with grace in your hearts giuing thanks always to god the father of our Lord Iesus Christ submitting your selues one to the other in the feare of God Wiues submit your selues vnto your husbandes as vnto the Lord for the husband is the heade of the wife euen as Christ is the heade of the Church and is the sauioure of his bodie Therefore as the Church is in subiection vnto Christ Euen so let the wiues be to their husbandes in euery thing Ye husbands loue your wiues dwel with them as men of knowledge giuing honor vnto the woman as vnto the weaker vessell euen as they which are heires togither of the grace of life Euen as Christ loued the Church and gaue him selfe for it that he might sanctifie it and clense it and make it vnto himself a glorious Church without any spot or wrinckle but that it should be holy and without blame So ought men to loue their wiues as their owne bodies for he that loueth his wife loueth him self For no man euer yet hated his owne flesh but nourisheth cherisheth it as the Lord doth his Churche for we are members of his bodye of hys flesh and of his bones For this cause shal a man leaue father and mother and shall cleaue to his wife and they twaine shall be one flesh Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right Honour thy father and mother which is the first coÌ„maundement with promisse Againe ye Fathers prouoke not your children to wrath but bring them vp in instructioÌ„ information of the Lord. Ye seruauntes must obey vnto them that be your bodily maisters according to the flesh with fear trembling in singlenesse of your heart as vnto the Lord. Not with seruice to the eye as men pleasers but as the seruants of Christ doing the wil of God from the heart with a good will seruing the Lord not men being well assured that whatsoeuer good thing any maÌ„ doth that same shall he receiue of the lord whether he be bonde or free Therefore ye maisters doe the same thing vnto them putting away threatening knowing that you haue a maister also in heauen with whom there is no respect of persons Finally I beséech you all indifferent of what estate condition or calling so euer ye be that ye wil shew your self an ensample in word and conuersation in all good workes kéeping your selfe alwayes vnder discipline and true doctrin without any damage of preiudice to any keeping the word whole irreprehensible y t the aduersaries might be ashamed hauing no occasion to speake euill of you with the truthe Therefore submit your selues to Princes rulers and powers and be readie to euerie good worke Accuse or blame no man be ye not spiteful coÌ„tentious or wrathful but amiable and peaceable shewing louing kindnesse and courteousnesse to all men Girde the loynes of your heart Stande manfully and put your whole trust and coÌ„fidence in the grace which is now offered Let your loue be vnfained Abhorre that which is euill and cleaue to y t which is good Be affectioned to loue one an other with all reuerence Be not slouthful or negligent to do seruice but be feruent in spirite Frame your seâ—fe according to the time Reioyce in hope be patient in tribulation coÌ„tinue in prayer distribute vnto the necessitie of the Saintes giuing your selfe to Hospitalitie Blesse them which persecute you blesse I say â—ursse not if it be possible as much as in you is Haue peace wyth all men Be all of one minde of one concorde and one iudgement That nothing be done throughe contention or vaine gloryâ— but that in méekenesse of minde euery man esteeâ—e other better than him selfe Let no man séeke his owne but the profite of other men Be â—eruent in loue haue brotherly loue among you without the which al other things are nothing to speake of of what faith so euer we boast our selues to haue Loue is courteous long suffering not enuious not guileful nor puffed vp desireth no dishonestie It séeketh not â—ir owne is not prouoked to anger it thinketh no euill it delighteth not in vnrighteousnesse but reioyseth in the truthe endureth all things hopeth in al things and neuer faileth Through very loâ—e and charitie is Christ Iesu become man for vs and hath humbled him selfe in al kind of obedieÌ„ce through loue and suffered death on the Crosse to saue vs. So then let vs abide in charitie and doe well without wearinesse for that which man soweth that same also he shal reape If he sowe in the fleshe he shall reape againe of the fleshe perdition But if he sowe in the spirite he shall reape of the spirite life Therefore continue in wel doing although ye suffer rebuke and ignominie of the world Be humble and méeke with Abraham Moyses and Dauid Be long suffering and pacient with Iob and Thobie in al kind of troubles aduerâ—ities tribulations The Lord alwayes vseth to send his rods first of all ouer his house therfore when he chastneth vs for our sinnes which we haue done in times past we must paciently beare it It must be of necessitie that the godly suffer persecution to exercise their faith and shew their loue and feruencie Abraham was proued héere of the Lord Iob troubled and molested and were both found faithful and coÌ„stant The Apostles were mery and glad that they were fouÌ„d worthy to suffer iniurie wrong contempt hatred for y e name of Iesu Christ. The Lord trieth and proueth the godly as golde in the fornace He chasteneth al them which hée loueth and scourgeth euery sonne which he receiueth It is only faith which ouercommeth all euill and obtaineth victorie through pacience The fruite springing vnto eternall life is maruelously assaulted in the godly whilest we be héere in this world The things must néedes fall vpon vs séeing we are vnperfect Let vs therefore be stedfast and vnmoueable hauing a good hope alwayes in our affliction trouble or persecution in the losing forgoing be it of our friends or goods yea our bodies y t we shal be recoÌ„peÌ„sed greatly for a litle trouble which we heere indure God wil proue trie vs and receiue vs if so be we abide constant as an acceptable sacrifice of sweâ—te sauoure Let vs then depend wholy vpon him and he shal kéepe vs let vs hope and trust vpon him and he wil not forsake vs let vs stedfastly cleaue vnto him he shall not leaue vs destitute Therefore my deare brethren let vs consider and ouerrunne al ages and times and diligently marke if at any time any one was put to confusion and shame which trusted in the Lorde He which called vpon him in faith and confidence was he euer forsaken or contempned of him
to the saying of King Lamuell in the thirde of the Prouerbes Fauour is deceiuable and Beautie a mere vanitie but the woman that feareth the Lorde is to be beloued But chiefly and principally when I consider that God intendyng to bestowe an excellent benefit peculiarly vpon your Maiestie more than vpon any other Prince or Princesse in the worlde hath besides al the other forenamed his manifolde giftes and graces lightened your vnderstanding with his holy spirit and hath vouchesafed by enclinyng youre graces heart spirite and minde to humilitie peace mildenesse and all kinde of louablenesse to chose your maiestie especially to be his champion to defend his beloued church And in this respect like as all faithfull and true ChristiaÌ„ princes throughout all Europe do esteme and repute you do I also and that of good right call your grace a moste happie and blessed Prince Consider I beseche you how God hath blessed your maiestie in thys worlde more than he hath done any of your progenitours For neuer was it seene in any age or time heretofore that this your realme of England hath flourished as it dothe at this present vnder your Maiesties moste happie gouernement Firste