The Principles of Christian Religion, necessary to be known of all the faithful: set forth to the great profit in training up of all youth, by Tho. Becon.  john. xiii. If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them. 
Imprinted at London by john day, dwelling over Aldersgate.  
AN. 1569.  
¶ Cum Privilegio Regiae Maiestatis, per Decennium.   


THOMAS BECONUS SACROSAC TAE THEOLOGIAE PROFESSOR.   
Ora expressa vides, vivos imitantia vultus,  
Quod potuit calimo, pictor, & arte vides:  
Mentis quam nullus potuit tibi reddere pictor,  
Effigiem scriptis, 〈◊〉 ipse suis.   

¶ The Contents of this Book.  

Of faith.  
WHat faith is.  
What benefits we receive of God through● faith.  
The Articles of the Christian faith, with confirmations of the same out of the holy Scriptures.   

Of prayer.  
What prayer is.  
What benefits we receive of God by prayer.  
The lords Prayer called the Pater noster, with confirmations of every petition out of the holy Scripture.   

Of the law.  
What the law is.  
To what use the law was given.  
The x. commandments of God, with confirmations of every commandment out of the holy Scripture.   

Of Repentance.  
What repentance is.  
Of the fruits of repentance declared by the word of God.   

Of Baptism.  
What Baptism is.  
For what use Baptism was ordained.   

Of the lords Supper.  
What the lords Supper is.  
To what use Christ did institute it.  
The duty of all estates and degrees, according to the doctrine of God's holy word.  
The duty of the high powers and of the other temporal Magistrates.  
The duty of Subjects toward the hi● powers.  
The duty of Bishops and Ministers of God's word.  
The duty of Parishioners unto the Ministers of God's word.  
The duty of Husbands unto their wives.  
The duty of Wives unto their Husbands.  
The duty of Fathers and Mothers unto their children.  
The duty of Children towards their Fathers and Mothers.  
The duty of Masters to their Servants.  
The duty of Servants to their Masters.  
The duty of Widows.  
The duty of Old men.  
The duty of Old women.  
The duty of Young folk.  
The duty of all degrees and estates generally, both toward God and their neighbour.   
FINIS.   

To the most gentle and godly disposed child, M. Thomas Cecil, son to the right honourable Sir William Cecil Knight, and Secretary to the King's Majesty, Thomas Becon wisheth the favour of God, with the increase of virtue and learning.  
TWO of holy letters we be not sleepy nor vain readers, but diligently mark what we read, we shall easily perceive that among other commandments of God, this is not the last nor the least, which he giveth concerning the bringing up of youth in the knowledge of his blessed will. For the godly wisdom knoweth right well, that except the younglings of a common weal be virtuously brought up, and faithfully framed, according to the right rule of God's holy appointment, it can not come to pass, but that his glory (the good parents being once deceased) must needs be obscured in this world, the invocation of his name cease, and all godly religion decay: yea the men themselves (if they be worthy that name) must needs become brutelike, and be carried about with every strange doctrine, contemn all laudable laws, break all good orders, follow their fleshly appetites like unreasonable beasts, & so at last bring both themselves & their realms unto utter destruction.  
Therefore as God in his holy law requireth of parents nothing more earnestly than to bring up their children virtuously, and according to his word: so likewise all godly fathers and mothers, have ever from the beginning done their uttermost endeavour to train up their younglings, even from the very cradles, in the nurture, fear, and doctrine of the Lord, supposing themselves then best to please God, and most to do the true office of godly and natural parents, when they study how to garnish, not their children's bodies with gay and sumptuous vestures, but their minds with noble and precious virtues, not bow to lift them up to transitory dignities & worldly honours, which as daily experience teacheth, are more brittle than glass, and fade away like the grass, but how to make them honourable and praise worthy in the sight of good men, and profitable to the common weal, through virtue, learning, wisdom, and counsel. And the more the parents themselves did excel other in knowledge, wisdom, and learning, the greater desire had they to bring their children unto the like perfection, bearing heavily, that theirs should in any point degenerate from their father's virtues, and not orderly answer to the godly qualities of their noble parents. Histories both godly and Ethnic, do minister unto us examples abundantly in this behalf, which I would here gladly recite, if I had not attempted the like enterprise already in my preface to the Governance of Virtue. Again, if I were not fully persuaded, that you have heretofore both red and also heard of your teacher the same, or else the like histories.  
Your right honourable and most worthy father, knowing the good pleasure of God in this behalf, hath also after the example of all other noble & godly parents, painfully travailed, both by himself and by learned teachers, to bring you up, even from your cradle, in the knowledge of God's will, and of good letters, that you might, as in age, so likewise in virtue and learning, grow and increase unto his comfort, unto your own commendation, & unto the profit of the common weal hereafter. And as your father is learned, and hath a breast stuffed with all godly virtues, so is his desire to have you both learned & virtuous, that when he shall give over to nature (God so disposing) he may leave behind him his own image, yea, as I may so speak, himself, not only in lineaments of body, but also in virtue, in godliness, in wisdom, in knowledge, and by this means be counted of his posterity, a worthy member of the common weal, both in himself and 〈◊〉 his son. It is your duty therefore to satisfy the good desire of so natural a father, and to answer the expectation of many, which look to find in you hereafter, that virtue, learning, wisdom, and gravity, that is evidently perceived in your most worthy father. This shall be brought to pass, if according to your beginning ye go forth diligently to call on the name of God, to apply your mind to good letters, to give ear to the wholesome admonitions of your most dear father, and to take heed to the daily exhortations of your teacher, ever framing your life according to your knowledge. And that ye may do this the more conveniently, I give you this little treatise, which shall abundantly instruct you in those points of Christian Religion, which at this present do most of all become your age. In it are contained the principles of our profession, which I have so opened with the conference of the other scriptures, that they may worthily seem to strive with large Commentaries: I have also set forth the duties of all estates and degrees, as they be ●aught in God's word, that all ages, and all kinds of people, may here learn to know their duty, both toward God & his neighbour. Neither is any thing taught in this treatise, that is not sufficiently fortressed with the authorities of the holy scriptures: so that I doubt not, but the godly learned which love to hear the voice of their shepherd Christ, will not disallow this my diligence. Let other entreat of high mysteries, & climb up to the highest heaven, I shall be content to write of things according to my knowledge, and your capacity, & to creep upon the ground. Let other talk of the unknown secrets of the blessed trinity, of predestination, of the state of the souls departed. etc. I will speak of the Articles of the Christian ●ayth, of the lords prayer, of the x. Commandments, of the Sacraments of Christ's church. etc. Let other be counted the flowers of learning, for opening, I know not how secret mysteries, I force not to be called unlearned, so that I may know Christ crucified, and in teaching him, either by my writings or sermons, win some unto God. But to end, embrace virtue, love learning, garnish your breast with the fruits of God's spirit, be not idle, fly vain and too much childish pastimes, spend your time fruitfully, exercise yourself in reading gods word: so shall God bless you, multiply your years on earth, and give you joyful days, unto the great comfort of yourself, and the singular joy of your honourable parents, whom with you I wish always prosperously to do.  
Far ye well.   

The Principles of Christian Religion.  

Of Faith.  

What faith is.  
FAith is a sure persuasion and an undoubted belief of the heart, in the merciful promises of God made to all faithful penitent sinners in Christ's blood, and freely performed of God the father for Christ's sake.   

What benefits we receive of God through faith.  
By faith, 
Eph. ij.  we which afore by nature were the children of wrath, are made the sons and children of God.  
☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
As many as received him, 
john. j  to them gave he power to be made the sons of God, even then that believed on his name, which were borne, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor yet of the will of man, but of God.  
All ye are the sons of God, 
Gal. iij.  because ye have believed on Christ jesu.  
By faith we which afore were sinners, 
Rom. iiij.  are justified and counted righteous in the sight of God for Christ's sake.  
☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
We plainly affirm, 
Rom. iij.  that a man is justified by faith, without the works of the law.  
We being justified by faith, 
Rom. v.  have peace toward God through our Lord jesus Christ.  
We know that a man is not justified by the deeds of the law, 
Gal. ij.  but by the faith of jesus Christ, & we have believed on jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, & not by the deeds of the law, because by the deeds of the law, no flesh shall be justified.  
As many of you as are justified by the law, 
Gal. v.  are fallen from grace. We look and hope for, in the spirit to be justified through faith. For in Ies● Christ, neither is circumcision any thing worth, neither yet uncircumcision, but faith, which worketh by love.  
By faith we are married unto Christ.  
☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
I will marry thee unto myself in faith, 
Ose. ij.  & thou shalt know the Lord.  
Faith is the wedding garment wherewith we be married unto Christ, 
Math. xii.  according to the parable which we read in the Gospel.  
By faith our prayers are accepted and heard of God.  
☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
All things whatsoever ye ask in prayer (if ye believe) ye shall receive them. 
Mat. xxj.   
Let him that prayeth ask in faith, 
jacob. j  and doubt not. For he that doubteth, is like a wave of the sea, which is tossed with the winds and carried with violence. Neither let that man think, that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  
By faith Christ's fulfilling of the law, is counted our fulfilling.  
☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Christ is the fulfilling of the law to justify all that believe. 
Rom. ●.   
Christ hath delivered us (he speaketh of the faithful) from the curse of the law, 
Gal. iij.  in as much as he was made accursed for our sakes.  
Be it known unto you, 
Act. xiii.  ye men and brethren, that through this man (Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and that by him all that believe are justified from all things, from the which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.  
By faith our works are allowed before God for Christ's sake.  
☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Whatsoever is not of faith, 
Rom. ●●.  is sin.  
Thine eyes (O Lord) look upon ●ayth. 
jere. v.   
Abel's sacrifice was allowed of God, 
Gene. iiij.  because it was done in faith. And so likewise were all the sacrifices, which the holy patriarchs and other godly men offered in the old law.  
By faith, everlasting life is given unto us for Christ's sake.  
☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wilderness, 
john. iij.  so must the son of man be lifted up, that every one that believeth on him, may not perisse, but have everlasting life. For God hath so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that every one that believeth in him, may not perish, but have everlasting life.  
He that believeth on the son, 
john. v.  hath everlasting life. But he that believeth not on the son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.  
He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into damnation, but is scaped from death unto life.  
This is the will of him that sent me, 
john. vj.  that every one which seeth the son, and believeth in him, hath everlasting life.   

¶ The xii. Articles of the Christian fayth● with confirmations of the same out of the holy scripture.  

¶ The first Article.  
I Believe in one God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.  

☜ The confirmations.  

I believe.  
Without faith it can not be that any man should please God. 
Heb. xj.  For he that cometh to God, must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him.   

In one God.  
Hear, 
Deut. vj.  O Israel, the Lord our God is the Lord only.  
I am God, 
Deut. 32.  
Esa. xiv.  & there is none but I.  
I am the Lord, & there is else none.  
I am the Lord, besides whom there is none other God. A true God, and such as saveth, there is none but I alone.  
I am he, 
Esa. xliij.  before whom there was never any God, neither shall there be any after me. I am, yea, I am Lord alone, and besides me there is no Saviour.  
I am the first and last, 
Esa. xliiij.  & besides me there is no God.  
We are sure, 
j Cor. viii.  that there is none other God but one.   

The Father.  
Thou (O Lord) art our father and redeemer. 
Esa. lxiij.  Thy name is from everlasting.  
Have not we all one father? 
Mal. ij.  Hath not one God created us? Why then doth every one of us despise his own brother, & so break the covenant of our fathers?  
Call no man your father upon the earth, 
Mat. 24.  for one is your father which is in heaven.  
We have but one God, 
j Cor. viii.  even the father, of whom all things are.  
One Lord, 
Eph. iiij.  one faith, one baptism, one God, and one father of all, which is above all, and through all, and in you all.   

Almighty.  
I am the almighty God, 
Gen. xv●.  walk before me, and be thou perfect.  
Thou (O Lord) art the great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord of Hosts, great in counsel, and excellent in work.  
Behold, 
jere. 32.  I am the Lord God of all flesh, is there any thing to hard for me? Shall any thing be unpossible in my sight, saith the Lord of Hosts?  
With God all things are possible. 
Mat. nineteen.  O Lord God almighty, true and righteous are thy judgements.   

Maker of heaven and earth.  
In the beginning God made heaven and earth. 
Gene. j   
The heavens (O Lord) are th●●●, 
Psa. 89.  the earth also is thine, thou hast laid the foundation of the round world, and all that therein is.  
The Lord made the heavens, 
Esa. xlij.  and spread them abroad, and set forth the earth with her increase, which giveth breath unto the people that is in it, and spirit to them that dwell therein.  
O Lord God, 
jere. 32.  it is thou that hast made haven and earth with thy great power and high arm▪ & there is nothing hid from thee.  
O Lord; 
Act. iiij.  thou art God, which hast made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.  
God made all things thorough jesus Christ. 
Ephe. iij.      

¶ The second Article.  
ANd in jesus Christ his only begotten Son our Lord.  

☜ The confirmations.  

And in jesus Christ.  
He that believeth on the son, 
john. ii●.  hath everlasting life. But he that believeth not on the son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth upon him.  
This is the work of God, 
john. vj.  that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.  
If ye believe not that I am he, 
Io●. seven.  ye shall die in your sins.  
Christ said to the blind man, whom he had made to see: dost thou bele●●a on the Soon of God? He answered and soyd: who is it Lord, that I might believe on him: jesus said unto him: Thou hast seen him, and he it is that talketh with thee. And he said: Lord, I believe: and he worshipped him.  
Christ said unto Martha: 
john. xj.  He that believeth on me, yea though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth on me, shall never die. believest thou this? She said unto him: yea Lord, I believe that thou art Christ the ●onne of God, which should come into the world.  
Ye believe in God; 
john. xiv.  believe also in me.  
This is God the father's commandment, 
j john. iij.  that we believe on the name of his son jesus Christ. He that believeth on the son of God, 
j john. v.  hath the witness in himself. He that believeth not God, hath made him a liar, because he believed not the record that God gave of his son. And this is that record, how that God hath gaven unto us eternal life, & this life is in his son.  
He that hath the son, hath life and he that hath not the son, hath not life.   

His only begotten Son.  
The Lord said unto me, 
Psal. ij.  y● art mine son, this day have I begotten thee.  
This is my well-beloved son, 
Math. iij.  in whom I am well pleased.  
Thou art Christ the son of the living God. 
Math. xv.   
God hath so loved the world, 
john. iij.  that he gave his only begotten son, that every one that believeth on him, may not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved by him.  
He that believeth on him, 
john. iij.  is not condemned: but he that believeth not, is already condemned, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten son of God.  
In this appeareth the love of God toward us, 
j joh. iiij.  because that God sent his only begotten son into the world, that we might live through him.   

