ALthough Mistris KATHARINE , from the houre I first vnderstood how pittifully you were miscaried in matter of Religion , how erroneouslie misled in your manner of doing seruice to the Almighty ; I euer held ( and not ignorant of the diuine prohibition of rash iudgment ) the state of your better part to be dangerous : yet hauing ( more then cursorilie ) pervsed that worthie peece of work ( as you take it ) the little booke you sent me , I conceiued a stronger ground for my opinion , and might discern methoght , more cleerlie , euen a lamentablenes in your condition ; to haue your soule ( after such sort ) to be fed , or rather feasted and not fed , or rather filled , and not feasted : but to speake most properly , neither fed , nor feasted , nor filled , but flatly poisoned with such Italian drugs , with such superstitious and Antichristian confections , as in the said booke , and diuers other your irreligious Pamphlets of like subiect are compounded ; while that bread of life , which onely should feed , it is not hungred after , that vncorruptible Manna , wherewith onely it ought to be feasted , is not gathered , that eternall food , which onely hath power to fill it , is not set by : I meane while the true wholsome receit [ indeed ] is reiected , the pure and heauen and earth-out lasting worde of God , neither reade nor regarded . I haue felt my heart out of the generall loue of a christian , and my more particular affection towardes you , almost melt into sorrowe and compassion , to think how youly slabbering in these corrupted puddles of mans erronious inuentions , yet neuer the more clensed , when you might with asmuch ease , and much better welcome , enter that liuesome Bath of Gods owne founding , his sacred scriptures , whose waters are of admirable operation , and [ by the hand of his blessed spirite ] woulde be sure to wash , not onely your feete [ as Iob speaketh ] but your handes and your head also [ as Peter prayed , Iob. 29 , 6 ] yea euen your soule likewise , Iohn 13 , 9 Psal. 19 , 7 as Dauid affirmeth , and make you all ouer as white as snow in Salmon . You may not alledge , that the booke of God is lost or cast into a corner [ as it was in the daies of Iosias ] or that his sacred writings , 2 chr. 34 , 14 Iere. 36 , 23 are cut in peeces , and throwne into the fire , as they were by the handes of Iehoiachim .

You cannot pleade any famine of the worde of God [ which of all other inflictions , the Lord for his mercye sake euermore auert from our nation ] that shoulde inforce you to feede so eagerly vpon such grosse , and vnwholsome garbadge , for a greater plenty , and freer passage thereof , the King of heauen haue the glorye , as we haue the gaine , neuer any kingdome of the earth [ I thinke ] inioyed . The truth is , neither you , nor the greatest clark that euer breathd superstition vpon you , can bring a substantiall reason to excuse your vnacquaintance with the scriptures , considering you may read them , and heare them truely read , and expounded [ if you please ] and that it is our sauiours owne precept , Search the scriptures , Iohn 5 , 39 Mar. 12 , 29 and a conclusion of his owne framing , Erre not knowing the Scriptures .

If an ordinarie friende should counsell you to doe a thing within your power , that would be neither chargable nor trouble some vnto you , and withall annex vnto his aduise a forcible reason , importing some singular benefit , that should redound in doing it , woulde you not with all readinesse vndertake it , and most willinglie embrace his counsell ? I know you would : and therefore cannot chuse but woonder , when that extraordinarie friend of yours Christ Iesus , who held you [ I charitablie include you amongst the chosen ] as precious as his owne heart blood , and whome you shoulde reesteeme more deere then your owne soule , shall offer you his owne booke to read , commaund you to read it , and withall assertaine you , that you goe astraie , and wander out of the right waie that leadeth to felicitie , because you want that direction , which the same woulde affoorde you : To see you notwithstanding shut your eies , and eares , and all your sences to be delighted and euen rauished with such harsh sounding , and vnmelodious harmonie ; such absurd , and hereticall doctrine , as this booke which I receiued from you , and other of the like stampe [ to frequent amongest you ] are stuffed with ; Wherein I graunt , some part of Goddes worde [ to countenaunce forth all the rest ] is heere and there inter-wouen , but that either not it selfe through corrupt translation , or at least not like it selfe , it is so violentlie wrested , and by misapplication so pittifully disfigured . When I had read your booke , entituled ; A quartern of reasons of catholicke Religion , with as manie briefe reasons of refusall , collected and composed by T. Hill , Doctor of Diuinity , and hadde weighed the subiect , the stile , and the method , I adiudged the answering of it to be a matter of no great difficultie , and [ methought ] no taske of impossibilitie for my selfe : though [ as you know ] no professed Diuine , no noted student , and indeed not worthie the name of a Scholler ; Howsoeuer , yet I vndertook it , till in my return from you out of Glostershire , at the Stationers in Worster I light vpon a booke bearing this title , A quartern of reasons composed by D. Hill vnquartered and proued a quartern of follies , by Francis Dillingham Batcheler of Diuinity .

