A Godly invective in the defence of the Gospel, against such as murmur and work what they can that the Bible should not have free passage, very necessary to be red of every faithful Christian. The abundant grace of the holy ghost may daily provoke, tempt and steer up the heart of our most noble and virtuous King EDWARD the . VI king of England, France and Ireland. defender of the Faith, and in earth the supreme head of the Churches of England and Ireland: earnestly to promote the Gospel of Christ, to the maintenance of true religion and virtue. WHEN I had considered and weighed often with myself that the lest part of amity faithful love and duty, which every man oweth toward his native country. (My most gracious and dread sovereign lord) is not showed in the gentle admonishing his country men of such faults, perils, and dangers, which either be eminent or else plainly apparent: yea, and especially to attempt this thing when he seeth that there is given some great and plentiful occasion. Even now therefore I thought it good to set forth this invective in the defence of God's holy word, against all counterfeited Christians wilfully minded, which stubbornly resist the promoting of Christ'S blessed Testament. I trust well therefore that your highness especially, and all your nobility, with other your true and faithful subjects, that have earnest hearts to promote God's glory, and to seek for his heavenvly kingdom, will take in good part this my enterprise. Wherein although their want fine handling, lively colours, the conveyance of Rhetoric, and also quickness of Wit: yet for all that, there hath wanted no jot of good will, for though I may most justly confess, I give place unto all men in good learning, yet I may truly say, I am inferior unto few in good affection towards the same. Therefore after this my rude and base style of Inueiing, I have here set forth the mind and pleasure of GOD, things very commodious and fruitful for the weal of this noble realm, profitable to avoid contention and to set amongst us a lovely society of living. Now in as much as I entreat of causes so necessary (most noble & victorious King) I conceive no small hope, that no man if godly exhortation may have place in his heart, will refuse accordingly to note & print the same most firmly in mind: especially such as the holy Prophet speaketh against, they have eyes and cannot see, they have ears and hear not, for they shall well and easily perceive that stubbornness of mind, hardness of heart, the contempt of God's holy word, the forgetfulness of the great benefits and Godly goodness of GOD, to be things most grievously condemned in holy Scripture. Again those that be already bend and kindled in affection to attain the knowledge and due obedience that appertain to Christ's holy will and Testament, shall perceive manifestly theim selfes to know the sum and effect of their creation. Whereof we should all be fully taught, and often admonished also that we are not borne to spend our time in pastime and vanities of this miserable world: but to be busied in all serious & Godly matters, chiefly desiring to be instructed in God's holy religion, to live innocently, yea and to excel in all kind of virtues. For who so desireth not to live well (as Diogenes writeth) liveth vainly. That is to be called a vain life, when men rather show themselves beasts mortal, than men Immortal, regarding altogether the body that vile and beastly part of man. But now (the pampering of it laid apart) if we would consider the great and exuberant glory of the spirit or soul of man: if we would weigh what strength power and virtue remain in the mind, we would be soon persuaded to follow Godly things and flee the wicked. But more it is pity, such is the miserable misery of the world in these days, that according unto the saying of the holy Prophet: Woe is me, all is full of sinners, which offend of purpose and malice. isaiah the xxiiii These wilful offenders (my sovereign Lord) be such as maliciously spurn against the lively word of GOD, and envy at your graces poor subjects embracing and reading the same: using subtle and wicked persuasions to discourage men from the reading thereof, which thing forsooth both requireth correction and speedy confutation for the nourishment of the young and tender knowledge that GOD hath sent amongst us. Undoubtedly the malicious and cankered stomachs are so plain and plentiful in divers places against the word of God, that no tongue can be still, ne yet heart permit with a dissembling countenance to wink at the great ignorance & subtle conveyance, especially of such as have taken on them to be the light of the world and guides over the simple to conduct them to the true word of GOD. This thing is so evident, that every honest heart would sorrow to see it, and take pain to amend it, and we ought to be earnest in this. For who so regardeth the will of GOD, will openly defend the truth of his Gospel, and labour all that he can to win men's hearts to it. Yea, and to attempt this thing, the virtue of God's word giveth wonderful strength and boldness. Even now in consideration of this. I as one highly rejoicing to see the glory of GOD so lively set forth amongst us, but sorrowing again in my heart to behold the superstitious and ignorant sort so little amended, thought it full time to set forth this invective, trusting that after the reading of it, such as have wit, reason and judgement, will remember themselves, arise and most reverently meet the truth face to face, and be no longer deceived with counterfeited, coloured, and cloaked things, but from hens forth ioyeouslye take in their hands the holy Bible, and esteem it as the most divine and Godly thing that ever came amongst us: yea and labour with hand and foot using sober & catholic exhortations to allure men unto it. This should be a mean to set for ever amongst us a public quietness, true love, sure and faithful friendship. By this mean forsooth we should banish hypocrisy and ignorance, which be ever brawling and stand in contention for every cold Ceremony and trifling tradition. For truly where Ignorance, Disdain, the contempt of God's word go at their liberty, there must needs arise contention, brawling, sedition, and controversy in Opinions. Yea where an obedient and humble heart wanteth toward the truth, there for every light occasion, thus men contend. Thou art an Heretic saith one, thou art a Papist saith an other, by this forsooth the word of GOD is sore endamaged, by this mean Godly and brotherly exhortation is put out of place, yea by this mean Satan worketh his will and pleasure and hardeneth men's hearts toward the shining light to their own condemnation and utter confusion. Now therefore (my dear sovereign) who would not lament? and for very pity tendre the poor simple people ready to perish or rather thus perishing for lack of true erudition, and brought into such amazed dullness through the contrariety of preachers, that they know not well whom to trust. It is therefore necessary to set truth forward, and to exhort all men to cleave fast unto the word of GOD, yea, and to admonish them not to contend for small trifles and light occasions: but to use sober and familiar communication in matters of our religion, for if they pondre well how GOD abhorreth contention and discord, they will be sore ashamed to enter into it. And that it so long continueth amongst us, (most prestant prince) many are much to be reproved, especially such as be profound in eloquence, expert in tongues and great in science, for they shine and show glorious to the world and do nothing, but bear lumpyshe hearts toward the truth. They might compass things to avoid all contention, and find mean to frame us all to be of one mind in the word of God. And in thus doing they should appease the Ire of GOD, and work most strongly in the defence of this noble realm. For this cannot be denied, that weal public is made sure and perpetual, where the word of GOD is thanckfully received, and the King faithfully obeyed of his loving subjects. This thing cannot come to pass (most redoubted King) till there be a restraint against such as use outrageous words against the readers of the Bible, nor till the hearts of your grace's subjects be made more agreeable unto the truth, no nor till the Clergy be brought also in such love and acquaintance with the holy Bible, that they will show themselves as ready to sow as they be now to reap, and forgeat to trust so much as they do to the sails of their prosperity and worldly dignity: remembering this that they are not to be esteemed as head rulers of the world, but as ministers appointed to dispose those things that they are charged withal, not the offices of men but of GOD. This office wherewith they are so streightely charged is to feed the people with the word of God, wherefore (most gracious King) now to conclude. Although I am not so able as willing to put men in memory of their duties in these things, and to reform their foolish and wicked contention, yet I trust your grace will so gently consider my pretence, that this rude invective may find favour in your grace's sight to go forth, to the encouragement of all your graces loving subjects unto the word of GOD. Unto whom most humbly with heart & mind we ought to pray, both that your highness may speedily follow virtuous king josua, which most gently exhorted his people, willing them to be exceeding diligent to take beede unto all things that were written in the law of the LORD, making also hearty request unto them to cleave fast unto the Lord their GOD, and also that all the nobles and commons of this your realm may answer