Our Lord.  
I am the Lord, 
Esa. xlij.  and this is my name. My glory will I give to none other, neither mine honour to graven Images.  
God is faithful, 
j Cor. j  by whom ye are called unto the fellowship of his son jesus Christ our Lord.  
There is but one Lord, even jesus Christ, 
j Cor. viii.  by whom are all things, and we by him.  
Ye call me Master and Lord, 
john. xiii.  & ye say well, for so am I in deed.     

¶ The third Article.  
WHich was conceived by the holy ghost, borne of the Virgin Mary.  

☜ The confirmations.  

Which was conceived by the holy Ghost.  
joseph the son of David, 
Math. j  fear not to take unto thee Marry thy wife. For that which is conceived in her, cometh of the holy ghost.  
The holy ghost shall come upon thee, 
Luke. j  and the power of y ● ●iert shalt overshadow thee. Therefore, that holy thing which shall be borne, shall be called the son of God.   

Born of the Virgin Mary.  
Behold, 
Esa. seven.  a Virgin shall conceive and 〈◊〉 are a some, and thou shalt call his name Emanuel.  
Unto us is a child borne, 
Esa. ix.  and unto us a son is given.  
There shall come a rod forth of the kindred of I say, 
Esa. xj.  and a blossom shall flourish out of his root.  
jacob beg at joseph the husband of Mary, 
Math. j  of whom jesus was borne, which is called Christ.  
She shall bring forth a son, and y● shalt call his name jesus. For he shall save his people from their sins.  
Behold, 
Luke. ij.  thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bear a son, and shalt call his name jesus.  
When the time was full come, 
Gala. iiij.  God sent his son made of a woman & made bond unto the law.     

¶ The fourth Article.  
HE suffered under Ponce Pilate, was crucified, dead & buried. He descended into hell.  

☜ The confirmations.  

He suffered under Ponce Pilate.  
The kings of the earth stood up, 
Psal. ij.  and the rulers took counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed.  
Of a truth (O Lord) against thy holy child jesus (whom thou hast anointed) both Herode and also Ponce Pilate, 
Act. iiij.  with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, gathered themselves together in this city, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.  
I give thee the charge in the sight of God, 
Tim. vj.  which quickeneth all things, and before jesus Christ (which under Ponce Pilate, witnessed a good witnessing) that thou keep the commandment, and be without spot. etc.   

Was crucified.  
They pierced my hands and my feet. 
Psal. xxij.   
He was wounded for our offences, 
Esa. liij.  & smitten for our wickedness.  
They shall look upon me whom they have pierced. 
Zach. xii.   
As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness: 
john. iij.  so must the son of man be lifted up, that every one which believeth on him, may not perish, but have everlasting life.  
Ye seek jesus that was crucified. 
Math. 28.   
We preach Christ crucified. 
j Cor. j   
Christ his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, 
j Pet. ij.  that we being delivered from sin, should live unto righteousness. By whose stripes ye were healed.   

Dead.  
After this ixij. 
done. ix.  weeks shall Christ be flame, and they shall have no pleasure in him.  
When we were yet ●●u●ers; Christ died for us. 
Rom. v.   
Christ died for our sins, 
j Cor. xv.  according to the Scriptures.   

Buried.  
His grace was given him with the condeumed. 
Esa. liij.   
First of all I delivered unto you, 
j Cor. xv.  that which I received: how that Christ died for our sins, agreeing to the Scripture, and that he was buried.  
joseph and Nicodemus took jesus body, 
joh. nineteen.  and buried it in a new grave.   

He descended into hell.  
Thou shalt not leave my soul in hell, 
Psal. xuj.  neither shalt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption.  
Thou through the blood of thy covenant, 
Zaeh. ix.  shalt let the prisoners out of the pit, wherein is no water.  
O death, 
●se. xiii.  I will be thy death: O hell, I will be thy destruction.  
Christ hath once suffered for sins, 
j Pet. iij.  the just for the unjust, to bring us to God, and was killed as pertaining to the flesh, but was quickened in the spirit. In which spirit he also went, and preached unto the spirits that were in prison.     

¶ The fift Article.  
THe third day he rose again from the dead.  

☜ The confirmations.  
I laid me down and slept, 
Psal. iij.  and rose up again, for the Lord sustained me.  
After two days shall he quicken us, 
Ose. vj.  and in the third day shall he raise us up, so that we shall live in his sight.  
Ye slew the author of life, 
Act. iij.  whom God hath raised up from the dead.  
jesus Christ our Lord rose again from the dead. 
Rom. j   
Christ died for our sins, 
Rom. iilj.  & rose again for our justification.  
jesus Christ rose again the third day, 
j Cor. xv.  according to the Scriptures.  
Remember that jesus Christ of the seed of David, 
ij. Tim. ij.  rose again from death, according to my Gospel.    

¶ The sixth Article.  
HE ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.  

☜ The confirmations.  

He ascended into heaven.  
God is gone up with a merry noise, 
Psal. luj.  and the Lord with the sound of the trump.  
Thou art gone up on high, 
Psa. lxviij  thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men.  
It came to pass as he blessed them, 
Luke. 24.  he departed from them, and was carried up into heaven.  
jesus was taken up on high, 
Act. j  and a cloud received him up out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly up toward heaven, as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, which also said: ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as ye have seen him go into heaven.  
When he went on high, 
Ephe. iiij.  he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. That he ascended: what meaneth it? but that he also descended first into the lowest parts of the earth? He y● descended, is even the same also that ascended up above all heavens, to fulfil all things.  
And sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty.    

☜ The confirmations.  
The Lord said unto my Lord: 
Psal. cx.  sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.  
When the Lord had spoken unto them, 
Mar. xuj.  he was received into heaven, and is sitting on the right hand of God.  
Christ is on the right hand of God, 
Rom. viii.  and maketh intercession for us.  
If ye be risen again with Christ, 
Coloss. iij.  seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  
Christ hath by his own person purged our sins, 
Heb. j  & sitteth on the right hand of the majesty on high.    

¶ The seventh Article.  
FRom thence he shall come to judge the quick and dead.  

☜ The confirmations.  
The Lord shall judge the world with righteousness, 
Psa. xcviij  and the people with equity.  
Read the xxv. chapped. of S. Mathewes Gospel.  
The father hath committed all judgement unto the son, 
john. v.  because that all men should honour the son, as they honour the father.  
Christ was ordained of God to be judge of quick and dead. 
Act. x.   
We must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, 
ij. Cor. v.  that every man may receive the works of his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  
Our conversation is in heaven, 
Phil. iij.  from whence we look for a Saviour, even the Lord jesus Christ, which shall change our vile body, that he may make it like unto his glorious body, according to the working, whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.  
The Lord jesus Christ shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing in his kingdom. 
ij. Tim. iiij.   
God is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 
j Pet. iiij.     

¶ The eight Article.  
I believe in the holy Ghost.  

☜ The confirmations.  
The spirit of God moved upon 
Gene. j  the face of the waters.  
Take not thy holy spirit from me. 
Psal. lj.   
When Christ was baptized, 
Math. iij.  the holy ghost came down upon hy● in the likeness of a dove.  
Christ commanded his disciples to baptize in the name of the father, 
Mat. 28.  and of the son, and of the holy ghost.  
The holy ghost shall reprove the world of sin. 
john. xuj.   
There are three which give witness in heaven, 
j joh. v.  the father, the son, and the holy ghost, and they three are one.    

¶ The ninth Article.  
I Believe the holy universal congregation: which is the fellowship of Saints.  

☜ The confirmations.  
If he will not hear the congregation, 
Mat. xviij  let him be unto thee as an heathen man, and as a Publican.  
Christ loved the congregation, 
Eph. v.  and gave himself for it, to sanctify it, and cleansed it in the fountain of water through the word, to make it unto himself a glorious congregation, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, that it should be holy, and without blame.  
I writ these things unto thee, 
j Tim. iij.  that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the congregation of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.  
All that believed kept themselves together, 
Acts. ij.  and had all things common, and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they continued daily with one accord in the temple, & broke bread from house to house, and did eat their meat together with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God.  
The multitude of them that believed, 
Act. iiij.  were of one heart, and of one soul. Neither said any of them, that aught of the things which he possessed, was his own, but they had all things common. And great grace was with them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked. For as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the price of the things that were sold, and laid it down at the Apostles feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.    

¶ The tenth Article.  
I Believe in the forgiveness of sins.  

☜ The confirmations.  
I am he, 
Psal. xliiij  yea, I am he, which put away thine iniquities, and that for mine own sake, and will remember them no more.  
The Lord shall put down our wickednesses, 
Mich. seven.  & cast all our sins into the bottom of the sea.  
Look how wide the east is from 
Psal. ciij  the west, so far hath he set our sins from us.  
Yea, 
Esa. liij.  like as a father pitieth his own children: even so is the Lord merciful unto all them that fear him. For he knoweth perfectly whereof we be made, he remembreth that we are but dust.  
Christ hath taken upon him our infirmities, 
Mat. viii.  and borne our diseases.  
The son of man came to seek and save that was lost. 
Luk. nineteen.   
All that believe in Christ, 
john. iij.  shall not perish, but have everlasting life.  
This is a true saying, 
j Tim. j  and worthy to be noted, that Christ jesus came into the world to save sinners.  
The blood of jesus Christ maketh us clean from all sin. 
j john j  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, & the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to make us clean from all iniquity.    

¶ The xj. Article.  
I Believe the resurrection of the body.  

☜ The confirmations.  
I believe that my redeemer liveth, 
joh. nineteen.  and that I shall rise out of the earth in the latter day: and that I shall be clothed again with this skin, and see God my Saviour in my flesh. Yea, I myself shall behold him, not with other eyes, but with these same eyes. This hope is steadfastly set in my heart.  
Thy dead men shall live, 
Psa. xxuj.  even with my body shall they rise again. Awake and sing ye that dwell in the dust. For thy dew is even as the dew of herbs, & the earth shall cast out them that be under her.  
O ye dry bones, 
Ezech. 37.  he are the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones: behold, I will put breath unto you, that ye may live: I will give you sinews, and make flesh grow upon you, and cover you over with skin: and so give you breath, that ye may live, and know that I am the Lord.  
Behold, I will open your graves (O my people) and take you out of your Sepulchres.  
The hour shall come, 
john. v.  in the which all that are in the graves, shall hear the voice of the son of God, and shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life: and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.  
If Christ be preached how that he rose from the dead, 
j Cor. xv.  how say some among you, that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there be no rising again of the dead, then is Christ not risen again? If Christ be not risen again, then is our preaching in vain, and your faith also is in vain.  
Read the whole Chapter.  
We know that he which raised 
ij. Cor. iij.  up the Lord jesus, shall raise us up also by the means of jesus.  
If we believe that jesus died, and rose again, even them also which sleep by jesus, will God bring again with him.  
Read the latter end of the chapter.    

¶ The xii. Article.  
I Believe everlasting life.  

☜ The confirmations.  
Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth, 
Dan. xii.  shall awake: some to everlasting life, some to perpetual shame & reproof. The wise (such as have taught 〈◊〉 her) shall glister 〈◊〉 the shining of heaven: and those that have instructed the multitude unto godliness, shall be as the stars, world without end.  
¶ Read the. 2. Chapter of the 4. book of E●●ras.  
The righteous shall go into everlasting life. 
Mat. xxv.   
My sheep hear my voice, 
john. x.  & I know them, and they follow me, and I give them everlasting life.  
This is everlasting life, 
joh. x●●.  even to know thee that alone true God, and whom thou hast sent jesus Christ.  
O Father, these that thou hast given me, I will that where I am, there also they be with me, that they may see my glory, which thou hast given me.  
The eye hath not seen, 
j Cor. ij.  and the ear hath not heard, neither have the things entered into the heart of man, which God hath prepared for them th●t love him.  
We know that if our earthly mansion of this dwelling were destroyed, 
ij. Cor. v.  we have a building of God, an habitation not made with hands, but everlasting in heaven. Amen.  
¶ All these Articles aforesaid, I with my whole heart believe, & with my mouth unfeignedly confess to be true and agreeable to God's holy word.     

¶ The Prayer of the Apostles.  
Lord increase our faith.    

¶ Of Prayer.  

¶ What Prayer is.  
PRayer is a lifting up of a pure mind unto God, wherein we ask somewhat of God that is agreeable to his holy will.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
We know not what we should desire & pray for as we ought, 
Rom. viii.  nevertheless the spirit itself maketh intercession mightily for us, with unspeakable groanings. Howbeit, he that searcheth the heart, knoweth what the mind of the spirit is: for he maketh intercession for the saints, according to the pleasure of God.  
The time cometh, 
john. iiij.  and is now already, that the true worshippers shall worship in spirit and truth. For the father will have such to worship him. God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and truth.  
We are the circumcision, 
Phil. iij.  even we that serve God in spirit.  
I will that all men pray in all places, 
j Tim. ij.  lifting up pure hands without wrath and strife.  
This people honoureth me with their lips, 
Math. ●j.  but their hearts is far from me, verily they worship me in vain.  
Ask and it shall be given you: 
Math. seven.  Seek and ye shall find: knock and it shall be opened unto you. For whosoever asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.  
This is the trust that we have in God, 
j job. v.  that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. And if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the peticious that we desire of him.    

What benefits we receive of God by prayer.  

By prayer we are delivered out of trouble.  
☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
When I was in trouble, 
Psal. .  I called upon the Lord, and he graciously heard me.  
Call on me in the day of trouble, 
Psal. l.  and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt honour me.  
He shall call upon me, 
Psal. xcj  and I will hear him: yea, I am with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and bring him to honour.  
When any man in his trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, 
2. Chro. 15  and sought him, he was found of him.   

By prayer we are preserved from our enemies.  
☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
I will call upon the Lord which 
Psal. nineteen.  is worthy to be praised: so shall I be safe from mine enemies.  
King Ezechias by prayer was delivered from the proud wicked tyrant Senacherib, 
4. Reg. 19  both he and all his.  
So likewise was joseph, Daniel, Susanna, Peter. etc.   

By prayer we get the victory of our enemies in battle.  
☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
The people of Israel got the victory over the Amalechites, 
Exod. xvij.  so long as Moses prayed for them.  
When the black moor came out to fight against Asa King of juda, 
2. Chro. 14  Asa prayed unto the Lord, and the Lord gave him the victory, so that all his enemies were destroyed in battle. Read the chapter.  
judas Machabeus after he had called on the name of the Lord, 
1. Mach. 4.  got a noble victory of Gorgias and his company.   

By prayer we obtain health of body.  
☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
The miracles which Christ wrought upon them that were diseased, & fled unto him for help with faithful prayer, prove this true.   

