THat chosen instrument of God and teacher of the gentiles , the Apostle Paule , whan he shoulde take his laste leaue of the Elders of the Ephesians , and had faithfully warned them of many maters , yet among other thinges , he thought good to geue them this lesson withall : Take hede to your selues , & to the hole flocke , of whome the holy Goost hathe set you to be ouerseers ( or Bishoppes ) to gouerne Act. 20. the churche of God , whome he hath purchaced with his owne blood . For I knowe this , that ther shall ( after my departure ) greuous wolues entre in among you , that shall not spare the flocke .

Which wordes ( ryght reuerende brethren and felowe Ministres ) forasmuche as they were spoken to those men , whome the self same office was at that tyme in the churche of Christe committed vnto , which is ( at this daye ) committed vnto vs by lawful vocacion , we shall thinke them also spoken vnto vs : yea vnto vs most specially , whome the last seasons of the worlde 1. Cor. 10. are come vpon , whyche not only the prophetes , but also Christ and the Apostles , haue tolde before hande certainly , shal be ( of al others ) the most perilous seasons , by reason of rauenyng wolues , false greasye anointed ones , and false prophetes .

It standeth vs therfore necessarily in hande , to pondre this gaire diligently , that we may knowe , what an office it is , that the Lorde hath committed vnto our charge : & what care , studie , and diligence we ought to vse in the same .

For yf it be the maner of suche men , as are geuen vnto the worlde , & to priuate pleasures , to applie theyr diligece vnto those thynges , that earthye princes committe vnto their charge : it shal become vs ( with muche more studious endeauour ) to geue attendaunce vpon that office , which the most highe Kyng of Kinges , and Lorde of Lordes , Iesus , Christ , hath layde vpon our shoulders , and shall one daye require a reconyng of it at our handes , Math. 24 and. 25. whan he shal come in his glorie wyth all his Angels vnto iudgement .

But now th apostle Paule sayeth , that we are ordeyned Bishoppes , ( or ouerseers ) not promisyng vs a certain Empire or realme ( as we se almost al the Bishoppes of our tyme chalenge to them selues , by the autoritie of this title ) but admonishing vs of our office .

For asmuche as the Greke worde Episcopus ( which is englished a Bishop ) signifieth in latine Speculator , that is in englishe , a Watcheman : And where Paule sayeth , we are ordayned to be Episcopi , Bishoppes , that is to say , watchmen , he vseth the same maner of speache , that God dyd , whan he ordeyned Ezechiel to be a watcheman ouer the Ezech. 33. house of Israel , chargeyng him most diligently to warne the people before hande , of the sweorde that shoulde come , for their sinnes & wickednesses : & with his faythful preaching , to saue the wretched synful people from destruction . And in dede me thinkes , that Paule espied the proude abuse of this name ( Bishoppe ) before hande , wher he sayeth : Take hede to your selues , and to the hole flocke .

For like as he committeth the Lordes flocke , that is to saye , the congregacion ( or churche ) to the ministers charge : euen so biddeth he him also to beware and take hede to him selfe , that he set not his mynde vpon priuate honours and pastimes , neclecting them that he hathe taken charge of , and so worke his owne destruction . Yea Paule thondreth at him also , with the Lordes owne sayeng vnto Ezechiel : Except thou speake plainly , and dissuade the wicked from his wicked Ezech. 33. waye , that he maye lyue , the wicked indede shall dye in his wickednesse , but his blood I wil require at thy handes .

The Apostle byddeth vs also , take hede vnto the hole florke : allowyng here no respect of persones , for vs either not to regarde any persone for basenesse & pouertie , or to beare with any for his estate or wealthes sake . But he byddeth vs gouerne ( or rather fede ) not contrarieng Christes wordes , whiche forbadde his disciples to rule and reigne as earthy princes do : but chargeyng vs to ministre the worde faythfully , whych prescribeth the waye and the vnfailyng rule of saluacion , and ther withal carieth men into the pleasaunt pastures of the soule , wherin they fynd that meate , whiche Psal. 23. Ioh. 6. only fedeth and filleth vnto eternall lyfe , after suche sorte , that it is not possible for them after the digesting of it , to fele either hungre or thurste any more .

