A Christmas bankette garnyshed with many pleasaunt and deynty disshes, newely prepared by Theodore Basille Becon, Thomas, 1512-1567. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A06698 of text S101287 in the English Short Title Catalog (STC 1715). 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. 115 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 57 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2018 A06698 STC 1715 ESTC S101287 99837103 99837103 1412 2240921196

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Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A06698) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 1412) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 71:25) A Christmas bankette garnyshed with many pleasaunt and deynty disshes, newely prepared by Theodore Basille Becon, Thomas, 1512-1567. [112] p. In Botulphe lane at the sygne of the whyte Beare, by me Iohn̄ Mayler for Iohn̄ Gough, [Imprynted at London : Anno D[omi]ni. 1542] Theodore Basille = Thomas Becon. Imprint from colophon. Signatures: A-G. In this edition, p. E1r has catchword: thinges. reproduction of the original in the Bodleian Library. eng Christian life -- Early works to 1800. eebo A Christmas bankette garnyshed with many pleasaunt and deynty disshes, newely prepared by Theodore Basille. Becon, Thomas 1542 497 20840 114 0 0 0 0 2 526.39 F The rate of 526.39 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the F category of texts with 100 or more defects per 10,000 words. 2003-06 Assigned for keying and markup 2003-07 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-09 Sampled and proofread 2003-09 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-10 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

A Christmas bankette garnyshed with many pleasaunt and deynty disshes , newely prepared by Theodore Basille .

Luce. 14. Blessed is he that eatethe breade in the kyngdome of God .

To the ryghte honorable Syr Thomas Neuelle Knyghte , Theodore Basille wyssheth long lyfe , continual helth , and prosperous felicite . ✚

I feare vnlesse some men wyll accuse me of temerite & rasshnes , seynge the so boldly I dare offer to youre ryghte honorable maystershyp thys lytle lucubracion & worke , which I made now of late , & entitled a Christmasse bancket , in asmuche as I haue ben so seldo●e in your company , & haue not attempted nor proued at any tyme perfectly by mutuall confabulacion howe youre mynde is affected towarde me . To thys I answere , that I syttynge at your table before syx monethes past where it pleased you very benignely to talke with me , perceyued in youre maystershyp at that tyme , as at all other so great humanite , comite , gentlenes & affabilite towarde al men , that it hath syns that tyme greatly animated and encouraged me to excogitate & inuent somewhat that I myght dedicate to your name , trustyng by this meanes that your beneuolence toward me should not only be encresed , but also made consumate & perfecte . Whyle I sought diligently an argument fytte & worthy youre benignite , among all other it came to my remembraunce that this tyme of the yeare men vse customab●ye to make feastes & banckettes , and there vnto for to cal theyr frendes , louers & neighbours . Whan I considered this maner & custome , it dyd so much please me , seyng that mutual loue is mayntained therby , that hereof I toke an occasion also to make a Christmasse bancket . For I thought although I were poore & not of habilite to make such a feast or bancket , as the custome requireth , yet I woulde accordyng to that kynde of rytches , which God hath indued me , prepare some bancket , & call vnto it , not twenty or forty , but euen so many as wyll come , the all men myght commende Ba●ille hauynge no house of his owne , for hys housholde kepynge & large mayntenance of hospitalite . And for asmuch as ther shall not want vniuersal●y , which shal make feastes for the body at this tyme , I thoughte it beste , to make my bancket , a bancket for the soule , that men hauynge theyr bodyes fedde of other , might also haue theyr soules fed at my hande . I haue therfore prepared a Bancket , not such a bancket , Ioan. vi . as the meate wherof perissheth , corruptethe , and commethe to nought , but that abideth into euerlastyng lyfe . And because it maye be a Christmasse bancket in dede , & worthy wherat Christ should be present I haue garnysshed it with many delicious , pleasaunt , deynte , yea & heauenly dysshes of the moost holy scriptures . So that whosoeuer eateth of this bancket , shall fynde in it muche confortable noryshment for his soule & be occasioned therby , I doubt not to geue God hertye thankes , whiche hath vouchedsafe of his deuyne clemency , & vnmesurable goodnes , frely to call him to his celestiall bancket . Woulde God that by this my bancket makynge , I might excyte & moue other to vse like communicacion at their table , as they shall fynd here , or at the lees●e that they woulde enterlase in some parte of theyr repast theyr talke with suche honest & godly wordes as they shall here read , & vtterlye reiecte & cast awaye all fylthy and vncleane communicacion , all iestynge & raylyng , all blaspheming & cursing . So shoulde they haue Christe more present wyth them at theyr feastes , than many haue nowe a dayes , at whose table such kynde of talke is vsed , as may iustly seme not to be worthy of God & his sonne Iesus , but of Bacchus and Uenus . These be no Christmasse banckettes , but Christlesse & dyuellysh bankettes . They be no feastes fytte for christen men , but for Gentiles & Ethuyckes . God banysshe once this great absurdite from the tables of them that professe Christe . Nowe in as muche as at the begynnyng of a newe yeare the vniuersa●● custome is to gyue gi●tes one to another , wherby the proteste theyr mutuall good wyll , loue & fauour . I because I wyll not seme to be estraunged from this poynte of humanitie , do here hubly offer to your right honorable maystershyp this my Christmasse bancket for a new yeares gyft , most instantly desyring you fauourably to accept it , as the gyfte of him , which wyssheth to you from God the father , longe lyfe , continuall ●elth & prosperous felicite . Hereafter God prosperyng me in my studies , & directyng my pen in the trauaile of his word , I truste to compyle vnto the glory of God , & the immortalite of your name other workes no lesse godly & profitable to the reders . In the meane season that god , whose blessed word you must inti●rly fauoure and followe , mought preserue in safe estate , your good maistershyp to the anauncement of his glory , & the great quietnes of vs all in this countre , by executyng on your behalfe , accordyng to your of●yce committed worthelye vnto you by th● kynges moost gracious hyghnes , suche iustyce & equitie in youre iudgementes , as shal maye turne to the vtter expulsion of all vyce , & the hygh promocion & furtheraunce of al vertu . In the trauayle wherof that LORDE mought assist you , by whom kyng sraygne , & the makers of lawes ●●scerne righteous thinges , by whom also , 〈…〉 as Salomon sayeth : Prynces beare rule , & the heade officers gyue iudgement accordynge to iustyce .

AMEN .
The Christmasse Banckette . Philemon the maker of the Banckette , Theophyle , Eusebius , and Christopher the gestes . PHILEMON .

I Thinke it very l●ng vntyl my n●ighbours whom I haue bidden to this my Christmasse Bancket do come . For I woulde be gladde , that before we fede our hungrye bodies , we should sustayne and fede also our hungry soules , wh●che do no lesse hunger for the word of God beyng the only norysshement therof ▪ than the bodies do for corporal meate as Christ wytnesseth : De●t . viii Math. iiii I man , sayeth he , shall not lyue wyth bread alone , but with euery worde that procedeth oute of the mouth of God . Therfore that it myght be a Christmasse Bancket in dede , that is to saye , suche a feast , as wherby Christ maye be glorified , & our soules no lesse refresshed than the bodies : I desyre very much to se my neyghbours here shortely , that fyr●t we maye taste , as it is coueniente & ryght , of the celestiall table ●f Gods worde of the consolacion of oure soules helth , and afterward refresh our mortal bodies , with such alementes and noryshynges , as we haue receyued this daye of Gods great liberalite . And beholde I praye you where they come . Brothers & neyghbours welcome vnto me .

THEO .

Brother Philemon we thanke you hertelye .

EVSE .

We are come hyther this daye to put you both to payne and cofte .

PHIL.

I pray you thynke not so , it is to me neyther payne nor cost , but rather conforte and pleasure , to se you thus frendly come & visite your neighbour . And I thanke you righte hertely that ye haue not disdayened to come at my requeste . I beseche you , that ye wyl take the paynes to come hyther into my parlour .

CHRISTO .

I am lothe to go so sone oute of this your haull , which fedeth myne eyes with so many godly and goodly spectacles .

PHIL.

Why , is here ony thyng that you thynke worthy to be loked vpon ?

CHRI.

Euery thyng is here so pleasaunt & confortable to the eye of a christen man , that he beyng in this haull maye iustly seme to be in a delectable Paradyfe , I had allmooste sayd , in a nother heauen . For here is nothyng dumme , all thynge speake .

THEO .

I pray you what is ther written vpon your parclose dore ?

PHIL:

The sayeng of Christ. Ioan. x● I am the dore By me yf ony man entreth in , he shall be safe , and shall go in & oute , & shall fynde pasture . This is done to put me and my houshold in remembrance , that Christ is the dore , by whome we must enter into the fauoure of God , & obtayne the glory of heaven , as he hymselfe witnesseth , Ioan , xiiii sayeng , I am the waye , the trueth , & the lyfe . No man commeth to the father , but by me .

EVSE .

This is christenly done . What is this , that is written vpon your chiney ?

PHIL.

The sayenge of the Prophet Esaye . 〈◊〉 . ixvi . The fyre of them shal not be quenched .

CHRI.

This is a terryble and harde sayenge .

PHIL.

I haue paynted this sentence in the place , y● as the other fyxed vpon the doremaketh me to reioyse and to putte my whole affiaunce in Christ , so this in lyke maner should abstere & feare me and myne from doynge euell , whan by lokyng on this texte we consyder with our selues the inextinquible flames of hel fyre , & moost greuous paynes , which are ther prepared for the wicked transgressours & breakers of Gods lawe . This doth incute & bete into our hertes the feare of GOD , which expelleth synne , and is the begynnyng of wysdom . Psal. c● . Pro. ●●x . 〈◊〉 . Psa. ●●● For he that ▪ fereth God , shall do good thynges , sayeth the Scripture , & shal haue al his pleasures in y● LORDES commaundementes .

EVSE .

What haue ye ther wrytten in your wyndow ?

PHIL.

Christes sayeng in the Gospel of . Ioan. v●●● . S. I●o● . I am the lyght of the worlde . He that foloweth me , wa●keth not in darkenes , but shall haue the lyght of lyfe . This techeth vs , that as by this materiall wyndowe we receyue lyghte into our house , so by Christe are our soules & sences lyghtened wyth the deuyne intellygence and godly vnderstandyng of his blessed worde , which els shoulde contynue in darkenes & ignorancy , 〈…〉 in asmuch as a naturall man vnderstondeth not these thynges that pertayne to the spyryte of God . Ioan. i. For Christe is that true lyght , which doth lyghten euery man that commeth into this worlde .

THEO .

Your table also , me thynke speketh .

PHIL.

Herein is growen the sayenge of Christe : Luke . xiiii . Blessed is he that eate the bread in the kyngdom of God . This is to admonyshe vs that we shoulde not haue all our pleasure in eatynge drinkynge , & banckettyng after the maner of the Epicures , but rather desyre so to lyue in this worlde , that after this lyfe we maye be fedde in the ioyefull kyngdome of God by enioyenge the moost glorious syght of the deuine maiesty .

EVSE .

What haue ye paynted ouer your table ?

PHIL.

The sayeng of the Prophet Esaye , yea rather the commaundemente of God by his Prophete . ●sal . ●viii Breake thy breade to the hungry , & lede in the nedy & way ●arynge into thy house . Whan thou shalt se a naked man , couer hym , and ●●halte not despyse thy flesshe .

CHRI.

Do ye accordynge to this commaundement .

PHIL.

I woulde be loth brother Christo. to professe one thing by mouth , & to practyse another in my lyuing . Luke . xi●● For that seruaunt that knoweth his LORDES wyl , & doth it not ▪ shal be beaten with many strypes . But in asmuch as we all are to much slouthful in doyng our duetye , & chesely in this one poynt , therfore I haue caused this text to be here painted , that it maye alwayes put me in remembraunce of doyng my office to that poore members of Christe . Mark 〈…〉 well . For I tell you trueth , I thynke hym no good christen man , which receyuyng many benefites at the hand of God , & can not vouchsaufe to imparte & gyue some of them to the indigent & nedy . You remember , Luke . xvi . I am sure , the story of the rych man in the Gospell of Luke , whiche sared dentely euery day at his table , & yet would haue no pitie and me●cye vpon the po●re Lazar when he came to his dore , but suffred him to dy for want of succoure , & therfore was he cast in to hell fyre , and there greuously punys●hed .