By prayer we obtain all things necessary for the body.  
☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Moses' by prayer obtained Mamna from heaven for the Israelites. 
Exod. xuj   
Helias by prayer obtained rain of God to water the earth. 
3. Reg. 18.    

By prayer our sins are forgiven us.  
☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
I said I will confess my sins unto the Lord, 
Psa. xxxij  and thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin. For this shall every one that is godly, make his prayer to thee, in a time when thou mayest be found.  
I forgave thee all that det, 
Mat. xvij.  when thou desiredst me.  
The sinful Publicave praying 
Luke xviij  for remission of his sins, went home more righteous in the sight of God, than the proud Pharisey.  
If any be diseased among you, 
jacob. v.  let him call for the elders of the congregation, and let them pray over him, and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.   

By prayer we overcome the devil, and all our ghostly enemies.  
☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
This kind of devils is not cast out but by prayer and fasting. 
Mat. viii.   
Watch and pray, 
Mat. 26.  that ye fall not into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.   

By prayer we obtain God the holy Ghost.  
☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
If ye which are evil, 
Luke. xj.  can give your children good gifts, how much more shall your father which is in heaven, give the holy ghost to them that desire it of him.  
As the disciples of Christ were gathered together in one place, 
Act. j ij.  and continued in prayer, they were all filled with the holy ghost.   

By prayer we obtain all good things, both for the body and soul.  
☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
What things soever ye desire when ye pray, 
Mark. xj.  believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.  
The harvest is much, 
Math. ix.  but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send labourers into his harvest.  
If any of you lack wisdom, 
jacob. j  let him ask of him that giveth it, even God which giveth to all men indifferently, and casteth no man in the teeth, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith. etc.  
The Lord is even at hand. 
Phil. iiij.  Be careful for nothing: but in all prayer and supplication, let your petitions be known unto God with thank esgeving.  
¶ Many other benefits receive we of God through prayer, which here to rehearse, were to long. Read diligently my book, called the Pathway unto Prayer, and that shall sufficiently instruct thee in all things concerning prayer.    

¶ The lords prayer called the Pater noster, with confirmations of every Petition, out of the holy Scripture.  
The Disciples said unto Christ: 
Luke. xj.  Lord teach us to pray. And he said unto them: when ye pray, say: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. etc.  

¶ The Preface of the lords Prayer.  
Our Father which art in heaven.  

☞ The confirmations.  

Our Father.  
Is not the Lord God the father and thine honour? 
Es●. lxiij.  Hath he not made thee & ordained thee? Thou O Lord God, art our father and redeemer.  
Have we not all one father? 
Malac. 2.  Hath not God made us? no ●hy doth every one of us then despise his own brother?  
Should not a son honour his father, 
Malac. j  and a servant his master? If I be now a Father, where is mine honour? If I be a Lord, where is my fear?  
Ye have not received the spirit of bondage to fear any more, 
Rom. viii.  but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba (that is to say) father. The same spirit certifieth our spirit, that we are the sons of God. If we be sons, then are we also heirs, the heirs I mean of God, & fellow heirs annexed with Christ.   

Which art in Heaven.  
Heaven is my seat▪ 
Esa. lxuj.  and the earth is my footstool.  
The Lord hath prepared his seat in heaven. 
Psal. cij.   
Our God is in heaven, 
Psal. ●xv.  he doth whatsoever pleaseth him.  
Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, 
Psal. ciij  which dwellest in the heavens.  
Call no man father upon earth, 
Mat. xxi●.  for one is your father, which is in heaven.     

¶ The first Petition.  
HAllowed be thy name.  

☞ The confirmations.  
I will make the name of my holiness to be known among my people of Israel, 
Ezech. 39  and I will not let my holy name to be evil spoken of any more, but the very heathen also shall know that I am the Lord, the holy one of Israel.  
The time shall come, 
joel. 2.  that who soever calleth on the name of the Lord, shall be saved.  
From the rising up of the Sun, 
Malac. j  unto the going down of the same, my name is great among the Gentry's, yea, and that in all places.  
The Lord gave, 
job. j  and the Lord hath taken away. Now blessed be the name of the Lord.  
Sing unto the Lord, 
Psal. ix.  and praise his name. Bee telling of his salvation from day to day. Declare his honour among the Heathen and his wonders among all people.  
I will declare thy name unto my brethren. 
Psal. xxj.  In the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.  
The name of the Lord is a strong Tower, 
Pro. xviij  the righteous flieth unto it, and shall be saved.  
By Christ do we offer the sacrifice of prayer always unto God, 
Heb. xiii.  that is to say, the fruit of those lips which confess his name.    

¶ The second Petition.  
THy Kingdom come.  

☞ The confirmations.  
Seek first the kingdom of God, 
Math. vj.  and the righteousness thereof, and all things shall be ministered unto you.  
The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, 
Mat. xj.  & the violent pluck it unto them.  
Who soever receiveth not the kingdom of God as a child, 
Luk. xvi●●  he shall not enter into it.  
Except a man be borne of water and of the spirit, 
john. iij.  he can not enter into the kingdom of God.  
The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, 
Rom. xiv  but righteousness, peace, & joy in the holy ghost.  
The kingdom of God is not in words, 
j Cor. iiij.  but in power.    

¶ The third Petition.  
THy will be done, as in heaven, so likewise in earth.  

☞ The confirmations.  
Teach me (O Lord) to do thy will, 
Psal. cxlij.  for thou art my God.  
Not every one that saith unto me, 
Math. viii.  Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doth the will of my father which is in heaven.  
Whosoever doth the will of my father which is in heaven, 
Mat. xii.  he is my brother, sister, and mother.  
This is the will of him that sent me, 
john. vj.  that whosoever seeth the son, and believeth on him, hath everlasting life.  
Fashion not yourselves like unto this world, 
Rom. xii.  but be ye changed through the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove, what thing that good and acceptable and perfect will of God is.  
This is the will of God, 
1. Thess. 4.  even your sanctifying, that ye abstain from whoredom, that every one of you know how to keep his vessel in hol●●es and honour, and not in the lust of concupiscence, as the heathen do which know not God.  
For as much as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, 
j Pet. iiij●.  arm ye yourselves likewise with the same mind. For he which suffereth in the flesh, ceaseth from sin, that he from hence forth should live (as long time as he remaineth in the flesh) not after the lusts of men, but after the will of God. For it is sufficient for us, that we have spent the time that is passed of the life, after the will of the Gentiles, walking in wantonness, lusts, excess of drinking, and abominable idolatry.    

¶ The fourth Petition.  
Give us this day our daily bread.  

☞ The confirmations.  
I have been young & now am old, 
Psal. 37.  & yet saw I never the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread. He is ever merciful and dareth, & yet have his children Gods plenty and enough.  
The eyes of all wait upon thee (O Lord) and thou givest them their meat in due season. 
Esa. cxlv.  Thou openest thy hand, and fillest every living creature with thy blessing.  
The Lord will not let the soul of the righteous suffer hunger: 
Prou. x.  but he taketh away the riches of the ungodly.  
The blessing of the Lord maketh men rich: as for careful travail, it doth nothing thereto.  
Two things have I required of thee, 
Pro●. thirty.  that thou wilt not deny me before I die. Remove from me vanity and lies. give me neither poverty nor riches, only grant me a necessary living, lest if I be too full, I deny thee, and say: who is the Lord? And lest I being constrained through poverty, fall unto stealing, and forswear the name of my God.  
Be not careful for your life, 
Mat. vj.  what ye shall eat or drink, nor yet for your body, what raiment ye shall wear. Is not the life more worth than meat? and the body more of value then raiment? Read forth the chapter.  
Cast all your care on God, 
j Pet. v.  for he careth for you.    

¶ The fift Petition.  
ANd forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtor.  

☞ The confirmations.  

And forgive us.  
I am he, 
Esa. xlv.  yea, I am he, which put away thine iniquities, and that for mine own sake, and will remember thy sins no more.  
As for thine offences, 
Esa. xliiij.  I drive them away like the clouds, & thy sins as the mist. Turn thee again unto me, and I will deliver thee.  
God is the king which forgiveth his servant the ten thousand talentes. 
Mat. xviij   
No man can forgive sin but God alone. 
Mark. ij.   
God is the most loving father, 
Luke. v. and xu  which joyfully receiveth home again his lost son, when he repenteth and converteth.   

Our debts.  
They are all gone out of the way, 
Psal. xiv.  they are altogether abominable, there is none that doth good, no not one.  
Who can tell, 
Psal. nineteen.  how oft he offendeth? Oh cleanse thou me from my secret faults.  
Who can say, 
Prou. xx.  my heart is clean, I am free from sin.  
There is not one righteous man in all the earth, 
Eccle. seven.  that doth good, and sinneth not.  
Behold, 
job. iiij. xv. xxv.  God hath found unfaithfulness among his own Saints, Yea, the very heavens is unclean in his sight. How much more than abominable and vile is man, which drinketh wickedness like water.  
All the children of men are wicked, 
3. Esa. 4.  & all their works are nought, neither is there any truth in them.  
All are hypocrites and wicked. 
Esa ix.   
We are all become unclean, 
Esa. ●xiiij.  and all our righteousnesses are as a cloth polluted with menstrue.  
We are all unprofitable servants. 
Luke xvij.   
All have sinned, 
Rom. iij.  and want the glory of God.  
If we say we have no sin, 
j john. j  we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to make us clean from all iniquity.   

As we forgive our debtor.  
He that seeketh vengeance shall find vengeance of the Lord, 
Eccle.. 28.  which shall surely keep him his sins. forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done thee, and so shall thy sins be forgiven thee also, when thou prayest. A man that beareth hatred against an other, how dare he desire forgiveness of God? He that showeth no mercy to a man which is like himself, how dare he ask forgiveness of his sins? If he that is but flesh, beareth hatred and keepeth it, who will entreat for his sins? Remember the end, and let enmity pass.  
If ye forgive other men their trespasses, 
Mat. vj.  the heavenly Father shall forgive you. But if ye will not forgive men their trespasses, no more shall your Father forgive you your trespasses.  
When ye stand & pray, 
Mark. xj.  forgive if ye have aught against any man, that your father also which is in heaven, may forgive you your trespasses.  
forgive, 
Luke. vj.  and it shallbe forgiven unto you.  
Forbear one an other, 
Coloss. iij.  and forgive one an other. If any man have a quarrel against an other, like as Christ hath forgiven you, even so do ye likewise.  
Christ forgave his persecutors, 
Luk. twenty-three  and prayed for them saying: father forgive them, for they know not what they do.  
S. Stephen forgave his enemies, 
Act. seven.  and prayed for them on this manner: O Lord lay not this sin to their charge.     

¶ The sixth Petition.  
ANd lead us not into temptation.  

☞ The confirmations.  
My Son, 
Eccle ij.  if thou wilt come into the service of God, stand fast in righteousness and fear, & arm thy soul to temptation. etc.  
Watch and pray that ye fall not 
Mat. xxuj  into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.  
Blessed is the man that standeth fast in temptation. 
jacob. j  For when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  
Let no man say when he is tempted that he is tempted of God: For as God cannot be tempted with evil, so neither he himself tempteth any man unto evil. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away, and enticed of his own concupiscence. Then when lust hath conceived, she bringeth forth sin, and sin when it is done in deed bringeth forth death.    

¶ The seventh Petition.  
But deliver us from evil.  

☞ The confirmations.  
Satan hath desired after you, 
Luk. xxij.  that he might sift you even as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, O Simon, that thy faith may not fail: And when thou art converted, strength thy brethren.  
God is faithful, 
j Cor. ij.  which will not suffer you to be tempted above your strength: but shall in the midst of the temptation, make a way to come out, that ye may be able to bear it.  
Be sober and watch, 
j Pet. v.  for your adversary the devil walketh about like a roaring Lion seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist steadfast in the faith.  
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of the temptation. 
ij. Pet. ij.   
We know that whosoever is borne of God, 
j joh. v.  sinneth not, but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked toucheth him not.    

¶ The conclusion of the lords Prayer.  
FOr thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.  

☞ The confirmations.  
Blessed be thou Lord God of Israel our father for ever and ever. 
1. Chro. 29.  Thine (O Lord) is might, power, glory, victory, and praise: for all that is in heaven and in earth, is thine: thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou excellest above all, even as the head of all. Thine are the riches, treasures, honour & dominion over all, and in thy hands is the virtue, might, power, excellency, empire, and rule upon and above all things. Wherefore now (O our God) we give laud, praise, and glory to thy most noble name.  
Of him, 
Rom. xj.  and through him, and in him, are all things. To him be praise for ever.  
To God, 
Rom. xuj.  which alone is wife, be glory through jesus Christ for ever.  
Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, 
Ephe. iij.  according to the power that worketh in us, be praise in the congregation by Christ jesus, throughout all ages, world without end.  
Unto God, king everlasting, 
j Tim. j  immortal, invisible, alone wise, be honour, and glory, for ever & ever.  
Thou art worthy (O Lord) to receive glory, 
Apoc. iiij.  and honour, & power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy wills sake, they were and are created.  
Blessing, 
Apoc. v.  honour, glory, & power, be unto him that sitteth upon the seat, and unto the Lamb for ever more, Amen.  
¶ All these Petitions, I undoubtedly believe that I shall enjoy, when soever I ask them in faith of God my heavenly father, through jesus Christ our Lord.      

¶ Of the Law.  

¶ What the Law is.  
THe Law of God is a doctrine prescribing unto us what we ought to do, 
L●●d. x●●.  and what to eschew, both toward God and our neighbour.  

☞ The confirmations.  
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.  
Thou shalt not take the name of thy Lord God in vain.  
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  
Thou shalt not kill.  
Thou shalt not steal.    

¶ To what use the law was given.  
first, that it should declare unto us the will of God, how we ought to live, and what works we ought to do, that we may please the Lord our God.  

☞ The confirmations.  
The law of the Lord is an undefiled 
Psal. nineteen.  law, converting souls. The testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom to the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light to the eyes.  
Thy word is a lantern to my feet, 
Psal. cxi●. &. exlvij.  & a light to my pathways. He showeth his word unto jacob, his statutes and ordinances unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation, neither have the heathen knowledge of his laws.    

Secondly, that it should reveal and open unto us, our sin and wickedness, while we consider how unable we be of ourselves to do that, which the holy, righteous, & good law of God requireth of us to be done.  

