Dauids harpe ful of moost delectable armony, newely strynged and set in tune by Theadore Basille

Dauids Harpe , The hundred & fyftene Psalme , cal led in Latin , ●…redidi propter , wyth a fruytfull exposicion and godly declaracion of the same .

¶ The fyrste verse . I beleued / & therfore haue I spoken / but I was very sore troubled .

THis fyrst verse contayneth thre striges of dauids harpe , which are theyse , faythe , confession of the faythe , wherby are vnderstande al good workes , and persecucion . These thre therfore wyll I nowe , thorowe the healpe of Goddes spirite , set in tune by ryght order .

¶ The fyrst strynge .

I Beleued . Our fyrste ●…ayth is the fyrst string of Dauids Harpe , and the foundacion of the christen religion . yea and base strynge is fayth , & that not wyth oute an vrgente cause . For here se we , that as the base parte is the ground of the whole songe , so is fayth the foundacion of al the christen religion . And as without the base , the song is imperfecte , & nothynge worth , so lyke wyse without fayth all the workes that we do , are vnprofitable glister they neuer so pleasauntly before the eies of carnall men , & what so euer we synge after that sorte , is cleane out of tune , as saynt Paule sayth , what so euer is not grounded on Rom. xiiii . faythe , is playne synne . Therfore sayth he in another place , it is not possible to please God without fayth . ●…eb . x●… For he that commethe vnto God , muste beleue that God is , & that he is a rewarder to them that seke him . In these aforesayde textes of saynt Thre thynges to be noted . Paule thre thiges are to be noted . One is that he sayth , al that is not grounded on fayth , is synne . Wher of we learne , that fayth is the foundacion of all goodnes , the mother & nourse of all good workes . Another is , that withoute faythe it is not possible to plese god . The third that who so euer commeth vnto god , muste beleue that God is , & that he is a rewarder to them that seke hym . These thiges shew manifesteli how connyng & excellent Musicion our Mynstrel Dauid is , which fyrst setteth his base stryng in tune , before he medlethe with ony of the other . He followeth not the manner of Antechrist , Antichrist turneth the rootes of trees vp ward . which turneth the rootes of trees vpwarde , neyther is he lyke to them , which begyn fyrst to bylde in the top of the house , & afterward layeth the foundacion , or that woulde haue the fruytes good , before there be any goodnesse in the tree , but he doth all thynges orderly . For he beynge enspired with the holy Ghost & doyng al thynges by the instinct therof , begynneth orderly of fayth , seynge that what so euer is not grounded Rom. xiiii . Heb. xi . on fayth , is synne , seynge also that without fayth no man can please God , be he neuer so glysteryng an Hypocrite before the world , & put he on neuer so glorious a viser of godlyke holynes . Faythe must nedes be the base stringe & foundacion of the Christen religion , seyng that infidelite & vnfaythfulnes is the destruccion and vtter decaye therof . For so long as fayth remayneth , so longe doth the Christen religion continew & prosper Mark wel well , but let faythe be exiled , & vnfaythfulnes once inuade the hartes of Christen men , & then goeth all to hauocke , as we maye se in oure fyrst parentes Adam & Eua , which so longe as they beleued the worde G●…n . iii. of God & walked therafter , prospered & liued ryght wel , but wha they once gaue ouer that , & fel vnto incred●… lite , beleuyng the wordes of the crafty serpente , rather then the gentle admonicions of so bounteous a lorde , they became subiecte , bonde & thraul to all kynde of miserye & wretchednes , so that thorow theyr vnfaythfulnes conioyned with lyke disobedience , Roma . v. not they them selues only fell into captiuite , but also all theyr posteri te . Nowe to be made free from this thrauldome , & to recouer the libertie , whiche before we loste thorowe disobedient vnfaythfulnes , the next & moost redye waye is to beleue , as Dauid teachethe here , or els by no menes can we come vnto God , nor yet please hym . For he that commeth to godsayth s. Paule , must beleue . So Heb. xi . that if we wyll come agen to God , we must beleue . But what shall we beleue ? certes not only the god is which thynge the dyuels also do , but that Iaco. ii . Marc. i. Ephe. ii . he is a rewarder & beneficial father to them that seke hym , as the Apostle teachethe . For althoughe we were dead thorowe synne , & walked after the fashon of this world , euen as men altogyther vngodly and whollye estraunged from all goodnes , yet hath God , which is rytche in mercye , for his great charite , wherwithe he loued vs , quickened & made vs alyue agayne , yea & that thorowe Christ mat . iii. xvii Marc. i. xi . ii . Pet. i. Ioan. iii. Rom. viii . Heb. ix . x. Psal. cix . in whome he hath shewed the abundance & rytches of hys grace , for whose sake also he is well pleased with man , so that he spared not his owne soune , but gaue hym euen vnto the very deathe for our sake , that by that one oblacion of his moost blyssed body , an omnisufficient & perpetuall sacrifice for euer to endure all alone sufficiente , shoulde be offred for them that are sanctified . These thynges to be true the holy scriptures shew euidently Therfore yf we wyll be of God , and come vnto hym , we muste not only beleu●… the God is , but that al these thynges are true , & shall vndoubtedlye chaunse vnto vs , as God hath promysed . For the true & christen fayth cleaueth faste to the worde of God only , & doubteth nothynge therof , as S. Paule sayth , fayth commethe Rom. x. by hearynge , & hearyng by the word of God . Nowe as we ware loste before by beleuynge Satans deceatfull promises , so the only way to be saued is to beleue the swete confort able and infallible promises of God , which he hath made to vs so plenteouslye in the moost precious bloud of his derely beloued son o●…re Lorde & sauiour Iesu Christ . For this fayth maketh vs of the chyldren of the diuell , the sonnes of God , as S. Iohn Ioan. i. testifie the , so many as receaued him , he gaue them power to be made the son sonnes of God , in as muche as they be letted on his name . Also S. Paule Gala. iii. ye are all the sonnes of God , bycause ye haue beleuedi Christ Iesu . Now yf by fayth , we be the sonnes , of God than are we also heyres . Yea verely we are the heyres of god , & fellow hey res with Christ . Agayne by faythe , Rom. viii . Gala. iiii . Oze. ii . are we maried vnto god , as god himselfe witnesseth by his Prophet sayenge , I wyll marye the vnto me in fayth . By fayth also are we iustified & made ryghteous , as S. Paule Roma . v. sayth , we brynge iustified by fayth haue peace with god thorowe oure Lorde Iesus Christ .

Thus se we what an excellent tresure this true & christen fayth is , & howe by that all good thynges chaunse vnto vs , & without that , all that euer Roma . xiiii . we do , must nedes come to nought , & worke to vs damnacion . But seynge that I haue spoken muche of faythe in all my workes almooste , which I haue hytherto set forth , I wyll nowe cease to speake ony more Searche the Christmas Ban●…ket in the thyrd dysh the Pathewaye vnto Prayer in the xvi . Chap. and the Nosegaye in the Seconde floure . &c. of it at this present , & go forth with the residue of Dauids Harpe , only addynge this one thynge , that the fayth , which the scripture so hyghlyauaunceth , is no dead & vnfruit full fayth , but lyuysh & myghty in operacion , beyng alwaye bent and seakynge an occasion to do good , & whan tyme commeth , is no lesse ready to brynge forth good workes , than a woman bygge with chylde is redy to brynge forth her chylde , whan her tyme of delyueraunce is once come , as it followeth .

¶ The seconde strynge . And therfore haue I spoken .

VUe heard before that fayth is the foundacion of the Christen Faith bringeth forth good Workes . religion , the mother & nourse of all godly workes . Which thynge to be true , our Mynstrell prouethe here . For after he hath made mencion of faythe , he syngeth also of good workes . I beleued , sayth he , & therfore haue I spoken . Here se we , that the true & christen fayth worketh euer by charite , whiche extendeth bothe Gala. v. vnto god & our neyghboure . What was the cause that Dauid did speke ? Uerely his fayth . I beleued , saythe Fayth is the cause of all goodnes . he , & therfore haue I spoken . Faythe goeth before , & workes followe . For fyrst he beleued al thinges to be true , which god promised hym in the holy scriptures or otherwyse , as by the mouthe of his holy Prophetes , and therof afterwarde ensewed a verye earnest & feruent loue toward god , which made hym to loue god agen , & to speake those thynges , wherby the glory of god was set forth , & the health of his neyghbour sought , so that by this menes he shewed hymselfe perfectely faythful both before god and man . And this is it , that saynt Paule wryteth , it is beleued wyth Roma . x. Mark wel . the harte vnto ryghteousnes , but with the mouth is confession made vnto helth . A christen man setting before the eyes of his mynde the vnmesurable goodnes of God toward vs thorowe his sonne Christe , & gyuynge earnest fayth therunto , can none otherwise but loue God agen & seake all meanes possible to please hym , to worke his wyll , & to do that which he requireth of him . He is redy at al tymes to bryng forth good workes after the example of Dauid , as to speke the misteries of God , to set forth the glory of God , to publysh his moost holy worde , to brynge all men to the true knowledge of God & euen to engraffe them in the bodye of Christ . All these thinges worketh the quicke & lyuysh fayth in him thorowe the spirite of God . For fayth Behold the nature of true & christen fayth . wyl not suffer him to be idle , but al though thorowe fayth he be deliue red out of captiuite , made the sonne of God , iustified alredy in the sight of God , before he bryngeth forth ony outward good workes , yet doth thys true & christen faythe kyndle such a loue in his hart toward god & the fulfyllynge of his commaundementes , that he hath a perpetual desyre in his mynde to worke that which is good , & whan occasion is giuen , he falleth streytwayes to workynge , not his owne fantasy , but the wyll of God . So that now he doth not only beleue in God , & loue God in his herte , but also brynge for the those workes , which God hath appoynted him , as Dauid sayth , I beleued , & therfore haue I spoken : As though he should say , for as muche as I am fully perswaded of the bounte & goodnes of God towarde me , & beleue that all thynges are true , & shall come to passe vndoubtedly according to his promyse , I can none otherwyse do but worke , & speake those thynges that pertayne vnto his glorye , do what so euer shoulde make vnto the magnifienge of his moost blyssed name , & the edifienge of my neyghbour , though an hundred deathes were im●…inent & hangynge on my heade for so doynge . Euery tree is knowen , sayth Christ , Math. xi●… . Luke . vi . by his fruyte . For there is no good tree , that bringeth forth euel fruite , neyther is ther any euell tree , that bryngeth forth good fruyt . A good man bryngethe for the good fruyte out of the good tresure of his hert , & an euell man out of the euell trea sure of his harte , bryngeth forth euell thynges . For of the abundance of the harte , the mouthe speaketh .

We read in the Actes of the Apostles , that when Peter & Iohn were commaunded of the Bysshops & prestes , that they shoulde speake no more to ony man , nor teache in the name of Iesus christ , they aūwered bold ly & sayd , whyther it be ryghteous in the syght of god to heare you ra ther than god , iudge ye . For we can Act. iiii . none otherwyse do but speke those thinges , that we haue sene or heard . Marke that they sayde , we can do none otherwyse but speake . Howe chaunsed it that Peter ( as I may speke nothyng of Iohn ) was nowe bolde Math. x●…vi Mar. xiiii . Luke . xxii . Ioan. xviii . to speake , and confesse the name of Christ without feare before the hed prestes & magistrates of the Temple whiche not many monethes paste , was not only afearde to confesse him before a poore mayde , but also forsware Christ , denyed hym vtterly , & sayde playnely he neuer knewe the man ? Howe commethe it to passe , that Peter is now become another man ? Before he had no commaundemente of the Byshoppes to speke no more of Christ , and yet he vtterly denyed hym , & nowe whan he is commaunded Act. iiii . to holde his peace , he wyll not , but aunswereth boldly , we can none otherwyse do but speake those thynges , that we haue sene & heard . Howe commeth this to passe ? Uerely of the great efficacy , vertue , strength , and power of his fayth , which God had gyuen hym by his holy spirite . His Math. xvi . fayth was nowe so stedfast on God & his loue so feruente , that the gates of hell coulde not preuayle ageynst hym , nor driue him from doyng those thynges , that shoulde make vnto the glory of God , and the healthe of his neyghbour , as we maye perceue by the History . For notwithstondyng the commaundement of the Bysshop ●…es , he went forthe & preached in the name of Christe , & conuerted many vnto the christen fayth , & whan the head prestes sayd vnto hym & vnto that other Apostles , dyd not we streightly commaund you , that ye should not teach in this name ? And behold ye haue fylled Ierusalem full of your doctrine , & ye wyll brynge the bloud of this man vpon vs . Peter & the Act. v. Gene. xxvi . Exo. xv . Deu. xi . xxx Actum . v. other Apostles aunswered & sayde : We muste obey God rather than men . Afterwarde also when they were whypped , & so sent away , receauig a commaundement , that they should no more speke in the name of Iesus , they went awaye from the syght of the councel , reioycynge and beyng glad , that they ware counted worthy to suffer rebuke for the name of Christ . And for al the cōmasidemēt of the Bysshops they ceased not daye ly both in the temple & in euery house to teach and to shewe Iesus Christ .

Here se we both by our Mistrell dauid , & the apostles of Christ , how Note . myghty in power the true & christen fayth is & that it is neuer without that consent of doyng good workes , and whan occasion is offered , it worketh in dede , yea and that those workes , whiche are commaunded of God .

Let euery man nowe consither his owne faythe , & take hede he be An admonicion for Fayth . not deceaned . Many in these oure dayes glorye muche of the name of fayth , & contende maynly , that we are iustified only & frely by faythe , yea & that without workes . Let no man deceaue him selfe . Fayth , I , is an excellente treasure , & the gyfte of God , wythoute the whiche no man can be saued , nor obtayne onye parte of Christes merites , butte yette for all that , if it be not accompanyedde withe a continuall purpose of doige good workes , yea & also brynge them forth , whan occasion is gyuen , surely it is but a vayne & dead fayth , as S. Iames wryghteth , Ia●…ob . it Galla. . v. yea to saye the trueth , it is no fayth in dede , at the least no true , liuish & christen fayth , which is mighty in operacion & worketh by chari te . We se manifeste fruytes followe the fayth of Dauid & the Apostles . Let vs also bringe forth good workes , & so maye we be sure , that we haue in vs the true & christen fayth , which is so precious a thyng in the syght of God .

Arte thou a magistrate & gouernoure Rulare . of the common weale ? If thou wylte shewe thy selfe to haue true fayth in god , bryng forth good , & such as become thy office and callynge . Exercyse iustice . Do no wronge . Be mercifull . Spoyle not the poore man . Helpe the conforteles . Ponyshe vice , mayntayne vertue . So shalte thou be assured to hau the true & christen fayth in the.

Arte thou a Bysshop or Preste ? preache the worde of God purelye . Byshop or Preste . Set forthe the glory of God aboue all thynges . Seake the saluacion of Christes flocke . Be an example to thy parishners of honest & godly conuersacion uersacion . Exhorte vnto vertue . Fraye awaye from vice . If thou doste this , than nedeste thou not doubte of thy fayth .

Arte thou a father or mother , Father or Mother . Master or Mastres master or mastres ? Bryng than vp thy family in the nourtoure of the Lorde , & so arte thou truely faythfull .

Arte thou a maryed man ? Loke Maryed man . thou cleaue only to thy wyfe , loue her as thyne owne flesh , & as christ loued the Congregacion . So shall thy fayth appeare to be vnfayned .

Arte thou a maried woman ? Be obedient to thyne owne husbonde , Maryed wo man . & seake aboue all thynges to please hym , & so shalte thou shewe thy selfe to be truely faythfull .

Arte thou a subiecte or seruaunt ? Subiecte or seruaunte . Obey than wythe a glad & humble harte thy superiours , rulers & masters . So shalte thou be found not vnfaythfull .

To be short , in what so euer state God hathe set the , lyue accordynge A general admonicion for al estates . therunto , & in thy office & callynge seake euermore the glory of God , & the health of thy neyghboure . If thou doste this , than shalte thou shew thy selfe to be no vayne man , but faythfull & true in thy profession . But if thou doste the contrarye , crake thou neuer so muche of thy faythe , yet te doth it profyt the nothynge at all , but rather encreaseth thy damnacion , seynge thou arte an Hypocrite & dissembler both before God & man . Certes if thou hast the true faythe in the , thou shalte be so enflamed with Behold●… what . 〈◊〉 true fay●… worketh●… Christ●…n ●…an . Rom viii . the loue of God , & disposed vnto all goodnes that thou wylte not feare to saye with S. Paule , who shall seperate vs from the loue of God : shall trouble do it ? or anguysh ? or persecucion ? or hunger ? or nakednes ? or perrell ? or sword ? as it is wrytten , for thy sake are we kylled all the day longe , y●… we are counted as shepe appoynted to be slayn . Neuertheles Psal. ●…iii . in all these thynges we ouercome far re , for his sake that loued vs For I am sure , that neither deth nor life , nother Aungel , nor rule , nother power , no ther thynges present , nother thynges to come , nother height nor loweth , nor ony other creature shall be able to seperate vs from the loue of God , which is in Christe Iesu oure Lorde . Agayne he sayth , I am not Act. xxi . only redy to be bounde , but also to dye for the name of the Lorde Iesus . So mighty a thyng is fayth , that it neyther feareth manacinge wordes , cruell threates , sharpe lookes , empresoning , fetters , chenes , fagottes , fyre , nor what so euer tyranny all the tyrauntes of the worlde can inuent . It maketh the parson , whose hert it occupieth , to be so●… flamed & set on fyre with the loue of God , & the Persecucion followeth the confession of Gods worde . desyre of doynge his wyll . Wylte thou heare me ? If thou beleue aright in God & workeste accordynge to thy fayth , confessyng Christ & his worde boldely and vnfaynedly before the world , thou mayst be sure to fynde lytle fauour at the handes of carnal & worldly men , as thou shalte easly perceaue by that which followeth .

