A MIRROR FOR The Multitude, OR GLASS, Wherein may be seen, the violence, the error, the weakness, and rash consent, of the multitude, and the dangerous resolution of such, as without regard of the truth, endeavour to ●unne and join themselves with the multitude: With a necessary conclusion, that it is not the name, or title of a Protestant, Christian, or Catholic, but the true imitation of Christ, that maketh a Christian.  
By I. N.  
NON VI, SED SURSUM VERITATE.  Caveamur, Virtutem incolumem edimus, sublatam oculis sero quaerimus invidi. 
AT LONDON, Printed by John Wirdet. 1586.   

 

Enforce oh Lord In Zeal All Breasts,  
Effectually To Honour her:  
who Ruling: Each man Gains his right,  
In Nought she shows A mind to err.    

TO THE RIGHT FAMOUS AND MOST virtuous Princess, Elizabeth by the grace of God, Queen of England, France, & Ireland, defendresse of the true Catholic faith, be constant perseverance therein, a joyful reign over us, God's protection from her foes, and after this life, a glorious reign, with the King of Kings.  
SO small (right excellent & most virtuous Queen) is the talon of my learning, that, notwithstanding, I have not willingly concealed it, it hath been deservedly unregarded: which held my willing mind, all amazed, at my first adventure into this my truly affected purpose: Yet duly, and dutifully considering, that he that said unto David, Aperi os tuum & implebo illud, was all sufficient to direct me: and who said unto Paul, Meafortitudo in imbecillitate perficitur, both could and would assist me, I found no cause of doubt: but feeling further instigation, I proceeded And, this (most gracious princess) is the effect of my poor travail, which being thus simply performed, true affection moved me and the daily experience of your majesties clemency, resolved me, this day (though trembling) to make it a messenger of my loyalty: although in value, less than the poor widows mite, and therefore far unanswerable, to your princely worthiness: yet in true zeal not inferior to a most precious present. It may please your Majesty, graciously to accept it (so were I happy) but through the weakness of my ability, I can not but reverently acknowledge, that, might it be accepted, at your princely hands, with benign patience, it is not in respect of my deservings, but proceeding only, and altogether, of your majesties wont clemency. The experience whereof, hath engraven in the hearts of your truly affected subjects, such a perfect print of free presumption, of your gracious acceptance, even of a cup of cold water, flowing from the fountain, of their loyal obedience: that I nothing despair of that, which your royal heart hath so generally afforded to many.  
Among whom, although I be the most unworthy, the causes moving my willing mind, to wade hereinto (time and occasions considered) were not unreasonable: tending (most godly princess) to the comfort of the little stock of true Christians, that in these dangerous days, they yield not unto the course, nor be dismayed at the threats of the multitude: a monster compact of many dangerous members, domestical and foreign: protesting, that the rash and perilous resolution, which is to be noted in the multitude in these days, without regard of the truth, gave greatest enforcement, to my travail: which (in respect that therein, the multitude may see their error, and weakness) I have entitled it, A mirror for the multitude, and in all humility sheilded the same, under the protection of your Majesty: a patroness most pure and perfect: nothing doubting, but it may please th● great Shepherd (even in the time of your royal reign) to gather all his children into one fold▪ and with the sword of his truth, to drive away all beasts, and wolves, and all kind of savage creatures, as traitors, and such like cruel monsters, with their multitudes, and mighty adherents, from touching as much as the hem, of your majesties garment, to the indaungering of your royal person, being so armed, with the undoubted shield of faith in him, that first (beyond some expectation) placed your highness in the imperial seat, who showeth himself both all sufficient, mindful, and willing, to protect you, and with the balance of his justice, to try the lightness of some, that before they be duly peazed, seem substantial, and trusty: Magna enim est veritas & prevalet: Even the adversaries of God's truth, to the terror of their own consciences: and the truly affected, to the comfort of their hearts, consider the effect of grace, in your majesties proceedings, and that it is decreed by the highest judge, to use your Majesty, as his instrument, to cut off the aspiring head, and to break the greedy jaws of that fierce Holophernes of Rome: and to turn the swords of all his bloody complices (bend against your Majesty, and all true Christians) into their own bowels, That the remembrance of them may perish, with the sound of their own deserved shame, and their name be wiped away for ever and ever: No true Christian doubteth it. Many are the unfeigned prayers (most godly Queen) that not a few true Christians, your faithful and obedient subjects, continually make, for the preservation of your majesty, and confusion, or conversion of these wicked men: that as they have these twenty and eight years so (were it to God's glory, and your comfort, as many quadrebled) they and their posterity, may under your sacred government, suck the sweet of the saving truth, without fear of recaptivitie in Romish Babylon.  
Your majesties faithful and truly affected poor subject, JOHN NORDEN.   

To the Christian Reader greeting.  
I Know (dear Christian Reader) that the multitude, chief in these days, expecteth novelties, things pleasing, fleshly fantasies, & especially rare news from beyond the seas, miraculous 
The multitude expectethnoueltie● The greatest wonder lasteth but nine days.  events, and strange Stratagems, and wonders, from foreign countries, as also here at home: And yet we see the most strange wonder, to continue (as a wonder) but (as the old proverb saith) for nine days, nay with some not nine hours. For who almost, hath not forgotten the general earthquake, happening of so late years: nay, 
The late earth-quak a great wonder.  who did not within nine days, throw the consideration thereof behind his back? Being so strange a motion, as the most ancient of our days, have not felt the like: nor scarcely therefore fathers. A thing (though now so clean forgotten) yet of great moment, and weight, and of no small regard with the godly, who take it and account it (as indeed it was) a very Caveat unto the obstinate, to become more conformable 
The earth-quak a caveat.  in their duties to God, lest that he that then so shook, and caused the earth so to tremble at his presence, showing but as it were the fierceness of his countenance towards it, should come down and visit our iniquities with the plagues, which his justice hath already provided for the inhabitants thereof. For although we so slightly (in silence) pass over so ponderous a presagement of our punishment he that then shook the earth, in love, to call us unto him, can shake the inhabitants thereof, in pieces, and grind the rebellious to powder, even with the breath of his mouth. For surely he that can shake the tree, even to the roots, he can much more disperse the leaves, and consume them to nought. Seeing I say (good reader) that our dullness is such, & our hearts so besotted with the oblivion of any regard▪ of so high a matter, of so new a thing, and so strange an event, I am utterly discomforted to present thee any more news, then within nine days, I may assure me, shall perish in the flood of forgetfulness. And on the other 
The stranged news soon forgotten.  side, to write what hath been already written, to present unto thee, what hath been or is already extant, I know it will be thought stolen stuff, and so a needle's travail. So that ●are is the travail in these days, that draweth not after it, some mislike, of the author be it new or old.  
But such is my boldness, in the fear of God, and premised obedience to my dread Sovereign, that I have adventured to present unto thee, such things for thy learning and comfort, as have been in the days of our fathers of old done, to show the goodness of the Lord, to those that trusted in him, and his vengeance and judgements against them, that were rebellious against his truth, and that stood upon their own strength and multitude against the same: which (although I confess hath been already written) yet to show myself willing to do thee what good my poor talent can extend unto, I have endeavoured to perform this little travail: the sum whereof is but to encourage thee to frame thine affection to the▪ truth of God's word, and not to be dismayed at the threats of gods enemies, notwithstanding they seem 
The sum of this travel  unvanquishable, in respect of their multitudes, and boast of their assurance of the truth, in respect of their many heads. These are frivolous vaunts, whose fruits declare their profession pestilent, and their persuasions nothing else but to pluck men into the pit of wilful rebellion, against God, and conspiracy against his anointed of the land. And that which I have here collected, is 
The fruits an argument of the profession.  nothing but the fruits of the tree of life, the sacred word of God, for thee to feed upon, in these dangerous days: persuading myself that if thou be a true christian, thou w●lt more willingly accept it (though altogether void of eloquence) them that which the multitude covet, namely 
What the multitude most desire.  that, which may increase subtlety of wit, & make men more wonderful among men, in respect of the curious conceited rules, of falsehood and fellowship, of Sophistry & such like, which as it is far from the intent of my travail, so I know thou wilt not expect it, as a thing necessary to stain the way to the true christian profession, or to move willing zeal & zealous willingness to persevere therein.  
I have entitled it▪ A MIRROR FOR THE MULTITUDE, for that as in a glass all men may see and behold the common course of the most part, alienate from the 
God's children are the least number  truth of Christian religion: And the lesser number to be the true servants of the living God. For notwithstanding the common censure of the world, doth rashly attribute greatest assurance, of having the truth, in respect of many 
God's truth contrary to the minds of the multitude  heads, and general consents of countries and kingdoms, and do yield greatest likelihood of safety unto the might of many adherentes: It fareth not so with God's eternal truth▪ which he reveuleth unto babes and sucklings, and hideth it from the wise of the world, & who plucketh 
A flight of sathan.  down the mighty and proud, and exalteth the humble and meek. And therefore is it a deceit of Satan to allure men to consent unto the multitude, to be sure of the truth, and to trust in the mighty shows of multitudes to be preserved from the foil. It is not the horse that saveth a man in the battle, but the mighty hand of God. God is not tied to the force of man, but the puissance of the 
A dangerous thing to follow the multitude.  mightiest multitude, under the power of the invincible God. And therefore a dangerous thing to follow the multitude. For many are called, but few are chosen, many are invited to the heavenly sweet banquet of the true knowledge, and exercise of the sincere religion of God, 
The way to true religion bodily dangerous.  but few there be that frame their wills, and powers to perform it in deed. And why? only for that they find the way thereunto, rough, burdensome, and bodily dangerous, and therefore start aside like broken bows, and retire like dastardly soldiers, and attain not unto the end of the race that leadeth unto life, but take the broad, pleasant and easy way, that traineth unto errors & feigned holiness, & consequently unto death. It is a painful, hard, and tedious thing to flesh and blood, to forsake worldly 
The flesh is weak and unable to abide mortification.  vanities, and pleasing things of the world, to follow Christ, for that in flesh there is no goodness, proneness or readiness to do well, to deny and suppress our own natural affections, and as it were to kill our own selves in true mortification, to the end the more freely to embrace the cross of Christ, and to live to him in singleness and pureness of heart. The Apostle saith for thy sake are 
Ro. 8. 36.  we killed all the day long, agreeing with the words of the Prophet, who likewise saith, that for the love and dutiful 
Psal. 44. 22.  affection the godly bare unto God, for his sake, they are slain contitually: namely suffer the wicked to rage's 
The godly are for gods sake killed continually  against them, to rail at them, to persecute them, and punish them: wherein, being led by the spirit of God in perfect holiness, they take it not only patiently, but to their unspeakable comfort, for that they are thought worthy to suffer such reproach, for the testimony of their true and very Christian profession, when they are carried as 
The comfort of Christians in their crosses.  sheep to the slaughter, for their faith in Christ, and not as wicked doers, traitors, rebels, murderers, & blood thirsty men, for Blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. But if any man 
Mat. 5. 10. 1. Pet. 4. 15. We must regard the cause of our sufferings.  suffer as a murderer, or an evil doer, or as a busy body in other men's matters, he hath no portion with them. And yet such is the blindness of our late conspirators, that they are persuaded their rebellions, their treasons, murders, and all their bloody practices, not only lawful, but meritorious, only by the dispensation which they have, from the vicegerent of Satan, who presumeth to make the word of God in this behalf (namely that no murderer or wicked person shall enter into the kingdom of heaven) of none effect, and not only tolerateth murder & other the most intolerable evils, but warranteth the actors thereof, not only 
The misconceit of evil doers. Romish dispensations cause of many evils  pardon, but great reward for murdering the most godly upon the earth, yea & when for these wicked pretended practices, they come by due proof, & course of laws, unto the gallows, as wicked doers, such is the blasphemous boldness of the man of Rome, that he blusheth not to canonize them Saints, when the scripture the very word of truth, condemneth, as very reprobate. judas killed not Christ, 
The canonisation of judas.  although he were the mean to encourage the jews to lay hands upon him, yet such was the guilt of his conscience, that after the fact, he ran desperate & hung himself, here was the canonizing of a man as holy as these, that now conspire the death of her Majesty, her Counsel, and Magistrates, the spoil of the land, & the utter exterpation of the glory of God, & merits of his Christ, some of whom as we see in a guilty conscience, have canonised themselves after the manner of judas, & the most proudest of them (yea) he that carrieth the most resolute mind (had they their desire, which God forbidden) would run with judas & Cayn desperate, for so rashly betraying the innocent blood.  
And howsoever these foolish and more than mad ministers of the Romish confederacy, flatter themselves, who have vowed the overthrow of the true religion of Christ by 
The vain hope of traitors.  taking away the chiefest props thereof, in hope (for their reward) some to sit at the right, some at the left hand of Christ in his kingdom, as the false father of all the faithless, the proud Pope, hath flatteringly persuaded them: let them assure themselves, that if the word of God be true, then shall not such as suffer for evil doing, nor such as have their consciences feared with the hot iron of consent unto such like conspiracies, enter into the kingdom of heaven, nor have their portion in the presence of Christ, neither sit at his right or left hand, in his kingdom: no, they shall not have the privilege of enjoying the light of his countenance, the bright beams of his glory shall not extend towards them, to their comfort in the last day, but mere 
Their assured reward that seek the overthrow of the godly.  horror, anguish, torment, and the worm, which is the testimony of their guilty consciences, shallbe their portion to drink for evermore, and the great deceiver himself whom Satan hath deceived, shall have his hire with them in utter darkness, where shallbe weeping & gnashing of teeth.  
And therefore (good Reader) take heed that the sufferings 
We must take heed of the causes of sufferings. The causes of the sufferings of the wicked.  of these men deceive thee not, for mark the cause of their sufferings, whether it be for the testimony of a good conscience or no. Thou hast heard, that he that suffereth for evil doing, as for murder & such like, can challenge no benefit of the promise, made to such as suffer for righteousness sake. Thou art not ignorant of their practices, thou art (no doubt) resolved of their profession, to be accompanied with treasons, rebellions, tumults, conspiracies, practices of farrain invasions, for the overthrow of thee & all true Christians, for which, they suffer as they deserve▪ and the cloak of good intent, can not hide their hearts fraught with manifest desire of the blood of Christians, from the throne of him, to whom the innocent hands of many Christians are lifted up, for a testimony of their 
The zeal of the godly.  sound profession, and to show themselves not only guiltless of such wickedness, but zealous of the reformation or confusion of such blodthirstie men. Just up thy hands with a clear conscience therefore, with the truly 
Our duties remembered.  godly, and crave the assistance of him that never faileth the faithful, that he will continue the defence of our Sovereign, the stay and guide of our Magistrates, the protection of our land, and a severe judge of those that seek by these wicked devices to confound him (if it were possible) in his members, that for his sake are killed all the day long. And if thou suffer, suffer as a Christian, namely 
How we ought to suffer.  as a faithful member of Christ, taking the narrow way to life, with such as never desired other canonisation than the merits of their master and head Christ jesus, 
How the righteous desire to be canonised.  whom whosoever desireth to imitate, and be partaker of the joys provided for his very Saints, must be likewise partaker of his cross, for his sake in this life: for far better it is by labour to obtain rest, by tribulation to win joy, and by death to procure life, then by rest to come to labour, by joy to purchase tribulation, and by a pleasant and lou●e life to procure death, and eternal destruction, for this is certain and nothing more certain, 
Life or death in the last day eternal.  that what cometh last be it life or death, it is eternal and for ever to endure.  
Shall therefore persecution, and threats of bloody tyrants, keep us back or dismay us from that profession, which leadeth us unto life? or shall the dangerous devices of the ministers of Satan draw us again into the palpable darkness that leadeth unto death? God forbidden.  
What should then move us to fear the force of the 
A good admonition.  many and mighty favourers of the strong deceiving whore of Babylon? Shall the infirmity & weakness of our flesh and blood, accompanied with so many sharp bickerings of temptations, and such uneasiness of the narrow way, that we must walk in, we being few and so unlike to withstand the encounter of our many enemies? No surely, for God by whom we live, and in whom we trust, 
God is our staff and strength, he will defend us.  hath promised to stand by us, to help us, and to send his spirit to strengthen us, who being always near unto his, will aid us, being omnipotent will assist us, and not suffer his vaunting proud adversaries, that imagine such mischief against his people, to take effect in their devices. 
Psal. 2. 2.  Although the Kings of the earth, stand up, and the Princes 
The kings of the earth not to be feared it they go about to resist the truth.  assemble themselves together against the Lord, and against his anointed: although they increase mightily that seek to violate the sanctuary of the Lord, and great multitudes rise up against his word, utterly to supplant it, and root it out, let God deal with them according to 
Psal. 3. 1.  his divine wisdom, and in the end we shall see those that now take these wicked counsels, laying their heads together, imagining how and by what means they may banish the godly of from the earth, to melt away as wax at 
The end of the wicked.  the fire, (yea) they shall consume in the imaginations of their own hearts, and perish in their own wiliness, he hath spoken it, that for ever hath and will confirm it: he hath said it, that will for evermore perform it.  
And therefore although Satan have sounded his trumpets, and beaten up his drumbes of Alarm round about us, to allure foreign invasions, preparations to civil tumults 
Satan hath sounded up his trumpets of alarm to invade christians in the behalf of Antichrist. Christ is a careful watchman. The benefit of God's protection.  & uproars, practices of secret conspiracies, among ourselves, that the red dragon of Rome, may the more freely re-establish his kingdom of darkness: we see and to our undoubted comfort we may note the diligent eye, and careful diligence of our watchman Christ, who hath brought all their devices to light, So that we may say, had not the Lord guarded her Majesty, defended our Nobles, watched our Cities, and protected our whole Realm, she had been devoured, her Magistrates massacred, our Cities ransacked, and our Realm and common quiet come to utter ruin & subversion, and the Lords honour laid in the dust. Thus may we little Israel of England lay▪ 
The snare is broken and we delivered.  If the Lord had not been on our side when men rose up against us, they had swallowed us up quick, and yet is the snare broken and we delivered, immortal praises be unto his blessed name therefore.  
The trumpet hath given our enemies (the enemies of gods truth) an uncertain sound, they were ready to battle, but (God be thanked) they are returned to their own shame.  
And notwithstanding (as these late conspirators have confessed) the King of Spain, hath vowed the consummation 
The raske vow of the king of spain.  of half his kingdom, but he will win little England to subjection, unto the usurped authority of the whore of Babylon, who doubteth but he may spend all, & spoil his own soul (unless he convert▪) and yet he that hath hitherto guarded us, is for ever sure? And as he from high beholdeth the little, yea, the least worm in the earth, so doubtless he winketh not at the vain vaunts of this mighty king, & his wilful permittance, of his most wicked inquisition, 
The permittance of the spanish inquisition most wicked A good remedy for the cleansing of a man from self mortification  whereby many godly members of Christ are cruelly martyred, to fulfil the most damnable will of that man of Rome, the red devouring dragon. But before the blind & bloody expectation, of this rash conceited king be fulfilled, no doubt but our gracious Sovereign shall (at the pleasure of our good God) live to hear of his vl●imum vale, or certain conversion, in washing himself in the blood of the lamb, the merits of Christ, from the pitch of the poison of Romish affection, wherewith he is now so defiled, that the savour thereof, hath infected many, and martyred not a few.  