your grace again, (as the people did josua) God forbidden but that we should serve the Lord our GOD. The Lord will we serve and his voice will we obey, that is the holy Bible and Christ's blessed Testament. If God give them grace thus to do, than this your graces noble realm shall always be most strongly warded and defended, & the Lord (according to his promise) shall give your highness prosperous success in all your affairs, whose merciful hand may always defend your noble estate. Your majesties faithful and humble servant Philippe Gerrard yeoman of the Chambre unto your grace. ¶ To the reader I Thought it requisite (most gentle reader) to admonish the of two things: the one is, that in alleging S. Paul I follow the Paraphrasis of Erasmus that famus & renowned clerk, for he followeth the judgement of the doctors & declareth things at full, yet swerveth he not from the text. The other is, where as I was once determined to have inveighed very vehemently with diverse quick sentences and thundering places of holy scripture, I have gone from my purpose in that behalf as one some thing abashed to write & put to light things that I might justly have stand unto: yea, and very loath that any man should report, that either in this or that I have dismeasured, my pen. Wherefore (good reader) I desire the to take in good part this lame & base invective, I should rather have said rude and simple exhortation. And although it be not framed according to thine expectation, hold the content: My travail in this, is only to win men. For I have heard say, that sharpness in writing hath been so noisome to some, that they have strait cast all underfoot and looked no further, which never sins could bide any handling ne yet conform themselves to any kind of truth or things justly spoken, whose stubborn and wilful intentes I trust will be remedied, that I shall not need to set forth the vehement invective which I have in a readiness to come forth, if I perceive hereafter just occasion to be given. Thus far well. THE INVECTIVE. How faithful hearts we own unto GOD for his evident tokens of love toward us most vile and miserable sinners S. Paul showeth in the .v. to the Romans. (Christ saith he) willingly for our sakes suffered death and putteth away our offences with his blood His benignity and gentleness here toward us was exceeding great, if we diligently note and pondre, that he the creator of all things, would die for us most sinful creatures: That he innocent, faultless, and most pure, would suffer such Passion to remedy and help our wickedness: yea and briefly, that the God Immortal would suffer most cruel and grievous torments for the love of men mortal. O hard hearted that will not be thankful for this great gentleness and high benignity, calling to memory the wonderful jewel & treasure of his death? For true innocency and perfect salvation (saith saint Paul) be given freely by it, the .v. to the Galathians. O faithful Christians, was not this a precious reward? for this most high and heavenly gift our duty is tenderly again with heart and mind to love him: by his Godly merits and love toward us, we should be quickly provoked, for through his death we be all dedicated unto him and sanctified in his most holy and precious blood, let us therefore obey unto him. This obedience forsooth is chiefly required at our hands in following of his doctrine, for it is not enough (as witnesseth S. Paul) to be dipped in water, neither to profess Christ, except all our hole life answer unto his doctrine: from which not to serve one jot we have professed in Baptism and have made there an earnest promise to be of this band and holy religion, yea and always to humble ourselves unto his heavenvly doctrine. Even now therefore, for the performance of these things, let us offer a meet and worthy oblation, for this our Godly profession, that is a living sacrifice pure and holy, pleasant and acceptable before God, a reasonable sacrifice, which is the sacrifice of the mind: For God is a spirit and his favour is gotten by the gifts of the spirit the xii to the Roma. The Evangelist witnesseth also that christ is fully satisfied with a faithful heart, saying, give me thine heart & I ask no more. Now truly no man giveth his heart unto God, but he that forsaketh the pleasure, pomp and vanities of this vile world and with a sincere mind bend only on heavenly wisdom seeketh to know the scriptures of Christ: for Godly wisdom (as saith S. Paul) delighteth in Godly and simple minds: and therefore none of the princes of this world have attained it: Neither Pilate, neither Annas nor Cayphas, nor the Pharisees ne yet the devils although they were learned in the knowledge of worldly things, puffed up and proud because they knew the law, neither proud princes deserved to know this, no nor yet the curious and haute Phylosophiers. The ii Corinthi. This Heavenly wisdom is the Gospel of Christ, which bringeth quick and speedy salvation, as thou mayst read in the ten to the Romans: by the strength and power of it all things have their being both in heaven and earth. This heavenly wisdom which is the very will and testament of our saviour christ, putteth power, efficacy, and virtue, in the holy sacraments. By this heavenvly wisdom which is the mystical, holy & glorious scriptures of Christ our souls live and have their spiritual nourishment. Yea, and in receiving this heavenly wisdom, which is the blessed word of God, we receive the body of Christ: here doth appear by these words an exceeding grace and virtue of the lively word of God. Therefore whosoever will consider the effects thereof and way with himself the pith thy puinctes of our christian religion, desiring to find favour, grace, and mercy at the hands of God, he must obediently (all superstition, false and intermingled doctrine and wilful ignorance utterly set a part) embrace now Christ's Gospel, which reconcileth all men to God, as thou shalt find in the fourth to the galatians: this reconciliation love and favour he that would not gladly have if he might, is to be thought both mad and miserable, for it is a thing far above the benevolence of high kings and mighty princes, it is therefore most greedily to be desired. Now truly this grace and favour all poor men may well and easily attain at the hands of God, which with simple & obedient hearts read his blessed Testament and seek forth his scriptures, and all that be thus occupied are openly pronounced to be very acceptable in God's sight. According to this saying of the holy Prophet. Blessed are they that seek forth thy testimonies and require thy law with all their hearts. By this it doth apere that it is requisite for all christian men either poor or rich to study the holy Bible and diligently to search forth the will and pleasure of God. Thou canst not deny but that thing is pleasant and acceptable in the father's sight that causeth him to give his son benediction: for as much as we see daily that benediction is not given but unto such children as follow their father's mind and pleasure? And that it is very needful, that all men should be perfectly taught in the holy Scriptures. isaiah the Prophet plainly declareth. It is a people (saith he) without understanding and therefore he that created them shall not favour them and he that made them shall not be merciful unto them, the xxvii of isaiah. By these words it is easy to be judged. That who so ever is not diligent to read the word of God, falleth into his indignation and fearful displeasure and wandereth on ignorantly as one void and destitute of all grace to whose perverse mind God will show no mercy: surely this is the greatest plague and misery that can chance unto men. Now to avoid this wicked estate, who would not be circumspect and willing to take in his hand the holy Testament? Undoubtedly he that through the devil and ignorance is so seduced that he hath it in mean estimation, and to read it himself is neither couragyouse ne yet of good will to have it set forth by other, is in a miserable case, Yea, the misery of such a man no tongue can sufficiently express, and yet to see how wickedly many nowadays be confederate together in a devilish conspiracy against the promoting of it, is a thing sore to be lamented. And all that be of this perverse and stubborn judgement, be more abominable in god's sight than were the wicked and gross people of Geresa, which could not away with Christ'S doctrine, regarded not his coming unto them, no nor would in no wise be acquainted with him, whose familiarity and acquaintance every christian man ought desirousely to seek. And this is plain that there is none so good a mean to be thoroughly acquainted with him as to be busied in his holy scriptures, and always to have a delight there, following the holy Prophet, which said unto god, thy commandments Lord, be my joy and delectation. This holy man beating always a faithful heart unto God and ever diligent to set abroad the laws of his Lord, said unto his dear and best beloved son Solomon and unto all the people. Keep & seek for the commandments of the lord your god that you may enjoy a good land and inherit your children after you for ever. This was Godly counsel and worthy commendation, this counsel should all Christian men follow and gladly learn the sincere law of Christ, for it is spiritual and the giver of life as thou art taught in the eight to the Romans. And in this doing we must needs prospre and go forward in all our affairs. As it is showed in the xu chapter ii of the chronicles. Believe his Prophets and so shall ye prosper: How wonderfully I pray you did king josaphat prosper because he forsook Baal's ways and walked