A moste pythye and excellent epistell to anymate all trew Christians vnto the crosse of Chryste, translated out off ffre[n]che [sic] into ynglyshe by Robert Pownoll. With a preface to the reader.

¶ THE EPISTEL .

AMONGEST OTHER NEcessary thynges that Iesus Christe the alone Savioure off the worlde , & the only trew & perfyte master of the vniuersall churche , hath comanded vs to aske of God his father & oures throught hym , we fynde wryten that he hath expresilly commanded vs all wayes to saye ( Dure father thy wyll be done ) And as this prayer ought not to prosede from the mouthe only , Math. 6. Luc. 11. so ys it necessarye that the mouthe do all wayes speke off the abondance of the harte , Math. 12. that ys to saye not faynedly , but perfectlye & intyrlye , all wares desyrynge the accomplyshynge off the good wyll off God oure celestiall father . Beynge all wayes redy to gyve thankes & to reioyse when we shall se the wyll off God accomplyshed , ether vpon vs , or vpon any other , ether in prosperyte or adversyte , the which all wayes the flesshe dothe abhorre . For that prayer that ys voyde off this vnfayned desyre , beynge presented vnto God , ys not only a mere Ipocresye , but also a playne mockynge off hys maiestye . Math. 6. But on the other syde this devyne & chrystean desyre dothe yelde oure prayer all to gyther , impoluted and perfy●e before the lorde . For all thynges duly consydered , there are dyvers vrgent causes , that ought all wayes to move vs , to besyre the performance off the wyll off God oure most benynge father . Do we not knowe perfytly , that the lorde hath made all thynges accordynge to his owne pleasure , Gene. 1. Eccle. 39. for hym selfe ? So not we vnderstand that all thynges were created by the wyll off the lorde God only ? Yff it be so then that all thynges were made by the only wyll off God ? What othere thynge ought we to desyre , but only that this his wyll be accomplyshed & performed ? The which can be non other , but good & Iuste . Yff we were wysse I nought to vnderstand this perfyt lesson , that the lorde God dothe preche vnto vs , by the example & mynystration off all his other creatures . Then wolde we most wyllyngly & gladly desyre to se the accomplyshment off this his wyl vpon vs , in al thynges that it pleaseth hym to do with vs . We are not ignorant off this , that God hath not created his creatures , to th end they should be subiect to vanyte ( that ys to save ) to mutacion & corruption , & to the abus off the vnbelevers . For it ys most certayne that all the creatures on theyre behalfe do rather desyre not to be subiecte vnto ifydeles , Rom. 8. then to be subiect , for naturally they do desyre all to gyther , to enioye theyre perfyte state wherin they were created . But , when as ( after theyre fassion ) they do consyder , that God hath so ordayned it , that for a tyme they should serue the wycked & vnbelevers , they beare with out repynyng this myserable seruytude , for the honour off hym that hath subiected them there vnto , in hopynge most certaynly that ons they shal be delyuered from that bondage , all thought they do neyther for se the tyme , when , not the meanes , how . Now then I wold demande off you , brytherin most derely beloved , not in Adam , 1 Cor. 15 in whom ys no thynge but perdyction , but in Iesus Chryste in whom only ys oire perfyte salvation , Act. 4. Hebre. 2 standythe it with any equyte or reason that all other creatures obaynge the good wyll of God the lorde , that we should gaynsaye & obstynatly with stande thesame , when as he dothe with vs accordynge as it best pleaseth him ? Truly God ys more vnto vs , then he ys vnto all other hys creatures , for he ys oure father , and we are more vnto hym , then all his other creatures , for we are his chylderne , and we are his heyres , we ought them to love hym more then al other his creatures , we ought to haue in hym a more lyvely hope & confydence with greater effycace , then all other creatures , So that by good consequence we ought more wyllyngly to submyte oure selfes vnto his good pleasure then all other his creatures , in saynge all wayes , Thy wyll be done . But what suppose we to be the wyll & ordynance off God ? S. Paul do the notably teache vs thesame , where as he saythe . Rom. 8. Thosse whom God hath know en from the begynynge , he hath predestinated them , to th ende they should be made confyrmable to the image off his Soune . This breffe sentence off the holy apostell well vnderstanded , dothe playnly exprese vnto vs , what the wyll and ordynance off God ys to vs warde . The which dothe this myche sygnyfye vnto vs , that God hath immutablye ordayned that all thosse whom he hath chosen before the constytution off the worlde should be made lyke vnto Iesus Chryste his sonne . I appese here vnto all your consyences ( D ye christians ) and do demaunde off you , ys there any ryches , ys there any honour , ys there any glorye , ys there any tryvn●phe lyke vnto thys ? ●amly to be made confyrmable vnto the sonne off God ? No truly , iudge ye yourseldes , wherfor praysed be the eternall name off the Lord our God , who trought his infynyte bounty , with out any off oure desertes , Ephes. 1. hathe chossen vs , & made vs worthy off this incomparable felycyte and honour . But this avay lethe no thynge vnto hym that vnderstadeth not thesame . Wherfor it behoveth vs dylygently to waye & consyder what the scrypture mene the when it affyrmethe vnto vs , that it ys the wyl of the lorde God oure father , that we should be lyke vnto the image off his sonne , who ys the naturall and only sonne off God , even Iesus Christe in whom we do beleve , & of whom we do beare the holy name off christians . And where ys he now ? he ys lyvynge & raynynge with God his father in immortalyte most happye , Rom. 8. whosse wyll ys that we shoulde be confyrmable in glorye to the image off his sonne , as wytnesethe . S. Paul , in the place before resyted . To the which also agreethe . S. Iohn , 1 Ioh. 3. when as he sayethe , whe knowe that when he shall appere , we shalde lyke vnto hym .

Wherby it ys manyfese , that we shal vs lyve & raigne with hym , the which thynge most certaynly shall come to pas , for he hym selfe dothe make vs there off a most perfyt promys , Luc. 12. in thesse wordes , ffere not lytiell flocke , for it hath pleased your father to gyve you a kyngdom . Shall not we then haue it ? Truly , we shall haue it . for as saythe Mardocheur , Est●r . 13. The lorde ys an allmyghty kynge , & all thynges are in his power , & there ys no man that can resyst his wyll , wherfor yff he haue purposed to delyuer Israell , who shal lett it ? shall we not then be all saved ? yes , shall we not all lyve and raigne with Chryst ? who wyll comunycate vnto vs his glorye & immortalyte as the fyrst borne a mongest many brytherne , & that oure God hath wylled it so to be , & hath ordayned it to be so ? There ys no doute theroff . And truly I suppose , there ys none off vs all that wold not gladly be pertaker with Iesus Christ in this respecte . For we all delyre to be saved , we all desyre to be happye , we all desyre to lyve & raigne with Iesus Christe : but how then ? Yf we do no thynge els but raigne with hi , we shall not then in all respectes be lyke vnto the Sonne off God .

For the Sonne off God doth not only raigne but before he assended into his glorye , he was a seruant , he was a subiect , he suffred . Math. 10. he was crucyfyed & all for vs . Wherfor yff we desyre to be made perfytly lyke vnto Iesus Christe , then most we beare his crosse , ffor yff we should raigne with hym , with out beynge trucyfyed with hym , we should be ( as it were ) but in one respect lyke vnto hym , but God hath wylled that we shoulde be confyrmable & lyke vnto hym , not in halfe or in parte , but in all thynges . Ephes. 1. Then ys it off necessyte that we suffer with hym , and that ons ended , we are certayne that we shal be gloryfyed with hym . So that there ys non other waye to enter into the glory off God , but only that waye wherby Iesus Chryste his sonne ys entred . And this waye ys the crosse . For yff we do dyrectly consyder how Christ entred into the glory off his father , wayinge therin the immutable ordynance off God & the infallyble veryte off his holy worde we may saye , & saye truly , that it was off necessyte that Iesus Christ dyd enter into his glorye by crosse , afflyction and deathe , for other wysse the ordynance of God had byn all to gyther infrynged and broken , & the holy scryptures fo●●●de fals . For God by his eternall counsayll had before determyned that he should be put to deathe , Math. 16.20.28 . & the scryptures lykewysse dyd before testyfye the same , the which thynge to be trew , namly that God hath before ordayned that Iesus his sonne should suffer deathe , he hym selfe doth wyines vnto vs the same , when as in . S. Luc he sayethe . Truly the sonne off man dothe go , accordynge as it is determyned off hym , &c. Lykwysse . S. Peter speking vnto the Iewes o● hym , dothe manyfestly declare the same , by thesse wordes , ye haue ( sayth he ) kylled hym , Act. 3. in affiyetynge hym by the handes off vnryghtous men , after he was delyuered by the determyuate counsayll and fore knowlege off God . Also the prymatyve churche in a prayer written in the Actes , wherin they make rehersall off thosse thynges that the sonne off God dyd suffer , they do euydently declare vnto vs , that all that euer happyned vnto hym , canto pas , Act. 4. by the only wyll , pleasure & ordynance off : God his father , for they saye , truly Herode & Poncius Pilate with the gentylles & the people off Israell haue gathered themselves to gyther in this cyte agaynst thy holy c●ylde Iesus , whom thow hast anoyncted . But where to came they to gythere ? For to do what so euer thy hande & thy counsyll had before determyned to be done . Ys it not now apparant before your eyes , how that the holy gost who spekynge by the holy scryptures doth attrybute all the suffrynge off Iesus Chryst vnto the determynate counsayll & immutable ordynance off God his father ? Lykwisse Iesus Chryst hym selfe beynge entred into the depe & perfyte consyderation off this immutable determynation , sayed vnto his dyssyples , Luc. 9. hyt behovethe the sonne off man to suffer many thynges & to be reproved off the elders & off the hyghe prestes , & Scrybes , & be slayne , & the thyrde daye to rysse agayne . But wherfor , ( O lorde Iesus ) behoved it so to be ? It behoved it so to be , for as myche as God had so ordayned it , who sayeth by the mouthe off the prophet Esaias , truly it shal be , as I have determyned , Esai . 62.50 . and shall com to pas as I haue purposed it in my mynde . The lorde off hostes hath decreed it , & who ys he that can cansell that decre ? My counsayle shall take place & a byde , sayeth the lorde God , & all my wyll shal be accomplyshed . For as myche then as God hath wylled that Iesus his sonne should be put to deathe , hauynge so ordayned it by his eternall counsayll . Was it not then off necessyte that it should so come to pas ? Hyt could be non other wysse . Wherfor to prowe that the holy scriptures dyd testifye before that Iesus the only savyoure of the worlde , should be put to deathe , shuche as haue but a lytell pervsed the word off God , are not ignorant off the same . Sothe not he hym selfe saye ? Math. 26 Marc. 14 Luc. 22. Iohan. 5. Esa. 30.52 . The sonne off man goethe as it ys wrytten off hym ? Yff we would take the payne ( as we ought to do & as we are comaunded ) to serche dyrectly the scryptures , we should fynde that not only they haue prophesyed his deathe , but also they haue prophesied ( yea & that partycularely ) all other thynges that he hathe suffred for vs . So that it behoved hym off necessyte , to suffer all that he hath suffred . And therfor he sayd vnto his dyssyples , it behoued me to accomplyshe all that was wrytten of me in the lawe off Moyses , Luc. 24. in the prophetes , & in the psalmes . And agayne he sayd vnto them , thus it ys it written , & thus it behobed Chryste to suffer . And a lytell before that , he sayd vnto tow off his dissyples which were goynge vnto Emaus , Luc. 14. O folles & slowe off hert to beleve all that the prophetes haue spoken , was it not requysyte that Chryst shoulde suffer thesse thynghe , & so enter into his glorye ? He sayethe that it ys requysyte & necessarye , that by the crosse he should enter into his glorye . But wherfor was it so requysyte & necessarye ? It was necessarye , fyrst , for as myche as God had so ordayned it , Secoundly , by cause it was so wrytten & prophesyed off hym . But for all that it behoved hi necessarily to suffer beathe , yet not with standynge he dyd not suffer the same by coaction and constraynt or agaynst his wyl , but he dyd wyllyngly obaye the most mercyfull ordynance off God his father , & with a fre consent off hart dyd accomplyshe the holy scryptures , to th ende he myght render vnto God his father the glory off all truthe . And to prove that Ies● Christ hath bothe wyllyngly & obedyently submitted hym selfe vnto the wyll off God his father , the holy scrypture testyfyeth euery where , & it is evydently apparant vnto all thosse , to whom God hathe given grace to knowe parfytly what ys Iesus Chryst , for he ys properly that trew Dauyd , who hathe fully accomplyshed the wyll off his lorde God , ( that ys to saye ) he hath done all that he wolde haue hym do . But no man can accomplysh the wyll off God , yff he do it not wyllyngly & with all his harte , ffor the lawe ys spyrytuall as sayeth . O. Paul , Rom. 7. that ys to saye it the spirete & the fre consent off the harte , & can none other wysse be accomplyshed , but by doynge wyllynglye the thynge that it commandethe : yea a man must haue his wholl delyte in the law off God ( as sayeth the prophet ) other wysse it ys no thynge els but mere Ipoerysye & a playne mockynge off God . psal. 1. But Iesus Chrisre which ys the veryte it selfe , coulde bens hypocryte . Then dyd he willynglye accomplyshe the wyll off God his father in all thyng , & namlye in suffrynge . It ys evydent then , that he hathe willyngly , gladly , and with all his harte suffred , that he dyd suffer , yea & yff we will narowly examyne the matter , we shall fynde that he neuer desyred any thynge so ernestly as to accomplyshe the good will & pleasure of his father , or rather to speke more truly we shal fynde that he neuer desyred any other thynge . The which thyng to be trew he hym selfe dothe evydently wytnesse thesame vnto vs , Ioh. 4. in thesse wordes . My me ate ys to do the wyll off hym that sent me , & to fynyshe hys worke . That ys to saye . I desyre non other thynge , but to accomplyshe the wyll off my father , and to brynge to effecte the worke that he hath gyven me in charge . But what worke was it that his father had gyven hym in charge ? Truly amongest other thynges he gave hym in charge to suffer deathe for his electe . Wherby it ys apparant that he desyred no thynge so myche as to dye ffor the salvation off the chylderen off God , the which thynge he hym selfe declarethe evidently by the pen off . O. Luke , in thesse wordes . Luc. 12● I must be baptysed with a baptisme , & how am I payned tyll it be ended ? Which signyfyeth as myche as yff he had sayd , God my father hath ordayned that I shall dye , wherfor it be hoveth off necessite that I do dye , the which thynge truly I do must desyre with all my harte , seynge it so pleasethe the benygnite of my father , & I shall neuer be in quyete & at rest tyll it be accomplyshed & ended .

