An exhortatyon or warnynge, to beware of greater plagues & troubles, then are yet come vppon thys realme, for the synnes and wyckednes that hath bene, & is yet dayly commytted there in..

An Exhortacion or warning , to bewa● of greater plagues & troubles , then are yet come vpo● thys Realme , for the synne● & wickednes that hath bene and is yet dayly commytte● therin .

GRace , mercy and peace from Go● the father of our Lord Iesus christe , with increase of knowledge in his holy & euerlasting word , be with al those that professe Christe & take hym to be their only sauiour & redemer ( the whych knowledge in his holy worde , I praye too God that it may chaunge & alter theyr lyues so , that wher as thei we●e wont to talke & speake of Christe in wordes ) that they nay now preach him in their ●yues & conuersation . He that committeth sinne , is of the deuyll i. Io , iii. b For what a greate shame is it to vs , that take christ to be oure sauiour & mayster ( whereof we take our names & are called christians ) & professe him in wordes ( as S. paul saith ) and wyl denie him in our dedes . Titum . i. c For what soeuer oure wordes & talkes be , it is our lyues & worckes that declareth whose disciples we are , and therfore saith S. Iohn , i. Io. iii. b by this ar the children of god knowen , & the chyldren of the deuyl . Therfore deare & wel beloued brethren in our sauiour Christ , remember what ye haue professed in your baptyme ( you , & your parentes for you ) remembre I saye how that you haue promysed to● forsake the deuyl and al hys workes & to cleue vnto chri●● and do his wil & worckes , 〈◊〉 to become a christian in christ and to fyght manfully wyth hym agaynste the deuyll the● world & the flesh , & to folow hym in lyfe & conuersation . Now my brethren ye know what a promise that is made betwene man & man , & howe that promise that is made with man ought to be kept & not broken , & yf it fortune too be broken by negligence , ye know what a daunger to the world ther lyeth on it . Now yf the promyse made with man oughte to be kept vpon payne of a daunger . Know ye therfore my brethren that the promyses whych is made with God , ought moch more to be kept & not broken vnder the daunger of eternal condempnation . Ye haue promysed also ●o fyghte agaynst the worlde & your owne fleshe . Now yf ye geue ouer youre selues to serue both the worlde and your owne lustes and affections also , how do ye fyghte ( thincke you ) , knowe ye not ( sayth S. paul ) that to whom soeuer ye geue ouer your selues to serue , Rom vi . b Ioh , viii , c ii pet ii . ● his seruauntes ye are to whom soeuer ye do obeye , whether it be of synne vnto deathe , or of obedience vnto righteousnes . Therfore dearlye beloued be sure that the enemye do not deceaue you as he deceaued Eua , making you beleue that you maye do what you wyll , & yet please god . Be not deceiued with him , For yf ye do that whyche 〈◊〉 synne , than ar ye the seruante● of synne , & ye know that th● rewarde of synne is death● condempnation . But yf ye d● that which is good in the ligh● of god , than at ye sure that y● be the chyldren of God . Bu● ye muste be sure that the enemie make ye not beleue that to be good whyche is euyll , therfore trye youre worckes wyth gods word , psa . cxviii as Dauid sayth . Lord thy word is a lanterne vnto my fete , & a lyght vnto my pathes , therefore what soeuer worke it be trie● it by gods word , & yf the word wyl alowe it to be good , do it , yf not , then do it not how holy or good soeuer it seme to be in your owne selfe .

For it maketh me lamente in my harte to see howe the world is deceiued by the sutteltye of the enemye , in carying them away so , in the vanyte of vaine thinges of this worlde , for a greate manye there bee that professe christe and his relygyon , and yet do walcke so carnalli and so laciuiously at large , as though ther were no law nether yet god , yea verely they be enemies vnto the gospel of god , whose ende , bee ye sure , is dampnacion , and their glory shall be to their owne shame they are so carnally mynded & wyl not stryue agaynste it , yea & yet who soeuer shulde be so bold to say vnto theym that they were not of god , they wold surely deny it and say , yes , for I am christened and therfore am I of god as wel as you ( as though al laye in receyuyng of baptyme only )

Titum , i , c And these be they that S Paule speaketh of , sayinge they confesse wyth their mouthes that they know god 〈◊〉 to be hys seruauntes , Thee folysshe bodyes saye in their hartes ●ushe ther is no god . psal. xiii , a but with their dedes they do deny him & be none of his , for so moch as they are abhomynable i● their doynges and vnto all good workes discōmēdable .

And ther is another sort also whyche walkethe not so broade outwardly , but hath a shew like vnto holines , but they are ( as christ sayth ) lyke vnto a painted supulcre whiche sheweth fayre and bewtyfull outwarde , math , xxiii d , but within they are ful of dead mennes bones and all fylthynes . Euen so are they , for they wyl shewe theym selues very holye at thee churche and else wher , but whan ye shal haue any thyng to do wyth them , ye shall fynde theym full of malyce and al kynde of wyckednes with in , proue theym whan ye wyll and ye shall fynde theym euen soche people as it wold lamente anye chrysten harte to se it . For yf they goo to the churche and there saye and number a certayn praiers after their own ymagynacion , & ther to hea●e and se certayn ceremonies mynystred , they thynke to be safe all that daye & maye do what they lyst , or to bie & sel & begyle & deceyue the poore and symple people , yea and to syt and spende the tyme at tables and cardes or some other vaine pastime al the day after , & there to syt & sweare & talke vaine & ydle wordes , & do not remember that christe● sayth that they shall geue accomptes of euery ydle word that they speake at the daye of Iudgemente , mat . xii . d and yet besydes that yf ye doo ange● them , or speake against their doynges ye shall fynde that they wyll not bee pleased ( no not scarse wyth bloud ) , and is not thys a myserable blyndnes caste vppon theym of the enemye , thyncke you , that they shal seme to theym selues to be so holye and so wel for vsynge this trade of lyfe outward , whan there is nothyng well wythin , for yf they wold trye theym selues by goddes word ( as is sayde before ) they shuld fynd them selues farre from the lyfe of a chrystyan of Christe , bu● the serpent hath so deceiued theym that they bee at peace wyth them selues and nede nothyng to do more , but to kepe thys outewarde trade of lyfe .