☞ The confirmations.  
By the law cometh the knowledge of sin. 
Rom. iij.   
The law entered in, 
Rom. v.  that sin should increase.  
What shall we say? 
Rom. seven.  is the law sin? God forbidden. Nay, I knew not what sin meant, but by the law: for I had not known what lust had meant, except the law had said: Thou shalt not lust. But sin took an occasion by the means of the commandment, & wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. I once lived without the law: but when the commandment came, sin 〈◊〉, & I was dead. And the very same commandment, which was ordained unto life, was found to be unto me an occasion of death. For sin took occasion by the means of the commandment, & so deceived me, & by the same commandment s●ue me.  
The sting of death is sin: 
j Cor. xv.  and the strength of sin is the law.  
The letter, 
ij. Cor. iij.  that is to say, the law killeth.  
The law is the ministering of condemnation. 
john. seven.   
Moses (saith Christ) gave you a law, and yet none of you fulfilleth the law in deed.    

Thirdly, after we have learned our weakness, our wretchedness, our sin, our wickedness, by comparing our strength and life with the law of God, which proveth us all sinners, and worthy of eternal damnation, lest we should fall into desperation, and so be damned, the law was given of God, to be a Schoolmaster unto us to lead us unto Christ, the alone end and perfect fulfiller of all the laws of God, that we through faith, taking upon us his righteousness, and his fulfilling of the law, might be found blameless through him, in the sight of God, and to be made inheritors of everlasting glory.  

☞ The confirmations.  
The law was our Schoolmaster unto Christ, 
Gala. iij.  that we should be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under the Schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God, because ye believe in Christ jesu.  
The law brought nothyug to perfection, 
Heb. seven.  but was an introduction to a better hope, by the which we drawnie unto God.  
Be it known unto you (ye men and brethren) that through this man Christ, 
Act. xiii.  is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, & that by him all that believe are justified from all things, from the which ye could not he justified by the law of Moses.  
Why tempt ye God, 
Act. xv.  to put on the Disciples necks the yoke, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear. But we believe, that thorough the grace of the Lord jesus Christ, we shall be saved.  
Christ is the fulfilling of the law, 
Rom. x.  to justify all that believe.  
Christ hath delivered us from the curse of the law, 
Gala. iij.  in as much as he was made accursed for us.    

¶ The x. Commandments of God, with confirmations of every Commandment out of the holy scripture.  
¶ The first Table of the Law, containing four Commandments, wherein is declared our duty to God.  

¶ The first Commandment.  
I Am the Lord thy God, 
Exod. x●.  which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no strange Gods before me.  

☜ The confirmations.  
The Lord he is God, 
Deut. iiij.  and there is none but he alone.  
Understand and think it in thy heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, & upon the earth beneath: neither is there any other.  
Hear O Israel: 
Deut. vj.  The Lord our God is God alone. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, & with all thy might.  
Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him alone.  
If thou forget the Lord thy God, & 
Deut. viii.  walk after strange Gods, and serve them and worship them: I testify unto you, that ye shall surely perish.  
Now O Israel, 
Deut. x.  what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but that thou shouldest fear the Lord thy God and walk in his ways, and love him, and serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart, & with all thy soul, and keep the commandments of the Lord?  
If thine heart turn away from God, 
Deut. thirty  so that thou wilt not hear his word, but go astray, and worship strange Gods, and serve them: I pronounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and not live long on the earth.  
See now how that I, 
Deut. 32.  yea, that I am God, & there is none but I.  
I will assure thee (O Israel) if thou wilt ●arken unto me: 
Psal. 81.  There shall no strange God be in thee, neither shalt thou worship any other God. I am the Lord thy God.  
Besides me there was never any God, 
Esa. xliij.  neither shall there be after me. I am, yea, I am the Lord alone, & besides me there is no Saviour.  
There is none other God but I. 
Esa. xlv.  A true God, and such a one as saveth, there is none but I alone.  
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 
Mat. xxij.  and with all thy soul, and with● all thy mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  
This is everlasting life, 
joh. xvij.  even to know thee y● alone true God, and whom thou hast sent jesus Christ.  
There is none other God but one. 
j Cor. viii.  And although there be that are called Gods, whether in heaven, or in earth (as there be many Gods, and many Lords) yet unto us there is but one God.  
There is one God, 
●. Tim. iiij.  and one Mediator.    

¶ The second Commandment.  
THou shalt not make to thyself any graven image, 
Exod. xx.  nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, nor in the earth beneath, nor in the waters under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down to them, nor worship them: For I the Lord thy God, am a jealous God, and visit the sins of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: and show mercy unto thousands to them that love me, and keep my Commandments.  

☜ The confirmations.  
Ye shall not turn unto Idols, 
levit. nineteen  nor make you Gods of metal.  
Take heed unto yourselves, 
Deut. iiij.  that ye forget not the appointment of the Lord your God, which he made with you, and that ye make you no graven image, nor any picture that the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee. For the Lord thy God is a consuming fire, & a jealous God. If ye do wickedly, and make any manner of graven image, and work evil in the sight of the Lord thy God, to provoke him to anger, I call heaven and earth to record against you this day, that ye shall shortly perish.  
Ye shall overthrow the altars of the Idols, 
Deut. seven.  & break down their pillars, cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. For thou art an holy nation unto the Lord thy God.  
Cursed be the man that maketh any carved or molten image (an abomination unto the Lord, 
Deut. 27.  the work of the hands of the craftsman) & putteth it in a secret place: and all the people shall answer, and say, Amen.  
Confounded be all they that worship carved images, 
Psa. xcvij  and that delight in vain Gods.  
I am the Lord, 
Esa. xlij.  and this is my name. My glory will I give to none other, neither mine honour to graven Images.  
¶ Read the 44. and 46. chapters of Esay.  
Be converted and forsake your Idols. 
Ezecb. 14.   
The seeking out of Idols is the beginning of whoredom, 
Sap. xiv.  and the bringing up of them, is the destruction of life. For they were not from the beginning, neither shall they continue unto the end. The wealthy idleness of men hath found them out upon the earth, therefore shall they come shortly to an end. The honouring of abominable images, is the cause, the beginning, and the end of all evil.  
¶ Read the 13. 14. 15. and 16. chapters of Wisdom. Read also the 6. chapter of the Prophet Baruck.  
We preach unto you, 
Act. xiv.  that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.  
My sentence is, 
Act. xv.  that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God, but that we writ unto them, that they abstain themselves from the filthiness of Images.  
They are not Gods, 
Act. nineteen.  which are made with hands.  
Be not worshippers of Images. 
j Cor. x.   
No worshippers of images shall inherit the kingdom of God. 
j Cor. vj.   
Babes, 
j Io●. v.  keep yourselves from Images.    

¶ The third Commandment.  
THou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: 
Exod. xx.  for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.  

☜ The confirmations.  
Ye shall not swear by my name in vain: 
levit. nineteen.  neither shalt thou defile the name of thy God. I am the Lord.  
He that hath not sworn to deceive his neighbour: 
Psa. xxii●●  he shall receive blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God his Saviour.  
He that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, 
levit. 24.  let him be slain, and all the multitude shall stone him to death.  
Thou shalt swear, the Lord liveth, in truth, 
jere. iiij.  in equity, and righteousness.  
My curse and vengeance (saith the Lord) shall fall upon his house, 
Zacb. v.  that falsely sweareth by my name: and shall remain in his house, and consume it, with the timber and stones thereof.  
Ye have heard how it was said to them of old time: 
Mat. v.  thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord those things that thou swearest. But I say unto you, swear not at all: neither by the heaven, for it is God's seat: neither by the earth, for it is his footstool: neither by jerusalem, for it is the city of the great king: neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hear white or black. But your communication shall be yea, yea, and nay, nay. For what soever is added more than these, it cometh of evil.  
Above all things, 
jacob. v.  my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, nor by earth, neither any other oath: but let your yea, be yea, and your nay, nay, lest ye fall into hypocrisy.  
Let not thy mouth be accustomed with swearing, 
Eccle. ●●.  for in it there are many falls.  
A man that useth much swearing, shall be filled with wickedness, and the plague shall never go from his house. And if he swear in vain, he shall not be found righteous, for his house shall be full of plagues.  
The words of the swearer bring death (God grant that it be not found in the house of jacob) but they that fear God, esehue all such, and lie not weltering in 〈◊〉.  
O praise the Lord with me, 
Psal. 35.  and let us magnify his 〈◊〉 together.  
All our glory is in God all the day long, 
Psa. xliiij.  and we will praise thy name for ever.  
Call on me in the day of trouble, 
Psal. l.  and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt honour me.  
Because he hath trusted in me, 
Psal. xcj  I will deliver him: yea, I will defend him, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will hear him: yea, I am with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and bring him to honour. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.  
The name of the Lord is a strong Tower, 
Prs. xviij  the righteous flieth unto it, and shall be saved.  
The time shall come, 
joel. 2.  that who soever calleth on the name of the Lord, shall be saved.    

¶ The fourth Commandment.  
REmember that thou keep holy the Sabbaoth day. 
Exod. xx.  Six days shalt thou labour and do all that thou hast to do, but the seven day is the Sabbaoth of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt do no manner of work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbaoth day, and ●allowed it.  

☜ The confirmations.  
In any wise see that ye keep my Sabbaothes: 
Exod. 31.  for it is a sign between me and you, in your generations, for to know, that I the Lord am he, that doth sanctify you.  
The man that was found gathering sticks on the Sabbaoth day, 
Num. xv.  was stoned to death, at the commandment of God.  
Blessed is the man that taketh 
Esa. luj.  heed, that he unhalloweth not the Sabbaoth (that is to say) keepeth himself so, that he do no evil. All they which keep themselves that they unhallow not the Sabbaoth, I mean, that they fulfil my covenant: them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer.  
If thou on the Sabbaoth day turn thy feet, 
Esa. lviij.  so that thou do not the thing which pleaseth thyself in my holy day, but givest God the honour, so that thou do not after thine own imagination, neither seek thine own will, nor speak thine own words: then shalt thou have thy pleasure in the Lord, and I will carry thee high above the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of jacob thy father: for the Lords own mouth hath so promised.  
There shall be a new Sabbaoth for the other old Sabbaoth, 
Esa. lxvi.  and all 〈◊〉 shall come to worship before me, saith the Lord.  
There remaineth yet a rest to the people of God. 
Heb. iiij.  For he that is entered into his rest, ●ath ceased also from his own works, as God did from his. Let us study therefore, to enter into that rest, least any man fall after the same ensample of unbelief.  

¶ What it is to keep holy the Sabbaoth day.  
To keep holy the Sabbaoth day, 〈…〉 from bodily labour, that thou shouldest the more licentiously give thy mind to the wearing of gallant apparel, to ba●cketting, to idle talk, to vain pastime, & such other filthy pleasures of the flesh, but that thou setting aside all worldly business, shouldest the more freely apply thyself to read, hear, and learn the wo●d of God, to pray in the temple with the congregation, to be thankful to God for his benefits, to be present at the ministration of the holy Sacraments, to be partaker of the mysteries of the lords body and blood, to give some good thing to the relief of the poor, to visit and comfort the sick, & them that are in prison, and casting away the works of the flesh, wholly to exercise thyself in the fruits of the spirit.      

¶ The second Table of the Law, containing ●ixe Commandments, wherein is declared our duty towards our neighbour.  

¶ The fift Commandment.  
HOnour thy father and thy mother, 
Exod. xx.  that thy days may be long in the land, which the Lord thy God g●●eth thee.  

☞ The confirmations.  
Ye shall reverence every man his father and his mother. 
levit. nineteen   
Whosoever he be that curseth his father or his mother, 
levit. xx.  let him die: for he that hath cursed his father and mother, his blood be upon him.  
He that smiteth his father or mother, 
Exod. xxj.  let him be slain for it.  
If any man have a son that is stubborn and disobedient, 
Deut. xxj.  that he will not hearken unto the voice of his father, nor the voice of his mother, & they have chastened him, & he will not obey them: then shall his father & his mother take him, & bring him out unto the elders of that city, & to the gates of that same place, & say unto the elders of the city: this our son is stubborn & disobedient, & will not hearken unto our voice: he is a rioter, and a drunkard. And all the men of that city shall stone him with stones unto death.  
Cursed be he that curseth his father and mother: 
Deut. 27.  and all the people shall say, Amen.  
My son, 
Pro. j  hear thy father's doctrine, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For that shall bring grace to thy head, & shall be as a chain about thy neck.  
A good child will hearken to his father's warning: 
Pro. xiii.  but he that is scornful, will not hear when h● is reproved.  
He that hurteth his father, 
Prou. nineteen.  or 〈◊〉 teeth out his mother, is a shameful and an unworthy son.  
Who so robbeth his father and mother, 
Pro. 28.  and faith it is no 〈◊〉, the 〈◊〉 is like unto a destroyer.  
Who so laugheth his father to scerne, 
Pro. thirty.  and setteth his mother's commandment at ● aught, the ravens pick out his eyes in the valley, and devoured be he of young ●gles.  
The Lord will have the father honoured of the children: and look what a mother commandeth her children, 
Eccle. iij.  he will have it kep●.  
Who so honoureth his father, shall have a ●ye of his own children: and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard.  
He that honoureth his father, shall have a longlife: and he that is obedient for the lords sake, his mother shall have joy of him.  
He that feareth the Lord, honoureth his father and mother, & doth them service, as it were unto the Lord himself.  
Honour thy father in deed, in word, & in all patience, that thou mayest have God's blessing, & his blessing shall abide with thee at the last.  
The blessing of the father buildeth up the houses of the children, but the mother's curse rooteth out the foundations.  
Rejoice not when thy father is reproved, for it is not honour unto thee, but a shame. For the worship of a man's father, is his own worship, & where the father is without honour, it is the dishonesty of y● some.  
My son, make much of thy father in his age, & grieve him not as long as he liveth. And if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not in thy strength. For the good deed that thou showest to thy father, shall not be forgotten, & when thou thyself wantest, it shall be rewarded thee (and for thy mother's offence, thou shalt be recompensed with good, yea, it shall be founded for thee in righteousness) and in the day of trouble thou shalt be remembered: thy sins also shall melt way, like as the Ice in the air and warm weather. He that forsaketh his father, shall come to shame: and he that despiseth his mother, is cursed of God.  
Children obey your fathers and mothers in the Lord: 
Ephe. vj.  for that is right. Honour thy father & mother, (the same is the first commandment in the promise) that thou mayest prosper, and live long on earth.    

¶ The sixth Commandment.  
THou shalt not kill. 
Exod. xx.   

