¶ The governance of Virtue, teaching all faithful christians, how they ought daily to lead their life, & fruitfully to spend their time unto the glory of God & the health of their own souls. Newly corrected & augmented by Thomas Becon. 1566 ¶ Imprinted at London by john Day. ❧ cum PRIVILEGIO Regie Maiestatis. THOMAS BECONUS SACROSANCTAE THEOLOGIAE PROFESSOR. AETATIS SVAE. 41 ANᵒ. DN̄I. 1553. Ora expressa vides vivos immitantia vultus, Quod potuit calamo pictor & arte vides. Mentis quam Nullus potuit tibi redere pictor, Effigiem scriptis prebuit ipse suis, To the Godly Reader. GRace groweth after governance, Is an old said saw in each place: If governance hath good resemblance Grace delighteth to follow the trace. Grace glorieth in godly governance, Grace hasteth ●…o her haule and palace. Grace doth godly governance advance, And cause it to excel in each place. Where governance is godly wise, Sage Sober, Honest, and Prudent: There doth grace, gloriously devise, To have her seat aye permanent. But if governance be wicked, Idle wanton, undiscrete and vain: Grace which is godly disposed, With such governance can not remain. This book shall thee instruct therefore, Thy life virtuously to leave: That grace with thee may evermore, Remain as Gods most blessed seed. To fight against Satan and sins To repress errors and heresies: To pray to God his grace to win, In this book to learn thou mayest devise. Take thou it therefore in good part, As a joyful jewel for thy wealth: And give God thanks withal thy heart. Which by his word worketh thy health. As for my travail and pain, I crave none other recompense: But thy life virtuously to train, That thou mayest enjoy gods presence▪ FINIS 3. Regum 1. If a man be virtuous, there shall not an hear of his fall to the ground. But if wickedness shallbe found in him, he shall die for it. Tobi. 4. love virtue all the days of thy life, and walk not in the ways of wickedness For while thou studiest for virtues, thou shalt have good success in all things that thou goest about and so shall all they that love goodness. A Table to find the principal matters contained in this book. AN exhortation to the Reader. The Epistle dedicatory. How a man should be have himself in the morning when he riseth. A prayer in the morning. A confession of our sins unto God the father. How thou shouldst behave thyself before thou go to dinner. A prayer before dinner. Of the behaviour at the Table in dinner time. A thanks giving after dinner. What is to be done after dinner. Of Supper. A prayer before Supper. Of the behaviour at the table in supper time. A thanks giving after supper. Of going to bed. A prayer to be said when we go to bed. A prayer to be said▪ when thou art in bed. Remedies against all kinds of temptations. Against Idolatry. Against infidelity or misbelief. Against the heresy of such as deny jesus Christ●… to be god. Against the heresy of them, which hold that jesus Christ the son of God, took no flesh of Mary his Mother. Against the gross and fantastical opinion of the Papists, which affirm that Christ's natural body and blood is carnally eaten and drunken in the Lord's supper. Against the plucking away of thy trust and confidence from Christ and his merits, to put in the merits of other creatures, or in thine own good works, or in the intercession of saints, or in sacrifice of the popish Mass. Against such as go about to diswad●… the christian people from the studiing, reading or hearing of God's word. Against strange religion, or new found worshipping of God. Against men's traditions and unwritten verities Against the following of ungodly forefathers. Against the wicked old customs & long usages. Against such as slander Christ's gospel by call linge it new learning. Against pensiveness and thought taking for the life. Against hunger poverty, or carefulness of living. Against keeping of evil company. Against idleness. Against swearing. Against lying, slandering▪ and filthy or unclean talk. Against pride or vainglory. Against feasting gluttony, and drunkenness. Against fornication and adultery. Against covetousness. Against rebellion and disobedience. Against malice, grudge, envy, hatred, and anger. Against the temptation of the faithful in considering their own misery, and contrariwise the wealth of the wicked. Against the most horrible and damnable sin, the sin against the holy Ghost. Against the despising of gods word: and of the plagues that follow the same. Against carnal security and fleshly living without the fear of God. Against the flacknes of doing good works. Against the troublous tempests of sickness, of loss of goods, or any other kind of adversity Against the temptation of the Devil for no●…t satisfying the law of God, and for thy sinful living▪ Against desperation for thy late conversion and turning unto God. Against sin, death and hel●… To the right honourable and most virtuous young Lady jane Semer, daughter to the high and mighty Prince Edward Duke of Somerset his grace, Thomas Becon wisheth increase of godly knowledge in Christ jesus our Lord. THere are no Parents (most godly Lady) that deserve better of the Christian public weal, than they which thorough god's gift having Children, employ all their endeavours to train them up even from their very cradles in good letters & in the knowledge of gods most blessed will, that with their young years, learning, virtue and godliness, may grow and increase and the younglings by this means be made at the last ancient and perfect scholars in the mystery of Christ's school. This careful study and studious care for the virtuous bringing up of youth, god in time passed earnestly required of all Fathers and Mothers in the common weal of his people the Israelites, and according to gods holy commandment such as unfeignedly feared the Lord their God, and wished well to their country, refused no labour, no pain, nor cost that their children might be made profitable members of the public weal. As I may pass over the ancient and holy patriarchs De. 4. 6. ●… which were before the law of Moses (of whose diligence in the virtuous bringing up of their younglings, it is more than double wickedness to doubt, seeing we have this evident testimony of Abraham even of gods own mouth. Shall I hide from Abraham saith god, that thing which I intend to Gene▪ 1●… do. Seeing that Araham shallbe a great and a migh●…ye people, and all the nations of the earth shallbe blessed in him? I know this also, that he will command his Children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, and do after right and conscience. What earnest diligence did the most noble and virtuous King David show in the godly bringing up of his Children, specially of Solomon, that he might become a Prince worthy both for his godliness, learning, wisdom and policy, to rule in the common weal after him? What godly instructions also gave he him, when he was at the point of death? Behold (saith he) I must walk by the way of all the world, nevertheless be strong and quite thy sel●… manfully, and see thou keep the appointment of the Lord thy god, that y● walk in his ways▪ and keep his commandment, ordinances, laws and testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses. etc. Likewise read we of the ancient Father Toby which taught his young Son Toby to f●…are god from his infancy, and to abstain from all sin. His exhortations are to godly and so meet for all persons to learn, that I think it not convenient to pass them over with silence. His words are these. hearken my Son what I will say, and lay my words in thy heart as a foundation. My Son when I am dead bury me and after despise not thy Mother, but honour her all the days of her life, and do to please her, and not to displease her. My Son remember how great peril she suffered bearing thee in her womb, and when she is dead, bury her in the same grave by me. Son reverence our Lord God at all times, sin not, nor break not his commandments▪ but love virtue all the dates of thy life, and walk not in the ways of wickedness For while thou studiest for virtue, thou shalt have good success in all things that thou goest about, and so shall all they that love goodness. Do alms of thy substance and be no ●…igard in doing of it. Turn not thy face away from any poor man, as thou wouldst that God should not turn away his face from thee. give as thou shalt be able, if y● have much, give much, and if thou have little, give of that little. For thou shalt lay up for thee a good treasure against the day of necessity. For alms delivereth from death, and suffereth not the soul to come into darkness. Alms is a great comfort before the highest to all that use it. My Son beware, keep thee from all whoredom and use no evil company besides thy wife, Suffer pride never to rise in thy mind no not in word for death is joined to pride and much trouble, and to haughtiness is joined displeasure and great poverty, and she is mother of hunger. Let no man's hire remain with thee, whose service thou hast had, but forthwith pay his wages, for unto thee also serving God, reward shallbe given. Son be circumfpect and ware in all thy deeds and in all that thou dost, while thou livest, be wise and do not to any man that thou wouldst not to be done unto thee. Drink not wine until thou be drunk nor carry it not with thee by the way, give thy bread to the hungry, and with thy clothes cover the naked. What soever thou hast more than is sufficient give it to the poor, and never grudge to be liberal, set thy bread upon the sepulchres of the just▪ and bestow it not upon the naughty, Ask council always of the wise, and despise no good council. Be always praying unto the Lord, and beseech him that he willorder thy footsteps and ways, and prosper thy devices, for no people are wise, but the Lord himself is the giver of all good things, and thrusteth down whom, and who he listeth. My Son be not afraid, we lead a poor life in this world, notwithstanding if thou fear god, and study to please him, thou shalt have goods enough. Therefore my son remember my precepts, and put them not out of thy mind. Again being ready to die, he called unto him his son and his sons Children, and among all other things he spoke unto him on this wise: keep thou the law and commandments, and show thyself merciful and just, that thou mayest prosper. Have god ever in thy remembrance, and praise him at all times which all thy might In like manner read we of the Parents of that Tob. 14 most godly and chaste woman Susanna, which being righteous themselves, taught their young daughter to fear the Lord her god, even from her very cradle, and diligently brought her up, according to the law of Moses Dan. 18 Luke also in his book of the Apostles, maketh Act. 2●…. mention of the four daughters of Philip the evangelist, which did Prophecy (that is to say) were so godly brought up in the knowledge of gods most blessed law, that they were able to declare and expound the holy Scriptures and mysteries of God joel. 2 according to this prophecy. I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons & your daughters shall prophecy, Doth not blessed Paul also commend Timothe because he had known the holy scriptures even of a child. divers histories more might be alleged out of the holy Scriptures to declare the careful studies and earnest labours which the holyfathers in time passed took for the godly and virtuous bringing up of their younglings, that they might be fathers not only of the body but also of the mind and for their power satisfy the good will of God which requireth of all parents, an earnest diligence & a watching ye in bringing up their children in his nou●…ture and fear, in his word and doctrine, but these for this present may seem abundantly to suffice. Furthermore as touching the heathen, which of them all even from the lowest both amongst the Romans and the Greeks, with divers other nations although having respect not unto the glory of God, whereunto the end of all studies ought to be directed, but only unto the advancement of themselves unto the maintenance of good politic civil and honest orders, unto the ability of ruling in a comom weal unto the polishing of their wit un to eloquence, unto immortality of their name: Enforced not both themselves to be learned, but also sought all means possible to have their children brought up in good letters. That their younglings might become learned, what pains or costs refu sed the parents? They sent their children from country to country, from one learned man to an other. Many of them called learned men home unto their houses, gave them honourable entertainment great gifts and large stipends for teaching their children. There was no burden to heavy, no labour to painful, no cost to charge able for them so that their children might prove learned. If they obtained that, they thought themselves worthy and righteous parents, and to deserve well both of their children and of the public weal. And as every one of them excelled in worthiness and authority, so laboured they that both themselves & their children should excel and pass the base sort in learning, iin knowledge, in virtue & honest behaviour in so much that if any were unlearned, and wanted the godly qualities of the mind, albeit he were of an honourable parentage, he was counted of no reputation, & called a stone, a block, a beast, a golden slave, a sheep with a golden Flcese, an horse trapped with silver, an ass covered with purple with such other despiteful names, so little regarded (even among the Heathen) was noble blood, worldly substance, sumptuous apparel, gorgeous building, delicate fare, and what soever besides the folly she world wondereth at, and most highly extolleth, if learning and virtue were absent. By this means, came it to pass that Philip king of the Macedonians, and his son Alexander, julius Cesar, Darius, Antonius Philosophus the Emperor, Hieron, Attalus, Magones', I●…, Dion Siracusanus, Thebanus Epaminondas, Pompeius, Augustus, Traianus, Antonius Pius, Claudins▪ Tiberius, Titus Uespasianus, Domicianus, Aelius, Adrianus: Galerius, Maximus▪ the sons of Tiberius Gracchus, with other innumerable, became both learned, and the unfeigned favourers of learning, yea and the diligent promoters of learned men. Many of them which were right excellent Emperors and noble kings thought themselves more noble and more worthy of renown for their learning and virtue then for their imperial dignity and princelike authority. When king Alphonsus heard a certain man say, that learning was not seemly for a prince, or for a noble man, he cried out and said, vox bovis non hominis. This is the voice of an ox and not of a man: When a certain man demanded of Isocrates whether he thought the king of the Persians happy and blessed or not, he answered, I know not how much learning and virtue he hath, meaning that the true felicity, happiness, and wealth consisteth not in the flitting and uncertain goods of fortune, but in the constant & immortal treasures of the mind. The bringing up of youth in learning and honest qualities, was so much regarded among the Lacedæmonians, that they made a law, who soever did not study for the honest & virtuous training up of their children in good letters and other necessary arts profitable for a common wealth: the same should be deprived of all such privileges and liberties, as were due to true and faithful Citizens. Our ancestors both among the people of God, and among the heathen, did consider, that the health, prosperity, & safeguard of the common weal, ●…th principally consist in the godly and virtuous bringing up of youth. If they be learnedly & fruitfully brought up, then shall they afterward prove, 〈◊〉 ●…ble Magistrates, some wise and faithful counsellors, some godly spiritual ministers, some learned schoolmasters, some diligent labourers, some cunning artificers, some, yea and all obedient subjects to the high powers, and profitable members of the common weal. contrariwise, if they be brought up in barbarous rudeness and with out any civility or knowledge of good letters & such other necessary arts: it must needs come to pass that they shall be rather pestilences than preservers of the common weal. Therefore did our elders above all things show earnest diligence about the godly training up of their youth, in honest & virtuous exercises, ever setting before their eyes, that learning to a noble man, is a joyful jewel, to the base sort, a sure defence and a mighty bulwark, against the stout storms of froward fortune, & to a common weal a precious preservative. In like manner my Lords grace your father a prince of noble renown in whō●…s in a true mirror lively shineth the beautiful bea mes of right nobility, considering that the office of a worthy Parent appeareth in nothing so manifestly as in the Godly bringing up of youth in heavenly mysteries, that is to say, in the knowledge of good letters and in the study of Gods most blessed word, hath with my ladies grace your mother a Lady of a notable godliness, and of singulere pity toward the poor members of Christ even from your cradles studied to train & bring up both my Lords your brothers, and my Ladies your Sisters and you likewise his grace's children in good literature, and in the knowledge of Gods most holy laws, that ye may learn from your infancy to fear the Lord your God, and to walk in his godly ordinances, and so be come truly noble, not only for births sake, but also for learning and virtue, and for the Godly qualities of the mind. In the which Godly exercises ye have so profited even in these your tender years, that ye ●…aue not only answered but also overcome the expectation of many. If ye go forth according to your beginnings, I doubt not, but that ye shall get to my lords grace, and to my Lady's grace your most honourable Parents, much renown, and to yourself noble fame and glorious immortality. And albeit your good ladyships breast is so furnished withal godly doctrine, that ye need not my simple and homely exhortations to move you unto godliness and virtue, whereunto of your own disposition ye are most willinly bent and inclined, yet to declare some part of my good will toward your Ladyship I thought it not good to let go the occasion offered unto me. Certain weeks past considering the miserable face of this to much wretched and lamentable world, and weighing with myself that the next and most ready way to redress our miseries, is to fly unto God with continual & hearty prayer. I made a book entitled: The Flower of Godly prayers, dedicated to my ladies grace your mother, wherein are contained pray years not only for all degrees and states of men, but also for all other things necessary to be asked of God, either for the body or for the soul, which prayers I would with daily as occasion shall serve, to be used of the faithful. immediately after the setting forth of these prayers, certain of my friends came unto me, and earnestly required of me to peruse and correct the governance of Virtue, which about viij. years paste, even in the bloody wysterous burning time, when the reading of the holy Bible, the word of our soul's health, was forbidden the poor lay people, I gathered out of the holy scriptures, and caused to be printed for the edifying of the simple and unlearned Christians. Yet suppressing my name which at that time was odious to those ou●…s that could not abide the glorious light of gods blessed word, that the book might have the better success, and be the more free from Antichrist's thonderbolt●… I knowing myself debtor to all good men and to all their godly requests, perused the book, wherein I found so many faults thorough the negligence oh the hungry printers, that very pity without any request of friends, might have been thought sufficient to have given me occasion to correct the book which hitherto hath been so greatly desired and greedily red almost of all men, yea and that not which out great profit, as the often printing of the book doth right well declare. I have diligently perused the book corrected the faults changed divers things and added many necessari instructions with divers godly prayers for the edifying of the readers. This little book recognized and augmented (most virtuous Lady) I give unto your Ladyship as a testimony of my good will toward you desiring you to take this my poor gift in good part. And I shall most humbly beseech the Lord our God to preserve my Lord's grace and my ladies grace your honourable parents in good health long life and increase of honour, and to give my Lords, your Brothers and my Ladies your Sisters, and you also grace to go forth in your godly enterprises and Christian studies, that ye may true lie know the Lord your God & the salvation which ye have by his son jesus our alone Saviour, who ever preserve your good Ladyship in continual health and prosperous felicity. Amen. THE GOVERNANCE of Virtue. ¶ How a man should behave himself in the morning when he riseth. When thou risest in the morning, look that thou with all humbleness of mind knelest down, and lifting up thy heart, thy hands and thine eyes into heaven unto God the father almighty, pray on this manner. ¶ A prayer for the morning. O Lord God my heavenvly father I most humbly thank thee, that thou of thy fatherly goodness hast vouchsafed to defend me this night from all evil: I most entirely beseech thee, to preserve me also this day, both from suffering and doing any evil, and to give me grace so to walk in the light of thy holy word, that I may bring forth the fruits of the same unto the glory of thy blessed name, and the profit of my neighbour. Amen. ¶ After thou hast prayed on this manner, seeing we be all sinners, it shall be expedient (if thou hast convenient leisure) to confess thyself to God on this manner. ¶ A confession of our sins unto God the father. MOst grievously have I wretched sinner offended thee my Lord God and heavenly father, both in thought word and deed, in so much that in myself I unnde such unworthiness, that if I did not behold thine exceeding great mercies, set forth in thy dearly beloved son our Lord and saviour jesus Christ, I could not but despair and wholly give myself into the hands of Satan that old enemy of mankind. But when thorough thy grace and holy working, I look upon thy mercies offered freely to all faithful penitent sinners in thy son Christ jesus, for whose sake thou art well pleased with man, and of thy own good will forgive us all our sins when soever we flee unto thee in his name, I cease to despair, & begin to conceive an earnest faith and an undoubted hope of obtaining forgiveness of all my sins in Christ's blood for thy loving and fatherly promise sake. I therefore poor and wretched sinner, most humbly beseech thee for Christ's sake, to forgive me all my sins, where with from the day of my birth unto this present time I have most grievously offended thy fatherly goodness, and to give me grace so to resist the devil, the world, & the flesh▪ and so to order my life according to thy blessed will, that thou mayest delight in me as a father in his son, defend me from all evil, and work in me all good things unto the glory of thy holy name. ☞ After the confession, say the lords prayer called the Pater noster, and so commending thyself unto God, faule in hand with some honest and virtuous exercise, according to thy calling. But whatsoever thou dost, do it with pureness of heart & singleness of eye▪ yea, so do it, as though God were present and look upon thee, as undoubtedly he doth. Of Dinner. ☞ When the time cometh, that thou shouldest refresh thy weary and hungry body, approach unto the table with reverence, and when thou art set, life up thy heart, thy hands and thy eyes unto heaven, and pray unto God on this manner. A prayer before dinner. O Most gentle God and loving father, which mercifully ●…edest all living creatures, we beseech thee bless us and all these thy gifts, which we at this present shall receive of thy bounteous hand, for the refreshing of our hungry bodies, and give us grace to do all things unto the glory of thy name, thorough jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Of the behaviour at the table in Dinner tyme. ☞ When thou hast thus prayed unto god eat thy meat soberly and christianly: eschewing all superfluity, surfeiting and drouckenship. Consider that thy meat and thy drink, are the gifts of God, & are reverently & thank fully to be received▪ Remember that in the time of thy repast, thy behaviour be honest & comely in all things. Let thy communication, as the Apostle saith, ve well savoured and powdered with ●…t: that is to say, seasoned with godly wisdom, that thou mayest know how to answer every man. Let no fill thy talk proceed out of thy mouth, but that which is good to edify, when need is, that it may have favour with the hearers, remem bring that thou shalt give accounts at the day of judgement, for every idle word that thou speakest. Eschew all dissolute and uncomely laughing, lest thou be thereby counted wild, wa●…ton, foolish, & without good manners. Let thy countenance he grave, sober, modest, gentle, and ●…ouyng, toward all that be at the table, and so fashion thyself in gesture, word and deed, as though God and his angels we●… visibly present at the table: And when Dinner is done, give thanks to God for his benefits on this manner. A thanks giving after Dinner. WE thank thee O heavenly father for this our food, which being sāctif●…ed by thy word, thou hast vouchsafe at this present to give us: we beseech thee, that thou wilt also feed our soul's with the lively bread of the word, which cometh out of thy mouth, that we receiving at thy merc●…full hand, meat both for our bodies and souls▪ may live and grow in all godliness unto the glory of thy blessed name, though row jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. What is to be done after dinner. ☞ After thou hast given thanks unto God for thy repast▪ return unto thy labour, & virtuously exercise thyself, according to thy vocation and calling. Employ earnest diligence about thy business, and always in thy mind desire God to bless, to prosper, and to bring to pass all thy counsels, devices, travails, labours and enterprises. Do not thy work negligently and deceitfully, but so labour as though God were present and beheld thee, as unfeignedly he doth. Cursed be he saith Heir my, that doth the Lords work deceitfully. Saint Paul also exhorteth, that what soever we do we should do it heartily, as though we did in unto the Lord, and not unto men: for as much saith he▪ as ye know that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ. Yea verily so many as labour or travail in any virtuous enterprise, they serve God, and of God shall they receive their reward. Therefore in thy calling labour earnestly and diligently, what soever thou be, seeking not only thine own lucre & ●…uaunt age: but much more the glory of God, and the profit of thy neighbour, as the Apostlesayth: do all things unto the glory of God. Again, let every man look not for his own profit, but for the profit of other. Charity seeketh not her own. Of Supper. ☞ When the time is come▪ that thou shalt leave of thy work, and prepare thyself unto supper, even with the same reverence that thou camest unto the table at dinner, come again now: but before thou dost taste any meat, pray on this manner. A prayer before Supper. THe eyes of all things look unto thee, O Lord, and thou givest them meat in due time, thou openest thy hand, and fillest every living creature with the blessing: vouchsafe, O heaven lie father for Christ's sake, mercifully to look upon us, lovingly to bless us, & liberally to give us grace so to taste of these thy creatures, that our bodies being satisfied with the moderate use of them, we may be the more able to serve thee our Lord God, and to profit our neighbour, thorough jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Of the behaviour at the table in Supper tyme. ☞ After thou hast thus prayed unto GOD▪ eat thy meat with a cheerful and thankful mind using the same modesty and honest behaviour, that thou didst use at dinner. And when thou hast supped, give thanks unto god for his benefits on this wise. A thanksgiving after Supper. FOr these thy benefits, wherewith thou hast refreshed our hungry bodies, we thank thee (most merciful fa there) desiring thee that thou wilt also feed our souls with the lively faith in the blood of thy son jesus Christ our Lord, that we believing steadfastly, and working diligently thy holy will, may obtain thy glorious kingdom, thorough the same jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. What to be done after Supper. ☞ When thou hast on this wise give thanks unto God, thou mayest do what thou wilt, so it be godly and honest▪ until thou goest to bed▪ If thou canst read, read thou thyself or else here some other read part of the holy scriptures, that may be to the comfort of thyself, and of so many as be with thee, or pass the time by friendly and honest talk with some of thy lo●…yng and trusty familiares, or else debate with thyself, how thou mayest most conveniently bring that to pass, that thou hast to do the next day following. Of going to bed. ☞ And when the time cometh, that thou must go to bed thou being in thy chamber, to call remembrance how thou hast spent the day past. If thou perceivest, that thou hast offended God in any thing at all, confess thy fault unto him with a repentant and sorrowful heart▪ and desire him of his great mercy for Christ's sake to forgive thee, and promise that unto the uttermost of thy power, his grace working with thee, thou wilt amend that wherein thou hast offended, and walk more diligently in the rules of thy profession. Cry with the Publican. O God be merciful to me a sinner. Cry with that lost son: Father I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Pray with David: for thy name's sake. O Lord, for give me my sin for it is exceeding much. Thus with a faithful heart believing that thy sins are for given thee, content thyself and quiet thy conscience. If thou perceivest, that thou hast that day committed no notable crime▪ then give to God right hearty thanks, which by his holy spirit hath wrought the same in thee: and desire him to increase his gifts in thee, that his glory may be showed in all thy acts & deeds. This done, prepare thyself to bedward, and when thou art ready to lie down, lift up thou heart, thy eyes, and thy hands unto heaven, & pray to God on this manner. A prayer to be said when we go to bed. I thank thee (O heavenly father) by thy dearly beloved Son jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, that of thy free mercy thou hast preserved me this day from all hurts, and dangers. Uouchesafe also I most humbly beseech thee to keep me this night, and to save me ftom all mine enemies both bodily and ghostly. give to my body quietness and fleepe, but let my mind continually watch unto thee, think on thee, and on thy holy law, that when the cheerful light of the day shall spring and appear. I being whole both in body and mind, may joyful rise again: be thankful unto thee, and diligent lie walk in my vocation unto the of thy blessed name, and the commo ditty of my neighbour, thorough jesus Christ thy son. Amen. ☞ When thou hast thus prayed, lie down in thy bed and say on this manner. The Prayer. O Lord God and my heavenly Father, I commend my body and soul into thy hands, that in Christ which is our life and resurrection, thou mayest defend me from everlasting death, and give me that blessed and joy full life of immortality, and that he which is the true light, may pour out the brightness of his grace into my heart, & preserne me both body & soul unto that day of the glorious resurrection where the faithful with joyful hearts shall see thee face to face, and for ever reign with thee in glory. Amen ☞ remedies against all kinds of temptations. Against Idolatry. ☞ If that old enemy Satan goeth about to persuade thee, that there be ●…o gods than one resist him with these Scriptures. ☞ Sentences out of the old Testament. I am the Lord thy God. Thou shal●… Exo. 20 have none other gods in my sight. Understand and mark well that the Deut. 4 Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, neither is there Deut. 6. any other God besides him. Here Israel, the Lord our god is one Lord. Deut. 32 See how that I, yea that I am the Lord and that there is no god but I. Hear O my people I will charge Psal. 81 thee, O Israel, that if thou wilt her●…en unto me, there shall no strange god be in thee, neither shalt thou worship any other god. For I am the Lord thy God. I am the lord, & there is none other. Esay 4●… I am the Lord, & there is else none, It is I that created light and darkness I make peace and trouble, yea even I the Lord do all these things. Am not I the Lord? is there any god but I? A god that is righteous, & such one as saveth, there is none besides me. Turn unto me all ye coasts of the world and ye shallbe saved, for I am God, and there is else none. Have we not all one Father? hath Mal. ●… not one god made us? ☞ An example out of the old Testament. Abraham saw three, & worshipped one Gene. 8 ☞ Sentences out of the new Testament. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy Math. 4 god, and him only shalt thou serve. We have but one god, which is the 1. Cor. 8 Father, of whom are all things, and ●…e in him, and one Lord jesus Christ by whom are all things, & we in him. There is one Lord, one faith, one ba Ephe. 4. ptisme, one god, & father of all, which is above all, & thorough all, & in you all. There is one god, and one mediator 1. Tim. 2. between god and man, even the man Christ jesus, which gave himself a ra●…nsome for all men. There are three which bear record Ihon. 5. in heaven, the father, the word, & the holy ghost. And these three are one. Against infidelity or misbelief. IF Satan at any time moveth thee, unto in fidelity or misbelief, either toward God or his word, by no means lean unto him, unt against his temptation enarme thyself with these holy scriptures. Sentences out of the old Testament. If ye do not believe, there shall no Esay. 7. promise be kept with you. Thy eyes, O Lord, look upon faith. 〈◊〉. 5. The righteous shall live by faith. Abacu. 2. I will marry thee unto me in faith, ●… Ose. 2. thou shalt know that I am the Lord. The wrath of the Lord came upon Psalm. 78 Israel, because they believed not in god, nor trusted not in his saving health. The Lord doth appear unto them S●…pi. 2 that hath faith in him. Woe be to the dissolute in heart, that Eccle. ●…. ●…eleue not god, & therefore shall they not be defended of him. In all thy works put thy trust in Eccle. 3●…. god from thy whole heart, for that is the keeping of the commandments. Who so believeth god's work taketh ●…ede to the commandments: and he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall want nothing. Examples out of the old Testament. Abraham believed god, & it was reckoned Gene. 15. unto him for righteousness. David being a young man and of 1. Reg 17. ●…itle stature thorough faith in the name of the Lord of hosts, fought with that proud monstrous gyante Go●…iath the Philistine, and slew him. Dan. ●…. Sidrach Misach, and Abdenago thorough faith, choosed rather to be cast into a hot burning furnace, then at the kings commandment to commit Idolatry, and to worship strange gods. Daniel thorough faith wished rather Dan. ●…. to be cast quick into the den of Lions, then by the space of thirty days, not to pray unto the Lord his god, according to the king's commandment. ☞ Sentences out of the new Testament. He that believeth & is baptized shallbe Mat. 16. saved. But he that believeth not, shallbe condemned. As many as received christ he gave john. 1 them power to be the sons of god, in that they believe on his name. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the Ihon. 3. wilderness: so must the son of man be lifted up, the so many as believe in him may not perish, but have everlasting life. For god hath so dearly beloved the world, that he gave his only begot ten son, that every one that believeth in him, may not perish, but have everlasting life. He that believeth in the son of god, is not condemned. But he that believeth not, is already condemned, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten son of god. He that believeth in the son hath everlasting life, but he that believeth not in the son, shall not see life, but the wrath of god abideth upon him. This is the will of him that sent me john. 6. that every one that seeth the son & believeth on him, should have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day. I am the resurrection and life, he that Ihon. 1●…. believeth in me, although he were dead yet shall he live, and every one that lie liveth and believeth in me, shall not die everlastingly. Ye believe in god, believe also in me, Ihon. 14. saith Christ. Be i●… known unto you, ye men & brethren Acts. 89. , that thorough the name of Christ is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and that by him are all that believe ▪ 15. justified from all things, from the which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. With faith doth God purify our Acts. 1●… hearts. The righteousness that is allowed Rom. ●…. before god cometh by the faith of jesus ●… Christ unto all, & upon all that believe We being justified by faith are at Rom. ●…. peace with god, thorough our lord jesus christ by whom we have a way in, though row faith unto this grace, wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the praise that shallbe given of god. Christ is the perfect fulfilling of the Rom 10. law, to justify every one that believeth. If thou wilt knowledge with thy mouth Esay. 28. that jesus is the lord, and believe with thy heart, that God raiseth him from death, thou shalt be saved. For the belief of the heart justifieth, and to knowledge with the mouth maketh a man safe. For the scripture saith: who soever believeth on him, shall not be ashamed. What soever is not of faith is sin. ●…m. 14. All ye are sons of god, because ye ●…lla. 3. have believed in Christ Iesu. In Christ jesus neither is circumcision ●…la. 4. any thing worth, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love. By grace are ye saved thorough faith, ●…e. ●…. ye & that not of yourselves. It is the gift of god, & cometh not of works, because no man should boast himself. Above all things take unto you the 〈◊〉. ●…. shield of faith whereby ye may be able to quench all the fire darts of the devil. Heb. 11. Without faith it is not possible to please god. For he that cometh unto god, must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder to them that seek him. Be ye sooner and watch, for your adversary 1. Pet. 5. the devil goeth about like a roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour, whom see that ye resist with a strong faith. This is the victory which overcometh the world, even our faith. ☞ Examples out of the new Testament. The woman that was diseased by Math. 9 the space of. 12. years of the bloody issue, thorough faith was made whole. The woman of Canane thorough Math. 15. faith, obtained of Christ health for her daughter. The father of the child possessed with Mar. 9 a devil from his childhood, obtained of Christ thorough faith, perfect health for his son. Bartimeus the blind man thorough Mar. 1●…. faith recovered his sight. A certain sinful woman thorough Luke. 7 faith obtained of Christ forgiveness of all her sins. The Apostles of Christ thorough faith Acts. 5 notwithstanding the high priest's commandment, continued in the preaching of Christ's gospel, and both patiently, joy fully, & thankfully, suffered all kinds of displeasure for the name of the Lord Iesu. Rede the .11. chap. of the Epistle unto the hebrews, where thou shalt find plenty of examples concerning this matter. Against the heresy of such as deny jesus Christ, to be God. IF Satan at any time moveth thee to doubt of the godhead of Christ as though he were only man & not God, a creature or a thing made, and not the creator and maker of all things, enarme thyself against him with these scriptures. ☞ Sentences out of the old Testament. Unto us a child is borne, and unto Esay. 9 us a son is given, upon his shoulder doth the kingdom lie, and he is called with his own name, wonderful, the giver of council, the mighty god, the everlasting father the prince of peace. & ●… In that day it shallbe said: Lo, this is Esay. 25 our god, we have waited for him, & he shall save us. This is the Lord, in whom we have hoped, we shallbe merry and rejoice in the salvation that cometh of him. They shall see the glory of the Lord, & Esay. 35 the majesty of our god. And therefore strength the weak hands, & comfort the feeble knees, say unto them that are of a fear full heart, be of good cheer & fear not. Behold your god cometh to take vengeance, & you shall see the reward the god giveth. God cometh his own self, & will deliver you. Then shall the eyes of the blind be lightened, and the ears of the deaf opened. Then shall the lame man leap as an heart, and the dumb man's tongue shallbe loosened. O that thou wouldst cleave the heavens Esay. 64 in sunder, and come down. Behold, I see four men going lose Dan. 4 in the midst of the fire, and nothing hurt, and the fourth is like the son of god to look upon. Out of Egypt have I called my son. Ose. 11 This is our god, & there shall none other Baru. 5 be compared unto him. It is he that hath found out all wisdom, and hath given her unto jacob his servant, and to Israel his beloved. Afterward did he show himself upon earth, and dwelled among men. The Lord said unto me, thou art my Psal. 2. son, this day have I begotten thee. Thy seat (O god) endureth for ever, Psal. 45 the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. The Lord himself had me in possession Prou. 7. in the beginning of his ways, or ever he begun his works afore time. I have been ordained from everlasting, and from the beginning or ever the earth was made. When I was borne, there were net their depths nor springs of water. Be fore the foundations of the mountains, were laid, yea before all hills was I borne. The earth and all that is upon the earth, was not yet made, no not the ground itself. For when he made the heavens I was present, when he set up the depths in order, when he hanged the clouds above, when he fastened the springs of the deep, when he shut the sea within certain bounds, that the waters should not go over their marks that he commanded. When he laid the foundations of the earth, I was with him, ordering all things, delighting daily, and rejoicing alway before him. I came out of the most highest, first borne before all creatures. I caused the light that faileth not Eccle. 24. to arise in the heaven, and covered all the earth as a cloud. I will be his father, and he shallbe 2. Reg. 7. my son. ☞ Examples out of the old Testament. WHen god created the earth and all Gene. 1. things therein, he said: Let us make man in our Image, after our own likeness: this word, us. doth evidently declare that there be three people in the godhead, the father, and the son, and the holy ghost. Whereof it manifestly followeth, that as the father is god, and the holy ghost god, so likewise is the son god, yea true and natural god, hegotten of god the Father from everlasting. Abraham saw three, and worshipped Gen. 18 one, saying: Lord I beseech thee, if I have found favour in thy sight, go not away from thy servant. ☞ Here it is evident also, that there are three persons in the deity, and yet notwithstanding they three are one God. Therefore like as the first and the second persons in the deity are very God (I mean the father & the holy ghost) so likewise is the second person in, the trinity, I mean the son, true & natural God, worthy all honour and glory for evermore. GOd said unto Moses I am the god Exod. 3 of thy father, the god of Abraham, the god of Isaac, and the god of jacob. ☞ Here also is evidently declared the blessing and glorious trinity, and that there be three persons in the godhead, and yet one God: so that as the father is God and the holy ghost God: so likewise is the son God. IN the same year that king Osiah Esay. 6 died, I saw the Lord, saith the Prophet Esay, sitting upon an high and glorious feat, and his train filled the temple. And about him stood Seraphins, whereof every one had. 6. wings With twain each covered his face, with twain his feet, & with twain did he flee. They cried also each one to another on this manner. Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts. The whole world is full of his glory. ☞ This word holy, thrice rehearsed, doth also manifestly declare that there are three per sons in the godhead, and that they three are one God: Christ therefore the second person in the Trinity, is very God. King Nabuchodonosor commanded Dan. 4 these three men, Sidrach Misach and Abdenago, to be cast into an exceeding hot burning oven, because they would not become idolaters and at his commandment, fall down and worship the golden Image. And when they were bound in their coats, bosen, shoes, with their other garments and cast into the hot burning oven, the king looked into the oven, & said unto his counsel: did ye not cast these three men bound into the fire? They answered unto the king, yea, O king. He answered and said, lo for all that, yet do I see four men going lose in the midst of the fire, and nothing corrupt, and the fourth is like the son of god to look upon. Here is a manifest testimony that jesus Christ is the son of God, and God himself, as we shall evidently learn of the histories of the new Testament. ☞ Sentences out of the new Testament. His name shall be called Emanuel, Mat. 1 which is by interpretation, God with us, or God and man. This is my well-beloved son, in Mat. 3. 17 whom I have great pleasure. Thou art Christ the son of the living Mat, 16 God. Without all doubt this was the Math. 27 son of God. He shall be great, and shall be called Luc, 1 the son of the most highest. That holy thing which shall be born, shall be called the son of God. In the beginning was the word, & the Ihon. 1. word was with god & the word was god We saw the glory of the word, as the glory of the only begotten son of the father. No man hath seen god at any time, the only begotten son: which is in the bosom of the father, he hath declared him. Thou art the son of god, y● art the king of Israel. He that believeth not, is condemned john. 3. already, because he believeth not in the name of the only begotten son of god. The father loveth the son and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth the son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not on the son, shall not see life, but the wrath of god abideth on him. I am that living bread, which came john. 6. down from heaven. Except ye believe that I am the son john. 8. of god, ye shall die in your sins. I and my father are one. john. 10. I believe that thou art Christ the son of john. 11. god, which should come into the word. Dost thou not believe, that I am in john. 14. the father. and the father is in me? This is everlasting life, even to john. 17. know thee the alone true God, and whom thou hast sent jesus Christ. O father thou lovedst me before the john. 20. world was made. These things are written, that ye might believe, that jesus is Christ the son of god: and that in believing ye life through his name. jesus Christ was declared to be the Rom. 2. son of god with power of the holy ghost. Christ is the image of the invisible Colos. 1. god, first begotten of all creatures. For by him were all things created, things that are in heaven and things that are on earth, things visible and things invisible, whether they be majesty or lord ship, either rule or power. All things are created by him and in him, and he is before all things, and in him all things have their being. We look for that blessed hope and Titus. 2 glorious appearing of the great god & our saviour jesus Christ. God in time passed diversly and many Hebr. 1. ways spoke unto the Fathers by the Prophets, but in these last days he hath spoken unto us by his Son, who he hath made heir of all things, by whom also he made the world. Which Son being the brightness of his glory, and very image of his substance, bearing up all things with the word of his power, hath in his own person purged our sins, & is sitting on the right hand of the majesty on high, and is more excellent than the angels, in as much as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they have. For unto which of the angels said be at any tyme. Thou art my son, this day begat I Psal. 2. thee. And again, I will be his father and he shall be my son. And again, when he bringeth in Act. 13. the first begotten son into the world, he saith: & all the angels of god shall worship him. And of the angels he saith: he maketh his angels spirits, & his ministers flames of fire. But unto the son he saith: God, thy seat shall be for ever and ever. The sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. jesus Christ yesterday and to day, Heb. 13. and the same continueth for ever. Who is a liar, but he that denieth that jesus is Christ? The same is the Antichrist that denieth the father & the son: who so ever denieth the son, the same hath not the father. Let therefore abide in you that same, which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning shall remain in you: ye also shall continue in the son and in the father, and this is the promise that he hath promised us, even everlasting life. For this purpose appeared the son ●…. john. 3. of god, to lose the works of the devil. This is god's commandment that we believe on the name of his son je sus Christ. In this appeared the love of god towards ●…. john. 4. us, because that god sent his only begotten son into the world that we might live thorough him. Who is it, that overcometh the ●…. john. 5. world, but he which believeth that jesus is the son of god. God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in his son. He that hath the son, hath life, and he that hath not the son of god, hath not life. We know that the son of god is come, and hath given us a mind to know him which is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his son je sus Christ. The same is very god and eternal life. Examples out of the new Testament. God the Father proclaimed jesus Mat. 3. 17. ●… Christ both when he was baptized and transfigured, his only begotten, natural and well-beloved son, saying: this is my dearly beloved son, in whom I have great pleasure. Two men possessed with devils called Math. 8. jesus the son of god saying: O jesus the son of god, what have we to do with thee Math. 13. The men which were in the ship, seing that the wind ceased so soon as Christ was come into the ship, said unto him, truly thou art the son of god. When Christ demanded of his does Math. 17. ciples, whom they thought him to be, Peter in the name of all the disciples answered and said: thou art Christ the son of the living god. When bishop Cayphas said unto Math. 26. Christ, I charge thee in the name of the living god, that thou tell us whether thou be Christ the son of god, Christ answered: thou hast said. Nevertheless I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and come in the clouds of the sky. When the Centurion and they that Math. 26. were with him watching jesus, saw the earthquake, & those things which happened they feared greatly, saying: Of a surety this was the son of god. They brought to Christ a man sick Math. 9 of the palsy, lying in his bed, & when jesus saw the faith of them, he said to the sick of the palsy, son be of good cheer. Thy sins be forgiven thee. And behold certain of the Scribes said in themselves, this man blasphemeth. And when jesus saw their thoughts, he said: wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? Here Christ proveth himself god against all his enemies two manner of ways. first, in that he forgiveth sins. For no man can forgive sin but god alone. Secondly, in that be knoweth the very hid and secret thoughts of men. For who searcheth the hearts and rains of men but god only. When a certain man possessed with Mar. 15 an unclean spirit saw christ a far of, he came running and worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice, saying: What have I to do with thee, O jesus, thou son of the most highest god? The high priest asked Iesu●… and said Mar. 14 unto him, art thou Christ the son of the blessed? He answered, I am. And ye shall see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Christ said unto nathanael: Before Ihon. 1. ●… that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the ●…ygtree, I saw thee. Nathanaell answered and said unto him, Rabbi, thou art even the very son of god, thou art the king of Israel. jesus answered and said unto him: Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the figtree, thou believest: thou shalt see greater things than these. And he said unto them, verily verily, I say unto you, hereafter shall ye see heaven open, and the angels of god ascending and descending over the son of man. The miracle which Christ wrought john. ●…. at the marriage in Cana by turning water into wine, proveth him manifestly to be god. After the sermon that Christ made john. 6. of the eating of his flesh, and the drinking of his blood, many of his Disciples understanding his words grossly (as the papists do understand the words of the lords Supper) went back and forsook him, and walked no more with him. Then said jesus to the twelve, will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord to whom shall we go? Thou haste the words of eternal life, and we believe and are sure that thou art Christ the son of the living god. jesus heard that the jews had excommunicate john. 9 the blind man, whom he had made to see, and when he had found him, he said unto him: dost thou believe on the son of god? He answered and said: who is it Lord that I might believe on him? And jesus said unto him, thou hast seen him, and he it is that taketh with thee. And he said, lord I believe, and he worshipped him. Martha said unto Christ, I believe that john. 11. thou art Christ the son of god which should come into the world. jesus said to Thomas, bring thy Ihon. 20. finger hither, and see my hands and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and be no more faithless but believing. Thomas answered and said unto him: My Lord and my god. jesus said unto him: Thomas, because thou hast seen me thou hast believed, blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. The eunuch said unto Philip: see Acts. ●…. here is water, what doth let me to be baptized? Philip said unto him. If thou believe with all thine heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that jesus Christ is the son of god. The restoring of the blind to their sight the raising up of the dead unto life, the cleansing of the lepers, the healing of them that were diseased with the palsy, the restoring of men possessed with devils & unclean spirits to their whole mind, the making of the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak, with the other mi racles that Christ wrought, do evidently prove Christ to be the natural son of god, yea and god himself. Against the heresy of them which hold that jesus Christ the son of God took no flesh of Mary his mother. ☞ I feyther Satan with his subtle suggesti on's, or any of his decetifull work men with their crafty reasons and falsifying the holy scriptures, go about to persuade thee that jesus Christ the son of God, took no flesh of that blessed virgin Mary his mother, but brought his body with him from heaven, enarme thy sel●…e with these authorities of gods word against their pestilent and damnable darts. Sentences out of the old Testament. I will set enmity between thee and Gene 3. the woman, between thy seed and her seed. The very self same seed shall tread down thy head, and thou shalt tread upon his heel. In thee all kindreds of the earth shall be blessed. In thy seed shall all the nations of Gene. 22. the earth be blessed. The sceptre shall not depart from Gene. 49. juda, and a law giver from between his feet, until S●…lo come, and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. He shall bind his fool unto the vine, & his Asses colt unto the branch. He washed his garment in wine, and his man till in the blood of grapes. His eyes are redder than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk. There shall come a star of jacob and Num. 24 raise a Sceptre of Israel. Out of jacob shall he come that shall have dominion. I will raise them up a Prophet from Deut. ●… among their brethreb like unto thee, & will put my words in his mouth, & he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him, and whosoever will not hearken unto the words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. I will set up thy seed after thee, which 1. Par. 1●… shall be of thy sons, and will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house and I will establish his seat for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son, and I will not put away my mercy from him, as I did from him that was before thee, but I will set him in my house, and in my kingdom for ever, & his seat shall be sure for ever. I have sworn once by my holiness, that Psal. 89 I will not fail David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his seat also like as the sun before me. He shall stand for ever more as the moon, and as the faithful witness in heaven. The Lord hath made a faithful oath Psalm. 132 unto David, and he shall not shrink from it, out of the fruit of thy body shall I set upon thy seat. Behold a virgin shall conceive & Esay. 7. bear a son, and shall call his name Emanuel. Unto us a child shall be borne, & unto Esay. 9 us a child shall be given, upon his shoulder shall the kingdom lie, & he shall be called with his own name, the wondrous giver of council, the mighty god the everlasting father, the prince of peacer he shall make no end to increase the kingdom and peace, and shall sit upon the seat of David, and in his kingdom to set up the same, to establish it with equity and righteousness from henceforth for ever more. This shall the jealousy of the Lord of hosts bring to pass. There shall come a rod forth of the kin Esay. 11. dread of jesse, & a blosson out of his root. The spirit of the Lord shall light upon it, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of council & strength the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of god, etc. Behold the time cometh saith the jere. 23. Lord, that I will raise up the righteous branch of David, which shall bear rule, and discuss matters with wisdom, and set up equity and righteousness again in earth. In his time shall juda be saved, and Israel shall dwell without fear. And this is the name that they shall call him, even the lord our righteous maker. john. 29. Behold the time cometh saith the lord, that I will perform the good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel, and to the house of juda. In those days and at the same time. I will bring forth unto David the branch of righteousness, and he shall do equity and righteousness in the land. In those days shall juda be helped, and jerusalem shall dwell safe, and he that shall call her, is even god our righteous maker. For thus the Lord god promiseth: David shall never want one to sit upon the stole of the house of Israel. I will raise up unto them one only Eze. 34, 37 shepherd even my servant David, he shall feed them and he shall be their shepherd, I the Lord will be their god, and my servant David shall be their prince. Even I the Lord hath spoken it. Understand this and mark it well, Dan. 9 that from the time it shall be concluded to go and to repair jerusalem again, unto Christ, there shall be seven weeks. Then shall the streets & walls be builded again, 62. weeks, but which heard trou blous time. After these 62. weeks shall Christ be slain, and they shall have no pleasure in him. Thou Bethelem Ephrata art little Mich. 5. among the thousands of juda, out of thee shall come unto me, which shall be the governor in Israel, whose out going hath been from the beginning and from everlasting. Zach. ●…. Be glad and rejoice O daughter of Zion: for lo, I come to dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. At the same time there shall many heathen clean to the Lord, and shall be my people. Behold I will send my messenger Mal. 3 which shall prepare the way before me and the Lord whom ye would have, shall soon come to his temple, ye even the Messenger of the covenant whom ye look for. This is our god, and there shall none Barue. ●…. other be compared to him. It is he that hath found out all wisdom, and hath given her unto jacob his servant, and to Israel his beloved. Afterward did he show himself upon earth, and dwelt among men. Examples out of the old Testament. AFter that Adam and his wife thorough the crafty persuasions of Satan had transgressed gods commandment, god in the presence of them both, even for their comfort and for the quietness of their conscience, said unto the ser penned. I will set enmity between thee & a woman, between thy seed & her seed. The self same seed shall tread down thy head, and thou shalt tread upon his heel. These words of God the father spoken unto the serpent, show evidently and manifestly prove, that jesus Christ our Lord is the true and natural son of Mary, and unfeignedly took his flesh and humanity of her. For this word seed, in this place signifieth the whole substance of Christ's manhood, and proveth evidently, that whatsoever Christ was being man, he truly and naturally received it of the corporal substance of Mary his mother the virgin. Cursed therefore is the heretic Appelles, which thought that Christ had received his body of the elements in the air, and passed through the virgin, as the water passed through a pipe. Cursed are these heretics Cerdo, Marcian and Manes, which hold that Christ had a fantastical body, appearing to be man, & pet having no part of manhood in him. Cursed is that heretic Ualentinus with his Apes the anabaptists, which hold that Christ took no flesh of mary his mother the virgin, but brought his body with him from heaven. God the father calleth Christ the seed of the woman. He therefore is the natural son of Mary his mother, and received his whole bodily substance of the most pure virgin or else should God greatly have erred, which called him the seed of a woman, but let God be true and all heretics liars. TO Abraham god the father said: in Gene. 22. thy seed all nations of the earth shall be blessed. This seed is Christ, as S. Paul Gala. 3. declareth to the Galathians, which borne of the virgin Mary, came of the seed of Abraham. ☞ Now if Christ had taken no flesh of Mary, how could he have come of the seed of Abraham? But that we should be without all doubt concerning Christ's humanity, and be certain that he was the true and natural son of Mary, re ceiving his manhood neither of the elements of the air, nor yet bringinning it with him from heaven, but taking it of the true and natural substance of Mary his mother. God saith expressly: In thy seed. Let us note well this pronown. Thy. In thy seed saith he, and not in the sede that Christ shall bring from heaven, or out of the air. How could Christ justly haubene called Abraham's seed, if he had never taken any part of Abraham's substance? But the Apostle saith: Christ took the seed of Abraham, and not of the angels, so that he must be like to his brothers in all things. Let God therefore be true, and all heretics liars. In like manner the Lord swore a truth Psal. 1●…. unto David, and will not go from it. I will saith he, set upon thy seat one of the fruit of the womb. Here Christ, which before was called the seed of a woman, & the seed of Abraham, is called the fruit of David's womb. ☞ What can be spoken more plainly, to declare and prove, that Christ came of the seed of David as concerning his flesh? If Christ be the fruit of David's belly, I mean concerning his posterity (for Mary the mother of Christ, came of the stock and kindred of David) so doth it evidently follow that Christ passed not thorough the womb of his mother without any part●… king of the natural substance of his mother as the water passeth and runneth thorough the pipe, and yet receiveth no part of the pipes substance, but rather that he took a perfect body of substance of his mother, and so became true and perfect man. Otherwise should not he have been the fruit of David's belly, neither should God have kept his oath and promise made unto David. But let God be true and all heretics liars. THe Prophet Esay doth lively describe, Esay. 7. paint & set forth both the mother of Christ, and Christ himself in these words: The Lord, saith he, shall give you a token. Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and thou shalt call his name Emanuel, But ter & honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil and chose the good. ☞ First as concerning Christ's mother, we learn here that she was a pure and vnde●…yled maid, and that she, and not the heaven nor the air conceived and brought forth Christ her son. In that she conceived and brought forth Christ, it is evident that she was unfeignedly Christ's natural mother, ministers part of her ●…bstaunce to the performing and making a●… her son thorough God's operation, and did the duty and office of a true mother in all points. And where as the Prophet calleth Christ her ●…onne he declareth manifestly. that Christ took his flesh of the substance of his mother Mary the virgin, and is her true and natural son, or else to what end should he be called he son? And that we should be as assuredly persuaded of his humanity of Mary his mother, as of his deity of God his father. The Prophet calleth him Emanuel, that is to say, God and man, true God of God his father, an●… true man of Mary his mother. And because there should want nothing unto the true perfit and full does cription of Christ's humanity, but that Christ should be declared to be a true and a natural child, and not fantastical nor celestial the Prophet as it were with certain notes and marks both lively set forth, and showeth that he after that manner of other children shall eat butter & Honey, that is to say, refuse buter and unsavoury meat●…s, and chose those that are sweet and pleasant in taste. This were vainly put in of the Prophet, if Christ had no been a natural child, taking his flesh or the substance of Mary his mother, and not bringing his body with him from heaven, or I know not from whence, as the ungodly anabaptists in these our days do most fastly dream. But let God be true, and all heretics liars. IN another place the Prophet saith, Esay. 11. there shall come a rod forth of the kindred of jesse, and a flower shall flourish out of his root. ☞ In this place the Prophet doth so openly declare Christ to be true man and the natural son of Mary the virgin, that it is won der that any Heretic can have so w●…oryshe a forehead once to deny i●…. This rod and ●…loure, which springeth out of rod and kindred 〈◊〉 jesse, is Christ the Lord▪ The root out of the which flower undefiled virgin mary. Christ's mother, which came of the kindred of jesse, king David's father. Can any man deny, but that the flower is of the same nature and substance that the tree is of, which beareth the flower? If we grant the flower to be of the nature and substance of the stock that beareth the flower, why are the anabaptists more wicked and cruel against Christ the flower and fruit (by God's ordinance) of the holy virgin, then unto the stock and root of every flower of the field? Can the flower of an Orange spring out o●… an Oak? No more can the humanity of Christ which is the blossom and flower of Mary, take his original of the air, of heaven, or of such other matter they know not what. But as the flower of the Orange springeth out of the Orange tree, and is of the very same nature and substance that the Orange tree is, so likewise Christ being the flower of the most blessed virgin took his beginning of her, and is of the very same substance and nature that she is. Let God therefore be true, and all heretics liars. AFter the. 62. weeks, saith the Prophet Daniel, shall Christ be slain, Dan. 9 and they shall have no pleasure in him. ☞ The slaying of Christ evidently proveth that Christ was v●…y man, yea and a ma●… mortal and subject unto death, so well as we. If he had brought his body with him from heaven▪ so had been a celestial body▪ an impassable and immortal body. But for as much as Christ feared death▪ ●…uffed the pains of death, yea and died in ded●…, according to the Scriptures, it followeth that Christ was true and unfeigned man, taking his humanity of that holy virgin Mary his mother, and lived in all points like man, sin alone extep●…e, and at the last died for our sins▪ as the Apostle saith. Let God therefore be true, and all heretics liars. ☞ Sentences out of the new Testament. THe book of the kindred of jesus Mal. 1 Christ the son of David the son of Abraham. jacob begat joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was borne that jesus which is called Christ. The birth of jesus Christ was on this wise. When his mother Mary was married to joseph, before they came together, she was found with child by the holy ghost. Then joseph her husband being a perfect man and loath to defame her, was minded to put her away secret lie. While he thus thought, behold the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream saying: joseph the son of David, fear not to take unto thee Marry thy wife. For that which is conceived in her, is of the holy ghost. She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins. All this was done to fulfil the which was spoken of the Lord by the Prophet Esay, saying: behold Esay. 7. a maid shall be with child, & shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emanuel, which is by interpretation GOD with us, or God and man. The angel gabriel was sent from god unto a city of galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin spoused to a man whose name was joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel went in unto her, & said: Hail full of grace, the Lord is with thee? Blessed art thou among women. When she saw him, she was abashed at his saying, and cast in her mind, what manner of salutation that should be. And the angel said unto her: fear not Mary, for thou hast found grace with god, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bear a son, and shalt call his name jesus. He shall be great, & shall be called the son of the highest. And the Lord god shall g●…ue unto him the sea 〈◊〉 of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of jacob for ever, and of his kingdom shallbe none end. Then ●…ayd Mary unto the angel: how shall this be, seeing I know not a mane And the angel answered and said unto her: the holy ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee. Therefore also that holy thing which shall be borne of thee, shall be called the son of god. Elizabeth was filled with the holy ghost, and cried with a loud voice and said: Blessed art thou among women, ●… blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence happeneth this to me, that the more there of my Lord should come to me. etc. It fortuned while they were there, her Luke. ●… time was come that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her first begotten son, & wrapped him in swaddling clothes, & laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them within the Inn. Behold I bring you tidings of great ●…oy, that shall come to all the people. For unto you is borne this day the city of David ●… saviour, which is Christ the Lord. The child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was filled with wisdom & the grace of god was with him. jesus increased in wisdom and age and in favour with god and man. Blessed is the womb that bore thee, Luke. 11 and the papes which gave thee suck. The word was made flesh & dwelled john. 1 among us. David was a Prophet & knew that Acts. 2. god had sworn with an oath to him, that the fruit of his loins, that is to say Christ, should sit on his seat. God did set up David to be their Acts. 13 king, of whom he reported, saying, I have found David the son of jesse, a man after my own heart, he shall fulfil all my will. Of this man's seed hath god according to his promise, brought forth to the people of Israel a saviour, even jesus. jesus Christ the son of god was be Rom. 1. gotten of the seed of David as pertaining to the flesh. Christ as concerning the flesh came Rom. 9 of the Israelites. To Abraham and his seed were the Gal. 13 promises made. He saith not in the sedes as many, but in thy seed, as in one, which is Christ. When the time was full come, God Gala. ●…. sent his Son borne of a woman, and made bound unto the law, to redeem them, which were under the law, that we thorough election might receive the inheritance that belongeth unto the natural son. Christ being in the shape of GOD Phil. ●… and thinking it no robbery to equal with God, nevertheless made himself of no reputa●…ion, & took on him the shape of a servant, & became like unto men & was found in his apparel as a man. Without doubt great is this mystery 1. Timo. 3 of godliness, God was showed in the flesh, was justified in the spirit, was seen of angels, was preached unto the gentiles, was believed on in earth and received up in glory. Remember that jesus Christ being 2. Tim. ●… of the seed of David, rose again from death according to my gospel. He that sanctifieth, and they which Hebr. ●… are sanctified are all of one. For which causes sake he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying. I will declare thy name to my brethren, and in the mids of the congregation will I praise thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, behold here am I, & the children which god hath given me. For as much then as the children were partakers of flesh & blood, he also himself likewise took part with them for to put down thorough death him that had lordship over death, that is to say, the devil, and that he might deliver them, which thorough fear of death were all their life time in danger of bondage. For he in no condition taketh on him the angels, but the seed of Abraham taketh he on him. Wherefore in all things it became him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be merciful and a faithful his priest in things concerning god for to purge the people's sins. For that it fortuned himself to be tempted, he is able to secure them also that are tempted. dearly beloved, believe not every spirit ●… john. 4. , but prove the spirits whether they are of God, or not. For many false Pro phetes are gone out into the world. Hereby shall ye know the spirit of god. Every spirit that confesseth that jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of god. And every spirit, which confesseth not that jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of god. And this is the spirit of Antichrist, of whom ye have hard, how y ● ●…e should come, & even now already is he in the world. Many deceivers are entered into the john. ●…. world, which confess not that jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an Antichrist. ☞ Examples out of the new Testament. WHen the time was come that the blessed Luke. ●… promised seed should be borne. God sent his messenger Gabriel vnt●… that holy virgin mary, which was of the house of David which among many other things said unto her: fear not marry. For thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bear a Son. etc. ☞ Note that the angel saith, thou shalt conceive. He saith not, heaven shall conceive. And the angel like as the Prophet used this word conceive, to declare that the flesh which Christ had, was truly and naturally taken of the substance of his mother Mary the virgin. For to conceive, is none other thing, than a woman to be a very true & natural mother by ministering part of her corporal substance to her child, whereof also the child is form and made. Now on this manner by the working of the holy ghost without the seed of man did this blessed virgin conceive Christ, it therefore truly followeth, that Christ brought not his body with him from heaven but received it of the natural substance of his mother Mary. And because we should not doubt of this thing, the angel calleth jesus Mary's son. If Christ had not ta ken his humanity of the blessed virgin, of her nature and substance, and so be made very true and perfect man, the angel had not said truth, when he called Christ her son. For neither should Mary have been Christ's mother, nor Christ Mary's son. And so should the angel have brought a false and a lying message from God, which is the self truth. But let God be true, and all heretics liars. ☞ The godly and virtuous woman Elizabeth, wife to ●…acharie the priest, said to Mary her cousin, being newly conceived with child, thorough the operation of the holy ghost: blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence happeneth this unto me, that the mother of my lord should come unto me? what soever this holy woman saith here, it must needs be believed as an infallible truth. For she speaketh not of her own head, but as she was filled with the holy ghost. In this her salutation: she calleth Christ the fruit of Mary's womb. If Christ be the fruit of mary's womb as undobutedlye he is, then is Christ made of the substance of Mary, and is her true and natural son, or else were it a manifest lie to call Christ the fruit of her womb. Who is so mad, to call a thing the fruit of a tree, that never had the nature of a tree? Were it not double madness to call a pear the fruit of a cherry tree? so great a fondness and a greater lie had it been to call Christ the fruit of Mary's womb, if he had brought his body with him from heaven or from any other place. But as it is truly said this pear is the fruit of a pear tree, because it had his being and natural substance of the nature and substance of a pear tree, so likewise is it truly said Christ is the fruit of Mary's womb, because he had his being and natural substance as concerning his humanity of the nature and substance of Mary. Let God therefore be true, and all heretics liars. Jesus saith Luke, grew in wisdom Luke. 12 and age, this also declareth Christ to to be true man, seeing he grew in age and strength of body yea and also in wisdom after the manner of other children, all though in the gifts of the mind he far excelled all other men, as the Scriptures testify. God saith David, even thy God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. S. John Baptist also speaketh of Christ on this manner. God giveth not the spirit by me sure unto him. ☞ If Christ had brought his body with him ●…ō heaven so could not Christ's body have been a natural body, nor have grown after the man ner of other children but should have been as big when it came from heaven into the virgin's womb, as it was on the same day that it was put to death. But the holy Scriptures teach us, that Christ is the fruit of mary's womb, that he is her son, that he was borne a little child, and grew in age after the manner of other children until he became a perfect man. It therefore truly followeth, that he brought not his body with him from heaven, or I know not from whence▪ as the wicked anabaptists teach at this present, but that he unfeignedly, took it of Mary his mother▪ and is her true and natural son form & made of the nature and substance of her body. Let God therefore be true, and all Heretics liars. ☞ Christ calleth himself many times in the gospel the son of man to declare that as concerning the flesh, he is the son of Abraham▪ & of David, forasmuch as he took his manhood of Mary, which was of the stock & kindred of Abraham & David▪ to whom God promised, that of their seed & of the fruit of their womb one should be borne in whom all nations of the earth shall be blessed. So is it evident, that Christ is the natural son of mary the virgin. Let God therefore be true, and all heretics liars. ☞ Christ in many places of the holy scripture is called the son of David▪ not only because he was promised unto David, but because he came of his kindred, and took flesh any blood of his stock and family even of the most vndefi●…ed virgin Mary his mother Christ therefore is true and perfect man of the blessed virgin▪ & had no fantastical nor heavenly body. Let God therefore be true, and all heretics liars. ☞ Christ was borne, wrapped in clouts, laid in a manger, seed, circumcised, embraced in arms, grew, was made strong in spirit, profited in wisdom and age, hungered, thirsted, eat, drank, wept, was weary, slept, rejoiced, was moved with wrath and indignation, sorrowed, was heavy, sad, was in such an agony, that his sweat was like drops of blood trickeling down to the ground, feared death, and at the last suffered the most spiteful death of the cross, and was buried. All these are manifest tokens and evident signs of Christ's true man hood. Neither could he have done or suffered these things▪ if he had a fantastical body or a body brought from heaven. Let God therefore be true, and all heretics liars. CHrist after his resurrection appeared Luke. 24. unto his disciples & said unto them peace be unto you. The disciples being abashed & afraid, & supposing that they had seen a spirit, he said unto them, why are ye troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is even I myself handle me & see. For a spirit hath not flesh & bones, as ye see me have. ☞ Here Christ after his resurrection proveth and showed himself not to be a fantastical but a very man, not to have an heavenly body, but a body of flesh and bones. And to declare himself true and perfect man, he did eat before them ●… piece of a broiled fish and of an honey tomb. Let God therefore be true and all heretics liars. PEter in a certain sermon declared Acts▪ 2. unto the jews, that Christ as concerning the flesh came of the fruit of David's loins. ☞ In the which words he manifestly declareth his faith concerning Christ's humanity, which is, that Christ is very ●…an coming of the seed of David, & taking his manhood of the blessed virgin, which came of the stock of Da vid. Hereof may we also learn, that the true and Christian faith is to believe, that jesus Christ took his flesh of Mary his mother, & brought not his body with him from heaven, as the wicked anabaptists hold. PAul in his Epistle to the Romans Rom. 9 plainly teacheth that Christ as concerning the flesh came of the fathers of the old Testament, that is to say, Abraham, Isaac, jacob, David. etc. In this Epistle to the Galathians he Gal. 4 saith, that when the time was full come. God sent his son, made of a woman. ☞ He saith not, that he was made afore of the elements in the air or that he brought his b●…●…y with him from heaven, but that he was made of a woman, that is to say, took his beginning and natural substance of Mary his mother, concerning his humanity. Again in his first epistle unto Timothe, 1. Tim ●… he nameth the man jesus Christ a mediator between god & man. ☞ This name Mediator, proveth Christ both God and man. For he that should be a mediator between God and man, set them at one that were at debate, make peace among them that before did disagree, and conjoin them to perpetual amity, which before were enemies one to another, yea and by his own dignity, worthiness and justice, make a love day for ever and ever, between God and man, must have in him both the nature of God and the nature of man. Christ is that one and alone mediator, which hath by his death ad passion set God and man together in an everlasting peace and quietness, which before thorough sin we are at strife and debate. As Christ therefore is true God, so is he true man, God I say, of God the father, and man of us, of our flesh and of our blood, or else should blessed Paul err, which calleth him a mediator▪ But let God be true, & all heretics liars. ☞ Finally, in his epistle unto the Hebrews, after that he had spoken much of the divine nature of Christ, proving Christ to be very god, he also setteth forth Christ's humanity, and proveth him to be true and natural man, made of our flesh and of our blood, this alone excepted, that we received our nature with sin, and in sin and by natural conjunction, Christ received his humanity of his mother without sin, without the company of any man by the operation of the holy ghost. But let us hear the words of the Apostle. For as much as the children were Heb. 2. partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part with them. ☞ Here as S. Paul declareth evidently, that as the children, that is to say, men be partakers of flesh and blood, so likewise Christ (because he might destroy him that had lordship over death: that is to say, the devil by the death in his own body) was made partaker of the same, that is, of flesh & blood. No man doubteth that our flesh is of the nature and substance of a woman, no more is it to be doubted that Christ took his flesh of the nature and substance of Mary his mother, seeing the epistle saith that Christ was made per taker of flesh and blood with us. This could he not have been if he had brought his body with him from heaven, or had taken it of any other then of a natural woman, although a pure and undefiled virgin. Therefore like as a man taketh his nature of his parents, so likewise took Christ by human nature of the blessed virgin his mother. He say eth moreover (He) meaning Christ, in no place taketh on him the angels, but the seed of Abraham taketh he on him. Here the Apostle manifestly confuteth the wicked opinion of them which teach that Christ had a celestial body or a body made of the air, and plainly affirmeth that he took the seed of Abraham, that is to say: was made and became very true and natural man of the kindred of Abra have according to God's promise. So that all that ever he had, concerning his humanity, he had it of the blessed virgin, which came of the stock of Abraham. ☞ Again he saith in all things it became him to be made like unto his brethren. Here saint Paul confesseth that Christ was made like un to us in all things, which thing by no means could be true, if he had not taken upon him our nature and substance. If he belike unto us in all things (sin alone except) so followeth it that he is of the same nature, & of the same flesh and blood that we are, or else could not he be like unto us in all things. And so should this holy apostle and all other godly writers and teachers have brought us in error. But let god be true and all heretics liars. ☞ Now have we learned both truly and fully of the holy scriptures, which are infallible verities, that Christ was conceived by the holy ghost and borne of the virgin Mary. By the which word (of) we believe that he took his humanity of her substance, and had none other beginning as touching his humanity than in her and of her, by the operation of the holy ghost: so that we may truly conclude, that as Christ is very God of God the father without a mother, so is he very man of Mary his mother without any Father. Therefore may his God head be as justly denied, as his manhood and flesh taking of the blessed virgin Mary. But Christ abideth very god and very man whatsoever the wicked hiretikes able. Cursed therefore be Cerdo, Marcian and Manes, which taught that christ appeared as man, and yet had no part of true manhood in him, but only had a fantastical body. ☞ Cursed be Cerinthus, which taught that jesus was begotten of joseph and Mary, after the manner of other men, and that Christ came down from above unto jesus▪ Cursed be the Ebionites, the Theodosians, the Antimonians and the Photinians, which affirmed that Christ was borne of the virgin only man & not God. Cursed be Appelles which taught that Christ had his body of the elements in the air. Cursed be Ualentinus which said that Christ brought his body with him from heaven, and took no flesh of the virgin Mary: but passed through her as water through the pipe. Cursed be his Apes the anabaptists▪ which in these our days have raised up that most detestable and horrible heresy. Cursed and confounded be all they which with their hearts do not believe, & with their mouths unfeignedly confess, that jesus Christ is both God and man, to whom be glory for ever. Amen. Against the gross and fantastical opinion of the papists, which affirm that Christ's natural body and blood, is carnally eaten and drunken in the lords supper. IF the devil or the pope, or any of their imps go about with sophistical reasons to persuade thee, that Christ is natural in the sacramental bread and wine, or that the bread and wine is turned unto the real and natural body & blood of Christ: even as he received it of the blessed virgin: suffer not thyself to be beguiled and mocked, but valiantly resist them with these sentences and histories of Gods most holy word. ☞ Sentences out of the old Testament. THe Lord is in his holy temple, the Psal▪ 11. lords seat is in heaven. The Lord lord looked down from Psal. 13 heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that would understand and seek after god. God is gone up with a merry noise, Psal. 47. and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet. God sitteth upon his holy seat. Psalm. 