¶ THE NEW ARRIVAL OF the three Graces, into Anglia.  
Lamenting the abusis of this present Age.  
 ¶ Esay. 58.34.24. 
¶ Cry now, as loud as thou canst, leave not of, list up thy voice like a Trumpet, and show my people their offencis, and the house of jacob their sins.   

To his most Loving and friendly  
Father: (V. Villiam Beeston Brewer) S.B. wisheth continual health, with endless felicity.  
WHen, and at such time, beloved Father, I had called to my remembrance, the great good will, and wished benefits proceeding from you, towards me: and on my part very slenderly deserved in comparison, the acquitting of such courtesy: After many inventions had, by what means to show forth some such occasion, how to gratify you, as a sure show of obedience, thereby to occasion no less good will to follow, then formally by you was begun. And calling to ininde one of the grave sentences of Seneca, which sayeth, That the remembrance of benefits ought not to be forgotten, and that a small thing given willingly, is more acceptable than great riches with evil will: And that the will of the giver, and not the value of the gift, is to be regarded: rhese documents and such like, urged me to devise some thing, whereby you might perceive in me, not only my obedience to fatherly parentage, but also to prove such a son (good will being first preferred) to be more worthy a benefit, 
Diogenes  then to have given, which benefit that I look for, is your continual society and fatherly affection, to abide with no less good will, than hitherto it hath been: To that end therefore, I have taken upon me to write this work following for you to look upon: And although it seem barren for lack of a more furniture, and altogether poor, like unto the writer: Nevertheless, I hope you will except it with no les good will, in comparison of mortal fieshe, than jesus the saviour of mankind, who excepted the two mites put into the treasury by a poor widow, 
Luke. 21.  being all the substance that she had: so this small work of mine, being all the substance that I possess (as touching good will) have with no les imparted the same unto you, which work beareth the name of the three graces, Thankfulness, plenteousness, and Liberality: which if you peruse thoroughly, I doubt not, but it will content your mind so, as occasion may serve to further remembrance, considering that to attain virtues, we have good desire, 
Marcus  but to obtain vices, we put to all our works: such is our corruption, 
Aur.  for the which cause, every desiring mind to obtain knowledge, ought to take heed where virtue is to be learned: 
Socrates  for the les time man hath to live, which may be perceived from the day of birth to the hour of death, with what speed it hasteneth, and the time stayeth for none: to be ready prepared to the haven of peace, to the end our mortal enemy reign not over us, the more earnestly ought man, in virtues study to be proceeding in: my loving Father (therefore let this my work be so accepted, as good will in his continuance, may further a greater: And as concerning this already finished, there can nothing be amended or rightly corrected, but by that, which surmounteth, and is better than it, 
Plato.  as vice by virtue, falsehood by truth: wrong by justice: folly by wisdom: ignorance by learning, and such like. For the which cause every particular being considered, I doubt not but that you will as favourably receive this my travail with no les good will, than I in presuming to dedicate the same unto you, whom I account most worthiest: not for affection but for your godly life and christian religion: in the which, the almighty father, son, and holy ghost strengthen with continuance, that both father, and son, by the holy ghost: with father, son and holy ghost, may praise the almight in the celestial heavens, world without end. Amen.  
Your obedient son, Steven Batman.   

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.  
WHen and at such time, (beloved) as the miserable state, and manners of men were espied: the untruths, the crafty imaginations and wicked practices, of perverse, and froward persons: Then by divine sufferance divers learned and ancient Fathers began, no sooner the evils perceived, to set forth against such (their abusis) with the threatenings of god's vengeance for the same, divers and sundry ensamples, to the withdrawing of such, as much as in them lay, from the infernal pit, prepared for offence: to that end, that as careful Parents, perceiving their children to wander from the line of obedience, mought in time, by mesurid correction, bring them from such their disorder, to a better pass. In which so doing, although some children, by overmuch sufferance, in the beginning of their entrance, through induranci, & hardness of heart, not only neglect their times from such obedience, but also as froward Imps continue in their ungodliness, shall for their so doing reap no less infamy than the Zodomits did, 
Example Gen. 1 Exod. 2.  who refusing the entreaty of that ancient Father Lot, were consumid with Fire: or as when Moses, rebuked him that wrongid the hebrew, very charitably, but he took it ill, and spoke iniuriustye, saying, bout thou kill me, as thou didst the Egyptian, etc. Not far unlike, are the answers of sundry Scctarians, in these days, who for brotherly repprehensions giveth the like answers, Note h●w discreetly Nathan the prophet rebuked David, after he had committed adoultery & murder, 
2. Re. 2.  he said not angrily, thou hast done wickedly, but with an apt ● meet ●militude, he intrappid him by the wordz of his own mouth, Steven being with the jews in counsel, did boldly reprehend them, saying among other things: die stiff-necked, and of vnū●●umcised hearts and ears, ye have always resisted the holy ghost, as your forefathers did, so do ye, a worthy note to such as will enter into judgement in matters of religion, before they know what it meaneth: and although that among many, some may have judgement, yet after the manner of men, it is not justice, therefore most meetest to be reform, when the Thessalonians walked unquietly, the Apostle Paul, 
2. Thess. 3.  with brotherly reprehension said unto them: why walk ye inordinately working not at all, but being curius, and busibodies: and therefore he rebuked them. Many divers and sundry ensamples there are, which moveth brotherly affection, to consider such substance, for the which cause, after many authorities vewid, and divers historis red, & being mo●id, not with a few griefs, to see this present time so altered from kind, devised this slender, and unfurnished work, to the profit of my Country: & yet not altogether so unfurnished, but that by diligent perusing, some good thing may be found. It was good will, that forced me to write according to my skill: yet considering which myself how far unable I was to frame that which affection monid, after good will had inforcid: In remembering the Bee, with the same affection, went forward: For among the Bees, such order is, that when the young beginneth to fly, 
Bartho. de pro●●.  and that he apply himself with carrying: first he learneth by the greater to gather war, then to frame the work, which being done, them to gathering the honey, that those neat wrought sells, may be filled, and in such time, as the season ferneth, that or ever the frosts appear, 
Gesnerus  each Bee, may have sufficient to preserve him from the barren Winter or cold, so as a poor Bee, the Wax being gathered, from the substance of many flowers and by means of the sweet smelling blues, huny is increasid, wherewith to suffice each Bee in the extremity of could, the war to keep safe from cold, the honey to preserve life, and to comfort such young as in the mean time is increased. And as the wax is profitable, 
Isidorus Aristotle  in the dark to yield by art his light, to the great comfort of the beholder, so is the honey for the inward parts of men, being moderately taken, to keep the body from putrefied humours: by the Bee, the wax, and the honey, I considered the diligent painful Christian, the profit of actorites, the gift of the holy ghost: these three, moved me, to this my silly labour, far unfit to come among the master Bees, but for as much as the smaller or feebeler sort, are defended by the great, by the means of endeavour: so hope I to be, because good will hath presumed in stead of learning, to frame that which may do good to the most, and harm with the least. Thus gentle Reader use my labour, with such brotherly affection, as by my work, thou mayst perceive my meaning. In which so doing, I commit thee unto the tuition (by prayer) of the almighty God for ever and ever AMEN.  By Stephan Batman Minister.  

SOMNIUM.  
WHen that Saturno, Planiet he, in midst of Libra spread, 
I F   
and Hiems, force, began to high, with dolers in my bed  
A thousand woes, 'gan me oppress, to see the world such  
as each creature, in his kind, the one, at other grudge.  
Dismayed in mind, to see such chance, to happen countri then  
Oblivion, she that grace forgot, alew●ring many men,  
To follow fancis lore, without remorse of pain,  
and Gospel's predication, to hold as thing but vain.  
For to bewail so ill a chance, it dentyd so my mind, 
I H   
when vewid was mine own deserts, 'gainst Christ my god so kind  
Then to devise some theme at large, whereby the rest to warn, 
T M   
sweet Charites, herself applied, to keep me ay from harm.  
She gave me charge, my quivering hand, the Pen to held full fast,  
with speed to write what she me bad, though long, yet at the last  
Then settling so both hand and pen, as pleasid her to devise,  
whose words in order followed so: few wisemen will despise.  
From Eanus, he the god of Eyer, the whole earth now doth view,  
not sparing one, but each degree, by what means to pursue  
If victory, were sure to get, then look for present doom,  
that restless rage, of his so toils, just friendship to consume.  
These three, to further thine intent, so guided shall by me, 
W S   
who hiet Aglaia, thankfulness, to virtue doth agree  
Then, Thalia, the most plentius, to yield each days increase,  
Euphrosyne, that liberal dame, which scarcite doth cease.  
These three to guide thy pen aright, shall daily thee attend,  
against that huge, Enceladus, though, Terra, 
Enc●lad●s huge monster which signifieth contempt of all good orders. ●ous an isle between Sardina & Africa, where n● venemus thing may live.  him defend  
By force of valiant Tonos, he, to Aetna's, fiery flame,  
that jupiter, which rules on high, such furious rage to tame.  
If Albion she, except thee not, I will the strait convey,  
to Ebosus, Sardina, eyle, where thou shalt bear such sway  
As Gargites, old Gereons', dog, although he seem to bite,  
shall starve for meat, and pine away, though it apere in sight  
In these my words conceive a show, such friendship so to frame  
as jove, the just may be obeyed, with lasting praise to name  
Then Charites so do me call, a friend to Trojan eyle,  
who wisheth sure no small renown, to such so happy soil,  
(And why) for that the wealthy is, or that of strength hath store,  
(no no), but for because that jove the just, as yet doth favour more,  
Her state, her peace, and her renown, to try her trusty love,  
which being found, 
W W  ungrateful then, full soon, will her remove,  
Poor Cynon he, for lands defence, the Trojans, did forewarn  
was for his labour nought except, till they had felt the harm,  
But then to late, 
or Cacus. Gesnerus Preterit●. Bartholome Anglicus.  so now foresee, left Gallia, a Calchas breeds  
and so in stead of wholesome herbs, may light on poysonid weeds.  
The Panter, he example gives, when so disposed to spoil,  
by hiding of his head from beasts, as though he meant no goile:  
By savour sweet, they follow still, and he them both allure,  
till place convenient so him please, their death he doth procure.  
To read, to write, or to indite, for countries thine defence,  
cease not, but do thyself employ, look for no recompense  
But at the hands of Charites, even I reward will thee,  
when vital breath, is spent and gone, with Christ thy Lord to be,  
O Anglia, 
Chius an esse by grease in the sea ●e geun which as Sirab● writeth that it cannot be re●●embrid, 〈◊〉 ●rith in the country was any adoulteri among themselves committed.  thou of Chius, learn thy god and prince to fear,  
where none a●oultry there was found, or one that would uprear  
Himself against his Prince or king, each other sought to save,  
as lasting praise re●ounes thereof, all vicis did deprave.  
Sense time that Engist thee possessed, as fleeting hast thou been,  
as Chemmis, the whole weighty poise, most strange is to be seen  
Herodotus, so doth express, huge woods, and trees there be,  
with hills and dales, in wondrus sort, as daily such may see.  
As into Egypt, will resort, this strange s●ight to peruse,  
a land, to swem, there to be seen, on this some hap may muse  
But what for this it seems a toy, if nought but so ye mean,  
some better grain I wish to seek, a broad in fields to glean.  
By figured show some thing is meant, if so you please to mark  
if not by this, than now give ear, to more effect do hark  
When that Camillus, 
Aspiracis●. hae.  did beseedge, Hetruria, coast and soil,  
and that the Trurians did perseve, ere long to have the foil.  
Among the ancient, Falisi, a skoolemaster there was  
which did devise by treason so, that he might bring to pass,  
For to betray such Romans young, which he had there to guide,  
●y trained craft, so got them forth, till foes they had espied,  
And then by guile, surrendrid them, into Camillus' guard,  
where he for traitors fact so done, received a just reward,  
Which was all naked, to be beat, with those his scholars sure,  
unto the place, from whence he came, thus justice did procure,  
For this untruth, of traitor fell, that such his country's spoil,  
a guerdon had, for vicious fact, a just reward for guile,  
He thought great riches to have had, the wicked thus pretend,  
god grant all those whose minds are such, even so to make an end  
If flattering, Parasite, were not, than none, would sure be found  
where now not one, or two there is, thee daily do abound:  
But who that sees, and yet is blind, a dimnid sight hath sure,  
his woes with other, eke also, their sorrows do procure.  
If every one which seeks by gain, the commons to oppress,  
by cullered licence for the time, mought have the like redress:  
Then such procurers would sure cease, & plenty would bear sway  
which if not seen unto in time, in stead of wealth decay.  
Let this suffice, in prose do write, in hope that country thine  
will thee regard like faithful friend, as virtues laws assign.  

