The jewel of joy.  ❧ Philemon, Eusebius, Theophile, and Christofer, talk together. Philemon. 
SO oft as I call to remembrance (which for the most part I do every hour) this commandment of our Lord and master. Occupy yourselves till I come, wherbi we are admonished diligently 
Luke, nineteen.  to employ our talent committed unto us every one according to our vocation in the advancement of God's glory, and in the edification of our christian brethren, whose health and salvation, not only with the loss of our temporal possessions, but even of our life also, if need so require we are bound under pain of damnation to seek, leing that God as the wise man testifieth, 
〈◊〉. xvii.  hath given to every man charge over his neighbour, again sing that according to the doctrine of blessed john, as Christ gave his life for us, so likewise 
i. Epistle. iii.  are we bound to bestow our life to win our Brethren to Christ, forasmuch as we all are membres of one body, & are commanded 
roman. ●…ii. i. Cor●…in. ●…ii. i. Timoth. i, i. john. iii. Leu●…. 〈◊〉. Mathe. ●…ii. roman. ●…iii.  without dissimulation to love our neighbour as ourself, and to seek his commodity profit, & furtherance in all Godliness, no less than our own, I can none otherwise then reprove and accuse mine own sluggishness, which almost these five years past have omitted my butye toward my neighbours, not going forth as I began in my Christmas bankette, in my Potation, in my Nolegaye, and in my Neweyers gift to exhort them to godliness, & to encourage them valiantly to go forth in the same, & to persever unto the end, but traneing my life in other exercises, I trust not altogether ungodly, nor unprofitable to the christian public weal, I have neglected the neighbourly office which I ought to have practised toward them. Yea I fear lest thorough the neglecting of my duty toward my neighbours, I have not showed myself an obedient servant in all points concerning the diligent accomplishment of my Lord & master's precept, which straightly chargeth me not only to occupy myself privately in virtuous studies & godly exercises, but also openly, that his holy & glorious congregation mai be edified & brought to the true & perfect knowledge of his most godly wil Certes the omission & leaving of this my duty toward my neighbours doth not a little disquiet me, seeing the so long time I have had no familiar talk with them of Godly matters, no nor yet once seen them sense I gave them a new years gift, being unwillynglye thorough the furious and Nerolike cruelty of certain persons (whose tyranny since that time God hath not left unpunished) driven away from them to the great and continual disturbance of my mind for lacking the company of so loving neighbours, and sweet friends.  
But I have sent my servants for them, that I may talk with them after mine old sort, renew our acquaintance, and be merry togythere. For it is a sweet thing when friends meet, and merry when old acquaintance flock togitherward. I marvel that they tarry so long. I fear least my servant doth not his message expeditely, or else that they have some great letting. For I am well ascertained, that if they once have knowledge of my return into the country, no worldly affairs can withdraw them long from my company.  
But behold, where they come flocking together. Oh pleasant and comfortable sight. Tears distill out of mine eyes for very joy, yet can I not withhold myself from them, but must needs with m●…ting arms embrace them lovingly salute them, and sweetly kiss them. O most dear neighbours & christian brethren, so heartily welcome as heart can think. Blessed be God, which hath preserved us alive unto this day, that we may yet once again see one another, talk one with an other, & freely rejoice in the Lord our God. Come, come unto me. Let me embrace you, kiss you, & once again did you heartily welcome.  Euse. 
O most true hearted friend and unfeigned brother, we praise God for your self return into the country.  Theo. 
This day most sweet neighbour hath replenished us all with joy unspeakable, forasmuch as it hath off red you again to our sight.  Chri. 
O dear brother Philemon your repairing into this country, your sight, your company, your ta●…ke hath even now suddenly so revived us, that we seem to have put on a certain kind of immortality. And as for all other his benefits, so likewise for this ' do we render to the immortal God most hearty thanks, and with o●… voice we all bid you most heartily welcome home.  p●…le. 
I know dear neighbours your unfeigned love and ready bend goodwill toward me. And you do not more rejoice at mi return, than I am entirely glad that I have found you all in good health.  Euse. 
But I pray you tell us of good fellowship brother Philemon in what parties of the world have ye traveled so long time? For neither by letters nor yet by report of any credible persons sense your departure could we learn where you trained your life.  
We feared jest in so perilous time ye had been swallowed up of the greedy cormorantes, and insasiable Locusts, which are never satisfied nor filled with the shedding of innocent blood. Neither was the liberty of your speech, nor the swiftness of your pen unknown to us, which the swarm of Antechristes' sect, sense you first of all traveled in the Lord's harvest, could never abide, but extrenly persecute, blaspheme and condemn.  Philemon. 
What gentleness I found for my Godly travails at the hands of some men in these parties, ye know right well. Therefore when neither by speaking, nor by writing I could do good, I thought it best not rashly to throw myself into the raveneing paws of these greedy wolves, but for a certain space to absent myself from their tyranny according 
Matthew, 〈◊〉.  to the doctrine of the Gospel.  
For as there is a time to speak, so is there a time to keep silence 
Ecclesi. i●…,  When the poor are oppressed and trodden under the foot, then shall the wise man, saith the prophet, 
〈◊〉, 〈◊〉.  hold his peace, for the time is evil. And we have a manifest commandment of our saviour Christ, that we should 
Matthew, seven.  not give that which is holy unto dogs, nor cast pearls before swine, least they tread them un der their feet, and they turn again and all to rend us. For there be some kind of men so greatly infected with the nature of Suffenus, and accumbered with the properties of Menius, two foleish & vain glorious poets, that they think nothing well spoken, nothing truly written, except they themselves be the authors & doers thereof, they are those same very hypocrites, 
Matthew. seven.  which find fault at a little mote in an other man's eye, but they can not perceive a great ●…eame in their own eyes. They are those same Pharisees, which spar up 
Mathe. xxiii.  the kingdom of heaven before men. They are those same sawiers 
Luke, xi.  which take away the key of know ledge, thet themselves enter not in, nether suffer they other that would to enter in. They are those same babylon backslideds, & ●…yng children, which will not hear the law of the Lord, but daily cry, 
isaiah. thirty.  Loquimini nobis placentia Tell us pleasant things, provide us of errors, care not for the right way, but away with the holy one of Israel from our face, they are those same false christians, of 
〈◊〉. 〈◊〉. iii.  whom saint Paul prophesied, which should be lovers of themselves, covetous, hie minded, proud, evil speakers, disobedient to their elders, unthankful ungodly, unkind, false of their promise, false accusers, riatours fierce, despisers of them that are good, traitors, heady, standing in their own conceit, lovers rather of pleasures, than lovers of God, having an outward appearance of godliness, but devyinge the power thereof. Like as jannes' & jambres withstood Moses, even so do they also resist the truth. Men are they of corrupt minds and lewd as concerning the faith, but they shall prevail no longer. For their foleishnes shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs was. Where things be so ordered, that the truth can bear no place, nor the professors thereof be thankfully received, but rather blasphemed persecuted, enprysoned, and ungentillye handled: what should men do, but shake of the dust of their feet, for a witness against the at the day of judgement & departed into some other place where they may do good, as Christ & the Apostles 
Matthew. 〈◊〉. Matthew, 〈◊〉. john. ●…iii. seven Act. xiii.  did, & quietli to abide the pleasure of god, as the prophet saith.  
It is good to look for the saving 
Chr●…n. 〈◊〉.  health of the Lord with silence After this sort did I appoint myself, and leaving mine own native country, I traveled into such strange places, as were unknown to me, and I to them And yet I thank the Lord my God, which never leaveth his servants succourless, I although an unprofitable servant in that exile and banishment wanted no good thing. Let the voluptuous worldlings take though for the beal●…, and be careful for this present life. I have learned in that my journey to cast my care upon the Lord my God which abundantly feedeth so many as trust in him, and depend on his liberality and goodness. For one house, I found. xx. and for one friend, an hundred. 
Psal. ●…xxiii. 〈◊〉 x●…. 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 Matthew. vi.  I could wish nothing for the provision of this my life, but I 
Luke. 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉. Peter. 〈◊〉.  had it plenteously, God so afore sing for me his unprofitable and wretched servant.  Theo. 
The promise of God is even so. Every one, sayeth he, that forsaketh house, or brothers, or sistern, or father, or mother, or 
Matthew. 〈◊〉. Luke. xviii  wife or children for my name's sake, and for the kingdom of God, that is to say, for the love that he beareth toward the Gospel of Christ, he shall receive an hundred fold as much in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting,  Chri. 
Truth it is, but you have not yet declared to us, in what country's ye have been here in England sense your departing from hence.  Philemon. 
After I departed from you and had taken my leave of my most sweet mother, & of m●… other dear friends, I traveled into Darbyshere & 
D●…bishere  from thence into the Peke, whither I appointed my books and 
The 〈◊〉.  my clothes to be brought.  Euse. 
Into the Peke? Lord God what made you there?  Phile. 
Mine intent was by exercising the office of a school master to engrafte Christ and the knowledge of him, in the breasts of those scholars, whom God should appoint unto me, for to be taught.  Theo. 
I think you found there very peakeish people.  Phile. 
Not so, I confess to you, that I found there very good wits & apt unto learning.  Chri. 
But how favour they christian religion in those parties?  Philemon. 
I will tell you. Coming into a little village called Alsoppe in the dale, I chanced upon 
Master A●…soppe.  a certain gentilmanne called Alsoppe, Lord of that village a man not only ancient in years, but also ripe in the knowledge of Christ's doctrine.  Theo. 
By what means had ye knowledge of his Godly disposition?  Phile. 
After we had saluted one an other and take a sufficient repast for that present, he showed me certain books which he called his jewels and principal treasures.  Eusebius. 
I pray you what books were they?  Phile. 
To rehearse them all by name, I am not able, but of this am I sure that among all other there was the new Testament after the translation of the Godly learned man miles coverdale, which seamed to be as well worn by the diligent reading thereof, as ever was any portas or mass book among the papists.  CHri. 
A rare thing and almost a miracle to found an old man namely in those parties, where Christ I think as yet was never truly preached, to be so well affected toward the reading of the sacred scriptures.  Euse. 
Yea and a gentleman also, For gentlemen now adays for the most 
Gentlemen.  part delight so much in reading the word of God, as a true christian doth in reading the Pope's decretals, they are all together so addict to the vain pleasures of this world.  Theo. 
Many think it to be an unsemly thing for a man of nobility to be studious of holy letters, hawks, and dogs dise and cards (as I may speak nothing of their service to lady Venus) is their pastime and delectation. If they read any thing, it is some vain trifle of love, or when they be beast occupied an history or chronicle.  Phile. 
I grant many gentlemen little answer their vocation, neither are they studious of god's word as they ought, notwythstandinge (praised be God for it) I know many both men & women of nobility which greatli delight in reading the holy scriptures, & do not only love, but also live the Gospel  Euse. 
I pray God increase the numbered daily. For than shall it go well with christian religion, when noble men shallbe learned in those books, which are fountains and head springs of all true, perfect, and christian religion. Notable is the sentence of Plato which affirmeth that the public weal is most fortunate & greatly advanced, if such as be the governors thereof be either wise or studious of wisdom. 
Deuter. x vi joshua. i.  Therefore doth the scripture in so many places exhort the civil 
Psal. two ●…en. i. vi  magistrates to be learned in the law of god. But I pray you tell us, had the gentleman none other books but only the new testament?  Phi. 
Yes verily. I remembre right well, that he had many other godly books, as the obedience of a christē mā, man, the parable of the wicked Mammon, the revelation of Antichrist, the sum of holiscripture, the book of john Frith against purgatory, all the boks published in the name of Theodore Basil, with divers other learned men's works, In these godly treatises, this ancient gentleman among the mountains & rocks occupied himself both diligently and virtuously.  Chri. 
I would not lightly have believed that such a man could have been found in so barbarous and rude a country, nor that so fruitful works had been placed in so unlearned a region.  Phile. 
Neither would the prophet Helias have believed that theridamas had been any godly men left alive besides himself, when king Achab & his wicked wife jesabel had cruelly murdered such great numbered of the Lords Prophets & servants, till god made him answer & said. I have yet reserved to me. seven. M. men, which have not bowed their knees before 
iii. ●…g nineteen. romans. xi  Ba●…l. When the Papists & Antichrist's think their kingdom most strongest and most 
Mark ye paistes.  like to continue, then is it most nigh unto down fall, so worketh God for the avauncement of his glory, and for the profit of his poor afflict congregati on. When the enemies of God burn good men, and consume their books unto ashes, then are these martyrs the better credited their doctrine the more regarded, & their books both the more warily kept & hold in the greater reverence.  Theo. 
I believe it right well. For there be certain books whose remembrance hath fallen away long before this time from the minds of the people, if they had not furiously, and without consideration been condemned for heresy. But when the people saw them condemned & no cause why, but plain tyranny. Sic volo, sic jubeo, stat pro ratione voluntas: It caused them to have the more respect unto the books, and when they had read them, perused them & compared them with the scriptures of God, perceiving that in all points they did agree with them, it caused the readers to have an evil opinion of the adversaries, and to embrace and safely keep the books as holy relics, and precious treasures. So that where the Papists sought a final destruction to the books by burning them, contrary to their expectation they have made them as it were immortal, & won to the authors of them a noble fame, & glorious renown. Very truly, is it said of Solomon, there is no wisdom 
prover. xxi  no forecast, no council that can prevail against the Lord. Euse. Truth it is, but to return unto the Peke, of what sort I pray you are the people concerning christian religion.  Phile. 
When I was there, all their religion consisted in hearing matins, & masses, in super 
Feigned religion  sticious worshipping of saints, in hyeringe soul caryars to sing trentals, in pattering upon beads, and in such other popish pedlary.  Theo. 
The history of the gentleman caused me not so much to rejoice, as the hearing of this maketh me sorry. I wonder that the common people be ●…o ignorant.  Christo. 
Do ye wonder? What wonder is it? When such as should lead them in the light of 
●…noraunt priests.  Christ's gospel, are the very self darkness. The eye, that is to say, the preacher of god's word is the light 
Matthew. vi Luke. 〈◊〉.  of the body, that is, of the whole congregation of Christ. If the eye be single, that is to say, if the curate or preacher be godly learned, then shall all the body be full of light, that is the christē cōgregation congregation shall have the word of god dwell in them plenteously, & truly walk in that light of Gods most blessed will, without halting on both parts. But if the eye be darkness, that is to say, if the preacher be unlearned, how great them shall the darkness be, that is, how ignorant and blind shall the gross & tude people be? Is not this the saying of Solomon. When the preaching of God's word faileth, the people 
Prove. xxi●….  perish and come to nought. The priests are the salt of the earth in deed, but if the salt be unsavoury & have lost his saltness, what 
Matthew v  can be salted their with? It is afterward good for nothing but to be cast out & to be trodden under foot of men.  Phil. 
I can not deny, but that the priests in that country are very baselylearned, & in a manner such as are pointed of the prophet saying. 
Esa●…. 〈◊〉.  The curates are blind every one of them, they are altogether with out knowledge, they are dumb dogs not able to bark. etc.  Euse 
The priests for the most part universally thorough the realm, are such as Ezechiel crieth out on saying. Woe be to the shepherds 
Ezechi. xxxiii.  of Israel which fede themselves. Should not the shepherds fede the flock? Ye have eaten up the milk Ye have clothed you with the wool, the best fed have ye slain, but the stoke have ye not nourished the weak have ye not held up, the sick have ye not healed, the brokè have ye not bound together, the outcasts have ye not brought again, the lost have ye not sought up, but churlishly, & cruelly have ye ruled them etc.  Chri. 
Where such unlearned pastors bear rule, no marvel though papistry be not exiled.  
If the blind lead the blind, both 
Matthew 〈◊〉  fall into the ditch.  Phile. 
The people where I havetraveiled for the most part are reasonable and quiet enough, yea and veri cōformable mable to God's truth. If any be stobournlye obstinate, it is for fault of knowledge, and because they have been seduced of blind guides.  Theo. 
It should help very much unto an uniformity in religion, & unto the salvation of christian men's souls, if there were learned curates appointed in every parish, if so many can not be found, them to place in every country certain learned & godly preachers, which mai go from parish to parish, preaching to the people the good will, & pleasure of god. And let the other priests be ministers under the superattendentes or overseers, & in their absence read to the people the said scriptures, & the homiles, reverently minister the sacraments, vi sit the sick people, make collections for the poor, & virtuously bring up the youth of the town. If this were brought to pass, what a flourishing realm should we have? How should learnig & virtue prosper? How purely should we honour God? How faithfully should one of us love an other? What christian works should issue out of our daily conversation & living.  Phile. 
I doubt not but that the king's majesty with his most honourable council will veri gratioussi consider these things, yea & that with expeditton  Chri. 
But sit once again to the Peke. I pray you continued you there still to this return into the country.  Phile. 
I will tell you. While I was in the Peke, I learned that R. wisdom was in Stafforde 
Robert wisdom.  shear, ye know the man I am sure  Eus. 
We know him to be a godly man in his conversation, & a faithful preacher in his doctrine, and such one as hath not been altogether free from persecution for the maintenance of god's truth.  Phi. 
He was the same to me, that Aristarchus 
Colossi. iiii.  was to Paul. desiring greatly to see him, I bade mi friends in the Peke far well, & made haste toward him. When I came to him, I did not only rejoice to see him in health, but also gave god thanks that he was so well placed & provided for. For I found him in the house of a certain faithful brother called john Old, a man 
john Old.  old in name, notwithstanding young in years, & yet ●…unciēte in true Godliness & christian life. He was to us as jason wasto Paul & Silas. He received us joyfully 
〈◊〉. ●…vii  into his house, & liberally for the Lord's sake, ministered all good things to our necessities. And as he began, so did he continue a right hearty friend, & dearly loving brother so long as we remained in the country. Even as blessed 
two. Timo. i.  Paul wished to Onesiphorus, so wish I to him, and with the same words pray for him, the lord grant to him that he may found mercy with the Lord in the day. After that we had passed over certain days in the house of that most loving brother, refreshing our selves with the comfort of the holy scriptures, after so many grievous tempests, troublous storms, & pain full labours I know not of what friend our dear brother Robert wisdom was called away by letters, which was to us both, no small pain & grief. Notwithstanding we submitted ourselves to the good pleasure of God, with this hope & comfort, that his return to his old familiars should make greatly to the advancement of god's glory, and to the quietness of his christian studies, whereof might spring hereafter no small commodity to the christē public weal And so we wishing one to an other the assistance of God's spirit repentance of our former life, strength of faith & perseverance in all godliness to our last end, the parted, yea & that not with out tears.  Chri. 
Did he write nothing all the time that he was in those parties?  Phi. 
He was ever virtuous occupied, & suffered no hour to pass away with out good fruit. He is a man in whom the fear of god reigneth unfeignedly. Besides his other works, of this I am sure that 
The books of of Robert wis doom.  he hath written veri godly & fruit full expositions upon certain Psal. of David, of the which also he traunslated some into english metre very learnedly. He hath written also many godly & learned set mons upon the epistles & Gospels that are read in the temples on sundays, part whereof I have both seen & read. Moreover he hath traunslated the postil of Antonius corvinus and divers other learned men's works. And, which I had almost forgotten, he hath made a confutation of those errors which were imputed & let ed to his charge veri unjustly of his adversaries, a book farced with all kind of godly learning.  Theo. 
These his works are not printed nor commonly published abroad.  pHiIe. 
Truth it is, would God they were. They should without doubt bring great profit to the readers, & highly advance the glory of god.  Euse. 
But I pray you, what exercise did you practise in Stafford there after his departure, 
Stafford ●…er   Phi. 
According to my talente I brought up youth in 〈◊〉 knowledge of good literature & instill led into their breasts the elements & principles of Christ's doctrine teaching them to know their Lord & god, to believe in him, to fear & love him, & studiously to walk in his holy ways from their very cradles even to the yielding up of their last breath. I doubt not, but that Christ was so depeli graven in their hearts at that time, that he is not yet worn out, neither as I trust shall be so long as they live.  Euse. 
How savoured the people christ & his doctrine in those parties, when you were there?  phi. 
Not altogether unlike the people of the Peke, but that they were not in all points comunli so superstitious they savoured somewhat more of pure religion. This I think came to pass thorough certain english books that were among them, & thorough travelers to & fro London. 
Priests.   CHri. 
What of the priests?  The. 
Ye should axe, what of the moving of the mountains.  Phi. 
In deed when I was there, they were all massmongers applying their portasse & mass book very diligently, but the holy Bible very little.  Euse. 
Were they not as he writeth of 
Titus.  men of Crete, evil beasts, and slow bellies?  Phi. 
It becometh me to dispraise no man. For charity covereth the multitude of sins. notwithstanding. I would wish more learned pastors to be appointed for to feed the flock of Christ. For they are 
Proverb. x. 1. Peter iiii. Malach. two. 1. Peter. iii.  not such priests, as whose lips keep knowledge, neither can their mouth utter the law of God, if any man should require it of them.  Chri. 
If I should rehearse here to you, the childish ignorance that was found in priests at the kings majesties visitation, it would make your heart to bleed for to consider that such blind curates should have the over sight & charge of Christ's congregation.  phi. 
Their blindness is rather to be lamented than to be derided, notwithstanding this must I needs say by the way, I wish with all my heart that the church of Christ mai be purged of such unprofitable clods of the earth, at the lest that they may not occupy the tome and enteye the life of a preacher, they them sell ves being altogether unlearned and more meet to be taught then to teach. He that should be a curate 
Tit. 〈◊〉.  after S. Paul's rule ought to be a man able to teach the peo ple Gods word, yea & such a man as should not only be able to exhort, but also to convince & overcome all such as speak against the truth.  Theo. 
A great fault in 
bishops.  this behalf is to be imputed unto the bishops, which admitted such unlearned asses unto the order of priesthood.  Euse. 
The patrons of the benefits are not altogether blameless for giving 
〈◊〉 of benefices.  the livings to such ignorant men, weather it be for affection or for rewards, neither shall their punishment, I fear, be small at the day of judgement. For if when the blind leadeth the blind, both fall into the ditch, what shall we than say of them, which are the occasion that 
Math. xv.  the blind guide which his blind flock fall into the dich, that is to say, into everlasting damnation? Shall not the blood of them that perish be required at the Patron's hands in the dreadful day of judgement? If I put a sword in a mad man's hand, which with the same 
Note.  immeadiatli killeth another man: am not I guilty of the blood of him that is slain?  Phi. 
Let these things pass, for doubt ye not the kings highes with his most honourable counsel will most graciously provide for the redress of such abuses.  Theo. 
Did you tarry I pray you cotinually in Stafforde shear until ye returned into your country?  Phile. 
Nay forsooth. After that I had consumed a year in that country and some what more in the virtuous education and Godly bringing up of youth, I departed into warwick shear, where in like manner as afore I freely enjoyed the liberallytie of my most sweet & dear friend john Old, which impelled by vorgent causes departed into that country for to inhabit. There likewise taught I divers gentle men's sons, which I trust, if they live, shall be a beauty to the public weal of Egland both for the preferment of true religion and for the maintenance of justice.  Euse. 
How fancied you that country?  Phile. 
I travailed both in Darbye shear, in the peak, in Stafford shear and in Lechester shear, yet warwick shear was to me most dear and pleasant.  CHri. 
How so?  phi. 
In Leicester shear (as I may pass over the other) I had familiarity only with one learned man a contriman of 
M. john Ail 〈◊〉.  ours called john Aylmer, a master of art of the university of cambrige, a young man singularly well learned both in the latin & greek ●…onge, teacher to my Lord Marquis Dorset his children, but Warwick shear ministered unto me theacqueyntaunce and friendship of many learned men.  Chri. 
What are their names I pray you? For nothing delighteth me more than to hear of learned men.  Phile. 
Friste cometh to my remenbrance a man worthy to be loved and reverenced of all true hearted christian men not only for the puernes 
Master Latimer.  of his life, which hath always before the world ben innocent and blameless, but also for the sincerity and godliness of his Evangelic doctrine, which since the beginning of his preaching hath in all points been so conformable to the teaching of Christ and of his Apostles that the veri adversary's of God's truth with all their manaching words and cruel emprisonmentes could not with draw him from it, but that so ever he had once preached, he valiantly defended the same before the world without fear of any mortal creature although of never so great power and high authority, wishing & minding rather to suffer not only loss of worldly possessions, but also of life, than the glory of God and the truth of Christ's Gospel should in any point be obscured or defaced thorough him. His life was not dear unto him 
Act. xx.  so that he might fulfil his course with joy and the office that he received of the Lord jesus to testify the Gospel of God's favour. He might well say with the holy psalmograph, I spoke O Lord, of thy testimonies and 
Psal. C. xviii.  ordinants in the presence of Kings, Princes and Rulars, and I was not abashed.  Euse. 
I much desire to know his name tell it us I pray you.  phile. 
Ye have heard I am sure of Master Latimer sometime By shop of Worcester?  Chri. 
His noble fame and virtuous renown is more known not only in this Realm of England but also in foreign countries a 'mong both learned and unlearned, than it can be hid. I for my part have known him before. xx. years in the university of Camb●…ig to whom next unto God I am specially bound to give most hearty thanks for the knowledge, if any I have, of God and of his most blessed word.  phile 
How so?  Chri. 
I was sonetyme a poor scholar of Cambrige very desirous to have the knowledge of good letters, and in the time of my being their, this godly man preached many learned and christian sermons both in latin & english tongue, at the which all, I for most part was present, and although at the time I was but a child of xvi. years yet I noted his doctrine so well as I could, partly reposing it in my memory, par lie commending it to letters as most faithful treasurers unto memory.  
I was present when with manifest authorities of Gods word and arguments invincible besides the allegations of doctoures he proved in his Sermons, that the holy scriptures 
Bible in engl●…she.  ought to be read in the English tongue of all christē people, whether they were priests or lay men, as they be called, which thing divers drowesy dunsers with certain falls flying flattering Friars could not abide, but openly in their unsavoury sermons resisted his godly purpose, even as Alexander the coppersmith and Elymas the sorcerer with many other resisteth blessed Paul and 
two. Timo. iiii.  his Godly doctrine, not withstanding 
Act. viii.  he (yea rather God in him, whose cause he handled) gate the victory, and it came to pass according to his teaching. Neither was I absent when he inveighed against temptle works, good intents, blind z●…ale, superstitious devotion. etc. 
Will works.  as the painting of tabernacles gildding of Images, setting up of candles, running on pilgrimage & such other idle inventions of men, whereby the glory of God was obscured and the works of mercy the les regarded. I remember also how he was wont to rebuke the beneficed 
Beneficed men.  men with the authority of God's word for neglecting and not teaching their flock and for being absent from their cures, they themselves being idle and mastinge themselves like hogs of Epicurus flock, taking no thought though their poor parishioners miserably pine a way, starve, perish and die for hunger. Neither have I forgotten how he at that time condemned 
●…owes.  foolish ungodly and impossible vows to be fulfilled as the vow of chastity, wishing rather that liberty of marriage might be granted to them which have so vowed by the higher powers, than so to continue thorough single life in all kind of abominable uncleanness. O how vehement was he in rebuking all sins, namely Idolatry, falls and idle swearing covetousness and whoredom? again how sweet and pleasant were his words in exhorting unto virtue? He spoke nothing but it left as it were certain pricks or stings in the hearts of the hearts, which moved them to consent to his doctrine. None except they were stiffnecked and uncircomcised in heart, went a way from his sermons, which were not led with a faithful repentance of their former life affected with height detestation of sin, and moved unto all Godliness and virtue. I did know certain men, which thorough the persuasion of their friends went unto his Sermons swelling, blown full and puffed up like unto Esoppes Frog, with envy and malice against him but when they returned, the Sermon being done, and demanded how they liked him and his doctrine, they answered with the bishops and Pharisees servants. Nun quam sic locutus 
john. viii.  est homo, sicut hic homo.  