in all kinde of liberall Artes and sciences Secondarily in the abundance of treasure as well golde and siluer as all sortes of riche and precious iewels and ornamentes Thirdely in the free passage and trafike of all kinde of marchandise Besides this in good and politike lawes and ordinances namely in the due execution of iustice according to law and equitie The worde of God is purely preached here in six or seuen languages The Sacraments of Baptisme and the holy Supper sincerely ministred according to Christes institution Christian discipline in due force in many places Finally euery countrey and nation that will liue here according to his holy worde is receiued and findeth good entertainement O how happy and blessed is that King or kingdome where these things are in force Contrarywise most vnhappie are those princes that banishyng and reiecting Christ receiue that Antechrist the sonne of the Diuell and forsakyng the truth embrace errour To be short that do al things ouerthwartly clean against the hair For it is moste certaine and sure that sodaine ruine and destruction shall fall vpon all wicked and vngodly persons as well nowe as in tyme paste as experience hath well proued heretofore Namely vpon Pharao and hys kingdome of Egypt vpon Ieroboam Achab Iezabell and infinite other mo Wher on the other part the good kings princes which feare the Lord shal haue peace and comfort bothe in this worlde and in the worlde to come Like as had Iosua Iuda Gedeon Dauid and diuers other in those days and is also to be seene at this day most euidently in the realmes and countreyes vnder youre Maiesties dominion whiche God hath blessed in suche sort that it may truly be sayd that the kingdome of Saturne and the Golden worlde is come againe and the Virgin Astrea is desscended from heauen to builde hir a seate in this your moste happie countrey of EnglaÌ„d For here is peace and quietnesse where as the moste parte of foraine countreyes are full of great tumultes and that more is the pitie with the sheding of much christian bloude And where as many myghtie kings and potentates of the earthe haue banded and conspired together fight euery where against God his anointed and his holy churche bendyng their force vtterly to deface hys name his glorie and his Churche Almightie God of his diuine prouidence hath nowe also in these days like as he hath in all ages heretofore raised vp diuers good and godly princes and states and prouided certaine places wherto the elect and faithfull haue resorted bene preserued during the time of persetion to the ende that his holy name myght there be glorified his worde purely and sincerely preached and his Churche dispersed in a manner restored As it is also come to passe in these our most miserable days in the whiche suche as syncerely loue and esteeme more derely the honoure and glorie of God than they doe their owne commodities ease and welfare after the counsel of Christ saying in this wyse Yf they persecute you in one citie flie ye vnto an other haue bene coÌ„tent to depart their owne naturall countrey wholly to forsake their landes inheritances possessions and dwellyng places yea and some also to â—urreÌ„der their offices dignities worldly preferments An other sort with their wiues children and parentes are departed into Germanie namely into the territorie and dominion of Frederike prince Elector and couÌ„tie Palatine the floure of all Christian Princes in these dayes that I knowe in the feruent zeale and true feare of God a man worthy to be compared with Dauid or Iosias Others are fled into other places elsewhere some to one cuntrey some to an other euery one according to his abilitie estate condition and facultie But we a numbre of vs are arriued in saftie in this your maiesties realme of Englande as into a moste safe and sure harborough where we liue God be thanked vnder your Maiesties protection and safegarde in greate libertie to serue God in eyther language the French or the Dutche without al feare of tyrantes or daunger of the gapyng throates of greedie rauening wolues After the same maner hath God in time past preserued deliuered his elect out of the haÌ„ds of their enimies persecuteâ—s by the ministerie of dyuers vertuous women As is to be sene in the .4 chapt of the boke of Iudges How God deliuered his people of Israel out of the haÌ„ds of Iabin king of Chanaan by Debora the prophetesse by selling Sizara chiefe captain of his armie into the haÌ„d of a womaÌ„ called Iahel As he also preserued Dauid froÌ„ the furie of Saul by Michâ—l Sauls own daughter As he deliuered the citizeÌ„s of Bethulia froÌ„ the tiranny of Holoâ—ernes by the hand of that most vertuous Ladie Iudith â— And as the childreÌ„ of Israel were saued by the counsel of Mardocheus at the instaÌ„ce request of the most gratious humble Hester â— where they were lately before in peril of death preseÌ„t destructioÌ„ by the conspiracie of wicked Haman The like hath ben brought to passe by diuers other renoumed Ladies whose fame shal endure for euer And surely the graces mercies that God hath shewed to his afflicted church in these later days by your maiesties means ar no lesse thaÌ„ those he hath shewed tofore by the late rehersed ladies so that your grace deserueth equal praise and coÌ„meÌ„datioÌ„ with them coÌ„sidering with what geÌ„tlenesse with how louing charitable affection you haue receiued the poore scattered flock of Christ. Is not your Maiestie then to be estemed infinitely more happy blessed that are so specially elect of god to serue him for such an instrumeÌ„t in such a quarel that maugre the beards of the enimies being enraged through the malice and obstinacy of
Signifying and representing all manner of false Prophets vngodly teachers which are in their intents purpose wholy and altogither beastly idle carnall and corrupted They are also abhominable in the imagitions of their malitious harts not seking god but their belly not y e honor of christ but their own aduancemeÌ„t vain glory They rise out of the earth enclined giuen wholly to earthly worldly wisdom The desire and lust which they haue to raign in this world maketh theÌ„ to preach not for any loue or zeale which they bear to truth The desire of money couetousnesse thrusteth them in Thei go forward in al kind of wickednesse shall continue til the Lord destroy theÌ„ euen as the godly goeth on in vertue godlinesse til y â— time that they shall sée â—od face to face in that euerlasting Sion This beast was a murtherer from the beginning first of all in Cain and consequently in the carnal children of this world Namely in Cham the first vnshamefast sonne of Noe in Ismael Esau in Iames and Iambres in Balaam and al the false prophets of Baal in Annas and Caiphas in Baricha and Diotrephe and is now a dayes risen again in Friers Monkes Chanons Priests and Chanters as euery one haue he neuer so little a sparcle of light in him may easily sée and perceiue especially in their cathedral church where they haue their â—ull course Thys beast had .ij. horns like the Lamb but couÌ„terfaited altogither fals For she spake like thâ— Dragon The horns of Christ are hie great wherout only springeth the sweete comfortes of the promises of God giuen to his Church congregation and people Gods word is right and the Scepter of the auâ—thority of Christ and the rod of his righteous ordinaunces that wheresoeuer this worde ruleth there are none other straÌ„ge scepters institutions or customes The Lambe of God vpon the Mount Sion signifying Christ Iesus hath seuen hornes for in him consisteth the fulnesse of al truth This beast hath but iâ— hornes and those