Here begynneth a godly new story of .xii. men that moyses (by the co[m]maundement of god) sent to spye owt the land of canaan of whiche .xii. onely Iosua and Caleb, wer found faythful messengers.

The story

It shal not nede to wryte that hole stori word for word in this placebut to refer the ( gentle reder ( to the place wrytten in the bok of numbre the .xiii. & .xiiii. Chapters : th effect where of ys thys . After that the children of Israell were gone oute of Egypte and had bin a great whyle in the wyldernes : Num. xiii and nowdraweyng nygh the lande of Canaan , the lord spake vnto Moyses and saied send furth men to spy out the land of . Canaan , whych I wyll geue vnto the chyldren of Israell of euery trybe of their fathers , a man , and let them be suche as are captaynes amonge them . etc. Moyses dyd so chose oute of euerye trybe a man & sente them furth and bad them vieu the land and see what maner of cuntre yt was , and what maner of people they were that dwelte in yt , & also to brynge some of the frute of the land wyth them . Thei went & after .xl. dayes they returned and came to Moyses and Aaron and the hole Congregacyon , and declared vnto them that they had townde a goodly Contre flowinge with milke , & hony & they had broughte of the frute of the lande , A Cluster of Grapes , pomegranetes , & fygges . But ther be stronge people dwellynge in the land and grate and myghtye Cytyes : we are not able to go agaynst them ( saye they : ) for all the men are of greate stature : yea we saw Gyauntes there also , as the Children of Enock , & we semed in our syght as the greshoppers , & so dyd we in their syghte . At thys report , Nu. xiii . the Chyldren of Israel toke on and cryed and wepte and murmured Agaynste Moyses and Aaron , & sayed : oh that we had dyed in Egypt , or that we myght dye yet in thys wyldernesse . Wherefore bryngeth the lord vs into thys land , that our wyues shoulde fall thorowe the sword , & our Chyldren to be a prey . Is yt not better that we goo agayne into Egypte ? And they sayed , one to another : let vs make a Captaine and goo into Egypte agayne .

But Moyses & Aaron fel vpon their faces before the whole Congregacion of the multitude of the children of Israel : and Iosua the Sonne of Nun and Caleb the son of Iephun ( which wer also .ii. of the .xii. that had bene to spy out the land : ) rente theire clothes and spake to the hole Congregacion of the chyldren of Israel and sayde : the land which we haue walked thorowe to spye yt owte , ys a verye good lande : yff the lorde haue luste vnto vs , he shall brynge vs , into the same land & geue yt vs , wiche is a land that floweth wyth milke and hony . But in any wyse , rebel ye not agaynst the Lord , and feare not the people of thys land : for we wyl eat them vp as bread . Theire defence ys ys departed from them , but the lorde ys with vs , be not ye affrayed of them . And al the people bad stone them with stones . Then appered the glory of the lord in the tabernacle of witnes vnto all the chyldren of Israell . And the Lorde sayed vnto Moses : how long shal thys people blasp heme me ? And how longe wyll yt be eare they beleue me , for all the tokens that I haue shewed among them I wyl smit them with pestilence and destroye them , and wil mak of the a greter & a mightier people then thys ys . But Moyses sayed : Then shall the Egiptians heare yt ( for with poure hast thou brought this people frōamōg them ) so shall yt be told to the īhabyters of thys lande also whyche haue herd that thou o lord arte amonge thys people that thou art seen from face to face , and that thy clowd stande the ouer them , and the thou goest before them in the cloudy pyller on the day tyme , and in the fyrye piller in the nyght ceason . Yf thou shouldest now slea thys people , as one manne , than the heathen that haue hearde so good report of thee , should say : The lord was not able to bryng the people into the lande that he sware vnto them , therfore hath he slayne them in the wyldernes . So let the power of the lorde now be great according as thou hast spoken and sayd : the lord ys of long sufferaunce and of greate mercy , and forgeueth syn and trespasse , and leaueth no man inocent , and vysyteth the mysdedes of the fathers , vpon the cyldren vnto the thyrd and fourth generatyon . O be gracyous now vnto the synne of thys people accordynge to thy great mercy , lyke as thou hast forborne this people also euer from Egipte vnto this place . And the lord said I haue forgeuen itas thou hast said , but as truly as I lyue , al the world shal be full of my glorye . For of al the men that haue seene my glory , & my tokens , which I dyd in Egypte , & in the wyldernesse & tempted me now .x. tymes and haue not hearkened vnto my voyce . et c. For I haue heard theyr murmurynges agaynst me : tell theim therefor , As truly as I lyue ( sayeth the Lorde ) I wyll do vnto you , euen as ye haue spoken in myn eares . Your carcases shall lye in thys wyldernesse : But my seruaunte Caleb , because there is Another maner of sprete in him , and because he hath folowed me : hym wyll I bryng into the land , and Iosua the sonne of Num. But ye wyth your carcasses shall lye in thys wyldernesse : And your chyldren shall beare your mysdeades , fourty yeres , for the .xl. dayes that you were aspyenge out of the land , a day for a yere , that ye may know what it is whan I with draw my hand . euen I the lord haue saied it & wil do it indeid vnto al this euel congtegacion the haue lyft vp them selues agaynste me : in thys wildernesse shal they be consumed , & there shal they dye . And their dedes wer plaged before the lorde , all the men , whom moyses sent to spy owt the land , saue Iosua & Caleb . And when Moyses had declared this to the people , they toke greate sorow , & they rose early in the mornyng & went vp to the toppe of the mountayne and sayed : Io we are here ready to go vpp to the place that the lorde commaunded vs : for we haue synned . But Moyses sayed : wherefore go ye on thys maner beyonde the woorde of the Lorde ? Yt shalle not prosper with you . Goe not vp ( for the lorde is not among vs ) hat ye be not slayn of your enymyes . But they wer blinded & wold go vp : not withstanding Moises and Aaron nor the arke of couenaunt came not into the host and thre they were slayne euery one of the enemyes .

