approue allowe them in all thynges bycause in some poyntes they haue shewed theÌ„selues men haue manifestly erred agaynst the open trueth of Gods worde as it is not vnknowen to them that be diligeÌ„t ly exercised in the readyng of theyr workes And for an example I wyl here reherse ii or iii. not to their re proche but to admonysshe all men what we are of our selues that no man should be sworne wholly addicte to the doctrine teachynge of ony man be he neuer so holy learned excepte it agreeth with the holy Scriptures OrigeÌ„ was vndoubted a famoê° Doctor dyd write very excellent ly of diuers matters concernyng y e purite of christen religion yet shewed he hymselfe to be a man very lyare whan he fayned that the pay nes of the dyuels of the damned should cease in time to come that they should be saued Tertullian was a man of great learnyng dyd wryte many thynges very godly yet did he erre wheÌ„ he coÌ„deÌ„ned the second mariages in a christen maÌ„ He maketh his argu ment on this maÌ„ner Thou mayste not mary the wyfe of thy brother beyng dead He that maryeth a wy dowe lefte of a christen man maryeth the wyfe of his brother beynge dead Ergo he doth not well This certayne other thynges he wryteth not very godly shewynge him selfe to be a very maÌ„ that is to say a lyare Cypriane was an excellent clar ke and died for the faythe of Christ leauynge many godly worckes behynd hym yet dyd the auncient fathers of Christes chyrch condemne this his opinion that they whiche were baptised of Heretykes ought to be baptised agayne I passe ouer many other ecclesiasticall wryters which wante not theyr errours neyther haue they in all poyntes so circumspectely writ ten but that theyr faultes may easly be perceaued of them that haue whole true good pure iudgemen tes in the holy scripture For they haue declared theÌ„ selues not in few thinges to be men lyars therfore are they to be beleued no further than the worde of God mayntayneth them That whiche they haue written well let vs receaue gyue God thankes for it confessing that it came to passe by the instincte of his mooste holy Spirite not by theyr owne polecy wyt reason eloquence learnynge But y â— wherin they haue erred let vs charitablyâ—… enterpret take it into y â— best parte couer theyr faultes consythering that they were men both myght and dede erre as S. Austen withe other dydboth confesse graunt and wryte of them selues And this I desyre all men that be ghostely learned walke after y â— order of charite to vnderstond also of all my workes which I haue hy therto wrytten or shall here after if the wyll of God so be to beleue them no further thaÌ„ the holy scripture testifye that they be true For I am a manne and a lyarre of my selfe and therfore maye I erre so well as mannye learnedde and auncieÌ„t Doctors haue done before me Let God alone be true euery man a lyare Let the spirite of charite and not of coÌ„tencion reygne amonge vs. If we erre let vs charitably monysshe one another beare one with another instruct one ano ther not streightwayes furiously condemne what so euer at the fyrst blushe lyketh not our carnal iudge mentes no nor yet at euery lytyll faulte be redy to caste the ignorant offenders into preson chenes stockes fyre If ony man doth not of â—…end w t his tonge sayth S. Iames he is a perfecte man Let vs follow the long sufferaunce of God which â—…acieÌ„tly abydeth our amendment If God had takeÌ„ away Paule out of this lyfe whan so tyrauÌ„tlyke he â—…ersecuted the Chyrche of Christe â—…aule had neuer be made of a wolfe a lambe of a persecutoure an Apostle of a blasphemer a true precher of an Heretyke ketcher a faythfull Euangelist They that are stronge ought to beare the weaknes of theÌ„ that be infirme weake and not to stonde in theyr owne conceates They ought so to order theÌ„ selues that they should please theyr neygh bour vnto his wealthe edifienge For Christe pleased not hym selfe Wherfore we ought to receaue one another euen as Christ hath recea ued vs vnto the glory of God and to beare one anothers burdeÌ„ seing that we be all meÌ„bers of one body haue one heade whiche is Iesus Christ. Besydes these aforsayd the vngodly Byshop of Rome al his wic ked kygedome are lyars all theyr decrees actes lawes constitucioÌ„s councelles c. that syght with god des worde are lyes very mad â—…an tafies by no meanes to be beleued of ony faythfull harte Agayne all Hypocrites Sacramentaries Anabaptistes all authors of false sectes are lyars To conclude so many as dissente from God his moost blyssed worde are lyars whither it be in doctrine tea chyng lyuynge manners conuersacion or otherwyse Thus se we what we are of our selues eueÌ„ very lyars into what great captiuite we be throwen tho row AdaÌ„ that we can not by our owne strengthes be deliuered from this boÌ„dage but only by the spirite of hym which sayth If y e sonne ma keth you free thaÌ„ are ye fre in dede For where the spirite of the LORDE is there is liberte Therfore that we maye haue that vnccion an noyntyng in vs I meane the holy Ghost y â— maye teache vs all trueth we muste with continuall prayers resorte vnto oure heauenly father whiche vndoubtedlye wyll gyue a good spirite to so many as aske it of hym For he is a beneficiall Lord sufficieÌ„tly rytch for so many as call on him in spirite and trueth as it followeth ¶ The thyrde verse Uvhat shall I gyue agen vnto the Lord for al those thynges that he hath gyuen me ¶ The fyfte strynge AFter that our Mynstrell Dauid hath diligently pondered with hiselfe what he is of his owne nature euen a very lyare and one that is replete with all synne iniquite thynkyng breathynge speakynge and doynge all that euer is nought vnthankefull in the sight of God whan on the othersyde he hath agayne consydered howe that God of his mere marcy fre bounte vnspeakable goodnes hath deliue red hym froÌ„ all these greuo us enor mities without his merites or deser tes he begynneth nowe to delighte no more in carnall traÌ„sitory thin ges but in spirituall and heauenly thynges weyeth pondreth con siderethe howe he maye shewe hym selfe thanckefull agayne vnto God for y e innumerable benefites which he hath receaued at y â— hand of God What shall I gyue agen saythe he vnto the LORDE for all those thynges that he hath gyueÌ„ me O kynd thanckefull harte farre estraunged from al ingratitude vnthaÌ„ke fulnes He knowethe full well that to recoÌ„pence make God amendes for y â— kyndnes
