Newes out of heauen both pleasaunt [and] ioyfull, lately set forth to the great co[n]solacion [and] co[m]forte of all christen me[n]. By Theodore Basille.

Newes out of heauen both pleasaunt & ioyfull , lately set forth to the great consolacion ▪ & conforte of all christen men . By Theodore Basille . ✚

Roma. 10.

¶ O how beautyful are the feete of them , which bring the glad tydinges of peace & shewe good and mery newes ?

Ioan. 7.

¶ My doctryne is not myne , but his that sent me . If any man wyll do his wyll , he shall knowe of the doctryne , whether it be of God , or whether I speke of my selfe ▪ He that speaketh of him selfe , seaketh his owne prayse . But whosoeuer seketh his prayse that sent hym , he is true , & no vnryghteousnes is in hym .

Ioan. 8.

〈◊〉 that is of God , heareth the wordes of God .

Ioan. 18.

Euery one that is of the truth , heareth my voyce .

¶ To the ryght worshypful Maister George Pierpount . Theodore Basille wissheth continual health and prosperous felycite .

IF wyth studious & attent myndes we reade the moost sacred scriptures markyng wel such thinges as make to our informacion , learnynge , erudicion , & ●n●●ease of deuyne knowledge , we shal easely & without any difficulte perceaue that among al other vertues & fruytes of the spirite , Christe ●ur LORDE & Sauiour exhortethe ●s vnto none so moche as to loue & ●harite . Loue is the cognisaunc● & ●age where by christis seruauntes a●● knowen . In thys thynge sayeth he , ●hal al men know that ye are my dys●iples , yf one of you loue another : ●s though he should say , Iohan. xiii . other mens ●eruaūtes are knowen by theyr maysters cognisaunces , I wil also that you whych are my disciples be knowne by my cognisaunce in lyke maner , whych is loue comminge oute of a pure herte , i. Timoth. i. and a good consience , and a fayth not fayned .

And as Christ hym selfe dyd inculke & beate in nothyng so moche , as pure loue and feruent charite , so dyd the Prophetes & Apostles in al theyr sermons & wrytinges , aboue all thinges exhorte men to mutual loue , yea & that vnfayned as we maye se in theyr prophecies & Epistles , in somoch that S. Paule sayth , ● . Cor. xiii . that though he could speake with the tonges of men & aungles , & yet had no loue , he were euen as soundyng brasse or as a tinglyng cymbal . And though he could prophecie & vnde●stond al secretes & al knowledge , and had al fayth so that he coulde moue mountaynes oute of theyr places & had not loue , he were nothing , And though he bestowed al his goodes to fede the poore , yea & though he gaue his body euen to be burnt , & yet had no loue it profyteth hym nothynge . without charite nothing pleasethe God . The excellencye of thys christen loue muste nedes be great & inestimable , seynge that without it no thing is acceptable in the syght of God , though it be iudged of the world to be a worke of neuer so hye and singulare meryte .

Of this loue christ dyd prophecy that it shoulde waxe colde in the hartes of many nowe these last dayes , Mat. xxiiii . & that wickednes should abound & 〈◊〉 plentuous . Certes accordyng to hys prophecy , whyche euer is true . ●n asmoche as he is the selfe trueth ● can not lye , Ioan. xiiii . is it come to passe . For ●f we consyther wel the maners of ●●en at thys present , Titum . i. we shal without ●oubte easely perceaue that thys chrysten loue towarde God and our neyghbour reygneth but in the hertes of a few . And that they haue no thynge lesse than that true & workyng fayth , which the holy scriptures commend so hyghly in euery place . For the christen fayth worketh by charite , ●●ll● . v. sayeth saynt Paule . Nowe in asmuch as the fayth , wher of so many hoste nowe a dayes , worketh not this charite or loue in them , it is manifest & an euident argument , that theyr fayth , 〈◊〉 . ii . as S. Iames calleth it , is a dead fayth , the is , a fayth in name but not in dede . Yf there were true & liuish fayth , than would it worke loue in theyr hertes , both toward God & theyr neighboures . Agayne , Roma . xv . if ther were such a law as is the fulfyllynge of the loue , i. Timo. i. than wold it whan tyme requireth , Psal. i. and an occasyon is gyuen , shewe forth it selfe by eternall operacyon . Who can iustly affyrme that he loueth God , & yet worketh not his wyll , nor yet walketh not in the waye of hys moost godly commaundementes , he that sayth I knowe hym , & kepeth not his commaundement sayeth saynte Ihon , i. Ioh. ii . is a lier , & the trueth is not in him . But he that kepeth his worde , truly in him is the loue of God perfecte . Agayne thys is the loue of God that we kepe his commaundementes . Beholde S. Ihon sayth , 〈…〉 that the loue of God is in none , but in them only whiche do his wyll . Neyther do Christes sayenges dyffer from this : If ye loue me , Ioh. xliii . sayeth he , kepe my commaundementes . He that hath my commaundementes & kepeth them , he it is that louethe me . If ony man loueth me , Ioh. xv he wyll kepe my word . He that loueth not me , kepethe not my wordes . If ye kepe my commaundementes , ye shall abyde in my loue . Ye are my freendes , yf ye do theyse thynges that I commaunde you . Christ sayeth here playnely , He louethe Christ that kepeth hys worde . that whosoeuer hath an herty & precordial loue toward hym , kepeth his commaundementes : but yf any do the contrary , surely he loueth not christ . How than may theyse men be recounted & iudged to loue Christ , whan they go not about to fulfyll one poynte of his worde ?

Hys worde is that they shoulde loue him with all theyr herte , Exod xx . Deut. vi . Mat. xxii . Philip. iii. mynde , soule & strength but in the stede of him they loue them selues , theyr carnall pleasures & wordely vanyties , the ende wherof is dampnacion . Deut. v.

His word is that they should honour & reuerence Gods moost holy & blessed name , Of swering ●ote . but they omittynge the iuste honour of it , blaspheme it , rayle on it , & wickedly sweare by it to the great defasynge of gods glory , so muche as lyeth in theyr power . For thorowe theyr wickednesse the name of god is styl blasphemed , Esai . vi . railed vpon , Eze. xxxvi . & euel spoken of , Roma . ii . as the holy scriptures saye . Yf christen princes do not shortely fynde some remedy to exyle & banysh thys moost detestable , haynous , Would god ● it myghte once come to passe . & abhomynable maner of swearyng out of theyr realmes . Certes it is to be feared , yea we may be certayne , that God wyl powre out vpon vs his vengeaunce & plage vs greuously , although we haue not wanted , nor yet dayly do , dyuers tokens of hys fearce anger toward vs , & yet do we not repent & amend . Psal. vii . God is a ryghteous iudge , & God is euer threatenyng . Yf men wyll not turne , he wyll whette hys sweard , bend his bowe and make it redy . He wyll prepare him the weapons o●●ath , & orden his arrowes to 〈◊〉 .

Agayne his worde is , Deut. v. What it is to sunctify the sabbothe daye . that they shoulde sanctify the Sabboth day , that is , so to temperate themselues & abstayne from wycked lustes , that they maye quietly mediate in gods lawe , read the holy scriptures , giue them selues to deuyne contemplacion , talke of serious matters , praye to God for grace , gyue hym thanckes for his benefytes , visyte the sycke & confortles , & continually be gyuen to the workes of the spiryte . But what do they lesse ? the moost sacred & holy Byble ( thankes be to God which hath brought these thinges to passe , by hys dearely beloued seruaunt & our kynge Henry the eyght , a prince of famous renowne & mortall glory , whose graces hyghnes I mooste humbly beseche almyghtye God , in whose handes the harte of ●uerye kyng is , lyke as are the ryuers of water , to turne it whyther so euer it shall be his pleasure , to beutyfye with the benefyte of perpetuall helth , that his moost excellent maiesty liuing here among vs his faythfull subiectes the yeares of auncient Nestor or sage Tythonus , maye styl continually auaunce , promote , & let vp Christes moste blessed gospel , to the glorye of God , the saluacion of hys subiectes soules , the immortalytye of hys graces mooste noble renowne , & the vtter confusyon of Antechrist and his kyngdome ) the moost sacred & holy Byble , The holy bible frely permitted to be ●eade in the Englyshe tonge . I saye , is nowe had amonge vs in our vulgare tonge , & frely permytted to be read of all men vniuersallye , at tymes conuenient wythout any let or perturbacion , euen in the churches , but howe many reade it ? Uerely a man may come into some churches & se the Byble so enclosed and wrapped about with dust , euen as the Pulpet in lyke maner is bothe with duste & coppe webbes , that with his fynger he maye wryte vpon the Byble this Epitaphe . Iob. vii . Ecce nunc in puluere dor mio . Deut. viii . So lytle plesure haue these fylthy swyne & currish dogges in that mooste sweate & synguler treasure , Math. iiii . which is the meate of the soule , Ephe. vi . the swearde of the spirite , Prouer. iii. the tree of lyfe , the lanterne to our fete , psal. ●xviii . & the lyght to our pathes , Psal. xviii . whiche also turneth soules , Iacob . i. gyuethe wisdome , euen vnto babes , reioysethe the herte , gyueth lyght vnto the eyes , & is able to saue the soules eyther of the readers or hearers , yf they seriouslye folowe it . O cruell murtherers of theyr owne soules . Ioan. iii. Uerely this is the condemnacion that the lyght is come into the world , & men loue the darkenes more then the lyghte , for theyr workes are euell . Who so euer doth euell hatethe the lyghte , and commeth not to the lyghte , that his dedes should not be reproued : but he that doth the trueth , commeth to the lyghte , that his workes maye be knowen that they are done by God . be ware therfore betimes Uerely I thynke the wrathe of god to be so whot agaynst vs , that excepte we shortely repent , & receyue this glorious lyght of christes most blessed gospel which nowe is come amonge vs , with more thankefull hertes than we haue done hytherto , God wyll surely take it away againe from vs , & throw vs into more blynd darkenes than euer we were inuolued & wrapped in before . He loued cursyng , Psa. lcviii . sayth the Psalmographe , & it shal come vnto him He would not haue the blessing , & therfore shal it be farre from hym . Math. xx● . The kyngdom of god shal be taken from you sayeth Christ , & shal be gyuen to such as shal brynge forth the fruytes of it . Suche as thus wyckedly despyse Gods word , are lyke to the old ydolaters & vngodly rebellyons the Iewes , Num. xxi . whiche had rather be in Egypt among the gresy flesh pottes , than to be in the seruyce of god eatyng Manna the celestial & Aungels foode . Psal. cv . But as they for theyr disobedient & vnthankeful hertes were extremelye punyshed , so shall theyse wycked Hypocrites except with al hast they repent & turne .

And as they are necligent in re●dyng the holy scriptures , so are they also in deuout meditacion & feruent prayer . Math. vi . They are commaunded they say , to pray in secret verely , many of them pray so secretly , that neyther God nor man knowe any thynge at all of theyr prayer , o new kind of prayeng .

Howe they vysite the poore & confortles according to Gods precept , Mat. xxv . I●cob . i . theyr dayly maners do shew : for to the ale house & tauernes ronne they as flockes of shepe vpon the Sondayes and other holy dayes , so sone as seruyce is done , yea many before it is begone , because they are loth for to come to late , wher they eate , drinke , swyl , gul , banket , ly & swere tyl they be more lyke bruite beastes than men . Yf they haue a ghostly & learned curate , O vnthankeful persons . which accordynge to his office would be glad to teach them the wyl of God , hym do they hate , they wysshe the pulpyt a colepyt . They thynke it a hundreth yeare , yf he preachethe but halfe an houre , so litle pleasure haue these asse heades in hearynge the gloryous & blessed word of god .

And wher as they should spend al theyr talke on godlynes , Ephe. iiii . Col●● . iiii . & suffer no fylthy comunicacion to procede out of theyr mouthes , theyr whole talk is nothing els than lasciuious , wanton , & vncleanly wordes , hurting greatly the chaste eares of other .

And as for theyr pastymes , they are such as rather moue & entise to dishonesty than honesty . What shal we nowe saye ? Mat. xxiii . Is not the loue of many colde , accordinge to Christes prophecy ? All seke theyr owne & not that which is Iesus christes . Philip. i● . They loue the glory of men , Ioan. xii . more than the glory of God . Thus se we that they haue no loue towarde GOD . For though they say that they knowe god , yet with theyr dedes they denye hym , for so much as they are abhominable & disobedient , Titum . i. and vnmete to all good workes .

