A comfortable epistle, too Goddes faythfull people in Englande wherein is declared the cause of takynge awaye the true Christen religion from them, & howe it maye be recouered and obtayned agayne, newly made by Thomas Becon.

THOMAS BECON .

❧ A confortable Epistle / too Goddes faythfull people in Englande / wherein is declared the cause of takynge awaye the true Christen religion from them / & howe it maye be recouered and obtayned agayne / newly made by Thomas Becon .

Abacuk . 2.

Thoughe the Lorde tarye / yet wayte thou for hym / for he will vndoubtedly come / yea / and that oute of hande .

Imprynted at Strasburgh in Elsas , at the signe of the golden Bibel in the moneth of August . In the yeare of the LORDE M. D. LIIII .

The Epistle . ¶ The fyrst Chapter .

TO the faythfull Christians / wheresoeuer they be dispersed thorowoute the realme of Englande / Thomas Becon wis●…heth / grace / mercy and peace from God the father / with perfect knowlege of hys dearly beloued sonne Iesu Christ our Lorde / and alone sauyour thorow the halowinge of the holy Ghoste / vnto the true and vnfayned obedience off Gods moste blessed will / with an earnest fayth in the merciful promises of God / and assured hope of obtayninge the same / vnto euerlastinge lyfe . AMEN .

IT greatly reioyceth me ( mos●…e deare brethren ) to heare of thys youre constancye and stedfastnes in beleuing & confessing the glorious Gospell of our sauiour Iesus Christe ( whiche as the apostle Rom. 1. sayth / is the power of God to saue so many as beleue ) namely in these perillous and troublesome dayes / wherin we se so many sturte backe and runne awaye from the confession of Gods trueth ( whiche whan the weather was calme / they semed constantly to professe ) and folowe the fonde fantasyes of menne / that speake not Gods worde , but theyr owne drowsy dreames and idle imagi nacions brought into the church of Christ by suttle sathan and hys marked marchaun te●… / vnto the great disturbaunce of the Christen common wealth / so that / if it were possible / the very electe and chosen people off God / thorow theyr ●…ugsing might be seduced Mat. 24. and led from the waye of truthe . As ye haue godly begonne / so manfully go forthe vnto the ende / that ye maye receaue a full ioye and a perfect reward of the Lord your God in that daye / whan he gloriously shal apeare and rendre to euery one accordinge to hys dedes / that is to saye / prayse / honor / and immortalite to them / which continew in good doyng and seke eternall lyfe . But vnto them that are rebellious and disobey the trueth and folowe iniquitie / shal come indignacion / and wrath / tribulacion and anguishe . But be it knowen vnto you deare brethren / that this thing that hath happened vnto vs in thys realme of Englande / Roma. 2. I meane the takynge awaye of Gods true religion / and the thrusting in of pa●…istrye in the steade therof / vnto the greate & vnspeakable sorowe of all true Christen hartes / ought not to seme vnto you newe straunge and vnloked for / but rather suche a thynge as hath hytherto many tymes bene declared vnto you by the preachers / and ye your selfs godly consydering the corrupt maners and vnluckye chaunces of thys realme / did ryghte well the same aforesee and greately lament . For diuers signes had we longe before / besydes the godly admonicions of the faythfull preachers / whiche playnly declared vnto vs an vtter subuersyon of the true Christen religion to be at hande / except it were preuented by has●…ye and hartye repentaunce . What shall I speake of that godly and mighty prince Edward / duke of Somerset / whiche in the tyme of his Pro The 〈◊〉 of Somerset tectorship dyd so banyshe Idolatrye out of this our realme / and bring in agayn Gods true religion / that it was wonder so weyghty a matter to be brought to passe in so 〈◊〉 a tyme ? Was not the vngentle handlyng of hym / and the vnrighteous thrustinge hym out of office / and afterward the cruel mur thering of hym / a man / yea / a myrrour off true innocencye and Christen pacience / an euident token of Gods anger agaynste vs ? The sudden takynge awaye of those mo●…e goodly & verteous yonge Impes / the duke of Suffolke and hys brother / by the sweating The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and his brother . syckenesse / was it not also a manifes●… token of Gods heauy displeasure towarde vs ? The death of those two most worthy & godly learned men / I speake of M. Paulus M. Paulus Fagius . D Martine Bucer . Fagius / & of D. Martine Bucer / was it not a sure Prognostication / some greate mishappe / concerning Christen religion to be at hande ? But as I may passe ouer many other / & at the laste come vnto that / whiche is moste lamentable / and can neuer be remembred of any true English harte / without large teares / I meane the death of oure most godly Prince and Christen kyng Edwarde the. VI. that true Iosias / that earnest Rynge Edwarde the 〈◊〉 . destroyer of false religion / that feruent setter vp of Gods true honor / that mooste bounteous Patrone of the godly learned / that moste worthy mayntayner of good letters and vertue / and that perfecte & liuelye myrrour of true nobili●…e and syncere godlines : was not the takyng away of hi ( alace for sorow ) asure signe and an euident token that some great euel hanged ouer this realm of England ? Who considering these thynges ( as I may speake nothing of the wicked Grosse gospelers . nes of those men / which made the worde of God a cloke of their naughtines / of their insatiable couetousnes / of their intollerable pryde , of their volupteous & wanton lyuing . &c. ) perceaued not a shepwracke of the Christen religion too be at hande / as it is ( alace for pytie ) come to passe at thys daye ? All good men feared the decaye of Goddes true honoure in thys realme / that we feared / that hathe chaunced / howe coulde it otherwise come to passe ? Gods blessing was offered vnto vs ▪ but we thorow our wicked and vnthankefull lyfe refused it . Shal not therfore blessing be taken away / & cursinge come in the place therof ? as it is written / he wolde not haue the blessing / it shal therfore Psal. 109. be farre from hym .

¶ The. ii . Chapter .

IF the kingdom of God be proffered vnto vs / and we set not by it / are we not worthy Englande blessed ▪ 〈◊〉 to loose it ? What realme synce the Apostles tyme was euer so abundantly replenished with the knowledge of Christes Gospel yea / & that in so few years / as this realme of England was ? But alace howe was it regarded ? Who repented ? who know ledged hys synne from the very hart ? Who called on the name of God in spirite and truthe ? Who framed hys lyfe / accordynge to hys knowledge ? It is therefore come too passe / as our Sauiour Christ longe before threatened / the kyngdom of God shal be taken Math. 21. from you & shal be geuen to a nation / that bringeth forth the frutes thereof . God planted this realme of England / a pleasant & goodly vineyarde / dressing and trymming it after Esa. 〈◊〉 . the beste manner / lokynge contynuallye to haue some worthy frut therof / but w●… in the stead of naturall grapes / it broughte forthe wylde beryes / vnwholsome and vnnaturall / was it not worthye too be layde wayste / to be troden vnder foote / and to be deuoured of wylde beastes ? Were not the people of the olde worlde worthye too be Gen. 7. 2. Pet. 2. ouerwhelmed with waters / which beynge of righteous No he so ofte afore admonisshed / wolde not repent / and make prouision for the auoyding of that plague ? Were not the filthy Sodomites worthy to be consumed Gen. 19. 2. Pet. 2. with fyre and brymstone from heauen / which being afore tolde of their destruction wolde not cease thorowe their abhominable liuynge to prouoke the heauy wrathe & fearse vengeaunce of God agaynste theim ? Were not the Israelites worthy to be plagued euen vnto the death / whan they despisyng / lothyng & abhorring Manna / which Exod. 17 came doùne from heauen / lusted after the vile flesh of the earth ? Were not the Iewes worthy to be ledde awaye miserable captiues & wretched prysoners / to serue straunge princes in farreyne countryes / which wold 4. Re. 25 not serue their Lord God in theyr owne coum trye / a lande that floweth with mylke and hony ? Was it not conuenient / that the Matt. 21. Marc. 12. Luc. 20. people of Iuda shoulde be oppressed / yea / destroyed bothe they and their cy●…es of theyr enemyes the Romaynes / which refused Ie sus Christ / their trueliege and souerayg●…e Lorde to reygne ouer them / & most cruelty put hym to death ? Were they not worthye Mat. 〈◊〉 . to be seduced by a sorte of fals ra●…es / as they are at thys daye / wh●…che wolde neuer geue eare too the true Prophetes of God / but miserably kylled them ? ●…s it not also mete / that they lyke vagabundes shoulde Acto . 7. wander thorowoute the worlde withoute priesthode / kyngedome or common weale / that wolde neuer truly serue hym / which before all other nacions dyd chose them 〈◊〉 be hys peculiare people / geuing them a ●…e that flowed wyth the abondaunce of all thinges ? Are they not worthy to walke in ●…kenes / 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 ●…f 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . which willingly despise the light ? t●… taste ●…oure thinges / whiche abhorre the swete ? to wander out of the waye / whiche r●…fuse the playne pathe ? Euen so is it come to passe / lykewise with vs at this day . We abhorred the light of Goddes worde / therfore are we now iustly ouerwhelmed with the darkenes of mens tryffeling 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 decrees . We lightely 〈◊〉 the godly prayers and thankes geuinges 〈◊〉 oure Engli●… tounge / wherby we 〈◊〉 Latin se●… 〈◊〉 haue bene greatly 〈◊〉 / therefore are we now fedde with Latyn seruice / whiche ●…e know not / whether it be blessing or cursi●… . Certeyn are wē / that it is altogether with out edifyeng / & clean contrary to the commaunde 1. Cor. 14 ment of God / & the doctrine of the holy Apos●…le ▪ which wolde nothing to be spoken in the congregacion / but in such a tonge / as al the people vnderstand / that al may be edified . We set nought by the ministracion of the holy & bles Ma●… ▪ 〈◊〉 . sed communion / therfore this plage is worthe ly come vpon vs / that in the stead of the Lordes supper we haue moste wicked & abhominable masses set vp / inuented by the deuel / brought in by Antichrist / practised by his shorne shaue●…īges / maintained by such as haue receaued the beastes marke / full of supersticion / Idolatrie / blasphemie / spiritual whor dome / and of all that displeaseth God / & is horrible in the iudgement and sighte of all good men . We regarded not the godly learned and fatherly Bisshops / nor the faythfull & verteous ministers of Gods worde / whiche fedde vs with the pure wheate off Christes gospel / and taught vs the holy ordinaunces of God / Repentaunce / fayth / loue / inuocation of the name of God / mortification of the olde man / brotherly charitie / pacience / long suffering / obedience / ioy in the holy Ghost / the true & Christen good workes / & such other f●…utes of the spirite / wherby we might learne to serue the Lord our God in Luc. 1. holynes & righteousnes all the daies of our lyfe : therfore al those men of God / being put to silence / some out of office / some in exile / some in pryson abyding the good pleasur of God / & euen as shepe apoynted to be slayne : Psal. 44. Rom. 8. we are cō●…elled dayly to heare suche Antichristian trōpet●…lowers / such canckred cormorauntes / such Caymlyke caterpyllers / suche idle Idols / such loytering lordennes / suche lecherous lubbers / & such deuel●…h destroiers of Christen mens soules / as the eares of agood Christian abhorre for too heare / the eyes to beholde / the fete to go vnto . O miserye passing all miseries / that flocke whiche the hye bishop Christ purchased with his most Acto . 20 precious bloud to be scattered / rent / torne / & deuoured of those cruel lyons & rauening wol fes / who lamenteth not ? those people / whom God hath chosen for his enheritaunce / to be seduced & led out of the way by such●… ministers of sathan / as clothe them selfs outwardly with shepes apparel / & inwardly are ●…auenig Math. 7. Math. 2●… wolfs / ful of hipocrisy / rauyn / deceate & of al fylthines / whose hart distilleth not droppes of bloude to consider ? O to muche lamentable case .