uprightly in God's commandments, obeyed the holy prophets, and utterly shaken of all the wicked dooeynges of Israel, even for the earnest heart he had unto the truth. God always defended him and stablished his kingdom in his hands, and so hath he promised unto all kings & princes, whose hearts are courageous in the ways of the Lord. This noble Prince was nothing forgeatfull to call in memory his loyal duty and faithful obedience towards GOD his creator and governor. He was the truest hearted King unto GOD'S word that ever was anointed or had charge over Christ'S congregation, for he was inflamed with such zeal and faithful affection of heart to set abroad the lively word of GOD. That he sent forth diverse of his Lords, Priests and levities and caused them to carry the book of the Law with them and commanded them to teach the people in all the Cities of juda. His courageous and Princely heart, for this his dooeing cannot have sufficient laud and commendation. For this (a man may well say) O most noble josaphat, most worthily by this act thou haste gotten perpetual memory and also the Heavenly kingdom, where thou reignest now in wonderful joy and felicity. O happy Lords, that in those days obediently went on so Godly a message, and like true Subjects showed yourselves earnest and faithful hearted to accomplish the Kings commandment, which amongst all acts of high kings and princes is most worthily celebrated and had in renown, as thou mayest read in the notable history of josaphat, set forth in the Bible: yea this act was so wondered unto men & so pleasant in the eyes of God, that by the reason thereof all kings & princes feared virtuous josaphat. For he wrought most nobly following his guide & captain the holy ghost which maketh all men fervent in the fear of the Lord, Isaiah the xi Yea, always be considered the great kindness, gifts and benefits of God He knew right well that who so delighteth in the law of the Lord, and exerciseth himself therein both day and night must needs prosper and do things acceptable before God. Furthermore he being ever tender over the weal of his subjects, and pretending most nobly to defend equity and justice appoineted judges in every City and straightly bade them: Fear the Lord, do justice, regard not one man more than another, take ye no rewards of them, be courageous, for the Lord will be with the good. hearken to noble josephat all christian princes whom God hath appointed to guide and conduct his people in his holy testimonies and Godly precepts: And also other inferior powers may take example and learn of him as of the comeliest and noblest Prince that ever bare renown. His virtuous acts would God they would humbly receive, and set before their faces his wonderful Godly doings, yea and learn now to promote the Gospel of Christ & to steer them to this so godly a work the saying of Esay is a strong persuasion & a great encouragement to read the gospel, assoon as thy judgements are known unto the world than the inhabiters of the earth learn rightwiseness. Esay the xxvi which undoubtedly is a thing as necessary to be learned at this day as any one thing under heaven. If men would weigh the handling of things and how pitifully the poor be oppressed of the rich, and for amendment of this thing: Let us all pray with the holy Prophet Esay (Oh Lord) now help, for thou art the poor man's help, a strength for the needful in his necessity. Esay the xxv and to encourage us all to minister unto the needy we read a Godly saying in the Prophet David, whereon resteth the sum and effect of our christianity. That is, blessed is he that hath a respect unto the poor, and considereth his necessity, in the ill day the Lord will freely deliver him. Here forsooth is a wonderful Godly promise unto such as be pitiefull and tender over the poor. And who so will not with heart and mind give unto them things necessary, but turneth his face from them and hautely over looketh them, not willing to offer unto those lively Images of God, meat, drink, raiment with other needful things he shall then be appointed into everlasting punishment of Hell, a place for the merciless ordained of God. Verily this shallbe full judgement and perfect sentence spoken of Gods own mouth in that terrible day away ye wicked and merciless creatures into everlasting fire. Then shall honour, pomp and dignity nothing avail, then shall these great possessors of goods pitifully cry alas, and bewail their infelicity and great lack of grace: But now this to consider their hearts be over hard. Who doth not see how pitifully the poor be despised in every place, be not most men more ready to devour them, then to help them, be they not hastyer to make them stark beggars, then to secure & to relief them in their necessity? truly over all that thus do there hangeth the vengeance of god, wonderful Plagues and miseries, even such as hanged over the wicked Dives spoken of in the Gospel, and let all of his confederate fellowship (whereof forsooth the number is great) be fully persuaded in this, that it is not possible that these impoveryshers of the poor should always prosper, but that either they or their heirs should fall in some misery and sudden decay and most commonly to spread abroad their evil gotten goods as thou mayest plainly read in the xii. of job. And how to use the poor all christian men may now learn of that virtuous man whose charitable saying should never out of our memories, that is, I delivered the poor when he cried and the fatherless that wanted help, the xxix of job. job considered full well that God was none of them that used partiality, no nor yet any acceptour of personnes and that made him so plainly to affirm that god regardeth not the rich man more than the poor, job xxxiiii but verily the cause that many pass so little to tread them underfoot & with wicked oppression utterly to undo they care not how many, is a certain greedy desire to accumulate riches, to maintain worldly pomp and dignity, and to have the blind praises and vain commendations of this deceiptefull world, as to be esteemed very rich, and as the common saying is, he is one if he live that will prove a great rich man, by his wit and policy he hath purchased thus much. Where this sensuality reigneth, virtue and Godliness must needs be put a side. And by none other mean most commonly these great riches and vain titles be attaigned but by usury, gifts, bribes, and in disceaving the poor. O thou most miserable and infortunate man that by this mean waxest rich? Hear what a wonderful plague hangeth over thy head. The fire shall consume such as be greedy to receive gifts, for they bear mischief in their bodies & bring forth deceit. The xviii of job. Oh Lord, doth not I pray you even now the state of this world declare, (if you mark well) that the sore threatenings of God, the reward of sin as death, Hell and eternal damnation to be things neither thought upon ne yet feared in men's conscience? For if they feared God and had the strength of his spirit, all the riches & glory of this world could not move them to think the contrary, but that it were much better for them to help the poor, and to be confourmable unto God's commandment, then develyshely to tread them under foot for wicked Mammon and filthy lucre sake. Suffer not your eyes thus to be blinded with vanities, it is seen daily that misers and vile abjects, even such as be brutish both in mind and body for their riches sake to be highly esteemed and puffed up in pride. The rude and gazing multitude judge all such men to be in high joy and felicity, for their uncertain and transitory richesse, think thou them never a deal the better. But sorrow and be careful in thine heart, that Avarice and insatiate covetousness reign so sore amongst them, that to do almose they have clean forgotten, for the common relief that they bestow upon the needy be fair words, coloured with hypocrisy, as, alas good man, God help thee, god help the. O counterfeited Christian, god commandeth the to help them: and cursed art thou of what degree so ever thou art, that wilt not succour thy poor neighbour in his necessity. Be penitent therefore in time, for damnation hangeth over thy head. I suppose thou seest plainly enough what misery and mischief reign every where The poor be despised and God's word so little regarded and thought upon, that that sore and lamentable saying of Isaiah may justly be spoken unto us in these days. It is an obstinate people, unfaithful children, (saith he) children that will not here the law of the Lord, the xxix of Esai. O noble England this law of the Lord thou hast most plainly set forth unto the & as yet thy miserable state is sore to be lamented, for through thy obstinate blindness thou provokest God to strike still with durable strokes, thou doest not so humbly submit thyself unto his blessed will and testament as thy duty is. Thou art neither so joyous, ne yet so earnestly bend to have it go forward as God hath given the occasions within these few years. It seemeth thine heart is settled on fantasies most fond, and keepest old doting dreams foo fast under lock, yea, and savourest so much of ancient custom that the pure word of God in thy spirit hath small taste. But hear a while and give ear and thou shalt know more of thy duty, and determine thyself lowly to follow such histories as shall be rehearsed unto the gathered out of the law of the Lord. First consider when that holy man Esdras Preached unto the people their ears were so wonderfully inclined to the book of the law, and their hearts so enamoured for the singular delight they had to hear the sweet words and pleasant promises of god, that