Thesse wordes well consydered , do they signifye , that Iesus oure savioure dyd dye vnwillyngly or with repenynge ? No teuly . But contrarywyffe they do signifye that willingly & with a good will , he dyd obaye the determinate ordinance off God his father , even vnto the deathe . The which thynge he hath not expressed vnto vs by wordes only , that he wolde dye for vs in obaynge the will off his father : but also he hath declared thesame by other iestures & signes . As when he comonynge with his apostelles the fyrst tyme , off the order off his deathe , saynge , that he must go vp to Ierusalem , Math. 16 & there suffer dyvers thynges of the elders , hyghe preistes & scrybes , & must be kylled , & raysed vp agayne the thyrde daye . Then Peter toke hym asyde and begaue to rebuke hym , saynge , master , favour thy selfe , this shall not happen vnto the. As who wolde saye , master for godes sake beware off them , & take hede lest they put the do deathe . O cursed wysdome off the fleshe , & humayne vnder standyng ? But let vs heare what the lorde dyd answer him . Dyd he saye vnto him ? Peter my frynde , the counsayle that thow gyvest me cannot prosede but from good will and harty love , yea it prosede the from that great & persyte amyte and frendshype which thow bearest vnto me , wherfor I will beleve the , and folowe it , yea I will beware off this generation , and will not come at Ierusalem . Iesus Christ dyd not make him this answere . But what then ? Be sayd vnto him , as it were in a great coller . Go after me Sathan , thow art offencyve vnto me , for thow saborest not the thynges that are off God , but thosse that are off men . Bere we may se how that he callethe his owne dissyple . Sathan , & adversarye to God , by cause he went about to dissuade him that he should be not dye , as God his father had ordayned it , & the prophetes testifyed . Ys not this then a most certayn sygne and token that he went willyngly vnto the deathe for vs ? The which thynge the prophetes dyd prophesye that had wrytten off him . And a mongest other , yff ye lyste to heare a certayne & trew testimonye , harken what the kynge off Ierusalem the prophet David sayethe , Psal. 40. spekynge in the person off Christe . Sacrifice & oblations thow woldest not haue ( sayeth he ) but myn eares hast thow opened ( that ys to saye ) thow hast made me obedient vnto the. Burnt of feinges & sacrifice for synne thow hast not required , then sayd I , Lo , I come , in the volume off the boke ( that ys to saye in the lawe off God ) it ys wrytten off me , that I shoulde fulfyll thy will , O my god , I am content to do it , & thy lawe ys with in my harte . This ys the testimone that David beareth off the Messias . The lyke thinge viterethe the Prophet Esaie , the trew Bomere off the prophetes . Esai . 50. The lorde God ( sayeth he ) hath opyned myneare , ( that ys to saye he hath gyuen me the gyfte off trew , perfite & voluntari obedience ) , & I cannot saye naye , nor with draw my selfe ( that ys to saye I haue not striven against his will ) but I haue offred my back vnto the smiters , & my chekes vnto the nyppers , I turne not my face from shame and spittynge and from them that wolde scratche me by thesame , for the lorde God ys my helper , and therfor shall I not be confounded , I haue hardened my face lyke a flynt stone , for I am sure , I shall not come to confusion . Behold my dere brytherin & fayghtfull frendes , be holde , in how fewe wordes , the perfite & voluntarye obedience off Iesus Christ ys dyrectly declared as wyll by David as by Esaias . But it ys no thinge to consider & knowe that Iesus the annoynted off the lorde hath volunfarely and willingly suffred all thynges , eya even deathe it selfe , yff we do not also narowly consider , one thinge , 1. Pet. 2. wheroff S. Peter dothe admonishe vs . And what ye that ? Iesus Christ ( sayeth he ) hath suffred for vs , levinge vs an example to folowe his fo●steppes . That ys to saye , that ye do as he hath done . It was requisite & necessarye that Ies Christ should suffer . But wherfor was it requisite ? By cause God had son ordayned it . And the holy scriptures so testified it . Wherfor to obaye the ordinance of god , and to accomplishe the holy scriptures he dyd suffer , & that gladly & willingly . But what then ? The ordinance off God dothe it tende no farther but only ouer the person off Iesus Chrisit ? Ephe. 1. 1. Cor. 11. Truly the ordinance & prouidence of God dothe extende ouer al thynges vniuersally , but chefly ow ᶜ vs that are the membres of Iesus Christe . And as the scriptures do speke principally off Iesus Christ , Rom. 10. who ys the accomplishment & ende off the lawe , even so also do they consequently speke of vs , Collo . 1. Ephe. 2. who by grace are made one with him . But what ys the ordynance off God ouer ve ? He hath ordained that we do fyrst suffer with Christe before we shal be glorified with him .

For he hath predestinate vs to be lyke vnto his sonne , in that by the crosse he ys entred into his glorie , & not otherwysse .

And therfor . s . Paul hauynge respect vnto this immutable ordinance , writtinge vnto the Romaines , saiethe . Roma. 8. The spiret of god rendrethe testimonie vnto oure spiret that we are the childerin off God , yff we be childerin then are we also heires , the heires I meane of God & coheriters with Christ , yff so be ( sayth . s . Paul ) that we do suffer with him , that we may be also glorified to gyther with him . Consider I pray you herin the minde off . S. Paul . who plainly affirmethe that we haue no part with Christ in glorie , vnles we do participate with him in miserie . And againe witting to Timothe , 2 Tim. 2. It is a trew sainge ( saith . S. Paul ) yff we dye with him , we shall also lyve with him , yff we be paciente , we shal also raigne with him yff we denye him , he shall also denye vs .

This ys the ordinance & determination of God ouer vs . But now let is se what the scripture speketh off vs , that scripture ( I say ) which in all thinges ys confirmable to the ordinance of God , the which also ( to speke more properly ) ys no thynge els but an expressive regester off the divine & all mighty ordinance off the lorde . 1. Tim. 2. But what saieth this scripture concernynge vs ? It saieth . Marc. 9. Euery man shal be salted with fyre , & euery sacrifice shal be sesoned with salt . What ys that to saye ? I take it , as yff the lord had sayed . God sayed in the lawe off Moises , all thy sacrifices shal be sesoned with salt , Leuiti. ● . nether shalt thow take a waye the salt off the covenant off thy God from off the sacrefice , but thow shalt offer salt on all thyne oblations .

Wherby it ys apparant that it was requisite in the lawe that euery sacrefice should be sesoned with salt . Even so ys it necessarye , sayeth oure savioure Iesus Christe . that euery man , who ys also a sacrefice . be salted with fyre , that ys to saye , it behovethe euery man that dothe dedicate hi selfe vnto god , or with out faynynge doth truly imbrace the christean religion , that he be sprynkled & salted with tribulation , I meane , that he be persecuted & beare his crosse . This ys it truly that Christe teatethe when as he sayde , Ioh. 16. ye shall haue afflyction in this worlde . 2. Tim. 2. This ys it , that . S. Paul by expresse wordes declare the saynge . All thosse that wyll lyve godly in Christ Iesus must suffer persecution .

This ys that purgatorye wherof . s . Paul dothe admonyshe vs in his epistell to the Corynthes , 1. Cor. 3. in thesse wordes . Every mans worke shall appare , for the day off the lorde ( that ys to saye , the tyme off afflyction ) shall declare it . Which shal be showed in fyre , & the fyre ( that ys to saye the crosse ) shall trye euery mans worke what it ys . For this cause also , the Autor off the boke that we call Ecclesiasticus , sayeth . Eccle. 2. My sonne when thow comest into the seruyce off God , kepe thy selfe in ryghtousnes and fere , & prepare thy soull to suffer temptation . Wher vnto ys to be refarred the saynge off Iesus Christ , Iff any man wyll folowe me , Luc 9. let hym renounte & forsake hym selfe & take vp his crosse and folowe me . For as he sayeth in . S. Mathew , Math. 10. be that dothe not take vp his crosse , & folowe me , ys not worthy off me . What ys that to saye ? He ys not worthy off me ? It ys to saye , as wytnesseth . S. Luc , he cannot be my dyssyple , he cannot be a chrystean . For a chrystean beleve the a christean hopethe , a christean lovethe , a christean suffrethe gladly for the glory off God , and who so euer dothe not so , he ys no thynge lesse than a christean . Behold here trow , my brytherin & most dere fryndes , behold I saye the ordynance of God , behold also what the most certayne & holy scryptures dothe teache conseruynge oure estate . And truly all vertyous and godly men that haue byn syns the begynynge , haue perfe●●ly tasted and felte , the effycacie & power of this diuine ordinance , which ys all to gyther voyde off mutacion . And they haue knowen by experience , the truther off Godes worde , which promiseth vnto vs in this worlde no thynge but the crosse , Act. 14. saynge that by many tribulations we must enter into the kyngdom off heaven . But how and wherin haue they felte the power off this his prouidence ? How haue they experimented the effecte off this his holy worde ? Well I nought . For all they to gyther with out any exception haue byn afflycted & yll entreated off the wordlynges . The which thynge to be trewe , Iudeth . 8. the holy woman Iudethe dothe witnesse the same vnto vs in hyr boke , where as she sayethe : All the fayght full that in tyme past haue pleased God , haue passed by many tribulations . And yff ye ly●e to beholde the examples off theyre lyffe , Ye shall fynde no thynge more certayne . Gene. 4. Math. 23. Tell me I pray you ? Abel , whom Iesus Christ calleth ryghtous , was he not persecuted ? When as his owne brother dyd most cruelly morther him . Noye , who a wholl yere to gyther was inclosed in the arke vpon the waters , Gene. 7. with all manner off beasres , & a none after was deryded off his owne naturall so●ne , Rom. 4. Gene. 12.13.14.20.22 23. Gene. 19. had he no tribulation ? Abraham , whom . S. Paul callethe the father ( that ys to saye the example ) off all belevers , tasted he no adversyte ? Alas he never had here any other thynge . Loth also his ●●weu , suffred he no iniure 11. Sodome ? Isaac , had he not a great and marvelous temptation when as at the comaundment off God , Gene. 22. Abraham his father , who loved hym so tenderly , toke hym & bounde hym , Gene. 27 to make hym a sacrefice ? Iacob , was he not molesied & affacted by his brother Esau , when as he thrratened to ●yll hym ? Gene. 37.39 . And Ioseph , how was be entreted off his brytherin , what iniure ressayyed he by a lassyvyous woman , who falslie accused hym off adulterye ? But this crosse was the meanes off his exaltation and prefarment . And of Moyses , what shal we saye , it shal suffice to reherse , that which ys wrytten of hym in the epistell to the 〈◊〉 breus . To wyt , Hebr 11. Exod. 12. when Moyses was great , by fayght he refused to be called the sonne off Pharaos doughter , & chosse rather to suffer aduersite with the people off God , then to enioye the pleasures off synne for a season , & extemed the rebuke off Christe greater ryches , than the treasures of Egypte O Moyses , the trew seruant off God , thow dydest then consyder , that thynge , which syns the holy gost hathe vttred by the mouthe off Salomon kynge off Ierusalem , namly , prouer , 16 It is better to be persecuted with the humble , then to part the spoylle with the prowde & arrogant .

O that thow wart then byrectly led with that spiret , who syns thy tyme hath sayd vnto vs . I had rather be a dore keper in the howsse of God then to dwell in the tabernacles off the vnryghtous , that ys to saye I had rather beare the crosse with the people off God , then to raigne & tryumphe with his enymes , O godly mynde , O divine and christean affection . But let vs retorne to oure matter . Iosua the successor off Moyses , Iosua . 1.10 . ( to whosse voyce the lorde God obayed when he stayed the course off the Sonne ) dyd he enter into the lande off promys with out crosse & tribulation ? Iudh. 4. The scriptures recorde the contrary .