EVSE .

I remember it well .

PHIL

This one story ought to moue vs for to haue compassion & pitie vpon the poore people , excepte we be mynded in this world to fare wel , & after this lyfe with the rytch man to be ●ormented in hell fyre . 〈◊〉 . xxxiiii . For the wyse man sayeth : The bread of the nedy is the lyfe of the poore , he that defraudeth him of it is a manssear .

THEO .

Would ●od that all men woulde remember this , thā●hould the poore people fynd more gentlenesse at mennes ha●des , than they do now a daies . But what haue ye wrytten iust by the forsayd text . 〈…〉

PHIL.

The sayeng of S. Paul● to the Collos. Be ye thankefull . This sentence is placed there for to putte me in remembrance , that I should at all tymes gyue God thankes for all thynges that I receyue of hym , meate , drynke , cloth , health , &c. But chefely whan I haue dyned or supped , to be thanckeful for his bounteous gyftes wherewith he hath fed both me and my houshold . ●om . l●xi● . D● 〈…〉 For Chrisostome sayth it is conuenient that we both when we go to the table , and com from it , geue God thankes . For he that employeth hymselfe to do this , shall neuer faul into dronkenshyp or lewdnes , he shal not be diseased with sur●eting but hauing the expectacion of prayer put vpon his senses in the stede of a bridle , he shal eate of al thinges set on the table with a decent mod●stye & honest temperaunce , & shall replenysshe both his soule and body with much blessyng . For that table which beginneth and endeth of prayer , shal neuer wante , but shall brynge to vs all good thynges more plenteouslye than any fountayne . These are the wordes of Chrisostome .

CHRI.

Godly forsoth , and worthy to be followed .

EVSE .

Neyther is this cup dum & spechles .

PHIL.

Vpon this is wrytten Christes sayenge : Ioan. vii . If ony man thyrsteth , let him come to me & dryncke . This is not done to prouoke men to super fluous drynckyng , but to put them in remembraunce that yf they thyrst , that is to say , desyre remission of theyr sinnes , encrease of vertue , perfeccion of a spirituall lyfe , qu●etnes of mynde , purenes of herte , Esa. lv . Ipo . xxii . or ony other good thynge , they should haste to Christe , which giueth to him that thyrste the of the water of lyfe frely . For who so euer drynketh of the water that Christe gyuethe hym , Ioan. iiii . he shall neuer thyrste more , but the water which is gyuen hym , shall be made in hym a well of water , spryngynge vp into euerlastynge lyfe .

THEO .

Uerye godlye forsoth● . You re dysshes also wante not speche .

PHIL.

They reherse the sayenge of christ in the gos . of Iohn : Verely , verely I saye vnto you , Ioan. v● . excepte ye eate the fles●he of the sonne of man , & drinke his bloude , ye haue no lyfe in you . But he that eateth my flesshe & drinketh my bloud , hath eternall lyfe , & I wyll rayse hym vp at the last day . For my flesshe is very meat , and my bloud very drynke , he that eteth my flesshe , & drinketh my bloud , he dwelleth in me , and I in him . This puttethe vs in remembraunce when we eate oure meate of the breakynge of Christes moost blessed body and the shedding of his moost precious bloud & by the remembraunce of it , & the beleuyng of the same , our soules at that very present , are no l●sse fed & susteyned , than oure bodyes are wyth the meate that is brought vnto vs in these dysshes . Beholde what ●he rem●brance of christes deth do●h . And this remembraunce of christes death , maketh vs to be thankfull vnto God the father , & to endeuour oure selues to lyue worthy his inestimable kyndnes , & in all poyntes to do oure diligence that God maye dwel in vs by his spiryte , & we in him thorowe that fayth , which worketh by charite .

EVSE .

Here is euery ●hinge so godly & pleasant , that it ouercōmech al prayse . But seynge that we haue begun to demaund of you these questions concerning the scriptures in your house , we wyll go forth so to do , t●usting that ye would not be greued with vs for so doynge .

PHIL.

Brother Eusebius I am not only not greued with you , but also very gladde that these my deuices haue in ony poynte pleased youre mynde .

EVSE .

I praye you what is it that your chayres & stooles haue carued on them .

PHIL.

A sayenge of Christe in the Reuelacion of Iohn : ●po● . i●● . To him that ouercommeth wyl I graunte to syt with me in my throne .

CHRI.

A very swete sayenge . But what meane you by this ?

PHIL.

It it not ●nknowen to you , I am sure , howe confortable a thyng it is for a wery body to syt & to haue a restyng place .

CHRI.

Trueth , what than ?

PHIL.

Certes it is a thousand tymes more confortable to haue a place whe● body and soule after so many great & daungerous conflictes in this miserable worlde , maye quietly reste . Therfore haue I written this te●t● on my chayres & stooles , to putte me & myne in remembrance , that yf we wyl fynd rest after this life , we must seriously not dally , ● . Pet. ● . Ephe. v● . but fyght with Satan our enemy . We may neuer giue place to the world , the dyuel , nor the flesshe , but maynly resyst them , beyng clothed with the armature of God and neuer leaue vntyll we haue gotten the victory of them all . So shall we rest in the kyngedome of God , or els not . For the Scripture sayeth : To him that ouercommeth , wyl I graunt to syt with me ● my throne .

THEO .

What scripture , I praye you , haue ye wrytten here ouer your lauer ?

PHIL.

The sayenge of Esaye : Be ye wasshed , be ye cleane , Esai . ● . take awaye the euell of your thoughtes from my eies . Here so oft as we wasshe our handes , we are moued to remember with oure selues , ●●he . iiii . yf ony malyce or hate be in our hertes towarde our neyghbour . If ther be ony at all , we suffer not the Sonne to fall downe vpon our anger , but accordynge to Christes precepte we go streyght and reconcyle our selues to such as with whome we are at debate or they with vs . Math. v. Moreouer yf there be ony other vncleanesse or notable vyce in vs , we streight put it aware oute of our hertes by true & vnfayned repentaunce , & not only banysshe the vice from vs , but also embrace the vertue contrarye vnto the vyce , Psa. xxxiii i. Pet. iii. ●sa● . i. as the scripture sayeth . Declyne from euell , & do good . I gayne , cease to do eu●ll , and learne to do good . By this meanes hath synne no dominion in vs , but vertue very muche .

EVSE .

I woulde wysshe soner to come into this house , them into any place eyther of Emperour or kynge , I count him to dwell in a fortunate yle , that dwelleth in a house so adourned & garnisshed with the moost odiferous , redolent , & swete smellynge floures of the holy scriptures .

THEO .

It semeth vnto me also , that youre vyrginalles speake , although no man playeth on them . Esa. xx●●ii● , i. Lor. ii .

PHIL.

They saye thus : The eye hath not sene , nor the eare hathe not hearde , neyther hath it entred into the harte of man , that God hath prepared for them that loue hym : It maketh that though the sound of that instrument which is but vayne and fedeth the eare for a lytle whyle , semeth pleasaunte & ioyefull to the hearers for the tyme , yet is that nothyng in comparison of the celestiall melodye & heauenly ioye , that God hath prepared for them that loue hym . Therefore are we here admonysshed not to delyghte in fantasticall instrumentes the pleasure wher of is more vayne , than the smoke , but in that melodye & ioye , whiche is perpetuall & neuer decayeth , & so to institute our lyfe that we maye be partakers of that vnspekable pleasaunce & ioye .

CHRI.

The longer I behold the partes of youre house , the more I am moued to meruayle , seyng so rare spectacles ful of all vertue & godlynes . Your postes also salute your gestes , so farre as I can perceyue .

PHIL.

They expresse this sentence of S. Paule , ● . Lor. iii. vi . ●i , Lor , vi . the temple of God is holy , which you are . This putteth vs in remembraunce in what soeuer parte of the house we go , that we should so kepe oure hertes cleane from the infeccion of mortal synne , that God in them by his holy spirite myght dwel perpetua●ly .

EVSE .

I praye you what two great tables haue you hangynge there openly .

PHIL.

This is the table of the. x●commaundementes , which teachethe vs what we oughte to do , & what to erchew . The other is a table also whiche contayneth in it the offyces of al degrees and estates . It teacheth vs whatte we owe to oure mooste noble Prince , to oure parentes , & to al superioures . In this table euery man from the hyghest degre to the lowest may lerne his offyce & duety . Therfore are these two tables redde euery daye openlye in my house , my wife , & chyldren , with al my seruauntes , beyng called therunto , & geuynge attendance diligently to the readyng of the same . If any of my houshold transgresse any percel of gods law , he is brought streight waye to these tables , and by them is his faut declared vnto h●m . So that here by he taketh an occasion to amende his lyfe , & to be the more circumspecte & ware , that he falleth not agayne into that synne afterward . This is the order of my house . Other correccion than this vse I none . Yet withstandyng , I thanke my LORD God , all do theyr duety so well that I can not wysshe it to be done better .

THEO .

O mercifull God , what haue I herde and sene this day ? so christian a house , so godlye an order neuer sawe I in my lyfe . All householders may take an example of you . Would God that many seynge this youre acte , would in lyke maner folow it in euery condicion , garnyshyng theyr houses with holy scriptures , & trayning theyr ly●es accordyng to the same . Oh what a floryshynge realme than shoulde we haue ? Wyth howe syncer fayth shoulde we serue God . Wyth howe feruent charite should we procure the commodite of our neyghboure ? With howe redy myndes endued with al humbly submission shoulde we faythe fully obey our moost christen Emperoure , moost redoubted Kynge , and moost excellent ruler ? With how feruent herte should we profligate and chase awaye synne : With howe vale aunte courage shoulde we amplecte & inhaunce vertue ? It can not be expressed with howe many & great commodities this moost prosperous realme shoulde florysshe to the glory of God , the a●auncement of the kynges moost excellent maiestie , to the great pleasure & contentacion of all youre mindes , yf this thing were brought to passe ▪

PHIL.

I am here vnder God and my Prince a ruler ouer this my lytle housholde , & I thynke my selfe to be so muche bounde in conscience to bryng them vp vertuously , that yf ony of them shoulde perysshe , Eze. xxxi●● theyr bloud should be required of my hand at the dreadfull daye of iudgement ,

CHRI.

Woulde God that all housholders , yea all Bysshoppes & Curates would waite & attent vpon theyr parysshes wyth no lesse dilygence than you do on your flock .

EVSE .

The very ●ame woulde I wysshe .

THEO .

Than should christen men knowe Christ & his lawes better than they do nowe a dayes , and serue theyr Prince with a more faythfull and obedient herte .

PHIL.

Well thus haue ye sene my symple wytte in diuisynge these aforesayde thynges for the ryght institucion of my selfe & family . And it pleseth me wel , seyng that it doth not displease you .

EVSE .

The lyght hereof hath so delyghted vs , that nothyng heretofore hath fed our eyes with so great delectacion & pleasure . Neyther haue we been here vaine & ydle spectatours but haue reposed all theise thynges in oure brestes , that euery one of vs intende to gyrnysshe his house and order his familye in lyke maner , gyuynge you ryght herty thankes for the callynge of vs hyther this daye .

●HIL .

Seyng that ye haue now sene the moost principal plesures of my haull , I praye you vouchesafe to take the payne for to come into my parlou● .

THEO .

We followe you gladly .

PHIL.

Nowe are ye welcome hyther .

CHRI.

I praye you neyghbour Philemon , what haue we here to do ? I am now more rauysshed then I was before . Here is euery thynge so godly , pleasaunt that it semethe vnto me to be a figure of the newe & cele●tial Ierusalem , Apoc. xx● . which is so gorgiou●ly decked & garnysshed wyth all kynde o● heauenly treasures . But I praye you , what do ye mene bi your table spred with a fayre white & fyne cloth ? Again what four bokes haue you layd vpon the table , cladde & couered moost preciously with cloth of gold .

PHIL.