Also they thinke to winne heauen by the folowynge of the olde law , & in kepyng of the outward sacramentes & ●eremonies therof . But yf ye axe them the sygnyfication of a sacrament and thee promyses annyxed to them , How can they haue vnderstandyng that are workers of wickednes , psalm lii . a. or of a ceremonye , they can not tell what it meanethe , but saye , hath no god lefte them for vs too kepe and obserue , what nede we any more promyses or sygnyfycatyons .

O thou suttyll enemye full well knowest thou that thee outwarde worke wythoute the promys as litle profiteth theym as doeth the sygne at the tauernes dore to them tha● be a thyrste , whan ther is n● wyne within to be had . And ye wyl they seke theyr iustificatyon in the outwarde work● therof onely .

ii , ii , iii , a , And this is the cause ( a● the apostle sayth ) euery on● is become a pryuate louer o● them selues , and not of they● neyghbours . And how do● they loue them selues ( thyn● you ) , After this maner doeth thee worldinges loue them selues verely they ar become couetous , bosters , proud , cu●sed speakers , disobedyent vnto fathers and mothers vnthankfull , vnholye , churlyshe , stubborne , false accusers , riatours , fearse , dispisers of them which are good , traitoures , heddie , hie minded , gredy vpon voluptuousnes more than the louers of god , hauing a similitude of godly lyuynge , but haue denied the power therof , but soche abhorre sayth S. paul , O lord what a miserable world is this , whan the people bee in thys case that they haue no feare of god before their eies , but think that ●hey be in good state of liuing whan thei liue thus farre wide from the truth of the doctrine of the gospell & doth not remember that we ought to loue our neyghbors as our own self & seke their welth & edyfyinge to theyr comforte . We are bounde to loue god wyth all our hartes & powers and oure neighbors as oure self , and so is all the lawe & the prophetes fulfylled . mat , xxii . d

But the wicked worldlinges ar in this mind now ( the lord geue them grace to repente and amende it ) that yf they maye haue all thynges at theyr wyl & pleasure , they care not although the poore nedy neighbor sterue & be in lack or peryshe in the meane whyle , for they saye , yf I be wel clothed & warme , what care I who goethe naked & suffre colde , yf I bee wel fed with the best and finest meate and lack none , what care I who is an hungred and perysh for lacke of the worst meate , yf I bee well couered wythe a fayre house gorgeouslye decte and in all poyntes trymmed with the beste , what care I who dwelleth in a house vncouered rainynge in , in euery corner , spyllyng and destroying all that he hath , and the house lyke to fall downe vpon his head , yf I may syt warme and at ease and at reste , takinge no payne , hauinge money ynoughe and all thinge broughte home too me , what care I who is colde , takyng pa●ne and haue noo reste nor ease , nyght nor daye , lacking money & al thing that shuld do them good , yf I may haue my rentes and farme broughte home to me wythout any studye , what care I though the farmers care & studye nyght and day , hauing nether coat nor cloke to couer hym , hys wyfe or his children withal , no nor yet eat a good meales meat in a yere . Thus farre is the loue of the worlde gone from the loue of god , that they care not one for another , nether do they consyder that we al shuld be membres of one body . Yf they dyd remember that we were al members of one bodye , I thinke verelye that natural loue wold compel them indifferently one to care for another , and one to loue another , al though the● were no commaundement of loue spoken of , nether in the old testament nor yet in the new .

For this we al know that the membres of one body be so vnited & knyt in loue together to the body , The righteous wyl consider the cause of the poore , but the vngodly regardeth no understanding Prou , xxix that yf one member fortune to take hurte or harme al the rest suffer paine & grief with hym , or yf one member be had in honor , al the rest is glad & reioyce with hym also , soch is the loue that partayneth to the members of the body . Therfore for hys sake that dyed to redeme vs al ( consyder I say ) & remember that we al be members ( or shuld be ) to one head , whych is christe , & that we do now awake out of synne & cast awaye from vs the clokes of dishonestie and become louers of god in his members , & knowe that what soeuer ye doo to one of thee leaste of these my brethren ( sayth Christe ) ye do it vnto me . Remembre this that our Sauiour Christ sayth thus his owne self also , ●hat who soeuer geueth to one of these lyttle ones a cup of colde water in my name , I tel you sayth he , he shal not lose his reward Now yf this lyttle loue shewed vnto one of his creatures shall not be vnrewarded , be ye sure the moche more shal the wrong & iniuries done vnto them be rewarded vnto condempnation .

Yet once agayne , therefore I saye , remember thys vnfayned loue that thee eternall God hadde vnto the whole worlde . Yea hys loue was so great towardes mankynd ( beyng yet his enemie ) that he gaue his only & dearly beloued sonne to the death , to redeme them from the bondage & thraldom of the deuyll . O what coulde he doo more for vs , than to geue thys imaculate & vnspotted lambe for vs , & to vs , that who so euer now wyll repent of the lyfe that is past , & beleue & truste onli in him , he shal be sure to be saued for hys sake , so he continue to the ende . And he requyreth nothing so moche of vs as to loue one another , yea by thys loue ( sayeth he ) shal al men know that ye are my disciples . Now to the contrary , yf we loue not one another , then is it a playne case that we be none of hys , saye what we wyll , for the kingdom of god standeth not in wordes , but in power , for loue is the fulfylling of the hole lawe . Yea he hath not onely geuen vnto vs this Iesus alone , but he hath geuen vs also al thinges wyth hym , yea he hath geuen vs his eternal and euerlasting worde to be our comfort , to rule & to gouerne our liues by , & to shew vs all the good wyll of oure heauenlye father towardes vs , in & for Iesus christes sake . Yea what more coulde he haue done , that he hathe not done for vs .