And Debora beynge a most vertuous woman , & most iustly governynge the people off God , had not the aduersite , as well as the other ? Yea that she had , and yet not wyt standynge she showed hyr selfe more vertuous & worthy , then the men off hyr tyme . The lorde gyve now vnto wymen , the hart of Sebora . Also Ierobaal other wyffe called Gedeon , Iudg. 6. was he exempted from aduersyte ? I report me to the boke off the Iudges . Lykwyffe Sampson whom the lorde had blyshed , Iudg. 16. was not he afflycted by the philistians , who puttyng out his eyes , they made theyre foule off hym ? Saynt Paul in the .13 . chapter off the Ac●es beare the wytnes , that God found Dauid a man after his owne harte . And yet not withstandyng all the lyffe of Dauid well consydered , 1. Sam. 19 20 21.22 . 2. Sam. 15 was no thynge els but trouble , affliction & aduersite . What suffred he at the hande off Saul ? What suffred he by his sonne Absolon , whom he loued so enterely ? Yea he suffred so many thynges & so grevous to be borne , that it cannot be expressed . And yet in this perpetuall crosse , in thesse quotidian afflictions , in theis contyneuall tormentes as well of the soull as of the bodye , how dyd Dauid behaue hym selfe ? What sayd he ? He sayd , I am redy , that the lorde do with me , as it semethe vnto hym best . I am redy to beare paciently & with a good wyll all that it shall please hym to sende me . O saynge worthy off recordation in the hart off a christian . O voyce all to gyther heavenly . O fl●sse perfytly beaten downe , or rather all to gyther mortyfyed by the myghty mallet and power off the sprete , able to ouerthrowe mountaynes . To the which saynge agreethe the wordes of Hely the prest . 1. Sam. 3. To whom when Samuel had shewed the rewyne off his howsse , he answered , He ys the lorde , let hym do , what it best semeth vnto hym . O that the Soules off thosse men are most fortunate , whose carnall affections and flesly cogitations , the fyre off Godes spirete hath so perfytly consumed , and brought to this pas , that they can willingly saye vnto the lorde there God , O God thow art master do with vs what so euer is pleaseth the , thy will be done . But thesse men before mensioned , dyd they for al theyre persecutions , at any tyme forsake the lorde , or be came slacke in well doynge ? No truly , Tob. 3 whervnto I appele as a wyttnes the good Tobias who diuers wayes was afflicted , & yet not withstandynge all his afflictions , dyd neuer forsake the waye off verite and truthe . I produce also to witnes the fayghtfull Iob , off whom ye haue hard the affliction and pacience . Iob. 23.

What saye ye also to al the prophetes who haue borne a bout the worde off verite ? We will saye off them that which Iesus Christ dothe teache vs , when as he sayed vnto his dissiples , and in them to vs .

Blyssed are ye , when men revyle you , & saye all manner off evell saynges agaynst you for my names sake , Math. 5. reioyse & beglad , for great ys your reward in heaven , for so persecuted they the prophetes which were before you . But what ? dyd they persecute some of the prophetes , and lefte other some vn afflicted ? No. They haue vniuersally persecuted them all , with out any exception . The which thynge to be trew , ys evydent by the wordes off . S. Sthephen . Act. 7. Which off the prophetes ys there ( sayth he ) whom your fathers haue not persecuted , from the fyrst vnto the last . And not only the prophetes , but Iohn also , who was more than a prophet , even suche a one ( as wytnesseth Iesus Christ ) as there was not a greater borne a mongest the childeren off women . Math. 11 Ther was no prophet greater then Iohn Baptisie , and yet was he persecuted . But how was he persecured ? They dyd vnto hym all to gyther what so euer they wolde , and yet was he that Helias as testifieth Iesus Christ that was promysed to come . Math. 17 Here we haue no small occasion to staye oure selves , & diligently to consyder the profounde and admirable Iudgment off the lorde . For. S. Iohn was a most holy and vertuous man , he sought in all thynges the glory off God , he neuer dyd iniure to any man lyvynge , he was a man all to gyther inreprehensible . And yet all this not withstandynge , the lorde gave hym ouer into the handes of his enymes , to erecute theyre tyrannye vpon hym , Math. 3. Marc. 1. Iohn . 1. the which thynge also he most paciently suffred . Ought we then to be abashed & marvayll yff he suffer vs wreched synners to faull into the handes off oure aduersaryes & capitall enymes ? Or rather how myche ovght we hyghly to thanke hym , for his gentyll correction , & paciently endure thesame . Truly my fryndes it ys oure duty so to do . But it ys but a small thynge that the enymes off the faygh dyd vnto saynt Iohn , all thought they dyd what so ever they coulde . For they dyd vnto Iesus Christ the soune off God , what so ever they wolde , As he hym selfe prophesied before in saynt Mathew , saynge , Math. 17 I saye vnto you , that Helias ys come all redy , & they knew hym not , but haue done vnto hym what so ever they lusted , in lykewysse also shal the sonne off man suffer off them . But who ys this sonne off man ? The sonne off man in this place ys to saye the sonne off God , Math. 1 the only & trew Messias , that ys to saye the only & trew savioure off the worlde , to be breffe , it ys Iesus Christ hym self who spake it , who only a boue all other ys most worthy to be called man , or the sonne off man , not by cause off his humylyte and abiection , not by cause he ys not borne off man and woman as other ate , but for by cause that he only ( who ys bothe God and man ) ys the honoure , the glorie , and the perfyte savyoure off the humayne nature , for it ys he only that hath repayred and restored thesame agayne into his perfection , it ys he that makethe men , perfyte men , for with out hym , man ys , no ma● , that ys to saye , the image of god , but a beaste & worse then a beaste , yea the perfyte image of the devell . And this man , this sonne off man , who only ys the perfyte man , Math. 1. and also ( Emmanuel ) that ys to saye God with vs , and consequently the glorye of man , was gyven into the handes of synners , to th ende that they myght do with hym what so euer they wolde , that ys to saye , what so euer God his father had before ordayned off hym to be done : and they dyd it . Now my brytherin and fryndes I do demande off you ? Yff God the eternall father hath not spared his owne proper sonne , as sayeth Gaynt Paul , but hathe abandoned hym to the wyll off synners . Ought we to thynke it strange yff he do gyve vs into the handes off synners , ( we wiche are also synners ) to th ende we may be made confirmable and lyke vnto his sonne , Rom. 8. accordig to his determination before the fondatious off the earthe . And tell me , I beseche you , ys a sholler abone his master , or a seruant greater then his lorde whom he seruethe ? Or rather ought not the skoller to be contented when as he ys intreated as his master , and the seruant as his lo●de . Gyve eare I praye to a worthy sentence that a certayne christean hath spoken in oure tyme .

O saruantes , do ye thynke , that it behoue the you to rest and take youre ease , when as the lorde dothe trauaylle & take payne ? Truly all the faughfull seruantes and good christeans that were in the tyme off Iesus christ , and also syns his deathe , haue had no reste , but haue all wayes trabyled : they haue all byn persecuted , as was theyr master : wheroff he warned them also beforre hande , Marh . 10. Mar. 13. saynge , yff they haue persecuted me , even so wyll they persecute you . Wherfor yff the worlde dyd make warre agaynst the master , ys it reason that we his seruantes lyve 〈◊〉 peace and pleasure ? Or rather ys it possible that we should not suffer , seynge the master hath suffred ? Who euer knewe the members in healthe , & the heade sycke ? who euer harde off any shuche shynge ? And forther more yff the prynce hym selfe go vnto the warres for the comen wealthe off his contrye : ys he not altogyther a cowarde and a dastard , that sekethe hys ease at home , and wyll not accompany his prince , who willyngly de the abandon hym selfe to emynent danger for the vtilite off the comen wealthe . Bow myche more , yff the sonne off God , Ebr. 12. who ys oure only prince be in his owne person in the batayll , armed at all poyntes , are we fayghfull seruantes , are we worthy soldiours , are we trew christeans , yff we do not accompany hym ? And yff all ouer companyons be about oure prince , berynge the brounte off the battayll with hym , and we tarrynge behynde , do we not meryte to be erpulsed his bande & felowsbyppe , to be rased on t off the boke off lyffe , and to be reprobated and accursed for euer ? Truly , we deserue no thynge els , and then so shall it happen vnto vs . Barken I besyche you , what the angell off the lorde God sayeth in the boke off the iudges . Curse ye the Lyte of Meros ( sayeth the angell of the lorde , curse the inhabiters therof , by cause they came not forthe to helpe the lorde , neyther to helpe the myghty . Here may ye se a most certayne malediction and cursse vpon shuche as are slacke and neclegent to assyst the lorde in the tyme off tribulation . In tyme past also when Gedeon made warre agaynst the Madianites , he lefte be hynde hym and dyd not call the men off Ephraim to assyst hym , wher for they were grevouslye offended with hym , Iudg. 7. & kendlyd in shuche indignation , that it wanted lytell that they had not oultraged & dystroyed hym . Why hast thow serued vs thus ( sayed they ) that thow calledest vs not with the , when thow wentest to fyght with the Madianites ? Ye may se that the men of Ephraim , dyd not desyre to tarry at home & seke theyr ease , when as theyr captayne Gedion with his armye was in perryll and in danger off the ennymes .

Lykwyse we reade in the boke off Samuel , 2. Sam. 11 that when David kynge off Ierusalem , was aduertised that Harsabe the wyffe off Vryas was with childe . He sent vnto his cheffe captayne Ioab , & commanded hym , to send him Vryas , who was as then in the campe amongest the other captaynes & soldiours off the kynge . When Vryas was come , and after the kynge had inquyred off him the estate off his armye , he sayd to Vryas , go into thy howsse , & washe thy fette . And Vryas ( as sayeth the hystorye ) departed out of the kynges howsse , and there followed hym a seruyce ffrom the kynges table .

But Vryas slepte at the gate off the kynges pallace with other off his lordes seruantes , and went not downe into his howsse : off the which thynge , when kynge Dauid was informed , he sayed to Vryas , are not thow come from the fylde ? why then doest not thow go downe into thy howsse ? But now I besyche you brytheren , gyve eare and consyder dylygently , the worthy answer off Vrias , the which truly ys worthy off perpetuall commendation , and neuer to be forgotten .

