A Faithful admonition made by Iohn Knox, unto the professors of God's truth in England, where by thou mayest learn how God will have his Church exercised with troubles, and how he defendeth it in the same.  
isaiah. ix.  
After all this shall not the lords wrath cease, but yet shall his hand be stretched out still.  
Ibidem.  
Take heed that the Lord root thee not out both head and tail in one day.   

THE EPISTLE OF A Banished man out of Leycester Shire sometime one of the Preachers of God's word there, to the Christian reader wisheth health, deliverance, and felicity.  
THere hath been no time sith the first fashioning of man which hath not had her manifold miseries and great troubles by which God chaistened and punished all men for their evil life and unthankfulness to him, continually refusing his calling and warning, whereof the righteous and just had their parts, although it was for their commodity & profit, (but to the utter destruction of the wicked and ungodly) for judgement beginneth at the faithful, which are called the household of God in the Scripture, 
1. Petri. 4.  and the punishment whereby God chasteneth them cometh always to them for the best, either to the bringing of patience, or the acknowleging of their sins, or for the avoiding of the eternal condemnation: And their fashion is, when they perceive the hand of the Lord to be upon them, or upon others, by any manner of trouble, as poverty, sickness, banishment, falling away of faithful friends, increasing of foes, or any other like trouble. Immediately they turn to God, are heartily sorry for their sins and unthankfulness, confesseth themselves guilty, & calleth earnestly for mercy, which God for, and in jesus Christ granteth unto them, of his great goodness according to his promise. So as in the midst of their troubles he hath used all ways to comfort them, yea, help and deliver them, as it appeareth by Noah, Abraham, Loth, and the patriarchs, David and Ezechia kynhes: Helye, Hieremy, and Daniel, prophets, Susanna, a woman. Peter, Paul, and the rest of the Apostles together with all good persons, in all times and ages, who in their great troubles, changes of estates and kingdoms, and destruction of their common wealths, after they had turned to God. from whence those plagues came, found relief, help, comfort and deliverance in these and the like miserable necessities. This was the only remedy and defence for all good men: thither hath been their chef refuge, there fastened they their hope, and rested not continually calling upon him, until they obreyned their requests: or else that which made most for God's glory and their commodity and profit, but contrary wise it is with the perverse & ungodly. For so soon as they are plagued or punished they grudge against God, they hate him, and speak despitefully against him, they ascribe their plagues to evil luck or to misfortune, they are nothing moved by them to acknowledge their great sins, therefore they call not upon him, but either they do run in despair or in contempt of God, and therefore it can not be thought that their punishments are tokens of the rest & quietness that they may have after this life, but rather to be the beginning of their torments which they shall 
Genes. 4  then suffer. The examples whereof are likewise set out to us in the holy Scri ptures, as of Cain, of the jews as well before the coming of Christ as after his ascension, of wicked jesabel, of judas the traitor, and of the thief which was hanged upon the left side of our Lord Jesus Christ, with divers & many more who in all their troubles, either grudged against God, forsook him, or spoke words of despite against him, and his prophets, or else fell into despair, or in contempt of him, any of which are causes of god's further displeasure, and of sending of his greater plagues to haist their destruction, yet the order of the punishments of God (wherein he declareth his merciful nature) is to be observed of us, which is, he plagueth not commonly all offenders with one manner plagues & in one time, although they be all a like guilty, but he striketh some sorer than others, & beginneth in some one country, or city that the residue might be moved by the example of their punishments and have time, & place to turn to him, who seeketh not the death of a sinner but his amendment and life, as it appeareth by the story of Achab after his wife jesabel 
Ezechie. 18.  had caused Naboth to be put to death: howbeit where he threateneth 
3. Reg. 21.  to punish the earth with some one 
Ezebie. 14.  plague, as hunger, noisome beasts, the sword, or pestilence, he threateneth all. iiij. at once upon jerusalem which bear the name of his people, but were disobedient unto him, which may worthily make us fear the more because we (the people of England) are in the like case: among whom he hath sent already the devouring sword, and a great sort of slow bellied hot and cruel beasts to destroy. But let us follow the examples of all good men: in doing as the Lord our God commaundeh 
Psal. 50.  us yet in these our plagues which is, to turn to him with all our hearts, and call upon him, it is he only that may, can and will deliver us: let that vain trust of man's help be forgotten, leave of to seek sweet water in filthy puddles, what comfort can the sick man have of one that is much sycker than himself: and looketh for nothing else but for death, let the noble men of England leave inconstancy, lust, and covetousness and turn to God a right, and let the people do the same, like as there is no man that feeleth not, or feareth not, some great plague to come upon him because of his sin, even so let every man repent, turn to God & call for help betime, for there hath been no time sense the ascension of our Lord jesus Christ wherein there hath been greater plagues, than there is now in our time, for beside bloody war, sudden death, great untruth, open perjury, division, strange consuming fires, change of great estates, & common wealths, overflowing of great cities & lands by water, hunger, & poverty without petty, so as it should appear that God causeth the very elements to fight against the world: which sometime he caused to 
Exodi. 14.  defend his people, he hath suffered all so that truth of his word & the true manner of worshipping of him according to the scriptures, to be clean taken away as it was by Christ threatened to the jews in the gospel of S. Math. & in token of his further indignation: 
Mathei. 21.  the hunger and thirst after him and his kingdom is taken from the most part of the whole realm, that it may be altogether void of that good blessing which jesus Christ our Lord speaketh of in the gospel of S. Math. saying: Blessed are they which hunger & thrust after righteousness etc. Ho suffereth for thy unthankfulness (O England) false teachers to be a burden unto thee, which if thou dost receive & allow their doctrine be thou well assured his great wrath cometh shortly after to thy destruction this is the accustomed ordre of God when he is minded to destroy. First he sendeth lying spirits in the mouths of their priests or prophets which delighted in lies: then suffered he them to be deceived by the same, to their destruction as he did with Achab. Be warned yet, by this and other such good and true books, gentle reader so shall thou be sure to be kept in safeguard in the time of the plague to come, wherein thou shalt also find moche comfort. It will move the to stick fast to the truth of god's word, & to flee from the wicked idolatry of the abominable mass which doth no more save thee from hurt than did the painting of devilish jesabel save 
4. Reg. 9  her from death when she was head long hurled out at a window, at the commandment of jehu.   

Grace mercy and peace from God the Father of our Lord jesus Christ/ with the perpetual comfort of the holy Ghost, be with you for ever and ever. So be it.  
Having no less desire to comfort such as now be in trouble within the realm of England, (and spe cial you for many cause●… most dear to me) then hath the natural father to ease the grief & pain of his dearest child, I have conside red with myself, what argument or parcel of God's Scriptures, was most convevient and meet to be en treated for your consolation in these most dark and dolorous days. And so, as for the same purpose I was turning my book, I chanced to see a note in the Margin written thus in latin: Videat Anglia. Let England beware. Which note when I had considered, I found that the matter written in my book in Latin was this:  
Seldom it is that God worketh 
A note made upon the sending of Christ's disciples to the Sea, the miraculous feeding of the people.  any notable work to the comfort of his Church, but that trouble, fear, and labour cometh upon such as God hath used for his servants & workmen. And also tribulation most commonly followeth that Church where Christ jesus is most truly preached.  
This note was made upon a place of Scripture written in the fourteenth Chapter of S. Mathewes. Which place declareth: that after Christ jesus had used the Apost les as ministers and servants, to feed (as it had been by their hands) five thousand men beside women & children, with five Barley ●…ues and two fishes. He sent them to the sea, 
what chanced to Christ's disciples after the feeding of the people in the desert.  commanding them to pass over before him to the other side. Which thing as they attempted to obey, and for the same purpose did travail and row forth in the Sea, the night approached, the wind was contrary, the vehement and raging storm arose, & was like to overthrow their poor Boat and them. When I had considered (as dolour and my simplicity would suffer) the circumstances of the text. I began to reckon and ask account of myself (and as god knoweth, not without sorrow & sobs) whether at any time I had been so plain by my tongue, as God had opened his holy will and wisdom in the matter unto me, as mine own pen and note did bear witness to my conscience. And shortly it came to my mind that the same place of Scripture I had entreated in your presences, what time God gave opportunity & space, that you should hear, & God's messenger should speak the words of eternal life. Wherefore I thought nothing more expedient, then shortly to call to mind again such things as then I trust were touched. Albeit peradventure neither of me so plainly uttered, neither of you so plainly perceived, as these most dolorous days declare the same to us.  
It shall not be necessary to entreat the text word by word, but of the hole sum to gather certain notes & observations (which shall not far disagree from the estate of these days) it shallbe sufficient.  
And first it is to be observed, that after this ●…reat miracle that Christ 
The first note.  had wrought, he neither would retain with himself the multitude of people whom he had fed, neither 
joan. vi.  yet his disciples. But the one he sent 
Math. 14.  away every man to return to his place of accustomed residence: & the other he sent to the danger of the Seas, not as he that was ignorant what should chance unto them, but knowing and forcing the tempest, yea and appointing the same so to trouble them.  
It is not to be judged that the 
Christ suffereth not his sheep & pastors to be dispersed & troubled but for causes reasonable.  only and true pastor would remove and send away from him the wandering and weak sheep, nether yet that the only proui●…ē governor and guide would set out his rude warriors to so great a jeopardy without sufficient and most just cause.  
Why Christ removed and sent away from him the people, the Evangelist S. John declareth, saying: when jesus knew that they were 
john. vi.  come and to take him up, that they might make him King, he passed secretly (or alone) to the mountain Whereof it is plain▪ what chiefly moved Christ to send away the people. from him: 
why Christ sent awaythe people from him.  because that by him they sought a carnal and worldly liberty, regarding nothing his heavenly doctrine of the kingdom of god his father, which before he had taught and declared unto them plainly, showing them, that such as should 
Math. 10  follow him must suffer for his name's sake persecution, must be hated of all men●…, must deny themselves ●…, must be sent forth as sheep among wolves. But no part of this doctrine pleased them, or could entre into their hearts, but their hole mind 
joh. 6.  was upon their bellies, for sufficing whereof they devised and imagined, that they would appoint and choose Christ jesus to be their worldly King. For he had power to multiply bread at his pleasure. Which vain opinion and imagination perceived by Christ jesus, he withdrew himself from their company, to avoid all such suspicion. And to let them understand that no such honours 
Math. 20,  did agree with his vocation, who came to serve, and not to be served. And when this same people sought him again, he sharply rebuked them because they sought him 
joh. 6.  more to have their bellies fed with corruptible meat, then to have their souls nourished with the lively bread that came down from heaven. And thus in the people there was just causes why Christ should withdraw himself from them for a tyme.  
Why the disciples should suffer that great danger, fear & anguish. S. Mark in his Gospel. plainly showeth, saying: that their hearts were 
Mark. 6.  blinded, and therefore ●…dyd nether remember nor consider the miracle of the loves. That is, albeit with their hands they had touched that bread, by which so great a multitude 
The disciples did not rightly consider Christ's work.  was fed. And albeit also they had gathered up twelve baskets full of that which remained of a few loafs, which before the miracle a boy was able to have borne, yet did they not rightly consider the infinite power of Christ jesus by this his wondered miracle. And therefore of necessity 
Nota.  it was, that in their own bodies they should suffer trouble for their better instruction.  
When I deeply consider (dearly beloved in our Saviour Christ) how abundantly and how miraculously the poor & small flock of Christ jesus was fed within the realm of England under that elect & chosen vessel of God to glory & honour Edward the sixth: and now again be hold not only the dispersion and scattering abroad, but also the appearing destruction of the same, under these cursed, cruel and abominable Idolaters, me think I see the same causes to have moved God, not only to withdraw his presence from the multitude, but also to have sent his well-beloved servants to the travels of the Seas, wherein they are sore tossed and turmoylled, and appearantly most like to perish.  
What were the affections of the greatest multitude that followed the Gospel in this former rest & abundance, is easy to be judged, if the life and conversation of every man should have been throughly examined. 
Nota.  For who lived (in that rest) as that he had refused himself? Who lived in that rest, as that he had been crucified with Christ? Who lived in that rest, as that he had certainly looked for trouble to come upon him? Yea who lived not rather in delicacy and joy, seeking the world and pleasures thereof, caring for the flesh & carnal appetites, as though death and sin had clean been devoured? And what was this else, then to make of Christ an earrhlye King? The word that we professed 
john, 18●…  daily cried in our ears: that our kingdom, our joy, our rest and felicity, neither was, is, nor should be in the earth, neither in any transitory thing thereof, but in heaven, in to which we must entre by many tribulations. But (Alas) we sleeped 
Actum. 14.  in such security, that the sound of this trumpet could of many never be perfectly understanded, but alwayes we persuaded ourselves of a certain tranquillity, as though the troubles whereof mention is made with in the Scriptures of God appertained nothing at all to this age, but unto such, as of long time are pass said before us. And therefore was our heavenly father compelled to withdraw from us the presence of his verity (whose voice in those days we could not believe) to the end that more earnestly we may thirst for the same, and with more obedience embrace and receive it●…, if ever it shall please his infinite goodness in such abundance to restore the same again.  
I mean nothing of those the followed 
Hypocrites are made manifest in the day of trouble.  Christ only for their bellies, for such perceiving that they could not obtain their hearts desire of Christ, have grudged & left him in body & heart, which thing their blasphemous voices spoken against his eternal verity doth witness and declare. For such (brother) be ye not 
i. john. 2.  moved, for in the time of their profession they were not of us, but were very dissemblers and hypocrites.  
