An comfortable exhortation: of our most holy Christian faith/ and her fruits Written (unto the Christian brethren in Scotland) after the poor word of God.  
Our glory  
❀ At Parish▪ M.d.xxxv.   

John John son an humile professor of holy divinity/ do great you all/ with grace and peace/ in the lord  
The eternal favour of almygty God be with you/ strength you/ and keep you/ according to his godly pleasure that ye be found without any spot/ at the coming of the lord/ when he shall reward every man after his deeds  
Belowed brethren I give laud and thanks unto my God/ for he hath made you rich in all godly virtue/ for your faith groweth exceedingly/ and everich one of you floweth ower in low to ward another among your self and to ward all men. God hath blessed you/ with all manner of spiritual blessings/ in heavenly things/ by christ/ according as he hath chosen you in him thorough low/ before ye foundation of the world was laid. And he hath ordained you to be holy/ and without blame in his sight/ and hath chosen you before unto himself/ to be heirs of his eternal glory thorough jesus Christ/ by whom ye have redemption/ that is to say/ forgiving of sins. And he hath opened unto you/ the mystery of his wil And hath sealed you with ye spirit of promise/ which is the earnest of your inheritance/ to redeem the possession purchased unto the laud of his glory. Wherefore I give thanks unto my God/ and prays for you with gladness/ because of the fellowship which ye have in the Gospel from the first day unto now. And I am sure certifieth of this/ that he which began an good work in you/ shall perform it unto the day of jesus Christ/ as it becometh me to judge of you all. Thanks be unto God beloweth brethren/ ye need nor to be teach it of any man for that ointment which ye have receawith theachit you all things. Nor withstanding I will not be negligent to put you in remembrance of your duty/ thought ye know it your sylfes/ and are also stablished in the present truth. For I think it meet as long as I am in this tabernacle to steer you up by puttynge● on in remembrance/ for as much as i am sure how that the time is at hand/ that i must put of this my tabernacle I will enfoarce therefore/ that on every side ye might have wherewith to steer up the remembrance of this things after my departing. The good that i more do unto you/ i will not prolong/ when i am present with you/ i will exhort you by word (ye by the word of God) as my dear brethren in the lord. When i am absent by writing unto a prosperous journey (by the will of God) fortune me to come unto you/ and have consolation together with you thorough the comen faith/ which both ye & ● have. Be not displeased of my hommelynes (dearly beloweth) for low causeth me to judge of you even as myself/ i do unto you as i would ye did unto me/ for i am yours/ and ye are mine/ and ve all are Christis/ and Christ is Gods so ve are Gods aune possession. since ye are of God/ ye/ ye will gladly hear God's word. And that causeth me to writ● the boldly are/ for in my writing and saying both present and absent/ ye shall nor find the word of man/ but the very true word of God. And above in you some what i trust and rejoice/ and that causeth me to written this little treatise rather unto you/ then to any other. And ever i will exhort you/ as my well beloweth brethren in the lord/ beseeching you to receive it with patience. And thought my knowdledge a greith not well to such an office/ yet after the grace given unto me of God/ i have obeyit. In the which ye that are of faith/ shall feal his mighty power/ thought ye find no worldly wisdom/ for the preaching off the cross is to them that perish/ foolishness. But unto you which are saved/ it is the power off God/ whose grace remane ever with you and make you strong in his invincible truth. Amen  

¶ Of faith  
BElowed brethren above all thing be strong and steadfast in your faith/ 
Ephe. vi  as S Paul teached. Above all/ take ye the shield of faith/ wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of ye wicked. 
i. Petri v.  Therefore be ye sober and watch for your adversary the devil as an roaring Lion walker about/ seeking whom he may denore/ whom resist steadfast in the Faith As John saith in his revelation Behold the devil shall cast of you in prison/ 
Apoca. two  to tempt you be faithful unto the death/ & I shall give y● an crown of life. Vithout this faith saith Paul/ 
Hebreo. xi  It is unpossible to please God. Therefore be strong in your faith. This faith is the very rock where on the church is hildeth as saith our savour/ 
Math. xvi  ap one this rock I vilbilde my congregation/ 
i Corin. iij.  And Paul saith in an other place. No man can lay another foundation then that which is laid which is jesus Christ/ that is though say/ that faith of jesus Christ/ and in an other place saith he/ ye now are no more strangers and foreigners/ 
Ephe. ij.  but citesins with the saints and of the household of God/ and are bildet upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets/ jesus Christ being the heed corner stone/ in whom every bildinge coupled together/ groweth unto an holy temple in the lord/ in whom ye also are but together/ and made an habitation for God in ye spirit. 
Apo. xxvi  The foundation of the wall of the cite saith Ihone was garnished with all manner of precious stonis. The foundation of the cite of Jerusalem (the church of almigty God) is faith which is garnished with the great mercy and goodness of God abundantly/ as with all manner of precious stonis/ or with all kind of good works precious & acceptable unto God/ for faith can nor be idle/ bot worketh thorough low/ 
Galath. ● Mathei seven  ye good to all man/ like as a good tree bringeth forth good fruit/ a good tree can not bring forth bade fruit. Also an good man out of ye good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things. Faith thorough low is mighty in operation/ 
Gala. v Gala. 3. iiij Roma. v i Corin. xiii Apoca. xxi  for faith bringeth the spirit of God and the spirit of God bringeth low. And low worketh no ewil/ but all good So faith continually worketh good to all man/ and may be callit the fundation garnished with all manner of precious stonis. For by faith ve be justifieth/ and made righteous before God. 
Roma. iij  As it is written. Now merely is the righteousness that cometh of God/ declared without the fulfilling of the law having witness both of the law & of the Prophets. The righteousness no doubt which is good before God/ cometh by the faith of jesus Christ/ unto all & upon all that believe. For there is no difference: all have sinned/ and lack the praise that is of valour before God/ but are justified freely by his grace thorough the redemption that is in Christ Iesu/ whom God hath made an seat of mercy/ thorough faith in his blood/ to show the righteousness which before him is of valour/ in that he forgiveth the sins that are pashed/ which God did suffer to sheve at this time/ the righteousness that is allowed of him/ that he might be counted just/ and an iustifiar of him that believeth on jesus Christ. Where is then thy rejoicing? it is excludet. By what law? by the law of works? nay but by the law of faith. We suppose therefore that an man is justified by faith/ without the deeds of the law. Is he God of the jews only? is he not the God also of the gentiles? he is (no doubt) God also of the gentiles/ for it is God only which justified circumcision/ which of faith/ and uncircumcision thorough faith  
¶ If Abraham were justified by deeds than hath he wherein to rejoice/ but not with God. For what saith the scripture. 
Roma. iiij.  Abraham believed God/ 
Gene. xv  and it was counted unto him for rightevesnes  
¶ To him that worketh the reward is not reckoned of favour/ but of duty. To him that worketh not/ but believeth on him that justified the ungodly/ is faith reckoned for righteousness. 
Psal. xxxi  Even as David describeth the blessed fullness of an man/ unto whom God ascribeth righteousness without deeds. Blessed are they/ whose unrightevesnes is forgiven/ and whose sins are covered/ blessed is that man/ to whom the lord imputeth not sin. Cam this blessedness than upon the circumcised or upon the uncircumcised? we say verily how that faith was reckoned to Abraham for rightevesnes How was it reckoned? 
Gene. xv  In the time of circumcicision/ or in the time before he was circumcised? Not in the time of circumcision/ but when he was yet uncircumcised And he received the sign of circumcision as an seal of that righteousness which is by faith/ 
Gene. xvii  which faith he had/ yet being uncircumcised. That he should be the father of all them that believe/ thought they be not circumcised/ that righteousness might be imputed to them also. Abraham was made strong in the faith/ and gave honour to God/ and steadfastly believed that he which had made the promise was able also to make it good/ and therefore was it reckoned to him for righteousness. 
Roma. iiij.  It is not written for him only/ that it was reckoned to him for righteousness/ but also for us/ to whom it shall be counted for righteousness/ so we believe on him that raised up jesus the lord from death. As saith Paul be cause that we are justified by faith/ we are at peace with God/ 
Roman●. v  thorough our lord jesus Christ. The Gentiles which followeth not righteousness/ 
Roma. ix  have over taken righteousness. I mean ye righteousness which cometh of faith. But Israel which followeth the law of righteousness/ could not attain unto the law of righteousness. And wherefore? because they sought it not by faith/ but as it were by the works of the law. For they have stumbled at the stumbling stone. As it is written Behold I put in Zion an stumbling stone and an rock on which shall men fall/ 
Esai. xxviij  & none that believe on him shallbe ashamed. 
Romano. x  I bear Israel record saith Paul/ that they have an fervent mind to God ward/ but not according to knouledge. For they are ignorant of the righteousness/ which is aloved before God/ and go about to stablish their own righteousness. And therefore are not obedient unto the righteousness which is of value before God. For Christ is the end of the law/ to justify all that believe/ and in the same chap. saith he. The believe of the heart justified. And in an other place. We know that no man is justified by the deeds of law/ but by the faith of jesus Christ/ 
Gala. iii.  and we have belevet on jesus Christ/ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ/ and noth by the deeds of the law. 
Gala. iii  Abraham believed God/ and it was counted unto him for righteousness/ understand therefore that they which are of faith/ are the children of Abraham. The scripture saw afore hand that God would justify the gentiles thorough the mouths of lions/ quenched the violence ●f fire/ eschaped the edge of the sword/ of weak were made strong/ woxet valiant in fight/ turned to flight the armees of the alientis. The women received their deed/ to life again other were racked/ and would not be delivered/ that they might receive a better resurrection. Wother tasied of mochingis and scourgyndis/ moreower of bonds and prisonment/ were stoned were hewn asunder/ were tempted were slain with swords/ walked up and down in sheeps skins/ in goats skins/ in need tribulation and vexation/ which the world was not worthy of. They wandered in wilderness/ in mountains/ in dens and cayes of the earth. And these all thorove faith obtained good report and received not the promise. God providing an better thing for us/ that they without us should not be made perfect  
Belowed brethren it is written The eyes of the lord beholdeth faith/ 
●ieremi. v  that is to say. The lord taketh pleasure of faith/ and faveours them in whom he findeth faith/ and imputed not their sins unto them for the pleasure which he hath of their faith/ he loket not to their sins/ but he looketh to their faith as saith the scripture. 
●sal. xxxiii  Dearly beloved/ this faith where of I speak is not feigned faith/ neither deed faith/ neither infruteful faith/ which taketh name after the opinion of men/ but it is perfect faith/ quick living faith/ which worketh the pleasure of God/ 
Galath. v  from the heart of poor low This faith is not had be the devils neither by wicked & ungodly men/ but by the saints of God/ ye the children and heirs of God. Whom he had called unto the supper of life. 
Apoca. nineteen  Nether more the man which had this faith/ consent to do any thing against ye law of God for his heart is so up lifted thorough low/ that he foryettes his own profit and pleasure/ and continually seeketh the pleasure of God/ and the profit of his brethren This faith is callit/ the faith of the Gospel and it is an sure confidence (or trust) in God that he is faithful/ and will without any doubt fulfil they things which he of his great mercy hath promised unto us in Christ Ensample we have of faithful Abraham/ whose faith was counted unto him for righteousness. And his faith was an sure confidence (or trust) in the promise of God/ as saith Paul. Abraham contrary to hope believed in hope/ 
Roma. iiij.  that he should be the father of many nations/ according to that which was spoken. So shall thy seed be/ and he fainted not in the faith/ nor yet consideret his own body/ which was now deed/ even when he was almost an hundred year old. Nether considered he the bareness of Sara. He sta●kered not at the promise of God thorough unbelief/ but was made strong in the faith/ and gave honour to God and steadfastly believed/ that he which hath made the promise was able also to make it good/ and therefore was it reckoned to him for righteousness. It is not written for him only/ that it was reckoned to him for righteousness/ but also for us: to whom it shallbe counted for righteousness/ so we believe on him that raised up jesus our lord from death. Here Paul shewet what faith was in our father Abraham/ we should believe in hope/ contrary to hope as did Abraham/ which contrary the hope of his natural strength or power/ belewed in the strength and power of God infulfillinge his promise. So should we believe surly to obtain they things which God hath promised to us/ thought they be impossible to us to obtain them after our natural weak power. 
joan. iij  God hath promised to us eternal life/ which is unpossible to us to obtain after our weak natural power because we are sinners/ 
● joan. i  yet thought it be unpossible to us to obtain it of our self: because we are sinful. 
Math. nineteen  It is not unpossible to God to give it to us/ according to his promise. Therefore let us with Abraham believe in hope/ above hope/ in God's rightevesnes above our unrightevesnes. 
Roma/ iij▪ Jacobi ij Phili. ij. iiij Galatas iij  In god's truth above our lies. In God's mercy: above our sinfulness. In God's power/ above our weakness. Let us have faith with Abraham in gods promises. 
joannis i i Corin. ij  And we shall rejoy with Abraham in receawinge of the same things promised. This faith is not known of the world/ neither be the natural man it/ for it is an supper natural gift given unto man freely by god. 
Ephesi. ij  As saith Paul ye are made save by faveoure throw faith/ and that not of your sylfes/ for it is the gift of god/ and cometh not of works/ lest any man should boast himself. Belowed brethren sen ye more not have this faith of your sylfes/ but it is an excellent gift of god (mother of all godly virtue) which he of his kindness & mercy geweth unto you freely. Therefore cry with the Apostles unto the lord/ 
Luce xvij Marci ix  to increase your faith. And with the man which hath the possessed son: which said o lord i believe/ sucker mine unbelief. That god seenge your powerte in the spirit: and taking heed to your peteous complain more grant your petition/ and make you rich by his precious gift of faith. 
Roma. ix. x  And not only seek ye your own health/ but the health of your brethren/ praying to god to sent faith on the ertha●d plant it in all quarters that all nation may praise god/ which only hath immortality/ and duellit in light: that no man may attain/ whom newer man saw neither cane see/ unto whom be honour and rule everlasting. Amen   

