FOr as muche as we knowe thee , Lorde , by workes brought to passe thorowe thy power : then do we say that thou art bente to dispose and ordre thinges , when as thou doste brynge them to their ful ende and parfytnes . Contrarywyse yf thou sufferest them to fall from their parfyt ende , then do we playnly pronounce that thy gouernement is withdrawen .

Consideryng therfore howe that all the worlde is ( as touchynge true & ghostly worshipping of thee ) in great daunger , both bycause the moste parte lyeth in darcknes of mystrust or infidelitie , or also bycause the faythful forte is almost holly corrupted : so that now a dayes this maye be truely spoken . They haue al swarued out of the right waye , they are all become vnprofitable , none there is that doth good , no not so muche as one : Flee to thee for socour , not doutyng , but maruelynge , & humbly besechyng that thou wilt not be lyke as men whych when they are earnestly set on thinges that they loue wel , they take no hede or very lytle vp on other whome they haue not in so great store . Thou therfore , O Lorde , whiche arte ruler of Israel , that is to saye , of them that beholdeth the in lyfe euerlastyng , to whose gouernaunce thou semest muche to gyue thy selfe : take also regarde vnto oure ayde and mayntenaunce . For in that heauenly region where as thy blysfull sayntes doth se thee after a maruelous ordre & excedynge glorie of the inhabitauntes , it appeareth vnto them as yf thou were so occupied in preseruynge and kepynge them : that thou myghte be thought to haue vtterly forgotten vs , amongest whome all thynges are troubled , cofounded , and putte out of ryght ordre . For whiche cause we hertelye praye thee , that haste dominion ouer heauen and earth in quyetnesse : do not so attende onely to the blessed company there aboue , that thou wilt leaue dysamayde and comfortlesse thy faythfull assembly here beneth .

Wherfore haue regarde vnto oure helpe and furtheraunce , O Lorde , that haste Israel in thy gouernaunce : haue regarde , good Lorde , that leadest Ioseph euen lyke as a shepe is ledde .

For by Ioseph whiche betokeneth increase , what is mente but thy faythfull and deuoute people ? Albeit a yonge forte of people , whome thou begotte in thyne olde age , that is , in thys oure laste and unfortunable tyme : whych abydeth haynous persewynges and reuengynges of hys bretherne , and is nyrnamed of them a dreamer . Thys Ioseph as he groweth from day to daye in more greuous combraunce and trouble , so doest thou leade hym thorough fyre and water , euen as a meke or gentle shepe vnto the shambles beyng continuallye tamed & brought lowe : so that by fetters and prisons he maye passe forth vnto that kyngdome , and those pastures whiche are freshe and floryshyng for euer and euer . Wherupon thou that in these wyse leadest lyke a shepe Ioseph , arte mysdemed of the vnfaythful to passe nothynge of oure matters : and therfore be present , Lorde , and redy to reliefe and defende vs , that the wycked ianglers mouthes maye be stopped . For we do not craue golde , nor ryches , nor yet prontotions of this worlde : but we couet thy lyght , we earnestly desyre to knowe thee .

Therubim betokeneth plenteousnesse of knowledge , Ephraim bringynge for the frute , Beniamin the sonne of thy ryghte hande , Manasse forgytfulnesse . Thou therfore that syttest and arte at reste in thy selfe from eche worke that thou haste ordeyned , and arte fastened in the seate of thy euerlastynge mansyon , and doest continue in the heyghte of thy Maiesties trone : as the Kynge , as the Lorde , as the Iudge and mayster of all : thou ( I saye ) that syttest vpon Therubim , that is , vpon the plenteousnes of knowlege , farre surmountynge and passyng all knowledge and all vnderstanding , for that thou arte vndoutedly a secrete God and vnsearcheable : be opened and appeare ( I beseche thee hartelye ) vnto Ephraim , that is to saye , vnto thy people whyche nowe bryngeth for the frute to thy honoure , so that they maye knowe the fully and parfectlye . For who so knoweth thee : he loueth thee , he forgetteth his owne selfe , he loueth thee better then hymselfe , and dothe wonderfully profyte the congregacion . Be reueyled also afore Beniamin , that is , afore all thy chosen and marked forte abydynge here , or elles where , whyche no doute euen for thy verye choyse and appoyntement are made worthye to be called the chyldren of thy ryghte hande : so that thy people maye encrease , and that thy chyldreu sparsed abrode maye comme together , and that there maye be one shepe house and one shepeherde .