And therefore God justly permitteth that they blaspheme the truth, which they never loved. I mean not that ever such dissembling hypocrites shall embrace the verity, but I mean of such as by infirmity of the flesh and by natural blindness (which in this life is never all together expelled) then could not give the very obedience, which Gods word required, neither now by weakness of faith dare openly & bold lie confess that, which their hearts know to be most true, and yet lamenteth and mourneth both for the imperfection by passed and present. From such shall not the amiable pre sense of Christ jesus for ever be 
●…ota,  withdrawn. But yet again shall the eyes of their sore troubled hearts be hold and see that light of Christ's Gospel, wherein they most delight.  
The Ministers who were the distributours of this bread (the true word of God) wherewith the multi tude within England was fed, lacked not their offences, which also moved God to send us to the sea.  
And because the offences of no man are so manifest unto me as are mine own, only of myself I will be th accuser.  
It is not unknown unto many, that I (the most wretched) was one of that number, whom God appointed to receive that bread (as it was broken by Christ jesus) to distribute and give the same to such as he had called to this banquet, in that part of his table where he appointed me to serve. It is not in my knowledge nor judgement to define nor determine what portion or quantity every man received of this bread, neither yet how that which they received agreed with their stomachs. But of this I am assured, that the benediction of Christ jesus so multiplied the portion that I received of his hands, that during that banquet (this I writ to the praise of his name, and to the accusation of mine own unthankfulness) the bread never failed, when the hungry soul craved or cried for food, and at the end of the banquet, mine own conscicnce beareth witness, that my hands gathered up the crumbs that were left in such abundance, that my basket was full among the rest.  
To be plain, mine own conscience beareth record to myself, how 
To deny or conceil the gifts of God which we have received, is unthankfulness.  small was my learning, and how weak I was of judgement, when Christ jesus called me to be his steward, and how mightily day by day, and time by time he multiplied his graces with me, if I should conceal, I were most wicked and unthankful.  
But alas, how blinded was my heart, and how little I did consider the dignity of that office; and the power of God that then multiplied and blessed the bread which the people received of my hands, this day mine own conscience beareth witness to myself. God I take to record in my conscience, that I delivered the same bread that I received of Christ's hands, & that I mixed no poison with the same, that is: I teached Christ's Gospel without any mixture of men's dreams, devices, or fantasies. But Alas I did it nat with such fervency, with such indifferency, & with such diligence, as this day I know my duty was to have done.  
Some complained in those days, that the preachers were undiscrete persons (yea and some called them railers and worse) because they spoke against the manifest iniquity of men, and especially of those that then were placed in authority aswell in the court, as in other offices universally throughout the realm both in cities, towns and villages. And among other peradventure my rude plainness displeased some, who did complain, that rasshly I did speak of men's faults, so that all men might know and perceive of whom I meant. But alas, this day my conscience accuseth me, that I spoke not so plainly as my duty was to have done. For I ought to have said to the wicked man expressedly by his name: Thou shalt die the death.  
For I find jeremy the prophet 
Ezech. 3. 33  to have done to Pashur the high 
jere. 20. 34.  Priest, and to Zedechias the King. 
3. Reg. 18. 21 22.  And not only him, but also ●…elias, Eliseus, Micheas, Amos, Daniel, 
4. Reg. 3.  Christ jesus himself, & after him 
Amos. 7.  his Apostles expressedly to have 
Dani. 5.  named the blood thirsty tyrants, abominable 
Math. 23.  Idolaters, and dissembling 
Actum. 13.  hypocrites of their days. If that we the preachers within the realm 
The preachers are named the salt of the earth.  of England were appointed by God to be the salt of the earth (as his other messengers were before us.) Alas, why held we back the salt, where manifest corruption did 
The confess fion of the Author.  appear? (I accuse none but myself) The blind love that I did bear to this my wicked carcase, was the chief cause that I was not fervent & faith full enough in that behalf. For I had no will to 〈◊〉 the hatred of all men against me. And therefore so touched I the vices of men in the pre sense of the greatest, that they might see themselves to be offenders (I dare not say that I was the greatest flatterer) but yet nevertheless I would not be seen to proclaim manifest war against the manifest wicked. Whereof unfeignedly I ask my God mercy.  
As I was not so fervent in rebu 
Preachers ought to feed Christ's flock.  king manifest iniquity as it became me to have been, so was I not so indifferent a feeder as is required of Christ's steward. For in preaching Christ's ●…ospel albeit mine Eye (as knoweth God) was not much upon worldly promotion, yet the love of friends and carnal affection of some men with whom I was most familiar, alured me to make more residence in one place then in another, having more respect to the pleasure of a few, them to the necessity of many. 〈◊〉 day I thought I had not sinned, if I had not been idle, but this day I know it was my duty to have had consideration how long I had remained in one place, & how many hungry souls were in other places, to whom alasse●…, none took pain to break and distribute the bread of life.  
〈◊〉, remaining in one place I was not so diligent as mine office required, but sometime by of carnal friends I spared the body: some time I spent in worldly business of particular friends, and sometime in taking recreation & pastime by exercise of the body.  
And albeit men may judge these 
The lack of fervency of reproving, of indifferency, in feeding, and diligence in executing are great sins  to be light and small offences, yet I knowledge and confess, that unless par don should to me be granted in Chri stes blood, that every one of these three offences aforenamed, that is to say: the lack of fervency in reproving sin, the lack of indifferency in feeding those that were hungry, and the lack of diligence in the execution of mine office deserved damnation.  
And beside these I was assaulted, yea infected and corrupted with more gross sins. That is, my wicked nature desired the favours, the estimation and praise of men, against which albeit that sometime the spirit of God did move me to fight, & earnestly did stir me (God know eth I lie not) to sob and lament for those imperfections, yet never ceased 
Spiritual temptations are not soon espied.  they to trouble me, when any occasion was offered. And so privily and craftily did they enter into my breast, that I could not perceive myself to be wounded, till vainglo●…ie had almost gotten the upperhand.  
O Lord be merciful to my great 
The prayer of the Author.  offence, and deal not with me according to my great iniquity, but according to the multitude of thy mercies, remove from me the burden of my sin: for of purpose & mind to have avoided the vain displeasure of man: I spared little to offend thy Godly majesty.  
Think not beloved of the Lord, that thus I accuse myself without just cause, as though in so doing I might appear more holy, or that yet I do it of purpose and intent by occasion thereof to accuse other of my brethren the true preachers of Christ of like or of greater offences. ●…o, God is judge to my conscience, that ●…do it even from an unfeigned and sore troubled heart, as I that know myself grievously to have offended the majesty of my God, during the time that Christ's Gospel had free passage in England. And this I do to let you understand, that the ta king away of the heavenly bread, 
The trove bless of these days cometh to the profit of Gods elect.  and this great rempest that now bloweth against the poor disciples of Christ within the realm of England (as touching our part) cometh from the great mercy of our heavenly father, to provoke us to un feigned repentance, for that, that neither preacher no●…p●…ofessoure did rightly consider the time of our mer ciful visitation. But altogether so we spent the time, as though God's word had been preached rather to satisfy our fantasies, than to reform our evil manners: which thing if we earnestly repent, then shall jesus Christ appear to our comfort be the storm never so great. Haste O Lord for thy name's sake.  
The second thing, that I synd 
The second●… 〈◊〉.  to be noted, is the vehemency of the fear, which the disciples endured 
The great fear off the disciples.  in that great danger, being of longer continuance than ever they had at any time before.  
In saint Mathewes Gospel it 
Math. 8.  appeareth: that an other time there arose 
The disciples also before this ty me were. troubled in the sea.  a great stormy tempest, and sore toffed the boat, wherein Christ's disciples were labouring: but that was upon the day light, and then they had Christ with them in the boat, whom they awated, and cried for help u●…to him (for at that time he slept in the boat) and so were shortly delivered from their sudden fear. 
Nota.  But now were they in the midst of the raging sea, and it was night, and Christ their comforter absent from them, and cometh not to them neither in the first, second, nor third watch, What fear trow you were they in then? And what thoughts arose up out of their so troubled hearts, during that storm? Such as this day be in 〈◊〉 danger within the realm▪ of England, doth by this storm better understand, than my pen can express. But of one thing I am well assured, that Christ's presence would in that great perplexity have been to them more comfortable than ever it was before, and that patiently they would have suff red their incredulity to have ben rebuked, so that they might have escaped the present death.  
But profitable it shallbe, and somewhat to our comfort to consider every parcel of their danger. And first ye shall understand, that when 
what time the tempest did arryse.  the disciples passed to the sea to obey Christ's commandment, it was fair wether and no such tempest seen. But suddenly the storm arose with a contrarious flaw of wind, when they were in the midst of their iour neigh. For if the tempest had been as great in the beginning of their entrance to the sea, as it was after when they were about the midst of their journey, neither would they have adventured such a great danger, neither yet had it been in their power to 
The seawas calm when the disciples took their 〈◊〉 te.  have attained to the midst of the Sea. And so it may be evidently gathered, that the sea was calm when they entered into their journey  
Secondly, it is to be marked, by what means and instruments was this great storm moved. Was the plunging of their oores and force of their small boat such as might ●…tir re the waves of that great sea? 〈◊〉 doubtless. But the holy ghost declareth that the Seas were moved by a 
●…hat moved the sea.  vehement and contrary wind, which blewe against their boat in the time of darkness. But seeing the wind is neither the commander nor mover of itself, some other cause is to be inquired, which hereafter we shall touch.  
And last, it is to be noted and considered what the disciples did in all this vehement tempest. Truly they turned not back to be driven on foreland or shore by the vehemency of that contrary wind, for so it might be thought, that they could not have escaped shipwreck and death. But they continually laboured in rowing against the wind, abiding the 
The tossed boat is a fie gure of chri stes church.  ceasing of that horrible tempest.  
Consider and mark beloved in the Lord, what we read here to have chanced to Christ's disciples, and to their poor boat. And you shall well perceive, that the same thing hath chanced, doth and shall chance to the true church and congregation of Christ (which is nothing else in this miserable life but a poor boat) traveling in the Seas of this unsta ble and troublesome world, toward the heavenly port and haven of eternal felicity. Which Christ jesus to his elect hath appointed.  
This might I prove by the posterity of jacob in Egipte, by the Is raelites in their captivity, & by the church during the time that Christ himself did preach (and somryme after his resurrection and Ascension) against whom the vehement storm did not rage's immediately after they entered into the boat of their 
Exod. 〈◊〉.  travail and tribulation. For the blou dy sentence of Pharaoh was not pronounced against the seed of jacob, what time he first did entre into Egipte. Neither was the cruel counsel 
Esdr. 3.  and devilish devise of proud Ha man invented by and by after Israel and juda were translated from their possessions, Neither yet in the time of Christ jesus being conversant with his Apostles in the flesh, was there used any such tyranny against the saints of God, as shortly after followed in the persecution of 
Act. 7. & 〈◊〉  S. Steven and other disciples. But 〈◊〉 these in the beginning of their tra●…ail with a contrary wind had alway some calm, that is, albeit they had some trouble, yet had they not extreme persecution.  
Even so most dearly beloved is happened now to the afflicted church of God within the realm of En gland. At all times the true word of God suffered contradiction and repugnauncie. And so the wind blewe against us even from the beginning of the late upspring of the Gospel in England, but yet it could not stop our course till now of late days, that the raging wind bloweth without briddel upon the unstable Seas, in the midst whereof we are in this hour of darkness. 
The malice of the de vel compared to the ●…ynde.   
To writ my mind plainly unto you beloved brethren. This wind that always hath blown against the Church of God, is the malice & hatred of the devil which rightly in this case is compared to the wind.  
For as the wind is invisible & 
1. Simile.  yet the poor disciples feel that it trou bleth and letteth their boat: so is the pestilent envy of the devil working always in the hearts of the reprobate, so subtle and crafty that it can not be espied by gods elect, nor by his messengers till first they feel the blasts thereof to blow their boat backward. And as the vehement wind causeth the waves of the sea 
The sea can not be quiet when the wind bloweth outra giously.  to rage, and yet the dead water neither knoweth what it doth, neither yet can it cease nor refrain: so that both it is troubled by the wind, and also itself doth trouble Christ's disciples and their poor boat: So by the envy and malice of the devil, are wicked and cruel aswell subjects as princes (whose hearts are like the ra ging Sea) compelled to persecute & trouble the true church of Christ, and yet so blinded are they, and so thrall under the bondage of the devil, that neither can they see their manifest iniquity, neither yet can they 
The wind that blewe in King Henry the eyghtdayes  cease to run to their own destruction. And hereof England hast thou manifest experience. For in the time of King Henry the eight, how the Wolf that wicked Wynchester and other by the vehement wind of six bloody articles (by the devil devised) intended to have overthrown the poor boat and Christ's disciples, is to evidently known already. But than had we Christ jesus with us sleeping in the boat, who did not despise the faithful crying of such as then were in trouble: but by his mighty power, gracious goodness, & invincible force of his holy word, he compelled those wicked winds to cease, & the raging of those Seas to be stilled and calmed. So that all 
A quiet call me was under King Edwardthe sext.  the hearts of Gods elect within the realm of England did wondre at that sudden change, while that under a lamb the fearful edge of that devouring sword was taken from the necks of the faithful. And the tyranny of those ravening and blood thristye wolves (I mean of wily Wynchester and of some other his brethren the sons of the devil) was repressed for a tyme. But yet 
The first secret pesti lente wind that blewe in the ty me of good  ceased not the devil to blow his wind, but by his wicked instruments found the means, how against nature the one brother should assent to the death of the other, but y ●could not hinder the course of the traveling 
King Edward the sixth.  boat, but forth she goeth in despite of the devil, who then more cruelly raged, perceiving his own honour and service, that is, his detestable Mass to be disclosed & opened before the people to be damnable idolatry, and assured damnation 
The devil raged when the. Mass mischief was disclosed.  to such as put their trust in it. And therefore began he more craftelye to work, and finding the same instruments apt enough, whose labours he had used before, he blewe such mortal hatred between two, which appeared to have been the chief pillars under the king. For that wretched (●…as) and miserable Northum berlande could not be satisfied, till such time as simple Somerset most unjustly was bereft of his life.  
