A sermon very notable, fruictefull, and godlie made at Paules crosse the. xii. daie of Noue[m]bre, in the first yere of the gracious reigne of our Souereigne ladie Quene Marie her moste excellente highnesse, by Iames Brokis Doctor of Diuinitie, [and] master of Bailye College in Oxforth, with certein additions, whiche he at the tyme of vttering, for auoidyng of tediousnes, was faine to omitte.

¶ DOMINE , filia mea Math. ix , ●● . modo defuncta est , sed ueni impone manum tuam super eam , & uiuer .

¶ Lorde my daughter is euen now disceassed and deadde , but come , late thy hand on her , and she shal line .

THese wordes of the Gospel of this day , taken out of the .ix. of ● . Math. although thei are the wordes of one latrus , the ruler of the Synagog , literally spoken . of hym to our sauiour Christ , for the bodily reuiuyng , of the Daughter of his bodie , bodeli deceassed , or at the lest beyng ▪ then euen at the very point of death , in extremis . as s. Marke termeth it : Yet sithen Mar. v. it may bee doen without preiudice to the leter , for the aduancement of Gods worde , gods truth , gods glorie , & may make the more to edification , I intende by gods grace , at this present , ●applie the same words in a mistical sē●e , as syokē of an other person , that is to wit , of our mother the holy catholike church , for the spiritual reuiuing , of her spiritual doughter , spiritually deceassed , this particulare churche of Englande , Forewarnyng you , that when I shall chaunce sometime to name the dead doughter , or the dead churche , in suche sorte , that some ma● perhappes gather therby the hole to be dead , I meane alwaies the deade membres therof onely , onely the bad , and not the good in no wise .

WE se by common and daily experience , honorable , and christien audience , that euen verye nature itselfe hath geuen to euery naturall mother , besides the pappes and the Mylke shee nourisheth her childe withall , a certein naturall inclination moreouer to loue her child , and that in suche hartie wise , that , though her childe commyng to yeres of discretion , do dispise , and contemne her holesome admonitions and Counsailes , dooe straie from her , runnyng on the Brydle at large , and so dooe by wilfulnesse at lengthe , chaunce on some sodeine deathe , Yeat shee for her motherly affection and tender loue , taketh pitie and compassion on her dead childe , soroweth , lamenteth & bewayleth her dead chlide , and if she knewe any cunnyng Phisicion that could reuiue her ded child , she woulde not ceasse ernestlie to entreate , and desire helpe at his hande , for the reuiuyng againe of her ded childe . If this naturall affecte bee commonlie to be founde in euery good natural mother toward her natural child , how much more is the same or rather a greater affect to be loked for in our spirituall mother , in our mother the holie Catholike churche , towardes her spiritual child ? Whose child is this Churche of Englande , with euerye other particulare churche , and euery faithful membre of the same : whose spouse , & protectour is our sauior Christ himself : whose mariage maker and director is the holie Ghost : Whose pappes are the two Testamentes : Whose milke is the true sence of the word of God : Out of those her pappes onelye to be sucked , of al christian sucklinges . Whereunto the holye doctor . S Austen seemeth well agreably to allude in his treatise vpon the Psalmes . Ps. cxxx

First , this noble princes our Mother the holie Catholique churche , in that she hathe to her spouse , and protectoure , suche a mightie , and valiant prince , she can neuer be by any persecution vanquished , and subdued . For , if that might haue ben , vanquished , and subdued had she been , ps. cxxviij and that long ere this . Saepe enim impugnauerunt me à iuuentute mea , et enim non potuerunt mihi . Oftentimes ( saith she ) haue I ben sore assaulted & laied at , & that from my youth , but neuer coulde there any preuaile against me . What persecutions hath she suffred , first in th olde time before the commyng of Christe , when she was rather a Synagog than a churche : rather kept vnder by bonde feare , then dyrected by burnyng Charitie : rather tought by darcke shadowes , then by bright veritie , by figuratiue promises , then by manifest performance : by the sleyng letter , then by the quickenyng spirite . What persecution ( I sai ) suffred she then , being continuallye afflicted , one tune by the Cananites , Iudicum . ij . Iudic. iij. Iudic. vi . Iudicum . x. Iudic. xiij an other time by the Moabites , then after by the Madianites , againe by Thāmonites , sometyme by the Philystians , now by one nation , now by another ? What persecutiones hath shee suffered againe sins that time , sins the coming of Christ , what by Nero , what by Domitian , Eccl. hist. passi . what by Seuerus , what by Diocletian , What by Maximinian , what by the Gothes , what by the Hunnes , what by the Vandales , & other ? Of whose cruel tormentes may wel be verified , that S. Austen writeth . Ligabantur : includebantur : coedebantur : De ciuita . dei . lib. xxij . ca. vi torquebantur : urebantur : laniabantur : trucidabantur . The Christians they were bounde , imprisoned , whipped , racked , broyled , mangled , & otherwise bereft of their life . And yet lyke the Israelites vnder Pharao , Exodi . i. the more thei were tormented , the more alwaies thei increased For this is the propretie of the churche ( as S. Hilarie saieth ) Libro . vij de trinita . then to vanquesh , when shee is dammaged : then to be perceiued , when she is reproued : then to wynne the victory , when she loseth of her company . Hoc ecclesiae est proprium , ut tum uincat , cum loeditur : tum intelligatur , cum arguitur : tum obtineat , cum deseritur . And this muche for this point .

Againe our mother the holie catholike Churche , in that shee hath to her mariage maker and director , the holy ghost the spirit of truth , shee can neuer be diuorsed from Christe her moste benigne Spouse , nor yeat at any time be ledde out of the waie of truth . For , whom the holie ghoste hath ones coupled and ioigned together in Matrimonie , whoe can afterwarde sunder , and seperate againe ▪ And doe not the holye Apostle make as it wer an open Proclamation & Protestation , how the holy Ghoste by him , and he by the holy ghost hath promulgate and vttered vnto the worlde , the betrowthyng of the churche to Christ , as a louyng Spouse to her louing husband ? Ego despondiuos , ij . cor. xi uni uiro uirginem castam exhibere Christo . I ( quod hee ) in the spirite of God , in the holyghostes behaulfe , haue betrouthed you to one husbande , to th ende you maie keepe yourselues alwaies as a chast virgine vnto Christ . And that shee is by the same mariage maker , and directour , led from time to time into al kinde of truth , it maie appere aswel by this promise of Christ Io. xiiij . Ego rogabo patrem . &c. I will desire my father , and hee shall geue you another comfortour , the Spirite of trueth , to abide with you to the worldes ende , to instructe you in all kinde of trueth , as by this absurditie , & vnreasonablenesse , which Tertullian gathereth to ensue of the contraire .

Age nunc , omnes errauerint : deceptus Tert. de prescrip. conrra here . sit & Apostolus : non respexerit Spiritus sanctus , uti Ecclesiam in ueritate deduceret , ad hoc missus a Christo , ad hoc postulatus à patre , ut esset doctor ueritatis : Neglexit officium Dei Villicus , Christi Vicarius , sinens Ecclesias aliter interim intelligere , aliter credere , que quod ipse per Apostolos praedicabat : & quid uerisimile est , ut tot ac tantae in unam fidem errauerint ? Et m●x . Interea perperam euangelizabatur : perperam credebatur : tot millia millium perperam tincta : tot opera fidei perperam ministrata : tot uirtutes , tot charismat● perperam operata : tot sacerdotia , tot ministeria perperam functa : tot denique Martyria perperam , & inuacuum . Go to now ( saith he ) admit all haue erred : admit , the Apostle hath been deceiued toe : admitte , the holy Ghoste hath not regarded to leade the Churche in the waie of trueth , for that purpose being sent of Christ , for that purpose being sued for from the father , to bee the teacher of trueth : admitte , Goddes Baiely , Christes vicar , regarded not his dutie , suffring the churches otherwise for a season to vnderstand , & beleue , then that he by th appostles preached : & is this likely , that so many and so gret churches haue erred in th unitie of faith ? And a litle after , marke what absurdities he reciteth . In the meane time ( saith he ) it must be graunted : that the Gospel was mispreached : the worde of God misbeleued : so many thousande thowsandes mischristened : so many workes of faith misministred : so many miracles , so many godly giftis miswroughte : so many presthods , so many ministeries misexecuted : & briefly so many martyrdoms in vaine , & missuffred . And this much for this point .

Thirdly , our mother the holie catholike churche , in that she hath children to nourish and instructe , she hathe aucthoritie to make lawes , tradicions , and or dinaunces for them , for the better conseruation of order , and the more reuerent ministration of the worde of God . For otherwise , why did the Apostle geue tradicions ? Why did he say , Haec ego dico , non Dominus . This is i. Cor. vij my saiyng , and not the lordes ? Why did he reproue certein for breaking customes of preching of praiyng , of cutting heire , not i. Cor. xi . conteined in scripture ? Why did S. Ihon the Baptist bind his disciples to certeine fastes , and Math ix Luc. xi . Act. xv certeine Praiers , besides the scripture ? Why did S. Iames by the consent of the rest , make a decree , that euery man should abstein from strangled beasres , from bloud , and from thynges offred vp to Idolles , which no Scripture commannded ? Why durst the Apostle after that decree , make himselfe so bolde as so saie , all thinges are cleane to Ad Tit. i. i. Cor. x the cleane , and whatsoeuer cometh to the shambles , that eate you hardelye ? Why durste our forefathers againe , accordyng to the time , be so bolde , as ( in a sort ) to make a restraint herof ? The holie Doctour S. Augustine in this behalfe , letteth not this muche to saie ▪

In hijs rebus , de quibus nil cert● Ad Casu . pres . statuit Scriptura , mos populi Dei , & instituta maiorum pro legetenenda sunt , & sicut praeuaricatores diuinarum legum , ita contemptores Ecclesiasticarum constitutionum coercendi sunt . In suche thinges wherein the scripture doeth determe no certentie , the custome of Godlie people , and the decrees of the elders are to be kept for a law , and loke how the transgressoures of Goddes lawes are to be punished , so are the contemners of the ecclesiasticall constitutions punishable in like maner . And I neuer yeat hearde prooued , that any suche constitution by the whole churche approoued , was euer hitherto by any good man reproued , But rather taken alwaies as a veritie confirmed , no more after to be doubted , disputed , or reasoned vpon : as the same Saint Augustine againe in an other place affirmeth , saiyng : Vnde Ad I●●ua . epi. cxviij haec cur ita facienda sint , disputare , insolentissimae insaniae est . When thinges are ones throughly agreed vpon ▪ and decided , ones ratified , and confirmed , by the catholike churche , afterwarde to dispute , and reason , why thei ought so to be , it is a poincte of most proude madnes , and most madde proudenesse . Christ he saied , who that is not with me , Math. xij . he is against me . And the churche conuerting the same , she saith : who that is not againe Christe Mar. ix Mat. xvij . he is with Christ . Christ he said I●iuniate : Fast you , tellyng neyther howe , neyther whan . The Churche , shee hath tolde , bothe how , and when . Christ , he saied Mar. xiij . Lu. xviij . Orate : pray you : and added semper , euer : But that euer I feare me , woulde bee turned into neuer with some , if the lawes of the churche were not . Al other thinges for the most part , whiche our Sauiour Christe saied and commaunded , excepte the Churche hadde added the time the place , the circumstaunce , & the maner , woulde perhappes be obserued of some , not al of the best : I had almost said , not at al And this muche for this point . Furthermore our mother the holy catholike church , in that she hath to her children al faithful christians both good & bad , as it appereth by the parables of the net , Mat. xiij . the vine , the floore , the ten virgins Iohn . xv . Mathe. v. Mat. xxv and other mo , shee cannot bee ( as some woulde haue her ) inuisible , hid , & vnknowen , ( althoughe the Churche taken for th onely predestinate , be such in very dede ) For if that wer true ( as it is as false as they that saie it , ) Howe then coulde the churche be assembled of Christ , to a citie set on a high hil , which cannot be hid ? Non potest ciuitas Math. v. abscondi , supra montem posita . How then coulde the obstinate offender be conuented before the Mat. xviij churche , as Christ willeth hym to be ? dic Ecclesiae : how then could the churche be persecuted of S. Paul , as himself witnesseth she i. Cor. xv was ? ●secutus sum ecclesiam de● : how then could Herod lai hand to take & afflict cērtein of the churches membres , as S Luke affirmeth , he did ? Misit Herodes rex manus , ut affligeret quosdam de Ecclesia . Actes . xij Could the membres of a churche inuisible , hid , and vnknowen , be taken , imprisoned , and afflicted of any man , at lest wittinglie ? What reasonable man callyng to his remembraunce any reason at all , will not thinke it vtterly vnreasonable ?

This was the filthie sinke , and swillowe of all these tragedies whiche hathe raged well nighe ouer all Christendome , oute of the which hath roked of late so many stinkyng filthie contagious Heresies , as sins Christes passion hath neuer the like ben heard of attones : And no merueil ▪ when the hedge is broken , euery man lightely goeth ouer . For this gappe ones opened , that the church is inuisible , hid , & vnknowen , & when thei fere not the censure , and verdicte of the visible , open , & knowen church , thei affirme , decree , and define vncontrouledlie , what euer to eche one semeth best . And this muche for this pointe .