e promyse of God came at the tyme appoynted ito this miserable world toke flesh of the moost glorious virginne Marye became lyke to vs in all thynges syn alone excepte preached vnto vs the wyll of his heauenly father wrought mi racles suffered dyed for oure synnes on the thyrd day rose agayne for our iustificacion Certayne day es after he ascended into Heauen where he nowe sytteth on y e ryghte hande of god the father almyghty beynge there not ydle for he incessauntly prayeth for vs beynge our mediatoure aduocate apeasynge dayly the fathers wrath purchasynge for vs all good thynges And at the latter daye he shall come ageÌ„ to iudge bothe the quicke and the dead both the faythfull vnfaythfull bothe the shepe the goates than shal he take vs both body and soule enunied togyther withe hym into eternall glory where we shall remayne wyth him for euermore If ony man desyrethe to knowe more of the benefites of god and of his vnmesurable kyndenes toward vs let hiÌ„ resorte vnto y e Pathwaye of prayer read where I entreate of thanckes gyuyng from the xlii Chap. vnto the xlix there shall he se this matter entreted of at large If we dyd consyder on this wise the inestimable benefites of god to ward vs vndoubtedly we woulde leaue our vnthanckefulnes saye wyth Dauid what shall I gyue agayne vnto the Lorde for all those thynges that he hathe gyuen me But let vs se what our Mynstrell entendeth to gyue agen vnto god that we maye followe hym and do so lykewyse ¶ The fourthe verse I wyll take the cuppe of healthe caull vpon the name of the Lorde ¶ The syxte strynge HEre Dauid expresseth two thiÌ„ ges y t he entendeth to do One is to take the cuppe of health The other to caull on the name of the LORDE These are two thynges wherin God very much delighteth Fyrst he sayth he wyll take y e cuppe of health wherby is vnderstand af fliccion trouble persecucion morti ficacion of olde Adam kyllynge of carnall affectes slayenge of fleshly lustes bearyng of the crosse and at the last death as it appeareth by y e wordes of Christ to the soÌ„nes of Ze bedeus Can ye drynke sayth he of the cuppe that I shall drynke Also to his father Let this cup departe from me wherby he vnderstandeth his passion death To recompense partely y e kyndenes of God Dauid sayth that he wyll mortifye the ra giÌ„g lustes of his owne flesh y t fyght agaynste the spirite neuer leaue vntyl he hath made y e body subiecte to the soule that in all poyntes it maye be obediente to the lawe and wyll of God For this is an hygh acceptable sacrifice to God as Dauid wytnesseth iÌ„ another place a sacrifice to God is a troubled spirite a contrite humble harte God wyl not despyse S. Paule also saythe I beseche you brothers by the tender mercyes of God that you gyue your bodies a sacrifice y t is quicke holy acceptable to God whiche is youre resonable seruynge of God And God himselfe sayth by y e Prophet vnto whome shal I looke but vnto the huÌ„ble broken in spirite vnto hym y t fearethe my wordes Agayne he confessethe here that he wyl not only mortify his carnal lustes that he maye be truely spirituall but he wyll also paciently suf fer what soeuer crosse that is trou ble persecucion and affliccion God layeth vpon hym yea thoughe it be very death His harte is nowe so en flamed w t the loue of God for the be nefites that he hathe shewed vnto hym that he recositeth not only all that he hath but also his very lyte to vile of to small a price to gyue agayn for the glory of God that he may at the least in some parte shew hymselfe thankefull vnto so bounteous geÌ„tle a Lord as S. Paule sayth The holy Ghost wytnessethe layth y â— bondes troubles abyde me in euery Citie But I care not for it neyther is my lyfe dere vnto me so that I may fynish my course with ioy the office that I haue re ceaued of the LORD Iesu to testify y â— gospel of y e grace of God For I am not only redy to be bound but also to dye for y e name of y e LORDE Iesu. It is not withoute a cause that he calleth affliccion trouble or per secucion the cuppe of helth or salua cion for it brigeth i dede helth sâ—…l uacioÌ„ to a true Christen man And though the crosse be bitter to y e flesh yet is it swete and healthfull to the spirite And y â— more y â— body be depres sed made low y â— more is y â— spirite ex alied made hygh as s. Paule saith though our outward maÌ„ be brokeÌ„ yet y â— iward is renewed day by day Agen we are not detters to y â— flesh y â— we should lyue after y â— flesh For yf ye lyue after the flesshe ye shal dye But yf ye mortifi y â— dedes of y e body in y â— spirite ye shall lyue For they that are lead with y â— spirite of god are the sonnes of GOD. Therfore sayth Christ If ony man wyl come after me let hym deny forsake hiÌ„ self take his crosse dayly follow me For by many tribulacioÌ„s must we enter into y â— kyngedome of god And all y â— wyll lyue godly in Christ Iesu muste suffer persecucion It was necessary sayth the scripture that Christ shoulde fyrst suffer and so ryse agayne enter into glorye But for asmuch as it is an hard thing for a maÌ„ of his owne streÌ„gth pacieÌ„tly to beare the Crosse and to suffer rebuke slaunder ignominy blasphemy euel reportes empresoÌ„meÌ„t losse of goodes yea percuauÌ„se very death for Gods truethe and y â— glory of his worde seyng y t though the spirite be redye yet the flesshe is weake therfore Dauid saythe He wyll call on the name of the Lorde Wherfore Uerely for streÌ„gth that he maye be able to beare the crosse y â— is layd vpon his backe y â— he swarue not whan persecucion coÌ„meth and so slaunder y â— trueth which so bolde ly he professed before For withoute the assistence of Goddes spirite no man is able to abyde in the tyme of persecucion semeth he neuer so valeaunt a souldiour at other tymes as we may se in y â— Apostles of Christ whiche before theyr master was in onye daunger promised that they woulde neuer forsake hi but sticke vnto hym euen vnto the very deth yet whan they came to the bronte wel was he that could ronne away fastest in so much that he which be fore craked moost shewed hiÌ„selfe boldest of al the other I meane Pe ter dyd not only fle away from his master but also shamefully
denyed hym vnto a poore mayde sware y t he neuer knewe hym so impotente weake frayle ful of all imbecilite is man if he be lefte vnto hymselfe not endewed with strength from aboue Therfore our Mynstrel Da uid kynge Prophet not crakyng of his owne streÌ„gthes nor boasting of his owne free wyll withoute the healpe of Gods spirite saythe that he wyll call on the name of y â— Lord for strength valeaunce y t he maye manfully abyde in the tyme of persecucion confesse the trueth of God des worde publysshe his glory before all meÌ„ yea though a thousand deathes should followe It is very profitable for adflicte troubled coÌ„ sciences to caull on the name of the Lorde For as Salomon sayth the name of the LORDE is a myghtye toure very strong Bulwarke vn to that doth the ryghteous maÌ„ fly he shall be exalted fynd socoure Blissed is that man which putteth his truste iÌ„ the name of the LORDE regardeth not vanities false ymaginacions Call on me sayth God in the day of thy trouble and I wyll delyuer the and thou shalte honoure me Thus se we partely how Dauid goeth about to shewe hiÌ„selfe thaÌ„ke full agayne vnto God for the inesti mable benefites that he hath gyueÌ„ hym He wyll mortify his carnall af fectes paciently suffer what so euer crosse persecucioÌ„ trouble or affliccion be layde vpon his backe for Gods truethes sake And that he maye be the more able to do theyse thynges he wyll caull on the name of the LORDE All these be very acceptable thynges in y â— sight of god And God thyncketh his benefites wel bestowed where such gyftes be gyueÌ„ agayne vnto hym procedyng from a gentle thanckefull harte Nowe we beynge no