How many have there been martyred in Spain, massacred in France, spoiled in Portugal, slain in Flaunders, endangered in England, and many other countries & kingdoms, as in Naples, Italy, Florence, Ferrar●, Mantua, milan, Germany, Denmark, and many other, where the poison of tyranny hath been sprinkled abroad, to please the Pope's high holiness, to feed his hellish humour, & to fill his belly with the blood of the Saints of God, that in these places have like constant christians, denied his usurped, & more than 
The book of martyrs▪ ● glass of romish cruelty.  blasphemous authority. marvelous is the mirror of our time, & specially the volume of Martyrs who have suffered for the testimony of the truth of the Gospel, wherein may be seen, that it is no new thing that these men so eagerly thirst for the blood of the godly, in every kingdom, country, province, City and congregation, not only from the kill of godly Abel, to the beheading of john Baptist, but during the reigns of all the tyrannous Emperors of Rome, and since continued by succession all the time of all the bloody ministers of the red Dragon, the Popes of Rome, who seek by all means to devour the child, the Gospel of Christ, wherewith the true Catholic church travaileth, as a woman to be delivered, namely to have it spread through all the world, which the Pope, the man of 
The cause why the pope and his disciples now storm.  sin, the father of deceit, and dispenser of murder, seeketh even now to stop and prevent, lest the general true knowledge thereof, should so manifest his wickedness, blasphemy, and rebellion against Christ, that the world seeing his falsehood, should fall from him and be saved. And that (good Reader) is the cause that he is now so busy & seeketh by all means he can to bring that to pass, which God for his mercy's sake, never permit. But thus every good Christian must resolve himself, that during the time 
A christian resolution.  of our pilgrimage here in this life, these wicked ministers of bloody Antichrist, shall not cease to persecute him▪ & by all means seek, to suppress the true servants & extinguish the true service of the living god, for that therein standeth the salvation of every faithful in Christ. And therefore whatsoever storms & tempests, tumults, uproars, conspiracies, rebellions and such like buffets of Satan, rumble 
We must beware of starting back.  about our ears, we may not start back from our profession, we may not be faint hearted, to fall from our faith to feigned holiness, notwithstanding threats of invasions, sacking of our Cities, cutting of our throats and murdering of our bodies. For behold although it should please our heavenly father to give us over unto the hands of his and our enemies, and they to take their wills against us, they have power but only over our bodies and not over our souls, which shall rest in the bosom, namely, in the safe custody of our Saviour jesus Christ under the altar, endued with the long white Robe● of innocency washed in the blood of the immaculate Lamb. Whereas if we (for fear of the loss of our goods, favour of our f●●endes, or lives) join with these men, to be partakers of their bloody practices against the godly: then shall we be likewise of the number of those, against whom they that now he under the Alte● Christ, cry for vengeance for the tyranny done against the just, that waded through the pikes of persecutions. We must therefore beware of giving any consent unto their practices, and rather yield our own necks unto the yoke of their tyrannies, th●: when the number 
The end of the godly.  of Gods elect is fulfilled, and the Lo●de appearing in glory, we also with him, may be partaker of the same glory, when we shall no more hunger nor thirst, but be in the continual presence of the throne of our Saviour Christ, and serve in his temple day and night, that he that sitteth in the throne may dwell amongst us, and we with him, for evermore: so that for the joy of his presence we shall no more mourn nor weep, but all tears being wiped from our faces, we shall continue in singing the joyful song of praise unto his name that sitteth in the throne, for his most loving protecting us in our corporal life, in such constant perseverance in his truth, (among the bitter persecutions of the wicked, that then shall have their portions in utter darkness, where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth) that in his merits are thought worthy of 
The end of the wicked persecutors.  that blessed life, whereunto he that will attain, must willingly accept of such cross, as his master by his divine providence thinketh meet, and expedient to be laid upon him, which (in what manner soever ●t pleaseth him to deal with us) vouchsafe thy zealous prayer, that all true Christians may patiently suffer.  
And to conclude, why should we fear the force, the 
The conclusion.  threats, and great brags of these men, seeing we have the Lord himself to be our King? Let the multitude of Pharaohs host and the mighty company of Senacherybes Army fiet as they will, let them champ and chafe like wildes' boars, yea although the whole earth shake and all the foundations thereof tremble & quake▪ as of late it hath done, let us not be dismayed, but go on, in love to fear, and in faith to love him that hath promised to be with us, even he that dwelleth in the cherubins: who hath sufficiently declared his power in Zion, whereunto all these proud boasting, murderous, and bloodthirsty men (nill they will they) shall be for evermore subject, and shall not pass 
The wicked are tied within the limits of gods power  those limits, to touch her highness, her crown and dignity▪ her Magistrates, and common weal, which he hath already determined for our good: and therefore need we the less to fear, what they can do unto us: but rather let us trust upon the assured protection, of our mighty and most merciful God, and magnify his name, most terrible to his enemies: It is holy, they corrupt, all honour is due unto it, and eternal plagues are due to them. Wherefore I say, we need not to seek any succour besides him, who (no doubt) will sharply punish all those rebellious multitudes, of whom and by whose means, we are unjustly endangered. For it can not be (good Reader) that he 
God will not suffer the wicked to go unavenged.  should suffer such outrage, treasons, conspiracies, and wickedness unavenged, that is the author of equity and justice itself, and hath prescribed unto the posterity of jacob, the very rule thereof, which we must carefully embrace and follow, not only in outward show, but in the inward 
Our dutiesto God.  soul. And seeing we see the goodness of our God, so far extended to our continual comfort: let us praise him, let us in holiness and righteousness, fall down before his footstool, and truly worship him, for he is only 
1. Tim. 2. 1.  holy: And as S. Paul exhorteth let supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks for all our brethren, as well here at home, as in other Countries, suffering violence for the testimony of their good consciences to God: And especially let us pray for our most gracious Sovereign, that God of his goodness will preserueher, and protect her in his power, from the bloody sword which Gods assured enemies, have whetted to take away her most innocent life, her Counsel, and Magistrates being 
The stern of our common weal.  under her the stern of our peaceable government: let us duly regard in our prayers, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. And as the Lord consecrated Moses and Aaron of old, and set Samuel also amongst them, to exercise the office of the Mediator for the people, and whilst they executed the same sincerely, they were heard, and the Lord spoke unto them out of the cloudy pillar▪ prescribing unto them the way and rites of his divine worship: So let every Moses and Aaron, together 
Every man must execute his duty.  with Samuel, the priest and the Prophet, the king and the people, execute their duties unto the same God in true worship, in supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks one for another, as the careful members of one body in our head Christ, in whom who so followeth the good example of Moses and Aaron, shall assuredly be likewise duly heard, and in convenient time relieved. For the Lord many times vouchsafing his ear unto them▪ suffered himself oftentimes to be pacified, by their faithful prayers. Seeing then that we have a Mediator, even Christ jesus, to present our prayers unto God, and to reconcile us to God▪ let us not be slack in our prayers, nor weak in our faith, but constantly believe that as he hath hitherunto protected us, so he will continue our defence for evermore.  
Thine in Christian goodwill, I. Norden.   

Errata.  
Page 8. line 25. for Maximius read maximinus. p. 10. l. 18. f. wheat whet●e. p. 13. l. 39 for perish precisely. p. 14. l. 14. f. in religion to religion. p. 15. l. 14 f. we no. p. 22. l. 11. f. of such with such. p. 24. l. 6. f. avere aver. p. 24. l. 19 f. they way the way. p. 34. l 26 f positions potions. p. ●1. l. 5. f. implication application. p. 86. l. 28. f. consent of consent to. p. ●8. l. 7. f. sacrifices sacrificer● p. 89. l. 5 f. begun begin. p. 93. l. 26. f. draw drown.   

A MIRROR FOR the Multitude.  
CHAP. 1.  
A Comfortable discourse to persevere in the truth, notwithstanding persecution, with a dehortation from joining with the multitude in conspiracy against the same.  
ALTHOUGH it is, by the 
2. Tim. 3. 1.  
1. Tim. 4. 1.  Providence of Almighty God, our lot to fall into these dangerous times, & troublesome days, foretold so long ago: wherein we see, and hear the main and severe thunderclapps of bitter persecution, to rage and rattle in divers corners of the earth: And especially, where the glory of God is most 
Persecution is there most sharp where the word of God is followed most sincerely.  sought for, his truth most embraced, and the darkness of error most rejected. Let us be of good comfort, let us arm ourselves with a full assurance of our happy estate in resisting errors and the pleasing things of this world, with the force of Christianlike patience in a clear conscience, wherein also let us take hold of that assured truth, which God by Christ hath to our comfort, 
Queen Eli●abeth an instrument under whom God hath wretched us his truth.  by his instrument our most gracious Queen, as with his outstretched arm reached & restored most lovingly unto us again, being taken away by her sister Queen Mary. Let us therefore like valiant soldiers, under the banner of a most victorious and wise captain, let us march-on as we have begun, nay (if it be possible) more valiantly, more willingly, and more circumspectly, through the brunt of all contemptible things, namely, through the darksome night of ignorance unto the daylight of the sincere truth, not fearing the force of the pikes of whatsoever persecution threatened, whatsoever policy or practise pretended.  
And for our defence let us take hold of the sweet promises and promised sweetness of our head and assured rest Christ jesus, who is our guide and captain, under whose ensign we must fight, without fear of bodily affliction, 
We must follow Christ in accepting his cross.  for we must follow him in patiented acceptance of his cross for the truth's sake, as he himself hath trained the way. He is the loving husband of his obedient spouse the Church, whereof whosoever accounteth himself a member must think himself happy, if he be thought worthy to suffer like affliction with him. For he 
The servant is not above his master.  hath allowed none that are his indeed, any farther prerogative of quiet and liking days, in this natural body, than he himself was forced to abide in the pilgrimage of this life. And for that he would not have his little flock discouraged, when the stormy blasts of persecution should beat against the walls of their weak nature: as though some strange thing did happen, he 
The children of God must not look for a pleasant life in this world.  gave them forewarning, and (as it were) a caveat, that they should not look for a pleasant life in this world, for every one that will live godly in Christ jesus shall suffer persecution: And by many tribulations they must enter into the king 
2. Tim. 3. 1●.  doom of heaven.  
It is evident, that the truth in Christ, namely the truth which he taught, is the way that leadeth unto the kingdom of heaven, which truth also never passeth without some buffets of Satan 
They that profess the truth are buffeted of Satan.  and his ministers. And why? only because it is the overthrow of his kingdom of darkness. And therefore whatsoever he be that seeketh & endeavoureth to set forth the glory of God, and the mysteries of his Christ, whether by preaching or by whatsoever other christianlike exercise, must arm himself against the assaults of this 
Satan the archenemy of the church of Christ.  wont and Archenemy of the church of Christ who in the beginning, seeing our first parents in a blessed estate, & in a sincere & godly course of life, he never left by pernicious practices until he had plucked them from their obedience to their maker, into wilful rebellion and sin, and consequently unto death. And hath not since in any age, ceased to seek the means to prevent the passage of the truth, and 
Satan seeketh to prevent the salvation of man.  to hinder as much as in him lieth the salvation of all men. He raised up wicked Cain to lay violent hands upon godly Abel, and to shed his innocent blood, only because he saw that Abel began to serve God aright.  
When joshna the high priest prayed unto the Lord for the prosperity of the Church, Satan 
Zachary. 3. 1 Satan stood at the elbow of josua when he prayed.  stood at his elbow to resist him: and of a surety, so endeavoureth to resist every action, every enterprise and motion, tending to the setting forth of the glory of God, and the salvation of our souls.  
He raised up wicked Saul to persecute godly 
Saul persecuted David.  David, Herod to seek the death of Christ, and his many ministers, even mighty multitudes, to persecute his Apostles. We may read how he incited ungodly jesabel to seek the death of Eliah: and to conclude, hath never omitted time and 
jesabel.  means to persecute as many as have professed the truth, such is his malice towards the church of God. And for that the church of Christ is so subject to the stormy tempests of Satan's persecutions, and every godly action so encountered 
Mat. 8. 26. The church of God is compared to a ship tossed upon the sea.  and kept back with the blusterous blasts of his buffets: It is rightly resembled unto a ship, that is beaten, battered, and continually subject to the rough and boiling waves of the raging Sea. But herein is our comfort, that when the greatest tempests and storms do arise, when we seem to be in most peril, and likely to be overwhelmed with the bellows & foamy flashings of affliction, and when we think that our heavenly father is a sleep and regardeth not our troubles our dangers, or present and imminent perils, he suddenly ariseth and rebuketh the winds, and changeth the storms into calm weather, our despair of help, into a manifest token of our certain safety. And as in respect of the troubles incident unto the professors of the truth, their estate is resembled unto a ship tossed in the sea: Even so let us further consider, that as the ship that is grievously tossed, and the mariners and passengers, that thereby are most perilously endangered, have then the greatest care, and take circumspectest heed, that they run not against the rocks, nor be driven into any gulf: 
Delivery from deepest danger procureth greatest joy.  and if they safely arrive unto their expected harbour, their joy is then the more great & gladesome, by how much they were in desperate peril. Even so the poor souls that are most cruelly handled, and the bark of their frail flesh most sharply tossed and driven to and fro with the force of bitter persecution, for the testimony of the truth: their care and diligence to keep the even and direct course, is then most regarded & they carry then an eye unto their course, lest the wind of these troubles should drive them upon the rocks of error. And when they shall safely, namely truly & constantly arrive at their wished harbour, namely of the passage from this mortal life, unto the immortal haven, whether it be by martyrdom or by any other kind of determination of their course, their joys shall be so much the greater, by how much their afflictions and persecutions have been for the testimony of their godly professions with constancy & due patience tolerated & accepted: for blessed are they that suffer persecution for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. This 
Mat. 5. 10.  then is our sufficient warrant, patiently to accept 
The hope of the kingdom of God aimeth us to ●e●e persecution.  of Satan's buffets, knowing that the grace of God shall hold us up, and preserve us from confusion. And therefore although through persecution and crosses, we be thought contemptible in this world, and through the slanders & reproaches of the wicked, we be thought and accounted abjects in the world, let us persuade ourselves that all the persecutions, afflictions, troubles, cares, calamities, scornings, scoffings, scurging, and crosses which we can bear in this life, are not worthy of the joy of the life to come. Yet may we fully resolve ourselves, that as a sparrow lighteth not on the ground without the providence of God: no more doth the least of these afflictions light upon us without our heavenly father's will for our salvation. And therefore we may not think it strange, when this fiery trial of persecution cometh, but rather 
1. Pet. 4. 12. They that truly suffer shall appear with Christ in glory.  to rejoice▪ in somuch as we be thereby made partakers of Christ our dear masters sufferings: For when his glory shall appear, we with him shall appear in glory.  
But why should God permit his children to 
A frivolous question.  be so hardly dealt withal by the wicked? Why doth Christ suffer his sheep thus guiltless to be slain: and his spouse (the church) to be so persecuted & afflicted? for that shepherd that hath special regard unto his flock, will not suffer them to be so hunted and vexed by the tyranny of ravening wolves. Neither will that father that loveth his children see them abused, and ill dealt withal by any, but will with speed show himself a careful father, and the shepherd a watchful shepherd unto his flock. Even so natural reason would seem to control Christ, in that he winketh at the wicked when with open mouths they run upon the godly as though they would swallow them, and devour them up quick: but should rather presently take their cause in hand, and revenge himself of such as defile his sanctuary. 
Wherein our comfort standeth in persecution. Reu. 6. 7.  But Christ to resolve our weakness, and to confirm a farther hope in us touching his good pleasure herein, saith, that it must be so until the number of the faithful be fulfilled, that the wicked shall persecute the godly, as who should 
Io. 16. 2. 3  say: I do allow that my children shall taste of the whips of the ungodly, and by them to be cast out of their Synagogue, to be excommunicated and put to death, and why? For my name's sake (saith he.) And in that they thus afflict them, they shall think they do god good service, namely in that they know neither God the Father, neither Christ: whereby we see, that none that truly know God, or seek his glory, will move as much as their hands, or tongues against any of his servants: much less against his anointed 
They that know not Christ persecute his members.  against lawfully established kings, princes, and magistrates, which covet to maintain the setting forth of his truth, and exalting his name. Then to conclude: what may we hold them that seek the murdering of Christ's anointed, namely our Queen and governess, and such like defenders of his true religion. May we not say they be such as know not God, such as seek nothing but how to crucify Christ in his members? Nabuchadnezar, not knowing God, neither 
Dan. 3. 1.  being acquainted with his truth, did even the like in persecuting the three children. So did those that cried out crucify Christ, crucify Christ and such as longed for the blood of his Apostles: and finally all such as have of late days martyred, or caused so many godly ones to be burned, and otherwise done to death, for the testimony of their master Christ: as in the time 
Ignorance of the truth mother of persecution.  of Queen Mary in England, now in France, & Spain, and in other countries where the truth of God's word, is turned into men's own inventions, Dioclesian, Maximinian, Maximius, Maxentius, 
Tyrannous emperors not knowing God.  & such like tyrannous Emperors, not know,ing God, persecuted the children of God, whose ends were miserable.  
What thing can there be more lamentable, than the want of the knowledge of GOD and Christ? whereby men fly unto all kind of evil devices, without remorse of conscience, even as blind horses run into the dyke of their own destruction, contemning the truth, and embracing falsehood, making war with christ and christians, putting their confidence in Pharoas strength and multitudes, the broken reed of Egypt, whereby they endeavour to pull down such as GOD hath exalted, and to exalt those whom God's word pulleth down, to root up that which God hath planted, and to plant that which the truth of God rooteth up: to condemn those whom God vouchsafeth to save, 
The Papists absurdities.  and to save those that the judgement of God condemneth. This we daily see cometh to pass through want of knowledge of the word of God, which yet the most part perceive not, the multitude consider not, neither do they desire to know it. But the time will come, when their own consciences, wherein they are now nothing touched, shallbe as a thousand witnesses against them, yea as a book laid open before them, wherein they shall see, that they have taken 
The conscience as a book laid open.  foolish enterprises in hand for want of the wisdom of God: and shall then acknowledge that they whom they accounted heretics, & whom they accounted vile and contemptible, whom they persecuted and put to death for acknowledging that which they accounted false & erroneous, were the true servants of the high God: the sheep of the heavenly shepherd: the church immaculate of the true God, and the obedient spouse of their beloved Christ: And themselves to be led and wilfully carried away with the vain traditions of mortal men, when they shall sing, Woe and well away all too late. The judgement of the Lord lieth heavy upon them, the truth inviolable, hath already condemned them, and their wicked devices, their traitorous practices, and mischievous enterprises, are sufficient 
The practices of the papists sufficient testimony of their condemnation.  testimonies and tokens of their utter condemnation. Do not these their manifest and open practices manifest unto us men, the corruption of their consciences to God? And that they are the ministers of Satan, sent to buffet not only Paul, & such as preach & teach the word of God truly: but even the general company of the church, & especially the head thereof here in England, our most gracious and godly Queen, yea they cease not to wheat their swords to sharpen their weapons, to devour all the godly upon earth. But behold it is Christ himself whom they persecute, it is he whom they resist, it is he whom they despise, it is he against whom they rise and assemble themselves together, and it is he whom they seek to crucify again in his members. But they will say, no, they persecute not Christ, they seek not to crucify him again: but they seek the blood of such as agree not to their inventions: they think that they themselves (knowing not God) do not stretch forth their hands to the spoil of the saints, and that their tyranny reacheth not unto Christ. But alas, they are far deceived: Paul thought the like 
Paul's persecution before his conversion.  before his conversion, who persecuted with might and main, the Christian congregations, when he (being void of the true knowledge of God) with much cruelty thirsted after the blood of many innocents, as he traveled towards Damascus, 
Act. 9 4.  with authority from the highpreist (as these men now pretend to have from the high Bishop) to persecute the christians, the mighty power of God strake him to the earth, and the Lord spoke unto him saying, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? he said not, why persecutest thou my Saints? why seekest thou thus to vex mortal men, but plainly said: why persecutest 
Paul's conversion.  thou me? which proveth, that although christ be in heaven, who is the head, his church which are his members here militant in earth, is most dear unto him, and he that toucheth them, toucheth him, yea they are as tender unto him, as the apple of his eye. Yea such a union is there between him and his children the saints, namely the godly in earth, that he with a general term nameth them himself, and maketh no exception 
Christ and his church all one.  between them and himself. Wherefore it is a perilous thing to attempt or enterprise the least motion of evil that may be done against the least of them: much more to be avoided to practise these inhuman, and brutish, yea more than heathenish attempts against the chief members thereof, as of late hath been attempted. beware, beware therefore all ye that have been defiled with this pitch, wash yourselves again in the blood of the Lamb and be cleansed, and cry out and make it known by an earnest confession, 
A good salve for a conscience guilty of ●auoring traitors.  and say we have sinned, we have sinned in seeking to betray the innocent blood.  
Seeing now (dear christian brethren) that it hath pleased our gracious God in his son: to vouchsafe us so comfortable and happy a lot as to be accepted as his dear children: And for the further confirmation of our hope in his blood, the price of our redemption, to make us partakers of his crosses: Let us assure ourselves, that these dangerous attempts of the wicked are stirred up by the means of Satan, permitted by God for our good. Namely lest that we slumbering in a secure estate, accompanied with 
A singular benefit of God.  no dangers, should fall into forgetfulness of our duties to him, who hath not only revealed to us his truth, but aforded us long tranquillity and the benefit of a peaceable time, to enjoy & exercise the same. For there is no mortal man, can so duly address himself to the discharge of his duty to God, to way the goodness of god 
S●●●rity dangerous.  the performance of his promises and hope of his protection, so effectually, so duly, thankfully and carefully in the time of the tranquillity of body, and quiet estate of all things, as in the time of affliction in the time of perils & dangers, yea when Satan beginneth to raise his forces, and buffets against us. As appeareth by P. feeling this combat of Satan, striving & laying siege and battery unto his soul, then repaired 
Pau●e repaired to God, when Satan assaulted him.  and betook himself under the banner of his captain Christ, and prayed his aid and help to resist him who is always ready, if we rightly seek him, and sincerely serve him. And for the increase of our comfort and constant patience in the bitter assaults of Satan incident unto our profession, and that we should not yield nor be discomforted or dismayed, he willeth us by the answer which he gave unto Paul, when he prayed that the buffets of sathan might be taken from him, and cease in him: to assure us of help, he said, that his grace is sufficient for us.  
This no doubt was written for our learning, for our comfort, & although spoken to Paul to assure him, so to us and for us, to assure us of God's defence and protection in all our troubles if in like sort we hold ourselves, by the same grace that always offereth itself unto us, whensoever we be persecuted, whensoever we be blamed of the world, or whensoever Satan by any means seeketh to buffet us or discourage us, for the testimony of an upright and sound conscience.  