¶ Of unfaithfulness  
DEarly belowed brethren/ unfaithfulness is the mother of allwice and sin/ for it bringeth forth all kind of sin & evil. 
●ath. seven  Like wise as evil fruit cometh of an evil tree. So of unfaithfulness cometh no thing but evil. As aduo●rie/ fornication/ unclemes/ wantonness/ idolatry/ witchcraft/ hatred/ zeal/ 
●ath. xv ●a. v  wraith/ strife/ sedition/ partetakinges/ envying/ murder/ drunkenness gluttony/ and such like▪ As saith our saviour an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth evil things. 
●ath xii  This evil treasure is unfaithfulness/ which bringeth forth all kind of evil and sin/ be which cause it is only before God/ reckoned sin/ as saith our saviour. The holy ghost when he shall come shall rebuke the world of sin/ 
〈◊〉. xvi  be cause they believe not on me. And it maketh an man worthy of eternal damnation/ as it is written. Whosoever believeth not shallbe damp●ct. And in another place. 
●ar. xvi  Héth at believeth not is condemned already. 
joan iij  This unfaithfulness maketh god to hat us/ 
Ephe. v  as saith the scripture The wraeth of God cometh upon the children of unbelief. And in another place saith John the baptiser. He that believeth not the son/ shall not see life: 
joan iij  but the wraeth of God abideth on him. Unfaithfulness is no other thing: but lacking of faith/ even as darkness is but the lacking of light. So the unfaithful lacketh faith/ and be the same cause/ all that cometh of faith: as hope/ low/ joy: peace: long soffering/ gentleness/ goodness/ 
Gala. v  keeping of promise: meekness temperance &ce. And in stead of them is full of allwice/ as vane presumption: hatred: despair and all abomination. Nether is it possible to him to low god or his brethren/ 
Hebre. xi Psal. xxxij Roma. xiv  nor to do any thing pleasesing to god. For whatsoever cometh not of faith/ the same is sin. For he is by nature evil/ and perceiveth not the things of the spirit of God: 
Gene. viii i Corin. ij  for they are but foolishness unto him. He is blind and knoweth not where hence he go: but is led by the power of darkness. Of the unfaithful saith Paul If our gospel yet be hid: 
ij. Corin. iiij  it is hid among them that are lost: in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not: lest should shine unto them the light of the glorious gospel of christ: which is the image of God: and in another place  