But what sayde he ? The arck off God & Israell & Iuda dwell in the tentes ( sayeth he ) my lord Ioab , and the seruantes off my lorde , lye vpon the face of the earthe , and shall I then go into myn howsse , to eate and dryncke , & to lye with my wyffe ? for thy healthe and for the healthe of thy Soule I wyll not do this thynge . O moste excellent , whorthy , and vertious man . O constant mynde neuer werye off troble and payne . O saynge neuer to be forgotten . For he wold not take his case , when it was tyme to travayll : but wolde go with the rest , & beare his parte off the burden . Ys it lawfull them , for vs , brytherin , to seke oure ease , and to refuse to suffer , seynge that all oure companyons haue suffred , and do suffer , & also our only hedd Iesus Christ with them ? There ys no apparant excuse why we shoulde do so . Iphe 2.4 Iom. 12. Wherfor David in his tyme spekynge in the person off Christe , & off his mystycall bodye , that ys to saye , of vs , he sayd , I am ordayned to be wypped and beaten . And. S. Peter in his fyrst epistell sayeth the lyke . 1. Pet. 2. Yff for well doynge ( sayeth he ) ye suffer wronge , and take it pacyently then ys there thanke with God , for there vnto veryly were ye called . Consyder ernestly , derely beloved thesse . 2. sentences . Dauid affirmethe that we are ordayned to be afflicted , and G. Peter sayethe that we are called to suffer . Namly to suffer paciently , & that for ryghtousnes sake . Math. 5. Ys there any excuse then , why we should refuse paciently to suffer for ryghtousnes sake , seynge we are there vnto ordayned and called of god ? Ought we to refuse , wyllyngly to drynke off that cupe that God our father hath ordayned and gyven vnto der that were no perfyte obedience to the diuine ordynance . Math. 2● . That were no dyrecte followynge off oure vocation . That were no trew expression off the example off the sonne off God oure only hope . 1 Tim. 1. Ti●● . 2 That were no thynge confirmable vnto this order of prayer , Oure father thy will be done . To conclude , that were no waye to declare oute selfes to be christeans , but rather to manyfest our selves enymes and aduersa●yes to the most holy and tyghtons wyll off God : Yea it were no thynge els but dyrectly to mourmure agaynst God . It ys written in the boke of Iudgethe , how that thosse that resayved not the temptatione , Iudg. 8. with the fere off God , but put them selfe forthe with vnpaciencye and murmorynge agaynst God , peryshed off the dystroyer , and were slayne off serpentes . Do we thynke then to escape the extermination and ponyshment off God yff we become murmorers & repyners agaynst his determinate ordinance & pleasure ? In sekynge meanes to avoyde the crosse , which he dothe present vnto vs , for the glorie of his name , and oure commodite ? Alas O lorde , Act. 5. Gal 6. 2. tim. 4. so miserable ys oure estate & condyssion , and so greatly doth it dyffer from oure Ancesters and fathers . For the Apostels and fyrste christeans , dyd reioyse , when God dyd them this honoure , as to suffer iniurye & persecution ffor the name off Iesus Christe . And they dyd not reioyse with out a cause , Math. 5. for as mythe as the scripture saye the. Blyssed are ye , yff ye suffer any thynge for ryghtousnes sake , eya blyssed are ye when men revyle you , and persecute you , and shall falsly saye all manner off evell saynges agaynst you for my sake , reioyse and be glad , for great ys your reward in heaven , that ys to saye , the kyngdom of heaven ys yours , as he sayd a lytell before . Blyssed are thesse that suffer persecution for ryghtousnes sake , for theyrs ys the kyngdom off heaven . Thesse confortable wordes & saynges of oure savyoure Iesus Christ , beynge fyrinly imbraced and credyted off the apostelles and prymatyve christeans , moved them boldly and stoutly to imbrace the crosse , in willyngly submittynge thē self● vnder the same . For they had a mest●eltayne assurance founded vpon the omnipotent verytable worde off the sonne off God . 1. Cor. 3. That in so doynge they were happy and blyssed , and that they should haue parte in the consolations , & glorye off Iesus Christe , as thei had participated with hym in his tribulations . But are we christeans of thesse dayes , come to this Issew ? Haue we avansed oure selfes so farre ? or do we as they dyd ? Alas , no. The lorde be mercyfull vnto vs . For that cursed loue of oure selues , surmounteth in vs the love off God . And the affection that we haue vnto fryvolous and transitore thynges that are permanent and eternall ) do cause vs to haue in hatred , Math. 10.16.20 . Mat. 8. Luc. 9 the persecution and crosse , which the sonne off God hym selfe hath with saffed to beare , before vs , and for vs . And what may be the cause heroff , I pray you ? But only oure incredulyte for that we do not fyrmly beleve the worde off God , which his owne sonne hath most fayghtfully testified vnto vs . This vicious loue , and this damnable affection , which doth so drawe vs , from the thynges where vnto we are called , can they prosede from any other thynge , then from a diffidence and mystrust that we haue in the saynges and promyses of the sonne off God ? I report me to your consyerces : Truly the apostles and prymatyve churche who were perfyte christeans . And dyd fayghtfully beleue the saynges of the sonne of God . They dyd not governe them selfes on this sorte , but suffred gladly for Iesus Christ , and for the testimonye of his gospell , when it pleased the good will off God , that they should be afflicted . They dyd neuer disswade one another to suffer , but contrarywysse , they dyd anymate & bolden one another even to the very deathe . Paraduenture ye wyll answer me , and saye , all this ys trew , we acknowlege . But the crosse off the Apostles and off the fyrst chrysteans , was not so hard , so cruell , nor so evell to be borne : As ys the crosse that God layeth vpon oure shoulders in thesse dayes . Wherfor they bare theyre crosse easely , and we wyth more payne . O vnadvysed saynge , O obiection worthy off reproffe . Do we supposse that the crosse off the Apostles and prymatiue christeans , was easy to be borne ? I praye you , let vs take the payne , to consyder what was theyre crosse , and that done , we shall easely deserne which ys the more grev user . Trulye yff we wolde with a syngle eye consyder all thynges , we should fynde that we al togyther dyd new suffer the tenthe part of the payne & trouble that . S. Paul hym selfe only dyd taste and endure . And therfor dothe he boste hym selfe , that he ys a better seruant off Iesus Christ , than were , a certayne kynde off falls prophetes amongest the Corrinthians , off when he maketh mension . Wherfor yff it please you , let vs here him selfe speake . 2. Cor. 11. They are the ministers off Christ ( sayeth he ) I am more , in labours more abondant , in strypes aboue measure , in prison more plentiouse , in peryll off death often , off the Iewes fyve tymes ressayved I forty strypes saue one , thrisse was I beaten with roddes , I was ons stoned , I suffred thrysse shypwrake , nyght and day haue I byn in the depe see , in iorneynge often , in perylles off waters , in perylles of robbers , in ieoperdes of myn owne nation , in ieoperdes amongest the heathen , in perylles in the Cyte , in perylles in the wildernes , in perylles in the sea in perylles amongest fals brytherin , in labour & travayll , in watchynge often , in honger & thyrst , in fastynge often , in colde & nakednes , besyde the thiges that outwardly happen vnto me . Here may you se , what saynt Paul dyd suffer ffor the testimonie off Iesus Christe . 2. Cor. 1. And in an other place he sayethe . Britherin I woulde not have you ignorant , off oure trouble which happened vnto vs in Asia , for we were greued out off measure passyng strength so greatly that we dyspayred even off lyffe . Also we ressayved an answer off deathe in oure selfes , that we should not put oure trust in oure selfes , but in god , which raisethe the dead to lyffe agayne , and which delyuered vs from so great a deathe , and dothe delyuer , on whom we trust , that yet here after he will delyver , by the helpe off your prayers for vs , that by the meanes off many persons , thankes may begyuen off many on oure behalfe , for the gifte gyuen vnto vs . Here may ye se ( my fryndes ) here maye ye se the crosse off Saynt Paul , here may ye se what he hath suffred , and yet this ys not all . For he hath suffred manye other thynges as wytnessethe the boke off the Actes off the Apostles , and fynally be suffred deathe for the witnessynge off Iesus Christ . For there more . S. Paul hath not only made mencion , off that which he dyd suffer himselfe , but also he hath made rehersall off the estate off the other apostles off his tyme . Wherfor , for Godes sake harken what he sayeth off them to the Corinthians , 2. Cor. 4. Truly I beleue ( sayeth he ) that god hath set vs forthe , ( we which are the last apostels ) as it were men appoynted to deathe , for we are a gasyng stocke vnto the worlde , and to the angelles & to men , we are folles for chrystes sake , but ye are wysse through christe . We are weake , but ye are stronge . Ye are honorable , but we are dyspysed .

Even vnto this tyme we hounger and thurste and are naked and are buffyted with fystes , and haue no certayne dwellyng place , and labour workynge with oure owne handes . We are reuyled , and yet we blysse , we are persecuted , and suffer it , we are evell spoken off , and we praye , we are made as it were the fylthynes off the worlde and the off , scowrynge off all thynges even vnto this daye . That ys to saye we are no lesse detestable vnto the worlde , then were thosse that the gentylles dyd customablye throwe into the watter for the preseruation off the commen wealthe . And in a nother place he saythe . We are troubled on euery syde , yet are we not forsaken , we are in povertye , but yet not vtterly with out some what , We suffer persecution , but are not relynquythed therin . We are cast downe , neuerthelesse we peryshe not . We all wayes beare about in our bodyes the mortification of the lorde Iesus , that the lyffe off Iesus myght appere in oure bodyes , for we which lyde , are all wayes delyvered vnto deathe for Iesus sake , that the lyffe off Iesus myght also appere in oure mortall fleshe . Now haue ye harde what . S. Paul testifyeth off his estate and off the other apostles . Now I besyche you gyne eare vnto that he wrytethe off the estate off all the sayntes in generall , that is to saye off all the electe & trew chylderin of God by Iesus Christe . Throught fayght ( sayeth he ) they haue subdewed kyngdomes , Hebr. 11. wrought ryghtousnes , obtayned the promys , stopped the mouthes off lyons , quenched the violence off fyre , escaped the edge off the sworde , out off weaknes they were made stronge , waxed valiant in fyght , turned to flyght the armes off the aliantes , the wymen ressayded theyre dead to lyffe agayne : Other were racked & woulde not be delyvered , that they myght inheryte a better resurrection : Agayne other were tryed with mockynges and skornynges , more over with bondes , and prisonment , were stoned , were hewen a sonder , were tempted , were slayne with the sworde , walked vp and downe in shepskyns , and gotskyns , beynge destitute , troubled and vexed , they wandred in wyldernes , in mountaynes and in caves off the earthe , off which men , the worlde was not worthy off . Beholde the lyffe , beholde the estate and intretyng off the childerin off God , durynge the tyme they were in this worlde , Ys there any greater temptations , then thesse which we haue hard rehersed ? And yet neuer the lesse Iesus Christ and his membres before vs haue suffred them . But in all thesse extreme temptations how dyd they behaue them selves ? Were they at ony tyme astoyned or dyscomforted ? No , truly . As wytnesseth . S. Paul , saynge . Blyssed be God the ffather off oure Lord Iesus Christe which ys the father off mercye & God off all consolation , 2. Cor. 1. which conforteth vs in all our tribulations in so myche that we are able to confort them that are in any manner of trouble , even with the● same comfort , that we oure selfes are conforted off God , for as the afflictions off Christ are plentious in vs : even so ys our consolation plentious by Christe . Cor. 12. I●em he sayeth in a nother place . Therfor wyll I very gladly reioysse in myn infirmites that the strenght off Christ may dwell in me , Therfor haue I my delectation , in infirmites and in rebukes , in necessites , in persecutions and in anguyshes for christes sake , for when I am weake , then am I stronge . Here by it ys apparant that G. Paul was not dyseomforted not dyscorraged in the middes off his tribulations , but suffred all thynges very gladly & quyetly , even very deathe for the testimony of the truthe : he wold not also that his frindes should be moued or troubled for any thynge that myght happen vnto hym , but rather that they should reioyse with him . The which confortable lesson he truly lerned in the most floryshynge skolle off his master Iesus Christ , who sayed vnto his dyssiples , Let not your hartes be greved , neyther fere , ye haue hard how I sayed vnto you , Ioh. 14. I go and come agayne vnto you , yff ye loued me ye wold verely reioyse , bycause I go vnto my father . The which thinge truly the dissiples dyd showe in the ende , that they dyd love hym vnfaynedly : For after that he was visibley departed from them as towchynge his bodyly presence , and assended vp into the heavens , wheras he remaynethe resedent vnto this hower , lyvynge and raignynge & prayng for vs . They retorned vnto Ierusalem with great ioye and gladnes as testyfyeth G. Luc. Act. 1. But dyd Paul and the other apostles only reioysse in tribulation ? Al the other christeans who haue suffred for the veryte sake , dyd not they also reioysse in beringe theyre crosse . Yeas , truly , thankes be giuen vnto oure god . The which thing . G. Paul , spekinge as wel of other as of hym selfe dothe sufficiently declare , saynge . We do not only glory , in the glore off the sonne of God , but also we do glorie in tribulation . As who wold saye , we christeans are not off that opinion , that the worldly men are of , for worldly men do hate and deteste all tribulations , & call them evelles , Thynkyng it an evell , odious & shamfull thynge to suffer ▪ persecution . But contrarywysse the trew christeans , do glorye and reioysse in all theyre persecutions . That ys to saye they are assured that theyre persecutions , make for theyre glorye , honestye , wealthe , vtilite , and synguler profyte : For the which cause they do glory in suffrynge , Iam. 1. and do reioysse . For. G Iames in the name off God dothe coman̄de them to do so , saynge . My brytherin extyme it an excedyng ioye , when you fal into dyuers temptations . 1. pet. 4. G. Peter also exhorteth them vnto thesame thynge , when he sayethe , dearly beloued maruell not that ye are provyd by fyre ( which thing ys to trye you ) as thought some strange thynge happyned vnto you : But reioysse , in as myche as ye are pertakers of christes passions , that when his glory apperethe , ye may be mery and glade . For truly all christeans , yff they be in very de de christeans , do not only reioysse & glorye in theyre tribulations , but also they gyve harty thankes vnto God , & therin praysse his holy name . In which doynge they folowe the example off the .iij. chylderin that beinge throwen into the fornace , bounde , Dany . 3. walkynge in the myddes off a great fyre , dyd gyve thankes , prayse and glorifye the lorde . They also folowe the example off Iob , Iob. 1. who sayed , yff we haue ressayued good thynges at the handes off God , why not e●ell also ? The lorde hath gyven , and the lorde hath taken awaye , even as it pleasethe the lorde , so ys it come to pas , blyssed be the name off the lorde . S. Peter also dothe gyve them in comandment to do the lyke , saynge , 1. Pet. 4. Yff ye be rayled vpon for the name off Christe happye are ye , for the glorye and the spirit off God resteth vpon you , but se that none off you do suffer as a mortherer , or as a theefe , or an evell doer , or as a busy body in other mens matters , yff any man suffer as a christean , let hym not be ashamed , but let hym glorifye God on his behalffe . But wherfor ys it , that the christeans , do so greatly reioyse in theyre tribulations ? And do gyve thankes and praysse the name off God in the myddes off theyre afflictions ? G. Paul in his Epistell to the Romaynes dothe gyve vs a playne resolution theroff in thesse wordes We knowe ( fayeth he ) that tribulation bryngethe pacyence , Roma . ● . pacience bryngethe experience , experience bryngethe hope , & hope maketh vs not ashamed , by cause the love off God ys shede a brode ●n cure hartes , by the holy goste which ys gyven vnto vs . What meanethe this sayn Tribulation bryngethe pacyence ? ys ) it the nature off tribulation to make all men pacient indifferently , that are afflicted and troubled ? ( No truly . ) For yff tribulation naturallye dyd worke pacience in all them that are troubled , them should be all men generallye paciently heare theyre tribulations . But euery one dothe not so . For we do se at thys tyme the most part off men mourmer and grudge with out a cause , and folyslye complayne in theyre afflictions and aduersites . What haue I done ( saye they ) ? Wherin haue I offended ? Lan thesse wordes prosede from a pacient harte that willyngly dothe submyte hym selfe vnder the most iust iudgment off God ? It ys certayne that it can not . And therfor it semethe that the Apostell , here speke the agaynst the experience that we haue off thynges . But on the othersyde yf we do diligently waye to who me he here spekethe , namly vnto the christeans , he beynge also a christean , we shal easely gather , where vnto the tendethe .