¶ The thyrde strynge . But I was very sore troubled .

AFter that our Mynstrel hath made mencion of fayth & of spe kynge the worde of God ( whereby are to be vnderstande all good workes that procede & come forth oute of faythe ) he nowe syngethe of the Crosse , & sheweth that he was very sore troubled , greuously thretened , vncharitably blasphemed , euell reported , maliciously persecuted , cru elly handled , & suffered al kyndes of tormentes for vtteryng & declaring the word of God . I beleued , sayth he & therfore haue I spoken , but I was very sore troubled . Here se we that as good workes followe faythe , so doth persecucion follow the confession of Gods worde . For this cause doth S. Paule caull the gospell of i. Cor. i. Christe , the worde of the Crosse , bycause it bryngeth persecucion trouble , blasphemies , slaunders , euell reportes , empresonment , honger , thirst , cold , nakednes , pouerte , losse of frendes , yea & at the last very death oftentimes to so many as cleaue vnto it valeauntly . Christes worde & the Crosse are compagnions Note . inseperable . As the shadowe followethe the body , so doth the Crosse followe the worde of Christ . And as fyre & heat can not be seperated , so can not the Gospel of Christ & the crosse be plucked asunde●… . Let vs call to remembraunce so many as from the fyrste age of the world fauoured god and his word , & howmanye shal we fid that escaped withoute the Crosse one waye or other ? as I may leaue of to speke of all the other olde and aunciente Patriarches , & at this tyme onlye take ryghteous Abell for an example , whiche of all men shewed the first example of pure innocencye and of a thankefull harte toward God for his benefites , was not he shortely Gene. iiii . slayne of his bloudy brother cruell Cain , yea & that onlye bycause his owne workes were noughte , & hys i. Ioan. iii. brothers good , as the scripture testifieth As fyre & water put togyther The good & the euell . can 〈◊〉 agree . fighte , stryue & are euer at debate , tyl one hath swallowed vp another deuoured one another , ouercome one another , so lykewyse so long as good & euell dwell togyther in this worlde , there shall be a perpetuall discension betwene them . The euel wyll euer hate the good , & neuer be at reste tyl the innocent be had out of the way , not that the good doth Note thys well . ony displeasures vnto the euel , but that the euell can not awaye with the good , no more than the rauening wolfe canne awaye with the poore harmeles shepe , or the hongry hauke with the simple doue , as Christ sayth , The Prince of this worlde commeth , Ioan. xiiii & yet hath he nothyng agaynst me Howe lytell fauoure also dyd Moses & Aaron fynde amonge the diso bedient Iewes after they brought Exo. xvi . and. xvii . them out of captiuite from the londe of Egipte ? Were not they many in daunger of theyr lyues for all theyr labour & payne that they toke for theyr healthe & saluacion ? How ware the Prophetes handled , Math. v. Luke . xiii . iiii . Esd. i. Mat. xxiii . Heb. xi . ii . P●… xxiiii whiche preached in the name of the Lord ? Were not some stoned to deth ? Some slayn with swerd ? Some sawne in peces ? As I mayepasse ouer holy men , Iacob , Ioseph , Dauid Helias , Ananias , Azarias , Misael Tobias , Eleazarus , the mother among 〈◊〉 . Ma●… . vii . Exo xii . Ioan. i. i. Petre. ii . ●…say . liii . i. Ioan. iii. ii . Cor. v Math. xi . Luke . vii . Ioan. viii . x Mat. xvii . Marke . xv . Luke . ●…xii . Ioan. ix . Mat ix . xii Marc. i. the Machabites , & her seuen sonnes , wythe other innumerable , whiche ether suffered deathe , or els great trouble & persecucion for the glorye of God : Howe was Christe that lambe of God without spot which dyd neuer no syn , in whose mouth there was neuer ony gyle & deceat found handled in this worlde ? How was he rayled vpon so sone as he began to speake & preache the worde of his celestiall father ? Was he not called a glotton ? A wyne bybber ? A frend to Publicans , harlottes & synners ? A deceyuer of the people ? A madde person ? A Samaritan ? A breaker of the Sabboth day ? A Heretyke ? A destroyer of the Temple ? An ene my to our mother the holy chyrch ? A Traytoure ? A forbydder to paye tribute vnto Cesar ? And such a one as woulde marre altogyther , yf he were suffred longe ? Was he not reported to worke his miracles & to cast out diuels by the helpe of Beel zebub prince of the dyuelles ? Was not his doctrine counted new learnynge ? What dyd he at ony tyme , althoughe neuer so good & godly , that the worlde dyd not discommend and condempne ? Dyd not theyr malice at the last growe vnto suche fury , that they neuer ceased , vntyll they Phil. ii . Mark . had put hym vnto deth , yea & that the moost spitefull deathe , that coulde be inuented , euen the deathe of the crosse , hangynge hym betwene two theues , as the principal malefactour & chefe captayne of all wickednes ? Agayne howe were the Apostles of Christe entreated ? Uerely euen as theyr mayster was before them . How ofte were they slaundered , layd watche Act. iiii v. xiii . xiiii . Act. xii . Act. vii . for thretened , beaten , whypped scourged , put in preson , caste out of cities , stonned , & dragged out of the townes for dead ? Howe many also of them were slayne ? Some withe stones , some with sweard , some other wyse ? How were both they & theyr doctrine blaspemed & euell spoken of ? Were not they reported & accused Ac. xvi . xvii . before the magistrates , princes & rulers , that they were suche pesti ferous fellowes , as troubled the common weale , yea al the worlde , made insurreccions , raysed vp sedicions , gathered togyther vnlawful assem blies , wrought contrary to the decre es of Cesar , makyng another kyng euen Christe ? Were not they called vayne bablers ? Tydynges bearers of newe dyuels ? Sowers of straung & newe doctrine ? It is therfore no newe thyng for the prechers of goddes worde & the earnest louers of the holye Scripture to be thus rayled vpon , slaundered , euell spoken of , persecuted , & put to death euen for the glory of God & shewyng of the trueth What nede I rehearse the innume rable companies of the holy martyres , Martyrs . which syns the Apostles tyme for the testimony & witnes of Gods worde haue suffered great persecucion , and at the last cruell death ? Read the Hystories , who that lysteth , & he shal sone perceaue , that persecucion hath euer Persecucion maketh Gods word & the chyrch of Christ to floryshe . followed the true preachyng of god des word , & that the chyrche of Christ hath than moost floryshed in all kind of vertue , & the christen fayth bene moost strong , whan there was moost extreme persecucion . For the bloud of the holye martyrs is the water , wherwith the gospell of Christ is watered & made to grow . So that per secucion hyndreth not the glory of the gospell , as the Nerolyke Tyrauntes Beholde . iudge , but furdereth it greatly And where mooste persecucion is , there doth Gods worde moost of al florysh . Nothyng hyndreth the fayth of Christ so much , as carnall securite & flesshly quietnes . For where all thynges are accordyng to the ☞ appetite & desyre of the fleshe , ther raygne beastlyke manners , there is no care of God , no inuocacion of the LORDES name , no study of diuine religi on , no meditacion in the holy scriptures , no regarde of the poore people , no desyre of innocent lyfe . But whan persecucion once commeth for the worde of God , than is God called vpon with moost harty & feruēprayers , than are the holy scriptures searched , than do men study for the amedment of lyfe , than do they seke the accomplishment of gods moost holy wyll , than are they altogither desyrous of celestiall thynges , and vtterly contemne & set at noughte We ought to reiose in the tyme of persecution . what so euer pleseth the eies of carnall men in this worlde . Therfore whan persecucion commeth for righteousnes sake , let vs not despayre , but make oure selues conformable to the wyll of God , reioyce & be merry . Let vs set before our eies the ex amples of Christ & of all his chyrch , euen from the begynnynge of the worlde , Abel , Abraham , Isaac , Iacob , the people of Israel in Egipte , Dauid , Iosias , the Prophetes and apostles . We must , sayth S. Paule Rom. viii . be made lyke vnto the ymage of the sonne of God . If our elder brother Christ possessed not the eternall enheretaunce , but by the Crosse , shall we that are of a meaner sorte thike to enioye it after a more easy sorte ? To whome is this sayenge vnknowen . By many tribulacions we must Act. xiiii . enter into the kyngdome of God . Christ bare the crosse , but he bare it not awaye with hym , but lefte it here behynd hym to be borne of vs also , yf we wyll be hys Disciples , as he sayth , yf any man commeth vnto me , & hatethe not his father & mother , Luke . xiiii . wyfe , chyldren & systers , yea & hys owne lyfe , he can not be my disciple . And who so euer bearethe not hys Math. x. Luke . vi . Ioan. xiii . xv . crosse & comme the after me , he can not be me disciple . The disciple is not aboue the mayster , nor the seruaunt aboue his Lord . It is inough that the disciple be lyke his master , & the seruaunte lyke his Lorde . If they haue called the father of the house holde Beelzebu●… , howe much more shall they so call them , that be of his houshold ? If the world hate you , ye knowe that it hated me before you . Because ye are not of the worlde , but I haue chosen you out of the worlde , therfore doth the worlde hate you . Remember the worde that I sayde vnto you , the seruaunt is not greater than his Lorde . If they haue per secuted me , they shall also persecute you . If they haue kepte my worde , they shall also kepe yours . But all theise thynges shall they do to you for my names sake , bycause they haue not knowen hym , that hathe sente me . Uerely verely I saye vnto you , ye shall wepe & lamente , but Ioan. xvi . the worlde shall reioyce . Ye shall be sad , but your sadnes shal be turned into ioye . In the world ye shal haue affliccion and trouble , but be on a good conforte , for I haue ouercome the world . Blessed are they that suffer persecucion for righteousnes sake , for vnto them belongeth the kynge dome of heauen . Blyssed are ye , when men shal reuile you & persecute you , Math. v. & speake euery euell worde agaynst you , lyenge for my sake . Reioyce & be mery , for great is your rewarde in heauen . S. Peter also sayth , dere i. Pet. iiii . lye beloued meruayle not , whan ye be proued by fyre , whiche thynge is done to trye you , as thoughe some straunge & newe thynge chaunsed vnto you , but rather reioyse in that ye are partakers of the passions and troubles of Christe , that whan his glory shall appeare , ye maye also be mery & reioyse . If ye be reuyled for the name of Christe , blyssed are ye , for the spirite , whiche is the spirite of glory & of God , resteth vpon you Hereto pertaynethe the sayenge of ii . Tim. ii . S. Paule , this is a true sayenge , if we be dead with hym , we shall lyue with him also . If we suffer togither we shall also reygne withe hym . If we deny hym , he also shall deny vs . If we be vnfaythfull , yet abydethe he faythfull , he can not denye hym selfe .

Of all theise scriptures it is euident , Persecucion is a token of Gods loue toward vs . that it is no sorowful , but ioy full thynge to suffer persecucion for ryghteousnes sake , for the glorye of God , & the promocion of his moost blyssed worde . Neither is it a token of gods wrath , but rather of his sin gulare beneuolence and hygh good wyll towarde them , whiche are troubled for his sake . For yf they be hap pye , to whome it is gyuen to beleue in Christe , howe moche more happy & fortunate are they , to whom it is not onlye gyuen to beleue in hym , but also to suffer for him . S Paule Phil. i. reioyced greatly in the Philippians because it was gyuen them , not on ly to beleue in Christ , but also to suffer for his sake . For hereby are they assured to be Christes disciples , and are abundantly certified that God loueth them , carethe for them , and hathe prepared for them a glorious & celestiall mansion . Rede the. xii . chapter to the Heb. for thy conforte .

Therfore as Dauid techethe vs here , let vs fyrst beleue stedfastly in God , & afterward confesse that open ly before the worlde , whiche we beleue Math. x. Marc. viii . Luke . ix . and. xii . in oure hartes , remembrynge these wordes of Christ , who so euer shall confesse me before men , I wyll confesse hym also before my father , which is in heauen . But who so euer shall deny me before men , I shall deny him also before my father , which is in heauen . And if it be the wyl of oure heauenlye father , that we be persecuted , troubled , & greuouslye vexed for the confession of his trueth , let vs not therfore feare to confesse the Lorde Christ , but as good souldiours ii . Tim. ii . of Iesus Christ , valeauntly suffer affliccion , yea very deth , yf the glory of God so requirethe , beynge assuredlye perswaded , that by this meanes not only God shal be great ly glorified , & his holy gospell large ly promoted , but also that we for thys shorte trouble shal receaue perpetu all reste , for this corruptible life , immortall glory , for the vayne pleasures of thys worlde eternall felicite and euerlastyng ioye worldes with oute ende . Amen .

But lette vs heare what Dauid spake , that he was so sore troubled .

¶ The seconde verse . I sayde beynge as it ware in a traunse / euery man is a lyare . ¶ The fourth strynge .

NO meruayle in dede thoughe our Mynstrell Dauid sayth , What the occasion was that Dauid was so foretroubled that he was sore troubled for speakynge . For he syngethe a verye homely songe lytle pleasaunte and swete to the eares of beastlyke , carnall & flesshely men . Who can abyde to be called a liare , yea & that without ony reuerence taken ? yet he shameth not to speake vniuersally , & to saye that euery man is a lyer , withoute excepcion . Surely me thyncke that Dauid wanteth here the chefe poynt The chefe poynte of a Mynstrel & of a syngynge man is to lye & flatter . of a Mynstrell & of a syngyng man , whiche is to lye & flatter , or at the leaste to fasshon his songe according vnto the audience , & with his singing to please so many as heare hym . Is Dauid nowe become a man of so lytle experience , that he thinketh the holy Pharisees , the wise Scribes , the learned Byshoppes , the deuout Prestes , the godly rulars of the temple . &c. could be contented to be called liars , which would be noted tho rowe out all the world to be the princi pall teachers of all verite & trueth , & alone to haue the key of knowledge Undoubtedly Dauid kept shepe to longe for to be a Mynstrell to such delycate & softe religious parsons . But Dauid was a good playne , simple , & homely man brought vp in the countre , & endewed with that spirite , wherwith S. Paule was , whan he Gala , i. sayde , If I dyd please men , I should not be the seruaunt of Christ●… . For euen as Iohn Baptist , whan he saw many of the Pharises & Saduces con Math. iii. Luke . iii. myng vnto his baptisme , called them the generacion of vipers for al theyr glysteryng hypocrysy & fayned holynes , & as Christ called the Scribes Math. xxiii & Pharises blynd gydes , strayning oute a gnat but swalowing vp a ca mel , paynted sepulchres , outwarde ly in apperaunce righteous before men , but inwardly ful of hypocrisy & iniquite , & as S. Paule called Ana Act. xxiii . nias the hygh preste a paynted wall , bycause more lyke a bocher than a Bysshop , he commaunded them that stode aboute hym to smyte Paule on the mouth contrary to al equite & iustice , whan he should haue pourged hymselfe before the councell of the Articles layd agaynst him , euen so Dauid can none otherwyse but call hym that is a lyar , a lyare in dede . He can not beare fyre in one hande & water in the other . He canne not playe placebo . He is none of those , that saye all is well , when altogyther is starke nought . He is no dissembler , his harte & his tong goeth togither . He is as playne as a pack staffe . For as the trueth is , so speaketh he , hauyng respecte neither to the parson nor to the tyme . He seakethe the glory of God , & not to satisfy the vayne fantasy of man . He hadde rather suffer greate rebuke , moche trouble , extreme persecucion , yea very death , than that Goddes glory should in ony parte be obscured thorow his faynynge flattery . God sende vs fewer gnathos & mo AMEN . good Lorde Dauids . But lette vs retourne to oure songe .

I sayde beynge as it were in a traunse , sayth he , euery man is a ly are . Before Dauid confesseth that euery man is a lyare , it is to be noted that he sayth , he was in a trauns that is to say , in a dampe , a stupour , abasshement , & soden preuacion of sence or fealyng , as whan a man is so rapte into another kynd or state that he forgetteth himselfe , or semeth to be in another world , as they vse to saye . For all this doth the greke worde Ecstasis sound . A lyke thynge we read of S. Paule in the seconde Epistle to the Corinthians . ii . Cor. xii .