There was never man that spoke like unto this man, so sharppe 
He●…rus. iiii.  a two edged sword is the word of God (it entereth thorough even unto the dividing of the soul and the spirit, and of the joints and the marry) so watcheth God upon his word, so causeth the father of heaven 
〈◊〉. i.  his word not to return unto him void, but to do what so ever his good pleasure is, and to take root and bring forth 
isaiah. iv. ●…t. xiiii.  fruit in them that are afore ordained unto everlasting life, in some an hondered fold, in some three score fold, in some their t●… fold. I leave of to report his free speech against buying & selling 
Math. xiii.  of benefices, against the promoting of them unto the livings 
Benefices.  of spiritual ministers which are 
Unlearned.  unlearned and ignorant in the law of God, against popish 
Ministers.  pardons, against the reposing our hope in our own works 
Pardons.  or in other men's merits, against false religion etc. Neither do I 
Main hope.  here rehearse how beneficial he was according to his possibility 
Alms deeds.  to poor scholars and other needy people, so conformable was his life to his doctrine, so watered he with good deeds, what so ever tofore he planted with godly words, so laboured he with all main both in word and deed to wine and allure other unto the love of christes doctrine and his holy religion there is a common saying, which remaineth unto this day, When Master Staforde read, and Master Latimer preach, than was Cambridge blessed.  Euse. 
What was that Stafford?  Chri. 
A man whom the unthanful 
M. George Stafforde.  world was unworthy any longer to have. As I may pass over the gifts of nature and such goodly qualities, as win unto them that have them the favour and commendation of men, wherewith he was plenteously endued, this I unfeignedly say unto you, he was a man of a very perfect life, and if I may so speak, of an Angelic conversation, approvedly learned in the Hebrew, Greek and latin tongues, and such one as had thorough his painful labours obtained singular knowledge in the mysteries of gods most blessed word.  
I doubt whether he was more bound to blessed Paul for leaving those Godly Epistles behind him to cusituet and teach the congregation of God, whereof he was a dear member, or that paul, which before had so many years been foiled with the foolish fantases and elfish expositions of certain doting doctors and as it were drowned in the dir●…ye dregs of the drowsy dunsers, was rather bound unto him, sing that by his industry labour, pain and diligence he seemed of a dead man to make him a live again and putting a way all unsemlines to set him forth in his native colours, so that now he is both seen, read and heard not without great and singular pleasures of them that travail in the studies of his most godly epistles. And as he beautified the letters of blessed Paul with his godly expositions, so like wise did he learnedly setforth in his lectures the native sense and true understanding of the fore evangelists, vively restoring unto us the Apostls' mind & the mind of those holy writers, which so many years before had lain unknown and obscured thorough the dark 
Math xxiiii.  nes and mists of the Pharisees and Papists.  
He was a faithful and prudent servant, giving meat to the Lord's howshoulde in due time He did cast away profane and old wifes fables, and as the good servant of jesus Christ he exersised himself unto godliness: 
two Tmoth. iii,  He was an ensample to the faithful in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. He gave his mind to reading to exhorting, to doctrine. He studied to show him 
two. Tioth. two.  self unto god a laudable work man that needeth not to be ashammed dividing, the word of truth justly. He was gentle unto every man and with meekness informed them that resisted the truth, if God at any time would give them repentance for to know the truth, & to turn again from the snare of the peril. He fought a good fight, he fulfilled the course, he kept the faith, therefore is there 
two. Corin. iiii,  laid up for him a crown of righteuousness, which the Lord that righteous judge shall give him in that day, not to him only, 
i. Peter. v.  but to all them that love his come minge.  Phile. 
I am glad brother Christofer that ye have spoken no less truly then friendly of these two men of God, of the which one reigneth with the high bishop in christes glory (for the wise as the prophet Daniel saith, which have taught other shall glister 
Daniel. xii.  as the shining of heaven, and those that have instructed the multitude unto godliness, shall be as the stars world without end) the other is yet alive worthy, if God's good pleasure so were, to live the years of Mathusalath, 
Genesis. v.  both for his godly doctrine and christian conversation.  
With this true preacher of god's word, I chanced in warwick shear to be somewhat acquainted (which was to me no small comfort) not with him only but with divers other, whereof some were men of worship well bent toward the holy scriptures, some were men very godly learned in the laws of the most highest, & professors of the same. So oft as I was in their company, me thought I was clean delivered from Egypt & quietly placed in the new glorious jerusalem which is described in the revelation of blessed john, so sweet 
Ap●…a. xxi.  a thing is it to be in the company of Godly learned men.  Euse. 
traveled you into none other country afterwards?  Phile. 
While I was training up of youth, and fashioning their minds unto true Godliness in that country, behold unloked for, were letters sent unto me, from my most dear mother, in the which she required me, to return into my native country, and to be a staff of her old 
Tobias. v.  age, for as much as my father in law was departed from this vale of misery.  
I considering my duty and 
Exodi. xx. ●…tero. v.  the honour which I own unto her by the manifest commandment of God, immediately after, not without the friendly consent of my well willers departed from warwick shear, and with all haste repaired home. And for as much as I have now quietly reposed myself (thanks be to the high Lord) I remembering our old friendship thought i●… my bounden duty to send for you & after mine accustomed manner to talk with you of some part of the holy scripture.  Cristofer. 
The rehearsal of this your travail by divers countries hath so delighted us that we seem now to have been with you in all your journeys.  Theo. 
We magnify God most heartily that he by his holy Angel hath safe conduit you in all your ways, preserved you in health, gotten you dear friends and now at the last, brought you home again into your native country.  Euse. 
But I pray you did you wright nothing in this your long absence?  Phile. 
I wrote divers treatises, but as yet there are published only these three, the governance of ver tue, an invective against whoredom, a dialogue of Christ's nativity, between the Angel and the shepherd's. The other shall be set forth, if the Lord will, hereafter at a convenient tyme. I trannslated out of latin into English●… divers little treatises, the shyl●… of Salvation, the solace of the soul, the commendation of death etc. Thus have I declared unto you, how I spent my time, whilst I have been from you. It now remaineth that for as much as hereafore I have perceived your gentleness in accepting the poor and homely gifts that I have given you, I go forth to use still mine accustomed liberality toward you, & to enrich you with more gifts, which may no less garnish your souls, than the other have done in times past, howsoever the papists & Antichrist's Soldiers have judged of them. The gift which I will now give you, is called the jewel of joy, & not without 
The jewel of joy  a cause. For in it you shall receive much true joy & perfect solace, much Godly pleasure and spiritual comfort. In it ye shall see in what thing alone ye ought to rejoice, and how vain and transitory those things are, wherein the foleishe and fantastical worldlings repose their chief pleasure and delectation. This jewel have I borrowed of the blessed apostle. S. Paul, and it is among his treasures couched in the fourth chap. of his Epistle to the Philippians  Chri. 
I pray you what is it●…let it be brought forth.  Phile. 
Lo, here it is. Rejoice in the 
Philip. iiii.  Lord always, and again I say rejoice. How like you this jewel? Is it not both goodly and precious? Is it not worth the looking on as they say? Is it not a jewel worthy to be worn of every true hearted christian man?  Euse. 
It is a jewel in deed not only amiable and pleasant in aspect, but also very comfortable and wholesome to a Christian man's conscience.  Theo. 
It is no apt jewel for the wicked wordlings & bellied hypocrites, which like to E sops cock set more by a barley corn, then by all the precious stones in the world, of this sort chiefly.  Phile. 
Truth it is. For if men estranged from the public weal of the true Israelites, carnally minded, uncircumsed in heart, disobedient to the yoke of Christ, not regenerate by the spirit of God, nor renewed by the holy baptism, but in all points led captive at the devils pleasure with the affects of the world, should hear this aforesaid sentence of the holy apostle recited to them, & chief of such one as is imprisoned, fettered, bound in chains (as blessed S Paul was, what time he wrote this 
Philippi. i. 〈◊〉  Epistle unto the Phillyppians) which are instruments to the vo luptuouse worldlings of no gladenes but of sadenes, of no joy and pastance, but of sorrow and grievance, they would no less than marvel at his fondness, yea it is to be thought, that they would laugh him to scorn as a person transposed and far set beyond the limits of witty reason, and reasonable wit, sing he exhorteth unto that which in so great storms and tempests of troublous adversity no heart led with human wisdom can easily approve, so blind, foleishe, ignorant, and of no capacity, feeling or understanding in spiritual things, is the wisdom of this world, as. S. Paul 
i. ●…orhin. two.  sayeth. A natural man doth not perceive those things that pertain to the spirit of god. For they are foleishenes to him, neither can he come to the knowledge of them, because they are spiritually judged. The head rulers among the jews, the bishops, the priests, the scribes, the Phariseis, the Saducees, the Lawyers with many other, which were in christes time prove this thing evidently true enough, which 
john ix.  although in their own conceit puffed up with the excellent know ledge of God's mysteries, perceiving nothing at all of Christ's blessed doctrine, so truly is it said of the holy Apostle, The wisdom of this world is foleyshnes before God. Neither want we exemples at this present.  Euse. 
To know Christ & Christ's doctrine, aright is the singu ler gift of God, wrought in our hearts by his holy spirit, as Christ himself testifieth, saying. No man can come unto me, 
john. vi.  except the father which sent me, draw him, and I will raise him 
isaiah. i. iiii. I●…mp. xxxi.  up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, all shall be taught of God, therefore every one that hath heard of the father, and hath learned, he cometh to me.  Theo. 
In the Gospel of blessed Matthew our saviour Christ 
matthew. xi.  giveth thanks to his heavenly father, because he hath hidden the knowledge of his mysteries from the wise and prudent of this world, which gloried in their own wisdom, and hath revealed them to the little ones that is to say, to them that be humble minded, meek in spirit lowly in heart, and even such as ascribe all glory and honour to God and not to themselves. Forsooth father, saith he, even so was it thy good pleasure. All things are given over unto me of my father. And no man knoweth the son but the father, nether knoweth any man the father save the son, and he to whom so ever the son will open him.  phile. 
But this our Apostle & 
Roma. 〈◊〉 Galath. 〈◊〉 i. 〈◊〉. two.  faithful ambassador sent from god the father to be a doctor to the gentiles in faith and verity, a true citizyn of the new celestial Jerusalem, abundantly replete with the fruits of the holy Ghost, and plentuouselye endued with wisdom from above to understand and declare the excellent mysteries of Gods most high providence hid in the bosom of his divine secrets from everlasting, & now in this last age revealed published & set abroad to the great comfort of all faithful penitent sinners thorough his son jesus Christ our Lord. This our apostle I say, even in the mids of his chains & setters writeth to the Philippians, and by them to all other true christians, and exhorteth than to be merry, and to rejoice in the Lord. He is nothing dismayed, nor yet abashed, of his bonds, chains, and fetters, of his enprifonnyge, locking, & stocking, but being of a frank courage and lusty stomach, not 
Acts. xxi.  only to suffer chains, but also death, if the good will of God so be, he with a vehemency of spirit, and stoutness of heart commandeth us not to be discouraged with what so ever kind of adversity we be assailed, but valiantly and unfainedli to repose fix, & set the eyes of our mind on the Lord, & in him, in him alone to rejoice at all times. Rejoice in the Lord alway, saith he, & once again I say rejoice.  Euse. 
Every man moveth other to delight in that thing specially, wherein he himself hath reposed his chief delectation. The covetous man hath his greatyst the 
The covetous man.  light in temporal possessions, and as he is only bend to the accumulating and heaping up together of worldly goods, so in like manner doth he exhort so many as he tenderly loveth to set their minds on gathering together the Goods of this world, being not unlike them, 
prover. thirty.  which are ever crying, Adfer, adfer, Bring hither, bring hither, The papist hath his mind 
The Papist.  altogether set on papistry, therefore, laboureth he to the uttermost of his power to allure other unto his pernicious & damnable sect.  Phil. 
Truth it is that you say. Therefore the blessed Apostle having his principal joy in the Lord our God, exhorteth, moveth, & flyrreth us earnestly to rejoice in the lord, that we may be partakers which him of one, & the same glory. He is not con●…ente himself only to be in 
P●…. i.  the favour of God, except he have other also to be in the bowels of jesus Christ.  Chri. 
In the Epistle unto the romans, 
Roma. ix.  he wisheth himself to be cursed from Christ, so that his brethren the Israelites, which were his kinsmen as pertaining to the flesh might be saved.  Theo. 
He dissented not much from the manners of Moses that most excellent Prophet of God, which perceiving that God was minded to destroy the children of Israel for their abominable Idolatry 
●…rodi. xxxii.  in worshipping the golden calf, desired God very heartily that he would either forgive them that fault, or else wipe him out of the book of life.  Euse. 
O most faithful herdsman, which wished the salvation of his flock no less than his own.  Phi. 
But we shall note that saint Paul pricketh not us forward unto the rejoicing in worldly & carnal things but unto a perfect joy in the lord our God, which endureth for ever. For what thing is comprehended in the whole circle of the world, wherein we may worthily rejoice?  
Consider the air above, the earth underneth, with the deep waters in the secret & inferior parts of the world, & mark diligently if in them any thing be contained that may bring to us true & perfect joy. They may delight our fanseiss, & move our affects for a certain space to delectation, while we behold, hear, feel or taste them, but how soon doth this carnal delectation, & worldli joy vanish away? yea how soon are we weary of them, if measure be exceeded? Musical instruments feed the ear 
music.  with very sweet and pleasant armony, and for a time greatly exhilarate, cheer, and comfort our wearied spirits, but in how short space do we loath them, if they be continually played upon or exercised out of time? And though we delight never so greatly in them, doth not the sound straight way perish, & we receive none other commodity than loss of time?  Theo. 
The wise man saith Like as the Carbuccle stone shineth 
Ecclesi. xxxi●….  that is set in gold, so is the sweetness of music by the mirth of wine. Again wine and minstrels 
Ecclesiasti. xi.  rejoice the heart.  Phile. 
Yea but what followeth? The best is behind as they say. But the love of wisdom, is above them both. This sentence of the wiseman doth not condemn Music nor wine, so that the use of them be moderate and exceedeth not measure, notwithstanding it preferreth the love of wisdom that is to say, a fervent desire to know the will of God, and advanceth that above both wine and music.  Chri. 
I wish that all men, but chiefly such as be of nobility, did know and would practise this afore said sentence. For many delight in Music, but few in the love of wisdom Many covet to excel in singing plaing and dancing, but in the knowledge of God's word very few. Many can abide to spend whole days and whole nights in musical exercises, but in hearing or reading the holy scriptures, they think one holy day in aweke a great matter, when the one moveth unto virtue, the other unto vice, ' the one getteth the favour of God, the other pro voketh his wrath, indignation and vengeance, the one lifteth up unto heaven, the other detrudeth and thrusteth doune into hell fire.  Phile. 
To say the truth, music is a more vain and triefelinge science, than it becometh a man borne & apppointed to matter of gravity, to spend much time about it. And all though I have learned of histories, the divers have exercised minstrelsy both kings & philosophers, which I think used it as a remedy against the tediousness of there painful labours, and to make them the more apt to return unto matters of great importance: yet I remember well that it was counted a reproach in many.  
King Philipe when he heard his son Alexander that trium 
King Philip  phante conqueror sing and play very pleasantly, checkingly rebuked him saying, art thou not ashamed, that thou canst play and sing so conningely? Meaning that other arts and sciences are more worthy a king. An heathen Prince thought that a great fault in his son, which Christian rulears count worthy of high commendation and singular praise. Sextus Nero 
Sextus Nero  the Emperor, lying on his death bed greatly lamented that he was so excellent in the science of music, wishing that he had spent that time in good letters and virtuous exercises, whereby he might have been made the more able justly and truly to govern his realm.  Euse. 
Would God that his repentance might be a warning to all noble men.  
There have been, would God there were not now, which have not spared to spend much riches in nourishing many idle singing men to bleat in their chapels thinking so to do God an high sacrifice, and to pipe down their meat and their drink and to whistle them a sleep, but they have not spent any part of their substance to find a learned man in their houses to preach the word of God, to haste them to virtue and to dissuade them from vice. Therefore swarmed their houses with pride, ambition, vain glory, covetousness, whoredom, swearing, stealing, polling, pic king, envy, malice, fighting, flattery, superstition, Hypocrisy, papistry, Idolatry and all kind of abomination, as it must needs come to pass, where the word of God is banished though there be never so much massing and masking according to the saying of Solomon, when the 
Prove. xxix.  preaching of god's word faileth, the people perish and come to nought.  Theo. 
It becometh kings, princes and rulers rather 
Note.  to here the preacher of god's word and to give ear unto the lamentable voices and humble ●…upplications of their poor afflict and oppressed subjects, than to hearken to the sound of vain instruments, and to delight in in hearing the filthy and trifling songs of drunken Musicians, which rather provoke unto fleshly fantascis than unto virtuous exercises. A Christian man's melody after S. Paul's mind consisteth in heart, while we recite Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, and sing to the Lord in our hearts, giving 
Ephe. v.  thanks all ways for all things unto God the father in the name of our Lord jesus Christ, All other outward melody is vain and transitory, and passeth away and cometh to nought.  Phile. 
Uayne and traunsitorye is it in deed, notwithstanding Music may be used, so it be not abused. If it be soberly exercised and reputed as an hand maid unto virtue it is tolerable, otherwise it is execrable and to be abhorred of all good men. So that ye perceive, that Music is not so excellent a thing, that a Christian man ought earnestly to rejoice in it.  Christo. 
It is evident enough, seeing that it endureth not, but passeth away like other things subject to vanity.  Phile. 
There are that greatly delight in building gorgeous houses & sumptuous mansions, but how vain is their delectation? When 
Gorgeous houses.  they have spent innumerable riches in erecting their pleasant and fair houses, what have they but a great heap of stones couched one upon another, which for a little season feedeth the eye well, but when we be once gone what profit carry we away with us? The holy patriarchs of the old time remembering how vain it is to delight in gorgeous houses built them tents, and in those safely dwell considering with themselves that they were but strangers and pilgrims, and therefore prepared them houses not for this world but for the world to come by couching there treasures in the bosoms of poor men.  Euse. 
To build necessary and convenient houses for our use is not ungodly, as I judge, but to repose our delight in them, or so to spend our goods on building that the poor people are the les regarded, succoured, relieved and helped, this is wicked, this is ungodly.  CHri. 
Building is the daughter of fancy and may in a manner be compared to the web of Penelope. For that one setteth up, ano ther after the disbursing of many pounds, destroyeth, and buil death it up again with double ex pences the third succeedeth, and his phantasy not fully satisfied, he again altereth the building and addeth threefold charge, so that to build (I spoke of to much gorgeous and not necessary houses) is nothing else than to dally with the world and to be led with fancy.  Theo. 
What was in time passed more gorgeous than Rome, when she was called the Lady and head of the world? What was more sumptuousiye built than the temple of Solomon? yea and that at god's command dement, as I may pass over many ancient and famous cities? what is become of them? How are they decayed? Many are come to such and so great down fall and to so extreme tuine, so deformed, so destroyed, so consumed to death that there remaineth not so much as a step, neither is there left of them any mention at all. Well were it with Christian religion, if christian men would remember this sentence of blessed Paul. We have no dwelling place in this world, but we lobe for another to come Than should the heavenly mansion be more desired & sought after. But now many build and they know not who shall inherit, & in the mios of these their gorgeous buildings the poor people are not considered nor provided for.  Euse. 
Would God all such as so greatly delight in costu ous buildings, would sometime set this sentence of the wyseinan before their eyes If thou keepest not thyself, sayeth he, in the fear of 
Eccle. xxvii.  the Lord continually, thy house shall soon be subverted, toppled over & brought to nought.  Chri. 
Me think that this curious building, which all most universalli is used now a days among us is a great token of the day of iud gement being at hand. For Christ in the Gospel, among other tokens reciteth building to 
Luke. xvii.  be one of the chief wherbi we may learn that the coming of the son of man unto the teribleiudgement is at hand as. s. james saith. Behold the judge standeth before the 
john. v.  door.  Phile. 
I perceive now right right well ye are fully persuaded that no man ought to rejoice in gorgeous buildings, wherein many delight now a days.  Theo. 
Yea verily. The history of 
Luke. xii.  the rich man in the Gospel maketh us afraid, which was a buil der also, and when he had finished his building and couched his goods in his fair & large houses thinking that he should have lived many years, suddenly it was said unto him, thou foal this night shall they take away the life from thee, and than whose shall these things be that thou hast gathered together?  Phile. 
To enjoy great possessions in this world seemeth not to a few a singular commodity & high profit, but with how many cares & troubles are they accompanied? With what great labour at they gotten & scraped up together? 
Of riches.  With what carfulnes & disquiet of mind are they kept, the hordets up of them being at all hours in more fear left they should be taken away from them either by robbing, polling, pilling burning, or by some other chance How shortly are they consumed and brought to nought, which were not gathered together with out long time and great sweat? So vain and transitory be the goods of the world. Again, are not the worldly possessions many times left to such heytes, as spend them no less prodigally, than their ancestors got them hardly and kept them niggardly? What just cause also hath a ny man to rejoice in temporal riches, seeing that at the dreadful day of judgement they shall render a strait accounts of every farthing to the high & everlasting. judge Christ, how they have bestowed them? For God hath not endued the rich men with their possessions that they should spend them at their pleasure and fancy, but according to his most godly commandment, will and pleasure. Silver is mine, and gold is mine, sayeth the Lord of hosts. Hereto agreeth the saying of the psalmograph, the earth is the Lords, and all that is contained in it. The Lord hath committed his goods to the rich men, and he will cale them to accounts a gain to see how they have bestowed them, and what they have won and gotten by the exercise of them for the Lord's advantage, as we may see in the Gospel. If there be found unprofitable servants, and have not bestowed them in settingeforth the glory of God, and in the helping of their christian brethren, but have hid them up in the ground that is to say, kept them niggardly to their own use, or spent them about vain and wicked 
Matthew. ●…ii  things, they may be sure to be bound, feet and hands to be cast 
Mar●…e. 〈◊〉.  into utter darkness, where shall be weeping and gnashing of teth.  Chri. 
O that th●…se things were 
Luke. xxii.  well considered, pondered & weighed in the just balance of reasonable discretion, than should the rich men of this world have little occasion to glory in their terrestrial and worldly possessions, 
Matthew. xxv  but rather recount them most happy, wealthy and fortunate, to whom least is committed. For every 
Luke. nineteen.  man shall rendre accounts of the talents received, be they few or many.  Theo. 
Blessed is the rich, which is found with out blemish, say eth the wise man, & hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in 
isaiah. xxxi.  money and treasures. Where is there such a one? and we shall commend him, and call him blessed. For great things doth he among 
Luke xvi.  his people. Who so is tried and found perfect in such things shall be commended and praised. Yea his good shall be established, and the whole congregation shall declare his alms Make you friends, sayeth our Saviour Christ, of the unrighteous Mammon, that when ye shall have need, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.  Euse. 
To see the inordinate affecti on & insatiable desire, which the more part of men have unto the goods of the world, it is a world. Ancient Authors complain of the covetousness used in their time but if they were now a live they would marvel, and with high indignation weet their pen, and wright Satyrs and Inuectives against our covetous worldlings. For their cove tous affects know no end, neigh their a●…e they at any time satiate, be their abundance temporal possessions 
Spiritual men  ●…er so much overflowing and passing all measure. Oh good God, good God, how do our spiritual men tumble benefice upon benefice, and prebend upon prebend? And yet are they led with no care of feeding Christ's flock neither corporally nor spiritually. Christ's threefold Pasce, is turned in to the Jews double Tolle. They feed nothing, except themselves they tol & catch whatsoever each they may, would God they once would be obedient to this commandment of God given by the wise man. Let not thine hand be stretched out to receive, and 
Ecclesi. iiii.  shut when thou shouldest give, A bishop saith. S. Paul (he 
i Timo. iii.  meaneth every spiritual overseer) ought to maintaynehospitalitie. Again he sayeth, forget 
hebrews. xiii.  not hospitality & household keeping. For thereby have divers men received into their houses 
Hospitality.  Angels unwares. Hereto agreeth the saying of. S. Peter. Be 
i. Peter. iiii.  ye herbourours one to an other without grudging. As every man hath received the gift even minister the same one to an other, as good ministers of the manifold grace of God. God in the old law greatly tendering the maintenance of hospitality, in his ministers gave this commandment to his people for paying their tithes, saying. 
Malachi. iii.  Bring ye in all tithes into my barn, that there mai be meat in 
Why ●…theo were paid  my house. Here God commanded tithes to be paid, but for what cause, that the ministe●…s should spend them in the court or at the university? or about whoring? or in keeping of hawks or dogs? or in maintaining a sort of idle valiant lubbers, which do nothing but consume the good fruits of the earth Nay verily, but that there should be meat in his house (for the parsonage or viccarage is God's house) For whom? For the covetous worldlings and rich men which have no need of it? Nay sir, not so, but for the poor christi ans, as Christ prescribeth saying, 
Luke. xiiii.  When thou makest a dinner or supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brothers, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours, least they also bid the again, and a recompense be made the. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the feeble, the lame, and the blind, and thou shalt be happy, for they can not recompense the. But thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the righteous men.  Chri. 
I think the greatest cause why 
why priests are despised.  priests be contemned at this time is, that they neither regard their office in preaching God's word nor yet their duty in maintaining hospitality.  Euse. 
Truth it is, For God sayeth 
Malachi. two.  by the prophet. I have made you, O ye priests, to be despised and to be of no reputation among all the people, because ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law. The ways and ordinances of God, which he hath prescribed to priests for to observe, is truly to preach his holy doctrine reverently to minister his blessed sacraments, and bountuouslye to maintain hospitality. If they would do these things, they should recover their honour which is due to faithful ministers by the word of God as, S. Paul sayeth. The priests that rule well, are worthy double honour, specially they that labour in word and doctrine.  Theo. 
But covetousness reigneth not only in the spiritualty? 
i. Timothe. v.   Euse. 
In the spiritualty only? 
Temporal men.  No God knoweth. For the temporalltye is not behind for their part. If ever heretofore, in this our time specially is this saying of the Prophet found true, From the lest unto the most they 
jeremy. vi.  hang upon covetousness, and from the prophet unto the priest they go all about with falsehood and lies. How join they Lordship to lordship, manner to manner, farm to firm, land to land, pasture to pasture, house to house, and house for a vantag How do the rich men, and spe 
Shepemongers.  cial such as be shepmongers oppress the king's liege people by devouring their common pastures with their sheep, so that the poor people are not able to keep a cow for the comfort of them and of their poor family, but are like to starve & perish for hunger, if there be not provision made shortly? What sheep ground scapeth these caterpillars of the common weal? How swarm they with abundance of flocks of sheep? and yet when was wool ever so dear, or mutton of so great price? If these shepemongers go forth as they begin, the people shall both miserably die for cold, and wretchedly perish for hunger. For these greedy wolves and cumbrous cormerauntes, will either sell their will and their sheep at their own price or else they will sell none. Oh what a diversity is this in the sale of wools, a stone of will sometime to be sold at. viii. grots and now for. viii. s? And so likewise of the sheep. God have mercy on us. If the king his majesty, with his most honourable council do not provide for the redress of these things, God himself will surely see a remedy, as he sayeth by the Psalmongraphe 
〈…〉  for the wretchedness of the needy and the bewailing of the poor. Even now will I rise saith the Lord.  
Again he sayeth, Woe be to the that spoilles●…e, shalt not 
isaiah. xxxiii.  thou thyself be likewise spoiled? And thou that despiseste the poverty, shalt not thou in like manner be despised? When thou haste made an end of polling and pilling, then shalt thou be polled and peeled thyself.  
And when thou ceasest to despise other, then shalt thou be despised and nought set by.  
