❧ Here beginneth a godly new story of xii men that moyses (by the Commandment of god) sent to spy out the land of canaan: of which xii only josua and Caleb, were found faithful messengers.  Psalm. Cu. 
O that men would preys the goodness of god and the wonders that he doth for the children of men: for he hath broken the gates of brass, and smitten the bars of Iron in sunder. Folyshemen were plagued for their offences & because of their wickedness.   

The Epistle to the reader  
To all the faithful brethren which only desire the glory of god, in our saviour and Redeemer jesus Chryst: be grace mercy and peace thorough the working of his holy spirit. Amen.  
WHERE Solomon had considered all thiges' doen under the sun; 
Eccle. viii  to be but vanity and vexacione of mind: Yet sayeth he is there a vanity upon earth. There be just men unto whom it happeneth as though they had the works of the ungodly: again their be ungodly with whom it goeth as though they had the works of the tyghteous. This me think also a vain thing etc. This vexed saloinon above other things and moved him the rather to say: all is but vanity, when he saw good men rewarded with evil and the wicked flourish and have prosperity. he saw the Good & the bad prosper alike increase their riches & possessions & to be had in reverenc: he saw the wicked decay & perish, and likewise, it happened to the innocent. Vnmeate it seemeth to a man of good reason, that a sore labouring man should lack his meat, and an idle● sleep with a full belly. But what shall we say, like as it was in salomons days: so also now is it most sure and certain that many times a man shall seek his brother's wealth and show him a great benefit: & find his displeasure and have his evil will that is, for his well doing shallbe rewarded with evil, and yet shall the dissembler have great benevolence & favour. Oftentimes it chamnceth that he which honestly studieth to profit the comen wealth: hath little thank for his labour and is despised of the same: and he whose diligence may be best spared, most avaunceth him self there by, and cometh to honour. riches, possessions, & plenteousness of the world happeneth not seldom, to the wicked & ungodly, yea they be had in favour with great men & without any deserving be brought to great dignity. Pewry, scarcity, trouble & adversity, be said on the righteous which feareth god, & his good wisdom bringeth him dispyt. This is well known to such as seek wisdom in christ whom fortune alway favoureth not, and have experimented the assaults of the enemy. He that reapeth the corn perchance eateth none of the bred. He that treadeth the vine press drinketh not always of the wine. The labour & travel that some men take of pure good will & also effectuous, hath not the grace with men, nor favour the others past●●● concylyateth without pain yea & at last unprofitable. But should I now be aggrieved with the weeds growing among the corn: saying the ldrds sayeth: 
Mat. xiii. psa. xxvii  Let them grow both till harvest? Can my hatred destroy sin? or doth my sin myny she their offences? fret not thyself at the ungodly (saith a David) be not envious against the evil doers. And why so? for they shall soon be cut do wne like the grass & be withered as the green herb. Put thou thy trust in the lord & be doing good, so shall thou dwell in the land, & it shall surely feed the. etc. Understand now gentle reader, that when I was about to write this matter that I have taken in hand: I considered what anumbre of books there be abroad in every man's hand of divers & sundry matters which at very greedily devoured of a great sorten. Who so laboureth both writig & redig I do very much commend. But are the labours of all such writer thankfully received trow ye? Are there diligence & study gratified accordingly? or doth every man read with such a purpose & itent that the common wealth of Christ's flock mought thereby be profited and the people reduced to a christian cover sation and amendment of life: As the auctor intended? Do they read with such judgement that they receive the Good and reject the bad? No no. The wayghtyer matter, the sooner passed over, and the less thank to the author. But trifling matters, finely Handled are esteemed. So crooked and perverse is the nature of man and so little pleasure have we in following the heavenly doctrane of christ: And so little profit have they also that with singleness of heart labour therein. But what then: should the writers therefore leave writing, because the most part do not wourthyly receive it? God forbid: But rather would I wish the those which never wrote before, should also set themselves to work be stowing the talon that god hath lent them to the most advantage, And seeing it is not lawful for any man (as yet) to preach in an open audience, unless he be or hath been an Apostata: (an Apostle I should say) I purpose by the grace of god and the helping of his holy spirit, to do that lieth in me, to spy out the land of Canaan and to bring such tidings as the Lord shall open unto me, in writing, by means whereof his people may know their Lord the better and at last be partakers of that pleasant land flowing with milk and honey. Now for as much as by all likelyhods & tokens we approach near the borders of this promised land, for the Lords commandment is come into the heart of our moses which willeth me of every sort to go spy out the country & to bring tidines what manner of country it is that all his people might enter I thought it very good and profitable to publish the story of these xii messengers written in the book of Numeri the xiii & xiiii cha. that we being admonished by their example may the better know how to behave our selves in our journey, every man in his calling specially such as are purposely sent. life up your hearts therefore brethren unto the lord beseeching high of his merciful goodness, that he will wouchesafe to govern my heart & all others travialinge this heavenly land & that thorough faith in his promises (according to the example of josua & Caleb) we may be found faithful & true messengers bringing with us the fruit of the same land & avoidig the unfaithfulness of the other ten cowerdes which brought an evil report up 'pon the land & cause the people to sine we may comfort them so, with the promises, that with a glad heart & surs hope, of a constant faith we may altogether enter into the heavenly tabernacle, which christ hath prepared for his elect. Amen  
Spiritus ubi vult spirat . P.N.. Philip Nycolls   

The story  
It shall not need to write that hole stori word for word in this placebut to refer thee (gentle reder (to the place written in the bok of numbered the xiii & xiiii Chapters: th'effect where of is this. After that the children of Israel were gone out of Egypte and had been a great while in the wilderness: 
Num. xiii  and nowdraweing nigh the land of Canaan, the lord spoke unto Moses and said send forth men to spy out the land of. Canaan, which I will give unto the children of Israel of every tribe of their fathers, a man, and let them be such as are captains among them. etc. Moses did so chose out of every tribe a man & sent them forth and bade them vieu the land and see what manner of country it was, and what manner of people they were that dwelt in it, & also to bring some of the fruit of the land with them. They went & after xl days they returned and came to Moses and Aaron and the hole congregation, and declared unto them that they had townde a goodly Country flowing with milk, & honey & they had brought of the fruit of the land, A Cluster of Grapes, pomegranetes, & figs. But there be strong people dwelling in the land and grate and mighty cities: we are not able to go against them (say they:) for all the men are of great stature: yea we saw Giants there also, as the Children of Enock, & we seemed in our sight as the grasshoppers, & so did we in their sight. At this report, 
Nu. xiii.  the Children of Israel took on and cried and wept and murmured Against Moses and Aaron, & said: oh that we had died in Egypt, or that we might die yet in this wilderness. Wherefore bringeth the lord us into this land, that our wives should fall thorough the sword, & our Children to be a prey. Is it not better that we go again into Egypte? And they said, one to another: let us make a Captain and go into Egypte again.  