☞ The confirmations.  
Who so sheddeth man's blood, 
Gene. ix.  by man shall his blood be shed: For in the image of God, did God make man.  
Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart. etc. 
levit. nineteen   
Thou shalt not avenge thyself, nor be mindful of wrong against the children of my people, but shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. I am the Lord.  
He that killeth any man, 
levit. 24.  let him die the death.  
Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly: 
Deut. 27.  and all the people shall say, Amen.  
Ye have heard, 
Mat. v.  that it was said to them of the old time: Thou shalt not kill: for who soever killeth, shall be in danger of judgement. But I say unto you, that who soever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of judgement. etc.  
Ye have heard, that it was said: thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you: love your enemies. Bless them that curse you. Do good to them that hate you. Pray for them which hurt you, and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your father which is in heaven: for he maketh his 〈◊〉 to arise on the evil, and on the good, & sendeth rain on the righteous, and on the unrighteous.  
Be ye merciful, 
L●ke. v●.  as your father is merciful. judge not, and ye shall not be judged. Condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned. forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. give, and 〈…〉 other men meet to you again.  
Recompense to no man evil for evil. 
Rom. xii.   
If it be possible (as much as is in you) live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not your seluest, but rather give place unto wrath. 
Deut. 32.  For it is written: Vengeance is mine, & I will reward, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him: if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing, thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. Be not o●●rcome of evil, but overcome evil with goodness.  
Be angry and sin not: 
Ephe. iiij.  let not the sun go down upon your wrath, neither give place unto the backbiter.  
Let all bitterness, and fierceness, and wrath, and roaring, & cursed speaking, be put away from you, 〈…〉. Be ye 〈…〉 an other, merciful, 〈…〉 even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.  
He that hateth his brother, 
i Io●. iij.  is a manflayer. And ye know, that every manflayer hath not everlasting life dwelling in him.  
This commandment have we of God: 
j john. iiij.  that he which loveth God, should also love his brother.    

¶ The seventh Commandment.  
THou shalt not committee adultery. 
Exod. xx.   

☞ The confirmations.  
Thou shalt not lie with thy neighbour's wife, 
levit. 18.  to defile her with sede.  
Thou shalt not make thy daughter common, 
levit. nineteen  that thou wouldst cause her to be an whore, lest the land also fall to whoredom, and be full of wickedness.  
It a man be found lying with a woman that hath a wedded husband, 
Deut. xxij  they shall die both of them: both the man that lay with that wife, and also the wife: and so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.  
There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, 
Deut. 23.  nor whore-keeper of the sons of Israel.  
Cursed be he that lieth with his neighbour's wife: 
Deut. 27.  and all the people shall say, Amen.  
The lips of an harlot are a dropping honey comb, 
Pro●. v.  and her throat is more glistering than oil. But at the last she is as bitter as wormwood, and her tongue as sharp as a two edged sword. Her feet go down unto death, and her steps pierce through unto hell.  
Be glad with the wife of thy youth. Loving is the Hind, & friendly is the Roe. Let her breasts always satisfy thee, & hold thee ever content with her love. O my son, why wilt thou have pleasure in an harlot, & embrace the bosom of an other woman? Every man's ways are open in the sight of the Lord, and he 〈…〉 of the ungodly shall 〈◊〉 himself, & with the 〈◊〉 of his own sins, shall he be trapped.  
Keep thee from the evil woman, 
〈…〉.  and from the 〈◊〉 tongue of the harlot, that thou lust not after her beauty in thy heart, and lest thou be taken with her fair looks. An harlot will make a man to beg his bread: but an honest woman will seek about to get her living. May a man carry fire in his bosom, & in his clothes, & not be burnt? or can one go upon hot coals, & his feet not be hurt? Even so, who soever goeth into his neighbour's wife, and toucheth her, can not be unguilty.  
Who so committeth adultery with a woman, he is a ●oole, & bringeth his life to destruction. He getteth himself also shame and dishonour, such as shall never be put out. 〈…〉  
An whore is a deep grave, 
Pr●. xxi●j.  & 〈…〉 like a thee●e, and bringeth unto her such men as be full of vice.  
He that keepeth company with harlots, 
〈…〉.  shall come to beggary.  
¶ Read the 〈◊〉 Chap of 〈◊〉.  
My son, 
Tob. iiij.  keep the well from all whoredom, and (beside thy wife) see that no fault be known by thee.  
If my heart hath lusted after my neighbour's wife, 
job. xxxj.  or if I have laid wait at his door? Oh then let my wife be an other man's whore, and let other men lie with her. For this i● a wickedness and ●inne, that is worthy to be punished: yea, a 〈◊〉 that should utterly consume and root out all my substance.  
Whoredom, 
Ose. iiij.  wine, & drunkenness, take the heart away.  
Ye have heard, 
Mat. ●.  that it was said to them of old time: thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say unto you, that who soever looketh on an other man's wife, to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.  
If any that is called a brother be a fornicator, 
j Cor. v.  with him that is such, see that ye eat not.  
Neither fornicators, 
j Cou. vj.  neither adulterers, neither weaklings, neither abusers of themselves with mankind, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  
Let us not be def●●ed with fornication, 
j Cor. x.  as some of them were defiled with fornication, and fell in one day twenty-three. thousand.  
As for fornication & all uncleanness, 
Ephe. v.  let it not be once named among you, as it becometh saints, or filthiness, or foolish talking, or jesting, which are not comely, but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.  
This is the will of God, 
j Thess. iiij  even your holiness, that ye should abstain from fornication, & that every one of you should know how to keep his vessel in holiness & honour, and not in that lust of concupiscence, as do the heathen which know not God.  
Wedlock is honourable among all men, 
Heb. xiii.  and the bed undefiled. As for whoremongers and adulterers, God shall judge them.  
Whoremongers have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. 
Apoc. xxj.     

¶ The eight Commandment.  
THou shalt not steal. 
Exod. xx.   

☞ The confirmations.  
Ye shall not steal, 
levit. nineteen  neither lie, neither deal falsely one with an other.  
Thou shalt not do thy neighbour wrong, neither rob him violently, neither shall thy workman's labour abide with thee till the morning.  
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement, in meteyard, in weight, or in measure. True balances, and true weight shall ye have. I am the Lord.  
If thou sellest aught unto thy neighbour, 
levit. 25.  or buyest of thy neighbours hand, ye shall not deceive one an other. If thy brother be 〈◊〉 poor, and fallen into decay with thee, thou shalt relieve him, that he may live with thee. Thou shalt not give him thy money upon 〈◊〉, nor lend him thy corn for increase. Thou shalt not take usury of him, or vantage.  
If one of thy brethren among you, 
〈…〉  be poor within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord God giveth thee, thou shalt not ha●den thy heart, nor shut thy●e 〈◊〉 from thy poor brother, but ●pen thine hand unto him, 〈…〉  
The land shall never be without poor, and therefore I command thee saying: Thou shalt open thine hand unto thy brother that is needy and poor in thy land.  
Who so keepeth company with a thief, 
Pro. xxi●.  hateth his own soul.  
Woe be to thee that spoilest, 
Esa. 33.  for thou thyself shalt be spoiled.  
Break thy bread to the hungry, 
Esa. lviij.  and bring the poor waudring, into thine house. When thou seest a naked man ●ouer him, and so shalt thou not despise thy flesh.  
The thief is cursed of God, 
Zach. v.  & all that he hath, shall come to nought.  
Shame and sorrow goeth over the thief. 
Eccle. v.   
Anna old Tobies' wife, 
Tob. ij.  went daily to the weaving work, and look what living she could get with the labour of her hands, she brought it home. And it happened that she took a kid, and brought it home: and when her husband heard it cry, he said: look that it be not stolen, if it be, restore it again to the owners: for it is not lawful for us to eat or touch any thing that is stolen.  
give alms of thy goods, 
Tob. iiij.  and turn never thy fare from the poor: so shall it come to pass, that the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee. Be merciful after thy power. If thou hast much, give plenteously: if thou hast little, do thy diligence, gladly to give of that little. For so gatherest thou thyself a good reward in the day of necessity. For mercy delivereth from all sin, and from death, and suffereth not the soul to come in darkness.  
Behold Lord, 
Luke. nineteen.  said Zacheus, the half of my goods do I give to the poor: & if I have done any man wrong, I restore him four fold.  
Neither thieves, 
j Cor. vj.  neither pillars, shall inherit the kingdom of God.  
Let him that stole, 
Ephe. iiij.  steal no more, but let him rather labour with his hands the thing which is good, that he may give unto him that needeth.    

¶ The ninth Commandment.  
THou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 
Exod. xx.   

☜ The confirmations.  
Thou shalt not accept a vain tale: 
Exod. 23.  neither shalt thou put thy hand to the wicked, to be an unrighteous witness.  
If any unrighteous witness rise up against a man, 
Deut. nineteen.  to accuse him of trespass: then both the men which strive together, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests, & the judges which shall be in those days, and the judges shall make diligent inquisition. And if the witness be found false, and that he hath given false witness against his brother, then shall you do to him, as he had thought to do to his brother: and thou shalt put away evil from thee.  
Cursed be he that taketh a reward to stay the soul of innocent blood: 
Deut. 27.  and all the people shall say, Amen.  
The Lord hateth a false witness that bringeth up lies. 
Prou. vj.   
A false witness shall not remain unpunished: 
Prou. nineteen.  and he that speaketh lies, shall perish.  
A false witness shall perish: 
Pro. xxj.  but he that is a true man, boldly speaketh that he hath heard.  
Who so beareth false witness against his neighbour, 
Pro. xxv.  he is a very club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.  
The mouth that lieth, 
Sap. j  slayeth the soul.  
Thou O Lord, 
Psal. v.  wilt destroy all them that speak lies.  
In no wise speak against the word of truth, 
Eccle iiij.  but be ashamed of thy lying.  
Use not to make any manner of lie, 
Eccle. seven.  for the custom thereof is not good.  
A thief is better, 
Eccle. xx.  than a man that is accustomed to lie: but they both shall have destruction to heritage.  
The two elders that bare witness against Susanna, 
Dani. xiii.  were stoned to death.  
Out of the heart come false witnesses, 
Mat. xv.  and those defile a man.  
Evil speakers shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 
j Cor. vj.   
Put away lying, 
Ephe. iiij.  and speak every man truth unto his neighbour, for as much as we are members one of an other.  
All liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone. 
Ap●●. xxj.     

¶ The tenth Commandment.  
THou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, 
Exod. xx.  thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his servant, nor his maid, nor his Ox, nor his Ass, nor any thing that is his.  

☜ The confirmations.  
Keep thy heart with all diligence, 
Pro. iiij.  for thereupon hangeth life.  
God hateth an heart that goeth about with wicked imaginations. 
Prou. vj.   
Take heed that thou lust not in thy heart after the beauty of a strange woman.  
Evil thoughts are abomination to the Lord. 
Pro. xv.   
Who soever looketh on an other man's wife, 
Mat. v.  lusting after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.  
Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, 
Mat. xv.  and those defile a man.  
The cares of this world, 
Mark. iiij.  and the deceitfulness of riches, & the lusts of other things, choke the word, and make it unfruitful.  
Take heed to yourselves, 
Luke. xxj.  least at any time your hearts be overcome with the cares of this life.  
I had not known what lust had meant, 
Rom. seven.  except the law had said: thou shalt not lust.  
Make not provision for the flesh, 
Rom. xiii.  to fulfil the lusts of it.  
Mortify your earthy members, 
Coloss. iij.  fornication, uncleanness, unnatural lust, evil concupiscence. etc.  
Godliness is great riches, 
j Tim. vj.  if a man be content with that he hath. For we brought nothing into the world, neither can we carry any thing out. But when we have food and raiment, let us be content therewith. They that have a mind to be rich, fall into temptation and snares of the devil, & into many foolish and noisome lusts, which drown men in perdition and destruction. For covetousness is the root of all evil: which while some lusted after, they erred from the faith, & tangled themselves with many sorrows. But thou man of God, fly such things. Fellow righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. etc. 
Heb. xiii.   
Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have already.  
Love not the world, 
joh. ij.  nor those things that are in the world. For all that is in the world, as the concupiscence of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father, but of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lusts thereof: but he that doth the will of God, abideth for ever.    

¶ The sum of these x. Commandments, and all other laws of God.  
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, 
Mat. xxij.  with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all the uttermost of thy power. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. In these two commandments, are contained the whole law and the Prophets.  
Own nothing to any man, 
●●. xiii.  but that ye love one an other: for he that loveth an other, hath fulfilled the law. For these commandments: Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not steal: Thou shalt bear no false witness: Thou shalt not lust, and all other commandments, are briefly comprehended in these words: Love thy neighbour as thyself.  
The end of the law, 
j Tim. j  is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of a faith not feigned.  
What soever ye would that men should do unto you, 
Mat. seven.  do ye even the same to them also: for this is the law and the Prophets.     

¶ Of Repentance.  

¶ What Repentance is.  
Repentance is an inward sorrow of the mind, wrought by the holy ghost, for the sums tofore committed against God, joined both with a perfect faith to be forgiven for Christ's sake, and also with a full determined purpose from henceforth to amend, and to lead a new life.  

☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
I now rejoice, 
●. Cor. seven.  not that ye were sorry, but that ye so sorrowed, that ye repented. For ye sorrowed godly: so that in nothing ye were hurt by us. For the sorrow the is wrought by God, causeth repentance unto salvation, not 〈◊〉 be repent of: contrariwise, worldly sorrow causeth death.  
The servant of God must infourme them that resist the truth, 
●j. Tim. ij.  if that God at any time will give them repentance for to know the truth, and that they may come to themselves again out of the snare of the devil, which are holden of him captive at his will.  
〈◊〉 me, 
lere. 31.  O Lord, & I shall be converted: for thou art my Lord God. ●ea, as soon as thou turnedst me, I repented, and as soon as thou showedst my sins unto me, I smote my thigh: yea, I was confounded, and right greatly ashamed.  
O Lord, 
Lament. v.  turn thou us unto thee, and so shall we be tur●ed.  
I will pour clean water upon you, 
Ezech. 36.  & ye shall be clean: yea, from all your uncleanness, & from all your Idols shall I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put into you. As for that ●●ony heart, I will take it out of your body, and give you a fleshy heart. I will give my spirit among you, and cause you to walk in my commandments, to keep my laws, & to fulfil them. And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.  
O thou God of Hosts, 
Psa. lxxx.  turn thou us, & show us the light of thy countenance, & we shall be whole.    