The. iij. Chapter .

FOr what other thing do the lyeng & blo dy papistes teache at this day / than the very lyes / dreames and fantasyes of Antichrist the bishop of Rome and his adherentes ? The doctri●… ne of the papistes . as setting vp of aultars / tabernacles / Images / and roode loftes / hanging vp of the pyre / setting vp of candles before Ido les and ●…awmettes / halowyng of bread / salte / water / palmes / fyre / as●…es / oyle / cris●…e / rynges / candles . &c. Ladyes psalters / s ▪ katerines knot●…es / intercessions and merites of sainctes / Purgatorye / prayenge for the dead / trentalles / diriges / commendacions / masses of Requiem / masses of Scala celi / masses of Recordare / masses of Si iniquitates / masses for all diseas●…s / masses for all thinges good or badde / auriculare confession / crepyng to the crosse with candles / egges / money / &c. Iustification of workes / fre will / popysh f●…inge / prayers withoute vnderstanding / fayth withoute knowlege / deuocion without the sprete / 〈◊〉 masses / prop●…atory sacrifices / done by Sodomiticall priest●…s / 〈◊〉 / 〈◊〉 of the Sacramentall breade / th●… reall / corporall / substanciall / carnall / naturall and sens●…ble presence of Christe in the Sacrament / so that we breake hym on peces with oure handes / teare hym with our tethe / and swallowe hym into the ma●… / and so digeste hym / and sende hym / I can not tell whyther / with an whole sea of lyke errou●…s and heresys / whiche the pylde / peuy●… / 〈◊〉 papistes teache without the author●… of Gods woorde / euen of theyr owne ●…ayne and fantasye / vnto the great dishonour of God / and the vtter damnacion of their soules / which●… heare / beleue & folowe the doctrine of those Antichristes . And whence commeth it to passe / that we / which before were blessed of God / with so many heauenly benefites / are nowe mo●…e miserably compassed about with all kynde of euilles / and become the very bonde slaues of these Antichristes and spiritual shameles shauelynges / & as men wholy estraūged from God / and vtterly banished frome The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 awaye th●… true religion from vs . the Christen common weale of the true Israelites ? ●…erely oure ingratitude / our vnthankeful●…s / oure vnkyndnes / yea / oure churlyshenes towarde God and hys holye worde hath caused all these miseries / worthely to fall vpon vs . We were weary of the heauenly Mauna / and had a pleasure to returne vnto Egipt / where we myghte syt among the greasy flesh pottes / eatynge beffe and brewes knucle depe / and haue our deyntye fyshes / our melo●…s / our cucumbers / oure onyons / oure garleke / oure lekes . &c. therfore accordinge to the fylthye lustes of oure wicked hartes hath God dealte with vs / & sent vs agayn into the popishe Egipte / to fe●…e vpon the pestilente leauen of the papisticall Phariseis / euen the beggarly ceremonies / ●…feling tradicions and dyrtye decrees of men / in steade of Gods holy worde vnto the horrible and dredeful damnacion of our soules / as he sayth by the Psalmographe : My people wold not hear my voyce / & Israel wolde not obeye me / therefore gaue Psal. ●…1 . I them vp vnto their owne hartes luste / & let them folow their own imaginations . Here vnto agreeth the sayinge of s. Paule : Because 〈◊〉 . thes. 2. they receaued not the loue of the truthe / that they might be saued / therfore wyll God send them a s●…rong illusion to beleue lyes . Is not this the sayng of our sauior Christ ? this is condemnacion / that light is come into Ioan. 3. the worlde / & men haue loued darkenes more than light / for their workes were euell . The thing therfore that brought this condemnacion this darkenes / this blyndnes vpō●…s / is the hating of the light of Gods worde / our vnthankefulnes for the benefites of Christes Gospel / & our sinful lyfe replenished with all kynd of wickednes . These thinges / these thinges made God to withdraw the moste pleasaunt & confortable light of his louing contenaunce from vs / & to suffer the prince of dar kenes to shadow vs with his winges of hellish ignorauncy & deuelish blindnes vnto our great disconfort & continual sorow . God haue mercy on vs / & blesse vs / & shew vs the light of his contenancen / & be merciful vnto vs / that Psal. 67. we may know his way vpon the earth / & his sauing health among all natious .

Amen .

¶ The. iiij . Chapter .

BUt / what is now to be done ? shall we How●… the Christen 〈◊〉 ligion 〈◊〉 be reco●… red . caste away all hope ? Shal we yelde our self to the pri●…e of darknes ? Shal we suffer our selfs continually to be wrapped & couered in with the dredefull cloudes of popysh blyndenes ? God forbid . Yea / rather let vs with a lusty courage & bold spirite hunte out & seke some meanes / wherby we may be dispatched of this moste miserable plague / wherewith we are at this present iustly stryken for our vnthankefulnes & wicked lyfe / & so recouer the fauor of God / that we may once agayn walke in the heauenvly light of his moste glorious contenaunce . Synne / as we hearde afore / drowe awaye Sin●… . from vs the benefite of Goddes moste blessed worde / & of hys true religion / as the prophet sayth : Your wickednesses haue made a wal Esa. 59. betwen you & your God / & your sines hyde his face from you . Now must we therfor seke how to apease the wrathe of God kyndled against vs . Uerely the meane / how to make God merciful vnto vs / is from hensforth to Remedies againste the wrathe o●… God . auoide that / which was the cause of Gods displeasur against vs / & of the taking away of his blessed worde from vs / I meane syn . Syn must be taken awai from among vs / or els c●…we neuer be reconciled vnto God / nor obtain his fauour / so far is it of / that we shall recouer the heauenvly benefite of his glorious gospel . For the Lorde our God is suche a God / as 〈◊〉 wickednes . The euell can not Psalm. 5. dwell by hym / nor the vnrighteous abyde in hys sight . Sy●…e therfore which droue God out of oure host●… / and with hym the ●…ght of hys blessed worde / muste be weded o●… bothe of oure ha●…e and lyfe / that we maye be pure before the Lorde oure God / & 1. Cor. 6. 〈◊〉 hym in spirite and bodye . So shall we 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ●…emples for his godly 〈◊〉 to dwel in / whom yf we once receyue i●…to oure hartes / with hym we maye be sure to enioye all good thynges . Nowe to put awaye synne / the fyrste remedye is ear●… and vnfayned repentaunce . Let vs all Repentaunce . euen from the very hart be inwardly sorye for oure vnthankefulnes and disobedience agaynst Gods moste blessed will . Let vs euen with teares / as Peter and Magdalene dyd Matt. 26. Luc. 7. lament and bewayle oure wretchednesses / beyng moste hartely sory / that we euer offended so louyng a father / and so mercifull a Lorde . For this vnfayned repentaunce & harty ●…ewayling of our synnes / is an acceptable sacrifice vnto God / as Dauid sayth : A sacrifice vnto God is a troubled spirite / a Psal. 51. broken and humble hart God will not despys●… . Yea / God him selfe sayth by the Prophet : Unto whome ●…hall I loke / but vnto hy●… that is ●…owe brought / and of a broken Esa. 66. spirite / ●…nd standeth in awe of my wordes ? this way of obtayning Gods fauor taught Esa. 55. Iere. 3. Eze. 18. Math. 〈◊〉 Mar. 1. Moses and all the Prophetes / Ihon Baptiste / Christ and al his disciples / as the holy scriptures testefie . For with out repentaunce nothing is to be had of God but wrath / dis pleasure and euerlasting damnation / as our sauiour Christ sayth : Except ye repent / all sorte of you shall perysh . But where true repentaunce cometh / & an earnest hate off Luc. 1●… . synne / with a feruent studye of innocency & amendement of lyfe / there lyghe the grace / mercy / fauour and good wil of God / bent out for the penitent synner / as God hym self sayth by the Prophet : If the vngodlye turne awaye frome all hys synnes that he Ezec. 18. hath done / and shall kepe all my statutes / & do iudgement and righteonsnes / he shal su●…ely lyue and not dye . All hys offences shal nomore be layde before hym / but in hys righteousnes that he hath done / shal he lyue For I haue no pleasure in the deathe of a synner / sayth the Lord God / but rather that he turne from hys wicked wayes and lyue . Agayn / as surely as I lyue / sayth the Lorde Ezech. 〈◊〉 God / I haue no delighte in the deathe of a synner / but rather that he should turne from hys waies and lyue . Turne ye / turne ye from your euell wayes / and why will ye dye O ye house of Israel ? Diuers examples haue we hereof in the holy scripture / as the Examples of repentance . chyldren of Israel / the Niniuites / Dauid / ●…anasses / Peter / Magdalene / the thefe / and suche other ▪ which after they repented / found fauoure at the mercifull hande of God . As we haue folowed them in synning & doyng euel / so let vs folow them in repenting and doyng wel . Than maye we be sure to fynde lyke fauour with them . For it is written : Psal. ●…4 the Lorde is at hande for them / that are off a troubled hart / and the broken in spirite will he heale and saue .