6●… Thou art gone upon high (O Christ) thou hast led captivity captive, & received gifts for men. sing unto God (O ye kingdoms of the earth) O sing praises unto the lord, which sitteth in the heavens over all. He looked down from his sanctuary, Psal. 10●…. even out of heaven did the Lord behold the earth, that he might hear the mournings of such as be in captivity, and deliver the children appointed unto death. The Lord hath prepared his seat in Psal. 103. heaven, and his kingdom ruleth over al. O Lord my god, thou art become exceeding Psal▪ 104. glorious, thou art clothed with majesty and honour, thou deckest thyself with light as it were with a garment, and spreadest out the heavens like a curtain. Thou layest the beams of thy chambers in the waters, & makest the clouds thy charets, and walkest upon the wings of the wind. The Lord said unto my Lord, sit Psalm. 10 thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord is high above all heathen, Psalm. 113 and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the lord our God, that hath his dwelling so high, and yet humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth. Wherefore shall the heathen say, Psalm. 115 where is now their god? As for our god he is in heaven, he hath done what so ever pleased him. Unto thee O Lord, lift I up my eyes, Psalm. 133 which dwellest in the heavens. Whither shall I go from thy spirit, or Psalm. 129 whether shall I flee from thy presence? If I climb up into heaven, thou art there, etc. Will god dwell on the earth. Behold ●…. Reg. 8. the heavens and heavens of all heavens, are not able to contain thee. And how should then this house do it, that I have builded. The house which I build shall be great 2. Par. ●…. for great is our god above all gods. But who is able to build him an house, when that heaven and heaven above all heavens, is not able to receive him? job. 11. God is higher than heaven, what art thou able to do? deeper than hell, how wilt thou then know him? His length exceedeth the length of the earth, and his breadth the breadth of the sea. Thus saith the Lord, heaven is my Esay. 6●… seat, and the earth is my footstool, where shall now the house stand that ye will build unto me? And where shall be the place that I will dwell in? Sentences out of the new Testament. IF any man say unto you: Lo, here is Math. 13. Christ, or there is Christ, believe it not. For there shall arise false anointed, and false teachers, and shall show great miracles and wonders: in so much, that if it were possible, the very elect should be deceived. Behold, I have told you afore. Wherefore if they say unto you, behold he is in the desert, go not ye forth, behold he is in the secret places, believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and appeareth into the West, so shall the coming of the son of man be. Ye have the power always which you Math. 26. but me shall ye not have always. And when the Lord had spoken unto Mat. 16. them, he was received into heaven, and is set down on the right hand of god. It came to pass as Christ blessed than Luc. 24 he departed from them, and was carried up into heaven. I go to prepare a place for you: And john. 24. if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you even unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice because I said, I go unto the Father. Now I go my way to him that sent john. 16. me, and none of you asketh me whether I go. But because I have said such things unto you, your hearts are full of sorrow. Nevertheless I tell you the truth it is expedient for you that I go away. For if I go not away that comforter will not come unto you. But if I depart, I wil send him unto you. I went out from the Father, & came into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father. It is Christ which died, ye rather Rom. 8 which is risen again: which is also on the right hand of God. So oft as ye shall eat of this bread, 1, Cor. 11. and drink of the cup, ye shall xemember the Lords death till he come. God the father raised Christ from the Ephe. 1. dead, and set him on his right hand in heavenly things, above all rule, power, might, dominion, and above all names that are named, not in this world only but also in the world to come. Christ is gone upon high, & hath led cap Ephe. 4 tivitie captive, and hath given gifts unto men. That he ascended what meaneth it, but that he also descended first into the lowest parts of the earth. He that descended is even the same also that ascended up▪ even above all heavens to fulfil all things. God hath exalted Christ on high & given Phil. ●… him a name, which is above all names, that in the name of jesus every knee should bow both in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. If ye be risen again with Christ, Colos. 3 seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Whensoever Christ (which is our life) shall show himself, then shall we all so appear with him in glory. The Lord himself shall come down 1 Thess. 4 from Heaven with a shout, and the voice of the archangel and trump of God. etc. Christ the Son of God, being the Heb. 1. brightness of his father's glory, and the very image of his substance ruling all things with the word of his power, hath by his own person purged our sins and sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high. This man Christ after he had offered Hebr. 10. one sacrifice for sins, sitteth down for ever on the right hand of God, and from hence forth tarrieth till his foes be made his footstool. Let us run with patience unto the Heb. ●…. battle that is set before us, looking unto jesus the captain and finisher of our faith, which for the joy that was set before him abode the cross and despised the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of god. jesus Christ is on the right hand of 1. Pet. 3. God, and is gone into heaven, Angels, powers and might subdued unto him. Examples out of the new Testament. When jesus had spoke these things, Act. ●… while the Disciples beheld him, he was taken up on high, and a cloud received him up out of their sight. And while they looked up steadfastly to ward heaven, as he went, behold two men stood by them in white apparel, which also said: ye men of Galyle, why stand ye gazing up to heaven? This same jesus which is taken from you into heaven, shall so come, even as ye have seen him go into heaven. Stephen being full of the holy ghost, Act. 7. looked up steadfastly with his eyes into heaven, and saw the glory of god, and jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said. Behold I see the heavens open, & the son of man standing on the right hand of God. When Saul iornyed, it fortuned Acts. 9 that as he was come nigh to Damascus, suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven, and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, what art thou Lord? and the Lord said, I am jesus, whom thou persecutest. etc. Against the plucking away of thy trust and confidence from Christ and his merits, to put it in the merits of other creatures or in thine own good works, or in the intercession of saints, or the sacrifice of the Popish Mass. IF Satan by this subtle and crafty suggestion seeking thy damnation, go about to pluck thy faith, confidence, and trust from Christ his blood, and his merits, to repose it in the merits of men, or in thine own good deeds, works and merits, or in the intercession of saints, or in the sacrifice of the Popish mass, so that thy whole salvation shall not hang on Christ▪ & his deservings only but rather on some other stranng means: lean not to his temptations, but manfully resist them, steadfastly abiding in this pers●…asion that Christ alone is thy righteousness and that all thy salvation dependeth on him alone and on none other thing, neither in heaven nor in earth. And that thou may est be confirmed in this faith, let these scriptures which are vn●…ubted verities, ever be before thine eyes & suffer not thyself neither by the crafty assaults of sathan, nor by the subtle and fleshly reasons of any man to be plucked from them. ☞ Sentences out of the old Testament Christ is that seed, which did tread Gene. 4. down Satan's head. Christ is that seed, in whom all nations Gene. 22. of the world shallbe blessed. Christ is the ruler, duke and captain, Gene. 49. whom all nations have so long looked for, which also defendeth his people from the power of Satan. Christ is that Son of God whom Psalm. 2 we are commanded to kiss and embrace, lest we perish from the right way. Christ is our upholder, our glory, & Psal. 3. our strong shield. Christ is the Lord, from whom all health and salvation cometh, and he it is the blesseth his people. Christ is the Lord that never forsaketh Psal. 9 them that trust in him and seek after him. Psalm. 18. Christ is our strength, our sure rock, our bulwark, our refuge, our defence, our buckler, and our mighty saving health, and our sanctuary. Christ is he that saveth us, because it is his pleasure. Christ saveth the poor oppressed, and layeth full low the high looks of the proud. Christ is the Lord, in whom alone Psal. 12. our fathers trusted, they trusted, I say in him, and he delivered them. They cried unto him, and they were made safe, they trusted in him and they were never confounded. Christ is that Lord, whose ways v Psalm. 25. niversall are mercy and truth to them that seek after his Testament and ordinances. He it is that will be merciful to our sins, even for his own names sake, be they never so great. Christ is our light & our saving health Psalm. 27 whom then shall we fear? Christ is the deafen der 〈◊〉 our life, of whom then shall we ●…e afraid? Christ is the strength of his people and the defender of the health of his anointed. Christ is our refuge in all tribulations Psalm. 32. that assail us. Christ's eyes are upon them that fear Psalm. 33. him, and upon them that trust in his mercy, he may deliver their souls from death▪ nourish them in the time of hunger. Christ is gentle, blessed is that man Psal. 34. that trusteth in him. Christ beholdeth the righteous, and heareth their prayer. Christ is at hand for them that are troubled in heart, & he shall save the humble and meek spirited. Christ giveth salvation to the Psal. 37. righteous, and he is the defender in the time of trouble. He helpeth them and delivereth them, and maketh them free from finners, and saveth them because they trust in him. Christ pardoneth all our iniquities, Psal. 103. and healeth all our diseases, he delivereth our lives from destruction, and crowneth us in ivercye and loving kindness. Christ is right mild and merciful, flow unto wrath, but ready to forgenenes. He chideth not ever, neither is he angry always, he dealeth not with us after our sins, nor rewardeth us according to our wickedness. The height of the heavens is not so present over the earth, as is his merciable goodness over them that worship him. He setteth our sins as far from us, as is the East from the West. Never was there any father so tender unto his children, as is the Lord unto them that worship him. For it is he that knoweth our making, he remembreth that we are but of dust. That the age of man mortal is like grass, that he flourisheth like a flower of the field. Which as soon as any sharp wind toucheth it, it is gone being no more found in his place. But the merciable goodness of the Lord is for ever and ever, preserving his worshippers, and the form of his rightwise m●… king is present with their childers children, so long as they keep his covenant and hold his commandments inmynd to do them. Christ is the Lord, with whom there Psalm. 129 is both infinite mercy, & plenteous redention: For he it is that redeemeth Israel from all their sins. Christ is that Lord, yea Christ is that Esay. 43 Lord in deed which putteth away our iniquities for his own sake, and will remember them no more. Neither have we any thing whereby we may be justified in his sight. Christ alone is that saviour, in whom Esay. 45 Israel is saved with an everlasting health. Christ can no more forget us, than a Esay. 49. mother can forget the child of her womb. And though she forgetteth her child, yet cannot he forget us: For he hath written up us in his hands, so that we are always in his sight. Christ hath taken upon him our diseases, Esay 53. and borne away our sorrows. Christ was wounded for our iniquities, and bruised for our sins. Christ was offered for us, because it was his pleasure. Christ alone hath trodden down the vynepresse, neither was there any at all that helped him. Examples out of the old Testament. When God determined to slay all the Exod. 12. first borne in the land of Egypt both of man and beast, he commanded his people every man in his house to slay a Lamb of a year old, and without spot, and with the blood thereof to anoint the upper door post, and the two side posts, that when the Angel, which smote the land of Egypt, should see the blood, he might pass over them & not destroy them. This pascal Lamb of the jews, is a figure of the true Paschal lamb, jesus Christ the Lord, which is the pure and undefiled lamb of God, which offered himself a sweet smelling sacrifice unto God for us, which never committed sin, and in his mouth no guile was found. For as the blood of the Lamb sprinkled on the door posts of the Israelites did drive away the avenger, and kept harmless the first begotten of the Israelites: so likewise the blood of Christ sprinkled in the hearts of men by ●…aythe, driveth Satan, sin, death, desperation, and hell from them, purifieth their consciences, maketh their hair tes merry, setteth them at one with God, and bringeth overlasting life as Saint john saith. Behold that lamb of god, which taketh away the sin of the world. Hereto agreeth the saying of S. Paul: 1. Cor. 5 christ our passover is offered up for us. Christ was figured by Manna which Exo. 16 God gave from heaven unto the Israelites to eat in the desert. For as that bread was very pleasant, Sap. 16. and good of taste, and had in it the savour of all sweet and dainty meats, so that they which did eat of that, needed none other meat. Even so likewise is Christ the most Psal. 78. sweet and pleasant bread, that came down from heaven. He that eateth of this bread, shall live john. 6. for ever, neither needeth he to follow any other strange repast. For in Christ the soul of a christian man through faith findeth enough to feed upon. The rock, out of the which plenty of Exod. 17. sweet waters gushed out for the comfort of the thirsty Israelites in the wilderness, signified Christ also as saint Paul doth declare. For as that rock gave out abdundance of sweet and pleasant waters to the great comfort of the people of Israel, which otherwise should have pearished: so likewise is Christ the rock, out of the which floweth plenty of heavenly waters, comfortable for the thirsty soul, which otherwise can not be succoured but must needs perish. And he that drinketh of those heavenly waters which come out of the rock Christ, shall not need to seek after the ●…inking & dirty puddles of other. For in this Christ, he shall find plenty of waters to drink, yea and that unto the uttermost for his soul's health, as Christ himself sayeth. Whosoever shall drink of the water john. 4. that I shall give him, shall never more be a thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The brazen serpent in the old law Num. 21. was a figure also of Christ. For as those which were stricken of the fiery serpents were made whole, when they looked upon the brazen Serpent for their faiths sake which they had in the promise of god annexed unto the ser penned: so likewise they that are wounded with the fiery darts of Satan, are made whole, when so ever they behold with the eyes of the inward man by faith. jesus Christ which was crucified for our sin, as Christ himself testifieth, saying: As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that none that believeth in him perish, but have ever ●…astyng life. Sentences out of the new Testament. Christ is so called a Saviour, for he Math. 9 it is that saveth his people from their sins. Christ came not to call the justiciaries Math. 11. but sinners to repentance. Christ calleth all them that labour and Math. 11. are laden, and he promiseth that he will refresh them. Christ is that true light, which john. ●… lighteneth every man that cometh into this world. Christ is our Lord of whose fullness all john. 1. we have received, even grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by jesus Christ Christ is that lamb of god, which taketh away the sins of the world: As Moses lifted up the Serpent in john. 3. wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that every on that believeth in him, may not perish but have everlasting life. For God loveth the world so fervently that he gave his only begot ten son that every one that believeth in him may not perish, but have everlasting life. For god sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved by him. He that believeth in the son, hath everlasting life, but he that believeth not in the son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth upon him. Christ giveth that living water, john. 4. whereof whosoever drinketh, shall nevermore thirst, but that water shallbe unto him a fountain of water that springeth up into eternal life. Christ is that bread of life, which came john. 6. down from heaven. If any man eat of that bread, he shall live for ever. Christ alone the Son of God maketh job. 8. us free. Christ is the door. If any man enter john. 10. in by him, he shall be safe. For he shall go in and come out and ●…nde pasture. Christ is that good shepherd which gave his life for his sheep. john. 11. Christ is the resurrection and life, he that believeth in him although he were dead, shall live and every one that liveth and believeth in him shall never die. Christ is the light of the world, and john. 12. came into the world for this purpose that every one that believeth in him should not abide in darkness. Christ is the way, truth and life. john. 14. No man cometh unto the Father but by him. john. 15. Christ is that mighty prince which hath overcome the world. Act. 4. There is none other name given unto men under heaven where in they must be saved, but only that name of Christ. Neither is there any salvation in any other, but in him alone. Acts. 10. Christ is ordained of God a judge of quick and dead. To him give all the pro phets witness, that thorough his name all that believe in him, shall receive remis sion of sins. Thorough Christ, is preached unto us the forgiveness of sins, so that by him Act. 13. all that believe, are justified from all things from which we could not be justified by the law of Moses. The righteousness no doubt, which Rom 3. is good before God, cometh by the faith of jesus Christ unto all, and upon all that believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned, and want the glory of God, but are justified freely by his grace thorough the redemption that is in Christ jesus, to whom God hath made a ●…eat of mercy thorough faith in his blood, to show the righteousness, which before him is of valour. Christ died for our sins, and rose ●… Rom. 4. gain for our justification. We being justified by faith, are at Rom. 5. peace with god thorough our Lord jesus Christ, by whom we have away in thorough faith unto this grace, wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the praise that shallbe given of God. God setteth out his love that he hath to us, forasmuch as while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more than now (being justified in his blood) shall we be saved from wrath thorough him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his son: much more seeing we are reconciled, we shallbe preserved by his life. Not only so, but we also joy in God by our Lord jesus Christ, by whom we have received the atonement. ☞ Rede the whole Chapter. everlasting life is the gift of God Rom. ●… thorough jesus Christ our Lord. There is no damnation to them which Rom. 8 are in Christ jesus, which walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. For the law of the spirit that bringeth life thorough jesus Christ, hath made us free from the law of sin and death. We know that all things work for the best unto them that love god, which also are called of purpose. For those which he knew before, he also ordained before, that they should be a like fashioned to the shape of his son that he might be the first begotten son among many brethren. And whom he appointed before, them also he called. And which he called, them also he justified, which he justified, them also he glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be on our side, who can be against us, which spared not his own son, but gave him for us all, how shall he not with him give us all things also? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods chosen? It is God that justfieth, who then shall condemn? It is Christ which is dead, yea, rather which is risen again, which is also on the right hand of God, and maketh intercession for us. Christ is the end of the law to justify Rom. 10. all that believe. Whosoever believeth on Christ, shall not be ashamed. There is no difference between the jew and the Gentile. For one is Lord over all that call on him, for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be safe. Christ is made of God our wisdom, 1, Cor. 1. our righteousness, our sanctification, and redemption Christ our Easter Lamb is offered up 1. Cor. 5 for us. We are washed, we are sanctified, yea, 1. Cor. 6 we are justified by the name of the Lord jesus, and by the spirit of our God. The liberality of our lord jesus Christ 2. Cor. 8. is great, which though he were rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be made rich. If righteousness come of the law, than Gal. 2. died Christ in vain. Christ hath delivered us from the curse of Gal. 3. the law, and was made accursed for us. S●…ande fast in the liberty wherewith Gala. 5. Christ hath made us free, and wrap not yourselves again in the yoke of bondage. Ye are gone quite from Christ as many as are justified by the law, and are fallen from grace. For we look in spirit to be justified thorough faith. For in jesus Christ neither is circumcision any thing worth, neither uncircumcision, but faith which by love is mighty in operation. God forbid that I should rejoice in any thing, but only in the cross, death & passion, of our Lord jesus Christ. Blessed be god the father of our Lord jesus Christ, which hath blessed us with all manner of spiritual blessings in heavenly things by Christ. By christ we have redemption thorough Ephe. 1 his blood, even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace which he shed on us abundantly in all wisdom and prudence. God which is rich in mercy thorough Ephe. 2 his great love, wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in sin, hath quic kened us together in Christ (for by grace are ye saved) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly things thorough Christ jesus. By grace are ye made safe thorough faith and that not of yourselves. For it is the gift of God, and cometh not of works, lest any man should boast himself. We were strangers and far of, but now we are made nigh by thy blood of Christ. Christ is our peace. By Christ jesus our Lord are we bound Ephe. 3 to draw nigh in the trust which we have by faith on him. Christ is ascended up on high and hath Ephe. 4 led captivity captive, and hath given gifts unto men. In Christ have we redemption thorough Col. 1. his blood, that is to say, forgiveness of sins. By Christ thorough the blood of hyscrosse are all things reconciled to God the father and set at peace both in heaven and in earth. This is a true saying and by all means Tim. 1 worthy to be received, that Christ jesus came into this world to save sinners. There is one God, and one Mediator 2. Tim. 2 between God and man, which is the man Christ jesus which gave himself a ransom for all men. God hath not saved us for the deeds of Titus. 3. righteousness which we have wrought, but of his mercy hath he saved us. We are not redeemed with corruptible 1. Pet. 1. silver and gold, from our vain conversation, which we received by the traditions of the fathers, but by the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb undefiled and without spot. Christ is the shepherd and bishop of 1. Pet. 2. our souls The blood of jesus Christ God's son, Ihon. 1. maketh us clean from all sin. If any man sin, we have an advocate john. 2. with the father, jesus Christ that righteous one, and he is a mercy stock for our sins: not for our sins only, but also for the sins of all the world. Our sins are forgiven us in the name of Christ. For this purpose appeared the son john. 3. of God to loose the works of the devil. In this appeareth the love of God towards ohn. 4. us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live thorough him. Herein is love, not that we love God, but that he loved us, and sent his son to be a sacrifice for our sins. Christ in his own person hath purged Hebr. 1. our sins. Christ thorough death put down him that Heb. 2. had rule over death, that is to say, the devil, and hath made us free from the danger of bondage. In that Christ himself suffered and was tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. We have not an high priest which can Heb▪ 5 not have compassion on our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, but yet without sin. Let us therefore go boldly unto the seat of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Christ hath an everlasting priesthood. Heb. 7. Wherefore he is able also ever to save them that come unto God by him, forasmuch as he ever liveth to make intercession for us. Christ being Bishop of good things Hebr. 1●… to come, came by a greater and a more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this manner building, neither by the blood of Goats, and Calves, but by his own blood he entered in, once for all into the holy place, and found eternal redemption. For if the blood of Oxen and Goats, and the ashes of an Heifer, when it was sprinkled, purified the unclean, as touching the purifying of the flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ which thorough the eternal spirit, offered himself without spot to God, purge your consciences from dead works to serve the living god. And for this cause is he the mediator tour of the new Testament, that thorough death which chanced for the redention of these transgressions that were in the first Testament, they which were called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. Christ now in the end of the world hath appeared once for all, to put sin to flight by the offering up of himself. We are sanctified by the offering of ●…eb. 10. the body of jesus Christ once for all. With one offering hath Christ made perfect for ever them that are sanctified. Christ loved us and washed us from poc. 1. our sins in his own blood, and made us kings and priests unto god his father. Christ liveth for evermore, and hath the keys of hell and death. Christ is Lord of Lords and king of poc. 17. kings, and they that are on his side, are call led and chosen, and faithful. ☞ Examples out of the new Testament. Christ is that well-beloved Son of ●…ath. 3. god, for whose sake the heavenly father is well pleased with man. Christ is that king which forgave the Mat. 18. servant the ten thousand talents that be ought. Christ is that most loving Samaritane, Luke. 10. which healed the wounded man that was half dead. Christ is that tender shepherd which Luke. 15. fetched home unto the sheepfold even upon his shoulders the lost sheep. Christ is that most gentle father which with so great joy and with embracing arms received home again the lost son. Against such as go about to dissuade the christian people from the studying, reading, or hearing of god's word. IF Satan or any of his imps go about to dissuade thee, and to pluck thy mind from studying, reading or hearing gods word, that thou mayest walk in darkness, and never come to the knowledge of the truth, least by this means thou shouldest be saved: lean not unto him, but enarm thyself against his wicked temptations with these scriptures following. ☞ Sentences out of the old Testament. THou shalt tell thy son at the same Exod. 13. day, & say: because of that which the lord did for me, when I departed out of Egypt. Therefore shall it be a sign unto thee in thine hand, and a token of remembrance before thine eyes, that the law of the lord may be in thy mouth, how that the Lord brought thee out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Speak to the children of Israel, and say unto them, that they make them guards upon the quarters of their garments amongst all your posterities, and put yellow r●…handes upon the guards in the quarters. And the guards shall serve you that ye may look upon them and remember all the commandments of the lord, and do them, that ye order not yourselves after the meaning if your own heart, nor go a whoring after your own eyes. Therefore shall ye remember, & do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God. Take heed to thyself now, and keep Deut. 2 well thy soul, that thou forget not the things which thine eyes have seen, and that they depart not out of thy heart all the days of thy life. And thou shalt teach them thy children, and thy childer's children. Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is Deut. 6 one Lord only. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, & with all thy might. And these words which I command thee this day shalt thou take to heart, and shalt rehearse them unto thy children, and shalt talk of them, when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be a token of remembrance before thine eyes, & thou shalt write them upon the posts of thine house, and upon the gates. If ye hearken unto my commandments Deut. 1●… which I command you this day, that ye love the Lord your God, and serve him with all your heart, & with all your soul, then will I give rain unto your land in due season, early and late, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, thy wine, and thine oil, and I will give grass upon thy field for thy cattle, that ye may eat and be filled. But beware that your heart be not deceived, that ye go aside, and serve other gods, and worship them, and then the wrath of the Lord wax hot upon you and he shut up the heaven, that there come no rain, and the earth give not her increase, and ye perish shortly from the good land which the lord hath given you. Put up therefore these my words in your hearts and in your souls, and bind them for a sign upon your hands, that they be a token of remembrance before your eyes, and teach them your children, so that thou talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, or walkest by the way, when thou liest down and when thou risest up, and write them upon the posts of thine house, and upon the gates, that thou and thy children may live long in the land which the Lord swore unto thy fathers to give them as long as the days of heaven endure upon earth. Let my doctrine increase as rain, and Deut. 32. my speech flow as doth the dew. Even as the rain upon the grass, and the drops upon the herb. Take to heart all the words which I testify unto you this day that ye command your children to observe and do all these words of this law. For it is no vain word to you, but it is your life, and this word shall prolong your life. Be strong and very bold, that thou josua, 1. mayest keep and do every thing according to the law that Moses my servant commanded thee. Turn not aside from it, neither to the right hand nor to the left, that thou mayest deal wisely whether soever thou goest And let not the book of this law departed out of thy mouth, but exercise thyself therein day and night that thou mayest keep and do every thing according to it that is written therein. Then shalt thou prosper in thy ways and deal wisely. Lo I have commanded thee to be strong and bold. Fear not and be not afraid, for the Lord thy God is with thee, wheresoever thou goest. Blessed is the man that delighteth in the Psal. 1. law of the Lord, and exerciseth himself in his law both day and night. Lay hand on the learning lest the Lord Psal. 2. be angry, & so ye perish from the right way. The law of the Lord is pure, it turneth Psal. 18. souls. The witness of the Lord is faith full it giveth wisdom even unto babes. The statutes of the Lord are right they rejoice the heart, the commandment of the Lord is bright, and lighteneth the eyes The fear of the Lord is holy, it endureth for ever, the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether, they are more pleasant and worthy, more to be desired then gold and precious stone, yea they be sweeter than the honey and the honey comb. The Lord shall tell in the Scriptures Psal. 85. of the people and of those Princes that were in her. Blessed is the man whom thou hast nurtured Psalm. 113 , O lord, and taught him thy law. He hath sent his word & healed them & Psal. 117. delivered them from their destructions. Blessed are they the search his testimonies Psal. 117. & seek after him with their whole heart. Thou hast given straight charge that thy commandments should be kept. Oh that my ways were established to keep thy statutes, than should not I be con founded while I have respect unto all thy commandments. Where with all, shall a young man clenfe his way? verily by ruling himself according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee, oh let me not go wrong out of thy commandments. Thy words have I hid within my heart that I should not sin against thee. Thou rebukest the proud, cursed are they that depart from thy commandments. In thy testimonies is my delight, yea thy statutes are my counsellors. Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end. Oh give me understanding and I shall keep thy law, yea I shall keep it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of thy commandments, for that is my desire: incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not unto covetousness. The law of thy mouth is better unto me then thousands of gold and silver. The wicked men have told me tales but nothing agreeable to thy law. For all thy commandments are true, yet have the ungodly persecuted me. If my delight were not in thy law, I should perish in my trouble. Oh how sweet are thy words unto my throat, yea more than honey is unto my mouth. Thy word is a lantern unto my feet, and a light unto my path. It is high time for thee O Lord to lay to thine hand. For they have destroyed thy law. For I love thy commandments above gold and precious stone. The preaching of the word giveth sight, yea and bringeth forth understanding even unto the very babes. health is far from the ungodly, for they regard not thy statutes. But great is the peace that they have which love thy law, and they are not offended at it. My Son, if thou wilt receive my Prou. 2. words, and keep my commandments by thee, that thine ear may hearken unto wisdom, apply thine heart then to under standing. For if thou criest after wisdom and callest for knowledge: if thou seekest after her as after money, & diggest for her as for treasure, then shalt thou understand the fear of the lord, and find the knowledge of God. For it is the Lord that giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He preserveth the welfare of the righteous, and de●…endeth them that walk innosently, he keepeth them in the right path, and preserveth the way of the saints? Then shalt thou not under stand righteousness, judgement and equity, yea and every good path. If wisdom enter into thine heart, and thy soul delight in knowledge, then shall council preserve thee, and understanding shall keep thee. That thou mayest be delivered from the evil way, and from the man that speaketh froward things, from such as leave the high street & walk in the way of darkness, which rejoice in doing evil, and delight in wicked things, whose ways are crooked, and their paths slanderous. That thou mayest be delighted also from the strange woman, and from her that is not thine own, which giveth sweet words, forsaketh the husband of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house is inclined unto death, and her paths unto Hell. All they that go in unto her come not again, neither take they hold of the way of life. That thou walk in the good way, and keep the paths of the righteous. For the just shall dwell in the land, and the innocentes shall remain in it, but the ungodly shall be rooted out of the land, and the wicked doers shallbe taken out of it. Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom Pro. 3 and obtaineth understanding, for the getting of it is better than any m●…rchandise of silver, and the profit of it is better than gold. Wisdom is more worth than precious stones, and all the things that thou canst desire, are not to be compared unto her. Upon her right hand is long life, and upon her left hand is riches and honour. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceable. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her, and blessed are they that keep her fast. My son let not these things depart from thine eyes, but keep my law and counsel so shall it be life unto thy soul and grace unto thy mouth. Then shalt thou walk safely in thy way, and thy foot shall not stumble. If thou sleepest, thou shalt not be afraid, but shalt take thy rest and sleep sweetly. Thou shalt not need to be afraid of any sudden fear, neither for the violent rushing in of the ungodly when it cometh. For the lord shall be beside thee, and keep thy foot that thou be not taken. Let thine heart receive my words, keep Pro. 4 my commandments, and thou shalt●… live. Get the●… wisdom, get thee understanding, forget not the words of my mouth, and shrink not from them. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee, love her, and she shall keep thee. The chief point of wisdom is, that thou willingly to obtain wisdom, and before all thy goods to get understanding. Make much of her and she shall promote thee, yea if thou embracest her, she shall bring thee unto honour. She shall make thee a gracious head & garnish thee with the crown of glory. Hear my son, & receive my words, that the years of thy life may be many: I will show the way of wisdom and lead thee in the right paths. So that if thou goest therein, there shall no straightness hinder thee: and when thou runnest thou shalt not fall. Take fast hold of doctrine, let her not go, keep her, for she is thy life. The commandment is a lantern, Pro. 6. and the law is a light and the way of life. Where no knowledge of god's word is, Pro. 19 the soul is not well, Apply thy heart unto learning, and Pro. 2●… thine ear to the words of knowledge. He that turneth away his ear from Pro. 28 hearing the law, his prayer shallbe abhorred. When the preaching of God's word 〈◊〉▪ 29 faileth, then perisheth the people. Every word of GOD is pure and Pro. 30 clean, yea it is a shield to them that trust in it. Vain are all those men, in whom no Sap. 13 knowledge of god is. Neither herb nor emplasture hath Sap. 16. healed them, but thy word O Lord, which healeth all things. The fountain of wisdom is the Eccle. 1 the word of god. Be make and lowly to hear the word Eccle. 5 of god, that thou mayest understand, and bring forth a wise and true answer. Have all thy pleasure in the Eccle. 7 commandments of god, and in his laws be thou most of all occupied, and he shall give thee an heart, and a desire of wisdom shall be given thee. Be not slack to believe the word of Eccle. 16 God. Learnig is a precious jewel to a wiseman. Eccle. 21 Nothing is better than the fear of god, and nothing is sweeter than to have a respect Eccle. 23 to the commandments of the Lord My people is led captive because they Esay. 5. have no knowledge. They have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and the word of the holy one of Israel have they blasphemed. Therefore is the wrath of the lord who●… against his people, and he will stretch out his hand, and destroy them. Make haste unto the law and witness. Esay. 8. If they speak not according to this word they shall not have the morning light. All ye that are a thirst; come unto the waters, and ye that have no money, make Esay. 55 haste, by and eat. Come I say, by without money and without any ●…xchaunge, wine and milk. Why lay ye out your money for that that is not bread in deed, and spend your labour about that that shall never satisfy you? Hear me, hear I say, and eat that which is good, that ye may be well liking. give ear and come unto me, hear me I say, and your soul shall live. As rain and snow cometh down ●…rom heaven and returneth not th●…ther again, but watereth the earth and maketh it to bud, and bring forth the fruit, so that it giveth seed to the sour, & bread to the eater: so shall my word be that shall come out of my mouth. It shall not return unto me voyde, but shall do what soever I will, and prosper in them, to whom I send it. Let not the wise man rejoice in his jere. 9 wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor yet let the rich man glory in his riches, but let him that rejoiceth, rejoice in this thing that he know me, that I am the Lord which doth mercy, judgement and righteousness in the earth. Withdraw not the word from the jere. 26 people, if peradventure they hear & turn from their wicked way, so that it may repent me of the evil which I have determined to do unto them for the maliciousness of their counsels. Hear Israel the commandments Baruc. 