How gracious , fauourable , and mercifull God is to his creature man , and of his first fall , and the decay of his successors or posteritie . The first Chapter .

ALthough the grieuous abhomination of our poysoned , and spitefull heartes , the most execrable endes of our malicious , and deuilishe endeuours , the blasphemous villanies of our disdainefull , deadly , and desperate impietie , doe deserue most terrible tormentes , most heauie plagues , most bitter , and eternall anguishe , in the bottomlesse pit of perdition , without redemption : yet the mercifull goodnesse , and vnspeakeable kindnesse of God , our tender father , our carefull kéeper , our holy sauiour , doth not onelye cast vs head-long ( which we deserue ) into that daungerous darkenesse , and gaping goulfe , which burneth with fire and brimstone , where is continuall wéeping and gnashing of téeth : but also most gently calleth vs againe vnto him , that we may taste of his mercies , most pitifully bewayleth our wickednesse , most heartilye forgetteth our iniquities , most carefully cutteth off our corruption , most readily repayreth our empaired and depraued nature , most willingly wincketh at our detected enormities , most graciously couereth our shamefull nakednesse , most mightily maintayneth our cause agaynst our open aduersarie the Deuill , most earnestly desireth our health and saluation , most attentiuely wayteth for our godly reformation , most largely promiseth vs a glorious crowne and eternall kingdome , with frée deliueraunce , and present pardon , if with pure heart and true zeale wée shall cal vpon his holy name , and séeke succour in Iesus Christ , of his immortal maiestie . For when he of his infinite goodnesse , and excéeding mercy , did first frame and forme our father Adam , and raysed him vppe oute of the slimie bowels of the fruitfull earth , when he had breathed into him the spirite of life , when he had endued his reasonable soule with the bright beames of most perfite knowledge , and had bestowed vpon him the blasing lightes of most excellent & approued vertues , when he had giuen him the soueraigne science both of celestial , earthly , heauenly , mortal , and immortall things , when he had giuen him power ouer all the creatures , which were vnder the cope of heauen , and had for this onely cause builded the wyde worlde , that man his moste noble and surpassing creature , might with all maner of delite , enioy the commodities of the same , and at the last , when he had placed him in Paradise , being a place of pleasure , a pasture of delites , a most swéete , pleasaunt , and fruitfull garden , and licenced him to taste of all the fruits and pleasures of the same , wherein he might for euer haue led a most happie life , and neuer haue felt the bitter pangues of extreeme dolor , wherwith now he is compassed and beset of euery side ( only charging him to abstaine from the trée of knowledge of good and euill , enioyning therevnto a seuere punishment the more to restraine him : than this wilfull , stubburne , and vnthankefull man , not contented with this heauenly state , but aspiring against the iust and expresse commaundement of his louing father , and immortall creator to suche daungerous and deuilish knowledge , wherby was wrought his vtter destruction and miserable confusion ; gaue eare to the contagious councell and pestilent perswasion of enchaunted and bewitched Eua , who by the sugred tunes of the cursed Sathan , receyued the impoysoned bayt which was couered with false , faire , and fayned promises , whereby they were both so fowlye spotted , and so miserablye deformed , that where before they had the similitude of God engraffed in their heartes , nowe they were plaine patternes and expresse images of the hellish serpent : where before they were shining starres illuminate with the wholesome light of the heauenly spirit , now they were darke and mistie clowdes , destitute of all clerenesse , and clad with most horrible impietie : where before they were decked and adorned with singular integritie , iustice , and puritie , nowe they were beastly blemished with the filthie spots of wretched villanie , pride , and impuritie : where before they were chiefe inhabitaunts , and principall possessors of perelesse and pleasaunt Paradise , nowe they were become exiled straungers , expelled vagaboundes , and beggars banished from all felicitie : where before they were obedient seruants nowe they were rebellious enimies : before friendes of God , nowe ●endes of hell : before in blessefull estate , nowe in damnable and extréeme miserie : before almost equall with Aungels , now worse than Deuils : before better than all earthly creatures , now more abhominable than brute beastes : before the louing sonnes of a tender father , now the open aduersaries of a seuere Iudge : before cherished and beloued children , now false and forsworne fellons : before blessed and immortall creatures , now cursed and mortall mysers : before without trouble and anguishe , nowe oppressed with calamitie , griefe , and sorrow : before without contagion , now subiect to sicknesse : before euer ioyfull , nowe for euer sorrowfull : before neuer comfortlesse , nowe alwayes in themselues hopelesse and helpelesse : before puyssant Princes , nowe pelting peasants : before pollished & precious paragons of vertue , nowe péeuish and polluted Pagans : before partakers of eternall happinesse , nowe méete firebrandes of terrible tormentes : before sacred Temples of the holy ghost , now defiled and stinking chanels of all sinfull vilanie , retchlesse , crooked , crabbed , and blasphemous impietie . And , alas , into this so pitious a plight , so miserable a case , so greuous a daunger , and so present perdition , we poore wretches , which be their vnhappie sonnes , their damned ofspring , their wicked progenie , are by their heynous offence , and our owne corruption fallen and entrapped , from the which we through our owne selues , or our owne strength , can neuer be deliuered , but do dayly more and more by vaine cogitations , by disdainfull dealings , by cursed hypocrisie , by abhominable obstinacie , by swelling pride , by lothsome hate , by cankerd contempt , by deuilishe enuie , by sléepie securitie , by negligence in prayer , by diligence in euill dooing , by outragious oppression of the poore , by defrauding of the simple , by spoyling widowes , by deceyuing orphanes , by trayterously neglecting and nothing regarding our bounden duties , doe prouoke to wrath the almighty God , and compell him to poure downe his heauie plagues and grieuous indignation vpon vs , to our vtter ruine and confusion .

