we wil not cast it out but the Lorde be thanked who hath had mercie vppon vs to make hold fast the word of truth what soeuer our fathers haue vainely taught vs And yet we are not in securitie But a third enimie is in the hart of man that the word of God may not haue his perfect honor and that is an opinion conceiued of earthly thinges planting of holines in corruptile creatures As in meates drinkes daies garmentes conditions of life places times Cerimonies neither hearing our Sauiour Christ that God is a spirite and onelie he is to be worshipped in spirite and trueth neither his Apostle Paule that the element of that world commend vs not vnto God for neither if we eate are wee euer the worse neither if we eate not are we euer the better These many and great tentations stand against vs assoone as wee woulde giue our selues to the word of God which is the beginning of a christian life Trowe you that in the continuance of our course and iorney before we come at our sauiour Christ shall we not be sifted and tried to see what is within vs. And you good mystresse H. to apply this to your selfe tell me howe you haue learned Christe hath his gospell bene peaceable in you from the first day til now without all contradiction was your minde neuer puffed vp in vaine imaginations did the traditions and persuasions of men neuer shake your thought haue you not ben tēpted w e opinions of creatures as though some wer more holy some more prophane I knowe as you long after Christ desire his trueth in single heart so his grace you haue not without sharp bitter trials and the more freely the word of God shall possesse your soule and fill your hart full with all desire of it the more you shall feele what fight is againste it looke for the like in all your life and when you approche to the true feare of God prepare youre hearte to the strongest assault The word of God thus made knowen vnto vs and when we follow it with all our soule that we maye haue a liuely fayth to reioyce at the promises of God to feare at his threatning and feele a full perswasion of a certayne performance of all his words O Lorde what is the malice of Satan and though many temptations are against vs the long prosperities of the wicked in which they triūph whiles the goodnes of God prouoketh thē still to repentaunce the bitter sighing of the godly in which they mourne vnder many crosses whiles God maketh their fayth precious before him these haue rooted quite out of the hearts of the vngodly the fayth and truth which they owe vnto God so that agaynst all his iudgementes they haue opened their mouths and said aloude Where is the promise of his cōming and against all his mercies they haue proclaymed warre and sayde they will not haue Christ to reigne ouer them But these temtations Christ hath ouercome in vs and giuen vs his spirite in which we know assuredly that the Lord reigneth neither slacketh he his comming as many accounte slacknes but he will come and his glory shall be knownen And yet we are not in peace but Satan wil sift vs another way He will lay our sinnes before vs to make vs feare that the promises of God belong not vnto vs and this of all temptations is the greatest yet we feare not for what belongeth to all our sinnes which Christe hath not borne sorowe sicknes death hel condemnation were they not in his body and are they not all crucified vppon the Crosse Is he not risen from them and hath he not broken the chaynes of death and so is ascended vnto glory If this be my feare because I am a sinner rather let me reioyce for Christ hath takē my sinnes vpon him and hath buried them deeper then the bottome of the sea he hath ledde it openly in triumph and nayled it vppon the crosse from henceforth and for euermore It hath no strength whosoeuer secme to colour it as redde as scarlet or make it like purple it is still nothing and casteth but a vayue terror before our eyes we will neuer deny this but freely confesse it that we be miserable sinners and not worthy to lifte vp our eyes to heauen but who will lay our sinnes to our charge now god hath iustified vs Or what sinne can rest vpon vs now Christ hath washed them away That which once was in fight with Christ and he hath ouercome it who shall set to his hande the seconde time to make the victorie perfect This is true and euerlasting trueth hath sealed it vp that sinne is abolished for euer and euer howsoeuer we feare or tremble or be faynt harted yet before the Lorde with whom our life is hid there is no perill no daunger no fcare but peace and righteousnes without ende Let our sinnes be neuer so great neither we nor our sinnes can chaunge the new testament that God is mercifull to our sinnes and will blot out all our transgressions therefore this care is paste that our sinnes be many the more they are the greater is his mercy who hath forgiuen them And this is the token which God hath