But now , yf he loke amongeste vs for equyte , he shall fynd in stede of equyte , wronge . And yf he loke for righteousnes , he shall haue vs full of mysery & wretchednes ( as the Prophete sayeth ) for the more good he doeth vnto vs Esay , ● & thee more he increaseth vs with his giftes & benefytes , the more we go astray wantonly from him & prouoke him vnto wrath with our owne ydle , vayne & mad inuentions for as it is wrytten , whan vanitie & ydlenes getteth the ouerhand among the chyldren of men , Psal , xl , al are ful of the vngodly . Notwithstandinge the more we receaue of him , the more we ought to be thankefull vnto him for it , & the more we shuld be studious & careful to bestowe them to his honor & glory , seking alwayes his honour and prayse . And not to bestow them to fulfyl our owne fylthy & carnal desyre . Saying to our selues & to other , that they be ours & may do with them what we wyll , & so deceaue our owne selues , & bestow them about vayne vanitie . Yea , and somtyme aboute that whyche is wycked & dampnable in the syght of God . As to bestow them aboute harlottes , cardes , dyce , tables , bowles and soche lyke wycked abhominacyon , for the which we do not onely offend the eternal God for so bestowynge of them , but also greately prouoke him vnto wrath agaynste vs , for so mysusynge and consumynge thee tyme that is spente about them , also yf we bestow them about sumtuousnes in buildinges , gorgiousnes in rayment , & also in delicious fare , more then nede requyreth , we do greatly offend therin . And therfore for the loue of god consyder with your selues & know for a suerty , that all the ryches and goodes that anye man receaueth at the hand of god , they are but delyuered vnto you & lente you for a while , and ye made stewardes of them to bestowe them accordinge to the wyl of our heauenly father , and not to our owne wyl , except our wil be al together let to prefar and set forth gods wil , for yf we bestow them as is afore sayd , we shal surely rendre a stray● accomptes for the vtmooste iote of theim . And not onely for these temporall gyftes , but also wee shall rendre a strayte accomptes for all the spiritual giftes that we haue receaued of god , as wysdom● knowledge , fayth , healyng , prophecyinge , iudgementes of spirites . &c. Yf we bestow them not to goddes honour and glory and to our neyghbours welth and comfort .

Wel beloued in our sauiour Christ I wold ye shulde not thynke that I haue sayd al thys as a teacher , but as a poore litle membre of the same body that ye ar of , exhortynge you & puttynge you in remembraunce not onelye of the manyfold gyftes & goodnes of our eternal father to vs warde in tymes past , but also now in this time especially , knowing and seyng the world so full of all kynde of wyckednes & misery , and so vnthankfull as they be , ye euen as thoughe there were no god . Wherfore I praye you consider with your selues , and note wel the sinnes of Sodom & Gomora and way them wel in your consciences & compare them with the sinnes of this Realme & ye shal fynd them I feare me ( not onli mo ) but also a greate deale wors . And wherfore do I count them wors , think you , verely , euen because tha● god hath geuen vnto vs his only sonne Iesus Christ , whe● by & in whom we are called Christyans , & yet we lyue so Heathen lyke that it wyll be double dampnacyon vnto vs , yea & with him he hath geuen vs al thinges plenteouslye , & also hath left vnto vs his holy & sacred word amonge vs for our comfort ( yea and not a● thys only ) but also he hathe not ceased nyght nor day to crie vnto vs by his seruauntes the prophetes & mynisters of hys gospell , that we shulde euerye one of vs turne from his synnes repent and become the folowers of him in loue , but we wyll not , but are become lyke vnto the defe adder that stoppethe her eares that she shulde not heare the voyce of thee charmers althoughe he charme neuer so wisely . Euen soch ar we , As for the warninges of the prophet●s they take it but for wynde , Iere , v , b , for we wyl not heare , nor do after the preachers of goddes word although thei preach & teach neuer so wel or so wise ●i , yea , preach they what thei wyl or what they can , it wyl not serue , no nor yet helpe . We ar content to alow it in wordes and to say well by it , but to folowe it in life & conuersatyon ( in respecte of the multitude ) ther is none that wyl do it , or very few , for I thynke verely that , yf Sodome & Gomorra had , had Gods word so plenteously among them as we haue had and so longe , & so moch preachyng against sinne , they wold surely a repented in sackcloth and asshes . And for thys cause I compare them worse than the sinnes of Sodom & Gomorra For the sinnes of Sodome & Gomorra were these , pryde , fulnes of meat , The synnes of Sodoma and Gomorra . Eze. xvi . e aboundaunce & ydlenes , besydes that they reched not their hande to the poore & nedy , and whyche of these lackethe here in thys Realme think you , I trowe none of them al , besydes the ouerplus of other . For who sawe euer so moche pryde in men women & children as ther is now , so moche superfluyte in meates & drinkes , so moch aboundaunce of al thinges vp on earth among men as there is now , for ther is nothing i● men can desyre but they may haue it for money . And who did euer se so many geuen to ●yue ydelye as they be now , & I thinke verely that ther was neuer so litle charite shewed vnto thee poore as there is now . And this is the cause yt●uery one runneth forth in his sinnes as a wild hors in a battail ( as the prophet saith ) not ●oking behind him , Ier. viii . b nor fea●ing the wrath of god whyche is lyke to come vpon them for thys myserable state of lyfe that we now lyue in .