¶ Of the fruits of repentance declared by the word of God.  
Seek the Lord while he may be found: 
Esa. lv.  and call upon him while he is nigh. Let the ungodly man forsake his own ways, and the unrighteous his own imaginations, and turn again unto the Lord, so shall he be merciful unto him: and to our God, for he is very ready to forgive.  
O Israel, 
jere. iiij.  if thou wilt turn thee, then turn unto me, saith the Lord. And if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, thou shalt not be moved.  
Be circumcised in the Lord, and cut away the foreskin of your hearts, that my indignation break not forth like fire, & kindle, so that no man may quench it, because of the wickedness of your imaginations.  
If the ungodly will turn away 
Ezecb. 18.  from all his sins that he hath done, and keep all my commandments, and do the thing that is equal and right, doubtless he shall live & not die. As for all his sums that he did before, they shall not be thought upon: but in his righteousness that he hath done, he shall live. For have I any pleasure in the death of a sinner (saith the Lord God) but rather that he convert and live?  
Be converted, and turn you clean from all your wickedness, so shall there no sin do you harm. Cast away from you all your ungodliness that ye have done. Make you new hearts, and a new spirit. Wherefore will ye die (O ye house of Israel)? seeing I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth (saith the Lord God). Turn ye then, and ye shall live.  
As truly as I live (saith the Lord God) I have no pleasure in the 
Ezecb. 33.  death of the wicked, but much rather that the wicked turn from his way & live. Turn you, turn you from your ungodly ways, O ye house of Israel. Oh wherefore will ye die.  
The wickedness of the wicked shall not hurt him, when soever he converteth from his ungodliness.  
Turn you unto me (saith the Lord of Hosts) and I will turn me unto you. 
Zach. j   
Turn you unto me with all your hearts, 
joel. ij.  with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts, and not your clothes. Turn you unto the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, long suffering, and of great compassion, and ready to pardon wickedness.  
Repent of the life that is past, 
Mat. iij.  for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  
Bring forth the fruits that belongeth unto repentance. 
Mat. xj.  For even now is the axe put unto the root of the tree: so that every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down, & cast into the fire.  
I am not come to call the righteous, 
Math. ix.  but sinners to repentance.  
Come unto me all ye that labour and are laden, 
Mat. xj.  and I will ease you.  
Repent and believe the Gospel. 
Mar. j   
I say unto you, 
Luke. xv.  that joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.  
The son of man is come to ●eke, 
Luke. nineteen.  & to save that which was lost.  
Repent and convert, 
Act. iij.  that your sins may be done away.  
As ye have given your members servants to uncleanness, 
Rom. vj.  and to iniquity (from one iniquity to an other) even so now give over your members servants unto righteousness, that ye may be sanctified.  
Put of that old man, 
Ephe. iiij.  which is corrupt according to the deceivable lusts, and be ye renewed in the spirit of your mind, putting on that new man, which after God is shapen in righteousness and true holiness.  
Mortific your earthy members, 
Coloss. iij.  fornication, uncleanness, unnatural lust, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is worshipping of Idols. For which things sake, the wrath of God useth to come on the disobedient children, among whom ye walked sometime, when ye lived in them. But now put ye also away from you all such things, wrath, fierceness, maliciousness, cursed speaking, filthy communication. Lie not one to an other, seeing that ye have put of the old man with his works, and have put on the new man, which is renewed into the knowledge and image of him that made him. Therefore as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, put on tender mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering, forbearing one an other, and forgiving one an other, if any man have a quarrel against an other: as Christ forgave you, even so do ye. Above all these things, put on love; which is the bond of perfection. And what soever ye do, in word, or deed, do all in the name of the Lord jesus, giving thank●● to God the father by him.    

¶ Of Baptism.  

¶ What Baptism is.  
Baptism is the ordinance of Christ, 
Titus. 〈◊〉  to wash every believing Christian with water, in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost.  
S. Paul calleth Baptism, the fountain of the new birth, and renewing of the holy ghost.  

☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
All power is given unto me in heaven, 
Math. 28.  and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost: teaching them to observe all things, what soever I have commanded you.  
Go ye into all the world, 
Mar. xuj.  and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved: But he that believeth not, shall be damned.  
Except a man be borne from above, 
john. iij.  he can not see the kingdom of God.  
verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be borne of water, and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is borne of the flesh, is flesh, and that which is borne of the spirit, is spirit.    

¶ To what use Baptism was used.  
First, to be a sure seal and an evident testimony unto us, that God the father, for his son jesus Christ's sake, hath freely forgiven us all our sins, received us into his favour, and given us the holy ghost, by whom we are borne a new, not of mortal, but of immortal seed, by whom also we are made the sons and heirs of God, and through saith, reckoned pure and holy in his godly sight.  

☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
He that believeth, 
Mar. xuj.  and is baptized, shall be saved.  
Repent you of your sins, 
Act. ij.  and be baptized every one of you in the name of jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy ghost.  
Christ loved the congregation, 
Ephe. v.  & gave himself for it, to sanctify it, and cleansed it in the fountain of water through the word, to make it unto himself a glorious congregation, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, that it should be holy and without blame.  
Not by the deeds of righteousness, 
Titus. iij.  which we wrought, but according to his mercy hath he saved us by the fountain of the new birth, and renewing of the holy ghost, which he shed on us abundantly, through jesus Christ our Saviour, that w● justified by his grace, should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.  
Baptism saveth us, 
j Pet. iij.  not by the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but in that a good conscience consenteth to God, by the resurrection of jesus Christ, which is on the right hand of God, and is gone into heaven.    

Secondly, to put us in remembrance, that for as much as we are become the soldiers of Christ, we ought so long as we live, valiantly to fight against the devil, the world, and the flesh, to mortify all unclean lusts, to die unto sin, and to rise again new men, bearing the image of Christ, and fashioning our conversation and manners after his example, that we may learn the Lord our God in such holiness and righteousness, as is allowed before him all the days of our life.  

☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
know ye not, 
Rom. vj.  that all we which are baptized into jesus Christ, are baptized to die with him? We are buried then with him by baptism, for to die, that likewise as Christ was raised from death by the glory of the father, even so we also should walk in a new life. For if we be grafted in death like unto him: even so shall we partakers of the resurrection, knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him also, that the body of sin might utterly be destroyed, that hence forth we should not be servants unto sin. For he that is dead, is justified from sin. Wherefore, if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.  
All ye that are baptized, 
Gal●. iij.  have put on Christ.  
Ye are buried with Christ thorough baptism, 
Coloss. ij.  in whom ye are also risen again thorough faith, that is wrought by the operation of God, which raised him from death.  
If ye then be risen again with Christ, 
Coloss. iij.  seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on heavenly things, & not on earthly things. For ye are dead, & your life is hid with Christ in God. When soever Christ, which is your life, shall show himself, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.     

¶ Of the lords Supper.  

¶ What the lords Supper is.  
THe lords Supper is an holy and heavenly banquet, in the which the faithful Christians, besides the corporal eating of the bread, & the outward drinking of the wine, do spiritually thorough faith, both eat the body of Christ, and drink his blood, unto the confirmation of their faith, the comfort of their conscience, and the salvation of their souls.   

¶ To what use Christ did institute his holy Supper.  
first, to put us in remembrance that his body was broken, and his blood shed for our redemption.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
The Lord jesus the same night, 
j Cor. xj.  in the which he was betrayed, took bread: and when he had given thanks, he broke it, & gave it to his disciples, saying: Take ye, & eat: this is my body, which is broken for you. This do ye in the remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when supper was done, saying: This cup is the new testament in my blood. This do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye shall eat this bread, & drink of this cup, ye shall show the Lords death till he come.  
When they were eating, 
Math. ●6.  jesus took bread: and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said: Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and thanked, and gave it them, saying: drink ye all of this. For this is my blood (which is of the new testament) that is shed for many, for the remission of sins.  
As they did eat, 
Mar. xiv.  jesus took bread: and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to them, and said: Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he took it to them, and they all drank of it, and he said unto them: This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.  
He took bread, 
Luk. xxi●●  and when he had given thanks, he broke it, & gave unto them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you: This do in the remembrance of me. Likewise also when he had supped, he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.    

Secondly, to stir us up unto thanksgiving, while we consider how precious, great, and inestimable benefits we have received of God the father, by the death of his son, as deliverance from Satan, freedom from the curse of the law, forgiveness of sins, the favour and good will of God, quietness of conscience, the holy ghost, righteousness, victory against sin, death, and hell, salvation: and finally, everlasting life. That we should not be unthankful, but rather joyfully burst out into all kind of spiritual praises, lauding, and magnifying God the father for these his most high and singular free gifts, the Lord Christ did institute this holy supper: Therefore it is called of the ancient Doctors, Sacramentum Eucharistiae. i. the Sacrament of thanksgiving.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
All that believed, 
Act. ij.  continued daily with one accord in the temple, and broke bread from house to house, and did eat their meat together with gladness & singleness of heart, praising God.  
Is not the cup of thanksgiving, 
j Cor. x.  for the which we give thanks, partaking of the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break, partaking of the body of Christ?    

Thirdly, to put us in remembrance, that as the bread, which we eat at the lords table, is made of many grains one loaf, and the wine pressed together of sundry grapes, is made one wine: so we being many, are one body, whereof Christ is the head. And because we all are one body, we ought all to be beneficial one to an other, one to love an other, one to bear with an other, one to wish well unto an other, and one to do for an other, what soever we be able, even to the uttermost of our power, as our head Christ for our health, and for our salvation, disdained not to bestow his very life, and to suffer death, even the death of the cross for our redemption. And as we presently at the receiving of the holy mysteries of Christ's body & blood, do enjoy through faith in God's promises, all the benefits which Christ obtained for us by his blessed death and glorious passion: so likewise ought they that be partakers of the lords table, every one according to his ability at that present, to be beneficial to the poor members of Christ, and somewhat to give that may relieve them, & ever after also (when occasion is given) gladly to distribute unto the needy, some portion of their goods, wherewith God hath endued them. That this was the custom in the Apostles time, and in the primative Church, yea, and long after, till the Popish Mass had driven out of the Church the right use of the lords supper, it is evident enough by divers testimonies, both of the holy Scriptures, and of ancient histories.  

That we are all one body.  
☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
As we have many members in one body, 
Rom. xii.  and all members have not one office: so we being many, are one body in Christ, and every man among ourselves, one an others member.  
We (though we be many) yet are one bread, 
●. Cor. x.  and one body, in as much as we all are partakers of one bread.  
As the body is one, 
Cor. xj.  and hath many members, and all the members of one body, though they be many, yet are but one body, even so is Christ. For by one spirit are we all baptized to make one body, whether we be jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have all drunk of one spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. etc. Therefore if one member suffer, all suffer with him. If one member be had in honour, all members be glad also. Ye are the body of Christ, and members one of an other.    

¶ Of the distribution to the needy.  
All that believed, 
act. ij.  kept themselves together, and had all things common, & sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.  
Great grace was there with all them that believed. 
Act. iiij.  Neither was there any among them that lacked. For as many as were possessors of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the price of the things that were sold, and laid it down at the Apostles feet. And distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.  
Distribute unto the necessity of the Saints. 
Rom. xii.  Be ready to harbour.  
As concerning the gathering for the Saints, 
●. Cor. xv●  let every one of you, upon some Sabbaoth day, put aside & lay up what soever is meet. etc.  
It is not my mind, 
ij. Cor. v●  that other be set at ease, and ye brought into cumbrance, but that there be equalness now at this time: and that your abundance may secure their lack, and that their abundance may supply your lack, that there may be equality, agreeing to that which is written: 
Exod. xuj  He that had much, had not the more abundance: and he that had little, had never the less. etc. Read the Chapter.  
Of the ministering to that saints, 
●. Cor. ix.  it is but superfluous for me to write unto you: for I know the readiness of your mind. etc. Yet this I say: he that soweth little, shall reap little, and he that soweth (in giving) largely and freely, shall reap plenteously. And let every man do according as he hath purposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity. For God loveth a cheerful giver. God is able to make you rich in all grace, that ye in all things having sufficient unto the uttermost, may be rich unto all manner of good works, as it is written: He hath sparsed abroad, 
●sal. cxij  and hath given to the poor: and his righteousness remaineth for ever.  
The office of this ministration, 
ij. Cor. ix.  not only supplieth the need of the saints, but also is abundant herein, that for this laudable ministering, thanks might be given to God of many (which praise God for that obedience of your consenting to the Gospel of Christ, and for your singleness in distributing to them, & to all men) and in their prayers for you, which long after you, for the abundant grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.    

¶ The duty of all estates and degrees.  

¶ The duty of the high powers, and of the other temporal Magistrates.  
THe duty of the high powers, and of the other temporal rulers, is to be learned in the law of God, to maintain pure and Christian Religion, to nourish and defend the preachers and studientes of God's word, to banish all false religion & idolatry, to punish, yea, and if they will not turn, to kill the preachers and maintainers of false doctrine, to judge equally & indifferently, without partiality, to take no bribes, nor to oppress the common people, but to care for them, as a father for his children, to defend the good, to correct the evil, to advance virtue, and to punish vice.  
That they ought to be learned in the laws of God.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
The king shall not multiply horses to himself: 
Deut. xvij  neither ought he to multiply wives unto himself, lest his heart turn away: neither shall he gather him silver and gold to much. And when he is set upon the seat of his kingdom, he shall write him out a copy of this law in a book. And it shall be with him, and he ought to read therein all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, and to keep all the words of this law, and these ordinances, for to do them, and that his heart arise not above his brethren, and that he turn not from the commandment, to the right hand or to the left, but that he may prolong his days in his kingdom.  
Let not the book of this law depart out of thy mouth, 
Iosu●. j  but record therein day & night, that thou mayest observe & do according to all that is written: For then shalt thou make thy way prosperous, and then shalt thou do wisely.  
Get ye understanding now, 
Psal. ij.  O ye kings: be learned ye that judge the earth. Serve the Lord in fear, and rejoice unto him with reverence. Kiss the son lest he be angry, & so ye perish from the right way.  
If your delight be in royal seats and sceptres (O ye kings of the people) set your lust upon wisdom, 
Sap. vj.  that ye may reign for evermore. O love the light of wisdom, all ye that be rulers of the people.  
¶ Read the ix. Chapter of the book of Wisdom.    

