power good willes in giuing of thanks for his benefits and in liuing so thankfully that his continued mercie may bee a salue to our myserie Testimonies Reioyce alwaies pray without ceasing and giue thanks in all things for this is the will of God in Christ Iesus towards you all 1. Thessa. 5. What better thing may we beare in our minde expresse with tongue or set foorth with penne then Thankes bee to God Then this nothing can bee spoken more shorte more ioyfully heard more thankfully vnderstoode nor more frutefully be perfourmed Augustine in epist. ad Marcil Let euery one as hee hath receiued the good grace of God despise the same vnto an others benefite as the good stewards of the manifolde grace of God. 1. Pet. 4. The best conseruer of benefites is the remembrance of those benefites receiued and the continual thankfulnesse which wee ought to render for the same Chry. Homi. 25. super Matt. I exhorte you that you doe alwayes giue thankes vnto the Lorde if euill chaunces happen vnto you blesse yee the Lorde those euils shall be taken away if prosperous good things happen vnto you blesse the Lord they â—hall continue still with you Chrys in tract de Symbol Thankesgiuing is a moste pure perfect Balme and therefore it requireth a pure sound profound vessel for the same Brent super Can. Examples Christe Iesus our Lorde and Sauiour oftentimes lifting vppe his eyes vnto the Heauens would giue thankes as in breaking the Bread in multiplying of Breade to his Disciples in reuyuing Lazarus in the institution of the holy Eucharist Matt. 26. The Lorde commaunded that his deliueraunce of the Children of Israel out of Aegypt should neuer departe out of their mindes It shall be saith he as a signe in thy hand and as a monument before thy eyes that the law of the Lorde may be euer in thy mouth Exod. 13. Moyses and the Israelites sung a song vnto God and said Let vs sing vnto the Lorde that is to say after they had meruelously passed through the red Sea. Exod. 20. Dauid when he heard the Reuelation which God made vnto Nathan touching the continuance of his kingdome gaue very humble deuoute thankes therefore vnto God. 2. King. 7. We ought heere in England to prayse God greatly for his goodnesse which prospereth the reigne of our so gratious soueraigne lady Queene Elizabeth according to that saying Blessed be God which hath giueÌ„ vs Dauid a most wise Prince to gouerne the people c. 3. Kin. 1. and 15. When Tobias had recouered againe his sight both he his wife all they which before had seene him blinde glorifyed god Tob. 11. For other Examples of Thankesgiuing looke Cyrus 1. Esdras 1. The Israelites Iudith 16. Nabuchodonozer Dan. 2. Iudas Machabeus 2. Mach. 1. The blessed virgin Mary Luk. 1. Zacharias Luke 1. Matt. 9. Luk. 7. and other places The xi Plant True Preaching Definition TRue Preaching is the message of the great God and embassage of the highest King of kings the same is an office of effectuall vertue vertuous effect of glad tydings and of saluation bestowed vppon mankinde by the Almightie Messias in the light of his holy lawe and Gospell reuealed and in the true testification of his grace and gratious goodnesse towardes man as S. Paul descrybeth the same more amply in the 1. Cor. 14. 1. Tim. 4. That is to say it consisteth in Doctrine Exhortation and consolation and thervnto is applyed the exposition or interpretation of any parte or portion of the Scriptures The efficient causes of which office and function duely applied are these The holy Goste by the will of God enioyning the Apostles first to performe this office Mat. 10 The tongue which ought to be the trumpet sounding the glory of God his wrath towards sinners and mercie towardes those that heare his will and fulfill the same The faithfulnesse diligence and constancy by the Preacher obserued heerin to the end that God may be obeyed rightly honoured and acknowledged that many soules may be woon as coheyres with Christ in his kingdome for euer Testimonies And the Lord saide I will rayse vnto them a prophet out of their Brethren which shall bee like vnto thee and I will put my woords in his mouth and hee shall speake vnto them all those things which I shal prescribe him and he that will not heare him speaking in my name I will bee reuenged vppon him Deut. 18. Howe beautiful vpon the hilles are the feete of him that bringeth preacheth peace Esay 52. Man liueth not by bread onely but by euery word that proceedeth out of the mouth of god Luk. 4. Thou shalt heare the word proceeding out of my mouth and thou shalt tell it them from me Ezech. 