FIrst therefore , my dearlye beloued in the lorde , I beseche you to consyder , that thoughe ye be in the worlde , yet you are not of the world : Iohn . 14. you are not of them , whych looke for theyr porcion in thys lyfe , Psal. 17. whose captayne is the god of thys world : euen Satan , who nowe 2. Cor. 4. rufleth it apace , as he wer wood , because hys tyme on earth is not Apo. 12. long .

But you are of them , whyche Heb. 11. loke for a citie of gods own buildyng . You are of them , whyche know themselues to be here but 1. Pet. 2. Hebr. 13. pilgrems and straungers : for here you haue no dwellyng place .

You are of them , whose porcion is the lord , and which haue their Psal. 116 119. hope in heauen : whose captaine is Chryst Iesus the sonne of god , and gouernour of heauen & earth . Vnto hym is geuen all power , yea he is god almighty , with the Math. 28. Roma. 9. 1. Iohn . 5. father and the holy goste , prayse worthy for euer .

You are not of them , whyche receaue the beestes marke , whiche Apo●a . 13. Luke . 6. here reioice , laugh and haue their hartes ease , ioye , paradise & pleasure : but you are of them , which haue receaued the an̄gels marke , Eze. 9. Math. 5. yea gods marke , whyche here lament , mourne , sigh , sobbe , wepe and haue your wildernes to wander in , your purgatorye and euen hel . You are not of them , whiche Esa. 22. 1. Cor. 15. crye : let vs eate and drynke , for to morow we shall dye . You are not of that nomber , whiche say , Esai . 28. they haue made a couenaunte with death and hell for hurting them . You ar not of them , whyche take it but for a vayne thyng , to serue Mal. 3. the lord . You ar not of them , which are lulled and rocked a slepe in Iesabels bed , a bed of securitye . You are not in the nomber of them whych say : tush , god is in heauen ●z● . 8. P●●● . 73. and seeth vs not , nor muche passeth what we dooe . You are not of the nomber of them , which will fal down for the muc● of the world , to worshyp the feynde : or for displeasyng Lu●e . 4. of men , to worshyp the golden ymage . Dani. 3.

Finally , you are not of the nomber of them , whych set more by their pygges , then by Chryste : Math. 8 Lu●e . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 2 whych , for ease and reste in thy● lyfe , wyl say and doe , as Antiochus byddeth them doe or sayr And wyll folowe the multitude to do euil , with Zedechias and the ●xo . 23. 〈◊〉 . Reg. 22. 300. false prophetes , yea Achab , Iesabel and the whole courte , and country . But you be of the nomber of them , whiche are dead already , or at lest in dying daylye Roma . 〈◊〉 Colossi. 3 . to your selues and to the worlde . You are of them , whyche haue made a couenaunt wyth god , to forsake themselues and Sathan in thys world . You are of them , whyche say : nay , the lorde hath Mal. 〈◊〉 all thynges wrytten in hys memoriall booke for suche , as feare hym and remember hys name .

You are of them , whyche haue their loynes girded aboute , and theyr lyghtes burnyng in theyr handes , like vnto men that waite Luke . 〈◊〉 . for theyr lordes commyng . You are in the nomber of them , y● say : the lord loketh down from heauen , Psal. 14. 33. 101. and beholdeth al the children of men : from the habitacion of hys dwelling he considereth al them , that dwell vpon the earth .

You are of the nomber of them , Deut. 6. Math. 4. which wil worship the only lord god , and wil not worshippe the workes of mans handes , though the ouen burne neuer so whote . You are in the nomber of them , Daniel . 3. to whom Chryst is precious and deare : which crye out rather , because 〈◊〉 . Pet. 2. your habitacion is prolonged here , as Dauid did , whyche Psal. 120. Mattathias folowed and the godly 〈◊〉 . Mac. 2. Iewes : whych knew the way to lyfe to be a strayght way , and fewe to goe thorow it : which wil Math. 7. not stick to folowe poore Miche as , althoughe he bee racked and 〈◊〉 . Reg. 22. cast into prison , hauing the Sonne , Moone , seuen starres and all agaynst him . Thus therfore , dearly beloued , remember firste , that ( as I sayd ) you are not of thys world : Satan is not youre captayne : your ioye and paradyse is not here : your companyons are not the multitude of worldlynges and suche as seke to please men , and to lyue here at ease in the seruice of Satan .