Hereupon seeing the Doctor so substantiallie dealt with by M. Dillingham , a degree behind him one waie , though manie degrees before him another waie , and to haue receiued from him a more sufficient answer than my pouertie could haue affoorded , I willing lie surceased , and so let fall my former resolution : yet being vnder saile , seeing the wind faire , and feeling my selfe to brook pretilie wel the Ocean I was entred into , I thoght to make a voyage of it [ though a contrarie waie ] before I returned ; I meane , hauing taken pen in hand , to haue answered [ in my vnlearned fashion , and therefore the more suteable ] the foresaide Treatise , and perceiuing my selfe so happilie preuented , I determined notwithstanding to write something vnto you , that should concerne you , and whereby [ if God were so pleased ] that more then Egyptian darknesse wherwith yoursoule is so benighted , might in a timely houre bee expelled .

For two chiefe reasons haue I made religion the argument of this my letter ; the first , for that [ there is nothing vnder the glory of God ] that so highlie importeth you , as the good estate of your soule , which dependeth vpon the religion you professe in the daies of this your pilgrimage vpon earth . The other reason is , because the difference of your religion & mine [ our contrarie opinion therein ] hath bin the principall impediment that interrupted our loues proceeding , & brake the marriage betwixt vs , which the worlde so long expected , and we [ but for that ] mutually desired . For as I , vpon sure ground was euer resolued one way , so you [ though without ground ] were as resolut another way ; and still would intimate your desire of my reconcilement to your Catholicke Religion ( as you call it . ] Indeed for a Gentlewoman that is a catholike , to ponder aforehand that irreligion , though it cannot lawfullie breake that indissoluble band , yet ought to be helde of sufficient force to restraine [ at first ] the making thereof , is a prudent consideration .

For her to weigh with her selfe that this word coniugium , or wedlocke , importeth a vniting of two mindes and that if she match with one contrarily affected in religion , the only true tempred stuffe that soldreth harts togither , they , can neuer rightly accord , because they cannot agree in loue , that disagree in faith . This is like wise an ingenious and religious caution .