3. Goe your wayes throughout all the world preach the Gospell to euery creature teaching al nations baptizing them Matt. 28. Reproue Exhorte blame and rebuke with all patience and doctrine 1. Tim. 5. For the worde of God is liuely and effectuall and pearceth more then doth a two edged swoorde entering euen into the deuision of the soule the spirite c. Heb. 4. Examples Iesus Christe our Redeemer and Sauiour comming into this worlde to call sinners to repentaunce first preached the Gospell and deliuered the Lawe vnto the Prophetes he himselfe affirming that he is the true light of the worlde whome who so did followe should haue light of life Iohn 8. Iohn Baptist preached repentaunce and the kingdome of GOD in the deserte of Iudaea and preuayled therein Matt. 3. The twelue Apostles were sent of the Lord to preach had power giuen them to caste out vncleane spirites to heale the diseazed by vertue of the holy Ghoste and efficacie of the Gospell and namely these for the testimonie of the trueth suffered persecution Sainte Peeter was crucifyed S. Paule at Rome beheaded Saint Iames the brother of our Lord stoned at Hierusalem Iames the brother of Iohn be headed there S. Philippe in Scythia S. Bartholmewe in India S. Matthias in Iudaea S. Andrew in Scythia S. Matthew in Aethiopia suffered martyrdome all within the space of 85. yeeres after the birth of Christ Ionas was sent of the Lord to preach at Niniue fortie dayes respite before they should bee destroyed and yet the Lord knew that they would repent whereby hee spared them and withdrewe his scourge Ionas 3 For other Examples look in Acts. 2. 3. 4. 5. and 11. besides other places in Paule Peter Iames and Iohn concerning Preaching The xii Plant Confession vnto God. Definition COnfession is a constant and perpetuall desire while we beare aboute vs this earthly and corruptible tabernacle of the flesh to acknowledge the true doctrine of the Gospell before God and man and to confesse our sinnes and manifolde infirmities vnto God who onely is the promised comforter in our myseryes the only redeemer of vs from sinne death and hell and the onely sauiour of our
curiositie or vsing captiousnesse Rom. 12. Examples Our Lord sauiour Iesus Christ the sole singular patern of godly simplicitie came simply into this world borne in a simple barne or stable simply in nature was obedient to his parents simply taught and simply liued according to his teaching in whose mouth there was no guide in whose heart no deceyte neither in any externall doings any harme Mat. Mar. Luke Iohn His beloued Apostles Peter Andrew and others of simple fishermen poore vnlerned base and abiect in worldly wisedome did he traine teach and instruct with the fulnesse of the holy Ghost as well by his life and doctrine making them perfect followers of him as also worthie examples for his chosen seruants in this world whose testimonies are left vs for our worthy examples of imitation Mat. Mar. Luke Iohn Iob is commended vnto vs to haue liued alwayes iust and simple in the sight of the Lorde iust by warinesse of wisedome and simple by innocencie of meekenesse simple bicause he neuer desired to hurt any but rather to profite al men iust bicause he would not suffer himselfe to bee deceyued by any Iob. 1. Beda de templo Solemonis lib. 1. All the Patriarkes and Prophets were men of simple life and conuersation in the sight of God. S. Hierome writing de Sapientia Serpentina simplicitate Columbina hath these wordes Vse simplicitie of a Doue that thou do not deceiue or iniurie any man and haue wisdome of a serpent that thou bee not supplanted in other mens snares for otherwise in respect of offence it differeth smally but thou shalt either deceiue or be deceiued Hier. ad Rust Mona The .xxviii. Plant Sinceritie Definition SInceritie is to be vnderstoode for truth the verie bright beames of that shining Sunne which reuealeth