Nowe seynge that theyr loue is so colde toward God , what is to be thought of theyr loue toward their neyghbour ? which necessarely folowethe of the loue of God . Note . Can floudes of water continually flowe oute of a place , where there is no heade sprynge ? Neyther can the true & christen loue towarde our neyghboure be in that herte , whiche is without all loue of God . i. Ioh. v . S. Iho●̄ sayeth , whoso euer loueth hym that begat , loue hym also whyche was begotten of hym . It foloweth therfore that for asmuch as they loue not god , as we haue heard before , neyther do they loue his creature . For yf they dyd loue the creature of God . I meane theyr neighbour surely , they would expresse it by externall operacion & outward dedes . Colde is that fyre , yea rather there is no fyre , which contayneth not in it the vertu & strength of burnyng . Semblably cold is that loue , yea rather it is no loue whiche contayneth not in it the vertu and strength of workynge . The preest & Leuyte ( as we read in the gospel of Luke ) sawe a man which was robbed & wounded so greuously that he was left half dead , Luke . x. yet they moued with no compassion toward him . passed by , & helped nothyng his miserable state . But a Samaritane commyng that waye , & seynge the wounded man in so great misery , sorowe & payne , was streyght wayes moued with pitie , & commynge vnto hym , bounde vp hys woundes tenderly , powred in oyle & wyne , & layd hym vpon his beaste , brought hym into an Inne , and made prouyson for hym . Nowe chaunsed it . that all they thre seynge this man in suche miserable case , were not alyke moued to helpe this man ? To lo●e that we haue toward god , maketh vs to loue our neyghbour The preest & Leuite were mercylesse , the Samarytane was mercyfull . Uerely in the Samaritane was the loue of god , whiche excited & moued him agayn to shew loue towarde his neyghbour . But in the preest & Leuyte was ther no loue toward god , therfore had they no pytie & compassion vpon theyr neighbour . So that where the loue of God wanteth , ther can the loue of oure neyghboure haue no place . And to saye the trueth , I thynke surely that accordinge to Christes prophecy , the loue of manye was neuer so colde , For whan was there euer so many fayre wordes , Mat. xxliii . Of dissimulacion . Psa. xi . & so much dissimulacioon ? who can at this daye vnfaynedly know his frende from his 〈◊〉 ? al trueth is vtterly decayd among the chyldren of men . Euery one speaketh lyes to theyre neyghbour , theyr lyppes are deceytfull , they speake one thynge & thynke an other . Iere. 〈◊〉 . In theyr mouthe they speake peace with theyr frend , & yet secretely they lay in wayte for him , Iere. 〈◊〉 . They stretch out theyr tonge as a bowe of lying , and not of trueth . As the folowers lay snares to take byrdes , so do they laye snares & trappes to take men . And as the trappe is full of byrdes so are theyr houses full of disceyte . Nowe is the tyme come that Christ speaketh of in the holy gospel . The brother ( sayeth he ) shall betray the brother vnto the deathe , Math. x. the father the sonne , & the chyldren shall aryse aagaynst theyr fathers & mothers , & shal putte them to deathe . Mat. xxvi . Manye are become ryght Iudasies , that is frendes in pretence , & extreme enemyes in theyr workes , so that almoost no man knowethe whome he maye truste & take for his frende . It shall therfore become al men to folow the admonicion of the Prophete Ieremy , Iere. ix . which sayeth : Let euery man be ware of his neyghboure , & put hys affyance & trust in none of al his brothers . For euery brother wyll supplant & deceyue , & euery frend wyll walke deceytfully , so that one brother shal mocke another , and not speake trueth : For they haue taught their tonge to speake lyes , & studyed very ernestly to do wyckedly . Here to pertayneth the sayeng of the Prophete Miche : Miche . vii . Kepe the secretes of thy mouth from her that slepeth in thy bosome , for the sonne shall worke the father displeasure , & the doughter shall ryse agaynst her mother , & the doughter in lawe agaynste her mother in lawe , & a mannes owne houshold and familyars shal be his mooste enemyes . Thus se we what loue ther is nowe a dayes amonge men .

Agayne what vnmercyfulnesse reygneth among men at this tyme ? Of vnmer●●fulnes . Howe slenderly are the poore members of Christ prouyded for nowe a dayes ? Howe do they go about from dore to dore lamentyng & expressyng with dolorous & sorowful wordes , theyr to muche wretched & miserable state , & yet no man pitieth them ? ter , thefte & whoredome haue ouerflowed the world , & bloud hath towched bloud . But to be shorte in this behalfe , Ia●ob . ii . let vs knowe that the iugement shal be without mercy to hym that wyll shew no mercy . Math. v. Math. xxv Let vs also be assured that as the mercyefull shall obtayne mercy , so shall the vnmercifull receyue euerlastyng damnacion .

Moreouer what couetousnesse raygneth amonge men at this present tyme ? Of couetousnes . Howe ioyne they house to house , Esai . v londe to londe , ferme vnto ferme , pasture to pasture , so longe as any is to be gotten , as thoughe they shoulde dwell vpon the earthe alone . Ieremy . vi & . viii . From the leest to the mooste , they hange all vpon couetousnesse , & from the Prophete to the preest , they go all about with falsehode & lyes . They are shameles dogges that be neuer satified . Esai . lvi . Euery one foloweth his owne couetous appetyte , euen from the hyghest to the lowest . They receyue gyftes to shed bloud . Eze. xxii . Sopho. iii They take vsury & encrese . They oppresse theyr poore neyghbours by extorcion . They are lyke rauening wolues to shed bloud & to destroy soules for theyr couetous lucre . They heape vp other mens goodes . Aba●uck . ii They lade them selues with thycke claye . They couetouslye gather togyther euell gotten goodes into theyr houses , that they maye set theyr neste on hye to escape from the power of mysfortune .

The are rycthe , Marke . x. not to God , but to the world . Psal. xxxviii They heape vp treasure and yet knowe they not for whome they gather it . They do so abound in all kynde of rytches , that theyr goodes be corrupte . Iacob . v. Theyr garmentes are motheaten , theyr golde & theyr syluer are canckred , & the rust of them shal be a wytnes agaynst them , & shal eate theyr flesshe as it were fyre . And yet for all theyr greate aboundans , mercy shewe they none to the poore people , but the more they haue , the more they couyte . i. Timo. vi For they are proud , they put theyr hope in vncertayne rytches , & not in the lyuing God , which gyueth vs aboundantly all thynges to enioye them . They do no good , they be not rich in good workes , they do not distribute and gyue with a good wyll , they gather not vp treasures for them selues , which should be a good foundacion agaynste the tyme to come , that they maye laye hande on eternall lyfe .

Therfore to all suche it is not with out a cause sayde . Amos. vi Luke . vi Wo be vnto you rytch men , which haue your consolacion . Wo be to you that are full , for ye shal hunger . Wo be to you that laugh nowe , for he shall wepe and wayle .

Agayne . Math. xix . Marke . x. Luke . xviii It is more easye for a Cammell , to go thorowe the eye of a nedle , than a rytch man to enter into the kyngedome of God . What loue . I praye you , can there be to a mans neyghbour , where such couetous affectes & insatiable lustes do reygne ? God turne awaye this pestilence out of the earth .

Furthermore what detestable , Of whore● & vnclean● lyuynge . fylthye , stynkynge , and abhominable whoredome reygnethe in the worlde nowe a dayes , yea and that so frely and wythout punisshment , that it is accounted no synne at all among many , but rather a sporte , a good felowlike dalyaunce , a token of loue , Ephe. v. & a touch of lusty youth . The holy scripture commaundeth the fornicacion , adultry , whoredome , & al vncleanes shoulde not once be named among vs , muche lesse perpetrated & done . O abhominacion . Yet to deflour maydens , to corrupt wyues , to defyle wydowes is now iudged and taken but for a playe & tryfelynge matter . Yea many are growen into such vnshamefastenes , that they vse to enterlase theyr talke at the tyme of theyr repast with such fylthy communicacion , nothyng fearyng to declare before other how valeant champions they haue shewed them selues in Uenus court . Prouer. i. Thus do they reioyce whan they haue done euel , & make a sport ●t vnfyttynge thynges . O detestable abhominacion . This maketh , as the Prophet sayeth , It. v. ● . ix . Eze. xxii . that there are so many adulterers . This maketh that they fal to whoredome , & haunt harlottes houses This maketh them lyke stoned & wyld horses to ney at theyr neighbours wiues . Yea thys maketh chast matrimony to be despysed , and whores to be set more by than honest wyues . Beware betymes . Oh the fearce wrathe of God that hangethe ouer our heades , yf this hygh abhominacion be not shortly exiled from among vs . Howe greatlye this vncleanes , Deut. xxii . was punisshed in the old law at gods commaundement , it is not vnknowen to them , that with attent myndes read the holy scryytures . Yea God hym selfe oftentymes toke vengeaunce of the fornicatours & adulterers for theyr vncleanes . Ge. vi . & . vii . ii . Pet. ii . Gen. xix . What caused all the world sauynge eyght persones to be drowned , but vnclenes ? what made Sodome & Gomorme with certayne other cytyes to be burnte with fyre & brinstone from heauen , but vnclenes ? Num. xxv : i. Cor. x. What moued god to sley in one day .xxiiij. M. of the Israelytes , but vncleanes ? Yf God at that tyme dyd so cruelly punyssh this vncleanes , let vs not thynke that we shall escape vnpunysshed nowe . Psal. v. For he is styll that God , that reioyseth not in wickednes . Neyther can any vngodly person dwell with hym , nor the vnryghteous before his eies , for he hatethe al that worke iniquite . More ouer this word abydeth euer true : Neyther fornicatours , i. Cor. vi . Ephe. v. nor adulterers , nor weakelynges , nor abusers of them selues with mankynd shal in heryte the kyngdom of God . Agayne wedlocke is honorable amonge all men , Heb. xiii . & the bed vndefyled . But fornicators & adulterers God shal iuge , Therfore can not we escape , except we repent , & leaue this great abhomynacion of fylthye & vncleane lyuynge .

Thus se we euydentlye that the loue of oure neyghbour is colde in the hertes of many , euen as we hearde before of the loue of God . For who can loue his neyghbour & dissemble with him , be vnmercyful vnto him , couyt his goodes , & abuse his wife , doughter or mayd . These be manyfeste tokens , not of loue , but of hatred . So that we maye perceyue the prophecye of Christe to be true , whiche sayth , Mat. xxii● that in the last dayes , iniquite shal abound or be plenteous , and the loue of many shall waxe colde .

Some men wyll meruayle peraduenture howe it commeth to passe that the loue both towarde God & our neyghboure shoulde thus decaye in these last dayes , seyng that God is nowe no lesse beneficial , gentle , bounteous , and mercyfull to vs , than he hath ben in tymes paste to our predecessors . And lyke gentlenes , they saye , deserueth lyke loue . The 〈◊〉 why the christen 〈◊〉 decayeth . Certes so ofte as I consyther with my selfe the great decaye of christen religion , & the better subuercion almoost of al godly lyuing , me thinke that two thinges are the chiefe & principall causes . The fyrst is , the want of that knowledge of our selues . The second , the want of the knowledge of God . For the first poynte of wisdom by the common consent of all learned men , is the knowledge of our selues . Nosce te ipsum . Nowe yf we do not knowe what we are of our selues , verely we can neuer know god arighte , nor yette haue anye delectacion or pleasure in hym . And yf we do not delyght in hym , 〈◊〉 how can we loue hym ? For who loueth that thyng wherin he hath no pleasure ? Therfore the next & moost redy way to make vs for to loue GOD , is to lerne to knowe our selues . Math , ix . Who felyng hymselfe sycke & sette in great daunger of his helth , desyrethe not the helpe of a Phisicion ? Yf we dyd knowe that so many of vs as be borne of the seed of Adam , Ioh. iii. Ephe. ii . be borne verye flesshe of flesshe , vnpure , vnhalowed , abominable before GOD , the sonnes of wrath , wrapped in infynite errours , set round about with corrupt affeccions , not able to thinke a good thought of our selues , ii . Cor. iii. Roma . vii . moch les of power to worke any goodnes breathing nothing but the fruytes of synne , vnable eyther to thynke , lust or employe oure selues to any good thynge , The knowlege of our selues maketh vs to fly to god . but that is vngodly , croked vnequall , & vnpure , so that we se nothyng but the fearce wrath , the greuous iudgement , the extreme vengeaunce of God , sinne , deth , hel , desperacion , laid out & prepared for vs according to our desertes , yf we had this knowledge , I saye , of oure selues , than would we moost humbly fal downe before our LORDE God , comfessyng how beggerly & miserable we are of our selues , sekynge at his goodnes , grace , fauoure , peace , remission of synne , tranquilite of conscience , & all confortable thynges that shoulde make vnto oure saluacion , yea than would we confesse that our destruccion commeth of our selues and that all our helpe commethe of God only . ●z● . xi . Nowe in asmuch as the moost parte of men want this knowledge of them selues , therfore stand they well in theyr owne conceyte , please them selues well , make much of theyr owne actes , be they neuer so vnpure . These Iusticiaries think themselues ryghteous , as the proude & arrogant Pharise dyd in the gospell of Luke , Luk. xviii . & therfore haue they no part of christes deth . Mat. ix For Chryst sayeth : I came not to call the ryghteous , that is , such as iustify them selues , & thinke that they be made sufficientlye ryghteous by theyr owne good dedes , merytes and desertes , but synners to repentaunce . And this want of the knowledge of them selues , makethe that they can not feale the goodnes of God , nor perceaue wherfore christ serueth , wherfore he was borne , why he dyed , for what cause he rose agayne . marke what the knowledge of our selues doth . And therfore is the loue of God colde in them . For yf they dyd knowe them selues perfectely , & were perswaded that theyr whole saluacion dependeth altogither of the goodnes of God the father thorowe Iesus Christe oure LORDE & sauiour , than woulde they with all theyr herte loue God , plese God , delyte in God , & seke the glory of god aboue al thing . Yea than should this theyr loue towarde God be so feruent & mighty in operacion , that euen of very loue agayne , & with a wyllynge spirite , they shoulde loue theyr neyghbour euen as them selues , & employe al theyr diligence to accomplysshe Gods moost holy wyll , & that not of feare , i. Ioh. i●●● but of loue . For perfecte loue casteth out feare .