It is not vnknowen to you neyghbours that I dyd bydde you vnto a Christmasse Bancket , & very frendely ye are come to me . Nowe that it myght be a Christmasse Bancket indede , I was mynded not only to prouyde meate for youre bodies , as the common fasshyon of the worlde is , but also for your soules , or els howe coulde it be a Christmasse Bancket ? These ●oure bokes that lye here , are thus named . The fyrst is the fiue bokes of Moses with certayne other volumes of the olde Testament . The seconde is the Prophetes . The thyrd the new Testament . The fourth , the Doctours of the chyrche . For euery one of vs here is a boke of lyke nomber , & for euery one of vs , all . Theise are the maysters of the Christmasse Bancket . These are they which shal feaste you . Theyse are they , that haue in store so many godly & goodli dysshes mooste confortable for oure soules healthe . Whan we haue once taken our repast of these moost delycious disshes , than by Gods fauoure wyll we repare to the feast of th● body , which the common forte only celebrate , neglectyng that , which is pryncipall & moost precious .

CHRI.

We desyre very much to taste of these pleasaunt and deynty dys●hes .

THEO .

My herte reioyseth to heare these thynges .

EVSE .

Me thynke it a hundred yeare tyll we begynne our bancket .

PHIL.

Seynge that yeare so desyrous to tast of this moost godly bancket , come of , & that it may be done among vs with the more fruyte , let vs al with one consente knele downe & praye to God for the assistance of his spiryte .

EVSE .

Agreed .

PHIL.

If it wyll please you to gyue audience , & quietelye to heare , I wyll praye in the name of you all .

THEO .

Let it be so .

EVSE .

Yea I praye you .

CHRI.

That is best

PHIL.

Heare nowe .

The prayer .

O Good God & mercyefull father the ●uthor & gyuer of all wisdome , Iacob . ● . whych at the intercession of thy welbeloued sonne Iesus Christe our LORDE and sauioure dyddest sende downe accordynge to thy promyse thy holye spyryte to lyghten the hertes & senses of the apostles before they could syncerly vnderstand the hygh misteries of thy deuyne wyll : Act. ii . We moost humbly besech the , that all cloudes of ignorancy & darkenes dispelled & put awaye , we beyng here gathered togither in thy name , may thorowe that same thy spyrite enioye the lyght of thy eternal verite , & so reuerentlye read & talke of thy most blessed word at this present , that we vnderstandyng the same being enflamed with the loue & reding therof , maye in all poyntes fasshyon oure lyfe accordinge vnto thy holye worde , & seriously prouyde , that the lyght of all our actes & maners may so shyne before men , Ma● . ● . that they seyng our good workes , maye gloryfy the oure father which arte in heauen , to whom wyth thy welbeloued sonne Iesus Christ & the holy ghost thre distincte persones in deite , and yet one verye true & perfecte God in essence , be all honour , prayse , & glory for euermore

THEO .

Amen .

EVSE .

So be it .

CHRI.

LORDE let it so come to passe .

PHIL.

Nowe let vs fall in hande with our Christmasse bancket . I beseche God so to temper our tonge thorowe the influence of the holye Ghoste , that we speake here this daye nothynge dissonante from the ve●itie of Gods worde , but altogyther to the glorye of his moost blessed name , and the conforte of al our soules ,

THEO .

The very same thynge we also wysshe .

PHIL.

Nowe wyll I bringe forth vnto you the bancket , & bycause I wyl not onerate & ouercharge your stomackes with to much meat at ones ( although th●r ought not to be ony sufficiency , much lesse any nimiete in spiritual thinges , so desyrous of them should we be ) I haue at this pres●nt only prepared accordyng to the number of vs foure dysshes , that we tastynge of them , yea rather eatynge , deuouryng & digesting them with gredy stomakes , maye haue the more luste & desyre to retourne to them shortlye , I praye you syt downe euery man in a chayre . Nowe wyll I serue you with your fyrst dysshe , contayned in the fyrstboke of Moses . Fayle not you therfore to whette your stomakes , & gredely to deuour whatsoeuer I bring forth vnto you .

The fyrst dysshe .

G●ne . iii. CUrsed is the erth in theyr worke . It shall brynge forth vnto the thornes & brambles .

THEO .

This is a disshe lytle pleasunt for the begynnynge of our bancket .

PHIL.

Content youre selues . it is necessary that this dysshe hath the fyrste place , that the other that follow may sauour the more deliciously to your mouthes . The acrimony and tartenes o● this dysshe shall so pearce youre stomackes that it shall minister to you an appetyte & lust to deuour that other the more gredely . For I do not in this behalfe followe the maner of Satan , which promised fyrste to Eue swete & delectable thynges , & afterwarde payed her with thynges moost sower & displeasaunt , Esay . i. Mat. iii. but rather of the Prophet Esay & of Iohn Baptist , which fyrst of all greuously rebuked the wicked in theyr sermons , & afterwarde conforted them agayne moost swetelye . Neyther differed Christ and his Apostles from this maner of preaching . Tak● therfore thys dysshe in good worth , & heare me now paciently . Whan thorowe the suggestion of the olde wyly serpent Adam & Eue had trangressed Gods commaundement , God accordynge to theyr desertes e●pulsed them out of Paradyse , & sente them into this vale of misery , sayeng vnto Adam amonge all other thynges this aforesayd text : Cursed is the erth in thy worke . Gen. ●● It shall brynge for the vnto thornes & brymbles . Here do we learne that for the synne of Adam all the earth , that is to say , all the creatures are cursed & made subiecte to vanite . They nowe brynge forth no more goodly & pleasaunt fruytes , but thornes & brembles , that is , synne , wickednes , vice , & all other abhominac●on . This one synne of our fyrst father Adam hath condemned vs all that euer haue ben borne syns , or shall be here after .

EVSE .

Me thynketh that thoughe he offended , yet his offence should not turne to our damnacion , seynge we were not then borne .

PHIL.

Yies in good fayth brother Eusebius . For his synne was oure synne . His damnacion was our damnacion . His death was our deth . I wyl read vnto you the mynde of the famous Doctour Origen , In epi●●le . ad Rom. lib. ● . ●apit . v. concernyng this matter : If Leuy , sayeth he , whiche was borne the fourth generacion after Abraham , was than counted to be in the loynes of Abraham , muche more all men that are borne or haue ben borne in this world , were in the loynes of Ad●m , when he was yet in Paradise . And all men with hym & in him were expulsed out of Paradise , when he was put out from thence , & by him death , which came vnto him by the enterpretacion , came also consequently vpon them , whom he had in his loynes .

PHIL.

I praye you lette vs heare what the holye scriptures say in this behalfe .

THEO .

We reade in the fourth boke of Es●ras the third chap. on this wyse . The fyrst Adam bearyng a wicked herte dyd synne , & was ouercome , & not onely be , but al that were borne of hym . ●se● . ● Also Ose the Prophete sayeth : They euen as Adam haue transgressed the couenant & therin haue they synned agaynste me , T●m . ●● . that is , sayth S. Ierome , vpon this texte , in Paradyse all haue synned agaynste me , euen lyke vnto the synne of Adam For it is no meruayle , sayeth he , yf that which went before in the father , be also condemned in the chyldren . 〈◊〉 . ●x● . But I wyl reherse to you more scriptures : Of a woman came the begynnynge of synne , ●oan . iii. Mat. xii . sayeth the wyse man , & by her all w● dy . Christ also sayeth , the whych is borne of flesh is ●leshe . Agayne , how can ye speake good thynges , ●oan . ●iii . ●hen ye youre selues are euell ? Also in an other place , euery one that doth synne , Rom. v. i. Lor. vi . Rom. iii. ●s●l . ● . is the seruaunt of synne . S. Paule also sayeth : By one man synne entred into this world & by synne death , & so went deth tho rowe all men , in as muche as all we haue synned . Agayne , in Adam all are dead . In another place also he sayth all haue synned , & want the glory o● God . Therfore Dauid confesseth that he was begotten in synne , & borne in synne . And saynte Paule affyrmeth playnelye , that we are borne by nature the chyldren of wrath . What saye ye nowe my frendes , do ye not now at the laste perceyue that the synne of Adam hath condemned vs all , so that his synne is oure synne .

CHRI.

We perceyue it well & beleue it also .

PHIL.

I wyll reherse vnto you a sayeng of S. Bernarde . Sermo . in ●ena Domini . In the faull of the fyrst man , sayeth he , dyd we all faull . We fell vpon an heape of stones & in the myer , so that we are not only inquinated , spotted and defyled , but also wounded & greuously shaken , brused & broken . Ibidem . Agayne he sayeth : Verely we are begotten in synful pleasure , therfore although it be agaynst our wyll , yet do we fele certayne vnlawfull & beastlyke mocions of concupiscences in our selues . Hereto agreeth S. Austen sayenge , De ver●i● apost. S● . iiii . marke brothers behold that mankynde came forthe from the fyrst death of the fyrst man . For sinne from the fyrst man entred into the worlde , & by synne death , & so went death thorowe all men . Marke this word went thorow . Roma . v. Consither that ye haue herde , loke what this is , went thorowe . It went thorow . Hereby is the yong chylde gilty . Syn he hath not done , but drawne . For that syn dyd not remayne in the fountaine , but went thorow , not him or him but went thorow al men . The fyrst siner , that fyrst preuaricatour begat synners bonde to death . Thus se you that both the holy scriptures & also the auncient Doctours do conclude that all we are damned righteouslye for Adans offence . ●o . xxxvi . ●e ad●en . Domini . Ephe. ii . G●n● . iii. So that euery man naturally , as S. Iohn & Chrisostome sayth , is not only a synner , but also euery whytte synne , as the Apostle sayeth : we were by nature the sonnes of wrath And this is it , that God the father sayde to Adam : Cursed is the earth in thy worke , as I rehersed to you before .

THEO .

Than haue we learned here , that all we are cursed & damned in Adams worke , that is , for the synne which he he commytted in breakynge Gods moost holy commaundementes .

PHIL.

Ye saye trueth .

EVSE .

This is a thynge necessary to be knowen . M●r●r this thynge well ,

PHIL.

Withoute the knowledge of our selues , we can neuer truly know god nor vnderstand his holy scriptures . Therfore wyl I go fo●th to minister vnto you the residue of youre fyrste dysshe . It followeth : It shall brynge forth vnto the thornes & brambles , I praye you what other thynge dothe your corrupte nature brynge forth vnto vs than thornes & brambles , that is to saye , synne , wickednes , vngodlynes , & all that euer is contrary to the wyll of God ? Synne cō●●red lyke to ● thorne . And in dede synne may well be compared to a thorne or bramble . For as the thorne & bremble prycketh the body & woundeth it greuouslye , yea and bryngeth many tymes destruccion vpon it , except other wyse it be holpen , so lykewyse synne moost greuously prycketh , woundeth and vtterly destroyeth the soule , excepte it be redemed by Gods mercye thorow Iesus Christ.

THEO .

I thinke this to be true .

PHIL.

It therfore foloweth that in asmuch as all we are dead in Adam , we are not able of oure selues to ryse agayne from death vnto lyfe . And seyng that we are synners all that euer we do , muste nedes be synne , yea it is synne in dede , & deserueth euerlastynge death . For as the scripture sayth . ●ene . viii . ●sa● : lvii . The disposicion and thought of mannes herte is prone to euel from his yonge age . ●api . xii . Psa. xiviii Roma . vii Luke . xvii ●saie . liii . ●saie . i● . Psal. cxv . ●sai● . liii . We are wicked chyldren , & a wicked seed . We are that seed , whiche was cursed from the begynnyng . We are lyke bruyte beastes . We are carnall & flesshely , sould vnder synne . We are vnprofitable seruauntes . We all haue gone astray lyke shepe . We all are Hypocrites & wycked . We are all lyers . We all are vncleane , & all our ryghteousnesses as a cloth polluted with mensture . All haue synned . Rom. i●i . Psa. xiii . ●o● . xxv . P●o. xx . Hie. xv i. ii.● or . iii. Gen. iii. There is not one that dothe good , no not one . There is no man cleane from fylthynes , no not the yonge chylde . Ther is no man able to say , my hert is cleane , & I am pure from sinne . For our hartes are wicked and in●crutable . We are not able to thynke a good thoughte . All that euer we bryng forth is thornes & brambles , that is to saye , synne , vngodlines , & all abhominacion . Note . What are we nowe of oure selues I praye you tell me .