That they ought to maintain pure and Christian Religion.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
How greatly king David advanced God's religion, 
j Paral. twenty-three. xxiv. xxvi. and xxviij.  & sought his glory, the holy Scriptures make mention.  
Asa king of juda did that was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God: 
2. Par. 14.  For he took away strange altars, & hill altars, and broke down the images, and cut down the groves, and commanded juda to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do according to the law and commandment.  
Yea, 
2. Par. 15.  he put away the abominable Idols that his father had made. And he put down Maacha his mother from bearing rule, because she had made images in groves. And Asa destroyed her images, & burned them by the broke Cedron. The Lord God therefore gave him and all his land rest and quietness.  
jehosaphat king of juda sent to his Lords, 
2. Par. 17.  that they should teach in the cities of juda, & with them he sent Levites, and priests. And they taught in juda, and had the book of the law of God with them, & went about through out all the cities of juda, and taught the people. And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about juda, & they fought not against jehosaphat. And the Lord established the kingdom in his hand, and all they that were in juda, brought king jehosaphat presents, so that he had abundance of riches & honour.  
King Hezekia put away the hill altars, 
4. Reg. 18.  and broke the images, and cut down the groves, and all to broke the brazen serpent that Moses had made. He renewed the feast of the passover.  
He ordained Priests and Levites to serve the Lord God, 
2. Par. 31.  & provided honest livings for them, that they might substantially apply themselves to the law of the Lord. And the Lord was with him, so that he prospered in all things which he took in hand.  
The good king josias, 
2. Par. 34.  beside the purging of juda and jerusalem from hill altars, groves, carved images, and images of metal, and such other kinds of idolatry, he repaired the house of the Lord his God, renewed the feast of the passover, red in the ears of all the people the words of the law of the Lord, and made a faithful promise unto the Lord, that he and all his people should walk according to the statutes of that book. And they turned not aside from the Lord God of their fathers, so long as he lived. The Lord God therefore deferred his plague that he had threatened to juda, suffered josias to live in much honour, and brought him to his grave in peace, so that his eyes did not see the mischief that the Lord God afterward brought immediately upon jerusalem, and upon the inhabitors of the same.  
kings shall be thy nursing fathers, 
Esa. xlix.  and Queens shall be thy nursing mothers.    

That they ought to punish, yea, and if they will not turn, to kill the preachers and maintainers of false doctrine.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
If there rise among you a prophet, 
Deut. xiii.  or a dreamer of dreams, and give thee a sign or wonder, & that sign or wonder which he hath said, come to pass, and then say: let us go after strange Gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them: hearken not thou unto the words of that prophet, or dreamer of dreams: For the Lord thy God proveth you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart, & with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandment, and hearken unto his voice, serve him, & cleave unto him. And that prophet, or dreamer of dreams, shall die, because he hath spoken to turn you away from the Lord your God.  
The Prophet which shall presume to speak a word in my name, 
Deut. 18.  which I have not commanded him to speak, or that he speaketh in the name of strange Gods, the same Prophet shall die.  
jehu king of Israel, 
4. Reg. 10  caused all the priests of Baal to be slain, and all the images to be fet out of the temple of Baal, & to be burnt. He caused also his captains and men of war, to break the image of Baal, and to destroy the house of Baal, so that Baal's house was made a draft house unto this day. And because jehu thus sought the glory of God, and destroyed idolatry, with the maintainers thereof, he lived quietly in his kingdom unto his dying day, and his children unto the fourth generation, sat on the seat of Israel.  
King josias put down the ministers of Baal, 
4. Reg. 23  whom the kings of juda had founded to burn incense in the hill altars and cities of juda, that were round about jerusalem, & also them that burned incense unto Baal, to the Sun, to the Moon, to the Planets, and to all the Host of heaven.    

That they ought to judge equally.  

☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement. 
levit. nineteen  Thou shalt not favour the poor, nor honour the mighty, but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.  
Moses said to the judges: 
Deut. j  hear the cause of your brethren, & judge righteously between every man and his brother, & the stranger that is with him. See that ye know no faces in judgement: but hear the small as well as the great, and be afraid of no man: for the judgement is Gods.  
King jehosaphat said also to the judges: 
●. Par. 19  Take heed what ye do: for ye execute not the judgements of man, but of God, which is with you in judgement. Wherefore, now let the fear of the Lord be upon you, and take heed, & be doing the thing that pleaseth him. For there is no unrighteousness with the Lord our God, that should have any respect of persons, or take rewards.  
A king that sitteth in the throne of judgement, 
Pro. xx.  and looketh well about him, driveth away all evil.  
He that saith to the ungodly: 
Pro. xxii●j  thou art righteous, him shall the people curse, yea, the commonalty shall abhor him. But they that rebuke the ungodly, in them doth God delight, and a rich blessing shall come upon them.  
judge the thing that is right, 
Psal. 58.  O ye sons of men.  
O love righteousness, 
Sap j  ye that are the judges of the earth.    

That they ought to take no bribes.  

☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Thou shalt take no gifts: 
Exod. 23.  for gifts blind the fight, and pervert the words of the righteous.  
Wrist not thou the law, 
Deut. xuj  nor know any person, neither take any reward: for gifts blind the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. That which is just and right, shall thou follow, that thou mayest live and enjoy the land, which the Lord giveth thee.  
Thou shalt seek out among all the people, 
Exod. 18.  men of activity, & such as fear God, true men, hating covetousness: and make them heads over the people.  
The fire shall consume the houses of such as are greedy to receive gifts. 
job. xv.   
Woe be to them that give sentence with the ungodly for rewards, 
Esa. v.  but condemn the just cause of the righteous. Therefore, like as fire licketh up the straw, and as the flame consumeth the stubble: even so their root shall be as corruption, & their blossom shall vanish away like dust.  
He that keepeth his hand that he touch no reward, 
Esa. 33.  & he which stoppeth his ears that he hear no counsel against the innocent blood: he it is that shall dwell on high.    

That they ought not to oppress the common people.  

☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
The increase and prosperity of the commons, 
Pro. xiiiij.  is the kings honour: but the decay of the people, is the confusion of the prince.  
Like as a roaring Lion, 
Pro. 28.  and as an hungry Bear, even so is an ungodly prince over the poor people.  
Where the prince is without understanding, there is great oppression and wrong: but if he be such a one as hateth covetousness, he shall long reign.  
When the righteous have the overhand, 
Pro. xxix.  the people are in prosperity: but when the ungodly bear rule, than that people mourn.  
With true judgement the king setteth up the land: but if he be a man that oppresseth the people with gatherings, he turneth it upside down.  
O hear this word, 
Amo●. iiij.  ye that do poor men wrong, and oppress the needy: ye that say to your Lords, bring hither, let us drink. Therefore the Lord hath sworn by his holiness: The days shall come upon you, that the enemies shall carry you away. etc.  
O woe be to the proud wealthy, 
Amos. vj.  to such as think themselves so sure, which hold themselves for the best of the world, and rule the house of Israel, even as they list. Ye are taken out for the evil day, even ye that sit in the stool of wilfulness. Ye that lie upon beds of ivory, ●nd use your wantonness upon your couches: ye that eat the best lambs of the flock, and the fattest calves of the drove: ye that sing at the lute, and in playing of instruments, compare yourselves to David: ye that drink wine out of goblets, and anoint yourselves with the best oil: but as for josephes' hurt, none of you all are sorry for it. Therefore, now shall ye be the first of them that shall be led away captive, and the lusty cheer of the wilful shall come to an end. etc. The Lord is minded to smite the great houses. For ye have turned true judgement unto bitterness, and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood.  
O ye that oppress the poor, 
Amos. vi●j.  and destroy the needy in the land, shall not your destruction come upon you, as a water stream? etc.  
O ye heads of the house of jacob, 
Mich. i●●.  & ye leaders of the house of Israel: should not ye know what were lawful & right? But ye hate the good, & love the evil. Ye pluck of men skins, and the flesh from their bones. Ye eat the flesh of my people, and f●ay of their skin: ye break their bones: ye chop them in pieces as it were into a cauldron, & as flesh into a pot. Now the time shall come, that when they call unto the Lord, he shall not hear them, but hide his face from them, because that through their own imaginations, they have dealt so wickedly. etc.  
Behold, 
●. Reg. xii.  here am I (said Samuel to the children of Israel): bear record of me before the Lord, & before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? or whose Ass have I taken? whom have I done wrong to? whom have I hurt? or of whose hand have I received any bribe, to blind my eyes therewith, and I will restore it you again? They said: thou hast done us no wrong, nor hurt us, neither haste thou taken aught of any man's hand. He said unto them again: the Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have no evil in my hands.  
What chanced to Rehoboam king salomon's son, 
iij. Reg. xii  for the ungentle entreating of his commons, the holy histories do testify. Read iij. Regum twelve Chapt.    

That they ought to care for the commo●●, as a father for his children.  

☜ The confirmations.  
Mercy and faithfulness preserve the king: 
Pro. xx.  and with loving kindness his seat is holden up.  
If thou be made a ruler, 
Eccle. 32.  pride not thyself therein, but be thou as one of the people. Take diligent care for them, and look well thereto: and when thou hast done all thy duty, set thee down, that thou mayest be merry with them, & receive a crown of glory.  
With how fatherly a care Moses, Samuel, David, and divers other noble princes governed their people, the holy Scriptures do evidently declare.    

That they ought to defend the good, and to correct the evil, to advance virtue, and to punish vice.  

☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Learn to do right, 
Esa. j  apply yourselves to equity, deliver the oppressed, help the fatherless to his right, let the widows complaint come before you.  
Thus the Lord commandeth: 
jere. xxij.  keep equity and righteousness: deliver the oppressed from the power of the violent: do not grieve nor oppress the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, and shed no innocent blood.  
Execute true judgement: 
Zach. seven.  show mercy and loving kindness every man to his brother. Do the widow, the fatherless, the stranger, & poor, no wrong: and let no man imagine evil against his brother in his heart.  
Deliver him that suffereth wrong, 
Eccle. iiij.  from the hand of the oppressor, and be not faint hearted when thou sittest in judgement. Be merciful unto the fatherless as a father, and be in stead of an husband unto their mother: so shalt thou be as an obedient son of the highest: and he shall love thee more than thy mother doth.  
My song shall be of mercy and judgement: 
Psal. ●●.  unto thee (O Lord) will I sing.  
O let me have understanding in the way of godliness: when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk in my house with a perfect heart.  
I will take no wicked thing in hand: I hate the sins of unfaithfulness: there shall no such cleave unto me.  
A froward heart shall departed from me: I will not know a wicked person.  
Who so privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I destroy: who so hath also a proud look, & an high stomach, I will not suffer him.  
Mine eyes look unto such as be faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me: who so leadeth a godly life, he shall be my servant.  
There shall no deceitful person dwell in my house: he that telleth lies, shall not tarry in my sight.  
I shall soon destroy all the ungodly that are in the land, that I may root out all wicked doers from the city of the Lord.  
Rulers are not fearful to them that do good, 
Rom. xiii.  but to them that do evil. Wilt thou be without fear of the power? Do well then: and so shalt thou be praised of the same. For he is the minister of God for thy wealth. But and if thou do that which is evil, then fear: for he beareth not the sword for nought: for he is the minister of God, to take vengeance on him that doth evil.    

¶ The duteie of Subjects unto the high powers.  
THe duty of Subjects unto the high powers is, honourably to speak of them, heartily to love and reverence them, hum●bly to obey them for conscience sake in all things that fight not with God's word, fervently to pray for them, and willingly to pay such charges unto them, as they reasonably require, either for the maintenance of their princelike estate, or else for the safeguard of the common wealth.  

☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures. 
Exod. 22.   
Thou shalt not rail upon the Gods (that is to say, the temporal Magistrates, which execute that office of God) neither blaspheme the ruler of thy people.  
Wish the king no evil in thy thought, 
Eccle. x.  and speak no hurt of the rich in thy privy chamber: for a bird of the air shall betray thy voice, and with her feathers shall she bewray thy words.  
Let every soul submit himself unto the higher powers. 
Rom. xiii.  For there is no power but of God. The powers that be, are ordained of God. Who soever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. But they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not fearful to them that do good, but to them that do evil. Wilt thou be without fear of the power? Do well then: and so shalt thou be praised of the same. For he is the minister of God for thy wealth. But if thou do that which is evil, then fear: for he beareth not the sword for nought: for he is the minister of God to take vengeance on him that doth evil. Wherefore, ye must needs obey, not only for fear of punishment, but also for conscience sake. And for this cause pay ye tribute. For they are Gods ministers, serving for the same purpose. give to every man therefore his duty: tribute, to whom tribute belongeth: custom, to whom custom is due: fear, to whom fear belongeth: honour, to whom honour pertaineth.  
I exhort therefore, 
j Tim. ij.  that above all things, prayers, supplications, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be had for all men, for kings, and for all that are in authority, that we may live a quiet and peaceable life, with all godliness and honesty. For that is good and acceptable in the ●●ght of God our Saviour.  
Warn the subjects that they submit themselves to rule & power, 
Titus. iij.  that they obey the officers, that they be ready unto every good work, that they speak evil of no man, that they be no fighters, but gentle, showing meekness unto all men.  
Submit yourselves unto all manner ordinance of man, 
j Pet. ij.  for the lords sake, whether it be unto the king, as unto the chief head, either unto rulers, as unto them that are sent of him, for the punishment of evil doers, but for the praise of them that do well. etc.  
Fear God: Honour the king.    

¶ The duty of Bishops and Ministers of God's word.  
THe duty of Bishops & Ministers of God's word is, first to feed Christ's flock with the sweet bread of Christ's Gospel, without mingling of the Phariseis leaven. Secondly, to lead a life agreeable to their doctrine, that they may teach both with word & work. Thirdly, to relieve the poor & needy with such goods as they receive of the Church, either by maintaining hospitality, or else by some other godly means.  

☜ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  

¶ Of Doctrine.  
Go up unto the high hill, 
Esa. xl.  thou that bringest good tidings: lift up thy voice with power, O thou preacher: lift it up, and be not afraid.  
Cry now as loud as y● canst: 
Esa. lviij.  leave not of: lift up thy voice like a trumpet, & show my people their offences, and the house of jacob their sins.  
I have set watchmen upon thy walls (O jerusalem) which shall never cease day nor night to preach the Lord. 
Esa. lxij.   
Behold, 
jere. j  I put my words in thy mouth: & behold, this day do I set thee over the people and kingdoms, that thou mayest root out, break of, destroy, & make waste, and that thou mayest build up and plant.  
Thou son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: 
Ezech. iij.  therefore take good heed to the words of my mouth, and give them warning at my commandment. If I say unto thee concerning the ungodly man, that (without doubt) he must die, and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest unto him that he may turn from his evil way, & so to live, then shall the same ungodly man die in his own unrighteousness: but his blood will I require of thy hand. Nevertheless, if thou give warning unto the wicked, and he yet forsake not his ungodliness, then shall he die in his own wickedness: but thou hast discharged thy soul.  
If thou lovest me, 
●ohn. xxj.  feed my sheep. Woe unto me, 
●. Cor. ix.  if I preach not the Gospel.  
We preach not ourselves, 
ij. Cor. iiij.  but jesus Christ our Lord.  
We are not as the most part are, 
ij. Cor. ij.  which chop and change with the word of God: but out of pureness, and by the power of God, in the sight of God, so speak we in Christ.  
Though we ourselves, 
Gala. j  or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you, then that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  
A Bishop must be apt to teach. 
j Tim. iij.   
give attendance to reading, 
j Tim. iiij.  to exhortation, to doctrine.  
Preach thou the word: 
ij. Tim. iiij  be fervent in season, & out of season: improve, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.   