giuen vs that we are his because we are greeued with our sinnes for our Sauiour Christe ouercame sinne with paynes sufferings which belong vnto it and this is the badge of our redemption to be made like him in afflictions we haue sinne and abhorre it it woundeth vs with feare it setteth before vs condemnation we haue a sence and feeling of Gods anger agaynst it and hell gnaweth vpon our soules because of transgression O blessed state and treasure of gladnes this was the image of Christ when he ouercame sinne a marke of my redemption in my owne flesh that I should not faynt As the sunne maketh the day and the night darknes so this affliction of sinne is the badge and cognisaunce of our certayne forgiuenes And herein see the goodnes of God which turneth all things to the best to those that loue him Through feare of sinne the diuell fighteth agaynst vs without feare of sinne we could neuer haue boldnes through anguish of heart the diuell woulde ouerwheline vs with sorrowe without anguish of heart we coulde neuer haue ioye In feeling Gods anger the diuel would make vs to dispayre without feeling his threatning and trembling before him we could neuer haue strength of fayth that his mercies are for euer In all sufferings I am like to Christ they are the markes of mine addoption that I am hys childe do we not heare the Lord him selfe doth speake If we be without correction then are we bastardes and not sonnes and to shewe what our correction shall be he sayth in another place If we be planted with him into the similitude of his death then shall we also be partakers of his resurrection Who hath heard so great salnation as this Euery weapon
before the Lorde which do not these dueties for I thinke you shall easily finde many which professe the Gospell and yet do neuer one of them but rather the contrarie So that the very Papistes and Infidels receiue more readily obey more willingly prouide for more sufficiently esteme more highly and do all other things more carefully as our experience doth approue too true for their popish sacrificers idolaters and diuell worshippers then these doe the true seruauntes and ministers of Iesus Christ An. In the Lordes presence they be found to deceiue them selues The state of such as neglect ther dutie to the Lordes messengers Mat. 7.21 whose religion is but in vayne words for that the Lord liueth not in them as in deede he doth not where his glory and kingdome is not cared for Of whom the mouth of the Lorde hath spoken that they shall neuer enter into the kingdome of heauen and they deserue to perish in extreme famine that eyther reiect or so lightly account of the spâ—rituall foode of their soules reached vnto them of the Lorde by the handes of hys Church and ministers and their iudgement sleepeth not for the Lorde him selfe â—arth Who soeuer shall not receiue you nor heare your wordes when you departe out of that house or out of that citie shake of the dust of your feete Mat. 10.14 15. Truely I say vnto you it shall be easier for them of the lande of Sodom and Gomortha in the day of iudgement then for that Citie Luc. 10.11 14 15. Qu. Many thinke them selues in best case when they haue a minister that cannot labour in preaching the worde of the Lord amongest them what do you think of their estate An. Men miserably blinde and see it not First their estate is most wretched for that as blinde men without guide they wander in darknesse for without the word there is no light in our waies Psa 119.105 Thy worde is a lanterne to my feete and a lighte vnto my pathes and also both the one and the other be vnder the iudgement of God Mat. 15.14 The estate of the people that haue an vnpreaching minister If the blinde lead the blind doth they not both fall into the ditche Qu. Then it semeth that you tye the saluation of the people of necessitie the to preaching of the Gospell An. It is moste true for without the preaching of the Gospell there is no ordinarie meane to attaine to faith Rom. 10.14 â—7 faith commeth by hearing the worde of God preached Without faith we cannot atteine to Christ Ioh. 6.40 He that seeth the sonne and beleeueth in him hath euerlasting life c. With out Christ is no way to pacifie the fathers wrath Mat. 3.17 This is my beloued sonne in whom I am well pleased heare him And if the fathers wrath bee not pacified there is no hope of life Psa 2.12 if his wrath be kindled yea but a little we shall perish in the way The necessitie of preaching the Gospell which men make light of So that I conclude that without the preaching of the Gospell it is not possible to be saued Qu. Do you include infants fooles and deaf folkes within this necessity An. No The wisdome of Gods spirit doth leade vs in the streight wayes of the Lorde nor binde the Lorde vnto the meane but in all chinges confesse him to be free but I say that for others the Lord hath giuen vs no ordinarie meane but