CHRI.

Very synners .

EVSE .

Yea and al that euer we do in Adam , & of our own strength , is plaine synne and wickedness .

PHIL.

I am glad that we haue learned what ye are of your selues by Adam . I pray you what are ye able nowe to do for to saue your selues from this perel , wherunto ye are fallen by Adam ?

THEO .

Verely I can not tell .

EVSE .

Forsoth I thynke very lytle . The capti●ite of man thorow sy● .

PHIL.

Ye might right well haue sayde , nothinge at all . For I ensure you that ye beyng lefte vnto your selues can do none otherwise but synne , & faull headlyng into all kynde of mischefe Your wytte strength , polecy , imaginacion , reason , & free wyll auayleth here nothynge , to delyuer you from the captiuite of Satan , He leadeth you as the mayster dothe his bonde slaue , Ioan. viii . whyther soeuer it pleseth him as Christ witnesseth : euery one that doth synne , is the seruaunt of synne . Ye remember , I am sure , the storye of the wounded man , in the Gospell of Luke , Luke . x. which beyng dispoyled and robbed of all his clothes & greuously wounded , ●●rk here laye styll halfe dead .

THEO .

I remember it very well .

PHIL.

This wounded man signi●ieth euerye chylde of Adam . The clothes signify fayth charïte , iustice , mercy , & such other vertues . The theues are Satan and his aungels . The woundes are synnes . Haulfe deade is to be alyue in the flesshe , & slayne in the soule thorowe synne . All this are we by Adam . And as this wounded man could not be holpen of the Preste nor Leuyte , vntyll the Samarytane came , no more can we be holpen by ony creature or worke , tyll christ commeth the true Samaritane . We can not certes , we can not helpe our selues , but euen lye styll the stynkynge puddle of synne . Loke in what case Satan leaueth vs , in the verye same do we remayne , excepte God of his mercy thorowe Christe helpeth vs . Neyther canfre e wyll nor all the wytte & polecye that we haue , profyte here any thynge , Epist. c●i . ad Paul. tyll God indueth vs with strength from aboue . For as S. Austen sayeth : The nature of man all though it dyd remayne & continue in that integryte & purenes , wherin it was made , yet could it kepe it selfe by no meanes , if the creator & maker of it dyd not helpe . Therfore seynge that without the grace of god it could not kepe the health that it receiued , howe is it able to repare and get agayne that which it hath lost , without the grace of God ? ●ib . ●e vocant . ● a. viii 〈◊〉 . ●e cor●● g●a●● ii . Phil. ii . Ioan. xv . Againe he saith free wyll sufficethe vnto euell , but vnto good it auayleth lytle , excepte it be holpen of that almyghty God . Therfore is it well sayde of the Apostle , God worketh in vs ●oth the wil & the dede . Hereto agreeth the sayeng of ●hrist . As the vyne braunche can not beare fruyte , excepte it abyde in the vine , no more can ye except ye abyde in me . I am the vyne & ye are the braunches . He that abideth in me , & I in him , the same bryngethe for the much fruyte . For without me ye can do no●hyng . If any man abydeth not in me , he is cast out as a braunche , & is wythered , & men gather them & cast them into the fyre , & there burne . Thus se ye what ●e are of youre selues by Adam , & that no strengthe ye haue ones to aspyre or breath towarde ony goodnes , much lesse to do or work any good thynge , excepte ye be holpen of God . Ye se also howe full of sinnes , diseases , woundes , sores , botches , canckers , & al that euer nought is ye are . Ye se agayne , how ye are not able of your selues to recouer youre innocency , that ye lost by Adam .

CHRI.

Alas what is now to be done ?

THEO

The rehersyng of these thynges maketh me very sadde .

PHIL.

It shoulde rather make you very glad . In di●l . 〈…〉 For as S. Hierome sayeth : This is the true wysdome of a man to knowe hym selfe to be inperfecte , & as I maye so speake , the perfeccion of all righteous men in the flesshe is imperfecte . Agayne he sayeth : 〈…〉 ●ag . li● . ● . Than are ye righteous , when we confesse oure selues synners , & our righteousnesse consisteth not of our owne merite , but of the mercye of God , as the holy scripture sayth , Pr●u . 〈…〉 the righteous man is the accuser of himselfe in the begynnynge of his spech . Therfore must ye confesse your selues to be that in dede , which ye are , that is , very synners , yf ye wyll be set free from this miserable captiuite , wher with ye are nowe to muche wrapped and ouerwhemled .

EVSE .

We confesse the same .

THEO .

We nowe knowledge that of oureselues by Adam , we are nothynge but synners , & all that euer we do without the spiryt● of god is playne sinne , Rom. xiiii . as S. Paule sayeth : What soeuer is not of fayth is synne .

PHIL.

Well seynge that ye haue so fruytfully digested the fyrst dysshe of your Banket , nowe haue I a fyt place , a conuenient tyme , & a good occasion to brynge vnto you the seconde dysshe , as it followeth in order .

CHRI.

I praye you let vs tast of it .

THEO .

That thynge also do I desyre .

The seconde dysshe .

YOur second dysshe is contayned in that same chap. wher in the fyrst is recited . Therfore deuoure this with no lesse gredy appetyte than ye haue done that other . For this dysshe is much delicious & very wholsome forthe vertuous preseruacion of the soule . I now brynge it for the vnto you . Beholde here it is . Gene. iii. I wyll sette ennemyt● betwene the & an woman , betwene thy seed & her seed , & that selfe seed shall tread downe thy heade . Nowe dothe this fauour in your mouth ?

THEO .

Very pleasauntly forsoth : but we do not perceyue what it meneth .

PHIL.

Heare therfore : These were the wordes of God the father to the serpent whan by his craft & sut●elty he had made Adam to offende , & in them is comprehended an whole See of treasures . For they declare both oure free delyueraunce from captiuite , & also the victory ouer Satan and all his army . When Satan had thought that he had gotten the ouerhand of man , and brought him into the same case wherinto he was throwen for his to much arrogancy & pryde , thynking by this menes to deceiue God of his purpose , which had made man for to supply the nomber of Aungelles , which perysshed when Lucifer fel from heuen : God wyllyng to shewe himselfe of no lesse puissaunce to saue man thorowe his mercy , than Satan was to condemne hym thorowe his crafte , pytied streyght way the miserable fall of man , & afterwarde spake these confortable wordes to the great confusion of Satan , & the excedyng consolacion of man . I wyl set enimite betwene the & an woman , betwene thy seed and her seed , that selfe seed shall treade downe thy head . The woman : Thys woman is the mooste blessed and pure virgyn Mary , which was here promysed to brynge forth that seed , whiche should tread downe Satans heade . The see●● This seed is Iesus christ which toke s●e●sh vnfaynedly of that moost pure virgyn , & became man for our sake . And he it is , which was promised of God the father to treade downe the heade of the Serpent .

THEO .

I per●eyue that by the serpente ye meane Satan . The tredī● downe of the Serpentes head , But what is mente by the treadyng downe of his head .

PHIL.

The destruccion of his power . For the these strength & power of a serpent consysteth in his head . Though his tayle or body be stryken or wounded , he forceth not much . For he wyl put them both in perrel for the safegard of his head , but yf his head be once striken or wosided , than loseth he his power , than dyeth he shortelye . Therfore is Christe promysed here , not to tread downe the tayle or bodye of the serpent , but his head , wherby is sygnified the destruccion of his whole power . So that nowe Satan shall neuer more triumph agaynst Gods electe Do ye nowe perceyue this matter ?

EVSE .

Yea forsoth .

CHRI.

I neuer hearde so muche before .

PHIL.

Well , nowe beholde the great & excedynge mercye of God toward you , that ye maye learne that to be true , whiche God speaketh by his Prophet Ose : ●●e . xiii . Thy destruccion , oh Israell , commeth of it selfe , but thy saluacion commeth only of me . Ye haue heard that Adam synned , & that thorowe his synne all we were dā●ed .

THEO .

I remember it well . Gen● . iii.

PHIL.

The scripture testifieth that so sone as Adam had offended , he hyd hymselfe , & fled from the face of god , he was so gretly ashamed of the synne that he had commytted . The misery of Adam . For after his offence he came not to GOD as he ought to haue done , neyther sought he grace & remission of his synne at the goodnes of God , by confessing his synne with a faythfull repentaunto herte , but streyghtway after the tran●gression of the precept he fled from God & hyd himselfe from the face of god , & as they vse to saye , putte his head in a busshe lyke a cowarde for feare ? Oh where are the powers of free wyl , y● man be once withoute the spirite of God ? Man hath nowe no power to seke for saluacion , but rather continueth styll in his olde wickednes , & seketh to be far from the face of god , couetynge rather to be damned than he would once approch vnto the sighte of God , synne hath so slayne his courage . Satan in him hath so great dominion , yea whan he considereth his wickednesse , he is angrye with GOD , hateth God , and wyssheth that ther were no God , that he myghte escape vnpunysshed , euen as an enemy of the publigue weale wyssheth that there were no kynge , no Emperour , no ruler , no gouernor , no magistrate , but all lyke himselfe , that freely & without punysshement he myght deforme , ren●e teare , despoyle the publigue we●e at his owne pleasure . The goodnes o● god Nowe beholde the vnspeakable benygnite of God . When Adam had fled from him , and hyd himselfe , so that he had no hoope of helth , but vtterly despayred of all consolacion , lokyng for extreme tyranny , to be exercysed vpon him at euery houre accordyng to his desertes . God lyke a mercyfull father sought him vp , & spake before him the swete wordes heretofore rehersed to Satan , that by this meanes he might receyue consolacion , & so be saued by geuyng earnest fayth to that moost confortable promyse . O the vnmesurable goodnes of this celestial father : he is that shepe herde , Luke . xv . whiche neuer leaueth sekyng vntyll he hath found the shepe that was loste . He is that father , which ioyefully receiueth agayne into his house that sonne , whiche prodigally had spente all his substance . He is the Samaritane , Luke . x. Mat. xxvi . Act. ix . which healeth the wounded man . He is that LORDE , whiche maketh of a blasphemer an Apostle , of a prosecutor a preacher . And whence commeth this his goodnes ? of vs : of our good dedes ? of our merites ? Naverely , but of his bounteous mercy and great goodness . Frely and with out deserte worketh he this thynge . We are saued by grace thorow faith & that not of our selues , Ephe. ii . for it is the gyfte of God , & commeth not of workes , bycause no man should bost himselfe . Tit. iii. We being iustified by his grace are made heyres , accordyng to hope of euerlastyng lyfe . Not for the workes of ryghteousnes which we haue done , but accordynge to his mercye hathe he saued vs . Rom. iii. We are iustyfyed frely by his grace . By grace are we saued , & not by workes . Yf by grace then not of workes , Rom. xi . or els grace were not grace . Ioan. xv . He dyd chose vs by hys grace , & not we hym by our workes , as christ wytnesseth , ye haue not chosen me , ●phe . ● . but I haue chosen you . Paule also sayth , God did chose vs in Christ before the foundacions of the world were layd . Hereto pertayneth that sayeng of the Psalmograph : Psa. lxiiii . Blessed is he o Lord , whome thou haste chosen and taken vnto the , for he shal dwel in thy inner courtes . That God of his free mercy did chose vs without our desertes , whan we were synfull & poore withoute onye goodnes or godlynes , he hymselfe testifyeth by hys Prophet , Esa. x●viii sayeng : I haue chosen the in the fyre of pouertie .

EVSE .

So far as I can perceyue nowe , God alone is the author of our saluacion , & he of his free mercy and aboundant grace dyd chose vs to be his heyres , ●phe . ● . before the foundacions of the worlde were layde .

CHRI.

Yea and that before we wrought ony goodnes , or shewed ony poynte of kyndnes toward hym ,

PHIL.