And least we should for any cause , recken the office committed vnto vs a smal trifling mater , he teacheth vs , how chargeable a flocke it is , that we are bounden to gouerne and fede : euen the selfe same flocke , that the sonne of God hathe vouchedsafe to deliuer from destruction , with his owne blood . And that one reason ( yf ther were non but it ) is of so highe autorite ( brethren ) that it were hable alone to dryue all lustlesnesse & sluggish drowsynes out of our myndes . For who knoweth not , that in safe keping of a worldlye thing , that a man is put in trust withall , ther is speciall great fidelitie and diligence required ? Than how muche more faithful and diligent ought men to be in Goddes maters , and namely in safekeping of that flocke , which the Lorde hath rausomed with his owne blood , and layde vp in stoare in our custodye ?

Nother maye we saye , that oure office is out of daunger , by reason of the presence and ayde of him , that is the chiefe & good shepehearde in dede , and vnder that pretense we to take the lesse hede & trauaile . For Paule speaketh before hande of horrible and sore daungiers . For I knowe this ( ꝙ he ) that after my departure , ther shall greuous wolues come in among you , which shall not spare the flocke .

He saithe , wolues shall com , and that sore greuous ones : whiche will not spare so worthie a flocke , so dearely a bought flocke , so noble a flocke . And in an other place , wher he painteth them out with more circumstaunces of wordes , he saithe : The spirite speaketh euidently , that in the later daies 1. Tim. 4. som shall departe from the faithe , and geue eare to deceaueable spirites and doctrines of Deuilles . Than ther shall deceauours rise vp , yea such ones as shall disquiete and make hauocke of this flocke , not only with mennes lyeng commentaries , but also with doctrines of very deuilles , bothe false and pernicious .

The same mater also hathe Christ testified : who , like as he sendeth out his disciples as shepe among wolues , so dothe he tell vs , that false anoynted greasye ones , and false prophetes shal starte vp ( to the vndoing of a great meanye ) & their studie shal be to peruerte and corrupte the doctrine of the truthe . He warneth vs also , that warres Math. 24. Luc. 19. shal be stered vp by their procurement , to assault and destroye faithfull mennes bodies withall .

Moreouer the heade and prince of 2. Thes. 2. all this rable , is in an other place declared ( euen the great Antichrist him selfe ) whiche shall geue the onsette vpon this sely flocke of Christ thicke and three folde , bothe with false forged lyes , and open tyrannye of cruel weapon . All whych sayenges , if we compare them with those thinges , that haue happened in our tyme , and doo daily happen still , we shall confesse Christ to be true in his sayeng , & that Paule also spake out of the spirite of truthe : yea it shall furthermore manifestly appeare , who be those false anoynted ones , and false prophetes , and who that myghtie houge Antichrist is , whome our flocke ought to beware of .

Now to th intent we maye set our myndes considerately vpon our office , and aswel take hede to our selues , as to se to , and ( asmuche as lyeth in our weake nature ) to prouide for the flock committed vnto our charge , we must nedes haue a rype knowlage of the perilles , that are wont to be most troublous & most noysome to the churche . Which , albeit they are infinite , & past al nombre , that are dayly blustred vp of hym , whiche like as he walketh about as a roaring Lyon to destroy vs , so is he most craftie in layeng of snares 1. Pet. 5. and false deceaueable baytes : yet we ought before al thinges , to considre two maters : false doctrine , & the griefe of the crosse and persecution , which are speciall snares to ouerthrowe our weaknesse withall . For the deuil knoweth the disposicion of our nature , that in diuine and heauenvly affaires , it is wonderfull dull and drowsye , and maye very easely be deceaued : but in other causes ( in religion specially ) it estemeth euery thyng accordyng to the successe and spede , & so it is offended at persecution and aduersite . By reason wherof we se , that he vseth alwaies this knacke against the flocke of Christ , that either he deceaueth the simple sorte with falsly conceaued opinions , or disquieteth them with contentions and wrangling disputations : or els he feareth them with the crosse of persecution , and bloody warres of cruelly procured tyrannes .

Yf any man wolde require examples herof , he shal mete them so thick , that he shall not nede to take muche paine in searching of them . For the deuelishe dreames of the Nazarenes maye stande for an example , whiche iomble the lawe and Christ together , and make his merite of none effecte . And whan those dreames were euen scarcely repressed , ther was persecucion done by that monstre of nature . Nero. Hervnto we maye make rehersal of Cerinthus , and his successour ( that prodigious slaue of lechery , pryde , & crueltie ) Domitianus . Among these we wil recken Arrius , and the tyrannes that folowed his heretical madnesse .