●cobii  The unfaithful is like the waves of the see tossed of the wind/ and carried with violence neither let that man think that he shall receive any thing of God. A wavering minded man is unstable in all his ways. Belowed brethren/ this i say not to your rebuke/ but to theirs whosoever lacketh faith which shallbe known and iudget of the faithful/ by their fruits. As saith our saviour. 
●athei seven  Ye shall know them by their fruits Herefor study and labour/ that ye be not found unfruitful but that your unfeigned faith more be known by her fruits/ and your brethren more see her fruits/ 
●athei v  and glorify your father which is in heaven. For there is many (of whom alas with sorrow i complain) That confess/ 
●itum i  that they know God/ but with deeds they deny him/ and are abominable/ 
●mano. ij  and disobedient/ and unto all good works discommendable. They do shayme (so much as is in them) to our most holy faith. 
●ma. xvi  They seek in all things the liberty of the flesh/ and not the praise of the lord/ nor the health of there brethren/ and do dishonour the gospel of God. This i say that ye knowōde such faults in others awoyde them from your self: and behave your sylfis/ 
●he. v  as it becometh saints. And bear your fruit in holiness. As saith Paul. 
●omano. vi ●tum iij  Ye which believe in god/ be studious ●goo forward in good works. This things are good/ and profitable unto men. foolish questions/ and genealogies/ and braulingis/ and strife about the law awoyde/ for they are unprofitable/ and superfluus. A man that is the auctor of sects after the first and the second amonition awoyde/ remembering that he that is such/ 
Mark well  is perverted/ and sinneth/ even damned by his own judgement. Of these things i would ye were certifieth (my brethren) for now is the last tyme. And as ye have herd how that Antichrist shall come/ 
i joan ij  even now are there many Antichrists come all ready. Beware of the false prophets which come to you in sheeps clothing: 
Mathei seven  but inwardly they are ravening wolves: ye shall know them by their fruits. So men gaddre grapes of thorns? or figs of brires? even so every good tree/ bringeth forth good fruit. But a corrupt tree/ bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree can not bring forth bad fruit. Nor yet can a bad tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit/ shallbe hewn down/ and cast in to the fire/ wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not all they that say unto me/ master/ master/ shall enter in to the kingdom of heaven/ but he that fulfilleth my fathers will/ which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day/ master/ ma● have we not in thy name prophesied? and in thy name have we not cast out devils? and in thy name have we not done many miracles? and than will i knoudledge unto them that I newer knew them. 
●al. vi ●ma. xvi  Depart from me ye workers of iniquity I beseech you brethren mark them which cause division/ and gewe occasions of evil/ contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned (of the ointment which ye have of the holy ghost) and awoyde them. 
●oan. ij  For they that are soch serve not the lord jesus Christ/ but their own belies/ and by sweet preachings and flattering words deceive the hearts of the innocentes. 
●oma. i  For your obedience (unto the truth) is publeshed through out among all christian brethren. I am glad (no doubt) of you/ but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good: and to be innocent as concerning evil. 
●oma. xvi  The God of peace/ shall tread sathan under your feet in short tyme. To him that is of power to stabilishe you according to the Gospel: wherewith jesus Christ is preached unto you in opening of the mystery which was kept close from you a long time a go thorough belly wisdom/ I mean the craft of the hypocrites. And now is openned at this time/ and declared in the holy script heavenly father. 
Math. vi joan. iij  Which spared not his own son/ but gave him for us all. Wherefore no despair more have place in you/ for as saith Paul. 
Roma. viii  Ye have not received the spirit of bondage to fear any more/ but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby ye cry abba father. God your father is merciful ye and very merciful/ saith the scripture And his mercy he will not deny unto his own children/ which are ye/ 
Psal. lxxxv Mat. xxiv Roma. viii.  so ye keep sure the faith of the Gospel. Herefore trust sure in the lord/ for there is no damnation to you which are in Christ Iesu/ which walk not after the flesh/ but after the spirit for the law of the spirit wherein is life thorough jesus Christ/ hath delivered you from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in as much as it was weak because of the flesh/ that performed God/ and sent his son in the similitude of sinful flesh/ and by sin/ dampened sin in the flesh/ that the righteousness required of the law/ might be fulfilled in you/ which walk not after the flesh/ but after the spirit. etc. It is God that justifieth you/ who then shall condemn you? it is Christ which is deed/ ye rather which is risen again/ 
i. Corin· vi i Petri i Psal. ij  which is also at the right hand of God and maketh intercession for you. Ye are dearly bought. Ye are Christis own possession. Ye are members of Christ. 
〈◊〉: vi & xii ●he. ij ●etri v ●al. liiij  And the very household of God. Wherefore doubt not/ for he careth for you/ cast roure care on the lord/ and he shall nouresshe you. To put all fear/ all dredoure: and all despair/ from you/ Christ hath given you consolation saying. 
●ce xii  Fear not little floocke/ for it is your father's pleasure/ to give you an kingdom. Be not careful: 
●ath. vi  for your heavenly father knoweth what ye have need of/ and will minister all necessary things unto you  

●ath. seven  ¶ Axe and it shallbe given you/ seek and ye shall find/ knock and it shallbe opened unto you/ for whosoever ar receiveth: and he that seeketh findeth/ and to him that knocketh it shallbe opened. Is there any man among you which would proffer his son a stone if he asketh him breed? or if he asketh fish/ would he proffer him a serpent? if ye then which axe evil/ can give to your children good gifts/ how moche more shall your father which is in heaven/ give good things to them that axe of him?  

Corin. vi  I will dwell among you and walk among/ and willbe your God/ and ye shallbe my people I willbe an father unto you/ and ye shallbe unto me sons and daughters saith the lord God almighty. 
Heir. xxxi  Behold the days shall come (saith the lord) and I will fynnisshe upon the house of Israel/ and apone the house of juda/ a new testament not like as the Testament that I made with their fathers at that time when I took them by the hand/ to lead them out of the land of Egipte. For this is the testament that I will make unto the house of Israel/ after their days/ I will put my laws in their minds/ and in their hearts I will written them/ and I willbe their God/ and they shallbe my people. And they shall not teach every man his neighbour/ and every man his brothre saying know the lord/ for they shall know me from the least to the greatest of them/ for I willbe merciful to them on their iniquities and sins/ and on their unrightevesnes will I not think any more  
¶ I the lord defend/ 
isaiah. xxvij  and water her in the due tyme. I keep her day and night lest any man invade her. I am with out all wrath/ who then more so mow me to be so great an enemy to her that I my promise neglect?  

Esa. xxxviij  I shall fight for this city/ and shall defend it (saith the lord) and shall save it for my names sake. 
isaiah xl  Be of good cheer/ be of good cheer/ my people (saith your God) see that ye comfort the hearts of Jerusalem/ and tell them of their reest and deliverance from captivity/ tell them how their sins shall be forgiven them/ after that they have received their full chastising of the lords hand for all their sins. Thou shallbe my servant/ 
isaiah xli  I have chosen thee/ neither shall I at any time refuse thee▪ see that thou fear not/ for I shallbe with thee: neither look thou about for any other/ for I am thy God which shall comfort thee/ I shall help thee/ I shall hold the fast with this same my faithful righthonde. Behold as many as provoke the to anger/ shallbe counfunded and shamed/ thy adversaries shall come to nought and peresshe: so that he that shall seek for them/ shall no where find them. Thy enemies which dare mow battle against the shallbe destroyed. For I the lord thy God shall hold fast thy right hand/ which also now say unto the fear not/ for it is I that shall help thee/ be not afraid my little servant jacob/ fear not poor despised Israel/ for I shall help the saith the lord/ and I that maketh holy Israel shall avenge thee/ ye I shall trende● the like a wain and like a new should car●e to thresh down mountains and to beat them in powder/ and the little hills shalt thou drive into dust/ thou shalt wenowe them/ and drive them away like the wind/ and scatter them abroad kyke a whirl wind/ whiles thou thyself shall rejoice greatly in the lord: and praise him that maketh the holy Israel. When the poor afflict desired ●ater/ and find it not/ and their tongue is dry for thirst: then do I the lord give it them: I the God of Israel forsake them not. 
isaiah xlij  I shall lead the blind in to a way that they know not: and direct them into a path of which they are ignorant/ I shall turn the darkness into light before them/ and the kroke in to an even way/ this things will I do for them/ neither will I forsake them.  
¶ This speaketh the lord which hath created the o jacob: and fasshioned the o Israel/ 
isaiah xliij  fear thou not/ for I shall redeem thee/ I have challenged the for my own self/ and given the thy name/ that thou shouldest be mine/ so that when thou passedste thorough the waters I willbe with the. Remember well these things jacob and Israel/ 
isaiah xliii  for thou art my servant whom I have fashioned to th'intent that thou shouldest be my servant newer to be out of my mind o Israel I do away thy wickedness even as I disperse a cloud: and thy sins take I 〈◊〉 way like a mist/ turn the therefore to ● for I will deliver the. 
isaiah li  lift up you● eyes to heaven/ and behold the earth vnd● you: for heaven shallbe dispersed like smoke and the earth shallbe broken like a garmen and her inhabitors shall peresshe in ly● manner/ but my saving health shall endure for ever/ and my mercy wherewith I make men righteous shall newer fail. It is that comfort you at all times saith the lord  

isaiah. liiij  ¶ I forsook the for a little time/ but I called the to me again with moche mercy. 〈◊〉 hid my face from the for a little space whirls I was angry: but I will take the 〈◊〉 my arms again with an everlasting me●●cy: saith the lord thy redeemer: for this thing shallbe to me as were the waters of n● he upon the earth. For like wise as I swore newermoare to bring again the waters of nohe upon the earth/ even so have I sworn to be not angry with the again/ neither yet to chide with thee: for ye mountains shall sooner forsake their places: and the hills shall sooner fall down/ then other my mercy shall forsake thee: or the promise of my peace shall fail that/ saith thy merciful lord. Behold my little poor afflict and forsaken: I shall make thy walls of precious ●arboncles: and shall lay thy fundati●n with Sapphires: thy wyndous and years shall I make of clear Crystal: and all ●y wttermoste byldinge shall I set with ●ych stones. And beside all this/ all thy ●ilderne shallbe taught of the lord: and ●hal endue them with rich peace/ thou shall ●e buildeth all of righteousness/ and be out ●f all danger of violence/ whereof thou ●hal● not need to fear/ no plague shall come ●y● the & c give ear to me and come to me: and your souls shallbe refreshed/ for I will ●myt hands with you into an everlasting convenance to give you these assuerd marcyes promised unto David.  
¶ My dear brethren give faith unto their promises/ and let not the dissaytfull working of sathan/ make you anys to doubt in the mercifulness of your heavenly father/ for sooner shall the mountaynis leawe their places/ then his mercy shallbe drawyne from you: he hath sworn/ and hath not repent: to show his aboundante and everlasting mercy unto you Therefore my welbelowed brethren/ be strong in the faith: and give honour to God: and steadfastly believe the he which hath made the promises unto you is able also to make them good. And give no heed to other false prophets that would draw you from god. 
Math. seven  They are wolves and would devore you/ be not ta'en away with the error of the wicked: But rejoice in the lord always/ and again isaiah rejoice/ 
Philipp. iiij  les your softness be known unto all men/ the lord is even at hand/ which is able to save you: and all that trusteth in him. 
i. Thimo●. i.  To whom only be honour and praise for ever and ever. Amen   