lesse bound vnto God for his gentlenes thaÌ„ Da uid was ought to shewe our selues no lesse thankefull agayne to hym theÌ„ Dauid dyd or els are we muche vnworthy this inestimable beneficence of God We ought therfore to prouyde y â— no synne reygne in this oure mortal body but that we mor tifye our earthly members whoredome fornicacion vnclennes wan tonnes euell concupiscence couetousnes which is the worshypping of Idolles for the which the wrath of God is wonte to come vpon the chyldren of vnbeleue All wrath indignacion maiyce cursed speaking fylthy coÌ„municacion lying oughte we to laye asyde put vpon vs ten der mercye gentylnes honest behauour mekenes softenes goodnes charite peace ioy fayth teÌ„perauÌ„ce with all the other fruytes of y â— spirite For they y â— are of Christe haue crucified the flesh with the lustes concupiscenses therof yea they are dead to the world and theyr lyfe is hyd wyth Christ in God Moreouer we must be conteÌ„ted to take the cuppe of helth at y â— LORDES hande paciently suffer what soeuer crosse he layeth vpon vs yea prayse hym in the myddes of our trouble recountynge our selues so moche the more blyssed seynge that it is gyuen vnto vs not only to beleue in hym but also to suffer for y â— glory of his name beyng thorowly perswaded that yf we suffer wyths Christe we shall reygne with hym For many are the troubles of the ryghteous in this world but from theÌ„ all shall the LORDE delyuer theÌ„ yf none otherwyse yet at y â— least by death which is the nexte waye vnto the very true lyfe And because it is hard for y e flâ—…sh to awaye with the crosse which seketh glory wealth ease rytches ho nour not ignominy scasenes dis quietnes pouertie shame opprobry therfore must we flye with feruent and continuall prayers vnto God vnto his moost holy name y â— we maye haue strength sent vs froÌ„ aboue to do these thinges aforsayd that by no meanes we be found ingrate vnthanckefull vnworthy y e great vnmeasurable kyndenesse whiche God hath shewed vnto vs. So shall God not only not take away his giftes from vs but also en crease them dayly more more as the Scripture sayth to euery one that hath it shall be gyuen and he shall haue abundance But who so hath not from hym shall be taken a waye euen that he hath also But lette vs heare more of oure Mynstrelles songe ¶ The fyfte verse I wyl pay my vowes vn to the Lord before al his people ¶ The seuenth stryng DAuid goethe forthe to declare what he wyll reÌ„der vnto God for all those thynges that he hathe gyuen hym Before he sayd that he would take the cuppe of helth and caull vpon the name of the LORDE Nowe he addethe that he wyll also paye his vowes vnto the LORDE yea and that before all his people But what vowes are these Uerely not vnfaythfull folyshe vowes which displease god as y â— scripture say the but y â— earnest promises that he made vnto God for to fulfyl his moost holy Commaundementes These vowes wyll he paye These promises wyl he performe For they make vnto the glory of god the edifienge of his Chyrch the health of his owne soule Therfore wyll he stycke to them euen vnto the very death God gyueth a commaundement sayth heare Israel thy God is y â— one alone God Thou shalte haue no straunge Goddes in my syghte Thou shalte make the no grauen Image c. Dauid beynge one of the true israelites hath made a vow to kepe this moost holy precepte And as he hathe this vowe so wyll he laboure to pforme it For it is not vnfaythfull nor folyshe but agreable to the scripture neyther dothe it prouoke the keper of it vnto muche inconue niece absurdite but rather vnto great vertu holynes So that he is fully bent to performe his vowe Let the vnfaythful Idolaters wor shyp what Idoll or false God they lyste Dauid wyll surely cleaue to this one alone true God For in his hart shall none syt but this one God alone neyther wyll he admyt so moch as the shadow of ony other to be ioyned with hym to haue fe lowshyppe with his God This his God alone wyll he worship honour lerue This his God alone wyl he how do reuerence vnto This his God alone wyll he loue with all his harte mynde soule withe all hys powers This his God alone wyll he magnify prayse for euer euer And bicause he may not once be mo ued by ony vayne spectacle seduced from the honour worshyp and seruice of this god vnto ony image seruice Idolatry he hath made a sure vowe faythful promise that he wyll make no grauen Image ydoll or mawmet but he wyll onlye cleaue to this his one alone God serue hym not in external ceremo nies but in spirite trueth For coÌ„ founded be all they shame lyghteÌ„ on them sayth he that worship gra uen ymages glory in theyr mawe mettes
sweard some other wyse How were both they theyr doctrine blaspemed euell spoken of Were not they reported accused before the magistrates princes rulers that they were suche pesti ferous fellowes as troubled the cōmon weale yea al the worlde made insurreccions raysed vp sedicions gathered togyther vnlawful assem blies wrought cōtrary to the decre es of Cesar makyng another kyng euen Christe Were not they called vayne bablers Tydynges bearers of newe dyuels Sowers of straūg newe doctrine It is therfore no newe thyng for the prechers of god des worde the earnest louers of y e holye Scripture to be thus rayled vpon slaundered euell spokē of per secuted put to death euen for the glory of God shewyng of y e trueth What nede I rehearse the innume rable cōpanies of y e holy martyres which syns the Apostles tyme for y e testimony witnes of Gods worde haue suffered great persecuciō and at the last cruell death Read y e Hystories who y t lysteth he shal sone perceaue that persecuciō hath euer followed the true preachyng of god des word that y e chyrche of Christ hath thā moost floryshed in all kind of vertue the christen fayth bene moost strong whā there was moost extreme persecucion For the bloud of the holye martyrs is the water wherwith y e gospell of Christ is wa tered made to grow So that per secucion hyndreth not the glory of the gospell as the Nerolyke Tyraū tes iudge but furdereth it greatly And where mooste persecucion is there doth Gods worde moost of al florysh Nothyng hyndreth y e fayth of Christ so much as carnall securite flesshly quietnes For where all thynges are accordyng to the appe tite desyre of y e fleshe ther raygne beastlyke māners there is no care of God no inuocacion of the LORDES name no study of diuine religi on no meditacion in the holy scriptures no regarde of the poore people no desyre of innocent lyfe But whan persecucion once cōmeth for the worde of God than is God called vpon with moost harty feruēprayers than are the holy scriptures searched than do men study for the amedment of lyfe than do they seke y e accōplishment of gods moost holy wyll than are they altogither desyrous of celestiall thynges and vtterly contemne set at noughte what so euer pleseth the eies of carnall men in this worlde Therfore whan persecucion cōmeth for righteousnes sake let vs not despayre but make oure selues conformable to the wyll of God reioyce be me ry Let vs set before our eies the ex amples of Christ of all his chyrch