Here hast thou ( derely beloued in christ ) almost the hole matter euen as it is wrytten . Now shal it be ( in my iudgement ) very profytable to recyte it agayne and applye it to owr tym that it may be prynted the better in owr mynde , and that we may both learne by them to beware of infidelyte & impatience & the we murmur not agaynst god & neglecte hys commaundementes & also to folow the stedfastnes of . Caleb and. Iosua in faith & beleue , doyng all thyng accordyng to the word & commanndement of the lord . Eebre . iii. Thys counsel doth saynt Paul geue vs saige take hede good brethren sayth he that there be not in any of yow an euel hart of vnbeleue to depart from the liuiggod but exhort out selues daili whil it is called to day lest ani of you wax hard harted throu the deceatfulnes of synne etc. Take hed say eth he . By thys we may perceaue the thorow vnbeleue we departe from the lyuing god & for lacke of dayly exhortactyōs men wax hard harted tho row that deceatfulns of sīue . He that hath the grace , consyder & perceaue wel the stat of vnbeleffe & speacilli when the hart is once hardned thorow syn̄e● shall not me ruayle the saynt Paule sayeth take hede . For suer , he that will serue the lord , must take hede & feare for he shal haue many emmies , Eccle. ii . the the feare of the lorde is the ryght goddes seruyce ( sayeth syrach ( & het serueth god wel that feareth to displese hi now ar all those thinges wrytten for our lernyng that we mought lerne both by examples & exhortacions to feare god & do his wyl . Exo. ii . vii . viii xi . x. xiiii . The chyldren of Israel , after that the egyptyans be gonne to make slaues of then cryed vnto the lord and syghed to be dely ueredat , but after the the lordehade wrought many wonders in Egypt for their delyueraunce , and caused the sea to open & gaue them rome , and pharao with his hoost drowned : yet al this notwithstandynge , asson as any temptacion arose , they forgart altogether & , Ex. xv xvi xvii . Gene. xvii xxv . xxxv Exo. xiii . Exo. xxxii Nu xxxv . psal. c. vi . murmured agaynste the lorde & wyshed the they had dyed in Egypt : althoughe the lorde had promised their fathers abraam isaac & Iacob , to multyplye their seade , blesse than , & bryng than into the land the floweth with milk & hony : yea that lord went with them the pyller of a clowde by day & by nyght in a pyller of fyre . All thys notwithstandyng ( I saye ) for euery tryfle , they murmured , & gruged , wyshyng them selues agayn in egypte : euen dispysyng the boyce of the lord ther god , & made them other goddes , & serued the goddes of the nacyons , & went a whoring after ther owne inuencyons : for which the lord plaged them often , very sore . Thes are examples vnto vs sayeth saynt Paule that we should not lustafter euel thynges , i. cor. x. as they lusted : nether be ye worshypers of images , as were son of them , accordynge as it is wrytten , the people sate downe to eate & drynke & rose vp to play , Exo. xxxii Nn. xxv Nu xxi . nether let vs commyt whordome , as som of them committed & fel in oneday . xxiii . tho● sand : Nether let vs tempte chryst as some of them tempted him & were destroyed of serpentes : Num. xi . Neyther murmur ye as some of them murmured & were distroyed of the dystroyer . All these happened vnto them for ensamples ( sayeth saynt paule ) but they are wrytten towarne vs , vpon whom the ende of the worlde is come : therefore let him that thinketh he stondeth take hede lest he fal . These be saynt paules wordes . And I wold wyshe from my very harte that all men from the hyest to the loweste wolde wey them ernestly . For they be wrytten for oure learnyng & to th entent that we shuld take hed frar god & flee such oftences , lest we provoke the lorde to cast vs of foreuer . He speaketh euen to the wysest among men , saynge : let him the thinketh he standeth take hede lest he fall . Thys waruyng of saint Paul may not be forgotten , take hede therfore breth ten the there be not in any of you an euel hart of vnbelef to depart from the lyuyug god . Wher withal shall ayoung man clē●e his way ? psal. c. ix . sayth dauid , he answereth him selfe & sayth euen by rulyng him selfe after the word of god , but he the goeth besyde the word of the lord must nedes fal though he thynke hi selfe neuer so sure For what is man ory● wisdōm of man ? i. cor. i is not wysdom of the world foly shnes with god● The lord bade Moyses send out . samu . xiii xii , men to spye owte the land of canaue . For he wuld geue It to the chyldrenne of Israele in possessyon . Moyses dyd so , and chose of euery of the , xii tribes , one to go spye out the land . And the no 〈◊〉 fooles , but euen of the thefe of the trybes . And ther they found a frutful cuntre flowing with mylk & houy . They brought of the grapes , pomgranettes , and fygges . All thys was accordinge to the worde of the lorde , and his promys made to the fathers . But as the nature of man is alway , to loue him selfe to leane to his owne wisdome , & to put some confidence therin and thus forsake fayth : so these messengers sayed vnto the pople : we cam vnto the land whether ye sent vs where it flowath withe mylke and hony , and thys is the fruete thereof . Bute then the people are myghtye , theire Cities stronge and greate : So that we at not able to matche them Yea we sawe gyauntes there also , the chyldren or Euocke ( say they ) And we femed● our syght as the greshoppers and fodyd we in theyr syghte lyke wyse . Now here we sauhow thei fal away thorow vubelef : for what neded thei haue feared the giānts , or any other thynge yf they had beleued god as Abram their fathers did ? but thei tok no hed to the word of the lord , therfore they brought thys euel report vpon the land , in so much that the people these wordes beganne to crye and howle sayeng : Nu. xiiii . oh that we had dyed in the land of Egypte , or that we myght dye yet in thys wyldernes , wherefore bringeth the lord vs into this land that our wyues shuld fal thorow the swerd , and our Children be a pray ? Is yt not better that we go again into Egypte ? And thus they sayde on to another let vs make a Captayne ouer vs , and go agayne Into Egypte . Marke here the the vnfayfullnes of the so Messengers Beholde also the weake 〈◊〉 fayth that was in the people . The word of the lord bad moyses send spies into the land ( which the lord wold geue to the children of Israel ) as yt was often promysed before , But these messengers loked vpon the mighty men & great gyauntes , and forgat the promyse of god .

Lykewyse the people herkened to the voice of the messengers and let the voyce of the lord go . Oh vnfaythful generacyon . Where was Abrahams fayth ? whych when he was commaunded to kyll hys onely sonne , Gen. xxii in whom the lord had promised to blesse al nacyons , he forsoke , reason left hys owne wysdome , & beleued that that lord wold rais him again from death to lyf rather than his word shuld not be fulfiled . This is wryt ten for oure learnynge that , we also maye set hande of the promyeses of god with lyke faith . is But where thys fayth ? let vs nowe talke awhyle of our latter dayes , that we maye se whether thys fayth be amonge vs or not . Many wryters haue compared the Pope to kyng Pharoo of egypte . And in dede yt may welbe : for as long as he gouerned the churche : he made vs bond sines , he and hys mynysters . Yea we were so blyndly ledd and so tyraun nously handled , and that with such vylany : that I am sure , the Israelytes were neuer so shameful intreated of kyng Pharoo and hys my nysters : As we haue byn of thys Phatao and his shauen genetacion . For the dayes hath bene that yf a manne hadd fownde a Preste or A F●yer in the vedde wythe Hys wyffe : He durste not to haue layed hys Handes vpon hym . Where as y●yt hadd bene another mann all thoughe He hadd stayne hym ? yt hadd bene accoumted no fa●lte at all . No mann myghte haue sewed them at that comon law . Ye , thes egyptyans were wexed so proude that they had deuyded theim selfes from the pore israelites , in somuch that thei must be called spirituall fathers and we the lewde people . And yf any poore Israelyte had grudged at anytime to bear ther heavy and intollerable but thens : there was no remedy but cruel death with out mercy . Onles he wold sweare to be obedient vnto theim in All thinges whasoeuer they should commaund him . Many a pore soule hath suffred vnderthem most cruell torments . Many a one haue they put to death the could not be suffred to answeare for them self many a one haue they put to death the cause where of was neuer knowen . Many a one haue they murdred in prison secretly lest there outragius cruel manslaghter shuld be openli knowēbut thanks be vnto the almighti god which of his loue the he bare vnto vs , at the cryes of some faythful Israelytes , hath delyuerd vs , by hys minister Kyng Henry the viii , from vnder the great & intollerable burthens of this cruel pharao , & hath brought vs into the wylderness , where we heare the lord speak to vs dayly , in the bible , wherein is wryten both the newe testament & the olde , is brought amonge vs , Pharaos power is taken from him : hys bulles be not regarded , his supersty oyous seetes of relygyon be gone & agreate meany of his mahometrye & other baggage did the worthey king henry destroye . Many wonderfull thynges dyd the lord brynge to passe in his dayes , yet lo for all the , coulde not we contynew faythful . Al these wonders the prophecyes of the lorde him selfe agaynst those false prophetes , nor yet the examples of thos israelytes in the wyidernesse , cowlde kepe vs in a stedfaste fayth In the promyfes of the lorde , but at euery temptation we were ready to go back agayne in to Egipte . For yf there came but a commaundement to burne our bokes , or suche lyke : strayghtway we began to dyspayre to grudg , and murmur , ye , and many went backe againe into Egypt , and benot yet returned . Rather had they to be slaues in Egypte , to sytte by the fleash pottes , fyllyng their lustes : them to ieopred theire liues at the commaundement of god , in the wyldernesse . And for such īfy delity & wickednes , how haue we felt the plages of the lord , both hunger pestilence & war. But they wyl say , it hapneth onely , for these new fownd oute Heresyes , the be now abroad . And euery euell that chauncethe , they impute it to the Gospel , whyche they cal He resye . Yet thys I am sure , All they can not denye : But these plagues in the wyldernesse happened vnto the people , for dysobeyng the word of the lord , and for walkinge after ther owne in uencions . Now yf these ( whom they call heretikes ) go aboute to set vp , or put downe any thynge bysyde the doctryne of chryste : then myghte they haue some couller to cloke their matter withal , to make the rude people be leue that these plages belonged not to theyr vnfaythfull workes . But now to contyrme ther malyce they say : Loke vpon their lyuynge . Here ys one preacheth asermon at fore none and ys drounk at after none . Another in ahole asseble makethe an oratyon to destroye vyce : and forthe wythe a contynente committeth abhomynacion . One wryttethe in boke thys daye to exhorte men to good lyuynge :

And the nexte daye him selfe ys fownde an opene transgressoure of the lawe . Loke vpon them ( say they ) greatter whroekepers & adulterers , greater sueare●● & blasphemers of the name of god , gretter extorcyoners and deceauers , more proude , more enuyous more couetous then these ( whych talke so much of the gosple ) can not , nor ys possyble to be . But what shall we saye to them now ? shall we saye they lye ? no , for they speake many thinges truli ( although thei speak yt of malyce ) as I haue sene the experyence to often . But alas the euer suche manyfest wyckednes shulde be suffred vnpunyshed . Loke to yt ( O ye Magystrates ) for ryght sharpe iudgement shal be done on these the be in auctorite : sape . vii . and it perteineth to your charge , as well to mayntayne christes doctryne in punishynge the wycked lyuynge , As to destroye I dolatrye In aboly shynge false preachynge .