Open thy selfe also to Manasse , to all the Infidelles , whome thou semest to haue caste out of remembraunce , bycause they haue forgotten thee , for so muche as thou haste so longe wythdrawen from them the foode of lyfe . Shewe thy selfe at the laste vnto all the worlde , that menne may comme out of darkenes and the shadowe of deathe into lyghte , and maye sette strayghte theyr steppes into the waye of peace . But yf the stubbourne secte wyll vnnethes be amended , and yf the nombre of those fooles be excedyng great .

Lo , the ryche oppresseth the poore , the rulers despoyleth the symple flocke , the vngodlye perseweth the ryghteous wythout anye petie : thy faythfull fyndeth fewe fatherlye helpers they haue no maynteyners .

Full manye a one ( alasse ) is drawne to hell , thorough the euell ensamples of priestes and the cleargye , whyche is cleane wythout hope of recouerye towarde amendement . There are a passynge meany of noysome Phariseis , a great rable of harmefull hypocrites , wyth whose poysoned exhortacions and lessons the whole worlde is infected . They wyll not heare the wordes of trouthe , no man maye correct them : wherby thy faythfull dare not ones lyfte vp theyr heade .

What doest thou , O Lorde ? Why sleapest thou ? Wherfore doest thou wytholde thy myght ? Styrre vp thy power , I humblye beseche thee , and comme . Thou that arte euery where , wyth thy scourges and wyth thy strength stryke these false and myschieuous deprauers of thy worde , destroye these craftye and malicious accusers of thy seruauntes , condempne these obstinate and deuelyshe despysers of thy grace . I do not saye thys , I do not wyshe it , I do not aske thys , as and I were delyted to se them punyshed : but that thou maye saue vs thyne elected and chosen , seruyng thee continually , louynge thee aboue all these thynges , euermore obeynge thy decrees and commaundementes . Thou aunswerest me perchaunce in thys wyse . Yt I shall caste in my swearde of vengeaunce , yf I shall sende pestilence amonge them , yf I shall pyne them wyth honger : thynkest thou then , that thou thy selfe canst continue in so muche and so greuous trouble ?

For why , we are frayle and feble , nor we truste not in oure owne vertue or power : for that we are not sufficient so moche as to ymagine any thinge of oure selfe , as of oure owne abylytie , but oure suffisaunce is of God . For thys mortall fleshe is bourdenouse vnto the minde , and thys earthlye dwellynge holdeth downe the witte couetynge to contemplate sondry matters . Wherfore do thou conuerte vs o God . Tourne vs to the from earthly thoughtes to heauenvly thynges , tourne vnto the our dyssobedient & rebellious wil and arbytryment : and to vs ones tourned shewe thi countenaunce , that we maye know the : declare thy powre , that we maye feare the : vtter thy wisdome , that we maye honour the : shewe forthe thy goodenesse , that we maye loue the : shewe thy selfe ones shewe thy selue agayne , sheue thy selfe contynually , that we maye passe thorough trouble with a gladsome chere : and so shal we be saffe . For if thou preserue vs , we shal be in sauegarde : if thou takest awaye thy hande , we can not be saued . Why taryest thou Lorde ? Why doste thou not fauourably heare my request ?

