A godly inuectiue in the defence of the Gospell against such as murmure and woorke what thei can that the Bible shoulde not haue free passage, veray necessary to be red of euery faythfull Christian. Gerrard, Philip. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A01657 of text S103091 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 11797). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 86 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 40 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A01657 STC 11797 ESTC S103091 99838848 99838848 3237 2240904226

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A01657) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 3237) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 45:10) A godly inuectiue in the defence of the Gospell against such as murmure and woorke what thei can that the Bible shoulde not haue free passage, veray necessary to be red of euery faythfull Christian. Gerrard, Philip. [80] p. In the parishe of Christes Church within new gate by Richard Grafton, prynter to our soueraigne lorde Kyng Edward the. vi., [Imprinted at Londo[n] : 1547] Preface signed: Philippe Gerrard. Imprint from colophon. Signatures: A-E. Running title reads: The inuectiue. Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Bible -- Early works to 1800. eebo A godly inuectiue in the defence of the Gospell, against such as murmure and woorke what thei can that the Bible shoulde not haue free passage, veray Gerrard, Philip 1547 80 15315 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 A This text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. 2012-10 Assigned for keying and markup 2012-10 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2012-12 Sampled and proofread 2012-12 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2013-02 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

A Godly Inuectiue in the defence of the Gospell , against such as murmure and woorke what thei can that the Bible shoulde not haue free passage , veray necessary to be red of euery faythfull Christian .

The abundaunte grace of the holie ghost maye dayly prouoke , tempt and stere vp the heart of oure mooste noble and vertuous King EDWARDE the . VI. king of England , Fraunce and Irelande . Defendour of the Faith , and in earth the supreme heade of the Churches of England and Ireland : earnestly to promote the Gospell of Christ , to the mayntenaunce of true religion and vertue .

WHEN I had considered and weyghed often with my selfe that the lest part of amitee faithfull loue and duety , which euery man oweth towarde his natiue countrey . ( My mooste gracious and drad soueraigne lord ) is not shewed in the gentle admonyshyng his countrey menne of suche faultes , perilles , and daungers , whiche either bee eminent or els playnly apparant : yea , and especially to attempte this thing when he seeth that there is geuen some great and plentifull occasion . Euen now therfore I thought it good to set furth this Inuectiue in the defence of Goddes holy woord , against all counterfaited Christians wilfully minded , whiche stubburnely resiste the promoting of Chrystes blessed Testament .

I truste wel therfore that your highnes especially , and all your nobilitee , with other your true and faythefull subiectes , that haue earnest heartes to promote Goddes glory , and to seeke for his heauenvly kyngdome , wil take in good part this my enterprice . Wherin although ther want fine handling , liuelye colours , the conueighance of Rhethoricke , and also quicknesse of Witte : yet for al that , there hath wanted no iote of good will , for though I may most iustly confesse , I geue place vnto all men in good learnyng , yet I maye truely say , I am inferiour vnto fewe in good affection towardes the same . Therfore after this my rude and base stile of Inueiynge , I haue here set forth the minde and pleasure of GOD , thynges veray commodiouse and fruitefull for the weale of this noble realme , profitable to auoide contencion and to sette amongest vs a louely societie of liuyng . Nowe in asmuch as I entreate of causes so necessary ( most noble & victoriouse Kyng ) I conceiue no smal hope , that no man if godly exhortacion may haue place in his heart , will refuse accordingly to note & print the same most firmely in mind : especially such as the holy Prophet speaketh against , they haue eies and cannot see , they haue eares and heare not , for they shall well and easilye perceaue that stubburnnesse of mind , hardnes of heart , the contempt of Goddes holy woord , the forgetfulnes of the great benefites and Godly goodnesse of GOD , to bee thynges most greuously condempned in holye Scripture . Again those that be already bent and kendeled in affection to attayne the knowledge and due obedience that apperteine to Christes holy wyll and Testament , shal perceiue manifestly theim selfes to knowe the summe and effecte of their creacion . Wherof we shuld al be fully taught , and often admonished also that we ar not borne to spend our time in pastime and vanities of this miserable world : but to be busied in al seriouse & Godly matters , chefely desiryng to be instructed in Goddes holy religion , to liue innocently , yea and to excell in al kynd of vertues . For who so desireth not to liue well ( as Diogenes wryteth ) liueth vainly . That is to be called a vaine life , when men rather shew them selfes beastes mortal , then men Immortal , regardyng altogether the bodye that vile and beastely parte of man . But nowe ( the pamperyng of it laied apart ) yf we would considre the great and exuberant glory of the spirite or solle of man : if we wold weigh what strength power and vertue remayne in the minde , wee woulde bee sone perswaded to folow Godly thinges and flee the wicked . But more it is pitie , suche is the miserable misery of the world in these daies , that according vnto the saiyng of the holy Prophete : Woe is me , al is ful of sinners , whiche offend of purpose and malice . Esaie the .xxiiii. These wilfull offenders ( my soueraigne Lorde ) bee suche as maliciously spurne agaynst the liuely woorde of GOD , and enuy at your graces pore subiectes enbracing and readyng the same : vsynge subtyll and wicked perswasions to discorage men from the readyng therof , whiche thing forsoth both requireth correction and spedye confutacion for the noryshmente of the younge and tendre knowledge that GOD hath sente amongest vs . Vndoubtedly the maliciouse and cankered stomackes are so playne and plentiful in diuers places against the word of God , that no tong can be still , ne yet heart permit with a dissemblyng countenance to winke at the great ignorance & subtile conueighaunce , especially of suche as haue taken on theym to bee the lyghte of the worlde and guides ouer the simple to conducte theym to the true woorde of GOD . This thynge is soo euydent , that euery honeste hearte woulde sorowe to see it , and take peine to amend it , and wee oughte to bee earnest in this . For who so regardeth the wyl of GOD , wyl openly defend the truthe of his Gospel , and labour al that he can to winne mennes heartes to it . Yea , and to attempte this thyng , the vertue of Goddes word geueth wonderfull strengthe and boldenes .

Euen nowe in consideracion of this . I as one hyghly reioysyng to see the glorie of GOD so liuely set furthe emongest vs , but sorowyng agayne in my hearte to beholde the supersticyouse and ignoraunt sorte so lyttell amended , thoughte it full time to sette forthe this Inuectiue , trustynge that after the readyng of it , suche as haue wytte , reason and iudgemente , wyll remembre them selfes , aryse and most reuerently mete the truth face to face , and be no longer disceiued with counterfaited , coulered , and cloked thinges , but from hens forthe ioyeouslye take in their handes the holy Bible , and esteme it as the moste diuine and Godly thyng that euer came amongest vs : yea and laboure with hande and foote vsyng sobre & catholicke exhortacions to allure men vnto it . This shoulde be a meane to sette for euer amongest vs a publique quietnes , true loue , sure and faithfull frendshyppe . By this meane forsoth we shoulde banyshe Ypocrisie and ignoraunce , whiche bee euer brawlyng and stande in contencion for euery colde Ceremonie and tryfelyng tradicion . For trewely where Ignoraunce , Disdayne , the contempte of Goddes woorde gooe at their libertie , there must nedes aryse contencion , brawlyng , sedicion , and controuersie in Opinions . Yea where an obediente and humble heart wanteth toward the truthe , there for euery lyght occasion , thus men contend . Thou art an Hereticke saith one , thou arte a Papist saieth an other , by this forsoth the worde of GOD is sore endomaged , by this meane Godlye and brotherlye exhortacion is put out of place , yea by this meane Sathan worketh his wyll and pleasure and hardeneth mennes heartes towarde the shining light to their owne condempnacion and vtter confusion . Now therfore ( my deere soueraigne ) who wold not lament ? and for veray pitie tendre the poore simple people readye to perish or rather thus perishing for lacke of true erudicion , and broughte into such amased dulnes through the contrarietie of preachers , that thei know not well whom to truste . It is therfore necessary to set trouthe forward , and to exhorte all men to cleaue faste vnto the worde of GOD , yea , and to admonishe theym not to contende for small tryfles and lyghte occasions : but to vse sobre and familier communicacion in matters of oure religion , for yf they pondre well howe GOD abhorreth contencion and discord , thei wyl bee sore ashamed to enter into it .

And that it soo long contineweth emongest vs , ( most prestant prince ) many are much to bee reproued , especially suche as be profound in eloquence , expert in tonges and great in science , for they shine and shewe gloriouse to the world and dooe nothyng , but bear lumpyshe heartes toward the truthe .