Of peace  
PEace cometh of faith/ neither more faith be without peace/ nor peace without faith for peace cometh of ryghtevesnes (which is of faith) Peace shallbe the end of ryghtevesnes. 
isaiah xxxij· Roman. iij Romano. v  An man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Herefore Paul concludeth. Because therefore that we are justified by faith/ we are at peace with god. etc. This peace whereof I speak is the peace which Christ gave and left to the apostles and disciples saying. Peace I l●ue with you/ 
joan. xiv  my peace I give unto you/ no● as the world giveth/ give I unto you Let not your hearts be grieved/ neither fear ye. The same peace Paul commended unto the people (to whom he wrote his epistles) saying Grace be with you: 
Roma. i i Cori. i ●. ij Gala. i isaiah xxxij  and peace from God our father/ and from the lord jesus Christ. My people shall dwell in the fair house of peace/ in sure tabernacles/ and in rich beds/ hail when it shall descend/ it shall fall only upon woods and ceties. & ●. Christ the prince of peace/ 
Esai● ix  an king which shall newer have an end: in increasing his empery/ and yet shall ●e there with noresshe peace. 
isaiah xlv isaiah lxv●  I am the lord that maketh peace This speaketh the lord/ lo I shallede forth peace to her like a flood. This peace is an joyful reest and quietness in a faithful man's conscience. The which cometh of faith/ 
joan. i  for faith maketh him sure/ that his sins are forgiven him/ and that he is in God's faveours. Wherefore the dredoure/ the trouble & in quietness/ which he had before of his sins is away. And he hath peace that is to say/ a joyful reest and quietness in his conscience. Of the which sayeth Christ. Come unto me ●e all that labour/ 
Math. xi  and are ●aden/ and I will ease you. Take my yoke on ●ou: and learn of me/ for I am meek and ●oly in heart: and ye shall find reest unto you ●e souls The unfaithful hath not this peace for their consciences are troubleth with their sins. 
isaiah xlviij  As it is written unto the ungodly there is no peace sayeth the lord for they know not the way of peace/ which only is Christ which was wounded for our transgressions/ 
Psal. xiii isaiah liij  and smitten for our ungodliness. For the punishment whereby we have peace was laid upon him. Woe be unto the unwise prophets (saith the lord god) which deceive my people/ 
Ezechie. xiii  preaching/ peace/ 
isaiah lvij  peace/ and there is no peace. I make peace & sue●nes both with them that dwell far/ and with these that dwell nigh sayeth the lord/ and I have healeth them/ but the ungodly are like the wood see called Entipus which can newer reest: her waters are continually troubled with slime and stinking mud/ and even so have the ungodly newer reest nor peace sayeth my god. But unto you belowed brethren Christ hath given this peace saying Peace I lewe with you/ 
joan. xiv  my peace I give unto you.  
Which peace ye have received (inwardly in your souls) thorough faith: and are at peace with god/ 
Roman. v Ephe. ij. Ephe. v  thorough our lord jesus Christ which is your peace Therefore brethren rejoice singing and playing to the lord in your hearts/ giving thanks all ways for all things (in the name of our lord jesus Christ) to God the father: submitting your sylfes one to another in the fear of God. And have peace among your self. And also y fit be possible (yet on your part) have peace with all men. 
Roma. xii. ij Cori. xiii. Esay. xl  And the god of peace shall comfort your hearts in to his eternal promise. Amen.   

Of low  
Hear o Israel/ 
duty. vi.  the lord thy god/ is god only. And thou shall low thy god/ with all thy heart/ with all thy soul/ and with all thy strength. This low cometh of faith/ neither more this low be where faith is not/ nor more faith be (where of I mean) without this low. For by faith an man is made sure of the goodness of the graciousness and of the mercifulness of God. Wherefore he must need low him.  
Because his excellence/ his goodness and kindness to ward us deserved low. 
joan. iiij  We should not low god for the deeds of low which he hath showed unto us. But we should low god for the goodness: graciousness/ and mercifulness of himself/ which is declared unto us by such gracious and merciful deeds wrought by his godly wisdom for our well. The low and goodness of god is not made perfect by such works: for it is and was in himself before the works. And the works do but show unto us/ 
Romano. i  his nature: and how worthy he is to belowed. 
Ephe. i.  Helowed us before the foundation of the world was laid. But this low he show unto us in these last days: by his lowly works. Hereby perceive we the low of God/ 
i joan. iij.  for he gave his life for us. He lowed us ever and prepared an kingdom for us/ 
Mat. xxv  from the beginning of the world. Ye he lowed us ever/ 
i joan. iiij.  for he in his incomprehensible godhead is very low/ but this low was declared openly unto us: by his works which he hath wrought to ward us And not only should we low him be cause he lowed us/ but for his own goodness and mercifulness/ the which we know in that he received us to his grace which are unworthy. Faith maketh an man sure of the exceeding goodness of god/ the which goodness maketh an man ye drawed an man with such power to the low of God/ that he can not do but low God/ for he is so low worthy/ that it is unpossible to know him and not to low him. Whereby ye shall know that faith bringeth low/ and more not be without it more no the fire without heeth For faith bringeth ye spirit of God as saith Paul to the Galathy. 
Gala. iij  This only would I learn of you/ received ye the spirit of God/ by the deeds of the law? or else by preaching of the faith? and the spirit of God which cometh of faith bringeth low as Paul writeth to the romans. 
Romano. v  The low that God hath unto us: is shed abroad in our hearts by the holy ghost/ 
Gala. v  which is given unto us. The fruit of the spirit is low So of faith cometh low/ neither more it be without low/ faith by low is mighty in operation. How perfect that this low should be in us/ almighty God hath showed unto us/ by his law. 
Deutero. vi  Wherein it is commandeth us that we low our lord God with all our heart/ with all our soul/ and with all our strength. The which low no man in this present life more fulfil/ because of the seed of sin sown in us by Adam: 
Romano. iij  which thought it spring not and bear no fruit/ yet it remaineth ever ready to spring/ 
Romano. vi jacobi. i.  ye and would bear fruit unto the death were not the holy spirit subdued it/ and mortified it/ 
Roma. seven  and holdeth it down I am carnal sold under sin/ because I wot not what I do. For what I would/ that do I n● but what I hate: that do I. If I do now● that which I would not/ I grant to the loewe that it is good. So then now it is not I that do it/ but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is to say in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing. To will is present with me/ but I find no m●●anes to perform that which is good. For I do not that thing which I would/ but that evil do I: which I would not. Finally if I do that I would not/ then is not I that do it/ but sin that dwelleth in me do●eth it. I find then by the law that when I would do good: evil is present with me. I delight in the law of God/ as concerning the inner man/ but I see another law in my members rebelling against the law of my mind/ and subduing me unto the law of sy●ne which is in my members. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death? I thank God by jesus Christ our lord/ so than I myself in my mind serve the law of God/ and in my flesh the law of sin. Here Paul she●wed the sinfulness of his flesh/ lauding God by jesus Christ/ that he was not there unto subdued. 
Roma. viii  If ye mortify the deeds of the flesh/ by the help of the spirit ye shall live: for as many as are led by the spirit are the sons of God. Here it is openly declared: that it is by the power of the spirit of God/ and not by our deeds/ that the sin which is in our flesh is mortified: subdued: or dampened. But such perfection have we not/ nor yet more have that sin shallbe clean taken out of us/ so long as we are in this corruptible body. The flesh lusteth (ever) contrary to the spirit. 
Roman. vi  But yet let not the sin which is in your mortal bodies regne the ye should there unto obey in the lusts of it. Nether give ye your members as instruments of unrightevesnes unto sin: but give your self unto God/ as they that are alive from death/ and give your members as instruments of righteousness unto God Sin shall not have power ower you/ for ye are not under the law/ but under grace/ 
Io. i iij.viij and xx Gala. iij T●um iij Gala. iiij Roma. seven  and ye are borne a new in ye spirit. The spirit is made fire. Ye spirit is filled with the holy ghost And ye spirit fulfilleth the law. In my mind (sayeth Paul) I serve the law of God/ howbeit the sin dwell in the flesh/ yet the spirit will not consent nor obey there unto because it is borne a new: 
i Corin. i xii two Corin. iij Roma. viii Gala. v  and made free by faith/ but will obey unto the law of God/ by the power of his holy spirit/ by whom springeth very low from the heart. And so in the spirit the law is fulfilled. Tha● command us to low God. With all our heart/ 
i Corin. xiii  with all our soul/ with all our strength: out of this low springeth all good works/ for low can not be idle/ but must of need work to the pleasure of him whom is lowed/ when occasion cometh An man that hath perfect low to God seeketh with all diligence to know they things wherein God hath pleasure. And when he knowed the will of God: 
Psal. i  there more nothing hold him from the doing of it. Ye he is glade that God hath commanded him to do such things Because his pleasure is to be occupied in the law of the lord: 
Math. xi  neither is his law heavy to such a man. For it is an easy yoke/ and an light birding thorough low/ wherein I pray God to confirm your hearts by his spirit thorough faith. Amen.   