3. of life, give ear that thou mayest become wise. How chanced it O Israel, that thou art in the land of thine enemies? Thou art worn out in a strange land, thou art defiled with the dead. Thou art●… reputed with them that go down to Hell. Thou hast forsaken the fountain of wisdom. For if thou hadst walked in the way of god, undoubtedly thou hadst dwelled in rest upon the earth: Learn therefore where wisdom is, and understanding is, that thou mayest also know where continuance of life is, and all things necessary for to maintain the same, again where the light of the eyes and peace is. Bar●…c. ●… This is the book of the commandments, and the law which abideth for ever. All that keep it, shall come unto life, but they that forsake it, shall come unto death. Amos. 8 Behold, the day is come, saith the Lord that I will cast an hunger upon the earth, not the hunger of bread, nor the thirst of water, but of bearing the word of the Lord. And they shall go from sea to sea, and walk about from the South to the East, seeking the word of the Lord, and yet shall they not find it. ☞ Examples out of the 〈◊〉 Testament. GOd the Father wrote the law of the Exod. 2 ten commandments in tables of stone with his finger, and commanded Moses to declare them unto the people. The people are commanded of God, ●…eut. 4 not only to read his holy law, but also diligently to exercise themselves in the me ditation thereof so long as they live, and to teach it their children, yea to talk of it, both in their house, and when they go abroad, and to write it upon t●…e thresholds, doors and posts of their houses, that it may be ●…er in their sight. For man shall not live with bread alone, but with every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God. A king is commanded to read the ●…eut. 17 book of the law of the Lord all the days of his life, that he may fear the Lord his God. josua was commanded that the book ●…sua. 1 of the lords law should not departed from his mouth, but that he should study in it day and night, that he might keep and do all things that are written in that book. King Saul was cast down from his roy ●…g. 15 all estate, because he was negligent and disobedient to the law of God. When David lay on his death bed, Pa. 29 he said to salomon: thou shalt prosper and come to great renown, if thou keepest the commandments and ordinances, which the Lord commanded Moses. joas, when he was crowned in the temple, 2. Par. 23. had the law of the Lord delivered unto his hands, that he should keep and maintain the same. josaphat that walked in the commandments 2. Par. 27 of the Lord & loved Gods word so entirely, that he sent his princes, Levites, and priests to teach in all parts of juda, which had the book of the lords law with them, and went about in all the cities of juda, and taught the people. Ezechias diligently walked in the law 2. Par. 29. of the Lord, purged his realm of all idolatry, set up again the true worshipping of God, & exhorted all his subjects to follow the law of their Lord God. jossas' that most godly king which walked 2. Par. 34. so purely in the ways of the lord, that he declined neither on the right hand nor on the left, when the book of the law was delivered unto him, did not only cause the book to be red before him, but he himself also red it before all his people, both small and great, and (all idolatry destroyed) restored the true religion to his kingdom. Esdras red the law of the Lord plainly ●…. Esd. 8. and distinctly to the people, & they gave very earnest and diligent attendance to the bearing of it. Susan from her infanci●…, was so diligently Dan. 13 brought up of her parents in the law of God, that she did not only fear god, but also choosed rather to be stoned unto death, than she would once transgress the law of god by committing adultery. Sentences out of the new Testament. Man shall not live with bread alone, Math. 4 but with every word that cometh out of the mouth of God. verily, verily, I say unto you, this age Math. 24. shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Blessed are they that hear the word Luke. 11. of god and keep it. Blessed is he that eateth bread in the Luke. 13. kingdom of God. They have Moses and the Prophets, Luc. 16. let them hear them. If they hear not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they believe though one should rise from the dead. This is condemnation, that light is john. ●…. come into the world, and that men loved darkness more than light, because their works were evil. For every man that doth evil, hateth the light, neither cometh he to the light, lest his works should be reproved, but he that doth truth, cometh to light that his deeds might be known how they are wrought in god. Search the scriptures for ye think to john. 5. have eternal life in them, and these are they which testify of me, neither will ye come unto me that ye may have life. The words that I speak to you, are john. 6. spirit and life. Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of everlasting life. He that is of god heareth the words of john. 8. god. But ye hear not because ye are not of god. If a man keepeth my word, he shall never see death. My sheep hear my voice, and I know john. 10. them, and they follow me, and I give them everlasting life. Walk while ye have light, least darkness overwhelm you. He that walketh in john. 12. darkness, knoweth not whether he goeth. While ye have light believe in the light: that ye may be the children of light. He that hath my precepts and keepeth joh. 14. them, he it is that loveth me. If any man loveth me, he will keep my word, and my father will love him, and we shall come to him, and dwell with him. This is everlasting life, even to know joh. 17. thee the alone true God, and whom thou hast sent jesus Christ. Every one that is of the truth, heareth john. 18. my voice. The gospel of Christ is the power of Rom. 1. god unto salvation, for so many as believe. Except the Lord of boasts had left unto Rom. 9 us sede, that is, his most blessed word, we had been as Sodom, and might well have been likened to Gomorra. Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing Rom. 10 by the word of God. Whatsoever things are written afore Rom. 15. time, are written for our learning, that we thorough patience & comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. The word of the cross, is to them that ●…. Cor. 1 perish, foolishness, but to us▪ that obtain salvation, it is the power of God. If the gospel of Christ be yet bid, it is ●…. Cor. 4. bid among them that are lost, in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, which is the image of God, should not shine unto them. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom. Teach and monish one an other. Quench not the spirit. Despise not the studies and preachings of the holy Scripture. Prove all things, and that is good, hold fast. God will all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1. Tim. ●…. give thy mind to reading, exhortation, and doctrine, continue in these things. 1. Tim. 4 Continue in reading the holy scripture, which is able to make thee wise unto salvation, 2. Tim. 3 thorough the faith which is in Christ jesus: For all Scripture given by inspiration of God, is profitable to teach, to improve, to amend, and to instruct in righteousness, that the man of god may be perfect and prepared to all good works. The word of God is livishe and mighty in operation, and sharper than any two edged sword. Lay a part all filthiness, all superfluity Heb. 4. of maliciousness, and receive with meke●…es, the word that is grafted in you, which is able to save your souls. And see ye be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if any hear the word and do it not, he is like to a man that beholdeth his bodily face in a glass: For as soon as he hath looked on himself he goeth his way, and forgetteth forthwith what his fashion was. But who so looketh in the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein (if he be not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work) the same shall be happy in his deed. Lay a side all malice, & guile, and dissimulation ●…. Pet. 2. and envy, and all backbiting, and as new borne babes desire that milk not of the body, but of the mind, which is without corruption, that ye may grow therein. We have a right sure word of prophecy: ●…. Pet. 1. whereunto if ye take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, ye do well until the day dawn, and the day star arise in our hearts. So that ye first know this, that no prophecy in the scripture hath any private interpretation. For the scripture came never by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the holy ghost. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth 2. john. 1. not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not god. He that endureth in the doctrine of Christ, hath both the father and the son. If there come any to you, and bring not this learning, him receive not to house, neither once bid him god speed, for he that biddeth him God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds. Blessed is he that readeth and heareth Apoc. 1. the words of the prophecte, and keepeth these things that are written therein. Blessed is he that keepeth the words of Apoc. 22. the prophecy of this book. ☞ Examples out of the new Testament. THe people pressed so greatly upon Luk. 6. Christ to hear the word of God, that he was compelled to enter into a ship, and so to teach them. Marry the sister of Martha, sat at jesus Luk. 10. feet and heard his preaching. And when Martha being greatly cumbered about much serving and other worldly business, said to Christ: Master, dost thou not care that my sister hath lest me to minister alone. Bid her therefore that she help me. He said: Martha, Martha, thou carest and art troubled, about many things, but one thing is needful. Mary hath choose her that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. When Christ preached in the temple, Luk. 19 all the people did hang of his mouth, hearing him. Peter turned three thousand at one of Act. 2. his sermons. The Eunuch chamberlain, and of great Act. 7. authority with Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians, read the Prophet Isaiah, sitting in his chariot, to whom the holy ghost sent Philip, which did both expound the Scriptures unto him, & also baptized him. So dear are they to God which delight in the reading of his holy word. The noblest of birth among them of ●… Acts. 17. Thessalonia, which received the word with all diligence of minds, searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were even so as Paul & Silas preached. Apollo's was an eloquent man & mighty Act. 18. in the scriptures, He was informed in the way of the lord, and he spoke fervently in the spirit, and taught diligently the things of the Lord, and yet knew he but the baptism and doctrine of john only, whom when Aquila and Priscilla his wife being lay persons, had herd, they took him unto them, & expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly, in somuch that afterward he mightily overcame the jews and that openly, showing by the scriptures that jesus was Christ. Philip the Evangelist and preacher of the gospel, had four daughters excellently Act. 21. learned in the holy scriptures. Timothe was brought up in the holy 2. Tim. 3 scriptures from his young age. Against strange religion or new found worshipping of God. IF thou be moved unto strange religion or new found worshipping of God, either by Satan, by the pope, or by any subdue hypocrite, look that thou by no means dost lean unto their wicked motions, but rather valiantly withstand than, with these sentences and examples of the holy scripture. ☞ Sentences out of the old Testament Hear Israel, your Lord God is one God. Thou shalt love thy Lord god Deut. 1●… with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength. Thou shalt fear thy Lord God, and serve him alone. And now Israel, what doth the Lord Deut. 6 thy God require of thee, but that thou fearest the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways, and love him, and serve the Lord thy Godwith all thy heart, & with all thy soul, and keep the commandments of the Lord. Do that which is pleasant in the sight Deut. 13 of the Lord thy God. Sacrifice to the Lord the sacrifice of righteousness, and trust in him. I will not reprove thee in thy sacrifices, Psal. 5. sayeth the●… Lord, for I am full of thy burnt offerings. Offer to God the sacrifice of praise, and pay to the most highest thy vows. Call on me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt honour me. Hear O my people, I will give thee Psalm. 81. a charge O Israel: If thou wilt hear me, there shall be no strange nor new found God in thee, neither shalt thou worship any foreign God. For I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt. To do mercy and judgement pleaseth the Lord more than sacrifice. A sacrifice well pleasing to the Lord isto attend to his commandments, and to depart from all iniquities and unrighteousness. What shall I do with all these your sacrifices, Esay. 1. saith the Lord: I am full of them. The burnt offerings of Wethers and fatlings, the blood of Calves, Lambs, and Goats, I will none of them. When ye come before my sight, who required these things at your hands, that ye should walk in my courts? Bring me no more sacrifice on this manner in vain: Your sensing is abomination unto me. The feasts of the new Moon, and the sabbaths, and other holy days I can not abide. Your congregations are wicked: Your kalends and your solemn feasts, my soul hateth. I am even weary of them. It grieveth me to the heart for to suffer them. When ye shall pray many prayers: I will not hear you. For your hands are full of blood. Be ye washed and clean. Take away your evil thoughts from mine eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do well. Seek judgement, help the poor oppressed: be favourable to the fatherless, defend the widow, and then come & prove me, saith the lord. If your sins be as red as scarlet, yet shall they be made as white as snow. And if they be made like purpell, yet shall they be made as white as wool. If that ye will be contented & hear me, ye shall eat the good fruits of the earth. If that ye will not, but provoke me to anger, the sword shall devour you, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Put your burnt offerings to your sacrifices & eat the flesh. For when I brought your Fathers out of the land of Egypt, I spoke not one word unto them of burnt offerings and sacrifices, but this I commanded them, saying: hear my voice, and I shall be your God, and ye shall be my people. See ye walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that ye may prosper. I hate and utterly defy your holy days, and where as ye sense me when ye come together, I will not accept it. And though ye offer me burned offerings, yet will not I receive your gifts. Away from me with the noise of thy songs, for I can not abide the hearing of thy playing at the Organs. Provide that equity may follow as the water, and righteousness as a mighty stream, for in these things have I delight and pleasure sayeth the Lord. I will mercy and no sacrifice, saith the Ose. 6. Lord, and the knowledge of God do I set more by, then burnt offerings. What shall I offer worthy the Lord? Mich. 6. Shall I bow my knee to the high god? Shall I offer unto him burnt sacrifices & calves of a year old? May the Lord be pleased with a thousand fat Wethers? Or with many thousands of lusty Goats? Shall I give my first begotten for my wickedness? Even the fruit of my womb for the sin of my soul? I will show the●… (Woman) what is good, and what the Lord requireth of thee: verily to do judgement, to love mercy, and carefully to walk with thy God. How long will ye halt on both parts. 3. Reg. 18. If the Lord be God, follow him. If Baal be God, follow him. ☞ Examples out of the old Testament. NAdab and Abihu of a good intent offered incense to the Lord with strange levit. 10. fire, yet for all their good zeal, they were consumed with fire, so that they died before the Lord. King Saul thought that he had done 1. Reg. 13. great worship unto God, when in the absence of Samuel he offered burnt offerings, but Samuel said unto him: thou hast done foolishly, neither haste kept the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I commanded thee. Saul also of a good zeal contrary 2. Reg. 15. to the commandment of God, spared Agag the king of Ameleche alive, with the best and fattest flocks of sheep, oxen, ●…c: Pretending, that he reserved them for to offer unto the Lord. But Samuel said unto him: for asmuch as thou hast cast away the word of the Lord, the Lord hath cast away thee: that thou be no more king. Willeth the Lord burned offerings and sacrifices, and not rather that it may be obeyed unto his word? Obedience is better than sacrifices: and to give ear to the lords commandment, is more than to offer the fat of Weathers. Oza thought that he had done God high ●…. Reg. 6. service, when he stayed the Ark of God in the wain, being in jeopardy of falling: but yet was the Lord angry with him, because he touched it contrary to his word, in so much that he was stricken and suddenly died. King Ozias took upon him to burn incense 2. Par. 26. unto the Lord, thinking that by this means he should highly please God, but for all his pretenced holiness he was stricken with leprosy: and so being cast out of the house of the Lord, he continued a leper even unto his death. ¶ Sentences out of the new Testament. THese people draw nigh unto me with Math. 15 their mouths, & honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Behold, they worship me in vain, teaching doctrines, even the commandments of men. Woe be unto you ye Scribes & Pharisees, Ma. 23. yea very hypocrites: which devour widows houses under the pretence of long prayer, ye shall therefore receive the more grievous damnation. God hath delivered us from the hand of Luk. 1. our enemies, that we should serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. The hour cometh and now it is, when john. 4. true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the father seeketh such, that should worship him. God is a spirit, & they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and truth. The time shall come, that whosoever killeth you, shall think that they do unto joh. 16. God an high good service. God is my witness whom I serve in Rom. 1. my spirit. Be ye fulfilled with the spirit, speaking Ephe. 5 with yourselves in psalms and hymns & spiritual songs, and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks always for all things unto God in the name of the Lord jesus Christ. Unto god king everlasting, immortal, ●…. Tim. 1. invisible and wise only, be all honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. ¶ Examples out of the new Testament. OUr Saviour Christ when he lived in this world, did all things according john. 5. to his heavenly father's commandments as he himself saith, as my father hath given me commandment, so do I: this did he to give us example, that in matters of religion we should attempt nothing as due service unto god, but that only which we have learned out of his holy word. The apostles of Christ both taught and wrought that only, which they had received of their Lord and master jesus Christ. Of these aforesaid Scriptures & histories, mayest thou learn that God is not worshipped as carnal reason and fleshly wisdom imagineth and prescribeth, but as god by his holy word biddeth, appointeth, and commandeth. A Christian man ought to follow Christ's steps and to walk, as he hath walked. Against men's traditions and unwritten verities. IF Satan or any of his imps unto the derogation of God's glory. shall at any time tempt thee with man's traditions or unwritten verities, for to give no les credit unto them, than unto the word of God: avoid him with these scriptures. ☞ Sentences out of the old Testament. YE shall not add unto the word that I Deut. 4 speak, nor take aught from it. Ye shall not turn unto the right hand nor unto the left hand: but by the way that the Lord your god hath commanded you ye shall walk: that ye may live and have good luck. Keep the commandments of the Deut. 6 Lord thy god, and the testimonies and ceremonies, which he hath commanded thee: and do that which is pleasant and good in the lords sight, that thou mayest have good luck. That I command thee, do that only neither Dan. 12 put to any thing, nor take aught away. Put nothing to his words, lest thou Pro. 20. be reproved and found a liar. Woe be unto them that call evil good, & good evil: which make darkness light, and light darkness: that make sour sweet and sweet sour. Woe be to them that are wise in their Esay. 5 own sight, and think themselves to have understanding. Woe be unto you that make unrighteous Esay. 10. laws, and devise things which be to hard to be kept: through which the poor are oppressed on every side: and the innocentes of my people are therewith rob of judgement. Woe be to those shrinking children saith the lord Esay. 30. which seek counsel but not at me: which take a web in hand, but not after my will that they may heap one sin upon an other. Thus saith the Lord, my thoughts Esay. 55 are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways: but as far as the heavens are higher than the earth, so far do my ways exceed yours, and my thoughts your thoughts. Your lips speak leasings: and your tongue setteth out wickedness. No man regardeth righteousness, and Esay. 59 no man judgeth truly. Every man hopeth in vain things: and imagineth deceit, conceiveth wickedness, and bringeth forth evil. They breed Cockatrice's eggs, & weave the spider's web: Whosoever e●…eth of their eggs dieth, but if one tread upon them, their cometh up a serpent. Their web maketh no cloth, and they may not cover them with their labours. Their deeds are the deeds of wickedness, and the work of robbery is in their hands: their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood. Their counsels are wicked counsels, hate and destruction is in their ways: but the way of peace they know not. In their doings is no equity, their ways are so crooked that who so goeth therein, knoweth nothing of peace. My people have committed two great jerem. 2 evils. They have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and digged them pits, pits I say that are broken, and can hold no water. Take b●…de saith the Lord ye trust in jere. 7 co●…sels that beguile you & do you no good. Hear not the words of the Prophets, jere. 23. that preach their own dreams. Hear O ye house of Israel, saith the Eze. 18 lord. Is not my way right, or are not your ways rather wicked? The children of thy people, say, tush Eze, 33 the way of the Lord is not right, where as their way is rather unright. Examples out of the old Testament. jeroboam king of Israel, contrary to Reg. 12 god's word, made two calves of gold and set them up to be worshipped of people as their gods, but both he and his posterity were grievously punished for it. How grievously god punished all such as brought in strange worshippings of god, or any matters concerning idolatry or aught else contrary to the word of God, although the author's of them made the simple people to believe that they were verities, although unwritten as the Papists do now adays, the holy scriptures in divers places do evidently show, namely in the books of the kings and of the chronicles. ☞ Sentences out of the new Testament. Except your righteousness doth exceed Math. 5 the righteousness of the Scribes and Phariseis, ye can not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Beware of false Prophets which c●…me Math. 7 unto you in sheeps clothing, and inward lie are ravening wolves. Why do ye transgress the commaunden●…ent Math. 15 of God for your traditions. Every plant that my heavenvly father hath Mat. 15 not planted, shall be plucked up by the roots. This is my well-beloved Son, in Math. 17 whom I am well pleased, hear ye him, Teach them to keep all things that Mat. 28. I have commanded you. Ye leave the commandment of god, Mar. 7. and maintain your own constitutions. Well, ye do cast aside the commandment of god, to keep your own traditions. If ye abide in my word, ye are my disciples john. 3. in deed, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. He that is of god, heareth the words of God. My sheep hear my voice & I know john. 10 them and they follow me: neither shall they at any time perish, nor yet shall any man pluck them out of my hand. He that hath my commandments joh. 14. and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: If any man loveth me, he will keep my words. If ye keep my commandments, john. 15. ye shall abide in my law. Ye are my friends, if ye do those things that I command you. Every one that is of the truth, heareth john. 19 my voice. I dare not speak of any of these things Rom. 15. that Christ hath not wrought by me. I beseech you brethren, mark them that make division and give occasions of evil, contrary to the doctrine that ye have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such, serve not the Lord jesus Christ, but their own bellies: & with sweet preachings and flattering words, deceive the hearts of the simple. Though we ourselves or an Angel from Rom. 15 Heaven, preach any other Gospel to you then that which we have preached unto you, hold him accursed. As I said before so say I now again, if any man preach any other thing unto you then that ye have received, hold him accursed. Though it be but a man's testament Gal. 3. yet no man despiseth it or addeth any thing thereto, when it is once allowed: How much more ought nothing to be added to the tes tament of the most high God, nor yet be taken from it. Be no more children from henceforth, Ephe. 3 wandering and carried with every wind of doctrine, by the wiliness of men & crafts: whereby they lay await for us to deceiu●… us, but let us follow the truth in love, and in all things grow in him which is thy head: that is to say Christ. Cast away ungodly & old wives fables, 1 Tim. 4. exercise thyself unto godliness. If any man teach otherwise, & is not 1. Tim. 6. content with the wholesome words of our Lord jesus Christ, and with the doctrine of godliness: He is puffed up & knoweth no thing, but wasteth his brains about questions & strife of words, whereof spring envy, strife, railing, evil surmisings, and vain disputations of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, which think that lucre is godliness: From such separate thyself. If any man speak, let him speak as 2. Pet. 4. though it came of gods own mouth. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not god He that endureth in the doctrine of Christ, hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you and bring 2. john. 1 not this learning, him receive not to house neither bid him god speed. For he that bid death him god speed, is partaker of his evil deeds. Be not carried about with divers and Hebr. 13 strange learnings. If any man addeth to these things, Apo. 22 god shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book, And if any man shall minish of the words of this book of this Prophecy, god shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from those things which are written in this book. Examples out of the new Testament. Christ rebuketh the Pharisees for bringing Math. 15 their traditions into the church of God, by that means defacing the glory of Gods most holy word. Blessed Saint Paul reproveth them Col. 2. which be dead with Christ, from the commandments of the world, and yet suffer themselves still to be led with traditions, as these for an example touch not, taste not, handle not, etc. Which all perish through the very abuse after the commandments and doctrines of men which things outwardly have the similitude of wisdom by superstition and humbleness of mind. etc. Thapostles of Christ would not burden Act. 15. the christian congregations with new and superfluous traditions, but only charged them with such things as were necessary. Saint Paul in his Epistle unto the Gala. 4. Galathians inveigheth against them, which after they have known god, turn again unto needy and beggarly ceremonies, traditions or ordinances observing days months, times and years. Against the following of ungodly forefathers. If thou through temptation of the Devil or the ●…alse persuasions of antichrist's Prophets be m●… ●…ed at any time to doubt of the truth of god's word which the papists at this day call seditious doctrine, new learning and heresy, because thy forefathers have both beloved and done the contrary▪ call these scriptures to thy remembrance. Sentences out of the old Testament: Follow not the multitude to do evil. Exod. 23. Do not you these things that they Leu. 18. have done, which were before you neither be ye defiled in them: I am the Lord your God keep my commandments. The Lord sent his prophets to his people, 4. Reg. 17. saying: return from your unrighteous ways, and keep my precepts and ceremonies, according to all the law that I commanded your fathers. But they would not hear, but became stiff-necked, even as their forefathers were stiff-necked, which would not obey the Lord God. Let them put their hope in God, & not Psal. 69. forget the works of the Lord but seek after his commandments, Let them not be like their forefathers, which were a froward and a spiteful nation, a nation that would never be true hearted, nor bear an upright mind toward God. Be not hard hearted as your forefathers Psal. 125. were, saith the Lord which chide and rebelled against me. We have sinned with our forefathers we have done unjustly, and committed iniquity. Trust not in rulers nor in the sons Psal. 146. of men, in whom is no health. For when their breath goeth away, they return un to their earth: In the day shall all their thou ●…hts, counsels, devices and imaginations come to nought. I have always said unto your forefathers since I brought them out of the land of Egypt even unto this day hear my voice, but they would not hear nor once bow their ear unto it: But every one of them is gone astray in the fr●… wardness of his wicked heart, ye the people of juda and the men of jerusalem are also fallen unto the wickedness of their fore fathers which would not hear my words: Insomuch that they are already gone away after strange Gods and serve them. The house of Israel & the house of juda, have broken the covenant which I made with their fathers. Therefore thus saith the lord: Behold I will bring in extreme punishments upon them, so that they shall not escap from them. They shall cry v●…to me but I will not hear them. The cities of juda and th●… inhabiters of Jerusalem, shall go & cry unto them, to whom they offered sacrifice: and yet shall they not save them in the time of their trouble. According to the number of thy cities were thy Gods, O juda, and after the number of thy ways, O Jerusalem, haste thou set up altars of abomination to do sacrifice unto Baalim. Your forefathers have forsaken me, jerem. 16. saith the Lord, and they are gone away after strange Gods, and have served them and worshipped them: yea, they have utterly given me over, and have not kept my law. But you have wrought more abomination, than all your forefathers have done. For behold, every one of you walk after the lewdness of his own wicked heart, and will not hear me. Their forefathers have broken my covenant Eze. 2. even unto this day, and they to whom I send thee, are children without all shame, and of such an heart, as can not be reclaimed. Walk not in the commandments Eze, 20 of your fathers, nor keep not their ordinances: neither pollute yourselves with their idols. For I am the lord your God. Therefore walk in my precepts, and keep my judgements, and do them. Confusion of face and utter shame be Dan. 9 unto us, unto our kings, unto our rulers: & to our forefathers, which have sinned. Be not like your forefathers, unto whom Zach. 1. the Prophets in times past cried, saying: thus saith the Lord of hosts, turn from your evil ways, and from your abominable thoughts, but they would not hearken nor give any attendance unto me, saith the Lord. Our forefathers have sinned, and have 2. Par. 19 done evil in the sight of the Lord our god. For they have forsaken him, and turned away their faces from the tabernacles of the Lord our God. Be not like your forefathers and brethren, 2. Par. 30 which rebelled against the Lord God of their fathers, and he gave them over into desolation, as ye see yourselves. Be not ye hardnecked now as were your forefathers, but offer your hand unto the Lord, and come to his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever, and serve the Lord your God, so shall the indignation of his wrath turn away from you. Examples out of the old Testament. CAin ●…lewe his brother Abel, and followed Gen. 4. his forefather the devil, which was a mansleyer from the beginning. Nadab king of Israel followed his forefather 3. Reg. 15 Hieroboam, committing idolatry against the lord his God. Therefore Baasa destroyed him and his kingdom, & all the house of Hieroboam, so that one of the stock remained not alive. Ozochias king of Israel followed his 1. Par. 22. wicked forefather Achab, & grievously sinned against the lord his God. He therefore reigned but a little time, and also died a miserable death. Amon king of juda, followed his Idolatrous 4. Reg. 21. forefather Manasses, and did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord his God. He reigned but two years, and was slain of his servants in his own house. joakim king of juda for●…oke the godly 4. Reg. 23. ways of his most virtuous father king josias, and followed the steps of his wicked forefathers. The Lord therefore suffered him to reign but three months in jerusalem, and gave him over into the hands of his enemies. Sedechias king of juda followed his 4. Reg. 25 wicked forefathers, and provoked the lord his God unto anger. He therefore was deprived of his kingdom, saw his children slain before his eyes, and afterward he having his eyes plucked out of his head, was bound in chains, and miserably carried away into Babylon. ¶ Sentences out of the ne●… Testament. All that come before me are thieves and john. 10. robbers, but my sheep have not heard them. O ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised of Act. 7. hearts and ears, ye have always resisted the holy ghost▪ as your forefathers did, so do ye. Which of the Prophets have not your Act. 7. forefathers persecuted. See that ye pass the time of your pilgrimage 1. Pet. 1. in fear, for as much as ye know how that ye were not redeemed with corruptible silver and gold from your vain conversation, which ye received by the traditions of the forefathers: but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb undefiled and without spot. Examples out of the new Testament. THe pharisees and the Scribes following Mat. 15. their ungodly forefathers, observed the traditions of their elders, and neglected the commandments of God. The jews fulfilling the measure of Math. 23. their forefathers, which slew the Prophets that were sent unto them from God, killed Christ and his blessed Apostles. Paul before his conversion following Act. 9 his wicked forefathers the jews, persecuted the congregation of Christ, even as his elders persecuted Christ and the Prophets. Against the wicked old customs and long usages. IF Satan or any of his members labour to pluck thee from god's word unto wicked old customs and long usages, avoid him with these scriptures following. Sentences out of the old Testament. ACcording to the custom of the land Leu. 18. 3. of Egypt wherein ye dwelled, shall ye not do: and after the manner of the land of Canaan, whether I will bring you shall ye not do, neither walk in their ordinances, but do after my judgements, & keep my ceremonies to walk therein. I am the lord your God. Ye shall keep therefore mine ordinances & my judgements, which if a man do, he shall live in them. I am the lord. Take heed that ye commit not one of Leu. 18. 30 these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and look that ye defile not yourself therein. I am the Lord your God. An example out of the old Testament. Even unto this present day do they still 2. Reg. 17 follow their old customs. They fear not the Lord, neither keep they his ceremonies, his laws and commandments. The Prophets cried, worship no strange Gods, but fear the Lord your God, and he shall deliver you from the power of all your enemies. But they would not hear, but still committed wickedness according to their old custom. They pretended as though they served the Lord and yet nevertheless did they also service to their idols. For as their forefathers did, so do their sons, & nephews unto this present day▪ Against such as slander Christ's Gospel, by calling it new learning. IF the adversary of true godliness go about to persuade thee, that Christ's gospel is new learning, and that therefore thou oughtest to geu●… no care unto it, nor believe it: look that thou by n●… means consent unto them, but rather remember that this is no new blasphemy, but used many years before of wicked hypocrites, as thou shalt perceive by these examples following. ¶ Examples out of the new Testament. WHen Christ preached in the synagogue Mar. 1. at Capernaum, and healed the man that was possessed with an unclean spirit, the people cried out and said: what new learning is this. When Paul preached at Athens the Acts. ●…7. resurrection of the dead, certain belly gods as the Epicures & stoics, strove with him and said: what meaneth this prattler? Other said, he seemed to be a preacher of new devils. another company said, may we not know what new learning this is, that thou showest? Thou bringest in new things in deed unto our ears. Our old fathers never taught us any such gear. We will know what these things mean. Against pensiveness and thought taking for the life. IF thou be troubled for the preservation of thy life either in sickness, trouble, persecution, imprisonment, or otherwise, comfort thyself with these scriptures. Sentences out of the old Testament. THe Lord killeth and giveth life again. 1. Reg. 2. He bringeth even to hell, and back again. The Lord is my light and my health whom then should I fear? The Lord is Psal. 27. the strength of my life, of whom then should I be afraid: though an host of men were laid against me, yet shall not my heart be afraid. And though there arose up war against me, yet will I put my trust in him. He hath given his angels charge of Psal. 91. thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. The Angel of the Lord shall be sent Psal. 34. among all them that fear him, and shall deliver them. The surges of the sea are marvelous, Psal. 93. yea the lord on high is rather marvelous. They consented all against me, they conspired Psal. 31. to take away my life, but in thee (O Lord) have I trusted, and I said, thou art my God, In thy hand are my destinies. Many tribulations fall on the righteous, Psal. 34. but from them all, the lord delivereth them. The Lord keepeth all their bones, so that not one of them shall be broken. The health of the righteous is of the Psal. 37. Lord, and he defendeth them in the time of their trouble. Yea the lord will help them and deliver them, and set them harmless from the ungodly: and save them because they have trusted in them. Thou haste limited the waters these Psal. 104. bounds: which they may not pass. The Lord is my helper, I will not fear Psal. 118. what man do unto me. The Lord is my deliverer, therefore will I set nought by mine enemies. The Lord hath given a commandment: Psal. 148. and none shall go beyond it, Fire, Hail, Snow, Ice, and vapours, stormy winds accomplish his word. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh Eccle. 5 for to sin, neither say thou before the Angel, there is no providence: lest peradventure the Lord being angry against thy words do destroy all the works of thy hands. Life and death are of God. Eccle. 〈◊〉 Thy providence (O father) governeth Sap. 14 all things from the beginning. Thou (O Lord) art he which hast power of life and death. Who can say that any thing can be done without the lords commandment? From the mouth of the highest, goeth there not good and ill? ☞ Examples out of the old Testament. ESau burned with an immortal hatred Gen. 27. 32. 33. against his brother jacob: because of the blessing wherewith his father had blessed him: and purposed fully in his heart to kill his brother. But jacob prayed unto the Lord, and he mollified Esau's heart, in so much, that when jacob thought that both he and his should be slain, his brother Esau came gently unto him, lovingly embraced him, kissed him friendly, and for very joy wept: so mighty is God to mollify tira●…ntes hearts, when it pleaseth him, and to make them gracious and favourable to his servants. Saul persecuted David cruelly, purposing 1. Reg. 1●…. to kill him, but his labour was in vain. jezabel threatened and swore to slay Helias, 3. Reg. 19 but the Lord preserved him. Satan could do nothing to job, till job. 2. God suffered him: neither exercised he his cruelness any further against job, than he was appointed of God. The godly woman Susan through the Dan. 8. false accusations of the two wicked judges was at the point to be stoned unto death, but God wonderfully delivered her from the hands of her enemies. ☞ Examples out of the new Testament. Fear not them which kill the body, Mat. 10. and be not able to kill the soul. But rather fear him, which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And none of them fall on the ground without the will of your father. Yea all the hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Ye be come out as unto a thief with Math. 26. sword and staves. When I was daily with you in the temple, ye laid no hand upon me, but this is your hour and the power of darkness. Thou couldst have no power at all against john. 