O Lord have mercy upon us. For all our whole trust is in the. Be thou our defence, yea, and that shortly, and be thou our saving health in the time of our trouble.  Christo. 
Rich men were never so much estranged from all pity and compassion toward the poor people, as they be at this present time, they devour 
Psal. xiiii.  the people as it were a morsel of bread.  
If any piece of ground delight their eye, they must needs have it other by hook or by croak.  
If the poor man will not satisfy 
The unmercifulness of rich men.  their covetous desire, he is sure to be molested, troubled, and disquieted on such sort, that whether he will, or will not (though both he, his careful wife, and miserable children with his whole family should perish for hunger) he shall forego it, or else it were as good for him to live among the furies of Hell, as to dwell by those rich carls & covetous churls. There is no end of enlarging their grounds, neither are they led with any fear of God's indignation, 
isaiah. v  expressed by the Prophet saying. woe and everlasting damnation be unto them that join house to house, and couple land to land, so nigh together, that the poor can get no more ground. Shall ye alone dwell in the midst of the earth? These things are in mine ears, sayeth the Lord of hosts. Surely sayeth he, many great and fair houses shall be made so desert and waste, that no man shall dwell in them. Hereto agreeth the saying of an other Prophet. woe and everlasting 
〈◊〉. two.  damnation be unto him, that heapeth up other men's goods.  
How long will he lad himself with thick clay unto his own damnation? O how suddenly will they stand up that shall bite thee, and awake, that shall tear the in pieces? Yea thou shalt surly be their prey, Seeing thou haste spoiled many people, therefore shall they that remain spoil thee, because of men's blood and for the wrong done in the land, in the city, and unto all them that dwell therein Woe and everlasting damnation be unto him that covetously gathereth evil gotten goods into his house, that he may set his nest on high to escape the power of misfortune thou hast devised the shame of thine own house, for thou hast slain to much people & haste wilfulli offended, 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. &ce.  Theo. 
These be grievous threats of God's vengeance against the covetous wordlings.  Phile. 
They be no less true than grievous, and shall undoubtedly chance as it is threatened, except the covetous worldings repent and amend. For God is 
Psal. 〈◊〉 iv.  faithful in all his sayings & the word of the Lord abideth 
isaiah. xi.  for ever. He is the self truth, therefore can he not lie. What so 
john. xiiii.  ever he threateneth, he will surely bring to pass except faithful repentance be a mean. Are not these his words? woe and everlasting damnation be unto 
iiii. Esor. xv.  them that sin, and keep not my commandments, sayeth the Lord, I will not surely spare them.  
And the wise man sayeth. Woe be unto you, O ye wicked persons, 
Ecclesi. xli.  which have forsaken the law of the Lord, that most high God. If ye be borne, ye shall be borne to cursing, if ye die, the curse shall also be your portion.  
David sayeth, upon the ungodly, the Lord shall rain 
Psal. xi.  snares, fire, and brymestone, storm, and tempest: this shall be their portion to drink. How doth our saviour jesus Christ thunder against the ungodly rich in the holy Gospel.  
woe unto you that are rich sayeth 
Luke. vi.  he, for ye have your consolation. woe unto you that are full, for ye shall hunger, Woe unto you that now laugh, for ye shall wail and weep.  Chri. 
These be grievous words against the covetous wordelynges and voluptuous Epicures, but full little do such things sink into the breasts of men now adays, 
Note.  the devil hath so blinded their eyes, that they think that God is a childish God, and will be pleased with this apple at the last end. I am sorry for my sins. Good Lord forgive me, I trust to be saved by Christ's passion, and many good morrows So long as they live they never repent their wicked living they go forth daily more & more to provoke the wrath of God against them, they heap sin upon sin, they wallow all in pleasures like filthy swine, they have not thefeare of God before their eyes, they are without all mercy toward their christē brothers, they grievously oppress their needy neighbours, they make no end of rakeing together the goods of the world, they follow the lusts of the flesh as miserable and bond captives, to conclude, their whole life is nothing else but a serving of the peril, how can these men at the last end truly repent & convert unto God, leading afore a life abominable, so wicked, so stinking, so hateful both to God and to all good men? I grant, the mercy of God is great, & excelleth all his works, 
Psal cxlv.  but how can they which have led their whole life altogether displeasant unto God, be bold to crave mercy of God at the last end, whom all the days of their life they have so despised by disobeying his most Godly will and pleasure? Are not these his words spoken by king Solomon? I have called, and 
prover. i.  ye refused it. I have stretched out my hand, and no man regar deed it, but all my counsels have ye despised, and set my correction at nought. Therefore shall I also laugh in your destruction, and mock you, when that thing that ye fear cometh upon you, even when the thing that ye be afraid of, falleth in suddenly like a storm, and your misery like a tempest, yea, when trouble and heavens cometh upon you.  
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not hear, they shall seek me early, but they shall not found me, and that because they hated knowledge, and receive not the fear of the Lord, but abhorred my council, and despised all my creation.  
If the tyghtuous shall scasly be saved, saith blessed Peter where sha●…l the ungodly and the sinner appear?  Euse. 
Satan thorough covetousness 
Destroye●… of towns.  doth so possess the hearts of many men in these our days, that they do not only link house to house, but when they have gotten many houses and tenements into their hands, yea, whole towneshyppes, they suffer the houses to fall into utter ruin, and decay, so that by this means whole towns are become desolate, and like unto a wilderness, no man dwelling there, except it be the shepherd and his dog.  Phile. 
Truth it is. For I myself know many towns and villages sore decayed, so that where as in times passed there were in some town an hundred households there remain not now wherein, in some fifty, there are not now ten, yea (which is more to be lamented) I know towns so wholly decayed, that theridamas is neither stick nor stone standing, as they use to say. Where many men had good livings, and maintained hospitality, able at all times to help the king in his wars, & to sustain other charges, able also to help their poor neighbours, and virtuously to bring up their children in Godly letters and good sciences, now sheep & coneys devour altogether no man inhabiting the aforesaid places. Those beasts which 
Psal. ix  were created of god for the nourishment of man, do now devour man. The scripture sayeth that God made both sheep & oxen with all the beasts of the field subject unto man, but now man is subject unto them. Where man 
Beasts above men.  was wont to bear rule, there they now bear rule. Where man was wont to have his living: there they now only live. Where man was wont to inhabit, there they now raing and grease. And the cause of all this wretchedness and beggary 
Gentle men shepmongers.  in the common weal are the greedy Gentlemen, which are shipmongars & grasiars. While they study for their own private come moditie, the common weal is like to decay. Sins they began to be sheep Masters and feeders of cattle we neither had victual nor cloth of any reasonable price. No marvel, for these forstallars of the market, as they use to say have gotten all things so into their hands, that the poor man must either buy it at their price, or else miserably starve for hongar, and wretchedly die for cold. For they are touched with no pity toward the poor. It is found true in them that S. Paul wrighteth. Al seek there own adauntage, & not those 
Phili. two.  things which belong unto jesus Christ. They which in times past were wont to be fathers of the country, are now pollers and pillars of the country. They which in times paste were wont to be the defenders of the poor, are now become the destroyers of the same. They by whom the common weal sometime was preserved: are now become the Caterpillars of the common weal, & such as seem by their ma ners to have made a solemn vow ut terli to subvert the common weal, & to procure the final destruction of the same. They a●…●…satiable wolves. They know no measure. So they may reign, they care not who rule. So they may abound they care no who foul to the ground. So they may be enriched they care not who ●…e enpove rished. They are right brothers of Cain, which had rather sl●… 
Gen. iiii.  his brother Abel, than he should have any part with him of world lie possessions. The wise man sayeth, 
Eccle. xxxiiii.  the bread of the needy is the life of the poor, he that defraudeth him of it, is a mansl ear●…. Do not these rich worldlings defraud the poor man of his bread, where by is understand all things ne cessary for a man's life, which tho 
Bread wha●… it signifieth.  row their insatiable covetousness sell all things at so high price, & suffer towns so to decay that the poor hath not what to eat nor yet where to dwell? What other are they than, but very manslayers? They abhor the names of Monks, Friars, Canons. nuns 
Mark well.  & c, but their goods they greedily gripe. And yet where the cloisters kept hospitaliti, let out their fermes at a reasonable price nourished schools, brought up youth in good letters, they do none of all these things. They lightly esteem and in a manner contemn Priests, parsons, vicars, Prebendaries. etc., yet their possessions they gladly enbrase & niggardly retain. So ' that now they are become in effect although not in name, very monks, Friars, Canons, Priests, Persons, Ui cares, prebendaries, and at the last what not? and yet how vainly those goods be spent, who seeth not? The state of England was never so miserable, as it is at this present.  
Good Lord have mercy upon us and put in the hearts of the king and of his counsel to redress these intolerable pestilences of 
Rome. two.  the common wealth, or else make haste to dissolve this wretched world by thy glorious coming unto the judgement, where thou 
Proverb. xx●….  shalt render to every man according to his deeds, lest if we long remain in this to much wretchedness, we be compelled thorough poverty to attempe unrightuous things, and forswear the name of the our Lord God. Well, of these things afore said I trust ye perceive that no man ought to rejoice in the richeses of this world, seeing they are none of ours but Gods, and we as the treasures and stewards, of God must at the dreadful day of judgement render accounts to the high judge Christ of all that we have received, be it much or little, seeing also they are very transitory f●…itting from one to another in so much that he which is this day a Lord highly in favour and a man of great 
Riches abu●…d.  possessions is to morrow a traitor and not worth a gallye half penny. A gain if they be abused, they are very enticements unto all mischief and naughti●…es, they pluck our her taes from God to the peril, they make us Idolaters by serving that wicked Mammon they provoke the vengeance of God against us they make is to be ab horrid of God and of all good men, they pluck from our body's rest from our mind's quietness from our eyesslepe from our face natural colour, and add to all the parts of man distemperaunce, making man a slave unto that which ought to be obedient unto him.  Theo. 
We perceive these things right well. For the wise man sayeth, their is nothing 
Eccle. xx  worse than a covetous man, neither is there a more wicked thing then to love money. For such one hath his soul to sell, and yet is he but filthy dung while he liveth And the Preacher sayeth, he that 
Eccle. v.  loveth money will never be satisfied with money, and whoso delighteth in riches, shall have no profit thereof.  
Where as much richesse is, there are many also that spend them away. And what pleasure more hath he that possesseth than saving that he may look upon them with his eyes. A labouring man sleepeth sweetly, whether it be little or much that he eateth but th'abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep, yea many times riches are kept to the hurt of him that hath them in possession. For oft times they perish with his great misery, and trouble, and if he have a child, it getteth nothing. Like as he came naked out of his mother's womb 
job. i.  so goeth he thither again, and carrieth nothing away with him of all his labour. etc.  Euse. 
It were wisdom for the rich men, if they tender their own salvation and be led with any hope of the life to come, to hear what blessed paul wryghtethe unto bishop Timothe, and earnestly to follow that. ●…ys 
i Timo. vi.  words are these. Charge them which are rich in this world that they be not hie minded nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God (which giveth us abundantly all things to enjoy them) that they do good works, that they be ready to give and glad to distribute, laying up in ●…ore for themselves a good foun dation against the time to come, that they may obtain eternal life.  Phile. 
O that they would be advertised by this Aopstle. Then should God be their defender in all their affairs, & cause both them & their posterity long to enjoy then possessions with the favour & blessing of all good men, But let us go forth, and search whither a ny thing can be found in this transitory world wherein we may worthily rejoice. What say ye unto nobility?  Christo. 
Not afewe do greatly rejoice in that, 
Of nobility.  magnifying themselves because they descend of noble parentage, and in comparison of themselves they greatly despise other.  Phile. 
O foolish & ignorant people. Why rather do they not consider that both rich & poor, noble & unoble, high or base do consist & are made of the same elements, subject unto like diseases & bond 
G●…e. iii.  to the same affects? Earth we are all & dust, & unto earth & dust shall we return. As we were made to live so likewise are we all appointed to die. Bodies have we all corruptible & bond to mortaliti. There is no exception among us. Neither hath any of us obtained such privilege of God, that we may escape the bondage of frail nature. Seeing than that as touching our cor poral creation there is no difference no prerogative, what nobility or worthiness of blood, can there be more in the noble parsonage than in the base slave. Their beginning is like, their end is all one. Twice mad are they therefore, that brag of their noble blood & esteem them selves the more worthy because they descend of noble parentages, neither do such any other thing than boast of that which is none of theirs. King David saith, what profit 
Psalm 〈◊〉.  is there in my blood, seeing I go doune unto corruption? And the wise man saith, why art thou proud, O thou earth & ashes? We are all earth & ashes both noble & unoble, We 
Eccles. x.  all shall return unto corruption, & be so consumed as concerning our bodies, as though we had never been. The Prophet also sayeth, all flesh is grass, & all his glori is like 
isaiah. xi.  a flower of the field, Where is any mention made here of noble blood I know, saith. s. Paul, that there 
Rom. seven  dwelleth in me, that is to say in my flesh, no goodness, where is carnal nobility than become? Doth not the same lothsum vileness come from the noble, that isueth out of the unnoble? Are not the carcases of all personages meat for worms a like? Pour the blood of the villain in one basin and the blood of the gentleman in an other, what difference shall there be proved? Dig up the bones out of the sepulchres both of the noble & unnoble, and who can deserve of the sight of them, which was the servant which the Lord, who was rich & who was poor, who beautiful & who deformed, which were noble, and which unnoble? There is no difference, as S. Ambrose sayeth, between the carcases of the dead, except peradventure it be this, that the dead corpse of the rich stink more greouslye than the poor because it was more den te fed.  Euse. 
So far as I perceive, they 
Tituled gen●…emen.  ere greatly, that boast of the kind red, & esteem themselves the more worthy because they come of worthey parents, although they themselves be never so great drunkards, glotones, dice-players, Whoremongers, swearers, fightters, thiefs, ruffians, pickers of quarrels, riotous persons. etc. For little doth it profit a man to des cend of a noble house, if he himself be of base and vile manners and lead a life defiled with wickedness, yea it rather bringeth unto him ignobility than nobility. Well is it said of our golden mouthed doctor, the nobility 
In Math  and goodness of our kinsfolk availeth nothing, except we ourselves be good. For what doth noble generation profit him, whom, his manners do defile? Or what doth vile generation hurt him, whom good manners do garnish and adorn? Certes he showeth himself void of all goodness, that glorieth in his parents To glory upon the nobility of other, saith petrarch, is a boasting even to be laughed at. And such as have nothing but the badges, counisauces and arms of their Ancestors to set out their nobility with all, they differ not much from Esopes' crow, which decked himself with other bird's feathers, he himself being altogether black & unami able.  Theo. 
The true nobility consisteth neither in strength, beauty, 
Wherein tru●… no●…litie consist.  nor riches, no nor yet in any other exernal & bodily thing but in the suppressing of vice and embraseinge of virtue. Virtue is the alone and only nobility, as Antisthenes was wont to say they that are endued with virtue, they have the true nobility, Notably is it said of the golden mouthed 
In Matthew.  doctor john Chrisostom. He is a man of great renown, he is a worthy parsonage, he is the true noble man, that disdaineth to serve vices, and by no means will be over come of them? And Cocceus Nerua the Emperor said that the virtue of a man and not his kynnered nor his country is to be considered.  Chri. 
Would God all men of nobility were persuaded that virtue and godly conversation were the alone and only true nobility. Than would they not repose their glory in their ancestors, as many very foolishly do at this present, but rather endeavour themselves so to train their life in all godliness and virtue, that even for their own god lie and virtuous enterprises they should be counted noble and worthy of praise.  Euse 
But what say you unto beauty?  Phile. 
Even as Solomon sayeth, favour is deceitful, and beauty 
Beauty prover. xxxi.  is a vain thing. They are much 〈◊〉 ●…ro the course of true reason, that rejoice in so frail a thing. For it is more brittle than glass, more transitory than the flower, more inconstant than the wound, more vain than the smoke, and more f●…ittynge away than the tyme. Beauty is a thousand manner of ways corrupted and defaced. How doth one little fever make the fairest woman in the world, the foulest & the must unpleasant in aspect? And to say the truth, is beauty any other thing, than a little thine skin well coloured? If the inward parts might be seen, how great filthiness would there appear even in the most beautiful person? Neither is the fairest bodiein the world any other thing than a dunghyl covered with a cloth as it were of white and purple colour. And what a madness is this for any person to glory in beauty, sing that 
Beauty is an ●…ntisemente to uncleanness.  the beholder of it hath more delectation and pleasure in it, as one that hath the use and fruition thereof, than such as are endued with the beauty. I leave of to speak that beauty is a enticement unto uncleanness, and a very enemy to chaste and pure conversation, as we read in divers histores.  Chri. 
This seemeth to be true by the saying of the wise man, Look not to narrowly 
Ecclesi. xxv.  sayeth he, upon the beauty of a woman, lest thou be provoked in desire toward her. Again he saith, Turn away thy face from a beau tiful woman, & look not upon the 
Ecclesiasti. ix.  fairness of other. Many a man hath perished thorough the beauty of women, for thorough it the 
prover. vi.  desire is kindled as it were fire  
Hereto agreeth the saying of Solomon. Let not thine heart lust after the beauty of a woman, lest thou be taken with her fair looks. What kindled David's heart with love toward Bethsabe, the wife of Urias, & caused him to commit adultery which her, but only her beau 
two. Reg. xi.  ti? David, saith the scripture, arose out of his bed, & walked vpon the roof of the king's palace, & from the roof he saw a woman washing herself, & the woman was very beautiful to look on. Again how came it to pass that the. two. judges burned so feruenrly with the love of 
Daniel. xiii.  Susanna joachims' wife, and sought all means possible to have defiled her, but that they were drowned with the sight of her beau ty? The scripture sayeth she was a very fair woman, but there is a goodly addition, she was also such one as feared god. When beauty & 
Note well  the fear of god are licked together beauty is not to be discommended, otherwise it is but a net, where with the devil useth to catch the foolish people. A fair woman without discrete 
prover. xi.  mavers saith Solomon, is like a ring of gold in a swine's snout. And that we mai be well ascertened that it was her beauty that moved them without shame to provoke her to uncleanness, these words of the history declare it manifestli: Susamna was a tender person & marvelous fair of face. Therefore the wicked men commanded to take the cloth from her face (that at the lest they might so be satisfied in her beauty.  Phi 
God sand us more Susan's. Beauti reigneth 
F●…low y●… w●…s.  in many, would god it were accompanied with the fear of god, that the beautiful people might not abuse their beauty, but choose rather to be stoned with Susan, then once to defile their h●…sbandes bed,  Euse. 
God send us the beauty of the mind, which consisteth in Godly virtues and honest qualities, for that is the true beauti, the other is but frail, vain;, & doth not long endure. But what sai you unto galant apparel, where of so many brag 
Of galant apparel.  and boast now adays? Is it not a thing, where in we may worthily rejoice?  Phile. 
Nothing less, for the wise man sayeth, Glory not in thine apparel at 
Ecclesiasti. xi.  any tyme. Uestures were given us of God to cover our filthy nakedness, & not that we should glory in them, & make them instruments of pride. We ought rather when we put on our garments to lament our mischance our mortality and uncleanness, then to rejoice in them. For so long as our grandfather Adam continued in the state of innocency, he needed no kind of apparel to cover his body (for he was altogether clean, beautiful, good, holy, innocent and perfect) but after he had broken the commandment of God by giving ear to Satan's subtle, persuasions, perceiving his misery & wretchedness, wherinto he was fallen thorough his disobedience, he was ashamed of himself, and both he & his wife perceiving that they were naked sowed fig leaves together, and made themselves apr●…ns to cover their filthy and shameful nakedness withal. Afterward 
Gene three  when God driven them out of Paradise, because their feeble and mortali bodies, which now were subject to all kind of diseases, tempests, and blasts, should not perish for cold, again that they might have, where with to cover their filthy nakedness, the they might walk the more honestly, he made them leathern garinentes, and clothed them therewith. Here even from the beginning do we learn both what garments were given unto man of God, and for what purpose.  
Neither with fine cloth, nor with Saten Dam●…ske, velvet nor with cloth of gold, did God apparayl Adam, neither did he trim and set forth our grandmother Eve with sumptuous apparel, of cloth of silver, or cloth of gold, neither did he set upon her head a french hood with an edge of gold besides pearls and precious stones and such other trim trames, I can not tell what, but he clothed them both with simple garments of leather, not that they should rejoice and be proud of them, but to use them as things necessary to cover their wretched nakedness, and to defend them from the cruel storms & fierce tempests of wound, rain, snow hail. etc.  Euse. 
As in other things, so likewise in apparel is the world at this present, wonderfully fallen from the first institution of things,  
For if we should compare the children with the father, I mean, if we should consider what apparel God apppointed unto Adam, and what is used now a days, a man should found as great differ●…nce between them, as is between the Sun, and the jest star in light and brightness, to behold the vain and foolish light fashions of apparel used among us, it is to much wonderful. 
The madness of English  I think no realm in the world, 
men in their apparel.  no, not among the Turks and saracens dote so much in the vanity of their apparel, as the english men do at this present Their cote must be made after the Italian fashion, their cloak after the use of the spaniards, their gown after the manner of the turks, their cap must be of the french fashion, and at the last their dagarde must be Scottish with a venetian tassel of silk. I speak nothing of their doublets and hoses, which for the most part are so minced cut, and jagged, that shortly after they become both torn & ragged. I leave of also to speak of the vanity of certain light brains, which because nothing should want to the settyngforth of their fondness, will rather wear a Martem chain the price of. viii. d, then they would be unchained. O what a monster and a beast of many heads is the english man now become? To whom may he be compared worthily, but to Esoppes crow? For as the crow decked her self with the feathers of all kind of birds to make her self beautiful, even so doth the vain english man for the fond appareling of himself, borrow of every nation to set forth himself galant in the face of the world He is an English man, he is also a Italian, a Spaniard, a Turk, a Frencheman, a Scot, a Uenecian, and at the last what not? He is not much unlike a monster called Chimaera, which hath three heads, one like a Lion, an other like a Goat, the third like a dragon. I pass over the light and wanton apparel of women now a days, partly because it is so 
The apparel of women.  monstrous, and partly because I have not been nor yet am veri much acquainted with them, whereby I might be the more able to describe their proud Peacocks tails, if not at the full, which were an infinite, labour yet at the least somewhat to set it forth as a painter doth, y●…r he do lay on colours. But of this am I certain, that they observe not in their apparel the rule of the holy scriptures. For. S. Peter 
i. 〈◊〉. iii.  sayeth, that the apparel of honest and virtuous women should not be outward with broided hair, and hanging on of gold, either in putting on of gorgeous apparel, but let the hid man which is the heart be without all corruption, so that the spirit is before god a thing much set by.  
For after this manner in the old time did the holy women which trusted in God, tire themselves and were obedient to their husbands, even as Sara obeyed Abraham and called him Lord, whose daughters ye are as long as ye do well.  
Hereto agreeth the saying of S. Paul to Timothe, Let the 
i. Timothe. two.  women array themselves in comely apparel with shamefastness and discrete behaviour, not with broided hair, either Gold or pearls, or costly array, but as it becometh women that profess godliness thorough good works. A game to Titus he saith. Speke 
Titus. two.  to the women that they be in such raiment, as becometh holiness. Solomon in the description of an unhonest woman among other proprieties rehearseth sumptuous and galant apparel, 
prover. seven.  calling it whoreishe apparel fit to deceive souls, signifying that this to much costly and proud apparel is more meet for whores that lie await to allure men unto their love, then for honest women which profess Godliness.  Phi. 
As filthy, beggarlike & sluttish apparel becometh not christē women, if they have, or ryghtously and with honesty may have other: so likewise is it not convenient for them to wear to much sumptuous, costly, and galant array. It is enough for chaste and pure maids to wear clean and simple apparel, as a testimony of the uncorruption & cleanness both of their mind & body without the flaring out and colering of their hair, without the painting of their faces, without the putting on of wanton and light array, whereby they be enticed rather to pride & whoredom than to humility, shamefastness, & cleanness of life. It is sufficient also for honest married wives, that they be so appareled that they please their husbands, they that deck themselves to please the phanseis of other, and to make themselves gaseyngestockes to the world, practise rather the manners of whores, than the conditions of honest women There is nothing that doth better adorn, garnish, and set forth an honest woman, than sobriety, shamefastness, cleanness of life, honest conversation, integrity of manners, silence, fear toward God, loving obedience toward her husband, comely behaviour in countenance, in looking, in going, in speaking, in doing and at the last to wear such apparel, as serveth for her state & degree, She that is endued with these goodly and Godly virtues atoresayed is a very fair and beautiful woman, though her face may tyghte well be resembled to the colour of an Ethiope and she may say as it is written 
an●… 〈◊〉.  in Solomon's Ballads. I am black, yet am I fair. For though she be black in colour of face, yet is she beautiful in mind, And look how much the mind excelleth the body, even so much doth the beauty of the mind exceed the fairness of the face.  Christo. 
Hester was a very Godly and virtuous woman, yet did she wear glorious apparel.  Phile. 
I grant but ye must consider that she was no private person, nor one of the base sort, but she was the most worthy woman in the realm, even the king's wife, notwithstanding how little she delighted in that gorgeous apparel, which she was compelled to wear for to serve her state and degree, these her words do evidently show. Thou knowest, O lord saith she my necessity, that I hate the token 
Hester. 〈◊〉.  of pre-eminency, and glory or worship, which I bear upon my head, what time as I must show myself and be seen and that I abhor it as an unclean cloth, and that I wear it not, when I am quiet and alone by myself.  
Do we not also read, that when she prayed to the Lord, she laid away her glorious apparel, and put on the garments that served for sighing & mou●…ninge?  
Again, do we not also read that when the jews at any time did humble themselves in the sight of God, and would obtain any at his hand, that they laid aside their galant apparel, & put on sack cloth? Laid they not away their precious oynte●…ētes & sca●…red ashes and dung upon their heaves? this meant somewhat.  Euse. 
Of this am I sure that holy john Baptist did wear very homely apparel. 
matthew. iii.  His raiment saith the scripture was of Camels hear, and he had a girdle of leather about his loins. It is to be thought also that Christ and his Apostles, which were but poor men, had not very sumptuous apparel to wear. And. S. John writeth. He that saith that he dwelleth in Christ, aught 
〈◊〉. john. two.  to walk even as Christ walked. How can gorgeous and gallant apparel then agree with christē professiō? profession? Is the disciple above his master, or the servant above his Lord? Doth no●… Sayncte. Paul in his Epistle to the hebrews declare, that certain faithful 
●…br. xvi.  and godly people walked up and down in sheeps skins & goat skins & were highly commended of God? Doth not saint james 
jacob. v.  rebuke the rich men, that have such plenty of garments, that they be motheeaten? Doth he not also reprove such as will accept and make much of them that be clothed in goodly apparel, and 
jacob. 〈◊〉.  neglect the poor, which are but homely appareled? Was it for nought that Christ said to the people of Saint john Baptism, what went ye out to see a man 
Math. 〈◊〉.  clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings houses. Is it in vain, that Saint Luke in the discri●…tion of the rich glutton 
〈◊〉. xvi.  declareth, that he was clothed in purple and fine white? Do we not read also, that King Herode 
Act. xii.  was arrayed in royal apparel, when the Angel of the Lord smote him, so that he died a very miserable death? To rehearse what the doctoures of Christ's church write of the vanity of gorgeous apparel, again to declare out of profane histories how greatly the noble princes and mighty Emperors even among the Ethnyckes abhorred sumptuous raiment, both time and tongue should fail me.  Phi. 