What the devil and his membres. the pestilent Papists meant by his a way taking, God compelled my tongue to speak in more places than one. And specially before you, and in the new Castle, as sir Robert Brad linge did not forget of long time after. God grant that he may under stand all other matters spoken before him than and at other times, as right lie as he did that mine interpretation of the vineyard, whose bedges, ditches, towers & winepress God destroyed, 
Esa. 5.  because it would bring forth no good fruit. And that he may remember, that what ever was spoken by my mouth that day, is now complete and come to pass, except that 
Mark well.  the final destruction and vengeance of God is not yet fallen upon the greatest offendors, as assuredly shortly it shall, unless that he & such other of his sort that then were even mies to God's truth will speedily repent and that earnestly their stubborn disobedience. God compelled 
This was affirmed bo th' before the King and also be fore Northumberland afte●…er than o●…ce.  my tongue (I say) openly to declare, that the devil and his ministers intended only the subversion of God's true religion, by that mortal hatred among those which ought to have been most assuredly knit toge there by christian charity, and by benefits received. And especially that the wicked and envious Papists by that ungodly breach of charity diligently minded the overthrow of him, that to his own destruction procured the death of his innocent friend. Thus I say I was compel led of conscience oftener than once to affirm: that such as saw & i●…cted the mean how the one should be taken away, saw and should find the means also to take away the other, and that all that trouble was devised by the devil and his instruments to stop and let Christ's disciples & their poor boat. But that was not able, because she was not yet come to the midst of the Sea.  
transubstantiation (the bird that the devil hatched by Pope Nicolas, and sith that time fostered & nurryshed by all his children, priests, Freres, Monks, and other his con iured and sworn soldiers, and in this last days chief by Stephen Gardiner and his black brood in England.) Transubstanciation (I say) was not then clearly confuted and mightily overthrown. And there fore God put wisdom in the tongues of his ministers & messengers to utter that vain vanity. And specially gave such strength to the pen 
transubstantiation overt hrowen by Thomas Cranmer archbishop of Canterbury.  of that reverend father in God, though mass Cranmer archbishop of Cancrone terbury to cut the knots of devilish Sophistry linked and knit by the devils Gardener and his blind buzzards, to hold the verity of god under bondage, that rather I think they shall condemn his works (why che notwithstanding shall continue & remain to their confusion) than they shall enterprise to answer the same.  
And also God gave boldness & 
The round God was ta ken away by act of parliament.  knowledge to the court of Parliament to take away the round clipped God, wherein standeth all the holiness of Papists, and to command common bread to be used at the lords table, & also to take away the most part of superstitious (kneeling at the lords supper excepted) which before profaned Christ's true religion.  
Then dear brethren was the boat in the mids of the sea, and suddenly 
When all the papistis call abomi nations were revealed, than was the boat in midst of the sea.  ariseth the horrible tempest most fearful and dolorous: Our King is taken away from us, and the devil bloweth in such organs as alway he had found obedient to his precepts, and by them he inflameth the heart of that wretched and unhappy man, (whom I judge more to be lafoy mented, then hated) to covet the imperial Crown of England to be established to his posterity, and what thereupon hath succeeded, it is not now necessary to be written, 
Two special notes of this discour se..   
Of this short discourse beloved in the Lord, you may consider & perceive two special notes.  
The first, that the hole malice of 
The first note.  the devil hath always this end: to vere and overthrow Christ's afflicted church. For what else intended the devil and his servants the pestilent Papists by all these their crafty policies, during the time that Christ's gospel was preached in En gland, them the subverciou of the same Gospel, and that they might recover power to persecute the saints of God, as this day in the hour of darkness they have obtained for a ty me to their own utter destruction.  
Let no man wonder though I say that the crasty policies of pestilent Papists wrought all mischief, for who could better work mischief, than such as bore authority & rule. And who I pray you ruled the roast in the court all this time by stout courage and proudness of stomach but Northumberland? But who I pray you under king Edward ruled all by counsel and wit? Shall I name 
Who ruled all by ●…ytt under king Edward the sext.  the man? I will write no more plain lie now, than my toun●…e spoke the last Sermon, that it pleased God that I should make before that Innocent and most Godly King Edward the sixth and before his Counsel at Westminster, & even to the faces of such as of whom I meant. Entreating 
joh. 13.  this place of Scripture: Qui edit 
Psal. 40.  mecum panem sustulit adversus me calcaneum suum. That is, Be that eateth bread with me hath lifteth up his heel against me. I made this affirmation: 
Godly Prices commonly hath most ungod lie Counsel lers.  that commonly it was seen, that the most godly princes had officers & chief counseilours most ungodly, conjured enemies to gods true religion, and traitors to their princes not that their wickedness and ungodliness was speedily perceived & espied out of the said princes and godly men, but that for a time those crafty colourers could so cloak their malice against God & his truth, and their hollow hearts toward their loving masters, that by worldly wisdom and policy at length they attained to high promotions. 
2. Reg. 17.  And for the proof of this mine 
Esa. 22  affirmation, I recited the histories of 
Math. 26.  A chitophel, Sobna, and judas: Of whom 
joan. 12  the two former had high offices & promotions with great authority under the most godly princes, David and Ezechias. And judas was purse master with Christ jesus. And when I had made some discourse in that matter. I moved this question:  
Why permitted so godly princes 
Qvestio.  so wicked men to be upon their counsell, and to bear office and authority under them? 
Responsio.   
To the which I answered: that 
The enemies of the verity many times appear to be most profis table for a common wealhe.  either they so abounded in worldly wisdom, foresight and experience touching the government of a Common wealth, that their counsel appeared to be so necessary, that the common wealth could not lack them, & so by the colour to preserve the tran quilitie & quietness in realms, they were maintained in authority: Or else they kept their malice which they bore toward their masters & God des true religion so secret in their breasts, that no man could espy it, 
Mischief at the light will so utter itself that men may espy it.  till by God's permission they waited for such occasion & opportunity, that they uttered all their mischief so plainly, that all the world might perceive it. And that was most evident by Achitophel and Sobna.. For of 
2. Reg. 15. 16.  Achitophel it is written: that he was David's most secret counsellor, & that, because his counsel in those days was like the Oracle of God.  
And Sobna was unto good king 
Esa. 22 36.  〈◊〉 sometime Comptroller, sometime Secretary, and last of all Treasurer. To the which offices he had never been promoted under so godly a prince, if the treason and malice which he bore against the king and against gods true religion had been manifestly known. No quod I. Sobna was a crafty 〈◊〉, and could show such a fair countenance to the king, that neither he nor his coum sail could espy his malicious treason. 
Esa. 22.  But the prophet Esaias was commanded 
If David and Ezechi as were deceived by traitorous counsellors bow much more ayonge and innoc●…t King.  by God to go to his presence and to declare his traitorous her●…e and miserable end.  
Was Savid (said I) and Ezechias princes of great and godly give tes and experience, abused by crafty counsellors and dissembling hypocrites? what wonder is it then: that a young and innocent king be deceived by crafty, covetous, wicked & ungodly counselours? I am greatly afraid, that Achitophel, be counsellor that judas bear the purse, & that Sobna 
The author might fear this in deed.  be Scribe, Comptroller & Treasurer.  
This & somewhat more I spoke that day, not in a corner (as many yet can witness) but even before those whom my conscience judged worthy of accusation. And this day no more do I write (albeit I may justly because they have declared themselves more manifestly) but yet do I affirm; that under that innocent King, pestilent Papists had greatest 
Paulett is painted.  authority. Oh, who was judged to be the soul and life to the counsel in every matter of weaghty importance? who but Sobna? who could best dispatch businesses that the rest of the counsel might hawk and hunt and take their pleasure? None like unto Sobna. Who was most frank 
The Treasurer's words against the authority of Mary.  and ready to destroy Somerset, and set up Northumberlande? was it not Sobna? Who was most bold to cry Bastard, Bastard? Incestuus bastard Mary shall never reign over us. And who I pray you was 
Caiphas prophesied.  most busy to say: fear not to subscribe with my lords of the kings Majesties most honourable p●…euy counsel. Agree to his graces last will & perfect testament. And let never that obstinate woman come to authority. She is an errant papist. She will subvert the true religion. And will bring in strangers to the destruction of this common wealth. Which of the counsel (I say) had these and greater persuasions against mary to whom now he crouches & kneeleth? Sobna the Treasurer. And what in tended such traitorous & dissebling hypocrites by all these and such like crafty sleights and conterfait conveaunce? Soutles the overthrow of Christ's true religion, which them begun to flourish in England. The liberty whereof fretted the guts of such pestilent papists, who now hath got ten the days, which they long looked for, but yet to their own destruction & shame. For in the spit of their heads the plagues of God shall strike them. They shallbe comprehended in the s●…are which they prepare for other. For their own counsels shall make themselves slaves to a proud, mischievous, unfaithful and vile nation. 
judge at the end.  But now to the second note of our discourse, which is this: 
The second note.   
Albeit the tyrants of this earth have learned by long experience, that they are never able to prevail against god's truth, yet because they are bound slaves to their mastery ●deuel, they can not cease to persecute the membres of Christ, when the devil 
tyrants can not cease to persecute Christ's membres.  blows his wind in the darkness of the night, that is: when the light of Christ's Gospel is taken away, & the devil reigneth by Idolatry, superstition and tyranny. This most evidently may be seen, from the beginning of this world to the time of Christ, & from thence till this day. Ishmael might have perceived, that 
Gen. 21.  he could not prevail against Isaac, 
Gen. 28.  because God had made his promise unto him, as no doubt Abraham their father teached to his hole household. Esau likewise understood the same of jacob. Pharaoh might plainly have 
Exod. 5. 6. 7. 8. etc.  seen by many miracles, that Israel was God's people whom he 
joh. 5. & 12.  could not utterly destroy. And also the Scribes and Phariseis & chief priests were utterly convict in their conscience, that Christ's hole doctrine was of God, and that to the profit & commodity of man his miracles & works were wrought by the power of God, and therefore that they could never prevail against him. And yet as the devil sty●…red them, none of those could refrain to persecute him, whom they knew most certainly to be an innocent. 
The power of God's word put Papists to silence with in England except it had ben●…to brag in corners.   
This I writ that you shall not wonder, albeit now ye see the poisoned papists wic●…ed Wynchester, & dreaming Duresme with the rest of their faction (who sometimes were so confounded, that neither they durst nor could spea●…e nor write in the defence of their heresies) now so to ra ge and triumph against the eternal truth of God, as though they had ne ver assayed the power of God spea●…ing by his true messengers.  
Wonder not here at (I say) 
Princes are ready to persecute as the malicious Papists will command.  beloved brethren, that y ●tyrantes of this world are so obedieut & ready to follow the cruel counsels of such disguised monsters. For neither can the one nor the other refrain, because both sorts are as subject to obey the devil their prince & father, as the un stable sea is to life up the waves when the vehement wind blowethupon it.  
It is fearful to be herd, that the devil hath such power over any man, but yet the word of God hath so instructed 
joh. 12.  us. And therefore albeit it be 
2. Cor. 4.  contrary to our fantasy, yet we must believe it. For the devil is called the prince & god of this world, because he reigneth and is honoured by tyranny and idolatry in it.  
●…e is called the prince of darkness, that hath power in the air. It 
Ephes, 2  is said: that he worketh in the children of unbelief, because he stirreth them to trouble gods elect. As he invaded 
1. Reg. 16. 18.  Saul and compelled him to per secute David. And likewise he entered 
joh. 13.  into the heart of judas, & moved 
joh. 8.  him to betray his master. ●…e is called prince over the sons of pride, & father of all those that are liars & even myes to God's truth. Over whom he hath no less power this day, than sometimes he had over Annas & Caiazzo phas, whom no man denieth to have been led & moved by the devil to persecute Christ jesus & his most true doctrine. And therefore wonder not (I 
Wili Winifrid cester.  say) that now the devil rageth in his obedient servants, wily Wynchester 
Dreamyg●… Durysme.  dreaming Duresme, & bloody Bonner with the rest of their bloody, butcherly 
bloody Bonner.  brood, for this is their hour & power granted to them. They can not cease nor assuage their furious fumes, for the devil their sire stirreth, moveth and carrieth them even at his will. But in this that I declare the power of the devil working in 
This is the cause before omitted, why the wind blew to trouble Christ's Disciples.  cruel 〈◊〉, think you that I at tribute or give to him, or to them power at their pleasure? No, not so bro ther, not so. For as the devil hath no power to trouble the Elements, but as God shall suffer, so hath worldly tyrants (albeit the devil hath fully possessed their hearts) no power at all to trouble the saints of God, but as their bridle shall be loosed by god's hands.  
And herein dear brethren standeth my singular comfort this day, when. I hear that those bloody tyrants within the realm of England doth kill, murder, destroy and devour man and woman as ravenous. ●…yons now loused from bonds. I life up therefore the eyes of mine heart (as my iniquity and pray sent dolour will suffer) & to my heavenly father will I say:  
O Lord, those cruel tyrants 
The prayer of the Author.  are loused by thy hand, to punish our former ingratitude, whom we trust thou wilt not suffer to prevail for ever, but when thou haste corrected us a little, and hast declared unto the world the tyranny that lurked in their 〈◊〉 breasts, then wilt thou break their I awe bones, & wilt shut them up in their caves again, that the generation & posterity following may praise thine holy name before thy cogregation. Amen.  
When I feel any taste or motion of these promises, then think I myself most happy, and that I have received a just compensation, albe●…t I & all that to me in earth belongeth, should suffer the present death, know king that God shall yet show mercy to his afflicted church within Eng land, and that he shall repress the pride of these present tyrants, like as he hath done of those that were before our days.  