Of patience  

jacob iv  BE ye patient brethren unto the coming of the lord Belowed brethren pacence is an virtue which is necessary in their evil and peralouse days: 
Ephesio. v  and thereby all the sainted of God have overcome all persecution and trouble put am them in this present life/ and this patience Paul commended unto us saying. 
ij corinth. v●  In all things let us behave our self as the ministers of God in moche patience/ in afflictions/ in necessite/ in auguy●she in stripes/ in presōment/ in strife/ in labour in warche/ in fasting/ in pureness/ in knowledge/ in long suffering/ in kindness/ in the holy ghost/ in low unfeigned/ in the words of truth in the power of God/ by the arm●●● of righteousness on the right hand/ and on the lift hand/ in honour/ and dishonour/ in evil report/ and good report/ as deceivers/ and yet true/ as unknown/ and yet known/ as deyinge/ and behold we yet live/ as chastened and not killed/ as sorrowing/ and yet always merry/ as poor/ and yet make many rich/ as having no thing/ and yet possessing all things. 
Behold job  This patience is to soffre and receive gladly without any murmur whatsoever trouble/ pain/ vexation/ 
Romano. v  and adversity that God sent And this patience cometh of perfect low which cometh of strong and sure faith This patience teached us the apostle jamys saying. Be ye patient brethren/ 
jaco. v.  unto the coming of the lord. Patience do mark some trouble/ for in prosperity she lost her ●ome/ she ragne never but where trouble and Behold wicked jezabel caused to kill all the holy prophets in Israel except they that were hid secretly/ or fled to the desert/ 
iij Regum nineteen  as Elias & c Of the trouble and persecution of the prophets and servants of God saith Christ to the old scribes and pharisees. 
Mat. twenty-three  Behold I send unto you/ prophets wise men/ and scribes/ and of them some shall ye kill and crucify/ and some shall ye scourge in your synagogges/ and persecute them from city to city. Take (my brethren) the prophets for an ensample of suffering adversity/ 
jacobi v  and of long patience which spoke in the name of the lord. Behold we count them happy which endure. Ye have herd of the patience of job: and have known what end the lord made/ for the lord is pitiful/ 
Toby i. & ij  and merciful. Behold also the great adversity and trouble of holy Toby: for all his substance was taken from him/ and hymsylfe was sought to be killed/ and his sight was taken from him by God/ also ye have herd what endeth lord made of all his adversity. 
God trieth he faith of his children  Market his also: if God send the to the see/ and promise to go with thee/ and to bring the safe to land/ he will raise up a tempest against thee/ to prove whether thou wilt abide by his word/ and that thou mayst feal thy faith and perceive his goodness/ for were it all ways fair wether and ●ou never brought to such jeopardy when●e his mercy only delivered thee/ thy faith ●ulde be but a presumption and thou shouldst be ever unthankful to God and mer●ylesse unto thy neighbour  
¶ If God promise riches: the way thereto is ●owerte. Whom he loweth him he chasteset/ ●hom he exaltet/ he casteth down/ whom he ●●ueth he damneth first. He bringeth no man ●o heaven except he send him to hell first. If he promise life he slayeth first: when he ●yldeth/ he casteth all down first. He is no ●atcher/ he can not build on another man's foundation. He will not work until all be past remedy and brought unto such a case/ that men may see how that his hand/ his power/ his mercy: his goodness and truth hath wrought all together. 
isaiah xl●  He will let no man be partaker with him of his praise and glory. His works are wonderful and contrary unto man's works. 
The work of God ar● wondered  Who ever save he delivered his own son/ his only son/ his dear son unto the death and that for his enemy's sake/ to win his enemy/ to overcome him with low/ that he might see low and low again/ and of low to do like wise to other men/ and to overcome them with well doing  
¶ joseph saw the son and the moan and xi. stars worshepinge him. Nevertheless shameful death of the cross as a thief or a murderer. Ye an cursed death as saith the law cursed is whosoever hangeth on tree. 
Deuter. xxi  He was ●ende in the world by the father to suffer trouble/ which before he appointed to him. Ye he see't an strong battle before him in the which he do fight a● an worthy knight: 
joann. ●vi  and obtained victory/ and have received the reward/ but first he fought/ or he wan the reward/ ye he suffered to be sore wounded be fore he obtained victory. As the holy prophet saw long afore hand/ and spoke of him. 
isaiah liij  He shall have neither beauty nor favour/ when we shall behold him he shallbe out of shape/ so that we shall not desire him/ he shallbe despised and lest set buy of all men/ a man having experience and feeling both our sorrows and sicknesses/ we shall (I say) repute him so vile and loathly that we shall hide our faces from him. When this (not withstanding yet) is even he must bear our sicknesses and sorrows. But we shall judge him to be thus cast down and smitten with some plague of God/ ye when he is wounded even of our transsgressions: and thus smitten for our ungodliness/ for the punishment for our correction shallbe laid upon him: and by his stripes and hurt shallbe healed. All we are strayed away like sheep/ every man foloving his own way/ but the lord layeth all our wykednesses upon him to forgive us. It is he that shall abide the anguish and be scourged: and yet shall he not onhis open his mought/ he shallbe led like a lamb to be offered up/ and he shallbe as still as a sheep under her clippers hands/ and shall not once open his lips/ he shallbe taken away and put to death/ his cause not examined after true judgement: as a man frenlesse and kynlesse. And yet who may number his kindred even then when he shallbe thought clean to be cut out of this world? which plague shall fall upon him for the transgression of his own people furthermore he shallbe thought to die among the ungodly and be lifted up on the cross between thieves: all thought he never did hurt nor yet any desayt found in his words/ but the lord had decreed him to be thus broken with infirmity that he offered for our sins/ mought see his long lived prosperity. And this decree of the lord shall prosper in hand/ with the petel of his own life he shall find riches And by this means my right servant shall justify many men/ for he himself shall bear away their sins. Wherefore I shall divide to him the pray both of the many men: and also of the strong violence/ because he shall let his life to death/ and be reputed among the misdoers/ which notwithstanding/ yet shall he take away the sins of many/ and make intercession for the transsgressours. Therefore be lowed brethren follow manfully your blessed lord unto the battle: saying him fight as your strong captain before you/ and his banner blowing on bredht. Trow ye to receive the reward but if ye suffer? or trow ye to obtain victory but if ye put yourself in jeopardy? no verily. Be not therefore deceived (my brethren) with fleshly lusts/ but stand up and put on the armure of God that ye may be able to resist in the evil day/ and to stand perfect in all things. 
Ephesio. vi  stand therefore and your loins gird about with verity/ having on the breast plate of righteousness/ and should with shows prepared by the gospel of peace. Above all take to you the shield of faith/ wherewith ye may quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of health and the sword of the spirit/ and run unfeardlye to the battle that is set before you/ & put yourself in to press following your master. Care not thought ye be wounded/ for death shall have no power ower you/ and of your wounds ye shallbe made hole: by your own most noble phisitianes jesus Christ. 
Mat. ix  Herefore murmur not thought the battle be strong/ for your master had the greatest burden of it. 
Psal. lxvij  By whois help ye shall soon have victory: when your enemies shallbe subdued: and ye shall regne eternaly in glory with jesus Christ. 
Hebreo. ●  Belowed brethren despise not so great health/ for a little and short trouble but suffer and ye shall regne. Look unto jesus: 
Hebreo. xii  the auctor and fynnyssher of your faith/ which for the joy that was set before him: abode the cross/ and despised the shame and is set down at the right hand of the troune of God. Consider therefore how that he endured such speaking against him of sinners/ lest ye should be wearied and faint in your minds. For ye have not yet (all) resisted unto the blood shed ding. etc. 
joann. xv. Ephesio. i Zacha. ix Roma. viii  Prefer not your self above your master and lord/ ye your heed/ and your king. Desire not to be spared saying that God spared not his only begotten son/ but gave him for us all. If ye be sons and children with Christ/ 
Hebreo. xii  suffereth chastising of your heavenly father (with Christ) for and ye be not under chastising/ whereof all are partakers▪ then are ye bastards and not sons nor children/ caste not the cross from you/ which Christ and all the saints hath borne. Behold the heavy cross that God laid on the shoulders of his welbelowed apostles/ as Christ before or they suffered showed unto them  