For it behoueth vs to consyder and vnderstande that the tribulations whereoff he now treatethe , are not the tribulations off the worldlynges . But rather they are the tribulations off the electe and trew childerin off God , whosse properiyes he here declarethe , and sayeth . What tribulation ( that ys to saye ) the tribulation off o christean , bryngethe pacyence . But , which waye ? A christean man that seethe hym selfe troubled and afflicted , vnderstandeth forth with that his tribulation dothe not happen to him by fortune or chaunce , for he ys not off that vnhappy and dainnable feet off infideles that bare denye the diuine prouidence off God , laying as we reade in the boke of Ieremyes lamentacions That from the mouthe off the lorde prose dethe neyther good not evell . Lament. 3. The lorde seethe vs not , Ezech. 9. he hath forsaken the ear the. And as it ys written in the boke of Iob. Tushe , how should God knowe ? dothe his dominion reache beyonde the cloudes ? Iob. 22. Tushe , the cloudes cover hym that he may not se , for he dwelle the aboue the scyrcie off the heavens . All thesse wordes or rather blasphemes , signifye no thynge els , nor tende to none other ende , but to make vs beleve , that God , that hath made heaven and ear the doth not entermedel with humayne and earthely thynges , And that it ys not he that sendethe vnto man good and evell , prosperite & aduersite , which we tast in this lyffe . But a trew christe and doth not gyve any credyte vnto so pestilent and diabolicall a lye . For , to thynk off God , a thynge so myche vnworthy his maiestye ys not the worke off a christean , but off an Epicurian or of an Aristoteler . A christean man gyvethe reuerence vnto the worde off God , in belevynge & fyrmly dwellyng vpon the same , all thought al the vniuersall worlde wolde contensiouslye affirme the contrarye . And the worde off God sayethe . Tua pater prouidentia ab initio cuncta gubernat . O father ( sayethe the scripture ) thy prouidence gouernethe all thynge from the begyuynge . And agayne if sayethe . Who ys he there that sayethe that any thynge ys done , with out the comandment off the lorde . Forther more the lorde our God spekynge by the mouthe of the prophet Esaias saye the. Esai . 45. I am the lorde , and there ys none other besyde me , fformynge the lyght , and creatyng the darcknes , makynge peace , and creatynge evell , yea I am the lorde that dothe al thesse thinges sayeth the all myghty God . Deut. 32. And in Seutrend he sayethe , behold , I am the God alone , and there ys none but I. I kyll and wyll make alyve agayne , I wounde and I wyll heale agayne . And also Tobias hauynge respect vnto this sentence , sayed vnto the lorde , Great art thow ( o sorde ) for euer more , and thy kyngdome worlde with ont ende , for thow skourgest , & healeste thow leadest vnto hell , and bryngest out agayne , and there ys none that maye escape thy hande . Where vnto agreethe the author off the Ecclesiasticus saynge , Eccle. 11. prosperite & aduersyte , lyffe and deathe pouertye and ryches , come all off the lorde . And to that ende dothe the prophet Amos enquyre saynge , Dothe there any evel happen in the cyte , Amos. 3.8 . that the lorde hath not wrought ? Vse thy ryches in the dayes off prosperite ( sayeth Iesus the sonne off Syrach ) and haue pacience in the tyme off aduersite , for even as God hath made the one , even so hathe he made the other . All thesse textes , and other infinite contayned in the holy scriptures declare sufficiently , that the worlde ys not gouerned by forture and chaunce , as the infideles dare affirme , and that agaynst the evydent testimonie and iudgement off theire owne consyences , which witnesseth vnto them that the worlde ys all to gyther gouerned by the only prouidence off God : And that as well ryches , as pouertye , good and evell , that ys to say● , all tribulations , persecutions , losses , afflictions , turmentes , and miseryes that we suffer , doth only prosede from God , and that by the will , ordinance and commandment off God , who dothe all in all thynges , accordynge to the counsayll off his owne wyll . Wherfor when that a man , that ys a christean , dothe persayve him selfe in any respect afflicted , in what sort so euer it be , he dothe not doute , but ys certaynly persuaded that it ys god hym selfe that doth afflicte hym . In sendyng hym that same tribulation that he hathe : and that all the wycked men off the worlde , yea even the develles and all other creaturee , that seme to afflycte , are no thynge els but the roddes and ministers off his diuine will and ordinance , as it ys wrytten in the prophet Esaias , Esai . 10. Assur , ys the rod of my furye , and my staffe . Also in the ▪ 54. chapter the lord sayethe , Beholde I create the smythe that bloweth the colles in the fyre , and he maketh a weapon after his owne handy worke , and I mak● also him that kylleth to dystroye . A christean man now ys sufficiently assured that his tribulation ys all to gyther a worke off God , and doth not only consyder , that it ys God that afflictethe , but also the ende where vnto he tendythe by afflic●●̄ge him . But which waye should he knowe it ? By the scriptures only , for the scriptures doth not only most certaynly assure hym , that it ys God , that afflictethe , But also when that God afflictethe , he doth it not off hatred , nor for any pleasure that he takethe in oure affliction , as testifiethe the boke off wysoome , which sayethe , Sap. 1. That God hatethe no thynge of that he hath made , neyther takethe he pleasure in the distruction off the lyvynge . The which thynge also Tobias confessethe in thesse wordes , Lorde , Tob. 3. thow takest no pleasure in oure perdiction . The which thynge also the lorde hym selfe confirmethe by the mouthe off his prophet Ezechiel , I will not the deathe off a synnet ( saeth he ) but rather that he torne and lyve . Ezech. 18. A christean man then , that belevethe all that the scripture teacethe , doth not thynke that God dothe afflicte hym for any pleasure that he taketh to se hym suffer , ( for that were the affection off 〈◊〉 tyrant ) neyther yet by cause he hateth● hym in any respecte , but rather he ys pe●fytly perswaded that God afflicteth hym , by cause he lovethe hym . For he sayeth hym selfe . Prouer. 3 Ebr. 12. Ego quoscunqe amo , arguo et castigo , that ys to saye , I do reprehende and chasten , all them that I love . I ys necessarye then that all thosse that god lovethe , Apoc. 3. and chefly thosse that he lovethe in Iesus Christe , be chastyned . But wherfor dothe he chastyce thens Bycause that he lovethe them . But how myche dothe god love them ? How myche lesse dothe he love them , then he loved his only sonne Iesus Christe ? He lovethe them as his chi●derin for christes sake , and he that belevethe not that , dothe denye the verite spoken by Iesus Christe , who spekynge off thosse that throught the prechynge off the apostles should beleve in hym , sayed to his father . O father thow hast loved them , as thow hast loved me . And Iesus Christe● how myche dothe he love them ? Ioh. 17. Harken what he sayethe in the gospel of . S. Iohn . As my father hathe loved me , Ioh. 15. ( sayeth he ) even so do I love you . O assured promys , O saynge off great consolation , to all thosse that fayghtfully beleve thesame . O confortable wordes which beynge well vnderstanded and surely fyxed in a christean mans hart by the excellent and supernaturall hammer off fayght , ys able with one only blowe to subdew oure corrupte nature , and naturall inclination , in makynge thesame willyngly obedient , to the good will off God , who hath so myche loved vs , and of his mere goodnes hathe done so myche , and hath suffred so myche for vs . But now , seynge that love , yea & that an infinite love , ys the only cause , why God oure lovynge father dothe so afflicte vs . To what ende then tendethe he , in this his affliction , & to what purpose dothe he so often afflicte vs ? S. Paul in his fyrst epistell to the Corrinthe ans dothe expresse vnto vs the cause wherfor , 1. Cor. 1● . in few wordes , saynge , When we are iudged off the lorde , we are corrected , to th ende we shoulde not be damned with the worlde . That ys to saye , God dothe sende vs affliction and tribulation , but he dothe not sende them to distroye vs , but rather to chastyce vs , to th ende ther by we myght amende , & be prouoked to fle vnto hym for mercye and pardon . By we myght not be condemned with the wycked wordlynges . 4. Esd. 16 Esdras hath the lyke saige in his .iiij. boke the. 16. chapter . Beholde ( sayethhe ) hounger and plage , trouble & anguy the , are sent as scourges , for amendment . Wher vnto ys to be refarred the worthy saynge off the holy woman Iudethe . Iudith . 8. Let vs not seke to be avenged ( sayeth she ) for the thynge that ys done vnto vs : but consyder that al the se ponyshentes are farre lesse then our synnes and misdedes , belevinge also that this correction comethe vnto vs , ( as to the seruates off God ) for amendment and not for oure dystruction . Now it y● manifeste , that when we suffer any tribulation , hyt prosede the from God , an● that for oure salvation . The which thynge when a christean man dothe fayghtfully considere , he ys moved forth with pari●ly and gladly to be are all his aduersites in rendrynge harty thankes to God his sat her for the same . And so come the it to pas , Rom. 5. as sayeth . S. Paul . That tribulation bryngethe pacience , not off his owne proper nature , but by a more livēly knowlege off the good will off God to wardes vs . And this pacience , brynge the experience ( sayeth . S. Paul ) that vs to saye , pacience do the trye and prove oure fayghte , yea pacience doth perfytly wytnes , e●idently declare , and surely assure vs , that the faught off that person , that ys pacience in his aduersite , ys no vame , fayned or dead fayght , but fyrme , trew and lyvelye , in that it indure the the fyre off tribulation with out ether werynes or repynymge . It ys a common saynge amongest vs , that a man dothe not certaynlye knowe his owne stomake and boldnes , tylshuche tyme as he ys retorned from the battayll . For after a man hath felt hym selfe stout and valiant at the pynche , and wyllinge to do his dewtye to the vttermost off his power , and that not for all the iniures , incomodites , calamites , and miseryes off the warres , he never founde hym selfe dyscorraged from the fayghtful ●erninge of his prince , but hath al wayes paciently and valiantly supported all hassardes and troubles , in corragynge contynewallye his companyons , & all wayes showynge a good contynance and lusty corrage . That men then knowe the how hardey he ys , them he knowethe that he ys in the nomber off them that are meite soldiours to serue the kynge and the commen wealthe . And he ys knowen off all his companyons , yea and off the kynge hym selfe . But what thynge hath tryed hym ? what thynge hath made hym knowen ? For so the the constancye and pacience that he had in aduersite . For before this pacience , neyther was he knowen to the kynge , neyther yet to his companyons , what manner a man he was , no he was not knowen to hym selfe . Eccle. 34 For as sayeth the Ecclesityke , he that was neuer tempted , what knowethe he ? And he that was never proved , wheroff hathe he experience ? Be meanethe that with out erosse and persecution a man shal neuer knowe hym selfe certaynlye . The which thynge ys most trew . For tyll shuche tyme as we haue byn tempted , and tyll suche tyme as god hathe layed vpon vs his crosse that it pleasethe hym to have vs beare . We may extyme , Math. 26. or rather presume off oureselves , then other wysse , as S. Peter , extermed and presumed off hym selfe , when as he sayed . Thought all men be offended bycause off the , yet will not I be offended , & all thought I should dye with the , yet wil I not denye the , yea I wyll gyve my lyff● for the. Whe● Peter vttred thesse wordis , he knewe not very well what he sayed , neyther knewe he as yet hym selfe .

And wherfor ? By cause he had as then neuer byn tempted nor proved . So lykwysse we , yff before we have byn tempted or afflicted do vtter the lyke saynges , truly , we speake off no cersayn●ye for as myche as we never haue byn proved , & sherfor are all to gyther ignorant off oure selves . But when as God oure father , hath sent vs tribulations and hath gyven vs grace in the same to continewe constantly , and to behaue oursewes valiantly , that ys to saye , we were neuer dyscomforted nor astoyned nor denyed oure fayght , but haue boldly confessed thesame before the face of oure enymes , no thynge extemyng oure lyffes with . S. Paul . But haue wil lyngly dyspyced and abandoued the same for the verytes sake , accordyng to the doctrine of Iesus Christ oure onely master , & most perfyte exampler . Then are we proued , then do we persayve and knowe by experience that oure fayght ys good & lyvely , them dothe ourem companyons knowe vs , and then dothe God hym selfe know vs , as he sayeth to Abraham . Gene. 22. Now I knowe that thow fearest God , So that there ys no doute but that this probation and experience off oure fayght to be good & godly , commethe off the pacient constancye , & constant pacience that God hath gyven vs , in oure tribulations . For truly the reprobate and vnbelevers , haue neuer pacience in theyre aduersites . But they mourmer all wayes agaynst God & blaspheme his maiestye . Which thynge consydere , noved . S. Paul to saye , pacience bryngethe eyperience ( to wytt ) experience off oure fayght , that ys to saye , pacience dothe gyve vs experience that oure faight ys good , as a good souldioure that hath dilygently done his indevoure in the bataill , consayveth a certayne and sure hope , that his prince for whom he hath fought & hasarded his lyffe , wyll gyve hym thankes , recōper●se hym , & gyve hym prefarment , charge , and credyte in his real me . Even so when as by constant pacience oure fayght hath byn proved , and founde good , then dothe oure hope incresse more then ever it dyd , and do conseve a fyrine assurance , and sure certitude off oure salvation . Then begyne we ( as it were ) partly to knowe and lyvely to feile , that we cannot be damned , but that we shall be most certaynly saved , Tob. 3. as witnesseth the good Tobias , Who so ever lovethe God ( sayeth he ) and serueth hym a ryght , ys sure off this , that yff his lyfe be tempted and proved , it standeth in tryynge , and yff he contynewe in pacience , he shall haue a rewarde , and be hyghly crowned . To the which agreethe the holy apostel . S. Iames , saynge , Iam. 2. Blyssed ys that man that endure the temptation , for affter that he hath byn proved , he shall ressayve the crowne off lyffe , that God hath promysed to thosse that love hym .