Ye saye trueth . And that ye maye knowe that I wraste not the scriptures , I wil read vnto you the layeng of S Austen : De ver. ●●● Sc● . xv . He was gyuen sayth he , for our sines , & rose againe for our iustificacion . Thy iustificacion , thy circumsicion is not of thy selfe . By grace are ye saued thorowe sayth , & that not of your selues , but it is the gyfte of God , not of workes vnlesse ꝑaduenture thou wouldest say , I haue deserued it , & therfore haue I receiued it . Thinke not that thou dydest receyue it by deseruing , which couldest not haue deserued except thou haddest receiued it . Grace went before thi meryte , grace is not of meryte , but me rite of grace For if grace were of merite so haddest thou boght it , & not receiued it frely . Thou shalt saue them sayeth he , for nothynge : What is this , thou shalt haue them for nothinge ? Thou fyndest in them nothyng wherby thou mayst saue them , & yet doste thou saue them . Freely thou gyuest frely thou sauest . Thou goest before all merytes , that thy giftes may o●tayne thy merytes . Vtter●ye doeste thou geue frely , saue frely , which findest nothynge , wherof thou mayeste saue , & fyndest muche wherby thou mayest condemne . In p●o . Psa. xxxi . Agayne he sayeth , thou haste done no good , & yet is remission of synnes gyuen vnto the. Let thy workes be looked vpon , and they be all found euell , Yf god shoulde gyue the the which is due to thy workes , he shoulde surely condemne the. But God doth not gyue vnto the that payne which is due , but giueth the grace , which is not due . Also vpon this texte , ●a ●p . a● Roma . to al that are at Rome beloued of God , saynctes by cyllynge : Here also , sayeth he , he sheweth that it is the excedyng mercy of God rather then thy meryte . For he sayeth not , to them that loue God , but to them that are loued of God . For he loued vs fyrst , that we beyng loued shoulde also loue hym . In ●ant . ●er . lxvi● . S. Bernarde also sayth : Grace maketh me iustified freely , & lykewyse delyuered from the bondage of synne . Hereto agreeth Fulgentius , Lib. i. a● men●mū . sayenge : God giueth grace to the vnworthy frely wherewith the wicked beynge iustified maye be lyghtened with the gyfte of good wyl , & with the power of good workyng , that mercy preuentyng and goyng before he maye begyn to wyl good , & mercy subsequent and folowyng , he maye be able to do the good that he wylleth . Thus perceyue you , that whenther was nothynge in vs , wherfore God should loue vs , yet he freely loued vs ▪ chosed vs by his grace to be his chyldren , l. Ioan. i●●● as S. Iohn sayeth : Behold , what a loue the father hath giuen to vs , that we should be called the sonnes of God . Agayne he sayth : In this is loue , not that we loued God , but that he loued vs , l. Ioan. 〈◊〉 & sent his sonne to make agrement for oure synnes . And a lytle after : We loue hym , because he fyrst loued vs .

THEO .

What moued God to be so beneficiall vnto vs , seyng we had offended so greuously , & were than by no meanes able to pacify his wrath with ony good work ?

EVSE .

This woulde I also gladdely knowe .

PHIL.

His owne mere goodnes was the occasion of his loue toward vs for his sonne Iesus Christes sake . In hym , by hym , & for hym , is God the father mercyful vnto vs , & freely saueth vs without ony respecte of our good workes . Gala. iii. For as s. Paule sayeth : Yf righteousnes came by the lawe , than dyed Christ in vayne . And God hymselfe sayth by the Prophet I am , Esa●e . xliii I am he , which putteth away thyne ī●iquittes , yea & that for myne owne sake , & wyll remember thy synnes no more . Put me in remembraunce & let vs iudged togither : Declare yf thou haste any thynge , that thou mayest he iustified . ●ene . iii. And this is it , that we speke of before , that selfe seed shal tread down thy head . Furthermore God sayde to Abraham : Gene. xxi● . In thy seed shall all nacions of the earth be blessed . This seed , Gala. ii● . sayth S. Paule is Christ by whom al are we blessed , that is to saye , receyued into fauour , forgiuen of oure synnes , freelye iustified and made heyres of eternal glory ?

CHRI.

Now commeth this to passe by Christ I praye you .

PHIL.

Uerely on this wyse , when all we were dampned in Adam , God of his mere mercy and exceadyng grace promised to Adam & his posterite , that ther should be one borne , which should delyuer them out of theyr seruitude and restore them agayne to grace . G●ne . lii . and. xxii . Deut. xvii● . Exod. xii . and. xvi . Num xx● . This dyd God the father in the olde lawe not only many times promise , but also obsibrate & shadow by dyuers misteries , figures , cloudes and ceremonies that by them the faythfull might receyue consolacion . And at the tyme appoynted of GOD the father this man Iesus Christ came into the world . Esa●e . vii . Roma . i. He was conceyued by the holy ghost , & ●orne of the virgyn Mary , accordynge to the holy scriptures : He was begotten of the seed of Dauyd as pertainyng to the flesshe .

THEO .

Yea & that withoute the seed of man .

PHIL.

Ye saye trueth . Luke . ● . He receyued very flesshe by the wonderfull operacion of g●ds spirite of Mary , the styl remaynyng a pure and cleane virgyne . It was necessarye that he shoulde be borne of a virgyn , in asmuch as the nature of man is full of carnall concupiscence , & de●yled by Adam , or els coulde not he haue ben a pure & sufficient sacrifice before God for vs . For by nature all we are borne the chyldren of wrath , Ephe. ii . sayth S. Paule . Therfore without the seed of ony man , ●e● . ii . iiii . which is corrupted in Adam , was he borne of the moost pure and vndefyled virgyn Marye , beyng conformable to vs in all thynges , synne alone except . For our syn was so great , that it could be put a waye neyther by any chylde of Adam nor yet by aungel , but only by such one , as beynge of our fleshe , shoulde be borne without the seed of man , & without ony carnal concupiscence . And for asmuche as this coulde not be brought to passe by anye carnall man , therfore was it necessary that the sonne of god should come downe from the right hande of God the father , ●olo . ● . and be made very man for our sake , that he beyng both God & man myght by his moost precious bloud pacify god the fathers wrath , & recon cycle vs agayne to him . God so loued the world , Ioan. ●●● . sayth Christ , that he gaue his only begotten sonne , that euery one that beleueth in hym , maye not perysshe , but haue euerlastyng lyfe . For God sent not his sonne into the worlde for to condemne the worlde , but that the worlde should be saued by hym . He that beleueth in him , is not condemned . But he that beleueth not , is alredy condemned , because he hath not beleued on the name of the only begotten sonne of god . Rom. viii . GOD spared not his owne sonne , s●yth S. Paule , but gaue hym for vs all .

Rom ● . Agayne , God setteth out his loue that he hath to vs , seynge that whyle we were yet synners , Christ dyed for vs much more than now , seyng we are iustified this bloud , shal we be preserued from wrathe thorowe him . For yf when we were enemies , we were reconcyled ●o God by the deathe of his sonne , much more s●ynge we are reconcyled , we shall be preserued by his lyfe . Not only so , but we also ioy in god by the meanes of our LORD● Iesus Christ , by whome we haue receyued this attonemente . ● . Ioan. i●i . ● . Ioan. iiii Also S. Iohn sayeth : For this purpose appered the sonne of God , for to loose the workes of the euel . Agayne , t● this appeared the loue of God to vswar● ▪ bycause that God sent his onlye begotten sonne into the world , that we myghte lyue thorowe hym . Thus se you that whan ther was no hope of saluaciō●or vs in ony creature God of his owne free goodness sent d●wne h●s only begotten sonne to be a Sauyour vnto vs .

EVSE .

This do we perceyue right wel .

PHIL.

Nowe mark● agayne , Math. ● . howe that by him alone we are saued . His name is IESVS , that is to saye , a sauyour , for he it is that saueth his people from theyr synnes , neyther 〈◊〉 there any other name gyuen vnto men vnder heauen , wherin they must be saued , but only by this name IESVS . Act. ii● . ●c●● . To hym geueth all the Prophetes wit●eg ▪ , that thorow his name , ●ll shall receyue remission of synnes , that beleue in him . Be it knowen vnto you , Act. xiii . ye men & brothers , the by this Iesus Christ remission of synnes is preached vnto you , & from al thynges , from the whiche ye coulde not be iustified by the law of Moses by him is eueri one that beleueth ●ustified . He is the Lambe of God , Ioa● . l. whiche taketh awaye the synne of the worlde . Ioan. xi . He is our resurreccion & lyfe . He is the waye , Ioan. xiiii . trueth & lyfe . No man commeth to the father but by him . He is the good shepeheard , by whom we be saued from the wolfe . He is the dore , by whom we must enter into grace . He is the vyne , Ioan. xv : in whome we beyng ingrassed muste nedes brynge forth muche fruyte . ● . Lor. i● He is oure wisdome , righteousnes , sanctificacion & redemcion . He is our peace . Ephe. ii . ● . Timo. ii . ● . Ioan. ii . ●● oca . xxi . Roma . v. He is our mediatour & aduocate . He is alpha & omega , that is , both the begynnyng and endyng of our saluacion . Moreouer by him are we at peace with God . By him haue we a waye in thorowe sayth vnto this fauoure , wherin we stond , & reioyce in hope of the prayse that shall be gyuen of God . By hym is the fauoure of God plenteous towarde vs . Rom. vi●● . By hym & his righteousnes are we made righteous By him hath the lawe of the Spirite of lyfe made vs free from the lawe of ●ynne & deth . By hym hath god the father blessed vs with all spiritual blessyng in heauenlye thynges . Ephe. ● . By him dyd God chose vs , before the foundacions of the worlde were layd , that we should be sayntes & fautles before hym . By hym are we made dere to god the father . Ephe. ●● . By hym haue we redempcion , by his bloud remission of sinnes . By him are all thynges both in heauen & earth gathered togyther . By him we , which in tymes paste were farre of , are made nigh thorow his bloud . By hym we haue and open waye vnto the father . By him are all our sinnes forgyuen vs . Lol. ●● . l. Th● . ● . By hym are we delyuered from the wrath to come . By hym and by his bloude are we made cleane from all synne . ● . Ioan. ●● . By hym & by the oblacion of his moost blessed body done once for all , Heb. x. are we sanctified . Yea by that one oblacion hath he made perfecte for eu●rmore them that are sanctifyed . To conclude , by hym is euerlastyng lyfe gyuen vnto vs . Rom. v● . Thus se you that by Christ all good thynges chaunse vnto vs , & that god the father is wel pleased & set at one with vs for his sake , as he himselfe witnesseth . This is my welbeloued sonne in whome I am well pleased , Mat iii. or for whose sake I am fully contented with man . Hereto agreeth the sayenge of S. Austen : In vital . ●p. cv● . All that euer receyue euerlastynge lyfe , receyue it not but by Christ. In manu . ●l cap. ●●●● . Therfore sayth he in another place : All my hope is in the death of my LORDE . His death is my meryte my refuge , succour , health , ●ife , & my resurreccion . My merite is the compasssion of the LORDE I am not without meryte , so long as that LORDE of mercies shal not want . And yf that mercies of y● LORD be many , I am plenteous in merites . The stronger is to saue , the more without iopardy am I , Lib. l. ●om . xiiil . let vs therfore gyue thankes , sayeth he , to the LORDE & our sauiour , whiche no merites goynge before , hathe heled vs that were wounded , reconcyled vs his enemyes , redemed vs from captiuite , brought vs againe out of darkenes into light , called vs again from death to lyfe , & let vs humblye confessyng our fragilite & wekenes desyre hys mercy , & in asmuch as he hath preuented vs , as the Psalmographe sayth , with his mercye he maye vouch●a●e not only to preserue and kepe in vs , but also to augment and encrese his giftes or benefytes , w●iche he hath vouchedsafe to gyue vs .

CHRI.

Amen .

THEO .

So be it .

EVSE .

LORDE let it so come to passe .

PHIL.

Home dothe this seconde seruyce of your Bancket please you ?

THEO .

We neuer in our lyues tasted a dysh more pleasaunt & confortable to our soules health .