joan. xx. joan. xv Mat. x  As my father sent me: so send I you. If the persecute me/ then shall they persecute you I send you forth as sheep among wolves The sheep fight not/ but the shepherd fighteth for them and careth for them. Be harmless as doves therefore (saith Christ) and wise as serpents. 
The wisdom of the serpent  The doves imagine no defence nor seek to avenge them silfes The serpent's wisdom is to keep his heed and those parts wherein his life resteth. Christ is our heed: and God's word is that wherein our life resteth. To cleave therefore fast unto Christ and unto those promises which God hath made us/ for his sake is our wisdom. Let us therefore look diligently where unto we are called/ that we deceive not our silfes. 
Roman. vi  We are called to die with Christ: that we may live with him: and to suffer with him that we may regne with him. We are called unto a kingdom/ that must be won with suffering only/ as a seek man winneth health. God is he that doth all thing for us and fighteth for us/ and we do but only suffer. Beware of men (saith Christ) for they shall deliver you up unto their counsels/ 
Math. x.  and shall scourge you. And ye shall be brought before rulars and kings for my sake. The brother shall betray or deliver the brother to death/ and the father the son. And the children shall rise against father and mother/ and put them to death/ and ye shallbe hated of all men/ for my name/ but whosoever shall continue unto the end/ shallbe saved. When they persecute you in won city/ fly into an other. The disciple is not above his master/ nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple to be as his master is/ and that the servant be as his lord is. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub/ how moche more shall they call them of his household so? fear them not therefore. 
Luce xiv  Which of you disposed to build a tour (saith Christ) sitteth not down first and counteth the cost whether he have sufficient to perform it? lest when he hath laid the foundation and then not able to perform it/ all that behold begin to mock him saying. This man began to build: and was not able to make an end. So like wise none of you that for saketh not all that he hath can be my disciple. Whosoever therefore casteth not this afore hand. I must jeopardy life: goods honour/ whorsepe and all that there is for Christ's sake deceiveth himself and maketh a mock of himself unto the godless hypocrites and infidels. No mane can serve two masters/ God and mammon/ 
Mathei vi.  that is to say wicked riches also. Thou must low Christ above all thing but that dost is not slokned/ but they abid for their pray waithing as raweninge wolves/ if they more see any of Christ's poor sheep to devour Belowed brethren be strong in the lord/ and fear them not which can do unto you no harm but kill the body: 
Math. x  where unto ye are appointed of God (if it so come to pass) as it is written For thy sake are we killed all day long: 
Psal. xliij  and are counted as sheep appointed to be slain. Tribulation is our right baptim/ and is signified by plunging in to the water/ we that are baptized in the name of Christ (saith Paul) are baptized to die with him. 
Roma. vi  The spirit thorough tribulation purgeth us and killeth our fleshly wit: our worldly understanding and belly wisdom/ and filleth us full of the wisdom of God. Tribulation is a blessing that cometh of God/ 
Tribulation i● a blessige Math. v  as Christ witnesseth. Blessed are ●hey that suffer persecution for rightevesness is sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Is not this a comfortable word? who ought not rather to choose and desire to be blessed with Christ in a little tribulation then do be cursed perpetually with the world for a little pleasure? 
prosperity is● a curse Lu●● vi  prosperity is a right curse and a thing that God giveth unto his enemies. Woe be to you rich saith Christ Lo ye have here your consolation: woe be to you that are full: for ye shall hunger/ woe be to you that laugh/ for ye shall weep/ woe be to you when men praise you. For so did their fathers unto the false prophets/ ye and so have our fathers done unto the false hypocrites. The hypocrites with worldly preaching have not gotten the praise only/ but even the possessions also and the domination and rule of the hole world. 
Tribulation for rightevesnes is ye gift of god Actor v ij Thimo. iij Philippe. i  Tribulation for righteousness is not a blessing only/ but also a gift that God giveth unto none save his special friends▪ The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for Christ's sake. And Paul saith. All that will live godly in Christ jesus must suffer persecution. And in another place unto you it is given not only to believe in Christ/ but also to suffer for his sake. And Peter sayeth Happy are ye/ 
i Petri iiij  if ye suffer for the name of christ/ for the glorious spirit of God resteth in you. Is it not an happy thing to be sure that thou art sealed with god's spirit unto the everlasting life? and verily thou art sure thereof/ if thou suffer patiently for his sake. By suffering art thou sure. 
Whereby them are your tyrants sure? Romano. v ij corinth. xii  But by persecuting canst thou never besure. For Paul saith. Tribulation maketh feeling/ that is/ it maketh us feal the goodness of God and his help and the working of his spirit. And in another place he saith. The lord said unto him/ my grace is sufficient for thee/ for my strength is made perfect thorough weakness. Lo Christ is never strong in us/ till we be weak. As our strength abateth/ so groweth the strength of Christ in us. When we are clean empted of our own strength/ then are we full of Christ's strength. And look how moche of our strength remaineth in us/ so much lacketh there of the strength of Christ. Therefore saith Paul in the same place. Very gladly will I rejoice in my weakness/ that the strength of Christ may dwell in me  
¶ Therefore have I delectation saith he inmy infirmities/ in rebukes/ in need/ in persecutions/ and in anguish for Christ's sake. For when I am weak/ then am I strong/ meaning that the weakness of ye flesh is the the strength of the spirit. And by flesh understand wit wisdom/ and all that is in a man before the spirit of God come/ and whatsoever springeth not of the spirit of God/ and of God's word. And of like testimonies is all the scripture full▪  
¶ Behold God setteth before us a blessing and also a curse. A blessing verily and that a glorious and a everlasting▪ if we will suffer tribulation and adversity with our lord and saviour Christ. And an everlasting curse/ if for a little pleasures sake we with draw our self from the chastising and murtoure of God/ wherewith he teachet all his sons and faschioneth them after his godly will and maketh them perfect (as he did Christ) and maketh them apt and meet wessels to receive his grace and his spirit/ that they might perceive and feal the exceeding mercy which we have in Christ/ and the innumerable blessings/ and the unspeakable inheritance where unto wear called and choose and sealed in our saviour jesus Christ unto whom be praise for ever. Amen  
¶ Finally whom God chooseth to regne everlastingly with Christ/ him sealeth he with his mighty spirit/ and poureth strength into his heart to suffer afflictions also with Christ forbearing of vit●es unto the truth. 
The difference between the children of God and of the devil duty. viii  And this is the difference between the children of God and salvation/ and between the children of the devil and of damnation/ that the children of God have power in their hearts to suffer for God's word which is their life and salvation/ their hope and trust/ and whereby they live in the soul before God  
And the children of the devil in time of adversity do fly from Christ. 
joan vi  Whom they followed feignedly/ their hearts not sealed with his holy and mighty spirit/ and get them to the stondert of their right father the devil/ 
joan viij  and take his wages/ the pleasures of this world/ which are earnest of everlasting damnation. As ye read in many places of the holy scripture. 
i Corin. ix.  The which are written for our learning  

Mat. nineteen.  ¶ jesus said/ unto his disciples. Verily I say unto you/ a rich man shall with difficult enter into the kingdom of heaven. And moreover I say unto you/ it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter in to the kingdom of heaven  

Luce. xii.  ¶ The lands of a certain man brought forth fruits plenteously: and he thought in himself saying/ what shall I do: because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? and he said. This will I do. I will destroy my barns/ and build greater and there in will I gadder all my fruits/ and all my goods/ and I will say to my soul. Soul thou haste much goods laid up in store for many years/ take thine ease/ eat/ drink/ and be my merry. But God said unto him. Thou fool/ this night will they fetch away thy soul again from the. Then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? So is it with him that gaddreth riches/ and is not rich in God  
¶ There was a certain rich man/ which was cloethin purpur/ and fine rains/ 
Luce. xvi  and fared deliciously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus/ which lay at his gate full of soores desiring to be refreshed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's board/ but there was no man that gave him aught. Nevertheless/ the dogs came/ and licked his soores. And it fortuned that the beggar died/ and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died/ and was buried in hell  
¶ When he lift up his eyes/ as he was in torments/ he saw Abraham a far of: and Lazarus in his bosom/ and cried/ and saith/ have mercy on me/ and send Lazarus that he may deep the rip of his finger in water/ and coal my tongue/ for I am tormented in this flame. Abraham saith unto him. Son remember: that thou in thy life time receivedst thy pleasure/ and contrary wise Lazarus pain. Now therefore is he comforted: and if art punished. & c  
¶ For as much then as we must needs be baptized in tribulations/ and go thorough the red see/ and a great and fearful wilderness: 
Hebreo. xiii  and a land of cruel ge●untes into our own country/ for here have we no continuing city/ but we seek ● city to come/ ye and in as much as it is of plain earnest there is no nother way into the kingdom of heaven/ 
Which way go your persecutors to heaven them Mathei seven  than thorough persecution and suffering of pain and very death: after the ensample of Christ. For we ●ustenter in at ye straight gate▪ for wide is the gate: and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction/ and many there be which go in there at. For straight is the got: and narawe is the way which leadeth unto life/ and few there be that find it  
¶ Therefore let us arm our souls with the comfort of the scriptures/ how that God is ever ready at hand in time of need to help us. And how that such tyrants and persecutors are but God's scourge and his rod to chastise us. And as the father hath alway in time of correction the rod fast in his hand/ 
your persecutors have no power to do unto you what they would  so that the rod doth no thing but as he moweth it/ even so hath God all tyrants in his hand/ and letteth them not do whatsoever they would/ but as much only as he appointeth them to do and as for forth as it is necessary for us. And as when the child submit●eth himself unto his father's correction/ and nurture and humbleth himself all together unto the will of his father: then ●he rod is taken away/ even so when we are come unto the knowledge of the right way and have forsaken our own will and offer our self clean unto the will of God to walk which way so ever he will have us/ then turneth he the tyrants. Or else if they enforce to persecute us any further: he putteth them out of the way according unto the comfortable ensamples of the holy scripture  
¶ Moareover let us arm our souls: with the promises both of help and assistance: and also of the glorious reward that followeth. 
Mat. v Mat. x  great is your reward in heaven saith Christ. And he that knowledge me before men/ him shall I knowledge before my father that is in heaven. 
Psalm. xlix  And call on me in time of tribulation: 
Psal. xxxij.  and I shall deliver the And behold the eyes of the lord are ●uer them that fear him/ and over them that trust in his mercy. To deliver their souls from death/ and to feed them in the time of hunger  