Fifthly our mother the holie catholike Churche , in that shee hath to her pappes the two testamentes , th olde , and the new , Euen as all women haue geuen vnto theim by nature , sence to discerne the good temperature of their owne pappes , from the distemperature of the same ▪ so hath the Churche geuen her by God , aucthoritie to discerne the true Scriptures from the forged , the autentical from the Apocriphal . For otherwyse why should we allow & receiue S. Markes Gospell , whiche neuer sawe Christe , nor hearde Christ , and disalowe and reiect Nichodems Gospelle , whiche was conuersaunt with Christ ? Why sholde we then allow and receiue the Gospel of S. Luke beyng but a disciple , & disalowe and reiecte the Gospel of s . Iames , beyng an apostle ? whyche Mat. xiij . Math. ij . & in pro Gospel Origene citeth . And S Ierome also , he citeth the Gospel of Nazares : but as a thyng vtterly Apocriphal : except onely one particle therin of the woman taken in aduoutrie , which particle by the iudgement of diuerse profoundly learned , was taken out from thens , & so insert in to the Gospel of S Ihon. The boke of Iob , the. ii . last bookes of the kynges , the Gospel of S. Marke , th epistle to Thebrues and certeine other Scriptures besides , are this daie all autenticall , and euer haue been , notwithstandyng many haue douted of th aucthors of them ▪ Wherfore more then euident it is , that the Scriptures , as thei taketh their veritie of the holie ghoste , so taketh thei their approbation not of th auctours , but rather of the catholike churche . In somuche that S. Augustine he is not a fearde to saie : Euangelio Contra epist. quae dicitur fundāmē non crederem , nisi me authoritas Ecclesiae commoueret . I woulde not beeleue the Gospell it selfe to be autentical , vnlesse th aucthoritie of the church didde aduertise , and moue me so to doe . And this moche for this point .

Finally our mother the holie catholike Churche in that shee hath to her milke the true sence of the worde of God , shee hath likewise aucthoritie to iudge , & decise al matiers of controuersy in religion . For if the scripture of th olde lawe in Moses tyme was not made the highe iudge of controuersies ( beyng a thing it selfe in diuerse pointes called in controuersie ) but aucthoritie of Iudgemente was geuen alwaies by goddes owne mouth to the learned , and eldres of the Sinagog , to whose iudgement all were bounde to stande , and that vnder peine of present deth , as appeareth in the booke of Deu xvij Deuteronomi , if wee Christians will not bee counted in woorsse state , and condicion , then the Iewes were , nedes muste wee graunt to the catholike churche like aucthoritie of Iudgement for the decision of al controuersies in our Religion : whome if God didde not assist euermore , with the true intelligence of scripture , then should the scripture stande the Churche in as good stede , as a paier of spectacles shoulde stande a blynde Frier . But questionles the catholike churche in this behaulf she is so directed of God the father , who is verax , true : of God Io. viij . the Soonne , who is veritas , the Io. xiiij trueth : of God the holie Ghost , who is veritatis spiritus , the spirit Io. xi●i● of trueth : that she being columna , & firmamentum ueritatis , the ● . Tim. iij. piller , and foundacion of trueth cannot be suffered otherwise to Iudge of the truethe , but truelye , but sincerely , but vprightely : Shee canne not bee suffered , I saye , otherwyse to Iudge : as maye euidentlye welle appeare , and it were no more , but onelye by that briefe , and pitthie reasone , whiche Kyng Henry the eyghte of most famouse memorie ( GOD pardon his soulle ) choked Martine Luther wyth all . His reason was this . Sithen God , woulde not suffre hys Lib. regis Hen. viij . cont . Luth Churche to mystake a boke of scripture , for peril of damnable heresies that may ensue theron ▪ & like peril maie ensue by the misconstruyng of the sentence , as by the mistakyng of the boke : nedes must it folowe , that god wil , in matiers of our faith , no more suffre his churche to take a false sentence for true , then to take a false boke for scripture . Whyche reason at a blush may seeme to bee grounded in some pointe , euen vpon this saiyng of Sainct Hierome . Qua lege Ad Cal●t credimus Ecclesiae dicenti hanc esse SCRIPTVRAM diuinam , eadem credamus ei dicenti hunc aut illum esse sensum SCRIPTVRAE diuinae . Nam parum referebat ueras Scripturas tenere , si vera earum intelligentia Ecclesia frauda●a esset . By what Lawe wee beleue the churche tellyng vs that this is the true Scripture of GOD , by the very selfe same Lawe lette vs beleue the Churche , tellyng vs that this or that , is the trewe sence of the Scripture of God . for lytle shoulde it auaile the churche to know the true scripture , if she were defrauded of the true sence of the same scripture Who so then taketh from the churche this aucthoritie of iudgement , he taketh awaie violently all the certentie of our faith . For geue ones euery man libertie to iudge of the Scriptures after his owne braine , after his owne deuise , and phantasie , them shall you haue as many diuerse sectes sodenly sprong , as is diuersity of idle braines euery where For in these matiers we se comonlie , the more blinde , the more bold : the more ignoraunt the more busie : the lesse wittie , the more inquisitiue : the more fooles , the more talkatiue yea , and wil take on them scoutche presumpteously , and arrogantly the iudgement & decision of any matier in controuersie : none commeth amisse to them . Whose malapertnes , I cannot see , howe it maie be more aptly repressed then with that , or the like taunt whiche one Demosthenes seruaunt , and cooke to the Emperor Valens , was ones quailed withal : Who , what time as S. Tripart . hist. li. vij . cap. xxxvi Grego . in Mono. Basil was conferring with the Emperoure of Scripture maters , pertly precing in vncalled , dasshyng out textes , and chopping in lumpes of scripture beselye , as it were to reprehende that profound learned doctor , was sharplie rebuked , and chastened of the same , after thys sorte . Tuum est de pulmentarijs cogitare , non dogmata diuina decoquere . Sir cooke ( saith he ) if is your Office to see to pottage makyng , to Cates of the Kitchine , and Cookerie , and not to controule Goddes doctrine , neither to entrecounter against holie writte . As whoe should saie : what you choppelogike , how long haue you been a chopper of Scripture ? Meddle with chopping of your hearbes and leaue your choppyng of scriptures hardely . Ne sutor ultra Adag . Horac crepidam . Quae Medicorum sunt , promittant Medici . Tractent fabrilia fabri . Mete is it for the shomaker to iudge of shoes , the Phisicion of Phisique , the carpenter of building , the cooke of cokery , and euerye craftesman of hys owne Occupatione . So that the Iudgement ▪ and decision of high controuersies , & likewise th interpretacion of most obscure places vndecided , ought not tapperteine to th unlearned , nor yet to euery priuat lerned mans spirit , void of assurance , but rather to the spirit , which most certenly by promise ruleth the hole churche , & to the consent of al the holy doctors , & catholike writers from time to time : whose censure in this behalf , is not only not to bee contempned , but is also of euerie good Chrystian earnestlye to bee allowed , earnestlye to bee embraced , and folowed . For what other thing I pray you , ment Saint Ciril Io. lib. iij. cap. xxx . when he saied : Probares est humilitas , & animi nobilis signum , doctoribus credere , ●● illis , ueluti Doctioribus cedere . A goodlye thynge is Humilitie , and a signe of a gentle stomach to geue credence to the doctors and to geue place to they●● , as to the better learned ? What other thing ment S. Ierome ( if at least that worke be S. Ieromes , and not rather Bedes , ( as Amorbachius iudgeth ) when he sated ( expoundyng thys text of the wiseman . Be not wise in Prou. iij thine owne conceipt ) That man is to be counted wise in his own conceipt , whoo in those thinges whiche he might wel haue learned by th instruction of the doctors , presumpteously extolleth himselfe aboue other , as a doctor , and better learned . Est autem sapiens in semetipso , qui in illis quae ex patrum magisterio recte potuit cognoscere , sese prae caeteris quasi doctior extollit . What other thing ment S. Clement , scholer to S. Peter , whan he saied , diligenter obseruandum est , ut lex li. x. reco . dei cum legitur , non secundum propriam ingenij intelligentiam legatur uel doceatur . Sunt . N. multa in scripturis diuinis , quae possunt trahi ad eum sensum , quem sibi unus quisque praesumit , & ideo oportet ab eo intelligentiam discere scripturarum , qui eam a maioribus secundum ueritatem sibi traditam seruat ? Diligent obseruacion ought to be had , that , whan the lawe of god is reed , it be not reed nor taught after euery mans owne intelligence & deuise . For many thinges there are in the holy wryt , which may be drawne euen to that very sence , whiche euery man phantaseth & imagineth in his owne brayne .

And therfore of him ought we to lerne the true sence of scripture , who obserueth the same , accordinge to the trueth , by tradition geuen from th elders to there successours , euermore frōtyme to tyme With this ingin and wepon , as an ingyne and wepon most sure , fought I reneus against t heretike valentinus : fought Tertullian against t heretike Marcion : fought Origen against t heretike Celsus : fought Cyprian against t heretike Nouatus : fought Iherom agaynste t heretike Iouinian : fought Austen against t heretike Donatus : breifely fought all the holy doctours alwayes against all t heretikes of there tyme , euen from the beginning successiuely hitherto . And with this ingyne and wepon were al t heretikes euermore discumfeted , vanqueshed & beten downe flat to the grounde , whiles they were inforced magre ther ●eth and spite of there berdes , tunderstande scripture alwaies , accordinge to th exposition of our mother the holye churche , the holy doctors , & catholike writers , from time to time from age to age , & this much for this point .