And then if she in true zeale and vpon the forsaid considerations , conuert that hereticke [ whom she loueth ] to the profession of the catholike faith , before she dain him the title of her husband , Questionlesse she doth a worke that pleaseth God , profiteth his church , and ministreth matter of reioycing to the Angels of heauen . But standeth the cause thus betwixt vs two , I dare sweare [ for I had rather think you any thing then a dissembler ] you thinke it doth : you thinke your elfe a catholicke , and mean heretick ; you thinke the custome of our young gentlewomen of your old religion , in turning their husbands hearts , to the imbracing of their opinions , a laudable custome ; and ought by you likewise as strictlie to be obserued : But alasse that such blindnesse [ were it otherwise , pleasing to our great God , whose wisedome best knoweth what is good for his Church ] should get such possession of your vnderstanding , and Ignorance , so ouercloude your iudgment , as to make you deeme your selfe to be otherwise then you are , and others to be euen as the vncharitablest of your constructions can make them . Alasse I saie , vnder the foresaid reseruation , that it should be so , howbeit I maruaile not , that it is so , since it hath bin proper to the heriticks of old , preiudicatlie , to arrogate vnto themselues that acceptable appellation of catholicks , and to intitle the catholiks indeed , by this odious attribute of hereticks . But now ( methinks ) you begin to distast my phrase , because it begins to deale roundlie with you , in retorting ( thoughe couertlie ) the heretick thus vpon you : be patient a while , and because no man that iudgeth himselfe sound is easilie wonne to accept the Phisitians helpe , how full of vertue soeuer the Medicine be , which is tendred him : giue me leaue I praie you , first to make you know your selfe to be imperfected , & then I doubt not , but the receipt , which the small measure of my skill shal compound , for the expelling of your infirmitie , will not onely be pleasing vnto your tast , but powerfull [ through his working that giueth power to euery good work ] for your recouery . It hath bin held a profitable method , in the discription of any vice to anotamize that vertue which is properlie the opposite ; for the hard fauored gentlewoman is neuer so disaduantaged , as when she goes hand in hand with her beutiful neighbor ; each thing [ indeed ] being best deciphered by his contrarie . I will therefore [ the question being which of vs is the catholicks ] first discouer mine own faith , which you hold to be no better then heresie , & the verie contrarie vnto yours ; that thereby the beutie of your profession , if mine be so deformed , may the more bee admired , or rather [ as I hope ] and [ if iudiciall eies impartially discerne berwixt vs assure my selfe ] that the impuritie , and blemishes thereof , by such opposition of mine , so substantially warrantable may the sooner be reuealed , and by yourselfe whom it so neerelie concernes the better discerned : and the rather do I begin with disclosing the substance of mine owne profession , because we are bound to sind the true faith of christ in our selues , before we examine the want therof in others , and ought readilie to giue a reckoning of the same , if either authority [ that is sufficient ] inioyne , or causes [ that are substantial ] as in this case shal induce vs therunto .

MY religion [ vnderstand me I praie you ] Is the true worship of the euerliuing God , 2. Sect. I know it is the true worship of God because it is that manner and forme of worship , which is agreeable to his blessed wil ; I know it is agreeable to his wil , because it is framed acording to the prescription of his holy word : And I know it to be framed according to his word , because I learne the same out of his owne booke , which containeth nothing but his word ; deliuered first by his owne voice to our fore fathers , after indighted by his owne al-sufficient wisdome , penned downe by his owne chosen seruants the prophets and Apostles , sealed and confirmed with the precious bloud of his owne deere sonne , and from age to age , through persecution , through captiuitie , thorough the most powerfull occurrents that euer Sathan deuised , for impugning the same , by his owne woonderfull prouidence so mercifully preserued , to be food for the soules , and direction for the liues of his elect here on earth , while the world endureth , which booke we therefore intitle the sacred scriptures , & commonly the Bible : so that my Religion is , a worshipping of god after his owne will , reuealed by his owne word comprized in his owne booke : and therfore as I first said , a true worship of the euerliuing God . And , is it not [ iudge you ] the wisest course we can take for the vnderstanding the wil of our God , without which we are no better then the beasts that perish , and which necessarilie wee must attaine vnto before we can do it , as we must doe it ; before we receiue that which you call the wages of wel-doing . To read diligentlie this book , to search reuerently these scriptures , and to haue continuall recourse vnto this word , which may be called the trusty Embassador that faithfullie deliuereth the reuealed councels of God , the holy mouth that truely vttereth the oracles of his blessed sanctuarie , which is the word of life , the worde of truth , as true as himselfe , his owne word , and therefore the best reuealer of his will , and most absolute describer of that platforme , after which hee delighteth to be worshipped .