¶ The. v. Chapter .

SEcondly to this harty repentaunce muste a true and Christen faythe be annexed / Faythe . whiche apprehendeth and layeth hande on the mercifull promises of God frelye setforth to all faythefull penitent synners in Christes dere harte bloude . For without this fayth and perfect perswasion of Gods fauour toward vs / Repentaunce is vayne / as Repentaunce and faithe muste go together . the histories of Caym / Esau / Saul / Achab / Iudas / and of suche other do manifestly declare . In consideracion whereof our Sauioure Christ / whan he beganne to preach / sayde not onely to hys hearers / Repente , but he added / And beleue the Gospell , teachynge that true repentaunce muste be ioyned Mar. 1. with Christen fayth / or els it profiteth nothing . An example hereof besydes many other / haue we in the history of the synfull woman / in the Gospel of sainct Luke / which Luce. 7. dyd not onely repent earnestly / as her bitter teares / sorowefull sobbynges and depe syghynges do playnely declare / but she also faythfully beleued / beynge constantly perswaded / that she althoughe a moste wicked sy●…er shoulde obtayne remission of all her synnes at God the fathers hande for Iesus Christes sake hys derely beloued sonne / whose fete at that present she ceased not too kysse / whose fete she washed with her teares / wyped with her hayre / and annoynted with moste precious pleasaunte oyle . Our Sauioure Christe / therfore beholding her true repentaunce conioyned wyth vndoubted faythe / sayde not onely to her / Thy synnes are for●…euen the / but he added / Thy saythe hathe saued the , departe wyth peace , that is too saye / with a quiet / free / ioyefull and merrye conscience . Let vs brynge for the thys faythefull repentaunce Note . and repentaunte faythe / and wyth all humilitie poure oute oure synnes before the gracious throone of Goddes Maiestye / and hartel●…e craue remyssyon and forgeuenes off all oure synnes / in the precious bloude off oure Sauioure Ih●…u Christ / and without all doubte God wil ●…e fauourable vnto vs / haue pytie on vs / and lighten hys chereful countenaunce once agayne vpon vs / that we on the earthe maye knowe hys wayes and hys sauinge healthe among all nations . For the Lord oure God is full of compassion and mercy / long suffering / and of great goodnes . He will not alwaye be chyding / neither kepeth he his anger Psal. 103. for euer . He wil not deale with vs after oure synnes / nor reward vs / accordinge too our wickednes . For loke how hye the heauen is in c●…parison of the earth / so great is hys mercye also toward them that feare hym . Loke howe wyde also the Easte is f●…om the West / so farre will he set our synnes from vs . Yea / lyke as a father pitieth hys owne chyldren / euen so will the Lord be mercifull Esa. 38. Miche . 7 vnto them that feare hym . All oure synnes will he cast behynde his backe / into the bottome of the sea wil he throw them / & neuer remember them more / yea / yf oure synnes / as the Prophet sayth / be as redde as s●…arlet / Esa. 1. yet shall they be made whyther then snowe . And yf they were lyke purple / yet shal they be lyke whyte wolle / yf we vnfainedly repente / turne vnto the Lorde oure God / beleue hys promises / and craue mercye of hym for Christes sake .

¶ The. vi . Chapter .

THyrdly / earnest diligence must be ge●…en / Good wor . that according to this true repetaunce and vnfayned fayth we bring forth good workes . For the nature of harty repentaunce and of Christen faythe is not to be idle / but mightely to worke / to chaunge the penitente creature / and to transforme hym into a newe man / that he maye serue the Lorde hys God in holynes & righteousnes all the dayes of his lyfe . If there be not an alteracion of lyfe / if the olde man be not Ephe. 4. put of with all hys workes / and the n●…we man put on / which is made according vnto God / thorow righteousnes / if those 〈◊〉 Roma. 6. which afore were seruauntes to vnclennes and vnrighteousnes / do not nowe become seruauntes to clennes / righteousnes & holynes / withoute all doubte we haue neyther true repentaunce nor vnfayned fayth / whose nature and propertie is to bring forth newe spirituall and godlye frutes / as the Apostle sayth : If any man be in Christ / he is a new creature . Agayne / they that are of Christe / 2 Cor. 〈◊〉 . Galat. 5. haue crucifyed the flesh with the affectes & lustes therof . Therefore the holy preacher Ihon Baptiste / that priestes sonne dyd not Math. 3. onely exhorte his hearers vnto repentaunce / but also vnto amendemente of lyfe / & vnto the bringing forth of such frutes / as become true and faythfull repentaunce . Brynge forthe frutes / saythe he / worthye of repentaunce Math. 3 &c. For nowe is the axe layde at the roote of the trees . Euery tree therfore / that bringeth not forthe good frute / is hewen vp and caste into the fyre . And oure Sauiour Christe sayeth : Not euery one that sayethe Math. 7. vnto me / Lorde / Lorde / shall enter into the kyngdome of heauen / but he that dothe the will of my father / whiche is in heauen . Agayne / ye are my frendes / if ye do those Ioan. 15. Ioan. 14. thynges / whiche I commaunde you . Item / he that hath my commaundementes and kepeth them / he it is that loueth me . Also in another place / Let youre lyghte so shyne Math. 5. before men / that they maye se youre good workes / and glorifye youre father whyche is in heauen . These frutes of faythefull repentaunce / whyche are the true good workes / that God requireth of vs too be done in the holy scripture / and not suche as good entent / blyndezele / or mannes idle imaginacion fantasyeth / ought to be brought forth / whan tyme requireth of euery true Christen man / to declare that hys faythe & repentaunce is true and vnfayned . We maye not therfore / if we tender oure owne saluacion / and will recouer the fauoure of God / be ●…lacke and sluggyshe in bringynge forthe these weyghty frutes of repentaunce and faythe / but so adourne / garnyshe / decke Note . trymme and setforth oure lyfe with them / that it maye appeare too all men / ye●… / too the very aduersaries of God / that oure repentaunce is true / and oure faythe vnfayned / and that we be true Christians / not onely in name / but also in dede ▪ and not off the number of those / of whome the Apostle wryteth on this manner : They professe ( with their mouthe ) that they know God Titus . 1. but with they : bebes they denye hym . And albeit / at all tymes it were conuenient / that the true Christians should be brynge forthe the workes of repentaunce / and the frutes of faythe / and lede a lyfe worthy their profession / yet in these oure dayes it is moste requisite . For who consydereth not / wyth how great a number of enemies / I meane the deuill and the papistes / the true Christians are enuyroned and be set in these our dayes / which do nothinge els but diligently marke / what they may fynde in vs ▪ worthy to be rebuked ▪ that by 〈◊〉 means thei mai slaunder the good doctrine that we professe and bringe vs ●…ute of credite with all men / that they maye go forthe the more frelye to lye / as they haue begunne largely all redye / and tosowe theyr abhominable / 〈◊〉 / wicked / Popyshe / supersticious / and Antichristiane doctrine / the more franckely in the hartes of the simple & vnlearned people to the great derogation of th●… 〈◊〉 of Christes Gospel / and to the Lu●… 〈◊〉 auauncement of their beastly and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 It were mete therfore / that the true 〈◊〉 of God and of hys blessed worde / 〈◊〉 in these our dayes seke all meanes possible so to garnish their lyfe with good workes / that in all thinges they maye do honour to the doctrine of Christe oure sauioure / and Titus . 2 stoppe the mouthes of the wicked & vngodlye aduersaries by well doynge / as 〈◊〉 . Peter 1. Pet. 2. admonisheth / saying : this is the wil ofGod / that by wel doynge / ye shoulde stoppe the mouthes of folish and ignoraunte people / as fre and not as hauinge a libertie to be a cloke of noughtynes / but as the seruauntes of God . Agayne / ●…erely beloued / I beseche you as straungers and pylgrimes / abstayne from fleshly lustes / which fight agaynst the soule / and haue an honest conuersacion among the ●…eathen / that in that they do bacbyte you as euel doers / they iudging you of your good workes / may glorifie God in the day of visitacion . Hereto agreeth the saying Phil. 2. of s. Paule : Do al thing without murmu ring and disputing / that ye maye be fautles and pure / and the sonnes of God without rebuke in the middes of a croked and a peruerse nation / among which se that ye shyne as lightes in the worlde / holdinge faste the worde of lyfe . For there is nothinge that so greatly abasheth the aduersaries of Gods worde / and kylleth their courage / strikynge The pap●… stes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 . them euen doune too the grounde / as the godly and verteous lyfe of the Christians / 〈◊〉 contrariwyse / nothinge gladdeth them 〈◊〉 / tha●… to se our lyfe dissolute and swar ●…ng from our profession . For than lyke hell houndes yell they out and saye : Beholde your Protestantes . Se your new Gospelers . Consider their lyfe . Note their manners . Marke their conuersacion . Where is founde the lyke pryde / couetousnes / fals bargayning / crafty byeng & sellinge / oppressing of the poore / raysing of rentes / taking of incomes / idle wordes / vayn othes / super fluous bancketting / cont●…pte of the poore / vnmercifulnes / breakinge of promise / vntrueth / with all that euer setforth a wicked and vngodly lyfe ? O what a stombling blocke is this to weake consciences ? What a 〈◊〉 o nour to the worde of God ? What a slaunder to the Christen profession ? What a decaye to godly religion ? What auauncement of Papistrie and Idolatrie ? What encouragement to the blynd to perseuer in their blyndnes ? What a glorie to the wicked Papistes / and a confirmacion to their abho●…nable and deuelish doctrine ? Therefore yf we tender the glory of God / the auaūcem●…t of hys true religion / and the saluacion off oure owne soules / let vs brynge forthe the worthy frutes of true repentaunce and vnfay●…ed fayth / that God maye haue a pleasure in vs / reioyce to do vs good / & delighte to bring our enemies and their satha●…call superst●…cion vnder foo●…e / that hys name maye be glorified / and hys true religion once agayne florishe amonge vs vnto oure singulare ●…oye and vnsp●…akable comforte .