When hatrid, and negligence: expellith love, and diligence,  
power, and authority, regardeth not minority,  
Self love, with Ipochrisy, are friends unto cruelty:  
when all these gests in some place reigns,  
Ere long, will fall some sudden change.   
OR ever, the foundation of the world was laid, 
Exodus. 3 The many names groweth to no variety: the substance is of one equality. The Lord jehovah, the jews did o●●●, naming it Nomen in effabile, a name not to be spoken: because it con〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 of God.  the great Elohim, (jehovah) Adonai, Gubernator, Deus, or omni potent God. When Moses demanded saying: who shall I say hath sent me, was answered, ego sum, qui sum, I am that I am, hath sent thee, even that most triumphant king of kings, who before all worlds, saw what should ensue from time to time, did prognosticate, by divers and fundry his servants. Some patriarchs, Prophets, and apostles, with sundry other people, out of every nation under heaven: aforewarning to the rest common or vulgar people, some by proficy or prophisy, some by revelation, some by interpretation, some by dreams, some by wonderful Prodigius and most miraculus sights, (to the end) that over what dominion, Realm or country so ever any of these appeared, either by sight in act, or show by word, the people in any such dominion, what soever mought know, by such for warning to eschew, those dangers: that else might ensue. Dame Charities, being framed from out of the mighty Elohim, so wrought, as soon as she had authority, which was not, till man was framid in lively substance. And then began she to show forth the substance of her foundation, which was, is & shallbe, among the obedient unto the end. And those here associate were, Aglaia, Thalia, and Euphrosyne, thankfulness, plenteousness and liberality, whereby these being settelid in man, should yield forth some such fruit as it had recsued, to the honour praise, and immortal fame, of such a most merciful and heavenly father, Lord and king: in as much therefore, 
Gen. 4.  as in the time of our forefathers (long time passed) there fell upon the earth such floods of waters, whereby the whole world was overspread, and that all flesh died, by the rage of the same, saving Noah, and his family viii, souls. And wherefore, because they regarded not, neither believed the same to ensue, till they saw the extremity of the flood, so speedily to overwhelm them, all hope then frustrate, and past remedy: The preparing of the Ark, made them not afraid, neither the entrance of the flood, for so long as any land, mountain, or hill, was to be gotten unto, so long hoped they of safety (such vain hope deceived them) wherefore they perished, such was the incredulity, at that time, and much worse, notwithstanding former ensamples, in these our present times: from after the said, Delwium, or flood, no sooner being retornid to their former, or preordained course. And that the Sun, Moon, and Stars appeared in their pulcritude and kind, then, even in the very presence of the late slain carcasis, such showed Oblivion, in the breast of Noah, that after a few grapes eaten, became so infebelid in the head, that most disorderly lay, to the great sorrow of his two sons, 
Genesis 9  Sem and japhet, although, Cham, being also one of their brethren, did most unreverently laugh at his father's nakidnes, for the which he was a curssud. 
Gene. ●9  When (Lot) through wine, forgot himself, his offence was such as moved a parpetual remembrance (to be ware) Zodoma, Gomorra, Adama, Zeboim, & Zoar, or ever they were destroyed, they had warning their of, by there forefathers, that perished through the flood, and also by the coming of the messengers unto (Lot). The children, of Israel, had warning also before they fell into captivity, 
Exodus 1  for as long as joseph, gydid or governed Egypt, under Pharaoh, so long they continuid in peace, and tranquillity. But there rose up a new king in Egypt, 
Out of this said chapter of 〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉 note or warning: not to trust the 〈◊〉 words of aliante.  which knew not joseph. And he said unto his folk, behold the people of the children of Israel are great and mightier than we, come and let us play wiesly with them, lest they multiply. And lest it hap, that if there chance any war, they join themselves unto our enemies, and fight against us. And so get them out of the land: so the children of Israel were by the Egyptians, held in bondage, without mercy. Behold the skill of the Egyptians, they being in doubt of such great increase, would not suffer the Israelites, no more among them. etc. And yet for all that, reasid not to oppress them in such sort, as this second book of Moses makes relation. Be it known unto thee, thou now flourishing Anglia, whom God so guide with continuance, that sense thy first a rival by that noble (Brutus) thou hast suffered many grievous attempes, And also been subvertid by foreign power, if thou wilt know by whom, read Robertus de Auesbury, Rogerus Hovenden, 
johu G●wer. john bale john slow  Forsard, Harding, Mathae Paris, Mathaei Westomasteriensis Policronicon, Supplementi Chronicarum. Polidory Virgilij cum alijs. The first subversion of this eyle was by the Britan's, (called Gigantes) as of Corineus, which inhabited Cornewal and such like, of whom came our original, by successive live from Brute. But the second overthrow was by julius Ceasar and his Romans who about five hundred years governed this land, 
This ●ē gist after the opinion of some author's, 〈…〉 by 〈◊〉 the name of English men came first called Hengist men, then in pre●ces of time English men: which said name continueth to this present.  but as touching the original from Brute. julius Caesar, was the first that brought the Britan's in subjection, and after the end of the said years the Romans left both tribute and country, rather than to defend it against the Scots, & Pysts. The Britons were afterward conquered by Hengist king of the Sarons, unto whom the Bretons unadvisedly, had before given to much entry, which Sarons, were afterward conquered by Swane, and other the Danes, and these Danes with the Sarons, & Britan's remaining were all conquered by William bastard Duke of Normandy. And since that time continued most victorius, to the perpetual fame of English men, and long time may if greedy desire be not the cause of her overthrow. This being duly considered in these our present days, would give occasion, to foresee a great mischief which else ere tongue will inshew. The cause is, the people of foreign nations, so fast do increase, and the commodities of this our native soil doth so fast decrease, that it cannot be, but that within short space. Except the prudency of some foreseight, all to be transformid vp●down. The graces moved me (as in a dream) this farforth to speak where in is (or aught) both thankfulness to God, 
●ale. y● un●ig● of both churches.  for such warning with thankfulness to God, for so happy a prince called Elizabeth, of the Debrues called Elischabeh, as much to say, as the rest of my God, 
●●●aris.  which when the ancient City Ninive was warned by jonas, the Lords Prophet, they repented so, that they were pardonid of all their sins, jerico, for resisting, (the Lord miraculusly overthrew) as also jerusalem, the often overthrow of kingdoms & Cities was for disobedience of the law, contempt of the word, ne●ligence in not looking to the same in time, 
Luk. 6. Num 22.  is so great an ensample before our eyes, Caecus caecum ducit, ambo in foveam cadunt, which if self will, with lacivius lust, do so blind that it cannot be espied, then, Asina Balaam admonet, if their remain so much fear of gods v●ngans for oppression among such as profess Christ, and as yet deny the works thereof, as remained in Balaams' Ass, who for fear of the Angel, shrunk under his master, then I doubt not, but every such Christian which shall happen upon this my travail, shall find no small commodity, and thereby so occasionid to pray unto God, for amendiment whereof, that ere long all evil actions may be amended, 
Mat. 5. Mar. 9  which being done. Vos estis sal terrae, lux mundi, then shall Angliae flourish, which God grant, to the overthrow of Antichrist, to the setting home of those Strangers, whose coming is neither for the love of the Gospel, nor obedient of Laws, but such as have committid murder, hourdome & theft and obstinate Papists, as divers honest and godly persons of their own native counteriss have testified: not with rigour, but by favour, not of pretended force, but by princely authority. Ex fructu arbor cognoscitur. So God grant in time an effect. La●brymae Croc●dil, (caucto.)  

¶ In these three principal virtues, are contained the liberality of a Christian, thankfulness, plenteousness, & liberality.  

FRom jove the just I Aglaia, 
Aglaya.  am, a grace of lively hue  
which being placed in mortal wight, such sight may n●t me view,  
As carnal man, by shows of love, in arms them embrace,  
no such am I, of substance sure, but aye a lively grace.   

Not seen, nor felt, so pure am I, I let you understand  
a thousand bodies I possess, in every soil and land  
With thousand thousands, to the same: as proof full well doth show,  
in every wight, which seeks by right, all evils to forego:   

Aglaia she, doth doceate, when good of friends they gain,  
with thankfulness to yield dew praise and to acquit with 〈◊〉▪  
How to devise by mindfulness, to make dew recompense,  
'gainst such as they offended have, and that with diligence.   