they could not but weep the ii book of Esdras the viii chapter. Forsooth it was a great token of grace to weep for the fervent zeal and love of God's word. They also made great mirth because they understood what was declared unto them. O happy people that so rejoiced in knowledge. What man is he dissending down into himself that would not rejoice also to remember what joy and felicity these people had in the word of God: and mourn now for compassion to behold what spite and evil will many bear toward the holy Bible? whose miserable blindness is much to be lamented, truly such is the pestilent malice of ignorantes, such be the deceipts and wiles of hyocrites, the one in league and full consent with the other, labour with all subtility to wrap the people in blindness still, and yet openly they feign themselves glad and joyous that the truth is come out, but sorrow and sigh in their hearts to have it go forward. Great pity it is that any man should go about to endamage Christian men in the word of God: For the greatest compassion that we ought to have on any one thing under Heaven is on the rude multitude of christians lacking the true knowledge thereof: for christian men's hearts should always be enclosed in that high and heavenly wisdom of God, considering that Ignorance is the most pestilent poison that can reign amongst men. And to learn how to abbolyshe the great and wonderful blindness, which hath had a long course and continuance amongst us, thou haste the holy Bible plainly set forth unto thee: and if thou have a hole and a clear heart, thou mayest soon learn to follow the trace of virtue, thou shalt learn also to be strong and quiet to bear all afflictions, yea, and shalt be able to instruct such as thou haste nourished to live together in an amiable conversation. But alas there be many both temporal and spiritual that will never take the testament in their hands, they pass light of it, & care not how little it is spoken of amongst them, but & if it come by chance unto them they esteem it as a jest neither welcome ne yet looked for. Of what spirit they learn this of, I much marvel, if one call them counterfeited christians right scribes and Phariseis, they set up their bristles and fall in a rage. Oh Lord such are nothing mindful of the saying of Elephas unto job, receive the law at the lords mouth and lay up his words in thine heart and he shall give the an harvest with such plentiful abundance that it shall exceed the dust of the earth, and look what thou takest in hand it shall prosper. Now England this Godly saying should steer up the and all thine to show yourselves most humble and meek in setting forward the word of GOD: Surely thou deserueste great glory and high estimation, if thou be agreeable unto his truth. And therefore show thy self ever courageous to promote his blessed testament, and cease now to be stiffnecked to desende thy superstition and wilful ignorance, for this is plain, no man shall be excused by ignorance, ne yet shall escape to give account of his bailywicke. Thou shouldest therefore obediently embrace the lively word of God, which is a thing most meet and requisite for all agees and degrees of men. Thou shouldest study the same both day and night, and give thyself wholly to know the Euangelion of christ, for the eyes of the Lord behold all the earth to strengthen them that are holy with him, the xvi Cham the ii Chronicles. This kind of study is most convenable for the professors of Christ, and thus to do is the chiefest puincte of our profession in Baptism, whereunto if you answer (as saith saint Paul.) He that is most abject amongst you, is better than they that be taken to be of highest authority amongst the ungodly, the i to the Corinthians. Let us now therefore plant surely in our hearts the law of God. Let us show ourselves joyous to hear the eternal testament of Christ spoken of amongst us, Let us remember well the saying of Samuel unto saul. Thou haste cast away the bidding of God, and therefore the Lord hath cast the away also, This should be no less fearful unto us now, lest the Lord cast us away, which may and will not drink of the well of the water of life, freely, that is the holy Bible most godly and sincerely set forth in our English tongue. For the which we ought with rejoicing hearts to say. O the lot of our felicity most luckily changed. For where as of late we offered sacrifice unto Idols, now we be taught to offer the sacrifice of justice unto our heavenly father. Of late we were obedient unto all damnable rites and wicked superstition, now we be taught to obey only the Gospel which is salvation unto all them that believe it. It is not long sithen we called on Saints for diseases and all foolish fantasies, now we be taught, that in all our extreme miseries we should flee unto Jesus' the only appointed mediator betwixt God the father and us: Once we were not ashamed to run barefooted and barelegged, & to bow ourselves unto Images, before whom we committed wonderful idolatry, a thing most cursed & damnable in the sight of god. And if men would justly weigh & pondre, the marvelous hypocrisy, Idolatry & damnable superstition which of late days were stiffly defended and maintained of the Clergy, for pomp and dignity, vain glory and advantage sake, they cannot but triumph for this so Godly a change, except they be privy enemies unto England and shameful rebels unto Christ's holy religion: for by this change we have light for darkness, true religion for superstition, remission of our sins by the blood of Christ in stead of Papistical and deceitful pardons. And if we would call to memory how imperfect and corrupted our faith was by the reason of popery, how ignorantly we walked, yea, and what disobedience reigned amongst us, then surely if we be not shameless and destitute of all grace, we cannot but give hearty thanks for this most glorious chance. And even now is full time (if the state and value of things be well considered) to show ourselves reverent, devout and simple to receive the glorious testament of christ, yea, and to repent and make our eyes sore with sobbing and weeping that ever we were so deceived with popery, hypocrisy & such other pelf. And how to use ourselves in reading the bible, let us all take our example of virtuous king josias, which was a man endued with such a singular grace and of so fervent zeal toward the word of God, that after he had once red the book of the lord, he so lamented all wicked doings & false doctrine that he rend his clothes and said. The wrath of God is kindled on us, because our fathers have not harkened unto the words of this book to do in all puinctes as it is written therein. O happy people of England, if your dull understanding would reach to consider how worthy words these were for so noble a king, would god the minds of all kings & princes were so stable in the law of the Lord as his was, for he ceased not with all his power to throw down all kind of idolatry, as temples, high laulters, & groves. the xxii chro. & contrarily again, wicked Manasses & his son Amon observed dismael days, made Images & bowed unto them: what vile estimation this brought them unto the holy scripture witnesseth in the book of the kings. Where thou mayest read also of diverse kings whose high glory and worthiness is turned into shame: for that they refused the word of God and gave themselves unto Idolatry and utterly cast away the commandments of God. And for an example, How pitifully I pray the did the lord smite king jehoram? he was invaded of his enemies and lost all his goods, he was plagued with diverse diseases, his end was most miserable & grievous to behold, for his bowels rotten within him and fell out of his belly, yea, and to be brief, for his mischief he was not buried in the sepulchres of the kings, but is left unto us as a memory of wickedness, the xxii Chronicles. This king was thus wonderfully plagued for that he forsook the word of god, and defiled himself with Idolatry against the law of the Lord And be ye well assured, that he and his people were not worse defiled in those days than we were of late with romish doctrine. Our trust was (as all men know) in masses of Scala celi. we embraced blind pardons and lovingly buried them with us: we kneeled, bowed and becked unto Idols: false doctrine bore the hole sway, the truth clean shut up, it was kept under lock and could have no liberty. What Godly mind would not abhor to think on this? With these and many more abominations we were sore and deadly wounded. And none so good a mean can now be found to cure our old diseases, as to flee unto the blessed testament of Christ, which will quickly help such as desire remedy, confessing their griefs and lamenting their miserable blindness. The great grace and benignity of god is now so pressed that thou mayest if thou wilt, drink a draught freely of the sincere word of God that most pure fountain and wholesome water of life, which will cause the to spew up all that thou hast drunk of that foul, stinking and Papistical podel. And if thou now give no ear to it, but fond wilt follow other by paths which commonly be thick, thorny and cumbersome to journey in, and hast a desire to stray abroad thus wilfully thou knowest not whither, dysdaining to follow the doctrine of the Bible, where God showeth how and which way all his should walk, them forsooth it is an evident token and signification, that thou art the child of wrath a counterfeited Christian, yea, and a right inheritor to Hell. And if thou be minded to tarry still in Ignorance, and wilt not be moved from thy miserable condition which so blindeth the that thou haste no grace to discern