AMEN .

¶ The. vii . Chapter .

MOre●…er / forasmuch as we are compassed Prayer . abou●…e with dayly troubles / and stande in continuall daunger / bothe of the deuell and of hys tymmes the papist●…s ▪ not beynge able of oure selfes too withstande their tyr●…y / and to 〈◊〉 our selfes out of their handes / it shall be 〈◊〉 ▪ that we withoute ce●…synge flee vnto God with mo●…e harty prayers / pourynge out with teares before the throne of hys diuine 〈◊〉 ▪ our 〈◊〉 ▪ so●…owes / miseries 〈◊〉 and troubles / moste humblye 〈◊〉 hys 〈◊〉 goodnes too haue 〈◊〉 on vs / to kepe vs from all euell / t●… 〈◊〉 vs from oure enemies / both bodely and ghost●…ly / to preserue vs from idolatrye / 〈◊〉 / supersticion / hypocrisye and from all false religion / and too kep●… vs in hys feare / faythe : loue / and perfecte obedience of hys moste holye lawe and blessed ordinaunces / to geue vs hys heauenvly sprete for too renew oure hartes / and to sende his holy Aungels to py●…che their tentes aboute vs / and to defende vs from all euel and wickednes / as it is written / The Aungell of the Psal. 34. Lorde py●…cheth hys tente aboute them that feare hym / and deliuereth theym . Thys kynde of prayer is a swete smellynge sacryfice vnto God / & moste hyly pleaseth hym . Therefore was it the dayly exercise off all godly people in all ages / yea / their whole delyghte and pleasure . With whatsoeuer trouble they were accombered / faythefull prayer was their onely refuge / solace / comforte and socoure .

Beynge greued with anye kynde of adue●…sitie / they hasted not vnto sai●…es with Ora pro nobis , as the dissemblynge Hyp●…crytes Papistes . and wycked ●…apystes do in theyr pompous and Idolatrous Processions / but vnto GOD / from whome alone commeth Iaco. 1. Rom. 10. euery good and perfecte gyfte / which also is ryche ynoughe for all them that call on hym / and they de●…yred too haue their prayers accepted not for the intercessions and merites of anye sainctes / nor yet for their owne dignitie and worthynes ▪ Io●… . 15. 16 but for Iesus Christes sake / for hys merites / worthines and excellency / & they were moste graciously hearde / as Dauid saythe : Whan I was in trouble / I cryed vnto the Psal. 120. Psal. 22. Lorde / & he mercifully hearde me . Agayne / Our fathers hoped in the ( o God ) they tru sted in the and thou diddest deliuer them . They called vpon the / & were holpen / they put their trust in the / and were not confounded . Was not Iacob deliuered from the tyranny Gene. 33. of his brother Esau by prayer ? Were not the chyldren of ●…srael made noble conquerours of the Amelechites / whan Moyses Exod. 17 4. Re. 19. prayde for them ? What a wonderfull victory had kyng Ezech●…as ouer that proud prince 〈◊〉 / after that he had praide vnto the Lorde his God / although neither he nor any of hys fought one stroke ? Was not Peter deliuered out of pryson / thorowe Acto . 12. the prayers of the faythfull congregacion ? Had not the Gospel of our sauiour Christ Act. 2. 4. good successe at the beginning / thorowe the feruente prayers of the holye Apostles ? I shoulde wante both tyme / paper & yncke / if I should go forth to reherce vnto you all the h●…ories of suche / as haue receaued singulare benefites at the h●…de of God thorow prayer . Praye therfore continually / and be thankefull to God for all thynges in the 〈◊〉 . Thes , 〈◊〉 . namen of Christe / and ye shall shortly se the wonderfull workes of God / in banishynge agayne Idolatrie / papistrie / and all fals religion & in 〈◊〉 vnto vs the glorious Gospel of Iesus Christ hys dearly beloued sonne / and oure alone sauioure vnto oure great ioye and singular comfort / and vnto the vtter confusion and destruccion of Anti christ and of hys kyngdome .

¶ The. viij . Chapter .

ANd albeit that ye do not perceau●… Continuāc●… in prai●…r . Psal. 12●… . remedy straight wayes / yet cease not to praye / but as the eyes of seruauntes looke to the handes of their masters / & as the eyes of a mayden vnto the hande of her maystresse / euen so let your eyes wayte vpon the Lorde youre God / vntill he haue mercy on you . He will vndoubtedly come & Abac. 2 Heb. 10 not tarrye / whan his godly wisdome seeth the tyme / yea / & that on suche sorte / as shall make moste for his glory and your conforte . For the poore shall not alway be forgotten / the pacient abiding of the meke shal not perish Psalm. 9. for euer . The Lord will be a defence for the oppressed / euen a refuge in due tyme of trouble / as he hym selfe witness●…th / sayeng : For the comforteles troubles sake of the nedye / and because of the depe syghynge of Psal. 12. the poore / now will I vp sayth the Lorde / & will helpe euery one from him / that swelleth againste hym / and will set hym at rest . Remember this sayeng of the prophete Esaye : Esa. 30 In silence and hope shall your strenght be . And thise sentence also of Ieremye : It is Thre . 3. good with sylence to tarrye for the sauyng healthe of God . Murmure not agaynste God / nor appoynte hym not hys tyme / but paciently abyde hys working / referring all Pacience . thinges to hys godly pleasure / and submittinge your wil to his blessed will / whiche alwayes both willeth and doeth that thing that is best for hys glory and for oure saluacion . In your pacience / sayeth our sauiour Christe / shall ye possesse your soules . We Luc. 21. are commaunded too heare the woorde off God with an honeste and good harte / too Luc. 8. kepe it faste / and to bringe forthe the frute therof with pacience . The tryall of youre fayth / sayeth s. Iames / bringeth forthe pacience / but let your pacience haue a perfect Iac. 1. worke / that ye maye be perfecte / and whole and sounde on euery parte . To the Hebrues Heb. 10 also it is written : Caste not awaye youre confidence / whiche hath greate rewarde to recompence . For ye haue nede of paciente / that after ye haue done the will of God / ye might receaue the promyse . For yet a littell whyle / and he that shal come / will come / & wil not tarry . Pray therfore with pacience / paciently abyding the good pleasure of God and his most gracious working . Let youre fayth & hope neuer departe from God / but whan thinges become to moste extremitie / & reason iudgeth hauocke vtterly to be made and all thinges too be paste remedye / than s●…eke moste faste to God & to his promises / let not your holde go / but in the middes of death / hope for lyfe / & loke for deliueraunce at the Lordes hande . Be lyke vnto hym that Iob. 13 sayde : Though he kylleth me / yet wil I put my trust in hym . Saye with the Psalmographe / the Lorde is my light & my s●…luaciō / whom then shall I feare ? The Lorde is the Psal. 27. strength of my lyfe / of whome then shall I be afrayde ? When the wicked ( euen myne enemies and my foes ) came vpon me to eate vp my flesh / they stōdled and fell . Thoughe an hoste of men were layde agaynst me / yet shal not my hart be afrayd / & though there rose vp warre against me / yet wil I put my trust in him . For know ye / this to be the Gods propertie in his seruauntes . propertie of God . He first casteth doun / before he lifteth vp / as we may se by Ioseph / Dauid / Daniel & such other . And whan thinges seme to be past all remedy / than he setteth to his hand / & maruelously helpeth / that he mai shew him self to be an almighty Lord & valeaunt ruler of all creatures / & that there is no wysdome / no forecast / no couns●… / that can Prou. 21 preuayle against the Lord / as Dauid sayth : The Lord bringeth the counsaylles of the Psal. 33. Heathen to nought / and maketh the deuyses of the people to be of none effect / and casteth out the counsailes of princes . But the counsayl of the Lorde shal endure for euer / and the thoughtes of hys harte from generation to generation .

