The preface .

IF thu do throughly reade thys worke ( dere frynde in the lorde ) marke rather the matter than the homely speache therof , consyderynge it is the stodye of a woman , whych hath in her neyther connynge nor scyence , but a feruent desyre that yche one maye se , Math. 8 what the gifte of God the creatour doth whan it pleaseth hym to iustyfye a hart . For what is the hart of a Man , concernynge hys owne strength , before he hath receyued the gift of faythe ? Therby only hath he knowledge of the goodnesse , Hebre. 11 wysedome , and power of God . And as sone as he through that faythe , knoweth pythely the truthe hys hart is anon full of charyte and loue So that by the feruentnesse therof , he excludeth all fleshly feare , 1. Ioan . 4. & fyrmely trusteth in God vnfaynedly . for certaynely the gifte , whych God the creatour geueth frely at the begynnynge , doth neuer cease tyll it hath made hym godly , whych putteh hys full trust in God .

O happy and fortunate gifte . whych causeth a Man to possesse a grace so desyred Alas no man coulde thys vnderstande , onles by soch gyfte God had geuen it hym . Ioan. 6. And great cause he hath to doubte of it , onles God hath made hym to feale it in hys harte . Therfor gentyll reader , with a godly mynde I besyche the pacyently thys worke to peruse , whych is but small in quantyte , and taste nothynge but the frute therof Prayenge to God full of all goodnesse , that in thy harte he wyll plante the lyuely faythe . Amen .

finit praefatio . liber incipit

WHere is the helle . full of traeuayle , payne , myschefe , and torment ? Where is the pytte of cursednesse , Iob. 7. out of whych doth sprynge all desperacyon ? Is there any helle so profounde , that is suffycyent to ponnysh the tenth part of my synnes . whych are so many in nombre , that the infynyte swarme of them so shaddoweth my darkened sences that I can not accompte them neyther yet we le se them ? I am farre entered in amongest them , and ( that moch wors is ) I haue not the power to Roma. 7. obtayne the true knowledge of the depe daungers of them . I perfyghtly fele , that their roote is in me . And outwardly I se non other effecte but all is eyther braunche leafe , or els frute that it bryngeth fourth all aboute me . If I thynke to loke for better , a branche commeth and closeth myne eyes , and in my mouthe doth fall whan I wolde speake , Psal. 94. the frute so bytter to swalowe downe . If my sprete be sturred for to harken , than a great multytude of leaues doth entre in myne eares , and my nose is all stopped with flowers .

Now beholde how in paynes cryenge & wepynge , my poore sowle , a slaue and prysoner , doth lye without lyghte , hauynge her fete bounde through her concupyscence & also both her armes through euyll vse Yet the power to remedy it , 2. Cor. ●● doth not lye in me , neyther haue I power to crye for helpe . Agayne , so far fourth as I can perceyue , I haue no hope of socour , but through the grace of God that I can not deserue , whych maye rayse euery one from deathe . By hys bryghtnesse he geueth lyght to darkenesse . And hys power examynynge my faulte , doth breake all the vayle of ignoraunce , Io● . 12. and geueth me clere vnderstandynge , not only that thys cometh of me , but also what thynge abydeth in me . Where I am and wherfor I do laboure . Who he is whom I haue offended , to whom I ded obeye so seldome . Therfor it is conuenyent that my pryde be suppressyd

And humbly with wepynge harte , I do confesse that I am moch lesse than nothynge , before my byrth myer , after a dungehyll , a body prompte to all euyll not wyllynge other stodye , also subiect to care , sorowe , and payne . Iob. 14. A short lyfe , and th ende vncertayne . The whych vndre synne by Adam is solde , and by the lawe iudged to be damnyd . For I had neuer the power to obserue one only commaundemente of God , I do fele the strength of synne in me , therfor is my synne no whyt the lesse to be hydden . And the more he is dyssembled outwardly , so moche the more he encreasyth within the harte . That whych God wyll , Sapi. 9. I can not wyll , and what he wolde not , I ofte tymes desyre to perfourme . Whych thynge doth constrayne me by importable sorowe , to Wyshe th ende of thys myserable bodye through desyred death , bycause of my werye & ragynge life

Who shall be he than , that shall delyuer and recouer suche good for me ? Alas it can not be a mortall man , for hys power and strength is not suche , Roma. 7. but it shall be the only good grace of the almyghty God whych is neuer slacke to preuent vs with hys mercye O what a master is that , with our deseruynge any goodnesse of hym ? I serued hym slouthfully , and without ceasynge offended hym euery daye , yet is he not slacke in helpynge me . He doth se the euyll that I haue , what and how moche it is , Gene. ● . and that of my selfe I can do nothynge that good is , but with hart and body so enclyned am I to the contrarye , that I feale no strength in me onles it be for to do euyll . He doth not tarry tyll I humbly praye hym , or that ( seynge my helle & dampnacyon ) I do crye vpon hym . For with hys sprete he maketh a waylynge in my harte greatter than I can declare , whych asketh the gyfte wherof the vertu is vnknowen to my lytele power . Psal. 37.

And thys the same vnknowne syghte doth brynge me a newe desyre , shewynge the good that I haue lost by my synne , & gyuen me agayne through hys grace & bountye , that whych hath ouercomen all synne O my lorde what grace and goodnesse is thys , whych doth put out so manye synnes Now maye we se that thu art full of all godly loue to make me of a synner , thy seruaunt & chyelde . Alas my God , I ded not seke the but I fled & ranne awaye from the. Luce. 19. And here beneth thu vvd2 to me whych am nothynge but a worme of the earthe , all naked What do I saye , worme ? I do hym wronge , that am so naughtye , & swarme so full of pryde , deceyte , malyce & treason . The promyse whych my fryndes made whan I was baptysed is such , Collo. 3. that I alwayes through faythe in thy passyon shuld fele the mortyfycacyon of my fleshe & dwelle alwayes with the in the crosse where thu wert fast nayled ( as I beleue ) and yelded death dead as I also shuld yelde all synne

Thys haue I often tymes taken downe agayne , vntyed , and set at large , I haue broken , denyed , and falsyfyed my promyse & through pryde , I haue lyft vp my wyll in suche a maner , that through slouth . my dewtye towardes the was forgoten . And that moche more is , as wele the profyte or value of thy promyse , Mar. 16. whych I had of the in the daye of my baptysme , as also thy sauynge loue and promyses folowynge , I haue all alyke neglected . What shall I saye more ? Albeit that often tymes thu perceyuynge me wretched and vnhappye hast geuen me so many warnynges in fayth and in sacramentes , admonyshynge me by preachynges , and confortynge me by the recayuynge of thy worthye bodye and sacred bloude , Ioan. 6. promysynge also to put me in the nombre of them that are now adourned with perfyght innocencye . Yet haue I all these hygh benefyghtes , throwne into forgetfullnesse ,

Often tymes haue I with the broken couenaunte . Aud partly for that my poore sowle was to moche fed with euyll breade or dampnable doctryne of hypocrytes , I despysed such socoure and ghostly physyck in Gods worde , Hiere . 7. as wolde haue holpe me And if I had bene wyllynge to loke for it yet knewe I at that tyme no teachers conuenyent . For there is neyther man , saynte , nor Angell , for whome the harte of a synner without thy sprete wyll change . Alas good Iesus , thu beholdynge my blyndenesse , and that at my neade I coulde haue no socour of men , dedyst open the waye of my saluacyon . O how great is the goodnesse , Psal 118. and how inestymable the swetnesse whych thu hast shewed therin ? Is there any father so naturall to the daughter or brother to the syster , whych wolde euer haue done as he hath done ? For he came into the helle to socour my sowle , where agaynst hys wyll she was , intendynge to haue peryshed , because she ded not loue

Alas swete lorde thu hast loued her yea , to the very outshedynge of thy most precyouse bloude . 1. Ioan . 3. O charyte feruent and incomparable . Not slacke art thu in loue that so louest euery synner , yea , and also thyne enemyes . not only in forgeuynge their offences , but also in geuynge thy selfe for their saluacyon , lybertie , and delyueraunce , to the death , crosse , trauayle payne and sufferaunce . Whan I cast in mynde , what shnlde be the occasyon of thy loue towardes me . I can se nothynge els but a loue wonderfull , Ioan . 5. whych moueth th● to geue me that I can not deserue . Than my God as farre fourth as I can se , I ought to geue no thankes for my saluacyon but only vnto the , to whome I owe the prayse ther of , as to hym whych is my sauyour & creatoure . What a thynge is it that thu hast done so moche for me ? Thu art not only contented to haue forgyuen me my synnes , Ephe. 3. but also hast gyuen vnto me the ryght fortunate gifte of grace .