And therefore beloved brother in 
Exhortation.  our saviour jesus Christ, hold up to God your hands that are fainted thorough fear●…, & let your hearts that have in these dolourouse days ●…cped in sorrow, awake, and hear the voice of your God, who sweareth by 
Esa. 48. 5●…. 54. 62.  himself, that he will not suffer his church to be oppressed for ever. Nei there that he will despise our sobs to the end, if we will row & strive against this vehement wind, I 
The coming of Christ to his Disciples upon the seas, is opened.  mean, if that we will not run back headlings to Idolatry, then shall this storm be assuaged in despite of the devil. Christ jesus shall come with speed to your deliverance, he shall pierce thorough the wind, and the raging seas shall obey, and bear his feet and body as the massy, stable and dry land. Be not moved from the sure foundation of your faith.  
For albeit that Christ jesus be absent from you (as he was from his disciples in that great storm) by his 
Christ is sure upon the mountain.  bodily presence, yet is he present by his mighty power and grace. Be standeth upon the mountain in security & rest, that is, his flesh & hole humanity is now in heaven, & can suffer no such trouble as sometimes he did. And yet he is full of petty & compassion, & doth consider all our travail, anguish & labours, wherefore, it is not to be doubted, but that he will suddenly appear to our great comfort. The tyrants of this world can not keep back his coming, more than might the blu stirring wind & raging seas let Christ to come to his disciples, when they looked for nothing but for present death. And therefore yet again I say beloved in the Lord. Let your hearts attend to the promises that God hath made unto true repentant sinners, and be fully persuaded with a constant faith, that God is always true and just in his perfourmen of his promises. You have heard these days spoken of very plainly, when your hearts could fear no danger, because you were nigh the land, and the storm was not yet risen, that is, ye were young scholars of Christ when no persecution was seen or felt. But now ye are come into the mids of the sea (for what part of England heard not of your profession?) And the vehement storm, whereof we than almost in every exhortation spoke of, is 
God never brought his people into trouble to th'intent that they should perish therein.  now suddenly risen up. But what? ●…ath God brought you so far forth, that you shall both in souls and bodies every one perish? Nay. My hole trust in God's mercy and truth is to the contrary. For God brought not his people into egypt and from thence thorough the red Sea to th'intent they should therein perish, but that he of them should show a most glorious deliverance Neither, sent Christ his Apostles into the midst of the sea, and suffered the blusteringe storm to assault them and their boat, to th'intent they should there perish, but becanse he would the more have his great goodness towards than felt and perceived in so mightily delivering them o●…t of the fear of peryshinge, giving us thereby an example that he would do the like to us, if we abide constant in our profession and faith, withdrawing our selves from superstition and Idolatry. We gave you warning of these days long a go, for the reverence of Christ's blood let these words be marked: The same truth that spoke before of these most dolorous days, forspake 
Mark these words.  also the everlasting joy prepared for such as should continue to the end. The trouble is come. O dear brethren, look for the comfort, and (after the example of the Apostles) abid in resisting this vehement storm a little space.  
The third watch is not yet ended, 
Christ came not to his Disciples till the fourth watch.  Remember that Christ jesus came not to his disciples till it was the fourth watch, and they were then in no less danger than you be now, for their faith fainted, and their bodies were in danger. But Christ jesus came, when they looked not for him. And so shall he do to you, if you will continue in the profession that you have made.  
This dare I be bold to promese in the name of him, whose eternal verity and glorious gospel ye have hard and received. Who also putteth in to mine heart an earnest thirst (God knoweth. I lie not) of your sal vation, and some care also for your bodies, which now I will not express.  
Thus shortly have I passed thorough the outrages tempest, wherein the disciples of Christ were tempted, after that the great multitude were by Christ fed in the desert. Omit tinge many profitable notes, which might well have been marked in the terte, because my purpose is at this present not to be tedious nor yet curious, but only to note such things, as be agreeable to these most dolorous days.  
And so let us now speak of the end of this storm and trouble, in which I find four things chiefly to be noted.  

1. first, that the disciples at the pre sense of Christ were more afraid than they were before.  
2. secondly, that Christ useth no other instrument but his word to pacify their hearts.  
3. thirdly, that Peter in a fervency first left his boat, and yet after feared.  
4. Last, that Christ permitted neither Peter nor the rest of his disciples to perish in that fear, but gloriously delivered all, and pacified the tempest.   
Their great fear and the cause thereof are expressed in the text in these words: When the disciples saw him walking upon the sea, they were afraid saying▪ that he was a spirit. And they cried thorough fear.  
It is not my purpose in this treaties to speak of spirits, nor yet to dispute, whether spirits good or bad may appear and trouble men: neither yet to inquire, why man's nature is afraid for spirits, and so vehemently abhorreth their presence and company. But my purpose is only to speak of things necessary for this tyme. 
Three causes why Christ's Disciples mysknew him.   
And first let us consider, that there was three causes, why the disciples knew not Christ, but judged him to be a spirit.  
The first cause was the darkness of the night.  
The second was the unaccustomed vision that appeared. And the third was the danger and tempest, in which they so earnestly laboured for the safeguard of their selves.  
The darkness (I say) of the night letted their eyes to see him: And it was above nature, that a massy, heavy and weighty body of a man (such as they understood their master Christ to have) should walk, go upon, or be borne up of the water of the raging sea, and not sink. And finally the horror of the tempest and great danger that they were in persuaded them to look for none other but certainly to be drowned.  
And so all these three things concur ring together confirmed in them this imagination, that Christ jesus, who came to their great comfort and deliverance, was a fearful and wicked spirit appearing to their 
What chanced to Christ, that also in all ages chanceth to his holy word.  destruction.  
What here chanced to Christ jesus himself, that I might prove to have chanced and daily to chance to the verity of his blessed word in all ages from the beginning.  
For as Christ himself in this their trouble, was judged and esteemed by his disciples at the first sight a spirit or fantastical body: so is the truth and sincere preaching of his glorious gospel sent by God for man's most comfort, deliverance from sin, and quietness of conscience, when it is first offered and truly preached, it is (I say) no less but judged to be heresy and deceivable doctrine, sent by the devil to man's destruction.  
The cause hereof is the dark ignorance of God, which in every ag●… sith the beginning so over whelmed the world, that sometimes Gods very elect were in like blindness and error with the reprobate: As Abraham was an idolatrare 
jos. 24  Moses was instructed 〈◊〉 all the arts of the Egypcianes, Paul a proud Pharisey conjured against Christ and his doctrine. And many in this same our age, when the truth of God was offered unto them, were sore afraid and cried against it, only because the dark clouds of ignorance had troubled them before. But this matter I omit and let pass, till more opportunity.  
The chief note that I would have 
Not●….  you well observe▪ and mark in this preposterous fear of the disciples, is this:  
The more nigh deliverance and 
The fear is greatest when deliverance is most nyg●….  salvation approacheth, the more strong and vehement is the temptation of the Church of God. And the more nigh that God's vengeance approacheth to the reprobate, the more proud, cruel and arrogant are they. Whereby it commonly cometh to pass, that the very mes syngers of life are judged and deemed to be the authors of all mischief▪ And this in many histories is evi dent. When God had appointed to deliver the afflicted Israelites by the hand of Moses from the Tyranny of the egyptians, and Moses was sent to the presence of Pharaoh for the same purpose, such was their affliction and anguish by the cruelty which newly was exercised over them, that with open mouths they cursed Moses (and no 
Exod. 5. 6. etc.  doubt in their hearts they hated god who sent him) alleging that Moses and Aaron was the hole cause of their last extreme trouble.  
The life is to be seen in the bofe of Kings, both under Eliseus and Esaias the Prophets. For in the days of Ioram son of Achab was Samaria besieged by the king of Sy 
4. Reg. 5.  ria. In which Samaria no doubt (albeit the King and the most multitude were wicked) there was yet some membres of Gods elect church which were brought to such extreme famine, that not only things of small price were sold beyond all measure: but also women against nature were compelled to eat their own children. In this same city Eliseus the Prophet most commonly was conversant and dwelled, by whose counsel and commandment no doubt the city was kept, for it appeareth the ●…ynge to lay y● to his charge, when he hearing the piteous complaint of the woman (who for hunger had ea ten her own son) rend his clothes with a solemn oath and vow, that the head of Elizeus should not stand upon his body that day. If Elizeus had not been of counsel that the city should have been kept, why should the king more have fumed against him, then against other? But whether he was the author of the defending the city, or not, all is one to my purpose, for before the deliverance, was the church in such extremity, that the chief pastore of that time was sought to be killed by such as should have defended him.  
The like is red of Ezechias, who defending his city jerusalem, and resisting proud Sennacheryb. No doubt obeying the counsel of Esaias, at length was so oppressed with sorrow and shame, by the blasphemous 
Esa. 36. 37.  words of 〈◊〉, that he had no other refuge, but in the Temple of the ●…orde (as a man desperate and without comfort) to open the disdainful letters sent unto him by that haughty and proud ty: aunt.  
By these and many histories more, it is most evident, that the more nigh salvation and deliverance approacheth, the more vehement is the tem tation and trouble.  
This I writ to admonish you, that albeit yet you shall see tribulation so abound, that nothing shall appear but extreme misery without all hope of comfort: that yet ye decline not from God. And that albeit sometimes ye be moved to hate the messengers of life, that therefore you shall not judge that God will never show mercy after. No dear brethren, as he hath entreated other before you, so will he do you.  
God will suffer tribulation and dolour abound, that no manner of con 
why God/ suffereth tri bulation to abound and continue.  fort shallbe seen in man to th'intent, that when deliverance cometh, the glory may be his, whose only word may pacify the tempests most vehement.  
●…e drowned Pharaoh and his are 
Exo. 14.  my. ●…e scattered the great multitude of ●…enedab: And by his angel killed the host of Sennacherib. And so delivered his afflicted when nothing appeared to them but utter destruction. So shall he do to you beloved brethren, if patiently ye will abide his consolation and counsel. God open your eyes that rightly ye may understand the meaning of my writing. Amen.  
But yet peradventure you wonder not a little why God permitteth such blood thristye tyrants to more jest and grieve his chosen Church: I have recited some causes before, and yet more I could recite, but at this time I will hold me content with one.  
The justice of God is such, that 
Nota.  he will not pow●…e forth his extreme vengeance upon the reprobate, unto such time as their iniquity be so manifest, that their very flatterer●… can 
Exo. Exo●…o.  not excuse it. Pharaoh was not destroyed till his own household servants and subjects abho●…red and condemned his stubborn disobedience.  
jesabel and Athalia were not 
jezabel, Athalia, and I●…as.  thrust from this jyfe into hell, till all ●…ael and juda were witnesses of their cruelty and abominations. judas was not hanged till the princes of the priests bare witness of his traitorous act and iniquity. And to pass over the tyrants of old time whom God hath plagued, let us come to the tyrants, which now are within the realm of Eng land, whom God will not long spare.  
If Steven Gardiner, Cuthbert 
Gardener Tunstal Butcherly Bonar.  Tunstal and butcherly Bonnar false bishops of Wynchester, ●…uresme and of London had for their false doctrine and traito●…ous acts suffered death when they justly deserved the same, then would errant Papists have alleged (as I and other have heard them do) that they were men reformable, that they were meet instruments for a common wealth 
The prayfe of Winchest ere Durysme and of Lady Mary before these days.  that they were not so obstinate & malicious as they were judged, neither that they thrusted for the blood of any man. And of Lady mary who hath not herd? that she was sober, merciful and one that loved the common wealth of England. Bade she (I say) and such as now be of her pestilent counsel been sent to hell before these days, them should not their iniquity and cruelty so manifestly have appeared to the world. For who could have thought, that such cru eltie could have entered into the heart of a woman? and into the heart of her that is called a virgin? that she would thirst the blood of innocentes and of such as by just laws and faithful witnesses can never be proved to have offended by themselves.  
I find that Athalia through appetite to reign murdered the seed of the kings of juda. 
4. Reg. 11.  And that Berodias daughter at the desire of an hooryshe mother obtained the head of john the Baptiser. 
Math. 14.  But that ever a woman that suffered herself to be called the most blessed virgin, caused so much blood to be spilled for establishing of an usurped authority, I thynte is rare to be found in Scripture or history.  
I find that jesabel that cursed idolaters caused the blood of the 
3. Reg. 18.  prophets of God to be shed. And 
3. Reg. 21  Naboth to be murdered unjustly for his own vineyard, but yet I think she never erected half so many gallows in all Israel, as mischievous mary hath done within London alone.  
But you Papists will excuse your mary the virgin, well, let her be 
A digression to the Papists Queen Maryce chastes darlings.  your virgin, and a gods mere to maintain such Idolaters, yet shall I rightly lay to her charge that, which I think no Papist within England will justify nor defend. And therefore (O ye Papists) here I will a little turn my pen unto you. Answer unto this question. O seed of the Serpent. Would any of 
A lively picture of Mary the utter mischief of England.  you have confessed two years ago, that Mary your mirror had been false, dissembling, unconstant, proud, and a breaker of promises (Except such promises as she made to your god the Pope, to the great shame & dishonour of her noble father.) I am sure you would full little have thought it in her. And now doth she not manifestly show herself to be an open traitoresse to the Imperial crown of England, contrary to the just laws of the realm, to bring in a stranger, and make a proud spaniard king, to the shame dishonour and destruction of the nobility, to the spoil from them and theirs of their honours, lands possessions, chief offices and promotions, to the utter decay of the treasures, commodities, ●…auie and fortify 
What come modities the spanish King shall bring to the Realm off England.  cations of the realm, to the abasing of the yomanry, to the slavery of the commonalty, to the overthrow of Christianity and God's true religion, and finally to the utter subversion of the hole public estate and common wealth of England? Let 〈◊〉 & ●…uffolke, let her own promise and proclamation, let her father's testament, let the city of London, let the ancient laws & Acts of parliaments before established in England be judges betwixt mine accusation and her most trey tourus iniquity.  
first her 〈◊〉 and proclamation did signify & declare, that neither she would 〈◊〉 in, neither yet mar●… any stranger, 〈◊〉 and ●…uffolke and the city of London doth testify and witness the same. The ancient laws and acts of par liament pronounceth it treason to transfer the crown of England into the hands of a foreign nation. And the oath made to observe the said statutes crieth out, that all they are perjured that consent to that her traitorous fact, ●…peake now (O ye Papists) & defend your monstrous masters, and deny if ye can for shame, that she hath not uttered herself to be borne (Alas therefore) to the ru yne and destruction of noble England. Oh who would ever have believed (I writ now in bitterness of heart) that such unnatural cruelty should have had dominion over any reasonable creature? But the saying 
A true saying.  is to true: that the usurped government of an affectionate woman is a rage without reason.  
