sinfull and wicked and by fayth to obteyne his mercy the whiche the vnfaythfull can not enioye And although Saint Iohn extolleth charitie in hys Epistle saying that god is charitie and he that dwelleth in charitie dwelleth in god Truly charitie maketh menne liue lyke aungelles And of the most furious vnbrydled carnall men maketh meke lambes Yea w t howe feruent a spirite ought I to call crye pray to the lorde to make his greate charitie to burne and flame in my harte being so stonye and euyll affected that it neuer woulde conceyue nor regard the greate inestimable charitie and loue of god in sending hys only begotten and dere beloued Sonne into this vale of miserie to suffre the moste cruell sharpe death of the crosse for my redeÌ„cion Yet I neuer had this vnspeakable speakeable and most high charitie and abundant loue of god printed fixed in my hart dulye tyll it pleased god of hys mere grace mercy pitie to opeÌ„ myne eyes makyng me to see and beholde with the eye of liuely fayth Christ crucified to be myne only sauiour and redemer For then I beganne and not before to perceyue and see myne owne Ignoraunce and blindnes the cause therof was that I woulde not learne to knowe Christ my Sauiour and redemer But when god of hys meere goodnes had thus opened myne eyes made me see and behold Christ the wisdome of GOD the light of the world with a supernatural sight of fayth All pleasures vanities honour riches welth and aydes of the world beganne to waxe bitter vnto me thaÌ„ I knewe it was no illusion of the deuill nor false ne humain doctrine I had receyued wheÌ„ suche successe came therof that I had in detestacioÌ„ horrour y t which I erste so muche loued estemed being of god forbidden that we shoulde loue the worlde or the vayne pleasures shadowes in the same ThaÌ„ begaÌ„ I to perceyue y t Christe was my only Sauiour redemer the same doctrine to be al diuine holy heaueÌ„ly infused by grace into the hartes of y e faythful which neuer caÌ„ be atteyned by humayne doctrine wit nor reasoÌ„ although they should trauayle and labour for the same to th end of y e world Then began I to dwel in god by charitie knowing by the louyng charitie of god in the remission of my sinnes that god is charitie as Saint Iohn sayth So that of my faythe wherby I came to knowe god and wherby it pleased god euen because
secretes as were not coÌ„uenient mete to vtter to men but counted all hys workes doinges as nothing to winne Christ. And I most presuÌ„ptuously thinking nothing of Christ crucified went about to set furth mine owne righteousnes saying w t the proude Pharisey Good lord I thanke y e I am not like other meÌ„ I am none adulterer nor fornicatour so furth w t suche like wordes of vaynglory extollyng my self dispising others working as an hired seruaunt for wagies orels for reward not as a louing childe oÌ„ly for very loue w tout respect of wagies or reward as I ought to haue done neyther did I coÌ„sidre howe beneficiall a father I had who dyd shewe me his charitie mercie of his owne mere grace goodnes y e when I was most his ennemie he sent his only begotteÌ„ welbeloued Sonne into thys world of wretchednes misery to suffre most cruel sharpe deathe for my redempcion But my hart was so stony hard y t this great benefite was neuer truly liuely printed in my hart although w t my wordes it was ofteÌ„ rehearsed thinking my selfe to be sufficiently instructed in y e same and being in dede in blind ignorance And yet I stoode so wel in mine owne iudgement opinioÌ„ y t I thought it vayne to seke y e encreace of my knowlege therin Paule calleth Christe the wisedome of god and euen the same Christe was to me folishnes my pryde blindnes disceyued me the hardnes of my hart withstode the growing of truthe within it Suche were the fruites of my carnall and humane reasons to haue rotten ignoraunce in pryce for rype and seasonable knowlege Suche also is the malice wickednes that possesseth the hertes of men suche is the wisedome and pleasing of the fleshe I professed Christe in my baptisme wheÌ„ I beganne to liue but I swarued from him after baptisme in continuaunce of my lyuing euen as the heithen whiche neuer had begunne Christe was innocent and voyde of all sinne and I wallowed in fylthie sinne was free from no sinne Christe was obedient vnto his father eueÌ„ to the death of the crosse I disobedient and most stubburne euen to the confusion of truthe Christ was meke and humble in harte and I moste proude and vaynegloryous Christe dispised the worlde with all the vanities therof and I made it my god bicause of y e vanities Christ came to serue his bretheren I coueted to rewle ouer theÌ„ Christe dispysed worldlye honor and I much delited to attayne the same Christ loued the base and simple thinges of the world and I estemed the moste fayre and pleasant thinges Christe loued pouertie and I welth Christ was gentle and merciful to the poore and I hard harted vngentle Christe prayed for his enemies I hated mine Christ reioysed in y e conuercion of sinners I was not greued to see their reuercioÌ„ to sinne By this declaracioÌ„ all creatures may perceyue howe farre I was from Christ w tout Christe yea how coÌ„trary to Christ although I bare y e name of a Christian. In so muche y t if any maÌ„ had sayde I had ben w tout Christe I woulde haue stifly withstande the same And yet I neyther knewe Christ nor wherfore he came As concernyng the effecte and pourpose of his comming I had a certayne vayne blind knowlege both cold dead which may â—e had with al sinne as it doth playnly appere by this my confession open declaracioÌ„ What cause nowe haue I to lament mourne sigh wepe for my life time so euil spent w t howe much humilitie lowlines ought I to cum knowlege my sinnes to god geuing hiÌ„ thaÌ„kes y t it hath pleased hym of his haboundaunt goodnes to geue me time of repentaunce for I know my sinnes in y e consideracion of theÌ„ to be so greuouse in y e number so exceding y t I haue deserued very ofteÌ„ eternal damnacioÌ„ And for the deseruing of goddes wrath so manifoldlie due I must vncessantly geue thankes to the mercy of god beseching also that y e same delay of punishment cause not his plage to be the sorer since mine own coÌ„science condeÌ„neth my former doinges But his mercy excedeth al iniquitie and if I shuld not thus hope Alas what should I seke for refuge coÌ„fort no mortal man is of power to help me for the multitude of my sinnes I dare not lyft vp myne eyes to heauen where the seate of iudgement is I haue so muche offended god What shal I fal in desperacion nay I wyll call vpon Christ the light of the worlde the fountayne of life the releife of al carefull and the peacemaker betwene god and man and the only health and comforte of al true repentant sinners He can by his almighty power saue me delyuer me out of this miserable state and hath will by his mercy to saue euen the whole sinne of y e world I haue no hope nor confidence in any creature neyther in heauen nor earth but in Christe my whole and only Sauiour He came into the worlde to saue sinners and to heale them that are sicke for he sayeth the whole haue no nede of a Phisicion Beholde lord howe I come to the a sinner sycke greuously wounded I aske not breade but the crummes that fall from the childrens table Cast me not oute of thy sight although I haue deserued to be cast in to hell fier If I shoulde looke vpon my sinnes and not vpoÌ„ thy mercy I shoulde dispayre for in my selfe I fynde nothing to saue me but a donghill of wyckednes to condemne me if I shoulde hope by myne owne strength and power to cum oute of thys mase of iniquitie and wickednes wherin I haue walked so long I shoulde be disceyued For I am so ignorant blinde weake feble that I cannot bring my selfe out of this intangled weyward mase but y e more I seke meanes wayes to wind my selfe out the more I am wrapped tangled therin So y t I perceyue my striuing therin to be hynderance my trauayle to be labour spent in going backe It is the hand of y e lord that can will bring me out of this endles mase of death for without I be preuented by the grace of the lorde I can not aske forgeuenes nor be repentante or sory for theÌ„ There is no man can auowe that Christe is the only Sauiour of the world but by the holy ghost yea as Saynt Paule sayeth no man can say the lorde Iesus but by the holy ghost The spirit helpeth our infirmities and maketh continuall intercession for vs with suche soroful groninges as can not be expressed Therfore I wyll first require and pray the lorde to