I will not by way of inference as I go along , roue at any marks of your profession , til I haue in som perfecter sort measured out mine owne , else could I [ me thinks ] with an arrow drawne out of this quyuer , pierce euen the quickest vaine of those vnwarranted Decretals , and humaine Traditions of yours . But let your thoughtes a while be bestowed in consideration of what I say touching mine owne religion , which earst I desined to be , The true worshipe of the euerliuing God . Wherein least you should mistake , in thinking I deale Pharasaically , or attribute perfection of impossibility vnto my selfe , who being but flesh , am therefore full of sinne , and thereby disabled for that righteous cariage , and the perfourmance of those holy offices , which properly belong to the seruice of him , who is all righteousnesse , and true holines it selfe : conceiue I pray you , how I vnderstand my selfe , and desire to be vnderstood therein . I confesse that all men are sinners , and my selfe as sinfull as any man , I might saie more sinful , for I must iudge my selfe seuerely , and of others charitably : besides , I knowe mine owne wickednesse , and my sinne is euer before me . The Angels of heauen , that excell in strength may keep ( o happy , happie are they that while ) the commandments of the Lord , but the inhabitants of the earth , that are composed of weakenesse , doe nothing but breake them ; In a word , I am one of Adams crooked brats , My workes are impure , and all my righteousnesse as a polluted cloute . So that to doe true worship to that Euerliuing God ( as I professed ) of my selfe , I am not able , for a sinfull lumpe of fleshe , I finde it impossible . Who am I ( said Moyses in a timerous distrust of his owne abilitie , ) Exod. 3 , xi that I shold go vnto Pharo . Then what am I , maie I better expostulate from the certaine knowledge of my disabilitie , to worship the Euarlasting God ? What am I , that am a thousand times inserior to that Moses , to worship him truelie , who is ten thousand , nay innumerable and vnimaginarie millions of degrees superior to that Pharo . But the same God , who [ in respect of his owne desert , being the perfection of all thinges , and all perfection before thinges had being ] requireth such exact seruice from me , knowes whereof I am made , for I am , a worke of his owne handes , and remembreth that , I am but dust the substance of my forefathers , vnskilfull how [ for I am no better then a beast in my owne knowledge , and vnapt if I were skillfull , so to serue him , My hearte by nature being continually so misdisposed . And out of the great storehouse therefore of his vnualuable compassion , hath he sent me a full supplie to all my defects , and plainelie directed me how to adresse my selfe for the manner of seruice , which must purchase his acceptation : for as he gaue encouragement to Moses , and taught him with his owne word what to saie vnto , and howe to carrie himselfe before Pharo . It hath pleased him in like sort to imbolden mee in my greatest seare , and by the perfect rule of the same powerfull word , to instruct me after what sorte to appeare before him , and how to demeane my selfe in the presence of his Maiestie , his sacred word [ I saie still ] the spirit of truth expounding the same vnto me , is my instruction .

Hence I learne [ which is the lesson that all christians should be perfect in ] the knowledge of Iesus christ , and him crucified , to know him to be perfect God and perfect Man , my maker , my sauiour , my mediator . My maker as he is God , my Sauiour and mediator , as he is God and man : this is all I desire to knowe , and may be wel enough , for that learned Apostle of his , notwithstanding his miraculous conuersion , aboundant inspiration , and heauenly vision , [ by his own testimonie , knew no more , as he needed not , the docctrine thereof being [ indeede ] the verie summe , and scope of the whole scriptures . This knowledge whosoeuer hath , though he knowe nothing else , knoweth all thinges : as who so wanteth the same , though hee knowe all thinges else , maye bee saide to knowe nothing .