Ful often haue I asked the , ryght longe haue I desyred the , many a tyme haue I beseched the. Wherfore then doste thou not lysten vnto me gracyously ? Wherfore dost thou make suche delaye ? Why ? arte thou yet to dyspleased ? Wyth me for my synnes ? If thou doest at counte & reken my fautes Lorde , Lorde who shal be able to abyde the ? Therfore o Lorde that haste power to do al thynges , o God that rulest all thynges vnto whom they which vpholdeth the worlde done obeysaunce , whome high poures , whome the heuens & theyr dominions do reuerently feare : Lorde God of myght , how longe wilte thou be angrye with thy seruaunt prayeng vnto thee ? where is thy entyre loue ? Where is thi strength ? Where is thy manifolde mercye ? What ? Ar they refrayned & kepte awaye ouer vs ? We wil crie vnto the both nyght & daye , knowing verely that if so be thou wilte make a cariaunce , yet wol thou at the laste gentylly heare our importunate sute .

I hope ( I saye ) that I shal be herde , for that thou haste euermore loued trouth . Denye thy selfe thou canst not . For thou haste promysed : Aske , & it shal be gyuen ye : seke , & ye shal fynde : knock & it shal be opened vnto you . Albeit firste thou shalt fede vs with breade of teares , with bitter breade , with pleasaunt breade . For teares ar both sowre , & swete . Sowre , for the absence of goodnesse : swete , for the certaynte of fyndyng out goodnesse . Bytter they bene , for bycause that truste whyche is dryuen of & delayed greueth the poore soule : pleasaunte they ar , for the presence of thi swetenesse , which stirrest vs vp to praye , & causest vs to cal vpon the with vnspeakable sighes . And thou salt giue vs drynke of the cuppe that is in thi hande ful of the swetenesse of pure wyne . For why , thy comforting shal reuiue our spyrites & quicken our myndes , euen according to the heape of the greafes & anguyues in our hert Drynk therfore shalt thou gyue vs in the teares of troubles , which washeth the face of our conscience , which clearith our vnderstanding , which moystureth our herte with deuotion , & yeldeth vs the sauour of loue & charyte . Than thy good teares ar swete tears Doutlesse , which hathe bene foode to vs daye and nyght . Heare vs therfore thou shalt , but afore that shalt thou fede vs & gyue vs drynk in trears : not more the we can bear , but in measure , after the lymytyng of the trouth . For thou wylte not let vs be tempted more then we can beare , but thou wilte make also this profyte to comme of thy prouinge , that we shal be the better able to suffre . Thou shalte fede vs , I saye , with teares , not alwayes , but a certayne tyme which thou haste putte in thine owne powre , Now lo , when that same tyme apoynted is ones comme : then shal our weping & waylyng haue ane ende , then shal thy angre cease , then shal our prayers be accepted . Thou shalte tourne vs to the , thou shalte shewe the lyghte of thy countenaunce , thou shalte rayse thy myghte , thou shalt make vs saffe and sounde , and thou shalt be reueled & opened before Efraim , Beniamin , and Manasse : & thou shalte enlarge thi churche , and take regarde to the gouernaunce ther of . The meane whyle , we shal possede our soules in our sufferaunce . For why ,

In the meane season as thy chyldren doest thow chastyse vs : that we maye be clensed , that we laye not our harte vnto riches , that we folowe not worldely prayse , that thy trouthe maye the more comme to lyght : and for these causes haste thou set our neyghbours to replye & speake agaynst vs . And who beene our neyghbours , but theys dissemblers : whiche ar nether hotte nor colde , whiche in their outward behauyour done appere as they wer Christians Lord ( they wil say ) I thanke the for that I am not as the commen sort of men ar vnryghteous , rauyshers lecherouse , yea euen as this Publicane is : I faste twyse in a weke , I gyue in almes the tenth parte of al that I haue : & yet for al this , they be not inwardly true Christians . They ar therfore our neyghbours , bycause they seme to be lyke vs in theyr works : but they ar not of our householde , bycause they haue not lowlynesse , they haue not loue & charyte .