Albeit the processe of my mater maye seme to require here , som what to intreat of these ●● notes , antiquitie , vniuersitie & cocent , wherby as wel the catholike church , as the catholike veritie is discerned & knowne , yet for as muche as these . iii. notes hath bin here in this place very coūn●gly & wel tuned vnto you and that tuned but of late , so that the sounde of theim maye be thought yet so brime in your eares , that they nede not to be tuned agayne at this presente , therfore wyll I nowe passe them ouer with silence . What other notes most specially , S. Austen vsed to tune for hys parte , to solace and kepe him selfe with in the lappe of his mother the catholike church , he notifieth it to vs in this wise . Multa sunt quae Contra Epis. Manachaei . cap. iiij . me in ecclesiae gremio iustissime teneant : tenet consencio populorum atque gentium : tenet authoritas miraculis inchoata , spenutrita , charitate aucta , uetustate firmata : tenet ab ipsa sede petri usque ad praesē●ē episcopatum successio sacerdotum : tenet postremoipsū catholicae nomen & cae . Many thinges there are , wherwithall I am holden by force of good reason within the lappe of oure mother the churche : I am holden in , by the consent of all christen people , & all christen nations : I am holden in , by authoritie , begone with miracles , norisshed with hope , increased with charitie , confirmed with auncientnes : I am holden in , by the succession of preistes , from Peters owne sea , continuallye stille euen to this present bishoprike : finally I am holden in , by the name catholike , whiche is of that propertie force & vertue , that neuer hitherto any secte of heretikes , ( were they neuer so unpudent ) hath dared to calle any of there congregacions , or conuenticles the catholike church . If than the very name catholike , amonge al other notes did somewhat holde in S. Austen within the lappe of his mother the churche , who wyll not be holden in , consideringe bothe that name , & many other goodly names and appellacions moo ▪ wherewithall she is termed & signified almoost euery where through the scriptures ? She is Can iiij tho●ly spouse of christ , so dereli beloued of him , that he calleth Can iij. her amica mea , fonnosa mea , colum●a mea , my derelyng , my beutifull , my doue : accounting alwayes all iniuries done to her , euen as done to him selfe , qui tangit illam , tangit pupillam oc●li Zac. ij . mei , who that toucheth her , ( sayth he ) toucheth the balle of myne yeie . She is the chaste Cant. i tirtildowe , and will receaue no nother make . She is the mother Gal. i●ij . of all faithful , & abhorreth al bastardes , borne of heresie & infidelitie . She is the garden Can. iiij . so enclosed , that there may no wylde bore lighly entre therein , & destroy her swete flowars She is the vineyard eiect , which bringeth forth swete wyne , quod Esai . v. confortet corhominis , & not such as the babilonical strumpet beareth in her phial , able to poyson the hole worlde . She is the Ca. iiij . well springe of clere water , running to euerlastinge life , & will suffre no mixture of mudde , & fountens dissipate . She is thou Math. xxij . lye keper of the carcas , that is to witte , of all trueth , wherunto the Egles , that is , the high lerned of the churche , hath alwaies haunted and fedde vpon . She is the stronge piller of trueth , i. Tim. iij bylt on a suer rocke , agaynste whom , nother errour , nother heresie , nother tyrannie , no nother the gates of hell shal euer preuayle . Nec portae inferi preualebunt Mat. xvi . aduersus eam . She is the bodye of Christ mistical , so Collo . i. ioyned vnto Chryst her head , that they haue one spirite , and can not be diuided . She is the cote of Christ without seame , desuper conte●ta per totum , wherin Io. xix . is no particion at all . She is the clocking henne , vnder whose Mat. xxij winges , as her chikens the faith full are alwayes safe , so if they straye farre abrode , they are in daunger to be snatched vp of the kyght the deuell . Breifely she is tharke of Noe , within Gene. vij whom is life and safetie , without whom is present death & drowning . Than from the vnitie of this our mother the holy catholyke churche , wherein is one god , one faith , one hope , one Baptisme , one communion , one sacrifice , one preisthode , and al one : From this vnitie , I saye , who so euer diuideth him selfe , he is ( as S. Cyprian sayth ) an desimpli . prelat . alian , a prophane , an enimie : alienus est , prophanus est , hostis est : habere iam non potest deum patrem , qui ecclesiam non habet matrem : he can not nowe haue god to hys father , who will not whytesafe to acknowledge the churche for his mother : he can not be partaker of goddes charity , who is an enimie vnto his vnitie : Non potest particep● esse Aug. bo. epi. l. diuinae charitatis , qui hostis est ●nitatis wherunto accordeth also this sayeng of S. Austen : Who so doth seperate him selfe Contra donatist . epist. clij. from the catholike church , how commendably and howe godly so euer he thinketh him selfe to liue , and it were no more but for this one haynous offence only , that he is seperate from the vnitie of christ , he shal not haue life , non habebit uitam , he shall not haue life ( saith he ) he shal be counted as dead , for the verye ire and indignacion of god hath euen now alredie lighted vpon him , yea , & tarieth on him toe : ira dei mane● super eum . Wherfore in what state and condition this doughter , this particuler churche of Englande , standeth at this presente , it is nowe to be considered . Wheras euery good doughter ought to captiuate her intelligence , & geue that to her spirituall mother , whiche no good chylde lyghtly denieth to his naturall mother , that is to witte : dreid , reuerence , credit , loue and obezaūce to her lawes and ordinaunces , accordinge to the holsome councel of the wyseman , sayeng . Audi filimi Prou. i. disciplinam patr●s●ui , et ne dimittas legem matristuae , Heare o my sonne the discipline of thy father , and leue not vndone the lawe of thy mother , what shall a man say than of this doughter Englande , whiche ( for many membres of hers , yea , mo than a good maynie ) nother d●ed●th her mother , nor reuerenceth her mother , nor crediteth her mother , nor loueth her mother , nor obeieth her mother , but rather dispiseth her , spiteth her , taunteth her , checketh her , reuileth her , & with all termes of ignomime & reproche , that possibly can be imagined , ceaseth not continually to deface her , & as much as in her lieth , to bring her mother to vtter confusion and desolacion ? O lord god who seith not the miserable , the wretched , and the dedly dampnable state this doughter Englande ( in a parte ) standeth in ? Who seinge it , do not inwardly and hertely lament the same ? Yet this not withstandinge , this good woman our mother the holy catholyke church , for her motherly af fection and tender loue , moued euen with the very boweles of pitie and compassion , she soroweth lamenteth and bewayleth the dedly defection of thys her doughter , pitifully complayninge , crienge out , and sayeng : Audite obsecro confines Angliae , Baru . iiij . thren. i. Baru . iiij . audite uniuersi populi , & uidete dolorem meum . Adduxit mihideus luctum magnum . Vidi enim defectionem filiae meae , quam super duxitilliaeternus . Filiam enutriui , Esaie . i. & exaltaui , ipsa autem spreuit Baru . iiij . me . Educaui illam cum gaudio & iucunditate : dimisi autem eam cum sletu & luctu . Iccirco ecce ego thren. i. plorans , & oculus meus deducens aquas . Factasum in derisum omni thren. iij populo angliae , & canticum eorum tota die . Ambulato filia mea ambulato , Baru . iiij . thren. i. Ego enim squalida , gemens et maerore confecta , desolata , darelicta sum sola . Heare , I beseke Baru . iiii . you o you borderers of Englande , heare all you people about , Thren. i. heare you and see you my grefe . God hath sent me great Baru . iiij . heuines . For I haue sene the deadly defection of my doughter England , whiche her gostlye enemie hathe put in to her mynde . I haue brought vp and Esaiē . i. promoted adoughter , and she hath at length set me at nought I brought her vp with ioye & Baru . iiij . gladnes , but I lost her agayne with sorow and morning . Beholde therfore I morne , & the Thren. i. very teares runneth downe by my chekes . I am made a laffinge Thren. iij stocke to al people of England , and their songe all day longe . walke doughter walke , Baru . iiij . go doughter go : thou hast forsaken me : thou hast leafte me thren. i. as a lone woman , and as a sorowfull , rufull , and wofull mother . And knowinge that al poore of life and death is in the only hande of god ( whiche killeth i. Reg. ii . & reuiueth , sendeth downe to the graue , and fetcheth vp a gayne ) to him , as to the moost cunninge phisicion , do she repayre , & to him , for the reuiuing of her deade doughter , do she besily make her mooste ernest peticion and prayer , euen with these , or the lyke wordes , whiche I haue nowe taken to my theme . Domine , filia mea modo Mat. ix . defuncta est , sed ueni , impone manum tuam super eam et uiuet . Lord , my doughter the churche of Englande ( as touching the life of liuely vnitie ) she is euen now ( in aparte ) disceased and dead : but come laye thy mooste gracious hande on her and she shall reuine . This muche afore the prayers .

FOR as muche as , ( derely beloued in our sauiour christ ) this doughter , this church of England , nowe ( in a parte ) disceased and dead , hathe come to her death by thre maner of wayes , firste for lacke of the life of liuely vnitie with her mother the holy catholyke churche , secondarilye for lacke of the life of faieth & good beleife , And thridlye for lacke of the life of charitie , and good liuing , sithen the firste part hath been alreadie declared . I entende ( God helping , and your patience suffring ) of the two other partes now briefely to entreate , and finally to declare how God laieth his most gracious hand on this dead doughter , for her resuscitation , and reuiuyng againe , and this dooen ( after a plaine , homelye , perceiuable sort ) I shal committe you to God .

First , as touchyng the death of this doughter Englande for lacke of the life of faith , & good belief , No merueil it is verely , if she , ( for a good , I muste saie for a great numbre of her membres ) be sore infected , sore poysoned , sore soule sicke , or rather dead in soule , through misbeleuyng , no merueile , I saie , it is at all . For why , what soeuer diuelish diuises meanes and waies hath been vsed heretofore , of the chiefest miscreauntes , misbeleuers and heretikes , that euer wer in christes church , ( Tharrains I meane ) for th alluremēt of other to thinfection of their detestable doctrine , if a man marke it well , he shal finde the verye selfsame deuises , meanes , and waies , or the like to haue been practised & put in vre of late , here in this our realme almost in euery point . Th arriās firste , for that thei coulde not otherwise lightlye perswade , but vnder the colour of the woorde of God , they talked commonlye of the scripture , alledged the scripture appeled to the scripture , bosted of the scripture , and a numbre of textes , thei had gathered together for their assertion , whiche were in very deede ( as Bunderius writeth ) l. apparaunt textes mo in numbre , then the euident plain textes , the catholik is could finde out for the true part . And therupon Tharrians thei had alwaies in their mouthes gloriously , the word of God , the word of god , the worde of God . And with this their audacitie march g against the church as Tert. saith furth with the strongest in faith thei moued : the weaker thei weried : the wekest of al thei entrapped : the waueryng thei sente away with a scruple in their conscience . Et hac sua audacia aduersus ecclesiam congrediētes , stati quosdam de prescri mouent orthodoxos : fatigant infirmos : pusillos capiunt : medios autem cum scrupulo dimittunt . And hath not the like practise been excercised with vs these fewe yeres past , by our euangelical brotherhod ? haue not wee been likewise by them assaulted with the word of the lord , vrged with the word of the lorde , pressed with the word of the lord , ye when the lorde ( our lord knoweth ) ment nothing lesse ? was other ergo in peruise other Alleluya at Easter euermore common , then was in theyr mouthes , the worde of the lord & Gods boke ? Of whom ▪ yet , may not , ( thinke you ) the woorde of the lorde , & the worde of Gods booke in this point ▪ wel be verified ? Non mittebam prophetas , Ier. xxiij . & ipsi currebant : non loquebar ad eos , & ipsi prophetabant : dicentes Ezec , xiij Ait dn̄s: cum dns non sit loquutus I haue not sent these prophetes , ( saith our Lord ) and yeat thei ranne , I haue not spoken to theim , and yet thei preached , saiyng : the Lorde hath spoken it : when in very dede , the Lorde spake it not ? Against al soche misconstruers , and misexpounders of the word of God , heare ( I praie you ) how Tertullian maketh our mother the holie Catholike Churche , to replie . Qui estis uos ? quando aut vnde ue de praescr . cont. her . nistis ? quid agitis in meo non mei ? quo iure siluam mean caeditis ? qua licentia fontes meos transue●titis ? Mea est possessio : olim possideo : habeo origines firmas : ego sum apostolorum haeres : Ipsi apostoli , sicut testamento suo cauerunt , sicut fidei cōmiserūt , sicut adiurauerunt , ita teneo . Voscerte exhaer edauerūt semper & abdicauerūt , ut extraneos , ut inimicos . Who are you ( saith shee ) when , or from whence came you , what make you in my ground being none of mine ? by what aucthorite cut you doune my wood ? who licensed you to turne the stremes of my founteines ? The scripture ( saith she ) it is my possession , my good , my heritage : I haue had possession therof a long time : I haue good euidence to shew for the same : I am the right heire to th appostles : th apostles as thei willed by their testament , as thei put mee in trust , as thei gaue me in charge , and adiured me to holde , so doe I still hold : wheras th appostles thei haue alwaies disherited , and caste of you , as bastardes , as alians , as enemies , & as such ▪ which ought to haue no right , no title , no intereste at all , in the expounding of scripture .

The Arrians againe thynkyng theym selues neuer hable to induce the people to their heresie , whiles the Catholique , good , and godly lerned bishops were hadde in reputacion , they charged therefore many of them , with diuerse faulse , and greuous crymes . As emong all other thei charged the good , and godly lerned bishop Athanasius both with a maime , and also with incontinence : With a maime , in that he should haue cut of one Arsemius Eccle. hi● lib. x. cap. xvij . arme , tharme of a ded man being broughtfurth of purpose , as the arme of Arseuius , notwithstanding Arsenious himselfe appeared afterward , hauyng both armes With incontinencie , in that hee shoulde haue rauished a certein woman , who being subornated Trip. his ▪ lib. iij , cap xxiiij , for the nones , did like a shameful & shameles harlot , most impudently auouche it to his face : although , as it apered in conclusion , she neuer knewe him , nor sawe him before . And albeit this good , and Godly learned Byshoppe hadde so well pourged , and cleared him selfe of bothe these crimes , that his accusors susteined thereby no litle shame and reproche , yeat was he ( that notwithstandyng ) deposed , and sent into banishment . And hath not the like crimination , and false accusation , ben forged also of late yeres , against certeine of our most catholike , good , and godly learned prelates , worthy for their stoute stedfastnesse , & stedfast stoutenesse in Goddes quarele , bothe to be chronicled in yearthe , and also to bee crouned in Heauen ▪ Was not disobedience laid to ones charge where no disobedience was ? periury to an others charge , where no periurie was ? diuers crimes to diuers of their charge , wher no crime was ? And notwithstanding their iust purgation & clerement were thei not yet deposed and committed to ward , ye & that some of them to most vile ward to Tharrians also for th allurement of the powers , beyng dyuerslye ▪ affected and delighted with chaunge , thei vsed diuers alterations & changes in their religion . whose mutability , & chāgeableness . Hilary most plainly Ad Const. Augustum . declareth . of whom , for auoiding of tediousnesse , I wil touch but here and there a pece , of a longer processe . Scribendae atque inn●uādae fidei exinde usus inoloeuit , qui post que noua potius coepit condere , quàm accepta retinere , nec ueterata defendit , nec innouata firmauit . Et facta est fides temporum , potius quàm Euangeliorum , dum aut ita fides scribunt , ut uolumus , aut ut uolumus , intelliguntur . Et cum secundum unum deum etiam fides vna sit , excedimus ab e● fide , quae sola est : & dum plures fiū● , ad id coeperunt esse , ne ulla sit . Annuas , atque menstruas de D E O fides decernimus ▪ &c. Acustome hathe growen ( saiethe hee ) to write , to innouate , & to chaunge often tymes the Faieth : which custome , after it ones begon rather to make newe Decrees , than to retein decrees redy ▪ made , it neither defendeth th old , nor yet stablisheth the new : and so the faith was made more according to the tyme , then according to the Gospel , whiles Faithes are either so written , as we list , or at lest , as we lyst , so vnderstande . And whereas after the rate of one God , there ought to be but one faith , wear fallen from that faith with is but one , & whiles mo faithes are made , thei haue begonne to be at that point , that no faith at al remaineth . We make euery yere , yea euery month almost a new faith . Hitherto s . Hilari . who in the same place reciteth also . iiii . seuerall chaūgꝭ which th arrians had of their faith , and al in one yeare : And haue we not hadde in like maner of late yeres often chaunges about ower religion , and that accordyng to the affection , and phantasie of Rulers ? haue not we had chaunge in doctrine chaunge in bookes , chaunge in tounges , chaunge in aultares , chaunge in placyng , chaunge in gesture , chaunge in apparaile , chaunge in breade , chaunge in geuyng , chaunge in receyuyng , with many changes mo , so that we had still chaunge vpon chaunge , & lyke neuer to haue lefte chaungyng , til al the hole world had cleane been chaunged ?