counterfaited and false They haue well a shew to be Christes hornes but of a truth they are not These then do signifie the corruptyng and falsifiyng the meaning both of the old and new Testament expounded and wrested to a worldly and carnal vnderstanding Wherout it is too apparant and manifest that it is but a false shew ful of dissimulation and altogither contrary to the Lordes meaning not discearning the true meaning of the holy Ghost This letter without the spirite of God is death and nothing agreable vnto Christ neither hath any regarde vnto him He is the truthe and life this is very lies and death His word is spirite and life theirs is but sounding Erasse or tinkling Cimbal fantasticall â—ained Sophistical and crafty although they séeme to haue a likenesse to Christ yet are they to none more vnlike They are onely the hornes of the beast to maintain the kingdome of Antechrist and not of Christe for Christes â—yngdome is not of thys worlde They chaunge the true vsage of the good creatures of God making Idols of trees adornyng and deckyng stockes and stones with golde siluer silke veluet and other iewelles turning the holy estate of Matrimonie into shamefull whoordome and to all kinde of vnchafte liuyng to make vs to wander from that seruice which God hath commaunded vs to their false moste abhominable superstitions so to abolishe and make of nâ—ne effect Gods commauÌ„dement and to establish their wicked traditions to bring leade men at length to detestable idolatrie wherof they are ful and to worship things forbidden And for the maintenaÌ„ce of their estate they haue wyth the ayde and helpe of Sathan their chief captaine wrested chopped and chaunged the scriptures to proue the adoratioÌ„ of the departed Saintes to be necessarie their masse meritorious and their workes of supererogation profitable their purgatorie to bee a fearefull and horrible thyng and other innumerable These beastly asses and belly God byshops are not ashamed to saye that by the â—yter whyche they doe weare is represented the olde and newe Testamente whiche to be true they defende wyth toothe and nayle They confesse as it is in deâ—de that they do weare but the figure of the thyng for it is but a shadowe in déede and an outwarde shewe not to the glorie of â—od but their owne ambition profite and coÌ„moditie séeking an occasion to persecute the very truthe They are of a truthe the false Prophetes the very limmes of Sathan deceyuers Wolues hie mynded inconstant shakyng wyth all manner of wyndes traitours and very folowers of Iudas dreamers liers idolaters enimies and aduersaries of truthe and veritie serpents and generation of vipers Foxes destroying the vineyarde of the Lorde deceiptful workers â—aintyng pastors blynde watchmen dumbe dogs diuels incarnated wycked or euill routes insatiable beastes whose belly is theyr god and their end perpetuall confusion and shame All these and many more names the holy Ghoste doth attribute vnto them bycause they myngle the swéetenesse of the word of God with the bitter worme wood of their Traditions so that almost the whole worlde is defiled with the dregs of their inuentions This beast did all that the first beastâ— coulde do before him This beastly generation hath the selfe same lying power to deceiue the pâ—ople and vnder the shew of holynesse to continue and vpholde thoroughout all the worlâ—e the same abhohominations as that greate Antâ—christe hath done euery where Namely vnder the Pope in Euâ—ope and in Asia and in Affrike vnder Mahomet Fynally there hath Sathan his chayre wheâ—e any sâ—range worsâ—yppyng or false seruyng of God is admitted And he caused the earthe and them that dwell therin to worship the beast They make not those onely to commit idolatrie that are ignorant and blinde but force suche as haue knowledge and vnderstandyng Oh how many are at this instant in Brabant Flandeâ—s and the low countrey and else where whiche agaynst their belefe conscience and the holy ghost maintain allowe and permit the maniâ—est â—abylonicall abhomination communicating the venemous dregges of the barbarous cup of these Baals priestes They had rather to tarrie ignominiously in this beggerly trashe and filthie ceremonies than to be depriued of this worldly friâ—ndshyp to forsake father mother childreÌ„ estate office and liuing banished persecuted or aduenture their liues and if néede so require to loose it for the truthe so delectable and swéete these worldely pleasures are vnto them They rather with Samuels sonnes wyll perishe transgressing the ordinances of GOD and with Dathan Chore Abiron be swallowed vp and sinke into Hel amongst the wicked than to suffer wyth Christe any trouble contempte reproche pouertie or other calamitie Suche I say as séeke and loue the commoditie and ease of their owne fleshe
is not greased with Crisome or Creame which they cal Confirmation of the Bishop cannot be counted though he be baptised and beleue in God and Christ neuer so faithfully for a right christian but for aboue al they are marked graffed in the trust confidence â—f their owne merites and deseruingsâ— For as the right mark of an vpright christian is the faith working through charitie and loue for the pledge of the childreÌ„ of God is faith vnfained euen so is the true mark and seale of the Popish Antechrist to bragge and trust in their owne workes and deseruings as Masses Pilgrimages shrifts Buls and Pardons to be buried in a gray Friers coat so many Pater nosters and Aue Maries and an hundred more such dreames And that no man might bie and sell saue he that had the marke or the name of the beast or the number of his name Whosoeuer doth not confesse or allow that which the Pope teacheth or coÌ„maundeth but is contented and willing to obserue so much as in him lieth al that which Christ teacheth commaundeth and promiseth is to haue no regarde to the Pope nor his trumperies nor his Masses of Requiem Diriges absolutions and other abhominations those may neither bie nor sel amongst them Yea they are excommunicated persecuted and condeÌ„ned to fire sweard gibbet or water But they that beare his mark are al good children especially those that haue the double marke and Caracterem indebilem as they cal it namely his greased and â—hauen troupe Those I say may traffique and occupie fréely practising Simonâ—e chaunging and selling of Beneâ—â—ces Prebendaries and all other of their Romish pedlary and peuish trash Iesus Christ cast out of the Temple the biers and sellers but Antechrist bringeth them into his Temple there to vpholde them Here is wisdom The true and heaueÌ„ly wisdom consisteth in well vnderstanding of things and iudging aright of the same for when we doe not vnderstand things we are fooles and not wise men Therefore the Lord dothe admonish his auditors diligently to serch of Antechrist to y e entent that they might kepe them selues from him For these which receiue the marke of the beast and worship his image shal drink of the wine of gods wrath But al those which detest his Popedom from the very heart folow and embrace Christ Iesu and his holy gospel shall drinke altogither with him on his table the drink of life and of the graâ—â— of God in his kingdom Héereby we may coÌ„clude what great wisdom it is through which we escape the wrâ—th of God and attaine to euerlasting blessednesse For the holy Ghost sayth here incontent by S. Iohn He that hath wit count the number of the Beast That is they which are not altogither foolish and deafe let them count and cast ouer the number of the beast let them studie and meditate continually on the thing find fault with it abolish that