And would God that al prechers woulde vse this trade & maner in theyr sermons , that is to saye , fyrst teach men to know themselues , that they maye perceyue theyr owne misery , wretchednes and damnacion . Secondly declare vnto them that ther is no way to escape this great daunger , but only to flye to Gods mercye , & there to seke remedy thorow Iesus christ . Yf they dyd thus surely it would kyndle in mens hertes a meruaylous feruente loue towarde God , & an vnspekable redynes to walke in the LORDES pathe wayes , and so hertely to loue theyr neyghbour , that they would wyshe no lesse kyndenesse to theyr neyghbours than to them selues , & in al thinges do for them , The goodnes of god depely pondred , maketh vs to loue him agayn and freelye to worke hys wyll . what soeuer lyeth in theyr power . They woulde vndoutedly do all thynges for loue .

For whan they consithered the great bounty of God toward vs , & perceyued that whan we were in a dampnable state , he freelye of hys owne mere goodnes saued vs , & made vs heyres of eternall glory , they could none otherwyse do but loue hym agayne , & employ them selues to accomplysshe that thinges that he commaundeth , whiche is to loue oure neyghboure , and to walke in a new lyfe . For what naturall man sheweth vnkyndnes for kyndnes ? Who hateth , where he is loued ? Men therfore hearynge this vnspekable loue of God towarde them , muste nedes loue him agayne , & out of this loue orderly , bryng forth a true & vnfayned loue toward theyr neyghbour , and an herty desyre to walke wythou●e spotte in the syght of so gentle and louynge a father . Yf we marke wel the Epistles of the blessed Apostle saynt Paule , we shall esely perceyue that he in lyke maner vsethe this trade aforesayde almoost in all his Epistles , but chefely to the Romaynes , Galathians , and Ephestans .

I therfore ponderyng with my selfe but latelye the great decaye of the christen religion , The occasion of makynge thys treatyse , & the vtter destruccion almooste of all godly lyuynge , thoughte with my selfe that I coulde not at this present bestowe the smale talent , that God hath credited and lent vnto me , better & more aptely to the auauncement of gods glory , & edi●icacion of his church , than to compyle some ly●●e treatyse oute of the holy scriptures , whiche shoulde contayne in it these thynges aforesayd , & paint out as it were in a certayne table , fyrst the knowledge of our selues , and afterward the benefytes of God the father toward vs by Iesus Christ , that men perceyuy●ge theyr owne abhominacion , maye make the more haste to Gods goodnes , & whan they haue once tasted of that , endeuour them selues to walke worthy the kyndnes of god .

Thys thynge haue I done in thys worke folowynge , accordynge as I trust , to the pure vayne of the holy scryptures .

I haue entyteled the boke , Newes ou● of heauen , Ne. wes of heauen , because it shewethe to vs the plesaunte , ioyful & confortable newes of Christe . It openeth to vs aboundantly the syngular & incomperable benefytes , that we receyue of God thorowe Christ .

The Ebuccinatour , shewer , & declarer of these newes , I haue made Gabriel the aungell & Embassadour of God , Luk. i. because that he fyrste of all brought tydinges of Christes incarnacion , to the mooste pure & cleane virgyne Marye .

I wyll not prayse the boke , vnlesse I shoulde seme to hunte after vaynglory , neither wyl I dispraise it , vnlesse I myght seme rasshely & without a cause to condempne that , which is worthy prayse & commendacion of it selfe . I leaue it therfore to the iudgement of other , that be ghostly learned & taught of God . The profite of this boke Thys I dare boste that it contaynethe more true and christen learnyng , than a great sorte of volumes , that we haue hyghly estemed in tymes paste . He that shall make this boke his compagnion , shal here fynd in fewe leaues , that the whole Byble & commentaries of the auncient doctors do teach of christ in many , so that it might well be called the treasure house of christen knowledge . The tresure house of christen knoweledge . Neyther can any man iustely condempne or reiecte thys boke , excepte he also wyl cotēne & set at nought the moost sacred and holy Byble , with the aucthorities wher of this lytle treatyse is sufficiently & plenteously fortressed & defensed agaynste the boryshe tethe & serpentlyke tonges of these crakyng calumniatours , & subtyle Sycophantes , which after the maner of Momus are redy to carpe , reprehende , & condempne euery mans worke & enterprise , be it neuer so godlye , whan they themselues brynge for the nothyng at all , that is worthy eyther the redyng or the hearynge , except men haue pleasure to read or heare blasphemes .

Yf any man shal thynke that I set out Christ & Christes benefytes to largely ( which I am sure , no man wyll do , excepte he be a very Antechrist and a wicked Papist ) let hym knowe that I set for the Christe no more than the holy Scriptures do beare . The argumente also of my matter requyrethe no lesse than I haue wrytten . Christ must be declared otherwyse then Moyses . For Christe is a sauyoure . Math. i. And he bryngeth ioye , peace , fauour , tranquilite of conscience , & free remission of synnes . Therfore as a Sauyoure must he be declared , and not as an extreme reuenger .

At Christes byrthe the Aungell sayd to the shepeherdes : Luk. ii . Feare not , for beholde I shewe vnto you great ioye , which shal be to all people For this day is a sauyour borne , which is Christ the LORDE , in the cytie of Dauid . And Christ hymselfe after his resurreccion sayde to his Apostles : Mat. xvi . What this word gospel signifyeth . Go ye into the vniuersal world & preach the Gospel , that is to say , good & mery tydinges to euery creature . He that shal beleue & be baptised , shal be saued But he that shal not beleue shal be condempned . Here may all men se , that both the aungell and Christ are on my syde , & agree with me in facte . Neyther is the preching of christ & his benefytes , The prech●● of christis benefites , is a prouacacion to lyue well for the faythefull . a wyndow to all kynd of carnal liberte & dissolute lyuyng ( as the vngodly Papistes with vnshamefaced forheades dolye ) but rather a prouocacion & sterynge vp of men vnto true godlynes , which when they se the exceadyng goodnes of God toward them , take streyght wayes an occasion to loue God agayne , & a valcaunt courage to do his moost godly wyll . He that readeth this my worke to the ende , shall easelye perceyue that I go not aboute to plucke men from good workes , but rather animite & encourage them vnto the doyng of good workes , prouynge with manifest & euydent scryptures that Christe is no sauyour , Psal. l. To whom Christ is a Sauiour but to such as wyth a contryte herte and an humble spyrite confesse theyr sinne , repent them of theyr wyckednes , call to God for grace , amend theyr wycked conuersacion sacion , Romn . vi . correcte theyr synful maners , psal. lxxxiii walke in a newe lyfe , Luke . i. go from vertue to vertue , and serue God theyr maker all the dayes of theyr lyfe , in holinesse , in righteousnes . For god dyd chose vs in christ , Ephe. ii . as S. Paule sayeth , thorowe loue , before the foundacion of the worlde was layde , that we should be sayntes & without blame in his sighte . And although by grace we are made safe thorow fayth , and that not of oure selues , for it is the gyfte of God , & commeth not of workes , vnlesse any man shoulde boast hymselfe , yet are we his workemanshyp created in Christ Iesu to good workes , which God hath prepared that we should walke in them .

But I wyl make an end , vnlesse the preface of the worke , maye seme to be longer then the worke it selfe .

Nowe for asmuch as in the begynnyng of a new yeare , men vse customably to sende one to another gyftes & tokens , whereby they declare the beneuolens and good wyll that is betwene them : I for my parte , knowyng howe greatly I am bound to your ryght worshypfull maystershyp , couetynge by some meannes to declare agayne my good wyl & obse quious herte to youre moost bounteous gentlenes , do send vnto you this lytle treatyse at this tyme for a newe yeares gyfte , moost humbly desyrynge youre ryght worshypfull maystershyp to accepte and take in good worth this my lytle gyfte , although not worthy youre graunde munificence , yet as a memosynon & memoriall of my studious mynde towarde your maystershyp . At another tyme ( God furtherynge me in my studies ) I shall wyth no lesse dilygence compyle ether workes no lesse serious , weyghtye & graue , dedicatynge them to your maystershyppes name , as I truste to the glorye of God , the edificacion of his churche , and the immortalytye of youre renowne . In the meane season I shal moost hertely desyre God the author of euery yeare , that this new yeare with many other , maye euer begyn vnto you wyth good fortune , procede with better , ende wyth the whiche is beste , and alwaye be prosperous and fortunate so long as they last . God preserue your ryght worshypful maystershyp , with the good , gentle woman your wyfe , in continual helth and prosperous felicite . Amen .

¶ Yours at wyll & commaundement , Theodore Basille .

The newes out of Heauen .

¶ Gabriel the Aungel and Embassadour of god speaketh .

WHerfore are ye sadde o ye men mortall ? Wherfore do ye walke as persons desolate dismayd & altogyther conforteles ? Wherfore do ye sygh , wepe , sob and take thought . Wherfore do ye wrynge your handes , & teare your heere ? Whye rather do ye not reioyce ? Why do ye not eleuate and lyfte vp your heades , walkyng plesauntly ? Why do ye not loke with smylynge countenaunces ? Whye do ye not putte oute of youre hertes all thought & care ? Why do ye not so compose & set youre selues , that all the gesture of youre body maye franckely & wyth a lustye courage , declare youre ioye , myrth , gladnes , felicite and pleasaunce ? Ther is , beleue me , not one cause of sadnes : but of gladnes many ye & innumerable . For God is nowe nomore an enemy vnto you , The great loue of god toward vs but a dere frende . He is become of a cruell iudge , a mercifull sauyour , & of an austere and fearce LORDE , a bounteous and gentle father , of an extreme reuenger , a tender forgyuer , to be shorte , he is now become the very same vnto you , that a moost tender , moost gentle , moost louynge , moost bounteous , mooste kynde , moost benefycial , moost liberal , most benygne father is to that his natural sonne , whome he moost int●erlye loueth , and tenderly inhalseth aboue al the other . Howe therfore can ye be sadde ? Howe can ye any otherwyse than reioyce and be mery , seynge that al doloure , all so rowe , all care , all grefe , all payne , al perrell , all trouble , all daunger , all disquietnes , all hatred , all malyce , all emnite , all maliuolence , all euell wyll , all wrathe , all displeasure , all desyre of vengeaunce , and all that euer is contrary to your ioye & pleasaunce , to your health and conforte , to your rest and tranquilitie , is vtterly extinguysshed & so put awaye for euer and euer , that you whiche are of Gods faythful congregacion , obedient to his word , & redy to accomplysshe his moost holye and deuyne wyll , Ioh. iii. shall neuer after this perysshe & fall out of fauour , but haue eternall lyfe . And all this is come to passe thorowe Gods grande mercies by the glorious natiuite & Miche . v. moost blessed byrth of his welbeloued son Iesus Christe , Math. ii . whiche this daye is borne of a pure & cleane virgine in Bethleem a citie of Dauyd , Luke . ii . thorowe the meruaylous and wonderfull operacion of the holy Ghost , Math. i. the he shoulde be a sauyoure , yea and an omnisulficient sauyoure to saue his people , that is to saye , so many as beleue in hym , from theyr synnes , and from the daunger of Sattan , that they maye be made inherytours of eternall glory .

These newes out of heauen Luke . i. am I Gabriel the Aungell and Embassadour of God sent for to declare vnto you , ii . Cor. x. that ye maye vnfaynedly reioyce not in vayne & worldely thynges , Phil. iiii . but fyrste in the LORDE GOD your sauyour , & afterwarde in celestial and heauenly thynges , Collos. iiii & euer more be thankefull for them , i. Thes. ii . followynge worthy this inestimable benignite & vnspeakable goodnesse of God the father thorow Iesus Christ , that these synguler benefytes may not at any tyme seme to be shewed vnto ingrate and vnthankeful personnes .

Me thinke I se you nowe begin to reioyse and skyppe for ioye , yea and seriously to triumph as personnes ful of francke courage at the hearynge of these moost pleasaunt and ioyfull newes , which thyng certes to me is no vulgare delectacion & smale pleasure .

But that you maye reioyce vnfaynedlye , & knowe that ye in dede haue an vrgente & weyghtye cause to be glad , yea and that with a contynuall myrth , and suche a ioye as ought to be immortall & neuer dye : I wyl reherse to you in what damnable state ye were in , The knowldge of our selues maketh vs to fle vnto christ for socoure . before these moost confortable newes were sent vnto you from the mooste glorious and imperial seate of the mooste blessed Trinite , that you perceyuynge your owne miserable condicion , may the more seriouslye reioyse in those swete and delectable newes .