It is necessary in dede , that Dauid What Dauids tra●…s signyfye . shoulde be in this Ecstasy & traunce that is , that he should be transformed into another man , renewed by the holy ghoste , illumined with diuine knowledge , lyfted vp to y● cōtēplac●… on of heuenly thinges , & haue his mind wholly rapte & plucked from carnali te vnto spirituall & ghostlye matters , or elles coulde he neuer haue confessed this infallible trueth , that euery man is a lyare . For a naturall man dothe not perceaue those thynges that pertayne vnto the spirite of God . For they are folyshnes vnto hym , neyther can he vnderstand them , because they be spiritually i. Cor. ii . Math. xii . iudged . Howe can a man speake good thynges , whan he hym selfe is euell ? Can blessyng & cursyng come both out of one mouth ? Doth a fountayn Lnke . vi . Iacob . iii. sende for the at one place swete water & bytter also ? Can a fygge tree ●…eare Olyue berys , eyther a vyne beare figges ? Of the aboundaunce of the hart , the mouth speaketh . He Ioan. iii. . that is of the earth , is earthly , and speaketh of the earth , but he whom god hath sent , speaketh the wordes of God . Euery man speaketh , as he is . The chyldren of truethe , speake trueth , & the sonnes of a lying seed speke lyes & falshode . Now is dauid no moresuch a manne , as of nature is a lyare , butte he is regenerate , & borne anewe of the holy ghost , & is no moreof that false & lying seed , which deceyueth accordynge to the nature , Ioan. viii . ingeny & proper●…e of Satan , which is a lyare , & the father of all lyinge , & therfore confessethe he nowe another tale , than he would haue done before his regeneracion & new byrth He woulde before haue glorified in The nature of flesh . hymselfe , in his flesh , in his bloude , in his strength , wisdome , polecy , ritches , holynes , good workes , and all that euer he dyd , ( for that is the nature of al flesh ) and haue fought man fully agaynst them that condemne the Hypocrisy , fayned holynes , iniquite & vnrighteousnes of the flesh but nowe beynge nourtered in the discipline of Gods trueth , he freely grauntethe euery man of his owne nature to be nothynge but a lyare which thynge S. Paule also affirmeth in his Epistle to the Romans . Rom. iii. What we are of ou●… selues .

Hereof maye we learne what we are of our selues , howe blynde and vnapte of oure owne nature to aspire , breath , or come to ony poynte of true godlynes & godly trueth with out the inspiracion of Gods spirite . It is not wythout a cause sayde of Gen. vi . God , My spirite shall not dwell for euer in man , for he is flesh , If we be lefte vnto oure selues , than are we nothynge but lyars , that is to saye Note . beastlyke , wicked , folyshe , vngodly , thynkynge all abhominacion , breathynge all noughtynes , speakynge all wickednes , doynge all mischefe , & euen suche without faynynge as we were leafte of oure fyrste father Adam after the transgression of Goddes Gene. iii. precepte , that is to saye , naked , voyd of all goodnes , replete with al euell . Therfore before we can Searche the Newes out of heauen . sauour aright ony godlynes , & worke that which is accceptable in the syght of God , & healthfull to oure soules , we must be in this traunce , into the which Dauid was cast , we must be transformed into another nature , & lyfted vp vnto the contemplacion of diuine & celestiall thynges . But Psal. ●…xv . Rom. iii. ii . Cor. iii this canne not come to passe of our owne strengthes , whiche are lyars of our selues , & not able to thyncke a good thought , but by the helpe of gods spirite , which workethe in vs both the wyll & the dede . For Christ Phil. ii . Ioan. vi . Esay . ●…iii . iii Iere. xxxi . sayth , no man can come vnto me , excepte my father drawethe hym , & I shall reyse hym vp at the last daye . It is written in the Prophettes , Al shall be taught of God . Euery one therfore that hath heard of the father , & hathe learned , commeth vnto Ioan. xv . me . I gayne , withoute me ye can do no thynge . Whan Peter confessed Christ to be the sonne of the lyuyng God , he sayd vnto him : Blyssed art Math. xvi . thou Simon the sonne of Ionas , for flesh & bloude hath not openned that vnto the , but my father which is in heauen .

Here se we that flesshe & bloud , that is , all that euer we haue of our selues , & of our forfather synful Adam , can not : attayne vnto the intelligence of the diuine misteries , & vnderstandynge of Gods truethe , excepte we Ioan. vi . be drawne of the father by his holy spirite . Nowe that we maye therfore come vnto this true knowlege of God , & of his trueth , let vs pray with that spouse . Drawe me after that so shal we ron in the swete sauourof Cant. i. thyne oyntmentes . So shal we be sure not only to become new men , but al so with a free & wylling hart graunt with Dauid that euery man is a lyare .

Euery man is a lyare , saythe he . This is to be vnderstand before he Howe euery man is a ly●…e . be regenerate & borne anew by the seconde byrth , not in Adam , but in Christ . For so many as haue put of the olde man Adam , & put on the new man Christ , so many are no more men if we haue respecte vnto theyr spirituall regeneracion , but Gods , as the holy scripture saithe ye are gods & all of you are the sonnes of the moost Psal. ●…xxxi Ioan. x hygheste . But all that haue not on the Lorde Iesus Christe , remayne styll lyars , & all that euer they do or speake withoute Christ & his moost holy word , is nothynge but a very lye , and mere fansy , a mad dotage , semeth it neuer so tru in the iuge ment of carnall reason . And this false & lyenge corrupcion commeth not of God ( for God is not the Author of Psal. v. Iacob . i. sinne , nor one that wylony vnrigh teousnes , neyther tempteth he ony man vnto euell , as s. Iames sayth ) but of Satan the mortal enemy of mankynde , which lying full craftely Gen. iii. vnto Eue , & sowyng this seed in her , & she in Adam , & Adam in all hys posterite , brought vs into this damnable & false lyinge state , so that by nature , as S. Paule sayth . We are all borne the sonnes of wrath , & all Ephe. ii . that euer we do of our selues without the spirite of God , is lyinge , false , Ioan. iii. wicked , vnfaythfull , & detestable be fore God , as Christ testifieth , That which is borne of flesh , is flesh . Also S. Paule , All that is not grounded on fayth , is synne . Rom. xiiii .

Of this salse and lying seed was Gen. iiii . Cain , which s●…ewe his brother Ab●… Lyars of the old Te●…tament . with innumerable mo of the olde Testament , euen so many as attempted ony thynge at all contrary to God des moost holy wyll , as banyshyng Goddes worde , sheddyng innocent bloud , kyllynge the true Prophettes of God , setting vp straung worshyppynges of newe Idols , proclamynge other gods , than the one and alone God of Israel . &c. In the new Testament also ther ware many li Lyars of the new Test. ars , as Bishoppes , head prestes , pre stes , masters of the Temple , Lawers Scribes , Pharises , Saduces with an innumerable company of Iewes , which all resisted Christ , condemned his preachynge , obscured the glory of his miracles , hyndred the honoure of God , belied the verite of Goddes worde , slaundered the gospell , blasphemed Christe & his Apostles , neuer ceasyng vntyl they had broght both hym and his vnto theyr finall destruccion as they thought . After Lyars after the apostles tyme . them dyd ther aryse a great swarme of pestilente lyars , as Heretykes , Schismatykes , & false Christians . Of this nomber was Ebion , Marcion , and Cherinthus , which denyed Christ to be God from euerlastyng agenst whome S. Iohn dyd write his Gospell : Catarus & Nouatus , whiche affirmed , that they whiche dyd fall after Baptisme ought not to be receaued agayne , neither can they obtayne remission of theyr sinnes : Eutiches , which denied Christ to be both God & man : Montanus Marcion , & Manicheus which condemned bothe mariages & meates , as thynges vnpure : Arrius , Pelagius , Artemon , Sabellius , Paulus Samosetanus , with other innumerable , which dyd sowe much diuision in the chyrche of Christ , & brought in many pestilent & detestable heresis . All theyse ware lyars , bycause they were without the spirite of god , and inuented sectes & opinions of theyr owne braynes without the authorite of Goddes worde , so easye a thynge is it for men to erre , to deceaue & to be deceaued , whan they leane not to the holy scriptures , but to theyr owne iudgementes and fantasies .

And would God that all lyinge were onlye founde in them , whome I haue rehersed hytherto , than were it well with Christes chyrche . But who that euer lyued , Christe alone excepte , hathe not shewed hymselfe in some poynte to be a man , that is to say , a lyer ? Peter confessed christ to be the sonne of the lyuyng God , Mat. xvi . & therfore was he called blissed , and promised that agaynst that confession of his faythe , hell gates shoulde not preuaile , yet when he afterward Math. xxvi denied Christ and forsware hym , he shewed hymselfe to be a man , that is , a very lyare , so feble and of no strength are we , if we be not endewed with valeaunce , myght , & power from aboue . I here frely confesse , that nexte vnto the holye scriptures , I The myud of the autho●… concerning the Doctors owe the chefe & principall honoure to the writynges of the Catholyke Doctors , to whome I cleaue as vnto an holy Ancker , whom I follow as great lyghtes to shewe me howe I maye walke in the waye of trueth , whome I reuerence as my mooste faythefull teachers , yet dare I not approue & allowe them in all thynges , The Doc tors also are lyars in some poyntes bycause in some poyntes they haue shewed themselues men , & haue manifestly erred agaynst the open trueth of Gods worde , as it is not vnknowen to them , that be diligent ly exercised in the readyng of theyr workes . And for an example I wyl here reherse . ii . or . iii. not to their reproche , but to admonysshe all men , what we are of our selues & that no man should be sworne & wholly addicte to the doctrine & teachynge of ony man , be he neuer so holy & learned , excepte it agreeth with the holy Scriptures .

Origen was vndoubted a famous Doctor , & dyd write very excellent Origen . ly of diuers matters concernyng the purite of christen religion , yet shewed he hymselfe to be a man & very lyare , whan he fayned that the paynes of the dyuels & of the damned should cease in time to come , & that they should be saued .

Tertullian was a man of great Tertullian learnyng , & dyd wryte many thynges very godly , yet did he erre , when he condemned the second mariages in a christen man . He maketh his argu ment on this manner : Thou mayste not mary the wyfe of thy brother beyng dead . He that maryeth a wydowe lefte of a christen man , maryeth the wyfe of his brother beynge dead . Ergo he doth not well . This & certayne other thynges he wryteth not very godly , shewynge him selfe to be a very man , that is to say a lyare .

Cypriane was an excellent clarke , and died for the faythe of Christ Cyprian . leauynge many godly worckes behynd hym , yet dyd the auncient fathers of Christes chyrch condemne this his opinion , that they , whiche were baptised of Heretykes , ought to be baptised agayne .

I passe ouer many other ecclesiasticall wryters , which wante not theyr errours , neyther haue they in all poyntes so circumspectely writ ten , but that theyr faultes may easly be perceaued of them , that haue whole , true , good & pure iudgementes in the holy scripture . For they haue declared them selues not in few thinges to be men & lyars , therfore are they to be beleued no further , Marke . than the worde of God mayntayneth them . That whiche they haue written well , let vs receaue & gyue God thankes for it , confessing that it came to passe by the instincte of his mooste holy Spirite , & not by theyr owne polecy , wyt , reason , eloquence & learnynge . But that wherin they haue erred , let vs charitably●… enterpret , take it into the best parte , & couer theyr faultes , consythering that they were men , & both myght and dede erre , as S. Austen withe other dydboth confesse , graunt and wryte of them selues .

And this I desyre all men that be ghostely learned , & walke after the order of charite to vnderstond also The protestacion of the Author concernyng hys workes of all my workes , which I haue hytherto wrytten , or shall here after , if the wyll of God so be , & to beleue them no further than the holy scripture testifye that they be true .

For I am a manne and a lyarre of my selfe , and therfore maye I erre so well as mannye learnedde and auncient Doctors haue done before me . Let God alone be true , & euery Rom. iii. man a lyare . Let the spirite of charite and not of contencion reygne amonge vs . If we erre , let vs charitably monysshe one another , beare one with another , instruct one ano ther , & not streightwayes furiously condemne what so euer at the fyrst blushe lyketh not our carnal iudge mentes , no nor yet at euery lytyll faulte be redy to caste the ignorant offenders into preson , chenes , stockes & fyre . If ony man doth not of ●…end with his tonge , sayth S. Iames Iacob . iii. he is a perfecte man . Let vs follow the long sufferaunce of God , which ●…aciētly abydeth our amendment . Act. viii . If God had taken away Paule out of this lyfe , whan so tyraūtlyke he ●…ersecuted the Chyrche of Christe , ●…aule had neuer be made of a wolfe a lambe , of a persecutoure an Apostle , of a blasphemer a true precher , of an Heretyke ketcher , a faythfull Euangelist . They that are stronge Rom. 〈◊〉 ●…ia . vi . ought to beare the weaknes of them that be infirme & weake and not to stonde in theyr owne conceates . They ought so to order them selues , that they should please theyr neyghbour vnto his wealthe & edifienge . For Christe pleased not hym selfe . Wherfore we ought to receaue one another , euen as Christ hath receaued vs vnto the glory of God , and to beare one anothers burden , seing that we be all members of one body , & haue one heade , whiche is Iesus Christ .

Besydes these aforsayd , the vngodly Lyars of out tyme . Byshop of Rome & al his wicked kygedome are lyars , & all theyr decrees , actes , lawes , constitucions , councelles . &c. that syght with goddes worde , are lyes , & very mad ●…an tafies , by no meanes to be beleued of ony faythfull harte .

Agayne all Hypocrites , Sacramentaries , Anabaptistes , & all authors of false sectes , are lyars . To conclude , so many as dissente from God & his moost blyssed worde , are lyars , whither it be in doctrine , teachyng , lyuynge , manners , conuersacion or otherwyse .

Thus se we what we are of our selues , euen very lyars , & into what great captiuite we be throwen tho row Adam , & that we can not by our owne strengthes be deliuered from this bondage , but only by the spirite of hym , which sayth . If the sonne Ioan. viii maketh you free , than are ye fre in dede . For where the spirite of the LORDE ii . ●…or . iii. Ioan. ●…iiii . and ●…vi . 1. Ioan. ii . is , there is liberte . Therfore that we maye haue that vnccion & annoyntyng in vs , I meane the holy Ghost , that maye teache vs all trueth , we muste with continuall prayers resorte vnto oure heauenly father : Luke . xi . Math. vii . Rom. x. Ioan. iiii . whiche vndoubtedlye wyll gyue a good spirite , to so many as aske it of hym . For he is a beneficiall Lord sufficiently rytch for so many as call on him in spirite , and trueth , as it followeth .

¶ The thyrde verse . Uvhat shall I gyue agen vnto the Lord for al those thynges / that he hath gyuen me . ¶ The fyfte strynge .

AFter that our Mynstrell Dauid hath diligently pondered with hiselfe , what he is of his owne nature , euen a very lyare , and one that is replete with all synne & iniquite , thynkyng , breathynge , speakynge and doynge all that euer is nought & vnthankefull in the sight of God , & whan on the othersyde he hath agayne consydered howe that God of his mere marcy , fre bounte & vnspeakable goodnes hath deliuered hym from all these greuo us enor mities without his merites or desertes , he begynneth nowe to delighte no more in carnall & transitory thinges , but in spirituall and heauenly thynges , & weyeth , pondreth , & considerethe howe he maye shewe hym selfe thanckefull agayne vnto God for the innumerable benefites , which he hath receaued at the hand of God . What shall I gyue agen , saythe he , vnto the LORDE for all those thynges , that he hath gyuen me ? O kynd & thanckefull harte , farre estraunged from al ingratitude & vnthanke fulnes . He knowethe full well , that to recompence & make God amendes for the kyndnes that he hathe shewed vnto him , it lieth not in his power , notwithstandyng he desyreth very greatly to do somewhat , wherby he maye shewe hys thanckefull harte agayne toward God . For he confesseth that all that euer he hathe beyng good , he receyued it of God , as S. Paule sayth : What hast thou , that 〈◊〉 . Lor. iiii . thou hast not receued ? If thou hast receaued it , why doste thou reioyce as though thou haddest not receued it ? S. Iames also saythe : Euery good Iacob . 〈◊〉 . & perfecte gyfte is from aboue , com mynge downe from the Father of lyghtes .

On this manner oughte we to We ought●…●…ut to set before oure 〈◊〉 the benefytes of god ponder with our selues the inestimable benefites & great giftes of God towarde vs . Fyrst that he made vs not lyke to brute beastes , but lyke vnto his owne ymage , neyther dyd he place vs in hell , or in some other dolorous & sorowefull place , but in ioyfull Paradise , where all kynd of pleasures dyd abound . He endewed Gen. 1. vs with wyt , reason , discrecion , prudence , wisdome , knowledge & wyth al other thynges , that should moue Gene. 〈◊〉 . vs vnto godlynes & vertue , setting vs at oure owne liberte to do what so euer we woulde , only he gaue vs a commaundement to abstayne from the tree of lyfe , & told vs lyke a mercifull father before , that whan so euer we did taste of that , we should dye the death . Notwithstondynge this his moost gentle premonicion thorowe Gene. iii. the subtilite of Satan , we brake his moost godly precepte , & throwe our selues into the deathe , wherof he tolde vs before , so that no we of all earthly creatures we ware become moost miserable . Yet beholde agen the great goodnes of God towarde vs , whan we had worthely deserued to be damned for euermore , he dyd not , as he handled the Aungelles , Iob. iiii . ii . Petre. iii. streyghtwayes cast vs ito hell fyre , but marcyfully sente vs into thys world , that we myght here repent , deplore , lament , & bewayle our synfull & abhominable offence , that by this meanes thorow the diuine prouidence we myght afterward be restored to our olde innocency & be saued . Neyther sent he vs hyther as into a salte , barren , & desolate place , or wyld forest , but rather into such a kyngdome , as florysheth with all kyndes of rytches , treasures , pleasures , & moost goodly possessions , so that we can desyre nothynge , but that we haue it here redy at hande . He hath garnysshed the earth with grene grasse , swete herbes & moost plesant floures . He hath gyuen vs all kyndes of grayne to sowe in the earthe for our sustenaunce . He sendeth vs rayne & temperate heate in conuenient tyme for the fortunate encrease therof . He hath planted vs trees , & garnysshed them in tyme of the yeare withe moost goodly grene leaues & fruites to serue our necessary businesses , for diuers causes . And as he hath replenyshed the earth with all kyndes of beastes , so hath he stuffed the sea & other waters with inumerable sortes of fysshes . And of all these thinges with many other mo Psal. viii . Heb. ii . hath he made vs Lordes , rulars , go uernours , owners . Neyther do the his kyndenes here cease concerning temporall thynges . For he hath also set ouer vs as a moost beautiful roofe & goodly seelynge , the firmament or ayer , which in the day tyme sheweth vs lyght thorow the clerenes therof , wherin for our great consolacion & conforte , he hath also set a goodly great lyght , whiche we call the sonne , by the vertue & operacion wherof , the erth brigeth forth her fruites in due season , yeldyng them to vs bothe rype , apte & mete for oure vse , whan conuenient tyme requireth . For the nyghte tyme agayne , because we should not be dismayde thorowe the great darkenes , wher with the earth is than ouerwhelmed seynge it is a tyme appoynted not to laboure but vnto reste , not vnto trouble , but vnto quietnes , not vnto watchynge , but vnto slepynge , God hath moost gorgiously garnisshed the firmament withe a goodly great lyght , called the moone , & with innumerable Starres mo for oure great ioye , pleasure & confort , so that no garden , be it neuer so plesauntly refer ted & stuffed full of herbes moost amiable in aspecte , maye be compared vnto it . And al these thynges hath God wrought and done not for his owne sake , but for ours , not for his owne wealth & felicite , but for oure profyt and commodite .