For what is the cause, that they which live godly, they which profess the truth of god boldly, they which take Gods true religion in hand effectually, and seek to maintain the same perish to manifest it openly, to sow and disperse it generally, and to acknowledge Christ constantly. are misliked of the multitude, condemned, slandered, reproved, railed at, reviled, imprisoned, hated, afflicted persecuted and cruelly 
Trust in God is the cause that the world hate th' us.  martyred? Is it not because they trust and believe in the living GOD? because they repose their cheefeste and sole confidence in the mighty God of hosts? and do disclaim the manners, the conversation, the profession, and vain devices of the multitude, who colour their actions, and paint their practices, with counterfeit holiness, giving all the causes of their conspiracies, of their tyrannous treasons, treacheries and bloodsheds, the gloze 
conspiracy and treasons ha●● always the gloose of good intent  of the love in religion: when indeed the word of God, reproveth, forbiddeth, condemneth & punisheth these wicked practices and practisers: altogether disallowing the courses of their counsels, the prooceeding of their practices, and the dealing of their devices, whereby they (as we see) according to the ancient enterprise of Satan, seek to bring all the favourers, followers and supporters of Christ's gospel, the members of Christ's church, his whole flock, and especially the chief props thereof here on earth to utter consusion.  
But (dear Christians) seeing the word of God, so much disalloweth, and God so much disliketh, and condemneth the practices and policies 
God detesteth the desire of shedding innocent blood.  of this perverse and peevish people, whose desire and only seeking is for the shedding of innocent blood, let us utterly refrain our affections from all familiarity of their faction, yea and let us carefully beware of indifferency, as though we cared not which side did prevail. It is a dangerous thing to be neither hot nor cold, to be effectual in neither side, for of such 
Indifferency & lukwat●●nesse very perilous.  saith Christ, Euomam eos ex ore meo, I will spew them out of my mouth. Therefore in the name of our good and victorious captain Christ jesus: I earnestly exhort you, that we may all arm ourselves, with a constant desire, and ardent zeal, to maintain the truth, and not to wink at those that under colour of Catholics desire a change.  
We although we were assured to enjoy 
A godly admonition to avoid consent unto the devices of counterfeit catholics.  not only our goods, lands liberties, and lives: but to have for our reward of joining with them great preferments, high places, and honours and dignities: For better shall the poor beggar, and base seruilian, (fearing the Lord & professing his name) be, than the high & mighty Monarch, denying the same and revolting from his truth: for there is no respect of persons with him, but he that feareth him and walketh in his ways is accepted with him. And he verily denieth him that resteth indifferent, that can sail with every wind. Let us therefore beware of inconstancy, and take heed that for fear of loss of goods, lands, liberties, or our lives, we run not with the multitude, nor join our forces to the greatest part or likeliest company of foreign powers, that take part with our domestical traitors, for surely it is most dangerous. 
A weak & wicked resolution.  And the resolution to run with greatest number is both weak and wicked, grounded upon unbeeleefe: a foundation laid upon the sand des, slippery and deceitful, and of no assurance, whatsoever persuasions, reasons, or arguments they allege to induce us, or whatsoever practices they put in ure, to move, or encourage us, to set our helping hands to their devices. For we have had sufficient try all of their tirannyes, many proofs of their pernicious practices, 
Flattery a cover for deceit.  and do plainly see, that they deceive most when theyflatter fairest. They have dispensations to dissemble what dealing is there then with them? who will play with him that can cog? who will trust them that may lie by authority? who will confederate themselves with such as have 
Counterfeit Catholics like unto Chameleons.  no faith, but like the Chameleon, can turn themselves into all colours, and by dispensation, persuade themselves free to break what promiss, vow, contract or loyal obedience soever.  
Oh detestable, devilish, damnable, drunken & drowsy dolts, that wink in the day light, & stare in the dark night, that strain out a gnat 
The blindness of the Papists.  and swallow a camel, that follow sathan and forsake Christ, that persecute truth and preach lies, that by wicked and sinister means seek to pluck down the godly & most religious princes, to set up Antichristian authority, crying out and saying, crucify Christ, crucify Christ, and deliver us Barrabas, hang Paul, and save judas. And yet they are in the catholic way, they are in the way of life, they are the church, the church the church, Alas if these men be the church, who is their chaplain, surely▪ not Christ, he never taught men to murder any, much less the innocent, he never commanded to rebel, much less to kill their sovereigns. Butlo, their fruits declare of what they came, he that taught Simon a 
Catholics known by their fruits. A precedent for our present conspiracies.  Monk of Swynsted Abbey in Lincolnsheere, to poison king john, and absolved him before the fact, teacheth these present treacheries.  
But seeing their fruits be wray the substance of their profession, Let us pass over their horrible devices and devilish practices with more silence, for the ripping up of all their wickedness, would make the godly to vomit through the loathsomeness thereof. Wherefore let us crave of God their conversion▪ or utter confusion, & the extirpation of them (if it were possible) out of the land, they are worse than the frogs of Egypt: yea what can be more perilous, than their policies and practices? But they are men, and therefore have we so much the less cause to fear their forces, for God is on our side, though the multitude be of theirs. Let us not fear therefore 
God is on out side, therefore the les cause to fear man  the brags of corruptible flesh, although they have already cast lots upon our garments. possessions and goods, and although they say, come let us devour them up quick, let us set upon them, and destroy them: let us overthrow them that they rise not again: these are vain words, these are of the vaunts of vainglory, 
The practices of the wicked turn to their own perdition.  and shall return as pricks in their own eyes: and as their own swords into their own bowels: For God who is true, (and these men liars) hath spoken it, and he will perform it. Wherefore let us in a steadfast hope, hold fast by the promises of our good God, who hath made us, and assured us of his help, with promise that our enemies shall not prevail: but will make 
The providence of god towards us and our enemies.  them to stumble and fall, and will with joy rid us out of their hands: he will not suffer the cruelty of our enemies further to touch us, then shall make to his own glory, to our comfort, their confusion and our salvation.  
Wherefore I say let us not account our selves weak, let us not carry dastardlike minds, or be faint hearted, as for fear of these shadows of evils, to fall from the truth. Let not the multitude of the professed enemies draw us into the gulf of their wilful rebellion. For assuredly god will 
A few good Christians▪ shall be stronger than many counterfeit catholics  make us more strong in our few true and unfeigned Christians, than the multitudes of their counterfeit catholics.  
He hath revealed his truth unto us most plainly: wherein as in a glass we may behold their falsehood, and consider and see what his mighty hand hath done for our faithful fathers of old, how he delivered them from their 
The goodness of God towards our godly fathers.  enemies, from the huge multitudes of their adversaries, and how he drove back their enemies, & discomfited them. And now even in these days (blessed be his name therefore) he hath wonderfully revealed many mischiefs, which these men have imagined, so that their wished purposes, God hath otherwise disposed, to our safety and their shame to our comfort and their confusion, to the assurance of our continual protection by his mercy and their perdition by his justice. Whereby he showeth forth as in a book 
The goodness of God extended towards us in thes present dangers, showeth us as in a book his aid for eue● more ready.  before our eyes that he is ready to take part with us, and that he is of power and readiness to help us in all extremities, if we yield him due praises, and acknowledge the safety of our cities, and all other blessings to come from him: and continue constant professors of his truth unto the end. For he that continueth unto the end shall be saved.  
He hath hitherto preserved us, so that the sun of persecution hath not burnt us by day, nor the moon by night, as it hath been practised, but have freely enjoyed the benefit of the sun light of the Gospel, and due course of temporal government: to the unspeakable comfort of all believers and terror of all our adversaries. 
The light of the gospel, & course of temporal▪ government.  And as Agrippa said unto Paul, the continuance of our quiet and peace, and the due course of government in our land, hath made even the Turk to say these things do almost move me to become a christian. Yet as the multitude 
What good good examples work even with fidels.  ceased not to hunt after the life of innocent Paul, but persecuted him more and more: So must every good and faithful christian think that although our estate is very admirable, even unto the enemies of the truth, yet shall Satan raise up great troubles against the professors thereof, for great are the troubles that the righteous must suffer, but the Lord delivereth them out of all. And the arrows which these rebellious confederates endeavour to shoot at the true of heart shall return unto their own faces, and to their own destruction. They are mpudent & stiff hearted, they are proud and arrogant, yea they are shrouded with the cloak of counterfeit holiness to work their cursed conspiracies. 
Ezech. 2. 5.  And as the Prophet Ezechiel saith, they are a rebellious company, who will not hear, they will not perceive, they will not understand their errors and evil ways, that they might return to God, seek peace and ensue it. But behold the comfortable words of the same Prophet, fear 
Notable comfort.  not (saith he) fear not, nor be afraid of their words, be not dismayed at their great brags, although rebels and thorns be amongst you, and although ye remain among Scorpions, let us not therefore fear: the Lord himself hath said, fear nor my little flock, for I am with you 
Lu. 12. 32.  and will be unto the worlds end. For behold I have made thee a defenced City, and an iron 
God's protection maketh the believers strong.  pillar and walls of brass, against the multitude and force of thine enemies, who although they rise up against thee: yet shall they not prevail. 
jer. 1. 18.  For I am with thee to deliver thee: as I was 
josh. 1. 5.  
Heb. 13. 6  with Moses (saith he) so I will be with thee, I will 
Ps. 118. 6.  not leave thee nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say the Lord is our helper, we will not fear what man can do unto us. Therefore let us not fear jeroboam of Rome, who hath stretched out his hands even his multitudes, to lay violence upon our most gracious Queen, and upon our country. For the Lord we see hath dried them up, so that he cannot pluck them in again, 
1. King. 13. 4 The Lord drieth up the arm of antichrist, by cutting of his ministers.  the justice of God we see (his name be praised therefore) hath cut them short, so that they could not prevail as they devised: the Lord uncover them all, and give them with speed their due deserts. But although they cannot all be found out as yet they shall surely perish in their own imaginations, they shall melt away as wax at the fire. And although they say we have strength, we 
Although all our adversaries yet be not found ou● to abide the la, their own consciences, will be such a law as shall make them consume away.  have power, & will prevail, for our multitudes are great, and who can withstand our forces? Alas who is it but concludeth that these arrogant speeches have always proceeded from the mouths of them that knew not God. From the mouths of such as stood upon their own strengths as if they had been Gods. As the king of Babylon, the king of Tyrus, and now the Romish Antichrist and his adherents. But as these bragger's and boasters have come continually to utter confusion, so we doubt not but the breath of his mouth who hath blown away their pride, so that it is now remembered to their utter shame and reproach, and as a byword to all posterities, so shall these proud aspiring minds, fall before the humble in Christ. For saith he: I will throw down the proud, & exalt the humble and meek. And so long as that comforter which was promised even the holy spirit of God doth testify in our hearts, that we yield not unto these their devilish practices which tend only to the shedding of the blood of innocents, which the word of God manifesteth, to be merely against the truth: we 
Ps. 26. 5  may truly say with David, we have hated the assembly of the wicked, and have not entered into confederacy of such as have conspired against Christ & his spouse. And so like true subjects unto 
We must ●o●●● with the godly in the 〈◊〉 of pr●●●e.  our prince, and obedient servants unto our God, we may wash our hands in innocency, and serve the Lord with pure affection▪ & join with the godly & pure in heart, to offer the sacrifice of praise unto the Lord for his wondrous works done for us, even in the days of greatest dangers. But our adversaries say, that what they do, it proceedeth only of zeal they bear unto the 
The v●i●e excuse of romish catholics for their conspiracies.  Catholic religion, & because they will not seem to be singular, or as men taking these things in hand, & practising it of their own heads, they ascribe the foundation of their devices to come from the wellspring of wickedness, from him that can dispense, and give toleration for murders and all wickedness else whatsoever, and say further that the wise, the learned, the mighty, and the multitude agree, and give not only their consents, but their helping hands with money, and force to further their enterprises. And therefore is their madness in taking such actions in hand, so much the more to be tolerated and borne withal, nay to be favoured and accepted. Alas poor weak defence, a slender excuse: were there not two hundred and fifty Captains, famous 
Num. 16. ●1. The conspiracy of Korah Dathan and Abyram.  men, joined themselves to Korah, Dathan & Abiram, whose general consent was neither a sufficient excuse, neither a proof that their rising and rebellion was lawful. But Moses told Korah another tale, for said he thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord. This agreeth with the word of God to Paul, when he went to persecute the christians, namely that he 
Act. 9 4.  persecuted God himself. And thus we see, that although these men arm themselves with the glorious title of the Catholic church, their devices manifest, and plainly betoken that their hearts are set against the church, against Christ & christians. And therefore although they outwardly pretend great shows of holiness, devout works of charity, & thereby win unto themselves credit in the world, & glory of their long continuance, 
The glory of counterfeit catholic.  though their cunning collusions have caught as in a snare, & with their enchantments bewitched the greatest part of the world, & brag of their union, of their mutual consent, & of their mighty adherentes, & great multitudes that join with them, yet seeing they have forsaken the faith: seeing they deny the truth, fight against it: seeing they seek to resist the passage of the gospel, with out which there can appear nothing but the shadows of good things: seeing they set not forth but utterly deprave the glory of God, and the merits of his Christ. Seeing they go about, and endeavour, as (we see) not only to resist, but to betray and overthrow Moses and Aaron: We may say & truly aver, yea constantly affirm, that they have a golden vizard upon their leaden faces, 
A golden vi●ard upon a ●eaden ●ace.  they have the names but not the effect or fruits of Catholics. They call themselves the Church, and are not of the Church. Christ commandeth that the light of every good christian should so shine before men, that they might see the fruits of the true light. And is not murder of Princes? Sacking of Cities? Overthrowing of commonweals? Nay of their own native countries, the fruits of their light? Are not these the fruits and works of darkness, which bewray their consciences to have no true light? Is this course which now they begun to take, they way to make 
Esa. 1. 16.  themselves clean, to take away the evil of their works from before the eyes of the Lord? Is this course that they take, the mean to become holy, as our heavenly father is holy? No, no, but they eat the bread of malice & deceit, of lying 
●. Pet. 1. 15  & slaughter which in their mouths seemeth sweet but the operation thereof shall fill even their bowels with deadly gravel. But all ye that are infected 
Pro. 2●. 1●. A godly ●●●eat unto those that▪ ●re polluted with the poison of popish practice.  & polluted with this poison of their practices, callinto your minds (for the love of God) the danger of your estates here in earth, where the law through the just judgement of God, condemneth you, the devil deceiveth you, and the merciful God leaveth and forsaketh you, who all though he will that all men shallbe saved, & come to knowledge of the truth: he detesteth & abhorreth 
1. Tim. 2. 4.  he cannot abide wilful contemners thereof. Receive therefore with meekness, the word of the Lord, which is able to save your souls. For behold by it we hear the most comfortable promises of our merciful God: by it we may learn the way to his truth, and to avoid the policies 
The benefit of the word of God.  practised against the same. Let us therefore yield with reverence our ears to hear it: our tongues with diligence to read & declare it: & our hearts with joy & understanding to consider it. And then may we rightly apply this saying unto ourselves Come unto me all ye that travail, and are heavy 
Mat. 11. ●8.  laden and I shall refresh you. Lo dear Christian brethren, what greater comfort can we have then this? If any be burdened in conscience that he hath addicted himself too much to the crooked and by ways of man's inventions, forsaking the direct rule of the sacred word, and endeavoureth duly to reform himself and to be cleansed: then I say, here is water offered, here is the liquor of life, extended in the basin of God's 
The water of life is in the basin of god's book.  book, to refresh us withal. Let us joyfully receive it, and turn unto God and verily we shall be saved. We have sufficient warning to fly the company of the enemies of God and Christ, and to have no fellowship with their unfruitful works of darkness, let us (I say) learn of Peter to save ourselves from this froward generation, 
Act. 2. 40.  so shall we eat the good things of the land, namely we shall enjoy the things necessary for 
Esa. 1. 19  our pilgrimage here, and above all shall be fed with the bread tending to the feeding of our 
20  
The reward of rebellion.  souls to life. But if we refuse and become rebellious, we shall be devoured with the sword, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.  
Wherefore I say, let us gird up the loins of our minds, and refer ourselves faithfully unto our Lord God, being sober, trusting faithfully & 
1 pet. 1. 13.  perfectly on the grace that is brought unto us by the revelation of jesus Christ: And let us show ourselves obedient, & not to fashion ourselves to the course of our fathers, who were led in ignorance, neither according to the course of this world, which with greediness followeth and imitateth the red Dragon, who seeketh to devour the gospel of our Lord and saviour, and with tyranny to persecute even to the death, all the professors thereof. But the truth is great and it shall prevail.  
Yet have these men that pretend these mischiefs (which have been so graciously by the almighty God revealed) had their only confidence 
Whereupon these men ground the hope of their defence.  in the strength of the multitude of their confederates: & in respect of the great number of them, and the little number and small company of the true and constant christians, they cry out and say they have the truth with them: for that so many and so learned men as hold with them, cannot be deceived, neither can so many and so mighty, as take part with them be conquered or resisted. These are arguments which they ground upon natural reason, and therefore doth the word of God utterly confound them, as by the testimony of the word, and truth of God shall appear.   

CHAP. 2.  
A most comfortable discovery by examples out of the holy Scriptures applied to our time, how dangerous a thing it is to measure our profession according to the minds of the multitude, and how vain a thing it is, to join ourselves with the multitude, as the chiefest refuge and mean of our safety in the time of trouble, wherein the perilous resolution of such as intend to hold with the most (be it with the truth or against it) is plainly proved to be merely wicked.  
AS touching the glory of the multitude, 
Multitude the glory of Popish profession.  whereupon these wicked men do build the chiefest foundation of their profession, as a strong argument that they have and hold the truth, and that they are victorious & invincible, I think there be none so blockish, or barbarous, so void of the knowledge of god's word, & especially such as account themselves christians, can not be so besotted with the pestiferous poison of Satan's instigations, to hold this argument as a sound reason, that either their Religion should be of Christ, or that the force of their multitudes, of the huge troop of deceived souls, should be such, as that there should seem no possibility, with the small number of the faithful Christians, to withstand them: but that perforce in despite of Christ & Christians, they will break down the hedges of our quiet estate and godly government, & intrude themselves into the vineyard of God: and the inheritance of his 
What gods enemies have protested to do.  son Christ jesus: violate his Church and defile his Spouse, as they by their rebellious practices have endeavoured and by their vaunts have vainly protested. Surely yet I think, there is none having any feeling of the grace and mighty power of God, that can be so far carried away with Satan's instigations, with antichrist's enchantments, or with his wicked ministers persuasions to think it. But that every sensible man, having but the principles of the truth in his heart, and but entering into the rules of the profession of Christ, will hold it a weak foundation, to build upon the power, the wisdom, and direction of the multitude, and a mere absurdity, to follow the opinions of the most, as a mean to attain unto the truth, considering 
The multitude a monster of many heads  that as the Philosopher saith it is, monstrum multorum capitum, a monster with many heads, and tot capita tot sententiae, many men many minds. 
The truth hath but one head.  But the truth hath one head, one spring, one issue, one end, and one mean to lead us thereunto: even the holy Ghost the spirit of truth, the taste, feeling, knowledge or direction whereof how many had in the time of Christ? When they all with one voice cried out and said let him be crucified. And some of them to prove their difference in opinions, said he is a druncarde, he is a Devil, he doth these and these things by the power of Belsubub. And of Paul they said, he was mad: others, that he had 
How dangerous it is to cleave unto the multitude.  the spirit of God, and Agrippa and Festus found no cause of death in him. Wherefore if any will so rashly take parts with the multitude, leaving the head of the truth, and come to that spring 
Esa. 14. 12.  of errors, he taketh Lucifer by the tail, and with him leaveth the blessed estate of the faithful to fall down and become a reprobate. We may not follow a multitude to do evil, neither consent or agree in a controversy to decline after 
Ex. 23. ●.  many, and overthrow the truth.  