But Moses & Aaron fell upon their faces before the whole Congregation of the multitude of the children of Israel: and josua the Son of Nun and Caleb the son of jephun (which were also ii of the xii that had been to spy out the land:) rent their clothes and spoke to the hole Congregation of the children of Israel and said: the land which we have walked thorough to spy it out, is a very good land: yff the lord have lust unto us, he shall bring us, into the same land & give it us, which is a land that floweth with milk and honey. But in any wise, rebel ye not against the Lord, and fear not the people of this land: for we will eat them up as bread. Their defence is is departed from them, but the lord is with us, be not ye afraid of them. And all the people bad stone them with stones. Then appeared the glory of the lord in the tabernacle of witness unto all the children of Israel. And the Lord said unto Moses: how long shall this people blasp heme me? And how long will it be ear they believe me, for all the tokens that I have showed among them I will smit them with pestilence and destroy them, and will make of the a greater & a mightier people than this is. But Moses said: Then shall the Egyptians hear it (for with pour hast thou brought this people fronamong them) so shall it be told to the inhabyters of this land also which have herd that thou o lord arte among this people that thou art seen from face to face, and that thy cloud stand the over them, and the thou goest before them in the cloudy pillar on the day time, and in the fiery pillar in the night season. If thou shouldest now slay this people, as one man, than the heathen that have heard so good report of thee, should say: The lord was not able to bring the people into the land that he swore unto them, therefore hath he slain them in the wilderness. So let the power of the lord now be great according as thou hast spoken and said: the lord is of long sufferance and of great mercy, and forgiveth sin and trespass, and leaveth no man innocent, and visiteth the misdeeds of the fathers, upon the cyldrens unto the third and fourth generation. O be gracious now unto the sin of this people according to thy great mercy, like as thou hast forborn this people also ever from Egipte unto this place. And the lord said I have forgiven itas thou hast said, but as truly as I live, all the world shallbe full of my glory. For of all the men that have seen my glory, & my tokens, which I did in Egypte, & in the wilderness & tempted me now ten times and have not harkened unto my voice. et c. For I have heard their murmurings against me: tell them therefore, As truly as I live (sayeth the Lord) I will do unto you, even as ye have spoken in mine ears. Your carcases shall lie in this wilderness: But my servant Caleb, because there is Another manner of spirit in him, and because he hath followed me: him will I bring into the land, and josua the son of Num But ye with your carcases shall lie in this wilderness: And your children shall bear your mysdeades, forty years, for the xl days that you were aspyenge out of the land, a day for a year, that ye may know what it is when I with draw my hand. even I the lord have said it & will do it indeid unto all this evil congtegation the have life up themselves against me: in this wilderness shall they be consumed, & there shall they die. And their deeds were plagued before the lord, all the men, whom moyses sent to spy out the land, save josua & Caleb. And when Moses had declared this to the people, they took great sorrow, & they rose early in the morning & went up to the top of the mountain and said: Io we are here ready to go up to the place that the lord commanded us: for we have sinned. But Moses said: wherefore go ye on this manner beyond the word of the Lord? It shall not prosper with you. Go not up (for the lord is not among us) hat ye be not slain of your enymyes. But they were blinded & would go up: not withstanding Moses and Aaron nor the ark of covenant came not into the host and three they were slain every one of the enemies.  
Here hast thou (dearly beloved in christ) almost the hole matter even as it is written. Now shall it be (in my judgement) very profitable to recite it again and apply it to our time that it may be printed the better in our mind, and that we may both learn by them to beware of infidelity & impatience & the we murmur not against god & neglect his commandments & also to follow the steadfastness of. Caleb and josua in faith & believe, doing all thing according to the word & commandment of the lord. 
Eebre. iii.  This counsel doth saint Paul give us saige take heed good brethren saith he that there be not in any of you an evil heart of unbelieve to departed from the liviggod but exhort out selves daily while it is called to day lest any of you wax hard hearted throu the deceatfulnes of sin etc. Take head say eth he. By this we may perceive the thorough unbelieve we depart from the living god & for lack of daily exhortactyons' men wax hard hearted though row that deceatfulns of sinew. He that hath the grace, consider & perceive well the stat of unbelief & speacilli when the heart is once hardened thorough syn̄e● shall not me ruayle the saint Paul sayeth take heed. For sure, he that will serve the lord, must take heed & fear for he shall have many emmies, 
Eccle. two.  the the fear of the lord is the right god's service (sayeth syrach (& haet serveth god well that feareth to displease high now are all those things written for our learning that we mought learn both by examples & exhortations to fear god & do his will. 
Exo. two. seven. viii xi. x. xiiii.  The children of Israel, after that the egyptyans be gone to make slaves of then cried unto the lord and sighed to be dely veredat, but after the the lordehade wrought many wonders in Egypt for their deliverance, and caused the sea to open & gave them room, and pharaoh with his host drowned: yet all this notwithstanding, asson as any temptation arose, they forgart altogether &, 
Ex. xv xvi xvii. Gene. xvii xxv. xxxv Exo. xiii. Exo. xxxii Nu xxxv. psal. c. vi.  murmured against the lord & wished the they had died in Egypt: although the lord had promised their father's abraan isaac & jacob, to multiply their seed, bless than, & bring than into the landlord the floweth with milk & honey: yea that lord went with them the pillar of a cloud by day & by night in a pillar of fire. All this notwithstanding (I say) for every trifle, they murmured, & gruged, wishing themselves again in egypt: even despising the boyce of the lord their god, & made them other gods, & served the gods of the nations, & went a whoring after their own inventions: for which the lord plagued them often, very sore. Thes are examples unto us sayeth saint Paul that we should not lustafter evil things, 
i. cor. x.  as they lusted: neither be ye worshypers of images, as were some of them, according as it is written, the people sat down to eat & drink & rose up to play, 
Exo. xxxii Nn. xxv Nu xxi.  neither let us commit whoredom, as some of them committed & fell in oneday. xxiii. tho● sand: Nether let us tempt christ as some of them tempted him & were destroyed of serpents: 
Num. xi.  Neither murmur ye as some of them murmured & were destroyed of the dystroyer. All these happened unto them for ensamples (sayeth saint paul) but they are written towarne us, upon whom the end of the world is come: therefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. These be saint paul's words. And I would wish from my very heart that all men from the highest to the lowest would weigh them earnestly. For they be written for our learning & to th'intent that we should take head frar god & flee such oftences, lest we provoke the lord to cast us of forever. He speaketh even to the wisest among men, saying: let him the thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. This waruing of saint Paul may not be forgotten, take heed therefore breath ten the there be not in any of you an evil heart of unbelief to departed from the lyvyug god. Where withal shall ayoung man clang his way? 
psal. c. ix.  saith david, he answereth himself & saith even by ruling himself after the word of god, but he the goeth beside the word of the lord must needs fall though he think high self never so sure For what is man ory● wisdomm of man? 
i. cor. i  is not wisdom of the world folly shnes with god● The lord bade Moses send out. 
samu. xiii  xii, men to spy owte the land of canave. For he would give It to the children of Israele in possession. Moses' did so, and chose of every of the, xii tribes, one to go spy out the land. And the no 〈◊〉 fools, but even of the thief of the tribes. And there they found a fruitful country flowing with milk & hovy. They brought of the grapes, pomgranettes, and figs. All this was according to the word of the lord, and his promise made to the fathers. But as the nature of man is always, to love himself to lean to his own wisdom, & to put some confidence therein and thus forsake faith: so these messengers said unto the people: we came unto the land whether ye sent us where it flowath with milk and honey, and this is the fruit thereof. Bute then the people are mighty, their Cities strong and great: So that we at not able to match them Yea we saw giants there also, the children or Euocke (say they) And we femed● our sight as the grasshoppers and fodyd we in their sight like wise. Now here we sauhow they fall away thorough vubelef: for what needed they have feared the giamnts, or any other thing if they had believed god as Abram their fathers did? but they tok no head to the word of the lord, therefore they brought this evil report upon the land, in so much that the people these words began to cry and howl saying: 
Nu. xiiii.  oh that we had died in the land of Egypte, or that we might die yet in this wilderness, wherefore bringeth the lord us into this land that our wives should fall thorough the sword, and our Children be a pray? Is it not better that we go again into Egypte? And thus they said on to another let us make a Captain over us, and go again Into Egypte. Mark here the the unfayfullnes of the so Messengers Behold also the weak 〈◊〉 faith that was in the people. The word of the lord bad moyses send spies into the land (which the lord would give to the children of Israel) as it was often promised before, But these messengers looked upon the mighty men & great giants, and forgot the promise of god.  