〈◊〉. me (said Christ unto Pilate) except it were given thee from above. All things are of him, by him and Math. 12. in him. If we live, we live to be at the Lords Rom. 14 will. And if we die, we die at the Lords will. Whether we live therefore or die, we are in the lords hand. Behold, I am alive saith Christ, for Apoc. 1. evermore: and have the keys of death ●…nd hell. ☞ Examples out of the new Testament. Mat. 8. THe ship, wherein Christ and his Disciples were, was grievously tossed with the waves of the sea, through the wind and the tempest that arose, in so much that it was at the point of drowning. Notwithstanding, neither water, wind, nor tempest, did once hurt it. Math. 8 The devils had no power to enter into swine till Christ gave them leave. If thou cast us forth, said they, suffer us to enter into the herd of swine. Christ answered, john. 7. go ye, and they went. The jews did seek to kill Christ, but his time was not then come. No man did set his hands on him because his hour was not yet come. They went about to take Christ, but john. 10. he escaped from the midst of their hands. There came certain of the Pharisees and Luke. 13. said unto Christ, get thee out of the way, & departed bence. For Herode will kill thee. And he said unto them, go & tell that fox: behold I cast out devils, and heal the people to day and to morrow, and the three day I make an end. Nevertheless, I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it can not be that a prophet perish any other where then at jerusalem. Herode threw Peter in prison, bound Acts. 12. him fast with chains: and set certain soldiers for the more assurance to keep him, purposing after Easter to bring him forth unto the people, and so to have slain him. But God being mightier than all the tyranny and power of the world sent his Angel, and delivered Peter out of prison. Paul being at Milete gathered a Act. 28. bundle of sticks, and put them in the fire, and suddenly there came a venomous adder, otherwise called a viper, out of the heat, and leapt on his hand. The men The men that were present and saw this thing waited when he should have swollen or fallen down dead sodynly. But Paul shaken of the vermin into the fire and felt no harm. Against hunger, poverty, or carefulness of living. IF at any time thou be tempted with the carefulness of living, comfort thyself with these holy scriptures. Sentences out of the old Testament. THey that fear the Lord, shall have no scarcenesss. They which seek the Lord Psal. 33. shall want no good thing. Behold the eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, and upon them that Psal. 34 trust in his mercy, that he may deliver their lives from death and nourish them in the time of hunger. I have been young and am waxed old, and I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Psal. 37. nor his children begging their bread on the earth. Lay thy care on the Lord, and he shall nourish thee. Psal. 55 All creatures depend upon thee (O Lord) that thou shouldest give them meat Psal. 10●… in due time. For thou giving it them, they take it, and thou opening thy hand, they are well satisfied. But thou hiding thy face they are sorrowful, & thou taking away their breath, they are but dead, and turned into the earth that they came of. The eyes of all things look upon thee, Psal. 165 (O Lord) and thou givest them meat in due time. Thou openest thy hand, and replenishest all things living with thy bless sing. The Lord giveth meat to the hungry. Psal. 166. The blessing of the Lord maketh men Pro. 10. rich: and there shall no grief accompany them. The Lord will not let the soul of the righteous suffer hunger, but he putteth the ungodly from his desire. He that tilleth his land shall have plenteousness Pro. 12 of bread, but he that followeth idleness, is a very fool. Good and evil, life and death, poverty Eccle. 11. and riches are of God. Trust in god, abide in thy place. For it is an easy thing in the sight of God, quickly to enrich a poor man. Fear not my son, we lead a poor Tob.▪ 4 life, notwithstanding we shall have plenty of all good things, if we fear the Lord depart from all sin, and do well. Examples out of the old Testament. GOd fed the people of Israel with meat Exod. 16. from heaven, and gave them drink out of the rock. God sent meat by the Ravens to Helias. 3. Reg. 17. The Angel of god took Abacuk by Dan. 14 the top, and bore him by the hear of the head, and thorough a mighty wind set him upon the den where Daniel was prisoner: and gave him that meat, which the Prophet had prepared for his reapers, Sentences out of the new Testament. MAn shall not live with bread alone, Math. 4 but, with every word that cometh out of the mouth of god. Take no thought, saying what shall Math. 6 we eat? or what shall we drink? or wherewith shall we be clothed, after these things seek the heathen. For your heavenly father know eth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of god, & the right teousnesse thereof: and all these things shallbe cast unto you. God giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy them. 1. Tim. ●…. I will not fail thee, nor yet forsake thee. Hebr. 13 Examples out of the new Testament. christ at the marriage, turned water in john. 2 to wine. Christ with five barley loves and two Math. 10 fishes, fed five thousand people and yet remained. xii. baskets full of fragments. Against keeping of evil company. When the Devil, the Flesh or the world move thee to resort unto any evil company, defend the self from it with remembering these scriptures. Sentences out of the old Testament. HE shall dwell in the Lord's tabernacle Psalm. 15. and rest upon his ●…oly hill which setteth not by the ungodly, but maketh much of them that fear the Lord. With the holy shalt thou be holy, and Psalm. 19 with the innocent thou shalt be innocent. With the clean thou shalt be clean, and with the froward, thou shalt be froward. A froward heart, shall departed from me, I will not know a wicked person. Who so hath a proud look and an high sto Psal. 101 make, I may not away with him. Mine eyes shall look for such as be faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me, and who so leadeth a godly life, shallbe my servant. There shall no deceitful person dwell in my house. He that telleth lies shall not tarry in Psal. 119 my sight, I hate the ungodly, but thy law O Lord do I love. My Son, if sinners entice thee unto Pro. 1. wickedness, lean not unto them. If they say, come go with us, let us lay await for blood, and convey ourselves privily to trap the innocent. Let us swallow them up quickly like hell, and devour the perfect like a whirl pit. For thus shall we find great riches, and garnish our houses with oil. Cast in thy foot among us, and let us make a common purse. My son, walk not with them, but refrain thy feet from their ways, for their feet run unto mischief. In vain are nets spread abroad for birds before their eyes. For even these men lay await among themselves one to shed another's blood. Neither are their own lives in safeguard among themselves. These are the paths of covetous men among whom one spareth not the life of another. Come not in the path of the ungodly Pro. 4 and walk not in the way of the wicked. Eschew it, and go not therein, depart aside, and pass over by it. For they cannot sleep except they have first done some mischief. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of robbery. The path of the righteous shineth as the light, and is ever brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. But the way of the ungodly is as the darkness wherein men fall or they be aware. Who so accompanieth the wise, shall Pro. 13 have wisdom, but he that is a companion of fools, shall prove like them. Travail not by the way with him that Eccle. 6 is brainless, lest he do thee evil. For he followeth his own wilfulness and so shalt thou perish thorough his folly. Strive not with him that is angry and cruel, go not with him into the wilderness, for blood is nothing in his sight, and where there is no help, he shall murder thee. Look not upon a woman that is desirous of many men, lest thou fall into her Eccle. 9 snares. Use not the company of a woman that is a player and a dancer, and hear her not least, thou perish through her enticing Behold not a maiden, that thou be not hurt in her beauty. Eccle. 1●… Bring not every man into thine house for the deceitful layeth wait diversly. Eccle. 1●… Who will have pity on the charmer that is stinged of the serpent, or of all such as come nigh the beasts? Even so is it with him that keepeth company with a wicked man, and lappeth himself in his sins. Eccle. 13 He that toucheth pitch shallbe defiled of it, and he that keepeth company with a proud person, shall also become proud and stately. Examples out of the old Testament. Goe 11. 12 ABraham because he would not be partaker of their Idolatry, fled from the▪ people of Chaldea, being his native country. Goe 19 Lot at the commandment of the An gels, departed out of Sodom, lest he tarrying with the Sodomites, should have been consumed with them. Goe 12 Sara would not suffer Ishmael which was given to mocking, to keep company with her Son Isaac, lest he also should become a mocker. Goe 33 jacob would not keep company with his Brother Esau, although greatly entreated lest some wickedness should thereof have happened. Moses' at God's appointment commanded Num. 16. the people to depart from the dwelling places of Chore, Dathan, and Abiron, lest they also be wrapped in their sins and so perish among them. josaphat king of juda, was almost slain 3. Reg. 22. in the bartail, because he kept company & went unto the wars with wicked king Achab. After his return also he was greatly ●…. Par. 19 rebuked of jehu, for so doing. When all the people went to worship Tob. 1. the Golden calves which jeroboam had made: Tobias only fled away from the company of them all and went to jerusalem unto the lords temple, and there worshipped the Lord God of Israel. So long as judas Machabeus did put Mac. 89 his trust in the Lord, all things prospered well with him: but when he begun to join friendship and to keep company with the heathen & the Romans, shortly after he was overcome and slain in battle. The like thing chanced to jonathas. Mac. 12. ☞ Sentences out of the new Testament. GO not into the ways that lead unto ●…ath. 10 the heathen, and into the Cities of the Samaritans, enter ye not. I beseech you brethren, mark them Rom. 16 which cause division and give occasions of evil, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. Do ye not know that a little leaven ●…. Cor. 5 soureth the whole lump of dough. Purge therefore the old leaven, that ye may be new dow ●…s ye are sweet bread. I wrote unto you that ye should not keep company with whoremongers If any that is called a brother that is to say (a Christian man) be a whoremonger, or a covetous person, or a worshipper of images, either a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with him that is such see ye neither eat, nor yet keep company. Put away from among you that evil person. We require you brethren in the name 2. Thes. 3 of our Lord jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh inordinately, and not after the institution which ye received of us. If any teach otherwise, and is not content 1. Tim. 6 with the wholesome words of our lord jesus Christ, & with the doctrine of godliness, he is puffed up, and knoweth nothing, but wasteth his brains about questions and strife of words, where of spring envy, strife railings, evil surmisings, and vain disputations of men with corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, which think that lucre is Godliness: From such separate thyself. A man that is given to heresy, after the Titus. 3 first and second admonition avoid. Remembering that he that is such, is perverted and sinneth, even dampened by his own judgement. If there come any unto you, and bring ●…. john. 1 not this learning, him receive notto house, neither bid him GOD speed. For he that biddeth him god speed is, partaker of his ill deeds. Examples out of the new Testament. Luke. 22 Peter so long as he kept company with Christ and Christ's disciples, he concinued in the truth, preached the truth, confessed openly Christ to be the son of the living god: and promised that he would not only go into prison, but also unto the very death with Christ, but when he once came into the court into the bishops house, he strait ways was stricken with such fear, that a poor maid and a simple Simme Shakebuckler, made him both to deny and also to forswear jesus Christ his Lord and master: whom before he had boldly so oft confessed before the world. Saint Peter preaching to the believing & repentant jews among other his godly exhortations, commanded them, to save themselves from the untoward generation of the unfaithful, and to flee the company of such as deny jesus to be Christ and the son of the living God. Act. 7. 8. ●… Saul keeping company with the unfaith full jews as with the bishops, the priests the Pharisees, etc. became a grievous persecutor of the christian congregation, but being delivered from their fellowship he be came a worthy Apostle, and a fervent preacher of gods truth. Against Idleness. IF Satan move the unto idleness, which is the well spring and rote of all vice, ●…et before the eyes of thy mind both these sentences and examples of the holy scripture. Sentences out of the old Testament. The Lord took Adam, and put him into Goe 2. the garden of Eden, that he might dress and keep it. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat Gene. 3 thy bread, until thou teturnest into the earth, from whence thou wast taken. For dust thou art and into dust thou shalt be turned again. A man is borne to labour, and a bird job. 5. to fly. Thou shalt eat the labour of thy hand. Psal. 128 Go to the Emmet (thou fluggarde) consider Pro. 6 her ways, and learn to be wise. She hath no guide nor overseer, nor ruler: yet in the summer she provideth her meat, and gathereth her food together in the harvest. How long wilt thou slep thou sluggish man? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yea sleep on still a little, slumber a little, fold thine hands together yet a little that thou mayest sleep: ●…o shall poverty come unto, the as one that travaleth by the way, and oppress thee like a thief. If thou be not stouthful thy harvest shall come as a springing well, and poverty shall fly far from thee. Who so gathereth in summer is wise, Pro. 10 but he that is sluggish in harvest, bringeth himself to confusion. The sluggard would ●…aine have, and can Pro. 13. not get his desire, but the soul of them that work shall have plenty. Pro. 2●… A ●…outhfull body will not go to plough for cold in Winter, therefore shall he go a begging in summer, and have nothing. Delight not in sleep, lest thou come unto poverty, but open thine eyes, that thou mayest have bread enough. Pro. 2●… He that tilleth his land shall have plenteousness of bread, but he that followeth idleness, shall have poverty enough. Idlensse hath been the occasion of much Eccle. 33 evil and wickedness. Behold the sins of Sodom were these Ezech. 1●… pride, fullness of meat, abundance, and idleness. Examples out of the old Testament. Adam gate his living with the labour of Goe 2. 3 his hands, and the sweat of his brows. Cain was a ploughman and tilled the Goe 4 earth. Abel was a shepherd and kept sheep. jubal was a Musician and exercised music. Thubal Cain was a Smithe, and a graver in metal. Nohe was a Planter of vineyards. Gen. 9 Abraham, Lot, Isaac, and jacob, were Goe 13. 2●… Plowmen and shepherds. joseph was a magistrate and a public Goe 14 minister in the common weal of Egypt under king Pharaoh. Moses' was a shepherd and kept the Exo. 3 sheep of jethro his Father in law, Priest of Madian. The Children of Israel got their living with hard and painful labour in Egypt Exod. 1 under king Pharaoh. David before he was anointed king of Israel, was a shepherd. All the priests and levites of the old Exod. 28 law, every man according to his vocation laboured by giving attendance in the ten ple, by killing of beasts and offering of sacrifices, by studying the scriptures of god and teaching the same unto the people. Amos the Prophet was one of the shepherds ●…mos. 1 of Thecua. Abacuk the Prophet travailed in husbandry. ●…an. 14 ☞ Sentences out of the old Testament. LEt us not be weary of well doing. For ●…al. 6 when the time is come, we shall reap without weariness. Let him that stole, steal no more: but ●…he. 4 let him rather labour with his hands the thing which is good, that he may give to him that needeth. We beseech you brethren that ye study. 1. Thes. 4 to be quiet, and to meddle with your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you. When we were with you, we gave you 2. Thes. 3 this commandment, that if any man will not labour, the same should not eat. Let▪ all men work with quietness and eat their own bread. Examples out of the new Testament. CHrist was a carpenter. Math. 6 The Apostles of Christ were fisher Math. 4 men. Act. 20 Paul laboured with his own hands, and get both his own living and others that were with him. Saint Luke was a Physician, and as Col. 4 some writ a painter also. Aquila was a maker of tents, of the Act. 18 which occupation saint Paul was. Simon S. Peter's host was a tanner. Act. 10 Dorcas that virtuous woman made Act. 9 garments with her own hands & gave them to the poor people YE have heard how it was said to them Math. 5 of the old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord those things that thou swearest. But I say unto you swear not at all, neither by heaven, for it is God's seat: nor by the earth for it is his footstool, neither by jerusalem, for it is the City of the great King: neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But your communication shallbe yea, yea, nay, nay. For whatsoever is added more than these, it cometh of evil. Above all things my brethren swear jacob. 5 not, neither by heaven, neither by earth, nether any other oath. Let your yea, be yea and your nay, nay, least ye fall into hypocrisy. Examples out of the new Testament. HErod to perform his wicked and devilish Math. 14 oath which he had made to the daughter of▪ Herodias his whore for her pleasant dancing, suffered and commanded the head of that most godly preacher saint john Baptist, to be cut of. Let all men therefore beware of vain, rash and wicked oaths. Saint Peter, when it was laid to his Math. 2●… charged, that he was one of Christ's disciples▪ swore that he knew not the man. But afterward he bitterly wept for his swearing and denying of Christ. Let us also lament and be sorry for our idle and wicked manner of swearing and lean it, and praise t●…e name of the Lord our God. ¶ Against lying. slandering and filthy or unclean talk IF Satan at any time moveth thee to abuse thy tongue contrary to the will of God, either in lying slandering, or other wicked and idle words resist his temptation ●… these scriptures following. Sentences out of the old Testament. THou shalt eschew lying. Exod. 23 Ye shall not lie, neither shall any levit. 19 of you deceive his neighbour. Thou (O Lord) shalt destroy all them Psal. 6. that speak lies. There be six things that God hateth, Pro. 6 and the seventh he utterly abhorreth. A proud countenance, a lying tongue, hands defiled with innocent blood, an heart imagining wicked counsels, feet swift unto mischief, a false witness, the sour of discord among brethren. lying lips are abomination to the lord: Pro. 2 but they that do faithfully, please him. A false witness shall not escape unpunished, ●…ro. 19 and he that speaketh lies, shall perish and come to nought. He that gathereth his goods with a ●…ro. 14 lying tongue shall lose all, and be in peril of his life. He that keepeth his tongue, keepeth his life from troubles. A lying witness shall perish, have thou ●…ccle. 7 no delight to speak lies against thy brother, nor yet against thy friend: have no pleasure in lying, for the use thereof is nought. The mouth that lieth slayeth, the soul. ●…ap. 1. ☞ Examples out of the old Testament. SAthan brought forth the first lie, when Gene. 3. he made our grandmother Eve believe that if she and her husband did eat of the forbidden fruit, they should be as Gods. Therefore, is he a liar and the Father of lying. ●…an. 3. The two judges which accused the most virtuous woman Susanna of uncleanness, because she would not agree to their most filthy & unhonest request: were moste abominable liars and slanderers, but they received a reward worthy their lying. All the false prophets of the old law which ●…ained themselves to be sent of God, and yet prophesied lies to please the Princes and rulers withal, were liars and blasphemers of God. Sentences out of the new Testament: LYing set aside, let every man speak the Ephe. 4 truth to his neighbour for as much as we are members together. Lie not one to another. Col. 3. Let no filthy communication proceed Ephe. 4. out of your mouths, but the which is good to edify. Let all bitterness, fierceness, and wrath, roaring and cursed speaking be put away from you, with all maliciousness. Be courteous one to another and merciful, for giving one an other even, as god for Christ's sake forgave you. Let neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, Ephe. 5 neither jesting, which are not comely, be once named among you, but rather thanksgiving. Examples out of the new Testament. THe Scribes and the Phariseis with the Math. 1●… other enemies of Christ which called Christ a wine bibber, a glutton, a deceiver of the people, a blasphemer, one possessed with a devil, such one as forbade the people to pay tribute unto Cesar. etc., were moste abominable liars and blasphemers. Ananias and Saphira died suddenly, because Act. 5. they lied. They were liars & blasphemers, which Act. 6. said that the blessed Martyr saint Stephen, spoke blasphemous words against Moses and against God: when of God, no man spoke more godly, nor of Moses more reverently. They also that complained of the Aposties Acts. 17. of Christ, calling them seditious persons and teachers of new learning, were also liars and slanderers. So many as make or love lies, shallbe cast ●…po. 22 among murderers and Idolaters in the lake of hell, burning with fire & brimstone Against pride or vain glory. IF thou be tempted unto pride or vain glory of the devil that old enemy of mankind: defend thyself with these scriptures. Sentences out of the old Testament. Thou shalt save (O Lord) the people Psal. 18. that are humble, meek and lowly: but the high look of the proud thou shalt bring down. The Lord will save such as be of an Psal. 33. humble spirit. The Lord hateth a proud countenance Disoain pride▪ a wicked way, & a mouth Pro. 8 that is double tongued, I utterly abhor, saith the Lord. The Lord abhorreth all such as be of a Pro. 16 proud heart, his hand, is against their hand, & they shall not escape unpunished. Better it is to be of humble mind with the lowly, then to divide the spoil with the proud. presumptuousness goeth before destruction, and after a proud stomach there followeth a fall. Why art thou proud, thou earth and Eccle. 10 ●… ashes? Pride is hated before God and man Pride is the beginning of all sin, and ●…e that maintained that shallbe cursed, and at the last he utterly destroyed. God hath destroyed the seats of proud Princes, and set up meek in their stead. Woe be unto you that are wise in your Esay. 5 own eyes. I hate the pride of jacob, and I abhor Amos. ●… his palaces, ●…ayth the Lord. Let never pride have rule in thy mind Tob. 4 nor in thy word: for in pride began all destruction▪ Examples out of the old Testament LUcifer for his pride fell down from the Esay. 14. glory of heaven into the pains of hell. Pharaoh for his pride was plagued, and Exo. 14 at last drowned. Sennacherib for all his boasting, pride, ●…Reg. 19 and proud cracks, cowardly fled away and afterward was slain of his own son. Nabuchodonozor was so punished for ●…an. 4 his pride, that he was made of man a beast till he had given over his pride, confessed himself to be but a man, & that God alone is the Lord, worthy all glory and honour. Proud Aman was hanged on those gallows ●…est, 13 , which he had set up for good Mardocheus. Sentences out of the new Testament. Learn of me saith Christ, for I am jath. 11 meek and humble in heart. He that eralteth himself shallbe made ●…ath. 15. low, and he that lowly meeketh and submitteth himself, shallbe exalted. Be not high minded, but make yourselves ●…om. 12. equal to them of the lower sort. Be not wise in your own opinions. What hast thou, that thou hast not received. 1. Cor. 4. If thou have received it, why rejoicest thou, as though thou hast not received it. Humble yourselves in the sight of the ja. 4 Lord, and he shall lift you up. Submit yourselves every man one 1. Pet. 5. to another, knit yourselves together in lowliness of mind. For God resisteth the proud, and giveth 1. Pet. 5. grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you, when the time is come. Examples out of the new Testament. Marry that blessed virgin being meek Luk. 1. humble, and lowly, was made the mother of our Lord and saviour jesus Christ. Peter, james, Andrew, john & the other Math. 4 disciples of Christ, were humble and low lie in their own eyes, and estranged from all pride and arrogancy. Christ therefore choosed them to be his Apostles. Our Saviour Christ disdained not to john. 13. wash his disciples feet, to give us an example of humility and of brotherly love, The proud Pharisy was rejected and cast away as unrighteous because he boasted himself of his good deeds, and despised the poor Publican. Act. 1●…. King Herod upon a day appointed, arrayed himself in royal, apparel, set him in his seat, and made an oration unto the people. The people gave a shout, saying, it is the voice of a god and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the lord smote him, because he gave not god the honour, and he was eaten of the worms and gave by the ghost. Against feasting, gluttony, and drunkenness. TO avoid feasting, gluttony and drunkenness▪ set these holy scriptures ever before the eyes of thy mind. Sentences out of the old Testament. Wine make folk lecherous and drunkenship causeth braw●…ing and chiding Who so hath a pleasure in them shall not be wise. He that loveth banquets, shallbe brought▪ Pro. 20 to poverty. Whoso delighteth in wine and the meats shall not be rich. Accompany not with riotous drinkers Pro. 33. and eaters, for such shall come to poverty, and such sluggish sleepers shall go all to ragged. Where is woe? Where is wailing? where is strife? where are traps laid? where are wounds without a cause? where are bloody eyes? Do not all these things chawnce unto them, that sit always at the wine, and give their minds wholly to gulling and glozing. Woe be to you that rise up early to give Esay. 5 yourselves to drunkenness, and set all your minds so on drinking, that ye sit sweeting thereat until it be night. The harp, the Lute, the Tabour, the droumslade, the trumpet, the shawm, and plenty of wine are at their feasts: but the works of the Lord do ye not behold, neither consider ye the works of his hand. Woe be unto you that are strong to drink wine, and are mighty to advance drunkenness. Fornication, wine and drunkenness, Ose. 5. take away the heart. Thorough feasting many have died, but he Eccle. 23 that eateth in mean shall prolong his life. Examples out of the old Testament. Adam and Eve by satisfying their gred●… Goe ●…. appetite in eating the forbidden fruit, did not only transgress the commandment of god, but also throw both themselves, and all their posterity into everlasting damnation, if we had not been redeemed by Christ. The stinking Sodomites by giving them Eze, 16 selves to inordinate eating and drinking, fell unto unnatural lusts, and so most miserably perished. Thorough drunkenness, Lot committed Gen. 9 incest with his own daughters. The people of Israel giving their mind Exod. 32 unto bancketting, fell into Idolatry. Holofernes that most Ualeant captain judith. 13 being drunken, was slain of a woman. ☞ Sentences out of the new Testament. Take heed that your heart be not overwhelmed Luc. 21. with feasting and drunkenship. Let us walk honestly, as in the day Rom. 13 time: not in banqueting and dronkennns, not in chambering and wantonness, nor in strife and envying: but put ye on the Lord jesus Christ. And make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof. Banketeing add drunkenness are the Gal. 5 works of the flesh. Be not drunken with wine wherein is Ephe. 5 lechery, but ye be filled with the spirit. It is a good thing that the heart be established Heb. 13 with grace, and not with meats, which have not profited them: they have had their pastime in them. drunkards shall not inherit the kingdom 1. Cor, 6 of God. Be ye sober and watch, for your adversary 1. Pet. 5 the Devil goeth about like roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour: whom see that ye resist, being strong in faith. Examples out of the new Testament. Herod giving his mind to banqueting, Mat. 14. granted that the holy man john Baptist should be beheaded at the desire of his whorish daughter. That evil servant, which saith in his Ma. 24 heart, my Lord will be long a coming, and so begin to smite his fellows, yea and to eat and drink with the drunken: The same servants lord shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not ware of, and shall hue him in pieces, and give him his portion with the Hypocrites, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The rich glutton that fared so daintily Luke. 16. every day, was cast down into hell, and most grievously punished, Against Fornication and adultery. IF at any time thou be tempted of the Devil of the world, and the flesh, to defile thyself with fornication, adultery, whoredom, incest, or with any other uncleanness: call these sentences and examples of the holy Scripture to remembrance, and valiantly resist those most wicked temptations. Sentences out of the old Testament. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou Exod. 10. shalt not lie with thy neighbour's wife to defile her with sede. Thou shalt not make thy daughter come mon, that thou wouldst cause her to be an whore. The man that breaketh wedlock with an other man's wife, even he that breaketh wedlock with his neighbours wife let him be slain, both the advoterer & the advoutres. If a priest's daughter fall to play the levit. 21 whore, she defileth her father: therefore must she be burnt with fire. If a man be found lying with a woman that hath a w●…dded husband, they shall die either of them, both the man that lay with the wife, and also the wife: & so shalt thou 〈◊〉 away evil from Israel. Cursed be he that lieth with his neighbours Deut. ●…7 wise, and all the people shall say. Amen. There shallbe no whore of the daughters Deut. 23 of Israel, nor no whoremonger of the sons of Israel. An whore giveth sweet words, forsaketh Pro. 2 the husband of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her god. Her house is inclined unto death, and her paths unto hell. All they that go into her, come not again, neither take they hold of the way of life. The lips of an harlot, are a dropping Pro. 5 honey comb, and her neck is softer than oil: but in the end she is as bitter as wormwood, and as sharp as is a sword. Her feet go down unto death, and her steps hast them into hell. Wherefore dear child give ear unto me, and serve not from my words. Fly from her ways, and come not once so niegh ●…s unto her doors. Keep thee from the evil woman and Pro. 6 from the flattering tongue of the harlot, that thou lust not after her beauty in thine heart and le●…t thou be taken with her fair looks. An harlot will make a man to beg his bread, but a married woman will hunt●… for the precious life. May a man hide fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burnt? Or can one go upon coals, and his feet not be hurt? Even so, whosoever goeth into his neighbour's wife, and toucheth her, cannot be unguilty. He that is an whoremonger, is a fool and bringeth his life to destruction. He getteth himself also shame and dishonour, such as shall never be put out. He that accompanieth himself with an Pro. 9 whore, shall go down unto hell: but he that goeth away from her, shallbe saved. He that meddleth with an whore, is a Prou. 18 fool and without wit. He that maintaineth whores, shall come Prou. 29 unto beggary. If mine heart hath lusted after my neighbour's ●…b. 31. wife, or if I have laid weight at his door: Oh then let my wife grind unto another man, and let other men ly●… with her. For this is a wickedness and sin that is worthy to be punished, yea a fire that should utterly consume and 〈◊〉 out all my substance. My son, keep thee well from all whore ●…ob. 4 dom, and beside thy wife see that no ●…aut be found in thee. Cast not thy mind upon harlots in any manner of thing, lest thou destroy both thyself and thy heritage. Go not about gazing in every lane Eccle. ●… of the City, neither wander thou abroad in the streets thereof. Turn away thy face from a beautiful woman, and look not upon the fairness of other. Sat not with another man's wife by any means, lie not with her upon the bed, make no words with her at the wine, lest thy heart consent unto her, and thou with thy blood fall into destruction. A man that breaketh wedlock, and regardeth Eccle. 23 not his soul, but saith, tush, who seeth me? I am compassed about with darkness, the walls cover me no body seeth me Whom need I to fear? the highest will not remember my sins. He understandeth not that his eyes, see all things, for all such fear of men, driveth away the fear of God from him. For he feareth only the eyes of men, and considereth not that the eyes of the Lord are clearer than the Sun, beholding all the ways of men, and the ground of the deep, and looking even to men's hearts in secret places. etc. Read forth the Chapter to the end. Examples out of the old Testament. God drowned once all the whole world Goe 7 (eight persons only excepted) for the sin of uncleanness. God poured down from heaven water Goe 19 fire, and brimstone upon the Sodomites, Gomorrians and such other, and destroyed them all for their abominable uncleanness. When Sychem the son of Hemor had Gene. 34 violently deflowered Dina the daughter of jacob, her brothers hearing of the matter, slew not only Sichem and Hemor, but also all the men and men children that were in the city, and afterward spoiled the city. And when jacob their father talked with them of the matter, they answered, should they deal with our sister, as with an whore? When it was told juda, that Thamar Gen. 28 his daughter in law had played the whore and with playing the whore was become great with child. juda her father in law answered and said, bring her forth that she may be brent. joseph feared god and would not consent Gene. 29 unto his lords wife in any point of uncleanness, but choosed rather to be cast into prison, than he would commit so great wickedness, and defile his lords wife. Therefore did God bless him, and brought him to high degree. There were slain in one day of the Jews Num. 25 24. thousand, for the whoredom that they committed. For the defloring of a certain Levites judith. 2 wife, there were destroyed more than an hundred thousand people. David committed adultery with Bethsabe 2. Reg. ●… Urias wife, but he escaped not unplagued Solomon before he doted in love of women 3. Reg. ●… was wholly given to the setting forth of God's honour, but being once nous●…ed with their love, he did not only neglect the glory of the alone true and living God, but he also through the entisment of these women, fell unto the worshipping of strange gods and so he provoked the high displeasure of God against him and his realm. Susan feared God, and desired rather Dan. 1●… to be stoned unto death than she should defile her husbands bed or once consent to the two filthy judges, and so become an whore, god therefore preserved her. Sentences out of the new Testament: Ye have heard that it was said to them ●…ath. 5 of old time, thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on another man's wife to lust after her, hath committed adultery already with her in his heart. It seemeth good to the holy ghost, and to ●…ct. 15 us, to charge you that ye abstain from whoredom. Keep no company with whoremongers. Cor. 5 If any that is called a brother, that is to say, a christian man, be an whorehunter, with such one se that ye eat not. Neither whoremongers nor adulterers, ●…. Cor, 6 nor weaklings neither abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of god. Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ, shall I now take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbidden. Do ye not know that he which coupleth him? self with an harlot, is become one body. For two saith he shallbe one flesh. But he that is joined to the Lord is one▪ spirit whoredom. Every sin that a man doth is without the body. But he that is a whoremonger sinneth against his own body. Know ye not how that your bodies are the temple of the holy ghost, which dwell in you whom ye have of god, and how ye are not your own. For ye are dearly bought. Therefore glorify god in your bodyes and in your spirits, which are gods. To avoid whoredom, let every man 1. Cor. 7. have his wife, and let every woman have her husband. It is better to marry then to burn. Gal. 5 Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness. etc. are works of the flesh and whosoever doth them, shall not inherit the kingdom of god. Let not whoredom or uncleanness be Ephe. ●… once named among you. For this ye know that no whoremonger or unclean person hath inheritance in the kingdom of christ and of god. This is the will of god that ye abstain 1. Thes. ●… from whoredom. For god hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. Keep thyself pure and honest. Avoid the lusts of youth, but follow righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with them that call on the Lord with a pure heart. Wedlock is honourable among all men: ●…eb. 13 and the bed undefiled, but whoremongers and adulterers god will condemn. Whoremongers shall have their part ●…poc. 21. in the lake that burneth with fire and brim stone, which is the second death. ¶ Sentences out of the new Testament. Whoredom was the occasion that Herodias ●…ath. 14. Herod's whore sought so diligently the death of godly john baptist, which reproved them of their abominable living. Thorough whoredom and keeping of ●…ke. 15 riotous company the prodigal son wasted away his goods, and fell unto such necessity, beggary and misery, that he was glad to keep swine, and would feign have filled his belly with the cods that the swine did eat, but he could not be suffered Learn of this history what the end of whoredom is. Saint Paul did excommunicate that Cor. 5 man of Corinth, which ungodly kept his father's wife. and would not suffer that any of the faithful should keep him company, nor yet eat or drink with him. The end of the whore of Babylon is Apo. 18. described of Saint john to be wonderful wretched, miserable and damnable. Against Covetousness. If the devil and the world move thee not to be content with that is sufficient and enough, but inordinately add unmeasurably to scrat together the goods of the world, to oppress the poor▪ to join house to house, land to land, lordship to lordship, etc. to take great incommes, to raise the rents, and to get that may be gotten by right or by wrong, defend thyself against them with these holy scriptures that follow ever remembering that thou art but a stranger and a pilgrim in this world, and that thou must go hence, either unto glory or unto pain, yea and that▪ how soon thou knowest not. Sentences out of the old Testament. thou shalt not covet thy neighbours Exo. 20 goods. Ye shall not trouble, hurt, nor annoy no Exo. 22 widow nor fatherless child. If ye shall hurt them, and they cry unto me, I will surely hear t●…eir cry, and then will my wrath wax hot: and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shallbe widows, and your children fatherless. Thou shalt take no gifts, for gifts Exod. ●… blind the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. Thou shalt not do thy neighbour wrong ●…eu. 12. neither violently oppress him. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement, in meet yard, in weight or in measure. True balances, true weights, a true Epha and a true Hin, shall ye have. Fire shall consume the houses of such ●…ob. 15 as are greedy to receive gifts. He heapeth up treasure and yet know Psal. 39 eth not he for whom he gathereth it. O trust not in wrong and robbery, Psal. 42 give not yourselves unto vanities▪ and if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. Incline my har●… (O Lord) to thy testimonies Psalm. 119 and not to covetousness. Who hordeth up his corn shallbe cursed Pro. 11 among the people, but blessing shall light upon his head that giveth food. He that trusteth in his riches, shall have a fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, then great and innumerable treasures otherwise. He goeth about to destroy his own house, that giveth his mind to covetousness but who so hateth reward shall live. Better it is to have a little with righteousness, Pro. 16 then great rents wrongfully gotten. He that hateth covetousness shall live Pro. 18 long. A man that is suddenly rich, envieth other, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. Who so robbeth his father and saith it is no sin, the same is like unto a mans●…ear. O Lord give me neither poverty nor Pro. 30 riches: only grant me a necessary living. He that loveth money, will never be satisfied Eccle. 5 with money, and who so delighteth in riches, shall have no profit thereof. Where as much riches is, there are ma ny also that spend them away. And what pleasure more hath he possessed then saving that he may look upon them with his eyes. A labouring man sleepeth sweetly, whether it be litlle or much that he eateth, but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep. There is a sore plague, which I have seen under the son, namely riches kept to the hurt of him that hath them in possession. For oftimes they perish with his great misery and trouble, and if he have a child it getteth nothing. Read forth the Chapter. Let not thine hand be stretched out Eccle. 4 to receive, and shut when thou shouldest give. Trust not unto thy riches, and say not Eccle. 5 tush, I have enough for my life. For it shall not help thee in the time of vengeance and temptation. Trust not in wicked riches, for they shall not help thee in the day of punishment and wrath. Nothing is more wicked and ungracious Eccle. 11 than a covetous man. He that with all his carefulness heapeth Eccle, 14 together unrighteously gathereth for other folks, and another man shall make good cheer with his goods. A covetous man's eye, hath never enough in the portion of wickedness until the time that he wither away, and hath lost his own soul. The riches of the proud shallbe rooted Eccle. 21 out. He that loveth riches, shall not ●…e justified. Eccle. 31 Many one is come in great misfortune by the reason of gold, and have found their destruction before them. It is a tree of falling unto them. It is a tree of passage un to them that offer it up, and all such as be foolish, fall therein. Blessed is the rich, which is found without blemish, and hath not gone after gold, nor heaped in money and treasures, where is there such a one: and we shall come mend him and call him blessed? For great things doth he among his people. Esay. 5 Woe be unto you, that join house to house, and coopl●… land to land even so long as any can be gotten. Shall ye alone dwell upon the earth? These things are in the ears of the Lord of hosts etc. Woe be unto them that give sentence with the ungodly for rewards and condemn the just cause of the righteous. Woe be unto thee that spoilest, for thou Esay. 33 also shalt be spoiled. Woe be unto him that heapeth up other men's goods. How long will he lad himself with thick clay? O how suddenly will they stand up, that Abac. ●… bite and awake, that shall tear thee in pieces? yea thou shalt be their prey. Woe be unto him, that covetously gathereth evil gotten goods into his house, that he may set his nest on high, to escape from the power of misfortune Thou haste devised the shame of thine own house, so that the very stones of the wall shall cry out of it, and the timber that lieth betwixt the joints of the building, shall answer. Their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the Lords wrath. Examples out of the old Testament. Balaam for luc●…es sake would have cur Num. 12 said the people of Israel contrary to his own conscience, but he was reproved of the Angel of the Lord, so that his cursing was turned into blessing. Acham by the commandment of God joshua. 