God in the begynnynge , The ereacion on of man as the holy scriptures testifye , Gene. i. created man accordyng to his owne similitude , Sop. ii . lykenes & ymage , i. Cor. xi . that is to saye , ii . Cor. iii. he in dued hym with immortalyte , ●ol . iii. wyt , Ephe. iiii . reason , Psal. viii . sapience , iustyce , free wyll , mercy , goodnes , holynes , truethe , & all perfeccion , and gaue hym impery and rule ouer all lyuyng creatures , constitutynge hym in ioyefull Paradyse a garden full of pleasure , that he should worke in it & kepe it , geuyng hym also authorite , power & lybertye to eate of euery tree in the garden , saue only of the tree of knowledge of good and euel . Gen. i. yf man dyd eate of that neuer so sone , The death ● Adam and what it is . god tolde him before , that he should dye the deth that is , fall from the glorious state wherin than he stode , become mortal , wretched , synfull , miserable , seruyle , thraull , captyue , & a very bond slaue to Satan , hated of god , voyd of all goodnes , bent to al myschefe , the sonne of perdicion , a fyre brand of hell , a vessell of yre and wrathe . All these thynges dyd God tell before to Adam , Rom. ii . that he myghte be prudent , Ephe. vi , wyse & circumspecte , and the better inarme himselfe with courageous valeaunce to fyght agaynst the crafty and subtyle assaultes of his enemy ,

Not longe after Satan , Esay . xiiii . whom God before had throwen out of heauen for his arrogancy and pryde , ii . Pet. ii . enuyeng man that blessed & gloryous state wherin he dyd remayne , desyrynge also hys lyke perdicion , full craftely and lyke a wyly serpent , i. Pet. iii. attempted the woman as the more frayle vessell , & redy to be deuycte & ouer come , so that at the last thorow hys subtyl and crafty perswasions , she gaue place to the tortuous & wylye serpent , Ioan. vii . the father of lyeng , i. Tim. ii . & wyckedly transgressed Gods moost holy commaundement . Gen. iii. For Satan told her playnly , The crafty assautes of Satan . that there was no daunger in eatyng of that fruyte , which was forbydden , neyther should they dye the deathe , though they so dyd , yea rather theyr eyes should be opened , and they shoulde be as goddes knowynge good and euell . The woman beyng enflamed with these honylycke and swete entysementes , seyeng also that the tree was good to eate of , fayre to the eye , and plesaunt to beholde , All is not gold that shinethe . toke the fruyte of it , dyd eate , and afterward gaue of it to her husband , whiche dyd eate in lyke maner , so that streyght wayes both theyr eies were opened , & they saw that they were naked , that is , perceyued ryghte well , that they were nowe become miserable wretched , synfull , redacte to extreme calamite , behold what syn●e doth . and vtterlye fallen from the fauour of God for the transgression of his mooste blessed precepte , whiche thyng made them to be very much ashamed , and to hyde them selues from the face of God . O miserable & pitefull chaunge . O chaunse more perryllous than it can be expressed . The miserable ●al of man Nowe is a man become of immortall mortall , of good euel , of righteous wycked , of wyse folysh , of holy prophane of vertuous yll desposed , of fre bond , of mercyful cruel , of godly deuilysh of faythful vnfaythfull , of spirituall , carnal , of true false , of a vessel of mercy the vessell of wrath , of the sonne of God the sonne of the dyuell , of the heyre of glory the heyre of damnacion . Psal. xlviii . Alas whan man was in honour he perceyued it not , and therfore is he nowe becomme euen lyke vnto a brute beast . Gene , vi . He is altogyther wythout the spiryte of God , he is all carnall and fleshelye , therfore can not gods spiryte abyde in hym , i. Cor. ii . neyther can he perceyue those thynges that pertayne to the spirite of God , yea & that is more to be lamented , not Adam alone is fallen into this dampnable state , Rom. v. but also al his posterite . For thorowe this his faulte & wycked synne , Gene. iii. all the earth with the inhabitantes therof are accursed . All we are dampned in Adam . So that so many as come of thys olde Adam , are dampned , cursed & throwen from the fauour of God . This one transgression of Gods commaundement hath made you al subiecte to the yoke & tyranny of Satan , ii . Cor. v. and bonde to euerlastynge damnacion . Adam is youre father , and you are his children . Loke therfore in what case he is , in the very same are you . Adam is carnall , Ioh. iii. therefore are ye carnall . Adam is wicked , Ephe. ii .. therefore are ye wycked . Adam is the sonne of wrathe , therfore are ye the sonnes of wrath . Adam is a lyer & nothing but vanite , Psal. xv . therfore are ye liers and no thyng but vanite . Adam is captyue & bonde prisoner to Satan , synne , deth & hell , therfore are ye captiues and bond prisoners to Satan , syn , death and hell . Howe can it otherwyse be ? Iohn . iii. That whiche is borne of flesshe is flesshe . Math vii , Do men gather grapes of thornes , or fygges of briers ? So lykewyse euery good tree bryngethe for the good fruyte : but a corrupt tree bringeth forth yll fruyte . A good tree can not bryng forth yil fruyte , nother a corrupte tree good fruyte . Euen as it is impossible for a sower crabbe tree to brynge forth sauery and swete apples , so is it impossible for a synfull man drowned and buryed all in synne , I meane Adam , to beget any other than synnefull , vngodly and wicked chyldren . Luke . vi A good tree oute of the good treasure of his herte , Math. xii . bringeth forth that which is good . And an yll man out of the yll treasure of his herte , bryngeth forth that which is yll . Nowe was Adam euell , therfore whatsoeuer he brought forth , muste nedes be euell . Rom. v. Yea verely by the synne of this one man Adam , euel was brought forth vpon all men vnto dampnacion . By the dysobedyence of hym were ye all made synners , Ephe. ii . and by nature the sonnes of wrathe . For this one mannes faulte dyd synne enter into the worlde , & thorowe synne , death , and so came death vpon all men , Rom. v. in so muche as all ye haue synned . Psal. l. Ye were therfore begotten in synne , conceyued in synne , & brought forth in synne . None of you al are pure , but euery one is polluted wyth vngodlynes . Rom. iii. Ther is no difference , all haue synned , and want the glory of god . Ye are corrupte and become abhominable in youre studies , Psal. xiii . there is not one that doth good , no not one for the LORDE hath loked from heuen vpon the children of men , for to se yf there were anye that hathe vnderstandynge or seakethe after God . But all are fallen from the true waye , they are become all togyther vnprofitable , Rom. iii. there is not one that doth good no not one . Their throte is lyke a wide mouthed graue , they worke deceyte wyth theyr tonges , the poyson of adders is vnder theyr lyppes . The frutes whych we bryng forth by Adam . Theyr mouth is ful of cursynge & bytternes , theyr feete are swyfte to shed bloud . Destruction & wretchednes are in theyr wayes , they knowe not the waye of peace , neyther is there anye feare of God before theyr eyes . Theyse are the synful , wycked , and dampnable fruytes which you full of synne , wyckednes and dampnacion brynge forth . Gen. ix . Your mindes & thoughtes also are prone to euel at al tymes . Ye are not able once to thynke a good thought of youre selues . ii . Cor. iii. Who beyng borne of a woman can appeare pure and cleane in the syghte of God , Iob. xxv . before whome the starres are not pure ?

What is than to be thoughte of man , which is nothynge but duste and a very worme ? 〈◊〉 . xx . Who is able to sai , my herte is cleane , and I am pure from synne ? Ye haue al synned , ye are all become vncleane , Esai . xlvi . all youre ryghteousnes are lyke a cloth polluted with menstrue . Ye are fallen as a leafe , and youre iniquityes haue caryed you awaye as the wynd . i. Ioan. i. Yf ye say , that ye haue no synne , ye deceyue youre selues , Iere. xvii . & the trueth is not in you . For your herte is wycked and inserutable . Ye are vnprofytable seruasites . Luk. xvii Yea ye are Hypocrites and wycked , Esa. ix . and. liii . and the mouthes of you al haue spoken folyshnes . Al the sorte of you haue gone astraye as shepe , euerye one haue walked after his owne fantasye . Psa. iiii . Ye all are of stuburne harte , Iere. iiii . ye loue vanities & seke after lyes . To be shorte , ye are folysh people , vnwyse chyldren and madde . To do myschefe ye are wyse ynough , but to do good ye are very fooles .

Here may ye se as in a clere mirroure youre deformyte , youre botches , youre sores , youre greuous woundes . What we are of ourselues . Nowe maye ye learne what ye are of youreselues , certes very fleshe , that is to saye , al that euer noughte is , enemyes to God , louers of your selues , captyues to Satan , and fyrye brondes of hell . What remedy ? What shyfte wyl ye fynd : Whyther wyl ye go ? to what coast wyl ye turne you ? Ps. cxxxviii . Howe wyll ye escape the fearce wrath of God ? Whyther wyll ye go from hys spyrite . Whyther wyll ye flye from his face ? Yf ye go vp into heauen , he is there , yf ye go downe to hel , ther is he redy also . Yf ye take your flyght in the mornynge , & dwel in the furthest parte of the see , verely his hand wyll retche you there , yea and hys ryght hand shall catch you . What wyll ye do nowe ? to flye profyteth nothynge , to abyde also bryngethe dampnacion . Thus se you that y● can not escape by no meanes . To demulse , mitigate & swage the deuyne yre & Gods wrath ye are not able . Your syn hath made God angry with you . What haue ye nowe I praye you , wherwith ye may please him ? your selues as ye haue hearde here to fore , Ephe. ii . are the children of wrath be gotten in synne , Psal. l. conceyued in syn , borne in synne , Ioan. iii. carnall , wycked and vngodly , your herte is corrupte , Iere. xvii . vncleane , stynkynge , flowynge wythe iniquite , arrogant , puffed vp , proud hatyng God , louyng it selfe , full of hypocrisy and all euell . Esai . xxxiiii● Your fruytes are lyke vnto your selues , that is , detestable in the syght of God . What ●ertu then can ther come out of such corrupte and polluted place ? Iacob . iii. What purenes can ther flow out of a puddle so fylthy , so dyrtye , so vncleane , so stynkyng , so vnsauery ? Thus se ye that ye haue no waye to pacyfye Gods wrath , whiche ye haue styred vppe agaynst youre selues thorowe your owne wickednes . O dolor●us calamitie , ● myserable wretched●nesse . What therfore remayneth , but only that you loke for all cruel and greuous thinges . Helles mouthe is open & redye to swallow you vp . The fyre of hel which shall neuer be quenched , tarieth you . Euerlastynge tormentes , Intollerable punishments , perpetual turmoylynges abyde you . Ye are appoynted to the place , Math. xxii . where wepyng & gnasshyng of teth is , Act. xxv where the fyre is inextinguible , Psal. xxxvi where the worme of them that be there , neuer dye . What wyll ye do nowe ? What shyf●e wyll ye fynde ? Of the lawe . Wyll ye fulfyl the lawe whiche God gaue you by Moyses , Iohan. iii. and so pacifye his wrath ? Gene. vi . But this to do ye are not able . i. Cor. xv . For of your selues ye are nothynge but flesshe and cleane without God . Rom. viii .

Flesshe and bloud can not possesse the kyngedome of God . They that are flesshly , regarde those thynges that pertayne to the flesshe . And the desyre of the flesshe is death . Yea the desyre of the flesshe is emnite agaynst God . For it is not subiecte to the lawe of God , neyther canne it be by any meanes . They that are in the flesh , can not please God . Yea they that lyue after the flesshe , shall dye ▪ And he that hath not Gods spirite , Gene. 〈◊〉 pertayneth not to God . Now haue not ye the spirite of god , Gala. v in asmuch as by Adam ye be all flesshe ( for the flesshe lusteth agaynst the spirite , & the spirite agaynst the flesshe ) howe than wyll ye fulfyl the lawe to apease Goddes wrath .

Moreouer the lawe is spiritual that is , The law is spirituall . it requireth not only polytyke & cyuple workes , Rom● . vii but also the pure affectes , and cleane mocyons of the spirite , and must be fulfylled not with the externall worke only , but also wythe a francke and free herte , i. Ioh. iii● doing the workes of the law , not of constraynte & for feare of punyshment , but of loue . For perfecte charitie or loue casteth out feare .

But as the law is spirituall , so are ye carnall , that is , prone and redye to all noughtines , buryed in synne and no lesse bonde to Satan , than a bought slaue is obstricte & bonde vnto his mayster . Nowe is the law & you of a contrary nature . When then shall ye agre ? Rom. vii The lawe , I confesse , is holy , i. Timo. i & the precepte is holy , righteous & goood , but ye are vnholy , wicked & euel . How wil ye then accomplysh the lawe , that ye maye pacify Gods wrath , & deserue remission of youre synnes thorowe youre owne merytes and desertes ? Can he that is deade erecte & lyfte vp hym selfe ? Can he resume & take agayne his armonies ? Can he recouer new strengthes ? Can flesshe teach flesshe no more to synne ? Can the Egle commaund her selfe no more to flye ? Can the Dolphynne cease to swymme ? Iere. xiii Can the man of Inde chaunge hys skynne ? and the catte of the mountayne her spottes ? Nether can ye of your selues cease to be that ye are , nor yet worke good , which so long haue ben exercysed in euel The lawe kylleth , ii . Cor. iii. it gyueth not lyfe . Rom. iiii . The lawe worketh wrath , displeasure & damnacion , it purchaseth not grace , fauoure , mercye , remission of synnes , peace and tranquilite of conscience . For cursed is euerye one that abydeth Deu. xxvii . not in all thynges that are wrytten in the boke of the lawe that he maye do them . Gal. iiii . No man fulfyllethe the whole lawe , ergo no man is iustifyed by the lawe , but rather cursed and brought to dampnacion . Iacob . ii .