Likewise the people hearkened to the voice of the messengers and let the voice of the lord go. Oh unfaithful generation. Where was Abraham's faith? which when he was commanded to kill his only son, 
Gen. xxii  in whom the lord had promised to bless all nations, he forsook, reason left his own wisdom, & believed that that lord would raise him again from death to life rather than his word should not be fulfilled. This is writ ten for our learning that, we also may set hand of the promyeses of god with like faith. 
is  But where this faith? let us now talk awhile of our latter days, that we may see whether this faith be among us or not. Many writers have compared the Pope to king Pharoo of egypt. And in deed it may welbe: for as long as he governed the church: he made us bond sins, he and his ministers. Yea we were so blindly led and so tyraun nously handled, and that with such villainy: that I am sure, the israelites were never so shameful entreated of king Pharoo and his my nysters: As we have been of this Phatao and his shaven genetation. For the days hath been that if a man had found a pressed or A F●yer in the vedde with His wife: He durst not to have laid his Hands upon him. Where as y●yt had been another man all though He had stain him? it had been accoumted no fault at all. No man might have sewed them at that common law. Ye, thes egyptyans were waxed so proud that they had divided theim selfes from the poor israelites, in somuch that they must be called spiritual fathers and we the lewd people. And if any poor Israelyte had grudged at anytime to bear there heavy and intolerable but thence: there was no remedy but cruel death with out mercy. Unless he would swear to be obedient unto them in All things whatsoever they should command him. Many a poor soul hath suffered underthen most cruel torments. Many a one have they put to death the could not be suffered to answer for themself many a one have they put to death the cause where of was never known. Many a one have they murdered in prison secretly lest there outragius cruel manslaghter should be openly knowembut thanks be unto the almighty god which of his love the he bare unto us, at the cries of some faithful israelites, hath delivered us, by his minister King Henry the viii, from under the great & intolerable burdens of this cruel pharaoh, & hath brought us into the wylderness, where we hear the lord speak to us daily, in the bible, wherein is written both the new testament & the old, is brought among us, Pharaos' power is taken from him: his bulls be not regarded, his supersty oyous seetes of religion be gone & agreate meany of his mahometrye & other baggage did the worthy king henry destroy. Many wonderful things did the lord bring to pass in his days, yet lo for all thee, could not we continue faithful. All these wonders the prophecies of the lord himself against those false prophets, nor yet the examples of those israelites in the wyidernesse, cold keep us in a steadfast faith In the promyfes of the lord, but at every temptation we were ready to go back again in to Egipte. For if there came but a commandment to burn our books, or such like: straightway we began to despair to grudge, and murmur, ye, and many went back again into Egypt, and benot yet returned. Rather had they to be slaves in Egypte, to sit by the flesh pots, filling their lusts: them to ieopred their lives at the commandment of god, in the wilderness. And for such infy delity & wickedness, how have we felt the plagues of the lord, both hunger pestilence & war. But they will say, it happeneth only, for these new found out heresies, the be now abroad. And every evil that chanceth, they impute it to the Gospel, which they call He resye. Yet this I am sure, All they can not deny: But these plagues in the wilderness happened unto the people, for dysobeing the word of the lord, and for walking after their own in ventions. Now if these (whom they call heretics) go about to set up, or put down any thing bysyde the doctrine of christ: then might they have some colour to cloak their matter withal, to make the rude people be leave that these plagues belonged not to their unfaithful works. But now to contyrme their malice they say: Look upon their living. Here is one preacheth asermon at forenoon and is drounk at after none. Another in ahole asseble maketh an oration to destroy vice: and forth with a continent committeth abomination. One wryttethe in book this day to exhort men to good living:  
And the next day himself is found an open transgressor of the law. Look upon them (say they) greater whroekepers & adulterers, greater sueare●● & blasphemers of the name of god, greater extortioners and deceivers, more proud, more envious more covetous than these (which talk so much of the gospel) can not, nor is possible to be. But what shall we say to them now? shall we say they lie? no, for they speak many things truli (although they speak it of malice) as I have seen the experience to often. But alas the ever such manifest wickedness should be suffered unpunished. Look to it (O ye Magistrates) for right sharp judgement shallbe done on these the be in authority: 
sape. seven.  and it pertaineth to your charge, as well to maintain Christ's doctrine in punishing the wicked living, As to destroy I dolatrye In aboly shing false preaching.  
Therefore I say a gain look to it. For thes false baalams be notable to open their mouths with learning to defend their false doctrine. For every child almost is able to confound them, even by their own learning, and Doctors. Only now do they slander the gospel, with the filthy living of a sort of false faived brethren, which with their lips confess christ the lord, but in their deeds they deny him openly, 
Tit. i.  and that unpunished. And therefore yet once again (though I be but a poor, and unprofitable servant of jesus christ) do I exhort you (O ye Magistrates and high rulers. 
Nu. xxv  in the zeal of Phinees, that due punishment may be had for such outeragyous wickedness to th'intent that the Lord may the sonnet wythedrawe his plague from us, and his mercy take place in repentant hearts by faith converted. Due punishment, I say, for I fear me exhortation will not serve, wickedness is so great. And I beseech you (o ye Magistrates) that you will pardon me of so much boldness that I may exhort you also to take heed that there be not in any of you an evil heart of unbelief to depart from the living god: for I am sure the devil goeth above like a roaring lion, 
i. petre. v.  seeking whom he may devour: therefore take heed. For if any of you be given to desire and covet to reing with riches and possessions in this world: He will be at hand with you, in such wise will he persuade you, that you shall think ye can not have to much to set furhe Christ'S Gospel. If any of you, be given to the lust of women: He shall persuade your (by the scriptures ye shall think) that you may take another beside your wife. Orells put away your wife, and mary another for every fault, Though you yourself be the cause of her fall. If any of you be given to pride, this wicked serpent is always at hand to persuade you, that forasmuch as ye be in authority, ye ought to be known abve other men. Thus shall he bring into you a certain love of yourself, and ye shall think that you be life up above other men, which yet be your brethreu. If you be given to be angry, he shall cause you in a fury to forget mercy, yea & then shall your authority be aminister of sin. Do what vice soener you be bend to, heys ready to increase it and to make you forget it: And then for lack of exhortations, may ye be hardened in your sin, and then is it dangerous. Take heed therefore, for a lintlesin in you is much noted of the commons: and in those things ye fall Yourefalses, how can ye punish other? So by this means may it come to pass that sin shall not be punished. Thus shall these backbiters have always an occasion to slander Christ'S gospel. For they forget not the evil living, that they may spy in these Gospelers. But I ask these holy Fathers, when they say these gospelers live so naughtyly in all kind of sin and abominations: Whether do they hate the Sin, that these men commit: Or else the gospel, that they so much talk of? Nay, the sin will they say for very shame. But if sin be be the cause, why they say thes gospelers be such whoremongers susuche swerars, such proud men such covetous persons et. cc. If These Be the Causes: Why had they not made Statutes (When they bore the Rule) and straight Laws, to punish These abominations with some punishments at  as well as they made laws to punish with death 〈◊〉 as red defalked, preached, or 〈◊〉 any thing out of the 〈…〉 defence of Christ's gospel 〈◊〉 their Ipoc●ytys and falsy 〈◊〉 ●●yne? yea why do they not ●●e owl upon these Abhomy amyous indeferentsye in all ●●enne  even of their own sect be as filthy lives and as wicked ●s The other, and A greater number? ye the holy fathers them salves willbe known to be no sayilles (I warrant ye we) ●umtyme. But will ye know the cause why the gospel preacheth A g●ynste there Ipocrysy●, A ga●nste there ed●et cousnes, Against their p●y●e and daily gloryt: And Against theyte blindness specyal●ye in gods word: And any●●te all there abominations The gospel, the gospel. Ho●est illud hinc illi clamores. Hecest illa maliiia. This is the thing they be a grieved with all. How careful therefore and ware, ought they to be in their conversation, that shalt preach, Teach, wryt or read or with authority set forth god's word unto the people for they be as it were messengers sent to spy owte the land. How had they need to take heed that there be in none of them an evil heart of unbelieve to depart from the lyunge God: lest thorough infidelity they Bring Ane euelle report upon the land of Canuaan. We are admonished here buy These messengers to cleave fast to the word of god: To stick, to his promyle be to dy●gence in hour vocatione. And to forsacke hour o●ne wosdome Ye: and to do only which he commandeth. For if the word of the lord said; destroy the Images of baall, pluck down the Idols, 
iiii Re. xx iii.  destroy the hylaulters, burn the groves, leave nothing fear theme not, I am the lord. What council is there (In this case) that may be allowed. Hath not the lord said to Moysese send men to spy out the land which I will give to the children of Israel? 