And those to whom, we have done ill, is sure the persons three,  
Father, Son, and holy-ghost, one perfect god we see:  
By whose great prudency and skill, the world framid so  
with every vital thing there in, the heart the Hind and Ro   

The birds which suore in airy sky, twixt cloud & earth so green,  
a lively show to earthy wight, most comely to be seen:  
The creeping worm, the beasts likewise, some savage fierce & tame,  
not one of these that lives one earth, but Adam gave a name.   

By means whereof they known are now, 
Gen. 15.2 Adam, terra, Earth.  their force their might & strength  
& so by man in these our days, are brought to thrall at length:  
The hugy Whale, with mighty fish in shoals after their kind,  
subdued are by man's devise, thus natures are assigned   

The Dragon's fierce, the Serpent strong, with tongue & teeth doth sting,  
by means of herb the grows one earth, which virtue forth doth bring:  
To cure such sore, to cease the pain, again to bring to ease,  
those persons as infectie are, I plenty do appease,   

What had been growing on the earth, or where had earth now been  
if plenty had not so possessed, why nothing had been seen:  
Ere that the world framed was, a nothing did remain  
than nought at all of truth appeared this proveth very plain.   

Till mighty jove, by word so willed, an earth strait to appear,  
that being done, with splendent shine, of air substance clear:  
With Sun and Moon, with glitering stars, the heavens to adorn,  
divisions then twixt day & tide, the Moon the night, the morn.   

Then Ver, the spring appearid so, by help of Titan's grace  
whose gliding beams, by moisterid heat, green herbs brought forth a pace  
Which being done dame Aestas she, to hasten the effect  
the darling ●eare of Aglaia still, no time did not neglect, 
A waiting nymph or one of the summer seasons.    

But laborid so, till that she had, her Messis lover true  
among the Siluan shrudes him found, the ripenid fruits to view  
Thereby to save each grown increase, ere Hiems did appear,  
commanding Autumn to make haste, as time doth so require.   

That plenty grow may on the earth, as god hath so decreed  
(and why) because that man on earth, thereon may daily feed  
To learn likewise of Copia she, where abundance is of store  
two féebler sort of brethren ours, we do augment the more.   


The Southern wind Libbes.  For as the winter's force is such, when Libbes, his strength extends  
to overthrow that former grew, and stiffenid trees then bends,  
So will the lord our god in deed, cut of such cankered weeds,  
as will and do refuse to help, the poor with friendly deeds.   


Glacie y● frozen e●se o●cice. Exod. 10.  And as by force of sharpenid winds, dame Glacie, beareth sway,  
yet heat of Sun doth force to yield, and so consume a way:  
So shall those greedy grashops they, that Egypt did possess,  
be forcte again from thence to fly, perhaps with out redress.   

If that they do not so relent, as christian laws require  
with Pluto be in fernall hell sure paid shallbe their hire:  
Ulysses he hath sailed so long, 
Virgil. Ovid me. Vlissis soc● in fues.  in vain delight and lust,  
that all his men transformid are, to beastly shape unjust.   

Some to Wolves, which do devour, and some to Viper's kind,  
which doth consume each other so, that small is left behind:  
Some to swine, which daily swells, one delicates so fine,  
and like the master Dog doth bite, when other fain would dine.   

To greedy dogs, some likened are, which keeps the Neat from hay,  
and yet themselves reaps small increase, as greedy guts bears sway  
Like foxes other some there be, which through craft and guile,  
by usury in watching steps, their brother seeks to spoil.   

Devising how by cautall such, so lurking in their den,  
to dispossess the silly sort, Foxes false, no men  
Among the rest great Apes I saw, which pleased Ulysses best,  
with frisking gambols twixt the roopes, daily so were priest.   

Who Cimia, height with voice did speak, which when I did perceive  
I ceased not till that I had withdrawn him by leave  
To know why those transformid were, 
Daniel the 1. Nabuchodonosor the 4. king of the babylonians Virg. li. 6 Aenei●os.  and do continue still,  
whose answer was▪ by jove the just, his promise to fulfil.   

Bereft from shape, through vile delight, as now you may behold,  
like to that Babylonian king, as scriptures do unfold  
And we as Apes among the rest, such flattering mates were when,  
in royal courts, and noble place, we ruled as did men.   

By means of false hypocrisy, each other do deride,  
like Gorgon's, transformed were, and thus like Apes we bide  
Briarens he our gidon is, by power we rule and reign,  
Discordia she, in Pluto's cell, doth threaten lasting pain.   

To those which plenty had on earth, and yet for scarcity sought,  
their furious rage, with Chimaera, a lasting place hath bought   

And for as much as we do doubt, of joys for to inshew  
we will conitinue as we are, lo this is certain true  
Not leaving now, our wontid lore, each one of us in kind  
proceeding so as we began, in this you know our mind.   

When goods we have, all men us love, as kings among the rest  
if nought at all, than Beggar like, in rags must be addressed  
For Gospel's predication, preach still who that will  
we see therein none other grace, we will not come their till. 
The saying of the wicked.    

For who that will the Scriptures fear, shall ever be in doubt  
when Sky doth fall then Larks shall have a place to sore about,  
Thou Hydra fell, devoid of grace, return and that with speed  
else lasting pain shallbe thy gain, the Law hath so decreed.    

Thalia, Plenteusnes.  
Plentiful are the works of the Lord, 
Psal. 130.  in wisdom hath he made them all, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption, for as by the plentiful graces proceeding from God, the children of Israel were delivered, so shall every such nation likewise, that seeketh by obedience, obtain the like: have due consideration then, of the plentiful graces proceeding from God, here on earth, to feed not only our corporal bodies, with the fruits growing on the same, for the term of our natural lives, but also, the unspeakable virtues, which do as mighty rivers so plentifully overwhelm, in manner the whole face of the earth, that scharcely or not at all, any one is able to say, he never have passed by, or through them, or being at one time or other, mould so, that not one of the seeds of mankind is able to excuse himself for the not knowing of so plentiful graces, proceeding from so merciful and heavenly father: in what damnable state, case, or being, are those men, who lasciviously living in this vate of misery, do seek to escape from that, which seeks to save them, 
Tantulus a greedy tyrant being in the water can not dri●, having food in seyght ● cannot feed.  and to embrace that whi●h utterly (if continuance remain in ill) to consume and destroy them, 
* Polidori Virgil● urbanitas aedagi orum li.  Tantaleum, poculum libernus, the very heathen Philosophers hath not ceasid, to depict out divers and sundry warnings, and all to that end, that virtues might be embraced, and vice subvertid & overthrown, because, that like as some festcrid ulcer being once rootyd in the flesh and toucheth the bone, seaceth not by little and little, till it have by such infection, masterid the whole body, and brought it to subjection, forcing it, to give place unto death, the first end of corporal life. Therefore, 
For that there are two. deaths the first death is the end of the body, the second of soul.  as corrupt infections be the cause of the bodily death, so the wicked thoughts engendering contempt of godliness, hastens the soul's destruction: who would not therefore, seeing so great dangers to inshew, by means of disobedience, seek to please so excellent a Lord and protector, that so mercifully and so plentifully powrith forth before us, so many several graces, thereby to pluc● us, (yea) as it were by force, from so many evils, which for sin is left to possess us: for as gold is tried in the furnace, so that good men be tried in time of advercite, which advercite is the daily resisting, of the flesh against the spirit. The awaiting of our adversary, Leo rugens, to none other end is, but to destroy, not the bodies of men only, but also their souls. And in getting inordinate goods through the desire thereof, maketh such most miserable Beggars, from the knowledge of God. And the vain hope in this life maketh them think to be free from such sin, when in very deed they are most bond imppes of that infernal fury. 
Ecce appropinquat hora. Mat. 26.  Such is the sufferance of our just Judge, when he seethe whereunto man is inclined & in that his felicity is wholly set on those things which his fleshy eyes beholdeth, regarding it more better assurance, than the promised place to come, what followeth but a flat distrust of gods promises, to this end therefore is Satan, suffered to be among the sons of men, to stir up strife, to vere and molest them, for which disobedience, first of all the great Dragon that old Serpent was cast out, no more to be among the Just, for envy whereof, as a roaring ●ion, he seeketh to devour the whole race & posterity of mankind, notwithstanding his power reacheth no further than the Lord permitteth, as manifestly appeareth by that patient job, 
job. 2.  whom the Lord of Ostes suffered for a time to be molestid, saying unto Satan: all that he hath, be it in thy power, only see that thou spare his life, the constancy of that just moveth every true Christian to hope, that after dark and stormy tempest of tribulations in this life, for the haven of felicity or triumphant glory, (not by due desert, but by grace) only in Christ, and none but he, a sufficient warning, is this, to those that have ●yes to see, mouths to speak, ears to hear, hearts to conceive with a continual wishing, for the coming of our only Lord and saviour Christ Jesus. But to those that have eyes, & see not, ears and hear not, because they love not, mouth to speak, and do not, hearts to conceive, and regard not, 
Rom. 1.  in such the Gospel abides not. Because God hath given them over to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to defile their own bodies, among themselves, which changed his truth, for a lie, and worshipped and served the things that be made, more than him that made them, which is to be praised for ever and ever Amen. And as they regarded not to know God, even so God delivered them up unto a lewd mind, that they should do those things that were not comely being full of all unrighteousness, fornication wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, debate, dicept, evil conditioned, whisperers, bakebiter●, haters of God, disdainful, proud, boasters, bringers up of evil things, disobedient to father and mother, without understanding, covenant breakers, unloving, truce-breakers, unmerciful, which men though they knew the righteusnesse of God, consider not how, that they which commit such things, are worthy of death, not only they that do the same, but also they which have pleasure in them, that do them. What plenteousness can be more than this, where such store of ensamples are, to bring us from vice to virtue, from being in bondage, to perfect freedom, from sorrow to joy, from poverty to riches, from weariness to ease, from sickness to health, from corruptible thoughts to selestial motions, praising and lawding God, for his so plenteous graces (worthy deserving thanks) to him which liveth for ever and ever. The obstinate for all this will not be reclaimed, and therefore void of all hope by this my warning, without the greater grace & mercy of God, in Christ Jesus. The very heathen are to be preferred, before such, whose words remain, to the utter ruin of all unthankful Christians.  