But you ar of another world : Chryst is youre captayne : youre Phil. 3. Heb. 13. ioye is in heauen , wher your conuersacion and ciuilite is : your companions are the fathers , patriarkes , prophetes , apostles , Martirs , virgins , confessours , and the deare sayntes of god , which folowed the lambe whether soeuer Apoc. 7. he went , dipping their garmentes in hys bloud : knowyng this life Iob. 78. 14. Psal. 90. 102. and worlde to bee full of euill , a warfare , a smoke , a shadow , a vapour , and as replenish●d , so en●ironed with al kid of miseries . Iacob . 4.

THys is the first thynge , I would gaue you often and diligently with your selues to consyder and muse vpon ? namely , what you be , and where you be . Then secondarely forget not to call to mynde , that you oughte not to thynte it any straunge thyng , if misery , trouble , aduersite , persecucion and displeasure come 〈◊〉 pon you . 〈◊〉 Peter . 4.

For how can it other wise be , but that trouble and persecucion muste come vpon your Can the worlde loue you , whych ar none John . 14. of 〈◊〉 ●orldiye men are 〈…〉 e 〈…〉 urs of your chefe enemi , and can they regarde you ? Can Satan suffer you to be in reste , I. Peter . 5. which wil not doe him homage ? Can thys way be easye , whyche of it selfe is strayght ? Wyll you Math. 7. loke to trauayll , and to haue no foule way nor rayne ? Wil shypmen shrinke ( or saylers of the sea ) if stormes aryse ? Doe they not loke for such ?

And dearly beloued , dyd not we enter into gods shippe & arke of baptisme at the firste ? Wyll 1. Peter . 4. you then count it straunge , if perils and tempestes blowe ? Are not you traueling to your heauenvly citie of Herusalem , where is all ioye and felicite ? And wyll you nowe tarye by the waye for stormes or showers ? The marte and fayer wyll then be past , the John . 9. Math. 25. nighte wyll fall , ye can not trauayll , the dore wyl be sparred , & the bryde wyl be at supper . Therfore away with deyntie nicenes . Wyll you thynke , the father of heauen wyll deale more gentlye wyth you in thys age , then he hath done with other his dearest frendes in our ages ? What waie and wether , what stormes and tempestes , what disease , trouble and disquie 〈…〉 ies founde Abel , Noe , 〈◊〉 , Isaac , Iacob and good Ioseph ? Whyche of these Gene. 4. 6. 〈◊〉 . 8. 9. &c. had so faire a lyfe and restefull tymes , as we haue had ? Moses , Aaron , Samuel , Dauid the kynge and all the good kynges , priests and prophe●es in the olde testament , at one tyme or another , if not thorowe ●u●e their life , did fele a. 1000. partes more misery , then we haue feite hetherto .

As for the newe testamente , lord god , how great was the affliccion of Mari , Ioseph , ●achary , Elizabeth , Iohn Baptist , them whom among the children of we Math. 11. men , none arose greater , of al the ●posiles and euangelistes , yea of Iesus Christ our lord , the deare sonne and dearlyng of god ? And sithens the time of the apostles , Eusebius Eccl. hist. Tripart . historia . how many and great are the nomber of martyrs , confessours & such , as haue suffred the sheding of their blo● in this life , rather then they woulde be stayned in theyr iourney , or lodge in any of Satans ynnes , so that the stormes or windes , which fel in their trauelynges , myghte not touche them ? Wherfore , dearli beloued , lette vs thynke what we are , and how far vnmete to bee matched wyth these : wyth whom yet we loke to be placed in heauen .