And this ys it , that the apostell teacethe vs , when as he sayethe , probation , Rom. ● . that ys to saye , the experience that throught pacience we haue off oure stronge and invinsyble fayght , workethe ( or rather engendrythe ) hope . But vpon what thing ys this oure hope founded and bylded ? Yff it were founded and stayed vpon the force & worthynes off oure pacience , them should it haue , but a slender fondation , myche lyke vnto that edifice that ys bylded vpon the sande , But wher vpon them , ys it situatede ? vpon the onely certayntey off the verytable promysses off the lorde , who sayeth in . S. Matthew . Blyssed are all thosse that suffer persecution for ryghtousnes sake , Math. 10 for theyrs ys the kyngdome off heaven , and agayne he sayethe . He that wyll go about to save his sowll , that ys to saye , his carnall and temporal lyffe , he shall losse thesame , but he that shall losse his fowll , that ys to saye , he that shall wyllyngly abandon his lyffe for my sake & for the gosples , he shal surely save it . Vpon thesse promysses and other lyke , which are infinite in the scriptures , ys oure hope all wayes founded & bylded , as the only foundation theroff . And not vpon oure owne workes , pacience or worthynes . And this hope , ys not cofounded sayeth saynt Paul , that ys to saye , that all thosse that do fyrmely hope after the thynges that God hath promysed them , they shall never be dyssayved not frustrated off theyre expectation and attente : They shall neuer be confounded befor the vngodly & vnbeleuers theyre enymes : It shall never repent them , neyther shall they be asshamed for that they haue beleved in the promisses off God . For assuredly they shall haue , that they haue hoped for , namly that which God hath promysed them . And on the other syde , the vnbelevers and vngodly shall haue no ocasion , to laffe them to skorne . For out off all dout they shall be saved , as testifiethe the prophet Esaias . Esai . 28. Whosoeuer belevethe in hym , shall not be confounded . Also it ys written in the psalmes . Blyssed ys the man that hopethe in the lorde , Psal. 33. ffor God savethe thosse that trusiethe in him . But what nede I here to allege the sayinges off thesse .ij. prophetes , Dauid , & Esaias , seyng that all the scriptures tendythe to none other ende , and al most reacethe noneother doctrine , but onely that all thosse that vnfaynedly do reposse theyre confidence in God , shal be delyvered from all theyre tribulations , and shal be saved trought the grace and mercye off the lorde Iesus Christ . And there for gyve eare vnto the lyvely and puysance consolation , that the aposiell dothe gyve vnto vs in his epestell to the Ebrieus , & els where , Hebr. 12. saynge . Wherfor let vs also ( for as myche as we are compassed about with so great a multitude of witnesses ) that ys to saye , so great a nomber off them that are gone before vs . Laye a waye all that presseth downe , and the synne that hangethe so fast on , let vs ronne with pacience vnto the battaylle that ys set before vs , lokynge vnto Iesus the captayne and fynysher off oure fayght , which for the ioye that was set before hym , abode the crosse , and dysspyced the shame , and ys now set downe on the ryght hande off the throne off God , Consyder therfor and consyder agayne , how he indured suche contradiction off synners , leste ye should be weryed & faynt in your myndes , for ye haue not yet resisted vnto bloud , stryvynge agaynst synne , and haue forgotten the exhortation that speaketh vnto you as vnto childerin . My sonne dispyse not thow the chastenynge of the lorde , neyther faynte when thow art rebuked off hym , for whom the lorde lovethe , hym he chastynethe , yea , he skorgethe euery sonne that he resayvethe , yff ye indure chastenynge God offrethe hym selfe vnto you , as vnto sonnes . What sonne ys he whom the father chastynethe not ? Yff ye be not vnder correction ( wheroff all are pertakers ) then are ye bastardes and not sonnes . Therfor seynge we haue had fathers off oure owne fleshe , which corrected vs , and we gave them reuerence , shall we not myche rather be in subiection vnto the father off spirites and lyffe ? And they verely , for a fewe dayes nortered vs after they●e owne pleasure , but he norterethe vs for oure profyte , to th ende that he may minister off his holines vnto vs . No manner chastenynge for the present tyme semethe to be ioyous , but grevous , never the lesse after warde it bryngethe the quyete frute off ryghtousnes , vnto them that are excercysed thereby . For thought oure outwarde man peryshe , yet the inward man ys renewed day by day , for oure tribulation , 2. Cor. 4 which ys momentany and lyght , preparethe an excedyng and an eternall wayght off glorye vnto vs , whylles we loke not on the thynges that are sene , but on the thynges which are not sene . For the thynges which are sene are temporall , but the ●higes which are not sene , are eternall . For we knowe , that yf the earthly mansion of this body were dystroyed , 2. Cor. 5. we haue a byldige of god , an habitation not made with handes but eternall in heauen . My fryndes and brytherin , thesse worthy saynges are written for oure doctryne , to th ende that we throught pacience and consolation off the scriptures myght haue hope . Rom. 15. Confort your selves then , in thesse wordes , haue pacience , be thankfull all wayes vnto oure particuler and generall father .

Yff at any tyme it pleasethe hym to make you pertakers off the healtfull suffrynges , of Iesus Christ his onely sonne , and off all the fayghtfull christeans that here to fore haue suffred ffor his name sake .

Haue a sure hope , that yff you suffer wish the sonne off God , ye shall also raigne with hym . And yff ye do comunicate with him , paciently berynge his crosse in this worlde , be cause you wolde be founde obedient vnto the good wyll off God his father , ye shall also be made lyke vnto hym , lyvyng & raignyng in heaven , in immortalite most happye . And all wayes remember and fayghtfully consyder this one thynge , wheroff the holy gost by the pen off saynt Paul dothe admonyshe vs , saynge , The afflictions off this worlde , are not worthy off the glorye to come , the which shal be reueled on vs . In this firme confidence , commyte your selues holy , to the more then fatherly prouidence off our God . And saye vnto hym with a good wyll and ernest mynde with out all dissimulation . Our ffather thy wyll be done . And then saye also . With a sure confidence , as sayeth . Hebr 13. Psal. 55. Psal. 117. S. Paul . The lorde ys my helper . I wyll fere no thynge that man can do vnto me . Fere not that God wyll forsake you , in what so ever miserable state it pleasethe hym to brynge you . For he hath sayd , Ios. 1. I wyll not forsake the , nor abandone the. Ye wolde not relynquyshe , not forsake a man that hath suffred any thynge for you . And do ye thynke then , that god who onely ys good , wyll forsake vs , who onely haue suffred for his name sake ? O fryndes let it neuer enter into your hartes , for it ys not possible assure your selves .

And forther more , be ascartayned that no thynge shall happen vnto you , but that which God hath eternally ordayned for you . And all thought all the tyrantes off the worlde , and the wholl worlde it selfe , should conspyre agaynst you , they are not to be feared . For you can drynke no thinge els , but that cuppe that God hath prepared for you , from the begynnynge . Ye can suffer no more , nor non other wysse , nor at non other tyme , then God hathe ordayned . Do not ye knowe , that the kynde off deathe off the sonne off God , was before determyned ? It behoved hym to be exalted , as he hym selfe tescifie the in S. Iohn , that ys to saye , it behoved hym to be ceucifyed , Ioh. 3. he coulde not dye off any other deathe . And the tyme also wherin it be hoved hym to dye , was it not certayn lye ordayned and apoynied ? Yeas truly , as witnesse the Daniel in his . 9. chapter .

How often tymes hane ye read , in the historye of the lyffe off Iesy Christe , that his ennymes sought dyuers meanes to take hym , and yet they could not , by cause that his howre was not come ? that ys to saye , Ioh. 19. that the tyme was not them come , that God his father had determined that he should be taken . But when his houre was come , they toke hym at theire pleasure , trought the ineuitable ordinance off God , who then dyd delyuer hym into theyre handes , and gaue them power ouer hym , as he sayed to Pilate . Thow shouldest haue no manner off power ouer me , yff it were not gyven vnto the , from a houe . Lykwysse he sayed vnto the Iewes , Ye are come forthe as it were agaynst a theaffe , with swordes & staues for to take me . When I was daiely with rou in the temple , ye sireched forthe no handes agaynst me , Luc. 22. but ( sayeth he in . S. Luke ) This ys even youre very houre , & the power off darcknes . The place lykwysse wheras he should suffer , was it not also determyned ? Be hym selfe declareth vnto vs , that yeas . For he sayeth , It ys not possible that the prophet , that ys to saye , the Alessias , or the annoynted of god , should peryshe , but at Ierusalem . And of thosse that should comdemne hym , Math. 20 & put hym to deathe , was there no thynge determined in the secret counsayll off he deite ? What should we doute theroff , for he hym self sayed , Beholde , we go vp to Ierusalem , and the sonne off man shall be delyuered into the handes off the hyghe preistes and scrybes , and they shall comdemue him to deathe , and shall delyuer hym to the gentylles to be mocked , and to be scourged , & to be crucifyed , & the thyrde daye he shalrysse agayne . And off hym that dyd betraye hym , what ? was there no thynge determined before ? Math. 26 Barken what he hym selfe sayethe , Verely , I saye vnto you , that one off you shall betraye me &c. The sonne off man goethe as it ys wrytten off hym , but wo vnto that man by whom the sonne of man ys betrayed , It had hyn good for that man , yff he had not hyn borne . Then Iudas , which betrayed hym , sayed master , ys it I ? Iesus sayd vnto hym , thow hast sayde , that ys to saye , thow hast sayed the truthe , it ys even thow , that was ordayned for this purpose from the begynnynge . This maye ye se , how all thynges consernyng Iesus Christ was gyded by the prouidence and determination of god his father . Truly there happyned no thynge vnto hym , that was not certainlye ordayned and appoynted before . Wherby we may easely gather , that no thyng shal happen vnto vs his members , that God hath not ordained for vs , thought all the men off the worlde wolde conspyre to gyther , and with them all the develes in hel , or in the eayre , with all theyre iniquite craftes , treasons , wyckednes , thretenynges , strenght and condemnations , yet can they not abrydge oure course , not prolonge oure lyffe , one moment . How great then ys oure pusillanimite & weaknes ? When as al thynges dependynge enterely vpon the only prouidence of god , in whosse sure safgard and protection . we are and haue our beynge , and yet for all that we fere a mortall man , and that more ys , a weake woman , that to daye ys greue as the gresse , and to morowe shal be cast into the fornace . Continewally ( as sayeth the prophet Esaias ) we stande in fere , off the furye off them that trouble vs , and in the meane tyme do forget the lorde that hathe created vs , that hathe siretched on t the heavens , and hath layde the fondations of the earthe . O that we are people off lytell fayght . But some man paraduenture wyll replye and saye vnto me . We are not Iesus Christe , therfor it ys not certayne whether god hath ordained the thynge that happyneth vnto vs , as he dyd vnto Iesus Christ , & whether he hath charge and care ouer vs , as he had ouer Iesus Christe ? wherfor not with out a cause we do fere the imaginations and entrepryses off oure enymes , agaynst vs . O saynge all to gyther myred with infidelite , this ys that I spacke off before , alas , we haue no fayght , for wherin can we more showe oure incredulite , then so to restrayne the eternal prouidence of god , as to tende no forther then ouer the only person off Iesus Christe ? So should god be the God off Iesus Christe only , & not oure God also ? Wherfor then do we beleue in hym ? Wherfor then do we reposse oure wholl trust and confidence only in hym ? Wherfor then do we call hym , oure God , oure father , & oure savioure ? yff the prouidence off God do not tende ouer vs also , and yff he haue no solicitude and care ouer vs , then hathe the spiret off god abused vs with a notable lye , when as by the penn off . 1. pet. 5. S. Peter he sayed , Laste all your care vpon God , for he carethe for you . But truly the lorde myght iustly saye off vs now , that which some tyme he spake off Ephraim in the. 11. chapter off the prophet Oreas , Oze. 11. I bare Ephraim in myn armes as he that noryshe the them , & yet they woulde not knowe that I had care off them . O to myche ingratitude ? O infidelite incomparable ? Tell me I praye you , are not tow sparrowes off les walewe with God , then we are ? Truly God hathe not so myche extemed them , Math. 10. for he dyed not for them , as he hath done for vs , and yet Iesus Christ testifieth vnto vs , that a sparowe shall not fall vpon the grounde , without the wyll off oure heauenly father . Luc. 12. And what then ? Shall we fall without his prouidence & determinate decre ? No truly . Do we not knowe that euen the heares off oure hed are all nombred ? Do we not knowe that god hath disposed all thynges by nomber , wayght , and measure ? Are we ignorant off this , that all thynges haue theyre appoynted tyme ? and that all thynge that ys vnder the heavens passethe by his course ? as sayeth the Lcelesiastike . Do we not knowe that God hath gyven to man , tyme , and nomber off dayes ? Haue we not sene wrytten that there ys a tyme off byrte . Eccle. 3● and a tyme off deathe● Haue we forgotten , or rather do we not vnderstande , that which ys wrytten in the boke off Iob , & that we heare so often songe in the churche . Iob. 14. The dayes off man surely are deter mined , the nomber off his monthes are onely knowen vnto the , thow hast appoited hym his boundes , which he cannot go beyounde . What ys that to saye , God hath appōynted boundes and limytes vnto the lyffe off man ? It ys to saye , that God hath ordayned euery man a certayne tyme to lyve , the which tyme we cannot ouer pas nor go beyonde . But this ys not all . For it behovethe vs also to tarry the appoynted tyme and as it were to touche the limited boundes . Wherfor yff we wil directly vnderstand this place off Iob , we must dyligently consyder what ys to saye a bounde or a lymite . Truly when a pece off grounde ys lymited and bounded , it dothe not only signifye that it goethe no farther , but also that it tendethe and strechethe to the bounde . Wherfor it ys not inought to consyder that we shal not pas the tyme that God hathe lymited , & determyned vs to lyve , but also we must assuredli perswade oureselves that we shal lyve as longe as he hath ordayned vs to lyve . And truly so shall we do in the dispite off all oure enymes , all thought they wolde swelt theyre hartes . And tell me forther more , haue men gyuen vs oure lyffe ? No forsothe . No more can they take it awaye from vs . God , with out any other hath gyven it vs , and God only dothe take it awaye . For he ys the lorde off deathe , as well as off lyffe , wherfor when the appoynted tyme off oure deathe ys come , let vs assure oureselfes that it ys god only , and none other that dothe kyll vs . For he sayeth . It ys I that kyll , and make a lyve agayne . And therfor when it shall please hym to kyll vs , that ys to saye , to take awaye this miserable lyffe off the flesse : let vs saye with Iob.