When a reasonable soul, from virtue flieth, 
Pitagoras   
it waxeth beastlike, and naturally dieth,  
For as the soul giveth life to the corsse  
so justice (in the soul) is cause of lively force.   

NIchil cum fidibus graculo, nihil cum amaracino sui, 
Gellius.   
What Music doth dame Graco yield,  
that prattling jay bedecked,  
Though fair as Fezand fresh in field,  
her corpses is still infect  
What both avail the smarting wound  
with foysterid ointment ill,  
No more than Porcus granting sound  
when pearels are found in swill.   

SO it may happen for this my toil, to have a small reward,  
of such as nothing less doth mean, each virtues to regard  
For such reward who looks forgayn, as worldlings do desire,  
shall miss of virtues just report, small guerdon for their heir.   

And those which gapes for future joys, aspiering kings to be, 
Gratefulness. Cacus, was a privy convair away of cattle.   
not being caulid shall sure fall, these Graces so agree  
Sith plentiful Saturitas, by soferaygne Queen we have,  
to pray I wish, each wight with speed, that God her state may save.  
And so to reign in quietness in Secures safety still  
that crafty Cacus may be spied, and shortnid of his will.    

Euphrosyne, Liberalitas.  
Unto liberality belongeth mercy, and largnes, which hath had her proceading sense the first creating of all things, a virtue no less worthy then either of the rest, through mercy, compassion hath been over all, which is the principal cause of our continuance, by mercy we are saved, by obedience redemid, by liberality sanctified, who is able to acquit such kindness, which provoketh through plenty, in manyfould forewarnings, due thankfulness, for as those things worldly seemeth unfit, neither is convenient to be red, being untermixed with contrary matter, so ensamples divine, require to be joined with none other, than authority advised will allow as fit examples to the same: what greater liberality was there, ever, than this, which when the eternal God plasmator of all things had made the round world so sure that it may not be removed. 
Gene. 2.  The Sun to rule the day, the Moon to govern the neyght, the green herbs for all living beasts of the field, the Seas, floods and waters, not only for every kind of fish, but also for ships to float upon the same, whereby man may see the great works of God, and out of the substance of earth, trees of divers fruits growing from out of the same, with sundry sorts of herbs, as well for beasts, of all kinds, of Serpents, Birds worms as man, in bestowing the same, what greater liberality could be showed. But above all these things, so liberal was our everliving God, that he provided a continual mansion, for all obedient and believing souls, in the heavens there to dwell and abide, after this our passed pilgrimage, never more to be molestid and troubled, these and divers other liberalites giveth occasions to every carnal creature, to consider so great a liberality. Rebecca, 
Gene. 24.  Batuels' daughter did most liberally answer Abraham's servants saying, drink my lord Moses in defending jethros daughter 
Exo. 2.  from the shepherds that would not suffer them to water their sheep. The children of Israel with most prompt & devout minds did give to the work of the tabernacle, 
Idem. 36.  and the holy vestments all thing that was necessary: and the artificers were enforcid to say unto Moses, the people bring to much and more then enough. In which so doing behold the large liberality of the Israelites, but in these our days, it is grown to the contrary: as concerning temples, there needs no new erecting, thanks be to God, there are sufficient and more than are well occupied, in stead of liberality, covetous desire hath brought two parishes to one, and the living of both, to half of one, and yet out of that half, (a third) by inordinate oppression, and although the word of God continue liberal, to the provoking of each liberality in his kind, yet is it not so among the sons of men, for the which it is to be feared (not long to be among us.) A hungry man being used to some slender appetite, and when of that little, day by day, 
Simule.  he be abrydged and lessenid of that little, must needs in the end consume his corrupt carcase: so like wise spiritual livings being already so near sifted, that the donor of many such livings knoweth before he giveth it (as some of them have reportid) the value thereof, & yet notwithstanding the princes duty, which every good subject yieldeth willingly, if he reserve no passel of yn same, yet some part of the fleise he will be sure of, beside some bribe, at the entrance, either in money, or ware. In what state shall that poor minister live, in consideration of daily payment, 
Sequel,  when the living to be in value xx. or thirty. pounds by the ycare, he pay out of xx. pound x. pound, I will not say, out of thirty. pound xx. pound or out of xv. x. Such a donor forgiving deserveth no less reward, then, Ahab, for taking of Nabothes viniard, or jehezi for taking a bribe of Naaman the Assyrian, contrary to the saying of Eliza the Prophet, 
3. Reg. 21. 4. Reg. 5.  as for such a minister he cannot escape unpunished, if unlernid (than is it for need) if learnid then God hath seen according to his wisdom thereby to cut of from the kingdom imperial both giver and receiver. Such greedy doners or patrons, are glad when they have gotten them undiscreet, 
First book, fable the 5. what profiteth a man to win yn hole world and lose his soul.  I will not say Idiots, considering they would sayne have somewhat, as Aesop's Dog, de Cane & carne, hoping of better prosperity, found less, being glad of somewhat, excepting it acommodite, as he or they thinks (for that before they had nothing) not expecting the charge, but the gain, not able to guide him or themselves, much less the congregation, in the mean space, the sheep starve for want of food, and what shall be come of such shepperds or shéepherds, although by authority of man alowid, the authority will not discharge them, before god, except they have such consideration of their unability, that they cease not daily to frequent the counsel of the learned, and so by little and little through diligent endeavour, come to a better perfection: very few there are that so bestow their time. I omit such as he carders, dicers, ale knights fornicators lascivious spenders, counterfeit christians, disquieters of common wealth, seditious persons, quarrelers, studientes in vain and frivolous Arttes. And turn them over to the Prophet jeremis as followeth. Vae pastoribus qui disperdunt, 
Ieremi. 23 Ezec. 34.  & dilacerant gregem pascuae mae. woe, unto the shepherds that destroy and scatter my flock saith the Lord, wherefore this is the commandment of the lord God, of Israel, unto the shepherds that feed my people, ye scatter and thrust out my flock and look not upon them. 
Consider England if thou hast not been brought home, according to the promise.  Therefore will I visit the wickedness of your imaginations, saith the lord: and will gather together the remnant of my flock, from all lands that I had driven them unto, I will bring them again to their pastures, that they may grow and increase. I will set shepherds over them, which shall feed them. They shall no more fear and dread, for there shall none of them be lost, saith the lord: I have seen folly among the Prophets of Samaria, that they preach for Baal, and deceived my people of Israel. I have seen also among the prophets of jerusalem, 
I warning to such as profess the Gospel, to beware of shaking hands & the enemy.  soul adultery and presumptuous lies. They take the most shameful even by the hand, flattering them, so that they can not return from their wickedness. All these with their Cities are unto me as Zodoma, & the inhabiters of Gomorra, etc. Here note the words of the prophets that preach unto you, and deceive you: truly they preach unto you vanity, for they speak the meaning of their own heart, 
Let every true and faithful man, peruse well this chapter, not for a time but daily.  and not out of the mouth of the lord. Am I the god that seethe the thing which is neigh at hand, and not that is far of saith the lord: may any man hide himself so, that I shall not see him saith the Lord. Behold here am I saith the lord, against those Prophets, that dare prophesy lying dreams, and deceive my people with their vanities and miracles, whom I never sent nor commanded them. Whether the papist have thus done (or not) with divers other sectarians. I leave it to the judgement of the Christian reader. Now consider if the charge be so great against false prophets, idle Persons, and loitering Ministers, what is there to be said against those greedy Patrons, spoken of before: the prophet Ezechiel, 
Eezc. ●●.  in the person of God, speaketh as well to the temporal as spiritual, to the king, as to the officer, to the Duke, Carle, lord, Marcus, knight, baron, or others, none are exceptid, from out of the charge of god's commandment. Lac comedebatis, & lavis operiebamini: gregem antem meum non pascebatis etc. You have eaten up the milk, ye have clothed you with the will: the best fed have ye slain, but the flock have ye not nourished, the weak, have ye not holden up, the sick have ye not healed, the broken have ye not bound together, the outcasts have ye not brought again, the lost have ye not sought, but churlishly and cruelly have ye ruled them, was it not enough for you to eat up the good pasture, but you must tread down the residue with your feet, thus my sheep must be fain too eat the things, that ye have trodden down, etc. Knowest thou not this: 
job. 20.  namely that from the beginning ever sense the creation of man upon earth, the gladness of the ungodly hath been short, and that the joy of hypocrites continuéd, but the twinkling of an eye: though he be magnified up to heaven, so that his head reach unto the clouds, yet at a turn he perisheth for ever, in so much that they which have seen him, shall say where is he: he shall vanish as a dream, so that he can no more be found: and shall pass away as a vision in the night, so that the eye which saw him before, shall have no more sight of him, and his place shall know him no more. His children shallbe fain to agree with that poor, & his hands shall restore them their goods. Ahab the king of Israel, 
3 Reg. 22.  would not here Micheas our Lord's prophets, because he prophesied no good unto him, but evil, yet when Micheas was called, he said unto him: here the word of the Lord. So here that which followeth, 
Exempla  to the end that the wickedness of this world may be espied, the better to be eschuid. A certain man proffered a benefice, of the value as he said of xl. pounds by the year, and that he would bestow it one some honest learnid man: which when a sufficient man was presentid after certain talk had, his words were these. 
Some will not stick to profess & gospel: as though very good christians  For as much as it is worth xl. pounds (and yet not xx. pounds in the Queen's majesties books, you shall give me three years value which as he accounted came to vi. score pounds. I would know, what the person of that benefice should have had for his portion to have lived by, in the mean time. Judge whether this be liberalitte or no: or whether such a Caterpillar were worthy of a learned man or no. No marvel though there be so many simple Persons in the ministry, (● yet not so many thanks be given to Go, as hath been,) which some to serve for eight pounds yearly, must have skill in one faculty or other, as gardening, graffing & such like, or else to serve for less wages: in the mean time, when worldly extremities shall thus hinder divine study: 