Hytherto haue I spoken of his temporal gyftes , which though they seme to be muche precious , as they are in dede , yet are they nothynge to be compared vnto those that follow . For looke howe muche the spirite excelleth the body , so muche do these gyftes excell the other beynge incomparable , & not able by ony meanes to be recompensed of ony creature neyther in heauen nor in earth .

Fyrst what an excedynge gentlenes of God was this , whan we were worthely condemned for our offence , & had no hope of health , to promise vs streightwayes , bicause we shuld despayre , that his only begotten sonne the highest treasure that he hadde , Gen. iii. Esa. vii . Math. i. Luke . i. Colloss. i. Ephe. i. Esa. ●…iii . Ephe. v. i. Ioan. i. Math. i. shoulde come downe from his right hand , be conceaued by the holy ghost , take very flesh & be borne of the moost pure virgin Mary , yea and that with oute the seed of ony man , reconcyle vs to his fauoure , make an attonement for vs , purchased grace , mercy , & remission of our synnes , offer his moost blissed body a swete smellyng sacrifice for our iniquite , sufferhis moost precious bloud to be shed for the purgacion & clensynge of oure synnes , & become a perfecte & ful satisfaccion for all the synnes of hys people , that is , of so many as repent , beleue in him , and lead a godly and innocent lyfe . This promised God the father oftentimes , & accordyng to his promyse at his tyme , predefined and tofore appoynted he moost faythfully performed it vnto the perpetuall ioye & conforte of all true Christians . But in the meane season howe great sees of kyndnes dyd he open vnto vs ? After that he had set vs in this world , howe dyd he prosper vs in all thynges , that we went about ? How dyd he giue vs the victory of our enemies ? Howe wonderfully dyd he delyuer vs from oure Exo xiiii . cruell enemy Pharao ? How maruelously preserued he vs when he made the red see to gyue place vnto vs ? How fauourably dealt he with vs , Ex. xvi . xvii when he gaue vs meate from heauen and water out of the harde rocke ? What a londe dyd he gyue vs flowynge with mylke & honye . And bycause we should lyue an honest and godly lyfe before hym , dydde not he Exo. ●…x . ●…ere . xxxi . gyue vs his moost holy lawe , yea & that not only 〈◊〉 tables of stone , but also wrytten in our hartes by the holy Ghoste ? What goodly ceremonies also receaued we of hym , whiche were mysteries , figures types , cloudes & shadowes of good thinges to come , euen of Christe , of hys moost holy passion , glorious resurreccion . &c. All these thynges ware great consolacion to the true , spirituall , & christen men , in asmuche as they preched Christ vnto them , which accordynge vnto theyr fayth whol ly fixed on the promyse of God , came at the tyme appoynted ito this miserable world toke flesh of the moost glorious virginne Marye , became lyke to vs in all thynges , syn alone excepte , preached vnto vs the wyll of his heauenly father , wrought mi racles , suffered & dyed for oure synnes , & on the thyrd day rose agayne for our iustificacion . Certayne day es after he ascended into Heauen , Mar●… . xvi . Luke . xxiiii . Act. i. H●… . ix . i. Tim. ii . i. Ioan. ii . Math. xxv . i. Cor. xv . i. Thes. iiii . where he nowe sytteth on the ryghte hande of god the father almyghty , beynge there not ydle , for he incessauntly prayeth for vs , beynge our mediatoure & aduocate , apeasynge dayly the fathers wrath & purchasynge for vs all good thynges . And at the latter daye , he shall come agen to iudge bothe the quicke and the dead , both the faythfull & vnfaythfull , bothe the shepe & the goates , & than shal he take vs both body and soule enunied togyther withe hym into eternall glory , where we shall remayne wyth him for euermore .

If ony man desyrethe to knowe more of the benefites of god , and of his vnmesurable kyndenes toward vs , let him resorte vnto the Pathwaye of prayer , & read , where I entreate Search th●… Paythway vnto prayer of thanckes gyuyng from the xlii . Chap. vnto the xlix . & there shall he se this matter entreted of at large .

If we dyd consyder on this wise the inestimable benefites of god to ward vs , vndoubtedly we woulde leaue our vnthanckefulnes , & saye wyth Dauid , what shall I gyue agayne vnto the Lorde , for all those thynges , that he hathe gyuen me ? But let vs se what our Mynstrell entendeth to gyue agen vnto god , that we maye followe hym and do so lykewyse .

¶ The fourthe verse . I wyll take the cuppe of healthe / & caull vpon the name of the Lorde . ¶ The syxte strynge .

HEre Dauid expresseth two thinges , that he entendeth to do . One is to take the cuppe of health . The other to caull on the name of the LORDE . These are two thynges , What the cup of helth signifye . wherin God very much delighteth . Fyrst he sayth , he wyll take the cuppe of health , wherby is vnderstand af fliccion , trouble , persecucion , mortificacion of olde Adam , kyllynge of carnall affectes , slayenge of fleshly lustes , bearyng of the crosse , and at the last death , as it appeareth by the wordes of Christ to the sonnes of Ze bedeus : Can ye drynke , sayth he , of Math. xx the cuppe that I shall drynke ? Also to his father , Let this cup departe Math. xxvi from me , wherby he vnderstandeth his passion & death . To recompense partely the kyndenes of God , Dauid sayth , that he wyll mortifye the raging lustes of his owne flesh , that fyght agaynste the spirite , & neuer leaue vntyl he hath made the body subiecte to the soule , that in all poyntes it maye be obediente to the lawe and wyll of God . For this is an hygh & acceptable sacrifice to God as Dauid Psal. l. wytnesseth in another place , a sacrifice to God is a troubled spirite , a contrite & humble harte God wyl not despyse . S. Paule also saythe , Rom. xii . I beseche you brothers by the tender mercyes of God , that you gyue your bodies a sacrifice , that is quicke , holy & acceptable to God , whiche is youre resonable seruynge of God . And God himselfe sayth by the Prophet , vnto whome shal I looke , but Esa. lxvi . vnto the humble & broken in spirite , & vnto hym that fearethe my wordes ?

Agayne he confessethe here that he wyl not only mortify his carnal lustes , that he maye be truely spirituall , but he wyll also paciently suffer , what soeuer crosse , that is trouble , persecucion and affliccion God layeth vpon hym , yea thoughe it be very death . His harte is nowe so enflamed with the loue of God for the be nefites that he hathe shewed vnto hym , that he recositeth not only all that he hath , but also his very lyte to vile & of to small a price to gyue agayn for the glory of God , that he may at the least in some parte shew hymselfe thankefull vnto so bounteous & gentle a Lord , as S. Paule Act. ●…x . and. xxi . sayth , The holy Ghost wytnessethe & layth , the bondes & troubles abyde me in euery Citie . But I care not for it , neyther is my lyfe dere vnto me , so that I may fynish my course with ioy , & the office that I haue receaued of the LORD Iesu to testify the gospel of the grace of God . For I am not only redy to be bound , but also to dye for the name of the LORDE Iesu .

It is not withoute a cause , that he calleth affliccion , trouble , or per Why afflic●…ion is called the cup of health . secucion , the cuppe of helth or saluacion , for it brigeth i dede helth & s●…l uacion to a true Christen man . And though the crosse be bitter to the flesh yet is it swete and healthfull to the spirite . And the more the body be depres sed & made low , the more is the spirite ex alied & made hygh , as s. Paule saith though our outward man be broken , ii . Cor. iiii . yet the iward is renewed day by day . Agen , we are not detters to the flesh , that we should lyue after the flesh , For yf Rom. viii . ye lyue after the flesshe , ye shal dye . But yf ye mortifi the dedes of the body in the spirite , ye shall lyue . For they that are lead with the spirite of god , are the sonnes of GOD . Therfore Luke . ix . sayth Christ , If ony man wyl come after me , let hym deny & forsake him self , & take his crosse dayly & follow Act. xiiii . me . For by many tribulacions must we enter into the kyngedome of god . And all that wyll lyue godly in Christ Iesu , muste suffer persecucion . It was necessary , sayth the scripture , ii . ●…im . iii. Luke . xxiiii . ●…b . 〈◊〉 . that Christ shoulde fyrst suffer , and so ryse agayne , & enter into glorye .

But for asmuch as it is an hard thing for a man of his owne strength paciently to beare the Crosse , and to suffer rebuke , slaunder , ignominy , blasphemy , euel reportes , empresonment losse of goodes , yea & percuaūse very death for Gods truethe and the glory of his worde , seyng that though the spirite be redye , yet the flesshe is Math. xxvi ●…arc . xiiii weake , therfore Dauid saythe , He wyll call on the name of the Lorde . Wherfore ? Uerely for strength , that he maye be able to beare the crosse that is layd vpon his backe , that he swarue not whan persecucion commeth , and so slaunder the trueth , which so bolde ly he professed before . For withoute the assistence of Goddes spirite no man is able to abyde in the tyme of persecucion , semeth he neuer so valeaunt a souldiour at other tymes , Math. xxvi . Matt. xiiii . Luke . xxii . Ioan. xiii . as we may se in the Apostles of Christ whiche before theyr master was in onye daunger , promised that they woulde neuer forsake hi , but sticke vnto hym euen vnto the very deth , yet whan they came to the bronte , wel was he that could ronne away fastest , in so much that he , which be fore craked moost , & shewed himselfe boldest of al the other , I meane Peter , dyd not only fle away from his master , but also shamefully denyed hym vnto a poore mayde , & sware that he neuer knewe hym , so impotente , weake , frayle , & ful of all imbecilite is man , if he be lefte vnto hymselfe , & not endewed with strength from aboue . Therfore our Mynstrel Da uid , kynge & Prophet , not crakyng of his owne strengthes , nor boasting of his owne free wyll withoute the healpe of Gods spirite , saythe that he wyll call on the name of the Lord for strength & valeaunce , that he maye manfully abyde in the tyme of persecucion , confesse the trueth of God des worde , & publysshe his glory before all men , yea though a thousand deathes should followe . It is very profitable for adflicte & troubled con sciences to caull on the name of the Lorde . For as Salomon sayth , the name of the LORDE is a myghtye Pro. xviii toure , & very strong Bulwarke , vnto that doth the ryghteous man fly , & he shall be exalted & fynd socoure . Blissed is that man , which putteth Psal. xxxix his truste in the name of the LORDE , & regardeth not vanities & false ymaginacions . Call on me , sayth God , in the day of thy trouble , and Psal. xiix . I wyll delyuer the , and thou shalte honoure me .

Thus se we partely how Dauid goeth about to shewe himselfe thanke full agayne vnto God for the inesti mable benefites , that he hath gyuen hym . He wyll mortify his carnall af fectes , & paciently suffer what so euer crosse , persecucion , trouble or affliccion be layde vpon his backe for Gods truethes sake . And that he maye be the more able to do theyse thynges , he wyll caull on the name of the LORDE . All these be very acceptable thynges in the sight of god . And God thyncketh his benefites wel bestowed , where such gyftes be gyuen agayne vnto hym , procedyng from a gentle & thanckefull harte .

Nowe we beynge no lesse bound vnto God for his gentlenes than Da uid was , ought to shewe our selues no lesse thankefull agayne to hym , than Dauid dyd , or els are we muche vnworthy this inestimable beneficence of God . We ought therfore to Rom. vi . Colos. iii. i. Cor. vi . prouyde that no synne reygne in this oure mortal body , but that we mortifye our earthly members , whoredome , fornicacion , vnclennes , wantonnes , euell concupiscence & couetousnes , which is the worshypping of Idolles , for the which the wrath of God is wonte to come vpon the chyldren of vnbeleue . All wrath , indignacion , maiyce , cursed speaking fylthy communicacion , lying oughte Colos. iii. Ephe. ii . Rom. vi . Ephe iiii . Galla. v. Collos. iii. we to laye asyde , & put vpon vs ten der mercye , gentylnes , honest behauour , mekenes , softenes , goodnes , charite , peace , ioy , fayth , temperaunce , with all the other fruytes of the spirite . For they that are of Christe , haue crucified the flesh , with the lustes & concupiscenses therof , yea they are dead to the world , and theyr lyfe is hyd wyth Christ in God .

Moreouer we must be contented to take the cuppe of helth at y● LORDES hande , & paciently suffer what soeuer crosse he layeth vpon vs , yea & prayse hym in the myddes of our trouble , recountynge our selues so moche the more blyssed , seynge that Phil. 〈◊〉 . Act. v. 〈◊〉 . Tim. ii Psa. xxxiii . it is gyuen vnto vs not only to beleue in hym , but also to suffer for the glory of his name , beyng thorowly perswaded , that yf we suffer wyths Christe , we shall reygne with hym . For many are the troubles of the ryghteous in this world , but from them all shall the LORDE delyuer them , yf none otherwyse , yet at the least by death , which is the nexte waye vnto the very true lyfe .

And because it is hard for the fl●…sh to awaye with the crosse ( which seketh glory , wealth , ease , rytches , honour , & not ignominy , scasenes , dis quietnes , pouertie , shame & opprobry ) therfore must we flye with feruent and continuall prayers vnto God & vnto his moost holy name , that we maye haue strength sent vs from aboue , to do these thinges aforsayd that by no meanes we be found ingrate , vnthanckefull & vnworthy the great & vnmeasurable kyndenesse , whiche God hath shewed vnto vs . So shall God not only not take away his giftes from vs , but also en Matt x●… . crease them dayly more & more , as the Scripture sayth , to euery one that hath , it shall be gyuen , and he Make. iiii . Luae . viii . shall haue abundance . But who so hath not , from hym shall be taken a waye , euen that he hath also .

But lette vs heare more of oure Mynstrelles songe .

¶ The fyfte verse . I wyl pay my vowes vnto the Lord before al his people .

¶ The seuenth stryng .

DAuid goethe forthe to declare what he wyll render vnto God for all those thynges that he hathe gyuen hym . Before he sayd , that he would take the cuppe of helth , and caull vpon the name of the LORDE . Nowe he addethe , that he wyll also paye his vowes vnto the LORDE , What the vowes are that Dauid wyl fulfyl and performe yea and that before all his people . But what vowes are these ? Uerely not vnfaythfull & folyshe vowes , which displease god , as the scripture say the , but the earnest promises that Eccl. v. he made vnto God for to fulfyl his moost holy Commaundementes . These vowes wyll he paye . These promises wyl he performe . For they make vnto the glory of god , the edifienge of his Chyrch , & the health of his owne soule . Therfore wyll he stycke to them , euen vnto the very death .

God gyueth a commaundement Exo. xx . Deut. v. & sayth , heare Israel , thy God is y● one & alone God . Thou shalte haue no straunge Goddes in my syghte . Thou shalte make the no grauen Image . &c.

Dauid beynge one of the true The fyrste commande ment . israelites hath made a vow to kepe this moost holy precepte . And as he hathe this vowe , so wyll he laboure to pforme it . For it is not vnfaythfull nor folyshe , but agreable to the scripture , neyther dothe it prouoke the keper of it vnto muche inconue niece & absurdite , but rather vnto great vertu & holynes . So that he is fully bent to performe his vowe Let the vnfaythful Idolaters worshyp what Idoll or false God they lyste . Dauid wyll surely cleaue to this one & alone true God . For in his hart shall none syt but this one God alone , neyther wyll he admyt so moch as the shadow of ony other to be ioyned with hym , & to haue fe lowshyppe with his God . This his God alone wyll he worship , honour & lerne . This his God alone wyl he how & do reuerence vnto . This his God alone wyll he loue with all his harte , mynde , soule , & withe all hys powers . This his God alone wyll Deut. vi . Math. iiii . 〈◊〉 . x. he magnify & prayse for euer & euer And bicause he may not once be moued by ony vayne spectacle , & seduced from the honour , worshyp and seruice of this god vnto ony image seruice & Idolatry , he hath made a sure vowe & faythful promise , that he wyll make no grauen Image , ydoll , or mawmet , but he wyll onlye cleaue to this his one & alone God , & serue hym not in external Ioan. iiii . ceremonies , but in spirite & trueth . For con founded be all they , & shame lyghten on them , sayth he , that worship Psal. xcvi . grauen ymages , & glory in theyr mawe mettes and Idolles .