They might compas thinges to avoyde all contencion , and fynd meane to frame vs al to bee of one mynde in the woorde of God . And in thus dooyng they shoulde appease the Ire of GOD , and worke moost strongely in the defence of this noble realme . For this cannot be denied , that weale publique is made sure and perpetuall , where the worde of GOD is thanckfully receaued , and the Kyng faythefully obeyed of his louyng subiectes . This thing cannot come to passe ( most redoubted Kyng ) tyll there bee a restraint against such as vse outragious wordes against the readers of the Bible , nor till the heartes of your graces subiectes be made more agreable vnto the truth , no nor til the Cleargie be brought also in such loue and acquaintance with the holy Bible , that they wil shew them selfes as ready to sow as they be nowe to reape , and forgeat to trust so muche as thei do to the sailes of their prosperitie and worldly dignitie : remembryng this that they ar not to be estemed as hed rulers of the worlde , but as ministers apoynted to dispose those thinges that thei ar charged withall , not the offices of menne but of GOD . This office wherwith they are so streightely charged is to feede the people with the woorde of God , wherfore ( most gracious King ) now to conclude . Although I am not so able as willyng to put men in memorie of their dueties in these thynges , and to refourme their folysh and wicked contencion , yet I trust youre grace will so gently considre my pretence , that this rude Inuectiue maye fynd fauoure in your graces syght to gooe forth , to the encouragement of al youre graces louyng subiectes vnto the woord of GOD . Vnto whom most humbly with heart & minde we ought to pray , both that your highnes maye spedely folowe vertuouse kynge Iosua , whiche mooste gently exhorted his people , willyng them to be exceadyng diligente to take beede vnto all thynges that were written in the law of the LORD , makyng also heartie request vnto them to cleaue faste vnto the Lord their GOD , and also that all the nobles and commons of this your realme may answere your grace again , ( as the people did Iosua ) God forbid but that wee shoulde serue the Lorde our GOD . The Lord will we serue and his voice wyl we obey , that is the holy Bible and Christes blessed Testament . Yf God geue them grace thus to dooe , then this your graces noble realme shal alwaies be most strongly warded and defended , & the Lord ( accordyng to his promise ) shall geue your highnesse prosperous successe in al youre affaires , whose mercifull hande may alwaies defend your noble estate .

Your Maiesties faithful and humble seruaunt Philippe Gerrard yeoman of the Chambre vnto your grace .
To the reader

I Thought it requisite ( most gentle reader ) to admonishe the of two thynges : the one is , that in alledgyng S. Paule I folow the Paraphrasis of Erasmus that famus & renoumed clarke , for he foloweth the iudgement of the doctours & declareth thinges at full , yet swarueth he not from the text . The other is , wher as I was once determined to haue inueighed very vehemently with diuerse quicke sentences and thonderyng places of holy scripture , I haue gone from my purpose in that behalfe as one some thyng abashed to write & put to light thinges that I might iustly haue stand vnto : yea , and very loth that any man should reporte , that either in this or that I haue dismeasured , my penne . Wherfore ( good reader ) I desyre the to take in good part this lame & base Inuectiue , I should rather haue sayd rude and simple exhortacion . And although it be not framed accordyng to thyne expectacion , holde the content : My traueile in this , is only to wynne men . For I haue heard say , that sharpnes in writyng hath been so noisome to some , that they haue straight cast al vnderfoote and looked no further , whiche neuer syns could byde anye handelyng ne yet confourme them selfes to any kynd of truth or thinges iustly spoken , whose stubburne and wylfull intentes I trust wyll be remedied , that I shal not nede to set forthe the vehement Inuectiue whiche I haue in a redines to come forthe , if I perceiue hereafter iust occasion to bee giuen . Thus fare well .

THE INVECTIVE .

HOwe faythfull hertes we owe vnto GOD for his euident tokens of loue towarde vs moost vile and miserable sinners S. Paule sheweth in the .v. to the Romains . ( Christe saieth he ) willyngly for our sakes suffered death and putteth away our offences with his blud His benignite and gentlenes here toward vs was exceadyng great , if wee diligently note and pondre , that he the creatour of all thynges , would die for vs most sinfull creatures : That he innocent , fauteles , and most pure , would suffre suche Passyon to remedye and healpe our wickednes : yea and brefely , that the God Immortall woulde suffre most cruell and greuouse tourmentes for the loue of men mortal . O hard hearted that wyl not be thankefull for this great gentlenes and high benignitie , calling to memory the wonderfull Iuell & treasure of his death ? For true Innocencie and perfecte saluacion ( saith sainct Paule ) bee giuen freely by it , the .v. to the Galathians .

O faithful Christians , was not this a preciouse reward ? for this most high and heauenly gifte our dutie is tendrely againe with hearte and mind to loue hym : by his Godly merites and loue toward vs , wee should bee quickly prouoked , for through his death we bee all dedicated vnto hym and sanctified in his moost holy and preciouse blud , let vs therfore obey vnto hym . This obedience forsoth is chefely required at our handes in folowyng of his doctryne , for it is not enough ( as witnesseth S. Paule ) to bee dipped in water , neither to professe Christ , excepte all our hole life aunswere vnto his doctrine : from which not to swarue one iote wee haue professed in Baptime and haue made there an earneste promise to bee of this bande and holy religion , yea and alwayes to humble our selfes vnto his heauenvly doctrine . Euen nowe therfore , for the perfourmance of these thynges , let vs offre a mete and worthy oblacion , for this our Godly profession , that is a liuyng sacrifice pure and holy , pleasant and acceptable before God , a reasonable sacrifice , whiche is the sacrifice of the mynd : For God is a sprite and his fauoure is gotten by the gyftes of the sprite the .xii. to the Roma . The Euangelist witnesseth also that Chryste is fully satisfied with a faithfull heart , saiyng , geue me thine heart & I aske no more . Now truely no man geueth his heart vnto God , but he that forsaketh the pleasure , pompe and vanities of this vile world and with a syncere mynde bent onely on heauenly wysedome seeketh to knowe the scriptures of Christ : for Godly wisedom ( as saieth S. Paule ) deliteth in Godly and simple mindes : and therfore none of the princes of this world haue atteigned it : Neyther Pilate , neither Annas nor Cayphas , nor the Pharisees ne yet the deuelles although thei wer learned in the knowledge of worldly thynges , pufte vp and proude because they knewe the lawe , neither proude princes deserued to know this , no nor yet the curiouse and haute Phylosophiers . The .ii Corinthi . This Heauenly wisdome is the Gospel of Christ , which bringeth quicke and spedy saluacion , as thou maist read in the .x. to the Romains : by the strength and power of it al thynges haue their beyng both in heauen and yearth . This heauenly wisdome which is the very wil and testament of our sauiour Chryste , putteth power , efficacy , and vertue , in the holy sacramentes . By this heauenvly wisedome whiche is the misticall , holy & gloriouse scriptures of Christe our solles liue and haue their spirituall norishmente . Yea , and in receuyng this heauenly wisedome , which is the blessed word of God , wee receaue the bodie of Christ : here dooeth appere by these woordes an excedyng grace and vertue of the liuely woord of God . Therfore whosoeuer wil consider the effectes therof and way with himself the pith thy puinctes of our christian religion , desiryng to find fauour , grace , and mercie at the handes of God , he must obediently ( al supersticion , false and intermingled doctrine and wilfull ignoraunce vtterly set a part ) enbrace nowe Christes Gospell , whiche reconcileth all menne to God , as thou shalt finde in the fourth to the Galathyans : this reconciliacion loue and fauour he that wold not gladly haue yf he might , is to bee thoughte bothe madde and miserable , for it is a thing farre aboue the beneuolence of hyghe kynges and mightie princes , it is therfore most gredily to be desired . Nowe truely this grace and fauour al poore men may well and easely atteigne at the handes of God , whiche with simple & obedient heartes reade his blessed Testament and seke forth his scriptures , and all that be thus occupyed are openly pronounced to bee very acceptable in Goddes sight . Accordyng to this saiyng of the holy Prophete . Blessed are they that seeke forthe thy testimonies and require thy law with all their heartes . By this it dooeth apere that it is requisite for al christen men eyther poore or riche to study the holy Bible and diligentely to searche forthe the wyll and pleasure of God . Thou canst not denye but that thyng is pleasaunt and acceptable in the fathers sighte that causeth him to geue his sonne benediction : for as muche as wee see daily that benediction is not giuen but vnto suche chyldren as folow their fathers mind and pleasure ? And that it is very nedefull , that all men shoulde bee perfectly taughte in the holy Scriptures . Esaie the Prophet plainly declareth . It is a people ( saith he ) without vnderstandyng and therfore he that created them shal not fauour them and he that made theym shall not bee mercifull vnto them , the xxvii of Esaie . By these wordes it is easy to bee iudged . That who so euer is not diligente to reade the woorde of God , falleth into his indignacion and fearfull displeasure and wandereth on ignorauntly as one voide and destitute of al grace to whose peruerse mynd God wyl shewe no mercie : surely this is the greatest plage and misery that can chance vnto men . Now to auoide this wicked estate , who would not bee circumspecte and willyng to take in his hand the holy Testament ? Vndoubtedly he that through the deuell and ignoraunce is so seduced that he hath it in meane estimacion , and to reade it hym self is neyther couragyouse ne yet of good wyll to haue it set forthe by other , is in a miserable case , Yea , the misery of such a man no tong can sufficiently expresse , and yet to see howe wickedly many nowadaies bee confederate togither in a Deuelyshe conspiracie against the promotyng of it , is a thyng soore to bee lamented . And all that bee of this peruerse and stubburne iudgement , bee more abhominable in goddes sight then wer the wicked and grosse people of Geresa , whiche coulde not away with Chrystes doctrine , regarded not his commyng vnto them , no nor woulde in no wise bee acquainted with hym , whose familiaritie and acquaintaunce euery christen man oughte desirousely to seeke . And this is plaine that there is none so good a meane to be throughly acquainted with him as to bee busied in his holy scriptures , and alwaies to haue a delyghte there , folowyng the holy Prophete , whiche said vnto god , thy commaundementes Lorde , bee my ioye and delectacion . This holy man beatyng alwaies a faithful heart vnto God and euer diligent to set abrode the lawes of his Lord , saied vnto his deere and best beloued sonne Salomon and vnto all the people . Kepe & seeke for the commaundementes of the lord your god that you may enioye a good land and inherite your chyldren after you for euer . This was Godly counsaill and worthie commendacion , this counsail shoulde all Christen men folow and gladly learn the syncere law of Christ , for it is spiritual and the giuer of life as thou arte taughte in the eight to the Romains . And in this doyng wee must needes prospre and goe forwarde in all our affayres . As it is shewed in the .xv. Chapyter .ii. of the Chronycles . Beleue his Prophetes and soo shall ye prospere : Howe wonderfully I praye you dyd kyng Iosaphat prospere because he forsoke Baals waies and walked vpryghtely in Goddes commaundementes , obeyed the holy prophetes , and vtterly shoke of all the wycked dooeynges of Israel , euen for the earnest heart he hadde vnto the truthe . God alwaies defended hym and stablyshed his kyngdom in his handes , and so hathe he promysed vnto all kynges & prynces , whose heartes are couragiouse in the wayes of the Lorde . This noble Prince was nothyng forgeatfull to call in memorie his loyall dewtie and faythefull obedyence towardes GOD his creatour and gouernoure . He was the truest hearted Kyng vnto GODDES woord that euer was annointed or had charge ouer Chrystes congregacion , for he was inflamed with suche zeale and faythfull affection of hearte to set abroade the lyuely word of GOD . That he sente forthe dyuerse of his Lordes , Priestes and Leuytes and caused theym to carry the booke of the Lawe with theym and commaunded theim to teache the people in all the Cities of Iuda . Hys couragiouse and Pryncely hearte , for this his dooeyng cannot haue sufficient lawde and commendacion . For this ( a man may well saye ) O mooste noble Iosaphat , moost woorthily by this acte thou haste gotten perpetuall memorie and also the Heauenly kingdome , where thou reygnest nowe in wonderfull ioye and felicitie .