For who is he amongest vs that now wil make his life & conuersation to agree with thys worde of lyfe , nay , rather a great nomber wil make the worde a cloke for their sinne and wickednes , Brethren ye are called vnto libertye , onlye let not your libertye be an occation to the flesshe but by loue serue one another . Gal. v. a , Rom , viii & to serch diligent for soch places in scripture ( as they suppose ) as shall maintaine them in al kynd of lybertye of the fleshe , and do not remember that S. Paul fayth to be fleshly mynded is death , but to be spirituallye minded is life & peace , for the fleshely or carnal man can not please god ( sayeth he ) but is thee enemye of God , seynge that the fleshe is not subdued vnto the law of god .

For is not this a lamentable thing to thynke & remember how longe we haue had this word & gospel of lyfe amongest vs , and how lytle i● hath preuayled among vs , & how few it hath wonne vnto the lyfe of chryst . O lord wha● stonie harte wolde not morne & lamente in hys harte to thyncke vpon thys : Remembring that whan the lord sha● cal vs to accomptes , how lytle we haue wonne with thys our talente hauing it so long as we haue had it in vse & occupying . I praye to god it bee not sayd vnto vs , as it was said vnto the euyl and slouth full seruaunte that S. Mathew speaketh of , mat . xxv , ● ( sayinge ) thou euyl & slouthful seruant knewest thou that I reaped wher I sowed not , & gathered where I strowed not , thou shuldest therfore haue put my money to exchaunge & then at my comming shulde I haue receiued mine owne with vantage . Therfore take the talent from him & geue it vnto him that hath .x. talentes ( said the lord ) for who to hath , to him shall be geuen & he shal haue aboundaunce , but who so hath not from him shal be taken away euen that he hath , and caste thee vnprofytable seruaunte into vtter darckenes , This wyl be our rewarde except we repente . there shall be waylynge and gnashyng of teeth .

For thys I say & know it to be true that there is none within this Realme of England ( thankes be to god therfore ) that can iustly say & approue it to be true , but that he hath & maye both heare & reade the word of lyfe ( yf he can eyther heare or reade ) & therfore ar we al wythout excuse to god ward . Yea yf he do now punishe vs & take from vs this word of life & geue it vnto another nacyon whyche was not worthye of it , and leaue vs cleane voyde & emptye . Yea & of al his promises & al so of his good giftes & benefites besydes : We can not say naye , but that we haue right wel deserued it . Yea & for because that ye shall beleue me thee better in this behalfe , I wyll aledge the wordes of the profyte that S. Paule bryngeth in agaynst the Romaynes for the same purpose ( sayinge ) haue they not hearde ( saith he ) yes , ps. xviii , a Roma . x. c no doubt their sound went out into all landes , & theyr wordes into the endes of the worlde . Howe thinke ye now , who can excuse hym selfe vngiltie in thee knowledge of gods wordes and promyses . Yf he now punishe vs as we haue well deserued . Who can or is able to laye any thing to his charge or to abide his wrath . Wherfore I wyshe & desyre in my harte , that euerye one of vs may yet now repent betimes and cal for mercy of him that hadde pytie of the Niniuites whan thei repented at the short warning of one poore Prophet . Iona , iii b Now ye do know that we haue had many mo than one to geue vs warninge ( yf that wold help ) since the gospel came into this realme of Ingland . For do ye not knowe that it is the nature & propertie of god , yea , & his old wont maner to geue warninge or he punish or plague the people . For he saith by his Prophet Amos , amos , iii b now doeth the Lord god no maner of thing but he telleth his secrete before vnto his seruantes the prophetes , The Lord god is ful of compassion & merci , long sufferyng great in goodnes & truth ps , lxxx v. c whan a lyon roareth who wyl not be afrayd ( saith he ) seing them that the lord god him self speaketh who wil not prophecy . As who shuld say , yf the lorde byd any man geue warning & shew the people of theyr synnes , how dare he hold his tonge but tel them of their sinnes & wickednes . Now truely I can not remember me , of ani people that euer hath ben sence the beginning that the lord dyd plague , punish or destroy but he first gaue them warning before

For , Gene , vi , a i. Pet , iii e before he destroyed al the hole erth by the great floud , he sayd : my spyryt shal not alwaye stryue with man for he is but flesshe also , I wyl geue him respyt an hundreth & twentye yeares . But after that whan the lord saw that the wyckednesse of man was increased vpon the earth & that al the thought & ymagination of theyr harte was but only euyl continually , it repented hym that he hadde made man vpon the earth , & he sorowed in his hart , & sayde : I wyl destroy mankynd whiche I haue made from the earth , both man , beast , worme & foule vnder the heauen , for it repenteth me that I made them . O note thys well I praye you , Note this how the lord sorowed in his hart ( sayth the texte ) thincke you that he was not loth to destroye that he had made . Yes verely . But whan he had loked downe vpon the earth & saw that it was corrupt , for al fleshe had corrupt his way vpon earth , sayth the text , it gaue hym occasion for to destroye it . Then sayd he vnto Noe his righteous seruaunt , the ende of all fleshe is come before me , for the yearth is full of mischefe before them , & lo , I wyl destroye them with the earth , wherfore make the an Arke wherin thou & thy children may saue your selues , for lo , I wil bringe a floude of water vpon the earth to destroy all flesshe , wherein the breth of life is , but with the , wyl I make a couenaunte & thou shalt go into the Arcke with thy sonnes , with thy wife & with thy sonnes wyues . &c Lo , here doth the lord make a couenaunt wyth the righteous , Gen. xix , c Gene. v. d for Noe was a ryghteous & perfect man , & led a godly lyfe in his tyme . And all those that lyue righteouslye & godly as he dyd , the lorde doeth make also a couenaunte with them to preserue them for Iesus christes sake ( not onely from destruction of the erth ) but also preserue them into euerlasting lyfe . Leu , xviii● a psa , xxxiii . and . xxxv● i. tim , iiii b Ezec , xx . b Gal. ●●i . b