Agayne God commaundeth , sayeng . Thou shalt not take the name The second commaside ment . of thy Lord God in vayne . Dauid hath made a solemne vowe and ear nest promyse , that he wyl kepe this moost blyssed Commaundement of God also . He wyl not abuse the name of his Lorde god by no meanes . He Math. v Iacob . v. wyll sweare by nothynge that euer god made , nother by heauen nor by earth , nor ony other oth . His communicacion shall be , yea , yea , na , na . In his aduersite wyl he flye vnto the Pro. xviii . name alone of his Lord god , as vnto a stronge Castel & myghty Bulwarke , & caull on that for healpe & refuge . And in his prosperite he wyll not forgette the name of his Lorde God , but celebrate , magnify , commend & prayse it , yea & lyfte it vp with perpetual encomies , laudes & prayses .

Moreouer god sayth , thou shalt The thyrde commaundement . sanctify the sabboth daye . This hath Dauid also vowed to obserue and kepe . He wyl not therfore spend the sabboth daye in ryotynge , bankettyng , playeng , dauncyng , syngyng & suche other vayne pastimes , but in the meditacion of Gods lawe , in readyng the holy scriptures , in hearyng godly sermons , in lyftyng vp his harte vnto god with feruent prayers , in gyuyng thanckes to the Lord for his benefites . &c. He wyll also expulse all synne out of his brest , & be at peace with God .

Furthermore god commaundeth The forthe commaundement . sayeng , Honour thy father and mother . Here agen hath Dauid made a vowe to fulfyl this precepte also . So that he wyl gyue honour , reue rence , & worship to so many as this lawe requireth , yea his inferiours wyll he not dishonour .

God gyueth a commaundement & sayth . Thou shalte not slay . Dauid The fyft conmaundement . hathe earnestely vowed to kepe this . So that he wyll shed no innocent Math. v. bloud , hurte no man , seake no mans death , but fauoure and loue all men , yea euen his very enemies .

GOD saythe , Thou shalte com The firt conmaūd●…ment ●…yt none adultry . Solemnly hath dauid vowed to obserue this moost godly precepte . So that he wyll be no vnclene fornicatour , nor fylthy i. Cor. vii adulterer , but to auoyd all vnclennes he wyll couple hymselfe wythe Heb. xiii . Phil. iiii . an honest wyfe , & faythfull yokefelowe in holy wedlocke , which is honorable among al men , & bed vndefyled , to her alone wyl he cleaue , & for her sake refuse all other woman , be Math. xix . Ephe. v. Colos. iii. they neuer so beautifull , fayre , proper , myuyon , tall , eloquent , rytche , worshypfull , honorable , noble . &c. louynge her as his owne fleshe , yea euen as Christ loued the congregacion .

Moreouer God commaunded , sayeng , Thou shalt do no theft . As The seuenth commaundement . for this precepte , Dauid hath earnestly vowed to kepe it vnto the vttermoost . So that he wyl not only not steale , but also bounteously giue to so many as haue nede of his help

And where as God saythe , thou shalt speake no false wytnes agenst The eyghte commaundement . Prouer. 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . P●… . iiii . Mat. xi . vi . 〈◊〉 xviii . thy neyghbour : Dauid had vowed & made a faythful promyse , that he wyl rather , as charite requireth , co uer the multitude of synnes , forgyue them that offend hym , & seake to profyt all men no lesse then him selfe .

Finally where God sayth , thou shalt not couytte thy neyghbours Mar. xi The nynth & x. Cōmaun dement . wyfe , nor house , nor feld , &c. Dauid is fullye at this poynte not once to couyt ony parte of his neyghbours goodes , but rather to helpe hym for warde & to do for hym , what soeuer lyeth in his power .

These be the commaundementes of God , and these hath he vowed to kepe . These vowes therfore wyll he Mat. v. paye vnto the LORDE , yea & that be fore all his people , that men seynge the lyght of his good workes , maye glorify his father , which is in heuen

And for as muche as Dauid is a kynge , & hathe vowed vnto God to The office of a kyng do the office of a true kynge , whiche is to mayntayne vertue and to expulse vice , he wyll not only prouide that he hym selfe kepe these commaundementes , but that all his subiectes also kepe them euen from the hyest to the lowest . He wyll do his diligence that there shall no God be worshypped in his kyngdome amonge hys Wo●… god that al kynges & rulars wold do thus . people , but the one and alone true God of Israel . Hym only shall they honour , worshyp , prayse , serue and loue . Nother shal ony grauen ymage be suffred to be made in his Realme for to obscure & blotte the glorye of this almighty god . On the name of this God alone shall all hys people caull , & flye vnto in theyr aduersite prayse & commende it for euer and euer , nether shall ony of them be so bold as once to swere vnistly by it .

The Sabboth daye shall all his subiectes sanctifye . They shall not spend it vaynely & ydelly , but vertuously & godly , in readynge the holy scriptures , in hearyng Gods word sincerly preched , in prayeng feruently vnto god , and in suche other god ly meditacions . Theyr superiours shall they honoure also with all humilite , submission and obedience . They shall kyll no man , but defend euery man in his ryght , loue all men wysshe well vnto them , do for them what so euer they are able .

As for fornicacion , adultry , whor i. Cor. vii . dome or ony other vnclennes , they shall commyt none , but euery man shall freelye be suffered to haue hys owne wyfe , and euerye woman her owne husbonde , & so godly lyue togyther in chast & pure matrimony .

And as for stealinge , bearyng of false witnes , or couetynge of theyr neyghbours goodes , Dauid lyke a true kynge hath vowed & promised so to order & rule his subiectes that none of them all shall faull into those vices & enormities If they do & wyl not amende , Dauid bearethe not the sweard in vayne , he wyll surely punysh Rom. xiii . nysh the transgressours . For Dauid hath made a vowe & he is earnestly bente to kepe it , that both he & his people shal vnfaynedly obserue the mooste holy commaundementes of God . Oh that all kinges , Princes , Dukes , & rulers would follow this moost ho ly & vertuous kynge , & streyghtely looke vnto the obseruaunce & true kepynge of these vowes . For these are the vowes that are accepted be fore God These are the vowes that caste no mans soule into the daunger of euerlastyng damnacion , but rather healpeth forwarde vnto the enheritaunce of lyfe eternal . These are no popysh , monkysh , supersticious & pharisaicall vowes , inuented of the ydle braynes of men , but pure godly , wholesome & christen vowes which so many as hope to be saued , ought streyghtly to obserue & kepe , yea to performe them vnto the vttermoost of theyr power .

Thus se we what the vowes are that Dauid wyll pay vnto the Lord before all his people , for his benefytes , euen the fulfyllyng of Goddes commaundementes , & doynge hys office , as it becommeth a true kinge So lykewyse must we do , and paye our vowes , also to the LORDE that is to saye , kepe his holy commaundementes , forsake the world , the dyuell & the flessh with all theyr pompes & pleasures , as we professed at oure baptisme , & euery man lyue accordynge to his vocacion & callyng , as for an example .

Let them that beare office , authorite , Rulars Rom. xiii . i. Pet. ii . Exo. xxiii . Deut. i. rule and power in the common weale , punysh the euel , mayntayne the good , accept no parson in iudge mente , allowe no false accusacion , shed no innocente bloude , heare the small so well as the great , set forth gods glory , promote his holy word & in all thynges seake the profyt of of the common weale .

Let the subiectes be faythefull , Subiectes . Rom. xiii . true & obedient to theyr Prynces & hygher powers .

Lette the Bysshoppes & Prestes that be called vnto the office of prechynge , 〈◊〉 . Petre. ii . Tit. ii Byshoppes 〈◊〉 Prestes take hede to theyr selues , & to all the flocke , in the which the holy Ghost hath appoynted them ouerseers to fede the congregacion of God . Lette them fede Christes flocke so muche as lygheth in theyr power , & take the ouersighte of them , not as thoughe they were compelled , but wyllyngly , not for the desyre of fylthy lucre , but of a good mynde , not as Lordes ouer the Parysshes , but Act. xx . i. Pet. v. i. Tim. iiii . to be an example vnto the flocke .

Let them caste awaye vngodly and olde wyuysh fables , & be vnto them that beleue an example in the worde , in conuersacion , in loue , in spirite , in fayth , in purenes . Let them giue ii . Tim. iiii attendaunce vnto readynge , to exhortacion , to doctrine . Let them study to shew them selues to God laudable , which nede not to be ashamed .

Let the husbondes loue theyr wyues , as theyr owne bodyes , and be Husbondes . not bytter , churlysh or vnkynd vnto them , but gyue honour vnto them as vnto the weaker vesselles and as vnto them that are fellowe heyres wyth them of the grace of lyfe . Wyues . i. Cor. xi . Ephe. v. Collos. iii. i. Tim. ii . i. Pet. iii.

Lykewyse let the wyues be in sub iecciō to theyr husbondes , as vnto the LORDE in all thynges , & so behaue themselues as it becommethe women of an honest & godly conuersacion . Let them aray them selues in comely apparell with shame fastnes & discrete behauour , not wythe brayded heere , or golde , or pearle , or costely araye , but withe suche as it becometh women that professe godlynes thorowe good workes . Lette the inward man of the hart be vncorrupte , withe a meke & quiet spirite , whiche before God is moche set by . For after this manner in the olde tyme , dyd the holy women , whiche trusted in God , tyer them selues , & were obedient to theyr husbondes : euen as Sara obeyed Abraham & Gen. xvi . called hym Lord , whose doughters the wyues are , so longe as they do well , nor being afrayd for ony trouble .

Let fathers not rate theyr chyldren , Fathers . lest they be of a desperate mind but brynge them vp in the nourtour and informacion of the LORDE .

Let the chyldren also obey theyr parentes in all thynges , for the is well Children . pleasynge vnto the LORDE .

Let masters do vnto theyr seruauntes that which is iust & equal Masters . puttynge awaye threatenynges , & know that they also haue a master in heauen , with whome there is no respecte of parsons . Act. xx . Rom. ii . Seruauntes .

Let the seruauntes agayne be obedient vnto theyr bodely masters in al thinges with feare & tremblyng in siglenes of harte as vnto Christ , not with seruice only in the eye syght Colos. iii. Ep●… . vi . as men pleasers , but as the seruauntes of Christ , doyng the wyll of god Tit. ii . i. Pet. ii . from the harte wythe good wyll .

Let them thyncke , that they serue the LORDE and not men , & let them be sure , that what so euer good a man doth , he shall receaue it agayne of the LORDE , whether he be bond or free .

To conclude , let euery one among vs do our dutye , & lyue accordyng to the vocacion , whereunto God hathe called vs . So shal it come to passe , that we shall not walke vnworthy the kyndenes of God . So shall we truly paye our vowes vnto the LORDE . So shall we faythfully per forme that , which we heretofore promt sed in baptisme . So shall we dayly more & more encrease in the loue of God , & taste more plenteously of his bounteous giftes .

But it is to be noted , that Dauid saythe , Before all his people .

This is none other thynge , but the which Christ commaundeth in the in as much as Christe hathe chosen them from the worlde , therfore the world hateth them . What is than to be sayd ? Uerely whither we liue or dye , we are the LORDES , and precious is the death of Sayntes in the syght of the LORDE , as it followethe .

¶ The eyght strynge . Precious in the syghte of the Lord is the death of his Sayntes .

This song of our Mynstrel Da uid must nedes be very plesaunt & delectable to the hearers , seyng that he syngethe all thynges in suche a godly & goodly order , & setteth euery thynge in his ryght place . For after that he hath made mencion of payenge his vowes vnto the Lord , whyche is to do all thynges accordynge to the commaundement of God , & not after the fansy of carnall reason , nor the iugemente of the wyse worldlynges ; wherof is lyke to ensew , as we haue heard before , much trouble , yea very deth ( for the worlde can not abyde to be rebuked nor to haue his pompe , pryde , pleasures , glory , honour , hypocrisy , supersticion , fayned holynes , pharisaical iustice , glysteryng righteousnes , dotynge inuencion , fleshly imaginacions , good ententes . &c. to be reproued yea & condemned by the worde of God ) he nowe declarethe what a dere & precious a thyng the deathe of Sayntes , that is to saye , of the faythfull is in the syght of the LORD , be it recounted before the worlde of neuer so great ignominy , despyte , reproche and shame . And this doth he to encourage men to paye theyr vowes vnto the Lorde , that is to say , to be earnest in the word of God , to seake the promocion of his glory & to walke innocently before the eies of his diuine maieste , though al the world , yea very hell should be wood and ryse vp agaynst vs . Precious , sayth he , in the syghte of the Lorde is the death of his Sayntes .

It is to be noted , that he calleth not the death of the wycked , precious in the syght of the Lord , but the death of Saynctes , yea & that not popysh but Gods Sayntes Precious , The wycked in thys worlde haue all thynges more at ther pleasure than the true Christians sayth he , in the sight of the Lord is the deth of his Sayntes . As for the wicked , so longe as they lyue in this world , they lyue more at theyr hartes ease , & haue all thiges more plenteously at theyr owne pleasure concernyng temporall matters , than the true christen men and faythful Sayntes of God haue , in as much that as we read in diuers places of the holye scriptures , the godly many tymes complayne vnto God of the prosperous estate of the wycked , & seme almoost to accuse God of vnrighteousnes , seyng the enemies of God prosper so wel , and haue good lucke in all thynges , & they agayne which moost intierly fauour Goddes word & seke his glory , are moost miserably oppressed , slaundered , persecuted , Psal. x●…iii . Rom. viii . empresonned , & redye to be slayne at all houres . For as the Psalmograph sayth : The vngodly hath the ouerhande , & the poore is brent . The siner is praysed in followyng Psal. ix . the lustes of his harte , & the wicked is blyssed and made muche of . My feete were almoost gone , sayth Dauid , my treadynges had nygh slypt For I was sore greaued at the wicked to se the vngodly in such prospe rite . For they are i no parel of deth , but stonde fast lyke a palace . They come in no misfortune lyke other folke , nother are they plaged lyke other men . And this is the cause that they are so puffed in Pryde , & ouerwhelmed wyth cruelte & vnrighteousnes . Theyr eyes swel for fatnes they do euen what they lyste . Corrupte are they & speake blasphemies maliciously , proud & presumpteous are theyr wordes They ●…retch forth theyr mouthe vnto heauen , & theyr tong goeth thorowe the world . Therfore fall the people vnto them , & therout suche they no small auauntage . Tush , say they , how shal God perceaue it . Is theyr knowledge in the moost hyghest ? Lo these are the vngodly , these prosper in the world These haue rytches in possession . These haue sonnes the growe vp as Psal. cxliii . yonge plantes . These haue mynyon & trymme doughters , garnysshed round about euen lyke vnto a gorgious temple . These haue theyr garners full & plenteous wyth all manner of stoar . These haue shepe that bryng forth thousandes & hondred thousandes in theyr pastures and feldes . These haue fatte oxen , that are stronge to laboure . To be shorte , these haue no mischaunse , no decay no trouble , no noyse , no complaynynge in theyr stretes that shoulde greue them . Ieremy also saythe , O Iere. xii . LORDE thou arte more ryghteous , than that I shoulde dispute wythe the , neuerthelesse let me talke with the in thynges reasonable . Howe happeneth it , that the waye of the vngodly is so prosperous , & that it goeth so well with them , which ●…out ony shame offend & lyue in wickednes ? Thou planteste them , they take roote , they growe , and brynge forthe fruyte . They boste moche of the , yet doste thou not ponyshe them .

Thus se we howe the vngodlye lyke fat beastes wallowe & tomble them selues in all kynde of pleasures , neyther wante they ony thynge in this worlde , that theyr hartes can desyre , yea they haue more prosperi Luke . xii . te , than they can awaye wythe all , yet are the godly and Sayntes of the Lord oppressed with all misery leadynge a lyfe in great calamite & wretchednes , than ony creatures in the world . But yet beholde the ende of the wycked . For sodenly they do consume , perysh & come to nought . The Psalmographe sayth : the death Psal. xxxiii of the wicked synners is very euel . Agayne , The vnrighteous man shal receaue his plages & ponyshmentes whan he dyeth . But let vs beholde these thynges as i a pure myrrour by rehearsyng certayne Hystories . Howe triumphed the wycked kyng Pharao vpon the Israelites Gods people ? Howe lysle regarded he the sermons spoken , and the myracles wroughte by the seruauntes of God Moses & Aaron thorow the diuine spirite ? Howe continued he to persecute the people of God euen vnto Exo. viii . ix x. xiiii . the very hour of his death . But be hold the ende . Whan he was moost puffed vp in his pryde , and mooste bent to do mischefe , howe dyd God trap hym in his owne wylynesse , & euen broughte that vpon his owne head , that he entended to brynge vp on other ? Dyd not God meruaylously drowne hym with al his wicked army , & preserue his people by that meanes ? But what was that temporall deathe in comparison to the death eternall , & the moost greuous & intollerable paynes that he nowe suffreth in hell fyre without mercye .