O happie Lordes , that in those daies obedyently wente on soo Godlye a message , and lyke trewe Subiectes shewed your selfes earnest and faythfull hearted to accomplyshe the Kynges commaundement , whiche emongest all actes of high kinges and princes is most woorthily celebrated and had in renoume , as thou mayest reade in the notable history of Iosaphat , set forth in the Bible : yea this act was so wonderful vnto men & so plesant in the eyes of God , that by the reason therof al kynges & princes feared vertuouse Iosaphat . For he wrought most nobly folowing his guide & capitain the holy ghost whiche maketh all men feruent in the feare of the Lord , Esaye the .xi. Yea , alwaies be considered the great kyndnes , giftes and benefites of God He knewe ryght well that who so deliteth in the lawe of the Lorde , and exerciseth him self therein both day and nyght must needes prospere and dooe thynges acceptable before God . Furthermore he being euer tendre ouer the weale of his subiects , and pretendyng most nobly to defend equitie and Iustice appoineted iudges in euery Citie and straightely bade them : Feare the Lord , dooe Iustice , regard not one man more then another , take ye no rewardes of them , bee couragiouse , for the Lord wyll bee with the good . Herken to noble Iosephat all christen princes whom God hath appoincted to guide and conduct his people in his holy testimonies and Godly preceptes : And also other inferiour powers may take exaumple and learne of hym as of the comliest and noblest Prince that euer bare renoume . His vertuouse actes would God they woulde humbly receaue , and sette before their faces his wonderful Godly dooynges , yea and learne nowe to promote the Gospel of Christ & to stere them to this so godly a worke the saiyng of Esay is a stronge perswasion & a great encouragement to read the gospell , assone as thy iudgementes are knowen vnto the world then the inhabiters of the earth learn rightwisenes . Esay the .xxvi. whiche vndoubtedly is a thyng as necessary to be learned at this daye as any one thyng vnder heauen . Yf men woulde weygh the handelyng of thynges and howe pitiefully the poore be oppressed of the ryche , and for amendemente of this thyng : Let vs all praye with the holy Prophete Esay ( Oh Lord ) nowe healpe , for thou art the poore mannes healpe , a strenghte for the nedefull in his necessitie . Esay the .xxv. and to encourage vs all to minister vnto the nedye wee reade a Godly saiyng in the Prophet Dauid , whereon resteth the summe and effect of our christianitie . That is , blessed is he that hathe a respecte vnto the poore , and considereth his necessitie , in the yl day the Lorde wyll freely deliuer him . Here forsoth is a wonderfull Godly promise vnto suche as bee pitiefull and tendre ouer the poore . And who so wyll not with heart and mynd geue vnto them thinges necessarye , but tourneth his face from them and hautely ouer looketh them , not willyng to offre vnto those liuely Images of God , meate , drinke , raiment with other nedefull thynges he shall then bee appoincted into euerlastyng punishemente of Hell , a place for the mercilesse ordeyned of God .

Verily this shal bee full iudgemente and perfecte sentence spoken of Goddes owne mouthe in that terrible day awaye ye wicked and mercilesse creatures into euerlastyng fire . Then shal honour , pompe and dignitie nothyng auayle , then shall these great possessours of goodes pitiefully crye alas , and bewail their infelicitie and great lacke of grace : But now this to considre theyr heartes bee ouer hard . Who doeth not see how pitiefully the poore be despised in euery place , be not most men more ready to deuour them , then to healpe them , be they not hastyer to make them starke beggers , then to succour & to relefe them in their necessitie ? truely ouer al that thus do there hangeth the vengeance of god , wonderful Plages and myseries , euen suche as hanged ouer the wycked Diues spoken of in the Gospell , and lette all of his confederate feloweshyppe ( wherof forsothe the nomber is greate ) bee fully perswaded in this , that it is not possyble that these impoueryshers of the poore shoulde alwayes prospere , but that eyther they or theyr heyres shoulde falle in some myserye and sodayne decaye and moost commonly to spreade abrode their euel gotten goodes as thou maiest plainly read in the xij . of Iob. Aand how to vse the poore all chrysten men maye nowe learne of that vertuouse man whose charitable saiyng should neuer out of our memories , that is , I deliuered the pore when he cryed and the fatherles that wanted healp , the .xxix. of Iob. Iob considred full well that God was none of them that vsed parcialitie , no nor yet any acceptour of personnes and that made him so plainly to affirme that god regardeth not the riche man more than the poore , Iob .xxxiiii. but verily the cause that many passe so litel to tread them vnderfote & with wicked oppression vtterly to vndoe thei care not how many , is a certein greedy desire to accumulate riches , to mainteine worldly pompe and dignitie , and to haue the blynde prayses and vayne commendacions of this deceiptefull worlde , as to be estemed very riche , and as the common saiyng is , he is one yf he liue that will proue a great riche man , by his witte and policie he hath purchased thus muche . Where this sensualitie reigneth , vertue and Godlynesse must nedes be put a syde . And by none other mean most commonly these great ryches and vaine tytles bee attaigned but by vsurye , gyftes , brybes , and in disceauing the poore . O thou most miserable and infortunate man that by this meane waxest riche ? Heare what a wonderfull plage hangeth ouer thy heade . The fyre shal consume suche as bee greedy to receiue gyftes , for they beare mischefe in their bodies & bring forth deceipte . The .xviii of Iob. Oh Lord , dooeth not I pray you euen now the state of this woorlde declare , ( yf you marke well ) that the sore threatenynges of God , the reward of sinne as death , Hell and eternall dampnacion to bee thinges nether thought vpon ne yet feared in mennes conscience ? For yf they feared God and had the strength of his spirite , all the ryches & glory of this world could not moue them to thinke the contrary , but that it were much better for them to helpe the poore , and to be confourmable vnto Goddes commaundement , then deuelyshely to treade theim vnder foote for wicked Mammon and filthy lucar sake . Suffre not your eies thus to bee blinded with vanities , it is seen daily that misers and vile abiectes , euen suche as bee brutyshe both in mynd and body for their ryches sake to be highly estemed and pufte vp in pride . The rude and gasyng multitude iudge all suche men to be in highe ioye and felicitie , for their vncertain and transitory rychesse , thynke thou them neuer a deele the better . But sorowe and bee carefull in thyne heart , that Auarice and insaciate couetousnes reigne soo soore amongest them , that to dooe almose they haue cleane forgotten , for the common reliefe that they bestowe vpon the needy bee fayre woordes , colored with Hypocrisye , as , alas good man , God healpe the , god healpe the. O counterfaited Christian , god commaundeth the to healpe them : and cursed arte thou of what degree soo euer thou arte , that wylt not succoure thy poore neyghbour in his necessitie . Bee penitent therfore in time , for dampnacion hangeth ouer thy hed . I suppose thou seest plainely inough what miserye and myschefe reigne euery where The poore bee despysed and Goddes woord so lytell regarded and thought vpon , that that soore and lamentable saiyng of Esaye maie iustely bee spoken vnto vs in these daies . It is an obstinate people , vnfaithefull chyldren , ( saieth he ) chyldren that wil not here the law of the Lord , the .xxix. of Esai .