But wyth what face can we loke for thys , that are so fearful , vnwyllyng and arsward , to leus that , whych , wyll we nyl we , we must leaue : and that so shortli , as we knowe not the tyme whan ? Where is our abrenouncing and forsakyng of the world and the flesh , which we solempnely sware in baptisme ? Ah shamelesse cowardes that we be whyche will not folowe the trace of so manye fathers , Patriarks , kings , pristes prophetes Apostles , Euangelystes and sainctes of god , yeaeuen of the very sonne of God ? How many now goe wyth you lusreli , as I and al , your brethren , in bandes & exyle for the gospel ? Pray for vs , for ( god wyllyng ) we wyl not leaue you nowe : we wil goe before you . You shal see in vs , that we preached no lyes nor tales of tubbes , but euen the 1. Peter . 2. very true worde of God , for the which we , by gods grace a helpe of your prayers , wyll wyllyngly and ioifulli geue our bloud to be ●ed , for the confirmacion of the same : as already we haue geuen liberally oure goodes , liuynge , frendes , and naturall countrye . For now we are certayne , that we be in the hygh way to heauens blisse , as Paul sayth : By manye tribulacions & persecucions we must enter into gods kyngdom . And because we would goe thether our selues and brynge you thether also , therfore the deuyll stereth vp the coales . And forasmuch as we al loitered in the way , he therfore hath receaued power of god , to ouer cast the wether , & to stere vp stormes : that we godes children myghte goe faster , makyng more spede and hast to goe on forwardes .

As for counterfeites and ypocrytes , they wyltary and lyngertyl the storme bee paste . And so whan they come , the market wil be done , and the dores sparred , it is to be feared . Reade mat . 25. Thys wynde wyll blowe gods children forward , and the deuils derlynges backwarde .

Therefore lyke gods children let vs goe on forwarde a pace : the wynde is on our backe : hoyse vp the sayles , lyfte vp your hartes and handes vnto god in prayer , Thren. 3. Heb. 6. and kepe your anker of fayth to cast in tyme on the rocke of gods woorde , and on hys mercye in Chryst , and I warraunt you . And thus much for you secondlye to consyder , that afflyccion , persecucion and trouble is no straunge thyng to gods children : and therfore it shoulde not dismaye , dyscourage or discomfort vs , beyng none other thyng , then al godes deare frendes haue tasted in their iourney to heauen warde .

BVt this must not you consider according to the iudgemente of reason and her sense , but after the iudgment of gods worde and the experience of faith . Els you marre al. For to reason and experyence or sense of the outward man , we poore soules ( whyche stycke to gods worde to serue hym , as he requyreth onely ) are counted to be vanquished and ouercome , in that we are caste into prison , lose our liuinges , frends , goods country and lyfe also at length concerning this worlde .

But dearly beloued , gods word teacheth other wyse , and faith faleth accordyngly . Is it not written : who shall separate vs from the Roma. 8 , loue of god ? shal tribulacyon , or anguishe , or persecucyon , either ●onger , eyther nakednes , either peryll , eyther sworde ? As it is written : For thy sake are we kylled al day longe , and be counted Psal. 44 as shepe appoynted to be slainne . Neuertheles in all these thyngs we ouercome , thorow hym that loued vs .

For I am sure , that neyther death , nother lyfe , neyther aungels , nor rule , neyther power , nether thynges presente , neyther thynges to come , neither higth , nor loweth nether any other creature shal be able to part vs from that loue , where wyth God loueth vs in Chryst Iesu our lord .

Thys spake one , whyche was in afflyccyon ( as I am ) for the lordes gospel sake : his holi name be praysed therfore , & he graunte me grace wyth the same to continew in lyfe sufferyng vnto the ende . Thys ( I saye ) one spake whiche was in affliccion for the gospell : but yet so farre from beyng ouercome , that he reioyced rather of the victory , whyche the gospel had .

For though he was bound , yet the gospel was not bounde . And 2. Tim. 2 therefore rendereth he thankes vnto god , who alwayes geueth victory in Chryste , and openeth 3. Cor. 2. the sauoure of hys knowledge bivs , and suche as suffer for hys trueth : although they shut vs vp neuer so much , and dryue vs neuer so farre out of our owne naturall country in euery place .