Yet we see how these men brag and boast themselves of the multitudes, and that their religion is professed generally in most countries and kingdoms of the world: and so conclude, 
How the pa●●ls do conclude that their religion▪ is good.  bonum, justum, rectum, & approbatum est. It is good; just, right and allowed, and why? Because the most part hold it so. But if this argument hold always true, them was Christ rightly put to death when we know, that all Christians hold and cannot but confess the contrary, and that in him there was found no guile, no deceit or sin, or cause of death. And yet cried the multitude out against him, that he should be crucified for (say they) we have heard him speak 
Such slanderous & false accusations are now common with the Papists against christians.  blasphemy. But when they had their desire, when he was executed, & these busy follows which so mainly cried out against him: when they saw the graves to open: and the vale of the temple to rend, and cleave a sunder, when they saw the clouds of darkness suddenly to overwhelm the bright beams of the sun, when they saw the earth to shake & to tremble, when they saw such a miraculous alteration of things, they changed their opinions, and altered their common voices, saying surely this was a righteous man: but than it was too late, they could not call again the innocent blood which they had shed, nor restore the guiltless to life, whom they had falsely condemned. So surely although many & great multitudes congregate themselves together, & link domestical & foreign power together with the bands 
The slanderous accusations o● the Papists against the Queen and Realm. c.  of treacherous conspiracies against the Lord and against his anointed, falsely crying out and saying: she is an Heretic, and all those that allow of the present estate of England are heretics: whereby they allure the weak to their wicked practices: hoping by their devices to 
They shoot at the head, that it being cut of the members should decay The gain that these men should get by their change.  devour poor Christians, and eat them up (as it were) like bread, shooting especially first of all to the head, hoping that then the members would be the sooner cut off, (which both, the Lord defend.) But if their wickedness should, (which God forbidden) take effect they should see then the change of the bright beams of peace, turned into the clouds of bloody wars, the light of truth into the darkness of errors, and they themselves feeling the grounds 
How their guilty conscience would work in them.  and roots of their hearts to shake and tremble by the guilt of bloody consciences, insomuch as they would not only confess with the multitude, she was a righteous Governess, but with judas that they have done most wickedly in betraying the innocent blood, and with Cain like runagates rove to and fro, saying and accusing their offence to be greater, than they are able to bear. Furthermore they 
In fine they shall find the falsehood of their father of lies the pope, merely▪ to deceive their expectation. Gal. 5. 19  should then generally (as some of them have already particularly) find the falsehood of their Father of lies, who deceiveth them with his fair, but false promises of pardon of their sins, and merit in heaven for their execrable and bloody practices. When the Apostle affirmeth the contrary: Namely, that Idolaters, murderers, and such like, shall not enter into 
Proof of the condemnation of conspirators.  the kingdom of heaven. Then doth this man of sin greatly deceive those whom he persuadeth to persevere in their bloody intentes, and where he persuadeth some under the promise of preferment, some of reward here, & some (nay all) under colour of deserving heaven he doth it 
The effects of the pope's Promises.  but to work his mischief, & in the end to content himself with them to take the due reward of judas hire, in utter destruction. But forsooth some shall be made Dukes, some Earls, some of higher some of more inferior preferments, and that none that setteth his helping hand to this infernal action, shall go without some reward. They shallbe crowned with Parry's perpetual ignominy, with Throgmorton's deserved reprooch, and 
The crown of their glory  with the due deserts of such rebellious rascals, whose end (without the surpassing mercies of Christ against whom they kick) shall be with the Devil and his Angels in perpetual torment of the conscience: the worm whereof, shall never 
The cause of their colour.  die. And yet for all this cease they not to cry out and say away with these new fellows, these heretics, these Lutherans:, Zwinglians, Caluinists, and such like, they reprove our darkness, they bewray our wickedness, they reveal our deceitful dealing and draw the hearts of many from 
Their determinat counsel christians  us. Wherefore let us take counsel against them let us crucify them, let us burn them, break their bones in sunder, carry them unto the inquisition, & give them Herod's law, for our vows sake. Let us practise their destruction, for our holy father the Pope hath spoken it, he hath commanded it, he hath willed it, and we will work it, ipse dixit, he hath said do it, whose will and authority is sufficient for our safety, come therefore, and let us move false accusations against them, they have spoken blasphemy against his 
●ewish●o●n sell to take christians.  holiness and therefore are worthy to die, and therefore go on judas with thy kiss, and we will follow with sword and staves, nay go on Parry and thy fellows dissemble with judas kiss, keep thyself close in thine own heart, dissemble the matter with crooching and kneeling, and 
Dissimulation the beginning, and destruction the end of their practices.  all dissimulation, and when thou hast given the token we will be at hand with our sword and staves, nay with our mighty forces of shippinges, of multitudes of men of war from foreign Countries, who shall aid thee and assist 
Wilful blindness.  thee. Oh fools fools, can you not yet see how all your devices are drowned by the way? They pass not the seas without the merciful revelations of God to his children: whose blood ye seek. Perceive ye not, the peevishness of your practices, to be presently prevented? the eye of our good GOD pierceth your hearts and seethe your wicked thoughts, his ears are open and heareth your cankered consultations, his mouth is ready to open, nay the birds of the air, nay the very grass of the field 
God's goodness in reveling their conspiracies.  do reveal your treacheries, his will ready to be revenged of your bloodthirstiness, and his hand both mighty and out stretched▪ to defend his own: Wherefore leave off ye that deal thus wickedly. Are not ye the men that see and will not perceive, that hear and will not understand, and have great experience of your folly, and will not consider it? Learn, learn to be wise, forsake evil, cleave unto goodness, fly these pernicious practices, and lean not to the hope of aid of the multitude, or of preferment or any sure reward for your comfort, from that deceyner. I wish to God, that it might please him, to convert you so that you might return and truly seek after the living GOD, whom only to serve is life, and whom thus manifestly to deny is death: which if you will not do, it is my part even in Christian 
How every Christian ought to pray for these men.  charity and zeal, to pray him to confound you and your devices. Take heed therefore be warned, let not custom or the multitude make you feign to follow their folly. God will not be mocked with all, he hath torn the visard of your faces, found you out, and showed us what ye are: namely, hypocrites, dissemblers, deceitful, and such as under your muffull, and mussel of holiness, carry devilish devices: under the outward habit of Christians, the inward heart of judas, under the title of Catholics, 
The ven●u●e of hypocrisy.  Cain's cruelty. Wherefore now convert, or else will not God hold you guiltless, not only you that have vowed the attempt of the action, but as many as desire in heart the execution thereof shall stand in like spot of conscience, before his tribunal seat: you 
Not only the act but the desire is to be avouded. Indifferency perilous.  (I say) that by your coldness in the truth, stand as men indifferent, beware, come out from among them, fly fly that huge whore of Babylon, be none of her train, who with her poisoned positions, hath enchanted the greatest part of the world, and hath so bewitched the multitude, that what by dispensations & absolutions, sin increaseth, and what by falsely awarding 
The effect of the pope's dispensations an increase of sin.  heaven and hell to such as he list, by terror of the one and presumption of the other, it appeareth manifestly that he hath won the most part of the world to commit spiritual fornication with him: and to run after his will hither and thither, to commit all kind of villainy with greediness heaping together such a huge 
The Pope's assistants.  number of many sorts of men, Papists, Athistes, neuter, and such like, to perform that which God preventeth, who is even forced to say: I will come down, and be revenged upon these men.  
Wherefore, let us beware that we run not with the multitude, for we shallbe then infected with their fornications, we shallbe defiled with the 
We must beware of the multitude  pitch of their deceitful doctrine & devices. But let us utterly detest, and carefully eschew the familiarity, the love, the league, the friendship & society of those men that congregate themselves together against the Lord & against his anointed: Let us exclude ourselves out of their acquaintance, that hold of superstitious vanities, yea although the most part of the world do allow, yea if all the world should embrace that which the word of God condemneth, we may constantly affirm, and boldly pronounce to be spiritual whoredom, wherein we seem to consent to strange gods, or to strange devices to serve the true God: to forsake the most sweet and wholesome direction of the word of God, and yield our consents unto strange doctrine, to forsake Christ and cleave unto fantasies, as many of our forefathers have done, and too many in these days do, only to walk the broad way with the multitude without further defence or warrant for the obstinate and wilful starting from the truth. But such as hold of the truth, such as embrace the Gospel, and seek their salvation in Christ, will duly avoid this dangerous imitation, and not be dismayed at the name and mighty threats of the multitude.  
Therefore, as it hath pleased our good 
The goodness of God towards us.  God, to bring us from our ancient captivity and long bondage under tyrannous Pharaoh of Rome, into the land that floweth with the milk and honey of the free profession and exercise of the truth: Let us be unfeignedly thankful, and repose our confidence in his mighty protection, to be delivered from 
For God's protection towards us, we must be careful of our duties to him  his tyranny, and from the force of his mighty and strong multitudes, who as he hath done these great things already whereof we have such great cause to rejoice: So assuredly (if we hold fast by his power in faith and thankfulness of heart) he will forever preserve us, and not suffer us to hurt our foot against the stumbling blocks of their inventions.  
Let us not therefore be dismayed though the grand captain, of the enemies of gods truth (he that possesseth the seat of Satan) have drawn such a huge multitude after him, although he seem to bind even kings with the bands of his enchauntements and enjoin them to raise their powers in his behalf, against those that profess the name of Christ: although they have bend their bows and made ready their quivers full of sharp arrows: although they have whetted their sword, prepared powder, pieces and shot: let us not (I say) be any whit at all dismayed 
God being jealous of his own glory will not suffer the w●ked to prevail.  at these their haughty attempts. For behold God who is jealous of his own cause will not suffer his honour to be thrown in the dust, his Church to be overthrown, his truth trodden down, nor man's own inventions (grounded upon the weak foundation of good intent, and not upon the rock, the word of God,) to go away with the glory. For surely great is the truth and it shall prevail, let Herode rage, 
Ma. 2. 1. 16.  let judas dissemble, let Pilate judge, let all the 
Lu. 23. 18.  crew of Antichristian potentates conspire, consult, 
The truth will prevail notwithstanding all resisters.  condemn, control, conjure, afflict, persecute, and seek by all means to suppress the truth. It shall in despite of them and all their forces, break forth, appear, and show itself most triumphantly, to the unspeakable comfort of the little flock of Christ, and to as great terror of these men & mighty multitudes, as the renting of the temple, shaking of the earth and the other strange events at the crucifying of Christ, were unto that huge multitude, of the adversaries of the truth in those days: yea far greater, forasmuch as it is now plentifully preached, manifest and ancient: then new and strange and not revealed to all▪ We are now void of all excuse, and although Christ himself 
No excuse now for the obstinate blind.  prayed his Father not to lay the crime of his death upon them, or to their charge, in respect of their ignorance, it shallbe far otherwise with those that in these days so obstinately seek to crucify him again.  
But to imagine or think, that either the truth is tied to the multitude, or to be overcome by the wisdom, the policy, the force, or multitude of men, or that the rage of tyrants, can extinguish that ardent and godly zeal, that by the instinction of the holy 
It is mere in credulity to think that the truth may be suppressed by the force of man.  Ghost is imprinted in the hearts and consciences, of the faithful members of the assured head, and unmovable rock Christ jesus, were mere incredulity, nay a mere denial of Christ, and of his power and virtue. Wherefore be it far from us, to yield any prerogative at all unto the multitude, further than may stand with the word of God. And for our instruction and farther comforts sake, let us with pure hearts and innocent intentes look back & consider, what our good God hath done for our Fathers of old, that did profess his name aright, whereby we shall have due proof, that it is not the multitude that embrace his truth, nor that can resist, suppress, or prevail against the same, although from the beginning the church of God hath been far the least part of the world, the least part of every country and kingdom: the least part of every City, yea the least part of every congregation. Yet such hath been the care, and loving 
God's care towards hi● small number.  affection of God towards his few and small number that he hath not suffered them at any time to take the foil at the hands of his adversaries being, never so many and mighty.  
But doubtless this their argument of the force 
The argument of the multitude hurtful to the weak.  and soundness of the multitude, doth not a little harm, with the weaker sort of people, whose hearts are not grounded upon the sure foundation of God's mighty protection. And by reason thereof is the very sound of the multitude, terrible, only for that they know not, nor consider the mighty works of the Lord, whose hand bringeth mighty things to pass, they are ignorant of the truth, and therefore can not conceive the goodness of the Lord: but desperately break out into this dangerous resolution: namely to take part with the multitude, be it with or against the truth. They consider not how that god 
Ro. 2. 11.  hath said, that he hath chosen the weak things of the earth, to confound the mighty, the foolish, such as in the world are accounted foolish, to confound the wise in their own conceits: the vile and base ones and such as are not regarded but despised in the world, he hath raised up and appointed to bring those things to nought which in the judgement of man are of great estimation and account: and the cause is that none should too much glory in his own strength, wisdom, or power. No flesh should glory in the presence of God.  
Is not this sufficient to move the hearts of all those that covet to be accounted Christians to stand in the truth, although they be therefore despised in the world, threatened of the world, and are as strangers, and outcasts to the world? rather than to accompany the multitude and become glorious in the world and hated of god: strong in the world, and weak in the truth, familiar with the world, & at discord with Christ: conversant in the world, and strangers in the Church of God. Seeing that it is not the number of the persons, the power or glorious show of the persons, but the inward godly zeal of the heart, the unfeigned affection of 
Not the outward show but the inward zeal, maketh to persevere.  the heart, which bringeth forth perseverance in the truth unto the end, whom God regardeth to whom he giveth aid to stand and victory wherein truly to boast, and say the mighty hand of the Lord hath done this thing, and in so doing he will not suffer his little contemned children to be confounded of the high and haughty minded multitudes, but will confound them in their own imaginations. And therefore saith he fear not my little flock, be not discomforted or discouraged, I will fight for you & will scatter your enemies before your faces, I will throw down and confound these wicked people that delight and long for war, that thirst after blood and hunger after the destruction of the Saints of God. But we see that our heavenly father comforteth us, he lovingly willeth us & counseleth us gladly to leave the bondage of Egypt, speedily to fly 
The good pleasure of the lord is to have us leave bondage, 〈◊〉 take liberty.  from the filthiness of Sodom, and with Noah to enter into the ark of our safety, even to the amiable courts of the Lord, to hold ourselves by the pillar of the truth, even the Gospel of his Christ, and to visit his temple. So will he be our God and we shall be his children, he will be our father, and we shall be his sons and daughters whom he will mightily protect and defend from the force and erroneous course of the multitude. And whatsoever Satan, Antichrist, and their adherets do devise or imagine against us, howsoever they seem to fear us, and dismay us with their multitudes, let us be patiented, waiting the lords leisure for our delivery. Let us be both careful and constant in our callings, and every one from the highest to the lowest, the head and members every one according to his office and function, frame ourselves diligently to have clear hearts and ready hands, in the fear and due reverence of him that hath promised us aid, to stand (not only upon our own guard) but as one body compact of many members stand all upon the guard and defence of all: to the honour of our master and comfort of the whole congregations of Christ's churches abroad and at home. And especially let those that are in authority over the inferior sorts call unto mind the due care, diligent regard, and watchful eye that Paul the approved minister 
There must be a godly care in all sorts of men and a watch full eye, after the example▪ of Paul.  of God had unto the Thessalonians, who in the time of Satan's busy rovinges abroad to deceive, fearing lest they should be seduced from that truth which he with travail and great industry had preached unto them, being careful and truly desirous of their salvation, sent Timotheus unto them to put them daily in mind of 
We must daily have in mind Satan's diligence to seduce us, and with grace to arm ourselves against him.  satans diligence, in subverting and slandering the truth, whereby he doubted that they might be easily drawn into erroneous devices, and so his endeavour to retain them in their due obedience to God should have been in vain. And surely if we duly consider the present estate of our days, and how the diligence of sathan and his complices, the kings of the earth, and the many nations of the world, doth now show itself as we see in such manifest sort as every Paul of our days hath great occasion to appoint many Timothy's to oversee the estate of the Thessalonians of this land: such I mean as l●●ue tasted of the sweet and comfortable doctrine of the 
We had need of many watchmen.  gospel of jesus Christ, which Satan and his wicked ministers, Antichrist and his adherents, Seminaries and jesuits, and their confederates seek to resist, and utterly to supplant, and to turn the hearts of Christians back again into 
The endeavour of the pope's ministers.  Egypt, and to their ancient bondage there, from the comfortable land of the gospels liberty, to murmur and grudge at Moses and Aaron to join themselves to Korah, Dathan, and Abyram, and to the multitude, and to stand resolute, to run with them headlong into eternal destruction.  
This we see is the resolute opinion of the most 
The good & godly resolution of Sidrach, mesech & Abednago  of them, that have not the truth in their hearts. But it is a resolution contrary to the resolution of Sydrach, Mesech, and Abednago: for they saw the multitude to do that which they detested, and stoutly refused: and whereunto if they had framed their affections, and measured their opinions according to the course and general consent of the whole multitude, they had run into wilful rebellion against the living God, and committed horrible idolatry, in giving worship unto a false God, to a stock, a block, to dirt, and dross of the earth: they saw the whole multitude to fall down at the sound of the trumpets, and gave solemn worship unto the image, yet could not that precedent prevail with them, they saw it no sufficient warrant for 
To follow the multitude is no good excuse.  them, no lawful excuse before the living God whom they served, and therefore absolutely resolved themselves, not to follow the multitude in an action so repugnant against the truth, and so great a derogation of the glory of the high God. This was a good and a godly resolution, wherein they constantly persevered, being apprehended as rebels against the kings decree, they were neither dismayed in respect of the multitude, nor tied unto consent unto the thing in respect that the multitude held it as a necessary duty, and service done for the kings pleasure: No although they saw the Nobles, Princes, Dukes, judges, Receivers, Counsellors, and all the officers and governors of all provinces, yea all the nations under the kings government to fall down and worship it, they were nothing moved to commit such abomination before the Lord. The fierce and cruel countenance of the king himself, the threats of his tortures, torments, and of death itself could not discourage them or remove their hearts from this sound resolution, this godly and salutary resolution, seeing the kings devise to be so merely repugnant against the truth. Thus must every good Christian, every one that will think 
Christian's ought to have this resolution.  himself the true member of Christ, resolve himself, namely constantly and boldy to refuse to bow their knees, or do any outward action to Baal of Rome, to the dishonour of the true God, to fulfil and satisfy the saucy, malapert, & haughty mind of him that hath set himself against God, craving his honour to be done unto him, and his power to be attributed unto him: no, although we see many and mighty multitudes to 
Weakness of potentates in yielding servitude to Antichrist.  bow to him before our eyes, though we see Emperors, Kings, and mighty potentates of the world to kiss his feet, and to afford their necks to be his footstools, and all the wise men of many nations to do him reverence: Let us refuse it, for behold it is merely against the truth: and therefore the precedent of the mighty, the precedent of the multitude, the precedent of generalities is nothing to us that have & aught to govern our affections by the word of God.  
But we see a strong resolution in many of 
The resolution of recusants.  the obstinate recusants of our time, even of these days, which whether it do agree with the order of that of these three men, it were not amiss to consider. But such is the subtlety of their shameless devices, that it is almost impossible to describe their resolution rightly. For mark where as Sydrach, Misech, and Abednago, were willed to fall down and worship the image, they stood not mute, or dumb, or with this bare defence: namely pardon us, we are resolved not to do it, as our recusants do. But they did boldly yield a reason of their recusancy, saying that it was contrary to their duty to the living God, whom they ought only to serve. But these men will maintain their idolatry even with this only answer: Forsooth we are resolved, wherein, and how? Forsooth to persevere in idolatry, and to dissemble before men, and yet to carry clear 
A special thing to be noted in the resolution of our recusants.  consciences before God (as they say). Here is a notable thing to be noted in their resolution, namely that it is lawful for them to dissemble, and to frame themselves in the outward action, like unto the thing commanded, and inwardly to carry a contrary desire, and yet this is no denial of him (as they say) whom they pretend to serve. But I think they hold this but as a shift, a point of policy, and not as the truth, their holy 
Dispensation for distunulation.  father contents himself to dispense with the word of God in that behalf, and tells his pupiles that wander abroad to work his wickedness that it shall not be laid to their charge in 
This is taken from the serpentssubtilty in seducing Ad● & ●u●.  the last day, that they have denied Christ in counterfeiting their consciences, and framing their fashions according to the time: as with the wicked to be wicked, with the holy to be holy in show, to profess light in words, and to hold with darkness in the heart: they may by toleration outwardly please men, and inwardly serve God. How rash were these men whom Nabuchadnezer condemned? They might have desembled the matter and have had the favour of the King? They might have done as the most did, and have pleased all men, and yet 
A damnable policy practised by the Papists.  have borne inwardly a conscience to God. Neither did Paul well, when he constantly confessed Christ, neither have the Martyrs done wisely in so stout profession of the truth, they might have turned their coats, according to the company, as most of these fellows do, that follow the multitude, and have saved their skins whole. But these men think they do well to seek to sleep in whole skins, according to the proverb. But the time shall come that the vizards of their villainy shall be pulled off, and their cloak and counterfeit consciences revealed, and take their reward with the reprobate, whom God abhorreth.  
Christ himself showeth them whereunto they are like to trust, saying, he that seeketh rather to obey man then God, or seeketh to deny God before man, such will Christ deny before his father in heaven.  