O noble Englande this lawe of the Lord thou hast moste plainly set forth vnto the & as yet thy myserable state is soore to bee lamented , for through thy obstinate blindnes thou prouokest God to stryke styll with durable strokes , thou dooest not soo humbly submitte thy self vnto his blessed wil and testament as thy duetie is . Thou arte neyther soo ioyouse , ne yet so earnestly bent to haue it goe forward as God hath geuen the occasions within these fewe yeres . It semeth thine hearte is setled on fantasies most fond , and kepest olde dotyng dreames foo fast vnder locke , yea , and sauerest so much of auncient custome that the pure worde of God in thy spirite hath smal taste . But heare a whyle and geue eare and thou shalte knowe more of thy duetie , and determine thy selfe lowely to folowe suche histories as shall be rehersed vnto the gathered out of the lawe of the Lord . First considre when that holye man Esdras Preached vnto the people their eares were so wonderfully enclyned to the booke of the lawe , and their heartes so enamored for the singuler delight they had to heare the swete wordes and pleasant promises of god , that they could not but weepe the .ii. booke of Esdras the .viii. chapter . Forsothe it was a greate token of grace to weepe for the feruente zeale and loue of Goddes worde . Thei also made greate myrthe because they vnderstode what was declared vnto them .

O happie people that so reioysed in knowledge . What man is he dissendyng downe into hymselfe that wold not reioyse also to remember what ioye and felycitie these people had in the woord of God : and mourne nowe for compassion to beholde what spite and euell wyl many beare toward the holy Bible ? whose miserable blyndnesse is muche to be lamented , truely suche is the pestilent malice of ignorantes , suche bee the deceiptes and wyles of Ipocrites , the one in league and full consente with the other , labour with all subtilitie to wrappe the people in blyndnesse styl , and yet openlye they faigne theym selfes glad and ioyouse that the truthe is come out , but sorow and sigh in their heartes to haue it go forwarde . Great pytie it is that any manne should goe about to endomage Christen men in the word of God : For the greatest compassion that we ought to haue on any one thyng vnder Heauen is on the rude multitude of Chrystians lackyng the trewe knowledge therof : for Chrysten mennes heartes shoulde alwaies bee enclosed in that highe and heauenly wisedom of God , consideryng that Ignoraunce is the most pestilent poyson that can reigne emongest men . And to learne howe to abbolyshe the great and wonderfull blyndnes , whiche hathe hadde a long course and continuance emongest vs , thou haste the holy Byble playnely set forth vnto the : and yf thou haue a hoole and a cleare heart , thou mayest sone learne to folowe the trace of vertue , thou shalte learne also to be strong and quiete to beare al afflictions , yea , and shalte be able to enstruct suche as thou haste nouryshed to liue togither in an amiable conuersacion . But alas there be many both temporal and spirituall that wyll neuer take the testament in their handes , they passe lyght of it , & care not howe lyttell it is spoken of emongest them , but & if it come by chance vnto them they esteme it as a geast nether welcome ne yet loked for . Of what spirite they learne this of , I muche marueil , yf one call them counterfaited christians ryght scribes and Phariseis , they set vp their brystels and fall in a rage . Oh Lord suche are nothyng mindfull of the saiyng of Elephas vnto Iob , receaue the lawe at the Lordes mouthe and laie vppe his woordes in thyne hearte and he shall geue the an haruest with suche plentifull abundaunce that it shal exceade the duste of the yearthe , and looke what thou takest in hand it shall prospere . Nowe Englande this Godly saiyng shoulde steere vp the and all thyne to shewe your selfes most humble and meke in settyng forwarde the woorde of GOD : Surely thou deserueste greate glorye and hyghe estymacion , yf thou bee agreable vnto his truthe . And therfore shewe thy selfe euer couragiouse to promote his blessed testament , and cease now to be styffenecked to desende thy supersticion and wilfull ignoraunce , for this is playne , no man shal bee excused by ignorance , ne yet shal escape to geue accompte of his bailywicke . Thou shuldest therefore obedientlye enbrace the liuely woord of God , which is a thing most mete and requisite for all agees and degrees of men . Thou shouldest studie the same both daye and nyghte , and geue thy self wholy to knowe the Euangelion of Chryste , for the eyes of the Lord behold all the earth to strenghthen them that are holie with him , the .xvi. Cha. the .ii. Chronicles . This kynde of studie is most conuenable for the professours of Christ , and thus to dooe is the chefest puincte of our profession in Baptime , whereunto yf you answere ( as saieth sainct Paule . ) He that is most abiecte emongest you , is better then they that bee taken to bee of highest authoritie emongest the vngodly , the .i. to the Corinthians . Let vs nowe therfore plante surely in our hertes the lawe of God . Let vs shewe our selfes ioyouse to heare the eternal testament of Christ spoken of emongest vs , Let vs remember well the saiyng of Samuell vnto Saull . Thou haste caste awaye the biddyng of God , and therfore the Lord hath caste the away also , This shoulde be no lesse fearfull vnto vs nowe , least the Lord cast vs away , which maie and wyll not drinke of the well of the water of life , freely , that is the holy Bible most godly and syncerely set forthe in oure Englishe tongue . For the whiche wee oughte with reioysyng heartes to saie . O the lot of our felicite most luckely chaunged . For where as of late we offred sacrifice vnto Idols , now we be taught to offre the sacrifice of Iustice vnto our heauenly father . Of late we were obedyent vnto al damnable rites and wicked supersticion , nowe we be taughte to obey onely the Gospell which is saluacion vnto al them that beleue it . It is not long sythen we called on Sainctes for diseases and all folyshe fantasies , nowe we be taught , that in all our extreme miseries we shuld flee vnto Ihesus the only appoincted mediatour betwyxt God the father and vs : Once we wer not ashamed to runne barefooted and barelegged , & to bowe our selfes vnto Images , before whom we committed wonderful Idolatrye , a thyng most cursed & dampnable in the sight of god . And if men woulde iustly weie & pondre , the maruelouse Ipocrisy , Idolatrie & dampnable supersticion which of late dayes were stifly defended and mainteined of the Clergy , for pompe and dignitie , vayne glorye and aduauntage sake , they cannot but triumphe for this so Godly a change , excepte they be priuie enemies vnto England and shamefull rebels vnto christes holy religion : for by this chaunge we haue lyght for darkenes , true religion for supersticion , remission of our synnes by the bloud of Christ in stead of Papisticall and deceitful Pardonnes . And yf we would call to memory howe imperfecte and corrupted oure faythe was by the reason of poperye , howe ignorantly we walked , yea , and what disobedyence reygned emongest vs , then surely if we be not shamelesse and destitute of all grace , wee cannot but giue hearty thankes for this most gloriouse chaunce . And euen nowe is full tyme ( yf the state and value of thynges be wel considered ) to shew our selfes reuerent , deuout and symple to receiue the gloriouse testament of christ , yea , and to repente and make our eies sore with sobbing and wepyng that euer we wer so disceiued with popery , Ipocrisie & such other pelfe . And how to vse our selfes in readyng the bible , let vs all take our exaumple of vertuouse kyng Iosias , whiche was a man indued with such a singuler grace and of so feruent zeale toward the word of God , that after he had once redde the boke of the lord , he so lamented al wiked doynges & false doctrine that he rent his clothes and sayd . The wrath of God is kendeled on vs , because our fathers haue not hearkened vnto the wordes of this booke to do in al puinctes as it is written therein . O happy people of England , if your dull vnderstandyng wold reache to consider how worthy wordes these wer for so noble a kyng , wold god the mindes of al kinges & princes were so stable in the law of the Lorde as his was , for he ceased not with al his power to throw doun al kynd of idolatrie , as temples , hi laulters , & groues . the .xxii. chro . & contrarily again , wicked Manasses & his sonne Amon obserued dismael daies , made Images & bowed vnto them : what vile estimacion this brought them vnto the holy scrypture witnesseth in the booke of the kynges . Where thou maiest reade also of diuerse kynges whose hyghe glory and worthinesse is tourned into shame : for that thei refused the woord of God and gaue them selfes vnto Idolatrie and vtterly cast awaie the commaundementes of God . And for an example , How pitiefully I pray the did the lord smite kyng Iehoram ? he was inuaded of his enemies and lost al his goodes , he was plagued with diuerse diseases , his end was most miserable & greuouse to beholde , for his bowelles rotted within hym and fell out of his bealy , yea , and to be brefe , for his mischefe he was not buryed in the sepulcres of the kynges , but is left vnto vs as a memory of wickednes , the .xxii. Chronicles . This kyng was thus wonderfully plaged for that he forsoke the word of god , and defiled himself with Idolatrie against the law of the Lord And be ye wel assured , that he and his people wer not worse defyled in those dayes then wee were of late with Romyshe doctrine . Oure truste was ( as all men know ) in masses of Scala celi . wee enbraced blynd pardones and louyngly buried them with vs : we kneled , bowed and becked vnto Idolles : false doctrine bare the hole swaie , the truthe cleane shut vp , it was kept vnder locke and coulde haue no libertie .