Heb. iii  Understand (dear brethren) that as Moses the chosen servant of god to whom was committed the governance of the children of Israel to rule In the letter. Doth signify the only begotten son of god jesus christ, to whom is committed all judge went rule and powe out all mean in his spirit: 
Gene.. xv. Hed. seven.  Aod as Melchysedech king of salem the high pressed of god withowet beginning or ending: doth paint before hour eyes the everlasting priesthood of christ, which offered the true breed and the true wine, 
Heb. iiii.  of which whoso eateth and drinketh: hath everlaflyffe: so doth this holy land promised to Abraam and his posterity signify unto us the holy promised dwelling of the father, that heavenly mansion prepared of christ for this elect, that kingdom in which is joy and peace in the holy ghost. 
Hebre. x.  These are the shadows of good things is come, and not the things in their nation sayeth sayut pavia) & this land of Canaan) which was promised to abraam and to his seed and they possessed it in deed was but a shadow of the everlasting kingdom of heaven. The journey thorough the wilderness: betokeneth this miserable life, so full of troubles and temptation. And as all such as grudged a against god in the wilderness when any temptation arose, and would go back again into egypt: died in the wilderness and were not suffered to enter into the land of canaan: cuum so are all such unfaithful, and fleshly livers, as can not abide to have their lusts restraned but would go again into egypt by the flesh pots, and all such as will not abide by the word of the lord, to worship him according as he hath appointed, but would go after strange gods worshipping hinafter there own inventyons: all these I say (whiles they repent and be converted) shall not enter the kingdom of god, but shall lie in the wilderness, that is, in the place of everlasting trouble & vexation. Take heed therefore there be not in any of you Turrian evil heart of unbelief. Let us not shrynkee In this wylldernessee but pacyentelye abide the will of god and then be we sure we shall possess this trutefull land: for god hath promised, and that is sufficient. Look what he hath spoken must needs come to passed, and (god is mi witness) I did ever seen I had any perseaveraunce in Christ's doctryn, believe, that as the pope was deprived of his false usurped power: so should all his feigned religion decay, and be utterly destroyed. For the lord sayeth: 
Math. XV.  every plant which my heavenly father hath not planted shall be plucked up buy the roots. Not with staneding, it hath come forth fair and easily, and peradventure some of these unfaithful. Messengerse hath brought An evil report upon this heavenly Canaan, which is the very doctrine of. christ, 
What. xiii  as christ calleth it himself. For I have heard some say (which have been no small fools) it is good in such weighty matters to take good advisement and do all things with discretion. For if we should abolish and put down all things that gods word doth not allow, meaning the abominable abuses of the mass, and the great disorder of ministers with such like: great hosts, and great armies of men will invade us: And we shall not be able to Endure against them. For here have we the scottesone the one side, the frenchmen on the other side. The irish men be brute beasts. The pope shall set the Emperor upon us. And all nations will in vade us. Ye our own country will rebel agadnst us. Oh Caleb Caleb.  
Oh josua, here you not what an evil report this messengers bring upon the land. Thus & such like tales will make the people rebel against Moses. Why rend you not your clothes? among these xii. messengers that were sent to spy out the land: was there but two faithful men. But these two when they saw the multytud so far out of order, so void of grace, that Moses and Aaron fell down upon there faces to entreat them: They rend their clothes, and spoke to the hole congregation saying: The land that we have walked though row to spy out, is a very good land: if the lord have lust unto us, he shall bring us into the same land and give it us, which is a land that floweth with milk and honey. But in any wise rebel not against the lord: And fear not the people of this land. For we will eat them up as bread. Their defence is departed from them, but ylord is with us, be not afraid of thener. c Mark well the werdes of these two faithful Messengers, we will eat them up as bread say they there defence is departed from them, the lord is with us, be not afraid, of them. Oh faith faith. If all these lands and coutrees were bend to come in deed, what should we fear? Rather should we believe, that of these Enymtes in coming over the river, the hole host should sink: then that god should fail those that faith fully trust in him. But all thing must be done with dyscretion, sobriety and wisdom say they. But I pray you what greater wisdom & discretion can therebe: then to do ernestli the commanndement of god, & with an earnest; eel to set forth his truth; what is your mind to do? are ye not mynded to set forth god's word with a pure conscience? Are you not minded to do according to the same? is it not your purpose to Root out Idolatry? do you not intend to set up the treu wourshipe of god? if conscience be defiled with covetousness hordone pride, or any such like vice: then fear how ye go forward, and take good council before you proceed, for god's word will not cloak yn long, but will doubtless see it punished, ye and all men shall see it. But if your conscience be clear, and ye seek nothing but the only glory of god (though it were with the loss of all your goods if it pleased god so to hring it to pass) & to do only that he connmundeth your why stay ye are ye afraid of the numbered of men and the great giants? is it not gods cause that you take in hand darennynat you bentet upon such a land● is not god our shield & defence have we not apromise that v. shall chase a●●e hundredth, 
Le. xxvi Deut. thirty two.  and an. C. shall chase tene thousand? Are these v●yne words are they not our life? do we not see here in the same story, that when the people would have stoned Caleb and josua, for speaking to them in this tayth: the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of witness unto the people, And the lord said unto Moses: How long shall this people blaspheme me? And how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the Tokens that I have showed among them? I will smpte this people with pestilence, and destroy them, and will make of the a greater and a mightier people, than this is, sayeth the lord. Consider well these words, consider who, spoke them, to whom they were spoken, and for whose sake they were written. Oh what case should we be in, 
Psal, cvi.  if our Moses stood, not in the gap, and prayed his father for us? How unfaithfully do we daily fall, even as it were a people that had no god at all? Let us therefore be warned in time. Let us be converted unto the lord. Let us separate ourselves from the trust of men, from the wisdom of men, from the vain confidence of this world, with all the vanities of it. And let us with a syugle eye and a pure conscience call upon the name of the Lord. Our mediator is alway ready to offer out prayers to his father, and hath promised that we shall be heard, if we call in faith.  
Let us learn of Moses and other holy fathers, of christ and his apostles how to pray: For always are there oceasyons offered to afaythefull Man to Pray: As was here to Moses for the people. But we had need to pray for ourselves & to desire our Moses to pray for us also: for we have offended after this manner. therefore let us life up our boyce saying: o lord be merciful unto thy people accor ding to thine accoustomable mercies, do away our offences: For we have sinned. But yet for thy name's sake deliver us. We have taken upon us to be of thy gospel, and with our mouths we confess thee, but in our deeds we deny thee: yet lord have mercy, for if thou shouldest plague us according to our deserts: then should the other unbelovinge say: Lo: Behold how God hateth their heresy, and thus should thy word be despised and hared of all nations oh be gracious therefore unto our sins accoring to thy great mercy, likewise as thou hast forborn us alway hitherto be thus gracious unto us for Christ's sake. Let all such faithful men, as do earnestly study the amendment of their wicked life, say amen. But he that doth not so: let him keep silence or else say our lady Psalter: for such prayers doth god's word teach us, by his saints, which were writ ten for our learning. As for matin's mumblers and mass mongers with dyryges and trentals with such superstitious prayers, the scry pture speaketh not of them. But thes & such like are the scypture full. No vain babbling: but effectual faithful, & fervent, ought our prayers be. For the prayer of a cyghtesous man, 
jaco. v.  availeth much (sayeth laynct james) if it be fervent. As it appeareth also in this story by Moy sts, which obtained grace for the people. For the lord said: I have forgiven it as thou hast said. But those the have murmured agayust me, tell them, as truly as I live (sayrth the lord) I will do unto you: even as ye have spoken in mine ears. Your carcases shall lie In the wylldernes, and all ye that were numbered from twenty years and above, which murmered against me shall not come into the land coucecuing the which I life up my hand that I would let you'd well therein (save caleb the son of Ie phune and josua the son of Num And so there died and were plagued before the lord all the men whom Moses sent tospye out the land and came again and made the hole multitude to murmur a●anist it because the brought up a misreport upon the land that it was evil. Here shall it be very necessary to remember the words of the hieprestes & pharisees (which gathered a counsel after that christ had raised lazarus) & they said what do we? 