the contrariety of these ii doctrines, do no more than but read Sermons discipuli, Legenda Aurea, vitas Patrum, and the old Chronicle of romish bishops, afterward read the Testament. Then thou shalt soon espy how the glory of God hath been defaced, and what abominable lies and fables have been taught in the stead of the Gospel. This shall be a mean if any mean be, to make thine heart relent, this shall make the to cry out upon all false doctrine: yea, this shall alter the from a stiff and a stubborn ignorant to be a pleasant sacrifice before GOD. That is thou shalt be purged in conscience from Idolatry, hypocrisy, superstition, men's constitutions, new kinds of worshippings, this and that form of living, cold ceremonies, and such other pelf as hath been added of late unto Christ'S doctrine, than thou wilt quickly refuse the shadows of the law of Moses and follow the Testament, which is the light and full perfection of Christ's holy religion, for there thou shalt find all things plainly set forth unto thee, which appertain to get everlasting life. And if thou wilt now endeavour thyself to attain the knowledge of it, then forsooth thou travelest for pure ornaments, treasures & jewels and laborst to a purpose, for in comparison of it all other studies be but vain vanities and fantasies most fond. And that thou mayest be more speedily provoked to the word of God, consider, how sore saint Paul as a true and faithful minister was charged with thoughts for the Congregation. He was so earnestly bend to have it go forward, that he could not suffer in no wise to have it hindered or put back, but would have it known unto all kind of men as it shall appear unto the by these his words unto the Romans. I know well (sayeth he) there be many which be against the Gospel of Chryst, by whom Sathanas goeth about to let the salvation of men, the xii to the Romans. And if saint Paul were now amongst us, he would say some thing. It is to be thought he would break out with a vehement spirit and say. O ministers ministers blinded with you know what, through you the word of God cannot have free passage, you stand gaping for high and frail things of the world, and be nothing mindful that the Preaching of the Gospel far surmounteth baptism Mass and all other virtuous things under heaven. I say unto you, the preaching of the Gospel is the most pleasant worship and sacrifice that can be unto God, the first to the Rom. And for a farther trial of this, revolve all the bible and thou shalt find this plain that the glorioust life that can be for a minister is to preach, and the shamfullest again to be daintily nourished & live in idleness, for of this (witness all ancient writers) arise all other mischiefs. Now therefore, who so hath grace to remember his duty and hath also a clear understanding in the holy scriptures, will say no less than saint Paul did. Woe be unto me if I preach not and set out the glory of God. By this mean it should be easy for all ministers of the church to take away the great grief and hatred out of all men's stomachs. The cause truly why many report so evil of the Clergy, is their manifest sluggyshenes and styffenes of mind whereby they show themselves and faint hearted toward the word of God. This (I say) is the cause of their great infamy, this is the cause that they are had now in such disdain. It is much marvel they do not perceive their own perdition. Wonderful it is that they can not smell why they are so despised: Let them weigh the matter well and they cannot but confess that it is no small infamy for them which should be of great knowledge and expert in the Scriptures to be found as many are, who so listeth to put the thing in proof and due examination very Ideottes and of no knowledge, and the occasion of this is, they are so choked with wilful ignorance, that they will not once look on the bible. They so persuade themselves, that they say all is well enough and remain still even hard hearted Pharaoh's toward the shining light, and as deefe as any door nail, if a man will them to study: pity it is, that any such miserable misery should reign amongst them. But alas such is the vain vanity of this world: They think still, that pomp and dignity bring estimation, but the people have now such a sight that every man perceiveth virtue to be a treasure worthy commendation: and that for virtues sake every minister is worthy double honour and not for his dignity. And many perceive right well also that honour pomp and dignity were the bringers in of the Bishop of Rome and such as Preach intermyngled doctrine for the maintenance of any such like dignity and worldly estimation, the people can soon espy, their flattery in preaching can not now be cloaked: There can no covert shadow their crafty conveyance especially before such as have busied themselves in the doctrine of saint Paul which writeth thus. They that would persuade you contrary things unto those that I have taught you follow not GOD but men's desires and serve their own vantage, glory, and tyranny, and by all means possible beware of such. The fifth to the Galathians. Forsooth it would make men to wondre and to be sore amazed, if they would search forth old ancient histories, to note what mischief men have wrought for their own advantage, and especially to attain fame and glory either by hook or croak they passed not whether. Glory as a thousand histories make mention, hath ever been a stay to keep in the truth. It is plain that it hath called many a man from the study of the Bible, and whosoever is given to maintain glory after his wicked will shall never agree with the Gospel of christ. Did not the jews I pray the to maynteygne their law, which was pomp, dignity and superstition, slay the author of life and rightwiseness? The eight chapter to the romans. Yet forsooth they saw the light, but malice blinded their eyes, they heard the Gospel but rancour of heart stopped their ears. The ten chap. to the Romans. They were people of God's first election but they refused his doctrine and for their incredulity they were afterward reject and cast of for nought. The cause was, they were so given to cold ceremonies, that they could not brook the Gospel. It was the hardest piece of work that ever Saint Paul had to frame them unto Christ, they stood ever so stiff in the defence of their ancient customs, cloaked and feigned religion, yea, they feared so much the fall of their glorious kingdom that as ye may read they were soon confederate together in mischief and agreed all on this quickly to make away Chryst and all his disciples. They perceived well enough, that if his doctrine had free course, they might then take leave of honour, pomp and dignity, wherein rested all their present comfort, joy and felicity. They knew well also, that if the truth were once known they could then no longer delude the poor simple people as they did, witness Saint Matthew. And even now there be as stiffnecked children as ever were they. Attempt the thing who lusteth, and he shall have his handful to bring some rooted in superstitious doctrine to credit the Gospel by the reason they give such confidence and are so stayed with lewd persuasions of unlearned priests which under the colour of shepherds play the right wolves: on whose ignorance the holy scripture crieth out very terribly in diverse places, yea, it plainly pronounceth all such to be cursed and damnable in the sight of GOD, which have taken on them the office of ministers and promoters of the gospel, and now subtly with their policies would keep it in stay. Would God all such would graciously bear away the saying of saint Paul. I have laboured (saith he) with all my power to satisfy the office commanded unto me, the fourth to the corinth. If men had hearkened unto S. Paul in this point, christian kings & princes should never have been so corrupted & defiled with Romish doctrine as they were, for the neglecting of preaching, desire of glory, and subtle wresting aside of the scriptures in the beginning, caused ignorance to bear such a stroke amongst us, by little & little the clergy wrought their feit, turning true things to false virtue to lucre, purest and best to the worst. Till the minds of men were blinded altogether with wicked traditions. And now because such as should preach, be stubborn to restore again true discipline, it steereth up men's hearts more & more against them It is requisite to pray for the amendment of this and that they would vouchsafe to read the English Bible, if the zeal of it once entre into their hearts, they will soon forget all pains and travel taken in applying the same. Who is ignorant? he that studieth the bible deserveth great praise and is honourable before God. And contrarily the prayer of him that grudgeth at it is abominable. th'eight cha. of the proverbs. Would God therefore that you would read the Prophets, for there you shall find evidently that the contemnours of the Bible be hated of God, abominable before his eyes, children of Sathanas and inheritors unto hell. This is a miserable and terrible state for any man to think on. This would make any christian conscience to tremble and quake. This diligently pondered who would not lament with sobbing and weeping eyes the great calamity and misery of many a one amongst us? it seemeth forsooth, that they be clean destitute of grace or else they would soon confess that the fittest thing that can be for Christian men, were to know the glorious testament of Chryst, for in it be conteigned words of life, sentences spoken of Gods own mouth, his assured and faithful promises, whereby we have our just title to inherit his heavenly kingdom. Woe be unto