Here in is the difference betwene the righteous and the vnrighteous . For the righteouse Noe was warned by god , & he toke it for a warning and dyd make preparation accordinge to the wordes of God and was preserued . But the vngodly did not so , and therfore was destroyed , wherfore my deare & welbeloued in our sauiour christ I beseche you be warned in tyme , least the lord destroy you lykewyse from the earth .

Ge. xviii , c Also whan the lord was minded to destroy Sodoma & Gomorra , & was goynge thetherwarde for the purpose , he sayd , how can I hyd from Abraham the thinge that I wyll do , seynge he shall be a great & myghty people , and all the people vpon the earth shall be blessed in hym , for I know ( sayd the lord ) that he wyl commaund his children and hys houshold after him to kepe the way of the lord , Note this well all ye that haue chyldren & kepe housholde . and to do after ryght & conscience that thee Lorde maye bryng vpon Abraham what he hath promysed hym . And the Lord sayd : ther is a crye at Sodoma and Gomorra whych is great , & theyr synnes are exceading greuous , Eze. xvi . ● therefore wyll I go downe and see whether they haue done all together according to that crye whyche is come before me , or not , that I may know . Ge. xviii , d But Abraham reasoned with the lord concernynge that matter in so moch that the lord promised him , yf there were fyftye ryghteous within the citie , he wold saue al the rest for those fyftyes sakes , but he left hym not so , seinge he was so merciful a Lorde to graunt him his requeste , he asked him yf there were but xlv . in that place , yf he wold destroy the hole citie for lack of those fyue , he sayde : yf I fynde but .xlv. therin I wyll not destroy them , but he left him not so nether , but reasoned further in that behalf , & sayd , yf ther be but .xl. and so from .xl. to thyrtie , & to .xx. & so to ten , but ther could not ten be found therin , wherfore al the rest perished , Gene. xix . saue iust lot and his wife & his two doughters . For the messengers that were sent for to destroy the cytie , said vnto lot , hast thou yet here any sonne in law , or sonnes or doughters , whosoeuer belongeth vnto the ( said they ) bryng them out of this place , for we muste destroye thys place , because thee crye of them is greate before the lord , which hath sente vs to destroy them , then wente Lot forth & spake to his sonnes in law ( which shuld haue maried his daughters ) & gaue them warning , & said , O stand vp & get you out of thys place , for the lord wyl destroy this cytie . Neuertheles they toke it but for a sport and wolde not beleue hys saying , wherfore they peryshed wyth the reste , as I feare me , we of thys Realme are lyke to do yf we wyll not bee warned in tyme , for thus is it wrytten by the Prophete as foloweth after , but it may wel be sayde vnto vs nowe in thys Realme the more is the pitie .