Agen , how dyd Sennacherib the iiii . Re. viii . and. ix . ii . Pa. xxxii Eccl. xiviii . Esa. xxxvi . and. xxxvii . proud king of the Assirians bost him self not only agenst the good kyng Ezechias , but also the lyuyng God , yea & blasphemed hym , sayng , as the moost cruel & lyonlyke tyraunt the great Turke doth nowe a dayes , that he woulde vtterly subdue both him & his company , yea & that theyr God shuld ●…e no more able to deliuer than , than 〈◊〉 broken staffe of rede . He leaned muche to his owne poletyke wytte & martiall valeaunce , thynkyng that in asmuch as heretofore he had subdued all kyngdoms , which he inuaded , he also should haue ouercome the people of God . But God , which is the lyuynge & almyghtye God able in a twyncklyng of an eye to make frustrate & vayne all the fleshly ima ginacions of the worldly tyrauntes , yea & to brynge to noughte all theyr power , sent his Aungell the very same nyghte , that all the mischefe was entended agaynst his people , which smote in the hoost of the Assirians an hondred foure score & fyue thousand men . So that Sen iiii . Reg. xix ii . Pa. xxxii nacherib brake vp & departed , and was shortely after slayne with swerde of his owne sonnes . An ende worthye suche a proude & blasphemous Tyraunte . But what is this vnto the infernall paynes , that be endeles , which he nowe remediles suffreth ?

What proud crakes also dyd that ar rogant Tyrasite Holofernes make Iudit . xii●… . agaynst the people of Israel , thynkyng that there was no kyngdome so inuincible , stronge & fortressed , but that he with his martiall puissaunce & feates of warre was able easly to ouercome . So that he toke no thoughte , lyued all in pleasure , lyke a careles swyne , gyuyng hym selfe to all kynde of beastelyke pleasures . But howe valeauntly euen by one woman God dyd ouercome hym , and put all his army to flight , the Hystory maketh mencion .

What shal I speke of the two Hero des , wherof the one in the myddes Math. ii . of his fury when he was moost whot & fyry in sekyng the deth of Christ , & for his sake sleynge innumerable infantes , miserably dyed , bringing nothing lesse than his cruell & bloudy purpose to effecte , so valeaunt & myghty is our lord god to extiguish and quenche the tyrannye of these bloudsowpers , whan it is his moost godly pleasure , & to preserue those , whome he wyll haue kept fre from theyr crudelite & furious madnes .

The other Herode euen in the middes of his pompe , honoure & glory , Act. xii . beynge clad in his kyngly apparel , & set Luciferlike on his iudgement seate , after that he had moost Tyrauntelyke persecuted certayne of Christes chyrch , yea & slayne withe swerd Iames the brother of Iohn , was smote of the Aungel of the Lord , because he gaue not the glory to god . So that he was eaten vp of wormes . But what nede I rehearse so many Histories oute of the diuine letters , seyng that this one , whiche I shal nowe recite , maye seme abundantly to satisfy for to shewe , howe precious in the syght of the Lorde , the deathe of his saynctes is , seme theyr lyfe in this world neuer so miserable , wretched , pitieful , poore , ne dy , beggerly , & full of all trouble , so row , dolour & camalite . Agen , how vile & detestable the death of the wycked is in the Lordes syght , be theyr lyfe here neuer so pompous , galant , easy , volupteous , ioyful , quiet , care les & popelyke .

S. Luke in his Gospell declareth , Luke . xvi . how there was a certen ritche man , which was apparelled with purple & costely lynnen , & fared deliciouslye euery daye . In these wordes the Euangelist sheweth manifestly howe this rytche man lyued all in plesure , & had al thinges according to his hartes desyre . But beholde the ende . He was cruell , merciles & vnpiteful to the poore . Therfore when he dyed , the Scripture sayth , that he was caried downe ito hel , where he was tormented wyth suche greuous flames of fyre , & intollerable burnynges , that he desyred Abraham to send downe Lazarus vnto hym , that he myght dyp the typpe of hys fynger in the water , & coole his tonge , for he was greuously tormented in that flame . But Abraham sayd , remember sonne , that thou haste receaued thy pleasures in thy lyfe , & contrary wyse Lazarus receaued paynes and troubles . Therfore is he nowe conforted , and thou arte tormented .

As for the poore man , his lyfe was so wretched beggerly & miserable , that no man woulde scasely wonchesafe once to cast theyr eye & to looke towarde hym , he was such an abiecte so vile , so rent , so torne , so Lazarlyke & ful of greuous sores . Only the dogges lycked his sores . But beholde the ende . This poore man dyed , & was caried of the Aungels into Abrahams bosome .

This Hystory declareth playnely , howe precious the deathe of the Saynctes , that is , of the faythfull is in the syght of the Lord , appeare theyr lyfe neuer so miserable before the deynty worldlynges . Agayne , howe vile & detestable the death of the wicked is in Gods syght , haue they spent theyr lyfe in neuer so much ioye , pleasure & felicite , & were they recounted before the worlde neuer so blyssed , happye & fortunate , and brought to the ground with neuer Amos. vi . Luke . vi . Math. v. Eccl. xxxi so great pompe and solemnite . And here se we that to be true , whiche is written , Wo be to you rytche men , which haue your●… consolacion . Wo be to you that are fylled , for ye shall honger . Wo be to you that laughe nowe , for ye shall lament and wepe Wo be to you , whan all menne shall prayse you , for accordynge to these thynges dyd theyr fathers to the false Prophetes . But blyssed are ye that honger now , for ye shall be fylled . Blyssed are ye that wepe now , for ye shall laugh . The deynte worldeliges Mark well . receaue payne after this life , but the faythful in the Lorde , which be oppressed with miserye & troubled for Gods trueth , shall receaue ioye & glory . So that as Dauid sayth , Precious in the syght of the Lorde is the death of his Sayntes . Hereto agreeth the sayenge of S. Iohn in his reuelacion . Blyssed are the Apoc. xiiii . dead , whiche dye in the Lorde . The death of Saynctes muste nedes be precious in the syght of the Lorde , & they which dye in the Lorde must nedes be blyssed , seyng that bothe the glory of God is sette forth by theyr death , & the Saynctes them selues set in a perpetual ioye & euerlastig Sap. iii. Deu. xxxiii quietnes without ony more care or trouble . For after that they haue offered vp this theyr lyfe vnto god , the soules of the righteous are streight wayes in the hand of God , and the payne of deth shall not towche them . In the syght of the vnwyse they ap Sap. v. Heb. ●…i . Rom. viii . ii . Cor. v. i. Pet. i. peare to dye , & theyr ende is taken for very destruccion . The waye of the righteous is iudged to be vtter destruccion , but they are in reste . And thogh they suffer payne before men , yet is theyr hope full of immortalite . They are ponysshed but in fewe thynges , neuertheles in many thinges shall they be wel rewarded . For God proueth them , & lyndeth them mete for himselfe , yea as golde in the fornace doth he trye them , & receaueth them as a burnte offerynge , & whan the tyme commeth , they shall be looked vpon . They ryghteous shall shyne as the sparkes , that run Math. xiii . i. Cor. xv . Math. xix i. Cor. vi . thorowe the rede bushe . They shall iudge the nacions , and haue dominion ouer the people , & theyr Lord shall reygne for euer . They that putte theyr trust in him , shal vnderstand the trueth , & suche as be faythefull wyll agre vnto hym in loue , for his chosen shall haue gyftes and peace . But the vngodly shall be punyshed accordyng to theyr owne imaginacions , for they haue despised the righteous , and forsaken the Lorde .

Moreouer the ryghteous shall stonde in great stedfastnes agaynst Sap. v. Math. ix . suche , as haue dealte extremely with them , & taken away theyr labours , Whan they se it , they shall be vexed with horrible feare , & shall wonder at the hastines of theyr soden helth gronyng for very distresse of mynd & shall saye within them selues , hauyng inward sorowe & mournyng for very anguyshe of mynde : These are they , whome we sometyme had in derision , & iested vpon . We fooles thought theyr lyues very madnes , Sap. iii. & theyr end to be without honour But ●…o , how they are counted among the chyldren of God , & theyr porcion is amonge the Sayntes . Therfore haue we erred from the way of trueth . The lyghte of ryghteousnes hathe not shyned vnto vs , & the sonne of vnderstondynge rose not vpon vs . we haue weryed our selues in the way of wickednes & destruccion Tedious wayes haue we gone , but as for the waye of the Lorde we haue not knowen it . What good hath our pryde Iacob . v. i. Pa. xxx . Sap. ii . done vnto vs ? or what profyt hath the pompe of rytches brought vs ? All these thynges are passed awaye as a shadowe . &c. These and suche other wordes , shall they that haue synned speake in hell . But the ryghteous Pfal . xxxix shall lyue for euermore . Theyr reward also is with the Lord , & theyr remembraunce with the hyghest .

Therfore shall they receaue a glorious kyngedome , and a beautyfull crowne of the Lordes hand . For with his ryght hande shall he couer them , & withe his owne arme shall he defende them . &c.

Thus se we how dere & precious in the syght of the Lorde the death of his Saynctesis . S. Paule hauyng Phil. i. experience of this thing , when he was yet alyue , sayd on this man ner : I desyre to be dissolued & losoned oute of this mortall bodye , & to be with Christ . Also kynge Dauid : Wo is me , that I tary in this world Psal. cxix . so longe .

Therfore howe so euer the wycked worldlynges recount the death of the Sayntes , whyther it to them by famyn , honger , swerde water , fyre halter or ony otherwise vndoubtedlye it is precious in the sight of the Lord , appeare it before the world of neuer so great ignominy , reproche , infamy , shame , and rebuke . Happy therfore is he , that dyeth this death , how so euer it chaunseth vnto hym . Blyssed is the Crosse , which bryngeth this glory . But let vs se how it commeth to passe , that the deth of Sayntes is so precious in the syght of the Lorde . It followeth .

¶ The syxte verse . O Lord I am thy seruant / yea thy seruaunt in dede / & the son of thy handmayde thou hast broken my bon / des . ¶ The nynte strynge .

BEcause no man , be he neuer so holy , good and perfecte , should thyncke that thorowe his owne holynes , goodnes & perfeccion , he had deserued that his deathe shoulde be dere , precious , and of great valour in the Lordes syght , or els because that he had suffred many great tormentes for the glorye of God , yea & perchaunse very death , & so by that meanes recounte hymselfe worthy by hys owne desertes of the lyfe eternall : oure Mynstrell Dauid in this verse of his songe , not vnto the derogacion of the sayntes honour , whiche are not to be defrauded of theyr prayse , but vnto the promocion & settynge forth of Gods glory , syngeth here , howe it commethe to passe , that the death of Saynctes , that is , of the faythfull , is so precious i the sight of the Lord . The cause is this , sayth he , because God hath broken theyr bondes . For what is man , that he maye appeare righteous Iob. ix . in the sight of God , before whom a chyld of one day olde is not pure , nor the starres in the Eliment , nor nor yet the Aungelles in heauen . Math. xix . Esa. ixiiii . Pro. xx . i. Ioan. i. Psal. cxiiii . There is no man good , but God alone . All our righteousnesses are as a clothe polluted wythe menstrue . Who is able to say , my hart is pure & I am cleane without synne ? The moost ryghteous man in the world maye pray on this manner wythe Dauid , Lorde enter not into iudge ment with thy seruaunte , for none that lyueth , shall be found ryghteous in ii . Cor. iii. Ioan. iii. Rom. viii . thy sight . Is it ony maruayle , when of our selues we are not able to thike a good thoughte , moche lesse to worke ony good dede by our owne power , before we be regēerate , bor ne a newe , and made other men by Christes Spirite .

And as towchyng the affliccion and trouble , that we suffer in this worlde , seme it to the flesh neuer so greate , paynefull and intollerable , yet can it not be compared to the , that shal be shewed to vs , as S. Paule sayth . Notwitstandynge yf Rom. viii . i. Cor. xii . ii . Tim. ii . Heb. iiii . Tit. i. Psal. cxiiiii we suffer with Christ , we shall also reygne with Christ , yea & be glorified with hym , not that we of our selues haue deserued so great glorye , but because God hath so promised which can not lye , but is faythfull in al his wordes , & leaueth no good dede vnrewarded , that is done in Christ , yea and that for his promise sake thorow his vnmesurable mercy Math. x. i. Pet. i. poured forthe plenteously in the moost precious bloud of Christ Iesu . Now seyng the not we onlye but also Ioan. iii. Rom. xiiii . al the euer we do of oure selues is vnpure & vnclene in the syght of god , vntyl both we & al our dedes be purified by the diuine spirite , therfore before we canne brynge forthe ony thinge that maye be approued and accepted before God , we must be delyuered from that moost miserable Gen. iii. Rom. v. vi . vii . viii . captiuite , wherunto we ware caste of Satan thorowe the synne of Adam . Our bondes must be broken , we muste be set at liberte from the power of Satan , syn , death , hel . &c. This thynge once done , than what Mark well . so euer we do in Christ and in oure newe regeneracion , muste nedes be allowed before God , & receaued as an acceptable Sacrifice . Yea whyther we lyue or dye , both our lyfe & oure death is right dere and precious in the syghte of the Lorde . But let vs returne vnto our songe .

Although it be true , & nothynge more true , that God of his owne mere The goodnes of God toward vs . mercy & fre goodnes & vndeserued benignite saued vs whan we ware so vtterly loste , that by no meanes we could seke ony parte of our own saluacion , nor recouer by our owne strength & power ony thynge at all that we before had lost in Adam , so that both oure creācion , eleccion , redemcion , saluacion , iustificacion , & glorificacion commeth only of hym Rom. viii . thorow his moost entierly beloued sonne , our Lord & Sauiour Iesus Christe . Yet do these his benefites only belonge vnto them , that are his faythfull seruauntes , & the sonnes of his handemayd , as Dauid sayth here : O Lord because I am thy seruaunte , yea thy seruaunt in dede , & the sonne of thy handmayde , thou hast broken my bondes . We se here that Dauid confessethe , that God Note to whome the benefytes of God in Christbelōg brake his bondes , but he addeth also , that he therfore is his seruaunt , yea his vnfayned seruaunte & the sonne of his handmayd . Wherby we maye easly learne that the merciful benefites of God the father , which lyghe poured out in Christes bloude , pertayne not vnto all persons vniuersallye , but only vnto those , that are his seruauntes , yea & that not fayned , but true , hartye , louynge and faythful , & the sonnes of his hande mayd . God hath performed the othe , sayth the good preste Zachary father to S. Iohn baptist , which he sware Luke . i. Gene. xxii . vnto Abraham our father , to gyue vs , that we beyng without feare & delyuered from the power of our enemies , shoulde serue hym with holynes & ryghteousnesse before hym all the dayes of our lyfe . We are delyuered sayth this good preste , from the power of our enemiesnot that we should lyue wickedly & vngodly , but that we shoulde serue oure LORDE God , not in our owne fleshly ymaginacions & blynde good ententes , but in holynes & righteousnes , yea & that not a daye or two , but al the dayes of our lyfe . God hath not called vs , saythe S. Paule , vnto vnclennes , 1. Thes. i. Act. iii. but vnto sanctificacion . God hathe blyssed you , saythe the scripture , by his sonne Iesus , that euery one of you shoulde turne from his wickednes . God hath broken our bondes , that we shoulde be his faythfull seruauntes & the sonnes of his hande mayd , as Dauid sayth . Now what What it is to be the seruaunte of God . is it to be the seruaunt of God ? Ue rely to do those thynges that we be commaunded of God . In consideracion wherof S. Paule & the other Apostles in al theyr Epistles call them selues the seruauntes of God , bycause vnto the vttermoost of theyr power they euer fulfylled those thin thinges that were enioyned them of god . For it becommeth a seruaunt to fulfyll his masters commaundemente , & not to worke after his owne fansy , so maye he be bolde to appere in his masters syghte , whan so euer he be called , & to aske that which his master hath promised him . In lyke man ner yf we wyll be counted & so proued the seruauntes of God vnfaynedlye , we muste earnestelye consider euery man accordynge to his callynge , what God hathe commaunded vs in his holy law , and that we must laboure vnto the vttermoost of our power for to fulfyl , or els we are no true seruauntes of God . For by no meanes may we leaue the wyll of God vnfylled , & practise thynges of oure owne imaginacion . If ony Io. viii . xiiii . xv . man loueth me , sayth Christ , he wyl kepe my word & my father shal loue hym , & we wyl come vnto hym and dwell with him . He that hath my conmaundementes & kepeth them , he it is that louethe me . For not euery Math. vi●… one that sayth vnto me , Lord Lord shall enter into the kyngdome of heuen , but he that doth the wyll of my father , which is in heauen .

But it is to be noted , that Dauid doth not only name hymselfe the seruaunt of god , but he doubleth it & sayth , yea the seruaunt of God in dede . As though he should saye , god hath done moch for me , he hath bro ken my bondes , he hathe delyuered me oute of captiuite , & set me agen at liberte , therfore wyll I be his ser uaunt , yea & that not fayn●…dly , but his seruaunt in dede , doynge what so euer he commaundethe me , yea though it shoulde coste me my lyfe . So it becometh vs not only to pro Math. vii . Rom. viii . Iacob . i. fesse our selues to be the seruauntes of God and christen men by mouth , but also to expresse it in verye dede , seyng that not the hearers but the doers of the law shall be iustified be fore God .