the preaching of his Gospell Mat. 28.19 Goe preache the Gospell to all creatures who soeuer beleeueth and is baptised shall bee saued c. Mar. 16.13 Qu. There be that thinke that if a man haue learning Selfeliking ignorance and reason that is corrupt blindes many a one especially in the sciences tonges he can not be ignorant of the way of life and so will often reason for others and persuade them selues the one say such bee learned they muste needes knowe the truth The wisdom of carnall men is against God The Lorde when he wil doth vse the meane but he is not bounde to it and the other contemne preaching as if they were too wise for it An. Albeit it pleaseth the Lorde to vse the ciuill knowledge whereof you speake for the furtherance of his gospel when one where he seeth it conuenient yet is it no sure consequent that where these thinges he there also is the sure knowledge of the Lordes truth for in Ephesus were many excellentlie learned in ciuill knowledge As Pithagoras Parmenides Zeno Democritus such like Ephes 1.13 and yet wholie ignoraunt of the way of the Lorde and Saint Paule proueth their faith in Christ to haue commed only from the preaching of the Gospell thorough the power of the spirite of Christe saying In whom ye also trusted after that you heard the worde of truth euen the gospel of your saluation Qu. Then as I take it also you would that in teaching there should onely be vsed the testimonie of the worde it selfe The maner of such as seeke more to please their cares then to profite their soule And yet many that goe for wise men do looke that the preachers should feede them with prophane stories and sayings of men Also some like to spende much time in fables and other needlesse matter Howe thinke you of it An. I graunt you that such things may carry a wilie shew to the carnall man but in all these and a thousand moe of like sort standeth not the faith of Gods chosen for it onely resteth in the word of trueth which Saint Paul testifieth in this respect Esai 55.11 to be the Gospell and when these be at the last yet want the warrant of the spirite to testifie for them that they be the word of truth Againe the Lord blesseth his own meane whose gospel hath a blessing in it selfe and neuer returneth emptie which all these earthly out showes want though in some sort the auouching of some haue their vse namely to confute them that trust in theÌ„ Act. 17.28 Tit. 5.1.12 2. Tim 4.2 as S. Paul doth in the like also they are commanded to preach the worde Mat. 28.20 1. Pet. 4.11 Iho. 9.10 Qu. I see then that the onely way to iustifie vs before God is through fayth in Iesus Christ which you proue that God worketh in our hearts by the preaching of his Gospell But by what meanes I pray you is this iustifying fayth continued and increased in vs An. By the selfe same preaching of the worde For as it is written As new borne babes 1. Pet. 2.2 desire the sincere milke of the word that you may grow thereby 1. Pet. 2.5 1. Cor. 3.2 Heb. 5.13 14. Also the holy Sacramentes are ordeined for vs of the Lord to this end The Lorde by his word and Sacramentes sheweth hys singuler care for the sauegarde of his Church Gal. 3.27 namely to confirme the promises of his Gospell vnto
any measure in the like heauinesse JT is true good maistres H. which the Spirite hath spoken and wee seele it by experience that by many tribulations wee must enter into the kingdom of heauē This is a common decree whiche God hath sanctified to be a let for all his children So the author and finisher of our faith Iesus Christe himselfe was made perfect Into his similitude we are also predestinate that we should first die with him then be partakers of his glorie Let vs not therefore refuse that condition of life in whiche we haue the fellowship of al the Saints of God But rather confesse with the holy Apostle that blessed is the man who endureth temptation But because al afflictions are bitter for the present time when the minde is shaken with sorrowe it is then moste easily throwne downe of the enimie let vs learne wisely what our troubles are and be prepa red of remedie in the day of triall All our afflictions are ether according to the fleshe in hunger cold nakednes shame contēpt slander c. or according to the spirite in lamentations mournings which the world knoweth not The first euilles are easilie borne for they are all but vanitie and in vanity ther shall dye if we see no fauour in the sight of the Sun that shire not heare acceptable vnto vs when we haue paide the debt we owe vnto death the Lord then wil deliuer vs from al the iniuries of men But in this behalfe let me confirme my selfe God hath set you free from such afflictions your goodes are vnto you in a liberal portion your life made happie with a louing husband your calling acceptable vnder a gratious and good maistresse In whose sight you haue found fauour In this estate you shall