which seemeth maruellous in the sight of the world Count sayth the Lord for it is the number of a man that is such a number as the carefull and dilygent man may easily finde out God commaundeth heere expresly that we must search and count Therfore they may wel keepe their peace saith Aretes which blame and slaunder our godly studie diligent labor and great paines which we take to wryte against the Pope and his adherents and his false detestable doctrine saying that the time is not wel imployed when we goe about to cast ouer the time count the number For they may euidently sée and perceiue here that the holy Ghost doth commaund vs to search out to trie and to make an accompte to know whom to hold for the right and wicked Antechrist him namely which hauing dismissed and put down three Kings is of nothing come vp and exalted aboue all and especially to the subuersion and throwing downe of Christes true religion hath begon to raigne and rule And his number is six hundred three score and sixe For so many make these letters in the Greeke tong 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The name Latinos Latinus compreheÌ„deth the number of sixe hundreth three score and sixe And it is well and very credible sayth the holy Martir Irene that his name should be so called for so muche as hys dominion hath that name and are all Latinists that rule and gouerne there We sée héere of a truthe that this godly teacher being full of the spirit of god hath not failed to foretel the true mening of the holy Ghost in this behalf For it is euident that the Romish church is called the Latine church and the Pope soueraigne and supreame head of the same Wé sée also y t all things in this Church are done in Latine And in their spirituall courtes as they call them nothing but Latin is vsed and spoken no man may serue in this church except he be a Latinist Moreouer they call Hebrue to be Iudaike or Iewishe and the Greeke erronious or heretiquish yea they holde the Hebrue and Greeke Bible to be suspected and straightly charge and commaund their Latine falsly called Ieromes translation to be of euery one imbraced and holden for the best Which thing is so manifestly known that it hath no néed of any further exposition This number of 666. is signified by some Greeke wordes for this Prophesie was written first in the Greeke tongue as Anthemos that is against the glory of god Also it is signified by Aruine wherby is noted a denier or forsaker of God And Titan that is the sonne or the name of Nemroth the tirant These thrée names or wordes although they sound diuers yet they do compreheÌ„d no more nor lesse than the iust number and all thys may be made agreable and approued by scripture and reason For he that is not with Christe is agaynst him Some expositors leauing y e Greeke wordes haue practised to their own aduauntage a Latin woorde namely Lux containing the numbre aforesayd with the couÌ„tyng letters whych signifieth as they name it them selues the lyghte or a spirituall companie where in deede they resemble nothing lesse for they are very darknesse which in no wise wyll receyue the light but séeke to extinguish the light with al maner of crueltie and torments We might bring in here besides these names two other names of Antechrist namely Diabolus incarnatus and Filius perditionis which signifie Deuill incarnate and childe of perdition Where as in the one lacke but foure of the numbre and the other six couÌ„ting those letters which are commonly numbred But amongest so many words aboue meÌ„tioned is none fitter and better to the purpose than the word Aruine coÌ„taining a great mistery anâ— is asmuch to say as I denie or I forsake It is manifest then that these haue receiued the mark and signe of the beast or else are sealed with the numbre of hys name which when they hear Gods truth reueled vnto them say I will not heare of
him waâ— called faithâ—ull and true This is the onely and true sonne of God which is called faithfull iust and true bicause hâ— is founde faithfull and vnfallible in hys promises and woorde for the Lord saith the Psalmist is very righteous in all his wayes true in his sayings pâ—rfect in all his doings He cannot but teach a right and speake a trouth for he is the truthe him selfe No more cannot those which are indued with his spirite who leadeth and conducteth them in all truthe He hath done according to iustice and equitie in condemning that wicked and abhominable whoore in destroying that filthie sinagoge of Sathan in dâ—liuering and exalting his poore afflicted Churche First of all he did fight in his owne persone as a worthy Champion against the deuill hel and damnation whom he hath ouercome conquered and vanquished by his owne death and glorious passion And now doth he ouerthrow the Deuill and all his adhereÌ„ts by the meanes of his faithful seruaunts distributers of his holy woord and mysteries which he nowe graciâ—usly sendetâ— vnder the figure of the white horsse For his seruaunts as Abacuck testifieth are lustie and wel animated horsses whom the Lord conduâ—teth which ar as Ieremie calleth them whiter than snow by the meanes of their vnfained and vndefiled faith And his eyes were like as a flame of fire mightie and cleare Whereby is not only vnderstanded his godly wisdome and knowledge whereby he knoweth and iudgeth al things but also all the heauenly and spirituall giftes of the holy Gâ—ost Behold sayth Zacharie vpon the only stone which S. Paule expoundeth to be Christ shal be .vij. eyes which are the .vij. spirites of god wherwith god doth ligâ—ten the hearts of his chosen and kindleth the fire of his loue in y e minde of his faithful His word is a laÌ„tern to their fâ—eâ—e hys law anâ— testimonies are pure and vndefiled giuing light to the eie And vpon his heaâ— were many crownes Euen as the same was séene being a figure of Christ vpon the head of Iesus the sonne of Iosedech the high Priest to signiâ—ie that Iesus Christ is the soueraigne and king aboue al kings which hath power in heauen and earth for euer He ruleth and gouerneth al nations with an irâ—n rod. For he is the Lord of hostes the euerlasting king of glory He is a mightie and puissaÌ„t gouernoure setting ouer the Mount Sion his holy hil He giueth prosperitie and gouernment to Kings and his elect and chosen are crouned in him with grace and mercie for euermore For he reserueth in heauen for vs an inheritance immortall and vndefiled Againe he hath layed vp for them that keepe the faith a crowne of righteousnesse and wil giue a crowne of life to them that be faithfull vnto the death c. All warrefares and victories of the saincts depend vpon him only And he had a name written to wit almighty maruellous and feareful Adonai Emanuel a name aboue all names euen the holy one of Israell the Lorde of Sabaoth the Lord of hostes our redemer sauiour and righteousnesse No man knewe this name but hym selfe and them whiche he hathe reueled it vnto neither fleshe nor bloude nor Heathen Turke Iew or false Christian is able to coÌ„prehend thys name â—right Albeit they haue good signes and tokens yet no man can say that Iesus is the Lord without the inspiration of the spirite of God who openeth the very truth of God The number of Gods elect are also signified or comprehended vnder this name which the world can not acknowledge nor vnderstand And he was clothed with a garment dipt in bloud His mortall bodie which he tooke vpon him for our redemption was so sore beaten and greuously wounded that from the soule of the féete to the very crowne of the head euen from top to toe nothing was lefte whole or sound This mighty Champion