This is that christall sountain from whence the pure Waters of life do flow , and they that drinke soundlie thereof shall neuer thirst . This is that fixed Helice which if we truelie obserue , pointeth out our land of promise , and directeth vs the right waie thither ; Nay , this is the waie it selfe that leades vs vnto truth ; and the truth it selfe that leades vnto life ; and the life it selfe that we so long after , euen eternall selicitie , I am the way , Iohn 14 , 6. the truth and the life : Now , from this knowledge of my sauior , I learn to renounce my selfe and relie vpon him , to cast off mine own beggerlie rags patched together with abhomination , and by the hand of faith to put on his princely robe , the glorious robe of his righteousnes . In this attire I appeare before my god , & become acceptable in his presence , for this garment he frely giueth me , and as freely teacheth me how to weare it : I meane this righteousnesse of Christ , which is the true consormitie with the law of GOD , and an absolute fulfilling thereof : God , out of his meere grace and mercy impureth vnto me , and withall woo●keth in me faith , whereby I apply the same vnto my selfe , so that in this sence , I may presume to say the righteousnes of Christ is mine , and that therein I serue my God truely , as he that laboured so much euen to anotamize the worke of iustification , hath for an eternall Maxime set downe , that Christ is made vnto vs righteousnes , wisedome , 1 cor. 1 , 30 sanctification , and redemption , and else where , That in him we are compleat . Col. 2 , 10 The fraile wit of man hath deuised a law , whereby an act doue by one is remitted from him that did it , to him that gaue consent and commission for the doing of it . But the vnsearchable wisedome of our God , from the deepe reach of his mercy , and compassion , without so much as our knowledge ( for he knew vs from euerlasting , and before the foundation of the worlde , contriued this meanes for our deliuery ] hath more then admirably conueyed vnto vs the memorable act of Christes humiliation and satisfaction , and by his imputation , and our aprehension ( which is likewise his guifte ) freelye made it ours . The worke it selfe which is Iustice , not altred by the exchange of the subiect , but onely inattribute . It being I egall in Christ , in vs Euangelicall : If then the righteousnesse of Christ thus be made ours , if his obedience and satisfaction be thus freely bestowed vppon vs : What should hinder vs ( it may be meruailed ) from affording due entertainment to so vnspeakeable a benefit , and that we make not true vse of so great aduantage . Is not this the delectablest food that euer any hungry stomacke longed after ? Is it not the softest couch that the wearied soule can find to repose vpon ? Questionlesse it is , and therefore whosoeuer resolueth to fare well , shoulde frame himselfe to this diet , and he that loueth to lie soft , must become his owne Harbinger , and make sure in time to take vp this lodging : For this is the food of eternall life , this is the bed of euerlasting rest . Peter not himself , but being then , ( and not only then ) out of his proper Element [ for he knew not what he said ] brake with christ about building of tabernacles on the mount Thabar . But hee that vppon this foundation which is christ himselfe shall aduisedly erect the fortresse of his hope , and Tabernacle of his felicity , may be truely said to be his owne man , though scarcely as the apprehension of men goeth now a daies , and that he is in the right , For he knowes what he doth , and that his building , though all those worldely , fleshly , and diuellish aduersaries , combino in oppugnation , can neuer be subuerted . In more propper sence therefore then Peter spake it , I may boldely say , Heere is good being , good for the King , good for the Begger , good for all , heere is good being indeed , and heere am I constantly resolued , let neuer so many millions of misbeleeuers rest vppon what other rotten dependance they list , to set downe my rest for euer .

