V●…hen I remember the feareful threatninges of God , pronounced against ●…ealmes and ●…ous , to whom the lyght of Gods word hath bene offered , and contemptuously 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . Math. r. by them refused , as my harte ●…fainedli mourneth for your present state ( dearely beloued in our Sauiour Iesus Christ ) so do the whole powers of my body tremble and shake for the plages that are to come . But that Gods true woorde hath bene offered to the Realme of England : can none denye , eccept such , as by the Diuel holden in bondage ( god iustly so punishyng their ●… . 〈◊〉 . ii . proude inobedience ) haue neither eyes to see , nor vnderstandyng to discerue good from bad , nor darknes from light . ●…inst whom none other wise wil I contend at this preset , them did the prophet ●…gainst the stifnecked & stubburn people of Iuda , saying : ☞ The wrath of the Iere. 〈◊〉 Lord shal not be tourned away , tyl he hath fulfylled the thoughts of his hart . And thus leaue I them , as of whose repentaunce there is smal hope , to the handes of him that shal not forgot their horrible blasphemies , spoken in 〈◊〉 of Christes truth , and of his true minysters . And wyth you that vnfaynedlye mourne , for the great 〈◊〉 of Gods true religion , purpose I to communicate such counsel & admonition , now 〈◊〉 mine owne pen , ●…somtimes it pleased god I shuld proclaime in your cares . The end of whiche my admonition is , that euen as that you purpose and intend to auoid Gods vengeaunce both in thys lyfe ▪ & in the lyfe to come , that so ye auoid and flye aswel in body as in spirite , al felowship & societie wyth idolatours in their idolatrie .

You shrincke I knowe euen at the first : but if an Oratour had the matter in handling , he would proue it honest , profitable , easy and necessary to be done , and in euery one point were store inough for a long ●…ration . But as I neuer laboured to 〈◊〉 any man in matters of ●…ligion ( God I take to record in my conscience ) 〈◊〉 by the very 〈◊〉 and playne infallible truth of Gods word , no more mynde I to doo in thys behalfe : but this I affirme that to 〈◊〉 from idolatrie is so profitable and so necessarye vnto a Christian , that vnlesse he so do : all worldly profit tourneth to his perpetual disprofit and condempnation .

Profit apert●…th either to the bodies or cl●… to the soules of our selues and of our 〈◊〉 . Corporall commodites consist in such thinges as man chiefely 〈◊〉 for the body , as rytches , estimation , long life , healthe and 〈◊〉 in earth . The only comforte and ioye of the soule is God , by hys word ●…lling ignoraunce , 〈◊〉 and beath : & in the place of these , placyng true knowledge of him selfe , and with the same , iustice and life by Christ his Sonne . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of these aforesaid 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , them of 〈◊〉 it is that we auoid 〈◊〉 , for plaine it is that the soul●… hath neither lyfe nor comfort , but by God alone , wyth whom idolatours haue no other participation ; than haue the ●… . Cori. 〈◊〉 Diuels . And albeit that abhominable idolatours for a moment triumphe : yet approcheth the houre when Gods vengeaunce shal strike , not only their soules , but euen theyr vyle 〈◊〉 shall be plaged , as God before hathe 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . threatned . Theyr Cities shal be 〈◊〉 , their land shal be layd waste , their enemies shal dwel in their strong holdes , there wyues and daughters shall be de●…led , their children shall fall in the ●…dge of the sweard . Mercy shall the●… fynde none , because they haue refused the God of all mercy , when louin●… and long he called vpon them .

You 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I haue hereof , to God 〈◊〉 I appoynt no time , but that these and 〈◊〉 plages shal fall vpon the 〈◊〉 of England , and that or it be longe . I am so sure , as that I am that 〈◊〉 god lyueth .

This my affirmation shal displease many , & shal content fewe . God ( wh●… knoweth the secretes of harts ) knoweth that also it displeaseth my self , and yet lyke as before I haue bene compelled to speake in your presence , and in the presence of others , such thyngs as were not pleasable to the eares of m●… , wherof ( alas ) a great part this day are come to pas : So that I am compelled now to write with the teares of myne eyes ( I knowe to your dyspleasure . ) But deare brethren , be subiecte vnto God , and gyue place to hys wrathe , that we may escape hys euerlastyng vengeaunce .