the puritie of God and his worde and discouereth the falshood of the Diuell and his workes By which touchstone golde is tried from drosse By which fanne wheate is sifted from the chaffe and by which searce of sinceritie the sweete sauorie Cinamon of saluation is separate from the bruised barke of bitter bale by the operation of the holy Ghost which is therfore called the spirite of truth and sinceritie bycause hee is true and sincere that is agreeable vnto the will of God and the authour which first expressed the true doctrine of God enclining the hearts of men to assent and consent vnto the same true doctrine to worship the true god thereby to honour and obey the superiour powers therby to professe with the heart and confesse with the tongue all one in al worldly dealings towards all men That the name of the true and euerliuing God may in truth bee glorified That the true and sincere Church in truth may be amplified and increased That the true consolations of Christ may in our consciences truly be multiplied eternally to our saluation triumphing with Christ ouer Satan sinne and hell to rest with him in the sincere seate of celestiall glorie Testimonies In spirite and truth do the true worshippers worship the father Iohn 4. Thy worde is the truth sanctifie them in the truth Iohn 17. God will that all men shoulde bee saued and come to the knowledge of the trueth that is of the true doctrine of the true God and of the mediatour his sonne Iesus Christ 1. Tim. 2. The spirite of truth shall bring you into all truth Iohn 16. The truth is great and stronger than al things 1. Esd 4 We can do nothing against the truth but for the truth 2. Cor. 13. If you remaine in the truth of my word you are my disciples rightly and my truth shall deliuer you Iohn 8. Laying aside all leasings let euery one of you speake the trueth vnto his neighbour Ephe. 4. The Lorde abhorreth lying lippes but who so speaketh trueth shall bee safe for euer Pro. 10. Lorde who shall ascende into thy hill or who shall rest in thy holy place euen hee whose handes are innocent from harme whose heart is cleane which hath not takē his soule in vaine nor hath not sworne to deceiue his neighbour c. Psal. 23. This is our glorie onely and in this wee are glad as to witnes we take our cōscience that we are exercised in the simplicitie and sinceritie of God in this world and not in carnall wisedome but in the grace of God c. 2. Cor. 1. Examples Iesus Christ our Sauiour is that shining sonne of sinceritie which rightly calleth himselfe the sonne of righteousnesse Sapien. the light of the world Iohn 1. the way the truth and the life Iohn 14. all whose wayes as Dauid sayth are mercie and truth Psal. 25. His Apostles Prophets Patriarks Martyrs and Confessors haue preached this truth practised the same in life and conuersation suffered persecution for the testimonie thereof Iacob had this sinceritie with him when he said let vs make an altar vnto the lord bicause he hath heard me in the day of my trouble and hath bene a companion of my iourney Gen. 35 Daniel had this sinceritie of truth with him when all the wise men of Babylon were by Nabuchodonoser commanded to bee slaine then he being inspired with the spirit of truth exhorted his sociates to seeke for mercie of the Lord who reuealing a vision vnto Daniel in the night by this aduertisement of Daniel the king spared to execute his determined iudgement vpon the sayd wise men Dan. 2. When all the Disciples of Christ were altogether of one minde in praying the holy Ghost wonderfully discended vpō them taught them comforted them directed them in the truth Act. 1. 