But what is the cause that so many come so near God in the outward show, and stand aloof in their hearts? That they come outwardly 
The foundation of dissimulation is dispensation.  to hear the word of God, and be inwardly very recusants? That they can kiss Christ, and Christians with judas in the face, and stob daggers at their hearts in their desires. Is not this the very cause, namely that whatsoever GOD commandeth outwardly to be done, and inwardly to be believed, his holiness dispenseth with the one and pardoneth the other? Carrying men's affections to the pleasing of mortal men, manifestly to displease the immortal God  
But behold these three men of the true God, were of a contrary mind, they were led with 
It cannot found with the will of God to dissemble before men.  a far, contrary spirit, and moved with a contrary zeal. For the truth resolved them that it could not hang consonant to the will of their heavenly father, to dissemble before the world, (what inward zeal soever they seem to have) to save their own lives, although we see these wicked men▪ that practise the perdition of the faithful, and account themselves Catholics, whose dispensation cometh from the false fox of Babylon, to put their enterprises in practice, altogether under colour of some notable virtue: either of love and dutiful 
Parries counterfeit obedience.  obedience as did the false traitor Parrie, who could with lowly crouchings, and reverent behaviour outwardly, with all hail Madam, and such like goodly tokens of dutiful affection, when in deed his heart was so full fraught with the poison of popish pardons, that lay so heavy upon his conscience that ere he could vomit it out to the purpose of his masters will, it broke his own bowels, and his filthy carcase, cracked his 
His due reward.  own nag. A plain reward for a dissembling sot. Here might be remembered these new chosen champions, of late armed against the head of our quiet in this land, whose manner of proceeding in their practices, was with like policy, 
Conspiracy of Ballard & the rest of his confederates.  Barnewell, Ballarde, Babington, and Bellamy, with the rest of that rebellious rout, a multitude of miscreants, a cursed crew of Cormorants, who sought to devour the blood of so many noble personages, pillars of our prosperity, and props of God's truth, their practise was perdicious, their pardons poisoned, their pardoner worse than poison itself, yea worse than the poison of Asps, I mean the dispenser of their devilish device. The remembrance of whose pretended mischief is loathsome unto Godly minds, it is contagious to be considered, stench in the nostrils of the God of heaven, and an everlasting ignomy and byword to all their posterities for ever more in earth. The resolution of these men 
Their damnable resolution  was damnable, like unto the vow of those that swore they would neither eat nor drink till 
Act. 23. 12. An encouragement to be constant.  they had killed Paul. But as the Lord encouraged Paul to persever in his godly beginning, to proceed to testify of the truth, so he encourageth all those that are his to be constant in the profession of his name, notwithstanding the vow of these conspirators, that cunningly cloak their cursed pretence with counterfeit Catholicie. Nabuchadnezer made preparation to put these three poor men to the most grievous death, because they would not fall down to worship the image, & the more to terrify them 
tyrants vs● threats to te●●i●y the godly but all in vain.  said unto the executioners, let the torment be seven times more vehement than ever before, hoping that those tyrannous words would move the poor men rather to fulfil his idolatrous will then to abide the torture. But he was far deceived: For they referring themselves constantly unto the providence of the only Lord of hosts, said unto the kings face, know this oh king, and year ye this all ye multitude, that the true God whom we serve, the God that will not have his glory by any means to be imparted unto another, is able to deliver us out of 
The faithful constancy of the godly.  your hands: but if it be his will to make a sacrifice of our bodies, and that your bloody devices and desires take effect against us, yet will we not 
A right resolution.  fall down to give honour unto any thing, as a God, which is not God, no although so many both wise men and mighty multitudes satisfy the kings will therein before us, this is that resolution which all men that rightly profess christ must hold namely, notwithstanding the decree of the great Nabuchadnezer of Rome, wherein he commandeth and willeth all Emperors, kings, 
How we must resolve ourselves, against the tire ranny of Roman conspirators.  potentates, realms, kingdoms, nations and tongues at the noise and sound of his Mandamus and precipimus sub poena mortalis peccati, and such like sharp commandments, to fall down before his holiness, and the idolatrous and adulterous puppets and toys which he hath caused to be set up, and to do such other bastardly service as he commandeth contrary to the word of God, and to believe and confess that which the Lord hath not willed but forbidden.  
We must with these men put on the complete harness of a clear and constant conscience, and even to the faces not only of these that have authority to pronounce his excommunications, curses, and comminations, but even to the face of that proud, prouder, and proudest of all proud prelate's of the romish rabbell himself.  
Know this thou Pope, and hear this ye papists, that the Lord whom we serve in his 
Our resolution.  Christ, in whom we trust, is able to deliver us out of your hands. But if it be his good pleasure, for his glories sake, for our salvations sake, and your reprobations sake, to permit our bodies to be made sacrifices by your bloody hands, we will not fall down unto your abhomminable devices, we will not join with your confederacies, although you have already decreed our torments to be made seven times, yea seventy times seven times more bitter than before. And then (dear Christians) upon this our clear and impolluted resolution shall that God whom we serve deal with us, as he dealt with these three men, namely although we be cast into the flames 
Our undoubted comfort in Christ, in all sorts of torments is not to be doubted.  of bitter torment, he will so mittegate the griefs thereof, by the inward comfort which then he will send us, that it shall even in the terror of death be a sufficient testimony unto our consciences, that he hath a careful eye unto us: and by our delivery show even unto these persecuting executioners, that it is not their tyranny that can suppress, or the cruel force of the multitude that can resist the approved and manifest truth which we profess, and will show and openly declare that the devices and imaginations of man are but vain: Nay further to show his judgements of these blood-thirsty 
God's judgements against the wicked conspirators of his servants confusions.  men, he will send their destruction with the same torment they prepared for his children  
For let us behold, and to our comfort and for our learning consider, that notwithstanding these three poor men were cast into so fervent a burning flame, that there appeared no possibility for them to escape, even sudden consummation of their bodies with the force of the fire: yet such was the power and providence of him that hath all things in subjection under his feet, that he preserved them in such sort as in the midst of the fire they walked safely, and to show his justice threw out the flame upon those ministers of the king that executed his will therein, so that they that digged the pit for others, fell themselves into the same, they were taken with the snare, that they provided for others: Even so shall that proud Haman of Rome in the end be hanged in the gallows that he hath set up for godly Mardocheus of England. We must think that these examples were 
Good examples to be applied to our time.  written for our learning, and very sit for our time to be considered, according to the present course of men: for as then Nabuchadnezer thought that the consent of so many great men unto his idolatry approved the same to be very sound and good: And when these three men stood in defence of the true religion of God, as now we 
God's providence always ready to help his.  see that our small Island of England among many other famous countries of the world, holdeth and possesseth the gospel with part of other nations, as it pleaseth God to afford his grace among us. And as then these three men were condemned of the multitude, and our selves in like manner misliked of the most: as the living God then provided for their safety so (no doubt) he doth and will do for ours, though not in present outward deliverance, yet no doubt in inward comforts, whereby there appeareth no cause why the children of GOD should fear the multitude, although the people 
God is always ready either in outward delivery or inward comfort to aid ye  in a common proverb agree, that many heads are better than one: whereby they go about and seem to approve the venomous and brutish serpent Hydra to be the wisest beast that ever was in respect of the multitude of his heads, when we know many silly creatures of the earth in many virtues to exceed such monsters. But this seemeth not agreeable to my matter, being evangelical, for that this application is poetical: But surely it is not without good moral: for the multitude in deed may be well compared to a beast of many heads unstaid in respect of many guides, unpleasant in respect of 
The multitude with their many heads resembled un to Hydra the serpent.  many minds, unruly in respect of many members. And therefore this argument of many heads better than one, holdeth not in causes of heavenly revelations, for the truth cometh not from the multitude, it proceedeth not from the wise, nor is to be expected of the learned in respect of the many professing one things or in re▪spect of the wise in natural policies: nor in respect of profound study: It cometh not from men of whatsoever judgement, but even from the very spirit of God the teacher thereof. The truth is Gods, it is of God, and his gift it is that 
The spirit▪ of God teacheth the truth.  the men of base callings, and judgements in worldly causes conceive the truth, speak the truth, and are able to teach the truth, which in deed of itself is simple, pure, clear, and not mixed with the traditions, nor the devices, nor tied to the power or strength of mortal men.  
And therefore, to show the weakness of many heads, and their errors, and to confirm his truth by the hands of one, and that of the 
God doth show his power not to consist in the multitude & his truth, not to be founded upon many heads.  weakest and most frail sex: he caused an example in that behalf to be written for our experience: namely that where there were many magistrates in the City of Bethulya, and they all laying there heads together, determined a course contrary to the truth, namely, rashly to tie the will of God, and his hand to their own prefixed time, or else to give over their City to the Captain of the enemy of God: This was their resolute determination, when indeed it behoved 
The citizens & magistrates of Bethulia in their many heads deceived.  them by the rule of God's word, to have referred themselves in faith unto the good providence of God, as these forenamed three men did, and to tarry the Lords leisure for their delivery. But a silly woman perceiving this their rash resolution, by the instinct of the holy Ghost, the teacher of the truth, openly reproved them, in that they showed in themselves no spark of patience, neither allowed that power and omnipotency to God for their delivery, which he showed to many before them, but tying (as it were his will unto their wills) indented with him the time and manner of their delivery. And she referring the whole state of the City unto the mighty hand of the Lord, in a perfect hope sounded upon the truth miraculously prevailed, in delivering, the poor besieged City from the bloody hands of the▪ wicked idolaters.  
This was a weak mean in the judgement of man, yet did the Lord vouchsafe unto her proceedings, the success acceptable unto the poor oppressed hearts of many people. And let us then but think the like, or far more power is given unto the hand of our godly 
The godly judith of England shall cut off the head of Holophernes of Rome.  judith, to cut off the haughty aspiring head of mighty Holophernes of Rome and his adherentes, the grand Captain of all the adversaries of Christ and Christians. These examples reprove those that in their actions go about either to tie God's truth unto their many heads, or build their resolution upon the might of the multitude.  
If Noah had builded his resolution upon the 
Noah's resolution not builded upon the multitude  resolution of the multitude, and had joined his consent unto the resolute determinations of the multitude, he should have had his portion with the multitude in the swelling and merciless waters, and not have tasted the sweetness of the providence of GOD in the Ark. So surely if we should look into the common sort of men, into the generality of consents, or into the common use of countries, & not guide ourselves by the rule of God's word we could not but perish in the merciless waters of errors, and never enjoy the sweet comfort of the Ark with the true Church of Christ.  
And therefore had Lot a care, a diligent eye, 
Lot's care & diligence to avoid the general course of the people of Sodom.  and careful consideration unto the course of the City of Sodom, and feared to give consent unto the multitude because he knew their general inclinations, declining from the right way: And so leaving the multitude unto their own course, took a private course with himself, according to the direction of the truth, and was saved from the destruction that fell upon the multitude, so that we may see that we are not to fail with the most▪ if we will arrive in the port of safety, and avoid the dangers of destruction.  
There was no small company, but a great multitude, a huge army that departed out of Egypt, to go into the land of promise, but because with a general consent they declined from the truth, and fell to murmuring against Moses and Aaron the servants and ministers of GOD, every man joining himself to the multitude, and the multitude looking back again 
The danger of looking back into ancient errors.  with a longing desire to retire into Egypt they came all too short of the promised pleasant land: But joshua and Calib who depended upon the truth of the living God.  
Even so a great number and mighty multitude were in the days of the late famous King 
Many were brought out of romish Egypt in the days of king H. 8.  Henry the eight, brought out of the bondage of the spiritual romish Egypt, into the pleasant land of the Gospel, and so continued the days of the godly King Edward the sixth, and 
The continuance of our▪ reduction o● of romish Egypt by K. ●. 6. Our recaptivity in the days of Qu. Mary. Our redemption by Q. Elizabeth. To beware of murmuring against her Majesty and other godly magistrates.  in the perilous days of Queen Marie they start back again into their former thraldom, from whence again our good joshua, Queen Elizabeth hath redeemed them. And therefore let us beware of murmuring against her, let us rather be constant in believing in the promises of our good God, who hath promised us the fruition of the pleasant land of knowledge, if we be truly obedient unto his will: otherwise he will cut short all those that rather covet to run with the generalty of other Countries, and will not accompany good joshua and Calib, in our journey already taken in hand, in the name of Christ our head, under the conduct of Moses and Aaron.  
It is therefore a perilous thing and warily to be avoided, to yield our senses but to the remembrance of the errors of old, and the very name of the highest bishop, the vicar of Christ, the Pope, yea and the very title of Papists is to be sent into the furthermost bounds of utter oblivion, yea all the ceremonies of their enchanted and Nicromantiall doctrines are to be detested & to be thrust out of every man's mind, much more is it to be avoided to give our consents, again to entertain the palpable and cloudy doctrine wherewith our Fathers, and the greatest part of the world were and are besorted. For whoso embraceth these things, or but looketh back again into them with desire to follow them, shall never attain unto that promised 
The danger or looking back into Egypt or Sodom appeareth by Lot's wife.  land, the new jerusalem, nor escape the sudden destruction of Sodom, but with the wife of Lot be turned into a pillar of stone, without sense, feeling, or knowledge of the lively and lightsome truth, the way whereunto, is pure, plain, direct, and strait, according to the steps of Christ, who in all his teachings, preachings, and proceedings, used neither invention, policy, or tradition of man's imagination: neither was he tied with the fear of man's persecutions, led by the example of the most, or carried away with the force of the multitude.  
But such is the enmity and despite of Satan against the truth, and the professors thereof, that he hath from age to age raised severe persecution against it, and them: and that not by the least and men of weakest ability of the 
Satan raiseth even kings to persecute the godly. David's complaint against conspirators, to be applied to these days  earth only, but even Kings of the earth, and Princes of the world, to conspire and assemble their multitudes together against the Lord and against his anointed. And therefore as David in his days was moved to complain in that behalf: so may we at this present justly cry out and say, that Kings of the earth rise up with their armies of their multitudes, banding themselves with their bloody Captains, rooving like Lions abroad, and like bears and wild boars, through the world to tear, to spoil, and root out all the godly upon the earth, putting their confidence in the force of the multitude, as though they should always vanquish, and never be vanquished.  
Even so did the Egyptians, who putting 
The foolish vaunts of the Egyptians.  their trust in the multitude of their men, and charriottes, their horses, and their strongly barred, and artificially wrought wagons, fit for the wars, persuaded themselves, even sure of the pray before the onset, dividing the spoil before the victory: But the mighty GOD, whose power is not included within the multitude of an army, nor tied to the show of much munition, perceiving their devices, founded upon the strength of their own arms alienate from and not joined with the invincible power of his right hand, to be vain, weak, frivolous and fantastical, laughed their vain hope, they conceived of their own strength, to scorn: and because he would have his own power to be seen, and their weakness to fall as dung in their own faces, he turned their bravery and proud boasting to their own shame, their pride into their own perdition, and made their mighty multitude an argument of their own weakness. The history hereof is plain, and a most comfortable instruction for us, and a notable caveat, for such as shall stand too much upon their own power and prowess, not taking the Lord for their strength, whose hand stretcheth itself out for the defence of his children, and overthroweth such, in the red sea of utter perdition, which with haughty Pharaoh of Rome shall say, what is God that can deliver little England out of my hands?  
Let us apply some other examples out of the writings of the truth, to confirm these mighty works of the Lord.  
Nabucadnezer putting his affiance, in his own power and strength of the multitude, rose up against 
The strength of Nabucadnesa●s multitude was his own confusion  the children of God, saying: who can deliver you out of my hands? what God is there (saith he) that can prevail against me, for your delivery out of my hands? For have I not conquered 
jer. 27. 1 2. King. 24. 7  Egypt? have I not destroyed jerusalem, brought many and mighty kingdoms into subjection? And have I not of myself by my mighty multitude performed many like famous exploits? Notwithstanding whose great brags, whereby he thus began to elevate and heave up himself, not only above all other Princes in the world, but endeavoured to draw all men into adoration of him as a God, saying most arrogantly: who is God that can deliver you out 
A resemblance between the actions of old Nabuc of Babylon, & the new Nabu▪ of Rome  of my hands? the Lord against whom he rose, confounded him in his own strength. And doth not the great master of all this mischief, and present hurly-burly in the world exalt himself in like arrogant sort? persuading such as will join with him in his devilish devices, that they shall not fear but proceed in their conspiracies: and that there is no God that shall withstand them, for he hath dispensed for them, and hath the living God (as it were) within the limits of his usurped power & authority. But let us note (I pray you) what became of this proud King Nabucadnezer, that we by perfect implication, may compare the likelihood of the end of this Nabucadnezer of Rome, unto the former for our instructions sake.  
The God of hosts who always favoureth, 
The favour of God towards such as build their enterprises upon the truth.  aideth, assisteth, protecteth, and conducteth the humble, and such as attempting weighty matters attribute the good success thereof unto his goodness, mercy, power and providence: and who detesteth, abhorreth, resisteth and utterly overthroweth such as stand upon their own power and strength: that God (I say) looked down, and beheld the ways of this tyrant, this boasting and aspiring creature, that blushed not to set himself up against God, and the godly, 
God's justice in casting down the proud.  and plucked him down from his high and glorious seat of majesty, from his chair of pride, and brought him to the most base, most vile and more than servile estate of all other men of the world: namely unto the condition of a brute beast, dividing him from the familiarity and society of men, to accompany the most savage & 
nabuchadnezar's reward for his pride  brutest beasts of the field, to leave the delicate diet of his Regal table, to feed upon the herbs, grass and weeds of the earth, even as the ox liveth, so lived he, by the space of seven years in the wilderness, a dumb beast, whose body (which before was curiously kept in delicate attire, in his kingly palace) is now forced to accept of the naked attire of the bare skin, and the same to be wet with the dew of heaven. 
A metamorphosis of Nabuchadnezar  Here we see was a sudden Metamorphosis, a strange alteration, yet this was the change of this earthly God, of a man to become a monster, of a King, worse than a subject, of a Captain, worse than a captive, an abject not companion with the vilest subject. Alas where is now become the great vaunts of his victories? where is the might of his multitude? where is the glory of his much strength? where are the mighty men in whom he trusted? what service can they do him? what aid can they show him? what comfort can they give him? where is the service of a king become? whether is the glory of his usurped godhead gone? Truly all is gone, and nothing left but only a poor distressed carcase, who before accounted himself a God, and no man, & now seen to be not only no God, but in worse case than the most servile man, yea 
The applications of the ●●ll of Nab.  a very monster, his hair become as eagle's feathers, and his nails like birds claws. What is there more to be said of this man, but to apply the example of the fall of his pride, unto the 
The vaunts ofromish Nabuca●dnezar  like vaynegloryous young God Nabuchadnezer of Rome, whose pride and vainglorious ostentation is fully answerable thereunto. For what doth his haughty holiness? doth he not vaunt and exalt himself above all other men of the earth? above all Emperors, Kings, Princes and Potentates? and doth he not challenge solely unto himself, that power and that authority which Christ himself hath left generally 
His usurpations.  to all his faithful ministers? and doth he not affirm the virtue of the death of Christ to be tied and fastened (by no other mean but by the cords of this own will) unto his chair at Rome? Hath he not set himself in the place and seat of Christ, binding the consciences of men under the pawn of deadly sin, to acknowledge him to be the sole Vicar of Christ here in earth? and that all other the ministers of Christ ought (upon pain of excommunication) come in by him, live under him, and to have their authority from him? What is this, but to compare with the pride of this Nabucadnezer, to say what is he that is able to deliver you out of my hands? what Christian could not blush to consider of this vainglory? & cannot think that this proud Nabucadnezer was a direct and manifest type of him of Rome.  
And further to approve it, let us look into his many and great brags, wherein he vaunteth himself of his own and his predecessors conquests, of many, & mighty kingdoms vanquished even with the dint of falsehood? continued with tyranny, and led by Idolatry: terrifying many silly souls of the earth, saying: is there any that can deliver you out of my hands? considering the multitudes of many Countries, yea and the kings of many Nations, that yield me obedience, & have plighted me their troths, to take my part? with these vaunts, and vomits hath he won the greatest part of the world to follow his filthiness: wherein he thus triumpheth. 
The pride & fall of Nab was agape of the pride & sub●●ersion of the Pope.  But we must a little further consider of this mighty Monarch, that as this Nabucadnezer, was the type of his pride, so surely was his fall and brutish transformation a figure of his 
Ho●v the Pope & his adherents are become transformed into bruit beasts.  ruin and decay, of his fall and subversion. And although we yet see the plume of his pride slicker in the air, as a mark to be seen through all the world, that he keepeth and continueth his chair of estate: yet is he cast down, into a reprobate sense, he and his are become brute beasts, they are fallen from knowledge and excluded from the familiarity of Christ and Christians: and feed not as we see upon the pure 
Their food  bread of the Gospel, but upon the weeds and grass of man's own inventions, and the hair 
The hair of ●●●ir heads.  of their heads, even all their wits overgrown with foolish traditions and further their nails even with their bloody persecutions of Christians 
The ●●yles of their hands  become as the eagle's claws, that liveth by the spoil of the simplest birds. By these marks is he dissiphered and known to be another Nabucadnezer, whose heart is alienate from the true God.  