Iere , vii , c Thus sayeth the lorde of hostes the god of Israel , ye heape vp your burnt offringes with your sacrifices & eate the flesh , but when I brought your fathers out of Egipt , I spake no wordes vnto them of burnt offrynges & sacrifyces , but this I commaunded them , saying , herken & obey my voyce & I wil be your god & ye shall be my people , so that ye walk in al the wayes which I haue commaunded you that ye may prosper . Exod , ix . a ☞ But thei were not o●edient , no more ar we , they inclined not their eares therunto , no more do we , but went after their owne ymaginacion & after the nacyons of their owne wicked hart . And euen so do we or rather wors & yf it be possyble . And so they turned them selues away & conuerted not vnto me ( sayth the lorde ) & euen so do we turne our selues away from the lord with our own ymaginacions , We ar lyke the deef adder that scoppeth her eares that she shulde not heare the voyce of the charmer , charme he neuer so wysely , Psal. lvii , a , and Actu . vii , ● some with one thyng & some with another , some with cardes , some wythe dice , some with tables , some with bowles , some with shoting , some with daunsyng , some with hunting , some with hawking , some with hoore hunting & some with gay clothing of this fashion & of that fashion , al becut & be pounsed more like Heathen people or players , than those that doth professe the holy religion of christ , for we wil not conuert vnto the lord withall our hart . And this haue they done from the time that youre fathers came oute of Egipte vnto this day ( sayth the lord ) & euen so haue we done euer since the time that we were first brought out of the bondage of the Bishop of Rome by the lighte of the gospell . Ierem. vii and .xxv. and , xxix Neuertheles I sent vnto them my seruantes all the prophetes ( sayeth the lord ) & euen so hath he done vnto vs , I rose vp early ( sayeth the lord ) & set them worde , euen so hath he done vnto vs , yet wold thei not herken , no more wyll we , nor offer me theyr eares , no more wil we , but were obstynate & worse than theyr fathers ( sayth the lord ) & euen so be we , & thou shalte nowe speake all these wordes vnto them , as they are now spoken vnto vs , but thei wil not heare the ( sayth the lorde ) no more wyll we . Thou shalt crye vpon them for to turne from theyr synnes ( as some ther be that crie vnto vs ) but they wyll not answere the ( sayth the Lorde ) no more wyl not we . Therefore shalte thou saye vnto them , as it may be now sayd vnto vs . This is the people that neither heareth the voyce of the lord their god , nor receyueth his correction , faithfulnes & trueth is cleane roted out of theyr mouthes , as it is cleane gone from vs . For we be all aduouterers and a shrynkyng sort , Ierem , ix , we bend our tongues like bowes to shote out lyes , as for the truth we maye not away wyth all to folowe it , for we go from one wickednes to another , yea one must kepe him self from another , no man may safely trust his owne brother , for one brother vnder minethe another , Mich , vii a , and one neyghboure begylethe another , yea one dyssembleth wyth another , and we deale with no trueth , yea our tongues are lyke sharpe arowes to speake disceipte . For although we heare and reade & can say also that the lord lyueth & is a rewarder of soch euyl & wickednes , yet wyll we sweare to deceyue . The plagues for synnes Although we do confesse that god hath scourged & plaged vs wyth warres , pestelence , derth , & hunger for oure sinnes , yet wyl we not repente , we wyl confesse also that the lord doeth sende all these for our correction & amendement of lyfe , but yet we wyl not receyue it . Neyther yet amend : And thee cause why is thys , that we are so pufte vp with pryde and ouerwhelmed with crueltye and vnryghteousnesse , that wee wyll neyther heare nor se nor yet amend , for as it is wrytten whan vanyte and ydlenes getteth the ouer hand amonge the chyldren of men , Psalm , ●i . al ar full of the vngodly , Ierem. v. ● for lyke as a net is full of byrdes , euen so ar their houses full of that , whyche they haue gotten with falshed & dysceypte . And hereof commeth theyr great substaunce and riches , hereof ar they so fat & so welthy and ar runne awaye from the lorde wyth shamefull blasphemyes , for they mynyster not the lawe , they make no ende of the fatherles cause , O ye Iudges ye geue sentence for g●ites . Mic. iii , ● . they iudge not the poore according to equite and ryght , shuld not I punish these thinges ( sayth the lord ) shuld not I be auenged of al soch people as these be , ☜ horrible & greuous thinges ar done in the lande , the prophetes teach falsely & the priestes folow them & my people hathe pleasure therein , what wyll come therof at the last , verelye destructyon yf we do not repent , for there is nothyng now to turne the wrathe of god from vs but onely repentaunce & amendment of lyfe , for the lord hathe blessed vs with soch a plenteous blessing & so longe time ( not onely with the frutes of the erth ) but also with his knowledge of his holi & sacred word of lyfe by hys preachers & we do not amende , that it semethe vnto me that the tyme is at hand that the lorde wyll punysshe so sore that we shall not be able to abyde it . ●i . Cor. i , c For al the promises of god are yet in hym , and ar Amen in hym , to the prayse of God .

And surely the promyse of God is to send and geue his people al thinges necessary & plentuously . Yf than , when they haue it , they be vnthanke full for it , & become vayne & wycked in theyr ymaginations , as we are nowe in thys Realme . Euen lyke vnto the children of Israel , Nume , xi psa lxxvi● i , Corin , x , what must folow , verely euen as it dyd vnto them , rede the places , for what shuld the lorde do that he hath not done for vs . He hath geuen vs a land that is so plenteous that we lack nothinge that we can desyre or aske , yea not onely that , but also he hath put almoost all realmes & nations in feare & drede of vs , the which shuld be a great cause that we shulde be thankeful vnto him only for it . But it is so come to passe now ( the more is the pytie ) that euery one wyll saye that my wysdom , deu. viii , d my strength my forecaste & polycye haue done it & brought it to passe , and as it were , reioyce in them selues , and not prayse God for it which onely is worthy of all prayse for all thinges . Wherfore yf we wyl not take hede in tyme , The vngodly flyeth no man chassinge hym , but the righteouse standeth styf as a Lyon . pro , xxviii . a Le , xxvi , b , pro , xxviii ● . it wyll come to passe , that as all Realmes & nacions haue stand in awe & fled before vs , euen so wyll the lord make vs afrayd and flee before al nations & to turne our backes towardes them & not our faces whan nede is .

Nowe yf it come thus to passe , surely it is oure synnes & wickednes that is the cause therof , for it is thus written also by the prophet Iob , for the wickednes & synne of the people god maketh an y●

Hereby do I proue & thinke that it is so lyke to come to passe as I haue sayde , for thus is it wrytten by the wysdom of god . Ecclesia . ● Iere. xxvii Danie. iiii Because of vnrighteous dealinge , wronge blasphemies , & diuers deceytes , a realme shal be translated from one people to another . Now truely here be the causes that I do feare & suspect in vs very moche , for surely in my iudgement there was neuer more wronge amonge men than is now in these oure dayes , neuer more blaspheming of gods holy name than nowe , neuer more deceyptes than is now , yea I thinke & beleue verely that ther was nothing so moch in the tyme of ignoraunce ( before the gospell was knowen ) as there is now , for them the people had some feare of GOD before their eyes , but nowe there is no feare of god before them at all , iiii , Esdr● . viii . t. but as it is wrytten , they haue taken lybertie , despysed the hyest , thought scorne of hys lawe , and forsaken hys wayes , moreouer they haue troden downe hys righteous and sayd in their hartes that ther is no god , yea , and that wittingly . O Lorde who wyll geue my head water ynough & a well of teare● for mine eyes , that I might wepe nighte and day for the slaughter of my people . &c. Iere. ix . a O lord who wolde not lament to heare & see this , that thee people doo so cleane contrary to their knowledge , yea , & also cleane contrary to that they haue promysed by profession in theyr Baptysme to theyr onely sauiour & redemer , who is so mercyefull a God that he is ready too forgeue euery one that turneth vnto hym vnfaynedly wyth al theyr hart . Wherfore turne you , turne you vnto the Lord , O wherfore wyl you perishe in your synnes , O turne you & take now the counsayl of the lord which sayth by hys prophet Esaye . Wasshe you , Esay● . i. c. make you cleane , putte away your euyll thoughtes frome you , ceasse from doynge euyl and vyolence , and learne to doo right , and apply your selues wholy to equytie and ryght , delyuer thee oppressed , helpe the fatherles to hys ryghte , let the wydowes complaynt come before you , & see that ye now walke in the wayes and statutes of the lord god of Israel , for he is a righteous god , & rewardeth euery one accordinge to his worckes . Psalm v●● For god is a righteous Iudge ( sayth the Prophet ) and he is euer threatening yf men wyl not turne , he hathe whet his swerd , he hath bent his bowe & made it redy , he hath prepared him the weapons of death & ordeyned his arowes to destroye .