euen from the begynnynge of the worlde Abel Abraham Isaac Iacob the people of Israel in Egipte Dauid Iosias the Prophetes and apostles We must sayth S. Paule be made lyke vnto the ymage of the sonne of God If our elder brother Christ possessed not the eternall enheretaunce but by the Crosse shall we that are of a meaner sorte thike to enioye it after a more easy sorte To whome is this sayenge vnknowē By many tribulaciōs we must enter into the kyngdome of God Christ bare the crosse but he bare it not awaye w t hym but lefte it here behynd hym to be borne of vs also yf we wyll be hys Disciples as he sayth yf any man cōmeth vnto me hatethe not his father mother wyfe chyldren systers yea hys owne lyfe he cā not be my disciple And who so euer bearethe not hys crosse comme the after me he can not be me disciple The disciple is not aboue the mayster nor the seruaūt aboue his Lord. It is inough that the disciple be lyke his master the seruaunte lyke his Lorde If they haue called y e father of y e house holde Beelzebu◅ howe much more shall they so call them that be of his houshold If the world hate you ye knowe that it hated me before you Because ye are not of y e worlde but I haue chosen you out of y e worlde therfore doth the worlde hate you Remember the worde that I sayde vnto you the seruaunt is not greater thē his Lorde If they haue per secuted me they shall also persecute you If they haue kepte my worde they shall also kepe yours But all theise thynges shall they do to you for my names sake bycause they haue not knowen hym that hathe sente me Uerely verely I saye vnto you ye shall wepe lamente but the worlde shall reioyce Ye shall be sad but your sadnes shalbe turned into ioye In the world ye shal haue affliccion and trouble but be on a good cōforte for I haue ouercome the world Blessed are they y t suffer persecucion for righteousnes sake for vnto them belongeth the kynge dome of heauē Blyssed are ye whē mē shal reuile you persecute you speake euery euell worde agaynst you lyenge for my sake Reioyce be mery for great is your rewarde in heauē S. Peter also sayth dere lye beloued meruayle not whan ye be proued by fyre whiche thynge is done to trye you as thoughe some straunge newe thynge chaunsed vnto you but rather reioyse ī that ye are partakers of the passiōs and troubles of Christe that whan his glory shall appeare ye maye also be mery reioyse If ye be reuyled for the name of Christe blyssed are ye for the spirite whiche is the spirite of glory of God resteth vpon you Hereto pertaynethe the sayenge of S. Paule this is a true fayenge if we be dead with hym we shall lyue with him also If we suffer togither we shall also reygne withe hym If we deny hym he also shall deny vs. If we be vnfaythfull yet abydethe he faythfull he can not denye hym selfe Of all theise scriptures it is euident that it is no sorowful but ioy full thynge to suffer persecuciō for ryghteousnes sake for the glorye of God the promocion of his moost blyssed worde Neither is it a token of gods wrath but rather of his sin gulare beneuolence and hygh good wyll towarde thē whiche are troubled for his sake For yf they be hap pye to whome it is gyuen to beleue in Christe howe moche more happy fortunate are they to whom it is not onlye gyuen to beleue in hym but also to suffer for him S Paule reioyced greatly in the Philippiās because it was gyuen them not on ly to beleue in Christ but also to suf fer for his sake For hereby are they assured to be Christes disciples and are abundantly certified that God loueth them carethe for them and hathe prepared for them a glorious celestiall mansion Rede the. xii chapter to the Heb. for thy cōforte Therfore as Dauid techethe vs here let vs fyrst beleue stedfastly in God afterward cōfesse that open ly before the worlde whiche we beleue in oure
rytche man lyued all in plesure had al thinges according to his hartes desyre But beholde y â— ende He was cruell merciles vnpiteful to the poore Therfore wheÌ„ he dyed the Scripture sayth that he was caried downe ito hel where he was tormented wyth suche greuous flames of fyre intollerable burnynges that he desyred Abraham to send downe Lazarus vnto hym that he myght dyp the typpe of hys fynger in the water coole his tonge for he was greuously tor mented in that flame But AbrahaÌ„ sayd remember sonne that y u haste receaued thy pleasures in thy lyfe coÌ„trary wyse Lazarus receaued paynes and troubles Therfore is he nowe coÌ„forted and thou arte tor mented As for y â— poore man his lyfe was so wretched beggerly miserable y â— no man woulde scasely wonchesafe once to cast theyr eye to looke towarde hym he was such an abiecte so vile so reÌ„t so torne so Lazarlyke ful of greuous sores Only y e dog ges lycked his sores But beholde y e ende This poore man dyed was caried of the AuÌ„gels into AbrahaÌ„s bosome This Hystory declareth playnely howe precious the deathe of the Saynctes that is of the faythfull is in the syght of the Lord appeare theyr lyfe neuer so miserable before the deynty worldlynges Agayne howe vile detestable the death of the wicked is in Gods syght haue they speÌ„t theyr lyfe iÌ„ neuer so much ioye pleasure felicite were they recounted before the worlde neuer so blyssed happye fortunate and brought to the ground with neuer so great pompe and solemnite And here se we that to be true whiche is written Wo be to you rytche men which haue yourâ—… consolacion Wo be to you that are fylled for ye shall honger Wo be to you that laughe nowe for ye shall lament and wepe Wo be to you whan all menne shall prayse you for accordynge to these thynges dyd theyr fathers to the false Prophetes But blyssed are ye that honger now for ye shall be fylled Blyssed are ye y â— wepe now for ye shall laugh The deynte worldeliges receaue payne after this life but the faythful in y e Lorde which be oppressed w t miserye troubled for Gods trueth shall receaue ioye glory So that as Dauid sayth Precious in the syght of the Lorde is the death of his Sayntes Hereto agreeth the sayenge of S. IohnÌ„ in his reuelacion Blyssed are the dead whiche dye in the Lorde The death of Saynctes muste nedes be precious in the syght of the Lorde they which dye in the Lorde must nedes be blyssed seyng that bothe y â— glory of God is sette forth by theyr death the Saynctes them selues set in a perpetual ioye euerlastig quietnes without ony more care or trouble For after y t they haue offered vp this theyr lyfe vnto god the soules of the righteous are streight wayes in the hand of God and the payne of deth shall not towche theÌ„ In the syght of the vnwyse they ap peare to dye theyr ende is taken for very destruccion The waye of y â— righteous is iudged to be vtter destruccion but they are in reste And thogh they suffer payne before meÌ„ yet is theyr hope full of immortalite They are ponysshed but in fewe thynges neuertheles in many thin ges shall they be wel rewarded For God proueth them lyndeth them mete for himselfe yea as golde in y e fornace doth he trye them receaueth them as a burnte offerynge whan the tyme commeth they shall be looked vpon They ryghteous shall