For he that kepeth the whole lawe , and yet offende the in one , is made gylty of them all . Ioan. vii . Moses gaue you a lawe , Act. xv . and yet none of you all do fulfyll it . Neyther ye nor youre fathers were euer able to bere the yoke of the lawe . Who euer entred into the glorye by the fulfyllynge of the lawe ? Gal. v● Wyl ye therfore seke to be iustifyed by the lawe , ye are vtterlye fallen from that which ye soughte . You not knowynge the righteousnesse of God , and sekyng to stablysh youre owne ryghteousnes , Rom. ● . can not be made subiecte to the ryghteousnes of God . Why the law was gyuen . The lawe was gyuen you by Moses from God , not that you shoulde seke to be made ryghteous by it , which is a thynge impossible , but that it shoulde declare to you the wyll of God , proue the obedience of your her●e , kepe you in an honest and godly trade of lyuynge , 〈…〉 refrayne you from wycked doynge , represse ydolatry , swearing , vngodlines , disobedience , thefte , manslaugter , adultrye , false wytnesse . &c. set before your eies your abhominable wickednes and synful lyuyng , that you may learne to knowe your selues , and make the more hast to approch vnto Gods mercy . Romo . ii . For by the lawe commethe the knowledge of synne : 〈◊〉 . xx . Ye should not haue knowen synne but by the lawe . Deut. v. For ye had not knowen concupiscence excepte the law had sayd , Gala. iii. thou shalt not co●ytte . Rom. iii. The lawe is a schole mayster to teache you what ye ought to do . Whose admonicions , warnynge and instruccions , seynge ye folowe not nor obeye as it teachethe , and as ye oughte , it rather condempne than saue you , kyll then quicken you . For no fleshe shal be iustifyed by the workes of the lawe in the syght of god . Rom. iii● Your laboure therfore in thys behalfe is vayne , Gala. v. seynge that ye seke Gods fauour , remission of synne , iustifica●ion , saluacion , and eternall glorye by the workes of the lawe only . The 〈◊〉 of the olde law . Whyther wil ye now fly ? wil ye pacyfye Gods wrath by offrynge vp the sacrifyces of the ceremoniall lawe ?

This also is in vayne . For yf the workes of the moral law , 〈◊〉 vii . I meane the. x. commaundementes , brynge no man to perfeccion , and are nothyng lesse than able to pease y● deuine wrath by cause of theyr vncleanes whiche do the commaundementes , yea rather which do than not , how than can this be brought to passe by external ceremonies which are nothing but types fygures , 〈◊〉 x. cloudes , & shadowes of good thi●ges to come ? Here therfore do ye no thing els than as the commune Prouerbe is , go about to make an Ethiop whyte . For as touchynge youre sacrifyces , it is manyfest by diuers places of the scriptures , that God hath no pleasure in them . 〈◊〉 vi . Wherfore , sayeth he , do ye brynge vnto me enlence out of Saba , and swete smellynge Calamus oute of farre countrees ? Youre burnt offrynges are not accepted , and youre sacrifyces haue not pleased me . 〈◊〉 vii . Agayne , put youre burnte offringes to your sacrifices , & eate the flesh , for I dyd not speake with youre fathers , neither dyd I commaund them on the daye , whan I broughte them oute of the lande of Egypte , any thyng at all of burn●e offringes and sacrifices , but I commaund them this word , sayeng : Heare you my voyce , & I shal be your god , and ye shall be my people , walke in euerye waye that I haue commaunded you , that ye may prosper . But they would not once heare me , nor geue attendaunce to me , but they followed their owne pleasures , and walked in the lewdnes of theyr malicious hertes , so that they fel clene from me . Esai . i. To what purpose do ye offer vnto me the multitude of your sacrifices , A●mos . v. sayeth the LORDE ? I am full of them . Mala. i. The burnte offringes of youre wethers , and the fatte of youre fatlynges , and the bloude of youre calues , of your lambes & gotes woulde not I haue . Whan ye come before my syghte , who requyreth these thynges of your handes ? Offer I praye you , no more Sacrifyce to me thus in vayne . Your ensence is abhominacion to me . Your Sabbothes and holye dayes by no meanes can I away with . He that offereth an oxe , is lyke to hym that kylleth a man . He that sleyeth a beast , is lyke vnto hym that braynethe a dogge . ●sal . lxvi . He that offereth an oblacion , is lyke vnto hym that offereth swynes bloude . Here le ye that God hathe no pleasure in these externall sacrifices , but rather abhorreth them .

Then perceyue you full well , that this is no waye to delyuer your selues out of captyuitie , & to obtayne the fauoure of God . Thinges of a good in●ent . What wyll ye now do ? Wyl ye inuent new thiges of your owne fantasy , & offer them to God of a good intent , that by this meanes he maye be the more mercyfull to you ? This also is yet mooste vayne . For yf thynges prescribed & commaunded of God himselfe , can not ●btaynē for you remyssyon of your synnes , what shall than your dreames , youre fantasies , your inuencions , your good intentes , your godly zeles , Deut. iiii do in this behalfe ? Prouer. xx● Uerely ye are in a miserable case . Apoca. xxii . For ye maye not put any thynge to the word of God , nor yet plucke ought from it . Ye muste walke in the way that God hath appoynted you , neyther maye ye declyne on the ryghte hande nor on the lyfte hand . Deut. xii ● . xiii . Yea ye maye not do to your LORDE god y● , which ye thynke best in your owne eyes , but that only whiche he commaundeth you . Here therfore is no euasion , nor way to escape the fearce plages of God . Certes the longer ye wrastle and entangle your selues in this behalfe , the worsse ye are , so farre as I can perceyue , so vnable are ye of your selues in any poynte to satisfy Goddes wrath , & to make hym your frende .

What refuge then can ye nowe inuente ? Our deseruing is euerlastyng damnacion yet is there nothynge before your eyes set , but only desperacion & eternall death , for ye haue deserued no other , & the rewarde of syn is death . Rom. vi . Certes the hooke is layde at the roote of the tree that euery tree that bryngeth forthe not good fruyte , shal be hewen downe & caste into the fyre . Math. iii. Howe nowe wyll ye escape from the wrathe that is to come ? ●ii● . Es. xv Wo be vnto them that synne and kepeth not my commaundementes , sayeth the LORDE , surely I wyll not spare them . Sinners shal be turned into hell , Psal. ix . yee and all those people that forget God . For God shall raygne snares vpon synners , Psal. xi . fyre & brymestone , Psa. lxvii . storme and tempest shall be parte of theyr cuppe . As smoke decayeth , so shall the wycked decay , and as waxe meltethe before the face of the fyre , so shal synners perysh before the face of God . Eccl. xii . The moost hyest hateth synners , & he wyll be reuenged of the wycked . Ecc. xviii . The soule that hath synned , psa. xxxiii . shal dye . i. Pet. iii. The countenaunce of the LORDE is vpon them that do euell , i. Ioan. iiii that he may roote the remembraunce of them out of the erth . Deut. iiii .

He that commytteth synne , Heb. xiii . is of the dyuell . Eccl. xli . For the dyuell synneth from the begynnynge God is a consumyng fyre . It is a dreadfull thyng to fall into the handes of the lyuyng god . Wo be to you therfore O ye vngodly men , which haue forsaken the lawe of the LORDE that moost high god . If that ye be borne , in cursing shall ye be borne , & yf ye dye , in cursing also shal be your part , The miserable captiui●● of man . what wil ye now do ? Here ye se nothyng but malediction , cursynge , wrath , vengeaunce , destruction , perdicion , damnacion . Here perceyue ye no waye to escape the greate displeasure of god , but only to precipitate & caste your selfe headlong into hell pytte to be burnte with the continuall flames of that moost terrible and greuous fyre . Remedye is there none , all conforte is gone , besydes sorowe and mournyng , nothing here doth appeare , o the miserable case , wherin ye stonde .

Me thynk I se you nowe agayn very sory , much lamentyng , wryngyng your handes , tearyng youre heere , cursynge the tyme of youre byrth , hauyng pleasure in nothing walkyng as persons indistresse , void of al consolacion and conforte , verely I haue broughte you into thys case that your ioy afterward should be the greater , The knowledge of our selues ledeth vs to christ . and that you shoulde haue the more pleasaunte and ioyefull newes , whiche I nowe bringe to you oute of heauen . For no man knoweth what a precious thyng a Phisicion is , excepte fyrste of all he sealeth hymselfe diseased , & perceyueth that he hath nede of a Phisicion , yf he intende to enioye the benefyte of health . Mat. i● They that are stronge haue no neade of a Phisicion , but they that are sycke . Nowe therfore heare agayne your moost pleasaunt newes , Ioan. xv . and. ●vi . that youre sadnes maye be turned into ioye , & that youre ioye maye be ful and perfecte .

God , perceyuynge in what myserable case Adam and all his posterite Gen. iii. was set thorowe the brekynge of his moost blessed and holye commaundement , ●ap . ii . agayne that by the enuy of Satan , death was come ouer all the worlde , ●it . iii. wyllynge of his owne free mercye withoute ony of your merites or desertes , to shewe hym selfe of no lesse puissaunce , to saue man , that the dyuell was to condempne hym , sayd at that present to Satan , whan Adam had offended : ●en . iii. I wyll set emnite betwene the and an woman , betwene thy seede and her seed , and that selfe seed shall treade downe thy heade . The begynning of our saluacion is Christ here●●● Promy●●● . O mooste swete and confortable promyse . O moost heauenvly word of grace . Here is the begynnyng of your ioy & gladnes . In Adam were ye all lost , but in this seed of a woman are ye al saued But who is thys seede ? Not Abell , ●●oche , Abraham , Isaac Iacob , nor Dauid . Who then ? Uerely euen the sonne of God , euen Iesus Chryste , Esay . vii . which without the seed of man by the wonderful operacion of the holy ghost , Mat. i. dyd take very flesh of the moost pure virgyn Mary , Luke . i Gene. iii Christ ●uercōmeth Satan for vs . & is this day borne into the world . He is this seed of a woman , which shal trede downe the head of this serpent , that is to say , destroy his power , delyuer you out of captiuite , set you agayne at lyberte , reconcyle you to God the father , purchase remission of youre synnes , obtayne the holy Ghost for you , & make you fellow heyres with hym of eternall glory . Satan , synne , death & hell , with all theyr armye shall nowe no more agaynste you preuayle . i. Cor. x● For by this seed of a woman Iesus Christ your LORDE , hath God gyuen you the victory . So that nowe with tryumphant hertes and reioysynge spirytes , Dse● . xiii . ye may say , O deth wher is thy styng ? O hell where is thy victory ? For nowe is he borne , whyche shall ●●aye death , & delyuer you from the power of deathe , yea from deathe it selfe shall he redeme you . And hell shall he swallowe vp , so that Satan shall haue no more domynion ouer you .