¶ The. ix . Chapter .

THat God sheweth hys present helpe In greatest extremities God chiefly helpeth . moste of all in greatest extremities / diuers histories declare euidentlye in the holy scriptures / whereof parte briefly to touche / it shall not be oute of the waye / that we may learne in the middest of greatest euels not to despayr of the mighty workyng of God / but to conceaue asure hope / and to loke for all good thinges at the hande of the Lorde our God . Who knoweth not vnto what great extremitie the chyldren of Exod. 14 Israel were brought after their deliueraunce out of Egipte ? Came they not to this point in their iourneye / that before theym there was no waye to go into / but the readde sea / wherin they must nedes be drouned / if they wente forwarde / and behynde them was kynge Pharao with all his armye / redy to slea them / if they tarryed ? Here naturall reason sawe nothinge but presente deathe . Before them was the readde sea / vnable to be passed thorowe / and behynde them theyr mortals fo●… with his bloudy & cruel hooste redy to kyll them . Oh / to what extremities are the Israelites come ? Yet beholde / Psal. 145 1. Cor. 10 that mercifull God / whiche is euer true & faythful in his promises / founde a way for them to escape / where all reason / witte / wisedome / discrecion / experience / and pollecye of man coulde do nothing in the matter . He caused the sea to diuide it self / so that in the middest therof he made a drye pathe for his people safely to passe thorow / the sea standing on bothe sydes of them lyke two walles / and the Israelites beynge once passed thorowe / that whiche was a safegarde too Gods people / was an vtter destruccion to their enemies . For the sea ate the commaundement of God closed agayne together / and drouned Pharao with all his companye . O the wonderful workes of God .

Agayn / when they were come into the wildernes / Exo. 16. 17. where neither meate nor drincke was to be gotten / and they iudging after naturall reason / thoughte that euery one off them shoulde there moste miserablye haue dyed for wante of socour / how dyd the heauenly father in that extremitie prouide for his people / by sending them meate from heauen / and geuinge them moste pleasaunte & swete waters / euen out of the harde rocke 〈◊〉 drincke ? O the excedinge greate ryches of the Lord our God .

To whome is the historye of Ioseph vnknowen / Gene. 39 who beyng miserably kept in pryson certayne yeares withoute iuste cause / euery man despayred of hys deliueraunce at any tyme . But whan all thinges semed to be paste remedy / and the matter brought to vtter desperacion / concerninge his commynge out : God setteth too hande / & dothe not onely deliuer Ioseph out of prysonne / Gene. 41 but he also bringeth hym to suche honoure and dignitie / that he is made chiefe ruler ouer all the lande of Egipte nexte vnto the Kynge . O the singular good will of the Lord our God towarde his faithfull and louing seruauntes .

What shall I speake of that moste noble 4. Re. 18. and faythful kyng Ezechias / which beynge in moste greuous daunger / bothe he & hys contries / thorow the tyranny of Sennacherib that moste proude kyng of the Assyrians / which was at hande to destroy both hym & hys realme / & not perceauing how he & hys people with al their witte / pollecy & strenght were able to enter battel with so mighty an enemy / vtterly despairing of his own might & power / lamented his cause vnto the Lorde his God which so petied the sorowful estate of kyng Ezechias & of his people / that euen the same night he sent his aungel / which slew 4. Re. 19. in the hooste of the Assyrians an . c. lxxx . and fyue thousand / so that Sennacherib with the rest of his hooste fled / which shortly after / as he was worshipping his fals God / was slayne of his owne sonnes in the idolatrous temple . O the pricelike puissaunce of the Lord our God / in defending hys faithefull people . Notable is the historie contayned in the boke of Hester / concerninge the Iewes / which were the people of God / where we Hest. 〈◊〉 . rede that wicked Amam / beyng hyest in authorite with kyng Ahasuerus / for displeasure that he bare vnto Mardocheus the Iewe / because he wold not bowe the knee vnto him / & reuerence him / procured of the kynge a commaundement to be directed vnto all his officers & magistrates / that all the Iewes / that were within the kynges dominions / should be destroyed . And as for Mardocheus / Amam had prepared for him a new payre of galowes of . l. eubites hye / purposinge to hange hym the next days folowing . Here was nothing at hande / nor to be loked for / but present death and destruccion . All was lyke to go to hauocke / all thynges were brought to such an extremitie . The commission is written and sealed with the Kynges owne rynge . Postes are sente wyth it into all the kynges landes / the daye is appoynted / that all Iewes / both yonge and oldechyldren and women should be destroyed in one daye . What is here too be sene / but present death ? The Iewes are not an handfull in comparison of their enemies / so that vtter destruccion lygheth bent out for them / & no way there is to escape it / so farre as rea son can iudge . But now behold Gods workinge / and here shall ye fynde that thynge true / whiche Salomon hath : The kynges Pro. 21. hart is in the hande of the Lord / lyke as are the ryuers of water / he may turne it / whyther so euer he will . Aman / whiche before Hest. 7. was so muche set by of the kynge / is nowe sodenly so farre fallen from the kynges fauoure / Beware ye papistes . that he is commaunded to be hanged vpon those same gallowes / that he had set vp for good Mardocheus / so that Mardocheus was made ruler of all that Amam had / & was exalted vnto hye dignitie / that that maye be founde true / whiche we rede in the Psalme : I sayde vnto the fooles / deale not Psal. 75. so madly / & to the vngodly / set not vp your borne . Set not vp your horne on hye / and speake not with a styffe necke . For promocion commeth neither from the East nor from the West / nor yet frome the Southe . And why ? God is the Iudge / he putteth doune Psal. 37. one / and setteth vp another . Agayne / the vngodly seeth the righteous / and seketh occasion to slea hym . But the Lorde will not leaue hym in his hande / nor condemne him / whan he is iudged . Immediatly / after also was a contrary commaundement sent out by the Hest. 8. 9 postes with all haste from the king / streightly charging all the inhabitantes of the kinges Maie not God thus worbe in the O●…enes hart , for his faithful seruauntes in time to come . dominions by no meanes to trouble or too vexe the Iewes / but to take them as moste dere / faithfull and louinge subiectes of the Kinge / and if anye wolde withstande the Kinges commaundement in this behalfe / that the Iewes shoulde gather them selfes together / and slea their enemies / and take awaye their goodes . Thus sodenly was sorow turned into ioye / heauines into myrth sadnes into gladnes / slauery into honoure / darkenes into lighte / and deathe into lyfe . O the vnspeakable power of the Lord oure God .

To whome is the historie of the. iij. iong Dan. 3. men vnknowen / which / because they wold not worship the golden Image at the kinges commaundement were cruelly caste into an whote brenning ouen ? Who wolde not haue iudged their lyfe vtterly loste ? But God / which helpeth in moste extremities / so prouided / that the fyre did hurte them nothing at all / no / not so muche as an hay●…e of their head perished with the fiire / nor no parte of their garmentes . Whole & sounde came thei out of the brenninge fornace / vnto the great glory of God . O the fatherly care of the Lorde our God / for all such as cleue to hys holy and blessed worde .

The history of casting the prophet Daniel Dan. 6. into the denne of Lyons / because contrary to the Kynges commaundement / he prayde vnto the Lorde hys God / is not vnknowen to them that rede the holy scriptures . Who durst haue promysed Daniel any lyfe / bei●… thus caste doune vnto the hungrye & cruell Lyons ? yet God was present with hym / & stopped the Lyons mouthes / that they dyd not once hurte hym . O the louing kyndnes of the Lorde oure God towarde all theym that call on hys holy name / and putte theyr truste in hym .

I passe ouer the histories of the cytiesins of Bethulia / of Iob / of Thoby / of Susan / and of diuers other contayned in the olde testament / which in al their necessities and troubles / calling on the name of god / proued hys presente helpe / whyche by no meanes wolde suffer them to perish . All these thinges Rom. 14 are written for our learnyng / that thorow pacience and comfort of the scriptures we should haue hope .

¶ The. x. Chapter .