What Godly minde woulde not abhorre to thyncke on this ? With these and many mo abhominacions we wer sore and deadly wounded . And none so good a meane can now be found to cure oure olde diseases , as to flee vnto the blessed testament of Christ , which wil quickely healpe suche as desyre remedie , confessynge their greefes and lamentyng their myserable blyndnesse . The great grace and benignite of god is nowe soo preste that thou maiest yf thou wylte , drynke a draughte freelye of the syncere worde of God that most pure fountain and holsome water of lyfe , whiche wyll cause the to spewe vppe all that thou hast dronke of that foule , stinkyng and Papistycal podel . And yf thou nowe geue no eare to it , but fondly wylte folowe other by pathes whiche commonly bee thicke , thornie and cumbersome to iourney in , and hast a desire to straie abrode thus wilfully thou knowest not whither , dysdainyng to folowe the doctrine of the Byble , where God sheweth howe and whiche waye al his should walke , them forsoth it is an euident token and significacion , that thou arte the childe of wrath a counterfaited Christian , yea , and a ryght inheritour to Hell . And if thou be mynded to tary still in Ignoraunce , and wilte not bee moued from thy miserable condicion whyche soo blyndeth the that thou haste no grace to discerne the contrariete of these .ii. doctrines , doe no more then but reade Sermones discipuli , Legenda Aurea , vitas Patrum , and the olde Chronicle of Romyshe Byshoppes , afterwarde reade the Testament . Then thou shalt soone espie how the glory of God hathe ben defaced , and what abhominable lyes and fables haue been taughte in the steade of the Gospell . This shal bee a meane yf any meane be , to make thine hearte relente , this shall make the to crie out vpon all false doctrine : yea , this shall alter the from a styffe and a stubburne ignorant to be a pleasaunt sacrifice before GOD . That is thou shalte bee pourged in conscyence from Idolatrie , Ipocrisie , supersticion , mennes constitucions , newe kyndes of worshyppynges , this and that fourme of liuyng , colde ceremonies , and such other pelfe as hath been added of late vnto Chrystes doctryne , then thou wylte quickely refuse the shadowes of the lawe of Moyses and folowe the Testament , whiche is the lyghte and full perfection of Christes holy religion , for there thou shalte fynde all thynges playnely set forthe vnto the , whiche apperteigne to get euerlastyng lyfe . And if thou wilt now endeuour thy self to attain the knowledge of it , then forsoth thou trauelest for pure ornamentes , treasures & iuels and laborst to a purpose , for in comparison of it al other studies be but vain vanities and fantasies most fond . And that thou mayest be more spedily prouoked to the word of God , consyder , howe sore sainct Paule as a true and faithfull minister was charged with thoughtes for the Congregacion .