is he which came from Edom and Bosâ—a whose garmentes were sprinkled with bloud his clothes were rayed euen as of those that tread the wine presse For his manhoode suffred most shameful painâ—full death He him selfe alone trode the wine presse of his wrath and had none to helpe him He his owne self was wouÌ„ded for our sinnes and our infirmities were layd vpon him and by his stripes we are healed And his name was called the word of God Christ Iesu the sonne of god is that eternall and euerlasting word of God which was from the beginning by God by whom also heauen and earth are made and all that in them is the verye â—mage of his substance in whom the father is represented wherby also we vnderstand and know the wil of the father for the word of God is a true guid of the conscience This word was made flesh that is became maÌ„ for our sakes sauing iusâ—ifying and glorifying all those that beleeue on him And the warriers which were in heauen followed him vpoÌ„ white horses These are the true faithfull ministers which follow their maister and câ—ief captain Christ Iesu vpon white horsses that is in innocency of life and godly coÌ„uersatioÌ„ which they professe These horsses are nothing else than their mortal bodies redy to battaile For true christiaÌ„s mortifie their flesh y t concupiscence therof bring their carnal lusts vnder subiectioÌ„ their bodies obedient to y e spirit They become seruauntes to righteousnesse and not to sinne they are worthy Souldiers of God for they follow the Lord of â—ostes suche an armie saw the seruauÌ„t of the Prophet Elizeus in Doathim in a visâ—on They wâ—re clothed with fine linnen white and pure signifying the simplicitie and innoceÌ„cie which they haue in Christ Iesus their captaine and good and perfect gifts which the Lord giueth them As S. Iohn him selfe expounded them a little before where he sayeth that the fine linnen are the true iustifications which they haue of none other but from theyr head Christ. These are y e spirituall weapons wherof S. Paule speaketh saying Though we walke in the flesh yet we do not war after y e flesh for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through god to cast down holds and out of his mouth weÌ„t a sharp sword which is that wonderful iudgment of his word Through this sharpe sword are the faithful and beleuers saued to â—ife euerlasting and the wicked infidels iudged to euerlasting death and damnation For it is vnto some a sauior of life vnto life and to others a sauior of death vnto death With this sword shall be cut of the dead braunches which in him beare no fruicts and the rotted members from the body In like manner shal be the good from the bad and the Goates from the shéepe with this sword deuided and separated Oh how terrible fearefull and sharpe shal be the iudgement of the
these pleasant birdes bicause they did eate and consume their fleshe They rebuked their euill corrupt maners and vnrighteous dealing their wicked and abhominable life therefore they make warre against Christ where so euer the worde of God was sincerely preached and taught the glorye of God preferred and the securitie and naughtinesse of mannes sinfull and abhominable life reproued there hath alwayes insurrections tumultes and seditions risen amongst the hipocrits of traiterous enterprizes For the word of God is a signe of contradiction and the stone of offence These Princes and captaines with their most cruel souldiers are set on prouoked and stirrâ—d by the malice of these Idolatrous Bishops and Prelates euen as Pilate and Herode were moued of Annas and Caiphas to put Christ to death And as Felix gouernour of Iurie at the request pleasure of Ananie the hie priest kept S. Paule in prison The Emperor Traian and other tyrants should neuer haue persecuted the Christians vntil this day if their horsses had not bene pricked so fast and so often with the spurres of wicked and leuâ—e Prelats And what diligence endeuour they haue done to ouerthrow vanquishe and roote out the truthe may be seene by their letters wrytten and sent to so many Kings and Princes No small a doe had they to bring Iohn Wicliffe in discredite and slaunder with the people the which after he had ben buried fortie yeares toke vp his bones and burned them with fire and cast the ashes into the riuer shewing their tiranny vpon his bones whome they coulde not be reuenged of in his lyfe time no not for all their requestes and sutes made to the kyng of Englande Richarde by name Againe Sigismunde the Emperor wold neuer haue done contrary to his promise fortified by a safe conduct graunted vnto Iohn Hus to goe and come safely to the Counsell at Constance and in a manner forced hym for if he would be the image of the beast an obedient child of the Romish church he must doe all as it pleased them It is manifest what diligence and trauaile they haue assayed what violence and force they haue vsed to banishe and chase the truth of the Gospell out of Germanie what practises craftie policies and fetches they haue sought to deface it here in Englande and what crueltie and tyrannie they shewe in France to the vtter destruction of the countrey we haue séene and see and yet dayly at this instant seele they And aboue all haue we felte and 〈◊〉 yet féele the experieÌ„ce of it in low Germany our natiue countrey and Flaunders where as soone as Gods worde was sincerely preached and the Gospell of Iesu Christ opeÌ„ly declared O how SataÌ„s kingdome was rente diminished how idolatrie and superstition was brought low all excesse surfetting dronkennesse all wickednesse and vice all pride naughtinesse beat down forsaken The whooremongers adulterers began to be ashamed of their filthinesse priests Friers misliked of their estate and durst not say Masse go on procession funeral other of their abhominatioÌ„s they couered their crounes let grow their beards hid theÌ„selues yea demed y t they were such Many light women were conuerted many ruffians baudes were astonied for y t they saw their houses not so much haunted as before These with y e rest of the spiritual baudes and ruffians were well ashamed and wist not where to hide theÌ„selues bicause of y â— light which did shine so bright in the worlde On the other side consider how the kyngdome of Christe increased augmented and multiplied daily how the honor of God was set foorth the name of the Lorde was magnified and inuocated praised and blessed Howe many people whiche hitherto haue liued like ignorant doltes in al securitie beastlynesse were then come to knowledge and vnderstanding leauing their former life gaue theÌ„ selues to vertue godlinesse cleauyng to that whiche they heard expressed it in their life coÌ„uersation Last of al it was maruel to see how charitie humilitie sobriety honesty al other godly exercises y e works of the spirite wer put in practise amongst this new springing churche and contrarywise the dedes of the flesh forsaken layed aside But that great dragon the diuel that olde serpent who from the beginning hated the truth mans felicitie seing his kyngdom go to wrack hys gay finely disguised church dâ—cay hys pilferyng trashe beggerly Ceremonies nothing set by yea and seing his beastly bodie al his membres by y e preaching of Gods word so cleane vncouered and beaten to the grounde did waxe madde and outragious Wherefore he moued stirred vp kings who entring in allegiance and alliaunce with his Antechrist gathered a counsell against the Lorde and his churche to scatter and put asunder hys flocke aud to kill and slay his chosen Which thyng afterwarde they practising made them vp and not without treason inuaded the