feele no trouble therefore I let it passe The other affliction whithe is the spiritte and whiche can not bee resisted with anye earthlie blessing looke for it assuredly for it will come vnto you the you may suffer with Christ and reign with him in glorie These troubles they come many waies euē accordingly as God doth leade vs into life First we are commanded to learne and knowe the worde of God against this looke for many tentations the enimy will try which way to plucke that out of our hearts out of the worde we must learn a pretious faith hold that vmnouable before God against this what tentations are betweene heauen and earth you shall feele your portion if any thing possible can discourage you with faith you must ioine a liuelie hope which is a longing apprehensiō of gods glory in this also Satan wil pretermit nothing to quēch your affectiō the it may be dead to darken your mind the you may see nothing with out these you can not possiblie liue vnto these you can not possblie come but firste you shall feele what is the strength of sinne And yet notwithstanding faint not the Lion hath ouer come which is of the tribe of Iuda The force of the Serpent shall bruse our heele but it shall not take away from vs the head peece of saluation Learn therefore first the word of God this is the seede of regeneration by which we are made new creatures this is the bread of spirituall nourishment by which wee are growne vp into eternall life This is the weapon of our warfare by which we may wounde and driue away our enimies This is the scepter of our glo rious kingdome by which we do knowe the God doth reign in vs. Take this vnto you the shield of your defence the strengthe of your age the wisedome of your hearte and the safetie of your life cōmended vnto you in the word of Christ Search the Scriptures and seale it in your heart with a good persuasion that it is the word of God of life and he hath grauen in it an expresse image of eternall trueth Let it dwell plentifully within you and your hart is armed with a most strong defence all enimies shall fall before it the wisedome of the wise shall be brought to nought and the counsaile of the prudent shal be made foolishnes the waies of the aduersaries shall be scattered and the scorners seate shall be thrown down so true it is that the Lord hath spoken Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lorde and whose meditation is in it day night Let vs then bring downe the hawtinesse of our minds and receiue with meekenesse the word grafted in vs whiche can saue our soules To this desire of vnderstanding when God hath brought vs then let vs pray to be deliuered from tentation take heed we be not spoiled of so great a treasure we haue three especial enemies in this behalfe of which S. Paule biddeth vs al beware the one is Philosophy that is a vain curious searching of Gods misteries or measuring thinges reuealed according to our vnderstanding with which tentations whilest our fathers were ouercome they became foolish in their own imaginations and changed the glory of God into the likenes of a corruptible man making images praying to angelles immagining of soules like little children deuising purgatorie rea soning of Gods wiseddme aboue our capacitie As if we be predestinate we may liue as wee list if we are commanded to worke if our daies are numbred why seeke we any safetie to our life If the Angels do keep vs in all our waies that we shall not hurt our foote against a stone why feare we any falling these phantasies and worse then these disquiet our mindes and fight within vs against our humble obedience to the worde of God which all when we haue ouercome and said with the Prophet secrete things are for the Lorde but thinges reuealed for vs and our children yet we haue no peace A second enimie riseth vp greater then the first which S. Paul calleth the traditions of men for the heart of man which drinketh in error as the grounde doth drinke water is very obstinately bound with old customes and long continuaunce measuring trueth which is pure holy onely by time which is corrupt and euil not only this but nature also hath inflamed our affections to loue to muche our fathers waies to like their opinions to esteeme their iudgements to prayse their doings to commend their rage to talk of their names til throgh many entisemēts we are at last bewitched our wisdome is stollen away and trueth is taken from vs by this meanes all corruptions which haue ouerflowed the earth haue still wide roomes in the hearts of many the Popes supremacie latine seruice praier for the dead Masses diriges pardons pilgrimages sensing all poperie with the Authors of it Popes Cardinals Monks Friers all which haue neither trueth nor shadow of truth not one word of them in al the gospel of Christ only old custome hath bred it in our benes an opinion of our fathers hath printed it in our brests