further if any time men would impugne gaynsaye vs w t the wisedome of the world yet we haue by Christe so muche supernatural light of the trutâ—e that we make a mocke of al those that repugne the truthe Christe also vpon the câ—osse hath triumphed ouer the worlde Firste bycause he hath discouered the same to be naught that wheras it was couered with the vayle of Ipocrisie and the vesture of morall vertues Christ hath shewed that in goddes sight the râ—ghteousnes of the worlde is wickednesse and he hath yelded witnes that the workes of men not regenerated by him in fayth are euel And so Christe hath iudged and condemned the worlde for naught Furthermore he hath geuen to al hys so muche light and spirite that they knowe it and disprayse the same yea and treade it vnder their feete w t al vayne honours dignities and pleasures not taking the fayre promises neyther the offers whiche it doth present Nay they rather make a scorne of theym And as for the threatnynges and force of the worlde they nothing feare Nowe therfore we may see howe great the victorye and tryumphe of Christ is who hathe deliuered all those the father gaue him froÌ„ y e power of the deuill cancellynge vpon the Crosse the wrytyng of our dertes For he hath delyuered vs froÌ„ the condemnacion of sinne from the bondage of the lawe from the feare of death from the daungier of the world and from all euylles in this life and in thother to cum And he hath enriched vs made vs noble most highlie happie after suche a glorious and tryumphant waye as can not w t tongue be expressed And therfore we are forced to say his triuÌ„phe is merueylous It is also sene knowen y e Christ is the true Messias for he hath delyuered man from all euylles and by hym man hath all goodnes so that he is the true Messias Therfore al other helpers be but vaine and counterfeyted Sauiours seing that by this oure Messias Christ wholie and onely we be delyuered from all euylles and by hym we haue all goodnes And that this is true it is euidente and cleare because the very true christian is a christian by Christ. And the true christian fealeth inwardly by Christe so muche goodnes of god that euen troublouse lyfe and death be swete vnto hym and miseries happie the true christian by Christe is disburdened froÌ„ the seruitude of the lawe hauing the law of grace grauen by the spirite inhabiting his hart and from sinne that reygned in him from the power of the infernal spirites from daÌ„nacion and from euery euyll And is made a sonne of God a brother of Christ heyre of heauen and lord of the worlde So that in Christe and by Christ he possesseth al good thynges But let vs knowe that Christ yet fighteth in spirite in his elect vesselles and shall fight euen to the daye of iudgemeÌ„t At which daye shal that great enemy death be wholie distroyed and shal be no more Then shall the children of god reioyce on him saying O death where is thy victory sting There shal be theÌ„ no more trouble nor sinne naye rather none euyll but heauen for the good and hell for the wicked Then shall wholie be discouered the victorie and triumphe of Christ who after Paul shall present vnto his father the kyngdome togithers with his chosen saued by him It was no lytle fauour towardes his chyldren y â— Christ was choseÌ„ of god to saue vs his elect so highlie by the waye of the crosse Paul calleth it a grace and a moste singuler grace We maye well thinke that he hauinge ben to the worlde so valiaunte a Capitayne of God was full of light grace vertue and spirite Therfore he myght iustelie saye ConsuÌ„matum eâ—t We seing then y t the tryumphe and victory of oure capitaine Christ is so merueilous glorious and noble to the whiche warre we be appoynted lette vs force our selues to folowe him w t bearyng our crosse that we maye haue felowshyppe with him in his kyngdome Truly it maye be most iustely verified y t to behold Christ crucified in spirite is the best meditacion that can be I certeynlye neuer knewe myne owne miseries and wretchednes so wel by booke admonicion or learnyng as I haue doen by lokyng into the spirituall booke of the crucifix I lamente muche I haue passed so many yeares not regardyng that diuine booke but I iudged and thought my self to be well instructed in the same whereas nowe I am of this opinion that yf God would suffer me to lyue here a M. yeare and should studye continually in the same diuine booke I should not be fylled with the contemplacion therof Neyther holde I my self contented but alwayes haue a great desier to learne and study more therin I neuer knewe myne owne wickednes neyther lamented for my synnes truly vntill the tyme god inspired me with his grace that I looked in this booke Then I beganne to see perfectly that mine owne power and streÌ„gth could not helpe me that I was in the Lordes hande euen as the cleye is in the potters hand theÌ„ I began to crye and saye Alas lorde that euer I haue so wickedlie offeÌ„ded the beyng to me froÌ„ the beginnyng so gracious so good a father most specially now hast declared and shewed thy goodnes vnto me whan in the time I haue doen the mooste iniurie to call me and also to make me know take the for my sauioure and redemer Suche be the woÌ„derful workes of god to cal sinners to repentaunce and to make them to take Christe his welbeloued sonne for theyr sauiour this is the gift of god of all christians to be required and desiered For except this great benefite of Christe crucified be felte and fixed surely in mannes harte there caÌ„ be no good work doen acceptable before god For in Christ is al fulnes of y e godhead in him are hid al the treasures of wisedoÌ„e and knowledge euen he is the water of life wherof whosoeuer shall drynke shal neuer more thyrst but it shal be in hym a well of water springinge vp into euerlastynge life Saynct Paule sayeth there is no damnacion to them that are in Christ whiche walke not after the fleshe but after the spirite Moreouer he sayth yf when we were ennemies we were reconciled to god by the death of his sonne muche more seyng we are reconcyled we shal be preserued by his death It is no lytle or smal benefit we haue receyued by Christ yf we consydre what he hathe doen for vs as I haue perfectly declared heretofore Wherfore I praye the lord y t this great benefite of Christ crucified maye be stedfastly fixed and printed in al christian hartes that they maye be trewe louers of God