Therfore I saye a gayne loke to yt . For thes false baalams be notable to open theire mouthes wyth learnyng to defende their false doctryne . For euery chyld almost is able to confound theim , euen by their owne learnyng , and Doctors . Only now do they slander the gospell , wyth the fylthy lyuyng of a sorte of false faiued brethren , which with their lyppes confesse chryste the lord , but in ther dedes they deny him openly , Tit. i. and that vnpunyshed . And therfor yet once agayne ( thoughe I be but a poore , and vnprofytable seruaunt of Iesus christe ) do I exhort you ( O ye Magystrates and hygh rulers . Nu. xxv in the zeale of Phinees , that due punyshment maye be had for suche outeragyous wickednes to th entent that the Lorde maye the sonnet wythedrawe hys plague from vs , and hys mercye take place in repentaunte hartes by faythe converted . Due punyshment , I say , for I feare me exhortacion wyll not serue , wickednes is so greate . And I beseche you ( o ye Magystrates ) that yow wyl pardon me of so much boldnes that I may exhort you also to take hede that there be not in any of you an euel hart of vnbelefe to departe from the lyuing god : for I am sure the deuel goeth aboue lyke a roring lyon , i. petre . v. sekyng whom he may deuoure : therefore take hede . For yf any of you be geuen to desyre and couette to reing with ryches and possessyons in this world : He wyl be at hand withe you , in such wyse wyl he perswade you , that you shal thinke ye can not haue to muche to sette furhe Chrystes Gospell . Yf anye of youe , be geuen to the lust of wemen : He shalle perswade your ( by the scryptures ye shall thynke ) that yow may take another bysyde your wyfe . Orells put away youre wyfe , and marye another for euery faulte , Though you your self be the cause of her fal . Yf any of you be geuen to pryde , thys wycked serpente ys alway at hande to perswade you , that forasmuche as ye be in aucthoryte , ye ought to be knowen abue other men . Thus shall he brynge into you a certayne loue of your self , and ye shal thinke that you be lyft vp aboue other men , whiche yet be your brethreu . Yf you be geuen to be angrye , he shall cause you in a fury to forget mercy , yea & then shal your autoryte be aminister of sin . Do what vyce soener you be bent to , heys redy to increase yt and to make you forget yt : And then for lacke of exhortacyons , may ye be hardened in youre synne , and then ys yt daungerous . Take hede therfor , for a lītlesin in you is much noted of the commons : and in thos thinges ye fall Yourefalses , how can ye punysh other ? So by thys meanes maye yt come to passe that synne shall not be punyshed . Thus shal these backbyters haue alway an occasyon to slaunder Chrystes gosple . For they forget not the euel lyuinge , that they maye spye in these Gospelers . But I aske these holye Fathers , whene theye say these gospellers lyue so naughtyly in al kynde of synne and abhomynacyons : Whether doo they hate the Synne , that these menne commytte : Or ells the gospell , that they so much talke of ? Nay , the sinne wyl they saye for verye shame . But yf synne be be the cause , why theye saye thes gospelers be such horemongers susuche swerars , such prowde menne suche coueteous persons et . cc. Yf These Be the Causes : Why hadd they not made Statutes ( When they bare the Rule ) and strayghte Lawes , to Punyshe These abhominacions with some punishmentes at lest as wel as they made lawes to punysh with death 〈◊〉 as red ●e●alked , preached , or 〈◊〉 any thinge out of the 〈…〉 defence of chrystes gosple 〈◊〉 their Ipoc●ytys and falsy 〈◊〉 ●●yne ? yea why do they not ●●e owle vpon these Abhomy a●yous indeferentsye in all ●●enne Seing euen of ther owne secte be as fylthye lyues and as wycked ●s The other , and A greater number ? ye the holy fathers them salues wyl be knowen to be no sayilles ( I warante ye we ) ●umtyme . But wyll ye know the cause why the gosple preacheth A g●ynste there Ipocrysy● , A ga●nste there ed●et cousnes , Agaynst their p●y●e and daylie gloryt : And Agaynste theyte blyndenesse specyal●ye in godes worde : And any●●te all there abhomynacyons The gosple , the gospel . Ho●est illud hinc illi clamores . Hecest illa maliiia . Thys is the thynge they be a greued with all . Howe carefull therefore and ware , oughte they to be in theyr conuersacyon , that shale preache , Teach , wryt or reade or with authoryty set forth goddes worde vnto the people for they be as it were messengers sent to spye owte the land . How had they nede to take hede that there be in none of them an euell harte of vnbeleue to departe from the lyunge God : lest thorowe Infydelyte they Brynge Ane euelle reporte vpon the lande of Canuaan . We are Admonyshed here bye These messengers to cleaue faste to the worde of god : To stycke , to hys promyle be to dy●gence in owre vocatione . And to forsacke owre o●ne wosdome Ye : and to do onely which he commaundeth . For yf the word of the lorde sayd ; destroye the Images of baall , plucke doun the Idols , iiii Re. xx iii. destroy the hylaulters , burne the groues , leaue nothynge feare theme not , I ame the lorde . What councelle is there ( In thys case ) that may be allowed . Hathe not the lorde sayede to Moysese sende menne to spye oute the lande whiche I wyl geue to the children of Israel ? Heb. iii Vnderstand ( deare bretherne ) that as Moyses the chosen seruant of god to whom was commytted the gouernaunce of the chyldren of Israel to rule In the leter . Doth sygnyfye the onely begotten sonne of god Iesus Chryste , to whom is committed al Iudg went rule and powe owt al mene in his spirite : Gene. . xv . Hed. vii . Aod as Melchysedech kyng of salem the hye preste of god withowet begynnynge or endynge : doth paynt before owre eyes the euerlastyng presthod of chryste , whych offred the true brede and the true wyne , Heb. iiii . of whyche whoso eateth and drynketh : hath euerlaflyffe : so doth this holi land promisyd to Abraam and hys posteryte sygnyfy vnto vs the holy promised dwellynge of the father , that heuenly mansyon prepared of chryste for this elect , that kingdom in which ys ioy and peace in the holy ghoste . Hebre. x. These are the shadowes of good thynges is come , and not the thinges in ther nation sayeth sayut pauie ) & thys land of Canaan ) whyche was promisd to abraam and to his seed and they possest yt in dede was but a shadowe of the euerlastynge kyngdome of heuen . The Iourney thorow the wildernes : betok●●th thys myserable lyffe , so ful of troubles and temptacyon . And as all suche as grudged a gaynste god in the wyldernesse when any temptacyon arose , and wold go back agayn into egypt : dyed in the wyldernesse and were not suffrede to enter into the lande of canaan : cuum so are all suche vnfaythfull , and fleshly lyuers , as can not abyde to haue their lustes restraned but wold go agayne into egypte by the flesh pottes , and all such as wyll not abyde by the worde of the lord , to worshyppe him accordynge as he hath appoynted , but wold go after straung goddes worshiping hīafter ther owne inuentyons : all these I saye ( oneles they repent and be conuerted ) shall not enter the kyngdom of god , but shal lye in the wildernesse , that ys , in the place of euerlasting trouble & vexacyon . Take hede therfore there be not in any of you Turrian euel harte of vnbelefe . Let vs not shrynkee In thys wylldernessee but pacyentelye abyde the wyll of god and then be we sure we shall possesse thys trutefull lande : for god hath promised , and that ys sufficient . Loke what he hath spoken must nedes come to passt , and ( god ys mi wytnesse ) I dyd euer seme I had any perseaueraunce in christes doctryn , beleue , that as the pope was depriued of his false vsurped poure : so shuld al hys fayned relygyon decaye , and be vtterly destroied . For the lord sayeth : Math. XV. euery plant whych my heauenly father hathe not planted shall be pluckede vp bye the rootes . Not wythe stanedynge , yt hathe come forthe fayre and easylye , and peraduenture some of these vnfaythefull . Messengerse hathe broughte An euell report vppon thys heauenly Canaan , whyche ys the verye doctryne of . Chryste , What. xiii as chryste callethe yt hym selfe . For I haue hearde some saye ( whyche haue bene no small fooles ) it ys good in such wayghtye maters to take good aduysement and do al thinges with discretion . For yf we shuld abolyshe and put downe al thinges that gods worde doth not allowe , meanyng the abhomynable abuses of the masse , and the greate dysorder of mynysters with suche lyke : greate hoostes , and greate armyes of men wyll inuade vs : And we shall not be able to Indure agaynste them . For here haue we the scottesone the one syde , the frenchmen on the other syde . The Irysh men be brute beastes . The pope shal set the Emperoure vpon vs . And all nacyons wyl in vade vs . Ye owr owne countre wyll rebell agadnst vs . Oh Caleb Caleb .