This stay I know to be sure and neuer shrincking : this supportation I am sure is strong and neuer shaketh . This , this is our soules most firme , and neuer-failing anchorage : yea this righteousnes of our sweete , and louing sauiour , is not onely a sure strong and neuer failing foundation , but it is the onely sure stronge and neuer failing foundation , whereupon we must resolue to build all our happines for euer , if euer we resolue to for to relie vpon ought besides , that the earth , or the heauens themselues can afford , in the great and weightie cause of our iustification , is to trust vnto that which shall neuer stedde vs , and most vndoubtedlie to become most vnhappie . Now , this righteousnesse of our mercifull redeemer , so aduantageable to all those that constantly depend thereuppon , I consider in his perfect obeying to the law of God , which we had transgressed , and coulde neuer of our selues haue fulfilled , and his painefull vndergoing the punishment proper to such our transgressions , euen the wrath of his father , which was incensed , & by no satisfaction of man , or Angel could euer haue bin appeased . O sweet , vneffable and incomprehensible mercie of our God , who out of his owne bosome hath distilled a balme to cure all our wounds , though neuer so mortall , and albeit so deseruedlie receiued in the traiterous breach of his sacred ordinaunces , and not spared euen his owne heart bloud , to wash awaie our vncleannesse , and to purge vs that were his enemies , from all our corruption . The meanes that conueieth vnto us this mercie of God the father in this merite of God the sonne , is [ as I formertouched ] a liuelie iustifieng faith , begotten in our harts by God the Holi-ghost , who must needes be th efficient cause of the said Faith , as the true knowledge and trust in Christ is the formall , the gospell the instrumentall , and the finall gods glorie . By which faith , it being The ground of thinges which are hoped for , Hebr. 11 , 1 and the euidence of things which are not seene , or a stedfast supernaturall knowledge and firme apprehension of Gods kindnes in Christ Iesus towards vs . Many celestiall indowmentes and good workes are kindled in the mind and hart , and flame forth of the life and conuersation of euerie true beleeuer ; as repentance , hope , loue , inuocation , obedience , iustification , adoption , patience , consolation , mortification , peace of conscience , ioy in the holighost , and regeneration with the fruits therof : All of them togither with diuers other such like heauenlie infused qualities , though not distinguishable in time but in nature , though essentially being Gods gifts , and immediatelie proceeding from his grace , yet properlie either begotten , wrought or apprehended by the saide Faith , it being in vs a cause , & they the necessarie effects , the root , and they the inseperable braunches : So that when I affirme my religion to be , The true seruice of God and that seruice to be performed truelie by vs , in the righteousnes of Christ , I do not herein exclude our workes as impertinent or vnnecessarie thereunto , or deny but that good workes are Gods seruices , and that therein it pleaseth him to be glorified : But because our workes when they are at the best are of themselues imperfect , and when they finde the happiest passage , not for themselues , but in and for Christs righteousnes are accepted , I iudge it a more proper speech to say , that in the righteousnes of Christ which is absolutely perfect , which is freely bestowed vpon vs , and really made ours by faith , and from which as from the fountaine of all Gods graces , all our owne good workes are properlie saide to spring , that therein we serue God truely [ it being of it self as it wel deserueth merritorious , and making our poor endeuours , which of themselues deserue nothing , most gratiously to be regarded .

Indeede it is all in all vnto vs , reconciling vs to the fauour of our God , and inablinge vs to doe that which is acceptable both before God and man : for where this righteousnesse is faithfully receiued ; This righteousnesse , through which only we enioy all the blessings of the earth , by which onely ( as I said ) our best deedes must purchase acceptation , and for which only we confidently hope , at the last daie to be saued : where I saie this righteousnesse is truely apprehended by faith , by vertue of the same the heart , and all the powers of the whole man , are instantly prest ( so much as in him lies ) for al godly designs , and eagerly bent ( so far as by grace he is inabled ) to the execution of any religious office , that may tend to the seruice of his Lord and sauiour , and to the manifestation of his obedience , loue , and thankefulnesse to his maiestie , for such his vnspeakable mercy towardes him : for looke how proper light is to the sunne or heate to fire , so proper , and so inseparable are good workes vnto that faithe which is so surely founded vpon the mercie of God , in this righteousnesse of Christ Iesus : No I am so far from renouncing or disclaiming from good works , that I will acompany any true , or stiled catholick , protestant or papist in the world , in commendation , estimation , and approbation of them , till they come to be so intollerably prized , as to be set in the roome of christes righteousnesse , to fulfill the eternall law of God , which was Christs office , to be held meritorious of saluation , which is the due of christs obedience ; and consequently to be made proportionable with Gods iustice , which is onely proper to christs righteousnesse ; In this degree of magnifieng them I hold it security to leaue them , acknoledging my pouerty one waie , [ acording to that rate ] not able to reach them : and knowing my riches another way ( after such a reckoning not to stand in neede of them , for We are poore in our selues but rich in Christ , I confesse that to glorifie God by doing good workes , is a principall end both of our election , creation , redemption , and sanctification : I confesse that workes are necessary , for great and waightie respects , as besides the honnouring of God , which is the chiefe end of all , and to be preferred before any respect whatsoeuer , to manifest our faith , to credit our vocation , to expresse our thankefulnesse , to benefite our neighbour , and to acertaine vs , that wee are in the right waie , that leadeth to euerlasting happinesse ; yea so farre fourth necessarie , that without them , I meane without the workes of the second , or at least of the first Table , we shall neuer attain vnto saluation : Howbeit , I dare not thence conclude , that those workes are the cause of our saluation , but the effects of the cause , which is faith in the righteousnesse of christ .