as louyng children without respect of lucre gayne or hyer They be in suche libertie of spirit and ioye somuche in god that theyr inwarde consolacion can not be expressed with tongue all feare of dampnacion is gone froÌ„ theim for they haue put their whole hope of saluacion in hys handes that will can performe it neyther haue they any poste or piller to leane to but god and his smothe and vnwrinkled churche For he is to theym all in all thinges and to him they leaue as a most sure square piller in prosperitie and aduersitie nothyng doubting of hys promises and couenauÌ„tes for they bâ—leue most surelye they shal be fulfilled Also the childreÌ„ of god be not curiouse in searching the highe misteries of god whiche be not mete for theÌ„ to knowe neither do go aboute w t humayne and carnall reasons to interpret scripture perswading men by theyr subtill wittes and carnall doctrine y t muche knowlâ—dge of scripture maketh menne herâ—â—ikes without they tempre it with humayne doctryne Sophistrie Philosophie and Logicke wherwith to be seduced according to the tradicions of menne after y e ordenaunces of the world not after Christ. Saynt Paule doeth moste diligently admonish vs which artes are not conuenient meete to be made chekmate with scripture for the scriptures be so pure and holy that no perfeccion can be added vnto them For euen as fine golde doeth excell all other mettals so doeth the woorde of god all mens doctrines I beseche the lord to sende the learned and vnlearned suche aboundaunce of hys holy spirit that they may obey and obserue the most sincere and holye worde of god shewe the fruites therof whiche consisteth chieflye in charitie and godly vnitie that as we haue professed one god one faith and one Baptisme So we may be all of one minde and one accorde putting away all biting gnawing for in bacbiting slauÌ„deringe and misreporting oure christen brethren wee shewe not our selues the disciples of Christ whom we professe In hym was most high charitie humilitie and pacience suffering most paciently al ignominie rebukes slauÌ„ders praying to hys eternall father for his enemyes with moste feruent charitie and in al thinges did remit his wil to hys fathers as the Scripture doeth witnes whan he prayed in the mounte A goodly example and lession for vs to folowe at al times and seasons aswell in prosperitie as in aduersitie to haue no will but goddes wil committing and leauing to hym all our cares griefes and to abandon al oure policies and inuencions for they be moste vayne and folish and in dede very shadowes dreames But we be yet so carnall fleshly that wee cum hedlyng lyke vnbridelled coltes w tout snaffle or bit Yf we had the loue of god printed in oure hartes it woulde kepe vs backe from runnyng astray And vntill suche tyme as it please god to sende vs thys bit to holde vs in we shall neuer runne y e right way although we speake and talke neuer somuche of god and hys worde The true followers of Christes doctryne hathe alwayes a respecte and an eye to theyr vocacion If they be called to y e ministerie of Goddes word they preache teache it sincerely to the edifiyng of others shewe theym selfes in their liuing folowers of the same If they be maried men hauing children and familie they norish bring them vp without all bytternes and fiercenes in the doctryne of the lorde in al godlynes and vertue committâ—ng the instruccion of others which apperteyneth not to theyr charge to the reformacion of god and hys ministers whiche chiefly be kinges princes bearing the swerde euen for that porpose to punishe euyll doers If they be childreÌ„ they honour theyr father mother knowing it to be goddes commaundement that he hath therto annexed a promise of long life If they be seruauÌ„tes they obey and serue theyr masters with al feare and reuerence euen for the lordes sake neyther with murmuring nor grudgyng but with a free herte and minde If they be husbandes they loue their wifes as theyr owne bodies after the example as Christe loued the congregacion and gaue hym for it to make it to hym a spouse without spot or wrinkle Yf they be women maryed they lerne of Saynt Paule to be obedient to theyr husbandes and to keepe silence in the congregacioÌ„ to learne of theyr housbandes at home Also they weare suche appareâ—l as becummeth holines and comly vsage with sobernes not beyng accusers or dâ—tractours not gâ—uâ—n to muche eating of dilicate meates and drynking of wyne but they teache honest thinges to make the youg womeÌ„ sobre minded to loue theyr housbandes to loue theyr children to be discrete chast huswiflie good obedient vnto theyr husbandes that the worde of god be not euil spoken of Uerely yf all sortes of people would loke to theyr owne vocacion and ordeyne the same according to Christes doctrine we should not haue so many eyes eares to other mennes fautes as we haue For we be so busye glad to finde espie out other mennes doinges that we forget can haue no time to weye ponder oure owne whiche after the woorde of god we ought first to refourme and then we shall the better help an other w t the strawe out of hys eyes But alas we be so muche geuen to loue and to flatter our selfes and so blinded with carnall affeccions that we can see and perceyue no faute in our selfes And therfore it is a thing very requisite necessarie for vs to pray all with one herte and mynde to god to geue vs an heuenly light knowlege of our our owne misâ—ries calamities y e we maye see them acknowledge them trulye before hym Yf any man shal be offended at thys my lamenting y e fautes of meÌ„ which be in the worlde fantasiyng with theym selues that I do it eyther of hatred or of malice to any sort or kynde of people verely in so doing they shall dooe me greate wrong for I thanke God by hys grace I hate no creature yea I woulde saye more to geue witnes of my conscience y e nether life honour riches neyther what soeuer I possesse here whiche apperteyneth vnto myne owne priuate commoditie be it neuer so deerlie beloued of me but moste willinglie and gladly I woulde leaue it to winne any manne to Christ of what degre or sorte soeuer he were And yet is this nothing in comparison to the charitie that God hath shewed me in sending Christe to dye for me no yf I had all the charitie of Aungelles and apostles it shoulde be but like a sparke of fyer compared to a greate heape of burning cooles God knoweth of what intent and minde I haue lamented mine owne sinnes fautes to the worlde I trust no bodye
in religion whiche nowe be honorable in vanyties so shall they as in some vertuouse ladies of right high estate it is with greate comforte seene taste of this fredome of remission of this euerlastyng blisse whiche excedeth all thoughtes and vnderstandinges and is prepared for the holie in spirite for the which let vs with our intercessiō in holynes and purenes of lyfe offer our selfes to the heauenly father an vndefiled host to whom be eternall prayse and glorye through all the yearth without ende Amen A lamentaciō or complaynte of A Synner WHen I considre in the bethinking of myne euill wretched former life myne obstynate stony and vntractable herte to haue so much exceded in euilnes y t it hath not only neglected yea cōtemned dispised goddes holy preceptes cōmaundementes But also enbrased receyued and estemed vayne folish and feyned tryfles I am partely by the hate I owe to sinne who hathe reygned in me partely by the loue I owe to all Christians whom I am contente to edifye euen with thexample of mine owne shame forced and constrayned with my harte and wordes to cōfesse and declare to the worlde howe ingrate negligent vnkynde and stubberne I haue bene to god my Creatour and howe beneficiall mercyfull and gentill he hath ben alwayes to me his creature beyng suche a miserable wretched sinner Truly I haue taken no lytle small thing vpō me firste to set furth my whole stubbernes and contempt in wordes the which is incomprehensible in thought as it is in the Psalme who vnderstandeth hys faultes next this to declare the excellente beneficence mercy goodnes of god which is infinite vnmeasurable neyther can all the wordes of Angelles men make relaciō therof as apperteyneth to hys moste high goodnes Who is he that is not forced to confesse the same if he consyder what he hath receyued of god and dothe dayly receyue Yea if men woulde not acknowledge confesse the same the stones would crie it out Trulye I am constrayned forced to speake write therof to mine own cōfusiō shame but to the great glorye and prayse of god For he as a louyng father of moste habundant and high goodnes hath heaped vpon me innumerable benefites and I contrary haue heaped manifolde sinnes dispysing that whiche was good holy pleasant and acceptable in hys sight and choysing that whiche was delicious pleasant and acceptable in my sight And no meruayle it was that I so dyd for I would not learne to knowe y e lord and hys wayes But loued darkenes better then light Yea darknes semed to me light I enbraced ignorance as perfect knowlege knowelege seamed to me superfluous