Th arriās furthermore t allure and entise al other sortes vnto theim , thei muegled the symple Trip hist li x ca viij with scismaticall psalmes , and Hymnes of their owne deuise : the young petites , with false & fond Cathechismes , ( as did also Iulianus th apostata in hys Eccl. hist. lib. x. càp xxiij . Gre , pres in uita Gre , Naz Guimund Trip. hist lib. v. cap xxxij , Eccle. his lib. x. cap. xxi . Tri. hist. lib. v. cap. xxxix , time ) : th elder scholers , with ▪ large exhibitions ( as did also Berengarius in his time ) : the prestes and prechers , with the promotions , & dignities of the churche , as many at least as would subscribe to their heresie : the catholikes in the meane time , ( whiche refused subscriptions ) being either depriued of suche liuings ther had , other banished , other imprisoned , other at the lest commaunded to silence . And hathe not the like practizes been put in vre of late yeres emong vs also ? Was there not vsed aswel in Sermones , as in Lectures , and other commune assemblies a certeine scismaticall , and singular kinde of praier , somewhat differente from the common order , & sort of praier ? Was there not one perilous , pernicious , pestilente Cathechisme emong other thinges set fourth of late , with a commaundement to bee readde in al Grammare scholes through out the whole realme , And that also setfurth as allowed by the clergy in Synod . Londi . wheras the conuocacation without all doubte ( for the lower house at leaste ) was neuer made priuie thereunto ▪

Hathe not our exhibitiones , ( worthely termed ARRIANS , or BERENGARIANS exhibitions , ) been distributed of late to Scholers , namely in Oxfoorth , with great parcialitie , and respecte of personnes , more for the Corruptione of youthe , then for any good zeale to the maintenaunce of vertue , and learning , none being made partakers therof at length , but suche onely , as would bee conformable to al Subscriptions ▪ Which , if it were not a certein kynde of byinge poore neadie symple Soulles to the Deuill for moneie , I report me to you .

Hathe there been anye spiritual promotion and dignitie , ye or almoste anye meane liuyng of the Churche , bestowed these fewe yeares paste , but vppon suche onely , as woulde ernestly setfurth , ( either by preching either by subscribyng ) al the erronious doctrine , falsli termed the Kynges procedinges ? Hath there been any catholike of late yeares refusyng subscription , but that hath been , other depriued , other imprisoned , other banished their company , other at leaste silenced ?

Tharrians ouer and besides this , for the better defence of their indefensible heresie thei would admit nothing against them , but what was other by expresse wordes mencioned in scripture ▪ other els by their own fond iudgement to bee gathered of scripture . And therupon this terme 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifiyng the consubstantialitie of the Soonne wyth the father , ( whiche terme the Catholike fathers , inspired by the spirit of truth , inuented in the counsail of Nice ) thei reiected it , as a new terme , as a straunge tearme , & as a terme no where hable to befounde through out all the hole corps of the byble . As in very dede the terme and selfe worde 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the same order of sillables , can no wher befound : natwithstanding the thinge ment therby , is easie to be deduced & gathered of scripture , by the iudgement at least of the catholike churche .

And hath not the lyke practise bine vsed of late with vs also ? hath not oure new gospellers exacted of vs expresse scripture for euery thinge vsed of olde in the churche ? hath not they caused to be laid downe al thinges whiche are not other expressely mencioned in scripture , other by there owne fonde iudgemente to be gathered of scripture ? And hath not they thereupon reiected and taunted this terme transubstantiacion , as a terme newe , straunge , papisticall , and no where hable to be founde thorough out the hole bodie of the byble ? But albeit thys terme transubstantiacion may seme to them somewhat a new terme , being not muche aboue thre hundreth yere olde , yeat is the thinge of a farre more antiquitie and auncientnes . As Athanasius ones answering arrius , In dispu said by this terme 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Antiqua res nomen nouum accepit , non uocabulo nouo nouae rei uirtus accessit . An oulde thinge hath receaued a new name , and yeat for all the newe name , it hath not receaued the vertue of a newe thinge . And though this terme transubstantiacion , lyke as this terme consubstantialitie can no where befounde in scripture , ( as in verye dede the terme can not befounde ) yet in as muche as , the thing ment thereby , is easily gathered of scripture , by the sincere & īcortupt iudgment of our mother the holy catholyke church , it ought of euery good christen & obedient child firmeli to be credited & beleued . For that church , which gathered the thinge of scripture & inuented the terme 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 against th arrians : that churche whiche gathered the thing of scripture & inuented the terme 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 agaist the Nestorians : that church which gathered the thing of scripture , & inuented the terme Ingenitus agaist the priscilianistꝭ : that church which gathered the thing of scripture & inuented the terme persona agaist the Sabellians : that very selfe same church hath also gathered the thing of scripture , & inuented this terme transubstantiacion agaynst the sacramentaries .

If you set ought by her iudgement in thother pointes , why shoulde you set noughte by her iudgement in this pointe ? Other receue her iudgement thoroughly , other reiecte her iudgement thoroughly : other make her asothsaier vtterly , other make her a lier vtterly .

Tharrians to be shorte , & not th arrians only , but all other kynde of miscreauntes , misbeleuers and heretikes ( for the moost parte ) , intendinge to in duce and bringe in , the highest heresie of all , they vsed commonly first to make induction ther unto by other meaner maters ▪

And hath not the lyke practise ●ine vsed of late yeres here with vs also ? hath not our new christians , intendinge at length to shoote at the hyghest marke of al , shote first at other lower markes ? yes certenly . for firste butted they at holye water , at holy bread , at asshes , at palme , at tenebringe , at knockynge , at knelinge , and at other like litle ceremonies . Than roued they abrode , at verities vnwryten , at doctours expositions , at mans traditions , at prescript meates , at fastings dayes , at holy dayes , at prayenge dayes , at bodilye seruice , and at suche other meane maters , as vncerten markes . Afterwarde pricked they fully & holly , most blasphemously at the crosse of Christe , at the Image of christ at y● sa●tꝭ of christ , at the mother of christ , at the spouse of christ , at the sacrifice of Christ , at the sacramentes of Christ , & there in at last at the moost precious bodi & blud of christ , as the highest marke of al , the chefest misterie of our faith , & the greatest comforte , man hath in all thys mortal life . Is it than any meruel , good brothren , if this doughter the churche of Englande be now ( ● a part ) disceaced & dead , sithen at the deuices , meanes & waies to slee and kylle christen souies , vsed heretofore of th arrians , hath byn thus practised here of ●ate , by some of her own bloude and brood ? Agaynste whose recheles and leude impietie , holi● S. Austen , if he were now a liue , and harde suche vndecent & vnreuerent wordes , such fonde & strange opinions , suche wicked & blasphemus saigꝭ , as some letteth not to vtter of thꝭ most holy & blessed sacrament , he wold not misse , but sai vnto them as he ones said vnto Iulianus the Contra Iuli pelag. li. iij cap. iij. pelagian with his secte . Mira dicitis : noua dicitis : falsa dicitis : Mira stup●m●s : noua caue●●s : falsa con uincimus . Meruelous thinges you speke : new thigꝭ you speke false thinges you speake : your meruealous sayeinges , we are a stoūned at theim : your newe sayeinges , we wil be ware of theim : your ●alse sayinges , we wyll conuince theim . But for me to conuince thys heresie , & to proue thoroughly the real presence of christis most precious body & blude in the holy & blessed sacrament , as it is a mater of no smal importaunce , nor can welbe done in so shorte a tyme , so do not I intende to take on me suche a waightie prouince , nor yeat longe to stande hereupon at this present . Howbeit somewhat to speake hereof , more for edification of the simple , than for conuiction of the frowarde . I thynke it for the tyme expedient . If our sauiours act & dede were thoroughly correspondent to his worde and promise , ( as god forfende any good christen man or woman shoulde euer or saye or thynke the contrarie ) , sithen he made this promise in the gospell of saynte Iohan. Ioh. vi . Panis quem ego dabo , caro mea est , quam ego dabo pro mundi uita : doubling this worde dabo , after the greke text , to signifie adoubble geninge of his bodie , in this sence : the breade , which I wyll geue you to eate , it is mine owne fleshe , which fleshe I wyll geue also to be crucified on the crosse for the redemption of the world , who can than doubt , but that our sauiour christ at his maundie supper , what tyme he tooke bread in his hande , blessed it , brake it , gaue , & said , this is my body : but that he euen than made it his owne verye bodye in dede ? for otherwise his word and his dede had not ●yne one : otherwyse he had promised a thinge , whiche thinge he hadde not performed . And to th ende it should not be doubted , what bodye he ment , he added as a declaration , quod prouobis tradetur . i. Co. xi Thꝭ is my body ( saith our Lorde ) but what body o lorde ▪ tell it vs playnly , the very selfe same body ( saith he ) that shal be betrayed for you . How coulde he haue expressed hys mynde more playnlye , more euidently , more simply , than to saye , this is this : this is my bodie : yea & that bodye toe , whiche shal be betraied for you ? If this be not playne inoughe , I can not tell , what is playne inough . Thys beleued playnlye vpon oure sauiours playne wordes fyrst the holy doctour S. Damascene , li. iiij . ca. xiiij . who saieth : Non est figura panis & uinum corporis & sanguinis domini . Absit . N. hoc : sed est ipsum corpus domini deificatum , ipso dno dicente : hoc est corpus meum non figura corporis , sed corpus : non figura sanguinis , sed sanguis . The breade and the wine it is not a figure only of the bodie & bloude of Christ , ( god for fende that ) but it is our lordes owne bodie , ioyned vnto the godhed , our lorde him selfe saying , this is my bodie : not a figure of my bodye , but my bodie : this is my blude : not a figure of my blude , but my bloude . This beleued againe playnely vpon our sauiours playne wordes , the holye doctor S. Ambrose , who saith . Antequam consecretur , panis est : De sacra . li. iiij . ●● cap. v. ubi autem uerba christi accesserint ; corpus est christi : Et ante uerba christi , calix est uini & aquae plenus : ubi uerba christi operata fuerint , ibi sanguis efficitur qui plebem redemit .

Before it be consecrated , it is bread : but after the wordes of Christ are ones come vnto it , than is it the very bodie of christ : And before the wordes of christ are prouounced , the chalisse is full of wyne and water : but after the wordes of Christ hathe ones wrought vpon it , than is it made the very blude of christ , whiche redemed the worlde .

This beleued also playnly vpon out sauiours playne wordes , the holye doctour S. Iohan. with the golden mouthe , who saith : Credamus ubique deo , nec repugnemus ei , etiam si sensui & cogitationi nostrae absurdum esse uideatur quod dicit . Quod in omnibus , & praecipue in mysterijs faciamus : Non illa quae ante nos iacent solummodo aspicientes , sed uerba quoque eius tenentes : Nam uerbis eius defraudari non possumus , sensus uero noster deceptu facillimus est : illa falsa esse non possunt , hic saepius atque saepius fallitur . Quoniam ergo ille dixit , hoc est corpus meum , nulla teneamur ambigui●ate , sed credamus . Let vs beleue god alwaye , and let vs not repunge vnto him , no though the thinge , he saith , maye seme an absurditie , both to oure sences and also to our vnderstanding . Whiche thinge let vs do in all maters , but specially in the mysteries of our faith . Let vs not consider the thing that lieth before vs only , but let vs consider christes wordes also , for oure sences they may be & are often tymes disceaued : but Christes wordes they are not , nor can not in no wise befalse . Because therfore christ hath said , this is my body , let vs beleue ( saith he ) without all doubte , that it is , euen as he hath said , his owne very body in dede . This beleued more ouer plainly vpon our sauiours plaine wordes , the holy doctour S. Ansten , who saith : expounding this text ( as it was than read . ) Et ferebatur in manibus suis : Hoc uero fratres , quomodo posset fieri in homine , quis intelligat ? quis . N. portatur manibus suis ? manibus aliorum potest portari homo : manibus suis nemo portatur ▪ quomodo intelligatur in ipso dauid secundum literam , non inue nimus : in christo autem inuenimus : ferebatur . N. christus in manibus suis , quando cōmēdās ipsum corpus suum , ait : hoc est corpus meum . ferebat N. illud corpus in manibus ●u●● . He was caried in his owne handes . But this o brethren how it may be uerified in man , who can vnderstande ? for what man is caried in his owne handes ? In other mens handes mai a man be caried , but in his owne handꝭ , is no man caried . How this may be vnderstand in Dauid literally , we fynde not , but in Christ we fynde . For christ he was caried in his owne handes , whan he , cōmendīg his owne bodie , sayd : thꝭ is my body . For than he caried the same bodie in his owne handes . And how coulde christ , ( I pray you ) carie his owne body in his owne handes , vnlest his body were there really & substancially contained , vnder the formꝭ of bred & wie ▪ for if it were but a figure ( as the sacramentaries saith ) than coulde Dauid and euery other man carie his owne body in his owne handes toe , euen as wel as Christ : whiche thing S. Austen here vtterly denieth And the same S. Austen againe vpon the same Psalme declareth special mater , whereupon a familiare similitude maye be grounded , to expresse , how the real presence may be ( in a maner ) comprised , & may stand ( after a sort ) euen with good reason , though the thinge it selfe in very dede farre surmounteth and passeth all reason ▪ the similitude may be this . Like as th infante eateth the very selfe same foode in substance , that the nource eateth , but vnder another forme , for themfāt can not away with harde meate , but must be feed with milke , and therfore the foode is first qualified of the nurce , chawed and swallowed downe of the noursse , incarnat and incorporat in to the bodye of the noursse , and parte therof by vertue of her pappes ▪ turned in to milke of the nursse , which milke is a foode apte & meete for th infante to receiue to suke & feede vpon , Euen so we christians do receiue the very same foode , the very same bodie and bloude in substaunce , that was crucified for vs here in earth . But because we are all as infantes in this behalfe at least , and can not a waye with suche harde meate , nor can abide for lothsomnes to eate christes bodye & drinke his bloude vnder the formes of fleshe and bloud , oure sau●oure Christ therfore , ( lyke a good nource ) he qualifieth his bodie and bloude , he altereth it , he transformeth it , he exhibiteth it , vnder another forme , vnder the forme of breade and wyne , and so maketh it to vs infantes , as mylke , as a gentle familiare foode , apte and mete to be receaued , with out horror , of euerye christen man and woman . And yeat is it for all that Christes owne verye bodie and bloude stille in substaunce , euen as the milke of the nource ( which the infante sucketh ) is the same very foode in substance , that the nource receaued before , only the forme and the fasshion altered .