He was so earnestly bent to haue it goe forewarde , that he coulde not suffre in no wyse to haue it hyndered or put backe , but would haue it knowen vnto all kynd of menne as it shall apeare vnto the by these hys woordes vnto the Romaynes . I knowe wel ( sayeth he ) there bee many whyche bee against the Gospell of Chryst , by whom Sathanas goeth about to let the saluacion of men , the .xii. to the Romains . And yf sainct Paul were nowe emongest vs , he would saie some thyng . It is to be thought he would breake out with a vehement sprite and saie . O minysters minysters blynded with you knowe what , through you the woord of God cannot haue free passage , you stande gapyng for hygh and frail thinges of the worlde , and bee nothyng myndefull that the Preachyng of the Gospell farre surmounteth baptyme Masse and all other vertuouse thynges vnder heauen . I saie vnto you , the preachyng of the Gospell is the moste pleasant worshippe and sacrifice that can be vnto God , the first to the Rom. And for a farther trial of this , reuolue all the byble and thou shalt fynd this playn that the glorioust lyfe that can bee for a minister is to preach , and the shamfullest agen to be daintely nouryshed & liue in idlenes , for of this ( witnesse all auncient writers ) arise all other mischefes . Nowe therefore , who so hathe grace to remember his duety and hath also a cleare vnderstandyng in the holy scriptures , wil say no lesse then sainct Paule dyd . Woe be vnto me yf I preach not and set out the glory of God . By this mean it should be easie for all ministers of the church to take away the great grefe and hatred out of all mennes stomakes . The cause truely why many report so euel of the Cleargie , is their manifest sluggyshenes and styffenes of mynde whereby they shewe them selfes salse and faint hearted toward the woorde of God . This ( I say ) is the cause of their gret infamy , this is the cause that they are had nowe in suche disdaine . It is muche maruail thei do not perceiue their owne perdicion . Wonderful it is that they can not smell why they are soo despysed : Let them weigh the matter well and they cannot but confesse that it is no small infamye for theym whiche should be of great knowledge and experte in the Scryptures to bee founde as many are , who so lysteth to put the thyng in profe and due examinacion very Ideottes and of no knowledge , and the occasion of this is , they are so choked with wilful ignorance , that they wyl not once loke on the bible . They so perswade them selfes , that thei saie al is wel inough and remayn still euen hard hearted Pharoes towarde the shinyng lyghte , and as deefe as any doore nayle , yf a manne wyll them to studie : pitie it is , that any suche miserable miserye shoulde reygne amongest them . But alas suche is the vayne vanitie of this worlde : They thynke styll , that pompe and dignitie bryng estimacion , but the people haue nowe suche a syght that euery manne perceueth vertue to be a treasure worthy commendacion : and that for vertues sake euery minyster is worthye double honour and not for his dignitie . And many perceiue right wel also that honor pompe and dignite were the bryngers in of the Bishoppe of Rome and suche as Preache intermyngled doctryne for the mayntenaunce of any suche lyke dignitie and worldely estimacion , the people can soone espie , theyr flattery in Preachynge can not nowe bee cloked : There can no couert shadow theyr craftie conueiance especially before suche as haue busied them selfes in the doctrine of sainct Paule whiche writeth thus . Thei that wold perswade you contrarye thynges vnto those that I haue taughte you folowe not GOD but mennes desires and serue theyr owne vauntage , glorye , and tirannye , and by all meanes possyble beware of suche . The fyfthe to the Galathians . Forsoth it woulde make men to wondre and to bee sore amased , yf they would search forth old auncient histories , to note what myschefe menne haue wroughte for theyr owne aduauntage , and especially to atteine fame and glory either by hoke or croke they passed not whether . Glorie as a thousand histories make mencion , hath euer been a staie to keepe in the truthe . It is playne that it hathe called many a man from the studye of the Byble , and whosoeuer is geuen to maintein glory after his wicked will shall neuer agree with the Gospell of Chryste . Dyd not the Iewes I pray the to maynteygne theyr lawe , whyche was pompe , dignytie and supersticion , slaye the aucthour of lyfe and ryghtewysenes ? The eyghte Chapyter to the Romayns . Yet forsoth they sawe the lyghte , but malice blynded theyr eyes , they hearde the Gospell but rancoure of hearte stopped theyr eares . The .x. chap. to the Romaines . They wer people of Goddes first election but they refused his doctrine and for their incredulitie they were afterward reiecte and cast of for naught . The cause was , they were so geuen to colde ceremonies , that they could not brooke the Gospell . It was the hardest peece of worke that euer Saincte Paule had to frame them vnto Christ , they stode euer so styffe in the defence of their auncient customes , cloked and fained religion , yea , thei feared so muche the fal of their gloriouse kyngdome that as ye may reade they were soone confederate togither in myschefe and agreed all on this quickely to make away Chryst and al his disciples . They perceaued wel inough , that yf his doctrine had free course , thei might then take leaue of honour , pompe and dignitie , wherein rested all their presente confort , ioye and felicitie . They knewe well also , that if the truthe were once knowen they could then no longer delude the poore symple people as they dyd , witnesse Sainct Mathew . And euen nowe there be as styffnecked children as euer were they . Attempte the thyng who lusteth , and he shall haue his handfull to bryng some rooted in supersticiouse doctryne to credite the Gospell by the reason they giue suche confydence and are soo stayed with lewde persuasions of vnlearned preystes which vnder the colour of sheperdes plaie the righte wolfes : on whose ignoraunce the holye scripture cryeth out veray terribly in dyuerse places , yea , it plainely pronounceth all suche to bee cursed and dampnable in the syghte of GOD , whiche haue taken on theym the offyce of mynisters and promotours of the gospell , and nowe subtilie with their policies woulde keepe it in staie . Would God all such would graciously beare away the saiyng of saincte Paule . I haue laboured ( saieth he ) with all my power to satisfie the office commaunded vnto me , the fourth to the Corint . If men had harkened vnto S. Paule in this poinct , christen kinges & princes shuld neuer haue ben so corrupted & defyled with Romish doctrine as thei wer , for the neglecting of preachyng , desire of glorie , and subtil wresting aside of the scriptures in the beginning , caused ignorance to beare such a stroke amongest vs , by litel & litel the clergie wrought their feit , turning true thinges to false vertue to lucar , purest and beste to the worste . Till the myndes of men were blinded altogither with wicked tradicions . And nowe because suche as should preache , be stubburne to restore again true discipline , it stereth vp mennes heartes more & more against them It is requisite to pray for the amendment of this and that they wold vouchesafe to reade the Englishe Byble , yf the zeale of it once entre into theyr heartes , they wyll sone forget al peynes and trauell taken in appliyng the same . Who is ignoraunte ? he that studieth the bible deserueth great praise and is honorable before God . And contrarilye the prayer of hym that grudgeth at it is abhominable . th eight cha of the Prouerbes . Woulde God therfore that you would read the Prophetes , for there you shall fynd euidently that the contemnours of the Bible be hated of God , abhominable before his eyes , chyldren of Sathanas and enheritours vnto hel . This is a myserable and terrible state for any manne to thinke on . This wold make any christen conscience to tremble and quake . This dilygently pondered who wold not lament with sobbyng and weping eyes the great calamitie and myserie of many a one amongest vs ? it seemeth forsoth , that thei be cleane destitute of grace or els they would soone confesse that the fittest thyng that can bee for Christen men , were to knowe the gloriouse testament of Chryst , for in it bee conteigned woordes of life , sentences spoken of Goddes owne mouthe , his assured and faithful promyses , wherby we haue oure iuste tytle to inherite his heauenly kingdome . Woe be vnto hym whosoeuer he be that would not haue this so godly a thing knowen and taught vnto all agees and degrees of men . Great pitie it is , but that al men baptysed in the blessed blud of Christ , should knowe his laste wyll and eternall Testamente . And forasmuche as chefe Learnyng and vertue is to surmounte all other in good deedes , and this is in no place so fully taughte as in the Byble where thou shalte haue plentyfull instructions how to worke after Goddes wyll and pleasure , and howe to fynd remedie against al euils and accustomed vices , what Englishe hert true vnto god & faithful vnto the kyng wold murmure at it ? It semeth that suche men be past shame or els depryued of theyr wittes , that wyll not prouoke , tempte , and stere all men to studie it . Maie not a man therfore with good reason , be bold to wryte againste suche slouthefull sheapardes as stubburnely stande nowe a daies and care not for knowledge ? The frowarde ignoraunce of suche is a greate blot and shame vnto other honeste mynisters , whom forsothe wee oughte to haue in greate pryce , estimation and honoure and not in contempte or derysion for the offences of the wycked , ( as some haue theym nowe ) for yf wee thus do we offend god greuously , and to loode the worste of theim with checkes and tauntes is no waie forsothe to wynne them : christen charitie wyll rather desire that suche ministers as haue noo knowledge in the Latin toungue , as fewe of them haue : would giue theim selfes some houre in the daie to reade the Englyshe Byble , and wyll theym gentely not to be ashamed to lerne . By this meane they maie recouer their estimacion againe . This woulde bee a quiet lyfe for them and a full restraint to stoppe mennes toungues . For soo longe as they whiche shoulde bee the lyghte of the worlde , will willyngly walke in darkenesse , disdainyng the lyght , men wyll euer haue them in suspect and let them not thinke the contrary but that they must nedes suffre infamy , disdain and other great strokes of Fortune . Therfore frankely of their own courage if they haue grace , they will busie them selfes in the Englishe Byble , as men nothyng forgetfull of this , althoughe in times paste thei lyued blyndly , swarued from God , and dyd seruice vnder Romish tradycions , yet maie they nowe in studiyng it learne to be discrete ministers . God graunt that they would encline vnto it with faithful , earnest & couragiouse hertes . Surely it wer a token of great grace and a confortable hearyng , that this rumor might be spred abrode euery where . In token that al the Cleargie of England ar penitent of false doctrine , & with one mynd wyl and voice all fully bent to set abrode the woorde of God euery one of them in his pulpyt exhorteth the flocke committed vnto his charge to reade the Englyshe Byble and make a greate shewe that they woulde haue it goe forwarde . Howe acceptable and pleasaunt this wer in the eyes of God , the holy Prophetes bear witnes . And also howe commodyouse it shoulde bee for the weale of this noble realme it nedeth no probacion . For who wil denie his ? the greatest glorie for any realme is , when the prynce is couragiouse to set forth the gospell , and his subiectes obedient to receaue and promote the same . Our late kyng and deere soueraigne Lorde that was , as one verye graciouse and tendre ouer the weale of his subiectes and again nothyng forgetefull of his dutie towarde God : For his parte commaunded the Bible to be had in euery churche . His grace sente it out amongest vs in token and testimonial of his faithful and obedient heart vnto god . Yea , and in this doing he did but euen his bounden dutie and the office of a chrysten kyng . For sainct Paule wytnesseth in the fyrste to the Romaynes , that the lawe is not giuen onely to preistes , but indifferently vnto al kind of men . Maie not a man then with a sorowfull hearte , greatly lamentyng the frowardnesse and obstinacie of the people , vehemently crie out ( as the prophete Esaye dyd ) they haue made the eternall Testament of none effecte ? Esay the .xxiiii. O wicked generacion which in those daies regarded no better the will and pleasure of their god . O shamelesse wretches that so lightly cast away their god . For their disobedience vnto the truthe they haue lefte nowe in memorie a fayre iuell euen perpetuall shame . Compare vs and them togither and you shal fynd that we be their cosen germains and confederate frendes . Wee folowe a trade as wycked as euer dyd they : We suffre the bible to lie in many Churches all dustye here , vntouched there , rase in this , and tourne in that . Not one curate amongest a great nomber exhorteth men vnto it . The sheperdes forsothe esteme it very lyghte : for whan they fynd men feedyng gredily on it because it is of a swete leare and a ground most plesaunt they chase them from it , it semeth such sheaperdes seeke the distruction of theyr shepe . Alas good men they ar so blynded with worldly wisdome , rancoure and supersticion that it is a deathe vnto them to see other men reade the