him whosoever he be that would not have this so godly a thing known and taught unto all agees and degrees of men. Great pity it is, but that all men baptized in the blessed blood of Christ, should know his last will and eternal Testament. And forasmuch as chief Learning and virtue is to surmount all other in good deeds, and this is in no place so fully taught as in the Bible where thou shalt have plentiful instructions how to work after God's will and pleasure, and how to find remedy against all evils and accustomed vices, what English heart true unto god & faithful unto the king would murmur at it? It seemeth that such men be past shame or else deprived of their wits, that will not provoke, tempt, and steer all men to study it. May not a man therefore with good reason, be bold to write against such slothful sheapardes as stubbornly stand now a days and care not for knowledge? The froward ignorance of such is a great blot and shame unto other honest ministers, whom forsooth we ought to have in great price, estimation and honour and not in contempt or derision for the offences of the wicked, (as some have them now) for if we thus do we offend god grievously, and to loode the worst of them with checks and taunts is no way forsooth to win them: christian charity will rather desire that such ministers as have no knowledge in the Latin tongue, as few of them have: would give theim selfes some hour in the day to read the english Bible, and will them gently not to be ashamed to learn. By this mean they may recover their estimation again. This would be a quiet life for them and a full restraint to stop men's tongues. For so long as they which should be the light of the world, will willingly walk in darkness, disdaining the light, men will ever have them in suspect and let them not think the contrary but that they must needs suffer infamy, disdain and other great strokes of Fortune. Therefore frankly of their own courage if they have grace, they will busy themselves in the English Bible, as men nothing forgetful of this, although in times paste they lived blindly, swerved from God, and did service under Romish traditions, yet may they now in studying it learn to be discrete ministers. God grant that they would incline unto it with faithful, earnest & courageous hearts. Surely it were a token of great grace and a comfortable hearing, that this rumour might be spread abroad every where. In token that all the Clergy of England are penitent of false doctrine, & with one mind will and voice all fully bend to set abroad the word of God every one of them in his pulpit exhorteth the flock committed unto his charge to read the english Bible and make a great show that they would have it go forward. How acceptable and pleasant this were in the eyes of God, the holy Prophets bear witness. And also how commodyouse it should be for the weal of this noble realm it needeth no probation. For who will deny his? the greatest glory for any realm is, when the prince is courageous to set forth the gospel, and his subjects obedient to receive and promote the same. Our late king and dear sovereign Lord that was, as one very gracious and tender over the weal of his subjects and again nothing forgetefull of his duty toward God: For his part commanded the Bible to be had in every church. His grace sent it out amongst us in token and testimonial of his faithful and obedient heart unto god. Yea, and in this doing he did but even his bounden duty and the office of a christian king. For saint Paul witnesseth in the first to the Romans, that the law is not given only to priests, but indifferently unto all kind of men. May not a man then with a sorrowful heart, greatly lamenting the frowardness and obstinacy of the people, vehemently cry out (as the prophet Isaiah did) they have made the eternal Testament of none effect? Esay the xxiiii O wicked generation which in those days regarded no better the will and pleasure of their god. O shameless wretches that so lightly cast away their god. For their disobedience unto the truth they have left now in memory a fair jewel even perpetual shame. Compare us and them together and you shall find that we be their cozen germans and confederate friends. We follow a trade as wicked as ever did they: We suffer the bible to lie in many Churches all dusty here, untouched there, race in this, and turn in that. Not one curate amongst a great number exhorteth men unto it. The shepherds forsooth esteem it very light: for when they find men feeding greedily on it because it is of a sweet lere and a ground most pleasant they chase them from it, it seemeth such sheaperdes seek the destruction of their sheep. Alas good men they are so blinded with worldly wisdom, rancour and superstition that it is a death unto them to see other men read the scriptures. And yet they them selves will never take Bible nor Testament in hand, but sorrow & sigh with grievous groanings, when they consider their great loss: for once they lived like Epicures and had all things at their wills, with their Images, pardons and Purgatory they illuded many a silly poor solle. They dusked & defaced the glory of God & made them selfs rich. They ruled kings & nobles at their pleasures and kept them underfoot, yea, they were ever check mate with the king, and ruled him at their pleasure, who so withstood their devilish doctrine did not long endure. The earnest maintainers of Gods word felt always their spiteful cruel and bloody hands. And to think wherefore many honest men have suffered we should all rejoice, considering that loss of life is an high felicity where perpetual memory cometh in place. They that have enterprised and employed themselves to do their duties best towards God, have been soonest snapped up, iniquity hath often so ruled the roast. Read ancient histories and you shall find this plain. And now especially, great marvel it is what unfaithfulness the ministers find in the bible. Sins their dreams were taken from them, they have seldom said where art thou Lord? They follow lightness and vanity & think it enough to stand at the aultre, although you stand at the altar, it doth not follow that you are nearest to christ, for you are near Chryst & stand worthily at the aultre, when you show yourselves willing to promote his holy Gospel. Cast of sloth and sharp your wits all blunt and dull with Ignorance. Have ye not red the words of the holy Prophet? I will delight (saith he) in thy commandments as one that hath found great spoil and riches, This holy Prophet rejoiced so in his heart at the lively word of God, that he said with a sigh, Oh Lord, how sweet be thy words in the roof of my mouth: yea, they be swetter in my mouth then the honeycomb. He said furthermore, the law of thy mouth Lord, is better to me then thousands of gold and silver. Esay the Prophet also as one some thing offended with the ministers, because God's word was not thankfully received, but esteemed very lightly amongst them, for they made falsehood their refuge and vanity their guide. Hear the word of the LORD therfyre (sayeth he) ye mockers which rule the people of jerusalem. Isaiah thee, xxviii. Chapter. Their vain confidence miserable blindness and wilful intents engendered vexation & brought continual unquietenes unto these ministers, yea, it so stirred up the ire and indignation of God, that they were altogether trodden underfoot as miserable abjects. The lord devised a meet handling, a worthy & convenient entertainment for such sheaperdes as would not hearken unto his holy word. The Lord again himself perceavyngful well the stubbornness of the people in rejecting his word, and also sore offended to see their ready willing hearts soon inclined unto Idolatry, speaketh thus. O ye people look upon the word of the Lord, jeremy the first. Moreover the Lord very desirous to have his statutes promoted, and especially that his shepherds should see well unto and nourish their flock, speaketh thus. O ye shepherds hear the word of the Lord. Ezech. xxxiiii. in the same chapter he most pitifully lamented over his silly poor sheep, he saw they were daily rob and most cruelly devoured of all wild ravening beasts of the field, they run blyndlye on what mischief they lust, for the shepherds which should have been their guides and conductor, fed them selves only with most dainty delicates and never regarded which way the flock went. The lord willing to have his word that well of grace and singular comfort most highly promoted, said, he would clean rid and utterly deliver his people from Idolatry: for the wicked Prophets using unclean spirits, false doctrine and deceitful garments, should be confounded as detestable deceiptours. And for the speedy performance of this, he commanded his sword to arise, and plague as well the Ignorant people rejecting his word as the evil and superstyciouse shepherds. Zacha. the xiii In another place also, the Lord most grievously offended with dissembling ministers, which wrought altogether for lucre and gain. I have (saith he) no pleasure in you, for which of you will kindle fire on mine Aultre for nought? The Lord affirmed that they unhallowed his Aultre, in that they said it was not to be regarded, they only thought not scorn & made light of it, but they regarded much less what vile trumpery they offered unto it, Malachi the first. The english Bible forsooth may well be compared unto this aultre for such as should promote it and esteem it most, labour for gain: they had rather work a trental of Masses and sing in a few Dirige groats, then bestow an hour in reading the Bible to their paryshiners. Again, Nabuchodonozor a prince of high dignity honour and