Oh Iosua , here you not what an euel report this messengers bringe vpon the land . Thus & such lyke tales wyll make the people rebell agaynst Moses . Why rent you not your clothes ? amonge these xii . messengers that were sent to spye out the land : was there but two faythfull menne . But these two when they saw the multytud so farre out of order , so voyde of grace , that Moyses and Aaron fell downe vpon there faces to intreate them : They rent theyr clothes , and spake to the hole congregatyon sayeng : The land that we haue walked tho row to spye oute , ys a very good lande : yf the lorde haue luste vnto vs , he shall bryng vs into the same lande and geue yt vs , whyche ys a land that floweth with milke and hony . But in any wyse rebell not agaynste the lorde : And feare not the people of thys lande . For we wyl eate them vp as breade . Their defence is departed from them , but ȳlord is with vs , be not affraid of thēer . c Marke wel the werdes of these two faithful Messengers , we wyl eate them vp as bread say they there defence is departed from them , the lorde is wyth vs , be not affrayd , of them . Oh fayth fayth . Yf all these landes and coutrees were bent to come in dede , what should we feare ? Rather should we beleue , that of these Enymtes in commynge ouer the Ryuer , the hole hoost shuld synke : then that god should faile those that fayth fully trust in hym . But all thynge must be done with dyscretion , sobryete and wysdom saye they . But I pray you what greater wisdome & dyscretion can ther be : then to do ernestli the commanndement of god , & with an ernest ; ele to set forth his truth ; what is your minde to do ? are ye not mynded to set forth goddes worde with a pure conscience ? Are you not mynded to do accordyng to the same ? is it not your purpose to Root out Idolatrie ? do you not intend to set vp the treu wourshipe of god ? yf consience be defyled with coueteousnes hordōe pryde , or any such lyke vyce : then feare how ye go forward , and take good councel before you procead , for goddes word wyll not cloake yn longe , but wyl doutles se it punished , ye and al men shal se it . But yf your conscyence be cleare , and ye seake nothing but the onely glory of god ( though it were with the losse of al youre goodes yf it plesed god so to hryng it to passe ) & to do only that he cōnmundeth your why stay ye are ye afrayde of the numbre of men and the greate gyauntes ? is it not godds cause that you take in hand darennynat you bentet vpon such a land● is not god our sheld & defence haue we not apromise that v. shal chase a●●e hundreth , Le. xxvi Deut. xxx ii . and an . C. shall chace tene thowsand ? Are these v●yne wordes are they not oure lyfe ? do we not se here in the same story , that when the people would haue stoned Caleb and Iosua , for spekyng to them in this tayth : the glory of the Lorde appered in the tabernacle of wytnesse vnto the people , And the lorde sayd vnto Moyses : How longe shall thys people blaspheme me ? And how long wyll it be ere they beleue me , for all the Tokens that I haue shewed amonge them ? I wyl smpte thys people wyth pestilence , and dystroy them , and wyll make of the a greatter and a myghtyer people , then thys ys , sayeth the lorde . Consyder well these wordes , consyder who , spake them , to whom they were spoken , and for whose sake they were wrytten . Oh what case shoulde we be in , Psal , cvi . yf oure Moyses stode , not in the gapp , and prayed hys father for vs ? How vnfaythfully do we dayly fal , euen as yt were a people that had no god at all ? Let vs therefor be warned in tyme . Let vs be conuerted vnto the lorde . Let vs separate oureselues from the trust of menne , from the wysdome of menne , from the vayne confydence of thys worlde , wyth all the vanytes of yt . And let vs wyth a syugle eye and a pure conscence call vpon the name of the Lorde . Oure medyatour ys alwaye ready to offer out prayers to hys father , and hathe promysed that we shall be hearde , yf we call in fayth .

Let vs learne of Moyses and other holy fathers , of Chryste and hys apostles how to praye : For alwayes are there oceasyons offerede to afaythefull Manne to Praye : As was here to Moyses for the people . But we had nede to praye for oure selues & to desyre oure Moyses to pray for vs also : for we haue offended after thys maner . Therefor let vs lyft vp oure boyce saiynge : o lorde be mercyfull vnto thy people accor dyng to thyne accoustomable mercyes , do away oure offences : For we haue synned . But yet for thy names sake delyuer vs . We haue taken vpon vs to be of thy gosple , and wyth our mouthes we confesse the , but in our deades we deny thee : yet lorde haue mercy , for yf thou shuldest plage vs according to our desertes : then should the other vnbelouīge say : Lo: Behold how God hateth their heresye , and thus shuld thy worde be despysed and hared of al nacyons oh be gracyous therefore vnto our synnes accorynge to thy greate mercy , lykewyse as thou hast forborne vs alwaye hytherto be thus gracyous vnto vs for christes sake . Lett all suche faythfull men , as do earnestly study the amendment of their wycked lyfe , say amen . But he that doth not so : let him kepe silence orels say our lady Psalter : for such prayers doth goddes word teache vs , by hys sayntes , which wer writ ten for oure learnynge . As for matyns mumblers and mass mongers with dyryges and trentalles with such superstious prayers , the scry pture speaketh not of theim . But thes & such lyke ar the scypture full . No vaine bablynge : but effectuall faythful , & feruent , ought oure prayers be . For the prayer of a cyghtesous man , Iaco. v. auayleth much ( sayeth laynct Iames ) yf it be feruent . As it appereth also in this story by Moy sts , which obteyned grace for the people . For the lord sayed : I haue forgeuen it as thou hast sayed . But thos the haue murmured agayust me , tell them , as truly as I lyue ( sayrth the lorde ) I wyll do vnto youe : euen as ye haue spoken in myne eares . Your carkasses shall lye In the wylldernes , and all ye that were numbred frome .xx. yeres and aboue , whyche murmered agaynste me shall not come into the lande coucecuynge the whyche I lyft vp my hande that I wold let you d wel therein ( saue caleb the sonne of Ie phune and Iosua the sonne of Num. And so ther dyed and were plaged before the lorde all the men whome Moyses sent tospye oute the lande and cam agayn and made the hole multytude to murmure a●anist yt because the brought vp a misreport vpon the lande that yt was euell . Here shall yt be very necessary to remember the wordes of the hieprestes & pharyses ( whych gathered a counsel after that christ had raised lazarus ) & thei saied what do we ? Ioh. xii . this man doth manytokēs yf : we let him go thus , al men wyl beleue in him , then shal the tomans come and take awaye all oute lande and people . Now within fourty yeres after ( as the histories planly declare ) was ierusalem dest royed in dede of the romans and the most part slayne and led away captaine . But why trou ye ? becaus they suffred chryste to preach and his doctrine to be published ? not but because they mystrusted lest yf they should haue suffred him , the romans should com , as they dyd in dyd : Quod verebantur hoc acc●dit illis . Take hede therefore that there be not in any of you an euell harte of vnbelef to depart from the lyuyng god . I say tak hed , for he the feareth the hore frost the depe snow shal fal vpon him , and surely yf ye feare the dystructyon of your bodyly substaunce thorow in fidellte & mystrust of goddes mighty hand : it is to befeared lest he shalde stroi you both body & soule Loke to it al ye that holde so much of youre polytyk wysdome , for goddes pleasure . hys cōmaundemēres , passe the mans wysdom and reason . He wyll not be mesured with mans polycye . He wyll wourke with hys myghty , powre , wheras mans reason cānotvnderstād it . For these messengers that were sent to spye oute the lande , perceauing the multytud of people which were myghtye , & the stronge cityes that were in the land : Agayn consy deryng the greate gyauntes that were there also : thought it could not be that they should get the contre , for it stoode not with reason . And ther fore murmurede they and wyshed that they had dyed in egypte , or that theymought dye in the wyldernes andeuē so it cainto passe for the unfaythfulnesse for : they were plaged and dyed in the wyldernesse As many as murmured . But Iosua and Caleb were left Alyue and preserued by the wonderful powre of god & that because of their stedfast fayth the they had in the promyses of the lorde . But the people wolds haue stoned them , euen for there fayth fulnes . For the other .x. loke vpon the strong men & great cetyes but these men loked vpon the people with them But alas for the blendenes of the worlde : for as the faisr prophettes sys of god & conforted the profetes were alway the grettest numbre : so were the rude multytude coutynually bent to beleue the more paree and to stone crucife burne & hang or with sdme other cruel tormentrs rydde suche all waye As broughe them the truth . As we se it euydent in all the holye scriptures by the prophets , by christe him selfe and his apostles . And as we haue sene also by good experyence in owre dayes . But the lorde is alway at hand to delyuer those that faythful trust in him , he conforteth them and helpeth them . For ether he delyuerethe beleue , loked onely to the promyse the was proceded forth of the mouth of god , and regarded nothing els .