The promise of Christ the Redemer of man , and his conquest to deliuer him out of thraldome , and our dutie contrary . The second Chapter .

BUt in this our damnable estate and condition , when we could sée nothing but deadlye desperation , and the monstruous mouth of the burning pitte of hell readie to receyue vs , then oure excéeding good , gracious , and gentle God , whome before we had so vnthankefully forsaken , so daungerously dispised , so villainously contemned , so lewdly displeased , so maliciously prouoked , so wilfully cast off and reiected , that we had rather to follow the song of Sathan , the lure of the Deuill , than the sage aduise , and wholsome councell of so mercifull a maker , he ( I say ) than did open the déepe and hid treasures of his manifold mercies , and did yet once againe shewe vs the gracious fauour of his louing countenance , promising euen then at the fall of our olde father Adam , that his onely sonne Christ Iesus shoulde descende from his celestiall throne and seate of maiestie , and take the nature of a man vpon him , and should breake the heade of the Serpent , that is , he shoulde daunt the power of the Deuill , valiauntly vanquishe the host of Sathan , puyssantly conquere the campe and companie of our enimies , ouerthrow the kingdome of bloodie Belzebub , breake downe the gates of the nethermost hell , and beate downe the walles of the Deuill his defensed Castle , and deliuer vs poore afflicted people from the cruell rage , and violent clause and tearing téeth of oure deuouring enimye . This was perfourmed at the fulnesse of tyme , in the latter dayes , when God sent his Aungell to the most happie , holye , sacred , and pure Virgin , who being ouershadowed with the spirit of the most highest , brought forth Christ Iesus , our onely Sauiour , our onely redéemer , our onely succour , safegarde , and defence , our sure and stedfast rocke , our stable and constant hope , the rampire and castle of our helth , the soueraigne salue of our heauie and sorowfull heartes , the sole and singular , and moste holsome remedie for all our diseases . In this case therefore , we must doe our diligent indeuour , that we maye applye this playster to oure gréeuous wounde , and so fruitfully enioy the commodities of the same . For lyke as a great and infinite treasure , lying hydde in the earth , will not enrich vs , vnlesse with labour , care , and diligence we digge vp the same , and like as a great , swift , and couragious courser , will nothing profite vs in flying from our enimies , vnlesse we learne how to sit fast vpon him , and so to escape , and as the surpassing knowledge , cunning , and science of a learned , and well experienced phisitian , will not helpe to cure our maladie and sicknesse , or procure our health and safetie , vnlesse we open our disease vnto him , and desire hys ayde , comfort , and assistaunce : euen so the meruellous mercies , the manifolde merites , and incomparable desertes , the euerlasting goodnesse , and bountious liberalitie , the riches and excellent greatnesse of the inestimable grace of God , through our swéete Sauiour graunted vnto vs , wyll not cure our disease , will not inlarge the boundes of our libertie , will not deliuer vs from the bondes and chaines of Sathan , wherewith we are clogged , wyll not enrich vs with the glorious giftes , and precious pearles of iustice , holinesse , eternall life , and purity , vnlesse we with humble hearts , with thankefull mindes , with heauie chéere , with hart oppressed , wyth greeuous grones , lamenting our former iniquities , confessing our manifolde misdeedes , detesting all impietie , crauing pardon for our committed blasphemie , and hartily sorowing for our accustomed idolatrye , stubburnesse , and wilfull disobedience , doe display our miserie , and open before him our shamefull nakednesse , and in the bowelles of Iesus Christ , in whome he is well pleased , desire him with constaunt faith , with certaine hope , with earnest and continuall prayer , to haue mercy vpon vs , to illuminate our hartes with the spirite of knowledge , to scoure away the clowdes of ignoraunce , to wash away the spottes of sinfull disobedience , to kindle in vs a feruent , heauenly , true , burning , and godly charitie , and to worke in our hartes a continuall desire alwayes to fulfill hys most blessed will , and therewith all to giue vs the power of his holye spirite to performe the same , to the glorie of his eternall maiestie , the comfort of the godly , the fruitfull edification of our brethren , and the saluation of our owne selues , & soules for euer and euer , in his glorious and immortall kingdome .