And lyke as the nerer we drawe to th ende of the world , so muche that more pernicious and more perilous is euery thing : so in our tyme we see that myghtye houge Antichrist ( the bishop of Rome ) farre excede al his predecessours in tyranny , and so outragiously raue wyth bothe these sweordes , that a man can not wel discerne , with whether he dothe hurte the churche The vertue of the Popes doctrine . the sorer . For he hath brought in doctrine , that is cleane contrarie repugnaunt to the true doctrine . For it draweth men from God , & maketh them to serue creatures : it teacheth men also to seke saluacion in their owne merites , and to trust in their owne strenghtes .

He hath also forged suche a kynde of religion , as hath more twitle twatle toyes in it , then the Leuitical lawe , and al the supersticion that euer the gentiles vsed . Yea it is patched together with parte of both of them , and is most farre of from spirite & truthe . Ioh. 4. And yet vnder pretense of this religion , he is aduaunced to so highe power and tyranny , that he is hable to compel them that repyne against it , to represse them that speake against it , & to kil and slea them that resiste , & can not beleue it .

Therfore the lyeng spirite of errour playeth the deuil in the churche at this daye , and the Bishop of Romes tyrannical swoord layeth on load withal , and that not vpon priuate persons now as in tymes past long ago , but vpon most myghtye Princes , the most famous cyties : yea vpon al sortes of people his sweorde is drawen , & maketh streames of blood to renne downe euery where . For now we see great cities taken and throwen downe , fieldes laide waste , honest wemen and maydens defiled with abominable lecherie , and yong babes also either killed , or elles ( which is the more horrible ) maymed of their limmes . We se the flowre of youthe brought to the horrible wyckednesse of buggery , and al hole Germany in the meane space euery where cruelly vexed . And albeit that chosen instrument of Satan ( Antichrist ) rage with open tyranny , yet ( by ioynyng lyes to his tyranny ) his drift is to cloke his deuillishe attemptates , and the occasions therof , to enueagle the vnlearned and simpler sorte with false forged causes , & craftily to cause many folkes , to hate the truthe of the Gospel & true religion .

Let vs awake therfore ( brethren ) & seing we are placed in the watche towre , let vs reproue the sweorde , not that is yet commyng , but presently come , and layeth on loade , yea and batheth it self all ready in the bowelles of the flocke . For in this case ther is many a mannes faithe assayed . Ther be som , whych bicause they perceaue not the feate of forgeing of lies , are sone begyled .

Ther be some which bicause they can not discerne the true doctrine & ymagined supersticion asondre , take falshead for truthe . And som ther be , that are yet still afraide of the thonder bolt of the Romyshe curse , that is to saye , Antichristes curse . And som ther be also , which are so offended , whan the crosse and heate of persecucion cometh , that after that triall , euery man maye plainly perceaue , they receaued the sede of the Gospell in to stonye grounde .

In this case therfore , is our diligent cure required , good brethren . In this behalfe it standeth vs necessarily in hande , to shewe our selues faithful watchemen , so as the people being warned by vs , maye be hable to knowe false fained doctrine , to beware of forged supersticion , to shonne the baites & snares of lies , and in no wise to be offended , whan persecucion cometh .

And principally it shal be our parte to geue the onsette vpon the autour of so haynous a mischief ( the bishop of Rome ) whom not only the prophetes , but also Christ and th apostles ( according to the histories ) directly proclayme , to be the right & mightie houge Antichrist . He it is therfore , whom our duetie is to reproue , & to set him out plainly in his colours , for the congregations to loke vpon him , that no man be amased by reason of his falsly & causeles vsurped persone or title , or be afrayde of his vayne gonneshotte of wordes , bicause of his prating power .

And against forged supersticion & lyeng doctrines , ther is ( doutles ) no presenter a remedye , than to knowe the truthe . For where the lyght of the truthe spreadeth out his beames , ther maye the deuil put vp his pypes , for any hurt he can do , with his darke dongeon of lyes .