7 was stoned to death, because ●…e took of the excommunicate goods. Saul for the covetousness of the praylost 1. Reg. 13. his kingdom. The covetousness of nabal & his churlishness ●…. Reg. 35 showed unto David, had almost caused that nabal and all that ever he had, had been utterly destroyed, if Abigail his wife had not pacified the matter. Notwithstanding God shortly punished him with death so that he was taken away from all that ever he had. The covetousness of Achab and jesabel 3. Reg. ●… was the occasion that the good Nabothe was stoned unto death, against all equity and right, that by this means they might have his vinyeard. But how miserable their end was for that their abominable murder, the holy stories do declare. Gehesy was stricken with leprosy, because 4. Reg. 5 he received money of Naaman. ☞ Sentences out of the new Testament. BLessed are the poor in spirit for theirs Math. 5 is the kingdom of heaven. Lay not up treasure for yourselves Mat. 6 upon earth, where neither rust nor moth doth corrupt, and where thieves break thorough and steal. But lay up treasures for you in heaven where neither rust nor moth doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also. What doth it prophet a man to win Math. 1●… the whole world, if he loseth his soul? A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. It is more easy for a cable rope to go Mat. 19 thorough the eye of a needle, than a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. Woe be to you rich men, which have Luke. 6 your comfort. Take heed and beware of covetousness. Luke. 12 For no man's life standeth in the abundance of things which he possesseth. Thou fool this night will they fetch away thy soul again from thee. Then whose shall the things be, that thou hast gathered. Take heed to yourselves, lest at any Luke. 21 time your hearts be overcome with the cares of this life. If any that is called a brother, that is 1. Cor. 5 to say a christian man, be covetous or an ex torcioner, with him eat not. Neither thieves, neither covetous per 1. Cor. 6 sons, nether extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. Let not covetousness be once named among Ephe. 5 you. For no covetous parson, which is a worshipper of Idols, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with such as GOD sends. For we brought nothing into the world, neither shall we carry any thing out. When we have food and raiment, let us therewith be content, they that will be rich fall into temptation and snares and into many foolish and noisome lusts which drown men in temptation and destruction For covetousness is the root of all evil, which while some lusted after they erred from the faith, and tangled themselves with many sorrows. But thou which art the man of god, flee such things. Follow righteousness, godliness, love, patience, and meekness. Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with that ye have already. For God verily hath said, I will not fail thee, nor yet forsake thee. Examples out of the new Testament. A Certaine rich and covetous person, Luc. 21. made great provision for many years that he might live pleasantly and wealthily, but shortly after God took away his life, so that he died. The rich and unmerciful glutton that Luke. 1●… fared daintily every day, and was gorgeously apparaled, died and was buried in Hel. judas for lucre of money, sold and betrayed his master christ to the bishop's Scribes and Pharisees. Afterward he hanging up himself, braced a sunder in the mides and all his bowels gushed out. Ananias and Saphira were punished Act. 5 with sudden death, because of a covetous mind, they kept away part of the money which they received for the possession that they had sold. Against rebellion and disobedience. IF the devil that old enemy of mankind and troubler of all good orders go about to put in thy head, that the magistrates and high powers do not their duty in the right government of a common weal, but to much cruelly oppress there subjects and that therefore thou mayst justly rise and rebel against them, and take upon thee of thine own private authority to redress things that are amiss in the commone weale eale take heed that thou by no means consentest to his most subtle and wicked temptations, whereby he goeth about to throw thee into everlasting damnation both of body and soul, beside the shameful death, that thou shalt have in this world, and the loss of all that ever thou hast, but content thyself with thy vocation▪ labour diligently and quietly for thy ●…uing, study to maintain peace, pray for the high powers, th●…k that cross to be laid upon the●… for thy distress, amend thy life, humbly lament thy cause to God which will not leave thee succour●…s, and defend thyself against Satan, and all his crafty suggestions, with these scriptures following. ☞ Sentences out of the old Testament. THou shalt be over my house, and according Goe 4. to thy word shall all my people be ruled. Thou shalt do what soever they say unto Deut. 17 thee that ●…e rulers over the place, which the Lord hath chosen. All that thou hast commanded us, said joshua▪ ●…. the people to joshua, we will do and whether so ever thou send'st us we will go. Who so ever he be, saith God, that doth disobey thy mouth, and will not hear ken unto thy words, in all that thou commandest him, let him die. The Lord hath heard your murmurings Exod. 16 saith Moses, which ye murmur against him. For what are we? (he speaketh of himself and of Aaron) your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord. They have not cast thee away, but 1. Reg. 81. me (said God to Samuel) that I should not reign over them. Behold to obey is better than sacrifice 1. Reg. 15 and to hearken is better than the fat of ram mes. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as the wickedness of idolatry. By me, kings reign, by me Princes rou. 8. make just laws. By me Lords bear rule, and all judges of the earth exercise judgement. Where no ruler is, there the people decay, rou. 12 but where as many are that can give counsel, there is wealth. The kings displeasure is a messenger ro. 16 of death, but a wise man will pacify him. The cheerful countenance of the king, is life, and his loving favour is as the evening due The king ought to be feared as the roaring ro. 20 of a Lion. Who so provoketh him unto anger, offendeth against his own soul. My son fear thou the Lord and the king, and keep no company withthem that slide back from his fear. For their destruction shall comsodenly. And who knoweth the adversity that may come from them both. Wish the king no evil in thy thought, Eccle. 10 and speak no hurt of the noble man in thy privy chamber. For a bird of the air shall betray thy voice, and with her feathers shall she bewray thee. Whosoever will not fulfil the law of 1. Esdr. 7 God. and the kings law, let him have his judgement without delay, whether it be un to death or to be rooted out, or be condemned in goods, or to be put into prison. The king is ruler over sea and land 3. Esdr. 4. and hath dominion of all things, & look what he commandeth is done. The common people▪ and the rulers are obedient unto him. ☞ Examples out of the old Testament. GOd did strike Miriam with most grievous Num. 12 and horrible leprosy, because she murmured against her lawful magistrate Moses. God plagued the Israelites for murmuring Num. 21 against his servant Moses, which stinging serpents which stung them unto death. Corath, Dathan, and Abiron, because Num. 16 they did not obey Moses' Gods magisstrate, but disdained that he should reign over them, although appointed of God, were swallowed up of the earth, both they, their wives, their children, and all their goods. They went down alive unto ●…el, and the earth closed upon them, and they perished from among the congregation. Absalon king Daulds' son made an Reg. 15 insurrection against his Father, and thorough the councaile of wicked Achitophel, wrought most villainy against his father's honour. What followed? Was not Absalon miserably slain? Did not his untrusty counsellor hang himself, were there not also xx. M. men slain in battle, that took Absalon's part. Seba the son of Bechey had his he●…d cut of, because he conspired against king ●…. Reg. 22. David, and dissuaded the people from du●… obedience to their liege sovereign Lord. Baasa the son of Abia conspired a ●…. Reg. 15. 'gainst Nadab king of Israel, slew him, & reigned in his stead. But in hat folowed●… though Baasa in the sight of the world died no shameful death, yet died he in the does pleasure of God, and afterward all his succession with all his friends and kinsfolks were all destroyed, so that there was not one left alive. Zimry conspired against Ela king of Israel, 3. Reg. 15. slew him and reigned in his stead. But shortly after he was driven to such misery and straits that he fled into the king's palace at Thirza, and settng it on a fire brent himself, and so wretchedly ended his life. Sentences out of the new Testament. Let every soul submit himself unto the Rom. 13 authority of the higher power For there is no power but of God. Thepowers that be are ordained of God. Who soever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God, but they that resist shall get to themselves damnation. For rulers are not fearful to them that do good, but to them that do evil. Wilt thou be without fear of the power. Do well then & so shalt thou be praised of the same. For he is the minister of God for thy wealth. But if thou donst that which is evil, than fear. For he beareth not the sword for nought. For he is the minister of god to take vengeance on him that doth evil. Wherefore ye must needs obey not only for fear of vengeance, but also because of conscience. And even for this cause pay ye tribute. For they are Gods ministers, serving for the same purpose. give to every man therefore his duty tribute ●…o whom tribute belongeth, custom to whom custom is due, fear to whom fear belongeth, honour to whom honour pertaineth. I exhort that above all things prayers, Tim. 2 supplications, intercessions and giving of thanks be had for all men, for kings & for all that are in authority, that we may live a quiet and a peaceable life, withal godliness and honesty. For that is good & accepted in the sight of god our saviour, which will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. Warn them, that they submit them ●…it. 3. selves to rule and power, that they obey the Magistrates, that they be ready to do every good work, that they speak evil of no man, that they be no fighters, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men. Submit your elves unto all manner ordinance Pet. 3 of man for the lords sake, whether it be unto the king as unto the chief head, either unto rulers as unto them that are sent of him for the punishment of evil doers, but for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of god, that with well doing ye may stop the mouths of foolish and ignorant men, as free, and not as having the liherty for a cloak of malyciousnesse, but even as the servants of God. Honour all men, love brotherly fellow ship, fear god, honour the king. Wicked are they and damned shall they 2. Pet. ●… be, that despise authority, and ●…eare not to speak evil of them that excel in honour. Examples out of the new Testament. Marry Christ's mother and joseph Luk. 2. her husband, obeyed the emperors commandment, and went into their city Bethelem to be taxed. Christ paid tribute to Cesar both for Math. 1 himself and for his disciples, and willed o there so to do. Christ even unto the death obeyed the Math. ●… temporal rulers. The Apostles of Christ were obedient to the higher▪ pours and taught other so to be. Saint Paul willingly obeyed the public Magistrates, Felix & Festus. etc. Theudas and judas of Galilee were two seditious persons. The one boasted to do great things and so alured much people to follow him, the other counseled the jews by no means to pay tribute to Cesar, but to maintain their old liberties, and by this means moved great sedition among the people. What became of them, were they not put to death, and so many as followed th●… either slain or else scattered abroad, and so brought to nought. We read not in all the holy scriptures that any traitor or notable seditious person hath at any time ●…scaped without notable and famous punishment. God can not suffer his magistrates to be disobeyed, his common weals to be disturbed his polytyqne or cyuyl●… laws to be contemned his godly and honest orders to be broken. Whosoever attempteth any such wickedness, God will be avenged of him, as it is evident not only in the holy Scriptures, but also in profane histories. Against maliçe, grudge, envy, hatred and anger. IF thou be tempted of Satan to break the order of charity, & to malice thy christian brother▪ set these scriptures before the eyes of thy mind. Sentences out of the old Testament Thou shalt not hate thy brother inthine levit. 19 heart, but shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour that thou bear not sin ne for his sake. Thou shalt not avenge thyself nor be mindful of wrong, against the children of my people, but shalt love thy neighbours even as thyself. Pro. 25 If thine enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink, for so shalt thou heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee. He that seeketh vengeance shall find vengeance Eccle. 2●… of the lord, which shall surely keep him in his sins. forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done thee, and so shall thy sins be forgiven to thee also when thou prayest. A man that beareth hatred against another, how dare ●…e destre forgiveness of god? He that show ●…th no mercy to a man which is like himself, how dare he ask forgiveness of his sins. If he that is but flesh beareth hatred and keep it, who will entreat for his sins? Remember thy end, and let enmity pass. Examples out of the old Testament. Samuel prayed for king Saul, 1. Reg. 15. although a wicked man an enemy to gods servants, a●…d altogether disobedient to the will of God. Moses' prayed for the stubborn and un Exod. 22. faithful jews, which not withstanding rebelled against him, and would have slain him. ☞ Sentences out of the new Testament. Math. 5 Lou●… your enemies. Bless them that curse you. Do good to them that hate you. Pray for them which do you wrong and pursue you, that ye may be the children of your father that is in heaven. Mat. 7 Whatsoever ye will, that men should do to you: even so do you to them. That is the law and the prophets. Math. 19 Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Luke. 9 Be merciful as your father is merciful. judge not, and you shall not be judged. Con demn not, and you shall not be condemned forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. give, & it shall be given to you, good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your b●…somes▪ For with the same measure ye meet, with the same shall other meet to you again. A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love together as I loved you, john. 13 that even so you love one an other. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye shall have love one to another. Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to 1. Cor. 13●… be brent, yet if I have no love, it profiteth me nothing at all. Brethren if any man be fallen by chance Gal. 6 into any fault, ye which are spiritual, help to amend him in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be attempted. Bear ye one an others burden, and so fulfil ye the law of Christ. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Ephes. 4 Be gentle one to another, merciful forgiving one another, even as GOD for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you. Let every man be slow unto anger. For ●…acob. 1 the wrath of man worketh not that which is righteous before God. Above all things have fervent love among 1▪ Pet. 4 you. For love shall cover the multitude of sins. If any man say, I love God, and hateth 1, john. 4 his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen god whom he hath not seen how can he love. And this commandment have we of him, that he that loveth god, should all so love his neighbour. He that loveth not his brother, a●…ideth 1. john. 3. in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. And ye know that no murderer hath everlasting life abiding in him▪ My babes let us not love in word nor in tongue, but in work and truth. Examples out of the new●… Testament. Luke. 23 Christ so dearly loved us, yea and that when we●… were yet his enemies, that he gave himself even unto the death for our sake. Yea he hanging on the cross prayed for his very●… enemies, unto his heauenly●… Father. Blessed Stephen in the midst of his Act. 7 torments prayed for his enemies. S. Paul wished himself to be cursed Rom. 9 from Christ●…, so that his kinsmen might●… be saved. Against the bitter storms of persecution of God's word. IF at a●…y time thorough the frailti of nature thou be troubled in thy mind when the cross ●…f persecution is laid upon thee for the word of God. look that thou shrink not back from the truth nor discourage thyself. but think thyself blessed of G●…d, call these scriptures that follow unto remembrance for thy comfort. Sentences out of the old Testament. THe Lord killeth and giveth life again●…, 1. Reg. ●… he bringeth even to Hell and back again. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth Psal. 34. them, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a troubled heart, and will save such as be of an humble spirit. Great are the troubles of the righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all He keepeth all his bones, so that not one of them is broken. But misfortune shall slay the ungodly, and they that hate the righteous shallbe desolate. The Lord delivereth the souls of his servants, and all they that put their trust in him, shall not be comfortless. For thy sake O Lord are we killed all Psal. 44 the day long, and are counted as sheep ap pointed to be slain. Up Lord, why sleepest thou, awake and be not absent from us for ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and for gettest our misery and trouble? For our soul is brought low even unto the dust, our belly cleaveth unto the ground. Arise and help us, and deliver us for thy mercy's sake. Thou O god hast proved us, thou also Psalm. 66 hast tried us like as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the snare, and laidest trouble upon our loins. Thou sufferedest men to ride over our heads, we went thorough fire and water, and thou broughtest us out into a comfortable place. I believed and therefore have I spoken Psal. 115 but I was sore troubled. Right dear in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his saints. The way of the righteous is judged to Eccle. 2 be utter destruction, but they are in rest. Although they suffer pain before men, yet is their hope full of immortality. They are punished but in few things, nevertheless in many things shall they be well rewarded. For God proveth them and findeth them meet for himself, yea as the gold in the furnace doth ●…e try them, and receiveth them as a burnt offering, and when the time cometh, they shallbe looked upon. Sapient. 3 My son, if thou wilt come into the service of god, stand fast in righteousness and fear, and arm thy soul to temptation. Settle thine heart, & be patiented, ●…ow down thine ear, receive the words of understanding, and shrink not away when thou art enticed. Hold thee fast upon god, join thyself unto him, and suffer that thy life may increase at the last. Whatsoever happeneth unto thee, receive it, suffer in heaviness, and be patient in thy trouble. For like as gold and silver are tried in fire, even so are acceptable men in the furnace of adversity. Believe in God, and he shall help thee. For righteousness take pain with all thy soul, and for the truth strive thou unto death and God shall fight for thee against thy enemies. Examples out of the old Testament. Goe 4. Abel was cruelly slain of his brother Cain, whom he never offended. Gen. 39 joseph was cast into prison, because he would not lean to the fy●…thy request of his lords wife. Moses, Aaron, and the Israelites were Exod. 14. grievously entreated & persecuted of King Pharaoh. Saul with great diligence sought to destroy David. ●…. Reg. 18 Queen jezabel pursued the Prophet 3. Reg. 19 Helias. Zachary the son of Barachias was ●…. Pare. 2. stoned to death for telling the king truth. Achymeleche with certain other holy ●…. Reg. 22 men of god, was slain at king saul's commandment because he showed kindness to David the hearty beloved servant of God. Sydrac, Misac and Abdenago were cast Dan. 3. into a fiery furnace, because they wouldnot worship the golden Image, that king Nabuchodonosor had made, but only the God of Israel. Daniel was cast into the den of Lions, because Dan. 6. that contrary to king Darius' commandment he had prayed unto his Lord God, the God of Israel. At an other time also he was cast into Dan. 14. the den of Lions, because he said, that Bell and the Dragon were no Gods. The virtuous and chaste woman Susan Dan. 13. was at the point to be stoned unto death, because she would not break the commandment of god, and consent to the un lawful and filthy requests of the two Elders. Eleazarus was miserably put to death, 2. Mac. ●… because at the kings commandment he would not eat swine's flesh, contrary to the law of god. A certain woman also with her. seven. 2. Math. 7. sons were with most extreme cruelty put to death, because they would not obey the wicked precept of the most wicked king. The prophets were unmercifullye slain because they rebuked sin, and taught●… the will of God. The most excellent Prophet Esay, for his liberty of speech in re●…uking the sins of the princes and of the people and prophe●…iyng of God's vengeance to fall upon the country and people, was cut in two parts asunder with a saw, and buried under an Oak. jeremy after much imprisonment was stoned onto death of his people at Taphu as in Egipc●…, because he warned them of their wicked living, and exhorted them unto repentance. Amos at the commandment of king Amassas for his preaching was cruelly bea●…en and grievously tormented. At the last Ochozias son of Amasias caused him to be thirst into the temples with a great nail, and being half dead he was carried into his own country, where he soon after died. Micheas was buffeted imprisoned and fed with bread and water. Examples out of the old Testament. BLessed are they that suffer persecution Mathe. 5. for righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men revile you & perse●…ute you, and 〈◊〉 speak all eu●…l sayings against you for my sake: Rejoice and be merry, for great is your reward in heaven. For so persecuted they the Prophets before you. The scholar is not above the master, nor Math. 10 the servant above his Lord. If they have called the Father of the household Belzebub, how much more shall they so call them that are of his household. Be not afraid of them that ●…il the body, but rather fear him which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell fire. Every one that shall confess me before men, I shall confess him also before my fa there which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, I shall also deny him befyre my Father that is in heaven. Math. 24 Ye shallbe hated of all men for my sake Mark. 8 Whosoever will follow me let him forsake himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save hislife shall lose it. But whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospels the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he win all the world and & lose his own soul, or what shall a man give to readen his soul withal again: whosoever fore shallbe ashamed of me and my words in this whorish and sinful generation, of him also shall the son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. The servant is not greater than his Lord. ●…ohn. 16 If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If the world hate you, know ye, that it hated me before you: If ye were of the world, the world would love that is his. But forasmuch as ye are not of the world but I have choose you out of the world therefore doth the world hate you. The time shall come, that who so ever ●…ohn. 16 killeth you, will think that he doth God service. Ye shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice. In the world ye shall have trouble, but be on a good comfort, I have overcome the world. If we suffer with Christ, we shall also be glorified together with him. I suppose that the afflictions of this Rom. 8. life, are not worthy of the glory which shallbe showed upon us. Blessed be God the father of our Lord 1. Cor. 1. jesus Christ, which is the father of 〈◊〉 and the God of all comfort, which comforteth us in all our tribulations. As the afflictions of Christ are plenteous in us: even so is our consolation pleuteous by Christ. We are not wearied, but though our out ward man perish: yet the in ward man is 2. Cor. ●… renewed day by day. For our trouble which is short and light, prepareth an exceeding and an eternal weight of glory unto us: while we look not on the things which are seen, but on the things which are not seen: For things which are seen, are temporal, but things which are not seen are everlasting. We know, that if our earthly mansion 2. Cor. ●… of this dwelling were destroyed, we have a building of God, an habitation not made with hands, but everlasting in heaven. Unto you it is given, not only to believe Phil. 1. in Christ, but also to suffer for his sake. Suffer affliction as a good soldier of 2. Tim. ●… Christ. If we die with Christ we shall live with 2. Tim. ●… him. If we suffer with him, we also shalreig●… with him: if we deny him, he will also dny us. All that will live godly in Christ jesus, shall suffer persecutions. This is thank woorthy●… if a man for conscience toward god, endure grief and suffer wrong undeserved. If when ye do well ye suffer wrong and take it patiently, then is there thanks with God, For here unto verily were ye called. Blessed are ye if any trouble happen un Pet. 3. to you for righteousness sake. Dearly beloved marvel not that ye are Pet. 4. proved by fire (which thing is to try you) as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's passion, that when his glory appeareth, ye may, be merry and glad. If ye be railed upon, for the name of Christ, happy are ye. For the glory and the spirit of God, resteth upon you. On their part, he was evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. If any man suffer as a christian man, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify god in this behalf. Let them that be trooubled according to he will of god, commit their saul's to him with well doing, as unto a faithful creator. Heb. 13. jesus to sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore out of the tents, and suf far rebuk with him. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek on to come. By many tribulations must we enter Act. 14. into the kingdom of heaven. The holy ghost witnesseth in every city Ac. 20. saying, that bands and trouble abide me. But none of these things move me, neither is my life dear unto myself, that I might fulfil my course with joy, and the ministration of the word which I have received of the Lord jesus to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. I am ready not to be bound only, but Act. 21. also to die for the name of the Lord Iesu. Blessed are the dead that die in the Apoc. 1●… Lord, even so saith the spirit, that from henceforth they reaste from their labours. But their work follow them. Examples out of the new Testamen. IOhn Baptist for truth telling to king Math. 1●… Herod, was cast into prison & beheaded. jesus Christ our Lord and saviour after Math. 2●… many blasphemies rebukes, slanders and bitter torments suffered the most spiteful death of the cross, and so entered into glory. The holy martyr S. Stephen, was stoned Act. 7. unto death. james the brother of john was beheaded. Act. 12. What kindness Peter and Paul with the apostles found at the hands of them whose salvation they most diligently sought, the histories make mention. Neither I hear speak of those blessed martyrs, which sense their days have died for the confession of god's truth, so that the gospel is not without a cause called of blessed Paul the word of the cross. For all that will live godly in Christ je Cor. 1. so saith he, shall suffer persecution. I saw saith Saint john under the altar, ●…poc. 6. the souls of them that were killed for the word of god, and for the testimony●… which they had, and they cried with a loud voice, saying: how long tarriest thou O Lord, holy and true, to judge and to revenge our blood on them that be on the earth? And long white garments were g●… ven unto every one of them. And it was said unto them, that they should rest a little season, till the number of their fellows and brethren and of them that should be killed as they were fulfilled. Against the temptation which the faithful have, when they compare their miseries and wretchedness with the wealth, prosperity▪ and pleasures of the swinish Epicures and wicked worldlings. Where thou also shalt see the miserable end of the un godly. IF Satan our old adversary with his handmaid, the flesh shall at any time move thee to forsake God and his holy word▪ by considering the flourishing and triumphant estate of the wicked worldlings, and the to much miserable and base trade of the lords servants and professors of gods truth, which live in all kind of misery. wretchedness and poverty, and are piteously oppressed of the tyrants of this world, when on the contrary part the ungodly have all things at their own pleasure, and live at their hearts ease without disturbance for lack of temporal things: consent no●… to his subtle assaults▪ but manfully resist them, considering with thyself, that though the ungodly reign in 'tis world, and have the uppermost hand yet shall their end be miserable when the poor afflicted for God's cause shall alter their manifold temptations be rewarded with perpetual joy, and everlasting glory. and that thou mayest be the more assuredly persuaded in these things▪ call to remembrance these holy scriptures following. Sentences out of the old Testament. KNowest thou not this, that from the job. 15. beginning ever since the creation of man upon earth, the praise of the ungodly hath been short, and that the joy of the hypocrites hath continued, but the twinkling of an eye? Though he be magnified up to the heaven, so that his head reacheth unto the clouds, yet he perisheth at the last like dung: in somuch that they which have seen him shall say, where is he? He vanisheth as a dream, so that he can no more be found, and passeth away in a vision in the night, so that the eye which saw him before, getteth now no sight of him & his place knoweth him no more. Wherefore do the wicked men live in job. ●…1. health and prosperity, come to their old age, and increase in riches. Their Childers children live in their sight, and their generation before their eyes. Their houses are safe from all fear for the rod of god doth not smite them. Their bullock gendereth, and that not out of time, their cow calveth, and is not unfruitful. They send their children forth by flocks, and their sons lead the dance. They bear with them tabrets and haps and have instruments of music at their pleasure. They spend their days in wealthiness but suddenly they go down to Hell. O Lord thou art more righteous than jere. 1●… that I should dispute with thee. Nevertheless let me talk with thee in things reasonable. How happeneth it, that the way of the ungodly is so prosperous, and that it goeth so well with them which without any shame offend and live in wickedness. Thou plant them, they take root, they grow and bring forth fruit. They boast much of thee, yet art thou far from their rains. But thou Lord to whom I am well known thou that hast seen and proved my heart, take them away like as a flock is carried to the slaughter house, and appoint them for the day of slaughter. O Lord, how long shall I cry and thou wilt not hear? how long shall I complain Psalm. 73. unto thee, suffering wrong and thou wilt not help: why lettest thou me se weariness and labour: Tyranny and violence are before me, power over goeth right, for the law is torn in pieces, and there can no right judgement go forth. And why, the ungodly is more set by then the righteous This is the cause that wrong judgement proceedeth. Thine eyes O Lord, are clean: thou mayest not see evil, thou canst not be hold the thing that is wicked. Wherefore then dost thou look upon the ungodly, & holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is better than himself. Thou makest men as the fish of the sea, & like as the creeping beasts that have no guide, they take up all with their angle, they catch it in their net, & do sacrifice unto their yarn, because that thorough it their portion is become so fat, and their meat so plenteous. Wherefore, they cast out their net again and never cease to slay the people. Like as the wine deceiveth the drunkard, Abac. 1. even so the proud shall fall and not endure. Full miserable, is the death of ungodly, Psal. 34. for they that hate the unrighteous shall be plucked up by the root. Fret not thyself at the ungodly, be not Psal. 37. thou envious against the evil doers. For they shall soon be cute down like the grass and be withered even as the green herb. grieve not thy self at one that is in prosperity and liveth in abomination. Leave of from wrath, let god displeasure, let not thy jealousy move thee also to do evil, For wicked doers shall be rooted out, but they that patiently abide the lord shall inherit the land. Suffer yet a little while, and the ungodly shallbe clean gone, thou shalt look after his place and he shall be away. Read forth the Psalm●… and mark it well. Wherefore thus arrogantly magnifiest thou thyself at all tyme. O mischievous giant, wherefore enforceth thy tongue mis chief, fordging disceat like a new set Razor. Wherefore lovest thou malice rather than honesty, rather to lie then to say truth. For thou delightest in all manner of pernicious speech, oh thou desceitful tongue. Wherefore, god shall utterly rend thee up by the roots and destroy thee, and he shall throw thee down out of thy tabernacle, and pluck thy roots out of the land of the living. Rede diligently and mark well the. 73. Psalm which altogether belongeth unto this matter. Woe be to the proud wealthy in Zion, Amo●…. ●…. even to such as think themselves so s●…re upon the mount of Samarya which hold themselves for the best of the world, and rule the house of Israel at their own pleasure. Ye are taken out for the evil day, even ye that sit in the stool of wilfulness: ye that lie upon beds of ivory and use your wantonness upon your couches, ye that eat the best Lambs of the flock, & the fattest calves of the drovy, ye that sing to the lute, and in playing of instruments compare yourselves unto David, ye that drink wine out of goblets, and anoint yourselves with the best oil, but no man is sorry for joseph hurt, therefore shall ye now be the first of them that shallbe led away captive, and the lusty ●…heare of the wilful shall come to an end. Sentences out of the old Testament. CAine the figure of all wicked and bloody Gene. 4. Tyrants, slew his brother Abel, & while he lived he was a runagate, and a vagabond having an unquiet conscience and now being dead he is a dampened soul in Hel. The tyrants and mighty Giants Gen. 6. 7. with all the world besides 8. persons were drowned, after they had lived long in plea sure and in all the filthy desires of the wicked flesh without repentance. The filthy Sodomites lived in all kind Gen. 19 of voluptuous abomination, the conclusion was that they were consumed with fire and brimstone from heaven. Pharaoh handled the people of God very Exod. 14. cruelly intending utterly to destroy them all, but the end was, that both he and all his army were drowned in the sea, and the people of Israel harmless preserved. Sisar and Abimelech being grievous jud. 4. enemies of gods people, were slain of woe men. Holophernes for all his proud looks en tending to destroy the Israelits, was slain himself of a woman. Saul persecuted David the servant of 1. Reg. 3●… God, intending to slay him, but David escaped, & Saul was slain with the sword Achitophel remembering what wicked 2. Reg. 17 council he had genen Absalon against his Father David, & perceiving that it would not come to pass so mighty is God to destroy the wicked counsels of the ungodly he went home and hanged himself. ●…bsolon pursuing and seeking his Father's 2. Reg. 18. death, in the midst of his fury was hanged, by the hear of his head on a tree, and so died. 3. Reg. 2. joab was slain, because he killed two good men, even Abner and Amasa. The house of Hieroboam because he 3. Reg. 15. made Israel to sin, was destroyed by the sword of Baasa king of Israel. Queen jesabel that great enemy to the 4. Reg. 9 servants and Prophets of the Lord, was thrown down headlong out of an high windewe, and trodden down with horses feet, and at the last devoured and eaten up of dogs. jehu slew the house of Achab for the Prophets that were slain. ●…. Par. 24 King joas was slain of his own servants, because he slew Zachary the some of the high Priest joiada, without a cause. 4. Reg. 25 The wicked king Sedechias, which so cruelly handled the Prophet jeremy: had both his eyes put out, and being fettered with chains of Iron, he was carried priso ner into Babylon, where he miserably died. Amon that most proud accuser and inventor Hester. 7. of mischiefs against the jews, preparing a pair of gallows for good Mardocheous that faithful Israelite, was hanged upon them himself. They that accused Daniel to the king Dan. 6. and sought his death, were cast into the dungeon, and devoured of the Lions. The ungracious and wicked judges, Dan 13 which sought the death of that godly woman Susan, were slain themselves. Andronicus, which s●…ew that good man 1. Mach. Onias, was slain himself. Sentences out of the new Testament. WOE be to you that are rich, that have Luk. 6. therein your consolation. Woe be to you that are full, for ye shall hunger. Woe be to you that now laugh, for ye shall wail and weep. Woe be to you when all men shall praise you, for so did their fathers to the false Prophets. Many walk of whom I have told you Phil. 3. often, and now I tell you weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ who see end is damnation, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is their shame which are worldly minded. Go to now ye rich men, weep and howl one your wretchedness that shall come up jacob. ●…. on you. Your riches is corrupt, your garments are moth-eaten, your gold and silver is cankered, and the rust of the●… shallbe a witness unto you and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. etc. I heard a voice from heaven sayinge●… Apoc. 17 O my people come away from Babylon that great whore and mighty, strumpet the mother of the abominations of the whole earth. Come away I say from her, that ye be not partakers of her sins, that ye receive not of her plagues, for her sins are gone up to heaven, and god hath remembered her wickedness▪ Reward her as she rewarded you, and give her double, accor●…dinge to her work. And poor in double to her in the same cup which she filled unto you. And as much as she glorified herself and lived wanton, so much pour ye in for her of punishment and sorrow. For she said in herself, I sit being a Queen and am no widow and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come at one day, death and sorrow and hunger, and shallbe brent with fire. For strong is the Lord god which judgeth her. Examples out of the new Testament The rich and proud glutton which was ●…uke. 1●… gorgeously appareled, and fared daintily every day, and yet would have no pity on the poor Lazare, died and was carried in to hell. judas that betrayed Christ, hanged him Acc. 1. self. Herode which greatly vexed the congregation Act. 1●…. of Christ, and slew james the brother of john: even in the mids of his pomp and glory, was smitten down of the Lords angel and was eaten with worms, and so miserably perished. Elimas' the sorcerer and false Prophet Act. 13. resisted Paul's preaching, but he therefore was stretght ways stricken blind thorough the mighty power of God. Against the most horrible and damnable sin, the sin against the holy ghost. IF the Devil which seeketh nothing but thy des●…ruction, labour so to harden thy heart that thou contrary to thy knowledge even of a pretenced & wilful malice shouldst impugn the truth of Christ's gospel, and persecute the same in his menbers, and so sin against the holy ghost, and blaspheme the Lord thy God unto the damnation both of thy body and soul, look that above all things in this be half thou leavest not unto his wicked temptations if thou ●…enderest thine own salvation, but rather withal thy power resist him by calling these holy scriptures unto thy remembrance. Examples out of the old Testament. I will put him out of the book that ●…od. 33 sinneth against me. A man that speaketh evil of his God, 〈◊〉. 33. shall bear his sin, and he that blasphemeth the name of the Lorde●…, let him dy●… the death: All the people shall stone him, whether he be a citizen or a stranger: what soever he be that blasphemeth the name of the lord, let him die the death. If one man sinneth against another, ●…eg. 2 God may be merciful unto him: but if a ny man sin against God, who shall pray for him? The soul that doth ought ●…m. 15. presumptously, whether he be an Israelite or a straūger, the same blasphemeth the lord. And that soul shallbe rooted out from among his people, because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment. That soul therefore shall perish, and his sin shallbe upon him. They rejoice in doing evil, and delight ●…o. ●… in wicked things. They make boast of their sins them ●…ay. 3 selves as the Sodomites did, and hide thennot. Woe be unto their souls, for they have rewarded 〈◊〉 unto themselves. Bid the righteous do well, for they shall enjoy the fruits of their study. But woe be unto th●… ungodly and unrigheeous, for they shall be rewarded after their works. Thou shalt not pray for this people, jere. 7. thou shalt neither give thanks nor bid prayer for them. Thou shalt make no in tercession to me for them, for in no wise will I hear thee. Read●… fourth. This said the lord unto me, thou shalt not I●…re. 4●…. pray to do this people good, for though●… they fast, I will not hear their prayers: Though they offer burnt offerings and sacrifices, yet will not I accept them. For I will destroy them with the sword and hunger and pestilence. ☞ Examples out of the old Testament. THe servants and all the army of the 4. Reg. proud Senacherib, were destroyed for their blasphemy against god. Holo●…rnes blasphemed God when ●…t. 3 he said, that there was none other god of the earth but Gabuchodonosor, and therefore was he afterward slain even of a woman. Nabugodonosor blasphemed god, when he said to the three children, who is the God that can deliver you out of my hands? The children of Isarell blasphemed god ●…re. 44. & therefore perished, when they said to the Prophet jeremy: As for the words that thou haste spoken unto us in the name of the lord, we will in no wise hear them: But whatsoever goeth out of our own mouth, that will we do. We will do sacrifice and offer oblations unto the queen of heaven, like as we and our forefathers, our kings, and our rulers have done in the cities of juda and in the streets and fields of jerusalem. For than had we plenteousness of victuals, than were we in prosperity and no misfortune came upon us. But sense we left to offer and to sacrifice unto the queen of heaven, we have had scarceness of all things, and perish with sword and hunger. Those jews blasphemed God, which ●…ach. 1. said, let us go and make a covenant with the Heathen that are round about us. For since we departed from them, we have had sorrow enough. Nicanor blasphemed god when he said ●…ach. 1●… Is their a mighty one in heaven that commanded the Saboth day to be kept. It was answered, yea even the living god, the mighty Lord in heaven, commanded the. seven. day to be kept. Then said be: and I am mighty upon earth, to command them for to arm themselves, and to perform the kings business. Sentences out of the new Testament. Math. 1●…. He that is not with me, is again me, saith Christ. And be that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Therefore I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shallbe forgiven unto men, but the blasphemy against the spirit shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the son of man, it shall be forgiven him. But whosoever speaketh against the holy ghost, it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world nor in the world to come. If any men see his brother sin not unto 1. joh. 5●… death, let him ask and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death, for which I say that a man should not pray. It may not be, that they which were Heb. 6●… once lightened and have tasted of the heau●…nly gift, and were become partakers of the holy ghost and have tasted of the good word of god, and the powers of the world to come: If they fall away ' that they should again be renewed by repentance which in themselves do crucify the son of God making a mock of him. If we sin wilfully after that we have jeb. 10. received the knowledge of truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a fearful looking for judgement, and violent fire which shall devour the adversary. He that despiseth Moses' law, dieth without mercy under two or three witnesses: How much sorer suppose ye shall he be punished which treadeth under foot the Son of God, and counteth the blood of the Testament, wherewith he was sanctified, as an unholy thing, and dishonour to the spirit of grace. Examples out of the new Testament. The jews spoke blasphemy against ●…ke. 11. the holy ghost, when they said of Christ: by the power of Belzebub doth he cast out Devils. They were blasphemers which said ●…ath. 27. to Christ hanging on the cross, thou that destroyedst the Temple of GOD and buildest it again in three days, save thyself. If thou be the son of God, come down from the cross. They also spoke blasphemy against the holy ghost, which now adays of a pretenced malice condemn the word of God as herey, and persecute the preachers thereof as heretics and seditious persons. Against the despising of God's word, of the plagues that follow the same. IF the devil go about to pluck down thy mind from the love of god's word, and to move thee to despise the doctrine of thy salvation, so that thou shouldest no more delight in the most comfortable gospel of Christ, which is the power of god to save so many as believe, but rather in things of vanity, ●…ake heed that thou leanest not to his subtle suggestions, but standing in awe of gods judgements▪ and fearing his plagues, valiantly resist Satan with these holy scriptures following. ☞ Sentences out of the old Testament. levit. 