TAke one or twoo examples out of the new Testament / for the confirmation of our faythe in this behalfe / that we maye learn God to be one / and the same louing Mala. 3. father in all ages / & neuer more doubt of his fatherly goodnes towarde vs / but conceaue an assured hope and perfect truste off hys present helpe / euen in the depest of our aduersities / as he sayeth : Though I walke thorow the valley of the shadow of deathe / I wyll feare no euell / for thou arte wyth Psal. 23. me .

Whan Christ and hys disciples were in the shipp●… / Christe at a certayn tyme slept . In the meane whyle their arose a greate Math. 8. tempeste in the sea / in so muche that the shyppe was couered wyth the waues . The disciples perceauynge them selfes too be in greate daunger and peryll of drownynge / and not knowynge what to do / nor how to escape / came vnto Chryste / awoke hym and sayde : Master / saue vs / we peryshe . Christe aunswered : Why are ye afrayde / O ye of littell faythe ? Then he arose and rebuked the wyndes and the sea / & there folowed a great calme . O the tender mercye of the Lorde oure God / towarde all suche as in the time of theyr trouble fie vnto his name as vnto a stronge bulwarke . Thys historye teacheth vs / that thoughe the seas and the wyndes / yea / though the deuel & the worlde ryse / rore / rage & ruffle against vs neuer so much / yet if we fie vnto God with harty & faythfull praier / he wil surely helpe vs / so that nothinge shal hurte vs / seme oure case neuer so miserable / & our daunger neuer so perillous . The waues of the sea are mightye / sayeth the Psalmographe / & rage Psalm. 93 horribly / yet the Lorde that dwelleth on hye / i●… mightier .

The lyke historye rede we of Peter / whiche whan he saw Christe walkinge on Math. 14 the sea / sayde : Lorde / bid me come vnto the on the water . Christ sayde / come . And wh●… Peter was come doune out of the shippe / he walked on the water to go to Iesus . But whan he sawe a mighty wynde / he was afraide . And whan he beganne to syncke / he cryed / sayeng : Lord saue me . And immediat lye / Iesus stretching forth his hande / caught hym and sayde vnto hym / O thou of litle fayth / wherefore dedist thou doubte ? O the merciful fauour of the Lorde oure God towarde his weake & feble creatures . Here fynde we the sayeng of the Prophete true / A broosed rede / shall he not breake / & smoking Esay . 42. flaxe shal he not quenche .

But as I maye at the laste come too the history of our Sauiour Christ / Who seeth not ●…he mightie power of God / in raisinge vp Christe crucifyde & dead / whan all reason and wisedom of men thought it a thing Mat. 27. impossible ? The Iewes now promised them selfs many fayre holy daies / great safegard muche quietnes and continuall rest / seynge they had brought Christ their head enemye to his long home / as they vse to say . Euen as oure Papistes at this present daye promise them self many good morowes / greate Papistes . assuraunce of their wealthy liuinges / long rest / perfect establishement of their kyngedome and sure saffetie for euer / forasmuche as they haue now gotten agayn their deuelishe and abhominable Masse / their vnfruteful Latin seruice / their beggarly ceremonies / &c. & haue so handled the matter / that the true preachers / beyng put to silence thei alone / both at Paules crosse and els / where are the trompet blowers not of Christes Gospell / but of that Romishe Antichr●…es dyrtie / deuelish decrees / as their sermons / if thei be worthy that name / now of late haue manifestly declared vnto the great derogation of Gods glorie / the dishonoure of hys holy Gospell / and the vnspekeable sorowe of all faithful and Christe hartes . The Iewes / but specially the Bishops & the Priestes / Mat. 26. 27. the Scribes & the Lawers / the Phariseis & the Saduceis founde the meanes to laye hande on Christ / to bynde him / to cary him vnto the hye powers / to accuse hym / to condemne him / to crucifie him & to kyll Note . him . Yea / beynge buried and a greate stone rolled to the bodre of the sepulche / they sealed the stone / and sette watch men with bylles / halbardes / gleyues / s●…aues / speares / pykes & all manner of weapon to kepe Christ doune / that he shoulde ryse nomore / and trouble the holy religious and spirituall fathers with hys doctrine / as he dyd afore . But what is the power of this worlde before God ? very weakenes / and the wysedome 1. Cor. 3. playne folishenes . For whan they thought them selfes sure ynough of Christ for euer rysing agayne / and them selfes set in suche a goodly staye / as no misfortuyne coulde chaunce to them and to their kyngedome / Christe by the power of hys Godhead / Math. 28 rose agayne a tryumphante and victorious conquerour of all his enemies / and raygneth nowe in the glorye of hys father for euer and euer . And shortlye after / the doctrine of Chryste / whyche they soughte by all meanes possible too destroye / and for the whyche they so hated Christe / that they thoughte hym vnworthye too lyue / dyd so aryse / spryng / growe / encreace / prosper and floryshe / that it was not onelye taughte in Iewrye and Samaria / but also in all the partes of the worlde / and the Iewes for theyr vnthankefulnes and disobedience after certayne yeares / with theyr countrye vtterly peryshed and came to noughte . After Beware ye papistes . thys sorte / without all doubte shall it come to passe with oure papistes . For where as they thynke prosperously longe too raygne by suppressynge the worde of God / and holdynge doune / yea / quenchyng the glorious light of Christes Gospell / the Gospell off Rom. 1 Christe / whiche is the power of God / shall moste triumphantly ryse agayne maugre the enemies / florysh and prosper / and they with all theyr pompe / pryde / vanitie / supersticion / papistrye / hypocrisye / Idolatrye / ceremonies / masses / decrees / constitucions / counsayles / customes / &c. shall perishe and come to nought . For God hymself sayeth / I will honour them / that honour me / and I wyll brynge them to shame / that do dishonoure 1. Reg. 2. me .

And oure Sauioure Christe sayeth : He that falleth vppon thys stone / shall be broken Math. 21. on peces / but vppon whomesoeuer it fall / it shall crushe hym all to pouder . Here to pertayneth the sayenge of sainct Paule / 2. Tim. 3. They resiste the trueth / beynge men of a corrupte iudgement and lewde / as concerning the fayth / but they shall preuayle no lenger . For their madnes shall be knowen too all men . Agayne / the God of peace shal treade Rom. 16. sathan vnder your fete ●…hortly .

¶ The. xi . Chapter .