The worlde for a tyme may dysceaue it selfe , thynkynge it hath the victory : but yet the end wyll trye the contrary . Dyd not Cayn thynke he had the victory , whan Abel was slayne ? But how saye Gene. 4. ye nowe , is it not founde otherwyse ? Thought not the old world , that they were wyse and well , and Noe a fole , whyche woulde crepe into an arke , leauynge hys Gene. 7. 8. house , landes and possessyons ? for I thynk he was in an honest state .

As for the world , they iudged that he was a dastard & a foole . But I pray you , who was wyse whan the floud came ? Abraham ( I Gene. 12. trow ) was counted a fole , to leaue his own own country & frendes , kyth and kine , because of gods word . But , dearly beloued , we know it proued otherwise . I wil leaue al the patriarkes , and come to Moses and the children of Israell .

Tell me , were not they thoughte to be ouercome and stark madde whan for feare of Pharao , at gods worde , they ranne into the Exo. 14. reed Sea ? Dyd not Pharao and the Egipcians thynke them selues sure of the victory . But I trowe it proued cleane contrary . Saul was thought to be wel , and Dauyd 〈◊〉 . Re. 16. & c in euil case and most miserable , because he had no hole to hid hym in : but yet at length Sauls misery was sene , and Dauids felicitie beganne to appeare . The Prophet Micheas , beeyng caste into prison for telling Achab the 〈◊〉 . Reg. 22. trueth , was thought ouercome of Sedechias and the other false Prophets . But , my good brethr●● and sistern , the holy 〈…〉 〈…〉 orye telleth 〈…〉 yse .

Who dyd not thynke the prophetes vnhappye in their tyme . For they were slayne , prisoned , Iere. 20 , laughed to scorne , and rested at of euery man . And so wer all the Apostles , yea the deare beloued 〈◊〉 . Cor. 4. frende of god , Iohn Baptyste : who was beheaded , and that in prison , euen at a dauncynge damosels desyer .

As al these , to the iudgement of reason , were than counted heretikes , runne agates , vnlearned fooles , fyshers , publicans &c. so now vnhappy and ouercome indede , if Gods worde and fayth dyd not shewe the contrary . But what speake I of those ? Loke vpon Iesus Chryst , to whom we Roma. 8. mu●t be lyke 〈…〉 here , yf we wyl be lyke hym els where .

How say you , was not he taken for a most foole , a sedicyous person , a newe felow , an heretyke & one ouercome of euery body , euen forsaken both of God and men ? But the ende tolde them , and telleth vs another tale . For now is he in maiestye and glory ioyful . Whan he was led to Pilate or Herode , or whan he was in prison in Caiphas house , dydde not there reason thynke , that he was ouercome ? Whan he was beaten , buffeted , scourged , crowned with thorne , hanged vpon the crosse , and vtterly lefte of all his disciples , taunted of the highe prystes and holy fathers , cursed of the commons , rayled on of the Magistrates , and laughed to scorne of the lewde heathen : would not a man then haue thoughte , that he had been out of the way , and his disciples , to folow hym and beeleue hym . Thynke you , the whiles he lay in hys graue , men dyd not poynt wyth theyr fyngers , wh● they sawe any that had loued , or beleued in hym and hys doctryne , saying : where is theyr master and teacher nowe ? Whatis he gone ? For soth if they had not been fooles , they myght wel haue knowne thys learnyng , he taught , could not long contynue . Our doctors and Pharisees are no fooles , nowe they maye se . On thys sorte men either spake , or myght haue spoken agaynste al suche , as loued Chryst or hys doctryne : but yet at length they and all such were proued fooles and wycked wretches . For oure sauioure arose mawgrie theyr beerdes , and published hys gospel plentifully , spyte of theyr heades and the heades of all the wycked world , wyth the greate powers of the same : alwayes ouercommyng , and then moste of all , whan he and hys doctryne was thought to haue the gretest fall .