26 IF ye will not hearken unto me saith the Lord nor keep my commandments, but despise them. etc. then will I do this again unto you. I will set my face against you, and ye shall fall before your enemies, and they that hate you, shall reign over you. I will make the heaven over you as hardyron, and your land as hard as bras. I will send my wild beasts upon you which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle. I will send a sword up on you that shall avenge my Testament with you. I will send the pestilence among you. Read the Chapter to th'end. If thou wilt not hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God to keep and to do all his Deu. 27. commandments and ordinances, than all these curses shall come upon thee, & overtake thee. Cursed shalt thou be in the Town, and cursed in the Field, cursed shall thine almayrye be and thy store. Cur sed shall the fruit of thine body and the fruit of thy land be, and the fruit of thy oxen, and the flock of thy sheep. The Lord shall make the pestilence clean to thee, un till he have consumed thee from the land: The Lord shall smite thee with madness blindness, and dasing of heart, because thou servedst not the Lord thy god with joyfulness and with a good heart for the aboundancs of all things, wherefore thou shalt serve thine enemy which the Lord shall send o●… thee in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, & in need of all things: And he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck until be have brought the to nought. Read this Chapter diligently from the beginning to th'end. They have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and have blasphemed the Esay. 5. word of the holy one of Israel. Therefore is the wrath of the Lord kindled against his people and he shaketh his hand at them, yea he shall smite so, that the hills shall tremble. And their carcases shall lie in the open street. They have offended the law, changed Esay. 24 the ordinances, and made the everlasting testament of none effect. And therefore shall the curse devour the earth, for they that dwell thereon have sinned, wherefore they shall be brent also, and those that remain shallbe very few. The sweet wine shall moorn, the grapes shallbe weak, and all the have been merry in heart shall sigh. The mirth of tabrets shallbe laid down, the cheer of the joyful shall cease, and the pleasure of the Lutes shall have an end. There shall no more wine be drunk with ●…irth, the beer shallbe bitter to them that drink it, the wicked cities shallbe broken down, all houses shallbe shut, that no man may come in. Woe is me saith the Prophet all is Esay. 24 full of sinners which offend of purpose & malice: And therefore (O thou that dwellest upon the earth) there is at hand for thee fear, pit, and snare. Whosoever escapeth the terrible cry, shall fall into the pit, and if he come out of the pit he shall be taken with the snare, For the windows above shallbe opened, and the foundation of the earth shall move: The earth shall give a great crack, it shall have a sore ruin, and take an horrible fall: The earth shall stagger like a drunken man, and be taken away like a tent: Her misdeeds shall light so heavy upon her, that she must fall and never rise up again: Read ●…e whole chapter Esay. 30. These people are obstinate they provoke me unto anger, they are lying children and even such children that will not hear the law of God. They say to them that see, see nothing: and to the Soothsayer, tell of nothing for to come if it be either good or honest, but 〈◊〉 pleasant things unto us, and preach us false things. Tread out of the way, go out of the path, turn away the holy one of Israel from us. Therefore thus saith the holy one of Israel: for as much as ye have cast away his word, and have comforted yourselves with power and nimbleness, and put your confidence therein: therefore shall ye have this mischief again for your destruction, & fall like an high wall that falleth because of some rift or blast, whose breaking cometh suddenly. And your destruction shallbe like an earthen pot which breaketh, no man touching it, but breaketh so sore that a man shall not find a sheu●…r of it to fetch fire in, or to take water out of the pit. For the God, even that holy one of Israel hath pro missed thus. Esay. 44. Who suffered jacob to be trodden under foot, and Israel to be spoiled: was it not the Lord himself, against whom we have sinned? we had no delight to walk in his ways, neither were we obedient to his laws. Therefore hath he poured upon us his wrathful displeasure, and strange battle, which maketh us have to do on every side, yet will we not understand. He burneth us up, yet it sinketh not into our hearts. Because they have sorfaken my law jerem. 9 that I gave them, and have not hard my voice, nor yet walked thereafter but followed the wickedness of their own hearts, & run after strange gods, as their fathers taught them: Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts the god of Israel: behold I will feed this people with wormwood, and give them gall to drink: I will scatter them among the Heathen, whom nether they nor their fathers have known. And I will send a sword among them to persecute them and never leave, unto I bring them to nought If ye will not obey me, saith the Lord jerem. 17 to walk in my laws which I have given you, and to hear the words of my servants the Prophets whom I sent unto you, and rising up timely, and still sending. If ye will not follow them I say, then will I do unto this house as I did unto Silo, & will make this City to be abhorred of all the people of the earth. I will send upon them, sword, hunger, jerem. 29. & pestilence, because they have not regarded my words, which I sent to them saith the Lord by my servants the Prophets. They would not take heed saith the lord, Zach. 7 but turned their back, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea they made their hearts as an Adamant stone, lest they should hear the law and words which the Lord of hosts sent in his spirit by the Prophets afore time. Wherefore the Lord of hosts was very wroth at them. And thus it came to pass, that like as he spoke and they would not hear, even so they cried and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts. Sentences out of the old Testament. NOhe preached to the old world and Gen. 7 exhorted them to repent and amend their life, or else god would surely plague them. But they laughed Nohe and his doctrine to scorn, and continued in their abominable, and wicked living. What followed? was not all the world drowned, right persons only excepted? Lot seeing the unnatural most filthy Gen. 19 uncleanness of the stinking Sodomites counseled them to cease so to much licentiously▪ to offend their Lord God. They would not hear Lot, nor his sermons, but churlishly entreated him: what followed: Were they not consumed with water, fire and brimstone from heaven? O most dread full plagues. After what sort the Israelites were plagued for their disobedience to god's word, the books of the old Testament do evidently declare. The despisers of God's word are punished many and sundry ways: as with sword, pestilence, hunger, wild beasts and fire. Of the sword. Read Exod. 5. levit. 26. Deut. 22. job. 19 Esay. 1. jere. 9 15. 20. 25. 29. 42. 43. 46. 50. Of the pestilence. read. Exod. 5. Len. 26. Deut. 18. 32. 1. Reg. 24. Psalm. 104. 1. Par. 22. Ezech. 7. 14 18. 33. 23. 38. Math. ●…4. Of hunger. Read●… Deut. 28. 32. 1. Reg. 24. Psalm. 104 Eccle. 39 jere. 1●…. 14. 18. 54. Amos. 8. Act. 11. Apoc. 18. Of Beasts. Read levit. 26. Deut. 22. 1. Reg. 27. 3. Reg. 13. Sap. 16. Esay. 18. jeremy. 11. 15. 27. 34. Ezech. 4. 5. 14. 20. 32. 13. 39 Ose. ●… Of Fire. Read. Gene. 19 levit. 10. Nume. 1. 16. 21. Deut. 32. joshua. 7. 3. Reg. 18. 2. Par. 7. job. 1. 15. 20. 31. Psalm. 10. 87. Esay. 9 26 66. jer. 15. 2. 7. Treno. 1. 2. Baruc. 4. Eze. 22 28. 30.. 38. 39 Danie. 3. Ose. 8. Amos. 1. 2. Abd. 1. Mich. 6. Sopho. 2. Nahum. 3. Zach. 11. 12. 13. Apo. 9 11, 18. 19 20. Sentences out of the new Testament. Whosoever shall not receive you nor Math▪ 10 hear your Sermons, go ye out of that house or city, and shake the dust of your feet. verily I say unto you it shall be more easy for the land of Sodom and Gomorre at the day judgement, then for that city. Woe be to the Choraryn, woe be to the Math. 11 Bethsaida. For if the miracles which were showed in you, had been done in tire and Sidon, they had repent long agone in sackcloth and ashes. Nevertheless I say unto you, it shall be easier for tire and S●… done at the day of judgement, then for yond. And thou Caparnaum, which art lift up unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell. For if the miracles, which have been done in thee, had been showed in Sodom, they had remained unto this day. Nevertheless I say to you it shallbe easier for the land of Sodom in the day of judge Math. 21 meant, then for thee. The kingdom of God shallbe taken from you, and shallbe given to a nation which shall bring forth the fruits of it. And whosoever it shall fall upon it will grind Math. 13 him to powder. O jerusalem, jerusalem which killest the Prophets, and stonest them which are sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together as the hen gathered her chickens under her wings, and ye would not. Behold your habitation Luke. 10. shallbe left unto you desolate. He that heareth you, heareth me, and he that despiseth you, despiseth me, and he john. 3. that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. This is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness more then, light because their deeds john. 12. were evil. He that refuseth me, sayeth Christ and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him. The word that I have spoken shall judge him at the last day. If I had not come and spoken unto them, john. 5. they should have had no sin, but now they have nothing to cloak their sin withal. Act. 13. It was meet that the word of God should first have been preached unto you, but seeing you put it from you, and think yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, low tunre to the gentiles for so hath the Lord commanded us. 1. Thes. 4 He that despiseth the preacher despiseth not man, but God which hath sent his holy Spirit among you. Heb. 10. He that despiseth Moses law dieth without mercy under two or three witnesses. Of how much sorer punishment suppose ye, shall he be counted worthy, which treadeth under foot the son of God, and counteth the blood of the testament asl an unholy thing? verily it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. The ungodly shall be so plagued, that they Apoca. ●… shall seek death, and find it, they shall desire to die, and death shall fly from them. Examples out of the new Testament. THey that were called to the marriage & would not come, but ungently treated the messengers, were destroyed and their city brent up. When Christ came near to jerusalem, Luke, 19 he beheld the city and wept on it, saying, if thou knewest also even at this day, the things appertaining unto thy peace, thou wouldst be more diligent to look upon them. But now are they hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a bank about thee, and besiege and keep thee in on every side, and make thee even with the ground, with thy children which are in thee. And they shall not leave one stone upon an other, because thou knowest not the time of thy visitation. Hereof may we learn that jerusalem was destroyed, because they would not receive Christ nor his word, but despised the doctrine of their salvation, and the preachers of the same. If we do not repent and amend, the same or more grievous plagues abide us. ¶ Against carnal security and fleshly living without fear of God. IF Satan tempteth thee to live after the lusts of the flesh without all fear of God and to tak●… no thought for thy salvation, that by this means he may provoke thee unto all kind of wickedness: look hat thou by no means givest place to his temptations, but rather watch the more diligently about hyne own health that he may not prevail against he, enarme thyself with strong faith, & alway et before thine eyes these Scriptures following. ☞ Sentences out of the old Testament. Seek after God, and your soul shall Psalm. i●… live. Seek the Lord while he may be found, Esay. 55 and call upon him while he is nigh. Let the ungodly man forsake his own ways, and the unrighteous his own imaginations, and turn again unto the Lord, so shall he be merciful unto him. etc. Follow not the lust of thine own heart in thy strength, and say not: tush, how have I had strength? or who will bring me under because of my works? for doubtless god shall avenge it. And say not: I have committed no sins, & what evil hath happened to me? For the almighty is a patient rewarder. Because thy sin is forgiven thee, be not therefore without fear, neither heap one sin upon another. And say not, tush: the mercy of the lord is great, he shall forgive me my sins be they never so many. For like as he is merciful, so goeth wrath from him also, and his indignation cometh down upon sinners. Make no tarrying to turn unto the lord & pute not of from day to day, for suddenly shall his wrath come, and in the time of vengeance he shall destroy the. A man knoweth not his time, but like as the fishes are taken with the angle, and as the birds are caught with the snare even so aremen taken in the perilous time when it cometh suddenly upon them. Let thy garments be always white, and let thine head lack no ointment. ☞ Examples out of the old Testament. THe people to whom. Nohe preached, would not amend but went forth to Gen. 7. nuzzle themselves in all kind of worldlies pleasures, and even in the mydes of their riotous living, the flood came and drowned them all. The Sodomites laughing Lot and his Gen. 19 exhortations to scorn, and going forth to offend God with their to much beastlike voluptuo●…snes when they thought themselves to be in most safeguard and furthest from any misfortune, were consumed unto ass●…es with fire and brimstone from heaven. The jews setting at nought the admonitions 4. Reg. ●… of God's Prophets continued in all their wickedness and even in the mids of their carnal security and fleshly quietness, god sent their enemies upon them, which destroyed their country slew a great number of people, and led away most miserable captives so many as pleased them, leaving the residue behind them in most wretched slavery. Sentences out of the ne●… Testament. Watch for ye know not what hour Math. 24 your lord will come. Of this be ye sure that if the householder knew what hour the thief would come he would surely watch and not suffer his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, will the son of man come. Mhth. 2 Watch and pray, that ye fall not into temptation. Luc 〈◊〉. Let your loins be gird about and your lights be burning, and yourselves like men that wait for their master when he will return from the weddings, that as foone as he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find waking. Take heed, watch & pray: for ye know Mark. 13. not when the time is: As a man which is gone into a strange country, and hath left his house, and given his substance to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch: Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house will come, at even or at midnight, whether at the cockecrowing, or in the dawning, lest if that he come suddenly, he find you sleeping: and that I say unto you, I say unto all: watch. Take heed to yourselves, lest your ●…uke. 21 hearts be grieved with sur●…eting and dron kennes, and cares of the world, and that day come suddenly on you. For as a snare shall it come on all them that sit on the face of the earth, It is even now high time that we w●…ke ●…om. 13 out of sleep. Behold now is the accepted time, Cor. 6. now is the day of health. The day of the Lord shall come even a●… Thes. 5. a thief in the night. When they shall say peace and no danger, then cometh there on them sudden destruction, as the travailing of a woman with child, & they shall not escape. Let us not sleep as other do but let us watch and be sober. The Lord is at hand. Phil. 4. Be patiented and settle your hearts, for jacob. 5 the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Behold the judge slandeth before the door. Be sober and watch, for your adversary 1. Pet. 5. the devil walketh about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, whom resist being steadfast in faith. The day of the Lord shall come as a 2. Pet. 3. thief in the night. Little children even now is the last time. 1. john. 2 Yet a little while, & he that shall come, Heb. 10. will come, and will not tarry. If thou shalt not watch, I will come on Apoc. 3 〈◊〉 as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Behold I come shortly. Hold that which thou hast that no man take away thy crown. Behold I stand at the door to knock. if any man hear my voice, and open the door I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. The time is at hand. He that doth en●… Apoc. 12 let him do evil stil. And he which is filthy, let him be filthy stil. And he that is righteous, let him be more righteous. And he that is holy, let him be more holy. And because I come shortly and my reward with me, to give every man according as his deeds shallbe. Examples out of the new Testament. That servant that diligently watcheth Math. 14 at all hours for his masters coming & doth in the mean season such things as his ma stir hath appointed him is blessed: for he shall enter into his master's joy. But the servant that liveth without care is idle, watceth not, looketh not diligently upon his office thinketh not of his masters coming smiteth his fellows, eateth and drinketh with the drunken that servant I say, shall have his part with Hypocrites, and shallbe cast into utter darkness, where weeping & and gnashing of teeth shallbe. The 5. wise virgins prepared both lamps and oil, tarrying, and watching Math. 25 for the coming of the bridegroom. Therefore when he came they being in a readiness went in with him unto the wedding. But the five foolish Uergines slumbered and slept, so that when the bridegroom came they were unprepared and had no oil in their lamps, and therefore were they shut out of the doors, and entered not into the marriage. Let us therefore watch, for we know neither the day nor the hour, when the son of man shall come. Against the slackness of doing good works. IF that futtle Satan by his crafty persuasions would at any time make thee believe that thou art so thoroughly justified by faith alone, and so perfectly saved by Christ only, that thou nedes●… not do any good works nor yet bring forth the fruits of faith according to thy profession but live as thou lust, and do what thou wilt, so at the full art thou saved thorough faith in Christ, take hed●… thou be not deceived with this painted visar, but rather to the vtteri●…ost of thy power, labour to con firm thy faith with the plenteous doing of good works working thinc own salvation as blessed Paul saith with fear and trembling. And that thou mayest be the better encouraged so to do, set these sentences and examples of the holy scriptures ever before the eyes of thy mind. Gen. 17. Examples out of the old Testament. I am the almighty God walk before me and be perfect. Keep the commandments of the lord Deut. 6. thy God, and his witnesses, and his covenants which he hath commanded thee, and do thou that which is acceptable and good in the sight of the Lord, that thou mayest prosper. Now Israel, what doth the lord thy god Deu. 10 require of thee? but to fear the Lord thy God, and to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and withal thy soul, namely that thou keep the commandments of the lord and his ordinances, that thou mayest do well and prosper. Psalm. 1. The faithful man is like a tree planted by the water side, that will bring forth his fruit in due season. Thou hatest althem (O Lord, that work Psalm. 5. iniquity. Lord who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? Psal. 15. who shall rest upon thy holy hill? Even he that leadeth an uncorrupt life & worketh righteousness. etc. ¶ Read the whole Psalm. Depart from evil and do good. Psal. 34 Put thou thy trust in the Lord, and be Psalm. 37. thou doing good. Cease to do evil, learn to do good, Seek Esay. 1. to do right, deliver the oppressed, help the fatherless to his right, defend the widow. Break thy bread to the hungry, the needy, Esay. 58. and the wayfaring man lead thou into thy house. When thou seest a naked man, cover him, and hide not thy face from thy neighbour. etc. Examples out of the old Testament. Nohe was perfect and just in his generations, Gen. 6. 7. and walked with god, loved god, that is to say, believed in god, lived god, feared god, sought the glory of god, and framed his life according to the will of god, being plenteous in all good and godly works: therefore God preserved him and his, when he dro●…ned all such as were wicked persons and doers of no good works. Abraham was obedient to the will of god Gen. 17 and walked after his holy commandments, ever doing good works: god therefore marvelously blessed him, made him the father of many nations, and promised him, that in his seed all kindreds should be blessed. God saw the works of the Ninivites jon. 3 (which undoubtedly sprang of faith, for they believed the words of the Prophet) & he had psty on them and spared them. Sentences out of the new Testament Now is the axe put to the root of the Math. 3 trees. Every tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruits is hewn down & cast into the fire. Let your light so shine before men that Math. 5 they may see your good works and glorify your father which is in heaven Every good tree bringeth forth good Math. 7 fruit. An evil tree bringeth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit nor an evil tree good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fxnte, is hewn down andeast tnto●…he fire. Whosoever heareth of me these words 〈◊〉 Math. 7 doth the same, I will liken him unto a wise man, which bnilte his house on a rock, etc. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart, bringeth forth good things, and Math. 12 an evil man out of that evil treasure, bringeth forth evil things. If ye were Abraham's children, ye would ●…ohn. 8 do Abraham's works. We know that God heareth no sinners, but if any man be a worshipper of 〈◊〉. 9 God and obedient his will, him heareth he He that hath my commandments, & keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. If any man loveth me, he will keep my words. In the sight of God they are not righteous which hear tee law but the doers of the law shallbe justified. We are the workmanship of God created in Christ jesus, unto good works, which god had prepared that we should walk in them. Be ye renewed in the spirit of your minds and put on the the new man which after the image of god is shapen in righteousness and true holiness. walk worthy of the lord in all things y● please, being fruitful in all good works, & ●…ncreasing in the knowledge of God. Br●…theren be not weary in well doing. Be to them that believe an example in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith, & puernes. Thou which art the man of Godfollowe righteousness, godliness, love, patience, and ●…eaknes. The sure ground of God remaineth & hath this seal. the lord knoweth them that are his: and let every man that calleth on the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Lusts of youth look thou avoid & follow righteousness, faith, love, & pear which them that call on the Lord with a pure heart. 1. Pet. 2. dearly beloved I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which fight against the soul. And see that ye have honest conversation among the heathen, that they which backbite you as ill doers, may see your good works, and praise God in the day of visitation. 1. joh. 1. If we say we have fellowship with god, and yet walk in darkness, we lie, & do not the truth. But if we walk in light, even as he is in light, then have we fellowship with him, and the blood of jesus Christ his son maketh us clean from all sin. He that doth righteousness, is righteus. 1. john. 3. He that committeth sin, is of the devil, for the devil sinneth from the beginning. See ye be doers of the word, and not James. 1. hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Read the whole epistle of S. James. God saith to the false and feigned Christians: Apoc. 2 I know the blasphemy of them which call themselves Jews, and are not, but the synagogue of Satan. Examples out of the new Testament. THe idle were reproved because they Math. 20. wrought not, & they that would labour, were hired into the vinyeard, & at night received their reward. The servants which received talents Math. 2●… of their Lord and occupied them and gained more by them, are praised and rewarded for well doing. But the idle servant which would not occupy the talon that he received of his Lord but went and hid it in the ground, gaining nothing therewith, was cast into utter darkness, where weeping and gnashing of tethe is. The fig tree which was unfruitful, & Marc. 1●… brought for the nothing but leaves, was cursed and withered away. Zache a ruler among the Publicans Luke. 19. gave half his goods to the poor and if he did any man wrong, he restored him four times as much. Therefore said Christ unto him: this day is health come to this house forasmuch as he also is become the child of Abraham. Against the troublous tempests of sickness, of loss of goods or any other kind of adversity. IF Satan when thou art assailed ●… any kind of trouble, laboureth to move thee to despair of God's good will toward thee, as though he had utterly forsaken thee, given thee over, and care no more for thee, but sendeth thee that punishment and layeth the cross upon thy back 〈◊〉 token of his anger and heavy displeasure against thee, take heed that y● dost not submit thyself to his subtle suggestions, but rather persuade thyself that thy cross. Whatsoever it he cometh of the good will of god toward thee, and is sent unto thee for thy health, comfort, and salvation. Look that thou therefore take it both patiently and thankfully and that thou mayst so do furnish thy breast with these treasures of Gods most blessed word. ☞ Examples out of the old Testament. After the lord hath punished the & tried the ●…eut. 5. at last he will have pity on the. The lord kileth & maketh alive bringeth down to the grave & fecheth up again. The lord maketh poor & maketh rich bringeth low and heavethe upon high. Call upon me in the time of thy trouble, Psal. 50. & I will deliver the & thou shalt honour me. Blessed is the man whom thou nurterest, O Lord, and teachest him thy law. It is for my wealth that thou haste brought Psal. 119. me under, that I may learn thy righteousness Naked came I out of my mother's womb job. 1. & naked shall I turn thither again. The Lord gave & the lord hath taken away even as it pleaseth the lord so is it come to pass, blessed be the name of the lord. If we have received prosperity at the hand job. 2. of god, why should we not also receive and suffer adversity. Blessed is the man whom God punisheth job. 5. therefore refuse not thou the chastening of the almighty. For though he make a wound he giveth a plasture, though he smite, his hand maketh whole again. My Son despise not the chastening of Pro. 3. the lord neither faint when thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord loveth, him he chasteneth & yet delighteth in him, as a father in his own son. Whatsoever happeneth unto thee, receive Ecble. 2. it, suffer in heaviness and be patient in thy trouble. For like as gold and silver are tried in the fire, even so are acceptable men in the furnace of adversity. Examples out of the old Testament. job being grievously plagued not only job. 1. with the loss of his goods, but also with divers diseases of his body, praised the Lord ●…uen in the midst of his trouble. Tobye when he had lost his sight grudged Tob. 2. not against god that the plague of blindness chanced unto him but remained steadfast in the fear of god, and thanked God ●…l the days of his life. Ezechias being warned of God by the Prophet to prepare himself unto death●… death, prayed unto god in the time of his sickness, and obtained fifteen years longer to live. Manasses being afore an idolater & a 2. Par. 3 maintainer of Idolatry, after that god had plagued ●…i, even when he was in tribulation He besought the Lord his god, & humbled himself exceedingly before the god of his fathers, & made intercession to him: He hard his prey er, & brought him again to jerusalem into his kingdom. Examples out of the new Testament IF any man will come after me, let high for Math▪ 26 sake himself & take his cross & follow me. By many tribulations must we enter Act. 14. into the kingdom of heaven▪ We rejoice in tribulation, for we know Rom. 6 that tribulation bringeth experience, experience bringeth hope, and hope maketh not ashamed. If we suffer together, we shallbe glorified Rom. 8 together. For I suppose that the afflictions of this life are not worthy of the glory which shallbe showed upon us. Be patiented in tribulation. Rom. 12 If we live, we live to be at the lords will Rom. ●…4 And if we die, we die, at the Lords will, whether we live therefore or die we are the lords. While we are punished, we are corrected 1. Cor. ●… of the Lord, lest we should with this world be condemned. We are not wearied, but though our ont 2. Cor. 4 ward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our exceeding tribulation which is short and light, prepareth an exceeding and everlasting weight of glory unto us, while we look not on the things which are seen but on the things that are not seenne. For things which are seen, are temporal, but things which are not seen, are eternal. Read the fist Chapter of the second to the Corinth. 2. Cor. ●… My strength is made perfect thorough weakness. Very gladly therefore will I rejoice of my weakness, that the strength of Christ may dwell in me. etc. jacob. ●… Read the. 12. chapter, to the hebrews. Be patient and settle your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Take the Prophets for an example of suffering adversity and of long patience: which spoke in the name of the Lord Be hold we count them happy which endure. ●…e have heard of the patience of job, and have known what end the Lord made, for the Lord is very pitiful and merciful. ●…. Pet, 2. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation. Examples out of the new Testament. The prodigal son before he was Luc. 15. plagued gave his mind to all kind of riot and unthrifty rule, but after that he was stricken with poverty, he knowledged his fault, he submitted himself to his father's will & pleasure, and so was received again into favour. A certain man after he had been punished Ihon. 5. with sickness for his sin by the space of thirty eight years, was made whole of Christ. There have been many good men both Heb. ●…. in the old & new testament of whom some were racked and would not be delivered that that they might receive a better resurrection some tasted of mockings and scourgings some of bonds and imprisonment some were hewn a sunder, were tempted were slain with swords walked up and down in sheaves skins in goats skins, in need, in tribulation, and vexation, which the world was not worthy of, they wandered in wilderness, in mountains, in dens, & in caves of the earth. etc. ☞ Against the temptation of the devil for not satisfying the law, of god, and for nby sinful living. If Satan at the hour of death or any other timet would pluck the from thine assured & steadfast faith in Christ's blood, and persuade thee that thou art but a dampened wretch forasmuch as thou hast not so trained thy life that thou hast satisfied the law of God, but rather lived wiakedly and therefore deserved everlasting damnation, be on good comfort, des●… pair not, hearken not to this wicked suggestions, neither have thou respect to thy works & deeds (which when they be most righteous and pure) axe as the Prophet saith like a cloth polluted with m●… strue if they be compared to that purity and cleans which the law requireth, and should be judged of God's righteousness according to their deserts, but settle thine eyes steadfast on Christ and his merits. considering not what thou haste done, but what Christ hath done for thee, if thou repent and beleu●… and always have these most comfortable Scriptures in thy remembrance. Sentences out of the old Testament. ALL they that put their trust in thee, shall Psal. ●…. not be put io confusion. Call to remembrance (O Lord) thy tender mercies and thy loving kindness which have been ever of old. Oh remember not the sins & offences of my youth, but according unto thy mercy think thou upon me O Lord, for thy goodness sake. Mine eyes are ever looking unto the Lord, for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. Because he hath put his trust in me, I Psal. 91 will deliver him, I will defend him because he hath known my name. Read the. 104. Psalm. I know that thou wouldst maliciously ●…say. 48 offend, saith God. Therefore have I called thee a transgressor, even from my mother's womb. Nevertheless for my name's sake I will withdraw my wrath, and it shallbe for my honour's sake, if I patiently forbear thee and root thee not out. By the knowledge of him which is my ●…ay. 53 righteous servant saith God the father of christ He shall justify the multitude, forasmuch as he hath borne away their sins. To know thee O Lord, is perfect 15 righteousness, yea to know thy righteousness and power, is the root of immortality. Examples out of the old Testament. Adam transgressed them commandment n. 3 of God in Paradise, and by his transgression made both himself and all us bound to eternal damnation. Gen. 9 Nohe fell into the sin of drunkenness Gen. 19 Lot was not only drunken, but also lay with his own daughters: and so committed the grievous sin of incest. Abraham denied his wife. Gen. 20 Moses committed manslaughter. David Exo. 2 committed both manslaughter and whoredom. Solomon was an idolater. 2. Reg. 11 All these with many other of the old 3. Reg. 1●… Testament were sinners and offended the Lord their God by breaking of his laws, yet for their faith which they had in that blessed seed which was so oft promised of God the father, even jesus Christ they were saved. Sentences out of the new Testament. We are not under the law but under grace. The law of the spirit that bringeth life Rom●… 8 thorough jesus Christ hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Christ is the perfect fulfilling of the law Ro. 10 to justify all that believe No man is justified by the law in the sight Gala. 3. of god. The just, that is the faithful christian, shall live by faith. Christ hath delivered us from the curse of the law, while he was made accursed for us. Gal. 5. As many of you as are justified by the law, are fallen from grace. We look for and hope in the spirit to be iukified thorough faith. Eph. ●… Christ is our peace, he hath broken down the wall that was a stop between us, he hath also put away thorough his flesh the cause of hatred, that is to say: the law of commandments contained in the law written, be so making peace hath reconciled us to God thorough his cross. Christ hath put out thee, band writing, Colos. ●… that was against us contained in the law written, and that hath he taken out of the way and hath fastened it to his cross and hath spoiled rule & power, and hath made a show of them openly, and hath triumphed ovor them in his own person. Be it known to you, ye men and brethren, Act. 13. that thorough this man Christ: Is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and that by him all that believe at justified from all things from the which ●… could not be justified by the law of Moses Examples out of the new Testament. Math. 9 MAthew was a tol gatherer. Math. 20 The Apostles were ambitious and did strive among them, who should be highest and of greatest authority. Luke. 7. Marry Magdalen was a grievous sinner. john. 18 Peter denied and forsook Christ thrice. Act. 9 Paul persecuted the congregation of Christ. joh. 7 All these yea and why not? transgressed the law of God (for as Christ saith) Moses hath given you a law and yet none of you do fulfil it not with standing for their repentance and faith in Christ's blood they obtained remission for their sins and are made the sons of God, heirs of God & fellow heirs with christ of everlasting glory. For if righteousness come by the law, Galat. 1 than died Christ in vain but euerl●…sting life is the gieft of God thorough jesus Christ our Lord. Against desperation for thy late conversion and turning unto God. IF Satan lay to thy charge that thou comest very late and turnest unto God out of time, and therefore there is no hope to be looked 〈◊〉, set these scriptures before thine eyes, and ever remember that there is no conversion unto God, to late in this life ●…f it come of faith, but at whatsoever hour a sinne●… repenteth, believeth and turneth unto God, he is well accepted and freely receiveth remission of all his sins. ☞ Sentences out of the old Testament. Let the ungodly man forsake his own Esay. 55. ways, and the unrighteous his own imaginat ions, and turn again unto the Lord, so shall he be merciful unto him, & to our God, for he is very ready to forgive. Return (O thou rebel Israel) saith the jerem. 3 lord, and I will not turn away my face from you. For I am holy saith the lord, & I will not turn away my face from you. For I am holy saith the Lord, and I will not be angry for evermore. As truly as I live, saith the Lord god, Ezech. 32 I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but much rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn you, turn you, from your ungodly ways. O ye of the house of Israel. Oh, wherefore will ye die. The wickedness of the wicked shall not hurt him whensoever he converteth from his ungodliness. If the wicked shall repent him and turn Ezech. 18 from all his sins which he hath wrought, and shall keep all my precepts and do judge ment and righteousness, he shall live and shall not die, I will not remember all his iniquities which he hath wrought. In his righteousness which he hath wrought, shall he live. It is not my will saith the lord, that the wicked should die, and not rather that he should turn from his ways and live. Turn and repent ye from all your iniquities, and your iniquities shall work you no displeasure. Cast away from you all your wickedness, wherein ye have offended, & make you a new heart, and new spirit. And wherefore will ye die. O ye house of Israel. For I will not that any man should die, sayeth the Lord. Return therefore and live. Turn to the Lord, your God, for he joel. ●… is great and merciful patient and of much kindness, and ready at all times to forgive yea, even when he is at the point to punish. At all times when a sinner turneth unto me saith the lord. I will no more bear his iniquities in my mind, but freely forgive them. God appointeth here no time of our conversion, but whensoever we turn, he promiseth us favour, life mercy, and forgiveness of sin. Examples out of the old Testament. After that the Prophet Nathan at the Reg. 12. commandment of god, had rebuked king David for his dissolute manner of living. David straightway with a sorrowful reapen taunt heart turned unto the Lord, and humbly confessed his sins, saying. I have offended the Lord. The Prophet immediately answered, the Lord also hath put away thy sin. David did not so soon convert but that he was as soon forgiven to signify unto us, that at what so ever time we unfeignedly turn unto the Lord our god, he will have mercy on us and forgive us. The Ninivites for their abominable ●…na. 3. living were threatened utterly to be destroyed within forty days but they falling unto repentance and turning unto the lord their GOD were forgiven, spared and not destroyed. Sentences out of the new Testament They that are whole, have no need of a Math. ●… Physician, but they that are sick? I came not to call the righteous but sinners unto repentance? Come unto me all ye that labour and Math. ●… are laden, and I shall refresh you. here Christ prescribeth no time, he only biddeth us come and be the burdens of our sins never so grievous and heavy, yet will be ease us of them. The Son of man came to seek and Luc. 19 save that which was lost. God will have all men to be saved, and 1. Tim. ●…. to come to the knowledge of the truth. If any man sinneth, we have an advocate 1. Ihon. 2●… with god the father, jesus Christ the righteous one. And he it is that obtaineth mercy for our sins, not for our sins only, but for all the worlds. Examples out of the new Testament The labourers in the lords vinyeard Math. 1●…. that came last of all received their penny s●…wel as they that came in the morning, nei theridamas had one more than another. The history of the thief, which was full Lu●…. 