The meane , and way how to come to our heauenly father , with a promise of the Authour to intreate of prayer , and a diuision of hys worke . The thirde Chapter .

IF we will therefore be the sonnes of God , if we will be pertakers of those infinite and celestiall commodities , which were gotten and purchased by the most pure bloude of the immaculate Lambe , if we will be healed by the swéete salue of his bloudy wounds , we must not slacke to runne vnto God our heauenly father , with continuall and heartie prayer . Which prayer bicause it is a thing so necessarie for christians , that without the same we cannot attaine to the grace of God , and merites of our sauiour Christ , and seing that daylye experience doth apparauntly , but pitifully teach vs , that in these oure dayes it is an exercise that is nothing at all , or verie lightly vsed of many which beare the name of Christ , but in déede are not christians . I meane and minde by the assistance of almightie God , and ayde of his holy spirit , The purpose of the Author . to intreate something of the same , I saye , of prayer : that the prowd contempt of the disdainfull Epicures , which passe not for prayer , may be something abated and diminished , that the licentious life of beastly belly Gods , which take al their delite in worldly filthinesse , may by the terrour of Gods iudgement , be corrected and amended , that the rarelesse concupisence of worldly wicked men , which wallow in welth and worldly banities , maye by the knowledge of the bounden dueties be cut off , and contemned , that such as be deceiued by simplicitie may be reformed , that such as knowe not how to praye so , that they may mercifully be hearde , may charitably be instructed , that such as are alreadie forwarde in the same , may thervnto be the more incensed . Tomo . 5. lib. De precatione . For Saint Chrysostome saith that prayer is as the roote and foundation of al vertues . For as the foundation doth make a shippe or house to be strong , and holdeth it , that it may not be dissolued : so the exercise of prayer doth holde our lyfe , and maketh it strong on all partes , and so , that without this no good can happen vnto vs , nor anye thing , which belongeth to our health . I will therefore that I may the more orderly procéede , diuide my whole talke into thrée principall partes , and first by the grace of God , I will declare that if we doe reiect , or nothing regarde earnest , and hartie prayer , that we be in present daunger of eternall damnation . Secondly , that if with pure prayer , we doe as we ought , call vpon God in Iesus Christ our blessed sauiour , for the assistaunce of hys holy spirite , we shall be sure of most happie , blissefull , & immortall saluation , and thirdlye , God guiding me , I will shewe plainely how we may praye so , that assuredly we shall obtaine our request . For although , the singular goodnesse , and incredible mercies of almightie God , our louing father , cannot allure vs , the terrible vengeaunce , which he poureth downe vpon stifnecked sinners , maye perchaunce constraine vs , to accomplish that , which of dutye we shoulde performe . Then when by continuall feare , of grieuous plagues and punishmentes , we are driuen from former negligence , to néedefull and healthfull diligence , when by terrour of seuere iustice , the rayne of our lose libertie is drawen in more straightlye , so that we may not runne lyke roysting rouers at randome , to the heauie displeasure of our almightie iudge , as willingly we woulde , and vnwisely were wont , it may he , that the constaunt hope of so bountifull a rewarde , so princely pearles , and surpassing a benifite , as is eternall saluation , maye prouoke and entise our appetite to shewe some earnest zeale , and heartie desire to please and serue our maker . Afterwards least some simple , rude , & ignoraunt people , as many there be ( the more it is to be lamented ) shoulde perswade themselues , that they serue God well by prayer , when they deface his glory by some of their own superstitious inuentions , or popishe Ipocrisie , it will not be farre from our purpose , briefly to prosecute the nature of true prayer .