It is very sitting 
A rule for apparel.  and praise worthy enough for all degrees of personnnes to wear apparel according to their state and calling, so that vanity, excess and rejoicing therein be banished. But confusedly every man or woman to wear as them liketh, is both without ordre and greatly discommendable, & ought by the higher powers to be redressed. To be short in this behalf, it shall be convenient for so many as profess Christ always to set before the eyes of their mind this saying of the Apostle, having 
i Timo. vi.  food, & wherewith we may be covered: let us be content. For we brought nothing into the world, neither shall we carry any thing out of it. And he appareleth himself well, which forgetteth not to clothe the poor according to this commandment of god. When thou seest the naked, clothe him 
●…sa. ●…viii. Act. ix  as we read of the noble & virtuous woman Tabytha, which made coats & garments for the poor.  The. 
If these things were deeply weighed and considered, they that so greatly delight in sumptuous apparel, would soon cease from that vanity, and no more repose their delectation in it. For these garments, which we now set by very much, within few years we put them to vile offices and threw them away upon the dounghili, so that we have little occasion to rejoice in them.  Phile. 
Truth it is, as these things aforesaid be proved to bring no perfect felicity nor true joy to men, so likewise these that remain, whatsoever they be, make a man no more truly joyful than the other. To pamper the beally and to far deliciously is reputed 
Of 〈◊〉.  among the voluptuous Epicures an high & singular pleasure, yet these meats & drinks which are so deraely bought, and wherein many so greatly, delight become afterwards so vile and loathsome, that we can neither abide the sight nor the smell of them. What doth yesterday fasting profit the greedy appetite of the day following? O short & vain pleasure.  Chri. 
This belly cheer and bancketinge bringeth no●… only to man a transitory delectation, and such pleasure as soon passeth away, but it also wasteth a man's substance and pierceth him with the darts of poverty, as Solomon sayeth, he that hath pleasure in bancketes 
Pro. xxi.  shall be a poor man, and who so delighteth in wine and delicates, shall not be rich. Again he sayeth, keep not company with wine bibbers and riotous eaters of flesh, for such as be drunkards and riotous shall come to poverty. 
Pro. xxiii.   Euse. 
They shall not only come to poverty, but such as are riotous people shall get to themselves thorough their distemperaunce and excess of eating and drinking divers sicknesses and diseases very hard to be put a way as the same Solomon saith, who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath strife? who hath brawling? 
Pro. xxiii.  and who hath wounds without a cause? Or who hath red eyes? Even they that be ever at the wine, & seek excess. Look not thou vpon the wine, how red it is, & what colour it giveth in the glass. It goeth down softly, but at the last it biteth like a serpent, & stingeth like an adder. Hither maketh the saying of the wise man. Be not greedy in every eating, & be not 
Eccle. xxxvii.  to hasty upon all meats. For excess of meats bringeth sickness, & gluttony cometh at the last to an unmeasurable heat. Thorough surfeit have many one perished, but he that dieteth himself temperately, prolongeth his life. Our 
Luke. xxi.  Saviour Christ commandeth us to beware of excess in eating & drinking, when he sayeth, take heed that your hearts be not overcharged with surfeiting & dronckenshyp. S. Paul also sayeth. Be not drunken with wine wherein is excess.  Phile. 
Of these holy 
Ephe. v.  sentences may ye gather that there is no cause, why any man should rejoice in banqueting, except he have a pleasure to procure his own destruction, which cometh by no means sooner than by poverty and sickness, which springeth out of delicate t●…e, as I may leave of to speak of other inconveniences, yea & pestilences to man's life, which issue from bancketting in like manner.  Euse. 
It is an easy thing to gather out of the ho lie scriptures not only sentences, but histories also, which declare what destruction to man banqueting, drunckenship, & the study of the belly bringeth. Did not Adam & Eve thorough eating the forbidden fruit cast not only, themselves but all their 
Gene. iii.  posterity in to damnation? How was No much laughed to scorn even of his own son when through his drounkenship, he fell on sleep & lay naked with his privities? Into 
Gene. ix.  what abominable uncleanness did loath fall thorough drunkenness, when he committed incest with his 
Gene. nineteen.  own daughters? Did not the children of Israel give themselves to banqueting and afterwards fell to the worshipping of the golden calf committing most shameful Idolatry? Was not Holofernes 
Ex●… xxxii.  that mighty and valiant captain in his drunkenness 
Judith. xiii.  slain of a woman? Is not that rich man, which would have no 
Luke. xvi.  pity upon Lazarus and therefore was after his death carried into hell fire, described of blessed Luke 
Math. xiiii.  to far dentely every day? What shall I speak of king Herode which in the mids of his banqueting was content to grant that holy john Baptistes head should be stricken of? It is therefore convenient for a christian man to remember in all his eating 
Of the favour of great men.  and drinking christian sobriety and always to avoid excess, least he fall into some of those inconveniences, whereof is made mention afore.  Theo, 
But what say y●… to the favour of noble men? may we not rejoice in that?  Philem. 
There are not a few, which cowet nothing so greatly as to be in favour with great men, and to be placed in their houses, thin king by this means to avoid the cruel darts of fortune, to obtain wealthy livings, and to have all things at their own will & pleasure, but I see not, why any man should repose his chief delectation in the favour of any noble man, seeing that holy scripture saith. Put not your trust in princes 
Psal. 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉. , nor in the children of men, in whom there is no health. And the Prophet sayeth. 〈◊〉 be he, that putteth his trust in man, and maketh flesh his arm.  Chri. 
How vain 
jeremy. xvii.  a thing the favour of great men is, the history of Aman declareth, which was so high in his king's 
Hester. seven.  favour, that he might do what he list, kill, save, exalt, depress, lift up, pluckedowne, & as we say conmonly, bind bears, & yet was he not shortly after cast out of favour on such sort, that he was immediately hanged on the same gallows, which he had newly prepared for an other?  Euse. 
There is nothing more uncertain than the good will of great men. For whom they now love, straightways they hate, and such as have done most forthen, are many times least regarded, & most cruelly entreated. How handled king Alexander his most trusty counsellors, which 
Alexander.  so oft had put their lives in i●…opardy for him? How tyrantlike did he slay them, & yet no cause why●… I leave to speak of Nero the monster 
Nero.  of nature, which caused his own mother to be slain, & such as had done most for him. Who was so much in favour with the Emperor Iustini●…s Bellisa●…ius & Narses, which●…●…ing most noble warriors su●…d divers 
justinian.  kingdoms to the ●…yre, but how were they 〈◊〉 Bellisarius the most valiant captain without desert had at the Emperor's commandment both his eyes plucked out, & afterward was compelled to beg his bread from door to door, and at the last died miserably a most wretched beggarre. Narses also, if he had not fled, had been most unworthily handled, so are good men m●…ny times recompensed for their intolerable pains, and painful service. Of such ensamples the books of Histories are full. Whereof we may learn how vain & to much foolish a thing it is to trust in the favour of noble men, so fare it is of, that any man may worthily rejoice in it.  Chri. 
I can none otherwise do but marvel at the madness of some men, which rather chose 
Serving men  idly to spend their time in great men's houses with this hope to have some what at the last to live with all (which many times chanceth never) then in their youth to learn some honest occupation, which may●… defend them at all times from the bitter storms of needy and cruel fortune. Of all creatures are they slaves most miserable, and for the most part come to the most wretched end. A young courtea●… an old beggar. Ah how many have I known, which after twenty or-thirtie years service have been with great displeasure driven away, and so died most wretchedly? And thus is that common saying found true. Service is no heritage. Serving men may well be compared to Esoppes tothlesse greyhound, which so long as he could hunt well, follow & get his prey, was much made of, but when he began to wax old and could catch no more, he was no more loved of his master, but rather hated, despised & beaten. Nothing now adays is dear, where profit is absent. If these things were well pondered, men would not so headlong and without consideration run unto service, there to spend the flower of their youth & when crocked old age cometh either to go a begging, or else to be put in some alms house. But how so ever the matter goeth, of this am I sure, that no man ought to rejoice neither in men, nor yet in men's services, seeing that nothing is more uncertain than their favour, seeing also that cruel fortune doth oppress so suddenly noble men many times, that they being turned to a base state, have neither to succour themselves, nor yet to help their poor servants.  Philemon. 
Well, thus have we searched the principal things, that pertain unto man outwardly, wherein the foolish world doth most chief rejoice, and we have found among them all not one thing, wherein we may worthily glory and repose our delectation.  Theo. 
Truth it is, but what say you to the inward natural gifts ' of man, as wisdom, strength, knowledge and such other gifts of the mind?  Philemon. 
Hear what God saith by the Prophet. 
jere ix.  Let not the wise man rejoice in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, neither the rich man in his riches, but who so will rejoice, let him rejoice in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, for I am the Lord which do mercy, equity and righteousness upon the earth. Therefore have I pleasure in such things, sayeth the Lord. Whether we have respect to the body or to the mind, if we found any good thing in them, it is the gift of god, as S. james saith. 
jacob. 〈◊〉.  Every good gift & every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the father of lights, and therefore ought no man to glowry neither in himself nor in the g●…ftes, but in God alone the giver, as S. Paul saith, what hast 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉.  thou, that thou hast not received? If thou haste received it wherefore dost thou rejoice and glory as though thou hadst not received it? But wherefore do we tarry long before we come to our matter, while we labour to show 
Of man  that there is nothing in the world, wherein we may worthily rejoice, seeing that man himself, which is the principal creature that ever God made in this world is but vanity, and not worthy, wherein any true and perfect delectation ought to be se●…? Are not these the words of the holy scripture▪ Every man that liveth, is altogether vanity. What is the body of man, cometh it of never so noble house, but earth, dust 
〈◊〉.  and ashes? Or as S. Barnard sayeth, a stinking sperm or seed, a sack of dung and the meat of worms. Who will rejoice in such a body? to garnish such a body with gold, silver pearls, precious stones, ouches galant apparel, sumptuous garments. etc., What other thing is it, then to cover a dunghyl with cloth of gold? Now as touch ou●…e inward man, I mean the soul, what are we?  
What have we received of Adam In what case hath he set 
john. ii●… Rom. v●…i:  us, before we be regenerate by Christ? Are we any other thing than flesh, and f●…eshely minded? As Christ sayeth. That which is borne of the flesh is flesh. And saith not blessed Paul, that we 
〈◊〉. 〈◊〉.  are the children of wrath? Is not our heart unclean, lewd, wicked 
Pro. xx.  and unsearchable? Are not our senses, Imaginations, and thoughts, even from our infancy, 
jeremis. xvii. Gene. viii.  evil and nought? Are not all our righteousness like a cloth 
Es●…i. lxiiii.  defiled with mensture? Are we not all hypocrites, lying children, 
isaiah. ix.  workers of iniquity, unprofitable servants, sinner's, ungodly, 
Luke. xvii.  and of ourselves all that nought is? What have we then either of ourselves, or in ourselves (I mean before our regeneration) whereof we mai worthily rejoice  Chri. 
Truly nothing at al.  Phile. 
It is convenient therefore, seeing hitherto we have found nothing wherein we mai worthily rejoice, to sequester our joy, our mirth, our delectation, from worldly things, and to traunsfer it unto the Lord our God according to this admonition of the holy 
Phllyp. iiii.  Apostle. Rejoice in the Lord alway, yea once again I say Rejoice.  Theo. 
But we would gladly hear, what earnest occasion we have to rejoice in God.  Philem. 
My desire is to declare this thing abundantly unto you, if ye will hear.  Euse. 
We all will gladly give ear.  Phile. 
God in whom we are 
The benefits of God toward man  so instantly motioned to rejoice even from the beginning, had such favour to man, that when the Angels for their disobedient pride, & proud disobedience were worthily cast down headlong into hell, there perpetually to remain in most 
job. iiii. two. Peter. two.  grievous & intolerable pains, he willing again, to furnish the celestial mansions with other Creatures, made man, not like unto other bruit beasts, but according unto his own Similitude, likeness, and Image, not to be a fire brand of 
Gene. two.  hell, but heir of his most glorious and regal palace, not to perish for hunger, but to enjoy all kind of pleasures most abundantly, not to be subdued of other, but as Lord & chief ruler under God his creator & maker to have the dominion of all beasts fishes, and fowls, of all lands meadows & pastures, of all trees herbs & flowers, and what soever other thing is comprehended in this great and unmeasurable world. Yea the high element, the sun, the moan, the stars, the day, the night, the water, the fire, the cold, the heat the rain, the wound, and what so ever other thing ye can reckon besides, did he make not only to show forth his glory, might and power, but also for man's comfort, wealth, joy and pleasure.  Chri. 
O the unspeakable goodness of god toward man.  Phile. 
Have we not here a great occasion unfeignedly to rejoice in the Lord our God, and for ever and ever to glorify, celebrate and magnify his most glorious and blessed name? To make us like to his own similitude? to appoint us heyers of his most glorious mansion? to ●…due us with the fruition of so many goodly and sweet pleasures? to make us rulers and Lords over all his creatures in the world? to prepare all things for our solace, joy, and comfort? Who is so flynte hearted, that melteth not at the hearing of these things so pleasant and sweet? Who is so estranged from God, that he applieth not with all main to embrace so gentle, so kind, so loving a Lord, yea such a Lord as is altogether set to magnify man, to exalt him unto the high heavens, to place him among the holy Angels, and blessed spirits, to kiss and kull him as his dear darling & well-beloved heyer? Can that man rejoice enough in his Lord and master, which of a base slave maketh him a man of honour of a beggar a man of great possessions, of a vi●…e condition, a man of high & noble renown.  Euse. 
truly the goodness of God toward man can not be expressed.  Phile 
Yet are these benefits. which one man giveth to an other more vile than dust, if they be compared to the precious gifts heretofore rehearsed, which God gave to man. But mark what followeth.  Theo. 
say on, we beseech the.  Phile. 
Satan that old & subtle serpent perceiving man to be made of God for this intent, that he should inherit that glory, from the which for his intolerable arrogancy he was most worthily deject and cast 
●…ene. iii.  down, craftily, subtly, & like himself with many sweet pro●…ses and fair flattering words at the last alured our grandmother Eve to the traunsgression of God's commandment, and she likewise her 〈◊〉, so that by this me●…s 〈◊〉 they and their posterity were not only deprived of those pleasures and commodities, which I rehearsed heretofore, but also utterly damned for their disobedience. And all this came to pass thorough the envy of Satan, as the wise man 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉  saith. God created m●… to be unde stro●…ed, yea after the image of his own likeness created he him. Nevertheless thorough enu●… of the devil death entered into the world.  Christo. 
O lamentable chance. Now is man become of the Image of God, the Image of the devil, of the heir of glory, the inheritor of everlasting pain of immortal, mortal, of good & Godly, wicked and devilish, of fire, a bond slave with all his powers to Satan, sin, death, hell, desperation. etc.  Euse. 
But what, enjoyed that ravening wolf his prey?  Phile. 
Nothing less, for God which is gentle, and the self gentleness moved with loving compassion, tender zeal and fatherly pity toward man, forgetting the displeasure that man had done to him thorough his disobedience casting all his sins behind his back, inflamed with no less love toward man concerning his salvation (behold what grace & mercy doth) than he was before the traunsgression, & minding to show himself of no less puissance and strength to recover & save man, than Satan was to destroy & condemn 
〈◊〉. iii.  man, came into Paradise, sought him up, made garments for him to cover his nakedness, sent him into this world, made him Lord over all, and promised him that the seed of a woman, even jesus Christ his own son borne of Mary the virgin, should deliver him from the power of Satan, reconcile him to his Godly favour, satisfy for his wickedness, make him a new man, endue him with his holy spirit, finally, thorough his merits and good works bring him unto the celestial inheritance from the which Satan at that present had exiled him. This 
john. xiiii.  promise was so faithful (for God himself spoke it which is 
〈◊〉. 〈◊〉.  the self truth, which can not lie, which is just in all his words & again so comfortable, that 
Psalm. ●…xiv.  so many (I mean Adam & his posterity) as did apprehend and lay hand on that with earnest faith, were free from that miserable thraldom, wherinto they were cast thorough Satan's willnes, received into favour, taken as most dear children, and recounted perfectly righteous, for the assured persuasion and undoubted faith, that they conceived in the blessed s●…de jesus Christ at the time promised of God the father. So that so long as they lived in this present world, they lived in the favour of God, and when they departed from hence God appointed their bodies to reaste in the earth, placed their souls where his good pleasure was unto the coming of his son, them to receive that blessed joy and heavenly felicity, that they had lost thorough their disobedience, jesus Christ that most blessed seed working this salvation for man, no●… for any good deeds that we had done, but of his own mere mercy and tender pity.  Theo. 
O here is the good 
〈◊〉. ●…v.  shepherd, that sought up the lost sheep, & when he had found it laid it lovyngelye upon his shoulders, & ●…enderly brought it home again to the sheepfold. O here is the most sweet, loving, & tender father, which with so great joy & embracing arms received home again the lost son. O here is the merciful Samaritan, which 
Luke. x.  py●…ying the woūded man being half dead, poured wine & oileinto his wounds, bound them up, laid him vpon his beast, carried him to an inn, & paid for his healing. 
Mathe. xviii.   
O here is that most puisaunte 
Math xviii.  king, which of his own liberality forgave his servant the ten. M. talents which he ought. O here is the mighty Lo●…d, which trod down the wine p●…sse alone, 
isaiah. 〈◊〉.  alone, neither was there any at all that holp him.  
O here is that most loving saviour, that saveth his people from all their sins. O here is that 
Math. i.  diligent Physician, that is ready at all times to help the diseased, 
Math. ix.  to refresh them that labour●… and are laden. O here is that mighty David, that slew 
Math. xi.  Golias, and delivered the Israelites from the cruel philistians. O here is that most valiant 
i. Re●…. xxi.  Emperor, which for our sakes hath conquered Satan, ●…el, death, sin, desperation, damnation, 
O●…. xiii.  with all the powers infernal. O here is that tender hearted lover, 
i. 〈◊〉. xv  that can no more forget us, than 
〈◊〉. x●…ix.  a mother can forget the child of her womb, and though she forget her child, yet can not he forget v●…. For he hath written up us in his hands, so that we are always in his sight. To whom is not here opened an exceeding great and large window to rejoice in the Lord our God, except we be estranged from all that is God or Godly.  Phile. 
I am glad brother Theophilus to hear you speak on this manner. But let us go forth. After so many pleasures showed to man, which all thorough his own fault he so wickedly lost, after so great a sin committed against the divine majesty, so freely to forgive man, so to accept him into his favour, so to love him, that he promiseth to send down from his most glorious throne his own dearly beloved son to make a perfect reconciliation & everlasting agreement between him and man, that they may for ever and ever dwell together in joyful glory. Oh what a fervent charity, and unmeasurable love of God is this?  
Who can worthily either by heart think, or by tongue express or yet by pen set forth the exceeding greatness of God's kind hearty love towa●…d man? The King of all Kings, the 
Apo●…. ●…ix.  Lord of all Lords, yea, that Lord to whose majesty all things 
Philip. i●….  are obedient both in heaven, earth, and Hell, so to set his mind on man being but a poor vile, and miserable creature, yea of all mortal Creatures most synne●…ull, most disobedient, most frail, and ready to fall, so to love and tender him, that 
roman. viii  to do him good, to bring him unto glory and honour, he does 
john. iii.  deigneth not, but most willingly vowchesafeth to send down his only begotten and dearly beloved son, yea and that into this sinful vale of misery here to become man, to be circumcised, to be made obedient to the law, to be baptized, to preach, to work miracles, to hunger, to thirst, to watch, to fast, to pray, to suffer all kind of adversity, to be persecuted, to be laid wait for, to be snatched at, to be blaphemed, to be railed upon, to be convented before worldly tyrants, Bishop's priests, lawyers. etc., to be scorned m●…d, buffeted, whipped, crowned with thorn, nailed on the cross, s●…d, ●…earsed to the heart with a sp●…re, & at the last dying the mos●… desp●…ful & shameful death that could be invented of the wicked worldlings unto the utter defacing of this blessed seed Christ, and of his Godly doctrine, yea, and all this for the love that he beareth toward man. Oh what a kindness is this? what love, what amity, what hearty friendship? Far be it from us, dear brethren, to be so stony hearted, & ungodly, that we feel not this tender love of God toward us.  Chri. 
There is in mine opinion no faithful man, no true professoure of Christ, that doth not earnestly rejoice at the hearing of these most heavenly benefits promised t●… man of god in this blessed seed Christ iesu.  Phile. 
Moreover after the promise made to our first parents concerning their reconciliation to be made by the blessed s●…de jesus Christ, whereby they with all their posterity were in the mean season well comforted, enarmed against Satan, blessed and saved, how friendly ever after dealt God with man? What be nefit was there, whereof man was not made partaker? In what kind of benignity did man at any time (I speak of the faithful congregation) perceive the ten der bowels of God to be spared against him? What desired he, and obtained not his request? How oft did God familiar●…ye 
〈◊〉 viii. 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 c.  talk with man by his holy Angels? Was he not so loving to man, that he sent his Angels to eat and drink and to be merry with him? If any plague or misfortune were imminent & at hand for the ungodly, did he not declare it to man, and so provided 
G●…n. viii.  for him that he was free from all danger? How many victorious battles gave he to man against his enemies▪ How did he so accompany him at all times, that he ever found favour even among the Barbarous & strangers? How wonderfully delivered he his people 
Exod.. xii.  from the Egyptians▪ How mere u●…ilously fed he them with the meat of angels from heaven? How might lie did he subdue the heathen Kings & brought his people into the land of behest a land that flowed with 
Gene. xii. xv. xvii  milk and honey, a land full of all plenty & pleasure. But what shall I speak of this most singular benefit, that he gave his law to 
Psal. xviii.  man, yea such a law as is pure, turneth souls, giveth wisdom to ba bes, maketh hearts merry, lighteneth eyes, and is sweeter than the ho●…ye and honey comb. prophets 
Esa. ●…vii 〈◊〉.  also gave he to man to premo●…she and aforewar●…e him if any mischief were at hand, to teach him his holy ordinances, to renew the promise of sending the blessed sede jesus Christ for man's salvation, that he might not wax faint in faith, but with valiant hope look for that blessed saviour. And when the time predefined and tofore appointed from everlasting was come of sending down this blessed seed and 
●…ala. iiii.  glorious Messiah, how faithfully and no les lovingly sent he him 
●…sai. seven.  into the womb of the most blessed virgin Mary thorough the wonderful 
Math. i.  operation of the holy ghost there to take very flesh without 
Luke. x. two.  the seed of man, there to take on him human nature, and to be come of that holy maid perfect and true man, as he was before 
Rom. 〈◊〉.  of god perfect and true God.  Christo. 
Would God this thing were no les of all men truly 
Gala. iiii.  believed, than it is in the holy scriptures aboundanlye proved. 
Io●…n. i.   Euse. 
The anabaptists in this our time do vehemently impugn this Article of our faith, and affirm obstinately, that Christ. took no flesh of the blessed virgin 
The anabaptists.  Mary, but brought his body with him from heaven.  Theo. 
Of this matter, if I remember well, y● taught us, Neighbour Philemon, in your new years gift.  Phile 
This Article, that Christ took natural flesh of Mary the virgin, is so necessary unto salvation, that who so ever believeth it not, believe the other in vain, neither is he of God, but of the devil, as Saint john sayeth, dearly beloved, believe not every spirit, but 
i. john. iiii.  prove the spirits whether they be of God for many false Prophets are gone forth into the world By this know ye the spirit of God Every spirit that confesseth, that jesus Christ came in the flesh is of God. And every spirit that doth not confess, that jesus Christ came in the flesh, is not of God. And this is that spirit of antichrist, of whom ye have heard that he should come, and he is now all ready in the world. And this most pestilent heresy, which 
The denying of Christ's incarnation is an old heresy.  the apish anabaptists have renewed in these our days (as Satan is never idle, nor ceaseth in his membres to disquiet the congregation of Christ) was holden many hundred years paste of divers heretics as Martion, Cerdon, Manicheus, Ualentinus, Apelles, and such other ofspringes of the peril, and was condemned and confuted by divers great learned men. But to our matter. And because we should not fear to come unto this our Lord and saviour jesus Christ, all that ever he did, was done in such humility and lowelynes both of outward behaviour and mind, that it would allure any reasonable creature in the world with high boldness and faithful courage to come unto him. He was not borne of a noble Empress, nor of a devout vowe●…e, 
Luke. two.  nor yet of an holy Nun but of a poor maid in a poor stable, and poorly wrapped in poor clo●…es. In stead of a mighty and gallant 
Esal. i.  guard of m●…n, he was accompanied with o●…en and asses. Thus became Christ poor, when he 
two. Cor. viii.  was rich and the King of glory, that we thorough his poverty should be made rich. moreover he being without all sin and Lord of the law, became subject to the law, and was circumcised according to the law. He was 
Luke. two.  obedient to his mother mary and to joseph her husband, and led a poor l●…fe with them unto the age of thirty years, and wrought diligently for his living after the manner of other men. At the age of. thirty. years he was baptized 
Luke. iii.  of blessed john, son to zachary the Priest. After his baptism 
Math. iii.  was he led of the holy Ghost 
Math. iiii.  into, wilderness, where he fasted. xl. days and. xl. nights, and was grievously tempted of sa●…an Immediately after humbly & low 
Mark. i.  lie at the commandment of his heavenli father he took on him the office 
Luke. iiii.  of preaching declaring free remission of sins to so many as repent in faith. And as he was poor in worldly riches & lowly in 
Math. iiii.  mind, so did he chose poor & humble men to be his disciples, that they 
i. Cor, i.  might go & b●…are abroad like faith full ministers the heavenly riches, of 
I●…. two.  his exceeding mercy toward man.  Christ. 
Not with out a cause. For the rich galaunte, and pompous. worldings are no fit vessels t●… 
Math. vi.  c●…rye the treasures of the kingdom of heaven, so unequally 
Luke. vi.  matched are Christ and Mammon, heaven & earth, Gold and 
Math. xi.  gods word, light and darkness They may pretend and bear an outward fac●… to the world as though they were the Apostles and ministers of Christ, as judas, Simon Magus, and 
The dis●…ples of Christ,  such other did, but inwardly and afore God th●…y are the apostles and ministers of Satan, and when they seem most of all to talk of Christ, of Christ's doctrine & of his glory, than are they most of all enemies of the cross of Christ, seek the condemnation both of his doctrine and glory, and labour to establish their own drowsy dreams, lowe●…ye laws, crooked constitutions, devilish decres, Antichristian acts, and all for their God the belly. So sweet a thing is it to these false ministers and crafty apostles of Satan, to tumble, and wallow in all kinds of carnal pleasures and worldly riches. Christ therefore knowing all such Belly gods to be unapt for the preaching of the Gospel as he was poor and humble himself, so did he chose to be his ministers and Apostles por●… homble men, ●…i shars, day labourers, tolgatherers, & such other vile persons & abjects of the world. These appointed he unto the office of preaching his heavenly fathers wil These made he dispensatoures and Stuwardes of the mysteries of god. These commanded he to go forth and preach the Gospel, the joyful and glad ●…idings the favour of God toward 
i Cor. iiii.  man Repentance, faith, free remission of sins, in his blood, peace, tranquillity of conscience, everlasting life. etc.  The. 
These your words doth blessed Paul 
〈◊〉. ●…or. 〈◊〉.  affirm saying, the foolishness of God is wiser than men & the weakness of god is stronger than men. Brethren ye see your calling, how that not many wise men, after the flesh, not many mighty, not many of high degree, are called: but god hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. And god hath chosen the weak things of the world to con●…ound the things which are mighty. And vile things of the world & things which are despised hath god chosen, yea & things of no reputation, for to bring to nought things of reputation, that no flesh should rejoice in his presence.  Phi. 