My penne I trust shal nowe be no more vehement , then my tonge hathe bene oftner then once , not only be●…ore you , but also before the chyese of the ●…alme . What was said in Newcastel & ●…arwicke before the sweate , I trust yet some in those places beareth in mynde . What vpon the daye of Alsayntes , that yeare that the Duke of Somerset was last apprehended , let ●…castel wytnes . What before him ●…hat then was Duke of Northumberland , in the towne of Newecastel , and in other places mo : What before the Kynges Maiestie at Wyndsor , ●…ton Court , and Westminster : And finally what was spoken in London , in mo places then , one , when Fyers of soye and ●…otous bancketinges were made at the proclamation of Marye your Quene . If men wyl not speake , the stones and tymber of those places shall cry in fyre , and beare record that the truthe was spoken , and shall absolue me in that behalfe in the daye of the lorde .

Suspect not brethren , that I delyte ●…n your calamytyes , or in the plages that shal fal vpon that vnthankfull nacion . No , God I take to recorde that my hart mourneth wythin me , & that I am cruciate for remembraunce of your troubles . But if that I shoulde ●…ase , then dyd I as well agaynst my conscience , as also against my knowledge : and so should I be gylty of the bloud of those that pearished for lacke of admonition , & yet should the plage 〈◊〉 . xxxiii not a moment the longer be delayed , for the Lord hath appointed the dai of his ●…geaunce , before the whych he sendeth trumpets & Messengers , that hys elect watching with praiers & so●… , 〈◊〉 . xiiii may by his mercye escape the vengeaunce that shal come .

But you would ●…now the groundes of my certitude , God grannt that hearing them , ye may vnderstand , and stedfastlye beleue the same . My assuraunces are not the 〈◊〉 of Merline , neyther yet the darcke sentences of prophane prophets , but the playne truth of Gods worde , the 〈◊〉 iustice of the euerliuing God , and the ordinarie course of his plages from the beg●…ynge , are my assuraunces and groundes . Gods word threatneth destruction De. ●…viii to al inobedient . 〈◊〉 immutable ●…rem . v. ius●… must requyre the ●…aine . 〈◊〉 . iii The 〈◊〉 punishments & plages , shew 〈◊〉 : what 〈◊〉 then hauing vnderstanding , can cease to propheci .

The word of God playnelye speaketh : that if a man shal heare the curses 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . of Gods law , and yet in his harts shal promise to him selfe 〈◊〉 and ▪ good lucke , thin●…nge that he shall haue peace , al be it he 〈◊〉 after the imagynations of 〈◊〉 owne harte , to ●…ch a man the Lord wyl not be merciful , but hie wrath shal be 〈◊〉 against hym , and 〈◊〉 shall destroye hys name from vnder the heauen . 〈◊〉 the Lord threatneth plage after plage , and euer the last to be the for●…st , while finalli he wil consume 〈◊〉 & Nations , if they repent not , read ye , ●…vi . ●…eu . 〈◊〉 . chap. of ●…euiticus , which chapter ofte I haue wylled you to marcke , as yet I do unfainedly . And thinke not that 〈◊〉 appertaineth to the 〈◊〉 onelye : No brethren , the Prophetes ar the inter preters of the lawe , and they make the plages of God common to al offenders , the punishment euer beginning at the housholde of God .

And here must I touche a point of The duke of North●… 〈◊〉 , that diuelysh confession , made ( alas ) by that myserable man , whose name for sorrowe I can not recite . Thys argument he vseth to proue the doct●… of ●…ite yeares taught amongst you to be wicked . Troubles & plages ( saieth he ) haue followed the same , not o●…li here in England , but also in Ger●… , as he wylled you to marke . This fragile and vaine argument at this time none otherwise wil I labour to confute , them by playne scryptures : declaryng that plages appertaine to al 〈◊〉 , begu●…īg first wher Gods mercies hath bene offered , and obstinately refused , and that maye aunswere the blynde rage of ignoraunce .