For it shulde snffyse me , I commynge out of suche a daunger , to be lyke a straunger vsed . But thu dost handle my sowle , ( if I durst so saye it ) as a mother . daughter , syster and wyfe . I lorde , I am the trespaser whych am not worthy to come nere the dore of thy ryght hygh place to aske breade , where thy dwellynge is . O what grace is thys , that so sodenly thu vouchesauyst to drawe my sowle in to suche hyghnesse , Roma. 8. that she felyth herselfe ruler of my bodye . She poore , ignoraunte and lame , doth fynde her selfe wyth the , ryche , wyse , and stronge , because thu hast written in her harte the roote of thy sprete , & holy worde . geuynge her true fayth for to receyue it . Whych thynge made her to conceyue thy sonne , in beleuynge hym to be man , God , sauyour , and also the true remytter of synnes . Therfor dost thu assure her , Math. 12 that she is mother to thy sonne of whom thu art the only faither .

And farthermore , O my father here is a great loue . for thu art not wery of wele doynge syth that thy sonne full of dyuynyte hath taken the bodye of a man , & ded myngle hymselfe with our ashes , whych thynge a man can not vnderstande vnlesse he hath a true faythe . It hath pleased the to put hym so neare vs , Phil. 2. that he ded ioyne hymselfe vnto our fleshe . Than we seynge hym to be called man , we are bolde to call hym syster and brother . Now the sowle whych maye saye of her selfe . that she is the syster of God , ought to haue her harte assured . After thys dost thu declare with greate loue , how her creacyon is only of the good wyll , whych it pleaseth the alwayes to haue towardes her , geuynge assuraunce that before her first daye , or tyme of beynge prouyded for her . thu bestowedest thy loue on her , Gene. 1. & how through loue thu hast made her ( as alone of power thu cannyst wele do it ) and also how thu dedyst put her within thys body . not for to sleape with slouth , but that both of them shulde haue non other exercyse , but only to thynke how to do some seruyce vnto the

Than the truthe maketh her to feale that there is in the , true paternyte . O what honoure . Tren. 2. what swetnesse , and what glory hath the sowle , whych doth alwayes remember that she is thy daughter , & in callynge the fayther , she doth thy commaundement ? What is there more ? Is that all ? No , It doth please the to gyue her an other name , to call her thy wyfe , & that she agayne do call the husbande , declarynge how thu hast frely manyfested the marryage of her . By the baptysme thu hast made a promes , to gyue her thy goodes and ryches , Colos. 2 and thu agayne to take her synnes , for she hath nothynge els by herytage of her first father Adam . All her treasures , that she hath of nature , are nothynge els but synnes , whych thu hast tyed vpon the , and payed all her whole debte with thy goodes and landes .

Thu hast made her so ryche , and with so great a ioynter endued her , that she knowynge her selfe to be thy woyd wyfe , doth beleue to be quytt of all that she oweth , Roma. 5. estemynge very lytel that she hath here beneth . She forsaketh her olde father . & all the goodes that he gyueth , for her husbandes sake . Surely ( o my God ) my sowle is sore hurte to be fedde with suche good , and agayne releued in leauynge the pleasure of thys worlde for that whych is eternall , ● . Ioan . 5. where peace is without warre . I maruayle that she , thys remembrynge , doth not lese her witt , countenaunce , and speache . Father , father , alas what ought I to thynke . Shall my sprete be so bolde as to take vpon hym to call the father ? Yea , and also our Father , for so hast thu taught in the Pater noster . But to call the daughter , hast thu so sayd ? I besyche the , Prouer , ● . tell me . Alas yea , whan with great swetnesse , thu saydest daughter , lend me thy harte .

O my God , in stede of lendynge , he is ready to geue hym selfe wholly vnto the 〈◊〉 hym than , & do not permyt that 〈◊〉 creature put hym from the , so that for euer with faythfull stedefastnesse he maye loue the with a daughterly loue , Now my lorde if thu be my father , maye I thynke that I can be thy mother ? In dede I cannot wele preceyue , Apoca 13 how I shulde conceyue the that createdyst me . But thu dedyst in thys matter satisfye my doubte , whan in preachynge and in sreatchynge fourth thy handes dedyst saye Those that shall do the wyll of my father they are my bretherne , also my syster and mother . I beleue than , that hearynge & readynge the wordes whych thu hast taught & vttered by thy holy prophetes . the same also whych through thy true preachers , Luce . 11. thu dost dayly declare vnto men in beleuynge it and stedefastly desyerynge to fulfyll , I conceyue the & beare the by loue

Therfor without āye feare , wyll I take vpon me the name of a mother . What mother of God ? O swete vyrgyne Marye , I besyche the. be not angry that I take vp suche a tytle . I do neyther stele , nor vsurpe any thynge vpon thy pryuylege . For thu only hast aboue all women receyued of hym so great honoure , that noman can in hym selfe comprehende how he hath bene wyllynge to take in the our fleshe . Math. 1. For thu arte mother and pefyght vyrgyne before and after , and in hys holy byrth . In thy blessyd wombe thu dedyst beare hym and norysh hym . Thu dedyst folowe hym in hys trybulacyons , and also in hys teachynges . Now breuely to conclude . Thu hast with God founde suche grace , as the enemye through malyce and deceyte , had caused Adam & hys posteryte to lose By Eue and hym we had lost it , 1. Cor. 15. & by thy sonne hath it bene yelded vnto vs agayne

Therfor hast thu bene ryghteously called full of grace . Luce. 1 , For thu lackedyst neyther grace nor vertu , sith that he whych is the best amonge them that be good , also the sprynge of all goodnesse and power whych hath created in the so pure innocencye that thu arte the example of all uertues ) hath buylded in the hys dwellynge & temple . Be through loue ded conforme hymselfe with the , and thu arte transfourmed in hym . Therfor if any man shulde thynke to geuen the greatter prayse than God hymselfe hath done , it were a fule blasphemye . Luce. 1. For there is no suche prayse , as is the same whych commeth from God Thu also hast had faythe so fyrme and constaunt . that ( by grace ) she had the power to make the godly . Wherfor I wyll not take vpon me , to geue the greatter prayse than the honoure whych thy souerayne lorde hath geuen vnto the. Acto . 1● For thu arte hys corporall mother , and also thruogh fayth hys spyrytuall mother .

And I folowynge thy fayth with humblenesse , am hys spirytuall mother also Alas my God the brotherlynesse that thu hast towardes me throngh thy humblenesse , in callynge me syster , is great . Dedyst thu euer saye in it any thynge asore ? Alas yea . For thu hast broken the kyndred of my olde father , Roma. 8. callynge me doughter by adopcyon . Well than , seynge that we haue both but one father , I wyll not feare to call the my brother . For so hast thu reported it by Salomon in hys bellet . Canti. 4. saynge , My syster and spouse thu hast wounded my harte with the swete loke of one of thyne eyes , and with one cheyne of thy necke . Alas my brother , I wyshe for no thynge els , but that in woūdynge the , I myght fynde my selfe wounded with thy loue , To that wolde I geue ouer my selfe And lyke wyse thu dost call me wyfe in that place , shewynge largely that thu louyst me , saynge by these wordes amorouse

Aryse my dere doue , Cauti . 2. and come hytherwarde my dylectable spouse . Therfor shal I saye with louynge fayth , thu arte myne and I am thyne . Thu dost call me thy loue & fayre spouse . If it be so , suche hast thu made me . Alas , doth it please the , to gyue me suche names ? They are truly able to breake a mannys harte , and cause it to burne through loue vnspeakeable . whan he thynketh vpon the honoure that thu dost vnto hym , whych is moche greatter than he hath deserued . A mother , a mother ? Alas but of what chylde is it ? Luce. 8. Truly of suche a sonne , that my harte doth breake for loue . My God , my sonne ? O Iesus what speache thys is . mother , daughter . O happy kynrede . O what swetnesse doth proceade out of that paternyte . But what doughterly and reuerent feare ought I to haue towardes hym , my father , yea & my creatour . my protctour and sauer ? To be thy syster , alas here is a great loue .