vayne I regarded little goddes worde but gaue my selfe to vanities and shadowes of the worlde I forsooke him in whom is all truth folowed the vayne folishe imaginacions of my hert I would haue couered my sinnes with the pretence of holynes I called supersticion godly meaning and true holynes erroure The lord did speake many pleasant and swete wordes vnto me and I woulde not heare he called me diuersly but throughe frowardnes I woulde not answere Mine euilles and miseries be so many and great that they accuse me euen to my face Oh howe miserably wretchedly am I confounded when for the multitude and greatnes of my sinnes I am cōpelled to accuse my selfe Was it not a merueylous vnkyndnes when god dyd speake to me and also call me that I woulde not answer him what man so called woulde not heaue harde or what man hearyng woulde not haue answered Yf an earthlye Prince had spoken eyther called him I suppose there be none but would willingly haue done bothe Now therfore what a wretche Caytife am I that when the Prince of princes y e king of kinges did speake many pleasant and gentle woordes vnto me also called me so many sundry times that they canne not be numbred And yet notwithstandyng these greate signes tokens of loue I woulde not cum vnto him but hyd my selfe out of his sight seking many crooked bye wayes wherin I walked so longe that I had cleane loste his sight And noo maruayle or woundre for I had a blinde guyde called Ignoraūce who dimmed so mine eyes that I could neuer perfectlye get any sighte of the fayre goodly streight and ryght wayes of hys doctrine but cōtinually trauayled vncomfortablie in the foule wicked croked peruerce wayes Yea bicause they were so much haunted of many I coulde not thinke but I walked in the perfect right way hauing more regarde to the numbre of the walkers then to the order of the walking beleuing also moste surely with company to haue walked to heauen wheras I am most sure they woulde haue brought me downe to hell I forsoke the spirituall honoring of y e true liuyng god worshipped visible idoles and ymages made of mennes handes beleuing by them to haue gotten heauē yea to say y e truthe I made a great ydol of my selfe For I loued my selfe better then god And certaynely looke howe many thinges are loued or preferred in our hartes before god so many are taken and estemed for ydolles and false goddes Alas howe haue I violated this holy pure moste high precepte and commaundement of the loue of god whiche precepte byndeth me to loue hym w t my hole harte minde force strength vnderstāding And I like vnto an euyll wicked disobedient childe haue gyuen my wil power and sences to the contrary making almoste of euery earthly carnall thing a god Furthermore the bloud of Christe was not reputed by me sufficient for to wassh me frō the fylth of my sinnes neyther suche wayes as he hath appoynted by his word But I sought for such rifraf as the bisshoppe of Rome hath planted in his tyranny and kingdom trusting with greate confidence by the vertue holynes of thē to receyue full remission of my sinnes And so I did as much as was in me to obfuscate and darken the great benefite of Christes passion then the whiche no thought cā cōceyue any thing of more value There can not be dooen so great an iniury and displeasure to almighthy god our father as to treade vnder foote Christ his only begotten wel-beloued Sonne All other sinnes in the worlde gathered together in one be not so heynous and detestable in the sight of god And no wonder for in Christe crucified god doth shewe him selfe most noble and gloryouse euen an almighty god and most louing father in his onlye deere and chosen blessed sonne And therfore I counte my selfe one of the moste wicked myserable sinners bycause I haue ben so much cōtrary to Christ my sauiour Sainct Paule desired to knowe nothing but Christ crucified after he had ben rapt into the thirde heauen where he hearde suche
I trusted in hym to iustifie me sprang this excellent charitie in my harte I thinke no lesse but many wil woÌ„der and maruell at this my saying that I neuer knewe Christe for my Sauioure and redemer vntil this tyme for many haue this opinioÌ„ saying who knoweth not there is a Christ who being a Christian doth not confesse hym hys Sauioure And thus beleuing their dead humayn historicall fayth knowlege whiche they haue learned in their scholasticall bookes to be the true infused fayth and knowelege of Christe whiche may be had as I sayde before with all sinne They vse to saye by their owne experience of theÌ„ self â—s that their fayth doth not iustifie them And true it is excepte they haue thys fayth the which I haue declared here before they shall neuer be iustifyed And yet it is not false that by fayth only I am sure to be iustified euen this is the cause that so many empugn this office and dutie of true fayth bycause so many lacke the true fayth And euen as the faythfull are forced to allowe true fayth so the vnfaythful can in no wise probably intrete therof y e one feling in him selfe that he sayth the other hauing not in him for to say I haue certeynly no curious learning to defende this matter withall but a simple zele and earnest loue to the truth inspired of god who promiseth to powre his spirite vpoÌ„ all flesshe which I haue by the grace of god whoÌ„ I moste humblie honour felt in my selfe to be true Let vs therfore nowe I pray you by fayth beholde considre the greate charitie and goodnes of god in sending hys Sonne to suffer death for our redemcion when we were his mortal enemies and after what sort maner he sent him First it is to be considered yea to be vndoubtedly w t a perfect fayth beleued that god sent him to vs freely for he dyd geue him and solde him not A more noble and ryche gift he coulde not haue geuen He sente not a seruaunte or a frende but his only Sonne so deerlye beloued not in delytes riches and honours but in crosses poouerties slaunders not as a lorde but as a seruaunt Yea in most vyle and paynfull passions to wassh vs not with water but w t his owne precious bloud not froÌ„ myer but from the puddle and fylthe of our iniquities He hath geueÌ„ him not to make vs poore but to enryche vs with his diuine vertues merites and graces yea and in hym he hath geuen vs all good thynges and fynally hym selfe and that with suche greate charitie as can not be expressed Was it not a moste high and aboundaunt charitie of GOD to sende Christe to shead his bloud to loose honour lyfe and all for hys ennemyes Euen in the tyme when we had doen him moste iniurie he first shewed his charitie to vs with such flambes of loue that greater coulde not be shewed God in Christ hath opened vnto vs although we be weake and blinde of our selues y t we may beholde in this miserable state the great wisdom goodnes and truthe with all the other godly perfeccions whiche be in Christ. Therfore inwardlye to behold Christ crucified vpon the crosse is the best and godliest meditacion that caÌ„ be We may see also in Christe crucified the bewtie of the soule better then in all the bookes of y e worlde For who that with liuely fayth seeth and feleth in spirite that Christe the sonne of god is dead for the satisfiyng and the purifiyng of the soule shall see that his soule is appoynted for the very tabernacle and mansion of the inestimable and incomprehensible maiestie and honour of god We see also in Christ crucifyed howe vayne and folyshe the worlde is howe that Christ beyng moste wise dispised the same We see also how blynde it is bicause the same knoweth not Christ but persecuteth hym We see also how vnkynde the worlde is by the kylling of Christe in the tyme he did shewe it most fauour Howe harde and obstinate was it that would not be mollified with so many teares suche sweat and so muche bloud shed of the Sonne of God suffering with so greate and high charitiâ— Therfore he is nowe very blinde that seeth not howe vayne foolish false ingrate crewell harde wicked and euill the world is we