Who would ever have thought, that the love of that realm, which hath brought forth, which hath nurryshed & so nobly maintained that wicked woman, should not 〈◊〉 have moved her heart with 〈◊〉.  
Who seeth not now, that she in all 
Under an Englies he name she beareth a Spaniards heart.  her doings declareth most manifestly, that under an english name she beareth a Spaniards heart. If God (I say) had not for our scour ge suffered her and her cruel counsel to have come to authority, than could never these their abominations, cruelty and treason against God, against his saints, and against the Realm, whose liberties they are sworn to defend, so manifestly have been declared.  
And who ever could have believed that glorious Gardener and trecherouse Tunstal (whom all papists praised: for the love they bore to their country) could have become so manifest traitors, that not only against their solemn oaths, that they should never consent nor agree unto: that a foreign stranger should reign over England, but also that they would adjudge the Imperial crown of the same to appertain to a spaniard by Inheritance and lineal dissent? O traitors traitors, how can you for very 〈◊〉 show your faces?  
It cometh to my mind upon Christmas day in the year of our lord. 1552. preaching in new Castle upon tyne, and speaking against the obstinacy of the papists, I made this affirmation. That who so over in his heart was enemy to Christ's gospel and doctrine, which then was preached within the realm of England, was enemy also to God, and secret traitors to the crown and common wealth of England. For as they thristed nothing more than the kings death, which their iniquity would procure, so they regarded not who should reign over them, so that their idolatry might be erected again. How these my words at that time pleased men, the crimes 
Against 〈◊〉 were written articles and I compelled to answer, as unto an action of treason.  and action intended against me did declare: But let my very enemies now say their conscience, if those my words are not proved true. And what is the cause that wynchester, and the rest of his pestilent sect so greedily would have a spaniard to raygn over England? The cause is manifest. For as that hell nation surmounteth all other in 
Spaniards sons of pride and superstition.  pride and whoredom, so for idolatry and vain papistical & devilish Ceremonies, they may rightly be called the very sons of superstition.  
And therefore as they found and judged by the progeny of antichrist, most apt instruments to maintain establish and defend, the Kingdom 
Why wynchester would have spaniardes to reign over England.  of that cruel beast, whose head and wound is lately cured within England, Which (alas for pity) must now be brought into bondage and thraldom, that pestilent papists may reign without punishment.  
But O thou beast, I speak to y● 
To wynchester.  Wynchester more cruel than any tiger: Shall neither shame, neither fear, neither benefits received, bridal thy tyrannous cruelty. Asshamest thou not bloudi beast to betray thy native cuntray? and the liberties of the same? Fearest thou not to open such a door to all iniquity, that hole England shall be made a comen Steves to spaniards? Wilt thou recompense the benefits, which thou hast received of that noble Realm with that ingratitude? Remember'st thou not that England hath brought the forth? that England hath nurrisshed thee? that England hath promoted the to Riches, honour & high promotions? And wilt thou now O wretched caitiff for all these manifold benefits received, be the cause that England, shall not be England? Yea verily. For so wilt thou gratify thy father the devil, and his lyeftenaunt the pope. Whom with all his baggage thou labourest now with tooth and nail to flourish again in England. albeit like a dissembling hypochryte and double faced wretch, thou 
Thy book of true obedience both in latin and in Eng lissh shall remain to thy perpetual shame and condemp nation of thy cancrede conscience.  being thereto compelled by the invincible verity of gods holy word, wrotest long a go thy book entitled True obedience. Against that monstrous whore of Babylon, and her falsely usurped power and autho ritie. But now (to thy perpetual shame) thou returnest to thy vomit, and art become an open archpapist again. Furthermore, why seekest thou the blood of Thomas archbishop off caunterbury? Of good fa ther Hugh Latimere? and of that most learned and discrete man Doctor Ridlaye true bishop of London? Dost thou not consider? that the lenity, the sincere doctrine, pure life, godly conversation, and discrete counsel of these three is notably known in more realms than England? Shamest thou not to seek the destruction of those, who laboured for the safeguard of thy life, and obtained the same, when thou justly deservest death? But O thou son of Satan well declarest thou that nothing can mollify the cruel malice, nor pur ge the deadly venon of him in whose heart te devil bearyth the dominion.  
Thou art brother to cain, and fellow to judas the traitor, and therefore canst thou do nothing, but thirst the blood of Abel, and betray Christ jesus & his eternal verity.  
But thus dear brother must the sons of the devil declare their 
The wicked must declare their selves.  own impiety and ungodliness, that when God's vengeance (which shall not sleep) shall be poured forth upon them, all tongues shall confess, acknowledge and say: that God is righteous in all his judgements. And to this end are cruel tyrants permitted and suffered for a space and time not only to live in wealth and prosperity, but also to prevail 
Apocalip. 13.  and obtain victory as touchin ge the flesh over the very saints of God, and over such as enterpriseth to resist their fury at God's commandment. But now to the subsequent, and that that followeth.  
The instrument and mean wherewith Christ jesus used to remove and put away the horrible fear and anguish of his disciples, is his only word. For so is it written: But by and by jesus spoke unto them saying: Be of good comfort. It is I. Benot afraid.  
The natural man (that can not understand the power of God) would have desired some other present comfort in so great a daungere: As either to have had the heavens to have opened, and to have showed unto them such light in that darkness, that Christ might have been fully known by his own facc: or else that the winds and raging waves of the scas suddenly should have ceased: or some other miracle, that had been subject to all their senses, whereby they might have perfectly known, that, they were delivered from all danger. And truly, equal it had been to Christ. jesus to have done any of these (or any work greater) as to have said: It is I. Be not afraid. But willing to teach us the dignity and effectual power of his most holy word he useth no other in strument to pacify the great & horrible fear of his disciples but the same his comfortable word & lively voice. And this is not done only at one time, but when so ever his church is in such strait perplexite that nothing appeareth 
Nota.  but extreme calamity desolation & ruin: then the first comfort that ever it receiveth is by the means of his word and promise. As in the troubles and temptations of Abraham, Isaac, jacob, Moses, David and Paul may appear.  
To Abraham was given no other 
Abraham.  defence, after that he had discomfited four Kings, (whose posterity and lineage no doubt he being a stranger greatly feared) but onlythiss promise 
Gen. 15.  of god, made to him by his holy word: Fear not Abraham I am thy buc kler. That is: thy protection & defence.  
The same we find of Isaac, who flying from the place of his 
Isaac.  accustomed habitation, compelled thereto 
Gen. 16.  by hunger, got none other comfort nor conduct but this promise only: I shall be with the.  
In all the journeys and temptations of jacob, the same is to be espied: 
jacob.  As when he fled from his father's 
Gen. 28. 31. 32. 35.  house for fear of his brother Esau, when he returned from Laban: And when he feared the inhabitants of the Region of the Canaanites and Pheresites. For the slaughter of the Sichemites committed by his sons. He receaneth no other defence, but only God's word & promise. And this in Moses and in the afflic 
Moses.  ted church under him is most evident. 
Exod. 5.  For when Moses himself was in such desperation, that he was bold to chide with God, saying. Why hast thou sent me? for sith that time that I have come to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath oppressed this people. Neither yet hast thou delivered thy people.  
This same expostulation of Moses declareth how sore he was tempted, yea and what opinion he had conceived of God, that is: that God was either impotent and could not deliver his people from such a tyrants hands, or else, that he was mutable and unjust of his promises. And this same and sorer temptations assaulted the people. For in anguish of heart they both refused God and Moses (as we before have partly touched) And what means used God, to comfort them in that great extremity? Did he straight way suddenly kill Pharaoh, the great tyrant? No. Did he send them a legion of Angels te defend and deliver them? No such thing. But he only reciteth and beateth in to their ears his former promises to them, which oftentimes they had before. And yet the rehearsal of the same wrought so mightily in the heart of Moses, that not only was bitterness and desperation removed away, but also he was inflamed with such boldness, that without fear he went again to the presence of the king, after he had been threatened and repulsed by him.  
This I writ, beloved in the lord, that ye knowing the word of 
Rom. 1.  God not only to be that, whereby 
Psal. 119.  were created heaven and earth, but 
The power and effectual operation of God's word.  also to be the power of God to salvation to all that believe: the bright lantarne to the feet of these that by nature walk in darkenes●…e: the life to those, that by sin are dead: A come fort of such as be in tribulation: the tower of defence to such as be most feeble: the wisdom and great felicity of such as delighteth in the same: and to be short, you know God's word to be of such efficacy and strength, that thereby is sin purged, death vanquished, tyrants suppressed, and finally, the devil the 〈◊〉: of all misery overthrown and confounded. This (I say) I writ, that ye knowing this of the holy word and most blessed gospel and voice of God (which once you have herd, I trust to your comfort) may now in this hour of darkness and most raging tempest, thriste and pray, that ye may hear yet once again this amiable voice of your saviour Christ: be of good comfort, it is I, fear not. And also that ye may receive some consolation by that blessed Gospel, which before you have professed, assuredly knowing, that God shallbe no less merciful unto you, than he hath been to other afflicted for his name's sake before you. And albeit that god by and by remove not this horrible darkness, neither yet that he suddenly pacifieth this tempest, yet shall he not suffer his tossed boat to be drowned. 
Exod. 14.   
Remember brethren, that God's 
4. Reg. 9  vengeance plagued not Pharaoh the first year of his tyranny. Neither did the dogs de●…oure and con sum both the flesh and bones of wicked jezabel when she first erected and set up her Idolatry. And yet, as none of them escaped due pu nishment. So did God preserve his afflicted church, in despite of Satan and of his blind and most wretched servants. As he shall not fail to do in this great tempest and darkness within the realm of En gland. And therefore, yet again be loved in the Lord, let the comfort of God's promises somewhat quyc ken your dulled spirits. Erercise yourselves now secretly i revolving that, which sometimes you have herd openly proclaimed in your ears. And be every man now a faithful preacher unto his brother. If your 
Lucae. 24.  cammunication be of Christ, assured lie he will come before you be ware. His word is like unto sweet smelling ointment or fragrant flowers, 
Simile.  which ●…eue▪ can be moved nor hand●…, but forth goeth the odour to the comfort of those that standeth by, which is nothing so delectable if the ointment remain within the box, and the flowers stand or lie without touching or motion.  
Mark well dear brethren, before that Christ spoke, his disciples judged him to have been some wicked spirit, which was to them no delectable savour: But when he speaketh, the sweet odour of his voice pierceth their hearts. For what comfort was in the hearts of the disciples, when they heard these words: Be of good comfort, it is I. That is: judge not that I am a spirit come to your destruction, ●…o. I am come for your deliverance. It is I. Your master, yea your master most familiar. It is I, whose voice and doctrine you know, for ye are my sheep. It is I, whose works you have seen, although perfitly ye considered not the same. It is I, who commanded you to enter into this journey, 
Math. & joh. supra.  and therefore am I come to you now in the hour of your trouble, & therefore: be not afraid. This storm shall ●…casse, and you shallbe delivered  
What comfort (I say) dear brethren, was in the hearts of the disciples, hearing Christ's voice, & ●… ing him by the same, can neither the tongue nor pen of man express, but only such as aster long conflict and strife (which is betwixt the flesh and the spirit, in the time of extreme troubles, when Christ appeareth to be absent) feeleth at last the consolation of the holy ghost, can witness and declare.  
And Peter giveth some external sign, what Christ's words wrought inwardly in his heart. For immediately after he heard his master's voice, he sayeth: Lord, if it be thou, Command me to come unto the upon the waters. Here may be seen, what Christ's voice had wrought in Peter's heart, truly not only a forgetting and contempt of the great tempest, but also such boldness and love, that he could fear no danger following, but assuredly did believe, that his master Christ's puissance, power and might was such, that nothing might resist his word and commandment, and therefore he sayeth: Command me to come. As though he would 
Note, that Peter considered not hi●… own weakness.  say: I desire no more but the assurance of thy commandment. If thou wilt command, I am determined to obey. For assuredly I know that the waters can not prevail against me. If thou speak the word. So that what so ever is possible unto thee, by thy will and word may be possible unto me.  
Thus Christ to instruct Peter further, and us by his example condescended unto his petition. And con manded him to come. And Peter quickly leaving the boat, came down from it and walked upon the waters, to come to Christ. Thus far of Pe ter fact, in which lieth great abundance of doctrine, but I will pass over all that especially appertaineth not to the quality of this time within the realm of England.  
Before it is said well-beloved brethrē, that sometimes the messengers of life are judged to be very messengers of death, & that not only with the reprobate, but also with gods elect. As was Moses with the Israelites. jeremy with the city of jerusalem, and Christ himself with his apostles. But that is not a sin permanent and that abideth for ever 
The sheep at length know the voice of their own pastor.  with gods elect, but it vanisheth away in such sort, that not only they know the voice of their pastor, but also they earnestly study to obey and follow it with the danger of their own lives. For this is the spe cial difference betwixt the children of God and the reprobate:  
The one obeyeth God speaking 
The ●…cte.  by his messengers, whom they embrace with unfeigned love. And that they do: sometimes not only against all worldly appearance, but also against civil statutes and ordina●…ces of men. And therefore in their great extremity receive they comfort beyond expectation. 