Now , dearly beloued , the wicked world reioyceth : the papists are puft vp agaynst poore christ and his people , after their olde kynde : now crye they : where are these newe founde preachers ? Are they not in the tower , Marshalsye , in the flete , in the kynges benche , in newe gate &c. and beyonde the seas ? Who wold haue thought that our old bishoppes , doctors & deanes wer fooles , as they wold haue made vs beleue , and in dede haue perswaded some already , whych are not of the wysesre , speciallye if they come not home againe to the holy church ? These and such lyke words they haue to cast in our teeth , as tryumphers and conquerours . But dearly beloued , shorte is theyr ioye : they begyle them selues : this is but a lyghtning beefore theyr death . As god , after he had geuen the wicked Iewes a tyme to repent , visited them by Despasian and Eusebius . Eccl. histo. Lib. 3. ca. 5 6. 7. 8. 9. Titus , most horribly to their vtter subuersion , delyueryng firste of all , hys people from amonge them : euen so ( my deare brethre ) wyl he doe wyth thys age .

Whan he hath tryed hye children from amongst them ( as now he begynneth ) ano by sufferyng , hath made vs like to his Christ , and by beyng ouercome to ouercome in dede to oure eternal comfort : them wil he , if not otherwise , 1. Thessa . 4. come hymselfe in the clowdes . I meane our deare lord , whom we confesse , preache and beleue on . He wyl come ( I saye ) wyth the blast of a trompe and showte of an Archangel , and so shall we bee caught vp in the clowds to mete hym in the ayer : The aungels ga Math , 13. theryng together the wicked wretches ( which now walter and wa lowe as the worlde and wynde bloweth ) to be tyed in bondels , and cast into the fier , which burneth for euer most paynfullye . There and then shal they se , who hath the victorye , they or we .

Whan they shal see vs a farre of in Abrahames bosome , then Luke . 16. wyll they say : alas , we thought these folkes fooles , and had them Sapi. 3. in derision : we thoughte theyr lyfe madnes , and theyr end to be wythout honor .

But lo , how they are counted among the children of God , and theyr porcyon is wyth the saintes . Alas , we haue gone amysse , and would not harke● .

Suche worde 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 these shall the wycked say on ●●y in hell , though now they triumph as conquerours . And th●● muche for you thirdly to lofe often vpon : namely , that what soeuer is done vnto you ( yea euen very death ) shall not dashe or hurte you , no more then it dyd Abel , Dauid , Daniel , Iohn Baptiste , Iesus Chryst our Lord , wyth other the deare saynctes of God , whyche haue sufferd for hys names sake . Let not reason therfore be iudge in thys matter , but fayth & gods worde : in the which if we set before our eyes the shortnesse of thys The tyme of sufferi● is but a triffle . present tyme , wherin we suffer , and consider the eternitie to come , we shall fynde it most certayne , that our enemyes and persecutors shall be helples in intolerable paynes : and we , if we perseuer vnto the ende , shall be daungerles in such felicite and ioy , as the very hart of man in no poynt 1. Cor. 2. Isa. 64. is able to conceaue . Considering thys ( I say ) we can not but euen contemne and set nothyng by the sorows and grefes of the crosse , and lustely go thorow thick and thynne wyth good courage .

Now haue I declared vnto you . 3. thynges , necessarye to bee much ●●used vpon of euerye one , whych wyl abyde by Chrys●e & hys gospel in these troublesome tyme , as I trust you al wil : namely , firste to consyder that we are not of thys world , nor of the nomber of the worldlynges , nor any reteyner to S●●n : that we are not at home in our own country , but of another worlde , of the congregacion of the sayntes and reteynees to Chryst , althoughe as Hebru , 2 , yet in a region ●●●lete and ful of vntractable enemyes .