I o●it 〈…〉 oportunisse 〈◊〉 god's aid for the a ●●●omēt  ● when the shepherds perish for want of knowledge, what shall the sheep do. As for serving of two cures, neglecting of sermons, when in some place report hath told in vii●x xiiii. years was never hard passed, four in some placely one, & none at all. I marvel not much, seeing the Patrons and givers of such, is so prodigiously orderid. I will omit likewise the liberality of divers toward such as have traveled in the country (but not ubique) for than must it needs perish all together. That for their painful labour, have had a si●der reward, as much as Nihil. But now to return to one more example. A certain man which proffered a benefice, but not the benefit, to such a one, as he supposed would have been glad of his proffer. I have quoth he, a benefice in my hand, to bestow, and it is worth a hunderid pounds by the year. And if you know any ●●uett man, that would bear the name of person. I would give him xx. marks, or rather than fail xx. pounds, and discharge him of all duties so that he should have that quietly to live with all, because the corn, and other tithes, will be a great stay to my house keeping, wh● perhaps he keepeth worse house with all that, than his predecessor before him did, with his own possessions. And as for the great liberality of others, who having the gift of divers benefices, because they will not be seen to receive money themselves, useth this fetch, as soon as any such living falleth into their hands, forthwith one of his or their servants, shall under a colour have it, so that when any of the clergy co●meth, craving master or worship, to bestow it: 
woe be to that place where spiritual pro●●●cion, 〈◊〉 ●ay temporal men's ●●age●: the ministry brought to beggary, & 〈…〉 to gentility.  the answer is made, with all my heart, you should have had it, but it is now to late, I have given it already, they the suitor as void of all hope, taketh his leave, which being no sooner gone, he to whom the benefice was ip●crised, taketh the person, vicar, or such curate by the sleeve, & saith, if to pleasure you with this benefice, (which may be better called a Malifice by that time all be considered) what will you give a good fellow to obtain your suit, whose answer if it be nothing, then as short a farewell: if somewhat, according to the desire of Capax, than he shall have it perhaps as much again, as the first fruits cometh to, he shall pay for that friendship, & such escape very well, if nothing be not taken from of the said living, for some yearly reward, such wicked dealing of men consumeth the one and other, as rust doth the iron, as moths the closh, as sin, doth the soul, which is not to be recovered. The occasion which moved Euphrosyne to speak, is because the world should better understand, the liberality divine, and seeing all things from thence proceedeth of love: we thereby should so love each other, that the fruits of play● dealing (without hypocrisy) might 〈◊〉 ●●ode to our mortal fame, and 〈◊〉 felicity, which till it be re●●●red, and used in his kind, non● other thing is to be lo●ed for, than a subversion general. The great abundant liberalities from God: should move us to such liberality, as worketh each salvation, and not damnation. But for as much as Satan, the enemy of all flesh, hath to blinded the eyes, of the greater number, no marvel why the world continueth in such great wickedness, for the which may well be said. 
Mat. 22.  Multi enim sunt Vocati, pauci Vero electi. For many be called and few are chosen. If to speak of the liberality of the heathen, read the ancient Philosophers, whose notes are sufficient to reasonable minds, and although, far from the knowledge of the true god, yet notwithstanding in their lives, 
Theatre 〈◊〉 of the heathen was call●d jupiter.  & manners, (more just) for that the one sought not to oppresie nor v●●s the other, nevertheless confessed one principal God, whom they called jupiter: the which they held as chief, above their other gods, by whose intelligence the world was made. And that he was the first, before all other creatures. O you ancient Britons who hath bewitched you, to fly from the vengeance to come, bring forth therefore the works of repentance, and behold how mightily god hath delivered you: from falling into many vain & superstitious errors, above those Nations, which for ensample follow: be no more such greedy gatherers, for the which shall perish: but be liberal, with such Christian consideration, as may increase a perpetual fame, 
Aristotle  for where honest & virtuous men be advanced, and well rewarded, it stireth the courage, of them that have any spark of virtue, to increase therein, with all their force and endeavour, wherefore next to the helping, & the relieving of a commonalty, the greater part of liberality is to be employed, on men of virtue, and good qualities: wherein is to be required, a good election & judgement, that for hope of reward of favour (under the cl●ke of virtue, be not hidden the most mortal poison of flattery.) Liberality that is upon flatterés employed: And upon greedy Caterpillars, which when they know not how to live, procure advantages of acts, to spoil a common wealth, not sparing temporal, nor spiritual, though for a time flourish, is not only perished, but also spoiled and devoured ●e is liberal that delighteth more in good renown, 
Seneca.  (then in money) for as liberality maketh friends of enemies: So pride maketh enemies, of friends, 
Socrates.  Paucunius reporteth the greatest part of godliness is to knowledge the greatest part of god's goodness, toward us, & to give only praises unto him, from whence all things are yeldid to our purposes: The aunciant Panimes, 
Pagan gods.  had gods of divers sorts; howbeit, the cheese of all were these, which they called, Dijs electi, chosen gods, from heaven, which gods, as they thought sometime, dycendid from heaven to earth, as janus, Saturnus, jupiter, Geminus, Marcurius, Apollo, Mars, V Vlcanus, Neptune, Sol, Orcus, Vibar, Tellus, Ceres, juno, Minerva, Luna, Diana, Venus, Vesta, with as many strange & several gods and goddesses esteeming some of more dignity than other, as of one Cautius, a God so namid among the rest, whom they much honoured, also the goddice Lunica, whom they comendid their women quick, and great with child, to send them safe deliverance: the God, Opes, among the gentiles, was called, the God of the Babe new borne, even as Lucina, was goddice of the mother which b●re it, their custom was, that during the time of the mothers quickening, she carried the image of their God Opes, upon her belly, made fast to her girdle or garment, till the hour of her delivery, so that if the child were well born, the parents that day made great oblations to the Idol, if it happenid the child to be dead born, straight way the parents, of the child, dy● beat the image to powder, or else bourn it, or drown it: The gentiles also had an other God called Vaginatus, which God, was hanged, about their childer's necks, to keep them that they wéept not, much, for that they supposed, if their children did weep much in their youth, they should suffer great troubles, in their agée: with divers other Gods as Cumius, Victoria. The old romans likewise had also divers gods, as Ruminus, Stellinus, Adeon, Mentallis, whom they called the God of wit, such wit among the supersticius Romans transformid into idolatry, as it appearech not shaken of unto this present. The jews also had divers gods, for the which they were diversiy plagued, in that they revoltid from the true and eternal God, 
Exo. 32. Num. 21. judg. 7. 4. Reg. 17. 4. reg. 19 3. reg. 18. 4. reg. 21. Daniel. 6  as for ensample the golden Calf, as for Baalim Astaroth among the Israelites, Rempham, Moloh, Rimmon, a God of the Assyrians, Dagon, among the Philistians, Nefrah, Baal, Bell, the men of Babylon made Socote, Benoth, the men of Cutha made Nergall, the men of Hamath made Asima, the Auites made Nibbaz, and Tharthake the Sepharnites, burnt their children in the fire, for Adramalech, & Anamelech, with a pe●●iferus company, of gods, beside it doth appear in the sacaryd scriptures how & in what manner they were plagued, which ensamples are left unto us to beware whom the ●nds of the world are come upon, or at the least not far of, it is come to pass in these days among such as are namid Christians, to have as many gods, 
●dealtery, waywardness, a l●c●●rer, one that telleth more than all, abstinate persons, 〈◊〉, ●●atter●●● with the 〈…〉 whereof 〈◊〉 all disorder. 1. Cor. 15.  as ever had any other nations before us which seemeth very strange, which is the only cause, why the greater noumber, are drawn, from the fear and obedience of the mighty God, by whom we have our being. As Maechus, Morosus, Carnifex, Pantolabus, Pertinax, Rapax, Colax, Philopolemus, Philosarchus, Pigricia, invidia, Luxuria, Auaricia, ●a, Gula, Insolentia, Poliphagus inventus, Mergus cum Asinus, with such ara●lement as were not to be supposed to dwell in one such, so little eyle, where as so many gods, are reigning & possessing the bodies of men, no marvel though their be so little liberality, for the every such person hath not enough to make due sacrifice to each of their gods, no marvel though men's minds, be thus wandering & daily forgetting of their due obedience to God, Prince and country, when they are drownid by carnal corruption, to be acquainted with so many: no marvel thought man hath been like●id to the Moon, which seaceth not her changing, for that man continueth not in one stay, neither in mind nor body, and that in the midst of life we are in death, but then to whom ought every one to flee, not to fancy, not to carnal friend, but unto God, and seeing that in the midst of life there is none other help, but in the cross of Christ crucified, by the which we are dead, unto the world, and living unto God, how much are we bound to thank him for the same, felix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum, than all th●se devouring gods, would soon be overthrown, for as much as the devil useth, in divers and sundry of his ministers, daily to poscesse and torment the minds of men, thereby, to with draw them from God, how much are those bound to the all mighty, which giveth them warning in such liberal sort, as in these our days is most manifestly seen, the ensamples are many, of the which I will resit one Zacheus 
Luke 19 I contrary ensample to the mind of some.  in distributing of his goods, and making of restitution was very large, and liberal, thus he said unto our Lord, (behold Lord the half of my goods I give to the poor) if I have done any man wrong I restore four fold, a good example for these present days, to every such person, whose conscience daily accuseth them, for wrong gotten goods, from the poor, from the fatherless & widow to restore to every one his own, then would God his kingdom increase, and Sathan●s diminish, consider what a special grace is given to every one that is torn in the time of Christian law which is the Gospel. And seeing the innumerable fancis of men, in the which they have seperatid themselves from 〈◊〉 now through the bright shining Gospel of Christ all these detestable fancis are 〈…〉 that dareth take the name of a Christian, and 〈…〉 follow that which in the e●●erance of this 〈…〉, but to God: some 〈…〉, ●hat at the time of his entrance, he had neither 〈…〉 reason to perform, them may it be 〈◊〉, if he never heard the Gospel preachid, thought, or read, if he answer no, then appeareth n●●ligence, if yea, then indigent or conceptions, b●th are rewardid with death, the one in that through negligence he did not, the other in that to follow sensual appetite, he would not, & therefore could not serve God & Mammon, which Mammon, is the God of worldly delights, as also Esculanus, the God of mines of gold & silver, Pecunia, of metals, Fessoria, of travalors and pilgrims, to keep them from weariness, Pelonia, to drive away enemies out of the land, Esculapius of sick men, Spinensis, to keep corn, from thistles and such like. Rubigo, the vines, Fortuna, of fortunate success, with Silla, Marius, Muta, Genoria, Stimula, Murcia, with many others, not worthy the rehearsal. These people long time past, were not more troubled, in devising gods, for such their purposes, as the most part in these days are, by daily practising, how to beguile each other, so that the craftiest merchant, is counted the wisest man, the common drunkard, the best fellow, the riotous Ruffian, the best companion, the filthy adoulterer, the amorous lover. The blasphemist swarer, the truest dealer, the most Ipocrit, the perfectest Christian: &c: the wicked in their generations are wiser, 
Psal. 7 Eccle. 8 Luke. 16  them the children of light, nevertheless, they shall perish, the wrought of the Lord shall consume them, for their delicate fare in the world, they shall suffer hunger of soul, for their oppression, pain, for their easy lives, 
Apoc, 22  most horrible ends, come Lord jesus, for the daily oppression of the faithful, is great: and ease them from out of this misery, when and at such time, as thy Godly wisdom shall appoint.    