joh. xii.  this man doth manytokens if: we let him go thus, all men will believe in him, then shall the tomans' come and take away all out land and people. Now within forty years after (as the histories planly declare) was Jerusalem dost royed in deed of the romans and the most part slain and led away captain. But why trou ye? because they suffered christ to preach and his doctrine to be published? not but because they mistrusted lest if they should have suffered him, the romans should come, as they did in did: Quod verebantur hoc acc●dit illis. Take heed therefore that there be not in any of you an evil heart of unbelief to departed from the living god. I say take head, for he the feareth the door frost the deep snow shall fall upon him, and surely if ye fear the destruction of your bodily substance thorough in fidellte & mistrust of gods mighty hand: it is to befeared lest he shalde stroi you both body & soul Look to it all ye that hold so much of your polytyk wisdom, for god's pleasure. his commaundemenres, pass the man's wisdom and reason. He will not be measured with man's policy. He will work with his mighty, power, whereas man's reason camnotunderstand it. For these messengers that were sent to spy out the land, perceiving the multytud of people which were mighty, & the strong cities that were in the land: Again consy dere the great giants that were there also: thought it could not be that they should get the country, for it stood not with reason. And there fore murmured they and wished that they had died in egypt, or that theymought die in the wilderness andeven so it cainto pass for the unfaithfulness for: they were plagued and died in the wilderness As many as murmured. But josua and Caleb were left alive and preserved by the wonderful power of god & that because of their steadfast faith the they had in the promises of the lord. But the people wolds have stoned them, even for there faith fullness. For the other ten look upon the strong men & great cities but these men looked upon the people with them But alas for the blendenes of the world: for as the faisr prophets sys of god & comforted the profetes were always the greatest numbered: so were the rude multitude coutynually bend to believe the more pare and to stone crucife burn & hang or with sdme other cruel tormentrs rid such all way As broughe them the truth. As we see it evident in all the holy scriptures by the prophets, by christ himself and his apostles. And as we have seen also by good experience in hour days. But the lord is always at hand to deliver those that faithful trust in him, he comforteth them and helpeth them. For either he delivereth believe, looked only to the promise the was proceeded forth of the mouth of god, and regarded nothing else.  
He did not reason the matter first how he might for another son, the the former promise of god might 〈…〉 patience, and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. They are written for our learning sayeth saint paul. If they be wryttenfor our learning it is reason we know them. Else how shall we learn 〈…〉 which I conmaunde the this day, shallbe in thine heart, 
Deut. vi.  and thou shalt show them unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou art at home in thin house: And as thou wall kest by the way, & when yn liest down, and when thou risest up, and thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, & they shallbe a warning between thine eyes, and thou shalt written them upon the posts of thy house, & upon thy gates. etc. Again, take heed therefore that ye do all the command dements & laws which I set before you this day. 
Deut. xi.  etc. Also, what so ever I command you, that take heed ye do only to the lord, & put you nothing thereto, nor take aught therefrom. etc. Behold with what care the lord giveth his commandments, that they should not be forgotten. diligent therefore were the prophets always to writ forth the wonders that god hath always showed for the children of men. The lord said to josua: Let not the book of the law depart out of thy mouth, 
josua. i.  but record therein both day & night. Now if these commandments be forgotten so the we have them not in our heart: Then shall we have little pleasure to talk of them. For the mowth talketh of the abundance of the heart. If they be not in our heart nor in our mouth: it is not possible that we should be doing of them. 
Mat. xii.  If we be not doing of the lords commandments: surely we turn to the right hand or the left: we add we diminish: we forget yn true wur ship of god: we serve Idols & follow our own iventions: we forget Abraham's forth: we forget Moses' doctrine: we forget Caleb & josua, Christ & all his apostles, with all their doctrine of patience, throw which we should have hope. Alas what case were we in when we knew not what, was the old testament nor what was the new? the bible was an unknown thing with in these xx. year Here in England. 
three Re. xii  jeroboam had invented us a new law, a new wurshype of god, for he knew well thou the people would have such devotion that they must needs have what to wurshype, as we see by the Israelyres in the vildernes whirh assoon as Moses was gone into the monte to talk with the lord and to receive the commandments, by and by they must have some similitude, some likeness of god, 
Ex. xxxii  some on thing or another to direct their prayers unto. And therefore made them a golden calf and wourshyped it. And Jeroboam I say knew well that the people must needs have somewhat to worship, and he feared lest (if they should go to jerusalem to worship) he should lose his kingdom again, & therefore he made them two golden calves, In Dan & Bethel, Owr Jeroboam like wise after that he came to that great dig nytye that he was called, Pater Patrum Caput Ecclesie. etc. with such like: he knew well that if the people should know the scripture, and be brought up in the simple doctrine of christ that he could never continue so prince like clean contrary to the doctrine theyrof, nor none of his. Wherefore dylgent study was had to invent services, wurshypyngs, exposytyes, sacraments, with all the goodlyests jewels and costly apparel that mought be had, so that at the last the hole world was ravyshede with that great holiness. Than became the ministers of this Jeroboam in every country the greatest men of the world. No Realm but Car dynalles were the chief in the council and ruled the hole Realm, by shops were Ambassators and of the prever counsaul. Deans and prebendaryes were the kings phesycyans' chaplains and stewards: Parsons & vycars were great Lords stewards & chaplins. I speak nothing of abbots priors provincials with such a rablement of cloystererss. What did all thes did they thach the peoplethe gospel of jesus christ? did they teach the people faith in christ, love and charity, meekness, gentylnese, symplycytie so bryrte, chastyt liberality, and to dispyce the world and to go thorough the wild ernesse with. Moses and Christ their to be tryede whether their faith were Like abraham's, constance and lively in the promises of god? Alas few of them cold teach Any thong at all, for they Were (for the most) part great means sons brought up in hawking & hunting. They knew not the gospel, peradventure they would set there chaplains to preach the master of sentence, and the legend horrye, if he brought I ii or iii of the doctors, oh what a learned man was that, but these great men took their pleasures. They knew not what faith is, but imagined, that they had faith when they believed there was a god that jesus christ was his son and born of the vergyn mari. etc. but now they thought this to be to little to bring them to heaven and therefore all the mass matins. even songs,. Dyryges holy bread holy water, palms ashes with such Other gear should be a mean, And speacyaallye thenyre new sacraments and Idols that Jeroboam had set up and therefore they helden stoutly that faith only cold not iusttifis, nethercould webi faith only beaccepted into god's favour for they knew not what this lively faith that abraam had meant letpaule sai whāhe will, the church was above pale, and all the scripture now was their living lyk unto other men, or worse ank the cause of all others myschet for they were as proud, envious, and malicious, as any men were in the world yea man had been better to have had the dysy leisure of ten other than one of them. They fared as well & had as many daynte dishes as any lords in the realm and more quietness a great deal. This could not be with out women. Whether they were whoremongers, adulterers & worse, let all the world be judge. Noman roughte more to be aloft in the world than they did: and such great houses, horses hounds sho ting dicing, open housetor gentlemen, their servants In velvet and chains of gold. What temtatyon they had in in the wilderness I can not tell, unless they were tempted with ladies and gentyllwomen that visited them. But sure they tempted other and mad them go thorough the wyldeenes and thorough the fire also. Alas they had no mercy upon a poor wretch that once opened his mowth against them, but cried out herytike heretic, burn, burn, fagotts, fire But his examynatyons was not hard of the lay people for fear. Alas If the lord had not left us seed: We should have been, As sodom, and like unto Gomorra. 