Again, to show his humility & lolines, how was he content at every man's desire to ●…o whither they would have him, & gladly to do, what so ever they requested him? Did he not heal the diseased? Restore the blind to their sight? The deaf to their hearig The dumb to their speaking? The 
Math. iiii.  dead to their life? Yea the very Lepers did he not disdain to purge & cl●…se of their leprosy, & to touch with his own hands, whom the fine 
Math. viii.  Pharisees the lusty layers, the solemn saducees, the sawsy scribes, the bragging bishops, the pattering priests with the whole rabble of the hypocritish sort disdained once to look upon: so far is it of, that these holy fathers sought any remedy at all to help the poor deceased. After many troth gedies had between Christ & the spiritual sorcerers with the other pompous worldlings for his doctrine 
The passion of Christ.  & miracles when the time came ap pointed of his heavenly father from everlasting, that he for man's reconciliation, and pacifying of the divine wrath, should offer himself▪ a sweet and everlasting Sacrifice to God his father, whereby he might redeem man from the tiran●…y of Satan pay his ransom by the price of his dear heart blood, fatisfie for his offences, set a perpetual peace between God the father and man and by his death and passion bring an whole sea of heavenly treasures to the faithful penitent sinners, with what alacrity and cheerfulness of mind, with what desire and readiness went he to his glorious passion? 
No kind of pain,  
Did he disdain,  
For to sustain,  
To do man pleasure,  
His own heart blood,  
To shed on the road,  
It did him good,  
To make man all pure.   Euse. 
O the vnoutspeak●…able fa voure of God toward man. If he had sent down faithful Abra ●…ā, or any other of the old Patri arches or ancient holy Prophetens to have suffered for man's salvation, it had without all doubt been a token of singular great favour toward man: but to send down his only begotten and dearly beloved son from his glorious throne, yea and that for 
Rom. v.  his enemies, for their health and salvation, it is love passing all love, it is charity fare exceeding all charity, it is favour rather to be deeply marveled at than able worthily to be expressed. The son of god to be come man and suffer doth for our sake. Oh how can we otherwise than earnestly and from the very heart rejoice in the Lord our God?  Christ. 
Truly to much iron hearted are all they, which rejoice not in the blessed incarnation & glorious death of this most blessed seed jesus christ our Lord by whom so many & so excellent treasures of heavenly goods have free lie chanced unto us. All things even unto the very death did he for our health, & salvation, yea, & that so consummate & perfect, that theridamas was no thing left behind unaccomplished that might turn unto our wealth, con modite & profit concerning our redemption. Let the turks boast their 
●…he turks.  Mahumet and rejoice in him so much as they list, let Papists advance 
●…he papists  their pope & triumph in him so much as is possible, let the rich worldlings magnify their 
T●…e christians  wicked mammon & rejoice in it full their hearts, let the glistering hypo crites delight in their god the bell lie even unto the uttermost, yet let us, let us I say, that profess Christ aright only rejoice in Christ, in 
Ga. vi.  Christ's nativity, passion, blood & death, as s. Paul saith, god forbidden that I should rejoice in any thing, but in the death of our lord jesus Christ. For so loving & gentle a saviour can no where be found so favourable & liberal a Lord can nowhere be sought out. In this saviour & lord therefore let us re joys, & in none other.  Theo. 
The papists can not broke this doctrine 
The papists  that Christ alone (the most high & everlasting priest) hath by his death & passion in offering up his 
Ephe. vi.  own blessed body a sweat smelling sacrifice to God the father so plenteously, so omnisufficiently, so at the full made satisfation for our sins, that we need none other sacrifice satisfactory to put away our wickednesses.  Phile. 
No mar 
Of the mass.  vel, for in defacing the glory & honour of the true & only sacrifice jesus Christ, they set up & magnify an Idol of their own making which is the mass & presume in that to offer sacrifice daily for the sins of the quick and dead, & crack that it is of no les price, valour strength and virtue, than the passion and death of Christ●…is. Again, that what so ever christ did for the salvation of man upon 
〈◊〉.  the altar of the cross, they do the very same at the mass.  Chri. 
O extreme blasphemy. Who ever denied the Lord that bought them, if these popish 
two. Peter. two.  massmongers do it not? Who justly may be called the enemies of the cross of Christ, if the mumbling Massehunters be not the very 
Phil. iii.  same? Who at any time hath trodden underfoot the son of God, and counted the blood of the testament, wherewith the faithful are sanctified, as an 
Hebru. 〈◊〉.  unholy thing and done dishonour to the spirit of grace: if these shameless sacrificers have not done it? And yet it is a world to 
Mass hunters.  see, what a numbered there are not only of the ignorant and unlearned, but of them also which brag both of wisdom and learning, that cleave to this Idolatrous mass with to the and nail, that defend it to the uttermost with sword, fire, and halter, that maintain it with their tyches & possessions, that strive for it with as strong reasons, and arguments, as they can, partly because they are afraid 
M●…y the Pa●… are loath to forg●… t●…e mass.  (I speak of the popish priests) lea●…t this common whore their mass should be driven out of the game place, and by this means their kitchen should wear cold, and their idle bea●…ies be no more fed with the labours of other men's hands, p●…rtelye because they think, if this abominable strumpet the mass were banished out of the temples (I speak of the rude & ignorant people) all true religion were gone, all christian devotion were perished, in so much that they could not tell what to do for to please god, nor yet how to worship him, partly (I speak of the worldly wise) because they will give no place to the truth least if they should consent to the putting away of this most stinking and filthy whore the mass that old bawd and grandmother 
〈◊〉. xvii.  of whoredom and abominations of the earth, they should be compelled to grant as they think, to their great shame and ignominy, that both they have been blind, and also led other blind these many years and so they should lose their estimation, renown, and fame, among the people, which things they most chiefly hunt and haucke after. For they love the 
john. xii.  praise of men more than the glory of God. 
What incommodities follow the mass   Euse. 
Certes so long as that Popeyshe Mass shall be continued in the church and believed to be a sacrifice for the sins of the quick & dead: idolatry shall bear rule among us infidelity shall lie couched in the hearts of men, Superstition shall never be exiled from the bonds of Christianity, hypocrisy shall still fit in the consciences of men, the usurped power of the bishop of Rome, shall not lose her strength, the fruits of Christ's death shall never be truly known, neither our heavenly father worthily thanked for them, the purging furnace of the Italian bishop shall never be quenched, the idle shauē nation of the popish mass mongers shall still be maintained in their dissolute and beastly manner or living, the papistical sacrificers shall not cease to blaspheme that most sweet smelling sacrifice jesus Christ that most high and everlasting bishop, the holy & blessed supper of the Lord, shall never be truly frequented and used in the church of Christ, to be short, an whole sea of evils shall reign, flourish and triumph in the christian congregation.  Phile. 
Truly I think there is no christian heart, which considering these things tofore rehearsed lamenteth not to see so great an evil and pestilence as the mass is, to reign among them that profess Christ, yea & to be had in so high price, that it is believed to be of no less strength and virtue than the glorious passion of our Lord and saviour jesus Christ. But let us see, how this wicked opinion of the sacrifice of the mass agreeth 
The sacrifice of the mass  with Gods most holy word.  
The Papists affirm that the sins of the quick and dead, are put away by the sacrifice of their masses, which they mumble daily. Against this devilish doctrine must we set (as an invisible bulwark) this text of blessed. S. Paul. It became us to 
Hebrew. seven  have such an hie priest, as is holy, innocent, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than heaven, which needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer Sacrifice first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For this did he, that is to say, Christ, once for all, when he offered up himself. Let these sacrificers here note, that no priest can offer any sacrifice for our sins but such a one as is holy, innocent undefiled. etc. which is jesus Christ alone. Seeing then that they want this holiness, innocency, purity. etc. It is evident by. S. Paul's words, that they can not sacrifice neither for the quick nor for the dead.  
Again blessed Paul sayeth, that this everlasting priest je sus Christ, needeth not daily (as the other priests) to offer sacrifice, which by one oblation of himself hath delivered for evermore so many as believe in him, from all their sins. Uerili these missars are altogether amiss. What will they say now?  
If Christ need no more to offer sacrifice, much less need the priests. If one oblation of Christ be altogether suffitiente them are the daily oblations of the popish massmongers vain and unprofitable. If Christ offered himself once for all, then can not the papists offer him so often as it pleaseth them. Whereof it may be concluded, that they do no thing in their satisfactory masses but blaspheme the Lord and his anointed, sing they so arrogantly arrogate unto themselves power to offer sacrifice for the sins of the people, when this one oblation of our saviour and Lord Christ jesus is all wholly suffitiente, and thoroughly able in every point even unto the uttermost to save all the elect & chosē people of God, yea and that so abundauntlye & at the full, that henceforth there needeth no reiteration nor no renewing thereof. If there were no more scriptures to condemn this wicked opinion of the Sacrifice of the mass but this one tofore recited, it might seem to any christian judgement sufficient to subvert, overthrow & tople down, what so ever the Papists have built upon the sand of their own inventions these certain hundred years.  
What is chaff in comparison 
jeremy. xxiii.  to wheat, sayeth the Lord? Is not my word like fire, saith the Lord? and like a twibytte cleaving the rock of stone? But let us rehearse more scriptures. The blessed Apostle saith. Christ 
hebrews. ix.  being a bishop of good things to come came by a greater and a more pe●…fit tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this manner building, neither by the blood of Goats or calves, but by his own blood entered he once for all into the holy place, and found eternal redemption.  
Again in the later end of the same chapter, Christ is not entered into the holy places that are made with hands (which are but similitudes of true things) but into the very heaven, for to appear now before the face of God for us. Not to ofter himself oft as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with strange blood, for them must he often have suffered sense the world began. But now in the end of the world, hath he appeared once for all, to put sin to flight by the offering up of himself. And as it is apppointed unto men, that they shall once die, and then cometh the judge mente, even so Christ was once offered to take away the sins of many. Blessed Paul hath no shift of descant, but singeth ever one song, nothing less than pleasant to the ears of these Sacrificers. He affirmeth that Christ by his own blood entered into heaven once for all, & found eternal redemption.  
Where we may learn that Christ 
Ephe. v.  is so sweet a smelling sacrifice to God the father, that by the once offering up of himself, he hath found everlasting redemption. Redemption and remission of sins is so plenteously purchased by the death of Christ, that it remaineth for evermore. The papistical sacrificers do greatly ere therefore, which take vpon them daily to sacrifice for the sins of the quick & dead, as though Christ's sacrifice endured no longer and were of no more effect and virtue.  Christo. 
O blasphemous hypocrites.  Phile. 
Again he sayeth, that now in the end of the world Christ hath appeared once for all to put sin to flight, by the offering up of himself, as though he should say, Many sacrifices were offered of the priests of the old law, but none of them could put synno to flight. Therefore Christ the high priest in these last days became man, and was not offered of any other, but he offered himself, yea and that once for all for the sins of so many as unfeignedly repent and truly believe, and his oblation for ever & ever abideth of so great strength, virtue and power, that that alone & none other, chaseth away, & putteth to flight the sins of many both of jews & gentiles if they believe. Once again he 
Hebru. x.  saith. We are sanctified & made holy by the oblation of christes body once for al. Are not these words plain enough? How oft doth. S. Paul recite the oblatio of Christ's body, yea & that once for all, & stiffly affirmeth that by that once offering up of himself we are perfectly sanctified and made holy. What need then have we of the sacrifice of the mass to be made holy, if there were any such sacrifice, as the papistical sacrificers fain? It followeth also in the same chapter. Every priest is ready daily ministering, and often times offereth one manner of offering, which can never take away sins. But this man that is to say, Christ, when he had offered for sins one sacrifice, which is of value for ever, sat him down on the right hand of God, and from thenceforth tarrieth, till his foes be made his foot stole. For with one offering hath he made perfect for ever them that are sanctified: this one sentence maketh to fall flat upon the ground, all that ever the Papists have built for the maintenance of their Missal sacrifice. first he saith that all the sacrifices, which the 
Note this ya note it well  other Priest's offer, can take away no sin. Secondly, the Christ offered one sacrifice for our sins, which is of value for ever, by the which one Sacrifice he excludeth all other. thirdly the he sat him down on the right hand of God the father, & there tarrieth till the day of judgement Then can he be offered and sacrificed no more, what so ever the 
Romain. vi.  pedlerlyke Papists chatter as S. Paul sayeth, Christ raised from the dead, dieth no more.  
Death shall have no more power over him. For as touch that he died, he died as concerning sin once, but as touching that he liveth, he liveth to God. fourthly, that with one offering he hath made perfect for everthem that are sanctified. If we be made perfect with one offering, which is the oblation of Christ's body upon the aultare of the cross, what imperfection remaineth there in us, that we should have need of the missal sacrifice: If one Sacrifice make us perfect for ever, what need we to have so many sacrifices offered daily in the Popeyshe masses? All these scriptures tofore alleged show evidently, that the death of Christ is a sacrifice so omnisufficiente, so perfect, so abso lute, so consummate, so plenteous at the full, the it alone maketh clean for ever the faithful from their sins without any repetition or renewing.  Euse. 
Cursed therefore are these papistical Sacrificers which so arrogantly dare presume to offer and sacrifice Christ again, as though the first oblation & sacrifice were imperfect.  Phile. 
God amend them, turn their hearts, and give them grace to know his truth. For what other thing is it to set up a new oblation, then to anulle the old to make God a liar, to deny Christ as saint Peter right well prophesied of such subtle 
two Peter. two.  Sacrificers.  
For he that sayeth, that sins are forgiven by the mass, & that the mass is a Sacrifice for the sins both of the living and of the Dead, he must either grant that the alone Sacrifice of Christ upon the cross is not sufficient for the faithful, or else that the missal sacrifice is a mockeing of Christ and a plain scorning of god the father. O abomination. Why is Christ called an everlasting Priest, 
Psal. ●…ix  but that his sacrifice once done on the aultare of the cross endureth for ever in full strength and power for so many as believe, though they sin never so oft, if they return unto God, & seek remission of their sins in the precious blood of our alone saviour jesus Christ? As sa●…ct 
i. john, two.  john sayeth. If any man sin we have an advocate with the father, jesus Christ the righteous, and he it is that obtaineth grace for our sins, not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world. What need 
〈◊〉, 〈◊〉.  we then more oblations? S. Paul sayeth, without effusion or shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins. If the papists therefore will have their mass a sacrifice, so is it proved by the  
words of the Apostle that they crucify Christ again and shed his blood  Christopho. 
O bloody sacrificers. What Christian heart can bide to be present, where such ignominy is done to Christ the lord?  Phile. 
He that sacrificeth is greater than the sacrifice, so doth it follow that the priests are greater than Christ the King of glori? He offered us a sacrifice to God, and go we about to offer him. Again, he that sacrificeth, 
prover. 〈◊〉.  ought to be so pure as the sacrifice, and who, I pray you, can be so pure, as Christ our sacrifice? Who is able to say my heart is clean, and I am free from sin? To presume to offer sacrifice for the sins of the people, is it any other thing than to, make themselves Christ's and saviours, and to say with that most proud Angel, as it is writ 
isaiah. xiiii.  ten by the prophet, I will climb up above the clouds, and will be like the highest of all? Do not they go about to show themselves equal to Christ, yea Christ himself, which take upon them to offer sacrifice for the sins of the people? What other thing did Christ 
A comparison between Christ and the Mass mongers.  but take away our sin? If our Massemongars do the same are they not Christ's in deed? And yet this prerogative have they a 'bove Christ, that where as Christ could not obtain pardonne for our sins but by suffering great pains, yea & very death, they do it without any pains taking at al. Christ was mocked & scorned they be praised & much made of. Christ was accused of heresy and treason: they be counted good catholic men and full devote fathers. Christ was pricked to the brains with a crown of thorn, they have a bald patch upon their heads in stead of crowns, & some have on their caps & mitres for catching cold. Christ was stripped naked of all his clothes: they be clad in silk, satin, damask, velvet and cloth of gold. Christ bore his own cross of wood upon his shoulders when he went to suffer: they have crosses of gold and silver borne before them. Christ was nailed unto the cross: they stand at the altar with turn, return and half turn. Christ hanging on the cross prayed for his very enemies: they standing at the altar pray for such as be their patroness, Founders, Been factors, and for such as hire them for money. Christ patiently suffered the blasphemies and opprobrious words that causeless were spoken against him, they if any man offend them, straight ways accuse, condemn, curse and excommunicate them. Christ with his sacrifice sought to do good to other: they with their sacrifices seek to bring men to superstition, to wrap them in Idolatry, to graft in them wicked opinions, but above all things to enrich Corban, Corban, that they may have plenteously, wherewith to feed their idle and beastly bellies. Christ at his passion had vinegar and gall given him to drink: but they have bread of the finest and wine of the beast to eat and drink. Christ offered his own blessed body a sweet smelling sacrifice to God the fa ther for the sins of the people: they offer a wafer cake and 〈◊〉 spoonful of wine, making the people to believe that it is a sacri fice, which they offer pro salute vivorum et requie omnium fidelium defunctorum. For the health of them that be alive and the rest of all the faithful that are dead. Christ after he had offered his sacrifice, said. Consummatum est, 
john. nineteen.  Every thing is done and pefectly finished, that maketh unto the salvation of man, yea and that by this my one oblation. They can not say so, neither bring they any thing unto perfection. For their sacrifices are so imperfect, that they are as ready to offer to morrow as to day, and never the better. Christ after the oblation of his most blessed body, commended his spirit into the hands of his heavenly father, and died strait ways, they after they have offered their new found oblation, fall to bancketing, drinking, gulling and glozing, to hunting, whoring, does inge and carding, and all the days of their life they live dissolutely in most vain pleasures both of the flesh and of the world. What fellowship and agreement is there here I pray you, between Christ and the massmongers? between the oblation of Christ & the popish sacri fice, between the Mass and the death of Christ? Ye may see into what absurdities and to much inconveniences these pedlerlyke Papists foul, while they establish an Idol of their own making. How say ye, are they not goodly Christ's and pretty saviours?  Theo. 
Christ's? They are even such Christ's, as the true Christ himself speaketh of in the Gospel of saint matthew. There shall arise, saith he, falls Christ's and false prophets. Here they be called Christ's, but there is added unto it, False, so that they be 
Math. xxiiii.  false Christ's, feigned Christ's lying Christ's, deceyteful Christ's.  Christo. 
Of such Christ's, Christ gave us warning and bade us take heed, saying, if any man shall say unto you. Behold here is Christ, or there is Christ believe him not. ●…f they shall say unto you. Behold he is in the wilderness, go not out. Behold he is in the pix, believe them not. Lo, I have told you afore hand. These popish Mass mongers are the ministers of Satan, which change themselves into Angels 
two. Cor. xi.  of light. These are those men that have corrupt minds, which are without all truth, which think that luc●…e is godliness. These are those false Prophets and false teachers which, sayeth saint Peter, shall privily 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉. vi.  bring in damnable sects, even denying the Lord that hath bought them, and bring upon themselves swift damnation, and many shall follow their dam 
two. Peter. iii.  able ways, by whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of, and thorough covetousness shall they with feigned words make Merchandise of you, whose judgement is now not fare of, and their damnation sleepeth not.  Philemo. 
We have texts almost innumerable contained in the holy scriptures, which declare that Christ alone by his blood hath perfectly wrought our redemption, satisfied for our sins, pacified the wrath of God, and brought us again into favour. But if there were no more places of the scripture to condemn the sacri fice of the Mass, but this one, which Christ hanging upon the cross, said. Every thing is 
john. nineteen.  made perfect, it were sufficiete. For if Christ by his death have made all things perfect, than left he nothing imperfect. So doth it truly follow that the papistical sacrificeing for the sins of the quick and dead is damnable, injurious and despitful to the blessed passion of christ, seeing Christ made all things consummate and perfect by his precious death and by that alone obtained perpetual remission for all the sins of the faithful. For his glorious death and bitter passion is even now of as full strength and of as much virtue, as it was what time he suffered, and so shall continue unto the world's end, as blessed paul sayeth, jesus Christ yesterday and to day, & the same continueth for ever. Therefore is he called an everlasting 
Hebrn. xiii.  priest, because he doth all things perfectly, & requireth none other to help him as he himself sayeth by the prohet, I am he that teach righteousness, & am of power 
isaiah. lxiii  to help. The congregation of the faithful speaketh. Wherefore then is thy clothing red, & thy raiment like his that treadeth in the win press? Christ answereth, I have trodden the press alone, & of all people there is not one with me. Neither 
john. i.  Abraham nor Isac, neither zachary nor john Baptist, neither Mary nor Elizabeth, neither Peter nor paul, neither man nor Angel hath paid our ransom by his blood shedding, but Christ alone, alone, that most pure and 
i Pet. i.  undefiled lamb, which taketh a way the sins of the world. In him alone and in none other 
Act. iiii.  is all our health and salvation Neither is there any other name 
isaiah. liii.  given unto men, wherein they must be saved, but only the name of our most blessed lord and bountyous saviour Christ jesus that King of glory. He only hath taken on him our infirmities & 
Math. viiii.  borne our pains. He was wounded for our offences, & smitten for 
i. Peter. two.  our wickedness. The chastisement of our peace was laid vpon him, and with his stripes we are healed. 
isaiah liii.  As for us we have gone all astray like sheep every one hath turned his own way. But the Lord hath 
Psal cxix  heaped together vpon him the iniquity of us all. He suffered violence and was evil entreated, and did not yet open his mouth. He was led as a sheep to be slain 
jere. xi.  yet was he as still as a lamb before the shearer, and did not open 
Math. xxvi.  his mouth. He was had a way 
〈◊〉. viii.  from person, his cause not heard and without any judgement. All 
two. Cor. v.  this suffered he for our sake & to put away our iniquities. Yea he was cut of from the ground of the live, which punishment did go vpon him, saith God, for the transgression of my people, which in deed had deserved that punishment It pleased the lord thus to burst him with plagues, and to smite him with infirmities, that when he had made his soul an offering for sin, he might see long lasting seed. He hath justified the multitude, and borne away their sins. These words are spoken by the Prophet, which teach us manifestly, that there is no sacrifice, that deserveth remission of sins to us, or pacifieth the wrath of God stirred up against us thorough sin, but on 
isaiah. liii.  lie the death of jesus Christ. By the means of jesus Christ, sayeth saint paul, ye which 
Ephe. two.  sometime were fare of, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. By 
Ephe. i.  Christ we have redemption though row his blood, even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. God hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear son, by whom we have redemption thorough his blood, even the forgiveues of sins. It plea 
Colo. i.  said the father, that in him should all fullness dwell, and by him to reconcile all things unto himself and to set at peace by him thorough the blood of his cross both things in heaven & things in earth.  
This is a true saying and by all means worthy to be reaceyved 
Timo. i.  of us, that Christ jesus came into the world to save sinners. There is one God and one mediator between God and man 
Timo. two.  even the man Christ jesus, which gave himself a ransom for all men. Ye know, sayeth blessed Pe 
i. Peter. i.  ter, how that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things (as silver and gold) from your vain conversation, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb undefiled and without spot. The blood of jesus Christ gods own son, maketh us perfectly clean, saith S. john, from 
〈◊〉 ●…ohn. 〈◊〉.  all sin. Again he saith, Christ loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood If these sentences were truly known of the Say people and unfeignedly believed, they would soon give over their popish sacrifices, and only cleave, as they ought, to the alone sacrifice of the high and everlasting Priest jesus Christ, which he once for 
●…ebru. i●….  all offered vpon the aultare of the cross. They would leave to run mading to the masking Mass of the papists, and make more haste unto godly sermons and unto the holy and blessed Supper of the Lord.  Euse. 
Me think these massmongers, which make of the Lord's Supper a private 
Of the Lord's Supper.  churlish breakfast, for as much as they eat and drink alone, and make th●… people believe that in their Mass they offer Sacrifice for their sins both of the living and of the dead, and boast that their Mass is of as great virtue and strength as the passion of Christ for the satisfaction of our wickednesses, besides their intolerable blasphemies a against the Lord and his anointed, offend greatly against the dignity and the right use of the Lord's Supper. For Christ when he instituted this blessed Supper to be celebrated with bread and wine and apppointed them to be the holy mysteries of his body and blood, gave no commandment to offer and sacrifice for the sins of the quick and the dead, but to eat and drink these holy mysteries in the remembrance of his death, as he himself sayeth, Do this in 
Luke. xxii.  the remembrance of me. Hereto agreeth. Saint. Paul, so oft, sayeth he, as ye shall eat of this 
i Cor. two.  bread, and drink of this cup ye shall show the death of the Lord till he come. So that the Lord's Supper was not instituted of Christ to be a sacrifice propitiatory, satisfactory, expiatory, and I can not tell you what: but only a commemoration or remembrance of that sacrifice, which could not but once be offered, and a certain confirmation or seal for the infirm and weaklings, that they be redeemed by Christ, by Christ's passion, blood and death, that hereby they may be assured of the favour of God of remission of sins, if they stead fastly believe, that Christ hath sa tisfied for their sins upon the cross, and in this faith eat and drink the mysteries of his body and blood. For when so ever the true Christians eat & drink the body and blood of Christ 
Mark well.  in faith and with a believing spirit, their sins are forgiven them no les than if Christ even at that present had died upon the cross, not for the eating and drinking, but for the father's sake in Christ's blood, so mighty in operation is Christ, and so present is he at every hour unto so many as believe in him and are gathered together in his name. For he is the eternal god, therefore hath his death an eternal & everlasting fruit.  Christ. 
Ye have taught us Neighbour Philemon many goodli and god lie things concerning the sacrifice of Christ which beat down the sacrifice of the popish mass even unto the ground, yea they drive it down even unto the pit of hell, from whence it first came. Now will I rehearse unto you again, what I have red and heard of the papists concerning this matter, that ye may see what their opinion was and is of the Mass and of the sacrifice thereof.  Phile. 
I pray you speak on.  Christ. 
The Mass, say they, makein men holy, yea it maketh them righteous and delivereth them from sins. The Mass is a sacrifice, and not the sign of a 
The doctrine of the papists  sacrifice only. In the Mass is the body and blood of Christ truly offered for the quick and 
concerning the Mass.  dead. The mass of a priest, be he never so naughty, is profitable ex opere operato Christ with his passion satisfied for original sin and instituted the mass to be an oblation for the sins committed daily, both mortal and ve niall. To hear mass is the hono ring of God, whither the hearer understandeth it or not. Missa soundeth sacrifice, ergo the mass is a sacrifice, Missa is derived of Mitto, to send, for in the mass the lamb, that is to say, Christ is sent unto the father to forgive our sins. The Mass delivereth s●…ulles from purgatory, for asmuch as it is a satisfactory sacrifice for sins. Not only the sacrifice of Christ, wherein he offered himself, was a sacrifice for sin, but we also offer for our sins a continual sacrifice in the mass. The sacrifice of Christ obtaineth mercy only for original sin, and for the sins paste. The sacrifice of the mass every day, is the true sacrifice for sins. Although Christ was once offered on the cross in the open likeness of flesh, yet is the same Christ daily offered on the altar at mass. The words of con secration duly spoken of the priest there is made a transubstantiation of wine into the blood of Christ and of the bread into his body. Every man may lawfully worship the host consecrated. Although Paul calleth the sacrament of the Supper bread, yet may we not believe therefore that the substance of bread remaineth in the sacrament. Christ said. Hoc est corpus meum. This is my body, therefore must we needs hold, that there is a transubstantiation, and that the substance of bread is changed in to the body of Christ. The body of Christ is present in the Mass so great and large, as it was, when it hanged on the cross Forasmuch as Christ that most high majesty of God is present at the mass, therefore is it very godly to appoint many ceremonies, that Christ may be entertained honourably. Mass ought not to be said but in an holy place and upon an altar of stone, for Christ himself is called a stone The mass among all the suffrages for the dead, doth profit most of all for the deliverance of souls out of purgatory. By hearing of mass we may obtain not only spiritual goods but all manner of corporal and temporal goods also. The cannon of the mass is godly and catholic and it was ordained of the Apostles. The mass, ex opere operato, justifieth and taketh away the guiltiness of the fault and pain in them, for whom it is done With the sacrifice of the Mass the satisfactions of the dead are read med. The mass, ex opere operato giveth grace, and being applied for other deserveth unto them ex opere operato, forgiveness of the fault and pain, and obtaineth what so ever we have need of in all our life. In the old testament there was a bishop, that offered sacrifices for the sins of the people, therefore in the new testament must there be priests and bishops to offer sacrifices for sins. The body of the Lord once offered on the cross for original sin, is continually offered for daily sins upon the altar, that by this means the church may have a gift, where with they may pacify the wrath of god. It is an heresy of the Arrians to hold that the mass is not a sacrifice for the quick and the dead. How say ye Neigheboures to this doctrine of the masseking papists? Is it not good stuff?  Theo. 