He dyd not reason the matter first how he might for another son , the the former promes of god might 〈…〉 pacyence , and confort of the scryptures myght haue hope . They are wrytten for oure learnyng sayethe saynt paule . Yf they be wryttenfor our learnynge it ys reason we know them . Els how shal we learn 〈…〉 whych I conmaunde the thys day , shal be in thyne hart , Deut. vi . and thou shalt shew them vnto thy chyldren , and shalt talke of them when thou art at home in thin house : And as thou wal kest by the waie , & when yn liest downe , and when thou rysest vpp , and thou shalt bynde them for a signe vpon thy hand , & they shal be a warnyng betwene thyne eyes , and thou shalt writ them vpon the postes of thy howse , & vpon thy gates . etc. Agayn , take hede therfore that ye do al the commaun dements & lawes which I set before yow thys daye . Deut. xi . etc. Also , what so euer I commaunde you , that take hede ye do only to the lord , & put you nothinge thereto , nor take ought therfrom . etc. Beholde with what care the lorde geueth his commaundements , that they shuld not be forgoten . Dylygent therefore were the prophets alway to writ forth the wonders that god hath alway shewed for the children of menne . The lorde sayed to Iosua : Let not the boke of the law departe out of thy mouth , Iosua . i. but record therein both day & nyght . Now yf these commaundements be forgotten so the we haue them not in our hart : Then shal we haue litel pleasure to talke of them . For the mowth talketh of the aboundance of the hart . Yf they be not in our hart nor in our mouth : it is not possyble that we should be doinge of them . Mat. xii . Yf we be not doynge of the lordes commaundements : surely we tourne to the ryght hand or the lefte : we adde we diminishe : we forget yn true wur shyp of god : we ferue Idolls & folow our owne iuentions : we forgete Abrahams farth : we forget Moyses doctrine : we forgett Caleb & Iosua , Christ & all his apostles , wyth al their doctrine of pacience , throw whiche we should haue hope . Alas what case were we in when we knew not what , was the olde testament nor what was the new ? the byble was an vnknowen thynge with in these xx . yere Here in Englande . iii. Re. xii Ieroboam had invented vs a new law , a new wurshype of god , for he knew wel thou the people would haue such deuocion that they must nedes haue what to wurshype , as we se by the Israelyres in the vildernes whirh assone as Moyses was gone into the monte to talke with the lorde and to receaue the commaundements , by and by they must haue some symilitude , some lykenes of god , Ex. xxxii some on thing or another to directe theyr prayers vnto . And therefore made them a golden calfe and wourshyped yt . And Ieroboam I say knew well that the people must nedes haue somewhat to wurshyp , and he feared lest ( yf they should go to Ierusalem to wurshyp ) he should lese hys kyngdome agayne , & therefore he made them two golden calfes , In Dan & Bethel , Owr Ieroboam lyke wyse after that he came to that great dig nytye that he was called , Pater Patrum Caput Ecclesie . etc. with such lyke : he knew wel that yf the people shoulde know the scripture , and be brought vp in the symple doctryn of chryste that he culd neuer contynew so prynce lyke cleane contrary to the doctryne theyrof , nor non of hys . Wherefore dylgent study was had to inuent seruyces , wurshypyngs , exposytyes , sacramentes , wyth all the goodlyests Iewelles and costly apparell that moughte be had , so that at the laste the hole worlde was rauyshede wyth that greate holynes . Than became the mynysters of thys Ieroboam in euery contre the greatest menne of the world . Noo Realme but Car dynalles were the cheyfe in the concell and ruled the hole Realme , by shoppes were Ambassators and of the preuer coūsaul . Deanes and prebendaryes were the kynges phesycyās chaplens and stuardes : Parsons & vycars wer great Lordes stuardes & chaplyns . I speak nothyng of abbottes pryours provyncyalls with such a rablemente of cloystererss . What dyd all thes did they thach the peoplethe gosple of Iesus chryste ? dyd they teache the people fayth in chryst , loue and charyte , meakenes , gentylnese , symplycytie so bryrte , chastyt lyberalyte , and to dispyce the worlde and to go thorowe the wyld ernesse with . Moyses and Chryste theyr to be tryede whethere theyr fayth were Lyke Abrahams , constance and lyuely in the promyses of god ? Alas fewe of them cowlde teache Any thonge at all , for they Were ( for the moste ) parte greate menes sonnes brought vp in hawkyng & huntyng . They knew not the gosple , per adventure they wold set there chaplens to preach the master of sentence , and the legend horrye , yf he brought I .ii. or .iii. of the doctors , oh what a learned man was that , but these great men toke ther pleasures . They knew not what fayth ys , but Imagened , that they had fayth when they beleued ther was a god that Iesus chryst was hys sonne and born of the vergyn mari . etc . but now they thought thys to be to lytyl to brynge them to heuen and therefore al the masse matins . euen songes , . Dyryges holye breade holy water , palmes ashes wythe suche Other geare shoulde be a meane , And speacyaallye thēyre newe sacraments and Idolls that Ieroboam had sett vp and therefore they helden stoutlye that faythe onelye cowlde not iusttifi , nethercould webi faith only beaccepted into goddes fauour for they knew not what thys lyuely fayth that abraam had meante letpaule sai whāhe wil , the churche was aboue pale , and all the scripture now was ther lyuyng lyk vnto other men , or wursse ank the cause of al others myschet for they were as prowde , ēvyous , and malicyous , as ani men wer in the world yea man had byn better to haue had the dysy leasure of .x. other than one of them . They fared as wel & had as many daynte dyshes as any lordes in the realme and more quietnes a great deal . This could not be wyth out wemen . Whether they were whoremongers , adulterers & wurse , let all the world be iudge . Noman roughte more to be alofte in the world then thei did : and such greate houses , horses houndes sho tynge dysynge , open housetor gentylmenne , ther seruantes In veluet and chaynes of gold . What temtatyon they had in in the wyldernes I can not tel , onles they were tempted with ladyes and gentyllwomen that vysyted them . But sure they tempted other and mad them go thorow the wyldeenes and thorow the fyre also . Alas they had no mercy vpon a poore wreche that once opened his mowth agaynst them , but cryed owte herytike herytyke , burne , burne , fagotts , fyre But hys examynatyons was not harde of the lay people for feare . Alas Yf the lord had not lefte vs sede : We shulde haue bene , As sodome , and lyke vnto Gomorra . Psal. ii . Be wyse therfore ( o ye kynges ) be learned ye that be Iudges of the erth , lest the lorde be angrye with yow and ye peryshe from the ryght way . But kynges were alway as kepte dionge wyth warres Yf they had any learnynge , and lyke to smell out any of their wyies , or yf he wold reforme any thig . Loke how thy handled king Iohn . Tho mas becket was one oi their saints but gentell teader loke vpon hys liff in the legend the boke of saints lyues . I am sure they haue wrytten the best thei cowld for him , but yet marke yt well . There was noman mought study the scrypture before he had bin Master of art , and then was yt nothinge worth tyll he had studyed the doctors , counsels , and decrees , the whych ys more thenaman ys able to do in all hys lyffe though he lyue . Lxxxx. yere and to saye hys seruyce besyde , whyche all prestes were bownd to doo on payne of dampnacyon . Thys I speake of our doctors in the vuibersytees : As for oure prestes in the contree : the dayes hathe byn that be was coumptedd a greate clarke that coulde tell whome he shoulde serue to morowe . They knew not what the byble meanthei were not acquanted wyth the new testament . Some of them thought yt shuld be hetysy because yt was called the new testamente . For this worde now offended then greatly But now they be well amended for some of them wyl be able to reade Englyshe wythyn a whyle though yt before aganst ther wyl . I know wel they can not abyd the hearing of this , Ma. xxii nomeor then thescribes and pharyses cowld a byde chryst when he sayed wo be vnto you scrybes & pharties for ye shit vp the kingdom of godbefore men . etc. but weperad venture they wyl say , we denynot chryste put we wurshyp Chrpste and therefore we kyll them that wyll nott beleue in Chryste .