may also in Christe crucified â—eye our sinnes as in a diuine ballance howe greuous howe weyghty they be seyng they haue crucified Christ for they woulde neuer haue ben couÌ„terpaysed but w t the great precious weyght of the bloud of the Sonne of God And therfore God of hys high goodnes determined that hys blessed sonne shoulde rather suffer bloudeshead then our sinnes should haue condemned vs. We shall neuer knowe our owne miserye and wretchednes but with the light of Christ crucifâ—ed TheÌ„ we shall see our owne crueltie when we feele hys mercy our owne vnrightwisenes and Iniquitie when we see his rightwisenes and holynes Therfore to learne to knowe truly our owne sinnes is to study in the booke of the crucifixe by continuall conuersacion in fayth and to haue perfect and plentifull charitie is to learne first by fayth the charitie that is in god towardes vs. We may see also in Christe vpon the crosse howe greate the paynes of hell and howe blessed the Ioyes of heaueÌ„ be and what a sharpe paynfull thyng it shal be to theim that from that swete happye glorious Ioye Christ shal be depriued Then this crucifix is the booke wherin God hath included all thinges hath most coÌ„pendiously written therein all truth profitable and necessary for our saluacion Therfore let vs indeuour our selfes to studye thys booke that we beyng lightened with the spirite of god maye geue hym thankes for so great a benefite Yf we looke further in thys booke we shall see Christes greate victory vpon the crosse whiche was so noble and mighty that there neuer was neyther shal be suche Yf the victory glory of worldly princes were great bycause they dyd ouercuÌ„ great hostes of men howe muche more was Christes greater whiche vanquished not onlye the prince of the worlde but all the ennemies of god triumphing ouer persecucion Iniuries villanies sclaunders yea death the worlde synne and the deuil and brought to confusion all carnal prudence The princes of the worlde neuer did fight w tout the strengthe of the worlde Christe contrary went to warre euen agaynste all the strength of y e world He would fight as Dauid did with Golias vnarmed of all humaine wisdom and policy and withoute all worldlie power and strength Neuertheles he was fully replenished armed w t the whole armour of y e spirite And in this one battayle he ouercame for euer al his enemies There was neuer so glorious a spoyle neyther a more riche and noble then
Christ was vpon the crosse whiche deliuered al hys electe from suche a sharpe miserable captiuitie He had in this battayle many strypes yea and loste hys life but his victory was so muche the greater Therfore when I loke vpon the sonne of god with a supernatural fayth and light so vnarmed naked geuen vp and alone with humilitie pacience liberalitie modestie gentlenes and with all other hys diuine vertues beating downe to the grounde al goddes enemies and making the soule of man so fayre and beautyfull I am forced to say that his victory and triumphe was merueylouse And therfore Christ deserued to haue this noble title Iesus of Nazareth king of the Iewes But if we will perticulerlie vnfold and see hys great victories let vs firste beholde howe he ouercame sinne w t his Innocencie and confounded pride with his humilitie Quenched all worldlie loue with hys charitie appeysed the wrath of his father with his mekenes turned hatred into loue with hys so many benyfites and godlie zele Christe hath not only ouercum sinne but rather he hath kylled the same in asmuche as he hath satisfied for it him selfe with the most holy sacrifice and oblacion of hys precious bodye in suffering most bitter and cruel death Also after an other sorte that is He geueth to al those that loue hym so muche spirit grace vertue and strength that they may resiste impugne and ouercome sinne not consent neyther suffer it to reigne in them He hath also vanquished sinne bicause he hath taken away the force of the same that is he hathe cancelled the lawe whiche was in euil men the occasion of sinne Therfore sinne hath no power agaynste theym that are with y e holy ghost vnited to Christ. In theim there is nothing worthy of damnaciō And although the dregges of Adam doe remayne that is our concupiscences which in dede be sinnes neuertheles they be not Imputed for sinnes yf we be truly planted in Christe It is true that Christe might haue taken away all our immoderate affeccions but he hath left them for the greater glory of hys father and for his owne greater triūph As for an example When a prince fyghting w t his ennemyes which sōtime had y e soueraintie ouer his people subdewing thē may kil them yf he will yet he preserueth and saueth theym And wheras they were lordes ouer his people he maketh theym after to serue whom they before had rewled Nowe in suche a case the prince doth shewe hym selfe a greater conquerour in that he hath made theym whiche were rewlers to obey the subiectes to be lordes ouer them to whom they serued then yf he had vtterly distroyed theim vpon the conquest For nowe he leaueth continuall victory to theym whom he redeamed wheras otherwise thoccasion of victory was taken away where none were left to be the subiectes Euen so in lyke case Christe hath left in vs these concupiscences to thintente they should serue vs to the exercise of our vertues where first they did reigne ouer vs to thexercice of oure sinne And it may be plainly sene that wheras first they were suche impedimentes to vs y t we coulde not moue our selues towardes god nowe by Christ we haue so muche strength that not withstanding the force of theym we may assuredly walke to heauen And although the chyldren of god sūtime doo falle by frailtie into sum sinne yet that falling maketh them to humble thē selues and to reknowelege the goodnes of god and to cum to hym for refuge and helpe Lykewise Christ with hys death hath ouercum the prince of deuilles with all hys hoste and hath distroyed them all For as Paule sayeth this is verefied y t Christe should breake y e serpentes heade prophesied by GOD. And although the deuil tempte vs yet if by fayth we be planted in Christ we shall not perish but rather by his temptacion take greate force and might So it is euident that the triumph victory and glory of Christe is the greater hauing in suche sorte subdewed the deuyll that wheras he was prince and lorde of the worlde holding all creatures in captiuitie nowe Christe vseth him as an Instrument to punish the wicked to exercise make strong the electe of god in christian warre fare Christe likewise hath ouercum death in a more glorious manner yf it be possible because he hath not takē it away but leuing vniuersally al subiect to the same He hath geuen so muche vertue and spirite that wheras afore we passed therto with great feare nowe we be bolde through the spirite for the sure hope of resurrecciō that we receyue it w t Ioie It is nowe no more bitter but swete no more feared but desired It is no death but life And also it hath pleased god that the infirmities and aduersities doo remayne to the sight of the world but the children of God are by Christ made so strong rightwise whole and sounde that the troubles of the worlde be comfortes of the spirite The passions of the fleshe are medicines of the soule For al maner thinges worketh to their commoditie and profite for they in spirite feele that god their father doth gouerne theym and disposeth all thinges for their benefite therfore they feele theym selues sure In persecucion they are quiet and peacefull in tyme of trouble they ar without werynes feares anxcieties suspicions miseries and finally all the good and euil of the world worketh to their commoditie Moreouer they see that the triumph of Christ hath ben so great that not only he hath subdewed and vanquished all our enemies and the power of theym but he hath ouerthrowne vanquished them after suche a sorte that al thinges serue to our helth he might and coulde haue taken theym all away but where then should haue bē our victorye palme crowne For wee dayly haue fightes in the flesshe and by the succour of grace haue continuall victories ouer sinne wherby we haue cause to glorifie god that by his sonne hath weakened our enemy the deuil and by hys spiryte geuith vs strength to vanquishe hys ofspringes So doe we knowelege daylie the great tryumphe of our Sauiour reioyce in our owne fightes the which we can no wise impute to any wisedome of thys worlde seing sinne to encrease by it And where worldlie wisedome most gouerneth there most sinne ruleth For as the world is enemy to god so also the wisedome therof is aduerse to god And therfore Christ hath declared discouered the same for folishnes And although he could haue taken awaye all worldlye wisedome yet he hath left it for his greater glorye and tryumphe of hys chosen vesselles For before wheras it was our ruler against god nowe by Christe we are serued of it for God as of a slaue in worldlye thinges Albeit in supernaturall thinges the same is not to be vnderstand And