worship, whom all people, kindreds & tongues wonderfully feared, was for his proud stomach & stiff heart against god and his word clean deposed from his kingdom and so plagued, that he fell from that most renowned dignity and estate of a king to the fellowship of beasts: he refused the company of men and became beastly hearted inclining himself altogether to company with Asses: and in stead of his sumptuous and princely dishes, was very glad to feed most greedily like an Ox on fair green grass. Daniel .v. Furthermore when God saw that the people followed the filthiness of their own imagination, trusted in this and that, and clave not fast unto him but walked altogether in miserable blindness, and appeared wondrous wilful: for the rulers were cruel, the judges were wolves, and the priests were light persons, did much injury and utterly refused the ordinance of God, and cared not how little the law was spoken of: with this the Lord grievously offended, spoke unto them most vehemently. Woe unto you abominable filthy and cruel which will not hear nor be reform, Sophonie the third Chapter. David the holy Prophet also, which could full well judge the strength of God's word, for he made it always his refuge and used it as his trusty anchor (saith unto the Lord) wherewithal shall youth cleanse his way? even by ruling himself after thy word. This Prophet spoke often full fair using most pleasant words as a mean to attain his request and petition, wherein he desired only this, the Lord to teach him his statutes, declaring that he would set all his delight and council in them: yea, and continually talk of his wonders, making answer unto all blasphemers, my trust is in thy word lord. This holy man whose words & works no man is able to improve, said also unto god. I have more under standing then all my teachers, for thy testimonies are my study. Psal. Cxix. these places be sufficient to encourage all men to read the Bible Who would not hearing this apply his understanding in high things? Who would not leave his vanities and self study and give signs of a new life? who would not lament to see what ignorants guide the flock of Chryst? who would hearing this, appear a scholar to traditions and a persecutor of the word? who would not hearing this, submit his idle and superstitious head to the obeisance of the Bible? Who would hearing this, follow his own blind seeming and opinion? Pythagoras saith, he that knoweth not that he ought to know, is but a brute beast amongst men. Who would not then with this Godly saying be drawn unto the Bible? they that mark well sentences of gravity and worthy notation, will not put reason under foot, and be so mad as to stretch their hand against the promoting of the gospel. It is a token of a pestilent and wicked heart to murmur at such as read it: For the time of them is glorious that gloriously spend it, and cursed are they that live ignorant as brute beasts. It seemeth that such esteem the height and supreme wisdom of god to be vanities, surely we ought to celebrat those days with high joy when we once here tell that the ignorant sort give over their envious travails against the Bible. For than they shall be greatly desired, beloved and well named amongst all men, them shall sedition and discord take their leave and enter no more in place. Pity it is that their ill intentes should condemn the Godly things that have been written to win them: they ought to yield and give great thanks to God, that they are delivered from romish authority. If they would now shake of their old and dusty traditions, & abate their depraved malice, they might restore again their glorious fame and have estimation, love and favour in stead of infamy, shame and disdain. Surely it were a thing most pleasant in God's sight, to see them and the rude multitude flourish in his word, for in some places yet as great is the negligence of the people as the ignorance of priests And that they thus continue, weak wits be not the cause, but very sloth and malice, which cause them to follow the corruption of ancient custom and to set their hearts altogether on pleasure & idleness. They thus following their own wilful intentes pull down still the estimation of priests. And if they would leave the wiles of the world that now flock together stiffly in blindness, applying their wits to endamage other & with their resty lives cause sedition and slander unto good ministers: then might England advance itself and say. Now shall I flourish and have favour in god's sight. Now shall I be valiant in virtues & worthy great fame. For now there be none to trouble and vex the poor sort peceable people bend to the gospel. Now shall science augment and men will draw to the bible. Truly I could never heat antic history alleged that men should not know it. Now I shall weaken the hearts of mine enemies and make them stand in dread, they will fear me more for my knowledge, than for all my valiant conquests. Now the heard hearted that were in credit and spread abroad the trains of superstitious doctrine, and with blind flattery beguiled the simple sort, will do service for my common weal. They will remember that men are but beastly by nature, and Godly by their cunning & knowledge. And yet to say further I have often desired to have vices restrained and virtues augmented & that it will now come to pass I have a full trust, for my dread sovereign lord and supreme head King Edward the sixth beginneth to be stable in the Lord and courageous in his word, and all his people within this his noble realm like loving subjects be obedient unto his grace & perfectly taught their duty and obeisance. Often England hath been in peril and danger, when the people were weak faint and dull of understanding, by whose mean it sometime hath lost the supreme head and governor to it great sorrow and care. But the pitiful loss of noble King John should pierce every man's heart most sore, and by what traitorous trains through false pretence he was cast away, it is necessary to be known, whose noble and valiant virtues worthily to extol, I suppose no tongue is able. That noble King was so brought up in virtuous and Godly books, and took such great travel in the scriptures, that thereby he espied how the glory of God was shamefully dusked and defaced with wicked traditions, superstition and Idolatry things most intolerable. Then he quickly like a prince of courage and noble heart, spoke openly he would redress the pomp and glory of the clergy, the gospel should have free passage let them all say what they lust Then they like a multitude of traiters turned themselves from natural subjects into beastly rebels. They were soon confederate together like vile and detestable wretches to bloody their hands on God's holy anointed their dear sovereign Lord and governor, & all to maintain Romish authority. And to their damnable intentes there wanted no traitorous trains, for when they could not devise how to kill him neither with sword nor dagger, they invented policy. Their daily raging and malicious hearts were never at quietness till they had encouraged with their pestilent persuasions a sturdy black Monk to take say unto his grace of a poisoned cup, when his highness valiantly came into a certain Abbey where he stood in doubt and suspection of no man, for all the brethren received him, & like hyocrites feigned themselves merry & ioyeouse outward, but were sorrowful within. They used joyful words but bare wicked hearts. They sorrowed not for repentance, but at the sight of his grace's presence which grieved their hearts full sore, than the Pryour architector of this heinous treason and father of all mischief espying opportunity of time brought in the Monk with his poisoned cup. Oh Lord I marvel that his entrails did not break to offer so filthy a draught to so noble a King. I maruayl how his malicious hand for terror & sorrow could hold the cup from falling. Wonder it was that fear of god, speech of people and shame of the world did not restrain his propensed and wicked heart from that terrible draft deeathly unto the King and damnable unto himself. A wickeder deed and a more miserable mischief hath not been heard of. O malicious and unhappy Monks. O wretches I dare say hearder hearted then Pharaoo and falser than judas, or else the intestyne of their hearts would have trembled and quaked to betray their dear sovereign lord. O wicked subjects and beasts unnatural, I say again. O cruel wretches, that sought to make away him for whose sake they should have spent the best blood of their hearts, if these shameful villains had red the notable histories of the Bible, they would have restrained their cankered stomachs from consent to murder their king. If they had read the history of king David and Saul, and noted well what reverence & loyal obeisance David showed unto saul, although he knew that he was a king utterly cast of and refused of god. If they had marked also the wonderful words and high displeasure that king David took with his servant, which came unto him (either looking for hearty thanks or else some great reward) and said he had killed saul. The gentle heart of David arose so at his words, and grudged so sore at that heinous deed, that strait he promoted his servant even to as good a death as the gibbet or gallows. I think they would then have stopped their wicked & most pestilent purpose. O Lord, and if they had known or at the least would have known what reverence subjects ought to show to their heads, they would have trembled and quaked to have conspired or thought any evil against their dear sovereign lord. But these holy fathers ever as full of fables as false religion. Quickly