shyne as the sparkes that run thorowe the rede bushe They shall iudge the nacions and haue dominion ouer the people theyr Lord shall reygne for euer They y t putte theyr trust in him shal vnderstand the trueth suche as be faythefull wyll agre vnto hym in loue for his chosen shall haue gyftes and peace But the vngodly shall be punyshed accordyng to theyr owne imaginacions for they haue despised y e righ teous and forsaken the Lorde Moreouer the ryghteous shall stonde in great stedfastnes agaynst suche as haue dealte extremely w t them taken away theyr labours Whan they se it they shall be vexed with horrible feare shall wonder at the hastines of theyr soden helth gronyng for very distresse of mynd shall saye within them selues hauyng inward sorowe mournyng for very anguyshe of mynde These are they whome we sometyme had in derision iested vpon We fooles thought theyr lyues very madnes theyr end to be w tout honour But â—…o how they are couÌ„ted amoÌ„g the chyldren of God theyr porcioÌ„ is amonge the Sayntes Therfore haue we erred froÌ„ y â— way of trueth The lyghte of ryghteousnes hathe not shyned vnto vs the sonne of vnderstondynge rose not vpon vs. we haue weryed our selues iÌ„ y e way of wickednes destruccioÌ„ Tedious wayes haue we gone but as for the waye of y e Lorde we haue not knowen it What good hath our pryde done vnto vs or what profyt hath the pompe of rytches brought vs All these thynges are passed awaye as a shadowe c. These and suche other wordes shall they that haue synned speake in hell But y e ryghteoê° shall lyue for euermore Theyr reward also is w t y e Lord theyr re membraunce with the hyghest Therfore shall they receaue a glori ous kyngedome and a beautyfull crowne of the Lordes hand For w t his ryght hande shall he couer theÌ„ withe his owne arme shall he de fende them c. Thus se we how dere precious in the syght of the Lorde the death of his Saynctesis S. Paule hauyng experience of this thing wheÌ„ he was yet alyue sayd on this man ner I desyre to be dissolued losoned oute of this mortall bodye to be with Christ. Also kynge Dauid Wo is me that I tary iÌ„ this world so longe Therfore howe so euer the wycked worldlynges recount the death of the Sayntes whyther it chaun ceth to theÌ„ by famyn hoÌ„ger swerde water fyre halter or ony otherwise vndoubtedlye it is precious in the sight of the Lord appeare it before the world of neuer so great ignomi ny reproche infamy shame and re buke Happy therfore is he that dy eth this death how so euer it chauÌ„seth vnto hym Blyssed is y e Crosse which bryngeth this glory But let vs se how it commeth to passe that the deth of Sayntes is so precious in the syght of the Lorde It followeth ¶ The syxte verse O Lord I am thy seruaÌ„t yea thy seruaunt iÌ„ dede the son of thy handmayde thou hast broken my bon des ¶ The nynte strynge BEcause no man be he neuer so holy good and perfecte should thyncke that thorowe his owne holynes goodnes perfeccion he had deserued that his deathe shoulde be dere precious and of great valour in
sure vndoubted fayth beleue in Christe acknoweledge hym to be theyr heade confesse hym to be the sonne of the lyuynge God graunt vnfaynedly that he came in y e flesh heare the voyce of theyr Sheppard cleaue only to his worde flye y e voyces of straungers stycke vnto him us to theyr alone treasure looke for all good thynges at hys hande only Unto this churche pertayne so many as from the begynnyng of the world vntyl this tyme haue vn faynedly beleued in Christe or shall beleue vnto y e very ende of y e world Agaynste this chyrche the gates of hell shall not preuayle seynge it is bylte on the rocks Christ For Chri◅ hymselfe hathe promised y t he wyll be with it by his holy spirite euen vnto the very cōsummaciō and end of the world Moreouer Christ loued this chirch so well that he gaue hymselfe for it to sanctify it clensed it in the fo◅ tayne of water by y e word to make it vnto hym selfe a glorious congre ciō hauynge no spot or wryncle nor ony suche thyng but that it should be holy without blame This chir che is the spouse of Christ and matrone of heauen the house of God whiche is the congregacion of the li uynge God the pyller ground of trueth This chyrche is the mount Syō the Cytye of the lyuyng god the celestiall Hierusalē the company of innumerable aungelles the congregacion of the fyrst begotten which are written in heauen This chyrche is the holy cytie that newe Ierusalem which came downe frō God oute of heauen prepared as a bryde garnysshed for her husbonde This chyrch is that loue that dere dearlynge that doue that fayreste amonge all women without spotte or deformite of whome we rede in y ◠Balades of Salomō This chyrch cā neuer erre seinge that it is euer gouerned with the spirite of Christ seynge also that it cleaueth only to the worde of God neyther dothe it heare y e voyce of ony straunger but only heare and followe the voyce of her Sheppard which is Christ. To know therfore this chyrch of Christ from the Synagoge of Antichriste it is very easye For the Chyrche of Christ leaneth with a sure fayth to Christ alone the sonne of the liuing God as an omnisufficient sauiour The Synagoge of Antechriste although it confessethe Christ after a certayne manner yet it sekethe saluacion also at the handes of other The chyrch of Christ followeth only the word of God accordyng to that worketh in all thynges The Synagoge of Antechrist followeth the voyces of straungers deuyseth newe decrees constitucions lawes ordinaunces c. vnto them it stic keth maynly The chyrch of Christ practysethe those workes that ar◅ commaunded in the holye Scripture The Synagoge of Antechrist worketh thynges of her owne yma ginacion not prescribed in the law of God The chyrch of Christ seketh aboue all thynges the glory of god the health of her neyghbour The Synagoge of Antechrist seketh her owne pōpe honour glory prayse The chyrche of Christ is redy at all tymes to suffer persecuciō for Goddes truethes sake The Synagoge of Antechrist hateth y ◠crosse seketh to lyue all in pleasure to persecute so many as loue god and his word The chyrche of Christ seaketh euer after heauenly thynges The Synagoge of Antechrist hūtethe after temporall promocions worldly honours fleshly dignities easy lyuin ges carnall pleasures galant pasti mes sumptuous fare gorgious apparell c. The chyrche of Christ spē deth her goodes vpon the poore mē bers of Christe The Synagoge of Antechrist bestoweth her goodes af ter her owne fansye not after the commaundement of God To conclude The chyrche of Christ is alto gyther godly celestiall The syna goge of antechrist is altogither wic ked earthly Hereby do we learne which is the true chyrch which is y e false which is y e chyrche of Christ which is y e sinagoge of Antechrist But it is not to be gone ouer w t a lyght fote as they vse to say that Dauid calleth this chyrch of Christ the handemayde of God neither is it withoute a cause For as a true faythfull and diligent handmayde haue her eyes alwayes fyxed vpon her mastres for to wayte se what shall be her pleasure to commaund her to do that she maye do it wyth all