That such as neglect prayer , be in daunger of hell fire , the first part of the Authors diuision , which is continued vnto the .18 . Chapter . The fourth Chapter .

BVt first I haue to proue , that such , as neglect the exercise of praier , are in daunger of hell fire . And that plainely appeareth , bicause they flatly breake the commaundement of god , and wickedlye contemne the councell of Christ our sauiour . They depriue God of his honour , and worship , they are trées , which beare no fruite , they are voyde of faith , hope , and trust in Gods mercy . That they contemptuously dispise the commaundement of God and Christ our sauiour , it is euident . For the princely Prophet in the person of God saith , and flatlye commaundeth on this sorte : Inuoca me in die tribulationis , & eruam te , & glorificabis me , that is , call vpon me in the day of trouble , and I will deliuer thée , and thou shalt glorifie me , And Christ our sauiour chargeth vs on this maner : O rate ne intretis in tentationem . And sainct Paule replenished with the holye ghost , writeth thus . Instate deprecatione , vigilantes in ea cum gratiarum actione . Pray earnestly , and continually watching there with all , and giuing thankes . And againe , Christ sayth . Petite , & accipietis , quaerite , & inuenietis , pulsate , & aperietur vobis . Aske , and you shall receyue , seeke , and you shall finde , knocke , and it shall be opened vnto you . And I will destroy ( sayth the Lorde in the first of Sophonie ) the men that haue not sought after the Lorde of Iacob . Such infinite places there are to be founde in the scriptures , which plainely testifie vnto vs , that God straightlye commaundeth vs to call vpon him , and threatneth destruction to such as séeke him not . Nowe therefore such as doe not take this meanes , which God hath prouided to come vnto him , must needs incurre the displeasure of him . And alas howe are we able to withstande the seuere iudgement of so mightie a god ? why doe we not tremble and quake to see our selues in so great a grieuous daunger ▪ for as Paule sayth , it is a terrible thing , to fall into the handes of the lyuing Lord . Who shall deliuer vs from the torments , that he shall cruciate , and torment vs withal ? Who shal saue vs , if he condemn vs ? Who shall blesse vs , if he curse vs ? Who shall restore vs to any life , if he doe lay vpon vs most bitter death ? Desperate is the estate of such , as will not call vpon him , and they vndoubtedly can looke for nothing else , but extréeme , and cruell punishment . For euen as a Prince here vpon earth , if he take a fellone , which hath transgressed the lawes , disturbed the common welth , disquieted good and godlye subiectes , violated his faith , dispised magistrates , and vilanously committed treason against his liedge , & soueraigne Lord , if to such a one , he of his frée goodnesse , gentle moderation , and mercy , do graunt so much fauour , that if he giue vp a supplication vnto his maiestie , he will graunt him pardon , for his committed crimes , & hainous offences , and then the rebellious transgressour of the lawes , eyther thorow negligence or contempt , doe refuse so gentle an offer , will neuer let him escape without greeuous , horrible , and dreadfull tormentes : so God , prince of all princes , and Lorde of Lordes , whose mightie maiestie we vnthankefull creatures haue not duely reuerenced , whose name worthily we haue not glorified , whose glorious prayse we haue not magnified , whose iustice , we haue not feared , whose fatherly mercies we haue not imbraced , whose commaundementes we haue contemned , whose fearefull iudgementes we haue not regarded , whose decrées , and ordinances , we haue neglected , whose counsels we haue cast off , and vngratfully refused , whose burning wrath , and hote indignation , we haue deserued , if we doe reiect his fatherly goodnesse , and tender care wherewith he doth call vs vnto him againe by prayer , and supplication , through his derely beloued sonne , Christ Iesus , our sauiour , and still continue wilfull , and obstinate in our olde cankred , and hatefull disobedience , will vndoubtedly cast vs headlong into vtter darckenesse , and painefull pangues and bitter anguish , with the Deuill and his cursed Aungels . For as he is gentle , so is he iust , as he is amiable , so is he terrible , as he is mercifull , so is hée wrathfull , to the humble , and penitente , he is a milde , and fauourable comforter , to the stifnecked , and disobedient , he is an yrefull reuenger , to the true christians , a present reliefe in daunger , to disdainefull hypocrites , a consuming fire , to poore afflicted , and oppressed Abels , a chéerfull , and faithfull friende , to persecuting Cainites , an open enimy , to his séely shéepe , a carefull shephearde , to rauening Wolues , a ramping Lion , to simple soules , a couragious capitaine , to disceitfull Deuils , a perpetuall torment , to faithfull people , a sure defence , to tering Tigres , a deuouring aduersarie . For in his wrath , he will consume his enimies , and in his fury , will confounde all his rebellious aduersaries . Therefore Dauid sayth , Psalm . 2. serue the Lorde with feare , and reioyce vnto him with reuerence . Kisse the sonne , least he be angrye , and so ye perish from the right way . If his wrath be kindled , yea , but a litle , blessed are al they , that put their trust in him .