Moreouer in this seed alone Iesus Christ shall all nacions be blessed . In christ we are blessed . In Adam ye all were cursed , Gene. xi . i. but in Christe ye be all blessed . Gala. iii. Adam brought to you wrath and displeasure , but Christ bryngeth loue and ●auour . Mark what we are by Adam , & what by Christ . Adam is the author of synne , death and dampnacion , but Christ is the author of goodnesse , lyfe and saluacion . Adam casteth you downe into hell , but Christ lyfteth you vp to heuen . Adam maketh you fyre brandes of hell , but Christe maketh you inheritours of eternall glorye . By the synne of Adam many were dead , but by the goodnes of Christ , grace hath come vpon many . Rom● . v. By the wickednesse of Adam synne came vpon all men vnto dampnacion , but by the righteousnes of Christ saluacion is come vpon al men vnto the iustificacion of lyfe . By the disobedience of Adam , many were made synners , but by the obedience of Christe many are made rygtheous . Thus se you that in Christe ye are blessed , that is , pardoned of your synnes & receiued into fauour . Furthermore this is he , Gen. xiix . of whome Iacob dyd prophecy that he should come beyng loked for & desyred of all nacions . Deut. xvii . This is that Prophet whome God promised to Moses that he woulde rayse vp amonge his brothers , 〈◊〉 . xvii . & put hys wordes in his mouth , so that whoso euer wyll not heare hym , shall perysshe & vtterly be destroyed . Exo. xii . This is he whyche was fygured in the Nu. xxi . olde lawe by so many tipes , Ex. xvi . vii . ceremonies and shadowes . i. Pa. xvii . This is that kynge whose kyngdome God promysed vnto Dauid to corroborate & establysshe for euermore . This is that euerlastynge preeste , Psal. xxx . Psal. cix . Esa. lxiiii . Psa. cxliiii Luk. x. after the order of Melchisedech . This is he , whome so manye kynges and Prophetes haue desyred to se. And now is he come which so long hath ben desyred . How much blessed & fortunate are ye therfore , vnto whom it hath chaunsed to se this day ? ye maye wel reioyse , Psa. xlvi . & clappe youre handes for ioye . Io. iii. xii . For he is not borne to be vnto you a tyrant , a fearce LORDE , a cruell iudge , an extreme reuenger , but a swete sauyour , a gentle LORDE , a bountyous fauourer , a mercyfull forgyuer . Mat. i. Whyche thynge ye maye well perceyue by his name , for hys name is IESVS , Iesus by enterpretacion is 〈…〉 gyuen vnto hym of God hys father by the Aungell , which by true interpretacion , is a SAVIOVR . For he it is that shal saue his people from theyr sinnes . Marke he shal saue them and not condemne them . If he had had a rigorous name ye myghte well haue ben afearde of hym , but his name is full of swetenes , pleasare , delectacion & conforte . And because ye shoulde not feare to come vnto hym , Christe became poore for to make vs rytche . Luke . i. Psal. viii Heb. ii . Ioan. xvii Mat. viii . ii . Cor. viii beholde he is not borne royallye after the maner of the wordly Prynces set out with gallant pompe , but humbly , mekely & lowely . For he lyeth symply , in a maunger wrapped in vyle cloutes , whan not withstandynge he is LORDE ouer all thinges both in heauen and in earth . But his kyngdome is not of this worlde . For he hathe not so much as a place wher he may lay his head . Thus is he become poore , that by his pouertye ye shoulde become rytche . O howe muche are ye bounde to this poure newe kynge & sauiour , which when he was in the forme of God , Philip. ii ye very God himselfe toke vpon him the shape of a seruaunte , and became very man for your sake . Yf she had not done thus , Christ alone sauethe , and makethe vs cleane from all synne . certes ye had ben damned for euer and euer . For youre synne was so haynous & great , that it coulde not otherwyse be taken awaye but only by hym .

By him , yea by hym alone are all youre synnes put awaye . He it is , yea he it is alone , which putteth awaye your iniquities for his owne sake , & wyll remember them no more . A righteous God , Esaie . xliii Esaie . xlv & suche a one as saueth , is there none but he alone . He is that lambe of God , Iohan. i. which taketh awaye the synne of the world . He is that sauyour , which is come into the world for to saue synners . He it is , Tim● . li Actum . iiii . in whose name and in none others vnder heauen , men must be saued .

Moreouer dyuers graue , The vrgent cause of christes byrth . weightye & serious causes are there , why it was conuenient that this youre sauiour should be borne . Fyrst , that in asmuch as ye all are greuous sinners & haue broken all the commaundementes of God , he shoulde fulfyll the lawe for you , Christ delyuerethe vs from the curse of the lawe . delyuerynge you from the curse of the lawe , wherun to ye are bounde , or els saued could ye be by no meanes . And this shall this chylde , whiche is nowe borne , do for you : I meane , satis●y the law before he ascende agayne vnto his father , & set you free from the malediccion and curse of the lawe . Rome . x. For Christ is the perfecte fulfyllynge of the lawe vnto iustificacion for euery one that beleueth . Gala. iii. Christ shall redeme you from the curse of the lawe , whyle he is made accursed for your sake . Deut xxi For it is written , cursed be euery one that hangeth vpon a tree . O what ioyfull trdinges are these vnto you for to heare , that Christe shall delyuer you from the curse of the lawe , and restore you vnto lyfe , whiche before were dead ?

Secondly seyng that the world is without all knowlege of god , Christ teacheth truely the wyll of his Father . corrupte with Idolatrye , poysoned with theyr owne ymaginacions , drowened with Ipocrisy , and altogyther s●t on wickednes ( the head Prestes Bisshops , lawers , Scribes & Pharisees corruptyng the holy scriptures on such maner with theyr pestilent gloses ) it is necessary that this Christe the wisdomme of the father come downe , & redresse theise great absurdities , reducyng & bringynge the deuyne Scriptures agayne to theyr true sence , that men maye for sake all Idolatrye , all vngodly doctryne , all wycked customes , & lerne to knowe the true God . ●●an . iii. And surelye as he is come from God to be a mayster & teacher , so wyll he vndoutedly teache godly thynges . For he that commeth from heauen , is aboue al men : And that he hathe sene and hearde , that wyll he testify . For he whome God hath sent , speaketh the wordes of God . For God gyuethe not hym the spyrite , Esay . lxi . Luke . iiii . to a measure . But the spyryte of God is plenteously vpon hym , because he hath an noynted hym , to preach glad tidynges , to the poore hath he sente hym , that he should heale the broken in herte , preach delyueraunce to prysoners , syght to the blynde , and frely set at libertye them that are brused , and declare the acceptable yeare of the LORDE . Esa. xi . Esa. ii . The earth shal be full of the knowlege of the LORDE . All nacions shall resorte vnto hym . They shall saye one to another , come , let vs go vp to the mount of the LORDE , & to the house of the God of Iacob , & he shall teache vs his wayes , that we maye walke in his pathes . The people that walke nowe in darkenes , shall se a great lyght , Esa. ix . Mat. iiii . & they that dwell in the land of the vadowe of death , shal haue the lyght shyne vpon them Christ shal multiply the people and encrease theyr ioye also . He shall make them to reioyse , euen as men that make mery in heruest , & as men that haue gotten the vyctory , when they deale the spoyle . For he shall breake the yoke of that peoples burden . The wolfe shal dwell with the lambe , Esa. xi . & the catte of the mountayne shall ly with the goate . The calfe the lyon , & the shepe shall dwel togyther , & the yonge chylde shal not once be afearde of them . The calfe and the beare shall fede one with another , & theyr youngelynges shall take theyr reste togyther . And the lyon lyke as the ore shal eate chaffe . And the in fant so soone as it is wened , shal lye playeng vpon the hooles of adders and the chylde that is wened shall put his hande into a cokeatrycesnest . They shall not hurte , nor they shal not kyl in al Gods holy mountayne . For the earth shal be full of the knowledge of the LORDE , euen as though the water of the see flowed ouer the earth . O what a synguler plesure is this for you , which hitherto of blind gides haue blyndly be led in all kynd of Idolatrye & wyckednes to the great daunger & peryll of your soules health ( for yf the blynd lead the blynd , Math xv . bothe fall into the dytch ) to haue such an heauenly teacher commyng downe from the bosome of god the father , Ioan. iii. Tit. i. which can not ly , but wyl purely & syncerly teach you al trueth , Ioan. xvi● Sap. xv . that ye may vndoubtedly knowe the true God , whych thynge is euerlasting lyfe , & consummate or perfecte ryghteousnes . Can any newes be brought vnto you mor● ioyfull than these ? He is truly to much brutal , that reioyseth not at the hearyng of them . Christ confirmeth his doctrine with myracles .

Thyrdly he shal not onlye wyth all syncerite enforme you of the denyne wyl of his celestial father , but he shal also worke manye straunge & wonderfull myracles amonge you , mat . vii i. mat . ●x . ●u . xi . mat . xii . Luk. xii . Ioan. xi . mat . ix . Luk. v. to confyrme his doctryne , & to shewe that he is vnfaynedly the true Messias , which so many yeres was promised before to come . For he shal restore the sycke to theyr healthe , the blynd to theyr syght , the deathe to they hearynge , the domme to theyr speakyng , the halte to theyr goyng the madde to theyr whole mynde , the possessed of the dyuel to theyr perfect state , the dead to theyr lyfe , the synful to grace & vertue . Then as the Prophet sayeth , shal the eyes of the blynde be made to se , and the eares of the deafe shal be opened . Then shal the halte skyppe as the herte , & the tonge of the domme shal be losoned . They shall wa●ke as persones delyuered & set at liberty of the LORDE . They shal turne and come into Sion with prayse , & euerlastinge gladnes shal be vpon theyr head . Ioye & myrthe shall they haue , sorowe and mourning shal fly from them . Whose herte reioyseth not to heare theyse moost plesaunt & confortable newes ?

Fourthly he shall watch , Christ is oures & al christes good dedes are oure good dedes . Luke . ix . Math. iiii . pray & fast exercysyng all kynde of benefycence and vertue , yea & that not for hymselfe shall he do theise thynges , but for you , for your helth , for your commodite , profyte & saluacion . All that euer he shal do , shal be done for your sake . i. Cor. i. His watching , fastynge , prayenge , almes dedes , & al that euer he dothe , shall be done for you . All hys good dedes shal be yours . His ryghteousnes , holynes & godly lyfe shall be youres . Christes dedes muste nedes be youres , Esai . ix Christe is oure newe yeres gyft . for Christ himselfe is youres . This Chylde is borne for your sake , & this sonne is giuen vnto you . He is your new yeres gifte . He that hathe not spared his owne sonne , Ioh. iii. Esai . ●iii Rom. viii . but hathe geuen him for all you , how is it possible but that with this his sonne he muste nedes geue you all thynges . Who shall nowe therfore attempte any synne agaynst you that be the electe and chosen people of God ? It is God that iustifiethe & maketh you righteous , who then is he that canne condempne you ? O moost blessed & ioyfull tidynges .

Fyftely when he hath full godly on this maner both lyued verteously , Of the deth of Christe . and also preached purely the deuyne wyl of his celestial father , Iohan. vii the Bysshoppes , the head Preestes , the Scribes & Pharisees , ) whiche thorow theyr obstinate blyndnes & pretensed malyce shall euer hate hym , ●aye in wayte to snare him in his sermons calūmate his moost godly doctryne , Mat. xxii . Math. xi . Iohn . viii . Iohn . xii . Math , xi Math. xii . obscure his mooste pure & irreprehensible name ) shall at the laste growe into so great a malyce & fury against Christ , that they shall neuer cease vntyll they haue cruellye slayne him . Iohn . vii● Iohn . ● . Iho● . vii . Iohn . ii . Luke . xxiii Mat. xxvi Luke . xxiii Iohn . xix . For they shall reporte him to be a glotton , a wynebybber , a frende of Publicans & sinners , one that casteth out diuelles by the helpe of Beelzebull prynce of the dyuels , a Samaritane , one possessed withe a diuell , one all togyther set a maddinge , a seductour and deceyuer of the people , a destroyer of Gods temple , an herityke , a traytoure , & one that forbyddeth to paye tribute to Cesar . They shal make his owne disciple to betraye hym thorowe gyftes & rewardes . They shall brynge in false wy●nes agaynste him for to condempne him to death , They shall brynge him before the temporall iudges . Marke . xv . Beholde the payn●s that Christ suffered for vs . They shall laye many thynges to his charge vniustlye . They shall mocke him , they shall rayle on him , they shall spytte on hym , they shall buffet him , they shall scourge hym , they shal put a crowne of thorne on his heade , they shall nayle hym on a crosse , they shall pricke him euen to the herte with a speare , they shall for very despyte hange him betwene two theues , and cruell murtherers , as thoughe he were the chefe & princypall . No kynd of torment or vilany can be inuented . but the very same shall they exercyse vpon him . 〈…〉 For from the sole of the foote , to the toppe of the hed , shall ther be no whole place in his most blessed body . O cruel fury & furious cruelnes . All these thinges shall he suffer not for his owne , but for your sake , for your health & saluacion , 〈…〉 yea & that wyllyngely . H● shal gyue his body to them that stryke , & his chekes to them that plucke them . Hys face shall not he turne awaye from them that rayle & spyt on hym . Esay . l●iii . Lyke as a shepe shal he be led to be slayne , and lyke a lambe before the clypper shal he hold his peace , nether shal he once open his mouth . Thus because it is his pleasure , shall he offer hym selfe vpon the altare of the crosse , Colo. i . & by hys moost precious bloude paye our raunsome . Mat. vi●● . Esay . lii . By this his glorious passion shal he take vpon hym your infyrmities , & beare awaye youre synnes . By his moost blessed woundes shal al your iniquities be putte awaye . Al your synnes shal be layd on his backe . His bloud shall make you cleane from al your synne . By his bloude shal ye haue remission of your synnes . i. Ioan. i. Col● . i. i. Pet. i. Tit. ii . By the precious bloude of this Christ , as of an immaculate and pure lambe shal ye be redemed from the tyrany of Satan . By the oblacion of Christe shall ye be made free from al wyckednes , Col. i. delyuered from the power of darkenes , & caried into the gloryous kyngedome of God . Ioan. i. For he is the lambe of GOD whiche taketh awaye the synne of the worlde . Mat. xviii Luke . xix . This is that sonne of man , which is come to saue that which was lost , & not to destroy the soules of men , but to saue them . And al this shall come to passe by the oblacion & offryng of his owne moost precious & blessed body . For he shal by your Bysshop , Heb. x. not suche one as also shall haue nede to offer for hys owne synnes , but for youres onely , nether shal he be like the bishoppes of the old law , which offer dayly for the sinnes of the people suche sacrifyces , as can neuer take away sinne , nor yet make men perfecte . Heb. vii . But this your Bysshop shal be godly , innocent , fautles , segregated from synners , and made higher then the heauens , whiche shal not nede , as the other Bisshoppes do , dayly to offer sacrifices first for hys owne synnes , & afterwarde for the synnes of the people . The one ●●cri●ice of christes deth serueth for euer to put away sines . For he beynge without al synne shall once for all offer hymselfe . And this one sacrifyce or oblacion of hys mooste blessed bodye shal be able to saue so many as beleue in him , euen to the vttermoost Christ beynge the Bysshop of good thynges to come shall enter into the holy place by hys own bloud , & fynd euerlastyng redempcion . He thorow the holy Ghoste shall offer hymselfe immaculate to God , Heb. ix . & pourge your conscience from deade workes to serue the lyuynge God . Hen once for al offeryng vp him selfe shall take awaye the synnes of many . Hob. x● By the oblacion of the bodye of Iesus Christ done once for all , shall you be sanctifyed . With one oblacion shall he make perfecte for euermore them that are sanctifyed . Here se you of what inestimable pryce the sacrifyce of Christ your bysshop is . The vertue of it neuer ceaseth , The vertue of christes sacrifice neuer ceaseth , but endureth in perfect strengthe for euer and ●uer . but endurethe in perfecte strengthe for euer & euer , that the sinnes of the faythful repentant maye be forgyuen at all tymes by it . Christes bloud shall not crye for vengeaunce , as the bloude of Abell dyd , but for mercy , grace & fauour . Gen. iiii . Yea by Christes bloud shall all thynges both in heauen & e●the be pacifyed , apeased , set at a stay , Colos. i. & reconcyled to God the father aboundantly . Heb. x. So that nowe ye shal be purged of al your synnes by this one & omnisufficiente oblacion of Iesus Christe your Bisshop . Esa. lxiii . For he alone shal treade downe the wynepresse , & take vpon his backe the great & importible burden of your synnes all . He by his death shall slaye death & ouercome Satan , Ozee . xii . synne , hel , desperacion , & all that euer maye be agaynste you . So that nowe ye shal be made so cleare , as though ye had neuer offended . Ye shall now be so set at liberty as though before ye had neuer ben in captiuite . And all this shall come to passe by the deathe alone of thys yonge chylde nowe borne , whose body shall be the alone sacrifyce of all your synnes , Augustinus in Manual , Cap. xxii . vnto the which as vnto an holy ancker ye muste alwaye ronne for ayde , refuge & succoure , trustynge assuredly , that his death ●s youre whole hope , youre meryte , youre refuge , helth , lyfe & resurreccion . Mark 〈◊〉 For youre meryte is the compassion & excedyng mercy of Christ your LODRE , ye are not withoute meryte , so longe as the LORD of mercyes doth not fayle , And yf the merytes of the LORDE be many , than are ye plenteous in merites . The more able that he is to saue , the more safe and withoute daunger are ye . Thus se you what a great occasion ye haue to reioyse in the deathe of the LORDE Christ your alone sauyour , wherby so many synguler & great commodities shall chaunse vnto you . 〈◊〉 . vi . God forbydde therfore that ye should reioyse in ony thynge at all , saue only in the crosse & death of your LORDE Iesus Christ .