countreys there not to gouerne accordyng to iustice and equitie but violently and tyraÌ„nously to rule and reigne yea notwithstanding their priuileages enacted and giuen by acte of parliament confirmed and established by othe of the Prince him selfe haue they yet against all reason and lawe oppressed the commons and innocents As for the christians it is too well knowne howe they are vsed therfore I leaue of to speake any more of that matter not mistrusting but that it shall be declared at large of some diligent writer But what is their purpose The Lorde against whom they striue is too strong he knoweth all theyr enterprises and imaginatioÌ„s laugheth them to scorne He seeth their fall and ouerthrowe and the victorie of his chosen and the deliueraÌ„ce of his people is in his hande Let them rage neuer so sore lette them murther and slay neuer so many blessed are they whiche die in the Lorde they shall neuer be able to roote oute the truth muche lesse to obtaine any victorie agaynste God for the Lambe is strong and abideth valiantly vpon that vnmouable inexpugnable mounte Syon hauyng wyth hym an hundreth and .4400000 These be as many as haue receyued hys true faith and are the true séede of Abraham hauing the seale of the holy Ghost bearing the name of their father engraued on their forhead redéemed bought from the earth predestinated and chosen to life euerlasting whiche are not defiled with women whose soules and faith are not spotted with false doctrine or idolatrie and superstition papistical These ar virgins which receiue not the false hipocriticall and whoorish doctrine of y e Antechrist These be the virgins whereof the holy Ghost speaketh and not them only as they saye whiche neuer maried else Abraham Moyses Dauid Zacharie Peter Philip and the reste of the godly whiche haue bene maried coulde haue ben of the number of those virgins for they iudge mariage to be vnclâ—ane and a deede of the
written or preached is lyke vnto the leafes which beyng well and reuerently receyued by the woorkyng of the holy Ghost is of muche importaunce and wayghtie healthfull strong and myghtie in operation muche lyke vnto the mustard séede Aboue all thyngs sayeth Zorobâ—bell is the Truthe moste strong and ouercommeth all For it is the wyll of the Lorde whiche neuer shall perishe This worde then I saye is so myghtie and victorious that the Congregation of Christe and true beléeuers what soeuer trouble persecution or violence they doe suffer shall yet euen in their extreme paine and distresse be comforted and quieted in coÌ„science and spirite beâ—ing well assured that God keepeth them as the very apple of his eie for they know â—hat they ar vnder his protection gouernance and that hereafter they shal inherite how conteÌ„ptuously so euer they lyued here eternall glory felicitie and blessednesse in the presence of God in that new heauenly Ierusalem Of whiche glorie and blessednesse to make a discourse I shold labor in vain and bysides that neuer get my purpose nor finish mine enterprise For neuer no eare hearde it nor eye sawe it neyther came it into any heart And to say al neuer any man was able to comprehend it that God hath prepared for his elect that loue him Ye haue nowe gentle Reader sufficiently as I hope herd what wickednesse thraldome laboure paine and trouble couetousnesse concupiscence and ambition bringeth to them that loue it follow it wishe for it and séeke after it Lykewise ye may consider here howe and after what sort they draw man from God from naturall reason from all goodnesse and mutuall and brotherly loue vnto all kinde of iniquitie crueltie and vnnatural vices and oftentimes come so farre that they not onely bryng other men in great danger to attaine to their purpose but they themselues also body and soule Ye haue hearde also that the Deuill the Prince of this worlde is a father and the author of al wickednesse wicked doers and how that that mischeuous Antechrist whiche within a â—ew yeres hitherwards hath ben reueled did procéede and was borne of him as ye may see more euidently out of this Genealogie folowing The booke of the Generation of Antechrist the desolatour and childe of perdition FIrst the diuell begot Darknesse And darknesse begot Ignorance Ignorance begot error and his brethren Errour begot Freewill Ignorance and Selfe loue Frée will begot Merites Merites begot forgetfulnesse of the grace of God Forgetfulnesse of the grace of God begot Transgression And Transgression begot mistrust Mistrust begot Satisfaction Satisfaction begot sacrifice of the Masse Sacrifice of the Masse begotte Popishe Priesthode And popish priesthod begot SuperstitioÌ„ Superstition begot Hipocrisie the Kyng And hypocrisie begot Lucre. Lucre begot Purgatorie And Purgatorie begot the Fundation of Pentions Fundation of Pentions begot Patrimonie of the church And Patrimonie of the church begot MaÌ„mon of iniquitie Mammon begot Abundance And Abundance begot Fulnesse Fulnesse begot Crueltie Crueltie begot Domination Domination begot Pompe Pompe begot Ambition Ambition begot Simonie Simonie begot the Pope and the Cardinals his brethren in the transmigration of Abhomination And after the Transmigration of Abhomination the pope begot the Mysterie of iniquitie And the Mysterie of iniquitie begot Diuine Sophistrie Diuine Sophistrie begot Reiection of holy Scripture Reiection of holye Scripture begot Tyrannie And Tiranny begot murther of Saincts Murther of saints begot dispising of god Dispising of God begot Dispensation Dispensation begot Licence to sinne And Licence to sinne begot abhominatioÌ„ Abhomination begot Confusion And Confusion begot Trauail of y e spirit Trauaile of the spirit begot Disputation and matter to séeke for the veritie by the which that desolatour Antechriste hath bene reuealed You haue heardâ— also gentle Reader howe that the Diuell wyth all hys adherents accordyng to the veritie of Gods holy word and his righteous iudgement shal be â—hrowen and cast into the pit of eternall pardition of vnquenchable fire which hath ben prepared for him and hys angels hys sâ—ruauntes and followers marked with his marke from the beginning of the worlde where shall be gnashyng of téeth and wringyng of the handes eternally Moreouer it hath ben said howe that neyther hée nor all hys membres are able to do any thing against Iesâ— Christe nor agaynste hys kyngdomâ— or Churche Which bicause they are not of the world thereâ—ore the world and all that belongeth to â—he world haue from the beginning hated them persecuted and afflicted them as well Sathan himself as the world and y e worldly minded as it is séene dayly and shal be so long as the worlde continueth notwithstanding there hath bene sometime a little quietnesse séene and shall be it is possible yet namely so long as the malice and violeÌ„ce of Sathan and his membres be bridled tied shorte so long shall the godly people haue peace quietnesse and shal sée some yeares of grace Furthermore it was shewed you how that Christ Iesus became man for vs and is now in eternall glory in the kingdome of his father with al his Apostles his chosen with all suche as beléeue through them in him whiche hathe bene prepared for them from the begynning where is and shall be vnspeakable ioye Here you may sée and iudge of God and the deuil Christ and Antechrist the kyngdome of God and of Sathan the Churche of Christe and the synagoge of Rome or the assemblie of the reprobate the broade waye and the straite gate heauen and hell eternall lyfe and euerlaâ—tyng death Nowe tâ—en if euery one might choose the one or the other of these two wayes I beleue that no man would be so foolishe or ignorant that would not choose rather saluation than condemnation to ascende into heauen than to goe into hell Neuerthelesse those that will be saued and are desirous to be accompted vnder the numbrâ— of the elect muste diligentely take héede that they wander not nor bée deceyued by euery wynde of doctrin For lyke as couâ—tousnesse pride arrogancie ease of the body voluptuousnesse and plesure of the worlde hath chased and dryuen away all maner of deuotion zeale and godly exercises pertayning vnto true christian religion at the primitiue churche In lyke mâ—ner shall the Dyuell not yet ceasse or leaue oâ— to raign and rule in his membres notwithstanding that the childe of perdition that Antechrist is already manyfested and openly shewed yea he attempâ—eth yet daily by the meanes of suche vices a little before mentioned to rayse vp euen in the reformed Churches among the brethren dissention and trouble And it is to be feared that in the ende he shall preuaile more and more For it is writteÌ„ that iniâ—quitie shal abounde and haue the vpper hande and the charitie of many