Psal. two.  Be wise therefore (o ye kings) be learned ye that be judges of the earth, lest the lord be angry with you and ye perish from the right way. But kings were always as kept dionge with wars If they had any learning, and like to smell out any of their wyies, or if he would reform any thing. Look how thy handled king john. though mass becket was one hey their saints but gentle teader look upon his liff in the legend the book of saints lives. I am sure they have written the best they cold for him, but yet mark it well. There was noman mought study the scripture before he had been Master of art, and then was it nothing worth till he had studied the doctors, counsels, and decrees, the which is more thenaman is able to do in all his life though he live. Lxxxx. year and to say his service beside, which all priests were bound to do on pain of damnation. This I speak of our doctors in the vuibersytees: As for our priests in the country: the days hath been that be was coumptedd a great clerk that could tell whom he should serve to morrow. They knew not what the bible meanthei were not acquanted with the new testament. Some of them thought it should be hetysy because it was called the new testament. For this word now offended then greatly But now they be well amended for some of them willbe able to read english wythyn a while though it before against their will. I know well they can not abid the hearing of this, 
Ma. xxii  nomeor then thescribes and pharyses cold a bide christ when he said woe be unto you scribes & pharties for ye shit up the kingdom of godbefore men. etc. but weperad venture they will say, we denynot christ put we worship Chrpste and therefore we kill them that will not believe in christ.  
But saith Chrste: take heed that no man decave you. For there shall many come and say: I am christ and shall deceive many: but when ye see the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place. etc. then if any man shall say unto you: lo here is christ, believe it not. Jeroboam was not so mad to say ye shall believe no more tn the lord but in strange gods: 
Re. xii  but he saied it is much for you to go to Ie rusalem behold therefore these shallbe your goddess. etc. his meaning was that they should do to these gods the same wursh yppe that they did before at jerusalem. And our patriarchs. Pretend Christ altogether. But the wurshype that he prescribed unto us was gone. His Docrryne with all the scriptures had they locked from us so that none of us durstloke up on it in the tongue that we understood, so that we could have but small hope thorough comfort of the sceyptures. Alas how was it possible the we should be obedient unto the voice of our lord god and walk in his ways, when we knew them not, nor could we tell what they meant: but most harti humble and Immortal thanks be given to the almighty god, which thorough the merits and prayer of our merciful Moses, hath stirred the heart of noble king henry the viii to destroy the abhomy nations of this wicked Jeroboam. But chiefly of all other things (as we are most bound are this time) ou ghte we to laud and praise the lord which of his tender love likewise hath given us a young josias which (by the grace & power of the lord) shall (thorough his godligoveruour & counsellors (finish the building of the holy temple which his father began according to the patron that the lord hath perscrybed ithegosple of has only son jesus christ our lord. Ho wbeit we are not yet passed the wild etnesse, we are not yet ente red the land of Canaan: for althoghe the lord have & doth daily plague such unfaithful messengers, which have not earnestly believed his word but feared men more than god: yet ceaseth not temptations, troubles grudgings & murmurings. For some wrig & wrestto go back again ito Egypt & do as their forefathers have done, for there is plentey of gold & silver meat & drink, there mought we fill our belies by the fleshpots. There was more plenty (say they) of all manner of things in ove town them there is now in a whole shire: more mirth & pastim in on day, them is now in a who year. It was never merry sense this new learning can up. This say they the can not abid the scarcity in the wilderness, nor any temptation in the de serte. another sort (which be polytik men) they would forthwith a good will for they care not, which end of the stat go forward: so they might not be in danger & might also get sum what byit Thes men beasraid of the cananites more abitesamorites with the rest of the nations, & specially the Enyckes, which be great Giants. The bishop of Ro me is a great man & hath done many fetes of arms in his days. I know well his bishops & other prelate's bear a great stroke yet in many countries. But what sayeth josua and Caleb: Their shadow is departed from them, the lord is with us fear them not therefore. And surely (as is said) if your conscience be clear so the you seek nothing but the glory of god: you need not fear men. But now is there another sort of men, which after they perceived that god had openly plagued the grndging people for their unfaithfulness, such as would go back agai ito Egypt: in so much that they perceived that the iord would have them go forward to conquer the land: these men comero Moisesther Governover and captain and say lo we be here and will go up unto the place of which thelord hath spoken unto us. For we have sinned But Moses said: why go ye on this be yond the word of the lord it will not come well to pass with you, go not up therefore. etc. but they would forth even in to the top of the hill there was no remedy, & there were all slain. Very notable is this place for us and worthy to be had in remembrance. For here may we perceive howfro ward & unruly the multitude of men are always to be obedient to the voice of the lord every wai are we prove & redi to falfrom the word of pear, they were not sofar f the right hand, but now there as far on the lest hand they were not so slack before, but now there beas hasti, & all besides the word of the lord. We have sinned sai they: and whiso? verily be cause they went not for that the common dement of god but grudged & now they were commanded to tarry and not go, & yet they went. they thought to have made amends & marred altogether. A good lesson is this also, for our good intentes What so ever is done of a good in tent say our fathers is meritorious. And it is plain that these men went forth even of such a good intent, & yet were slain, because they hearkened not to the voice of the lord, which spoke unto them by his Prophet Moses, as he speaketh, daily to us by christ & all the prophets and apostles, Take heed therefore therebe not in any of you an evil heart of unbelief to departed from the living god. But these men repent & were sorry, they were converted. Yea they were converted from Ignorance to error. They would not go forth be fore at the word & commandment of god & now they would not tarry at the commandment of god, but forth without any stay or let. Some there obey perceive the pope & his guard to have led us blindly this many years into a shameful confusion of our faith & of the true worship of god. And now therefore without all ad vysement & discretion would destroialtogether & care not whether there be any myny sters or no, so they may have the lands & benefices of these blind guides. they care not whether there be any in their room or no, or whether gods word be preached, or the sacraments mi nystred or vo: I mean not the .vif. sacraments after the ministration of these caterpillars which do all for lucre but even Christ's sacraments which he hath ordained to confirm our faith in yn word. but the men I say be so hasty forward to kill the can anites & other of the nations, because they would have their pleasant land to dwell in it balik: for they went beside the word of the lord. Many there be that get spiritual lands and possessions probendes benefices into their hands, but how many be there that labour in aman of good knowledge, to enjoy such living? no fie (say they) it is petty that ever he should be troubled with it: For the possessions and richeses do corrupt even the best preachers (as it hath happened in deed) But alas good men how careful be they to good preachers, to provide that they be not corrupt with great livings, but I marvel they have no petty upon themself. I promise you the yff good preachers which have knowledge in Christ's doctrine and have been tied in the wilderness with trouble & temptation, if they I say cannot well use these riches & possessions accordingly, but must be corrupted with them it shalbehard tomak mebeleve that you which have not somuch knowlegin the san doctrine neither hath you yn faith binso well tired should use them with out a corrupt conscience, which shallbe to your own damnation. Take heed therefore the theridamas be not in any of you an evil heart of unbelief to departed from the living god. And remember that saint Paul sayeth covetousness is yn root of all evil. I would to our lord men knew and would consider what a straight reckoning we shall all be called unto, where we shall answer for the wyspending of every farthing that the lord hath committed to our governance, Then shall we say alas the ever I tok such pains & travail for the which now is become mine everlasting shame & destruction, but what should it avail to speak against that vice of covet ousnes? nothing at al. And this is one cause that maketh many men to haste so fast forward. But these men that came to Moses & would go so freshly against their enemies went up ito the mowntain. Moses' bade them tarry & take the lord with them they should sped the better, but they would not tarry, for they had been to stowe to go forward at the commandment of god, & therefore, now they would make more haste, where as before they had believed to enter into the kingdom of heaven by their Idle invented superstitious vain works (or at  way they thought them amean the rather to obtain), And therefore grudged at the doctrine of the gospel & thought it a new school invented by these new fellows (as they teyrme) contrary to the mother holy church: now they were converted from that popish faith, & begin to run another way, even into the mowntaine at the first daish, whether Moses will or no, And they say: if I be predestined to be saved: I shallbe saved, do I never so evil. If be predestined to be damned: I shallbe damned do what I will, & say any man what his will. wherefore let us be merry and let god work. These men (unless god of his immite goodness & mercy call them to grace) I may think wellinough the they be vessels of wrath ordained to damnation, even very brut beasts destitute of all grace & wisdoon too. And although I will not say the it is sin against the holy ghost: yet surely it is gr●t blaspheny, with such lightness or rashness without discretic & judgement & hunlblenes of mid to talk of yn high predestinatyon of god. but I let them pass as those whom all wis menhonest & learned do utterly abhor But there by other men, which cly me not fully so high, as thes. But how much they differfrom the other I can not tell. Thes be such sort of men which hold yn faith is sufficient so yn no wurckes are necessurily required to our iustitycation, 
john. vi  Truth it is we nedenoworcke of our own to be justified or to be made righteous in the sight of god, for it is yn work of god to believe in him whom he hath sent: that is jesus christ, by the which faith only we are justified in the sight of god. But is it not necessary trowye that I declare this faith to my brethrenels why saith christ every good tree bringeth forth good fruies. etc. 