But saieth Chrste : tak hede that no man decaue yow . For ther shall many come and saye : I am chryst and shall deceaue many : but when ye se the abhomynacyon of desolacyon stond in the holy place . etc . then yf any man shal saye vnto you : lo here ys christ , beleue yt not . Ieroboam was not so madd to say ye shal beleue no more tn the lorde but in straunge goddes : Re. xii but he saied yt ys muche for you to go to Ie rusalem behold therfore these shal be youre goddes . etc. hys meanynge was that they shoulde do to these godes the same wursh yppe that they dyd before at Ierusalem . And our Patryarkes . Pretend Christ altogether . But the wurshype that he prescrybed vnto vs was gone . Hys Docrryne wyth all the scryptures had they locked from vs so that none of vs durstloke vp on yt in the tonge that we vnderstod , so that we could haue but small hope thorow comfort of the sceyptures . Alas how was yt possyble the we should be obedyent vnto the voyce of oure lorde god and walke in hys wayes , when we knew them not , nor coulde we tell what they meant : but most harti humble and Immortal thankes be geuen to the almighti god , which thorow the merytes and prayer of oure mercyfull Moyses , hathe sturred the harte of noble king henry the .viii to destroye the abhomy nacyons of thys wycked Ieroboam . But chefly of al other thynges ( as we are moste bownde ar thys tyme ) ou ghte we to lawde and prayse the lord whych of hys tender loue lykewyse hath geuen vs a younge Iosias which ( by the grace & power of the lord ) shal ( thorow his godligoueruour & counsellers ( fynish the building of the holy temple whych his father beganne accordynge to the patron that the lord hath perscrybed ithegosple of has onely sonne Iesus cryste our lorde . Ho wbeit we are not yet paste the wyld etnesse , we are not yet ente red the land of Canaan : for althoghe the lorde haue & doth dayly plage such vnfaythfull messengers , which haue not ernestly beleued hys word but feared men more then god : yet ceaseth not temptatcyons , troubles grudginges & murmuringes . For som wrig & wrestto go backe agayn ito Egypt & do as ther forefathers haue done , for ther is plentey of gold & syluer meate & drynke , there mought we fyl our belyes by the fleshpottes . Ther was more plenty ( say they ) of all maner of thinges in oue toune them ther is now in a whol shire : more mirth & pastim in on day , them is now in a whoe yere . It was neuer mery sence this new learning can vp . Thys say they the can not abyd the scarcyte in the wyldernes , nor any temptacion in the de serte . another sort ( which be polytik men ) they wolde forthwith a good wil for they care not , which end of the stat go forwarde : so they mighte not be in danger & might also get sum what byit Thes men beasraid of the canāites mo abitesamorites with the rest of the nations , & specially the Enyckes , which be great Giaunts . The byshop of Ro me is a great man & hath done many fetes of armes in his dayes . I knowe wel his bishoppes & other prelates beare a great stroke yet in many contrees . But what sayeth Iosua and Caleb : Their shadowe is departed from them , the lord is with vs feare them not therfore . And surely ( as is sayed ) yf your conscyence be clere so the yow seke nothig but the glory of god : yow nede not feare men . But nou is ther another sort of men , which after they perceaued that god had openly plaged the grndging people for their vnfaithfulnes , such as wold go back agai ito Egypt : in so much that they perceued that the iord wold haue them go forewarde to conquere the land : these men comero Moisesther Gouernouer and captayne and say lo we be here and wyll go vp vnto the place of whych thelord hath spoken unto vs . For we haue sinned But Moyses sayed : why go ye on thys be yonde the word of the lord it wyl not com wel to passe wyth you , go not vp therefore . etc. but they wold forth euen in to the toppe of the hyll there was no remedy , & there were all slayne . Very notable ys thys place for vs and worthy to be had in remembraunce . For here maye we perceaue howfro ward & vnruly the multytude of men are alway to be obedyent to the voyce of the lord eueri wai ar we prōe & redi to falfrō the word of peare , thei were not sofar f the right hand , but now thear as far on the lest hand they wer not so slacke before , but now ther beas hasti , & al besyd the word of the lord . We haue sinned sai thei : and whiso ? verely be cause they went not for that the cōman̄ dement of god but grutched & now they were commaunded to tarye and not go , & yet they went . Theye thought to haue made amendes & marred altogether . A good lessone is this also , for our good intentes What so euer is done of a good in tent say oure fathers is merytoryous . And it is playne that these men went forth euen of such a good intent , & yet were slayne , because they harkened not to the voyce of the lorde , wich spake vnto them by his Prophet Moyses , as he speaketh , daily to vs by christ & al the prophetes and apostles , Take hede therfore ther be not in any of you an euel hart of vnbelefe to depart from the lyuing god . But these men repented & were sory , they were conuerted . Yea they were conuerted from Ignoraunce to error . They wold not go forth be fore at the word & commaundement of god & now they wold not tary at the commaundement of god , but forth without any stay or let . Some ther beȳ perceue the pope & hys gard to haue ledd vs blyndly thys many yeres into a shamful confusyon of our faith & of the true wurship of god . And now therefore without al ad uysement & discretion wold destroialtogether & care not whether ther be any myny sters or no , so they may haue the landes & benefyces of these blynde guydes . they care not whether ther be any in their rome or no , or whether godes word be preached , or the sacraments mi nystred or uo : I mean not the .vif . sacraments after the ministracion of these caterpyllers whych do all for lucre but euen christes sacraments which he hath ordeyned to confirme our faith in yn word . but the men I say be so hasty foreward to kil the can anites & other of the nacyons , becaus thei wold haue their plesaunt land to dwel in it balik : for they went besid the word of the lord . Many ther be that get spyrytual landes and possessyons probendes benefices into their handes , but how many be there that labour in aman of good knowleg , to enioye suche lyuynge ? no fye ( saye thei ) yt ys pety that euer he should be trubled with yt : For the possessions and rytches doo corrupte euen the best preachers ( as yt hath happened in dede ) But alas good men how careful be thei to good preachers , to prouide that thei be not corrupte withe greate lyuings , but I meruayle thei haue no pety vpon themself . I promise you the yff good preachers whiche haue knowledge in chrystes doctrine and haue bene tyed in the wildernes with trouble & temptacion , yf thei I saie cannot wel vse these riches & possessions accordingly , but must be corrupted with them it shalbehard tomak mebeleue that you which haue not somuch knowlegī the sam doctrin nether hath you yn faith binso wel tired shuld vse them wyth owt a corrupte conscyence , whyche shal be to your owne damnatyon . Take hede therefore the ther be not in any of you an euel hart of vnbelefe to depart from the lyuynge god . And remembre that saynt Paull sayeth coueteousnes is yn roote of al euel . I would to our lord men knew and would consyder what a strayte reconynge we shall all be called vnto , where we shal answer for the wyspēding of euery farthyng that the lorde hath committed to our gouernance , Then shal we say alas the euer I tok such paynes & trauaile for the which now is become myn euerlastinge shame & destruction , but what shuld it avail to speak against that vice of couete ousnes ? nothinge at al. And this is one cause that maketh many men to hast so fast forewarde . But these men that came to Moyses & would go so freshly agaynst their enymies went vp ito the mowntain . Moyses bade them tary & take the lorde with them they shold sped the better , but they wold not tary , for they had byn to stowe to go foreward at the commanndement of god , & therefore , now they wold make more hast , wher as befor they had beleued to enter into the kyngdome of heuen by their Idle inuented supersticious vaine worckes ( or at lest way they thought them amean the rather to obtaine ) , And therfore grutched at the doctrin of the gospel & thought it a new scole inuented by these new felowes ( as they teyrme ) contrary to the mother holi churche : now they were converted from that popish faith , & begyn to runne another way , euen into the mowntaine at the fyrst daish , whether Moyses wil or no , And they say : yf I be predestyned to be saued : I shal be saued , do I neuer so euel . Yf be predestined to be damned : I shal be damned do what I wyl , & say any man what his wyl . wherfor let vs be mery and let god worke . These men ( onles god of his immite goodnes & mercy cal them to grace ) I may thinke wellinough the they be vessels of wrath ordeyned to damnation , euen very brut bestes destytute of all grace & wisdoom too . And although I wil not say the it is synne agaynst the holy gost : yet surely it is gr●t blasphēy , with such lightnes or rashnes without discretic̄ & iudgment & hūlblenes of mid to talk of yn hygh predestinatyon of god . but I let them passe as thos whom al wys mēhonest & lerned do vtterli abhor But ther by other men , which cly me not fully so high , as thes. But how much they differfrō the other I cane not tell . Thes be such sort of men which hold yn fayth is sufficyent so yn no wurckes are necessurily required to our iustitycatiō , Iohn . vi Truth it is we nedenoworcke of our oune to be iustified or to be made righteous in the sight of god , for it is yn work of god to beleue in him whom he hath sent : that is Iesus christ , by the which faith only we are iustified in the sight of god . But is it not necessary trowye that I declare this faithe to my brethrenels why sayth christ eueri good tre bringeth forth good fruies . etc. Ma. vii & by ther frut ye shal know them . Yf you wil say that you declar