redines spede euē so becometh it them of Christes chyrche diligent lyto wayte vpon theyr Lord God to marke what his moost godlye wyll pleasure and commaundemēt is that they shoulde do And thys shall they assuredly knowe by searchynge the holye Scriptures And as it becometh not an honest hand mayde to leaue the cōmaundement of her mastres vndone and to busy herselfe about suche thinges as she her selfe thynketh best to be done of her owne brayne euē so doth it not become them that professe them selues members of Christes chyrch to leaue the cōmaundementes of God vndone to fall in hande withe doynge thynges of theyr owne fansy ymaginacion For they that do so shewe them selues no handmaydes but mastresses nether are they obedient subiectes vnto God but rather take vpon them to be arrogāt superiours presumteous checke-mates Let them therfore that wyl be of Christes chyrche learne to be handmaydes no mastresses to be obedient subiectes not arrogant superiours presumpteous checke mates vnlesse whyle they followe theyr owne fantasyes and dreames they fall from the chyrche of Christ vnto Antichristes Synagoge as we may se in the Papistes Anabap tistes Sacramentaries c. Moreouer we reade that thys chyrch is not only called the hande mayde of the LORDE but also the spowse of Christe yea that not vn worthy For as a good honeste and faythfull wyfe is obediēt to her hus bonde in all thinges loueth hī pure ly cleaueth vnto hym only hath no pleasure to ronne after other men delyghteth her self w t her husbōdes cōpany alone is glad to please hym alway seketh the accomplyshment of his wyll by no meanes wyll at tempte ony thynge that shoulde be displeasaunt to hym So lykewyse this chyrche which is the spouse of Christ is obedient to her husbonde Christ in all thynges loueth him w t an ernest pure vnfayned loue cle ueth to him only hath no plesure to ronne after other men wherby she may be entised from the loue of her husbonde delyghtethe only in hym and in his worde sea◅eth the accōplyshment of his wyl sheweth her selfe in all poyntes conformable to his moost diuine wyll beynge lothe that ony thynge shoulde be commit ted on her behalf that should be displeasaunt to hym in ony poynte Let them therfore nowe take hede that recoūte thē selues to be of this chyrche wyll be called the spouse of Christe that they cleaue onlye to theyr husbonde Christ his worde heare hym alone followe hys voyce
neth Christ do we offer the Sacrifice of prayse alwaye to god that is to saye the fruyte of y â— lyppes that gyue glory to his name Thus se we howe acceptable a thyng to god the sacrifice of praise â—…s But what is it to offer the Sacrifyce of prayse vnto god Uerely to confesse vnsaynedly to graunt that what so euer is noughte commeth of our selues agen y â— all that euer good is commeth of God only as he saythe by the Prophet O Israell thy destruccion commethe of thy selfe but thy health and saluacion commeth only of me For this is the greatest prayse y â— we can giue to God for to knowlege hym alone the author gyuer of all goodnes that all oure ryghteousnes wysdome holynes sanctificacion redeÌ„cion vertue deuocion and all that euer good is cometh of hym alone not of our selues This is that sa crifyce wherwith God is hyghly de lyghted This is that oblacioÌ„ that gyueth so godlye an odoure before god This is that offryng that ma keth God well pleased with hym y â— doth offer it in as muche as by the oblacion hereof he confessethe hym selfe to be able to do no thyng that of the owne dignite righteousnes therof maye seme worthy to be accepted in the syght of god and ther fore gyueth he al the glory honour encomy laud prayse magnificeÌ„ce to god alone as the Prophet sayth O Lorde all glory be vnto the and to vs shame confusion The sayntes theÌ„selues also praye on this maÌ„ ner Not to vs O Lorde not to vs but to thy name gyue all the glory for thy mercy and truethes sake God hymselfe also sayth I am the Lord this is my name I wyl giue my glory to no other nor my praise to grauen Images If God hym selfe wyll not gyue away hys glory prayse to other certes we do hym thaÌ„ much iniury yfwe steale it froÌ„ hym and gyue it to ony other crea ture eyther in heauen or in earthe If we depely consyder with our sel ues at al tymes the great kyndnes of God toward vs we shal vndoub tedly be moued to synge perpetual prayses to his moost blyssed name and continuallye to offer the sacrifice of thankes gyuyng vnto hym But in as much as I haue entre ted abundaÌ„tly of thankes gyuing and of the sacrifice of prayse in my Pathway vnto prayer I wyl now cease to speke ony more of it at this tyme. Reade from the liâ—… vnto the â—…v Chapter As towchynge the inuocacion of the Lordes name wherof Dauid agen maketh meÌ„cioÌ„ in this place I haue spoken sufficiently of it in the fourth verse of this Psalme Thou mayst therfore moost gentle Reader yf thou wylte resorte thyther for this matter I am lothe to be te dious vnto the. I wyl go forth and make an ende althogh that whiche followeth maye also seme abundaÌ„t ly to be entreated of heretofore ¶ The eyght verse I wyll pay my vowes vn to the Lorde in the syghte of all his people iÌ„ the courtes of the Lordes house yea euen in the myddes of the O Ierusalem DAuid is euer one man He had rather synge one song a thousand tymes than he woulde once at tempte ony thynge without the au thorite of Gods word He is at this poynte that he wyll do nothyng ex cepte Gods worde bearethe hym in it He wyll not cleaue to his owne good intentes myndes and zeles He wyl worshyp God accordyng to his worde He setteth before his eyes this commaundement That I commaund the do that only to the Lorde neyther put thou ony thing to it nor yet plucke ought therfroÌ„ Agayne I commaunde the to do y â— whiche is pleasaunt in the sight of the Lord thy God Also in another place Ye shall not do euerye one of you that which ye yourselfe think right good He can make no shyft to be diuers in the worshippyng of God He can inuente no newe and straunge honorynges of god as the olde Phareses dyd in tymes paste and the Papistes Monckes haue done syns y â— tyme but all in vayne as the Scriptures testifye He kepethe hym selfe wythin the bondes of Gods worde and as he sayde before that he would paye his vowes that is to saye do those thynges y â— he had promysed to his LORD God kepe his Commaundementes followe accomplysh his moost godly wyll in all poyntes vnto the vttermooste of hys power and do the offyce of a true kynge seake Goddes glory promote his holy worde tenderly loue his subiectes mayntayn vertue and suppresse vice euen so dothe he nowe agayne So that Dauid knoweth not howe to recoÌ„pense in ony parte the goodnes of GOD but only by kepynge hys moost holy commaundementes in gyuynge hym hattye and contiall thanckes whiche he also promisethe to do in this verse But seyng that I haue entreated of the whole matter that this verie contayneth in the fyfte verse and seuenhte strynge heretofore I wyll speke no more of it at this present but only note this one thinge that our Mynstrell sayth He wyll paye his vowes in the courtes of y