I confesse that all our good workes shal be rewarded euen to a cup of cold Water , yet will not thereby enferre , that such reward is extended for the merit either of the person that doth the worke , or of the worke how wel done soeuer , but from the meere bounty of our god , who dealeth with vs ( in all things ) better then ( of our selues ) we deserue ; and for manifestation of his truth , who hath gaged his word to that effect , and will euer be as good as his promise . In a worde I approue good workes , I honour the doers of them , and admire that grace which by faith enableth men to do them : but stil vnderstand them to be the fruites and consequents of faith , and in vs to receiue their life and being from the same ; for I cannot thinke that repentance or charity themselues , though both of them steed vs so much in this world , & the one of them stay with vs in the world to come , are sent by the blessed spirit , into the heartes or mindes of the faithfull , till faith formerly planted there by the same spirit , be ready to receiue them . For I know they are diuine vertues , and no sinnes : Howbeit had they being before faith , I durst not thinke them so , Ro , 14 , 23 because I am commaunded to hold the necessity of this consequent whatsoeuer is not of faith is sinne , to be inuincible . A legall contrition [ indeede ] and humaine effection may goe before , but when that contrition becommeth true repentance , and that affection is refined into perfect charity : Questionlesse , it is faith , it being the receiuer of the spirit and purifier of the hart , by which vnder God is wrought that happy and heauenly metamorphosis .

BVt to wade no deeper in this bottomlesse Ocean , where the pilate himselfe if he take not good heed , may quickly sinck ouer head and eares , 3. Sect. so infinite are the misteries of our redemption , and so many degrees more then infinite the mercies of God in our redemer : And because I stand in feare , least for the difficulty , you conceite not , or for the strangenes therof affect not this description , which I haue already made of my Religion ; I will after a plainer sort for your vnderstanding , and in a fashion more sutable for our liking , draw forth in a word or two that pattern which in the profession of my faith and action of my life , till the daies of my pilgramage , in this vaile of affliction bee determined , I am resolued by the ayde of the blessed spirit precisely to follow ; and whence as touching the discharge of my duty both towardes God , and man , I fetch my direction . I formerly implyed , that this patterne was the written word , and so I doe still for the worde of God is a Lanthorne vnto our feete , and a light vnto our pathes , Psa , 119 a Lanthorne to keepe our feete from falling , in the race that we are to runne for so greate a Wager , and a light to make our pathes though they be narrow , and otherwise impossible to be hit , yet plain & passable vnto vs : but an Epitomy onely of this word I wil now propose vnto you , which consisteth of the creede , the commandements , and the lords praier ; the creed indited by the holy ghost , and ( from probability ) penned by the apostles , howsoeuer yet composed of their doctrine , & therfore not vnworthily called their creed The commaundements indited [ and penned to for ought we knowe by god himselfe ] and deliuered to his chosen seruant Moses on the Mount Synay : and the Lords prayer indicted , by christ our sauior , and afterwards penned down , by those heauenly inspired actuaries of his , the holy Euangelists ; the creed comprizing the substance of the gospel , which is a ioyfull message of saluation , bestowed vpon vs vnder a condition of faithfull beleeuing : The commandements comprehending the sum of the law , which is an assurance of eternal life vnto vs , but vnder a condition of a harder nature , namely the exact performance of our dutye towardes God , and our neighbour , expressed in these commaundementes ; And the Lordes prayer contayning an absolute Method of inuocation , or a perfect rule how to offer the sacryfice of prayse and praier vnto our God , wherewith he confesseth himselfe to be honored , and wherin our seruice vnto his maiesty [ especially from our inward man ] is most effectually performed the creed , which is our law