MOreouer / in the Actes of the Ap●…stles Acto . 12. we rede / that after king Herode had kylled Iames / the brother off Ihon with the swearde / he layde hande on Peter / and put him in pryson / committing him to foure quaternions of souldiours to be kept / & entendinge after Easter to bringe him forth to the people / and so to kyll him . But prayer was made without ceasing of the congregacion to God for him . Here Peter was apprehended / caste into pryson / bounde with chaynes / warders appointed to kepe him / & all thinges so handled / that he should by no meanes escape / but all tymes be redy at the firste call to be broughte forth vnto death . Peter loked continually for present deathe . Herode and the Iewes perswaded them selfs to be sure of Peter to kyll him at their pleasur / as though thei had slaine him all redy . But beholde the mightye power of God / whiche fyndeth a meanes to deliuer his seruauntes / whan reason seeth no way to escape . The night before that Peter should be brought forth to death / there was a very diligente watche / because they wolde be sure of him . Peter him self was bounde with twoo chaynes . Two souldiours also kepte him in the pryson / one on the one side of him / and another on the other syde . Besydes this / there were kepers set before the dore to kepe the pryson . All thinges were as sure as might be . Peter was paste all hope of deliueraunce . He committed the matter vnto God / & gaue him self to reste / loking the next daye after to haue bene slayne . And whyle Peter was Note we●… & despaire no●… . a slepe / and had geuen ouer the matter / God wrought / and sent his aungell into pryson vnto Peter / which wonderfully broughte him out of pryson / and deliuered him from all daunger . Rede the chapter . O the almighty power of the Lord our God / in the deliueraunce of his seruauntes . If God determineth too saue alyue / who is able too put to death ? Here se we the sayeng of oure Math. 1●… Sauiour Christ to be true / that all the hay res of oure head are numbred / and that not ●…ne of them shall perishe without the good will of our heauenly father . Here is that verified / which is spoken by the Psal. 34. Psalmographe / the aungel of the Lord py●…cheth his tent rounde about them / that feare him / & deliuereth them . Great are the troubles of the righteous / but the Lord deliuereth them out of all . He kepeth all theyr bones / so that not one of them shal be broken . The Lord deliuereth the soules of his seruauntes / & all they that put their trust in him / shall not be forsaken . The tyrauntes of this worlde maye threaten / persecute / empryson / chayn / locke / Not●… . beate / buffet / &c. But the lyfe of a Christen man can they not take awaye before the tyme commeth / that God hath appoynted . If the deuitles coulde not enter intoo the swyne / and so droune them / before Christ Math. 8. gaue them leaue / much les can the lymmes of the deuyll kyll any faythfull man / before God geueth them lycence . What coulde sathan do to Iob / before God gaue hym libertie to plague hym ? and yet coulde he exercyse Iob. 1. 2. hys cruelnes agaynste Iob / no further than he was appoynted of God . Saul persecuted Dauid / purposynge cruelly too kyll hym / but Dauid escaped hys handes . That wicked quene Iesabell threatned and 1. Reg. 19 3. Reg. 19 sware too slea the prophete Helias / but the Lorde preserued hym / and she afterwarde was moste miserably slayne . The Godly woman Susanne / thorow false accusations of the two wicked Iudges / was at the point Dan. 13. to be stoned vnto death / but God wonderfully deliuered her from the handes of her enemies . Esau burned with an immortall hatred agaynste hys brother Iacob / because Gen. 33. of the blessynge / wherewyth hys father had blessed hym / and purposed fully to kyll hys brother . But Iacob prayed to the Lord / and so mollifyed Esaus harte / in so muche that when Iacob thought / that both he and hys shoulde haue bene slayne / hys brother Esau came gentilly vnto hym / louingelye embrased hym / kyssed hym frendly / and for very ioye wepte : so myghty is God to mollefye tyrauntes hartes / whan it pleaseth hym / and to make them gracious and fauorable too hys seruauntes . Howe ofte rede we in the historye of the Gospell / that the Iewes wente aboute too kyll Christe / and yet layde they no hande on hym . The Euangeliste sheweth the cause / sayenge : For Ioan. 7. hys houre was not yet come . But whan the tyme came that God hadde appoynted from euerlastynge / than preuayled the wycked agaynste the manhoode of Christe / layde hande on hym / bounde hym / and fynally putte hym too death / as Christ sayde vnto them : Ye become out as vnto a thefe Luce. 22. wyth sweardes and staues . Whan I was bayly with you in the Temple / ye stretched forthe no hande agaynste me . But thys is euen youre houre / and the power of darkenesse . Certayne of the Phariseis sayde vnto Christe / Get the out of the waye / and Luc. 13. depart hence . For Herode wil kil the. Crist aunsweered / Go tel the foxe / behold / I cast out deuels / & heal the people to dai & to morow & the. iij. day I make an ende . For it can not be / that the Prophet perish any other wher then at Ierusalem . Here se we both the tyme & the place apointed / where Crist shuld dye . Euen so goeth it with the faithful . Where No●… . & whan God appointeth / the membres off Christ likewise shall dye . For it lygheth in no tyrauntes power to take awaye the lyfe of the faythfull / tyll God appointeth bothe the tyme & place / as Christ sayde vnto Pylate / Thou couldest haue no power at all against Ioan. 19. me / excepte it were geuen the frome aboue . God alone hath the keyes of death & Apoc. 1 hell . Rede we not in the Actes of the Apostles / that certayn men / about the number of . xl . conspyred Paules death / and made a Acto . 23. vowe / that they wold neither eate nor drink tyll they had kylled Paule ? Yet for all their solemne vowe they were deceaued . For God deliuered Paule out of their handes . Could ●…sau hurt Iacob / the sea hynder the Israe lites / the whale destroye Ionas / the fyre consume Gene. 33. Exod. 14 Ionas . 2. Dan. 3. 6 act. 12. 28 the. iij. ionge men / the Lyons deuour Daniel / the falsse Iudges slea Susanna / Herode kyll Peter / the venomous adder destroye Paule at Milete ? Nothinge les . God hath the deuell / the worlde / the fleshe and all thynges that are in hys power / and ruleth them all at hys pleasure . Loke how farre he suffer them to go and to do / so farre go they and do they / and no further / seme they to rage neuer so muche / as Dauid witnesseth / the Lord hath geuen a commaunde Psal. 148. ment / and none shall go beyonde it . Fyre / hayle / snowe / yse / & vaporous stormy wyndes accomplish hys worde . Agayne / thou hast Psal. 118. limited the waters theyr boundes / whyche they maye not passe . God gaue vs oure Note . lyfe / no man therefore can take it awaye withoute hys appoyntemente . We are Gods people / he therefore will defende vs from all euell . We are the workemanshyppe of Gods handes / no man therefore shall destroye vs / ( I speake of oure bodyes ) withoute hys fatherly prouidence . We are shepe of Gods pasture / no wolfs therfore shall deuoure vs / but at hys appoyntetement . The Aungels of God haue chardge Psal. 34 ouer vs / they pytche their tentes rounde aboute vs / and watche continually for the saffegarde and defence of vs / what than can miserable man do agaynste vs / be he Emperoure / Kynge / Pope / Bishop / or any other tyraunte ? If the deuell / the Lyons / the sea / the fyre / the wyndes / the serpentes / &c. can do no harme to the faythfull without bothe the sufferaunce and determination of God / let vs not feare the worldlye tyrauntes / although neuer so mighty / fearce and cruel / whyche are nothyng els but vyle fleshe / earth / asthes / duste and dong / whose tyranny is lyke too a staffe of rede / whose imaginacions / counsayles and deuyses are vayne / folyshe and of none effect / whan the Lorde God take the parte agaynste them / & whose glorie was the floure of the felde . For they shall do no more against the ellecte and chosen people of God / than God both suffereth and appoynteth . Whan Pylate sitting in iudgement / sayde to our sauiour Christ / knoweth thou not / that I haue power Ioan. 19 to crucifye the / and haue power to deliuer the ? Christ aunswered / thou couldest haue no power at all agaynst me / excepte it were geuen the from aboue . Euen so maye we saye of the worldly tyrauntes : Thei shal haue no power at all against vs / except it be geuen them from aboue . And the holy apostles in their prayer vnto God / sayde / that whatsoeuer Herode and Pontius Pilate / with the Gentiles and people of Israel did Act. 4. against Christe / they did nothinge / but that the hande and the counsayl of God had determined before to be done . No more shall the tyrauntes of this worlde do any thynge agaynste vs / but that / whiche God before hath determined to be done from euerlasting . Of this historie of Peter therfore may we learn two notable thinges . Fyrst that God than moste chiefly helpeth / whan thinges be brought to greatest extremities . Secondly that the tyrauntes of this worlde can not take away a Christen mans lyfe / nor yet do any more agaynste hym / than the good wil / pleasure / determinacion & appointement off God is / in whose hande alone / as the wyse Eccle. 11 man sayeth / is bothe prosperite & aduersite / lyfe & death .

¶ The. xij . Chapter .

SEyng / whan that we are taughte by so many credible histories that God dothe at all tymes helpe / but chiefly whan thinges be broughte vnto an extremitie / agayne that no man can take away the lyfe of any faythfull man / tyll God apoynteth : let vs not doubte / but that God will bothe heare oure prayers / and helpe vs also / and deliuer vs / althoughe for a season he semeth to differre hys helpe / and to leaue vs in the bryers . He is the father of mercye / and God 2. Cor. 1. Esa. 39 of all consolacion . Hys hande is not so shortened / but that he is able too helpe / neither is hys eare so stopped / but that he both can and will heare vs . God is faytheful / saieth 1. Cor. 10 the Apostle / whiche will not suffer you too be tempted aboue your strengthe / but shall in the middes of the temptacion / make a waye / that ye maye be able to beare it . Let vs not therefore despayre / though presente helpe commeth not from God at the fyrste callynge / but rather go for the to praye vnto God / after the example of the Cananite / and not to be weary / tyll we haue obtayobtayned Math. 15. our request of the Lord our God / folowyng the counsayll of the Psalmographe / whych sayeth : O tarrye thou the Lordes leasure / be strong / take a good hart vnto Psal. 31. the / and paciently abyde the pleasure of the Lorde . In silence and hope / sayeth the Prophet Esaye / shall be youre strengthe . Here to pertayneth the sayeng of Ieremy / It is Esa. 30. Lamen . 3. good wyth silence too abyde the sauynge health of the Lorde . If we on this manner behaue our selfs toward the Lord our god / we shal without fayle shortely beholde the wonderfull workes of God . We shal se the doune falle of oure enemies with all theyr tyranny / papistrie / Idolatrie / supersticion / ceremonies / masses / decrees / counsaylles / customes / &c. We shall se the glorious Gospel of our Sauiour Christ spring agayne / growe / encreace / prosper / florish and tryumphe . We shall se God truly honored / not after the fonde fantasye of men / but accordinge to hys blessed will and commaundement . We shall se Antichrist / that sonne of 2 Thes. 2 perdicion slayne wyth the breath of the Lordes mouth / and sathan troden vnder oure fete . God graunte it maye be shortely .

Amen .

¶ A brief rehersall of the whole Epistle .