But for the love of our dear master Christ 
The 〈…〉 ce of our delivery in Christ.  jesus, let not his threats terifie us: for although he proudly say, who can deliver you out of mine hands? Let us assure ourselves that he that delivered the children of Israel out of the hands of Pharaoh shall deliver us from the hands of this tyrant of Rome & his adherentes, for experience of god's protection, teacheth us to believe that their power is vain & frivolous. Let them murmur & mutter, let them fret and fume, let them stir the coals of their malice against us, so far as God will permit, and in the time of greatest peril he shall work for us as he did for joshua, before whose face he threw down the mighty city jericho without shot of bullet, or stroke of 
jericho thrown down with the breath of God's mouth.  sword, so (no doubt) his power is able to deal with all our mightiest adversaries, yea even with that Nabucadnezer & all his mighty multitudes, he shall even with the breath of his mouth, stir those coals into a flame which now they have inkindeled against us, to scorch up and consume even the chief doers of his host: as he did the executioners of the three men in the hot oven. And let us in the faith and fear of our good 
God will turn the flame of these conspiracies, to consume the actors thereof.  God assuredly persuade ourselves, that of his mercies, and for his own glories sake, he will bring the due desert, and deserved reward upon them all, as he hath begun with some that lay secret wait and by conspiracies seek to bring, not only the head, but many the chiefest props of our quiet estate, to an untimely 
Let us cast away the cords of conspirators from v s.  end, and our Country into a common calamity. And therefore let us speedily, willingly, and frankly cast away their cords from us, their cords of falsehood, flattery, and tyranny, where with they endeavour to bind us unto their wills. Let us not be won by their allureinents, nor fear their forces domestical or foreign, for God that dwelleth in the heavens, shall laugh them to scorn and they that fear his name shall have them in derision, he shall break their bows in pieces, gnappe their spears in 
Ps. 2. 3.  sunder, and make their artylerie their munition, and other their martial provisions, scourges and rods to correct themselves: for although he have a long time winked at their wantonness, & wiliness: and they have flattered themselves nianye years in a foolish hope, and a devilish desire of overthrowing the truth, and the chief protectors thereof, here in earth, let us assure ourselves that he will not have his glory defaced, nor permit his own power to come into slander, but by a few of his true and faithful servants will show himself able to vanquish the greatest multitudes of his adversaries. 
How we must encourage out selves in God.  And although he be able to confound them even with the breath of his mouth: yet will he show his power, extending aid unto his servants, taking the defence of his truth in hand: the adversaries where of he sometimes confound even with the hands of his adversaries rising one against another.  
He suffered Shenacheryb King of the Assyrians 
2. Kin 1●▪ 13 The pro●de vaunts of Senacharib.  a long time to flatter himself and to boast and brag of his mighty multitudes and his huge host of mighty men, who did in the bravery of his own conceit, make open proclamation (as it were) against the living God, the God of truth, blaspheming and saying: know ye not how, and what I, and my Fathers have done in other Countries, how we have conquered many Nations, raunsacked Cities, and brought their people into great subjection, bondage, and servitude? Why doth Hesekyah then persuade you to trust in any other but in me? and to fear any besides me? For were the Gods of other lands of force to withstand my multitudes, the power of my mighty men of war, and to deliver the people out of my hands? Noah more shall ye be able to stand before me. And therefore, yield your obedience and loyalty to me, and my ministers, or else I will deal in the like measure with you. Here are great and glorious▪ words, here are terrible and sharp speeches, thundering as he would have thrown down heavenly jerusalem, and have plucked the King of Kings out of his throne.  
And I pray let us a little compare the haughty brags of the Romish Shenacheryb, with this 
A comparison between Senach. k. of Assiria, and the Pope.  Assyrian King: and by the success of the one conjecture of the end of the other. The iteration or repetition of the brags, boastings, and thundering vaunts of Senacheryb of Rome is needless, being so plainly every where noted, and especially from the sea of Rome, from Spain, France, and such like hot and furious Countries where the sun of perdition shineth. But as this Assyrian Shenacheryb, and his Fathers by God's permission, prevailed a while in oppressing many Countries, Cities, and people: Yet at the length, when he thought himself sure of the pray and spoil of jerusalem, suddenly 
The spoil & overthrow of Senacheribs' army.  came the power of him who never faileth the faithful, and destroyed all the valiant men, Princes and Captains, even his whole army, to the number of one hundred fourscore and five thousand men. And this great boasting tyrant himself, flying unto Niniveh and in the temple of his Idols, as a just reward for his arrogancy, 
The death of Senach. k. of Assiria.  pride, and blasphemy, Adramelech and Sharazar his own sons slew him with a sword: Even so although that Shenacheryb of Rome and his predecessors have these many years prevailed, with force and falsehood bewitching the hearts of many Kings, Countries, Nations, Cities and people, saying: who is the Lord? am not I he, that have brought so many into my subjection, servitude, and bondage? Why doth then Hesekyah of England persuade her people to trust in any besides me? 
The vaunts of Romish Senacherib.  for as I have done to Spain, to France, and diverse other Countries, Cities, and people, 
England a prick in the pope's eye, & therefore he threatueth it.  so will I do unto England, I will bring them into their wonted obedience unto my decrees, or else will I send my multitudes and my mighty men, to besiege their Cities, and to vanquish their people, in such sort as they shall not escape.  
Here is much a do, here are great words, a frivolous ostentation of a mortal man, the 
The Pope's holiness.  enemy of God, a member of Satan, friend to no good man, a poison to every Christian soul, that is defiled with his enchantments, the pitch of perdition, which who so toucheth is polluted with a deadly filth, can he not look into the course and confusion of this Assyrian King, and set him as a mirror or glass to behold his own proceedings: and what shall become of him without his unfeigned conversion.  
And cannot his adherentes call to mind the 
A mirror for the Romanists.  end of this Assyrian army: surely, (were they not besotted with the confidence in their own power and strengths) they would call it to mind and tremble for fear, that their success in the service of such a master, cannot be good, nor take a salutary end. Wherefore with diligence in the fear and reverence of the mighty GOD of heaven, let us eschew their faction, and march under the banner of Christ's truth, assuring ourselves, that as the Lord with the breath of his mouth, overcame so mighty a multitude, of the Assyrians, thirsting for the spoil of jerusalem. And as he raised such as descended from the loins of that Assyrian King to kill him for his tyranny and pride. So is he able to resist or confound the multitudes of our enemies, the enemies of the truth, abroad and at home.  
And further, if with patience we wait his good pleasure he shall raise up such as have descended of the bowels of the Romish Shenacheryb 
God is ●●l● to 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 from the pope's own 〈…〉 to con●●ūd him.  to turn even their forces, and their powers against him in the judgement of GOD to confound him. It is not in vain that our merciful God commandeth his children to call upon him in the day of trouble, and he will hear them, and relieve them, against whatsoever adversaries: for he hath no respect of persons, but he that walketh in the truth and worketh righteousness is accepted with him, he bringeth the proud boasting of the arrogant to howling and weeping, and exalteth such as are lowly in him.  
There was no comparison between great G●lyah and little David to the eyes of those that 
The vn●●klihoo● o● 〈…〉 to ●●l Go 〈…〉.  saw them both march towards the combat. For natural reason could not have judged the victory to go with David for that, that in respect of his stature & person, there was no more equality than between a little mouse and a great Elephant, and as their persons & strengths were far unlike, so were their weapons and external instruments of war, for the strong man had far the greater odds, for he was armed for the purpose with spear and shield, and poor David was naked, only a sling in his hand, wherewith (yet such was God's providence) with a stone he killed this huge and 
God's providence against natural reason.  mighty monster, who vaunting of his own strength, blasphemed the God of heaven, in whose miraculous death, the power of GOD and his hatred against man's trust and confidence in the strength of flesh and blood, was showed: to the comfort of the godly, and confusion of the wicked.  
This and such like examples are written for our learning, that we through the assurance of our defence in our Captain Christ, should not 
The glory of the Pope.  fear the force of our boasting adversaries the strength and haughty courage of the grand captain of the Romish Philistines, who challengeth all men that seem to take their defence in God, glorying and boasting in his many Countries, strong and fencible Cities, and many multitudes of people, that are in subjection under him. 
jos. ●. 〈…〉, and the strength thereof.   
jericho, was a mighty and strong City, the walls whereof seemed invincible, being most strongly furnished with many men and munition▪ wherein they gloried, boasted, and set themselves aloft in their own conceit, as thou●● no power had been able to overthrow th●●: But God, who winketh not at such arrogancy, nor suffereth such rebellious people, to go unpunished, neither their Cities to stand in such contempt of him (puffed up with the pride of their own strength) directed joshua the Captain of the Israelites how and in what manner he should deal for the overthrow and subversion thereof. And because he would have his power to be seen, and his mighty arm to have the praise, and not the strength of joshua's army, lest he should have bragged and boasted as did Pharaoh, Nabucadnezer, Senacheryb, and such like mighty Princes, who attributed the praise of their success and victories, unto their own strength and multitudes: he willed joshua to carry the Ark of the Lord, seven times about the City, with the sound of seven trumpets, and a great shout of the army, whereat (without 
The overthrow of jericho.  more a do) without the shedding of one drop of blood of joshua's company, the walls of the City fell flat to the ground, Inso much as joshua with his army entered, put the people to the sword, and burned the City with fire.  
Even so did he work for Gydeon and his small 
jud. ●. 15. A huge company o● Mad●…ouercome by Gideon and a 〈◊〉 number of 〈◊〉 men.  company, to the overthrow of the Madianites, what a mighty GOD is this, whose power is such and so great, that he worketh so far beyond all natural expectation, yea against all possibility, by worldly reason, to the confusion of such as rise up against his Church, against his Christ and Christian?  
And therefore although we see Romish jericho, which consisteth of many Cities, which is the mother of many daughters, although she triumph as invincible, although she sit 
Reu. 18. 7.  as a Queen and say, I shall be no widow, neither shall I be touched with any sorrow: Let us not doubt but the breath of Gods own mouth 
The mean to overthrow Romish jericho.  shall overthrow her: The Ark of the Lord, the gospel of his truth being carried in countries round about her, and the trumpets of God's messengers sounding the same, and the hearty praises of the army of Christians being shouted unto the heavens, shall bring that to pass which S. john prophesieth, namely that the joyful 
Reu. 18. 2.  tidings of the fall of Romish jericho, and her utter ruin unto joshua's army, namely to the congregation of the faithful in Christ. It is fallen it is fallen, Babylon that great City, the glory of the romish queen, the pride of jericho is come to 
Esa. 21. 9  confusion. This no doubt by the finger of God shall be brought to pass, although they seem to build their strength never so mightily.  
The people about an hundred and thirty years after the flood greatly increased, & their 
Gen. 11. 4.  multitude increasing to an infinite number, began to be proud and arrogant, insomuch that as they devised the means (in their own conceits) to extol their glory unto the heavens, and therefore endeavoured to erect a tower, the height whereof should reach unto the skies, their enterprise thus begun, they proceeded to perform it according to their own imaginations, wherein their pride so increased, and their hearts asspired against the God of heaven, who beholding the secreats thereof, and their weak and rebellious intent, in that they could not content themselves to enjoy the liberty and commodities of the earth, and their lives at his 
God throweth down aspiring minds.  hands, but would aspire to make themselves equal with him, and as it were his fellow neighbours even in the clouds, where they pretended to have their habitations near unto his seat of Majesty in heaven, as they imagined, quickly cut them short, and used a speedy confusion of their folly: namely confounded their 
The confusion of ●ongues.  language in such sort as one could not understand the other.  
Surely this example of man's pride and their sudden confusion by the judgements of God, is worthy to be noted. The multitude of these 
The multitude of Nimrods' company.  men, namely Nimrod and his company were great, insomuch as if God should have dealt according to the sense of humane reason, as these men now do in their multitudes, what course should God have taken, considering that (as before the 'slud) so now they all joined themselves together to become rebels against him? But as his wisdom is always unsearchable, and his power infinite, and all to bring all things to pass without the aid of man, he used this only mean to stop their devise, namely to confound their language whereby their work ceased, they were scattered, and their enterprise came to none effect.  
By this most worthy example we may see how God abhorreth those aspiring hearts that 
God detesteth the devices of those that covet to climb into heaven by their own deserts.  covet to climb up into heaven by the tower of their own devices. What a touchstone is this to try the glittering show of Nimrod of Rome and his adherents to be but copper, who as we see endeavoureth to erect a tower, not of brick and mortar, but of their own merits, whereby they will ascend and set themselves even side by side with Christ himself in the kingdom of heaven.  
And I pray what is this but to call Christ down from heaven, to confound their languages, and to show them plainly that their building shall never take effect, nor be accomplished: How is it come already to pass among these builders? How many are 
The confusion of the language that the Romanists use.  there that can understand the language of their workmen? Is it not in Latin, a language far from the understanding of the most. For if the builders of this detestable work should call 
The difficult agreeing of the builders and labourers or servitors of the romish tower. Aho●chpotch o● inventions instead of the sincere relig●.  for the brick of true worship of GOD in his tongue, their poor servitors bring forth the stubble of idolatry, the confusion whereof we see, in that these builders even in the judgements of GOD have patched, peeced, and made a hodge-podge thereof, in such sort as the building of that tower, which is founded upon the merits of Christ above, wherein we must be saved, is merely neglected and rejected amongst them. And therefore it behoveth every true christian, to come out from among them, to forsake their company, and not to set to our hands to the gathering of stubble, to make their brick, nor slime for their mortar. 
The counterfeit brick & mortar of the Romanists.  For such is their bastardly dealing, that in steed of the pure straw of the word of God, wherewith they should make the brick of a christian conversation, they take the stubble of their own traditions, and in place of the pure mortar of the spirit of God, they use the slime of their own carnal wisdom, wherewith they build this tower of their glory, wherein they so brag and boast, as though by the same tower they could themselves ascend into heaven, and keep others with the force of their many builders from ascending to God by Christ. Their inventions are evil, their pride odious, and their folly filthy in the sight of God. And yet say they we will prevail, we will perform our enterprise, 
The resolution in building the tower of wilful rebellion against the death of Christ.  accomplish our device, for our multitude is great, & therefore who can withstand our force? But we have plentifully seen the mighty works of the Lord for the confusion of his adversaries, and the comfort of those that delight in his salvation.  
Yet let us a little further call into our minds, and for the comfort of our consciences, and encouragement of our hearts, consider his mighty potection and provident care he hath of his children.  
David was most cruelly persecuted, and his 
1. Sam. 13. The trouble● of David by Saul.  life a long time, and by many means sought for to be taken away by Saul, a mighty king and his mighty multitudes. Yet such was the patience of David, that when he had fit opportunity to have killed Saul, he would not, but rather referring his case unto the providence of God, only cut off the lap of saul's garment and departed, and at another time took his spear, and a cup of oil.  
saul's tyranny still raging so far that he commanded 
1. Sam. 24. 4.  jonathan his own son and servants to kill David. But the Lord moved the heart of 
1. Sa. 19 1.  jonathan to favour David, yet such was the cruelty of Saul that David was forced to fly into the wilderness of Zyphe, and being in great distress, and in such a straight, that he saw in natural judgement no possibility to escape the hands of his 
David's extreme distress and his delivery by the providence of god  adversaries, he was by the gracious providence of God mightily defended. For in saul's hottest pursuit after David's life, there came a messenger unto Saul that informed him that the Philistines had invaded his land, at which news he was forced to leave David, and with speed with all his host to return home to defend his own realm. This is duly to be noted and his mighty providence of God in thus miraculously defending David, is to be applied unto every christian in his distress and persecution, and a godly instruction for our dear Sovereign, that although Saul of Rome and his adherents wait for the life of her highness, that yet there be many jonathans' that have made covenant with her, to aid her and assist her as men moved even with the zeal of the lords house, and love of her majesties virtues, yea the Lord himself is her protection, who we see hath not only cut off the lap of saul's garment, but hath taken away his spear, namely his ministers and cursed conspirators against her, by whom he hoped with a spear to have despoiled her highness of her life, and us of our quiet estate. But 
The greatest foe of our felicity is partly unarmed.  God be thanked he is partly unarmed, and therefore let us be patiented and suffer him to rage's a while, and at the length no doubt she shall take away the cup of oil which is his comfort, namely all his flattering and deceitful complices, his glory and renown, his power and authority, notwithstanding the many threatened invasions by foreign forces, and secret conspiracies at home, when they are in the prime of their pride, when their tyranny is most sharp and cruel, when their shippinges are prepared, their armies and their multitudes at the most, 
When our adversaries are in the prime of their hope they sh●l ●li● back ●…t, & be dis●….  and when they gape widest to swallow up David, the poor Christians in England and elsewhere, God will prevent them with some invasions of their own terretories at home, and thereby give occasion to Saul and his mighty men, to return to defend themselves at home, yea the mighty monacke of Spain that seemeth to rule but is ruled, who as it hath been confessed by the late conspirators, will spend his whole kingdom, but will bring England to his purpose, and conform to the ancient Roman religion, even he and all his adherents, ministers of Saul, 
Psal. 2.  of Rome shall be deceived, God is on our side who is a sure defence in the due time of need, his aid cometh when men's cases are desperate, he helpeth past hope, and maketh the counsels, attempts and policies, the might and multitude of the adversaries of his truth to be 
God cannot abide any practices against his church.  vain and of none effect, yea he laugheth them to scorn, he cannot abide their conspiracies against Christ and his church, although they prosper & are glorious in the eye of man for a time, yet (if we note the ends of them) we shall have good occasion to say as David of the wicked said. I looked, and behold although they were even 
Psal. 73. 3.  now flourishing as green bay trees, they are suddenly consumed, and their place is not to be found▪ The same prophet saith that he stood in admiration, and even fretted to see the prosperity of the wicked. And surely it is in these days 
It is admirable to see the prosperity of the wicked.  very admirable to see the prosperity, the glorious estate and brave outward show of those that set their mouths against heaven, namely that blaspheme God, & slander his power, in tying it unto the multitude, and contemn other men, as vile & weak in respect of themselves, that condemn all men, and justify themselves, thirsting after blood, and yet say we are they that will prevail, who is Lord over us?  
But behold God setteth them in slippery 
The wicked namely conspirators are in slippery places.  places, he casteth them down, bringeth them to desolation, destroyeth them suddenly, and they in their counsels come to a shameful and fearful end.  
Thus have we seen with our eyes in our late conspirators, of whom some of them and they 
Ps. 7●. 18. 19  not the least, have with this persecuting Saul been hangmen and butchers unto themselves. God destroyeth all them that withdraw themselves 
1. Sa. 31. 4. Psal. 73. 27. God is good unto the godly.  from him and go a whoring after strange Gods, but is good unto Israel, even to such as are of a clear and a pure heart. And therefore let us be assured that although there be many saul's against one David, many jezabels against one Elias, God will not suffer such as are godly in deed, christians in deed, fervent, zealous, and not duke warm hypocrites or neuter to be over thrown of them, but will make away for them to escape, as he did for his servant David, even when their state is most dangerous.  
Poor Daniel was in a marvelous distress, in 
Dan. 6. 12.  a desperate estate in the judgement of man, when he for the service which he did to the true God, was (by a sinister decree made and signed by Darius, through a general conspiracy of wicked men) cast into the Lion's den, whom the mighty hand of the God whom he served sufficiently protected, shutting the Lion's mouths so that they could not hurt him. But when those 
The reward of conspirators.  were cast into the den that conspired his death, they were rend in pieces ere they came to the ground of the den.  
This Daniel was likewise hardly beset with many enemies, for that he in zeal of God's 
Daniel. 14. Daniel hardly beset for reprehending idolatry.  truth reprehended Cyrus' king of Persia, for permitting and committing such idolatry unto a filthy monster Bell the idol, of whom such was the opinion of the king and the people that they worshipped it as God, the whole multitude fell down before it. But Daniel resisting them to their faces said, this that ye worship is an idol 
The boldness of Daniel in the zeal of god's truth.  and no God: and when the king heard that, he seemed wroth, and to maintain this Dragon to be a God, he framed his argument saying, dost thou think it to be no God, behold he eateth and drinketh, and therefore dost thou speak blasphemy against our God, he eateth an hundred gallons of fine flower, and forty sheep, and 
A gluttonous God.  drinketh six great pots of wine every day, here was a gluttonous God. But behold the poor idol was slandered and deceived, for the priests, their wives and children devoured all this provision secretly. These were like unto our late abbey lubbers, who devoured that in loitering lasines, which the painful labourers should live by. But poor Daniel being sharply reproved not only at the hands of the king, but threatened by the multitude not fearing their force, having his assured confidence in the help of the living God, and seeking to maintain his glory and deface superstition & idolatry, undertook the destruction of this false God, without sword or staff, which he by his power, whose hand is always ready to assist his servants, and to confound 
The confusion of an imaginative God.  his adversaries presently performed; and broke it all in pieces, confounded it, and showed it in it likeness, namely to be a false and counterfeit image, and (in deed) no God. Whereat the whole multitude of the Babylonians raged not only against Daniel, but also against the king himself, for that he permitted Daniel to take this enterprise in hand: The king being timorous and more fearing the force of the multitude, then seeking the glory of the living God, delivered poor Daniel into their hands, who threw him violently into the Lion's den to be devoured. But such was the omnipotent power of God over these greedy and ravenous beasts, which daniel's adversaries of purpose kept hungry and without meat to make their stomachs so much the more greedy of the blood of this servant of the true GOD, who in such sort stopped their mouths that they hurt not Daniel at all. What 
Amiraculous work of God to stop ravening lions mouths.  a most loving God, what a mighty and merciful judge of our distress doth he show himself? for this is also written for our learning, to show that he never saileth the faithful, but helpeth them in due time of need. And that we should not fear the great and mighty multitudes of Romish Babylonians, that endeavour to bring us into the den 
God never saileth the faithful.  of their devouring Lions, their spanish inquisition, and such like deep devouring gulfs, that they have devised to overthrow (if they could) every true Daniel, by persecutions, tortures, and the fear of death.  