The reprobate.   
The other always resisteth god des messengers, & hateth his word. And therefore in their great adversity God either taketh from them the presence of his word, or else they fall into so deadly desperation, that although god's messengers be sent unto them, yet neither can they receive comfort by God's promises, neither follow the counsel of god des true messengers, be it never so perfit and fruitful. Hereof have we many evident testimonies within the scriptures of God.  
Of Saul it is plain that God 
1. Reg. 28. Saul.  so left him, that neither would he give him answer by prophet, by 
2. Reg. 16. Ahas.  dream, nor by vision.  
To Ahas king of juda in his great anguish and fear, which he had concey●…ed by the multitude of those that were con●…ured against him, was sent Esay the Prophet to 
Esa. 7.  assure him by God's promise, that his enemies should not prevail against him, and to confirm him in the same, the prophet required him to desire a sign of God, either from the heaven, or beneath in the deep, but such was the deadly desperation of him that always had despised God's prophets, and had most abominably defiled himself with idolatry, that no consolation could entre into his heart, but desperately and with a dissembling and feigned excuse, he refused all the offers of God.  
And albeit God kept touch with that hypocrite for that time (which 
God somty me showeth mercy to an hypocrite for the cause of his Church.  was not done for his cause, but for the safety of his afflicted Church) yet after escaped he nat the vengeance of God.  
The like we read of Zedechias the wretched and last king of juda, before the destruction of the city of jerusalem, who in his great fear and extreme anguish sent for Jere mie the prophet, and secretly demand ded of him how he might escape 
jere. 37. 38.  the great danger that appearedwhan the Caldees besieged the city. And the prophet boldly spoke and commanded the king, if he would save his life and the city, to render and give up himself into the hands of the king of Babylon. But the miserable king had no grace to follow the prophets counsel, because he ne ver delighted in the said prophets doctrine, neither yet had showed unto him any friendly favour. But even as the enemies of God the chief pre stes and false prophets required of the king, so was the good prophet ●…uel entreated, sometimes cast into prison, and sometimes judged & condemned to die. The most evident testimony of the wilful blinding of wicked Idolaters is written and recited in the same prophet jeremy, as followeth.  
After that the city of jerusalem 
jerem. 42.  was brent and destroyed, the king led away prisoner, his sons & chief nobles slain, and the hole vengeance of God powered out upon the disobedient: Yet there was left a remnant in the land to occupy & possess the same, who called upon the prophet jeremy to know con cerning them the will and pleasure of God: whether they should remain still in the land ●…f judea as was ap pointed and permitted by the Caldees, or if they should depart and fly into Egypt. To certify them of this their doubt, they desire the pro phete to pray for them unto God. Who condescending and granting their petition, promised to keep back nothing from them, which the 
Reads the text jere. 42.  Lord God should open unto him. And they in like manner taking God to record and witness, made a solemn vow, to obey what so ever the Lord should answer by him. But when the prophet by the inspi ration of the spirit of God and assured revelation and knowledge of his will, commanded them to remain still in the land that they were in, pro mysing them if they so would do, that God would there plant them, and that he would repent of all the plagues that he had brought upon them. And that he would be with them, to deliver them from the hands of the king of Babylon. But contrariwise if they would not obey the voice of the Lord, but would against his commandment go to egypt, thinking that there they should live in rest and abundance, without any fear of war and penury of vic●…ualles, than the very plagues which they feared should come upon them and take them. For (sayeth the prophet) it shall come to pass: that all men that obstinately will go to egypt there to remain, shall die either by sword, by hunger, or pestilence. But when the Prophet of God had declared unto them this plain sentence and will of God, I pray you what was their answer? the text declareth it, saying:  
Thou speakest a lie, neither hath the Lord our God sent thee unto us, commanding that we 
jerem. 43.  should not go into egypt, but Baruch the son of Neriah provoketh thee against us, that he may give us into the power of ●…aldeys, that they might kill kill us, and lead us prisoners unto Babylon. And thus they refused the counsel of God & followed their own fantasies.  
●…ere may be espied in this peo 
Great blind dnes.  ple great obstinacy and blindness. For nothing which the Lord had be forespoken by this godly Prophet jeremy, had fallen in vain. Their own eyes had seen the plagues and miseries which he had threatened, take effect in every point, as he had spoken before, yea they were yet green and fresh both in mind and pre sense (for the flame and fire wherewith jerusalem was consumed and brent was then scantly quenched) & yet could they not b●…leue his threat ninges then spoken, neither yet could they follow his fruitful counsel given for their great wealth and safeguard. And why so▪ Because they ne ver delighted in God's truth, neither had they repent their former Ido latrie, but still continued and rejoiced 
jere. 44.  in the same, as manifestly appeareth 
As Papists ●…olde have league with the Emperor.  in the. xliii●…. chapter of the same prophet. And therefore would they and their wives have been in egypt where all kind of Idolatry and sum perstition ●…bounded, that they with out reproach or rebuke, they might have their bellies full thereof in despite of God's holy laws and prophets.  
In writing hereof it came to mind, that after the death of that in nocent and most godly king Edward the sixth, while that great tu multe was in England for the esta blysshing of that most unhappy & wicked woman's authority (I mean of her that now reigneth in God's wrath) entreating the same argument in a town in Buckingham shire named ●…ammershame before a great congregation with sorrowful 
What was said in Hammershame when uproar was for establysshing of mary in Authority.  heart and weeping eyes, I fell into this exelamation: D Onglande. ●…ow is Boddes' wrath kindled against thee. ●…owe hath he begun to punish as he hath threatened●… a long while by his true Prophets and messengers. ●…e hath taken from thee the crown of thy glory, and hath left thee without honour as a body without a head. And this appeareth to be only the beginning of sorrows which appeareth to increase. For I perceive that the heart the tongue and hand of one english man is bent against another, and division to be in the hole realm, which is an assured sign of desolation 
A common wealth compared to a ship sailing on the sea.  to come. O England ●…uglande, dost thou not consider that thy common wealth is like a ship sailing on the Sea, if thy mariners and gouernour●…s shall one consume another, shalt thou not suffer shipwreck in short process of time? O England England (●…lasse) these plagues are powered upon thee, for that thou wouldest not know the most happy time of thy gentle visitation. But wilt thou yet obey the voice of thy God, and submit thyself to his holy words? truly if thou wilt, thou shalt find mercy in his sight, and the estate of thy common wealth shall be preserved. But O England England, If thou obstina●…ly wilt return into egypt: that is, if thou contract marriage, confederacy, or league with such princes, as do maintain and ad●…uaunce idolatry (such as the Emperor, which is no less enemy un to Christ, then ever was ●…ero) If for the pleasure and friendship (I say) of such princes thou return to thyve old abominations before used under the papist●…, then assuredly (O England) thou shalt be plagued and brought to desolation by the means of those, whose favou res thou seekest, and by whom thou art procured to fall from Christ and to serve christ.  
This and much more in the dolour of mine heart that day in audience of such as yet may bear record, God would that I should pro nounce. The thing that I then most feared, and which also my tongue spoke (that is: the subversion of the true religion, and bringing in of strangers to reign over that realm) this day I see come to pass in men's counsels and determinations. Which if they proceed & take effect as by men is concluded, then so assuredly as my God liveth, and as those Israelites that obstinately returned into egypt again were plagued to the death: so shall England taiste what the Lord hath threatened by his pro 
The end shall declare  phetes before. God grant us true and unfeigned repentance of our former offences.  
God for his great mercy's sake stir up some Phinees, Helias, or jehu, that the blood of abominable Idolaters may pacify god's wrath, that it consume not the hole multitude. Amen.  
But to return to our matter: Of the premises it is plain, that 
Enemies to the truth receiveth no comsorte of God's messengers.  such as contemneth God's eternal verity and grace, can neither in their troubles receive comfort by god's messengers, neither yet can they follow the counsel of God be it never so profitable, but God giveth them over and suffereth them to wander in their own vanities to their own perdition. Where as contrary 
The godly and chosen of God.  wise: such as beareth a reverence to Gods most holy word, are drawn by the power and virtue of the same (as before is said) tobeleve, follow and obey that which God commandeth be it never so hard, so unapparent or contrary to their affections. And therefore, as God all way keepeth appointment with them, so are they wondrously preserved when god's vengeances are poured forth upon the disobedient. And this is most evident in Abraham at 
Gen. 1●…  God's commandment leaving his country and going forth he knew not whither. Which was a thing not so easy to be done, as it 
Gen. 15.  is to be spoken or red. It appeareth 
Gen. 22.  also in Abraham believing God's promises against all appearance: and in Abraham offering his child Isaac against all fatherly love 
Exodi. 5. 7. 10.  and affection natural. The same is to be said: In Moses, Samuel, Helias 
1. Reg. 15. , Micheas, and other of the prophets, 
3. Keg. 21.  which at the commandment of God's word boldly passed to the presence of tyrants, and there to them did their message as charge was given unto them.  
But lest that some should allege 
Objection.  that these examples appertaineth nothing to a multitude, because they were done in singular men.  
To answer to this objection: we 
Answer.  will consider what the power of God's word hath wrought in many at one instant.  
After that the Israelites had 
Exodi. 32.  made the golden calf and so fallen 
God's word sometime mou●…th and draweth great multitudes.  to Idolatry, Moses coming down from the mountain, and beholding their abominations, (the honour that they gave to an Idol) & the people spoiled of their earerynges and jewels to their great rebuke and shame was inflamed with such zeal, indignation and wrath: that first, he brafe the tables of the command mentes. Then he bet their caulf to powder, and gave it them to drink to cause them understand, that their 
Why Moses caused the Israelyts to drink the powder of their gol d●…n ca●…lje.  filthy guts should receive that which they worshipped for God. And final lie, he commanded that every man that was of God should approach & come nigh unto him. And all the sons of Levi (sayeth the text) came to him, To whom he said. ●…yus sayeth the Lord God of Israel. Let every man 
Exodi. 32.  put his sword upon his thigh, and 
A sharp sen tense against Idolaters.  go in and out from port to port in the tents. And let every man kill his brother, his neighbour, and every man his nigh kinsman. And the son nes of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And there fell the same day of the people nigh three thousand. It is evident by this history, that the power of God's word, pronounced by the mouth of a man, prevailed at one time in a great number against nature, and compelled them to be executores of God's vengeance, regarding nothing the affinity nor nyghnes of blood. And also that their doing so well pleased Moses the ambassador of God, that he said unto them: Lonsecrate your hands this day every man in his own son, and in his own brother, that a fortunate benediction may be given to you this day. As though Moses should say: Your father Le ●…i profaned and defiled his hands 
Genes. 34.  killing the Sichemites in his blind rage, which moved his father jacob in his last testament, to dan●… pne, execrate and curse that his most 
Genes. 49.  vehement and ungodly zeal. But Because in this work you have preferred God's commandment before blood, nature and also asfection, in place of that rebuke and curse, you have obtained blessing & praise.  
The like puissance and virtue of God's word working in a 
jerem. 21, 38  multitude is to be red in the prophet jeremy. Who perceiving the time of God's vengeance to draw nigh, and the city of Jerusalem to be besieged, boldly cried out in his open sermon, saying: He that 
●…eremiae. 21.  remaineth in this city shall die, 〈◊〉 there by sword, by hunger, or by pe 
jeremiae. 38.  stilence. But he that shall go for the to the Laldeys, shall live, and shall find his soul for a pray. This might have appeared a deceivable seditious and ungodly sermon, to con mand subjects to depart from the obedience and defence of their native prince, rich citizens and valiant soldiers from their possessions & strong holds, and to will them to render themselves without all manner of resistance into the hands of strangers being their enemies. What carnal man would not have judged these persuasions of the prophet most foolys●…e and false▪ And yet in the hearts of such as God had elected and appointed to life, so effe●…ually wrought this sermon, that a great number of jerusalem left their ●…ynge, their city, riches & fren des, and obeyed the prophets coun sail. For so may be espied by the ●…swere of Zedechias the ●…inge, when jeremy counseled, that he should also rendre himself into the hands 
jeremiae. 38  of ●…abuchodonozer he sayeth: I fear these jews, that are fled to the Laldi●…s, lest perchance they give me into their hands.  
●…ereoff it is plain that many were departed from him, whom he feared more than he did his enemies.  
Many more testimonies might be brought, to declare how mightily God's word spo●…en by man, hath wrought in the hearts of great multitudes. ●…s in the hearts of the ●…iniuites, who at jonas preaching 
jon. 3.  damned their former religion, conversation and life. And in the hearts of those. 3000. who at Peter's first sermon openly made after Christ's 
Act. 2.  ●…scension ac●…nowledged their offen ces, repent, and were by and by baptised. But these premises are sufficient to prove, aswell that Gods word draweth his elect after it, against worldly appearance, against natural affections, & against civil statutes and constitutions: as also, that such as obey god's spea ●…yng by his messengers, never lacfeth just reward and recompensation. For only such as obeyed the voice of the prophet found favour 
jerem. 39  and grace, to the praise and glory of God's name, when his just iud gementes to●… venge●…ce upon the disobedient. But now shortly by notes we will touch the rest of Peter's act, and Christ's merciful deliverance of them, which is the end of all troubles sustained by Gods elect.  
And first, that Peter saying a mighty wind was afraid, and so, when he began to sync●…, he cried: Lord save me: are three things principally to be noted. The first, from whence cometh the fear of Gods elect. The second, what is the cause that they faint and fall in adversity. The third, what reste●… with them in the time of this fear and down sync●…ynge.  