2. This spirit of sinceritie had the same Daniel in disprouing those false Gods Bel and the Dragon and in worshipping the true and euerliuing God mauger the malice of the malignant enemies of the truth Dan. 14. The .xxix. Plant Iustice Definition IVstice is one of the soure moste excellent vertues called cardinall vertues whereout flowe as from out of foure pure fountaines al the other springs of vertues albeit these foure called Cardinall vertues namely Iustice Prudence Temperance and Fortitude are so tearmed of the Latin Erymologie Cardo which is in English the hindge of a doore for as the hindge doth catie the force of the doore opening to and fro and beares the stresse of the same against all other strength so do these foure vertues euery one in his propertie cary support and beare certaine other vertues as it were imposed vpon them or rather depending vpon their force and effect As namely Cicero terming this Iustice the first Cardinal vertue sayth lib. 1. Offici That she is a great brightnesse and excellencie whereof good men are so called whose first office is to hurt no man except he bee first prouoked by iniurie Againe to vse things common for common and thirdly priuate thinges as his owne But more truely and amply in his 2. Rhetor. he sayth Iustice is an excellent qualitie of the minde to the profite of all men applyable
he of many vertues is mercy more wonderful and more gracious For men do not in any thing more resemble or come neare vnto the likenesse of God then in relieuing and shewing mercy one towardes an other Heerein fortune hath nothing greater wherof shee may nor nature any thing better whereof she would impart from her owne brestes Cicero in Oratio pro. Qu. Ligurio A great trauel is there ordeined for all men and a great burden for all the chidreÌ„ of Adam from the day of their birth vntil the day of their graue the mother of all thinges Eccle. 40. Mercy and trueth shall preserue the King and with mercy his Throne shal bee established for euer Prouer. 20. Blessed are the mercifull because they shall receiue mercy Mat. 5. Goe rather and learne what that meaneth I will haue mercy and not sacrifice Mat. 9. Forgeue your offenders with mercy as equitie requireth you your selues shall haue your offences forgeuen you Luk. 6. Who so hath this worldes good and seeth his brothers neede and shal shut his compassion from him how dwelleth the loue of God in that man Iohn 1. 3. Mercy is the safegarde of health the OrnameÌ„t of faith the offered satisfaction by Christ for our sinnes This is she which commendeth the iust strengtheneth the holy ones and aduaunceth the worshippers or seruauntes of god Ioh. Chrysost super Matthaeum Mercy is there more bountifull where faith is more ready Nothing so muche coÌ„mendeth a Christian as the charitable mercye of one man towardes another Ambro. de officiis Examples Our Sauiour and redeemer Christe Iesus the most excellent mirrour of milde mercie by his example biddeth vs to be mercifull because saith he your heauely father is mercifull Luke 6. Also saying you shall finde rest vnto your soules in so doing Mat. 11. So had hee compassion vpon the woman whose sonne was dead when he said vnto her weepe not so that hee raised her sonne from death to life Luke 7. Vnto the sicke of the Palsey did he shew also his meruaylous mercy both in curing his disease and forgeuing his sinnes Mat. 9. Vpon the woman diseased with the blooddy Issue vpon the two blinde and vpon the possessed with a dumbe spirite did hee worke his wonderful mercies to the greate admiration of the multitude standing by Mat. 9. Ruben and Iudas were mooued with naturall compassion to withstande the other brethren which would haue slayne their brother Ioseph whom although they brought not againe to their father yet by their meanes his life at that ttme was saued Gen. 37. When the children of Israell had taken 200000. of their enimies men women children prisoners they spared them sent them backe againe vnto their owne dwelling places appareling theÌ„ and relieuing them 2. Par. 2. Nehemias hearing of the miserable state of the Citie of HierusaleÌ„ wept many dayes both procured oportune helpe and counsell to remedie the distressed state therof Neh. 1. 