O LORDE GOD be mercyfull to vs , howe many be ther nowe a dayes , that caull themselues the Agenst the grosse Gospellers and vayne talkers of the scripture . seruauntes of God & gospellers , & yet are nothynge lesse in theyr dedes ? They crake moch of fayth , but they brynge not forth the fruytes of fayth They talke moch of the gospel , but they lyue no part of the gospel . They reade the holy scriptures , but they fashon theyr lyues nothyng therafter . They call Christ theyr sauiour , yet walke they nothynge worthye his kyndenes . They thynke them selues the sonnes of lyghte , but they exercise the workes of darknes . Oh that they were Goddes seruauntes in dede , feruent gospellers , earneste practisers of fayth , true followers of the holy Scriptures , to conclude , both louers and lyuers of Christes gospell , than wel were it with Chri stes chyrch . But alas theyr lyuing is so dissolute , & theyr manners so wycked and vngodly , that we may well saye , as S. Paule wrytethe : They professe that they know god , Tit. i. but they deny hi wyth theyr actes , seynge they are abhominable , disobedient and vnapte to al good .

Moreouer Dauid callethe hym selfe here not only the true & fayth full seruaunte of God , but also the sonne of Gods handmayd . Who is this handmayd of God ? Uerely the vniuersall congregacion of Christ , Who is the handmayde of God . whiche from the begynnyng of the worlde hathe serued God & beleued in hym , whose sonne euery one is , that beleueth in God . For he is begotten of God , the sonne of god by fayth to that congregacion , whose member he is made , & that congregacion by preachynge begetteth hym to God , that beleueth the word of god . So that as the congregacion is a mother by begettynge and wynnyng other to the fayth , so is he that beleueth , & is begotten vnto the fayth , the sonne of the congregacion , as s. Paule wryteth to the Galathians , Gala. iiii My lytle chyldren , of whome I trauayle in byrth agayne , or with whom I am agayne wythe chylde , vntyll Christe be fasshyoned in you .

Also to the Corinthians , althoghe 〈◊〉 . Cor. iiii . ye haue many masters in Christ , yet haue ye not many fathers . For I begat you in Christ Iesu by the gospell . He also writyng to Timothe , 〈◊〉 . Tim. i. calleth hym his natural sonne in 〈◊〉 fayth . Agayne Syon signifyeng the Church of Christ , sayth by the Prophet , who hath begotten me these ? Al so in another place : the desolate hath Esa. xlix . and. iiiii . mo chyldren , than the maryed wyfe .

Thus se we , that we must both be the true seruauntes of God , and also the sonnes of the handmayd of god , Christes chyrche , yf we wyl enioye ioye the benefites , that ly bent out in Christ . And verely it is not with out a cause required of vs , not only that we shoulde be the faythful seruauntes of god , but also the sonnes of his handemayd For many in tymes past , nether want ther at this daye , haue bosted valeauntly that they were the seruauntes of God , yea & woulde seme of a feruent zele to dye for the glory of god , yet in as muche as they were not the sonnes also of gods handmayde , they were not the seruauntes of god in dede , but dissemblers & Hypocrites . Of this sorte were all the olde Heretikes , Scismatikes , & false Christians in tymes past , which sowed dissensi on in Christes chyrche , and deuided them selues from the holy catholike chyrche , whiche is the fellowshyp of sayntes , by teachyng straunge doctrine , & mayntenynge erroneous opinions contrary to the doctrine of the holy scripture , & the teachynge of the true godly fathers . Of this sorte also at this tyme are the An●…baptistes , Sacramentaries & other Phanaticall & frentyke Spirites which haue vayne visions inuented Math. xiii Mar. iiii . Tit. iii. Heb. xiii . of theyr owne braynes , sowe cockel among the good wheat , in the Lordes felde , brynge in straunge sectes inuente newe opinions , make dissencion in Christes churche , allure men from the olde & true christen fayth , corrupte the scriptures , teache doctrine contrary to the vayne of god des word , trouble the common weale of Christendome . &c. All these in as much as they haue deuided & cutte of them selues from the chyrche of Christ , which is the hand mayde of god , pertayne not vnto god , nether haue they any parte of gods mercy though they boste & crake neuer so much , that they be the seruauntes of god , yea though they gyue theyr bodies to be plucked asunder wyth Mark . wild horses for the glory of god For with out the chyrche of Christ , ther is no health nor saluacion , but altogyther death & damnacion . But I woulde An admonicion for the true & fals chyrch . haue men wyse in knowynge thys chyrche of Christe , vnlesse they erre & mayntayne an whore in steade of a spouse , an vnchast harlotte for a true wyfe , a fylthy strompette for a faythfull yokefellow , a disobedient Synagoge for a christen congregacion . We haue in tymes past taken the Bysshop of Rome , & hys paynted carnall Idolles , I would haue Errours about the Chyrche . sayd , his sayncted Cardinalles , Patriarches , Legates , Archbysshops , Bysshops , Prestes , Monckes , Fryars , Chanons , Heremites , Anacho rites , & other of the spiritualte , as they call them , only to be the chyrche & haue thought that by no meanes we myght departe from them and theyr doctrine , excepte they would be damned , in what so euer case they O abhominacion . stode , were they on Goddes syde , or contrary , taught they accordynge to gods worde or otherwyse . For once to hyske agenst them , was co●… Ioan. ix . ted to cut the cote of Christe that had neuer a seme , to subuert and tople downe the chayre of Peter & Paul the chefe Apostles , to defyle , to tear & to tread vnder fote the authorite of the chyrche Christes spouse , yea Apoc. xxi . & to make shorte tale , to caull oute of hel the heresies that were buried and layd to slepe .

By this meanes haue they theise many hundred yeares not only seduced the simple and vnlerned people , butte also falselye vsurpedde the name of the Chyrche , callynge them selues the mother holye churche , beynge so rather in name than in very dede . If they were faith full , & dyd continewe in the doctrine of the holy Scripture so were they

members of this chyrche of Christ , yf contrarywyse , than pertayned they not vnto this holy catholyke chyrche , but were corrupt & rotten members , h●…ynge nothyng lesse than pertakers of this helth and saluacion , that is in this moost pure & vndefyled chyrche .

This chyrche of Christ , whome Dauid calleth here , the handmayd of the LORDE , is the vniuersall What the Chyrch is Ioan. iii. vi . Collos. i. Matth. xvi . i. Ioan. iiii . Ioan. x. congregacion of the faythfull , whiche with a sure & vndoubted fayth beleue in Christe , acknoweledge hym to be theyr heade , confesse hym to be the sonne of the lyuynge God , graunt vnfaynedly that he came in the flesh , heare the voyce of theyr Sheppard cleaue only to his worde , flye the voyces of straungers , stycke vnto him us to theyr alone treasure , & looke for all good thynges at hys hande only .

Unto this churche pertayne so many as from the begynnyng of the world vntyl this tyme haue vnfaynedly ●…at . ●…vi . xxi Esa. xxviii . Dan. ii . i. Cor. x. Matxx . viii beleued in Christe , or shall beleue vnto the very ende of the world . Agaynste this chyrche the gates of hell shall not preuayle , seynge it is bylte on the rocks Christ For Chri●… hymselfe hathe promised , that he wyll be with it by his holy spirite euen vnto the very cōsummacion and end of the world .

Moreouer Christ loued this chirch so well , that he gaue hymselfe for it Ephe. v. Gala. i. Cit. iii. i. Pet. iii. Apoc. xxi . i. Tim. iii. to sanctify it , & clensed it in the fo●… tayne of water , by the word , to make it vnto hym selfe a glorious congregacion hauynge no spot or wryncle , nor ony suche thyng , but that it should be holy & without blame . This chirche is the spouse of Christ , and matrone of heauen , the house of God , whiche is the congregacion of the liuynge God , the pyller & ground of trueth . This chyrche is the mount Syon , the Cytye of the lyuyng god , the celestiall Hierusalem , the company Heb. xii . of innumerable aungelles , & the congregacion of the fyrst begotten , which are written in heauen . This chyrche is the holy cytie , that newe Apo. xxi . Ierusalem , which came downe from God oute of heauen , prepared as a bryde garnysshed for her husbonde . This chyrch is that loue , that dere Cant. i. ii . iii. iiii . dearlynge , that doue , that fayreste amonge all women without spotte or deformite , of whome we rede in the Balades of Salomon . This chyrch can neuer erre , seinge that it is euer Ioan. xiiii . xv . xvi . Mat. xxviii Ioan. x. gouerned with the spirite of Christ seynge also that it cleaueth only to the worde of God , neyther dothe it heare the voyce of ony straunger , but only heare and followe the voyce of her Sheppard , which is Christ . To know therfore this chyrch of Christ from the Synagoge of Antichriste it is very easye , For the Chyrche of Christ leaneth with a sure fayth to A comparison betwene the Chyrch of Christ , & the Synagoge of antechrist Christ alone the sonne of the liuing God , as an omnisufficient sauiour . The Synagoge of Antechriste although it confessethe Christ after a certayne manner , yet it sekethe saluacion also at the handes of other . The chyrch of Christ followeth only the word of God , & accordyng to that worketh in all thynges . The Synagoge of Antechrist followeth the voyces of straungers , deuyseth newe decrees , constitucions , lawes ordinaunces &c. & vnto them it sticketh maynly . The chyrch of Christ practysethe those workes , that ar●… commaunded in the holye Scripture . The Synagoge of Antechrist worketh thynges of her owne ymaginacion , not prescribed in the law of God . The chyrch of Christ seketh aboue all thynges the glory of god , & the health of her neyghbour . The Synagoge of Antechrist seketh her owne pompe , honour , glory & prayse . The chyrche of Christ is redy at all tymes to suffer persecucion for Goddes truethes sake . The Synagoge of Antechrist hateth the crosse , seketh to lyue all in pleasure , to persecute so many as loue god and his word . The chyrche of Christ seaketh euer after heauenly thynges . The Synagoge of Antechrist huntethe after temporall promocions , worldly honours , fleshly dignities , easy lyuinges , carnall pleasures , galant pasti mes , sumptuous fare , gorgious apparell . &c. The chyrche of Christ spem deth her goodes vpon the poore menbers of Christe . The Synagoge of Antechrist bestoweth her goodes after her owne fansye , & not after the commaundement of God . To conclude , The chyrche of Christ is altogyther godly & celestiall . The syna goge of antechrist is altogither wicked & earthly . Hereby do we learne which is the true chyrch , & which is the false , which is the chyrche of Christ & which is the sinagoge of Antechrist

But it is not to be gone ouer with Why the chyrch is cal an hande mayde . a lyght fote , as they vse to say , that Dauid calleth this chyrch of Christ the handemayde of God , neither is it withoute a cause . For as a true , faythfull and diligent handmayde haue her eyes alwayes fyxed vpon her mastres for to wayte & se , what Psal. cxxii . Mark well . shall be her pleasure to commaund her to do , that she maye do it wyth all redines & spede , euen so becometh it them of Christes chyrche diligent lyto wayte vpon theyr Lord God , & to marke what his moost godlye Esa. viii . Psal. cxviii . Luc. xvi . wyll , pleasure and commaundement is that they shoulde do . And thys shall they assuredly knowe by searchynge the holye Scriptures . And as it becometh not an honest hand mayde to leaue the commaundement of her mastres vndone , and to busy herselfe about suche thinges , as she ☞ her selfe thynketh best to be done of her owne brayne , euen so doth it not become them that professe them selues members of Christes chyrch to leaue the commaundementes of God vndone , & to fall in hande withe doynge thynges of theyr owne fansy & ymaginacion . For they that do so shewe them selues no handmaydes , but mastresses , nether are they obedient subiectes vnto God , but rather take vpon them to be arrogant superiours , & presumteous checke-mates . Let them therfore that wyl ☜ be of Christes chyrche learne to be handmaydes & no mastresses , to be obedient subiectes , & not arrogant superiours & presumpteous checke mates , vnlesse , whyle they followe theyr owne fantasyes and dreames they fall from the chyrche of Christ vnto Antichristes Synagoge , as we may se in the Papistes , Anabap tistes , Sacramentaries . &c.

Moreouer we reade that thys The true Chyrch is the spouse of Christ . chyrch is not only called the hande mayde of the LORDE , but also the spowse of Christe , yea & that not vnworthy . For as a good , honeste , and faythfull wyfe is obedient to her husbonde in all thinges , loueth him pure ly , cleaueth vnto hym only , hath no pleasure to ronne after other men , delyghteth her self with her husbondes company alone , is glad to please hym Cant. iiii . 〈◊〉 . Cor. xi Apoc. xxi . alway , seketh the accomplyshment of his wyll , & by no meanes wyll at tempte ony thynge that shoulde be displeasaunt to hym : So lykewyse this chyrche , which is the spouse of Christ , is obedient to her husbonde Christ in all thynges , loueth him with an ernest , pure & vnfayned loue , cleueth to him only , hath no plesure to Mark well . ronne after other men , wherby she may be entised from the loue of her husbonde , delyghtethe only in hym and in his worde , sea●…eth the accomplyshment of his wyl , & sheweth her selfe in all poyntes conformable to his moost diuine wyll , beynge lothe that ony thynge shoulde be committed on her behalf , that should be displeasaunt to hym in ony poynte .

Let them therfore nowe take hede , that recounte them selues to be of this chyrche , & wyll be called the spouse of Christe , that they cleaue onlye to theyr husbonde Christ & his worde , Ioan. viii . x. heare hym alone , followe hys voyce delyght only in his moost holy law , seke the accomplysshment of his diuine wyll , & by no meanes admytte nor heare the voyce of ony straunger For as the woman is an whore , thogh she bereth the name of an honest wife Note neuer so moche , the is not contented with her owne husbonde , but followeth other men , ronnethe a whore huntynge after straung louers , castyng away the sincere & true loue , that she ought to beare toward her husbonde : So lykewyse , if suche as call them selues the chyrche & spouse of Christe , forsake theyr husbonde Christe , be not contented with hym & his word alone , but followe straung doctrines , & ronne a whorehuntinge ●…eb . xiii . after new lawmakers , which teach thynges contrary to the wyll of this bridegrome , yea or els they themselues make lawes , decrees , actes , con stitucions . &c. that fyght withe th●… voyce of this heauenlye shepparde , Brydegrome and husbonde Christ Iesu , surely , surely let them beleue me , they are not the spouse of Christ , but fylthy whores , vnclene harlottes , stynckynge strompettes , abhominable adultresses , & stulyke Goshyppes , thoughe they weare neuer so many triple crownes , carnal hattes , glysterynge myters , forked cap pes . &c. vpon theyr heades , & haue neuer so many pilers , pollaxes , cros ses , crosser staues , & syluer roddes Ioan. x. Cant. iiii . borne before them . For the spouse of Christ only hereth the voyce of her husbonde , followeth that , cleaueth to that , & by no meanes ronneth a whorehuntynge after straunge louers , neyther carethe she for theyr voyce , fayre wordes , & flatterynge promyses , seynge she knowethe full well , that no man can shewe thynges more necessary & profytable vnto her health & saluacion , than her husbonde hath already done . Therfore recounteth it she a very vayne & madde thynge to forsake this her true & alone husbond Iesus christ , & to followe straungers . I am gelous ouer you , sayth S. Paule , with a godly ielosye . For I haue maryed ii . Cor. xi . you to one man , to brynge a chaste virgine vnto Christ .

This moche haue I spoken by the waye concernynge the chyrch , that all men maye knowe the chyrche of Christ , whiche is the handmayde of Ephe. v. God , & the spouse of Christ , hauing nother spor nor wryncle , but altogither glorious , pure & vndefyled , from the Synagoge of Antichrist , & be no more deceaued with outward appearaunces , glysterynge visars , and paynted clokes , vnlesse they go forthe to worship , reuerence & haue in honour certayne deceatfull shadowes for the self trueth , as we haue done in tymes paste . God make vs al the seruauntes of the Lordes hand mayd , and graunt that we maye so abyde in the olde catholyke fayth & in the doctrine of Christes chyrche , that we may be blissed , & haue our bondes Search the Newes out of heauen . broken , as it followeth .

O LORDE because I am thy seruaunte , yea thy seruaunte in dede , sayth Dauid , and the sonne of thy handemayde , thou haste broken my bondes . What bondes are these , that The bondes God hath broken , & made vs fre from them thorowe Christe , settynge vs agen at liberte ? Uerely the bondes of Satan , synne , death , hell , desperacion , and the curse of the lawe .

Fyrst as concernyng Satan , Sata●… . Gen. iii. Rom. v. Ephi . ii . euery man knoweth , howe we were in captiuite & bondage to hym by the sinne of our fyrst father Adam which thorowe his disobedience dyd caste vs into the bondes of that infernal Prince , made vs captiue & thraull , so that by our owne strength , power wytte , polecy , & free wyll we could neuer haue set oure selues agayne at liberte . But God of his tender mercy & fre goodnes , whan we had caste our selues into this bondage , promised vs deliueraunce , when he spake these wordes vnto the serpent : I wyll set emnite betwene the and an woman , betwene her seed & thy seed That selfe seed shal trede down G●…e . iii. thy heade . And so many as beleued them , were at that very instant delyuered from the bondes of Satan . What it is to treade downe the heade of the Serpente For what other thig is it to treade downe the heade of the serpent , than to vanquish & subdue hym , to make his power frustrate & of no strength yea and to set those agen at liberte , whiche before were his bonde presoners . Nowe although this promise were not streyghtwayes fulfylled , yet stode it in effect with the faithful , & they so sone as they beleued , were Mark well . Ioan. i. Galathi . iii mat . iii. xvii Marc. xix . Luke . iii. ix . 〈◊〉 . Ioan. iii. deliuered out of captiuite , set at liberte agayne , & made the sonnes of God , thorowe the faythe that they had i Gods promise , which he made vnto them in his derely beloued sonne Christ Iesu. But whan christ was once come , & had fulfylled this promyse of hys celestiall father , than was Satans power vtterly adnihilated and made of no strength . His bondes were broken , wherwithe so miserably he dyd detayne & hold vs , as S. Iohn testifieth , The sonne of god dyd appere for this purpose , euen to dissolue , losen & breake the workes of the dyuell . So that now Satan hathe no more power ouer vs , excepte wyllyngly we cast oure selues agayne into hys bondes , as S. Iames sayth , resist the dyuell , & Iaco. iiii . i. Pet. v he shal flye from you . For although he goeth about lyke a roryng lyon , seakyng whome he maye deuoure , yet can not he deuour , no nor yet so muche as once byte or towche ony faythfull man , excepte he wyll of a set purpose caste hymselfe into that Dragons rauenyng teth to be rent & torne , the sonne of God hath set vs at such libertie , & gyuen vs our manumission so frely and plenteously .