any thing y t displeaseth him put al thy trust coÌ„fideÌ„â—e in him Thus doing let him be the marke whereat thou shootest the conductyng starre the compasse true token wherat thou saylest the way whereon thou goest the rocke whereon thou stanâ—est the sure grounde wheron thou buyldest the strength and fortresse wherin thou trustest the ende whervnto thou hastest the good whiche thou desirest the lyfe whiche thou séekest the comfort which thou dost wishe for the treasure wherefore thou labourest thy glory perfection all thy truste and confidence So then it shall come to passe that no kinde of euill shall hurte thée neyther fyre nor water lâ—sse of goodes or honoure wife chyldren of friendes lande house inheritance or any other possessions neyther yet contempt sclaunder backbityng persecution banishement or any other myserie sufferyng for hys name sake Haue no regard vnto the inconstancie and variableâ—esse of Fortune nor vnto the vncertaintiâ— of richesse and time then shalt thou in pouertie be riche in reproche highly regarded in distresse mery in heauinesse glad in prison at libertie and abroade Therefore bridle thy lust and refraine thy heart from al worldly carnal and transitoriâ— riches and be lifted vp in mynde and spirite to heauenly and vncorruptible treasures so shalte thou be regenerate of the holy ghoste and being confirmed by the worde of God may well be called Microcosme that is the whole worlde vppon the little foote Ye shall be true Christians Kings and Priestes estéeming neuerthelesse youre selues as vnprofitable seruantes Ye shall lyue happily and plesaunt and quiet in conscience ye shall knowe your owne and being throughly persuaded of the truthe ye shall abyde stedfast and vnmoueable not waueryng wyth euery wynde No kynde of affection enuie hate anger sorowe or payne shal trouble you ye shal put away al wickeâ—â—esse make no accompt of worldly matters but youre conuersation shall be in heauen ye shall then continually meditate of God and his kingdome that beyng busie therwithall ye myghte contemne al worldly things from the heart Nothyng then shall be able to separate you from the loue of God but ye shall go forewarde in all vertue and godlynesse till suche time as it shall please Almighty God to take oure soules vnto hym then shall we sée hym moste perfectely face to face Unto the which perfection and ioyfull sight vouchsafe to bryng vs O Lord Almightie the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ thorough the same his only and welbeloued sonne To whom with the holie ghost be all honor and glorie power and dominion euerlastingly And to all faithfull christians here vpon earth peace and comfort of the holy gost and hereafter life euerlastyng AMEN Imprinted at London by Henrie Bynneman dwelling in Knight riders streat at the signe of the Marmaid ANNO. 1569. CVM PRIVILEGIO AD IMPRIMENDVM SOLVM Seneca in the treatise of the happâ— life 22. Châ—â— â—salm 62. Lib. 5. de legâ—bus Epist. 20. Homel 21 super Marâ— â—ib 10. de â—â—ipub Luke .1 â—ty 14. â—ath 19. Lib. Ethi ca. 13. li. 10. â—â—p 8. â—n hiâ— 5. serâ—on of the â—orde of God In his apologie ca. 29 Math. 1â— Mark .4 Luke .8 Exod. 32. In his apologie ca. 2â— Abac. 3. Chrysost. In his boke of the ornamentes of women Mart. where he disputeth that no man commeth in trouble but by himselfe 1. Tim 6. Prouerb 23. Math. 13. In his Hâ—â—â—â—oâ—â—e Li. â— epistolaâ—uÌ„ Epi. 2. Luke .12 Psalm 38. Of the life of Demosâ— Li. 8. de â—â—â—nita cap. 85. In his bokâ— of Noe and thâ— Aâ—ke Epist. 2. liâ— Eâ—â—sâ—o Vpon the 106. psalm Saâ—y 10. Daniell .11 Comâ—ed â—â—rcat Sigâ—bertus Geniblacen Carolus Boâ—illuâ— Hieronymê° Sigebertus Geâ—iblacenfis Vincentius Anthonius Planâ—ina Abbas Vrspergensis Iacobus Bergenâ—is Hermanâ—us Shedel Reuel â— Rom. 2. Luke 12. Math. 6. Esay 5. â—â—â—uerb 5. â—â—uel 13. â—poc 6. â—poc 9. Math. 2â— Nahum .25 Esay 13. Abacuck .1 Hest. 23. 2. Paralip 3â— Esay 22. 2. Macha 2. â— Macha 2. 1. Corin. â— Rom. 9. Hest. 3.4 1. Mach. 2.3 Psalm 9 Rom. 3. Rom. â— Rom. â— â— Thess. 2. 2. Thess. â— 2. Thess. 2. Matâ— 28. Iohn .17 Iohn .1 â—ohn .3 â— Thess. 2. Iob. 1.2 â—â— Psal. 73. Reuel 9 â— Thessa. 2. Rom. 11. Tim. 4. Tim. 4. â—eb 13. â—ob .41 â— Reg. 17. Dan 12. Apoc. 21.13 â—oloss 3. â—ohn .4 Math 24. Luc. 9. â—phe 6. 1. Corinth Actes .4.6 Exod. 1. Hest. 3 1. Machab. â— Math. 20. 1 Luke .2 1. Peter .1 Math. 27. Mar. 15â— Luke .23 â—ohn .19 2. Tim. 3. Luke .10 Rom. 11 Philip. 3 1. Corin. 6. Iohn .15 Psalm 16. Iohn .14 Rom. 9. Ephes. 1. Iohn .1 Iohn .15 â— Tim. 2 â— Corin. 10. Genes 3. Math. 23. Genes 3. Math. 14. 2. Peter .2 Iohn .1 1. Corinth â— Rom. 1 2. Thessa. â— 2. Tim. 4. 2. Peter .2 Ephe. 6. 2. Thessa. â— 2. Peter .2 1. Coriâ— 1â— Gene. 14. Gene. 9.17 21.57.28 â—xod 7. 2. Timo. 3 Nume 22 Iudic. 22 2â— Ieremy 20 Math. 27. Actes 13 Iohn .1 3. Reg. 16. Psalm 44â— â—pocal 14 Iohn .16 Collosâ— 2. 1. Cor. 2. 2. Cor. 3. Iohn .14 Iohn .6 â— Cor. 13 Iohn 1â—â— Rom. 1. Heb. 13. Math. 15. Math. 7. 2. â—hesâ— 2. 1. â—im 3. 1. Corin. 6. Math. 3. 2. Corin. 11. Ezech. 34. Eâ—ay 56. Philip. 3. Esay 6. Iere. 2. â— Reg. 12. Math. 15. â—phe 4. Psal. 79. Math. 21. Mar. 12. Luke .19 Iohn .26 Reuel 17. Reue 12.14 â— Thesâ— 2. 2. Tim. 4. 2. Thess. 2. â— Tim. 3. Coloss. 2. Heb. 10. Rom. 2. 2. Cor. 3. Reuel 17. Psalm 85. Iohn .4 Rom. 2. Esay 45. Baruc. 6. Ierem. 2. Reuel 15. Reuel 1â— Reue. .6 Reue. 10. Reuel 14. Iohn .1 â—â— Actes .13 Mar. 3. Actes .18 Rom. 12. Iohn .6 â—say .11 Esay 9. 10. Iohn .16 â—uke .19 Esay â—2 Actes â— Galat. 5. Ephe. 3. Gene. 18 1â— Esay 34. Psalm 13. Ierem. 3. Eze 16. Oseas .2 Reuel 18. Esay 54. Eze. 17. Luke .16 Rom. 4. Math. 6. â— Esd. â— Gene 19. â—say .52 â—poc 1â— â—en 19. Math. 5.10 Iohn .6 1. Corin. 4. Esay 47. Math. 11. 2â— Math. 16. Deut. 8. Gen 19. Exod. 9. Psal. 11. Collos. 3. Math. 24. Mark .9 Math. 25. Psalm 50. Rom. â— Dan. 5. Leui. 10. Deut. 1. Reuel 1â— 2. Thess. 2. Gen. 4. Exod. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Math. 26. Math. 6. Galaâ— â— 1 Tim 4 2. Tim. 4. 1. Tim. 3 1. Tim. 5. Reue. 19. 11. â—say 66. Wysdom .11 Mâ—th 11.12 2. Corin. 1. Math. 16. Actes .9 Psal. 145 1â— Psalm â—â— Rom. 9. Iohn .14 Iohn .16 Psal. 23. Ioh. 16. â— Cor. 15. â—ohn .12 â—ba 3. Zâ—ch 3. 1. Cor. 1. Psal. 119. 1. Esd. 3. Eâ—cle 4 9. 1. Peter .1 â— Timo. 4. Reuel 2. â—ames .1 Math. 16. Math. 16. 1. Cor. 12. Esay 63. Esay 53. Math. 8. 1. Peter .2 Iohn â— Ephes. 3. Psalm 33. Heb. 1. Colloss 1. Iohn .1 Coloss. 3. Gala. 5. Rom. 6. 1. Cor. 10. Iohn .15 1. Corin. 5. Math. 24. Psal. 2. 45. Mat. 25.