Canti. 8. Now dost thu breake my harte in the myddest to make rowme for the same so swete a brother . So that no other name be writen in the same , but only my brother Iesus the sonne of God . Non other man wyll I geue place to , Acto . 4. for all the scourgynge and bea●ynge , that they can do vnto me . Reape my harte then , my brother and frynde , & lete not thy enemy entre in to it . O my father , chylde , brother , and spouse , with handes ioyned , humbly vpon my knees I yelde the thankes and prayses , that it pleaseth the to turne thy face towardes me conuertynge my harte , and coueryng me with suche grace , that thu dost se nomore my euyls & synnes . So we le hast thu hydden them , Ezech 33 that it semeth , thu hast put them in forgetfulnesse , Yea , & also they seme to be forgoten of me . whych haue commytted them , For fayth and loue causeth me to forget them , puttynge wholly my trust in the alone ,

Than my father , in whom lyeth vnfayned loue , wherof can I haue feare in my harte ? I confesse that I haue done all the euyll that one creature can do , Psal. 31. and that of my selfe I am nought . Also that I haue offended the as the prodygall chylde ded , Luce. 15. folowynge the folysh trade of the fleshe , wherewith I haue spente all my substaunce , and the habundaunce of goodes whych I had receyued of the. For pouerte had wetheryd me awaye euen as heye and yelded my sprete dead for hunger , sea kynge to eate the releafe of swyne . But I Founde very lytle sauoure in suche meates . Than I seynge my lyfe to be so myserable , I ded returne vnto the my father agayne , sayenge . Ezech 18. Alas I haue synned in heauen and before the. I am not worthy ( I tell it before euerybodye ) to be called thy chylde . But O bountyfull father , do no worse to me , than to one of thy howsholde seruauntes .

Alas what loue and Zele is thys ? for thu woldest not tarry my commynge and prayer but stretchynge out thy hand receyuedyst me , Luce. 15. whan I ded thynke that thu woldest not loke vpon me . And in stede to haue ponnyshed , thu dedyst assure me of my saluacyon . Where is he then that shall ponnysh me , whan my father shall denye hym my synne ? There is no indge that can condempne anye creature , vnlesse God hymselfe wolde dampne hym . I feare not the want of goodnesse , syth I haue my God for my father . My enemye shall do me no harme , Esa. 27. for my father shall take all hys strength awaye . If I owe anye thynge , he shall paye it all for me , If I haue deserued death , he ( as a kynge ) shall pardon me , & delyuer me from pryson & hangynge .

But here is the worst . What maner of mother haue I bene ? For after that I by fayth , had receyued the name of a true mother , I became very rude vnto the , by cause that after I had conceyued and brought the fourth , Roma. 7. I left reason , And beynge subiect to my wyll , not takynge heede vnto the , I fell a slepe and gaue place to my great enemye , The whych in the nyght of ignoraunce , I beynge a sleape ded steale the from me craftely , and in thy place , she ded put her chylde whych was dead . So ded I lese the , whych is an harde sorowe and remorce for me . Now haue I lost the by myne owe faulte ( my sonne ) bycause I toke no hede to kepe the. Sensualyte my neyghbour ( I beynge in my beastly sleape ) ded steale the from me , 3. Reg. 3. & gaue me , an other chylde whych had no lyfe in hym , named synne , whom I wyll not haue , for I do vtterly forsake hym .

She affirmed that he was myne owne but I knewe hym to be hers . For as sone as I came to the lyght of grace , whych thu haddest gyuen me , than I knewe my glory to be changed , whan I sawe the dead chylde not to be myne . For the same whych was alyue ( whom she had taken awaye ) was myne owne . 2. Cor. 6. Betwene Iesus & synne is the chaunge so apparant . But here is a straunge thynge . Thys olde woman causeth me to kepe hym whych is dead , whom she reporteth to be myne , and so she wyll maynteyne . O Salomon , a full true iudge , thu hast hearde thys lamentable processe and ordayned to content the partyes , that the chylde shulde be deuyded in two partes . The false woman agreyth , it shulde be so . 3 . Reg. 3 But I remembrynge hym to be myne owne sonne , was rather contente to lese hym , than to se hys bodye parted in two peces . For true and pefyght loue is neuer contente with one halfe of that it doth loue .

I had rather to wepe for my whole losse , than to recouer but one halfe . My mynde coulde not be satysfyed . if I had recouered one halfe without lyfe . Alas gyue her rather the chylde whych is alyue Better it is for me to dye , ● . Cor. 4 , than to se Iesus Christ dyuyded . But O my lorde , thu dedyst loke better to it than I. For thu seynge the anguysh that I ded suffer , & how I ded rather forsake my ryght , than to beholde snche cruelnesse Thu saydest , thys is the true mother and so caused them to gyue me my chylde agayne , for whom my harte was so sorowfull . O swete Iesus , I founde the after , Sapi. 3. to haue proued me if I ded loue the. Yea , I whych had lost the yet dedyst thu returne vnto me , Alas dost thu vouche saue to come agayne to her , whych beynge lett with synne coulde not kepe the , my swete chylde , my sonne , my helper , my norysher , of whome I am a ryght humble creature . Do not permytt that euer I do leaue the agayne , for I do repent my selfe of the tyme passed . Gene. 6.

Now come my sensualyte with synnes of all qualytees , for thu hast no power to make me receyue the chylde whych is dead . The same that I haue is stronge ynough for to defende me , & he shall not permyt that thu take hym awaye from me , He is alredy more stronge than anye man is . Therfor I maye sleape and take rest neare hym . Esa. 32. For all thynges wele consydered , he shall kepe me moche better than I coulde hym . Then as I thynke I maye take rest . O swete rest of the mother & the sonne togyther , my swete chylde . O my God , hononre & prayse be vnto the only , so that euery creature maye se how it hath pleased the to call me a mother , lesse than nothynge . The more that the thynge is straunge and harde to be done , the more ought thy goodnesse to haue prayse for it . Psal 118 And also I fynde my selfe more bounde vnto the than euer I ded for thys , that it pleaseth the to haue retayned me for thy syster .

I am syster vnto the but so naughty a syster , that better it were for me . that I were without the name , for I forgate the honoure of adopcyon in so noble a kyndred , & also thy so good & brotherly behauer towardes me . I with pryde ded ryse agaynst the and ( not remembrynge my faultes , but goynge a straye from the , ded agree with my brother Aaron , Nume. 12. beynge in wyll to geue iudgment agaynst thy workes . Priuely I grudged agaynst the also , whych thynge causeth me to haue a great remorce in my conscyence . Alas ryght bountyfull God , brother and true Moses . whych doist all with goodnesse and Iustyce . I haue estemed thy workes to be euen synne , beynge so bolde to speake euyn rashely , saynge . Wherfor hast thu marryed a straunge woman ? Nume . 12 Thu gyuest vs a lawe , and ponnyshemente if we do not fulfyll it . And thu woldest not be bounde to it , forbyddynge vs the thynge whych thu thy selfe doist . Deute. 5.