â— Lordes house and in the middes of IerusaleÌ„ By the courtes of y â— Lordes house by Ierusalem is none other thyng signifyed thaÌ„ y â— chirch of Christ I meane the congregacioÌ„ of Sayncâ—…es that is to saye of the faythfull in whome God dwelleth by his holy Spirite as S. Paule sayth The Temple of God is holy which ye are His meanyng is this loke wher so euer the people of god is mooste gathered togyther euen there in the thyckest of them wyl he sette forthe the glory of God as we read of the good Kynge Iosias He wyll seake all meanes possible that all thynges in his Realme shalbe or dered accordyng to y â— law of God that no vice shal reygne among his people nether I dolatry nor swearynge nor disobedience nor whoredome nor manslaughter nor stealynge nor bearynge false wytnes nor ony other vice that is prohibited by the holy scripture And that thys thynge maye the more fortunately come to passe Dauid hym selfe in as muche as he is king and excelleth all other in dignite wyl al so farre excell passe all his subiectes in vertue godlynes He wyll be vnto them an example spectacle of all goodnes He wyll lyke vnto as great lyghte shyne before hys people in godly conuersacion The boke of the lawe of the Lorde shall neuer departe from hym He wyll read meditate in it daye nyght He wyll not steake to the corrupte iudgementes of other nor be led w t the dotyng fansys of those pestileÌ„t flatterers Trueth wyll we but he hymselfe wyll looke vpon the scriptures of God wythe all diligence euermore caull vnto God for the assistence of his moost holy spirite that that swete confortoure maye both assist conforte
hym in all his godly and vertuous enterpryses also lead hym into all trueth kno ledge of Gods moost holy wyll To make an ende come ther lyfe or coÌ„meth ther death Dauid is fully determned to stycke by Gods word to seke his glory aboue all thynges yea and that not in corners and secret places but openly that all the worlde maye euidently se that Dauid is an earneste setter forthe and an vnfayned promotoure of Goddes glorye and by that meanes be occasioned also wyth Dauid to honoure worshyppe magnify laude and prayse GOD wyth one mynd and voyce for euermore as Christe saythe Let your lyght so shyne before menne that they maye se your good workes and glorifye your father which is in heauen to whome wythe his onlye begotten sâ—…nne oure LORDE and omnisufficient sauiour Iesus Christ the holy Ghoste that moost swete confor toure be all honoure prayse and glory for euer and euer AmÌ„ ¶ Gyue the glory to God alone ¶ The. Cxlv. Psalme I Wyll magnifye the O God my kyng I wyl prayse thy name for euer and euer Euery day wyll I gyue thaÌ„kes vnto the and prayse thy name for euer and euer Great is y â— Lord and maruelous worthy to be praysed ther is no ende of his greatnes One generacion shall prayse thy workes vnto another and declare thy power As for me I wyll be talkynge of thy worshyp thy glory thy prayse and wonderous workes So that men shall speake of the myghte of thy maruelous actes tell of thy greatnes The memoriall of thyne abundant kyndenes shall be shewed and meÌ„ shall synge of thy righteousnes The LORDE is gracious mercifull longe sufferynge and of great goodnes The LORDE is louynge to euery man and his mercye is ouer all his worckes All thy worckes prayse the O LORD and all thy Saynctesgyue thanckes vnto the. They shew the glory of thy kingdome and talke of thy power That thy power thy glorye and myghtynes of thy kyngdom might be knowen vnto men Thy kingdome is an euerlastyng kyngedome thy dominion endureth thorowe oute all ages The LORDE vpholdethe all suche as shoulde fall and lyfteth vppe all those that be downe The eyes of all wayte vpon the and thou gyuest them theyr meate in due season Thou openest thyne hande and fyllest all thynges lyuyng with pleÌ„ teousnes The LORDE is ryghteous in all his wayes holy in all his workes The LORDE is nye vnto them y â— call vpon hym yea all suche as call vpon hym faythfully He fulfylleth the desyre of them that feare him he heareth theyr cry and helpeth them The LORDE preserueth all them y â— loue hym but scatterethe abroad all the vngodly My mouth shalâ—… speake y â— praysâ—… of the LORDE and let all fleshe gyue thanckes vnto his holy name for euer and euer Prayse the euerlastynge ¶ Imprynted at London in Botulph lane at the sygne of the whyte Beare by IohnÌ„ Mayler for IohnÌ„ Gough Anno DnÌ„i 1542. Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum Per Septennâ—…m The excellency of the Psalme whych here after shalbe expounded Dauid excelleth all musicions The fanta sies of y â— old Poetes con cerniÌ„g their musicioÌ„s What the shakyng of the Okes toppes signifye Pro. rri Esa. viii Matth. xxi What the daunâ—…ynge of the beastes signify Luke i. Luke ii A christen mans ioy what it is Ozâ—… 〈◊〉 i. Cor. xv Heb 〈◊〉 i. Ioan. v. What the mouyng of the mountaynes signifye What the stondynge styll of the swyft floudes signyfye What the fetchyng of Soules out of hel mene Psal. xviii Ioan. xi Phil. ii Note howe many godly goodly thynges are entreated of in thys Psalme Beholde what Dauid doth Notâ—… The greate vertue of Dauids harpe i. Reg. xvi The excelleÌ„ cy of Dauids songes Luke xxiiii Ephe. v. The Psalmody of Dauid is 〈◊〉 tresure house of the holy Scripture Agood lessoÌ„ for all men of honoure Beholde followe Why thys Psalme is called Dauids Harpe Psa. xxxii Psal. cxiiâ—… Phil. ii Ioan. viii Psal. xviii Iacob i. Sette hand to it o ye y â— be lerned ii Cor. iiii Math. ix Luke x. â—…ayth is y â— fyrst string of Dauids Harpe and y â— foundacion of y â— chri sten religioÌ„ Rom. xiiii â—…eb xâ—… Thre thyn ges to be no ted Antichrist turneth the rootes of trees vp ward Rom. xiiii Heb. xi Mark wel Gâ—…n iii. Roma v. Heb. xi Iaco. ii Marc. i. Ephe. ii mat iii. xvii Marc. i. xi ii Pet. i. Ioan. iii. Rom. viii Heb. ix x. Psal. cix Rom. x. Ioan. i. Gala. iii. Rom. viii Gala. iiii Oze ii Roma v. Roma xiiii Searche the Christmas Banâ—…ket in y e thyrd dysh the Pathewaye vnto Prayer in y e xvi Chap. and y e Nosegaye in the Seconde floure c. Faith brin geth forth good Wor kes Gala. v. Fayth is y e cause of all goodnes Roma x. Mark wel Behold the nature of true christen fayth Math. xiâ—… Luke vi Act. iiii Math. xâ—…vi Mar. xiiii Luke xxii Ioan. xviii Act. iiii Math. xvi Act. v. Gene. xxvi Exo. xv Deu. xi xxx Actum v. Note An admoni cion for Fayth Iaâ—…ob it Galla. v. Rulare Byshop or Preste Father or Mother Master or Mastres Maryed man Maryed wo man Subiecte or seruaunte A general admonicion for al estates Beholdâ—… what 〈◊〉 true fayâ—… workethâ—… Christâ—…n â—…an Rom viii Psal. â—…iii Act. xxi PersecucioÌ„ followeth y â— confession of Gods worde i. Cor. i. Note Gene. iiii i. Ioan. iii. The good the euell can 〈◊〉 agree Note thys well Ioan. xiiii Exo. xvi and. xvii Math. v. Luke xiii iiii Esd. i. Mat. xxiii Heb. xi ii Pâ—… xxiiii 〈◊〉 Maâ—… vii Exo xii Ioan. i. i. Petre. ii â—…say liii i. Ioan. iii. ii Cor. v Math. xi Luke vii Ioan. viii x Mat. xvii Marke xv Luke â—…xii Ioan. ix Mat ix xii Marc. i. Phil. ii Mark Act. iiii v. xiii xiiii Act. xii Act. vii Ac. xvi xvii Martyrs PersecucioÌ„ maketh Gods word the chyrch of Christ to floryshe Beholde ☞ We ought to reiose in the tyme of persecution Rom. viii Act. xiiii Luke xiiii Math. x. Luke vi Ioan. xiii xv Ioan. xvi Math. v. i. Pet. iiii ii Tim. ii PersecucioÌ„ is a token of Gods loue toward vs. Phil. i. Math. x. Marc. viii Luke ix and. xii ii Tim. ii What the occasion was y t Dauid was so foretroubled The chefe poynte of a Mynstrel of a syn gynge man is to lye flatter Gala i. Math. iii. Luke iii. Math. xxiii Act. xxiii AMEN good Lorde ii Cor. xii What Dauids traâ—…s signyfye i. Cor. ii Math. xii Lnke vi Iacob iii. Ioan. iii. Ioan. viii The nature of flesh Rom. iii. What we are of ouâ—… selues Gen. vi Note Gene. iii. Searche the Newes out of heauen Psal. â—…xv Rom. iii. ii Cor. iii Phil. ii Ioan. vi Esay â—…iii iii Iere. xxxi Ioan. xv Math. xvi Ioan. vi Cant. i. Howe euery