Now for as much as we have seen the mighty 
The conclusion.  works of the Lord in great abundance towards the delivery of those that put their unfeigned confidence in his protection, using sometimes worldly means, sometimes his power against worldly means, and sometimes without worldly means, to allure his people in their distress to come unto him, & for their encouragement hath made ways for their safety, when natural reason could not devise or imagine the 
God by many means showeth himself helpful to his.  mean to escape, and hath by few of his servants overthrown & vanquished great multitudes of his adversaries pulled down the mighty by the hand of the weak, and exalted the weak against the expectation of the mighty. Let us therefore duly apply all these his mighty works to our instruction, & according unto the time set them before our eyes, as a mirror or glass to see the estate of the enemies of God, their slippery standings and weak holds, and the sure refuge, the buckler which the righteous have in the mighty hand of God. The christians we see are environed 
Christian's a● environed with many snares.  with many perilous snares of the enemies of God: their state in natural reason standeth dangerous, but the Lord delivereth them out of all. And therefore let us assure ourselves of the aid of him that hath not (as we see) failed those that truly and constantly professed his name. And as he hath been near unto them, so will he be unto us, if with pure hearts and constant minds we persever and continue (not as hypocrites, 
God will bee near unto us, if we be near unto him with singleness of heart and not as hypocrites.  neither as such as bear the name only of Christians but) very christians, not in name so much, but that our conversations may be answerable thereunto to the uttermost, to the praises of God, and our salvation in Christ.   

CHAP. 3.  
A comfortable conclusion, to stir up such as covet to be called Christians, to be inwardly the same, that they do outwardly profess to be, considering that it is not the name, but the pure life in Christ that maketh a Christian.  
THE bishop of Rome and his adherentes do persuade all men to join with them in the Religion which they hold Catholic, which the holy Ghost reproveth 
The holy Ghost reproveth the romish religion  and showeth it to be mere idolatry, and altogether repugnant against the truth. They say and affirm it to be true, pure, and the sound religion, the way that leadeth unto Christ, and salvation in him. But the truth findeth that the foundation thereof is laid upon traditions and inventions, and not upon the rock Christ jesus, from whose example, whoso dissenteth cannot (though in name) yet not in deed) become a perfect Christian, or true catholic whatsoever great shows of devotion, works of charity, abstinence, prayers, or other outward ceremonies, these feigned and false foxes, these hidden and cloaked Catholics can, or do glory of, although they could derive the same from the beginning of the world, from the wise, from the studious and learned, from the mighty or greatest multitudes of the whole world, and from 
True religion is not grunded in the heart by the will or power of man.  a general precedent. For the truth whereupon the conversation of every Christian is to be grounded, is settled in the heart of none, by the power, the will, the wisdom, or inventions of man, neither can it be increased or bettered by the policy of any, nor sufficiently protected or maintained by the authority of princes, but where first the spirit of GOD hath framed the foundation. By the mere working whereof, it 
The spirit of God the trier of true religion.  is apprehended followed, embraced, and duly maintained, and by it the spirit of error and falsehood, and counterfeit christianity is revealed, controlled, suppressed, and confounded, and so consequently the perfect truth confirmed and allowed. Besides which truth who so endeavoureth to establish any doctrine, carry it never so fair and glorious a show of good intent is a rebel to the death of Christ, a deceiver of the people, a blind guide, who together with those that he guideth shall fall into the pit and puddle of desperate ignorance, and so consequently into the lake of perdition. And therefore let not the fair show of these counterfeit christians, cloaked Catholics, the crew of the cursed sect of juggling jesuits, shaven Seminaries, and perdicious priests betray us, or allure us to their profession, the fruits whereof being so ripe that they fall from the tree of the 
The fruits of papistry, are fair without & soul with in.  Romish sea, rotten within and fair without, having honey in their lips, & gall in their hearts, the poison of asps, the love of judas, the zeal of Cain appeareth in their practises, they are no christians, why then should we give them the name of Catholics? They seek blood, they thirst for the death of christians, they are murderers, they are not worthy the name of men, they are Vipers, they covet to eat out the very bowels of their mother that bore them, the common weal that fostered them, and would fill the land wherein they were fostered 
The description of Romish catholics.  with the blood of them, by whose protection they have lived, and by whose aid they have been maintained, they are no subjects, they are traitors and rebels, their name of Catholics we see maketh not their calling sure, but the name shall 
Their name shall be a witness▪ against them.  be a witness against them, when the vail of their outward show, shall be plucked away, and the inward intent of their hearts appear.  
But he that will be a true christian in deed, must cast away all dissimulation, all hypocrisy, all malice, all desire of blood, all consent of rebellion, treason, envy and idolatry, and put on not only the outward habit, but the inward zeal of godliness, as love, faith, obedience, and true and unfeigned subjection to GOD and his anointed of the earth.  
But alas too many are the dissembling christians of these days: I would it were not true, for there hath been manifest proof of the cankered hearts of such as outwardly appeared dutiful subjects, whose practises are so new, that the hearts of all true christians are yet bleeding to 
Cankered hearts under the outward show of dutiful subjects  consider it.  
But now upon this manifest trial of their treachery, let even the name of the counterfeit Catholics, be even as a lesson to warn us by their rebellions to become good subjects, by their false endeavour to stand, by their harms seek to be wary and wise in Christ.  
Constantius the Emperor intending on a 
The policy of Constantius in trying the hearts of his servants.  time to try the hearts of▪ those that were about his court whether they were in deed christians or idolaters, whereby he might the better decipher and judge of their love and faithful obedience towards him, knowing that they that appeared the true servants of God, would be most faithful unto him, and the other the more warily 
The faithful servants of God are most true subjects to their princes.  to be avoided, used this policy (when hypocrisy and feigned subjection was not (as now it is dispensed with) he called together all his servants and officers, feigning himself to choose out such as would do sacrifice to devils, who should only remain in the court, & execute the offices there, and they that refused should be expulsed. Whereupon the courtiers divided them into companies, & some of them showed themselves very ready to fulfil the kings will, and proffered to do sacrifice to devils, others constantly and boldly refused to do it. The Emperor seeing the rebellion of some of them against God, and the faithful obedience of the other, he forthwith expelled these sacrifices out of his Court, and retained the other, affirming that they only 
Who they be that are fittest to attend upon a prince.  were fit to be about a prince. And therefore from thence forth he accepted those his most trusty counsellors and defenders of his person and Empire, saying that such were more worthy to be had in estimation, and to be accounted of 
Faithful substance as dear as the best treasure.  then the substance that he had in his treasury. Thus we may note that every one that showeth outward loyalty unto a prince, is no more a true subject by the only outward show without the inward love of God, than he is to be accounted a true Christian, which in outward ceremonies appeareth a Catholic & in inward affection declineth from Christ and his truth. 
A good prose of faithful hearts about her majesty.  But God be thanked there hath been sufficient proof of perfect hearts near her majesty in these late dangers, and such hearts as will not do sacrifice to the Devil of Rome, nor give consent unto the toleration thereof in others: But with the sword of their authority endeavour to cut off both the causers and effectors, the tree and the branches of these conspiracies, and (no doubt) if we show ourselves true christians in deed, & not key cold or neuter, but zealous in the defence of God's truth, and stand assistan according to our bounden duties, as true subjects to her Majesty in hearts and hands, We shall see these Romish Babylonians, to cry out, lament 
Reu. 18. 10. The doleful song of the ruin of romish Babylon.  and mourn, as they already begun to sing this doleful song: Heu, heu urbs illa magna Babylon, urbs illa potens, etc. Alas, alas that great city the mighty city Babylon, that was so beautifully dected and finely clothed, in linen, purple and scarlet guilded with gold, and beautified with pearls and precious stones, whose destruction draweth near. But these that thus cry out and lament her ruin, stand a far off for fear of her torment, the kings of the earth shall bewail the fall of this great and glorious City, with whom they have committed fornication, and played the harlots and taken their 
The estate of romish merchants namely buyers and sellers of souls, in the day of their ruin.  delight and pleasures in her. Then will her Merchants, her spiritual buyers and sellers of souls, her Seminaries, her Priests, and jesuits, and such like companions, who lived by the whoredom of this great whore of Babylon the Pope, for loss of their accustomed rewards and wont gain, howl and weep, and for their punishments at hand, shall stand desperate of all help. This shall be the estate of those that to some seem now very perfect Catholics, who have secretly withdrawn men from their true obedience to Princes lawfully established, and have moved the spouse of Christ to commit spiritual fornication with the man of Rome, and of such as will not now suffer wholesome doctrine, but having their ears itching get them teachers after their own lust, turning their ears from 
● Tim. 4.  the truth, giving heed unto fables, unto spirits of error, and doctrines of devils, hardening their hearts through blindness, of whom Christ himself speaketh saying: The hearts of the people are waxed fat, and their ears are dull of hearing, 
Christ prophesied of these days. Mat. 13.  & with their eyes have they winked lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and so return, that they might be saved. What a dangerous thing therefore is this obstinate blindness, and blind obstinacy? wilful ignorance, & desperate wilfulness? and yet would these men be accounted Catholics and Christians. But such crookedness and perverseness caused jeremy to cry out and say, It is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: but say unto the seers, see not, 
isaiah. 30.  and to the Prophets, prophecy not unto the people the truth, but speak flattering words unto them, prophecy errors, go out of the way, forsake the right path, cause the holy one of Israel to cease from us. Is not this the manner of 
Simple men tied to the romish religion with cords of ignorance  these men to keep such from the truth which are tied to their usurped authority, with the cords of obstinate blindness? which was the cause that in the days of Christ himself, the multitude cried out to crucify him, & yet thought they did well: & Christ prayed his father to forgive them saying, they know not what they do. But it is now otherwise 
Difference between the ignorance of the jews in the days of Christ, and these of this present wilful ignorance  with us, for we have the truth before us, we may read it, we have the truth preached, we may hear it, we have it revealed, we may understand it, and therefore the neglecting thereof, is now inexcusable, and the Lord will not suffer his truth now to be darkened with feigned holiness.  
And therefore let us return unto ourselves, & enter into consideration of our own conversations 
We must call our selves to an account.  whether they be framed according to the truth which we have learned. We are fruitfully & most plentifully fed with the bread of life the gospel of Christ, beyond all other Nations of the world, let us not be therefore glorious in our words only, or in our outward actions, expecting the praise of men, but let us be pure in heart, obedient in soul, & mind, to God that searcheth the reins, and entrails thereof, and accepteth not, of those that can but brag and say, we have the Gospel, we have the Gospel, and bring not forth the fruits of the Gospel. It was not enough for 
The title of a christian no●● enough without the deeds.  the jewish Priests, to cry out, the temple of God▪ the temple of GOD, as though the bare title of the temple maketh it the true temple of God, or the name of a Christian, a member of Christ, or the title of a Protestant (whereof some do boast) a man in deed that protesteth in life and inward zeal, that he is a true Christian. The Papists cry out we are catholics, we are catholics, 
The bragge● of romish catholics  we are of the Church, for look upon our external works of charity, & actions of devotion, we fast, we pray, we give alms, we pinch our bodies, we scourge ourselves, we are they that shall ascend unto the holy hill. But alas how 
Good works ill done.  far these things are of themselves from that which God requireth, he himself declareth saying, such as have pure hearts and clean hands, such as are inwardly zealous together with the outward 
Who they be that shhall ascend into heaven.  testimonies of their godly life, such shall inherit heaven. And therefore there may be many wolves in lambs skins, many devils under the habit of pharisaical devotion, and therefore not in words or outward behaviour only standeth the perfect estate of a Christian, but even in the sincerity and perfect pureness of the heart, depending in faith upon the merits of Christ: The outward action is the messenger of the heart, it is a witness of the mind, but not at all times a like, for the outward kiss of judas, was outwardly 
Words and on●warde shows often deceive.  a token of love, and yet it proceeded of an heart full of gall and bitterness, of deceit and murder, his words of all hail master came as if his lips had testified obedience to his master, but the poison of aspis was under his tongue. The monk of Swynsted that poisoned King john, came with his poisoned potion, with the sweet words of wassail my Liege, and inwardly pretended the death of the King, & are there not in these days many that can cover their poisoned practices with the outward show of all hail Madam, and God save your Majesty, and such like fair words that come from a poisonsome stomach? doth not counterfeit devation cover 
Counterfeit devotion covereth devilish deuise●  many devilish devices? Is not sometimes dutiful obedience made the cloak for wilful rebellion, and diligent attendance made the colour 
Parries outward attendance a cloak for treason.  of conspiracy? Look upon Parrie & his practices, and there is a proof of these policies. Man seethe not the hearts of men, but God findeth them out in their secret counsels, he bewrayeth some to be traitors, that make outward show of true subjects. And therefore let no man deceive 
God discovereth hipocri●● and giveth them their reward.  himself in a persuasion of his safety, when his heart is burned with the hot iron of a guilty conscience, against God or his Prince, God will not be flattered with, although man flatter man, dissemble with man, or play the hypocrite before men: for he will uncover their cunning, and reveal their inward devices, and show them unto the world as a due reproach, and reward them in fine with the condign guerdon of their endless torments.  
Oh let us therefore be wise in the truth, let us be circumspect as serpents, that we be not over taken, with these alluring Cerenes that sing sweetly in our ears, absolution, absolution▪ pardon, pardon, dispensation, dispensation for sin, they deceive us, they draw us, with the floods of errors: beware that their pleasant tunes prevail 
The wisdom of Ulysses.  not with any of us, but like wise Ulysses, let us bind our souls to the mast of the truth of God's word, lest we yield the sails of our consents unto the wind of their wiliness, and so being partakers of their practices, we become likewise partakers of their punishments. Let us be simple as doves, let us harbour no kind of will to join ourselves with these dangerous men, (although the greatest part of the world) that under the pretence of holiness, under the title of catholics, seek to overthrow the kingdom of god, the church of Christ, the knowledge of his word, & preaching of his gospel. Although they say Lord Lord, they are not thereby made the servants of the Lord. If we do not that which the Lord commandeth, we are mere enemies unto the Lord. It is not enough to bear the green leaves, and the beautiful blossoms of a godly life: but we must bring forth the fruits which come from the root, & heart of our in ward affections, & zealous obedience, wherewith every true christian is so adorned, that whensoever Christ our saviour passeth by us with consideration of our good-works, 
God blesseth our hearts, & wa●e●eth them so with his holy spirit that they bring furth the outward fruits.  he findeth them so fruitful that he blesseth the fig tree of our hearts, making it profitable (though no● of itself) yet by the inspiration of his holy spirit, in such sort as men may see our good fruits, & glorify our father for his merciful watering our souls to the bringing forth thereof. And on the contrary where there are the 
The Lord hath no delight in painted holiness.  leaves, the glorious show of a godly life, only in external actions, without the true fruits proceeding from the heart, the Lord hath no pleasure in that tree but curseth it, & withereth it even with the breath of his mouth: so that they that pass by shall say that in such painted sepulchres the Lord hath no delight.  
We must therefore endeavour to bring forth the 
We must follow Christ in our conversations and professions.  fruits of a godly, holy & innocent life: following as in outward profession: so in inward zeal, the steps of our head, our husband & master Christ jesus: who, as he is pure, so he expecteth perfect sanctity in all that profess him: he can not abide hypocrisy, a double heart, a dissembling tongue, or lips that speak feigned things. And therefore what profiteth it us to have the name of Christians, to have the name of Protestants, of Catholics, & such like glorious titles, whereof many in these our days brag & boast? namely that they know Christ, and confess him only in the outward show, when in deed in our actions & inward cogitations we deny him, in framing them according to the world, & according to the course of 
Mat. 7 11.  the multitude, for every one that saith Lord Lord shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doth the will of god which is in heaven. And again, why call ye me Lord Lord (saith 
Luc. 6  he) and do not that which I command you. We 
It is not enough to say we know Christ, but we must do that we learn of Christ  see then that we discharge not our duties to god in saying we know him, but in performance of the truth, which we learn of him. And therefore as we in respect of our profession challenge the name of Christians, & seem as it were offended, when the messengers and ministers of Christ charge us out of the word of God, that we degenerate from the perfect conversation of a true Christian, by the looseness of our lives▪ and slack performance of our duties to Christ: let us frame all our affections as becometh true Christians. And let us not deceive or slatter ourselves, with a foolish conceit of being Christians, when in deed our conversation differeth far from the doctrine of Christ. It behoveth us to examine our lives, not according to fleshly fantasies, but according to the truth of god's word, which is a glass whereby we may set all our actions right, and in good order, & judge between truth and falsehood, between light and darkness, between the Gospel of Christ, and the traditions of men. We have a good precedent hereof, namely to try and examine our zeal, by 
Act. 17. 11. The men of Thessaly. and Berea an example to try and search for the truth.  the example of the men of Thessalonica & Berea (not in that some of them persecuted the Apostles) but in that, as they received the word of God, they searched the scriptures, for the increase of their knowledge of the truth, whereby they might not only frame their own lives, but direct others, not only in word, but in godly life and conversation, which was the cause also that the disciples were called Christians in Antiochiafirst, namely for that they came near unto Christ in godliness of life. Search the scriptures, for they are 
The scriptures testifle of Christ. 105. 39  they which testify of Christ: of his manner of conversation here in the earth, and of his eternal truth, the sincere profession whereof, maketh a perfect Christian.  
Then this name of a Christian only, is not due of right unto him that can only speak of Christ, or that can dispute of his godhead and manhood, how he came into the world, when he came, to what end he came, and such like: for so can even the Devils do. But as we see we are Christians in this, that as we know Christ, and profess Christ in word, so should we follow him in life. If we have the spirit of Christ, then are we Christians. For he that hath the spirit of Christ will conform himself according to the image of Christ. And as Saint Augustine defineth a Christian: he is a perfect 
Aug. de vit. Christiana.  Christian, which showeth mercy unto all men, and who is not moved, he that regardeth another 
The definition of a christian  man's grief as his own, whose table is open and ready for the poor, who seemeth contemptible, base, and of no account before men: he that despiseth▪ earthly, to win heavenly things, who suffereth not the poor to be oppressed, he that succoureth the needy: he that weary, when others do weep, showing himself of merciful affection towards all men: who is weak (sayeth Saint Paul) and I am not diseased? This is a true description of that, whereof we would be accounted professors, namely true Christianity, which as we see chiefly consisteth in mercy, in love, and charitable 
Christianity consisteth in mercy and love.  affection one towards another: In so much as we see that by the rule of this Christian duty, we must show ourselves assistant to all so far forth as our ability will extend and especially to those that are of the household of faith, we must do to others, that which we would that others should do unto us. But alas how far too short come many of our time, to this 
Many that are called Christians come too short o● being true christians.  Christian duty: yea of such as will not only be termed, but which term themselves Protestants, and Christians? It were too hard and a very unmannerly enterprise for me to enter into the discourse of that wherein I know I shall offend many 
A thanklese office to ●eprone offences.  & especially froward, stubborn, and stiffnecked natures, who I know will bid me pluck out the beam of mine own eye first: and for my own 
The confession of the author.  part I thank them for their good remembrance I trust I stand not to justify myself, but openly condemning myself as a wicked wretch, justified yet in faith by the blood and merits of Christ.  
But good Christian brethren, the dearest thing to satisfy my greatest expectation is, patience 
The author's chiefest expectation.  for my boldness. And to return to my purpose to control in the name of Christ, such as will outwardly show themselves what, inwardly they be not, namely Christians: for surely great hath been the trial of Christians of late days. And the former policy of Constantius for trial 
God's providence in s●n ding dearth a try all of true christians.  of Christians, came far too short of the mere providence of God, the year past and very likely to continue the year to come: namely, the general dearth of corn and other necessaries for the relief of man, in which extremity, many were the mouths that wanted relief, yea the mouths of good christians, which the gluttonous cormorancie of Epicu●es devoured in excess: nay the trifling toys, the needles and bootless creatures, 
A great abuse in many in these days of dearth.  as hawks, hounds & other offensive things in the sight of god hath devoured more in many men's houses in a week, them some of the masters of the same have given to the needy in a month, which is a testimony of cold christianity: the back and the belly will be constant witnesses against some in the day of the Lord, that their hearts & external professions with the tongue, have been at discord, namely the excess of gluttony and pride in apparel, will testify that their actions were not guided by the infallible rule of that true Christianity.  