The lorde hath gyven , and the lorde hath taken it awaye , blyssed be the name off the lorde . Let vs consyder , and folowe the example off Isaac , who so paciently permytted hym selfe to be bonde off his father , beynge redye to put hym to deathe . Oesyrynge the infinite bounte off oure God , so to bynde oure members and affections , that there appere in vs no manner of thynge , that may resiste , gainsaye or replye in any respect against his good wyll and pleasure . But before all thynge let vs folowe the example of Iesus Christ oure only savioure and master , who seyinge his deathe approchynge sayed to god his father , My father , not as I wyll , but as thou wyllt , thy wyll be done and not myne . Let vs then offer vnto God the father , oureselfes for a sacrefyce , whose savoure all thought it be evell and stynkyng in the nose off the worlde , yet it ys good & agreable vnto God by Iesus Christ his sonne , vpon whom , that ys to saye , in the fayght and confidence off whom , we do dedycat . and offer oure selves , when we persayve oure houre to approche . And in the meane tyme let vs not tempt God , let vs not serche out , & prouoke oure enymes , that ys to saye , thosse that with out a cause wolde vs evell , but rather in folowynge the example off Christ and his apostles , let vs with drawe oure selfes thither , wheras it shall please the prouydence off oure God and father to addresse vs . And what so euer betyde , let vs not fere men , no , let vs not fere them , for God dothe inhibite and for byd vs thesame , sayinge by his prophet , Esai . 41. , Fere them not , for I am with you . And seynge that god dothe forbynd vs to fere men , can we fere them with out synne ? No truly . But to what purpose do we fere them ? Men off them selues are no thynge : Men off them selues can do no thynge : and yff at onye tyme they haue any power , the same power come the onely vnto them from God , and ys gyven vnto them onely to accomplyshe & execute the wyll off God . Wherfor they can not at any tyme , do any thynge but that , that God wyll haue done , by theyre ministration . Wherfor then do we fere them ? Geying we are onely vnder the protection and safgard off God , who ys all myghty . Tell me I pray you , yff we had an enyme in Ingland , & the Quiene , who ys but a woman had promysed vs to protect and defende vs agaynst oure enyme , would we then fere hym ? I suppose , no. And yet we are not ashamed to fere oure enymes , Gene. 15. after that God who only ys all myghty , and off power to preserue , hath sayed vnto euery one off vs , Fere not , for I am thy protector , thy defence , and thy reward shal be excedynge great . Yff after this certayne promys and diuers other lyke , we do yet fere men , oure enymes , It must off necessite followe that we do doute off the power , goodnes , & allmyghty helpe off God . Ys this the honour that we beare vnto his diuine maiestye ? Can we do hym a grea●er iuiure , then not to credyte and obaye his worde ? Why rather do we not saye with he prophet Dauid , and that with vnfayned lyppes voyde off all Ipocrysie . My hope and confidence ys onely in the lorde God , I fere not what man can do vnto me ? Why then should we fere the deathe , which thesse wordly wysse men ( and yet in very dede folles ) do make appere vnto vs so horryble and expouentable . For truly that man that now fere the deathe , doth great iniure vnto Iesus Christe which hath ouer come thesame . And semethe , that he dothe dyspayre off eternall lyffe , that Iesus Christ , by his deathe hath purchased for vs . But peraduenture ye wyll saye vnto me , that Iesus Christ hym selfe in the tyme off his crosse , dyd fere deathe , and therfor it ys no marvayl , thought we do fere it , in whom there ys no shuche perfection and constancye ? Truly the fleshe dothe alwayes abuse hyr selfe with the example off Iesus Christe , she dothe abuse it , for she cannot rightfully vse it , in as myche as the fleshe ys all wayes repongnant vnto the spiret and the good wyll off god . And for as miche as you wil heri followe the example off Iesus Christ , well I am contented , fere deathe : But fere it , as Iesus Christ dyd fere it . Yff you wyll saye , that Iesus Christ had fere off deathe , consyder the same also to be on shuche sorte , as the fere theroff dyd not kepe hym backe from the voluntarye obedience off God his father , and from saying with vnfained lyppes , My father thy wil be done : nor ( his howre beynge come ) from the offrynge of hym selfe wyllyngly into the handes off his enymes , to be crucified and put to deathe . So thow so ( o thow fleshe ) for yff thow do otherwysse , then dost thow not followe the example off Iesus Christe in ferynge deathe , but thow woldest couer thy pusyllanimyte and imperfections with the example off the sonne off God , in whosse lyffe was neuer founde any imperfection . Ye wyll answer me , and saye , we fere not deathe , for any fere we haue to be damned , neyther for any diffidence that we haue off eternall lyffe : But do beleve and are certaynlye assured , that oure God , in whom only we haue oure confidence , wyll not damne vs , but off his mercye , wyll gyue vnto vs eternall lyffe for the ryghtousnes and merytes sake off his sonne oure savioure Iesus Christe : But we fere the deathe for the humayne vnderstandyng that we haue , of the great payne that some do suffer in deyinge , and especially , in deying by fyre , for we suppose that payne to surmount all pacience . O fonde fleshe , thy voyce ys all wayes full off the love off thy selfe , and off a secret diffidence and mistrust off the all myghty power , wysdome and goodnes off the lydynge God . I am sure , thow dost not comprehende it , nor vnderstande it , neyther thow wylte not , nor cannest not . And therfor I wyll no more indevoure my selfe to speke vnto the , for it were but loste laboure . But I wyll derecte my wordes , vnto all the childerin of God , who ( as . S. Paul sayeth ) are led with the spiret off God , Rom. 8. & them wyll I now arme agaynst all the difficultes , that this cursed fleshe had wonte to obiecte , when as it behoued vs to beare the crosse off Christe for the glorye off God . Te great nomber off martera that latly haue byn borne in Ingland do testifye the con●rarye . And namly agaynst that , which she latly obiected saynge , that the payne that a 01 christean dothe suffer by deyeyng in the fyre , dothe surmount all pacience . O seyinge sayinge , O shamfull blasphemye , that aparently denyethe the infinite power , and the incomparable bountye of god , O ye christeans ? Wyll ye gyve credence vnto this abominable and wycked fleshe , which sekethe no thynge els but to pull vs from the crosse off Christ : and so consequently from oure salvation , vnto the which it pleaseth oure father so benyngly to call vs ? O how can you abyde to heare this with pacience ? For yff it be not possyble for a christean man paciently and constantly to suffer the torment off fyre , as this wycked fleshe ( all wayed rebellynge agaynst god ) woloe perswade ver I praye you tell me then . What meanethe Iesus Christ by this sayinge which he teacheth his dissiples , Mar. 9. That there ys no thynge impossible to hym that beleuethe ? Wherfor yff all thynges are possible to the belever , ( as sayeth the veryte ) then ys it possyble for a man that beleveth paciently to suffer deathe , and that by fyre . Wherby it ys apparant that the torment off fyre dothe not surmounte all pacience . And forther more , what meanethe . S. Paul , 1. Cor. 10. when he affirmethe that god ys fayghtful , & wil not suffer vs to be tempted a bove oure powers , but shal in the middes of the temptation make a waye , that we shal be able to beare it ? Dothe this texte offer vnto vs , that the torment of fyre dothe surmount the pacience off a christean ? No truly , but rather the contrarye . Forther more the scriptures do witnesse , Esai . 53. Hēbr . 4. that the sonne of God ys shuche a man as was ful of sorrowes , and as hathe good experience off infirmites . For in that he suffred and was tempted , he ys off power to helpe thosse that are tempted . For we haue not an hyghe preste , which cannot haue compassion off oure infirmites . Wherfor then , yf the sonne off God , in whom we do beleve , & for whom we do suffer afflictions , haue experimented in hym selfe , oure sorowes , & not only ys able to helpe vs , but also suffreth with vs , as the hed with the members ▪ Ys there any payne now that we are not able to bere with all pacient constancye , and constant pacience ? For yff we should fere that God wolde forsake vs , when as for his holy name , men do throwe vs into the fyre , what assurance then can we haue that God wyll gyve vs eternall lyffe ? How dare we then bost oure selves , that we are certayne , and voyde off all doute , off our salvation ? Can we offer a greater iniure to God , then to fere that he wyll forsake vs when as we suffer for the testimonye off his truthe ? No truly . For a man , that ys evell off nature , wyll not abandon a nother man that suffreth ony thynge for his sake , ( as I haue sayd before ) how can it then enter into the thought off a christean , that God ( who only ys good ) , will forsake hym , when he ys tormented for his worde ? Sapi. 1. Were this a good opinion off the lorde as the holy scripture commandethe vs to haue ? No truly . Even so neuer entred it into the harte off a fayghtfull man . But what ( a mongest other thynges ) ought a christean man to thynke , when he comethe to the fyre to be borned ? He ought truly to remember that which ys written in the .xvi. chapter off the boke off wysdome , wher as we rede this saynge , The fyre forgate his owne strenght by cause the ryghtous myght be noryshed , for thy creature that seruethe the ( which art the maker ) ys feirse in ponyshynge the vnryghtous , but doth asswage it selfe , and ys easye and gentyl to do good vnto shuche as put theyre truste in the. Thesse wordes do not declare that the torment of fyre ys an intollerable payne vnto a christean , but contrarywysse , that the payne ys lyght and easye to beare for as myche as by the power off the confydence that we haue in God the lorde creator off all thynges , the vyolence off the fyre ys so tempered and asswaged vnto vs , that wheras the vnbeleuers do burst out by impacience , and mourmer agaynst God , we do suffer paciently and wyllynglye in gyvynge prayses vnto the lorde in the myddes off all oure extremites .

In folowynge therin the example off the thre younge men , who beyn bounde in the myddes off a flambynge fornes , dyd sanctifie and prayffe the forde God , who performed and accomplyshed then vnto them , that which he before promysed by the mouthe of his holy prophet , sayinge , yff thow walkesie thorowe the fyre , Esai . 43. it shall not borne the , and the flambe shall not kendyll vpon the , for I am the lorde thy God , the holy one off Israel , thy Savioure . Ys there now any apparant reason or cause , why a christean , who only hathe his confidence in God by Iesus Christe , shoulde fere the fyrye flambe , wherwith men do threaten them ?