The dreadfull ende of them , against whome Gods wrath is kindled , and the daunger of the contempt of gods grace . The fift Chapter .

THe Prophet here knewe the dreadfull ende of those against whome the wrath of God is incensed , and theyre of God inflamed , he , I say , knewe to what pitious estate , what lamentable , & miserable ende , what horrible condition they should come to at the last . Therefore , he accounteth them blessed , holy , heauenly , happie , that put their trust in the Lord , that serue him with feare , that worshippe him , that obey the commaundementes of his diuine maiestie , with iust reuerence . Num. 16. For in the sixtene of numbers , we may some thing perceiue how God will punishe contemptuous persons , and rebellious despisers of his will and commaundement , where he maketh the earth to open hir mouth , and to swallowe vp Core , Dathan , and Abiram , with their tentes , wiues , & children , in the sight of all the people of Israel , bycause they refused to come at the call of Moyses , being a man as we are . What therefore shall he doe vnto vs , if we despise the commaundement giuen vs of hymselfe , so often repeated in the scriptures of purpose by the holy ghost , so constantlye confirmed by godly Prophetes , so manifestly declared by Christ himselfe , hys dearely beloued sonne , perfite God and man , which came downe from heauen to teach vs this lesson : Quisquis inuocauerit nomen domini , saluus erit : whosoeuer shall call vpon the name of the Lord , he shall be safe . What shall he , I say , doe vnto vs in this case , if in that case , he commaunded the earth to swallowe them vp quicke , and cary them to hell ? We may assuredly , vnlesse with repentaunt hartes we call vpon him , looke for nothing else but vtter ruine , and confusion , but eternall damnation , and immortall miserie , but for the terrible troubles , of tormented deuils , and most cruell stroakes of most heauie plagues . Let the desperate estate of cruell and cursed Cain make vs beware , who woulde not after his hainous and bloudy fact , come to the throne of Gods mercye with teares , and lamentation , to bewayle his wickednesse , but mistrusting the infinite goodnesse , and marueylous riches of the grace , and fauour of our mightie maker , and tender father , became abhominable before the face of God , and a terrible example to all such , as contemne the great mercies of God , layde open to all them , that with humble , and ready minds , will thankfullye by prayer receiue them . Let the consideration of vniust Iudas , who after he had betrayed Christ , the holy one of Israel , and vnspotted lambe , which taketh away the sinnes of the worlde , did hunge himselfe , and woulde not take holde of the promises of God , but desperatly dispaired of the goodnesse of him , among the companie of whose Apostles before he was numbred , stirre vs more feruently to runne to God in Christ our sauiour withall diligence , with all continuaunce , withall certayne hope , and pure faith , in supplication , in prayer , and thankes gyuing . For if we doe , as did these miserable men , not looke to be profred mercy , but refuse the same , we shall be accounted breakers of the commaundements of God , dispisers of his worde , wicked workers of iniquity , and consequentlye , worthy of the same most vnhappy reuengement , & iust iudgement , which they were afflicted withall .

An aunswere to a captious cauillation , that might be layed to the Author . The sixt Chapter .