Psal. xxxiij.  And David sayeth. The lord is nigh the● that are troubled in their hearts/ and the m●ke in spirit he will save. The tribulation of the righteous are many/ and out o● them all will the lord deliver them. Th● lord keepeth all the bones of them/ so tha● not one of them shallbe bruised. The lor●de shall redeem/ the souls of his servants. And of such like consolation are the psames full/ the lord open your hearts/ to read them and understand them perfectly in the spirit. 
Mat. x  When ye deliver you take no tho●ught what ye shall say. It shallbe given you the same hour what ye shall say. For it is not ye that shall speak/ but the spirit of you're father speaketh in you. The very hears of your heeds are numbered. If God care for our hairs/ he much more careth for our souls which he hath sealed with his holy spirit. 
i Petri v  Therefore saith Peter. Cast all you●re care upon him/ for he careth for you/ and Paul saith. God is true he will not suffer you to be tempted above your might 
Psal. liiij A Christian man's care  Cast thy care upon the lord. Let thy care be to prepare thyself with all thy strength to walk which way he will have thee/ and to believe that he will go with thee/ and assist the and strength the against all tyrants and deliver the out of all tribulation. But what way or by what means he will do it/ that commit unto him and to his godly pleasure and wisdom and cast that care upon him. And thougth it seem never so unlikely or never so unpossible unto natural reason yet believe steadfastly that he will do it. And ●hen shall he according unto his old use/ change the course of the world/ even in the ●winkelinge of an eye/ and come suddenly upon your tyranntes and mighty giants as a thief in the night/ and compass them in their wiles and worldly wisdom: when they cry piece and all is safe/ then shall their sorrows begin/ as the sorrows of a woman that traveleth with child. And then shall he destroy them/ and deliver you/ unto the glorious praise of his mercy and truth. Amen  
And as pertaining unto them that despice God's word: 
The despicers persecutors and they that fall from God's word ar●●h●●a●ead  counting it as a fantasy or a dream/ and to them also that for fear of a little persecutio fly from it setthes before thy eyes. How God since the beginning of the world before a general plague: ever sent his true prophets and preachers of his word/ to warn the people/ and gave them space to repent. But they for the greatest part of them hardened their hearts and persecuted the word that was sent unto them And then God destroyed them utterly and took them clean from the earth. As thou seist what followed the preaching of Noah in the old world/ 
No Lot Moses Aaron  what followed the preaching of Lot among the Sodomites/ and the preaching of Moses: and Aaron among the Egyptians/ and that suddenly against all possibility of man's wit. Moareover as oft as the children of Israel fell from God to the whorsepinge of images/ he sent his prophets unto them. And they persecuted and waxed hard hearted. 
The prophets  And then he sent them into all places of the world captive. Cast of all he sent his own son unto them. 
Christ  And they waxed more hard hearted then ever before. And see what a fearful ensample of his wrath and cruel vengeance he hath made of them unto all the world now almost fifteen hundred years  
¶ Mark also how Christ threathnet them that forsake him for whatsoever cause it be Whether for fear: either for shame/ either for lousse of honour/ friends/ life or goods? 
Mat. x  he that deniet me before men (saith he) him will I deny before my father that is in heaven/ he that loweth father or mother more then me/ 
Marci viii  is not worthy of me. Whosoever is ashamed of me (saith he) or of my words among this adoutours and sinful generation/ of him shall the son of ●an be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his father with his holy Angels. 
Luc. ix  Also none that layeth his hand to the plough and looketh back/ is mere for the kingdom of heaven  
¶ Nevertheless yet if any man have resisted ignorantly/ as did Paul/ 
Thimoth. i God receiveth them that come again  let him look unto the truth which Paul wrote after he come to knouledge. Also if any man clean against his heart: but overcome with the weakness of the flesh for fear of persecution: have denied as did Peter/ or have delivered his book to the tyrants or put it away secretly  
¶ Let him (if he repent) come again and take better hold and not despair or take it for a sign that God hath forsaken him. 
Why letteth god his choose children fall?  For God oft times taketh his strength even from his very elect: when they other trust in their own strength or are negligent to call to him for his strength. And that doth he to reach them and to make them feal that in the fire of tribulation fo● his words sake no thing can endure and abide/ false his word and that strength only which he hath premised. For which strength he will have us to pray unto him night and day with all instance  

Ephesi. iij  Which also is able to do exceeding abundantly/ above all that ye are or think: according to the power that worketh in us unto whom be praise in the congregation by jesus christ/ thorough out all generation for ever. Amen   

Of the mortification of the flesh  

Roma. v  BY one man sin entered in the world/ and death by the means of sin: and so death went over all men/ in so much that all men sinned. Dearly beloweth brethren it is not unknown to you/ the servitute the bondage/ and the ●hialdom where under we were some time to sin. Ye were once the servants of sin. 
Roma. vi Ephes. v  Ye were one darkness. But thorough the great mercy of almighty God we are delivered there from/ by his son jesus Christ. 
Rom. vi.  So that we are delivered from sin/ and made the servants of righteousness: 
Ephe. ij  but not so perfectly that there is no s●nne in us. We are delivered thorough faith/ from the wrath of God/ and from the vengeance and curse of the law/ and from the eternal death/ 
Roman. iiij Psal. xxxi  & we have obtained forgiving of all our sins/ so that they shall not be imputeth to us on that day when the lord shall come. And in the spirit we are made perfect/ and borne a new unto God/ 
joan. i Roma. viii  so that we are no servants/ but sons/ & daughters. But yet in our flesh/ there is s●me sin/ ye an wicked seed is sown in our flesh: and is so rooted/ that it may not be cleanly taken away in this present life. 
i joan. i  Of the which saith Ihon. If we shall say that we have no sin/ we deceive our sylfes/ and the truth is not in us. 
jacob iij Luce xvij  For in many things we sin all. When we have done all they things which are commanded unto us/ we are yet unprofitable servants/ we have done but that which was our duty to do. This sin: is this concupiscence/ this lust/ and evil desire which we have in us contrarious to the law of God And this concupiscence is verily sin/ because it is forbidden in the law of God/ 
Exod. xx  which saith thou shall not concupisce or desire. And be cause it is contrarious to God and to his pleasure and will/ for there may no thing be contrarious to God/ but evil and sinful thing/ and this concupiscence or evil desire/ 
Gala. ●  thought it be evil and sinful/ yet we may not awoyde it: so long we are here in the flesh. For (as saith Paul) the flesh lusteth contrary to the spirit/ and the spirit contrary to the flesh Their are contrary one to the other/ so that 〈◊〉 can not do that what ye would. This b●tayl is even in an righteous and justified man which hath the spirit of God. For the flesh lusteth continually against the spirit 〈◊〉 that an may not do that which he wold● that is/ that he might holy and perf●ue him to the service of God but he may● not: for the flesh lusteth contrary to the spr●te/ and will not nor can not be obedient to the law/ 
Roman: seven.  of this same saith Paul. The la●we is spiritual/ but I am carnal sold under sin/ because I wo●e not what I do Here Pa. knowledgeth himself: to hau● an carnal concupiscence or desire in him and thereby knowledgeth him subdued to sin. For he saith. I am carnal sold under sin. The law he saith also is holy and good/ ye the law is spiritual: but I am carnal/ sold under sin. And when jerome myself/ to do and fulfil/ that holy and spiritual law/ I find in me an contrariousnes to it/ and may not fulfil it. Whereby I know that I am carnal and ●●ld● (that is) subdued under sin/ for in the fl●she he served the law of sin. In my flesh saith he I serve the law of sin. B● thought he was subdued to the law of sy●ne in the flesh/ yet he was free in the spirit. I serve the law of God (saith he) in the spirit. And in the spirit he fought continually against the sin in the flesh/ and would always have had it away. And because he 〈◊〉 no means culde get it away he complaineth saying/ what I would that do I not/ but what I hat that do I. As he would say. I would the flesh lusteth not against the spirit. And this concupiscence I ●at because it is evil: and yet I may not be free from it. Then it followeth. If I do that which I would not/ I confess to the law ●hat it is good. So then now it is not I that do it/ but sin that dwelleth in me. As he would say. If sin to the which I consent not in the spirit (but hats & would have it away) abideth in the flesh: ye worketh and lusteth against the law. And I in the spirit consent to the law/ and granteth is good/ and would fulfil it/ and have away that sin out of the flesh which is contrarious to the law/ thought I may not get it away: yet I sin not/ nor transsgresses not the law in the spirit/ but the sin that dwelleth in the flesh doth it  
¶ Then it followeth. To will is present with me/ but I can find no means to perform that which is good  
That is to say. I would this evil lust/ and sin in the flesh were away: so that then were no thing in me contrarious to the holy law of God/ but I can not get it away: I hat it and yet it abideth fast rote● in the flesh. It followeth. I find then by the law: that when I would do good/ evil is present with me. Here Paul showed that the law gave him knouledge of sin for he had not known that this lust or concupiscence had been sin/ except the law had said: thou shall not lust/ or concupisce/ 〈◊〉 desire. Therefore he saith I find by the law: that evil. that is to say/ sin is present with me/ not in the spirit/ but in the flesh. Then it followeth. I delight in the law of God/ as concerning the inner man/ but I see another law in my members rebelling against the law of my mind: and subduing me unto the law of sin which is in my members. Not that this law of sin in his members over come him/ that he was in the spirit subdued unto it. But it subdued him to sin/ because it made him in danger of the law/ for it requireth the hole man with his strength and power. 
Deutero. vi  And because there was an evil lust and concupiscence in him contrarious unto the law/ therefore he was subdued to sin/ not in the spirit but thorough sin in the flesh. Now Paul seeing this sin sown and fast rooted in his flesh/ that it was unpossible to get it clean away in this life/ he longeth and murneth for the deliverance of the sinful flesh/ saying. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death? then it followeth I thank God by jesus Christ our lord. As he would say: thought I would deliver myself from sin/ I may not: and no other man may deliver me from sin/ for they are all in the same bondage and thrall with me so many as are yet in the flesh. 
Psal. xiii  There is none righteous/ no not one/ there is none that understandeth/ there is none that seeketh after God/ they are all gone out of the way. They are all made unprofitable/ there is none that death good no not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre/ with they● tongues they have deceived: the poison of asps is under their lips. Whose mouths are full of chursinge and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood. Destruction and wretchedness are in their ways/ and the way of peace have they not known: there is no fear of God before their eyes. But thou alone o lord God/ and father which art the weak man's strength/ and refuge/ ready at the hand of him that is in strese/ art my delyveroure. For thou shall deliver me of this prisonment of sin/ and body of death/ by thy wellbelowed son jesus Christ/ our lord. And thought for an time I must need suffer/ or I receive the final end of my deliverance/ ye● by hope I am sure of it. For thou art true in all thy sayings. And thy truth is sure to all age for ever. And thought in the flesh be some sin/ yet in the spirit I shall consent to the law/ and serve it. Belowed brethren/ though there be in us some sin/ and evil lust/ and concupiscence/ yet let us not consent to it in the spirit. But resist to it/ and fight against it/ serving the law of God in the spirit. As did Paul. 
Roman. seven  And as he reached us saying. Let not sin regne in your mortal bodies: that ve should there unto obey in the lusts of it/ 
Roma. xiii  make not provision for the flesh/ to fulfil the lusts of it. Walk in the spirit/ and fulfil not the lusts of the flesh. If ye live after the flesh/ 
Gala. v  ye must die: So thought we have sin in the flesh/ our spirit is free of it/ but not thorough our sylfes/ but thorough the holy ghost  