Secondly , that we maye not thynke it a straunge thyng to be persecuted for gods gospel : from the which the dearest frendes of God were in no age free : as indede it is vnpossyble they shold be any long tyme , theyr enemies beyng alwayes aboute them to destroy them , if they could . And thirdly , that the assaultes of our enemyes , be they neuer so many and fearce , shal in no poynt be able to preuayle agaynste oure fayth ( albeit to reason it semeth other wyse ) where throughe we ought to conceaue a good courage and comfort . For who wyll be afrayed , whan he knoweth , that the enemyes can not preuayle ?

FArthermore , for the more encouraging of you vnto the crosse , I wyll geue you a fourth memorandum . Nameli , of the commodities and profites , which come by the trouble and affliccion now risen , and hereafter to aryse vnto vs , whyche be gods chyldren , electe through Iesus Christ . But , here ye may not loke to haue me a rehearsal of all the commodytyes , whych come by the crosse to such , as are wel exercysed therein : for that were more then I can doe . I wyll onelye speake of a fewe , therby to occasion you to gather and at the length to fele and perceue moo . First , ther is no crosse , whych commeth vpon any of vs The firste commodite of the crosse . wythoute the counsayll of oure heauenly father .

As for the fansye of fortune , it is wycked , as many places of scripture doe teache . Amos. 3. Thren. 3. Math. 10. Sopho. 1. Esa. 45. Psal. 145.

We muste nedes , to the commendacion of gods iustice , who in al thiges is rightuous , aknowledge in our selues , that we haue deserued of the handes of oure heauenly father thys his crosse and rodde , now fallen vpon vs . We haue deserued it , if not by our vnthankfulnesse , slouth , neglygence , intemperaunce and our synnes done often by vs ( wherof oure conscyences can and wyl accuse vs , if we call them to counsayle wyth the examinacyon of oure former lyfe ) yet at lefte by oure originall and birth synne : as by dowtyng of the greatnes of Gods anger and mercye , by selfe loue , concupyscence & such lyke synnes , whyche as we brought with vs into this world so doe the same euer abide in vs , Psal. 51. Hebr , 12 , and ( euen as a sprynge ) they alway bryng forth some thynge in acte wyth vs , notwythstanding the fight of gods good spirite in vs agaynst it . Gal. 5.

The first commoditie therefore , that the crosse bryngeth , is knowledge , and that duble : of god , and of our selues . Of God , that he is iuste , pure , and hateth synne . Psal. 5. Psal. 51.

Of oure selues , that we are borne in sine , and from toppe to too desyled wyth concupiscence and corrupcion : out of the which Gene. 8. Iere. 17. Eph. 2. 〈◊〉 . Reg. 8. haue sprong al the euil , that euer at any tyme we haue spoken and done .

The greatest and moste speciall wherof we are , by the crosse , occasyoned to call to mynde , as dyd the brethren of Ioseph their euil facte agaynste hym , whan Gene. 4● . the crosse once came vpon them . And so by it we come to the suerest steppe to get health for our soules : that is , we are dryuen to knowe our synnes , originall and actual , by gods iustice declared in the crosse .

Secondlye , the ende , wherefore The second commoditie of the crosse . god declareth his iustice against our synne original and actuall , & would haue vs by hys crosse to consider the same , and to call to mynde oure former euyll dedes : The ende herof ( I saye ) is thys : namely , that we may lament , besory , sygh and pray for pardon , to the intente that so doynge , we myght obteyne and haue the same , by the meanes of fayth in the me rytes of Iesus Chryst , his deare sonne : and that we beeyng humbled , because of the euil that dwelleth in vs , might also become thankeful for gods goodnes , lyuyng in continual vigilancy & warenes , and suppressyng the euil , which lyeth in vs , that it brig not forth frute vnto death at any tyme . Iacob . 1. This second commoditie of the crosse therfore , must not we count to be only a knowledge , but also Note . a great gayne of gods mercy , with wonderfull ryche and precyous vertues of fayth , repentaunce , remyssyon of synnes , humilytye , thankfulnes , mortificacion , and diligence in doyng good .