aspire breath or come to ony poynte of true godlynes godly trueth w t out the inspiraciō of Gods spirite It is not wythout a cause sayde of God My spirite shall not dwell for euer in man for he is flesh If we be lefte vnto oure selues than are we nothynge but lyars that is to saye beastlyke wicked folyshe vngodly thynkynge all abhominacion breathynge all noughtynes speakynge all wickednes doynge all mischefe euen suche without faynynge as we were leafte of oure fyrste father Adam after the trāsgressiō of Goddes precepte that is to saye naked voyd of all goodnes replete with al euell Therfore before we can sa uour aright ony godlynes worke y t which is accceptable in the syght of God healthfull to oure soules we must be in this traunce into the which Dauid was cast we must be trāsformed into another nature lyfted vp vnto the contemplacion of diuine celestiall thynges But this canne not come to passe of our owne strengthes whiche are lyars of our selues not able to thyncke a good thought but by the helpe of gods spirite which workethe in vs both the wyll the dede For Christ sayth no mā can come vnto me excepte my father drawethe hym I shall reyse hym vp at the last daye It is writtē in the Prophettes Al shall be taught of God Euery one therfore that hath heard of the father hathe learned cōmeth vnto me I gayne withoute me ye can do no thynge Whan Peter confessed Christ to be the sonne of the lyuyng God he sayd vnto him Blyssed art thou Simon the sonne of Ionas for flesh bloude hath not openned that vnto the but my father which is in heauen Here se we that flesshe bloud y ◠is all that euer we haue of our selues of our forfather synful Adā cā not attayne vnto the intelligēce of the diuine misteries vnderstādynge of Gods truethe excepte we be drawne of the father by his holy spirite Nowe that we maye therfore come vnto this true knowlege of God of his trueth let vs pray with that spouse Drawe me after y ◠so shal we ron in y e swete sauourof thyne oyntmētes So shal we be su re not only to becōe new mē but al so w t a free wylling hart graūt w t Dauid that euery man is a lyare Euery man is a lyare saythe he This is to be vnderstand before he be regenerate borne anew by the seconde byrth not in Adam but in Christ. For so many as haue put of the olde man Adam put on y ◠new mā Christ so many are no more mē if we haue respecte vnto theyr spiri tuall regeneracion but Gods as y ◠holy scripture saithe ye are gods all of you are the sonnes of y ◠moost hygheste But all that haue not on the Lorde Iesus Christe remayne styll lyars all that euer they do or speake w toute Christ his moost holy word is nothynge but a very lye and mere fansy a mad dotage semeth it neuer so tru in y e iuge mēt of carnall reason And this false lyenge corrupcion commeth not of God for God is not the Author of sinne nor one that wylony vnrigh teousnes neyther tempteth he ony man vnto euell as s. Iames sayth but of Satan the mortal enemy of mankynde which lying full craftely vnto Eue sowyng this seed in her she in Adā Adam in all hys posterite brought vs into this dānable false lyinge state so that by nature as S. Paule sayth We are all borne the sonnes of wrath all that euer we do of our selues w tout the spirite of God is lyinge false wicked vnfaythfull detestable be fore God as Christ testifieth That which is borne of flesh is flesh Also S. Paule All that is not groūded on fayth is synne Of this salse and lying seed was Cain which s◅ewe his brother Ab◅ with innumerable mo of y e olde Te stament euen so many as attēpted ony thynge at all contrary to God des moost holy wyll as banyshyng Goddes worde sheddyng innocent bloud kyllynge the true Prophettes of God setting vp straung wor shyppynges of newe Idols proclamynge other gods thā the one and alone God of Israel c. In the new Testament also ther ware many li ars as Bishoppes head prestes pre stes masters of the Tēple Lawers Scribes Pharises Saduces with an innumerable cōpany of Iewes which all resisted Christ condēned his preachynge obscured the glory of his miracles hyndred y ◠honoure of God belied the verite of Goddes worde slaundered the gospell blasphemed Christe his Apostles neuer ceasyng vntyl they had broght both hym and his vnto theyr finall destruccion as they thought After thē dyd ther aryse a great swarme of pestilente lyars as Heretykes Schismatykes false Christians Of this nomber was Ebion Marcion and Cherinthus which denyed Christ to be God frō euerlastyng agenst whome S. Iohn̄ dyd write his Gospell Catarus Nouatus whiche affirmed that they whiche dyd fall after Baptisme ought not to be receaued agayne neither can they obtayne remission of theyr sinnes Eutiches which denied Christ to be both God man Montanus Marcion Manicheus which condemned bothe mariages meates as thynges vnpure Arrius Pelagius Artemō Sabellius Paulus Samosetanus with other īnumerable which dyd sowe much diuisiō in the chyrche of Christ brought in many pestilent detestable heresis All theyse ware lyars bycause they were w tout the spirite of god and inuented sectes opinions of theyr owne braynes without y ◠authorite of Goddes worde so easye a thynge is it for men to erre to deceaue to be deceaued whan they leane not to y e holy scriptures but to theyr owne iudgemētes and fantasies And would God that all lyinge were onlye founde in them whome I haue rehersed hytherto thā were it well with Christes chyrche But who that euer lyued Christe alone excepte hathe not shewed hymselfe in some poynte to be a man that is to say a lyer Peter confessed christ to be the sonne of the lyuyng God therfore was he called blissed and promised that agaynst that cōfession of his faythe hell gates shoulde not preuaile yet whē he afterward denied Christ and forsware hym he shewed hymselfe to be a man that is a very lyare so feble and of no strength are we if we be not endew ed with valeaunce myght power from aboue I here frely confesse y t nexte vnto the holye scriptures I owe the chefe principall honoure to the writynges of the Catholyke Doctors to whome I cleaue as vn to an holy Ancker whom I follow as great lyghtes to shewe me howe I maye walke in y e waye of trueth whome I reuerence as my mooste faythefull teachers yet dare I not