As for the talkes of some fyne fyngred tēdrelinges , they are not worth the hearing : which bycause they are afrayde of their owne carcasse and pelfe , wolde in no wise haue an enemye of so great myght & power spoken against , & to be prouoked through such maner of open mouthed playne declaracions . Is ther not vnquiet trouble ynough otherwise , saye they ? Is ther not dissension & tumultuous vproares ynough besides ? what auaileth it to throwe fire in to the fornace , and oile in to the fire ?

I beseche you ( good brethren & felowe curates ) beare wyth me , though I answer these men playnly home at fewe wordes . For I coulde easily contemne their prittle prattle talking , if ther were not som of their company , that loke to be reported not only for fanonrers of the gospelles truthe , but euen doctours also , and that not of the common sorte of doctours . Who forasmuche as they wonderfully myslike this worke , which I purpose to set furthe , can not fantasye all those paynes that men take , in speaking & doyng against the Bishop of Romes tyrannye . And yet for al that , these same fyne carpet doctours make them selues wonderous busye and earnest , in dryuyng awaye a sorte of lowsye harlot Friers , and maungie Masse-priestes . In this they thinke they do gaily . And yf they chaunce at auenture to hitte vpon a newe terme of speache , to floute and taunt those vngracious monstres withal , Lorde , so bragge they are of it . But yet they wolde not haue the head & chief prince of these monstres to be meddled against , in no wise .

But I wolde haue them to answer me . Doo you thinke it to be true ( O you saweye , & more than arrogaunt frierly diuinitie doters ) that the Apostle Paule , yea that God him self hathe ordained you to be watchemen in his house ? Sure you will saye , it is true , for you can not denye it onles ye will lose all the glorie of your estimacion , which ye set so muche by .

Than what thinke you is the office of a watcheman ? Is it ynough for him to tang the watchebell , whan a rascall common souldiour ( or twoo ) of the enemies bande cometh , & whan the chieftayn of the Armye , and high Emperour him selfe approcheth with his hole hoost , to make no signe at al ? I thinke you wil not graunt that .

But than chiefly shoulde the trompet sounde , than should he ring alarme most of al , than must the cytezins be commaunded to harnesse specially : than is the greatest daungier of all other . And except the watcheman doo thus , he shall not only be called a necligent cowheardly wretche , but also a false knaue , and a traitour to the common wealthe .

What a madnesse is it than ( in the deuilles name ) for a man not to thinke that necessarily requisite , in the administracion of the churche , which semeth not only profitable , but also of necessitie to be done in the temporal common wealthe ? And I pray you , what weapones are they , that Antichrist dothe most hurte and villanye with all ? euen lies and craftye deceate are the thinges , that he setteth him self out most with all . Bicause he is furnished with a false title , he reigneth in many mennes hartes , whose ignoraunt blindnesse and simplicitie he abuseth , to establishe his tyrannye . Shall we than suffre them to be seduced through ignoraunce still , seing it lieth in vs , to deliuer them at ones , from that so haynous a tyrannye , by the light of the truthe ? Shall we be afraide to reproue that cruell rageing beast , for feare of making him angrye , whose vse is to do more hurt with flatterie , than furye ? That may not be , my brethren . Naye , we must plucke of thys monstres visour , that he vaunteth him selfe in , and teare of his painted Lyons visage , that men maye se what a slowche eared asse he is , that all this while wolde nedes be taken for that inuincible triumphaunt Lyon of the tribe of Iuda .

Concerning his displeasures , we ought not to be afraide of them , nor adradde of his thonder clappes . As for Apoca. 6. this beast , he hathe allready rose coloured him self a great while , with sayntes blood . Ther be innumerable soules of sayntes vnder the great aultar , whom this beast hathe murthered for the worde of God , and the testimonie that they bare vnto Christ . And ther are serued of the same sawce , euery daye moo and moo . And all they crye How long Lorde thow that art holy & true , iudgest not , nor reuengest our blood from them that dwell on earthe ? But the Lorde heareth their voices , and is ready to come furth to execute iudgement , and to be reuenged as sone as the measure of the beast is fulfilled , & the nombre of his martirs perfitlye made vp . Let vs in the meane tyme do the partes of good thriftye stuardes , and trusty watchemen , as it becometh vs to doo . Let vs fede the Lordes flocke with the prouaūdre of his worde : let vs reproue , stampe vnder our fere , and cast awaye poison , that it do no hurte . Let vs poynt th enemie and all his false craftes and weapones with our fyngre , that Christes shepe maye knowe , whom they ought to flee from . And so shall we receaue the bounteous rewarde , that is prepared for vs . And as for those men , that suffre so muche as the simplest shepe of Christes flock , to be lost through their necligence , ther remayneth horrible payne in stoare for them .