¶ Significations of the later day to be at hand with approved prophises, avouching the same, taken out of the holy scripture, by authorities as followeth.  
W● unto thee, 
Esay. 29.  O Ariel Ariel, thou City that David dwelled in, go on, from year to year, & let the Lambs be s●ayne, I will lay séeg●, unto Ariel, so that there shallbe heuy●es and sorrow in it, and it shallbe unto me, even as an altar of slaughter, I will besiege thee round about, and fight against thee through a bulwark, and will rear up ditches against thee, thou shalt be brought down & shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall go low, out of the dust, thy voice also shall come out of the ground, 
Ariel, after 〈◊〉▪ Dieron●● interpretation, 〈…〉, y● 〈◊〉 mind ● of the faithful, which is the City of god, Leo dei mei, which being oppress●●, because of offence, is as a Leon that lost hath her young.  like the voice of a witch, and thy talking shall whisper out of the dust, more over, the noise of thy straying enemies, shallbe like thin dust, and the multitude of tyrants shallbe as dry straw, that cannot tarry, even suddenly and in hass, shall there blast go, thou shalt be visited of the Lord of Boasts, with thunder, earthqua●, and with a great noise, with storm & tempest, and with the flame of a consuming fire: and the multitude of all nations, that fight against the Ariel, shallbe as a dream, even so shall all they be that make war against it, and strong holds to overcome it, and that lay any siege to it: in conclusion, it shallbe even as when a hungry man, dreameth that he eating, and when he awaketh his soul is empty: Or as when a thirsty man dreameth, that he is drinking, and when he waketh he is yet faint, and his soul hath appetit, even so shall the multitude of all nations, that fight against Zion: pon●er these things, once, in your minds and wonder, blinded are they themselves, 
* Let the wise learn what is meant, by the drunken and unstable.  and the blind gyds to other, that are drunk, but not with wine: they are unstable, but not through strong drink, for the Lord hath covered you with a ●umbering spirit, and hath closed your eyes: your Prophets also, and your rulars, that should see, them hath he covered: And the vision of all the Prophets, is become unto you, as the words of a book, that is sealid up, which men deliver unto one that is learned, saying: read thou it, and he sayeth I cannot, for it is sealid: 
* A notable mystery, for this present time, be twixt ●. stoles, the tail lighteth on the ground. Admirare. Deut. 6. So hath he from the bondaige of papal tyranny. jocl. 2.  And the book is given unto him that is not learned, saying: read thou it, and he saith I am not learned. Therefore thus hath the Lord said: for so much as this people, when they be in trouble, do honour me with their mouths, and with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And the fear which they have unto me, proceedeth of a commandment that is taught of men, therefore will I do marvels among the people, even marvelous things, I say and a wonder: and when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying what meaneth these witnesses, ordinancis and Laws, which the Lord our God, hath commanded you. Then thou shalt say unto thy son, we were Pharaos' bondmen, in Egypt, and the Lord brought us out of Egypt, with a mighty hand, and the Lord showed signs and wonders for the delivery of his people Israel, therefore sayeth the Prophet joel: Ye shall well know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, yea and that there is none other, and my people shall no more be brought to confusion, after this will I power out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons, & your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions: yea in those days I will pour out my spirit upon servants and maidens: 
Admirabilis.  I will show wonders in heaven above, and tokens in the earth, be neath, blood, and fire, and the vapour of smook, the Son shallbe turnid into darkness, and the Moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 
A liberal and most merciful proffer, to miserable flesh. A principal note, by the way, of the right use of the Sabbath Exo. 31.  And the time shall come, that whosoever calleth on the name of the Lord shallbe saved. And the Lord said unto Moses, speak unto the children of Israel, and say: in any wise see that you keep my sabboth's for it is a Sign, between me and you, in your generations, for to know, that I the Lord, am he, that doth sanctify you, keep my sabboth's, therefore, for it is holy unto me, he that de●ileth it, shallbe slain, for whosoever worketh therein, the same soul shallbe rootid out, from among his people: Six days shall men work, and in the seventh day, is the Sabbath of the holy rest, of the Lord, whosoever doth any work on the Sabbath day, shall die: Wherefore let the children of Israel keep the Sabbath that they observe it throughout, their generations, that it be an appointment, for ever, for it is a Sign, between me, and the children of Israel for ever. Such wondrous Signs hath the Lord showed from time to time, to the end that every Christian man should have due regard, to this so holy a commandment: from Mount Sinai, the thundering voice, 
Exo. 20 Exempla Gen. 2 Exo. 16 Exo. 20 Nun. 28 Nun. 15. 2 Esd. 13 1. Mach. 2. 2 Mach. 15 Mat 12 1. Reg. 21.  was a sign of force which ought not to be broken, not a rest for man only but also the whole family and cat-tail. The observation of the Sabbath, had his original, beginning of that that is said, & written, God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it, because that in it, he rested from all his works, the Isralites gathered the vi. day a double quantity of Manna, because that on the Sabbath they should rest, to the intent that man should labour to get the true rest. And on the Sabbath day there were offered two lambs, & upon the other days but one, except in solom feasts. The man that was taken gathering of sticks, upon the Sabbath day, was by god's commandment stoned to death (of Nehemias, the Gentiles, judas, Machabeus Nichanor, with others.) Concerning the observation of the Sabbath, for farther proof reed the authorities: The Pharisees said unto the disciples of Christ, that did pluck and eat the ears of corn, ye do that which is not lawful to do, on the Sabbath day, but the lord said unto them, have ye not read, what David did etc. Then followeth: 
Mat. ●● Luke 6.  the son of man, is also Lord of the Sabbath day, there are divers ensamples why it was lawful for Christ to heal the diseased on the Sabbath day, for that being perfect God, 
Idem 1●. Idem 13 Idem 23. john 19 Act 1●. Luke 14.  and man, he did not only heal the festerid or putrefied bodies, but also their souls. The Sabbath day, for us Christians, is most apt, and convenient to hear the word, and law of God, and the Prophets. The which are read every Sabbath day: Likewise our saviour Christ, in fulfilling the law, gave us this commandment saying, which of you having an Ox, or an Ass, fallen into a pit, and will not pull him out on the Sabbath day. Num licet Sabbato sanare, they to whom jesus spoke which, were the Lawyers & Pharisees. Answered nothing therefore, as the sabbath ought to be kept, holy from bodily works, so ought all men to eschew vicious thoughts: and crafty imaginations. And when any occasion of doing good, by any manner of way, aught to be showed, that then it be done, with Christian endeavour, and purity of mind. In which ●o doing, the sabbath is both reverently, and holily observed. But the crabbed & wayward natures of this time, present, have so much presumed upon this text and others, that some hath and doth, as blind baier●s, not spared to labour and travail, on the Sabbath day, without any need or occasion at all, alleging, notwithstanding, that necessity hath no law, so that under the colour of necessity, they use all days a like. Applying the text of the sacred scriptures, not to the will and commandment of god, but after their own carnal fancies: for the which there so great abusing of the reverend Sabbath. 
joel. 3  The Lord will show strange signs from heaven, fire, & brimstone, storm, and tempest, which shallbe the portion for the wicked: The Son, and Moon shallbe darkenid, and the stars shall withdraw their light, the Lord shall roar out of Zion, and cry out of jerusalem, that the heavens, and the earth shall quake with all, but the Lord shallbe a defence unto his own people, and a refuge for the children of Israel: 
jeremis. 25  I have risen up early, I have given you warning in season, but you would not hear. Behold therefore the words of the Lord, that are at hand, to plague us, as he hath plagid others, and that every (obstinate) shallbe scatterid as dung, upon the earth: Pray therefore to God, to bless his preachers, that the Gospel may flourrish (as it ought) or else we perish.  