The fyre ys not noyful . vnto a christean man , but very profytable , for as witnessethe the scripture , Sapi. 3. Pro. 11.17 Psal. 65. 1. per. 1. It workethe the lyke effecte in a christean , that it dothe in gold or syluer , that ys to saye , It doth proue hym , it doth purifie & pourge hym , with on t consumynge . And truly is waye the thinge dyrectlye , a christean man throwen into the fyre , maye worthely he compared vnto the fyrye bushe that Aloyses sawe in the mount Dreb , Exod. 3. which bushe for all that it was on a flambye fyre yet dyd it not consume . Be may also be compared vnto the chinyng worme , that beynge in the fyre , dothe not peryshe , nor consume , but contrarywysse ys therby purged from fylth , & made more bewtyfull then yff it were washed with all the watter off the worlde . Wherfor let vs then assure oure selves , and from hens forthe let vs neuer fere the fyre that so sone vany●het awaye , for I am sure that when we haue passed through the fyre , we shall saye with Iesus the soune off Syrache , I was not bornte , no , not in the myddes off the fyre . Let vs not fere men , that worke no thynge els vniuersallye , but vanite . Let vs not also fere deathe , for to fere deathe ( as sayeth a certayne wysse man ) ys no thynge els , but to seme to be wysse , and yet in very dede to be no thynge lesse . Fynally let vs not stande in fere off any manner off crcatures . Let vs fere God only , let vs gyve ouer oure selues vnto hym , and abyde vnder his protection , and that done , let vs not care for , nor passe off any thynge , for so the spiryte off goo admoni heth vs by . S. Paul saying , 1. Cor. 7. I wyll that you be with ont all solicitude . And agayne , care not for any thynge . And by the mouthe off S. Peter , 1. pet. 5. he sayeth , Last your care vpon God , for he carethe for you . But peraduenture you wyll obiecie agaynst me . How dare you now go a bout to perswade vs , that we shoulde not care ? Was there euer in all oure lyffes a greater occasion off care ministred than there ys at this present . Who dothe not se how some are exiled out off theyre natyve coutrye , compassed a bout with miserye , pouertye and sondrye afflictions , voyde off all conforte and consolation : on the other syde some impresoned , shut vp from all fryndes , acquayntance , and kyndred , abydyng every moment the sentence off comdemnation , to be gyven over into the handes off the hang men to be executed . Some other haue lost all theyre goodes and landes theyre howses sealed vp , theyre wyffes & chyldren lyinge vpon theyre handes voyde off all releffe and forsaken off the worlde , beyinge be come an obloque and a laffyngstocke vnto al people , and as it were poynted at with the fynger . And yet you saye vnto vs , that we should not care for any thing . Ys it now tyme to saye , care not at all ? Truly my fryndes I haue in very dede so sayed vnto you , & do so saye agayne , for as myche as God , who ys your God , & wyll showe hym selfe to be your God , hath commanded you to do so , for he sayeth playnly , Lare not for any thynge . Lan ye now then take care for any off your affayres , be they never so great with on t offendynge and dysspleasynge off your God and father ? It ys not possible . Wherfore I woulde consayll you to depend wholy vpon hym . Who hath sayde , Cast your care vpon the lorde , and he wyll helpe in the tyme off nede . And on the other syde all thought you myght iustly be carefull for your affayres with out offence , tell me yff it please you , wherto seruethe all your care ? What comodyte doth hit brynge Truly none at al. Knowe ye not that of many cares & great thought taking , there comethe no thynge but dremes ? Galomō spekinge in the sprirete in the v. chapter of the Ecclesiastic . dothe playnly testifie the same vnto vs , Lykwysse yff we had dylygently ingrauen that diuine and frutfull lessou that the soune of God dothe leue vnto vs in the ende off the .vi. chapter off . S. Matthew , ye should wel persayue that all oure care and thought takynge cannot in ony respect further the lest bysoues that we haue . Wyll you the for no thynge dysquyete your selfes & breke your hede , and in so doyinge offende youre father , in quēshynge therby his fatherly prouidence and great care that he hath ouer you ? Ye allege that ye are out off your natyve contrye , who seeth not how vayne this your allegation ye . Yff ye thought your selfes rahter the childrin off God , then the sonnes off mortall men after the freshe , ye woulde consyder that where so euer you become vpon the face off the earthe that you are in the contrye and kyngdom off your father , for dothe not the scripture playnely teache vs , that the earthe ys the lordes &c. Which thynge , yff it be trew , as there ys no thynge more certayne , then are we not out off oure owne contrye wher so euer we become , for that land or contrye wherin we dwell , ys oure fathers , by creation , pocession and gyfte , and it ys oures by promys gyven vnto vs his childerin . Are not thesse sayinges then the blossomes off incredulite ? Yes truly , for yff we dyd not more savor of the fleshe , than of the spiret , yf we were not more worldly than heavenly they should new̄ proced out of oure mouthe . Forther more yf oure love were but as perfitly fixed vpon our spouse Iesꝯ , as the love of a faightful wyffe ys vpon hir husbande , we woulde be contented for his sake to abandon all , & go where as he ys . For what fayghtfull honest woman ys there , that havynge hyr husband in a strange contrye , & sendynge for hyr , dothe not furth with forsake father-and mother , frynde and acquayntance , goodes and landes , no thynge regardyng neyther peryll , nor pouertye that may happen vnto hy● so that she may be in the folowshype and companye off hyr husbande . And wherfor ?

By cause she louethe hym , and hath hyr confidence and trust in hym , and ys sure that she shal participate with hym , what so euer he hathe . And ought not we christeans , ( vnles we wolde be reputed vnnaturall branches , vnkynde lovers , and insolent persons ) to abandon and forsake for the loue off oure heavenly spouse Iesus Christ , ( who hathe maryed vs vnto him selfe with the rynge off fayght ) all wordly & fleshlye pleasure , what , and howe manye so ouer they be , yea and oure lyves to . As dyvers vertious wymen haue done in tyme paste as the histories testifye , for the love off theyr husbandes .

Wherfor now yff your celestiall husbond Iesus Thriste for your salvation and commodite , and be cause he woulde make , you lyke vnto hym selfe , dothe now call you out off your owne contrye , do ye refusse to folowe him , which ys the author of lyffe , the preseruer from perylles , the gyver off all good gyfftes , and the most fayghtfull louer off oure soules , wheras a weake woman wold not refusse to followe hyr vukynde husbande who ys no thynge els but earthe asshes , fleshe , blond and corruption , hauynge no certayntie off his lyffe , nor no full assurance of his person nor presence . O to mychs ingratitude , O loue imperfete , or rather vtterly quenched , or els bestowed vpon strange lovers , the very enymes off thy lovynge spowse . Can there be a greater iniure then this . No truly . But ye wyll answer me and saye , It were but a small matter to be out off oure contrye , yff we had any certayne dwellynge place whervnto we myght repayre , but we knowe not where to be come , nor whyther to go . We neuer traueled so farre , and the contrye & people ys vtterly vnknowen vnto vs ? My fryndes let it suffice that god of his goodnes hath hytherto gyven you howsses to dwell in , for in that respect truly he hath done more for you then he dyd for his owne naturall sonne , who neuer had any . The foxes ( sayeth he ) hath holes , Math. 8. Luc 9. and the byrdes off the eayre haue nestes , but the sonne aff man hath not wheron to rest his hedd . Do you not se how that the sonne off God hym selfe had no earthly mansion nor dwellynge place off his owne , and yet not with standynge he dyd not complayne off any thynge , he dyd not dyscomfort hym selfe . Neyther yet was he at any tyme destitute off lodgynge , for his father in whom he only trusted dyd prouyde for hym , wherfor , yff that you now beyinge in strange contryes are with out habitation off your owne , reioysse therin , for in that respect you are confyrmable and lyke vnto the sonne off God . Behaue your selfe in this estate , as you knowe he dyd gouerne hym selfe , and it shall happen vnto you , as it dyd vnto hym , that ys to saye , Content your selues with thynges present , trust in God , and he wyll never leve you , nor forsake you . Iesus Christ also your celestiall husband wyll neuer forsake you , dyd ye euer knōwe any good husbande , that in lyme off nede dyd abandon his espowsed wyffe . in suffeinge hyr to range at ryote with out hauynge any respect vnto hyr . Iesus Christe ys that only good husbande , for he hath gyden his lyffe for his wyffe . Were it possyble , now , that he woulde forsake hyr in levynge hyr destitute off healpe ? In myn opinion , it were not possyble , his infinite gooddes coulde not suffer it . Wherfor no doute he wyll prouyde lodgynge for you , assure your selves off that : and trulye it ys an easye thynge , for hym to do it , for all the howses and dwellynges off the worlde are his , as wytnesset he the prophet Dauid , who sayethe , The earthe and all the plenytude theroff ys the lordes . For it ys with God , as with a husbande that hathe diuers mansion places , the which also by the common ryght off mariage belonge vnto his wyffe , who causethe his wyffe to dwel in which howse it pleaseth hym , and when he lyste he causethe hyr to remove and to change habitation as he thynketh best , and al wayes the wyffe vs contented , beying an honest woman & belytynge in the company of hyr husbande . Then so , Iesus Christe , who ys the lorde off the v●●uersall worlde , who also by fayght hathe espoused you , Ole . 2. wyll haue this prerogaty●fe also , namly to place you in which of his howses it pleasethe hym beste : your parte ys to obaye , & wyllyngly to dwell in that place where he wyll haue you . And there to remayne , in leadynge a christean lyffe , tyll shuche tyme as he call you thens vnto some other place . The which thynge yff ye are contented to do , them do ye paciently followe your vocation , in gyvynge hym thankes for al thynges , havynge all wayes a sure confidence that he wyll never leave you vnprovyded , & that ye shall new want a howffe to lodge in , seynge that for his sake , you haue lefte that which was your owne . For he hathe so promysed vs in his gospel , sayinge , I saye vnto you off a truthe , there ys no man that dothe forsake his howsse , parentes , brytherin , Math. 19. Mar 10. Luc. 18. wyffe or childrin for the kyngdom off God , that shall no. ressayve myche more in this worlde , & in the worlde to com , everlastyng lyffe . Are ye in doute , that Iesus Christ wyll not performe vnto you this his promys ? Doute it not , for wheras you , do forgo but one howsse for his sake , ye shall fynde a great many off howsses off your fayghtfull brytherin open redy to ressayve you . The lorde wyll prouide for you as he dyd for his prophete Elias fleyng from the face off Achab , 9. Reg. 17 out off his contrye , a wydowe off Gerepta , a frynde in a strange lande that shall minister vnto your necess●●●s : yea he wyll prouyde for you , as he dyd for his seruant Paul , a trew Aquila and a very Pryscills , who wyll not only be redy to ressayve you Ito theyre houses , but also instructe you in a more ample knowlege off the truthe as they dyd Apollo . Wherfor my dere brytherin & faightfull fryndes I most hartely exhorte you , that durynge the tyme off your exile , and whylle it pleasethe the lorde ye dwell in strange contryes , as it were in places off progresse , that you do lyve ryghtouslye , holely , and as it be comethe the chyldrin off God : to wyt , in al honestye , in trew humilite , in perfyte veryte , in an vnfayned peace , in prompte obedience , incharite not fayned , in laborynge with your habes and in seruynge one a nother , accordyng to the habylyte that the lorde hath gyuen you , & in so doynge take no thought how you shall lyve in tyme to come , or wher with you shal be fede and clothed , leve this damnable and vnprofytable care and thought takynge vnto the infydeles & idolaters . God your father knoweth farre better then you , wheroff you haue nede , and he wyll gyve it you , in tyme & place , doute you not : for he dothe noryshe and preserue the yerbes off the earthe , the byrdes off the eayre , & the beastes off the felde , which all are no thynge in comparyson off you : Yea he dothe also norythe his aduersaryes ffor whom the worlde was not made . Wherfor let it new enter into your thoughtes that he wyll forfake you , but be off this most certaynly assured , that he wyll all wayes prouyde for you , all though you are not able to forese and consyder the tyme , when , nor the meanes , how . For yff it please hym he wyll assiste yonre necessite by the ministration off some off his creatures . Yff it please hym , he wyll helpe you , with out vsynge any off his creatures , as an instrument ther vnto : for his almyghty power ys not anexed nor bounde vnto his cre , atures . And therfor my dere fryndes , the scriptures often tymes recordethe vnto to vs , that the helpe off man ys all to gyther vayne as sayeth the prophet Sauid , psal. 59. that ys to saye it ys all to gyther vnprofytable & serueth to no vse of it selfe , with out the lorde with saffe to blysse the same . And therfor the scriptures doth often tymes forbyd vs , not to put oure confidence in men , and namly in princes , who truly are but men . psal. 117. That ys to saye , they are no thynge . For the holy gost sayeth playnly , that euery one that trustethe in man , Iere. 17. ys accursed . Wherfor we may not seke for helpe at men , for there ys none . We may not haue oure confidence in men , al thought they be kynges and prynces , and the gouernours of kyngdoms and contryes : for yff we truste in men , then do we no thynge els but leane vpon a broken reede , Eze. 29. which wyll make vs fall , & in brekynge , wounde oure hande and mayme vs : that ys to saye , it cannot be chossen , but that some myschyffe shall ther by happen vnto vs . for it lyethe not in men , no not in pryntes , any thynge to succore your calamite , and all though they can , yet wyll they not . And al though they coulde , & woulde : yet may they not , for as myche as they haue vowed the contrarye namly , neuerto helpe you , as longe as you seke the glorie off God in his gospell : that ys to saye , tylshuche tyme , as before them you denye your God , your profession and fayght , to save therby your carnall lyffe . The which thynge in very dede , ys no helpe . but a rewyne : ys no commodyte , but a hyndrance : ys no pleasure , but a payne . for what should it profyte vs , my dere fryndes , to wyn all the worlde , Math. 16. & then to lose oure owne soulles ? Last a syde , cast asyde then all confidence in man , never desyre theyre helpe , seying that we can not vse the same with out the preiudice of the glorye off oure lorde and God . That ys to saye , with out eternal damnation . With drawe your cogitations from al creatures , come a waye , and depart with a sure and perfyte fayght . Enter into the protection off the eternall God your father . Beholde hym only , as it were , a parte and seperated from all creatures . Let it never enter into your thoughtes , that ye shoulde anexe and bynde , the infinite bountye , wysdom and power of your eternall God & creator , vnto thynges created . Cousyder that he was God with out begynynge , before he created & made the worde , beynge only all myghty , all wysse , and all goodnes . And that by makynge off the worlde , he ys not become more myghtyer , wyser , or better then he was before . Consyder then , that all though all the creatures off the worlde dyd faylle you , at your nede , yet god remayneth yours , who wyll all wayes helpe you , and that as well without the helpe off any creature , as with the ayde off all his creatures to gyther . Be assured off that . And let oure trust be no lesse in God alone , then yff he were accompanyed with all thosse thynges that he hath created . This ys the trew Arche and pyller of a christean fayght , and the-same taken a waye , fayght must nedes quayll . Wherfor my dere fryndes put in practysse this fayghtfull consyderation and I ensure you that you shal fynde therin shuche a consolation as hyther to ye never tasted , and your affayres shall prosper better , then yff ye heaped all the carres off the worlde to gyther for the same . The lorde God , by Iesus Christ his sonne , comonicate vnto you all , his holy spirete , that in thesse abysmes off wyckednes , and palpable darcknes , which now ys happyned amongest you , he may so co●ducte you , that by a stronge fayght , & sure hope ye may abyde in God , and in the profession of his holy worde vnto th ende . Wyshyng no thyng so myche as the off the wyll off god , al thought it be with the preiudice of the wholl worlde . Amen .

FINIS .