The Prophetes Esay , Ieremi , and ●…say . xiii 〈◊〉 . xvii . xviii , xix . xx . xxiii . ●…chiell , after they had proclaymed plages to fal vpon the people of Israel ▪ & vpon the house of Iuda , prophecyed particulerly against certain Nations & Iere. l. li. Eze. xxv . xxvi . xxvii Cities , not only adiacent in circute about Ierusalem , but also against such as wer far distaunt , as agaynst Moab ▪ 〈◊〉 , Palestina , Egipt , ●…irus , Damascus & Babilon . And in conclusion general prophecies are spoken against al inobedient & sinful nations , as in the foure and twenty chap. of Esai plainli appeareth . As also the Lord commaundeth 〈◊〉 . xxv . Ieremye , to g●…ue the cup of hys wrath to al nations one after another who shoulde drynike of the same , 〈◊〉 thoughe they refused it of hys hande : that is : 〈◊〉 thei wold not beleue the voi●… of the prophet , yet should they not escape the plages that he spake , for Ierem. ●… . euery nation like vnto this , shal I punish ( saith the Lorde of hostes . ) Wyth the same agreeth 〈◊〉 sayinge : The eyes of the Lord are vpon euery sinfull nat on , to roote it out of the earth . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 .

These and many mo places euidently proue , that plages spoken in the law of God , appertain to eueri rebellious people , he they Iew , or be the Gentil : Christians in title , or Turckes in professyon . And the grounde of the Prophetes was the same , which before I haue rehearsed for one of my assuraunces , that England shal be plaged , which is Gods immutable and inuiolable iustice , which cannot spare in one realme and Nation , those offences , that most seuerely he hath punished in another , for els were he vnequal , & made different as touching ●…cusion of his iust iudgementes be●…wirt person and person , which is moste contrarious to the integriti of his iustice , t●…us he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by ●…remi his prophet : Behold , 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . I haue begone to punysh in the house wher my n●…me is incalled , and shal 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lord wold saye : How can my iustice permit those crymes 〈◊〉 in proude contemp●… , that neither regard me , nor yet my law , seing I haue not ●…ared mine owne people that 〈◊〉 beareth some 〈◊〉 to my name .

That God hathe punyshed other 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 , men of 〈◊〉 vnderstanding wyll easlye confesse . But whether that like 〈◊〉 haue bene & yet are committed 〈◊〉 the ●…alme of Englande , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the laste pl●…es of ●…od 〈◊〉 those Nacions , that 〈◊〉 to be 〈◊〉 . In thys 〈◊〉 can nothing better 〈◊〉 vs , than Gods plaine word , 〈◊〉 the vyces w●…ich raigned in those daies . ●…nd omitting al such as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , it shal 〈◊〉 ●…or this 〈◊〉 to rehearse some places of 〈◊〉 : the tyme of whose prophecye wel considered , shal make the matter more sensible . He be 〈◊〉 in the thirten yere of king 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 raygue , & continueth tyll after the destruction of Ierusalem , whyche came in the leuenth yere of Zederchi●… . Long preached this godly man , to wyt thyrty and nyne yeares and two monethes , before the vttermost of the plages apprehended this stubbourne nation . And that he did wyth mutche trouble and 〈◊〉 susteined , as in his prophecy is to be sene . By all lykelyhode then ther was some 〈◊〉 that were not pleased ●…th the Prophet , neither yet with his preachyng . And yet playne it is that no ●…yng so truely tourned vnto God , with al his hart , with al his soule , and with al his strength , according to all the ●…awe of Moyses , as did Josias , & yet ( as sayd 〈◊〉 ) the prophet of God was troubled , and that not by a meane number , for I fynd him complain vniuersally and generally vpon the peoples iniquitie . For thus induceth he God , speaking : My people hath commytted dubble ●…quitye , they haue forsaken me the fountaine of lyuyng water , and haue dygged to them selues ●…storns that 〈◊〉 . ii . can conteyne no water . Why wylte thou iustifie thy selfe ? Under thy winges is found the bloude of the soul●… of the poore innocentes , whom thou●…●…oundest not in corners . And yet tho●… sayest : I am innocent . Thou hast gotten a wh●…res forehead . Thou canst not thincke shame : My people is folyshe , they know me not . They ar folish ●…erem . iii Children , and haue no wysdome , wyse they are to commyt myschyefe , 〈◊〉 . iiii . but to do good , they are all together ignoraunt : Euery man maye beware 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 of his neyghboure , and no man assuredly may trust his brother , for euery man is become diceytfull , they haue practesid theyr tonges to lyes & gyle , they haue left my law ( saith the Lord ) and haue followed the wycked imagynations of their owne hartes , they haue followed after Baal●… , whom theyr Fathers taught them . The ●…ces of 〈◊〉 before 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .

Of these and many mo places like , appeareth the generall offences of that people to haue bene , defeccion from God , sheddynge of innocent bloude , iustification of them selues : & defence of their iniquity , whyle yet they abounded in theft , murther , ●…sion , lies , craft , practise , 〈◊〉 , and manyfest idolatry , folowyng the trade of theyr Fathers : who vnder 〈◊〉 and ●…mon ( of whom the one in the begynning , the other all his life , mayntained idolatry ) had bene the ring leaders to all abhomination .

The Prophet of God ( wondering at so manyfest iniquitye ) iudged that such ignoraunce and disobedience 〈◊〉 only among the rascal sort of men , and therefore he sayth : These be but poore ones , they are foolish , they know not the wai of the Lord , nor the iudgement of their God . I wil go to the 〈◊〉 , and I wyl talke wyth them , for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 know the wai of the Lord , & the 〈◊〉 mentes of their God . But what fyndeth he amongest them ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in these wordes . They haue al broken the yoke : they haue heaped 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , & one mischiefe vpon another . From the least vnto the most , all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 vpon auarice , & gape for 〈◊〉 : 〈◊〉 the priest to the prophet , euer man ◊〉▪leth dis●…ytfully . Behold theyr ●…ares be 〈◊〉 , they cannot aduert , the word of god is a rebuke vnto them , they delite not in it , they haue committed abhominable myschiefe .

What this abhomination was , god sheweth to ●…echiell : all had forsaken ●…zech . viii . God in theyr hartes , in so much that a great nomber openlye had tourned theyr backes vnto God , and made sacrifice to the Sunne , euery man in his 〈◊〉 secret closet . 〈◊〉 , wemen mourned for that they were not permytted to commit open abhomination . Is it not to be wondred that al estates 〈◊〉 so corrupt vnder so godlye a prynce ? But our prophet 〈◊〉 procede●… 〈◊〉 . v. in his complaint , saying : they cannot repent , neither yet thincke shame : thei haue demed the Lord , & saide : it is not he , we shal neither 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nor 〈◊〉 .

●…ou heare the obedyence that the Prophet found amonges the princes of 〈◊〉 . And yet ( I say ) 〈◊〉 it not to be wondred , that the 〈◊〉 whyche was so wel manured , broughte forthe no better grapes ▪ They had a ●…ynge 〈◊〉 England . most godly minded , they had prophetes ( for 〈◊〉 was not alone ) moste ●…aythful and feruent , they were punished by ●…uers plages , and alwaies the prophets cried out for repentaunce ; and yet folowed nothynge but open contempt of 〈◊〉 , and of hys Messengers . 〈◊〉 . vi . Their 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 the mornynge 〈◊〉 , it 〈◊〉 not , althoughe they coulde 〈◊〉 theyr mouthes : The Lorde lyueth , yet were 〈◊〉 . v. theyr othes nothing but lyes . Fynde me one man that doth 〈◊〉 & iustice . &c. And to him wil I be merciful ( saith the Lord . ) Here 〈◊〉 narrowe & 〈◊〉 inquisicion , 〈◊〉 so greate a multitude . 〈◊〉 like ther haue not 〈◊〉 very many , when he that knoweth the secret thoughts , searcheth so 〈◊〉 .