Not that properly the crosse worketh these thinges of it selfe , but be cause the crosse is the meane and may , by the whych god worketh the knowledge and felynge of these thynges in hys children : as many both testimonyes , and also ensaumples in scripture , are easely founde of them , that diligently weye what they heare or reade therin . The thirde commoditie of the crosse .

To these . 2. Commodities of the crosse , ioyne thys thirde , of gods syngular wysdome : that it may be coupled with his iustice and mercy . On this sort let vs ouercome it .

Whan we se the gospel of god and his churche persecuted and troubled , as now it is wyth vs : Thus I saye let vs conceaue the mater : namely , that because the great learned and wyse men of the world vse not their wysdom to loue and serue god , as to naturall reason he openeth himself māifestli in his visible creaturs : Roma. 1. therfore doth god iustly infatuat them , and maketh them foolysh , geuynge them vp to insensyblenes , especiallye herein . For concerning the affliction , which commeth for the gospell vpon the gospellers , they reason on thys maner : If thys were godes worde ( saye they ) if this people were Mans reason concernyng the affliccion of the church . gods children : surely god would then blesse and prospere them and their doctrine .

But nowe , in that there is no doctryne so much hated , no people so much persecuted as thei be therefore it can not bee of God . This is of god , which our quene and olde bishoppes haue professed .

For how hath god prospered and kept them ? What a notable victorye hath god geuen to her , where as els it was impossyble Successe . that thynges so shoulde haue come to pas , as they haue done ? And The duke of North . dyd not the great captayne confesse hys fault , that he was oute of the way and not of the fayth , which these gospellers professe ? How many are come againe from The relentyng of many . that , whych they professed to be gods worde ?

The most part of thys realme ( notwythstandyng the diligence of preachers to persuade them , concernyng thys new learnyng , whyche nowe is persecuted ) neuer consented to it in heart , as experience teacheth .

And what plages haue come Plages . vpon thys realme , sithens thys gospel ( as they call it ) came in amongst vs ? Afore we had plenty , but now there is nothyng like as was .

But ( to let thys pas ) al the houses of the parliament haue ouerthrowne Parliament the lawes , made for the stablyshing of the gospell : and new lawes ar erected for the continuaunce of that , whych is contrary , and was had before .

Al these thynges doe teache playnly , that thys theyr doctrine is not gods worde . Thus reason the worldly wyse , which see not gods wysdome . For els , yf they consydered that there was with vs vnthankfulnes , no amendment The cause of our persecucyon . of lyfe , but all kynde of contempte of god , alkinde of shameles synnyng , agaynst the preachynge of the gospell : they must nedes see , that god could not but chastise and correct . And that as he lette Satan loose , after he had bound Apoca. 20. hym a certayne tyme : so for mens vnthankfulnes & to punishe the same , he hath let those chāpyōs of Satan runne abrode , to plage vs by them . Greate was Godes anger against Achab , because he saued Benadad the king of Siria , whan he had geuen him into 3. Reg. 20. hys handes , and afterwardes it turned to his owne destruccion . God would , that double sorowe shoulde haue bene repayed vnto them , because of the sorow that they did to the saintes of God . Read Apo. 18. As for the victorye Causes of victorye . geuen to the Quenes hyghnes , yf men had ani godli wit , thei might se many thynges in it . First that God hath done it , to winne her hart with kindnes vnto his gospel : and aswel because that they , whych went agaynst her , put their trust in horses and power of men and not in god : as because that in their doctryne they sought not the propagacion of gods gospel . Which thyng is easely now sene , by the confessyon of the captain : his harte loued poperye , and hated the gospel . Besydes thys , men maye easely se , he was purposed neuer to haue furthered the gospel : but so to haue handled the liuynges of ministers , that there shold neuer haue been any ministerye in maner hereafter .

And what one of the Counsaylours , whyche woulde haue been taken as gospellers in oure good kinges dayes , declare now that euen they loued the gospel ? Therfore no meruayll , why god fought agaynst them .

They were ypocrites , and , vnder the cloke of the gospel , wold haue debarred the Quenes highnes of her ryght . But god wold not so cloke them .