EVSE .

We haue now learned what we are of oureselues , and wher remedy is to be gotten , but by what meanes shall we come by it ? What thynge maye be the occasion wherby we maye receyue so many & ●o great benefytes at the hande of god the father for Iesus Christes sake ? I praye you a good fellowshyppe dec●are this vnto vs .

PHIL.

I neuer heard a questiōared in better tyme for the answere to it is your thyrde dysshe , whiche before you proponed this question , I was fullye determined to set before you . And now here it is .

The thyrde dysshe . PHILEMON .

REpent , & beleue the gospell . These were the wordes that our sauiour christ as marke testifieth , Marke . i. vsed when be began to preach . In the which he declareth by what meanes we may obtaine remission of our synnes , & the cel●●ial heritage of gods glorye . Hom. lrr● . ●e penitentia Repent , sateth he , & beleue the gospell . Fryrste he exorteth vs to repentaunce , whiche is , as Chrisostome sayth , not only to cease from the oldewithour euelles , but also to folowe better offices , & such thynges as ought of dutie to be done , as Dauid sayeth : Psal. xxxiii Declyne from 〈◊〉 euel , & do good . S. Iohn the Baptys●e in lyke maner in the begynnyng of his preachyng sayd : Math. iii. Luke . xxiiii . Repent , for the kingdome of heauen is at hand . Christ also after his resurreccion commaunded his Apostles to preach repentance and remission of sinnes in his name vnto al nacions . Lykewyse we read in the Actes of the Apostles then when Peter preached to the Iewes much of christ , Act. ●● . & shewed that he was the same LORDE Iesus , whom they had crucyfied , they were prycked in theyr hertes & sayd : Ye men & bre●●ren what shall we do ? Peter sayde vnto them : Repent , & be baptised euery one of you in the name of Iesus Christe for the remission of synnes , & ye shall receyue the gyfte of the holy Ghost . Here se you that Christ and his Apostles declared Repentaunce to be a meane wherby we maye obtaine remission of our synnes & euerlastying lyfe . And that you maye perceyue the matter that more playnly . I wyll lyuely paynt in moost euydent coloures and set it out before your eies with certayne other histories of both Testamentes that ye maye learne to be true , whiche Chrisostome sayeth . I● Ma●h . 〈◊〉 xiii .

THEO .

I pray you what sayth he ?

PHIL.

Ther is not , sayeth he , there is not , beleue me , ony synne in the worlde , that doth not gyue place to the vertue of repentance , yea rather to the grace of God , which when we turne to better thiges , dothe streyght wayes worke with vs .

EVSE .

This is a confortable sayeng for synners .

PHIL.

Yea and in al pointes agreable to the holy scriptures . Math. ●● . For Christ came not to call the ryghteous , but synners vnto repentaunce . Nowe marke for your helth and consolacion . ● . ●eg . xi● . Dauid committed both manslaughter & adultrye , & therfore was he threatened many euels of God by his Prophet Nathan . Not withstandynge he had not so sone repented hym of his acte , & confessed his faute , sayenge : I haue offended the LORDE , but the Prophet sayde : The LORDE hath turned awaye thy syn , thou shalt not dye . iii. Reg. ●● . Kynge Achab also dyd slaye his subiecte Nabotch , that he myght enioy his vyneyeard . And God therfore sent his Prophet Heli as vnto hym for to tell him that the dogges shoulde lycke his bloude also euen there , where they lycked the blonde of Na●othe , and that euery one of the house of Achabbe that maketh water agaynst the w●ull , should be slayne . &c. Achab streyghte waye was ashamed of his faulte , repented , cutte his clothes , couered his flesshe with garmentes of heere , fasted slept in sacke cloth , & walked with a heuy countenaunce , & therfore god seyng his repentaunte herte , sayd that he would not bryng in that euel in his dayes , but in his sonnes tyme . Agayne kinge Manasses , i●●● . Reg. xxi . ●● . Pa● . x●xiii in asmuch as he repented , for all the abhominacion that he committed agaynst god & his glory , was forgiuen , & afterward nombred among the fredes of god . Ionas . ii● . The Niniuites were threatened within forty daies to be subuerted for theyr dissolute & wicked lyuynge . But they beynge striken with repentaunce in the meane season , & mendynge theyr lyfe , receyued fauour & were saued . As I may come nerer home , Luke . vi●. as they saye , who was more famous in sinne than Mary Magdalene , yet in asmuch as she faythfully repented , & bewailed her synfull lyuyng , her synnes were forgynen her . Peter denyed Christ , Mat. x●●● yet seynge he repented & wepte bytterly for his offence , Luk. xv : he was fauourably receyued to grace : The prodigal sonne althoughe he had consumed all hys goodes , was ioyfully receyued in as muche as he repented & knowledged his offence . Luk. xxiii . The thefe called neuer for grace tyl the hour of deth , yet seyng , that he bewayled than his misery , & axed merci , he was herd , & went with Christ in to Paradyse . Do not these histories besydes other , shewe of what greate strength repentaunce is .

CHRI.

Certes they be very confortable for poore afflicte synners .

PHIL.

Thus se you that repentaunce is a great cause of the mitigacion of gods wrath , Psal. ● . yea & an acceptable Sacrifice to God as Dauid saith , a sacrifice to God is a troubled spirite , Behold● what true repetaū●e wor●eth in ma● . a contryte & humble herte god wyl not despyse . Thus repentaunce maketh a man to dye vnto synne , & to syne to righteousnes . It maketh vs so long as we in this worlde valeantly to enarme our selues , and to enter battayle with Satan & his army , & continually to fyght against our enemies . It maketh vs to hate all wyckednes , & enbrace all vertue , so that dayely we procede more & more from faith to faith & from vertu to vertue . Rom. ● . 〈…〉 Mat. v. Ph●l . ● . It maketh vs to hunger & thyrst after ryghteousnes . It makethe vs to desyre to be dissolued from this mortal body , & to be with Christ. No man is able to expresse sufficiently the excellency & vertu of this true and faythfull repentaunce . And this is it , which maketh Chrisostom to crye out on this maner : ●e● . xxix . De penitetia . O repentaunce , which thorowe gods mercy forgyuest sinne , & openest Paradise , which healest a man contryte & broken , & makest merye hym that is sad , callest agayne lyfe from deathe , restorest the state , renuest the honour , gyuest boldenes , reformest strengthes , & powrest in agayne grace more aboundant . O repetaunce , what new thyng shall I tell of the ? Thou doste losen althynges that are bounde . All thynges losened doste thou set at liberty . All troublous thynges doste thou mit●gate . All thynges broken doste thou make whole . All confused thynges doste thou make cleare . Al desperate thynges doste thou encourage O repentaunce more rutulante than golde , more bryght than the sonne , whome synne doth not ouercome , nor , defeccion suppresse , nor desperacion put awaye . Repentaunce refuseth couetousnes , abhorrethe lecherye , excheweth furour & madnes , maketh loue stronge , treadethe downe pryde , refrayneth the tonge , fasshyoneth maners , hateth malyce , excludeth enuy Perfecte repentaunce compelleth a synner to suffer all thynges gladly . If a violente person seke that that he hathe , he forbyddeth hym not . Yf he taketh awaye his garment , he stryueth not agaynst hym . To him that striketh the one cheke , he profereth the other . If ony man wyl compell him to go a myle with him , he wyll of his owne free wyll go two . If he be chastised he geueth him than●kes . If he be prouoked , he holdeth his peace . If he be sharpe●ye spoken vnto , he speaketh gentely agayne . To his superiour he geueth reuerence . To his inferiour , he is lowlye , In his herte is contricion , in his mouth confession , in his worke all humilite . This is the perfecte and fruytful repentaunce . To him that repenteth so , God is at hand , a noryssher to hym that is hungry , a gyuer of drinke to him that is thyrstye . O repentaunce the mother of mercye , the maystres of vertues , thy workes are great , wher with thou dost loosen the gylty , refressheth them that offend , reuelest them that slyde , ●ecreatest the desperate . By the Christe , appoynteth vs that the kingdom of heuen is at hande , sayenge , repent , for the kyngdome of heauen is at han● . Nither to haue I rehersed vnto you the mynd of Chrisostome concerning repentaunce , whereby ye maye perceyue , as I sayde before , that repentaunce is one of the principal meanes , wherby we obtayne remission of synnes & the kyngedome of heauen .

EVSE .

God gyueth vs all grace truly to repent .

THEO .

But howe shall we know , whan we truly repent on such maner , that it prouoketh God to be mercyfull to vs .

CHRI.

In dede this is a thynge necessary to be knowen .

PHIL.

To this youre question shall S. Austen aunswere , Ser. ter. ●e Na●● , do . which sayeth : Whan thou dost so repent , that that thing sauoereth to the bytter in thy mynd , which before was swete in thy life : & that , whiche dyd delyght the before in thy body , doth trouble the in thy herte , than doste thou repent well , & saye to God , to the alone haue I synned , & euell haue I done before the. So that the whole summe of repentaunce is this , Mark● wel . to dye vnto synne , & to lyue vnto righteousnes , which is signified by our plonginge in the font when we are baptised , & by ●ure ●a●yng out agayne , as S. Paule sayeth , we are buryed togyther with hym by baptisme into death , that as Christ is raised vp from the dead by the glory of his Father , Roma . vi . so we in lyke maner shoulde walke in a newe lyfe .

THEO .

If we repent , be sory for our sinnes , confesse our wickedness , amende oure lyfe , is this ynough ?

PHIL.

This is much certes , but not all . For repent is not only contayned in your dysh , but also , Repenta●ce a●● Faythe muste be iorned togither . Beleue the Gospell . Thys pour repentance must be ioyned with sayth , & lyncked with a sure perswasion , that God the father according to his promyse wyll vndoutedly for gyue you your synnes for his sonne Iesus Christes sake . For Caym , Esau , Pharao , Saul , Antiochus , Iudas & many other repented & graunted theyr offences , yet were they not forgyuen . Many also among the very Neithen & gentiles glystered outwardely with a meruaylous godly conuersacion , & sorowed very greatly yf at any tyme t●ey dydde defyle theyr innocencye with ony spotte ●● vncleanes , yet were they not made hey●es of eternall glorye . And why ? Uerely they tasted after a certayne maner of the fyrst parte of your dysh , b●● not of the laste . They repented , but they beleued not the gospell , that is , they sought for no helpe of theyr wickednes at gods exceadyng mercy thorowe Iesus Christ. They had not the christen fayth in them , wh●che commynge from a repentaunt & sorowfull herte , maketh haste to God , and approcheth boldly to the throne of his grace , ●●bre . ●●●● that it maye obtayne ●●uour and remission of synnes . Marke this well . Repentaunce without fayth bryngeth desperacion , but repentaunce accompanieth fayth , bryngeth remission of sinnes , tranquilite of conscience , & euer lastinge lyfe , as we maye easely perceyue by two of Christes Disciples . Iudas sold Christ , Math. xxvi . & Peter denied & forswore Christ. Here bothe synned , both repented , both confessed theyr offence . One by manifest it wordes , & the other by teares . Yet was Peter saued , and Iudas damned . Now so ? Because that the repentance of Peter was ioyned with faith & hope of forgyuenes , & the repentance of Iudas was not so . Luke . vii . Mary Magdalene dyd not only repent of her synfullyuynge , but also beleued to haue remission of her synnes . And therfore dyd not Christ only saye of her vnto Simon the Pharise , many synnes are forgyuen her , because she loued muche , but he also sayd vnto her with a lyuely voyce , thy fayth hath saued the , go● thy waye in peace . Heare what Chrisostowe sayth : If thou be wythered & worne away of synne , renewe thy selfe by repentaunce . ●om . l●●● . Dep●nit●●i● Why , may he that repenteth be saued ? yea vndoutedly ? Wherof of commeth it to passe ? of y● LORDES fauourable mercye . Truste not to thy repentaunce . For thy repentaunce can neuer put away so great sinnes . If it were thy repentaunce alone , thou myghteste well feare , but seyng that the mercy of God is accompanied with repentaunce , be on a good conforte , for it ouercommeth thy wickednes , & god is exceadynge mercyfull , & so full of gentlenes , Roma . v●●● that he dyd not spare his owne sonne for to redeme the vnkind seruauntes . Saye not vnto me , I haue synned to much , howe can I be saued ? Thou canste not in dede saue thy selfe , but thy LORDE can . And he so putteth awaye thy synnes , that therneth no prynte , syghe or to●ē of them . Here ye se also by Chrisostome that repentaunce without an earnest fayth had & reposed in the mercye of God , can by no meanes put away synne . This your dyshe therfore teacheth you both to repent & also to beleue . For what so euer is not of faythe , is synne sayeth S. Paule : Rom. xiiii The worde of the LORDE is right , Psal. xxxii sayth Dauid and all his workes are in fayth .