2. The xx Plant Innocencie Definition INnocencie is a most notable vertue signifiyng that purenes of minde which abhorreth from all reuenge of priuate iniurie done to vs by any man not onely in our selues ought this to be for our soules saluation for the sauegarde of our owne life goods and good name but also inasmuch as in vs lieth we are bounde to instruct teach and exhort this vertue vnto all others that by all good meanes they may be harmelesse of thought deede and woorde free from offence blame or shame So ought we to haue Adams innocencie in our minds before he was tempted how cleare he was and when he tasted the fruite how much he had defiled him self Wherefore let vs alwaies liue like litle infantes in respect of true innocencie which as S Hierom. saith proceede not in wrath remember not harmes doone to them lust not after the eye thinke not one thing and speake an other This innocencie except we haue saith S. Herome we shall not as the children of God enter into the kingdome of heauen super Matt. cap. 18. Testimonies Blessed are ye when men reuile you and shall falsly speake al maner of euill against you for my sake Mat. 5. â—â— Verily I say vnto you except ye repent and become as litle children you shal not enter into the Kingdome of Heauen Mat. 18. 3. Who so receiueth one of these litle ones in my name receiueth me And who so offendeth one of these litle ones which beleeueth in me it were meete that a Milstone were hanged about his necke and that he were cast into the bottome of the Sea ibidem â— 6. You haue heard how it hath been said an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth But I say vnto you resist not euill with euill Mat. 5. The simple beleeue euery woorde so long as the innocent cleane vnto righteousnes they shal not be ashamed Pro 14. See that you render not euill for euill but alwayes persiste in dooing good 1. Thes 5. Who is innocent hee which neither hurteth others nor himselfe for hee that hurteth himselfe is not innocent Aug. super Psal 35. Bee glad of thine innocencie and reioyce be glad I say because she is harmelesse in euery place safe in euery place If thou bee tempted thou profitest if thou beest brought lowe thou shalt bee exalted if thou fightest thou winnest if thou be slayne thou shalte bee crowned Chrysost in Homil. Lord who shal enter into thy holy hil euen he that is innocent of his handes and pure of heart which hath not taken his soule in vayne nor hath sworne to deceaue his neighbour he shal receiue blessing from the Lorde and mercie from God his Sauiour Psal. 25. That most innocent Lambe Christe Iesus our Sauiour in whose mouth was founde none euil in whose heart was fouÌ„d no guyle both liued in innocencie as he taught died in inno eÌ„cie for our example that we should refuse no domage daunger nor iniurie for the testimonie of a good conscience towardes God in true innocencie of life Mat. 23. Iohn 19. Susanna was innocent from that heynous fact wherewith the false iudges charged her for testimony of which truth God sent Daniel his seruaunt to diiudicate the cause of her innocencie and to condemne the false iudges of their mischeuous malice Dan. 13. Dauid serued Saule in all innocencie truth fidelitie a long time yet was he persecuted by him but in the end he was crowned king after Saule 1. Reg. 28. vsque ad 26. cap. Ioseph was also innocent iust faithfull towards his Maister albeit his Mistresse went about to tempt him procure reuenge vppon him for not fulfilling her pleasure But the Lord preferred his innocency that he fouÌ„d farre more grace fauour both with God man Gen 39. Iob both iust and innocent before GOD though Sathan desired God that he might diuersly touch him with vexation aduersity yet did he neuer departe from his innocencie but walked vprightly glorified God and beleued
paines of hell And that thou beeing carefull for their welfare wouldest be as a watchman ouer them Bicause for euery one which are vnder thy authoritie thou shalt render accountes vnto god Admonish them therefore and perswade them too beware of pride slaunder drunkennesse fornication wrath periurie and couetousnesse Augustinus ad comitem Examples Our heauenly schoolmaster Christ Iesus euen as yet a childe sitting amongst the doctors in the Temple disputed with them profited in wisdome discretion and grace before God and men Luc. 2. Being also the light to lighten the Gentiles and the glorie of his people Israel taught first his Disciples the true doctrine of saluation vnto al men which whoso beleued should inherite euerlasting life Mat. 10. This discipline was taught by the sayd Apostles by preaching of the Gospel as namely S. Thomas at Parthia S. Mathew in Aethiopia S. Bartholomew in India S. Andrew in Scythia S. Iohn Baptist in Asia S. Peter in Galatia S. Philip in Scythia S. Iames the