¶ Prophecis by particular.  
WHen thou art in tribulation, 
Deut. 4 By this word [thou shalt) the spirit of God mou●h men tore pentance. Esay. 2.  and when all these things that be here spoken of, are come to pass, thou shalt return again to the Lord thy God, and be obedient unto his word.  
THis is the word that was opened unto isaiah, the son of Amos, upon juda, and jerusalem, it will be also in the last days, that the hill where the house of the Lord is buldid, shallbe the chief among hills, and exaltid above all little hills: and all nations shall pray unto him, & the multitude of people shall go, speaking thus, one to an other, let us go to the hill of the Lord, and to the house of the God of jacob.  
HHare the word of the Lord, O ye children of Israel, for the Lord must punish them, that dwell in the land. And while there is no truth, there is no mercy, there is no knowledge of God in the land, 
Oseas. 4.  but swearing, lying, manslaughter, theft, athoultry have gotten the upper hand, and one blood guiltiness followeth an other. Therefore shall the land ●e in a miserable case, and all they that dwell therein, shallbe rootid out.  
IN the later days, it will come to pass, that the hill of the Lords house shallbe set up higher than any mountains or hills, yea the people shall press unto it, 
Macheas 4.  and the multitude of the gentiles shall hast them thither saying: come let us go up to the hill of the Lord, & to the house of the God of jacob, that he may teach us his ways: and that we may walk in his pats, for the Law shall come on't of Zion, and the word of God from jerusalem, and shall give sentence among the multitude of the heathen: and reform the people of far country's.  
FOr mark the day cometh, that shall bourn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all such as do wickedness, shallbe as straw: 
Mala. 4.  and the day that is for to come, shall bourn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, so that it shall not leave them, neither root nor branch: But unto you that fear my name, shall the Son of righteousness arise, & health shallbe under his wings.  
Jesus, went out, and departed from the Temple: 
Bartholome de proprietatibus, ●erūi● Lib. de cimo quarto.  And his Disciples came to him, for to show him the building of the Temple (in jerusalem) and jesus said unto them, see ye not all these things. Verily, I say unto you there shall not be left here, one stove upon an other that shall not be cast down: And as he sat upon the 
* Mount Olsaete, to in jury neigh unto jerusalem, & so namid because, of the plenty of Olives that grow there on, at the foot of the said mountain runneth the brook torrens, Ce●ron, which brook christ passed over to the garden Gethsemane, ●ousing there to walk. Mathae 24 4 Esdras 13.  mount Olivet, his Disciples came unto him saying: tell us when these things shallbe, and what sign shallbe of thy coming, and of the end of the world, & jesus answered & said unto them: take head that no man deceive you, for many shall come in my name saying: (I am Christ, and shall deceive many) and ye shall here of wars, & of the rumours of wars, but see that ye be not troublid, for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet: For nation shall rise against nation, and realm against realm, and there shallbe Pestilence, hunger and earthquakes, in certain quarters, all these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they put you to trouble, and shall kill you, and ye shallbe hated of all nations, for my name's sake: & then shall many be offended, & shall betray one an other, and shall hate one an other, and many false Prophets shall arise, and shall diceyve many: and because iniquity shall have the upper hand, the love of many shall abate, but he that endureth unto the end, the same shallbe safe.  
Moreover when ye see the abomination of desolation, whereof is spoken by Daniel the Prophet: Stand where it ought not, let him that readeth understand, then let them that be in ivory, flee to the mountains, and let him that is on the house top, not decend down into the house, & let him that is in the field, not turn back again, unto the things that he left behind him, for to take his clothes, with him, woe shallbe to them that are with child: and to them, that give luck in those days, but pray that your flight be not in the Winter, for there shallbe in those days, such tribulation, as was not from the beginning.  
BUt before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, & bring you before Kings and Rulers for my name sake. etc. 
Mar. 13 synagogue, were huge temples of the Pharisees and rebellious Iwes. Luc. 21  Yea ye shallbe betrayed of your fathers, and mothers, and of your brethren, and kinesmen, and friends, and some of you shall they put to death: and hated shall ye be of all men for my name's sake, yet there shall not one hear of your heads perish, by your paciens possess, your souls, (after these and other things) there shallbe signs, in the Son, and in the Moon, and in the Stars, and in the Earth, the people shallbe in such perplexite, that they shall not tell, which way to turn themselves, the Sea, and the waters shall roar, and men's hearts shall fail, them, for fear, and for looking after those things, which shall come on the earth, for the powers of heaven shall move, and then shall they see the son of man, come in a cloud, with power and great glory, when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redempsion draweth nigh.  
Verily verily, I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see heaven open: 
john 1 D●phan sew the heavens open being the first Barter. Acts 7 john 16  And the Angels of God, ascending and descending unto the son of man: These things have I said unto you, because you should not be offended: They shall excommunicate you, yea the time shall come, that whosoever killeth you, will think that he doth God service, and such things will they do unto you, because they have not known the father, neither yet me, but these things have I told you, that when that hour is come ye might remember them, that I told you.  
THe spirit speaketh evidently, that in the later times, 
Paul 1. Epistle 4. cap. to Timo.  some shall departed from the faith, & shall give heed, unto the spirits of error, and devilish doctrine of men, which speak false, through Ipochrisi, etc.  
THis understand that in the last days, shall come perilous times, 
Paul 2. Epistle 3. cap. to Timo.  for men shallbe lovers of their own selves, covetous, bostars, proud, cursed speakers, disobedient to father and mother, unthankful, unholy, unkind, trucebreakers, stobberens, false accusers, riotous, fierce, despisers of them which are good, traitors, heady, hie minded, greedy upon voluptuous, more than the lovers of God, having a similitude of godly living, but have denied the power thereof and such abhor.  
THis first understand, that there shall come in the laterdays, mokers, which will walk after their own lusts and say, where is the promise of his coming, for since the fathers died, all things continue, in the same estate, where in they were at the beginning, for this they know not, 
2. epistle of S. Peter.  and that willengly how that the heavens a great while a go, were, and the earth that was in the water, appeared up out of the water, by the word of god, by the which things, the world that then was perished, oveflowed with the water, but the heavens verily, & the earth which are now, are kept by the same word in store, & reserved unto fire against the day of judgement, & perdition of ungodly men.  
BEhold the Lord shall come with thousands of Saints, to give judgement against all men, & to rebuke all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly committed, 
Jude epistle.  & of all their cruel speakings which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.  
Unto him that loved us, and wasshid us from sins in his own blood, and made us kings, and priests, unto god the father, 
Revelation.  be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.    

¶ Ane advised prophesy.  
¶ In Anno 1041. this picture was found in the temple of the jacobines in Geneva, against the wicked government of papal dignity.  
This picture was made by jacobus jaquiri de C ui tate Taurini 1041.  

judicabit judices judex generalis,  
Hic mihi proderit dignitas papalis,  
Sive sit Episcopus sive Cardinalis,  
Reus condamnabitur, nec dicetur quales.   

Hic nibil proderit quinquam allegare,  
Neque exciperere neque replicare,  
Nec ad apostolicum sedem appellare.  
Reus codamnabitur, nec dicetur quare.   

Cogitate miseri, qui vel quales estis,  
Quid in hoc judicio, dicere potestis,  
Idem e●it dominus, judex actor testis.   
The substance of the Latin horse.  

THe mighty jove the judge of all, which fitteth in throne above  
Shall judge each Papal dignity, the rabble whole remove  
Such as the one the other is, and Cardinals like wise  
For their deformid flattery, the Lord will them despise  
And judge of all, both quick and dead, when Popes shall boil, in bulls of lead.   
AS from the beginning, from the first token, or appeared show unto Noah: the Rain bow, the fire from heaven, the prophising by the Prophets, the star at Christ his birth, the prophises sense, the innumerable Comets, hails, Thunderings, Earthquakes, strange deaths, prodigius births as well of creatures as beasts, famines, hungers, seditions, false religions, sects, opinions, fantasies, with an innumerable enormities, all these sufficeth not to be forewarnings to the most part of the world, for the which cause, as the end of these few ensamples, so shallbe the end of such insolent persons be.  
SIbilla Albunea, or Tiburtina, one of the ten Sibelles, 
Polichro●●con. Cro●ica●nm  prophised of the ruin of Romae, which came to pass in that time, when julius Caesar, came with sword to raze the same, the Ancient figures wear these. R.R.R. F.F.F. which signified. Regna Romae. Ruet.  

IN three things, twice told, shows Rome's destruction, 
Prophecy Con●adum Licosthenem. Pucerus in libro de divinatione. Nauclerus. Platina.   
Sword, fire, and hunger, concludes the subversion.   

THe reign of the Romans, or this ruinated shallbe,  
by sword fire and hunger, the gods so decree.   
IN Anno. 315. Constantine the great contended against Maxencius: for showing shameful cruelty against the Christians: about which time was great persecution in the church: there appeared in the air a banner or displayed ensign, whereon was figured the figure of Christ on the cross, after which figure cusued great persecution.  
CElestinus same time Pope of Romae, 
Warning before death. Fasciculus temporum. Warning by viūo●.  prophised of Bonifacius the eight, which came to pass accordingly he came to his Popedom, by craft, like a Fox, he reigned by force like a lion. And for his cruelty, was put to death like a dog.  
IN Anno. 1046. as histories relate. Benedictus, the ninth Pope, after his burial, he was, or the devil in his likeness, seen in an horrible figure, 
Licosthines. Platina Look in Bartholomeus. and Gesnerus for the property of a Bear The glory of this world is foolishness before go, he must be worshipped in spirit and v●ritie. Mar. Anno. Warning by v●sion and death  having the body of a Bear, the tail of an Ass, clothed in his pontifical vesture. And being asked why he was so deformed, should answer, because without law he governed, and as a cruel tyrant used oppression. In this strange figured appearance, should seem some advised interpretation: the appearing of the Pope in the shape of a bear seemeth contempsious and wilful, and as the Bear above all things loveth honey, so the pope's for the most part hateth not money. And where as to such a monstrous body, was joined the tail of an Ass: by the tail may be signified: the whole rabble of papistical prelate's, which as concerning the true acknowledging of the Gospel are but Asses, for that some knows & will not, others not knowing regards not, the rich and costly garments or vesture, may signify the golden copes and costly ornaments, where with such bears are clothed in the church, esteeming more such glittering attire: with the tradition of men, than a plain or comely garment, with the gospel of Christ.  
IN the year of the foundation of Romae, 720. and in the 42. years of Marcus Aurelius, the xx. day of August, about the going down of the Sun, in the realm of Sicily, in the City of Palermo, a pert of the sea, there chanced a marvelous and terrible tempest no less miraculous, then wonderful. A hideous Monster sitting, in a cauldron fastened to four wheels, like a Chariot or Wagon, drawn of two Lions & two bears be hind casting out fire, with horrible stink, which sight amazed not a few, the fear was so great through out the City, that women with child were with great danger delivered: and divers being faint hearted died through fear. After this Monster had been in the most parts of the City, he came to the Palace or place, where the pirates were, 
A good ensample for such as seeks to live by other men's goo●es.  or robbers on the sea, being inhabitants of the said Palerna, who had robbed certain of the Numidians a people so named, of their substance, staying at the gate, which being shut did cut of one of the Lion's ears and with the blood thereof wrote as followeth. R. A S.P.I.P. which carectes signified. Redite, Aliena Si vultis, Propria, in pace, Possidere, render to others that which is theirs, if you in quiet will possess your own. Although this figure, with divers others, did terrify the people in time past, and their conversions likewise from their evils: an ensample to us of our amendment. Notwithstanding such is time present, 
Mat. 4. Vigillate, et Orate.  that neither the Prodigious births, the miracuculus signs, nor dreadful threatened plagues withdraweth the world from contempt, for the which such careless livers shallbe plagued with. F.S.H.P.D.D. Fire, Sword, Hunger, Pestilense Death Damnation.   

A Saxon Monument.  
Multi enim sunt vocati pauci Vero electi.  Math. 22. 

Witodlice manega zint, gelathode & featha gecorene,  
Manega, ga zurete, & halega, featha heothan.   

Many be called, but few doth speed,  
As many be warned, yet few take heed.   