Furthermore, be there not in the world, that can & do profess Christ with the mouth, resort to his word, argue thereof, & can cunningly dispute 
A token of cold christianity.  thereof, that in this miserable estate of the poor oppressed members of Christ, see them to want, hear them to mourn, lament & cry out for relife, & they will not consider it? they will not hear the cry of the poor: having their barns full of corn old & new: and their bags full in their chests of white & red: and yet wink at the estate of the world, expecting greater extremity to come to the poor, that their own riches may increase, & yet will be accounted christians? Alas what Christianity, what love, nay, 
Let us pray for reformation.  what humanity is in this? God grant reformation of these things, in this acceptable time.  
A great volume might be replenished with such like manifest testimonies of cold Christianity in England of the most estates of men, who are daily warned out of the word of God, to return from their wickedness of heart, and to seek truth and persevere therein, and yet regard it not. And of all other testimonies of an unchristian like conscience (howsoever they 
The greatest testimony of an unchristian like conscience  slatter themselves with the outward profession of Christ) the greatest is in the time of dearth and famine, to retain that store which God the free giver of all things, hath afforded them, and to hold up the price of their victual (which they have freely received) to so high & intolerable a price, that the poverty of such as are in the sight 
The hungry bodies of the poor must pine to fill the filthy desires of the rich.  of god as dear (nay perchance more dear) than they, can not obtain sufficiency of any thing to relieve and sustain their lives, so that the hungry bodies of many are driven to pine, to fill the ravening desires of few, in their filthy muck. who is there that of his small store doth a little relieve the poor, that hath less? nay who of his superfluous abundance extendeth his hand to help him that hath nothing at all? This is a fault intolerable and yet unpunishable. But be not deceived ye that gape so wide to swallow up the poor, that shut your cares from the cry of the needy, and draw out your noses so long to smell, and your tongues and hands to lick up, and take away the sweet of other men, howsoever you colour it under the name of Christians, Catholics or Protestants: for assuredly your destruction is near.  
Come forth therefore, and as you are armed (as you say) with the names of Christians and 
He that is a true christian must fight against concupiscence.  the knowledge of Christ, fight now in time against these wicked desires, this dangerous poison of concupiscence, try yourselves to be, that in deed which you brag to be, the soldiers of Christ to fight against the world, and the servants of the world, that fight against Christ, for between them is there no congruity. Say not my corn my store my victual and mine increase is mine own and therefore at mine own disposition, for thou deceivest thyself: is not the whole world the Lords, and all that therein is? He can then take all from thee, and 
The whole world is the lords.  give it unto thy needy brother. And where thou sayest, I must not lend, I may not give, I will not diminish my store which I have provided for mine own use, in what extremity so ever my needy brother be, for fear lest I should want myself, for even this also (thou fool) is an 
A perilous conceit of the rich.  argument of little faith in thee, and less charity. How I pray you do the most part of us, that are so hard hearted, weep with them that weep? Do we not see many poor fathers and mothers of families, and many fatherless and helpless little ones, howl and weep, lament & 
We do not weep with them that weep.  mourn, and we do not only not weep with them, that is take part of their miseries, but we give the cause of their weeping, with the bitterness, of our consciences that far unlike christians, hold fast that with the cords of covetousness which God vouchsafed of his liberality, and yet we must be accounted Christians, this is lamentable. Can God that is a just God wink 
God will call an a●e count 〈◊〉 us, how we ha●● bestowed our goods.  at this our counterfeit holiness for ever? will he not call account of us, how we have bestowed our goods? And how shall we answer him? shall we say we have bestowed them upon building our gay houses, upon purchasing of farms to make our children gentlemen, upon hawks & hounds for our repast, upon gay attire to make us seemly to the world, or upon delicates for our tables, or upon any such transitory thing? will these things be an excuse, or a sufficient discharge for our coloured Christianity think you, when the needy members of Christ shall stand before you? the view of whom shall strike such a guilt in your consciences, that even your own conceits will cry out against your countersect holiness, and condemn you: and the heavy judgements of God which accompanieth such unfaithful stewards, shall light upon you, and for evermore confound you. Oh this will be sour sauce 
Sour sauce after sweet meat.  after your sweet meats, this will be more bitter than gall, unto the conscience that is now nothing at all touched with the consideration of these things. Oh it behoveth us them to look about us in time, and to take circumspect heed that those things which proceed, either of obstinate hardness of heart, or hypocrisy, which is too general a disease, lodge no longer in our dissembling breasts. Let these things that are so manifest against the truth of our profession be driven far from us. Let not law be governed with will, but let will be subject unto godly laws, let not law 
Go 〈…〉 god.  be turned into licentious liberty, but let our liberty be grounded upon the perfect rule of our freedom in Christ, and let the Magistrate minister indifferent judgement.  
The very adversaries unto true Christianity note (in those that crave and covet to be called Christians) too much rebellion even against their own profession. And even rejoicingl cry out and say among themselves, there there, so would we have it. They make our lives (which digenerate from the truth, which we seem to hold, and teach) an argument against us, there be so 
The adversaries of gods ●●uth, note our profession to be accompanied with ungodly actions.  many fig trees that have fair blossoms and green leaves with little or no fruit, that they even say of us, they seem to be that they are not, And we make our corrupt life, a slander of the Gospel of jesus Christ. But no doubt this feigned Christianity is not general: but would to God it were more particular: it is not common to all, but would God it were not so common to any. But such have been from the beginning, some there are, and some will be unto the end. For necessary it is that offences do come, but woe unto them by whom they come. And therefore for the love of him whose servants we profess in words to be, let us become the same in thought, word, and actions. As we cry out Christ, Christ, in our mouths, so let us put on Christ in our manners, otherwise our profession is but painted 
outward sanctity and inward sin.  with outward sanctity, and defiled with inward sin. We can not serve God and Mammon, we cannot say, we worship Christ, and help not our brethren. Our western parts have felt the displeasure of God, by a general dearth, 
God's visitation by dearth a good●●yall of true christians.  only to prove true Christians, namely the liberality, mercy and compassion, of the rich, and the patience of the poor and needy. And it hath wrought this experience for our learning, 
The experience which we have by dearth findeth few true christians.  (to the grief of the godly Christians in deed) how that true Christianity cooleth, and hypocrisy breaketh forth into mighty fires, charity is choked with the clods of covetousness, faith is fled, and pity pressed down with pride, few men we find regard another man's want, another man's grief, another man's estate. But by a general division, we see all men for themselves and for their children: and none favoureth the poor, nor their distressed families. Thus we find by experience in this hard time, which argueth, that all those are not true Christians, which in outward show, can profess Christ, all not godly in deed, which seem holy in words, and yet will they all be accounted Christians. And as for the patience of the poor sort, it is for the most part unperfect for the bitterness of want is so sharp unto them, that they can hardly digest it without vomiting out the poison of forcible outrage, not waiting the good pleasure of God to be relieved, who fed his people in the old world very miraculously. But the experience which we have by this hard time, proveth little faith generally. Where is our due consideration of this comfortable saying blessed is 
Psal. 40. A comfortable blessing to encourage christians, yet little regarged.  the man that considereth the poor and needy, the Lord will deliver him in the due time of trouble? Is not here a sufficient promise to stir up all true christians to show themselves in their likeness, and especially in the time of distress to show help to the poor? And let us duly consider that where a blessing is pronounced to such as extend mercy and compassion (the best token 
A c●●se against counter●a●● christians  and badge of a true christian) the contrary must needs be, cursed are such as consider not the poor & needy, the Lord will leave such in their distress in the day of visitation. He that seethe his brother want, having wherewith to relieve him, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how can he say that he is a christian? Nay how can he 
Such measure as we meat such will God measure to us.  look for any other reward, but to expect such measure at the hands of God, as he measured to his poor afflicted brethren? that is he shall want and not be relieved, he shall call and not be heard, hunger and thirst and shall not be comforted. Let us have therefore special regard to this point of christianity: namely that as we are all members of one body in Christ our head, so let us hold together unfeignedly in one faith, one truth, one religion and constant profession thereof: and as the members of one body, one to assist, comfort, relieve, aid, succour, and support another, that we may show heartily and not coldly, zealously and not slackly, truly and not deceitfully, that we are the same in deed that we profess to be in show. For it will be no sufficient plea for us, to answer the declaration of our own guilty consciences, to say we have professed 
That which many do imagine glorious now shallbe in the end no excuse.  the name of Christ, we have embraced his word, we have disputed and reasoned of the scriptures, we have repaired unto and been desirous to hear sermons: we have acquainted ourselves with and harboured the preachers & ministers of the word of God: nay it will be no sufficient discharge for us to say we have prophesied in the name of God, & in his name cast out devils. 
Our external glory nothing.  What becometh then of all our goodly shows of our external glory, wherein we stand as marks for the world to gaze at for holiness sake, & yet inwardly we are not as we seem to be. How many are there then deceived, that persuade themselves that even the bare name of a protestant & title of a christian is sufficient to acquit us in the last day? Ananias & Saphyra bore goodly leaves and glorious blossoms in the external show but for their harboring dissimulation and hypocrisy in their hearts, they were rewarded with present death. Dangerous are these present days wherein we may see goodly green leaves upon most fig trees to make fair shows a far off. But when 
Many make fair shows a far of.  we approach near them when we enter into consideration of their fruits we find them either rotten few or none: how many be there that come to the church, showing outwardly great devotion, they hear sermons, they become partakers of the sacrament of Christ's body and blood, they out: 
Dangerous people.  wardly seem to favour the gospel: but when we come near them, when they be tried with the touch, it is seen that there resteth in many of them a cloak of dangerous desire of entertaining the cloudy darkness of romish religion, & the usurped authority thereof, contrary to the light of the truth. Some will control me for entering into judgement, but would to God the experience of the cause could make me a liar. But we doubt there are such weeds amongst the good corn, 
Weeds amongst good▪ corn.  there are such wolves in sheeps attire whose hypocrisy is dispensed with, and they must needs account themselves Catholics. And the more cunningly they can cloak their dissembling desires, their secret and hidden mischiefs, so much is their profession the more commendable. For 
Card. como's letters to Parrie. The chiefest lesson of the romish tutors.  it is the chiefest part of the lesson which these Romish tutors give their pupils, namely to make an outward show of true obedience to her majesty, & her most godly proceed, yet if opportunity might serve, they are dispensed with to murder her. Oh bloody villains, & yet will be accounted Catholics? How can this cunning cloaking two faces under one hood, stand with the name of a good catholic or christian? How can they that dissemble before men, say their hearts are to God? It is no doubt the policy of the red Dragon and his adherents to flatter men in sin, to the end to draw them into eternal destruction. 
What it is to deny Christ.  For (saith Christ) he that denieth me, that is standeth not bold and constant to confess him, in that perfect and sincere religion which is with out gall or bitterness, accompanied with no desire of murder or revenge, such a one will he deny before his father which is in heaven. What profit then do these glorious falsely cannonized saints get for their dissembling obedience to her majesty, cloaked duty, and counterfeit holiness, whereby they inwardly endeavour to commit such bloody and Cain-like actions against her majesty, her country and quiet, only to satisfy the 
True religion showeth itself in charity.  blood thirsty desire of undoubted antichrist? whose religion (were it of God) would show itself in charity to all the world manifestly as the testimony and badge of their unfeigned duty to Christ, and not in desire of innocent blood, the known cognizance of cruelty, the handmaiden of sathan. Let us not deceive ourselves, for he 
How to know a true and a false Christian  that is of Christ will suffer with Christ, will love Christ and christians, but he that is of sathan, will bring forth the fruits of sin. And he that is neither hot nor cold, a key cold professor, a neuter, 
Neuters deny Christ.  that is contented to run with every religion and think well of every profession he that is indifferent between light and darkness, doth also plainly deny Christ. But if we will stand strongly in the faith of our master unto the death, not only outwardly in words, but even to the faces of our adversaries in inward zeal unto the death, framing our affections, our hearts, our minds, and all the powers of our bodies, to bring forth the fruits of that profession, which we seem to hold, and as we have the names of 
The adversaries of the truth do strive in vain against true christians.  protestants, so if we protest before men in our works, and before God in our consciences, the truth of his word, then let the serpent seek what shifts he can, let sathan do his worst, and the red dragon the bishop of Rome, and all the rabble of his adherents wait till they be weary, and their multitudes make what glorious shows of threats for our overthrow they can: yea let all the kings of the earth, and great princes of the world that have taken up the sword against Christ, and his spouse the church frame all their forces, and yet shall his little flock be safe under the shadow of 
God maintaineth the true doctrine of his word.  his wings. The mighty power of the Lord hath from the beginning defended, maintained, and always preserved, the true doctrine of his word, and the true professors thereof, and let us not fear but he will to the end defend, maintain, and preserve the same, he hath promised 
Ro. 15.  it that will surely perform it. Whatsoever is written, was written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope, namely constantly for the love of the kingdom of God to stand in the day of trial. For as the word of God is pure, simple, and without any kind of spot or wrinkle: So it requireth those that be professors thereof, to be pure simple and constant, without deceit, without dissimulation or hypocrisy. For 
The world & the multitude cannot abide the truth.  the world & the multitude, love shifts, starting holes & means to deceive God and good men: And therefore brag the enemies of God and say, they have the whole world on their side, the greatest part of people. And the reason is, because their devices and traditions are of the world. For saith Christ unto his disciples, if you were of the world the world would love you, but I have chosen you out of the world, and therefore doth the world hate you. We see then that the way to become true christians, is not to join with the multitude, to tread the steps of the greatest part of the world, for so shall we shake hands with the Elders and rulers, with the whole troop of the jews, with Pilate, with Herode, and the emperors power, to rise up against Christ and his truth (as now the greatest part of the world do) which God forbidden, many are called but few are 
All that hear the word of God of not the servants of god  chosen. Then are not the greatest part of the world, that hear the word of God, the servants of God. The truth is not tied to the multitude, nor to the outward show of coloured christian conversation, but he that feareth the Lord (which is in the heart) and worketh righteousness (which is also in the outward conversation) is accepted with him. The multitude then make not any thing at all for us or against us, the truth shall (no doubt) triumph & mightily prevail, when we shall see Pharaoh of Rome, and all the huge host of his confederacy over thrown in the red sea of their own inventions. For he that brought Israel out of Egypt, he that dried up the red sea, he that brought water out of the 
God that wrought so wonderfully for our fathers of old will work for us.  hard rock, and he that hath done so many wonderful things for our fathers of old, which we may apply for our comfort, he which hath brought forth and revealed so many treacheries and treasons against our most gracious Queen, and commonweal of late days practised, he, even he shall deliver us from the romish tyranny, he shall dry up the sea of their bloody conspiracies, that they shall not touch us, or hinder us, but shall turn them even upon their own pates, he shall bring the water of perfect knowledge out of the rock of his word, whereof all the faithful of the world shall drink. Therefore with a loving consent, let us make the sweet harmony of thanks giving for his most gracious deliverance, for which our mouths may rightly be filled with laughter at the foolish devices of these wicked men, and our hearts be replenished with joy of the merciful protection of the Lord, who hath (as we see) done great things for us already, for which every true Christian hath great cause to rejoice.  
The righteous love to speak of this they love to consider it, and likewise to praise the the mighty power of the God of heaven for the performance of it. If the children of Israel were much bound unto the goodness of God for their delivery from the bondage of their bodies in 
Our delivery from the romish bondage is far more precious then of the children of Israel out of Egypt. A good exchange. Our salvation standeth in the true knowledge and service of God.  Egypt: how far greater cause have we to think ourselves bound unto the mighty hand of God, and his abundant mercies, that hath brought us out of the bondage of soul and body from the Romish Babylon, changing our spiritual captivity into spiritual liberty, black idolatry into the true service of God, in knowledge and true service of whom standeth our salvation, our assured help and infallible defence against the multitude of all the adversaries of God's truth. Let us therefore rejoice and sing that most acceptable song which most pleaseth 
Reformation of our lives is the sweetest song that pleaseth the Lord.  the Lord, namely the unfeigned reformation of lives, and conforming them after a more dutiful sort to God and Christ, that our conversations before men may witness our perfect Christianity, and our certain being the children of God, let us beautify the chambers of our hearts, with the flourishing branches of a godly life, let us mortify and kill all those evil and perverse affections, which break forth and darken the bright beams of that profession, which every true christian ought to hold. Let us bear the sails of our conversations even with the wind of the word of God. And let the holy Ghost rule the stern and guide the rowder of our desires, least that we crack the bark of our religion against the rocks of slanderous tongues: So shall our adversaries be ashamed to mutter against us, for living contrary to that which we profess, and God who is our only defence shall be pleased with us in his son Christ, and continue his wont protection towards us in this life, so that we his little flock shall not be dismayed at any rumours of wars, and other like threats of God's enemies, but shall (though not of any deserts of ours worthy) in the end through the merits of Christ, be partakers of the kingdom of heaven, which God for his Christ's sake grant us. Amen.  

A Psalm of praise, wherein the mercy, the love, the providence, strength, and wisdom of God is remembered, his mindfulness of the afflictions, and dangerous estate of his servants, in the time of their greatest need, and the deserved confusion of the adversaries of his truth, briefly declared.  
Oh jova Domine noster, quàm nobile est tuum nomen in toto terrarum orb?  
I Will praise the Lord, with all my heart, and show forth all his marvelous works.  
2 I will be joyful and rejoice in thee, oh Lord, I will sing praises unto thee, oh thou most highest.  
3 For thou hast turned back mine enemies, thou hast thrown down those that devised mischief against me: yea thou hast reproved the wicked, and turned their vain hope to nought, & their counterfeit glory into open ignominy and reproach.  
4 Thou hast taken my cause in hand, maintained my right, and preserved me, thou sitting in the seat of judgement, hast shown thyself an upright judge.  
5 Thou hast rebuked the multitude of those ungodly ones, that have sought the dishonour of thy name, the spoil of thy sanctuary, & blood of thine anointed.  
6 In so much as I may, to my comfort, say unto them, and to the chief Captains of their multitudes, Oh enemy, the destructions that thou diddest threaten, wherein thou vainly vauntedst to destroy Cities, to subvert Kingdoms, & to extinguish the memory of the godly from of the earth (behold) thou thyself consumest, the breath of the Lords mouth shaketh thee, thy triumphing before the victory, soundeth forth thy perpetual shame, and deserved confusion.  
7 The Lord, whose true service, thou seekest to violate, and whose servants thou seekest to supplant, hath an everlasting dominion, and he sitteth in judgement, to give unto every man his due right.  
8 It is he that only ruleth and governeth the whole world with righteousness, and with the balance of his truth and equity discideth every man's cause.  
9 It is he that is the strong & a defensible Tower, to such as are oppressed, an assured refuge to the afflicted, and an undoubted revenger of such as seek to lay violent hands upon his anointed.  
10 And therefore as many as know thy name, (Oh Lord) thy mercy and strength, will put their confidence in thee, for thou never forsakest, but duly relievest, and protectest those that truly seek thee.  
11 Oh sing praises, sing praises therefore unto the Lord, that hath his dwelling on high, and yet so beholdeth all such as are true of heart, let us declare unto all people the worthy acts which he hath done for us already, whereof great cause we have to rejoice in him.  
12 He seeketh and findeth out such as are desirous to shed blood, & thirst after the destruction of his anointed, showing himself most mindful of those that love him, and forgetteth not to deliver such as are in danger, and winketh not at the wicked.  
13 Have mercy (Lord) upon me, oh thou that hast miraculously defended me from deaths door. Consider how mine enemies yet cease not to imagine mischief against me, and to lay violent hands upon my guiltless person, thou my strength and aid, consider it, and deliver me.  
14 That I may with joy sing forth thy worthy praises and entering into Zion, may reioysingly declare, that thou art he that savest me, by whom I stand, and by whom my enemies are thrown down on every side of me.  
15 A huge multitude of enemies have risen up against me, but thou hast brought it so to pass that they are overwhelmed with the 'slud they devised to bring in upon me, they are fallen into the pit they digged for me, and they are strangled in the snare, they laid privily for me. This oh Lord is thy doing, and it is comfortable even unto my soul.  
16 Oh Lord thy wisdom is unsearchable, thy love incomprehensible, and thy mercies wonderful, and thy judgement known by executing justice, upon such as use crafty wylenes against the innocent.  
17 Rise up, rise up (oh lord) in the behalf of thy servant, let not thy handmaid be always forgotten, let not her hope, which she hath always in thy defence, be frustrate, let not the wicked prevail, in the crafty conspiracies which they imagined: Cast them down (oh Lord) and let the effect of their devices show their folly, & themselves to be but mortal men.  isaiah. 35. 3. 4. Confirmate manus languidas, & labantia corroborate genua: Dicite animifestinis, este fortes, & impavidi, en Deus vester ultor veniet, praemiator Deus, ipse veniet seru●tum vos. Non vi, sed veritate. 
FINIS.