of beleeuing . The commaundements which are our lawes of liuing , and the Lords prayer which is our law of praising and praying , and long since for the dignity of it intituled euen the Law likewise of liuing , and beleeuing : Now , the creed , the commaundements , and the Lords prayer , being thus in effect , a compendious breuiarie of the whole Bible , which containeth the sacred worde of the euerliuing God , whereby his blessed will , for our maner of seruing him is manifestly reuealed vnto vs ; and the definition of my religion being a true seruice of the euerliuing God , according to his will reuealed in his worde , I am warranted ( not anye way impugning the same ) to affirm , that my religion is , to beleeue according to the creed , to liue according to the commaundements , and to inuocate the name of God according to the Lordes praier . Howbeit , I vnderstand not heere this word ( according ) in sence of absolute corospondence , with the creede , the commaundements and the Lordes prayer ; But vnder this humble and necessary reseruation , namely that I beleeue according to the creede , as stedfastly , and assuredly , that I liue according to the commandements , as vprightly and conformably , and that I inuocate the name of God , according to the Lordes prayer as zealously and effectually , as the measure of faith , grace , and the spirit do enable me : For these are al Gods giftes , and he freely bestoweth them vppon his needy followers , in proportion that is best pleasing to his vnchaungeable will , and most agreeable to his vnsearchable wisedome : For I dare not thinke better of my selfe in the ability of beleeuing , liuing and praying , then my betters haue formerly done of themselues : [ O that I were so gratiously qualified , wherby I might iustly be occasioned to thinke so wel ] my betters , I meane the best of Gods seruants , some of them hauing cryed vnto the Lord for helpe to their vnbeleefe , and to haue theyr fayth increased : Some hauing agnized that the godlyest seuen times a day , shew what house they are come of , whose loynes they proceed from , that Adam the ringleader of man-sinners , was their ancestor : and some auerring that we of our selues know not , what to praye as wee ought , and therefore [ to helpe vs out ] that the spirit it selfe maketh request for vs with sighes that cannot be expressed . Wherefore [ as in effect I saide before ] I beleeue as the measure of faith doth enlighten me acording to the creed : I liue as the measure of grace doth enable me , according to the commaundements : and I pray as the measure of the spirit doeth informe me , according to the Lordes prayer . Thus I beleeue , thus I liue , thus I pray , this is my religion , and [ as I take it ] The true seruice of the euerliuing God , according to his will reuealed in his word . Nowe , hauing [ as I promised ] after that little glimpse of vnderstanding , by the mercy of my God , reserued in me , giuen you a view of my profession , which through the subtilitie of Sathan , playing vpon your simplicity , you are smoothly borne in hand , is so erronious , absurd , and Hereticall ; I would gladly know wherein such heresie , absurditie or error can be found : but it was my promise , and is still my purpose [ if God , that disposeth of all thinges howsoeuer man purposeth be pleased therwith ] to make you see the vnseemelines of your owne mishapen opinions , and to feele the daungerousnesse of your owne souls disease , by vnderstanding the errour , absurditie , and heresie of your owne religion . Which I knowe not how better or in plainer sort to perform , then by laying before your view the doctrin of your Roman church , in opposition to the doctrin of our church of England , touching these principall heads of a christians profession , which I haue already , [ though briefly , and but in part ] runne ouer , that so comparing the one with the other , and trying them both by the touchstone , that discouereth truth from falshood , you may more iudicially descerne the currant from the counterfeit , and more powerfully be induced ( hauing once found so inestimable a Iewell ) to long after the ful fruition thereof , which [ although you sell all you haue to gaine it ] wil not prooue deere vnto you , for it wil make you rich vnto eternall saluation .