For thu doist forbyd vs to kylle anye man , and thu doist kylle and sparist non of thre thousande whych thu causydest to be flayne . Exo. 32 , Also God gaue vs in comm●undemente by the , that we shulde not marry the doughter of a straunger . Exo. 34. Yet thu to kest thy wyfe amonge them . Alas my dere brother , with a great meany of soche wordes ( whom I knowe to be folyshe ) with Aaron ( whych is my owne wytte ) I imbrayded the , Wherof I dore pente . For the lyuely voyce of God , rebukyngly toke me vp , before I wente out of the place . What woldest thu than of my synne ? Alas my brother thu woldest not haue me ponnyshed . but rather woldest my saluacyon and helthe , Ezech. 18 in askynge for me , thys great benefyght , that it shulde please God to mytygate hys iudgemente The whych thynge thu couldest not obtayne . For I became a lazar , Nume 12 so that whan any body shulde loke vpon me , they myght wele se that I had not bene wyse . And so was I put on t from the tentes and tabernacles of the people , bycause that a sycke bodye maye infecte them whych be in helthe

Oh , a sowle can not haue a greatter Ponnyshement , than to be bannyshed our of the cumpanye of them whych are holye and good . But what dedyst thu seynge my repentaunce ? Ezech 33 Thu prouydedyst that my penaunce was sone at an ende , 1. Ioan . 2. and with trne loue dedyst make meanes for me , wherupon I ded returne . O what a brother wolde . instede to ponnyshe hys folysh syster , so naturally cleaue vnto her ? For iniurye , grudge , & great offence , thu geuyst her grace & loue in recompence Alas my brother , how excedynge is thys thy loue ? Moch more is it , than brotherhode is bounde to geue to so poore & wretched a woman as I am . Psal. 50. I haue done the euyll , and thu geuyst me good for it , I am thyne , and thu sayest , thu arte myne . Euen so I am , and wyll be so for euer . I feare nomore the great folyshenesse of Aaron , for noman maye separat me from the. Now that we are brother & syster togyther , I care very lytle for all other men . Thy landes are myne owne inherytaunce .

Lete vs than kepe ( if it please the ) but one howsholde . Syth it haue pleased the to humble thy selfe so moche , Phil 2. as to ioyne thy hart with myne , in makynge thy selfe a leuely man , I do ryght hartely thanke the And as to do it as I ought , it lyeth not in my small power . Take my meanynge than , and excuse my ignoraunce , seynge I am of so great a kyndred as to be thy syster . O my God , I haue good cause , to loue , to prayse , & to serue the vnfaynedly and not to feare , nor to desyre any thynge saue the only . Hester . 14 Kepe me wele than , for I aske non other brother nor frynde . If anye father haue had anye pytie vpon hys chylde . If anye mother haue take anye care for her sonne . If anye brother haue hyd the synne of hys syster , it is thu . I neuer sawe ( or els it was kepte wonders secrete ) that euer husbande wolde througly for gyue hys wyfe . after she had hym ones offended , and ded returne vnto hym .

There haue bene ynough of them whych for to auenge their wronges . haue caused the iudges to put them to deathe . Nero . Other beholdynge their synnes , ded not spare their owne handes , sodenly to kylle them . Other also seynge their faultes to apere , ded sende them home agayne to their owne fryndes . Some perceyuynge their euyll dysposycyons , haue shut them vp faste in a pryson . Now breuely to conclude vpon their dyuerse complexyons , The ende of their pretence is ponnyshment , and the least harme that euer I coulde perceyue in pōnyshynge them is thys , Deut. 24. that they wolde neuer se them agayne . Thu shuldest rather make the skye to turne than , so to forsake thy wyfe for her mysdoynge . Wherfor my God , I can fynde noman to be compared vnto the. For of loue thu arte the perfect example . Now my God , more than euer I ded , I confesse that I haue broken my othe and promyse .

Alas thu haddyst chosen me for thy wyfe , and dedyst set me vp in great state & honoure . Ioan. 15. For what greatter honoure maye one haue , than to be in the place of thy wyfe , whych swetely taketh her rest so nere the. Of all thy goodes quene , mastres . and lady , and also in suretie both of body and sowle . Of great fauoure is it , that I so vyle a creature , am so ennoblyshed by the. Now to speake it breuely . I haue more , & better than any man mortall can desyre . Wherfor my harte hath cause to sygh alwayes , Luce. 6. and with habundaunce of teares , myne eyes to come out of my heade . My mouthe can not make to many exclamacyons . For there is neyther newe nor auncyent writynges , that can shewe so pytiefull a case , as the same is whych I wyll tell now . Shall , or dare I tell it ? Maye I pronounce it without shame ? Alas yea . For my confusyon is it not to shewe the great loue of my husbande . Therfor I care not , if for hys worshyp I do declare my faulte . Psal. 50.

O my sauer , whych dyed & was crucyfyed on the crosse for my synnes . Thys dede is not suche , as a father to leaue hys sonne , or as a chylde to offende hys mother or els as a syster to grudge & chyde . Alas thys is worse . For the offence is greatter where more loue & knowledge is . For the more famylyaryte we haue with God & the more benefytes we receyue of hym the greatter is our offence whan we with hym dyssemble . Esa. 5. Specyally that I shuld so do , whych am called hys spouse , and loued of the as thyne owne sowle . Shall I tell the truthe ? Yea. I haue lefte the , forgoten the , & ranne awaye from the. I ded leaue the forto go at my vayne pleasure . I forsoke the and chose other . Yea , I refused the , the welsprynge of all goodnesse and faythfull promyse . I ded leaue the. But whyther went I ? Into a place where nothynge was but cursednesse . Iob. 10.

I haue lefte the my trusty frynde and louer , worthy to be loued aboue all other I haue put the asyde . o welsprynge of all helthesomnesse , by myne owne wretched wyll . Yea , I haue forsaken the , full of bewtie , goodnesse , wysdom , and power , & sought to withdrawe me from thy loue . I haue accepted thy great enemyes , that is the deuyll , the worlde , and the fleshe , agaynst whome thu faughtest so sore on the crosse , Hebre. 12 to ouercome for my sake , to set me at lyberte , whych was by them of longe tyme a prysoner slaue . And so bounde , that no man coulde cause me to humble my felfe And as for the loue & charyte that I shulde haue had towardes the , they ded quenche it so that the name of Iesus my husbande , whych before I had founde so swete , was to me tedyouse & hatefull . So that often tymes I ded iest at it . And if any man ( I hearynge a sermon ) had sayd vnto me , Luce. 8. the preacher sayth wele . I wolde afferme it but the worde went awaye from me , as a fether doth in the wynde .

I went neuer yet to the preachynge , but for maner only . All my dedes were playne hypocresye , for my mynde was in other places . I was anoyed whan I hearde speake of the , for I was more wyllynge to go at my pleasure . Now breuely to conclude , All that thu dedyst forbyd me , I fulfylled & all that thu cōmaūdedyst me to do , I ded eschewe . And thys was the cause ( my God ) I ded not loue the. ●●ere . 2. But yet lorde , for all thys that I ded hate the and forsake the , ranne awaye from the , & betrayed the , shulde I geue thy place to an other ? Or hast thu suffered that I shulde be mocked , eyther yet beaten or kylled ? Hast thu put me in darke pryson , or bannyshed me for euer , settynge nought by me ? Hast thu taken awaye thy gyftes agayne from me , and precyouse iewels , to ponnysh me for my vnfaythfull frutes ? Haue I lost my ioynter whych thu promysedyst me , Math. 2● through my offence agaynst the ? Am I accused by the afore the eternall father , for a naughty woman ? Yea , hast thu forbyd me thy presence ( as I deserued ) & that I shulde neuer apere in thy howse ?