Ma. seven  & by there fruit ye shall know them. If you will say that you declare your faith to your brethren by the confession of your mouth & say ye believe, & yet do not yn works of belief. christ saith to you not all they that say lord lod shall enter intoy kingdom of heaven, but he yn doth my father's will which is in heaven The lord is no such idle or vain worckman that letteth trees which shall bear no fruit, for doubtless his good trees shall bring forth good fruit unless they be taken up before sooner & spring tim come, & whiso? to reward or recompense his maker of his benefits? no no. He careth not for our rewards nor recompense, but he doth it because we shaldo good to his household & declare to them what goodness I have reciveed at the lords haude: for there takes, that every member might do good one to anothre, he askeh nothing but thanks, but all is for hour own commodity that we should help each other with such love as he hath showed unto us, by doing where we declare our electyone in christ and make hour calling sure there is no man that loveth heartily about he hath pleasure to do the thing that delighteth him whom he loveth, that he mought seal his fryndship to contyew. contyneu in my loue● (sayeth christ) if ye shall keep my commandments ye shall hide in mylove, even as I have kept my father's emomaundements and bid in his love. Here will they object and say, that forasmuch as saint john saith if we say that we have no sin: we deceive ourselves & the truth is not in us: It were but pharysaycal pride to seek to be so upright in the law, as though we could be without fault for we shall be sinners do what we will. 
Rom. iii.  And Saint Paul saith we hold the a aman is justylyed by saith with cute ehe works of the law. And Peter saith thorough faith doth god purify the hearts. Whereforyf we have faith it is suffye tent. 
Act. xv.  If these men did truly understand faith: They should know that it is alyving thing, a myghtre thing wurcking by love, 
Gale. v.  that faytize doth saint Paul mean to the galathyans where as he excludethe all things save faith, the which faith (sayeth he) is mighty in wurcking by love. As we see how it wrought in abraham and all the holy fathers. For if abraham had not been obedient to the voice & commandment of god as we read of him: how should it have benso much known unto us that his faith was counted unto for righteousness if Caleb & josua, had not declared their faith to the people how could we have learned by them to be faith full? one man searcheth the scriptures and findeth there: thus sayeth the lord And then search his own politic wit and weigheth the matter with his own reason whether it ve best to do so or no, as the lord commandeth: doth this man wurcke by faith? another likewise searcheth the scriptures and findeth there: thus sayeth the lord. He saith if I believe it is sufficient: doth this man wurck by faith? or doth he know what faith is? is faith such a common thing that every man may have it when he will? or hath every man faith that hath red in the scriptures? no, warrant many which have great knowledge in the scryptutes: for many can teach other the liberty of the gospel: but they themselves be the bond servants of corruption. Yet these men imagen that they have faith that justfieth. But faith is not man's imagynatyon. For how can they have the justifying faith, 
two. Thei●  that conteynew in extortyon and covetousness, in wordome and adultery in envy and wrath, excess and dron kenesse, blasphemy and perjury, or in wicked superstytyon and idolatry, with all kind of abhomynatyon? would ye have me think this man to have the iustyfyinge faith no, no. 
Ephe. v.  For besure that the whoremonger or unclean person, or covetous person (which is a wurshyper of images) hath no eherytaunce in the kingdom of christ and God. Let no mane deceive you with vain words, for because of these, cometh the wrath of god upon the chyldedrone of unleife ●etc. All these evil wourkers be the children of unbelief. Let them baost of faith: let them boast of the gospel Yea let them cast out thes devilels of other men in the name of Christ: yet shall he say unto them Inever knew you, depart from me ye wur kers of iniquity. The jews boasted themselves to be abrahams children. But Chryst said unto them if ye were abrahams children, ye would do the deeds of abraham. Here unto pertaineth that of saint james where he sayeth: Ye see then how that of deeds a man is sustyfyed and not of faith oneli. For although abrahams' faith were known Enough unto god, why chsercheth the in ward pats and justyfyeth the heart yet cold not we have seen his so great faith, unless it had bun declared by some outward work which mought assettayn us alsoof his iustificatiombr faith and although we be iustified●̄ the sight of god byfayth only (which is also the gift of god) yet is it necessari that we declarour faith to the brethren by our obedience to the will and commandments of god (and notb●) the eommaundements of pope's and bishops) what a great gift I have received of the lord, that I mought the rather provoke them to do likewise, For other wise we can not bejoined together in one faith. For my brother's faith is uncertain to me: unless Ife the fruits of it appear, although god know the heart. Therefore sayeth saint james show me thy faith by thy deeds and I will show my faith by my deeds. And then as the belief of the heart justy fyeth before god: So do the works of faith justyfy before men. That is doth declare our justyfy catyon untomen. This is plain by saint james words when he sayeth faith without deides is dead, & again: ye see how faith wrought whis deeds so did the deeds spring of faith for faith was the wurkers Thus do we make. Paul and james agree. For whereas saint Paul exeludeth (as is said before) all manner of works, even the vert works of the law in justification, that justification might come by the only faith in jesus christ: even here doth he declare what faith he meaneth: faith sayeth he which by love is mighty in operation. If it be no working faith: it is not the faith that saint Paul speaketh of. 
Gala. v.  Take he dether fore brethren that there be not in any of you an evil heart of unbelief to depart from the lining god. Take heed I say and be not deceived: for faith is not so small a trifle as men esteem ytt. For to say faith only justyfyethe is soon spoken, But to know the. working off it, and how it apprehendeth the mercy of god offered us in christ: is a great matter. Forthys faith that we speak of when we say faith only justifieth: is a lively thing (as is said) which worketh by lone in the holy ghost, For there is no sin raining in our mortal bodies but this faith assaulteth it, & by lytyle & lityle dryvethyt a way. As when we begin to wax careful for the things of the world, to covet abundance of richeses: faith sayeth, 
Ma. v  Be not careful what he shall eat or what ye shall drink. etc. Care not for tomorrow and so forth, as for abundance, how cane afaythfull man be quyett with abowndaunce saying his brother in necessity? what faith hath the man which sorowethe not eaten his neighbours greiffe? how doth he sorrow for his neighbour's grief that laboureth for his own private profit without any respect of his neighbours neceli●te●. Where be not these men that seek all to themself even with the great loss & hurt to the neighbours? where is faith which bylove is mighty in operation: if we be idle & seek not one way or other to profit the cōmeu wealth. faith sayeth. In the sweat of thy brows shalt thou eat thy bread, and he that laboureth not shall not eat etc. if I love my neighbour as myself: how can I be idle all day, & at even eat my brothers supere the he hath sore laborde for all day. It is a token of small jove truly. But who will yet labour and may be Idle? or if they do labour, what labour do a great numbered of men study how they may get a way all that be longeth to the poor: To themself Truly it were better they were Idle. A 'las where is fay the which by love is mighty in operation? if we begin to wax proud to exalt ourself above our brethren faith sayeth he that exalteth himself shall be brought low, 
Ma. xxiii. Luc. xii.  But who seeketh not to be up? learn of me sayeth christ for I am meek he that will be great Among you shallbe a servant, for the son of man came not to be served, 
Mat. x.  but to do seruyc. Oh where is this humility and humbleness of mind who covetteth not to rule all men, and would be ruled of none? if god have given richeses possessions, authority or any like benefit: It is applied to maintain our pride, to exalt ourselves aboveoure brethren. Where is faith which by love is mighty in operation? If we be tempted with Envy and malicsayeth faith: avenge not yourselves, but give room to the wrath of god, for vengeamnce is mine and I will reward (sayeth the lord) yea who can suffer any injury or wrong, & will not be rewenged? ye, who can suffer himself to be spoken unto, all though he have deserved a great rebuk? where is faith which by love is mighty in operation? If we desire the company unlawfully of our neighbours wife or servant faith sayeth: 
Math. vi.  who so looketh on awyfe lusting after her, hath committed advoutrye already in his heart etc Horekepers and advouterers god will judge. Yet who is not weary of his own wife & seeketh his neighbours? Like stone horses (sayeth jeremy) every one neyheth after his neighbours wife, 
jere. v.  only estimation refraineth agreate many, whose wurking are very secret. where is this rule become? do as ye would be done unto. where is faith which by love is mighty in operation? if we commit Idolatry, faith sayeth: Thou shalt worship thy lord god, him only shalt thou serve. Some peradventure would ask me what were Ido latrye? or who committeth idolatry: I say, He that worship any thing with out the express word of god: committeth idolatry. No man hath seen god at any time. 
john. i.   