Why them after what facyon hast thou set these neutralles to wythsaye and stryue agaynste vs : but for bycause thou haste lightened vs in the waye of trouthe , and haste shewed vs thy countenaunce . By that lyght haue we espied then & perceyued that they be paynted graues which wythout appeareth gaye & gorgyous , but within they be ful of deade mennes bones & al vncleanlynesse . Wherfore leste symple folke & other Christyans shoulde perysh , thorough theyr sayengs and ensamples : we haue toide them boldely , & gyuen them this warnyng : beware of the Pharises leuyn , which is hypocrisye or a fayned pretence of holynesse . Cerymonyes , customes , or vsages shal not saue yow : we haue disclosed & playnely set oute to euery mans syghte theyr scrupulous conscience . We haue reproued & rebuked them , sayeng : yow be they , that make your selfe parfecte & ryghteous before men , but God knoweth your hartes : for what so euer is loftye afore men , is abomynation afore God . Hereupon ryseth ragyng enuye , herupon groweth greate malyce hereupon springeth & encreaseth debate and controuersye . For they set more by mennes glorye , than Goddes glory . Therfore go they romyng vp & downe the cyte , they runne hyther & thyther , they haunte womens howses , they grudge at vs , they sclaunder vs , they speake agaynst vs , they persewe vs . And so it is comme to passe , that our enemyes hathe mocked vs . Our enemyes ar manifeste & open synners , the frendes & louers of this world , proude , couetous , ryattous , cursyng , man quaylers , and aduersaryes of Christe his crosse . These ( I say ) not willing to hear our wordes , yea rather thy wordes o lorde , but fleyng away from them persuaded & brought in to a wronge beleff by those hypocrites , hath scorned vs , & disdaynefully despysed vs , as and we wer idyoths or fooles . And what is the cause , that our neyghbours hath contraryed & wythsayed vs , & that our enemyes hath deryed vs ? wherfore done our neybours more than our enemyes ? Why ? Ar not the Pharises our enemyes ? yes truly they bene our enemyes , & that our deadly enemyes : yet ar they wyly & crafty , yet ar they secrete & verye close . For they do bear vs in hand that they be our frendes , they saye that they loue vs wel , they falsely pretende that they speake for the trouthe sake , and not for hatered of vs : so that these hypocrytes hurte vs more , than open ennemyes . They ar called therfore neyghbours , bycause they make them selfe our frendes , and yet neuerthelesse are mutteryng agaynst vs . Wheras oure enemyes dothe ●●emye laugh at vs . yea & our enemyes wolde not scorne vs , if these felows wer not busye in talking agaynst vs . yea our enemyes myght be tourned to repentaunce , if these medlers did not let them . To be breue our enemyes wolde becomme our frendes , & defenders of the trouthe , if thy churche had no suche Pharisaical wythsayers . Great is the battayl , daungerous is the stryfe , douteful is the vyctorie . Wherfore ,

God that gyuest strength vnto the power aboue to fyght wyth out drede agaynst the olde dragon , and boldely to achiue all harde enterprises : God of myght tourne vs from the fonde loue of our self vnto the parfyt loue of the wherby we maye be knytte vnto the , and stycke to the : for so shal we be afrayed of nothyng , but fyghte oute thy battayle wyth a full confidence . For thou art our strength and our staye , our succoure , & our defence . Therfor Therfore shewe the light of thy countenaunce , set out thy trouthe . Make thi lyghte euident & playne : that these hypocrites do not deceyue vs , that they wrappe not our hartes in darkenesse , that we maye auoyde & escape theyr snares , & maye walke in the waye of trouthe . And so if thou delyuer vs , if thou lyghten vs , if thou fyght for vs , we shal be saffe . Go to Lorde , do so Lorde : aryse , awake , comme , & tarye no lenger . Where be thy manyfolde mercyes shewed in olde tyme , Lorde ? Remembre thyne owne labours , do not set lyghte by thyne owne paynes , do not despyse the workes of thyne owne handes .

Thy vyneyarde is thy church . Wherfore is it cleped a vineyard ? Bicause it yeldeth wyne which dothe make mennes myndes in a maner dronken with loue of heuenly thynges , which dothe refresh and make gladde our hartes . A good vineyarde , a vyneyarde of the beste , that turneth into wyne what so euer is layed aboute the rote therof .