O most true husbande , & pure perfyght frynde , the most louynge yet amonge all good louers . Alas thu hast done otherwyse . For thu soughtest for me dylygenly , Luce. 15. whan I was goynge into the most depe place of helle , where all the euyls are done . Whan I was fardest from the both in harte and mynde , & clerlye out of the true waye . Than dedyst thu louynglye call me backe , saynge . My dere doughter harken , and se , and bowe thy hearynge towardes me . Psal. 4 Forget that straunge nacyon to whom thu dedyst ronne awaye and also the house of thyne olde father , where thu hast dwelled so longe Than shall the kynge full of all faythfulnesse , desyre thy bewtie . But whan thu sawest that thy swete & gracyouse callynge . ded not profyteme . than be gannyst thu to crye lowder . Math. 11 Come vnto me all yow whych are wearyly loaden with laboure . for I am he that shall plenteously refreshe yow and feade yow with my breade of lyfe . Alas vnto all these swete wordes wolde I not harken .

For I doubted whether it were thu , or els a fabyllouse writynge that so sayde . For I was so folyshe , that without loue I ded reade thy worde . Esa. 5. I consydered not wele the comparyson of the vyneyearde whych brought fourth thornes & bryers in stede of good frute , that it sygnyfyed me whych had so done . I knowe it wele ynough , that whan thu dedyst call the baren wyfe , saynge . Returne Sulamyte . All thys dedyst thu speake that I. Canti , 6. shulde forsake my synne . And of all these wordes ded I , as though I had vnderstande neuer a whytt . But whan I ded peruse Hieremy the prophete , I confesse that I had in there adynge therof , feare in my harte and bashefulnesse in my face . I wyll tell it , yea with teares in myne eyes , and all for thy honoure , and to suppresse my pryde . Thu hast sayde by that holy prophete , if a woman hath offended her husbande . Hiere. 3 . and is so left of hym for goynge a straye with other . Namely if he therupon refuseth her for euer . is she not to be estemed poluted and of no value ?

The lawe doth consente to put her in the handes of iustyce , or to dryue her awaye & so neuer to se her or to take her agayne . Thu hast made the sepracyon from my bedde ( sayth he vnto me ) & placed foren louers in my roume , commyttynge with them fornycacyon . Ezech. 18 Yet for all thys thu maystreturne vnto me agayne . For I wyll not alwayes be angrye agaynst the. Lyfte vp thyne eyes , & loke aboute the on euery syde . Than shalte thu we le se , into what place thy synne hath led the , & how thou lyest downe in the earthe . O poore sowle , loke where thy synne hath put the. Euen vpon the hygh wayes , where thu dedyst wayte , and tarrye for to begyle them that came by , euen as a these doth whych is hydden in the wyldernesse . Hiere . 3. Therfor thu in fulfyllynge thy wicked pleasure , hast with fornycacyon infected all the earthe whych was aboute the. Thyne eye , thy fore heade , and thy face haue loste all their honest good maner . For they were suche as an harlot hath , and yet thu haddest no shame of thy synne .

And the surplus that Hieremy sayth , constrayneth me to knowe my wretched lyfe , & to wyshe with sorowfull syghes , the houre , the daye , the moneth , the tyme and the yeare , Iob. 10. that I ded leaue it , yeldynge my selfe condempned , and worthy to be for euer in the euerlastynge fyre . The same feare whych doth not of me but of the procede , and exceadeth many of thy other gyftes , put me rather in hope than dyspayre , as often as I ded remembre my synne . For as sone as thu knewest my wyll bowynge vndre thy obedyence , than puttynge in me a lyuely fayth , thu dedyst vse great clemencye . So that after I knewe the to be that lorde , master , and kynge whom I ought to haue feared . Hebre. 11 Than founde I my feare not quenched , but mixed with loue , beleuynge that thu wert so gracyouse , gentyll , and swete , & so pytiefull an husbande , that I whych shulde rather haue hydde me , than to haue shewed my selfe , was not than in feare to go fourth and to loke for the. And in so sekynge I founde the.

But what dedyst thu than ? Hast thu refused me ? Alas my God , no , but rather hast excused me . Hast thu turned thy face from me ? Psal. ● No , for thyne eye so swete ded penetrate my harte , woundynge it almost to the deathe , and geuynge me remorse of my synnes . Canti. 4 . Thu hast not put me backe with thy hande , but with both thy armes and with a swete , and manly harte thu dedyst mete with me by the waye , and not ones reprouynge my faultes , enbrasydest me . I coulde not se in beholdynge thy countenaunce , that euer thu dedyst ones perceyue myne offence . For thu hast done as moche for me , as though I had bene good and honest . For thu dedyst hyde my faulte from euery body , Roma . 8. in geuynge me agayne the parte of thy bedde , and also in shewynge that the multitude of my synnes are so hydden & ouercome by thy great vyctorye that thu wylte neuer remembre them . So that now thu seyst nothynge in me , but the graces , gyftes and vertues whych it hath pleased thy fre goodnesse to gyue me

O charyte most precyouse . Esa. 43 I do se wele that thy goodnesse doth consume my lewdenesse , & maketh me a newe godly and bewtyfull creature . The euyll that was myne , thu hast destroyed , and made me so perfyght a creature , that all the good whych a husbande can do vnto hys wyfe thu hast done it to me , in geuynge me , a faythfull Hope in thy promyses . Now haue I through thy good grace recouered the place of thy wyfe . O happye & desyered place , gracyouse bedde , trone ryght honourable , Math. 11 s●ate of peace , rest from all warre , hygh steppe of honoure , separate from the earthe . Doist thu receyue thys vnworthy creature , geuynge her the scepture and crowne of thy empyre and gloryouse realme ? who ded euer heare speake of suche a storye ? as to rayse vp one so hygh , whych of her selfe was nothynge & maketh of great value , that of it selfe was naught .

Alas what is thys ? for I castynge myne eyes on hygh , Ioan. 3. ded se thy goodnesse , so vnknowne grace , & loue so incomprehensyble that my syght is wonderfull . Than am I constrayned to loke downe , & in so lokynge downewarde , I do se what I am , and what I was wyllynge to be . Alas I do se in it , the lewdenesse , darkenesse , and extreme depenesse of my euyll , My deathe whych by hāblenesse closeth myne eye The admyrable goodnesse of the , & the vnspeakcable euyll whych is in me , Thy ryght hyghnes & pure maiestie , Sapi. 14. my ryght fragyle and mortall nature , Thy gyftes , goodes , & beatytude , my malyce & great vnkyndnesse . O how good thu arte vnto me , and how vnkynde am I to the ? Thys that thu wylte , and thys that I pursue . Whych thynges consydered , causeth me to maruele , how it pleasyth the to ioyne thy selfe to me , seynge there is no comparyson betwene vs both .

Thu arte my God , and I am thy worke , thu my creator , and I thy creature Now to speake breuely , Esa. 64. though I can not defyne what it is to be of the , yet knowe I my selfe to be the least thynge that may be compared vnto the. O loue , thu madyst thys agrement . whan thu dedyst ioyne lyfe , and deathe togyther . But the vnyon hath made alyue deathe . Lyfe dyenge , and lyfe without ende , haue made one deathe a lyfe . Deathe hath geuen vnto lyfe a guyckenesse , Through suche deathe I beynge dead , Colos. 2. receyued lyfe , and by deathe I am ranyshed with hym whych is alyue . I lyue in the , and as for me , of my selfe I am dead . And as concernynge the bodyly deathe , it is nothynge els vnto me , but a commynge out of pryson . Deathe is lyfe vnto me . For through deathe . I am alyue . Thys mortall lyfe fylleth me full of care , and sorowe , and deathe yeldeth me content .

O what a goodly thynge it is to dye , whych causeth my sowle to lyue . Apoca 14 In delyuerynge her from thys mortall deathe , it exempteth her from the deathe myserable , & matcheth her with a most myghty louer . & vnlesse she thus dyeth , she languyssheth alwayes . Is not than the sowle blameles , whych wolde fayne dye for to haue suche lyfe ? Yes trulye , & she ought to call deathe her wel beloued frynde . O swete deathe , plesaunt sorowe , myghty keye delyuerynge from all wyckednesse . Those whych trusted in the ( o lorde ) and in thy deathe , Roma . 8 were mortyfyed , because they ded trust in the , and in thy passyon . For with a swete slepe thu dedyst put them oute of that deathe whych causeth manye to lamente . O how happye is the same slepe vnto hym , whych whan he awaketh , doth fynde through thy deathe , the lyfe euerlastynge . For the deathe is no other thynge to a christen man , but a lyberte or delyueraunce from hys mortall bande .