THus haue ye hearde ( moste dere brethren ) howe it came to passe / that the true religion of our Sauiour Christ was taken awaye from vs / and in the stead therof / a supersticious and idolatrous kynde of worshippyng . God placed amonge vs vnto the great disconforte and vnspeakable sorowe of all faythfull Christians . Ye haue hearde also by what meanes this plague maye be turned awaye / and howe the true and syncere doctrine of Christe maye be restored vnto vs . The cause of Gods wrath toward vs / as ye hearde / was oure ingratitude and vnthankefulnes / yea / oure synnefull lyfe & wickednes / whiche was groune vp vntoo suche an heyghte / that God coulde no longer dissemble the matter / but muste nedes take awaye hys blessing from vs . We were vnthankefull for the heauenly benefyte off hys blessed worde / yea / we in a manner l●…thed and abhorred hys Godly ordinaunces / euen as the vngodly Israelites were weary N●…me . 11 of the celestial Manna / agayn our lyfe was nothynge agreable to the holy wil of God / but defyled with pryde / enuye / couetousnes fornication / adultery / swearing / glotonye / dronckennes . With all their kynde of wyckednes / vnto the greate dishonoure of the name of God / whiche we professe / it therefore coulde none otherwyse but come too passe / that God should be auenged of these thynges / take awaye his holy woorde / and throwe vs agayne into the deuelishe darkenes of the papishe Egipte . For as he fylleth Luc. 1. the hungry with good thynges : so sendeth he the ryche emptye awaye . And as our Sauioure Math. 5 Christe pronouncheth them blessed / whiche hunger and thyrste / after righteousnes / and promiseth that all suche shal be satisfyed and haue their desyre / euen soo are they cursed / whiche haue no delighte in the worde of God / and from such shal the bles singe of Christes Gospel be taken awaye / and the cursed tradicious of menne shal be throwen vpon them / as the Psalmographe sayeth / he wolde none of the blessing / it shal therfore be taken awaye from him . Hereto Psal. 109. agreeth the saying of our Sauiour Christ / the kyngdom of God shall be taken from you / & Math. 21. shal be geuen to a nation / that bringeth forth the frutes of it . Agayn / this is condemnation that lighte is come into the worlde / & men haue loued darkenes more than lyghte . For Ioan. 3 their workes were euel .

Nowe to recouer the fauoure of God / and to turne awaye hys heauy displeasure from vs / that he maye once agayne lyghten hys glorious & louing countenaunce vpon vs / and blesse vs with the moste blessed benefite of hys sonnes Gospell / the meanes / as ye hearde / is earnest repentaunce of oure former lyfe / humble knowledginge of oure synnes vnto God / vndoubted faythe in the mercifull promises of God the father / setforth vnto vs / in the moste precious bloude of oure Sauiour Christe / diligent inuocation and constante callinge on the name of God / for remission of our synnes / for mercye / grace / fauoure / peace / reste of conscience / &c. Pacient abyding of the Lordes leasure / and fynally a continuall meditacion & practise of a new lyfe .

If we on thys manner returne vntoo the LORDE oure God / let vs not doubte but that he will shortly turne vnto vs / mercifully beholde vs / and once agayne blesse vs wyth the heauenly benefyte of hys blessed woorde / that we here on earthe maye knowe hys wayes / and hys sauynge healthe amonge all nacions . Turne vntoo me / sayeth the LORDE of hostes / and I wyll turne vnto you . Zacha. 1. Remember howe fauorably God at all tymes dealte with hys people / bothe whan they were captiues in Egipte / and also in Babylon / yea / and at all other tymes / whansoeuer they were in anye distresse . For though he worthely plagued them for their wickednes / yet so sone as they vnfaynedlye returned vnto hym / he deliuered them from their enemies / and gaue them their hartes desyre . For God is neuer so angry with his people / but that in the myddes of hys anger / he wyll remember hys mercie . And though he somtyme punisheth vs / yet will he be pleased agayn / if he seeth oure vnfayned conuersion / as Tobie sayde in his praier / Tobi. 3. After a storme / O Lorde / thou makest the weather fayre and calme . After weping and heauines / thou geuest great ioye . Thy name O God of Israell / be praysed for euer . Onely let vs returne vnto the Lorde oure God / and become new men / and withoute all doubt / we shall se out of hande the myghtye working of God . Repent betymes therfore / repent / humble your selfs in the sight of God / beleue hys promyses / call on hys holy name / abyde paciently hys godly pleasure / become new men in lyfe and conuersacion / walke worthy your profession / and so behaue youre selfes in all thinges / that God maye be glorified by you . Fare ye well dere Brethren / and accordynge too the admonicion of the holy Apostle / watche ye / 1. Cor. 16 stande faste in the faythe / quyte you lyke menne / and be stronge . The Grace of the Lorde Iesus Christe be wyth you all . Amen .

¶ Gyue the glorie to GOD alone . ¶ Manne .

Howe longe o Lord ?

Psal. 13. Christe .

I come quickely .

Apoc. 22 Manne .

Oh / come Lord Iesu.

Apo. 22. Prophet .

He will come and not tarye .

Abac. 2.

☞ The . C. iij. Psalme / made in Englishe meter / by Thomas Becon , for a thankesgeuing vnto God / immediatly after hys deliueraunce out of pryson / whose emprysonmente began the. 16. daye of August / the yeare of oure Lorde / 15 53. and ended the 22. of Marche / then nexte ensuynge . ¶ Psalm. 103. BE thanckefull o my soule vnto the LORDE And all that within me haue theyr beynge / Laude / prayse & magnifye with one accorde Hys holy & blessed name aboue all thynge . O my soule / once agayn to the I saye Be thankeful vnto the Lord euer more / And looke thou forget not night nor daye All hys benefites that thou haste in store . For he it is / yea / he it is alone Which pardoneth al thy synnes / both more and les / He deliuereth the from all griefe & mone And sendeth the health in tyme of sykenes . He saueth thy lyfe from destruccion Which otherwyse should perish withoute doubte / He of mere , ' grace ' and tender compassion Crouneth the with louing kyndnes round aboute . He with good thinges / thy mouth doth satisfye To eate & drinke gyuing the abundance / He maketh the ioyful / yonge and lustye Euen as an Egle that is ful of pleasaunce . The LORD dothe minister iustice and iudgement To suche as are oppreste with violence / He defendeth the good and innocent But the wicked he casteth from his presence . He shewed hys wayes vnto faythfull Moses . And his workes to the sonnes of Israel / That all hys people myghte knowe bothe more and les In all kynde of vertue for to excel . O the Lord God euen of his own nature Is bent vnto gentilnes and mercye / Yea / frendly is he aboue all measure Longe suffering & eke of great petye . For though oure synnes be bothe greate and many Yet wil not the Lord be alway chyding / Neither will he for euer be angry But shew him self toe vs bothe gentle and louyng . After our synnes he dealeth not with vs Neither according to our wickednes / But lyke a father / bothe gentle & gracious He forgeueth al our sinnes / both more & les . For loke how hye is the heauen supernal In comparison of the earth full lowe / So great is hys mercy toward them all That feare him & wickednes away throwe . And loke howe wyde the Easte is frome the West So farre hath he set all our synnes from vs / Because oure conscience should be at rest And nomore trobled with workes odious . Yea / lyke as a father gentle and tender Pittieth hys owne chyldren natural / Euen so is the Lorde merciful euer Unto them that feare him both great & smal . For he beyng our maker knoweth cer●…es Of what mater we be made and formed / He remembreth / we are but dust and ashes All of vyle and slymye earth created . A man in his lyfe is like vnto grasse Hys dayes are few / & but a whyle endure / Lyke the floure of the felde awaye he passe Flori●…ing for a tyme / but nothing sure . For as a flour with fears w●…d assayled Fadeth shortly away & cometh to nought / So dothe man of cruel death oppressed Departe hence / & vnto nothing is brought . But the mercifull goodnes of the Lorde Dothe continew for euer and euer / Upon them that feare him with one accorde And hys iustice vpon their childers chylder . I meane vpon such as kepe his coucnaunt And do them selfs diligently applye / To kepe hys preceptes / & likewise do graunte To frame their whole lyfe accordingly . In heauen hath the Lorde a seat prepared For him self / both glorious and royall / And his prince like power is so outstretched That it raygneth & ruleth ouer all . O prayse the Lorde all ye aungels of hys Ye that excel bothe in strengthe and vertue / Ye that do hys will without any mys Ye that harken to hys voyce / & that ensue . O prayse the Lorde our God omnipotent All ye hys hostes and armies supernall / Ye seruauntes of hys / whiche alwayes are bent To do hys wil / o prayse the Lord aboue all . Yea / all thinges that euer God created Prayse ye the Lorde that God of myghte and poure / But thou o my soule / with hart vnfayned Looke that thou prayse the LORDE at euery houre . ¶ Geue the glory to God alone .

¶ Psal. 112. O Blessed is the man at eche season That feareth the LORDE God omnipotent / For suche one hath all his delectation To accomplysh the Lordes commaundement . Hys sede vpon the earth shall be mighty Florishing aye lyke the grene olyue tree / The generacion of the godly Shall be blessed in euery degree . Suche a man in hys house shall haue alwaye Of honour and ryches great abundaunce / And hys righteousnes shall neuer decaye But in all ages haue continuaunce . Whan that other in darkenes do remain Unto the godly pleasaunt / light shal spyne / For such one dothe loue mercy to mayntain To kyndnes & iustice / his hart he enclyne . A good man is bent all vnto mercy And gladly lendeth to such as haue nede / As for his talke he ordreth discretly So that his wordes vnto vertue do lede . From hys place shal he neuer be moued But alway abyde both constante & sure / The remembraunce of the iuste & true harted Shall for euer and euer styll endure . The righteous shal be nothinge afrayde Of any euel tidinges / whan they be brought / For hys hart on the Lord is wholy stayde Thorow stronge faythe / that God therein hath wrought . Yea / his hart is so throughly stablished That he wil not thrynke in no condicion / Untyl he seeth hys desyre satisfyed On hys enemies and their destruccion . He disperseth abrode plenteously And geueth to the pore their nede to sustain Remembred therfore continually Shal he be / & his prayse euer remayn . The vngodlye seynge these thinges / shall ware woode Gnathe with hys teeth / & consume away / Yet shal the vngodly with all his moode Shortely come to nought / perish & decay . ¶ Geue the glorie to GOD alone .