BUt some perchaunce will say , that these two last examples doe not so much belong to negligence in prayer , as to an horrible terrour in their owne conscience , conceyued for the cruell factes , they had committed . I aunswere , that herein both may plainelye be perceyued . For that which in this place is most for my purpose , in these examples , we sée the iustice of God executed against them , that did violate his commaundement , by treason , murder , and falshoode . Therefore death , and hell fire , is the guardon , and rewarde of such as despise the will of God , and the will of God is , that we shoulde glorifie his name by pouring out our prayers vnto him . Againe , wée may easily sée , that not onely desperation , but also a will to committe these horrible crimes came through lacke of feruentnesse , and by a colde negligence in prayer , wherein they shoulde haue desired in all there doings , the direction of Gods holy spirite , which if they had done , they had assuredly béene frée , both from the terrour of desperation , and also from the guiltinesse of so mischieuous vilanies . For saint Chrysostome sayth : Siue quis virginitatis amore tenetur , siue quis studet amplecti honorabilem coniugij castimoniam , siue quis meditatur inijcere fraenum iracundiae , & cum mansuetudine familiaritatem habere , siue quis putet ab inuidentiae lue purus esse , denique si quis aliud quippiam facere studet , quod ad rectè vniendum pertinet , duce precatione commodum , & facilem habiturus est pietatis cursum . Whether a man be in loue with virginity , whether he indeuour to imbrace honorable , and chaste matrimonie , whether he couite to bridle anger , and to be gentle or courtious , whether he wish to be cleane and pure from the pestilent , and foule spot of enuie , or to conclude , if he desire to doe any thing , whatsoeuer it be , that pertayneth to good and godly life , by prayer hée shall easily , and commodiously attaine vnto it . The lacke therefore of feruentnesse , and the daungerous negligence in praier , doth bring all wickednesse , vncleanesse , desperation , murther , and all impietie . This therefore is the cause vndoubtedly , why in these most miserable dayes of ours , both here , in the Realme of Englande , and almost throughout all the places of the whole worlde , men runne hedlong into the pit of ignorance , and error , that they swarme togither to stirre vppe wilfull , and witlesse warfare , that they swarne awaye from the straight path of christian righteousnesse , that they ryfle in rancor , hatred , & abhominable enmity , that they swel with the venimous poyson of pride & presumption , that they with all endeuor plucke downe the golden pillers of godly peace , & vnitie , that violently they breake the bands of heauenly concord , that they roote out the stampe of true religion , that they impugne the state of holesome veritie , that they darcken the bright , and shyning beames of christian knowledge , & clogge themselues with the filthie fetters , of all abhominable outrage and iniquitie . But what ? Doe we thinke , that the God of Iacob , and Lorde of Israel nowe at the last sléepeth ? Or do we think that he which neyther slumbreth , nor sléepeth , now winketh at our wickednesse and wil not sée it ? Or do we thinke , that he , which destroyed afore time the people , that wrought wyckednesse before his face , hath now chaunged his nature , and is no more displeased with blasphemous behauiour ? Or doe we thinke , that we are of habilitie to withstande his furie , when he shall rise vp to take vengeaunce vppon vs for our horrible vices daylie more and more increasing amongst vs ? Or doe we thinke that we haue a speciall priuiledge , and prerogatiue to doe what séemeth good in our foolishe fantasies , and ydle braynes , without correction more than other haue had before ? Or doe we thinke that the power is eyther daunted , or his arme abridged , or his might impaired ? Or doe we think , that he loueth vs more than he did his chosen charge , and peculiar people of Israell ? Or can wée thinke so blasphemously , that nowe he taketh delite in our filthie doings , in wanton wils , and prowde pranckes , and cursed hypocrisie ? No no. Let vs not flatter our selues , nor dally with God , but let vs wisely consider , & iustly ponder our loose , and lewde liues , wherby we deserue most sharpe plagues , and punishmentes , most heauy , & hasty reuengement , most seuere , and rigorous iudgement , & let vs knowe , that the passing pacience , and gentle sufferaunce of God , our heauenly Father , doth allure vs to spéedie repentaunce , to continuall care , yea to hearecloth , and ashe● , that so we may yéelde vnto his maiestie for a pleasaunt , and swéete sacrifice , the bewtifull buddes of dutiful obedience . And let vs well consider the mighty wrath of God nowe long ago set on fire against vs , and therewithall knowe that he sléepeth not , although he sustaine vs , that he wincketh not , although he woontedly doe warne vs , and that he is not pleased , although to proue vs by gentlenesse , hys plagues be something ceased , nor that we can abide his displeasure bursting out , like a deuouring tempest , although he for hys mercie sake doe abide paciently for our returne , nor that we be priuiledged , or authorised to vse the workes of darkenesse , which onely belong to the sonnes of eternall darkenesse , although we by long sufferaunce be mercifully borne withall , nor that the stretched out arme of God is any thing abridged , although the violent force of his valyaunt power be nothing in punishing as yet extended , or exercised , nor that he deliteth in our disordred appetites , although as yet he doe not poure present destruction vpon our heades , nor that he holdeth vs more deare , than he did his chosen people , & proper possession , the house of Israel , although he more seuerely did execute iudgement vpon them than vpon vs .