Nowe seyng that Satan , which is our moost vtter enemye , is so vanquisshed & subdued , & we vtterly deliuered from his captiuite , that our bondes are broken , wherwith he had vs bound , it is to be thoughte that synne , death , hell , desperacion , and the curse of the lawe can worcke vs ony euell , or that theyr power is so gret , that they are able to make vs styll captiue and bonde presoners ?

As towchynge synne , to whome is it vnknowen , that as the power Synne . of Satan is vanquisshed by Christ , so in lyke manner is synne thorow hym put to flyghte . He is that lambe of God , which taketh away the synne Ioan. i. Math. i. Esa. xiiii . 〈◊〉 . Tim. i. 〈◊〉 . Cor. v. i. Pet. ii . Ephe. v. Esa. iiii . of the worlde . He is that sauioure , which saueth his people from theyr synnes . He is , yea he is that Lorde in dede , whiche putteth awaye our iniquities , yea & that for his owne sake , & wyll remember them no more . He came into the worlde to saue synners . He beynge without all synne offered hym selfe vpon the altare of the crosse , a swetesmellynge Sacri fice to God the father for vs , & made a sufficient satisfaccion for al our synnes . Thorow his name all the Pro phetes beare witnes , that so many i. Ioan. ii . Act. x. Act. iiii Heb. vii . viii ix . x. i. Ioan. i. as beliue in him , shall receaue remis sion of theyr synnes . For ther is no health in ony other , nether is there ony other name gyuen vnto men , wherby they myghte be saued , but only the name of Iesus Christe . He is that Bysshop , whiche with one oblacion yea & that once for all , hathe made them perfecte for euer more that are sanctified . To be short , the bloud of Iesus Christ Goddes sonne maketh vs clene from all synne . Thus se we that by Christ , by Christes death passion & bloud the bondes of synne are broken , and we sette agayne at liberte . Death , hell , desperacion

As for death , hel , & desperacion , what can they do ? Are not they also ouercome ? Let vs heare what the Scripture sayth , out of the power of deathe , saythe the LORDE wyll I Oze. xiii . delyuer them , & from death wyll I redeme them . O death I wyll be thy deathe . O hell I wyll swallowe the vp . S. Paule also saythe , Death is i. Cor. xv . swallowed vp into victorye . Where is thy stynge O deathe ? Where is thy victorye O hell ? The stynge of deathe is synne , & the power of syn i. Ioan. v. is the lawe . But thankes be to god whiche hathe gyuen vs the victory thorowe our LORDE Iesus Christ . Agen , By death hath Christ put him Heb. ii . to flyght , that had lordshyppe ouer death , that is to say , the dyuel , that he myght delyuer them , which thorow the fere of death , were al theyr lyfe tyme in daunger of bondage . O swete and confortable sayenges . O th alone true and christen pleasures . The lawe

As touchynge oure last enemy , whiche is the curse of the lawe , are not we also made free from that by Christ ? What sayth the scripture ? Gala. iii. Christ hath redemed vs from the curse of the lawe , whyle he was made accursed for our sake . Agayne , Christe Rom. 〈◊〉 is the perfect fulfyllyng of the lawe to iustificacion for euery one that beleuethe Also in another place , be it knowen vnto you , ye men & brethren Act. xiii . that thorow this man Christ is preched to you the forgyuenesse of synnes , & from al the thynges , wherby ye coulde not be iustifyed by the lawe of Moses , thorowe hym euery one that beleueth is iustified .

Thus se we , that our bondes are broken thorow Christ , & we also set at liberte from the daunger of all our enemies , so that now there is no con Rom. viii . Ioan. viii . Gala. iiii . Heb. vii Rom. viii . demnacion for them that are engraffed in christ Iesu , whiche walke not after the flesh , but after the spirite . For the lawe of the Spirite of lyfe thorowe Christe Iesus hathe made them fre from the law of synne and death . Who wyl now lay ony thing to the charge of Gods chosen ? It is God that iustifyeth , who can than condemne ? Hereof commeth it to passe , Luke . i. Psal. cxv i. Ioan. iii. Math. i. Oze. xiii . i. Cor. xv . Rom. x. that after we be once delyuered from the power of our enemies , haue oure bondes broken , & set at liberte thorowe christ & christes passion , death & bloud , by whome Satan is vanquisshed , synne put to flyght , death ouercome , hel swallowed vp , desperacion driuen out of place , the curse of the lawe vtterly taken away , yea the lawe fulfylled , and heauen gates open for the faythfull , all that euer A good lesson . we do in christ , is acceptable in the sight of God , taken to good worth , & moche made of , not for the dignite of the worke it selfe , but because it is salted with the dignite , holines , i. Cor. x. Colos. iii. ryghteousnes , purite , & innocency of Christ , in whose name what so euer is done , smelleth swetely before GOD , so that bothe the thoghtes , wordes , dedes , lyfe & death of the Sayntes , that is , of the faythfull , yea & all the euer we do , is precious in the syght of the Lorde , as we herd before . For sure we are that all thinges worke to the best for them that loue God , whiche are called of purpose . For those whome he knewe before , Rom. v●… . hathe he ordened also before , that they should be lyke fashoned vnto the shape of his sonne , that he might be the fyrst begotten amonge many bro thren . As for those , whome he hath ordyned before , them hath he called also , & whome he hath called them hath he also made ryghteous , & whome he hath made ryghteous , them hathe he glorified also . What shall we saye than vnto these thynges ? If God be on our syde , who can be agaynste vs ? But let vs se , what is to be ren dred , & gyuen agayne vnto God for these his inestimable benefytes toward vs miserable synners ?

¶ The seuenth verse . I wyll offer to the / the sacrifyce of prayse / & on the name of the Lorde wyl I call . ¶ The tente strynge .

OUr Mynstrell Dauid goethe Dauid is lyke hym selfe . forth to be lyke hymself , that is to saye , to shewe that he is one of a very gentle & thankefull nature , redy at all times vnto the vttermoost of his power to recompence and make amendes for ony poynte of kyndenes that is shewed to him , as we may se here . For after that he hath songe of the singulare & incomparable benefites of god , which are shewed not on ly to hym , but also to all mankynd , I meane so many , as are the faythfull people of God , beleue in hym , & lyue accordynge to his diuine wyll , and hathe consydered howe greatly Ephe. 〈◊〉 . both he & all the faythfull are blyssed of God thorowe them in Christ Iesu , he now taketh an occasion to ponder wyth hym selfe how he may shewe hym selfe thankefull agayne to God , as he dyd before in y ● ●…ourth & fyfte verse of this his songe . For he desyreth nothynge to be more estraunged from his manners , than ingratitude & vnthankefulnes . He Note thyncketh it no poynte of humanite to leaue the beneficence and gentle liberalite of a mortall man vnrecompensed to neglecte therfore and nothynge to regarde the inestimable goodnes & the infinite benefites of God , he recounteth it an acte highly to be detested and abhored of ony christen harte . To shewe hymselfe therfore thankefull to God for his benignite , he is now full bent . But what wyll he gyue God agayne ? What amendes wyll he make him ? In what thynges wyll he shewe 〈◊〉 selfe thanckefull agayne vnto the LORDE ▪ Wyll he gyue hym mountaynes of golde ? Wyl he bryng him heapes of precious stones ? Wyll he fetche hym frankensence , and other swete sauours out of Araby ? Wyll he offer vnto hym fatte oxen , lusty hayffers , well lykynge shepe . &c. Na verely , for he knoweth ful wel , that Esa. 〈◊〉 . Iere. vii . Psal. xxiii . xlix . Agge . ii . 〈◊〉 . Cor. x. Math. xxv . GOD reiectethe all these thynges in many places of the holy Scripture , neyther hathe he ony nede of Dauids goodes , which hath bothe heauen and earth at his owne plea sure , and all that is contayned in them . Dauid knowethe full well , that his goodes were gyuen hym of god that he should help his poore neighbours with them . What wyl he gyue God than ? Uerely the sacrifyce of The Sacri fice of praise Psal. xlix . prayse & of thanckes gyuynge . For this is that thynge , whiche God desyreth so greatly , as he hymselfe testifyethe , The Sacrifyce of prayse , sayth he , shall honour me . Agayne , offer to God the sacrifyce of prayse Co●…oss . iii. What so euer ye do , sayth s. Paule , in worde & dede , do all thynges in the name of the LORDE Iesu , gyuynge thanckes to God and the father by hym . Agayne , he mercyfull . Also in Ephe. 〈◊〉 . another place , Gyue thankes alway for all thynges in the name of oure LORDE Iesu Christ to God & the fa ther. To the Hebrewes also he wryteth on this manner : By hym , he Heb. 〈◊〉 meaneth Christ , do we offer the Sacrifice of prayse alwaye to god , that is to saye , the fruyte of the lyppes , that gyue glory to his name .

Thus se we howe acceptable a What it is to offer the sacrifice of prayse . thyng to god , the sacrifice of praise ●…s . But what is it to offer the Sacrifyce of prayse vnto god ? Uerely to confesse & vnsaynedly to graunt that what so euer is noughte , commeth of our selues , agen that all that euer good is , commeth of God only as he saythe by the Prophet , O Israell thy destruccion commethe of 〈◊〉 . xiii thy selfe , but thy health and saluacion commeth only of me . For this is the greatest prayse that we can giue ☞ to God , for to knowlege hym alone the author & gyuer of all goodnes , & that all oure ryghteousnes , wysdome , holynes , sanctificacion , redemcion , 〈◊〉 . Cor. iiii . Iacob . i. vertue , deuocion , and all that euer good is , cometh of hym alone , & not of our selues . This is that sacrifyce wherwith God is hyghly delyghted . This is that oblacion , that gyueth so godlye an odoure before god . This is that offryng , that maketh God well pleased with hym , that doth offer it , in as muche as by the oblacion hereof he confessethe hym selfe to be able to do no thyng , that of the owne dignite & righteousnes 〈◊〉 therof , maye seme worthy to be accepted in the syght of god , and ther fore gyueth he al the glory , honour encomy , laud , prayse & magnificence to god alone , as the Prophet sayth 〈◊〉 . i. O Lorde all glory be vnto the , and to vs shame & confusion . The sayntes themselues also praye on this man Psal. ●…xi . ner , Not to vs , O Lorde , not to vs , but to thy name gyue all the glory for thy mercy and truethes sake . God hymselfe also sayth , I am the Esa. xiii . Lord , this is my name , I wyl giue my glory to no other , nor my praise to grauen Images . If God hym selfe wyll not gyue away hys glory & prayse to other , certes we do hym than much iniury , yfwe steale it from hym , and gyue it to ony other creature eyther in heauen or in earthe . If we depely consyder with our selues at al tymes the great kyndnes of God toward vs , we shal vndoub tedly be moued to synge perpetual prayses to his moost blyssed name , and continuallye to offer the sacrifice of thankes gyuyng vnto hym .

But in as much as I haue entreted abundantly of thankes gyuing , and of the sacrifice of prayse in my Pathway vnto prayer , I wyl now cease to speke ony more of it at this tyme . Reade from the li●… . vnto the ●…v . Chapter .

As towchynge the inuocacion of the Lordes name , wherof Dauid agen maketh mencion in this place , I haue spoken sufficiently of it in the fourth verse of this Psalme . Thou mayst therfore ( moost gentle Reader ) yf thou wylte , resorte thyther for this matter . I am lothe to be te dious vnto the. I wyl go forth and make an ende , althogh that whiche followeth , maye also seme abundant ly to be entreated of heretofore .

¶ The eyght verse . I wyll pay my vowes vnto the Lorde in the syghte of all his people in the courtes of the Lordes house / yea euen in the myddes of the / O Ierusalem .

DAuid is euer one man . He had Dauid is euer one man . rather synge one song a thousand tymes , than he woulde once at tempte ony thynge without the authorite of Gods word . He is at this poynte , that he wyll do nothyng , excepte Gods worde bearethe hym in it . He wyll not cleaue to his owne good intentes , myndes and zeles . He wyl worshyp God accordyng to his worde . He setteth before his eyes this commaundement . That I commaund the , do that only to the Lorde , neyther put thou ony thing to it , nor yet plucke ought therfrom . Agayne , I commaunde the to do y● , whiche is pleasaunt in the sight of the Lord thy God . Also in another place , Ye shall not do euerye one of you , that which ye yourselfe think Deu●…ro . xii xiii . right & good . He can make no shyft to be diuers in the worshippyng of God . He can inuente no newe and straunge honorynges of god , as the olde Phareses dyd in tymes paste , Esa. xrix ●…ath cv . 〈◊〉 . vii . and the Papistes & Monckes haue done syns the tyme , but all in vayne , as the Scriptures testifye . He kepethe hym selfe wythin the bondes of Gods worde , and as he sayde before that he would paye his vowes , that is to saye , do those thynges that he had promysed to his LORD God , kepe his Commaundementes , followe & accomplysh his moost godly wyll in all poyntes vnto the vttermooste of hys power , and do the offyce of a true kynge , seake Goddes glory , promote his holy worde , tenderly The office of a true kynge . loue his subiectes , mayntayn vertue , and suppresse vice : euen so dothe he nowe agayne . So that Dauid knoweth not howe to recompense in ony parte the goodnes of GOD , but only by kepynge hys moost holy commaundementes , & in gyuynge hym hattye and contiall thanckes , whiche he also promisethe to do in this verse .

But seyng that I haue entreated of the whole matter , that this verie contayneth , in the fyfte verse and seuenhte strynge heretofore , I wyll speke no more of it at this present , but only note this one thinge that our Mynstrell sayth , He wyll paye his vowes in the courtes of the Lordes house , and in the middes of Ierusalem . By the courtes of the Lordes house , & by Ierusalem is none What is signifyed by the courtes of the Lordes hous , and by Ieru salem . i. Cor. iii. v●… ii . Cor. v●… . other thyng signifyed , than the chirch of Christ , I meane the congregacion of Saync●…es , that is to saye , of the faythfull , in whome God dwelleth by his holy Spirite , as S. Paule sayth . The Temple of God is holy , which ye are . His meanyng is this , loke wher so euer the people of god is mooste gathered togyther , euen there in the thyckest of them wyl he sette forthe the glory of God , as we read of the good Kynge Iosias . He wyll seake all meanes possible , that ●…iii . ●…e . xxiii ●…i . pa. xxxiiii Would god that all kynges would●…●…o this . all thynges in his Realme shal be or dered accordyng to the law of God , & that no vice shal reygne among his people , nether I dolatry , nor swearynge , nor disobedience , nor whoredome , nor manslaughter , nor stealynge , nor bearynge false wytnes , nor ony other vice , that is prohibited by the holy scripture . And that thys thynge maye the more fortunately come to passe , Dauid hym selfe , in as muche as he is king and excelleth all other in dignite , wyl al so farre excell & passe all his subiectes in vertue & godlynes . He wyll be vnto them an example & spectacle of all goodnes . He wyll lyke vnto Phil. ii . Math. v. Iosue . i. Psal. i. as great lyghte shyne before hys people in godly conuersacion . The boke of the lawe of the Lorde shall neuer departe from hym . He wyll read & meditate in it daye & nyght . He wyll not steake to the corrupte iudgementes of other , nor be led with the dotyng fansys of those pestilent flatterers , Trueth wyll we , but he hymselfe wyll looke vpon the scriptures Ma●… we●… of God wythe all diligence , & & euermore caull vnto God for the assistence of his moost holy spirite , Ioan . xiiii . xv that that swete confortoure maye both assist & conforte hym in all his godly and vertuous enterpryses , & also lead hym into all trueth , & kno ledge of Gods moost holy wyll . To make an ende , come ther lyfe , or commeth ther death , Dauid is fully determned to stycke by Gods word , & Math. x. Mar. iiii . Luke . viii . to seke his glory aboue all thynges yea and that not in corners and secret places , but openly , that all the worlde maye euidently se that Dauid is an earneste setter forthe and an vnfayned promotoure of Goddes glorye , and by that meanes be occasioned also wyth Dauid to honoure , worshyppe , magnify , laude , and prayse GOD wyth one mynd and voyce for euermore , as Christe Math. v. saythe : Let your lyght so shyne before menne , that they maye se your good workes , and glorifye your father , which is in heauen , to whome wythe his onlye begotten s●…nne oure LORDE and omnisufficient sauiour Iesus Christ , & the holy Ghoste that moost swete confortoure , be all honoure , prayse and glory for euer and euer .

amen .

¶ Gyue the glory to God alone .