Thus to be short beleued plainly vpon oure sauiours playne wordes S. Hierom : thus S. Cyprian : thus S. Basil : thus S. Hilarie : thus all the rest of the holye doctours : wherein they nothyng vareth , but constantly syngeth all one note : beynge at least well construed , and well vnderstande : and beynge not torqued and wrested , wrenched and wryed , as they haue been of some in authoritie of late , ( God graunte theim grace to repente therefore ) . To whome oure Marcus Antonius , oure Marcus Antonius , ( I saye , ) worthye for hys constancie to be named constantius , yea constanti●●imus , hathe so handsomelye and soe fullye answered , that they shall euer haue therehandes full of him , and neuer be hable to streake & replye any thing agayne , at lest worthy the reading . So clarkely hath oure Marcus marked out al thinges that maketh for the purpose : So clarkely hath he accorded the scriptures and doctours sayinges : So clarkely hath he brought al apparent contradiction vnto vnitie in this behalfe . Whereupon one reason ( my thiketh ) may be grounded , which were sufficient , to moue anye harde hart , any stony stomake , any blunte brest , that is not vtterly obcecat , vtterly obstinat , vtterly indurat . The reason shal be thꝭ . Other you must graunte the reall presence of our sauiour christes owne very bodie and bloude , in the holye and blessed sacrament , ( as the trueth is ) , other els must you make vs beleue , that al th aūciant authors and godly persons , all the holy Marters and Confessours , all the holy fathers & catholyke wryters , that euer wrote these . xv . hundreth yeres and more , euen from th apostles tyme hitherto , you must make vs beleue , I say , that these , in this most highe and wayghtye mater of oure fayeth , were all , most shamfully blynded : al , most shamfully disceaued : yea al , most vndoubtedly dampned . For had not they all , ( as it appereth by there workes well construed & wel vnderstande ) , the selfe same fayth in the blessed sacrament , that the catholikes haue at this present ? Dyd not they all be leue inwardelye in there heartes , there present the very bodie and bloude of christ ▪ Protest it in ther writingꝭ , the very bodye and bloude of Christ ?

Confesse it with ther mouthes the very body & bloud of christ ? Receaue it in to their bodies , as the very bodie and bloude of christ ? Reuerence it in their lyuing , as the very bodye & bloud of christ ? Die in that beleife , that it was , the very bodie & bloude of christ ? Wherefore , if it were not the very bodye & bloude of christ in dede , howe can it than otherwise be thought , but that they , beginnyng in a wronge beleife , continuyng in a wronge beleif , diyng in awrong beleif , must nedes be counted , to haue been all , most shamfully blynded : al , most shamfully disceaued : yea al , most vndoubtedly ▪ dampned ? O what an absurditie , what an inconuenience is this ? was Ignatius that blessed martyr dampned , ( trowe you ? ) Ireneus that blessed martir , was he dampned toe ? S. Cyprian that blessed martir , was he also dampned ? was S. Hilarie dampned , S. Basil dampned , S. Hieron dampned , S. Ambrose dampned S. Austen dampned , were all the holye Martirs and Confessours , all the holye Doctours and aunciant authours , all the catholyke writers with an infinite numbre of oure fore fathers , were they all dampned ? O lorde god , what a wonderfull mater is thys . Is it lykelye , ( thynke with your selfes good brethren ) , thinke with your selfes , is it likely , that christ , who promised to with his church to the worldes ende , & to instruct her in all kinde of trueth , is it likely , that he wolde suffre so many holy marters , so many holy confessours , so many holy doctors , so many thousande thousandes of our forefathers , so many hundreth yeares , so shamefully to be blynded , in so highe apoint of our faith and religion ? Neuer thinke it good brethren , neuer thynke it : lette neuer suche an absurditie , sinke in to your stomakes . Wherfore to auoide this vnresonable absurditie & inconuenience , nedes must it be confessed , as aplayn , sure , and vndoubtable trueth , that the presence of the very bodye and bloude of Christ , ( christ , I saye , god and man , ) is here contayned really and substancially in the most holy and blessed sacrament of th aulter . Wherfore to conclud this part , heare you now the earnest obtestation & request , your mother the holy catholyke church maketh vnto you , callynge you all , children : not al , for the presente , but for that past , and that to come : vsing Homilia do . octa . Pasch. ad Baptiza . herein , with a very litle alteration , the wordes of the holy doctour S. Austen . Vos me audite o filioli : audite me per sanguinem christi , quo estis redempti : per no men quod super uos inuocatum est : per illud altare , ad quod accessistis : per sacramenta , quae accepis●is : per iudicium f●●●rum , uiuorum & mortuorum : per salutem denique anima●um uestrarum , obsecro uos : ob●estor uos : obstringo uos : adiuro ●os . Heare me ( saieth she ) o you my deare chyldren : heare ▪ me ( I saye ) heare me . I desire you by the most precious bloud of Christe , where withall you were redemed : by the glorious name of Iesus , whiche was called ouer you : by that holye aulter , whereunto you haue come : by the holy sacramentes , whiche you haue receaued : by the terrible iudgment to come , of the quicke and the dead , at the dredfull day of dome : breifly by the health of your owne soules , euen as you truste to be saued , and auoyde euerlasting dampnation , I beseke you : I praie you : I exhort you : I require you : I charge you : yea I adiure you . What vehemencie of wordes haue we here , what an obtestation is this , what an adiuration ? But go toe , let vs see , what is thy request O woman ? saye on at ones in few wordes . Verely , euen this . Consider with your selues my dere chyldren , consider : fyrste the consent of all the foure Euangelistes , with the holy Apostie saint Paule , of whome all , the blessed sacramente is termed vniformelye , and that no lasse than a leuen tymes , the very body & blude of christ . Consider agayne the hole concent , of all the aunciant doctors and catholyke writers of all aiges , whiche , ( beinge well constred and well vnderstande ) do fully and holly affirme it , the very bodie and bloude of christ . Considre also the concent of dyuers general councelles , ( whose Ad Ianu. Episto . cxviij . authoritie , as S. Austen saith , is most solempne and honorable ) whiche hath in the sprite of god , determined and decreed it , the very bodie and bloude of christ . Considre more ouer the meruealous reuelations , and wounderful miracles wrought of god , and wroten of auncient authours , which hath from tyme to tyme declared it , the very bodie and bloude of christe . Consider ouer and besides this the great bitter scourges & plages , that hath all wayes lighted on al christen realmes , dispisinge & disworshippinge it , and contrarily the prosperous successe and tranquilitie of al christen realmes accepting and worshippinge it , as the very bodye and bloude of christ . Considre finally the dredful dedly dampnable state & condition , you stande in now at this present , as many as do not sted fastly beleue it , the verye bodie and bloude of christ . For in thꝭ behalfe , ( as Epiphanius In Anco . saith ▪ ) you are fallen from grace , and from life euerlasting . A gratia & salute . You are dead , you are dead , you are dead . Hither to your mother , good brethren . Now than , if you continue in the misbeleife of this most holy and blessed sacram●t , and in all other most pernicious & peuilent , most detestable and dampnable heresies , which are ●ow abroode , our mother , the holye catholyke churche , maye haue iust occasion to repayre to the heauenly phicision her spouse , & say the wordes of my theme : Domine ▪ filia mea modo ▪ defuncta Mat. ix . est &c. Lord , my doughter the churche of Englande ▪ ( as touchyng the life of fayth & good beleif ) she is euen now ( in apart ) disceaced and dead , but come , laye thy moost gracious hande on her , and she shall reuiue .

HERE haue you harde the death of this doughter , the churche of Englande , as touchinge the life of faith and good beleife : Nowe shall you heare in lyke maner , the death of the same doughter , as touchinge the life of charitie and good lyuinge .

If misliuyng also and lacke of charitie ( derely beloued ) do bring death to thꝭ doughter , ( as in dede it doth ▪ ) how can she be thought than , other than disceased , other than dead , in manye ▪ membres of hers at least ? for , whan was misliuinge , ( I pray you ) , euer in any aige more a lofte , and more riffe , than euen now of late by our tyme , in this oure realme ? Whan hadde euer more place , than of late yeares , the sayenge of the holye Apostle ?

In nouissimis diebus instabunt tempora periculosa , & erunt homines seipsos amantes , &ce . In the later daies their shall come perillous tymes , & the people shal be louers of them selfes , couetous , bostars , proude , cursed speakers , disobedient to father & mother , vnthankefull , vnholy , vnkinde , cōnaunt brekers , stubberne , falfe accusars , ryotous , fearce , dispisers of them which are good , headdie , highminded , gredie vpon voluptuousnes , more than the louers of god , hauinge a similitude of godly lyuinge , but denieng the vertue therof . Whan , the saieng of the prophet Osee ? Nōest ueritas , non est misericordia , non est scientia dei in terra , Maledictum , mendacium , hom● cidium , furtum , & adulterium inundauerunt , et sanguis sanguinem terigit . There is no trueth , there is no mercie , there is no knowlege of god in the land , but swearyng , liyng , manslaughter , theft , and adultry hath gotten th ouer hand , and one gyltinesse followeth an other . When , the saiyng of the prophete Esaie ? Terra infecta Es. xxiiij . est ab habitatoribus suis quia trāsgressisuut leges : mutauerunt ius : dissipruerunt foedus sēpit̄num : dereliquerunt Dominum : blasphe Esai . i. mauerunt sanctum Israel : abalienati sunt retrorsum . The yerthe is euēinfected with her inhabitantes , for thei haue transgressed the Lawes : chaunged the ordinances : broken the euerlasting couenaunt : forsaken our Lorde : blasphemed the holie one of Israel and are gone bacwarde . When , the saiyng of S. Iohn the holie Euangelist ? Totus mundus in maligno posi●us est . All the whole worlde is set on mischiefe . All whose saiynges , the holie Doctour S. Basile , thinkynge fulfilled in his age , discribeth a disorder , not much disagreaunt from the disordre of this our age .

Subuersasūt pietatis dogmata ▪ ●bati pietatis ritus : Epis. lxiij ambitio eorum , qui d●m non metuunt , ecclesiarum gubernacula inuadit : & iam manifeste , uelut impietatis proemium , primae sedis dignitas ꝓstituitur ita , ut , qui maledicendo est seuerior , ad Episcopatum populi acquirendum sit prior , ac potior : Euanuit hōestas sacerdotalis : desierunt , qui gregem domini pas●ūt cum scientia : ( dispensatio●s pauperum ad propria oblectamenta , mūerūque largitioes , absumētibus ijs , qui ambitionis , & dn̄andi studio tenē● ) : Elanguit Cāonū exacta diligentia : multa est pctilicētia . Qui. N. humanis adiuti oiffuijs ad principatun perueniunt , hac ipsa delinquendi ꝑinissa licentia gratificātur . & ● . Inter ca rident nosinfideles : epist. lxix nutant , ●modicae sunt fidei : fides ipsa in ambiguum uocatur : ignorantia of● ūditur inētibus , propterea quam formam ac speciem pietatis pratexunt , qui sermonem u●●sute adulterant . Silent . N. pie docentium ora : reresoluta uero est quaeuis blasphema lingua : ꝓpha nata sunt sacra : qui sam sunt in plebe , domus oratiōis fugiunt , ut pote in quibus impia docentur : Ab ignatur pastores , ut dispergātur greges : Vnum iam crimen est , quod uehementer pumtur , si quis pat̄nas traditiones diligent̄ obseruet .

Godly decrees ( saith he ) are ouerthrowen : Godly vsages Epis. lxiij are put out of place : th ambition of them that feareth not God , inuadeth the gouernemente of Churches : the dignitie of the high Sea ( as a rewarde of impietie ) is now openly so set out to sale , that , whoe is more earneste then other in railynge , he is more forwarde then other , in attainyng a bishoprike : Priestly grauitie is vanyshed awaye : Gone are they whiche feedeth Christes flock with knowlege : Thei whiche are ambitious , & desirous of ruledom , consumeth the reliefes of the poore to their owne pleasure , and bribyng of other : The exacte obseruation of the canons , and rules of the churche , are waxen faint : great libertie of sinfull liuyng is permitted . For thei ( whiche by others helpe and not their owne deserte ) aspireth to ruledome , gratifyeth their helpers again with theselfe same libertie of misdoing . &c. In the mene time epist. lxix the Infidels , thei laughe vs to scorne : the weakeliges in faith , thei stagger : the faithe is called in doubte : Ignoraunce ouershadoweth mennes myndes , because thei pretende a fourme , & shappe of godlinesse , whiche coloreth their talke with craftynesse . For the mouthes of godly preachers are stopped : but eueri blasphemous tong rouleth at large : holy thynges are prophaned : thei , which be good emong the people , shunneth the houses of praier , as in the which wicked doctrine is taughte : the sheperdes are driuen awaie , that the flockes maie be scattered abrode : one crime there is nowe a daies , most sharply punished , if a man doe diligently obserue & kepe the tradicions of the fathers . Hither to s . Bas . But here now among all other enormities in general , to touche particularly one in the laitie , and another in the ciergie ▪ what shall I saye firste of certeine of the Laitie , whiche hathe what by Hooke , what by crooke , wrong oute of the handes of the Clergie , not only benefices and Tithes , but also the best part of the temporalities of Bishoprikes , hathe thei delte ( thinke you ) charitably with theim therin ? No verely , vnlesse you wille call that Charitie , whyche Iulianus the Appostata ones vsed with the Christians . This Iulianus , Chronic. Cario . whiles hee impouerished the christians , pulling from th● their goodes , and possessiones , he pretended charitie towards theim , bearyng theim in hande he did them a great benefite , and a great good tourne therin . For he saied , he entended their impouerishment for a good purpose to th ende , that thei being made poore , shoulde the more easely obteine the kingdome of heauen because it is written . Beati pauperes , Math. ix . quoniam ipsorum est regnum coelorum . Blessed bee the poore for to theim beelongethe the Kyngedome of Heauen . If then certeine of the laitie , hath entended suche charitie in theire doinges towardes the Clergy , is not the Clergie muche beholdyng vnto them ( thinke you ) in that thei woulde so charitablye vnburden them of so great a part of their weighty liuynges , and laie the burden on their owne backes , and shoulders ? Is not the Clergye , muche beeholdynge vnto theym , in that theie woulde ( passynge the commune Order of Charitie , ) preferre the clergy before them selues , would helpe the clergie to heauen first , and tary behind themselues , comyng after by leisure , when thei may intende it ? But would any suche of the laitie be content ( wyn you ) to haue any pointe of like charitie extended towardes them again ? would the● be content , other shold helpe them to Heauen by like waies ▪ by vnburdenyng theim of any part of their weighty posessions , and liuelyhodde ? It is not to bee thought in no wyse . Wherefore , ( the righte order of charitie standing as it doth , that euery man ought to doe , as hee would bee doen vnto ) sithen the laitie would not , nor could not be content , after suche sorte , to be vsed themselues , their owne conscience must nedes condemne theim , of theire vncharitable , and vniust vsage towardes the clergie . What shall I saie again of certeine of the clergie , which ought to haue ben as lanternes of light ▪ in geuing good example of chastitie & purety of lyfeto al other , hathe they doen godly , & well ( trowe you ) in breakynge their vowes , & in geuing therein suche an offence to the world , that al the whole ordre of presthode hireth the worsse for their doinges , & is in a maner slaundred therby ? But here perhaps some wil replie again , and saie , fyrste , that we secular priestes are no votaries , dooe make no vowe of chastitie at all , because we hold our peace . Secondarily that we oughte not to make any vowe of chastitie , because ( thei saie ) it cannot be gathered of scripture . Thirdly that wee can not kepe the vowe of Chastitie , because thei demeth it impossible . Fourthly that the breache of the vowe of Chastitie is no offence , because it seemeth vnto theym as a rashe vowe . As touching the first point , that we Seculer priestes , notwithstandinge our silence , do professe the vowe of chastitie , it maie ape●e firste by a certeine Canon of a general counceil , which hathe these woordes . Quicun que Diaconitacuerunt , Conciancir & susceperunt manus impositionem , professi continentiam , si postea ad nuptias conuener●t , a ministerio cessare debebunt . What soeuer Deacones hathe holden their peace , and hath receiued the laiyng on of handes holie ordres , hauing ones professed chastitie , If afterwards thei fall to mariage , thei ought to ceasse from the ministery . It maie appeare againe by a certen saiing of s . Bede , our owne countryman , declaryng therin the common vsage of the Churche by his tyme . viii . c. yere agoe , and vpwarde . Nullus sine uoto , ut uel Beda in ● . C uirgo existens ▪ uirgo permāeat , uel contracta uxore , coniunctionis foedera soluat , cōsecr●ri permittitur : nulli praecipitur : nullus ad hoc ministerium subeundum cogitur inuitus : sed si quis iam cōs●sit esse sacerdos , uoto casti●atis se sponte cōst●inxit .

No manne is permytted to be consecrated withoute a vowe , whether it bee to the ende that he beyng a virgine may continue still a virgin , or hauyng a wife , maie loose the promises of coniunction ( as touching cohabitation ) : No man is commaunded to vowe : No man is constremed perforse to priesthode : But if any one consenteth to priesthod , he voluntarily hath bounde him selfe to the vow of chastitie . It maie appere also , and that euidently , by the plaine wordes of the pontificall , accustomed to be redde , commonly at the making of Subdeacons . Where it is saied to all that are to bee ordred , y● as many as intend to receiue that holy order , & therewithall the yoke of our Lorde , and the profession of chastitie , should drawe nere , and receiue the same : as many as woulde not consent thereunto , shoulde then departe from thens . Now after this protestation made ( as it was for the most part alwais made , ) thei that tatied , and receuied that holy order , though thei kept Silence , and gaue no woorde at all of any consente , ye● didde thei not in their verye acte , manifestly declare theire consent therunto ▪ and is not the consent in acte , as good , and effectual , as the consent in word ? I appeale here to the conscience of euery secular prest ( being ordred at least before these fewe yeares past , ) whether he , going to the receiuing of the Subdea conship , didde not thinke assuredly the vowe of chastitie , so annexed to that order , that it should neuer be lawful for him after that , to contract Matrimonie , but was vtterlye out of all hope of mariage . Let euerye mans owne conscience be his owne iudge in this behalf . As touching the second point , tha● the vow , ( we are required to make ) may bee grounded , and gathered of scripture , it maie appeare , and it were no more but only by the vniforme conclusion of thre auncient aucthors , gathered upon one text of the holy Apostle . For Origene for his part hath thus Vere or aliquid dicere , quod ●n̄ ex I● nū●ros Ho. xxiij ●ermonibus apos . it elligi dat' , ne forte uidear aliquos contristare . Cum dicit apostolus hijs qui in coniugijs sunt , Nolite fraudare uos iuicē , nisi forte ex cōcēsu ad tempus , ut uacetis orationi , certum est , quia impedit̄ sacrificium indesinens hijs qui coniugalibus necessitatibus seruiunt . Vnde mihi uidetur , quòd illius est solius offerre Sacrificium indesinens , qui se indesinenti , & perpetuae deuouerit castitati . I am a fraied to speake a thing , yea though the thing I wil sai , may be gathered of the apostles owne wordes . I am a ferd to speake it , lest ꝑhaps I mai seme to make some sad , & heauy . When th apostle said to the maried folke , beware you doe not defraude one another of th office of matrimony , vnles perhappes by mutuall consente for a time , to the ende you maie geue your selfes wholly to praier , it is certenly true , that the continuall Sacrifice is letted by suche as geue themselues vnto Mariage matiers . Whereupon me thinketh ( saith he ) that none ought toffre the continual sacrifice , but soche onely , as hath vowed continuall , and perpetual chastitie . Hiero. con ▪ Io●i . Ambro. in Timo. S Ierome also , and S. Ambrose , grounding themselues vpon the very selfsame texte of th apostle , thei maketh this reason . If no laie man can geue him self throughly to praier , but for the while must absteine from the office of matrimonie , sithen the priest , ( whose office is alwaies to offre sacrifice ) ought alwais to praie , ( yea , and oughte more to praie , then the lay man ought ) therfore the priest ought alwaies , to abstein from the office of matrimonie ▪ oughte alwaies to liue chast . And here I let passe , th uniforme conclusion of diuers aunciente Doctours , gathered vppon the same Texte also of the Appostle . Qui sine uxore ● . Co●. vij . est , sollicitus est , quae domini i. Cor. vij . sunt , quomodo placeat deo . Qui autem cum uxore est , sollicitus est , quae sunt mundi , quomodo placeat uxori . Who that is single , is careful for thinges pertayning to god , how he may please god . But who that is maried , is carefull for worldlye thinges , howe to please his wife . As touching the thirde po●●● , that the vowe of thastitie is possible to be kept , heare , what our sauior saith in the gospell , of the thre kyndes of chast persons . Sunt Mat. xix . eunuchi qui de matris utero sic na ti sunt : & sunt eunuchi , qui facti sunt ab hominibus : et sunt eunuchi qui seipsos castrauerunt propter regnum dei . Ther are some chast , which are borne chaste from ther mothers wombe : some againe ther are chast , which are made chaste of men : & some also ther are chaste , whiche hathe made th● selfes chaste , for the kyngdome of heauens sake . Than if some hath made them selfes chaste , some maye make them selfes chaste : If some hathe done it , some may do it : for , from esse or fuisse , to posse , it is alwayes a good argument .

Yea and that euery man more ouer maye liue chaste , if he liste him selfe , heare you what Chrisostome saith , & that grounding it vpon the apostles own wordis . Non dicere oportet , non possum Ho. xvij ad hebr . continere , & accusare cōditorem . Si N. impotentes fecit nos , qui iubet accusandus est . quomodo ergo tudicis ? Multi non possunt continere , imo quòd non uolunt , dic . Si. N. uoluerint , omnes potuerint . Propterea & paulus ait : uolo omnes homines esse ut meipsum , quia sciuerat , quòd omnes esse poterant , ut ipse . Non N. s● impossibile esset , ho● dixisset You ought not to say ( saith he ) I can not liue chaste , & so accuse your maker , for , if he made vs vnhable , he is to be accused , who commaunded ( the vowe made , to be kept ) . How darest thou than to say ? many can not liue chaste , nay rather say , many will not liue chaste , for , if all wolde , all could . Therfore S. Paule he saith : I wolde all m● were as I am my selfe : because he knew● , that al could be chast as he was . For , if it had been impossible , he wold neuer haue wis●hed it . Heare againe what Origen saieth of the same thing . Nolite conqueri de infirmitate carnis : Ho. ix . in liuit . nolite dicere : quia uolumus , sed non possumus : uolumus continentur uiuere , sed carnis fragilitate deprimim●r , & impugnamur stimulis eius : tu das stimulos carni tuae : tu eam aduersus spiritum tuum armas , & potentem facis , cum eam carnibus satias , uino nimio inundas , omni mollicie palpas , & ad illecebras nutris . Do you not complaine of thin firmitie of your fleshe : do not you say : we wold , but we can not : we wolde liue chast , but we are pressed down with the frailtie of the fleshe : thou armest hir againste thye sprite : thou makest her coragious , whiles thou porrest her full , with fleshe : whiles thou swillest her with ouer muche wyne , whiles thou danlest her with all nicenesse , and feidest her vp , to want ones & intiscmētes . As touchynge the fourth poynte , that the breche of the vowe of chastitie , is an offence , heare first what the holy Apostle saith of the youthfull wydowes , marieng after ther vowe Quae i. ad Timo. v. cum luxuriatae fuerint in christo , nubere uolunt , habentes damnationem , quia primam fidem irritam fecerunt . After they haue ones begone to waxe wanton to the dishonour of Christ , than will they marie , hauing dampnation , because thei haue broken ther former faith , their former promisse , their former vowe . For so is it expounded by the concent of al the aunciant doctours , for brech of the vowe of chastitie , & not for brech of the vow of baptisme , as some wolde haue it .

Heare againe breifly what Epiphamus , what s. Cyprian , what s. Ambrose , what s. Hieron , what Theophilacte , what s. Basil , what s. Austen , whateuery one of these saith in this behalfe .

Epiphanius : Tradiderunt sancti Contra heres. a postoli . dei apostoli peccatum esse , post decretam uirginitatē , ad nuptias conuerti . The holy apostles of god ( saith he ) hath lefte vnto vs by tradition , tradiderunt , that it is an offence , ( virginitie ones decreed , ) afterwarde to faule to matrimonie . S. Cyprian : Christus li. i ▪ epi. xi . dns & iudex noster , cum uirginem suam sibi dicatam , & sanctitati suae destina●ā iacere cum altero cernat , quàm in dignatur et irascitur ? christ ( saith he ) oure lorde and iudge , whan he seeth the virgine dedicated , & destinated to his holynes , to lie with another man , Oh , so he disdayneth & is wood at the mater ? S. Ambrose : Quae se sp os pondit Ad uirgi nē lapsam cap. v. christo , & sanctum uelamen accepit , iam nupsit , iam immortali iuncta est uiro , et si iam uoluerit nubere , communi lege connubij , adulterium perpetrat . She ( saith he ) that hath betrothed her selfe to Christ , & hath taken the holy mantel , sanctum uelamen , she hath alredi maried : she is alredi ioyned to th immortall husband : And if nowe she will marie , after the commen vsage of mariage , she committeth aduoutrie . S. Hierom : Virgines , quae Contra Iouinia . li. i. post consecrationem nupserint , non tam adulterae sunt , que incestae . Virgins ( saith he ) whiche after they be ons consecrated , hathe maried , they be not only aduouterous , but incestuous also .

Theophilact : Virgo deo dicata , In. i. co . vij . si nupserit , delinquit haud dubie plurimum , ut pote quae christo sponso , superinducat adulterum . The virgin ( saith he ) whiche is dedicated to god , if she marie , she offendeth questionles , and that haynouslye , as the whiche vpon Christ her spouse , bryngeth i an aduouterer . S. Basil : De uirginitate . Multae uirgines uirginitatē dno ꝓ fessae , deinde a carnis uoluptatibus concitatae , scortationis uicium , nuptiarum nomine uelare uolunt : non ignorantes ( opinor ) tam & si ignorantiam simulent , quòd , quae sponsi sui dextram praeterijt , nec huius est sponsa , quam illegittime reliquit , nec illius , cuise per uiciosum affectum copulauit . Many virgins ( saith he ) whiche hath professed their virginitie vnto god , and afterward being stered vp , by the volup tuousnes of the flesshe , they will colour their sinne of aduoutrie , with the honorable name of matrimonie : where as they are not ignoraunt ( I thynke ) although they pretende ignorance , that she , which hath started from her husbandes syde , is nother the lawfull spouse of god , ( whom she hath vnlawfully forsaken , ) nother yet the lawfull wyfe of hym , to whom she hath ioyned her selfe by vicious loue . S. Austen : In coniugali uinculo , si pudicitia De bono uidu . ca. ▪ . viij . conseruatur , damnatio non timetur : sed in uiduali & uirginali continentia , excellentia numeris amplioris expetitur : qua expetita & electa , & uoti debito oblata , iam non solum non capescere nuptias , sed etiam , ( si non nubatur , ) nubere uelle , dannabile est . In the bonde of matrimony ( saith he ) if chastitie be kepte , dampnation is not feared , but in vidual & virginal cōtinecie , an excellencie of an higher rewarde is desired , whiche beinge desired & chosen , & offered by the dew of a vowe , after that , not only not to marie , but also , ( though no mariage be , only to haue a wil & a desire to marye , is dampnable . whiche saienge he groundeth moreouer , vpon the apostles own wordes before recited . Wherfore sithen these foure pointis are al true , sithen we seculer preistes , not withstanding our silence , do vow chastitie , sithen by gods law it may be gathered , that we ought to vow chastitie , lithen by gods grace we may kepe the vowe of chastitie , & sithen we do greuously offende god in brech of the vow of chastitie , therfore , for a redresse here of , I can see no better menes & waies , than th aduice & councell whiche the prophet Esdras ones iij. Esd. ix vsed with th israelitꝭ in a case not all vnlike . What tyme th israelites had maried heathen & out landishe wiues , uxores alienigenas , contrarie to the commaundement of god , god being highly displeased with them for the saine , Esdras ( the Israelites beinge gathered to gether ) spake vnto them in effect after thꝭ sort . brethren ( saith he ) sithen you haue done wikkedly , in that you haue maried heathen & outlandish wiues , & therin haue increaced the syn of Israel , & haue highly displeased god , now shal I tel you , what is to be done of your part , for pacifieng gods in dignation & wrath towardis you . Nunc date confessionem ▪ Acknowledge iij. Esd. ix you nowe your offence , be sorie for the same and seperate your selfꝭ again from your heathen & outlandishe wiues . Than al that were offenders , answeringe agayne with one accorde , sayed sicut dixisti , faciemus , Euen according to thy aduertisement , so wyll we do , o Esdras . We acknowledge our offence , we haue done wickedly , we are sorie for the same , we are content to seperate our selfes agayne from oure heathen and outlandishe wyues . So dyd they in conclusion , and all was wel . Euen after the same sort my good brothren , you that are votarie preistes and haue maried , though not heathen and outlandishe wiues ( as the Israelites dyd , ) yeat at least vnlawfull wiues , contrary to your former vowe , wherin you haue displeased god , and offended the worlde , folow you nowe , the holsome councell of the prophet Esdras , saye on a godes name with the Israelites , be not a shamed . We acknowledge our offence , we haue done amisse , we are sorie for it , and we are content to seperate our selfes from our vnlawfull wiues . saye this , and do this . and so doinge , you shall bothe pacifie god , and som what satisfie the worlde also . Policarpus that holy martyr , scholer to S. Iohn the euangelist , whan he harde by his tyme neuer so litle disorder concerninge the misleuinge & ill maners of men , he was wont , ( as Histories maketh Eccl. his . l. v. ca. xx mencion , ) to shut his earꝭ , to hide his face & to crie out , after this sorte : deus bone , in quae tempora me reser●asti ? O good lord , vnto what tyme hast thou reserued me ? What wolde this Policarpus say ( thinke you ) if he were nowe a lyue , and harde th enormities of our tyme : if he harde the mariages of preistes mōkꝭ , friers , nonnes : The multitude of diuorses , thorough out al the realme : the swering , periurie , blasphemie , and vsurie of many a one : the bieng , & selling of temporall offices : the like marchaundise , & chopping , of spirituall liuingꝭ : The bribrie & extorsion of the riche : Their pouling & peelinge of the poore : Their doubling & trebling of rentes , & rearing of īmesurable fines : Their letting downe of hospitalitie : Thimpacientnes of the poore , vttered by rebellion , and tumultꝭ : the disobedience , & contempt of the same , towardes the magistratꝭ : If he harde againe the feruor of deuotion so sore coled that it is almost quenched : The pulling downe of gods houses , & hospitals : the defacing of churches , in spoiling ther goodis & ornamentes : the breking down of aulters : the throwing down of crosses : the casting out of Images : the burninge of tried holy reliques : the contempt of holy daiꝭ : the annulling of vigilles : the breking of Lent faste , & i●●bring dayes : with a numbre of other enormities moo : of whome , because their is no ende , I will make and ende of rehersall , If this holy martyr Policarpus , I saye , were nowe a liue , and harde al this , he would vndoubtedly stop his eares , hyde his face and crie oute , O caelum : o terra : o tempora : o mores ▪ O heauen : o earth : o tymes : o maners . Out alas alas that euer I was borne , to see this daye . Wherefore , to conclude this part this beinge thus , th enormities of liuinge beinge suche amonge vs nowe , or of late , as hathe been recited , and the saieng of him , that is truth , beinge true , ( as it can not be vntrue ▪ ) Quoniam abundauit iniquitas , refriges cit charitas multorum , because iniquitie hath abounded , the charitie of many waxeth coulde , therefore our mother the holie catholike church , may haue iust occasion to repaire to the heauenly phicision her spouse , and saie the wordes of my theme . Dne filia mea modo defuncta est , sed . &c Lord , my doughter the church of Englande , as touchyng the life of charity , and good liuing , she is euen now ( in a part ) deceassed and dead , but come ▪ laie thy most gracious hande on her and she shal reuiue .

NOw that you haue heard the death of thys doughter , firste by defection from her mother , then after by misbeleuyng , & last of al by misliuyng , now shal you heare brieflye , the laiyng on of the hand of God , for her resuscitaciō & reuiuing again The holi scriptur makes mencion of the laying on of the hand of God , by .ii. maner of waies : other by vengeance & correction , other by mercie , & grace . The hand of Gods vengeance , & correction , it hath ben laid on commonly , vpon many of the spoilers , tyrauntes , & ꝑsecutors of christes church . As for example Heliodorus that spoiler & rifeler , did ii . Mac. iij not he fele the hand of gods vengeance & corection laid on him when ( for that he attempted to spoil the temple of Ierusalem , & the iuel house of the same ) he was dedly whipped and scourged of .ii. goodly personages , sent from aboue for the purpose ? Nabugodonozor that spoiler , & rifler , did not he fele Danie. iiij the hand of Gods vengeance , & correction laid on him , when ( for that he despised to redeme his spoile & other his offences , by the counsail of the prophete Daniel , vauntyng of his glorie , & his buildyng of Babylone , in the power , and strength of his own hand ) he was deposed from his Kyngedome : cast out of mennes companye : turned from a man to a beaste : fedde on hey , as beastes doe , for the space of .vii. yeres together , till his heare greewe oute , lyke Egles fethers , & his nailes like birdes clawes ? Balthazer sonne Danie. v. to Nabugodonozor that spoiler & rifeler , did not he fele the hand of Goddes vengeaunce , & correction laid on him , when , ( for that he , with his nobles , his . M. lordes , & concubines , presumed arrogantly to drinke in the halowed vessels of gold & siluer , taken out of the temple of Ierusalem by his father ) he was bereft , not onely of his kyngdome , but also of his lyfe , the hande writyng his Iudgement in the wal , Mane , Thechel , Phares ? Antiochus that tyraunt and persecutour , did not he fele the hande of Goddes vengeance and correction laid on him , wh● ( for that hee was so lofty , and proude , that he thought himself hable to make the sea to be walked ● : Mac. v. on , & the earth to be sailed on , & ( as though he would haue been God himself ) labored by al ij . Ma. ix meanes he ●uld to destroy gods honour , glorie , and Religion in Iurie ) he was stricken with an incurable preuie plage in his bowels , foul wormes bredig in his bodie , with suche a foule filthy stenche breathyng from him , that all his whole host much lothed , shunned and abhorred his presence ? Herode that tyraunt , and persecutor , and cruel murderer of innocentes , did not he fele the hande of Goddes vengeaunce , and correction laid on him , when Acto . xij . he , ( sitting in his royal throne , most roially appareiled , taking Godly honour vppon him , robbyd God of his Glorie , ) was stricken by th aungell of God , & most miserably eatēn vp of wormes , and vermine ? Nicanor that tyraunt , and persecutour , didde not hee feele the hande of Goddes vengeaunce , and correction laied on him , when , ( for that he , in pride of hearte , lifted ij . Ma. xv vp his hand againste the holye temple of God , blasphemyng it , & thretnyng the destruction therof ) he had that hande of his with his hed , hanged vp , before the temple , and that blasphemous tong of his , minsed in peces , and cast to birdes ?

Iulian the Apostata that Chro. Cario . Mais . tyraunt and persecutoure , did not he tele the hande of goddes vengeance , and correction , layd on him , when , ( for that he forbad the christians the vse of scholes , of bathes , of warfare , of bering office , of possessions : slue many a one : cast vowed virgines to be deuoured of swine , ther bealies burst vp , & filled wyth Barleie : spoiled many a churche : abused the holie vessels most vnsemely : and defoiled the holi aulters with his owne vrine , saiyng in despite : En , quibus Mariae filio sacrificant : Behold th alters , wheron thei sacrifice to the sonne of Marie ) , he was wretchedly slain in the fielde , & oute of his dedly wounde , gathering an handeful of bloudde , caste it abroade , and with horrible blasphemy ended his life , saiynge : vicisti Galilee : O thou Galileon , O thou of Galile , thou hast ouercome ? Constantius the vi . sonne to Leo , that tyrant & ꝑsecutor , & most peruert of al before him , did not he feele the hand of Gods vengeaunce , laied on him , When , ( for that he shewed himselfe a mortali enemye to God , to our ladie , to all Chro. Mass . sainctes , and to al Christians : burned vp the holy scriptures : could in no wise abide the name of Marie : commaunded al saintes to be contempned : enforced the christians thereunto with vnspeakable tormentes : made monasteries dwellyng places for souldiers : slewe monkes , nunnes and all religious persons , with most cruel deathes , as many as refused to marie , ) he died to to miserablie & horribly to be recited ? The hande of gods vengeaunce and correction it hath ben laid on also vpon many of the miscreantes , misbeleuers , and heretiks from time to time . For , lighted not it vppon Arrius that Ecls. hist li. x ca. x●ij archeheretike , when he suffred a moste straunge and horrible death , voidyng out al his bowels ▪ guttes , and paunche dounewardes per secessum ? Lighted not it vppon Olimpius , Chro. Mais . that arrant Arriane , when hee suffred a most terrible , and sodeyne death , A fiery dart casten downe sodeinely from heauen , and consumyng hym vp cleane to ashes ? Lyghted not it vpon Chro. Cario . Cerynthus that notable heretike , when , ( as he was bathyng him selfe in a house , & ther was besily vttrynge moste blasphemous wordes against the holy trinitie ) the house forthwith fel downe vpon him & al to crusshed him to death ? Lighted not it vpon Ecls : hist. liv ca xvi Montanus that proude , and presūteous heretike , when he , ( with his two Prophetisses Maximilla , and Priscilla , by thin spiration of the same spirite whiche inspired them to theyre heresies , desperatly hung them selues al iii. together , as it wer for companies sake ? And thys very hande of Goddes vengeaunce , and Correction , it hath ben somewhat of late yeares laied on , euen vpon this doughter , this realme of England also . For , what penurie and ponertie , what hungre & famine , what Sedition and tumultes , what Rebellion , and insurrections hath shee susteined alate ? What corruption of Come , and infection of aier , what pestilent agues , and sodeine sweattes , what seruile subiection , & il gouernaunce of certeine wycked rulers , brieflie , what plage can there almost be rekened vp , but of late yeres she hath susteined some part thereof ? What man canne denie these manifest plages , manifestly to come of God , for the manifest corection of this his daughter Englande , for the acknowleging of herselfe ▪ For what be the plagues of God , yf these be not ?

Wherefore , almightie God , like a good father , who , after hee hath corrected his childe , breaketh the rodde , & showeth mercie to his childe again , now that he hath plaged his doughter this Realme , thoughe not sufficientlye for her desertes , and hath broken the rodde , our Assur , ( which was virga furoris ●●● : the rod of our lordes furie , God pardon his soul ) almighty god , I say , entendyng now to lai on the hande of his endelesse mercye , and Grace , vppon this deadde Doughter , and to reuiue her agayne , hee hathe sygnifyed this his entente , and purpose vnto vs , and it were nomore but euen by that he hath sent to reigne ouer vs , suche a merciful , and faithful : suche a gracious , & verteons : suche a goodly , & godlie gouernesse , & ruler . Quia . n. Deus dilexit populum suum iij. Re. x. idcirco posuit eam principem super eum ut faciat iudicium & iusticiam . For , because God hath loued his people , therefore hath hee set her to reigne ouer them , to th ende she might execute iudgement , and iustice . What can be a more euident token and signe of Goddes mercie , and grace : Goddes fauour , and loue : towardes this daughter Englande , then , after correction to sende her at length soch a Gouernesse which should entre in myraculously , passinge all Mannes Reasonne ? soche a Iudithe , as shoulde cutte of the heade of Holofernes suche an Esther , as should conuerte the wailyng of the Iewes into reioycynge ? Suche a Mary , as by her pure virginitie , & chaste continency , should confound th unchast incontinencie , of al soche as saie , thei canne not liue chastlye , and continentlye ? Briefly suche an Helena , as shoulde be an ernest restorer of the crucifixe of Christe , and a speedye redresser of all thynges amisse , touching bothe faithe , and maners , in euery condicion ? For , as the most vniust and vngodly diuorsemente of the mother , that most noble , godly , and gracious Queene Katherine , of a blessed memorie , from the croune was th original cause of breche of al good order , al good liuing all good beleuing , all godlines , and goodnesse , So doubtelesse by Goddes grace , shal the rightful restitution of the daughter our most noble godly , and gracious Quene Mary , to the croune , be th occasion of restoring again , al good order , all good liuyng , all good beleuing , al godlinesse , and goodnesse . Venient nobis omnia bona parit cūilla . Together with her grace , shal come vnto vs , mercie , and verity , meting together : iustice , & peace embracyng one another : plentie , health , welth , briefly al thinges that good are ▪ So that , after her grace hathe here plaied her part a while ( as she hath alredy moste graciouslie began , ) God shal then extende his most gratious hande , ouer this ded dough doughter this realme , and shal say to her , as he said to the daughter of Iairus , in the dependaunce of the Gospel of this day , Puella tibi dico , surge . Thou damoysell Englande , to the , I saie , arise . Arise England , from the death of misleuyng . Arise England from the deth of misbeleuyng : Arise England , from the dedly defection , & contempt , of thy mother the holy catholyke church . Arise England , I sai , arise ▪ then shal this daughter Englande forthwith reuiue in spirit , quicken in soul , & walk forth , in the path of vertue . And as the daughter of Iairus , in declaration and profe of her corporal reuiuyng , did eat corporal fode , so shal this doughter England , in declaration , & profe of her spiritual reuiuing , eate spiritual fode , the foode of the soule , the most holy sacrament of tha●ter , in that very self same faith , & belief , that her mother , the whole holy Catholike church , hath therin . God grasit this to come to passe , and that with spede .

¶ Nowe one worde for a conclusion , and so an ende .

I Reade in Titus Liuius , that l. i. dec . iij on a time , when the Romans were greuously offended with the Carthaginiens for breache of a certeine leage , that was betwene them , One Quintus Fabius , being sent from Rome , as an Ambassadour to Chartage , to expostulat with them for the iniuries doen , assone as he was admitted into the counsail house gathering his gowne together in maner of a lap , in few woordes he doeth his message after this sort . What nede any circumstaunce , tariance , or delay ( saith he ) O you counsailors of Charthage ? In this lappe of mine , I haue brought you heare , bothe battel , and peace : whether you list , chose and haue : chose battell , and haue battell : chose peace , and haue peace : come of at ones . When the counsailors of Chartage , setting light of the mater , cried together with one voice , Sir , geue whether you list , we passe not on it , No ( saith Fabius th ambassador ) passe you no more on the matier ? then battel haue you : them battail vpon you : then open battaill doe I pronounce and bidde vnto you . And with that , he cast abrode the lap of his gowne , with suche a vehemencie , terriblenes , and horror , euen as thoughe he had brought very battel in his lap in dede . Euenso good brethren , for asmuch as your father God almighty God , & your mother the holy catholike churche , are both no lesse greeuouslie offended with you , at this present , for the breache of the leage & promisse euery one of you made to them in your baptisme , ( whiche leage and promise you haue sore broken , through defection , misbeleuyng , and misleuinge , I , although moost vnworthy suche an hie function , being minimus apostolorum , imo minor minimo , & qui non sum dignus , uocari a postolus , yeat am I come thys i. Cor. xv day , as sent from them vnto you , as a messenger , and as an imbassader . And , to vse few wordes with you , my message is this . In this lappe of myne , I haue brought you here , both benediction & malediction : both lyfe , and death : both saluacion , and dampnation : benediction lyfe and saluacion , if you retourne , and repayre the leage : malediction , death , and dampnation , if you do the contrarie . Now whether you list , chose & haue . But if you set lyghte of the mater , as the Chartaginiās dyd , passinge not whether you haue , passing not whether you retourne or no , than , malediction death and dampnacion haue you , than , malediction , death and dampnation vpon you , then , malediction , death , and dampnation , do I pronownce vnto you , than , thus saith our Lord. Nisi conuersi fueritis & cae . If Psal. vii . you will not retourne , I haue alredie vnseabred , sharpned , & Eze. xxi . Psal. vii . well scoured my sword : I haue shaken my sword , I haue bent my bowe , and I haue prepared my arrowes , euen as instrumentes of deathe against you . than , thus saieth oure lorde : maledicti eritis in ciuitate &c. Cursed Deur . xxviij . shal you be in the citie : cursed in the feld : cursed at your out going : coursed at your in comynge : coursed shal be the fruite of your bodie , the fruite of your lande , the fruite of your catel : coursed shal be your basket , & your store . Than , thus saith our lord : Vaegenti Esa. i. peccatrici &c. Woo bee to this sinfull nation : wo be to this frowarde generacion : wo be to these vnnatural chyldren : wo , wo , wo , be to all the inhabitantes Apo. xxi of Englande . Than , thus saith our lord : Ite maledicti &c. Mat. xxv . Go you cursed in to the euerlastinge fyre , whiche was prepared for the deuell , and his angelles : where , in the fyrie furnes , and bourning lake , is weping , apoc. xxi Luc. xiij . Psal. x. Marc. ix . waylinge , and gnasshinge of teeth : where , fire , brimstone , storme , tempest , & the worme of conscience , shal be part of your tormentes : where , you shall burne in vnsquenchable fyre , Exo. xv . Hebr. vi . for euer , and a day : inaeternum , & ultra . Atspero deuobis uiri fratres meliora , & quae uiciniora sunt saluti , tam & si ita loquimur . But I truste ( dere brethren ) better thinges of you , & thinges nere to saluacion , al though I thus speake . I trust you wil return , you will repente , you will repayre the leage . And I truste you will most graciouslye harken vnto the cherefull consolation , & exhortation of your good mother the holy catholike churche , besilye calling on you , and saiyng : Animaequior esto filia Baru . iiii . mea , pacienter sustineto , clamato ad dnm , & ipse eripiet te . Animaequior ( inquam ) esto , exhortatur●n te , quae te nōinauit . Ego speraui ●naet̄nū salutem tuam , & ueniet mihi gaudium super ea , ab aeterno salutari nostro . Emisi . n. te cum luctu , & ploratu , reducetautem te mihi dominus , cum gaudio & iucunditate in sempiternum . Sicut uiderunt uicini dolentes , defectionem tuam a deo , si●uidebunt gaudentes , & in coelerita ●e conuersionem tuam ad deum , quae superueniet tibicum honore magno , & splēdoreaet̄no ▪ Sicut . n. fuit sensus tuus , ut aberrares a deo , sic deciestantum , iterum conuertens , requires eum . Filicla mea quàm Gal. iiii . iterum parturio donec formetur in ●e christus , uenito ad me , & timorem domini docebo te . Reuertere reuertere Canti . vi . filia mea , reuertere reuertere , ut intueamur te & cae . Be of good chere ( saith she ) be of good Baru . iii● . comforte o my doughter England , suffre paciently a while , crie on our lorde , and he shall deliuer the. Take a good harte vnto the , for she , who gaue the thy name , dothe exhorte the so to do . I had alwayes a good hoope of thy health , and a verie ioyfulnes shall come vnto me therupon , from oure euerlastinge sauiour . For with wepynge and waylynge , dyd I let the go from me , but with ioye and gladnes shall oure lorde bringe the agayne vnto me , and that for euermore . Like as thi neighbours ( the borderers aboute the ) were sorie to see thy defection from god , so shall they reioyce to see , & that with speede thy conuersion agayne to god , whiche shall come vnto the , with greate honour , and euerlastinge worship . For , lyke as thy sence hath led the awaye , and made the to swerue from god , so shalte thou nowe endeuour thy selfe , ten tymes more to tourne and seke hym againe . O my litle doughter Englande , Gal , iiii of whom I traueill agayne in birth , vntyll Christ be fasshioned in the , come thou to me , & I shall teache the , the feare of oure lord . Retourne my doughter , Cant. vi retourne : come home good doughter , come home : stray no len●ar abrode : leue that babilonicall s●rūpet , whose pappes thou hast long sucked : acknowledge me again for thy mother , that thou maist thereby , acknowledge god for thy father , and he the , for his doughter , & myne . hither to your mother . And if you wyll thys do , than , benediction , life , and saluacion haue you : than , benediction , life , & saluacion vpon you : than , benediction , life , & saluacion dooe I pronownce vnto you . Than , thus saith oure lorde . Sipoenitentiā egerit Hier. viij gens ista a malo suo , & caet : If thys nation Englande will repent her , of her wickednes , than will I repente me also of the plage , whiche I thought to bringe vpon her , and will forget , Eze. 18. and cast behynde my backe Esai . ●●● Deut. 28. all her offences . Than , thus saith oure Lorde : Benedicta eris o filia in ciuitare , & cae . Blessed shalte thou be o doughter Englande in the citie : blessed in the felde : blessed at thy out comming : blessed at thy ingoinge : blessed shal be the fruite of thy bealy , the fruite of thy grounde , the fruite of thy cattell : blessed shal be thy basket , and thy store . Than , thus saith oure Lorde : Ego disposui tibi , sicut & caet . I Luc. xxij haue prepared for the o doughter , euen as my father hath prepared for me , that thou mayste eate , and drynke vpon my table , in the kyngdome of my father . Than , thus saith oure Lorde : Euge filia bona & fidelis , Mat. xxv . quia & cae . Well , good doughter and faithfull , because thou hast byn faiethfull in litle , I shall make the ruler ouer muche : entre in to thy fathers ioy . Than , thus saieth oure Lorde : Venito benedicta patris mei , & cae . Come thou blessed doughter of my father , and possesse the kingdom , whiche was prepared for the , before the begynninge of the world . Wherein , is the glorious quier of the holy angelles and Archaungelles , melodiously singinge : The ryall college of the gladde prophetes exulting : The holy felowship of the blessed Apostelles reioycinge : The noble armie of constante Martyrs , with crounes of victorie triumphyng : The goodly societie , of pure Virgyns , in continencie of bodie and soule , ioyously solacinge . Wherin , of all degrees , orders , and sortes , is suche passinge aboundaunte ioye , suche passinge excellent blisse , suche passinge eminent iubilie , as no ieye can see , nor eare can heare , nor Esa. lxiiij i. cor. ij tongue can tel , nor hart can thynke . whiche graunt vs all , he that suffred for vs all . to whom , with the father , & the holy ghost , be all honour , glorie , prayse , power , & imperie , for euer and euer Amen