your faith to your brethren by the confession of your mouth & say ye beleue , & yet do not yn workes of belefe . christe saieth to yow not al they that say lord lod shal enter ītoȳ kingdome of heuen , but he yn doth my fathers wil which is in heuen The lord is no such idle or vaī worckman that leteth trees which shal bere no frut , for dowtles his good trees shal bryng forth good frute onles they be taken vp before sōer & spring tim com , & whiso ? to reward or recompenc his maker of his benefites ? no no. He careth not for our rewardes nor recompenc , but he doth it becaus we shaldo good to his houshold & declar to them what goodnes I hane reciueed at the lordes haude : for ther takes , that euery membre might do good one to anothre , he askeh nothinge but thankes , but al is for owre own commodyte that we shuld helpe eche other with such loue as he hath showed vnto vs , by doing wher we declare our electyone in chryst and make owre callyng sure there is no man that loueth hartely ●but he hath pleasure to do the thing that deliteth him whom he loueth , that he mought seal his fryndship to contyew . contyneu in my loue● ( sayeth chryst ) yf ye shal kepe my commaundementes ye shal hyde in myloue , euen as I haue kepte my fathers emomaundemēts and byd in hys loue . Here wyl they obiecte and say , that forasmuche as saynte Iohn saeth yf we say that we haue no synne : we deceaue our selues & the truth is not in vs : Yt were but pharysaycal pryd to seake to be so vpryght in the law , as though we coulde be withowte fault for we shall be synners do what we wyll . Rom. iii. And Saynt Paul saeth we holde the a aman is Iustylyed by sayth with cute ehe workes of the lawe . And Peter sayth thorow faith doth god puryfy the hartes . Whereforyf we haue fayth it is suffye tent . Act. xv . Yf these men dyd truly vnderstand fayth : They shuld know that it is alyuynge thing , a myghtre thinge wurckynge by loue , Gale . v. that faytize dothe saynt Paul mean to the galathyans where as he excludethe al thinges saue faith , the which faith ( sayeth he ) is myghtye in wurckynge by loue . As we se how it wroughe in abraham and al the holy fathers . For if abraham had not bin obedyent to the voyce & cōmaūdement of god as we rede of him : how shuld it haue benso much knowen vnto vs that his fayth was counted vnto for ryghteousnes yf Caleb & Iosua , had not declared ther faith to the people how could we haue learned by them to be faith ful ? one man sercheth the scryptures and findeth there : thus sayeth the lord And then searche his own polityke wytte and weyeth the matter with his owne reason whether it ve best to do so or no , as the lord commaundeth : doth thys man wurcke by fayth ? another lykewyse sercheth the scryptures and fyndeth ther : thus sayeth the lord . He saieth yf I beleue it is suffycient : doth thys man wurck by faith ? or doth he know what fayth is ? is fayth suche a common thing that euery man may haue it when he wyll ? or hath euery man fayth that hath redde in the scryptures ? no , uor many which hane great knowlege in the scryptutes : for many can teache other the lyberty of the gospel : but they them selues be the bond seruaunts of corruptyon . Yet these men imagen that they haue fayth that iustifyeth . But fayth is not mans imagynatyon . For how can they haue the iustyfyenge fayth , ii . Thei● that conteynew in extortyon and couetousnes , in wordome and adultery in enuy and wrath , excesse and dron kenesse , blasphemy and periury , or in wycked superstytyon and Idolatrye , with all kynde of abhomynatyon ? wolde ye haue me thinke thys man to haue the iustyfyinge faythe no , no. Ephe. v. For besure that the whoremonger or vncleane person , or coueteous person ( which is a wurshyper of ymages ) hath no eherytaūce in the kyngdome of chryste and God . Let no mane deceaue yowe with vayne wordes , for because of these , commethe the wrath of god vpon the chyldedrone of vnleife ●etc . All these euill wourkers be the chyldren of vnbelefe . Let them baost of fayth : let them bost of the gospel Yea let them cast owt thes deuilels of other men in the name of Christ : yet shal he saye vnto them Ineuer knew you , depart from me ye wur kers of iniquite . The Iewes boasted them selues to be abrahams chyldren . But Chryst sayed vnto them if ye were abrahams chyldren , ye wolde do the deades of abraham . Here vnto pertayneth that of saint Iames where he sayeth : Ye se then how that of deades a man ys sustyfyed and not of faythe oneli . For althoughe abrahams faythe were knowen Inough unto god , why chsercheth the in warde pattes and Iustyfyeth the harte yet cowld not we haue seen hys so greate fayth , onles yt had bvn declared by some outward worke which mought assettayn vs alsoof his iustificatiōbr faith and although we be iustified●̄ the syght of god byfayth onli ( which is also the gyft of god ) yet is it necessari that we declarour faith to the brethren by oure obedyence to the wyll and commaundements of god ( and notb● ) the eommaundemēts of popes and byshoppes ) what a greate gyft I haue receaued of the lorde , that I mought the rather provoke them to do lykewyse , For other wyse we can not beioyned together in one faith . For my brothers faith ys vncertayn to me : onles Ife the frutes of yt appeare , although god know the harte . Therefore sayeth saynte Iames shewe me thy faythe by thy deades and I wyll shewe my fayth by my deades . And then as the belefe of the harte Iusty fyeth before god : So do the workes of faythe Iustyfy before men . That ys doth declare oure Iustyfy catyon vntomen . Thys ys plain by saynte Iames wordes when he sayeth fayth without deides is dead , & agayn : ye se how fayth wrought whis deades so did the dedes spring of faith for faith was the wurkers Thus do we make . Paule and Iames agree . For wheras saynte Paule exeludeth ( as ys sayed before ) all maner of workes , euen the vert wurkes of the lawe in iustificatyon , that iustificatyon myghte come by the onely fayth in Iesus Chryste : euen here doth he declare what fayth he meaneth : fayth sayeth he whych by loue ys mighty in operacyon . Yf yt be no wurkynge fayth : it ys not the fayth that saint Paule speaketh of . Gala. v. Take he dether fore brethren that there be not in any of yow an euell harte of vnbelefe to departe from the lynynge god . Take hede I saye and be not deceaued : for faythe ys not so small a tryfle as men esteme ytt . For to saye faythe onely Iustyfyethe ys sone spoken , But to knowe the. Wurkynge off yt , and howe yt apprehendeth the mercy of god offred vs in Chryste : ys a greate matter . Forthys fayth that we speake of when we saye fayth onely iustyfyeth : ys a lyuely thynge ( as ys sayed ) whych wurketh by lone in the holy gost , For there ys no synne raynynge in our mortall bodyes but thys fayth assaulteth yt , & by lytyle & lityle dryuethyt a way . As when we begynne to wax carefull for the thynges of the world , to couett aboundaunce of rytches : faythe sayeth , Ma. v Be not carefull what he shall eate or what ye shall drynke . etc. Care not for tomorowe and so forthe , as for aboundaunce , howe cane afaythfull man be quyett wythe abowndaunce seynge hys brother in necessite ? what faith hath the man whyche sorowethe nott ate hys neyghbours greiffe ? howe doth he sorow for his neighbours greif that laboureth for hys owne priuat profyte withowte any respecte of hys neyboures neceli●te● . Wher be not these men that seake al to them selfe euen with the greate losse & hurte to the neibours ? where is fayth which byloue is myghty in operacion : yf we be idle & seke not one way or other to profyte the cōmeu wealth . faith sayeth . In the sweate of thy browes shalt thou eate thy bread , and he that laboreth not shal not eate etc. yf I loue my neyboure as my selfe : howe can I be idle al day , & at euen eate my brothers supere the he hathe soore laborde for al day . It is a token of smal ioue truly . But who wyl yet labour and may be Idle ? or yf they do laboure , what labour do a greate numbre of men study how they may get a way al that be longeth to the poore : To them self Truly it were better theye were Idle . A las where is fay the which by loue ys myghty in operacyon ? yf we begynne to wax prowde to exalt ourselfe aboue oure brethren fayth sayeth he that exalteth him self shal be brought lowe , Ma. xxiii . Luc. xii . But who seaketh not to be vppe ? learne of me sayethe Chryste for I am meake he that wyll be greate Amonge you shal be a seruaunt , for the sonne of man came not to be serued , Mat. x. but to do seruyc . Oh where ys this humylyte and humblenes of mind who couetteth not to rule all men , and wolde be ruled of none ? yf god haue geuen rytches possessyons , auctoryte or any lyke benefyte : It is applyed to mayntayne oure pryde , to exalte oure selues aboueoure brethren . Where ys faith whych by loue ys my●hty in operacyon ? Yf we be tempted wythe Enuye and malicsayeth fayth : auenge not youre selues , but geue rome to the wrath of god , for vengeannce is myn and I wyl rewarde ( sayeth the lord ) yea who can suffer any iniurye or wronge , & wyl not be rewenged ? ye , who can suffer him self to be spoken vnto , al though he haue deserued a great rebuk ? where ys fayth whych by loue is mighty in operation ? Yf we desire the compani vnlaufulli of our neybours wyfe or seruaunte faythe sayeth : Math. vi . who so loketh on awyfe lustynge after her , hath commytted advoutrye alredye in hys harte etc Horekepers and advouterers god wyl iudge . Yet who ys not weary of his owne wyfe & seaketh his neybours ? Lyke stone horses ( sayeth Ieremye ) euery one neyheth after hys neybours wyfe , Iere. v. onely estymation refrayneth agreate meny , whose wurking are very secrete . wher is this rule become ? do as ye wold be done vnto . where ys fayth whych by loue is myghty in operation ? yf we commit Idolatrie , fayth sayeth : Thow shalt wurshyppe thy lorde god , hym onely shalt thow serue . Some peraduenture wold aske me what were Ido latrye ? or who commytteth Idolatrye : I say , He that wurshyppe any thynge with out the expresse word of god : commytteth Idolatrye . No man hath seen god at any tyme . Iohn . i.