And the deathe whych is , Roma . 7● fearfull to the wycked , is plesaunt and acceptable to them that are good . Than is deathe through thy deathe destroyed . Therfor my God , if I were ryghtly taught , I shulde call the deathe lyfe , and thys lyfe deathe , ende of laboure , and begynnynge of euerlastynge ioye . For I knowe that the longe lyfe doth lett me from thy syght . O deathe , come , and breake the same obstacle of lyfe . Psal. 3●● Or els loue , do a myracle now , syth that I can not yet se my spouse Transfourme me with hym both bodye & sowle , and than shall I the better tarry for the cummynge of deathe . Lete me dye that I maye lyue with hym . For there is non that can helpe me , onles it be thu only . O my sauer , Iohn . 15● through faythe I am planted , and ioyned with the. O what vnyon is thys , syth that through faythe I am sure of the. And I maye call the , father brother , sonne , and husbande . O what giftes thu dost gyue , by the goodenesse of those names .

O my father , what paternyte , O my brother what fraternyte , O my chylde what dylectyon , O my spouse , what coniunctyon is thys ? Father full of humylyte Brother hauynge our symylytude , Apoca 12 Sonne engendered through faythe . & loue , Husbande louynge , and releuynge in all extremyte . But whom doist thu loue ? Alas is is she whom thu hast with drawen from the snare , wherin , through malyce she was bounde , and put her in place , name and offyce of a doughter , syster , mother , and wyfe . O my sauer , the same is a great sauoure of swetnesse , ryght plesaunt , and dylectable , Luce. 8. whan a man , after the hearynge of thy worde , shall call the without feare , hys father , brother , chylde , & spouse . I in hearynge that worde , do perceyue my selfe to be called there thy mother , syster , doughter , & spouse . Alas the sowle whych doth fynde suche swetnesse , maye consume , and burne for loue .

Is there any loue , onles it be thys , but it hath some euyll condycyon ? Is there anye pleasure to be herto estemed ? Is there any honoure , but maye be accompted shame , to thys compared ? Yea , is there any profyte equall to thys ? Ioan. 14 More ouer to conclude it breuely . Is there any thynge that I coulde more ernestly loue ? Alas no. For he that vnfaynedly loueth God , reputeth all these thynges worldly , of lesse value than the d●̄ge hylle . Pleasure profyte , honoure of thys worlde , are all but vayne tryfles vnto hym whych hath founde God . Suche loue is so profytable honourable , & abundaunt , that ( I dare saye ) she only suffyseth the harte of a godly man , 2. Cor. 3● and yeldeth hym so content , that he neuer desyreth or wolde haue other . For who so euer hath God , as we ought to haue hym , accounteth all other thynges superfluouse or vayne .

Now thanked by the lorde , through faythe haue I goten the same loue , wherfor . I ought to be satysfyed and content . Now haue I the my father , for defence of my longe youth from wanton folyshnesse . Now haue I the my brother , Phil. 2. for to socoure my sorowes wherin I fynde non ende . Now haue I the my sonne . for my feble age as an only staye . Now haue I the a true , & faythfull husbande , for the satisfyenge of my whole harte . Now syth that I haue the , I do forsake all them that are in the worlde . Syth I holde the , thu shalte escape me nomore . Seynge that I se the , I wyllloke vpon non other thynge that myght kepe me backe from the beholdynge of thy dyuynyte . Esa. 55. Seynge that I do heare the , Ioan . 10. I wyll heare nothynge that letteth me from the fruycyon of thy voyce . Syth that I maye frely talke with the , I wyll commen with non other . Seynge it pleaseth the to put me so nere the , I wyll rather dye than to touche any other Seynge that I serue the , I wyll serue non other master .

Seynge that thu hast ioyned thy harte with myne , if he depart from thyne , lete hym be ponnyshed for euer . For the departynge from thy loue is harder , 2. thes. 2. than is any dampnacyon . I do not feare the payne of ten thousande helles , so moche as I do feare the ones losynge of the. Alas my God , my father , and creator , do not suffer that the enemy , inuentor of all synne , haue suche power , that he make me to lese thy presence . For who so euer hath ones felte the losse of thy loue , he shall saye that he wolde rather be bounde for euer in helle , Exo. 15. than to feale the payne that one shall haue by the losse of the same thy loue one momente of tyme . O my sauer , do not permytt that euer I departe from the. But if it please the , put me in suche a place , that my sowle through wantonnesse of synne be neuer separated from thy loue .

In thys worlde I can not haue perfyghtly thys my desyre . Whych thynge consydered maketh me feruently & with all my harte , to desyre the departynge from thys bodye of synne , Roma. 7. not fearynge the deathe nor yet any of her instrumentes . For what feare ought I to haue of my God , Hebre 9. whych through loue offered hymselfe and suffered deathe not of dett or dewtye , bur because he wolde for my only sake vndo the power that mortall deathe had . Nowis Iesus dead , in whom we are all dead , and through hys deathe he causeth euery man to lyue agayne . I meane those whych through faythe are partakers of hys Passyon . For euen as the deathe before the great mystery of the crosse , was harde to euery bodye , and there was no man but was feared therwith . consyderynge the copulacyon of the bodye & the sowle , Eccle. 4. their order , loue , and agrement , so were their sorowes extreme in the departynge of the one from the other .

But sens it hath pleased the swete lambe to offer hymselfe vpon the crosse , hys great loue hath kyndeled a fyre within the harte so vehement , that euery true beleuer estemeth the passage of deathe but a playe or pastyme , and so prouoketh other constauntly in hys truthe to dye . Sapi. 3. And euen as the feare of deathe ded retarde vs , so ought loue to gyue vs a desyre to dye . For if true loue be vnfaynedly within the harte of a man , he can fele non other thynge , because that loue is so stronge of it selfe , that she kepith all the roume , and putteth out all other desyres , not sufferynge any thynge there but God only . 1. Ioan . 4. For whersoeuer true and perfyght loue is , we do neyther remember feare nor yet sorowe

If our owne pryde for to attayne honoure , maketh vs to seke deathe so manye straunge wayes . As if for to haue a folysh pleasure , a man putteth hym felfe in ieopardye of lyfe . If a merchaunte to obtayne ryches , doth daunger hymselfe , sometyme for the value of a shyllynge . If the first conceyuynge of robery or murther , crueltie or deceyte , Deute . 16 doth so blynde a man , that he doubteth nothynge the daunger of deathe , neyther yet mysfortune whan he seketh to auenge hymselfe or doth any other euyll . If the fury of sykenesse or the rankenesse of Malancholy causeth a creature fearcely to wyshe for deathe , & oft tymes to drowne , hange , or kylle themselues . For suche euyls are somtymes so great that they cause their payned pacyentes to chose deathe for lyberte . If it so be than that these paynes full of euyll , Ecels . 1. and imperfectyons , causeth them not to feare the hasarde of deathe , but rather to thynke that deathe tarryeth to longe .

Alas what ought true and laudable loue to do ? What ought the loue of the eternall creatour to wyshe ? Shulde she sturre a harte suche wyse , that he beynge transported with suche affectyon , shulde fele non other thynge in hym ? Alas yea . For deathe is a plesaunt thynge to the sowle . Roma. 8. whych is in loue with God , and estemeth the passage easye , through the whych she commyth out of pryson . For the harde waye , wherthrough she commeth , can not wearye her for to enbrace her husbande . O my sauer , how good is the same deathe , through whom we shall haue the ende of all sorowes ? By whom I shall enioye thy syght without impedyment , 2. Cor. 3. and be transfourmed into the lykenesse of thy maieste ?