ij. Corint. iij joann. viii  ¶ Where the spirit of the lord is/ there is liberty. And Christ said to the jews. If the son shall make you free/ then are ye free in dead. The son worketh by the holy ghost. So doth the father also. And their working is indivisible  

joan: v  ¶ For that which the father doth/ the son doth/ and like wise the holy ghost. So when the holy ghost maketh us free/ the son maketh us free. And when the father/ and the son maketh us free/ the holy ghost maketh us free. And though one of the iij. persons of the holy trinity be named in any place of the scripture/ yet it shallbe understand after the indivisible working of the holy trinity/ having some works after our manner of speaking/ appropriet to every person these freedom that we have (as saith Paul) we have it thorough the spirit of the lord and not be our self. For God hath sent his spirit in our hearts/ whereby we are looseth in the spirit from the bonds of sin/ and delivered out of servitute/ and cries to God Abba father. 
Roman. viii  Now seeing that we are made free in the spirit from sin/ let us not tangle our self again in subjection thereto/ but fight against it/ resist to it/ and with all diligence labour to dante and tayme the wantannes of it/ to hold it down and mortify it as it is written. If ye then be risen again with Christ/ seek they things which are above/ where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Set your affection/ on things that are above/ and not on things which are on the earth. For ye are deed: 
colossen. iij  and your life is hid with Christ in God When Christ which is your life shall shew● himself/ then shall ye also apere with him in glory/ mortify therefore your members which are on the earth. & c And in another place it is written. 
Gala. v  They that are Christ's/ have crucified the flesh with the appetites and lusts. Not that we may mortify the fleche/ thorough our own strength/ and labours/ as preach the false preachers. No: no but by the holy spirit/ as it is written. 
Roma. viii  If ye mortify the deeds of the flesh/ by the help of the spirit/ ye shall live. And of what spirit he speaketh: he showed immediately after saying. As many as are led by the spirit of God/ are the sons of God. This mortification and crucifienge of the flesh and sin/ is an subjection where under sin is ●ut/ not that it is taken clean away/ but subdued/ holden down: and not suffered to work. An thing when it sca●es working/ it is called deed. An● tree when it springeth not: and beareth no fruit nor branches/ it is called deed. So sin when it worketh not/ and showed not the self/ by works/ it is called deed: so we shall make sin to die and we should crucify it/ not suffering it to work. And this we may not do of our sylfes/ but by the holy spirit which reigneth in our hearts: and of his power mortifies and crucifies this sin which resteth in the flesh. He strenghteth us/ for in to the inner man he maketh us able and strong to resist to all the assaults of our enemies He eyketh our power/ and minishet theirs He maketh us free/ and subdued them. He giveth us life/ and killed them. The flesh and sin (as is said) is mortifieth by the spirit of God/ but to the same mortification our works are required/ but our ableness cometh of God. Not that we may do any good of our self. 
ij corinth. i●  No we are not sufficient of our sylfes/ to think any thing as it were of our sylfes/ but our ableness (there to) cometh of God/ by his holy spirit. 
Philippe. i●  For it is God that worketh in us/ both the will and also the dead/ ye even of his own good will. He worketh in us/ the works which are necessary to the mortification of the flesh/ ye he maketh us to chastifie the body & bring it into subjection/ by resisting unto the lusts of it/ and continual excertion of good works. For the more that an man be useth to sin/ the harder shall it be to resist unto the evil use and lusts thereof. For the lusts of sin/ are ever the stronger/ the more that an man follow them be an evil use. And by the contrary/ the resisting of sin and excercition of good works taketh some thing away of the strength of sin. 
i Thimo. ii●  Herefore brethren exerce your self unto Verily I say unto you/ they have received their reward. But when ye fast anoint your heed: and wash your face/ that it apere not unto men how ye fast/ but unto your father which is in secret. & c  
¶ Herefore brethren in all things keep measure be discrete/ follow the spirit/ and mortify the flesh/ by the holy ghost whom ye have received/ as the earnest of your enheretaunce/ by whom ye are teached in all truth/ and as he hath teached you abide therein. 
i joan. ij Hebreo. xiii  And be not carried hither/ and thither/ with divers and strange learning.  
¶ (I say the learning of men which the holy scripture do not know) as ye have been in time passed. Wherewith ye were drawene from the faith and gave heed unto spirits of error/ and devylshe doctrine of them which speak lies thorough hypocrisy/ and have their consciences marked with an hett yearn forbidding to marry/ and commanding to abstain from meats/ which God hath created to be received with giving of thanks of them which believe: and have known the truth. For all the creatures of God are good: and no thing to be refused/ if it be received with giving of thanks. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou shall put the brethren in remembrance of these things (saith Paul to Thimothe) thou shallbe a good minister of jesus Christ which hast been nourished up in the words of faith/ and good doctrine/ which thou hast continually followed: but cast away unghostly and old wives fables  
This I say lest any man should begylle you with enticing words. For though I be absent in the flesh: yet am I present with you in the spirit ioyinge and beholding your steadfast faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ jesus the lord: even so walk ro●ed and bilt in him/ and steadfast in the faith/ as ye have learned/ and therein be plenteous in giving thanks  
¶ Beware lest any man come and spoil you thorough philosophy and deceitful vanity/ thorough the traditions of men/ and ordinations after the world and not after Christ. For in him dwelled all the fullness of the go● heeth boddyly/ and ye are full in him/ which is the heed of all rule and power/ in whom also ye are circumcised with circumcision made without hands by putting of of the sinful body of the flesh/ thorough the circumcision that is in Christ. In that ye are buried with him thorough baptim/ in whom ye are also risen again thorough faith/ that is wrought by the operation of God which raised him from death  
¶ And hath with him quickened you also which were deed in sin and in the uncircumcision of your flesh/ and hath forgiven us our trespasses: and hath put out the obligation that was against us/ made in the law written/ and that hath he taken out of the way: and hath fastenet it on his cross and hath spoiled rule and power/ and hath made ashewe of them openly/ and hath triumphed over them in his own person  
¶ Let no man therefore trouble your conciences about meat and drink: or for a peace of an holy day/ which are no thing but shadows of things to come/ but the body is in Christ. Let no man make you to shoot at a wrong mark/ which after his own imagination walketh in the humbleness and holiness of angels/ things which he never saw/ causeless puffed up with his fleshly mind/ and holdeth not the heed/ whereof all the body by joints and couples receiveth nourishment: and is knet together and increaseth with the increasing that cometh of God  
¶ Wherefore since ye are deed with Christ from the doctrine of the world: why as thought ye yet lived in the world/ should ye be yet led with traditions of them that say touch not/ taste not/ handle not. & c Now in conclusion be ye all of one mind and the God of peace/ that raised from death our lord jesus Christ: 
i Corin. xiv joan x  the great shepherd of you his sheep/ thorough the blood of the everlasting testament/ make you perfect in all good works/ to do his godly and holy will/ and bring to pass that whatsoever ye do may be accepted in his fight/ by the means of jesus Christ. To whom be praise for ever. Amen  
¶ I beseech you brethren/ suffer the words of exhortation: for I have written unto you in few words. Salute all the saints/ they which are here salute you in the lord. Grace be with you all. Amen  
¶ At Parish/ by me Peter congeth A.M.D. xxxv. xx. januarij    

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