Now being moued by these reasones , I haue taken vpon me this labour ( not being ignoraunt what daungier lieth vpon it ) to proue the Bishop of Rome , to be very Antichrist . And this same worke ( louing brethren & felowe ministers ) I thought good to dedicate vnto you : not the I thought my self hable , being a yong man , to instructe myne auncientes : being vnlearned my selfe , to teache my betters in learnyng : and being a yongling and barbarous my selfe , to informe men of most famous eloquence , with these my dooinges : but that my mynde was to rendre a playne rekonyng of my studies vnto those men , whom I sawe trauaile this many yeares ( lyke hartie and constaunt faythfull men ) in this matter , and dyd muche good withal . And so I thought it not vnprofitable , that this doctrine shoulde openly come to lyght , beyng set furth vnder the publike priuilege of al you , seyng it is necessary , principally in this sorowful tyme of affliction .

But before I make an ende of my tale , I thinke good to speake a lytell concerning Antichristes other sweord ( that is , his open tyrannye ) that men may the more easely vnderstand , what is the occasion of the crosse and persecucion , and that we ought paciently to beare it .

But furst of al , it is to be enquired by whose counsaile , mocion or suffering it is , that Christes churche tasteth of the smarte of the crosse . Marye , that doo we learne of the only and vndeniable scholemaister of the world , which hathe ben in the fathers bosome from euerlasting , & therfore seyng he knoweth al secretes , he hath opened them vnto vs , as farre as it is lawful & profitable for vs to know . Whan he sent furthe his disciples to preache the Gospel , after that he hade talked muche concerning the crosse & persecucions , at laste he sayeth thus : Are not two sparowes solde for a farthing ? And yet not one of them falleth Math. 10 to the grounde without your father . All the heares of your head be nombred . Be not afrayde therfore , you are muche more worthe , than a great meignye of sparowes .

In these wordes nowe , the Lorde sheweth vs the principall cause of the crosse : that what so euer it is , that the godly are wont to haue chaunce vnto them , it cometh by the will & decreed counsail of his father . For although it is not the knowyng of Goddes wil , that setteth those that be persecutours on worke , but the luste of their owne priuate affection , hate , malice , and despight of Goddes worde : yea and albeit Satan ( the father of all murther & violence ) stere them vp : yet none of al these haue any power , strengthe or force against Christes churche , except the Lorde hym selfe suffre them to rushe in , and to haue his churche somwhat exerciced therwithall .

For that cause the Lorde calleth the Kyng of Assiria , the rodde of his furie : Esa. 10. Psal. 17. and Dauid calleth the wicked , Goddes hande and Goddes sweorde : where as nother the Kyng of Assiria hade any respect vnto the wil of God , nother do the wicked regarde the counsail of Goddes prouidence . But thys ( louing brethren ) is ful of comforte , that nother the aduersaries haue ( of them selues ) any power against vs , nor that any thing befalleth vs without the wil of God . For seyng the holye scriptures declare vnto vs , that Psal. 11. 2. Corin. 1. God is not only a ryghteous Lorde , but that he is also a most merciful father , certainly what aduersitie so euer chaunceth vnto vs through his counsail , it threatteneth not to destroy or vndo vs , but promiseth vs saluacion . For how can he mynde the vndoing of men , which is the maker of mankynd ? wold a father haue his owne children destroyed ? wolde he be content to haue them vtterly destroyed & slayne ? No. But forasmuche as that propertie is most farre from the nature of a mortal man , that is a father : doubtles we may Luce. 11. not thinke God , which is the fountayne of mercie and grace , to be more vngentil and harder harted , than a mortall man .

Why than ( saye they ) suffreth he most merciles enemies to fall vpon vs by heapes so ? why dothe he cast vs in to their handes , and vpon their weapones than ?