brother of Christ at Ierusalem Saint Iohn the diuine in Pathmos S. Iames the elder brother of Iohn at Ierusalem S. Simeon the sonne of Cleopha there also and S. Paule at Rome Corinth Ephesus Galatia and Thessalonia with Barnabas at Antioch teaching and instructing the faythfull as also reprouing the seduced and erronious Disciples inducing them by all tractabilitie and good order of discipline to bee reconciled and established vnto the perfect path of rightuousnesse Act. 15. This discipline as the holy Prophet Moyses in Israel Ionas in Niniuee Elias and Elizeus in Israel Daniel at Babylon Nathan at Ierusalem and diuerse other by the operation of the holy Ghost taught and perswaded the kings and nations of the earth euery one in their degree to learne their duties So likewise haue the ancient fathers of the Church as Ioseph of Aramathia in England S. Ignatius at Antioche Policarpus at Rome Irenaeus at Lions Origen at Alexandria Tertullian in Affrica Cyprian at Carthage S. Hierom in Bethleem S. Augustine at Hipponesa S. Ambrose at Milaine S. Basil at Caesarea in Cappadocia S. Gregorie NaziaÌ„zen S. Epiphan at Cypres and others by their diuine giftes in preaching teaching detecting disputing correcting and coÌ„futing haue wonderfully profited the Church of God vnto all posteritie coÌ„firming this discipline of the Gospel albeit some of them more purer than other some expressing the same The. xxiii Plant. Virginitie Definition VIrginitie is that vertue which the auncient called pure and vndefiled continencie of bodie and minde which is a continual meditation of the mind and a continuall exercitation of the bodie in the vncorruptible chast estate of life refrayning carnal desire carnall dealing of the feminine sexe with the masculine euen from the first infancy vnto the last coÌ„tinued state of continencie as God shal giue the gift thereof aboue worldly consideration Thus saith Augustine writing de bono virginali It is more blessed in the flesh to imitate the life of Angels than by the flesh to encrease the nuÌ„ber of mortal men And S. Hierom in his sermoÌ„ de Assump saith Of good right was the Angel sent vnto the virgin bicause vnto Angels virginitie is euermore knowne And truly saith he to liue in the fleshe as beside the fleshe is not an earthly life but a heauenly life For to be an Angel is a state of felicitie but to be a virgin is the state of surpassing vertue But S. Ambrose more highly aduauncing virginitie saith that virginitie farre surmounteth the state of humane nature whereby men are likened vnto Angels Yet greater is the victorie of virgins thaÌ„ of Angels bicause Angels liue out of the flesh but virgins do triumph in the flesh Testimonies Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see god Mat. 5. For Virginitie is the treasure whose precious price is inexpressible Gen. 24. Touching virgins I haue no commaundement of the Lord but yet I do admonish them c. 1. Cor. 7. Let the vnmaried woman and the virgin study for those things which perteine vnto the Lord that she may be holy in bodie and soule eodem No maÌ„ could say the song but those same xliiii which were redeemed from the earth These are they which were not defiled in the flesh Apoc. 14. For they are virgins and followe the lambe wheresoeuer he goeth cap. eodem These are redeemed from amongst men as the first fruites vnto God and the lamb there is no deceit found in their mouth For they are without spotte before the throne of god eodem Whoso hauing power of his owne will hath determined in his heart to keepe his virgine pure doeth well also he which ioyneth his virgin in matrimonie doth well but he that marieth not his virgine doeth better 1. Cor. 7. Remember therfore in this life to prepare thee thy lampe of true godlinesse and the oile of sincere vetrue feruently luminating thy bodie and soule that with the fiue wise virgins thou mayest enter with the bridegrome Christ Iesus into the celestiall ioyes of life euerlasting Mat. 25. Marie the blessed virgine and mother of Iesus Christ by the power of the holy Ghost though she conceiued and brought forth the sauiour of the worlde in the flesh yet seemed shee to be still a virgin vndefiled When she saying How may this be for I know