God have mercy on us. I have not heard more blasphemous doctrine in my life against the truth of Gods most blessed word, nor more injurious and despiteful against the glorious passion of our only Lord & saviour jesus Christ. O to much miserable is that realm, where such doctrine is taught. bond slaves and wretched captives are they to Satan and to his Antichristian synagogue, where such tea cheers reign and bare rule. Oh, when will these papists cease to speak blasphemies against the son of the living God? The teachers of this doctrine are right chaplains to that beast, which had seven heads and ten horns, and opened her mouth to speak blasphemies against God and his name and against his holy congregation with so 
Apo. xiii.  many as inhabit the heavens. These are those marked Merchants, which have committed abominable whoredomme with that filthy and unclean stromppette Babylon, and weep now because no man will buy their merchandise nor their bed lary any more, their gold, silver and precious stones, their pearl reins, purple and scarlet, their 
Apo. xv●…ii  ornaments, their frankincense, wine and oil, their fine flower and wheat with the bodies and souls of men.  Phile. 
I have spent the more time in declaring unto you the wicked opinion of t●…e papists concerning the sacrifice of the mass and confuting of the same, because ye should rejoice in none other thing as touching your redemption & satisfaction for your sins & a perfect atonment made between God and us, but only in the death and passion of our Lord and saviour jesus Christ, as S. Paul sayeth, God forbidden that I should rejoice in 
●…ln. vi.  any thing, but in the death of our Lord jesus Christ. Now the sacrifice of the mass being reproved, and proved of no force and virtue to put away the sins of the quick and dead, as the papists have falsely taught and made the foolish simple people to believe for lucr●…s sake, of what price, I pray you, is the mass now to be esteemed? It agreeth no more with Christ's supper, 
●…n antithe●…s between the Lord's supper and the Pope's Mass.  than Christ & Belial, light and darkness, truth and falsehood. Christ made a sermon before he ministered the sacrament of his body and blood to his Disciples: the papists say masses the devil and all and yet no sermon at all. Christ sat at the table and turned his face to his Disciples 
john. xiiii. xv xvi. Math. xxvi.  when he gave them the mysteries of his body and blood: the papists sequester themselves 
Mark. xiiii.  from the people, they stand at an altar and turn their backs to 
Luke. xxii.  the multitude. Christ reheresed the words of the institution of his supper openly, yea and that in such a tongue as all his Disciples understood: the papistes whisper to themselves playing silence glome, and utter all-things in a strange tongue that no man understandeth what is spoken, nor for the most part themselves neither. Christ gave the sacrament of his body and blood to his disciples for to eat: the papists give nothing to any man but eat and drink altogether themselves. Christ ministered the mystery of his body in come mon bread, the papists minister printed waferre cakes other wise not commonly used. Christ mi nistered wine to be a commemoration of his blood shedeing to his Disciples: the papists minister to the people not only wine but water also mingled their with. Christ gave the sacrament of his body and blood into the Disciples hands: the papists put it in the people's mouths, not suffering them to touch it with their hands for their to much base filthiness. Christ delivered the sacrament to his Disciples sitting at the table, the papists compel the people to receive it kneeling upon their keen. Christ delivering the bread and wine to his Disciples, said unto them take ye: eat ye, and drink ye, the papists say, behold, honour worship and reverence your maker here. Christ instituted his supper to be a remembrance of his death and passion, which is the only sacrifice for the sins of the people, the papists affirm that their masseking Mass is a perfect sacrifice fo●… the quick and the dead, and of as great virtue and strength as the blessed passion of our saviour christ is. Christ delivering the mist rises of his body and blood to his disciples told them that his body should be broken for them and his blood shed for them and many into the remission of sin sins, the papists shame not to lie that Christ by his death satisfied only for original sin and the sins paste, as for all our sins what so ever they be, venial or mortal, they be put away by the sacrifice of the mass. Christ delivered the sacrament of his body and blood under both kin des to his disciples, the papists steal away from the common people the mystery of Christ's blood. Christ gave to his Disciples the sacrament to be eaten for a remembrance of his death, the papists hold it up above their heads and command the people to worship it as God. Christ ministered the sacrament in such apparel, as he did customably wear, the papists put on masking apparel, Albes, girdles vestiments, coops, subdeacon, deacons, tunicle and what not? Christ plainly and poorly ministered the sacrament to his Disciples without 〈◊〉 ceremonies: the papists must have sensers, bells, candles, 〈◊〉, paxes, corporasses Superaltaries altar clothes, cruetres napkins besides their dowkynges and lowtynges, their turnings and returnings, their gaspings and gapings, their kneelings and winkinges their mockings and mowings, their crossings and knockings, their kissings and lickeynges, their noddynges and nosynges, their washings and wypynges, th●…ir booing and bleating, as I may speak nothing of their prostrations and inclinations, of their commemorations and histrionical gesticulations, more meat for mad brains and drunkards than for grave and sober honest men. Christ commanded his Disciples to receive the sacrament so oft as they would: the papists appoint the common people only to receive it at Easter, or when they be in peril of death. Christ willed his Disciples so oft as they eat of that sacramental bread to remember his death till he come, he mea n unto the judgement: the papists say they have him all ready in there hands and in their mouths, in their boxes and in their pixes. Christ did not appoint any part of the sacrament to be reserved after the communion munion: the papists reserve it and hang it up with an halter in the pix, sense it, carry it about in procession and make a pageant of it. Christ appointed his sacrament to be eaten in the remembrance of his passion, the papists keep it so long, that it corrupteth waxeth moul●…, & breedeth full of worms. Christ in the institutio of the mystery of his body, said. ●…hys is my body, which is given 
Luc. 〈◊〉.  for you. Do this in the remembrance of me. The Papists in their consecration, as they call it, mangle the words of Christ, in some place adding of their own to the words of Christ, and in an other place leaving altogether out. In the consecration of the bread they have Enim, which Christ hath not, nor any word for it in the Hebrew tongue. And herein do they grievously offend 
Dent. xii.  against God, which commandeth that nothing should be added to his word. Again they leave out this comfortable promis●…. 
Prou xxi.  quod pro vobis datur. which is given for you, wherein our chief consolation, joy and comfort is 
Apo. thirty.  contained. And here again do they not a little offend against the high majesty of God, sing they pluck so many words from the institution of Christ. They are also very thiefs & enemies to us sing they deprive us of so sweet and comfortable promise wherein is comprehended the misteri of our salvation. Christ in delivering the cup of the mystery of his 
Math. xxvi. Luke. xxii.  blood spoke these words, Drink ye all of this. This cup is the new Testament in my blood, which is shed for you and for many into the remission of sins. The Papists rehearse not the words in the consecration of the wine (as I may go forth to use their term) in all points, as Christ did, but add more unto them, as though there were a certain imperfection or insuffitiencye in the words of Christ. Their words are these. This is the chalice of my blood a new and everlasting testament, the mystery of faith, which for y●…u and many shall be shed for the remission of sins. Although in the addition of these words there is no untruth, yet is it not convenient for any man which is but flesh, earth, dust, and ashes, to put 
john. iii.  ought to the words of Christ, which is the wisdom of the father, and knoweth beast what 
Ecclesi. x  is most expedient for the setting forth of his glory. If a man 
Collo. two.  add any thing to the Testament and last will of any mortal man, or do pluck ought therefro, his fault is counted very 
Note  great, and he himself for ever after discredited because he hath so unjustly dealt with his neighbours will. In what estimation then are they to be had which corrupt the testament and last will not of man only but of God and man also, wherein are bequeathed not worldly & transitory things, but things heavenly and perpetual. Neither is this blessed testament sealed with wax, but with the precious and dear heart blood of our Lord and saviour Christ jesus, to mancle this heavenly testament, to corrupt this blessed will, wherein is bequeathed unto us, the favour of God, remission of all our sins & eternal life, if we truly repent, and earnestly believe, is much unfitting for any christian man, neither are such manckelers, and corruptours, such thiefs and robbers, any more to be believed of the faithful congregation.  
Christ (as I may once make an end) after he had fed his disciples 
Math. xxvi.  with the holy mysteries of his bo 
Mathe. xiiii john. xvii.  die and blood, gave thanks to God the father, and so prepared himself thorough earnest prayer unto the death. The Papists after they have once drunk and eat up all together, they give no thanks, whereby the common people are edified, except it be when they bless with the empty cup, or bid them go home with Itemissa est. Well this may ye easily perceive, how greatly the popish mass differeth from the true institution of the Lords supper, and that they agree together as Christ and belial, light and darkness, truth and falsehood. &ce.  Christo. 
It shall therefore be convenient for all true christian hearts no more to repose the trust of their salvation in the Sacrifice of their Popeyshe mass, nor in any thing appertaining to the same, but only in the blessed passion, in the precious blood, & glorious death of our Lord and saviour jesus Christ, which by the alone Sacrifice of his most holy body, hath even unto the uttermost, and at the full paid our ransom, & brought us everlasting health.  Theo. 
This is a comfortable hearing for all faithful penitent sinner's.  
But I pray you, neighbour Philemon, remain there no more causes of rejoicing in the Lord our God? 
Of Christ's resurrection   Philemon 
Yesse verily. For this our Lord and saviour jesus Christ did not only both willingly and freely give himself unto the death of the cross for our sins and wickedness, and by this means pay our ransom to God the father for our offences, that Satan might have no power over us, but he all so thorough the might of his godhead, rose again gloriously and triumphantly on the third day according to the scriptures for our justification, as the Apostle sayeth.  
He was betrayed unto the death 
Romans. iiii  for our sins, and rose again for our justification.  
For as by the death of Christ our ransom is paid, the divine wrath is pacified, our sins are washed away in Christ's blood, a reconciliation & perfect atonement is made between God the father and us, the obligation of our debt is razed out, the law is fulfilled, the curse of god's wrath is taken away, all things both in heaven and in earth are pacified: so in like manner by the Resurrection of Christ we are made ryghtuousse, accepted into God's favour, recounted for just, holy, and vertuousse, set at liberty, from the tyranny of Satan, admitted into the celestial court of the new Jerusalem, and become fellow cityzyns of the household of God with the saints, and blessed spirits.  Euse. 
O inestimable treasures brought to us by the glorious resurrection of our most blessed saviour jesus Christ.  Phile. 
Yea, let us mark this also by the way, that as our most valiant Lord and Emperor jesus Christ by his resurrection, got the victory over Satan, Sin, Death, Hell, Desperation, and all that is enemy to Man's health, so in like condition have we in him and thorough him gotten a glorious victory over Satan and all his kingdom, that we may with a joyful voice say, death is swallowed up into victo 
i. Corhin. xv  rye. O death where is thy victory? O death where is thy sting? The sting of death is sin, the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God which hath given us the victory, thorough our Lord jesus Christ.  Christo. 
O what a joy and comfort is this to a Christian man's heart, to see his enemies, which before so greatly sought his destruction, thus vanquished, subdued and trodden under his foot? This have we gotten, as ye very truly have said, by Christ's resurrection, as Christ himself testifieth saying, now is the judgement 
john. xii.  of the world, now shall the prince of this world be cast 
john. xvi.  out. Again, be of good comfort, I have overcome the world By the Prophet Ose he also sayeth, I will deliver them from the 
Osee. xiii.  power of death, yea from death itself will I redeem them. O death I will be thy death. O hell I will be thy destruction.  Phile. 
Moreover by Christ's resurrection have we obtained not only justification & victory over our enemies, but also resurrection of body and everlasting immortality. For as our Lord and sa vioure jesus Christ did put of the mortality of his body, and became immortal at his resurrection, so by the power of that his most glorious resurrection shall we also at the great day of judgement in our resurrection receive immortal and incorruptible bodies, even like unto the glorious body of our most mighty and valiant captain jesus Christ.  The. 
Oh who can express the worthiness & excellency of these heavenly gifts, which we obtain by the most victorious and triumphant Resurrection of jesus Christ our Lord and saviour?  Philemon. 
Let these things therefore (dearly beloved brethren) make you to rejoice in the Lord.  
Let these things provoke you to withdraw your mind from transitory things and steadfastly to fix it on things constant and everlasting.  
Let these things sequester your joy and pleasure from the sweet enticing moremaydes' of this world, and allure to the alone delectation in celestial treasures.  Christ. 
O blessed is that man, to whome it is given from above truly to savour these things, fayethfullye to believe them, and earnestly to rejoice in that Lord which is the alone giver of them Sure m●…●…at man be, that his name is written in the book of life.  Philemon. 
But let us go forth to declare more benefits of God toward man, that our joy in 
Of Christ's ascentio●…  the Lord may be unfeigned, consummate and perfect. After this most noble conquest and victorious triumph, which our most mighty Emperor Christ jesus had over Satan and his infernal ministers, he tarried here in this world, certain days with his Disciples, eating, drynkeing, and talking with them of the kingdom of his heavenly father, and confirming them in the way of truth. And this did he not only to make them strong in the article of his resurrection, but also by the instruction of them to corroborat, fortify and strength us in the same, seeking no les our health then the salvation of them. For as the 
Romain●…. x  Apostle sayeth, if thou dost confess with thy mouth the Lord jesus, & believe with thine heart that God raised him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Cer 
Acts. i.  ta'en days passed from his resurrection, Christ our Lord by the power of his godhead in the sight of his Apostles ascended into heaven God and man. Have we no cause to rejoice in this behalf? Hath this his marvelous ascension brought no commodity and profit to us? Have we a just cause to rejoice in his nativity, preaching, miracles, good works, cross, passion, blood, death resurrection (which all are ours) & not in his ascension also? We read that the Apostles were very sad, when Christ told them that he should ascend unto his father. But Christ said unto them, I tell you truth, it is expedient 
john. xvi.  and profitable for you that I go & ascend unto my father. Christ told the Apostles that it was expedient & profitable for them that he should go up into heaven. If it were expedient for them, it is even so like wise for us. For we are saved by the very same way, whereby they received salvation. Let us therefore consider what commodities and profits the Apostles had by Christ's ascension, and let us with a constant faith and hope look for the same For there is but one Lord of all 
Romain. x The fruits of Christ's ascension. john. xiii  rich enough for so many as call on him.  Euse. 
I pray you let us hear, that our joy may be full.  Phile. 
first that we may truly rejoice in Christ's ascension, I will labour to show you some of the conmodities of it, as we are taught in the sacred scriptures. Christ in his last sermon said unto his disciples. I go to prepare a place for you, If I go my way and prepare I will come again and take you unto myself, that where I am, ye may be also. Here have we one urgent cause, why we ought earnestly to rejoice in Christ's ascension. For of this aforesaid sentence we learn, that Christ is ascended unto his father to prepare a place for us in heaven. Can any thing sound more pleasant and thank worthy to our ears, then to hear that the son of God came down from his heavenly throne, became man, suffered death, rose again for our sake, and is now ascended very God, and very man into heaven to prepare a glorious mansion for us in the kingdom of heaven? What is more comfortable for a Pilgrim, then after long traveling by strange country's at the last to come home to his own house, and there to find all things well provided for him Are not we strangers and pilgrims 
i. Peter. two. hebrews. xiii.  in this world? Do we not wander from place to place uncertainly, & look for an other mansion more quiet & merry to come? If there were not such a dwelling place to be looked for after this present life, of all creatures, the true christians were most miserable. But there is undoubtedli an heavenly palace prepared for the faithful, yea and that by Christ's ascension.  Theo. 
Certise here have we, I, one great occasion to rejoice in the ascension of Christ, sing by it he hath prepared for us a dwelling place among the holy saints & blessed angels, & promiseth that he will come again, take us unto him, and place us even there, where he himself is.  Phile. 
another commodity that we have by Christ's ascension, is the gift of the holy Ghost. For Christ himself sayeth. If I go not away, the confortou●…e shall 
john. xvi  not come unto you. But if I go my way, I will send him unto you. By this confortoure he understandeth the holy ghost, which comforteth and maketh strong with Godly puissance, yea and leadeth into all truth, the hearts of so many as he inhabiteth. What an inestimable treasure the gift of the holy Ghost is, no man knoweth, but he that is endued with wisdom from above. Whence come all these backsliders from God and his word, but only of the lack of the holy ghost? Whence come so many Heretics, schismatics, anabaptists sacramentaries, papists, with all the whole rabble of seditious sectaries, but only that they are destituted of this comfortoure, of this holy spirit, which should comfort them in faith, and lead them into all truth? David known full well, what a singular and great treasure to a faithful man the having of the holy Ghost is, again, what an utter decay and extreme destruction it is to that man, that whanteth this confortoure, when he prayed on this manner. create in me a pure heart, O God, and a right spirit 
Psal. li.  renew thou in my inward parts, Cast me not away from thy face, and thy holy spirit take not away from me. This holy spirit do the faithful receive from God the father thorough the ascension of Christ. Is this a small gift to have the holy ghost given unto us to dwell within our breasts, and with him all the heavenly fruits of the spirit, 
Gal●…. v.  faith, love, hope, patience, joy, long suffering, meekness, temperance, justice, goodness, gentleness, modesty, honest behaviour peace, with an whole sea of good things more, yea and at the last everlasting life? Who rejoiceth not in this most excellent gift purchaised for us by the ascension of the Lord Christ our God and saviour?  Christo. 
That such gifts should be given unto men of Christ after Christ's ascension, it was long before prophesied of the holy psalmograph, 
Psal. lxvii.  thou art gone upon hie, thou, haste led capptivitye captive, 
Ephe. iiii.  and received gifts for men▪  Euse. 
Of the gift of the holy ghost plenteously to be given after Christ's ascension, God himself speaketh by the Prophet joel, saying: it shall be in the 
jewel. two.  last days, saith God, of my spirit I will pour out upon all 
Actu. i●…  flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams. And on my seruau●…tes and on my hand maidens I will pour out of my spirit in those days, and they shall Prophesy.  Philemon. 
Neither do here cease the commodities and profits that we enjoy by the ascension of Christ. For besides the preparation of the heavenly mansions and the gift of 
Christ our in 〈◊〉 in ●…ure and 〈◊〉.  thy holy Ghost (which without doubt are most high and singular treasures) Christ by his ascension is become our intercessor, mediator and advocate. He sitteth on the right hand of God the father making intercession for us. If we will obtain any thing of God the father, he is strait ways ready to be an advocate and to plead our cause before his father, and easily obtaineth what so ever he desireth so great is his dignity and exce●…ncye. Again, if at any time 
jacob. iii.  we offend God (as we all do amiss in many things) and by our offence provoke the wrath of God unto vengeance, Christ our advocate and mediator is at hand immediately to pacify the i●…e and wrath of God, to reconcile us unto him, to purchaise remission of our sins, and to recover the favour that we had lost thorough our weakness, as S. john sayeth, if any man sin, we have an advocate 
i. john. two.  with the father jesus Christ that righteous one. And he is a mercy stock for our sins, not for our sins only, but for all the worldalso. For the blood of Christ is not like the blood of Abel. For the blood of Abel 
Heb. xii.  crieth for vengeance upon his brother Cain, which unjustly 
Gene. iiii.  slew him (as the blood of all innocences and martyrs do in like manner call for vengeance against them, that have oppressed them & shed their blood unjustly) but the blood of Christ crieth for grace, favour and mercy, crieth for pardon, forgiveness and remission of sins crieth for joy, quietness and ever lasting life. God, sayeth Saint Paul, setteth forth his love won derfully toward us, for if when we were yet sinner's Christ died for us, much more than we being now justified in his blood shall be saved from wrath by him. If when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his son, much more we being reconciled shall be made safe thorough his life. No man can sufficiently express the worthiness of this commodity, that Christ is not only become by his ascension a preparer of a heavenly and glorious mansion for us, again a purchaser of the holy ghost to comfort us and to lead us into all truth, but also an intercessor mediator and advocate, where by he obtaineth for us all good things, and putteth a back frō●…s what so ever should hinder ●…e obtaining of god's favour and the heavenly inheritance. Christ purchaseth for us of his father through his intercession so abundantly and so altogether sufficiently, all things necessary for the conservation both of our body and soul, that we need not to pray unto any saint in heaven as the papists have taught us neither unto marry, john, Peter, james, nor any other to be our intercessor, mediator or advocate. It is Christ's office alone to be a mediator between god and us, as blessed paul teacheth us in his Epistle unto Timon the. I doubt not neygheboures but so many as are faithful, are replete with exceeding joy to consider how manifold and divers benefits, gifts and graces chance to us by the wonderful ascension of Christ our Lord and saviour.  Theo. 
Who so ever considereth deeply in his mind those things that ye have taught us hitherto, shall be occasioned unfeignedly, to obey this commandment of the blessed Apostle, he that rejoiceth, let him rejoice in 
i Cor. i.  the Lord, so sweet and full of all heavenly pleasure are these commodities, which we receive of God thorough Christ our Lord.  Philemon. 
But let us make haste unto an end concerning this matter, that we may learn in few words, what so ever remaineth of god's goodness toward us in Christ, I mean so much as our wite can comprehend, and we be taught in the holy scripture, that we may earnestly rejoice in the Lord our God We have heard heretofore many urgent and weighty causes, why we should of very right and boūden duty rejoice and be merry in the Lord. Now it remaineth orderly to declare the final and last cause, why we ought to be glade and rejoice in God.  Christ. 
I pray you let us 
Of Christ's ●…inge unto the judgement  hear.  Phile. 
As Christ was borne for us, wrought all good things in his manhood for us, suffered for us, died for us, rose again for us, ascended into heaven for us, purchaised the holy ghost for us, prayeth for us, obtaineth all best things for us, so likewise at the last day shall he being our head come again from the right hand of his father to fet●… us his membres, and to enunite us with him in the same glori there ever to remain. And although to the wicked he shall come as a terrible and righteous judge, to revenge and not to pardonne, to punish and not to forgive, to condemn and not to save, yet to the faithful shall he come in his glorious majesty and all the blessed Angeles with him like a most loving and Gentle saviour, sayeing to them on this manner, come ye blessed of my father, possess ye the kingdom, prepared for you from the beginning of the world.  
O whooe is able, to express what joy and comfort this afore said sentence shall bring to the hearts of the faithful? But to the unfaithful it shall be said get ye hence ye cursed into everlasting fire, which is prepared for the devil and his Angeles.  Euse. 
O that day shall be to the wicked a bitter day, a, day of wrath, a day of tribulation and anguish, a day of calamity misery & wretchedness, a day of darkness and mist, a day of cloudiness & boistuousnes, a day of fearful trumpets and shawms blowing.  Philemon. 
I grant, notwythstandeing to the fayethefull it shall be a sweet day, a day of favour, a day of quietness and peace, a day of wealth and felicity, a day of clearness and light, a day of comfort and solace, a day of heavenly mirth joy and pleasure. For as blessed paul faith, the eye hath not seen, nor the ear hath not heard, neither can the heart of man think, what things God hath prepared for them that love him.  
They shall be as Angels of God in heaven. They shall shine as the clearness of the firmament, and as stars for ever and ever. They shall be counted among the sons of 
Sapi. v.  god, and their lot shall be among the saints. They shall receive of the Lord's hand an honourable kingdom and a beautiful diadem. They shall be clad with long whighte garments. They shallbe be fore the throne of God, and serve him day and night in 
Apoc. seven.  his temple. They shall hongar and thirst no more, neither shall the son or any heat fault upon them for the lamb Christ, which is in the mids of the throne, shall govern them, and lead them unto the fountayves of the water of life, and God shall wipe a way every tear from their eyes. They shall dwell in a city, that needeth neither son nor moan to shine in it. For the clearness of God shall 
Apoc. xxi.  illumine it. They shall behold the glorious face of god presently, 
Apoc. xxii.  and his name shall be written in their foreheads. They shall eat of the tre of life, which is in the paradise of God. To conclude they shall have a crown of glory 
Apoc. two.  and sit with Christ their elder brother in his throne, even as he sitteth with his father in his throne, and shall live with God and his holy angels in all kind of honour and glory, joy and pleasure world without end. 
Apoc. iii.  O what can a Christian man desire more of the Lord his God, than these things, which I have heretofore rehearsed? Come of, tell me now I pray you, if we have not many yea and innumerable both urgent and weighty causes, why we should rejoice in the Lord our God. I doubt not, I doubt not, most dear brethren, but by the hearing of these thin things ye are now so rapt into the love of God for the most high and singular pleasures, which thorough Christ jesus ye have allredye received, and here after shall receive a thousand times more abound a untlye, that from henceforth all worldly things shall wax vile unto you, and ye shall even from the very heart endeavour yourselves at all times to repose all your joy, comforts pleasure and felicity in the Lord our God alone, alone, so that ye shall rejoice in none, neither in heaven nor in earth but in him alone, alone.  Chri. 
Neighbour Philemon we all are kindled with so fervent and so hearty love toward God for these his most singular and inestimable benefits, that we do not only defy the world and all the vain pleasures of it, but we also are ready for our steadfast love in God and for the perfect rejoicing in him gladly to say with the blessed Apostle, who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or anguish? Or famine? Or nakedness? Or parel? Or persecution? Or sword? I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor sovereignties, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor strength, height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ jesus our Lord.  Philemon. 
I am glad to hear these your words, and I am fully persuaded that this your joy shall increase unto an exceeding and perfect rejoicing in the Lord our god, unto the great and singular comfort both of your bodies and souls. But ye shall note, that the holy Apostle doth not only bid us rejoice in the Lord, but he addeth unto it. Alway. Rejoice in the Lord Alway, sayeth he,  Theo. 
What meaneth the blessed Apostle by this word Alway?  Phile. 
verily he will that our joy and rejoicing 
prover. xiiii.  in the Lord be not flitting, transitory and of small con tinuaunce as the pleasure that is conceived of worldly things is, the end whereof is bitter and sorrowful, as Solomon say eth, the end of worldly joy is heaviness, mornening and) but constant, steadfast, inmutable, not diminishing but increasing unto an high perfection of godly mirth, joy, felicity & pleasure. For he that continueth unto the end, saith Christ 
Math. x.  shall be saved. It is not enough to begin well and to continue in the same a certain space, except we persever even unto the end of our life. The wife of Lot began well, when she came out of sinful Sodom, but because she did not go forth, but looked 
Gene. nineteen  back again unto it, she was turned into a salt pillar. The wise men that came from the East part of the world to worship jesus Christ the new 
Matthew. two.  borne king of the spiritual Israelites: were commanded of god no more to return to the most bloody and wicked king Herode. judas begun well and was one of Christ's disciples, & very earnest in setting forth the kingdom of God for a certain space, but sing he did not persever in that Godly purpose, but became of a preacher a traitor, of a disciple a thief, of a minister a murderer, he is now the son 
Matthew. xxi.  of perdition and dampened for evermore. He is not the true son that promiseth his father, that he will work in his viniyarde & doth not, but he that manfully worketh in it indeed, & so perceive teth to the end, he shall enjoy the inheritance of his father. For the kingdom of god shall be taken away from idle lubbers, & given to 
Mathe. xiii.  them that work and bring forth the fruits thereof. Not they 
Mark. iiii.  which, when they hear the word first of all, do joyfully receive it, 
Luke. viii.  believe it for a time, talk of it, & in the time of tentation go away, slide back and become other men, shall possess eternal life: but they which with great joy and gladness of mind, hear it, receive it, believe it, cleave fast unto it in the time of persecution, and persever in the same even unto the very last breath. 
two. Timo. i●…   
No man is crowned saith saint Paul, except he fight lawfully, that is, until he have gotten the victory by resisting the world, the peril, and the flesh thorough Christ our Lord.  