Syrtely but in asmuch as it is not sufficient that this youre newe kynge Iesus Christ do dye for your synnes , Of the resurreccion of Christ . Roma . iiii . except he also ryseth againe for youre iustificacion , therfore do I also declare vnto you these moost ioyful & confortable newes , that after he be once dead & buried he by the power of his deite shall gloriouslye ryse again the thyrd day from deth to life for your iustificacion according to the holy scriptures . Ozee . vi For God his father shal make him alyue after two dayes , & vpon the thyrde daye he shall rayse hym vp , & he shal lyue in his syght . As Ionas was in the belly of a whale thre dayes & thre nightes , Ionas . ii & . iii so shall the sonne of man be in the herte of the earth thre dayes and thre nightes . And as Ionas by the power of God came out of the whalles belly the thyrd daye , Math. xii so in semblable wyse shall this Christ by the puissaunce of God his father ryse agayne the thyrd daye from deathe to lyfe . i. Cor. xv By this glorious resurreccion of Iesus Christ , shall ye gette the victory of Satan , synne , death , Roma . iiii hell , desperacion . &c. By this glorious resurreccion of Iesus christ shall ye be made ryghteous in God the fathers sight . Ioan. ● By this glorious resurreccion of Iesus Christ shal heauen gates be opened for you , which so longe haue ben sparred . Ioan. v. By this glorious resurreccion of Iesus christ shall ye also ryse agayne , & enter into euerlastyng lyfe . i. Petre. i. By this glorious resurreccion of Iesus christ , shal god of his excedynge mercy beget you a new into euerlastyng hope , & an immortall heritage , which is kepte for you in heauen . Ioan. ii . For Christ is the resurreccion & lyfe , he that beleueth in him , al though he be dead , yet shall he lyue , & euery one that lyueth & beleuethe in hym , shall neuer dye . Here se you in howe ioyfull and mery a state ye shall be set by Christes moost glorious resurreccion . What is here but that moueth & styreth vs to ioye & gladnesse ? To muche brutall is he which at the heryng of these moost swete & delectable newes dothe not seriously reioyse .

Furthermore after that thys LORDE Iesus Christ is risen agayn from death to lyfe , Of Chrystes ascencion . & hath continued here vpon the earth certayne dayes mat . xxviii . shewyng himselfe vnfaynedly to mat . xvi . haue risen vnto his disciples & Luke . xxiiii . certayne other , Ioan. xx . than shal he by the wonderfull power of his Godhead ascend vp into heauen very God & Act. i. very man in the presence of his disciples , Heb. i. that they maye be faythefull wytnesses hereof to other , & sytte downe on the right hand of God his father , as equal God concernynge his dette with his father in all vertue , puissaunce strength & power . Ioan. xiiii . By this his meruaylous ascencion shall he go & prepare places for you in the house of his eternal father . For he is the way , the trueth & the lyfe . Ioan. xii . No man commethe to the father but by him . Ephe. iiii . But this his meruaylous ascencion shall he drawe you all vnto him . Psa. ixvii . By this his meruaylous ascencion shal he gyue diuers spiritual gyftes vnto you thorowe the sendyng of the holy ghost the swete confortour , Ion. xiiii . and .xvi. which shal lede you into al trueth . Although he ascende vnto his father , yet wyll not he leue you confortles . mat . xxiiii . For by his deuyne spirite he wyll be with you euen to the very consummacion & ende of the world . Ios●e . i. He wyll not leaue & ●orsake you . Heb. xiii . For he is called Emanual , math. i. whych is by interpretacion , Esa. vi . God is with vs . Ioan. xiiii . For he is that God which wyl euer accompany you so longe as ye abyde in his worde . Yea he wyll come & dwell with you . He wyll offer himselfe to you , euen as a gentle & louynge father doth to his moost tender children . 〈◊〉 . xxvi . For this his promyse , I wyll , ●● . Cor. vi . sayeth he , dwell amonge them , & be conuersant among them , I wyll be theyr God , & they shall be my people , yea I wyll be theyr father , & they shal be my sonnes and doughters .

Agayne though Christ shall syt on the ryght hand of God the father almyghty , Christ alone is oure mediatoure and aduocate . yet shal he not be ther ydle & vtterly fallen from sekyng your profyte . Rom. ix . For he shall ther continuallye pray & make intercession to God his father for you . He. vii . & . ix . This man Christ Iesus is youre alone mediatoure , i. Tim. ii . so that yf onye of you dothe synne , ye haue him to be your aduocate , i. Ioan. ii . euen Iesus Christ the righteous . And he it is that obtayneth mercy for your synnes . Ioan. xiiii . and .xvi. Whatsoeuer also ye aske of the father in his name , he wyll surelye gyue it you . What wyll ye desyre more ? Are not these comfortable & swete newes to heare , Esa. ix . that you haue this daye so precious a iewel borne among you , yea & gyuen you frely ? Uerely youre ioye oughte to be so great , that it coulde not be expressed . B●t let vs hear mo ioyful tidinges .

Whan the tyme is ones come that this world shall haue an ende , Of christes comminge to the iudgement ▪ Mat. xxv . then shal this your LORDE and kynge Iesus Christ come full gloryo●●y from the right hand of his father in his maiesty , i. Cor. xv . i. & before him shall be gathered al nacions . Thes. iiii . For at the voyce of the archangell & trompe of God shall all people ryse out of the erth , Esa. xxvi . with theyr bodies both faythfull & vnfaythfull . Ioan. v. They that haue done good , Rom. xiiii . shall come forth into the resurreccion of lyfe , ii . Cor. v. but they that haue done euell , Rom. ii . i. into the resurreccion of damnacion . Cor. xv . All shal be present before the iudgyng place of Christ . 〈◊〉 . iii. Euery man shal receyue accordynge to theyr dedes . Than shal you which are his faythful people receyue for your corruptible body , an incorruptible body , for your mortal body an immortal body , & euen such one as shal be lyke to his owne gloryous body . It hath not yet appered that ye shal be . i. Ioan. iii. But knowe ye that yf he ones appeare , ye shall be lyke vnto him , for ye shal se h●m as he is , This day of iudgement shal be to the wicked & vnfaythfull , Sop●● 〈◊〉 Ioel. ●i . a daye of wrath , a daye of trouble & heuines , a daye of calamite & misery , a day of darkenes & myst . Amos. v. They shall walke as men beyng blynde , because they haue of fended the LORDE , & theyr bloude shal be shed as the dust , & theyr bodies as dunge hylles . Neyther shall theyr syluer & golde be able to deliuer them in that daye of the LORDES wrath . For to them it shal be sayde . Mat. xxv . Departe from me ye cursed into euerlasting fyre , which is prepared for the dyuell & his Aungels . But the daye to you , which are his faythfull people , and obedient to his worde , shal be a daye of consolacion , conforte , ioye & myrthe with all gladnes . For to you it shal be sayd : Mat. xxv . Come ye blessed chyldren of my father , inheryte the kyngdom prepared for you from the begynnyng of the worlde . i. Thes. iiii . For ye shall be taken vp in the cloudes for to mete y● LORDE in the ayre , and so shal ye euer he with the LORDE in glory . But who is able to expresse what ioy , what pleasure , what myrthe , what gladnesse ye shal haue in heauen . Esai . xliiii The eie hath not sene , & the eare hath not herde , neither hath it entred into the herte of man that God hath prepared for them that loue him . Ye shall se him face to face , vpon whom Aungelles desyre to loke . Esai . ●xv With sorowe , care , thought ▪ payne or deathe shall ye no more be entangled . Apo. v●● . & x●i . God shall wype away al teares from your eyes . Esaie . li. Your ioye , your gladnes , youre myrth shall be perpetuall . All the pleasure of this world compared to the leest ioy of heuen is nothynge . Apo. xxi For this celestiall citie is of pure gold , lyke vnto clere glasse , & the foundacions of the walles of this citie are garnisshed with all maner of precious stones , the gates are of fyne pearle . Yea the streres of this heauenlye citie are pure golde . It hath no nede of the sonne neyther of the Moone to lighten it . For the brightnes of God doth lighten it , Esaie . ix . & the lambe is the light of it . Dani. xii . In this citie shall ye glyster as the shynyng of heauen , & shal be as the sterres , Mat. xii . worlde without ende . Ye shal be as the aungels of God that are in heauen , Ye shall be pyllers in the temple of god . Apoc. iii. Ye shall be clothed with whyte garmentes , ye shall sytte with Christe vpon his seate , ye shall eate Manna that is hyd . ye shall eare of the tree of lyfe , which is in the myddes of the Paradise of God . Apo●● . ii . Ye shall haue a whyte stone , & in the stone a newe name wrytten , which no man knoweth sauyng he that receyuethe it . Iacob . i. Ye shall receyue the crowne of lyfe , which the LORD hath promised to them that loue him Ye shall receyue the vncorrupty●●● crowne of glory . i. Pet. v. Ye shal receiue the crowne of righteousnes , which the LORDE a ryghteous iudge in the daye shal gyue to all them that loue his commynge . i. Tim. iiii . To conclude , ye shall accordynge to his promyse receyue euerlastynge lyfe , i. Ioh. ii . in the whiche ye shall lyue with god the father , and this his sonne Iesus Christ your Lord and Sauiour , with the holy Ghost one very God worldes without ende , to whome alone be all honour & glory for euer and euer . i. Tim● . i . Amen .

¶ A brefe rehersall of all those thynges that go before .

THus haue I declared vnto you the moost swete , moost confortable , moost plesaunt , & moost meri newes out of heaue at the commaundement of the hyghest & puissaunt God . Roma . v Ye se in how miserable a case ye are redacted and fallen by the synne of Adam , Ephe. ii . & howe that by hym ye are all damned and made the sonnes of wrath . Ye se that of your selues because of youre imperfeccion , ye are not able to do any good thyng , that maye satisfy the deuyne wyll & apease Gods wrathe . Ye se that the workes of the lawe can not make you fre in the syght of god , ii . Cor. iii. neyther are ye able of youre owne strenth & free wyll so pure●y , so spiritually to do them as the law requireth , Rom. ii● . that you may obtayne remissyon of youre synnes by doynge of them . Heb. x . Ye se also that the sacrifyces of the olde lawe can neuer putte away synne , Dent. iii● ▪ xii . xiii . & as for workes of your owne inuencion are mooste of all imꝑfecte , & mooste vnapte to purchase grace & fauoure . Thus se you that of youre owne selues , of your owne polecy , of your owne righteousnes ye are not able to escape the daunger of damnacion , yea rather damnacion it selfe , Therfore dyd I declare vnto you the confortable newes out of heuen , shewyng you that God , not for the workes of righteousnes that ye haue done , Tit. iii. which in dede are none , but of his owne free & great mercy hath vouchedsaufe to preserue and kepe you from the daunger of Satan sinne , death & hel , ●uk . ii . yea and that by this his welbeloued sonne Iesus Christ which this daye is borne in the cytie of Dauid to be the sauioure of the world . mat . iii. So that for Iesus Christes sake God is well pleased with you .