They that wyll wurshyp god must wurshype hym in sprete and truth But who wurshyppeth not visyble spectacles , Iohn . iiii & creatures in stede of they ? creator ? And so robbe god of hys honour ? Some do yt for that they wyll not offend theyr brothers conseyence , ye ratheyr because they wyll not be called heretykes , that is to say , a true beleuer in christ , And a louer of hys ddctrine . As Iohu writeth how mani of the chefe rulers belued on him : Iohu . xii but because of the Pharyses they wold not be aknowen of it , Deut. vi . lest they should be excommunycate , for they loued more the praise with men then with god . So our men wold seme to feare god & loue him , but the feare & loue of men appeareth to haue the hyghe place .

Where ys fayth whyche by loue ys mighty in operatyon ? It cannot be founde , it ys lost . When the sonne of man commeth thynke ye he shall fynde fayth on the earth ? The old mumsimus wyl not here the word of the lorde but draw backe : the new sustmus be so forewarde euen beyond the word of the lord , ye they care nomor for the word of the lord them wil serue their coueteous luere to fyl ther lustes , to serue for their envyous and cruell mynd , And to lyue in al abhomynatyons . They brynge saynt Iohn for them wher he sayeth : yf we say we haue no synne we deceaue our self & the truth ys not in vs but why do remember thys so wel : verely because that yf any manne rebuke their vicious lyfe : they may answer with saynt Iohn no man ys wyth owte synne . But where as saynt Iohn sayeth : he that sayeth I know hym & kepeth not his commaundements : ys a lyar , the truth ys not in hym . They be so hasty : forth now , they wyll not take this wyth them , that god may worke in them . He that sayeth he abideth in chryste owght to walke euen as he walke sayethe . S. Iohn . Agayn where as saynt paule saieth we hold that a man is iustyfyed by fayht with oute the deades of the law here be they perfyte but when saynt Paule sayeth though I had all the tonges though I could prophecy & vnderstand all secretes and al knowlege . Yea yf I had al fayth so the I cowld moue snowntaynes out of theyr Places yf I gaue all my goods to fede the poore , and though I gaue my body to be burned , yet yf I haue no loue , I am nothynge sayeth he .

They make no reconynge of this . But what ys this loue ? loue suffreth long and ys courteous : Loue enuyeth not : doth not frowardly , swelleth not , dealeth not dishonestly , seaketh not her owne , & so forth . Ioyne now Paules wordes and Iohns wordes together , for yf we boast of fayth , and yet contynew in synne , what fayth haue we ? Rom vi

Loke vnto whom ye geue ouer your selues as seruauntes to obey hys seruānts ye are whom ye obey sayeth . S. Paule : whether it be of synne vnto death or of obedyence vnto ryghteousnes . They heare S. Peter say thorow fayth god putifieth owr hartes . Act xv But thei heare him not how gently he desyreth them to leaue ther wicked liuinge , saiyng dearly beloued Ibesech you as strangers and pilgremes abstaine from fleshly lustes which fyght agaynst the soule , i Pet iii and se that you haue an honest conuersacion amonge the vnbeleuyng that where as they backe byte you as euel doers they may se your good worckes and prayse god in the day of vysy tatyon . ii . Pe. iii t etc. for yf after we haue escaped the fylthynes of the worlde thorowe the knowlege of the lord and sauior Iesus christ ) we be yet tangled a gayne therein and ouercome them is the later end wursse then the begynnyng●oh that these men wolde heare Moyses speke and be obedient vnto the voyce of the lord spoken bi his prophets & not take that maketh for ther purpos , & run hedlong vp in to the top of the hyll . For as many as be so hasty forth beyonde the word of the lord shal be slayne of the enymyes , ouercom of synne , and drowned in ther owne lustes , & for lacke of true and faythful shepher des ( which shulde exhort them dayly they shal be so hardened in ther synnes that afterward yf any faythful man com vnto them they wyll not heare him , but rather call him Ipocrite because he thretneth with the lawe , yet doth . S. Paul call the law owre scoimaster which leadeth vs to christ for truly whose conscyenre is not feared fyrst with the lawe and so broute to repentaunce : shall neuere be meete to receaue a sure hope of saluaryone by the gosple . Take hede therfore there be not in any of you an euel hart of vnbeleu to departe from the lyuynge god . And with saynt Poule also I besech you brethren by the mercyfulnes of god that ye make your bodies A sacryfyce , holye , and acceptable which is youre reasonable seruyng of god . And fashy on not youre selues lyke vnto thys world but be renued etc. And with sainte Paule also , I beseche you Brethren the hiy ᵉ mercyfullnes of God , the you make youre bodyes a sacrifice , holy , and acceptable which is your resonable seruing of god : and fashion not your selues , like vnto thys world : but be ye renued . etc. And let vs be admonished by the Story of thes rwelf messengers , to forsake oure owne wisedome oure owne strength , and our owne polecie , and inuencions : that we may wholy and altogether subdue our selues , and beobedient vnto the voice and commaundement of the Lord onely : beleuig assuredli that he maketh rich , and also poore be maketk sicke , & health againe : he onely killeth & reuiueth he only casteth down and exalteth . He saueth and condemneth , wherfore , Ido exhorte you , brethren beloued in the lorde Iesus Chryste again & again you chefeli the are sente by the pitite in your conscience to spye oute the lande of canaan for your brethren : whether it be by preaching readinge , writinge exhortinge or other wise Declaring vnto the people the heauenly kingdom , through the Gospel of the lord Iesus . Yea the magistrates also , and all other officers , appointed by the king as well , as beinge commaunded by God : you also ( by your fauour and pacience ( do I exhorte to take exemple by the tenn vnfaithful messingers , which feread the multitud of stronge menne , ) that yebrynge not an euel report vpon the lande that through feare of men , we shoulde mistruste the power of God : But rather prouoked by the exemple of Iesua and Caleb , through a stronge faith , doo you acordynge to the comman̄dcemente of the lord And then are ye sure , that the lorde wil appere in that tabernacle & deliuer vs : Where , as elles we shal be plaged with euerlasting dampnation for our vnbelif But if we be feund faithfull Iosues and Calebes , the ther is no doubt but our Moyses wil so intreat hys father for vs , that these plages shal lyght onely vpn suche vnfaythfull messengers , thoro we whose euel reporte we haue byn so longe kepte from this heuenly doctryne , the kyngdom of god , & euerlasting lyfe . Cheifly art they now to be admonyshed that be so hasty forewarde , lest they go beyonde the worde of the lorde , and in stede of the true lyuely fayth Imagyn them a fayth after their owne mynde , whiche shal suffer them styll to syn . But theirfore I say-where fayth is , it wurketh a knowledge of our great infirmytye & weaknes , it wurketh also an inwarde sorow of the hart , for this our synne and wyckednes , and it prouoketh vs in this for ow ! to pray vnto the lord , to cal ernestly for strenth contynually thorow chryst to ouercome these remptacions , & that with teares , with asure hope of victorie , yf I haue offended my neybour faith causeth me to satisfe & content him because Il oue him as my self yf my neibour be vngodly & by no meanes wyl be reconcyled , yet fayth maketh me pray for him hartely , as I would he shuld for me yf I were in lyke blindnes . He thou fealeth not faith in hy shart thys wyse wurkyng is blynd deceauech him selfe & is styl in vnbelefe tak hed therfor brethren that ther be not in any of you an euell hart of vnbelef to depart from the lyuynge god . And I beseach the almighty god father of mercy and god of all comfort thorow our sauyour & redemer Iesus Chryste that he wyll so lyghten & strenghen them the hartes of oure rulers gouernours prophetes and preachers wyth his holi spret owr comforter : that they hatyng all vice & abomynacion ( specially couetouines ) may neither feare men nor loue them selues but doo that onely which the lord commaundeth with a pure & vndefiled conscience . And that we for owr partes as true and louynge subiectes ) may receyue yt at their handes without grudginge & mur murynge , with lyke fayth and purenes , that withe a safe conscience and glad hart , we may be alway ready at the commandemente of the lorde to enter the same lande of promyse : whyche ys prepared from the beginning , for all the true & faithfull brethren .

Dominus , mihi Adiutor . et c. P N