In Math. Rom. xix . A worke without fayth , sayeth Chrisostome , is nothyng . Agayne he sayeth : we must haue fayth euery wher I meane that fayth , which is the mother of all good thynges , In Ioar . ●om . xxxii the medicine of helth , without the which a man cannot perceyue the doctrine of great & excellent thynges , but is lyke vnto them , which takynge in hande for to swymme ouer the see wythout a shyp , whan they are a lytle forward , In. i. ●● . ●om . i. they● handes & theyr fete beying once ●ery , are vtterlye ouerwhelmed wyth the waues of the see . Also in another place All oure elders are reported that they pleased God by fayth , therfore with out that , all thinges come to nought . Hereto agreeth S. Austen , sayenge : The medicyne of the soule and of all woundes , De ve● . do . Sermo . xl . & the alone sacrifyce to appease Gods wrath for the synnes of all men , is to beleue in Christe . Neyther canne anye man at all be made cleane , eyther from originall synne , whiche he hath drawne of Adam , in whom all haue synned , & be made naturally the chyldren of wrath , or from the synnes , which they , by not resistynge the carnall concupi●cence , but by followynge it & seruyng it by vngraciousnes & wycked lyuyng haue added & put therto , excepte by fayth they be enunied & ioyned togyther in the body of him , which without ony carnall entysemente & mortiferous delectacion was conceyued . Thus se you that repentaunce wythoute fayth anayleth nothyng , but enun●ed & ioyned with fayth is a singuler and hyghe treasure , ● . ●ata . vi . Psal. ii . Sap. i. Sap. iii. Eccl. xxxiii . ●s●e . ii . Ioan. iii. Gal. iii. Act. xv . Ioan. i. Gala. iii. Roma . v. Gala. iii. iiii . ●ebre . xi . ● . ●oan , v. For by fayth doth God heare vs . By fayth are we blessed . By faythe dothe God appere vnto vs . By fayth do we vnderstond the trueth . By fayth do we kepe the commaundementes of God . By fayth are we maryed to God . By fayth haue we eternall lyfe . By fayth are we purifyed . By fayth are our hertes made cleane . By faythe are we made the sonnes of God . By fayth are we iustifyed . By fayth we please God . By fayth we be borne of God . By fayth we subdue Satan . By fayth do we ouercome the world To conclude , by fayth all goodnesse chaunse vnto vs , and without fayth all euell thynges fall vpon vs . No meruiale , for as Chrisostome sayth : Fayth is the foundacion of the moost holy religion , the bonde of charite , the subsidie of loue . This fayth confyrmeth holynes , Ephe. v●● . 1. Pet. ● . 1. ●oan . ● . corrob●ratethe & maketh strong pure lyuyng , garnissheth dig●ities . In chyldren it shyneth , in yonge men it storyssheth , in olde men it is a godly spectacle , it confirmeth al kyndnes , De ●ile Ab●●●●● . 〈◊〉 . xxxiii . it exalteth degrees , it kepeth all offices , in the poore man it is pleasaunt , in the meane man mery , in the rytch honest . Fayth preserueth frendeshyypes , gathereth togyther assemblies , reporteth euer wel , it despyseth no man , it contenmeth no man , it fayle the no man , excepte perchaunse he fyrst fayleth her . Faith vnderstandeth the commaundementes , kepeth the preceptes , fulfylleth promises . Repentaunce and Faythe are the only● mene● , to obtayne to remission of sines . Faith maketh vs acquainted with God , & constituteth vs frendes with Christ. Thus haue I declared vnto you in this your thyrd seruyce , that the onelye meanes to obtayne remission of oure synnes , & to be made heyres of eternall glorye , is vnfaynedly to repent , & faythfullye to beleue , that is to saye , to forsake oure olde lyuynge & to become newe men , garnisshyng our lyues with al the fruites of the spiryte , and to beleue earnestly , that thorowe this repentaunce and fayth , God wyll vndoubtedly for Iesus Christes sake for gyue vs all oure synnes , receyue vs agayne into fauour , & make vs heyres of his eternall glory .

EVSE .

This is the moost pleasaunt dysshe that euer I tasted .

THEO .

These thi●ges that you haue spoken vnto vs are so confortable the me thynke I am now enflamed & more set on fyre than euer I was before . The pre●hynge of ●od●●●n●nes make the mē● 〈…〉 to loue God . and 〈…〉 for to ful●yl his wil

CHRI.

As I maye vn●ain●dly reporte vnto you the affect of my herte , verely synce that ye declared to vs the goodnes of God the father toward v● thorow Iesus christ I haue felte in my herte such an earnest fayth & burnyng loue towarde God and his worde , that me thynke a thousande fyres coulde not plucke me away from the loue of hym . I begynne nowe vtterlye to contemne , despyse , reiecte , cast awaye , & sette at nought al the pleasures of this world , ●herein I haue ●o greatlye reioyced in tymes past . All the thretes of god , all the displeasures of God , al the fyres & paynes of hell coulde neuer before this daye so allure me to the loue of God , as you haue nowe done by expressynge vnto me the excedyng mercye & vnspeakable kyndeses of God towarde vs wretched synners , insomuch that now from the very herte I desyre to knowe what I maye do , that by some meanes I maye shewe agayne my herte to be full fyred on the sekynge of his glory . For I nowe desyre nothyng more than the auaunce ment of his name .

PHIL.

It reioyceth me to heare these thynges of you .

Therfore nowe wyll I , as due order requireth brynge forth your fourth yea & last dyshe , that ye may knowe what ye ought to do agayn toward God for his vnmesurable bountie , & infinite benefites toward you , that yelyuynge in this worlde worthy of his kyndnes , maye after this lyfe receyue the crowne of glorye .

THEO .

I praye you brynge it forth streyghte wayes , for we much desyre to tast of it .

EVSE .

There is nothynge that I wysshe more than continually to be fedde with the meate of such an heauenvly bancket . Therfore I praye you go forth to minister vnto vs the residue of oure mooste delicious feaste .

PHIL.

Agreed , but marke well , for here it is .

The fourth dysshe .

Ephe. ii . WE are the workemanshyp of God , created in christ Iesus vnto good workes , whiche God hath prepared that we should walke in them . This is the say●nge of S. Paule , whiche a lytle before this sentence in his Epistle to the Ephe , declareth , as I haue hitherto taughte you , that by nature we are the chyldren of wrath , & are saued only by grace thorow fayth , & that not of our selues , for it is the gyfte of god , & commethe not of workes , bycause no man shoulde boste hym selfe . And whan he hath this done , immediately he exorteth vs to good workes , saienge that we are the workemanship of God , created in Christ Iesu vnto good workes , which God hath prepared the we should walke in them . Here maye ye learne , what is your duety to do vnto God agayn , seing that he frely thorowe sayth hath saued you withoute any merites , deseruynges or good dedes on your behalfe . What the duty of the fayth ●ul●a . Your duty is to lyue wel , to practyse good workes , to exercyse al godlye actes , to lede a vertuous conuersacion , and in all your lyfe thorowe the study of innocency to seke the glory of God . Now shall your conuersacion declare and shewe by externall workes whether your repentaunce be vnfayned or not , whether your fayth & loue towarde God be syncere , true , & procedyng from a godly herte or not . In. ● . ●in● . ●om . ii . For yf your repentaunce , faith & loue be christian & vnfayned , than shal good workes ensue & followe agreable to the same . For faythe , sayeth Chrisostome , sheweth that , whiche is true . And out of syncer fayth commeth charite , in so much that he , whiche beleueth truly in God , can neuer be with out it . Be ●o●at● Gen. ●a . v● . ● . ib.i . S. Ambrose also sayth : fayth is the mother & brynger for the both of good wyll & righteous workyng . Agayne he sayeth : Ibidem . A new creature hath this property by grace , the they which are the workemanshyp of god which are made in Christ by an heauenly natiuite , be no more sluggysh nother gyuen to lyue dissolutely , D● vo. ●e . cap. vi●i . ●ib . ii . but they go forth & profyte from vertue to vertue , in walkynge by the waye of good workes . Also in another place he sayeth , God gyueth to them whom he choseth without merites , whereof they maye be garnysshed with merites also . Marke this well . And it is not truely sayde , that the entent and determinacion of wel workyng is not in the electe . For the gyftes of vertues can not beydle . Thus se you that lynysh fayth whereby ye are ingrassed in Christe , brynge the forth good workes . Neyther is true repentance , syncer faith , vnfayned loue in you , yf good & christen workes do not followe your conuersion . Yea they that bost of fayth and brynge not forth the workes of fayth , derogate muche the glorye of fayth , & cause the true and christian fayth to be slaundered & yll reported amonge them which neuer tasted , nor yet at ony tyme in theyr hertes felte what a precious thyng , and of howe great strength effycacy & power , the syncere faythe is . Therfore yf youre fayth be not accompanied wyth good workes , youre fayth is dead , as S. Ia. fayeth , ●ap . ii . that is to saye , it is a true & christen fayth no more , than a deade corse is a man . Gala. v. For that faith , which is approued before God , worketh by charite , & charite can not be ydle , but brasteth out into good workes , wh● so euer it seeth an occasion gyuen , who can loue his neighbour , & suffer him to perysshe for want of his helpe ?

Therfore is a faythfull man compared in the first Psalme to a tree , which is planted by the waters syde , & bringeth forth her fruytes in due tyme . I am the true vyne , Ioan. xv . sayeth Christ , & ye are the braunches . He that abydeth in me , & I in him , ●●yngeth forth much fruyte . Agayne he sayeth : He that beleueth in me , floudes of lyuish water should flowe out of his belly . Here se you that he which dwelleth in Christ by fayth , Ioan. vii . & beleueth in him bringeth for the plenty of good workes . He therfore that is an vn●ruytfull tree , & bringeth forth no good fruite , surelye he beleuethe not arighte in Christ , neyther hath he the Christen faythe , boste and crake he neuer so much of it .

EVSE .

Methinke than by your wordes , the good workes necessarely follow the christen fayth .

PHIL.

Yea euen as necessarelye as the shadow followeth the body , & death the lyfe . Ma●●e .

THEO .

They than whiche lyue dissolute , & withoute doyng of good workes haue not the christen fayth .

PHIL.

No verely , no more than a deade cole hath in it the vertue and strength of burnynge . ●●et . ● .

CHRI.

Therfore ought all men not to quenche the spirite , but with all mayne & francke courage to apply themselues to the diligent practyse of good workes .

PHIL.