scriptures . And yet they them selfes wyll neuer take Byble nor Testament in hand , but sorowe & sigh with greuouse gronynges , whan they consider their great losse : for once they liued lyke Epicures and had al thinges at their willes , with their Images , pardones and Purgatory thei illuded many a seely pore solle . Thei dusked & defaced the glorie of God & made them selfs rich . Thei ruled kinges & nobles at their pleasures and kept them vnderfoote , yea , thei were euer checke mate with the kyng , and ruled hym at their pleasure , who so withstode their deuelish doctrine did not long endure . The earnest mainteners of Goddes woord felt alwaies their spitefull cruell and bluddy hands . And to thinke wherfore many honest men haue suffred we shuld al reioyce , considryng that losse of lyfe is an highe felicitie where perpetuall memory commeth in place . Thei that haue enterprised and emploied themselfes to do their dueties beste towardes God , haue been sonest snapt vppe , iniquitie hathe often soo ruled the roste . Reade auncient histories and you shal fynde this plaine . And nowe especially , great maruaill it is what vnfaithfulnes the minysters find in the bible . Sins their dreames were taken from them , they haue seldome said where arte thou Lord ? They folow lyghtnes and vanitie & thinke it inoughe to stand at the aultre , although you stand at the alter , it doth not folow that you ar nerest to christ , for you are nere Chryst & stand worthelie at the aultre , when you shew your selfes willyng to promote his holy Gospel . Cast of slouthe and sharpe youre wyttes all blunte and dull with Ignoraunce . Haue ye not redde the woordes of the holye Prophete ? I wyll delyghte ( saieth he ) in thy commaundementes as one that hathe founde great spoile and ryches , This holy Prophete reioysed soo in his heart at the liuely woord of God , that he saied with a sighe , Oh Lorde , howe sweete bee thy woordes in the roffe of my mouthe : yea , they be swetter in my mouthe then the honicombe . He saied furthermore , the lawe of thy mouthe Lorde , is better to me then thousandes of golde and syluer . Esay the Prophete also as one some thyng offended with the ministers , because Goddes woord was not thankefully receaued , but estemed very lyghtly amongest them , for thei made falsehode theyr refuge and vanitie their guyde . Heare the woord of the LORD therfyre ( sayeth he ) yee mockers whyche rule the people of Ierusalem . Esaye the , xxviii . Chapter . Theyr vayn confydence miserable blindnes and wilful ententes engendred vexacion & brought continual vnquietenes vnto these ministers , yea , it so sterred vp the ire and indignacion of God , that they wer altogether troden vnderfote as myserable abiectes . The lord deuysed a mete handelyng , a worthy & conuenient intertainmente for suche sheaperdes as wold not herken vnto his holy word . The Lord again hymselfe perceauyngful wel the stubburnnesse of the people in reiecting his word , and also sore offended to see their ready willyng hertes sone enclyned vnto Idolatrie , speaketh thus . O ye people loke vpon the woord of the Lord , Ieremie the fyrste . Moreouer the Lord very desirouse to haue his statutes promoted , and especially that his sheperdes shuld se wel vnto and noryshe their flocke , speketh thus . O ye sheperdes heare the worde of the Lord . Ezech. xxxiiii . in the same chapter he most pitiefully lamented ouer his seely pore shepe , he sawe they were daily robbed and mooste cruelly deuoured of all wylde rauenyng beastes of the felde , they runne blyndlye on what mischefe thei lust , for the sheperdes whiche should haue been their guides and conducters , fed them selfes onely with most daintie delycates and neuer regarded whiche waye the flocke went . The lord willing to haue his word that wel of grace and singuler comfort most highly promoted , saied , he would cleane rydde and vtterly deliuer his people from Idolatrie : for the wycked Prophetes vsyng vnclean sprites , false doctryne and deceiptful garmentes , shuld be cofounded as detestable deceiptours . And for the spedie perfourmaunce of this , he commaunded his swerd to aryse , and plague as well the Ignoraunt people reiectyng his woord as the euell and superstyciouse sheperdes . Zacha. the .xiii. In another place also , the Lord moost greuousely offended with dissemblyng mynisters , whiche wroughte altogether for lucar and gayne . I haue ( saith he ) no pleasure in you , for whiche of you wyll kyndle fyre on myne Aultre for nought ? The Lord affyrmed that they vnhalowed his Aultre , in that they sayed it was not to be regarded , they onely thought not scorne & made light of it , but they regarded muche lesse what vile trumpery they offred vnto it , Malachie the fyrst . The Englysshe Byble forsoth may well be compared vnto this aultre for suche as shoulde promote it and esteme it most , laboure for gayne : they had rather worke a trentall of Masses and syng in a fewe Dirige grotes , then bestowe an houre in readyng the Bible to their paryshiners . Again , Nabuchodonozor a prince of high dignitie honour and worshyp , whom all people , kynredes & tongues wonderfully feared , was for his proud stomacke & stiffe heart against god and his word cleane deposed from his kingdome and so plagued , that he fel from that moost renowmed dignitie and estate of a kyng to the felowshyp of beastes : he refused the companye of men and became beastly hearted enclining hymself altogyther to company with Asses : and in steade of his sumptuous and pryncely dishes , was very glad to feede most gredily like an Oxe on fair grene grasse . Daniel .v. Furthermore whan God sawe that the people folowed the filthinesse of their owne imaginacion , trusted in this and that , and claue not fast vnto him but walked altogyther in myserable blyndnes , and appeared wonderous wilfull : for the rulers were cruell , the Iudges were wolfes , and the preistes wer light persones , dyd muche iniurie and vtterly refused the ordinance of God , and cared not how lyttell the lawe was spoken of : with this the Lord greuousely offended , spake vnto them moost vehemently . Woe vnto you abhominable fylthye and cruell whyche wyll not heare nor be reformed , Sophonie the third Chapiter . Dauid the holy Prophete also , whiche coulde full well iudge the strength of Goddes woord , for he made it alwaies his refuge and vsed it as his trustie anker ( saith vnto the Lorde ) wherewithall shal youthe clense his waie ? euen by rulyng hymselfe after thy woord . This Prophet spake often full fayre vsyng most plesaunt woordes as a meane to atteigne his requeste and peticion , wherein he desired onely this , the Lord to teache hym his statutes , declaryng that he would set all his delight and councell in them : yea , and continually talke of his wondres , makyng answere vnto all blasphemers , my truste is in thy word lorde . This holy man whose wordes & works no man is able to improue , said also vnto god . I haue more vnder standyng then all my teachers , for thy testimonies are my studie . Psal. Cxix . these places be sufficient to encourage all men to read the Byble Who wold not hearyng this apply his vnderstandyng in highe thynges ? Who woulde not leaue his vanities and selfe studie and giue sygnes of a newe lyfe ? who would not lamente to see what ignorantes guide the flocke of Chryst ? who would hearyng this , appeare a scoler to tradicions and a persecutour of the word ? who woulde not hearyng this , submit his idle and supersticiouse hed to the obeysaunce of the Byble ? Who would hearyng this , folowe his own blynd seemyng and opinion ? Pythagoras saith , he that knoweth not that he ought to know , is but a brute beast amongest men . Who woulde not then with this Godly saiyng be drawen vnto the Byble ? they that marke well sentences of grauitie and worthy notacion , wyl not put reason vnder foote , and bee soo madde as to stretche their hand against the promoting of the gospell . It is a token of a pestilente and wycked heart to murmure at suche as reade it : For the time of them is gloriouse that gloriously spend it , and cursed are they that lyue ignoraunte as brute beastes . It semeth that suche esteme the hight and supreme wisedom of god to be vanities , surely we ought to celebrat those daies with high ioye whan we once here tell that the ignorant sort geue ouer their enuious trauails against the Byble . For then thei shall be greatly desired , beloued and well named emongest al men , them shal sedicion and discorde take their leaue and enter no more in place . Pitie it is that their yl intentes shuld condemne the Godly thinges that haue ben writen to winne them : they ought to yeld and giue greate thankes to God , that thei are deliuered from Romishe auctoritie . If they wold now shake of their old and dusty tradicions , & abate their depraued malice , they mighte restore again their glorious fame and haue estimacion , loue and fauour in steade of infamie , shame and disdain . Surely it were a thyng most pleasaunt in Goddes syght , to see them and the rude multitude florish in his word , for in some places yet as great is the necligence of the people as the ignorance of preistes And that they thus continewe , weake wittes be not the cause , but very slouthe and malice , whiche cause them to folowe the corrupcion of auncient custome and to set their heartes altogyther on pleasure & idlenes . Thei thus folowyng their owne wilful intentes pulle doune styll the estimacion of preistes . And yf they would leaue the wyles of the worlde that nowe flocke togither styffely in blyndnesse , appliyng their wittes to endomage other & with their restye lyues cause sedicion and sclaunder vnto good ministers : then myght Englande auaunce it selfe and saie . Now shal I florishe and haue fauoure in goddes syght . Nowe shall I be valiaunt in vertues & worthy great fame . For now there be none to troble and vex the poore sort peceable people bent to the gospell . Nowe shal science augmente and men wyll drawe to the byble . Truely I could neuer hete Antique historie alledged that men shuld not knowe it . Now I shal weaken the hertes of mine enemies and make them stande in dreade , they wyll feare me more for my knowledge , than for al my valeaunt conquestes . Now the heard hearted that were in credite and spred abroade the traines of supersticiouse doctrine , and with blynd flattery begiled the symple sorte , wyl do seruice for my common weale . They wyll remember that men are but beastly by nature , and Godly by their cunnyng & knowledge . And yet to saie further I haue often desired to haue vyces restrained and vertues augmented & that it wil now come to passe I haue a full trust , for my drad soueraigne lord and supreme head Kyng Edward the sixt beginneth to be stable in the Lord and couragiouse in his woord , and all his people within this his noble realme lyke louing subiectes be obedient vnto his grace & perfectly taughte theyr duetie and obeisaunce . Often England hath been in perill and daungier , when the people were weake faint and dull of vnderstandyng , by whose meane it somtime hath loste the supreme heade and gouernour to it great sorowe and care . But the pytiefull losse of noble Kyng Ihon shoulde perse euery mannes heart most sore , and by what traiterous traines through false pretence he was caste awaie , it is necessarye to be knowen , whose noble and valiaunt vertues worthely to extoll , I suppose no tongue is able . That noble Kyng was soo broughte vppe in vertuouse and Godly bokes , and toke such great trauell in the scriptures , that thereby he espyed how the glorie of God was shamefully dusked and defaced with wicked tradicions , supersticion and Idolatry thinges most intollerable . Then he quickely like a prince of courage and noble hearte , spake openlye he wold redresse the pompe and glorie of the cleargie , the gospell shuld haue free passage let them al saie what thei lust Then they like a multitude of traiters turned themselfes from naturall subiectes into beastly rebelles . They were soone confederate togyther lyke vile and detestable wretches to bluddie theyr handes on Goddes holy annoynted their deere soueraigne Lorde and gouernour , & al to mainteine Romysh auctoritie . And to their dampnable intentes there wanted no trayterouse traynes , for whan they coulde not deuise howe to kyll hym neyther with sword nor dagger , they inuented policie . Their daily ragyng and maliciouse heartes were neuer at quietnes tyll they had encouraged with theyr pestilent perswasions a sturdy blacke Monke to take saie vnto his grace of a poysoned cuppe , when his highnesse valiauntly came into a certain Abbey where he stode in doubte and suspection of no man , for al the brethren receaued him , & lyke Ipocrites fayned them selfes mery & ioyeouse outward , but were sorowefull within . They vsed ioyeful wordes but bare wicked heartes . Thei sorowed not for repentance , but at the sight of his graces presence whiche greued their heartes full sore , then the Pryour archetectour of this heinouse treason and father of al mischefe espiyng oportunite of tyme brought in the Monke with his poysoned cuppe . Oh Lord I maruel that his intrels dyd not breake to offre so fylthy a draughte to so noble a King . I maruayl how his maliciouse hand for terrour & sorow could hold the cup from fallyng . Wonder it was that feare of god , speach of people and shame of the world dyd not restrayn his propensed and wycked heart from that terryble draught deeathly vnto the Kyng and dampnable vnto hymselfe . A wickeder deede and a more myserable myschefe hathe not been heard of .