More head than wit, more hair than will,  
Makes England thriftless, and young heads dull,  
When necks be long, no ho in the filling,  
And pleasures preferred, in lands small tilling.  
When divers fashions in apparel are worn,  
And beggars being more poor, so nearly are shorn.  
When one won back, is showed divers countries lore,  
A monster must needs be, so told before.  
When Glandene will be the whole world itself,  
A spaniard, Italian, French, Flemmishe and elf.  
All showed in apparel, when this is at prime,  
Then some place be heedful, for sure it is time.   
This picture following on the other side of the leaf, was made by Namtab a Saxon, in Anno 3751. against the abuse of that present time.  
Time's past hath been, as now to be seen.  
Ezechiel. 4. As wise as Serpents. Esay. 3. As subtle as Devils. Timothe. 3. As crafty as Foxes. Amos. 2. As ravening as Wolves.  
The long schull betokeneth Crafty imagination: The pleasant countenance, Flattery: The long neck, Excess in eating and drinking: The right arm being shorter than the left, betokeneth small Devotion: The bag of money Covetousness: The left arm, Wilfulness: The sword Cruelty: The strange disguising in apparel, Pride.  
¶ The praise and commendation of holy men, to the end, that such works may proceed, as may grow to the like commendation of those which be living with a remembrance of certain wicked ones, which do prognosticat that hole number.  
Behold every one of you that profess Christ, (without decimulation) the substance of verity, 
3. reg. 18.  leave of your halting between two opinions, if God be the true creator follow, him, if the proud Antichristian, be a deliverer, then follow him, if the traditions of men, be, to be, preferred, before the law and testimony of jesus Christ then mark the ensamples as they follow: Enoch, 
Eccle. 44  walked right and acceptable, before the Lord, therefore, was he translated for an ensample for a mendment, of the generation.  
NOah, was a steadfast & a righteous man, & in the time of wrought, he became a reconsiling, therefore was he left a remnant unto the earth, when the flood came, and an everlasting covenant, 
Gen. 9  was made with him, that all flesh should perish no more, with the water.  
ABraham, was a great father of many nations, 
Gen. 22.  in glory was there none like unto him, he kept the law of the highest, and came into a covenant with him, he set the covenant in his flesh, and when he was provide, he was found faithful. Likewise of Moses, Aaron, Phinches, joshua, Caleb, Samuel, Nathan, David, Solomon, Elyah, Elyzeus, Hezekiah, Isaiah, josyah, jeremy, Ezechyel, Zorobabel, jesus, Nehemyah, Enoch, joseph, Simon the son of Onias, with divers other Prophets, & kings. These in that they walked, according to the commandment of God, have left behind them, a perpetual cause, of praise and commendations, and as these in godly life practised, to please God, so the wicked, by contempt of the same have left behind them, a discomendation of their wicked and most pestilent behaviour.  
Abimelech, 
jud. 9  the Son of jeroboam, flew three score and ten of his brethren, to the intent, he might reign alone, and yet he ruled not long there, but sustained great misfortune, and made and evil end.  
NOtwithstanding that joab, was a valiant man, at arms, yet in as much as he deceitfully flew two men, all that ever he had done before was counted as nothing. And so Solomon, caused him to be slain, 
3. reg. 2  notwithstanding, he healed the corner of the altar.  
IOas, 
2. Para. 24.  the king of juda commanded Zacharias, the son of joiada, the Pressed, to be stonid to death, and yet his father restored him the kingdom, and slew Athalia.  
PTholome, 
1 Mach. 16.  the son of Abobus, made the high priest, and his two Sons a banquet. And when they were merry, and had drunk well traiterusly he slew them.  
It was showed Holofernes, that the children of Israel, preparid themselves, to make resistance against him, 
judith 5.  for the which he was exceeding wrough, and at the last in his drunkenness, he was slain by judith.  
THe cruelty of Antiochus of Nabuchodonosor, of Pharaoh, of Herod, of Zambrye, 
2. reg. 17.  Achab, Achitophel, Benadab, Aman, Balthasar, Alchimus, Ananias and Saphira, 
3. reg. 16.  Herod, Dioclesian Astyages, Maxinilian, Emperor of the Romans, 
1 Mach 9  Cambices, Tomiris, Tullia, Tarquin, Nero, julianus, with an infinet numbers, 
Acto. 2  who Satan hath not a litlte triumphed at their overthrow, 
Cronicarum.  I omit to speak of the Sea of Rome who hath not sparid to put more to death, by tyrannical devices, then before their original, was ever heard of, sense the flood: millions of thousands, whose blood requireth no small revenge.  
THe very heathen, in their kind, are to be preferred, before those, and such like, persecuting tyrants, and in especial the Philosophers, have left behind, a worthy commendation of their wisdoms, to the great discomendation of such tyranny Papal, as Anacharsis, Anaxagoras, Archelaus, Alex, Severus, Augustus Caesar, Chilon, Cicero, Crates, Diogenes, Democritus, Demosthenes, Epimenides, Hermes, Homer, Horace, Isocrates, justinus, Lycurgus, Marcus Aurelius, Pitagoras, Pline, Plato, Solon, Socrates, Seneca, Thales, Xenophon, with many others, whose wise senteuris, and faithful sayings, are to be found, in our vulgar tongue, by such worthy members, as deserve perpetual fame, for such their painful labours.  
THe wise, grave, learnid, and ancient Doctors, of the Church, did not in their time more paynfu●●y study to keep the Church in purity of doctrine: then the wicked generations, of papistical invention, have laborid to bring all to ruin, and decay, to this end that such laws as they devised might take place, and yet in despite of satanical tyranny, the Lord hath reserved some since the time of Quintilianus, Timotheus, Victorius, Dionysius, Ignacius, Policarpus, Hyreneus, 
Corinthorum.  Origen, Cypranus, Erasmus, Hilarius, Athanasius, Gregorius, Basilius Magnus Ambrose, Hilarius, Cyrillus, Hieroimus, Auguistinus, 
Naziazenus.  that have valiantly defended the Gospel to their perpetual fame, and worthy commendation, not by writing only, not by preaching and teaching of the sacarid word and Gospel, but also with their blood have sea●id the said testimony of truth: the most part hereof, if not by present death, yet by inprisonment perceusion, 
Romae universalis, inquisitionis.  with divers strange manners of punishments, as Huldricus Huttenus, Adamas Sibertus, Albertus Brandeburgen, Alexander Alexis, Andrea's Musculus, Andreas Osiander, Antonius Anglus, Arturus Britanus, Antonij, Reuclim, Bartholomeus, Bernardi, Bernardus Zieglerus, Bullingerus, Calvinus, Hieronimus, de prague, Carolus Molinaeus, Cornelius Agrippa, Conradus, Gesnerus, Gulielmus Tindalus, joannes Frith, joannes Fox, joannes, Hoperus, Oecolampadius, joannes Oldecastle, joannes Bale, Nicolaus, Herford, Nicolaus Ridley, Robertus Stephanus, Vuolfangus Musculus, Erasmus Rotorodam, joannes jewel, with a number more, which would require no small volume, to be nominatid at large: All, and every of these, with the rest godly professors and martyrs, although, their bodily presence be absent, yet their works remain, to aperpetuall encouraging, of those which be leving. The omnipotent God so grant that this my small enterprise, occasion some that are learned, to note at large this my short collection, which being done, will deserve due commendation, for as the enemies of the Gospel of Christ jesus, have made Books, by the name of an universal inquisition, and therein have named, not only the names of the Christian sort, but also their Books, to the end, that their generations may the better know what they allow, & what they hate or dislike, so were it as necesseray, for these present days, some such Books to be made wherein, the true Christian may both see and ●now which Books, were to abolished, as well for the maintenance of christian religion, as the wicked ones have for the glory of theirs which glory shallbe done away. 
rom. 1  The God of peace and love, so bless us, that in all our works, words, and deeds, 
Idem. ●.  it may be to his glory, with the preservation of this our Déene, and country: with due obedience in the same, that Satan, may be suppressed: Antichrist overthrown: & that the gospel may have clear passage, through the whole world: And that those which are blind, may thereby be made see, through the dimned clouds of superstition the clears light of Euangelion, the Gospel, and those which are gone astray, may once find the way home. And that those which are at home, 
Luke 15.  may departed in peace, the after this Pilgrimage here on earth, we may rest with Abraham, Isaac, & jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. Amen.  
¶ A commendation of such, as desire knowledge, with a wished mind, of the numbers increase.  

Strive by truth, thy fame to win,  
take heed betimes, 
Imaginacio.  ere thou begin  
Evermore be sure of this,  
perhaps, thou mayst in time else mis.  
Hold by truth, as anchor sure,  
evils present, will procure  
Nothing better saveth life,  
then to eschew debate and strife.  
Covit only God to please,  
provide in time so follow ease  
Envy is not now alone,  
restless rage doth cause to moon.  
These notes doth prove by gods decree,  
where grace is not none saved we see  
Then find your name, by letters due,  
so shall you know if this be true.   

WIthout the true knowledge of God, 
Emblemata. Boecius Periander. Marcusaurelius in the Book ti titeled the sayings of the wise or Dialogue of Dunces.  I doubt good rule to find,  
lies highly being magnified, leaves of when time assind,  
Imagine then what flesh doth gain,  
a show by proof of endless pain  
Master then corrupted lust,  
requiring aid of jove the just.  
Bear this in mind what state thou be,  
except degrees as order signs  
Evermore think thou dost see  
thy filthy acts which world blinds.  
Seek so for health, that truth thee guide,  
taste of her fruit whose verdured sap  
Duly will save at every tide,  
nought else but this will breed thy hap.  
Then see by this such substance just  
when name is gone where to we must.   

Alexanders', conquest great, could not a God him find, 
Philosofia.   
nor valiant acts mought not prolong, no such life was assind  
In midst of wealth, likewise of fame, what country could him hold,  
such fatal end, by love the just, was speedily controlled.  
Dardanus, entrance nothing sure, by Percian, oft could once procure,  
the end of all is death we see, which ends in time our misery   

THalestris, hasdrubal, Olimpias, Mago, Agathocles Selencus, 
Poema●●.   
with many thousands more,  
By dent of Sword, were long suppressed, unto their countries wo.   

Minerva, Ariadne, Sabina, Creusa Helena, Affra, Lavinia.  
their wisdoms, beauty, or renown, where to now is it come,  
In histories old, who will unfold, there is the perfect some.  
So live to die, that worldly fame: may after death report thy name.   

WIlliam that valiant Duke, a Norman by dicent,  
by dent of sword this land enjoyed, 
Ann. 1066. Gavelkind. Historia.  when Harold, did relent  
Record thereof in stories are, and ●éeke to Kentes renown,  
a law to hold with freedom theirs, though valiancy did frown.  
Use medestie, for such thy hap then lasting praise shall how,  
no foreign power shall thee annoy, of none such be controlled  
Except this warning friendly then, the Prince defend and keep  
relent from sin, to God do trust, that Christ in clouds mayst meet.  
Each name so found, give God the praise,  
that live each may beyond all days.   
FINIS.   

IMPRINTED AT London by Thomas East, for William Norton, and Stephen Bateman.