Ye saye trueth , Ephe. ii . for as ye herd before we are the workemanshyp of God created hath prepared that we shoulde walke in them . But I praye you note a fewe thynges , which I wyl nowe declare vnto you concernynge this our dyshe & laste seruyce , Fyrste S. Paule sayeth : We are the workemanshyp of God , . This sheweth that god made vs , Psal. xcliii and not we our selues . He wrought vs by his deuyne power . But by this workemanshyp not we only are made th●● beleue in god , A double-●reatiō one ī●dā , an● 〈…〉 but also the vnfaythfull , yea the verye brute beastes , & wormes , with al thinges contayned in heauen and earth . Therfore of this makynge haue the faythfull no more cau●e to reioyce , than the vnfaythfull haue . Therfore it doth followe : Created in christ Ies●s . Beholde here is a newe creacion . Here is another byrth . Here is regeneracion , whiche far differeth from the olde natiuite . Here are we made newe creatures . In whom , in Moses by the lawe ? Nay verely , but in christ by fayth . By fayth are we regenerate , borne a new , created agen in Christe Iesus . Good workes declare ● man to be created anewe● christ Iesus . Wherunto ? Unto wicked maners ? Nay certes , but vnto good workes . Note that he saith , vnto good workes . They that are borne anewe in Christ thorow fayth are created in hym to good workes . If ony man therfore be not studious of good workes : he is not created in christ , but remayneth styll in the creacion of Adam . Good workes are not the fantasie● of mā● but ● commaundementes of God . But vnto what good workes is the faythefull created in Christ ? vnto Rome runnynge ? gad●ynge of pylgrimage ? settyng vp of candels ? gyidynge of your ymages ? payntyng of tabernacles ? building of monasteries ? purchasynge of pardons ? & such other trifelyng fantasies inuented of the ydle braynes of the Papistes for lucres sake ? na berely . For these are no good workes in dede before god , but only so called to blynde the eyes of carnall men with such goodly and godly tytles , Vnto what good workes than are they created ? In good faythe , to those good workes which God hath prepared that we should walke in them . Marke that he sayth , which God hath prepared , & not that man inuented . In them should we walke , that is to saye , labour dayely more and more to fu●fyll than , & neuer to cease vntyll we were auncient & perfecte in the accomplysshement of Gods wyll .

THEO .

Me thanke you right hertely for the declaracion of this terte . For we perceyue now oure duety better than euer we dyd before .

EVSE .

But what are those good workes , whiche God hath prepared that we should walke in them ?

PHIL.

His commaundementes . We read that the Iewes sayd to Christ , what shal we do , that we may worke the workes of God ? Christe aunswered & sayde to them : Ioan. vi . This is the worke of God that ye beleue in him , whom he hath sent . This is the greatest & most principal worke of God , that ye beleue in his only begotten sonne Iesus Christ. He that truly fulfylleth this worke , True faythe in christ is the mother of all goo● workes . doth very easely accomplyshe the residue . For oute of this worke , as out of the head fountayne , do all other workes of God spryng & procede . Yf thou canst beleue , sayth Christ , all thinges are possible to hym that beleueth . Mat. i● . He that beleueth truly in Christ , abuseth not the name of God , prophaneth not the Sabboth daye , dishonoreth not the magistrates of the publygue weale , contenneth not the ministers of gods worde , despyseth not his parentes & superiours , kyllethe not , commytteth not adultrye , Lerne her● the christ● and true good workes . iteleth not , beareth no false witnes , couereth not his neighbours goodes , but rather doth the contrary , hatyng the vyce , & en●alsyng the vertue . He mortyfyeth olde Adam . He maketh the bodye subiecte to the spirite with the moderate vse of eatyng & drynkyng . He exercyseth himselfe in godly meditacions , in readynge the holy scriptures , in offryng vp prayers & thankes continually to God . He socoureth the poore members of christ . He leueth no man confortles . He goeth about to hurte no man , but studieth to profytte all men . He wissheth & procureth no lesse goodnes to other , than he dothe to him selfe . To be shorte all his whole lyfe tyme , he doth nothyng els than dye to synne , & liue vnto righteousnes . These are the workes of God , wherin so many as are created in Christ , ought vnfaynedly to walke . Theise are the workes of God , which ledeth to heuen , which thorow christ we deserue the reward of euerlasting life . In these workes therfore ( most dere brethren ) exercise your selues both daye & nyght . Beleue in god , loue God , feare God . Confesse him from the very herte to be the alone & true God . Knowledge him to be your only & omnisufficient sauiour . In al aduersite flye vnto his moost blessed name as vnto a stronge Bulwarke . Haue youre hertes at peace with God . Study daye and nyght in the LORDES lawe . Psal. i. Exercyse faythfull & continuall prayer . Procure in all thynges the glory of God . Honour youre moost victorious Prynce , Admoniciō● for true obedience toward the kinges grace . & redoubted kynge . Be faythfull to hym both in herte , worde & dede . Do nothyng that may in any poynt derogate his graces honour . Rom. xiii . Knowe that he that resisteth him , resisteth the ordinaunce of God , i. Pet. ii . & getteth to himselfe damnacion . Honour also at the magistrates that are sent & appoynted of him . You re parentes & superious haue ye in reuerence . Manslaughter , adultrye , thefte , false wytnes , carnall concupiscence , & all the workes of the flesshe hate ye , col . iii. & vtterly cast them from you . To conclude , loke for those thynges that are aboue , & not for those that are vpon the earth . Lyue no more to your selfe , Rom. iiii . but to hym that dyed for your synnes , & rose agayne for your iustification .

CHRI.

We wyll to the vttermoost of our power laboure to accomplysshe youre moost godly admonicions . This time hath great nede of good workes .

PHIL.

Laboure and God wyl helpe . And to saye the trueth to you , it was neuer more nedefull for christen men to brynge forth good & christen workes , than it is at thys tyme . You se ( thankes be to God ) that the deuyne scrypture is come nowe amonge vs more plenteouslye than euer it was before , insomuch that nowe it is lawefull for all men to reade it , heare it , talke of it , so that it be done reuerently . This hath God vnfaynedly brought to passe by his welbeloued seruaunt & our kynge Henrye the eyght a Prynce of mooste noble fame & immortal glory . Ye se againe that this worde of God hath manye enemyes , whiche both labour to suppresse that ▪ & also so many syncerly professe it . The enemi ●● of gods words . Ye se that theyse aduersaries of Gods worde haue no other pleasure than to haue an occasion both to blaspheme the worde , and also the earneste fauourers of it . Behold , say they , are these Gospellers ? Are these professours of gods word ? Are theyse they that mayntayne Gods trueth ? Perysshe mought they with theyr Gospell . For they wyl not fast nor praye , nor gyue almes , nor vse any kynde of vertue . Theyse , whome they cal Pharises , do much excel then in euery degree of godly lyuynge . They wyll shewe themselues conformable to no poletyke ordinaunce . They hunte carnall libertie . They seke to synne freely and without punysshemente . Theyr whole religion consisteth in breakynge mens lawes and auncient customes . Farewell they therfore with theyr gospel . We wyll followe our forefathers . This and such lyke talke is hearde dayely amonge the enemies of Gods word . Therfore oughte they that loue Gods trueth to walke circumspectly , seyng the dayes are euell , Ephe. v. as S. Paule saieth , & to haue an honest conuersacion amonge Goddess enemies , that they which backbyte them as euell doers , maye se theyr good workes , & prayse God in the day of visitacion . For so is the wyll of God , i. Petre. ii . sayeth S. Peter that with wel doynge ye should stop the mouthes of ygnoraunt men , as free , & not as though ye toke lyberty for a cloke of maliciousnes , but euen as the seruauntes of God . Which thyng ( moost dere brothers ) woulde God ye would do , that by your vertuous conuersacion ye myghte not plucke men from , but vnto the Gospell , not dishonour but honour god , not hynder but prouoke the Euangelical trueth , that with one mynd , herte , wyl , tonge & dede we al might togyther professe one God and one trueth . Than should God be glorified among vs . Than should his moost blessed worde be enhalsed of all men . Than shoulde we vnder one kynge liue in an vnite , peace & concord of christen religion , without ony scisme , he resy or dissencion . Roma . v. Gala. ii . Than myghte we well saye , that the true repentaunce and syncer fayth , wherby a christen man is iustified in the syght of God were in vs . For so longe as we continue in our old wickednes , & amend not our maners , certes neyther true repentaunce , nor christen faythe is in vs , and to saye the trueth , neyther haue we ony parte of Christ or Christes merytes , but pertayne styll to Satan & his synfull synagoge . For as S. Iohn sayeth : i. Ioan. ● . If we saye , that we haue fellowshyp with God , & yet walke in darknes , we lye & performe not the trueth . But & if we walke in lyghte , euen as he is in lyghte , than haue we fellowship with him , & the bloud of Iesus Christ his sonne , maketh vs cleane from all synne . Roma . xiii . ●itum . ii . Therfore ( dearely beloued ) let vs cast away the workes of darkenes , walke in the lyghte of Gods trueth , lyue accordynge to our vocacion , garnysh the doctryne of christ our sauiour with godly maners , & so in al pointes institute and order our lyfe accordyng to Goddes wyll , that we maye be that same in lyfe & dede , that we desyre to be reported , that is to say , perfecte & true christen men both in herte , worde , & dede . So maye we be certayne in this lyfe to haue God a mercyfull father vnto vs thorowe Iesus Christ his sonne , & after the departing out of this world to enioye the glorious syght of the moost blessed Godhead , & there to remayne in ioye & glorye , worldes without ende . Amen . Thus endeth your bancket .

EVSE .

Praysed be the LORDE for it .

THEO .

Both now & euermore .

CHRI.

For he alone is worthy all honoure & glory .

PHIL.

If it shall please you , I wyll nowe gather togither in few wordes that which hytherto I haue dispersed in many , that they may the more easly remaine in your brest . A brefe rehe●sal of al thi●ges spoken of before .

THEO .

I pray you let it be so .

PHIL.

In youre fyrste disshe I ministred vnto you the knowledge of your selues , & declared what ye are by Adam , that is to say , chyldren of wrath , all carnall , & without the spirite of God , In Ioan ●rat . ●●● Cap. xi . as S. Austen sayeth , let no man stond in his owne conceyte . For of his owne , he is very Satan , but of Gods , he is blessed . What is this to saye , of his owne , but of hys synne ? Take away the synne , which is thyne , & the righteouses , sayethe god , i. Cor. ●ii● . is of myne . Fore what hast thou , that thou hast not taken ? In youre seconde dysshe ye receyued the knowlege of Goddes fauour toward you frely thorow Iesus Christ. In your thyrde dysshe , ye perceyued by what meanes ye may obtayn this fauour of God , verely by true repentaunce & syncer fayth . In your fourth dish I proued vnto you that of this your repentaunce & fayth , workes muste nedes followe , yea & that those workes , Ephe. ii . whiche God hath prepared that we should walke in them . Here is in few wordes concluded the whole summe of your banckette . I praye you loke that ye both remember these thynges well , & also exercyse them in your lyuynge .

EVSE .

We wyll labour to the vttermooste of oure power . Ioan. xv . And because we can do nothyng withoute the helpe of God , we shall at all houres with fyrme and sure faith moost instantly desyre God to worke that thynges in vs his holye spirite , that he commanndethe vs to do , that we maye neyther thyncke , breath , speke or do ony thing , but that may turne to his glorye .

PHIL.

It is godly spoken . This one thynge than remayneth that we gyue God thankes for this our bancket .

CHRI.

I pray you , let it be so .

The thankes gyuynge . PHILEMON .

PRayse , Ioan. v● honour and glory be vnto the ( O heuenly father ) which at this tyme hast fed vs with meate not the perisheth but that abydeth into euerlastying lyfe . Graunte ( O good God ) that we hauynge the knowledge of thy worde , maye also practyse the same in oure conuersacion , that we both intierly louyng and vnfaynedly lyuyng thy holy word , maye after this lyfe lyue with the in that lyfe , whiche is immortall .

THEO .

Amen .

EVSE .

So be it .

CHRI.

LORD let it so come to passe .

PHIL.

Seynge that accordynge to the commaundemente of Christe , Mat. vi . we haue nowe fyrste soughte the kyngedom of god , & the righteousnes therof , & haue fedde our soules with this celestiall bancket of Gods worde , I praye you nowe vouchesafe to come with me , and take such poore repast for the sustenaunce of your body , as it hathe pleased God to prepare for vs .

THEO .

We gyue you right herty thankes .

EVSE .

I pray God that we may once recompense your kyndnes .

PHIL.

My power is smale , but my wyll is muche , folowe me I besech you .

CHRI.

Praysed be the LORD for this our most confortable bancket .

THEO . PHIL.

AMEN .

Gyue the glory to God alone .

Imprynted at London in Botulphe lane at the sygne of the whyte Beare , by me Iohn Mayler for Iohn Gough . Anno Dni. 1542.

Cum priuilegio ad imprimendum solum .