O maliciouse and vnhappy Monkes . O wretches I dare saie hearder hearted then Pharaoo and falser then Iudas , or els the intestyne of theyr heartes woulde haue trembled and quaked to betray theyr deere souerain lord . O wicked subiectes and beastes vnnatural , I saie again . O cruel wretches , that soughte to make awaie hym for whose sake they should haue spent the best blud of their heartes , yf these shamefull villaynes had red the notable histories of the Byble , they would haue restreigned their cankerd stomackes from consent to murder their kyng . If they had read the historye of kyng Dauid and Saul , and noted wel what reuerence & loyall obeysaunce Dauid shewed vnto Saull , although he knewe that he was a kyng vtterly cast of and refused of god . If thei had marked also the wonderfull woordes and high displesure that king Dauid toke with his seruaunte , whiche came vnto him ( either lokyng for herty thankes orels some great reward ) and said he had killed Saull . The gentle heart of Dauid arose so at his woordes , and grudged so sore at that heinouse dede , that straight he promoted his seruant euen to as good a death as the gibet or galowes . I thinke they woulde then haue stopped their wicked & most pestilent purpose . O Lord , and yf they had knowen or at the least wold haue knowen what reuerence subiectes oughte to shew to their hedes , thei wold haue trembled and quaked to haue conspyred or thought any euel against their dere souerain lord . But these holy fathers euer as full of fables as false religion . Quickely inuented howe they myght craftely cloke their wycked doynges and to stop the murmuring of the people , they reysed this rumour that the kyng saied if he liued one twelmonth an half peny loofe should be worth .xl. d. amongest them . Who doth not smell this to be a shamfull and a detestable lie ? for his grace was tendre ouer the poore and louing to his subiectes , and neuer pretended nether to them ne yet to the publikewelth any such domage He was in dede earnestly bent and very couragious to set forth the wil and pleasure of God , and for this cause onely they wrought his confusion . Alas these fathers were men sworne to obedience , yet thei neither preached the trace of it , ne yet folowed the same , they should haue been full of good graces , but thei emploied themselfes to wicked vorage & tirannie , thei studied so soore to augment their liuelod , that thei had neuer leasure to thincke on the hyghe and supreme wisdome of god . Wherof whosoeuer hath tastedfully wil neuer grudge against his king or Prince , for the knowlege of it adiuigneth the hertes of al subiects most straightly vnto their dere souerain lord , the strength & vertue of it is suche that it wil neuer suffre any sparke of treason to dwell in a subiectes hert . It planteth such loue & faithful obedience where it goeth , that the corrupcion of treason can find no place to enter . Treason is a thyng so horible vnto it , that it cannot endure to thinke on the plagues that it iustly deserueth Yea , it is of this nature , that al synne & wickednes is noisōe vnto it , but of al other treason is the noysomest , for it causeth riotouse wittes repugnaunt to reason & publique quietnesse , to steere vp commocions , to slaie innocentes , & to folow wicked disobedience , thynges most detested in Goddes syght . And if we prudently weigh what daunger it hathe often broughte vnto this noble realme , & how it hath perished the memorie of honorable houses , yea , & especially howe it hath blotted the estimacion of many noble men , disherited their sonnes , shamed their progenie , & troubled the sprites of al other their frendes . Then we wil not suffre no such folie to enter into our heades but gladly endeuor our selfes to read the Byble , for this is the waie to purge and clense al treason from euery mannes heart . O Lord what obedience it hath taught amongest vs within these fewe yeares , Who doth not knowe nowe what power God hath giuen a Kyng ouer his people ? Who is ignorant what obeisance is to be shewed to Goddes holy anointed ? who so had marked the cumming of our dere soueraine Lord king Edward the .vi. from the Towre vnto Westminster shuld haue seen and hard plentiful tokens of true and louing hertes . for al the noble citiezens and people of the countrey which came farre of on euery syde were there wonderfull ioyouse to se that daie , yea , to se the hope glory & confort of al true English heartes . The citizens studied forsoth very sore howe to receaue his maiestie most triumphantly as people willing to declare tokens of their obedient heartes . Thei made themselve , very gorgeouse & stode in humble order to receaue their deere lord & supreme head , his towardnes in vertues much spoken of amongest them made them wonderful ioyeouse his highnes also appering personally before them al , a child of cumly , sobre , and modest countenaunce , swete visaged and of face most beautiful , in whom also there wanted neyther godly educacion nor yet any acquired vertues , but in all thynges most perfectly framed , streighte so allured & drewe vnto him al their hertes that it was wonder to se the ioie thei made , to behold their gouernour the peace and tranquillitie of the wealth of England so triumphantly passe through amongest them , whiche again with gentle & valiant countenance looked on them his people standyng rounde about hym on eueryside , whose presence euery man soo desyred standing in goodly order , that their eies daseled with long lokynge for that most gloriouse syght , their heartes also aked to bee deferred from it whiche passed so pleasantly by . Then thei standyng styll , prayed that his highnesse might surmount al other in vertue and nobilitie , and that god wold geue him grace especially to walke in the waye of good deedes and in vertuouse actes as he had entered , so to perseuere , and that God would geue him an heart to loue vs his poore and faythfull subiectes and worke for the common weale : yea , and that he may bee no acceptour of persons but to regard the poore as well as the ryche . This Godly peticion and other thynges there shewed were euident tokens of their faythful heartes , whiche are very muche to bee regarded for the loue of subiectes is the safiete of the kyng and the defence of the realme : Yea , he that hathe the loue of his subiectes hathe a wonderfull treasure . For I remember that I haue read an historie of Antique felicitie of the world past worthy to bee noted . There was a certain ryght hygh and mightie prince , a man of excellent and profound vnderstandyng , whose felicite was set altogither to haue the loue of his subiectes , desiryng rather their weale then his owne priuate commoditie . It chaunced that certayne Prynces watred against him , he then made neither acte nor statute , but sent his louing letters amongest his subiectes , desiryng theym to healpe hym with money , then they consyderyng full well his noble and tendre hearte towardes theym , and weere a people taughte but onely by nature to obeye their gouernoure , for they knewe nothyng of the lawe of GOD , spedily broughte into the treasure house soo muche money as serued the kyng .vii. yeares , and yet whan the warres ceased there remained great plentie . Forsoth these mennes gyftes were of gret pryce , but their good wylles were of greater . O gloriouse tyme . O realme moste happye where the kyng and his people were so knytte togither . And contrarilye there was one Tyberius the sonne of August a destroyer of the people and very spytefull toward the Romaynes , lyghte of his dooeynges vsynge outragyouse woordes vnto all good menne , yea , and of suche foolysshe presumpcion and boldenesse in his realme that he thoughte he might dooe what he luste in folowynge hys owne wycked and naughtie ententes . This Emperour was also prowde and furiouse , which thyng fylled his subiectes heartes full of sorowe and broughte vnto him selfe muche eyuell wyll and lyghte estymacion . And that well appeared . For after his deathe all the aunciente fathers and nobles of Rome with the reste of the people made greate Sacryfice and earneste peticion . Vnto the GODDES to sende Tyberes solle into the furies of Hell , he had wrought theim so muche sorowe , that they would hym no ioye nor yet any part of the Goddes glory . O the infelicite and daungerous estate of Rome in those daies when the Kyng and his people murmured one at another . For no man that hath reason wyll repugne vnto this , but that realm is wel warded , where the kyng and his subiectes bee of mutuall loue and fidelitie . Nowe therfore vtterly to auoyde all contencion and dyscorde and to plante for euer amongest vs a stable and louely societie of lyuyng , there is no better meane then to arme oure selfes with vnitie and concorde drawyng al in one line to promote the Gospell of Chryst , and to enlarge our heartes to receaue Godly and gentle perswasions as menne very wyllyng to presente theym selfes to the Byble , and to flee vnto it as vnto our mooste trustie porte , and gladly receaue that heauenly treasure . If wee thus dooe all strangers shal feare vs as they did the sonnes of Iacob , and ( accordyng vnto the holy Prophete ) our purpose shall prospere and come well to passe : yea , and suche shewe wyll appeare of vs that men wyl not suffre our memorie to peryshe , but to renoume vs as people of vertue and worthy commendacion . Wherfore moost humbly wee oughte nowe to praie the lord , that he would put awaie all lettes from their stomackes that grudge secretly at his holy woord , and make light of the byble that heauenly treasure set to shew amongest vs in euery churche . Whervnto yf we beare faint and sturdy hertes , let vs bee well assured , the Lorde wyl blaste and blot our doynges with euell fortune and enuiouse mishap , for as farre as I haue read , there was neuer Emperour , Kyng nor yet Prynce that prospered , whiche tooke parte against it , thou maiest fynde in diuerse notable places of the Bible how God often punyshed with greuouse plagues and durable strookes many regyons whiche reiected and made light of his word . Again there is nothyng neither in heauen aboue nor in yearth vnderneth so pleasaunte and acceptable in God the fathers syght , as to haue his liuely woorde that heauenly treasure most thankefully receaued and honored amongest vs . O then thou counterfayted Christian , what spirite of errour moueth the to murmure at suche as read th englyshe Bible ? Wonder it is that thou art not ashamed to accompt thy selfe any of Christes felowshippe , for in contempnyng and making light of his gospell thou declarest thy selfe a right Paganime or rather a Iewe , yea , I saie thy longe prayer often fastyng and almose deedes and all good woorkes that thou canst deuise , shall nothyng preuayle the : But appeare plainely in Goddes sight as thynges most vile & detestable , so longe as thou bearest a supersticiouse hearte towardes his blessed Testament . Alas suffre not thy self no longer to be begiled , set before thy face what doctrine Moises taught the people in the .vi. of Deutro He straightely charged them to keepe the lawe of God in their heartes , and willed them also to teach it vnto their chyldren and talke of it vnto their familie , this place shuld wake the out of thy dootyng dreames . Sterevppe thy heart for shame vnto Chrystes gospell and reuerence it whersoeuer thou goest , wherevnto bee al honour and prayse . Amen

FINIS .

Imprinted at London in the parishe of Christes Church within new gate by Richard Grafton , Prynter to our soueraigne lorde Kyng Edward the . VI.

1547.

Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum .