Concerning the true beleefe of a Christian man a most excellent and profitable dialogue, by S.C. Herevnto, besides the marginall notes, declaring the chiefe points of doctrines, there is added a godlye and lightsome prayer, which in certain breefe petitions, comprehendeth the very contents of the vvhole vvorke: vvritten in Latine, by Abraham Fleming Londoner borne. To the right Reuerend Father in Christ, Iohn Bishop of London. Translated out of Latine, by Arthur Golding.

A most excellent and profitable little Booke , concerning the true christian faith . ¶ The Persons that talke together are Lewis and Frederike . Lewis .

GLadly in good sooth Friende Frederike , Hee beginneth at the dif●ficultnes of obaying gods healthful commaundements . haue I hearde your talke both yesterday and to day , and therby I haue learned many thinges which I knew not before , and this is one thing which hath cheefly mooued me , that you haue shewed that our Lorde commaundeth not any thing which is vnpossible to be done . For , I was of beleefe before , that ( as it is commonly hearde and taughte ) Gods commaundements are vnpossible to be obayed . Which perswasion , ( to tell you the truth ) hath made me slowe to obay , so as I neuer strayned my selfe to obay with my whole power .

Fred.

The lyke hath befalne vnto me also , and I could neuer yield my selfe truely and earnestly to obaying , before I beleeued that it was possible to obay . The effe●tuall po●er and ●orce of ●eleefe . And truelye hereby I haue learned the force of Beleefe , which Beleefe maketh a man desirous & willing to obaye : And desire being afterward matched with power giuen of GOD , bringeth to passe that a man doeth the things which he hath beleeued himselfe to be able to doe , and so he is saued by obaying , as hee was earste vndone by disobeying . And so being led by the spirite of Christ he fulfilleth the rightuousnesse of the lawe , The righ●uousnes of the law ●nd why ●t bea●eth that ●ame ▪ not walking after the flesh , but liuing after the spirite , whiche righteousnesse is therefore called the righteousnes of the law , not for that it maketh the beleeuer righteous , but because the law requireth it . For the whole performaunce thereof is Christs , because it is brought to passe by his power and spirite , liuing and working in those that are his . The Law then commaundeth , and Christ fulfilleth , and so the praise is due , not to the commander , but to the performer . Neuerthelesse it were to smal purpose to beleeue that it is possible to obay God , Beleefe withoute obedience is dead . vnlesse a man do also know the way how god may be obayed , without the which obedience fayth is dead , and without fayth no man canne be saued . But this I would haue you to bee perswaded of , my Lewis , that the discourses both of vs and of al others are ( to saye no worse of them ) vnprofitable if they trayne vs not to obedience , and to the renewing of the man .

Lew.

These things are true Frederike . Therefore that I may fare somewhat the better by your communication , I pray you shewe me by what meane I may attayne to obey God . For inasmuche as you haue shewed me by your talk , that it is possible to be done , I haue conceyued a desire of obeying .

Fred.

A godly and christian wish concerning obedience . O my Lewis , would God that I my selfe were rightly obedient , to the intent I might leade thee as it were by the hande , to obedience . As now it is vnpossible for me to leade you further , then I myselfe haue attayned vnto .

Lew.

Yet notwithstanding , I beleeue you haue proceeded further forward then I haue done , & therfore I beseech you shew me but as farre as you your selfe are gone .

Fred.

Willingly will I do that Lewis : but I am afrayde the hardnesse and roughnesse of the way will scare you from it .

Lew.

Feare not : I hope I am ready to all things , be they neuer so harde , so I may attayne to the ende that I desire .

Fred.

I pray God to stablishe this willingnesse of yours , and to bring it throughout to the ende . And therefore to go in hande with the matter , you knowe howe the author of the Epistle to the Hebrewes hath written , that without faith it is vnpossible to please God .

Lew.

I know it well .

Fred.

First of all then you must beleue in God , Beliefe in God is most necessary to the obteining of saluation . if you wil be saued .

Lew.

Procede on then to other things my Frederike , for as concerning beliefe , I haue euer from my childhood beleeued in God , & truely I am of opinion , that there are very few ( if there be any at al ) which beleeue not in God .

Fred.

In deede it is very easie to be sayd , and so are men commonly perswaded . Manye thinges are easie to be said which are harde to be done . But I feare mee it is sayd rather rashly and of custome , than vpon truth , for the time hath bene , that euen I also haue beleeued the same , both of my selfe , and of others , but when it came to the triall , then I saw how farre off I was .

Lewis .

Thinke you then that I haue no fayth ?

Fred.

I am not of opinion that you haue no faith Lewis , but I thinke you haue so slender a faith , as it cannot rightly be sayde to be fayth , or saue you . And I praye you be not offended with mee , for in as much as you haue sayde that you are readie to al things , be they neuer so harde , it is meete afore all thinges that you shoulde suffer to haue it shewde , that you want the thing , which you weene you haue aboundantly , The first● waye to the kno●●ledge of the truth and soothly the first enteraunce to the knowledge of truth , is to vnlearne the vntruth , or else there will be no roome for seede , where all is ouergrowne with weede . Come on therfore : let vs examine your beleefe . I praye you Lewis , when you were a child did you beleeue in your father .

Lewis .

What meane you by beleeuing in my father ? What it is to bee●leeue in the fath●● is shewe● by the g●●thering togethe● of certai● circumstaunce .

Fred.

That you tooke him for your father , and depended wholy vpon him .

Lew.

Yea that I did .

Fred.

Then if you wanted any thing , as shoes , apparrell , or meat , you resorted to none but him , neyther doubted you anye whitte his good will towardes you .

Lew.

Surely no more then of mine owne .

Fred.

Againe , if any mishappe befell you , you had your eye vpon him onely .

Lew.

Yea verily .

Fred.

Also if he promised you any thing , you doubted not of his performance .

Lew.

No more than if I had had the thing already in my hande .

Fred.

Then tooke you no thought for his behauiour towardes you , but onely of your owne towards him .

Lew.

You say truely .

Fred.

Moreouer , if he either commanded you any thing , or did any thing himself wherof you beeing a child knew not the reason , or which seemed to you against reason : yet notwithstanding you did it , Howe ●eedefull ●bedience ●o the fa●her is , is ●hewed ●y ex●mples . and stoode not skanning doubtfully vpon his doings .

Le.

So is it . For vpon a time , when new grapes wer broght in , & he bad me treade vpon them with my feete , surely me thought it was a fonde thing to treade vpon so good & faire grapes , which I had leuer shuld haue bin saued to eate . But because he was my father , I thought he commaunded me not without cause , & therfore I obeied him . Also at another time , when he shredded his vines , and greffed trees , to my seeming was agaynst reason to cut of the boughs which nature had broght forth , & which were likely to haue brought forth fruit . But yet this thought ran alwais in my mind , Unles this wer good , my father would not do it .

Fr.

Now let vs come vnto god . You say you beleeue in god the father , and by that name you call vpon him , saying , Our father which art in heauen , and so forth . Surely it is meete therefore that you should depende vpon him no lesse then you depended vppon your father when you were a childe .

Lew.

Yea.

Fred.

Then if you want anye thing you flie vnto God alone , and you doubt not at all , but that hee will giue you all thinges bountifullye . What ? Fleshlye feare , and what it worketh where it beareth ●way . Doubte yee ? Why answere you not my Lewis ? Confesse the truth , and let not fleshlye feare restraine you , which is wont to withholde menne from being known of their vices , because they are afrayde , least ●e to whom they be to be vttered , shoulde mislike of them as of sinful folke , or make the lesse account of them . But there is no such perrill towarde you at my hande , for I cannot finde in my harte to mislike of any man for those thinges , which I both see and bewaile in my selfe not long agoe , and I doubte not but are in others also , vnlesse they be come alreadye to their wayes ende , which certesse we two ( that is to say , you and I ) haue not yet attaind vnto , neither will I make the lesse accounte of you for confessing the things with your mouth to your Friend , which I am sure you acknowledge alreadie in your heart .

Lew.

O my Frederike I am ashamed to be acknowne of it . Uerilye I am ( yea euen verye sore ) afrayde leaste I should want bread and drinke and such other things , specially when I see I haue but a little money lefte , and no likelye meane at hande whereby to gette new money .

Fred

What if you haue youre purse full , or some meane in a readinesse whereby to come by Money , then you take no thoughte at all , or at least wise your thoughte is the lesse .

Lew.

It is so .

Fred.

Ergo , you trust to youre money , or to your owne pollicie , more then to God .

Lew.

How be●●efe in God is ●eglected ●y tru●ing too ●uche to ●hese trā●tory & ●ightfull ●hings . Truely it is euen so .

Fre.

But when you were a child , you trusted only to your father .

Lew.

Yea.

Fred.

Nowthen you see howe you beleue not in God , but in your mony & in your owne policie . Uerily I beleeue these things seeme boystous vnto you , in that you be not able to deny them , & yet are eyther doutful or ashamed to confesse them so soone . But inforce your selfe Lewis . Many things ar to be sifted out which lye lurking in oure harts , and the very roote must be gone vnto , without the plucking vp wherof we cannot be saued . Let vs go on . What say you to aduersitie Lewis ? Is your minde nothing troubled at it ?

Lew.

Yes very sore . I can very ill away with it , & besides that , I seeke all the corners of my wit for worldly help●s .

Fr.

What do you concerning Gods promises ? That Gods pro●mises deceiue no● the belie●uers . He hath promised to giue all things needful for your life , if you first seeke his kingdome & righteousnes . Do you certenly beleeue the promise , so as you dout no more of his faithfulnes , than you did of your fathers when you were a childe ?

Le.

Alas , I am farre from it .

Fr.

But if your neighbour Henry Rottenfeeld , a riche man , and ( in account of the world ) a man of good credite , had promised you three hundred crownes , I am of opinion you were rid of that care for a good sort of yeres .

Lew.

Yea that I were .

Fred.

Now God hath promised , not three hundred crownes , but all things that you haue neede of , and yet you distrust him .

Lew.

O how truely you say .

Fred.

Lesse therefore do you beleeue in God , I say not than in your owne Father , but than in Henrye Rottenfielde .

Lew.

I am compelled to confesse the truth .

Fred.

●wo thin●●es maye ●t men ●●om per●orming ●heir pro●ises . And yet men maye starte from their promises , eyther through vntrustines or for want : whereof none of both can befall vnto God . You therefore by this distruste of yours , doe falsly accuse God , eyther of vntrustines , or of wante .

Lew.

I doe so in deede .

Fred.

Nowe if you doe thus distrust of God in the sustenaunce of your body , whiche notwithstanding you haue neuer wanted to this houre , can you trust to him for the blessed and endles life whiche you neuer yet tasted of ? For consider the matter after this sort with your selfe : If a King shoulde now send an Ambassadour vnto you to adopte you to his sonne , and you beleeued him , how woulde you behaue your selfe ?

Lew.

Truely what substaunce soeuer I haue , I woulde make no reckoning at all of it , and being here as a Wayfarer in bodye , I shoulde haue my mynde running vpon the court : for a much like thing happened to mee when I was a stripling . For whereas I liued in very slender state , I was called into the housholde of a certayne Gentleman of great worship and wealth , Honors chaunge manners , as the common prouerbe sayth . whervpon I felt my mind so altered , that I thought of none of the thinges whiche I hadde thoughte of before , neyther was I pincht with any further care . Inso much that when my father and my mother were aboute to haue sent me a little money , I sent them worde agayne that thenceforth I shoulde neede no money . What neede many words ? I imagined aforehande in my minde , a kinde of fashion of the buyldings , and of the place , & of the persons among whom I was to dwell , and yet had I neuer seene them .

Fred.

I beleeue you Lewis . For I myself also haue had experience of the like . But what if you had not beleeued that message ?

Lew.

Surely I had continued in mine olde state still .

Fred.

And what if a man had seene you abyding in your former state , might he not well haue auowed that you beleeued not the message ?

Lew.

Yes , very well .

Fred.

Howe bountifull God is to them that ●oue him . Now let vs come to the matter . To them that loue God , God hath promised suche good things , as nother eye hath seene , nor eare heard , nor heart of man conceiued . Let vs confesse the truth herealso my Lewis . If we beleeued this promise throughly , should not our mindes be rauished vp into heauen , so as no earthly care might touch vs , and muche lesse trouble vs ?

Lew.

Yes verily .

Fred.

But nowe when we bee glad of gayne , Proofes or tokens of distrust in God . sory for losse , greatly greeued and cast downe with reproch , hoyssed vp with honour , and ouerioyed with pleasure , all whiche things are earthly : is it not an apparant proofe that wee beleeue not Gods promises , but sticke stil to the earthly inheritance ?

Lew.

Yes that it is .

Fred.

What if God should promise vs some thing that mighte seeme vnpossible , as when he promised olde Abraham a sonne by Sara beeing old and barren too ? Or what if he should commaund vs a thing that might seeme vnreasonable , as when he willed the sayd Abraham to offer vp his sonne in Sacrifice , by which sonne he had promised him an ofspring without number

Lew

Surely I am afrayde we would not beleeue him .

Fred.

Abrahams saith is of necessitie to saluation . And yet was Abraham the father of the faithfull , so as if we will be saued , we muste haue the fayth of Abraham . And thus muche concerning beleefe in the father .

This ( as I take it ) is that whiche they call the historical faith . Now if we come to the sonne , I feare me we muche lesse beleeue in him . For I take not fayth ( as a number thinke it ) to be a beleuing that Christ hath done and suffered the things which are written of him : for as for that fayth or beleefe , the very diuels haue it . But I speake of the true , liuely , and mightfull fayth , whiche is able euen to remoue mountaynes , whereof the Lord speaketh thus , The signes that shal follow those which beleeue , The signs that are peculiar to the beleuers . are these : In my name they shall caste out diuels , speake with new tungs , and driue away serpents : if they drinke any deadly thing , it shal not hurt them . When they lay their hands vpon sicke folks , the sicke folks shall recouer . Doo these tokens follow your faith Lewis ?

Lew.

No verily .

Fred.

Then haue you not fayth .

Lew.

Why ? They deny that there is now any neede of myracles .

Fred.

Nother do I now require any such , nother were they at that time wrought by all beleeuers . For Paule writeth , Do all worke myracles ? Haue all the giftes of healing ? Doo all speake with toungs ? The thing that I require , is the same that Peter requireth : Get you strength to your fayth , sayth he . For needes muste the fayth of any man or of any time haue strength , if it be matched with loue . ●he force ●f world●● fayth , ●nd how ●onder●ully it ●noueth ●●en . Which thing that you maye the easier vnderstand , consider the force of worldly beliefe . A man beleeues that ritches are good , & that it is possible for him to atteine to them by marchaundise . Heerevpon , leauing oftentimes a very fayre and deare beloued wife , and young children at home , he vndertakes the vnmeasurable perils of robbers , of wayes , and of seas , and indureth intollerable payns , to fetche the ritches whereon he hath set his beleefe and loue , euen from Taprobane and the Iles of Canarie which are the vttermost partes of the world : and it is his beleefe that purchaseth him this stoutnesse . For vnlesse he beleeued it , he would not doe it . And therefore it may be sayd that this man is inriched by beleefe .

What shal we say of Learning , Lewis ? The childe beleueth that learning and humane artes are a very goodly thing , & to be sought with all his power . And therevppon applying him self to them day and night , he indureth pouertie , colde , and whatsoeuer else , in seeking them with all his might , to the intent he may attayne to the thing which he beleeueth to be good .

Also what do souldiers ? He procedeth i● shewing the stren●gth of the worl●●ly belef●● What kinde of calamitie is there which they vndertake not , to obteine eyther victory or rewarde ? How often watche they all the night long : How often are they pinched with hunger ? Insomuche that sometimes they eate Mice , Rattes , Horses , yea and euen their owne shoes , and afterward make their boast thereof . Whence haue they so great strength ? Whence but of beleefe ? For they beleeue the thing which they couet , to be good .

Agayne , what do Hunters ? do they not spende oftentimes the whole winter nightes abrode , when the colde is so great that it riueth euen the flintes ?

Yea and what do louers ? what inconueniences do they not most gladly indure , to the intent to please the partie whom they be in loue withall ? And still they deeme them selues happy that they haue suffered those things for her sake .

●ow ●ret force ●orldly ●eleefe ●ath euen ●mong ●●me ●hole ●ations . And this force of beleefe is seene , not onely in seuerall persons , but also euen in whole Nations . For whereof comes it that our Italians doo so easily absteine from drunkennes , or that the Swissers are so resolute in battell , that they will rather be slayne , then flee ? Euen of this , that they are perswaded in themselues , that so they ought to doo . And surely if they perswaded themselues alike in all other vertues , they should excell alyke in all other vertues . Many other things of the same sorte may be gathered : so great is the power of the beleefe that worketh in them . Therfore let vs examine our fayth , that we may see whether Christes spirite do dwell in vs or no.

Christ telleth vs that they bee blessed whiche doo hunger and thyrst after righteousnesse : and hee commaundeth vs to hoorde vp treasure in heauen . Come on . Doo you feele as great thyrst of righteousnesse ; as euer you haue felte at any tyme of water ? A trial o● Christia● faith most wo●●thy to b● obserue Or as greate desire of Gods kingdome , as the couetous man feeleth desire of money ? Do you watche day and night to please GOD ? Haue you euer spent a whole yere or twayne in the studie of godlynes ?

Lew.

Nothing lesse .

Fred.

Well : what strength haue you in suffering of wrongs ? If a man strike you on the right cheke , can you turne to him the left ? Can you blesse him that curseth you ? Can you wish well to him that reuileth you ? Can you pray for him that rayleth vpon you ? Can you seeke his welfare which practiseth your death ?

Lew.

Soothly I am very farre of from these things .

Fred.

Where obedience ●s not , ●here is not faith . Then do you not beleeue in Christ . For if you did you wold obey his commaundementes .

Lew.

But I neuer referred beleefe to this obedience .

Fred.

What maner of thing then did you take fayth to be ?

Lew.

I tooke it to be a trust of Gods freebestowed mercy , offred vnto vs in Christ .

Fred.

To what purpose then deeme you Christes commaundementes to serue ?

Lew.

To put vs in mind of our infirmitie , in that we be not able to performe the things which we ought to doe , and so to make vs hang wholly vpon Christ , who hath performed them for vs , and imparteth them vnto vs .

Fred.

Euen the Apostles them selues trusted to Gods freebestowed mercy , and yet they obeyed Christes commaundements . The mar● whereat mans sal●uation shooteth● Nother do I set saluation in our own obedience , but in Gods free mercy . But this I say , that whosoeuer beleeueth Gods free mercy aright , obeyeth Christes commaundementes . And if a man do beleeue but Gods free mercy onely , and not also all his commaundements , threatnings , What things our forefathers attayned to by their faith . promises , and sayings whatsoeuer : I saye his fayth is maymed & vnauaylable . For the full and mightie fayth or belief , is that wherby the Saints haue subdued kingdomes , wroght righteousnes , obteined the promises , & done such other things as any man may wonder to thinke of them . For that man doth not rightly beleeue in God , The fond and ydle beleef of the Iews . which vpon a rashnesse doth but onely behight himselfe saluation by his free mercy , ( after which maner the Iewes doo beleeue still yet at this day : ) but he which doth so flatly yeelde credite and assent , not to some one peece of Gods sayings and dooings but to al of them : as you haue reported your selfe to haue beleeued your father when you were a child : or as we spake of the couetous and lecherous persons , which haue such a fayth or beleef , as is not dead and ydle , but effectuall and workful , counterfetting the spirite of Christ , and neuer resting til it haue obteined the thing that it desired . The workfulnes of Christian faith appereth in charitie . Such a one is the true Christian fayth , which worketh through loue : and whosoeuer hath not such a one , doth falsely boast him selfe of fayth . Therefore whereas men do commonly chalenge fayth to themselues , and yet liue in all kind of wickednes : they lye , & haue not the true fayth , but a dead one , which is no more worthy of the name of fayth , then a dead man is worthy of the name of a man . That this is not fayth in deede , Christ himselfe sheweth sufficiently when he sayth , that at his comming he shall not finde fayth vppon the earth . And also when vnto these whiche saye , Lorde , Lorde , haue we not caste out diuels in thy name ? Haue we not wroughte wonders in thy name ? and haste thou not taught in our streetes ? He shall say , I know you not , get you hence yee workers of wickednes . Ye see he will admit none for faythfull , but onely the weldoers and the obeyers . For they be the only persons which haue the true fayth : Who they bee whiche haue the true christian faith . of whom it is written thus , These are they whiche haue mainteyned Gods commaundementes , and the faith of Iesus . Nowe if you haue not the fayth which maye make you righteous , ( that is to say , chaste , lowly , gentle , liberall , and indued with such other of the vertues : ) see how farre you be of from beeing able to worke the miracles which Christ hath tolde vs should be the signes of fayth . To what purpose bodily miracles are wrought . I require not here bodily myracles , whiche were appoynted to the first trayning of the Church vnto fayth : But the thing that I require , is , that he which beleeueth in Chr●st should breede the same vertues in other men , which God hath bred in him : that is to wit , that of drunkards , he should make them sober : of lecherous , chast : of yreful , meeld : and at a word , of vnrighteous , righteous . For , to caste out diuels , The diuels that lurk with in vs : and what is ment by speaking with new tungs . is to cast out the vices of lecherie , couetousnes , wrathfulnes , and such other . Also to speake with new tongs , is to speake with fyrie and burning speach , such as no man can withstande : of which sorte theirs is , whiche speake the things , not which they haue hard , but which they haue seene with their eyes , heard with their eares , and felt with their hands : that is to saye , which they haue printed throughly in their harts , & which they do as verily beleeue , as you do verily beleeue that it is nowe day , The workes of suche as speake with new tungs . or that anone it shal be night . With suche toungs they be able , truely and effectually to comforte the afflicted , to harten the weak-minded , to releeue them that are in despayre , to strengthen the feeble , to counsell the fearefull , and to performe suche other things : which I make farre greater account of , then of the working of outward miracles , and of such as belong but only to the body . If a man haue not these things himself , ne can conuey them into others : I see not by what right he can claime faith , vnlesse it be the fayth which the diuels haue , who do beleeue that there is a God , & do quake at him . Of the true and iustifying faith , and how mighty it is in working . But I speake of the true and iustifying fayth , which maketh a man partaker of the nature of God , and causeth all things to be possible to him . I haue shewed afore , howe great force beleefe hath in matters of this worlde : and the same is to be seene euen in Religion , be it false or true . The Turkes beleeue that wine is not to bee drunke , and therfore they can forbeare wine . The Iewes beleeue that a man ought to absteine from the things which the Law forbiddeth : and therefore they absteine . There are to be found which doo pyne them selues to death with long ouerfasting : some whippe them selues , I say not greeuouslye , but euen cruelly , till the bloud followe : other some for Religions sake doo take vppon them long pilgrimages , No man doubtes but that all these things ar spoken of the wicked beleefe . wherein they indure beggerie and many other inconueniences and perils . What shall I saye of those whiche haue gelded them selues ? What shall I say of the Circumcellions , who ( as the report goeth of them ) to th intent to become Martyrs themselues and to make otherfolkes Martyrs with them , fordid themselues by sundry sorts of death , as drowning , burning , and leaping from high places , and perswaded other men to doe the like : all which things they dyd throughly beleeue . For vnlesse they had beleeued that those things were to be done , they would not haue done them . By an argument from the lesser to the greater , he sheweth the force of the true fayth . To bee shorte , whatsoeuer thing men beleeue is to be done , they can [ indeuer to ] do it . Now if their beleefe beeing false , and not onely not grounded vppon Gods commaundement , but also cleane contrary therevnto , haue notwithstanding suche strength : I pray you what is not that fayth or beleefe able to doe , which is both commaunded and also procured and strengthned by him ? shall Gods spirite haue lesse power in man , then the spirite of Satan ? Shall lighte be of lesse force then darknesse ? Ye see what force Paules fayth had : Unto this howre ( sayth he ) we be hungry and thyrstie , naked , and buffeted , we be tossed and turmoyled , we labour and worke with oure owne handes . Beeing rayled at , we wishe well : beeing vexed , we suffer it , beeing reuyled , we take comfort at it . Paules faith warranted by his owne record . If they be ministers of Christ , much more am I : In labour I exceede them , In taking strypes I go beyond them , In being imprisoned I passe them , In death I haue often bin : Of the Iewes I haue fyue times receyued fortye strypes saue one , Thrice haue I bin whipped , Once haue I bin stoned , Thrice haue I suffered shipwracke , Day & night haue I spent in the depe seas , Often haue I iourneyed , Often haue I bin in daunger of Riuers , of Robbers , of mine owne Countreimen , of straung●rs , in the Citie , in the wildernes , on the sea , and among false br●thren : Often haue I bin tyred with trauelling and with watching : often haue I feinted for hunger and thyrst in fasting : often haue I bin a colde for want of clothes . What ●hing held Paul occupied chiefly & aboue all other things . And besides all the other things which dayly distresse me , verily the care of all Churches lyeth vppon me . Who is weakned and I am not the wors at ●ase for it ? who is offended and I am not gr●eued at it ? This is the almightie strength of fayth , Lewis , wherewith he being armed , was inabled to do al things by him which strengt●ned him . And if we haue the same strength , then surely th●r● is cause for vs to thinke ou●s●lues to haue the same faith : if not then let vs not beare our selues in hande , that we haue the thing which we want , least it befall vnto vs at it doth to that man which dreameth that he hath found a treasure , and when he awaketh he hath not a halfepeny ?

Lew.

O my Frederike , The true faith hath scarce any place in the world . my imagination that I abounded in faith is but a dreame : but now beeing wakened by your wordes , I see playnly that I am quite & cleane without it , as the rest of the world is . For as for this effectuall power of fayth , I nother finde it in myselfe , nor perceyue it in the world .

Fred.

That you bee faithlesse , Lewis , it is to be lamented : but that being so , you see yourself to be so , that is not only not to be lamented , but also to be reioyced at , like as a sicknesse is it selfe to be misliked , but the knowledge of the sicknesse is to be well lyked .

Lew.

By what meane then , or by what medicine maye this my disease of vnbeleefe be cured ?

Fred.

By taking away the impedimentes of vnbeleefe .

Lew.

Which are those ?

Fred.

You haue heard them of me already in my former talkes . Howbeit forasmuch as you haue scantly conceiued them as things that your eares haue not herd of : for our maner is not to be ouerhastie in bearing words or things away which we haue not heard of afore , The impedimentes of fayth shewed by an argument taken from the court barre , or from a cace in Lawe . I will tell you them more playnly . Giue good heede . What thinke you to be the cause why no man in matters of iustice is admitted too bee a witnesse in his owne cace ?

Lew.

Because all men do loue them selues , and therfore wil euer speake for themselues , or at leastwise neuer agaynst themselues .

Fred.

You saye rightly . And if they be not willing to speake against themselues , nother are they willing to hear any thing against themselues . For the truth that is against them , misliketh them lesse out of another mans mouth , then out of their owne .

Lew.

It doth so .

Fred.

And if they be vnwilling to heare those things , truely they be not willing to beleeue them . For no man will willingly beleue the things which he is loth to heare of : but all men do easily beleeue the things which they lyke of . As for example . An example by the vse of things in common . If a man should say that the goods of Christians ought to be common among them , whether sorte would eazlyest beleeue it , the riche or the poore ?

Lew.

The poore .

Fred.

Why so ?

Lew.

Because that by that match they should not lose , but rather winne .

Fred.

What woulde the riche folke do ?

Lew.

Hardly , or not at all rather , would they beleue it , bicause they shuld therby become the poorer , which thing they mislike of .

Fred.

Another example by the deliuering of mens souls ▪ &c. What if a man should deny that mens soules are deliuered oute of Purgatory by Masses ? whether would the Cleargie , or the Laytie soonest beleeue it ?

Lew.

Not the Cleargy , because that that opinion would be a diminishing of their reuenewes .

Fred.

What if it should be sayd that Usury were vnlawfull for Christians : were it possible to make those beleeue it , which lyue vppon Usury , and become riche by it ?

Lew.

The laste example by the persecution for religion sake . Scarsly .

Fred.

What if one should teach that men ought not to be put to death ●or religion : whether would they soonest beleeue it which are in credite with the Magistrates , & are diuines themselues , & yet are p●r●e●u●er● of other men , or atleastwise willing to persecute them , or the contrary sort ?

Lew.

Th● contrary sort . For I know some diuines , who as long as they wanted that authoritie ▪ and were troubled for religions sake , taught that men ought not to be molested for religion . And yet the selfe same persons hauing gotten wealthe and authoritie , haue bo●h taughte and done the contra●ie .

F●ed .

You see then how fayth is hindered by s●lfloue , Selfelou● is the hi●derer of fayth . so as men do not easily beleeue the things that are contrary to their lyking .

Lew.

I see it playnly .

Fred.

Let vs consider then whether the same cause be not an impediment to our beleefe in Christ . In the doctrine of Christ are histories , promises , and commaundementes . As for the histories and promises , almost all men beleeue them , because that in them no dutie on mans behalfe is required . Nother is there any controuersie among Christians , There is ●o doubt ●mong Christians concerning ●he dooyngs of ●hrist . whither Christ haue done the things whiche are reported of him in the holy Scriptures , or whether he haue promised the things that are conteined there . But what is the cause that so fewe beleeue his commaundementes ?

Lew.

Do f●wer folke beleeue his commaundementes , then do beleeue his doings and promises ?

Fred.

Doubt you of that ? First as touching Gods commaundements , whereas our masters vniuersally be wont to teache , that they be not set downe to the intent we should obey them , but to make vs acknowledge our infirmities ▪ what else is it then a ●iscrediting of Gods commaundementes ? For seeing our Lord hath sayd , that all things are possible to him that beleeueth : and Paule sayth he is able to doo all things through him that strengthneth him : What is the cause that so fewe beleue gods commaundements . surely that man which not onely obeyeth not Gods commaundementes , but also beleeueth that it is vnpossible to obey them , doth not beleue the commaundements aright . Whervpon it followeth , that looke how fewe folke obey the commaundementes , so few do beleeue them .

Lew.

But this saying whiche you allege , namely , that al things are possible to the beleuer , seemeth to be spoken of myracles , and not of obedience .

Fred.

It is spoken generally of all the works of fayth which I spake of in alledging that place of the Epistle to the Hebrewes . Thorough fayth the Saints conquered kingdomes , wrought righteousnes , &c. For surely , to worke righteousnes is a deede of fayth . Besides this , Not miracles but beleefe is neede●ull to saluation . if Gods wil be that men should through fayth be able to work miracles , which notwithstanding are not of the necessitie of their saluation : muche more is it his will that they should by the same fayth bee able to obey his commaundementes , seeing that without obedience a man can not be saued , and that to obey is not a harder matter then to worke myracles , and yet that to obey belongeth to all beleeuers , wheras to worke myracles belongeth not to all , as I haue shewed afore .

Lew.

In deede these things are true Frederike , but yet there remayneth one thing whiche I would ●ayne haue opened vnto me . You sayd euen now that all men beleeue Christes hystories , but not his commaundementes likewise . The beleuing Christes resurrec●tion , ma●keth all the rest o● his sayings and doings credible ▪ But if they beleeued the whole story of Christ , and specially his resurrection : in my opinion they should beleeue all the other things also . For no doubt but if they beleeued that Iesus Christ is risen from the dead , in so doing they should both beleeue that he is the very sonne of God in deede , and moreouer giue credite to all his sayings . In whiche respect Iohn sayde , These thinges are written to the intent yee mighte beleeue that Iesus is the annoynted sonne of God , & that through beleeuing it ye should obteine lite by his nam● .

Fred.

Wheras I deny that they beleeue his commaundementes , I would not haue it so taken , What is ●ent by ●ot be●euing of Christes ●ōmaun●ements , ●nd who ●hey bee ●hat offend ●n that ●ehalfe . as though they beleeued not that his commaunding of those thinges was well , and as became the sonne of God to do : but that forasmuch as they beleue not that the things which he commaunded to be done are eyther possible or needefull to be done , misconstering them after their owne fancie , and not according to his mind : I say they beleeue them not aright . For your better vnderstanding wherof , I will giue you an example . When God hauing brought the children of Israel out of Egipt , commaunded them to enter into the land of Canaan , did they beleue that god commaunded it ?

Lew.

Yea verily . Or else they would neuer haue sent Spyes into the lande of Canaan .

Fred.

Why then did they not obey him ?

Lew.

Because they were of opinion that the Chananites could not be ouercome , How the Israelites beleeued not God in that they beleued no● his commaundement . and that God had brought them out of Egypt , not to conquer Canaan , but to perish wretchedly in the wildernes .

Fred.

Then did they not beleue Gods commandement according to Gods meaning , forasmuche as his meaning was that they should haue inuaded Canaan , & subdued the Chanaanites .

Lew.

You say the trueth .

Fred.

Then did they not beleue aright .

Lew.

No , not aright .

Fred.

Whether then are they to be called beleuers or vnbeleuers ?

Lew.

Truly by this reason they should be called vnbeleeuers .

Fred.

And soothly so bee they ( Lewis ) in very deede . For in the very same place God calleth them vnbeleeuers in these words . How long will this people spite mee ? How long will it be ere they will beleue me , for al the miracles which I haue wrought among them ? Now , if these be iustly called vnbeleeuers , the same reason leadeth vs to call the others vnbeleeuers and distrusters of Christes commaundementes , forasmuch as they do no lesse misconster the preceptes of Christ , than the Israelites did the commaundementes of God . For Christ hath not wrought fewer miracles to vs , then Moses did to them . Nother doth Christ commaund vs lesse earnestly to subdue sinne , then God commaunded them to subdue the Cananites . Nother are we lesse spiteful & distristful towards him , if we deny that sinne may be subdued , when as he both commaundeth vs & promiseth vs strength , then they were spitefull and distrustfull towards God , in denying it to be possible to ou●rcome the Cananites . Nother do we offende lesse agaynst the meaning of Christ , when we deny that it is eyther possible for vs , or ment by Christ , that we should do the things which he hath commaunded vs to doo , then the Israelites offended agaynst the meaning of God , when they wrested it another waye then hys open wordes imported . And therefore in denying them to beleeue Christes commaundementes , I do them no wrong . How the place taken out of Iohn is to be vnderstood . As touching the place of Iohn by you alleged , it is too bee taken as if a man should haue sayde at that tyme to the Israelites , God hath wrought these miracles for your sakes in Egypt , to the intent you should beleeue and by beleuing enter into the r●stingplace of Chanaan . But the cause why all of them came not there , was not Gods purpose , but their owne hardening of their hartes against him : which thing woulde God were not done in Christ also . But wee see it is so , Howbeit the author of the Epistle to the Hebrewes warneth vs , not to do it , citing this saying out of a certain Psalm , Psal. 95.8 To day if ye heare his voyce , harden not your hartes as your forefathers did harden theirs . Therefore to returne agayne to the matter , Selfeloue dazeleth mens eies that they can not see to beleeue the truth . Whereas these men are wont so diligently to picke out the things to beleeue , which belong to the office of God , and to refuse the things that perteine to the duetie of man , I praye you what a dealing is it ? Gods gracious goodnes hath yelded saluation to all men : O how gladly is this admitted . But as for that which followeth , namely , to teach vs to forsake vngodlynesse and worldly lusts , and to liue thriftily , righteously , and godlily in this world , that is a seede which fewe men receiue . Many beleeue that Christ hath so performed that poynt , as that we neede not to performe the same . Againe , that the man is blessed to whom the Lorde imputeth no sinne , is easily beleeued of all men : but as for that which is annexed to it , namely , & in whose hart there is no guyle , that they beleeue to be vnpossible . Likewise it is commonly vaunted with full mouth , that they whiche are in Christ Iesus are not subiect to any condemnation , for it is a very sweete saying : but as for this , Which walke not after the flesh , but after the spirite , it is bitter , and of very few beleeued . And ( to make few words ) men do easily beleue that they shall reape with ioy : but if you tel them that they must sow with teares , ●hat is ●he cause ●hy false ●rophets ●oe easi●● finde ●redite . they put that sentence ouer vnto Christ . Herevpon it commeth to passe , that the false prophets because they teach delectable things , & blaze abrode Gods pleasaunt promises with open mouth do easily find credit : wheras the true prophets , because they vrge men and make them afraide with threats , and teach the truth seuerely , do beare sway among very fewe , according as Esay crieth out , Lord who hath beleeued our preaching ? Heereby it appeareth playnly my Lewis , that self-loue is the let that men beleue not the trueth . And if selfeloue were done away , they would beleeue nothing so easily as the trueth , as who are borne vnto trueth , and do by and by fall in acquayntaunce with it as a thing of their owne kinne , if there be no impediment to let it . Therefore if you will rightlye beleeue the trueth , ( that is to say , God , ) you muste needes put away selfeloue , or rather conceiue a hatred towards your selfe .

Lew.

Truly Frederik , We must of necessitie ha●e our selues and not loue our selues . you win me to be of your minde in these things : but it is no smal matter for a man to hate himself . Nother do I see how I may attaine vnto it , or yet perceiue whether it be possible for me to attaine thereto , I am so farre in loue with my selfe .

Fred.

I know Lewis , Al things be they else neuer so impossible , are possible to the power of God . that it is a very hard thing , and passing the strength of man : but in this case we must beare in minde , how that when Sara beleued not that she might breede child , our Lord said of her : Is there any thing which god can not do ? The things that are vnpossible to man , are possible to God , & wher god is our guide , nothing is to be despayred of .

Lew.

How pernicious selfloue is , is shewed by certayne familiar examples . I beseech you then shewe me the way to attayne thervnto .

Fred.

By Gods leaue I will do it : giue eare vnto me . If I had a Seruant in whom I very much delighted , fayrespoken and seruisable , whiche should prepare me some meates that best liked mine appetite , & with the same meates should mingle poyson to bereeue me of my life , and you who loue me should haue knowledge thereof , what would you doo ?

Lew.

Surely , I would spedily and earnestly giue you warning , that you should not taste of those meates , nor loue that seruant , for that he lay in wayte for your life .

Fred.

What if I should say that I am delighted with the seruisable behauiour of that seruant , and with the sweetnes of his cooquerie ?

Lew.

I would counsel you that you should not make so great account of your present pleasure , as to loose your life for it .

Fred.

What if some friende of yours were in loue with a flattering and a peinted harlot , whiche were diseased with the Frenche pockes , and you knew of it : what would you do ?

Lew.

I would make him priuie to her disease , and ( to the vttermost that I could ) I would disswade him from her companie .

Fred.

What if he sayde he were delighted with her ?

Lew.

I would tell him that Fishes also are delited with baytes : Men are caught with plesure as fishes are with an Angle & a bayt , to their vndoing . but yet that it were folly to purchase so small pleasure with so great sorrowes , or rather with death .

Fred.

What if he should say that he can not but like well of the pleasure ?

Lew.

I would counsell him , that if he could not yet restrayne the desire of his minde , he should at leastwise resist it , and not yeeld to obey it .

Fred.

But what if he obeyed it for all that ?

Lew.

Then would I think him foolisher then the brute beasts , and worthy of any mischief . For fishes wolues , foxes , puttocks , and such other , be they neuer so hungry , wil neuerthelesse forbeare the bayte , if they spye or mistrust any snare , or any thing wherewith they may be caught .

Fred.

You saye trueth Lewis . Thus then standeth the case . Euerye mannes own flesh is a Harlot , of whom he warneth men to take ve●ry good heede . Euery mans own flesh is as a Harlot ( as Iudas termeth it in his Epistle , ) yea and a peinted harlot , which with her inticements & fayrefawnings , doth allure , delight , & egge the man to sinne , & hold him down in sinne , and at length throw him headlong into death of the soule . And man beeing ignorant of the poyson , imbraceth the pleasures & yeelds himself ouer to them . Now commeth in truth as a friend vnto him , & warneth him that the wages of sinne is death , declaring vnto him that his flesh whom he tooke to haue bin his friend , is his deadly enimie . Moste wholso● counsai● and wo●●thy to b● followe● Therefore if thou desire to be saued , thou must beleue that thou hast not a more noysome enimie to thee then thy selfe , that is to say , then thy flesh , or thy lustfulnes , & that as thou hast hitherto loued it , thou must hencefoorth hate it and resist it , because it is noysome and deadly . And although thou canst not ridde away her allurements out of hande , as in deede thou canst not , for they sticke fast to thee : the trueth wyll saye vnto thee , as it sayde in olde tyme vnto Moyses , Go thy waye into Egypt ( for it lyeth in thee to doo that , ) and I will bee with thy mouth , and I will inable thee to do that which thou canst not do . Euen so Lewis , the trueth sayth vnto thee as now : Do thou what thou a●t able , and God will inable thee to do that whiche thou canst not do . A very fit example , and not ●o be pas●ed light●y ouer . As for examples sake . Thou sittest at a well furnished table , and hast eaten ynough already to refresh thy powers and to staunch hunger . Now there is brought in some delicate dishe , made to prouoke gluttony withall . By and by thy flesh is tempted with it , and putteth suche an imagination as this in thy head : This is a fine dish , if I eate of it I shall receiue pleasure by it . But the spirite striueth against the flesh , and warneth thee thus : beware Lewis that thou yeelde not vnto voluptuousnes , for voluptuousnes is a poysoner . The incomparable harmes that co●● of pleasure . For first it calleth away thy minde from God , than the which there can be no greater mischiefe . For seeing that no man can serue two masters , thou canst not serue both voluptuousnes and god , because voluptuousnes ouerwhelmeth the minde , beareth it downe to the ground , and separateth it from God . Besides this , it also hurteth the body with surfetting , insomuche that although thou haddest no soule , yet oughtest thou to absteine from superfluitie , euen for thy bodies sake . I require not now that you should not be tempted with the inticements of the flesh , but that you should not obey them . And whereas you alledge that you can not but obey them , you be easily disproued . For if a man would giue you a floren to absteine from the sayde dishe , would you not absteine ? [ Yes . ] And will you not absteine by reason of the trueth ? Do you not hereby bewray , that the truth beareth lesse sway with you then one floren ? Or if some man shoulde threaten that he would giue you a blow on the eare if you refrayned not : surely you would refrayne . Beholde God threatneth a blowe vnto your soule , and yet you refraine not . The like I say of all other thinges . The preposterous preferring of the feare of worldly punishment before the feare of Gods wrath & vengeaunce . You be minded to haue to doo with a whore ▪ but bicause a boye is by , you doo it not . Beholde , God is present , and yet you be not ashamed to do it . Do you not nowe make lesse account of Gods presence then of the presence of a boy ? Or if you forbeare for feare of punishment at mans hande , and not as well for feare of Gods punishmente : doo you not preferre man before God ? You are angrye with a man , and you woulde fayne cudgell hym , but you forbeare for feare of the Magistrate : Why forbeare you not as well for feare of God ? I pray you , if you make as great reckoning of God , as you doo of men , why doth the feare of God beare lesse swaye with you then the feare of men ? You slaunder your neighbour : God seeth the slaunder , and yet you doo it neuerthelesse . But if men sawe it , you woulde not doo it . The conclusion gathered of the thinges going a●ore . Runne through all things after the same sorte Lewis , and you shall see that whosoeuer doth more for the loue or feare of men , then of God , doth beleeue in men , rather then in God .

Lew.

O my Frederike , my conscience beareth mee witnesse , that the things which you say , be true and rightfull : but thereof springeth a greefe in my hart .

Fred.

Why so ? did you feele any suche greefe when we treated of Predestination or of Freewill ?

Lew.

No , none at all .

Fred.

I beleeue you Lewis . For knowledge bringeth no greef , but rather gladnes , as which leaueth the old man vnappayred . The knowing of many , yea or of all things is no let but that men may serue the Diuell . For although you could skil of al maner of mysteries , yet might you serue the diuell euer still . But nowe when we deale with the foresaking of our selues , the flesh perceyuing that she must go to wrake for it , playeth as Harlots are wont to do when young men giue them ouer . They vexe them with the desire of them , and try all meanes to holde them still . Euen so that Harlot the fleshe , which betwitcheth all men with the cup of her vncleannesse , as soone as she perceiueth that a man mindeth to giue her the slippe , doth vexe him with the desire of her stil , and leaueth nothing vnattempted , that she maye holde him still . Hereof breedeth great greefe , according to the greatnes of the loue towards the fleshe , like as if you were to forsake your Countrie , looke how much you were in loue with your Countrie , so much would it greue you to forgo it . Sinne be●ing our natiue Countri● cannot be forsaken without greefe to vs . And surely sin is our Countrie , ( for in sinne haue our mothers conceiued vs ) which cannot be forsaken without greef . Here is that Crosse of Christ , wherof he him selfe sayth , If any man be minded to come after me , let him take vp his Crosse and follow me . And if any man come vnto me and hate not his father & mother , wife and children , brethren & systers , yea and euen his owne lyfe , so as he be contented to beare his crosse and to folowe me , he cannot be my disciple . ●e will ●arne to ●e oure ●●es , we ●ust me●re it by ●re ha●●ng of o●●er men . And to the intent you may vnderstande what the hating of a mans self is , and what crosse it bringeth with it , consider it throughly by the hating of another man . If you hated a man deadly , how would you be minded towards him ? or what would you do to him ?

Lew.

I would wish him al euil euen from my heart , & likewise enuie him any good , I would be sory for his welfare , & glad of his aduersitie . If a man broght me word of any mischance of his , I would reioyce at it , & both gently intertein & liberally rewarde the messenger with some gifte . To be short , I would loue mine enimies foes & do them good , & I would hate his friends and do them harme if I could . All his sayings and doings would I prye at , and take aduantage of them , and by all meanes possible ( yea diuers times euen to mine owne harme ) would I hurt him . Finally , I would kill him if I coulde , and that not by anye common maner , but with the gree●ousest death that could be : and I woulde doo what I could to wype the very remembraunce of him out of the world .

Fred.

Now turne this your hatred Lewis , towards your selfe : for you are a deadly enimy to your self , Euery man is a deadly enemy to himselfe : and how such an enemy is to bee delt with . & ought to hate your self deadly , and not other men , who cannot kill you , that is to say , your soule . And therefore you must take paynes to wishe all maner of euill , yea and euen death , to your selfe , that is to wit , to your flesh , and to enuye her all good things , and to be sory for her prosperitie , & to be glad of her aduersitie . And that if any man tell you any thing amisse of your selfe , you may reioyce therat in spirit , and liberally reward the reporter thereof : and ( to be short ) that you may deuise and doo all things against your selfe , as men are wont to do against those with whom they be at deadly foode , & that you neuer rest till you haue killed your selfe . The flesh and the spirit are cleane contraries and f●ght full but one against another . And forasmuch as no man hath euer yet hated his owne flesh , ( as sayth S. Paule . ) You must first and formost be diuorced from your fleshe , that she may no longer be your fleshe , but straunge fleshe : and in her steede you must place the spirit , betwene whom and the flesh there can neuer be any more concord or agreement , then betwene fyre & water .