But what are you ( good folkes ) that grunt at this gaire ? Thinke ye it a wondre , or neuer hearde you , that a father shaketh the rodde at his children ? yea Hebre. 12. and that he clappeth them on the buttockes to , for their correction ? Let vs rather loke vpon our selues , and we shall sone see the causes of all this gayre . For where we being Psal. 51. conceaued and borne in synne , coulde not chose , but be lyke our owne original state , and therfore shoulde be the slaues of deathe and damnation , the father of heauen tendring vs wyth mercie ( by his owne sonne ) hathe taken awaye our sinnes , & chosen vs to be his children , & hathe made vs heires of his grace & kingdome . This ioyfull & gracious prouidē● of our saluation , euen the doctrine of the gospell bringeth vs worde of . And that is it that telleth vs how we are endetted to god again therfore . It enformeth vs , how we must beleue , it teacheth vs howe to frame our life , and it correcteth our naughtie corrupte maners .

Howbeit forasmuche as our fleshe can not abide to be corrected & nourtured , it wolde not in this case be monished , rebuked , corrected nor founde fault at : no , it abuseth the doctrins of the gospell , to clooke his licencious libertie and lust wythall : & the more careles securitie and libertie it hathe to liue at pleasure , so muche the more it foloweth his owne affections , and renneth wilde wythout bridling . Than therfore it standeth wyth the heauenly fathers iustice , that they which wolde not amende wyth courteous warnyng of wordes , must be corrected with stripes . And yet he sendeth not them for any cause , but that we shoulde cast awaye our careles necligence , & turne in to the right way again .

As for examples or testimonies of scripture ther nedeth none in this case , seing euery one of vs f●leth in our selues , this corrupt disposicion of our owne nature . Neuertheles I thinke it not amysse , to note suche thinges , as haue fallen in our tyme .

The worde of the gospell hathe ( by the fauourable grace of God ) ben reuealed and preached to the people of Germanye , now about fyue & twentie yeares and more . Ther hathe ben disclosed , the fraudes , the false sleightes , subtil wiles , and blasphemous deuises of Antichristes tyrannye . All darkenesse hathe ben scowred awaye by the light of the truthe . The endles knottes ( that befor tyme were indissoluble ) and the most sorowfull bondes Hebre. 4. of deathe , were let lose and cutte in pieces , wyth this most kene two edged sweorde , the Gospell .

And whan this gaire was ones losed , all that euer Antichrist hade buylded in mennes consciences , fell sodaynly downe , and the vayne dredes of conscience vanished away like smoke . That made the Bishop of Rome sory for it , straight at the furst begynnyng . And right myghty Emperours , Kinges Princes , and people , were greued at that . Yea they laide their heades together at sondry counsailes , wherby they wolde fayne haue troden downe the corne of the gospell , which was than but grene , & newly sprongen vp . But al wolde not serue . No. we haue sene them fall out among them selues , and horribly torne and arayed wyth making warres one against an other , which intended to make warre against Christ . And now euen the same are at hande , ready to cheoppe of our neckes : now they set vpon vs wyth fyre and sweorde : now they make hauocke of euery thing , wyth murthering and smothering . But what is the cause ? Is Christ more weake , and lesse skilfull in his science , than he hathe ben before tyme ? Is it bicause he is not hable to restrayne , that he hathe restrayned and kepte of ( all this while ) vnto these dayes ? No , That is not the mater . But we haue deserued this miserie through our owne synnes . We haue prouoked him vnto wrathe through our vnthankefulnesse . Our aduersaries are weaponed wyth our owne wickednesses : and therwith they make batail against vs . And bicause we haue synned , in that we haue shamefully abused the quiete rest , that God hathe geuen vs now a great while , he loketh vpon vs ( his necligent naughty children ( wyth this his present sharp rodde . Howbeit this we maye comforte our selues in , that seing he is our father , he desireth not the destruccion , nor the death , nother the vndoing of vs his children , but wold haue vs to amende , to be saued , and to lyue . And the very cause of the warres and persecution , which the Bishop of Rome him selfe pretendeth in euery place by his bulles , is an vndeniable proofe of this mater . For he crieth out to haue vs burned , bicause ( he saithe ( we are heretikes .