And the Lord himself sayeth. No man that putteth his hand to the plough, and looketh back, 
Luke. ix.  is meet for the Kingdom of heaven.  
Hereto agreeth the saying of Saint Peter: If after they have forsaken the uncleanness of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Christ jesus, they yet again being wrapped 
two. Peter. two.  in them are overcome, the last is worse than the first to them. For it had been better for than not to have known the way of righteousness, them after their knowledge to turn away from that holy commandment, that was given them. But that it chanced to them, that is wont to be spoken in a true proverb. The dog is returned unto his vomit, and the sow clean washed 
prover. xxvi  unto the wallowing in the mire. Of these things aforesaid may we learn that it is not enough to begin well, except we persever and continue even unto the giving up of the Ghost, as they use to say. He that continueth 
john. viii  to the end sayeth Christ, shall be saved. Again he sayeth. If ye abide in my word, truly ye shall be my Disciples, and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall deliver you. We must abide in the word of God, or else we can not be Christ's disciples. We are delivered from the rule of our enemies, sayeth holy zachary the priest father to that most excellent Prophet of God. S. 
Luke. i.  john baptist, that we being without fear should serve god in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life. Note that he sayeth, all the days of our life must we serve God in such holiness and righteousness as is acceptable before him. The holy scripture requireth of us a continual progress and an unletted perseverance in the way of Godliness. In consideration whereof the blessed Apostle doth not only exhort us to rejoice in the Lord, but he addeth unto it Alway, requiring of us not a flitting and transitory rejoicing, but a constant, steadfast, sure, continual and unchaungeable rejoicing in the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord alway, sayeth he.  Euse. 
It is but a trifle to joy and rejoice in the Lord, in his 
Note well  word and ordinances so long as prosperity endureth, and the world laugheth upon us, but to rejoice in the Lord, in his word and ordinances when we be assailed with troublous adversity, when we be visited with grievous sickness, when we be impoverished thorough miserable misfortunes, when we be hated, blasphemed, persecuted, oppressed, en prisoned, punished of worldly tyrants for God, for his word and ordinances, this is a perfect joy, and christian rejoicing to bear the cross of Christ, to suffer patiently all kind of adversity, to cleave fast to God in the time of temptation, to be content so well to abide troubles as prosperous things, & thankfully to take what so ever plagues or punishments God shall lay upon us, either by his own loving visitation or by the cruelty of the wicked worldlings, which are alway enemies to God's truth, and to all true lovers of the same, this is in mine opinion to rejoice alway in the Lord, and to acknowledge him to be our most gentle father and loving saviour, whether he send prosperity or adversity.  Phile. 
Truth it is that ye 〈◊〉, brother Eusebius.  
If therefore any of you at 
〈◊〉 good lesson  any time be visited with sickness or diseases of the body, murmur not, nor grudge not against God, blaspheme him not, nor speak not unreverently of him, nor yet wish not that sickness to be taken from you otherwise then his Godly pleasure shall be, which knoweth much better what is expedient or profitable for you, than ye yourselves do, but with high patience, & most hearty thanks giving, receive that loving visitation of your heavenly father, as an holy enplasture & wholesome salve to heal all those pocky diseases wherewith your souls are infected thorough the stinking corruption of old sinful Adam. We are corrected and punished of the Lord, saith 
i. Corhin. xii  S. Paul, that we should not be dampened with this world. David also saith. It is good for me that thou haste thus humbled & brought me down full low, that I may learn thy righteous ordinances. If thou therefore in thy sickness shalt feel thy flesh to be 
Psal. exviii.  impatient, disobedient to the will of God and at defiance with God for this his loving correction, pleasant to the spirit, altogether bitter to the flesh for a season, restrain and pluck her back with the bit of patience and never leave to fight against the furious and raging motions of the flesh, till thou haste made her obedient to the spirit & willing to suffer what soever kind of adversity God shall lay upon her back. Labour in thy sickness so to joy & rejoice in the Lord, that with high patience and cheerfulness of mind even in the mids of thy most bitter vexation, thou mayest say with. S. Paul. We are not wearied, 
two. Corhin iiii.  but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our tribulation which is momenta nigh, of short continuance and light, prepareth an exceeding and an eternal wayeght 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. Again, we know surely, 
two. Corhin. iiii  if our earthly mansion, wherein we now dwell, were destroyed, that we have a building ordained of God, an habitation not made with hands, but eternal in heaven. And that ye may with the more patient and thankful mind receive all kind of sicknesses and diseases, wherewith ye are at any time vexed, look that ye persuade yourselves and believe undoubtedly, that your punishments come not unto you by chance, but by the council, providence & appointment of God, without whose will an hear doth not fall from your heads 
Matthew. x.  which also keepeth all your bones so that not one of them shall be bruised 
Psal. xxxiiii  without the permission and 
Psa. xcix  sufferance of that our good god. He made us, and we not our selves. We are his flock, and the sheep of his pasture, therefore like a most gentle shepherd considering the greuous●…e diseases, wherewith we are already infected or else like to be, he prepareth his tar and greaseth us with that, that we should be free from all contagious diseases, and be found whole and sound, when so ever we shall be searched. For God doth not visit us with sickness & other plagues that he might destroy us, cast us headlong into hell fire, & damn us perpetually, but to call us to repentance, to provoke us to come home again unto the sheepfold, to exercise, prove, and try our faith, that by this means he might save us.  
For that Lord, which is the searcher of reins & hearts, perceiving how old Adam beginneth to wax cruel and fierce in us, restraineth & plucketh him back with the bridle of sickness that he shall not do what he himself would, but what the good will of our heavenly father is, which else without all doubt would so rage's and grow unto such licentious riot, that with his vain pleasures and fleshly lusts he would deceive the most precious and noble soul, and so deceived throw it into the da●…ger of eternal damnation.  Theo. 
Of these your words may we right well perceive that affliction, troubles sicknesses, and diceases be no tokens of God's Ire wrath, & displeasure toward us, but of much high mercy, favour love, & good will, that he beareth to us.  Phile. 
Truth. For if this most gentle saviour and beast God did not seek our salvation, our wealth and health everlasting: he would not with so sharp & loving corrections call us home again unto the sheepfold, but suffer us to run headlong into all kind of carnal voluptuousness and beastly pleasure, and afterwards for our dissolute living reward us with pains eternal among the belly Gods and Epicures.  Chri. 
O who is so far estranged from the right course of reason, that he had not rather have his carnal affects & beastly will mortified with temporal & short sicknesses in this world, then for a little space to tumble and wallow in all kind of carnal pleasures according to his fleshly desire, and afterwards for ever and ever to be cast into such 
The p●…ynes of hell  pains as are both intolerable and everlasting, where weeping and gnashing of teeth is, where the darcknesses are so great that 
Mathe. xiii.  they may be felt, where the fire shall never be quenched, where the worm that shall gnaw the 
isaiah. ●…xvi  conscience of the wicked shall never die, where there is a lake and stinckeing puddle, that burneth 
Apoca. xx●…  continually with fire and brimstone, where nothing shall be fealty but pain, nothing remembered but sin, nothing tasted but bitterness, nothing seen but our most wicked enemies Satan with his infernal ministers, who shall not be grieved and led with a certain compassion toward the dāned for the multitude of the most bitter paines, wherein they shall see them most miserable tormented, but they shall rejoice, yea they them selves shall never cease to minister intolerable punishments to the damned souls world without end.  Euse. 
O whose heart is so inflamed with the fire of carnal pleasure, that waxeth not cold at the hearing of these things? Who had not rather in this world continnally to be shaken with hot agues, grieved with bone ache, eaten with canckars, pined away for hunger, and to suffer any other temporal diseases that can be named, be it never so grievous and bitter to the flesh, then to fall into those most horrible pains that you named heretofore?  
The pains that are suffered in this world are great and bitter (I confess) but they have an end, and work health to the soul. And in like manner: the pains that are sustained in hell, are both great and bitter also, but they have no end, and bring eternal damnation to the soul.  Phile. 
O what plague can be named like unto this? Who is now so stifenecked and hard hearted, that he will not say with the Apostle. I will with all my heart rejoice in my infirmities & 
two. Corhin. xi●….  weakness, that the virtue, power and strength of Christ may dwell in me. Who now is so blind which seeth not, that to be visited with sickness in this world is to receive a singular and high benefit of God? Who is so far from true faith, that will not be persuaded, the afflictions, troubles, sicknesses and diseases be plain testimonies, and evident signs of God's good favour toward us? as the wise man sayeth. The chastening of God thou 
prover. iii.  shalt not refuse, neither grudge thou, when he shall correct the. For whom the Lord loveth, him he correcteth, and delighteth himself as the father in the son David also sayeth, O blessed is that man, which is under the law and nurture of the Lord, Again, It is highly, for my wealth, O Lord, that thou haste 
Psal. cxviii.  brought me under to learn thy ordinances. Hereto agreeth the saying of the Apostle, my son despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither faint thou, wh●… thou art rebuked of him. For whom the Lord loveth, him he 
Hebr. xxi.  chasteneth, yea and he scourgeth every son, that he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God offereth himself unto you as unto sons. What son is that, whom the father chasteneth not? It ye be not under correction (whereof all are partakers) than are ye bastards and not sons. Wherefore seeing we had fathers of our flesh, which corrected us, and we have them in reverence, should we not much rather be in subjection unto the fa ther of spiritual gifts? And they verily for a few days nourtered us after their own pleasure, but he learneth us unto that, which is profitable, that we might receive of his holiness. Nomaner of chastesing for the present time seemeth to be joyous but grievous, not withstanding after ward it bringeth quiet fruit of righteousness unto them, which are exercised in the same. Bear not therefore, dearly beloved impatiently the cross of sickness, when so ever God layeth it on your back, neither strive ye against the good pleasure of your heaven lie father, which only seeketh your comoditye & eternal saluaci on, but patiently suffer and pray, that his godly will (which is always best) may be done in you, & whether he sendeth sickness or health ever glorify his name, & rejoice in him being thoroughly persuaded that he will handle you none other wise, than shall make both unto his glori & your salvation, which to resist were extreme impiety & to much ungodliness.  Chr. 
For as much, o lord, as we are thy workmanship 
A godly pr●…pet.  & are in thy hands even as the clay is in the potters, do with us according to thy most godly plea sure only give us a patient & thank full heart, that whither thou sendest prosperity or adversity, sickness or health quietness or trouble, we may at all times praise & magnify thy most blessed and glorious name.  The. 
Let it so come to pass O Lord.  Phile. 
Now Neighbours even as I would wish you to rejoice 
O●… poverty or loss of goods.  in the Lord our God, whensoever he visit you with his loving correction and scourge of sickness, so would I gladly also have you to joy and rejoice in him, if he at any time sendeth poverty or loss of gods to any of you all. If therefore it so chanceth, that ye be accumbered with any misfortune, grudge not against God, but show yourself conformable to his godly will in all points, nothing doubting but that loss of your temporal possessions shall turn unto your high commodity and furtherance in obtaining goods, which are a thousand times more precious, I mean gods fa vour, quietness of conscience and eternal glory. Let the brother, sayeth saint james, that is poor and of low degree rejoice 
jaco. i.  in that he is exalted, and the rich in that is made low. For even as the flower of the grass shall he vanish away. The son riseth with heat, and the grass widereth, and his flower falleth away, and the beauty of the fashion of it perisheth: even so shall the rich man perish with his abundance The goods of this world, where with ye be ryghtuouslye endued are gods, if therefore it shall be his good pleasure at any time to take them from you, grudge not against him for taking his own, but rather with a thanfull and rejoicing heart say with the patient man Jobe, 
job. ix.  the Lord gave it, the Lord hath taken it away again. As it pleased the Lord, so is it come to pass. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Peradventure God perceiveth, that thy mind is so 
Why God ●…aketh away  much set on temporal possessions that 
the worldly goods from them whom he loveth.  thou clean forgettest the spiritual riches & heavenly treasures of the soul, therefore he minding to make the his son & heir of eternal glowry & of much better & more excellent goods than this beggarly vale of misery can comprehend, taketh away from the muck of this world, that thou mayest the more freely aspire & breath forward unto the getting of heavenly riches, where with the soul being gorgeously decked may after this transitory life sit gloriously in the glorious palace of heaven. For what doth it profit a man, saith christ though he winn all the world, & loseth his sole? Again, hoard not up treasures unto you on the earth, where rust & moths 
Math xvi.  corrupt, and where thiefs break thorough & steal. But hoard ye up treasures in heaven, where 
Math. vi.  neither rust nor moths corrupt, & where thiefs break not up nor yet steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. And that ye may bear the cross of poverty with the more patient mind remembre 
Math. seven.  that though christ was lord over all, yet was he so poor from his infancy unto his depature out of this world, that he had not a place, where once to rest his head. His mother & all the apostles with many blessed martyrs, faithful ministers of gods 
Luke. two.  word & other innumerable that were good men & dearly beloved of god escaped not the hard dart of poverty 
Actu. iii. . Now seeing ye have christ the lord of lords & king of kings, his blessed mother, with the holy Apostles & martyrs etc. exemplars of poverti to follow and practise, if God at any time do lay the cross of necessiti on your backs, suffer it both patiently & thankfully. Disdain not you being servants to bear the burden, which your lord & master refused not to take vpon him. Ye know the liberality of our 
two. Cor. viii.  Lord jesus Christ, sayeth S. Paul, that for your sake he became poor when he was rich, that ye thorough his poverty should wax rich.  Euse. 
Neighbour Philemon, although, thanks be to God, we have our breasts so well furnished and fortressed with the weapons and armours of holy scriptures against the violence of all misfortunes, yet some perchance not being thoroughly instructed of God's liberality toward his creatures, will object and say, as the common proverb is, necessity is an heard dart. And hunger is a sharp thorn, how than can we take poverty so patiently, that we may rejoice in the Lord our God, namely in so great penury and scasenes of things.  Philemon. 
I answer with the psalmograph, I have been young, and now I 
Psal. xxxvii.  am old, yet never saw I righteous man forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread on the earth. If thou therefore be righteous, that is, faithful to God and just to thy neighbour labouring diligently for thy living according to the vocation and calling, as God hath command ded thee, thou mayst be sure not to want, that shall suffice nature Who ever trusted in God, and 
Psal. lv.  went away succoureles? Cast thy care on the Lord, and he shall nourish thee, sayeth David. The 
Psal. xlv.  Lord giveth meat to the hungry. Behold the eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear 
Psal. xxx●…ii.  him, and upon them that trust in his mercy, that he may deliver their lives from death, and nourish them in the time of hunger. They that fear the Lord shall have no scarceness. They which seek the Lord, shall want no good thing. Fear not my son, sayeth Tobias, we lead a 
Tobi. iii●….  poor life, notwithstanding we shall have plenty of all good things if we fear the Lord, depart from all sin and do well. God 
〈◊〉. Timo. vi.  giveth us abundantly in all things to enjoy them sayeth saint Paul. God himself sayeth, I 
joshua. i.  will not fail the nor yet forsake the.  Christo. 
Who being a faithful man, although never so 
Hebru. xiii.  much oppressed with poverty, will not rejoice in the lord, which hath promised and will no les per form, that he will not forsake so many as trust in him.  Philemon. 
And that ye may be thorough lie persuaded of his, faithfulness concerning thaccomplishment of his promise, consider, I pray you, how friendly and faithfully he dealt in times passed with his servants, and will no les favourably handle us, if we have 
Exo. xvi. x●….  like faith in him. Did he not feed the people of Israel with meat from heaven, and gave them 
three Reg. xvii.  drink out of the rock? Did he not send meat twice a day by the ravens to the Prophet Helias, and so miraculously fed him, when the unfaithful perished for hunger? Did not Christ turn uva ter into wine at the marriage in 
johu. two.  Cana Galilee? Did not Christ with five barley loves and two fishes feed five thousand men 
Math. x●…ii.  besides women and children, and yet there of remained xii baskets full of the fragments? 
●…ohn. vi.  Do not all these histories teach us to have faith in God, and to believe that God hath a father lie care for his servants? What so ever things are written, are written saith blessed Paul for our learning, that thorough patience and comfort of the scriptures 
Rom. xiiii.  we should have hope. It is not to be passed over at this present, that Christ hath in the gospel of matthew. Be not care 
Math. vi.  full for your life what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more worth than meat? And the body more of valour than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither reap nor carry into the barns, and your heavenly father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by takyngr thought can put one cubit to his stature? And why care ye then for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They labour not, neither spin, and yet I tell you, that Solomon in all his rialtie was not arrayed like unto one of these. Wherefore if god so cloth the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow shall be cast into the furnace, shall he not much more do the same to you, O ye of little faith? Take therefore no thought saying, what shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? After all these things seek the heathen. For your heavenly father knoweth, that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and the righteousness thereof, and all these things shallbe cast unto you.  The. 
O sweat & comfortable scriptures. Let the heathen take thought for their living, which know not God, as for the faith full Christians they have a lord which will provide for them abundantly. Let adulteres forni cators, thiefs, Drunkards,, and such other wicked par sons take care wherewith they shall be fed and clad, as for the servants of God they have an almighty Lord in heaven, which will send them plenty of all good things. If ye be loving 
Esa. i.  and obedient, sayeth the Prophet Esay, ye shall enjoy the beast thing that groweth in the land. But if ye be obstinate and rebellious, ye shall be devoured with the sword. For thus the lord hath promised with his own mouth. The wicked therefore and not the faithful shall want and be oppressed with famine.  Euse. 
If God taketh such fatherly care for his servants, how than cometh it to pass many times, that those, which seek most of all his glory, lead in this world the most base & miserable life, and often are found succourless and destitute of all man's help? When they which be unfaithful regard, neither God nor any thing that is godly, despise his most blessed word, persecute the true preachers thereof, oppress their poor neighbours deal unjustly with all men etc., have over flowing abundance of all things, live like voluptuous Epicures in all kind of pleasure, & possess whatsoever their hearts can wish or desire. This thing see we presently before our eyes, and as it may be gathered of the holy Scriptures, many good men in times passed have complained of this thing unto god and almost, as it were, accused God of unrighteousness. Are not these the words of the holy and patient man Iobe●… When I consider myself I am 
job. xxii.  a trayde, and my flesh is smitten with fear. Wherefore do wicked men live in health and prosperity, come to their old age and increase in riches? Their children live in their sight, and their generation before their eyes.  
Their houses are safe from all fear, and 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 forth their children by flocks, and their sons lead the dance. They bear with them tabrets and harps, and have instrumen taes of music at their pleasures. They spend their days in wealth thynes. etc. The holy Prophet je 
I●…e. xii.  remye marveling greatly at the prosperity of the wicked speaketh to God on this manner. O Lord thou art more righteous than I should dispute with the. Nevertheless let me talk with the in things reasonable. How happeneth it, that the way of the ungodly is so prosperous? & that it goeth so well with them, which without any shame offend and live in wickedness? Thou plantist them, and they take rote, they grow and bring forth fruit.  
Are not these the words also of the blessed psalmograph? truly God is loving unto Israel, 
Psal. lxxiii.  and unto such as are of acleane heart. Nevertheless my feet were almost gone, my treadings had well-nigh flypt. And why? I was grieved at the wicked, I do see also the ungodly in such prosperity. For they are in no apparel of death, but are lusty and strong. they come in no misfortune like other folk, neither are they plagued like other men. And this is the cause, why they be so holden with pride, and overwhelmed with cruelty, their eyes swell for fatness, and they do even what they lust. They corrupt other, and speak of wicked blasphemy their talking is against the most highest. For they stretch forth their mouth unto heaven, and their tongue goeth thorough the world. Therefore fall the people unto them, & thereout suck they no small advantage. Tush say they how should God perceive it? Is there any knowledge in the most highest? Lo, these are the ungodly, these prosper in the world, and these have riches in possession. Again the Apostles of Christ, even Christ himself being with them, were sometime so hungry & destitute of all kind of victual: that as they went by the way they were compelled even for very hunger to pluck the ears of 
●…athew. xii  corn, and to eat it. And doth not S. Paul in these words declare 
Mark. two  the miserable state both of himself, and of his felowaposties? Even unto this time (sayeth he) 
Corhin iiii.  we hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted with fists, and have no certain dwelling please, and labour working with our hands.  
We are reviled, and yet we bless. We are persecuted, and suffer it. We are evil spoken of and we pray. We are made as the filthiness of the world, the ofscouring of all things, even unto this day.  
At the marriage in Cana Galilee where Christ himself was present with the blessed virgin Mary 
john. 〈◊〉.  his Mother and his disciples, was there not such scarceness, that they wanted wine before the wedding feast was done? And yet it is to be thought, that both they which were married and the other there assembled, were Christ's friends and dearly beloved of Christ. What shall I rehearse the history of the rich man which was gorgeously appareled 
Luke. xvi  & fared daintily every day, and of the poor Lazar, which died for hunger? The rich glutton lived pleasantly and was damned in hell, the poor Lazar living in all kind of worldly misery after the death of his body reigneth in glory with god. The enemy of God hath after his own carnal lust all things, the friend of God wanteth, that should suffice the necessary appetite of nature.  Phile. 
I confess that for the most part the wicked in this world have more abundance of temporal goods, and live a thousand times more pleasantly in the face of the world, than the true christians do, God thorough his unsearchable wisdom so appointing, which afore seeth much better than we, what is necessary for us. notwithstanding though God doth not customably send to his servants such abundance of worldly treasures, as voluptuous world's lyng do possess, lest their minds snarled with the love of them should be withdrawn from the true & everlasting goodness (as it cometh to pass in many) yet very seldom or never doth he leave them succourless but sendeth them, what so ever is necessary for the sustentation of their ●…eadye and poor life according to his promise, as he said unto his disciples, 
Luke. xxii.  When I sent you, without wallet, and scrip, and shou●…s, lacked ye any thing? And they said, No. Truly no more shall we lack any necessary thing, if we love God & obey his word The faithful may perchance sometime feel the dart of poverty, yet will not God leave them succourless and destitute of help  
For God sendeth poverty sometime to the ryghtuousse for to prove his faith, and to stir him up to call on him which is the giver of all good things, that he may know by the exercise of his faith, that they be the gifts of God, as the wise man sayeth. Good and evil, life and death, 
Ecclesia. xi  poverty and riches are of God. Trust in God, and abide in thy place. For it is an easy thing in the sight of God, quickly to enrich a poor man. Disconfort not yourselves therefore (dear brethren) though sometime ye feel the cross of poverty, but be on a good comfort, joy and rejoice in 
joshua. i.  God. For God hath promised, that he will not leave nor forsake 
Hebrew. xiii  you, but give you all good things abundantly for your present 
i Timo. vi.  necessity..  
His delay is only to prove your faith, and to provoke you to i'll unto him by teruent prayer, and to require of him all things necessary for your living.  
If ye do this (so ye be not idle, but work according to your calling) the earth shall sooner cease to give forth her fruit, than ye shall want your honest necessaries. Rejoice therefore in the lord alwai, & once again I say rejoice  Chr. 
The Lord of heaven give us all grace so to order our life according to his holy word, so to repose our affiance in him, so to call on his most blessed name, in all our adversity, and so to be thankful for his exceeding goodness toward mankind, that we be not found altogether unworthy the receipt of his benefits.  The. 
So be it.  Phile. 
Finally as I would have you to rejoice in the Lord, when so ever he sendeth you sickness, poverty 
Of the cross  or any other cross to nurture you, to mortify old Adam, to slay your carnal lusts, to make your bodies subject to the spirit that they may be a living and holy sacrifice to God, so would 
romans. xii  I exhort you to rejoice also in the Lord, if at any time he raiseth up tyrants to persecute you for the fervent zeal, and Godly love, that ye bear toward the verity and truth of his most blessed word. For as it came to pass in the time of Moses & the prophets, in the days of Christ & his Apostles, even so hath it been from their time unto this day, that the bealyed hypocrites, & wicked wordelynges have ever hated, & still unto the world's end, shall hate the glorious light of God's word. Neither is it any marvel  
For as concerning the bealied hypocrites, God's word condemneth 
Hypocrites  their hypocrisy, superstition, feigned holiness, new found religion, carnal ceremonies, outward sanctimony, and all the whole glittering face of their popish solemnity. It crieth out upon them, that they are so idle and do not only not preach themselves, but also forbid other, that would both gladly and freely set forth the glory of Christ's gospel unto the exceeding comfort and great joy of all true christians, yea they persecute them, blaspheme them, enpryson them, burn them. etc. It crieth out upon them that have so great multitudes 
Matthew. v  of worldly possessions, and yet make no provision for the poor people, for the vertuousse bringing up of youth in good letters and vertuousse manners, but spend it upon gorgeousse buildings, lusty horses, delicate fare, idle lubbers, yea upon hawks, dogs and whores. It crieth out upon them, that whereas they ought to be the light of the world, and to give example of virtuous living to all men, they are become of all men most abominable, most lewd, most ungodly, most given to idleness most drowned in voluptuousness, and altogether sworn to do mischief. How can these bealygods and swynyshe Hypocrites whose life is overwhelmed with the dark clouds of sin, abide the glorious light of Christ's gospel? How can these gluttonyshe Epicures suffer their Hypocrisy and feigned holiness to be rebuked of the poor abjects and villains of this world by the authority of God's word? It can not be, it can not be. For every one that doth evil, saith Christ, hateth the light, neither cometh he to the light, lest his works should be reproved. Now as concerning the wicked worldlings, 
john. iii.  they can favour no more the truth of God's word, than the bealied hypocrites. For it condemneth 
Worldlings  their covetousness, their ambitio their vain glory, their pride, their whoredom, their polling, their pilling, their falsehood, their oppression, their unmercifulness, their cruelty, their tyranny, and what so ever ahomination they use beside. How can it otherwise come to pass, but they which rebuke these vices, must needs be hated, persecuted, enprisoned and slain of the wicked worldings for telling them the truth & for rebuking these their most abominable and outragiousse sins? as the prophet sayeth.  
They hate him that reproveth 
Amo●…. v.  them openly, and who so telleth them the plain truth, they abhor him. Can light and darkness agree? Can Christ and belial be at unity? No more can 
two. Cor. vi.  the workers of wickedness, and the rebukers of the same be led with one consent. There must needs be dissension between them, as was between Abel, and Cain, jacob and Esau, Christ and the bishops, the Apostles, and the worldly tyrants. And for as much as the same impiety and ungodliness, the same wickedness and abomination reigneth now in the world, that hath been used in times passed, and it ought of veri duti to be rebuked at this present with no less liberty of speech, than it hath been in times passed, except we will wink at so great abomination, and with the wicked worldlings, and bealied hypocrites sink down to the devil for our labour, it is not to be doubted, but they that shall take upon them that office, shall prove & find even that same gentleness at their hands, that Moses & the Prophets, Christ and his Apostles, the holy martyrs and blessed saints, received of their bloody predecessors. Therefore if the waves and surges of cruel persecution shall at any time rise against us (the good will of our heavenly father so providing, without whole sufferance all the hypocrites in the world can do nothing against us) let us not despair nor cast away our hope but still go forth to rejoice in the 
i. Corhin. i.  Lord our God, and manfully abide by the verity of his word, remembering that it is called the word of the cross, trouble & persecution remembering that no kind of adversity chanceth to us, but the same happened in times passed to the Prophets and Apostles, yea to Christ himself that pure Lamb of God, remembering that all, which will live Godly in Christ jesus, shall suffer persecution, remembering that by the cross away is prepared for us unto eternal life. And that we may with the more free spirit and frank courage rejoice in the Lord, when so ever the cross or persecution is laid on our backs for God's sake and for his Gospel, let us enarme ourselves with the comfortable texts of the holy scripture, and call to remembrance the histories of the blessed men of God, which also suffered like or greater pains for the glory of the Lord, not forgetting that even from the beginning of the world, the wicked begun to persecute the godly 
Gene. iiii  as we may see in Abel and such other.  Euse. 