If a man wil putte vnto the roote here of water , dounge , or any other thing : it chaungeth into wyne al to gyther , what soeuer it be that it draweth vnto it selfe . For it neuer bringeth forthe other water or dunge , or any thynge , but wyne . So al that is offered vnto the Churche , that is to saye , vnto the faythful soule of man : be it mockage , or persecutyon , or golde , or commendation , or cursyng : it turneth al to charyte , to pacience , to lowlynesse , & other vertues . This vineyarde , these faythful menne nothyng coueting , nothing fearing in this worlde haste thou remoued out of Egypte , that is to wete , out of darkenesse . For they wer in lacke of lyght for ignoraunce , & in the darkenesse of synne : they knewe not theyr ende , they coulde not tel whither to go . Thy lyght haste thou sente them , and out of darkenesse haste thou broughte them . But the heathen ( that is ) wycked soules & frowarde men , without reason , wythout lawe , wythout lernyng did malycyously persue them , and did destroye thy vineyard . They were euen lyke stoones very harde strykers , hurting the fete of them that walked therin , marring the braunches , & vtterly letting the frute of the vineyarde .

Thou haste therfore caste owre the heathen : thou haste kylled the bloodesuckars & murderers of thy wytnesses : thou haste brought to confusyon the maumettes and idolles , thou haste gyuen to the deuil heretikes & them that been obstinate in theyr owne fantasies : thou haste gathered the stones togyther , and caste them for the , and made them to be farre from thy vineyarde , and they ar sonke downe into the depthe . Thou haste grafted it in thy holy mownte , in thy faythe , in the parfectnesse of thy iustice , in thy Christe . It hath passed thorough the redde see , it hath passed thorough fyre and water : for dyuerse troubles hath it not gyuen ouer , it is saffe ynough .

A stronge , a wyse , a gentle , a great guyde . For why , God is a myghty Lorde , & a myghty King aboue al Kinges . Who than wolde not folowe suche a guyde ? But after what maner haste thou ben her leader ? Thou haste come downe , thou haste apeared in flesh & the facyon of a man : for her , haste thou suffered persecutions , wythsayenges , cursynges , scorninges tormentrie , yea & deathe of the crosse . To thy father diddest thou passe forthe by the waye of thy passion , and thou madest a proclamation : Who so wil comme after me , muste denye hym selfe , and muste take his crosse , & folowe me . A graunde capitayne , a difficulte waye . But who wil be afrayed , hauing such a guyde that wil not lyngar behynde a man , but go before hym ? Thou therfor ( o Lorde ) haste ben not a lurking capitayne , but open and manifeste : al men myght beholde the. Guyde of her iorney haste thou ben en her eye syght .

For openly werte thou nayled vpon the crosse betwyexte two theues . And bycause the vyneyarde is but feble , for that the vynetre it self is but a weake maner of woode : thou haste strengthened it , & haste sette the rootes therof . No fleshly man , nor aungel hath planted it : but thou with thyne handes , with thy wysdome , with thy power , with thy bounteousnes haste sette the rootes of her loue , of her charite , of her good affection . Thou haste planted this vineyarde ( I saye ) in a good grounde , in the grounde of lyuing creatures , in thy woundes , in thy crosse , in thy godhed : and therfore hathe it yelded frute , it hathe brought forthe pleasaunte wyne , wyne of the best , such wyne as wol rauish a mans minde : with manifolde braunches is it encreaseth , so that it hath fylled the holle earth . It hath fylled ( I say ) the earth with vertues , wyth heuenly gyftes , with grace , lyghte , & the knowledge of God . Not with the Philosophers cunninge , whiche when as they knewe God , they did not esteme him & glorifie hym as God , nor yet rendred thankes vnto hym : but they vanished awayne in theyr conceytes & thoughtes , theyr folysh hartes was darkned and blynded . For they naming & counting them selfe to be wyse men , becamme very idyotes & fooles . So is it not with thy vineyarde , o Lorde . And why ? Mary ,