and worke as chyldren for loue and not as seruauntes compelled with threatnynges or prouoked with hyer The syncere and pure louers of god do enbrace Christ w t suche ferueÌ„cie of spirite that they reioyce in hope be bolde in daungier suffer in aduersitie coÌ„tinew in praier blesse theyr persecutours further they be not wise in their owne opinion neyther high mynded in their prosperitie neyther abasshed in their aduersitie but humble and gentle alwayes to all men For they knowe by their fayth they are members all of one body and that they haue possessed all one God one fayth one baptysme one ioye and one saluacion If these pure and syncere louers of God were thicke sowen there shoulde not be so muche conteÌ„cion strife growing on the fieldes of our religion as there is Well I shall praye to the lorde to take all contencion strife away and that the sowers of sedicion may haue mynde to cease their labour or to sowe it amongst the stones to haue grace to sowe gracious vertues where they may both roote and bring furth fruite with sending also a godlie vnitie and concorde amongest all christians that we maye serue the lorde in true holynes of life The exaÌ„ple of good liuinge is required of all christians but especially in the ecclesiastical pastoures and shepeherdes for they be called in Scripture workemen with god disbursers of goddes secretes the light of the worlde the salte of the earthe at whose handes all other shoulde take comforte in workyng knowlege of gods will and sight to becum children of the light and taste of seasonable wisedoÌ„e They haue or shoulde haue the holye spirite habundauntlie to pronounce and set furth the worde of God in veritie and truth yf ygnoraunce and blyndnes reygne among vs they should with the truthe of goddes worde instructe and set vs in the truth and directe vs in the way of the lord But thankes be geueÌ„ vnto the lorde that hath now sent vs suche a godlie learned kynge in these latter dayes to reygne ouer vs y t with y e vertue force of goddes worde hath taken awaye the vayles mistes of erroures and brought vs to the knowledge of y e truthe by the lyghte of Goddes worde which was so long hydden and kepte vnder that the people wer nigh famished hungred for lacke of spiritual foode suche was the charitie of y e spiritual curates shepherdes But our Moyses moste godlye wise gouernour and king hath delyuered vs out of the captiuitie and bondage of Pharao I meane by this Moyses king Henry the eight my most soraigne fauourable lord husbaÌ„d one If Moyses had figured any mo then Christ through y e excelleÌ„t grace of god mete to be an other expressed veritie of Moses coÌ„quest ouer Pharao And I mene by this Pharao the bishop of Rome who hathe bene and is a greater persecutor of al true christians theÌ„ euer was Pharao of the children of Israel For he is a persecutor of the gospel and grace a setter furth of all supersticion and counterfeit holynes brynging many soules to hell with his alchimye and counterfeit money deceyuing the poore soules vnder y e preteÌ„ce of holines but so muche the greater shal be his damnacion because he disceyueth robbeth vnder Christes maÌ„tle The Lorde kepe and defend all meÌ„ from his iugglinges sleyghtes But specially the poore simple vnlearned sowles And this lesson I woulde all men had of hym that when they begyn to mislike his doyng then onely begyn they to lyke god and certeynlye not before As for the spiritual pastoures shepherdes I thynke they wyl cleaue and stycke fast to the worde of god euen to the death to vanquishe all goddes enemies yf nede shall require all respectes of honour dignitie ryches welth and theyr priuate commoditâ—es layde apart folowing also the examples of Christ his chosen apostles in preaching and teaching sincere pure holsum doctryne and such thinges as make for peace with godlye lessons wherwith they may edifie others that euery man may walke after his vocation in holynes of life in vnitie and concorde which vnitie is to be desyred of all true ChristiaÌ„s It is muche to be lameÌ„ted the Scismes varieties conteÌ„cions and disputacions that haue ben and are in the worlde aboute Christen religion no agremente nor concord of the same amongest the learned men Treuly the deuill hath ben the sowier of the seede of sedicion and shal be the maynteyner of it euen tyl gods wyl be fulfylled There is no warre so cruell and euell as this for the warre with the sweorde kylleth but the bodies and this sleyeth many soules for the poore vnlearned personnes remayne confused and almoste euery one beleueth and worketh after his owne waye And yet there is but one truthe of goddes worde by the whiche we shal be saued Happye be they that receyue it and moste vnhappye are they whiche neglecte and persecute the same For it shal be more easie for Sodome and Gommor at the day of iudgement then for them and not without iuste cause yf we consydre the beneuolence goodnes mercy of god who hath declared his charitie towardes vs greater and more inestimable then euer he dyd to the Hebrues For they lyued vnder shadowes and figures and were bound to the law And Christe we being his greatest ennemies hathe deliuered vs from the bondage of the lawe and hath fulfilled all that was figured in their lawe and also in their prophesies sheadyng his owne precious bloode to make vs the chyldren of his father and his brethren and hathe made vs free settynge vs in a godlye libertie I meane not licence to synne as manye bee glad to interprete the same when Christien libertie is godlye entreated of Trewlie it is no good spirite that moueth men to fynde fault at euery thing and when thinges may be wel taken to peruert them into an euell sence and meanyng There bein the world many speakers of holines good workes but very rare and and seeldome is declared which be the good and holy workes The workes of the spirite be neuer almost spoken of And therfore very fewe knowe what they be I am able to iustifie the ignorance of the people to be great not in this matter alone but in many other which were most necessary for christians to know Bicause I haue had iust profe of y e same it maketh me thus muche to say with no lytle sorowe and griefe in my harte for suche a miserable ignoraunce and blyndnes amongest the people I doubte not but wee can saye al Lorde Lorde but I feare god may saye vnto vs this people honoreth me with their lippes but their hartes be far from me God desyreth nothing but the harte and sayeth he will be