But before we procede 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 before the 〈◊〉 this matter 〈◊〉 shal be 〈◊〉 to see , how these 〈◊〉 do agree ●…yth our estate & tyme . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that we 〈◊〉 not Gods word offered 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 none ( eccept an 〈◊〉 papist ) 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 had a 〈◊〉 of so godli 〈◊〉 towardes vertue , and chiefly towards Gods truth , that none from the beginning passed him , and ( to my knoweledge ) none of hys yeares dyd euer matche hym in that behalfe , if he myght haue bene ●…ord of hys owne wyl . In thys meane tyme if 〈◊〉 did abound , let euery man accuse hys own conscience , for here I am not minded to spetyfye al that I know , neither yet is it necessarye , 〈◊〉 some crymes were so manifest and so hainous , that the earthe could not hyde the innocent bloud , nor yet could the heauens without shame behold the craft , the disceit , the violence and wrong that openly was wrought and in the meane ceason the hande of God was busy ouer vs , and hys true Messengers 〈◊〉 not sylence . You ●…nowe that the ●…ealme of Englande 〈◊〉 visited wyth straunge plages , and whether it were euer prophecied that 〈◊〉 plages were to ●…olow , 〈◊〉 apeale to the 〈◊〉 of your own conscience .

But what insued here vpon ? 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . I shame to rehearse it . vniuersalll contempt of al godly admonitions : hatred of those that rebu●…ed theyr 〈◊〉 : 〈◊〉 tho●…ig of such as could inuent most vilany , against the preachers of God . In this matter I may be admitted for a sufficient wytnes : for I heard & saw , I vnderstode & knew with the sorowe of my harte , the manyfest contempte and the craftie deuices of the deuil , aswell against those most godlye Preachers , that this last ●…ent , 〈◊〉 . M. D. ●…iii . were apoynted to preache before the Kynges Maiestye , as also against al others , whose touges wer not tempered by the holy water of the court , to speake it playnly , who flattering against theyr owne consciences coulde not say al was wel , and nothyng needed reformation .

What reuerence and audience was geuen vnto Preachers thys last ●…ent , by such as then wer in authori●… : their own countenaunces declared , assuredly euen such as was geuen to 〈◊〉 . Thei hated such as 〈◊〉 their 〈◊〉 , and stubbornely they sayd : We wyll not amend . 〈◊〉 yec how boldli theyr 〈◊〉 wer 〈◊〉 , such as wer present can witnes with me . Almost ther was none , who dyd not prophecy and plainly speake the plages that are begone , and assuredly shal end .

Master Grindal playnly spake the rindal . death of the 〈◊〉 Maiestye , complaining vpon his houshold seruaunts , who neither shamed , neither feared to raile against the word of God , and against the true preachers of the same .

That godly and ●…ruent man Master 〈◊〉 . leuer playnly 〈◊〉 the desolation of thys common wealth .

And Master Bradford ( whom God Bradford . for Christ his sonne sake , comforte to the ende ) spared not the proud est , but boldlye declared that Gods vengeaunce shortly should stryke those that then were in authoritye , because they lothed and abhorred the true word of the euerlasting God , and willed them to take ensample by the late Duke of Somerset , who became so cold in hearing Gods word , that the year before his last aprehencion , he woulde go to viset his Masons , & would not daunger hym selfe from his Galery to 〈◊〉 to hys Hall , for hearing of a Sermon . God punished hym ( sayd that godlye preacher ) and that sodainly : and shall he spare you , that be doubble more mycked ? No , he shal not , wyl ye , or wil ye not , ye shall dryncke the cup of the Lords wrath . Iudicium Domini , Iudicium Domini , the iudgement of the Lord , the iudgement of the Lord cryed he wyth a lamentable voice and weepynge teares .

M●…ster haddon mostlearnedly opened Haddon . the causes of the by passed plages , and assured them that the worsse 〈◊〉 after to come , if repentaunce shortlye were not founde .