They that will worship god must wurshype him in spirit and truth But who wurshyppeth not visible spectacles, 
john. iiii  & creatures in stead of they? creator? And so rob god of his honour? Some do it for that they will not offend their brother's conscience, ye ratheyr because they will not be called heretics, that is to say, a true believer in christ, And a lover of his ddctrine. As johu writeth how many of the chief rulers belued on him: 
johu. xii  but because of the pharisees they would not be acknown of it, 
Deut. vi.  lest they should be excommunicate, for they loved more the praise with men then with god. So our men would seem to fear god & love him, but the fear & love of men appeareth to have the high place.  
Where is faith which by love is mighty in operation? It cannot be found, it is lost. When the son of man cometh think ye he shall find faith on the earth? The old mumsimus will not here the word of the lord but draw back: the new sustmus be so forward even beyond the word of the lord, ye they care nomor for the word of the lord them will serve their covetous luere to fill their lusts, to serve for their envious and cruel mind, And to live in all abhomynatyons. They bring saint john for them where he sayeth: if we say we have no sin we deceive ourself & the truth is not in us but why do remember this so well: verily because that if any man rebuke their vicious life: they may answer with saint john no man is with out sin. But where as saint john sayeth: he that sayeth I know him & keepeth not his commandments: is a liar, the truth is not in him. They be so hasty: forth now, they will not take this with them, that god may work in them. He that sayeth he abideth in christ ought to walk even as he walk sayeth. S. john. Again where as saint paul saith we hold that a man is justified by fayht with out the deeds of the law here be they perfit but when saint Paul sayeth though I had all the tongues though I could prophesy & understand all secrets and all knowledge. Yea if I had all faith so the I cold move snowntaynes out of their Places if I gave all my goods to feed the poor, and though I gave my body to be burned, yet if I have no love, I am nothing sayeth he.  
They make no reckoning of this. But what is this love? love suffereth long and is courteous: Love envieth not: doth not frowardly, swelleth not, dealeth not dishonestly, seeketh not her own, & so forth. join now Paul's words and john's words together, for if we boast of faith, and yet continue in sin, what faith have we? 
Rom vi   
Look unto whom ye give over yourselves as servants to obey his seruamnts ye are whom ye obey sayeth. S. Paul: whether it be of sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness. They hear S. Peter say thorough faith god putifieth our hearts. 
Act xv  But they hear him not how gently he desireth them to leave there wicked living, saying dearly beloved Ibesech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which fight against the soul, 
i Pet iii  and see that you have an honest conversation among the unbelieving that where as they back bite you as evil doers they may see your good works and praise god in the day of vysy tatyon. 
two. Pe. iii t  etc. for if after we have escaped the filthiness of the world thorough the knowledge of the lord and saviour jesus christ) we be yet tangled a gain therein and overcome them is the later end worse than the begynnyng●oh that these men would hear Moses speak and be obedient unto the voice of the lord spoken by his prophets & not take that maketh for their purpose, & run headlong up in to the top of the hill. For as many as be so hasty forth beyond the word of the lord shallbe slain of the enymyes, overcome of sin, and drowned in there own lusts, & for lack of true and faithful shepher des (which should exhort them daily they shallbe so hardened in their sins that afterward if any faithful man come unto them they will not hear him, but rather call him hypocrite because he threateneth with the law, yet doth. S. Paul call the law hour scoimaster which leadeth us to christ for truly whose conscyenre is not feared first with the law and so broute to repentance: shall never be meet to receive a sure hope of saluaryone by the gospel. Take heed therefore there be not in any of you an evil heart of unbeleu to depart from the living god. And with saint Poule also I beseech you brethren by the mercifulness of god that ye make your bodies A sacrifice, holy, and acceptable which is your reasonable serving of god. And fashy on not your selves like unto this world but be renewed etc. And with saint Paul also, I beseech you Brethren the hiy ᵉ mercyfullnes of God, the you make your bodies a sacrifice, holy, and acceptable which is your reasonable serving of god: and fashion not yourselves, like unto this world: but be ye renewed. etc. And let us be admonished by the Story of thes rwelf messengers, to forsake our own wisdom our own strength, and our own policy, and inventions: that we may wholly and altogether subdue ourselves, and beobedient unto the voice and commandment of the Lord only: belevig assuredli that he maketh rich, and also poor be maketk sick, & health again: he only killeth & reviveth he only casteth down and exalteth. He saveth and condemneth, wherefore, Ido exhort you, brethren beloved in the lord jesus christ again & again you chefeli the are sent by the pitite in your conscience to spy out the land of canaan for your brethren: whether it be by preaching reading, writing exhorting or other wise Declaring unto the people the heavenly kingdom, through the Gospel of the lord jesus. Yea the magistrates also, and all other officers, appointed by the king as well, as being commanded by God: you also (by your favour and patience (do I exhort to take example by the ten unfaithful messengers, which feread the multitude of strong men,) that yebring not an evil report upon the land that through fear of men, we should mistrust the power of God: But rather provoked by the example of jesua and Caleb, through a strong faith, do you according to the commanndcement of the lord And then are ye sure, that the lord will appear in that tabernacle & deliver us: Where, as else we shallbe plagued with everlasting damnation for our unbelif But if we be feund faithful josua's and Calebes, the there is no doubt but our Moses will so entreat his father for us, that these plagues shall light only upn such unfaithful messengers, thoro we whose evil report we have been so long kept from this heavenly doctrine, the kingdom of god, & everlasting life. Chiefly art they now to be admonished that be so hasty forward, lest they go beyond the word of the lord, and in stead of the true lively faith imagine them a faith after their own mind, which shall suffer them still to sin. But theirfore I say-where faith is, it worketh a knowledge of our great infirmity & weakness, it worketh also an inward sorrow of the heart, for this our sin and wickedness, and it provoketh us in this for owe! to pray unto the lord, to call earnestly for strength continually thorough christ to overcome these remptations, & that with tears, with azure hope of victory, if I have offended my neighbour faith causeth me to satisfe & content him because Il ove him as myself if my neighbour be ungodly & by no means willbe reconciled, yet faith maketh me pray for him heartily, as I would he should for me if I were in like blindness. He thou fealeth not faith in high 'sheart this wise working is blind deceavech himself & is still in unbelief take head therefore brethren that there be not in any of you an evil heart of unbelief to departed from the living god. And I beseach the almighty god father of mercy and god of all comfort thorough our saviour & redeemer jesus christ that he will so lighten & strengthen them the hearts of our ruler's governors prophets and preachers with his holy spret our comforter: that they hating all vice & abomination (specially covetovines) may neither fear men nor love themselves but do that only which the lord commandeth with a pure & undefiled conscience. And that we for our parts as true and loving subjects) may receive it at their hands without grudging & mur muring, with like faith and pureness, that with a safe conscience and glad heart, we may be always ready at the commandement of the lord to enter the same land of promise: which is prepared from the beginning, for all the true & faithful brethren.  
Dominus, mihi Adiutor. et c. P N   

imprinted AT LONDON the tenth day Of May: Anno dominice incaruationis MDXLViii.  
By william hill remaining at the Sign of the hill in Paul's Church Yard: and be there by him to be sold.