people it bringeth furthe good fruit aboundantly so that the want faute is in men and not in the worde of god I praye god all men women may haue grace to becum meete tillage for the fruites of the gospell and to leaue onelye the iangling of it for only speaking of y e gospel maketh not men good christians but good talkers excepte theyr factes and workes agre with the same so then theyr speache is good because they re hertes be good And eueÌ„ as much talke of the worde of God without practising the same in our lyuing is euill and detestable in the sight of god so it is a lamentable thing to heare howe there be many in y e worlde that do not wel digest the reading of scripture doo commende and prayse Ignoraunce and saye that muche knowlege of gods worde is the original of al discencion scismes and contencion and maketh meÌ„ hawte proud and presumptuous by readynge of the same Thys maner of saying is no lesse than a playne blasphemie agaynst the holy gost For the spirite of God is the authour of his worde and so the holy goste is made the authour of euill whiche is almoste great blasphemie as the scripture sayeth a synne that shal not be forgeuen in this worlde neyther in the other to cum It were al our partes and duties to procure and seeke all the wayes and meanes possible to haue more knowledge of goddes wordes set furthe abrode in the worlde and not allowe Ignoraunce and discommende knowledge of gods woorde stopping the mouthes of the vnlearned with suttle and crafty perswasions of Philosophie and Sophistrie wherof coÌ„meth no â—ruite but a greate perturbacion of the mynde to the simple ignoraunt not knowing whiche way to turne theym For howe is it not extreame wickednes to charge the holy sanctified woord of God with thoffences of man To allege the scriptures to be perillous learnyng because certayne readers therof fall into heresies These menne might be forced by thys kynde of argumente to forsake thuse of fyer because fyer burned theyr neighboures house or to absteine from meate or drynke bicause they see many surfeyte O blynde hate they sklaunder God for mans offence and excuse the man whom they see offende blame the scripture whiche they cannot improue Yea I haue heard of sum that haue very well vnderstande the latin tong that when they haue hearde learned men perswade to the credite and beliefe of certeyne vnwritten verities as they call theym whiche be not in scripture expressed and yet taught as doctryne apostolike and necessary to be beleued they haue ben of thys opinion that the learned menne haue mo Epistles written by thappostes of Christ then we haue abrode in the Cannon of tholde and newe Testament or knowen of any but only to them of the Clergie Whiche beliefe I did not a lytle lament in my harte to heare that any creature should haue suche a blinde ignoraunte opinioÌ„ Some kinde of simplicitie is to be praysed but this simplicitie without the veritie I can neyther prayse nor allowe And thus it may be seen howe we that be vnlettered remayne confused withoute god of his grace lighteÌ„ our hartes w t a heauenly light and knowledge of hys wil for we be geuen of our selues to beleue men better then god I pray god sende all lerned menne the spirite of god aboundantly that theyr doctryne may bryng furthe the fruites therof I suppose there was neuer more nede of good doctryne to be setfurth in the worlde than nowe in thys age for the carnall children of Adam be so wise in theyr generacion that if it wer possible they woulde deceyue the children of light The worlde loueth hys owne and therfore theyr factes doynges be highly estemed of the world but the children of god ar hated because they be not of the worlde for they re habitacion is in heauen and they do dispise the worlde as a most vile slaue The fleshly children of Adam bee so politicke subtil craftie and wise in they re kynde that the electe should be illuded if it were possible for they are clothed with Christes garment in vtter apperaunce with a fayer shewe of all godlines and holines in they re wordes but they haue so shorne nopped turned Christes garmente haue so disguysed theym selues that the children of light beholdyng theym with a spirituall eye accounte and toke theym for men whiche haue solde they re masters garment haue stolne a pece of euery mans garmeÌ„t yet by theyr subtill arte and craftie wittes tâ—ey haue so sette those patches and pieces together that they do make the blind worlde carnal meÌ„ to beleue it is Christes very mantle but the children of light knowe the coÌ„trary for they are led by the spirite of god to the knowledge of the truthe therefore they diâ—cerne and iudge all thinges right and knowe from whence they cuÌ„ euen fro the bishop of Rome his membres the head spring of al pride vainâ—glorie ambicion hipocrisie and fayned holynes The children of god be not abashed although the worlde hate theym they beleue they are in the grace and fauour of God and that he as abest father doeth gouerne theym in all thynges putting away froÌ„ theym al vayne coÌ„fidence trust in theyr owne doinges for they knowe they can doe nothing but sinne of theym selues they be not so folish childish not to geue God thankes for theyr eleccion which was before y e beginning of the worlde for they beleue moste surely they be of y e chosen for the holy gooste doeth witnes to their spirite that they be the childreÌ„ of god and therfore they beleue god better than man They say with saynt Paule who shall seperate vs from the loue of god shal tribulacion anguish persecucion hunger nakednes peryll or swearde as it is written for thy sake are wee kylled all day long are counted as shepe appoynted to be slayne Neuertheles in al these thinges we ouercum thorowe hym that loueth vs for I am sure y t neyther death neyther life neyther aungelles nor rule neyther power neyther thinges present neyther thinges to cum neither quantitie or qualitie neyther any creature shal be able to departe vs from the loue of god whiche is in Christ Iesu our lord They are not by this godly fayth presumptuously enflamed nor by the same becum they leuse idell or slowe in doinge of godly workes as carnall men dreame of them so much the more feruent they be in doing moste holy and pure workes whiche god hath commaunded theym to walke in They wandre not in mennes tradicions and inuencions leauing the moste holye and pure preceptes of god vndone whiche they knowe they be bounde to obserue kepe Also they worke not like hierlinges for meede wagies or rewarde but
will iudge I haue doon it for prayse or thanke of any creature since rather I might be ashamed then reioyce in rehersall therof For yf they knowe howe little I esteme and wey the prayse of the worlde that opinion were soone remoued taken away for I thanke God by his gâ—acâ— I knowe the world to be a blinde Iudge the prayses therof vayne of little moment And therfore I seeke not the prayses of the same neither to satisfie it none other wise then I am taught by Christ to dooe according to Christen charitie I woulde to god wee would al wheÌ„ occasion doâ—h serue confesse oure faultes to the world al respectes to our owne commoditie laied aparte But alas selfe loue doeth so muche reigne amongâ—st vs that as I haue sayde before wee can not espie our owne fautes And although sometime we finde our owne gilte eyther wee be fauourable to interpret it no sinne orelles we be ashamed to confesse our selfes therof Yea and we before offended grieued to heare our fautes charitablie godly colde vs of other putting no difference betwene charitable warning and malicious accusinge Trulie if we sought goddes glory as we should do in al thinges we shoulde not be ashamed to coÌ„fesse our selfes to digresse from goddes preceptes and ordinaunces when it is manifest we haue doon and dayly doo I pray god our owne fautes and deades coÌ„demne vs not at y e last day when euery maÌ„shalbe rewarded according to hys doinges Truly yf we dooe not redresse and amende our liuing according to the doctrine of the gospell we shall receiue a terrible sentence of Christ the son of god wheÌ„ he shal cum to iudge condemne al transgressours and breakers of hys preceptes coÌ„maundementes to rewarde al his obedient louing children we shall haue no manne of lawe to make our plea for vs neyther can wee haue the day deferred neyther will the iust iudge be corrupted w t affeccion bribes or rewarde neyther will he heare any excuse or delaye neyther shal this Saynt