Much more I heard of these foure and of others , which now I may not rehearse And that which is to be noted , after that the whole counsail had said , they would here no mo of theyr Sermons , they were vndyscryte fellowes , yea and prating Knaues , but I wyl not speake al , for if God continue me in thys trouble , I purpose to prepare a dysh for such , as then led the 〈◊〉 , pea , and who but ther ? But 〈◊〉 they haue bene at the schoole of Placebo , and there they haue learned among ladies to daunce , as the Dyuel lyst to 〈◊〉 , agaynst those whom God hath striken . Seyng now reasteth to them no place of repentaunce , nothing mynde I to speake : but suche as lyue to thys day wold be admonished , that he that hathe punyshed one , wyll not spare the reast .

But to our matter . These presidents I iudge sufficient to proue thys oure age to haue bene , and yet to remayne lyke wycked ( if it be not worsse ) wyth the time of Ieremi . Now let vs search what followed in Iuda : Mischief vpon mischiefe , notwythstandyng the continuall and longe cryinge of the Prophetes , while finally God in hys anger toke away good kyng Iosias , because ●…iii . 〈◊〉 . ●…iii . he was determined to destroi Iuda , as before he had destroied Israell .

After the death of this godly King , great was y● trouble , dyuers & sondry were the alterations in that common wealth . Their Kings taken prisoners 〈◊〉 after another in short space , what other were the miseryes of that stubborne nation . O God for thy greate mercyes sake , let neuer thy small and troubled flocke within the Realme of England , learn in experience : But in al these troubles , no repentaunce apeared , as by the Prophet you may lerne , for thus he cryeth : Thou hast stricken them Ierem. 〈◊〉 . ( O Lord ) but they haue not mourned : Thou hast destroied them , but thei haue Esay . i. not receiued discipline , they haue hardened theyr faces harder then stones , they wyl not conuert . The whole land is wasted , but no man wyl wey , ponder , nor consider the cause . Thys people wyl not heare my woordes , they talke in the wick●… inuencion of their owne harts , they go after other gods , to worship and serue them . And of the Prophetes natural frendes of the men of ●…nathot , some plainly said : Speake no more to vs in the name of the lord , least thou dye in our handes . Selyke these men had smal fantasy to Gods Prophet : But yet shal a Sermon ( and that which ensued the same ) made in the beginning of the raigne of ●…him sonne to Iosias , make euident & better knowen , how much the people were bent to idolatrye , and to heare ●…alse Prophetes , after the deathe of theyr good ●…iynge .

The Prophet is commaunded by God , ●…o stand in the court or entresse of the ●…ordes house , and to speake to all the Cities of Iuda , that then came to worshyp in the house of the Lord , & is commanded to kepe no word backe . 〈◊〉 paraduenture ( sayth the Lord ) they ☞ wyl harken and turne euery man from his wycked way . The te●…or of his sermon 〈◊〉 . xxvi . is thys : Thus saith the ●…ord : if ye wil not obei me , to walke in mi lawes whych I haue geuen you , and to hear the wordes of my seruauntes the Prophetes , whom I sent vnto you , ●…ng vp ●…times , and styl sending : If 〈◊〉 wil not heare them ( I say ) then wil I do to thys house , as I did vnto Silo , and wyl 〈◊〉 thys City to be abhorred of all the people in the earthe●…care Jer. xxvii . not the words of the Prophets that sai vnto you : ye shal not serue the ●…nge of ●…bylon . I haue not sent them , saith the Lord : how 〈◊〉 then are bold to prophecye lyes in my name . Nota. ●… If you ●…ue care vnto them , both you and your false Prophetes shal perish .

Here is fyrste to be noted , that the people was alreadye entred into iniquity , and specially straight after the death of theyr King into idolatry : from which the Lord by his Prophet labored to cal them backe , threatnyng vnto them desolation , if they proceded to rebell .