Ye haue heard that the lawe hath condemned you , Den. xxvi● in asmuch as ye are transgressours of it , Gel. iii. and hath made you accursed . From this cursse of the lawe shal christ delyuer you , not from the lawe it selfe , that you shoulde lyue vngodly , Ephe. v. & after a remisse and dissolute maner ( for such haue no in heritaunce in the kyngdome of Christe & of God ) but from the curse , seruitude , bondage , damnacion of the lawe . For he shall fulfyll the whole law euen to the vttermoste . math. i. And hys fulfyllynge shall be accepted before God the father for the fulfyllynge of so many as beleue in him . Rom. ● . And he settyng you at libertye from the curse of the lawe , Eze. xxxvi . shall gyue you a newe herte , & put in you a newe spirite , & he shal take away your stony herte & gyue you a fleshly , Iere. xxxi . that is , a softe & gentle herte , redy to enclyne to the accomplyshment of Goddes wyll . Heb. viii . He shal gyue his lawes into your myndes , & wryte them in your hertes , that you maye euer after franckely and with a free spirite fulfyl them .

Ye haue hearde how this Christ shall brynge you oute of the darkenes into the lyght of trueth by the syncere declarynge of hys fathers wyll . Ioan. viii . For he is the lyght of the world , & God hath gyuen hym to be a witnes vnto the people , Esay . ix . a captayne & a mayster amonge the heythen . Mat. iiii . And this his doctryne shall he confyrme with such miracles , Esay . iv . as shall euydently shew & proue that he is that true Messias , whiche was promysed to come . Dan. ix .

Agayne ye haue hearde that all his good dedes are youres . Rom. viii . For with him hath God the father also gyuen you all thynges , i. Cor. i. so that he is your wysdome , your righteousnes , your sanctificacion and redempcion .

Ye haue herde also that he shall offer himsele for you to God the father an oblacion & swete swellynge sacrifice vpon the Altare of the crosse & that by this one oblacion & sacrifyce of his mooste blessed body done once for all , Ephe. v. all your synnes shall be put away , ye shal be made perfecte , and wasshed from all deformitie so cleane by christes bloud , Ephe. v. as though ye had neuer offended heretofore .

Ye haue hearde agayne that as christ shal dye for your sinnes , Rom. iiii . so shal he ryse agayne for your iustificacion , Hebre. ii . i. obtaynynge for you the victory of synne , Cor. xv . death and hell , Ozee . xiii . y● that his moost glorious resurreccion .

Ye haue heard that after he is once rysen agayne , he shal here remayne certayne dayes , & than ascende corporally into heauen , Mat. xvi . & sytte downe on the ryght hande of God the father Actum . i. sendynge downe the holye Ghoste , Hebre. i. which shall lede you into all trueth . Ioan. xvi .

Ye haue hearde also that Christe syttynge on the ryght hand of God the father shall not be ydle , i. Timo. ii . but styll prouyde & seke youre helth . i. Ioan. ii . He shall be your mediatoure & aduocate . Roma ▪ vii . He shall make contynuall intercessyon for you . Hebre. vii . He shall pleate youre cause before God his father . He shall auaunce your matter before the deuyne presence . i. Iohn . ii . Yf ye at any tyme excite or styre vp gods wrath against you thorowe your iniquitie , he shall streyght wayes apease it , and make God the father , styll youre louynge father , which elles would be to you an extreme reuenger .

Ye haue herde agayne that Christe at the laste daye shal come gloriously from the right hand of his father to iuge the quicke & the deade , Math. xxv & howe that after the iudgemente is once done , Esai . lxiiii . ye shall enter into glory with hym , i. Cor. ii . lyuynge for euer after in such ioye , pleasure & gladnesse , as can not by any meanes eyther be expressed by tong , or conceyued in herte . All these commodities , Math. ● . pleasures & profyttes shal ye haue by this your new kinge & sauiour Iesus Christ , ●uke . ii . which this day is borne in Bethleem a citie of Dauid . What more pleasaunt and thanckeworthye newes coulde be brought to you then theise ? What coulde haue set suche a ioye in your hertes , as the hearynge of these newes ? Can any thyng lyke vnto these chaunse vnto you , so great , so welcome , so acceptable , so ioyful ? Uerely yf ye seriously consyder the misery wherwith ye were obruted & ouerwhelmed before , ye shall easlye perceyue that ye haue an earnest cause to reioyce . No prisoner , no captiue , no bond slaue was euer in so great captiuite & thraldome , as ye were , before these news were brought to you . I● a prisoner reioysethe for his delyuerance oute of pryson , whiche once muste nedes haue an ende , yf none otherwyse , yet at the leest by death , howe great a cause them haue you to reioyse for your deliueraunce which were captiues & prisoners to that horrible monsture and pestiserous serpent euen Satan hymselfe , yea and that not for certayne yeares , but for euer worldes wythout ende . Neyther was it youre body alone , that was in captiuite and bondage but your soule also , both your body & soule were captyue to hym , so that yf this your newe kynge , redemer & sauioure shoulde not helpe you , it could none oth●rwyse be but that you must nedes haue ben damned , cast into hel fyre , ther to burne to wepe , to lamente ▪ for euer & euer remediles . But from this moost greuous destruccion shal this chyld Iesus Christ delyuer you , & make you heyres of euerlastynge glory . What a cause haue ye nowe to reioyse ? Your ioy can not be expressed , your gladnes is vnmeasurable .

Therfore seynge ye shall receyue of this youre newe kynge so many , so greate , so inestimable benefytes , loke that ye be not vnthanckefull . Receyue this your sauioure with enbrasyng armes . Psal. ii . Runne vnto hym , yf not with the feete of your body , yet with the feete of your mynde . Knowledge hym to be your alone & omnisufficient sauioure , Act. iiii . & that there is none other name gyuen vnto men vnder heauen , Mat. xvi . wherin they must be saued , Esa. vii . but only this name of Iesus Christ . Ephe. ii . Confesse hym to be the true sonne of the lyuynge God , Ioan. xiiii . whiche hath nowe taken flesshe of the mooste pure and cleane virgin Marye for your sake . i. Cor. i. Confesse him alone to be your peace , Eze. xxxiiii . lyfe , Colos. i. helth , i. Tim. ii . defence , goodnes , wisdom , righteousnes , sanctyficacion , redempcion , pastoure , shepehearde , Bisshoppe and heade . In al youre trouble resorte to hym as vnto a strong Bulwarke , that you maye ease you of your miserable burdens Poure out your hertes before this LORD . i. Ioan. i. Knowe him to be your alone mediatour & aduocate . Ioan. xvi . Aske al thinges in his name . Esay . xlix . Dout nothyng of his greate goodnes & exceadynge mercy towarde you . Can a woman forget the chyld of her wombe , and the sonne whom she hath borne ? And thoughe she doth forgette hym , yet wyll not he forget you . For beholde he hath wrytten you vp vpon his handes , math. xi . so that euer ye are in his syght . He wyll vndoubtedly ease you of your burdens , Esa. xliiii . be they neuer so great . Apo. xii . If ye thurst , Ioan. vi . he wyll gyue you of the wel of the water of lyfe frely . If ye hunger he is that bread of lyfe , which came downe from heauen . If any man eate of that bread , he shall lyue for euer . If ye be sycke , mat . ix . he is a Phisicion , redy to cure & heale all your diseases . If ye be bonde and in seruitude , Ioan. viii . he wyll make you free , & set you at lyberite . If ye be dead in sinne , Ioan. xi . he is the resurreccion & lyfe . Ioan. viii . If ye walke in darkenesse , he is the lyghte of the worlde . He that foloweth him , walketh not in darkenes , but shal haue the light of life . Rom. x. If ye be poore , he is rytch vnto all them that cal vpon hym . If ye be wicked , prophhane & folysh he is righteous , i. Cor. i. holye & wyse . If ye be oppressed wyth syn●e , Ose● . xiii , deathe of hell , i. Cor. xv . he hath subdued them al. If ye feare the wrath of God the father , i. Tim. ii . he is youre mediatour , aduocate & attonement maker . i. Ioan. ii . If ye haue condemned youre selfe thorowe synne , Mat. i. he is a sauiour , Rom. x. & wyll saue his people from theyr synnes . What wyl ye haue more ? Ye wante nothynge , but he wyll supplye it for you aboundantlye , & to the vttermoste . Feare not therfore to come to thys youre newe kynge Iesus Christe . Luke . 〈◊〉 . For the very cause of his comminge is not to destroye , but to saue the soules of men .

Receaue hym therfore with ioyfull hertes . An exortacion to the diligente doyng of good workes . Forsake all ydolatrye & vayne supersticion . Beleue in hym alone . Put your affiaunce & truste in none other but in him only . And let not this your fayth be dead , but agile , quicke , lyuysshe , & myghty in operacion . Let it be such a fayth , as worketh by loue . Fyrst lette youre fayth brynge forth an earnest loue toward God , Gala. v. and oute of this loue toward god , let such a loue procede toward your neyghbour , that out of that loue ther maye sprynge plentie of good workes . Psal. i. Be lyke vnto a good tree , Mat. xxi . which bringeth forth her fruyte in due tyme . Gala. vi . Be no baren & vnfruytful fygge tree vnles the malediccion & curse of God fal on you . While ye haue tyme , worke good to al men . For God hath not delyuered you from the power of your enemies , & of all suche as hate you , that you should styll continue euel , or returne to your old wickednes , but that ye set at libertie and voyd of all feare , should serue him in holynes & Luke . i. righteousnesse before hym all the dayes of our lyfe . Rom. viii . The lawe of the spiryte of lyfe throwe Christ Iesus hathe made you free from the lawe of syn & death . Gala. v. Notwithstandyng though ye be cal●ed into libertie , yet let not youre libertie be an occasion to the flesshe , but by loue serue ye one another . i. Pet ii . Be as free not hauyng the liberte for a cloke of wickednes , but euen as the seruauntes of god . For Christ hath not of his owne mere bountie delyuered you from the myserable seruitude of Satan , that ye should runne agayne to that your enemy , but that ye should serue him , which hath shewed you such great kyndenes . Ye are nowe Christes all togyther , Make●well . therfore must ye loke what he wyll haue you do . For yf he be punished , whiche disdaynethe to fulfyll the commaundement of a terrestiall & earthly Prynce , in what case than are ye , yf ye do eyther cast awaye or despyse the commaundement of an heuenly gouernour ? Certes ye ought so to institute & order youre lyfe , that it should serue Christ your captain on such maner , that Satan should haue nothinge to do with you , nor ye with hym . For he that doth synne , is the seruaunt of synne . Iohan. viii . Therfore ought you to caste awaye all synne from you , & gyue your mynd to purite & holynes of lyfe , & euer studye to mayntayne mutuall loue . Math. vii . For not euery one that sayeth , LORDE , LORDE , shall enter into the kyngedome of heauen , but he that doth the wyll of God whiche is in heauen . He that pertayneth to Christe , ii . Cor. v. is a newe creature . Gala. v. And they that belonge vnto hym , haue crucified the flesshe with the lustes therof . Therfore yf ye be souldiers of Christe , declare it in outwarde workes , For it is a poynte of notable vnshamefastnes to bost your selues that ye pertayne to Christes army , & yet do nothynge at all that he commaundeth . He that sayeth that he dwelleth in him , i. Ioh. ii . ought to walke as he hath walked . i. Ioh. i● . If ye saye , that ye haue fel●owshyp with Christ , and yet walke in darkenes , ye ly & do not the trueth . But yf ye walke in lyghte , as he is lyghte , than haue ye fellowshyp togyther , & the bloud of this your sauiour Iesus Christe Goddes owne sonne makethe you cleane from all synne .

Wherfore yf ye wyll enioy these moost confortable & pleasaunte newes , whiche I haue broughte from heauen and haue now declared vnto you , forsake all wickednesse , and enhaulse al godlynes , reiecte al ydolatrye , and practyse the true worshyppynge of God , Gala. v. caste awaye the workes of the flesshe and put on the fruytes of the spirite , mortifye olde Adam . and become newe men , to be shorte , Math. v. let your lyght so shyne before men that they maye se youre good workes & glorify your father which is in heauen , to whome wyth thys your newe kynge and omnisufficient sauyour Iesus Christ Goddes owne sonne , and the holy ghost that mooste swete confortoure , be all honour and glorye worldes withoute ende . AMEN .

¶ Gyue the glorye to God alone .

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