32. of wicked deeds, and never turned unto God, until the very hour of his death declareth manifestly that there is no conversion in this life to late, if it be accompanied with true repentance and unfeigned faith. The thief hanging on the cross, and at the point of death only said to Christ, Lord remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Christ well accepting his conversion, said unto him: truly I say unto thee, this day shalt thou be with me in Paradise. Against sin, death, and hell. IF Satan in the time of sickness or else when, go about to fray thee & to quench thy spirit, either with the greatness of thy sins or else with the error and fierceness of death and hell, be not dismayed, but with a lusty courage resist his temptations, with these most sweet and comfortable scriptures. Sentences out of the old Testament. I am he indeed saith god he which putteth Esay. 43 away thy sins, yea & that for mine own sake, & will remember them no more. As for thine offences I have driven them away like the clouds and thy sins as the mist. Turn thee again unto me, for I have redeemed thee. Where is there such a god as thou art●… Mich. 7. that pardonest wickedness, and forgive the offences of the remnant of thine heritage. He keepeth not his wrath for ever. And why? for his delight is to have compassion. He shall turn again, and be merciful to us, he shall put down our wickedness, and cast all our sins into the bottom of the sea. Out of the power of death saith the lord will I deliver them, yea from the death itself will I redeem them. O death I will be thy death, O hell, I will swallow thee up. Examples out of the old Testament. That holy king and prophet David, being Psal. 20. fully persuaded that by Christ which was to come, Satan's head was broken a sunder, sin was vanquished, death was overcome, hell was swallowed up, that they could nothing hurt that faithful man lamented & sorrowed, that he continued so long in this vale of misery, and most heartily wished to be delivered out of this prison, and to go unto the Lord his God. That godly and ancient father Toby, knowing that neither sin, death, nor hell, can do any thing against gods choose people which in Christ have gotten the victory over them all, so that they need not to fear death, nor any thing to come after this life, prayed to god on this manner: Now O lord drale with me according to thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace, for more expedient were it for me to die, than to live. Sentences out of the new Testament. christ shall save his people from their Math. 1 sins. Behold the Lamb of God that taketh john. 1 away the sins of the world. There is no damnation to them that are Rom. 8. grafted in Christ Iesu. Christ came into the world to save ●…. Titus. 1. sinners. The blood of jesus Christ maketh us ●…. john. 1 clean from all sin. Thorough the name of Christ all Prophets Acts. 13 bear witness, that so many as believe in him, shall receive remission of their sins. Death is swallowed up into victory. Where 1. Cor. 15 is thy sting O death? Where is thy victory O hell? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which hath given us the victory thorough our Lord jesus Christ. By death hath Christ put him to flight Heb. 2. that had lordship over death, that is to say, the Devil, that he might deliver them, which thorough the fear of death were all their life time in danger of bondage. Examples out of the new Testament. SO sone as the ancient father Simeon Luke. ●… had seen and received Christ into his arms, he fearing neither sin, death nor hell, showed himself ready to departed out of this world, and spoke with a joyful voice O Lord now lettest thou thy servant departed in peace. etc. Blessed Paul knowing that thorough Phil. 1. Christ the power of sin, death and hell is so altogether weekened, that they can do the faithful no harm: wished to be loosened out of this world, and to be with Christ. ¶ Against them that deny the resurrection of the body. IF that old enemy Satan labour to persuade thee, that there is no resurrection of the dead, but as the body returneth to death, so shall it for ever continue in the earth, & never receive life again, nor line either in glory or in peace after this present life, that therefore thou mayest live as thou just, defend thyself against his cruel assaults 〈◊〉 these sentences & examples of the holy scripture. Sentences out of the old, Testament. The Lord killeth and maketh alive again, Reg. 2. bringeth down to the grave, and stretchet●… up again. I am sure, that my redeemer liveth, and ●…b. 19 that I shall rise out of the earth in the latter day, and that I shall be clothed again with this skin, and see god in my flesh, yea I myself shall behold him, not with other but with these same eyes. These that be dead will I raise up again ●…. Esdr. 2 from their places, and bring them out of the graves. Thy dead shall live, even with my body Esay. 26. shall they rise again. Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust. For thy dew is even as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out of her them that be under her, the earth shall disclose her own blood, and shall no more hide ●…em that are slain in her. Your bones shall flourish like an herb. Esay. 66 Behold saith god, I will put breath in Ezech. 37. to you, that ye may live, I will give you sinews, and make flesh grow upon you and cover you over with skin, and so give you breath that ye may live & know that I am the Lord. Thus saith the Lord god, behold I will open your graves (O my people) and take you out of your Sepulchres Dan. 12. Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to perpetual shame and reproof. Examples out of the old Mestament. THe Prophet Helias raised up from death 3. Reg. 1●… unto life the Son of the widow of Sarepta, which is in Sidon. Helizeus obtained of God a Child for 4. Reg. ●… his Hostess, which died, and as afterward by the prayer of Helizeus raised unto life. Read and mark diligently the 37. Chapter of Ezechiel. A certain woman with her 7. Children 2. Mac. ●… were cruelly put to death because they would not eat swine's flesh, contrary to god's word at the commandment of the king. The second of the brethren said unto the king, thou most ungracious person puttest us now to death, but the king of the world shall raise us up (which die for his laws) into resurrection of everlasting life. The mother of the 7. Children said thus unto them: I cannot tell how ye ●…am in my womb, for I neither gave you breath nor soul, no, nor life. It is not I that joined the members of your bodies together, but the maker of the world, which fashioned the birth of man and began all things. Even he also of his own mercy shall give you breath and life again, like as ye now regard not your own selves for his laws sake. ☞ Sentences out of the new Testament. AS touching the resurrection of the dead Math. 23 have ye not read, what is said unto you of god, which saith: I am Abraham's god, and Isaackes god, and god is not the god of the dead, but of the living. The hour shall come in the which all ●…ohn. 5. that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth, they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, & they the have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. I know that my brother shall rise again ●…ohn. 11 at the latter day. God hath raised up the Lord, and shall rais●… ●…. Cor. 6. us up by his power. If there be no rising again from death, then is Christ not risen. If Christ is not risen, then is our preaching ●…. Cor. 15 vain, & your faith is also vain. Read and commend to memory the xv. Chapter of the first to the Corinth. The Lord jesus shall change our ulle bodies, that they may be fashioned like un to his glorious body. etc. I would not brethren have yond ignorant 1. Tim. 4 concerning them which are fallen a sleep, that ye sorrow not as other do, which have no hope. For if we believe that jesus Christ died & rose again, even so they also which sleep by jesus, will god bring again with him. Read forth. ☞ Examples out of the new Testament. CHrist raised from death the daughter of Math. 9 the ruler, the Son of a certain widow, and Lazarus, with many other. These are evident examples of our resurrection. After Christ had given up the ghost, Math. 27. the graves did open, and the bodies of ma ny saints which slept, arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection & came into the holy city & appeared unto many. Christ rose again from death the third Math. 28. day according to the scriptures, and was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve. After that he was seen of more than five hundredth brethren at once. etc. S. Peter raised Tabytha from death. Act. 9 S. Paul restored unto life a certain ●…ct. 20 young man named Euticus. Christ rebuked the Saducees, because Math. 22 they believed not the resurrection of the deed. The Epicures and stoics laughed S ●…ct. 17. Paul to scorn, when as he at Athens taught the resurrection of the dead. But he defended the doctrine. Against them that deny the immortality of the soul. IF Satan or any of his, tempt thee to live at thy pleasure, labouring to persuade the ●…y sophistical reasons of carnal imaginations that the soul of man is but as the breath of other beasts, & that after the dissolution of the body it is nothing, neither liveth afterward, but hath an end with the body, take heed that thou givest no place to such wicked and most damnable doctrine, but enarme thyself a 'gainst it with these authorities of the holy Scripture ☞ Sentences out of the old Testament. GOd created man in his own image, Gen. 1 in the image of god created he him, male and female created he them. The Lord god shope man even dust from Gen. 2. the ground, and breathed in his nostrils the breath of life, and Adam was made a living soul. I should utterly have fainted, but that ●…salm. 27 I believe verily to s●… the goodness of the lord in the land of the living. Like as the heart desireth the water brooks, so longeth my soul after thee O god. My soul is a thirst for god, yea even for the living god, when shall I come to ap pear before the presence of god? The body shallbe turned again unto Eccles. ●… earth, from whence it came, and the spirit that is the soul shall return unto God which gave it. God made man to be undestroyed, that Sap. 2. is to say immortal, yea after the image of his own likeness made be him. The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and the pain of death shall not hurt them. In the sight of the unwisethey seem to die, and their end is taken for very destruction, but they are in rest. The hope of the faithful is full of immortality. The righteous shall live for evermore Sap. 5. their reward also is with the Lord, and their remembrance with the highest. Therefore shall they receive a glorious kingdom, & a beautiful crown of the lords hand. Read the third, fourth and fift chapters of the book of Wisdom. We are the children of holy men, and look for the life which God shall give unto them, that never turn their faith from him. Examples out of the old Testament. THe holy scripture testifieth, that Ehore Num. 16 and his complices went down quick unto Hell, and the earth covered them, so that they perished. By this it is evident, that the souls of the wicked are immortal, and live in the pains of hell fire. If Saul had not believed both the resurrection Reg. 28. of the body, and immortality of the soul, he would never have gone about to have had Samuel raised up. When David saw that his child was ●…. Reg. 12 dead, he wept no more, but said, I shall go unto him, he shall not come again unto me Helias prayed for the rasing up again ●… Reg. 17 unto life of his hosts Son, saying: O Lord my God, I beseech thee let the soul of this Child come into him again. And he revived. ●…ob. 2 When Tobias was laughed to scorn of his elders and kinsfolks, which said unto him: here is thy hope for the which thou hast done almose and buried the dead. He rebuked them and said: say not so, for we are the children of holy men, and look for the life which god shall give unto them that never turn their faith from him. Again he prayed unto god on this ma Tobi. 3 ner. Now O Lord, deal with me according to thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace. For more expedient were it for me to die, than to live. Sentences out of the new Testament. Fear not them which kill the body, Math. 10 but are not able to kill the soul. But rather fear him, which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. There is no man that hath forsaken house, Luke. 18 either father or mother, either brethren or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, which shall not receive much more in this world, and in the world to come life everlasting. This is the will of him that sent me, john. 6 that every one which seeth the son, and believeth on him, have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day. My sheep hear my voice, and I know john. 10 them, and they follow me, and I give unto them everlasting life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. I am the resurrection and the life. He john. 11 that believeth on me, yea though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth on me, shall never die. Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe john. 14 in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you even unto myself, that where I am, there may ye be also. Father I will that they which thou hast ●…oh. 17. given me, be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which thou hast given me. We know that if our earthy mans●…on ●…. Cor. 5 of this dwelling were destroyed, we have a building of God an habitation n●…t made with hands, but everlasting in heaven. Read forth the Chapter. When soever Christ our life shall appear, Col. 3 then shall you also appear with him in glory. The lord himself shall come down ●…. Thes. 4. from heaven with a shoot and the voice of the archangel and tromp of God. And the dead in Christ shall arise first, than we which shall live (even we which shall remain) shallbe caught up with them also in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air & so shall we ever be with the lord. Therefore comfort yourselves one another with these words. The spirit or soul is before God a precious thing and much set by. Christ was killed as pertaning to the flesh, 1. Pet. 3. but was quickened in the spirit. In which spirit he also went and preached unto the spirits that were in prison. etc. Here it is manifest that the spirits or souls of men are immortal, and live either in glory or in pain after they be loosened from the body. Examples out of the new Testament. WHen the Sad●…ces denied the Math. ●… resurrection of the body, and the immortaliti of the soul, Christ answered them saying have ye not read what is written? I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of jacob. He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. By this testimony of the holy scripture Christ declareth that though Abraham, Isaac, jacob, and all other of the faithful be dead, as concerning their bodies, yet their souls live with God, and are immortal. The history of the poor man Lazarus & of Luke. 16. the rich unmerciful glutton, proveth evidently that the souls die not with the body, nor yet sleep until the day of judgement (as the ungodly Anabaptists dream) nether are they cast into purgatory, as the papists teach, but that the souls of the faithful go immediately after their departure from the body, unto eternal glory, and the souls of the unfaithful, unto everlasting damnation: so that the souls of all men are immortal and live for ever, either in heaven or in hell, in glory or in pain. The parable of the unrighteous steward setteth forth also the immortality of the soul, as these words of Christ do declare, Make you friends, saith he of the wicked Mammon, that when ye shall departed hence, they may receive you into everlasting dwelling places. The soul came again to the widows ●…uke. 7 son, to the ruler's daughter, to Lazarus, to them that after Christ's resurrection came out of their graves, to Dor●…s, to Eu tichus. etc. Which thing declareth ma●…festlye that the soul dieth not with the body, but still lived and remained immortal. The thief that hanged one the cross Luke. 23 with Christ, said unto him. Lord remember me, when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. Christ answered verily I say unto thee, this day shalt thou be with me in paradise. The body of the thief died shortly after, and was committed to the earth. The soul of the thief was in paradise with Christ. The soul therefore liveth and remaineth immortal, or else must Christ be a liar. But let God be true, and all heretics liars. Saint Stephen being at the point of Act. 7 death, prayed, saying: lord jesus take my spirit. Saint Paul wished to be loosened out Phil. 1 of his body and to be with Christ. I saw under the altar, saith Saint john, the souls of them that were killed for the word of God, and for the testimony which they had, and they cried with a loud voice, saying: how long tarriest thou O lord, holy and true, to judge and to avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? and long white garments were given unto every one of them. And it was said unto them, that they should rest for a little season until the number of their fellows and brethren, and of them that should be killed as they were, were fulfilled. ¶ Of the glory of heaven, and of everlasting life. IF Satan go forth to tempt thee that thou mightest lose the inheritance of the kingdom of god, and say unto thee that thou art a sinner & an abominable liver, and therefore thy faith is frustrate, and thy hope vain in looking for the glory of heaven, for God is a righteous judge, and rewardeth every man according to his deeds and merits: let all these his crafty●… assaults nothing move or abash thee, but call to thy remembrance and believe steadfastly, that the heavenly kingdom is not given thee for thy merits and deserts (for so shouldest thou receive nothing but eternal damnation) but for the promises which god the father hath made thee in Christ's blood, if thou repent & believe. Therefore cast away that righteousness which the hypocrites challenge by their good works, and lay hands on that which cometh by faith of jesus Christ, so canst thou not be deceived, so can sathan win nothing at thy hand, so can it not but come to pass, that thou shalt enjoy the glory of heaven thorough Christ Iesu. And that thou mayest doubt nothing in this behalf, imprint these sentences and examples of the holy ●… scripture diligently and earnestly in thy mind. ☞ Examples out of the old Testament. THe Lord hath saved me because it was ●…salm. 23. his pleasure. Praise the Lord O my soul, and all that is within me, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, which forgiveth all thy sins, and healeth all thine infirmities, which saveth thy life from destruction and crowneth the with mercy and loving kindness. Esay. 37 They that put their trust in me shall inherit the land, and possess my holy hill. Osec. 13 Thy damnation (O Israel) came of thyself, but thy salvation cometh of me. Examples out of the old Testament. That princely Prophet David being thoroughly persuaded that the inheritance of the glory of heaven and the possession of everlasting life is the free gift of god thorough jesus Christ, and is denied to none, although never so sinful and wretched, if they repent: being nothing appalled with his former sinful living, as though that should pluck him from the inheritance of the heavenly kingdom, knew what blessed felicity and joyful quietness the souls of the faithful do enjoy after their departure from the bodies: lamented, he carried so long in this vale of misery, and no less fervently desired to come and appear before the face of god, than the thirsty heart desireth to come to the water brooks. The godly ancient Tobye knowing gods exceeding great liberality in the gift of everlasting quietness after the humble submission of himself unto the Lord his god, wished rather to die than to live, and beseeched god that his spirit might be received in peace. ☞ Sentences out of the new Testament. Fear not little flock, for it is your Father's ●…uc. 12 pleasure to give you a kingdom. Everlasting life is the gift of God thorough Rom. 6 Christ our Lord. Whom god hath predestinate, them Rom. 8. hath he also called, whom he hath called, them also hath he justified whom, he hath justified, them hath he glorified. The eye hath not seen, and the ear hath 1. Cor. 2 not heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things god hath prepared for them that love him. By grace are ye saved thorough faith, and Ephe. 2 that not of yourselves. For it is the gift of god, and cometh not of works, lest any man should boast himself. God saved us, not for the deeds of righteousness Tim. 3. which we wrought, but for his mercy and loving kindness. God hath given us everlasting life, and 1. john. 5 this life is in his Son, he that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of god, hath not life. Be faithful unto the death, and I will Apoc give thee the crown of life. To him that overcometh will I give Apoc to sit with me in my seat, even as I overcame and have sitten with my father in his seat. Examples out of the new Testament. The reverent & ancient father Simeon Luke. being nothing apalled with the remembrance of his sins, after he had seen and embraced Christ in his arms, knowing him to be the alone Saviour of the world, showed himself ready, glad and willing to die, that he might enjoy that heavenly inheritance purchased by the same jesus Christ our Lord. Phil. ●… S. Paul being fully persuaded that all his sins were washed away in Christ's blood, desired to be loosoned from that his mortal body and to be with Christ. Virescit vulnere virtus. give the glory to god alone. Here endeth the Governance of virtue. ¶ Here followeth certain godly prayers, for sundry & divers purposes. A prayer for the Queen's Majesty. O Lord our heavenly father high and mighty king of kings, lord of Lords, the only ruler of Princes, which dost from thy throne behold all the dwelllers' upon earth most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our●… most gracious sovereign lady Queen Elizabeth, and so replenish her with the grace of thy holy spirit, that she may always incline to thy will, and walk in thy way. Endue her plentifully with heavenly gifts, grant her in health and wealth long to live, strength her that she may vanquish & overcome all her enemies. And finally that after this life, she may attain everlasting joy and felicity, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. A general confession. O Lord God almighty, father of mercy, and God of all comfort, we thy poor creatures resort unto thee, knowledging and confessing ourselves before thy glorious majesty, that we are all grievous sinners, and can of ourselves do nothing but sin. For all our imaginations, intentes and thoughts are inclined and disposed unto evil from our youth up. Our damnation cometh of ourselves, we ourselves are not able to think a good thought. It is thou only that dost work in us both the will & the deed. We are but earth and naturally the children of wrath. We of ourselves are but vain, yea lighter than vanity itself. We can do nothing without thee, there is not one of us whole, we are all unclean, & all our righteousness is but as a filthy cloth. We have no more power to do good of ourselves then a man of Ind hath power to change his skin, or the leopard her spots. Now according to this evil and corrupt inclination of our nature so have we lived in thought●… word and deed. We have finned, we have offended, Dan. ●… we have gone back from thy law, & have not hearkened unto thy word. We have not loved th●…, O Lord with all our strength, with all our heart, with all our power. We have been sore transgressors of thy commandments, we have not put our whole trust, and confidence only in thee. We have in our troubles and need, not sought for help only in thee. We have not called only upon thy name, but with false confidence, with vain superstition, and unlawful othe●…, have we blasphemed thy name. We have prayed and made intercession unto stocks & stones, & made the creatures our advocates & mediators contrary to thy word. We reposed our trust and affiance in our own deeds▪ and in such works as have been devised by men's fantasies besides the scripture. We have wandered on vain pilgremages, offering up money, candles, and tapers to Images and relics, with such like superstition. We have been slothful in our business. We have not been fervent and diligent in doing of our duty. Special lie on such days as be appointed for the preaching of thy word, we have not plied ourselves wholly to learn it, nor occupied our time in prayer, & giving of thanks unto thee. And as touching the love that we ought to have unto all men & women for thy sake, we have not been earnest in it at all times. We have not loved our neigh hour as ourselves, we have not done as we would be done unto, we have been ungentle, unpatient, uncourteous, froward, angry and displeased: we have rejoiced in our neighbours hurt and been sorry of his welfare. We have been led with false doctrine & errors from the way of thy truth. We have sinned with our fathers, we have done amiss, we have dealt wickedly, therefore our most dear father which art in heaven, forasmuch as we have blasphemed thee & not sought always the glory of thy name, grant now that from henceforth thy name may be sanctified and hallowed in us. Grant now that thy kingdom may come, and that in steed of sin and error thou only mayest reign in us: grant now that our will may be conformable unto thine, and that in all adversity we may be heartily well content to suffer thy will to be done in us. Grant now, that we be never destitute of our daily food, but that we may always be nourished with thy word in our souls, and have such a competent living in this life as is necessary for our body Grant now that we may even from our heart roots, forgive one another all manner of trespass, as y● for jesus Christ's sake thy Son, haste mercifully forge●… us. Grant now that where the world the devil, and our own flesh, doth daily tempt and provoke us to sin, we may thorough thy strength be able to resist all their temptation, Grant now that thorough thy help and grace we may be delivered from all evil, from all danger, and peril of soul and body, from all sin, hell, and damnation, from all pride, and enny, from all wrath, and slothfulness, from covetousness, unmeasurable and filthy living. Grant now, that from hence forth we may be content with such fatherly provision as thou haste made for us already, grant now that we may be temperate in eating and drinking. And of so honest and cleanly conversation, that we give no man occasion of evil. Grant now that in stead of our old feigned works we may be occupied with such fruits of thy holy spirit, as thy word maketh mention of. Grant now, that according to the wholesome monition of thy blessed apostle Peter and of all the scripture beside, we may be faithful true & obedient unto the king our sovereign Lord and Supreme head immediately under Christ. And not only unto all such officers as be sent of him, but also unto all such wholesome laws & iniunetions as by his authority be made for the tranquilt ty and wealth of us his subjects. Grant now that we all may increase in the knowledge of thee, that our youth may be brought up in virtue, that children may obey their fathers & mothers, that servants may be true to their masters, that landlords may be gentle to their tenants, that husbands may be loving to their wives, and wives likewise to their husbands, that men may keep their household in the fear & knowledge of thee, the idle people may be set to labour, & that all such as be poor in deed, may be well and lovingly provided for. Grant the for the love of thee we may feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty cloth the naked, give lodging to them that be harbourless, ●…urye the dead, visit than that be in prison, & help such as be in sickness. Finally, grant now most merciful father, that whatsoever thou forbiddest, we may forbear it, and whatsoever: thou▪ commandest, we may every one in his calling perform the same, and so continued in thy service till our lives ends, that all our thoughts, words & deeds may redound unto the glory of thee, now & evermore Amen. Thanks be given to God. Obedience unto our Prince●… and love to our neighbours. For the City or town wherein thou dwellest. EXcept thou (O merciful lord God almighty) keep the city, the watchmen wake but in vain that keep it. Therefore O lord god, send thy holy spirit into the heart's of them which rule our city or town, to the intent that we with them & they with us, may live in thy godly fear, so that it may go well with us. And suffer us not good Lord to put our trust any more in worldly power, as money, horse, weapon artillery, guns or strong walls, but much rather in thee, which art adefender of all them that put their whole affiance and trust in thee. For kings, Princes, and Rulars. O Lord of Lords, jesus Christ thou art an example and glass or myror of them which govern and bear rule of realms, countries & city's whom they ought to follow, for thou art the best and the wisest, and therefore canst thou not err nor do any other thing but well. Vouchsafe with the light of thy clearness, and with the fire of thy love, to kindle the hearts of all such as thou through thy godly providence hast instituted and ordained to be rulers over the people, to the intent that they through thee as by a foregoing light, may see and perceive what is best to be done, and fulfil the same, and that they taking thee always for a sure mark of their eye, do not that thing which only seemeth good in their sight, but that which may be to thy honour, to our profit, and to their health and salvation, to the intent also that they may justly and duly minister, & execute their office given unto them of thee, so that we with them, & they with us, may lead a peaceable, virtuous, and quiet life So be it. Wheu thou goest to thy labour or work. O Most kind and gentle heavenly father thou knowest and hast taught us how great the weakness of man is so that no man without thy godly help, can do any thing. Thus vo●…chiafe to send us thy ho lie spirit, the he may strengthen, stir & indu our understanding & reason in all things, the we this day outwardly shall go about. & take in hand, or it that we inwardly shall think or have in mind, to the intent that it may be done to thy glory, and to the profit of our neighbour. A Prayer for a godly life IT greatly grieveth us, O merciful Father and everlasting God, that we thorough the gre●…ous and continual assaults of our enemies are not able to pass over our years in this world with such purity of life, as we ought, and as thou requirest of us. verily we are on every part so besieged and compassed round about of our adversaries, that scarcely at any time we can be free from their pestiferous & deadly darts, nor yet have so much respite as once to breath toward true godliness. Oh most loving Lord, thou art our Father and we thy children: convenient therefore is it that we thy children represent and openly declare in our conversation the manners of thee our father. Thou art good, gentle, loving suffering holy, righteous, faithful. etc. It therefore becometh us thy children in our living to practise goodness, gentleness love, charity, mercy, patience, long suffering holiness, righteousness, faith. etc. ¶ Thou haste given us an example joh. 13 that even as thou hast done, so we likewise should do. If we say we dwell in thee, we ought to walk as thou haste walked. For thou hast called us not to uncleanness, 1. john. 3 but unto holiness. Thou hast delivered us from the power 1. Thes. 4. of our enemies, that we being without fear should serve the●…, in holiness and righteousness all the days of our life. The blood of thy son jesus Christ 1. joh. 1 hath cleansed us from all sin, net that we should continue in darkness, but rather walk in the light, as thou art in light. Thy loving kindness hath appeared unto all men, not that we should follow ungodliness and worldly jousts, but that we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Thou didst chose us in Christ before Ephe. 1. the foundations of the world were laid, that we should be holy and without blame before thee through him. We are thy workmanship created in Ephe. 2. Christ jesus unto all good works which thou ordainest afore, that we should walk in them. Forasmuch then as all the benefits which thou haste bestowed upon us, are given unto this e●…de, that we should walk worthy of thy kindness, represent thy manners in our conversation, mortify the flesh and the lusts thereof, have nothing to do with Satan, nor the world, but lead a good life garnished full of good works, and in all points fashioned after the rule of thy blessed words: we most heartily pray thee to endue us with thy holy spirit, which may take away our stony heart, and give us a new fleshly and soft heart, kill that old man in us which is corrupt thorough deceivable lusts, and fashion in us that new man which is made after thy image and likeness in righteousness & true holiness. Suffer us not to give over ourselves again unto our old lusts and conc●…piscences, where with we were led when we knew not thee nor thy So●… Christ, but even as thou which hast called us art holy, so likewise grant that we may●… be holy in all our conversation. O merciful god, not the hearers of thy law but th●… ful●…llers of it shallbe justified. Neither sha●… Math. 7. every one that saith unto thee: Lord, Lord enter into the kingdom of heaven, but the that do the will of thee our Father which art in Heaven. To confess thee with our mouth, and to deny thee with our deeds, worketh rather our damnation then salvation. For the true knowledge of thee consisteth not in talking, but in working, not in favouring, but in following, not in loving, but in living. To promise thee by mouth, that we will work in thy vinyeard, and yet work nothing at all, declareth not us to be thy sons, but rather bastards. To brag of the justification of faith, and not to bring forth the fruits thereof, to glory in the merits of thy son Christ, in his blood, death and passion, and not to live worthy in his kindness, to profess thy holy gospel, and not to walk according to the doctrine thereof, to be baptized in thy name and not to morti●…y our members which are of the earth, nor to walk in a new life, to be partakers of the divine mysteries, and not to be made one spirit with thee: what availeth it? We are thy friends, if we do those things that thou commandest us. We are thy servants, if we be obedient to thy will. We are thy Sons, if we honour and reverence thee according to thy word. We seek thy glory, if we attempt nothing, whereof thou shouldest be dishonoured. leading a life confirmable to thy blessed will, we shall provoke the very enemies of thy truth to praise thee, but contrariwise, thou shalt be evil spoken of. Grant therefore we beseech thee, that our life may answer to our profession: and that the light of our good works may so shine before men, that they seeing our godly conversation, may glorify thee our heavenly father. Amen. ¶ A short prayer to be said at the receiving of the mystery of Christ's body at the holy communnion. O Heavenly and blessed father, I render unto thee most hearty thanks for all thy benefits, which thou hast showed unto me most wretched sinner, but specially for the most sweet smeling sacrifice which thy only begotten son offered unto thee on the altar of the cross, by giving his most pure and undefiled body unto the death for the redemption of mankind, in the remenbrance whereof according to thy welbeloned sons ordinance, I now receive this holy bread, most entirely beseeching thee, the I may both be partaker of the merits of thy dear sons body breaking, and also lead a life worthy of so great a benefit, unto the glory of thy name. Amen. A Prayer to be said at the receiving of the mystery of Christ's blood in the holy communion. O Blessed and merciful Father, thy love toward me sinful creature is so exceeding great and unspeakable, that I cannot but give unto thee most humble thanks▪ namely for the shedding of the most precious blood of thy dear Son jesus Christ, by the virtue whereof thy wrath stirred up against me wretched sinner, is pacified: My ransom is paid, the law is fulfilled, my enemies are overcome and put to flight. In remembrance of this so noble a victory and of so great a benefit, I am come to this thy table, O merciful father to drink of this cup. Desiring thee, that as my outward man is comforted by the drinking of this wine: so likewise, my inward man may be comforted and made strong by true faith in the precious blood of thy most dear son. O Lord my heavenly, father, give me thy holy spirit, which may so rule and govern my heart, that I never be unthankful nor forgetful of this thine exceeding great kindness: But so train my life according to thy blessed will, that what soever I do speak or think, may be unto the glory of thy blessed name, and the health of my soul: thorough jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. For all them which lie in the extreme pangs of death or otherwise. O Pitiful Physician and healer both of soul and body, Christ jesus: Uouch safe to cast thine eyes upon this poor sinful creature. N●… who lieth here captive and bound with sickness, turning his weakness to thy glory and to his health. And 'bout safe good Lord, to send him patience and sufferance, that he may with a true and perfect faith fight manfully against all temptations of the Devil, that he may no longer continue. So be it. ☞ A confession for all people to be said in the morning. O Merciful and most loving father, whose love is infinite, whose mercy endureth for ever: We sinful creatures trusting in thine unspeakable goodness, and love towards us, do appear this morning before thy divine majesty, most lowly confessing our manifold sins and in innumerable transgressions of thy commandments and fatherly wil Against thee only against thee, O Lord, have we sinned, therefore we confess our sins, we knowledge our offences, we accuse ourselves unto the O merciful Lord, and will not hied our unrighteousness. We find in ourselves nothing but ignorance of thy will, disobedience, mistrust, doubtfulness in thy goodness, incredulity, hatred, and con tempt of all spiritual things, self-love, con fidence in ourselves, and f●…ruent lusting after carnal things of this world. And this tree of our corrupt nature, bringeth forth continually in us none other fruit, but rotten and unsavoury works of the flesh, in thoughts, words▪ and doings, unto condemnation. Wherefore, we humbly beseech thy fatherly goodness, even for thy son jesus christes sake, whom thou hast set forth for a purchaser tonwardes us of mercy through faith in his blood: to make our hearts clean: Take away our stony hearts, and give unto us a true and a lively taith, whichshal work continually by love, through Christ. Have mercy upon us, forgive us our sins, for thy son's sake: certify our conscience of remission of the same, by thy holy spirit, by whose operation we may so mortify in us our old man the whole body of sin that we continually dying unto sin, may walk in newness of life, to the glory of thy name, through jesus Christ our lord. So be it. Then say this 86. Psalm treatably. BOw down thine ear O Lord, and hear me, for I am poor and in misery. O preserve my soul, for I am holy: my God save thy servant, that putteth his trust in thee. Be merciful unto me (O Lord) for I will call daily upon thee. Comfort the soul of thy servant, unto thee O lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou lord art good and gracious, and of great mercy unto all them that call upon thee. give eare Lord to my prayer, and ponder the voice of my humble desires. In the time of my trouble, I will call up on thee, for thou hearest me. Among the Gods there is none like un to thee O lord, there is not one that can do as thou dost. All nations whom thou hast made, shall come worship thee, O lord: and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great and dost wondrous things, thou art God alone. Teach me thy way O lord, and I will walk in thy truth. O knit my heart unto thee, that it may fear thy name. I will thank thee, O Lord my god with all my heart, and will praise thy name for ever. For great is thy mercy toward me, and thou hast delivered my soul from the neithermost hell. O God, the proud are risen against me, and the congregations of naughty men, have not set thee before their eyes. But thou O lord god art full of compassion and mercy, long suffering, plenteous in goodness, and truth. O turn thee then unto me, and have mercy upon me, give thy strength unto thy servant, and help the son of thine handmaid. Show some token upon me for good, that they which hate me may see it, and be a shamed, because thou Lord haste helped me, and comforted me. Glory be to the father, and to the son and to the holy ghost. As it was in the beginning. etc. Lord have mercy upon us. Christ have mercy upon us. Lord have mercy upon us. Then say the Crede and the lords prayer. etc. Lord show thy mercy upon us. And grant us thy salvation. O lord save the Queen. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee Endue thy ministers with righteousness. And make thy chosen people joyful. O Lord save thy people. And bless thine heritance. give peace in our time O lord. Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou O god. O god make clean our hearts within us. And take not thy holy spirit from us. Let us pray. O God which art author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom: defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies, that we surele trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any ad versaryes, thorough the might of jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O Lord our heavenly father almighty & everlasting god, which hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day: defend us in the same with thy mighty power, and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight, through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. GOd preserve Queen Elizabeth, god destroy all her enemies, God preserve her most honourable counsellors, God aid the clergy with his spirit in setting forth of his truth, God preserve all the nobelity of this realm, and the commons of the same, God defend the favourers of the gospel, God change the hearts of our enemies and send them better minds. The power of god destroy Antichrist with all his wicked kingdom. God send the gospel a joyful and a free passage throughout the whole world. God send unto all degrees such grace, that they may walk worthily in their vocation and calling. Amen. The peace of God which passeth all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his son jesus Christ our Lord: And the blessing of God almighty, the father, the son, and the holy ghost, be amongst us and remain with us always Amen. Imprinted at London by john Day, dwelling over Aldersgate, beneath S. Martin's. Cum privilegio Regiae Maiestatis.