Secondarelye it is to be obserued that amongst them wer false Prophets , not that they were so knowen and holden of the people , no they were holden and esteemed ( for so they bosted them selues to be ) the true Churche of God that coulde not erre , for ☜ how should the law perishe from the IERE . 〈◊〉 . mouth of the priest ? These false Prophetes were maintainers of idolatry , and boldly they promised to the people prosperity and good lucke , wherwith the people wer so abused & ●…ynded , that the wordes of Ieremye dyd rather harden their hartes , then p●…ouoke anye to repentaunce , as the consequentes declared . For his Sermon ended , the Priestes and Prophetes & the whole people aprehended Jeremy , 〈◊〉 . xxvi . & with one voice cried : he is worthy of y● death . Great was y● vprore agaynst the poore Prophet , in which apparatli he could not haue escaped the death , if the princes of Iuda had not hastelie come from the Kinges house into the tempel , & had taken vpon them the hearing of the cause , in which after much debate ( whyle some defended and some accused , the Prophet most vehemently ) the text sayth : the hande of 〈◊〉 the sonne of Saphan , was with Ieremy , that he should not be geuen in to the hands of the people to be killed .

Here of you may easly consider ( beloued brethren ) what wer the maners of that wicked generation , immediatly after 〈◊〉 death of their good kyng , and how they wer encouraged to idolatry by false prophets . But in al thys tyme the Prophet ceasseth not moste faithfully to execute his office . For all be it 〈◊〉 thys he might not enter into the temple ( for he was forbydden to prrach ) yet at Gods commaundement he writeth his Sermons , and causeth them to be openly read in the temple : ( Alas I feare we lacke Saruch ) & after they came to the eares of the ●…saile , and last to the king . And all be it in dispite they were once brent , yet is Ieremy commaunded to write againe , and boldlye to saye : Iehoiakim shall haue no seede , that euer shall syt vpon the seate of Dauid . Their Carion shal 〈◊〉 . xxxvi . be cast to the heate of the daye , & to the frost in the night . And I shal viset ( saieth the Lorde ) the iniquitie of hym , of his seede , and of his seruauntes , and I shall bryng vpon them , vpon the dwellers in Ierusalem , and vpon all Iuda , all the calamities that I haue spoken against them . 〈◊〉 when these wordes were spoken and wrytten , so they were contemned & despised that they durst cry : let the counsaile of the holy 〈◊〉 . ●…iii . one of the Israel come , we wil follow the 〈◊〉 of oure owne hartes . Yet no wordes of hys threatninges were spoken in vaine : for after mani plage●… 〈◊〉 bi the mischeuous father , the wycked and myserable sonne in the third moneth of his raygne , was led prisoner to Babilon . But now when the time of their desolarion approcheth . God sierreth aboue them such a king . 〈◊〉 Prophetes and Prestes as their own hartes wyshed , euen such as shuld wychout repugnaûce lead them to their 〈◊〉 again : that they ( who neuer 〈◊〉 in the truth ) myght fyl theyr bellyes wyth horryble lyes . Zedechias was ●…yng , and suche as long had resisted 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 poore Jeremy , had now gotten in their hand the fearful 〈◊〉 of correction . Pha●… and his companions led the Kynge as they lyst . 〈◊〉 goeth 〈◊〉 ( a place of 〈◊〉 . ) The hyll au●…ers 〈◊〉 with incense . 〈◊〉 & his bell ▪ Gods , 〈◊〉 that vengeaunce of God was poured upon them , and upon them whom they disceiued , get the daye they long looked for . In conclusion , so 〈◊〉 . ri . horrible wer the abhominations that newly were 〈◊〉 , that the lord cryeth to hys sore troubled flocke : what hathe my well beloued to do in my house ? ( meaning in the tempell of Jerusalem ) seing the multitude committeth such abhomination ? Thei haue prouoked me to anger , burnyng incense vnto Baal . Which greate abhominacion , when God had shewed , not onli to ●…eremy ( who then was in Jerusalem ) but also to Ezechiel being prysoner Ezec. viii . in Babilon , their bodies being separate , in prophecie they did bothe agree , that whole Israel & Iuda should be 〈◊〉 . Thus 〈◊〉 Ezechiell : 〈◊〉 vpon al the abnominations of the house of Israell , they shall fall by the s●…rd , by ●…ieluce & hunger , he that in far of , shal dye of the plage : 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , shal fal by the swe●…d . 〈◊〉 that is left and is beseged , shal dye by hunger , and I shal compleat my ●…rathe vpon them . And Jeremy sayth : Beholde I wyl geue thys citie in the hand of the 〈◊〉 , in the hand of 〈◊〉 ●…ere . rrrii . Kyng of Babylon , who shall take it . The 〈◊〉 verely shal euter into it . & they shal burne it wyth fyre : they shal burne it , and the houses in which they brent 〈◊〉 to Baall . &c. The chyldren of Israell , and the chyldre●… of Iuda haue don nothing from their youth but wickednes , and that before myne eyes , to prouoke me to anger . They haue tourned vnto me theyr 〈◊〉 . viii . backes , and not their faces : they , their Kinges , their princes , their prophets , their priestes , whole Iuda , & al the city of Jerusalem . Thei wold not hear nor be reformed . Thei haue set vp their dong ( so termeth he their idols ) in the place that is consecrate to my name . And when the Kynge of Babylon was lying about the citie , he saieth to the messengers of Zedechias ( who are sent to demaund of the Prophet what shoulde become of thys Citye . ) The Caldees Jer. rrrvii shal take thys City , and shall burne it with fire : yea if you had kylled all the Who would not haue called the Prophet a traitour . host of the Caldes , that besegeth you , and if the killed man were left , euerye man should rise in his tent , and shuld burne this Citie wyth fyre . He that abideth in thys Citye , shall dye eyther by sweard , by hunger or by pestilence . But he that shal go forthe to the Caldes , shall lyue , and shal wyn his soule , for a pray . And to the liyng in 〈◊〉 askyng hys counsaile , he boldly saith : If sodenly thou shalt go foorth to the princes of the Babilonians , thy soule shal lyuc , and thys Citye shall not be brent wyth fyre : But yf thou go not forth to the captaines of the Babylonians , thys city shal be geuen ouer in the handes of the Caldees , who shall burne it wyth fyre , neyther yet shalte thou escape theyr handes .