or that martir helpe vs be they neuer so holie neyther shal oure ignoraunce saue vs froÌ„ damnacion But yet wilful blindnes obstinate ignoraunce shal receyue greater punishment and not without iust cause TheÌ„ shall it be knowen who hath walked in the darke for all thinges shall appere manifest before him Noo mannes deades shal be hiddeÌ„ no neyther woordes nor thoughtes the poore simple obseruers of goddes coÌ„maundementes shal be rewarded with euerlastyng life as obedient children to the heueÌ„ly father And y e transgressours adders and diminishers of the lawe of god shall receyue eternal damnacioÌ„ for theyr iust reward I beseche god we may escape this fearfull sentence and be founde suche faythfull seruauntes and louing children that wee maye heare the happy comfortable moste ioyfull sentence ordeyned for the children of God which is Come hither ye blessed of my father and receyue the kingdom of heauen prepared for you before the beginning of y e world Unto the Father the Sonne and the Holy goste be all honour glory worlde without ende Amen Finis ¶ Imprinted at London in Flete strete at the signe of the Sunne ouer agaynste the Conduyte by Edwarde Whitchurche the .v. daye of Nouember in the yeare of oure Lord. 1547. Cum priuâ—legio ad imprimendum solum By knowelege of sin coÌ„meth confession Charitie is not abashed The argument of the booke The authors sinnes Psal. iiâ— The goodnes of god Lu. xix God iÌ„ goodneâ— maruelouse MaÌ„ in euilnes wonderouse Ihon. iii. The iugemeÌ„t of man is corrupt in all thingâ—â— Euery manâ— syn accuseth hym selfe A blind guide â—or a blind way The number of people may not be folowed but the goodnes A fleshly man râ—gardeth not spirituall thinges Marke a noÌ„ber of Idoles The sinne against y e. i. coÌ„mauÌ„dement Deut. vi The blood of Christ. The word of god is onely y â— doctryne of saluation B. of Rome is an euyll vsurpouâ— of Christes poweâ— The father is honored iÌ„ hiâ— sonne Hebre. x. The most horrible siÌ„ The honoâ— of God abouÌ„ded vpon y e crossâ— Hebre. i. i. Cor. ii To knowe Christ crucifâ—ed is y e conningest lessoÌ„ in diuinitie Philip. iii. Lit. xviii Man of hys owne proud nature is easely made a Pharisey Childâ—eÌ„ lâ—rne to be thankeful to your father Rom. v. Harde hartes receyue no print i. Cor. ii Two yoke fellowes BliÌ„dnâ—s hardnes of harte Profession iÌ„ baptisme Christ innocent Esa. liii maÌ„ sinful Philip. ii Christ obedient Man stubburne Math. ix Christ humble MaÌ„ proud Iohn viii Math. iiii Christe heuenly MaÌ„ wordly Iohn xiii Iohn vi Ma. xviii Ma. viii ii Cor viii Christ pore Man riche Luk. xiiii Lu. xxiii Iohn viii Math. ix Many chrâ—stians knowâ— not theyr patrone Ignorant wisdome Wâ—thout the cause nothiÌ„g is rightly kâ—owen Rom. ii LameÌ„tacion God sheweth goodnes in differring his wrath Psal. ciii Psal. cviii Lu. xviii Christ draweth man from desperacyon i. Ihon. i. Iohn iiii i. Iohn ii Iohn iii. Math. xxviii The power will of god Iohn iii. No sauior but one Lu. xix Math. ii Mans humilitie Math. xv â–ª A mase oâ— synne Psal. xviii Phil. ii ii Cor. â—ii God beginneth w t man Math. xvi i. Cor â—ii Rom. viii The teching of the holy spirite IESUS Actes iiii God is onely the helper i. Iohn ii Christ is the onely meane betwene god and man Obiection What maketh maÌ„ bold Solucion The promise of Châ—ist Math. xi Apoc. xvii Math vii The giuer The gifte The taker Thâ— goodnes of God boldeneth his Chosen Zacha. x. Iohn xvi Fayth is euer neâ—â—ssary Rom. â—iii Rom. iii. i. Iohn iiii â—erne whaâ— true fayth doth iâ— man Ose. ii â—phe ii Rom. v. Galat. iii. Iustification bâ— a ChristiaÌ„ faythe Roma iii. Galat. ii Galat. v. Dignitie of fayth hurteth no wâ—rkes Marke dililigently with out offence Rom. iii. Rom. v. Iohn iii. Obiection i. Iohn ii Solucion Charitie knoweth not Christ but by reporte of fayth i. Cor. i. Iohn i. i. Iohn ii Iohn xiiii Charitie immediately foloweth liuely fayth Secret obiecâ—ion A mylde and true solutioÌ„ How god sent his son Iohn iii. Philip. ii i. Iohn i. Roma viii The charitie of GOD toward man Rom. v. A godly medâ—â—acion The beautie of the soule Iohn xiâ—ii The worâ—te Uayne Bâ—ynde Unkynde Sinaâ— A christian mans boke Lessons of y e Crucifiâ—e Paâ—ne of hel Ioye of Heauen i. Cor. ii Christes victory Collo ii Sapi. â—vii Dauâ—d and Christ compared in fight Spirituall Armure Ephe. v. Mat. xxvii Iesus stile Uictory ouer sinne Collo i. Actes vii· Rom. vi vii Câ—llo ii Sâ—n hurteth not the electe CoÌ„cupâ—sceÌ„ce the oriâ—inall sinne Rom. viii Obiecâ—ion Solucion A similitude Applicacion of the similitude Uictory ouer the deuell Collo ii Genue iii. Uictory oueâ— death Phil. iiii ii Cor. i. All thinges proffit the chosen Roma viii The wisedoÌ„ of the world i. Cor. ii iii Uictory ouer the worlde Iohn xiiii Iohn iii. Rom. xiiii How Christians regarde the worlde A conclusion of the victories Iohn xvii Collo ii Christ is Messias ii Cor. iiii Ro. vii The title of a christian Rom. viii Osee. xiii i. Cor. xv Saluacion by y e Crosse. Ro. iiii â—o xix Ro. viii â—he booke â—f the cruciâ—ix A presumtuous trewaÌ„d A man is neuer glut with knowledge The first lesson in the booke Hie. xviii A christien complaynt Math. ix Rom. vi Io. xv Christ is â— fulnes of the god head Col. ii Io. iiii Ro. viii Paules argumeÌ„t Rom. v. Christian prayer i. Pet. i. True christians Ro. xii Ro. xii i. Cor. xii Eph. iiii Prayer Luke i. The clergy i. Cor. iii. i. Cor. iiii Math. v. Preachyng â—i Ti. iiii Kyng Henrye the .viii. Moyses Iudge ChristeÌ„ly Bishop of Rome Pharao A Godly wishe A sure lesson Good prechers i. Ti. ii Contencions in Religion The deuil Warre iÌ„ religion â—i Cor. i. One truthe Psal. i. Persecutours of the word Math. x. Heb. x. Ga. liiii Math. xi ii Cor. iii. Chrisâ—en libertie Holy workes Few know the true holynes Math. xii Mat. xv Io. iiii TradicioÌ„s of men Math. xv The worde of god is y e onelye sure doctrine The cause of thestimacion of tradicions i. Cor. xiii Charitie Ephe. iiii A godly wishe Ephe. iiii Gala. v. Ro. viii Christened men Self loue Iaco. i. Worldes loue Simple wisdoÌ„ in men Mat. x. Christen constaÌ„tues Math. xi ii Cor. iiii i. Pet. ii Example of a christen man Christen coÌ„tentacion Math. xvi The workes of god offende not the christiaÌ„ Heb. iiii The workes of meÌ„ offend not the Christian Mat. vii Eph. v. The christian profiteth by synne Ps. cxlv weaklynges mislike al thiÌ„ges Act. xiii Godly Mat. xv Mat. ix i. Cor. xiii mat xxvi Mat. xxi Io. vii Mat. xii Io. iiii Rom. ix A second sorte of weaklynges Ephe. i. Phariseis Lu. xviii Wicked men mislike good thinges Ps. xxxvii OffeÌ„ce of Gods election Rom. ix Rom. xi Ps. xxxiii Roma iii. Uayne gospellers Actes xiii Gal. v. Roma ii Euil lyuing â—laundereth tâ—e best profession Psal. xii Math. vii A similitude Math. xiii ApplicacioÌ„ Prayer Iohn i. Math. xii Psal. i. Readyng of the scripture The worde of God Iohn xvi Math. xii Knowlege wished against ignoraunce Like reason lyke conclusion Good latinistes and euil diuines Forged wrytinges The vnlerned be taught by grace This age requyreth lernyng Wordly children Mat. xxiiii Iohn xvii Gods children ii Cor. v Like garmeÌ„t lâ—â—e men Crafty taylors Godes childreÌ„ be wise B. of Rome Roma vii· Ephe. i. Sure fayth Roma viii Roma viii Of Godly faythe no euil commâ—th Math. xv i. Pe. i. Gods sâ—cretes Eccle. iii. Collo ii i. Timo. vi Prerogatiue of the sâ—ripture Similitud ApplicacioÌ„ Christ is our â—xample Prayer Math Psal. xxxvii The loue of God Euery man attende to his vocacioÌ„ Preachers ii Cor. iiii Lay men Ephe. vi Roma xiii Children Deut. v. SeruauÌ„tes Ephe. vi husbandes Ephe. v. Wyues Obedience i. Timo. ii Silence Apparell ii â—imo ii i. Petri. iii. Ouermuch â—ie sight Math. vii Selfe loue A conclusion with an answere to obiections It is lawefâ—â— to bost in god Godly wish Shame hindereth confescâ—on i. Cor. vi Math. xxv A trewe â—hâ—eruing Domesdaye compared to a lawedaye Wâ—lfull syn is y e greatest Apo. xxii Rewarde of sinners Prayer Math. xxv