O deathe , through thy dede I trust to haue suche honour , as vpon my knees with cryenge and wepynge I do dayly desyre . Therfor come quyckely , and make an ende of my sorowes . O happy doughters , ryght holy sowles ioyned to the cytie hierusalem , Canti. 5. open your eyes and with pytye loke vpon my desolacyon . I beseche yow that in my name ye do shewe vnto my best beloue , my God , frynde & kynge , how at euerye houre of the daye , I do languysh for hys loue . O swete deathe , through suche loue come vnto me , and with loue brynge me vnto my lorde God . O deathe where is thy stynge and darte Alas they are bannyshed from myne eyes , 1. Cor. 15. for rygour is changed into swetnesse seynge that my frynde ded suffre deathe vpon the crosse for my sake . Hys deathe doth so incourage my harte , that thu wert wonders gentyll to me , if I myght folowe hym .

O deathe , I beseche the come to put the frynde with hys loue , Now syth that deathe is so plesaunt a lyfe , that she pleasith me more than feareth me , Io● . 1. than ought I to feare nothynge but the ryght iudgement of God , All my synnes with hys iust balaunce shall be wayed & shewed openly . Apoca 2● Thys that I haue done . also my thought and worde shall be better knowne , than if they were written in a rolle . And we maye not thynke that charyte wolde offende iustyce & truthe . For whoso euer doth lyue vnfaythfully , shall be ponnyshed in euerlastynge payne . God is iust and hys iudgement is ryghteouse . Psal. 118 All that he doth is perfyght in all thynges . Alas what am I consyderynge my ryghtousnesse , I wretched and poore creature ?

I knowe that all the workes of iust men are so full of imperfectyon , that afore God they are more fylthye than myer or any other vylenesse . Efa . 64 What wyll it be than concernynge the synnes whych I do commyt , wherof I feale the burden importable ? I can saye nothynge els but that I haue wonne by them dampnacyon . Is thys the ende ? Shall dyspayre than be the conforte of my greate ignoraunce ? Alas my God no. Hebre. 18 For the inuysyble faythe causeth me to beleue , that all thynges whych are impossyble to men , Luce. 18. are possyble vnto the. So that thu do conuerte my worke , whych is nothynge , into some good worke of thyne in me , whych is specyally faythe . Ioan. ●● Than my lorde , who shall condempne me , & what iudge wyll dampne me , syth that he whych is geuen me for a iudge , is my spouse , my father , and refuge ? Alas what father ? Suche as doth neuer condempne hys chyelde , but alwayes doth excuse and defende hym .

Than I perceyue to haue non other accuser but Iesus Christ , whych is my redemer , whose deathe hath restored vs our lost inherytaunce . 1. Ioa. 2 For he made hym selfe our man of lawe , shewynge hys so worthye merytes afore God , wherwith my great debte is so habundauntly recompenced , that in iudgement it is accompted for nothynge . O redemer , here is a great loue ? We fynde but fewe suche men of lawe . Swete Iesus Christ , it is vnto the that I am a detter , yet dost thu both praye , and speake for me . Math. 18 And moreouer whan thu dost se that I am poore , with the abundaunce of thy goodes thu dost paye my debte O incomprehensyble see of all goodnesse . O my father , dost thu vouchesaue to be my iudge , not wyllynge the deathe of a synner ? O Iesus Christ , true fysher , and sauer of the sowle , frynde aboue all fryndes . Fo thu beynge my man of lawe dedyst excuse and speake for me . where thu couldest iustly haue accused me . Colo. . 2.

I feare nomore to be vndone by any man for the lawe is satisfyed by the for all . My swete spouse hath made the payment so habundaunt , that the lawe can aske nothynge of me but is payed of hym . For as I beleue , Esa. 53. he hath taken all my synnes vpon hym , and hath geuen me in place of them , hys owne goodes in habundaunce . O my sauer , presentynge thy vertues , thu dost content the lawe . Whan she wyll reproche me of my synnes , thu dost shewe her how willyngly in thyne owue fleshe , thu hast taken the dyscharge of them , through the coniunctyon of our marryage . Also vpon the crosse through thy passyon , thu hast made satisfactyon for it . 1. Pet. 2. Moreouer thy only charyte hath geuen me thys , 1. Ioan . 4. that thu hast for me deserued . Therfor seynge thy meryte to be myne , the lawe can aske nothynge of me . Than wyll I feare nomore the iudgement , but with desyre rather than parforce . I do tarry for the tyme that I shall se my iudge , and heare a iust iudgemente of hym .

Yet I knowe that thy iudgemente is so iust , Psal. 11● that there is no faulte therin , & that my infydelyte is worthye to suffer the cruelnesse of helle . For if I do only consydre my deseruynge . I can se nothynge in it that can keape me from the fyre of helle . True it is , that the torment of helle was neuer prepared but for the deuyll , and not for reasonable men . Neuerthelesse if any man haue set in hys mynde to be lyke to the deuyll , Math. 25 than ought he as the deuyll to be payed with a lyke rewarde . But if a man through contemplacyon of the sowle , do holde of the , hys Angell of counsell , vertue , goodnesse & perfectyon , he is sure to obtayne heauen , whych is a place of thy deseruynge for hym . Than shall the vycyouse be ponnyshed with the same , Luce. 13 to whom they ioyned themselues . For sith that they folowed Sathan , they must holde suche place as is for hym and hys angels prepared .

Now I consyderynge the dyuersyte of both the sortes , am lytle conforted in spre●t by thys . For I can not denye but I am more lyke the deuyll than the Angell of lyght , wherfor I feare and tremble . For the lyfe of the Angell is so pure & myne so vnpure , Hebre. 1. that I am nothynge lyke vnto hym , thys do I confesse . But to the other I am so lyke in my doynges , and so accustomed in hys wayes , that of hys payne & tormente I ought to be partaker . For the cruell synne whych hath bounde me in helle , is so great and hys force so stronge , that it leteth nothynge to come from it , neyther feareth it the contrary assaulte of any man . Luce. 22.31.32 But he whych is in thys kynde stronge , knoweth not how hys strength goth awaye , whan a stronger than he commyth . Synne is stronge whych bryngeth vs to helle .

And I coulde neuer yet se , that anye man by meryte or payne takynge , coulde euer yet vanquyshe that helle , saue only he whych ded the great assaulte throngh hys vnspeakable charyte , Phil. 2. whan he humbled hym selfe to the crosse . 1. Cor. 13 Wherby he hath ouercomen hys enemye , broken helle and hys power so that it hath no farther strength to keape anye sowle prysoner , that hath put her trust in God . Than be leuynge in the great strength that he hath , I do not set by helle and synne , No not so moche as a strawe . So that synne can neuer haue holde of me , vnlesse it be for to shewe how my God is mercyfull , stronge , Roma . ● myghtie , & a pusaunt vanquysher of all the euyls whych were within my harte . If my synne forgyuen , is the glorye of my most louynge sauer , I ought also to beleue , that my glorye is encreased therwith , seynge that I am planted or engrafted in hym .

Hys honoure only doth honoure all hys , and hys ryches doth replenysh euery one of hys with hys goodes . Than deathe helle and synne are ouercome by hym , Apoca. 5. O glottonouse helle , where is thy defence ? Thu cruell vyllayne synne , 1. Cor. 15. where is thy tyrannouse power ? O deathe where is thy stynge & vyctorye , whych are so moche spoken of ? In steade of deathe , thu deathe geuyst vs lyfe , and so dost thu contrary to thy wyll . Also thu synne which coueryst to drawe yche creature to dampnacyon thu geuest vs a ladder to reache therby that goodly cytie Hierusalem . Apoca. 21 Yet woldest thu of thy cursed nature that our eternall maker shulde lose hys creature . But through hys loue and grace , the sorye remembraunce of thy vncomelynesse , doth cause her by repentaunce to come agayne , and submyt her selfe vnto God more than euer she dyd . Hys inestymable goodnesse causeth the to lose the whole labour whych thu takest all the weke .