O take these warninges of the Lordes owne mouth ( I beseche you ) seynge that ye wyl not take none of hys seruauntes , As for the warnynge of the prophets they take it but for wynde Ierem. v. b remember Lots two sonnes in law , that shuld haue maried his two doughters , whan Lot gaue theym warninge to flee the wrathe of god ( which came vpon the Cytie & thee people therein ) they toke it but for a sporte , Gen. xix , c and wolde not . Wherefore they were destroyed with thee wycked : Euen so you yf ye take the wordes of god but for a sport and wyll not bee warned of your synnes and wyckednes in tyme , ye shall sureli perish in dede . Althoughe god do reserue you here in this worlde ( to what ende or purpose I can not tel ) yet shall you be sure of eternall condempnacyon in the worlde to come by hys promys .

But lord who beleueth our preachinges or geuethe any credence vnto our sayinges , Esa. liii . a Iohn . xi , ● Roma .x. e Whan thei sawe thee boldnes of Peter and Iohn & vnderstode that they were vnlearned & laye men they maruayled , Actu . iiii b for we ar dyspised among al people , because we be vnlearned ( as they call learnynge ) of the vnyuersytes , for they do not consyder , neyther yet know ( or els they wyll not ) what is learnynge , neyther what is vnderstandynge as thee holye ghoste doeth defyne it in the holy scriptures , for thus doeth the wysdom of god proue learnynge and vnderstandyng in the scriptures of God , fyrste thus sayth Iob , Iob xxviii c. to feare the lord is wysdome , & to forsake euyl is vnderstandyng . Lo , here the prophetes doeth approue & acknowledge learning whiche is good and accepted in thee sight of god , is to be a feard to offend god . And to depart from euil is ryght vnderstandinge ( sayth he ) , also Dauid in the Psalmes doeth saye , Psal , cx , c the feare of the lord is the beginning of wysdom , & a good understanding haue al they that do therafter , yea the prayse of it endureth for euer sayth he , lo here doeth Dauid praise well doyng & not wel saying only . Prou , ix , v Also Salomon saith in the boke of the prouerbes the feare of the lord is the beginning of wisdom , & the knowledge of holy thinges is vnderstanding . And thus do I approue by these scriptures that the chefe lerning which before god is accepted & alowed , is , to know the holy scriptures of god , & than by this knowledge to feare him & to departe from al euil , & so to walke in his way al our life longe vnto thou ende . But the world doth alow him to be lerned that can say many wordes , & set it out with many painted scole termes , flattering & deceiuing the poore innocentes , & although the life be as farre from a christian life , as white from black , & light from darcknes . But I say ( & the holy gost doth also affirme it to be trewe ) that whosoeuer hath al the learninge that is contained in al the bokes that is within the vniuersites ( yf it were possible for one man to haue it ) he hathe no promyse of god to vnderstand the scriptures of god a ryght and to be saued , Wycked men decerne not the thing that is ryght , but they that seke after the Lorde , discusse al thinges , Pro , xxviii excepte he departe from euyl & contynew with wel doyng vnto the ende .

I haue not said this to dispraise learnyng , but to put al men in remembraunce that they shulde not trust so moche in learnyng that they shuld leaue wel doing & to think learning sufficient into saluacion . For learninge is good & the gift of the holy ghost , geuen to the glorye of god & profyt and confort of the congregacyons yf it be accompanyed with vertue & godly lyuynge . But yf it be accompanyed with pryde , vayne glorye , couetousnesse , enuye , hatred , malyce , and gorgeous apparel vaine pastymes & all thynges that pertayne to a worldly & carnal lyfe not sekynge no mortyfycation of the flesh . What doeth it profyte , verelye nothynge but procure goddes wrathe too that person that hathe it , for so moche as he doeth abuse thee good gyftes of god geuen vnto hym to set forthe hys glory and prayse in the congregacions , and doeth seke but his own pryuate welthe prayse and vayne glory onely . And thys is the spyrytuall wyckednes in heauenlye thynges that Saynte Paule speakethe of to thee Ephesyans , thee .vi. Eph. vi , b Chapter .

But as it is sayde before , thee worlde doethe not alowe oure sayinges , nor beleue it , neyther wyll they folow it , because we do not set it forth with sclole learnyng and paynted eloquence . Yet notwythstanding we speake the trueth & tel the people of their sinnes , because we wolde not haue them peryshe with the condempned , and because we do so and walk not with them in the same excesse of riote as they do , in eating and drynckyng , in sportyng and playing , in the lustes of thee flesh , We ar reuyled & yet we blesse , we ar persecuted & suffer it , we ar euyl spoken of , & yet we pray .i. cor. iiii , b. in wantonnes & in al maner of ryatous liuyng . Therfore speake they euyl of vs & care not what thei say of vs , but as S. Peter sayth , they shal geue accomptes vnto hym ( for it ) that is redy to Iudge bothe quycke and the deade .