But what heresie is it ? Mary Sir this : bicause we will none of the Romishe supersticion , we trust not to what is heresy wyth the Papistes . our owne merites , we layne to none but only Christ . Him we acknowlage to be our head , our king , our Bishop , our only & sufficient sacrifice : & bicause we ( accordingly as the Apostle Paule did ) knowe nothing , sauing Christ Iesus , and that he was crucified . And although by reason of our wickednesses ( which forasmuche as we are infected withall ) we frame not our selues according to the profession of our faith , our heauenly father suffreth vs to be plagued : yet that is not the mater , that they ( which are a great deale wickeder than we ) are angrye with vs for , but for this only cause they are horne woode against vs , that we holde vs to Christ alone , & are gone quite from their filthy faithles God seruice . For where som fynde fault at vs , for a disobedience I wotte not what , it is a most vaine tittle tattle , & euen the bishop of Rome him selfe proueth them lyers by his owne Bulles . Let vs behold therfore the exceding Da. 3. 9. goodnes of God , in this behalf . we hade deserued to be destroyed for our synnes , that are bothe haynous & many , for contemning the worde of God , & for our vnthankfulnes , & bycause we haue lyued carelesly , we hade nede to be scourged : but yet the Lorde wil not haue our payne slaundred with that title , Act. 5. but reputeth vs worthye of this honour , that his pleasure is to haue vs put in perile for his names sake , for the true faithe , & for religion ( which is a mater of most excellencie , and of most high honour ) & so to compt vs among the company of his holy martires . O what a fatherly louing kindnes is this ? O most abundaunt pleynteous mercy . O most riche treasures of goddes gratious fauour . he is content to make vs vessels of his grace , which had alredy Ro. 9. made our selues vesselles of his wrathe : and he voucheth safe to haue his glory set vp , the vineyarde of his churche watred , and his faithe and truthe testified in that blood of ours , which deserued to be sheadde for our owne exceding great synnes . Who is it therfore , that coulde be weary of this crosse ? who can be sory to suffre afflictions ? In dede our most cruel blood thirstye enemies , are not ware of this glorie of our persecution : and therfore it is meate and drinke to them , whan our bodies are destroyed & murthered . They knowe not that iudgement abydeth them , that whan our Lorde God hathe chastifed vs ynough wyth theyr furious madnesse , they must be cast into euerlasting fyre , lyke an vnfruteful rodde , that is good for no vse any more . But as for vs , it is our parte to saye nowe with the Apostle Paule : who shall separate vs from the loue of God ? shal affliction ? shal straite Rom. 8. keping ? shal persecution ? shal hongre ? shal nakednesse ? shall perile ? shall sweorde ? naye , in all these thinges we haue the victorie by him , that hathe loued vs . Yea Christ the sonne of God hathe loued vs , and like as he gaue him selfe vnto deathe for our sakes , euen so dothe he loue vs , and putteth vs to honour now at the last caste , after suche wise , that he turneth the infamie of the payne , which we hade deserued , in to the most glorious honour of the crosse , which we must beare for his sake . Notwithstanding his mynde ●s not , that we shoulde be so tormented and afflicted , that al must perishe in his persecucion suffring : but he requi●eth this , that we shoulde abandon fleshely securitie & expresse that faithe in our conuersacion , that we professe in our communicacion . And as sone as we doo so , he receaueth vs , which are now vnthriftie children , and clippeth vs harde in his armes , and so he maketh his wordes to be proued true , which he spake long agoo : As surely as I doo lyue , I wolde not the deathe Ezech. 18. of a synner , but that he shoulde repent and lyue .

These thinges therfore it is conuenient for vs , to warne and teache the ●ongregations committed vnto our charge , that the weake be not afrayde of persecucion , that they be not offended , whan any thing chaunceth amysse , and that they esteme not our faithe and religion therby : but let them remember them selues of those thinges , that they haue deserued the wrathe of God by , & amende them : that they being turned to the Lorde God , maye see him also turne vnto them . Let the wordes sounde in mennes eares ( yea let them sounde continually ) that the Lorde speaketh by the prophete : O that my people wolde haue harkened vnto me , for yf Israel hade Psal. 81. walked in my wayes . I shoulde sone haue put downe their enemies , and turned my hande against their aduersaries . The haters of the Lorde shoulde haue fallen ( like slaues ) vnto their fete , but their tyme shoulde haue endured for euer .