Therfor helle hath not had all the nomber that he did pretende to haue . Osee. 13 . bicause that the solacyouse shaddowe & power of hys passyon , is suche a myghtye protectyon to the sowle , that she therby nedeth neyther to doubte deathe , synne , nor helle Is there anye thynge can pull me backe if God be wyllynge through hys gyfte of faythe to drawe me to hym ? Ioan. 6.44 I meane suche faythe as we must nedes haue to obtayne the hygh graces from aboue , & also suche faythe as through charyte doth ioyne the humble seruaunt to hys maker . I beynge ioyned vnto hym , ought to haue no feare of trauayle , payne , nor sorowe , For who so euer doth wyllyngly suffer anye maner of deathe or sorowe for the truthe , as ded Christ , he doth feale in suche torment great consolacyon for hys sowle , knowynge that as for my selfe , Math. 10 I am weake , and with God I am rygh● stronge .

Through hys confort I maye do all thynges . For hys loue is so constaunt & permanent that it varyeth not for anye worldly thynge . Who can thā withdrawe me from hys grace ? Surely the great heyth of heauen , Roma. 8. nor the deapenesse of helle , nor the breadeth of the whole earthe , neyther deathe nor synne , whych doth warie euery daye agaynst me , can separate me one mynute from the great loue & charyte , that my heauenly father through Iesus Christ hath vnto me . Hys goodnesse is suche , that he loueth me whych haue not at all tymes loued hym . And if I now loue hym , than shall I feale hys loue to increase in me . But bycause that my loue is not worthy to loue hym , Ioan . 4 I desyre hys loue to be myne the whych I feale suche as though it were myne owne , Hys desyre is to loue . and through hys loue he causith my harte to be inflamyd with loue .

And through suche loue he fyndeth hym selfe so welbeloued , that hys owne dede yeldeth hym wele content , & not my loue or strengthe . Ioan. 13. Contentynge hys selfe , hys loue doth increase more in me , than I can of hym desyre , O true louer , fountayne , or welsprynge of all charyte , and only purse of the heauenvly treasure . Ought I to thynke , or dare I saye what thu art ? Maye I write it , or can anye mortall man comprehende thys goodnesse & loue ? And if thu prente in anye mannys harte , can he expresse it ? Roma . 11 No surely . For the capacyte of no man can comprehende the vnmesurable goodnesses whych are in the , for naturall reason doth shewe vs how there is no comparyson betwyne an eternall & a mortall thynge But whan through loue the mortall is ioyned with the eternall , the mortall thynge is so fulfylled with the eternall , that it can not fynde the ende therof . Ephe. 1. For it hath in it more good therby , than it can contayne or holde .

Therfor doth a man thynke , whych hath the loue of God , that he hath all the goodes in the worlde therwith . Roma. 8. Euen as we se the sunne with one only sparcle of hys lyght doth blynde the eye , and yet doth she witholde her great lyghte . But aske the eye what he hath seane , and he wyll saye that he hath beholden the whole bryghtnesse of the sunne . But that is a great lye . For he beynge dymmed with a lytle sparcle , coulde not se the whole cleartye therof . Ecce . 10. And neuertheles he is so contente , that it semith vnto hym as though he had so moche lyght as the sunne contayneth . Yet if he had more than the seyde sparcle , he were not able to suffer it . Euen so the sowle whych through faythe doth fele one sparcle of the loue of God , doth fynde therwith the heate so great and maruelouse , so swete and delycyouse , that it is impossyble to her to declare what thynge the same loue is . Psal. 118

For a lytle threof that she hath felte doth yelde her mynde satisfyed & desyerynge of more wherof she hath ynough . So doth she lyue languyshynge & syghynge . The harte doth felewele , that he hath receyued to moche , but he hath conceyued suche desyre in thys to moche , that he alwayes desyerith to receyue the thynge whych he can not haue , Phil. 1. neyther is he worthye to receyue it . He knoweth the good that he hath alredy to be vnspeakeable , and yet wolde he haue more of that wherof he can not skylle . Truly he can not fele or thynke the good whych is in hym . 1 Ioan . 4. Then lyeth it not in my power , to tell what thynge the loue of God is , sith that I haue no knowlege of the feruentnesse therof . He that thynketh to haue all thys loue withyn hys harte , can not truly declare what thynge it is . Happye is he wych hath suche abundaunce of thys loue , that he maye saye , My God , I haue ynough of it .

He whych hath thys loue within hym , Iaco. 3. dare no● moche boaste therof , least in moche speakynge he lose it vnles it be to edyfye hys neybour vnto saluacyon . The impossybylyte than of the declaracyon of thys loue shall make me to holde my peace , For there is no Saynte so perfyght , if he wyll speake of the loue of the hygh God , of hys goodnesse , swetnesse , graces , and of all thynges els whych pertayneth to hym , Apoca 3. but lokynge a lowe shall fynde hymselfe vnworthye , and so stoppe hys mouthe . I than a worme of the earthe , lesse than nothynge , ought to cease and not to speake of the incomparable hyghnesse of thys loue . Yet were it to moch vnkyndenesse to be noted in me , if I had writen nothynge , hauynge that done vnto me whych wolde satisfye a moche better wytte than myne is . Math. 25 For he that wolde hyde the goodnesse of God , so good a mastre , shulde commytt a synne worthye to be ponnyshed with the euerlastynge payne .

Therfor come . O happye Paule , whych hast tasted so moche of the same swete honye , beynge blynded for the space of thre dayes , 2. Cor. 12. & rapte vp vnto the thirde hauen . Now I besech the , satisfye my ignoraunce & faulte , & tel me what in suche vysyon thu hast seane . Roma. 11 33. Harken than what he sayth O the vnspeakeable hyghnesse of the abundaunt ryches or treasure both of the wysdome & knowledge of God . Sapi. 17 How incomprehensyble are hys iudgementes & how vnsearchable hys wayes vnto our weake wittes ? O holye Paule , thy wordes causeth vs moche to maruayle , that thu hauynge knowledge of so heauenvly secretes , woldest speake no further in them At the least yet tell vs , what thynge we maye hope to haue one daye through suche godly loue . Geue eare and ponder the wordes that he sayth .

1 . Cor. 2.9 . Neyther hath the eye seane , nor yet the eare hearde , neyther yet hath it euer entred into the harte of anye man , what God hath prepared for them that loue hym . Esa. 64. . Aud wolde he sp●ake it no farther ? No truly . Yet all thys that he sayeth here , is for non other purpose , but to prouoke vs ernestly to loue . He wylleth vs also therin to esteme , that he neyther can declare nor yet name it , & so to geue forth our hartes to pacyence & hope of that thynge whych neuer man yet coulde se , Rome . 8. neyther yet dyscerne , what though many through loue for it hath dyed . O excellent gyfte of faythe wherof so moche good commyth , that it can sith man to possede the thynge whych he can not comprehende . Faythe ioyned with the truthe bryngeth fourth hope , wherby perfyght charyte is engēdered , And charyte is God , as thu knowist . 1 , Ioan . 4. If we haue charyte , than we haue also God therwith .

Than is God in vs , and we are in hym And all thys cometh through the benefyte of faythe . For he dwellith in all men whych haue true faythe , Ioan . 14. Thus haue we a greatter treasure than we can tell of , or yet anye man expresse vnto vs . Now to conclude . Syth that so great an Apostle as saynt Paule is , wyll speake no further of God & hys inestymable loue , accordynge to hys ryghtouse example and doctryne , Roma . 12 I wyll holde my peace & bestylle , folowynge neuerthelesse hys teachynges . Not withstandynge yet though herin I acknowledge my selfe but earthe and duste , yet maye I not fayle to yelde thankes vnto my eternall lyuynge God , for suche great graces , and benefytes , as it hath pleased hym to gyue me . Vnto that euerlastynge kynge of heauen immortall , 1. Timo 1. inuysyble incomprehensyble , myghty , and wyse only , be all honoure , prayse , glorye , magnyfycence , and loue for euer & euer . Amen