no man her sister Elizabeth being full of the holy Ghost especially commended the holy virgin saying Blessed art thou amongest women c. Luke 1. The same Elizabeth by the diuine prouideÌ„ce one of the daughters of Aaron a long time liued vndefiled in the flesh walking in all the precepts testimonies of the Lord vnreprouable to the great admiration of Zacharias her husband who was â—â—â—de by the Angel that his wife Elizabeth should euen in her aged yeares miraculously also beare a childe which shoulde be great in the Lordes sight Luk. 1. The virgins and women children which had not knowen carnall copulation amongest the Medianites were spared by the captains of Israel and by the commaundement of Moyses had their liues saued when all the malekinde were slaine with the sworde Num. 31. The daughter of the woman of Canaan being sore vexed with an euill spirite was at the instant prayer of her mother helped by Christ Math. 15. Philip the Euangelist had foure daughters virgins which prophecied Acts. 21. Euphemia Dorothea Tecla and Erasma virgins of sincere godly and vertuous conuersation for the testimonie of Christ had rather suffer martyrdome then forsaking him to liue in blindnesse vnder Seruastus the tyrant Pet. de natal lib. 3. cap. 29. Anno dom 65. Vrsula of Englande with the 11000. virgins passing towardes Rome by Basilea with Pantaleon the Bishop of Basilea homewards by the way returning from the people called the Hunnes suffered martyrdome for the testimonie of Christ at Colen in Belgia Pol. Virg. in Ang. 3. Anno. 460. The xxiii Plant. Sobrieetie Definition SObritie as Augustine sayth writing vnto the holy virgins is the
keeping the fastes and feastes of the Sabboth in the house of Israel with deuout fasting and prayer Iud. 8. After that Phinees and other captaines had subdued the Madianites Moyses commanded that all the wicked women should be slaine and that the virgins only should be saued Num. 31. Marie the blessed virgin and mother of Christ continued in the estate of chastitie by diuine prouidence Luke 1. Susanna a singular example for chast maried women Dan. 13. The xxvi Plant Repentance Definition REpentance is a vertue profitable both to the bodie and the soule highly pleasing god But it is vnderstoode to bee a certain remorse of conscience inwardly and earnestly sorrowing for any thing spokeÌ„ done or thought beyonde the bounds of Gods lawes and mannes either priuately or publiquely wherein detesting and hating such kinde of dealing we protest with minde and mouth to forsake from henceforth al former folly loocenesse of life and licencious lustes in taking a reuenge by heartie repentance we professe and practise better wayes and dealings towards God and man in punishing the appetites of the fleshe with the abstinence of the spirite and sacrifice of sorrowes vnto amendment and newnesse of life Thus as S. Augustine sayth who so shall truely repent and be loosed of the bandes of sinne to bee vnited in the bodie of Christ and shal liue well after their repentance as he should haue done before his repentance after his reconcilement whensoeuer he dieth he goeth vnto God hee goeth to the good rest he shal not be frustrate of the inheritance promised in the kingdome of God nor separated from the societie of Gods people Aug. de poeneten cap. 5. Testimonies Thus sayeth the Lorde if I shall shut vp the heauens so that there fall no raine and should commaund the Locusts to deuoure the earth should send a pestilence vnto my people in my wrath yet if my people which call vppon my name do make their praiers vnto me do seeke my face repent them of their sinnes I wil heare them from out of the heauens Parali 7. Be not slow to turne vnto the Lord and deferre not of from day to day for sodenly shal his wrath come and in time of his vengeance shall he destroy thee Eccle. 5. Repent for the kingdome of heauen is at hand Mat. 3. and 4. Lay away from you according to your olde conuersation the olde man which is corrupted by reason of the desire of sinne and be renned in the spirite of your mind and put on the newe man which is created like vnto god in righteousnesse and holinesse of truth Ephe. 4. Turne vnto the Lorde and forsake the sinnes pray before the face of the Lord and leaue of to offend Turne againe vnto the Lorde and turne away from thy vnrighteousnesse and more and more hate thy wickednesse and knowledge the righteousnes and iudgement of God c. Eccle. 