Now for the relenting , returnyng and recantyng of some , from Why manirelent and recant . that whiche they haue once professed or panched , alas , who wold wonder at it ? For thei neuer came to the gospel but for commodite and gaynes sake , and nowe for gayne leaue it .

The multitude is no good argument , The greater sorte . to moue a wyse manne . For who knoweth not , moo to loue thys world better then heauen , themselues better than their neighbours ? Wyde is the gate ( sayeth Chryst ) and broade is the way , that leadeth to destruccion , and many there be , whyche goe in thereat .

But strayte is the gate , and Math , 7 , narow is the way , which leadth vnto lyfe , and few there be that fynde it . Al the whole multitude cryed oute vpon Iesus : crucifye Math. 27. Iohn . 19. hym , trusse hym vp : but I trow they were not the better part , although they were the bigger . Al Chaldee folowed stil their false gods , only Abraham folowed the true god . And where as thei sai , Gene. 12. that greater plages are fallen vpon the realme in pouerty & such Plages . geer , then afore : it is no argument to moue others , then such as loue their swyne better then Chryste . Math. 8. For the deuyl chefelie desyreth , hys seate to be in religion . Yf it be there , then wil he medle with nothyng that we haue , al shal be quiete inough .

But if he be raised thence , then wyl he begg leaue to haue at our pygges . As long as wyth vs he had the ruling of relygion , which now he hath gotten agayne : then was he a Robyn good felow , he would doe no hurt . But whan he was tombled out of his Throne , by the preachyng of the gospell : then stered he about , as he hath done . Notwythstandyng , to be shorte , surelye effectuall he hath not been , but in the chyldren of Ephe. 1. vnbelefe : them in dede he hath sterred vp to be couetous , oppressours , blasphemers , vsurers , whoremongers , theues , murtherers , tyrauntes .

And yet perchaunce he suffered them to professe the gospell , the more therby to hinder it , and cause it to bee slaundered . How many nowe doe appeare , to haue bene true gospellers ? As for the The parliament . parliament and statutes therof , no man of wysdome can thynke other wyse , but that looke , what the rulers wyll , the same muste there be enacted .

For it goeth not in those houses by the better parte , but by the bigger part . It is a commen sayeng , & no lesse true : Maior pars vincit meliorem , the greater part ouercommeth the better . So they dyd incōdēning christ , Nicodemus co 〈…〉 sail Iohn . 7. not being regarded . So dyd they in many generall councels , which purposli I wil not recite : for al wise men know , the actes of parliaments are not for gods law in respecte of godes lawe , but in respecte of the people .

Now what we are god knoweth , and all the worlde seeth : more mete a great deale to haue the deuils decrees , then gods religion , so great is our contempte in it . And therfore iustly for our synnes ( as Iob sayeth ) god hath Iob. 34. set ypocrytes to raigne ouer vs : whych can no more abyde gods true religion , then the owle the lyght , or blered eyes the brighte Sonne .

For it wyll haue them to doe their dutyes , and waite in diligent doyng of the works of their vocacion .

If gods worde , I meane , had place , bishoppes could not play Chauncelours and ydle prelates , as they doe : priestes shoulde be otherwyse knowne , then by their shauen crownes and typpettes , But inough of this . I wil nowe returne to the thirde commodite commyng by the crosse .

Here let vs see the wysdome of god , in makyng the wysdome of the worlde folyshe . For it knoweth The ignoraunce of worldly wysdome . litle of mans corrupcyon , howe foule it is in the syghte of god and displeaseth hym : it knoweth litle , the porcion of Gods people to be in another worlde . It knoweth litle the patrone of Christians , Chryst Iesus : it knoweth litle the iudgements of god , the greate malice of Satan to gods people , the pryce and estimacyon of the gospel . And therfore in the crosse it seeth not , as gods wysdome wold men shold se : namely : that god , in punishing them which synne leste , woulde Luke . 13. haue hys anger agaynste synne better consydered and feared : and that , in punishyng hys people here , he kyndleth theyr desier towards their restful and peaceful 2. Cor. 5. home .