And first, it is plain: that so long as Peter had his eyes fixed upon Christ, and attended upon no other thing but the voice of Christ, he was bold and without fear. But when he saw a mighty wind (not that the wind was visible, but the vehe ment storm and waves of the sea that were stirred up and carried by the wind were seen) then began he to fear, and to reason (no doubt) in his heart, that better it had been for him to have remained in his boat, for so might Christ have come to him, but now the storm and rage of wind was so vehement, that he could never come to Christ, and so he greatly feared. Whereof it is plain that the only cause of our fear that have left our boat, and through the 
The cause of ●…eare.  storms of the sea would go to Christ with Peter, is: that we more consider the dangers and lets that are in our journey, them we do the almighty power of him that hath cō●…aun ded us to come to himself. And this is a sin common to all the elect & chosen children of God, that when so ever they see a veh●…ment trouble appearing to let them & dry●…e them 〈◊〉 from the obedience of God, then begin they to fear and to doubt of God's power and good will.  
With this fear was Abraham 
Gene.. 〈◊〉.  stryc●…n when he denied his wife. 
Exod. 3. 4.  This storm saw Moses when he refused to be God's messenger. And Ezechias sore complaint declareth, 
Esa. 36. 37.  that more he believed, considered and looked upon the proud voices and great power of Sennacherib, than he did the promises of the prophet.  
This I note for this purpose, that albeit this late & mos●…e raging storm within the realm of England have taken from you the presence of Christ for a time, so that you have doubted whether it was Christ which you saw before, or not. And albeit that the vehemency of this contrary wind, that would drive you from Christ have so occupied your ears, that almost you have forgotten what he was that commanded you to come to himself, when that he cried: Come unto me all ye that labour and are burdened, and I 
Math. 11.  shall refresh you. Pass from Babylon O my people. etc. Albeit (I 
Apoca. 18.  say) that this raging tempest have stricken such fear in your heart, that almost all is forgotten, yet dear brethren despair not, such offences have chanced to Gods elect before you. If obstinately ye shall not continued, yet shall you find mercy and grace. It h●…d been your duty in deed and agreeable to your profession to have looked to Christ alone, & to have contemned all impediments, but such perfection is not alway with man, but happy is he that feeleth himself to sink.  
The cause that Gods elect be gynne to faint and to synck down in the time of great adversity, is fear and unbelieve, as in Peter doth appear, for so long as he neither feared danger, neither mistrusted Christ's word, so long the waters (above, & contrary to their nature) did obey and serve his feet as they had been the dry, solid & sure ground But so soon as he began to despair 
lively faith maketh man bold.  and fear, so sonc begins he to sink. To instruct us, that lively faith maketh man bold, and is able to carry us thorough such parels as be unscapable to nature. Butwhen faith beginneth to faint, then beginneth man to sink down in every danger, as in the histories before rehearsed it may appear. And in the 
3. Reg. 18.  prophets it is plain. For ●…elias at God's commandment passing to the presence of king Achab, in the fervency of his faith, obtained the fire to come from heaven, and to consume his sacrifice, by which also he was made so bold, that in the presence of the king he feared nothing to kill his false prophets. But the 
3. Reg. 19  same ●…elias hearing of the mana●…yng & threatenings of cursed jezabel, and considering that the wrat he of a wicked woman could by no rea 
The creatu re can never dispute with God without sin.  sonable means be appeased, he saw a storm, and feared the same, and so he prepareth to fly, which he doth not without some syncking down, for he began to reason and to dispute with God, which never can be done by the creature without foolishness and offence. The same we find in jeremy and divers more.  
But the question may be asked: 
Question.  Seeing Christ knew before what should happen to Peter, why, did he not eithenlet him from coming from his boat? Or else, why did he not so confirm him in faith, that he should not have doubted? To the which may be thus answered:  
Albeit that we could render no 
Answer.  reason of this work of Christ, yet were the work itself a sufficient rea son. And it were enough to answer: that so it pleased him, who is not bound to render a reason of all his 
God's by them self are a sufficient reason.  works. But yet if we shall mark with diligence to what office Peter was to be called, and what offences long rested with him, we shall find most just and necessary causes of this work of Christ, & down syncking 
Peter's virtues.  of Peter. It is plain that Peter had many notable virtues. As: a zeal and fervency towards Christ's glory: and a readiness and forwardness to obey his commandments. 
The vice that long rested with Peter,  But it is like plain that of long continuance there rested with Peter a desire of honour & worldly rest (and that moved him to persuade 
Math. xvi.  Christ that he should not die.) There rested with him pride, presumption and a trust in himself, which presumption and vain trust in his own strength unless it had been corrected, and partly removed, he had never been apt nor me●…e to 
Nota,  have fed Christ's flock. And such sins can never be fully corrected and reformed till they be felt, known, and confessed.  
And doubtless so arrogant is our nature, that neither will it know, neither confess the infirmity of the self, unto such time as it have a trial by experience of the self. And that is most plain by Peter long after this tempest. For when Christ said to his disciples: This night shall ye all be staandered in me. Peter boldly bragged and said: Albeit that all should 
Math. 26.  be slandered and should fly from thee, yet shall I not be slandered, but I am ready to go to prison and to die with thee.  
This was a bold presumption and an arrogant promise spoken in contempt of all his brethren, from which he could not be reduced by Christ's admonition, But the more that Christ showed him, that he should deny him, the more bold was he to affirm the contrary, as though his master Christ the author of all truth, yea rather the truth itself, should make a loud lie. And therefore of necessity it was, that he should prove in experience, what was the frailty of man's nature. And what was the imbecility and weakness of faith even of those, that were his chief Apostles, which had continually heard his heavenvly doctrine, seen daily his wonderful miracles, which had heard themselves so many ad monitions and exhortations of him, which also had followed and obeyed him in many things. That imbecil litie and weakness of faith if Peter had not proved and felt it in himself, neither could he rightly have praised gods infinite goodness & ●…brased his free mercy: Neither had he been apt and meet to have been a pastor to the weak sheep & ●…ender lambs of Christ, but he should have been as presumptuous a boaster of his own strength, as the Papistes are of their free will. And he should have been as proud a contempner & despiser of his weak brethren, as the errogant Papists, that contemn and despise all godly & great learned men though they be a thousand parts more excellent than the●….  
But to correct and reform both 
why Pete●… was suffered to syucke and fall.  presumptuous arrogancy and frail imbecility and weakness of faith, Peter was permitted once to sink, and thrice most shamefully to refuse and deny his master, to the intent, that by the knowledge of his own weakness, he might be the more able to instruct other of the same, and all so that he might more largely magnify gods free grace and mighty deliverance. And that Christ taught him before his fall saying: When 
Luce. 22.  thou art converted, strength thy brethron. As though Christ should have said: Peter, yet art thou to proud to be a pastor, thou ca●…te not s●…oupe nor bow thy back down to take up thewcake sh●…pe, thou dost nor yet know thinc own infirmity and weakness, & therefore canst thou do nothing but despise the weak ones, but when thou shalt be instructed by experience of thine own self what hid iniquity lurketh within the nature of man, then shalt thou learn to be humble and to stoop among other sinners. And also thou shalt be an example to other, which after shall offend as thou didst, so that if they repent as thou didst, they need not despair of mercy but may trust most assuredly of Christ to obtain grace, mercy & forgevens of their sins, as y● didst  
This fruit have we to g●…ther 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Peter's downsyncking in the sea, (which was a secret know league and privy admonition that he after should deny Christ) That we are assured by the voice of Christ, that if in the time of our trouble and extreme danger, we cry with Peter, we shallbe delivered as he was. And if we mourn for our denial of christ as he did, we shall find the same grace & favour at Christ's hand, that he found. But now let us touch the third note, which is this.  
That with gods elect in their greatest fear & danger there resteth 
what resteth with Gods spark te in their greatest danger.  some small spark of faith, which by one means or other declareth itself albeit the afflicted person in fear or danger doth not presently perceive the same. As herein Peter is most clear & manifest. For, percey●…g himself to synck down, he cried, saying Lord save me, which words were a declaration of a lively & quick faith, which lay hid within his afflicted & sore afraid heart, whose nature is (I mean of faith) to hope against hope, that is: against all appearance or 
The nature of faith.  lycklyhode to look for help & deliverance, as the words of Peter witnesseth that he did. ●…e saw nothing but the raging sea ready to swallow high up He felt nothing but himself sync●…yng down in body, and sore troubled in heart, and yet he cried: Lord save me. Which words first declare, 
Peter knew the power and good will of God  that he knew the power of Christ able to deliver him. For foolishness it had been, to have called for the help of him, whom he had known to be impotent and unable to help.  
The calling for Christ's help by prayer in this extreme danger declared also that Peter had some hope through his gracious goodness to obtain delyverannce. For in extrea me perils impossible it is, that the heart of man can cry for Gods help without some hope of his mercy.  
It is also to be noted, that in his great jeopardy Peter murmureth not against Christ. Neither doth he impute or lay any crime or blame upon Christ, albeit, at his commandment he had left his boat. He sayeth not: why lettest thou me sink, seeing that I have obeyed thy commandment. Moreover Peter asked help at Christ alone, of whom he was persuaded both could and would help at a pinch. He cried not upon Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, David, neither upon any other of the patriarchs, Prophets, or saints departed: neither yet upon his own fellows in the boat, but upon Christ, at whose commandment he had left the boat. All these things together considered, decla re, that Peter in this his extreme fear & danger had yet some spark of faith (albeit in that present ieopar die he neither felt consolation nor comfort.) For these premises are undoubted tokens that he had faith. But now to the end, which is this:  
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him: O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt. And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. And they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying: Of a truth thou art the son of God. And immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.  
Hereof first is to be noted, that 
Psal. 144.  God is alway nigh to those that 
How nigh God is in extreme petal to deliver his elect that faithfully call up on him.  calleth upon him faithfully: and so willing is he to deliver them, that neither can fear nor extreme danger hinder his Godly hand. Peter was syncking down, & looked for no other thing but present death, & yet the hand of Christ prevented him. That that was visibly & openly done to Peter in that his great peril is invisibly & secretly done to Christ's holy church, & to the chosen members of Chri 
Exod. 14.  stes mystical body in all ages. How 
Hester. 7. 8. 9  nigh & ready was the hand of God to deliver his people Israel, when they were almost overwhelmed with desperation in the days of Moses & Hester, the history doth witness: 
Daniel. 6.  How nigh was God to Daniel amongst 
jon. 3.  the Lions, To Jonas in the 
Act. 12.  whales belly, to Peter in prison, is likewise most evidently declared in the holy Scriptures.  
How suddenly and beyond all expectation was Savid many times delivered from saul's tyranny, his own heart confessed, and compelled 
Psalm. 18.  his pen to write, & tongue to sing, saying: He hath sent from above, and hath delivered me, he hath drawn me forth of many waters. Erect your ears dear 〈◊〉 threns, & let your hearts understand That as our God is unchangeable, so is not his gracious hand shortened this day. Our fear and trouble is great, the storm that bloweth against us is sore and vehement, & we appear to be drowned in the deep. But if we unfeignedly know the danger, and will call for deliverance the lords hand is nigher, then is the sword of our enemies. 
God flattereth not his elect.   
The sharp rebuke that Christ je sus gave to Peter, teacheth us that God doth not flatter nor conceal the faults of his elect, but maketh them manifest to the end that the of fendours may repent, and that others may avoid the like offences. 
Peter was not faithless.   
That Christ called Peter of little faith, argueth and declareth (as we before have noted) that Peter was not altogether faytheles, but that he fainted, or was uncertain in his faith, for so soundeth the Break term 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereof we ought to be admonished: that in passing to Christ through the storms of this world, is not only required a fervent faith in the beginning, but also a constancy to the end. As Christ sayeth: he that continueth to the end 
Math. 10.  shallbe saved. And Paul: unless a man 
2. Tim. 〈◊〉  shall strive lawfully he shall not be 
Such as have stand long may yet fall.  crowned. The remembrance of this ought to put us in mind that the most fervent man, & such as have long continued in profession of Christ, is not yet sure to stand at all hours, but that he is subject to many dangers, and that he ought to fear his own frailty, as the Apostle teacheth us, saying: he that standeth let him beware that he fall not. For if Peter that began so fervently yet fainted or he came to Christ, what ought we to fear, in whom such fervency was never found? No doubt we ought to tremble and fear the worst, and by the knowledge of our own weakness with the Apostles inceassauntly to pray: O Lord 
Lucae 17.  increase our faith. Christ's demand and question asking of Peter why doutest thou? containeth in itself a vehemency. As Chiste would say, 
Nota.  whether doutedst thou of my power? or of my presence? or of my promises? or of my good will? If my power had not been sufficient to have saved thee, then could I neither have come to the through the stormy sea, neither have made the waters obey thee, when thou begamnest to come to me. And if my good will had not been to have delivered thee, and thy brethren, than had I not appeared unto you, neither had I called upon thee, bu●… had permitted the tempest to devour and swallow you up. But considering that your eyes saw me pray sent, your ears heard my voice, and 
we have less pretence of excuse the●… peter had.  thou Peter especially knewest the sa me, and obeyedst my commandment, why then doutedst thou? Beloved brethren, if this same demand & que stion ware laid to our charge, we should have less pretence of excuse, than had Peter. For he might have alleged that he was not advertised that any great storm should have risen betwixt him and Christ, which justly we can not allege. For sith 
Nota.  that time that Christ jesus hath ap peared unto us by the bryghines of his word, and called upon us by his lively voice, he hath continually blo wen in our ears that persecution & trouble should follow the word that we professed, which days are now present, Alas then, why doubt we through this storm to go to Christ? Support O Lord and let us sink no further.  
Albeit that Peter fainted in faith 
Consolation  & therefore was worthy most sharply to be rebuked, yet doth not Christ leave him in the sea, neither long permitted he that fear and tempest to continued, but first they entered both into the boat, & thereafter the wind ceased, and last their boat arrived without longer delay at the place for which they long had laboured.  