loued most of al y â— did write the Reuelation in Pathmos 10 The tenth of a Chrisophrasius whose nature is to shine like gold and yet greenish in the sight Such are those who hauing receiued good knowledge perfecte wisdom of God distribute vnto others according vnto the talent which god hath deliuered vnto theÌ„ Therby to awake the sluggish and dreaming people and bring to heauenly meditations Amongst those may Ezechiel wel be couÌ„ted which in his time did sée maruellous things and wonderful straunge Reuelations 11 The eleuenth of a Iacinct the colour of which stone is like vnto water hauyng stripes glistering like the bright shining beames of the Sunne By this stone are represented suche as doe séeme to be ignorant and are counted noddies fooles before the world which notwithstaÌ„ding haue heauenly wisdom inough although in sight very ideots voyde of all knowledge yet neuerthelesse are they instructed and taught of God to reueale hidden and secrete mysteries of the numbre Of those are Ozee Ioel Amos whiche was but a poore shephierd with the rest of the small prophets Such were also Andrew Peter Philip Thomas and the rest of the Apostles of Christ. 12 The twelfth an Ametist this is of a violet or purpure and roste colour and this signifieth them which abide zelous meke and stedfast in the knowne truthe of the Lorde whiche also are ready at all times to die and shed their bloude euen for the same suche were the seuen brethren of the Machabees with their mother Such were also Iames the greater and Antipas that faithfull witnesse with many more disciples and martirs No man can shew any greater loue than this when any maÌ„ bestoweth hys lyfe for hys friendes All these sayth our Sauiour are blessed and the kyngdome of heauen doth belong vnto them On this maner then is notified by these fundations the same which the true and faithfull ministers and pastors of the churche of Christ according to the diuersitie of gifts giuen vnto them haue buylded vpon some gold siluer or precious stones but such as haue added to this buildyng any wood hay or stubble which are customes traditions and other duÌ„be Ceremonies or else vayneglorie worldly honoure riches and pleasures shall neuer be accompted among thys heauenly companie These fundations haue ben prefigured by the precious stones which were in the stomacher of Aaron the high Priest and in the costely and royall garmentes of the Kyng of Tyrus He whiche is desirous to know more of the nature condition and propretie of these precious stones may reade Plinie his .xxxvij. booke of naturall Histories or Bartholomeus de proprietatibus rerum and concerning the mysterie and allegorie reade Saint Hierome vpon the .54 Chapiter of Esaye or Beda Haymo Costasius BacoÌ„thorp Eleyne Tilney and dyuers more other whiche haue written vppon the Reuelation It suffiseth vs to haue shewed thée according to the meanyng of Saint Austen that these stones doe signifie the manyfolde gyftes and diuers gracâ—s of the holy Ghost for the onely spirite of the lord worketh all these thyngs dyuersly Hée measureth hys gyftes vnto euery one according to hys good will and pleasure thâ— whiche altogether are singular preciouâ— and moste excellente as it shall well aâ—peare in that great and ioyous day of the chyldren of God And the Angell sayeth Sainct Iohn whiche dydde shewe all those foresayde thyngs moued me in spirite to take the more heede to the gracious and mercifull purpose of the Lorde and to bryng me to a more déeper knowledge of his misteries shewed me a pure Riuer of water of life whiche is therefore called the Water of Lyfe bycause it maketh whole and gyueth saluation to oure soules Thys Ryuer is nothyng else but the flâ—wing veritie and the worde of Saluation or the myghtie doctrine of Christe Thys is that swéete Ryuer whyche proceâ—deth of Edom to refresh Paradise which diuiding it selfe in foure watereth the foure parts of the earthe This runnyng water maketh the Citie of God very pleasant and delectable This riuer is maruelous comfortable springyng into eternall lyfe it is here a spirituall comfort for the childreÌ„ of God and shal be hereafter that incomprehensible glory of the Sainctes in heauen To whome shal we go sayth Peter but to thée for thou hast the worde of eternall life The vertue and nature of this water is to satisfie purge and clâ—Ì„se to comfort to make whole and healthful for it procéedeth and floweth froÌ„ the maiestie of God it commeth from that eternal and excellent schoole of the father and thence procéedeth forwarde to the ouer-fulnesse of the lambe Christ Iesu and his diuine spirite I will poure cleane water sayth the Lorde vpon you and ye shall be frée from all your filth vncleannesse I will also gyue you a newe hearte and plant in you a new spirite In the middes of the strete of it and of either side of the riuer was the tree of life This riuer signifieth the two testamentes of the Lorde wherby stode that moste pleasant trée of lyfe namely Christ Iesus the mediatour and pastour the sauiour and redéemer of the worlde Out of the roote and progenie of Dauid spryngeth thys tree according to the fleshe conceyued of the holye Ghost borne of the virgin Marie As the tree of life in the beginnyng was planted in the middest of Paradise euen so is hée spiritually in the middest of his Churche whiche is his moste pleasaunt garden if that grounde or earth which maketh the trées twice fruitefull in the yeare be called happy so may this garden by good rereason well be called happy and blessed Where this trée standeth whiche neuer is without frute nor drieth vp or withereth which dothe not onely beare twyce a yeare fruite signifiyng all the vnspeakable giftes of the holy Ghoste but rendreth his frutes euery month of the yere that is continually bothe Sommer and winter All they which are thys Congregation people haue continually so long as they lyue greate Consolation in all theyr assaultes and trialles and in all kinde of aduersitie bothe spirituall and temporall And the leaues of the trees serued to heale the nations with The promises and the worde of GOD are spirite and lyfe the nature propretie and vertue of them are blessednesse and eternal saluation These leaues can not by any meanes wyther awaye When Gods worde is sincerely preached and taughte then we remember the benefites of oure deliueraunce then is oure conscience appeased and satisfied and the minde mery and gladde then dothe the soule of man reioyce and rendreth therfore to GOD the Father moste heartie thanckes worthie prayses syngyng and magnifiyng hym for his eternall goodnesse and merâ—ie So then the Nations are quite healed and made healthfull thorough beléefe and cleauing faste vnto the woorde acknowledgyng and confessyng Christe Iesu to be their onely Sauiour righteousnesse and true holynesse The woorde of GOD