Lew.

O my Frederike , to tell you the truth , me thinks the things that you speake of are as harde as stone .

Fred.

I beleeue you Lewis , and so must it nedes be . But be of good chere , and begin euen now to loue me in spirite , because I am an aduersarie to your flesh . For it is for your benefite , and you can not be saued so long as your flesh is aliue . Wherefore if you will be saued , see that ye hate your selfe , and forsake your selfe . A famili●ar exampl● whereby he goeth about to teache a man ho● to forsake him selfe . And I will tell you an example of this forsaking . If a seruant giue ouer himselfe in bondage to you , he abandoneth him selfe , that is to say , his owne libertie and will , thenceforth to follow your will and not his owne . Oftentimes when he would sleepe , he must watch if his master commaund him : when he would goe abrode , he must tary at home : when he would play , he must work : and ( at a worde ) he so forgoeth his owne freedome , that if he be asked what he will do , or what he mindeth to do , he must answere , what his master listeth , at whose appointment he is . So we ( if we belong to Christ , who hath bought vs at a great price , ) are not at oure owne disposition or appoyntment , but at Christes : and therefore we must doo , not what we l●st , but what he listeth , and worthily . For if he , beeing the waye and the trueth , did notwithstanding so submit his will to the will of his father , that he sayde , Not my will be done , but thine : what becommeth it vs to doo , A triacle agaynst the diuelish lustes of the flesh ▪ and the instigations of the ●icked will , to res●rain them withall . which are ouer-couered with errours and leasings ? Therefore when you be about to be angrye without cause , you must restrayne your anger at the appoyntment of Christ . When you would giue your selfe to voluptuousnes , you must absteine , and giue your selfe to sorrowing . When you would be aduenged of any body , you must forgiue him . When you woulde doo a man harme , you muste doo him good . When you woulde laughe , you muste weepe . When you would sew for honour , you must indure shame . When you would seeke riches , you muste suffer pouertye . And ( to be short ) you must in suche wise depart from your own will : as if you b●e asked what you woulde , you maye answere , nothing but what Christ listeth . That to the beleuer all things seme they neuer so high , harde , or aboue our power , are notwithstanding eas● to be done . And all these things shal you do throgh faith . For vnlesse you beleued , you would not do them . But it is necessary to be vnderstoode what is ment by this sa●ing of S. Paules , that we must proceede from fayth to fayth . There is a certayne first and vnperfect beleefe , whereby a man is moued to renounce hym selfe . This beeing once kindled , becommeth daylye greater by a mans holding on , vntill at length he be come so farre , that he doth as certenly beleeue all Gods sayings commandements , promises , and threatni●gs : as you beleeue that the day shall succeede the night . Hence springeth that almightie power of fayth , wherthrough it is able to remoue mountaynes , so as there is no pride , no couetousnes , no lechery , nor ( to be short ) no vice so huge & great , which that fayth is not able to put away , and to plucke vp by the ●oote . Howbeit , ere euer a man attayne to that strength , he is to indure many hard things in the way of his forsaking of him selfe , and without such hardnes , there is no accesse to be had to that strength , like as a figge or a grape can not become sweet , except it be first sowre . And because I my selfe haue not yet obteined the victorie , but doo yet still sweate in the incounter of forsaking my self , and as yet am farre of from the garlande : I will say no more concerning the victorie , that is to say , concerning the thing that is vnknowen vnto me : but yet as much as I can I will helpe you ( by Gods grace ) in the incounter , if you will be my companion .

Lew.

Truely for my parte , although my selfe do shudder & start backe at it , y●t am I caryed with my spirite & minde to follow you . For I see no other way for a man to be saued , There is but onlye one right waye to the atteinment of saluation but by departing out of his owne nature , that he maye put vpon him the nature of Christ , and by caring , studying , striuing , and taking paynes to repayre the image wherafter we were created . And therefore beseeching God that it may be to his glory & mine own saluation , henceforth I yeeld my self into this way as a folower of Christ , taking god for my guid .

Fred.

And I thank God for this willingnes which he hath giuen you , beseeching him to finishe his work which he hath begon in you , & to bring you to that poynt , that ye may at length serue righteousnes as you haue seru●d vnrighteousnes , which thin he wil vndoutedly doo , except you greeue his spirite and cast it out through your disobedience . Men must ●ot con●eiue p●rely & ●iga●dly , 〈◊〉 ●●rge●y and a●undant●y o● gods ●●acious goodnes . Finally of this I will warney ●n , that you must haue a riche fayth , because you beleeue in him that is riche in doing good . For men haue euer sinned in beleeuing vntowardly , and more nigardly of Gods gracious goodnes , then they ought to do . Abraham and Sara were rebuked for laughing , as though it had but a matter to be laughed at , that God promised them issue when they were both olde , and Sara moreou●r barr . in . Zacharias the father of Iohn Baptist was striken dumbe for a tyme , because he beleeued not the Angels words . We be commonly more forwarde in folowing the weake beleefe ( or if I may so terme it ) the vnbeleef of the godly , then in following their full and riche beleefe . Why doo we not rather followe those which durst beleeue all things ? Eliseus durst craue double the spirite of Elias , We can not ask● so largely at God hand , bu● that his bountie will surmount it . ( which soothly was a great thing euen by the record of Elias him selfe ) and yet he obteined it : so vnpossible is it for any fayth to be so great , but that Gods gracious goodnes and power doo surmount the same . All thinges ( sayth he ) are possible to the beleeuer . Agayne , Whatsoeuer yee aske , beleeue that you shall obteyne it , and yee shall haue it in deede . Remember ( I saye ) the saying of Elizeus , speaking after this maner to the poore woman : Borrow oyle-vessels of thy neighbours , yea borrow a great sort , and the Lord will fill them al full . Euen so Lewis , let vs do our indeuor that we may haue suche a fayth , as maye be able to receiue the greatest good things , and let vs be bolde to beleeue that God both can and will bring to passe , that we shall loue him alone with our whole heart , soule , power , and strength . ●od will ●●aunt vs ● good ●●ings for ●hristes ●●ke . And he of his owne gracious goodnes will bestowe all things vpon vs , much more largely then we can euen thinke , for his sonne our Lorde Iesus Christes sake , to whom be honour , glory , and dominion for euer . Amen .

FINIS .