Unto this patience 
Mathe. xxiii  and the following of the prophets, doth blessed james exhort 
jacob. v.  us saying. Bepatient brethren to the coming of the Lord. Behold the husband man waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience thereupon until he receive the yarelye & later rain. Be ye also patient therefore, and settle your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, Grudge not one against an other brethren, least ye be dampened. Behold the judge standeth before the door. Take (my brethren) the prophets for an exemple of suffering adversity, & of patience, which spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold we count them happy, which endure.  Chri. 
Our saviour Christ 
Matthew. v.  sayeth also. Blessed are ye, when men revile you, & persecute you, and shall falsely say all manner of evil saying against you for my sake. Rejoice and be glade, for great is your reward in heaven. For so persecuted they the Prophets, which were before 
The persecuon of the prophets.  you.  Phile. 
What pleasures the holy prophets of God found at the world's hand, it is not hard to express. isaiah that most excellent 
isaiah.  Prophet of God for his liberty of speech in rebuking the sin of the princes and of the people, and for prophesying of the vengeance of god to fall vpon the contreie and people for not receiving the word of god, was cut in two parts a sunder with a saw of wode.  Theo. 
O intolerable pain.  Phi. 
The prophet jeremy was stoned unto death of his 
jeremy.  people at Taphnes' in Egipte, because he rebuked them of their wicked living and exhorted them unto repentance and amendment of life. The Prophet Amos at the commandment of 
Amos.  king Amasias for his preaching was cruelly beaten and grievously tormented, and at the last the Kings son Ochosias' caused him to be thirst into the temples of the head with a great nail oftrone, & so shortli of 
three Re. xxii.  ter died. The Prophet Micheas was cruelly beaten, imprisoned, & fed with bread & water, because he spoke the truth, & told the king, 
Micheas.  what should chance unto him. The Prophet Helias was grievously persecuted of queen jesa 
Helias.  ble king Achabes wife for speaking against Baal and his chaplains. The Prophet zachary 
zachary  son of Barachias was stoned to death for telling the king truth. The Prophet Daniel was cast 
〈◊〉. Para. xxiiii  into the den of lions, because that contrary to king Darius' commandment he prated unto his Lord the God Israel. Which of the prophets escaped 
Dani. vi.  without persecution? And as the wicked worldings and bellied Hypocrites handled the prophets of God for telling the truth, 
Daniel.  so handled they all other that obeyed not their wickedlawes and filthy requests. Were not Sidrach, Misac, & Abednago cast into a fiery furnace, because they would not worship the golden Image 
Dan. iii.  that king Nabugodonoser had made, but only the God of Israel? Was not Achimelech with certain other holy men of god slain at king saul's commandment, because he she wed kindness to David the hearty beloved servant of God? Was not Io 
Ichimel●…ch.  sephe cast into prison, because he would not lean to the filthy request of his Lord's wife? 
●…g. xx●….  Was not Susan that virtuous woman at the point to be stoned 
joseph.  unto death, because she would not consent to the unlawful 
Gene. xxix.  and filthy requests of the two judges? Was not Eleazarus 
Susanne.  miserably put to death, because ●…e at the king's commandment 
Daniel. xiii.  would not eat swine's flesh contrary 
Eleazarus.  to the law of God? was not a certain woman with her 
two. Maca. vi.  seven sons most cruelly put to death, because they would not obey the wicked precept of the 
two. Maca. seven.  most wicked king? I pass over many other of the old testament, which were unmercifully persecuted and slain for god's truth Some, as the blessed Apostle say eth, were tried with mockings 
Hebru. xi.  scourgings with bonds & prisonment, some were stoned, some were hewn a sunder, some were slain with sword, all were troubled and vexed.  Theo. 
These are 
Sap. iii.  they, of whom the wise man speak, god proved them, and found them meet for himself, yea as the gold in the furnace did he try them, and received them as a burnt offering. etc.  Phi. 
As I may at the last come to the new testament, 
Christ.  to whom is it unknown, that jesus 
Math. xxvii.  Christ our Lord & saviour after many blasphemies, rebukes 
Luke. xxiiii.  slanders and bitter torments, suffered the most spiteful death of 
Math xiiii.  the cross, & so entered in to glory? Holy john Baptist that blessed 
john Baptist  priests son for truth telling to king herod for reproving him of his abominable living, was 
Actu. xii.  cast into prison and beheaded. james the brother of john had 
James.  his head stricken of for preaching Christ to be son of the living god. The holy martyrs. Stephen was stoned unto death, because he preached Christ, & affirmed that God dwelleth not in temples made with man's hand, What kindness Peter and Paul with the other apostles 
Actu. seven.  found at the hands of them, whose salvation they most diligently sought, the histories make mention. Neither 
Stephen.  do I hear speak of those blessed martyrs, which sins their days have died for the confession of god's truth, so that the Gospel of Christ is not without a cause called of saint. paul, the word 
i Cor i.  of the cross. For all that will live godly in Christ jesus, sayeth he, shall suffer persecution. To consider 
two. Timo. iii.  these histories afore rehearsed, shall establish our faith greatly, and very much comfort us in the time of our tribulation, so that we shall not lightly slide from God and from his holy word, but rejoice in him, recounting ourselves most blessed, fortunate and wealthy, that god hath vouched safe not only that we should believe in him, but also suffer for him. It shall be expedient for us also to remember that Christ calleth them blessed 
Mathe. v.  which suffer persecution for righteuousness sake, and sayeth, that 
Math. x.  theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Again, that the servant is not greater than his Lord, but if they persecuted Christ our Lord and master, they will also persecute us his servants & Disciples. If they have called the father of the household Belzebub, much more 
john. xv.  they will call them so, that are of his household. If we were of the world, the world would love us, but for asmuch as we are not of the world, but Christ hath chosen us out of the world, therefore doth the world hate us. And did not Christ tell us afore, that we should lament and weep that is to say, be oppressed of tyrants, but the world should rejoice, and that in the world we should have affliction and trouble? 
Ihon. xv●….  Again, are we not taught that by many tribulations we must 
Actu. xiiii.  enter into the kingdom of God.  Chri. 
The flesh abhorreth trouble & persecution, namely when death is like to follow.  phile. 
The 
Math. xxvi.  spirit, as Christ sayeth, is ready and of a good courage to suffer all things for the glory of God, but the flesh is weak. The outward man is loeth to die, but the inward man wisheth to be loosened out of this corruptible body and to be with Christ. But if the good will of our heavenly father so be, that we must needs suffer death for Christ's sake, let us set this saying of S. Paul before our eyes, and stedfastli believe it: if we 
two. Timo. two.  die with christ, we shall live with him. If we suffer with him we shall also reign with him. And our sa vioure Christ sayeth, whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and for the Gospel, he shall keep it. Here to agreeth the saying of s. Peter, 
Mark. viii.  detelye beloved, marvel not, that ye are proved by fire (which 
i. Prter. iiii  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 & glad. If ye be railed vpon happy are ye. For the glory & the spirit of god resteth vpon you. Again, if any man suffer as a Christian man, let him not be a shamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf And let them that are troubled according to the will of God, commit their souls to him with well doing as unto a faithful credit ature. They that suffer trouble for the lords sake & for the gospel, shall stand before the glorious seat of God, and before the lamb 
●…po seven.  Christ, and they shall be clothed with long white garments and palms in their hands.  
They shall ever be in the presence of the seat of God, and serve him day and night in his temple, and he that sitteth in the seat, shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more neither thirst, neither shall the sun light on them, neither any heat. For the lamb which is in the mids of the seat, shall feed them, and lead them unto fountains of living water, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.  
Furthermore it shall be great comfort for us also to remember, with what willing hearts Christ and all the blessed martyrs suffered death for the glory of God. Christ our Lord and saviour, when the time of his bitter passion began to draw nigh, and perceived that judas went about to betray him to the bishops and priests said, that thou intendest to do, do it quickly and out of 
john. xlii.  hand. And when the bishop's servants came to lay hand on him, where as he might have escaped their cruel hands, he willingly offered himself unto them, whereby we may see, that he went unto his death with a merry and joyful heart.  Christofor. 
These his words, 
Math. xxvi.  which long before his passion he spoke to the Jews, do also testify and witness his ready bent good will to suffer for the salvation of mankind. Therefore doth my father love me, because I give 
john. x.  over my life, that I may take it again. No man taketh it away from me, but I give it over even of mine own good will I have power to give it over, & I have power to take it again.  Theo. 
Of the willing oblation of him 
isaiah. liii.  self, it was prophesied by the holy Prophets. The prophet isaiah sayeth, he was offered, because it was his good pleasure. David also saith in the parson of Christ, I will offer sacrifice unto the willingly. 
Psal. liv.  He speaketh of the sacrifice of his body. Again Christ himself sayeth by the foresaid Prophet unto his heavenly father as for sacrifice and offering thou wouldst none, therefore madest thou me a body. As for burnt offerings for sin, thou hast not allowed them. Than said I, behold 
Psal. xxxix.  I am at hand In the beginning of the book is it written of me, that I should do thy will O God  Phile. 
As the lord Christ willingly suffered for the health of man so likewise did the apostles suffer all kinds of torments joyfully for the glory of God, for the setting 
Actu. v.  forth of his blessed word & for the name of jesus Christ the lord, as we read in the acts of the apostles. They were whipped of the bishops servants, as S. Luke testifieth, because they preach Christ, & so sent away. But when they came from the council, they rejoiced, that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for the name of iesu. How glad, joyful and ready the blessed Apostle S. Paul was to suffer any kind of 
Actu. xx.  torment for Christ's sake, these his words do abundantly show. Behold I being bound in the spirit, go forth unto Jerusalem, not knowing what things shall chance unto me there, but that the holy ghost in every city doth testify, saying, that bonds & troubles do abide me. But I care not for them, neither is my life dear un to me, so that I may finish my course with joy, & the office which I have received of the lord to testifithe gospel of the grace of God. Again, when Agabus the prophet took Paul's girdle, & bound his 
Actu. xxi.  hands & feet their with, saying, thus sayeth the holy ghost, the man, whose girdle this is, shall the jews thus bind at Jerusalem, and they shall deliver him into the hands of the heathen: and when they that were with Paul hearing these things, most instantly desired him, that he should not go up unto Jerusalem, the blessed apostle answered saying, what do ye weeping and troubeling my heart? I am ready not only to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord iesu. O faithful Apostle. The lord jesus christ was so dear unto him, that for his sake for the advancement of his glory, for the setting forth of his most glorious gospel, he feared neither chains nor death. He always had before his eyes the short pains of this world & the everlasting joys of the world to come. He ever remembered this saying of the lord Christ, whosoever shall lose his life for 
Marc. viii.  my sake & for the gospel, he shall keep it. He never forgot these his master's words, whosoever shall be ashamed of me & of my sayings in this whorish & sinful generation, the son of man shall also be a shamed of him, when he shall come in the glory of his father with the holy angels. But whosoever shall con 
Math. x..  fesse me before men, I shall confess him also before my father, which is in heaven. We read also that the blessed martyr Ignatius after many grievous torments was thratened if he would not forsake christ & his word, that he should be cast unto 
Ignatius.  wild beasts, & so be devoured. But he being nothing abashed with those threats but perceiving his death to be disserted, which he so greatly desired to suffer for Christ's name, wrote an Epistle to the Romans, & desired them that they would keep him no longer from his martyrdom, but with all expedition bring to pass that they had so long threatened. In the which epistle among many other words which declare his valiant faith & mighty courage in god, he writeth on this manner. O wholesome beasts that are prepared for me.  
When shall they come? when shall they be sent out? when shall they eat my flesh? I would wish with all my heart, that they might be more greedy, & I will bid than unto the devouring of me, & pray them, lest par adventure, as they have done in many, they fear to touch my body. Yea if they shall make any delay, I myself will braced into them, & offer myself to them. give me liberty I beseech you, for I know what is expedient for me. Now that I begin to be the disciple of Christ, let fires, gallows, wild 
Not●…  beasts, breaking of my bones, racking of my membres, pain throughout all my body, and all the punishments of the world, that can be invented by the craft and subtlety of the peril be ministered unto me. I will refuse none of them all, so that I may deserve to obtain jesus Christ.  Theo. 
O blessed & glorious martyr. O valeant and noble souldi our of our most mighty captain Christ iesu. O what a mirror glass and spectacle is here offered unto us, wherein we may see and learn not only high patience, but also an exceeding desire to suffer all kind of torments for the glory of Christ.  Phile. 
Not only the blessed martyr Ignatius showed himself willing and joyful to suffer all kind of adversity, yea very death for the confession of Christ, and of his blessed truth, but other holy men innumerable, as we read in histories. When Decius the Emperor that most cruel tyrant had spoiled the blessed martyr Hippolytus of his 
Hippolytus.  vestures, because he would not do sacrifice to false Gods, the man of God spoke boldly unto him, saying, thou haste not spoiled me of my garments, but thou haste rather begun to cloth me. And when the aforesaid tyrant commanded that he should be clothed again with his own accustomed kind of apparel, and said unto him. Use thine old service which thou hast ever had in our sight, & be our friend: the blessed martyr with a stout courage answered, my service is this, faithfully to serve Christ, and by serving him, spedly to come unto a fruitful victory. Shortly after the tyrant seeing his steadfast and unshaken constancy commanded him to be deprived of all his goods and to be headed with divers other about the nūbre of nintene, which all with joyful courage suffered death for Christ's sake. The blessed martyr Tiburtius was apprehended 
Tiburtius  of the cruel judge Fabian, and commanded either to offer sacrifice to the Idols, or else to go with naked feet vpon the hot burning coals. He boldly went on them barefoted having no harm, & said to the tyrant. Lay away thine unfaithfulness, & learn that he is the God alone, whom we confess to have power, over all creatures.  
For thorough the might of my Lord jesus Christ, me think that going upon burning coals I walk as it were vpon red roses without feeling of any pain or hurt of my feet. For the creature obeyeth the commandment of the creator. When the tyrant saw that the fire did him no harm, he commanded that he should be slain with the sword.  
The blessed martyr went unto his death with a toyfull heart, praising God, that he would vouchsafe to give him strength for to confess his most blessed name & holy word before worldly tyrants. When Galerius the Proconsul commanded that. S. 
Cyprian.  Cyprian should be headed, because he was an enemy to the Gods of the Romans, and would serve none but Christ alone the son of almighty God, the blessed martyr with a lusty courage and merry heart burst out into these words, saying. I thank almighty God, which voucheth safe to loosen me from the bands of this 
Mauricius & his fellows  body. And so died. When Maximianus that most cruel Emperor commanded his soldiers to worship false Gods and to slay so many as professed Christ & his blessed word, Mauricius with his fellows answered that either in worshipping false Gods, or in slaying the true Christians, they by no means would obey the Emperor, We are, said they, thy souldidur●…, O Emperor, but yet we freely confess, that we are the servants of God, which gave us this our life. We can not follow the Emperor so, that we should deny God our maker, yea and thy maker also, whether thou wilt or wilt not. We are christian men, therefore may we not persecute such as profess Christ. We are ready rather to die, then to kill such.  
And we are more desierousse to die innocentes, then to live wicked and sinful. Know thou that the minds of this army by no means can be overcome.  
These worldly weapons we cast away. Our breast is enarmed with the faith of Christ, which is our shield bucler, and defence against the fiery darts of the devil, & of all his soldiers.  
Therefore slay thou, kill thou, mur there thou, minister what kind of pain thou wilt, we with a bold courage offer ourselves to suffer for the glory of God. And shortly after the holy man of God, with a great nūbre of blessed martyrs more were slain with the sword. Eus. These be notable examples & worthy to be practised of all faithful christians, if God at any time calleth them unto this conflict with the worldly tyrants & feigned holy hypocrites for the confession of his blessed truth.  Philem 
I could rehearse many more godly histories to declare with what a ready will with how rejoicing an heart, the blessed martyrs of Christ suffered all manner of bitter torments for the Lords sake, but these at this present shall suffice.  
For hereof may ye learn to practise this word of the Apostle Always. I mean to rejoice in the Lord our God not only in prosperity, but also in adversity, be it in sickness, loss of goods, poverty, persecution, or any other cross, that god our father layeth vpon us. For this the duty of a true christian man to conceive that same 
Note  faith, hope and joy, in God, when he is assailed in tribulation, that he had before, when all things were most prosperous to him. So meaneth the Apostle when he sayeth. Rejoice in the Lord alway. And because he would have us earnestly to rejoice in the Lord at all times, be it in prosperity or adversity, he doubleth this word, Rejoice, saying. Rejoice in the Lord always yea once again, I say rejoice. Piththye and full of efficacy is this sentence of the Apostle, and comprehendeth in it many Godly mysteries, as ye have hitherto partly heard. S. Paul desireth nothing more, then that we should rejoice in the Lord. His joy is altogether in God, therefore would he, that yours should be so likewise. And unto this doth that princelike prophet 
Psal. x●…  exhort you also, saying. Be ye glad & rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous, and all ye that are true true-hearted, be merry in the Lord. Again Let so many as trust in thee, O lord, be meri, yea, they shall be joyful for 
Psal. vi.  ever, and thou shalt dwell among them. And all that love thy name, shall rejoice in the. Therefore if we love the name of God, if we trust to be saved by his mercy if we look for good things at the hand of our heavenly father thorough jesus Christ, let us sequester our joy from all worldly things, which are but vanity as ye have heard before, and repose it only in the Lord our God  Chr. 
That Lord which is the 
two. Corh●…n. i.  father of mercies, and the God of all consolation mought grant unto us his most holy spirit to work in us such a sweetness & delectation in spiritual things, that what so ever is of the world may wax vile, unpleasant and bitter unto us, and that we by this means may unfeignedly and even from the very bottom of the heart rejoice in the Lord our god alone, alone.  Theo. 
The Lord might bring this thing to pass in us.  Philemon. 
Well neighbours.  
Now according to my promise have I given you this jewel of joy, not so conningelye and worckemanlyke (I confess) handled, as some other of better knowledge and more ripe judgement in the mysteries of God could have done it, notwithstanding 
〈◊〉 bu●… 〈◊〉  truly and faithfully wrought according to the pure vain of the holy scriptures.  
But what so ever this your gift is I pray you take it to good worth and accept my loving heart toward you.  
Though possibilitte faileth, yet good will shall never want in me, but what so ever the Lord shall give, at all times I will bestow it upon you and upon his holy congregation, and by no means suffer the talent given unto me of my Lord God, to lie Idle by me, but for my power I will so employ 〈◊〉, that it may turn to the glory of God and to the profit of his blessed church.  
For the history of the unprofitable servant, which hid up the money of his Lord in the 
Matthew. xxv.  ground & therefore was condemned cast into utter darkness, where weeping & gnashing of teth shall be, aught to make all men afraid that have received any gift at all of God, and to provoke them not to be sluggish and idle, but to use their talentes according to the commandment of God, which sayeth. Occupy yourselves till I come.  Euse. 
Blessed is that man, which so occupieth 
Luk●…. ix.  his talon, that God therewith is glorified, and his neyghbouredifted. Sure may he be at that great and dreadful day of judge mente to hear of his Lord God this most sweet and joyful sentence. O mine own good servant 
Math. xxvi.  and faithful. Thou haste been faithful in little. I will make the ruler over much. Enter in, into thy Lord's joy.  Philem. 
Neighbours I will disease you no longer, but as I have given you a spiritual jewel, joyful and comfortable for the soul, so will I in like manner at this my coming home and return into mi native country bestow somewhat upon you, that shall not be unprofitable for the body. For I wish good both to your soul & body. And would God it lay in my power to gratify you in both alike.  
But that which, shall want in worldly things, shall, if I live be recompensed in spiritual things. But as I may at the last make an end, remember brethren remember, what ye have heard of me at this present. Remember that all things in this world, be subject unto vanity, yea they themselves are mere vanity, as 
Ecclesiast. 〈◊〉.  the preacher sayeth. All is but vanity, yea altogether is plain vanity. What marvel, when man himself, for whose sake all worldly things were created, is very vanity. Remembre that the end ofal worldly joy, of all carnal pleasure, of all temporal felicity, is bitter sorrow and grievous pain Remember that we are borne to die, prepare therefore for your last end. Remember that the goods of this world are transitory, ●…ttyng away, and seldom tarry long with their old possessor and owner, gather not there fore treasure together on earth, 
Matthew. vi.  where rusie and moths corrupt, and where thiefs break thorough and steal, but gather ye treasure together in heaven, where neither rust, nor moths corrupt, & where thieves neither break up nor steal. Make you friends of the 
Luke. xv●….  wicked Mammon, that when ye shall have need, they may receive you into everlasting dwelling places. Remember that what soever ye sow, that shall ye reap, whither it be of the flesh, corruption 
Galat. vi.  or of the spirit, eternal life: If ye on this wise judge both of the world, and of worldly things, doubt ye not, but that yours hearts shall burn with such an earnest and unfeigned love toward God, that ye shall rejoice in him alone, alone, yea and that always, that is both in prosperity and adversity, & at all times have a quiet & a merry conscience which of all treasures is the most precious in this world. And that ye may do this the more fortunately, consider your vocation, remembre your calling. Ye are called christians, express Christ your ●…ord and master in all your conversation & living. He that sayeth he dwelleth in Christ, ought to walk even as Christ walked. Ye 
〈◊〉. john. two.  are called gospelers, love, & lyu●… the gospel. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify 
Matthew. vi.  your father, which is in heaven. The Papists rail on you, blaspheme you, call you heretics, seditious persons. etc. Ordre so your life, that the adversaries sing your Godly conversation, may either be won to confess the same truth with you, or else be ashamed to speak any evil of you For this is the will of God, that 
i. Peter. two.  with well doing ye should stop the mouths of foolish and ignorant men, as free, but not making liberty to be a cloak of naughtiness, but even as the servants of God. Ye confess yourselves to be justified before God by faith alone, provide that this your faith be not idle, sluggish, nor dead, as. S. james sayeth, but ●…iuish, and mighty in operation, and full of all good and Chrian works. For in Christ jesus neither is circumcision any thing 
Galathi. v.  worth, neither yet uncircumcision but faith, which worketh by charity, and the end of the command dement is charity, that cometh of a pure heart, & of a good conscience, 
i Timo. i.  & of faith unfeigned. Ye believe to be saved by the alone sacrifice of Christ's most blessed 
Hebru. ix. x.  body, commit nothing unworthy the gentleness of so kind & loving 
Tit. i.  saviour. Ye confess to know god, deny him not in your deeds, but be always studious of good 
Rom. xiii.  works. Ye profess the doctrine, which requireth of you and of all 
〈◊〉. Pet. two.  subjects faithful and humble obeisance to the King his Majesty, answer to your profession, obey unfeignedly, not only for fear of ●…nishemēt, but for conscience sake 〈◊〉 For there is no power but of 〈◊〉 ●…e powers that be, are 〈◊〉 ●…d. Therefore whosoever resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, shall get to themselves damnation. Fear god & the king, saith Solomon. Fear god & hovoure 
Pro. xiiii  the King, sayeth blessed Peter. Therefore fear, obey, love, & honour 
i Pet. 〈◊〉.  our most excellent Prince. Neither thick, breath, speak or do anything, that may be prejudicial to the godly doings of the king his highness, but be thou alway led with a reverent fear toward his grace. Neither consent to any tumult commotion, insurrection, sedition, conspiracy etc., neither conseale any thing, whereby any dishonour to the King's Majesty, any displeasure to his most honorab●… council, any unquietness to the p●… que weal may be wrough●… 〈◊〉 evermore set before yo●… 〈◊〉 this sentence of the 〈…〉 wish the king 〈…〉 thought, & speak no hurt of the 
Eccle. x.  noble man in thy privi chamber. For a bird of the air shall betray thy voice, and with her feathers shall she bewray thy words. How grievously they have all ways be punished that were seditious & walked without any godly fear toward the civil Maigistrates, the histories of Dathan 
Numer. vi.  and Abiron, of zambry and Baa sa of Bagathan & Thares, show 
three Reg. ●…i.  manifestly. Neither have we won t experience of this thing in these our days. And as unto the King his Majesty, so likewise 
He●…. two.  submit yourselves unto the other Rulers that are sent of him, for the punishment of evil doers, but for the praise of them that do well. Ye have a pleasure to hear the preachers of gods word, reverence 
i. ●…eter. two.  them as the ministers of god giving them no les honour, than the child giveth the father, remembering 
Malach. two.  that they be the Angels of God, the messengers of Christ the light of the world, the salt of the earth, the dispensators of the 
i Cor. i.  mysteries of God, the feeders of 
Math. v.  Christian men's souls, the comfortours of the weak, the Physicians 
i Cor. iiii.  of the sick, the upholders of the whole, the exhorters unto the virtue, the fraiers away from vice which watch continually 
john. xxi.  for the health of our souls. Be not unthankful to the preachers, but to such as minister spiritual 
Hebru. xiii.  things to you disdain not to give corporal things, that the preachers may the more freli give their mind to the studies of the holy scriptures. If we sow unto you spiritual 
i Cor. ix.  things, sayeth s▪ Paul, is it a great thing, if we reap your carnal things? The Lord hath ordained, that they which preach the gospel, should live of the gospel. Again he saith, let him that is taught with the word, minister unto 
●…ala. vi.  him that teacheth him in all good things. Be not deceived, god is not mocked. Moreover ye that are 
Ephe. 〈◊〉  married, love your wives, even as christ loved the congregation. Nourish, & cherish them as your own bodies, remembering that they be your own flesh & your own bones, & see that by no means ye be bitter unto them, but give honour unto them as to the weaker vessels, & 
Colo. iii.  as to them that are fellow heirs also of the grace of life. Teach your wives to be obedient unto you as 
i. Peter. iii.  unto the lord, to love you as their own selves, to be of honest, chaste, housewifely, good, no evil spekers, but sober & faith 
Tit. two.  full in all things. Learn them to keep silence with all subjection & to a ray themselves in mannerly apparel 
i Timo. iii.  with shamefastness & honest behaviour, not with broided hair, other gold, or pearls or costly a●…aie, but with such as becometh woe 
〈◊〉. Peter iii  men, that profess the worshipping of God thorough good works that the hid man of the heart may be uncorrupt with a meek & quiet spirit, which spirit is before god a thing much set by. For after this manner in the old time did the holy we men, which trusted in God, try themselves, & were obedient to their husbands, even as Sara obeyed 
Gen. xvi●…i.  Abraham, & called him lord. Bring up your children which the nurture 
Eph●…. vi.  & information of the lord, & teach them to obey & honour you. Do that unto your servants, which is 
Colo. iii.  just & equal, remembering that ye also have a master in heaven. Exhort your servants to be obedient unto you in all godly things, not with eye service as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing god. Love all men as yourselves In few, whatsoever things are 
Phi. iiii.  true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, what so ever things are pure, whatsoever things pertain to love whatsoever things are of ho nest report, if their be any virtuous thing, if there be any laudable 
Colo. iii.  thing, those same have ye in mid▪ And all things, whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do in the name of the lord jesus, giving thanks to God the father by him. So shall ye in this world live with a merry conscience, & after this present life joy & rejoice in eternal glory with god the father, to whom with his son christ je su our most precious jewel, & the holy ghost the sweet comfortoure be all honour & praise for evermore. The, amen.  Chri. 
So be it.  phile. 
Now dear neighbours come with