¶ Of life and conversation.  
God said to the ungodly: 
Psal. l.  Why dost thou preach my laws, & takest my testament in thy mouth: Seing thou hatest to be reform, & hast cast my words behind thee?  
When as y● sawest a thief, thou consentedst unto him: and hast been partaker with the adulterers.  
Who soever doth and teacheth, 
Mat. v.  the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  
Be unto them that believe, 
j Tim. iiij.  an ensample, in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith, in pureness.  
Keep thyself pure. 
j Tim. v.   
Study to show thyself laudable unto God, 
ij. Tim. ij.  a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, distributing the word of truth justly.  
In all things show thyself an ensample of good works in the doctrine, 
Titus. ij.  with honesty, gravity, and with the wholesome word, which can not be rebuked, that he which withstandeth, may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.  
Feed ye Christ's flock, 
j Pet. ●.  as much as lieth in you, taking the oversight of them, not as compelled thereto, but willingly: not for the desire of filthy lucre, but of a good mind: not as though ye were Lords over the parishes, but that ye be an ensample to the flock. And when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive an incorruptible crown of glory.   

¶ Of Hospitality.  
Distribute unto the necessity of the Saints. 
Rom. xii.  Be ready to harbour.  
A Bishop must be a maintainer of hospitality. 
j Tim. iij.   
Forget not hospitality: 
Heb. xiii.  for thereby have divers men lodged Angels unwares.     

¶ The duty of Parishioners unto the Ministers of God's word.  
THe duty of Parishioners unto the Ministers of God's word is, outwardly to honour and reverence them, to receive them as the Angels & Ambassadors of God, to regard them as the ministers and stewards of God's mysteries, & liberally to give unto them what soever is necessary for the maintenance of their degree and estate, that they may quietly give their minds to the study of godly letters, to prayer, to the preaching of God's word, and to the ministration of the Sacraments.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Fear the Lord with all thy soul, 
Eccle. seven.  & honour his ministers. love thy maker with all thy strength, & forsake not his ministers. Honour God with all thy soul, & reverence his priests. give them their portion of the first fruits and increase of the earth, like as it is commanded thee.  
The priests that rule well, 
●. Tim. v.  are worthy of double honour, most specially they which labour in the word and teaching. For the scripture saith: Thou shalt not mosel the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the corn. 
Deut. xx● j Cor. ix. Math. x.  And the labourer is worthy of his reward.  
We beseech you brethren, 
●. Thess. s.  that ye know them which labour among you, & have the oversight of you in the Lord, and give you exhortation, that ye have them in high reputation through love, for their works sake, and be at peace with them.  
Obey them that have the oversight of you, 
Heb. xi●●.  and submit yourselves unto them: for they watch for your souls, even as they that must give accounts, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief.  
In the priests lips should be sure knowledge, 
Mala ●. ●.  that men may seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hostes.  
Ye despised me not, 
Gal. ii●●.  neither did ye abhor me: but ye received me as an Angel of God, yea, even as Christ jesus. For I bear you record, that if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them unto me.  
He that receiveth you, 
〈◊〉. x.  receiveth me: and he that receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me.  
He that heareth you, 
Luke. x.  heareth me: he that despiseth you, despiseth me: and he that despiseth me, despiseth him that sent me.  
Let a man this wise esteem us, 
j Cor. iiij.  even as the Ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.  
Bring every tith into my barn, 
Malac. iij.  that there may be meat in my house.  
The workman is worthy of his meat. 
Math. x.   
If the Gentiles be made partakers of their spiritual things, 
Rom. xv.  their duty is to minister unto them in bodily things.  
Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own cost? 
j Cor. ix.  who planteth a vineyard, & eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of that milk of the flock? For it is written in the law of Moses: Thou shalt not mosel the mouth of the Ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take thought for oxen? Saith he it not all together for our sakes? For our sakes no doubt this is written: that he which eareth, should ear in hope: and he which thresheth in hope, should be partaker of his hope. If we sow unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your bodily things? Do ye not know how that they which minister about holy things, li●e of the Sacrifice? They which wait of the temple, are partakers of the temple? Even so also did the Lord ordain, that they which preach the Gospel, should live of the Gospel.  
Let him that is taught in the word, 
Gal. vj.  minister unto him that teacheth him in all good things. Be not deceived: God is not mocked.    

¶ The duty of husbands unto their wives.  
THe duty of a faithful husband unto his wife is, to forsake all other for her sake, to cleave only to his wife, to love her as Christ loved the congregation, to cherish her as he would cherish his own body, to provide for her, to teach her the law of God, to dwell with her according to knowledge, and to give honour unto her, although the weaker vessel, as to one that is fellow heir with him of the grace of life.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
This is now bone of my bones, 
Gene. ij.  and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined with his wife: and they shall become one flesh.  
Be glad with the wife of thy youth. 
Pro. v.  Let her breasts always satisfy thee, and hold thee ever content with her love. My son, why wilt thou have pleasure in an harlot, and embrace the bosom of an other woman.  
Ye husbands, 
Ephe. v.  love your wives, even as Christ also loved the congregation, & gave himself for it, to sanctify it, & cleansed it in the fountain of water through the word, to make it unto himself a glorious congregation, without spot or wrinkle, or any thing: but that it should be holy and without blame. So ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife, loveth himself: For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord doth the congregation. etc.  
Ye husbands, love your wives, 
Coloss. i●j.  and be not bitter to them.  
Ye men, 
j Pet. iij.  dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, & as unto them that are heirs also of the grace of life.    

¶ The duty of wives unto their husbands.  
THe duty of an honest faithful woman unto her husband is, to knowledge her husband to be her head, to be subject unto him, to reverence him, to obey him, quietly to learn of him, to lead a blameless life, to use much silence, peaceably & circumspectly to look unto her household, and to tire herself with such apparel as becometh a sober Christian woman.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Ye women, 
Ephe. v.  submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the wives head, even as Christ is the head of the congregation, & the same is he that ministereth salvation to the body. Therefore as the congregation is in subjection to Christ, even so let the wives be in subjection to their husbands in all things.  
Ye wives, 
Coloss. iij.  submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is comely in the Lord.  
I will that women array themselves in comely apparel, 
j Tim. ij.  with shamefastness & discrete behaviour, not with broidered hear, either gold, or pearls, or costly array, but as it becometh women that profess godliness through good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, neither to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.  
Ye wives, 
j Pet. iij.  be in subjection to your husbands, that even they which obey not the word, may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives, while they behold your ●hast conversation coupled with fear. Who●e apparel shall not be outward with broidered hear, & hanging on of gold, either in putting on of gorgeous apparel: but let the hid man, which is in the heart, be without all corruption, so that the spirit be at rest & quiet: which spirit before God is 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, so long as ye do well.    

¶ The duty of fathers and mothers unto their children.  
THe duty of fathers & mothers unto their children is, to train them up in the law of God, to teach them to know God & his holy word, even from their cradles, to bring them up in good learning and necessary arts, to bridle them from the foolish and noisome lusts of youth, and to garnish their life with sober and grave manners.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify unto you this day, 
Deut. vj.  & ye shall command them unto your children, that they may observe & do all the words of this law.  
If thou have sons, 
Eccle. seven.  bring them up in nurture and learning, & hold them in awe from their youth up. If thou have daughters, keep their body, and show not thy face cheerful toward them. Marry thy daughter, and so shalt thou perform a weighty matter: but give her to a man of understanding.  
He that teacheth his son, 
Eccl. thirty.  shall have joy in him, and need not to be ashamed of him among his acquaintance.  
He that spareth the rod, 
Pro. xi●j.  hateth the son: but who so loveth him, chasteneth him betimes.  
Ye fathers, 
Ephe. vj.  move not your children to wrath: but bring them up through the doctrine and information of the Lord.  
How godly Solomon, young Toby, Susamna, Philip the Evangelists daughters, Timothe, and such like were brought up of their parents, the holy scriptures bear witness.    

¶ The duty of children toward their fathers and mothers.  
THe duty of children toward their parents is, in their mind to love them, outwardly to reverence and honour them, to obey them in all things that are agreeable to Gods will, and if they chance to fall into poverty, to help them, and to give them whereof to live.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Honour thy father from thy whole heart, 
Eccle. seven.  and forget not the sorrowful travel that thy mother had with thee. Remember that thou wast borne through them, and how canst thou recompense them the things that they have done for thee?  
Children, 
Ephe. vj.  obey your fathers and mothers in the Lord: for that is right. Honour thy father and mother (the same is the first commandment in the promise) that thou mayest prosper, and live long on earth.  
Read the confirmations of the fift commandment.    

¶ The duty of Masters to their Servants.  
THe duty of Masters to their Servants is, to entreat them gently, to give them their covenants, and to help them, that they may afterward be able to live.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Where as thy servant worketh truly, 
Eccle. seven.  entreat him not evil, nor that hireling that is faithful unto thee. Love a discrete servant as thine own soul, defraud him not of his liberty, neither leave him a poor man.  
Ye masters, 
Caloss. iiij.  do unto your servants that which is just and equal, putting away threatenings, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven. Neither is there any respect of persons with God.    

¶ The duty of Servants to their Masters.  
THe duty of servants to their masters is, willingly & with a free courage to serve them for conscience sake, not with the eye, but with the heart, to obey them, to honour them, gently to answer them, not to pick or steal away their goods, but to be faithful unto them in all things.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Ye servants, 
Ephe. vj.  obey them that are your bodily masters, with fear & trembling, even with the singleness of your heart, as unto Christ, not doing service unto the eye, as they that go about to please men, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart with good will, serving the Lord & not men. Knowing this, that what soever good deed any man doth, the same shall he receive again of God, whether he be bond or free.  
Let as many servants as are under the yoke, 
j Tim. vj.  count their masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God, and his doctrine, be not evil spoken of.  
Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, 
Titus. ij.  and to please them in all things, not answering again, neither to be pickers, but that they show all good faithfulness, that they may do worship to the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.    

¶ The duty of Widows.  
THe duty of true ancient widows (besides the looking to their own household, & provision making for their living) is, to put their trust in God, to give themselves to the exercise of the spirit, to frequent the temple, to be present at the sermons, to visit the sick, to relieve the needy, to be rich in good works, & to continued in supplications & prayers both day and night. But as touching the younger widows, lest they should wax wanton against Christ, & follow Satan, breaking their first faith & promise that they made to God at their baptism (which is to abstain from all uncleanness both of body & mind, and to lead a pure and honest life) & so cast themselves into danger of everlasting damnation, it is convenient that they marry again, bring forth children, guide their house virtuously, and so live in the holy estate of matrimony, that no man may have occasion to speak evil of them.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
She that is a true widow and friendless, 
j Tim. v.  putteth her trust in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers day and night.  
judith that virtuous widow, 
judit. viii  in the higher parts of her house, made herself a privy chamber, where she dwelled being closed in with her maids. She ware a smock of hear, and fasted all the days of her life, except the Sabbaothes, & new Moons, and the solemn days that the people of Israel kept. She was a woman of a very good report with every one, for she feared the Lord greatly, and there was no body that spoke an evil word of her.  
The godly ancient widow Anna, 
Luke. ij.  departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.  

¶ Of the younger widows.  
THe younger widows refuse. 
j Tim. v.  For when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry, having damnation, because they have cast away their first faith. And also they learn to go from house to house idle: yea, not idle only, but also tattler and busy bodies, speaking things which are not comely. I will therefore, that the younger women marry, to bear children, to guide the house, & give none occasion to the adversary to speak evil.     

¶ The duty of old men.  
THe duty of old men is, to avoid all lightness, both in word, deed, & countenance, to talk of wisdom & grave matters, to be sober, sage, & discrete, & to lead a pure & undefiled life, that they may be an ensample of true godliness to the younger folk.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
God hateth an old body that doteth, 
Eccle. xxv  and is unchaste.  
Age is an honourable thing: 
Sap. iiij.  nevertheless, it standeth not only in the length of time, nor in the multitude of years, but a man's wisdom is the grey hear, and an undefiled life is the old age.  
Exhort the elder men to be sober, 
'tis ●●. ●j.  sage, discrete, sound in the faith, in love, in patience.    

¶ The duty of old women.  
THe duty of old women is, as in age, so in manners, to be sober, sage, & ancient, to wear no light apparel, but such raiment as become their age & profession, to be no tattler, but to order their tongues discreetly, to be no tavern hunters, nor given to drunkenness, but to lead a sober life, to provoke no young women unto lewdness and dishonesty, but rather to show themselves lively glasses & natural mirrors of all godliness and honesty.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Exhort the elder women that they 
〈…〉  be in such raiment as becometh holiness, not being false accusers, not given to much wine, but that they teach honest things, to make the young women sober minded, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discrete, chaste, huswifely, good, obedient to their husbands, that the word of God be not evil spoken of.    

¶ The duty of young folk.  
THe duty of young folk is, not to be proud, but humble, lowly, and gentle, gladly to hear the discrete talk of their elders, and to be ordered by them, not to be rash, but sober minded in all their doings.  

☞ Probations out of the holy Scriptures.  
Ye younger folk, 
j Peth v.  submit your selves unto the elders: submit your selves every man, one to an other: knit yourselves together in lowliness of mind: For God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.  
Thou young man, 
Eccle. vj.  keep company with the multitude of such elders as have understanding, & consent unto their wisdom with thine heart: that thou mayest hear all godly sermons, and that the worthy sentences escape thee not.  
If thou be among men of higher authority, 
Eccl. 3●.  desire not to compare thyself unto them: and when an elder speaketh, make not thou many words.  
Exhort the young men that they be sober minded. 
Tit●●. ij.     

¶ The duty of all degrees and estates generally, both toward God and their neighbour.  
THe duty of all degrees & estates generally, both toward God & their neighbour is, to believe in God, to fear God, & to keep his commandments, to love god above all things, & our neighbour as ourself, & to do none otherwise unto other, than we wish to be done unto ourselves.  
☞ Probations out of the holy.  
He bele●●● God, 
job. xiv.  believe also in me (saith Christ).  
Fears God, 
Eccle. xii.  and keep his commandments for that be longeth unto all me●●  
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with ●ll thy heart, 
Mat. xxij.  with all thy soul, and 〈◊〉 all thy mind. This is the first 〈…〉 est commanndement. And the second is like unto it. Thou sh●● love thy neighbour as thyself▪ In these two commandments, are contained the whole law and the Prophetees.  
Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, 
Mat. seven.  do you even the same to them also. For this is the law and the Prophets.  
¶ give the glory to God alone.