invented how they might craftily cloak their wicked doings and to stop the murmuring of the people, they raised this rumour that the king said if he lived one twelvemonth an half penny loof should be worth xl d. amongst them. Who doth not smell this to be a shameful and a detestable lie? for his grace was tender over the poor and loving to his subjects, and never pretended neither to them ne yet to the publikewelth any such damage He was in deed earnestly bend and very courageous to set forth the will and pleasure of God, and for this cause only they wrought his confusion. Alas these fathers were men sworn to obedience, yet they neither preached the trace of it, ne yet followed the same, they should have been full of good graces, but they employed themselves to wicked vorage & tyranny, they studied so sore to augment their livelihood, that they had never leisure to think on the high and supreme wisdom of god. Whereof whosoever hath tastedfully will never grudge against his king or Prince, for the knowledge of it adivigneth the hearts of all subjects most straightly unto their dear sovereign lord, the strength & virtue of it is such that it will never suffer any spark of treason to dwell in a subjects heart. It planteth such love & faithful obedience where it goeth, that the corruption of treason can find no place to enter. Treason is a thing so horrible unto it, that it cannot endure to think on the plagues that it justly deserveth Yea, it is of this nature, that all sin & wickedness is noisone unto it, but of all other treason is the noysomest, for it causeth riotous wits repugnant to reason & public quietness, to steer up commotions, to slay innocentes, & to follow wicked disobedience, things most detested in God's sight. And if we prudently weigh what danger it hath often brought unto this noble realm, & how it hath perished the memory of honourable houses, yea, & especially how it hath blotted the estimation of many noble men, disherited their sons, shamed their progeny, & troubled the spirits of all other their friends. Then we will not suffer no such folly to enter into our heads but gladly endeavour ourselves to read the Bible, for this is the way to purge and cleanse all treason from every man's heart. O Lord what obedience it hath taught amongst us within these few years, Who doth not know now what power God hath given a King over his people? Who is ignorant what obeisance is to be showed to God's holy anointed? who so had marked the coming of our dear sovereign Lord king Edward the vi from the Tower unto Westminster should have seen and hard plentiful tokens of true and loving hearts. for all the noble citiezens and people of the country which came far of on every side were there wonderful joyous to see that day, yea, to see the hope glory & comfort of all true English hearts. The citizens studied forsooth very sore how to receive his majesty most triumphantly as people willing to declare tokens of their obedient hearts. They made themselves, very gorgeous & stood in humble order to receive their dear lord & supreme head, his towardness in virtues much spoken of amongst them made them wonderful ioyeouse his highness also appearing personally before them all, a child of comely, sober, and modest countenance, sweet visaged and of face most beautiful, in whom also there wanted neither godly education nor yet any acquired virtues, but in all things most perfectly framed, straight so alured & drew unto him all their hearts that it was wonder to see the joy they made, to behold their governor the peace and tranquillity of the wealth of England so triumphantly pass through amongst them, which again with gentle & valiant countenance looked on them his people standing round about him on everyside, whose presence every man so desired standing in goodly order, that their eyes dazzled with long looking for that most glorious sight, their hearts also ached to be deferred from it which passed so pleasantly by. Then they standing still, prayed that his highness might surmount all other in virtue and nobility, and that god would give him grace especially to walk in the way of good deeds and in virtuous acts as he had entered, so to persevere, and that God would give him an heart to love us his poor and faithful subjects and work for the common weal: yea, and that he may be no acceptour of persons but to regard the poor as well as the rich. This Godly petition and other things there showed were evident tokens of their faithful hearts, which are very much to be regarded for the love of subjects is the safiete of the king and the defence of the realm: Yea, he that hath the love of his subjects hath a wonderful treasure. For I remember that I have read an history of antic felicity of the world past worthy to be noted. There was a certain right high and mighty prince, a man of excellent and profound understanding, whose felicity was set altogether to have the love of his subjects, desiring rather their weal then his own private commodity. It chanced that certain Princes watered against him, he then made neither act nor statute, but sent his loving letters amongst his subjects, desiring them to help him with money, than they considering full well his noble and tender heart towards them, and were a people taught but only by nature to obey their governor, for they knew nothing of the law of GOD, speedily brought into the treasure house so much money as served the king vii years, and yet when the wars ceased there remained great plenty. Forsooth these men's gifts were of great price, but their good wills were of greater. O glorious time. O realm most happy where the king and his people were so knit together. And contrarily there was one Tiberius the son of August a destroyer of the people and very spiteful toward the Romans, light of his dooeynges using outrageous words unto all good men, yea, and of such foolish presumption and boldness in his realm that he thought he might do what he lust in following his own wicked and naughty intents. ¶ This Emperor was also proud and furious, which thing filled his subjects hearts full of sorrow and brought unto himself much eyvell will and light estimation. And that well appeared. For after his death all the ancient fathers and nobles of Rome with the rest of the people made great Sacrifice and earnest petition. Unto the GODS to send Tyberes solle into the furies of Hell, he had wrought them so much sorrow, that they would him no joy nor yet any part of the Gods glory. ¶ O the infelicite and dangerous estate of Rome in those days when the King and his people murmured one at another. For no man that hath reason will repugn unto this, but that realm is well warded, where the king and his subjects be of mutual love and fidelity. Now therefore utterly to avoid all contention and discord and to plant for ever amongst us a stable and lovely society of living, there is no better mean then to arm ourselves with unity and concord drawing all in one line to promote the Gospel of Chryst, and to enlarge our hearts to receive Godly and gentle persuasions as men very willing to present themselves to the Bible, and to flee unto it as unto our most trusty port, and gladly receive that heavenly treasure. If we thus do all strangers shall fear us as they did the sons of jacob, and (according unto the holy Prophet) our purpose shall prosper and come well to pass: yea, and such show will appear of us that men will not suffer our memory to perish, but to renown us as people of virtue and worthy commendation. Wherefore most humbly we ought now to pray the lord, that he would put away all lets from their stomachs that grudge secretly at his holy word, and make light of the bible that heavenly treasure set to show amongst us in every church. Whereunto if we bear faint and sturdy hearts, let us be well assured, the Lord will blast and blot our doings with evil fortune and envious mishap, for as far as I have read, there was never Emperor, King nor yet Prince that prospered, which took part against it, thou mayest find in diverse notable places of the Bible how God often punished with grievous plagues and durable strookes many regions which rejected and made light of his word. Again there is nothing neither in heaven above nor in earth underneath so pleasant and acceptable in God the father's sight, as to have his lively word that heavenly treasure most thankfully received and honoured amongst us. O then thou counterfeited Christian, what spirit of error moveth the to murmur at such as read thenglish Bible? Wonder it is that thou art not ashamed to account thyself any of Christ's fellowship, for in contemning and making light of his gospel thou declarest thyself a right Paganime or rather a jew, yea, I say thy long prayer often fasting and almose deeds and all good works that thou canst devise, shall nothing prevail thee: But appear plainly in God's sight as things most vile & detestable, so long as thou bearest a superstitious heart towards his blessed Testament. Alas suffer not thyself no longer to be beguiled, set before thy face what doctrine Moses taught the people in the vi of Deutro He straightly charged them to keep the law of God in their hearts, and willed them also to teach it unto their children and talk of it unto their family, this place should wake the out of thy dooting dreams. Stereuppe thy heart for shame unto Christ'S gospel and reverence it wheresoever thou goest, whereunto be all honour and praise. Amen FINIS. ¶ Imprinted at London in the parish of Christ's Church within new gate by Richard Grafton, printer to our sovereign lord King Edward the . VI 1547. Cum privilegio ad imprimendum solum.