O blessed and happy are those that patiently abides this deliverance of the Lord. The raging sea shall not devour them. Albeit they have fainted, yet shall not Christ jesus leave them, behind in the stormy sea, but suddenly he shall stretch forth his mighty hand, and shall place them in the boat among their brethren, that is: he shall conduct them to the number of his elect and 
Math. 28.  afflicted church, with whom he will continued to the end of the world.  
The majesty of his presence shall put to silence this boisteous wind, 
worldly princes are conjured against god  the malice, and envy of the devil, which so bloweth in the hearts of Princes, Prelates, Kings and of earthly tyrants that altogether they 
Psal. 2.  are conjured against the Lord and against his anointed Christ, in does pite of whom he safely shall conduct, convey, and carry his sore troubled flock to the life and rest for which they travel.  
Albeit (I say) that sometimes 
The scheap of Christ can not bere●…t from his hand.  they have fainted in their journey, albeit that weakness in faith permitted them to sink, yet from the hand of Christ can they not be rend, he may not suffer them to drown, nor the 
Io. 10.  deep to devour them. But for the glory of his own name he must deliver, for they are committed to his charge, protection, and keeping, and 
joar. 7.  therefore must he keep and defend such as he hath received from his father, from sin, from death, from devil and hell.  
The remembrance of these promises is to mine own heart such occasion of comfort, as neither can any tongue nor pen express, but yet peradventure some there is of Gods elect that can not be comforted in this tempest by any meditations of God's election or defence, but rather beholding such as sometimes boldly have professed Christ's verity, now to be returned to 
The temptations of God's elec te now in England.  their accustomed abominations: And also themselves to be overcomed with fear, that against their knowledge and conscience they stoop to an Idol, and with their presence maintaineth the same. And being at this point, they begin to reason whether it be possible that the man bres of Christ's body may be permitted so horribly to fall to the denial of their head? and in the same to remain of long continuance. And from this reasoning they enter in dolour, and from dolour, they begin to sink to the gates of hell, and ports of desperation.  
The dolour and fear of such I grant to be most just. For oh how fearful is it, for the love of this tran sitorie life in presence of man to deny Christ jesus and his known and undoubted verity?  
But yet to such as be not obstinate contemners of God, and of all godliness: I would give this my weak counsa●…e, that rather they should appeal to mercy, then by the seveire judgements of God, to pronounce against themselves the fearful sentence of condemnation. And to con 
Good consa ill to the infayth.  cider that God concludeth all under unbelief that he may have mercy upon all. That the Lord killeth and 
Rom. ●….  giveth life, he leadeth down to hell & yet lifteth up again. But I will not that any man think. That by this my counsel I either iusti●…ie such 
1. Reg. 2.  as horribly are returned back to their vomit. Either yet that I flatter such as maintaineth that abominable Idol with their daily presence. God forbid, for than were I but a blind guide leading that blind headlings to perdition. Only God 
Nota.  knoweth the dolour and sobs of my her●…e for such as I hear daily to turn back. But the cause of my counsel is. That I know the conscience of some to be so tender, that when soever they feel themselves troubled with fear, wounded with anguish, or to have slydden back in any point: that then they judge their faith to be quenched, and themselves to be unworthy of God's mercies for ever. 
To whom aparteineth the former counsel.  To such direct I my counsel. To those I mean, that rather offends by weakness & infirmity then of malice and set purpose. And I would that such should understand and c●… cider that all Christ's Apostles fled from him: and denied him in their hearts. And also I would they should 
Math. 28.  consider, that no man ever from the beginning stood in greater fear, greater danger, nor greater doubt: then Peter did when Christ's presence 
Nota.  was taken from him. Yea no man felt less comfort, nor saw less appearance of deliverance & yet neither were the disciples rejected for ever, neither was Peter permitted to drown in that deep. 
Obiection.   
But some shall object: faith was not utterly quenched in them, & therefore they got deliverance, & were restored to comfort.  
Answer. That is it which I would 
Answer.  that the afflicted and troubled consci ences in this age should consider, that neither fear, neither danger, neither yet doubting, nor backsliding 
The root of faith remaineth with gods ●…lect in great test dauger  may utterly destroy and quench the faith of Gods elect, but that always there remaiveth with them some root, and spark of faith. Howbeit in their anguish they neither feel nor can decern the same. Yet some shall demand: how shall it be known in whom the spark and root of faith remaineth, & in whom not? seeing that all fleeth from Christ, and boweth down to 〈◊〉. Hard it is, and in a manner impossible, that one man shall wittingly judge of an other (for that could not 
3. Keg. 19  Helias do of the Israelites of his days) but every man may easily judge of himself. For the root of faith is of that nature, that long it 
The root●… of faith is not 〈◊〉.  will not be idle, but of necessity by process of 〈◊〉 it will send forth some branches that may be seen & felt by the outward man: if it remain lively in the heart. As you have herd it did in Peter, compelling him to cry upon Christ, when that he was in greatest necessity. Wilt thou have a trial whether the root of faith remaineth with the 
A trial of ●…yth in trouble.  or not? I speak to such as are weak, and not to proud contemners of God.  
feelest thou thy soul fainting in faith? as Peter felt his body sink down into the waters?  
Art thou as sore afraid that thy soul should drown in hell, if thou consentest or obeyest idolatry, as Peter was that his body should drown in the waters?  
desirest thou as earnestly the deliverance of thy soul, as Peter did the deliverance of his body?  
believest thou that Christ is able to deliver thy soul, and that he will do the same according to his promiss?  
Dost thou call upon him without hypocrisy now in the day of thy trouble?  
Dost thou thirst for his presence, and for the liberty of his word again?  
Mournest thou for the great abominations that now overflows the realm of England?  
If these premises (I say) remain yet in thy heart, them art thou not altogether destitute of faith, neither shalt thou descend to perdition for ever. But mercifully shall the Lord stretch forth his mighty hand, & 
It aparteyneth not to man to know nor to inquire how god will deliver.  shall deliver the from the very throat and bottom of hell. But by what means that he shall perform that his merciful work it neither appertaineth to thee to demand, nor to me to define. But this is requisite and our bounden duty, that such 
Nota.  means as the hand of our Bod shall offer (to avoid Idolatry) we refuse not but that willingly we embrace the same albeit partly disagree 
divers ways of deliverance.  to our affections. Neither yet think I that suddenly: and by one means shall all the faithful in England be delivered from Idolatry. No, it may be that God so strengthen the hearts of some of those that have fainted before: that they will resist Idolatry to the death, and that were a glorious and triumphant deliverance. Of others God may so touch the hearts, that they will rather choose to walk: and go as pilgrims from realm to realm, suffering hunger, cold, heat, thirst, weariness, and poverty, then that they will abide (having all abundance) in subjection of Idolatry. To some may God offer 
Nota.  such occasion that in despite of idolaters (be they princess or prelalates) they may remain within their own dominions, and yet neither bow their knees to Baal, neither yet lack the lively food of god des most holy word. If God offer unto us any such means, let us as suredlye know that Christ jesus 
The means offered by God to avoid Idolatry are not to be refused.  stretched forth his had unto us willing to deliver us from that danger wherein many are like to perish, and therefore let us not refuse it, but with gladness let us take hold of it, knowing that God hath a thousand means (very unappering to man's judgement) whereby he will deliver, support, and comfort, his afflicted church. And therefore most 
Repetition.  dearly beloved in our saviour jesus Christ, considering that the remem branch of Christ's banquet (whereof I doubt not some of you taisted with comfort and joy) is not yet utterly taken from your mind. And that we have entered in this journey at Christ's commandments. Considering that we feal the sea winds blow contrary and against us, as before was prophesied unto us. And that we see the same tempest rage against us that ever hath raged against Christ's elect Church. And considering also that we feal ourselves ready to faint, and like to be oppressed by these stormy seas, let us prostrate ourselves before the throne of grace: in the presence of our heavenly father, and in the bitterness of our hearts let us confess our offences and for Christ jesus sake let us ask deliverance and mercy, saying with sobs and groans from our troubled hearts.  
O God the heathen are entered 
Complaint.  into thine inheritance. They have defiled thy holy Tempel and have 
Psal. 79.  profaned thy blessed ordinance, in place of thy joyful signs, they have erected their abominable ydo les. The deadly cup of all blasphemy 
Psal. 74.  is restored again to their harlots hand. Thy prophets are per 
Apocal. 17.  secuted, and none are permitted to speak thy word freely. The poor sheep of thy poor pasture are commanded to drink the venomous waters of men's traditions.  
But O Lord thou knowest how sore they grieve us. But such is 
Psal. 74. & 83.  the tyranny of these most cruel beasts that plainly they say: They shall root us out at ones, so that no remembrance shall remain of us in earth.  
O Lord thou knowest that we are but flesh, and that we have no power of ourselves to withstand their tyranny, and therefore O father open the eyes of thy mercy upon us, and 
Prayer and confession.  confirm thou in us the work which thine own mercy hath begun. We acknowledge and confess o Lord that we are punished most justly, because we lightly regarded the time of our merciful visitarion. Thy blessed Gospel was in our ears like a lovers song, it pleased us for the rhyme, but Alas, our lines did nothing agree with thy statutes & holy commandments. And thus we acknowledge that our own iniquity hath compelled thy justice to take the light of thy word from the hole realm of England. But be 
Appealing to mercy.  thou mindful O Lord that it is thy truth which we have professed, and that thy enemies blasphemeth thy holy name, and our possession with out cause. Thy holy Gospel is called heresy, and we are accused as traitors for professing the same. Be merciful therefore O Lord, and be 
Esay. 33.  salvation unto us in this time of our anguish. Albeit our sins accuse and condemn us, yet do thou according to thine own name. We have offended against thee. Our sins and iniquities are without number, and yet art thou in the mid 
jeremiae. ●…4.  des of us O Lord, albeit that tyrants bear rule over our bodies, yet thrusteth our souls for the comfort of thy word. Correct us therefore but not in thy hot displeasure, spare thy people and permit not thine inheritance to be in rebuke for ever.  
Let such O Lord as now are most 
Psal. 74.  afflicted yet once again praise thy holy name before thy congregation. Repress the pride of these blood thristye tyrants, consume them in 
Psal. 59  thine anger according to the reproach which they have laid against thy ho 
Psal. 79.  lie name. power forth thy vengeance 
Ierm. 10. 11. 12.  upon them, and let our eyes behold the blood of thy saints required of their hands. Delay not thy venge ance O Lord, but let death devour them in haist, let the earth swallow 
Psal. 55.  them up, & let them go down quick to the hells. For there is no 
Against the enemies of God.  hope of their amendment, the fear and reverence of thy holy name is quite banished from their hearts, & therefore yet again O Lord consume them, consume them in thine anger, and let them never bring their wicked counsels to effect. But according to the godly powers, let them be taken in the snare which they have prepared for thine elect: Look upon us O Lord with the eyes of thy mercy, and show petty upon us thy weak and sore oppressed flock gather us yet once again to the wholesome treasures of thy most holy word, that openly we may confess thy blessed gospel within the realm of England. Grant this O heavenly father for Christ Jesus thy sons sake. Amen.  
If on this manner or otherwyfe (as god shall put in our hearts) with out hypocrisy in the presence of our God (respecting more his glory than our private wealth) continually we power forth our complaint, confession, and prayers. Then so assuredly as our God liveth, and as we feall these present troubles, shall our God himself rise to our defence, he shall confound the counseilles of our even myes & trouble the wits of such as most wrongfully troubleth us. Be shall send jehu to execute his just iudg●…nentes against idolaters and against such as obstinately defendeth them. jesabel herself shall not escape the vengeance and plagues that are prepared for her portion. The flatterers and the maintainers of her abominations shall drink the cup of god's wrath with her And in despite of the devil shall yet the glory of Christ Jesus, and the brightness of his countenance so shine in our hearts by the presence of his grace, and before our eyes by the true preaching of his gospel that altogether we shall fall before him & say:  
O Lord thou art our God, we 
Esaiae. 25.  shall extol thee, and shall confess thy name, for thou haste brought wondrous things to pass according to thy counseilles which albeit appear to be far of, yet are they true and most assured. Thou haste brought to ruin the palaces of tyrants, & therefore shall the afflicted magnify thee, and the city of tyranfull nations shall fear thee. Thou haste been O Lord a strong defence to the poor, a sure place of refuge to the afflicted in the time of his anguis●…he.  
This no doubt dear brethren shall one 
Of god's elect.  day be the song of gods elect with in the realm of England, after that God have poured forth his vengeance upon these inobedient, & blood thrusty tyrants: which now trium pheth in all abominations, & therefore yet again beloved in the Lord, abide patiently the lords deliverance, 
Exhortation.  avoiding and flying such offences as may separate and divide you from the blessed fellowship of the Lord jesus at his second coming. Watch and pray, resist the devil, and row against this vehement ten pest and shortly. shall the Lord come, to the comfort of your hearts which now are oppressed with anguish and care, but then shall ye so rejoice, that through gladness you shall say. Behold this our God, we have 
Isai. 26.  waited upon him, and he hath saved us. This is our Lord, we have long thrusted for his coming, now shall we rejoice and be glad in his salvation. So be it. The great Bishop of our souls jesus our Lord so strengthen and assist your troubled hearts with the mighty comfort of his holy Ghost, that earthly tyrants nor worldly torments have no power to drive you from the hope and expe ●…tracion of that kingdom which for the elect was prepared from the beginning by our heavenly father to whom be all praise and honour now and ever. Amen.  
Remember me dear brethren in your daily prayers. The grace of our Lord jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.  
Yours with sorrowful heart, john Knox.   

Imprinted at Kalykow the 20. day of julij. 1554.  
Cum gratia & privilegio ad Imprimendum solum.