Thus did these . ii . Proplietes ( as al so dyd others before them ) playnelye speake the desolation of that place , for such offences as before hath bene rehearsed , But how pleaseth such message the Citie of Jerusalem ? the Priestes , Princes and people of Iuda ? and what reward receiued Jeremy for his long trauel & painful preaching . Derelye euen such as Pha●…hur & his counsel The ●…mes laied agaynste 〈◊〉 . iudged meete . He spa●…e against the temple ( said they ) He prophecied mysthiefe against the Citie , he faynted the hartes of the souldiars and of the people : but principally he was vnfriendly to the faith that Phas●…hur taught the people : to wyt , the faithe of their 〈◊〉 Ierem. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .. fathers , who alwaies rebelled against God . And therfore he was reputed an 〈◊〉 . xx . Ieremies commendations . 〈◊〉 , accused of sedition , and dampned of treason . Plam preachings were made against at that he had spoken , and such 〈◊〉 was promysed , that within . ii . yeares should the yoke Jer. xxviii of 〈◊〉 be broken from the neckes of al the people , and the vessels of the Lordes house together wyth all pleasures shuld be brought agayne to Ierusalem .

Now dyd they abound in wine and ●…dance cam befor the distruction Iere. xiii . Ie. xxxviii with oile . 〈◊〉 pleasing & blessed amongst the people were such Prophets . Ieremye had troubled them , and therfore he must dye : to pryson shall he go , for the king can deny nothing to his princes , of whom Phas●…ur appeareth to haue bene chiefe chauncelour : by whom was not only the king , but al the whole multitude so blinded : that boldly they ●…iexxvii . durst crye : no mischaunce shal come to vs . We shall neither se pestilence not hunger , the king of Babilon shall neuer come against this land .