17. There shall be more ioy in heauen ouer one sinner that truely repenteth than ouer 99. iust which need no repentance Luk. 15. Examples Christ Iesus the righteous sauiour of al man kind hath promised vs that he came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance Luk. 5. affirming that at what time soeuer a sinner repenteth him of his sinnes from the bottome of his heart that hee woulde put away all his sinnes c. Ezec. 1. When the people of Israel heard that the Lorde was grieued at the murmuringes in the desert they mourned therefore and woulde haue done more in the morning than the Lorde commaunded them Num. 14. They at another time sayde vnto the Lorde we haue sinned render thou vnto vs whatsoeuer thou wilt and they cast away their Idolles from them so that He sorowed vpon their miseries Iud. 10. Dauid quickely repented him when Nathan reprehended him of his fault 2. Reg. 12. Achab the most wicked king of Israel couered his flesh with hairecloth and slept in sackecloth and walked bareheaded before the Lord and his punishment for the faultes was dispenced with and forgiuen 3. Reâ—g 21. Manasses being bound in chaines and caried into Babilon verie much repented him before the Lord and the Lord restored him againe vnto his kingdome of Ierusalem 2. Par. 33. Esdras the prophet weeping for the sinnes of Israel and making intercession for them vnto the Lord it was answered him thus If there be repentance in Israel I will then enter a league with the Lord c. 1. Esdr 10. Iob although he was a man simple and right fearing God yet I will do sayth he repentance in sackcloth and ashes Iob. 42. The Nineuites beleeued the Lorde at the preaching of Ionas and they preached fasting clothing themselues with sackecloth and ashes from the least to the most and they were deliuered Ionas 2. The xxvii Plant Simplicitie Definition SImplicitie is a singular vertue which properly and plainly speaketh and doth those things which are vnfeined vncorrupt without simulatioÌ„ adulation collusion hypocrisie doublenesse of heare or sinister externall dealing in doctrine and doings of life maners Although this vertue hath somtimes her imperfection when in the simple mind without wisdome knowledge she as ignorant doth speaketh thinketh not alwaies those things that are profitable for her neither for others As the other simplicity ioined with wisdom true knowledg worketh euermore that which neither can nor may redound to the iniurie or deceite of herselfe neither to the iniurie or dececeyt of any others so as she neither will deteiue others nor be deceiued her selfe in anie thing but keeping the race of integritie and method of perfection It is taken in moste places of the Scripture for the true and perfect affection of the minde and in nature for the true and vnfeigned godlinesse which is both pleasing vnto God and profitable vnto man Thus as S. Hierom sayth super OseaÌ„ Prudence without simplicitie is but meere malice and simplicitie without reason or wisdome is but meere foolishnesse Testimonies Let not your vnderstanding be corrupted from simplicitie in Christ that is from the true knowledgement and faith in Christ or from true godlinesse 2. Cor. 11. Be you wise as serpents and innocent as doues Mat 10. Bee as the simple children of God and vnreproouable amongest the euil and wicked generation Phil. 2. The simple shal possesse and dwell in the land Prou. 2. He that walketh simply walketh surely cap. 10. The iust which walketh in his simplicitie shal leaue a blessed posteritie of children after him eodem Thou shalt be simple if thou intangle not thy selfe vnto the world but wring thy selfe out of the wretched familiaritie therof For in wringing thy selfe froÌ„ the world art thou simple but in entangling thy selfe to the world thou art duble Aug. super Iohn ho. 2. The simplicitie of the iust shal direct theÌ„ in the right way Pro. 11. He that giueth let him giue in simplicitie that is to say in true and simple zeale to do well towardes all men not seeking any