But Saynte Paul was not ashamed to confesse and saye : my brethren , whan I came vnto you , i , Cor , ii , a. I came not in gloriousnes of wordes or of wysdom , shewynge vnto you the testimony of god , neither shewed I my self that I knew any thing among you saue Iesus christ , euen the same that was crucified , and I was amonge you in weakenes and in feare and in moch trymblynge . And my wordes & my preachynges were not wythe intysynge wordes of mannes wysdome , but in shewynge of thee spyryte and power that youre fayth shuld not stande in the wisdom of men , but in the power of god , sayth he .

Euen so I my brethren , do not shew you the wordes of god with the wisdom of men , but in the power and wythe the spyryte of the Lorde , as my conscyence is wytnes before god , to thee helynge of you , too thee knowledge of god and saluacyon of youre soules . Nether do I seke the praise of men , but of god ( who ought onli to haue al praise ) neither do I seke youres , but you , neyther wolde I haue your faith stand in him that hath moch learning & his lyfe nothinge agreyng to the same , but let your fayth stande only vpon god & his word , and let hym that fearethe god & departeth from euyll be youre shew token to folow after . For it is written . Mat. vii b Not al they that saye mayster maister , or lord lorde shal enter into the kyngdome of heauen , but all those that do the wil of hym that is in heauen ( sayth christe ) manye shall saye vnto me , Lord Lord haue we not prophecied in thy name , haue we not cast out deuyls in thi name , haue we not done many great miracles in thy name . And then wyl I acknowledge vnto them ( sayth christ ) that I neuer knew them , wherfore depart from me ye workers of iniquitie .

Lo , note here I pray you what wyl be sayd to the euil & wicked doers , all thoughe they haue neuer so moch learninge , neuer so moch wysdom , neuer so moch eloquence , yea , & though they haue neuer so many spiritual gyftes of grace , yf they be euyll & wycked doers , it wyll be sayde vnto them , depart from me ye workers of iniquitie , Therfore yf any man wyll be of christ , he muste be a newe creature , as for olde thinges he must cast them away , & as the prophet sayth , Ez●● . xviii ● cast away all vngodlynesse that ye haue done and make you a new harte & a new spyrite , neuertheles al thinges are of God whyche hath reconcyled vs vnto him self by Iesus christ , and hath geuen me thys mynde to tell vnto you thys attonemente , that God was in Christ and made agreemente betwene the world and hym self , and imputed not theyr synnes vnto theym , whan soeuer they repent and turne from them , and therefore hath bounde me nowe in conscyence to testifye thee same vnto you in wrytinge .

We are not as many ar why the chop & ●haunge with the word● of god , but euen out of purenes & out of god in the syght of God so speake we in Christe . ii . Cor , i. d Now then am I a messenger in the rowme of christ , euen as though god dyd besech you thorow me , so pray I you in Christes steade that ye be at one wyth God , for he hathe made him to be synne for vs , whyche knew no synne , that we by that meanes shulde be that ryghteousnes which before god is alowed . I as an helper therfore doo exhorte you that ye receaue not the graces of God in vayne , Esa. xlix b for he saith I haue heard the in the tyme excepted , & in the day of saluacion haue I succoured the , behold ( sayth he ) nowe is thee excepted tyme , nowe is the daye of saluation ( whan is thee daye and tyme of saluatyon ? ) verelye euen whan soeuer god offreth to anye man repentaunce , by thee openynge of hys worde vnto hym , that he maye see hys owne Synnes , and the great mercy of God offred vnto him in Christ Iesu , than I say , is the day and tyme of saluation to that person offered , yf he be than wylling to receaue it & inbrace it with teares for hys synnes .

Wherfore my welbeloued brethren , be it knowen vnto you that the lord is not slack to fulfyl his promise , as som men counteth hym & sayeth , tushe , seing that the dayes of punishment are so slack in comming , al the prophecies ar of none effect . I tel you therfore thus sayth the Lord god . The dayes are euen at hand that euery thing which hath ben prophecied shal be fulfylled . Ezec. xii . d Ther shal no vysyon be in vayne , neither any prophecye fayle among the chyldren of Israel , for it is I the Lorde that spake it , & what soeuer I the Lord spake , it shall be performed in hys tyme & not be slack in comminge . Wherfore , for the loue and tender mercye of God , yf ye beleue thys to be trew ( or haue any sparckle of loue or feare in you ) be ye warned in tyme , & be diligente that ye maye be found before him in peace without spot and vndefyled , and count the longe suffering of the Lord your saluation . And nowe to all you that wyll be warned of these sayinges & wryting in dede , & do knowe it before hand , beware , least ye be also pluckt awaye thorowe the errour of the wycked , and fal from your owne stedfastnes , but grow in grace & in the knowledge of our Lorde and Sauiour Iesus Christe . And take the counsayle of the holy ghost , whiche sayth : Esay . iii. b Away awaye , get you out from thence & touch no vncleane thing . God out from among soch , & be clene all ye that beare thee vessels of the Lorde . And agayn S. Paul sayeth : Come out from amonge theym and seperate your selues ( sayth the Lord ) and touch no vncleane thing and so wyll I receaue you ( sayth the Lord ) and be your father and ye shal be my sonnes and daughters , saith the almighty Lord , vnto whom wyth the sonne and the holye ghost be all honoure and glorye . AMEN .

The Lorde of all mercy sende vs Preachers wythe power ( that is to saye ) trew expoundes of the worde of God , and speakers to thee hartes of men , and delyuer vs from Scrybes , Phariseis , Hypocrytes , and all false Prophetes & teachers .

AMEN . ¶ Geue al prayses vnto God onely , for he is worthy , and none but he , G.C.