That if God spared not the Iewes , his peculiar people , he will not spare vs , bastardely engraffed in hym . The seuenth Chapter .

FOr howe is it possible that wée which are but the braunches of wylde Oliues , shoulde receyue more fauour , force , or nourishement , of the true , and natural Olyue trée , than the naturall sprowtes , buddes , and braunches of the same ? the Israelites were , as though it were engraffed in the swéete graces , and tender mercies of almightie God , watred with the holesome showres of heauenly clemencie , nourished with the fruitful fatnesse of the soyle , wherein they were planted , that is , of Christ Iesus . They were a nation euen by the choyse of God himselfe , seperated from all foreine , and straunge people , for whose sake he shewed manye wonderfull , and mightie miracles in the lande of Egypt , and afterwardes they were fedde miraculouslye with the foode of Aungels , they receyued to their comfort the cleare streames of most fresh and holesome waters , flowing from the flintie stones , and craggy rockes in the daungerous desert , with many such like things , which did argue most manifestly the riches of Gods mercie towarde them . Yet for all this , when they rebelliously did murmure against God in the wildernesse , when they dispised his seruaunt Moyses , and grudged at his commaundements , he ouerthrewe them in the desert , he plagued them most horriblye , sending firie Serpents amongst them , he persecuted them vnto the death , and pyttifully destroyed them . How much more therefore shall he put vs out of the booke of lyfe , and cut vs from the stocke , vpon the which we were contrarie to nature , as wylde Oliues , set , and planted , if we doe not preuent his furie with hartie , sincere , and humble contrition , if we doe not appeale to his mercy seate by constant , certaine , and trustie faith , if we doe not spéedily returne vnto him with a faythfull endeuour , neuer agayne to reuolt from him by lewde conuersation , or vnchristian cogitation ? How can it be , that he which is the Fountayne of all iustice , shoulde anye longer protect the deuillish impes of Antichrist , spotted , and defiled wyth all iniustice , that he , which cannot be pleased with any thing , which sauoureth of any corruption , shoulde any longer couer our cursed abhomination , and execrable impietie ? O the deepe daungers , wherewith we are compassed . O the piteous , estate through which we are endaungered . O the profounde pitte of perdition , whervnto we are plunged . If thus we most miserable , and wofull wretches , wickedly continue without remorse of conscience , if we thus ragingly doe runne forwarde into vice , and vilanie wythout recourse , if we thus obstinately doe persist in our péeuishe purposes , and pestiferous inuentions , without remembraunce of our estate and calling , death shall deuour vs , horror shall holde vs , terror shall confounde vs , confusion shall ouerwhelme vs , bitter anguishe shall oppresse vs , sinne shall subuert vs , sorow shall shake vs , the iustice , and iudgement of God shall consume vs , cruell enimies shall inuade vs , shame shall shadowe vs , terrible torments shall entrap vs , the fyre of Gods vengeance shall burne vs vp in the twinckling of an eye , and the paynes of hell shall plunge vs into most desperate , and deadly dolors . In time therfore dearely beloued Christians , and naturall Countrie men , consider that the long suffering of God calleth vs vnto repentaunce . For God would not the death of a sinner , but rather that he should turne from his wickednesse & lyue . He is a God , that deliteth in mercie , that dealeth friendly with the friendlesse , that succoureth the simple , that wisheth the welth of the wounded , that comforteth the clogged conscience , that breaketh the bonds of the imprisoned soule , and heauie minde a sunder , that fauoureth the fettred féete of his chosen seruants , that plucketh out the poore out of the pit of penurie , and placeth them in the pleasaunt pasture of delitesome Paradise .